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"Well done boys!" Bert Newton's grandsons following in his footsteps

<p>Nearly four years after the passing of Australian television icon Bert Newton, the next generation of Newton stars is beginning to shine.</p> <p>Bert’s daughter, Lauren Newton, has revealed that her sons Monty, 9, and Alby, 4, have just wrapped filming on a television commercial, continuing a proud family tradition of life in front of the camera.</p> <p>Melbourne’s Centrestage Agency, which represents the brothers, posted a cheerful photo of the pair on Instagram, writing: “Congratulations to brothers Monty and Alby who spent the day together on set filming an exciting commercial.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DME5WeOzHph/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DME5WeOzHph/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Centrestage Agency (@centrestage_agency)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Proud mum Lauren reshared the post, with fans flooding the comments section with support. “Well done boys! You look great!” one wrote. Another added: “So much talent in the family.”</p> <p>Monty is already a little seasoned on set, having starred in a Difflam commercial for Chemist Warehouse. And if his track record is anything to go by, this is only the beginning.</p> <p>For Monty's ninth birthday, Lauren shared a sweet photo of her son with his doting grandmother Patti and his siblings after an appearance on <em>The Morning Show</em>, writing: “He is so special and incredibly talented … Poppy always predicted big things for Monty and he was absolutely right.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DL4IdZ6zfnH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DL4IdZ6zfnH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Centrestage Agency (@centrestage_agency)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Bert Newton, a legendary figure in Australian entertainment, passed away in 2021 at the age of 83. With a career that spanned seven decades, four Gold Logies and a place in the Logies Hall of Fame, he was beloved by audiences nationwide.</p> <p>But to his family, he was something more. “He was the same funny, warm, wonderful person everyone watched on TV but, at home, he was even better,” Lauren said in her moving eulogy.</p> <p>Now, with Monty and Alby following in his footsteps, it seems the Newton sparkle is shining brighter than ever.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Historic home on sale for first time in 135 years

<p>If you've ever dreamed of stepping into a time machine with pressed-metal ceilings and wrap-around verandahs, your moment has arrived.</p> <p>"Whroonga", a grand old Queenslander perched on 3 Mark Street in New Farm, is up for sale for the first time since 1890, marking the end of one remarkable family’s 135-year chapter.</p> <p>Passed lovingly down through generations, the home is more than a piece of real estate, it’s a living scrapbook of Brisbane’s colonial past and political legacy. It was here that Lady Florence Bjelke-Petersen, known to most Australians as “Lady Flo”, spent her formative years. Before she was baking her famous pumpkin scones or sitting in the Senate, she was simply Flo from New Farm, sharing her childhood with sister Margaret in what neighbours once dubbed the suburb’s own “Gilmore Girls” household.</p> <p>Lady Flo was married to Queensland's longest-serving premier, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, and w<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">hile the world outside transformed apace, "Whroonga" stood still, its high ceilings, timber joinery, and century-old charm untouched by modern trends. Even the majestic red flame tree in the front yard has stood sentinel for generations, shading countless childhood games, family gatherings and quiet moments alike.</span></p> <p>Margaret Gilmour, Florence’s sister and a respected local historian, remained in the house until her passing at the age of 101, ensuring its story stayed whole. Now, for the first time in well over a century, the keys will pass to a new owner who will write the next chapter.</p> <p>In a world of fast flips and fleeting ownership, "Whroonga" is a rare and beautiful reminder of the stories homes can hold when they’re given time to breathe – and generations to grow.</p> <p><a href="https://view.com.au/property/qld/new-farm-4005/3-mark-street-16853999/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Take a look at the property here</a>.</p> <p><em>Images: Place New Farm / Qld State Library</em></p>

Real Estate

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Beloved star of Mother and Son passes away

<p>Henri Szeps, the cherished award-winning actor who brought warmth and wit to Australian screens for decades, has died at the age of 81.</p> <p>Best known for his role as the well-meaning but exasperated Robert Beare in the much-loved ABC sitcom <em>Mother and Son</em>, Szeps passed away peacefully after a quiet battle with Alzheimer’s disease. A statement released on Thursday confirmed the news, adding that “Henri retained his sense of wonder and joie de vivre until the end”.</p> <p>Szeps revealed his diagnosis in 2021 and had been living in a care facility since last year.</p> <p>Born in a Swiss refugee camp in 1943 to Polish Holocaust survivors, Szeps arrived in Australia as an eight-year-old and went on to become a pillar of the nation’s stage and screen. His career spanned decades, marked by memorable roles not only in television but also in theatre, including turns as Gandalf in <em>The Hobbit</em> and Sigmund Freud in a celebrated stage production.</p> <p>He received an Order of Australia Medal in 2001 in recognition of his contributions to the performing arts, the culmination of a career full of accolades.</p> <p>Alongside Ruth Cracknell and Garry McDonald, Szeps made <em>Mother and Son</em> a household staple during its original 10-year run, which ended in 1994. The show’s enduring popularity led to a recent reboot, a testament to the affection Australians still hold for the original.</p> <p>In addition to his television work, Szeps also starred as Prime Minister Harold Holt in the mini-series <em>Vietnam</em>, acting opposite a young Nicole Kidman, and later performed a series of acclaimed one-man shows before retiring at 70, saying his memory was “no longer up to the task”.</p> <p>He is survived by his wife Mary, their two sons, and four grandchildren.</p> <p>Henri Szeps’ legacy is one of intelligence, humour and deep humanity – on stage, on screen, and in life.</p> <p><em>Images: ABC iView</em></p>

Caring

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Former Liberal MP dies suddenly in Thailand

<p>According to reports from <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/former-nsw-mp-dies-suddenly-in-thailand-20250723-p5mh9e.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>The Sydney Morning Herald</em></a>, Former New South Wales MP Jeremy Kinross has died suddenly while on holiday in Thailand, in what local authorities believe was a tragic choking accident.</p> <p>The 65-year-old, who served as the Liberal Party member for the Sydney seat of Gordon in the 1990s, was found unconscious outside a supermarket near his accommodation in Cape Panwa, Phuket, on Saturday night. He was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.</p> <p>Thai police have not yet released a formal statement but said medical staff believed Kinross had choked on corn kernels. His exact cause of death remains unclear.</p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMattCrossMP%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02qnUDWQxKFfCYskgJCFWKoZ95GVcyqUFLG5sBUByX1ZLLf5dmduxQTfVrxg1ZC4qtl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="486" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>The circumstances surrounding his final moments remain uncertain, with police saying he was found alone and unresponsive by a passerby outside the store, about 10 kilometres south of Phuket City. It is not yet known how long he had been in Thailand.</p> <p>Kinross entered public life after a successful career as a chartered accountant and barrister. He joined the Liberal Party in 1986 and was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly in 1992, where he represented Gordon for more than six years. When his seat was abolished in a 1999 redistribution, Kinross chose not to contest preselection in a neighbouring electorate.</p> <p>In later years, he turned his professional focus to consultancy work, specialising in strategic relationships and change. Known for his energetic style and colourful personality, he once described himself as “forthright, outgoing and dynamic”, a sentiment echoed by those who knew him.</p> <p>News of his death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from former colleagues and friends.</p> <p>NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman said he was deeply saddened by the news. “He was a very larger-than-life character, someone who was a bon vivant at the dining table, someone who was amusing company,” Speakman said. “Those who knew him will miss him very much.”</p> <p>Davidson MP Matt Cross also paid tribute, recalling Kinross’s support during his own campaign in 2023.</p> <p>“On a personal note, when Jeremy learned I was the new Liberal Party candidate, he joined the campaign trail,” Cross said. “His advice to me was simple but powerful: ‘Make every day count’. Jeremy will be missed by his family and friends. The public service of Jeremy will always be a part of our history.”</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Caring

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New study examines the psychological effects of "splitting the bill"

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>When an outing calls for upfront payment, such as admission to the cinema, a play or a theme park, the question of who covers it can shape the tone before the fun even begins.</p> <p>Navigating payment with others – whether colleagues, close friends or new acquaintances – can be <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001689">tricky</a> and interrupt the social dynamic that makes shared experiences so valuable.</p> <p>Our new <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.70011">research</a>, published in Psychology and Marketing, suggests the way you approach splitting upfront costs could have some surprising impacts.</p> <p>In some cases, despite the dent in your bank account, covering the full cost of an experience for yourself and someone else could actually make you happier.</p> <p>But this won’t always be the case. And it likely comes down to the different norms and expectations we have for different kinds of relationships.</p> <h2>The experience economy</h2> <p>When times are tough financially, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucv007">psychology suggests</a> people would prefer to spend their money on material goods rather than experiences.</p> <p>Yet despite <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/price-indexes-and-inflation/selected-living-cost-indexes-australia/latest-release">ongoing cost-of-living pressures</a>, there’s evidence to suggest many Australians are <a href="https://www.mediaweek.com.au/mediahub-aussies-prioritise-experiences-over-material-possessions/">prioritising experiences</a>.</p> <figure class="align-right "><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <p>Experiences are <a href="https://hbr.org/1998/07/welcome-to-the-experience-economy">not just services</a>, but rather about creating memorable events. Compared with material goods, experiences are consistently linked to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucaa047">improved happiness</a>.</p> <p>A big part of the benefit we derive from such experiences hinges on the fact that we <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/a0030953">share them with other people</a>. Putting money towards experiences lets us spend time with other people and relate to them in ways just buying “stuff” often can’t match.</p> <p>So much so, that factors like <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.70011">who we go with</a>, the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucx054">quality of conversations</a> an experience leads to, or the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/00222437211002818">clarity</a> we have about the other person’s interests can have as much of an effect on happiness as the experience content itself.</p> <p>In shared experiences, where money is unavoidable, how does “who pays” affect their well-being benefits? This is the question we posed in our <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.70011">latest research</a>, coauthored with Belinda Barton and Natalina Zlatevska.</p> <h2>Going to the movies</h2> <p>We conducted three experiments with 2,640 people and presented them with a common scenario: they would be going to the cinema with either their best friend or a casual acquaintance.</p> <p>We told half of the participants they would split the cost (that is, pay only for their own admission). The other half were told they would cover the whole cost for both themselves and the other person. We then asked them how happy they would be with this purchase.</p> <p>Across the three studies, when participants were with their best friend, they reported they would be happier paying the full amount than they would be splitting the cost. In contrast, when participants were with an acquaintance, we found that how the cost was split had no effect on happiness.</p> <h2>The ‘close friends’ effect</h2> <p>With closer friends, unlike acquaintances and strangers, we often have a different set of norms and expectations – especially surrounding reciprocity.</p> <p>Interactions with close friends usually follow “<a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2012-32735-012">communal norms</a>”. This is where people help each other based on care and need, without expecting something in return.</p> <p>On the other hand, interactions with strangers and acquaintances are more likely to follow “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167293196003">exchange norms</a>”, which prioritise balance and direct repayment.</p> <p>In line with this, we found when participants were with their best friends, their expectations of repayment were lower than with acquaintances when they paid for them. Where participants had higher expectations of repayment, they noted they would be less happy.</p> <h2>Other possibilities</h2> <p>We also tested other ideas, such as whether who pays would affect how smooth the conversation felt or whether it created awkwardness in the dynamic.</p> <p>We also examined whether the payment felt like an investment in the relationship, or whether it made the other person think more positively of the participant.</p> <p>We found that none of these really changed depending on who paid and how close the two people were, so they didn’t seem to explain why paying for a close friend felt better.</p> <p>Instead, norms around reciprocity in different types of relationships can make paying feel more transactional than a kind gesture. This, in turn, affects how happy it makes us feel.</p> <h2>So, should I spend all my money on my friends?</h2> <p>While our research suggests paying for others can make you happier, we don’t recommend budgeting your life savings for this cause.</p> <p>We limited our experiments to inexpensive experiences (that is, the cinema). So, it’s unlikely paying for your friend’s 2026 Europe trip will bring you ultimate happiness.</p> <p>Also, if your friend already owes you money, you might expect them to pay you back sooner, and footing the bill again could start to wear thin on your happiness.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/261557/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/aimee-e-smith-2436183">Aimee E. Smith</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Net Zero Observatory, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/time-to-ditch-splitting-the-bill-shouting-a-close-friend-could-actually-make-you-happier-261557">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> </div>

Food & Wine

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"It's just my name": Aussie mum's number plate banned for being too offensive

<p>In what may be the most <em>Queensland</em> story of the year, a local mum has been left scratching her head after being told her own legal name was too controversial to be printed on a number plate.</p> <p>Indica Bradford, a Sunshine State resident with a name more commonly found in dispensaries than baby name books, says she was crushed after Personalised Plates Queensland (PPQ) refunded her deposit and rejected her application for custom plates bearing her first name.</p> <p>“I’ve been planning this since I got my licence,” Indica told <em>A Current Affair</em>, possibly while sipping chamomile tea and definitely not sparking up anything illegal. “Everyone has personalised plates and I could get my full name because it’s so unique. I was really excited.”</p> <p>After confirming over several years that INDICA was still available (possibly due to others being less keen to broadcast a botanical classification of cannabis), Indica finally pulled the trigger. She bought a new car, put her chosen plates on lay-by, and waited for her custom dream to become Queensland highway reality.</p> <p>Then came the buzzkill.</p> <p>PPQ refunded her money, called her up, and delivered the bad news: Indica had been rejected. The reason? The Department of Transport and Main Roads had deemed the name inappropriate, saying it could be interpreted as promoting illegal drugs or criminal activity.</p> <p>Which, to be clear, was a surprise to Indica, who has spent her entire life thinking her name was simply a pretty word her mum liked. “She loved it for years,” Indica explained. “She finally had me and named me the name she loved.”</p> <p>Neither mother nor daughter had any idea it had a... greener meaning.</p> <p>“I think the majority of Australia would probably be the same. They wouldn’t even know what it meant,” she said, perhaps optimistically.</p> <p>To be fair, Sativa Bradford probably would’ve had the same issue.</p> <p>Despite the bureaucratic bummer, Indica isn't backing down. “I’m not trying to offend anyone. It’s just my name, yeah, my legal name, on my birth certificate,” she said, clutching her paperwork and likely resisting the urge to add a middle name like "TotallyLegal".</p> <p>The Department of Transport and Main Roads replied with a characteristically dry statement about how personalised plate content is reviewed “against several criteria” and is updated “to reflect current community and social norms”.</p> <p>Translation: no weed names, even if it’s literally what your mum called you before the first ultrasound.</p> <p>Still, all is not lost. The department said Indica can request a formal review, a chance for justice, or at least a small victory for people named after misunderstood plant strains everywhere.</p> <p>For now, Indica is driving around incognito. But if you spot a car with “ND1K4” on the back, give her a wave. </p> <p><em>Images: A Current Affair</em></p>

Legal

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"Beautiful chaos": Aussie tennis legend shares joyous news

<p>Australian tennis great Samantha Stosur has shared the joyful news of her second child’s arrival, announcing the birth of a baby girl with partner Liz Astling.</p> <p>The 41-year-old former US Open champion revealed the happy update on social media, posting a sweet photo of the newborn wrapped in a starry muslin cloth and snug under a grey blanket.</p> <p>"And beautiful chaos reigns once again," Stosur captioned the post, introducing their daughter as Emmeline Grace – or Emmy for short.</p> <p>“Evie is beyond happy to have a little sister and we are over the moon,” she wrote, referring to the couple’s first daughter, Genevieve, who turned five last month.</p> <p>Stosur, who most recently served as Australia’s team captain for the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup, first shared news of her pregnancy in April in a lighthearted post that featured her assembling a pram to the tune of Amy Grant’s Baby Baby.</p> <p>“Time to dust off the baby gear,” she joked. “It’s my turn this time.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMcvkYAy7JF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMcvkYAy7JF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Samantha Stosur (@samstosur)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The couple welcomed their first daughter, Evie, in 2020 – with Astling giving birth – and now say their growing family feels “complete”.</p> <p>Fans and fellow athletes flooded Stosur’s post with congratulations and well wishes as the family of four settles into life with their newest little teammate.</p> <p>“Welcome to the world, Emmy,” Stosur wrote. “We love you so much.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Pauline Hanson and One Nation senators criticised for turning their backs during Acknowledgement of Country

<p>A silent protest by four One Nation senators who turned their backs during an Acknowledgement of Country in the Senate has drawn strong condemnation from across the political spectrum.</p> <p>The incident occurred during the ceremonial opening of parliament on Tuesday, when the traditional statement of respect for First Nations peoples was read aloud. Instead of standing in observance, the four right-wing senators from Pauline Hanson's party physically turned away from the proceedings, a move that Cabinet Minister Clare O’Neil slammed as “disrespectful and rude and childish”.</p> <p>“It’s disappointing that their actions became a point of focus, especially on a day when there were so many beautiful moments of unity during the Welcome to Country ceremonies,” Ms O’Neil said on Wednesday. “To treat people that way on the first day of parliament was absolutely appalling.”</p> <p>The protest has reignited debate around the role of Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country protocols in national life, which some conservative voices have recently branded “divisive”.</p> <p>One Nation leader Pauline Hanson defended her party’s actions, repeating her long-standing view that the Acknowledgement of Country has become “increasingly forced” and politically charged.</p> <p>Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie offered a more nuanced take, saying that while she personally listened respectfully to the statement, others had a right to express differing views. “The problem in a liberal democracy like ours is when we can’t express different views,” she told Sunrise. She likened the action to MPs who choose to walk out during morning prayers or decline to support the monarchy.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">This afternoon in the Senate, every One Nation senator stood with me to turn our backs on the divisive and increasingly forced Acknowledgement of Country.</p> <p>I’ve made this protest on my own for years, but today, our whole team made it clear: we’ve had enough of being told we don’t… <a href="https://t.co/iUoZbiDqn6">pic.twitter.com/iUoZbiDqn6</a></p> <p>— Pauline Hanson 🇦🇺 (@PaulineHansonOz) <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulineHansonOz/status/1947576558287523975?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>But Minister O’Neil rejected that framing, arguing that First Nations guests had extended a hand of welcome to parliamentarians and deserved better treatment. “Whatever your views about the Welcome to Country, this was about showing respect,” she said. “We were being invited to reflect on 65,000 years of heritage that enrich our country.”</p> <p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also weighed in, praising the ceremony as a meaningful way to open parliament and reflect on Australia’s shared history. “Like a lot of the more positive things about our nation, we shouldn’t take it for granted,” he said, adding that the Acknowledgement of Country “should not be controversial”.</p> <p>The incident comes amid growing tension around Indigenous cultural protocols, with recent flashpoints including the booing of a Welcome to Country address by a neo-Nazi group during an Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne.</p> <p>Despite the backlash, the federal government reaffirmed its commitment to the practice, with Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley also noting the symbolic importance of the ceremony. “It set the tone as we re-commit ourselves to the taking of practical action to improve lives and expand opportunity for Indigenous Australians in every part of our great country,” she said.</p> <p>Welcome to Country ceremonies are conducted by Traditional Owners, while Acknowledgement of Country is a statement of respect for Indigenous peoples and connection to land, and can be made by anyone, regardless of background.</p> <p><em>Images: 7 News / X (Fomerly Twitter)</em></p>

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Habemus Papam! – We have a pope!

<p>In a moment charged with history and hope, the Catholic Church has elected its first American pontiff: Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, who will now be known as Pope Leo XIV.</p> <p>The 69-year-old, who has spent much of his career in Peru, made his first appearance as pope from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica at 7:24pm local time, just over an hour after white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney, sending the world a long-awaited message: <em>Habemus Papam!</em> (We have a pope!)</p> <p>Cheers erupted from the tens of thousands gathered in the square, with flags waving, church bells ringing and emotion rippling through the international crowd as the new pontiff smiled, waved and offered a heartfelt greeting. His first words: <em>“La pace sia con tutti voi.”</em> (“Peace be with you.)”</p> <p>Delivering his inaugural speech in Italian and Spanish, Pope Leo XIV struck a tone of unity, humility, and dialogue. “We must build bridges,” he declared, echoing the spirit of his predecessor. “Build bridges with dialogue, coming together, uniting, becoming one single people – one single people in peace.”</p> <p>The election of an American pope is a stunning departure from centuries of Vatican tradition, with many believing the idea had long been off the table due to the global influence of the United States. But Leo XIV’s unique path – from Chicago to Chiclayo – positioned him as a bridge-builder between North and South, tradition and change.</p> <p>His deep ties to Latin America, including years as a missionary and later as Archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru, along with his recent role as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, gave him a global pastoral perspective. He also served as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.</p> <p>Leo’s election comes after a dramatic and closely watched conclave. On Thursday afternoon, the 133 cardinal-electors gathered for a fourth round of voting. Just after 6pm, the unmistakable white smoke billowed into the Roman sky – the signal that consensus had been reached.</p> <p>By the time the Swiss Guard and military band took their positions, the anticipation in the square was electric. Crowds, including school groups, pilgrims and reporters from around the world, packed the piazza. And when the ancient formula <em>“Habemus Papam!”</em> was pronounced from the loggia, followed by Leo XIV’s public appearance, the square exploded with joy.</p> <p>Leo’s election drew swift global attention. Even US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to extend congratulations, writing: “It is such an honour to realise that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honour for our Country.”</p> <p>While the conclave was notably longer due to the large number of electors – 108 of whom were appointed by Pope Francis – it reflected the wide diversity of today’s global church. Cardinals came from places like Mongolia, Tonga and Sweden, a testament to Francis' efforts to make the Church more inclusive.</p> <p>Back in St Peter’s Square, the celebration continues, with some faithful expressing hope that Pope Leo XIV will carry forward Francis’ work of outreach and reform – and perhaps take it even further. As one young Argentine pilgrim, Pedro Deget, put it: “Francis opened the Church to the outside world. Let’s see what Leo can do now.”</p> <p><em>Images: Sunrise</em></p>

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Rory McIlroy conquers Augusta at last with agonising final hole victory

<p>Rory McIlroy has finally done it! In a heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat finale at Augusta National, the Northern Irish superstar captured his long-awaited first Masters title, ending an 11-year major championship drought in unforgettable fashion.</p> <p>After years of close calls and crushing near misses, McIlroy delivered a performance packed with drama. His road to the iconic green jacket was anything but smooth – and that's what made this triumph so electrifying.</p> <p>Sunday at Augusta began with fireworks as McIlroy double-bogeyed the first hole, immediately falling into a share of the lead with Bryson DeChambeau. But true to form, the four-time major winner stormed back, building a commanding five-shot lead midway through the final round over DeChambeau and English veteran Justin Rose.</p> <p>Just when it seemed McIlroy might cruise to victory, the course bit back. Disaster struck at the treacherous 13th when McIlroy found water and carded another double bogey, watching his lead evaporate as Rose surged to 11-under, becoming the shock leader.</p> <p>But Augusta’s relentless drama wasn’t finished yet. Rose bogeyed shortly after, and McIlroy steadied himself to reclaim the lead. DeChambeau, too, stumbled out of contention with a costly trip to the water hazard.</p> <p>As the tension mounted, Rose delivered under pressure with a brilliant birdie at the 18th, pulling level with McIlroy at 11-under and setting the stage for a nail-biting conclusion. McIlroy birdied the 17th and had a golden chance to seal the victory with a simple par on the final hole. But golf, as ever, proved unpredictable – McIlroy’s putt went millimetres astray, forcing a playoff that had the gallery roaring with anticipation.</p> <p>In the playoff showdown, McIlroy's grit and class shone through. With unwavering focus, he outduelled Rose to capture the elusive green jacket, completing his career-defining triumph at Augusta on his 11th attempt.</p> <p>This moment was more than just a victory – it was the culmination of a decade-long pursuit of golfing glory. For McIlroy, it’s a Masters win for the ages, and for fans around the world, it’s a reminder of why we love this sport: the drama, the heartbreak, and the unforgettable joy of watching a champion finally reach the mountaintop.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Captain Cook statue vandalised ahead of Australia Day

<p>A statue of Captain Cook has been vandalised in Sydney just days ahead of Australia Day. </p> <p>The statue, which sits on Belmore Road in Randwick, had its hand ripped off in the attack and parts of its face destroyed before it was covered in red paint. </p> <p>It's the second time in 12 months the statue has been vandalised, with the attack being condemned by Randwick councilor Andrew Hay. </p> <p>"The Captain Cook Statue has been vandalised again," he said in a statement. "They've broken the sandstone and cut off his hand and nose."</p> <p>"Low lives in Randwick know no bounds, or have any reverence for great people of history, and will vandalise him to make a political point that he's not directly related to."</p> <p>Randwick City councillor Dr Carolyn Martin told <em>2GB</em> radio that the vandals scaled the fence around the statue and left it in an "absolute mess".</p> <p>"It's absolutely disgraceful behaviour. We're all absolutely horrified," she said.</p> <p>Randwick mayor Dylan Parker also called out the vandalism, saying, "Vandalism has no place in public discussion."</p> <p>"Vandalism is an illegal act that does a disservice to progressing your cause, a disservice to the community and a disservice to reconciliation."</p> <p>"Council will clean and restore the statue. The statue was cleaned and restored last year after a similar incident in February 2024."</p> <p>Australia Day, which is recognised each year on January 26th, marks the landing of the First Fleet in 1788 when the first governor of the British colony of New South Wales, Arthur Philip, hoisted the Union Jack at Sydney Cove. </p> <p>But for many First Nations people, it is regarded as 'Invasion Day' or the 'Day of Mourning' because it marks the beginning of Australia's colonisation. </p> <p><em>Image credits: 2GB </em></p>

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Man dies and several others injured after severe storms lash NSW

<p>A man has tragically died after severe thunderstorms pummelled New South Wales on Wednesday night. </p> <p>The extreme storm system swept through the eastern part of the state on Wednesday evening, leaving several people injured and thousands without power. </p> <p>In the central west town of Cowra, 300km west of Sydney, a man in his 80s was killed when a tree fell on his car as the region experienced wind gust speeds of 107km/h at the time, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.</p> <p>Police were in attendance at the scene and had launched an investigation into the incident, while the man has yet to be formally identified.</p> <p>Four campers have also been injured when their shelters were destroyed in high winds at Wagga Wagga in the Riverina region in the state’s southwest.</p> <p>The storm also triggered major power outages with Endeavour Energy reporting more than 47,000 impacted customers across the Blue Mountains, Western Sydney, Illawarra and the South Coast at 10pm, and Ausgrid reporting more than 62,000.</p> <p>On Thursday morning, the SES said they had received 2250 calls and responded to more than 1800 incidents in the last 24 hours, with the majority of the incidents were for fallen trees, powerlines and damaged properties.</p> <p>Scattered showers and severe storms are expected to continue on Thursday, particularly in the east and north east of the state. </p> <p><em>Image credits: 9News</em></p>

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Travel

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Aussie campers trying their luck at unique site packed with literal hidden gems

<p>Forget theme parks and overpriced hot chips – the real family adventure lies up a dusty track in Far North Queensland, where the biggest thrill isn’t a rollercoaster, but the possibility of stumbling on a gemstone worth more than your second-hand Hilux.</p> <p>At O’Briens Creek Campground near Mount Surprise (yes, it’s a real place, and yes, it lives up to its name), families are descending en masse with camper trailers, paddleboards and dreams of finding a stone that’ll pay off the mortgage. Or at least the cost of the servo meat pies they brought with them.</p> <p>“People start turning up over Easter… when the weather starts getting cooler, then you get all the fossickers coming out because they don’t want to be digging in the heat,” campground manager Simon Harrison <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussie-families-flock-to-remote-campground-in-search-of-10000-treasure-073023684.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told Yahoo News</a> – a man who has seen both the heartache of ordinary rocks and the glory of glittering gems.</p> <p>Simon’s job? Part park manager, part gemstone whisperer, part unofficial hype man. During peak season, it’s not uncommon for enthusiastic campers to sprint up to him, clutching a rock in one hand and hope in the other.</p> <p>“You get the disappointment where they think they’ve got something, and then you get the ones where they’ve got a real good treasure,” he said, probably while gently explaining for the hundredth time that no, that chunk of gravel isn’t the next Crown Jewel.</p> <p>But every now and then? Boom. Someone hits the jackpot. One of the most dazzling finds to date: a 96-carat aquamarine so perfect, it could've starred in its own shampoo commercial. Valued at around $10,000, it’s the kind of stone that makes you rethink your day job.</p> <p>Still, for most, it’s not just about the cash. It’s about the experience. The chance to fossick, yabby and chase kids around with paddleboards while yelling, “Don’t drop that smoky quartz!”</p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3Dpfbid09pGTK8pGW83JTZsMuYGv3aMpimure1PrZTi1FJPj3Xpib7gAJqoUrtfRxonP2JJ8l%26id%3D100027966175316&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="663" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>Since Simon took over the campground in 2017, he’s watched it transform from a niche fossicker’s paradise into a full-blown family fun zone. “They can do their yabbying and all the kids have got all their little paddleboards,” he said, which sounds a lot like heaven with a side of insect repellent.</p> <p>And the best part? For just under $10 a month for an individual licence (or $13 for a family), you can legally dig for treasure like a sunburnt Indiana Jones.</p> <p>O’Briens Creek is famed for its big blue topaz, but you might also walk away with amethyst, citrine or even a great campfire story. Because according to Simon, the real treasure isn’t always shiny.</p> <p>“You get the good experiences with the people,” he said. “I get the joy of being able to see the stuff as it comes in, and then I post it [online] so everyone else can see it.”</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook / O'Brien's Creek Campground</em></p>

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"Out cold": Hugh Grant naps through Wimbledon drama after chat with the Queen

<p>It was one of the hottest matches of the Wimbledon quarter-finals – on court and apparently off – but for Hugh Grant, it may have been just a little too warm and soothing.</p> <p>The ever-dashing <em>Love Actually</em> star, 64, became an unlikely viral sensation this week after he was caught on camera nodding off in the Royal Box during the men’s quarter-final clash between Novak Djokovic and Flavio Cobolli.</p> <p>Yes, while Djokovic and Cobolli were trading blistering shots, Grant was trading consciousness for a peaceful snooze, head tilted, sunglasses on and dreams possibly filled with tennis balls and polite applause.</p> <p>The moment, of course, did not go unnoticed. BBC cameras captured the actor mid-slouch, just moments after he’d been spotted chatting amiably with Queen Camilla – which, let’s be honest, is probably exhausting work for anyone before lunch.</p> <p>He had arrived at the All England Club with his wife, Anna Eberstein, both appearing in good spirits as they smiled, mingled and did all the necessary celebrity waving required in the Royal Box. But somewhere between “Hello Your Majesty” and “Advantage Djokovic”, the siren song of a padded seat and 26-degree heat proved too powerful.</p> <p><em>BBC Sport</em> couldn’t resist sharing the snoozy spectacle on social media, posting the clip with the caption: “It’s all got a bit too much for Hugh Grant,” along with the obligatory laughing and sleeping emojis. Predictably, the internet went berserk.</p> <p>Outrage quickly rallied among the very-online tennis purists. “COBOLLI I think HUGH GRANT owes you a massive apology,” one dramatic viewer huffed, as if the actor had personally insulted the sport with a stray snore. Another lamented, “T**ts like him… don’t deserve [Wimbledon tickets]!!!” – bold words from someone tweeting from a beanbag chair.</p> <p>But many others simply delighted in the absurdity. “Hugh Grant asleep in the Royal Box is the best thing I’ve seen at #WIMBLEDON this year!! I love this man!!” wrote one fan, while another quipped: “Now why Hugh Grant look like he's asleep at Wimbledon; Someone wake up Hugh Grant, dude is out cold.”</p> <p>To be fair, Wimbledon is as much about tradition and strawberries as it is about intense focus, and if anyone can pull off a mid-match nap in a suit and tie, it’s Hugh Grant.</p> <p>No word yet on whether he dreamed of Queen Camilla offering him a lukewarm Pimms, or if he simply mistook Centre Court for a very exclusive in-flight lounge.</p> <p>Either way, Wimbledon 2025 now has a new highlight: Hugh Grant, the man who slept through a tie-break and into our hearts.</p> <p><em>Images: BBC Sports / Nine's Wide World of Sports</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Dave Hughes almost gets into a scrap at Wimbledon

<p>Aussie comedian and radio larrikin Dave “Hughesy” Hughes has revealed he nearly served up more than just sass at the Wimbledon Championships, almost landing himself in a centre court-style showdown with a particularly chatty Brit.</p> <p>Taking to Instagram with a video of himself and teenage son Rafferty enjoying the match on Court 15, Hughesy shared the moment they almost made it onto the evening news for all the wrong reasons.</p> <p>“Nearly got into a punch-on at Wimbledon,” he captioned the post, clearly relishing the drama like it was a fresh scone at high tea.</p> <p>The pair had been watching Aussie battler Jordan Thompson grind out a gutsy five-set win when a local lad behind them apparently decided it was the perfect time to run his own live podcast commentary – loudly.</p> <p>“It was a very small court,” Hughesy explained, “and this English bloke behind us just would not shut up through the match.”</p> <p>Eventually, the usually mild-mannered funny man had enough and politely asked the man to pipe down. The response? Not so polite.</p> <p>“Mate, can you just be quiet?” Hughesy said.</p> <p>According to son Rafferty, the bloke immediately escalated to Defcon Insult, calling his dad “a little Hitler”.</p> <p>“Bit of an overreaction,” Rafferty said, summing it up like the future diplomat he clearly is.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLniR6YzS85/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLniR6YzS85/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Dave Hughes (@dhughesy)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Hughesy admitted the jab was “hurtful”, although it seems the rest of the crowd didn’t exactly leap to defend Mr. Loudmouth. “Everyone around us was happy that I did it,” he said, adding for good measure: “What is it with entitled English wankers?!”</p> <p>The tension eventually fizzled out like warm Pimms, with the loud Brit reportedly going quiet after a tense verbal rally. “Three rows of seating, metres from the players, and this guy would not shut up,” Hughesy added in the caption. “After a long back and forth, he zipped it and everyone was happy – except him.”</p> <p>Support came flooding in from fans and celeb mates alike. Actress Regina Sorensen cheered, “Go you good thing”, while one commenter claimed they were in the row in front: “Love that you didn’t back down! Crowd totally had your back! He hardly said a word for the rest of the match!!”</p> <p>Comedian Rove McManus, never one to miss a punchline, chimed in with: “Good to know your fans are everywhere.”</p> <p>No word yet on whether Hughesy plans to return next year – but if he does, the All England Club might want to issue complimentary noise-cancelling headphones for all patrons. Or maybe just for that one guy.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Hero dad jumps overboard to save daughter who fell from Disney cruise ship

<p>A father and his daughter were rescued from the ocean after falling overboard from a Disney Cruise Line ship on Sunday afternoon, prompting praise for the ship’s crew and relief among passengers who witnessed the ordeal unfold in real time.</p> <p>The incident occurred aboard the <em>Disney Dream</em> as it sailed on a roundtrip voyage between Florida and the Bahamas. Passenger Gar Frantz said he was on the fourth-floor deck when he saw the child, who had been sitting on the ship’s railing while the father took a picture, fall into the water.</p> <p>“Then the child fell overboard,” Frantz recalled. “We watched it, you could see two little things ... it was crazy, it was horrific.”</p> <p>The father reportedly jumped in immediately after the child in an effort to save her.</p> <p>Fellow passenger Gail Merrick was playing bingo when she noticed a sudden commotion outside. “We came to find out that it was a child and then the father had gone in after the child, so we were watching with bated breath basically waiting for what would happen,” she told <em>NBC News</em>.</p> <p>Merrick said she saw a yellow rescue boat with crew members being deployed, and the <em>Disney Dream</em> itself made a sharp turn to return to the spot. According to Disney, the two guests were recovered within minutes.</p> <p>“We commend our Crew Members for their exceptional skills and prompt actions, which ensured the safe return of both guests to the ship,” Disney said in a statement. “We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our guests, and this incident highlights the effectiveness of our safety protocols.”</p> <p>Disney did not provide any identifying details about the guests or clarify how far into the journey the ship was when the fall occurred.</p> <p>Passenger James Tackett said he felt the ship lurch into a sharp turn before hearing what had happened. “When they did officially get the people, everyone cheered,” he said. “It was a good moment.”</p> <p>His mother, Brenda Tackett, who was also onboard, praised the crew’s swift and professional response.</p> <p>“You could tell they’ve practiced this – hopefully have never used it before – but they were great,” she said. “The whole thing was maybe 10, 15 minutes and they safely got back on board.”</p> <p>Disney After the rescue, the <em>Disney Dream</em> resumed its journey. “Thankfully it turned out positive,” Merrick said, “and we were able to enjoy the rest of the cruise.”</p> <p><em>Images: Disney Dream / NBC News</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Health

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"Devastated": Police officer dies suddenly while on holiday

<p>A family holiday has ended in heartbreak after a beloved NSW police officer died suddenly while enjoying time on the beach with his loved ones.</p> <p>Paul Matts, 37, from Orange in the NSW Central Tablelands, suffered a fatal medical episode on July 8 while laughing and playing on the sand with his wife and four children. Despite desperate efforts to revive him, he tragically could not be saved.</p> <p>Matts leaves behind his wife, Danni, and their children – daughter Harlow, son Xavier and stepchildren Archer and Jasmine. The youngest, Xavier, is just eight months old.</p> <p>“Danni and her three children – ages 8, 7, and 8 months – are now facing life without their loving dad and stepdad,” friends Jenna McAtamney and Sarah Wilkinson shared in a heartfelt message on a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-loving-family-after-the-sudden-loss-of-their-dad" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe page</a> set up to support the grieving family.</p> <p>A NSW Police sergeant with more than 16 years of service, Matts had also lived in Coffs Harbour, where he remained a cherished member of the community. The Coffs Harbour Beaches Hockey Club paid tribute to their former teammate in an emotional social media post.</p> <p>“Mattsy was a much-loved member of our club and the Coffs hockey community,” the club wrote. “He had a passion for horse racing and was never far from the track, even training a horse owned by several of our members. We pass on our deepest sympathies to his family and friends. So sad.”</p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fbeacheshockey%2Fposts%2Fpfbid033RAkAnnfCYTZeR4sbCUnwS8QZDKJco2LpApwGNgGq8L52fPjGQgNTTHRhjy6D2X9l&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="644" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>McAtamney and Wilkinson described Matts as a devoted father whose absence would be deeply felt. “This loss has left the family devastated and in need of support as they begin to navigate this new reality,” they wrote. “Danni is doing everything she can to stay strong for her kids, but she cannot do it alone.”</p> <p>Paul Matts’ funeral will be held on Thursday in Coffs Harbour.</p> <p><em>Images: GoFundMe</em></p>

Caring

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Star of The Cosby Show dies aged 54

<p>Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the actor who became a household name playing Theo Huxtable on <em>The Cosby Show</em>, has died at age 54 in an accidental drowning in Costa Rica.</p> <p>Warner drowned on Sunday afternoon while swimming at Playa Cocles, a beach on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, according to the country’s Judicial Investigation Department. Authorities said he was caught in a current and pulled out to sea. Though beachgoers managed to bring him to shore, Costa Rica’s Red Cross responders found him unresponsive. He was later taken to the local morgue.</p> <p>Warner’s death marks the tragic end of a career that spanned four decades and helped shape American television in the 1980s and beyond. Cast at age 13 after a wide talent search, Warner’s portrayal of Theo – the only son in the Huxtable household – earned him an Emmy nomination in 1986 and made him a relatable and iconic figure for a generation of viewers.</p> <p>Among the show’s most memorable moments was Theo’s heartfelt debate with his father about responsibility in the pilot episode, and his comic misadventures with a homemade designer shirt gifted by his sister Denise, a scene many fans still recall with fondness.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMYaVaqSR14/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMYaVaqSR14/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tracee Ellis Ross (@traceeellisross)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Born on August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Warner was named after Malcolm X and jazz legend Ahmad Jamal. He was raised by his mother, Pamela, who became his manager and guided his early interest in the arts. He later attended The Professional Children's School in New York to pursue acting seriously.</p> <p>Though forever linked to his role on <em>The Cosby Show</em>, Warner successfully carved out a diverse career in the decades that followed. He starred in <em>Malcolm &amp; Eddie</em>, the BET sitcom <em>Read Between the Lines</em>, played a popular returning character in <em>Community</em>, and more recently appeared in acclaimed dramas such as <em>American Crime Story</em> and <em>The Resident</em>. He also earned a Grammy Award for best traditional R&amp;B performance and received a spoken word nomination for his poetry album Hiding in Plain View.</p> <p>In a 2015 interview with the Associated Press, Warner expressed both pride in the cultural significance of <em>The Cosby Show</em> and sadness over its legacy being overshadowed by the sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby.</p> <p>"My biggest concern is when it comes to images of people of colour on television and film," Warner said. "We've always had <em>The Cosby Show</em> to hold up against that. And the fact that we no longer have that, that's the thing that saddens me the most – because in a few generations the Huxtables will have been just a fairytale."</p> <p>He also shared his deep commitment to his craft and his drive to evolve as an artist: “I grew up with a maniacal obsession with not wanting to be one of those 'where are they now kids.’ I feel very blessed… to be where I am now and finally at a place where I can let go of that worry about having a life after <em>Cosby</em>.”</p> <p>Warner was married and had a daughter, though he kept their identities private. His representatives and those of Bill Cosby declined to comment following news of his death.</p> <p>Malcolm-Jamal Warner leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking work, creative versatility, and a deeply personal connection with millions of viewers who watched him grow up on screen.</p> <p><em>Images: NBC / Supplied</em></p>

Caring

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Will your private health insurance cover surgery? What if your claim is rejected?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>The Australian Competition &amp; Consumer Commission (ACCC) <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/bupa-in-court-for-unconscionable-conduct-and-misleading-consumers-about-health-insurance-benefits-entitlements">has fined Bupa A$35 million</a> for unlawfully rejecting thousands of health insurance claims over more than five years.</p> <p>Between May 2018 and August 2023 Bupa incorrectly rejected claims from patients who had multiple medical procedures, with at least one of those procedures covered under their health insurance policy.</p> <p>Instead of paying the portion of the treatment that was covered, Bupa’s automated systems wrongly rejected the entire claim.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="zxx"><a href="https://t.co/GycZXpr7NP">https://t.co/GycZXpr7NP</a></p> <p>— Melissa Sweet (@MelissaSweetDr) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelissaSweetDr/status/1940955350582415771?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>Bupa admitted these errors were due to system problems and poor staff guidance, and has <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/bupa-in-court-for-unconscionable-conduct-and-misleading-consumers-about-health-insurance-benefits-entitlements">started to recompensate members</a>.</p> <p>So you may be worried whether your private health insurance will cover you for the procedures you need.</p> <p>Here’s what you need to know about the different types of hospital cover. And if your claim is rejected, what to do next.</p> <h2>From basic to gold</h2> <p>As of March 2025, <a href="https://www.apra.gov.au/quarterly-private-health-insurance-statistics">45.3% of Australians</a> have private health insurance for hospital cover. There are four tiers: <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/private-health-insurance/what-private-health-insurance-covers/hospital-cover-and-product-tiers#private-health-insurance-product-tiers-gold-silver-bronze-and-basic-cover">basic, bronze, silver and gold</a>.</p> <p>Each tier has a minimum set of “<a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/private-health-insurance-reforms-gold-silver-bronze-basic-product-tiers-campaign-fact-sheet_1.pdf">clinical categories</a>”. These are groups of hospital treatments that must be covered.</p> <p>For example, basic hospital cover only has three mandatory inclusions: rehabilitation, hospital psychiatric services and palliative care. But this is “restricted” cover, meaning patients will often still have to pay substantial out-of-pocket costs for these services.</p> <p>Basic cover is entry-level cover, mainly for people who want to avoid the <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/medicare-and-private-health-insurance/private-health-insurance-rebate/lifetime-health-cover">Lifetime Health Cover loading</a> and the <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/medicare-and-private-health-insurance/medicare-levy-surcharge">Medicare Levy Surcharge</a>. These are both ways of encouraging people to take up private health insurance while young and keeping it, especially people on higher incomes.</p> <p>At the other end of the scale is gold cover, which includes unrestricted cover for all defined clinical categories, including pregnancy and birth.</p> <p>You can generally change your level of cover at any time. When you upgrade to include new services or increase benefits for existing services, you will need to serve new waiting periods for those new or increased benefits.</p> <p>A common waiting period is 12 months for pre-existing conditions (any ailment, illness or condition that you had signs or symptoms of during the six months before upgrading, even if undiagnosed), and for pregnancy and birth-related services. But there is generally only a two-month waiting period for psychiatric care, rehabilitation or palliative care, even if it’s for a pre-existing condition.</p> <p>It’s a good idea to review your policy every two years because your health needs and financial circumstances can change.</p> <h2>How much do companies pay out?</h2> <p>The proportion of premiums that are paid out to cover medical claims is known as the “average payout ratio”. And this has been about <a href="https://privatehealthcareaustralia.org.au/the-facts-about-health-insurance-and-private-hospitals/">84–86%</a> over most of the past 20 years.</p> <p>This does not mean your health insurer will pay out 84–86% of your individual claim. This national average accounts for the percentage of all premiums in any one year, across all insurers, that’s paid out in claims.</p> <p>The payout ratios vary by insurer and are <a href="https://www.ama.com.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/AMA%20Budget%20Submission%202025-2026%20Private%20Health_0.pdf">slightly higher for not-for-profit health insurers</a> than for-profit insurers.</p> <p>That’s because for-profit health insurers have pressure to deliver profits to shareholders and have incentives to minimise payouts and control costs.</p> <p>If not properly managed, these incentives may result in higher out-of-pocket expenses and denied claims.</p> <h2>Why has my claim been rejected?</h2> <p>Common reasons for claims to be rejected include:</p> <ul> <li> <p>the policy excluded or restricted the clinical category</p> </li> <li> <p>the waiting period was not served</p> </li> <li> <p>incorrect information (for example, a doctor billed an incorrect item number)</p> </li> <li> <p>what’s known as “mixed coverage” (as in the Bupa scandal), where not everything in a claim is covered, but the entire claim is declined.</p> </li> </ul> <h2>What if I think there’s an error?</h2> <p>If your health insurance company refuses your claim, you can request a detailed explanation in writing.</p> <p>If you believe your claim has been incorrectly denied, you can make a formal complaint directly with the insurer. For this you need to check your policy documents, and gather supporting evidence. This may include detailed invoices, medical reports, referral letters and correct item numbers.</p> <p>If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the health fund’s internal review, or the fund doesn’t respond with the specific time-frame (for instance, 30–45 days), you can escalate your complaint.</p> <p>You can get in touch with the <a href="https://www.ombudsman.gov.au/complaints/private-health-insurance-complaints">Commonwealth Ombudsman</a> (phone: 1300 362 072). This provides a free, independent complaint handling service for a range of consumer issues, including health insurance.</p> <p>Bupa customers concerned about a “mixed coverage” claim can <a href="https://www.bupa.com.au/health-insurance/mixed-coverage">contact the company directly</a>.</p> <h2>What can governments do?</h2> <p>The Bupa scandal, along with ongoing concerns about transparency and rising out-of-pocket costs, highlights the need for policy reforms to better protect consumers.</p> <p>The government should require health insurers and health-care providers to give clear estimates of all potential out-of-pocket costs for a procedure before it happens. This would avoid unexpected bills and help consumers make informed decisions about their health care.</p> <p>The government could also let the ACCC or the <a href="https://www.apra.gov.au/">Australian Prudential Regulation Authority</a> conduct regular, independent audits of insurers’ claims systems and practices.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/260702/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/yuting-zhang-1144393">Yuting Zhang</a>, Professor of Health Economics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/will-my-private-health-insurance-cover-my-surgery-what-if-my-claim-is-rejected-260702">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Pexels / </em><em>Kampus Production</em></p> </div>

Caring

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Award-winning ABC journo passes away just one month after retiring

<p>Veteran journalist and Walkley Award winner Peter Ryan has died at the age of 64, following a long battle with metastatic thyroid cancer.</p> <p>Ryan passed away in Sydney on Friday night, his family confirmed. The esteemed journalist spent 45 years reporting for the ABC, earning a reputation for his fearless reporting, deep integrity and generous mentorship.</p> <p>Diagnosed in 2014, Ryan continued to work through his illness, most recently serving as the ABC’s senior business correspondent before retiring in June this year to enter palliative care. He chose to spend his final months with his wife Marry Cotter and daughter Charlotte.</p> <p>Beginning his career as a cadet and copyboy at the <em>Sydney Daily Mirror</em>, Ryan went on to become a pillar of the ABC newsroom. His roles included head of TV news and current affairs in Victoria, Washington bureau chief, and founding editor of Lateline Business, which evolved into The Business in 2012.</p> <p>In 2017, Ryan won a Walkley Award for his investigative coverage of the Commonwealth Bank scandal, uncovering how millions of dollars flowed through the bank’s intelligent deposit machines to criminal syndicates. Five years later, he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in recognition of his service to journalism.</p> <p>Upon his retirement, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers described Ryan as an “absolute legend”.</p> <p>“If you only needed to listen to one voice to be sure that you got the essential elements of what was happening in the economy, it would be Peter’s,” Chalmers said.</p> <p>Tributes have poured in from colleagues and admirers across the country.</p> <p>Former ABC News Breakfast host Michael Rowland called Ryan “unrivalled” in his journalism, noting that he was both “courageous” in his work and a “generous mentor”.</p> <p>“He had a big impact on so many ABC careers,” Rowland said. “We’ve all lost a good one.”</p> <p>ABC News senior director Justin Stevens praised Ryan’s “significant legacy”, saying he touched the lives of many at the broadcaster through his mentorship and friendship.</p> <p>“Through his journalism, he had a profound impact on the lives of Australians and our society,” Stevens said. “It was a privilege to know him and work alongside him.”</p> <p>Even as his career drew to a close, Ryan remained focused on nurturing the next generation of reporters. In his final words of advice, he urged young journalists to stay passionate and curious, to be prepared and kind.</p> <p>“Avoid cynicism – be passionate,” he said. “Show up early. Be kind and caring to people who need it.”</p> <p>Peter Ryan’s voice, insight and warmth will be deeply missed.</p> <p><em>Images: ABC</em></p>

Caring

Lifestyle

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Royal family shares adorable new photo and video to celebrate Prince George turning 12!

<p>Prince George is all smiles as he celebrates his 12th birthday, and royal fans are loving the charming new photo and video released by the Prince and Princess of Wales to mark the occasion.</p> <p>In a heartwarming birthday post shared on social media, the royal couple wrote: “Happy 12th Birthday to Prince George! 🎂”, alongside a new portrait of their eldest son. Dressed in a crisp striped shirt and forest-green fleece vest, George leans casually against a wooden gate, a cheeky grin on his face and a handmade friendship bracelet around his wrist, adding a playful, personal touch.</p> <p>The photo, taken by photographer Josh Shinner, is set against a lush countryside backdrop and shows a confident young royal looking more like his father, Prince William, by the day.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Happy 12th Birthday to Prince George! 🎂<br />📸Josh Shinner <a href="https://t.co/L7hAZXOkDw">pic.twitter.com/L7hAZXOkDw</a></p> <p>— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1947581237163659568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>Even sweeter, the royal family also treated fans to a behind-the-scenes video of George enjoying time with his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The trio can be seen giggling and playing in the garden, at one point lifting little Louis into the air before marching hand-in-hand toward the camera, grinning from ear to ear.</p> <p>In one charming scene, the siblings stroll through the greenery together, their close bond on full display. Louis, with his signature toothy smile and khaki jumper, steals the spotlight yet again, a reminder that the footage was likely taken a few months earlier, around his birthday in April.</p> <p>The candid footage has delighted royal watchers, with many speculating that more adorable snaps from the shoot may still be on the way.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">12 today! 🎉 <a href="https://t.co/UqYj4Y97QM">pic.twitter.com/UqYj4Y97QM</a></p> <p>— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1947604323409518681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>As George enters his teenage years, royal fans are also wondering where the future king will attend secondary school. Will he follow in Prince William’s footsteps at Eton, or take after his mum, Princess Catherine, and head to Marlborough College? For now, George continues to study at Lambrook School in Berkshire alongside his siblings.</p> <p>His last public appearance was at the Wimbledon men’s final earlier this month, and before that, he joined his family on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the Trooping the Colour celebrations.</p> <p>As he steps into this exciting new chapter, one thing is clear: Prince George is growing up fast, and winning hearts while he’s at it.</p> <p><em>Images: X (Formerly Twitter)</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Is it OK to boil water more than once, or should you empty the kettle every time?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>The kettle is a household staple practically everywhere – how else would we make our hot drinks?</p> <p>But is it okay to re-boil water that’s already in the kettle from last time? While bringing water to a boil <a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-FWC-WSH-15.02">disinfects it</a>, you may have heard that boiling water more than once <a href="https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/never-boil-water-twice/">will somehow make the water harmful</a> and therefore you should empty the kettle each time.</p> <p>Such claims are often accompanied by the argument that re-boiled water leads to the accumulation of allegedly hazardous substances including metals such as arsenic, or salts such as nitrates and fluoride.</p> <p>This isn’t true. To understand why, let’s look at what is in our tap water and what really happens when we boil it.</p> <h2>What’s in our tap water?</h2> <p>Let’s take the example of tap water supplied by <a href="https://www.sydneywater.com.au/water-the-environment/how-we-manage-sydneys-water/safe-drinking-water.html">Sydney Water</a>, Australia’s <a href="https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/nswgovdirectory/sydney-water-corporation">largest water utility</a> which supplies water to Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra region.</p> <p>From the <a href="https://www.sydneywater.com.au/water-the-environment/how-we-manage-sydneys-water/safe-drinking-water/water-analysis.html">publicly available data</a> for the January to March 2025 quarter for the Illawarra region, these were the average water quality results:</p> <ul> <li>pH was slightly alkaline</li> <li>total dissolved solids were low enough to avoid causing scaling in pipes or appliances</li> <li>fluoride content was appropriate to improve dental health, and</li> <li>it was <a href="https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/part-5/physical-chemical-characteristics/hardness-as-calcium-carbonate">“soft” water</a> with a total hardness value below 40mg of calcium carbonate per litre.</li> </ul> <p>The water contained trace amounts of metals such as iron and lead, low enough magnesium levels that it can’t be tasted, and sodium levels substantially lower than those in popular <a href="https://afcd.foodstandards.gov.au/fooddetails.aspx?PFKID=F008402">soft drinks</a>.</p> <p>These and all other monitored quality parameters were well within the <a href="https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/australian-drinking-water-guidelines">Australian Drinking Water Guidelines</a> during that period. If you were to make tea with this water, re-boiling would not cause a health problem. Here’s why.</p> <h2>It’s difficult to concentrate such low levels of chemicals</h2> <p>To concentrate substances in the water, you’d need to evaporate some of the liquid while the chemicals stay behind. Water evaporates at any temperature, but the vast majority of evaporation happens at the boiling point – when water turns into steam.</p> <p>During boiling, some <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969723062848">volatile organic compounds</a> might escape into the air, but the amount of the inorganic compounds (such as metals and salts) remains unchanged.</p> <p>While the concentration of inorganic compounds might increase as drinking water evaporates when boiled, evidence shows <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33095189">it doesn’t happen</a> to such an extent that it would be hazardous.</p> <p>Let’s say you boil one litre of tap water in a kettle in the morning, and your tap water has a fluoride content of 1mg per litre, which is within the limits of Australian guidelines.</p> <p>You make a cup of tea taking 200ml of the boiled water. You then make another cup of tea in the afternoon by re-boiling the remaining water.</p> <p>On both occasions, if heating was stopped soon after boiling started, the loss of water by evaporation would be small, and the fluoride content in each cup of tea would be similar.</p> <p>But let’s assume that when making the second cup, you let the water keep boiling until 100ml of what’s in the kettle evaporates. Even then, the amount of fluoride you would consume with the second cup (0.23mg) would not be significantly higher than the fluoride you consumed with the first cup of tea (0.20mg).</p> <p>The same applies to any other minerals or organics the supplied water may have contained. Let’s take lead: the water supplied in the Illawarra region as mentioned above, had a lead concentration of less than 0.0001mg per litre. To reach an unsafe lead concentration (0.01mg per litre, according to Australian guidelines) in a cup of water, you’d need to boil down roughly 20 litres of tap water to just that cup of 200ml.</p> <p>Practically that is unlikely to happen – most electric kettles are designed to boil briefly before automatically shutting off. As long as the water you’re using is within the guidelines for drinking water, you can’t really concentrate it to harmful levels within your kettle.</p> <h2>But what about taste?</h2> <p>Whether re-boiled water actually affects the taste of your drinks will depend entirely on the specifics of your local water supply and your personal preferences.</p> <p>The slight change in mineral concentration, or the loss of dissolved oxygen from water during boiling may affect the taste for some people – although there are a lot of other factors that <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-does-some-tap-water-taste-weird-94661">contribute to the taste of your tap water</a>.</p> <p>The bottom line is that as long as the water in your kettle was originally compliant with guidelines for safe drinking water, it will remain safe and potable even after repeated boiling.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/260293/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/faisal-hai-938602">Faisal Hai</a>, Professor and Head of School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-it-okay-to-boil-water-more-than-once-or-should-you-empty-the-kettle-every-time-260293">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Pexels / </em><em>Bia Sousa</em></p> </div>

Home & Garden

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Olympic legend announces huge news

<p>A huge congratulations is in order for Olympic champion Cate Campbell, who has just announced her engagement to longtime partner Adam Kerr!</p> <p>The eight-time medallist and swimming star, 33, took to social media on Sunday to share the joyful news, revealing that Kerr had popped the question in a beautifully romantic moment during a sunrise walk at their local beach.</p> <p>"A complete and wonderful surprise," she wrote. "Last Saturday while watching the sun rise at our new local beach, Adam turned and said: 'Cate, I have a question for you.' I thought maybe he was going to ask what kind of plants to put in our gardens, what kind of dog we should get, or what we should make for dinner. Instead, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course, I said 'yes'…(and cried a lot)."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMU2lkqTlAI/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMU2lkqTlAI/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Cate Campbell (@cate_campbell)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Campbell also shared a glimpse of her elegant three-stone engagement ring, along with photos capturing the magic of the moment. "Simply the perfect way to start the next chapter of our lives," she added.</p> <p>The couple have been together for six years, and while Kerr may not have recognised his future fiancée as one of Australia’s most decorated Olympians when they met, their bond only grew stronger over time.</p> <p>Campbell previously revealed that Kerr didn’t Google her and “wasn’t star-struck” – a refreshing change for someone used to life in the public eye. The couple briefly went their separate ways when Campbell moved to Sydney to focus on her swimming career, a time she described as her “biggest heartbreak”. But when she returned to Brisbane, they rekindled their romance – and now, they’re planning forever.</p> <p>Messages of love and congratulations have flooded in from fans and friends alike, celebrating the couple’s sweet new chapter.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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"Just So Wrong": Karl's outrage after dad banned from playing footy with son

<p>In what experts are calling “a shock loss for common sense”, a Queensland dad has found himself in hot water for the most egregious of playground crimes: having a wholesome moment with his own child.</p> <p>Dean, a footy-loving dad from the Sunshine Coast, was left gobsmacked when a casual morning pass around with his “footy mad” son was blown the full-time whistle, by the school's own referees, no less.</p> <p>“He said, ‘Dad can we just stand over on the grass there and pass a ball to each other,’” Dean explained to Karl Stefanovic on the <em>Today</em> show. And that’s exactly what they did – for all of one or two minutes – before a teacher intervened to declare the unregulated father-son bonding session a health hazard.</p> <p>“She said, 'It’s not safe to be over here because you’re unsupervised at the moment,'” Dean recounted. “And I said, 'Well, look, I’m supervising my son, so no need to worry about his supervision, consider him supervised.'”</p> <p>But the staff member was unmoved. According to Dean, the kicker came when she added: “It’s unfair on the other children who don’t have their parents here at the moment to play with them.”</p> <p>That’s right: fatherly love, now officially a competitive advantage in the playground.</p> <p>The situation escalated faster than a second-half comeback, with the deputy principal allegedly taking the opportunity to sideline the young player while dad was off stashing a backpack, delivering an impromptu post-match debrief that left the child confused and visibly upset.</p> <p>“I didn’t understand why he (principal) wouldn’t come speak to me. … I left at that point,” Dean said, still flabbergasted.</p> <p>The unnamed school has, according to Dean, developed a bit of a reputation for treating physical activity like it’s full-contact cage fighting. “I know that after school they don’t want kids playing sport,” Dean claimed. “I think now the school’s pulled back, they don’t want kids playing on the playground, they don’t want them playing on the oval, on any grass patch. Now they come to the point where you’re not allowed to pass the ball to your dad.”</p> <p>Next week’s ban: blinking more than three times during recess.</p> <p>Dean says he and other parents had previously let it all slide, but the idea that adults now require adult supervision while supervising their own children was the final straw.</p> <p>Enter<em> Today</em> show host and national voice of incredulity, Karl Stefanovic, who gave the incident the full Stefanovic treatment.</p> <p>“It feel like April Fool’s Day, doesn’t it?” he said. “I mean, it’s just so wrong, a father can’t kick a footy with his son or his daughter, it’s crazy stuff, mate.”</p> <p>And the final punchline?</p> <p>“We did reach out to the school and we got told we couldn’t kick the footy with them either,” Karl added, with a smirk that echoed around the nation.</p> <p>While the school has yet to make a public comment, one can only hope the next school newsletter doesn’t come with a warning: “No running. No fun. Supervision mandatory, even for supervising.”</p> <p>In the meantime, Dean remains undefeated in backyard one-on-one, and his son still just wants to have a kick with Dad. Is that really so dangerous?</p> <p><em>Images: Today show</em></p>

Family & Pets

Finance

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Dad jailed after Bunnings prank that hospitalised 11 people

<p>A father-of-three has been jailed for 16 months after what he claimed was a “fart prank” went horribly wrong, leaving shoppers hospitalised and forcing the evacuation of a Bunnings store in Western Australia.</p> <p>Paul Andrew Hart, 52, released a chilli-based substance called Satan’s Spit inside the Northam Bunnings on ANZAC Day, causing chaos as customers gasped for air, covered their eyes, and scrambled to escape the fumes.</p> <p>The court heard Hart sprayed the substance near a mother and her daughter before roaming the aisles as more shoppers were impacted. One customer told the court they believed they were “going to die”.</p> <p>"My lungs tightened, I was gasping for air," they said.</p> <p>Victims were rushed to hospital where they were forced to strip and decontaminate under outdoor showers.</p> <p>"We were naked and afraid. I was freezing cold and embarrassed," one person told the court.</p> <p>Bunnings was forced to shut for the day, losing $16,000 in profit.</p> <p>Hart, a former mine site chef, told the court he had woken from distressing dreams and had been drinking alcohol that morning. He claimed he had meant to spray “fart spray” as a joke to “lighten the mood”, but accidentally grabbed the wrong can from his pocket.</p> <p>The judge rejected the excuse, calling the incident reckless and dangerous.</p> <p>Hart was sentenced to 16 months in prison and will be eligible for parole later this year.</p> <p><em>Images: 9 News</em></p>

Legal

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Princess Anne honoured for the first time on new royal coin

<p>As Princess Anne approaches her 75th birthday on August 15, the UK is marking the milestone in a truly special way, with her first-ever appearance on an official British coin.</p> <p>The Royal Mint has announced a beautifully crafted commemorative coin to celebrate the occasion, paying tribute to The Princess Royal’s lifetime of duty, devotion, and public service. It marks an historic moment in British numismatic history, as it’s the first time Princess Anne has been featured on UK currency.</p> <p>The coin’s design, created by renowned artist Thomas T. Docherty, captures Her Royal Highness wearing the elegant Aquamarine Pineflower Tiara, set against a portrait based on an official photograph by celebrated photographer John Swannell. Around the edge is the inscription: “The Princess Royal – Celebrating 75 Years – Duty and Devotion”, with her official Coat of Arms positioned beside the image.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMSXKEFRKRX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMSXKEFRKRX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Royal Mint (@royalmintuk)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“It was an honour to create this commemorative coin,” Docherty said. “I wanted to reflect Her Royal Highness’s remarkable legacy and strength of character – her unwavering dedication to public service.”</p> <p>Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, said the tribute was well deserved. “Her Royal Highness’s lifelong commitment to charity, the monarchy, and the armed forces makes her truly worthy of this celebration” she said. “This graceful design perfectly captures both her dignified presence and extraordinary legacy.”</p> <p>With admirers around the world preparing to celebrate her birthday, this elegant coin offers a lasting tribute to one of the Royal Family’s most hardworking and respected members.</p> <p><em>Images: The Royal Mint</em></p>

Money & Banking

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"Far out!": Woman's $30 op shop find valued at $8000

<p>In a heartwarming twist worthy of any thrifty treasure hunter’s dreams, one Sydney woman has turned a $30 charity shop gamble into an eye-watering windfall, after being told her secondhand vases are worth up to $8000.</p> <p>Appearing on an episode of <em>Antiques Roadshow</em> filmed in Sydney, the guest stunned expert John Sandon when she presented a striking vase featuring painted Highland cattle.</p> <p>“I found it actually in an opportunity shop,” she explained casually, revealing she’d paid just $30 for the piece.</p> <p>“For a vase like this, $30, right,” John responded in disbelief. “Did you know what you were buying?”</p> <p>She didn’t. But what she’d picked up was no ordinary knick-knack. It was a piece by renowned British ceramics artist Harry Stinton, dated 1958.</p> <p>“Harry was a grand old man by that stage… into his 90s,” John said. “His eyesight had gone a bit so his later work is a little bit impressionist… I think that’s some of his nicest work.”</p> <p>Even better, the woman revealed she actually had <em>two</em> matching vases, although one had a small chip at the top.</p> <p>John was floored. “Two of them for $30?! It shouldn’t be allowed!”</p> <p>The pair, he estimated, would now fetch between $7000 and $8000.</p> <p>The guest could barely contain her shock: “Ohhh, far out,” she said, face in hand.</p> <p>Drawn in by their gold detailing, she had no idea she’d struck literal gold, proving once again that when it comes to op shop finds, you just never know what treasure awaits.</p> <p><em>Images: Antiques Roadshow</em></p>

Money & Banking

Entertainment

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Tributes flow after passing of a true rock god

<p>Ozzy Osbourne, the wailing frontman of Black Sabbath whose signature howl helped define heavy metal and whose larger-than-life persona spanned generations, has died at the age of 76.</p> <p>His family confirmed his death in a statement to the UK Press Association:</p> <p>“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMa7gaKSb11/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMa7gaKSb11/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ozzy Osbourne (@ozzyosbourne)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The news comes just over two weeks after a final, emotionally charged reunion concert on July 5 with his original Black Sabbath bandmates – Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward – in their hometown of Birmingham. Seated on a leather throne, unable to stand due to illness but refusing to be silent, Osbourne wiped away tears and told 45,000 fans at Villa Park stadium, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Millions more watched online.</p> <p>Shortly after his passing was announced, a simple but powerful message appeared on Black Sabbath’s official Facebook page: “Ozzy Forever.”</p> <p>Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, Ozzy rose from a bleak, working-class childhood in Birmingham to become one of the most iconic and controversial figures in music history. With a voice as unmistakable as it was raw and a presence that blended chaos and charisma, he helped invent a genre, and then reinvented himself countless times across decades of reinvention, ridicule and redemption.</p> <p>Osbourne was open about the toll of age and illness in his final years, particularly his battle with Parkinson’s disease, revealed by his wife Sharon in early 2025. Despite limited mobility, he retained his voice and his will to perform. In interviews, he acknowledged the damage caused by years of drug and alcohol abuse but always gave credit to Sharon – his wife, manager and fiercest protector – for keeping him alive.</p> <p>“I do count my lucky stars,” he told <em>Rolling Stone</em> in 2023. “I said to Sharon the other day, ‘What a great f---ing life we’ve had and what a great f---ing experience.’”</p> <p>From testing car horns in factories to forming Black Sabbath in 1968, Osbourne’s journey was never linear. Alongside Iommi, Butler and Ward, he took the band from pub gigs to global superstardom with albums like Paranoid, Master of Reality and Vol. 4, laying the foundation for heavy metal with thunderous riffs and lyrics steeped in war, madness and the occult.</p> <p>Dismissed by critics early on (“Satanic claptrap,” some sneered) Black Sabbath became cult heroes. For fans disillusioned with peace-and-love flower power, Sabbath’s unflinching sound was a mirror of a darker reality.</p> <p>As a solo artist, Osbourne struck gold again with albums like Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman, powered by the virtuosic guitar work of Randy Rhoads and hits like Crazy Train. He was also infamous for his unpredictable antics, biting the head off a bat mid-show, urinating on the Alamo, and allegedly snorting ants during a drug-fuelled competition with Mötley Crüe.</p> <p>Yet through the haze of tabloid headlines and outlandish behaviour, Osbourne’s voice and presence remained magnetic. “Technically speaking, he was a natural tenor with a good range and a powerful, focused voice,” said Katherine Dacey, a professor at Berklee College of Music. “But that doesn’t do justice to his artistry – his was a voice you recognised instantly.”</p> <p>His reality TV comeback in the early 2000s, <em>The Osbournes</em>, turned him into an unlikely household figure; confused, endearing, and still somehow a rock god. He met world leaders, played Queen Elizabeth II’s jubilee, and launched the wildly successful Ozzfest tour, which brought heavy metal to a new generation.</p> <p>Even as his health declined, Osbourne remained determined to perform. The July 2025 reunion with Sabbath was his last show – a fitting bookend to a life of extremes.</p> <p>“Black Sabbath wasn’t a band that was created by some big mogul guy,” he once said. “It was four guys who went, ‘Let’s have a go.’ We had a dream and it came true beyond our wildest expectations.”</p> <p>Osbourne is survived by his wife Sharon, and six children: Jessica, Louis and Elliot from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, and Aimee, Kelly and Jack from his second marriage. He also leaves behind a musical legacy unmatched in its influence and unforgettable in its audacity.</p> <p>In a 2002 interview, Osbourne predicted the headline that would follow him in death: “Ozzy Osbourne, the man who bit the head off a bat, died in his hotel room …” But he added, “At least I’ll be remembered.”</p> <p>He will be.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Music

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Beloved pop icon dies at 87 after a life of hits and heartbreak

<p>Connie Francis, the beloved pop singer whose soaring voice defined the innocence of the 1950s and early '60s but whose personal life was marked by tragedy and loss, has died at the age of 87.</p> <p>Her death was announced on Thursday by longtime friend and publicist Ron Roberts, who did not share further details.</p> <p>Francis rose to stardom with the 1958 hit Who’s Sorry Now, a song that would ironically echo throughout her life. A chart-topping powerhouse during the pre-Beatles era, she captivated audiences with classics like Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You, Stupid Cupid, and The Heart Has a Mind of Its Own. Her sweet, melodic voice crossed borders, as she recorded in multiple languages and became a global star.</p> <p>Behind the fame, however, lay a deeply painful personal story, one that Francis later summed up as “a regret from A to Z”.</p> <p>Born Concetta Rosemarie Franconero on December 12, 1937, in Newark, New Jersey, she was a musical prodigy from a young age, pushed into the spotlight by her father, George. By four, she was playing the accordion; by nine, she was appearing on national television.</p> <p>At 17, Francis signed with MGM Records and found little early success, until Dick Clark played Who’s Sorry Now on American Bandstand, propelling her into the mainstream. Francis credited Clark’s support with saving her career.</p> <p>She followed with a string of hit singles and starred in films such as Where the Boys Are, becoming a symbol of wholesome Americana. But while the public saw glamour and charm, her private life was unraveling.</p> <p>A promising romance with fellow teen idol Bobby Darin was cut short when her father allegedly confronted Darin with a gun, forbidding the relationship. It would be the first of many heartbreaks.</p> <p>In 1974, Francis survived a brutal sexual assault at knifepoint in a hotel room in New York. Her attacker was never caught. The trauma, she said, destroyed her marriage and sent her into years of emotional distress. She later won a lawsuit against the hotel for inadequate security.</p> <p>The suffering continued: in 1981, her beloved brother George was shot and killed outside his New Jersey home. Not long after, Francis was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital by her father, where she was diagnosed as manic-depressive. She later attempted suicide but survived.</p> <p>Francis married four times, with only her third husband, Joseph Garzilli, remembered fondly. The others, she said, "weren’t worth the trouble". None of her marriages lasted more than a year.</p> <p>Still, she persevered, returning to performing, publishing a memoir and speaking openly about her struggles with mental health.</p> <p>“I realised I had allowed my father to exert too much influence over me,” she said in 1984, the year her autobiography <em>Who’s Sorry Now?</em> was released.</p> <p>Though her fame dimmed in later decades, Connie Francis remained an enduring symbol of a bygone musical era – one of strength as much as romance, of triumph through trauma, and of a voice that carried both joy and sorrow in equal measure.</p> <p>She is survived by a legacy that will long outlive the pain that so often defined her life.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Music

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Dolly Parton shares career decision after sad loss

<p>Dolly Parton has revealed she is stepping away from music as she grieves the death of her beloved husband, Carl Dean.</p> <p>The country music icon shared the devastating update during an appearance on the Khloe in Wonderland podcast with Khloe Kardashian, saying she “just can’t do it right now” when it comes to finishing the songs she’s been working on.</p> <p>In March, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/dolly-parton-s-husband-dies-at-age-82" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Parton announced </a>that Dean – her partner of nearly 60 years – had died aged 82.</p> <p>“I got so many other things that I can’t afford the luxury of, you know, of getting emotional right now,” she said, her voice full of sorrow.</p> <p>Despite saying she’s been “coming up with such wonderful and beautiful ideas”, Parton admitted she doesn't currently have the emotional capacity to follow through on them.</p> <p>Following Dean’s death, Parton released a tribute song in his honour titled If You Hadn’t Been There. She announced the release in a heartfelt Instagram post featuring a photo of her embracing Dean.</p> <p>“I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old,” she wrote. “We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together. Like all great love stories, they never end.</p> <p>“They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him.”</p> <p>While she admits her grief has “stalled” her creatively, Parton hasn’t ruled out writing again someday. “I would happily write something else though if it comes,” she added.</p> <p>News of Dean’s death was first shared in a statement from Parton’s team on Instagram, which included a touching quote from the singer:</p> <p>“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” she said. “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Music

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The Project has been axed – but someone forgot to change the passwords

<p>Move over, NSW Police social media team – there’s a new sheriff in town, and they’re armed with memes, mischief and exactly zero supervision.</p> <p>Despite <em>The Project</em> being officially axed by Network Ten last Friday, the show’s Instagram account has come alive with the kind of unhinged humour usually reserved for group chats and late-night impulse tweets. And the results? Glorious chaos.</p> <p>“The bosses really should have changed the password from Password1,” read the first sign that something was afoot – or at least, afootloose.</p> <p>What followed was a gleeful digital coup. “Well, well, well, look who is in charge now… It’s me! The social media hero (that’s what I call myself),” the mystery admin announced. “So, one question: what should I do with these accounts?”</p> <p>So far, the self-appointed “social media hero” has shared six rogue posts that are funnier than half the comedy on TV right now – and that’s not just our opinion. Former co-host Lisa Wilkinson chimed in with, “I am SO HERE FOR THIS!!” while Rove McManus, part-owner of the show’s production company, added, “I just assumed the news stopped when we did.” Mood.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLhO6vEzFDv/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLhO6vEzFDv/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Project (@theprojecttv)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Other ex-<em>Project</em> personalities Gorgi Coghlan and Georgia Love offered moral support in the form of popcorn and laughing emojis, which in 2025 might as well be legal tender.</p> <p>But the rogue admin isn’t just here for the nostalgia. They’ve been keeping up with current events – kind of. One post featured a video of a woman being taken out by wild winds during this week’s “bomb cyclone” in NSW.</p> <p>“We have been off air for less than a week, and a woman has been knocked over by a fridge box?” read the caption. “You just can’t make this stuff up.”</p> <p>Honestly? This person deserves their own spin-off show. Or at the very least, a raise – assuming they’re still employed.</p> <p>No word yet from Ten HQ, but we suspect someone in middle management is frantically Googling “how to revoke Instagram access”.</p> <p>Until then, we live, laugh and like.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

TV

Property

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A decade in the making: Jamie Durie finally unveils dream home

<p>After a decade of meticulous planning, popular TV host Jamie Durie has finally revealed his dream home, a breathtaking sustainable property on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.</p> <p>The Seven Network presenter took to Instagram to share an album of images showcasing the eco-friendly sanctuary he built for his family. "Grateful. 10 years of planning, 2 years of construction and we’re finally back home," Durie, 54, captioned the post.</p> <p>The luxurious and environmentally conscious home is now the residence of Durie, his fiancée Ameka Jane, and their two children: three-year-old daughter Beau and one-year-old son Nash.</p> <p>The entire process of planning and construction has been chronicled on Durie’s latest TV venture, <em>Growing Home With Jamie Durie</em>, airing on Seven.</p> <p>"It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to build an off-the-grid house," Durie told <em>Woman’s Day</em> in November. "Ten years ago, I sketched the house. We lodged the plans five years ago, and then the last two years have been dedicated to construction."</p> <p>Durie said that the journey to completion was anything but smooth. "I don’t think poor Ameka had any idea what she was signing up for when we met. But she came up with a number of ideas that added a lot of value to it."</p> <p>He also admitted that building the house tested the family in a variety of ways. "Any family out there who’s building their own house will go through the same as what we’ve gone through," he said. "Huge budget blowouts, rising interest rates, massive construction costs that are constantly going up. We’ve had to go back to the bank four times." </p> <p>Despite the hurdles, Durie and Jane remained committed to using innovative eco-friendly features wherever they could. "We challenged ourselves with new eco-initiatives that not many people would ever dream of trying, or may not even know about," he said, before describing the experience as "the toughest project I have ever taken on in my whole life".</p> <p>Following Durie’s Instagram reveal, a wave of celebrity friends flooded the comments section with praise for the spectacular home. <em>The Morning Show</em>’s Larry Emdur wrote, "Mate!!! Just wow";fFormer Bachelor star Anna Heinrich called it "incredible"; while TV personality Sally Obermeder simply stated, "WOW". </p> <p>Comedian Dave Hughes was equally impressed, writing, "That’s proper wow. My god." <em>Getaway</em> host Catriona Rowntree described the home as "bloomin’ gorgeous".</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Dr Chris Brown recalls "dramatic" personal renovation disaster

<p><em>Dream Home</em> host Dr Chris Brown has revealed his own renovation fail on the latest episode of the show. </p> <p>The vet turned TV star has taken on a new role where he guides six teams of aspiring renovators through the joys — and pitfalls — of house remodelling in the new Channel 7 reality show. </p> <p>Speaking to 7NEWS, the star recalled the terrifying moment his home nearly fell in on itself when he was trying to build a garage. </p> <p>“On my first renovation, I decided I needed a garage underneath my house,” he said, adding that he had council approval for the renovation. </p> <p>“With a couple of tradies, we went about digging out the garage underneath the house, in the sand.</p> <p>“We just kept on digging, digging, digging, until a rather large sound indicated the house was about to fall into the hole!</p> <p>“So that’s about as dramatic as it as it gets.</p> <p>“To have your house sort of falling in on itself, that was a pretty big learning curve.”</p> <p>He said that the problem was solved "very quickly" with a lot of underpinning and structural support. </p> <p>“A lot of those steel support posts that you can sort of wind up and down, they went in, and thankfully the house didn’t fold in half,” he said, laughing at the situation. </p> <p>He added that unexpected situations like this are what make renovation shows so appealing as "there’s so much natural drama, you don’t have to fake anything." </p> <p>“Choices have to be made, and it’s either the right way or the wrong way, and you only really discover that as you go along," he added. </p> <p>“Sometimes it’s too late to turn back once you realise you’ve made a terrible mistake.”</p> <p>Chris added that his role on the show is almost as a"coach" to the pairs, supporting them through the renovation challenges, and helping them get to the finish line. </p> <p>“What these couples are going through, and just how much they put on the line to get these renovations done, is quite inspiring and quite uplifting and but also thoroughly entertaining,” he said. </p> <p><em>Image: Seven</em></p>

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Yoko Ono selling John Lennon's New York home for first time in 50 years

<p>For the first time in 50 years, the house where John Lennon and Yoko Ono lived in New York City has hit the market.</p> <p>The brick, bluestone and terra cotta structure at 496 Broome St. was the first home the pair bought together in New York City before they moved to the Upper West Side of Manhattan. </p> <p>Yoko Ono has held onto the property since she first bought it with the late Beatles member, and has now listed it with her son with JLL Real Estate, for an asking price of $US5.5 million ($8.23m AUD).</p> <p>“The building on Broome St. was sort of like a base for their artistic ventures,” Philip Norman, author of “John Lennon: The Life,” told the <em><a href="https://nypost.com/2024/05/21/real-estate/yoko-ono-lists-former-nyc-home-for-5-5m/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York Post</a></em>. “Bank Street was their salon, where people could just walk in.”</p> <p>First built in 1885, the two-storey building has an open-plan format, with a gallery-like ground floor space with 14.4-foot-high ceilings, an open kitchen and a lofted bedroom.</p> <p>On the second floor, there’s a live-work space and a recording studio.</p> <p>“496 Broome St. is both a unique piece of New York history and popular culture and a prime investment opportunity for the right buyer,” said Paul Smadbeck, who holds the listing.</p> <p>“Versatile zoning and its location in one of the city’s most desirable and trendsetting neighbourhoods offers an exciting opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind property.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Mediapunch / JLL Real Estate </em></p>

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Airbnb launches real-life "Up" house - and it actually floats!

<p>Airbnb is taking its latest listing to the sky - literally. </p> <p>The accommodation provider has announced a partnership that will see the iconic house from Pixar's hit film <em>Up</em> being lifted into the air, balloons and all. </p> <p>In their ongoing quest to redefine hospitality, Airbnb has launched a permanent category called “Icons,” which features partnerships with brands and celebrities that promise unforgettable experiences.</p> <p>Suspended over the New Mexico desert with the aid of a crane, the property looks like an exact replica of the home and contains adorable easter eggs from the film - including the Adventure Book. </p> <p>“Icons take you inside worlds that only existed in your imagination — until now,”  Airbnb CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky said in a statement.</p> <p>“As life becomes increasingly digital, we’re focused on bringing more magic into the real world … we’ve created the most extraordinary experiences on Earth." </p> <p>The house offers a stunning view of the desert, which you can enjoy while sitting on replica's of Ellie and Carl's chairs or have breakfast with a view in the kitchen. </p> <p>Alternatively, you could look at the stars while sitting on the front porch - but don't look down because the adventure is out there. </p> <p>Of course there are questions about the logistics of the stay, including plumbing and electricity, but the accommodation giant has assured that the house is “fully functional,” connected to generators and utilities that will be seamlessly managed before and after its flight.</p> <p>Other fantastical listings include a replica of the mansion from the “X-Men ’97” cartoon, a stay at the Ferrari Museum in Italy, and Prince's house that was featured in the legendary film <em>Purple Rain</em>. </p> <p>Check out the <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/1126185893236246260?_set_bev_on_new_domain=1715826165_M2NkZDdkODdhMjcy&amp;source_impression_id=p3_1715826166_A20M4770EGAtl8AV&amp;modal=PHOTO_TOUR_SCROLLABLE" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Up</em></a> listing here, be warned the sweet listing may make you shed a tear or two. </p> <p><em>Images: Airbnb</em></p> <p> </p>

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