Postcode 3000

FRISSON was in the air when Lisa McCune and Teddy Tahu Rhodes brought the South Pacific breeze and their pulsating on-stage chemistry to Flemington for the Spring Fashion lunch. The co-stars who have been snapped together in amorous embraces and are reportedly a romantic item appeared together to promote the Opera Australia musical opening at the Princess Theatre on September 15. But when McCune was asked about the romance, she said: "I'm all good but I'm not talking about any of that. No comment." That left Australia's favourite girl next door to express her emotion through the song A Wonderful Guy containing the lyrics: "Love is a grand and beautiful thing." McCune wore electric blue, summing up the electric mood in the room. Trend alert: Myer ambassador Kris Smith rocked convention in a soft pink Arthur Galan suit and senior socialite Lillian Frank went for hot pink with a feather boa and matching hat. The musical's PR doyenne, Eileen O'Shea, has assembled the who's who for the opening night and is delighted to announce that the after-party will be at State Parliament's Queen's Hall. Guests downing Bloody Mary oyster shots are reminded they will be watched over by a statue of Queen Victoria and her stern eye.

Crowd needed to donate a bob

IN THE biblical equivalent of multiplying the loaves and fish, Father Bob Maguire is praying that money miraculously appears to fund a documentary about his eventful life. Film-maker Richard Lowenstein and the creative team at Ghost Pictures are "crowd-funding" In Bob We Trust through the Pozible website, hoping to raise $30,000 by December 2. Since the troubles of 2009 when Maguire's tenure at South Melbourne was headed towards enforced retirement, the film crew has been trailing him. It is with a heavy heart that the priest is living in Albert Park and running his foundation, pursuing his "parish without borders" and once contemplating an inflatable church. Donations start from $10 and if you've got a spare $5000, you get an "executive producer" credit on the film and a swag of goodies, such as an In Bob We Trust tea towel.

What gets up Hawthorn's goat

IF YOU thought County Court judge John Smallwood encountered some interesting characters in his court room, you should see his chamber. Surrounded by law books, curios and mounted animals, the AFL finals have inspired the Collingwood supporter to create another fascinating window display. In readiness for tonight's Pies versus Hawthorn clash at the MCG, passers-by can see a goat draped with a Pies flag next to a lion with a Hawks sock in its jaw and scarf around its paw. Judge Smallwood has collected eight animals, the newest being the goat, which was bought on Wednesday from the wondrous Wunderkammer store in Lonsdale Street. Being a good sport who relishes a theme, the judge last year enlisted his two lions for the court's inaugural "tinsel-off" competition before Christmas. Nanna wore a Santa outfit and Billy had reindeer antlers.

Monty full of fashion stories

YOUNG models photographed by Monty Coles probably have no idea who has posed in front of his camera. Twiggy, Bryan Ferry, Hugh Jackman and Black Caviar (yes, the champion mare) have been snapped by him and there's another name to drop. Anna Wintour, the sharp-fringed Vogue editor he worked with when she was young and working in Britain for Harper's BAZAAR. Coles says she was "mysterious", the same way Andy Warhol was. A retrospective of Coles' photos is being exhibited at Melbourne Central, along with those of RMIT students, this month. British-born Coles chose to live in Melbourne over Sydney due to our fashion advantage, saying: "I like the seasons. There's more excuse to change our wardrobe. Therefore, the fashion scene is a lot more interesting." Something about Melburnians loving to dress and Sydneysiders loving to undress.