It has been slammed as a sexist relic from a bygone era. An elite gentlemen's club where women are not welcome as members.
But that didn't stop a leading hospital and Melbourne University from choosing the Melbourne Club for a surgical conference aimed at budding doctors this week.
![Exclusive men's club, The Melbourne Club on Collins Street.](/web/20160727104809im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/d/x/o/x/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gqe8ou.png/1469586166548.jpg)
Despite months of negative publicity about sexism in surgery, The Melbourne Club was hired to host medical students and training doctors at the St Vincent's Surgical Forum dinner on Tuesday night, a move that has angered some invitees.
Although female medical students and young doctors were invited to attend Tuesday night's forum dinner - as long as they "dress in a manner that is appropriate to the Club" - critics say it shows not enough has changed in the "old boys club" surgical profession.
"The choice of venue says that as a woman my presence is conditional, and surgery is really just a club for men," said one student who asked not to be named, fearing it would harm her career prospects.
"As a female medical student I have been repeatedly warned about surgical training being a boys' club and this certainly does not dispel that message," another said.
A male student said the venue should have been gender neutral. "Medical students should not be pigeon-holed into certain specialties based on old-fashioned gender ideals," he said. "You'd think they would consider holding such an event, which should attract budding surgeons of all genders, at a gender neutral venue."
One student who publicly questioned the decision on Facebook was backed by more than 30 supporters.
A St Vincent's spokesperson said the venue was chosen by a mixed gender committee on the basis of "proximity and price" and that women and men were equally welcome but future events would not be held at the Melbourne Club.
"Nevertheless, the Committee will engage an alternative venue next year in recognition of the concerns raised," she said "St Vincent's is committed to its leadership role in surgery, and to ensuring all staff and students are treated respectfully."
A Melbourne University spokesperson said it was "committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment".
A survey of surgeons last year found that one in three women had been sexually harassed at work, with some reporting that they felt obliged to give sexual favours to supervisors to keep their jobs. Others said they had been told they would not get particular positions unless they had their tubes tied.
Nearly 40 per cent of surgeons and trainees surveyed had experienced bullying and 19 per cent had been harassed.
RACS apologised to those affected, called for a "profound shift in the culture of surgery" and pledged that "gender inequity must be addressed".
St Vincent's Health Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with RACS to promote diversity in the surgical workforce.
Dr Nikki Stamp, a cardiothoracic surgeon and advocate for women in surgery, said hiring a men's club for the forum's dinner was unacceptable and sent the wrong message to students and women training to be doctors.
"It goes against the message of equity that we're trying really, really hard to push and the culture change that we're trying to push," she said. "You'd really have to be living under a rock to not know that this sort of behaviour is not OK anymore."
The controversy comes as surgeons are being asked by RACS to complete their first ever compulsory training in discrimination, bullying and harassment.
Correction: A previous version of this report said a second surgery dinner was held at the Brisbane Club in May. It said the Brisbane Club was a men's only club. This was wrong. The Brisbane Club was previously a men's only club. It is now open to female members.