Annette Sharp: Sydney mourns passing of an ‘indomitable force’

The life of one of Sydney’s most cherished philanthropists has been celebrated at Sydney’s Chevra Kadisha following the death of MCA donor Cynthia Jackson.

The life of one of Sydney’s most cherished philanthropists has been celebrated at Sydney’s Chevra Kadisha following the death of MCA donor Cynthia Jackson.

Jackson died last month following a long illness. She was 89.

For three decades Jackson — initially with her husband Ted, who predeceased her by 15 years — was the sponsor of the MCA’s annual Primavera Art Exhibition and with it, for many years, an annual fundraising ball.

Cynthia Jackson was a long-time patron of the arts.

The idea for the event, which began in 1993, was born of grief following the untimely death in 1990 of the couple’s beloved daughter Belinda, a 29-year-old jewellery maker.

Born in 1934 to Polish migrant parents, Jackson grew up watching her parents design and manufacture bridal gowns for the family bridal store, which later became a Sydney institution, Cann’s.

Talented and artistic, many would vie for Cynthia’s hand in the 1950s at parties hosted by the then Mrs Mary Symonds, later Lady Mary Fairfax.

While it was rumoured compulsive matchmaker and socialite Symonds harboured plans for Cynthia to become the future Mrs Bruce Gyngell, that scheme fell over when a dashing doctor was introduced to her in 1952. That doctor was Ted, the love of her life.

Jackson became a friend to many, including this social writer, over the years and was remembered at her funeral as a “kind, generous, courageous and creative” woman who was an “indomitable force”

VICTORIA’S SECRET MODEL DONS THREE DRESSES AT WEDDING

Georgia Fowler and Nathan Dalah’s Southern Highlands wedding last week has emerged as a stunning early contender for Wedding of the Year.

Victoria’s Secret model Fowler elected to wear not one but three gowns to her glamorous wedding to restaurateur Dalah, CEO of the Fishbowl Japanese restaurant chain and a man, though not yet out of his twenties, with grand plans.

The daughter of Hornsby local hero and pro golfer Peter “Chook” Fowler and wife Kim walked down a garden aisle at Bowral’s Hopewood House in custom Vivienne Westwood before changing into a second corsetted gown, by New York designer Danielle Frankel, for the reception, which was held at the Dalah family farm, a short drive away.

In the later hours of the reception Fowler transformed again, changing into a gown by her new brother-in-law Jordan Dalah, a designer who also dressed the bride and groom’s baby daughter Dylan.

Georgia Folwer, wearing Vivienne Westwood at her wedding to Nathan Dalah. Picture: Rob Tennent

The foodie groom, meanwhile, spoiled guests with kilos of caviar, and produce from local Highlands’ farms.

Other familiar faces in the bridal party were Fowler’s young nieces, Alexa and Saachi Hemmes, the daughters of the bride’s sister Kate and her former partner Justin Hemmes.

“It was a true honour to wear a design from her final collection,” Georgia, 30, told Australian Vogue.

“I had wanted to wear Vivienne Westwood for my big day for as long as I can remember.

“I always loved the brand, Vivienne herself and all it stands for.

“Her wedding dresses have the perfect mix of timelessness, sexiness, and elegance.”

PRINGLE A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

Proving the industry adage that media often runs in the genes is Marina Go’s son Lachie Pringle, who has cracked his dream job as the noon-3pm presenter on Triple M radio.

Triple M’s new afternoons anchor Lachie Pringle.

Pringle, 25, is the youngest son of the former magazine editor and publisher and her journalist husband Graeme Pringle.

The musician/actor landed the plum job this year following a 14 month-stint working the night shift at Triple J.

A Cranbrook old boy, Pringle’s CV reveals a history of bar tending, drama and music coaching, and radio producing, but perhaps it was a year-long run as ground announcer at Wests Tigers’ sports ground in 2019 that sharpened his appetite for a career as a radio announcer.

His successful mother was previously the chair of the Balmain Tigers.

Pringle, who also fronts the band The Tints, believes “happiness is … getting to work towards your goal every day … it’s not necessarily about achieving the goal, but just being in a position to be able to pursue it is such a privilege.”

MAG QUEEN TOASTED

A month after announcing her departure from magazine publisher Are Media, former publishing executive Fiona Connolly has been farewell by staff at a send-off.

Connolly and former staff gathered at The Burdekin on January 27 to raise a glass to Connolly’s 13-year career.

She presided over titles including Woman’s Day, New Idea, TV Week and Who during her tenure after joining the company, then ACP, in 2009 as the youngest editor of Woman’s Day. While circumstances pre-empting Connolly’s departure are unknown, a management restructure is understood to have contributed to her decision to depart.

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