How much money was REALLY raised at much-hyped ‘charity gala of the year’ as insiders reveal some stars were paid to attend… Plus, Pip Edwards’ ex bags a younger model: THE GROUP CHAT

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Hi, I’m Lucy Manly, and welcome to my space! As someone deeply connected within Australian society, I’m all about giving you the inside scoop – the latest buzz and happenings *before* they hit the headlines. Consider this your first look at what everyone will be talking about!

Hemmes plays matchmaker

Sydney’s social set has a new ‘It’ couple – and yes, it’s as tangled as ever.

Model Simone Holtznagel recently ended a very brief romance with property developer Max Shepherd, and she’s already moved on.

Sources say she’s currently dating Joshua Clapp, the talented designer and founder of Steel and Stitch, the firm responsible for the stylish interiors of many popular Sydney bars and restaurants.

Simone and her partner were brought together thanks to a bit of matchmaking by Simone’s sister, Madeleine Holtznagel, and her boyfriend, Justin Hemmes. They set them up at the opening of Hemmes’ new late-night spot, The Press, last month.

I’m so excited – it seems like they’re really hitting it off! I heard they were all over each other at the party, and everyone definitely noticed. Both being single parents, it’s just lovely to see them finding a connection.

Since then, Simone showed up on Clapp’s Instagram, which suggests their relationship is getting serious.

Joshua is a charismatic and well-known figure in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. He famously impressed Pip Edwards by remembering her phone number years after their initial meeting, showcasing his smooth and charming personality.

But insiders insist this time it’s different.

‘Maddie and Justin introduced them knowing that they’d hit it off,’ a close friend tells me.

‘Simone’s in such a better place since things with Jono ended.’

That’s her former partner, Jono Castano, a well-known fitness trainer. They separated last Easter, only nine weeks after their daughter, Gia, was born.

Jono has since moved on with Emily Ryder, star of Stan’s dating series Love Triangle.

Simone is doing really well, even with the ups and downs of co-parenting. Plus, Joshua’s design business is incredibly successful, so keep an eye out for this stylish couple at all the best events in Sydney this summer.

Pip, who’s rarely single, sparked rumors last month when she was seen holding hands with Dylan Hales, a bar owner and alumnus of Scots College, in New York City.

She definitely has a type…

Sequins over substance?

Last month’s Starry Night gala, hosted by the JW Foundation at the National Gallery of Victoria, appeared to be Melbourne’s most glamorous charity event.

Oh my gosh, it was INSANE! It felt like the Met Gala, seriously! Celebrities just floated in, looking absolutely perfect, and all the influencers were showing off these incredible outfits – I’m pretty sure they were borrowed, but who cares?! And the food? Forget about it! It was all prepared by famous chefs and the waiters presented it like it was art. I was completely starstruck!

But scratch beneath the sequins and things got a little confusing.

Following the event, I checked the JW Foundation’s social media pages but couldn’t find any information about the total amount of money raised for its beneficiaries: ToyBox Australia, a charity that helps sick children, and Duchenne Australia, which supports families affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

The event was projected to earn over a million dollars. Tickets for individuals cost between $1,850 and $2,850 each and couldn’t be refunded. Companies could purchase packages ranging from $9,250 to $18,500.

The event, with around 400 attendees, likely raised between $740,000 and $1.1 million. This doesn’t include contributions from major sponsors like Vogue, Mercedes, Ritz-Carlton, and Penfolds, or the over $1.4 million earned from live auctions and other donations.

The event raised a total of $187,992. It took a significant amount of effort – many phone calls and emails – to reach that amount.

As of today, $143,922 has been deposited into the ToyBox account. These funds will be used to provide grants for families affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Toybox Australia’s Sophia Barbagallo told us this week that the JW Foundation is actively working to gather the remaining funds it was promised, and the founder has personally assured them the full amount will be collected.

We’re excited to continue partnering with them to make this event a lasting success and greatly increase the amount we can donate to charity.

I’m not saying $188,000 isn’t helpful – it definitely will be. However, considering how large and impressive the Starry Night gala was, I expected the amount raised to be higher.

Last month’s Ronald McDonald House Gala, which gained some notoriety when a member of the Sachs family publicly criticized guests for not donating enough money, successfully raised $1.84 million.

The last Seven Telethon, held annually in WA, raised an eye-watering $83,264,216.

I’m not implying the JW Foundation did anything wrong – organizing an event of this size is expensive. However, many people within Melbourne’s social circles feel that the Starry Night event was more about appearances than actual impact.

The guest list read like a Who’s Who of influencer royalty and yesterday’s WAGs.

Nadia Bartel, Bec Judd, Effie Kats, Lindy Klim, Jessie Murphy, and Zana Pali attended a charity event filled with designer fashion. They enjoyed live entertainment, including music and violin performances, and participated in an auction for unique artwork.

Starry Night tickets were expensive, suggesting the event would raise a lot of money. However, the fundraiser’s website clarified that some of the ticket money would cover costs like renting the National Gallery of Victoria, and paying performers and event staff.

After covering the costs of the event, all remaining money from ticket sales, plus proceeds from the auction and any donations received, were given directly to ToyBox, our registered charity.

Everything seems pretty typical, but the JW Foundation might want to look at reducing its expenses in the future. I was told confidentially that they actually paid three social media influencers to be there, which seems unusual.

Just to be clear, this article doesn’t imply that any of the guests featured were paid to attend. Also, all the money raised for charity went directly to the intended causes and wasn’t used for event costs or promotion.

Melbourne property developer Jonathan Webber is the person orchestrating the Starry Night gala.

People call him the driving force behind the JW Foundation. He’s known for changing how they approach charitable giving and for creating special, high-end events to boost fundraising.

He clearly has good intentions, but it would probably be best to simply decline if an influencer asks to be paid to participate in a charity event.

Cat-astrophe averted

Last week, the usually quiet and upscale neighborhood of Vaucluse was filled with worry when celebrity chef Neil Perry and his wife, Samantha, announced their cat, Pepper, was missing.

People in the neighborhood found flyers in their mailboxes with a picture of a cute cat and a request to help reunite the beloved pet with its family.

With Pepper missing for several days, worry spread quickly through the exclusive enclave. 

People in the neighborhood joined forces to search gardens, garages, and backyards, hoping to find the cat and bring it home.

And in a happy twist, Pepper has now been found safe and sound.

We’re so relieved to have found her! Apparently, our cleaner accidentally left the garage door open, and she managed to get under the house and became trapped there,” Mrs. Perry explained.

‘She was there for six days before we found her!’

 

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2025-10-09 15:38