Bosses caught napping on sleepout

Winter is coming, which means it’ll soon be time for the Vinnies CEO sleepout, the one night of the year when Australia’s people of wealth and influence cosplay as homeless.

Now, while it’s early days yet for an event that happens in June, we’re loath to admit Sydney’s effort – which includes smaller events in Newcastle and Wollongong – is kicking the bum off of Melbourne’s.

Vinnies hopes to raise about $2.8 million for its homelessness programs.Credit: Joe Benke

As of Sunday, 280 leaders – mostly from the business world but with the charitable and community sector well-represented too – had registered for the event in which Vinnies hopes to raise about $2.8 million for its homelessness programs.

But just 61 had signed up so far to sleep out at Port Melbourne’s Timber Yard on June 22 with a fundraising goal of $1.2 million.

What’s more, Sydney has already attracted some big names, including the state’s new premier, Chris Minns, who says he’s going to rock up for his third consecutive sleepout.

One of the event’s fundraising powerhouses, and CBD’s favourite silk, “Angry” Arthur Moses will be there too, with his famous partner, former premier and now Optus executive Gladys Berejiklian.

But the star power in Melbourne is looking, well, a bit lacklustre, with St Vincent de Paul Victoria chief executive Paul Turton the biggest name we could find.

The charity leader noted that South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, as well as Minns in NSW had pledged to participate this year — although both had yet to formally sign up — and Turton had an idea to get things moving here in Victoria.

“We know that Premier Dan Andrews is serious about helping solve homelessness in this state, and St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria certainly invites him — together with all leaders of businesses and Victorian communities — to join us on 22 June,” the Vinnies CEO said.

The society clarified on Monday morning that Malinauskas had not pledged to join this year’s sleepout but had taken part in the event on six previous occasions.

Andrews’ office told us on Sunday that there were no plans, at this stage, for him to climb into the sleeping bag this year.

EYES RIGHT

In just over 100 days, the Conservative Political Action Conference will reconvene.

It’s an exciting time. At the last gathering, in October, Liberal conservative stalwart Nick Minchin was booed by a hostile crowd that the former cabinet minister dubbed “worse than a socialist audience” while former Queensland senator Amanda Stoker threatened to leave the stage as the room grew more rowdy.

Tensions in conservative Australia remain high, so we can’t rule out more fireworks at this year’s event in Sydney in August.

But conference organisers were feeling confident last week, as they took credit for Peter Dutton’s decision to oppose the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

“We’re getting in touch today to thank you for your support because your pressure has helped contribute towards this outcome,” an email sent out the true believers read.

There’s no program yet for the conference, which usually features veteran campaigners like Tony Abbott and Alan Jones, but organisers reckon tickets — starting at $119 — are selling fast.

But for $7000, you can get the full platinum experience, which includes the option to hobnob with “keynote speakers, political leaders, business people and media stars”.

Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg and former F45 CEO Adam Gilchrist at the gym chain’s Wall Street debut in 2021. Credit: Getty Images

But the lucky few will only be allowed in subject to Commonwealth security vetting. Could it be a sign the conference has landed some illustrious names, a Peter Dutton even?

We asked CPAC boss Andrew Cooper, who never got back to us.

EXCHANGE OF FORTUNES

Remember the heady days of July 2021 when Aussie fitness start-up F45 — all set to revolutionise the global gym industry — made its star-spangled debut on the New York Stock Exchange?

It was quite the affair, with now departed Australian chief executive Adam Gilchrist (not the cricketer) flanked by the company’s celebrity frontman and Hollywood royalty Mark Wahlberg as he did that opening bell thing that they do over there.

But with less than two years on the treadmill, things might be going sour between the storied exchange and its one-time darling, with the NYSE authorities talking about kicking F45 off the exchange if it doesn’t get its governance into shape.

It’s one more thing to worry about for the company as it faces an exodus of franchisees, with Australian F45 gyms going for a song, legal action from another two of its former celebrity spruikers, Greg Norman and David Beckham, and its shares – which peaked at nearly $15.40 early last year – worth little more than one buck in Friday’s trading.

We brought word last month that F45 had asked US corporate authorities for more time to file its annual report as it examines its internal financial operations throughout 2022.

The company’s major creditors have given it some breathing space but the NYSE has put a six-month deadline for the report to be filed to the US Securities and Investments Commission, according to a statement to investors from F45 or potentially face the boot.

And although the exchange says it could extend that deadline, this bit looks ominous.

“The notice from the NYSE also notes that the NYSE may nevertheless commence delisting proceedings at any time if it deems that the circumstances warrant,” the F45 statement reads.

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