Seeing red on Sunday

The sight of 5000 Santas should convince everyone that the Christmas season is here. This was the annual Variety Club's fun run from the MCA through Circular Quay and back again. Maybe even I could do that!. The event was to raise $250,000 to help children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs. And that's a good thing.

Meanwhile across town in Kensington, Hollywood great Mel Gibson took time off from filming Hacksaw Ridge which is being shot in Sydney to attend the launch of a new school at the National  Institute for Dramatic Art (NIDA) where he studied acting. Mel was joined by his co-star Teresa Palmer who also studied at NIDA. A few years ago Mel stumped up over $3M for the new NIDA building which is now one of the leading film & acting schools in the world. Above left  : the building Mel donated to NIDA

An Evening with Hoges

Our favourite Aussie icon, and first chairman of Variety - the Children's Charity Australia, Paul Hogan, is back in Australia to do what he does best- entertain. Come and join Hoges as he hits the stage with 'AN EVENING WITH HOGES' hilariously reminiscing through a most extraordinary life. Dean Murphy, Producer says "It's going to be an hilarious night of entertainment! "This December, Hoges will return to his roots and take to the stage on a nationwide comedy tour, highlighting key moments over his impressive career and share some of his much loved, unfiltered observations on life. In true Hoges style, it will be a night of fun and light-hearted jokes, in his classic matter of fact, tell-it-like-it-is style.

With Variety still close to his heart, $14 for every A Reserve tickets sold using the code HOGES will be donated to Variety. So grab your mate's to be a part of the night of laughter, and support a great cause.                                       GET DETAILS and TICKETS HERE

Mama Mia ! Maria & The Mafia

She's our favourite Italian import - the mammary gifted songstress Maria Venuti . Maria hosted a charity fundraiser for the very worthy Variety Club at the Finger Wharf and told the Shuttle of her plans to take Sicily by storm. She was born there some 73 65 years ago and plans to return with a group of wide-eyed Aussies for a tour around the fascinating history packed Mediterranean island.

"No, I know nothing of the Mafia" says Maria." we'll be having too much fun doing other things to worry about stuff like that." She assures me the tour will be an unforgettable 14 days of  the finest restaurants, wineries, chefs, beaches, and historic sites. You can be sure with Maria in charge there won't be one boring moment to be had. .
And helping her is her gorgeous daughter Bianca, pictured right with her mom.

Venuti's Sicilia runs from Saturday 22 June – Thursday 4 July 2013

For more detailed information, enquiries and bookings please contact Caterina at ATI Tours on +61 9798 0588 or visit www.atitours.com.au

Maria & show-biz pals at the Finger Wharf in Woolloomooloo for the Variety Club

            

  Here is our snap of movie star Ewan McGregor at the harbour-side launch for the new LG television set last Wednesday, or as he calls it : "a fucking good telly".
Doesn't he look handsome !

Computer says nooooo...

If you were planning to fly south today for the Melbourne Cup, as tens of thousands do from all over the country and as far away as Ireland, the UK and New Zealand, you will know by now you can forget it courtesy of Qantas boss Alan Joyce who cancelled all worldwide Qantas flights yesterday (while 95% of shareholders bizarrely voted him a $5M salary the previous day).

Virgin Blue and others will try to fill the gap but many will be disappointed.
There are plenty of functions on in Sydney though but book now if you want to get in.

Variety, the children's charity has a gala day at the Sofitel Hotel at $195 per ticket or $2950 for a corporate table of ten with seats still available.

Artist Charles Billich is hosting a party at the splendid mansion Swifts in Darling Point. Ring the Billich Gallery on 02 9252 1481 The Finger Wharf in Woolloomooloo is always popular with every restaurant hosting a party but get in fast.

my helipad's bigger than yours

Doltone House- a splendid harbourside venue located on a renovated wharf with sensational views of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House was the venue for the Variety Club's annual bash on Thursday evening.

The Variety Club raises money for needy kids-about 200 grand last night.  The shrinking violet to the left having her ear nibbled is singer Maria Venuti who is very popular in Greece and Dubai. I wonder why.

Sipping cocktails on the balcony in the warm spring breeze a group of us noticed several large boats being manouvered out to make a sizable space.

Word is that's it to make place for the impending visit of Reg Grundy and his superyacht  Bodicea (pictured below). For the uninitiated Reg Grundy made a billion from producing TV shows like Neighbours, Sons & Daughters, Home & Away and a host of quiz shows. He's lived in Bermuda with his wife Joy for years. Bodicea is on the market though-for around $120M. Or make an offer.

Apparently Russian oligarch and owner of the Chelsea Football Club Roman Abramovich  sent a team to check out the Bodicea but in the end decided he "wasn't into second-hand boats". So he's having a new $180M boat built with 2 helipads-the Bodicea only has one. 

Also at the Variety Club bash was All Saint's star John Howard (left) who is still confused by some US TV networks for the former prime minister of the same name.

That John Howard is in Venezuela amongst other South American countries on a lecture tour. The Shuttle can't see him seeing eye to eye with Hugo Chavez on much. Should be popular though with the entrenched and belieged upper classes.