Centrosomes, spindle pole bodies, and related structures, generally termed microtubule organising centres (MTOCs; Pickett-Heaps 1969), are best understood in the context of their function in the organisation of the mitotic spindle, spindle positioning via astral microtubule organisation, and regulation of cell cycle checkpoints (Doxsey 2001; Pereira and Schiebel 2001). However, cytological studies performed between 1960 and 1980 depict the involvement of MTOCs in membrane related events. These studies extend our definition of the processes that MTOCs regulate. In this review, we summarise some of this cytological knowledge in light of our current understanding of how centrosomes work. The focus of this review is on centrosome related membrane biogenesis processes, where a new membrane is formed from clearly distinct precursors. Central to this discussion is our current understanding of one example that takes place during yeast meiosis.