Harbour City high-flyers step out for Australia’s most prestigious fundraiser

Saturday Confidential was front and centre at the 2025 Gold Dinner this week. While fewer celebrities and socialites meant less drama and scandals, here’s some highlights from the night.

Buddy and Jesinta Franklin were no-shows at last week’s prestigious Gold Dinner fundraiser. Picture: Jason Edwards

Getting so many big names into one room is a feat in itself, but the 27th annual Gold Dinner broke records for a different reason on Wednesday.

The $84.3 million raised for sick kids at the exclusive fundraiser was just one of the highlights, with Saturday Confidential given inside access to the invite-only event at Government House.

ALL EYES ON

She’s in the midst of a court battle, however Vanessa Fennell continued her unrelenting support of the charity close to her heart.

Fennell, who sadly lost her 11-month-old daughter Sibella to mitochondrial disease in 2014, could have shunned the event given the media interest in her life, however turned up and donated generously, with the socialite forking out $7600 for a Sydney Harbour yacht experience for eight people.

Chef Jonathan Barthelmess at the Gold Dinner on Wednesday. Picture: Supplied

THE FOOD

We don’t know how he did it, but acclaimed chef Jonathan Barthelmess – of venues Olympus and The Apollo – and his team managed to create 450 flawless entrees, mains and desserts for the well-heeled crowd. The bombe alaska was a hit.

SPECIAL MENTION

Joshua Penn, heir to the Lowes Menswear empire, could have chosen a life of quiet comfort, but instead has embraced a path of philanthropy which has profoundly impacted the lives of sick Australian kids.

While many wealthy heirs simply put their name to a charity event to take the glory, we hear Penn, a father of two, goes above and beyond.

Gold Committee co-chairs Linda Penn and Joshua Penn. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“His mother is an absolute gun and has shown him the way,” one insider said.

“Josh is a highly intelligent trained lawyer. His family have a lot of money, and philanthropy isn’t a requirement for the rich, it is a choice.

“Philanthropy is hard. Especially in this day and age.

“Even among wealthy people, every dollar is watched … you have to put a strong case forward to get donations. Joshua does that.”

NO SHOWS

Buddy and Jesinta Franklin were on the publicly released guest list for weeks and the couple had jetted into Sydney sans kids, however didn’t turn up on the night.

We hear there were quite a few people who were sick, however at the 11th hour, organisers weren’t sure as to why the Franklins had failed to show.

Alina Barlow was resplendent in red. Picture: Jonathan Ng

SIZZLING SINGLETON

Alina Barlow has been instrumental in the Gold Dinner’s success having been a committee member for more than five years.

Barlow was solo on the red carpet this year after Confidential revealed in November she and husband Scott had ended their decade-long marriage.

At the time of the split Barlow, who is often touted as one of the most humble, modest and well-liked women in Sydney, was devastated.
But the single life looked good on her on Wednesday, with the Russian heiress resplendent in a red lace dress.

MOST EXPENSIVE JEWELLERY

There was a lot of major sponsor Bvlgari to be seen – some owned, some loaned.

The label’s diamond necklaces, which are worth up to $300,000, were seen on both Bernadette Nassif and Kristy Nassif Elias.

Jourdan Evans, pictured with mum Katie Evans, entertained the crowd. Picture: Supplied

CUTEST PERFORMANCE

The night’s entertainment was an epic show by 14 year-old Jourdan Evans, son of Shaw and Partners’ Earl Evans and wife Katie.

The confident teen gave a moving rendition of Adele’s Skyfall and Spandau Ballet’s Gold onstage.

BIGGEST DONORS

While many were anonymous, among the most generous individuals in the room were the Evans family, who donated around $600,000 by night’s end.

About $300,000 came from ABC Bullion, and Lendlease CEO Tony Lombardo gave a 10 per cent deposit, valued at $440,000, for a One Circular Quay unit.

BEST ON GROUND

It wouldn’t be a Gold Dinner without charity queen Monika Tu.

The effervescence property guru, known and loved for her larger than life personality, absolutely brought vibe to the event.

And with organisers shunning celebs and socialites for wealthy heavy-hitters, it was a welcome energy.

Tu, one of the most well-connected women in Sydney, was instrumental in the committee hitting their ambitious target.

Charity queen Monika Tu. Picture: Instagram

Paula Pratt and husband Nassib Thoumi. Picture: Jonathan Ng

PAULA PRATT

She’s in the midst of a court battle in dispute over her late father, Visy packaging billionaire Richard Pratt’s family trust, however Paula Pratt was all smiles at Wednesday night’s event. Organisers were chuffed by her attendance and noted to Confidential how generous the 27-year-old is.

“She is one of the kindest and happiest girls I know,” an insider said.

“She bought her own table, which costs around $35,000, and filled it with her lovely, down-to-earth friends.”

Emma Watkins was a big hit with guests. Picture: Jonathan Ng

MOST RANDOM GUEST

Confidential couldn’t help but notice George Burgess snuck into the $3500-a-head event.

The former NRL player strategically skipped the red carpet, and instead made his way around the back of the room, hoping to go unnoticed.

Burgess has been a media target for a few reasons in recent months, most recently because he continues to support the RUNIT Championship League, a sport where two athletes run full speed towards each other and collide, despite a young teen recently dying after taking part in the trend.

His agent said Burgess was unable to comment on the controversy as he had “just started filming on his movie”.

THE STAR ATTRACTION

All major donors, a number of billionaires, plus Paula Pratt were among the guests desperate to get a photo with loveable and angelic children’s entertainer Emma “Yellow Wiggle turned Emma Memma’” Watkins.