Why I Joined: A Conversation with Max Haddad

Sometimes, you’re not looking for a Club. You’re looking for your people.

When Max Haddad launched his own consultancy, he was looking to broaden his professional network. What he found at The Brisbane Club was something much harder to find—a community that felt welcoming, familiar and authentic.

From his first Property Lunch to joining the snooker team and immersing himself in Club events, Max quickly discovered that membership wasn’t just about making connections. It was about finding a place where he genuinely belonged.

As part of our Member Stories series, we’re pleased to share Max’s reflections on finding his tribe.

Finding My Tribe

My introduction to The Brisbane Club came as a guest at a Property Lunch.

It was the eloquence of the guest speaker, the respectful way the event was facilitated and, above all, the warmth of the Members who took the time to show me around that left a lasting impression. It was enough to encourage me to continue exploring membership.

I was introduced to the Club by Daniel Tonino, who reinforced my growing sense that I had probably found my tribe. Daniel is a true gentleman—interesting, welcoming and, of course, Italian. What more can I say?

In May 2024, I started my own consulting company after eleven years with Shell. While I had a professional network, it was relatively narrow, and I wanted to broaden it as I embarked on this new chapter.

What I discovered, however, was that I wasn’t simply looking for networking opportunities. I was looking for a community of like-minded people in an environment that felt like home.

The Cellar, the staff, the snooker tables, the quality of the food, the events calendar and the balance of high standards without pretentiousness all combined to convince me that I had found my Club. I had been looking for over a year, and nowhere else had given me that same feeling.

Although I have only been a Member for six months, I have embraced Club life wholeheartedly. I’ve attended dinners, wine events, driving events, Duck & Pinot, joined the snooker team and enjoyed countless conversations along the way.

My view is that membership is a two-way relationship. The Club creates opportunities for Members to connect, but Members also need to engage with the life of the Club. That’s exactly what I intend to keep doing.

One of my favourite memories so far was inviting a close friend to the Aston Martin evening, where I asked him to be a groomsman at my wedding. I’ve also rediscovered both the frustrations and the joy of playing snooker, while watching my circle within the Club steadily grow.

It’s still early days, but one thing is already clear: quality friendships are forming, memorable experiences continue to unfold, and I know there is much more to come.

— Max Haddad