Open trophies on display in Bacchus Marsh

THE Bacchus Marsh Lawn Tennis Club hit a winner last Sunday when the Australian Open men’s and women’s singles trophies came to town.

The Norman Brookes Challenge Cup and the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup spent several hours at the club’s Maddingley headquarters before being taken around town for various photo opportunities as part of Tennis Australia’s AO on the Road tour.

And according to club president Ben White, the trophies – accompanied by Australian tennis icon John Fitzgerald – were quite a hit.

“It was fantastic,” he said. “People were so rapt and happy; all the smiles after people got to hold these cups.

“It was really great to see the happiness these cups brought to the club.”

Bacchus Marsh was the first stop on the trophies’ tour, which is also taking in Castlemaine, Pomonal and several other regional towns through to December.

After the tennis club, the trophies were taken for photo opportunities at places such as a local strawberry farm, Lerderderg Gorge and the 1000 Plus Steps.

White said the photos would be used in a Tourism Victoria advertising campaign promoting the Australian Open and the state overseas.

The advertisements will also be played during next January’s tournament.

White said one of the probable reasons his club was chosen as a tour stop was its inclusivity.

The club hosts A Gay Day on the Green tournament each year for the LGBTIQA+ community, as well as a women’s tournament and a Movember tournament, both of which are scheduled for next month.

And in May, the club won Tennis Victoria’s Most Outstanding Inclusion Initiative award for it’s a Gay Day on the Green event.

“They’re more than just tennis tournaments; there’s a bit of meaning behind them,” White said.

As well as Fitzgerald, the tour stop was attended by Tennis Victoria CEO Kim Kuchel, its country central west development officer Kate-Lyn Perkin, federal Member for Hawke Sam Rae, state Member for Eureka Michaela Settle, and Moorabool Shire councillors Ally Munari and Moira Berry.

The day began with junior ‘Hot Shots’ activities and when the trophies arrived at about midday, many people took the opportunity to have their picture taken with them and to hold them for just a few moments.

White said the event also coincided with the first day of play on the club’s grass courts.

The club operates year round for social and competitive tennis, and has two teams in the Western Region Tennis Association.