It is 1926 at Barker’s Creek on the northern edge of Castlemaine in Central Victoria and four men stand by a fence watching a game of tennis in a bush setting .Is is probably at The Hermitage, the home of the Robertson family, and is a casual affair. I have written before of the young women playing tennis there and having a picnic style cup of tea. But this time it is the men’s turn. The photo from our family album has been given a place and a year but no names have been added, though possibilities are Webber and Robertson.
The well dressed tennis player would always wear his white flannel or duck trousers
My photo is in response to a 1940 image of a group of four men who are more inclined to play golf rather than tennis. The image was supplied by Sepia Saturday as this week’s inspiration for a post. Judging by their clothes I get the impression that perhaps playing golf is not something that they do regularly.
Meanwhile, when not playing tennis, the family album shows that girls just want to have fun and with a little ingenuity and imagination they horse around, with my mother, Vera Tansey, acting as the coachman. Part of the picnic table from the previous post is just visible to the left of the young ladies. Bye, Bye all, See you later.
Further foursomes can be found at this week’s Sepia Saturday.
Bound for Australia 
They were serious about their tennis, having the wire around it to prevent balls straying! In our family photos of tennis matches, they had lines marked but no surrounding fences.
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For years, white was THE color for tennis. Not so much anymore.
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When I played tennis in Switzerland it was formal dress white and perhaps a bit of dark blue as accent colour was allowed! In the seventies in Australia the dress code was much more relaxed.
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The last picture looks like they are having a great time.
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The girls certainly look like they are having fun. Great photos.
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When I played tennis you had to play in white. These days so many men play in what look like scruffy coloured shirts and shorts to me,
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Looks like the girls have a “horse and wagon” there. Wonder where they were going.
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Two very interesting photos. I suppose the white clothes would reflect the sun better and keep the player cool.
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A foot up against the screen — the epitome of “casualness” I think! Great old shots!
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Uniforms show the level of seriousness of players, don’t they? I love the ladies horsing around!
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Great choice! It occurs to me that before television both golf and tennis were games you had to see in person to understand the fun of the sport. And just like learning a musical instrument, both sports require practice to improve playing skills.
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The girls are having a ball. They make you wish to be there with them.
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They look so handsome in their white trousers. I remember loving to see my dad in his white officer’s uniform. Of all the uniform colors he wore it was always the best.
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