The Source: Luke Sayers noticeably absent from Canberra event

Footy’s heavy hitters have rubbed shoulders with federal politicians - but Carlton president and former PwC chief executive Luke Sayers didn’t make an appearance.

Carlton president Luke Sayers did not attend the Parliamentary Friends Of The AFL gathering. Picture: Michael Klein

Putting the squeeze on Victoria’s movers, shakers and headline makers.

Even by Canberra’s power player standards, it was a very impressive guest list.

Footy’s boardroom elite, led by incoming AFL boss Andrew Dillon, converged in the nation’s capital on Tuesday for the Parliamentary Friends Of The AFL gathering hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Senator Jane Hume.

The shindig included heavy hitters from the Crows (chairman John Olsen), Lions (CEO Greg Swann), Collingwood (CEO Craig Kelly), Essendon (COO Nick Ryan), Suns (CEO Mark Evans), Giants (CEO David Matthews), Hawthorn (acting CEO Ashley Klein), Melbourne (CEO Gary Pert), North Melbourne (CEO Jennifer Watt, and president Sonja Hood), Richmond (CEO Brendan Gale), Saints (CEO Simon Lethlean), Swans (CEO Tom Harley), and Bulldogs (COO Sue Clark).

Noticeably absent from the parade of consonants and vowels like CEO, COO, CFO and GM was Carlton president Luke Sayers, the former boss of a consultancy firm with another three letters, PwC.

Embattled PwC is under investigation for all sorts of BS.

Luke Sayers is the former PwC boss. Picture: Michael Klein

Will new Governor of Victoria pledge loyalty to King?

Well, this could be, as the young people say, awks.

With the big day looming for the newly anointed Governor of Victoria, avowed republican Professor Margaret Gardner, a long list of pomp, pageantry and proceedings has started to unfurl.

Professor Gardner will be inaugurated into the royal appointment at a ceremony at Parliament House on Wednesday.

A run sheet on the @vicgovernor Insta page says “the Governor-Designate will be formally sworn in to exercise the constitutional power of Head of State in Victoria.”

Translation: Professor Gardner might very well have to pledge allegiance to King Charles III.

Beyond that, the inauguration event resembles a never-ending parade of paperwork, oration and good manners.

“During the ceremony, the Premier of Victoria will be invited to speak and the Governor-Designate will take an Affirmation of Allegiance and an Affirmation of Office,” the run sheet

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Prof Gardner. Picture: David Crosling

said, with an obvious plum in its mouth.

It adds: “The Governor-Designate will sign the Oath Book which holds the signatures of every Governor of Victoria since Charles La Trobe was sworn in as the first Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria on 15 July 1851.”

And adds again: “Both the Premier and the Governor-Designate will also sign a Proclamation announcing the assumption of the Office of the Governor.”

And again: “Immediately following the assumption, the Governor’s Standard will be raised at Parliament House and at Government House, and the newly inaugurated governor will then make a maiden speech.”

Professor Gardner has said she’s committed to her duties despite her stance on the head of state.

“I am a republican, personally, but I recognise that we are living currently in a constitutional monarchy and we will do so until such time as the people decide otherwise,” she said in June.

“I should note that the role of Governor now is much different from when it was originally conceived.”

Professor Gardner was the Monash University President and Vice-Chancellor. She stepped down from those roles last week.

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Wayne Carey and new girlfriend split

Footy great Wayne Carey is on the market again after confirmation his latest relationship has fizzled out.

Carey was dating glamorous entrepreneur and TikTok star Catie O’Neill.

They were first seen publicly together in Bundalong where Carey, a father of three, was the special guest at the local tavern on January 25.

People who attended that event said the pair looked happy and smitten.

“She’s a great girl and has a lot going for her,” an insider said at the time.

O’Neill, the director and co-founder of a skincare range, last posted a happy snap with Carey on social media in March, but since then, the loved-up couple has gone quiet.

The Source understands the younger blonde has moved on.

Carey was last publicly photographed with former partner Jessica Paulke in 2019, the year she gave birth to their son Carter.

Wayne Carey has split with his latest girlfriend.

entrepreneur and TikTok star Catie O'Neill