Australia’s oldest gentlemen’s club, which boasted John Howard and Kerry Packer as members, considers allowing women to join
- The Australia Club founded in 1838 has only allowed men to become members
- After about 200 years, members are considering allowing women should join
- Some of Australia’s top businessmen, barristers and judges are members
The oldest gentlemen’s club in Australia, whose members include former Prime Minister John Howard and Kerry Packer, is considering allowing women to join.
The Australian Club on Macquarie Street in Sydney is a private club founded in 1838 and only allows men to register for membership.
After almost 200 years, the club’s executive ranks have finally met to discuss whether they should survey members on letting women join, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
The Australian Club on Macquarie Street in Sydney is a private club founded in 1838 and only allows men to register for membership
Under the strict rules, women are allowed to enter the club and mingle with the country’s elite, but only if they are accompanied by an existing male member.
Members of the club must pay a four-figure annual fee and sit through an intense interview process and provide several references from existing members.
Once lucky punters get through the doors, they will be rubbing shoulders with some of the country’s biggest names.
The club has boasted several celebrity members including Kerry Packer and his son James, founder of the University of Sydney, William Wentworth and John Howard, who celebrated his 80th birthday there.
181 years later, the club’s executive ranks had a meeting where they discussed whether they should survey members on letting women join (pictured Kerry Packer with his son, James)
Some of Australia’s top businessmen, barristers, academics, surgeons and judges are also members.
The club enforces a strict dress code and members are only allowed to wear suits and ties.
It features several dining facilities, ensuite bedrooms, apartments and a gym.
Not much information has ever been revealed about the goings-on in the club as its members are under a stern code of silence.
The club has boasted several celebrity members including Kerry Packer and his son James, founder of the University of Sydney, William Wentworth and John Howard (pictured with his wife Janette), who celebrated his 80th birthday there