Welcome to The Group Chat with Lucy Manly, where Australia’s most-trusted society insider shares the hottest gossip BEFORE it makes the news
Sam’s school reunion
The champagne wasn’t the only thing full of air at the 30-year reunion for Kincoppal-Rose Bay’s Class of 1994.
The old girls of KRB (as the prestigious Catholic school is known) gathered for a long, boozy lunch at the Woollahra Hotel on October 12. The centre of attention was, naturally, their graduating class’ most famous alumnus, Samantha Armytage.
I have it on impeccable authority that Sam was regaling her school chums with tales of her blissfully happy marriage to Bowral businessman Richard Lavender.
How surprising! Because just weeks later she would announce the couple, who wed on New Year’s Eve in 2020, had ‘amicably’ parted ways.
Kincoppal-Rose Bay’s Class of 1994 gathered for a long lunch in Woollahra on October 12. The centre of attention was, naturally, their graduating class’ most famous alum, Sam Armytage
I have it on impeccable authority that Sam (left) was regaling her school chums with tales of her blissfully happy marriage to Bowral businessman Richard Lavender
Perhaps the TV star – who recently jumped ship from Channel Seven to Nine – was trying to keep up appearances in front of her happily married-with-kids mates?
Or maybe she just wanted to protect her exclusive break-up interview with The Daily Telegraph (which we spoiled anyway – sorry, Sam!)
One guest at the reunion tells me: ‘She was a bit “braggy” about their happy marriage and upcoming travel plans. It was as if she had something to prove… there were more than a few eye-rolls among the girls.’
It’s understood Sam had long since vacated the marital homestead in the Southern Highlands by the time of the school reunion.
About 40 women attended the gathering, travelling to Sydney from all over the country, and their group chat ‘blew up’ when news of Sam’s marriage split broke.
‘Yes, Richard and I have separated. All break-ups are hard, but it’s somewhat lessened by the fact it’s amicable and we wish the best for each other,’ Sam said in a statement last Friday.
‘I appreciate you respecting our privacy. I won’t be making any further comments.’
Sam, who was recently announced as host of seniors dating show The Golden Bachelor, is believed to be bunkering down at her Sydney investment property since separating from Lavender.
How surprising! Because just weeks later she would announce the couple, who wed on New Year’s Eve in 2020, had ‘amicably’ parted ways
The former couple was last pictured together at Sydney Airport in September after a trip to Noosa together to celebrate her 48th birthday.
It’s believed Sam’s fraught relationship with Lavender’s adult daughters Grace and Sasha played a part in the marriage breakdown.
Socialite’s funeral fashion raises eyebrows
The mysterious death of an 18-year-old boy in Indonesia has sent shockwaves throughout Sydney’s eastern suburbs elite.
Aston Looker, the model son of designer Amanda Lennon, was found dead in a Bali swimming pool on August 22, but the tragedy wasn’t reported until last week.
His distraught mother told friends she only found out about her son’s death – and his funeral – by text from her former husband, Saxon Looker.
‘Her ex cremated him before she arrived in Bali,’ a friend said. ‘She received a text message from Saxon that read, “Aston cremated”.’
But that’s not the end of the story.
While Aston’s death and hurried cremation remain shrouded in mystery, some odd details of his funeral service have come to light.
Aston Looker (left), the model son of designer Amanda Lennon (right), was found dead in a Bali swimming pool on August 22
Aston’s death and hurried cremation remain shrouded in mystery
Amongst the tears and tributes at Aston’s funeral, more than a few eyebrows were raised over one guest’s supposedly ‘disrespectful’ attire.
My phone blew up last week with several sources claiming eastern suburbs ‘yummy mummy’ and Real Housewife of Sydney star Victoria Montano had arrived at her godson Aston’s funeral… in her ‘riding gear’.
‘She was in jodhpurs and [riding] boots – she came straight from horse riding,’ a source told me.
‘You’d think she’d have the decency to put a frock on for the occasion, not wear her equestrian gear.’
When contacted for comment, the mother of two could not recall what she wore to the funeral, which was held on September 6 at St Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill.
Sydney housewife Victoria Montana is said to have attended her godson’s funeral in horse-riding gear. When contacted for comment, the mother of two could not recall what she wore to the service, which was held on September 6 at St Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill
‘I don’t know if that’s the case,’ she said.
‘I got a call from his mother last week saying she didn’t want me speaking to any journalists [about Aston]. Sorry, I can’t help you, darling.’
According to Sydney’s society crowd, Aston’s mother fell out with Ms Montano over the outfit faux pas – but the keen horse rider was quick to hose down the rumour.
‘I’m not sure who has told you this. Amanda and I have been friends since I was 28 years old. We spoke four days ago.’
Ms Montano penned a tribute for her godson on social media, describing him as a ‘wasted life’ that was ‘taken too soon’.
‘Asty was a complete juxtaposition – visually, a perfect face a jawline that looked as if it was chiselled from marble, broad shoulders courtesy of countless hours of surfing,’ she wrote on Instagram.
‘It was his vulnerability that drew you in. His sensitivity. His creative mind which no doubt worked away all day at a million miles an hour.
Amanda Lennon told friends she only found out about her son’s death – and his funeral – by text from her former husband, Saxon Looker (pictured)
Amongst the tears and tributes at Aston’s funeral many eyebrows were raised over the ‘disrespectful’ dress attire from Sydney housewife Victoria Montano
‘He wore his heart on his sleeve. On the occasions that we had time for a deeper conversation I always noted that he was able to express himself unlike any other man I knew. Asty was textured – he had depth.
‘This juxtaposition of masculinity and vulnerability was capped off by his mother Amanda’s favourite thing about him: a finely tuned, perfectly timed sense of humour. The ability to be witty and humble all at once. Not many could make you laugh like this young man.’
And finally… guess who, don’t sue
She has become a go-to fashion designer thanks to her flirty, feminine silhouettes.
But it’s not her success in the rag trade that has people talking. The Group Chat hears this Sydney fashionista – who I hasten to add is not Amanda Lennon – treated herself to a not-so-subtle lower facelift earlier this year.
The cosmetic procedure, known as a rhytidectomy or ‘jowl lift’, is a surgical op that tightens and lifts the skin in the lower face and neck.
It has become so popular that a newly single yummy-mummy turned fashion-designer influencer is also rumoured to have gone under the knife.
