Melbourne rich lister threatens to take feud with Australia's most exclusive day spa to court over racism claims
Earlier this month, Christopher declared war on Saint Haven - the members-only wellness clinic owned by rich lister Tim Gurner.
It all began when Christopher went public with a strongly worded complaint against Saint Haven, claiming a staff member spoke to his elderly mother in a 'condescending' tone during her visit to the spa.
Speaking to the Herald Sun, Christopher alleged that his mother was also racially targeted for holding her phone at the club.
He claims that, since news of the feud broke, he had also been contacted by members and ex Saint Haven staff members, claiming they had been racially profiled and targeted by the exclusive club.
He told the publication that he was prepared to take legal action on behalf of the alleged victims, adding many were scared to come forward.
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
'This isn't just about me - it's about systemic elitist racism imbedded in institutions that pretend to champion wellness and inclusivity but act very differently behind closed doors. All Australians deserve better,' he said.
Christopher, who met with Saint Haven executives earlier this month, added that he felt that the way his concerns were handled by club management had been 'dismissive' and 'offensive'.
'Since speaking out a significant number of former Saint Haven staff have contacted me to share their own experiences of the club's toxic internal culture, it's clearly not an isolated issue,' he said.
'They don't necessarily have money to back it up and, you know, these people have lawyers and legal teams. They are too scared to speak up.'
He added that his membership to the club, which costs $499 per week, had been suspended while an internal investigation took place.
The publication reported that an internal memo to staff and members was sent by Gurner Group CEO Ahmed and Group CEO of Wellness Hotels and Hospitality Peter Crinis, about the matter.
The memo said that after an internal review, 'no wrongdoing has been identified on the part of our team.'
Speaking to the Herald Sun , Christopher alleged that his mother was also racially targeted for holding her phone at the club and has since been contacted by fellow members and ex-staff members alleging the same
It also reiterated Saint Haven's 'zero tolerance' for racism and discrimination.
It comes after Christopher claimed that his mother had apparently received a stern talking-to for carrying her phone into the bathhouse area at the private members club.
Saint Haven emphasises a device-free environment to better allow its well-heeled clientele to unwind and recharge.
But Christopher claims this rule is widely ignored, including by staff, and believes his mother was singled out.
'How ironic that you're enforcing no phones in the bathhouse but your staff is walking around carrying electronics?' he wrote in a furious email to spa management, which he reposted on Instagram.
'A staff [member] is telling my mum off for carrying her phone in the bathhouse and said, "I will let you off this time and don't do it again," in a very condescending way like a school teacher telling off a student.'
Christopher described the no-phone policy as a 'joke' given that there are at least five people using phones or wearing earbuds whenever he visits the venue.
A clinic staff member responded via email to Shao - which he also shared publicly - and admitted the no-phone rule was an ongoing challenge for management.
'It is common practice for us to issue reminders about phone usage in the bathhouse to maintain a relaxing and respectful atmosphere for all,' they began.
'We strive to maintain a phone-free zone, though it can be an ongoing challenge, and we do our best each day to enforce this policy.'
Saint Haven is said to have a jaw-dropping wait list of 15,000 people.
The ritzy spa, which has three locations in Collingwood, South Yarra and Toorak and is opening its first Sydney venue in Bondi in Spring 2026, is owned by the controversial property developer Tim Gurner.
The exclusive club offers a range of wellness and anti-ageing treatments including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, IV drips and mineral-infused osmosis water from its 'Fountain of Youth'.
Jackson Warne, the son of cricketing icon Shane Warne is also an ambassador for the club, revealing the surprising career move in October last year.
Tim Gurner is one of Australia's richest men with an estimated fortune of $990million.
Little is known about young property mogul Shao; however, it is understood he sold his Melbourne penthouse in recent years for close to $15million.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
40 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Wild moment gang of car hoons shuts down one of Australia's busiest nightclub precincts - as crowds out for dinner are choked in tyre smoke
The 'reckless and irresponsible' drivers who swarmed a popular nightclub strip, causing chaos and forcing traffic diversions overnight, are being sought by police. Large crowds gathered on Chapel Street in Melbourne 's inner east from 7pm on Saturday, prompting a significant police presence. The event is believed to have been organised through a public Facebook group, where more than 5000 people had expressed interest in attending. A hospitality worker on shift when the crowd descended said that hundreds of people had packed into the streets. Inspector Georgie Swinton confirmed an operation to address the event was put into action, with multiple traffic diversions implemented to ensure pedestrian safety. Chapel Street is a renowned dining and entertainment precinct, attracting thousands of visitors each week. However, the strip has also been the scene of repeated criminal activity, including firebombings, brawls, stabbings, and more recently, hooning. Footage circulating on social media, and referenced by police, shows drivers performing burnouts. Another video shows people jumping onto a moving tow truck. Insp Swinton described the behaviour as 'reckless and irresponsible'. 'A number of drivers engaged in dangerous driving and we will find those drivers,' she told reporters on Sunday. 'There's footage of one particular driver doing fairly reasonable burnouts. We will identity him, he will be charged and his car will be impounded.' No arrests were made, although defect notices were handed out to several drivers for modified vehicles. Police confirmed there was an influx of calls for assistance, mostly for the loud noise of cars participating in the planned meet. Housing and Building Minister Harriet Shing said the behaviour of the hoon drivers as 'absolutely disgraceful'. 'Safety for people in and around our roads is of paramount importance and anybody who thinks that they can go out and live in such a cavalier fashion should be absolutely condemned,' she told reporters on Sunday. Police have been cracking down on crime at the popular shopping strip, with almost 130 people arrested this year. The City of Stonnington has recently endorsed a new plan for Chapel Street, aimed at enhancing public safety, improving cleanliness, and boosting business and community confidence through a targeted program of actions.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Wayne Carey appears unbothered as he's seen for the first time since THAT bathroom video went viral on whirlwind trip to Sydney - after the woman in the controversial clip went public
Wayne Carey has surfaced amid controversy after a video showing him leaving a Melbourne wine bar toilet went viral last week. The AFL legend took a very brief trip to Sydney, jetting in from Melbourne on Thursday and flying home again on Saturday. The 54-year-old looked surprisingly relaxed and unbothered as he made his way through Sydney Airport, cracking a smile as he chatted on a mobile phone. Carey was dressed warmly for the chilly winter weather in a short black jacket over a dress shirt and white tee. He added a pair of casual blue jeans and brown books, while carrying a messenger bag over his shoulder. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The AFL legend took a very brief trip to Sydney , jetting in from Melbourne on Thursday and flying home again on Saturday The 54-year-old looked surprisingly relaxed and unbothered as he made his way through Sydney Airport, cracking a smile as he chatted on a mobile phone The footballer wheeled along a small carry on case, which appeared to be the only luggage he took for the quick trip. Carey was back at the airport by Saturday, checking in to his flight hone to Melbourne. He had on largely the same outfit he'd worn days prior, changing to a black T-shirt from a white one, indicating he that he had packed light. The sighting comes after the woman at the centre of a viral video with Carey has hit out at those who filmed her and revealed that she's suffered 'immense distress '. Kate Aston, 38, a Melbourne marketing and communications executive, has described the dissemination of the clip as 'a deliberate act of bullying'. Aston posted a lengthy statement to Instagram Stories on Thursday, revealing that she had initially chosen to remain silent to protect her professional reputation and her mental health, but has come forward to hold those who released the video to account - and set the record straight. 'Overnight, from footage of me simply exiting a toilet at a bar, I've had my life turned upside down,' she wrote. 'What has happened to me could happen to anyone, and no one should have to go through what I have been put through – the damage, the speculation, the impact on my livelihood, all from the malicious actions of a small few.' Aston says that she fears the impact the video will have on her future, her career - and even her personal relationships. 'At a time when I am navigating my next career move and visibility matters, the personal and professional toll has been immense,' she said. 'Who would want to employ me, date me, be associated with me? What's left now that this has all happened to me?' The executive indicated she would be taking legal action over the matter. 'Whilst it's only been a matter of days since this incident unfolded, there has been immeasurable damage to my reputation, and my ability to lead a normal life has been adversely affected,' she said. 'These women and others who've provided hateful commentary have put into jeopardy my reputation, and so I've been left with no choice but to try to protect it. 'Two women not known to me have turned my life upside down and I have to set the record straight.' On Wednesday, footy great Wayne had confessed that he is the man shown in a viral video that allegedly featured a man and woman emerging from a bathroom in a trendy Melbourne bar. The North Melbourne premiership winner said he has contacted Victoria Police in an effort to have the people who filmed and distributed the video held accountable for their actions. The footage, which was taken at the Toorak Cellars bar in Armadale in the city's inner south-east, shows Carey and the unnamed woman walking into view around 20 seconds apart. A female voice is heard saying 'we've got you on camera' as the woman walks past, before asking 'What's he doing in there?' and remarking, 'She looks embarrassed.' Carey and the woman depicted in the clip have lashed out over the video, with the ex-AFL star branding it 's**t shaming' and cyberbullying, and both parties insisting there was no 'tryst' in the toilets. 'Annoyed is the wrong word, I've gone through about 10 different emotions in the last three days,' he said on Sam Newman's You Cannot Be Serious podcast. 'I've gone through disbelief, sadness, I've gone through anger. 'This woman has been thrown into this just because I could kick a footy. 'And you've got two vile, disturbing, probably p**sed women who want to do this to another woman.'
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Neighbour from hell terrorises one of Australia's most exclusive suburbs after a noise complaint was made against him
A social housing tenant left neighbours terrified after blasting Hitler speeches and threatening passersby with a replica shotgun. Andrew Cambouris, 56, terrorised his neighbours from his home in Manly, on Sydney 's Northern Beaches. Cambouris spent 10 years living at the Bridge Housing accommodation on Pittwater Road before his apparent meltdown in early May. The spiral began when a noise complaint was made against Cambouris after he played loud music. The 56-year-old assumed a neighbour living across the road was responsible and set about making his life hell. 'My wife and son and I are exiting the property a couple of days later, he started shouting threats, "I'm gonna get you, I'm gonna stab youse",' the neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous, told News Corp. The neighbour's wife came home by herself that night and Cambouris continued his threats. However, the family initially wanted to avoid contacting police for fear of further aggravating him. Cambouris' aggression continued to grow on May 16 when the neighbour and his son began setting up a CCTV camera outside their home. The neighbour recalled Cambouris 'screaming threats' while holding what appeared to be a shotgun, which was later found to be fake. The neighbour filmed as Cambouris yelled: 'Ah film me, f*** you, get f***ed. You wanna die? I'll f***ing kill you, f***wit.' Police received the video and a formal statement from the neighbour and Cambouris was arrested. He was charged with weapon offences as, under NSW, crimes with replication or imitation firearms carry similar penalties to those with real firearms. Possessing a fake gun without a permit could result in a maximum of 14 years behind bars. Cambouris was released on bail several days later under strict conditions. Those included undergoing mandatory breathalyser checks and not crossing the road towards the neighbour or his family. While the neighbour felt uneasy about Cambouris' return, he expected the 56-year-old would 'quieten down'. However, his rants took a frightening new turn on May 25. Disturbing footage showed Cambouris hurling anti-Semitic abuse from his balcony, despite the neighbour not being Jewish. 'Heil Hitler! Heil Hitler! Heil Hitler! Heil Hitler! Kill all the Jews, ya f**king c***s!' he was heard yelling. The neighbour filmed the incident and called police but officers were unable to reach Cambouris as he'd barricaded himself inside his home. 'They said, "Look, there's not much we can do, he won't come to the door and we can't get access" and then left. That spurred him on even more,' the neighbour said. Cambouris later played audio from a Hitler speech at a Nuremberg rally, announced himself as the 'Antichrist', and called methamphetamine a 'cure'. 'Do you know the Nazis almost won World War II?' Cambouris yelled during one rant. 'Methamphetamine is the answer! But you must use it and not abuse it, or it will kill you. Paranoia will destroy ya!' The neighbour enlisted the help of criminal barrister Peter Lavac on June 6 after Cambouris crossed the street towards him. Mr Lavac attended Dee Why Police Station with the neighbour on June 9 and Cambouris was arrested the same day about 6.30pm. He was charged with breach of bail and fronted Manly Local Court on June 11. Cambouris pleaded guilty to the weapons charge and was remanded in custody. He faced the same court again on July 9 and pleaded guilty to several other offences, including intimidating and assaulting police. Cambouris will be sentenced on August 20. However, the neighbour and his family are frightened of what will happen after Cambouris is sentenced. 'My daughter was too terrified to come over. I had a cricket bat inside the door, we left [the house] as a family unit, we were genuinely in fear of our lives,' he said. In order for Cambouris to be evicted from Bridge Housing, the charity must submit a request to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Proceedings with the tribunal have begun and the case is listed for July 30.
