Australia’s richest man Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest has thrown a wild desert party to mark the 20th anniversary of his mining company, complete with a private Jimmy Barnes concert and extravagant drone light show.
Mr Forrest — who is Australia’s richest man with a net worth of about $35.21 billion — spent Saturday night celebrating in style at Fortescue Metals Group’s Solomon mine in Western Australia’s Pilbara.
He was joined by 700 VIP guests, several of whom where flown to the party on charter flights.
Mr Forrest arrived at the party on a mining truck while waving a large company flag, alongside The Bachelor star and former Wallaby rugby player Nick ‘The Honey Badger’ Cummins, as AC/DC’s hit ‘Thunderstruck’ blasted from speakers.
VIP guests, including TV presenter Eddie Maguire, Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, billionaire Alex Waislitz, Harris Farm founder Catherine Harris and fast-food mogul Jack Cowin, were later treated to a performance by Aussie rock legend Jimmy Barnes, who belted out his hit song ‘Working Class Man’.
According to the Australian Financial Review, Coldplay were originally in talks to play at the event, but Mr Forrest did not agree to their $10 million fee.
Photos shared on social media, show guests were also treated to an “oyster station” and a drone light show, during which an image of the globe and the number 20 lit up the desert sky to mark the mining company’s anniversary.
Guests were also provided with goodie bags upon arrival, which included a notebook, a wireless phone charger, a drink bottle and slippers.
Mr Forrest’s estranged wife Nicola, whom he announced his separation from last month, did not attend the event, nor did two of the couple’s children.
Ms Forrest instead opted to record a video message, which was broadcast to guests on large outdoor screens.
Recorded video messages were also sent in from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, former prime minsters Malcolm Turnbull, John Howard and Kevin Rudd, as well as former UK prime minister Boris Johnson, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Kiss frontman Gene Simmons.
“I hope you all have a great night thinking about the contribution that Fortescue has made to Australia’s economy,” Mr Albanese said in his recorded message, according to The West Australian.
“All of those jobs being created, all of that economic activity, and with a green future, I’m certain that Fortescue’s future will be even brighter going forward.”
During the event, Mr Forrest took time to reflect on the toll his company’s success has taken on his family over the last 20 years, recalling a time Ms Forrest suffered a miscarriage during a roadshow.
“I remember travelling with Nicola in our first early roadshows and we actually miscarried a child on that roadshow. It was really tough, and we just had to soldier on or the capital raising would not have occurred,” the billionaire said, according to The Australian.
“I remember the early days, Sophia, Gracie and Sid, just kind of putting up with a dad who was hardly ever there yet still not throwing at me the resentment which children can, but welcomed me warmly back. And I remember in particular, the hugs and the kisses and the joy even though their dad had missed out on such a chunk of their childhood.”
The 20th anniversary event was held just two days before Fortescue Metals Group announced CEO Fiona Hick was leaving the company, less than six months after starting the role.
In a statement on Monday, Fortescue said Hick made a joint decision with the board, describing the departure as “friendly and mutual”.