In February 1921 the Board of the International Association of Rotary Clubs authorized the establishment of Rotary clubs in Australia and New Zealand. Melbourne became the first club in Australia to be chartered and Sydney soon followed. Brisbane and Adelaide were formed in 1923, Hobart a year later and Perth in 1926. Meanwhile, Rotary was being extended to provincial cities and large towns and by 1928 there were 17 clubs in Australia.