They say Christmas is for family and Boxing Day is for friends.
And there’s no better place to see and be seen on December 26 than the famous annual party hosted by the famous Anthony Bell at his $10.3 million waterfront mansion in Noosaville.
Our exclusive photos from Thursday’s party show plenty of shakers and shakers clinking glasses of ice-cold Aperol Spritz under the hot Queensland sun.
The most notable guest was Today show host and Noosa holiday home owner Karl Stefanovic, who brought his model daughter Willow and her Argentinian boyfriend Genaro Abdala Garcia, whose back-slapping ability with Karl proves that It’s part of the family.
But there was a notable absence.
The money man’s former best friend, Michael Clarke, was nowhere to be found at the party. Following his previous absence from Bell’s star-studded wedding to wife Annika Martyn, it’s fair to say relations between the two men have broken down irreparably.
Celebrity accountant Anthony Bell and his wife Annika Martyn hosted a Boxing Day party at their Noosaville mansion last week.
The most notable guest was Today show host Karl Stefanovic (left), who brought with him his model daughter Willow (right) and her Argentinian boyfriend Genaro Abdala GarcÃa (left), whose ease with petting Karl proves that he is part of the family.
Anthony and Michael’s years-long friendship became strained after the retired Australian cricket captain was filmed having a heated exchange with his ex-girlfriend Jade Yarbrough outside a restaurant in Noosa in January 2023.
In the footage, filmed by a bystander, Jade tearfully accuses Michael of sleeping with his ex-girlfriend, fashion designer Pip Edwards, behind her back. Michael protested his innocence and swore on his daughter’s life that he never did it, while Karl, Jade’s brother-in-law and Michael’s friend, tried to stop the fight.
It was a public relations disaster that ‘Pup’ will never forget, and it appears to have cost him his friendship with both Karl and Anthony, who was also his business partner.
The split between Clarke and Bell became public in March, when Michael signed with another management company. Around that time he also sold his share of the $15 million superyacht Ghost, which the couple had co-owned since 2022.
Months later, Anthony returned to duty with a statement to the press that made it clear that the end of their business relationship was directly related to their personal dispute.
“The events of 2023 have taken a toll on my friendship and Michael, which has naturally made it impossible to maintain a business relationship,” he said.
“We wish Michael all the best in his future.”
Despite the breakdown of his friendship with Michael, Anthony clearly still gets on well with the sportsman’s ex-girlfriend Jade, who attended his Boxing Day party with her sister Jasmine.
There was one notable absence: Bell’s former friend Michael Clarke (pictured) was not at the party. Following their previous absence from Bell’s wedding in November, it’s fair to say that the relationships between once-inseparable best friends have broken down irreparably.
Tellingly, Michael’s ex-girlfriend, Jade Yarbrough (circled), was at the party. Here she is seen chatting with her brother-in-law Karl.
Karl’s daughter Willow looked stylish in yellow shorts and a matching top as she spent time with her boyfriend Genaro.
Karl’s wife, Jasmine (center right), watched their four-year-old daughter Harper play in the sand.
Jasmine was seen enjoying a cocktail while soaking up the warm Queensland sun.
Willow and Genaro hugged during a romantic moment at the party
Jade, who is now dating property developer Paul Gedoun, looked happy and relaxed as she mingled with other well-known guests within Bell’s social orbit.
His brother-in-law Karl was also seen enjoying a drink with Anthony and his wife Annika, who dressed to impress in an orange minidress and a pair of Valentino wedges.
Jasmine also looked chic in a floral mini dress as she kept a close eye on her four-year-old daughter Harper, who went missing from the couple’s Noosa home several days before Christmas and was found sleeping under a chair.
The party comes after Anthony and Annika tied the knot near Noosa last month.
Their nuptials took place on the Sunshine Coast at Yandina Station, a working cattle ranch converted into a luxury estate set on 14 acres of rural property, with panoramic views of Mount Coolum.
After saying “I do,” the newlyweds entertained their guests at a reception held at the venue’s historic Dairy Barn.
“It was a beautiful ceremony and reception,” said one guest. “You could really feel the love in the room.”
The newlyweds’ children dressed to match them, with Ryder wearing a black and white suit and Bell’s daughters sporting elegant black minidresses with cream bows.
Annika chose a simple halter neck wedding dress and paired it with a long beaded veil.
Annika shares four-year-old daughter Taylor and 16-year-old son Ryder with her ex-husband, cricketer Damien Martin.
As for Bell, the businessman was previously married to Getaway host Kelly Landry. Landry and Bell share two daughters, Charlize, 11, and Thea, eight.
The couple confirmed their engagement in May 2024, after making their first public appearance at Melbourne’s Derby Day in November 2023.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at the star-studded event, Bell said of their new romance: “We’ve been racing together for a few months… but (Derby Day) is our first public outing.” Great, we chose a nice and quiet event.’
Rumors about the couple’s relationship emerged in September 2023 after Annika shared several snaps enjoying Bell’s superyacht in the south of France.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Annika is the director of Goop Gang, a weight loss program for women.