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Australian Club
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The Australian Club is a private club founded in 1838 and located in Sydney at 165 Macquarie Street. Its membership is men-only and it is the oldest gentlemen's club in the southern hemisphere.
Key Information
"The Club provides excellent dining facilities, en-suite bedrooms and apartments, a fully equipped gym, and on Level 7 of the building in which the Clubhouse is located, are first rate business facilities which Members and resident guests may access."[1]
Reciprocities with other clubs
[edit]- Melbourne Club (Melbourne)
- Athenaeum Club (Melbourne)
- The Australian Club (Melbourne)
- Boodle's (London)
- Brooks's (London)
- Garrick Club (London)
- New Club (Edinburgh)
- Knickerbocker Club (New York)
- Union Club (New York)
- Metropolitan Club (Washington D.C.)
- Somerset Club (Boston)
- Philadelphia Club (Philadelphia)
- Pacific-Union Club (San Francisco)
- Circolo della Caccia (Rome)
- Circolo Nazionale dell'Unione (Naples)
- Domino Club (Bologna)
- Circolo Società dell'Unione (Venice)
- Jockey-Club de Paris (Paris)
- Jockey Club für Österreich (Vienna)
- Nuevo Club (Madrid)
- Haagsche Club (The Hague)
- Kildare Street & University Club (Dublin)
- Wellington Club (Wellington)
- Tokyo Club (Tokyo)
Presidents
[edit]- Hon Alexander Macleay MLC FLS FRS 1838–1848
- Hon Campbell Drummond Riddell 1848–1856
- Hon Sir Edward Deas-Thomson KCMG CB MLC 1857–1879
- Hon Sir William Macarthur MLC 1879–1882
- Christopher Rolleston CMG 1882–1888
- Edward Merewether FRGS 1888–1893
- Hon Philip Gidley King MLC 1894–1900
- Hon Sir Francis Bathurst Suttor MLC 1900–1908
- Hon Henry Edward Kater MLC 1909–1924
- John Archibald Anderson 1924–1933
- Major-General Hon James William Macarthur-Onslow VD MLC 1933–1936
- William Deuchar Gordon 1936–1939
- Pat Hamilton Osborne 1939–1942
- Hon Sir Colin Sinclair KBE MLC 1942–1945
- Hon Sir Norman William Kater MLC 1945–1948
- Edmund Irving Body 1948–1951
- Hon Sir Colin Sinclair KBE MLC 1951–1954
- John Gordon Crowther 1954–1957
- Edmund Irving Body CBE 1957–1959
- John Gordon Crowther 1959–1960
- Rt Hon Sir Victor Windeyer KBE, CB, DSO, ED, QC 1960–1963
- Donald Brian Hardy Arnott 1963–1966
- Major-General Sir Denzil Macarthur-Onslow CBE DSO ED 1966–1969
- Sir Norman Lethbridge Cowper CBE 1969–1972
- Sir William Morrow DSO ED 1972–1975
- Peter Gordon Sayers 1975–1978
- Graham Marriott Thorp MC 1978–1981
- Louis Walter Davies A0 1981–1984
- Hon Sir John Bryan Munro Fuller 1984–1987
- Alam Hamilton Loxton AM 1987–1990
- Brian Cameron France 1990–1993
- Peter John Watt 1993–1996
- David Hardy Playfair MBE ED 1996–1999
- Robert Lee Maple–Brown AO 1999–2002
- Peter Ross Graham QC 2002–2005
- Roderick Murchison Hume Kater 2005–2008
- Charles Frederick Moore 2008–2011
- Richard Hamilton Fisher AM 2011[2]
Membership
[edit]At least 5 former Prime Ministers have been members of the club including recently, John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull.[3]
Women are excluded from membership of the club; although they are welcome as guests in most areas and at most functions hosted by the club. For over a century the club has had a friendly albeit informal relationship with the women-only Queen's Club, where many of the members' mothers, wives and sisters are members. The committees of each club take turns to host the other to a formal dinner on an annual basis.[citation needed]
In June 2021, around 700 members attended a Special General Meeting of the club to vote on a proposal to allow women to join the club. Seventy-five percent of attending members needed to vote for the proposal in order for it to receive approval. The proposal was defeated when only 38 percent voted in favour of allowing women to join, falling well short of the 75 per cent required.[3]
Website
[edit]The club website is titled 165 Macquarie Street but is only accessible to members.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Australian Club Web Site Home page
- ^ Angel, J. R; Fletcher, Brian H. (Brian Hinton), 1931-2018 (2013), The Australian Club : 1828-2013, Allen & Unwin, ISBN 978-1-74331-656-6
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b O'Mallon, Finbar (15 June 2021). "'Beyond belief': Elite men's club votes no to letting women in". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Australian Club at Wikimedia Commons- Official website
- The Australian Club Photograph Powerhouse Museum
Australian Club
View on GrokipediaThe Australian Club is a private gentlemen's club founded on 29 May 1838 in Sydney, Australia, as the colony's first such institution dedicated to social and literary pursuits among gentlemen.[1] Located at 165 Macquarie Street on the corner of Bent Street, it holds the distinction of being the oldest gentlemen's club in the southern hemisphere.[2] The club has maintained a men-only membership policy since its inception, emphasizing exclusivity and networking among influential figures in politics, business, judiciary, and other fields.[3] Established during a transitional period in New South Wales governance, the club quickly grew to over 130 members within months, including early leaders such as Alexander McLeay as its first president and Sir George Gipps as patron.[1] Its initial clubhouse was leased at the Pulteney Hotel in Bent Street, reflecting the era's colonial social structures.[4] Over time, the club has hosted notable members, including former Australian Prime Ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull, media magnate Kerry Packer, and senior judicial figures, underscoring its role as a hub for elite professional interactions.[5][6] A defining characteristic has been its resistance to modern pressures for inclusivity; in June 2021, a membership vote with record turnout rejected a proposal to admit women, with approximately 62% opposing the change, thereby preserving its traditional men-only status amid public and media scrutiny.[3][7] This decision highlighted ongoing tensions between the club's historical autonomy and contemporary expectations, though it continues to prioritize its foundational principles of privacy and selectivity.[5]
History
Founding and Early Years
The Australian Club was founded on 29 May 1838 in Sydney, New South Wales, as the first private gentlemen's club in Australia, established by leading citizens of the colony to promote social and literary intercourse among its members and to establish a library and reading room.[1][4] This initiative occurred amid a transitional phase in colonial governance, shortly after the resignation of Governor Sir Richard Bourke and the appointment of Sir George Gipps on 24 February 1838, reflecting the growing social organization among the colony's elite amid Sydney's expansion.[1] The club positioned itself as a hub for intellectual and convivial pursuits, drawing from British traditions of gentlemen's clubs adapted to the Australian context. Membership grew rapidly in the club's inaugural months, reaching 130 members within three months of founding, underscoring its immediate appeal to prominent gentlemen seeking a dedicated space for discourse and recreation.[1] The first clubhouse was leased in 1838 at the Pulteney Hotel on Bent Street, a three-story building with verandas located opposite the site of the present-day Metropole Hotel; the property was acquired outright in 1840, solidifying the club's early foothold.[1][4] Improvements followed swiftly, including enhanced drainage to the Tank Stream in 1839 and the introduction of gas lighting in 1841, which supported the club's functions as both a social venue and a nascent intellectual center.[1] As the oldest gentlemen's club in the southern hemisphere, the Australian Club's early years laid the foundation for its enduring role among Sydney's establishment, with its men-only membership criterion intact from inception.[2][4]Expansion and Key Milestones
The Australian Club experienced steady physical expansion through a series of relocations to larger premises in its formative decades, reflecting growth in membership and influence among Sydney's elite. Initial operations began with leased rooms in 1838, followed by acquisition of the first clubhouse in 1840.[4] Subsequent moves occurred in 1848, 1857, 1879, 1888, and 1900, each transitioning to more substantial accommodations amid the club's rising prominence as a hub for gentlemen of letters, commerce, and governance.[2] A pivotal development came in 1892 with the opening of a dedicated three-story clubhouse at the junction of Macquarie and Bent Streets, designed to better serve the club's expanding activities and social functions.[8] The mid-20th century marked another key milestone through the 1969 amalgamation with the neighboring New South Wales Club, which facilitated financial stability and modernization. This merger prompted the temporary relocation to Bligh Street premises, demolition of the original Macquarie Street structure, and construction of the current facilities at 165 Macquarie Street, completed to enhance amenities for members.[4][9] The club was formally incorporated the same year, solidifying its legal and operational framework.[2] In 1988, commemorating 150 years since founding, the club issued The Australian Club 1838-1988: The First 150 Years by J.R. Angel, documenting its evolution and underscoring enduring traditions amid Australia's social changes.[10]Role in Australian Society
The Australian Club in Sydney, established in 1838 as Australia's oldest gentlemen's club, functions primarily as an exclusive venue for networking among elite men in politics, business, and the judiciary.[11] Its membership, limited to approximately 1,500 individuals, includes prominent figures such as former New South Wales Chief Justice Thomas Bathurst, National Anti-Corruption Commissioner Paul Brereton, and Independent Commission Against Corruption head [redacted for privacy, but notable commissioners].[12] This composition enables private discussions on sensitive topics, including critiques of public institutions like the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and bureaucratic expansions, fostering informal alliances that extend beyond the club's walls into national decision-making.[13] Historically, the club has embodied the traditions of British colonial gentlemen's clubs, providing a stable environment for the Australian establishment to deliberate on economic and governance issues away from public scrutiny.[14] By maintaining men-only membership—affirmed by a 2021 ballot where a majority rejected admitting women—it preserves a space dedicated to unfiltered male camaraderie and strategic exchange, which proponents argue sustains meritocratic networks unencumbered by broader societal mandates for diversity.[15] Critics, often from progressive outlets, decry this exclusivity as perpetuating gender imbalances in power structures, though empirical evidence of the club's direct causal impact on policy outcomes remains anecdotal, tied to members' individual influences rather than institutional directives.[16] In contemporary Australian society, the club's role underscores the persistence of private elite institutions amid democratization trends, serving as a counterpoint to more inclusive forums.[17] Events like guest speeches and internal debates on regulatory overreach highlight its function in articulating conservative viewpoints on fiscal restraint and institutional reform, potentially shaping members' stances in public roles.[13] While not formally political, the concentration of influence within its ranks—evident in past and present leaders from Liberal and independent spheres—positions it as a nexus for sustaining the socioeconomic status quo through relational capital rather than overt advocacy.[12]Facilities and Operations
Clubhouse and Amenities
The Australian Club's clubhouse is situated at 165 Macquarie Street in the heart of Sydney, providing members with panoramic views of the Royal Botanic Garden and the North Shore.[18] The building, which has housed the club since its establishment, features facilities designed for private social and professional use, including multiple dining options and dedicated spaces for relaxation and business.[19] Dining amenities include a main dining room and private dining rooms accommodating between 4 and 80 guests, emphasizing high standards of service and cuisine tailored to members' preferences.[19] Accommodation options consist of en-suite bedrooms, standard suites, club suites, and premium suites, equipped with upscale hotel-like features such as queen or king beds, ensuites, and lounge areas in select rooms; check-in is at 3:00 PM with checkout at 11:00 AM.[20] [21] Additional facilities encompass a fully equipped gymnasium offering personal training sessions, a library for reading and quiet study, and business center services to support professional activities.[19] On-site car parking is available, enhancing accessibility for members.[19] These amenities collectively maintain the club's tradition as an exclusive retreat for networking, dining, and respite in a central urban location.[22]Reciprocal Arrangements
The Australian Club maintains reciprocal arrangements with numerous private members' clubs across Australia and internationally, enabling its members to access facilities such as dining, accommodation, and business services at partner institutions while traveling. These agreements, governed by each club's bylaws, require visiting members to obtain a letter of introduction from their home club and comply with host club protocols, including dress codes and booking procedures.[18][23] For incoming reciprocal visitors to the Australian Club, available facilities include multiple dining venues—the formal Members’ Dining Room (requiring jacket and tie for lunch), the Cedar Room (jacket and tie for dinner), and the more casual Buttery (jacket optional, no tie)—along with 32 guest rooms (four suites, 19 doubles, nine singles) and six additional Macquarie Suites equipped with kitchenettes. Other amenities extend to a gentlemen-only fitness centre, the Macquarie Business Centre for professional use, a library, and bar services. Access to the first floor remains limited to members, gentlemen guests, and male reciprocal members until 5:00 p.m., while female reciprocal members may book and utilize designated areas thereafter.[23][19] Dress standards for reciprocal guests emphasize formality: jacket and tie (or equivalent) are mandatory in principal areas like the dining rooms and bar, with ties optional after 5:00 p.m. in the Norman Cowper Room and jackets optional on the third floor; denim is prohibited throughout. Reservations for dining or accommodation must be arranged via the club's reception at +61 2 9229 0400 or [email protected], with adherence to bylaws 31–38 and 43–44 for sponsored visits.[23]Governance and Leadership
Presidents
The presidents of the Australian Club have typically been drawn from elite ranks of colonial administrators, judges, legislators, and business leaders, reflecting the club's status as a hub for influential gentlemen in Sydney society. The position entails chairing the committee, guiding strategic decisions such as property acquisitions and mergers, and representing the club's interests in reciprocal arrangements with overseas counterparts.[24] Alexander Macleay, a naturalist and colonial secretary, served as the inaugural president from 1838 to 1848, overseeing the club's formation amid Sydney's early colonial expansion.[25] His tenure coincided with the club's initial meetings at rented premises before establishing a permanent clubhouse.[2] Campbell Drummond Riddell, a public servant and property owner, succeeded Macleay and held the presidency from 1848 to 1856, during which the club navigated post-transportation era social dynamics.[26] Sir Edward Deas Thomson, a long-serving colonial administrator and clerk of the Executive Council, acted as president at various points in the mid-19th century, including an extended period that bolstered the club's prestige through his networks in government and philanthropy.[27][28] Edward Merewether, a company director and grazier, led as president from 1888 to 1893, amid the club's consolidation in Macquarie Street.[29] In the 20th century, Sir Norman Lethbridge Cowper, a solicitor and university chancellor, was elected president in 1969 for a three-year term, during which he managed a contentious merger with the New South Wales Club to address membership and facility needs.[30][24]| President | Term | Notable Role |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Macleay | 1838–1848 | Colonial secretary, naturalist[25] |
| Campbell Drummond Riddell | 1848–1856 | Public servant, landholder[26] |
| Sir Edward Deas Thomson | Mid-19th century (extended) | Colonial under-secretary[27] |
| Edward Merewether | 1888–1893 | Director, Australian Agricultural Company[29] |
| Sir Norman Cowper | 1969–1972 | Solicitor, merger overseer[30] |
