Recently ANZA-KZN members were discussing the fact that we had very little knowledge of similar associations. For something different the following is a brief history of the Anza Club in Vancouver, Canada.
" History
Founded in 1935, the Australia-New Zealand Association was formed,
with the purpose to
meet and welcome visitors from down under, and
gather together socially from time to time. ANZA continued their meet
& greet, and social functions throughout the years, until the flow
of visitors ceased due to travel restrictions brought on by the start of
World War Two.
In 1952 the ANZA was revived but the nature of ANZA changed, and it
became primarily a Social Club for Australians & New Zealanders
living in the Greater Vancouver area, holding regular monthly dances/
socials at HMCS Discovery in Stanley Park. These proved so popular that
they were increased to twice monthly, and ANZA introduced their Annual
Picnic, and held very successful Annual Garden Parties.
With such rapid growth, it was decided by the Members that ANZA
should get its own premises, where all records could be stored, work
performed and activities held. In May 1961, during the reign of
two-time, eight year President Graeme Robson, a Clubhouse fund was
started.
After scouring the city, it was finally decided that ANZA would
purchase the property that we currently occupy at 3 West 8th Avenue.
After two years of alterations, renovations and acquisitions all of the
many City, Fire and Liquor regulations were finally met and the club was
finally granted a liquor license by the LCB.
The club now began to flourish. With ANZA Travel a part of the
family, discounted flights/travel to Oz and NZ were a big bonus to
members, and membership numbers increased astronomically. Bi-monthly
socials became weekly, then twice-weekly. If you weren’t here by 7:30,
you probably wouldn’t get in. Participation, special event groups,
attendance, theme nights, The ANZA Players, Anzettes, Bar-B-Qs, Bowling,
Bridge, the Camera Club, Car Rallies, Darts, Golf, Hiking, Picnics,
Rugby, a Softball Team, and the Ski Club. The Ski Club proved so
successful that the club purchased two ski chalets at Snowline on Mt.
Baker.
As the nature of travel changed, and the group flight discount
incentive declined, so did ANZA attendance. Most, if not all, of the
original founding members married and started raising children, and
while there were enthusiastic successors, they were fewer in number. The
ski chalets were sold to keep the club afloat.
While the ANZA had always been sort of a family social venue, the
turn of the century saw a sort of generational torch pass. The ANZA
began to attract a couple of distinct new crowds. There came a night
club kind of crowd, particularly on the weekends. The Pacific Bluegrass
Society took up Monday night residence in the upstairs hall.
The ANZA has evolved into a sort of neighbourhood institution – much
likely the British “local”. The Tiki lounge in the downstairs part of
the building is now a longstanding home to weekly events such as Dart
league, Open Mic and Psych Night, all very popular with Mt. Pleasant
folk. "
