focussocial.
L-R Rebecca, Jean and Pete at Trish’s 50th Party.
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unny how perspective changes … business trips were previously topped and tailed with fab yet frantic shopping frenzies at the airport terminal, madly fitting in every shop possible before boarding starts, zipping from Nine West to Witchery, Loccitane, Mimco and last but never least, my personal fave – French Connection. Funny how this trip I found myself in Kaboom for Kids, trying to decide between the dinosaur in the jelly ball and the German designed farm animal collection – the cow or the pig? In the end, neither won, with the big black horse and an illegal amount of Where’s Spot lift the flap books being added to my already hideously oversized hand luggage. Fashion, I fear, was severely neglected on this trip! Not a high heel or frock in sight! Fashion was certainly fun and fancy at Trish MacKenzie’s recent fancy dress birthday bash, with some seriously sexy and some slightly suspicious outfits on display! Sixty guests got their groove on to a fabulous theme ... what did you want to be when you were five? Trish’s hubby, David, cut a fine figure in a Batman suit, Rebecca Casey as a saucy Police woman, with Rebecca’s hubby, Peter, looking smoking in fireman’s kit! Kylie Malligan went Swedish with a tribute to ABBA, with partner Mark Lyon – a medical practitioner with a dubious speciality
social scene.
with Kate Wood-Foye from Rydges Port Macquarie
Trish MacKenzie & David Relf.
best not discussed in print! Trish’s bestie, Donna Gillies, and Sav Aristides pimped it up, while my hubby, Steve, relived his ‘need for speed’ with a nod to Top Gun’s Maverick. Shayne McGuire was a naughty nurse, with Trish’s sister Jean as a ravishing Rapunzel. Trish ‘the dish’ gave true meaning to fab and fifty, with a fabulous go-go dancer outfit! The night was coordinated by Trish’s family, including Jenna, Josh, Natt and Lisa, with catering by SilverSpoon Catering, entertainment by Garry King and beautiful birthday cupcakes made by Trish’s brother Don and wife Sandra. Happy Birthday Trish! Winter? Forget it! Just spent the weekend lapping up as many rays as I could at the amazing Slice of Haven Food and Wine Fest. This festival is proving to be the little festival that could – drawing over 18,000 locals and visitors to the shores of the Camden Haven to enjoy top local nosh! Congrats to an insanely dedicated events team who pulled this off, with Jenelle Nosworthy at the helm – great job! Bring on next year! I recently had a weekend sampling Port Macquarie as a tourist – an eye opening change! Our first experience was a leisurely river cruise with Brian and Alison on the Asian Junk Boat – so relaxing! For lunch we hit Cassegrain Wines, with hosts Leanne Mepham, Ian Barton and Leanne Hill from the Verandah Restaurant
Emily Burt & Luke Bullusv. Credit: Fraserartdesign.
putting on an amazing display of food to complement the stunning gardens and wine. Fab weather, a classical harp performance by Lee Marie Cavanaugh, the manicured French garden, delicious champagne, canapés followed by two courses alfresco in front of the lake, finished with a huge serving of great company! Heaven on a stick! How’s that for a Saturday in paradise! To top off the weekend, we enjoyed a luxurious treatment in Port Day Spa with Jamie Finn, followed by a ghost tour with the talented and slightly spooky Bruce Thompson of Port By Night Tours. He led us on a tour of the dark side of our little town and all its quirky and historical secrets. To take the chill off, we ended the day with a divine degustation put together by none other than Lou Perri at The Stunned Mullet. Six courses of pure unadulterated yumminess, skilfully matched with wines from all over Australian and NZ. Divine! Thanks also to Andrew and Liz of Port Jet Boat, who took us out on an action packed wild and woolly tour of our rugged coastline! Seriously amazing stuff … be prepared for breathtaking sights, stunts and sea spray … oh, and to look like a giant Teletubby in the big red raincoat! Lots of fun! Emily Burt and Luke Bullus were recently married at the Seventh Day Adventist church, with a reception to follow at Rydges Port Macquarie. Guests enjoyed canapés followed
by a main course and a delectable chocolate fountain with seasonal fruits and marshmallows. One hundred guests enjoyed the chocolate mud wedding cake and partied on well into the night! The radiant bride wore an off the shoulder off white gown, with her bridesmaids in mauve. Luke and his groomsmen were dapper indeed, donning top hat, tails and canes! A ‘flash mob’ performance was a surprise part of the event, as both Emily and Luke love to dance! Congratulations to the creative couple, who honeymooned in Thailand and make their home in Port Macquarie! Congrats to the team at The Block, who hosted a fab cocktail party celebrating one of my favourite foods – chocolate! Macaroon lovers, including Joe Conneely, Sue Jogever, Raffi Galli-Hurd and Meredy Bates-Lacy were also in heaven, with lots of amazing handmade canapés, chocs and sweet treats to choose from! I leave you this month getting ready for a huge event in Zebu, with UK born DJ Shimon being flown in to set fire to Zebu Night Fever on Saturday 9 June. The sexy seventies are back with a vengeance, with tributes to recently departed Donna Summer, the official Disco Queen, and Barry Gibbs of the Bee Gees. Bust out your best afro, your flares and those super high-high heels – it is going to be one funky night! ‘til next month! Kate.
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