E.L. “Blue” Hogan wrote: “In the early days the Presbyterian Church had two courts near the Apsley Riverview Hostel; the Anglican Church had a court near the corner of Fitzroy and Thee streets while the Catholic Church had two courts in Hill Street.

“There were courts at the community centres of Brackendale, Ingleba, Kentucky, Moona, Niangala, Nowendoc, Tia, Walcha Road, Woolbrook, Wollun and Yarrowitch. In addition there were quite a number of private courts on grazing properties in the district, in the backyards of homes in the township and also adjacent to most of the small bush schools.”

The late N.R. “Rex” Turton wrote about the importance of tennis at the bush schools: “I attended school at Morgan’s Gully where we had a court. While I was there the school was moved to Dungate on the old Nowendoc Road. The first thing we did was clear the suckers and build a tennis court.”

Rex said a passer-by noticed tennis being played on a Sunday on the Dungate court and complained to the Education Department to have this breach in respect of Sunday observance stopped. It was pointed out the court was in fact on private land and the department was unable to take any action in regard to its use.

The Walcha News of December 16, 1932 reported: “Having completed the erection of a fine tennis court at their residence, The Glebe, on Nine Mile Church Road, Mr and Mrs W. Green saw their numerous friends avail themselves of the opportunity of attending the opening on Sunday last.

“The day was ideal and the court in excellent order, winning praise from all who viewed it. A sumptuous dinner was provided by the hostess. We might also mention that some very good tennis was played on the day.”

Tennis and court maintenance was severely reduced during World War II and it was not until 1948 that competition resumed.