By Stephen Brook and Kishor Napier-Raman
At age 90 or thereabouts and with a net worth north of $5 billion, shopping centre entrepreneur John Gandel is rarely seen out beyond an annual pilgrimage to his beloved Australian Open.
Except that this week, the largely reclusive billionaire, who turned Chadstone shopping centre into a colossus, was spotted out twice on consecutive days.
Stonnington’s then mayor, Jami Klisaris, and John Gandel at the opening of Chadstone’s entertainment precinct the Social Quarter two years ago.
On Wednesday night Gandel had a front-row seat at Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh’s 35th anniversary shindig for their catering empire, the Big Group, which is practically the kitchen for Gandel family anniversaries and parties. CBD spotted him talking animatedly to Eddie McGuire before the cabaret got under way in the glorious heritage-listed Ormond Hall at the Commons.
And the very next morning Gandel, who co-owns Chadstone with the publicly listed Vicinity Centres, exhibited quite the bounceback by braving the considerable crowds at the launch of Chadstone’s Market Pavilion, where the centre has beefed up its fresh food offering with specialty shops that normally give shopping centres a wide berth, including Brunetti Oro.
The grand old man of retail and philanthropy, trailed by an enormous security guard, was shown around the centre by Jacqui Liberman, who is not only Gandel Group retail projects manager but also Gandel’s granddaughter.
Gandel politely declined CBD’s request for an interview, perhaps mindful that two years ago when opening the Social Quarter at the centre his comments that Anthony Albanese’s proposed changes to superannuation tax were “ridiculous” made major news.
However, he granted an interview last December to this columnist, saying that the mix of tenants at the Market Pavilion “reflects Melbourne’s epicurean spirit”.
“We saw the need to evolve beyond retail to deliver a second city in Melbourne servicing the ever-expanding southeast corridor. And now you can work, sleep and play at Chadstone. We are continually adding to the fabric of Chadstone.”
After the launch, CBD spotted Gandel with wife Pauline Gandel adding to the fabric of Chadstone by tucking into lunch at the Kaiten Sushi Train. Presumably the meal was comped.
Big Group big bash a major event
Catering king Bruce Keebaugh had instructed Melbourne to arrive by 6pm. And Melbourne was there on time. In fact, Melbourne was early.
By the time CBD arrived at the heritage-listed Commons Collective, just off St Kilda Road, slightly after 6pm, there were dozens of Melebrities already in position. They were there to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Big Group, the hospitality empire Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh founded when they were both 21 and which now caters practically every major corporate event and billionaire bar mitzvah in this city.
Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh at the finale of their cabaret celebrating 35 years of the Big Group.Credit: Reggie Karon
Ann Peacock, Victoria Racing Club board member, was our first encounter, and typically, she had news. A spot fire had broken out minutes earlier in the conservatory, the function space at the front of the hospitality complex. The damage was minor – possibly caused by a wayward candle – and the potentially disastrous incident added a theatrical flourish to kick off the night. The conservatory was repurposed as a bookshop to sell the group’s luxe arthouse-style tome celebrating 35 years, By Invitation Only (RRP $150).
Guests imbibed Piper-Heidsieck champagne and gimlets garnished with eucalyptus leaves. They snacked on sushi and blackened prawn toast while an army of orderlies carried forth enormous martini glasses filled with Marie Rose sauce and laced with prawns alongside prosciutto trees.
The lights went down and the green velvet curtain parted to reveal an acrobatics show that morphed into a cabaret inspired equal parts by A Chorus Line and 9 to 5. As Bruce Keebaugh pointed out, none of his family or staff were ever 9-to-5 people. They were hospitality nomads, going where and when the job demanded.
Eddie McGuire borrowed Jean Cocteau’s descriptor “poets of great times” and lauded the Big Group for its role in the Melbourne major events economy and for catering not just his engagement party to Carla but also his wedding.
“The occasion was magnificent, and one that we hope to have paid off by the time it is my 70th,” McGuire said.
Bruce Keebaugh promised not to give a long and boring speech, telling the audience he had endured enough of those in his time, which prompted the room, filled with Big Group clients, to stir.
“The work that we do is in the world of temporary. We’re architects of experience. We are makers of dreams. We’re sellers of memories. But when that Big Group circus rolls on, for our team, there is nothing left.”
He then got emotional as he recounted meeting his wife when they were flying to Brisbane to do a catering job for Christopher and Pixie Skase.
“Chook, thank bloody God you got on that plane. While the Big Group is nothing without its clients, team and suppliers, I am not much without you.”
Attendees spotted on the night included Visit Victoria chair Andy Penn and wife Kallie Blauhorn; National Gallery of Victoria trustees president and friend of the column, the always interesting Janet Whiting; and Pratt sisters Fiona Geminder and Heloise Waislitz, the latter of whom was with her partner, Noiseworks singer Jon Stevens.
Rozalia and Nick Russian.Credit: Reggie Karon
Also spotted: nightclub owner Nick Russian and wife Rozalia; transport executive Andrew Fox and wife Fiona; Australian Open boss Craig Tiley; former lord mayor Sally Capp and husband Andrew Sutherland; current Lord Mayor Nick Reece; Tourism Australia chair Penny Fowler; (appropriately) Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos; and former governor Linda Dessau and husband Tony Howard.
Given the Keebaughs’ business is a pillar of the major events economy, it was only right that their party was a major event. According to their PR rep, 700 people attended.
Postscript: Bruce Keebaugh was due at Richmond Fitness First for an appointment with his personal trainer, Thomas Spangenberg, at 7am on Thursday. CBD can reveal he made the appointment.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.