On the Grapevine

Let’s take a look at what denotes Cobram as a possible tourist town.

• Thompsons Beach is considered to be Australia’s largest inland beach, situated on the banks of the Murray River. A magnificent expanse of white sand is ideal for young families, while experienced swimmers can enjoy some fun in the cool river water.Also ideal for water activities such as boating and fishing. Café facilities are open from Thursday to Sunday.

• The RACV Resort is an award-winning five-star accommodation with a range of resort facilities, including two swimming pools, one indoor and one outdoor, and a host of activities for everyone to enjoy, including a great café.

• Sixteen beautiful grass tennis courts are considered amongst the best in the region and are available for hire.

• Quinn Island, a beautiful natural wildlife haven.

• Scotts Beach. Camping area on the edge of the Murray River.

• Cobram Barooga Golf Club. Two beautifully prepared 18-hole championship golf courses and mini golf.

• Big Strawberry, a big attraction for families.

• The Cobram Community Theatre, a two-theatre complex showcasing the latest films.

• An abundance of eateries, pubs, restaurants and cafés with outdoor seating and a comprehensive retail sector.

• Mivo and Federation Parks, Cobram Log Cabin, art and craft markets.

Also out of town, there’s Byramine Homestead, Cactus Country, Barooga Botanical Gardens.

Cobram also hosts several sporting events that attract people far and wide, including the Australian Beach Volleyball Championships, Pro-Am Golf Tournaments, Tri-State Games, Rider Mower Racing and harness racing.

Coming up this weekend is the Cobram Barooga Easter River Beaches Festival, which attracts not only townspeople but also those from outside the area.

Does this mean we have the ability to increase tourism in our town? Most definitely.

Take note of the tennis players coming to Cobram from Melbourne specifically to play on what are reputed to be the top grass tennis courts in the region.

Cobram beckons Melbourne tennis enthusiasts over 50 years.

As a young man of 19-years-old Ian Robinson, who played LTAV B Grade Pennant in Melbourne, competed in his first Cobram Lawn Tennis Club Labor Day Tournament in 1969.

At the time that he would return to play at the event every year for more than 50 years.

What could it be that has constantly drawn Ian, 76, his family and fellow members of the Essendon Tennis Club to come each year to play in the Labor Day Tournament?

“The first year I drove up with my long-time friend and doubles partner Terry Payton, we camped at the caravan park in Punt Rd,” he said.

“The courts were not like they are today; there were some rough patches, you could get a bad bounce, and the baselines were often quite bare.”

The following year, Ian and Terry, who thoroughly enjoyed their Cobram experience, encouraged fellow tennis players from their area to join them, with numbers reaching in excess of 30 at one stage.

Terry Payton went on to win the Men’s Open Event at Cobram in 1977 and ’78 and 1987.

He also played 16-year-old Pat Cash and, later on, Wally Masur at Cobram in different years.

Terry and Ian became a formidable doubles pair in Melbourne, winning the Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria B Grade Pennant against some strong opposition.

This encouraged them to enter tournaments around the state, going from Geelong to Daylesford, Bacchus Marsh, Swan Hill, Echuca, Kerang, Wodonga, Yarrawonga and Cobram and tournaments in between.

In 1974, Ian met his future wife Lyn Arnot, who made the trip to Cobram with a group from Spalding.

That year, Ian and Terry, now playing A Grade Pennant in Melbourne, were only eligible to play in the Open Events.

While rarely getting past the semis in the Open Singles at Cobram, Ian won a number of Open Doubles with Terry and mixed events with different partners.

By this time, there was quite an entourage of players coming each year, and it appeared it was the place to be.

The quality of the courts, good weather, a well-organised tournament, friendliness of club members, delicious home-baked cakes and sandwiches and wonderful hospitality shown by the townspeople appeared to be the right mix to bring them back year after year.

Ian has coached tennis part-time for more than 25 years while working at Melbourne University in a variety of roles in Information Technology.

His two children, Carlynda and Mitchell, have inherited their parents’ tennis ability, with mum Lyn also winning a LTAV A grade Pennant and many Open and A Grade titles throughout her career.

As a family, they have showcased their exceptional tennis ability on the court and returned home to Melbourne with many trophies in hand.

Unfortunately, owing to a serious hip injury about two years ago, Ian is now a spectator offering encouragement to his family and fellow members of Essendon Tennis Club.

This year, Lyn and Carlynda were to have played off in a mother/daughter A Grade final, but unfortunately, Lyn was unwell and forced to forfeit the title to her daughter.

Mitchell was Runner-up in the Mens A Grade Singles and partnered with Ben Dorrington to win the Mens A Grade Doubles.

The next generation of tennis players in the Robinson family is Henley, 18 months, daughter of Carlynda and husband Dan Atkins.

The little girl attended her second Cobram Labor Day Tournament with her family and was taking it all in, preparing for her own entry into the world of tournament tennis in years to come.

I have been assured that the Robinson family and their friends have already planned their return to Cobram in 2025.

Cobram a top location

For the second year in a row, a large group of tennis enthusiasts from Anglesea Tennis Club spent the week in Cobram enjoying a range of active pursuits.

Tennis each morning from 9 to 11.30am on the lawn courts was often followed by a game of golf, bowls, croquet or mini golf, a swim in the Murray or lunch and a little relaxation.

The fit relaxed group of 34 all in their 60’s and 70’s love their sport so there wasn’t much sitting about.

They have a lot of living to do.

Back home, the group is comprised of locals from Torquay and Anglesea who play two days a week at the Anglesea Tennis Club.

Collectively, they agreed it had been a wonderful week apart from the cancellation of their Dragon Boat experience, owing to strong gusty winds, for the second year in a row.

However, they remain hopeful they will achieve their goal of 22 rowers taking to the Dragon Boat next year on Lake Mulwala.

Having had a marvellous time, the group has already booked the RACV Resort for 2025, which fits their requirements perfectly.