Meet Milton Job: Laurieton's tennis tragedy

As Laurieton tennis disaster victim Milton Job approaches his 91st birthday, his passion for the sport he loves burns brighter than ever.

Like many of the regular players on the Laurieton courts, Milton first came into contact with tennis as a child.

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When I was growing up in the Central West of New South Wales, almost every farm had a tennis court and every community had a tennis club.

Saturday afternoon was always tennis time.

These early experiences laid the foundation for Milton's lifelong love of tennis, a passion that drives him to this day.

When he settled in Laurieton in 1980, Milton took on the role of president of the local tennis club, a position he held for over 23 years.

However, the history of tennis in Camden Haven begins long before Milton's tenure, with newspaper reports from the early 1900s documenting exciting competitions between Laurieton and neighboring towns.

“On this day Coopernook competed against Laurieton in a game of lawn tennis,” wrote The Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Observer on Wednesday, November 2, 1904.

“We spent a very pleasant afternoon and the ladies of Coopernook served us a very good tea.

“The game ended with a victory for the visitors with 36 games to 31.”

Despite the rich history of sport in Laurieton, it has faced numerous challenges.

When Milton first became club president, the local courts were in poor condition and the future of the club was uncertain.

“There was chaos in the squares and all the fences had fallen down,” he said.

Thanks to the determination of the members and the cooperation of the municipal council, the courts have been restored to their former glory.

Today, the tennis courts are a hub of activity and welcome players of all ages and abilities.

By Kim AMBROSE