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.