TENNIS
October was a busy month at Loton Park Tennis Club. The season started with a BANG with the largest attendance at Open Day in several years. The rackets were dusted off and the bodies stretched as some played and others relaxed with a drink in hand. The entertainment and beautiful surroundings were enhanced by the completion of the new hard courts – don’t they look spectacular! The Open Day was followed by the Men’s and Women’s Only days.
The Tennis West League competitions started on 23 October and the first three games are at home. Loton Park has teams in the Mixed Doubles on Tuesday Nights, Ladies Doubles Thursday Nights, Men’s Open Sunday afternoons, Men’s & Ladies O/35 Sunday afternoons. So come and support our players at their home games, as the Men hope to continue their winning streak and the Ladies O/35 aim to make the finals again and take the title this year.
The Club’s busy calendar continues in November with Wednesday Twilight Tennis from 5pm. Come straight from work for a hit of tennis and stay for pizza. The first theme day on the 17 November is ‘Frock Day’. Yes, everyone, even the gals, need to wear a frock. The day will end with the regular Sausage Sizzle. Saturday Social Tennis continues from 2pm-6pm, Visitors are welcome at all the Club’s events. For information on the Club or membership contact either Michelle 0418 942 231 or Gary 0409 376 615 or email enquiries@lotonpark.com.au.
SWIMMING
With the weather warming and the barbies heating, the ocean is looking more inviting by the minute. Take a dip with the G&L swim club on Sunday mornings for a 30-40 minute swim followed by coffee. The group will also be participating in the 31st Swim Thru Rottnest. The 1600 metre swim is at 1.30pm December 8. For further details about the weekly swim or the Swim Thru Rottnest, contact Alain Ludva on 0431 333 464.
GAELIC FOOTBALL
The women’s team from Western Australia did their state proud in the National Competition in Sydney this month. The girls defeated Queensland for the third year running, besting the tropical rivals 4-11 (23) to 0-3 (3). From local club Coastal Breakers Christina Kreppold and Angela Williamson took home All-Australian honours.
The Coastal Breakers also had their end of season awards with Kezia Jones named Most Valuable Player and Christina Kreppold Runner Up. Most improved went to Kate Dart with Michelle Tang and Siobhan Hickling Runners Up. Stay tuned for details of the women’s summer comp.
SAPPHIC TRAMPERS
The Sapphic Trampers held their annual Pride bushwalk with a group of nearly 30 women gathering for a day’s bushwalking in the beautiful Jarrahdale area. A group of both new and long-time trampers headed off through very green bush opposite the Jarrahdale cemetery and soon joined Gooralong Brook, which we followed all the way to the lunch spot. While a couple of women turned back, most stayed on and enjoyed lunch on a large granite boulder by the creek just near one of the many small waterfalls. One brave woman even went for a quick dip in the cold water.
Although several of us had walk maps of the area, the signage was pretty haphazard, which resulted in some stress for the leaders. In the end, everyone made it back safely, although some may have walked more than the advertised distance… and earned a well-deserved beverage at the Jarrahdale pub.
On November 11, the Trampers will paddle 6.5 km of the Murray River in Mandurah for a picnic on Coolenup Island. Hire kayaks available. For more information, contact Sue & Rosita on 08 9371 0641.
The Trampers aim to provide a range of monthly activities to lesbian women who want to explore the outdoors in a supportive and fun environment. If you are interested in exploring outdoor activities, usually close to Perth, with a group of lesbian women, join the Trampers email list by emailing Sabena at sabena.lund@fpwa.org.au.
BADMINTON
At our G&L Badminton stall on Fairday, we had a net up and racquets and shuttles, so members of the public could enjoy a free hit. While we were unable to get on stage at the end of the day to draw the raffle publicly, we did draw it at Wednesday night badminton, and three winners collecting the prizes donated by Obsessions Glass and Gifts, Morley Galleria. Congratulations to those winners, and thank you to everybody who supported us by purchasing a raffle ticket.
Following Fairday, we had a record 40 people along at Badminton, and we have averaged well over 30 people every week since. The standard of play is getting consistently better, while the extra courts allow new and rusty players the chance to build their games at their own pace. We’re all very proud of the positive, friendly atmosphere we enjoy on Wednesday night at Alma Venville Recreation Centre in Maylands 7.30-9.30pm and welcome all to come and join us. For more information, contact Dallas at dallastexjr@hotmail.com.
ASIA PACIFIC OUTGAMES
The Asia Pacific Outgames has opened registration for all 12 of its events plus Rainbow Conversations Human Rights Conference. The conference will be a two-day event and feature speakers Catherine Meade and Wessel van Kampen, Co-Presidents of Gay and Lesbian International Sport Association (GLISA) as well as Hon. Elizabeth Evatt, former Family Court Justice and member of the UN Human Rights Committee. The Asia Pacific Outgames will be held in Melbourne 30 January – 3 February. For more information and to register, visit www.melbourneoutgames.org.
CYCLING
Perth will soon have a new social cycling group Saturday mornings. The OUTinPerth bikers plan to meet Saturdays at 9.30am at All About Bike Hire on the foreshore in Perth for a 10-16km bike ride. Those interested in joining should contact Allan at ads@www.outinperth.com or 0403 363 605.
