Snapshot of the past

A photograph of the Poowong Tennis Club dated 1912.

Whilst we are unsure of the occasion, everyone is dressed in their finery.

The women’s hats are very attractive and held in position with scarves or ribbons.

Note the wooden tennis racquets which are so different to current equipment. The tennis net is positioned ready for the women to begin a match.

The group is posed in front of a grandstand which does not appear to be for viewing tennis matches.

In the background are remnants of the forest that has been cleared.

Photograph and information courtesy of the Warragul and District Historical Society.

The society’s museum at the Old Shire Hall in Warragul displays a range of historical photographs. It is open every Thursday between 10am and 2pm and the second and fourth Sunday of each month between 2pm and 4pm.

If you have any additional information about this photograph, please contact The Gazette on 5623 5666 or editorial@ warragulgazette.com.au.

Spending on car parking in towns should be given priority over public art, at least in the shorter term, according to the Baw Baw Shire Ratepayers and Citizens Association.

Responding to Baw Baw council’s call for comment on a draft Public Art Policy the association recommended spending on art be cancelled for at least two years and the money budgeted be used to establish a cash reserve to help address parking issues.

It said the long-term infrastructure plan had arts spending increasing from $55,000 this financial year, to $95,000 the following year and almost $202,000 in 2021-2022.

According to BBSRCA analysis of council’s budget there were other items costing about $225,000 a year that could be indirectly related to public art and the general budget for this year also contained a deficit item of $852,000 that it believed related mainly to the West Gippsland Arts Centre.

It also claimed there needed to be clarification of spending under the Arts, Culture and Events Strategy 2017-2021 where many of the initiatives and strategies listed mentioned the arts centre, Warragul Civic Place precinct and community hubs that have other monies attached to them.

The submission’s call to suspend spending on arts said the money should be redirected to areas where there was an ever-increasing need and demand on the shire’s responsibilities.