The Source: Skirmish over radio star Andy Lee’s plans for Hawthorn mansion
Well-heeled residents along multi-millionaire row in riverside Hawthorn are riling against radio star Andy Lee’s grand plans to build his dream home.
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Putting the squeeze on Victoria’s movers, shakers and headline makers.
Well-heeled residents along multi-millionaire row in riverside Hawthorn are riling against TV and radio star Andy Lee’s grand plans to build his dream home and convert a derelict mansion on the banks of the Yarra.
The Herald Sun last month revealed funnyman and entertainer Lee, and his model and influencer partner Rebecca Harding, had lodged plans for a mega-makeover of a Hawthorn mansion they bought for more than $8m in 2021.
The proposed works include building a second property on the heritage site with a theatre, gym, “mail room”, bar and cellar and large outdoor dining and entertainment terrace.
But neighbours have raised several objections around heritage and landscape issues in the plans with the Boroondara City Council.
They have urged the council to block the plans or order significant amendments. The council is now reviewing and assessing all submissions, ahead of making a decision on the posh makeover plans.
In a pitch for council approval, planners Urbis said the proposal “has been driven by the owners’ desire to retain and embrace the heritage values of the place, at the same time adding a contemporarily designed living zone’’.
“The result will be a conserved and adapted heritage building fronting Yarra Grove with a modern living component set well back on the site but cleverly linked to the heritage building through a tunnel,’’ it said.
Lee told Stellar magazine last year the house is “stunning” and “peaceful.”
Built in 1876, the Italianate mansion on a 1950 sqm patch is a Hawthorn landmark.
The original manor house (Ravenswood) last sold for $1.18m in 1995, but had since been vacant and fell into disrepair.
Paul Dale goes from murder charge to meat pies
Some of Victoria’s big business titans were invited to the MCG as guests of footy radio platform AFL Nation last weekend.
And one guest turned more heads than others.
Ex-cop Paul Dale, once charged with murder, stood out in the 280-seat Legends Room for last Sunday’s Essendon v Geelong match.
His murder charge was formally withdrawn after gangland boss Carl Williams was bashed to death in his prison cell in 2010.
Invited among a who’s who of advertisers from the North East border, we hear Dale has splashed cash in radio advertising.
That’s in promoting his business, not his latest book, “Cops, Drugs, Lawyer X and Me”, which explores his relationship with barrister-turn-police informer Nicola Gobbo.
But it wasn’t Dale’s business smarts which triggered chatter at the luncheon, where gentlemen were advised to don a collared shirt or risk being booted before the first bounce.
One keen observer noted Dale wandered about with “a bit of an unhappy and hunted demeanour”.
Maybe he backed the Bombers.
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Bold solution to Australia’s sex worker drought
In the mass debate about immigration levels, one hot button factor appears to have been overlooked — sex workers.
Many sex workers went home to Asia and did not return when the pandemic erupted, according to Australian Adult Entertainment Industry spokesman William Albon.
In writing to Home Affairs Minister Claire O’Neil and Immigration Minister Andrew Giles, Albon argues that sex workers should be treated the same as doctors, dentists and nurses in skilled labour discussions.
Albon said doing so would allow “Australian leaders when travelling overseas to boast that we do truly have progressive all-inclusive social cohesive policies; a truly diverse country.
“So for reasons of economic demand, consumer satisfaction and removal of abuse of women the call for sex workers to be included in the Migration Program is strong,” he said.
He signed the letter to O’Neil with a PS:
“I note in the transcript of your ABC TV 7.30 Report interview you told the viewers; ‘One of the reasons our migration history has been so powerful, a force for good in our country is because we have rooted that system …
“We share your views.”
Another council wigs out over drag event
Dean Arcuri, in the drag stage persona of Frock Hudson, has been “fabulous, furry and fierce” over seven years of performing for children across Melbourne and Victoria.
But Arcuri understands a Boroondara council decision to cancel Hudson’s planned rainbow story time library event on May 17.
Boroondara reluctantly made the call after ugly scenes at Monash council last week.
Police escorted councillors from a meeting, after anti-trans protesters agitated against a planned drag story time event.
Arcuri, who entertained kids from one to 12 at this year’s Moomba, describes the protests as “another level of hatred”.
But he accepts Boroondara council’s need for “safe space” (the city of Casey has cancelled drag workshops for similar reasons).
Some Boroondara residents are less impressed. Said one mother on a Facebook group chat: “I’m really disappointed … Councils being bullied and intimidated into cancelling these events is not on, and by doing so, nothing will change”.
Monash council stood firmly against the threats of violence – until Thursday afternoon, that is, when it cancelled its sold-out drag story time event on May 19.
Bill and Dan on May the Fourth bandwagon
The farce is strong in this one, especially the photoshopping skills.
But as Yoda said: “Do or do not. There is no try.”
Bill Shorten got into the Star Wars mood, as part of May The 4th Be With You celebrations, by sloppily pasting himself into the dynamic space duo, Han Solo and Chewbacca.
The Facebook post, presumably from the Canberra Bubble (aka The Death Star), showed a light side as opposed to the dark side – which might describe the response to a Premier Dan Andrews’ attempt to channel the Star Wars May 4 online merriment.
“Well, now I’ve seen it all,” Andrews posted on Thursday about a Kyneton “Star Wars House” for sale.
The issue? Why was Andrews spruiking an expensive house so soon after he attacked the Reserve Bank for making houses unaffordable for Victorians?
Shorten’s jolliness was also a tribute to a defunct cinema chain.
“Greater Union, the cinema I first saw Star Wars as a kid, may be gone but the Resistance lives on,” Mr Shorten said.
To that, we say, May The Source Be With You.
Carrie’s ex sliding into DMs of lookalikes
To paraphrase the tried and true adage, TV producer Chris Walker is keeping calm and Carrie-ing on.
It seems Walker — who famously stripped naked in front of colleagues, thinking he’d left a video conference call — is moving on from his ex Carrie Bickmore by sliding into the DMs of blonde Carrie lookalikes.
One lady who caught Walker’s attention, Sydney-based publicist and News.com relationship columnist Jana Hocking, has another Carrie connection of sorts.
Walker left a fire emoji in the comments of Hocking’s picture recently which certainly didn’t go unnoticed.
The heartbroken father of two girls with Bickmore is reportedly keen to move on, yet it so often comes back to Carrie.
The TV producer doesn’t post on Instagram much but has been happy to upload stories with Carrie’s former The Project colleagues — last weekend at the Richmond match with Waleed Aly and previously out and about with Peter Helliar and Dr Chris Brown.
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Parliamentary wine night wins out in show of bipartisanship
State parliament faced a dire clash of democratic priorities on Wednesday night.
A joint sitting of both houses was said to be scheduled at 6.15pm. And the upper house’s legal and social issues committee was due to meet not long before.
The problem?
Such mundane work commitments conflicted with Parliamentary Wine Night, as organised by the ALP’s Nick Staikos, which was set down for 5.15pm — 6.30pm.
The solution?
In a rousing show of bipartisanship, the upper house committee meeting disappeared from official diaries, and the parliamentary joint sitting was postponed until after 6.30pm, so that Parliamentary Wine Night commitments could be fulfilled.
Shane Delia’s dirty week drags on
Melbourne’s food scene has truly been rocked in the past few days.
The tragic death of Jock Zonfrillo, which floored a nation of MasterChef viewers, followed the sudden liquidation of Providoor, the online high-end restaurant and home delivery service co-founded by Melbourne chef Shane Delia.
And on Tuesday night, Delia posted photos of a smashed up red car being loaded onto a tow truck.
“The week just keeps getting better,” he wrote.
Chicken squawks loudest in footy legend stoush
The room was filled with swinging cock-doodle-doos. But it took one rooster to crow loudest. Actually, make that chook, as in former AFL player agent Ricky “Chicken” Nixon.
Nixon squawked in disappointment regarding a heated concussion discussion involving ex Magpie Tony Shaw and Kangaroos legend Wayne Carey.
TV and radio broadcaster Shaw said some concussion lawsuits filed by former footy players might be problematic in future.
Shaw told a Prestige Global Events dinner at Collingwood’s Glasshouse: “A lot of them won’t be able to prove whether you fell off a swing when you were five, or alcohol dependent, drug dependent, whether you were hit in the juniors, whether you were hit before you went to the AFL. That’s why they want the payout beforehand.”
Carey’s former manager Nixon jumped to his feet and bellowed: “Shawry and Wayne Carey, pull your f---ing heads in. You didn’t manage these players and the stuff they’ve gone through, and the health they’ve had.”
Dinner speakers and guests included Sam Newman, Kevin Sheedy, Peter Daicos, Jonathan Brown and James Hird.
Shaw retorted: “I hope you’re not in the class action trying to make a quid out of it. I’ve got no worries about the ridgey-didge blokes, but you know there’s going to be a lot of players going down that track who haven’t even had issues.”
And Nixon’s comments clearly ruffled the Duck’s feathers.
“You know what I love about the Chook?” Carey said, smiling.
“He’s made more money off me than anyone.
“Let’s be honest: We all signed up — Sam, Shawry, Jonno, Daics. The science at the time, that’s what we knew. We thought we were being tough.
“That was a badge of honour, Sam, badge of honour. Getting f---ing knocked out, get back out there. Yeah? That was a badge of honour. We didn’t know the science,” Carey said.
“So the AFL aren’t in the wrong by saying they didn’t see this. The doctors weren’t in the wrong by sending us back out there. As the science improves they’re improving what we do with a particular player.”
Spark’s savage spray at ex-colleague
It’s not the type of job reference that would enhance future employment prospects. But the oft-brutal TV industry is even bloodier behind the scenes.
Indeed, former TV producer Lachlan Spark didn’t hold back regarding an unnamed ex-colleague’s departure from the biz.
“One of the worst people I’ve ever met in my 44 years on Earth has finally moved on (or has been moved on?) from the job she used to bully, harass, diminish, disrespect and abuse her colleagues — simply to make herself feel big and strong and powerful,” Spark posted on Facebook.
“The industry she worked in for many years is so much better seeing the back of her, yet I fear for anyone who has the misfortune of crossing paths with her in her next career.
“Fortunately for those working in the corporate world (unless she had a complete personality transplant and has learned the meaning of empathy, compassion, humility and humanity), I can’t see her doing much in a world where being a professional c--- is not applauded and rewarded.”
Oooft.
Ryan finds adviser … but will he have to work weekends?
Teal MP Monique Ryan has appointed a new media adviser.
The move comes after the hybrid role for her former chief of staff, Sally Rugg, resulted in an extraordinary unfair dismissal case, which is yet to go to trial.
Rugg’s job as chief of staff for Ryan ended in March after she lost a federal court application to prevent the Commonwealth from terminating her employment.
The activist claims she was sacked for refusing to work “unreasonable” hours. She said she routinely worked 65 or more hours a week, including weekends.
The lucky new appointee? Former journalist Max Koslowski.
Koslowski got a cadetship at the Sydney Morning Herald in 2018. He has worked part-time at The Daily Aus which was co-founded by his brother Sam.
He also had a stint as a paralegal at the Aboriginal Legal Service in Canberra, before working as a media adviser for Teal Wentworth MP Allegra Spender until late last year, according to his LinkedIn.
It is not known whether Koslowski will be expected to work on weekends.
Got a tip? Email thesource@heraldsun.com.au
Fiona Patten drops late-night hint about future
In one of the big shocks of November’s election, the idealistic Fiona Patten lost out to controversial former Labor minister Adem Somyurek, largely thanks to elaborate upper house preference deals.
But is she coming back?
In an overnight missive – sent at 3.19am – Patten said “rumours of (the party’s) death have been greatly exaggerated”.
“Let us be clear we are here for a good time, as well as a long time,” explained the Reason Party politician, who first entered Parliament with the Australian Sex Party in 2014.
Patten, who has battled cancer in recent times, hasn’t really left Spring St, given her temporary consulting role with newbie Legalise Cannabis members.
A more permanent move would make sense to her fans from the major parties – as Patten said on being unelected, there is much more to be done.
Claws out over star Cat’s cheap trick
Which Geelong Cat went a-purring to the boudoir of a potential hook up, only for the plan to be scratched after the young lady got cold claws?
The duo hooked up at a Melbourne bar during a pre-season night out.
And the star player was keen to raise the frisky stakes back at her place.
The Cat took it in his stride when she wanted to call it a night.
But then he asked the stunner to pay for his Uber from Melbourne back to G-Town. Meow.
The woman told him to shoo and he scuttled off with his tail between his legs.
‘No food for you’: Providoor’s blunt response to customers
The generic email to “Providoor Aus Giftcard Holders” had the sledgehammer diplomacy of Seinfeld’s scowling “Soup Nazi,” as in: “No food for you!”
Providoor, celebrity chef Shane Delia’s up-market restaurant food delivery service, went bust last week, leaving many, including gift card holders, high and dry.
The letter from the liquidator said grimly: “Providoor has ceased trading. Accordingly, Providoor is unfortunately unable to honour any gift cards or complete any unfulfilled orders, including Mother’s Day hampers and gifts.”
It added Providoor has “insufficient funds to provide any refunds to any gift card holders or customers who have unfulfilled orders.”
But the last sentence fell away from the letter like Delia’s famous Maha lamb. It noted: “We have noted your claim as a potential creditor.”
Mr Delia on Friday told the Herald Sun the decision to close Providoor had been taken out of his hands after a “significant capital partner” in the business “lost faith”.
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Lest we forget the calamities of Covid
Covid calamities should never keep a good public servant down.
Gonul Serbest, then head of Global Victoria, rose to fame (or notoriety) in the misery of 2020, when an internal video presentation of her spruiking the apparent success of the state’s hotel quarantine program was leaked by disgruntled bureaucrats to the Herald Sun.
Monumentally unfortunate video or not, Serbest was, in January, promoted to Victoria’s commissioner to Europe, based in Paris.
Last week, she was dispatched to Turkiye (formerly Turkey) for Anzac-related duties, and was snapped alongside Governor Linda Dessau in a photo posted for posterity on Twitter.
We trust that her “passion for international engagement”, as Serbest puts it, continues to be “extremely rewarding” — which is how she described her then department’s role in 2020 in the hotel quarantine program, which directly led to the deaths of 801 Victorians.
Bidding war erupts over billionaire’s curtains
Billionaire Chemist Warehouse co-founder Sam Gance pocketed a sizeable sum from selling his old Toorak home contents.
But the most eye-catching purchase wasn’t the royal oak dining chairs or the late 17th century table or the fine pair of cast bronze cranes.
It was his curtains that fetched a whopping $8000 over estimate.
The five sets of quality linen paisley drapes with trimmed swagged valances sold for almost $10k at the Gibson’s auction on Sunday.
Gance and partner, Real Housewives of Melbourne star Janet Roach, popped in for a look at how proceedings were going and duly left pleased with what they saw as the hammer fell on around 90 per cent of the 200 items.
They pocketed more than $330,000 for the goods after Gance purchased his new $43m Toorak mansion already furnished.
Labor MPs facing turbulence in Qantas lounge
Perked up politicians are headed for turbulence regarding access to one of the most cushiest clubs in Australia: The Qantas Chairman’s Lounge.
Labor MPs may soon be forced to squeeze into an airport gate seat between a crying baby and shouty businessman as they travel without the comforts to which they’ve been long accustomed.
A union push aims to blacklist the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge from ALP politicians. The nation’s most luxe setting (mostly unmarked, lest riffraff get curious and wander in) in air travel would be forbidden, alongside other right-wing bolt holes.
Motives lay within motives, in the push by the plumbing division of the Communications, Electrical, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union of Australia, which has proposed the rule change for next month’s Victorian ALP state conference (and nationally later this year).
It says that the ban “will ensure that no ALP members … are at risk of being influenced or manipulated by members inside the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge, and will ensure transparency, accountability, openness, and reduce the risk of corruption.”
Yet it also sends a message, as court appeals play out over the Qantas sacking of 1700 ground handlers.
Referring to Qantas boss Alan Joyce, Plumbers Union Federal Secretary Earl Setches says that no ALP politician “should ever be in Angry Alan’s grace and favour club”.
Accordingly, window shades are up, and tray tables stowed away, as ALP pollies brace for a bumpy landing.
A Qantas spokesman declined to comment.
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