Silver Party held at Justin Hemmes’ mansion after two-year Covid hiatus

Three hundred of Sydney’s richest and most beautiful gathered on the lawns of Justin Hemmes’ harbourfront mansion on Saturday night for The Silver Party charity gala. SEE WHO WAS THERE

Two years after the event was cancelled due to the threat of the then-largely unknown pandemic, 300 of Sydney’s richest and most beautiful gathered on the lawns of pub baron Justin Hemmes’ Harbourside mansion on Saturday night to pass the hat around for charity.

Hemmes’ home, The Hermitage, was transformed into an exotic Slim Aarons-inspired location for The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation’s annual fundraiser, The Silver Party.

Event host Justin Hemmes and his girlfriend Madeline Holtznagel, in a daring cutaway dress. Picture: Getty Images

Michael and Lisa Wipfli. Picture: Getty Images

Guillaume Brahimi. Picture: Getty Images

Among guests shedding their usual business brogues and adopting the “flats, wedges or barefoot” Haute Boheme dress code were rich-listers John Symond and wife Amber, luxury car salesman Neville Crichton and wife Nadi, and property developer John Boyd and wife Marlee.

Sydney’s fashion set was also well represented by designers Pip Edwards and Deborah Symond-O’Neil, “It” girl Nadia Fairfax, and shoe queen Terry Biviano and her husband, ex-NRL star Anthony Minichiello.

Nadia Fairfax. Picture: Getty Images

Amanda and Nick Lennon. Picture: Damian Shaw

Stephanie Connelly. Picture: Damian Shaw

Pip Edwards. Picture: Getty Images

The committee behind the glamorous event had ambitions of raising a million dollars for the Kids Cancer Centre at Sydney Children’s Hospital, one of the only centres in the country dedicated to researching and treating cancer under the one roof.

They exceeded that expectation and raised a record $2.6 million after mining magnate Gina Rinehart kicked off the pledges with an absentee $300k donation.

Silver Committee chair Maree Andrews applauded donors for their continued support: “Donors have continued to pledge money to support Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation and guests donated their ticket moneys and have repurchased afresh”.

Event host Hemmes said he was thrilled to be opening his house for the good cause.

Silver Party 202 committee members Maree Andrews (left) and Camilla Freeman-Topper (right) setting up with Justin Hemmes (middle). Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Hemmes’ Vaucluse home is the backdrop for the Haute Boheme-themed event. Picture: Damian Shaw

“After two years’ disruption and postponement, the Silver Party is finally going ahead and I’m delighted to host it at my home,” Hemmes said.

He promised a “festival of entertainment that included some of Australia’s rock and dance music royalty” at the $800-a-seat event.

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]