1 8 6 1 - 2 0 1 1 T HE SESQUICENTENNIAL BALLThe Tasmanian Club, 132 Macquarie Street, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Tel: +61 (0)3 6223 2702 Email: [email protected] Web:

The Tasmanian Club, 132 Macquarie Street, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.

Tel: +61 (0)3 6223 2702 Email: [email protected] Web: tasmanianclub.org.au

T HE SESQUICENTENNIAL BALL

SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER, 2011

TASMANIAN CLUB

SPECIAL EDITION

N EWSLETTER

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A grand occasion -

His Excellency The Governor, the Hon Peter Underwood,

cuts the Tasmanian Club’s 150th birthday cake

TASMANIAN CLUB SESQUICENTENNIAL BALL

Jenny and Ross Byrne in fine

period style Sandy Gray and John Williams Odile Foster and Christopher

Koren from Sydney

Beforehand - The working bee hard at work - Ross

Fouracre, President Tim Lewis, Clark Lamprill,

Rob Dineen and Rupert Bell

Beforehand – Club stalwart, Beverley Howell,

presents a 150th birthday bouquet to the Club with

the President, John Macleod and Rupert Bell

A magnificent arrangement.

Harriet Fitzgerald led a team of helpers to make

the Club look absolutely stunning throughout.

President Tim Lewis (left) and Kate Lewis (right)

greet guests at the Club reception


President Tim Lewis, Mrs Underwood, the Governor and Kate Lewis

The Governor (on the right) proposes a toast to the Tasmanian Club.

The Sesquicentennial Ball on October 15 was one of the Tasmanian Club’s greatest nights since its foundation a century and one half ago. Despite stiff competition from two other gala events also held in Hobart some 220 Members and guests came from as far afield as the USA, Switzerland, New South Wales and Victoria.

Meticulous preparations over

many months by the Club staff and Ball Committee chaired by the Vice-President, John Macleod, and Members Tim Lewis (President), Rupert Bell, Peter Bennison, John Burgess, Ross Fouracre, Martyn Hagan and John Hamilton, were repaid handsomely by a wonderful occasion.

The doors of the Club were

thrown open to reveal all the rooms beautifully decorated with flowers and with gleaming silverware, thanks to the team of florists led by Harriet Fitzgerald and Housekeeper, Beverley Howell. A number of gentlemen were dressed in costume redolent of the mid 19th century or white tie and tails. Evening dresses worn by the ladies received admiring glances and many compliments. Following an individual welcome by President Tim Lewis and Mrs Kate Lewis guests moved for pre-dinner drinks to a grand marquee set up in the car park.

The guests of honour were His Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, Hon Peter Underwood AC and Mrs Underwood. His Excellency proposed the loyal toast then guests dispersed to sit down to dinner both in the Club house and the marquee. At the conclusion of the meal all reassembled in the marquee and His Excellency cut a special birthday cake and proposed a toast to the Club.

The hours were wiled away with

dancing to the music of Manhattan. Another highlight was a game of chance in the Bar where “the Bank” managed to make a modest gain while the billiard tables were well used later in the evening.

And times have certainly

changed in the piscatorial department. Someone had very thoughtfully provided a goldfish in a bowl who inevitably was named “Wanda”. She had more luck than her predecessor who, at the 1990 Ball, had an unfortunate one-way trip thanks to some hungry members. Dancing and merry-making continued until 4am before the last stayers wended their way home.

Assistants, who helped with setting up and cleaning up were: Tim Lewis, John Macleod, Rupert Bell, Peter Bennison, John Chilcott, Rob Dineen, Rob Fay, Ross Fouracre, Martyn Hagan, John Hamilton, Ashley Harris, Donald Macleod, Clark Lamprill and Freddie von Schmidt. The Athenaeum Club kindly assisted with the loan of tables and chairs. Finally, the Sesquicentennial Committee is deeply grateful to the staff of the Club. Led by Secretary/Manager (Rob Paterson) and in the kitchen by Chef (Grant Fooks) all staff worked most commendably during the lengthy preparations, on the sesquicentennial day and tidying up afterwards. It was a huge undertaking and Members appreciate their loyalty to the Club.

One of the outstanding successes was the Tasmanian wines which had been recommended then provided by Wine Committee members - Greg Melick and David Johnstone. Who ever will forget the excellent Pressing Mat-ters pinot? Some of Greg’s 1994 Warre’s vintage port also found its way to a few appreciative connoisseurs. Thank you Greg and David.

Grateful thanks are also due to

the following for their efforts in ensuring the success of this outstanding event. The Flower Team led by Harriet Fitzgerald (chief florist), Kate Lewis, Liz Macleod, Tam McMichael and Marion Shugg.

Greenery and foliage were

provided and delivered by Michael, David and Jimmy Johnston and Jim and Annabelle Grant. Report - Club historian, Peter Bennison


Jocelyn and John Ross and Angie McDermott

Ross Fouracre, Annie Atkinson and Ray Brown Charlotte Bell, Mike and Harriet Fitzgerald

Robert Young, John Gray, John Hamilton

Dom Rea and Simon Crawley

Charlie Lewis, Crosby Lyne and Freddie von Schmidt

President Tim Lewis and the Governor

Helva Murdoch and Angie St Hill


Freddie von Schmidt, John St Hill and Barb Davies Diane Matthews and John Langford

Rowena Ransley, Alex Hagan and Martyn Hagan Paul and Deb Swifte with the president of the

Athenaeum Club, Adam Fisher, and Ruth Evans

Maria Flynn, Geoff Stump and Hilary Ashton-Jones Kate and Don MacLeod

Ian McMichael and Clark Lamprill Michael Lawrence, John Burgess, Matthew Groom

and Charles Kemp


What a feast! Puddings galore

Chef Grant Fooks with the birthday cake, after cutting! Some of the very helpful staff.

Magnificent food and award winning wines

A very happy table in the Giblin Room Another happy table, this time in the Dining Room

Murray and Deb Elrington from Melbourne with Frank Youl

The Hon Bill Cox at a table with Jane Evans

Bill Turner, John Macleod and John Davies

Justin Nichols and Liz Macleod Anne and Ian Cordner with Ashley Harris


Dining in the marquee


Concentration plus from Simon Foote Ray Brown, sharp shooter

Barb Davies, Gay Lewis and Kate Lewis Henry Lewis ponders the odds

Frank (wearing the Bruce) and Odile Foster Heather and Donald Macleod

Documents

1 8 6 1 - 2 0 1 1 T HE SESQUICENTENNIAL BALLThe Tasmanian Club, 132 Macquarie Street, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Tel: +61 (0)3 6223 2702 Email: [email protected] Web: