Barry Daniel
Howard Massey talks to Barry Daniel our oldest playing member. At 86 years Barry has an interesting and varied story to tell. And a very good tip to save money
* Tennis Around 1930 * No future for synthetic strings * And so to Wollongong and Kiama * Table tennis and shooting * Photography * Barry’s tip to significantly reduce the cost of print cartridges
Tennis Around 1930
Barry started playing tennis at the age of 12 at the college where he lived in the Lismore area and was fortunate to be trained by Aubrey Willard who Barry is pretty sure most people have never heard of. Willard played in the Australian Open in 1925 and was defeated by
Gerald Patterson, a Davis Cup player, as well reaching the second Round at Wimbledon in 1925 losing to John Wheatley into the 5th set where he forfeited. He was runner-up in several finals and was beaten by no less than Harry Hopman & Adrian Quist in the 1931 doubles final.
No future in synthetic strings
In the 1940s and 1950s, Barry says, we were using timber racquets with gut strings. He lived in the humid Grafton and Lismore areas of northern NSW where the racquets were inclined to warp badly. Around this time nylon strings were new in the market. At great expense I had my Slazenger Challenge strung with nylon. I was proud of it. I said to him: “Mr Willard, what do you think of Nylon strings?” to which he said: “Sonny, Nylon is great stuff for catching fish…but don’t try to play tennis with it…because you can’t.”
. and so to Wollongong and Kiama During the 1950s and through to 1986 he played competition tennis, in Grafton, eight years in Wagga Wagga and then Wollongong. Barry has had a few breaks from tennis for surgery including tennis elbow in 1977 plus hip replacements, in 1994 and 2007 and since then “every ailment” including spine and knee problems – all fixed with cortisone. Barry’s advice…”don’t give up your tennis unless you really have to”.
The picturesque location of Kiama Tennis Club and quality of the courts attracted Barry. I noticed on the website the mention of “veterans”. Barry, I thought that his ripe old age “veterans” would mostly be over 65, 70, or 80 and that he might be able to keep up with them. Veterans being over 35 was a bit of a disappointment. However, he very much enjoys the friendship and play at Kiama and hopes to continue some time yet.
Table tennis , shooting and . . . . Barry also played competitive table tennis for many years also competitive (target) rifle shooting (300yds ~ 900yds) for ten years with considerably success. He was captain of a four person shooting team that competed in a British Empire competition and gained 4th place in the Empire and 1st in Australia.
Photography
My main hobby says Barry is competitive photography. He has been deeply into photography for sixty years and did many years of professional photography and high quality printing – purely as a paid hobby. I have run seminars in country towns, taught for Wollongong and Kiama Adult Education, have judged National competitions and Camera Club competitions. Since the days of darkrooms he has done all his large prints, up to A3 for international and national competitions digitally and after processing them with the aid of Photoshop and has printed them all on his computer printers.
Barry’s tip to reduce the cost of print cartridges
Barry mentioned his printing to save others many dollars. He points out that his small printer uses 4 ink cartridges – and his large printer uses 8 cartridges. The cost of branded ink cartridges for these is $25 ~ $28 each. For some years now he has been buying quality ‘no name’ ink cartridges which cost $1.68 and $2.50 each. He has found them ‘perfect’ for colour quality and longevity. For the work he does they must be perfect. If you wish to try them type into your search engine: ‘ YYUDA ink cartridges’. When it opens you can type in the brand of your printer including Canon, Epson, HP, Brother etc. and you can find the prices of cartridges for your printer. email address is: <yyuda1@gmail.com> Inks arrive post free in 4 ~ 6 days.