“Women should not have to endure violence in a relationship. Today’s outcome shows that something can be done,” she said in 2007.
Following the incident, Smedley faced condemnation from his father – prominent businessman Peter Smedley, who died in 2019 – and lost his job with investment bank UBS.
Several members of The Australia Club told this masthead they had refused to attend the recent AGM, which included a black-tie dinner, because they considered the 42-year-old an inappropriate candidate for the prestigious role.
A source at the club, who asked not to be named due to the organisation’s long-held convention of not discussing its affairs with the media, said he was baffled by the club’s decision to appoint Smedley to such a senior position.
“The general committee has no idea just how difficult this appointment could make life for members. Many of us work for professional firms with strict policies on gender diversity and domestic violence.
Nicholas Smedley in front of the Continental Hotel in Sorrento in 2017. Steller Development, which he co-founded, collapsed in 2019 with debts of more than $300 million.
“Being a member used to be something you could be openly proud of. Now it’s something you have to keep secret from your workplace,” the member said.
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Smedley was a co-founder and director of the property group, Steller Development, which was involved in the restoration and redevelopment of the Continental Hotel in Sorrento when it went into administration in 2019 with debts of more than $300 million.
A spokeswoman for The Australia Club declined to comment, other than to say: “Unfortunately, we don’t talk to media.”
A spokesman for Smedley said he was complying with the club’s policy not to comment on club matters.
Smedley’s appointment as chair of the club’s house committee has also drawn criticism from family violence experts.
Melbourne University law professor Heather Douglas, a renowned family violence researcher, said the appointment of any man with a history of family violence into a senior role sent a problematic message to the community.
“I do think it sends a pretty concerning message to society that, you know, violent men are appropriate to be leaders in our community,” Douglas said.
“In general, I think it’s unfortunate that violent men would be appointed to positions of leadership in any organisation.”
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However, Douglas said if there was “very strong” evidence of efforts by an individual who had a history of violence against women changing their way of thinking and responding to women, that might sway her perspective.
Speaking generally, previous head of Domestic Violence Victoria, Fiona McCormack, said when it came to appointing men who had a history of violence against women to senior roles, it was crucial those making the decision consider the extent to which a person had taken accountability and changed their behaviour.
“A lot of the time people think, and justifiably so, we’ve got to give people a second chance,” said McCormack, who is also a former Victims of Crime commissioner. “They’ve been through the justice process, they’ve done their time.
“But it is really, really important that people who are making decisions about these appointments consider the extent to which a person has admitted or acknowledged what they’ve done.
“That they have deliberately hurt somebody, that there has been contrition, that there’s been amends made, and that they can demonstrate a measure of insight into their behaviour, the impacts on other people, and an insight that indicates that they have grown.”
The Australian Club, separate to and 40 years younger than its Sydney counterpart, was founded in 1878 and resides in a grand bluestone base heritage listed clubhouse on William Street that it likes to call a “timeless sanctuary providing respite from the bustling modern world”.
Members have included former National Australia Bank chief executive Don Argus, former Liberal Party president Michael Kroger and many prominent lawyers.
A rebel faction pushed for the introduction of women a few years ago, but the majority of members voted to keep it men only in early 2022.
Following his appointment, Smedley is now expected to push for a new cigar lounge at the club – a proposal he previously championed while chair of the club’s young members’ committee.
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To be known as the “Fellowship of the Flame”, the plan involves the conversion of an existing room and the acquisition of Chesterfield sofas and humidors.
Smedley did not respond to questions about how the plan for a cigar lounge would comply with tobacco regulations, or avoid posing a potential health risk to staff.
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