Men only

[sabang]

I've always had a soft spot for Tattersalls Club- I retain my absentee membership to this day, it costs little. It is wonderfully un-PC, you see. Women are allowed in, in fact quite welcomed- as Guests. But ohh nooo, not in the snooker room- that's for serious games, and serious players. And not in the men only bar. Or the gammon room. And most certainly not in the gym (don't want 'em seeing how ugly we are, we ain't lycra boys).

And so it remains a male only membership bastion. For now.


Men only: Tatts just the way things are

It's 6pm on Wednesday and 125 grim-faced figures file into a room to conduct a vote that will directly influence the role of women in their organisation for years to come. No, it's not the Labor Party, it's the Tattersalls Club in Sydney.

Just one hour before Labor turfed Julia Gillard out of the top job, a far older boys' club, Tattersalls, passed its own judgment on the fairer sex, rejecting by 64 votes to 61 a push to allow women to become members.

Despite the vote, chairman Colin Dunn believes ''a more inclusive membership criteria is in the best interests of the club".

"The committee is reviewing these concerns with a plan to take the matter back to members as soon as is practical."

With its leather lounges and billiard rooms, its pool and gym and private bars, Tattersalls has, since its birth by act of Parliament in 1858, been a home away from home for the Sydney establishment - or at least the male half of it. Started as a turf club - its windows provided a view of the races in Hyde Park - it is one of only a handful of men-only bastions remaining in Sydney, a fact that hasn't endeared it to this city's women .

"I hope it goes broke," Meredith Burgmann said when news of the club's financial difficulties emerged in 2009.

But according to a senior member who did not want to be named, the club's decision has nothing to do with gender.

"The committee wants to make it happen, because it's the right thing to do," he said. "Society has changed and so should we. Philosophically the membership are all for it but the reality of capital expenditure costs puts some of them off.

"The club could spend $1 million upgrading the change rooms and toilets tomorrow but I don't think there would be an avalanche of women wanting to become members."
Tattersalls' 750-strong membership reportedly includes Malcolm Turnbull, Tom Hughes, media honcho John Alexander and Wallaby Phil Kearns. But in 2009, when members were asked to help bail the club out of debt, just 10 per cent answered the call.

Slim indeed, then, are the chances that they would cough up to accommodate the sheilas.


Read more: Men only: Tatts just the way things are


This has been on ongoing bone of contention with the feminazi's for years- but I don't see what the fuss is about. Nearby is the Queens Club- and it's women only. We have no problem with that, do we fellas? It's a favored Sydney cubby hole for country women, squatocracy types- who's hubbys do not want them staying above a gay disco or whatever when they're in the smoke, or being molested by abo's (they get enuff of that where they come from).

Anyway, goodonya fella's- and no, I don't actually buy the 'official' excuse that it's only because of the cost of renovation, ladies powder rooms etc. Some things transcend the temporal PC of the times, and Tatts is an institution.

I beat Jimmy White there at snooker (cough, he did have a handicap of 60 points though ).

I hope it remains the same, until I eventually make it to Sydney again.

[baldrick]

women have their own women only zones across the world

it is called "the kitchen"

[bsnub]

America has a nationwide club like this called the Elks. Women sued to gain entry and it was down hill ever since.

[sabang]

One of the big benefits of getting into a decent private club (nowt to do with it being male only or not) is the list of clubs you have reciprocal entry privileges to, around the world. That's pretty damn useful for the travelling businessman, or even the tourist.

When I first moved to HK, I considered chucking in my membership. Dumb thought- Tatts membership gave me reciprocal privileges at several local members clubs, including the august Hong Kong Club. That takes years to get into, if you're a hongkie (especially if u were Chinese, back then). Similarly, in Bkk I got the run of the Pacific Club if I want (don't really think much of it, good restaurant though), and in NYC the famous (and elite) Athletic Club. Well worth it.

So between that, and being a mason, doors are open worldwide. Kewl. (Tehe, the masons are men only too. Guess I'm a dinosaur).

[sabang]

^^ You're from Seattle, aren't you snubbie?
this one any good?-
College Club of Seattle
505 Madison Street SEATTLE WASHINGTON 98104 USA

[FailSafe]

America has a nationwide club like this called the Elks. Women sued to gain entry and it was down hill ever since.

My father and grandfather were both in the B.P.O.E.- the Raccoon Lodge in 'The Honeymooners' was modeled after it.

[peterpan]

God almighty, I just didn't envisage you as the crusty "old club" type, takes all types i guess.

[bsnub]

^^ You're from Seattle, aren't you snubbie?
this one any good?-
College Club of Seattle
505 Madison Street SEATTLE WASHINGTON 98104 USA

Wankers

[Necron99]

^ wouldn't let you join?

[flashbang]

Bit homo-erotic innit? Why would you want to join a men only club if you're not a raving homo?

[kingwilly]

For a similar reason I remain an MCC member. Very good reciprocal rights.

[Necron99]

For a similar reason I remain an MCC member. Very good reciprocal rights.

Lucky bugger, there's about a 30 year wait for that now..

[flashbang]

But being a 'member' of any organisation is just retarded innit. That's how trouble happens, when a bunch of wankers get together and think they're better than the rest.


Fcuk that. I'll go on record now to say that no 'member' of any fukcing thing is superior to me in any fukcing way because he is a fukcing 'member'.




I'm ex special forces.

[Necron99]

But being a 'member' of any organisation is just retarded innit. That's how trouble happens, when a bunch of wankers get together and think they're better than the rest.


Fcuk that. I'll go on record now to say that no 'member' of any fukcing thing is superior to me in any fukcing way because he is a fukcing 'member'.




I'm ex special forces.

They may not be, but they still have better seats than you.

[BaitongBoy]

Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble are members of the Water Buffalos, innit?...

[terry57]

But being a 'member' of any organization is just retarded innit. That's how trouble happens, when a bunch of wankers get together and think they're better than the rest.

Oh fuk yes, I agree entirely, some feel they must be part of a party so they can fit in with the rest.

Like the fuking Masons and there secret hand shake shit and wanking each other off in the bogs.

Its like==== Oh thank you for sucking my cock Phillip, that was lovely , lets have a nice cup of tea then.


Fuk me EH, I say all independent thinkers don't need organizations to pander to there egos.

Be free, be independent and live it proud.

Groups are for Poovs like Willy.

[sabang]

God almighty, I just didn't envisage you as the crusty "old club" type, takes all types i guess.

I wouldn't call Tatts a 'crusty old club' Pete- it's origins were with the horseracing fraternity, quite a few raffish types. Some 'well known Sydney racing identities' were members, nudge wink. If you wanted a crusty old boys club in Sydney, you'd prolly be shooting for the Union Club. If you were a farmer, prolly the Australian club (although a few in Tatts too). They've got their differences, these private clubs. Tatts has more of a sporting affiliation- the gyms were well attended, particularly close association with rugger & horseracing, and of course snooker. As someone who worked close by, liked me rugger, snooker & racing (i wuz a member of the AJC too), Tatts was a good fit for me. Truth be told, if you make use of them they're bloody good value- you'd spend pretty much the same as a member of a decent gym.

Fcuk that. I'll go on record now to say that no 'member' of any fukcing thing is superior to me in any fukcing way because he is a fukcing 'member'.

Fcuking right- who said otherwise? When you're a stockbroker in the City, as I then was, you've got the proximity and the affiliations- thats all. If you, say, had a decent biz in the suburbs and were doin' fine, you prolly wouldn't be bothered with a City club- maybe a golf club instead.

I'm ex special forces.

I'll be nice to you then. Wanna be mummy?

[flashbang]

Lets get back to basics here.....

Every man/woman is born equal. Even Australians. Class system, posh English accents and being a 'member' is all well and good....but I'm just jealous cos I was born poor.


For me it's not about how much your family estate is worth or how many clubs you're a 'member' of. It's about the technique, height and power of your flying roundhouse kicks.


Lets say we are stranded on a desert island, with little hope for rescue. Do you want to be with the posh 'member' of ohhh so many private 'member' clubs, or do you want to be with me? The person who can use a compass, make fire, track and hunt for wild boar, fish, find fresh water and set up a safe place for camp?

Or do you want posh boy who can do jack shit and will be a quivering wreck within 24 hours?

[sabang]

I'm just jealous cos I was born poor.

Don't be- I was born in a council house in brummagem.

the posh 'member' of ohhh so many private 'member' clubs, or do you want to be with me?

The posh guy- he'd bribe the natives. Much easier to deal with if the twat wanted to be daddy too.


Incidentally, Nick Farr Jones, Simon Poidevin etc are Tatts members- quite a few rugby guys are. I wouldn't go calling them posh wankers to their face. And I certainly wouldn't have said it to George Freeman, or his Samoan bulldogs.

[astasinim]

The older I get, the more appealing these clubs are to me. A place to meet like minded people, lots of member benefits, great for networking and a place to get away from the ever increasing dross of the world.

Seems flashbang has a inferiority complex and feels the need to re-enforce stereotypes. One could say, I`d rather be stranded on a dessert island with a privately educated fella, who spent his young life in the cubs and scouts, then moved onto Sandhurst, as opposed to the scruffy little urchin who was dragged up on an inner city sink estate and never went to school.

[Necron99]

I'm just jealous cos I was born poor.

Don't be- I was born in a council house in brummagem.

the posh 'member' of ohhh so many private 'member' clubs, or do you want to be with me?

The posh guy- he'd bribe the natives. Much easier to deal with if the twat wanted to be daddy too.


Incidentally, Nick Farr Jones, Simon Poidevin etc are Tatts members- quite a few rugby guys are. I wouldn't go calling them posh wankers to their face. And I certainly wouldn't have said it to George Freeman, or his Samoan bulldogs.

Nick Farr Jones?
A two dads? Not posh?
Pull the other one.

[harrybarracuda]

And there's me thinking this was a quality thread about one of my favourite teenage jazz mags...

[sabang]

^ Funny, there was a dodagenarian old gentleman that used to go to his corner in the main (mens) bar, with a smut mag or two. They said he'd been something to do with accountancy, but was a bit of a senile old bugger now. You get yer share of characters, in any pub or club.

[flashbang]

Seems flashbang has a inferiority complex and feels the need to re-enforce stereotypes. One could say, I`d rather be stranded on a dessert island with a privately educated fella, who spent his young life in the cubs and scouts, then moved onto Sandhurst, as opposed to the scruffy little urchin who was dragged up on an inner city sink estate and never went to school.

Well then, we could make up all kinds of stuff here. I would rather not be stranded on a desert island and instead win 500 million bucks on a lottery roll-over.

I would then go around the world with a massive block of the finest hashish and get a wicked suntan-innit.

[sabang]

Nick Farr Jones?

In 'real' life, a solicitor- and yes, from quite a good family. But when you're the captain of a Rugby World Cup winning team, I reckon I'd just call him Sir.