*** Please DO NOT donate - we are not collecting donations but rather seeking to demonstrate support and good will to the Board - donations go to the website, not to the Creche ***

The Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club Board has notifed Crèche users of the permanent closure of the long-standing and much-loved Kooyong Crèche from 13th December 2024, including the termination of its two staff. This decision has been made without member consultation, on the basis of inaccurate information about its usage, and without attempting to improve its financial position.

This petition seeks to have the Board:

1. immediately reverse the decision to close the Crèche and reinstate the staff;
2. reinstate the Crèche Committee; and
3. explore options to improve the Crèche’s funding.

Background

The Kooyong Crèche operates from an accredited facility underneath the Stadium. It has been a long-standing service, operating for decades, with a temporary closure during Covid. In addition to supporting members with young children to utilise the Club’s facilities, the Crèche promotes new friendships amongst Kooyong members and families, and serves as a first introduction to tennis and the KLTC community for the next generation of members.

Currently, the Crèche operates on weekdays from 9am to 12pm during school terms, accommodating up to eight children. Children are cared for by Sascha and Michelle, experienced and highly regarded childcare workers.

Previously the Crèche was supported by the Crèche Committee, a subcommittee of the Board, however this Committee was disbanded during the Covid closure and never reformed when the Crèche reopened in 2022. Several members are eager to volunteer their expertise to help reinstate this Committee.

Finances

The Crèche charges a sessional fee of $25 per child, which has remained unchanged for years. The service has operated at a loss in the past, with operating expenses typically ranging from $25,000 to $27,000 pre-Covid. The 2023 Annual Report shows a significant increase in expenses to $64,132, although it only accounts for 0.33% of the Club’s total expenses. It is unclear what caused this increase.

Issues

The Board’s decision to close the Crèche was made without consulting members or considering alternatives to improve revenue, such as increasing fees or reinstating the Crèche Committee which could conduct fundraising activities and assist in the management and compliance requirements of the facility. The Crèche has not been actively promoted via email, website or noticeboards, contributing further to underutilisation.

The information provided by the Board at the AGM suggests the closure decision is based on erroneous utilisation figures from the faulty online booking system. In practice, many bookings are made and paid for outside this process and therefore not accounted for. In fact, several members report being turned away from the Crèche when it reaches capacity.

With staff already notified of their terminations, we urge the Board to act quickly to reverse this decision to avoid losing these highly regarded employees.

Proposal

The Crèche is an asset to the Club, supporting members with young children to utilise the Club’s facilities; promoting friendship amongst members; and fostering a love of tennis in the next generation of KLTC members.

We, the below-signed members, propose that the Board make a good faith effort to retain this longstanding and beloved service by:

1. immediately reversing the decision to close the Crèche and reinstate the staff;
2. reinstating the Crèche Committee; and
3. exploring options to improve the Crèche’s funding.

*** Please DO NOT donate - we are not collecting donations but rather seeking to demonstrate support and good will to the Board - donations go to the website, not to the Creche ***