Fantauzzo Gallery Shuts Its Doors After 16 Months in South Yarra
When Vincent Fantauzzo opened his eponymous gallery on Chapel Street in February 2025, the launch night read like a who’s‑who of Melbourne’s cultural and business elite. Attendees included AFL chief Gillon McLachlan, music mogul Sue Gudinski, comedian Mary Coustas, chef Shane Delia, former minister Martin Pakula, artist David Bromley, the late Neale Daniher, Eddie McGuire, Darcy Moore, Kim Ledger (father of Heath Ledger), and Fantauzzo’s wife, award‑winning actor Asher Keddie. The event was also graced by Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch, who described it as “the hottest ticket in town.”
Larry Kestelman, the billionaire entrepreneur who co‑founded the venture with Fantauzzo, told the press that night, “You get to a certain point in your life where art meets business and the magic happens. This space is just the beginning; it will be here for many, many years to come.”
Just 16 months later, in June 2026, the gallery’s doors closed abruptly. A post on the Fantauzzo Gallery Instagram account read, “Thank you, South Yarra. Fantauzzo Gallery is now closed. We are grateful for every visitor, collector and moment shared,” followed by an email address for those wishing to follow the artist’s future work.
Industry sources indicate the closure resulted from the lease reaching its natural end and not being renewed. Fantauzzo and Kestelman remain business partners and are reportedly scouting a new studio space for the artist’s continued practice.
Royal Ascot: Australian Racing Diplomacy in Action
While the Melbourne art scene was saying goodbye to a boutique gallery, Australian racing officials were making their mark at Royal Ascot. Victoria Racing Club chief executive Kylie Rogers undertook a four‑day trip to London, attending two days of the high‑society carnival. Rogers noted that she and VRC chairman Neil Wilson were guests of insurance firm Howden, which holds the naming rights to the Victoria Derby Day and is a principal partner of Ascot.
The following day, Rogers met Felicity Barnard, chief executive of Ascot, and watched her own horse, Furthur, compete in the Gold Cup. Although Furthur finished 10th at 100/1 in the Group 1 4014‑metre marathon, Rogers described the experience as “wonderful.” The horse is co‑owned by Rogers, SEN boss Craig Hutchison (who missed Ascot for the US soccer World Cup), and syndicator Lizzie Jelfs.
Neil Wilson and his wife Stephanie also enjoyed royal hospitality, lunching with King Charles at Windsor Castle on the carnival’s final day and arriving at the racecourse in the traditional royal carriage procession. The presence of Melbourne‑born opera singer Danielle de Niese in that procession highlighted the strong Australian contingent at the event.
Mining Lobby Pushes Back on Diesel Fuel Rebate Debate
Meanwhile, the nation’s peak mining body has entered the fray over the federal diesel fuel rebate. Minerals Council of Australia chief Tania Constable and National Farmers’ Federation chief executive Michael Guerin launched a “Hands Off Our Fuel” campaign, arguing against proposals to cap or cut the rebate.
The rebate returns roughly $11 billion annually to Australian businesses, a significant portion of which flows to large mining operations. In an April 14 letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Fortescue Metals Group chairman Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest urged a $50 million cap on the rebate before the budget, noting that the current scheme refunds billions to major miners each year. The proposal was not adopted in the most recent budget, a point confirmed by Energy Minister Chris Bowen.
While Forrest’s Fortescue is not a listed member of the Minerals Council, the council’s recent media release appeared to target his advocacy without naming him directly. Observers note that tensions between Forrest’s push for reform and the broader mining lobby’s defence of the rebate are likely to continue as the Labor Party prepares for its national conference in Adelaide, where internal support for rebate reform is growing.
For further reading on the Fantauzzo Gallery story, see the original coverage Here.
