This was published 2 years ago
Society life a double-edged sword but Kambala pair thrust to the top
By Lucy Manly
Nicole Gazal O’Neil may be a household name after appearing in The Real Housewives of Sydney, but it looks like her daughters are on track to eclipse their mother’s fame.
Nawal and Neve O’Neil are off to compete in the Commonwealth Fencing Championships in London as the Commonwealth Games get under way. Nawal, 17, and Neve, 16, will represent Australia in the epee and the foil events.
Nicole Gazal O’Neil with daughters Nawal and Neve who are working towards competing in the 2032 Olympics in the field of fencing.Credit: Instagram
It will be the third time this year they have competed for Australia and the talented duo are said to be considering taking the sport all the way to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics once they graduate from high school.
Currently in their final years at Kambala in Rose Bay, the family are understood to be looking at US colleges where the girls will be able to hone their sporting prowess.
“Fencers peak professionally in their mid to late twenties, so the girls are working towards qualifying to represent Australia in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics,” a family friend has revealed.
According to mum Nicole’s lifestyle blog, the pair developed their love of fencing whilst previously living abroad. “The girls first picked up fencing in London where it’s a common sport. It was offered as a school sport at their school (as it’s an indoor sport and can be played even on the dreariest of London days!) and they quickly found their fencing feet!”
The sisters are no stranger to the limelight with Nicole featuring in Ladies of London in 2014, as well as the Sydney version of Housewives in 2017.
Racing presenter linked to ex AFL WAG
It’s been almost two years since Emerald City exclusively revealed sporting media power couple Abbey Gelmi and Sky Racing’s Ben Way called time on their brief marriage. Now living in different states and understood to be on ‘great’ terms, the pair have both found love again.
Maddie Durnan was previously linked to ex AFL player Tom Mitchell before falling for Sky Racing’s Ben Way.Credit: Instagram
Channel 7 star Gelmi is now based in Melbourne and has been documenting the house renovation she is undertaking with her boyfriend, Richmond premiership star Kane Lambert.
The 32-year-old was first linked to Lambert, 30, in May last year. The pair is said to have been introduced by Love Island’s Tayla Damir, who is dating Lambert’s Richmond teammate, Nathan Broad.
Back in Sydney, Gelmi’s ex-husband has also found love again - and Way’s new partner is also linked to AFL.
The Sky Racing presenter has begun dating petite brunette Maddie Durnan. Durnan previously dated ex-Sydney Swan star Tom Mitchell, who now plays for Hawthorn in Victoria.
Ex Sydney Swan previously dated Sky Racing Ben Way’s new love, Madie Durnan.Credit: Internet
Emerald City understands Way and Durnan met through mutual friends last year before their relationship turned serious this year, celebrating a 30th birthday milestone and trips interstate.
Meanwhile, Gelmi has found her feet in Melbourne at Channel 7 where she will be covering the Commonwealth Games after having co-hosted the Tokyo Olympics and Winter Olympics.
New beginnings for Aitken clan
Fresh off a super yacht from Italy, Charlie Aitken has made a bold exit from his eponymous funds management company Aitken Investment Management (AIM) after a tumultuous year with the public breakdown of his marriage to wife, Ellie Aitken.
Charlie Aitken has sold out of his investment fund after his high-society love triangle.Credit: Chloe Paul
In a note to investors and on their website last week, AIM said chief executive Les Andrews would remain with the business while Charlie Aitken would transition out of the company over the next few months.
The firm has confirmed investment team members Etienne Vlok, Daniel Gerdis and Andrew Strasser are buying out Aitken’s stake in the asset manager, which will be renamed Constantia Investment Partners.
“The investment team are humbled to take the baton from Charlie to lead the company, and to continue stewarding the capital out investors have entrusted to us,” chief investment officer Vlok said in a statement.
The investment banker was embroiled in a marital split that shocked the eastern suburbs in late 2021 after he shacked up with Hollie Nasser, the wife of his business partner Chris ‘CJ’ Nasser and former best friend of Ellie.
The Aitken’s have given up their North Bondi rental.Credit: internet
The company took a hit after Charlie Aitken’s relationship woes, with Hollie Nasser’s jilted husband CJ pulling $7.5 million from the fund and stepping off the board of AIM after five years as director and shareholder.
Meanwhile, Ellie has continued to maintain a dignified silence putting her best foot forward after the scandal, even including her estranged husband on her family’s European holiday reunion in Europe last month.
The pair are understood to have vacated the $5000-a-week North Bondi rental that is currently on the market, and are living together once again in a modest Woollahra home.