History of the Aquarium society of Victoria
The Society was inaugurated at a meeting on May 24th. 1933, when a group of aquarists determined to form a society to allow opportunities for like-minded individuals to share an interest in the study of aquatic life in the domestic situation.
As a consequence, the first official meeting of the Society was held at the (then) Melbourne Aquarium alongside the Exhibition Buildings, on the 17th. of July 1933, with twelve attendees.
Interest and initiative grew as more and more exotic fishes were successfully bred. Meetings continued at the Exhibition Buildings, then later, in the homes of members.Eventually a larger meeting venue was required and the North Melbourne Town Hall became the home of the A. S. of V. until 1959
It was in this year that the venue changed to the National Herbarium, located in the Shrine Gardens on Birdwood Avenue, where meetings were held for the next decade.
On May 22nd. 1971, the Society relocated its headquarters to its own, newly renovated premises at 29 Grant Street, Clifton Hill.
The hall being purchased from the defunct Abbotsford Angling Club. The Society has continued operating, with monthly meetings at the renamed C.R.Paton Hall in Grant Street, proud of its achievements in developing interest, and extending knowledge of, fish keeping in Victoria.
In 2010 we begin a new phase of operations working in close conjunction with the Eastern Districts Aquarium Society, with alternating meetings combining members of both clubs. This action has proved beneficial to both clubs with attendances at record levels and participation in club activities at the highest level for many years.
In 2015 Walter Paton, brother of Ron, died and made a signifcant bequest to the Aquarium Society of Victoria in memory of Ron. This bequest provided adequate funding to maintain the club for many years and allowed upgrading of the C. R. Paton Hall. Some of the bequest was used to upgrade facilities at the Society's hall with the installation of air conditioning, new toilet block and general painting and refurbishing. We now boast one of the finest dedicated venues for club activities in Australia where we have been able to fund visits by overseas speakers.
In 2022 EDAS wound up, its remaining members, and Life Members were welcomed as members of A.S. of V.
As a consequence, the first official meeting of the Society was held at the (then) Melbourne Aquarium alongside the Exhibition Buildings, on the 17th. of July 1933, with twelve attendees.
Interest and initiative grew as more and more exotic fishes were successfully bred. Meetings continued at the Exhibition Buildings, then later, in the homes of members.Eventually a larger meeting venue was required and the North Melbourne Town Hall became the home of the A. S. of V. until 1959
It was in this year that the venue changed to the National Herbarium, located in the Shrine Gardens on Birdwood Avenue, where meetings were held for the next decade.
On May 22nd. 1971, the Society relocated its headquarters to its own, newly renovated premises at 29 Grant Street, Clifton Hill.
The hall being purchased from the defunct Abbotsford Angling Club. The Society has continued operating, with monthly meetings at the renamed C.R.Paton Hall in Grant Street, proud of its achievements in developing interest, and extending knowledge of, fish keeping in Victoria.
In 2010 we begin a new phase of operations working in close conjunction with the Eastern Districts Aquarium Society, with alternating meetings combining members of both clubs. This action has proved beneficial to both clubs with attendances at record levels and participation in club activities at the highest level for many years.
In 2015 Walter Paton, brother of Ron, died and made a signifcant bequest to the Aquarium Society of Victoria in memory of Ron. This bequest provided adequate funding to maintain the club for many years and allowed upgrading of the C. R. Paton Hall. Some of the bequest was used to upgrade facilities at the Society's hall with the installation of air conditioning, new toilet block and general painting and refurbishing. We now boast one of the finest dedicated venues for club activities in Australia where we have been able to fund visits by overseas speakers.
In 2022 EDAS wound up, its remaining members, and Life Members were welcomed as members of A.S. of V.
Life Members
# Member Elected
1 Mr. J. (Jack) Sharp* July 1953 2 Mr. W. (Bill) Peeler* July 1956 3 Mr. C. (Cecil) Davis* March 1971 4 Mr. C. R.(Ron ) Paton* March 1971 5 Mr. R. (Ron) Bradley* July 1980 6 Mr. R. (Ron) Bowman May 1991 7 Mr. E. (Ernie) Hicks November 1994 8 Mr. R. (Reg) Ayton November 1994 9 Mrs. V. (Val) Bradley* November 1994 10 Mrs T (Thelma) Ayton* November 2004 11 Mrs. B.(Barbara) Smith November 2005 12 Mr. D. (David) Smith November 2005 13 Mr. L. (Lino) Avellino November 2008 14 Mr. D. (Daryl) Maddock November 2008 15 Mr. B. (Brian) Watt November 2011 * Indicates deceased |
Past Presidents
# President- Period
1 Mr. N. McCance 1933-1935 2 Mr. B. Bentley 1935-1936 3 Mr. S. Lawrence 1936-1937 4 Mr. C. Welch 1937-1939 5 Mr. J. Coombs 1939-1946 6 Mr. W. C. Peeler 1946-1956 7 Mr. C. Campbell 1956-1958 8 Mr. C .Davis 1958-1959 9 Mr. C. Campbell 1959-1960 10 Mr. C. Bush 1960-1962 11 Mr. H. Dunbar 1962-1964 12 Mr. J. Keenes 1964-1966 13 Mr. R. Bowman 1966-1968 14 Mr. R. Bradley 1968-1970 15 Mr. E. Hicks 1970-1972 16 Mr. H. Boothman 1972-1974 17 Mr. R. Bowman 1974-1975 18 Mr. B. Brown 1975-1977 19 Mr. R.Lewis 1977-1979 21 Mr. R. Ayton 1979-1981 22 Mrs. V. Bradley 1981-1983 23 Mr. D. Smith 1983-1985 24 Mr. R. Bradley 1985-1987 25 Mr. I. McIntosh 1987-1989 26 Mr. E. Hicks 1989-1991 27 Mr. B. Watt 1991-1993 28 Mr. L. Avellino 1993-1995 29 Mrs. B. Smith 1996-1997 30 Mr. R. Ayton 1998-1999 31 Mr. D. Smith 1999-2000 32 Mr. J. O'Neill 2000-2002 33 Mr. J. Murray 2002-2004 34 Mr. C. Micallef 2004-2006 35 Mr. E. Hicks 2006-2008 36 Mr. D. Skop 2009 -2010 37 Mr. E.Hicks 2010-2011 38 Mr. G. Moulden 2011- 2014 39 Mr L. Sabin 2014-2017 40 Mr. J.Kleyn 2018-2020 41 Mr. D.Hocking 2020-current |