Collaroy Centenary Christmas Party Dinner

The Manly Club – Saturday 26th November 2022

After a day of fun social tennis and watching Club Legends like Petith & Bourke, Davies & Gorman and Bridges & King among others, strut their stuff on the hallowed artificial turf of Collaroy Tennis Club in ‘The Championships’, members re-gathered in the evening at The Manly Club for our Christmas Party Dinner – the next-to-last Centenary Celebration of 2022 (Finals / Presentation Day still to come on December 10).

After convening over ‘drinks on arrival’, guests were ushered to their tables as entrees were served. As a revolving presentation of classic CTC images looped on the ‘big’ screen behind him, President Vito Cincinnato welcomed the 60+ guests, including former Presidents, Trustees and Committee Members plus the current committee, members and friends, to a night of relaxed celebration. Major Club Sponsor, Brendan Pomponio of Belle Property was also present with his partner Sky and associates Charli and Elaine.

Vito listed some of the many highlights achieved by the Club in our Centenary year, thanked the hard-working committee who helped make them happen and discussed plans for the future. He concluded by wishing all our members and the many friends of Collaroy Tennis Club, a very Happy Christmas season and Best Wishes for a wonderful New Year ahead. Then the party started…

The food was excellent and the ‘Happy Hour’ Margaritas ‘til 9pm were much enjoyed by many of the gathered members. Garry Matthew-Stubbs preferred his signature Bourbons & Coke as he circumnavigated the room, barely recognisable dressed in a non-neon, un-fluro, subtly-coloured shirt.

In the meantime, Rob Davies and his lovely wife Sue (aka ‘Tim and Tam’) regaled guests with stories from ‘the old country’, while Rob continued to hustle for raffle ticket sales and talk up his chances of winning the Club Championship (golf) in a big match scheduled for the following day.

Sue Davies regaling Dave Keogh with tales of husband Rob’s exploits

Lynne Bridges let her hair down in typical style as husband Clarrie strutted around exhibiting his ‘Shirt of a Thousand Beers’ – (Mark Petith demonstrating how you’re supposed to “… drink them, not wear them Clarrie”). Warren Booker seemed to agree with Mark’s assessment, while insisting he was in training for the NSW Touch Football State Cup competition in Port Macquarie this weekend. (Good luck Warren!)

Glenn Robertson dared to introduce his delightful wife Robyn to ‘The Collaroy Crew’ – a softly softly approach ahead of their trip away with a dozen or so members to Nelson Bay for this weekend’s Seniors Tournament. Kate Byrne’s partner Eric was relieved to discover he wasn’t helping out Col on a BBQ at this event, while a contingent of Thursday Night Ladies brought a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘Glam Slam’.

Ros Ode and partner Les raised a glass, quietly toasting 50 years since Ros had won her first Club Championship title (and celebrated in advance, in the hope of a win with Ryan Maloney in this year’s Open Mixed Doubles event). Kenny Moyle and Damian Gorman both appeared sporting sharp new haircuts, the former (as a result) now ready to appear as a double for John Malkovich in his next film.

Anna Cosio entertained the Dignitaries Table with a spontaneous round of Karaoke, Brendan’s partner Sky, a star behind the mic. And as Gareth Grant quietly kept an eye on the Socceroos beating Tunisia in Qatar, his better half proved that at Collaroy Tennis Club, there is no ‘the other Anna’, both stunning ladies looking like they were walking the red carpet in Cannes, rather than a seasonal soiree on Sydney’s northern beaches.

At Collaroy Tennis Club, there is no ‘the other Anna'

And all the while, Official Club Photographer, Wil Jauco, proved why he’s such a great shot-maker, capturing memories that will live on in CTC folklore.

It was another great event in what has been a wonderful 100th Anniversary Year. Now it’s on to Finals Day, the Presentation of Trophies and the drawing of the big Fundraising Raffle on Saturday December 10.