Welcome to The Group Chat with Lucy Manly, where Australia’s most trusted society insider shares the hottest gossip BEFORE it makes the news.
Socialite’s uncharitable speech
The biggest society story of the week was the, er, ‘impassioned’ fundraising tactics of charity queen Christina Sachs Phillips at the recent Ronald McDonald House Gala.
Impassioned is certainly one way of putting it.
Gossip columnists skirted around what Sachs Phillips actually said to the well-heeled guests assembled at the Museum of Contemporary Art, choosing instead to lead with the philanthropist’s grovelling apology email she sent out afterwards.
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The biggest society story of the week was the, er, ‘impassioned’ fundraising tactics of charity queen Christina Sachs Phillips at the Ronald McDonald House Gala
Sachs Phillips is the wife of Australian property investor William Phillips and heiress to the New York City-based Sachs family of Goldman Sachs fame
Well, I spoke to outraged guests who were keen for her remarks to be a matter of public record, with one describing them as ‘outrageously rude, patronising, inappropriate and offensive’.
Sachs Phillips, chair of RMHC Sydney, had stormed the stage in anger after bidding stalled at a pace she deemed unacceptable given the deep pockets in the room.
In a moment that stunned everyone, she is said to have commandeered the microphone from the auctioneer and barked from the podium words to this effect…
‘How dare you all sit there!
‘You all live in big houses and drive fancy cars that these poor people could only dream of… They have nothing!
‘You all have rich husbands that make a lot of money, so start putting those paddles up!’
I’ve edited for clarity, of course, but that’s more or less the gist of it, minus a few alleged F-bombs dropped here and there.
Her outburst was branded ‘guest-shaming in all its glory’, with an ‘awkward pause’ sweeping the room as the hostess publicly mocked those clutching their paddles.
The Ronald McDonald House Gala committee is shown, with Sachs Phillips sitting front centre
One guest I spoke to took particular umbrage with the suggestion the women present were simply wealthy housewives.
‘I was offended for us as women,’ they fumed. ‘Not all the women in the room are “kept women”, thanks very much. We all sat there like schoolchildren being scolded.’
The event raised $1.84million for the Ronald McDonald House Charities, which help families with seriously ill children stay together while they receive hospital treatment.
But despite this, the mood of the evening was soured for several guests, who were seen slipping out before dessert was served.
‘The gala would’ve made for good television if the Real Housewives of Sydney were filming,’ said one of my sources.
Sachs Phillips, married to Australian property investor William Phillips and heiress to the New York-based Sachs family of Goldman Sachs fame, later moved to contain the fallout.
In an apology email seen by The Group Chat, the mother of three addressed guests, sponsors, suppliers and the RMHC family hours after the explosive night.
‘I also want to acknowledge something openly,’ she wrote, by way of a mea culpa.
‘I am a passionate woman, and I am profoundly connected to the RMHC Sydney cause. I know so many of you, too, are passionate about your own philanthropic pursuits.
‘In my passion, I pushed too hard last night. In doing so, I may have asked too much in a way that felt too close, and for that I sincerely apologise.
‘I will never stop working for people less fortunate, my intentions are always to uplift, help and do more, however my delivery on this occasion fell short of these intentions – for which I take full responsibility.’
Whether the social set will forgive and forget remains to be seen – but for now, her gala speech is the talk of Sydney’s charitable east.
News hound off the market
Nick McKenzie is no stranger to chasing elusive figures – from accused war criminals to shady union bosses and everything in between.
But this week, I found myself in his shoes, following up a detailed tip about the celebrated reporter’s new romance… which, by all accounts, he’s keen to keep under wraps.
Friends say the star of Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes – and author of many a front-page splash for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald – has been quietly dating retired AFLW player Elise O’Dea for about a year.
But sources close to the couple tell me McKenzie, 44, is going to some lengths to keep their relationship out of the headlines.
He apparently won’t be seen in public with O’Dea, 34, or attend red carpets together – a caution, I am told, driven by the possible dangers of his investigative work.
Meanwhile, O’Dea’s former Carlton teammates describe the pairing as ‘passionate’ behind closed doors, despite their lack of public footprint.
It’s quite understandable that McKenzie keeps his private life so tightly guarded.
Investigative reporter Nick McKenzie (left) has been dating retired AFLW player Elise O’Dea (right) for a year, but sources say he’s keen to keep their romance under wraps
While he appears determined to guard his heart as fiercely as his sources, the couple haven’t been entirely invisible. I spotted them together at a few of her gatherings
O’Dea (right) is seen at a footy awards night in Melbourne back in March 2017
His investigations into CFMEU corruption drew threats serious enough to require private security and a temporary relocation.
While he appears determined to guard his heart as fiercely as his sources, the couple haven’t been entirely invisible.
I spotted them at a few of O’Dea’s family gatherings, with the camera-shy couple often lurking in the background.
The secrecy surrounding the relationship has only inflamed media gossip following McKenzie’s amicable split from his ex-wife before he met O’Dea.
McKenzie’s charm is legendary in our business – and it’s no secret he was one of the most eligible men in news after his marriage split.
I saw that charm firsthand at last month’s Kennedy Awards, where we shared a brief and memorable exchange that I won’t repeat.
McKenzie was the toast of the night, winning Journalist of the Year for the third time, cementing his reputation as Australia’s most decorated reporter.
And yet, for all his skill in exposing secrets, it seems McKenzie’s most closely guarded mystery is his own love life.
He declined to comment.
Rogan in the spotlight
For image-conscious socialites, paparazzi photos are the ultimate menace – because the lens doesn’t lie.
I hear Double Bay laser clinics entrepreneur Linda Rogan was quietly seething over images, published last week, of her arriving at Sydney Airport.
‘What is that photo? I mean, come on,’ she texted a reporter, noting the stark difference between the pap pics and the more flattering snaps on her own Instagram.
Despite this slight hiccup, I understand Rogan is enjoying the rollercoaster of her newfound fame after being linked to popular eastern suburbs figure Deniz Bekir.
Rogan first came to public attention last year following her entanglement with tech billionaire Richard White – though she claims not to understand the fascination with her love life.
I hear Double Bay laser clinics entrepreneur Linda Rogan was quietly seething over images, published last week, of her arriving at Sydney Airport (left)
Despite this slight hiccup, I understand Rogan is enjoying the rollercoaster of her newfound fame after being linked to popular eastern suburbs figure Deniz Bekir (left)
She and White had ended up in the Federal Court over a $92,000 luxury furniture bill.
At the centre of the legal proceedings was a $13.1million Vaucluse mansion that Rogan claimed White had bought for her to live in with her three children.
But Rogan, who never moved into the house, claimed White took back the keys after his wife Zena Nasser discovered their relationship, leaving her out of pocket for the furniture she had already bought.
The matter with Rogan was settled, with a spokesman saying: ‘Mr White has settled to avoid any distraction from his primary focus which is on implementing WiseTech’s growth strategy and continuing to create value for its shareholders and customers.’
And finally… guess who, don’t sue
Shortly before putting this week’s Group Chat to bed, I received an alarming tip-off about a misbehaving real estate agent, who shall remain nameless.
And we’re not talking about dummy bidders or shonky apartment buildings here.
Instead, there are rumours of a video of a certain figure enjoying the, er, professional services of a young woman and a generous helping of the Andes’ finest export.
The best part? It all allegedly happened in a company boardroom!
I’ve said it before: when it’s time to party, boys, put the phones away…
- The subjects of this blind item are not mentioned or pictured elsewhere in this article.
