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Melbourne Savage Club is a private Australian gentlemen's club founded in 1894. Bohemian in spirit, the club was to bring together literary men, and those immediately connected or sympathising with literature, the arts, sport or science. Its membership is particularly secretive with a strong code of silence; members are traditionally the elite or 'savages' in the arts, business and politics. Travelling savages enjoy good fellowship through reciprocal arrangements with other private clubs throughout the world.
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History
The Melbourne Savage Club, a gentlemen's club, was founded in 1894. Like the London-based Savage Club, established in 1857, it was named after Richard Savage (1697-1743), an English poet. Dr. Harvey E. Astles was the first President of the Melbourne Savage Club. In 1915, Hans Heysen donated a painting to the club. Sir Robert Menzies, longtime Prime Minister of Australia, served as its President from 1947 to 1962. The club incorporated the Yorick Club (with which it had a long and cordial rivalry, including regular cricket matches) in 1966. Hubert T. Frederico, QC, was President from 1974 to 1977. In 2012, the President was Robert Heathcote. The President as of 2016 is Ian Baillieu.
Although an organisation with the primary aim of members providing their own entertainment, it regularly participates in philanthropic activities. A pair of oil paintings "The Crucifixion" and "The Annunciation" by Club member Napier Waller were presented to All Saints Church in Geelong in 1929. Social events were organised with charitable and patriotic causes as beneficiaries.
Building
The Club organised purchase of its building in Bank Place, Melbourne in 1923. Rent was paid to Melbourne Savages Ltd; all profits were distributed to shareholders annually. The building was originally designed by A. L. Smith and A. E. Johnson, with alterations conducted by Kinsgley Henderson, who also designed two of the most elegant buildings on Collins Street – the Bank of Australasia Building on the corner of Queen and Collins Streets and the Alcaston House (1929) at the corner of Spring Street. The building is of the few remaining townhouses in this area, and is a notable example of the transition Classical style between conservatism and boom and contributes to the character and townscape of Bank Place. Unusual external features include the portico with rusticated columns and first floor windows. The punkahs which ventilate the dining room are powered by electricity. The staircase and some fireplaces are also notable.
Notable members
Other cities
Savage Clubs were formed in other Australian cities: