What’s the Buzz: Philippa V’landys dishes the dirt on the real PVL

Phil Rothfield finds out what makes the most powerful man in Australian sport tick:

Buzz: Okay, what’s it like being married to the world’s busiest man who runs rugby league and racing?

Philippa: He’s not busy enough as he still plays practical jokes on me whenever he gets the chance. His phone is always on, and I’ve accepted that. It would be nice to see him more often as there is always a bathroom to clean, although I may live to regret saying that.

Buzz: Does he ever switch off? How does he relax at home? Any hobbies?

Philippa: What do you think? He is prone to watching episodes of MAFS ‘for research purposes’. Shopping is his hobby; grocery shopping, or gadget shopping are his weaknesses. What man doesn’t love a trip to Bunnings? He is always up for a game of tag with the kids - unfortunately they are just as competitive as him but they are a lot faster. His competitive spirit also comes out on the pinball machines that he has too ... I really have four kids.

Buzz: I bet you never dreamt of sitting down for lunch with the Royal Family; you next to King Charles and Peter next to the Queen.

Philippa: I was so proud and happy for Peter, because to have quality time with Queen Elizabeth is something very rare and special. That kind of situation doesn’t just happen, let alone to us … Peter, a migrant kid from Wollongong and me, a bull farmer’s daughter from Gloucester. In fact, Peter sat next to the Queen and I sat next to King Charles (then Prince Charles) on another table. When I looked over and saw Peter and the Queen in deep discussion it made me relax. King Charles was very entertaining and he had a genuine interest in how The Everest had come so far so quickly. He’s actually very witty and down to earth.

Buzz: They tell me your house looks like a Harvey Norman electrical department. He loves his gadgets.

Philippa: I can’t even turn a light on or the TV without an app. Our TVs are bigger than anything you see in a shop. His Christmas gift to himself was a Gozney pizza oven, so we like to make the dough from scratch. The latest addition is an infra-red sauna ... here’s hoping that helps him to relax enough for more than three hours of sleep. He’s vying for a massage chair but that research is taking a little longer than expected — much to my delight. When he likes something he just buys more. He got hooked on air fryers and now we have three. I put a stop on him getting four.

Buzz: And household chores? Does he unpack the dishwasher, mow the lawns or do a supermarket run?

Philippa: I don’t think he knows how to use the washing machine, that’s why I showed my kids how to use it. He loves a good online grocery delivery or in-person – he has the patience to go up every single aisle whereas I go get the items I want. I could be home unpacking the groceries and he’d still be in aisle three.

More Coverage

2025 coaches’ survey: NRL winning the war on drugs

Brent Read, Michael Carayannis, Peter Badel

‘Absurd, bias’: Explosive letter from banned former Tigers directors

Dean Ritchie

Buzz: And what are his nicest attributes? I know he’s very passionate about charity work and just being a dad.

Philippa: Peter came from humble beginnings and he is always wanting to give back in any way he can which is why he is so passionate about charity work, and most of the time without his name to it.

If you know Peter, he is the most generous man I know; you never have to ask twice if you need something done and he makes it happen then and there. I admire him as a great dad; he wants to spend as much time with the kids as he can, as his dad worked every day and night — which is where he gets his work ethic from.

Originally published as What’s the Buzz: Philippa V’landys dishes the dirt on the real PVL