About us
The idea was born in 1972. The friendships are still going.
Apex 40 Australia is a national fellowship for past Apexians, their partners and families.
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Who we are
Apex 40 Australia Inc is a national organisation for fellowship of past Apexians, their partners and families.
We're not a service club. We're a social organisation, built on friendship rather than fundraising, and we're non-political, non-sectarian and not-for-profit.
Our members live all around Australia, and we have strong connections with similar clubs in New Zealand, India and New Caledonia. When members holiday interstate, they often look up friends they made at a Rort. It's one big social club, and it brings whole families together.
Our purpose
- To foster fellowship among past Apexians and past members of WOCO clubs.
- To keep the friendships made in Apex going, on a purely social basis.
- Not to compete with service clubs or take on their fundraising.
Our story
Apex 40 began in 1972, when Neil Hookey and Lionel Mussell, cruising the Swan River after the Apex National Convention, dreamed up a way for retired Apexians to stay friends. In December 1973, 52 people came to the first Apex 40 dinner, and the friendships have been going ever since.
Read, watch and see where it all began.
History · PDF
The early days
Founding member Lionel Mussell's account of how Apex 40 began, from the Swan River cruise to the first dinner meetings.
Read the history (PDF)Video
Lionel's history video
A video history of Apex 40 by founding member Lionel Mussell.
Watch the videoNewspaper clipping
In the news, 1974
Apex 40 as reported in The Apexian, October 1974.
See the storyOur National Board
Apex 40 is run by a volunteer National Board, elected by members at the AGM held during each Rort.
Interested in a board role? See how it works on For members
How we relate to Apex
Apex 40 is a separate organisation from Apex Australia. Our members are past Apexians and their families, so the Apex spirit runs deep, but we don't run as a service club or compete with Apex clubs.
We're here to help Apex when asked. Our International Relations and Apex Liaison officer keeps in touch with clubs, and members are encouraged to drop in to local Apex events and say g'day.
More than 50 years on, there's still a seat for you
Join the past Apexians, partners and families keeping the fellowship going.