3 days ago
‘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.
