Real estate power couple Ben and Samantha Wakely split
High-profile real estate glamour couple Ben and Samantha Wakely have split nine years after their star-studded California wedding, with their luxury home now on the market.
A high profile real estate couple - who were married in a “celebrity” wedding in the US nine years ago - have split, with the sad news circulating through the inner western suburbs community.
It is also understood that former Queensland Reds rugby player Ben Wakely and Samantha Wakely (nee Degn), the founders of Wakely Properties in Paddington, have also potentially called time on their business relationship.
A source confirmed the split and that their luxury home in Toowong is on the market.
The property is listed by two separate agents, Rachael Spinks of Spinks & Co and Stephen Matthews who works for Wakely Properties.
Both Ben and Samantha returned City Beat’s phone calls and offered a “no comment”.
Samantha is still listing herself as co-founder and director of the company on LinkedIn but no longer has her name on the Wakely Properties website.
According to a business search BHJ Wakely Investments is the holding company for Wakely Properties of which they are still both directors
However, sources say Samantha is moving onto another company.
In The Courier-Mail wedding report, the couple were married in a star-studded ceremony in Carmel, California in December 2016.
Celebrities like former league star Wendell Sailor and his wife Tara, Channel 10 news presenter Georgina Lewis and her then aviation business husband Paul O’Brien, and former television weather presenter Amanda Mahony (nee McLeay) and her property developer partner Tim were in attendance.
At the time Ben Wakely said: “Sam looked stunning in her Vera Wang custom-designed dress”.
Partnering up
Volunteering North Queensland has a brand new partnership with Queensland Country Bank that celebrates the people who give freely of their time to keep our communities strong.
Thanks to Queensland Country Bank, membership fees for all Volunteer Involving Organisations across North Queensland will be covered for the 2025 financial year.
This means community groups and not for profits can stay connected to VNQ’s training, events and Celebrations without worrying about the cost.
Queensland Country Bank’s CEO Aaron Newman says the partnership fits perfectly with the their community values.
“Community engagement has always been central to Queensland Country Bank and we are committed to encouraging our employees to make a difference through our Community Volunteering Program,” he says
“Queensland Country Bank staff can take up to two full paid days each year to give back.”
Arms deal
Munitions developer and manufacturer NIOA has signed a new long-term small arms support contract with the Australian Department of Defence.
The new support contract engages Brisbane-based NIOA for the through-life support of select ADF in-service weapons as well as the next generation LAND300 Lethality Program systems until 2032.
NIOA was appointed by Defence in September 2022 as the prime contractor for Tranche 1 Stage 2 of LAND300 which includes new sniper systems, surveillance and target acquisition devices, pistols, shotguns and personal defence weapons for Australia’s soldiers, sailors and aviators.
NIOA general manager – weapons and munitions Mick Ahern says the company has built a “unique skill set”.
“This new contract marks an important milestone in the delivery of new capability and the continued support to existing small arms capabilities for the Australian war fighter,” he says.
Originally published as Real estate power couple Ben and Samantha Wakely split
