Packer matriarch eyes young blood

THE matriarch of the Packer family, Roslyn Packer, hopes her granddaughter Francesca will join the family empire.

social - Crown Autumn Ladies Lunch

THE matriarch of the Packer family, Roslyn Packer, hopes her granddaughter Francesca will join the multi-billion-dollar family empire.

In a rare interview, Mrs Packer said she had not yet raised the prospect with her 19-year-old granddaughter, but hoped, once she was ready, Francesca would continue the Packer legacy in the business world.

“Chessie is 19. She is at university. She had a gap year last year and is at university now,’’ Mrs Packer said.

“I don’t know what she’s going to do when she finishes university. Hopefully she might go into the business, somewhere in the business. It would be (amazing). But I have not asked her. We’ve never discussed it.”

Mrs Packer spoke to The Australian as she hosted the The Australian Women’s Weekly and Crown Autumn Ladies luncheon for the country’s celebrity, fashion and business elite, along with their closest friends, at David Jones on Friday.

She spoke warmly of her family, saying how proud she was of Francesca, who for the first time stepped out publicly to host an event. “I’m very delighted to be able to host something with my daughter and granddaughter,’’ Mrs Packer said.

“It must be quite unusual to have three generations of the family hosting such a wonderful luncheon as this, with the home, with the company Crown, so we’re thrilled that we’re able to do this.

“Erica (Packer) and Gretel (Packer) hosted it last year. I was not here, I was overseas, so this is the first time that there’s three generations.”

Looking on as her daughter socialised with guests, elegant in a black and white dress, hat and bright red lipstick, Gretel Packer said: “I’m enormously proud of Francesca, always. I’m very proud of all of my children.”

The function raised money for domestic violence, and present was Rosie Batty, whose 11-year-old son Luke was killed by his father after a cricket match in February, and actor Rachael Taylor, who was a victim of domestic violence.

“I think it’s a fantastic cause that we’re supporting,’’ Roslyn Packer said of the White Ribbon charity.

Gretel Packer agreed. After listening to Taylor share her personal experience of being beaten and abused by a man she fell in love with, Gretel Packer said “I think she’s extremely brave. I think she’s been very courageous … to share it with us, to be so public about it, to raise awareness.

“I think she’s very courageous to do that.”

Gretel Packer said domestic violence was the first of many worthy causes she hoped to promote at future Crown Autumn Ladies’ luncheons.

“It’s the second year. We are thinking so (that this will be an annual event), this is what we hope,’’ she said. “We are still formulating what our plans are going to be with Crown and with the foundation.

“We are absolutely thrilled with how it’s gone. We are absolutely thrilled by how many fabulous women chose to come to the lunch today. It’s very exciting that Crown is doing this in Sydney now.”

Roslyn Packer, who often travels to Melbourne to stay at the Crown and enjoy their luxurious spa, said she is looking forward to a six-star hotel opening in Sydney at the Barangaroo site.

“There’s an enormous glamour that comes with Crown that I’ve never seen anyone else do in the same way and that will be wonderful for Sydney,’’ she said.

“It’s wonderful fun. We are absolutely delighted that we are able to bring Crown to Sydney.”

The Australian Women’s Weekly editor-in-chief Helen McCabe said it was a very special occasion to have three generations of Packer women in the room.

“Each of them privately expressed their commitment to the white ribbon cause and domestic violence is a significant issue around the country,’’ she said.

The 150-strong crowd was touched by the interview McCabe did with Taylor on stage, where Taylor revealed how the domestic violence had affected her self-esteem and self-worth.

Taylor encouraged anyone who had experienced domestic violence to speak to her privately, saying “I would say what is happening to you is a crime and it’s not your fault, you’re a victim and really, it’s nothing to do with you.”