Twist in cut-throat society feud as court issues final warning to influencer… Plus, silver lining for heartbroken Aussie Home Loans boss a year after wife’s death: THE GROUP CHAT

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Symond’s silver lining

After a difficult year marked by the loss of his wife to cancer, James Symond, the former CEO of Aussie Home Loans, is experiencing happier times. This comes just over a year after the tragic loss, and with a focus on supporting his six-year-old daughter.

A mortgage broker who became a millionaire is reportedly developing a romantic relationship with Carmen Tomasic, a 38-year-old hospitality executive from Australia with Croatian heritage. He is in his 50s.

Carmen received her education at Loreto Normanhurst, a private school on Sydney’s North Shore, and later at Sydney University. She’s gone on to build a successful career working in hospitality.

I’ve always been so impressed with her experience! Before joining our team, she really made a name for herself working with Merivale and other top spots around Sydney. She was in charge of running some incredibly exclusive restaurants, bars, and VIP events all over the city – she truly knows how to deliver a high-end experience.

Currently working in Singapore, she’s a senior leader at Ennismore, a leading hotel group, where she develops restaurant, bar, and nightlife concepts.

James wasn’t keen to put a label on things when we contacted him this week.

The businessman stated he isn’t currently in a romantic relationship, explaining he’s grieving the loss of his wife, who passed away in December 2024. He described Carmen as a supportive friend who has been assisting him with his daughter.

He stressed that his focus ‘through this bloody tough time’ remained his child.

‘None of this is story-worthy and if it becomes such I will make comment to you,’ he added.

James shared the news of his wife, Amelia Beau Finlay Symond’s, passing in late 2024 on a social media group for ex-employees of Aussie Home Loans.

The couple had married in 2019.

James shared that he was deeply scared and heartbroken after the loss of his wife, who was 45 years old. Despite his grief, he’s committed to being strong for their daughter, Stella Rose.

‘I searched throughout my life for my darling wife,’ the retired broker said. 

‘The adoring mother of our five-year-old daughter, Stella Rose, and absolute love of my life. 

‘Little Stella and I are just devastated to lose you to heaven today.

I don’t know how I’ll manage, but I have to get through this – for our daughter, I must.

My love, you’ve made me who I am. You bring so much joy to my life. I wish you all the best, and I look forward to seeing you again, my beautiful girl.

James didn’t share specifics about how his wife passed away, but he had mentioned before that she was fighting stage-four breast cancer.

Doctors discovered her illness less than two years after James was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer affecting the bone marrow.

James shared that his health problems were severe enough that his family had worried he wouldn’t survive as long as other members. He believed they thought he was the most likely to pass away first.

He expressed gratitude to God for sharing all of his angels, and especially for blessing him with Stella Rose.

It’s far too soon to lose you, especially since I was supposed to be the first. I’m devastated and feel completely shattered, yet I can’t seem to fall apart. You meant the world to us and we miss you terribly – there are no words to express how much. We’re heartbroken and can’t stop crying. My heart is completely broken.

James took over as chief executive of the family company, Aussie Home Loans – founded in 1992 when his father, Michael, gave his brother John Symond $10,000 to start it – and led it for six years before resigning at the end of 2021.

The industry was shocked by his resignation, especially since he’d been prepared for years to take over from his uncle, who had recently retired after leading the company for nearly three decades.

It quickly became apparent that James and his wife were facing a much bigger challenge: they were both fighting cancer.

Socialite feud adjourned… again

TikTok stars Elle Salagaras and Cindy Kilian, who have been publicly feuding, appeared in court this week regarding a restraining order filed against one of them.

Oh my god, you would NOT believe what happened! It was all so predictable, honestly. Whenever these glamorous ladies from the eastern suburbs – the ones who live for a scene – end up in court, it’s never a smooth process. It just…never goes as anyone expects. Total chaos, I tell you, total chaos!

Just to summarize: Kilian, who was born in Canada and uses the online name RegardingCindy, was trying to get a restraining order against Salagaras, who is known online as ‘EasternSuburbsMum’.

Last week, Kilian vaguely referred to the situation as a ‘classified police matter.’ However, a Salagaras representative quickly explained that wasn’t true – Kilian himself had actually made the request, not the police.

You’re probably wondering how things fell apart between these former best friends. Their dramatic split is quite a story – here’s a rundown of what happened.

Kilian had received a temporary order to protect her from Salagaras, which included standard conditions, and the case was scheduled for an initial review on January 21st. However, Kilian didn’t appear in court on that date, but she did submit a doctor’s note.

Salagaras’ lawyers were back in court on Wednesday to fight the APVO. The hearing took place at the Downing Centre Local Court before Magistrate Susan Horan.

But when time came for Kilian to show at 9.30am, she did not appear. 

Salagaras’ legal team and court staff waited until around 2pm to hear from Kilian, who is representing herself. She contacted them to say she was feeling too sick to come to court.

As a lifestyle expert, I often see situations where things get delayed, and this case was no different. Unfortunately, without the person involved being there, the magistrate’s hands were tied. So, the hearing was postponed – we’re now looking at March 4th – and any temporary rules that were already in place will stay that way for now.

On Wednesday afternoon, Cindy was spotted at Kutti Beach in Vaucluse with her friend, Swedish influencer Lydia Friberg, according to her social media posts.

That evening, the two friends went to Bondi and enjoyed a casual outdoor dinner on the grass, getting pizza from Pizza Laundry on Glenayr Avenue.

Kilian might have been sunbathing to feel better after having the flu, and there’s no indication from the group chat that she was trying to deceive the court.

The court has warned her that if she fails to show up again without a good reason, her case could be thrown out.

Kilian declined to comment. 

And finally… guess who, don’t sue!

New Year’s Eve is over, but who were the women reportedly using a new way to take ketamine to celebrate 2026?

These days, people are moving away from snorting powder and opting for nasal sprays instead. It’s considered gentler on the nasal passages.

  • The subjects of this blind item are not mentioned or pictured elsewhere in this column
  • Lucy Manly is on leave
 

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2026-02-12 15:50