The UpFront Club: Retaining the Name
by Ruth Parnell

Co-op Board members at their meeting on 21 August considered a number of submissions on the possible renaming of The UpFront Club. If these were any guide (which they were), then there was majority support for keeping the name as it is. This is just as well: could we really live with Al's Bar and Grill (as proposed by John Ford, formerly of Maleny Credit Union), Harrington’s on Maple (courtesy of masseur Mark O'Brien) or the Maleny Surf Club (courtesy of yours truly, in acknowledgement of all those who've relocated to higher ground to escape a huge wave that's going to hit the east coast of Australia one of these days)?

Forty members responded to the renaming challenge, including 30 who signed petitions. Two people liked the name "The Club", three others had different suggestions and 35 wanted no change. With permission, we reproduce feedback from a few founding members...

Paul Lawler and Richenda Bridge had this to say towards their "Save the Name" campaign (Paul was a director of the Club from 1994 to 2000, is a former manager, and since 2001 has co-hosted the monthly folk night together with Richenda, a long-time volunteer up until 2000):

"We both believe that the original name, 'The UpFront Club', should be kept. After 12 years, this 'brand name' is now very well known in Australia, especially in musical circles, and is even known overseas via the backpack community and other travellers (and also via Richenda's copious Internet folkie advertising!). 'UpFront' says we're out there doing it; it's strong; we have the strength to survive, come what may. The whole world has gone kowtowing to the ultra-conservative right. This is not the time to wimp-out!"

Carmel Givens, founding member no. 2, volunteer server, plate packer-upper and self-declared underwater panel beater, proclaimed:

"When the Club was named 'The UpFront Club', it had a different connotation to me then. I was present at the naming meeting. I had actually voted for 'The Club'...but now, after the past history of being on the brink of closure a few times and having monstrous hurdles to jump, and seeing the number of people who supported and propped her up in adverse times because we couldn’t stand not to have her here, I think the name 'UpFront' stands for a special place with special members in a special town.

"Many towns have their 'the Club' and we will affectionately call ours 'the Club' – but I think her real name should stay 'The UpFront Club'."

Ridley Kennedy, a former director, volunteer and much-loved local oracle, noted:

"In my Australian dictionary, 'upfront' means 'open' and 'frank'. In my US dictionary, 'upfront' means 'forthright'. I am happy being affiliated with an organisation that has those values. I prefer retaining the name 'The UpFront Club', keeping in mind it was originally named that as a physical location, and that following relocation down the back it would be appropriately renamed if so desired. The name 'The Club' is often used to refer to exclusive, conservative clubs.

"Another plus for retaining the name 'UpFront' is that it is widely recognised by both patrons and musicians."

So, with a Co-op Board that listens to its members, we're keeping hold of the name that was so fatefully decided back in 1994. Long may The UpFront Club be a beacon of light for our community.

[From "Maple Street Co-op News", October/November 2006; published by The Maple Street Co-operative Society Ltd, 37 Maple Street, Maleny, Qld 4552, Australia, tel (07) 5494 2088, email maplest.co-op@serv.net.au,
website http://www.maplestreetco-op.com.au]