Melbourne Savage Club facts for kids
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| Formation | 1894 |
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| Founded at | Clubhouse occupied since 1923 |
| Purpose | The arts, science and law |
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The Melbourne Savage Club is a special private club in Australia. It was started in 1894 and is named after an old poet named Richard Savage. This club was created for people who love literature, art, science, and even sports. Members are often leaders in these fields, and they keep their club activities quite private. If you're a member, you can also visit other similar clubs around the world!
Contents
A Look Back at the Club's Story
The Melbourne Savage Club began in 1894. It's a bit like the original Savage Club in London, which started in 1857. Both clubs were named after Richard Savage, an English poet who lived a long time ago (1697-1743).
Early Leaders and Famous Members
The first President of the Melbourne Savage Club was Dr. Harvey E. Astles. Over the years, many famous people have been part of the club. For example, in 1915, the artist Hans Heysen gave a painting to the club. Sir Robert Menzies, who was Australia's Prime Minister for a very long time, was the club's President from 1947 to 1962.
Joining Forces with the Yorick Club
In 1966, the Melbourne Savage Club joined with another club called the Yorick Club. These two clubs had a friendly competition for many years, even playing cricket matches against each other!
Helping Others Through the Club
Even though the club is mostly for members to enjoy themselves, they also help out in the community. For example, in 1929, two oil paintings by club member Napier Waller were given to a church in Geelong. The club also organized social events to raise money for charities and patriotic causes.
The Club's Special Building
The Melbourne Savage Club bought its own building in Bank Place, Melbourne in 1923. This building was first designed by architects A. L. Smith and A. E. Johnson. Later, Kingsley Henderson made some changes to it. He also designed other important buildings in Melbourne.
Unique Features of the Building
This building is one of the few old townhouses left in the area. It shows a mix of old and new building styles from its time. Outside, you can see special columns and windows on the first floor. Inside, the dining room has old-fashioned fans called punkahs that are now powered by electricity to keep the room cool. The main staircase and some of the fireplaces are also very interesting to see.
Well-Known Members of the Club
Many important people from different fields have been members of the Melbourne Savage Club. Here are just a few:
- Ted Baillieu, a politician
- Senator George Brandis QC, who was Australia's Attorney-General
- Sir William Dargie, a famous portrait painter
- Sir Owen Dixon, a respected judge
- John Elliott, a well-known businessman
- W. R. Guilfoyle, who started and managed Melbourne's Botanic Gardens
- Alex Gurney, a cartoonist
- Lindsay Bernard Hall, who was the Director of the National Gallery of Victoria for many years
- Barry Humphries, a famous comedian
- Frederick McCubbin, a well-known painter
- Sir Tom Roberts, another famous painter
- Sir Arthur Streeton, also a renowned painter
- Alfred Vincent, a cartoonist who designed the club's special emblem
Savage Clubs in Other Cities
The idea of the Savage Club spread to other cities in Australia too!
