History

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.

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).

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.

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.

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 812 members have been awarded life membership as proposed by their fellow members as a permanent recognition of their contribution.

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 (four clubs: The Never Never Ladies 218, Alice Ladies 226, Troppo Femmes 232, Darwin Divas 279), 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 17 all-female clubs, of which currently 14 remain, with the Jubilee, Brolga
and Shanghai Ladies Clubs having ceased operating.

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.

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 Hong Kong we have The Fabulous and the Beautiful (281), being of course a female club.

While over the years 287 clubs have been established, the Beefsteak and Burgundy Club Inc. presently has 148 Branch Clubs in Australia covering every State and Territory, and 32 others around the world, totalling 180. Of the overseas clubs there are 10 in New Zealand, 3 in Taiwan, 2 in Canada, 1 each in Brazil, Cambodia, Denmark, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, United Kingdom and Vietnam. China has seen a significant expansion of clubs. The Beijing Club was Chartered in 1987 and as former members have moved elsewhere in China and beyond, they have formed new clubs. Thanks to former Beijing members, seven clubs have been established in countries outside of Australia and seven clubs in China, including Hong Kong.

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.

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.

With the growth of the movement came increased responsibilities. In 1981 The Club became an incorporated association in order to limit the liability of members to, amongst other things, unpaid subscriptions. At that time The Club recommended Affiliated Clubs consider becoming incorporated associations under their respective State legislation. To date 36 Clubs have become incorporated. Similarly, The Club has had public liability insurance since the late 1950s. This insurance cover was initially the responsibility of Affiliated Clubs and a scheme for individual clubs was in existence until 1988 when The Club negotiated a policy to cover all clubs throughout Australia and New Zealand.

In 2002 a Government scheme was introduced in New Zealand and New Zealand clubs no longer needed to be included in The Club policy in 2002.

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 closed), and welcomed Club No. 227, Stonetown (Canada) to Beefsteak and Burgundy.

The number of overseas clubs has continued to grow with the addition of clubs from Brazil (235) in 1996; Shanghai, China (238) in 1997; Bangkok, Thailand (249) in 2002; Singapore (253) in 2004; Copenhagen, Denmark (255) in 2005; Shanghai Ladies, China (256) in 2005; Shanghai Cosmopolitans (261) in 2008; Manila (264), Phillipines in 2008; Phnom Penh (265), Cambodia in 2009; Southern Germany (267), Germany in 2011; Malmo (270) Sweden in 2011; Suzhou (269), Suzhou, Jiangsu, China in 2011; Taipei (271), Taiwan in 2011; Shanghailanders (272), Shanghai, China in 2011; and Hong Kong (273), China in 2012.

New clubs continued to be chartered widely in Australia and New Zealand. Examples include King Island (150) off the coast of Tasmania; Broken Hill (141) in outback NSW; Innisfail (144) in Far North Queensland; and Tinakori (166) in New Zealand.

Prior to the 1978 convention the first eight were photographed as a group, an historic picture well guarded in Club records. The ensuring luncheon was historic as it had been many years since they had all met together. They could have been forgiven for a feeling of wonderment of the subsequent outcomes of their original luncheon.

Beefsteak and Burgundy has never had to undertake the challenges of a membership drive. It has never been necessary. Charter Petitions have arrived from places which have astounded members of The Club. For example Canada, the United Kingdom, China, Sarawak, Cambodia, The Phillipines, Brazil and Denmark to name a few.

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.

In 2011 the International President 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 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 October 2015 the Shanghailanders Club (272) hosted the first northern hemisphere international convention. This was well supported by members who 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 2015 Convention was held in Shanghai hosted by the Shanghailanders Club. This was the first time that a convention had been held outside of Australia and New Zealand.

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.

As the Beefsteak and Burgundy Club approaches its 70-year birthday, 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 years members have experienced the objects of the founding group, good food, wine and fellowship. 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 have also had to contend with the pandemic environment which for many clubs has restricted their meetings. Some have partially overcome this by meeting digitally and sharing their experience of common food and wine, or that experienced by the individual members while connected. Members have 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.

Hopefully as vaccination rates increase all clubs will be able to experience whatever normality that brings and members enjoy their regular meetings again. In that connection, we are looking forward to the convention in March 2022 hosted by the Echuca Club (No 245) in Victoria, with the last convention having been held in the Coonawarra in South Australia in 2018.

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.