AGM 2023-2024 DOCUMENTS- 27TH OCT 3pm AT THE CLUB
COURT LIGHTING APPLICATION REJECTED BY VCAT
After a couple of years in planning, the council spurred on by local residents rejected the lighting plan on the grounds of impact on amenity.
Although the lighting plan passed the technical aspects of court lighting, VCAT upheld the permit rejection in July 2023.
Back story: The club has formally applied for a planning permit to install lighting at the club on courts 1 and 2 only to premit year round play and coaching.
Mid week night tennis continues to appeal to a broader range of players, particularly younger people who wish to keep weekends free.
Modern Court lighting technology is superior to past solutions and we have been able to devise a plan which meets all the requirements as to spill and glare under the various residential codes. While we are lighting two courts we are in fact using the same number of lights as one court.
The next stage is to commence local advertising to neighbours and then deal with any council issues.
We have been building the funds to commence the project within the next 6 months or so. Plus, we would like to apply for various grants from local council and Tennis Victoria.
covid unvaccinated player rules & vaccination proof requirements
Dear members,
Thanks to all of you who participated in our consultative survey last week. About two thirds (94) of current members responded.
As you will see there was strong support for not permitting unvaccinated players to attend the club and while this does not involve a numerically huge number, the committee have resolved a balanced approach to satisfy the situation in which we find ourselves.
This communication is, however, concerned with letting you know what the committee proposes regarding participation by unvaccinated members. In coming to our decision, we have taken account of some key information from the survey:
• almost 80% of respondents are fully vaccinated, with a further 10% waiting on their second vaccination; only 2 declared themselves unvaccinated and 8 did not reveal their status.
• 61% of respondents expressed disagreement with the current practice of allowing unvaccinated players to play; a greater number, around 65%, expressed preference for access only to be available for players who are fully vaccinated; around 68% of those who didn’t prefer access only for fully vaccinated preferred that access be open to people who are either fully vaccinated or who have had their first dose and are to receive their second by 26th October.
• 76% would prefer, once social tennis sessions are allowed again (which are of course based on doubles play), that social tennis only be open to fully vaccinated players.
It is clear from these answers that a large number of the membership is concerned about the prospect of playing with or alongside unvaccinated players. The committee also acknowledges concerns raised by doctors and public health officers about the risk of ‘breakthrough’ infection from unvaccinated to vaccinated people, especially as there is gradual relaxation of lockdown restrictions. We are mindful that such breakthrough infections are most likely to affect vaccinated people whose immunity is lowered by either medical conditions or advancing age. With more than half our membership over 60 and, by definition then, with lower immunity, the club should take seriously its duty of care to the overall membership. Additionally, unvaccinated players do need to be very careful not to get Covid by taking all relevant precautions while at the club.
Taking all these factors into account, we propose that, with reference to players over 16
i) for most of the time access will only be available to people who are either fully vaccinated or have had their first vaccination and will be receiving their second by October 26th; unvaccinated players who have a certificated medical exemption.
ii) access for unvaccinated players will be allowed on three evenings a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 4pm) and one morning a week (Tuesday, up until 12pm). All members may play at these times, but do so in the knowledge that they may be playing alongside unvaccinated players.
iii) when organised social tennis sessions resume (Wed and Frid am and Sat pm), unvaccinated players are not to participate.
iv) people intending to play should forward a copy of their vaccination certificates to the President; we will keep a list of eligible players against which to check names on bookings. Please may we remind everyone to list full names for all players on a booking.
The President's email is EMAIL LINK The information will be recorded against the membership list which is managed by both the President and membership manager on the committee.
v) if you are bringing a visitor to the club could you please ensure they are vaccinated before booking a court, or otherwise book for one of the unvaccinated periods.
We recognise that the above arrangements may not please everybody. But we are attempting to balance out health concerns with a diversity of membership wishes. We need to rely on all members to act with good faith in abiding by these directives. We would also remind you, in accordance with the CHO regulations, that you should always check in with the QR code, wear a mask when not actually playing, and not linger about the courts when not playing.
Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about thesedirectives.
Kind Regards The Committee
Thanks to all of you who participated in our consultative survey last week. About two thirds (94) of current members responded.
As you will see there was strong support for not permitting unvaccinated players to attend the club and while this does not involve a numerically huge number, the committee have resolved a balanced approach to satisfy the situation in which we find ourselves.
This communication is, however, concerned with letting you know what the committee proposes regarding participation by unvaccinated members. In coming to our decision, we have taken account of some key information from the survey:
• almost 80% of respondents are fully vaccinated, with a further 10% waiting on their second vaccination; only 2 declared themselves unvaccinated and 8 did not reveal their status.
• 61% of respondents expressed disagreement with the current practice of allowing unvaccinated players to play; a greater number, around 65%, expressed preference for access only to be available for players who are fully vaccinated; around 68% of those who didn’t prefer access only for fully vaccinated preferred that access be open to people who are either fully vaccinated or who have had their first dose and are to receive their second by 26th October.
• 76% would prefer, once social tennis sessions are allowed again (which are of course based on doubles play), that social tennis only be open to fully vaccinated players.
It is clear from these answers that a large number of the membership is concerned about the prospect of playing with or alongside unvaccinated players. The committee also acknowledges concerns raised by doctors and public health officers about the risk of ‘breakthrough’ infection from unvaccinated to vaccinated people, especially as there is gradual relaxation of lockdown restrictions. We are mindful that such breakthrough infections are most likely to affect vaccinated people whose immunity is lowered by either medical conditions or advancing age. With more than half our membership over 60 and, by definition then, with lower immunity, the club should take seriously its duty of care to the overall membership. Additionally, unvaccinated players do need to be very careful not to get Covid by taking all relevant precautions while at the club.
Taking all these factors into account, we propose that, with reference to players over 16
i) for most of the time access will only be available to people who are either fully vaccinated or have had their first vaccination and will be receiving their second by October 26th; unvaccinated players who have a certificated medical exemption.
ii) access for unvaccinated players will be allowed on three evenings a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 4pm) and one morning a week (Tuesday, up until 12pm). All members may play at these times, but do so in the knowledge that they may be playing alongside unvaccinated players.
iii) when organised social tennis sessions resume (Wed and Frid am and Sat pm), unvaccinated players are not to participate.
iv) people intending to play should forward a copy of their vaccination certificates to the President; we will keep a list of eligible players against which to check names on bookings. Please may we remind everyone to list full names for all players on a booking.
The President's email is EMAIL LINK The information will be recorded against the membership list which is managed by both the President and membership manager on the committee.
v) if you are bringing a visitor to the club could you please ensure they are vaccinated before booking a court, or otherwise book for one of the unvaccinated periods.
We recognise that the above arrangements may not please everybody. But we are attempting to balance out health concerns with a diversity of membership wishes. We need to rely on all members to act with good faith in abiding by these directives. We would also remind you, in accordance with the CHO regulations, that you should always check in with the QR code, wear a mask when not actually playing, and not linger about the courts when not playing.
Please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about thesedirectives.
Kind Regards The Committee
Club News & Facebook Page
Current Committee 2022/2023
The Current 2020/21 committee includes:President: Rodney LackVice President: TBCSecretary: Greg GiesekamTreasurer: Jason CutrupiGeneral Committee Members: Eddie Young Genevieve Cleary (membership manager)Mirko Bagaric
Neerav Srivastava
Jill Morisson
David Jones
2020 HTC OPEN CLUB CHAMPION
Congratulations to our new club champion, Dimitir Bagaric, aged 12. Already ranked in the top 5 in his age bracket, young Dimitri has a very consistent game and is developing magnificently under club coach, Michael Logarzo. Needless to say, Dimitri would be our youngest champion in our 107 year club history and a long the way beat many of our existing pennant players. Dimitri started coaching here under then coach, David Pieta who was defeated in the final 6-4- 6-1. No doubt the challenge for the old crew will be to get fitter..... well done Dimitri. Thanks to all who came to support both players. The 2021 Championships will be very interesting.
2019 OPEN TOURNAMENT WINNER
This year saw the emergence of new champion James Roach over former champion Jesse Taylor. Thanks to all those who participated
Club News
2018 OPEN TOURNAMENT WINNER
Some excellent tennis was played over the last couple of months in our Open Tournament. The winner this week was David Pieta over Jesse Taylor in 3 sets. David has been club champion for something like 10 times and so we welcome more members to enter this highly prized tournament. It was also the first year we had a lady player in the draw given her pennant experience so although Airlie made the semi's also to lose in 3 to Jesse it was a marvellous field of 16. Also playing were coach Diego and new members Nick and Josh.
australian open : CONGRATS TO OUR CLUB COACH AND STAR PUPIl ZOE HIVEs
Zoe and Michael have had a great summer leading to a wild card into the Brisbane International followed by wild cards into the Hobart and then the Australian Open Ladies Singles, Doubles and Mixed. In singles Zoe made round 2 and here she is with Michael in blue. Hawksburn wishes Zoe well on what we hope is the start of an interesting 2019 and with these solid performances and improved ranking she may well make the qualifying rounds and even the main draws of the next three majors. Another star pupil Dimitri Bagaric had a great tournament win over Lleyton Hewitt's son and this young man is the club's most enthusiastic juniors hitting nearly every day with dad Mirko. This is not only good coaching but excellent dedication to seeing a passion is given the best possible chance to develop into something very special.
2017 Club champion jesse taylor
This years tournament was a very tight affair featuring some quality players as evidenced by all matches leading to the finals being won in 3 sets.
Mirko showed us all that fitness was paramount with some major come back wins after losing the first set.In the final it seemed like this might have been the case once again with Jesse, having won the first was 0-3 down with break points against him a few times to be 0-4. As play would have it the game turned and the final was 6/3 6/4.
As you can see smiles all round for a well fought out final and congratulations to Jesse on the win and Mirko on being a tough competitor. We all need to get fitter next year!!!!
Mirko showed us all that fitness was paramount with some major come back wins after losing the first set.In the final it seemed like this might have been the case once again with Jesse, having won the first was 0-3 down with break points against him a few times to be 0-4. As play would have it the game turned and the final was 6/3 6/4.
As you can see smiles all round for a well fought out final and congratulations to Jesse on the win and Mirko on being a tough competitor. We all need to get fitter next year!!!!
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Summer Court Care
Correct shoes must be worn at all times during play. The herringbone pattern such as a Dunlop Volley are ideal. Runners with knobby soles damage the court. Dust control is always an issue and courts must be watered before bagging, even after bagging, prior to after each set. Often it is advisable to water during a set in very hot or windy conditions. It is important to prevent the loss of en tout cas and minmise dust affecting our neighbours.
2017 Cup Day Festivites
As a trial some of our Friday group conducted a Cup Day event which was enjoyed by many who attended. The club aims to promote this is as a formal social even next year.
