A club has formed to bring back old-world manners at the University of Wollongong, one bow-tied gentleman at a time.
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The UOW Gentlemen's Club is the brainchild of 24-year-old Sam Rathbone, a part-time bartender who began, then aborted, six different degrees at the university before enrolling in a business by correspondence course.
Mr Rathbone says his time behind the bar has exposed him to all manner of ungentlemanly behaviour - vulgar pick-up lines, untidy dress, cringeworthy first-date behaviour - and he is setting out to help his fellow (gentle)man.
The club runs workshops in cooking, DIY mechanics, conversation skills and how to dress, and hosts events - like speed dating - where the tutelage can be put into practice.
Its ultimate event is the Premier Gentleman's Tournament - a five-round contest with sections for public speaking, the fireman carry (a damsel-in-distress type event), car tyre changing and omelette cooking.
"A gentleman needs to know how to cook properly, and I think one of the easiest things to whip up in the morning to impress someone is a nicely cooked omelette," Mr Rathbone said.
There is also a section where flat-packed Ikea furniture is assembled.
"Back in the day you could easily buy the [timber] and would have the skills to make furniture, but nowadays everybody buys it already made," he said.
"I think Ikea furniture is the last area where we can still have some form of involvement in the process.
"If you don't make it properly, it's quite wobbly, but if you do it well it's quite strong and lasts you ages."
Mr Rathbone believes a growing fondness for DIY - perhaps borne of concern for the environment - is feeding a return to old-world interests and values.
He makes his own bow ties using fabric from Spotlight, and has friends who make their clothes from scratch.
Otherwise, there's always the op shop for a nice, pre-loved suit.
"It sounds morbid, but old people tend to die and leave really nice suits at a really good price," Mr Rathbone said.
Women account for about 60 per cent of club members, which aims to promote a set of values: "treating people with respect, dressing stylishly - obviously - and always being there to lend a hand."
Through its activities, the club has committed to raising $10,000 for the Wollongong based Top Blokes Foundation this year.
