“CONFIDENTIAL’S” heard that a large group of prominent businessmen gathered at one of Canberra’s finest restaurants recently.

The invitation-only function, held at Sage, was apparently attended by the “Who’s Who” of Canberra and included former chief minister Jon Stanhope, ActewAGL chairman John Mackay, PwC’s Terry Weber and NZ International Cricket team’s former all-rounder Chris Cairns.

And while “Confidential” can’t confirm if any “secret handshakes” were involved, the group apparently devoured an exquisite meal prepared by the restaurant’s French chef Clement Chauvin.

Oh, to have been a fly on the wall that night! No doubt they were discussing more than just what was on the menu!

Cinema stars in refurb

GREATER Union Cinemas Manuka is set for a major refurb. And “Confidential’s” heard that once complete, the ground floor will be unrecognisable.

Apparently, the plans include a complete transformation of the foyer to include new carpet, a new candy bar and a cafe.

Originally the site of the Capitol Theatre, which opened in 1927, the cinemas were built after the original building was controversially bulldozed in 1980.

Word has it the long-overdue renovations could start as early as December this year.

Footy fan, Barr none

ACT Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr’s reportedly been displaying a competitive streak lately.

The keen AFL supporter played hard on the field in a Pollie v Media match at the AFL 9s recently. The new nine-a-side version of Australian football is promoted as “the game anyone can play”.

But if the sport minister’s recent verbal stoush is anything to go by, he might just disagree.

“Confidential’s” learnt he was arguing over the score and calling for a goal recount after WIN TV’s sports presenter Greg Thomson announced the media side had won the game.

Insiders say it was great to see the sports minister so vocal and enthusiastic, but a win is a win. “I couldn’t believe how competitive he was on and off the field,” says a source. “We were calling him a bad sport, but of course it was all in good fun.”

A mad Hawks fan, Barr was no doubt drowning his sorrows at the weekend; his team going down to Collingwood 68-65. “So we get an AFL Grand Final between the two worst teams in the world… GROAN,” he tweeted.

Brendan’s magnetic appeal

THE Magnet Mart guy has been seen out and about in Canberra. The bald guy with sunnies on his head, aka Brendan Sloane, moved to the UK to be with his girlfriend more than a year ago.

But “Confidential’s” been told he was flown back to town to film a new series of commercials for the hardware retailer.

Sloane returned to the small screen in 2009 after being dumped in 2008 and, over the years, has appeared in more than 250 Magnet Mart commercials.

Love him or hate him, if this recent jaunt is anything to go by the commercials are obviously working.

Snedden’s star scholars

CONGRATULATIONS to Catriona Schleiger, from Canberra Girls Grammar, and Vanisha Nand, from Hawker College. They each won $6000 university scholarships thanks to Snedden Hall & Gallop at a cocktail ceremony held in Canberra recently.

The local law firm has been awarding the university scholarships for the past 13 years to students from ACT colleges who have the desire and the ability to study law at a university level. Now the hard work begins!

Celebs salute Canberra

CELEBRITY chef Dominique Rizzo and garden expert Meredith Kirton have been spotted out and about in Canberra.

Both were here for the launch of the Lindeman’s Open Garden at Floriade, but they were spotted at Chairman and Yip knocking back the pink bubbles and tucking into the east-meets-west cuisine.

But the chef’s signature dish of roast duck and shitake mushroom pancakes was notably absent, the women preferring the calamari tossed with spicy salt and chilli.

“Confidential” can reveal they were overheard giving Canberra and the food, the big thumbs-up.