By Dongyun Kwon
The Healesville Tennis Club (HTC) community was grief-stricken when it lost one of the club’s legends Richard Frances Highett on Saturday 17 February.
Rick’s family moved to Healsville when he was 14 and lived in Healesville until he relocated to a unit in Cobram about 8 years ago.
Rick’s younger sister Angie Sneddon said Rick took after their father and grandfather who loved playing tennis.
“Dad was always playing tennis and our grandfather was a Victorian tennis champion,” she said.
“My other brother Chris never played tennis but he was a good table tennis player and I went horse riding, so that [the fact only Rick liked playing tennis out of his three siblings] left one tennis player in the family.
“Apparently, he had a tricky serve which we loved and one of my sons serves one hand and plays the other hand which really upsets people too.”
Rick joined the HTC in 1957 and his dedication to the club spanned over six decades.
HTC life member Alan Honeycombe said he had known Rick for 46 years.
“He was a really good friend. He subsequently moved to Cobram to be closer to his family when he was unable to look after his farm anymore and then moved into a nursing home,” he said.
“He was a genuinely brilliant person and he was always there to help whenever you needed assistance.
“Personally, I feel privileged to call him friend.”
He played in premiership teams in the 1958-1959 and 1962-1963 summer seasons and was proud to have his name added to the honour board as the 1968-1969 men’s singles club champion.
Rick also served the club in a few different roles as president for six years, secretary for one year and treasurer for nine years.
Additionally, he held the esteemed position of vice president and played a pivotal role as the chairman of selectors, showcasing his unmatched dedication to the sport and the club’s growth.
An unlucky situation even couldn’t stop his love for tennis.
While holding his position on the committee of HTC, he unfortunately had to play for Warburton for one period.
“The most unusual story to me was he could never get in the A grade in one period because six players already got in,” Angie said.
“So, that year he played for Warburton but he was still on the committee of Healesville and Warburton beat Healesville in the first semi but then in the grand final, they lost to Healesville.”
For his consistent dedication and service, he was awarded a life membership in the late 1970s as well as a life membership of the then Upper Yarra and District Tennis Association.
As the HTC boomed with over 30 junior and senior teams in the mid-1980s, four new en tout cas courts were constructed in the Don Road Recreation Reserve in Healesville.
In 1990, The courts were named R.F. Highett Tennis Reserve as an acknowledgement of his endless contribution.
Rick was also instrumental in establishing HTC’s Tuesday night competition.
In the book Advantage Healesville: the 120-year story of Healesville Tennis Club written by Bryn Jones, Rick is aptly described as “a great tennis player with a wicked, unconventional serve, but more importantly, he is the best team and club sportsman.”
Rick was the heart and soul of the Healesville Tennis Club for his commitment to the successful running of the club over 60 years.
The HTC will forever remember Rick’s diligence and guidance.
