Pomonal Tennis Club opened its upgraded playing surfaces on Sunday 27 October with a huge day of activities.
Attendees met Australian tennis icon John Fitzgerald OAM, who brought stories of his seven Grand Slam titles along with two official Australian Open trophies to the club as part of the 'AO On the Road' tour. Club members, visitors and residents were able to take selfies with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup (Men's) and Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup (Women's) awards.
The courts at Pomonal Tennis Club were freshly resealed in October 2024 by third-generation-run Ararat company SHS Civil, which employs approximately 30 staff from around Ararat Rural City and Northern Grampians.
SHS removed the existing seal and subgrade from the courts, also extracting any roots that could cause damage to the courts in the future. They then replaced the base with 220mm of class 2 FCR (fine crushed rock), before sealing with 40mm of 7mm type N asphalt.
The project began in late August and was completed on 10 October. It was funded by Ararat Rural City Council, along with $20,000 contributed by the Blue Ribbon Foundation.
Pomonal Tennis Club is now looking for new competition players for the Minniera and District Association. Playing against the local teams of Skipton, Willaura and Tatyoon, games are held on Saturdays at 1pm during October and November, with a break for Harvest and Christmas and then recommencing in February.
Men, women, and all levels of skill are welcome; interested players can contact Pomonal Tennis Club at or on 0407 823 874.
