Billionaire Clive Palmer, Titans and Suns coaches Des Hasler and Dimma entertain on stage

Gold Coast billionaire Clive Palmer joined the city’s AFL and NRL franchise coaches on stage for a revealing luncheon for a good cause.

He’s the Gold Coast schoolboy turned billionaire - but Clive Palmer still loves a good deal on clothing.

The mining magnate who was the headliner guest on stage at the Ray White Bell Group Business Meets Sport lunch on Friday brought the house down with some tales from his life - and sparked some murmurs with others.

The Southport State High School and Aquinas College old boy noted even when he was earning millions in his 20s in real estate his parents were urging him to secure his future with higher education.

Despite now earning hundreds of millions in royalties per year, he proudly noted he’d got his suit on sale at Gold Coast discount shopping mecca HarbourTown: “I’ve got a Connors suit - it’s $149.90 for those of you who want to go and buy.

“I got it at HarbourTown because it was on sale. I’m wearing socks from Connor which were$2 each. And I’ve got a pair of Gucci underpants which cost over $400.”

As for some sage advice, the man who swore off politics after his Trumpet of Patriots spent $60m on the federal election campaign for nought, said: “The world will tell you what you can’t do - just worry about what you can do. I think that’s been good advice - I still think I can do anything.”

He joined some of the biggest names in Gold Coast sport, politics, real estate and business for the fundraiser for the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club.

Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick was joined by Titans coach Des Hasler also had stage turns, entertaining more than 800 people in attendance with more than 50 items on auction to help raise funds for the club.

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Andrew Bell and Clive Palmer at the Ray White Bell Group Business meets Sport luncheon. Picture: Annette Dew

Ray White Bell Group chairman Andrew Bell said: “We’re really happy, everyone seemed happy, people would have seen a different side of Clive (Palmer).

“You see a certain amount out in the media, although I think they saw all of the real Clive, he was fairly open about the things that drive him.”

Mr Bell said he expected the event to raise more than $100,000 for the Surfers Paradise SLS Club.

“It’s enormous, it’s where the majority of the rescue equipment comes from and to keep the young people in the club,” he said.

“The more we can invest in that, we’ve got the lifesavers of the future.”

Hardwick refused to put a timeline on a premiership for the Suns despite their stellar start to 2025 - meanwhile under-pressure Hasler still believes.

Hasler said his side could still make finals despite the Titans sitting in 16th with three wins from 10 games.

Des Hasler and Damian Harwick shared the stage at the Business Meets Sports luncheon fundraiser for the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club. Picture: Annette Dew

Hasler emphasised his side was still only two points - one win - outside the top eight and said the players were blocking out the outside noise surrounding the club.

“It’s probably an area where they know the social media spectrum, it’s been around for quite a while,” he said.

“The players understand what it is, at the end of the day, other people’s opinions don’t matter.”

Hardwick, sitting pretty at the other end of the spectrum, has had plenty of positive noise surrounding the club following the Suns’ stellar start with eight wins from 10 games.

The three-time premiership coach with Richmond was asked on a potential timeline for a premiership on the Glitter Strip, however he instead reiterated the challenge his side faces and confirmed his team is purely focusing on making finals in 2025.

“Timelines are hard, because it’s so difficult,” he said.

“I think just making finals is a massive, massive step. To win one’s even more important.”

Hardwick was asked about St Kilda coach Ross Lyon’s comments where he labelled the Gold Coast Suns as the AFL’s “nepo baby”.

Andrew Bell and Clive Palmer kept the crowd entertained with a lively onstage chat. Picture: Annette Dew

The emcee said: “You’re here, who is looking after the nepo babies of the AFL?”.

Hardwick shot back: “To be fair it is an AFL-funded childcare centre, but certainly not Ross (Lyon).”

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Hardwick also lauded praise on breakout young gun Suns player Mac Andrew who has continued to go from strength to strength and been an integral part of the Suns backline.

“He’s a star,” Hardwick said.

“He’s very popular within our group, we’re very fortunate to have him at our footy club.

“He’s not a very serious type of character but that’s what makes him great, he’s a prodigious talent.

“I have very, very high hopes for him.”

The Gold Coast Titans this week locked down injured young gun Keano Kini to a multimillion-dollar deal until the end of 2030 and Hasler said it was a major coup for the club in their quest to return to the top half of the ladder.

“It’s great news, it would be even better if he was playing right now but, we’ll wait, hopefully he’ll play later this year, he’s a great player,” Hasler said.

Originally published as Billionaire Clive Palmer, Titans and Suns coaches Des Hasler and Dimma entertain on stage