Bill Phillips, the late Patron of the Association, prepared a detailed history of the Cornish Association in Victoria, which was published on the 25th Anniversary of the Association in 2011.

Here are a few paragraphs from Bill's record.
The first reference we have of a Cornish Association in Victoria is an extract from the Age newspaper of 22nd November 1892 which refers to the third Annual Banquet of the Cornish Association of Victoria.

This banquet took place in the Manchester Unity Hall

There are several interesting thoughts;
1. The ladies were seated in the balcony.
2.120 attended, not counting the ladies
3. One of the distinguished guests of the evening was Mr W Rogers of Bendigo who was presented with an illuminated address for his unselfish courage in saving the life of Sampson Bray in the Virginia Mine at Eaglehawk.

The toast list opened with the Queen then the Duke of Cornwall, the Parliament of Victoria, and the Association.
The first meeting of the Devonian Society was held in the Earl of Zetland Hotel in December 1894 ...

The more recent group began in 1986 and has met since in Hughesdale and Oakleigh.

Copies of the History of the Association are available from the President of the CAV Brian Rollason