By Stephen Brook and Kishor Napier-Raman
NSW racing supremo Peter V’Landys has finally met his match in new Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison – in work ethic, at least.
Morrison is practically running a one-man show down at the sport’s Epsom Road headquarters in Flemington. Well, he would be if he weren’t in Japan last week as part of the Asian Racing Conference.
New Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron MorrisonCredit: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos
On the back of his promotion late last month, Morrison’s CV is bursting at the seams. As well as being named the new RV chief executive, he continues to carry the job title of RV chief operating officer.
And since Ben Amarfio and Matt Welsh departed the building in recent months, Morrison is also having to cover the briefs of executive general manager – customer, and executive general manager - racing.
Morrison and Peter V’Landys (pictured) appeared on a panel together last week.Credit: Janie Barrett
That’s quite a few hats sitting on Morrison’s head. It’s enough to make a spring carnival milliner giggle in their sleep.
Perhaps Morrison can lean on V’Landys for some advice. V’Landys is, after all, the chief executive and a board member of Racing NSW, the chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission and sits on a number of other boards. The rivals appeared together on a discussion panel at the Japanese conference in Sapporo last week.
THE REAL JULIA
Call it the Julia Gillard paradox. As time passes from her days in The Lodge, and the nation’s first female prime minister goes about her post-political life without the self-indulgent histrionics displayed by certain other former leaders, so too does Gillard’s stock rise among Australians.
Julia Gillard (right) with Justine Clarke, who plays the former prime minister on stage.
Gillard’s famous misogyny speech, dismissed by much of the Canberra press gallery at the time, has become one of those signature moments in Australian political history.
And that speech, still viral, relevant and powerful, forms the core of a one-woman play starring Justine Clarke as PM27 which has wowed political tragics during its runs in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide.
But as CBD reported in June, Gillard hadn’t even seen the show. A far cry from Paul Keating who watched Keating! The Musical several times. Still, odds were on that Gillard, who spends much time in London, would finally see the show during its Adelaide run.
But performances came and went, and while the likes of Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Trade Minister Don Farrell and Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young appeared at Adelaide’s Dunstan Playhouse, there was no sign of Gillard.
Until closing night, on Saturday, when the former prime minister finally attended. She received a standing ovation, alongside Clarke, whose mimicry of Gillard has thrilled audiences.
The theatre’s artistic director, Mitchell Butel, and executive director Julian Hobba said having Gillard in the crowd was “a truly special moment”.
“It was a true honour to have the former prime minister attend our closing of Julia. The sold-out season of this theatrical exploration of the incredible and important legacy of Ms Gillard has resonated so strongly with our audiences, as has Justine Clarke’s portrayal.”
Gillard, who attended the show with some close family and friends, told CBD that “Justine Clarke’s remarkable talent shines in the performance”.
The play returns to Sydney this week. The real Julia, meanwhile, continues to do her thing, without any need to court the limelight.
TICKLED PINK
Spotted: Former governor-general Dame Quentin Bryce taking in more than an eyeful at the opening night of Jean-Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show at the Brisbane Festival.
Former governor-general Dame Quentin Bryce.Credit: Paul Harris
Blushing more than the fuchsia tones in her Husk dress (our fashion scribe has the same one and confirms it looks better on the former GG), Bryce was “treated” to the cabaret review of the French designer’s life, which includes S&M teddy bears, simulated sex acts in the first three minutes and lots (and lots) of flesh. Though, it must be said, Bryce had been warned: the blurb for the show, which comes to the 2032 Olympic host city after seasons in Tokyo, London and Munich, describes it as “eccentric, scandalous, provocative, exuberant, and funny as ever”.
Kudos to Dame Quentin though – despite the S-E-X throughout the first act, she didn’t skive off at interval and was spotted post show, delivering her verdict to one very interested onlooker.
DOM’S PARTY
Former NSW premier Dom Perrottet is enjoying what feels like the longest farewell tour since Elton John, with at least four farewell events so far.
Former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet Credit: James Alcock
Perrottet is supposedly packing off the family of nine to Washington DC for a government relations job with BHP, but first he has had a very, very busy social schedule in Sydney to get through.
On Thursday evening, the ex-Liberal leader got one final hurrah from the big end of town. High up in the lair of fund managers Barrenjoey, located in their Bligh Street tower of power, Perrottet was hosted by Sydney business identity David Gonski (you don’t have to walk far in this town before finding an institution with his name on it) and the host firm’s “rock star banker” boss, Matthew Grounds.
The high-powered crowd included former prime minister John Howard and the necromancer behind many of his political successes, Sir Lynton Crosby, whose firm CT Group has had a separation from the Liberals of late.
From the other side of politics, federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek was spotted in enemy territory along with her husband, NSW Treasury secretary Michael Coutts-Trotter.
Former Reserve Bank of Australia governors Glenn Stevens and Philip Lowe were probably relieved to be among a group who don’t have to worry much about interest rates. So too was Commonwealth Bank boss Matt Comyn.
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