THE XLI Club
A Legacy of Camaraderie
We Stand For :
Support and Philanthropy in the Service of Law Enforcement, Defence Services and Emergency Services
About
History of the Club
The XLI Club was first formed in 1968. At the time Bill Crowley, a Police Inspector and Secretary of the Police Association, was in the habit of going out for lunch once or twice a month with several honorary members of the Police Association Club situated at 41 to 45 McKenzie Street alongside Russell Street Police Headquarters. At one of these lunches it was decided to form their own club with a monthly luncheon at the Police Club.
Our Patron
Chief ComMISSIONER MIKE BUSH CNZM
Mike Bush commenced his term as the 24th Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police on 27 June 2025.
Mike comes to Victoria Police having served as the Commissioner of New Zealand Police from 2014 to 2020 and with more than forty years of policing and corporate experience.
He joined New Zealand Police in 1978 and served with distinction in front line policing and investigative roles. He has been awarded the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit and New Zealand Special Service Tsunami Medal for his management and response work during the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami in Phuket, Thailand.
In April 2014, Mike was appointed as Commissioner of New Zealand Police. Leading 13,500 police and civilian staff, he oversaw the delivery of core policing functions.
During his tenure, Mike oversaw the modernisation of the police workforce by securing a 20% uplift in personnel and budget and enhanced diversity through ambitious recruitment targets.
Courtesy of Victoria Police Website
Our EXECUTIVE
Ms Barbara Poland
President
Barbara is a retired senior executive with a 40-year career in the Victorian Public Service – initially in the administration of state revenues followed by nearly 20 years in the Department of Premier & Cabinet in the facilitation of Executive Government decision-making and has extensive experience in leadership, governance and business administration.
Since retirement Barbara has been involved in volunteer work in the management of an amateur theatre company and provides support for education and social programs delivered by Dementia Australia.
Barbara was originally introduced to the Club as a guest by her late husband, John Poland who was a Vietnam veteran. Following John’s passing, Barbara became a member of the Club in 2021 and has been active in Club administration ever since. She joined the Committee in 2022 and was elected the Club’s first female president in 2025.
Mr Mick Willmott
Vice President
(Bio Pending)
Mr Robert CLEGG APM
Secretary
Our Secretary Robert (Bob) Clegg was born in Bairnsdale in 1951. Upon leaving school he undertook an apprenticeship as a cabinet maker and joiner in the 1960s.
In 1971 Bob joined Victoria Police, performing uniform duties (Russell Street, Greensborough, Independent Patrol Group and D24), and investigation duties, (Accident Appreciation Squad, and Internal Investigations Unit). Bob rose through Officer and Executive Command ranks, concluding his police career in 2016 as Commander / Chief of Staff to then Chief Commissioner Ken Lay.
During his career Bob undertook tertiary studies in Business Administration through Monash University in 1991 and received Highly Commended Citations and an Australian Police Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of 2003.
Bob now carries out contractual work on behalf of the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency and was a member of the Risk and Audit Committee of Greyhound Racing Victoria until 2026.
He joined the XLI Club in 2016, was Vice President from 2017 until 2021 when he took his current position of Secretary.
MR FRED HUMPHRIES FIPA FFA
TREASURER
Fred Humphries is the Treasurer and former President of the XLI Club.
Fred has worked as an accountant at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne for 25 years and prior to this he spent 23 years working in the Federal Public Service in Canberra.
As a young man, Fred played club rugby and cricket in Canberra. He still enjoys watching the ACT Brumbies and Aussie test cricket.
Mr Rod COLLINS APM OAM OStJ
Immediate Past President
Rod retired from Victoria Police in 2010 where he held many roles including being the Officer in Charge of the Homicide Squad for 7 years managing the investigation of more than 300 murders and later as the State Emergency Response Officer for 5 years which included a coordination role during the 2009 Black Saturday fires.
In 2013 he was inducted as a member of the XLI Club, and shortly after joining the committee he was elected Vice President, a position he held for around 8 years before taking on the role of President for 2.5 years.
Rod currently remains on the committee as the immediate Past President.
Upcoming Events
XLI CLUB 2026 JUNE LUNCH
The 2026 June Lunch is anticipated to be :-
The Tony Charton Community Service Award Luncheon
Members and guests are advised that we will return to William Angliss, 550 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne for this event.
Gallery
