Founded in 1944, the Melbourne University Mountaineering Club (MUMC) has long been a place where people who share an interest in or are curious about the outdoors can engage in adventures together in a safe and welcoming environment. One of the first of its kind in Australia, MUMC members were pioneers in many areas of adventure recreation.
Now in 2025, the Club has come a long way, with a focus on inclusivity and trying new things, it welcomes people of all levels and ranges in activities from Bushwalking and Rock Climbing to Whitewater Kayaking and Canoe Polo.
MUMC Secretary, Avryl Hart, says it’s a common misconception that you must be experienced before joining the Club,
“Trips range from beginner, where any experience level is encouraged to come, to intermediate and advanced trips. If you like the outdoors, there’s something for you!”
Hart himself initially joined as a paddler four years ago, but now, he climbs more than he paddles.
“I’ve learned how to climb through the new friends I have made in the club. It’s a great place to meet like-minded people who also love the outdoors.”
The Club values inclusivity, which is why it offers so many different activities and takes pride in prioritising equality.
“We’ve worked really hard to bring a balance of women into the leadership of the Club. It is something that was lacking in the past, and a conscious change has happened by some of our past committees,” says Hart.
If it wasn’t already clear, community is at the heart of the MUMC. To celebrate their community, they hold an annual ‘Pie and Slide’ photography competition, where photos are shared from throughout the year. It’s a way for members to come together and celebrate their trips.
“Beautiful places and friendships made on trips are shown in the photos across the night, and it gives proof of life for the Club from the last year,” says Hart.
Some of the most recent photos even showed their ‘Midnight ascent’, a tradition that started around the 1970s and has since become a way to celebrate the hut the MUMC members built with their own hands on Mount Feathertop.
This year’s trip brought the dress-up theme back to the theme of black-tie. It’s a funny juxtaposition to being in the alpine region and wearing formal dress – think the Life and Death Brigade from Gilmore Girls, their slogan being “In Omnia Paratus”, an accurate representation of the MUMC.
According to Hart, it’s a reminder of the joys of the sport and why the club was initially created.
“People trek up, and it’s just a fun celebration on top of a mountain. It’s a good way to have a weird and wacky adventure, while appreciating our club’s history.”
If you’re interested in joining the MUMC, you can find out more about them here.
