Adelaide Club

The Adelaide Club is an exclusive Gentlemen's club in the South Australian capital city of Adelaide. Founded in 1863, the club is comprised of members of the Adelaide Establishment.

The Club's headquarters are at the Club House on North Terrace, Adelaide in the city center. The Club House was built in the same year as the club's establishment and has been continually occupied since 1864. Facilities include a library and guest rooms, in addition to function rooms.

It apparently once wielded such great powers that it could veto appointments to the Supreme Court of South Australia.

The Club has been criticized for restrictive membership which prohibits women and, allegedly, certain minorities. Suggestions of anti-Semitism arose after prominent Jewish businessman Albert Bensimon was twice rejected for membership, despite his application being supported by Barry Fitzpatrick, Group Managing Director and CEO of Adelaide Bank. Mr. Fitzpatrick himself subsequently resigned from the club. Supreme Court judge John Perry wrote to fellow members warning them that the rejection of Mr. Bensimon was 'likely to be regarded by the Jewish community as an expression of anti-Semitism'. However, club manager Andrew Gay publicly denied that the club was racist, calling such an allegation 'offensive'.

References

• The Adelaide Club - Official Page
• Radio National: The National Interest: 5 March 2006

See also

• Gentlemen's club
• List of American gentlemen's clubs
• List of Australian gentlemen's clubs
• List of London's gentlemen's clubs

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