Life Members

R.S.Bolton (dec)

Ron Bolton joined the Harlequin Club in 1929 and was a great asset to the club on the playing field as a talented back row forward playing for the Harlequins and Victoria until 1934, when he retired for business reasons. When the Club reformed after the 2nd World War in 1947 Ron was Vice President and in 1948 took over the Presidency, which he held until 1959. He instigated the famous "Jersey Match" in 1948 between the Melbourne and Hobart Harlequins, which is still played for 55 years later. He maintained a wonderful diary/scrapbook of the club from 1928 to 1980.

C.J.A.Moses (dec)

A foundation member of the Harlequin Club Charlie Moses was a dynamic player for the Harlequins and Victoria. As captain he lead by example, and his public persona as an ABC broadcaster and later General Manager helped put the Club on the map in the early years. He was an enthusiastic participant in the Golden Jubilee celebrations in 1979 and gave a keynote speech at the Jubilee Dinner at the National Gallery of Victoria on 30th June.

D.J.S.Brewin (dec)

Daniel Brewin was a founder member of the club, who led the cricket section in the early days when it was bigger than the rugby section.

G.L.Vance (dec)

W.H. Baldwin (dec)

Harry Baldwin, together with Ron Bolton, was one of those club stalwarts to revive the club after the second world war and was made a life member in 1955. He joined Quins in 1933, played as both captain and vice captain, and was club president in 1939, the year he also played for Victoria. Two of his brothers also played for the Quins; one was killed at Tobruk. After the war he was Treasurer and Secretary for fourteen years and held various other Rugby committee posts until his death in 1963. His archive of photographs and documents is now part of the Harlequins' archive. Many of the early pictures on the clubroom walls belonged to Harry Baldwin.

W.J.Christie (dec)

W.J. (Bill) Christie was a prominent referee of the Victorian Rugby Union from 1930 to 1939 and joined the Harlequin Club in 1931, having been introduced by Beau (of race-horse fame) Havre. Despite his refereeing duties he was a strong supporter of the Club’s social activities before the Second World War. He returned to the Club in 1946 after distinguished military service, retiring as a colonel in the Royal Artillery and was elected President which role he held until Ron Bolton succeeded him in 1948. His leadership role in restarting the Club was important in ensuring The Harlequins did re-emerge. He died 3rd December 1978 after some years of poor health. 

H.M. (Max) Penwill (dec)

Max Penwill's father Bert was the Victorian Rugby Union official, who attended that historic meeting in 1928 when the decision to found the Harlequin Club was made. Max’s enthusiastic adoption of the Harlequin cause led him to become a great servant of the Harlequins on and off the pitch. He was a committee member for many years in a variety of roles.

H.Nelson

Harry Nelson was a pillar of the club in the early years, having joined in 193?

D.J.G.Strang (dec)

Don Strang joined the Harlequin club in 1939, played in 1939 and part of 1940 before the Club went into recession for the war years. He returned as soon as the Club started to play again in 1948 and was a real stalwart. He supported Club members through the family stevedoring business and supplied the after match “dozen”, whose raffle was the major fund raising tool in the 50’s. He made a generous bequest to the Club, which helped fund the building of our club house, named the “D.J.Strang Pavilion” in his honour. He also provided the “D.J.Strang Trophy” to the VRU for its annual sevens tournament.

A.D.Gale (dec)

R.I.Stone (dec)

Rodney Stone joined the Club shortly after arriving in Melbourne from England. An accomplished oarsman he joined Mercantile, where he met Ron Bolton, and was lured into the Harlequins. Extroverted and opinionated, he made a great Harlequin delegate to the VRU.  He was a passionate supporter of the Club and believed firmly we needed our own ground. Due to his unceasing efforts as President this became a reality in 1967 with the purchase and development of Harlequin Park, Glasscocks Lane in Dandenong. The subsequent profitable sale of Dandenong Park enabled the Club to consider and achieve its later goal of a top class clubhouse within metropolitan Melbourne.

J.Blackie

Jim Blackie joined the Club in 1969 and was an enthusiastic wing-forward, who specialised in playing permanently in front of the gain-line, much to the annoyance and frustration of the opposition. He played all grades until his 40th year, after which he became Club Captain from 1984 to 1987 and President from 1988 to 1990. He has been “Fines Master” for the Saturday Lunch Club and Chairman of the Friday Lunch Club. Jim does enjoy a lunch! His greatest contribution to the Club has been his ability to motivate playing and non-playing members to contribute to the Club and to maintain contacts and relationships between all Harlequins. In addition his creative abilities as a designer have been regularly used by the club in many areas.

D.B.Bray

David Bray joined the Harlequin Club in 1968 and was a useful scrum half and flanker. In the early seventies he played for the successful Sevens teams which twice won the Victorian and ACT  Championships.  When his active playing career ceased he coached the Colts and First Grade. Off the field he was a long-term committee member and has organised the Friday and Saturday Lunch Clubs, which have been a feature of the club. He was an important part of the committee, which ran the successful bingo fund raising campaigns and later supervised the acquisition of equipment for the club-house. More recently he has re-activated the Harlequin Golf Club. Noted tourist in his playing days, with a repertoire of fine rugby songs, which he performs with great distinction.

J.Brentnall

John Brentnall joined the Harlequin Club in 1967 as a fearsome prop/second rower. He had been an Australian wrestling champion and always trained in all conditions bare-chested. He played all grades from 1967 to 1983 and became 1st Grade Masseur from 1984 onwards. So good a massuer in fact,  that in 1990 he was appointed to the State Team and also looked after many touring side including the All Blacks, France and the British and Irish Lions. John still looks after our first team and  plays one game per season.

R.J.Carter

Dick Carter joined the Harlequin Club in 1971 as a player, one of the many BHP executives who found his way to Glen Iris in the 60's and 70's. Dick's leadership skills were quickly recognised and he was Hon, Secretary and President 1978 to 1981. During his Presidency we celebrated our 50th anniversary in some style and committed the Club to owning its own Clubrooms. His business skills were invaluable during the interminable discussions with the Stonnington and Monash Councils about new premises for the club. Dick’s Wife, Heather was a prominent member of the Ladies Committee in the 70’s, and his son, Neil played for and later successfully coached the first and second teams.

A.Corp

Andy Corp joined the Harlequin Club in 1967 as a player and was a regular first grade member until the early 70's. He has made his mark on the club as committee member, bingo organiser, supplier of on-field and off-field clothing. He was a member of the 1979 “world’s longest try” team and has started and organised the Harlequin dartologists. He was responsible for the design and installation of the bar at Ashwood. Unfailingly positive, creative and loyal he has been a real Club backbone. Like David Bray a noted tourist, whose “yard of ale” exploits are legendary.

C.Grieve

Charlie Grieve joined the Harlequin Club in 1971 and became an outstanding Second Row Forward at club and State level. He was President from 1988 to 1990 and Club Captain from 1984 to 1987. Has worked tirelessly to maintain relationships between players and the committee and supporters. When his son, Thomas played for the juniors Charlie organised the fund-raising and continues to do so. Researched and wrote the 1980’s chapter of this history.

S.A.W.Gyles

Stan Gyles has been a mover and shaker at the Harlequin Club during his two stints, 1966-1969 and 1974 to date. Secretary in the late 70’s and President from 1987-1990 his most important contribution to the Club was his push to secure our own clubhouse. He masterminded the fund raising through Harlequin Bingo and then headed the committee, which project managed the development of Ashwood as our headquarters with our own Clubhouse-the only Rugby Club in Melbourne to do so. Stan has coached Harlequin juniors and continues to run the influential Saturday Lunch Club.

C.A.James (dec)

Tony James joined the Club in 1953 as keen player in the second or back row. With a biting wit and strong opinions Tony was often controversial and not universally popular, but he was a very effective committee member and President from 1968 to 1970 and Secretary after his return to Melbourne from Queensland. Tony initiated a number of events/practices which made the Club what it is today.

Tireless worker for the Club over many years.

E.K.Jones

Keith Jones has done everything in our club. Premiership player in 1962 and team secretary in the early 70’s. Elected President in 1970, he brought modern business practices into the club. Coached junior and colts sides with great success. Tour Manager to New Zealand,  Friday Lunch Club Chairman for many years and 50th Anniversary Coordinator in 1978/79.

A.Low

Joined 1971 as an aggressive back row forward. Allan Low served the club faithfully as a seniors and juniors coach.  President from 1996 to 1999 where he not only did much of the hard work himself. Passionate club supporter.

J.M.Penwill

John Penwill, member of the Penwill clan, joined in the fifties and played at all levels for the club, including the 1962 premiers. V.R.U. Solicitor

M.J.Plumbridge (dec)

Archetypal Harlequin character with “tally-ho” calls during matches. Mike Plumbridge played at all levels in club and was President, Hon Secretary and committee member for many years. Also ran the cricket section for many years. Contributed to making the Harlequin Club what it is.

C.Rowlinson (dec)

Colin Rowlinson has been a major influence in the club. His wit and charm have made him universally popular, while his many years as a committee member including President have contributed to the club’s success. The VRU’S longest serving President from 1979 to 1991 and a Vice President of the ARU. His building industry knowledge proved invaluable to the club during the building of the clubhouse.

S.Shaw

Stan Shaw joined the club in the early sixties and played five-eight in the 1962 premiership side. He coached many sides from colts to first team. Generous fund-raiser for the new clubhouse in the eighties and important member of clubhouse committee.

R.Wilkinson (dec)

Reg Wilkinson joined the club in 1952 and was captain of the 1955 Premiership team, also captained second grade premiers. Played on at all levels until the early 70’s. Made a glorious return to competition in the Harlequins dart team in 2000. Notorious for the sharpness of his wit, was always great value on tour.

M.Bull

Everything Mike Bull has done for the club (and he has done everything) has been done with dedication. First team prop, first team coach, President, Secretary of the Senior Club, Chair of Youth Rugby and member of the Harlequin darts team.

M.Brooker

Mary Brooker has been associated with the club for more than 20 years through her late husband Don, a former President and her son Phillip, who has played junior and senior rugby for the club. Mary has run the catering on training and all playing days at Ashwood, which has not only made money but has

P.Bolton

Played in the original harlequin juniors in 1956 and went on to play at every level in the club winning a premiership and numerous sevens tournaments. Victoria’s most capped player with 99 appearances for the State, including games against the Lions, South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland and France. Wallaby trialist. Committee member, fund-raiser, President of the club and long-time quintessential Harlequin

A Campbell

Joined the club in 1973, played all grades as a wing or breakaway. Club’s most successful coach with 7 premierships.

R. Capener

Roy joined the club when his son Paul started playing in the juniors. Was a key committee member in the juniors in the 80’s. Tireless worker around the club, who built many of the cupboards and cabinets in the bar and canteen. In the 2000’s took over registrar position. Also supported the darts team.