Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest threw a ‘surreal’ bash for 700 of Australia’s elite deep in Western Australia’s Pilbara desert to celebrate his mining company’s 20th anniversary – as his estranged wife made her first public comments since their shock split last month.
The billionaire chartered a fleet of Qantas jets to fly his well-heeled guests to Fortescue Metals Group’s Solomon mine in remote WA near the town of Tom Price on Saturday where they were treated to a performance by Jimmy Barnes and a ‘spectacular’ drone light show.
Twiggy entered the purpose-built outdoor arena on an enormous tip truck, waving a huge company flag while Thunderstruck by AC/DC blared out into the warm desert air.
‘It was totally surreal – like a magical mystery tour,’ one guest told Daily Mail Australia.
Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest (pictured), who was dressed in a cream linen suit paired with a stylish cravat, reportedly stayed up until 2.30am after throwing a lavish bash for 700 of Australia’s elite in Western Australia’s Pilbara desert to celebrate his mining company’s 20th anniversary
Twiggy entered the purpose-built outdoor arena on an enormous tip truck, waving a huge company flag while Thunderstruck by AC/DC blared out into the warm desert air (pictured)
Rocker Jimmy Barnes (pictured) reportedly had the crowd of big money bankers and mining executives dancing to his blue-collar anthem Working Class Man
But the event was marked by one major omission: Twiggy’s wife and business partner Nicola Forrest was not in attendance, following the shock announcement of their split last month.
‘She was notably absent and that was certainly remarked upon by the guests,’ the source said.
‘But on the surface it was all very nice and amicable.’
Ms Forrest, who is now Fortescue’s largest shareholder, did, however, make a brief appearance via video message broadcast on giant outdoor screens.
Political operator Warren Mundine, who was in attendance and wore a ‘No’ campaign T-shirt at the event, said it was ‘good’ to hear from Ms Forrest as he is ‘great mates with both of them’.
‘Her (Nicola’s) video message was about the struggles to get Fortescue up and running in the beginning and how successful it had been – and thanking all of the people who had been involved,’ Mr Mundine told Daily Mail Australia.
‘The whole thing was pretty spectacular and a brilliant celebration,’ he added.
‘It was good to catch up with a whole heap of people I haven’t seen in a while as well as catching up with Andrew.’
Businessman Warren Mundine told Daily Mail Australia is was ‘pretty spectacular and a brilliant celebration’. (Mr Mundine is pictured at the event with Sky News host Laura Jayes)
Media identity, Eddie McGuire (pictured, right), with businessman David Franca
Twiggy pictured with Chinese Consul General in Perth, Long Dingbin. There were many ‘Perthonalities’ at the event, a guest told Daily Mail Australia – people considered celebrities in Perth but not elsewhere in the country
The children of Australia’s richest couple – Grace, Sophia, Matilda and Sydney – also recorded video messages.
Anthony Albanese and former prime ministers John Howard, Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull all sent their own messages, while guests also heard from former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson.
Gene Simmons, the KISS co-frontman, even sent his greetings.
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Other famous in-person guests included billionaire fast-food mogul Jack Cowin, prominent investor Alex Waislitz, Harris Farm founder Catherine Harris, AFL and Nine host Eddie McGuire and Optus chief Kelly Bayer Rosmarin.
Less illustrious guests included Kwasi Kwarteng: the UK’s second shortest-serving Chancellor ever.
The event was marked by one major omission: Twiggy’s wife and business partner Nicola Forrest (pictured, right) was not in attendance, following the shock announcement of their split last month
Guests included billionaires Jack Cowin and Alex Waislitz, Harris Farm Markets chairperson Cath Harris, AFL and media identity Eddie McGuire and Optus chief Kelly Bayer Rosmarin
‘There were also quite a few ‘Perthonalities’: people who are considered big names in Perth but no one else has heard of them,’ a source told Daily Mail Australia.
Jimmy Barnes got the crowd of big money bankers and mining executives dancing to his blue-collar anthem ‘Working Class Man’.
Coldplay was initially asked to headline the event but pulled out when Mr Forrest wouldn’t meet their fee.
The rockers told organisers they would only travel out for $10million – a bridge too far even for Mr Forrest.
The event’s MC was former Wallabies and the Bachelor star Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins, who labelled his host the ‘Big Twig’.
In the more sombre moments, Mr Forrest told guests mining giants like himself had a duty to lead the charge against the ‘lethal humidity’ caused by climate change.
‘It’s not consumers… it’s big industry like mine, we’re the ones that need to change, how we produce our iron ore, the steel you need for your cars,’ said Mr Forrest, according to the Australian Financial Review.
The event’s MC was former Wallabies and Bachelor star Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins (above), who labelled his host the ‘Big Twig’
Fortescue employees and other revellers soak up the ‘party in the Pilbara’
Mr Forrest told guests mining giants like himself had a duty to lead the charge against the ‘lethal humidity’ caused by climate change
The official event was followed by an after-party that went into the small hours for those unwilling to return to their ‘dongas’ – the mining cabins guests were put up in for the night.
Twiggy, who was dressed in a cream linen suit paired with a stylish cravat, was reportedly up until 2.30am.
Fortescue Metals Group announced on Monday, two days after the event, that the group’s CEO, Fiona Hick, had quit after less than six months after starting the role, in a ‘friendly and mutual’ decision’.
Three-quarters of the mine reportedly sits on land owned by the Yindjibarndi people, the traditional owners of the land.
The Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation is seeking $1 billion in royalties and compensation for Fortescue’s mining in the region.
Fortescue, which has separately struck deals with the Wirlu-murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation, is fighting the case.
