Australia’s Elite Families: Dynasties vs New Money in High Society Hierarchy
For a nation descended from convict labourers, Australia sure is a snobby place.
Instead of believing that we are a nation of fighters, it’s more accurate to say that we share an equal obsession with wealthy, land-owning families, much like our counterparts in Britain.
Although the phrase “Australian dynasty” might sound odd, it’s actually appropriate when describing certain families who fit this label perfectly, and some of these families have been part of high society for numerous generations.
However, newcomers with freshly amassed wealth from sectors such as technology, construction, and fashion are nipping at their heels, potentially disrupting the traditional social hierarchy.
A member of our elite circle has leaked a popular list that ranks all the prominent families from the upper echelons of society. This document reveals the true movers and shakers, as well as those dynasties losing influence in today’s world.
THE A-LIST
The Forrests
Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest is a well-known entrepreneur who has significant investments in mining industries, yet he harbors a clear and ambitious aspiration towards a sustainable energy landscape.
Primarily recognized for his tenure as the ex-CEO of Fortescue Metals Group (FMG), he now holds the position of non-executive chairperson in the company.
63-year-old Twiggy is a grandchild and great-grandchild of esteemed Western Australian politicans David Forrest and Mervyn Forrest, respectively.
He has three grown children, Grace, Sophia, and Sydney, with his former spouse Nicola, and he’s made it clear in the past that he won’t be passing on his approximately $33.29 billion wealth to them.
The Hays
In 2022, heiress Lou Hay connected two of Australia’s richest family lineages by marrying property developer Jake O’Neil.
The couple welcomed their first child a year later, a son named Otis Donald.
Lou is the child of the late Donald Hay, a trailblazer in the brush industry and the founder of Hayco, whereas Jake is employed by Addenbrooke, the real estate investment and development company owned by his family.
Jake and Lou, a popular figure in the beauty and fashion industry who creates content, had been dating back in high school. They reconnected again in the year 2020.
In 2019, when he was 76 years old and passed away due to melanoma, Lou’s dad, Donald, established Hayco. He had previously worked alongside his grandfather, Frederick Dean Hay, at the South Australia Brush Company (SABCO).
In 1892, when William E. Hay founded SABCO, his grandson and son eventually assumed control of the company.
Donald was survived by his wife Maribi Hay and their children Christopher, Lou and Simone.
The Symonds
Lou isn’t the only wealthy outsider to marry into the O’Neil family.
2018 saw Deborah Symond, heir to Aussie Home Loans, marry her eldest son Ned O’Neil in a grand wedding held at the Whitsundays, known for its opulence.
In 2019, the daughter of businessman John Symond gave birth to her first child, Ned’s son Beau. Later on, they welcomed another child into their family, a daughter named Violet, who was born in 2021.
John, 77, is an entrepreneur best known as the founder of Aussie Home Loans.
He is married to wife Amber McDonald but reports indicate they are separated.
From his earlier marriage to Kerrie Fox, he has a daughter named Deborah and a son, Stephen, who is wedded to marketing executive Ed Smith.
The O’Neils
I, Denis O’Neil, am proudly recognized as the head of the astute property-developing O’Neil clan. In my roles as a prosperous superyacht broker and owner of the renowned Rose Bay marina, I carry on our family legacy with dedication and pride.
The O’Neil family amassed their wealth through the family-run business, Addenbrooke, which was established by Denis in the 1990s following the sale of his previous venture, Hymix Concrete.
Established by the O’Neil family back in 1956, Hymix Concrete swiftly grew to be the biggest privately-owned quarry, transportation, and concrete company across Australia.
The responsibility, symbolized by the baton from Addenbrooke’s, is now in the hands of Denis’ three sons: Ned, who is married to Deb Symond; Jake, the spouse of Lou Hay; and Toby, who as of now, hasn’t yet wed an heiress.
In addition to the O’Neil brothers, they also have a sister named Poppy. She resides in Bellevue Hill with her husband, Anthony Tzaneros, who comes from the well-known Tzaneros shipping dynasty.
In addition, Denis has a connection with the affluent Gazal family, as his nephew Adam ties into the family through his marriage to Nicole Gazal, a prominent figure on the Real Housewives of Sydney show.
The Waterhouses
For generations, the Waterhouse clan held prominent positions as influential gamblers in Australia. Their matriarch or leader, Bill Waterhouse, passed away at the age of 97 in 2019.
Bill was the father of three kids – Robbie, Louise, and the distant relative David. Robbie tied the knot with renowned horse trainer Gai Waterhouse, formerly known as Smith, who now stands as the most prominent figure within the family circle.
Robbie and Gai Waterhouse jointly have children named Kate and Tom, making their family of four a highly esteemed figure in Australian horse racing circles.
Currently, Gai serves as the leading figure in our family business, often referred to as the “first lady” within the Australian horse racing industry. In due time, Tom is poised to succeed her and carry on the family legacy.
In my journey, I effortlessly shifted gears from a seasoned track-side bookmaker to a trailblazing entrepreneur as I cultivated and eventually sold my thriving online gambling enterprise in 2014, pocketing a substantial $34 million.
As a devoted devotee, I’m proud to share that I, the once enthusiastic racer, have ascended to the role of CEO at Waterhouse VC, a dynamic venture capital firm. I am blessed to be married to Hoda Waterhouse (née Vakili), whose family has made their mark as tech titans in our modern times.
Currently, Kate is well-known for her work as a fashion writer, her presence in high society, and her frequent appearances on television as a commentator.
In 2012, she got married to Luke Ricketson, a renowned player from the NRL who won a championship with the original team, on the Italian coastline.
The Inghams
In 2023, the Ingham siblings – Katie, Tamie, and Johnny – gained widespread attention by each getting married in grand European weddings, just weeks apart from one another.
Johnny got married to society figure Rey Vakili, Hoda Waterhouse’s sibling, in Italy on the 30th of June.
Only weeks earlier, Tamie had said ‘I do’ with celebrity chef Guillaume Brahimi in Paris.
Katie, the creator of Tussle, a company specializing in plant-based lubricants, was the most recent Ingham to get married. She tied the knot with her long-time partner, Ali Rosenberg, in the beautiful region of Tuscany, not long after Johnny’s wedding.
Back in 1918, the Ingham company got its start when Walter Ingham Sr., a family man, acquired 42 acres of wilderness in Liverpool, which is located in west Sydney, and established his business there.
Initially, the land was cultivated by Walter Ingham Jr. for growing fruits and vegetables. However, the family later transitioned into the poultry industry, which has since earned them widespread recognition.
Walters Jr passed on the family business, primarily focused on poultry, to his sons Bob and Jack. Over time, they expanded this venture, turning it into the most prominent poultry enterprise not only in Australia but also across New Zealand.
Back in 1983, these two siblings found themselves on The Australian Financial Review’s inaugural list of wealthy individuals, with an estimated joint fortune worth approximately $150 million.
The Triguboffs
Harry Triguboff, often referred to as the ‘Apartment King’, established Meriton, a company specializing in property development and construction, back in 1963.
Or,
Known as the “Apartment King”, Harry Triguboff built up Meriton, a company dealing with property development and construction, starting from 1963.
92-year-old Harry currently occupies the fourth spot among Australia’s wealthiest individuals, boasting an estimated fortune of approximately 23.8 billion dollars as per the 2024 Australian Financial Review Rich List, and he is a father of two.
Although New South Wales serves as his home territory, ‘Skyscraper Steve’ has expressed a preference for conducting business in Queensland in the past.
He has two children with his wife Rhonda Triguboff, Orna and Sharon.
The Lews
As a devoted enthusiast, I’d like to share the inspiring tale of Solomon ‘Solly’ Lew, a self-made success in the world of fashion. In my younger days, brimming with ambition and determination, I was just like Solly – a teenager eagerly selling dresses to Melbourne’s iconic Myer Emporium.
In 2023, as per the Australian Financial Review’s Rich List, he amassed a fortune nearly equal to 4 billion dollars and rose to become a prominent figure in retail business.
In the years spanning 2003 to 2011, one of his sons, Steven Lew, was married to socialite Sarah Lucas. Post their separation, Sarah later tied the knot with restaurateur Chris Lucas in June of 2023.
Steven and Sarah’s daughter Bella Lew is considered a rising star of Melbourne high society.
THE B-LIST
The Packers
For over a century, the Packer clan has held influential positions in Australian media, politics, and high society.
After the demise of their father Kerry and a $1.2 billion settlement in 2005, James and Gretel Packer became heirs to investments in Crown Resorts and various other businesses.
Since his younger days, James has been a regular face in the tabloids. In 2006 and 2007, he took charge of Consolidated Press Holdings Limited and became recognized as the wealthiest individual in Australia.
After the passing of his father, he shifted his attention from the conventional family-run media ventures, instead dedicating himself to building a global gambling enterprise.
However, he stepped down from his position as executive chairman of Crown Resorts in 2018 and subsequently divested all his company shares following a 2020 investigation that deemed Crown unfit to maintain a casino license. This revelation has slightly tarnished his family’s reputation.
As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’m fortunate to be a father to three wonderful young adults: Indigo, age 16, Jackson, age 14, and Emmanuelle, age 12. These precious children were brought into my life by my former spouse, Erica Packer (née Baxter).
In her first marriage to British financier Nick Barham, Gretel became the mother of daughter Francesca and son Ben. Subsequently, she had a son named William with her second spouse, Shane Murray.
James and Gretel are the grandkids of the Australian media magnate Sir Frank Packer, and the great-grandkids of Robert Clyde Packer, a journalist and owner.
The Playfairs
Despite his last name not suggesting a high-class background, Nick Adams has certainly left a lasting impact within the upper echelons of Sydney’s social scene.
People often attribute Nadia Fairfax’s rise to fame to her former boyfriend, a sports media executive based in New York, as he is believed to have introduced her to high society circles during their extended relationship.
He had achieved such a remarkable improvement in her social standing that numerous people assumed, mistakenly, that she was part of the distinguished Fairfax family, known for their publishing enterprise (to be discussed further down the line).
But here’s where his heritage comes in: Nick’s blue blood comes from the famous Playfair family.
In the swingin’ ’50s and groovy ’60s, I was always keeping tabs on the Playfairs, who seemed to grace every glossy magazine spread as social royalty! The man leading the pack back then was none other than Thomas Playfair – a charismatic NSW politician and a meat mogul, exporting his prized produce far and wide.
The Onisforous
Prior to shifting his focus, Theo Onisforou served as the financial mastermind for Kerry Packer’s Consolidated Press Holdings. Later, he ventured into property development, amassing substantial wealth by purchasing and restoring distinctive and rundown structures.
In the role of a developer, Theo is recognized for revolutionizing the well-known shopping area in Paddington, commonly referred to as The Intersection.
Originally purchasing a waterfront residence in Elizabeth Bay together with his wife Heidi for approximately $23.5 million in the year 2007, this business magnate has subsequently expanded his ventures beyond real estate and retail, delving into extensive cattle farming operations.
While the precise amount of his wealth remains uncertain, a Greek publication approximated it to be within the range of $100-$120 million back in 2015. Given the passage of time and potential growth, it’s reasonable to assume that his fortune has likely increased substantially since then.
Lately, Angus, the individual poised to receive his father’s fortune, has been romantically involved with Megan Blake Irwin, a well-known model often associated with high-profile relationships.
Angus is fortunate to have a twin sister named Stephanie, often referred to as an up-and-coming social figure. The family of the Onisforous also includes their daughter, Emerald.
The Abedians
The Abedians, specifically Soheil and his son Sahba, hold significant influence in the real estate development sector, notably on the Gold Coast of Australia.
A group with Iranian-Australian heritage from high society backgrounds established Sunland Group, a company renowned for its impressive portfolio of projects, such as the iconic Q1 tower and the luxurious Palazzo Versace hotel.
Patriarch Soheil has received both the Centenary Medal of Australia and Order of Australia Award, as well as being given the symbolic keys to the city of the Gold Coast.
In 1998, Sahba, his son, was admitted as a solicitor at the same time he assumed the role of company secretary for the Sunland Group.
In the year 2010, Sahba put forward a marriage proposal to Amy-Jean Linnehan, a stylist specializing in eyes from Gold Coast. However, their engagement was short-lived and they ended it after only a few months.
In the year 2014, Sahba got married to Nava Moghbelpour, and meanwhile, his sibling, Mona, tied the knot with real estate developer Riaz Rezvani.
The Oatleys
Bob ‘Popeye’ Oatley, who had passed away, previously amassed wealth by trading coffee and cocoa beans in Papua New Guinea. Later on, he ventured into the wine industry in Australia.
In 2001, the yacht owner earned approximately $1.5 billion by selling Rosemount to the wine corporation, Southcorp. He then invested this money to acquire Hamilton Island for around $200 million in 2003.
Bob’s eldest son Sandy inherited his holdings in 2016 when he died at the age of 87.
Additionally, Bob left behind his children Ian and Rosalind, all of whom served as administrators for the Australian family business, Balmoral Australia.
In an easy-to-understand manner: Sandy’s granddaughter, Nicky, who serves as the brand manager for Hamilton Island, has gained significant prominence, making her one of the most recognized members of the Oatley family since her grandfather’s passing.
Nicky, mother of two with her spouse Jonathan Pearce, continues to uphold the prestigious image of Hamilton Island as a renowned Australian resort getaway.
In 2018, Hamilton Island, one of the biggest privately owned resort islands globally, played host to Deb Symonds’ three-day wedding with Ned O’Neil, an exclusive event that took place there.
The Leckies
David Leckie, who passed away in 2021, was married to his spouse Skye. They were proud parents of sons Ben and Harry.
For over twenty years, he was a significant personality on Australian television. From 1990 to 2001, he served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Nine Network, and later held that position at Seven West Media from 2003 until 2012.
Skye, his widow, gained prominence in Sydney’s social circles and is recognized as a significant figure in philanthropy.
Despite their relatively short history, their significant impact on media and charity work secures them a place among the B-listers.
The nouveau riche
The Laundys
Arthur Laundy Jr is the patriarch of the Laundy Hotels empire.
The million-dollar business was passed down to him following his father Arthur Sr’s death in a plane accident in 1969, as he had been the one who established it.
Compared to others listed here, the Laundys entered the hospitality industry quite late, starting their ventures in 1945 instead of earlier years.
However, following his marriage to Margaret Paul in 1970, Arthur Jr prospered significantly in the hotel industry, expanding his family-owned business to manage and own numerous hotels and pubs nationwide.
The family fortune is roughly calculated to be in the high eight figures, and at present, Stu Laundy, son of Arthur Jr., holds the position of CEO for the Laundy Hotel Group.
Apart from managing his family’s enterprise, Stuart is known for his playboy image and made an impressive appearance on the popular dating program The Bachelorette, featuring Sophie Monk as its lead.
In simpler terms, Arthur Jr’s different son, Craig Laundy, was once a political representative of the Liberal Party and represented the constituency of Reid in Australia’s Parliament from 2013 to his resignation in 2019.
The Gazals
The Gazal family, well-known in Sydney, gained recognition through their success in the realms of fashion and textiles.
The foundation of their lasting impact can be traced back to the Gazal Corporation, established by Joe Gazal, who moved to Australia from Lebanon during the 1940s.
Upon moving to Australia in the 1980s, another Gazal lineage emerged prominently, but I find myself puzzled as to whether our families share a distant connection or if the similar surname is purely coincidental.
Adam, the nephew of Denis O’Neil, is wedded to Nicole Gazal. Her granddad, Nasri, who hails from Beirut, fathered four children: Nabil Sr, Nazih, Nahi, and a daughter, Nina.
Denis O’Neil’s nephew Adam tied the knot with Nicole Gazal. Her grandfather, Nasri, was born in Beirut and has three sons named Nabil Sr, Nazih, and Nahi, along with a daughter named Nina.
In keeping with the tradition within the family, where names beginning with ‘N’ are passed down, Nicole’s dad, Nabil Senior, who works in construction and property development, chose to do so as well.
He welcomed Nicole, Nora, Nabil Jr and Nicholas with his wife Maud.
The Maloufs
In 2018, Ian Malouf became recognized as “Australia’s wealthiest trash collector” when he sold his waste management company, Dial-a-Dump, which he established in 1984, for a staggering $577 million that he had founded.
Since accumulating over $1.13 billion in wealth, Malouf has used his funds to purchase expansive waterfront estates along the Sydney coastline.
He also snapped up a record-breaking $60million penthouse on top of Sydney’s ANZ building in 2021.
The Hemmes
Justin Hemmes, the wealthy entrepreneur behind Merivale hospitality and pub empire, owes his successful beginnings to his shrewd parental guidance.
In the 1950s, John and Merivale Hemmes initially amassed wealth through the fashion industry. Subsequently, they shifted their focus to the hospitality sector.
The Merivale Group now owns approximately 100 pubs, hotels and restaurants across Australia.
Justin, often recognized for his extravagant way of life, has two daughters, nine-year-old Alexa and eight-year-old Saachi, with his former model partner, Kate Fowler, who is the sibling of Georgia Fowler.
He is anticipating the arrival of his third child with socialite girlfriend Madeline Holtznagel, who is the sibling of Australia’s Next Top Model star Simone. (In this case, “sibling” refers to either a brother or sister.)
Nadia Fairfax
In this collection of influential figures, I, Nadia Fairfax, stand apart from the rest due to an occasional misunderstanding – people often assume I’m related to the esteemed Fairfax publishing family. However, while our names may share similarities, my journey and accomplishments have been uniquely my own.
Yet, it’s just a coincidence that her last name happens to be the same as the media company currently owned by Nine Entertainment.
Contrary to what may be assumed, Nadia isn’t an heiress; instead, she is the child of Russell Fairfax, a renowned sports figure from the 1970s and 1980s who excelled in both rugby league and union.
Although the ex-champion gymnast isn’t related to the Fairfax family, she was able to gain entry into the circles of high society in Sydney by virtue of her relationship with her former boyfriend Nick Adams, whom she dated for five years before their breakup in September 2018.
And finally… the tech titans
Melanie Perkins
Melanie Perkins and her husband Cliff Obrecht made their fortune by establishing Canva, a user-friendly graphic design platform that they jointly founded.
Previously recognized as one of Australia’s top five wealthiest women, Melanie initially amassed her fortune by peddling temporary spray-on tattoos at a local fair in Perth.
Currently, she heads up a globally influential tech company that has an estimated value of $48.7 billion, surpassing the worth of Woodside, Rio Tinto, and Woolworths.
However, Melanie and Cliff don’t intend to hold on to all that wealth.
2022 saw me taking the pledge initiated by Bill Gates – The Giving Pledge. This commitment binds me to donate a significant portion of my wealth towards charitable endeavors throughout my lifetime.
Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar
Michael Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar, who started the software firm Atlassian in 2002, found themselves unexpectedly amassing billions through technology as a result of their endeavor.
The founders of the company aimed to achieve a common goal: earning an average starting salary for graduates, which was around AU$48,500, without needing to work for a big corporation.
Beginning in 2018, Michael has played a significant role in the Australia-Asia Power Link initiative – an extensive electrical infrastructure development project taking place in the Northern Territory, led by Sun Cable in partnership with business magnate Twiggy Forrest.
In the interim, Scott stepped down from his co-CEO position at Atlassian to devote more attention to his family, charitable endeavors, and expanding the worldwide technology sector.
The Vakili family
Harry and Jilla Vakili, a very private duo, have amassed their fortune in the tech industry through their company mcrIT. They reside in a grand estate situated in the area of Castlecrag.
Their daughters Hoda and Rey are known for their high society marriages.
Hoda, often referred to as the “Persian Princess” because of her Iranian heritage, got married to Tom Waterhouse, a member of racing royalty, in the beautiful Italian town of Taormina back in 2011.
They first met in university when he was studying commerce and she was an architecture student.
Rey, a Yale and Stanford alumna, formerly served as Anna Wintour’s assistant at US Vogue. In 2023, she married Johnny Ingham, a member of the poultry industry dynasty, in their shared hometown.
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2025-04-15 17:54