*** 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:
- immediately reverse the decision to close the Crèche and reinstate the staff;
- reinstate the Crèche Committee; and
- 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:
- immediately reversing the decision to close the Crèche and reinstate the staff;
- reinstating the Crèche Committee; and
- 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 ***
Updates
December 1, 2024
The Board has maintained their original position despite the clear evidence of community support we have presented. I am currently preparing a formal request for a meeting to discuss the inaccuracies regarding the usage data mentioned in their closure notice.
December 1, 2024
The momentum behind this effort has grown substantially in recent days. Such widespread recognition of the value this service provides to our club community reinforces why we must continue to advocate for the Crèche and its dedicated staff.
Reached 100 supporters
December 1, 2024
68 Comments
Crèche facilities are important for women with children who otherwise might not be able to fully utilize their membership or enjoy Kooyong’s facilities. There’s a huge shortage of care in the community and this is a way to not only provide a service in the community but attract new and younger members which is important for the club’s finances
Removing the crèche will have a detrimental impact on many parents (mothers especially). As a female majority board, I would hope that you view in favour of those families offering to join a committee, to fundraise and to increase their cost to use to keep this life line open.
The decision to close it was done without consultation and attempted at a time of year that absolutely screwed people because commitments for next year had already been made. Shambolic governance on behalf of a board that is simply inept. Not acceptable.
The crèche was a game changer for me when I had children the ability to drop the kids for a couple of hours and be able to exercise, so invaluable to my mental health, not to mention the friendships I made. Thank you for fighting to keep it open. They also need to advertise more so more members are aware of it.
This crèche is an amazing facility and my Tommy loved attending regularly. I am planning on using it again in early 2025 with my younger son - Jack who is currently 6 months. This is the only way I can utilize my membership and club facilities. Lucy Hanmill
This facility was a huge positive !!! Young people with pre schoolers need the opportunity to meet and mix with others in a similar situation.
I guarantee closing the creche will lead to women giving up their memberships for gyms that do have creches.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
*** 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:
- immediately reverse the decision to close the Crèche and reinstate the staff;
- reinstate the Crèche Committee; and
- 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:
- immediately reversing the decision to close the Crèche and reinstate the staff;
- reinstating the Crèche Committee; and
- 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 ***
Updates
December 1, 2024
The Board has maintained their original position despite the clear evidence of community support we have presented. I am currently preparing a formal request for a meeting to discuss the inaccuracies regarding the usage data mentioned in their closure notice.
December 1, 2024
The momentum behind this effort has grown substantially in recent days. Such widespread recognition of the value this service provides to our club community reinforces why we must continue to advocate for the Crèche and its dedicated staff.
Reached 100 supporters
December 1, 2024
68 Comments
Not everything needs to make a profit - does the billiard area make a profit?? Or the gym?? These are services that bring people to our tennis club. Same as a crèche which is how most young people in this day of both parents working, are able to utilise the club and all its services.
Crèche facilities are important for women with children who otherwise might not be able to fully utilize their membership or enjoy Kooyong’s facilities. There’s a huge shortage of care in the community and this is a way to not only provide a service in the community but attract new and younger members which is important for the club’s finances
Removing the crèche will have a detrimental impact on many parents (mothers especially). As a female majority board, I would hope that you view in favour of those families offering to join a committee, to fundraise and to increase their cost to use to keep this life line open.
The decision to close it was done without consultation and attempted at a time of year that absolutely screwed people because commitments for next year had already been made. Shambolic governance on behalf of a board that is simply inept. Not acceptable.
The crèche was a game changer for me when I had children the ability to drop the kids for a couple of hours and be able to exercise, so invaluable to my mental health, not to mention the friendships I made. Thank you for fighting to keep it open. They also need to advertise more so more members are aware of it.
This crèche is an amazing facility and my Tommy loved attending regularly. I am planning on using it again in early 2025 with my younger son - Jack who is currently 6 months. This is the only way I can utilize my membership and club facilities. Lucy Hanmill
This facility was a huge positive !!! Young people with pre schoolers need the opportunity to meet and mix with others in a similar situation.
I guarantee closing the creche will lead to women giving up their memberships for gyms that do have creches.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 250 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
Not everything needs to make a profit - does the billiard area make a profit?? Or the gym?? These are services that bring people to our tennis club. Same as a crèche which is how most young people in this day of both parents working, are able to utilise the club and all its services.