Kawasaki Z Owners Club Needs a New Home
G’day Members, Your PreZ, Zoner here,
Well, it appears the kiss of death is upon yet another venue the Z Club frequents.
Many of us have heard some of the Chinese whispers about the longevity of the pub we currently meet at. The Commercial Club Hotel in Nicholson Street Fitzroy.
Well, they are true, it has been confirmed, THE Z OWNERS NEED A NEW HOME!
Our current pub’s lease expires in April 2026, and the publican Pat has had enough after 20 years and will not be continuing on. The building has been sold, and the new owner, Goumas Towing has confirmed they want the property as an investment heading into the future.
There is no clarity as to what that means for us, Site redevelopment? Refurbished pub? Expand the footprint of the workshop? Best ever panel shop smoko room? At this stage nobody knows, but whatever the plans are it doesn’t include the Z Club.
In short, we need a new venue ASAP.
Now for the last 33 years, traditionally we have meet in the CBD or inner surrounds of the city, but we have travelled as far as Footscray, Brunswick, South Melbourne, Richmond, Fairfield and Essendon Airport.
Firstly, to meet all the criteria of the last 30ish years as far as venues go, in 2025,
WE ARE NOT SPOILED FOR CHOICE!
The Club Criteria:
- Central for all metro members, with relative ease of access for all.
- Reasonable / legal bike parking near pub (Footpath parking etc.)
- Reasonable parking for cars.
- Willing to accept bike club. (pretty important)
- Big enough to accommodate a decent size general meeting up to 40 members.
- No charge to use the pub – (as they would have an expectation that most of us would buy food and drink)
- Allocated / private semiprivate meeting room.
- Decent food and drink at reasonable prices.
Back in the early 90’s when the club was in its infancy, when we outgrew a pub or venue, we simply moved on to the next one, in those days every city block had a pub that could or would accommodate us. Times have changed and that is no longer the case. Thus, it has become a huge task to find a pub or venue in or around the CBD that will support us.
This is where I NEED input from the members, especially those of you that live in or frequent the inner suburbs, and I need it soon! No rush, immediately will be fine!
If you know of a venue, pub or licensed Café that will open on a Tuesday or Wednesday night, that would be accepting of us, then let me or any committee member know ASAP so the committee can check it out.
FYI The committee has already been actively seeking new venues; we have one in mind that ticks all the boxes so far and another couple we will check out in due course.
While we still have a bit of breathing space, (unlike the Highway 31 incident where we arrived for the meeting to be greeted by locked doors). But we need to act on this sooner rather than later. Once we find a suitable venue, we need time to build a rapport with the venue management to ensure longevity for the club as best we can.
The next committee meeting is on:
TUESDAY October 7th at 6pm.
At The Clyde Hotel 385 Cardigan Street Carlton.
Club members are encouraged to come along to the committee meeting and asses the venue for themselves.
I have already checked this venue, and I believe it ticks all the boxes.
It is open 7 days a week so we can revert the meetings back to Tuesdays if people prefer. Wednesdays the venue is quite a lot busier so they would prefer a Tuesday (not set in concrete).
It has already been renovated - so little chance of being sold for redevelopment.
The food is good, and prices are reasonable. (They do $20 parmas on Tuesdays)
Come and check it out and give the committee your feedback.
If you don’t contribute, you can’t complain where we choose. We hope by having a change of venue we might see some new or old Zedies come along – would love to hear what people have to say.
ZONER
