In 1882, as development in Brisbane gained pace, an area of land bound by Ipswich Rd,Villa St, Park Rd and School Rd was declared a reserve for a Public Park and Recreation Ground.
With the availability of land for recreation, various groups organised themselves with the Yeronga Tennis Club being one of them. The club is one of the oldest community organisation inYeronga,having been founded before 1909. It has remained active throughout its long history and well illustrates the position ofYeronga as a residential hub in the south of Brisbane.
World War 1 saw many such organisations disbanded but the club remained strong and launched a tennis doubles program immediately the war ended in 1918. 1 Because of its reach, the club moved into other areas such as club dances, which in 1922 was held in St Andrew’s Hall with the club’s pennant flying and tables on the verandah decorated with tall vases of poinsettia.2 The tournaments that year also made the local newspapers on St Patrick’s Day as social as well as sporting events.
1927 appears to have been a particularly busy year with a dinner dance function in April at which Mr Fred Derrick was presented with an electric coffee percolator (very 2023!) as a recognition of his upcoming marriage to Miss Phyllis Brown. 3
This iconic photograph held by the State Library was also taken in 1927 and is of the Yeronga Tennis clubhouse with its observation gallery on the roof.
The report also notes that he was then the club’s oldest member. Fred made the pages of “Men of Queensland”.4 Since he was made a life member to honour his 16 years of service to the club, it would seem that he may well
have been one of the founding members. He clearly remained quite active since that year he raised £900 (about $80,000 in today’s value) in five weeks to send Jack Cummings and Gar Moon overseas to compete in international tennis competitions.
Another event advertised in August captures the attention:
“The spirits of the Yeronga Tennis Club intend having “Another Dark Night.” which is arranged to take place tonight (Saturday) at the South Brisbane City Hall, at 8.
The password is “Hades,” and an admission of 7/6 (tax paid). Gallery tickets, 1/-” 5
