Outgoing ANZ boss Mike Smith serves up the festive fun

Peter Nicholson Margin Call cartoon for 10-12-2015. Version: (650x366) COPYRIGHT: The Australian's artists each have different copyright agreements in place regarding re-use of their work in other publications. Please seek advice from the artists themselves or the Managing Editor of The Australian regarding re-use.

Outgoing ANZ chief Mike Smith’s biblical farewell from the Collins Street institution rolls on, with the Englishman thrusting open the doors of his Toorak mansion last week to say adios and celebrate the festive season.

For the past eight years Smith and his wife Maria have hosted 300 or so of ANZ’s best customers at their Hopetoun Road home for the bank’s annual mega Christmas bash, with this year’s party the final hurrah for the couple as Smith prepares to hand over to Shayne Elliott.

Pressure will be on Elliott next year to also roll out the red carpet, but he might have some work to do in his own Toorak garden — mowing the foot-high lawn might be a start.

Smith might be hoping that a few in the cashed-up crowd took a shine to his Wayne Gillespie-designed and Rob Mills-refurbished prestige pile, which boasts a tennis court, pool and eight-car underground garage.

In September Smith bought Kevan and Judy Gosper’s whole floor sub-penthouse apartment in South Yarra, for which the Gospers paid $4.3 million in 2006. It was on the market with hopes of $5.8 million.

Smith has prudently slapped a caveat over the Gosper’s property to protect his position ahead of settlement, with agents salivating about a sale of his larger Toorak pile.

The Smiths bought their current home in 2008 for $9.75 million. It’s now in Maria’s name only (having been transferred for “natural love and affection” in 2009), with a mortgage outstanding to … ANZ.

Smith’s soiree follows Xmas parties around the banks in recent weeks — while he didn’t hold back, over at NAB the instos were served party pies.

Santa’s little helpers

When the first couple ask you over for Christmas drinks and suggest you bring a present, it’s unlikely you’ll think twice.

Hence the spirit of giving was in the air at Kirribilli House on Tuesday evening, as business glitterati were held captive to the first couple’s support of the Unitingcare Christmas appeal.

Predecessor Tony Abbott was to kick off the giving, but change of leader meant a change of plan, with Malcolm Turnbull deciding to link drinks to the appeal launch.

The PM set the tone with the gift of a Roald Dahl Splendiferous Story Collection tucked under the tree, while David Gonski bought books too (not his own).

Billionaire Anthony Pratt arrived at PM T’s secondary Sydney residence (the Turnbulls prefer to stay in their Point Piper pile), with a box of Magformers, while the PM’s right hand man Arthur Sinodinos and wife Elizabeth chipped in Duplo.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton and wife Kirilly brought a box of Lego City, while Treasurer Scott Morrison and wife Jenny appeared empty-handed — ScoMo exercising his trademark fiscal restraint.

John and JanetteHoward hid their contribution in a festive gift bag and looked pleased to be back at what was their home when Howard was in the top job.

Macquarie boss Nick Moore took a similar approach, toting a Myer shopping bag (Richard Umbers would have been stoked), while Qantas boss Alan Joyce left partner Shane Lloyd to carry their contribution.

CBA chairman David Turner came armed with a cricket bat while his CEO Ian Narev hauled a pink box of Lego. Also on the Lego bandwagon was Westfield boss Steven Lowy and wife Judy.

Telstra’s Andy Penn brought a mystery white bag — perhaps cash to buy the NBN — while Turnbull minion Sussan Ley held a box of ... Minions.

Taking a tumble

Moore may spend evenings with the innovator-in-chief, but his chairman Kevin McCann was yesterday victim of an early start.

McCann was among those lured by the aroma of strong coffee to a business brekky in Sydney at an ungodly 7.15am.

Channelling Frank Lowy’s tumble at the soccer earlier this year, Mosman resident McCann, who turns 75 on Boxing Day, went to lean back in his chair and fell backwards off the stage.

Luckily, new AMP director Holly Kramer and Assistant Treasurer Kelly O’Dwyer were on hand to pick him up (not the first time the government’s come to Macquarie’s rescue).

There was further peril when, asked about female directors, McCann responded: “we have a number of young professional women on the board” and “it hasn’t held us back”. Silence. Then groans all round.

Kramer was also frank, saying if boards were full of risk-takers like her “we would be in big trouble”.

Those up early included Sydney Airport’s Kerrie Mather, director Jillian Broadbent and regulator-turned-winemaker Tony D’Aloisio.

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