The Kevin Perrin Era, 1964 - current
Editor’s Note — Bas van Riel:
Read the full 2020 Courier article here... open image
In the mid‑1960s, a fresh group of energetic chess enthusiasts, led by new President Andy Miitel, reconstituted the Ballarat Chess Club and separated it from the Mechanics Institute, although they did return in later years. The founding meeting of the current Ballarat Chess Club occurred on 1 October 1964. It was held in the home of the first president, life‑member Andy Miitel. For several years, Andy’s house served as the venue for weekly club evenings, for which he received the princely sum of £4 for the wood needed for heating.
Following are the minutes of the first meeting of the Ballarat Chess Club in 1964, marking the revitalisation of the club and the beginning of a new chapter in its history — the Kevin Perrin Era. Notable among those present at this meeting were S. Jacobs, father of Rod Jacobs (a recent life member of the club). Rod joined the club in 1967. Don Maciulaitis left Ballarat for Melbourne two years later, becoming one of the stalwarts of the Melbourne chess scene, primarily as an administrator.
1 October, 1964 – Minutes of General Meeting held at 7 Urquhart Street, Ballarat
Present were: J. Brown, A. Cimera, C. Crompton, J. Cook, L. Gunn, J. Holmes, S. Jacobs, D. Lee, A. Miitel, D. Maciulaitis, A. McPherson, A. Solomon, I. Sharp, Mrs. L. Taube, G. Williams, C. Holmes.
Mr. Miitel was chosen as chairman and the meeting proceeded under his direction. The following office-bearers were elected: President – A. Miitel; Vice President – J. Cook; Secretary – J. Holmes; Assistant Secretary – C. Crompton; Treasurer – D. Maciulaitis. Election of Captain and Vice Captain was deferred to the next general meeting.
A set of rules were drawn up and adopted by the members as the official rules of the club. These were to be typed and displayed on a notice board together with a list of the club’s office-bearers. Mr. Maciulaitis to attend.
Now that the club was established with elected office bearers and a set of rules, the representatives of the old club, Messrs. Gunn, Cook and Crompton, officially handed over the assets of that club. These included 6 chess sets, 6 boards, 3 clocks and a number of chess books. Mr. Cook promised to bring a cupboard to store these items. Bank balance of £11.1.-. and cash 1.9.9. was also handed over.
It was decided that the name of the club should remain “The Ballarat Chess Club” and would in actual fact be a continuation of the old club which had gone into recess in 1962. The president, Mr. Miitel, thanked the officials of the old club for the chess sets etc. and said that they would be a great start to the young club. Mr. Gunn replied that he was very pleased to see a chess club in existence again in Ballarat and wished it every success. Mr. Cook and Mr. Crompton endorsed his comments.
It was decided that the annual subscription was to be 5/- per adult member and 2/- per junior member. A playing fee of 2/- per adult member per night was to be paid to the Treasurer. Members who were attending schools were to be exempt from this fee.
Every member was asked to enquire of a room suitable for use as a club room and a decision to rent one was deferred to a later meeting. In the meantime Mr. Miitel offered his home for use as a club-room. In a vote of thanks, Mr. Cook proposed that the club pay Mr. Miitel £4 to pay for wood used during club nights. This was accepted.
It was decided that meetings of the club were to be held on Thursday nights. It was decided to purchase a quantity of score-books and score-sheets together with one dozen Chess Made Easy booklets to encourage learners. Mr. Cook said he would attend. It was decided that advertisements were to be placed in the Ballarat Courier to attract more members. Mr. J. Holmes to attend. It was decided to have the clocks overhauled as they have been inactive for quite a time. Mr. Maciulaitis to attend.
As there was no other business, the meeting was closed and the date of the next general meeting was fixed at the 1st Thursday of March 1965.
Editor’s Note — RL: 4 March 1965 - Annual Meeting
The meeting was obviously held as planned; here is the club Balance Sheet. ( £33 is about $1200 in the 2020s)
Notices from Club Meetings over 1964 and 1965
19th November 1964 - Club Meeting held .
Members present: Andy Miitel, John Ooi, Frank Brown, Arthur Solomon, Don Macuilaitis, John Holmes.
It was decided that one more advertisement would be placed in the paper before Christmas. After Christmas a concentrated effort would be made to attract members.
No reply yet from the Castlemaine Club.
J. Holmes, Secretary.
Editor’s Note — RL: John Holmes had a tournament named after him which ran from 2004 to 2010: The John Holmes Memorial. He was tragically killed at a young age in 1970 in a car accident.
4 February 1965 - Club Meeting held .
12 Members present, including Rodney Jacobs. A lightning tournament was held for the evening, this being won by Andy Miitel.
11 February 1965 - Club Meeting held .
13 members present. First evening of Swiss tournament.
Editor’s Note — RL: 27 October 1965 - Correspondence with Warrnambool Chess Club
Warrnambool Chess Club was one of the active regional clubs in Victoria.
9 May 1966. Young chess champions.
Championship trophies of the Ballarat Junior Chess club were presented during the weekend. Mr. L. M. Gunn is seen giving the trophies to the successful players. He is shaking hands with Arthur Koelle, under 14 champion. Standing alongside are Richard Holz, under 12 champion, and in the forefront Brian Ham, under 10 champion. Other members of the club watch the proceedings.