Suprise guest Kylie Minogue

at the Qantas Airways 100th celebration dinner tonight at Sydney Airport. She sang the Peter Allen song "I still Call Australia Home".

exclusive: At the Billy Joel concert in Melbourne

Fans Kylie Minogue and Guy Pearce meet up with Billy Joel

at his Melbourne concert.

A rip-off

Whispers has attended numerous New Year's Eve events in Sydney and 4 at the Sydney Opera

House and the Lord Mayor's Party. We were there when Kylie Minogue launched the famous fireworks and once discovered the US actress Sarah Michelle Geller (left) sitting quietly among the party goers.
While the party's were great fun getting there was something else. You can't drive into the city on NYE and you can't get a taxi when leaving. You spend an hour forging your way through a millions of people and end up walking back to a spot like Kings Cross where, if sensible, you parked your car early in the day.
It's still the same of course so it's very handy now to have a pal who lives in one of Surry Hill's tallest apartment blocks that has a commanding view of the Harbour and the sensational fireworks.

Which brings us to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald and Lord Mayor Clover Moore's outrage at how private business and the NSW State Government are co-opting the fireworks event- arguably the most spectacular in the world- and profiteering off an event paid for by City of Sydney ratepayers (me !) to the tune of $5M each year.
She is correct. The best solution would be to tax every entity that charges, what can be quite exorbitant entrance fees because they just happen to have a handy location to view the fireworks.

'It's complicated': how your NYE celebrations are being privatised

 New Year’s Eve in Sydney was always a simple affair. Dusting off that picnic rug, it was as easy as making a few salads and buying some bread rolls with a chook, putting some white wine into the cooler bag and organising the family to get to the best vantage point to watch the fireworks. What's more, it was free.

 READ THE FULL STORY HERE : SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

Happy Christmas to our loyal readers

We get around 2500 regular readers from all over the world every day plus a whole more visiting. This sorta sums up Christmas Day in Sydney. It has everything : sand, a beach, cocktails, Bondi, drag queens, sundshine and a few social identities in that crowd.

ARIAs are under way...

Clarissa Walford and Danny Clayton at the ARIAs

 Australia's top music awards, the ARIAs are underway at The Star and we have some pics of the excitement from one of Sydney's top snappers about town Belinda Rolland. More on the awards later.

Pics by Belinda Rolland (c) www.belindarolland.com.au/

And so it came to pass

Princes Harry & William were there as was our own princess Kylie Minogue. And this couple finally fronted the cameras : Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall.  Read all about it in the MailOnline.

Mrs Keating's Raincoat

Min Keating and our Paul Keating portrait

The Keating clan assembled last week at St Patricks Catholic Church in The Rocks to farewell their beloved matriarch Min Keating who died at the grand age of 94. Min was the mother of former Prime Minister Paul Keating and notable businesswoman Anne Keating. Whispers & Min had a long association first formed via our own late mother who was a long time pal of Min's.
 In the late 90s Whispers held an exhibition of Warholesque style photographic screen prints on a blustery June night in Kings Cross. It was a huge success with many of the portraits being snapped up by their subjects including Kylie Minogue and Elle McPherson along with Lady Mary Fairfax's daughter Anna and brother Charles purchasing a picture of Lady Mary for the family art collection.

Unashamedly influenced by Andy Warhol (he was an old friend) the famed New York society photographer Patrick McMullan who had two regular social pages on Warhol's Interview Magazine flew out for the opening night of the exhibition. Patrick was chuffed to meet members of Sydney society including Lady Sonia McMahon and Min Keating who was pleased to see a portrait of her son Paul in the exhibition. As we all dined later in a nearby restaurant Min finally left at around 2am.

McMullan was startled to receive a rather frantic phone call from Min at his hotel at 7am the next morning. Min had left her raincoat at the restaurant but it was a very special one- purchased by son Paul on one of his Prime Ministerial trips to the UK.
"I dined out on this for weeks to come when I got back to New York" said Patrick later. " Having the PM's mum telephone is like having the US presidents mum on the blower.".
But what has he done with those photos from the night?,  Somewhere in his extensive archive is a series of pics taken after Min left the dinner, of each of the guests parading in Min Keating's fetching leopard print raincoat, including Lady Sonia McMahon!
" I seriously though of holding an exhibition in New York titled The Prime Minister's Mother's Raincoat" said McMullan. "It's the sort of arty thing that goes down well in the Big Apple"

The Voice..

We know you have been wondering what Double Bay's new Intercontinental Hotel looked like. The Voice filmed their new advert for the 2015 season there a month ago and here is our sneak preview with the Madden Bros, Ricky Martin, Delta Goodren and Jessie J. Coming soon- an exclusive tour of Ricky's Sydney base.

Dreamtime

Melbourne has  Geoffrey Edeslten and Geelong has it's new clown town mayor 

Darryn ("Yes, I knew the Princess of Wales very well") Lyons (who gives jumping onto a trend ten years after it fizzled out new meaning). He's been featured in a Sydney Morning Herald piece titled The Emperor Of Geelong.
 My sources say the piece was heavily legalled and it would seem so as the article by Susan Chenery has less of the usual bite we can expert from the experience interviewer.
Still it gives us some insight into the label dropping (they should sue) , name dropping fantasy that now governs the lives of Victoria's second largest city. Probably the most pertinent sentence comes from Lyon's own lips in respect of Geelong's current troubles with collapsing businesses : "I am certainly not the saviour and I haven't got the magic wand".
# Is that a tasteful Charles Billich work of art on his wall ? I think we should be told.
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Kylie Minogue did a surprise concert last night at the Beresford Hotel in Surry Hills after she spent all day tweeting that should be there.

TV Tonight

All eyes will be glued to the box tonight for 2 locally made tele-movies. On the 7 Network the INXS Never Tear Us Apart premieres while on the 9 Network the film about Shappelle Corby screens.

Pictured here is our exclusive photo of Michale Hutchence and girlfriend Paula Yates with a baby Tiger Lilly, at the first public appearance. Our other exclusive pic was taken at INXS's Tim Farris' 40th birthday party at a Kings Cross nightclub. A surprise guest and avid INXS fan popped in- Mike Myers of Austin Powers' fame.

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We must congratulate the MailOnline for finally catching up to thesocialshuttle and publishing our snaps of a 15 year old Tiger Lilly. It's only taken 2 years !

What a Cheek !

Our national treasure Kylie Minogue has been posting pics of herself via Instagram taken by a pal in Positano in Italy. And doesn't she look fab !

On Monday the Singing Budgie will receive the foremost honour that the Australian live entertainment industry can bestow - the JC Williamson Award at the 2013 Helpmann Awards to be held at the Sydney Opera House.

Past recipients have included Barry Humphries, Dame Joan Sutherland, Googie Withers and John Farnham

Diamonds Are Forever

Top jewellery designer Stefano Canturi who has been wowing them in New York threw a cocktail party to launch an exhibition of artworks and accompanying creations at the MiCK Gallery in Paddington, featuring some of his best works from the past 25 years (he began when he was just 17).

Neale Whittaker, Stefano Canturi, Patricia Canturi , David Novak Piper

Jessica Rowe

Of special interest is the amazing 'Satine' necklace commissioned by movie director Baz Luhrmann and Academy Award winning costume designer Catherine Martin. This amazing necklace was worn by Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge. Other confirmed Canturi fans include Oprah Winfrey, Kylie Minogue, Linda Evangalista and Miranda Kerr.

 The Louis XVI inspired Satine design features open lace patterns,scrolls and a splendorous bodice with 1308 diamonds totalling an awe inspiring 134 carats ! .Nice.
Stefano's exhibition is worth seeing for that alone but there are a wealth of beautiful sketches and wondrous jewels on display and it's a must see for everyone.
The exhibition Journey is open until the 12th February at 44 Gurner Street, Paddington. Tel : 02 9231 1799

NYE Celeb Watch

Our handy guide to celebrity watch and who is in town for New Years Eve:. Leo DiCaprio and mate Jonah Hill will celebrate at The Star after arriving aboard a private jet on Friday. At the Lord Mayor's annual party at the Sydney Opera House Kylie Minogue will launch the fireworks to signal the new year.

And Mariah Carey and family will be partying at a private house in the Eastern Suburbs before boarding a luxury launch to moor off the Opera House- we are sworn to secrecy. But the name James Packer comes to mind.

Earth to Sydney Confidential : Yes, Kate Winslet did wed a chap named Ned Rock'n'Roll but he isn't Richard Branson's 'grandson' (which would mean he was aged about 9) , Ned, formerly Abel Smith is the son of Branson's married sister- ie : his nephew.

Topless : Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall !

"Don't do it !" warns Barry Humphries.

Barry was dispensing advice last night at a reception held by Prince Charles and Camilla at Clarence House, their London residence.                                                                                   

And another guest Kylie Minogue had some harsh words for Camilla who has never visted Australia before :"naughty Duchess!".
There were also a group of semi naked New Zealanders dancing for the royals as our video shows (watch for the New Zealand High Commissioner who joins them at the back!)
Guests included a coterie of Australian and New Zealand ex-pats in honour of the royal pair's visit to the colonies in November. They will visit Sydney and Melbourne where Camilla will present the cup to the winner of the famous Melbourne Cup to be held on Tuesday the 6th November.

Humphries warned the Duchess to refrain from standing topless on a hotel balcony :"you never know who could be lurking in the bushes" he said.

Also at the reception :wobble board enthusiast Rolf Harris and writer Kathy Lette who presented Camilla with a jar of Vegemite.

Look Who We Trust!

 Some surprising results from a Readers Digest survey on who Australians find as the most 'trustworthy' souls in the land.

 

Dick Smith

Coming in at Number One is Dr. Charlie Teo (left), the handsome and talented, sometime controversial neurosurgeon. He's followed by the burns specialist Dr Fiona Wood but the next three are pure (sort of) show biz: Hugh Jackman, Mary Donaldson, Crown Princess of Denmark (not bad for a former real estate agent) and entrepreneur Dick Smith.

Father Riley & Eric Bana

Next is the Shuttle's favourite selfless charity worker Father Chris Riley who runs YOTS and at 44 is our equal favourite Catholic priest Father Bob McGuire who was just forcibly retired by the Church but carries on his tasks feeding the homeless and such in Melbourne regardless.

Down the list at 74 is the most trustworthy politician, former PM Kevin Rudd with former Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull at 76.  Both are way ahead of Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard.

Shane & Kyle

Actors like Deborah Lee Furness, Cate Blanchet and Michael Caton are considered very trustworthy as is the Singing Budgie aka Kylie Minogue at No 30 but who comes in last? : At 99 is Kyle Sandilands behind Rupert Murdoch (surely American?) at 97 and Shane Warne at 74. Wacky mining magnate Clive Palmer who is building a replica Titanic in China is No 92.

And more popular than any business mogul or politician? Why The Wiggles of course at 15!

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Current Ecuador Embassy resident Julian Assange, listed as Editor-In-Chief of Wikileaks is regarded as the 75th Most trusted Australian. Here is Julian recently interviewing Noam Chomsky and writer Tariq Ali :

Knit your own Queen & Dame Kylie!

Press Association

  The lack of Union Jacks fluttering from Sydney buildings was noticeable. Melbourne did a little better. Perth with an immigrant population of Brits comprising around 30% was by far the winner with countless Jubilee parties and bunting. Canberra begrudgingly hung one from Parliament House. 

She is, after all our Queen as well. Thank God for the Singing Budgie Kylie Minogue cunningly disguised as a Pearly Queen, and Rolf Harris CBE,AM at the Diamond Jubilee Concert. (Surely it soon should be Dame Kylie and Sir Rolf!) 

 

 

Press Association

Here is a treat for you to while away the hours during these gale force winds and pounding rain: 

Knit your own Queen!

Yes, with a little patience and this pattern, it really is possible to make your own spectacular Diamond Jubilee memento…

YOU WILL NEED

For the doll
◆20g (¾oz), approximately 37m (40yds), of beige DK yarn.
◆ A small amount of pale grey DK yarn.
◆ Very small amounts of black, cream and red DK yarn.
◆ 10–15g (¼–½oz) polyester toy stuffing.
For the clothes
◆ 25g (1 oz), approximately 55m/60yds, of royal blue DK yarn.
◆ A small amount of black DK yarn.
To get the rest of the instructions you need to go the Britain's oldest published magazine The Lady here.

Marnie's Showcase

One highlight of the Mercedes Fashion Week was the photographic exhibition held by one of our most talented designers Marnie Skillings at her boutique in Glenmore Road Paddington.

blondes greet

Marnie with Michelle Jank

TO celebrate the launch of her new collection titled Trait, Marnie turned  her shop into an art gallery to showcase 10 portraits of inspirational women including Sophie Lee, musician Julia Stone and shoe designer Terry Biviano.

Skillings is known for her feminine, romantic and sophisticated  pieces and has a confirmed following of fans who limo straight to her boutique when in town- including  Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman, Julia Stone, Abbie Cornish and Paris Hilton who shopped there recently during her visit to launch the Marquee nightclub at the Star casino.


left : Marnie Skillings and one of her very best creations-(an unimpressed) Kosta. 
right : Marnie's designs

    the portrait of Julia Stone

                                                                    

                                                            

Kylie, New Year's Eve & Clueless Media

You know who you are : the Nine & Seven TV Networks and even the ABC. And let's not even mention the tabloids ( perhaps it's the stress of their sister organs being under the spotlight in the UK).

All reported breathlessly this morning that our Queen of Pop , the gorgeous Kylie Minogue will be this year's New Year's Eve ambassador. It was, they repeated in chorus, Kylie's very first involvement in Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations that sees up to 1.5 million people line the harbour for the sensational fireworks.

Phil Avalon

Well no actually. Kylie was the guest at the 2002 New Year's Eve party at the Sydney Opera House and threw the switch to start the fireworks that year.
We know because as she was stepping forward to throw the switch, cheered on by thousands of spectators, the Shuttle had to separate a paparazzi and the film producer Phil Avalon who said the snapper had insulted his wife.

To soothe Avalon's nerves we took him into the bar for a drink with Kylie so he would forget about the rude photographer. Do your research folks.

(the following year, the guest switch thrower was US actress Sarah Michelle Geller)
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Getting into the spirit for his Cuban visit.