Since its establishment in the 1870s, The Albury Club has remained steadfast through years of wars, droughts, depressions and booms while Albury has grown and developed around it. The building you see today has been home to The Albury Club since 1877.
It was created by a group of like-minded businessmen and graziers as a congenial retreat where they could exchange ideas, conversation and amusements and generally share experiences.
The Club’s rooms were originally located at the Club Hotel (now the site of Atura Hotel) on the corner of Dean and Elizabeth Streets. The Albury Club was in fact one of the first thirty clubs in NSW and was exempt from the Licensing Act until about 1912, when private clubs lost their privileges and all registered clubs were brought into line under one Act.
The first clubhouse was built on its present site and opened in 1877. This small, four-roomed brick building was set well back from the street to allow for a few hitching posts for horses. The Club was at the northern end of the township because the made roads of the day only reached as far as Wilson Street.
Leafing through the pages of the Club’s Centenary publication* is something of a social history lesson. By 1897, there were 49 members and by 1906 membership had increased to 79. In 1915, gaslights went out and electricity came in. In 1920, more land was acquired (the current driveway and garden area). In 1934, major alterations and improvements were made and more land was bought (the present car park). The 1940s were a busy time: the squash court was built, the piano was acquired and new furnishings arrived. The timing of this refurbishment reflects the fact that during World War II (from 1941 to 1944) the Army took over the Club facilities and the Club temporarily relocated to the Beehive Chambers in Dean Street.
The previously unimaginable idea of having ladies present at Club social events gained ground as younger members returned from WWII, bringing with them changing attitudes and the Club adjusted accordingly. Ladies had to wait until 1968 for ‘modern facilities’ to be provided, so they could comfortably have lunch and be entertained in the Strangers Room.
Many of the present club facilities came about as a result of ideas put down in the Suggestion Book, recorded as far back as 1892. Sadly, many Club records were lost during the Army occupation, but a strong affiliation with the local military continues today.
The leadlight ceiling in the Member’s Bar was ingeniously designed to extract smoke from the room in the ‘good old days’ of cigars and cigarettes. The leadlight panel above the Function Bar area depicts Albury’s iconic War Memorial – a sight the lift operator at the old Mate’s department store building must have seen a thousand times as this was the original home of the panels.
It is only in recent years that the Club has hosted functions for non-members and until that time three magnificent full-size billiard tables had pride of place in the President’s Room. The special supports for these incredibly heavy tables with their slabs of slate can still be seen on the dance floor.
The Albury Club continues to provide members, their families and guests with a retreat from everyday life, enabling them to relax in a friendly atmosphere. For some local families this is a tradition that has extended over three, and even four generations so far and is likely to carry on for many more to come.
* 1877-1977 Centenary booklet of the Club’s history, compiled by Alex Sellars, provides much of the information for this page.
The Board is nominated by members. Board members positions are held annually and meetings are held on a monthly basis. Each Friday two of the Directors are on duty in the main bar and welcome discussion with all members.
David Bruce – Club President
Peter Shannon – Vice President
Matthew Sexton – Treasurer
Paul Giles – Director
Richard Younger – Director
Jack Stean – Director
Adam Dixon – Director
Daniel Castley – Director
Gerard Hynes – Director
Club President
Vice President
Treasurer
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The Albury Club is a private gentleman’s social club established in 1877.
Member’s enjoy stepping out of the hustle and bustle of the Albury CBD and being transported back to an era of old-school charm in our cosy Member’s Bar.
Our Member’s Bar is a place to meet, reconnect, eat, drink and chat your day and night away amongst friends – where you take a relaxing seat in front of the open fire or at the bar to enjoy a cold beer and a light after-work snack.
Our Club has a rich history, fine traditions and is bound by a constitution which all members are required to uphold. We encourage and appreciate the introduction of new members, whom we enjoy welcoming into the Club.
Belonging to The Albury Club requires the invitation and recommendation of two current members.
To enquire about becoming a member please email our President »
Functions and evenings in the bar require smart attire, collared shirts, long pants and dress shoes. For Tie Night Presentations, it is appreciated that Club ties are worn by members attending. Tie Nights often have dinner available afterwards, a great opportunity to welcome new members, meet other members and be joined for dinner by partners and friends.
By being a member of The Albury Club, you can enjoy reciprocal arrangements with some other Clubs around Australia.
That is, members are welcomed to utilise the hospitality and accommodation of these Clubs when visiting elsewhere.
We currently have this arrangement in place with the following Clubs: The Australian Club in Melbourne, Melbourne Savage Club, Tasmanian Club in Hobart, The Deniliquin Club, The Echuca Club, The Hamilton Club, The Riverine Club in Wagga Wagga, The Waradgery Club in Hay, The Sandhurst Club in Bendigo, The Warnambool Club, The Geelong Club and The Launceston Club. We are seeking further reciprocal arrangements for Clubs in Sydney and Canberra.
The process for utilising reciprocal arrangements is conducted by members contacting the office of The Albury Club, who then make the necessary arrangements with the appropriate Club on the member’s behalf, along with introductory letters as required.