The first plans to establish what is now the Carpentaria Buffalo Club, or the Buffs Club as we are most commonly known as, started in 1955 when the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes Lodge was looking to start a social club. Lodge members had been meeting on this site since the early 1930’s and the first bar, which is now the Billabong Lounge Bar, was opened in 1956. The deeds for the land were handed over by Mount Isa Lodge 26 on the condition that provision was made for the lodges to meet. The Club officially became the officially became the Carpentaria Buffalo Club in 1959 when it got a full liquor license.
During the next six years, the Club got bigger and the area, which is now Bluetongues Sports Bar, was added in 1962. For many years the Club was opened to men only with women invited once a month on a Sunday afternoon.
Further developments were made in 1982 when the bottle shop, administration offices and the upstairs lodge room were added.
In the early 1980’s the lodges amalgamated and today there is one combined minor lodge and three-degree lodges in the City. An average of about 25 people attend the fortnightly meetings but it is believed that there are more than 300 people who have attended lodge meetings at some time in the past. The Lodge raises money, which is donated to charities from proceeds from raffles held in the Club on Wednesday nights and additional funds raised through their fortnightly meetings.
On the 11th April 1991 the Club was incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Qld) and became the Carpentaria Buffalo Club Mount Isa Inc. As an incorporated association the Club has, in the exercise of its affairs, all the powers of an individual and is legally able to do things in its own name. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) administers the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Qld) and monitors our Club to ensure we comply with the provisions of the Act and Regulations.
On the 28th of March 1992 the Club became the first sight in Mount Isa and the 79th in the state to have gaming machines. From this day the Club began its rapid growth.
In 1998 the Club expanded to include the coffee shop, new gaming lounge housing up to 100 gaming machines, new administration and a new entrance to the Club incorporating greenery and water features. The success of this expansion saw the Club win the Best Club Redevelopment for Queensland and Best Club North Queensland at the 1999 Clubs Queensland achievement awards. As a result of this extension our member ship base increased from 4500 to 9000 within 12 months and was the catalyst behind the Club going from a mostly male member ship base to roughly a 50 – 50 male to female number. Today we have roughly 15,000 members.
In August 2003 the Club under went a $4.4 million extension, which was officially opened by the Honourable Bob Katter on the 14th August 2004. The main feature of this extension was the Frog & Toad Bar & Grill that offers indoor and alfresco dining facilities on the deck over looking landscaped gardens and a flowing water feature. The Club was once again recognised at the 2005 Clubs Queensland achievement awards winning the Best Redevelopment over $1 million for the state.
The success of these extensions changes to smoking laws and the growing confidence in the community lead to a further $2.4 million renovation, which was completed in November 2006. This renovation encompassed a brand new Sports Bar, known as “Bluetongues”. Bluetongues incorporated a brand new TAB and an outdoor smoking and drinking area. The former Sports Bar was converted into the “Billabong” Lounge Bar, which caters for functions, seminars, karaoke and bands and just a lounge area at other times.
The Club completed further renovations in mid April 2008 that encompassed:
Complete refurbishment of the bottle shop
Double lanes to service bottle shop
New deck off upstairs lodge/function room
13 person lift to service lodge/function room
New store room accessible by lift
In 2012 the gaming room was given a complete face-lift and an additional 15 machines were added bringing our gaming machine numbers up to 120.
The Club is well known locally and state wide and some of the Clubs achievements to date include:
Best Club North Queensland 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007 and 2009
Best Social Club Queensland 2006, 2008 and 2011
Best Keno Outlet Queensland 2008
Best Club Coffee Shop Queensland 2008
Best Community Service by a large Licensed Club Queensland 1995 and 2002
Best Responsible Gaming venue Queensland 2001
Best Redevelopment over $1 million Queensland 1999 and 2005
Isa Business Awards Best Tourism, Hospitality and Tourism Venue 2003 and 2004 and 2008
Isa Business Awards information and Technology Award 2005
Isa Business Awards 2006 inducted into the Hall of Fame
Northern Outback Business Awards 2010 – Business of the Year, Service Excellence and Corporate Citizen
Northern Outback Business Awards 2011 – Hall of Fame and Service Excellence
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