The past and present came together at the opening of The University of Queensland's modern $750,000 tennis centre by Federal Member for Ryan and Defence Minister John Moore on Friday, September 8.
Mr Moore and UQ SPORT vice-patron Dr Clem Jones, two of many former UQ tennis champions at the opening ceremony, both had successful tennis careers while students at the University.
Mr Moore, UQ Tennis Club president in 1957, was awarded a University Half Blue in 1959, won the club's Men's Doubles Championship (partnered by Robert Mihell) in 1959-60 and was the Men's Intervarsity Tennis Team captain in 1958.
Dr Jones, who opened the original clubhouse when UQ Tennis Club president in 1956, presented Vice Chancellor Professor John Hay with a photograph of the University's victorious 1953 Niall Cup team.
Dr Jones, the captain, paid tribute to teammates Howard Houston, Neil Roberts, Dos (correct) O'Sullivan, Glen Sheil, Evan Wright, Les Ridgeway and Leo Thompson for Queensland's first victory in the interstate competition in 37 years.
The opening of the new centre follows a period of growth and rebuilding for the UQ Tennis Centre. Between 1949 and 1972, 16 courts and a club pavilion were built; only to be badly damaged during the 1974 Brisbane floods.
The centre re-opened a year later with 22 all-weather courts. In recent years four Rebound Classic courts have been built, along with a 300-seat centre court arena.
The most recent works have seen the modernisation of the complex and the inclusion of additional services including a pro-shop and cafe. Project funding was part of a $1.8 million six-year grant by the University to UQ SPORT for expansion of sporting infrastructure at St Lucia.
Professor Hay said the centre added to the University's "extraordinary array of sporting facilities that are unmatched in the rest of Australia."
For more information, contact Brad Turner, UQ Communications, on (07) 3365 2659.
