About Us

The origin of the Melba Tennis Club first stemmed from an application put forward to the National Capital Development Commission (the department at the time responsible for the planning of Canberra) by Colin Mason who had just returned from England and settled in the area.

The National Capital Development Commission responded that they would support the development of the club provided that community interest could be substantiated. They stipulated that this requirement would be satisfied if 100 people contributed $2.00 each towards the project.

A meeting was held at the Melba Hall with well over 100 people attending to support the proposal for a new club.

The Melba Tennis Club was built and was officially opened by Senator J. W. Knight on the 18th of September 1976 . At that time the club consisted of only a club house with 4 decomposed granite courts.

The first committee members were:

President - Dr Roy Green

Vice President - Colin Mason

Treasurer - David Coutts

Over the years the Melba Tennis Club has undergone numerous stages of expansion and improvements, most notably doubling in size from a 4 court to an 8 court complex.

The expansion of the Melba Tennis Club has been largely dependent on funds raised by the club and on voluntary labour provided by members. Most of the improvements such as the installation of court lighting, landscaping and renovations to the club house have largely resulted from voluntary labour provided by members. These members have contributed significantly towards the Melba Tennis Club becoming a self-reliant family orientated club.



Life Members

Colin Mason

Colin Mason was responsible for submitting the initial application for a tennis club in the North Belconnen area to the National Capital Development Commission. The National Capital Development Commission responded stipulating that public support needed to be substantiated to which Colin responded by placing an ad in the Canberra Times announcing a public meeting regarding the proposal. The meeting was held with overwhelming public support for the project.

Colin was appointed the clubs first Vice President and over time held a series of positions such as Club Captain, Junior Convener and finally president.

As president of the Melba Tennis Club Colin maintained a close relationship with Tennis ACT. Subsequently, Colin accepted a position as Chairman of the Board of Management of the National Sports Club. He was then appointed Vice President of Tennis ACT and finally President, a position he held for 5 years.

As President of Tennis ACT his role included membership into the Council of Tennis Australia.

Due to the significant contributions Colin has made to Tennis ACT and the sport of tennis in general he has been granted life membership of Tennis ACT and the National Sports Club.



Alex Wallenski

Both Alex along with his wife, Sue, actively contributed towards the administration of the club on many fronts. Together they assisted in the organisation of the Sunday Social, the organisation of pennant teams, as well as organising and participating in many of the clubs social occasions.

Alex also contributed immensely towards the operations of the club by serving on the Melba Tennis Club committee as Maintenance Officer for approximately 12 years, from 1986 to 1998. During this time a number of the courts still consisted of decomposed granite which required continual maintenance to sustain their playability.