The Rosebud Country Club Story
To understand the beginnings of Rosebud Country Club, we must return to 1951, when a decision was made to establish a golf course in Rosebud. With financial support from the Flinders Shire Council and the hard work of its members, who provided both labour and equipment, the nine-hole Rosebud Park Golf Course was completed and officially opened in 1956 by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Dallas Brooks.
However, as the course was located on Crown Land, members were unable to enjoy full privileges, particularly on weekends and during holidays, when large numbers of public players caused long delays and congestion. Frustration grew, and many members began to dream of establishing their own private course.
Local real estate agent Des Rutter approached fellow members Charles Coleman and Fred Bishop, asking whether the Club could finance the purchase of suitable land should he find it. They agreed it was worth exploring. Not all members supported the idea, with some loyal to Rosebud Park and others doubting the feasibility of securing the land, money, and support needed. Then, in a stroke of remarkable luck, a promising site emerged just down the hill on Boneo Road. The land, 621 acres of cleared and uncleared scrub, the remnants of a pine forest destroyed by fire in 1959—was owned by Forestry Pulp and Paper Pty Ltd, who had purchased it in 1938.
At a “stormy” meeting in March 1962, members authorised Rutter, Coleman, Tom Maw, and Bishop to negotiate with the company. Shortly after, on 13 March 1962, the Club resolved to purchase 184 acres for £47,000 on exceptionally generous terms: a £2,000 deposit, no interest, no payments for six years, and the balance over the following ten years.
On 25 November 1962, the group officially formed a new entity, taking over the assets and liabilities of Rosebud Park Golf Club and naming it Rosebud Country Club. Seventeen members attended that historic meeting, which also established that the Club’s Annual General Meeting would be held each November.
In his 2012 book Out of the Rough, author Bill Hitchings captured the spirit of this period: “Having the land was one thing; transforming it called for fifty years of planning, negotiating, persuading experts in a variety of skills to help, either out of the goodness of their hearts or at reduced fees, buying new land to expand from 18 holes to 36, and overcoming a multitude of hurdles.”
The first nine holes opened in February 1964, with the full 18-hole course officially opened by Club President Tom Maw on 20 March 1965.
The original clubhouse from Rosebud Park was relocated to the new site, but between April and May 1965, a kerosene-powered refrigerator malfunctioned and destroyed the building and all its contents. A temporary corrugated iron structure,30 feet by 12 feet, was quickly erected and served as the clubhouse.
In February 1974, the Club purchased 89 additional acres for $1,000 per acre to build the second 18-hole course. A second clubhouse opened in October 1966, but as membership grew, it was soon deemed too small. It was later demolished to make way for the current clubhouse, constructed at a cost of $2 million and officially opened in 1999.
Incorporated in November 1962, Rosebud Country Club has grown into one of the most successful and respected clubs on the Mornington Peninsula. With 36 holes of championship golf, thriving men’s and women’s memberships, and a highly regarded bowls club, the Club stands as a testament to the vision, generosity, and dedication of its founding members.
More than 60 years on, their spirit continues to define the Club’s inclusive culture, strong community values, and ongoing commitment to excellence both on and off the course.
For further reading:
- Out of the Rough: The Story of the Rosebud Country Club 1962–2012 by Bill Hitchings
- Bogeys and Birdies: The Making of the Rosebud Country Club by Charles R. Coleman (1967)
