Modern Pickwick Club
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The Modern Pickwick Club was a young men's literary and social club founded in Adelaide, South Australia, in the 1890s.
The club was formed in 1891 as a social club restricted, by invitation, to 30 members, all unmarried men. It was a condition of joining that the prospective member should already be known to the other 29, and members must resign immediately they marry.[1] They met regularly at members' homes for talks and discussions as well as entertainment. It was a hard and fast rule that no refreshments would be taken at the member's house, but after the meeting all would adjourn to the nearest hostelry.[2]
It was not a Dickens society, though it held occasional Dickens nights, rather it was the spirit of Samuel Pickwick that they invoked — riotous good fellowship.[3] They produced plays, and competed in debating, tennis tournaments and cricket matches.[4] "The nights were divided between debate, and music, and elocution. It was a good training ground, and the atmosphere was clean and wholesome."[5] An annual match was held between past and present members. Every year shooting, fishing and walking trips were organised. Their annual ball, held at the North Adelaide Institute, was considered the highlight of the season and eagerly awaited.[6] Meetings were held every Saturday night, except during WWI, when they were held monthly.