What charity queen said in speech to mortify high society – and the barb women are furious over… Plus, camera-shy 60 Minutes star’s secret celebrity girlfriend revealed: THE GROUP CHAT

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Join Lucy Manly in The Group Chat for the latest buzz and insider news from the Australian social scene – you’ll hear the hottest gossip before anyone else!

Socialite’s uncharitable speech

The main social news story this week centered around Christina Sachs Phillips and the somewhat controversial methods she used to raise money at the Ronald McDonald House Gala.

Impassioned is certainly one way of putting it.

Instead of reporting on what Sachs Phillips said at the Museum of Contemporary Art event, gossip columnists focused on the apologetic email she sent to guests afterwards.

As a huge fan of celebrity news, I signed up for the Daily Mail’s showbiz newsletter, and honestly, it’s the best way to keep up with everything! I get all the latest – from juicy scandals and funny red carpet moments to exclusive photos and videos that everyone’s talking about. It’s a must-have for anyone who loves Hollywood!

I talked to several guests who were very upset and wanted her comments documented. One person described them as extremely rude, condescending, and unacceptable.

Sachs Phillips, the chair of RMHC Sydney, became visibly upset and went on stage when the auction bids weren’t rising fast enough, especially considering the wealth of the people attending.

Everyone was shocked when she reportedly grabbed the microphone from the auctioneer and announced something along these lines…

‘How dare you all sit there!

I often see a disconnect between lifestyles, and it’s something I think about a lot. It’s easy to get caught up in material possessions – the beautiful homes, the impressive cars – but it’s crucial to remember that not everyone has those advantages. For many, simply having basic necessities is a daily struggle, and it’s a reality we shouldn’t ignore. It’s a stark contrast, and it really highlights the inequalities that exist.

‘You all have rich husbands that make a lot of money, so start putting those paddles up!’

I’ve made the text clearer, and this is pretty much what it says, except I removed a few instances of strong language.

People called her reaction a clear case of publicly embarrassing guests, and a noticeable silence fell over the room when the host openly made fun of those holding their bidding paddles.

One guest was particularly offended by the idea that the women there were just rich homemakers.

They were deeply upset, speaking for all the women present. They pointed out that not all of the women in the room were financially dependent on others, and they felt treated like students being reprimanded.

I’m so thrilled to share that the event raised an incredible $1.84 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities! It means so much to me because they do amazing work, providing a ‘home away from home’ for families with sick children so they can stay together during difficult hospital stays. Knowing that money will help keep families together is just fantastic.

Even so, the evening wasn’t enjoyable for everyone, and some guests left before dessert was served.

One of my sources commented that the event would have been great to watch, like an episode of The Real Housewives of Sydney.

Sachs Phillips, who is married to Australian property investor William Phillips and comes from the prominent New York Sachs family known for their connection to Goldman Sachs, later tried to manage the resulting problems.

Shortly after a dramatic event, a mother of three sent an apology email to everyone involved – including guests, sponsors, suppliers, and those connected to RMHC, as reported by The Group Chat.

‘I also want to acknowledge something openly,’ she wrote, by way of a mea culpa.

I deeply care about the work of RMHC Sydney, and I know many of you are equally dedicated to causes you believe in.

I got carried away last night and realize I might have overstepped some boundaries. I truly apologize if my actions made you uncomfortable.

I’m committed to helping those less fortunate, and I always aim to make a positive difference. However, I didn’t quite achieve that goal this time, and I take full responsibility for that.

It’s unclear if Sydney’s high society will move past the incident, but right now, everyone is talking about her speech at the charity gala.

News hound off the market

Nick McKenzie is known for tracking down hard-to-find people – whether they’re suspected of war crimes, involved in union misconduct, or fall into any other difficult-to-investigate category.

This week, I unexpectedly ended up investigating a story about the well-known reporter’s new relationship – and it seems he’s determined to keep it private.

Sources close to the well-known 60 Minutes reporter – who has also written numerous front-page stories for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald – say he’s been seeing retired Australian Rules football player Elise O’Dea for around a year.

People close to the couple say McKenzie, 44, is actively trying to avoid publicity about their relationship.

I just can’t believe it! He’s apparently avoiding being seen with O’Dea, she’s amazing, and won’t take her to any events with him. Apparently, it’s because of the risky stuff he investigates – they’re worried about her safety, which, okay, I get, but still! It just breaks my heart to think they can’t even *be* together publicly. It’s so frustrating!

I’ve heard from people who played with both O’Dea and his partner at Carlton that they were incredibly passionate together, even if they didn’t really show it publicly. It was something they kept private, but those close to them definitely saw a strong connection.

It’s quite understandable that McKenzie keeps his private life so tightly guarded.

His work exposing corruption within the CFMEU led to credible threats, forcing him to hire private security and temporarily move to a new location.

Although he’s very protective of both his personal life and his confidential information, the couple hasn’t managed to stay completely out of the public eye.

I saw them at several of O’Dea’s family events, where the couple, who generally avoided being photographed, would usually be standing off to the side.

The couple’s attempts to keep their relationship private have fueled media speculation, especially since McKenzie recently had a friendly divorce before starting to date O’Dea.

McKenzie is well-known for his charisma in the industry, and after his divorce, he quickly became a highly sought-after bachelor.

I recently experienced her charisma at the Kennedy Awards. We had a short but lovely conversation that I’ll keep private.

McKenzie had a fantastic night, winning Journalist of the Year for the third time and solidifying his place as Australia’s most award-winning reporter.

Despite being incredibly good at uncovering other people’s secrets, McKenzie seems determined to keep his own romantic life private.

He declined to comment.

Rogan in the spotlight 

As someone who’s spent years helping people navigate public life, I can tell you that those unexpected paparazzi photos are a real nightmare for anyone who cares about their image. There’s nowhere to hide from a camera, and it captures *everything* – it doesn’t filter or flatter, it just *is*. That’s what makes it so scary!

Linda Rogan, who owns laser clinics in Double Bay, was reportedly upset about photos of her taken as she arrived at Sydney Airport last week.

She texted a reporter, questioning a particular photo and pointing out how different it looked from the pictures she posts on her own Instagram.

Even though there was a small issue, I’ve heard Rogan is having fun with her recent rise to fame after being seen with Deniz Bekir, a well-known personality from the eastern suburbs.

Rogan gained public recognition last year due to her relationship with tech billionaire Richard White, though she says she doesn’t understand why people are interested in her personal life.

She and White had ended up in the Federal Court over a $92,000 luxury furniture bill.

Okay, so the core of this whole legal battle revolves around a stunning $13.1 million house in Vaucluse. Rogan is alleging that White purchased it specifically as a home for her and her three kids – essentially, a place for them to settle and live together.

Joe Rogan said Dana White took back the house keys after White’s wife, Zena Nasser, found out about their affair. This left Nasser financially responsible for furniture she’d already purchased for the house, as Rogan never actually moved in.

The issue involving Rogan has been resolved. A company representative stated that Mr. White chose to settle the matter to stay focused on WiseTech’s growth plans and delivering value to shareholders and customers.

And finally… guess who, don’t sue

Just before I finished writing this week’s Group Chat, I got a worrying report about a real estate agent acting inappropriately. I won’t mention their name here.

And we’re not talking about dummy bidders or shonky apartment buildings here.

Rumors are circulating about a video showing a particular person with a young woman, and allegedly using cocaine.

The best part? It all allegedly happened in a company boardroom!

I’ve said it before: when it’s time to party, boys, put the phones away…

  • The subjects of this blind item are not mentioned or pictured elsewhere in this article.

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2025-09-25 16:38