‘Show pony’ Morris Jones owner’s love of the limelight exposed
As Hayden Burbank waits in jail after allegedly breaching border rules to attend the AFL grand final, details have emerged of the club identity’s life of wealth, privilege and VIP social circle.
Confidential
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Hospitality associates of alleged WA border breacher Hayden Burbank say the popular restauranteur and social butterfly revels in the limelight, celebrity, and beautiful set.
As Mr Burbank, 49, owner of Morris Jones in Prahran, and financial planner Mark Babbage, 39, remain locked in a Perth jail until a court appearance on October 13, details have emerged of the club identity’s life of wealth, privilege and VIP social circle.
Mr Burbank and Mr Babbage, who attended the AFL grand final last weekend, each face three charges of providing false information to border authorities.
The duo were photographed at a grand final eve luncheon at Perth Crown, and later, inside the Demons’ change room alongside midfielder Alex Neal-Bullen after the match.
Friends of the Toorak-raised, Melbourne Grammar and Carey Baptist Grammar-educated restauranteur described Mr Burbank as the life of the party, well connected and adept at drawing an A-list crowd of hot models and upmarket beauties to his venue.
He has also hosted gatherings and birthday parties for socialites and rich-listers such Heloise Pratt, and his love for the Melbourne Football Club is well known.
That said, a high-profile restaurant reviewer groaned to Page 13: “Morris Jones is a faded hotspot”.
Mr Burbank enjoyed a successful career working in real estate, spruiking inner-city buildings and offices, but the bright lights of clubland beckoned. He started hospo life as a doorman at Toorak nightclub, Silvers.
He opened Morris Jones in 2012, taking the well-heeled crowd that frequented Greville St venue, FOG, with him.
“Hayden is a good promoter, a better self-promoter, and he loves the limelight and beautiful people,” an associate said. “He knows how to attract the right people to his clubs. Anytime you walk into Morris Jones, all you see is stunning girls.”
The friend added, he’s not a bad person, but he has a very good opinion of himself.”
Another friend described him as a “show pony” who was always dating beautiful women, and who was generous with drinks from the bar.
Mr Burbank’s social media accounts are peppered with celebrity encounters, including former politician Julie Bishop and iconic sprinter Usain Bolt at the Melbourne Cup, and Entourage star Adrian Grenier at a club. He also enjoys mingling with AFL players and has been photographed with Jonathon Patton and some of his beloved Demons.
His Facebook friends also include AFL boss Gillon McLachlan.
Ms Bishop said she recalled meeting Bolt, but added: “I have no recollection of the other person in that photograph”.
Ouch.
An insider who was once invited to Mr Burbank’s inner-sanctum, his luxurious home in Ross St, Toorak, said the abode was immaculate.
“He asked us to take off our shoes when we arrived,” the insider said. “He said everything inside the house was white and beige and he’d like to keep it that way. Once we got inside, we had to walk straight to the back of the courtyard.
“It was a stunning home. I couldn’t believe a straight guy lived there because it was so beautiful.”
Mr Burbank and Mr Babbage face either $50,000 fines or a possible 12 months in jail.
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