Melbourne & Across The Sea

Milliner Phillip Treacy locks lips with singer Grace Jones at the Battersea Power Station

 Perhaps it's the way of future- an extended series of Mother's Day celebrations. Last week we had the launch of the Murdoch Children's Research Foundation garden party in Elizabeth Bay at the Boomerang mansion which will become an annual charity fundraiser and which hopes to inspire numerous similar events around the country,
The following Friday Crown Casino in Melbourne hosted a Mum's Day event with some of the same guests, namely rival media names- the Packers. Attending were Francesca Barham with her grandmother Ros Packer, widow of the late Kerry Packer. Barham is the daughter of James Packer's sister Gretel Packer and British banker Nick Barham (James owns Crown)

At Crown :  Nicole Trunfio         Rebecca Judd              Sherri Biggs             Nadia Bartel       Jesinta Campbel

Meanwhile in London the iconic Battersea Power Station is soon to be turned into apartments- and what a location that will be -they threw their annual party and we have an exclusive video of the night's entertainment- rock royalty Elton John.

London Life

While our captains of industry were settling their differences in a street punch-up, HRH Prince Harry was putting his time to good use and attended his annual charity event the Sentebale Summer Party at the Dorchester Hotel  in London,as our exclusive snaps show. Above Harry is seen with Malineo Motsephe (left) and Joss Stone. Joss is a patron of the charity.
The evening was to mark 10 years since Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho made a commitment to helping the vulnerable children of that landlocked African nation.
In 2004, Prince Harry visited the country on his gap year and was shown around the country by Prince Seeiso. Overwhelmed by the poverty and hardship faced by many children together they decided to set up Sentebale, which means ‘forget me not’ in Sesotho, with the aim of giving some of the most vulnerable children the chance of a happy, hopeful future.
## During the 1980s the Shuttle lived next door to the Lesotho Embassy in Kensington. So impoverished is the country that our apartment was far grander than the Embassy.
 ### James Packer and David Gyngell might like to make a donation to Sentebale here.
Packer is worth around $7Billion and Gyngell is on a salary of about $10Million a year.

 

Fight Club Minefield

Finally the seriousness of the Bondi Bender is sinking in as it dawns upon the mainstream media just how serious the street brawl between two Australian corporate giants  is and why it's a little more than a disagreement between pals.
Malcolm Farr in the Telegraph was the first to point out the obvious : James Packer has just been awarded the opportunity to make a fortune with his proposed casino complex at Barangaroo with relaxed licensing laws. This opportunity was given him by former NSW premier Barry O'Farrell who dramatically resigned a few weeks ago after mis-leading the ICAC. O'Farrell had also just legislated tough new laws with stiff penalties for street brawling after several deaths and restricted alcohol sales in Kings Cross while also announcing that Packer's Barangaroo casino would be able to operate 24 hours 7 days a week.
Yesterday the police have gone from "not investigating" to now calling for witnesses to the dust-up. Trials are under way in the UK with numerous News Ltd employees accused of hacking mobile phones with serious questions about 'fitness' to run broadcasting networks. David Gyngell heads the Nine Network that ironically, was once owned by James Packer.
How could it have come to this : 2 men who have been life long friends- as were their fathers Kerry Packer and Bruce Gyngell- now find themselves on the front pages for all the wrong reasons?
Waverley Police are now calling for witnesses to come forward, If the 2 fighters were to be charged - as law experts now say could happen-that also brings into question the payment for photos of the affair. 

Billionaire Biffo

Sunday's dust-up between James Packer and David Gyngell with claims of lost teeth, black eyes and swollen cheeks is not the first time we have witnessed James' fierce temper.

In the late 90s the Shuttle was at a grand bash hosted by Packer to launch the Nine Networks' new TV season of shows, ironically when the network he owned was run by his Bondi sparing partner Gyngell.
We had just taken the above snap of James with then wife Jodhi Meares when he spotted gossip columnist Ros Reines standing nearby . Packer immediately jumped to his feet, stormed over, took Reines aside and tore strips off her over reporting of his personal life.
Alas it was the only story in town the following day leading all the tabloids- news of his new TV shows was forgotten.

One Punch Laws, a Billionaire and the Media Mogul

Lost in the media's salivating over the street punch up between friends James Packer and his former Nine Network pal David Gyngell is the fact that both could be charged under NSW's heavy new "one punch" legislation introduced by the recently retired NSW premier Barry O'Farrell who was also instrumental in paving the way for Packer to build a multi-million dollar hotel and casino complex at Barangaroo.

Instead Australia's media have overlooked this important factor and despite the fact neither were apparently intoxicated, the legislation is squareky aimed at those who brawl in the streets. Both Gyngell and Packer have been life long friends- Packer was best man at Gyngell's wedding and visa versa. Meanwhile pundits have been excitedly fronting cameras in a reporting frenzy over the sale of a by-stander's snaps of the bust up and the fact they were purchased by News Ltd for a reputed $200,000 even while Packer pal Lachlan Murdoch visited James at his Bondi residence today. Not one has mentioned the new laws on street fights and the fact both could be charged with affray. This is a serious matter. According to witnesses both were throwing heavy punches : Packer is around 6'4" and a slip or fall during a fight could easily do him serious damage. Nor does the fact they are friends exempt them form the law particularly as the fight was witnessed by numerous by-standers and security men had to pull them apart.
What message will be sent to the public if two of Australia's senior businessmen can freely battle in the street ?
How on earth can the NSW government justify it's oppressive 'one punch' legislation and the fact James Packer has almost carte blanche with lax licensing hours with his proposed new casino when Kings Cross club & pub owners have been hit by laws restricting their hours?
The history of street punch ups has been tragic in Sydney with a number of distressing deaths in recent years and they weren't all strangers  as this recent example shows.
Being Sydney & NSW- once described as "the Chicago of the Southern hemisphere" with it's woeful history of official corruption since inception of the colony, the 'sweeping under the carpet' mode was immediately in full flight with both protagonists issuing gushing press releases and declaring undying support for each other.
It remains to be seen if the law is impartial in this case.
# James Packer's grandfather Sir Frank Packer was known for his fisticuffs and street fights with rival publishers and was once NSW Heavyweight boxing champ.
## The battling duo were mismatched : Packer is a billionaire, Gyngell a mere multi-millionaire.
### View the "$200K" fight snaps here.

Went To A Garden Party

Pictured in our snap is TV personality Deborah Hutton attending the elegant garden party at Boomerang, that  much sought after mansion in Elizabeth Bay. The Shuttle has attended numerous parties there over the years with invites from at least 3 owners during it's long life. Guests can come from all areas of society. We've encountered Prince Frederick and Princess Mary of Denmark, Tom Cruise during the filming of Mission Impossible 2 and the recently released Guantanamo Bay inmate David Hicks chatting to the NSW Governor Marie Bashir.

The Governor also attended Friday's event, the launch of an expected yearly Mother’s Day garden party in support of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute which honours the Institutes founder, the late Dame Elisabeth Murdoch. Amongst those attending - Sarah Murdoch, Ros Packer, Alex Perry and Lady Primrose Potter with treats dished up by chef Darren Taylor.

Below is Ricky Nelson's wonderful 1985 hit "Went To A Garden Party".

 

Getting Hitched

 Our pic shows State MP Alex Greenwich (the Shuttle's favourite politician from the Russian Nobility) Nadia Neuman and the Federal member for Sydney Tanya Plibersek MP at the beautiful and historic Strand Arcade for the launch on Tuesday of the Mondial Australian Marriage Equality Ring.                                                                                                                                 

Available in 18 carat rose, white or yellow gold, 9 carat gold or silver all profits made from the sale of the ring will be donated to Australian Marriage Equality and contribute toward continued lobbying and education of equal marriage rights in Australia. 
It's available on-line here or in the Strand at Mondial-ask for Nadia who does expert fittings.
And look : all these celebrities are wearing them !

Dannii Minogue                                      Rachael Taylor                                 Deni Hynes

Photo Of The Week

TV Host Susie Elelman at The Logies last night- never been a shy girl!

Restaurant News

 Twitter, Facebook, the blogosphere is abuzz with news of a scathing review of top chef Neil Perry's Rockpool Bar & Grill in Perth.
Titled :  "your $326 dinner was the most disgusting thing I have ever eaten' our reviewer minces no words:
" From the moment I stepped through your ten-foot-high Japanese-influenced doors and into your airline hangar dining hall, the experience was the most joyless I have ever had involving food. I’m not just talking about the high end stuff. I’m talking about $8.50 kebabs ordered by the roadside at three in the morning after nights out with the lads. I’m talking about failed experiments cooking alone when too drunk to go to the shops. I’m talking about childhood stand-offs with parents ending with me blocking my nose, scarfing the turnip and running from the table crying. Your food was worse, Rockpool Bar and Grill Perth. And you charged me $326."
The blog is authored by someone called  scheissenbedauern ( pictured in his 'selfie')who apparently lives in Brisbane and even that fine city has rankled the poor chap as he explains:
"I recently visited Brisbane for the first time. I never wanted to see Brisbane but got sent for work. I spent the first hour walking around thinking, it’s true, Brisbane sucks. I even wrote some text messages to people. “In Brisbane. It’s everything I expected.”

Read  scheissenbedauern's jottings here. You may also like his other pieces including his lament about supermodel Megan Gale who apparently blocked him on Twitter.
                                                *****************************

 In 2010 the Shuttle reported on a ripple of outrage that had run through the Bangkok establishment with the arrival of Australian chef David Thompson  ( pictured above second right) and his Nahm restaurant. "Coals to Newcastle" was the theme, but Thompson has succeeded brilliantly and won over his critics.
Nahm has been named not just in the Best 50 Asian restaurants in the world but is now Number One !
Well we told you so having eaten Thompson's supperb Thai food many times. But don't take our word for it : not only is Thompson Tom Cruise's favourite chef but he also creates banquets for the Thai Royal Family.

Lara Bingle Nude & the Duchess of Cambridge

For some odd reason 'Lara Bingle nude' is a search term we encounter here at the Shuttle almost every day that leads excited readers to our pages.

So here are the latest shots of the lady as she poses for the next issue of Cleo Magazine.
The last time we encountered the lovely Lara was at a party in Oxford Street as she arrived and we were leaving. Her strident manager quickly said "no photos , no photos please" as we lifted our smartphone to call for a taxi.
Still it's the thought that counts.












 Here is a snap of the Duchess of Cambridge's expensive pumps after walking the red dirt at Uluru.
An excuse to introduce an article : The Golden Era of ‘Fashion Blogging’ Is Over.

Royal Randwick

There is every chance Prince William and Princess Kate (or Katie as the kids are calling her) will attend the Easter Carnival today at Royal Randwick.
This is the first chance the public will have to see the amazing new $150M pavilion that dwarfs the old Member's Stand.

On show for the young and hip is The Stables, a private member's club that should be a much sought after venue. Membership is rumoured to be $2000 a year but this is one of the nicest clubs we have been in as we discovered at a recent launch party. Lots of expensive paneled walls, billiard rooms and private booths and rooms, a Moet & Chandon Bar and 2 sensational balconies, one looking over the mounting ring and one with a sensational view of the race track. The Stables is the brainchild of bar and restaurant mogul John Duncan - pictured right with wife Angela - (he's the nephew of the actress Carmen Duncan) and ex-partner of Fraser Short. Together they opened some of Sydney's smartest nite spots like Surry Hill's Winery before going their separate ways last year
Looks like a winner to us.

The world's most glamorous bookie Tom Waterhouse left joined other glam guests

Bar heaven- chilled Moet

view of the race course and below the mounting ring

Royal Update

A comment from a UK Time's reader :

Picture Post

The future King & Queen of Australia (etc) are in town showing off their son and heir Prince George.
We've tracked down a snap of grandma Her Maj on a previous tour in 1954 looking quite splendid in a canary yellow Norman Hartnell gown. Katherine's yellow frock is by Roksanda Ilincic.

Meanwhile in Melbourne last week at the Supernova Pop Culture Festival Austin Power's Mini Me actor Verne Troyer  ( above) was a guest. 

 Next month in Sydney get set for a tour in May of Cirque Mother Africa pictured here at their last gig at Dollywood with the irrepressible Dolly Parton.
 Check out the Shuttle's Youtube interview with Le Dolly.

Baz Does It Again

We reckon Baz Luhrman and Catherine Martin (she did the costumes) have another hit on their hands : the stage version of Baz's original 1992 film hit Strictly Ballroom.
The show opened last night at the Lyric Theatre at that bastion of poker machines and roulette tables Star Casino.

Lots of celebs were on hand- Jack Thompson, Joel Edgerton and the much loved  Kylie Minogue. But where was Paul Mecurio the star of the film ?. If he was there we didn't spot him.

What can we say about Strictly ? It has heaps of colour and  movement, lots of gaudy frocks, fabulous dancing and of course terrific music ( lots of ABBA) and it's bound to end up in London and New York.
The standing ovation at last night's performance would tend to confirm this.

Play It Sam

The Shuttle's spy disguised as a multi-coloured cocktail umbrella at the glitzy new Double Bay nightclub Casablanca tells us there were a few ruffled feathers over the latest LattéLife Newspaper edition which pictured the club's manager Karim Gharbi surrounded by a bevy of beauties in it's What's Hot & What's Not page labeling the snap as "cringeworthy".
 Having worked in New York and London as a publicist for some pretty big names, the Shuttle was taught at early age : all publicity is good as long as the name is spelt correctly.
Apparently Karim has now seen the light and the value of such excellent publicity. Indeed it's a pretty handsome snap and Karim looks his always elegant self and if they are the staff members a customer would find in Casablanca- success is assured.


 However we haven't heard yet what the reaction has been from the delectable Laura Csorton who appears in the same newspaper with an opinion writer questioning Laura's decision to sponsor Harpic which is - a toilet cleaner.
Let's face it, if you look like Laura you can sell anything !

# The quote "Play it again Sam" is a common mistake made about the classic film Casablanca. Humphrey Bogart never actually said the words but Ingrid Bergman did say "play it Sam".

Weight Watchers

AFTER BANNING LARA BINGLE from his parade, designer Alex Perry is now flagellating himself after yesterday's opening parade for Sydney's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Perry has said that using ultra thin supermodel Cassi Van Den Dungen was a mistake.
As our snap shows Cassi does look rather gaunt although the camera can fib. Alex appeared on the 9 Network's Morning Show and told hosts Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson that it "was a mistake" after looking at photos from the show.
Mia Freedom has bought into the debate on Mammia, describing the parade as The Hunger Games while Marie Claire editor Jackie Frank has expressed concerns over Cassi's health. Van Den Dungen helpfully Instagramed a snap of her lunch which seems to consist of 2 croissants, water and a hugely unhealthy energy drink- not the sort of thing to be recommending to young girls who may be following her career.
The obsession with thinness is always evident during Fashion Weak and anyone who has shopped with a larger lady as the Shuttle did last week knows how ridiculous it has all become. Looking for larger lingerie at both Myer & David Jones in Bondi's Westfield proved fruitless (and just finding an assistant was like Stanley discovering Dr Livingstone) Racks and racks of unsold stock- thin stock -was on display yet nothing for the average sized or above, woman as most Australian women are. 
Yet in the specialty shop Storm In A D Cup just down the road in Edgecliff they were doing a roaring trade with an assistant who not only knew her stock intimately but took over $3000 in the half hour we spent there. There are lessons all round which are bound to be ignored.
 Tomorrow : SORTING OUT LAURA CSORTAN

Café Boheme- it's the tops

Kellet Street in Kings Cross has always had a sort of Parisian feel. It has history too. In the 1920s the notorious Sydney Razor Gangs fought cocaine turf wars there. During the 1960s it became a street littered with bordellos catering for the R&R crowd- US infantry on leave from the Vietnam War.
Now several new restaurants have opened in the huge leafy terraces that line the street.

Café Boheme is the latest and it's run by top caterer Darren Taylor who sensibly runs his event catering firm from the terrace next to his new venture. The opening night party saw some top social names celebrating like Ashley Dawson Damer and PM Tony Abbott's sister, City Council member Christine Foster along with foodie royalty like acclaimed chef Christine Mansfield, Mandy Quinn and top wine expert Peter Bourne who travelled form Mudgee for the party. The Shuttle has sampled Darren's offerings at numerous parties and never been disappointed. Cafe Boheme is bound to be a success with excellent French food in an elegant surrounding. And the prices won't frighten.
# Café Boheme 3 Kellett Street Potts Point, NSW 2011 (02) 9331 0102