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NEIGHBOUR Day, this Sunday, started as a humble initiative in 2003 by Andrew Heslop as a way of extending the hand of friendship over the fence. Now it has been endorsed by the bloke with the bonzer vocabulary and grandest fence in the land, Kevin Rudd, who said: "Something as simple as checking in to say hello can make a real difference, especially for those who are elderly or isolated." As exciting as it was to get Kev on board, Heslop was chuffed about Neighbours becoming more neighbourly by incorporating a Neighbour Day festival into the soap and lighting up Erinsborough with fireworks. Getting back to Kev's abode, there'll be verbal fireworks on election night if neighbours across the land don't vote for him. The 25th anniversary of Neighbours coincides with the 20th wedding anniversary of Alan Fletcher, who plays Dr Karl. His wife, Jennifer Hansen, joked that instead of a traditional china gift she'd like something else starting with "ch". She's now the proud owner of a Chanel bag.

All revved up

JANE Kennedy has tried countless diets, even Derryn Hinch's soup and wine diet, but nothing worked, so she wrote a book, Fabulous Food Minus the Boombah. Jane and other fabulous ladies gathered at a lunch hosted by Mercedes at the grand prix track, the testosterone level of motor-racing balanced by the oestrogen. Denise "Ding Dong" Drysdale, Naomi Robson and Jane's mother, Jill, were among the guests to sample dishes from the book (far tastier than Hinch's diet). Suzie Wilks is radiating happiness since her engagement to GT driver Nick O'Halloran, her ring finger also radiating with a huge diamond that shows his heart races for her.

The time has come

THE latest addition to the A-list is Nick Bracks, son of Steve and Terry, whose life in the doldrums after a drink-driving incident seems a distant memory. Nick, who modelled at the fashion festival, was at Tag Heuer's soiree on Wednesday to cheer on McLaren driver Jenson Button in the grand prix. Bracks, a face to watch on future red carpets, politely declined to be interviewed, preferring to mingle in the crowd with celebs Vince Colosimo, Erika Heynatz, Olympic snowboard gold medallist Lydia Lassila and Chadwick model manager Matthew Anderson. The grand prix's ambassador, sultry model Pia Miller, also doubles as a "Friend of Tag" and was given a watch as a gift. As the wife of Demons footballer Brad Miller, consider Pia a Tag WAG.

Pat on the back

ANOTHER celeb attached to a brand is Patti Newton, wife of Bert, who's the poster girl of Millers fashion. Patti is a regular at Ann Peacock's Crown sky-box at the grand prix, but she'll be absent today while flashing that famous grin for a Millers commercial in Sydney. Women needing fashion advice can turn to "Patti's Picks" on the website to see how chocolate-coloured jeans, a printed top and a cerise sleeveless quilted vest can turn you into a groovy granny.