Three years ago the club discovered its courts were in too poor condition to continue playing. 

After being in sub-par condition for many years, the cracks and holes had become too dangerous for players to continue. 

The Douglas farming community refused to give up the heart of the area, throwing itself into fundraising.

The club has been running for more than 115 years and has always had a team. 

Secretary Anne Penny said the community felt like the club was slipping away. “It was difficult to attract players to our local team when it didn’t feel like a local team,” she said. 

“When your home games are in a different town it is hard. If it continued I think we would have lost our club.” 

The club applied for government and Tennis Australia grants and was successful, gaining two grants to rebuild. 

However, one grant was for $33,000 and the club had to match it, and then some, in order to complete the works. 

It was a long journey but the club managed to pool together more than $80,000 with government grants, community fundraising and support from Douglas businesses. 

Penny said it was a big job. 

“We had to pull up the existing courts and put completely new ones in with new fencing as well,” she said. 

“We started with a grain drive, approaching farmers to ask if they would donate a portion of their harvest sales to the club. 

“We also asked businesses within and with links to the Douglas community for donations. People were also very generous.”

Penny said it was not just the money – several community members volunteered to cut down labouring costs. 

The club will unveil all three tennis courts at a grand opening on November 4 with a home game to follow on November 5. 

“There is a lot of history there and connections with players now whose great-grandparents might have been involved,” Penny said.  “Being the only sporting club in the area, the social aspect is important given how isolated we are. 

“It’s a way for the community to gather together. We are proud of it, being such a small community. 

“We have a lot of younger up-and-coming players. We now know this will be there for them.”