CANTERBURY TENNIS CLUB INCORPORATED

PRESIDENT'S REPORT - 2010

The following is a report from the President of Canterbury Tennis Club Inc for the financial year ending 28 February 2010.

As always seems to be the case, this again has been a very busy 12 months for the Committee and I'd like to highlight some of the key achievements of the Committee that we have been able to deliver during the 2009/2010 period.

1.    Installation of 2 new court surfaces, with Policlay, at a cost of around $55,000. Replacing the en tous cas courts was a significant and difficult decision for the Committee.  Those courts were in good condition and had a long useful life expectancy.  However, the current and future water situation was not conducive to those type of courts in the long term.  As you know, water tanks were considered as a solution but after careful evaluation by the Committee, it was decided that that strategy could not be considered as a reliable source of sufficient water when most needed so as to be certain of court availability for members.

2.    Financing of the courts was achieved through:

·         A grant of $10,000 from Boroondara Council (which was received last year through an application by the Club when we  were looking for financial support to finance a water tank, but which Council later agreed could be applied against the cost of the new courts).

·         Member's loans of $43,900, on normal commercial terms, reflecting an act of generosity on the part of those members who were able to contribute to the Club in this way.

3.    Other work and improvements around the Clubhouse and on the courts  - wind breaks, padded supports on the lights, the retaining wall - has been completed with the support of the Mid Week Ladies group, Council and the tireless support of Chris Marsh.

4.    Re-signed our club coach Linda Kelly with a contract extension and the establishment of the Canterbury Tennis Foundation.

5.    Appointed Chris Maklary as Junior Convenor, a position that now attracts an honorarium to reflect the important role that this person plays in the future of the Club.

6.    After a Special General Meeting of the Club in February 2010, changes to the categories of members were approved in order to simplify the structure of membership.  At the same time, membership fees for each category of member were reviewed and revised to provide a fairer and more equitable contribution to the financial stability of the Club. Membership fees now include, for all categories, the Tennis Victoria compulsory insurance levy of $24, a capital works levy of at least $10, a key to the courts, and Club competition entry fees.

7.    Club Championships - juniors and seniors - were held during the year as were Social day round robins and particular thanks to Linda Kelly and Mary Larkin for their support to make these events successful.

General Business of the Club

Our membership base continues to grow and, fortunately, the reorganisation of membership categories and necessary fee increases have not adversely impacted membership numbers.  I will ask our Treasurer to give us an update on membership numbers as part of his report.

The Club received a grant of $3000 from Bendigo Bank who continue to show a keen interest in the affairs of our Club. A recent visit to the Club by Dick Menting potentially opens the door for additional support from Bendigo Bank and the Council.

During the year, the Committee approved the nomination of Margaret Walker as a life member of the Club.  Margaret has been involved with the Club for many years and we would wish to record our appreciation of that dedication at this meeting.

Also during the year, the Committee considered and approved the nomination that Kane Georgiou should receive the Jeddayn Award - an award that recognises the all round contribution to the successful wellbeing of the Club and improvement as a player.

Certain projects have been earmarked for this current financial year and are under active consideration by the Committee

·         Repainting the interior of the Club house

·         Upgrading the gardens, paths, stairs, in conjunction with Council, predominately from an OH&S perspective

·         My Tennis software to enable the more efficient and reliable management of membership details

There are always a number of people to thank and hopefully I'll capture most of them.

·         To Polly Hollyoak for kindly and professionally updating our Honours Boards, a task that had fallen behind in recent years

·         To Sue Constance for her commitment to the administration of the Night tennis competition, which continues to be a major source of revenue to the Club

·         To all those members who loaned and donated monies to the Club as part of the court financing project

·         To the coaching staff, the Junior Convenor and others who work so hard to encourage our juniors to enjoy and improve their game.

·         To the Mid Week Ladies committee, who contribute their time and surplus funds to improve the facilities in the Club house, and who ensure that Club has the day to day supplies needed to ensure members are comfortable and catered for when at the Club.

·         And last, but not least, to your dedicated and hard working Committee members who have kept the Club functioning in the ways described in this report.  Each member, Maureen Spencer (Secretary), Danny Tamburrini (Treasurer), Chris Marsh (Maintenance), Stephen Liu (Membership), Linda Kelly, Mary Larkin, Kane Georgiou and last, but not least, Chris Thomson and his endearing wisdom has made an enormous contribution to ensure that this is a great Club for “You”, the members.

All your excellent work is very much appreciated. Whilst I may be the person who stands up here as President and chairs our Committee meetings, much of the hard work is carried out by fellow committee members and volunteers.

Richard Moore

President