Sweet revenge for salon owner whose husband ran off with Kristin Fisher. Plus, hunky Kennards Hire heir responds to split talk – and Sydney’s worst diva wants an intern: THE GROUP CHAT WITH LUCY MANLY

Join Lucy Manly in The Group Chat for the latest Australian celebrity and society news – you’ll hear the buzz before anyone else!

Unpacking the rumours

Angus Kennard, a businessman from Sydney’s North Shore and the grandson of the founder of a successful storage company, has denied reports that he and his wife, Angela, are splitting up. This comes as they sell their expensive home on the waterfront.

I’m hearing quite a buzz around Cremorne lately! A neighbor on Wonga Street – it’s a really lovely area – let me know everyone’s talking about a well-known couple who seem to be going their separate ways. Apparently, they’ve put their stunning six-bedroom home on the market, which really got people talking. It’s always sad to hear, but these things happen, even in the nicest neighborhoods!

We’re selling because our children have finished school and moved out, and I’m spending a lot of time in the US for work, explained the former Kennards Hire CEO.

I run a software company called Inauro, and right now I’m traveling from Japan to the US, so I’m unfortunately not available to participate.

In 2018, a couple paid a record-breaking $18 million for a waterfront mansion in the area. The property boasts a pool, a boatshed, and its own private dock.

Sweet revenge

Mariah Rota, a well-known hairstylist to many prominent people in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, has sold her salon, Cole Hair Double Bay, to Frankie Endersbee, a long-time employee and popular stylist. The sale price was not revealed.

After four years with the salon, Endersbee is already making a big impact. This internationally experienced stylist has worked with high-profile clients like Gigi Hadid (styling her at New York Fashion Week) and celebrities such as The Veronicas and Elisabeth Moss.

Rota will continue to oversee Cole Hair Mosman, but is also expanding into the growing hair extension market, focusing on both selling products and providing training.

Although Rota hasn’t been at the center of the drama in Double Bay, she’s definitely been closely involved and witnessed everything that’s happened.

At her 2017 wedding in Bali to her now ex-husband, Tom Cole, her former boss, Joh Bailey, reportedly became quite drunk and boisterous.

Bailey, along with his partner and a friend, were asked to leave a small wedding ceremony with about 40 guests. They arrived very late – an hour and a half behind schedule – and were acting rowdy. To make matters worse, Bailey started smoking a cigarette right as the bride was walking down the aisle.

The groom and his mother asked the three people to leave. Following this, Cole was fired from his job as a leading hairdresser at Bailey’s salon in Bondi Junction.

The ex-couple then opened Cole Hair, a rival salon located just next door to Bailey’s original location.

Things became very personal for Rota when she discovered her husband was having an affair with Kristin Fisher, a married eyebrow stylist from Double Bay. The scandal quickly became the talk of the town on Knox Street.

It’s quite a twist that Rota is ending up with a large profit, while Fisher is stuck with a $100,000 tax payment.

Having sold her Double Bay salon, Rota emphasizes the decision was carefully planned, not a reaction to any negative events. She acknowledges the significant contribution of her partner, Jordan Crugnale, to the salon’s achievements and states that it was simply a good time to move on.

After years of building and running the salon, I was incredibly proud of what we’d accomplished. The business was thriving, with a dedicated customer base and, even more importantly, a fantastic team, she explained.

I decided to leave the salon while it was doing well, so I could pursue new ventures and focus on my own development. Ensuring the salon’s continued success was a priority, and I’m confident Frankie is the perfect person to lead it forward.

A winning deal

After 120 years of family ownership, John ‘Herman’ Winning Jr., whose family built a successful appliance business, is receiving significant investment from Ellerston Capital – a firm previously known for managing the wealth of the Packer family.

Before rumors spread further, sources say reports of a complete takeover of Winning Appliances are incorrect. Ellerston is actually investing in a smaller portion of the company – estimated to be around $100 million – rather than buying the entire business.

The century-old retailer boasts 16 glossy showrooms and the fast-growing Appliances Online arm.

I’ve been following the Winning family for years, and it’s incredible to see how they’ve built their fortune – around $770 million last year, by all accounts! What I admire most is their dedication to keeping their whitegoods business, one of the few remaining Australian-owned ones, within the family. It’s a real testament to their commitment.

It’s not entirely clear why the company needs new funding, but sources say most of the money will go to Winning Jr., known as ‘Herman’ by friends, to support his many personal projects and interests.

What exactly those interests are varies depending on who you talk to, but most people agree the current owner’s ambitions go far beyond the company’s traditional appliance business.

Okay, so I’ve been following this guy, this total Eastern Suburbs playboy, for ages. Honestly, the gossip is he’s got a nightclub built right into his house – can you even imagine?! But mostly, I’m obsessed because of Dina Broadhurst, the amazing nude artist. They’re constantly breaking up and getting back together, and I’m here for all the drama. I swear, I check for updates on them daily – it’s a rollercoaster, and I’m completely hooked!

They were seen here recently, shortly after Broadhurst violated the Winning family’s policy against posting photos of himself online.

He was recently photographed having fun with musician Yungblud on a luxurious yacht, where they took some relaxed and stylish selfies.

Barefoot and bankrupt

Okay, so I’m hearing whispers around town – and let me tell you, I hear everything – about Kashaya Williams, a well-known face on the eastern suburbs party scene. Apparently, she was spotted recently looking a little rough around the edges, and, surprisingly, without any shoes on! It sounds like things might be a bit tough for her right now, beyond just a fashion faux pas.

Someone shared a photo in the group chat of Kashaya, a former florist from Double Bay who’s been in the news. Seeing her expression instantly reminded me of my awkward teenage years – bad lighting, loud music, and regrettable decisions on the dance floor!

The event was a birthday party for Natty Lockhart, a well-known personality in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. She celebrated with her friends on a boat in Sydney Harbour.

Joining the event were Laura Csortan, a former Miss Universe Australia, and model Charlie Austin. Austin is dating Poeta Okeroa, who works with Julian Tobias and Eric Jury – the owners of popular Sydney venues like Sussudio in Potts Point and the Flamingo Lounge in Kings Cross.

But I digress.

Last December, Kashaya apparently spent $5,000 on a booth at The Press. This is quite a feat considering she now works in freelance distribution but still consistently wears expensive designer clothes.

I was quite surprised to see Kashaya at Pelicano last October. You might remember her case – the NSW Supreme Court previously found she’d tried to use a fake letter to claim her grandfather’s house after a really tough family disagreement over the inheritance. It was definitely a memorable sighting!

Earlier in May, she was seen at the Royal Hotel in Bondi, a casual pub next to Totti’s. She was wearing a short, somewhat mismatched lace dress and enjoying a glass of rosé as if she were a regular.

This happened just weeks before she filed for bankruptcy again and appeared in Waverley Local Court on traffic violations – speeding and driving with a suspended license – which she’s trying to have dismissed.

Oh my gosh, you won’t BELIEVE this! I just heard the most awful thing about her! Apparently, a little fender-bender is nothing compared to what’s really going on. Someone told me she’s been evicted from her place in Double Bay! Can you imagine? They’re saying the landlord actually changed the locks because she hadn’t been paying the rent! It’s just… devastating. I’m so worried about her!

Sources say her sons are currently with her mother on the Central Coast, while Kashaya is still frequently seen at parties in Sydney.

Freeman’s free labour?

Sydney designer Jack Freeman is looking for an intern, but it’s unclear if the position will be paid.

I found the job posting on Seek. It said the ideal candidate would be creative and skilled in graphic design and content creation, and able to work on their own.

I think he meant flair…

The art gallery owner, who gained unwanted attention after appearing on the reality show Below Deck Mediterranean last year, was also rumored to have upset his employees at Freeman & Co. Staff reportedly resented being asked to accept lower salaries while he was traveling in Europe for several months.

Last year, a source told Margin Call that it was surprising to learn the man was asking his employees to take a 30% pay cut while simultaneously posting pictures of himself enjoying a new G-Wagon and traveling in Europe by private plane.

When I spoke with Freeman in October, before he led the creative side of this week’s Soirée by the Sea charity event at Catalina in Rose Bay, he seemed to have a very different attitude.

Freeman rubbished the salary cut claims as ‘hearsay’ and hinted there was more to the story.

‘It’s entirely false,’ he snapped.

People have said things that aren’t accurate, and there’s a lot more to the situation than they’re letting on, but I’m not going to discuss it further.

Chef Freeman’s time on Below Deck Mediterranean showed viewers the lives of a yacht crew catering to wealthy guests as they sailed around the Mediterranean Sea.

During an episode last October, Freeman fully embraced his role as a difficult guest, exaggerating his behavior for the cameras. He playfully acted silly and insisted on getting Szechuan chicken very late at night.

Let me tell you, dealing with high-maintenance clients is always interesting! This one, Mr. Freeman, demanded a late-night snack, and honestly, the drama! He literally fell asleep the instant we agreed to get it for him. The poor team barely had time to turn around! It’s a good reminder that sometimes, even the simplest requests can turn into a hilarious situation when you’re working with a true personality.

New to DailyMail+? Here are our most-read stories from the past week

An insider revealed the real reason Danny suddenly seemed to understand things with Bec after their honeymoon – something the show didn’t air. Also, a harsh moment involving a producer on Luke and Mel’s wedding day was kept hidden from viewers.

Harriet has shared her harrowing story of abuse at the hands of her sister, beginning when she was just 13 years old. She was subjected to drug use and horrific incestuous acts. With her abuser now convicted, Harriet is speaking out, declaring she has finally reclaimed her life.

It’s heartbreaking to watch Bec experience a common fear for women in relationships on Married at First Sight. Jana Hocking understands exactly what caused Danny to lose interest.

A disturbing incident occurred in prison involving Jessica Camilleri, the inmate convicted of beheading her mother. She attempted to rip the scalp off another prisoner in a violent attack.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m constantly observing the nuances of wealth and how it’s expressed. Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about ‘old money’ versus ‘new money,’ especially with recent headlines about someone challenging the established social scene. So, I’ve put together a breakdown – a guide, if you will – to really clarify who fits into each category within Australia’s wealthy circles. It’s about more than just having money; it’s about how it’s lived and displayed, and the differences are fascinating.

Okay, let me tell you, I’m finally understanding everything surrounding Simone Holtznagel’s decision to speak out. Honestly, it all comes down to the incredibly difficult situation she was facing with her child’s father. As someone who’s talked to countless women navigating similar challenges, I can tell you, it’s a breaking point for so many. It’s about protecting yourself and your child, and Amanda Goff really gets to the heart of why Simone finally decided to share her story. It’s a tough situation, and I really feel for her.

The family of Tess Crosley believes there’s more to the story surrounding Lachie Neale’s affair, stating that no one involved is without fault. This comes as we share Jules’ angry reaction to the situation.

The latest Married at First Sight dinner party was a disaster, filled with accusations of inappropriate behavior, harsh insults, and a frantic response from the show’s producers. One participant described the situation to Ali Daher as complete ‘armageddon’.

Sources close to Married At First Sight say there’s more to the story between Danny and Gia than what’s being shown, hinting at a potential cheating scandal. The situation is reportedly causing significant distress for Danny’s wife, Bec, who is described as feeling insecure.

Grace Tame previously enjoyed a strong level of protection and support. Now that support has disappeared, and previously unsaid criticisms are being openly voiced, as Peter van Onselen has reported.

2026-02-19 15:51