June Is Here – Time to Rug Up, Buffs
As the cold sets in and we leave behind the season of sweating over the snooker table, we now enter the season of praying the basement doesn’t flood. Welcome to winter at the Buffalo Club.
Let’s be honest—this venue thrives in the cooler months. With no windows and very little ventilation, it becomes less of a sauna and more of a snug hideout. Whether you're enjoying Clubb Medd without the threat of heatstroke, or you’re curled up in a lounge chair with a creamy Guinness, winter is when the Buff truly comes into its own.
Looking back, May was an absolute stonker. We kicked things off with a roaring double-floor May Day celebration—a tribute to workers everywhere with two stages of pure musical mayhem. Then came Up the Buff, a sound system fundraiser that brought the house down and raised the roof. And to top it all off, we welcomed nineteen year-old British pop sensation Jim E. Brown, who flew all the way from Manchester to bring his sad-boy sparkle to our humble hall.
As we roll into June, the calendar is packed and the heat is well and truly on. Check the website for what’s on—there’s something for every member of the herd.
Last Quokka tearing it up at the May Day gig — vocals raw, energy high, crowd moving like the floor was lava.
Calling All Artists – Exhibit at the Buff!
Got something you’ve been wanting to show the herd? The Buffalo Club is offering free exhibition space in our stairwell and landing areas, and we’re currently seeking expressions of interest from local artists.
Exhibitions will typically run for two weeks. Installation and pack-down will be the responsibility of the artist, and as this is a high-traffic public space, the Club can’t take responsibility for the safety of the works—so prints and non-fragile pieces are preferred.
There’s wall space in the stairwell and room for sculpture or 3D works on the landing.
Currently on display: Billy Bowen’s “Respect My (Port) Authority”, a striking photography collection that’s well worth a look on your next trip upstairs.
Interested in exhibiting? Email Ray at socialhall@freobuffclub.org.
History Subcommittee Update – The Upstairs Bar Mystery (Solved!)
Well Buffaloes, the shout-out worked!
We can now officially confirm that it wasn’t the Shah of Iran who brought the bar to the upstairs Social Hall — rather, it was Ada Khan, who embarked on a spirited mid-century purchasing spree that left its mark on the Club’s architecture and furnishing.
So if you read our previous tale in the March Newsletter, go ahead and swap the Shah for the Khan — the essence of the story remains, but now we’ve got our facts straight (as much as one ever can in Buffalo lore).
Next on the investigation list?
The Tall Tales of Leo Amaranti.
His name appears everywhere in the archives, yet the man himself remains a mystery. We’re calling on the herd — if you knew Leo, are related to him, or simply have stories passed down through the grapevine, please reach out.
📩 Email daniel.elias@nd.edu.au with anything you’ve got — memories, myths, character notes, or club shenanigans. The History Subcommittee thanks you in advance for your contributions to our living archive.
Tom (right) and Jamie (left) strike a victorious pose in the Ladies Lounge after a fierce battle of pool and coin — long live the new Pool & Coin Champ!
Pool & Coin Becomes Pool & Cash
A minor rebrand with a major cue!
Our beloved Pool & Coin has had a small but meaningful makeover. Moving forward, the format stays the same, but the name is now Pool & Cash — and the entry fee is rising slightly from $2 to $5.
Why the change? Two good reasons:
- Your entry fee can now either go into the prize pot for the winner or
- You can choose to contribute towards the ongoing maintenance of our well-loved (and well-used) pool tables.
It’s your call — either way, you're helping to keep the good times rolling.
From the Archives: Picnics, Prizes & the Spirit of the Herd
Tucked away in a well-worn folder labelled “Picnic” in the Club’s archive room lies a quiet but powerful reminder of what the Fremantle Buffalo Club has always been—a gathering place for generations.
The folder contains meticulous records of our annual club picnics, held from 1979 to 1987 at a hired hall and park in Jandakot, courtesy of the City of Cockburn. There are invoices, bond deposits, approvals—the kind of everyday admin that rarely makes history books but keeps communities running. The paperwork might end in the late ’80s, but the legacy goes far beyond.
It’s the picnic games that really tell the story. These annual gatherings weren’t just social outings—they were inclusive, multigenerational events. The Club made arrangements to transport members living with disabilities. The “Old Buffers” were honoured and looked after. Children’s events were divided into four age brackets, ensuring everyone from toddlers to teens had their moment in the sun—and their shot at a prize.
And yes, the prize records also reflect the times: single women won smaller sums than their married counterparts. (We’ll leave that one as a conversation starter.)
So, as we pour our pints or raise a glass of wine, let’s salute the generations that came before us—the members who made the Club what it was and still is: a place of care, camaraderie, and collective joy.
Grooves in the glow — Algorhythm turned the lower bar into a house and disco haven.
Need Space? Let the Buff Host You
Looking for a space to bring your ideas to life? The upstairs Social Hall and Foyer at the Buffalo Club are available for hire—at truly affordable rates.
Whether you’re planning a workshop, class, reading group, meeting, or wellness activity, we’d love to help you make it happen right in the heart of Freo.
We’re especially keen to support our members and the broader arts, music, holistic, and activist communities—so if you’ve got a program that needs a home, we want to hear from you.
Reach out to Ray at socialhall@freobuffclub.org to find out more.
Committee @ The Buff
Stampede of Sub-Committees! Join the Herd Behind the Scenes
The Club doesn’t run on beer and good vibes alone (though they help). From this month onward, we’re revving up the engine room of the Buffalo Club—our mighty sub-committees—and we want you in the driver’s seat.
Each sub-committee will now be meeting monthly, and every single member of the herd is welcome to join in. Whether you're a quiet organiser, a loud ideas-person, or just keen to lend a hand, there’s a spot for you at the table. The best way to stay in the loop is to come along to a meeting or hop into the WhatsApp group and introduce yourself and ask to be added to a Sub Committee group.
Here’s the lowdown on our current sub-committees:
- Works – Got a knack for fixing things, lifting things, or scrubbing things? Help maintain and improve our beautiful, wonky building. (Meets every third Tuesday of the month - 6PM)
- Events – Love gigs, comedy nights, weird parties and wonderful chaos? Help us book, host and manage events at the Buff. (Meets every fourth Tuesday of the month - 6PM)
- Outreach – Help us connect with the wider world—whether that’s wrangling grant applications, partnering with like-minded groups, or drawing more folks into the herd. (Meets every third Tuesday of the month - 6PM)
- History – If you’re a lover of old documents, tall tales and dusty corners, help us catalogue and honour the Club’s wild past. (Meets every Saturday morning - 11AM)
- Programs & Activities – From yoga to book clubs to figure drawing, help us build a culture of creativity, reflection, and connection outside of gig nights. (Meets every second Monday of the month - 6PM)
Joining a sub-committee is hands down the best way to get involved, meet other legends, and help shape the future of the Club. Got ideas? Bring them. Got energy? We’ll give you an outlet. The Buff thrives when the herd steps up—so grab the reins and get amongst it.
Update from the Toolshed
The Buffalo Club is a creative haven — but sometimes, that creativity leaves its mark in less welcome places, especially in the toilets. With an ongoing tagging problem, the Maintenance Sub-Committee has stepped up and created a dedicated Graffiti Task Force. They’ve put together a kit stocked with everything our member volunteers need to safely and quickly remove any pesky scribbles from our private rooms. So if you see some unwanted art, help is at hand!
Our stages continue to level up, with safer, smarter wiring, improved lighting, and new curtains making a real difference. Both upstairs and downstairs stages now sport a neat new trim around their bases — you could say they’re dressed to impress and ready to hit the spotlight. We’re even planning to add wooden trims with LED lights to the stage edges, so performers can clearly see where the stage ends — plus, it’ll keep power boards tidy and prevent pints from being accidentally knocked over during a set.
The Ladies Lounge has a freshly compiled PA system designed specifically for spoken word and smaller events, thanks to generous donations from committee members and the herd. The stage itself — a short white box kindly donated by Kevin — is being transformed with carpet, wood flooring, trim, lighting, and power upgrades to make it safer and more in tune with the space.
Meanwhile, the kitchen keeps thriving with new stainless steel tops beside the ovens, making it safer and easier to handle hot dishes as we serve 40 to 50 meals every Thursday to those in need.
A big shout-out to Jacob, who’s freshened up the bathroom walls, covering graffiti with a fresh coat of paint. Sophie has been hard at work rewiring both stages, making sure all the plugs and power points actually work — a huge win for everyone who plays here. Andrew got one of the drums working again at a recent workshop, and Jake saved the day when a fridge door literally fell off onto Vicky’s leg — thanks to him, the fridge is back in action.
Billy also deserves thanks for fitting new shades on the red wall lights in the Ladies Lounge, adding a subtle but lovely touch to the room’s vibe.
And Bruce has finished upgrading the building wiring, taking us from “not quite compliant” to fully up to code.
Finally, winter brought the basement’s first flood attempt in years. Thanks to the trusty pump, the water never got beyond a harmless rise on the floor — not exciting, but a huge milestone in keeping our underground lair dry and safe.
If you want to get your hands dirty and help keep our wonderful old building running smoothly, join the Maintenance Sub-Committee — there’s plenty to do, and every helping hand makes a difference!
🌿 BUFFALO MEMBER DISCOUNTS 🌿
Think that little mint-green card’s only good for pints and pool? Think again. It’s your golden ticket to a month of mighty gigs — at mates rates. Flash it at the door and march on in for less. Music loves a Buffalo.
moyamoya and Post Nut Clarity recording fundraiser
Friday 13th June – $15 for members
Local art-punk mischief-makers Moyamoya and Post Nut Clarity are throwing a fundraiser gig (with Sooks and Jesse Bach) to help immortalise their noise on record.
HEM: A night of response
Thursday 19th May – $5 for members
HEM, our new monthly poetry night pairing local poets and artists in thoughtful conversation.
Totally Free for All Buffs and Friends:
REVOLUTIONS III
Friday 20th June
Get ready to spin through the decades with a vinyl night that’s all about diving deep into the sounds that shaped each era.
Community Jam
First Wednesday of the month - 630pm -930pm
Bring your guitar, your voice, or even grab some spoons from the kitchen and get involved in the fun. Everyone’s welcome to play, listen, and share good vibes!
Coming events
See you at the Club, Buffaloes. Dedicated to social unity.