History
The Third Branch
The third branch to be established was Burnside, whose petition, signed 14 February 1956, was approved at the 20 February 1956 committee meeting. Two of the original members (who became life members of the club), Mick Auld and Joe Stevens, were instrumental in bringing together a group of friends who met at the Richmond Hotel on 14 February 1956 and resolved to form a new club, the Burnside Club, with the northern boundary being the Parade, the western boundary Portrush Road, and the eastern and southern boundaries being the foothills. The five petitioners were Mick Auld, a vigneron, Henry Martin, a winemaker, Dick Clark, a secretary, Joe Stevens, a manager, and Peter Osborn, a brewer. It was the third club to be formed. The President was Joe Stevens, the manager of S Smith & Sons (Yalumba), the Winemaster Mick Auld, vigneron, the managing director of H M Martin & Son Ltd (Stonyfell), committee members Henry M Martin, winemaker (Stoneyfell) and Dick Clark (Secretary, Thomas Hardy) and Honorary Secretary and Treasurer, Peter W Osborn, chief assistant to the Head Brewer at Southwark Brewery. Of the the five, R D (Dick) Clark, the founder of the Beefsteak and Burgundy Club, Peter Osborn and Joe Stevens, were also members of the foundation club, Adelaide.
Increase in Member Numbers
The numbers soon grew and Mr John Evans, the manager of the National Mutual Life Association in South Australia became the second President, Lance Pellew, president of the State Industrial Court, the Vice-President. Mick Auld remained as Winemaster and John Minks as Honorary Secretary and Treasurer. It was established as a male-only luncheon club, initially attracting (largely) people associated with the wine industry, and meals generally consisted of a steak and salad accompanied by a glass or two of red wine. However, John Minks was Foodmaster in June 1961 when he served squid and kangaroo as the dishes at the club lunch at the Da Costa Restaurant. The menu was not revealed until comments were called for with many thinking the kangaroo was venison or veal. The Winemaster, Mick Auld, accompanied the courses with a German Moselle Bernkastler Braunes and a 1948 Wendouree Claret from Clare. Records of the early years, and particularly of the 60s, are scarce, and sadly these members have passed away, but it is possible to piece together a sketchy scenario of this period. After an early base at the Imperial Hotel, and later the RSL Club in Angas St, lunches were enjoyed at the Feathers Hotel, which opened in the late 1960s. Evening functions, to which partners were invited, became popular, and were generally held at Christmas and in July, often at prestigious venues. The roles of Foodmaster and Winemaster were crucial, with the Foodmaster arranging venues and menus, and the Winemaster providing wines to match.
The 1970s
The club has more comprehensive records of the 1970s, which reveal a club clinging to its all-male membership and luncheon format but widening its focus. Picnics at wineries and members' homes were held, and a wider range of venues attended - in the late 1970s venues included the Drumminor, Lotus, Maximillians, Granada Lodge and Ayers House restaurants. A wine cellar was created, albeit limited by current standards, and regular winery visits and club bottlings were held. However, a members' poll held in 1979 showed a strong preference to retain all-male membership rules, and a core of luncheon meetings held at a fixed venue.
The 1980s
In the early 1980s major changes occurred. The role of the Foodmaster was gradually abandoned, and responsibility for arranging dinners was handed over to members, resulting in a much more diverse range of food and venues. Dinner organisers also chose their own wines, with the responsibilities of the Winemaster changing to the management of the rapidly growing club cellar. In 1985 a new committee made the first of a number of major changes - members' partners were invited to attend all functions except the AGM, and they would become predominantly evening functions (this move was not without controversy, and several resignations occurred, but generally the changes were well received, and club membership has been at or near the maximum ever since). In 1988 membership was opened to women, and the Club became a mixed club, with the first female member joining in September 1988.
New Format
A levy was introduced to assist in the growth of the cellar, and an annual trip away to a wine region on a May weekend became a regular event. Features such as the "Winetaster of the Year", the Nichol Trophy, awarded to the winner of a wine tasting held at the AGM, and the "Taster of the Month", awarded to the winner of a wine quiz held at the monthly dinner became established and popular features. This format still prevails. The Club has a Committee which meets monthly, consisting of a President, Immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Cellarmaster and four ordinary members, elected annually at the AGM. There are currently six active life members (awarded for long and distinguished service). Five Presidents out of the twenty-two since 1990 have been women, and currently, six members of the club are women. The current program is generally as follows: January, luncheon at a winery; February, dinner at a restaurant; March, Sunday luncheon hosted by the President, including taster of the year competition; April, restaurant lunch; May, a restaurant dinner; June, restaurant dinner; July, black tie gourmet dinner; August, the AGM held on a Saturday afternoon, including Nichol Trophy tasting; September a restaurant dinner; October a weekend wine trip; November, a restaurant lunch; and December, black tie Christmas function.
Club Presidents
2020s 2020/21Â Ken Ridley 2021/22Â Tony Scholefield 2022/23
2010s 2010/11Â Â Bob Brinkworth 2011/12Â Bob Brinkworth 2012/13Â Lee Miller 2013/14Â Lee Miller 2014/15Â Tom Mittiga 2015/16Â Tom Mittiga 2016/17Â Dianne Betterman 2017/18 Â Vin Thomas 2018/19Â Vin Thomas 2019/20Â Ken Ridley
2000s 2000/01Â Â 2001/02Â Bob Bowes 2002/03Â Vin Thomas 2003/04Â Darrol Fullgrabe 2004/05Â Bob Brinkworth 2005/06Â Tom Muecke 2006/07Â John Swift 2007/08 Â Leone Scholefield 2008/09Â Lorraine Curtis 2009/10Â Bob Morton
1990s 1990/91Â Darrol Fullgrabe 1991/92Â Darrol Fullgrabe 1992/93Â John Driscoll 1993/94Â Vin Thomas 1994/95Â Vin Thomas 1995/96Â Chris Waples 1996/97Â Chris Palumbo 1997/98 Â John Hutchins 1998/99Â Leone Scholefield 1999/00Â John Swift
1980s 1980/81 John English 1981/82 Â Ken Smith 1982/83 Â Bill Seppelt 1983/84Â Gordon Vogan 1984/85Â Peter Budini 1985/86Â Grant Mackintosh 1986/87Â Peter Baturin 1987/88 Â Peter Baturin 1988/89Â Alan Steele 1989/90Â Bob Bowes
1970s 1970/71 Â Howard Cohen 1971/72 Â Hal Lines 1972/73 Â Dick Rebbeck 1973/74 Â John Gibbs 1974/75 Â Noel Davey 1975/76 Â John Lawson 1976/77 Â Chris Heinrich 1977/78 Â Murray Perryman 1978/79 Â Roger MacMahon 1979/80 Â Wim Grothauzen
1960s 1960/61 Â Harry Graham-Sutton 1961/62 Â Henry Martin 1962/63 Â John Minks 1963/64Â 1964/65 Â Mick Auld 1965/66 Â Charles Mueller 1966/67 Â Kevin Kilcariff 1967/68 Â Colin Crompton 1968/69 Â Jim Trevivian 1969/70 Â Stan Minson
1950s 1956/57 Â Joe Stevens 1957/58 Â John Evans 1958/59 Â Lance Pellew 1959/60 Â John Kelly