They're back !!!

Tropfest attracts the biggest stars in the business

 Admittedly Whispers has been a critic of Tropfest in the past. But overall, it really is a fantastic event.

Tropfest founder John Polson & Jamie Foxx- a Tropfest fan

How pleasing then to announce that reports of
Tropfest's death have been greatly exaggerated (we are guilty too). Fortunately they have found a new sponsor and the event will take place on Sunday February 14th this year. The location will be Centennial Park and the weather should be perfect at that time of the year instead of the original December date which really can be quite humid.. And that's a Very Good Thing. And congrats should go to Tropfest found John Polson for persevering in the face of adversity.
# A few years ago Whispers was privileged to lunch with actor and Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx at Royal Randwick. Foxx enthused about Tropfest which he had just attended calling it the very best short film festival he had ever attended : "I intend to tell everyone back in LA about how fantastic it is" said Jamie.
For more details, bookings etc go to the Tropfest official website here.

Tropfest time

 December 7th is the date for the 2014 Tropfest short film contest where budding film-makers present their efforts. All the Hollywood stars in the above photo have been supporters from day one and been judges at Tropfest so you are in good company. Take a picnic rug, chairs and umbrella to Centennial Park and settle in for the day- it's free !. There will be as usual plenty of food and drink outlets available and a chance to hobnob with movie celebrities. It's a fun day out!

Waiting for Jennifer

When you look like Jennifer Hawkins you will probably be forgiven for most things. Whether the assembled paparazzi at the Polo In The Park will is not known.
Given instructions that Ms Hawkins would arrive at 11.30 am they patiently waited until she did actually get there- at 1.30pm.Water was consumed, brows wiped in the alternating hot sun and cold wind. Faces began to burn. But she did arrive and duly posed with a Range Rover.
Crowds seemed to be down this year possibly because the event has grown a reputation for always being extremely hot in it's home in the sheltered area of Centennial Park. But the weather was perfect, the champagne chilled  and the food excellent. Well that was at the Land Rover corporate tent. Wandering past the other marquees guests looked happy and contented and some even watched the polo matches while ladies and some men swooned over the handsome polo players.
It's a rich man's game but we loved the announcer proudly introducing one team member as the "son of a fish monger". So there, polo is now an egalitarian sport and mere mortals like me and you can attend and even play !

Polo guests : Darren Palmer, Camila Franks,George Gregan, David Novak-Piper, Neale Whitaker and Guy Sebastian

Picture Post

Spotted at the Black & White Charity Committee's annual ball last weekend- Sydney party girl Sharon Sargeant and her paramour Frank Monte. International man of mystery Monte now spends most of his time in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, returning to Australia 4 times a year to visit friends and relatives.
This year's bash was held in a marquee in Centennial Park with a fun park theme and as our snaps show, Ms Sargeant got into the spirit of the occasion. Certainly the gent in our second pic seems to think so. Money raised goes to aid the Royal Blind Society.

Also pictured are LA based comedienne Jackie Loeb and Australia's Got Talent winner Jack Vidgen- all grown up- at a party at the Californian Australian Consulate in Los Angeles for a fundraiser for Netball America.
Loeb is a regular at the comedy clubs around LA and Vidgen has set up home there with his mum as he continues his quest to conquer US show biz.