Stars in town for big event
MARGOT Robbie’s expected home during the Games and Chris Hemsworth is whispered to be visiting this weekend.
Whether you hail from the world of sport, the arts, business or politics, the Commonwealth Games have made the Gold Coast the hottest spot south of the equator – at least until April 15.
Former Senator Mark Ahbib was spotted at new rooftop venue 19 at The Star in Broadbeach, as was Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk
Tourism and Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones was scheduled to dine with Gerry Harvey and Katie Paige at Tony and Thea Cochrane’s Coast mansion on Thursday night. Federal Sports Minister Senator Bridget Mackenzie and Malaysia’s King are also in town.
Federal Opposition Bill Shorten’s been and gone. Ditto Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Gina Rinehart (accompanied by childhood friend Meg Noack, daughter of Sir Joh and Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen) isn’t the only billionaire here for the Games, with Indian-born British businessman Sanjeev Gupta also spotted in Broadbeach.
Shadow Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Cities and Tourism Anthony Albanese has been and gone. Federal Tourism Minister Steve Ciobo will attend swimming events, former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer was here on Friday for highpowered chinwags and the Malaysian Sports Minister has also made the trip.
Elon Musk has dispatched a Tesla executive to the Coast for the Games while Shark Tank guru Steve Baxter’s doing business by the beach.
Some of India’s most powerful are also visiting Games central – including a representative of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which represents more than 21.5 million Indian companies. Yes, 21.5 million.
Longines lunch guest Dawn Fraser brought her two dogs and bird from Noosa with her for her twoweek stay at Robina while Rachael Finch and husband Michael Miziner are here with their two children.
Longines vice-president and head of international marketing Juan Carlos Capelli and his team have quickly established themselves as the Coast’s hosts with the most. Their guest lists read like a who’s who of everything – from Charlotte Caslick and Kerri-Anne Kennerley to Amy Pejkovic, Matt Shirvington, Lauren Brant, Gabby Epstein, Tom Lynch and Billy and Jackie Cross.
Fraser, Natalie Cook, Michelle Payne, Lisa Curry and Leisel Jones all went to the gymnastics last night and Matty J and Laura Johnson, Nadia Bartel, Kylie Brown, Bec Harding, Gabby Epstein and Violet Grace are off to the athletics next week.
Leroy Loggins, Craig Mottram, Matt Poole, Eamon Sullivan and John Steffensen hit the Coast in the next few days and Josh Gibson, Lincoln Lewis, Sean Maloney and Sasha Mielczarek and ARU Chairman Cameron Clyne will attend the Rugby Sevens.
Representatives of Softbank, YouTube and Google all got set for the Games. Ditto bigwigs from the Far East Consortium, GSG Alliance and Virgin Startup Loans economist, author and entrepreneur Ian Mason.
There are Governors General aplenty around town too – from ours to New Zealand’s and New Guinea’s – and Queensland Governor.
British businessman and Conservative politician Lord Baron Marland and a 20strong delegation from the Games’ next host city Birmingham have been checking out the Coast.
Dami Im is rehearsing for the closing ceremony after her concert at The Star on Thursday, opening ceremony singer and former local Ricki-Lee Coulter hung around for a swim with husband Richard Harrison but co-star Delta Goodrem flew out on Thursday.
Former swimmers Duncan Free and Stephanie Rice and tennis ace Todd Woodbridge are among the ranks of the sportsmen turned fans at the Games. The BBC brought an all-star team lead by legends Daley Thompson, Steve Cramb, Adrian Moorhouse and Paula Radcliffe.