logo
Hospitality Yoda Kevin Luscombe's Brighton mansion for sale

Hospitality Yoda Kevin Luscombe's Brighton mansion for sale

News.com.au26-06-2025
The Brighton home designed by the late Kevin Luscombe, dubbed 'the Yoda of Victorian hospitality' by MasterChef judge Matt Preston, has hit the market with a $3.9m-$4.29m price guide.
The revered advertising and marketing figure, who passed away in October 2023 aged 90, was known for shaping some of Australia's most iconic food brands and mentoring generations of leaders across hospitality, wine and media.
Now, his carefully designed five-bedroom Brighton residence, complete with a wine cellar, indoor pool and European courtyard, is being offered for sale for the first time in more than two decades.
The late Mr Luscombe and his wife Barbara purchased the 550sq m site at 14 Cadby St in 1997 for $340,000, and completed the custom Neo-Georgian build in 2000.
The home was meticulously crafted to reflect his creative vision and refined taste, with Barbara living in the property until recently.
Their son David Luscombe said his father took great pride in the design process, curating not just a house but a place of thought, warmth and celebration.
'This house was very much a reflection of his vision, personality and passions,' Mr Luscombe said.
'He didn't just live here, he shaped it.'
Among the standout features is a temperature-controlled wine cellar that his son David said was '100 per cent Dad's creation'.
The former Heinz marketing executive had once owned a vineyard and maintained friendships with winemaking greats like Gary Crittenden.
'Wine was a real passion for him,' he said.
'It wasn't just about collecting bottles, it was about the story and curation.'
The indoor pool was another signature inclusion, chosen for year-round use and to avoid what David jokingly called his dad's 'least favourite task, scooping out leaves.'
The home also includes multiple living zones, two large studies, and a European-inspired courtyard framed by a central fountain and established greenery.
'It was a gathering place,' Mr Luscombe said.
'There were six children, grandchildren, and a lot of long lunches. It always felt warm, both literally and emotionally.'
Hodges Brighton director Lee Pellizzer said the property had drawn strong interest from families seeking a spacious, character-filled residence near leading schools like Brighton Grammar.
'The proportions are generous and the finishes are timeless,' Mr Pellizzer said.
'It's a solid, elegant home with a story, and you can feel it when you walk in.'
Expressions of interest close Monday July 7 at 5pm
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Calls for insurance premium transparency
Calls for insurance premium transparency

ABC News

timean hour ago

  • ABC News

Calls for insurance premium transparency

Sabra Lane: Australia's biggest insurers have posted bumper profits during the current reporting season, but the good news for investors hasn't gone down well with consumer advocates who are helping customers struggling with steep premium hikes. Here's business reporter Rhiana Whitson. Rhiana Whitson: When Michele Vanderlanh Smith realised her home and contents insurance premium had jumped from about $700 a year to more than $5,000, she thought it must be a mistake. Michele Vanderlanh Smith: I was shocked. The insurer basically justified the $5,000 increase by saying that my property is a flood risk. Rhiana Whitson: The logic for the 600% hike from Westpac's insurance arm Allianz did not stack up for Ms Vanderlanh Smith . She lives on the first floor of an inner-city Sydney apartment complex that's not prone to flooding. Michele Vanderlanh Smith: They said I'd consented to pay that increase because I was making automatic bank deposits. Rhiana Whitson: When she challenged the price hike, Allianz told her to pay for her own hydrologist report. Consumer advocates like Julia Davis from the Financial Rights Legal Centre say stories like this are increasingly common. Julia Davis: Insurers say they're not price gouging. They say that they are simply reflecting increasing risk on people's homes. But again, they don't share any tailored information with their customers about individual risk on people's homes. Rhiana Whitson: The frustration comes as Australia's biggest insurers post-bumper profits, fuelled by years of premium increases and a relatively quiet year for natural disasters. Market analyst Craig Bennett from S&P Global is warning of an affordability crunch for customers. Craig Bennett: So you're seeing not only new business coming through, but you're also seeing people wind back the cover they have and you're seeing then off the back of that more risk being retained by the individual. Rhiana Whitson: Julia Davis questions whether consumers are simply funding big returns for shareholders. Julia Davis: So we're calling on the government to either empower the ACCC to set up a permanent national pricing monitoring service or to set up an independent body. Rhiana Whitson: The ABC asked Allianz, QBE, Suncorp and the Insurance Australia Group if they were price gouging customers. They all insisted their pricing was based on risk. Andrew Hall is the CEO of the industry's peak body, the Insurance Council of Australia. He rejects the need for national price monitoring and encourages consumers to shop around. Andrew Hall: I would rather see money being invested in risk reduction so that homes are built in safe locations and allow insurance to get on and do what it does best, which is be there for when the unexpected happens. Rhiana Whitson: Michele Vanderlanh Smith was able to find a much cheaper insurance deal. She's now paying about $1,000 a year, about one fifth of what Allianz was charging her. But she says the onus shouldn't be on consumers to avoid paying too much. Michele Vanderlanh Smith: It gives me no confidence actually. It makes me very cynical probably of all insurance companies. Sabra Lane: That's Michele Vanderlanh Smith, Sydney resident, ending Rhiana Whitson's report.

ABC announces Bonner Committee Scholarship recipients for 2025
ABC announces Bonner Committee Scholarship recipients for 2025

ABC News

timean hour ago

  • ABC News

ABC announces Bonner Committee Scholarship recipients for 2025

The ABC congratulates the recipients of the 2025 Bonner Committee scholarships, Bridget Caldwell-Bright and Peter Green. The scholarships were announced at an Awards dinner last night at the conclusion of the 2025 Indigenous Staff Conference. The scholarships honour the legacy of the late Neville Bonner AO and reinforces the ABC's commitment to Indigenous representation, development, and inclusion. The scholarships are awarded to current ABC employees to enhance their skills and develop their careers. Melbourne-based editorial advisor Bridget Caldwell-Bright has received the scholarship for leadership and Peter Green - a member of the Content Production Technology team in Perth - has received the development scholarship. Bonner Committee Chair 2022-25 Dan Bourchier said: 'The Bonner Scholarships are an important way of the Bonner Committee creating avenues for fellow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues, with access to professional development, training, and educational opportunities that can accelerate career growth and leadership pathways. By investing in Indigenous talent, the scholarships aim to retain skilled staff and support their personal development and growth, and advancement into influential roles across the organisation.' Bridget Caldwell-Bright - Leadership Bridget is the editorial adviser to the ABC state and regional newsrooms and the primary editorial policy adviser for News on issues that relate to First Nations people. As the recipient of the Bonner Committee leadership scholarship, she will take part in a short-term international exchange with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), with a focus on Editorial Standards to assist her professional development. Bridget will participate in an observational and knowledge exchange placement with the CBC Office of Editorial and Journalistic Standards, and the CBC Indigenous Unit. Peter Green - Development Peter's current role at the ABC in Perth is an assistant technologist, providing technical support to ensure broadcast and business continuity. His development scholarship involves a placement in the content production engineering team, with a specific focus on developing DataMiner Skills. The scholarship will increase Peter's hands-on experience, and technical knowledge. Last night, Dan Bourchier also welcomed Solua Middleton as the incoming Bonner Committee Chair and new Head of First Nations Audio. Media contact Nikki Tugwell, ABC Communications

Commonwealth Bank backtracks on AI job cuts, apologises for 'error' as call volumes rise
Commonwealth Bank backtracks on AI job cuts, apologises for 'error' as call volumes rise

ABC News

timean hour ago

  • ABC News

Commonwealth Bank backtracks on AI job cuts, apologises for 'error' as call volumes rise

The Commonwealth Bank has backtracked on dozens of job cuts, describing its decision to axe 45 roles due to artificial intelligence as an "error". CBA said it had apologised to the affected employees after finding the customer service roles were not redundant despite introducing an AI-powered "voice-bot". The Finance Sector Union has described the reversal as a "major win", after it raised a dispute at the Fair Work Commission. It said its members found work actually spiked after the bot was introduced, despite the bank's claims it would reduce calls. "Our investment in technology, including AI, is making it easier and faster for customers to get help, especially in our call centres," CBA had said when confirming the job cuts in July. The FSU said the experience of workers after the bot was introduced was "a very different story". "Call volumes were rising, with management scrambling to offer overtime and even pulling team leaders onto the phones," its statement read. CBA admitted it "did not adequately consider all relevant business considerations" when announcing the redundancies and acknowledged "we should have been more thorough in our assessment of the roles required". Affected staff have now been provided the choice to continue in their current roles, pursue redeployment within the bank or proceed with leaving CBA. However, the FSU said the "damage is already done". "CBA has been caught out trying to dress up job cuts as innovation," FSU national secretary Julia Angrisano said. The union said it was continuing to collect accounts from members at CBA about the impact of offshoring, automation and AI on workloads and job security, ahead of a Fair Work hearing next week. CBA chief executive Matt Comyn recently told ABC News it was difficult to predict the impact of AI on jobs in the long term. "I think the full potential of AI, to the extent that we even understand how that can be done, is one that is many years away. "It's true of any technology that some tasks may be automated. "Ultimately, what we've been able to say before is that people have migrated to higher-value work." The CEO highlighted around 2,000 extra staff hired in recent months, but acknowledged that many of those roles had been added in India, as the bank expanded its technology team there. CBA reported a record $10.25 billion cash profit for the 2025 financial year.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store