Governance

History of the XLI 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. The name XLI Club was to depict the address of the Police Association
at 41 McKenzie Street.

At a foundation meeting at a Chinese restaurant in Carlton it was decided that the XLI
Club should initially have 41 members with guests invited to these lunches. The XLI
Club held its first luncheon on Thursday 6th May 1971 at the Police Association in 41–
45 McKenzie Street, Melbourne. The first lunch at the Police Club in McKenzie Street
was on the 1st August 1971.

The McKenzie Street venue remained until 1991 when
the Police Club/Association relocated to Franklin Street Melbourne. The XLI Club was
incorporated in November 1994 as the XLI Club Inc. The Club lunches have been
held at several venues since. Now held on the first Thursday of the Month, from
February to December at Angliss Restaurant 550 Little Lonsdale Street Melbourne.
When the Constables Tynan – Eyre murders occurred on the 11th October 1998, the
Club members promptly rallied and were the basis of the Tynan–Eyre Foundation.
This Foundation continues to the present day as the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon
Foundation which the XLI continues to support as well as other worthwhile causes.

Mission Statement

The XLI Club’s original statement was: “The XLI Club’s Mission Statement” – is a
gentlemen’s club of the highest standard which provides companionship, conviviality,
good humor and compassion to its members who are passionate and dedicated to
supporting police & emergency services throughout Australia. Female members are
now admitted as Club members.

With the passage of time and development of the XLI Club our Mission Statement has evolved and modified to reflect its curent inclusiveness. Present Statement :

The XLI Club’s Mission Statement is to provide companionship, conviviality, good humor and compassion

to its members who are passionate and dedicated to supporting police, defence & emergency services

throughout Australia.

Statement of Purpose

1. To bring together once a month a group of people for lunch, comprising:

1. 1. a) Business people
   2. b) Public Service Personnel
   3. c) Australian Federal Police
   4. d) Victoria Police
   5. e) Members of the Police Association Committee
   6. f) Sports people associated with the police

      g) Such other members of the public as deemed appropriate from time to time

2. To provide a forum for member exchange of information, entertainment and
awareness of current issues.

3. To foster support for law enforcement agencies and emergency services,
selected charities and other appropriate organisations and causes.

4. To conduct gatherings of members for goodwill and conviviality.
5. To do all things conducive to the well-being and sound management of the
incorporated body.

As of July 2026, the Club consists of over 170 members, The Club has the
Chief Commissioner as Patron, 35 retired police and 18 current serving police and
due to broadening appeal women are now active participants. There are 21 female
members, three are members of the Committee of 12.  The 2026 President is Barbara Poland.

Achievements

Club efforts in recent years have including raising almost $20,000 in support of the
Chief Commissioners/Police Association Head2Head Walk to raise funds for Police
Mental Health; donating two Soup Vans to St Vincent DePaul in the name of Tony
Warren (an outstanding Melbourne District Superintendent); and support provided to
the Police Peer Support Program. Police Legacy receives a $4500 donation to assist
legatees obtain accreditation in First Aid and members of Victoria Police receive a
grant, Police Community Service Awards to Officer(s) who have made a contribution
to the Community outside of their normal duties, and donations to Police Veterans
and other identified organisations as decided by the Committee.