The Scoop: Matthew Hayden’s daughter Grace reveals new richlister boyfriend

The 21-year-old daughter of a test cricketing legend has found love with a wealthy man identified as the son of Queensland farming moguls.

Grace Hayden, the 21-year-old daughter of famed cricketer Matthew Hayden, has found love, soft-launching her relationship with a wealthy new beau on Instagram.

The romance rumours began swirling when Hayden was spotted at a Sydney pub last weekend, holding hands and looking quite cozy with her mystery man.

The speculation intensified when she posted a photo on Monday, showing just the torso of the enigmatic figure standing behind her.

This mystery man has been identified as the son of Queensland cotton moguls Danielle and David Statham.

Grace Hayden, the daughter of former test opener Matthew Hayden.

The Stathams own and operate the Sundown Pastoral Company, a cotton and cropping empire that spans over 70,000ha across Queensland and northern NSW.

The Stathams are renowned not just for their vast agricultural holdings but also for their commitment to sustainable farming practices. They pride themselves on producing the world’s first traceable carbon-positive cotton, setting new standards in the industry.

The family made headlines in 2018 when they sold Sundown Valley and Gunnee feedlot to Gina Rinehart’s Han-cock Prospecting for a staggering $120m.

Desk duties for sidelined cop

Sidelined Gold Coast cop Arron Ottaway has quietly returned to work but is on desk duties as an internal investigation into his conduct over a controversial police pursuit continues.

Senior Sergeant Ottaway, a respected veteran frontline officer, was stood down in February after allegedly directing colleagues to ram a stolen car involved in an alleged crime rampage by teenage offenders.

He allegedly also overruled a superior’s orders to end the hunt for a second stolen car used in the alleged crime spree, telling colleagues over radio that “we are hunting criminals” and “I’ll write you a transcript from my prison cell”.

Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway.

Sergeant Ottaway was stood down for “inappropriate conduct in relation to a pursuit”.

The disciplinary action angered many rank-and-file cops and was one of a number of factors that contributed to the downfall of former commissioner Katarina Carroll, who quit in February and was replaced by Steve Gollschewski.

It also sparked a #FreeOtters campaign by supporters.

Sergeant Ottaway was back at work last week in an admin role.

CLARK RIDES WAVE TO GC

Bondi Rescue lifeguard Ryan “Whippet” Clark has swapped the sands of Australia’s most famous beach for the slightly quieter Glitter Strip.

Clark and his family, wife Gina and their three children, have joined the influx of southerners to the Gold Coast.

They’ve settled at picturesque Currumbin Beach where Whippet has established a personal training business, whipping clients into shape on the sands and in the surf between Currumbin Alley and Elephant Rock.

Clark joins fellow former Bondi Rescue lifeguard Clint Kimmins on the Goldy.

Ryan Clark of Bondi Rescue, at Bondi Beach. Picture: Supplied

BENNETT STILL A FAMILY MAN

Could the welfare of Wayne Bennett’s ex-wife Trish and their kids be a factor in his desire to keep on coaching well into his 70s?

The NRL SuperCoach this week inked a $3.1m, three-year deal to return to South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2025 as his tenure as foundation coach of the Redcliffe-based Dolphins comes to an end this season.

Bennett, 74, recently declared that he didn’t need the job but wanted to keep on coaching “because I enjoy it … I don’t want to sit home and twiddle my thumbs and bore myself to death”.

NRL 2024 RD10 Dolphins v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles – Wayne Bennett Coach. Picture: NRL Photos

But almost eight years since their 42-year marriage crumbled after Bennett had an affair with his now-fiancee Dale Cage, he and Trish remain joint directors and shareholders in Bennedictus Pty Ltd and Vita Buona Super Pty Ltd.

Both companies are listed as being headquartered at a Paddington home, one of several Queensland properties listed as being owned by Trish.

Bennett and Trish had a private financial arrangement to ensure their three children, including mainly disabled Justin and Katherine, now in their 40s, never have to struggle.

Their other daughter, Beth, is married to former Broncos and Maroons star turned QRL boss Ben Ikin.

HILLSONG MANSION HITS MARKET

Former Hillsong pastors Joel and Julia A’Bell have listed their beachside mansion on the Gold Coast for $2.975m-plus.

The high-profile church couple secured the contemporary home for $2.75m in November 2022, with the sale settled in April last year.

The A’Bells left their roles as lead pastors in 2019 after 19 years with the Hillsong megachurch in Sydney, once counting former prime minister Scott Morrison among their congregation.

They started their own church called Revitalise, but now serve as regional leaders for the Christian charity, Convoy of Hope.

The stunning Palm Beach home features 323 sqm of open-plan living spaces over two levels, and four bedrooms, all with ensuites.

HOSPITALITY GURU EXPANDS

When hospitality guru Andrew McConnell opens his first two Queensland restaurants in Brisbane this winter, you won’t find him sitting back in the bar schmoozing high rollers or tucked away in an office somewhere. He’ll be working in the kitchen of both the new Brisbane spin-off to Melbourne’s adored Supernormal and Bar Miette.

“I still cook for a living believe it or not,” he said with a laugh. “It’s what I enjoy. That’s the fun part of the job. I don’t want to sit in meetings all day dreaming about cooking.”

McConnell will be working alongside head chef Jason Barratt (ex-Halcyon House), creating a fresh spin on Super normal’s Asian-inspired menu for the Queensland market, as well as new European-leaning dishes for Bar Miette.

Executive Chef Andrew McConnell. Picture: David Caird.

“I really enjoy the creative process and the collaboration and that relationship I have with Jason is what really drives me,” he said.

McConnell announced he would be opening a surprise second Brisbane venue in Bar Miette upstairs from his Supernormal at the river-facing 443 Queen St, CBD site. With building delays having pushed back Super normal’s launch by almost a year, McConnell said he was feeling the pressure of anticipation.

Queens-landers will soon be able to see whether all the hype has been worth it, with the riverfront venues set to open in late June or early July.

TEE-TIME WITH SURFING ROYALTY

Fancy a round of golf with Mick Fanning? Or a stay at his luxury beachfront mansion on the Goldie with a surf lesson from the triple world champ thrown in?

Both are up for grabs at the annual Mick Fanning Charity Golf Day being held at Coolangatta-Tweed Heads golf course next month. Fanning first staged the tournament in 2022 to raise funds for victims of that year’s horror northern NSW floods.

Mick Fanning. Picture: Nigel Hallett

He was one of a number of surf stars including good mate Joel Parkinson who went to the aid of stricken locals on jet skis, delivering emergency supplies to communities cut off by floodwaters. The golf tournament has so far raised about $1m for flood relief and is being held again this year to support the cause, with many victims still suffering the impacts.

Auction items up for grabs include a four-person team entry into the tournament as well as “the ultimate Mick Fanning Experience”– a five-night stay at his Bilinga beachfront estate, Rolling Seas, including a surf lesson or round of golf, and a tour and beer tasting at the nearby Balter Brewery.

Online bidding has opened for the auction, which also boasts a Daniel Ricciardo racing suit and a fishing experience with Queensland golf star Cam Smith and the Mad Hueys.

BRITTANY’S BABY JOY

Queensland Olympic swimmer Brittany Elmslie and her husband, Keaton, have joyfully announced the birth of their first child, a son named Sullivan.

The couple shared the happy news on Instagram on Thursday, along with an adorable close-up photo of their newborn (left), who arrived on May 18, with a heartfelt caption.

“We couldn’t be happier to be your parents,” Elmslie wrote.

The photo’s caption also revealed the full name and birth date of their bundle of joy: “Sullivan John Thomas ~ 18•5•24.” Brittany and Keaton tied the knot in 2022 at the picturesque The Manor Basket Range in South Australia, then relocating to Elmslie’s home town of the Sunshine Coast.

Brittany Elmslie. Picture: Patrick B. Kraemer.