"Testimonial Dinner for Brendan Hehir"

Due to Brendan's Retirement from playing tennis for the Point Pass Tennis Club at the end of the 2005/6 season, a "Testimonial Dinner" was organised by the club for him and this was conducted at the Point Pass Hall on Sunday, 25th June 2006.

Past and present players were invited to the occasion, where they were requested to bring a "salad and a sweet" to participate in a shared meal, with the club supplying the meat.

Persons serving themselves to the food from the tables in the Supper Room	Tables in the hall viewed from the front left hand side of the hall facing the stage	Tables in the hall viewed from the front right hand side of the hall facing the stage
Tables in the hall viewed from the front right hand side of the hall facing the supper room door	Tables in the hall viewed from the left hand side near the stage facing the front of the hall	Tables in the hall viewed from the left hand side near the stage facing the right hand side exit door

The attendance was very good with approximately 80 persons present.

Vehicles parked outside the hall in the street

A group photo taken during the afternoon of all those in attendance at the time

Photos were taken during the day of the majority of people that were present.

Linda & Anthony Pfitzner	Murray, Adrian (standing) & Jeffrey Menzel	Liz & Geoff Mosey
Jeffrey Menzel, Barry & Val Weckert	Basil Ley - An invited Guest player - A member of numerous clubs, aged 69 and still playing tennis within the Association	Arnold & Margaret Nicolai
David & Dianna Kleinig	Neil Palmer & his partner	John Milde
Debbie Allan & Vadic	Deidre, Amelia, & Bob Leditschke, Sheila McKeough & Moira McKeough	Jeff Hendry
Joan & Merv Schulz	Ron Milde, Gloria Mosey & Judy Milde	Helen & John Vater
Eric Schutz, Peter Michalaney, Jan Michalanney & Marg Foley	Kym Schutz	Malcolm & Coral Schutz
Greg & Judy Longbottom	Judy Longbottom, Audrey Schutz & Pam McLachlan	Pam & Peter McLachlan

Roger Schutz, the President of the Julia Light Tennis Association and also a Life Member of the Point Pass Tennis Club was the MC for the official part of the day and he spoke about Brendan when he commenced his tennis career in playing for the Julia Club in about 1960/61.

Mr. Merv Schulz was invited to speak of Brendan's times at Julia where he played for 1 or 2 years and then due to that club not being able to field a team, Brendan then played for the Marrabel Club. Mr. Peter Michalanney spoke of behalf of that club and during Brendan's time with Marrabel he was part of their 1963/64 premiership team. He played for Marrabel for 3 seasons.

Mr. Ron Milde, a past player and member of the Point Pass Tennis Club then spoke about how he enticed Brendan to come and play for Point Pass and he also spoke of the "good old days" when he and other team members really enjoyed their tennis and was proud to have Brendan as part of the team and the club.

Mr. Jeffrey Menzel, another past player of the Point Pass Club also spoke of his "tennis days" with Brendan, but he mentioned in particular of what he believed was a momentous occasion, where during a Finals match Brendan was playing Mr. Graham Selby of Eudunda and approximately half was through the singles set, Brendan started to have problems with cramp. Most persons present expected him to forfeit the match, but Brendan was determined to play on and he went on to win the match. This showed to all present that he always gave a 100% effort towards playing tennis.

Roger Schutz, President of the Julia Light Association & MC for the day	Roger & Merv Schulz	Roger & Peter Michalanney
Ron Milde & Roger		Roger & Jeffrey Menzel
A view from the back of the hall towards the stage on the Left Hand side		A view from the back of the hall towards the stage on the Right Hand side

Roger also went onto say that "as a club member where Brendan played for the Point Pass Tennis Club for approximately 42 years, where it is estimated that he played approximately 880 matches for the club".

There was one Saturday where Brendan advised the selectors that he was unavailable and the reason given was that he had a injured arm. When he was questioned the following Saturday more in details by his team mates, it was discovered that he actually got married. This was the best kept secret ever within the club.

During this time he played in 23 Grand Finals and was successful in winning approximately 12 premierships.

Other invited guests included Brendan's family, where his sister Cerina (She also played for Point Pass for several seasons) and her family also attended and it was great to have their company as well.

Brendan with his sister Cerina Ross and her family Back Row: L-R: Lucy Ross, Tom Ross, David Mitchell, Peggy Ross Front Row: Luke Bavistock, Trevor Ross, Brendan Hehir, Cerina Ross & Kelly Ross

A group photo of those who played with Brendan from all clubs and teams

Premiership Cups and Shields on display

Some members bought along some photos that were on display for all present to have a look at.

1972 Point Pass B Grade Premiership Team, captained by Barry Weckert	1972 Point Pass B Grade Runner Up Team, captained by Adrian Menzel	Barry Weckert being presented with the 1972 B Grade Premiership Shield by Mr. John Traeger, President of the Julia Light Association at that time and was for many years
Barry Weckert's Photo Album that he bought along to the event	Point Pass A Grade Team Back Row: L-R: Rodney Heinrich, Ron Milde, Brendan Hehir, Malcolm Schutz, Tim Ruciack Front Row: Judy Milde, Roger Schutz, Coral Schutz & Sue Ruciack	Photos of players of the club of more recent times

The function also allowed  everyone to "catch up with old team mates" and socialising with the present club members.

Trevor Ross, Brendan's Brother in law. (A very good tennis player for the Brady Creek Tennis Club in his younger days)	Brendan & Brenton Ruciack	Aaron, Bronwyn & Ian Mattschoss
Cirsten, James, Jarred, Nicholas & Amelia (in Pusher) Leditschke	Mark Young	Neville Hines, Rosalie Milde, Geoff Allan & Trevor Milde
	Stuart Milde

Brendan also has retired from his farm life and with his wife, Debbie they have shifted from Julia to Victor Harbor. Everyone who spoke also wished them "all the best for their retired life".

During the day, another presentation was made to Mr. Stuart Milde, Vice President of the Point Pass Tennis Club by Mr. Adrian Menzel, Secretary of the Point Pass Speedway Reunion Committee of a "Certificate of Appreciation" for the service rendered by the club to the reunion that was conducted for the 40th Anniversary of the "Australian TQ Championships" that were conducted at the Point Pass Speedway.

Adrian Menzel (Right) doing the Presentation to the club with Stuart Milde (Left) & Roger Schutz (Middle)

Adrian Menzel (Right) holding up the Certificate of Appreciation with Stuart Milde (Left) & Roger Schutz (Middle)