On the Grapevine

“I enjoy the people, the sense of community, and it’s a complete afternoon of sport,” David said.

With the 2023-24 season commencing on October 14, the club proposes to field teams in divisions two, three and four of the Goulburn Murray Lawn Tennis Association — and it is not too late to enter your name for selection.

While David has had two stints as president over approximately seven years, his wife, Tamara, has held the position of club treasurer for 14 years. Both play in Division Two and are eagerly looking forward to getting back on the grass for this season’s competition. Tennis is a family affair, with their two youngest children, Bronte, 9, and Alexander, 8, playing in the junior competition on Saturday mornings.

The incoming secretary is a new member of the club: Lyndal Gilbert from Katunga.

The Cobram lawn tennis courts look magnificent and are a credit to Greg Dunn, who also prepares the greens at Cobram Lawn Bowls Club next door.

Daylight saving begins on Sunday, October 1 and from then on Tuesdays there will be practice in the form of a graded round-robin, and social tennis on Thursday evenings for everyone to enjoy the excellent facilities at the club.

Every March the club conducts its Labor Day weekend tournament, which over the years has grown both in size and prestige, with big names in Australian tennis taking out the open championship, including Pat Cash in 1986 and later Wally Masur and John McCurdy.

Cash went on to play at Wimbledon in 1987 and seeded four took the men’s open title from world number one Ivan Lendl in a historic match.

The tournament at Cobram attracts tennis enthusiasts from around the region who appreciate the warm hospitality of the club and being able to play on such beautifully prepared grass courts.

An enthusiastic and committed group of tennis lovers from Melbourne have made the trek up the Hume to compete at the event over more than 40 years, with the originals now bringing along grandchildren to compete. It is a rare opportunity for the hard-court players to have the luxury of playing on grass.

Also, in February next year, the club proposes to field two teams at Country Week, which will be held in Wodonga.

“It’s a great event and the tennis is excellent. We always have a terrific week,” David said.

The club looks forward to success on the courts this coming season, with Division Two consisting of three men and three women to play singles and doubles, while divisions three and four consist of teams of four men and four women, playing a doubles competition.

Off the court, the social aspect is warm and friendly, players love their tennis and most are highly competitive but when the game is over, they enjoy socialising with their competitors and fellow club members.

“There is a wonderful sense of community at the club. Members have been left a great legacy and we should all make the most of it and enjoy what we have,” David said.

If there are any newcomers to town or anyone planning to return to tennis after a break, you are encouraged to contact David Bate on 0439 722 786, he would love to hear from you and invite you along to practice, on either Tuesday evening October 3 or the first social evening, on Thursday, October 5.

Parking incident puts Steve out of action

Woolworths’ popular customer service man Steve Luke, usually recognisable in his fluoro jacket gathering shopping trolleys and readily assisting customers, needed help himself two weeks ago when hit by a vehicle in the supermarket car park.

Several concerned customers came to his aid, an ambulance was called and by midnight that day, Steve was in the operating theatre in Shepparton to have two breaks in his leg repaired, one of which resembled a jigsaw puzzle and took some time to put together.

Two days later, Steve was comfortably settled at the Cobram Hospital receiving the best of care and was lapping it up, including the food.

He cannot put any weight on his right leg yet but is having physiotherapy and is committed to ensuring he performs his exercises as requested, three times a day, but not before he has his first coffee in the morning.

He remembers what he went through when he was attacked many years ago and faced a life-or-death situation, and of the importance of doing exercises to lead a normal life. Suffering brain trauma and paralysis down his left side, it took years for Steve to get back on his feet.

“It’s not my first rodeo,” Steve said, with a smile.

Let’s hope there is not another for this amazingly resilient man.

“If it wasn’t for my wife, Fiona, I could never manage. She is one in a million. She organised for me to come back to Cobram to make it easier for all of us, our sons Anthony and Nathan, our two horses and Viv, our eight-year-old English Staffy,” Steve said.

Parkrun for kids

Parkruns around Australia might seem just for adults, but they draw the interest of children too, who tackle the 5km with an adult, or, if they prefer, a 2.5km event.

Three youngsters, two of whom covered a distance of 2.5km, while the older one ran 5km with relative ease, were happy with their times and plan to give it a go again next week.

The event is free, organised by volunteers and begins at 8am each Saturday at Thompsons Beach, where participants can walk, jog or run.

The average number of finishers each week is 77.5, with an average finishing time of 38.26 minutes over the 5 km.