Celebrating a Kiama Legend

with the Tuesday tennis group with a dinner of chicken and chips followed by cakes.

Local Kiama Tennis Legend Norma Stead celebrated her 98th birthday on Tuesday 26 July in fine style with the extended Stead family. Her birthday was held

Norma is a living legend in tennis locally and was an active player for many years, winning many tennis trophies. Her first trophy was the B Grade Ladies Single Champion in 1953 and she is still active with a tennis racquet today!

She is currently the live-in caretaker at the Kiama Tennis Club in Stead Reserve which was named in her honour. The Kiama Tennis Club has seven courts at Noorinan St with club house and facilities for members.

Norma was the long term caretaker of the Tennis courts in Hindmarsh Park established in 1953 and lived in the caretaker cottage. When the new courts were built in Noorinan street, Norma moved into the specially built caretakers cottage there.

Norma was born Nor- ma Willis in Ashbury in Sydney before moving to Berry. She met her future husband Charles Stead when he played first grade rugby league for Kiama at an away game at Berry.

Norma got her life membership of the Kiama Tennis Club in 1968 – 55 years ago. The Bugle, like the rest of the Kiama Community wishes Norma a very happy 98th birthday!

by Mark Whalan