SHIRE of Northam president Steve Pollard will have the honour of opening the Bakers Hill upgraded tennis courts this Sunday during the 100th anniversary celebrations of the tennis club.
The club was formed in 1914 and tennis was played on a single court in the Bakers Hill School grounds which were on the site of what is now known as Hooper Park.
The original two courts at the current location in St George Street were constructed in 1918-1920 from anthill clay collected from the Bakers Hill area.
A small shed doubling as a clubhouse was also constructed.
Volunteers from the town and farms all lent a hand and machinery for this project.
Another single anthill court was added in the late 20s early 30s, making a total of three courts.
In 1948 the golf course was cleared and a new clubhouse was built and this was the start of the combined Bakers Hill Golf and Tennis Club facility.
In 1951-52 the single court was upgraded to an all-weather hard court of colas and a topping of sawdust making it a good surface to play on.
In 1967 a new brick clubhouse constructed and financed by a donation from the Bakers Hill Independent Order of Oddfellows Lodge and an interest free loan from the Shire of Northam plus debentures from members of the golf and tennis members.
The single colas courts were upgraded to two hard courts of hot mix in 1977-1978 and in the same year lights were installed for night tennis.
The two hot mix courts were resurfaced in 1993 with bitumen/emulsion walk top which was financed by the Shire of Northam, tennis club, and community volunteer labour.
A successful grant in 2006-07 allocated to the upgrading of the two anthill courts which was completed in 2008 at a final cost of $41,224 with the tennis club contribution being $8000 in labour and donations from the Bakers Hill community.
The latest upgrade with a budget of $92,653.65 began in August and was completed in June this year; this was made possible by a grant from the Department of Sport and Recreation, the Shire of Northam and the Tennis Club.
Thanks to the Bakers Hill community volunteers who donated their labour and to the BGC Quarry.
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A BLESSING service was held at St Nicholas Church Bakers Hill on October 12 for the volunteers and emergency services vehicles in the area.
A great representation of volunteer firebrigades from Bakers Hill, Clackline, Muresk, Inkpen, Grass Valley, Wundowie Ambulance and the Fire and Rescue Service attended.
The service was conducted by Reverend Peter Bourne from Toodyay, emphasising the amazing commitment of all the volunteers in all types of weather.
With summer not far away, these services will undoubtedly be in demand around the clock.
Volunteers are important, so have a thought for those who have to attend accidents and fires at all times of the night and day throughout the year at any time of the day or night.
Positions are available to take in new volunteers to these services.
Thankyou to the ladies who provided the scrumptious homemade cakes for afternoon tea following the service.
