TTV: How did you get into table tennis?

Greg Robbins: My father played at Coburg TTC when he was young, and encouraged all our family to play. We had a table at our holiday house, and then I started playing competition with my father and brother, first with SETTA, and then with VTTA Wednesday night pennant, playing as the “Robbins Family”. It was great memories, with Bob Grattidge running the competition, with A1 through to F6, around 500+ players and some of Australia’s best players on centre court in front of a packed grandstand. 

TTV: What was it about (what interested Greg) that really drew you to being involved with table tennis?

GR: There are not many sports where you can play together in a team with your family. That was the initial appeal for me. Now I still enjoy playing pennant, but I also enjoy playing TTV tournaments and attending the nationals.

TTV: How long have you been playing & volunteering at table tennis for/ when did you start playing & volunteering?

GR: I have been playing table tennis most of my life, I probably started playing around 10 years of age. I did have a 10 year break after uni. I started volunteering around 13 years ago when I joined the TTV board. I joined Dandenong’s board 4 years ago.

TTV: Are there any other volunteers who influenced your decision to do volunteer work?

GR: Bob Grattidge was the reason why I joined the TTV board and started voluntary work. After I returned to the sport following my break, I was disappointed to see that the TTV Wednesday pennant had declined. But I was delighted to see that Bob was still running the competition, so I offered to try and help him address the pennant problem, and as a result I joined the TTV board.

When I was playing TTV pennant as a child, I would remember Bob always talking to my father and all the other players on the night, making sure everyone was having a good time and feeling welcome. I didn’t understand boards as a child, but to me, Bob was the face of TTV, and it was clear that he was responsible for this great night of table tennis, which brought happiness to so many people. On some occasions, you would be lucky to see Bob playing A2 with the most awkward and unusual playing style, it was a pleasure to watch him play.

I volunteer my time as much as possible, but I know it is only a fraction of what Bob has given to the sport. It’s no wonder that he is a life member with TTV for his lifelong dedication and service.

Other Victorian volunteers who I met after joining the TTV board and have great admiration for their work, include Greg Bristowe, Philip Carruthers, Phil Davis, Joe Gerada and Claire Montgomery. Also, Sam Miller from Albury/ACT is a great role model for young people and does an excellent job volunteering and promoting table tennis and is now travelling the world as an international umpire/official.

TTV: What are your volunteer roles within Table Tennis?

GR: I am currently Treasurer for Dandenong and my roles for this include preparing financial statements, BAS, paying bills, overseeing invoicing, banking, investments, and attending meetings. I also manage our ConnecTT group coaching program which includes maintaining the data base, contacting players for weekly bookings, organising coaches, collection of money and helping with the sessions.  

TTV: What’s been your highlight of your career so far as a volunteer?

GR: My initial task as treasurer for Dandenong was to implement a new accounting system (Xero) for the club. We previously collected pennant fees on a cash basis, where members used to have to pay the pennant co-ordinator on a pennant night, a receipt had to be written up, large amounts of cash were being handled and lists had to be maintained for debt collection purposes. The club wasn’t collecting all the money it was entitled to.

With our new Xero system, we invoice all players at the start of pennant season and require invoices be paid by bank transfer. We are now able to batch email our invoices, there is an audit trail for payments, no cash handling, we have a current debtors list and can email statements for outstanding debts.

It has created efficiencies and has also contributed towards greater profitability and improved cash flow.

TTV: What continues to keep you motivated to volunteer in table tennis?

GR: As our board continually strives for improvement, we have implemented many changes and it is satisfying to see the positive outcomes from this e.g. growth in our membership, pennants and programs.

TTV: What are your goals moving forward as a volunteer?

GR: The main goal for all our board members at Dandenong is to ensure that our Council provide a replacement stadium for us, as they plan to demolish our stadium in a few years.

TTV: What’s some advice you would give to anyone interested in volunteering?

GR: Volunteering is very rewarding, you will make new friends, learn new skills and be part of a team. It will help with your CV and possible employment opportunities. Everyone has different skills and can make a positive contribution towards their club.