The Melbourne Garrick Club was an association of people with interests in the theatre, founded in 1855 in

Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...

, Australia, and disbanded around 1866 after the death of one of its "leading lights".

History

The Club, whose aims were "the cultivation of dramatic literature and art, and the occasional production of dramatic representations in aid of charitable and other purposes", was founded with around 50 members, including: *President:

Richard Hengist Horne Richard Hengist Horne (born Richard Henry Horne) (31 December 1802 – 13 March 1884) was an English poet and critic most famous for his poem ''Orion''. Early life On New Year's Eve of 1802, Horne was born at Edmonton, London, son of James Ho ...

, the poet and critic, "Orion" *Vice-president James Smith of ''The Argus'' *Secretary: Dr James Edward Neild *Treasurer: James Coates Other members included: *Sir William A'Beckett (Chief Justice) * William M. Akhurst, journalist and writer of burlesques *S. H. Banks * W. B. Baxter * Alfred Bliss, auctioneer of Bliss & Joy *

Charles Edward Bright Charles Edward Bright (20 May 1829 – 17 July 1915) was an English businessman in colonial Victoria. Bright belonged to an old Worcestershire family possessing estates in the counties of Worcester and Hereford. He was the fifth son of Robert Br ...

G. V. Brooke Gustavus Vaughan Brooke (25 April 1818 – 11 January 1866), commonly referred to as G. V. Brooke, was an Irish stage actor who enjoyed success in Ireland, England, and Australia. Early life Brooke was born in Dublin, Ireland, the eldest son o ...

*H. A. Bruce * John Buckley Castieau of

Beechworth Beechworth is a town located in the north-east of Victoria, Australia, famous for its major growth during the gold rush days of the mid-1850s. At the , Beechworth had a population of 3,290. Beechworth's many historical buildings are well pr ...

*J. H. Deorwyn (c. 1623 – 6 August 1888), actor *John Edwards jun. (born 1836 in Launceston), barrister, "the Collingwood chicken" * R. Henningham * W. J. Henningham *W. B. Hickling *G. J. Hough * George H. R. Ireland *William Levev *

Archibald Michie Sir Archibald Michie , (1813 – 21 June 1899) was an English-born Australian lawyer, journalist, Agent-General, Attorney-General of Victoria (Australia), Attorney-General of Victoria and politician. Biography Michie was born in Maida Vale, Lon ...

journalist and politician * Thomas Pavey, solicitor * G. H. Rogers, actor, comedian *Dr Clement Sconce *James Smith *

Henry Gyles Turner Henry Gyles Turner (12 December 1831 – 30 November 1920) was a notable Australian banker, writer and historian. He entered the banking profession as a clerk in London, and in 1855 emigrated to Melbourne where he advanced his career. In 1870 ...

* Theodore W. Whipham *W. H. Williams *

William John Wilson William John Wilson (24 December 1833 – 21 June 1909) was a British actor and theatre scenery painter, who had a career in Australia that included theatre management. History Wilson was born in London to an artistic family with Scottish roots ...

, theatrical scene painter * Richard Younge, stage manager The club was formed at "Williams' dining rooms" in Elizabeth Street; later meetings were held at the Kelly's Argus Hotel, adjacent '' The Argus'' newspaper offices. It went into recess around 1866. One of its last activities was a concert to raise money for a memorial to the great actor

Notes and references

{{Reflist 1855 establishments in Australia 1866 disestablishments in Australia Performing arts in Melbourne Amateur theatre companies in Australia