Melburnia Club

The Melburnia Club was established in 1981 with two objectives:
(i) to help members to preserve their rowing associations with each other after leaving the School;
(ii) to support the School Boat Club.

Melburnia is the name traditionally, but not invariably, of the 1st VIII’s racing boat. It was chosen as the name of the Club so that generations of the future would feel the same sense of immediacy as those of the past.

Membership of the Melburnia Club is open to all who believe that Melbourne Grammar rowing is a good thing. It follows that it now includes past rowers, their mothers and fathers, current rowers soon to leave school, members of staff and even more than one Old Scotch Collegian. Membership now stands at over 850.

There is only one membership fee, Life Membership, currently set at $40. This covers the cost of two newsletters each year, the subsidising of assorted social functions and the provision of fringe benefits to the School Boat Club. The School provides all the basic equipment for rowing to flourish, just as it provides cricket pitches, goal posts and hurdles. From time to time, however, the Melburnia Club has been able to help with desirables beyond the basic.

The Club produces two badged items, a tie and a brooch, both available to members. Students in their final year who join the Melburnia Club are welcomed on board and presented with their ties at the annual Boat Club Dinner. Also at this dinner the Club President presents the Wallace Watson Medal, struck in 1985 to commemorate the contribution of the Melburnia Club’s foundation Vice-President.

The Melburnia Club Committee hopes that parents and friends of current School rowers will join our ranks. In practical terms the Club seeks:
(i) to offer support and encouragement without intrusion;
(ii) to take a longer perspective of wins and losses than is possible as you put the boat away after the final;
(iii) to encourage all who have been involved in Melbourne Grammar rowing to be part of an ongoing fellowship.