A former tennis player and overall lover of the sport, Mr Abey has made his way through the volunteer ranks over the past few years. 

He started as a rubbish collector before being promoted to the barbecue, but this year he has taken on the role of driving the bus. 

The bus belongs to New Horizons, the tournament’s official charity partner, and is being used to take players back and forth to their hotels, as well as doing airport runs. 

“It is a very good service. We pick the players up every half an hour from the hotel,” he said. 

Fellow volunteer Ken Hudson said they have six or seven cars that have been donated by Buckby Motors, but the New Horizons bus really helped. 

“Having a shuttle bus takes the pressure off the drivers,” he said. 

“Driving is very nice because you meet all the players, you tend to go beyond the call of duty some times.” 

Mr Hudson even took a player and coach to Tasmania Zoo on the weekend. 

Mr Abey has been titled chief bus driver by his fellow volunteers because he also volunteers with the disability support service. 

“I am familiar with the bus because I volunteer with New Horizons on Mondays and Tuesdays” Mr Abey said.

Jacquie Spence is a member of New Horizons and is volunteering in court services throughout the tournament.

“It has been really good, I’m having fun,” she said.

Ms Spence spent the first day changing players’ names  on the boards and carrying around Eskies. 

Ms Spence watched the Australian Open on TV and it inspired her to volunteer at the Launceston International. 

She called New Horizons manager Belinda Kitto to express her interest in being involved. 

“I rang Belinda to see if she needed volunteers because I thought I’d volunteer,” Ms Spence said. 

She hopes to volunteer every second day throughout the tournament and find time to watch a game or two.  

This is the first year the Launceston International has partnered with a charity for the event. 

Entry to the tournament is by donation, with all money raised going to New Horizons.