In 2012 a small group of business and community leaders met in Frankston to consider ways of improving the image of the local district.
Convened by Alan Wickes, a former Captain Coach of the Frankston Dolphins (and Collingwood player), this group of activists were concerned at the way that Frankston was being disparaged in the media (especially by John “Sam” Newman on the Footy Show), had problems with drugs, youth unemployment and a struggling local side in the Victorian Football League.
After several discussions and follow up meetings the “Proudly Frankston Campaign” was launched.
Major aims were to provide opportunities for younger people, rejuvenate Frankston and showcase its many fine features and support the local VFL team, Frankston.
A sub-committee was established to support the local hospitality industry and provide a forum for lovers of wine and food to come together.
Based on the Melbourne Cricket Club’s Longroom Wine & Food Society (MCCW&FS), the Frankston Wine & Food Society was established towards the end of 2012. Stuart Stockdale from the MCCW&FS has acted as a mentor and attended many of the Frankston Society functions.
In late 2012 I was walking past the former Café on the Mount in Mt Eliza when I ran into a group of four people having coffee – Alan Wickes, Max Butler (with whom I went to school), Rob Thurley (the former Group General Manager of Audit at NAB with whom I had worked) and long time Frankston identity, Kevin Johnson.
Naturally, I stopped for a chat and the four explained the concept of the Wine & Food Society with Kevin as the President and Max & Rob making up the Committee while Alan would concentrate on Proudly Frankston.
Excited and impressed with the concept I handed over $20 to become the first non-Committee member.
In March 2013, the Society held its first function at the Frankston Football Ground with well-known Peninsula winemaker Kathleen Quealy as the guest speaker. An attendee at the lunch was Kathleen’s 90-year father, Kevin, a retired nuclear scientist from Sydney.
From 2013 onwards the Society organised four quarterly seasonal events, usually lunches with the occasional dinner. Each time there is a celebrity chef and noted wine maker who match the food and wine and provide members with an informative and first class dining experience.
Each year a Christmas Party is held for members with each person in attendance receiving several drinks, canapés and a bottle of wine.
In March this year, just before the COVID-19 restrictions, we held our 29th seasonal lunch at Barn & Co, Balnarring.
Over the last eight years some of the many venues holding Society events have included Licciardos at Manyung, The Rocks Mornington, Port Phillip Estate, Rare Hare at Jackalope, Stillwater at Crittenden, the Long Table at Red Hill, The Ranelagh Club, The Deck at Frankston, Max’s Red Hill, McClelland Gallery, Wilson’s Wine Cellar Mornington, The Frankston International, The Boathouse, The Merricks General Store and One Pear Tree, Frankston. A number of these venues have been visited more than once.
At these events members have heard from a plethora of outstanding wine makers including from Dromana Estate, Pizzini, Saltram, Scorpo, Redman, Bailey, Willow Creek, Kerri Greens, Garagiste, Elgee Park, Port Phillip Estate, d’Arenberg, Winburndale - Bathurst, Massoni, Crittenden Estate, Bests, Penfolds and Red Hill Estate. Events with an international flavour have included wines from South America, Europe and New Zealand.
From 2013 to 2017 an annual “Long Lazy Lunch” was organised by Proudly Frankston with well over 400 people in attendance and music provided by James Morrison and the Frankston High School Band. The first two lunches were held on the oval at the Frankston Football Ground, the third right down the shopping strip length of Wells Street in Frankston and the fourth at the Mornington Racing Club.
In 2019 the Proudly Frankston Campaign had run its course and, in a reverse takeover, it merged with the Frankston Wine & Food Society, with the Society inheriting all of the previous parent organisation’s operations.
Last year, the Society also introduced an “Old Bottle” night. Held at the Frankston International in June. Each couple brought along an old bottle of wine, which was then tasted in small quantities by the 32 people in attendance.
The former Chief Winemaker at Taltarni, Loic Le Calvez, now a well known wine judge and industry consultant blind tasted all of the wines and announced the wine of the evening, which was a 1994 Redman Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon (brought along by Max Butler and his wife Helen).
The organisation is now run by a Board of eight directors – two originals in Kevin Johnson and Max Butler together with Tony Bracy, Pamela Wilson, Sue Droscher, Peter Darbyshire, Brendan Collins and me. I was elected President at the AGM in December 2019.
For 2020, the Society had decided to continue holding the four seasonal events, Christmas Party and two other events – a 2020 version of the “Old Bottle Night” and a “Fortified Wine” Dinner with world-renowned Muscat maker, David Morris from Rutherglen.
As well, we planned to strengthen the organisation by providing a more strategic focus and supporting a local charity and community and educational groups.
The best-laid plans go astray….
Due to COVID-19 we have had to put all activities on hold. At present we are hoping to hold a function in late September, however we are still waiting clearance from the health authorities.
Having said that, the Society has continued to provide some value and opportunities for members.
In particular, several months ago we were able to offer members:
- some outstanding “mystery” wines in cases of six for $50 per box.
- great deals where members are able to buy quality wines from leading wineries at significantly reduced prices.
- (While confidential at this stage), the chance to purchase high quality wine glasses at less than 40% of the retail price.
Membership of the Society is open to all. While we have a notional limit of 100, we currently have some 70 members.
The cost of the seasonal events and dinners varies however as a general rule the price is between $80 and $90 with members receiving a $20 discount.
While non-members may attend as guests of a member, they must pay the full price. Members have free access to the Christmas Party and with annual membership at $95; they can obtain full value and save money where they take up members’ only offers.
As a result of our reduced activity this year, the Board recently took a decision to extend all current memberships from 31 December this year to 30 June 2021.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 makes it crucial that we support the industry going forward, especially locally on the Mornington Peninsula. Local wineries and restaurants are all small businesses providing employment and underpinning the local economy.
The Society is a great place to have fun, learn about food and wine, meet people and enjoy fine dining. I look forward to the Society returning to normal operations in 2021.
