Kate Hunter
by KATE HUNTER
On the weekend my daughter, who’s nine, pointed to a picture in the paper of Gina Rinehart.
‘Who’s that lady and why is she everywhere?’
‘Her name is Gina Rinehart,’ I said, ‘She’s the richest woman in the world.’
‘Wow,’ said Annabel, ‘Does she have a lot of horses?’
My girl is at that age where pony-flesh is the only currency that matters.
‘I don’t know,’ I replied, ‘But I’m sure if she wanted to, she could buy all the horses she wanted.’
Annabel’s eyes shone. What a woman, I could see her thinking, what a life.
Time for Mummy to burst that bubble.
‘The thing is,’ I said, ‘I don’t think she’s very happy.’
‘Why not?’
‘Well, it seems her children don’t like her, she’s had three unhappy marriages and she’s more interested in buying newspapers and Western Australia than having ponies.’
‘Really?’ Annabel’s face twisted a little.
‘But if she bought Western Australia would she get all the horses that live there too?’
She’s like a dog with a bone, my girl. But I do love her, and I love these conversations over our Cheerios. I wonder whether Gina ever got to chat like this with her kids?
I got to thinking, much as I would love a squillion dollars (mainly so I could buy Annabel a pony), I think my life is richer, than Gina’s. Here’s why:
Gina Rinehart
1) Everyday life is easier for me. It would be very hard for Gina, say, to buy a car. The salesman would see her coming, wouldn’t he? No way could Gina get them to throw in car mats and window tinting. No way, babe, forget it, you’re the richest woman in the world! When I recently bought a Suzuki Swift, my anonymity and last-season sneakers put me in a powerful position that saw fabric protection become part of the deal also.
2) All I have to do for my kids’ school fete is bake a cake and help with the newsletter. I imagine poor Gina was asked for all manner of help – everything from rides (can we use your chopper? The kids would love it!) And auction prizes (50,000 hectares of the Pilbara). How to say no? So awkward!
3) When you’re as rich as Gina, you have to pay more tax than most Australians. This is unfair, because if she gets sick it’s not like she will even USE our hospitals. There are perfectly good clinics in Switzerland to buy.
4) I quite enjoy buying the occasional Instant Scratchie and fantasizing about what I would do if I won $25,000. Or even $500. Such a thrill would be lost on Gina.
5) I bet Gina has never had that fist-pump moment when she found a ski jacket in Aldi that ACTUALLY FIT her six year old.
6) I know it’s the thought that counts, but on birthdays and at Christmas I like getting presents because it’s often stuff I wouldn’t… couldn’t… buy myself.
7) Gina has (probably) never done tuck-shop duty. And honestly, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone – but the moment it’s OVER is so sweet it’s all worth it. No number of seats on the Fairfax board could compare.
8) I never had the pressure of being anyone’s heir apparent. My parents took us to the beach once or twice a year. We dug a heap of holes. We never found any iron ore but I remember a lot of pippis.
9) My kids ask me to remember their pocket money on a Sunday night. They want it for AFL collector cards and Polly Pockets, not personal chefs and security.
10) There is something FANTASTIC about being read and listened to – online or in print – simply because what you have to say is interesting. Not because you own the paper. I have that.
Gina Rinehart, $18 billion, mining magnate and heiress of Hancock Prospecting
Kate Hunter is an advertising copywriter with over 20 years experience and one Gruen Transfer appearance to her name. Kate is also the author of the Mosquito Advertising series of novels. You can buy them here.
What are the things in your life that are better than money?
Comments
128 Comments so far
Completely agree with Ms Grumpy. I love being part of a democracy and as soon as we are all made to follow the same rules we wil have a democracy. Till then I will just have to settle for Gina’s lucky country.
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If I was as rich as Gina Reinhardt I wouldn’t mind paying more tax than most Australias. Hell, if I was that rich I wouldn’t mind being the ATOs number one contributor. And, if I was that rich I wouldn’t bother with the quest for influence she seems to be on, unless it’s the greater good she wants to influence and not merely her own business interests. I’d use all that money, and any influence I could buy, to help people.
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Hello, I cannot see my comment here that I have made on saturday. HAs it been delete??????? thank you……..
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Hello, why my comment has been delete? I cannot see it anywhere?????
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Kate,
im guessing you don’t no Gina personally? therefore you cant just assume all these things….
She might have done tuck-shop duty at her children’s school, and if anything, i think she is trying to teach her children the value of money! Her daughter Pope wants a personal chef and driver in the states where she resides and from my understanding Gina is somewhat tying to control this, hence the fight over the family trust, remember who did establish it now…..
We are all so quick to judge Gina, we have only heard what the media has told us, and how often is that correct?
I think we should be proud of Gina, As an Australian its pretty incredible to see an australian woman being the richest female in the world!
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Umm, if you’re trying to suggest that Gina established the trust for her children, you’re wrong. She did not. Her father did.
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Kate I’m really disappointed in this article normally I wouldn’t say anything horses for courses. However today I need to say something! A few weeks ago Mia was saying we should be supportive of each other as women, in reference to the nasty reactions to Delta on the Voice. I really took what she said & tried to be much more positive to other women, you certain don’t hear men being so hard on each other! Then I read your article, why not write a positive article about how well she’s done not bring her down. I’m proud such a successful women lives in Australia! Let’s celebrate success especially one of our own. If you’re happy with your life fantastic, write about that not why you’re richer than Gina. The pictures you see of Gina is when she’s working for most of my time at work I’m not having the time of my life either. Let’s be kinder to each other even if they’ve worked hard of increase they’re families wealth.
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Laura M, thanks for your comment. My post was about happiness – not whether I approve or disapprove of Gina Rinehart. (I’m sure she couldn’t give two hoots what I think anyway). Interesting you should mention Mia’s post about supporting women – the vitriol that was directed at Delta Goodrem was awful. Similar barbs have been shot at Nicole Kidman. People say they ‘can’t stand them’ because of their hair, voice, mannerisms. I directed no such criticisms at Gina R. I just wondered whether her wealth was making her happy. I don’t have to say, ‘You go, sista’ just because she’s a woman. Mia wrote about this in her column last week, ‘Why I’m a bad feminist.’ Gina R is a mining magnate, not an entertainer and she’s aggressively seeking a voice in the nation’s media. I think we are entitled to talk about her – with respect, of course. I was careful to use words like ‘I wonder’ and ‘I imagine,’ because of course I don’t know her or her family. Maybe there are untold stories of generosity and joy? I’d love to hear them.
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Thanks for your reply, you are right and perhaps all the negative comments about Gina gave me unfair view of the article. I feel we don’t celebrate the success of women enough, what about an article on the fantastic success of many great Australian women in business? We often celebrate women in sport, media, fashion, music and entertainment, it’d be great to read an article on women in high powered roles in business and how they got there and how they do or don’t do it all. Just looking for some inspiration to head back to work & do it all again tomorrow.
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Hey commenters below – I take Shreddin’s comment without offence, and as long as I get the point of a comment, I’m not much bothered by grammar and spelling. I’m just happy when people read my posts and have an opinion.
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I think you’re totally missing the point Kate. After watching Four Corners on Saturday night I have come to the conclusion that Gina has broken the law on more than one occassion and like any criminal she should be in jail. But keep on writing articles up there in your ivory tower where it is easy for you to overlook the big picture.
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*you’re
*occasion
*Saturday
Full stops go immediately after a sentence with no space. Like this.
If you’re going to snark, at least make it grammatically correct snark.
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I did’nt know I had to be a professor of english to have an opinion. A lot of people don’t seem to have contact with the people that actually build Gina’s wealth. Tradespeople , labourers and miners etc. Not all of us are on a hundred thousand dollars a year but we work in the dust , heat and dangerous conditions you probably have never seen. And we’re HONEST. And we would never pay witnesses hundreds of thousands of dollars or change family trust fund release dates by 57 years. And now I have been informed by you I have no opinion because of incorrect grammar. As far as my “snark” , my apologies , this is probably not the right forum for such an important and complex issue. Which begs the question ? Why the article if people are not allowed to have objective views ?
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“I have no response to your argument, so I’m going to correct your grammar.”
I don’t agree with your comment (I think the point of the article was to have a giggle, which I certainly did), but I do get frustrated by people who get on their high horse over grammar.
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I didn’t know you had to be a professor of english to spell “you’re” correctly. Or “didn’t”.
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Next time I come back to this site I will be sure to bring my brownie recipe. Something that is more suited to this site.
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Poor grammar doesn’t invalidate someone’s opinion, Belle.
Your tone is downright nasty and arrogant, and it was unnecessary to even point out the grammatical/spelling errors. It’s the internet for goodness’ sake, not a dissertation.
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Where did she misspell “you’re”, and “Saturday” in her first post? They look just fine to me. And, come on, do you really think that “did’nt” is a spelling error? Isn’t there just a tiny bit of common sense in you that can recognise it as the typing error it so obviously is?
And if you’re going to be the Grammar/Spelling/Typo Nazi then you had better make sure your posts are perfect. I’ll let you in on a little secret: They’re not. In fact, they’re far from it.
“English” is a proper noun. What must a proper noun always have?
“Full stops go immediately after a sentence with no space.” What, pray tell, is a “sentence with no space”? You might want to rethink, and correct, the syntax of that sentence.
“If you’re going to snark, at least make it grammatically correct snark.” Again, syntax!
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I agree, shreddin, there was definitely something fishy about those payments to witnesses. I think Gina gets what Gina wants – by means fair or foul.
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I have had many discussions of about Gina Rinehart in recents days and weeks, all of which have made me realise something about myself. Something that I am not proud of. I think that I judge Gina Rhinehart, so much more than I would ever judge a man. I don’t focus on her successes as a businesswoman, but instead my focus is on what I perceive as her failings as a mother. This is not right, nor is it fair! I can list off dozens of successful men that are shitty husbands/fathers, who I do not dislike with the same vitriol that I have for Gina Rinehart. As a woman who proclaims loudly and proudly that women can do anything and be anyone, I am really disappointed in myself for judging her on how I must believe women should behave (believe me, I am cringing as I write this) as opposed to her contributions to Australia (good or bad). Please tell me that I am not alone?
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I agree. We all do it; male/female, poor/rich, local/foreigner. Only some a brave enough to admit it.
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I think she must be a very horrible person and so it’s no wonder she’s alone and unhappy. Imagine all of the wonderfully good things that could be done with all her money. At the very least she could provide shelter for every single homeless person in the country. I would much rather be my non-sociopathic financially poor self than like Gina.
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Great article, but… the plug for the car brand was a little (ok a lot) meh!
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I’m STILL waiting for my free, bonus SUZUKI SWIFT! Bastards. That great big plug and NOTHING!!!
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It made me wonder if you got the blue – I love the blue colour they make the Swift in!
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Love!!!!!
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We just bought a car this week…… fabric protection is expensive! Well done Kate for getting that thrown in!
And thanks for the laugh!
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Snap Kate, have been thinking along those lines these last few months too. I cant help but feel sorry for her.
On a different note, I cant believe I didnt see you on Gruen Transfer!! I love that show, and now I love you too – in a very sane, non-stalkery kinda way… What a combination!
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You might have seen me. 2 hours of make-up and I looked nothing like I really do.
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Thanks for a great giggle
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Ahhh just what a needed a laugh, very good way to put it!
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A wonderful, if predictable, editorial. Of course Ms Rhinehart doesn’t share all those wonderfully ‘normal’ things with us, but she never has, it’s a bit like comparing ourselves to people LIKE the Queen, or the son/daughter of any extremely wealthy person. They grow up in a vacuum, surrounded by bow-ers and scrape-ers who act on their every whim.
How could she ever have a functional family with children that support her? She’s never had a role model (mother), is an only child, was usurped by Rose Porteous for her father’s love plus all those failed marriages. I feel so sorry for the children, she’s locked them out of their trust until they are old people & now she won’t even talk to them. As far as the mines, she’s made squillions out of minerals taken out of OUR land and why shouldn’t she pay us tax? No-one could possibly believe her accountant doesn’t know (& use) all possible personal tax loopholes for her private income.
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All HOW many marriages, just two, and one ended in death. Are you thinking she would open up enough, to bring someone into her life?
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While I’m not a fan of Gina’s, just a couple of corrections to this post:
Unless Gina was dropped off by a stork, she did have a mother, Hope Margaret Nicholas, who died in 1983, aged 66. I don’t know how old Gina was at the time, I’d assume in her late 20s, or even her 30s?
She was married twice (as pointed out by another poster), not three times.
She does pay tax – lots of it – just not as much as many of us would like
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Love this article, too funny! Also love your new glamour pic, maybe your photographer could make Gina look ‘happy’?
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FANTASTIC article. So many laughs came out at the work computer, anyone unable to look on the bright side of life and have a laugh at this has gone wrong. Good work Kate!
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I can assure you that Gina isn’t paying 45% tax on her income … like 99.9% of other rich Australians …
But yes, her life doesn’t look very happy. How many billions do you need? I’ll be retiring as soon as I can buy one small Caribbean island …
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Gina needs a new wardrobe, new make up and hair style! All this money and she’s one unattractive lady. Money can’t buy you happiness and it sure as hell can’t buy you beauty!
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Is it really necessary to be unkind about how someone looks?
This comment is really not nice at all and is actually a poor reflection on you cheeky minx.
How would you feel if someone made this comment about you, or one of your children or someone you loved?
Be better than this cheekyminx. It is much easier to go through life being nice than being a nasty person.
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I agree, Jackson. If I was as rich as her, I’d just stick two fingers up at all the magazines who said I should get me a stylist (and then sack the editors responsible after I’d bought the magazines!).
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I couldn’t care less how Gina R looks – just that she’s not looking happy. Maybe she’s happy on the inside? Clive Palmer is no oil painting and is as mad as a cut snake – he too is doing some scary things in terms of resources – but he seems to be having a top time, ‘Hell, I’ll build me a NEW TITANIC!!!’ And his generosity is legendary. I think negative comment on anyones appearance is unkind and unnecessary – and personally, if I had Rinehart wealth, the last thing I’d be thinking about is haircuts and clothes.
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I know it’s wrong to judge people on their looks and politically incorrect but come on! We are all thinking it.
God, now I feel totally gagged so I’ll just say her outside beauty reflects her beauty within.
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Wrong wrong wrong on so many levels, and its not about political correctness. Just wrong.
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Very witty article. Love it.
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Judgemental, but I always look at her and feel with all that money she should take better care of herself. She looks like she’s going to die of a big ole heart attack before her time. Imagine the shit fight over her money then! Other than that, good on her for what she’s achieved and I feel sad that her children are at odds with her.
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Great article funny and in some of them sadly true…seems a few people below me need to lighten up a little…have a bex and a lie down will you..love it Kate..
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I knew I shouldn’t have read it. Simple and smug.
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I agree. I am no fan of Gina’s and if she ever got that Fairfax board seat I would never buy their papers again. I also think she is raping this country to slake her incredible thirst for money. However, this article is a little self satisfied for me and assumes that Gina’s life must be unhappy. I hardly think she’s lost sleep because she may never have served an icecream to a snotty nosed kid at the school tuck shop. Puh-lease.
Also it’s disappointing to see that basic fact checking wasn’t completed. Gina has been married twice, not three times. Her second husband died and she later described him as the finest person she had ever known. That does not sound like an unhappy marriage to me.
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Thanks for this comment. You restored my faith. My feelings have nothing to do with Gina, nor the author of this article. Sure it was written in a light hearted manner, but why do we all feel the need to compare ourselves to people, rich or otherwise. Is it not enough to be happy with our own lives, without feeling the need to compare and justify. There are positives and negatives in all scenarios, must we state the obvious?
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Of course, but it’s human nature to wonder about the lives of the rich and famous and has been forever – you’d have to be the buddha himself to be able to refrain from comparisons and curiosity in this age of celebrity!
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I agree, of course it is human nature, however it doesn’t need to be portrayed in a smug article, using an easy target in the process. We also don’t need to subscribe that only a deity is able to live a self fulfilling existence without nasty/smug/condescending comparisons.
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Love it – good humoured article that I think is being mistaken as a jibe. Relax everyone – it is Friday and I’m sure Gina is all for a bit of fun. I’m not going to assume but I presume that Kate is just trying to say, she gets to enjoy some of the more simple things in life and that when you are super rich, perhaps you don’t. I really hope, despite the public nature of her life, Gina gets to have some fun – we all deserve that.
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I don’t understand her reluctance to give her children money. Hell, would she miss it?!! And anyway, wasn’t it her father that left the trust fund to the grandchildren?
Rinehart makes billions from resources found in the ground of the country I live. Sure, her family found the hole but I can’t help but think some of that money should be coming back to the taxpayer. Pay up Hancock Mining!
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She should be very thankful to her father.
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I think she is thankful to her father, who she obviously worshipped and wanted to make proud of her. And look what she did with the $70 million industry he left her- she’s clearly good at her job and isn’t afraid of hard work, whatever other failings she has.
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wow…what a terrific piece, loved it thanks Kate! I actually don’t envy Gina’s life, and feel sorry for her. Her life would be hard with all that media attention. Money doesn’t make you happy and that’s for sure!
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There’s been a number of comments regarding gender bashing, saying that if Gina were a man, no such commentary would be tolerated.
I quite agree. However the critcism of Mrs Rinehart has never been about gender. It’s been about power, or rather abuse of power. Gender is simply part of who she is, that’s all.
I feel very sorry for her and would never want the upbringing and life she has had. Imagine it – an all-powerful father, who she clearly adored, but with no other levelling influence.
Like all children of powerful men, she has been cast in the same mold and expected to make something not just of themselves but something that emulates their old man. You see it time and again in all dynastic families. Heaven help the child that turns away from that life or worse, tries to emulate their parents but fails to live up to the hype.
Without the influence of close friends, grounded, down to earth people, what chance does she have of living a so-called normal life? She’s simply not used to the word No and compounded with a lack of honest feedback in her life, she’s now verging on sociopathic. She trusts no-one.
And that doesn’t make her hateful on the basis of gender, that makes me very sad that she had no other chance at a decent life and angry that as a country, we must all pay for the consequences of that learnt and ingrained behaviour.
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Agree. I seriously question the morality and sociopathic tendencies of anyone who has no relationship with three of her children because of a fight over money. (spare me the dinner party comment – i would say exactly the same to her face)
In my opinion, this person is doing enormous damage to our nation, and has the potential to do a lot more.
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It will be interesting to see how her children end up. I remember reading that there’s a pattern in some rich families.
The 1st generation makes the money, the 2nd generation consolidates the wealth and the 3rd generation is often the one to squander the wealth.
That said I’d love enough money to not worry about finances again, but realistically you can’t take it with you.
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Kate Hunter, I love you. You just made my friday!
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Oh and also… how sad that Gina Rinehardt misses out on life’s biggest thrill: finding a $10 note in your jacket pocket that you’d forgotten about!
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Yes! I love it when that happens
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You can therefore imagine how big a fist pump I did last week when I pulled a $50 note out of my jeans- good times
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I too saw the court battles with Gina Rinehardt unfolding and felt so sad, imagine having all that money but not even speaking to your own son… seems like the ultimate paradox if you ask me.
I’m grateful for so many things I could go on all day… I’m grateful for the afternoon chats and cuppas with my grandparents, and the wisdom they’ve given me… I’m grateful for the silly bickering between me and my mum and the times her pragmatic logic snaps me out of my self pity… I’m grateful for the stupid jokes me and my boyfriend have with each other and the days we can sleep in all morning… I’m grateful for the days spent dancing and laughing with my best friends… I’m grateful for the sunny days I can spend walking my ridiculous dog through the park and watching her freak out like it’s the first time she’s ever seen the pond there… Afternoons galloping on my horse… I’m grateful for the MOST AMAZING FEELING which is volunteering my time with Make a Wish, the Aus Refugee Association & Rotaract and feeling like I’ve made a positive impact on others. Damn it I’m grateful for a good cup of tea, even if I did pay for it!
I would never trade places with Gina Rinehardt!
PS, mamamia for some reason I’m having troubles with your comment box – the page keeps refreshing and I lose little bits of the text. At first I thought it was my computer but no other pages are doing it – might just be my computer having a meltdown! It does strange things! (NOT GRATEFUL FOR THAT)
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I think Gina likes working just like Mia who wrote an article about loving her work recently. You may not agree with Gina’s beliefs and that’s fine but I am getting sick of people bashing her. There are many Aussie business men like those in the photos who have made ruthless deals and I don’t see them copping the criticism that she does. I don’t agree with how she operates but I don’t think she deserves the vitriol, and at the risk of getting slammed on here I cannot help but wonder if people would respond more kindly to Gina if she was slimmer, prettier, took more care of her apearance with her hair, make up and clothes? She shouldn’t need to but I bet women would like her more which is shallow.
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Hey Away from Aus, Neither I, nor any of the commenters so far have said anything about Gina R’s appearance – other than she doesn’t look very happy.
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Hey Kate just to clarify my wondering if people would respond more kindly to Gina if her appearance improved wasn’t suggesting that you or any commentators had said it, it was just people in general. Having said that I note 2 comments above have mentioned her appearance. Suffice to say I agree with your article as I am certain your life is richer than hers.
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I misunderstood you – you make a good point, AwayfromAus
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I think the vitriol would be worse if she was prettier.
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I really smiled at this article.
I dont think its being mean to Gina – its highlighting all the simple things that come with not being a billionaire.
I did laugh out loud at the ALDI remark – its hard not to get caught up in the excitement (& crush!) of a well found bargain!!!
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BRAVO…. !!! to Point 10
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So if Gina dies tomorrow, where does all the moola go? To the 1 and only daughter talking to her? Just wondering, not at all wishing her a premature death. I am quite fascinated by her really. She is a very private person, I would love to see Denton interview her…..or Shaun Micallef. Probably Shaun more so.
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One reason why I’m richer than Gina: when I want to buy a newspaper, all I need to do is go to a milkbar/newsagent/supermarket.
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Love it!
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Thanks for the light-hearted giggle, Kate
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Why do so many people hate on Gina ?
Sounds like a touch of the green eyed monster !! She isn’t doing anything illegal !!
If she was a man, she’d be viewed differently.
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I htink it is the entirety of her story that people are interested in (her family, the values she has displayed in her many numerous legal battles) and that’s why she is getting the attention. No jealousy here!
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I can’t see the point in having lots of money unless you’re happy. And of course, Gina R could well be very happy. I don’t know her, she might be delirious – she just doesn’t appear that way. I’m envious of people who make shiploads of money doing what they love – there are plenty of them. Oprah Winfrey seems happy. JK Rowling – on top of the world. Steve Jobs appeared to get an almighty thrill out of what he did and Bill Gates seems to be relishing his post Microsoft career of philanthropy. Even the Murdochs and the Packers seem to have some kind of family synergy happening. As Bern says below, surely you have to get to a point where enough’s enough and it would be more satisfying to give some away than to fight so hard to protect it.
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I agree. I do some consulting work for the Waterhouses and I love that they are all about their family. We were talking at our last meeting how babies are boring (I have a 6 month old that comes along and usually sleeps through our meetings) and Rob said how Tom is really interesting as an adult and how kids just get more fascinating as they grow up into grownups.
Now, back to work while they enjoy Kate’s wedding – the pictures today reminded me of just how MUCH I need to get done before Rob gets back. Ahhhh….
Oh, and yah for ponies. I was pony obsessed and now work in the Thoroughbred industry, which is very family friendly and full of great people.
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Gina has probably never had that fist-pump moment in Aldi because we don’t have Aldi stores in WA… and from the documentaries I’ve seen she prefers the heat and warmth of the Pilbara to colder climates….
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Sorry but I read this story with a touch of sadness for what Mamamia has become. Let’s poke fun at Australia’s richest woman. Can’t see any articles on here poking fun at the rich men… When you want gender equality, equal pay, cheaper childcare and everything else it doesn’t make sense to me to poke fun at someone who is – let’s face it – leading the way for women in Australia. No one knows this woman – how she works, what she does for her family, community etc. I just find it incredibly disappointing that you publish stuff like this.
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I think the point is we are all constantly bombarded with the information about ‘what she does for her family, community’ etc. She/ her legal battles/ ‘the way she works’ has/have been the most prominient story (asylum seeker tragedies perhaps excepted) in the Australian media for weeks. I agree that Kate’s loving relationships with her family and children make her far richer than Gina.
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“someone who is – let’s face it – leading the way for women in Australia”
She is? Okay, can I now inherit make billions of dollars after inheriting billions of dollars?
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Maybe it’s just me but I didn’t sense anything that was gender specific in this piece?
[Dads do bake cakes for schools and buy parkas too].
if you dig very deep you might find something you are sem to be looking for but I don’t think that’s the point of the article at all. MM is a safe and supportive place for females but not a patronising plce either.
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Well said Anita
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Lol @ the Aldi ski stuff. My best friend told me that someone PASSED out at their local Aldi, such was crush for ski gear. All we could find here were neck warmers so I see how that was totally a fist pump moment.
As for Gina, what I don’t get is when is enough enough? I mean, if she just sits back from here on in, she’s still pretty much set to become the richest person in the world. If she gets what she wants by buying up the media and then potentially swaying said media so she can buy MORE land and operate MORE mines and make even MORE money, then what? I’d get it if she was striving for such riches so she could ultimately improve the lives of others that aren’t so fortunate. Education, Mental Health, Aged Care, cancer research etc etc. I’d get that kind of drive. And perhaps, secretly she does, hopefully she does.
The love of family and friends is vitally important. It’s part of the person you were, the person you are and the person you are about to become. After watching my Mum die surrounded by the people she loved, I can tell you, whether she was a rich or poor person was irrelevant. She was loved unconditionally.
Now that’s what I consider being the richest person the world.
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Some people have the drive to get to a place like Gina, some don’t. That doesn’t mean that they don’t value family/friends.
I think we should celebrate that she has worked so hard to keep up and then expand on her fathers legacy, she is one in a million because most people couldn’t have done that. She’s had the misfortune of having children that feel entitled to wealth and if the company was left in their hands, would likely fall apart. Many people would lose their jobs.
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“children that feel entitled to wealth ”
I thought that under their grandfather’s will, they *were* entitled?
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Nobody knows Gina’s personal life, she is a very private person. For all the public know she could actually be very fulfilled, happy and challenged by her pursuits. Judging the ‘richness’ of her life & relationships from a distance is a bit shallow I think. I congratulate you on enjoying your life and am glad you can enjoy the everyday challenges and wins, I also can respect and admire Gina’s achievements and hope there comes a time when we don’t have to judge and compare ourselves so easily and with such little insight.
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I think it was supposed to be a bit of a light-hearted giggle, Beck, not an in depth personality profile.
Gina is an impressive woman who has achieved a great deal, but does she get the same incredible thrill I do when I find a $50 note in a handbag or pair of jeans? I doubt it! Winning
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Yes and I’m sure she gives more to charity than people give her credit for – like Andrew Forrest she doesn’t feel the need to wave it in everyone’s faces
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But we don’t know that at all, do we?
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I totally agree Beck – but I agree with Elise that this was just a light hearted article – more about the writer than the subject.
I – personally – shrug my shoulders when someone asks me about Gina. I work in the media so am the last person to belive that what is portrayed is the truth and generally avoid anyting peronsal about her.
I can see objectively that she’s unhealthily overweight, she’s fighting with members of her family and she’s on the front page of the news a lot. none of those factors contribute to contentness but we really do not – and most likely never will – know what’s going on in her head personally.
and unless she wants us to – nor should we.
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I just sent this to the team who do the ski stuff – they will be thrilled!!
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Can you ask if they can find me a pair of boys snowboarding pants, size 10? Prefer blue
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Ha! If *I* could find them, I wouldn’t be sharing! They’re a precious commodity….
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Oh I love this (and loving your writing Kate, it’s like you are in my head!!)
I know I’m richer than Gina R because right this instant, no-one wants to talk to me. I’m sitting here in utter silence – thats a luxury that I bet she doesn’t get very often.
Also, both my kids (currently) like me. Thats gotta be a good thing
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11. No secret half sisters to come knocking at your door or going to the press about days gone by. x
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You fell for fabric protection? Seriously they are charge about $150 to just spray a $5 can of Scotchuard onto your car seats. No wonder you got a good deal because you fell for the “protection” deal which is a big joke. Sorry to sound nasty but in future avoid the “Ming Mole” (Google it) as you are being ripped off and is pure dealer profit.
I agree money may buy you this (and perhaps less stress about bills) but it doesn’t buy true happiness. I bet Gina doesn’t have the joy of cooking a new complicated dish for the first time and having her of half (one of three) complimenting her on the great job she did.
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Just googled Ming Mole. What a horrid name!
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There can never be enough words written by Kate Hunter.
Fabulous yet again!
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To me this article isn’t very nice. You’re making a lot of assumptions and I don’t think that’s fair on Gina.
Having said that, I think some of the assumptions are likely to be spot on
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Thank you, thank you, thank you this post realize that i am happy with my life and in a way i really do feel sorry for Gina
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