The real influencers and powerbrokers of Melbourne
Forget the wannabes, duck lips and young faces filled with injectables — these are the women who don’t crave the spotlight but are the real powerbrokers of Melbourne.
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Enough with the wannabes, trout pouts, duck lips and pillow faces. Page 13 is calling out influencers, snatched, stitched and otherwise, with nothing to say except “sponsored’’ and “gifted.’’
The only substance left on the ruby rug are the injectables filling the alarmingly young faces of reality stars and beauty kweens.
So Page 13 has decided to let you in on Melbourne’s little secret, a sneak peek at the real women of substance who make our town tick.
You will never see these women gracing the screens of Real Housewives of Melbourne, although believe us when we say producers have them all on speed dial, each year living in hope they will sign the dotted line.
But they never will. These are the women, demure and stylish, who don’t crave the spotlight, they generate it themselves.
Forget the pale stale males inside the boardrooms or swinging their so-called BDE on the golf course as they discuss their hedge funds.
They are of a bygone era. It’s the leading ladies who are the ones behind the scenes with black books leading to Spring St and beyond.
They are the names on every charity luncheon list, sought after to take new roles in the board rooms.
They have deep pockets and deeper connections.
If you think Hollywood is Six degrees of Kevin Bacon, try Melbourne, which is Three degrees from Ann Peacock.
Our city’s unofficial Lord mayor is as good a place to start as any.
Ann Peacock
Newly appointed to the VRC board, she is the OG of influencers before it became mainstream and uncouth. Coming from an impressive pedigree as the daughter of late Liberal Party leader Andrew Peacock and Susan Renouf, Peacock, who is now in a relationship with Collingwood prez Jeff Browne, put people of power together across Melbourne during her almost 30-year tenure at Crown.
Judy Romano
Every year the phone rings out from Real Housewives producers on their knees, begging the PR doyenne to take part. But in her own words, Romano is no drainer. With a black book like no other, Romano connects people. If you aren’t on her guest list you haven’t made it. She looks after some of our biggest brands through events and marketing company Romano Beck.
Patricia Ilhan
There are philanthropists and then there is Patricia Ilhan. Last year the widow of “Crazy John” Ilhan sold the house and contents of her Brighton pile, right down to the kitchen sink, all in the name of charity. With a quick wit, gravelly voice and mischievous smile, Ilhan knows how to dig deep and encourage others to follow suit.
Fiona Myer
Her surname is as part Melbourne history as the Christmas windows the retail giant reveals each year. But the wife of Sidney Myer is a name in her own right. Founder and creative director of White Story, the label the Portsea set lust after each summer, Fiona Myer is a patron of the Victorian arts scene.
Kallie Blauhorn
Self described as a “kid growing up in the cornfields,” the Nebraska-born dynamo is as stylish as she is quick witted and smart. Making a name for herself in the art world, Blauhorn is now the director of the Monash Gallery of Art with an eye for detail. Married to Telstra CEO Andy Penn, Blauhorn always stands out in the crowd, her international philanthropy makes her a passionate inclusion to our arts and culture scene.
Virginia Gibson
The Toorak maven is credited with having the best eye in town. Known for her immaculate taste in architecture, property and all things divine, Gibson is a quick-talking powerhouse with tentacles and connections reaching far and wide.
Carla McGuire
You won’t find a trace of her on social media, but don’t for one second think Carla McGuire is a shrinking violet. The immaculate wife of Eddie McGuire, Carla is a powerful force and patron behind the scenes with friends in high places. With the best biceps in town, thanks to good friend and another Melbourne powerhouse in Donna Aston, Carla prefers to use her influence behind closed doors rather than seek headlines.
Cate Sayers
When former PwC CEO turned Carlton prez Luke Sayers was spotted at the Melbourne Fashion Festival launch, it was to play handbag to his stylish wife Cate, who is on the board. The couple live in stylish Hawthorn East, with Cate fast establishing herself in the corporate boardroom as the founder and director of charity Inclusion Foundation.
Sarah Lew
With never an eyelash out of place, Sarah Lew, the fiance of restaurant king Chris Lucas, is sought after by the international fashion houses. The queen of fine dining at Collins St go-to eatery Society, whispers of a European wedding this year add to the star factor of the new Melbourne “it” woman everyone clamours to have on their guest list, even if she never intended on going.
Chantel Thornton
When she is not dressed in pink scrubs in her demanding role as one of Melbourne’s leading breast surgeons, Chantel Thornton is dressed to the nines in designer threads. The wife of luxury car dealer to the stars Srecko Lorbek, Thornton is a revhead with a kilo-watt smile and heart of gold.
Heloise Pratt
She hardly needs an introduction, but the packaging heiress and daughter of the late Richard Pratt is a force in her own right as a philanthropist and people-in-power connector. Partnered to rocker Jon Stevens, Heloise also has the best manners in Melbourne along with her mum, Melbourne treasure Jeanne.
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