Reluctant national media darling Dubbo's Virginia Carter, misleadingly dubbed the Packer wake "gate crasher," has turned the Sydney news outlets on their heads by refusing to cash in on the story and suggesting they come to Dubbo if they want her version of the event.
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After the Daily Liberal's exclusive report yesterday Mrs Carter was contacted in the early hours of the morning by several large media shows, including The Kyle and Jackie O Show, but she decided it was time the public outcry tarnishing Mr Packer's memorial came to an end.
"For a full 10 minutes the show's producer tried every trick in the book to change my mind about going on the show," she said.
"He even offered me CDs, perfume pamper packs, flights to a resort for the weekend if I would speak on air."
Not wanting to be taken advantage of again for the sake of sensationalism, Mrs Carter didn't waver under pressure, and to uphold her integrity and the legitimacy of her story took control of the situation.
"I suggested he donate the gifts to Randwick's Children Hospital for a raffle where it could do some good," she said.
"And I would talk to them and anyone else if they would like to come to Dubbo and see the benefits of this city and what a good community lives here."
While her phone was running red hot yesterday, with print and electronic media from as far away as Brisbane, wanting to jump on the controversial story's bandwagon Mrs Carter said she would be happy if everyone remembered what the memorial day was all about.
"It's time everyone put the focus back on Mr Packer and respected his memory," she said.