Game, set, match
Jim Elphick Tennis Centre serves up a winner for Wagga Wagga
A bold new chapter in regional sport has begun with the official opening of the redeveloped Jim Elphick Tennis Centre at Bolton Park on Thursday.
The state-of-the-art facility positions Wagga Wagga as a premier destination for tennis and sporting events – from grassroots through to elite level.
Delivered by Wagga Wagga City Council in partnership with the NSW Government and Tennis NSW, the $9.15 million transformation marks the completion of Stage 1 of the Bolton Park Sports Hub project.
The Jim Elphick Tennis Centre was officially opened by Independent Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr MP, representing NSW Minister for Sport, The Hon Stephen Kamper MP.
The launch was a celebration of community and sporting heritage, with appearances from tennis greats Tony Roche AO and Casey Dellacqua, Tennis NSW President Melissa Achten and CEO Darren Simpson, Tennis Australia’s
Director of Pathways Lawrence Robertson, and local dignitaries including Deputy Mayor Councillor Georgie Davies.
The event featured a Welcome to Country by Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Mary Atkinson and a Smoking Ceremony led by Wiradyuri man Luke Wighton.
Also attending were family members of both the late Jim Elphick – fondly known as Wagga’s ‘Mr Tennis’ – and the late Joe Schipp, former Member for Wagga Wagga and passionate supporter of local tennis, with a centre court named in his honour.
The new-look centre features eight International Tennis Federation-standard cushioned acrylic hard courts, two cushioned warm-up courts, and five synthetic grass courts for community use. It also includes a dedicated netball court, a multi-use court, and a modern clubhouse offering premium facilities and sweeping views of the tennis precinct and Robertson Oval.
Mayor Dallas Tout said the redevelopment is a milestone for the city.
“This project solidifies Wagga Wagga’s reputation as a leading sports and events destination. We're thrilled to welcome players, officials, and visitors from across the country.”
Tennis NSW President Melissa Achten praised the Jim Elphick Tennis Centre redevelopment project’s collaborative spirit.
“This regional hub was made possible through partnerships between Council, the NSW Government, Tennis NSW, and the local community. It’s a gamechanger for regional players.”
Wagga Wagga Tennis Association
President Michael Marien welcomed the upgrade.
“From grass in 1929 to today’s international-standard surfaces, the local tennis community is excited to play and compete here.”
Above all, the Jim Elphick Tennis Centre stands as a tribute to the city’s proud tennis legacy and a springboard for its sporting future.
To book a court or learn more, contact Marc Geppert at geppert.marc@wagga. nsw.gov.au or visit Have Your Say Wagga.
Events & Tourism
The new facility will be in the spotlight later this year when it hosts its first high-profile tournamentthe 2025 Tennis Women’s Pro Tour Tournament.
Under an agreement between Wagga Wagga City Council and Tennis Australia, the tournament will be held from 8-21 September 2025.
The event format will include back-toback women’s ITF World Tennis Tour tournaments as part of the Australian Pro Tour and is expected to generate over $750,000 in economic benefit for Wagga Wagga.
Council’s Manager City Growth & Regional Assets Ben Creighton says it will be an important event for the newly refurbished Jim Elphick Tennis Centre.
“The tournament is expected to attract more than 120 competitors and officials from outside Wagga Wagga, delivering a direct economic benefit to the city,” Mr Creighton said.
“By attracting regional and national tournaments, it will significantly boost sports tourism, bringing visitors to Wagga Wagga and driving economic growth.
“It’s an opportunity for staff and local tennis stakeholders to demonstrate the suitability of this top tier venue for large scale participation and elite events.”
The Australian Pro Tour is a series of professional tennis events held throughout the year to bridge upcoming players with the ATP and WTA tours, providing an opportunity to earn significant world ranking points.
MEET & GREETS: Zoo Keeper Hannah Wilkin with Stanley the miniature bull, who along with paddock mate Basil, is expected to be a popular drawcard for visitors to the Zoo & Aviary over the school holidays.
Get egg-cited for some Easter school holiday fun
There will be plenty for children and young people to explore
Press start for fun! Game ON! takes over the Museum for Youth Week!
The Wagga Youth Week 2025 program kicks off on Saturday 12 April, and young people will get the chance to experience the Museum of the Riverina after dark with Game ON!
During Game ON! young people will be able to participate in Nintendo Switch tournaments, retro arcade games, card games and tabletop games with Clever Crow, plus there will be prizes and bragging rights for the win.
Council’s Youth and Community Development Officer Mel Fattore said Game ON! has been developed by the Wagga Youth Week Crew to provide safe, night-time, alcohol-free and drugfree activities for youth audiences.
"This low-cost event is open to all young people aged 12 to 25 years and will be held on Saturday 12 April 2025
and enjoy in Wagga Wagga and surrounds this Easter school holiday, with various Council cultural and recreational facilities presenting programs full of fun, adventure and creativity.
The Botanic Gardens Zoo & Aviary will be holding meet and greets daily between 11am and 12pm.
“You will be able to feed the emus, pat the baby kangaroos and wallabies, say hello to the miniature cattle, and meet the dingoes and farmyard animals,” Zoo Curator Wendy McNamara said.
“If you can’t make it to one of the tours, don’t worry. You can still have a close encounter of the feathered kind by taking a wander through the aviary.”
The zoo will open from 9am to 4pm, every day of the school holidays, except for Good Friday (18 April).
For those looking to indulge their creative spirit, our cultural facilities have activities for school-aged youngsters and their grown-ups.
Kick off the holidays with the By The
at the Museum of the Riverina’s Botanic Gardens site on Wiradyuri Country, kicking off from 5pm after the CHALK IT UP event,” Mel Fattore said.
"Our 2025 Youth Week Crew will be attending a range of Youth Week 2025 events to ensure all young people feel welcome and included.”
The fun doesn’t stop there, as Council’s packed Youth Week 2025 program includes community-wide collaborations to help upskill, empower and connect young people across our Local Government Area.
“The program sees community collaborations with a number of youth services including Headspace Wagga Wagga, COMPACT, Riverina Community College, Bloom From Within and more, who will be providing practical workshops, certificate based training and social friend-making events,” Mel Fattore said.
Check out this year’s Youth Week program and be sure to join in the fun. This is an awesome opportunity to see what young people in our community have done and can do!
To view the full list of local Youth Week 2025 events, and to book, visit wagga. nsw.gov.au/youth-week
Hand creative drawing workshops at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery on Saturday 12 April.
As part of Youth Week, the gallery is hosting a CopyRIGHT don't CopyWRONG creative workshop on 15 April, followed by the Creative Teens Drawing workshop on 17 April.
At the Library, unleash your imagination with the World Breakers: Young Rebels Writing workshop on Saturday 12 April.
At our Museum of the RiverinaBotanic Gardens site, there will be plenty of free activities to enjoy to, from the popular LEGO® Minifigure Hunt to classic outdoor games from around the world.
It will also be presenting another session of CopyRIGHT don't CopyWRONG on 17 April.
For more details on these activities and to book your spot, visit: waggaartgallery.com.au/whats-on waggalibrary.com.au/whats-on museumriverina.com.au/whatson
Road closures
ANZAC DAY CEREMONIES
Road: Baylis Street from Morrow Street to Wollundry Lagoon Bridge and Morrow Street from Peter Street to Baylis Street
Duration: 6pm Thursday 24 April to 5am
Friday 25 April 2025
Reason: Preparations for Anzac Day
Commemorative services
Road: Baylis Street from near Tompson Street to Wollundry Lagoon Bridge. Morrow Street from the eastern side of Baylis Street to the eastern side of Peter Street
Duration: Friday 25 April 2025 5am to 7am
Reason: Anzac Day Dawn service
Road: Baylis Street from south side of Morrow Street to the north side of Morgan Street (not including cross streets).
Duration: Friday 25 April 2025 6:45am to 9:30am
Reason: Anzac Day - pre-parade organization
Road: Baylis Street from south side of Morgan Street to the north side of the Lagoon Bridge.
Duration: Friday 25 April 2025 9:30am to approximately 12pm
Reason: Anzac Day Parade (March) and Commemorative Service
Road: Morgan Street from the western side of Berry Street lo the western side of Baylis Street.
Duration: Friday 25 April 2025 9:30am to 10:30am
Reason: Anzac Day Parade (March)
Road: Peter Street - southbound lane - from the southern side of Morrow Street to the northern side of Tompson Street.
Duration: Friday 25 April 2025 7am to 10:30am
Reason: Anzac Day Parade (March)
Detours: Detours around each road closure will be indicated by signs.
ALL NOTICES NOW ONLINE AT: wagga.nsw.gov.au/ publicnotices
Lovely Lila
Lila is a 12-18 month old, female, brindle and white Staghound that is looking for her forever home. Lila has a very friendly, playful and lively personality, she gets along very well with other dogs and knows basic commands.
The adoption cost for Lila is $389 and includes microchip, lifetime registration, desexing, vaccination, heartworm test, flea and worming treatment and ID tag (Impound no D25/0148).
Glenfield Road Animal Shelter is open Monday to Saturday, 1pm –4.15pm. View all our available pets at graswagga.com.au
Ladysmith. Fabulous Fakes Exhibition
12 & SUN 13 APR, 10AM - 3PM Wagga Wagga Art Society, 11 Small St. Clay Easter Bunny Workshop
- 12.30PM North Shore Studios, 57 William St.
Saturday Night Roller Discos! SAT 12 APR, 7PM – 9PM Bolton Park Stadium, Morgan St. Plug & Play: Youth Week Open Mic SAT 12 APR, 7PM – 9.50PM Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way.
Lazy Sundays at The Wild Vine – Knox SUN 13 APR, 12PM – 3PM The Wild Vine, 1313 Oura Rd.
12 APR, 5.30PM - 7PM & SUN 13 APR, 1PM – 2.30PM Basement Theatre, Morrow St.
Kooringal Stud Prelude Day SUN 13 APR, 12PM – 5.30PM Murrumbidgee Turf Club, 142 Travers St.
Balcony Sessions with Dale Allison and Geoff Simpson SUN 13 APR, 6PM – 8PM Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way.
PCYC Wagga Wagga School Holidays MON 14 – THU 17 APR 11 Fitzhardinge St. Meet and Greet
Encounters at Botanic Gardens
MON 14 – FRI 19 APR, 10.30AM - 12.30PM Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, MacLeay St. Young Enviro Champions Workshop
TUE 15 APR, 9AM – 12PM ErinEarth, 1 Kildare St. Kids Art Explorers –Clay Quirky Cups WED 16 APR, 10AM – 12PM North Shore Studios, 57 William St. The Tay Tay Tribute Show WED 16 APR, 6PM – 8.15PM Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way.
Creative Teens Drawing Workshop THU 17 APR, 10.30AM - 12PM Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Morrow St. Riverina Producers Market THU 17 APR, 1PM – 6.30PM Hammond Hall, Wagga Wagga Showground, 27 Bourke St. Copyright Don’t
