ISSUE NO. 14

Not as nasty as he looks, mate

©ClubHouse

Sunday, January 12th— Crikey! The Australian Open is here, and we’re ready to take you on a ripper of a ride, Aussie style! We’ve packed this one full, from wild aesthetics to fascinating facts, cheeky banter, and everything in between—this issue’s got it all. It’s a long one, so chuck on your sunnies, grab a tinny, and get comfy for a true-blue experience. Enjoy the ride, jackaroo.


Cheers,

Clyde & Oliver

AESTHETICS

Aussie Allure

©ClubHouse

Beauty and the Bludger

©ClubHouse

Mates & Models

©ClubHouse

Melbournes Sport Precinct

©Andrew Griffith

Rod Laver Arena Transforms

©Melbourne & Olympic Parks

COURT-SIDE STAYS

Park Hyatt Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia

Oi! if you’re lookin’ for a bloody top place to stay in Melbourne, the Park Hyatt Melbourne is where it’s at. Right in the heart of the city, this joint’s got everything—spacious rooms, Italian marble bathrooms, and city views that’ll make ya feel like you’ve hit the jackpot. But hold on, it gets better. Head up to the roof where you’ve got a tennis court with the Melbourne skyline staring back at ya. Yeah, that’s right—a full-on tennis court up there. You can hit a few serves, work on that backhand, or just pretend you’re a pro while the city watches. It’s the kind of thing you don’t expect, but when you see it, you wonder why all hotels don’t have a court on the roof.


After you’ve had your fill of tennis, hit the Park Club Health & Day Spa or take a swim in the 25-meter indoor pool. If you’re feelin’ hungry, Radii restaurant & bar has some unreal contemporary dishes that’ll leave you wishing you had room for seconds (or thirds). And if you’re keen to catch some action, the Melbourne Cricket Ground is just around the corner, so you’re never too far from the excitement. Whether you’re here for work or just a cheeky getaway, the Park Hyatt Melbourne’s got it all. A tennis court, a pool, top-notch food, and a level of luxury that’ll have you saying, “Fair dinkum, this is the loife!”

COURT-SIDE PROPERTIES

Victoria, Australia

©Danckert Real Estate

Righto big fella, Eden in Mount Martha is a $2,385,459 bloody ripper of a property, sprawled out over 3 acres of pure Aussie beauty. This place has everything you could ever want: a championship tennis court to get the blood pumping, and plenty of room for your mates to have a hit or for the family to join in on the fun. With 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and multiple living areas, you’ll never run out of space to kick back, relax, and entertain. Need a break from the court? No’r worries! You’ve got acres of space to stretch out, and the view of the Mornington Peninsula is enough to make you forget you even need to hit a tennis ball. Plus, you’re just a short drive away from Melbun (yep, that’s you say it), and when the Australian Open rolls around, you’re only a hop, skip, and jump from all the action.


You’re not just buying a house—you’re buying an Aussie lifestyle that most people can only dream of. Whether you’re chucking some shrimp or snags on the barbie, practicing your serve, or just soaking in the scenery, this property’s got it all. The open-plan living is perfect for a laid-back life with mates, while the modern kitchen means you can cook up a storm. It’s not just about the tennis or the views—it’s about living life the Aussie way, with space, comfort, and a whole lot of good vibes.

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DAMN THAT’S INTERESTING

Alright, mates, hold on to your Vegemite jars, ’cause we’re not just talkin’ tennis today. We’re about to blow your mind with some fair dinkum Aussie facts that’ll make you wanna smack a kangaroo high-five. You think you know Australia? Well, think again—time to make that brain a bit bigger. Grab a cold one and settle in, ‘cause these facts will have you saying, “Bloody hell, I didn’t know that!”:

  • Became an independent nation in 1901, with six British colonies before then.

  • Part of the Commonwealth of Nations, allowing UK citizens to live and work there.

  • The kangaroo and emu symbolize progress on the coat of arms, as neither can walk backward.

  • Designed by a 14-year-old in 1901, the flag became the national flag in 1953.

  • Comprised of six states: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania.

  • Includes two territories: the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.

  • Population of about 26 million as of 2023.

  • Average population density is only about 9 people per square mile.

  • Around 85% of Australians live within 50 kilometers (31 miles) of the coast.

  • Melbourne boasts the world’s largest urban tram network.

  • Leading global producer of iron ore in the world.

  • Home to the most venomous snake in the world, the Inland Taipan.

  • World’s largest producer of macadamia nuts.

  • Performed the world’s first artificial heart transplant in 1984.

  • Largest exporter of wool, with 2.5 sheep for every person.

  • Produced the world’s first feature-length film in 1906, “The Story of the Kelly Gang.”

  • Over 60% of the world’s wild camels are found here with (over 1M).

  • Home to the world’s largest living organism, the Pando fungus in the Outback.

  • Indigenous culture, the world’s oldest, has existed for over 65,000 years.

  • First to grant women the right to vote at a national level in 1902.

  • Known for world-class Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon across over 60 wine regions.

  • The Australian Alps receive more snowfall than Switzerland.

  • Flemington Racecourse is the largest horse racing venue in the world

  • Home to the world’s most poisonous spider, the Sydney Funnel-web Spider.

  • Sydney made the world’s first-ever radio broadcast in 1920.

  • Tasmania has the cleanest air in the world.

  • The sixth-largest country, covering about 77% of the size of the United States.

  • The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, extending 2,300 km (1,430 mi).

  • The Australia Zoo spans over 1,000 acres, housing more than 1,000 animals.

  • Ninety Mile Beach in Victoria is one of the longest uninterrupted beaches at 150 kilometers.

  • The Argyle Diamond Mine produces the world’s rarest pink diamonds.

  • Around 70% of the land is covered by arid or semi-arid desert, including the Outback.

  • The Nullarbor Links is the world’s longest golf course at 1,365 km (850 mi).

  • Highway 1 is the longest national highway, stretching over 14,500 km (9,000 mi).

  • The Dingo Fence, at 5,600 km (3,500 mi), is the longest fence in the world.

  • The Daintree Rainforest is the world’s oldest tropical rainforest, predating the Amazon by millions of years.

  • Produces over 95% of the world’s opals.

  • The first-ever Lawn Tennis Association was established in Melbourne in 1880, a precursor to the modern tennis governing bodies.

  • In 1972, Australian innovator Harry Hopman (haha “hop”) helped the adoption of the “tie-break” to tennis, a format that has since become a standard in most tennis tournaments worldwide.

  • Rod Laver, one of Australia’s greatest tennis players, remains the only player in history to win two calendar-year Grand Slams, achieving the feat in 1962 and 1969.

  • Australia was the first to introduce the Hawk-Eye technology in 2001 to improve the accuracy of line calls during matches.

  • Australian tennis legend Fred Stolle was one of the first players to wear sponsored clothing during matches in the 1960s, setting a trend that continues today.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Norman Brookes Challenge Cup

©Tennis Australia

The Australian Open is one of the crown jewels of tennis, and it’s come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1905. Back then, it was called the Australasian Championships and was just a little regional showdown between Australia and New Zealand. But in 1923, it was officially recognized as a major Grand Slam, alongside Wimbledon, the U.S. National Championships (now the US Open), and the French Championships (now the French Open). By 1927, it became the Australian Championships, officially putting it on the map as one of tennis’s heavy hitters.


The tournament had its fair share of homes, but in 1972, it found its forever spot at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne. And then, in 1987, the Australian Open moved to the now-iconic Melbourne Park (once called Flinders Park), where it went from good to legendary. The complex came with the world’s first ever centre court roof, which meant night matches could finally happen. And that was a game changer. From then on, the Aussie Open was the first Grand Slam to feature night matches—changing how people watched tennis forever.


Fast forward to 1988, and the Open sets a new attendance record with 244,859 fans packing the stands. And by 2008, the Aussie Open transitioned to the “true blue” hard courts, which have since become a staple for tennis fans all over the world. With over 800,000 fans showing up every year, the Australian Open is a straight-up celebration of tennis, Aussie style.


Now, this isn’t just a tennis tournament—this is the “Happy Slam”. Known for its warm weather, relaxed vibe, and some of the most welcoming crowds in tennis, the Australian Open has earned a reputation for being the chillest Grand Slam. It’s a place where players and fans alike come to enjoy tennis and good times.


Let’s talk trophies. The Norman Brookes Challenge Cup—you know, the one awarded to the men’s singles champion—is all kinds of legendary. It’s been handed out since 1934 to Fred Perry and named after Norman Brookes once of Australias…., and its design is inspired by the Warwick Vase, an ancient marble vase found in Italy. But here’s the kicker: the actual trophy stays safe and sound in storage, and the winner only gets a replica (a really really nice replica).


On top of all that, the Australian Open has been a pioneer in bringing new tech to tennis. It was the first Grand Slam to use Hawk-Eye technology in 2001, making line calls a whole lot more accurate and giving fans a way to get in on the action too.

So yeah, the Australian Open isn’t just any tournament. It’s got history, innovation, and a vibe that’s all its own. With names like Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena to back it up, this tournament continues to set the bar for tennis and shows no sign of slowing down. And with the future looking bright, in 2010, the Victorian Government made a multi-million-dollar investment to keep the Australian Open in Melbourne until at least 2036, ensuring it stays the global tennis icon we all know and love.. It’s the Aussie Open, and it’s here to stay.

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Thanks for reading.

Until next time, we’ll see you out there.

King Kyrgios

©ClubHouse