Former magazine editor Justine Cullen marked her 50th birthday with a three-day celebration in Queenstown, New Zealand. The event, held at the luxury Lake Hāwea View residence, saw guests embrace an 'Après-Ski 1976' theme, donning retro winter attire for dining, drinking, and enjoying on-site amenities.
Among those present were P.E Nation co-founder Claire Greaves, stylist Sheree Commerford, fashion photographer Brooke Coffey, journalist Felicity Bonello, and fashion business consultant Helen Robbins. The group reportedly spent $6,000 on accommodation for the estate, which boasts 25 acres of land with views of the Southern Alps.
However, the absence of several figures from the magazine industry, including Zoë Foster Blake, Bronwyn McCahon, and Christine Centenera, has become a topic of discussion among media insiders. Foster Blake, in particular, was noted as a surprising absentee given her long-standing friendship with Cullen. The two collaborated on Elle Australia's debut podcast and were frequent presences on the fashion and media circuit. In 2015, Foster Blake, Cullen, and McCahon documented a Los Angeles getaway on Instagram, and Foster Blake also attended Cullen's 40th birthday party in 2016. Cullen was also present at Foster Blake's birthday celebration last December.
While reasons for McCahon and Centenera's absences remain unconfirmed, some suggest Foster Blake's inability to travel may be a simple explanation. The media landscape continues to evolve, with former magazine editors like Cullen navigating new chapters beyond the traditional print era.
Elsewhere in the media world, TV presenter Sarah Abo was reportedly distressed by the sudden departure of her Today show co-host Karl Stefanovic. Stefanovic's exit followed controversy over his independent YouTube show featuring controversial guests. Abo, who is heavily pregnant, was reportedly blindsided by the timing of his departure, having anticipated a transition at the end of the year. The situation has raised questions about the future of the Today show and Abo's own standing within the network. Stefanovic's new venture, "The Karl Stefanovic Show," is reportedly co-owned and has yet to achieve significant financial success, raising questions about its long-term viability. Meanwhile, speculation continues regarding the future roles of Stefanovic's long-time manager, Sharon Finnegan, and his new producer, Keshnee Kemp. Reports also suggest Seven Network is considering poaching Abo for a newsreading role in Melbourne, a move that could complicate her situation with Nine.
In politics, Moira Deeming faces backlash within her party after police found her claims against former Liberal leader Matthew Guy to be unsubstantiated. Her potential move to One Nation has been blocked, and discussions about running with Family First are ongoing. The Courier Mail faced criticism for an insensitive headline regarding a murder case in Thailand. In the podcasting world, Shameless Media has secured a content deal with KICPod and KICBump, a move that contrasts with recent cuts at Mamamia's audio division, including the redundancy of veteran host Claire Murphy. This development comes as Mamamia's 'Outlouders' Facebook group introduced new rules that prohibit criticism of the show or business, a move seen by some as a reaction to listener backlash over Murphy's departure. On television, Daryl Somers expressed bewilderment over 'Hey Hey It's Saturday' being excluded from TV Week's poll of top Australian shows, though the magazine defended its selection process. The Liberal Party's strategy for dealing with Pauline Hanson has been criticized for its lack of direct engagement, with internal talking points reportedly omitting mentions of One Nation. Andrew Hastie, however, has taken a more confrontational approach in his electorate of Canning. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has highlighted the inefficiency of a Defence Investment Committee that has spent significant time on meetings without making timely decisions. Liberal MPs have reportedly mocked Shadow NDIS Minister Melissa McIntosh's suggestion of a party rebranding. Greens insiders are expressing cautious optimism following a deal with Labor to pass the budget, with leadership under Larissa Waters reportedly shifting towards a less combative style. In Victoria, Labor candidates Gabe Steger and Meghan Hopper are reportedly downplaying the party's traditional branding in their campaigns. In the Senate, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young accused One Nation of foreign interference, alleging the party uses overseas call centers to boost its social media presence. Finally, the future of the 'Today' show remains uncertain following Stefanovic's departure and Abo's impending maternity leave, with ratings reportedly declining and no clear successor in place.