Party Blow-Up Between Bar Owner and Developer; Dentist’s Widow Faces Ongoing Struggles

Welcome to The Group Chat with Lucy Manly, where Australia’s most trusted society insider shares the hottest gossip BEFORE it makes the news.

Homecoming for rogue dentist’s widow 

A five-word email dropped into inboxes across Perth’s golden triangle this week – and it took only a matter of minutes to find its way to me.

‘…and she’s back in town.’

The tip, from one of my most reliable western suburbs spies, confirmed that skincare mogul Clara Hurst had quietly returned to Claremont after a sun-drenched European trip that seemingly dragged on for months.

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The widow of rogue dentist Dr David Hurst – who died last December after allegedly fleecing patients of millions – had been lying low overseas amid a looming class action by 20 ex-patients desperate to recover money from his estate.

But Clara’s frenemies weren’t about to let her slip under the radar.

They gleefully forwarded me updates from Ibiza, including one snap where she’d been clumsily cropped out of a nightclub photo.

Now, her reappearance at the school drop-off has reignited chatter that she’s back to oversee renovations on her mortgaged Spanish-style mansion on millionaires’ row – with locals predicting she’ll sell the estate within a year for a much-needed windfall.

In the meantime, Clara has reportedly slid back into her familiar routine of blow-dries and brunches – though not everyone is convinced all is as breezy as it seems.

‘Clara can put on a flawless face, but you can tell she’s dealing with more than just jet lag,’ one well-heeled local sniffed.

For Perth’s elite, her return signals a new chapter in her late husband’s sorry saga.

For those unfamiliar with the Hursts’ story, on December 10 last year, David died suddenly at Crown Perth casino while Clara and their children were holidaying in Bali.

While the exact circumstances remain confidential, authorities confirmed his death was not being treated as suspicious.

Prior to his death, David allegedly ripped off 132 patients at his clinic Perth Dental Rooms who had prepaid more than $2.3million for dental implants and other expensive procedures, many under pressure and drawing on their superannuation.

They believe their only hope of seeing any of it again rests with Clara. As executor of her husband’s estate, she is the one who must receive and process those claims.

Clara previously said in a statement to Daily Mail in June: ‘I can confirm that I have diligently acted as the executor in informing all relevant parties of any potential claim against the estate of my late husband.

‘I have great sympathy for the patients who have been left untreated after my husband’s passing, and I hope that the professionals in charge of winding up his business can continue to diligently work to recover value for them.’

However, several patients tell me they’re increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress and updates.

Rumble in Armadale

Two weeks ago, Melbourne’s leafy Armadale was the scene for some late-night macho dramatics outside the trendy Bouzy Bar.

Regulars were left wide-eyed when two of the city’s more familiar names had a spirited street-side dispute after dinner.

I’m told the blow-up was between Chapel St restaurateur Hayden Burbank and property developer Peter Gibson.

Voices were raised. There may have been a little chest-puffing. But – thank heavens – cooler heads prevailed and the situation did not escalate.

There was no blood or bruises, only some entertaining Saturday night street theatre for the well-heeled High St crowd.

Burbank was apparently at Bouzy Bar that night celebrating the birthday of his fiancée Belinda Vickers, a former Married at First Sight ‘star’.

The founder of cocktail bar Morris Jones – which went bust last month – made headlines in 2021 after flouting WA’s strict border rules to attend the AFL Grand Final – a decision that landed him behind bars for three months.

It was a hefty price to pay for breaching Covid restrictions that, in hindsight, many now view as overly heavy-handed. He later admitted, ‘I’m not built for jail.’ 

Meanwhile, Gibson is a high-end property developer in elite Melbourne suburbs such as Toorak, South Yarra, Hawthorn and Malvern.

By Sunday brunch, the gossip had spread faster than a tray of oysters, with Armadale’s social set left wondering what on Earth had sparked the spat.

One well-placed source whispered: ‘People are saying it was all about money, but isn’t it always? That’s the oldest story in Melbourne.’

Paws and rewind

Anthony ‘The Cat’ Catalano prowls the property and publishing world like a lion – but on the dance floor, he’s all awkward housecat.

The former Domain boss and Raes on Wategos hotelier was spotted at an après soirée in Mt Buller recently, grooving along to the iconic Pink Panther theme song with his wife Steph on the DJ decks.

But witnesses say his moves were less ‘sleek cat burglar’ and more ‘suburban dad at a 50th’.

While the track is known for its sly, jazzy coolness, Cat’s moves drew a different reaction.

‘It’s like watching your dad dance,’ one snitch whispered, unable to contain their laughter. ‘And given he’s got nine kids, it checks out.’

Clad in snowwear chic but shimmying like Inspector Clouseau, the Cat seemed to be living every beat, oblivious to the giggles after a screen-recording of the video was widely shared – and eventually found its way to me.

Ever the family man, perhaps he’s just practising his ‘dad dancing’ for the inevitable string of weddings, 21sts and birthdays that come with raising a small football team of children.

One thing’s clear: Catalano has mastered business – but rhythm, not so much.