Former state Liberal Party president John Ridley has called for the men-only Athenaeum Club to open its doors to women or become irrelevant, after “young fogeys” were found to be the most resistant to change.
The Collins Street entrance to Melbourne’s Athenaeum Club.Forty-four per cent of surveyed members supported welcoming women into the club, and 51 per cent supported starting a discussion about the possibility. More than 60 per cent wanted to open up more areas of the club to female guests, create a partner pass, or build relationships with women-only clubs.
He said the committee should have the courage to welcome women, as it would also boost its membership and lift its profile and credibility. He agreed with the findings of the club-commissioned research that continuing to block women would result in a narrower and narrower group. One current high-profile member, who declined to be named because speaking publicly could result in his expulsion, said keeping women out of the club was “nuts”.About 40 per cent of surveyed members told the researchers they opposed female membership altogether. Nine per cent said they would probably cancel their membership if women were allowed to join. Thirteen per cent said they did not have strong views on the question.
Ridley went on to establish the Melbourne Forum, which is open to everyone, with other members of the Athenaeum splinter group.
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