This masthead has also seen a document – unconfirmed at this point – that suggests Smyth was a star golfer in his younger years. We’re checking it out.
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But where does Smyth play golf now? This masthead has been getting all manner of tips about Smyth’s golfing career and club memberships. So far, the clubs themselves have been tight-lipped. But if you know more be sure to slip us a line.
The best gig in town?
Sometimes it’s difficult to defend the AFL. It took free footy away from the fans on Saturday night TV, and is insisting Tasmania spend almost $1 billion on a new stadium rather than things the poor state actually needs, like houses, hospitals and teaching kids how to read good.
But someone has to take on this tough duty – and that’s where professional spinners come in. Brian Walsh, the outgoing AFL corporate affairs and communications executive general manager, is on his way out and interviews are being held right now for who will fill his shoes.
Brian Walsh at last year’s Brownlow Medal at Crown Palladium.Credit: AFL Photos
CBD hears Walsh’s role will be split in two, with the league’s executive manager for government and stakeholder relations, Jude Donnelly, taking on an expanded role, reporting to league boss Andrew Dillon.
The AFL is being coy on the recruitment process. Corporate affairs executives Christian Bennett and Sarah Browne are among those expected to be in the AFL’s sights. CBD hears that Matt Kitchin, who recently left his role as head of sport at News Corp after 34 years, is taking on an AFL content role.
Perhaps it will be another journalist-into-sport play? Former Age editor-in-chief Andrew Holden was appointed Cricket Australia’s head of communications in 2016.
At any rate, CBD is told the process at AFL House is ongoing and “will take as long as it needs”. You’d hate for the search to be anything but! While the recruitment process continues, Jay Allen, general manager of corporate affairs, is ably holding down the fort.
Meanwhile, our Age colleague Caroline Wilson recently revealed that new AFL football performance boss Greg Swann has shaken things up by demanding his own office in an open-plan workplace.
Wild West
The US ambassador’s residence in Yarralumla has sat vacant ever since Caroline Kennedy, daughter of JFK, left the post last year.
No sign yet of which former golf buddy, sycophantic podcaster or, um, former Ashfield deputy mayor Donald Trump will send to Canberra to succeed American political royalty. But in the meantime, the Embassy of the United States opened its doors to a few hundred inmates of Parliament House on Tuesday night for a delayed Fourth of July hoedown that was the hottest ticket in town.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles was guest of honour at the embassy’s Fourth of July party.Credit: US Embassy Australia/Instagram
The embassy leaned in hard to the Cowboy Core aesthetic – which reached its peak last year – with a western-themed party where treats included smoked meats, an inflatable bucking bull, country music, fireworks and … a marquee sponsored by President Trump’s favourite diner, McDonald’s.
Party guests were treated to smoked meats, whiskey, apple pies and Donald Trump’s favourite … McDonald’s.Credit: US Embassy Australia/Instagram
Guests included a chunk of Labor frontbenchers, lobbyists, and other bubble types, although CBD was unfortunate not to score an invite. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles was guest of honour, giving a speech we hear was pretty jovial, and skirted around sensitive issues like the AUKUS pact, currently under review by the Trump administration.
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