Women’s History Month: Trangie’s tennis star AM
BEFORE there was a Serena or Venus, there was Trangie’s Lesley Rosemary Bowrey (nee Turner).
Mrs Bowrey was born in Trangie in 1942 and over two decades (from the 1950s to the 1970s), she would go on to win seven Grand Slam Doubles, but also pave the way for professional female tennis players after her.
In 1963, Mrs Bowrey won the French Open, defeating Ann Haydon-jones.
She followed this victory up with a win against fellow Australian Margaret Court in 1965.
“Lesley was successful not only in singles but also in doubles,” Remarkable Women of the Central West author Karlyn Robinson said.
“She was a finalist in four Grand Slam singles tournaments including the Australian Open in 1964 and 1967.
“She was the winner of seven Grand Slam Doubles, four with Margaret Court.
“She was successful in four Grand Slam Mixed Doubles, three of these with her partner Fred Stolle...(and) she was the Italian single’s champion in 1967 and 1968.”
In 1968, Mrs Bowrey married fellow Australian tennis player William ‘Bill’ Bowrey.
“She went on to represent
Australia in thirteen ties and thirteen wins in the Federation Cup and was captain of the Australian Federation Cup team between 1994 and 2000,” Ms Robinson said.
In 1985, Mrs Bowrey was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, and in 1997, she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
“She won the Sarah Palfrey Danzig Award in 1997. This award was given to a female player who exhibited sportsmanship, manners, character and a spirit of cooperation that has contributed to the growth of the sport,” Ms Robinson said.
“Previous winners include Martina Navratilova, Tracey Austin, and Billy Jean King.”
In 1998, she was also inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame.
In the Queens’s Birthday Honours in 2009, Mrs Bowrey was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her services to tennis as a player, coach and mentor to junior players and the community.
“A wonderful sporting career for the lady from Trangie.”