COMEDIAN and writer Jean Kittson will appear at the National Press Club on October 26.

But the appearance could be, for some, a little confronting.

Kittson has recently taken on the role of “Ambassador for Menopause” and she’s about to tackle the typically taboo subject in the best way she knows how – with humour and honesty.

But, it seems, women aren’t the only ones booking tables for this one-off event; “CC” hears that Canberra businessmen Garry Sykes, CEO of Capitol Chilled Foods; Mark Ridgway, of AusAccess, and Brian Evans, of Dataflex are hosting tables at the luncheon and encouraging other men, and women, to attend.

“Why would I be embarrassed or think it is odd to be at the lunch? I am married to a woman, I work with women, have female mates… I will be there with a big sign on the table!” says one. Nice one, guys!

Book online www.npc.org.au

Shoe store gets red carpet

LADIES who love their shoes will love Gertrude. Previously known as Furla, the newly-branded boutique has just opened its doors in Manuka.

Store’s creator and owner Maree Peatey was celebrating with staff and invited guests at the official red-carpet launch recently.

Maree’s close friend and store manager Kerry Andrew says the pair just got back from Europe where they had the tough job of hand-picking the latest Italian-made leather shoes and handbags.

“We wanted to bring back Europe! It’s so nice to walk into a store and feel like it’s an escape… step into Gertrude and you could be in Paris or Italy,” says Kerry.

Gertrude’s unique features include an ornate, antique spiral staircase laden with the latest ladies shoes, and a larger-than-life abstract painting by local artist Kym Kennedy situated above the fireplace.

“Confidential” hears that Maree’s former Furla clientele include Marlena Jeffery, wife of the former Governor-General, Kevin Rudd’s wife Therese Rein and former Democrats leader Natasha Stott Despoja.

Bidder wins winning charm

THE Tiffany solitaire diamond ring worn by Australian sporting superstar Cathy Freeman when she won the 400m in the 2002 Sydney Olympics, was up for auction on allbids.com.au

With a replacement value of more than $24,000, “Confidential” can confirm that one lucky bidder, after some last-minute, spirited bidding, snapped up the flawless, platinum, Lucida cut, 1.14-carat, diamond ring for about $7000 from the Canberra-based online auction.

The Freeman Tiffany ring is just one of the pieces on the site’s Hansen Collection worth around $120,000!

Freeman first sold her ring to raise money for her foundation, which supports indigenous children on Palm Island. She has described it as her “most sentimental” piece of jewellery.

View the collection www.allbids.com.au.

Cabbie dumps woman in dark

A GROUP of young women want to thank a cab driver for dumping their girlfriend on a deserted road after a night out in Canberra recently.

“Confidential” has been told the women had been catching up at Suburban, Dickson, for a few drinks after an all-day netball comp when one of them started to feel unwell and decided to head home.

The woman directed the cab driver off the Federal Highway and on to Horse Park Drive when she thought she might be sick.

Apparently, the driver pulled the car over in an attempt to avoid an accident, but they didn’t quite make it. He then demanded she immediately pay an on-the-spot, cash cleaning fee. She did and he then ordered her out of the taxi and drove off.

“It was lucky I was driving along that road an hour later and saw my friend wandering along… anything could have happened to her, she’s a young woman and it was pitch-black,” a friend told “Confidential”.

There are two sides to every story, but something doesn’t seem right about this one.

Stars shine around town

ACTORS John Wood and Rhys Muldoon, in town to appear in “Waiting for Robbo”, a short film for TransACT, have been spotted out and about with the film’s director Simon Weaving, publicist Coralie Wood and Federal Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Tony Burke.

The group was seen dining at La Dolce Vita, Kingston, where the bugs seemed to be the favourite.

Gold Logie award-winning actor Wood is probably best known for his role as Tom Croydon in “Blue Heelers”, while Muldoon has worked extensively in television, film and theatre.

Apparently, Minister Bourke is a long-term close friend of Muldoon’s.  Weaving is also the artistic director for the 15th Canberra International Film Festival, October 26-November 6.

Pooch gets pampered

AND a Canberra personality has been spotted at Waves Carwash in Braddon.

But “Confidential’s” heard it wasn’t his luxury vehicle getting the once over, it was his dog!

The identity, who we can’t name, was seen with his furry friend in the do-it-yourself dog wash. Apparently, both the owner and pooch seemed to be enjoying the bonding session.