A News Corp tipster tells that us that the mood has not been improved at the Herald Sun after it was announced that the Christmas party picnic at Cruden Farm would still take place, but no boozy party in the CBD as has been held in other years. Matters weren’t helped by a post on the staff intranet crowing about the success of the Hun’s Melbourne Cup marquee. According to a write-up seen by Crikey, “more than 300 advertisers and industry figures mingled in the Italian-themed Birdcage marquee over the four major race days”. But perhaps the lack of subs is having an effect on the intranet, which listed “Mayor Robert Doyal” as a guest at the marquee — we think they mean Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle, who used the paper to announce another tilt at the mayorship recently.

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