A striking portrait of local tennis legend Norma Stead has taken top honours at this year’s Kia-Bald competition at the Kiama Show.

The winning artist, Colleen Behl, chose to capture Norma’s essence in an oil painting that not only reflects her love for tennis but also her deep connection to the local community.

Colleen, who took up painting at 50 as a new creative challenge, spoke about the inspiration behind her choice

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“When I saw the competition advertised, where the subject had to be someone well known in the community, there was no hesitation.

It had to be Norma. She was such a big part of Kiama Tennis for so long,” Colleen said. “We had dinner with her every Tuesday night after social tennis.

She was always organising birthdays and making sure everyone felt included. Tennis was her passion, and she was a kind, gentle, and caring person who just loved being with people.”

Norma, who passed away at 99, was a stalwart of Kiama’s tennis community.

She played at Sydney’s White City, coached generations of young players, and even continued organising local competitions and handling court bookings right up until her final months.

Colleen was able to show her the finished portrait just before leaving for an overseas trip. Norma’s reaction was heartwarming.

“She had the most beautiful smile when she saw it,” Colleen recalled. “She said someone had painted her before, but she hadn’t liked that one. This one, she loved.”

Norma had hoped to reach 100 and receive a letter from the Queen, whom she greatly admired. When the Queen passed away, her enthusiasm for the milestone waned, and sadly, she was six months shy of her centenary when she died.

Her impact, however, lives on in the countless people she coached and mentored, many of whom shared their tributes on social media after her passing.

For Colleen, winning the Kia-Bald competition was bittersweet.

“I was thrilled but sad at the same time. I kept thinking, if only Norma were here,” she said.

Colleen now hopes to have the portrait hung in the Kiama Tennis Club, where it belongs, as a lasting tribute to a woman who gave so much to the sport and the community.