Tribute to Ted Grigson
Sadly, Ted Grigson, one of the founders of the
Gold Coast Seniors Tennis Club (GCSTC) and its first
President, passed away recently at the age of 82.
The excellent facilities enjoyed by members of the
GCSTC are a tribute to the founding members who
included Ted Grigson, Stan Hawker and others. It was
their vision and hard work that paved the way for
the success of the Club as we know it today.
Ted Grigson will be remembered by many Clubs
throughout Melbourne and the Gold Coast. He was not
a passive member and always took an active part in
promoting the sport of tennis. Ted first joined the
Caulfield Central RSL Tennis Club in 1955. He was
Secretary of that Club in 1956-57 and became
President in 1958. He was instrumental in
establishing the Bennettswood Tennis Club in 1966 in
Melbourne. He was the inaugural President and
through sheer hard work and marshalling volunteers,
the Clubhouse and six en-tout-cas courts were opened
on 9th November 1969. An exhibition match was played
at the opening between Colin Stubs, John Cooper,
Alan Stone and John Stephens.
The Gold Coast Veterans Tennis Club (now re-named
the Gold Coast Seniors Tennis Club) was formed on
6th September 1978 and the first AGM was held at
Queen’s Park Tennis Centre on 10th October 1978. All
tennis was played at Queen’s Park until the present
complex was built at Pizzey Park on land leased by
the Albert Shire Council in August 1983. At that
time the Club had 37 members.
The six original courts were firstly bitumen, then
plexipave and have been a synthetic grass surface
for many years. In 1989, three additional courts
were built with money lent by members. This money
was repaid in under three years. The driving force
for the establishment of the GCSTC was Ted Grigson,
Stan Hawker and other visionary volunteers. Ted was
the Club President for 7 years until 1985. In 1988
he took on the role of Treasurer. In late 1988, Ted
and his wife Mavis returned to Victoria.
In 1989, the Melbourne Veterans Group was formed at
the Bennettswood Tennis Club and in 1996 Ted was
presented with a plaque for establishing the Mens
Veterans Group. In 2003 Ted was awarded the
Commonwealth of Australia Sport Achievement Award.
Not surprisingly, he had also been made a Life
Member of the Gold Coast Seniors Tennis Club and the
Bennettswood Tennis Club. He wrote a history of the
GCSTC which he continually up-dated and, for that
purpose, he asked to be kept on the mailing list to
receive the Club’s quarterly newsletter.
Ted was one of the true stalwarts of the tennis
world. The fact that so many players are able to
enjoy the game of tennis today on such excellent
facilities is due in no small way to the mighty
efforts of volunteers like Ted Grigson. Our sincere
sympathies go to his wife Mavis and her family.
Thanks to the Gold Coast Seniors Tennis Club for
this article.
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