Billionaire Australian businessman Anthony Pratt, widely recognized as Melbourne's wealthiest individual, hosted an extravagant gathering described as a 'backyard party' at his prestigious Melbourne mansion this past Saturday. The event, however, was anything but ordinary, featuring A-list entertainment and a guest list brimming with political and media elites.
Star-Studded Guest List and Entertainment
The exclusive soirée welcomed approximately 250 distinguished attendees, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, Deputy Premier of Victoria Ben Carroll, and Today Show host Karl Stefanovic. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly a private performance by pop icon Kylie Minogue, who reportedly received a staggering $3 million fee for her intimate one-hour set.
Kylie's Nostalgic Performance
Kylie Minogue, aged 57, delivered a powerful performance featuring her greatest hits, spanning from early classics like The Loco-Motion and Better the Devil You Know to contemporary chart-toppers such as Padam Padam. Before performing her duet Especially For You, originally recorded with former Neighbours co-star Jason Donovan, Minogue shared nostalgic reflections, mentioning "driving my Datsun to Nunawading," referencing the studio location where she filmed the iconic soap opera.
Event Details and Venue
The celebration commenced with sophisticated cocktails and a gourmet sit-down dinner at Pratt's heritage-listed residence, Raheen, located in the affluent suburb of Kew. This magnificent property is valued at a minimum of $100 million. Karl Stefanovic served as the master of ceremonies for the event, even joining Pratt on stage for a duet rendition of The Beatles' classic Oh Darlin'.
Protest Disruption
Despite the glamorous affair, the event faced some disruption from protesters stationed outside the mansion. Demonstrators brandished banners with messages including "Stop arming Israel," and one individual dressed as mining magnate Gina Rinehart approached security personnel. Local police were present at the scene, engaging with both security teams and protesters near the front gate.
Business Context and Annual Tradition
This annual party is held in honor of the food and beverage industry, a significant client sector for Pratt's packaging conglomerate, Visy. Under Pratt's leadership since 2009, following his father Richard Pratt's passing, the global empire has more than doubled in size. Visy's annual revenue now reaches an estimated $10 billion, bolstered by major contracts with American giants Amazon and Home Depot, producing over a million boxes weekly and employing 7,000 staff members.
Pratt, aged 65, has cultivated a reputation for securing world-class entertainment for his yearly gatherings. In 2024, he featured American pop sensation Katy Perry, who was paid approximately $1.5 million for her performance. Reflecting on his business philosophy, Pratt once told the Australian Financial Review, "Money is a great scoreboard of success, or one of them. We've more than doubled the size of the business since 2009. But it's like that saying, 'if I have seen further, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.' I was very fortunate that I had my father. He was a great man and a great teacher."
