Latest news with #Allens
Sydney Morning Herald
09-08-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Billionaire's heiress buys $3.1m pad with family help, lists it for $19m
Meanwhile, in the east, the home of legal couple Matthew Darke, SC, and his wife, Felicity McMahon, an Allens partner, has hit the market with a $19 million guide in Bellevue Hill. Title Deeds has reported on power duos selling every other week in recent months and this is the latest couple in the legal fraternity to make a move from a beloved family home. The six-bedroom, five-bathroom house has been redesigned with a classic 'Nantucket' feel by Amy Spargo of Maine House Interiors since the couple bought the property for $8.6 million in 2018. Set on 800 square metres, it is minutes away from Plumer Road Village, Rose Bay Wharf and nearby local schools. Darke, a barrister at Tenth Floor Chambers, has represented clients including Westpac, NAB, AMP and Qantas. McMahon is a partner at Allens in the competition, consumer and regulatory team. She has represented clients such as Westpac, NAB, Pfizer and Salesforce. Their home is scheduled to go under the hammer on September 9 and is selling through Ashley Bierman of Ray White Double Bay, who could not be reached when contacted. Aussie metal core band member sells Up in Byron Bay, Parkway Drive drummer Ben Gordon has sold his house for about $10 million, local sources say. The born-and-bred local purchased the Mediterranean-inspired property for $2.45 million in 2019 at the band's peak, when they headlined at Bloodstock Festival in Britain. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom house is set on a ridgeline that captures stunning 180-degree views over Arakwal National Park to the Pacific Ocean and Broken Head. Set on 660 square metres, the home features a seamless indoor-outdoor floor plan with double height ceilings. It also has a Sonos sound system throughout, a basement level gym and a separate home office. The property sold through Will Phillips of Sotheby's International Realty Byron Bay, who declined to comment when contacted. A sabbatical and a sale Back on Sydney's beaches, the Bronte home of Macquarie Group's former treasurer Mark Johnston and his actuary wife, Noeline Woof, has sold for circa $11 million, local sources report. Known as Mt Eden, the five-bedroom, four-bathroom home is perched atop the suburb, providing a jaw-dropping vantage point to see the beach. The circa 1910-built home was redesigned by Weir Phillips Architects and features a cocktail bar, a wine cellar and an outdoor kitchen. Loading Johnston, who is on sabbatical according to his LinkedIn profile, worked at Macquarie Group (also known as the Millionaires Factory) for almost two decades. Before that, he worked at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, where Noeline was a partner for more than a decade, according to her LinkedIn page. She is now a director at Hollard Insurance. Johnston and Woof purchased the home in 2016 from Monument Building Group's Miles Brujic and his wife, Georgina, for $9.55 million. It most recently sold through James Ball of Sydney Sotheby's International Realty, who could not be reached for comment. Long-time locals sell Nearby, in Bronte, the home of former senior NSW public servant Richard Persson AM and his wife, the former head of NSW TAFE Marie Persson, has sold for $10 million. The pair purchased the 483-square-metre block for $2.8 million in 2008 and went on to build the four-bedroom, two-bathroom house that sits on it today. Spanning three levels, the property has an ocean view garden and solar-heated pool. Richard served in various government roles under different leaders including Bob Carr and John Howard. Marie spent more than three decades providing advice to governments on vocational education and training, receiving a lifetime achievement award for her work.
The Age
09-08-2025
- Business
- The Age
Billionaire's heiress buys $3.1m pad with family help, lists it for $19m
Meanwhile, in the east, the home of legal couple Matthew Darke, SC, and his wife, Felicity McMahon, an Allens partner, has hit the market with a $19 million guide in Bellevue Hill. Title Deeds has reported on power duos selling every other week in recent months and this is the latest couple in the legal fraternity to make a move from a beloved family home. The six-bedroom, five-bathroom house has been redesigned with a classic 'Nantucket' feel by Amy Spargo of Maine House Interiors since the couple bought the property for $8.6 million in 2018. Set on 800 square metres, it is minutes away from Plumer Road Village, Rose Bay Wharf and nearby local schools. Darke, a barrister at Tenth Floor Chambers, has represented clients including Westpac, NAB, AMP and Qantas. McMahon is a partner at Allens in the competition, consumer and regulatory team. She has represented clients such as Westpac, NAB, Pfizer and Salesforce. Their home is scheduled to go under the hammer on September 9 and is selling through Ashley Bierman of Ray White Double Bay, who could not be reached when contacted. Aussie metal core band member sells Up in Byron Bay, Parkway Drive drummer Ben Gordon has sold his house for about $10 million, local sources say. The born-and-bred local purchased the Mediterranean-inspired property for $2.45 million in 2019 at the band's peak, when they headlined at Bloodstock Festival in Britain. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom house is set on a ridgeline that captures stunning 180-degree views over Arakwal National Park to the Pacific Ocean and Broken Head. Set on 660 square metres, the home features a seamless indoor-outdoor floor plan with double height ceilings. It also has a Sonos sound system throughout, a basement level gym and a separate home office. The property sold through Will Phillips of Sotheby's International Realty Byron Bay, who declined to comment when contacted. A sabbatical and a sale Back on Sydney's beaches, the Bronte home of Macquarie Group's former treasurer Mark Johnston and his actuary wife, Noeline Woof, has sold for circa $11 million, local sources report. Known as Mt Eden, the five-bedroom, four-bathroom home is perched atop the suburb, providing a jaw-dropping vantage point to see the beach. The circa 1910-built home was redesigned by Weir Phillips Architects and features a cocktail bar, a wine cellar and an outdoor kitchen. Loading Johnston, who is on sabbatical according to his LinkedIn profile, worked at Macquarie Group (also known as the Millionaires Factory) for almost two decades. Before that, he worked at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, where Noeline was a partner for more than a decade, according to her LinkedIn page. She is now a director at Hollard Insurance. Johnston and Woof purchased the home in 2016 from Monument Building Group's Miles Brujic and his wife, Georgina, for $9.55 million. It most recently sold through James Ball of Sydney Sotheby's International Realty, who could not be reached for comment. Long-time locals sell Nearby, in Bronte, the home of former senior NSW public servant Richard Persson AM and his wife, the former head of NSW TAFE Marie Persson, has sold for $10 million. The pair purchased the 483-square-metre block for $2.8 million in 2008 and went on to build the four-bedroom, two-bathroom house that sits on it today. Spanning three levels, the property has an ocean view garden and solar-heated pool. Richard served in various government roles under different leaders including Bob Carr and John Howard. Marie spent more than three decades providing advice to governments on vocational education and training, receiving a lifetime achievement award for her work.
News.com.au
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Nestle confirms the return of popular Aussie lolly
A staple of Saturday sport has finally returned to supermarket shelves, setting social media alight – with one fan even declaring 'my life is complete'. Allen's has confirmed it has brought back single serve Killer Pythons, after shoppers could only purchase the sweet treats in a $5 bag from places such as Woolworths. The item was a statement of netball and soccer canteens around Australia as a reward for turning up on a freezing winter morning and giving it your all. Popular food content creator Nectorious Papi posted the news on his Facebook page, and people were quick to express their excitement. 'Yesss! Actually so keen, wish they'd bring the blue ones back tho,' one social media user commented. Another said: 'I remember them in an open box at the takeaway shops in the 80s.' 'I'm waiting for the day they bring the Starburst range back,' one social media user added. Someone else said: 'Yes this is what dreams are made of! I bet they're still smaller than the old killer python packs.' 'Yessss. My life is complete. I bet they're smaller though,' another echoed. One added: 'Was saying the other day the multiple pack makes them so much smaller.' A spokesperson for Nestle, which owns Allen's, confirmed the return of the single servings. 'Allen's Killer Python is slithering its way into leading petrol and convenience retailers across the country in new single-serve 23-gram packs — perfect for Aussie lolly lovers on the move,' the spokesperson said. 'Whether you're grabbing a treat at your local servo or cruising down the highway for a road trip, this sweet serpent is packed with a fruity flavour punch and ready to coil up in your treat stash. 'Grab yours for RRP $3 at leading petrol and convenience stores nationwide from this month.' Australians had a meltdown in 2014 when Allen's announced it would be cutting the size of its iconic Killer Python from 47 grams to 24 grams. This was to align with what a single serving size should be. 'We're now offering confectionery with responsibly sourced ingredients, on-pack portion education and changes such as revised portion sizes and resealable packaging,' a spokesperson said at the time. 'It's part of helping people improve their nutrition, health and wellness, and underlines our fundamental belief that for a company to be successful, it must also create value for society.' Last year, a Reddit user took to the forum to ask if anyone else missed the 'old style Killer Pythons'. 'Shrinkflation everything,' one person said. Another commented: 'Our local rock climbing centre sells the giant killer pythons! I don't know where they get them from but it's the only lolly they sell. I haven't seen them anywhere else in years.' Earlier this year, Allen's changed the flavour of their orange snakes (which were apricot flavoured) after research revealed it was the 'least preferred flavour'. The orange snake is now passionfruit flavoured.
Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Malcolm Denmark group buys another local newspaper
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission says it has been formally notified of the proposed acquisition of the Galway-based newspaper by Formpress Publishing, which is part of the Iconic group. The Tribune was first published in May 1909. Two decades later the group produced the Sentinel, which finished publication in 2014, and the Galway City Tribune was added by the group in 1984. Combined weekly circulation is believed to be in excess of 10,000, and its associated website is The wider group also includes the radio station Galway Bay FM. Reports have linked Bauer Media to its possible purchase. Three Galway families – the Allens, Naughtons and Hickeys – own the group, and it was reported last year that they had hired IBI Corporate Finance to find a buyer for its assets. The financial details of Iconic's purchase of the Connacht Tribune are not known. The valuations of newspapers have fallen precipitously over the last two decades, due to declining print circulations and reduced advertising revenue. Pre-tax profits at Formpress Publishing rose to €1.7m in the year to the end of September 2023, according to the most recent accounts filed. The company employed an average of 142 people during that 12-month reporting period, up by three on the previous year. Formpress owns about 25 local and regional newspaper titles, including the Mayo News, Kilkenny People, Limerick Leader, Derry News, Dundalk Democrat, Leitrim Observer and the Midland Tribune. Last October the competition authority approved the purchase by Formpress of D&D Media, owner of the Inishowen Independent. Such deals also need approval by the minister for media. While there may be some concerns about an over consolidation of local media in the hands of a few players, there will also be official recognition that some regional newspapers will not survive financially unless they become part of bigger stables. In a recent interview with the Sunday Times, Mr Denmark said he was 'passionate about local media' and sees a future in it. 'I am not giving up on it. We are getting a lot of traction and we are impressed by our numbers online,' he said. Confirming his interest in acquiring the Connacht Tribune, he said: 'The team in Galway is a particularly good one. They are the largest selling of the weekly regional papers now in the country and that is down to producing a very, very good paper every week.'
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vietnam plans energy shift toward building more solar, less reliance on gas and coal
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam is revising its energy plans to focus more on large solar farms and less on reliance on coal and natural gas. The fast-growing economy now aims to get 16% of its energy from the sun — more than triple its earlier target of just 5%. A draft of the new policy outline, likely to be finalized in coming weeks, scraps plans to build offshore wind turbines, instead building more onshore wind capacity, rooftop solar and energy storage. Offshore wind and new gas projects have proven expensive and difficult. Large solar farms are cheaper and easier to build. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. But Vietnam also is emphasizing expansion of large solar farms to meet soaring demand for power generation. It forecasts it will need more than 211 gigawatts of energy by 2030 as its economy grows, 40% more than its previous estimate and more than Germany's current total capacity. 'This reflects both an overall increase in potential power demand by 2030 and the fact that LNG (or liquefied natural gas) projects are not on track to be completed by 2030,' said Giles Cooper, a partner at the international law firm Allens based in Hanoi who specializes in energy policy. Solar power expanded rapidly in Vietnam from 2018 to 2020, helped by generous government policies, as it leaped past its neighbors and some richer nations like the United Kingdom. But construction of new solar capacity stalled in 2020 as the Southeast Asian nation realized that its creaky electricity grid was getting overloaded since electricity was only available when the sun shone. 'It was like the market almost stopped,' said Dimitri Pescia, of Berlin-based thinktank Agora Energiewende. Use of polluting coal, which releases earth-warming gases into the atmosphere, has surged and Vietnam is set to become of the world's top five coal importers, displacing Taiwan, according to the International Energy Agency. Like many other countries, Vietnam still needs to upgrade its rickety grid, which has failed to keep up with rapid growth of clean power generation. However, it has made improvements and gained experience dealing with energy sources that aren't always availables, Cooper said. Last year, authorities allowed electricity-guzzling factories to buy power directly from energy producers, aiming to ease pressure on the overstrained power grid and help big manufacturers like Samsung Electronics meet their climate targets. But that was hindered by a lack of space to build clean energy projects close to factories. Solar energy is 'seen as the most promising technology to kick start' those direct purchases, Cooper said. But while it's building clean power capacity, Vietnam is also ramping up use of coal. That's partly to make up for lost hydropower capacity due to drought, and also to meet soaring demand as businesses shift factories from China to Vietnam. Vietnam is Southeast Asia's second-biggest coal producer after Indonesia. It also imported 50 million ton of coal in the first three quarters of 2024 — a 31% increase, according to government data. Pescia noted that Vietnam's coal-fired power plants aren't very old and operators have yet to recoup their investments. 'Phasing out coal in a country like Vietnam will take more time,' he said. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
