Annual General Meeting, Sunday May 18th 2026
Welcome everyone. I acknowledge we are gathered on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people. I pay my respects to their elders past and present.
I also especially welcome our life members in attendance this afternoon. Whilst I make sure members are not scared to attend the AGM by pointing out, you don’t have to volunteer if you attend, it has been a while since we talked of what happens if you take your volunteering and turn it up to the max. Kevin Bolton has been a member at CTC since 1972 after the Jeddayn TC merged with CTC. A life member since 1986. He was already the president of Tennis Officials Australia in 1972. He’s served on the Tennis Victoria and Tennis Australia boards, umpired the Australian Open, all whilst being the senior convenor at Canterbury for 36 years. Imagine that – one moment, deciding on line calls between Edmondson and Newcombe, and the other moment choosing who’s going to be in the CTC open sets 14 team. Kevin’s CV is too long to be listed here, but it’s humbling to read. Kevin’s son Scott is also a member, for 52 continuous years now. You might not be able to volunteer today or for CTC, but keep it in mind. It can be very rewarding, and leave little imprints on other lives – for the better.
Today the club has 390 financial members – exactly the same as last year’s AGM – but the actual people who are members continues to change, 47 are new members. This is a natural thing as people move out, move in, get interested, get injured, and so on. What doesn’t change is that this is an impressive number, especially given we have just 4 courts to share. I thank everyone for their grace when discussing court use. The tension between competition, coaching, events, and social use of the courts is inevitable, and it is a sign of our successful and vibrant club.
The committee continues to support Sunday afternoon being a competition-free timeslot for the enjoyment of members. We have more teams in both night and weekend competition than we can comfortably play at Canterbury. As always, some teams must play home matches away at alternative venues. Coaching is also booked out, and Nima Tennis makes use of alternative venues too.
This year the committee turned its attention inward – to the comfort and enjoyment of the pavilion itself. Thanks to the refurb sub-committee – all non-committee members it is to be noted, you don’t have to volunteer for the main committee to make a difference – we invested in new carpet, couches, and bar tables, giving the clubhouse a softer and more welcoming feel that members and visiting opponents alike have noticed. Thankyou Kylie, Richard and Shima.
Alongside the furnishing upgrade, the club installed additional solar panels and a large solar battery to power our court lights after dark. We expect this to deliver ongoing reductions in our electricity costs for years to come – as well as reducing carbon emissions during the time the electricity grid is hit the hardest: dinner time.
Apart from our consistent sources of income – membership, coaching and night tennis fees – sponsorship last year from the Community Bendigo Bank has assisted the club in its’ aims. Please chat to Aaron Knott if you’re thinking about your banking situation, particularly refinancing mortgages.
The club’s financial position continues to be excellent, but I’ll leave the details of that to Andrew Lane’s treasurers report.
Back to on court action, the club championships ran last year in November, I’m very happy to congratulate our club champions: Amelia Nadarajah defeated Megan Batrouney in the womens, and Dominic Lai defeated David Rowell in the mens. This year’s doubles club championships has been and gone already in March. Thankyou to Maureen and her events sub-committee for these fantastic tournaments.
Want to improve your tennis? You know where to go of course – Nima Tennis. It’s pleasing to see Nima’s leg continuing to recover from last year’s trauma. Nima always manages to book out classes. Nima’s business complements and enhances our club. It’s great having Nima & Nora on the committee, acknowledging the virtuous cycle of successful club and successful coaching business.
Some time ago now Maureen led a club survey, which showed that 96% of respondents would like a periodic newsletter. We’ve failed in this department, so if someone has a passion for publishing, we’d love to have you volunteer for us.
Thankyou to the committee for their effort and contributions throughout the year:
It doesn’t have to be this way, but as it happens all our competition convenors choose not to be simultaneously on the committee as well as convening. Their effort keeps our multitudes of teams registered and on court:
Without the volunteer efforts of all these people I’ve mentioned, and the others they pull into their orbit, the club would not be as successful as it is, nor function as well as it does. And while all these people have done an excellent job, the club is always in search of new volunteers. It reinvigorates the club with new opinions, ideas & energy. The committee & convenors are a welcoming group, and we will gladly help you settle into a role and be successful. This year we must elect a new president as our club has a 3-year maximum tenure written into the club constitution. I’m sure we can manage that.
I look forward to the coming year at Canterbury Tennis Club. All of you here at the AGM, and all the members spending time on our courts. Socialising, being coached, and playing competition. It’s wonderful to think about, appreciate, and be a part of.
Phil Jay