The History of the Carbine Club The Carbine Club was established in Melbourne in 1961 when a group of friends arranged to meet and have lunch before what is now known as the Australian Football League Grand Final. The format was repeated some months later prior to the commencement of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. The concept of a sports-focused luncheon club was born. The model entrenched in Melbourne jumped the Tasman with the launch of a Carbine Club in New Zealand, and then expanded through all of the states and territories of Australia. Papua New Guinea soon followed as did Hong Kong. The Carbine Club of Singapore was first mooted in 2009 when Carbine Club of Queensland Life Member and former member of the Carbine Club of Hong Kong Michael O’Brien met with Singapore based Australian lawyer David Brooker. As Carbine Club experiences and memories were shared it became clear to both that the time was right for Singapore to have its very own Carbine Club. Club luminaries in Melbourne were consulted and with good wishes from Club President Ian Johnson, Secretary Bill Hoffman, and stalwart Leon Wiegard preparations were under way for an inaugural Carbine Club of Singapore Racing Lunch to coincide with the Singapore International Airlines Singapore Cup. Founding President David Brooker was responsible for putting together the first draft of ten members, as required under Singapore law, to start a Society or Club. Long time friend Simon Davies was given the dubious honor of being founding treasurer. Colin Flynn and Ian MacDonald joined after a long lunch at the Tower Club. Michael Dwyer chose the Singapore Cricket Club to express his interest and in the process co-opted Douglas Robbie and Greg Piercy. Adrian Ashman joined after a few beers were had at the Hilton and Andrew Mooney was convinced after a long meeting at the Regent. The first meeting of all members followed not long after the membership drive pub crawl at the Hyatt Hotel. Local legal counsel for the Club, Michael Palmer, attended and assured that regulatory approval and formal registration of the Club in Singapore was imminent. With such good news lunch was adjourned and the founding cohort of the Carbine club adjourned to the Martini Bar … and have met their often ever since.

Carbine Club (Singapore)

The History of the Carbine Club

The Carbine Club was established in Melbourne in 1961 when a group of friends arranged to meet and have lunch before what is now known as the Australian Football League Grand Final. The format was repeated some months later prior to the commencement of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. The concept of a sports-focused luncheon club was born.

The model entrenched in Melbourne jumped the Tasman with the launch of a Carbine Club in New Zealand, and then expanded through all of the states and territories of Australia. Papua New Guinea soon followed as did Hong Kong. The Carbine Club of Singapore was first mooted in 2009 when Carbine Club of Queensland Life Member and former member of the Carbine Club of Hong Kong Michael O’Brien met with Singapore based Australian lawyer David Brooker. As Carbine Club experiences and memories were shared it became clear to both that the time was right for Singapore to have its very own Carbine Club.

Club luminaries in Melbourne were consulted and with good wishes from Club President Ian Johnson, Secretary Bill Hoffman, and stalwart Leon Wiegard preparations were under way for an inaugural Carbine Club of Singapore Racing Lunch to coincide with the Singapore International Airlines Singapore Cup.

Founding President David Brooker was responsible for putting together the first draft of ten members, as required under Singapore law, to start a Society or Club. Long time friend Simon Davies was given the dubious honor of being founding treasurer. Colin Flynn and Ian MacDonald joined after a long lunch at the Tower Club. Michael Dwyer chose the Singapore Cricket Club to express his interest and in the process co-opted Douglas Robbie and Greg Piercy. Adrian Ashman joined after a few beers were had at the Hilton and Andrew Mooney was convinced after a long meeting at the Regent.

The first meeting of all members followed not long after the membership drive pub crawl at the Hyatt Hotel. Local legal counsel for the Club, Michael Palmer, attended and assured that regulatory approval and formal registration of the Club in Singapore was imminent. With such good news lunch was adjourned and the founding cohort of the Carbine club adjourned to the Martini Bar … and have met their often ever since.