I'm ensconced in a brown leather chesterfield in one of Sydney's oldest private clubs. The very words conjure 19th-century alpha masculinity: cigar smoke spiralling in the air, glasses of brandy swirling in giant snifters, the "pock" of a billiard cue in the background. One would expect to discover a room full of men, partying like it's 1899. Instead, I'm chatting to several other females enjoying the historic space their membership gives them access to.
My father, John - who graduated alongside Germaine Greer, picketing in the 1960s for women to be able to drink in the same bar at his local pub - sponsored me for membership at his club, the Royal Automobile Club of Australia, and delighted in the ritual of passing the baton from father to daughter.
Established in 1903 as a motoring club, the affectionately dubbed RACA has its roots in a passion for cars. I had always loved visiting Dad there for lunch, kicking it old-school in the hushed atmosphere of this miraculously preserved building. Dining under the glorious, tinted glass of the sky-high ceiling in the Victoria Room or curling up with a Dark and Stormy cocktail in the Pioneers Room, lined with books and a (sigh) library ladder, the ferry tooting of Sydney's Circular Quay is, surreally, only minutes away outside.
Like so many male members before me, I can now say to business contacts, colleagues and friends "meet me at the RACA". Meetings with a copywriting client of mine, a female owner-founder of a $50 million company, would turn into riotous all-afternoon brainstorms: the peace, privacy, and surroundings reframed our work sessions as a convivial meeting of like-minded souls personal, but with the backup of welcoming support staff.
Bu hikaye Marie Claire Australia dergisinin July 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Marie Claire Australia dergisinin July 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
WHY WOMEN SHOULDN'T BE DISCOUNTED
Four game-changing women share why they want economic empowerment included in the conversation this International Women’s Day
home HAVEN
Sophie Bell, founder of Peppa Hart, invites us into her calming quarters, writes Samantha Stewart
BEHIND THE SCENES with PETER PHILIPS
An intimate backstage moment with the legendary creative and image director for Dior Makeup
MIAH MADDEN
The Australian actor on her biggest fashion crime, party tricks and the women who have shaped her
TAYLOR SWIFT
As she hits our shores in February, music writer Cameron Adams charts the unbelievable career of the world’s biggest music artist, from her Nashville country music roots to her record-smashing Eras tour
The road to NIRVANA
Editor Georgie Abay lands in the remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan for the adventure of a lifetime
makes SUN sense
What if we saw a suntan for what it really is: a visible sign that skin has been damaged? Sherine Youssef looks behind the golden facade
RUNWAY to DEBT
Modelling agencies are ecruiting young people who have fled war-torn African countries and are living in extreme poverty. They are flown to Europe to take part n fashion castings, but some return within days or weeks, often laden with debt
CALLUM TURNER
The British actor shares tales from the front line, why you should play your heroes and his love for Free Willy
ALL ABOUT JESS
Chart-topping Australian singer Jessica Mauboy talks love, lonliness and music legend Whitney Houston on the eve of her new release, Yours Forever