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Combined Killinchy School and Tennis Club reunion 1997
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TitleCombined Killinchy School and Tennis Club reunion 1997
DescriptionAround 200 registrations, some from as far afield as Australia, were received for the combined Killinchy Tennis Club (70th Anniversary) and School celebrations at Labour Weekend, 1997. Two days of official functions and nostalgic gathering, ended a long period of planning for the organising committees.
Saturday 25th October 1997 dawned bright and clear for registrations at 11am followed by lunch and various welcoming speeches by dignitaries of the day including Roger Gilbert, Graham Boal, Murray Doak and Wendy Challies representing Killinchy and Ellesmere Tennis; Peter Lemon, convenor Killinchy School committee; and the official opening by Selwyn Mayor, Michael McEvedy.
Peter Lemon welcomed all the former pupils and praised all the former teachers of Killinchy school although none of the former teachers were present at the opening.
Peter noted the advantages of attending primary school in a rural district.
He thanked the tennis club for initiating the celebrations and combining with the school to make a “Killinchy celebration”.
One phone call to an elderly lady in the Ashburton area and after listening to her for over half-an-hour Peter felt he knew her quite well.
She finished up wishing the Killinchy celebrations well but told Peter that she belonged to a completely different family with no Killinchy connections what-so-ever.
Peter concluded his speech wishing everybody happy reminiscences.
The first tennis service on the new courts was undertaken jointly by patron Jim Opie and his nine-year-old grandson, Jared, at the other end of the court.
The new courts were built on the old school grounds so that the Community Centre, swimming pool and tennis courts would form a nucleus for the district.
This was followed by the unveiling of the 70th Anniversary Plaque by Murray Doak and the Spence Family Plaque by Graham Boon, representing the Spence family in recognition of their donation of land to build the original tennis courts on and who had been very prominent in the early days of Killinchy tennis.
Three of the oldest former tennis representatives present, Mesdames Winnie Alexander, Ellen Allen and Lily Garland then cut the tennis jubilee cake.
This was followed by ringing of the school bell by brothers Bert and Ben Legg, oldest former pupils present.
The cutting of the school jubilee cake was then performed.
Decade photographs of both the tennis club and school people were taken at 2.30pm and an hour later afternoon tea was served.
At 6pm there was a Cocktail hour followed by the dinner at 7pm in a marquee beside the hall.
Roger Gilbert presided in the chair.
Shirley James said “Grace” and this was followed by a toast to the “Queen” and one to “Absent Friends”. Roger Boon proposed the toast to the “Tennis Club” and Graham Boal responded. Matthew Allen proposed the toast to the “School” and Peter Lemon responded.
Reminiscences followed.
The celebrations on Sunday commenced with a church service conducted by the Rev. Marian Emslie.
A finger-food shared luncheon followed at 12.30pm. BBQ sausages and drinks were provided.
In the afternoon there were activities and games organized by the Killinchy Country Women’s Institute.
Reminiscing and meeting of old and new Killinchy residents concluded the jubilee festivities.
A very impressive display of old photographs and other memorabilia was set up for the visitors to spark their memories and reminiscences.
Mike Noonan & Sandra Opie
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date28 October 2021SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationKillinchy
DescriptionAround 200 registrations, some from as far afield as Australia, were received for the combined Killinchy Tennis Club (70th Anniversary) and School celebrations at Labour Weekend, 1997. Two days of official functions and nostalgic gathering, ended a long period of planning for the organising committees.Saturday 25th October 1997 dawned bright and clear for registrations at 11am followed by lunch and various welcoming speeches by dignitaries of the day including Roger Gilbert, Graham Boal, Murray Doak and Wendy Challies representing Killinchy and Ellesmere Tennis; Peter Lemon, convenor Killinchy School committee; and the official opening by Selwyn Mayor, Michael McEvedy.
Peter Lemon welcomed all the former pupils and praised all the former teachers of Killinchy school although none of the former teachers were present at the opening.
Peter noted the advantages of attending primary school in a rural district.
He thanked the tennis club for initiating the celebrations and combining with the school to make a “Killinchy celebration”.
One phone call to an elderly lady in the Ashburton area and after listening to her for over half-an-hour Peter felt he knew her quite well.
She finished up wishing the Killinchy celebrations well but told Peter that she belonged to a completely different family with no Killinchy connections what-so-ever.
Peter concluded his speech wishing everybody happy reminiscences.
The first tennis service on the new courts was undertaken jointly by patron Jim Opie and his nine-year-old grandson, Jared, at the other end of the court.
The new courts were built on the old school grounds so that the Community Centre, swimming pool and tennis courts would form a nucleus for the district.
This was followed by the unveiling of the 70th Anniversary Plaque by Murray Doak and the Spence Family Plaque by Graham Boon, representing the Spence family in recognition of their donation of land to build the original tennis courts on and who had been very prominent in the early days of Killinchy tennis.
Three of the oldest former tennis representatives present, Mesdames Winnie Alexander, Ellen Allen and Lily Garland then cut the tennis jubilee cake.
This was followed by ringing of the school bell by brothers Bert and Ben Legg, oldest former pupils present.
The cutting of the school jubilee cake was then performed.
Decade photographs of both the tennis club and school people were taken at 2.30pm and an hour later afternoon tea was served.
At 6pm there was a Cocktail hour followed by the dinner at 7pm in a marquee beside the hall.
Roger Gilbert presided in the chair.
Shirley James said “Grace” and this was followed by a toast to the “Queen” and one to “Absent Friends”. Roger Boon proposed the toast to the “Tennis Club” and Graham Boal responded. Matthew Allen proposed the toast to the “School” and Peter Lemon responded.
Reminiscences followed.
The celebrations on Sunday commenced with a church service conducted by the Rev. Marian Emslie.
A finger-food shared luncheon followed at 12.30pm. BBQ sausages and drinks were provided.
In the afternoon there were activities and games organized by the Killinchy Country Women’s Institute.
Reminiscing and meeting of old and new Killinchy residents concluded the jubilee festivities.
A very impressive display of old photographs and other memorabilia was set up for the visitors to spark their memories and reminiscences.
Mike Noonan & Sandra Opie
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date28 October 2021SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationKillinchyConnections
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Combined Killinchy School and Tennis Club reunion 1997 (28 October 2021). Selwyn Stories, accessed 29/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5347