Demir Bükey presents a copper jug from Gallipoli to Blue Gum Park Tennis Club president Pauline Foster.
Camera IconDemir Bükey presents a copper jug from Gallipoli to Blue Gum Park Tennis Club president Pauline Foster. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Turkish trophies won

Jill BurgessMelville Gazette

In a tradition now celebrating its 30th anniversary, Murray resident Demir Bükey presented the winners at the annual Blue Gum Park Tennis Club fixture with antique copper trophies brought from his homeland where they were once used as trays, food dishes and water jugs that wouldn't look out of place in an Aladdin movie.

"Some of the copper trays are more than 200 years old," said Mr Bükey, who became a household name in Turkey in the 1970s as a champion rally driver and TV presenter.

"Many of the pieces are special because they have a date or a stamped Sultan's signature, or because of how they were made back then," he said.

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Mr Bükey's passion for tennis began when he was about seven, growing up in Ankara and winning his first major tennis competition when he was 14.

"My father started the first tennis clubs in Ankara and Istanbul," he said.

"After moving to Australia in 1980, my wife Gayle and I decided this was a fitting way to commemorate Anzac Day."

Club president Pauline Foster said the copper antiques were exquisite.

"Having our own private connection with Turkey on Anzac Day is something we are proud of," she said.

The Brentwood club has about 460 active members and the biggest junior coaching program in WA.