the TRANZAC

About me:

The Tranzac is a non-profit, member supported, community organization with a focus on promoting arts, music and theatre. The TRANZAC (an abbreviation of Toronto Australia New Zealand Club) also works to promote and support Australian and New Zealand culture in Toronto. The Tranzac is open to the general public and currently presents no-cover music every night of the week in the Southern Cross Lounge. Concerts and plays are presented by our subgroups in the Main Hall, and the public may rent our club facilities. Recently, our Main Hall has been packed for music festivals, film festivals, plays, book launches, CD launches, concerts, and private parties. As a community, member-based organization, the Tranzac relies heavily upon the support of dedicated volunteers to remain active and operational. We encourage you to contact us to become part of the Tranzac family, as a member or as a volunteer, in one of Toronto’s most vibrant and exciting cultural spaces.

::: Contact Information :::

To inquire about rentals or bookings, please call 416 923 8137 or email: bookingtranzac@gmail.com For all other inquiries, please call the club at 416 923 8137 or email: managertranzac@gmail.com

For highlights of upcoming performances, or to view a complete calendar of events, check out: www.tranzac.org

::: History :::

The Tranzac's roots date back to the year 1931, when a small group of Australians and New Zealanders met in the Bay Street (Toronto, Ontario) offices of J.W. Collins, the New Zealand Trade Commissioner. Like so many newcomers to Canada, the group wanted to retain a part of their national identity, and they formed a group primarily to welcome other Australian and New Zealand newcomers, and to help meet the needs of their fellow countrymen by providing social activities, fostering fellowship and goodwill, and promoting a better understanding of Canada.

In December 1950, a formal meeting of the group at the King Edward Hotel resulted in the official birth of an Australian New Zealand Club in Toronto. By 1964, the membership had increased to 260 and official club premises were rented on Sherbourne Street. In 1966, the club was incorporated under the name TRANZAC and the hard working and enthusiastic committee set about working toward securing its own permanent premises. Membership and activities increased, and the club moved from establishment to establishment to accommodate members and their friends. Finally, in 1971, all the hard work and support of the committees and members paid off, and the club was in a position financially to obtain its own premises. The TRANZAC moved to its present location at 292 Brunswick Avenue in October 1971.

::: The Future :::

When people ask us what the Tranzac is, we have a difficult time answering them, because the Tranzac is many different things, to many different people.

The Tranzac has undergone many transformations in the decades that it has existed. Presently, the members are working very hard to create a vision for the club that reflects its multifaceted membership presence, while continuing to celebrate the years of dedicated support from the members and subgroups that helped make the Tranzac what it is today.