Wallan Tennis Club, 17 September 2017 | Gabriella Tobias

If you live in Wallan, you might have heard of Dorothy ‘Dot’ Evans. She’s a pillar of the community. If you’ve played tennis for or against Wallan Tennis Club, then you’ve definitely heard of Dot. You might have even played on Evans Court at the club and you’ve probably had afternoon tea in the Evans Pavillion. On Sunday 17 September, Dot Evans was awarded a Highly Commended Service Award* by Tennis Victoria for her decades of dedication to the Wallan Tennis Club. In front of many peers from the club, family and friends Dot and her contribution to tennis in the community was celebrated.

Country North East Participation Leader Sam Condon said “Dot has been a wonderful member of the Wallan Tennis Club, from before its construction through to today.”

Club Secretary Helen Arthur provided some wonderful background and history of Dot’s time at the club:

Prior to moving to Wallan Dot and her husband, Neal Evans (Dec.), played an integral role in the beginning of the Lalor Tennis club. It was no surprise when Cr.R.B. Robson, Shire of Kilmore councillor, announced in 1973 that he was convening a meeting to gauge interest in beginning a tennis club at Wallan that Dot and her family were keen participants as her two daughters, Ruth and Diane wanted to play tennis. The Kilmore Shire was willing to assist in building tennis courts provided that the community could raise $1000.

A committee was established and Dot’s daughter, Diane, was on the inaugural committee. It wasn’t long and Dot was also a part of the General committee. The committee began the task of fundraising and ran quiz nights, dinner dances and raffles. New members were required so Dot was part of a team that door knocked the local residences to sign them up as members.

Two asphalt courts were finally finished in 1975 and officially opened in 1976. The club submitted two senior tennis teams in the Gisbourne District Tennis Association. Dot became secretary in 1977 and stayed in the role until 1979. In 1977 the committee petitioned the council for 2 more courts and received a grant to build the courts in 1978. These were completed in 1980 but required the committee to undertake more fundraising events.

In 1981 Dot was elected President of the Committee. The club did not have a club house and Dot’s husband Neal acquired an old ramshackle shed from the C.R.B. which the committee fitted out and made their own.

Dot became secretary again in 1984 and took on the role on and off until 1998. In 1992 the club rooms were extended by Dot’s husband, Neal, and the committee. Over the years more courts were added to make 6, the original top 4 courts were converted to SFAG courts and lights were added to courts 1-4 in 1998. Eventually the old club house was demolished and a new one built by Dot’s husband in 2003.

During these years Dot was part of a dedicated committee that petitioned council, fundraised and attended council meetings to build our club into what we have today. Every achievement to better the club facilities was a hard won victory that required constant interaction with Council and fundraising to contribute to all capital works. Dot was always on hand to assist with whatever needed to be done, arrange an event, assist with putting a raffle together, assist with working bees and always bought along food to share.

During these years Dot played tennis. She was part of the Monday morning ladies team playing in section 1 & 2 and helped to win many championships as evidenced by her trophies proudly on display in her lounge room. She also played Saturday afternoon competition and was also willing to fill in where required.

One story of Dot’s playing days involves a match against the Kilmore Tennis Club when Dot was in her 60’s.  The ball was hit over the tennis club fence into the park and instead of Dot walking around to pick up the ball she quickly climbed over the tennis court fence!  The players still talk about this awesome feat today!

Dot hung up her racquet in the early 2000’s saying it was time to let the younger ones have a go at playing! Dot says in those days tennis was a family affair with the juniors playing in the morning and the adults in the afternoon and then everyone stayed for a bbq dinner. It was a great social get together and lots of fun.

When Dot has not been in an executive role she has been a member of the general committee; a role she actively participates in today.

She has assisted the club coach to help children learn to play tennis in a Tennis in schools clinic and developed a working relationship with the Wallan Secondary School, encouraging them to bring the students down to the courts and provided them with tennis balls. Dot suggested and implemented a project to open the courts during the month of January each year to allow the public to access the courts for free to encourage interest in tennis and capitalise on the interest created by the Australian Open.

She is an active participant in all committee meetings and working bees always bringing a caramel slice or date loaf. She attends each Christmas party and always brings a wonderful assortment of desserts with the Pavlova and sponge cake being a favourite amongst the members. During the Club Championships you will often see Dot serving in our canteen. She often pops in on a Saturday morning to see how the juniors are going.  Nothing is too much trouble.

Dot is also incredibly generous. One year the income was low and we were considering down grading the junior presentation night. Dot wouldn’t hear of it saying she did not want the kids to miss out so she donated money to the club to enable the presentation night to continue as normal. She also persisted in saying that as a life member she felt like she wasn’t contributing financially so she would pay each year to have the club house carpet cleaned.

The Wallan Tennis Club committee took the opportunity to recognize Dot’s enormous contribution at the Anniversary celebrations by presenting her with a Tennis Victoria Volunteer Recognition certificate and renamed court 1 the Evans Court.

Dot has always followed local politics, still attending council meetings from time to time, and has fostered working relationships with many MP’s, councillors and council workers over the years to assist in the development of the Wallan Tennis Club.  It was only this year that Council contacted Dot to discuss some issues with the development of the new Wallan Splash Park and the club because Dot’s involvement with the Committee was known.

Even when taking on the role of President of the Wallan Neighbourhood house Dot made sure that the Wallan Tennis Club didn’t miss out on any opportunities to advertise the Club by asking the committee to submit articles and photos for the local publication, The Wallan Whistle.

Dot is happiest when she comes down to the club and sees the courts full of children and adults playing tennis. At these times she always comments on how good it is to see the enthusiasm and the fun that everyone is having.

It was clearly evident that Dot Evans is one of those special people that Victorian Tennis is so privileged to have involved. She summed up her thoughts perfectly by saying “There are so many people I know that I wouldn’t if it hadn’t been for tennis. I can’t believe I’m getting an award for something that I’ve enjoyed so much for so long.”

Thank you Dot for all you have done for Wallan Tennis Club and the community and congratulations on your Highly Commended Service Award.

 

If you know someone who should be nominated for a Tennis Service Award you can learn more here.

*An award to recognise persons who have demonstrated their significant contribution to the sport of tennis through outstanding and exemplary service to any one or more of the State Tennis Association’s affiliated tennis clubs and/or associations and/or member organisations. Service to other tennis related bodies may also be recognised.
Ideally the nominee will have completed a considerable tenure of significant continuous or broken service to numerous tennis related bodies.
A maximum of ten Highly Commended Service Awards are awarded per calendar year