Sport
13 November, 2026
Tennis stalwart thanks duo
INNISFAIL Tennis recently celebrated its centenary and I want to pay a huge tribute to two people who have done and are doing a fantastic job for Innisfail Tennis.
They are Cathy Martin and Mike Ernest.
I came to Innisfail in 1972 after eight years teaching manual arts at Atherton High School and was active in Atherton Tennis all that time.
When I arrived in Atherton, nothing was being done for Atherton Tennis.
Nobody wanted to do anything, so I set about building a lighting steel structure to bring light to courts so some night tennis could happen.
The courts were in a sorry state of bitumen, so I worked with a builder to build three concrete courts, all voluntary and I outfitted a new block clubhouse.
Wally Martin and I organised some junior tennis, a first for Atherton and staged tournaments for them.
When I came to Innisfail in 1972, I promised to help but not take a leadership role. I thought I had done my bit over the past eight years.
That didn’t last long. Rod Taylor told me he tried in vain for 10 years, but no one was interested. We had a worn-out corrugated shed that leaked when it rained.
In 1976 I took on the project to build the existing clubhouse. Most of it, roof, trusses, kitchen built-ins, tables, forms, benches, storeroom, net box, shelving and seating was built under our house with help from my wife Joan and our two small boys.
I then organised working bees to erect the building. The support I got was marvellous and the job was done without cost to council.
My sincere tribute and the reason for this story is for super people like Cathy Martin and Mike Ernest.
Other people, who I don’t know by name, continue the valuable work to keep tennis in Innisfail fostering.
My aim in building the clubhouse, with marvellous volunteer help, was to have tennis keep going and I thank all the people who keep it going.
The day of the centenary celebrations, I sat and listened to the activities of the day not knowing what was going to come next.
I was called up and presented with a treasured life membership. I was stunned because I knew nothing about that honour.
When you take on a leadership role you always get a few knockers. I think I had 200 supporters and two knockers.
I pay a genuine tribute to everyone who keeps the wonderful sport of tennis going in Innisfail, especially Cathy Martin and Mike Ernest.
You are all special people. Innisfail can be proud of you all.
I need to mention the help to me since 1963 when Joan and I were married. It has been exceptional. Our two boys Kevin and Darryl are a special part of our family team who helped.
Gordon Dilger is a life member of Innisfail Tennis.