SUNDAY | 12 APRIL 2026
PRESENTED BY
Celebrating service, sport and community
Collaroy Tennis Club, together with our event partner, RSL LifeCare - Northern Beaches Veteran Wellbeing Centre, is proud to host Return Serve. This free event in the lead up to ANZAC Day, shows our gratitude to all those who have served or are currently serving in the Australian Defence Force, as well as their families, for everything they’ve given to protect our freedoms. We see Return Serve as one small step in helping veterans to connect and thrive in their local community, using our wonderful sport as a catalyst for wellbeing and social connection. The event is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Dee Why RSL Sub-Branch.
OUR CHANCE TO RETURN SERVE
This event was inspired specifically by one of our own, much-loved Club members, who himself is a Veteran, having served in Vietnam. It’s wonderful to see him enjoying the sport he loves in a warm, welcoming and friendly environment. We genuinely appreciate the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families and decided we could use tennis to ‘return serve’ to some small extent. So as ANZAC Day approaches, show your support and respect by joining in some fun family activities, playing in a FREE friendly Round Robin Doubles Tennis Tourney, or just by coming along!
Photo credit: Australian War Memorial
FUN, FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES FOR ALL
You can support Return Serve by joining in a range of fun activities taking place, or playing in a friendly Round Robin Doubles Tourney we’re holding on Sunday, 12 April from 12.30-5.00pm.
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Opening Ceremony 12.30pm – Bugler and a ‘Thank You to Veteran’ ceremony
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FREE Organised Tennis - Starts at 1pm | Players change partners after every set in a round robin format | Winners on every court
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Try POP TENNIS - Easy, Fast and Lots of FUN
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Play Table Tennis, Golf Putting and Cornhole (it’s a real game!) - Heaps of prizes!
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FREE BBQ & Nibbles - thank you Bunnings!
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Live Music - Modern Vintage
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Chance to WIN Raffle Prizes
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Event Partner - RSL LifeCare - Northern Beaches Veteran Wellbeing Centre
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Proud Supporters - NSW Office for Veterans Affairs and Dee Why RSL Sub-Branch
Connect and thrive in your local community through sport
RETURNING FROM SERVICE
As tennis entered the Open era in 1968, Bob Giltinan was a professional player climbing the world rankings. The war was raging in Vietnam and in 1971, Bob was called up for National Service with the Australian Army.
“The call up was very hard for me to digest”, says Bob. “I had just been offered a professional contract with World Championship Tennis and was playing Davis Cup overseas. Three days after winning all three matches I played in that Davis Cup Tie, I was ready to tour the world for the next six months. Then a telegram arrived. ‘Please return to Australia immediately for 2 years of National Service’. After dreaming and training for years to be a professional, to be honest, the news was devastating. 55 years ago… doesn't seem possible. However, as a result of that National Service, to this day I have the utmost respect for our Military and all our Veterans.”
After two years of National Service, Bob returned to professional tennis, achieving a career-high ranking of World No. 16. Bob still serves the community as Northern Beaches Councillor for Narrabeen Ward. He has been awarded the Australian Defence Medal, the Australian Sports Medal and the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Bob will be present at Collaroy Tennis Club for Return Serve on April 12.
Bob Giltinan – former Australian Davis Cup Player, National Serviceman and now Councillor
RETURN SERVE
12 APR 2026 | SUNDAY| 12.30-5PM
REGISTER TO PLAY OR ATTEND
Please register your interest to play (or attend only) by Tuesday, 7 April so we can organise the Round Robin draw and catering. Entry, Tennis and all other activities are FREE.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES & CONTACTS
A Club that welcomes ALL. One of the things Collaroy Tennis Club is most proud of is that we’re an inclusive club that welcomes diversity. It’s part of our DNA. We realise that everyone’s unique and that our differences contribute to our Club’s culture and future direction. We’re passionate about helping people lead happy, healthy and active lives. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out:
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Contact RSL LifeCare – Northern Beaches Veteran Wellbeing Centre
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Contact Evolve Tennis Academy - for information on wheelchair and special needs tennis
BIG THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS
