Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley followed soon after, riding in the front seat of her Comcar, which is a power move, we guess.
Not as punctual as Ley was her former (or perhaps future) leadership rival Angus Taylor, who strode in with his barrister wife Louise Clegg.
NRL and Racing NSW honcho Peter V’landys, well and truly tight with house Murdoch, looked a little grumpy as he stalked along the street through the media gauntlet. No clue why.
Most guests weren’t given the liberty of being chauffeured down the long driveway. Then came a motorcade with tinted windows, allowed to cruise on down and deposit Premier Chris Minns right at the gate. No sign of his Victorian counterpart Jacinta Allan, who doesn’t get out of Bendigo all that often.
No sign either of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, off enjoying a Jet2holiday (or should we say honeymoon) with new wife Jodie Haydon. Richard Marles, the man quick to declare himself as acting PM when Albo is out of action was also a no-show. As was Treasurer Jim Chalmers, off giving a speech in New Zealand. Perhaps a sign that slavish political fealty to the Murdochs is best done privately?
Gift giving was thin on the ground so in such circumstances thank goodness for Penny Fowler.
Andrew Abdo and his wife.Credit: Oscar Colman
Rupert Murdoch’s niece Fowler wears almost as many hats as Eddie McGuire – chairman of the Herald & Weekly Times, Tourism Australia, the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal and the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
She hopped out of her car with a cheery “It’s me again!” clutching a bright Dinosaur Designs bag, the contents of which she did not disclose.
Other News Corp personalities included a luxuriously bearded Michael Miller, Sky after Dark harrumphers Peta Credlin and Paul Murray.
Their boss Paul “Boris” Whittaker gave a cheery hello to waiting media, as did The Australian editor-in-chief Michelle Gunn and news.com.au boss Mick Carroll . Daily Telegraph editor Ben English did not. Nor did News Corp survivor Peter Blunden nor legend in his own lunchtime Col Allan.
Blink and you would’ve missed the quiet entrance of Olympic swimming legend Ian Thorpe. One guest who wanted to be missed was billionaire Canva co-founder Clif Obrecht, reluctant to get in the frame. We too would be shy if decked out in rolled up skinny jeans and Nike Air Maxs.
Business types included David Gonski, Ryan Stokes, Hamish McLennan, and Gill McLachlan.
We also spotted Nine Radio boss Tom Malone, along with Ryan Stokes – some of the only media rivals – along with 2GB mainstay Ben Fordham and wife Jodie Speers.
Right to party: Paul Murray and Peta Credlin.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
Seven West Media’s Ryan Stokes made the trip east.Credit: Oscar Colman
Former NRL legend Ian Roberts and his partner Dan were also there.
Among the last arrivals, later than a Qantas flight, was the airline’s chief executive Vanessa Hudson.
Malone and wife Alissa left at 6.06pm – not even a Murdoch summer party can keep doting parents from a family graduation.
They were among the first to leave, as well as several young people who in our eyes carried unmistakable signs of the Murdoch family genes.
“Anywhere but mum and dad’s party” is a universal truth, it seems – whomever your family is.
At one point, the neighbouring garage door opened to reveal two women.
News Corp boss Michael Miller and his wife Tonya.Credit: Oscar Colman
“We are neighbours. We are going to the Lord Mayor’s party – it’s always on the same night. They don’t invite us to this one,” said one.
MORE TO COME
