Sydney's elite gathered at Mimi's in Coogee on Thursday for the 2026 Ladies Luncheon Committee for the Royal Hospital for Women Foundation, an annual event that raises funds for newborn intensive care and high-risk pregnancies.
However, Ashleigh McDonald, the new girlfriend of lawyer Nick Pitt, was not in attendance. Pitt is the ex-husband of PR figure Montarna McDonald, who was present at the event with friend Bernadette Sukkar. Reports earlier this year indicated Montarna was surprised by Nick's new relationship with Ashleigh. McDonald, founder of 42 Private, had attended the luncheon in the previous year.
Tzaneros Family Absence
The Tzaneros family, known for their shipping dynasty, also abstained from the high-society gathering. This follows the collapse of their family-owned company, ACFS Port Logistics, which reportedly owes over $270 million to more than 60 creditors. Sources suggest that family heads Terry and Anne Tzaneros have advised family members against drawing public attention. This comes after Poppy Tzaneros, wife of Anthony Tzaneros and daughter of the influential O'Neil family, and his sister Barbara Coombes, recently attended a 36th birthday celebration for Bernadette Sukkar, seemingly against family counsel.
Attendees Showcase Luxury
Notable attendees included Louise O'Neil, daughter of the late billionaire Donald Hay, who displayed a new, trimmer figure following the birth of her second child. O'Neil showcased a diamond tennis necklace and bracelet valued at $20,000 and $6,000 respectively, along with $3,000 earrings. She wore a $2,488 pink Magda Butrym dress. Simone Holtznagel appeared in a $1,100 Rachel Gilbert dress, complemented by a beige Jacquemus bag and diamond jewelry. Her sister, Madeline Holtznagel, who is dating billionaire pub baron Justin Hemmes, wore a $3,244 beige floral minidress by Magda Butrym, accessorized with $2,720 René Caovilla sandals and a Saint Laurent clutch. IMAGE11
PR figure Roxy Jacenko was also present, marking one of her first public appearances in some time, dressed in all black with an Hermès Birkin handbag. Alyce Tran, recently married, wore an ivory top with a yellow skirt and a pink Prada handbag. IMAGE10 Her sister, stylist Carline Tran, opted for an all-black ensemble. IMAGE5
Deborah Symond O'Neil, daughter of Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond, wore a pink textured midi dress. She was photographed with Harriet Waugh, founder of the Ladies Luncheon Committee, who wore a white Dior gown estimated at $13,100. New committee member Zena Nasser White also attended. IMAGE12
'The Real Housewives of Sydney' star Krissy Marsh was seen laughing upon arrival. Luxury jewelry designer Zena K'Dor wore a polka dot dress with a black Hermès Birkin bag. IMAGE12 Laura Hazzouri, wife of billionaire Charbel Hazzouri, wore an ivory gown with a plunging neckline and carried a Birkin bag. IMAGE6
Remi Lindsay of Gavin Rubenstein's TRG arrived in a pastel yellow gown with designer glasses. Interior designer Melissa Olga Athineos opted for a white gown and blue shawl, seen drinking champagne upon arrival. Interior designer Sarah Parry Okeden wore a metallic gold-dusted Chanel coat valued at $8,102. Sydney socialite Marine Mariolle de Tizac wore a form-fitting blue gown. IMAGE2
The Ladies Luncheon Committee, founded by Harriet Waugh in 2016, has raised over $3.5 million to date. The current committee includes Waugh, Deborah Symond O'Neil, Madeline Holtznagel, and Zena Nasser White.