17 November 2022 | Tennis Victoria

Margaret Harris has been a strength of tennis throughout the Gippsland region but also across the world. But it’s her contribution to tennis at a club level that has seen her awarded a Tennis Service Award as part of Tennis Victoria’s Recognition Program.

Margaret has dedicated her life to tennis through administration, playing and coaching.  In her coaching career she has thrived on passing on her passion, knowledge and experience of the sport to encourage children and adults to take up the game and play for the fun and pleasure of being active and socialising.  She has particularly focused on engaging with disadvantaged children as demonstrated with her 20 years at Victennis/Oztennis/Kids Tennis Foundation and women.  To that end she has introduced tennis to thousands of people over the years.

Her administration contribution has been across Club, Regional and State level and has been recognised with a Club Life Membership.

Margaret’s on court achievements are vast. Margaret played in 12 Grand Slams between 1961-1968 including Australian, French and Wimbledon.  She was the first and only woman to win the Junior, Ladies and Veterans Singles at the Inter Regionals in Victoria.  She was the first female winner of the “Gippstar” Sports Personality of the Year in 1964.  She captained A Grade Pennant for East Malvern Tennis Club as a 16 year old, played Country Week 13 times and represented Country Victoria in Interstate teams 4 times. She was ranked number 2 Victorian junior in 1963 and 1964 and was Victorian Veterans Champion 1986-1991.  Margaret was ranked Australian Veteran Ladies number 1 in 1989 and won the Gold Medal Australian Masters Games 1987 for singles and doubles. She was awarded the Governor’s Tennis Trophy Best Female player 1999 and 2000. Margaret won 20 Super Senior titles between 2012 and 2018 and was a Finalist in Tennis Victoria’s Seniors Award 2016.

Margaret has also served on the former TV Council, was Secretary and Treasurer of the Gippsland Region, served on the TV Country and Disciplinary committees, managed interstate teams and officiated at Country Carnivals. She has been a member of Altona and Royal Park Tennis Clubs and is a Life Member of Williamstown Tennis Club.

Congratulations on all of your achievements Margaret and thank you for your contribution to tennis in Victoria.

If you want to hear more from Margaret you can also listen to her on the Hit Local, Play Global podcast (click here for Spotify).