‘Better in the morning': Turnbull's reflection on a former colleague
Library chair Christine Christian and chief executive Paul Duldig welcomed about 120 Melebrities into one of the city's grandest spaces, the light-filled magnificence (even in autumn) of the Ian Potter Queen's Hall. Regular readers will recall our use of the term Melebrities, but this descriptor seemed inadequate for the calibre of those attending.
There were shout-outs to former Labor minister and ANU chancellor Gareth Evans, Adelaide Writer's Week director Louise Adler, History Council of Victoria chair Peter McPhee, prominent library philanthropists (we have got to stop this) Morry and Anna Schwartz and National Gallery of Victoria president Janet Whiting, a CBD favourite. Not so much Melebrities as Meluminaries, we guess.
Finally, Jones steered Turnbull onto the controversial turf of climate change and carbon reduction.
'Are the climate wars going to revive?' Jones asked with faux innocence. For once in his life Turnbull appeared flummoxed, before answering: 'Who the hell knows?'
Viva la VECCI
What does Melbourne do during a fallow patch in its major events calendar? Invent another event, of course.
And so to the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Melbourne Autumn Ball, an 'exquisite new gala illuminating Melbourne's business and social calendar' with the theme of Constellations. Tucker included a 'world class, celestial-inspired experience' from the Atlantic Group 'designed to ignite the senses and mirror the majesty of the night sky'.
And all Victorian produce, too. Apart from the G.H. Mumm.
Outgoing chief executive Paul Guerra, who is off to run Melbourne Football Club, was on hand to welcome the showbiz quotient in the form of Eric Bana. Premier Jacinta Allan delivered what was billed as a 'short yet impactful special address'. We should be so lucky.
And the cost? For members $2100, non-members $3000. The event was a sellout. Melbourne loves a party!
Melebrities included Eddie and Carla McGuire, Ann Peacock, Crown's David Tsai, Melbourne Racing Club's John Kanga, designer Lana Wilkinson and once again Janet Whiting, president of the NGV trustees. How's that for a daily double?
Assembling the team
A frantic few weeks for new Liberal leader Sussan Ley, who has had to deal with the Nationals flouncing out/crawling back, before purging the shadow cabinet of dead wood.
Up next, filling key personnel in the leader's office, yet to commence because Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hasn't given the Liberals their staffing allocation.
But so far, CBD hears that Ley will retain all her staff in the same roles. That means chief-of-staff duties will remain with former Scott Morrison and Michael McCormack media flack Dean Shachar.
Shachar's University of Sydney student politics buddy Dom Bondar is second in command, leading to grumbling in the broad church about an unprecedented lack of experience. Then again, getting experienced Canberra heads to return for what could be a long period of opposition is a hard ask.
One prominent Liberal who won't be running Ley's office is outgoing senator Hollie Hughes, dumped at preselection after some nasty factional manoeuvring. Despite her robust support for Ley in the leadership tussle with Angus Taylor, Hughes denied the red-hot rumours that she would take on the chief-of-staff job. We're sure she's got better things to be doing after six years in the Canberra circus.
Don't you know who she is?
Italians might have taught the world how to eat, but it was Martha Stewart who taught Americans how to cook. And garden. And entertain.
Stewart, the OG lifestyle influencer, America's first female self-made billionaire, convicted felon and octogenarian social media star was on stage at Darling Harbour on Wednesday night, interviewed by writer Benjamin Law as part of Vivid Sydney.
Her appearance, fresh on the heels of a hit Netflix documentary, was quite a coup for the festival, which has seen its sheen dim in recent years.
On stage, Stewart had a few words on the state of dining in Sydney, revealing that she'd eaten at Totti's Bondi, Justin Hemmes ' influencer-friendly hotspot. But Stewart had been made to wait outside for a table. The height of disrespect, in our book. Martha Stewart walked so Totti's, and others of its ilk, could run.
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The Age
2 days ago
- The Age
‘Better in the morning': Turnbull's reflection on a former colleague
Library chair Christine Christian and chief executive Paul Duldig welcomed about 120 Melebrities into one of the city's grandest spaces, the light-filled magnificence (even in autumn) of the Ian Potter Queen's Hall. Regular readers will recall our use of the term Melebrities, but this descriptor seemed inadequate for the calibre of those attending. There were shout-outs to former Labor minister and ANU chancellor Gareth Evans, Adelaide Writer's Week director Louise Adler, History Council of Victoria chair Peter McPhee, prominent library philanthropists (we have got to stop this) Morry and Anna Schwartz and National Gallery of Victoria president Janet Whiting, a CBD favourite. Not so much Melebrities as Meluminaries, we guess. Finally, Jones steered Turnbull onto the controversial turf of climate change and carbon reduction. 'Are the climate wars going to revive?' Jones asked with faux innocence. For once in his life Turnbull appeared flummoxed, before answering: 'Who the hell knows?' Viva la VECCI What does Melbourne do during a fallow patch in its major events calendar? Invent another event, of course. And so to the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Melbourne Autumn Ball, an 'exquisite new gala illuminating Melbourne's business and social calendar' with the theme of Constellations. Tucker included a 'world class, celestial-inspired experience' from the Atlantic Group 'designed to ignite the senses and mirror the majesty of the night sky'. And all Victorian produce, too. Apart from the G.H. Mumm. Outgoing chief executive Paul Guerra, who is off to run Melbourne Football Club, was on hand to welcome the showbiz quotient in the form of Eric Bana. Premier Jacinta Allan delivered what was billed as a 'short yet impactful special address'. We should be so lucky. And the cost? For members $2100, non-members $3000. The event was a sellout. Melbourne loves a party! Melebrities included Eddie and Carla McGuire, Ann Peacock, Crown's David Tsai, Melbourne Racing Club's John Kanga, designer Lana Wilkinson and once again Janet Whiting, president of the NGV trustees. How's that for a daily double? Assembling the team A frantic few weeks for new Liberal leader Sussan Ley, who has had to deal with the Nationals flouncing out/crawling back, before purging the shadow cabinet of dead wood. Up next, filling key personnel in the leader's office, yet to commence because Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hasn't given the Liberals their staffing allocation. But so far, CBD hears that Ley will retain all her staff in the same roles. That means chief-of-staff duties will remain with former Scott Morrison and Michael McCormack media flack Dean Shachar. Shachar's University of Sydney student politics buddy Dom Bondar is second in command, leading to grumbling in the broad church about an unprecedented lack of experience. Then again, getting experienced Canberra heads to return for what could be a long period of opposition is a hard ask. One prominent Liberal who won't be running Ley's office is outgoing senator Hollie Hughes, dumped at preselection after some nasty factional manoeuvring. Despite her robust support for Ley in the leadership tussle with Angus Taylor, Hughes denied the red-hot rumours that she would take on the chief-of-staff job. We're sure she's got better things to be doing after six years in the Canberra circus. Don't you know who she is? Italians might have taught the world how to eat, but it was Martha Stewart who taught Americans how to cook. And garden. And entertain. Stewart, the OG lifestyle influencer, America's first female self-made billionaire, convicted felon and octogenarian social media star was on stage at Darling Harbour on Wednesday night, interviewed by writer Benjamin Law as part of Vivid Sydney. Her appearance, fresh on the heels of a hit Netflix documentary, was quite a coup for the festival, which has seen its sheen dim in recent years. On stage, Stewart had a few words on the state of dining in Sydney, revealing that she'd eaten at Totti's Bondi, Justin Hemmes ' influencer-friendly hotspot. But Stewart had been made to wait outside for a table. The height of disrespect, in our book. Martha Stewart walked so Totti's, and others of its ilk, could run.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
Breathtaking Kimberley VR experience now showing in Freo
Fresh off the Great Kimberley Wilderness success at the WA Museum Boola Bardip earlier this year, the VR experience is making its way to the port city. The 35-minute immersive VR experience narrated by Luke Hemsworth, older brother to fellow Hollywood stars Chris and Liam, and produced by award-winning WA filmmaker Briege Whitehead will show at the WA Maritime Museum for three weeks from this weekend. In a custom-built gallery, with surround sound and large-scale digital projections across all wall surfaces, audiences will have a 360-degree view of some of the planet's most ancient landscapes in a guided tour of places that few outside the traditional owners have ever seen in person. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Whitehead said that included transporting viewers over the edge of waterfalls, across stunning coastlines and into the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park. 'There are so many locations I know, or as far as we've been told, that we're the first people to capture them on camera,' Whitehead said. The film was shot and produced in 8K format using drones capable of capturing 3D footage and with Dolby Atmos sound. 'I call it story-living, rather than the storytelling,' Whitehead said. 'That's what the ability of 360 degrees in a VR headset provides, because everywhere you look, it's like you're literally standing there, or flying over the waterfalls or hanging out of the helicopter with Luke next to you.' Fremantle Labor MP and Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk said the exhibition was leading the way in digital immersive storytelling by combining technology with authentic storytelling. 'We are proud to extend this experience to the WA Maritime Museum in Fremantle, supporting an initiative that highlights WA's rich cultural heritage, deep Indigenous knowledge, and awe-inspiring landscapes,' she said.
West Australian
4 days ago
- West Australian
Fremantle to host this years only metropolitan WA Day festival at Bathers Beach and the Fishing Boat Harbour
Fremantle will be 'buzzing' on Monday as it becomes the official celebration hub in Perth to mark WA Day. The Port City's free WA Day community event will showcase dragon dancers, unicorn stilt walkers and Latin music among the multicultural melting pot of entertainment that will transform Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour and Bathers Beach into a long-weekend holiday hot spot. Fremantle's turn to play host comes after the State's major celebration in Burswood was pushed to November to avoid seasonal poor winter weather again spoiling the party. 'After two years of weather disruptions, a decision was made to shift the timing of our large-scale Burswood event,' Celebrate WA chairman Scott Jones told PerthNow. 'We expect Fremantle to be buzzing this year as it is the only metro WA Day celebration in 2025. Fremantle's iconic backdrop, combined with the expanded program, makes it the perfect setting for a city-wide celebration of who we are as Western Australians.' The festivities in Fremantle will run from 11am to 6pm on WA Day. Festival goers can expect to see Mews Park and Bathers Beach decorated with flags, lanterns, and lights representative of our favourite holiday destination - Bali. The Bathers Beach boardwalk will play host to a vintage fashion parade and the WA Shipwrecks Museum will be decked out for children, with unicorns and mermaids among the attractions. The traditional crowd-drawing derby between WAFL rivals East Fremantle and South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval will also be a highlight of the public holiday. 'It's a full-day experience designed to engage all ages and backgrounds,' Mr Jones said. 'There really is something for everyone. Expect an atmosphere that's colourful, inclusive, and full of surprises — from interactive workshops and cultural story-telling to music and carnival magic. 'It's a joyful celebration of everything that makes WA unique — our people, our stories, and our incredible diversity.' The large-scale Burswood event has been rescheduled to November 22-23 to avoid weather disruptions which have marred festivities in previous years. 'We're committed to delivering an outstanding celebration later this year,' Mr Jones said. 'When the sun is shining and we can tie in with the buzz of the summer of cricket at Optus Stadium. In the meantime, we invite everyone to enjoy our vibrant festival in Fremantle.' Regional WA Day events are being held in Albany, Geraldton, Carnarvon, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Port Hedland, Newman and Karratha. WA Day was formally established in April 2012 following bipartisan political support in the Western Australian Parliament to make the change from Foundation Day.
