Hello Buffaloes,
Here's hoping Labour Day gave you an easy week, as we commemorated the eight-hour-day. February was a big time for the herd and we have a few special mentions to start with.
Special thanks to the steamy, sweaty Clubb Medd crew for adding the controlled chaos and revelry that keeps us floating along; to punk darling Lloyd, who hosted his birthday with a lineup of legendary indie acts; Finally, appreciation to new Buffs ONO Records, and Yoshinori Hayashi, who flew in from Japan to unleash unpredictable dance music on our humble upstairs stage. It was a a month of sweat, sound, and solidarity; of celebrating the personal in a public sphere.
We'd like to thank our members for continueing to home these diverse gigs and programs at Buff. It's proof of concept that we who "manage" the club facilitate the efforts of our expanding community. As our regular programs develop momentum—yoga with Veronica, portraiture with Nidas, life drawing with Jane, our Thursday Stock Soup kitchen— we can see how safe harbour is made and shared in many ways.
Reminscing on what the old order may have thought of this, here is this months piece of of the past:
The ROAB Buffs would organise meetings along the lines of an "ancient city", with members taking honorifics of City Physician, Barber, Tiler, Minstrel, Waiter, and so on. Each meeting, once formal business had been completed, there would be time for what was named "harmony". During harmony, members would be challenged to offer up jokes or songs. A general mockery not dissimilar to a chinese wedding tradition, where the groom is held at the door by the brides cousins and challenged to prove their affection.
In this present era, we follow a similarly silly line. We take a role and sing our song so none of us has to manage alone. Another big months to come. Read on to find out how you can be part of the action and keep this great buffalo-themed club thriving.
And contact via email if you are ever inspired to to meet with some of the old-order members. Their monthly lodge meetings are open to new members, and it would be nice to see some of that history continue.
Pool & Coin – A Battle of Skill, Strategy, and Loose Change
On Wednesday, February 12th, the Buffalo Club launched its first-ever Pool & Coin Social Pool Comp, a simple but glorious test of skill and luck.
The rules? Show up, hand Dan (our Club Historian and pool master) $2, and you’re in. It’s a knockout format—win and advance, lose and grab a drink while you plot your revenge.
The inaugural battle saw 16 players line up for their shot at victory. But in the end, one man stood alone: Billo. A Welshman in hi-vis, he is both highly visible and somehow shrouded in mystery.
Think you’ve got what it takes to take down the champ? Pool & Coin returns on Wednesday, March 12th. Bring your best game—and maybe a little luck. Billo awaits. Sign-up sheet here.
The Oracle of Events – The Buffalo Club Calendar
Did you know that the great and mighty secrets of the Buffalo Club’s events are now etched into the digital annals of our Club Calendar? No more guessing, no more whispered rumours—every gig, gathering, and grand affair is laid bare for all to see at https://www.freobuffclub.org/what-s-on.
A little heads-up—our calendar likes to take its time, so scroll down and let it do its thing. Click on any event, and a pop-up will spill all the juicy details.
Want discounted entry to select events? Renew your membership now!
Works - Doing and Done
A mighty bellow of appreciation goes out to Dave, our new maintenance volunteer, for generously donating materials, tools, and—most importantly—a hammer drill. This fine piece of machinery is not only helping us rebuild the basement but also adding an unexpected percussive element to the peaceful 3 PM Buffalo Club drinking experience.
As with many efforts at the Bufflo, our energy is being pooled for serious action. A summary will be given below, and we requestour more energetic members join us for this months busy bee on Sunday the 16th at 11am.
In the good news pile, the basement on its way to being habitable. Recent efforts have seen the installation of ventilation, sumps, and pumps. If our efforts are successful in halting the yearly flooding, then we will move to establish a workshop for volunteers down there in spring.
We would then invite members interested in hosting crafts and skill sharing workshops. Keep your fingers crossed for us as the winter comes.
Ongoing Works:
- The eroded side-wall of the building is coming up for repairs. Thankyou to Cindy for completing the design work required for council approval. Get in contact if you have experience with limestone re-pointing.
- Thanks to Nidas for volunteering to repair the ceiling-hole that we have all grown so fond of in these last months.
- Thanks to Jacob for continuing to develop our storage at the club. We have a way to go, but it's possible to see a light beyond the clutter.
What's Needed:
- We would love to receive some limecrete and limestone rubble for the upcoming wall build. Shovels and concrete working tools would also not go astray.
- We'd like gorgeous old light fittings that may suit the Buff's lower bandroom. Beggars can't be choosers, but we all want something quite special.
- The current sound system could do with an additional sound desk, as old bessie will be put out of action at some point. We would also benefit from additional bass/tops. Let us know if you have a line on a sweet deal or a lend. Thanks to all who have offered gear so far.
More Buff Lore: The Shah’s Bar
What do Bob Hawke, the Shah of Iran, and the Fremantle Buffalo Club have in common? Officially, nothing. But Buff lore is shaped by history, and history—well, sometimes it has gaps.
Let’s rewind to the 1980s. Australia had just snatched victory in the America’s Cup, ending 132 years of US dominance. The whole country erupted in celebration, and Bob Hawke famously declared, “Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum.” Fremantle, now the centre of the sailing world, played host to the 1987 Cup defense, attracting high-profile visitors from across the globe.
One of those visitors, so the story goes, was the Shah of Iran. Overthrown and living in exile, he had developed a taste for acquiring cultural artifacts. While in Fremantle, he reportedly bought an entire shed full of goods—including a bar once belonging to the Trades and Labour Council, the founding body of what is now UnionsWA.
But after the America’s Cup wrapped up, the Shah left town without his haul. Enter the Buffalo Club. Seizing the opportunity, a few quick-thinking members salvaged the bar, lugged it upstairs, and installed it in the social hall, where it still stands today.
Great story, right? The only catch? The Shah of Iran had been dead for seven years by then. So, who was the mysterious buyer? His son? A rogue oil tycoon? All a Fremantle fever dream?
If you know the truth behind the tale, help us settle the debate. Contact the Buffalo Club’s History Sub-Committee at daniel.elias@nd.edu.au to set the record straight.
Committee
Good news, Buffaloes— Aside from the occasional wedding, the upper floor balcony is now open to all members and their guests!
Settle in with a cold beer, light up a dart, and soak in the ever-entertaining theatre of High Street as it rolls by beneath you. It’s a serious upgrade from the back laneway, which we have been instructed not to use going forwards.
For reasons related to licensing and managing sound in the venue, the back door is now an emergency exit only. So, if you’re heading out for a smoke, do it in style—up on the balcony where the air is fine.
On the rare occasion the balcony is filled with newly weds, please use the area common to all, that most excellent High Street.
VOLUNTEERING
Our volunteers are the backbone of the Club. They bring great energy, help us stay financially sustainable, and make it possible to do things that commercial pubs simply can’t.
If you would like to get more involved in the Club, here’s how to get started:
- Become a member of the Club. Membership is $50 for standard members and $30 for concession members. Membership can be obtained at the following link: https://www.freobuffclub.org/membership
- Join our WhatsApp group to stay updated: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KpH3i91AYRc49DzOgDx5We
- Come to a Volunteer Meet-Up Day:
- These happen on the third Sunday of every month at 11 AM in the upper hall.
- Sometimes, these meet-ups double as busy-bees.
- You’ll meet the Committee and other volunteers, and we’ll learn about your skills and how you’d like to contribute.
No matter your skills or interests, you can contribute to the success of our wonderful Club. Whether you’re handy with tools, a social media whiz, a history buff, or a great event planner, your contributions will help keep the Club thriving.
Upcoming events
Wow! This month is packed tighter than a bison in a phone booth. Mark your calendars, round up your fellow Buffaloes, and get down to the Club.
- MAR 6 - Our resident fortnightly Film Club screens the "Over The Fence" comedy festival upstairs, as downstairs our resident cowboy Woody Campfire serenades us with his monthly sing-songin' Bonfire Night.
- MAR 7 - Weirrittblak bring a passionate fusion of Indigenous culture and rock'n'roll to the Buff, alongside friends Yellowstone and Pipeline.
- MAR 8 & MAR 9 - An absolutely MASSIVE two-nighter as folk-punk songwriter and cherished comic artist Jeffrey Lewis hits the Buff all the way from the city that never sleeps, alongside the darling Andy Burns 🔥. No pun intended with the fire.
- MAR 11 - IMAGINALIA - Step into the cinematic world of Juan - The Buffalo Club's own David Stratton (of Margaret and David fame).
- MAR 12 - Pool & Coin: Is this your cue to enter?
- MAR 13 - The very special, VERY LAST, ROOM FULL OF FEELINGS! Come say your fond farewells to our little monthly exchange of art and poetry, shed a warm tear if you have to; give it a sweet goodnight for us.
- MAR 15 - Changing tune completely with the mammoth Clubb Medd. The night that REALLY puts the "club" in the Buffalo. Pack the room with electricity and diphenyl oxalate.
- MAR 20 - Upstairs, our Film Club returns for a screening of Pretty As A Picture, in memorial a documentary exploring the behind-the-scenes of the late David Lynch's early films. Downstairs, another instalment of Modulations - wicked night of electronic goodness.
- MAR 21 - The killer Los Removalists rock the upstairs while Dizzy Planet celebrate a launch of alt-grunge mania.
- MAR 22 - The start of ANOTHER massive two-nighter as the indisputable icons Peep Tempel, Last Quokka and Grub shake the upstairs, and the hardcore alt-rockers Ivory Dusk infiltrate the downstairs with Heaven//Alone, Broken Hymns and Osiris Lights.
- MAR 23 - The above refuse to stop rocking.
- Mar 25 - IMAGINALIA - Juance again.
- MAR 28 - Toxic Dada come and kill it upstairs as Get Loose bring the funk to the down.
- MAR 29 - You know 'em, you love em, Fishies deliver your monthly hit of Reggae 🤙
- MAR 30 - Finally, Whiskey Business put a nice tie on March.
And that's the end of the start of another non-leap year. As always, a shout out to our regular events:
- MON: Yoga & Comedy.
- TUE: Portraiture, Life Drawing & Casual Choir.
- WED: Yoga
- THU: Free Community Meal.
- SUN: Pink Ladies+ Darts Club
See you at the Club, Buffaloes. May your shots be straight, your beers be tasty, and your High Street people-watching be top-tier.