Sydney’s hottest New Year’s parties, at Bondi Icebergs, Catalinas, are over
The two hottest tickets in town for more than two decades — Bondi Icebergs and Catalina’s New Year’s Day soiree’s — are done and dusted.
Confidential
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It seems the Sydney New Year’s Day party is over.
The two hottest tickets in town for more than two decades have been Bondi Icebergs and Catalina’s New Year’s Day soirees.
But Catalina will shut up shop on January 1, while Icebergs will focus on holding a long lunch, instead of its wild party.
In recent years, A-listers, models, musos and celebrities have skipped NYE for NYD in a bid to be seen at what once were two of the most anticipated events of the year.
Terzini’s exclusive Icebergs NYD bash has been held for 20 years, luring actors Matt Damon, Chris Hemsworth and Adrien Brody, Victoria’s Secret model Erin Heatherton and Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim.
The party was usually hosted by restaurateur Maurice Terzini and musically curated by Angus McDonald and Connie Mitchell from Sneaky Sound System.
Terzini said the trio decided to end the party for personal and business reasons.
“We have decided last year would be the last one,” he said. “We got to 20 years, we are happy.
“We have all gotten older, our core clients have gotten older. I am tired. I am 59 years old.
You have got to know when to stop the party. The vibe changes. It is also getting harder and harder financially.”
It was also time to celebrate his 10-year-old son’s birthday properly for the first time.
Many will miss the bash, with Terzini saying: “There was a period there … it was the greatest party in the world.
“It was magic. But it is time to move on. Someone else can do it. I don't care who does.”
Even Terzini agrees his and other NYD bashes have lost their lustre with events luring many “try-hards”.
Catalina’s NYD event, which often attracts a well-heeled crowed such as James Packer, Walmart heiress Nancy Walton Laurie, footballers Adam Goodes, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Anthony Minichiello, shoe queen Terry Biviano, model Montana Cox and designer Camilla Franks, will also focus on NYE.
James and Kate McMahon, who have transformed the seaside restaurant into a European day club for Sydney’s finest, said: “We’re actually closing on NYD this year, focusing on our amazing NYE celebrations and other exciting events leading up to our 30th birthday.”
EMPIRE OF THE SUN TO PERFORM AT THE EVEREST
The world’s richest race on turf just upped the ante, locking in one of the country’s most successful music groups to perform.
Empire of the Sun, the Australian electronic music duo that consists of Nick Littlemore of Pnau and Luke Steele of The Sleepy Jackson, are set to headline The Everest this month.
With 2023 being branded “a new era of Empire of the Sun”, Steele and Littlemore will mark what will be their first time at the races with an “unforgettable” performance that will take audiences to “another galaxy”.
“It is exciting,” singer and multi-instrumentalist Luke Steele told Saturday Confidential from Auckland on Saturday.
“It is going to be great. Dressing up, having a drink, watching horse races with friends in the beautiful Australian sun. I have never been to the races. This will be my first time, but we will bring great vibes, great sounds and a party.”
The hit maker, whose 2008 debut album, Walking on a Dream, has been certified double platinum in Australia and gold in the UK, will follow in the footsteps of Kelly Rowland, Jason Derulo, Peking Duk and Liam Payne, when he takes to the stage at Royal Randwick on October 14.
Steele expects loyal fans will make their way to the racecourse to watch them.
IMG MODELS MAINSTAY ‘HAS 100 PER CENT RESIGNED’
When you think of IMG Australia, you think of Danielle Ragenard.
However, Sunday Confidential can reveal that after 12 years, the vice-president, managing director of IMG Models has abruptly left the company.
Ragenard is one of the industry’s most respected agents, having looked after and guided the careers of some of our most successful models, including Bambi Northwood Blyth, Montana Cox, Gemma Ward, the Stenmark twins and Miranda Kerr.
When Confidential went to IMG for comment on Saturday, they confirmed the news.
We wish her the best on this next chapter, and thank her for contributions during her time at IMG Models”
It is believed the models she represents have been told.
“She has 100 per cent resigned,” one insider said.
“I believe she has gone overseas.”
Ragenard’s name hit the headlines in 2012 when Australia’s top model Miranda Kerr made a defection from Chic Management to IMG.
Ragenard was repping Kerr at Chic for 15 years before she made the move to IMG.
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