By Kate Lahey
AT THE far end of the Kelvin Club's fine dining room is a large Thomas Blinks portrait of three dogs in a field.
From where the members sit for lunch, the digital reproduction looks just like the genuine painting they sold two years ago, for $100,000, to a buyer in New York.
Bernard Corser, president of the Kelvin Club, which is seeking expressions of interest, is intent on keeping the club model alive.Credit: Wayne Taylor
The replacement artwork was part of the sale, but the cash injection was a stop gap. This week, the private, members-only Kelvin Club will call for expressions of interest in its survival.
After watching the Naval & Military Club collapse this year, the club has hired consultants BurnsBridge Sweett to find a deal that will modernise its ailing two-storey building at 1 Melbourne Place, fix the "relatively small" overdraft, and allow the 192 voting members to stay on site.
"This is more than just a property play," club president Bernard Corser said.
"This is about Melbourne club life and club models. Our committee is moving now so we have options."
The expression of interest seeks a partner to "contribute capital, and/or members to build a sustainable business model that benefits all parties".
Despite that, the club is not courting the prominent Melburnians, some of whom have split from the men-only Athenaeum Club, who are looking to establish a "Melbourne forum" and find a home.
Mr Corser said he would welcome the group but has not heard from representatives since a meeting with one about three months ago.
The Kelvin Club still insists on ties and jackets for men in the dining room but has allowed women since 1992. Women now comprise about 15 per cent of membership.
Next door in the lane off Russell Street is the Canary Club a small cocktail and tapas bar that attracts about 150 people on a Saturday night, oblivious to the crackling open fireplace and leather armchairs on the other side of the wall.
As charming as the Kelvin Club is, it's hard to imagine the hip Canary crowd wanting to pay a $600 joining fee and $800 a year to experience "camaraderie," a barman who knows their name and the chance to hear the odd speech under Chatham House rules.
The club's genesis was the Fitzroy and East Melbourne Bowling Club, established in 1868, but demolished for the laying of tram tracks along what is now Victoria Parade.
According to club history, a group of savvy bowlers stacked their own committee to ensure their rare unrestricted liquor licence would not be lost. They moved the bowling club to a CBD site.
In 1927, under the influence of engineer members, the club named itself after physicist Lord Kelvin. It moved to its existing site in 1947.
Under any agreement, the club says it will retain its title on the premises, have at least one floor for exclusive use including a dining room to seat 100 and "a degree of Kelvin Club ambience". Expressions of interest close on June 18.