Three-day Bash For Trucker Fox's 70th

The Age

Friday April 20, 2007

Kate Hagan with Peter Ker

AUSTRALIA'S wealthiest trucker Lindsay Fox was the man of the moment last night at the Sydney Opera House where more than 300 guests kicked off a three-day celebration in honour of his 70th birthday.

Victorian Premier Steve Bracks will join in for a night, likely to be tomorrow, when Mr Fox will host a three-course dinner at his $21 million harbourside mansion Boomerang.

"Yes, I will go for one night to Lindsay Fox's 70th birthday, yes I will," Mr Bracks said yesterday. "He has been a great contributor to the Victorian economy over a long period of time."

It is likely that Mr Fox, who has always had close ties to the Labor side of politics, would also have invited key party figures such as former prime minister Paul Keating and former head of the ACTU Bill Kelty.

Other guests include actor Hugh Jackman, Nine Network boss Eddie McGuire, Publishing and Broadcasting executive chairman James Packer, former Coles chairman Solomon Lew, businessman Lloyd Williams and building magnate Bruno Grollo.

A man of simple tastes, Mr Fox has often sung the praises of the vanilla slices at a cake shop close to his childhood home in working-class Windsor.

But he'll be catering to more sophisticated palates at a three-course formal dinner in a marquee at his Elizabeth Bay mansion tomorrow night, organised by Peter Jones Special Events.

"Lavish is probably not the word . . . they're not eating lobsters flown in from Saudi Arabia or anything like that," Mr Jones said. "Put it this way: if he had it his way it would be a lot simpler than what it is, but obviously he's doing this for his friends, so a terrific menu has been prepared."

Catering is by the Park Hyatt, where Mr Fox has booked about 80 suites for his interstate and overseas guests. On the agenda for today is a men's "wine appreciation" lunch at Rose Bay restaurant Catalina, with guests to partake in more dining out, cruises and sightseeing tours before the birthday celebration culminates in the dinner tomorrow night. -- With PETER KER

© 2007 The Age

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