T Australia: TV

To mark the launch of the “Yes” issue starring Ajak Deng, subscribers and other friends of T Australia gathered on the Pool Bar terrace at Sydney’s Oxford House hotel this month for the latest annual T Suite panel discussion, themed “Ask the Innovators”. T Australia editor-in-chief Katarina Kroslakova and digital content director Victoria Pearson were joined by the singer-songwriter and creative multihyphenate Carla Wehbe, Breathe architecture director Jeremy McLeod and serial entrepreneur and Music Health therapy co-founder Stephen Hunt. The conversation explored how culture and innovation — whether it be a piece of music, a building or a new technology — can spur societal progress, bringing together disparate communities and inspiring sustainable innovation.

With Patrón and Sennheiser sponsors of the event, guests sipped Patrón El Cielo Blanco tequila and later took turns in a private listening suite to experience the unparalleled audio luxury of Sennheiser’s new HE 1headphones — the only set in the country, with a price tag of €70,000 (approximately$AU117,000). The HE 1’s otherworldly sound quality is unspoilt by any hint of vibration, thanks in part to its vacuum-tube amplifier, set within spring-loaded Carrara marble carved from the same quarry as Michelangelo’s block for the statue of David. Oxford House circulated yellowfin tuna crudo with pickled watermelon and white soy seaweed crisp, beef tartare with granny smith and pickled mustard seeds, tiger prawn rolls with herb and jalapeño sauce, and margarita meringue tart. Guests listened, ate, drank and departed with a gift bag containing a fragrance from the century-old Italian brand Acqua di Parma, handmade chocolates from Koko Black, a Patrón cocktail kit and, lest the noisy world outside intrude on their Zen state, some Sennheiser SoundProtex Plus earplugs.