History
History of all Clubs
A consolidated history of individual Beefsteak & Burgundy Clubs can be found here.
History of the Beefsteak & Burgundy Club
- The beginning
- A good idea endorsed
- Overseas expansion
- General secretary appointed
- The first convention
- Life memberships introduced
- Female clubs
- Medallions created and regalia
- Continuing growth
- 50th, 60th & 70th anniversaries
- Overseas conventions
- Incorporation and public liability
- Growth of Clubs outside Australia
- The digital age
- China Visits
- Challenges
- In summary
The beginning
their peers. They met informally at the Imperial Hotel in a long narrow dining room, on a slightly raised dais at one end, from which they could observe, and be observed, by the other diners. One day in early 1954 one of their number, Dick Clark, a manager and director at Thomas Hardy and Sons, observed to David Crosby, a young winemaker at Chateau Reynella, that other diners were observing them with interest and envy, because of their obvious enjoyment. He thought that they should form a club so that others could participate. Dick and David agreed that they would gather a group of like-minded individuals to see if a club could be formed. From David Crosby’s recollection, it was on 1st April, 1954 that the group he and Dick had approached met and agreed that a club should be formed and they would be inaugural members. This meeting involved 8 people, now known as the First Eight. Dick Clark set about ensuring the club was established. He came up with the name – the Beefsteak and Burgundy Club – and with the aid of Jim Redman, a stipendiary magistrate, he wrote the constitution of the club. The meeting to formally establish the new Beefsteak and Burgundy Club was held at 89 Currie Street Adelaide on Monday 9 August 1954. Present were Richard (Dick) Clark, David Crosby, George Fairbrother, David (Dave) Cleland and S Ray Drew. The other First Eight members were apologies: Tom Hardy, Bob Clampett and Jack Edwards.The meeting resolved that a club be formed with the name to be registered under the Business Names Act as the Beefsteak and Burgundy Club. It was further resolved that a constitution and rules put to the meeting be adopted; that a bank account for the Club be opened; and that the Secretary be authorised to purchase stationery to enable minutes, accounts and records of the Club’s members to be kept.The stated Objects in the constitution of the club were listed as being:
• To promote good fellowship and goodwill amongst all sections of the business community;
• To aid in this object the club shall hold social and other functions at which good food and good wines shall be temperately served;
• In furtherance of these objects the committee for the time being may authorise the formation of affiliated clubs with similar ideals and constitution on such terms and conditions as the committee may direct.The meeting also decided that the first official function of the Club would be a luncheon held at the Ambassadors Hotel on Monday 30 August 1954.
A good idea endorsed
Following the luncheon at the Ambassadors Hotel, to which each of the First Eight invited a guest, the membership doubled. The constitution stated that the club would have a membership limit of 30. This was to ensure that all members were able to know each other and to encourage free and unrestrained discussion, particularly of the wines that were served. This membership limit of 30 was reached within eight months, so it was determined that a branch club could be formed. The first Branch Charter was given to Brighton, located in an Adelaide seaside suburb. It was quickly followed by Lockleys, Burnside and Edwardstown, all suburbs of Adelaide and then Angas, which met in the city of Adelaide.
Nagambie, a small Victorian country town, was the first interstate Branch Club formed, with Charter 6, followed closely by Sydney with Charter 7. Hobart became Club Number 13, Perth 14, Brisbane 17 and Melbourne 18.
Overseas expansion
Surprisingly the first club outside Australia was the Port Moresby Club in Papua-New Guinea, which received Charter 40 on 12 November 1962. Not unexpectedly, because of the Australian trade presence there, the next club formed outside Australia was the London Club (55).
The formation of the London Club in 1964 was considered a landmark in the history of Beefsteak and Burgundy, so much so that the Charter should be presented by someone whose long service would allow them to represent all other Clubs. The natural choice was George Fairbrother, the Winemaster for The Club, and this idea was so well received that members throughout Australia set up a fund to help pay George’s expenses.
On 13 July 1966 charters were presented simultaneously in the national capitals of Australia (Canberra, Club Number 59) and New Zealand (Wellington, Club Number 60).
General secretary appointed
In 1966, given the continued expansion in the number of clubs (club Number 70, Old Trafford, Manchester, was chartered in March 1970), a general secretariat was established and the first General Secretary, E. (Toby) Clay appointed to take care of the general administration. Following his retirement in 1981 Bill Russell took over until his untimely death in 1994. Bill Dand was subsequently appointed and Bill was followed by John Macklin in 2004, Craig Thornquest in 2009 and Vin Thomas in 2021.
The first convention
Only two years after the formation of Beefsteak and Burgundy the SA Clubs decided it would be a good idea to hold a convention to enable the clubs to get together. The first one was held in Adelaide in 1956. Next year another was held in Adelaide, this time with eleven Clubs represented, including Nagambie (6) from Victoria.
The Third Inter-Club Convention was held on Friday 24 July 1959. Present at it were representatives from the Adelaide, Brighton (1), Lockleys (2), Burnside (3), Edwardstown (4), Angas (5), Norwood (9), Glenelg (10), Port Adelaide (11), Perth (14), and Largs Bay (21) Clubs, eleven clubs in total. At the time twenty-five clubs (including the Foundation Club) were in existence, twelve of which were outside of South Australia, meaning that ten of the thirteen South Australian Clubs were present and one of the twelve interstate clubs was present (the Perth Club also represented the Cygnet Club from Perth).
There was a hiatus of five years before the next convention. The Surfers Paradise Club, Queensland (Club Number 22) hosted the first interstate national gathering of Beefsteak and Burgundy members in 1964. The Convention was attended by the Foundation Club President and its first Winemaster, George Fairbrother, the first President of the Foundation Club and its then Winemaster, Tom Hardy, delegates from local Queensland clubs and delegates from Brighton (1), Lockleys (2), Millicent (28), Somerton (36) (all SA Clubs), Nagambie (6)(Victoria); Launceston (42)(Tasmania); Sydney (No 7) and North Sydney (25)(New South Wales); and Alice Springs (34)(Northern Territory).
The first truly representative convention was in Adelaide in 1968, the second in Manly, Sydney (NSW) as host in 1970, in Adelaide again in 1972, and a milestone: the twentieth anniversary in 1974 with the Coolangatta-Tweed Heads (Queensland) as host and the first presentation of a written history of The Club.
For the 1976 convention in Adelaide, the highlight was a memorable and magnificent gourmet dinner attended by a capacity gathering of 252 members and guests. For the first time, no smoking was permitted during the nine-course degustation, an innovation that even some well-kippered members were heard to grudgingly approve.
Life memberships introduced
That same year The Club committee introduced the concept of a Branch Life Membership. The 20th anniversary of Beefsteak and Burgundy was the appropriate time to recognize those members who had made a significant contribution to their branch club.
Based on the criteria drawn up by The Club, a branch club can submit an application for life membership to be awarded to a member for long and outstanding service. To date close to 1,000 members have been awarded life membership as proposed by their fellow members as a permanent recognition of their contribution.
Female clubs
Customs were also changing and on 8 November 1976 the first Humble Petition presented by women only was received, and Charter Number 167 was issued to the Alexandra Beefsteak and Burgundy Club, Adelaide. It was not long before the second women-only club was formed; Bayettes in Adelaide, Charter 169. All-female clubs subsequently spread from South Australia (five clubs; Alexandra 167, Bayettes 169, Black Swan 203, Jubilee 209, Les Femmes Rouge 247) to Queensland (three clubs: Brolga 182, Blumers 191, Townsville Ladies 244), the Northern Territory (five clubs: The Never Never Ladies 218, Alice Ladies 226, Troppo Femmes 232, Darwin Divas 279, Club 300), NSW (one club: Newport Ladies 266) and Victoria (one club: Hobsons Bay 276). The first overseas women clubs were chartered in 2005: the Shanghai Ladies (257), Shanghai Belles Club (277) and Fabulous + Beautiful 281, Hong Kong, giving a total of 18 all-female clubs, of which currently 14 remain, with the Jubilee, Brolga, Shanghai Ladies Clubs and the Fabulous + Beautiful having ceased operating.
Medallions created and regalia
With clubs achieving 25 years and fifty years milestones, the Club Committee decided to recognise that achievement by striking a 25 Year Silver Medallion and a 50 Year Gold Medallion. These are presented to clubs, often in association with a celebratory dinner at which past presidents and others are invited to share the history and memories of the 25 or 50 years.
The distinctive Beefsteak and Burgundy tie design was decided upon in 1957 and 300 were ordered. These “Club Ties” are worn with pride by members throughout Beefsteak and Burgundy. Over the years other regalia has been developed to allow members to identify with Beefsteak and Burgundy; to recognise the length of club membership; and identify life members. There have been requests for “one off” 55 and 60-year club membership pins. These are now available by Club Secretaries validating members’ length of service with their order.
Continuing growth
Many of the steady flow of new clubs have names which reflect the originality and humour of their members: the all-female Blumers in Queensland, Bundles in Victoria, Black Swan (cheekily in South Australia and not Western Australia). Amongst the more unusual names are Erehwon (Nowhere backwards) and Law’N’ Order (that’s right, police security officers and other keepers of the peace) in South Australia. Other colourful names include Les Femmes Rouge, Middleback and New Age in South Australia; and Ad Astra One and Nital in Victoria. Enjoyment is obviously a high priority in the Northern Territory with The Never Never Ladies in Katherine, Troppo Femmes and Uncorked Darwin. In China we have The Shanghai Belles (277), being of course a female club.
While over the years the 300 th Charter was awarded in June 2024, clubs have come and gone, some lasting less than a year, others 50 years or more, there are currently 173 Beefsteak and Burgundy Club, 142 in all the States and Territories of Australia and 31 in Asia, Europe, Oceania and North and South America. Clubs in China, particularly Beijing and Shanghai have played an important role in the spread of clubs to Europe and other parts of China, as expats return home or take up other postings.
50th, 60th & 70th anniversaries
2004 marked the 50th Anniversary of Beefsteak and Burgundy. A special Anniversary Convention was held in Adelaide to mark the occasion. The highlight was the Saturday evening banquet in the Adelaide Town Hall attended by 425 delegates. Many arrived in style by a specially chartered tram from the coastal suburb of Glenelg.
At the dinner each delegate was presented with a 50th Anniversary Booklet which included the history of Beefsteak and Burgundy, a list of all the life members by club and the menu and wines enjoyed at the banquet.
The 2014 Diamond Jubilee Convention was hosted by the first three chartered Beefsteak & Burgundy Clubs being Brighton (1), Lockleys (2), and Burnside (3). On the Friday evening “Welcome Dinner” The Minister for Tourism, the Hon. Leon Bignell, MP officially welcomed guests to The National Wine Centre.
After the business session on the Saturday morning two wine masterclasses were conducted by David LeMire on Pinot Noir and Andrew Mitchell on Riesling. The Gala Dinner was held on the Saturday evening during which an informative video was screened prior to each course explaining the pairing of the food and wines to be served. The Sunday Farewell Luncheon was held on the banks of the Torrens River at Pinky Flat and showcased South Australia’s array of seafood on offer.
During The Club’s 70th year the Convention was held in Adelaide on 26-28 April 2024, hosted by the Adelaide Foundation Club and the Holdfast Club (37). Venues included the National Wine Centre, the Convention Centre, Eos Hotel and a street party hosted by the East End Cellars. At the Convention the History of the Beefsteak and Burgundy Club 1954-2024, written by Dr Vin Thomas, was launched.
Overseas conventions
The first convention not in Australia was held in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1984, hosted by the Wellington Club. Some 120 Australian members, led by the Foundation Club President, were treated to the very best that New Zealand had to offer, sampling Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir to die for. The New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister was on hand to extend an official welcome at the banquet, where the main course – only one guess – was Beef Wellington. The convention closed with a traditional Maori hangi at Raukawa Marae at Otaki. Since then, Hamilton (207) and Wellington again have hosted conventions in New Zealand in 2001 and 2010.
In October 2015 the Shanghailanders Club (272) hosted the first northern hemisphere international convention. Some 160 delegates attended from all Australian states, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Copenhagen and Bangkok as well as clubs within China. The venues for the convention included historic hotels and delegates were introduced to a range of wines including some produced in China. Members were treated to a wonderful welcoming dinner at the art deco and historical Peace Hotel. After the Business Session on Saturday morning. sommelier, Fongyee Walker hosted an extremely informative masterclass showcasing nine Chinese produced wines of a high quality. The Saturday evening Gala Dinner was held in the grounds of the Intercontinental Shanghai Rujin. At this function the Shanghailanders Past President and Convention Convenor, Howard Bennett, was surprised to be awarded his much- deserved life membership. On the Sunday morning after a visit to one of the water villages outside Shanghai, attendees sat down to a lovely lunch on the edge of the lake from which the Sheshan Observatory could be admired.
The most recent Beefsteak and Burgundy Club convention held outside Australia was in Shanghai, China in October 2015, principally hosted by the Shanghailanders Club (272).
Incorporation and public liability
With the growth of the Beefsteak and Burgundy Club, the Parent Club recognizing its increased responsibilities, including financial matters and the possibility of litigation, became an incorporated association in 1981. This limited the liability of committee members, which also became a driver for 47 other clubs to become incorporated at this time. This remained the situation until 2021 when it was discovered that the Directors and Officers Insurance, or Associations Liability insurance, thought to be held on behalf of all clubs only applied to the Parent Club. As the insurers said the insurance could only apply to incorporated clubs, this led to a drive in 2022 and beyond for all clubs to incorporate. By the end of 2024 84 of the 142 clubs in Australia were incorporated thereby limiting the liability of committee members and them having access to the Associations Liability insurance should that ever be necessitated.
The incorporation measure was only applied to clubs in Australia. Clubs outside of Australia needed to be guided by the regulations and circumstances in their location. This was made evident in the matter of Public Liability insurance. In 1988 the Parent Club negotiated a policy to cover all clubs throughout Australia and New Zealand. However, in 2002 a government scheme was introduced in New Zealand causing the clubs there to object to paying a higher Affiliation Fee than they needed to given they no longer needed to pay given they had access to their own no-charge insurance. Since then the Affiliation Fee is differentiated between clubs in Australia and clubs
outside Australia.
Growth of Clubs outside Australia
During a personal world tour in 1993, Past President Keith Gramp visited seven overseas clubs and presented Charter No. 229 to Miri in Sarawak, Malaysia (now ceased), and welcomed Club No. 227, Stonetown (Canada) to Beefsteak and Burgundy. Another club in Canada to join the Sudbury Club (193) established in 1982. In 1993 there were, or had been, the following clubs in addition to those mentioned above: Port Moresby (40), New Guinea in 1962 (ceased); London (55), England in 1964 (now ceased); Wellington (60), New Zealand in 1965; Old Trafford (70), Manchester England in 1967 (ceased); Auckland (84), New Zealand in 1968 (now ceased); Rangitoto (89), New Zealand in 1969; Tokyo (126), Japan in 1972; Tinakori (166), New Zealand in 1976; Victoria (177), Hong Kong in 1978 (ceased, now revived); Kapiti (183), New Zealand in 1979; Bienne (186), Switzerland in 1980 (ceased); Ponsonby (189), New Zealand in 1981 (ceased); Hutt Valley (194), New Zealand in 1982 (ceased); Paremata (198), New Zealand in 1983; Hamilton (207), New Zealand in 1985; Beijing (212), China in 1987; St Francis (214), and San Francisco USA in 1987 (now ceased). The period between 1987 and 1993 only had the Stonetown and Miri Clubs mentioned above established and in fact there were not any others established until 1996.
However, since 1996 the number of overseas clubs has continued to grow steadily with the addition of clubs from Brazil (235) in 1996; Shanghai, China (238) in 1997; Wellington Lunch Bunch (239), New Zealand in 1998; Tauranga (242), New Zealand in 1998 (now ceased); Bangkok, Thailand (249) in 2002; Singapore (253) in 2004; Copenhagen, Denmark (255) in 2005; Shanghai Ladies, China (256) in 2005 (now ceased); Marlborough (259), New Zealand in 2007; Shanghai Cosmopolitans (261) in 2008; Edinburgh (263), Scotland in 2008 (now ceased); Manila (264), Philippines in 2008; Phnom Penh (265), Cambodia in 2009; Southern Germany (267), Germany in 2011 (now ceased); Malmo (270) Sweden in 2011 (now ceased); Suzhou (269), Suzhou, Jiangsu, China in 2011 (now ceased); Taipei (271), Taiwan in 2011; Shanghailanders (272), Shanghai, China in 2011; Hong Kong (273), China in 2012; Shanghai Belles (277), China in 2013; The Hong Kong Originals (278), Hong Kong in 2014 [the second iteration of the Victoria Club (177)]; Fabulous + Beautiful (281) Hong Kong in 2015 (now ceased); Johannesburg (284), South Africa in 2017 (now ceased); Seoul (286), South Korea in 2018 (now ceased); Taichung (290), Taiwan in 2020; Hanoi (292), Vietnam in 2021; Southern Sweden (293), Sweden in 2021; New Taipei (294), Taiwan in 2021; Hanwoo (298), Seoul South Korea in 2023; and Caledonian (299), Edinburgh Scotland in 2023.
At the same time, there continued to be clubs established in Australia, albeit tapering off in the recent decade with clubs established outside Australia equally the number of those within Australia.
The digital age
Following the convention held in Perth in 2008, the then two Western Australian clubs provided funds to enable The Club to develop a suitable web site for enhancing communications with branch clubs. Part of this change has resulted in the development of the News Page, where clubs are invited to include items of interest to members about what functions and activities they have been involved with. This replaced the B&Bulletin, a printed newsletter, which was sent to all members annually for many years. In recent years, however, the B&B News is sent digitally to each member.
The News Page on the website has allowed the many special and innovative activities that members enjoy to be shared with others. Examples include the unusual locations that the Never Never Ladies in Katherine in the Northern Territory celebrate special dinners in the Australian outback; the Coonawarra Club in South Australia lunching in a 100 metre long cave in the Wrattonbully wine region, part of the cave system associated with the World Heritage Naracoorte Caves complex; and the Copenhagen Club enjoying their annual visit to the Burgundy region in France to celebrate the annual release of the new vintage. In recent years, the News Page has been supplemented by the Club Facebook site, which has enabled clubs to post news.
China Visits
In 2011 the International President (Peter Johnston) visited the clubs in China in response to an invitation from the Beijing Club (212). Many special dinners, lunches and other events were hosted by the Beijing Club and the four clubs in Shanghai during his visit. The following year four members of the Adelaide Club returned to China to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Club. The celebration lunch was held in a remarkable venue – a 600 year-old Llama temple adjacent to a fine dining restaurant. Many former members and members from other clubs in China attended and heard about the significant contribution that Beijing members have made to Beefsteak and Burgundy, particularly in forming new clubs in China and beyond.
The General Secretary (Craig Thornquest) was hosted by Hong Kong President Tom Hands and members when visiting China in April 2013. A second Hong Kong club, “The Hong Kong Original” was chartered on the 28th of February 2014, and the first all-female Hong Kong club, Fabulous + Beautiful chartered exactly one year later. Another all-female club, Shanghai Belles (277), registered their charter on December 13, 2013.
In March 2024, the General Secretary, Vin Thomas, visited the seven clubs in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Challenges
As the Beefsteak and Burgundy Club has celebrated its 70-year birthday in 2024, members can look back with great satisfaction that a suggestion at a lunch in Adelaide, South Australia, has grown into a world-wide movement of nearly 5,000 members. Over those seventy years members have experienced the objects of the founding group, good food, wine and fellowship. This was captured in a history of the Beefsteak and Burgundy Club 1954-2024 by Dr Vin Thomas.
That experience is continued and enhanced by reinvigorating club membership that maintains vitality, contributes to the wine and food education of members and offers lively fellowship. Securing younger members is significant in this reinvigoration. Unfortunately, in recent times clubs had to contend with the pandemic environment which for many clubs has restricted their meetings. Some partially overcame this by meeting digitally and sharing their experience of common food and wine, or that experienced by the individual members while connected.
Members recognised the need to stay connected and to be able to take whatever chances that offer to meet personally. Such meetings often bring greater awareness and enjoyment, knowing that it is a grace to be able to do so in such difficult circumstances around the world. As clubs have resumed regular meetings, it has been in a climate of increasing inflation, pressures on hospitality from staff shortages and increasing costs. Nevertheless, the meetings continue to be a time of great enjoyment and satisfaction to members and the intentions of the founding group continue to be met.
In summary
To sum up these years. Each member will have their own memories of wine, good and bad; of friendships made; of laughter across the table (such as the time when Tom Hardy, an Adelaide Winemaster, put on the same masked reds as ‘Number 1’ and ‘Number 2’ and listened to the members point out the many differences). Importantly as a chance to know a little about wines, and to make mistakes in uncritical company. Above all however is the opportunity to enjoy the company of good friends.