South Bank mourns death of CEO Jemina Dunn

SOUTH Bank Corporation is reeling after the sudden death of newly-appointed, much-loved CEO Jemina Dunn.

South Bank CEO Jemina Dunn. Picture: Peter Wallis

SOUTH Bank Corporation is reeling after the sudden death of newly-appointed CEO Jemina Dunn.

Dunn, 45, passed away late last week, just three months after becoming the first woman to take on the role.

She had previously served as state director of lobbying outfit Australian Industry Group.

South Bank CFO and company secretary Trevor Marsden said he was getting ready to send out an email to stakeholders today announcing the shock news.

“She was a highly respected CEO and, in her short tenure, made a meaningful contribution to the corporation and the precinct,’’ he said.

“It’s very sad. She was much loved.’’

No interim successor has yet been appointed, although board chair Catherine Bull has been in the office most of the week, Marsden said.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad tapped Dunn for the job in June, praising her as “a passionate advocate for great urban and sub-tropical design’’.

A spokeswoman for Trad declined to comment, citing family wishes.

JO-JO’s OPENING

A FEW months after opening his new Jo-Jo’s restaurant in South Brisbane, Stefan Ackerie is finally ready to splash out on the launch party.

Invitations went out yesterday and up to 1200 guests, including Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, are expected to celebrate at the eatery on November 12.

The bash comes nine months after Stefan closed his original restaurant in the Queen Street Mall after nearly 40 years of trading.

Stefan said yesterday that he had tipped more than $3 million into the Melbourne St project, which opened in August beside his hairdressing empire headquarters.

He said trade was booming at the 200-seat restaurant, which is considerably smaller than the original.

He predicted that Jo-Jo’s and other outlets along the strip would create “the Eagle St of West End’’ for desirable dining options.

Meanwhile, Stefan’s partner, Rose King, is getting ready to unveil her furniture and homewares store The Bach Living at the same address next week.

She has been operating from a temporary warehouse on Montague Rd but the site will be closed now that the permanent showroom is ready to roll.

Both the restaurant and shop took a bit longer than planned and project costs blew out, thanks largely to regulatory hurdles and the need to hire consultants. It’s the bane of redevelopment, hey?

SPRUCE UP

Speaking of South Brisbane building projects, the venerable old Greek Club will close early next year for a redevelopment costing more than $2.5 million.

The ground floor of the Edmondstone St institution last had a facelift in 1995, so it’s ready to be spruced up.

The Greek Club will close for refurbishment in early 2018. Picture: Derek Moore

A new cocktail area, private dining room, function room and upstairs balcony are all on the drawing board.

The club, which first opened in 1975 and now has about 2000 members, will close between January and March ready for reopening in April.

EARLY XMAS

You know the silly season can’t be far off because the gang down at the Caxton Hotel are getting ready to throw their 20th annual Ridiculously Early Christmas Party.

Publican brothers Steve and Ross Farquhar expect to welcome about 300 hospitality and alcohol industry players to their bash tomorrow night.

As usual, a mountain of booze and other goods will be auctioned to raise money for a cancer charity.

Ross’s son Alex won’t be able to make it but he’s got a good excuse.

He’ll be attending the Australian Liquor Industry Awards at the Royal Randwick Racecourse where he’s in the running for Publican of the Year. The Caxton has also been nominated for Best Sports Venue.

Meanwhile, Ryan Lane and his team at The Gresham have a good chance to take home a few gongs. They have been short-listed for six awards, including Bar of the Year.