Goldman Sachs’ local chief executive, Simon Rothery, has for years managed to keep a relatively low profile for one of the nation’s most powerful investment bankers.
So it was little surprise to see the well-connected investment banker – who counts former treasurer Josh Frydenberg as a one-time tennis partner and whose bank advises Lachlan Murdoch’s News Corp – take the same approach to a major development proposal for his Whale Beach weekender.
The names of Rothery and his wife, Alison, were nowhere to be seen in the Northern Beaches Council’s March assessment report and determination notice of their application to move forward with a proposed $5.3 million renovation of their property. (Not uncommon for higher-profile, wealthier applicants who hire architects to handle the process.)
But more than five months after the application was lodged in November last year, the couple finally appears to be closing in on a green light.
According to the council’s March 20 assessment report, the Rotherys have brought in high-profile architect and property developer Susan Rothwell, who along with her husband Garry was in 2020 crowned a Palm Beach land baron, for a knockdown-rebuild.
The plans for the property, which appears to be a weekender away from the Killara home the couple bought for $7.5 million in 2007, propose to demolish the existing house. It would make way for the construction of a new “two storey split-level dwelling with integrated garage, swimming pool and modified driveway”.
The newly built home, according to the council assessment report, would house four bedrooms across four levels, with stairs, a lift, a north-facing terrace, and three studies, along with a double garage fit with a turntable (of course). Outside, the house would also have a swimming pool and deck.
Rothery, through a spokeswoman, declined to comment. The Northern Beaches Council didn’t respond to a request for comment in time for publication.
Now it looks like the only thing standing in the way of the Rotherys and their new build is a satisfactory plan for demolition and construction traffic management, following a handful of submissions from residents. On March 20, the council said “consent is not operative” until these conditions have been met.
But maybe it won’t be long before the Rotherys can satisfy those conditions and get moving with their multimillion-dollar reno.
Sam Rae gets a boat
Aged Care Minister Sam Rae, it would appear, has bought a boat. But given how light on detail his disclosure to the Parliamentary Register of Interests was to account for his new nautical toy, we don’t really know much more. Just “boat”.
So we can only guess the member for Hawke, in Melbourne’s outer west, has acquired the “boat” for recreational purposes. A bit of fishing from the “boat”, perhaps. Or maybe a touch of water sport involving the “boat”.
Rae, for those unfamiliar, was one of the beneficiaries of the factional warfare that knifed former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus and former Industry Minister Ed Husic last year.
He is a member of one of the Labor Party’s Victorian right factions, has unmissably big hair, and came up as an adviser to former communications minister Stephen Conroy, who now works his former Labor colleagues on behalf of his corporate clients – Amazon, Blackmores, Optus, just to name a few – as a lobbyist.
On the boat, Rae’s office didn’t care to enlighten us in time for publication on what it is for or how much it cost. Which is fine. We’re just glad to see rising fuel prices aren’t ruining the fun for everyone.
Melbourne’s Marios hosts 40th birthday bash
A rich slice of Melbourne’s hospitality history, Marios, has long been a beloved meeting spot over the decades for artists, business leaders, entertainers and the city’s tastemakers. On Tuesday, it celebrated its 40th birthday.
The Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, cafe has long been favoured by celebrities: everyone from Red Symons, Heath Ledger, Kylie Minogue to even Bianca Censori (aka Mrs Kanye West) have enjoyed the hospitality and history of the place. Famously though, back in 1998 Jerry Seinfeld was turned away.
His PR called to book a breakfast table for the US comic who was visiting Melbourne, only to be told: “I’m sorry, we don’t take bookings.”
Even dropping the famous would-be diner’s name made no difference. The no-bookings policy stood.
Tuesday saw long-time friends gather to mark the cafe’s 40-year milestone, launch a souvenir book celebrating the foodie institution’s history, and celebrate the achievement of founders Mario Maccarone and Mario De Pasquale.
Golden Globe-nominated director Fred Schepisi and his artist wife Mary, Red Symons and his wife Sally, actor Jane Clifton, academic Tony Birch and arts identity Clive Scott were among the crowd.
Former Melbourne radio giant Jon Faine, a long-time Marios regular, was there, sitting at an outside table with his wife and a friend while wearing a paper napkin tied at the corners on top of his head.
Funny guys Sam Pang and Lawrence Mooney hosted the proceedings, recalling long lunches and even longer dinners at one of the back tables. City of Yarra Mayor Stephen Jolly and his partner Evangeline Aston also made an appearance.
Contributors to the book, titled Marios 40th Anniversary, include Emmy and Golden Globe-winning producer Bruna Papandrea, musician Dave Graney, actor and comedian Mary Coustas, Victorian Institute of Sport chief executive Nicole Livingstone, Men at Work singer Colin Hay and cabaret artist Moira Finucane.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
John Buckley is a CBD columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via email.
Fiona Byrne is the CBD columnist for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.