By Amy Croffey
It would have been easier to get a chat with media dodging, US President-elect Donald Trump than Melbourne model Shanina Shaik at the Alfa Romeo Portsea Polo on the weekend.
Despite being booked for an undisclosed five-figure sum to work as media ambassador for the day at the Peroni marquee, the 25-year-old was closely guarded by a team of minders, who were carefully vetting questions before letting anyone near her.
Shanina Shaik was dressed to impress at the Peroni marquee for Alfa Romeo Portsea Polo on Saturday.Credit: Carly Ravenhall
No less than three people (two on the ground and one on the phone) wanted to hear what Fairfax Media's questions were before being told to "keep it general".
It's unsure what they were worried about. The former Victoria's Secret model has been open about her pending wedding to DJ Ruckus, 33, real name Gregory Andrews, saying she is enjoying their "long engagement" and that they have yet to set a date, even though rumours are rife that wedding bells are nigh.
Rebecca Harding and Andy Lee are happily back together.Credit: Daniel Pockett
Seemingly unaware of the commotion going on around her, the always professional Shaik spoke of her love at being back in her home state for the "always glamorous and fashionable" polo on the Mornington Peninsula.
She said she was "a little tired" after jetting in from Los Angeles two days before, but was enjoying spending the day with her younger brother, Shay, who told Fairfax Media he was taking care of her as her "unofficial bodyguard" for the day.
For the new year ahead, Shaik is most looking forward to her "small role" in the reboot of The Mummy, which is due out sometime during the Australian winter.
"I'm excited to see myself in the film," she said. "I'm still learning but acting is a goal of mine and part of my five-year plan."
Phoebe Tonkin at the Alfa Romeo marquee on Saturday.
If it wasn't Shaik's minders causing a stir, it was 2Day FM radio star Andy Lee, 35, and model girlfriend Rebecca Harding, 25.
All necks strained to catch a glimpse of the glamorous pair, who split for six months last year, but were making their rekindled status known at the most fabulous and photographed event on the socialite calender.
When asked if there might be any proposals this year, Lee laughed, "no", while Harding laughed and shook her head.
"I propose that we keep on drinking and enjoy today," he offered instead.
Lee added that he is invested in his marriage of sorts to his long-term on-air and comedic companion, Hamish Blake, 35, and their new TV show for Nine, which they quit their radio gig to focus on.
Meanwhile, The Originals actor Phoebe Tonkin is on a month-long trip back Down Under and can't get enough of it: "I never get home for long when I do get home, so it's great to see everyone and the weather has been amazing too."
The 27-year-old, who was Alfa Romeo ambassador on the day, was dressed by celebrity fashion stylist, Mikey Ayoubi, in a playful dress by Italian design house Ferragamo.
"I thought it was important to keep with the Italian theme of the day," she laughed.
When she gets back to LA, the first thing she plans to do is join the Women's March on the day after Donald Trump's inauguration.
For Tonkin, it's about "standing up to the rhetoric that has been said over the past couple of months".
"I would have walked around the block in my street if I had to to support it. It's about giving voices to those who don't necessarily think they have voices."