Foul words deface every wall on the clubhouse and glass from smashed windows litters the floor of the small building.

Local families who have been working hard to bring the complex back into community use after years of dis-use have been left shattered by the recent attack, their emotions a mix of anger, frustration and sadness.

Shelley Murray, along with friends Nicole Davis, Natasha Davis and ‘Nine’ Knowles, say the senseless attack has set back their plans to return the facility to a habitable state, to allow the public - and young people in particular - to have a safe place to meet and enjoy sport.

The group even had ideas the derelict tennis courts could become a much needed skatepark facility for local youngsters, or could be used for youth discos.

About a month ago Shelley and members of several Lansdowne families decided to clean up the tennis court area which had been abandoned for about five years.

It was not a job for the feint-hearted, Shelley describing the courts themselves as covered in glass and rubbish, with the clubhouse containing storage and a kitchen heavily vandalised.

“There was glass and rubbish everywhere and they had been pooing and weeing in the building, but we cleaned it up,” she said.

Overgrown glass was mown, and even some painting was achieved.

“We wanted to try to create a safe space for kids to come because there is just nothing out here. We were thinking a skate park could come here and possibly the courts could be used for a disco, but most of all we just wanted to make it a place that kids could come to play.

“It needed to look presentable and we did that... but now it’s been destroyed.”

Though disheartened by the subsequent vandalism, the group has vowed to start again, and is now seeking more public help.

“We want to get the community behind the project to clean up the courts,” she said.

“What we’ve done is a start and later on maybe we could get a grant to do more. It’s just so disappointing that this has happened.

“After all the hard work, we discovered that windows had been smashed, and paint wasted, and we do not have the money for the repairs.”

The group is now seeking donations of windows, paint, tables and chairs, children’s playground equipment and plants to re-establish the gardens. Help with having water and electricity re-connected to the premises would also be most welcome.

“We are trying to make the tennis courts family-orientated, and hopefully if all goes well with donations we can all get together to make the facility safe enough for the community to use again.”

If you would like to help Shelley and the team clean-up Lansdowne Tennis Courts, please ring 0422 521 213.