CLUB HISTORY

The Club Timeline

  • 1892
  • 1919
  • 1937
  • 1945
  • 1947
  • 1967
  • 1974
  • 1992
  • 2018
  • 2021

  • history_item1.jpg Founding of the Club.

    The Club is recorded as being formally established on 22 December 1892 by Major General John Fletcher Owen – then Commandant of the Queensland Defence Force.
    The objects for which the Club was established were “to enable officers of the various branches of the Force to meet together socially, and by means of lectures and other activities to further them in the pursuit of a better knowledge of the profession”.

  • Great-War-Honour-Board.jpg Great War Honour Board

    Twenty-two Club members gave their lives in service during the Great War (1914-19), and they are commemorated on an Honour Board in the Club Foyer.
    The Honour Board was designed by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Pye – The Government Architect at the time and Club President – and carved from Queensland maple. It was unveiled by the Governor of the day, His Excellency The Right Honourable Lieutenant Colonel Sir Matthew Nathan.

  • Patrons-Dinner.jpg Patron’s Dinner

    The Club Patron’s Dinner in 1937 – with the Governor (and the Club’s first Patron), His Excellency Colonel Sir Leslie Orme Wilson and the President, Colonel Daniel Evans, presiding (2nd and 3rd from left)

  • Second-World-War-Honour-Board.jpg Second World War Honour Board

    Twenty-seven Club members gave their lives in service during the Second World War (1939-45), and they are commemorated on an Honour Board in the Club Foyer.
    The Honour Board was not finalised until 2015, when it was unveiled on the centenary of ANZAC Day by the Governor of the day, His Excellency The Honourable Paul De Jersey.
    Aside from the Honour Boards recognising members in the Great War and Second World War, members who gave their lives in the Boer War (1899-1902), and the Korean War (1950-53) are commemorated on separate Honour Boards.

  • Move-to-Wickham-Terrace.jpg Move to Wickham Terrace

    Under the Presidency of Lieutenant Colonel L. A. Little the Club moved from its 70 George Street premises to its current location on Wickham Terrace. In part, the move was to accommodate the influx of members from service in the Second World War – with membership exceeding 2,150.

  • First-female-member.jpg First female member

    Mrs Iris Adams was admitted as the Club’s first Associate Member. The new category of membership was open to the wives and widows of Members over 21 years of age - in her case through her husband Captain Tony Adams.

  • First-civilian-member.jpg First civilian member

    Mr John Ash was admitted as the Club’s first Civilian Member. He was the son of Lieutenant John Ash and ended the eighty-year-old restriction on members being commissioned officers of the Defence Forces.

  • Logo.png Club Centenary celebrations

    In celebration of the Club’s centenary year a series of social events were conducted under the President, Major General “Digger” James.
    These included a reception in February attended by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent – who was honoured with Life Membership of the Club.

  • Rose-Garden.jpg Centenary of Armistice Memorial Rose Garden

    Under the guidance of the Club’s first female President, Major Jenny Walker, 22 rose bushes were planted on the centenary of the Armistice to commemorate each of the Club’s members killed in the Great War.

  • 129-years-and-still-going-strong.jpg 129 years and still going strong!

    This painting shows the Club buildings on Wickham Terrace, and was presented by our neighbours, the Congregation of the City Tabernacle Baptist Church.
    The Club remains a vibrant institution, maintaining its original objectives of socialising and military discourse, welcoming men and women from the Defence Forces and civilian life throughout Queensland, and members of reciprocal clubs throughout Australia and around the world.

    Proud of the past – confident of the future!

More Club History
 
 
 
 
United Service Club Queensland
phone_icon.png 07 3831 4433
location_icon.png 183 Wickham Terrace
Spring Hill QLD 4000
Australia
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The United Service Club Queensland has rich heritage as a prominent private club in brisbane for over 120 years. Originally founded as an Officers' Club for Queensland Defence Forces, our membership welcomes anyone with no militaray service or background.

Est. 1892 Copyright © 2020 All Rights Reserved.