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Toni Collette’s husband, Dave Galafassi, was seen jumping into a Toyota Prado with his new lover outside their beachside home, carrying overnight bags, just days after they were photographed passionately kissing in the waves.
The Hollywood star and the former musician announced their divorce on Collette’s newly reactivated Instagram account on Thursday.
It came hours after Daily Mail Australia contacted its management about photos of Galafassi, 44, making out with bikini-clad chiropractor Shannon Egan, 41, on a Manly beach.
He spent Thursday holed up in the now-separated couple’s modest $3 million three-bedroom home in Sydney’s inner west, while Egan spent the morning working on Sydney’s North Shore.
Early Friday morning, Galafassi, without his wedding ring, could be seen packing up his white 4WD outside the blonde beauty’s apartment.
Ms. Egan emerged from the front door moments later, wearing black drawstring pants, a fitted white off-the-shoulder top, and an over-the-shoulder beige knit jumper.
She was holding a reusable paper shopping bag and a bulky black leather tote.
Shannon Egan, 41, is shown jumping into a car with her new boyfriend, Toni Collette’s husband Dave Galafassi, on Friday morning.
Dave Galafassi (pictured) collected Shannon Egan from her home in Manly, before they took off for the city of Sydney.
she refused to commenting on their new relationship when approached by the Daily Mail Australia, before the lovers sped off to Sydney.
On Thursday, Galafassi told Daily Mail Australia that he “doesn’t want to talk about” his blonde mistress, via the intercom at his Birchgrove home.
Their beachside date on Wednesday morning started around 7:30 am.
They spent about 15 minutes in the water and then bought a coffee. A witness said the couple were “on top of each other”.
At one point they seemed deep in conversation as Galafassi lounged on a boardwalk and Egan, in an open shirt and sunglasses, leaned forward.
Hours after their torrid encounter, Ms Egan could be seen barefoot in a striped T-shirt and shorts as she took her dog for a walk.
Ms. Egan is an “integrative chiropractor” with more than 15 years of clinical experience who has had her own serious health problems, according to an online profile.
Dave Galafassi picked up his girlfriend, Shannon Egan, on Friday (pictured left to right)
Shannon, who has a passion for healthy living, has expanded her skills specifically in the areas of women’s health, mind-body connection and children’s health, the profile says.
‘Shannon has a special interest in empowering women to live calm, connected and inspired lives. Shannon also loves to treat children and she enjoys seeing them reach their full potential; confident in their own body and full of vitality.’
He graduated from Macquarie University in 2004 with two degrees: a Bachelor of Chiropractic Science and a Master of Chiropractic.
“Through her own health challenges in recovering from chronic illness, Shannon understands the complexities of health and the need for an integrative approach, both medically and holistically,” her profile states.
“The years during and after his illness and recovery gave him a deep understanding of what it means to face a life-threatening illness.
‘Consequently, she became fascinated by the emotional experience of the disease. She spurred a lifelong exploration into spiritual growth, meditation, and the mind-body connection.’
Daily Mail Australia contacted Collette’s management about the photographs on Wednesday afternoon and hours later announced that the couple had split in a joint statement posted to their newly reactivated Instagram account.
The actress confirmed their split with this joint statement on Thursday morning after footage surfaced of the drummer passionately kissing chiropractor Shannon Egan, 41, in Manly Beach on Wednesday morning.
In a joint statement with Galafassi on Instagram on Thursday, Collette said: “It is with grace and gratitude that we announce that we are divorcing.”
“We are united in our decision and we part with continued respect and care for one another.
“Our children are of the utmost importance to us and we will continue to thrive as a family, albeit in a different way. We are grateful for the space and love you give us as we evolve and move peacefully through this transition. Thank you very much.’
The Hollywood star later added to the statement to clarify that they had been separated for a “substantial period” before they decided to divorce.
Collette, 50, and Galafassi have two children aged 14 and 11 and have divided their time between Australia and the United States in recent years.
The pair met in 2002 at the launch of Galafassi’s band Gelbison’s debut album Metal Detector in Sydney, with their second meeting coming just a few days later at a house party.
Shannon, who has a passion for healthy living, has expanded her skills specifically in the areas of women’s health, the mind-body connection, and children’s health, says Ms. egan.
“He was the first person I saw when I walked in the door,” Collette told The Sydney Morning Herald in September 2018.
‘He kissed me on the cheek and I melted. I planned to stay ten minutes… I was there 12 hours. It was a good day.’
Collette is one of Australia’s most acclaimed actresses, starring in The Sixth Sense, Little Miss Sunshine, The Hours, Knives Out and the television series United States of Tara.
She was nominated for an Oscar for The Sixth Sense and won an Emmy for The United States of Tara, for which she also won a Golden Globe.
Galafassi and Collette were married in Buddhist rituals at their estate in Berry, on the south coast of New South Wales, less than a year after they met, in January 2003.
The ceremony was followed by a weekend of partying that featured dancing monks, fireworks and a vegetarian banquet for 100 guests.
Sydney-born Collette, who is also a singer-songwriter, subsequently formed a band with Galafassi, who hails from the New South Wales North Shore town of Port Macquarie.