It was a morning to celebrate with the tennis community on Friday 12 July as the Ken and Joan Willis shade structure was officially opened, the new look Tennis ACT Walk of Fame was unveiled, and Canberra Pro Tour volunteers were recognised.
Ken and Joan Willis had a long history with Tennis in the ACT as founding members of Turner Tennis Club and a driving force in the establishment of Tennis Seniors locally and nationally.
Ken was a long standing President of the ACT Lawn Tennis Association and instrumental in moving the tennis headquarters from Manuka to the development of the National Tennis and Squash Club Lyneham which opened in 1970.
Ken and Joan’s children, Sue and Peter Willis, said the shelter which sits next to Court 5 was a fitting acknowledgment of their contribution to Tennis in the ACT.
“We were keen to do something that would be meaningful and memorable for Ken and Joan. As so much of their lives were dedicated to the sport, we thought it would be appropriate to donate the shelter in their honour so that their memory would live on at Lyneham.
“We would like to think that in the years to come, the shade structure will be a reminder to players of Ken and Joan’s great contribution and their legacy to tennis in the ACT.”
“We think that they would feel very proud and humbled by such an honour,” Sue and Peter added.
Ken Willis was also one of the inaugural members of the Tennis ACT Walk of Fame, which was unveiled after receiving an upgrade. Inductees, Ros Balodis and Bruce Larkham were present, along with family members from Keith Carnall, Alison Ide, and Ken Willis, to inspect the upgrades.
Tennis ACT Walk of Fame chairman, Colin Adrian, spoke on the significance of the history in tennis in the ACT, with the Walk of Fame a fitting way to acknowledge those who had made such an impact on the tennis community in Canberra.
The upgrades included new inductee pavers, a centrepiece sign, and new landscaping around the area.
Volunteers from Canberra’s Pro Tour events, were also recognised for their contribution to the Apis Canberra International 2017 being named Most Outstanding Professional Tournament at the Australian Tennis Awards 2018.
Tennis ACT CEO, Kim Kachel said it was important to recognise the huge contribution the volunteer team had in delivering the events in Canberra.
“We wanted to take this time to thank all of the volunteers from not only this event, but all our events. Canberra has developed the reputation of running some of the best events in Australia and the players thoroughly enjoying playing here.”
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