SPRINGWOOD TENNIS CLUB EULOGY FOR VIC BARTON
• Vic and Doreen moved to the Mountains from Lane Cove around
1966 and both quickly joined the STC and then the club’s
committee. At that time the club was struggling and club social
days often barely “made a quorum”.
• By 1969 Vic had become President and with his abundant
leadership skills, infective enthusiasm, and methodical approach
to issues, things began to rapidly improve. The number of players
and teams playing competition tennis exploded. Club
Championships were reinstated and the club once again
prospered.
• By the late 1970’s the club had outgrown the 4 court complex at
Buttenshaw Park and Vic led a small subcommittee charged with
the task of negotiating with Blue Mountains Council and the NSW
Government to firstly, locate a site for a larger complex, and
then to secure finance to build a 10 court tennis complex. The
result of course is the great tennis centre we enjoy today at
Spring St. Of course the great contacts Vic had established over
the years did no harm in this endeavour. His friendships with the
then President of Tennis NSW, Esca Stephens, and the Mayor of
the Blue Mountains, Ern Lesslie, were a great help in “opening
doors” during this period.
• In all, Vic was a member of the STC Management Committee for
over 40 years and Club President in 17 of those years. And in
recent years he honoured the club by agreeing to become Patron.
It is doubtful that this record will ever be exceeded! It is no
wonder that during these years Doreen would “stir the pot” by
referring to herself as a “tennis widow” and claimed Vic was
really “married” to the tennis club but that did not stop her from
being heavily involved in club activities herself and always
supporting Vic along the way. There was a story that Vic and
Doreen’s wedding was planned around Vic’s tennis commitments
at the time but I’m not sure if this is true or just folklore that
developed over the years. Whatever the truth it can be said with
certainty that Vic loved our great game!
• Some people may not be aware that during this time there was
also a separate Springwood Younger Set Tennis Club for younger
players, based at the old Bowling Club Courts. For many years Vic
was also President of that club and Doreen a committee member.
In the years when Springwood was an active member of the Blue
Mountains Tennis Association Vic also made a big contribution to
that organisation, including spending time as President.
• As a player, Vic was, of course, very competitive, and who could
forget some of the great tennis he played, particularly when
playing with Rod Fairman against John Corbin and John Frawley.
Some people might think sledging is something that only occurs in
cricket but I can assure you sledging was alive and well when
these four guys competed against one another. Even after his
competition days were over Vic continued to play socially twice a
week at the Spring St Tennis Centre as he insisted we call it!
• Vic’s contribution to tennis in the Blue Mountains is without peer.
This was officially recognised by the club in 1984 when Vic was
made a Life Member of the club and more recently when the
Spring St tennis clubhouse was renamed the “Vic Barton
Clubhouse”.
• Vic had a wonderful life. While heavily committed to “the great
game of tennis” as he liked to call it, he was also a great family
man and citizen. For many of us he was a wonderful role model,
with great moral values, and zest for life that really was
infectious.
• In conclusion I would like to quote some words from one of STC’s
former members, who resides in the U.K., but who until recently,
visited annually and greatly enjoyed the tennis and camaraderie
at our club. On hearing of Vic’s passing he wrote, in part:
“When I finally left the club the last time, Vic came back
from holiday a day early to wish me farewell. I was
reduced to tears then as I am now……………… What I do
know is that time really is a great healer and as
the grief slowly goes, the gift of memory we all enjoy will
enable us all to enjoy the memories of Victor, a true and
gentle man”
Vale Victor Francis Barton