“We had spotted a youngTom Waterhouse with his father,Robbie. Tom was wearing a Tongan costume and had official Tongan credentials,so we just sort of followed him into the stadium. We were stopped by a volunteer at the door,and remember this was all before September 11 changed everything,and we made up a story that we were actually with the Waterhouses and part of the official Tongan entourage,” Pinniger revealed.

“We ended up getting through,thinking we were going to some VIP seats,only to find we were actually swept up with all the athletes walking into the stadium! I mean,really,it was ridiculous! We looked like the most unlikely athletes you could imagine,but someone slapped a glowing wrist band on us and gave us disposable cameras ... and off we went,talking to all the athletes about their various successes and posing in photos!”

Going through old press clippings,PS came across further evidence of McQueen’s time in Madame Lash’s orbit in October 2000.

It was reported that McQueen and Pinniger had failed in their attempt to have apprehended violence orders made against former prominent private investigator,standover man and notorious crook,the lateTim Bristow,who was described at the time as a “business associate” of the pair.

McQueen and Pinniger claimed Bristow had “some kind of sinister agenda” towards them,but the application was dismissed. McQueen said she had no recollection of the details when asked this week.

Vale Carla Zampatti

BusinesswomanJillian Broadbent conceded that her late friendCarla Zampatti was a “private person”when she spoke on ABC’s Radio National on Wednesday about the fashion designer’s fall atLa Traviata two weeks ago.

It was Broadbent who held on to Zampatti’s arm as the women made their way out of the makeshift bleachers when the designer’s shoe became caught,resulting in the fall that would ultimately claim her life.

PS has since learnt that Broadbent stayed by Zampatti’s side,along with two medical professionals who were also attending the opera,and a lifeguard,as the designer drifted in and out of consciousness during the 20 minutes it took for the ambulance to arrive.

Zampatti,a keen reader of this column although she was not keen about appearing in it,was well known for keeping her personal life out of the press. Indeed,for many years she compared notes with PS about how best to “torture” our respective lemon trees into production,and would often suggest ever more outrageous methods whenever our paths crossed.

Her yearning for privacy continued to be respected by those closest to her as the true gravity of the 78-year-old fashion icon’s condition was kept secret for the week she lay in intensive care at St Vincent’s Hospital hooked up to a ventilator and fighting for life.

Among those who had privately expressed grave concerns within the designer’s tight circle was her partner of recent years,Kogarah ear,nose and throat specialistDr Kenneth Howison. Their relationship was not widely publicised,but friends informed PS this week they had found great comfort in each other into their winter years,which they were looking forward to spending together.

As Zampatti’s three children,Alexander Schuman,Bianca Spender andAllegra Spender,came to terms with the potential demise of their mother last week,St Vincent’s staff were instructed to redirect all media queries to a family spokesperson,formerHarper’s Bazaar Australia editor-in-chiefKellie Hush,a long-time friend and associate of Zampatti.

Hush had the unenviable task of shielding the family from the media and was given limited details,instructed to tell reporters only that Zampatti remained in hospital purely for “observation” and was “on the mend”,which this column reported in good faith.

Tragically and regrettably,as it transpired last Saturday morning,that was not the case.

Australian Club’s glacial pace

Change moves at a glacial pace within the rarefied air of the exclusive Australian Club on Macquarie Street,which countsJames Packerand former prime ministers John Howardand Malcolm Turnbullamong its ranks.

It’s been 18 months since PSexclusively revealed the country’s oldest gentlemen’s establishment was gingerly taking steps into the 21st century by opening membership to women.

Lucy Turnbull,whose father and grandfather were both members and has visited many times as a “guest”,said she welcomed any moves towards gender equality but added that she would “have to think about it” if she were ever invited to join.

She’d better not hold her breath.

On Tuesday members received a long-winded letter from club presidentJohn Stanham,who PS understands is a descendent ofJohn Macarthur,confirming that “a proposal is circulating which requests support for a proposed process:The Desirability or Otherwise of Women Being Entitled to Membership of the Club”.

“The view of the general committee is that the issue of women’s membership is an issue for members to consider,debate and determine. Not an issue to be determined,or advocated (either for or against) by the general committee,” read the letter,no doubt causing several of the club’s more rusted-on members to squirm on their well-stuffed Chesterfields.

Stanham then unleashed even more turgid club speak,telling the lads in “the interest of transparency” that “around six months ago I was approached by two club members seeking to progress the proposal referred to above”.

“Following discussion with the general committee I requested these members delay initiating their proposal so that the club could retain focus on other matters. On the basis that it was in the club’s interest,these members agreed to delay initiating their proposed process. Recently in recognition of the current environment,I advised these members that the general committee had withdrawn its request that their proposal be delayed,and accordingly they were free to commence collecting the required number of names and/or were free either to instigate discussion of,or respond to any issue that may arise at the AGM. The reason for the withdrawal of my request to delay their proposal was simply to not place these members at a disadvantage due to them having delayed their process at my request.”

Eesh! Keeping up?

“Ultimately it should be,as it always has been,that members will determine the soul of the club. An interesting time lies ahead of us,” Stanham writes,adding somewhat hopefully:“I encourage everyone to respectfully debate this and other issues which will arise as we progress as a club in today’s society.”

Sydney life for the Murdochs

Sarah andLachlan Murdoch appear to be settling nicely back into the Sydney pace. On Good Friday Sarah was spotted at the Royal Easter Show with the couple’s three children,all of whom PS has confirmed have been enrolled to attend school in Sydney now that they are living back at the family’s Bellevue Hill compound,Le Manoir. On Tuesday former international model Sarah,wearing a chic black cocktail dress,was among the VIPs attending the Australian Ballet’s opening night ofNew York Dialects,the first by new artistic directorDavid Hallberg. She held court withVogue Australia editor-in-chief Edwina McCann,dance patronPrimrose (Lady) Potter,Qantas honchoAlan Joyce,News Corp bossMichael Miller and Ros Packeramong others.

PS has been told to get used to having the Murdochs in town,with expectations they will be here for years,not months,as initially believed. Welcome home!