General News
22 July, 2024
Rupe and Joan Craigie: Pillars of the community — By Brian Lennen
Rupe and Joan Craigie established a sports store in High Street, Maryborough (opposite where the Commonwealth Bank is now) that serviced the community for 29 years. It was a meeting place for sports men, women and children catering for all sports in...
Rupe and Joan Craigie established a sports store in High Street, Maryborough (opposite where the Commonwealth Bank is now) that serviced the community for 29 years.
It was a meeting place for sports men, women and children catering for all sports in the district.
Most sports people were provided with their sporting requisites. Many of their customers had limited resources and were able to enter into a “pay as you can” arrangement.
Frequently Rupe and Joan outfitted many at their own expense.
During this period Rupe was secretary of the Hard Court Tennis Association for almost 30 years.
Under Rupe’s and the tennis committee’s guidance, the local tennis competition grew from four tems to almost 80.
In April 1949 disaster struck when the tennis clubrooms caught alight and were burnt to the ground.
After scouring all over Australia, an army hut was brought from Puckapunyal Army camp and converted into the present rooms.
This was an example of the “can do” attitude.
The establishment of lawn courts was a particular challenge as Maryborough has always had problems with water supplies.
At its peak there were 12 lawn courts. They have dwindled to eight and are under used.
At his home in Napier Street, Rupe erected a tennis court. This became an important coaching centre where he coached both old and young aspiring players for a pittance.
It was a common sight to see the lights on late at night.
For two decades the highlight of the tennis season was the ANA tournament held on three days over the long weekend in January.
This brought tennis players from all over the state and interstate.
It filled all accommodation in Maryborough and district and was pencilled into tennis players diaries.
Rupe and Joan also provided a second home for Don and John Nicholls who went on to become legends in the VFL.
Joan’s nephew, Michael Hammond, honed his tennis skills under Rupe, before going on to play VFL for Richmond.
Michael left Richmond prematurely to pursue business interests and became a legend in the Bendigo Football League.
As a footballer Rupe was a fine player in both the Ballarat and Bendigo leagues.
He was renowned for his ability to kick long drop kicks (now a lost art).
Rupe served on the committee filling roles as a selector and treasurer and was always a positive influence.
To quote a local identity, “Rupe and Joan were great citizens and beautiful people”.
