Seriously, enough already!
Allegedly we are supposed to be on the party wind down for the year – someone has obviously forgotten to give Port Macquarie this memo! Celeb spottings, race days, birthdays and weddings literally saturated this hectic month, with more of the same expected for March! Clearly I am going to need a bumper pack of party feet and serious dose of Vitamin B to get me through!
We recently had a delicious breakfast at new café ‘The Milkbar’ under the Observatory. It was standing space only for the wet and woolly Sunday when we celebrated good friend Jamie ‘Sparkles’ Styles’s birthday. Thankfully our booking ensured us a very comfy table! Eight of us tucked into a fabulous brekky and some seriously yummy coffees. Steve clearly enjoyed himself, tucking in to no less than 3 luscious lattes! In typical form, the ladies in the party were left wondering how breakfast turned into beers, with the party going through three venue changes and finishing at four in the afternoon! Happy birthday Jamie – looking forward to trying the new release ‘sparkles’ from Cassegrain soon!
We did a spot of power shopping a couple of weekends ago and we bumped (literally bumped – poor thing!) into Toni Collette. The gorgeous Aussie actress must have been home on some well deserved R&R with hubby Dave Galafassi and his family in Wauchope. Fresh from her recent Golden Globe win in the US for her starring role in The United States of Tara, Toni topped off her trip with dinner at the Boardwalk for an evening of vino and tapas. She was even so gracious as to sign a plate for the Boardwalk boys to hang on their wall of fame. It’s good to see that even Hollywood hasn’t diminished her love for the coast or a bit of retail therapy at Just Jeans! A girl needs a decent pair of jeans, after all!
Best hat contestants at the Queen of the North Race Day.
Exciting times for ex local and beautiful entrepreneur Samantha Wills, whose success in Tinseltown continues to sky rocket. This lovely and hardworking lass, now based in New York City, recently showed her wares to LA style guru Rachel Zoe from the Rachel Zoe Project. Rachel styles for all the huge names in Hollywood, including the leggy and lovely Cameron Diaz. Rachel most notably styled Anne Hathaway for her Oscar red carpet/Hugh Jackman moment – it’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it! There is no doubt local girl Sam will continue her ascent to fame and fortune. Sam may be planning a little visit home later in the year for a special local event – fingers crossed she can fit us into her very busy and fabulous schedule!
If rain on your wedding day is a sign of good luck, then Joel Wehlow and his lovely new wife Jenny Mezzina are going to be the luckiest people on earth! The two had planned to be married on sunny Oxley Beach; however, due to the torrential downpour, a quick ‘Plan B’ venue change was put in place as the happy couple said “I do” at Flynn’s Beach Surf Club. Guests were bussed back to Pam and Arthur Wehlow’s stunning Fernbank Creek Rd property, where they were greeted by a magical marquee filled with stunning flowers from Touchwood and twinkling tealights. Over 160 guests greeted the gorgeous couple, who quite literally radiated love and fun throughout the night. Jenny looked absolutely stunning in her off the shoulder gown, with her gorgeous bridesmaids in a striking blue. Joel and the boys wore camel suits and looked handsome and happy as they partied throughout the night. The whole wedding was a family affair, with both sides assisting with preparations on and before the night. Parents of the bride, Jane and Gerry Mezzina, along with sister Louise and hubby Demitri put the final touches on the marquee. MC Josh did a fabulous job of keeping the night on track. We had lots of fun with the guests, including Jenny’s cheeky and charming Italian uncle, who insisted we keep a solid stream of red vino coming his way! The guests enjoyed Silverspoon canapés followed by a sumptuous buffet main course. Rain certainly didn’t dampen the crowd’s mood, with every Mezzina and Wehlow up on the dance floor! Congratulations to Jenny and Joel – wishing you lots of fun, love and happiness!
Alicia Steinhardt and Shaun Weelands were married in mid February in a ceremony at historic St Thomas’ Church. Seventy guests enjoyed a waterfront reception at Rydges with a wedding feast created by Executive Chef Michael Schubert. Guests enjoyed champagne and canapés, with band ‘Well Swung’ entertaining the guests throughout the evening. The main course was followed by a chocolate mud wedding cake from Penelope K for dessert. The couple honeymooned with a cruise on the South Pacific. Congrats to you both.
Jenny & Joel Wehlow on their wedding day. Photo credit: PortPix Photography
We had a lovely if somewhat windy day at the Port Macquarie races in February. Rydges & Travelworld supported the Focus Fashions on The Field for the annual ladies’ day, Queen of the North race meet. Thankfully it was a sunny day and we enjoyed an afternoon of bubbles and nibbles on the Chairman’s Lounge Deck overlooking the track. It was good to see some fashionable and familiar faces, including Dianne Richmond, Toni Cooper, Annabel Warren and Varan Freestone, all frocking up and looking fabulous on the day. Official judges Ria Smith from Funk’d and I had our work cut out for us, with so many elegant ladies and gents to choose form. Congrats to all winners who went home with a swag of prizes to the tune of $5,000, including goodies from Travelworld Port Macquarie, Novotel Coffs Harbour, Rydges, Tommy’s By The Beach, Touchwood Flowers, East Coast Laser and Ella Baché. The guys in Port really should wise up to this whole ‘ladies’ day’ concept – where else are you going to get a chance to rub shoulders with so many fine fillies all frocked up and ready to party? Note to self, fellas – Queen of the North – worth a diary entry for next year!
I made a rather rash comment in an online public forum last month that I would be hanging up my party shoes for the season … It seems that this statement was quite hasty and is considerably harder to adhere to than initially anticipated! Statement officially retracted!
Until next month, Kate.
Yvonne Kiely, one of our talented local artists, will be exhibiting at the Artist Market on 4th October. Experience her inner world of the heart for a greater sense of well being.
Focus was pleased to partner with Settlement City and Rydges for the local modelling competition held in April. Local student Brooke Durrant was judged the winner. Her prize package included a photoshoot in Sydney to help launch her career.
Sue Faulkner, Christie Battishall, Kate Byrne & Allison Massey at the Rydges Poolside Party
What an extraordinary couple of weeks we have had – extraordinarily sad with bushfires in rural Victoria and the unexpected torrential downpour of rain in Port Macquarie for us. Life would seem a little more fair if the rains had transported themselves further south, rather than drenching us all in the north.
I have recently returned from a trip to Melbourne and do declare that Melbournites are highly resilient, delightful people who have an absolutely stunning city. It’s got a little more soul than its edgier sister Sydney, and the people seem to be just more down to earth and a little more genuine. Melbourne is also home to my favourite DFO shopping spots, and despite earlier vows to stay away from them, their allure was just too strong! I soon found myself hightailing it up the street in seriously unsuitable stilettos, dodging trams and passersby – my natural homing device zooming in on DFO heaven. Despite a busy schedule, I managed to squeeze in the essential hour of power post conference retail session!
Geoff Whitecross, Jacqui Eller, Kate Hutten & Jo Love at the Rydges Pool party
While I was away I was lucky enough to enjoy a fabulous meal at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant Fifteen in Melbourne – despite obvious plusses on arrival (a rather gorgeous waiter, reminiscent of Prince Will prior to premature balding, with a very alluring foreign accent!) the atmosphere and food were just divine. Rather than an overspiced, overdressed meal, the food was simple, elegant and the flavour combinations just delicious. The service was not only pleasing on the eye, but on the spirit. The waitstaff took genuine interest in us as guests but weren’t so intrusive with pompous descriptions and flourishes that you couldn’t enjoy your meal. Sadly, the lovable Londoner Jamie was not in sight, but his kitchen brigade certainly did him proud.
Leo Hawker, Stuart Bates & Grant Frecklington get Back to Business
Rydges Port Macquarie held its annual Back to Business Event poolside in mid Feb, with corporate guests enjoying a welcome back to the New Year in relaxed style. Hosted by the executive team, guests enjoyed canapés, drinks and the launch of the new conference season. Duo Matt & Elizabeth entertained the relaxed guests as they enjoyed the waterfront venue. Thanks to the ever generous Ashleigh Trouncer of Qantas for her sponsorship of two return flights from Sydney – Marc Stortenbeker was certainly chuffed with the prize, being the lucky winner of the much sought after flights. Marc Minor of Sovereign Hills also stepped away with a dinner for two in Rydges waterfront restaurant.
Vue Cafe’s Malinda Sherrard & Meg Mitchell with Scott Blanch, winner of the Dig for a Diamond
Congrats to Scott Blanch, winner of the Dig for a Diamond promotion outside Vue Café & Bar. Over 100 guests braved strong winds and torrential rain to dive for the sparkly trinket. Well done to Claire, Hugh, Steve and the rest of the Star FM team for putting up with such wild and woolly conditions. Hot chocolate and a raincoat anyone!
Good friends Mr Tracy Goss and beautiful fiancée Ellen Howell celebrated their Australian wedding party on Saturday 14 February at their new home on the canals. Tracy, a native of New Zealand and Ellen from Arizona chose a wild, wild west theme for their pre wedding celebration. Guests donned Stetsons, corsets, leather and plenty of gingham to congratulate the happy couple on their impending wedding.
Tracy Goss & Ellen Howell at their Pre wedding celebration
“Howdy partner” seemed to be the flavour of the night, with plenty of guests chowing down on south of the border cuisine and Budweiser beer. Guests, including Gemma & Jason Clifton, Louise & Jay Beaumont, Chris Kelly and gorgeous gal Fiona Dodd all got into the western theme, with some guys taking their cowboy roles a little more seriously than others! The happy couple cut their ‘pre’ wedding cake and did a very sexy salsa number for their bridal dance, leaving us all feeling slightly uncoordinated and inadequate, wishing we could book in fairly swiftly for salsa lessons! Tracy and Ellen head over to the US to celebrate their real wedding in early March with family and friends from abroad. I am super excited that we will be there to join in with all the fun!
As a new home owner, I am seriously concerned at the amount of time I am spending at Bunnings. Previously an uneventful once a month trip to get essential items, I am now finding myself there every weekend scouring the shelves for handy home items and garden paraphernalia. Who knew that I needed a reverse cycle dishwasher double hose fixture or a pitch fork with extra grip and slow release organic fertiliser?
This sad but enjoyable shopping practice keeps me strangely happy in gumboots and scruffies all weekend. I understand the true depth of our issue when Steve goes into serious withdrawals if he hasn’t had his weekly fix of Bunnings fundraising sausage sandwich! Scary!
Next time I write to you all I will be in sunny Mexico lapping up the sunshine on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship on the Mexican Riviera. Bring on the Mohitos and the nachos, baby! I am ready for a wind down! I am sure a little bit of R & R will be in order after the wedding celebrations in Arizona and our little stop over in Vegas. Having never been on a cruise before, I am a little concerned about the vomitus el seasickness issue! I will be loading us all up with a good dose of travel calm prior to embarking! One small hindrance to a successful OS trip is a current passport – I am currently waiting with bated breath to see if my last minute order arrives! I will not be a happy camper if I am the only amigo left behind! Adios!
Cheers, Kate.
Vue Café & Bar is located at the river end of Hay St, Port Macquarie. Come and enjoy the fabulous views, relaxed atmosphere and delicious Peak coffee.
