Of all the top brands in Australian tennis history, Hedley’s is one we know least about. They were a National brand and part of the top five which enjoyed an export business into the USA. In relation to when they began, the earliest reference point we have found is a 1924 Melbourne Consumer Goods Exhibition where they were listed a exhibitors, however the company may well have evolved from the retail group Hedley & Nelthorpe. If they commenced earlier than this time then they may be well one of the earliest major brands to have commenced mass production.

The main office was located in Melbourne and quite possibly in the CBD, however they did have production facilities in Alfred Street Prahran followed by a larger factory in South Yarra in Toorak Road where the current COMO Channel 10 building now sits. In the late 1950’s they were advertising locally for staff to work in either the racquet or canvas divisions.

The earliest tennis racquet example we have found is the wood handled “Club Special” and their “Perfect Balance” sub brand extended over a variety of models. Later models of the “Club Special” were also produced.

While many of the major companies had a variety of players endorsing product, the only example known was the Dinny Pails picture/signature racquet which must have appeared in the late 1940’s. Dinny, played Davis Cup in 1946 and 1947 for Australia and then turned professional at the same time Kramer did.

We will add more information as it comes to hand.

Enjoy !!!!

Very early Special Club with grooved wood handle.

A very nice example of the Regent Model with Perfect Balance was a decal on the reverse.

Perfect Balance was a decal on the reverse. The Black Lance also displays “Perfect Balance”

Really nice flat top Minerva with diagonal stringing found in the US and Australian Dinny Pails.
This is one of the few Australian made racquets with an Australian player from the late 1940′.

A retail photo of a Hedley display