The name Goolagong is synonymous with Australian tennis.
Sister and brother Evonne and Ian Goolagong have represented Australia in Grand Slams around the globe.
Now Ian is using his passion for the sport as a vehicle for social inclusion.
Abby Dinham reports.
Ian Goolagong made history as the first Indigenous man to compete on centre court at Wimbledon.
These days he's dodging volleys, not returning them:
"Oh what ... You're supposed to hit it to him not try and hit me in the head."
President of the Lalor Tennis Club, north of Melbourne, he's using the sport as a tool for social inclusion.
Ian Goolagong invites kids from newly arrived migrant communities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds to take part.
"How I got most of the kids to come is if they were mucking around out here ask them to come in and have a hit and give them something to do because otherwise they're on the streets all the time."
His commitment to making tennis accessible means he's often paid 'in kind'.
Although membership fees aren't expensive, Goolagong says he doesn't want finances to be a barrier for any child wanting to play.
"We just work out some sort of bartering system where like they can help out at the sausage sizzles at Bunnings or around the club."
And club membership has exploded since Goolagong began coaching, rising from 50 to more than 300 in the last five years.
Club secretary Dein Vindigni says Goolagong has played a big part in attracting new members, and also in securing a $1.25 million redevelopment grant from the Whittlesea Council.
"He's a bit like the pied piper, so the children will just follow him wherever he goes. He has an amazing ability to make people feel welcome young and old and our kids have gone from strength to strength."
Goolagong competed on the professional circuit for five years in the 80s, making his debut at Wimbledon alongside his sister Evonne in the mixed doubles.
His name may be known across the world, but to his students he's simply known as coach.
"You wouldn't think of him as a big deal if you just met him and didn't know who he was."
"He's very encouraging and a good coach."
"He's just kind of like family now, just a normal person now."
And the feeling is mutual.
Goolagong says his biggest career highlights are happening now.
"My main highlight is to see the smiles on kids' faces and when they enjoy the game I just feel better about myself."
It's a feeling he's also hoping to share with players from an Indigenous background.
As the Indigenous ambassador with tennis Australia, Goolagong travels across Australia trying to recruit Aboriginal players.
He says while the skill is there, many don't want to leave their communities on their own.
"The transition of them coming from communities into mainstream or into the city. Even with football players you find many end up going home after a year because they miss home too much."
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