First Anniversary of the Pipeclay Club - 16 May 1882
THE PIPECLAY CLUB
The first anniversary of the Pipeclay Club was celebrated last night at the club rooms, Victoria Arcade Hotel, Little Collins street. By 9 o'clock the tidy and comfortable apartments occupied by the club were crowded with members, and numbers who were unable to attend, including Colonol Hutton sent apologies, accompanied with wishes for "many happy returns of the day". Some time was spent in social intercourse, the conversation turning, as a matter of course, to the proposed re-organisation of the volunteer force - a subject the opinions of most of the officers on which have been already published. Eventually the members assembled in the luncheon- room and Major Caleb Anderson proposed the toast of "Her Majesty the Queen", which was drunk with characteristic loyalty.
Major Anderson then gave "Success and long continuance to the Pipeclay Club." He had, he said, been connected with two previous volunteer officers' clubs, both of which proved failures. In consequence of that non success, it was felt that it would be almost impossible to establish one successfully. The present one, however, which had been taken in hand by their worthy secretary, Major Blannin, and three or four other officers, had succeeded beyond expectation. Started as it was, 12 months ago, with only six members it had now an effective membership of 135, and 12 honorary members. It was now well established, and bade fair to last for many years - to become, in fact, a permanent institution. Its success was chiefly due to the exertions and tact of the hon. secretary, assisted no doubt by a number of the officers present, and with the toast he therefore coupled the name of Major Blannin (Cheers ).
Major Blannin in responding thanked Major Anderson for the kind manner in which he had referred to his humble exertions. Under the circumstances he might be pardoned for repeating the oft repeated phrase, " This is the proudest moment of my life ". Without doubt the Pipeclay Club had been a grand success, and the chief reason of its success lay in the fact that such a club was actually wanted. There were now about 150 members, and amongst its honorary members were to be found the commandants of all the Australian colonies. There were also officers of the neighbouring colonies who were effective members. There was no question about the club having done a great amount of good to the volunteer force. By its means officers who had not known each other had become thoroughly acquainted, and many new friendships had been formed in the club rooms. Angularities, too, which had perhaps prevented officers pulling well together in the field had been rubbed off,and the various branches of the force had been brought into friendly association. He trusted that on the 16th of May, 1983, they would have at least 250 members, and that the club would disseminate the same good feeling amongst the officers of the re- organised force as it did amongst the officers under the present system. The officers from the neighbouring colonies who recently visited Melbourne became honorary members, and they were so delighted with the harmony between the various branches of the force as existed in the club rooms that they had determined to form similar clubs of their own. (Cheers ). There was certainly going to be a South Australian Pipeclay Club, and in a few weeks we would probably hear of a Queensland Pipeclay Club. The name they were adopting was a pleasant compliment to the original institution in Melbourne. It had been suggested that the name of the latter should be now prefaced by the word Victorian, but this proposal had very naturally been negatived, as without doubt they were "the" Pipeclay Club. (Cheers).
An interesting ceremony then took place. During the occupancy of the rooms by the club a boy had been born to a young couple, who are relatives to the licensee of the hotel, and who reside on the premises. A special interest had been taken in the new- comer by the members of the club, and they now presented the baby with a handsome gift in the shape of a silver spoon, knife, and fork. The presentation was made by Major Anderson and thanks were returned by the parents of the child.
The remainder of the evening was spent in a pleasantly convivial manner.
Article identifier: "THE PIPECLAY CLUB." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956) 17 May 1882: 9. Web. 7 Sep 2011. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11541005 Page identifier: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page262720