Melbourne Club facts for kids
The Melbourne Club is a special club where people meet. It was started in 1838. You can find it at 36 Collins Street, Melbourne in Australia.
This club shows a bit about Australia's history. It was started by 23 gentlemen on December 17, 1838. They first met at John Pascoe Fawkner's hotel. This hotel was on the corner of Collins Street and Market Street, Melbourne.
The Melbourne Club moved to a new building in 1859. This building was designed by Leonard Terry. It was built in a fancy old style called Renaissance Revival. Later, in 1885, a dining room was added. This part was designed by Terry and Oakden. The club building has many rooms. These include a library, dining rooms, billiard rooms, and bedrooms. The building is listed as an important historical place in Victoria.
Behind the club building is a private garden. A garden expert named John Fordham takes care of it. This garden is also listed as an important historical place. It is used for parties and special events. The garden has the biggest plane tree in Victoria. This tree is on the National Trust's list of important trees.
The Melbourne Club does not allow women to be members. However, the Lyceum Club is for women only. It is located right behind the Melbourne Club. Members of the Lyceum Club can enjoy views of the Melbourne Club's beautiful garden trees.
In October 1982, a group called Work for Today held a "lunch-in" protest. This was followed by an occupation the next month. These events happened after a march by workers and unemployed people.
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Important People Who Were Members
Many famous and important people have been members of the Melbourne Club.
Early Members
Frederick Powlett (1811–1865) was one of the first members in 1838. He also helped start the Melbourne Cricket Club in the same year. He worked for the government and was a police magistrate.
Leaders of Australia and Victoria
Some members were very important leaders. They include:
- Governors-General: These are Australia's top representatives. Examples are Sir Isaac Isaacs, Baron Casey, Sir Ninian Stephen, and Peter Hollingworth.
- Governors of Victoria: These are leaders of the state of Victoria. Examples are Sir Henry Winneke, Sir James Gobbo, and Alex Chernov.
- Prime Ministers: These are the leaders of the country. Examples are Viscount Bruce of Melbourne and Malcolm Fraser.
Top Judges
Many important judges were also members:
- Chief Justices of Australia: These are the top judges in the country. Examples are Sir John Latham and Sir Owen Dixon.
- High Court Justices: These are judges in Australia's highest court. Examples are Sir Daryl Dawson and Kenneth Hayne.
- Chief Justices of Victoria: These are the top judges in the state of Victoria. Examples include Sir William Foster Stawell, Sir William Irvine, Sir Frederick Mann, Sir Edmund Herring, Sir Henry Winneke, and Sir John Young.
Other Famous Members
The club also had members who were famous in other fields:
- Politicians: People who work in government, like Sir John Bloomfield and Andrew Peacock.
- Soldiers: Important military leaders, such as General Sir Brudenell White, General Sir William Johnston, Major General Sir William Bridges, and Colonel Weary Dunlop.
- Top Police Officers: Chief Commissioners of Victoria Police, like Sir William Mitchell, Sir Charles MacMahon, and Frederick Standish.
- Explorer: Someone who explores new places, like Robert O'Hara Burke.
- Artists: People who create art, such as Sir Arthur Streeton, Sir Daryl Lindsay, and Sir William Dargie.
- Business Leaders: People who run big companies, including Sir James Balderstone, Hugh Morgan, Don Argus, Kevan Gosper, and Sir Walter Bassett.
See also
- Architecture of Melbourne
