Fonds AFC15 - Chiron Club fonds

The Chiron Club was formed in 1947 by a group of academics from the Faculty of Medicine, which was then located on South Street opposite Victoria Hospital, and a group from the University's main campus. There were initially fifteen members. It was believed that a common point of contact and informal communication was needed at the time and the Chiron Club was intended to serve this function.

Membership was limited to approximately 25 members, as the group could be no larger than could be accommodated in members' living rooms. During the Club's existence over forty academics were members at one time or another. When members temporarily left the Club, such as due to a sabbatical leave, they were “pasteurized” and were therefore able to return to the Club without having to be re-elected.

The Chiron Club met monthly from September to April. At the end of each meeting a Chairman and a Speaker were elected for the following meeting. Meetings were usually held at the home of the Chairman, who acted as host and provided refreshments. The Speaker would present a paper at the meeting for discussion by the other members. The papers and discussions were always lively, entertaining, and informative, especially as the membership spanned many fields and a remarkable range of experience. The meetings also provided an informal atmosphere for discussion of current issues in and around the University. As the University President, Dr. G. Edward Hall, was sometimes a guest at these meetings, it is likely that the Chiron's had some informal influence on policy and actions taken at the University. At the final regular meeting of the academic year, usually in March, the Secretary was elected for the coming academic year, usually chosen from among those absent from the meeting. The academic year usually concluded with an Annual Banquet held in April. The Banquet Committee was elected at a meeting several months earlier, again often composed of those absent from that particular meeting. The Annual Banquet provided an opportunity for such entertainment as singing, contests and skits. The Chiron Club served as a great social and intellectual outlet for some twenty years, ceasing activities in 1968. In many ways it also served as an informal precursor of the Faculty Association and the University Club.