BRIEF HISTORY OF MEMRLTA
Anne Hubbard in 2016
In 1958, Anne Hubbard from the Ringwood Scots Tennis Club proposed that the local Saturday Competition, namely Eastern Metropolitan Lawn Tennis Association, introduce a ladies' mid-week competition. This was formed and Anne became the first Secretary and Record Secretary.
The mid-week competition began to grow and in 1963 the parent, EMRLTA, decided it would be more manageable for the Ladies' Competition to form their own Committee but remain subject to the main body.
In 1982, the mid-week competition became completely autonomous and became known as Midweek Eastern Metropolitan Region Ladies' Tennis Association, or MEMRLTA for short.
Trophies
Anne Hubbard Perpetual Trophy
In recognition of Anne Hubbard's commitment to the Association, the Executive Committee introduced the Anne Hubbard Perpetual Trophy which is presented annually to the club whose overall performance over the Winter and Summer Seasons is the best.
Recent Winners of the Anne Hubbard Perpetual Trophy
| 2018 | Warrandyte |
| 2019 | Burwood |
| 2020 | Burwood |
| 2021 & 2022 | Not presented as 2 seasons were not played in the previous 12 months due to the COVID pandemic |
| 2023 | North Balwyn |
Nan Butler Memorial Trophy
The trophy for the Section 1 Summer Season is known as the Nan Butler Memorial Trophy, after a former MEMRLTA Secretary.
Recent Winners of the Nan Butler Memorial Trophy
| 2017/18 | Kooyong Blue |
| 2018/19 | Kooyong Blue |
| 2019/20 | Finals cancelled due to COVID. Trophy not awarded. |
| 2020/21 | Kooyong Blue |
| 2021/22 | There was no Summer Season as the 2021 Winter Season extended into March 2022 due to multiple pandemic lockdowns. |
| 2022/23 | Kooyong Blue |
| 2023/24 | Donvale Blue |
Kathy Rehe
Kathy Rehe Perpetual Winter Trophy
In 2018, in recognition of retiring Committee & Life Member Kathy Rehe's 42 years of service on the Committee, the Section 1 Winter Season trophy was named the Kathy Rehe Perpetual Winter Trophy.
Winners of the Kathy Rehe Perpetual Winter Trophy
| 2019 | Kooyong Blue |
| 2020 | Season not played due to COVID |
| 2021 | Donvale Blue |
| 2022 | Donvale Blue |
| 2023 | Glen Waverley |
Life Members
- Anne Hubbard (1975)
- Jocelyn Oliver
- Margot Gibson
- Maggie White
- Lesley McHenry
- Kathy Rehe (1999)
- Sandra Summers
- Andrea Kick
- Judy Lambert (2012)
- Faye Berryman
- Hope Stewart (2024)