Sunbury resident and golf teacher, Carol Leaney, tells Zoe Moffatt about her connection to Sunbury.
Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?
I have lived in Sunbury for 63 years and I have played tennis and golf in the area with my golfing career starting at the now closed The Pines Golf Club. I have also been a member of the GIsborne Golf Club for over 41 years and I have worked with Women’s Golf Victoria for seven years, travelling around Victoria conducting golf clinics. I worked for the past 20 years up until recently at the Goonawarra Golf Club running events, selling advertising and teaching golf. I have conducted golf clinics at every primary school in the area over the years including after school care programs which was an extremely pleasing role. I am now teaching at the Sunbury Golf Driving Range on Lancefield Road Sunbury, and I coordinate small groups of women’s weekend golf trips away and yes we only drink lemonade and we are in bed by 8 o’clock.
What’s your connection to Sunbury?
All my grandparents moved to Sunbury back in 1959, and my family moved and built our house here in 1960 in the Paynes Estate. I think we were only the third house built there and the population was around 700 people. When I was six my family joined other families to plant the grass couch runners at the Sunbury Lawn Tennis Club, which moved from its original spot near the post office to Ligar Street in about 1963.
What do you like about where you live?
Sunbury is a fast growing suburb and the trip into Melbourne is an easy ride as the train service has improved greatly. Where I live in Gumtree Hills is a quiet area with plenty of trees and birds, and the sporting facilities are fantastic.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
I would like to see better parking facilities around shops. A spot to park your car and walk around the shops would be a great asset to shoppers and I am sure the shop owners.
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
Funny enough at the golf driving range on Lancefield Road Sunbury where I work. I enjoy not only teaching there but having conversations with the golfers/customers, and of course my home where I have plenty of gardening to do.
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you?
In 2000 I enrolled at Deakin University Burwood and over four years I achieved a graduate certificate in sports management then went on to gain a master’s degree in sports business. It is true you can teach old dogs new tricks.
You said you will be holding some free golf lessons, tell us a bit about it?
Yes, I would like to offer an opportunity for anyone interested to attend a free come and try golf session at the golf driving range at Lancefield Road Sunbury. I have sessions available on weekdays and weekends, and I will provide the equipment. Everybody is welcome, it is a great way to have fun and it’s never too late to start.
If you would like to join in or have any queries please contact me on my mobile on 0407 331399
