Superstar Kylie Minogue Headlines Lavish Melbourne Soiree Hosted by Billionaire Anthony Pratt
Melbourne’s elite gathered in opulent style this past weekend for a spectacular “backyard party” hosted by industrial magnate Anthony Pratt at his sprawling heritage-listed mansion, Raheen. The billionaire businessman, often lauded as Melbourne’s wealthiest resident, pulled out all the stops, securing global music icon Kylie Minogue to perform for a star-studded guest list of approximately 250 prominent figures.
Among the notable attendees spotted arriving at the expansive Kew estate were media personality Karl Stefanovic, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, and Deputy Premier of Victoria Ben Carroll. The evening commenced with cocktails and a gourmet sit-down dinner, setting a sophisticated tone for the festivities. Raheen, the historic mansion itself, is understood to be valued at no less than $100 million, adding to the grandeur of the occasion.
As the evening progressed, the backyard of the magnificent property transformed into an intimate concert venue. The Australian pop princess, Kylie Minogue, delivered a captivating hour-long performance, serenading the distinguished guests with a selection of her most beloved hits. Reports suggest the beloved artist commanded a fee of $3 million for this exclusive, private engagement.
Minogue, 57, delighted the crowd with an array of her iconic tracks. The setlist spanned her illustrious career, featuring early chart-toppers like “The Loco-Motion,” “Better the Devil You Know,” and the classic duet “Especially For You.” More contemporary anthems such as “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” “Spinning Around,” “On a Night Like This,” and her recent global sensation “Padam Padam” also resonated through the night.
During her performance, Minogue shared a moment of reflection before launching into “Especially For You.” She reminisced about the song, originally a duet with her Neighbours co-star and former boyfriend Jason Donovan, evoking a sense of nostalgia. “Like driving my Datsun to Nunawading,” she quipped from the stage, referencing the Melbourne suburb where the iconic soap opera’s studios were once located, a nod to her formative years in the entertainment industry.
A Night of Entertainment and a Touch of Protest
The entertainment for the evening was expertly managed by Karl Stefanovic, who also took to the stage with the host, Anthony Pratt, for a surprise duet of The Beatles’ classic, “Oh Darlin’.” This collaboration added a unique and personal touch to the already star-studded event.
However, the glitz and glamour were not without their counterpoints. Outside the gates of Raheen, a group of protesters voiced their concerns. Brandishing banners, they made their presence felt as VIP guests arrived. One individual, notably dressed as mining magnate Gina Rinehart, was observed approaching the security personnel stationed at the entrance. A prominent sign displayed on the lawn declared, “Stop arming Israel.” Police were present at the scene, engaging with both security and protesters near the front gate.
The Business Behind the Bash: Visy’s Success Story
The annual gathering, while a social highlight, also serves a significant purpose for Anthony Pratt’s vast business empire. The party is traditionally held to celebrate the food and beverage industry, a key client base for Pratt’s packaging giant, Visy. The company has experienced phenomenal growth, with its annual revenue recently soaring to an estimated $10 billion.
Visy’s impressive financial performance is largely attributed to substantial contracts with global giants like Amazon and Home Depot in the United States. These partnerships have propelled the company to produce over a million boxes weekly and employ a workforce of 7,000 individuals.
Pratt, 65, has been instrumental in the expansion of Visy’s U.S. operations, which he has managed since 1991. He assumed leadership of the global enterprise, a dominant force in the Australian market, following the passing of his father, Richard, in 2009. Reflecting on his business philosophy, Pratt has previously stated, “Money is a great scoreboard of success, or one of them.” He attributes much of the company’s growth since 2009 to the legacy and guidance of his father, often quoting, “if I have seen further, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.”
Pratt has cultivated a reputation for securing world-renowned entertainers for his annual events. In 2024, the festivities featured American pop star Katy Perry, who was reportedly paid $1.5 million for her performance, underscoring the scale and ambition of these exclusive gatherings.
