Congratulations to Dedrie Green, who has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Boroondara Sports Awards.

2024 Boroondara Sports Awards —> Sports Award winners 2024 | City of Boroondara

Dedrie has been a member of the Hawthorn Tennis Club for over 30 years. Over that period she has contributed to the Club in a variety of formal and informal roles.

Dedrie joined the Hawthorn TC Committee in 1997 as a General Committee member. Apart from her general contribution to the Committee and the Club since this time, Dedrie has also been a member of the Competition Selection and Tournament and Social Sub-Committees. In her role on the Selection and Tournament Sub-Committee, Dedrie played a key role in building women's and mixed competition teams at the Club including recruiting players. On the Social sub-committee, Dedrie has coordinated countless social events at the Club.

Since 2014 Dedrie has been the Club Treasurer, a critical role at the Club and one that takes a significant amount of time and effort. Over that period the Club has transitioned to online banking, taking online payments through the website and running a Square terminal for online payments at the Club. Dedrie has navigated the changing requirements of the role through that period and continues to manage the finances to ensure that the Club is able to invest in important projects such as the current Clubhouse and courtyard refurbishments.

In addition to her contribution on Committee, Dedrie has been a mainstay of the Club's women’s and mixed competition tennis teams, playing Tennis Victoria Pennant, Bayside weekend competition, Club Championships as well as mid-week competition for much of her 30 years at the Club. Dedrie is known for her friendly and enthusiastic competitive spirit, an approach focusing on what is best for the team, but also encouraging others with tennis tips and strategies such as “Hit the Ball!”

Dedrie has a can-do attitude, a no-fuss approach and is always ready to lend a hand with whatever task needs to be done. This includes all of the less glamorous jobs that no one else wants to do – Dedrie is happy to just get it done. This has included supporting with court maintenance or working bees, collecting Club supplies, collecting mail from the Club post box, offering to give members with mobility issues lifts to the Club. Dedrie is committed, can be relied upon to get a job done, and never expects anything in return for her contributions to the Club community. She has been critical in keeping the wheels of the Club turning.

Throughout her time at the Club Dedrie has been central in contributing to the community feel and welcoming environment at the Club. She is quick to ensure that those new to the Club are included and that no one is being left out of social occasions.

Dedrie has a big heart, an infectious laugh, and has absolutely been a key part of creating the welcoming and inclusive culture of the Club over the years and as it is today.