At 87 years young, Lois Rigby still loves a game of tennis and the Geraldton Tennis Club

STANDFIRST: Former president and player at Geraldton Tennis Club George Giudice pens a tribute to fellow life member Lois Rigby, who at 87 years young is still going strong on and off the court.

Lois Rigby turned 87 on Sunday and was listed to play in the club’s vets championship on her birthday, but the weather rained on her parade.

But that won’t stop her. Lois will be lining up once again to compete in the vets championship, which was postponed to Saturday.

“I love my tennis and I love my tennis club,” Lois simply said when asked about her sport.

She has represented the club at country week and played pennants, and can be seen playing on the club’s courts every Saturday and Wednesday — when she is not driving to Perth to visit her children, grandchildren and eight of her 17 great-grandchildren (the other nine great-grandies live in Geraldton).

Lois also runs ‘Lois’ Kitchen’ at the club and looks after afternoon tea and the nibbles after play. Her tin of sandwiches she provides each weekend are enjoyed by all.

“Jenny and some of the women help me,” she said as she fussed around taking a keen interest in everyone, “and some of the men wash their own cups which helps a bit.”

Lois’ father taught her how to play tennis on bitumen and anthill with a Margaret Court racket 80 years ago as a seven-year-old. She has played ever since. “That anthill surface is made from crushed anthills and is hard to play on. The ball bounces high and moves fast,” she recalled.

Lois is the oldest player at the club, closely followed by Ken Harris. “Ken is only 85,” Lois remarked, as if Ken was a juvenile.

The Geraldton Tennis Club celebrates Lois’ birthday and we are very lucky to have this very popular and accomplished player with us.