A History of The Grove

The Grove Chinese Medicine started in 1988 in a humble room in South Melbourne. Steven Clavey, approaching 36, had recently returned after spending 7 years studying in China and Taiwan. His studies had taken him from hospitals in Nanjing to doctors in Taipei and finally to the gynaecological epicentre of Chinese medicine in Hangzhou. His interests changed from acupuncture to Chinese herbal medicine and finally to Chinese herbal gynaecology - a journey of learning, teaching and treating that would span more than 45 years.

With this training, Steve put up his first sign as a ‘Chinese Herbal Gynaecologist’ and found his first patient - an employee of the printing press where he printed his first flyers. She visited the clinic for more than 20 years.

Both acupuncture and Chinese medicine were in their early stages of adoption in Australia at the time. While Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists could be found, many primarily treated the Chinese community in Australia, and centralised Chinese medicine education was not yet the norm.

The clinic and Steve’s reputation grew patient by patient and referral by referral, and with his long study in China, many Chinese medicine students in Australia also recognised that working with Steve and the clinic was an opportunity to learn. And so, the clinic evolved not only as a place for patients to find the treatments, balance and outcomes they were looking for, but also a place of learning for many practitioners around Melbourne and Australia. During this time, the clinic also expanded physically, moving from South Melbourne to its long-standing home in Russell Street, creating space for additional herb-focused practitioners to work with Steve, and so the team grew to include familiar faces such as Tilly, Maureen, Richard, Mary-jo, Davina, Giles and many others. 

The primary foundation of The Grove Chinese Medicine - and of Steve’s practice in general - was a strong focus on customised herbal medicine, integrated with acupuncture. At the time, many clinics primarily focused on acupuncture, with herbal medicine used less frequently or via standardised formulas. The Grove developed a reputation for depth in customised herbal prescribing, and for its dedication to prescribing raw herbal prescriptions. This expertise and dedication was something the clinic looked for specifically in its practitioners, and those interested in Chinese herbal medicine often started as students in the clinic, then dispensers preparing prescriptions, and eventually practitioners working in the clinic. This structure still exists to this day, with our current practitioners Cassie, Anna, Jin, and Maddie being mentored in the clinic, dispensing prescriptions, and working as practitioners.

Both new and old patients of The Grove talk about the ritual of taking herbs home, simmering them on the stove, and having the aroma slowly fill the house. The smell could be strong, but also comforting, something that suggested change was on its way, and as always inseparable from the taste which followed. 

When The Grove moved to Auburn Village, Hawthorn it brought with it over 20,000 patient documents, familiar faces like Tilly, Maureen, and Davina and new ideas such as The Herb Grove Online Dispensary and Telehealth consultations. It also brought along 30 years of tradition, culture and methodology - and within its walls the sound of herbs being dispensed, the smell of tea being brewed and the weird and wonderful collection of books in reception, remained the same as always. 

The Grove Chinese Medicine Clinic is the realisation of many years of work - not only Steve's, but that of the practitioners, staff, students, and patients who have stepped through its doors. It continues as a place defined by its commitment to thoughtful Chinese medicine practice - herbal medicine at its core, alongside acupuncture and ongoing clinical learning - and most importantly to the steady, long-term care of its patients.