News.
Harcourt Bushfire Fundraiser
The Club held a One Point Slam on Sunday afternoon, 1 February 2026, which was based on a similar and successful event held at the Australian Open in January. Our President, Hayden Eastwood, was the main organiser of the event. There were multiple age categories to cater for everyone, including U12, U15, 50+, 65+ and 80+.
The Club raised $1,381.00 from entry fees and holding raffles, and this inaugural event was very well attended, with 79 people participating. Most players were locals but we also had many travel down to play from other parts of the Shire and the Greater Bendigo area.
With committee approval, Club Treasurer, Xavier Schobben, handed over $600.00 cash and a letter from the committee to one of our members who lost their home due to the fire, and the remainder of the money raised was transferred to the Harcourt Progress Association to help other locals affected by the bushfires.
It is anticipated that the event will be held again next year, with the proceeds likely to be directed to our local Country Fire Authority.
Our One Point Tournament finalists
The winners of our One Point Tournament!
Late last year, the committee finalised plans for an upgraded kitchen. Cameron Jones (a local cabinet maker) as well as various trades were contracted to undertake the works from November 2025 to January 2026.
The kitchen renovation has been rolled out as planned and is complete.
• Cameron Jones installed all the new kitchen cabinetry and benches and assisted in disposal of old kitchen materials.
• Craig Marshall from C&G Electrical undertook all the electrical works, including new wiring, installing new wall power points with USB charging points and an outside BBQ light and updated front roof security light. Craig also installed new remote-control fans in the kitchen and main room to enhance room brightness.
• Dave Anley Plumbing undertook all plumbing works and assisted in kitchen demolition works. Dave undertook all the necessary plumbing preparation works, including capping of gas pipe outlet, removal and replacement of old 50L hot water unit, repair to auto water boiler and installation of new pipework, kitchen taps and mixing valves, wash hand basin, dishwasher and all the kitchen exhaust roof ductwork.
• Mick Grant and his team completed the preparation and kitchen painting in one day;
• Andrew Loriston, a local handyman, removed the old kitchen door, replastered the kitchen wall where the door had been and built new external weatherboard cladding.
• Will Mathieson did all the kitchen tiling.
• CV flooring laid the vinyl flooring.
The Club now has new benches with pull-out drawers and new overhead cupboards, as well as a new oven and induction hot plates and associated overhead ductwork.
We also have new sinks, a sensor wash hand basin and a dishwasher.
The old kitchen door was removed, and new weatherboards were installed to cover the door’s gap. The kitchen wall has been replastered, and the walls have been tiled with new ceramic gloss white tiles. The outside wall, kitchen walls and window frames have been freshly painted, and a new vinyl lino floor has also been installed.
Local businesses have mostly been used to provide the equipment and services required.
Club kitchen renovation is complete
Half way through the kitchen renovation.
Kitchen renovation completed in January 2026.
A voluntary Club working bee was held on 4th January 2026 and was well attended by 14 club members. Many thanks to those members that assisted in cleaning the courts and the Clubhouse inside and out, as well as tending to the front garden and sweeping and weeding around the courts.
We also managed to paint the new outside kitchen wall and weather stain some of the benches outside the courts, as well paint the galvanised steel bench supports of some with heritage red enamel plaint. Work will continue on them during the rest of the year.
Working bee a great success
Ed on the paintbrush.
Jill sweeping the courts.
Harry cleaning windows.
Sam cleaning out the gutters.
Brown Ale wins!
The ‘Bryan Fitzgerald’ Shield, awarded to the winning team in the Monday night competition, was determined on 22nd December 2025.
The winning team was Brown Ale, comprising of teammates Lincoln Fitzgerald, Darron Davies, Jason Williams, and Will Coutts.
The best rated player in the Monday night competition was Will Coutts.
The Summer (January to April) Comp was rained out a couple of weeks so we have 2 more catch up nights to play after the school holidays and winners will be announced at the end of April so please stay tuned!
To keep us active during the up-coming Winter months we are thinking about running a singles competition. Please contact Hayden at replaythepoint@icloud.com if you are interested in playing.
We have many other weekly comps and social tennis happening. Please check out our Weekly Tennis page for further details or become a Castlemaine Lawn Tennis Club member and receive our tri-annual Newsletter to keep abreast of all things happening at our Club.
Organiser, Bryan Fitzgerald (left), with Brown Ale winners Lincoln Fitzgerald, Darron Davies, Jason Williams, and Will Coutts.
