Opening of Christopher Skase’s Sheraton Mirage on Gold Coast draws star-studded crowd

The opening of Sheraton Mirage on the Gold Coast, built by Christopher Skase, was a star-studded affair.

Remember When: This is Pixie and Christopher Skase at the opening party for Sheraton Mirage in 1987. The opening guest list included Catherine Oxenberg (one of the stars of TV’s Dynasty), George Hamilton (actor and best dressed man in the world) and Sally Kellerman (Hot Lips in the movie MASH). Christopher loved hamburgers so they surprised him with a giant cake in the shape of a hamburger at a separate party with all the celebs and VIPS.

MORE NEWS

Breakthrough on border misery

FULL LIST: Coast suburbs covered by 5G network

What every councillor spent on election

Gold Coast council sues over alleged building stuff up

A little side note. When he got into real financial trouble and was being hunted high and low by the authorities, he was actually hiding out in a Gold Coast retirement village and having his meals sent in to him from the Mirage – as you do. Christopher died in 2001 in Majorca, Spain from stomach cancer while mutual friends have told us that Pixie, who would now be around 80, lives very quietly in Melbourne.

Pixie and Christopher Skase at opening of Sheraton Mirage in 1987. Picture: Regina King

More than three decades of fashion retail history closed the doors this week. Judith Jackson and Ann Rivereau first met at Marina Mirage in 1988 operating in different boutiques and over that time through their different enterprises have remained firm friends. Ten years ago Judith via her Toscana Boutique and Ann with the eponymous Ann Rivereau both relocated to Chevron Island taking their devoted clients with them. In those years they have served the likes of Shakira Caine, Christie Brinkley, Rowan Atkinson and his family, the Bee Gees, Kate Hudson and Owen Wilson but sadly it has come to an end. “It has been a wonderful run and we have survived the pilot’s strike, GFC and the recession we had to have but this coronavirus has been too much,” said Judith. “Between us we have made so many friends, sold some extraordinary labels and had a lot of laughs but you have to know when to fold them.” Sad times.

Ann Rivereau and Judith Jackson. Picture: Supplied

The Gold Coast Meter Maids are in danger of slipping away. An iconic attraction around our streets since 1965, this week owner Roberta Aitchison revealed that she has set up a fund raiser to get the necessary money to keep the golden girls out and about. “Over the decades the Meter Maids have created so much valuable publicity for the beach culture of the Gold Coast but it is getting tougher and tougher. An example of the publicity we generate is this photo of Bridget Marquardt, one of Hugh Hefner’s girlfriends from the Playboy Mansion. She came all the way from America to shoot a TV show with us because she had heard about what we do, loved our golden costumes and beautiful girls and wanted to be a Meter Maid for a day. I would even consider selling the entire concept to the GCCC or Surfers Paradise Alliance if it would mean saving what is the most recognisable brand in the city and an integral part of our history.”

Bridget Marquardt working as a Gold Coast Meter Maid. Picture: Supplied

Chris Walton was a remarkable human being. Apart from his pioneering work at Currumbin Eco-Village, which was named World’s Best Environmental Development, he was one of those warm, fuzzy people whose memory stayed with you long after you met. His tragic, accidental death in 2012 caused an enormous outpouring of grief from all who had dealt with him during his life. In a fitting tribute to the work he and his widow Kerry Shepherd were doing, it has just been announced the suburb of Strathnairn in the ACT is naming a street after him to honour his legacy. Gone but never forgotten.

For around 20 years Grant Bowie was an integral part of the business life of our city. It was mainly via his executive roles with Conrad Jupiters including his time as general manager and leading Gold Coast Tourism.

BEAUTY SALONS REOPEN: WHAT YOU CAN (AND CAN’T) HAVE DONE

After he left here he oversaw the opening of the luxury hotel and casino Wynn Macau in 2006 at a time when the sleepy Portuguese enclave was being transformed into a gaming and leisure destination which surpassed Las Vegas. He then moved to become the CEO and Executive Director of MGM China. This week he announced that he will retire from that position effective 31st May but will continue in an advisory role with MGM until the end of 2022. Best wishes to Grant and Rosemary for the future – they have earned a slightly quieter life.

Today we are playing Life in Lockdown with “everywhere gal” Karen Phillips and discovering how she is coping with her partner Tony Winnett.

Is he a good cook and if so what is his best dish? “I am the cook and he is the taste tester! We’ve been watching Jamie Oliver shows and trying his dishes.”

What does Tony do well around the house? “Tony does all the washing and is excellent at cleaning the pool. I thought I would try my luck at creating an herb garden but it has become very clear that my talents must lie elsewhere.”

Tony Winnett and Karen Phillips. Picture: Regina King

What is your worst trait in the house? “Tony would say too many clothes. I would say I need a bigger wardrobe.”

Have you started binge watching any particular shows? “We have been watching old classics, so not much bingeing. So far we’ve been keeping to favourites like David Attenborough and Australian Story.”

What surprising things have you learned about each other during the lockdown? “Tony says he’s learnt how much of a germaphobe I am, and I’ve learnt that wiping down every grocery item is very time-consuming.”

Cross my DDs this is a true story. She, married and always held together in designer gear, fell madly in love with a Fabio of the hand kissing variety. Together they displayed their love openly all over the Coast and on many a long lingering overseas trip, paid for by her, of course. However, Fabio has tired of the constant demands of Madame Lotsa Cash and has decided to switch teams and is now the opening batsman for the other side with a handsome young male model. The world may be in lockdown but love and its 50 shades is still all around.