Annette Sharp: A-list grieves for model socialite Sally Mount

Sydney society A-listers are mourning the untimely death of glamorous socialite and one-time Paris model Sally Mount, Annette Sharp writes.

Sydney society A-listers were last week mourning the untimely death of glamorous socialite and one-time Paris model Sally Mount.

Mount, the adored wife of British-born investor trader Duncan Mount, died at Port Douglas last weekend. She was 58.

Sources say the tennis lover had been playing the game shortly before her death.

The gregarious and popular couple and their four daughters settled in Sydney in 1996 after quitting Hong Kong, where Duncan made his name as the MD of British investment group Gartmore.

He was later recruited in 1988 to head the start-up funds management company CEF for Li Ka-shing, one of Asia’s richest men.

Fondly remembered … Sally with husband Duncan Mount. Picture: Noel Kessel

The adored wife of British-born investor trader Duncan Mount died at Port Douglas last weekend.

Upon their arrival in Sydney, the Mounts were embraced by the city’s A-list after acquiring the Elizabeth Bay harbour-front mansion, Boomerang, for $15m.

During their six-year tenure, they would welcome Sydney’s glitterati en masse through their Spanish Mission doors. The couple were renowned party hosts but by 2002 they were ready for a change of scene and pace so quit Elizabeth Bay for rural Ingleside to indulge their girls’ – and Sally’s – love of horses.

Duncan and Sally Mount in recent times with one of their daughters. Picture: Facebook

In 2006, they swapped Ingleside for Byron Bay and Paul Hogan’s rural property but, by 2010, with their girls grown, the couple headed north to Port Douglas, to enjoy the tropics in semi-retirement.

Sally is survived by husband Duncan and daughters Alexandra, Camilla, Jamilla and Olivia.

PIANO MAN DINES OUT IN TOWN

Billy Joel delighted Sydneysiders midweek when the singer slipped into town for a few days of rest and recuperation ahead of his one-night-only performance at the MCG on Saturday night.

Renowned Italian food lover Joel was spied midweek dining at Woolloomooloo’s Finger Wharf, lunching at Italian noshery Il Pontile with a pal.

Joel looked in good humour as Gennaro Autore, the founding director of the Graaf Group, swept his young son Ludovico into his arms for an opportune shot with the acclaimed singer-songwriter.

Billy Joel was sighted having lunch at Il Pontile mid week. Seen here with Gennaro Autore, founding director of Graaf Group and his young son Ludovico. Picture: Supplied

It was a rare sighting of the musician in town.

Days earlier the 73-year-old had delighted diehard fans at Auckland’s Eden Park in New Zealand when he informed them: “I haven’t recorded anything new since 1993 … so you’re gonna hear the same shit as last time.”

Nothing could have thrilled them more or is expected to thrill those lucky enough to see the multiple-Grammy Award winner in concert on Saturday night.

Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth at the AACTA awards. Picture: Caroline McCredie/Getty Images

HEMSWORTH’S MISSED OPPORTUNITY

Liam Hemsworth was nowhere to be seen when his big brother Chris received an honorary Trailblazer award at the AACTA Awards on Wednesday.

With the entire Hemsworth clan invited to the event, expectations were high that younger Hemsworth would make an appearance alongside parents, Craig and Leonie, sister-in-law Elsa Pataky and brother Luke.

Sources for Liam on Friday said the actor was convalescing following recent knee surgery.

The AACTAs took place just days after this column revealed Liam’s model girlfriend Gabriella Brooks has changed managers in her pursuit of greater fame.

She must have been kicking herself having missed Wednesday’s event.

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