1960s - The social decade

Social activities during the 60s included car trials, housie nights, barbecues, balls, dinner dances, harbour cruises and theatre parties.

In November 1960 it was moved and seconded that Mr Sweetnam be engaged to remake Courts 1, 2 and 3 for a fee of £370 per court. The surface chosen was ‘en-tout- cas’ made of red crushed brick with pipes underneath to provide moisture. These courts had the advantage of drying quickly after rain. ’en-tout-cas’, still very popular in Melbourne, and the surface for the French Open at Roland Garros, is the oldest of all artificial tennis court surfaces. It was first manufactured in 1909 in England, copying artificial courts made from crushed ant heaps in South Africa, but using crushed brick and burned shale, giving the familiar red/orange colour. Their value lay in the fact that they were quick to drain. By 1914, the new ‘en-tout-cas’ red clay tennis courts were being installed in their hundreds and were used for the Davis Cup, and the French, British and Canadian Championships. ‘en-tout-cas’ was a major contributor to WWII by building and repairing airfields for the RAF.

An interesting tennis final took place in January 1961, most unlikely to ever re-occur! The headline of the Lane Cove Advertiser of 2 February 1961 read :

“LONGUEVILLE & NORTHWOOD BOYS IN FINAL OF AUSTRALIAN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS.

JOHN NEWCOMBE, WINNER, GEOFF POLLARD, RUNNER-UP

16-years-old Longueville lad John Newcombe won the Australian Junior Tennis Championships on Friday when he defeated 17-years-old Geoff Pollard of Northwood at the Kooyong Courts, Melbourne, last Friday. Surprise of the Championships was dark horse Geoff Pollard, son of Dr. and Mrs. Alf Pollard of Northwood. Geoff fought his way up by defeating several seeded players to play off the final against No.1 seeded player (and neighbour of a few streets away) John Newcombe. Despite his determined fight up from the unseeded ranks and his defeat of No. 2 seeded player Rodney Brent of Newcastle, he was defeated in the final by John 6-3, 6-3.”

John Newcombe’s tennis career is legendary, and well-known in Australia and overseas. He won his first Wimbledon title in 1967 and his achievements are too numerous to record in this history. LTC member, Geoff Pollard went on to win the Northern Suburbs Tennis Association Men’s Singles Championship for 11 consecutive years from 1961-1971 inclusive and represented Australia in the Junior Davis Cup in the USA with Tony Roche from 1961-1963.

Aeolus Tennis Club at Cammeray closed in 1961 due to development on their site and this brought 13 new members and keen volunteer workers to the Club, including Margaret and Alan Leask. Alan and Margaret played Badge, were active committee members, and Alan used his engineering qualifications to benefit the Club. He was later President for 10 years, and then Patron.

1962 saw the introduction of nylon nets and plastic lines. These innovations were time-saving and cost-saving. The former cotton nets had to be taken down each day and stored inside and the former chalk white lines had to be painted most days using string guide-lines and a special push-along whiting machine.

In 1965 24 members expressed interest in playing night competition. An investigation was undertaken into lighting the courts. This was the Club’s first unsuccessful bid for lights.

In December 1968 the committee moved and seconded that cigarette disposal bins be purchased for the patio. At the end of the decade membership was 88 with the majority being active members.

Geoff Pollard AM

Geoff joined LTC in 1956 and in 1961 was Runner-up to John Newcombe at the Australian Junior Championships. He was Northern Suburbs Men’s Singles Champion for 11 consecutive years 1961 – 1971 .

Between 1961 and 1963 he represented Australia (with Tony Roche) in Junior Davis Cup in the USA.

Geoff was President of Tennis NSW from 1979-1989.

In 1988 he was awarded an AM for his ongoing and significant contribution to tennis.

Geoff was President and CEO of Tennis Australia from 1989 to 2010 and is a Life Vice President of the International Tennis Federation.