G'day LA

Our Great Southern Land's glitterati flew the Aussie flag high at LA dinner

Australia’s star sons and daughters rejoiced at a lavish dinner to honour some of our finest entertainers at the Penfolds Gala Dinner in LA recently.

Golden Globe nominee Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Baz Luhrmann, Olivia Newton-John and her daughter Chloe were among the 700 guests who enjoyed a lavish $260-a-head meal designed by Woolworths Fresh’s own Neil Perry in the grand Regent Beverly Wilshire hotel ballroom.

Entertained by the Qantas Choir and Vanessa Amorosi, the black-tie event, thrown by the Australian Trade Commission, was part of Australia Week’s $1m cultural feast of arts, food, wine, business, sport and film. LA-based Melissa George, Simon The Guardian Baker and Nip/Tuck’s Julian McMahon joined The Castle’s Michael Caton and Dirty Deeds’ Bryan Brown.

“It’s great to have an opportunity to present your work to other cultures,” said Aussie legend Bryan.

Baz’s, Cate’s and Without A Trace star Anthony LaPaglia’s achievements in America were “showcased and recognised” at the glittering event.

“It’s very, very flattering and I’m very surprised they put me on the list.” said the Golden Globe winner, who escorted his beautiful wife Gia Carides and admitted he had another motive for attending the dinner: “I’m keen for the beer,” he chuckled.

By Leo Wiles

Photo captions:

All smiles…Olivia and Golden Globe winner Anthony LaPaglia.
Hey, true blue… Olivia Newton-John and daughter Chloe.
Proud Australians..Cate Blanchett and Olivia.