Auctioneer’s gavel about to drop on legendary Leckie party mansion

FOR almost two decades a grand Federation residence on one of Sydney’s most coveted parkside strips has been party central for an exclusive group of well-heeled Sydney socialites and identities.

The five-bedroom Centennial Park property has been home to the Leckies for 17 years.

FOR almost two decades a grand Federation residence on one of Sydney’s most coveted parkside strips has been party central for an exclusive group of well-heeled Sydney socialites and identities.

If the pool house at 24 Lang Rd Centennial Park could speak, what an extraordinary tale it might tell about the lives of Sydney’s rich and famous.

For 17 years, television executive David Leckie and his wife, society blue blood Skye, one of Sydney’s boldest and most indefatigable charity fundraisers, have played host to incredible parties attended by friends from both of their respective worlds at their magnificent 1910 home.

Party guests made the most of the house’s outside entertaining areas.

“You could have filled their swimming pool many times over with the vast quantities of champagne and chardonnay consumed at their parties,” said one long-time friend and regularly inebriated guest this week, lamenting the end of days of the Leckies of Lang Rd.

Her birthday parties, an exuberant 40th and 50th, sundry Seven Network receptions while he was CEO for almost a decade, dinner parties for creative industry top brass, her Gold Dinner Sydney Children’s Hospital get-togethers, their colourful 20 years of marriage and birthday parties for their sons Harry, 19, and Ben, 17, have seen marquees erected in the backyard and dance floors thrown over the pool as some of the nation’s most powerful heads have gathered to quaff the Leckie’s largesse and let their hair down.

Rococo splendour decorates one of Lactura’s five bedrooms.

The Lang Road home goes under the hammer next month.

Skye and David Leckie.

Party guests have included Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull, James Packer and David Gyngell (before their punch-up), Seven owner Kerry Stokes and his heir Ryan, Bruce McWilliam, Hugh Sheridan, Mel Doyle and David Koch, Andrew O’Keefe, David Campbell, Graham Richardson not to mention pals Tim Olson and Domique Ogilvie and some of “Skyesie’s” lust-for-life pals who make frequent and entertaining cameos on her social media accounts.

The house, Lactura, with its five bedrooms, four bathrooms, four fireplaces, pool house, guest studio and cinema room sits on 1031sqm which overlooks Centennial Park.

Leckie, who finishes up at the Seven Network next week, has no plans to hold a celebratory Seven Network farewell at the house, telling close friends: “I don’t go to farewells — don’t care for them.”

The house is listed with Skye’s great friend, Ogilvie, now working in real estate at McGraths, and goes to auction on August 13.

Party guests have included Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull, James Packer and David Gyngell.

The house goes to auction on August 13.

Leckie finishes up at the Seven Network next week.