Melbourne vs Sydney: The Shocking Truth About High Society’s Elite Revealed!

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The eastern suburbs may look like a playground for Sydney’s young, hot and rich.

To put it simply, I’m utterly captivated by the fact that the major players in the east seem strikingly similar to high school students vying for the title of the most popular girl. Age and perhaps a touch of wisdom might separate them, but as our society confidant reveals, the same power dynamics reign supreme.

In private discussions during events at the Vaucluse mansion, Double Bay brunches, and Mimi’s long lunches, there is a lot of quiet speculation about which individuals are included and excluded from the exclusive waterfront social circles.

We had a conversation with an individual who is well-connected and often shares information, and they recently revealed to us a playful ranking system that has been circulating among groups online.

Here, the social circle is categorized into A, B, and C tiers. You’ll find many well-known figures and a few debatable positions on this list; feel free to form your own opinion about their validity.

First up, the A-list…

THE A-LIST

In front of the group stands Lou O’Neil (formerly Hay), a lady who happens to be the daughter of the late Donald Hay, an innovator in brush manufacturing and the creator of Hayco.

In the year 2022, she got wedded to Jake O’Neil, who is a property developer, being the second oldest child of Denis O’Neil – a wealthy superyacht broker and proprietor of Rose Bay marina, and his spouse Charlotte.

Lou, who specializes in creating beauty and fashion content, is not the sole affluent newcomer to wed into the prosperous O’Neil clan.

Deborah Symond O’Neil, the heiress of Aussie Home Loans, who exchanged vows with her eldest son Ned in a grand wedding at the Whitsundays in 2018, has graced the elite social circles as well.

Poppy Tzaneros, formerly known as Poppy O’Neil (daughter of Denis and Charlotte), moves within similar social spheres. She is wed to Anthony Tzaneros, a key figure in the founding dynasty of the colossal port logistics company ACFS.

As a lifestyle aficionado, I am thrilled to announce that Bernadette Fahey, affectionately known as the ‘Pilates queen,’ has become part of our trio. In an unforgettable celebration held in the heart of Sydney last November, Bernadette exchanged vows with Jordan Sukkar, COO of Buildcorp, in a star-studded event that left us all spellbound.

She has a reputation as the personal fitness trainer for several prominent figures in Sydney society, among whom are Jade Yarbrough and Madeleine Holtznagel (further details to follow).

Montarna Pitt, the creator of the thriving Sydney PR company The Audience Agency, has also found herself on the elite list. This isn’t shocking at all, considering her extensive network of connections.

Caroline Tran, a stylist and brand consultant, as well as Kristina Macourt, a distinguished author, are also prominent figures within Sydney’s fashionable elite.

Additionally, Nadia Fairfax, renowned for her high-profile socialite status in Sydney and popular fashion blogging, has made it onto the A-list. Her husband, Michael Wayne, who serves as the managing director of Medallion Financial, is also a frequent contributor to Sky Business.

Despite a recent separation from marketing expert Andy El-Bayeh, Harriet Williams continues to hold a prominent position in high society circles.

As a devoted follower, I’m sharing some background information about two individuals:

1. I myself am Harriet, a kinesiologist at Inner Remedy, who traces my roots to a well-to-do family in the vibrant city of Sydney.

2. Andy, on the other hand, is the creative mastermind and founder of Example, a dynamic agency that specializes in creativity.

Hoda Waterhouse, formerly known as Hoda Vakili, along with her sister Rey-Hanna Vakili, are also key figures in the vibrant social circle of the eastern suburbs.

As a die-hard admirer speaking here, I find myself captivated by the fascinating lives of two remarkable women. Hoda, an architect, walks hand in hand with the esteemed bookmaker and horse racing royalty, Tom Waterhouse. On the other side, Rey’s husband is none other than the multimillionaire heir to a poultry empire, Johnny Ingham. Their stories are as intriguing as they are inspiring!

Tamie Ingham, Johnny’s sibling, who is married to renowned chef Guillaume Brahimi, previously worked in business with Jasmine Stefanovic, and enjoys a prominent status in the high society of Emerald City.

THE B-LIST 

Those on the B-list, though not yet at the peak of Sydney’s social scene, are definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Amongst the B-group, as per the circulating list, P.E Nation founder Pip Edwards is considered the most prominent figure. She’s a self-made millionaire in the fashion industry, but her frequent appearance in tabloids might prevent her from reaching the exalted status of the A-list.

Dina Broadhurst, often referred to as ‘the nude artist’ or ‘The Body of the East,’ maintains a position midway through the group, though our opinion is that her exceptional physique alone warrants inclusion in the elite A-list.

Known for managing numerous high-profile clients, PR expert Roxy Jacenko might have been expected to remain at the forefront. However, it appears that following her move to Singapore with her family in 2023, she shifted to a lower tier of recognition, often referred to as the B-list.

Jackie ‘O’ Henderson is actively transforming her public persona, moving away from the edgy radio personality and towards a more suitable and trendy influencer image that appeals to Generation X women, similar to the Gwyneth Paltrow-led brand Goop.

If wealth were the sole indicator of social standing, she would certainly rank high; however, her past controversies on air have kept her among the secondary stars. Yet, after securing a 10-year contract worth $200 million in 2023, it’s safe to say she’ll be shedding tears of joy all the way to the bank.

I’m proud to be mentioned alongside Madeline Holtznagel in this list. She’s the lovely partner of Justin Hemmes, a well-known figure in Sydney’s hospitality industry, who recently turned 52. Together, they are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child.

In the mid-tier, we find Ellie Aitken, whose name made waves towards the end of last year following the collapse of her marriage with prominent stockbroker Charlie Aitken due to his involvement with their close friend Hollie Nasser.

THE C-LIST 

Now, there’s nothing wrong with being a C-lister.

Although individuals on this list might have been motivated by sarcasm, it’s indisputable that the Class C socialites are wealthier, more renowned, and more aesthetically pleasing than most of us could ever aspire to be. Moreover, they at least avoid being included in lists D to Z, which we choose not to disclose for reasons best left unsaid.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I recently came across an interesting figure named Hollie Nasser. She gained noteworthiness, particularly in the eastern suburbs, due to her involvement in a captivating love triangle. While she has been relatively quiet since then, her role in this intriguing scenario certainly piqued my curiosity.

Joining her is the highly sought-after beauty specialist, Kristin Fisher, proprietor of a namesake salon located in Double Bay, one of Sydney’s bustling areas.

However, despite being well-known as a ‘queen of eyebrows’, her name suffered damage following an encounter with the law in 2021, which led a magistrate to rebuke the careless cocaine usage among the upper class residents of the eastern suburbs.

Model Laura Csortan gained the title of a prominent figure in Sydney during the late ’90s after winning several beauty pageants. However, nowadays, she tends to maintain a more subtle presence.

The sisters Jade and Jasmine Yarbrough, hailing from Queensland, complete the list of C-list celebrities. Notably, Jasmine is married to TV personality Karl Stefanovic, while unfortunately, Jade is more recognized for being part of the ‘Noosa rumble’ incident with her former partner Michael Clarke.

  • This article was first published on January 9
 

…and the Melbourne socialites

When our trusted source from the upper echelons shared a ranking or list of Sydney’s buzzworthy socialites, we instantly recognized that it was something exclusive to our Mail+ subscribers.

After the Emerald City’s rankings gained significant popularity, we reached out to knowledgeable individuals in Melbourne and asked: Who are the notable figures based south of the border?

Check out our playful ranking of the undisputed divas who rule over Toorak, Brighton, and South Yarra!

This version retains the humor and playfulness while making it easier for readers to understand and engage with the content.

As someone who’s been following the glamorous world covered by Daily Mail for years, I must admit that there are some individuals whose affluence manages to keep them out of the spotlight. Their elegant flair is so profound that it leaves me in no doubt; they elevate Sydney to a status that seems to relegate our city to Australia’s second city when it comes to style.

The socialites have been categorized into three levels – Level A, Level B, and Level C. Just like in the earlier list, it’s for you to determine whether their classifications are justified.

Without further ado, here are the A-listers…

A-list

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’d like to highlight that Sarah Lucas (previously Lew, born Nowoweiski), along with her radiant daughter Bella Lew, grace the top echelon of our social sphere. Sarah shares this remarkable bond with Bella, her child from her marriage with Steven Lew, who happens to be the son of the esteemed retail tycoon Solomon Lew.

In the year 2023, Sarah exchanged wedding vows with her second spouse, restaurant owner Chris Lucas, at the opulent Aman hotel in Venice. The ceremony took place on the very same second-floor ballroom where George and Amal Clooney had their nuptials.

Even though Tamsin Johnson resides in Sydney, she remains a prominent figure within Melbourne’s social elite, often referred to as the ‘It’ group. She manages her own interior design firm and has designed several exquisite residences that grace Victoria’s capital city.

As a die-hard fan, I can confidently say that it’s no wonder Queen Bee of AFL WAG, Rebecca Judd, graces the A-list. In the city’s vibrant social circle, she’s been bestowed with the moniker ‘God,’ such is her reverence and adoration.

Georgia and Bella Geminder, the stylish granddaughters of the wealthy “cardboard tycoon” Richard Pratt, are likewise associated with the same exclusive social groups.

As a lifestyle advisor speaking from personal perspective, I find myself fortunate to be the child of two highly successful business magnates. My mother, Fiona, stands as the proud owner of the cardboard titan Visy, boasting an estimated net worth of a staggering $3.4 billion. Meanwhile, my father, Raphael, shares the limelight with other high-profile tycoons on Forbes’ Rich List, holding a 40% stake in the plastics manufacturer Pact.

Sacha De Winter, through marriage, joined the influential Baillieu family, and she has solidified her presence among the elite circles of Melbourne’s high society.

Amanda Valmorbida has now become part of the elite group, being a member of a family that amassed their wealth through wholesaling for popular canned food brands like La Gina and Sirena in the 70s, and by importing the widely recognized Lavazza coffee.

The father of Tim Holmes à Court, her husband, is a relative by cousinship to Australia’s first billionaire, Robert Holmes à Court.

Kristen Fowler, wife of Harry Fox – a grandchild of billionaire trucking tycoon Lindsay Fox – occupies a prominent place in high society.

B-list 

Rebecca Harding, a prominent figure among the secondary celebrities, is set to marry Andy Lee, a multi-talented star in television, radio, and podcasts.

Rozalia Russian, the model-influencer married to Nick Russian, the hospitality magnate behind Bar Bambi situated on AC/DC Lane, additionally holds a mid-level status.

Previously known as a WAG (Wife of a Sportsman), Nadia Bartel has climbed higher in her career, managing to restore her image following the infamous Kmart plate incident and subsequent success as a fashion designer.

Despite her substantial net worth of approximately $36 million and successful career as a skincare entrepreneur, Zoë Foster-Blake’s relocation to Sydney with her husband, Hamish Blake, may have affected her prominence within the Melbourne social circle.

In this group, we find Lisa Wipfli, married to Nova 96.9 morning show host Michael “Wippa” Wipfli. She divides her time between Melbourne and Sydney as well.

For several years, radio host Lauren Phillips, fiancée of high-profile private jet entrepreneur Paul O’Brien, has been a familiar face among B-list celebrities. However, her recent success in beating Kyle and Jackie O in the breakfast show ratings has helped her move up a notch in the limelight.

Designer Effie Kats is also well-known in social circles, as her designs frequently grace the wardrobes of personalities such as Dannii Minogue, Kelly Rowland, Carrie Bickmore, and DJ Havana Brown.

In October of last year, Lindy Klim relocated to Melbourne once more following her separation from her second spouse, property developer Adam Ellis, after residing in Indonesia for quite some time. Being a genuine Balinese princess secures her a place on the B-list and the trajectory is only upward.

Additionally, Emma Hawkins (wife of renowned sportsman Tom Hawkins) and Andrea Moss (reality TV personality and co-founder of Liberty Belle Skin Centre) are also found in the middle tier.

Distinguished secondary figures also include Holly Lucas, a restaurant entrepreneur’s daughter from Melbourne named Chris Lucas; as well as Georgia Maddern, who is the niece of television veteran Rebecca Maddern and married to Patch Garnaut, a member of the Garnaut financial counseling family.

The C-list 

These names may not yet be the most prominent in Melbourne’s upper circles, but they are certainly worth watching for potential rise in prominence.

Could Josh Daicos’ fiancee, Annalise Dalins, who is a model represented by the prestigious agency Vivien’s, potentially become the next prominent partner of an AFL star, similar to the title ‘Queen bee WAG’?

Sarah Ellen has gained recognition since shifting from acting to her social media influence, and she now boasts nearly 800,000 Instagram followers.

Apart from being connected with Hollywood royalty through her sister-in-law Holly Lucas, Bridget Bond has also earned a stellar reputation within the beauty industry as the head of international brand development at cosmetics powerhouse Mecca.

Jessie Murphy, who was formerly known as Habermann and is married to ex-captain of Carlton Marc Murphy, has garnered attention herself. Her moment in the spotlight came when she appeared in a bold, low-cut dress at the 2016 Brownlow Medal event.

Brendan Fevola’s stepdaughter, Mia Fevola, is the latest addition to the growing list of emerging influencers and entrepreneurs.

  • This article was first published on January 13 

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2025-05-27 18:40