Metro News Melbourne - A Paper For The Socially Aware

May 08
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Ken James' social diary

May days

Melbourne in May is possibly my favourite time of the year. It’s a time when wintry pursuits such as open log fires and good red wine are to be enjoyed, when footy fever becomes firmly entrenched, and when the golden hue of the trees add to the beauty of our wonderful city. Invitations and surprises also made for a memorable month.

Melbourne’s best kept secret

Monday the 3rd began with an invitation to what we all believed was to be a 40th birthday party. The function held in a private ballroom at the RACV club was to celebrate Coles’ marketing wiz Darren Schade’s 40th. His partner Suzanna Louie had informed us it was a black tie “Black and White Ball”.

Seventy guests were treated to champagne and fine dining until the MC announced we were to proceed to the rear of the room when a celebrant who had been hiding behind a curtain announced that the happy couple were in fact getting married! The only hitch to the evening was a small printing error on the menu, which read “wedding cake to be served”. Now I know why the menus were whisked off the table.
We took rooms at the venue and joined the happy couple for breakfast. I must say it was a well kept secret and a huge surprise as none of us had had any idea.

Going down memory lane

I enjoyed Australian actress Naomi Watts’ new movie, The Painted Veil, in which she plays a young woman who marries a doctor, played by Edward Norton, to escape from her family. She has an affair, which in turn results in the husband taking her off to a remote village in China to battle a cholera epidemic. I remember meeting Naomi when she was Heath Ledger’s partner.

We were invited to the opening night of the film Ned Kelly in which Heath played the lead role. My fiancée Rosemarie’s son asked her to please get an autograph from Heath if it was at all possible. Rosemarie stood next to me in the crowd and said, “How am I ever going to get an autograph in this lot?” I replied, “Well he is standing right next to you. Just ask him.” Heath was very obliging, and now, under the circumstances, that autograph has great significance.

An enduring friendship

Entertaining is something I enjoy, so it was with great pleasure we had two friends from Far North Queensland stay for the weekend. David and Gavin are partners who both work for Qantas, thus flying down to Melbourne to do a bit of shopping for them is like us catching a tram into town. They live in an amazing house in Clifton Beach just near Palm Cove. I call it “Tara” from the film, Gone with the Wind. A standing invitation is on offer for us to stay up there anytime. It’s nice to have friends like that.

Doing my bit for the Salvo’s

The next day, Tim McPherson from the Salvation Army asked me to act as MC and help launch the Red Shield Appeal. Of course I was only too happy to oblige. The breakfast hosting 300 corporate executives was held at Zinc restaurant at Federation Square. Please remember the wonderful work carried out by the Salvo’s when they do their door knock appeal.

Talk fest

The St Kilda Film festival opening night was a huge success, I only wished the speeches were abbreviated. People come to see films not hear about causes.

Food as bridge builder

Now that I am giving cooking classes at William Angliss, I have embarked on a scheme that combines food with a team building exercise. The concept is to create a meal in a group, using the food as a metaphor for business. I have discussed the idea with Skilled Engineering and their recruitment arm Excellior, who are interested. I will keep you posted.

Introducing…my fair lady

I am looking forward to Opera Australia’s My Fair Lady as I worked with Reg Livermore some years ago, and enjoy his wicked sense of humour. He is playing Henry Higgins alongside Nancye Hayes and Judi Connelli. This production, directed by Stuart Maunder, will bring extravagant sets, lavish costumes, outstanding performances and a great night of theatre.
Super chefs band together for a super course

Melbourne socialite and tireless worker for the Royal Children’s Hospital, Lillian Frank, has asked me to MC “The Great Chefs Dinner” on May 26th. I’m looking forward to enjoying the delights of Pearls’ renowned chef Geoff Lindsay, Vue De Monde’s Shannon Bennett, Florentino’s Guy Grossi and the Flower Drum’s Anthony Pui. The aim is to raise much needed funds for the hospital but, at the same time, the food on offer will be the best money can buy.

Birthday wishes

Another reason why I enjoy May is because my son was born on the 21st, 35 years ago. So to him and all the other Taurean/Geminis, I say: “Happy birthday”.

Till next month, regards, Ken James.

Ken James