Guests arriving for the celebration in honour of 13-year-oldLeon Pratt,grandson ofJeanne Prattand the lateRichard Pratt,sat on benches for 15 minutes awaiting the results of their rapid antigen tests but were fussed over by ranks of waiters distributing flutes of champagne as they did so. It could have been more arduous – the original party plan required PCR tests instead.
The Pratt family mansion Raheen.Jessica Shapiro
No double vaccination certificate and negative RAT? No entry.
Earlier on Saturday,the service at St Kilda Shule was officiated by respected rabbiYaakov Glasman. Melbourne Hebrew Congregation,this could have been yours!Leon’s father,Visy packaging kingAnthony Pratt,and mother,Claudine Revere,(as well as sisterLilly).
Once the COVID-testing formalities were out of the way,about 200 guests,including Victorian PremierDaniel Andrews and federal TreasurerJosh Frydenberg,having been given their all-important COVID-safe wristbands,gathered in the marquee for the formalities,which were hosted byHamish Blake andAndy Lee.
Enterprising Leon turned the event into a fundraiser,setting up an online donation page:“I’m supporting Make-A-Wish Australia with my Bar Mitzvah to help create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.”
Proud dad Anthony Pratt.Alex Ellinghausen
Guests,including former Defence Department secretaryDennis Richardson,who chipped in $208.80,helped push donations up to $14,666.Michelle Gandel donated $1000.
In his speech,Anthony Prattpraised Andrews and Frydenberg as “both excellent leaders” before Leon and Lilly gave speeches.
In the marquee were retail billionaireSolomon Lewand partnerRosa Prappas,former Woolworth’s bossRoger Corbettand prominent Melbourne figuresPaula Fox andJohn Gandelas well as ProfessorSharon Lewinof the Doherty Institute.Penny Fowler,chair of the Herald&Weekly Times and niece ofRupert Murdoch,was accompanied by her husbandGrant Fowler.
ComedianBarry Humphriessat at the same table as Sky News’Sharri Markson.The fourth estate was also represented byThe Australian Financial Review’sJoe Astonas well asDamon KitneyandJohn StensholtfromThe Australian. Can’t wait to read about it,fellas!
A performance by Guy Sebastian was the star attraction in the marquee. After dinner,guests could wander along to a separate dessert garden and later stayers partied at a separate stage while singer,environmentalist and Australian swim team hopefulCody Simpson performed. Mazel tov!
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