Tennis courts a home

SIX years ago this column wrote about the Geelong RSL Club and its various homes since it was formed after World War I.

In that discussion we mentioned that the RSL had moved from its original home on the west side of Yarra St, between Ryrie and Little Malop streets, to the former home of the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club on Brougham St in 1953.

It is now time to discuss in more detail the history of the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club, which was the original occupier of the RSL’s second home on Brougham St opposite the Geelong Club, which remains there today.

It was at that same Geelong Club that 38-year-old wool broker Edward Harewood Lascelles had adjourned for dinner one evening in October 1882, after first attending a meeting in Macks Hotel next door to discuss the formation of a tennis club in Geelong.

At a general meeting of members in December of that same year at Macks Hotel, Lascelles had been elected secretary of the new tennis club, which soon negotiated to lease a large section of land attached to the Customs House. The customs building remains today just to the east of Moorabool St on the north side of Brougham St overlooking the bay.

Although known as the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club, the six courts in operation in 1914 were described as being of asphalt construction, suggesting the name lawn tennis related to the type of game played.

The Geelong Lawn Tennis Club’s Easter Tournament was established as a highlight of the tennis calendar and the club was soon producing some fine homegrown talent to ensure a willing contest.

One of the first of these was Gus Kearney, who became champion of the Australian colonies while still a student at Geelong College. In the 1920s the club’s Jack Hawkes regularly represented Australia in the Davis Cup.

After World War II the tennis club went in search for a larger site on which to establish grass courts. It decided on a site in Belmont near the Barwon River and the new courts were opened in November 1948. The RSL moved to the Brougham St site in 1953. Contact: peterjohnbegg@gmail.com

Geelong tennis club’s Davis Cup star Jack Hawkes. GAMES ON: An aerial picture looking to the southeast showing a tournament in progress on the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club courts in the 1920s.

FAR LEFT: Looking west over the six asphalt courts of the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club during its Easter Tournament in 1914. LEFT: Some of the crowd in front of the tennis club pavilion in 1907.