Western Australian Club

The Western Australian Club (originally known as the Exchange Club, and in 1897 renamed as the West Australian Club) was a club in Perth, Western Australia which existed until August 2018.

History[]

These snapshots of WA Club history up to the 1980s are extracted from Caroline de Mori’s, A club for all seasons : a history of the Western Australian Club (Inc).^[1]

The Western Australian Club began, in 1893, as a gentlemen’s club. The Club was a Limited Company with capital of, "Five hundred pounds divided into 500 Shares of £1 each." The original Memorandum of Association included the Club purpose: "For the purpose of establishing a Club of a non political character for the accommodation and mutual benefit and privilege of the members of the Company and to provide a Club house and other accommodation and convenience for the use of the members of the Company and to furnish and maintain the same and to permit the same to be used by the members of the Company."

By 1894 there were 310 members, drawn from the rich and powerful of Western Australia. The gentlemen’s club ethos was well established: "Members puffed imported cigars, drank the finest wines and spirits and ate the best food from fine bone china set down on crisp white linen cloths, sparkling with sterling silver cutlery. It was a haven for kindred spirits, a place to rub shoulders with the colony’s leading men free from the distraction of women, rowdy children and demanding workers. A strict code of conduct ensured that bad language, insulting behaviour, drunkenness and other unacceptable acts were quickly dealt with by the club’s committee."

The gentlemen’s club continued into the 1950s. Membership continued to include many names which are familiar from the business, development, politics and history of Western Australia. The financial fortunes of the club also tended to rise and fall with the fortunes of the state.

By the 1960s the state itself was changing. There was rapid economic growth in non-traditional areas. This growth brought new people to the state. The club, perhaps because it included accommodation for members, kept its existing members but had difficulty attracting new members: "While there is no evidence that the club was actually formed to meet the needs of pastoralists and graziers visiting Perth from the far reaches the State, the club has until recent years drawn its membership largely from the rural districts... They found warm and comfortable accommodation, good food, cards, billiards and a well-stocked bar. More importantly they found companionship."

The economic growth of the state also brought increased competition for club services. In order to survive and grow, the club made changes to its role, its rules and its services. In the mid 1970s, "members expected the best services and facilities yet were critical of the efforts of management and the Committee to deal with finances in difficult times." There was a financial crisis, yet the club survived.

By the 1980s the Western Australian Club was no longer strictly a "gentlemen’s club". Women were full members. Pastoralist and country members were less than one fifth of membership. Despite the changes, many traditional aspects of the club were maintained. In 1988 the club president wrote, "The goal of the club must always be to provide an atmosphere in which [men and women]* of integrity, ability and capacity can find relaxation and mental stimulation from mixing with their peers with ultimate benefit to the whole community."

* The actual reference was to “men”. As in the general community, language equality trailed after intentions.

Since then the club has refined its role, changed it premises and maintained its tradition of providing both relaxation and mental stimulation for members. Premises have been fitted-out to suit the club role, "[to be] Western Australia’s pre-eminent club for leaders and achievers from all walks of life.^[2]" There are regular events with meals and expert speakers. There are rooms available for meetings. Or members may simply relax in familiar and comfortable surroundings.

Membership[]

Original members of the club included Sir John Forrest and his brother Alexander. Other significant business and political leaders belonging to the club included - J. B. Hardwick, A. B. Bunning, Sir George Shenton, Newton Moore, Sir Edward Horne Wittenoom, Sir Ross McLarty and Honorary Life Member, Sir Charles Court.^[3]

Publications[]

• Annual Report^[4]
• Newsletter^[5]
• Rules^[6]

See also[]

• Karrakatta Club
• Weld Club

References[]

External links[]

• Official website