The First Meeting
The first page of the first minute book, listing committee members and office bearers
Five committee members of the Union Benefit Society of 1839 were elected to the first committee of the Melbourne Mechanics' Institution and School of Arts: Joseph Anderson, John Caulfield, George Beaver, Patrick Mayne and Thomas Strode. In addition, the Committee of Management comprised doctors, lawyers, ministers of religion, and members of parliament. All committee members served as volunteers, a tradition that continues today.
Read about the prominent men of Melbourne, who formed the first committee of the Mechanics' Institution, in Anne Marsden's paper - Gentlement Versus Players: public squabbling over membership of the foundation committee of the Melbourne Mechanics' Institution.