The Robert Burns Club of Melbourne Inc. |
The Robert Burns Club of Melbourne promotes interest in the works, life and milieu of the Scottish poet Robert Burns and maintain and advance Scottish Culture.
Commemorative functions to honour the Scottish National Poet and world recognised bard, and to study his poems, songs, writings and philosophy have been held continuously in Victoria since the arrival of the first permanent Scots in 1836.
One example of this is an address on the Works of Robert Burns given by the Scottish Clergyman Rev. James Forbes (first minister of Scots Church) to the Mechanics Institute in 1839, another is the First Burns Festival conducted by the Melbourne Scots on 24 January 1845.
In 1904 the statue of Robert Burns was presented by the then Caledonian Society of Melbourne. Some 8,000 people attended that ceremony. A formal Robert Burns Club (sometimes referred to as a society) is recorded as meeting regularly between 1902 and 1917.
In 1928 'Our Boy Burns Club' held its annual dinner at the Alexander hotel Melbourne, In 1932 the Melbourne Burns Club was founded. The Club was very active. However, on the outbreak of war, the Club, along with most other Burns Clubs and Scottish Societies disbanded. Burns activities were then continued by groups of kindred societies as opportunity occurred. In 1950 under the guidance of Mr J.T.Picken the current Robert Burns Club of Melbourne was established.
The club federated in 1951 and has continuously functioned from that time. Each year the club conducts a celebration on the Sunday nearest the 25th of January (the poets birthday) near the Robert Burns statue in Treasury Gardens Spring Street, Melbourne. It also holds a Burns Supper each year, and conducts other activities during the year as well as erecting the Club tent at all the Highland gatherings throughout Victoria.
An Annual General Meeting is held in July or August. A regular newsletter 'The MelBurnsian' is published for members.
❊ Web Links ❊
➼ The Robert Burns Club of Melbourne Inc.
➼ www.scotsofaus.org.au
➼ Statue of Robert Burns
Disclaimer: Check with the venue (web links) before making plans, travelling or buying tickets.
Accessibility: Contact the venue for accessibility information.
Update Page
