On 29th January 1910, the official opening of the “Yarraville Citizens’ Club and James Cuming Institute” at 135 Stephen Street – where the existing Club still stands – took place and was described in the local press as “Yarraville’s finest day”.

The Club grew and prospered, offering a friendly, welcoming venue for members to gather. The Yarraville Club’s involvement with local sports flowed on to the establishment of associated social/sub clubs run by members and their wives – and that commitment to community-focused inclusion still drives us today. For social activities and fun, The Yarraville Club was – and still is – the place to be in the Yarraville community.

The club rooms were renovated to include a modern bar and, in 1959, The Yarraville Club was granted its liquor licence.

As the Club’s prosperity and popularity continues to increase, we look back on our heritage with pride and remain committed to promoting good fellowship – our link to a motto that brings together the strands of the past, with hopes for a bright future of this amazing Club.

In mid-1975, the Victorian Government revised the drink driving laws and the .05 limit was introduced. It was a move that had a dramatic effect on sporting activities and clubs and as our own Club evolved, we enriched our offering to members and visitors and worked hard to provide even more entertainment as a feature of our Club membership.

Scheduled events included the Yarraville Mouth Organ Band, a wine & dine evening and a Western night with Merv Lowry’s Country Ramblers. The Club also introduced new events and shows for Club members. The Super Sports Show encouraged members to “bring along your questions and they will be answered by champions”, such as Bill Jacobs, Max Walker, Kevin Sheedy, Peter Bakos and Peter Mills.

The early 1990s brought more changes, as the club went through a re-invention of itself. A new legal structure was established and a board of directors replaced the general committee of management and directors. Changes to the bar were made to encompass more of a “sports” feel. In 1991, it was unanimously voted that women become full members – a move embraced by the community.

Entertainment and gaming avenues were introduced to the club. The club continued to support the community, becoming a Yarraville Festival sponsor in 1993. The second half of the 1990s involved expansion of the club through its master plan and renovations to the existing club site. Notably, Athena Vass and Sue Riley become the first female board members in 1999, the latter to become the first female chair of the board in the club’s history.

In 2013, Yarraville Club embarked upon a new direction and established `Yarraville Live’ & `Yarraville Laughs’. The vision was clear – to bring live music and live comedy `To the New West’, with well-known acts performing to huge crowds in the Club on a monthly basis.

The Yarraville Live launch event – a Bon Scott Tribute night in February 2013 – was huge and kicked-off the start of many great music events to come. When Mick Molloy sold out our first Yarraville Laughs show, it was clear the success was continuing.

The acts that perform here attract visitors from across Melbourne – and beyond. Doug Anthony All Stars, Michael Winslow from the USA, Effie, Dave Hughes, Jimeon, Lawrence Mooney, Denise Scott, Cal Wilson, Rhys Darby and Frank Woodley are just some of the stellar entertainers who have graced our stage.

The Live performances are just as impressive, with Tex Perkins, Mark Seymour, Bob Starkie, Ross Wilson, Glenn Shorrock,  and a fantastic array of tribute shows that honour top-selling albums from rock legends, such as the Rolling Stones and Bowie.

It’s a program that has seen our Club honoured with the Industry peak body, `Community Club’s Victoria’ awarding Yarraville Club with “Best Entertainment Program”, 3 years in a row.