SA’s richest socialites named: philanthropists, business gurus, real estate moguls, property developers and Hollywood stars
SA’s elite socialites are also among some of the wealthiest VIPs in the state, boasting fortunes of up to $250m and A-list guest status. See who makes the cut.
Lifestyle
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They’re the glamorous faces frequenting Adelaide’s social scene, and can be spotted at the city’s top charity fundraisers, red carpet galas and corporate functions, often in high-end fashion or stylish suits.
From established rich-listers, entrepreneurs and property moguls to emerging influencers, media royalty and leading philanthropists, The Advertiser has taken a deep dive into the lives of the state’s wealthy socialites.
The individuals and couples were selected considering their estimated wealth, the frequency of their appearances at social events and their connections in local society circles.
Richard and Joanna Collins
Businesspeople and philanthropists
Described by a local event organiser as the “most charitable socialites going around”, this couple is renowned for their generosity and contribution to a host of causes around Adelaide.
Chairman of The Jarvis Group, which employs hundreds of staff and sells thousands of new and used vehicles each year, Richard spent a decade with Ford and has over 30 years’ experience as a car dealer.
Joanna has owned successful Goodwood beauty salon A Touch Of Beauty since 1987 and is also an ambassador of the Charlie Teo Foundation, the Duke of Edinburgh International Award and OzHarvest.
Together, the well-dressed couple are fixtures at various annual charity fundraisers and events.
Kayla Itsines
Online fitness queen
The Insta-famous personal trainer tends to keep a low profile around Adelaide but she still makes time for key events close to her heart.
This includes the Little Heroes Foundation Mother’s Day lunch in May where she was the keynote speaker.
Itsines’ rise to fame and fortune is well-documented. She and ex-fiance Tobi Pearce formed the Bikini Body Guide fitness program in 2015, which evolved into Sweat, the top-ranking home fitness app and one of the world’s largest digital fitness training platforms for women. As of February, it has been downloaded more than 30 million times.
The pair sold the business for about $400m to US software giant iFIT Health & Fitness and Itsines’s personal wealth was listed as $164m by Australian Financial Review.
The Toops – Anthony, Sylvia, Suzannah, Genevieve and Bronte
Real estate moguls
Flamboyant Anthony and wife Sylvia have been a staple of Adelaide’s social scene for decades.
The high flyers launched the Toop & Toop real estate company from their Toorak Gardens home in 1985 and it’s gone from strength-to-strength in the almost 40 years since, winning several industry awards around the country.
Now their daughters, Suzannah (property investment chief executive) and Genevieve (sales and marketing chief executive) have taken over the day-to-day running of the family business, alongside Genevieve’s hubby, Bronte Manuel, one of Adelaide’s top agents and Toop’s owner/director of residential sales.
You’ll often spot them at the city’s top luncheons or gala dinners, either as glamorous guests or with gavel in hand, playing the charitable auctioneer.
Pamela and Ian Wall
Philanthropists and businesspeople
Estimated to be worth about a quarter of a billion dollars, Ian and Pamela have made a career of giving back to the community.
The philanthropists donated $1m to the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation at the end of last year, and have also supported the National Trust, Starlight Children’s Foundation and a University of Adelaide world-first study into Covid-19, among many charitable donations.
Rewarded with Queen’s Birthday honours for their ongoing generosity, the stylish couple – dubbed “Adelaide’s original socialites” – like to step out at gala functions and are regulars on the red carpet at top art premieres.
Ian made his fortune as the biggest shareholder in ASX-listed Codan, the company he co-founded in the 1950s and which makes high frequency radios, gold metal detectors, mining and defence industry equipment.
He maintains his 19 per cent stake in the firm, which is understood to be worth about $250m.
Teresa Palmer and Mark Webber
Actor and director
Adelaide’s down-to-earth Hollywood star is based in LA but maintains a residence in the Adelaide Hills, where she’s spent most of the pandemic with husband, director Mark, and their five children.
Rumoured to be worth between $3m and $5m, Teresa makes selective appearances at local galas and events, from The Advertiser and Sunday Mail Woman of the Year awards, to movie premieres and festival launches.
That’s when Teresa can find the time, of course, in between shooting her latest film or TV project, plus running her businesses including plant-based supplements company Lovewell Earth and online blog Your Zen Mama. Then there’s her most important role, as devoted mother to Isaac, Forest, Bodhi, Poet and Prairie.
Anna Baillie Karas and Jason Karas
Law firm managing partner and podcaster
Notable figures on the social scene, Jason and Anna are big supporters of the local arts industry and prominent guests at key Adelaide Festival and Art Gallery of SA events.
A leading international disputes lawyer and advocate, Jason is managing partner of his own law firm and is chair of the AGSA Board.
Anna is the Adelaide Festival Foundation board chair, and together with Jason, is a AGSA Foundation member and annual Collectors Club Dinner attendee.
Formerly a commercial litigation lawyer and secondary school teacher, Anna is also the founder and co-host of the Books On The Go podcast.
Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello and Sam Costello
Media personalities
This media power couple dominates the city’s social calendar and are front-and-centre at everything from bar and restaurant openings, to fashion events and annual charity functions.
Cosi’s one of the state’s biggest names, thanks to a well-paid spot on the SAFM breakfast radio show and his popular TV travel and lifestyle program, South Aussie with Cosi.
The dual roles are rumoured to help him rake in up to $500,000 a year, plus his numerous endorsement deals.
Wife Sam has developed a strong brand of her own and her infectious, fun-loving personality has found a growing audience on social media.
Signed up to Sydney PR queen Roxy Jacenko’s talent management group, Ministry of Talent, Sam has been busy using her emerging online presence to showcase local fashion and lifestyle brands such as Unley Shopping Centre and Megan Potter Cosmetics.
Jamie and Louisa McClurg
Property developers and philanthropists
These successful property developers attend some of Adelaide’s most glittering events and fundraising galas.
Jamie established Commercial & General more than 20 years ago, and as executive chairman, currently oversees billions of dollars’ worth of development in the CBD and suburban Adelaide, including the $446m SAHMRI 2 building on North Terrace, the $1 billion WEST housing development at the former Football Park site and the $250 million three-tower residential and retail complex at the old Le Cornu site in North Adelaide.
Louisa, a former partner at Minter Ellison law firm, now works alongside husband Jamie at Commercial & General.
The wealthy couple have cash to splash, which they regularly do for charitable causes.
Last year, they donated $100,000 to the Jodi Lee Foundation (JLF) to help mark its 10-year anniversary, as well as a whopping $1m to the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) to fight brain cancer.
Andrew and Susie Nugent
Winery owners
Among Adelaide’s best-dressed couples, dapper Andrew and stylish Susie are leaders in local social circles.
They’re best known for hosting some of the state’s most sophisticated bespoke events at their Adelaide Hills winery, Bird in Hand, and some of their exclusive soirees have been attended by A list names including Alexa Chung and Rebecca and Chris Judd.
The Nugents are clever entrepreneurs with a strong interest in the arts, and are looking to position Bird in Hand – which they’re currently upgrading with a $30m investment – as a globally-recognised brand.
The award-winning label has been the official wine sponsor of international events such as the British Fashion Awards and G’Day USA.
Ian Smith and Natasha Stott Despoja
Lobbyist and UN independent expert
Their schedules may not allow as many social engagements these days but this power couple are still regular guests at various glamorous functions around town.
A former Australian Democrats federal leader and trailblazer for women in politics, Natasha moved to the world stage last year, beginning a four-year term with the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.
A prominent lobbyist, Ian’s recently focused on refugee advocacy as chair of Barefoot for Boots, which helps people in camps, and is the United Kingdom’s honorary consul in SA.
Keep an eye out for them at art festival launches, black-tie charity events and executive-level political functions.
Nick and Sophie Dunstone
Entrepreneurs, Light Square arts hub co-founders
After 20 years living in London, Sydney and Hong Kong, Nick and Sophie returned home to Adelaide just prior to the pandemic, and they’ve wasted no time making their mark.
The couple has pumped $10m of their own money into Light, a combined hospitality and arts venue in Light Square in the West End, which opened early last year.
Designed to give local artists and performers access to cutting-edge audio and visual technology, Light features an immersive performance space called The Lab as well as a fine dining restaurant, Aurora.
Nick, who works in high finance, and Sophie, a clinical psychologist, have since become a fixture on guest lists around town, particularly in the arts space.
Jim Whalley and Melinda O’Leary
Nova Group co-founders, former chief entrepreneur and board director
Fancy a ride in a chopper to your next function? Assuming there’s a helipad nearby, Jim – a former fighter jet pilot and arguably SA’s answer to Top Gun’s Maverick – can oblige.
Helicopter owner Jim and wife Melinda are two of the state’s more influential identities, playing host to their own legendary Christmas parties, and are regular guests at a range of high-powered soirees.
SA’s first chief entrepreneur, Jim is deputy chairman and co-founder of Adelaide-based defence firm Nova Group, and is on several notable boards including the Adelaide Festival, along with the Sir Ross and Keith Smith Advisory Committee.
Wife Melinda is also a co-founder of Nova and an experienced board director. With tentacles that spread far and wide in the corporate world, this couple are a formidable addition to any social gathering.
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