Merimbula Tennis Club has named its clubhouse in honour of long-serving member Alan Gale, at a special event on Saturday, March 27 during the club championships' weekend.
Alan was a keen player and associated with the club from its beginnings in the 1970s. He was the inaugural president in 1976 and then for 18 consecutive years from 1980-97. In his later years Alan was the appointed patron of the club and always attended the seniors tournament and the club championships. He died in October 2019.
Life member Roland Ackroyd recalled how much Alan put into the club in terms of fundraising, organising teams, supervising Sunday social tennis as well as helping to resurface courts and rebuild and extend the clubhouse following the devastating storm of 1995.
Along with Jack Cunningham, Alan established the seniors tournament in Merimbula which has been running for nearly 30 years.
On Saturday, Gale family members, committee members, club members and member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain came together to unveil the name of the Alan Gale Clubhouse over the entrance to the club.
Club president Aaron Miller said committee member Robin Munn suggested the naming and the committee thought it was a great idea.
It was a special and emotional moment for Alan's wife Wendy as she unveiled the name, accompanied by her daughter Sharon Edwards, grandson Bill Gale and Kristy McBain.