Court drama in the Southern Highlands

Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban's SH home Bunya Hill and local resident Miriam Margolyes

The gentle rolling pastures of the beautiful countryside of the Southern Highlands are abuzz as the latest court drama over a local newspaper and a property developer plays out in the local court. The Highlands are a weekend retreat for many well heeled Sydneysiders with their hobby farms and numerous celebrities like Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Harry Potter actress Miriam Margolyes and the late British politician Lord McAlpine
Top Sydney barrister, Charles Waterstreet was at Moss Vale Local Court this morning  representing newspaper executive Cristian King .
The prosecution relates to an investigative editorial ran by the local newspaper, LattéLife Wingecarribee, last year entitled 'Yuill Be Right’.
The article revealed that local real estate agent Angus Yuill of Campbell-Jones Property in Bowral had been trading without a property certifcate or licence for nine months, resulting in enforcement action by NSW Fair Trading.

left : barrister Charles Waterstreet and Cristian King

Mr King has been charged with intimidation, offensive behaviour and obstructing a vehicle in a public place. He is pleading not guilty to all charges.

King arrives at Moss Vale court today

Evidence was given by Campbell-Jones Property principal,Angus Campbell-Jones and his receptionist,Ana Calvert on 20 March 2017.
However, the hearing was adjourned to 18 May 2017 due to an allegation by Ms Calvert that Mr King had intimidated her at McDonald's restaurant in Moss Vale following her testimony although Mr King says he was at the courthouse at that time.
Mr Waterstreet, a family friend of the King's, has taken a special interest in this case and said "It is an honour to represent a journalist."

 Below: Highlands' competing newspapers : LatteLife and the Fairfax newspaper Highland News

Fairfax Fail # 14

Don't get Whispers wrong, we really are fond of Fairfax Newspapers. Especially having worked for lengthy periods twice for them although the partnership didn't always end amicably. The real problem is despite Fairfax hosting some of the nation's best journalists, those in management are not newspaper people. They are businessmen looking at the bottom financial line and that isn't always a happy marriage.
Say what you will about the Dirty Digger ( Rupert Murdoch) he employs expert experienced newspaper men & women to run his worldwide operations and that's why they succeed (hey and they pay on time !).

So it's always sad when you see an obvious corker in one of Australia's venerable institutions and one we need so badly. As in this report by the local Southern Highlands' Fairfax newspaper where two budding journos got it so badly wrong.

Local newspaper baron Cristian King (pictured right with his Mum Jane)  Australia's youngest newspaper executive and an editor at King Media is involved in a dispute with some local Highland's colorful characters. He's been charged with an offense but most certainly not 'stalking' a fairly serious offense as the local Fairfax newspaper alleges. Cris is in good hands though His brief is from one of NSW's best law firms run by Christopher Murphy. We reckon King will prevail in court. We don't think M'lud will be happy with the Fairfax report.

Disclosure : Whispers has worked for Fairfax, Rupert Murdoch, King Media, Vanity Fair, the Wentworth Courier..oh hell, who haven't we worked for?

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And on the subject of King Media, Cristian and Jane King are about to launch their fourth local newspaper, The Independent Goulburn. This is the way of the future in print publishing - small independent newspapers will thrive. Take it as gospel from an old hack.

TOMORROW: THE TRUTH ABOUT MOVIE STAR MARILYN MONROE

For our US readers

we get around 1000 per day:


## an amazing reaction to our report on Sam Neill's put down of the local licensing laws that seem to be decimating Sydney's night life. Many views came from Europe & the US. What does this mean for tourism?. Also perhaps the entire population of the Southern Highlands has now read up on the local dramas there.

Dramas in The Shire

Southern Highlands' fans: Miriam Margolyes,Nicole & Keith,Leo DiCaprio, Lady Renouf,Lord McAlpine. Arnie

James Fairfax

The Southern Highlands is undoubtedly the most beautiful and desirable country property in Australia. It's green gentle rolling hills, just a 2 hour drive from Sydney are home to numerous celebrities like Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes, superstar Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban who call the former Governor's retreat Bunya Hill their country base, Fairfax publishing scion James Fairfax along with numerous Eastern Suburb's residents who have hobby farms there. The late UK Conservative Party heavyweight Lord McAlpine called the Shire home as did the late Lady Renouf for some years and even the ex-California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sent a representative to look for a suitable property while last year film heartthrob Leo DiCaprio declared it was his favourite spot in all the world.

Three years ago publisher Jane King decided the local newspaper scene needed a bit of shake-up, moved there with her family and produced a Southern Highland's version of her Eastern Suburbs free newspaper LatteLife. Her son Cristian King who manages the three King newspapers took on the job of reporting on local council affairs and was soon ruffling some very important feathers out of their complacent stupor.
                                                                                                       

Bunya Hill

But a few weeks ago Latte Life's advertisers found an anonymous old-style Poison Pen Letter landing on their doorsteps alleging all sorts of scurrilous goings-on. To show there were no hard feelings all the advertisers decided to step up their support for the newspaper and many delivered the letters to the local cop shop. Now the Australian Federal Police has stepped in to forensically examine the offending missives.

Cristian King

Meanwhile manager Christian King- defending himself -succeeded in having an attempted Apprehended Violence Order from a local councilor thrown out of court and is also suing a councilor for defamation.

And to show he has no hard feelings, Cristian has now put himself up for election in the Wingecarribee Shire Council which if successful could see him as Australia's youngest Councilor. Ex-Wingecarribee Mayor Julie Arkright  has stepped into the breach to take over Cristian's council reporting.
I'm told the local coffee shoppes and pubs are abuzz with chat on the matters with many viewing it as the most exciting series of events to have happened in the area in decades!
# Whispers occasionally does some work for LatteLife Newspapers.

Taking Over

Judy & Michael McMahon                   Cristian & Jane King    

The popular Eastern Suburb's newspaper Latte Life continues in it's campaign to become the area's most read newspaper now distributing over 50,000 copies from Watsons Bay to Surry Hills, outstripping it's Fairfax rival. And it's only taken 3 short years.

Shari Lee Hitchcock & Dallen Nickols,Aaron Zerefos and pal

Under the stewardship of publisher Jane King, Latte Life began as a newsletter and quickly morphed into a newspaper which breaks stories- the latest issue with an exclusive tale on a security lapse during the recent visit of HRH Prince Harry and a shocking expose about foreign students being forced to clean offices for no pay. Plus a few ruffled feathers with Wentworth MP Malcolm Turnbull a bit miffed about a story from the last issue.
 All this success was a good reason to throw a birthday bash at the exclusive Hugo's Lounge in Kings Cross and naturally the Shuttle was only too happy to celebrate along with friends, staff and advertisers. Joining the throng, Watson Bay party gal Shari Lee Hitchcock, Theo Onosforou, Rose Bay restaurant owners Michael & Judy McMahon, Fiji Water honcho Aaron Zerefos and cartoonist Mike Lodge.
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Lord Mayor Clover Moore hosted and SBS presenter Lee Lin Chin officiated at a party to launch the City of Sydney's Asia On Your Doorstep, a celebration of the amazing and inviting variety of Asian restaurants on offer in the Emerald City.
In the recently decorated and very grand Lord Mayor’s Reception Room at Sydney Town Hall, Consuls and Ambassadors from a number of our Asian neighbours joined locals like Kerri Anne Kennerly , PR powerhouse Deidre O'Loghlin, Glen Marie Frost, NSW Tourism Minister George Souris MP and Masterchef winner Adam Liaw, along with top foodies Joanna Savill, Maeve O'Meara, some media types like Susie Elelman and Indira Naidoo and one of Sydney's nicest couples, Sir James & Lady Hardy.

Susie Elelman & Adam Liau           Clover Moore & George Souris MP      Sir James & Lady Hardy, Di Hamill

                                                                                 

 Lee Lin Chin must be the most elegantly dressed newsreader on Australian TV as you can see from our pic here with Indira Naidoo- and note  her superb Jimmy Choo pumps.


Go to the official Asia On Your Doorstep website to find participating venues and you could win a trip to Thailand. 

Lots Of Life in This Latte

Latte Life's Jane King cuts a birthday cake while Maria Venuti sings

Double Bay based local newspaper Latte Life celebrated it's second successful year with a party at the Watson's Bay Hotel hosted by editor Jane King.

Loyal readers Jan & Geoffrey Karpin

What started as an experiment has became a major success with distribution now extended throughout Sydney's Eastern suburbs with celebrities and local politicians courting support from the publication.

Aaron Zerefos & Cheyenne Tozzi

Celebrity agent Max Markson emceed the evening and chanteuse Maria Venuti sang Happy Birthday to the assembled throng.

Later in the evening gorgeous model Cheyenne Tozzi took to the stage to sing a few numbers. 


 Read the newspaper online here.



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Readership of the Social Shuttle is now peaking with an average of 2800 - 3000 visitors a day with readers from all over the world as our break-down for the last 7 days shows: (Google figures)

Pageviews yesterday

3,011

Pageviews last month

70,718

Australia	12594
United States	868
Germany	434
United Kingdom	299
France	93
Canada	92
China	88
Netherlands	55
Russia	51
Sweden	46

Lots of Flavour in This Latte

Jane King celebrates her success

It appeared quietly on the scene twelve months ago: Latte Life the free newspaper for Sydney's ritzy Double Bay and has gone from strength to strength doubling it's circulation.

Publisher Jane King wasn't phased by the fairly intimidating competition, The Wentworth Courier that has dominated the area for over 60 years. The effect of a smart and snappy alternative was almost instant on the Wenty with King's opposition suddenly upping the ante and sending out representatives far and wide seeking advertisers and looking for new columnists.

Trish & Lloyd Lomas

                                                                                     
But the public and local residents have taken Latte Life to their hearts and remain loyal. To celebrate this success and their first birthday the newspaper threw a party at another new Double Bay establishment, Mrs Sippi the restaurant and bar that openly quietly not long ago and is packed every night.

Jan & Geoffrey Karpin

Alan Jones sent his apologies but around 70 others turned up to sip wine and dine on Mrs Sippi's great food. Our favourite Elizabeth Bay colourful characters the Karpins dropped in and the landed gentry was represented by a Macarthur Onslow. Top hairdressers Lloyd and Trish Lomas, publicist Dee O'Loghlin and Sun Herald editor-at-large Shelly Horton (who is judge on the new TV show Celebrity Apprentice ) joined a host of local dignitaries at the celebrations and all heartily sang Happy Birthday !

# Spotted sitting at a corner table in Mrs Sippi-Jane Ferguson working away on her iPad. Her famous sister Sarah, the Duchess of York will join her in Sydney soon for a holiday.  You can read Latte Life online here.

Mrs Sippi

                                         

When Two Tribes Go To War

A publishing battle is brewing in the exclusive confines of chic Double Bay as a new publication-Latte Life finds itself in the firing line of the established Wentworth Courier.


The Courier, published for over 70 years has always jealously guarded it's Eastern Suburbs market with a near monopoly on the rivers of gold in classified  and real estate advertising.

Each week the Courier thuds on resident's doorsteps with pages packed with glossy adverts for everything from an affordable Cloveley bungalow to harbour side mansions selling for tens of millions of dollars.

Latte Life  burst on the scene 3 months ago when publisher Jane King decided that Double Bay needed it's own publication concentrating on the cafe life of the fashionable suburb. Jane believes The Bay has been neglected and that the Courier has gone in too top heavy promoting  the giant Westfield shopping centre in Bondi Junction which she believes is strangling business in the village type atmosphere of Double Bay.

"I was brought up in England and always loved High Streets and village shopping centres" says Jane. "I spotted a gap in the market with Latte Life and the response has been fantastic".

Now columnists on Latte Life have suddenly found themselves on the receiving end of job offers from rival publiciations . It seems there maybe even more publications opening up in the area.

Goldberg :"30 years too late"

'Mr Double Bay' Graeme Goldberg , owner of Dee Bees one of the Bay's most popular restaurants has just started to write a column for Latte Life about the happenings in the area. With his impeccable show business connections it was a smart move on the part of Latte Life. Two days after his first column appeared  Goldberg found 3 representatives from an unamed rival magazine  in his cafe. They offered him a n increase in pay if he shifted to them to write a column.

Goldberg said "they were 30 years too late.  The Courier has always been very supportive of me and I love the new Latte Life but that's how long I've run businesses around here and suddenly I'm in demand everywhere !"
Other advertisers in Latte Life have found themselves approached by media salesmen suggesting better advert rates could be had with another publication if they wished to move their custom.

Over ten years ago the Courier had it's dominance of the area challenged when 20 real estate agents formed a syndicate and published the weekly Eastern Express with pages packed with classifieds. Soon both were  in an advertising price war. But a court challenge  from the Express and a claim of 'predatory pricing' against the Wentworth Courier finished off the challenger. The Eastern Express lost the case and were landed with the debilitating legal costs.

Jane says she isn't worried. "I don't have real estate advertising or take escort service classifieds so I'm not really competing for the bulk of  the Courier's advertisers. And hopefully some competition will make the Courier up it's anti"

She plans to branch out with Latte Life and it's cheery mix of social snaps, gossipy stories and interviews with famous locals with it's present 20,000 copies a month and increase the paper's circulation area to outlying suburbs and take on the Courier with it's 50,000 weekly copies.

The market-Sydney's ritzy Eastern Suburbs contains the biggest concentration of Australia's wealthiest citizens along with a huge swathe of  young professionals, wealthy retirees, gays and lesbians and those working in the arts and the movie industry. It's a marketer's dream target so much so that  the London School of Economics once used the Wentworth Courier in it's lectures to students as an example of a newspaper that was perfectly pitched to reach a specific audience.

There could be room for a third newspaper and locals would be the winners. Looks like an interesting battle  ahead.