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92-year-old grandma steals hearts in Paris

<p>Australian judo champion Aoife Coughlan stunned Olympic audiences with a tense showdown against German athlete Miriam Butkereit in Paris, but some audience members had their attention drawn elsewhere. </p> <p>The 28-year-old Aussie was holding her own against Butkereit, until sudden-death overtime saw Butkereit, 30, win at the last second in the women's 70kg judo round of 16.</p> <p>Despite the unbelievable scenes inside Grand Palais Éphémère in Champ de Mars in Paris, some spectators were quick to notice a special guest hovering behind the TV cameras, who has since drawn the world's attention. </p> <p>Coughlan's 92-year-old grandmother Pam Coughlan, from Ireland, scored a prime position mat-side to watch her granddaughter compete, with the judoka's cousin explaining just how his grandmother secured her prime, and unusual, spot on social media.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">My 92 year old granny is at the Olympics today to watch her Australian grandchild in the Judo.</p> <p>She persuaded them to let her sit here. Never doubt the Dublin Granny. <a href="https://t.co/XevdsWxKnt">pic.twitter.com/XevdsWxKnt</a></p> <p>— Mark Coughlan (@Mark_Coughlan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mark_Coughlan/status/1818561337212977605?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <p>"She persuaded them to let her sit here. Never doubt the Dublin Granny," Mark Coughlan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). </p> <p>Wearing sunglasses inside and a red, French-style beret to complete her look, Coughlan's grandmother Pam kept a watchful eye on her granddaughter, with Mark commentating from at home. </p> <p>"Judo is quicker than I knew, and harsh," Coughlan's cousin explained to his social media followers. "Round two 20 minutes after round one: Aoife lost on Judo's equivalent of extra time and penalties in the last minute."</p> <p>"Massive pride. What an achievement. Olympian and hugs from Granny afterwards."</p> <p>Pam Coughlan, Mark said, will "have to do the Paris look-around now" as she did eight years ago, when she flew aged 83 to spectate at Rio 2016.</p> <p>Mark's Twitter thread about his grandmother quickly went viral, with many applauding the older woman for her supportive nature. </p> <p>One fan wrote, "Dublin Granny…need you say more??" while another added, "All olympic grannies who can manage to attend in person should be given front row seats."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine </em></p>

Family & Pets

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First lady of Australian television dies aged 92

<p>Renowned Australian children’s presenter Dawn Kenyon has died aged 92.</p> <p>Kenyon, originally Dorothy Dingwell, was born in Toowoomba in 1932 and made her TV debut in 1956, the same year that it was introduced in Australia. </p> <p>She became the country's first female host of children's show, with her appearance on <em>Captain Fortune</em>, and was later referred to as the “first lady of Australian television”.</p> <p>Known affectionately as Miss Dawn, she hosted several early Australian children's shows and became a household name with her role on Channel Seven’s <em>Romper Room</em> in the late 1950s, almost a decade before <em>ABC’s Play School </em>made its debut in 1966.</p> <p>In addition to her on screen roles, she also made significant contributions behind the scenes as a producer and screenwriter. </p> <p>A year after she made her TV debut, she married Fred Kenyon, a British TV engineer, and they share three children, Steven, Peter and Anne. </p> <p>After her marriage she chose to step away from her presenting career and relocated to England when her husband accepted a job there. </p> <p>Her legacy endured, with her friends in the media industry paying tribute to her as news broke of her death. </p> <p>“Dawn was always a shining light,” Australian journalist Anita Jacoby said.</p> <p>“She was so often the first to greet us, introduce us to new families, and lead us deeper into that magic of the Merry Makers,” <em>60 Minutes’ </em>Jeff McMullen said.</p> <p><em>Image: National Archives of Australia/ news.com.au</em></p>

Caring

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Cops charged after allegedly assaulting 92-year-old

<p>Two police officers have been charged after allegedly assaulting a 92-year-old man in Sydney’s southwest.</p> <p>The officers attended a home at Campbell Street, Picton, after 8:45pm on January 21, following reports of a domestic incident. </p> <p>"The 92-year-old man received injuries which were allegedly the result of an interaction with the officers," a NSW Police statement reads.</p> <p>"He was taken to hospital where he was admitted with a fracture to his right elbow, and significant bruising to his head and arms."</p> <p>Following an internal investigation - which began the day after police attended the home - a male senior constable and a male constable, both from the South West Metropolitan Region, were given court attendance notices yesterday for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.</p> <p>The constable is also facing a further charge of assault. </p> <p>NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said that police responded to over 140,000 domestic violence matters every year and they review all the responses the following day. </p> <p>She also said that it was "too hard to say" whether a domestic violence matter took place at the home, and it appeared that a resident at the home had dementia. </p> <p>"It's obviously a complex matter when you have someone elderly, someone who has mental decline through dementia, or through something else, that can actually articulate any concerns to police properly."</p> <p>However, no-one has been charged with domestic violence. </p> <p>One of the officers will appear at Campbelltown Local Court on July 30, and the other is due to appear at the same court on August 6. </p> <p>Both officers will be suspended with pay. </p> <p><em>Image: Nine</em></p> <p> </p>

Legal

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Cleaner admits to killing 92-year-old client

<p>A Sydney cleaner has admitted to killing her 92-year-old client in a frenzied attack after "blacking out". The young woman claims she's only guilty of manslaughter because she can't remember a thing.</p><p>Hanny Papanicolaou said she doesn't recall bashing Marjorie Welsh with her own walking stick after arriving at her Ashbury home, in Sydney's Inner West, on a day she was not rostered to clean in January 2019.</p><p>She also said she has no memory of stabbing Mrs Welsh with a kitchen knife or smashing her over the head with crockery. Mrs Welsh died from her injuries six weeks after she was attacked.</p><p>Ms Papanicolaou told a NSW Supreme Court jury on Wednesday that all she remembers is waking up in a pool of blood and seeing Mrs Welsh's body on the ground after she was "woken up" by an alarm.</p><p>"I wake up surrounding by blood, I wake up surrounding by knife,' she said in the witness box.</p><p>"Marj was in front of the fridge with a lot of blood… I just grab the cloth and I just run.</p><p>"I just want to see my son… I was in shock I didn't know what was happening."</p><p>When asked why she attacked her client she said, "I don't know .. every day I asking myself … I don't know."</p><p>Her statements of memory loss were at odds with what she told police in an interview following her arrest.</p><p>During a three-hour interview, she told officers she acted in self-defence after Mrs Welsh accused her of stealing $50 and pulled a knife on her.</p><p>"I try to get knife … I was kicking her … and I then I just say, 'give it to me give it to me'," Ms Papanicolaou said in an interview room at Sutherland police station.</p><p>"She tried to get up and she hit her head into the fridge," she said before stating Mrs Welsh fell on broken crockery.</p><p>The 38-year-old admitted she gambled until the early hours of January 2, 2019 at Canterbury-Hurlstone RSL before driving to Mrs Welsh's Ashbury home. It's the Crown case she went to Mrs Welsh's Holden Street home to steal money – thinking she was away - but attacked her when after realising she was home.</p><p>She admitted to carrying out the attack but denied rummaging through the house for cash, despite leaving a blood smear on the inside of Mrs Welsh's cupboard.</p><p>Under cross examination Crown prosecutor Chris Taylor asked: "You killed Marjorie Welsh didn't you?"</p><p>"Yes, I plead guilty for manslaughter," Ms Papanicolaou replied.</p><p>"You beat Mrs Welsh with her own walking stick?" Mr Taylor asked.</p><p>"I don't know," she replied.</p><p>"You're pretending that you've forgotten that you beat and stabbed Mrs Welsh. You're pretending, aren't you?" he asked.</p><p>"No," she said.</p><p>Despite partially recalling the actions of the attack, she told the court more than 100 times "I don't know" and "I don't remember" in relation to questions over the brutal assault.</p><p><em>Images: 9 News</em></p>

Legal

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Amazon driver refuses to deliver alcohol to 92-year-old woman without ID

<p><span>An Amazon driver refused to deliver liquor to a 92-year-old UK woman after she failed to show her ID.</span></p> <p><span>Louise Wilkinson was expecting a bottle of Harveys Bristol Cream sherry from her grandson Carl Johnston as a holiday present, <em><a href="https://nypost.com/2019/12/31/amazon-driver-refuses-to-deliver-booze-to-92-year-old-granny-without-id/">The Sun</a> </em>reported.</span></p> <p><span>However, the grandmother of four was left surprised after the Amazon delivery driver arrived at her County Durham home and asked for her ID. She failed to produce a passport or driver’s licence, and the bottle was taken away despite her insistence that she was of legal age.</span></p> <p><span>“I can understand that if you are lucky enough to look around 18 you should have to show ID,” Johnston said. “But my grandma is 92.”</span></p> <p><span>A second attempt to deliver the item was again unsuccessful after the widow tried to use a bus pass as identification. “A bus pass isn’t on Amazon’s list of accepted identifications,” said Johnston.</span></p> <p><span>The accepted forms of identification are military ID cards, a biometric immigration document or a photographic identity card bearing a national Proof of Age Standard Scheme (PASS) holograms.</span></p> <p><span>Johnston questioned why the online marketplace’s drivers could not “just accept a visual check if you are clearly over 18”.</span></p> <p><span>The grandson said he plans to purchase another bottle and deliver it himself.</span></p>

Food & Wine

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Nurse banned from practice for taking $1.5 million from 92-year-old man

<p>A nurse has been banned from practicing after swindling $1.5 million from a 92-year-old Melbourne man.</p> <p>Bachelor Lionel Cox went into Cambridge House care home in Collingwood in July 2015 after his health deteriorated, with plans to stay “until the cold months were over”.</p> <p>Cox was left in care of nurse Abha Kumar, who heard that he owned a house, had no friends or family, and had not made a will. Within days of meeting Cox, Kumar helped him hand-write a will to make her the sole beneficiary to his $1.5 million estate. She then forced a staff member to witness the signing without telling them she was the beneficiary.</p> <p>Kumar also travelled with Cox by taxi to his house to collect various items and $4,500 in cash.</p> <p>After Cox died on August 9, 2015 of natural causes, Kumar went on to sell his Fitzroy home for $1.117 million in November 2016 and other belongings for $39,000.</p> <p>On Tuesday, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal handed down orders on the three allegations made against Kumar by the Nursing and Midwifery Board.</p> <p>Kumar was found to be engaging in professional misconduct and forcing staff to aide her. She was banned from being a registered health practitioner and from working or volunteering in any aged care capacity for five years.</p> <p>Tribunal members Elisabeth Wentworth, Mary Archibald and Pamela Barry described Kumar as <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/nurse-who-helped-man-write-will-is-banned-by-vcat-but-keeps-his-1-5m-20190925-p52uwx.html" target="_blank">a risk to the public</a>.</p> <p>“The conduct in this case constituted determined, goal-directed actions by Ms Kumar to ensure that Mr Cox – a vulnerable, elderly man in her care – made a will in her favour, and that no-one knew he had done so until after he died,” they wrote.</p> <p>“Instead of refusing the benefit under the will, she has retained it, thereby profiting from her misconduct.”</p>

Retirement Life

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Chocolate lovers rejoice: Darrell Lea launches new range after 92 years

<p>More and more beloved Aussie brands are stepping into the chocolate game. A month ago, <a href="https://twitter.com/ArnottsBikkies/status/1121688038764007424">Arnott’s</a> released a new range of chocolate blocks based on their classic biscuits – and now, Darrell Lea has followed suit.</p> <p>The confectionary maker, which is well-known for its liquorice bullets, has finally launched its own range of chocolate blocks for the first time in the company’s 92-year history.</p> <p>It comes in six flavours, including classic varieties from the brand such as liquorice, peanut brittle and Rocklea Road, as well as new selections like Fruitier &amp; Nuttier, Peppermint Partytime and Caramel Craving.</p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ByCgbu0n4QH/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ByCgbu0n4QH/" target="_blank">A post shared by Darrell Lea (@darrelllea)</a> on May 29, 2019 at 1:08am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Since the new products hit the shelves weeks ago, fans have praised the fresh take on their favourite treats.</p> <p>“Great chocolate bars. Excellent taste and smoothness without being too sweet,” one reviewed.</p> <p>“Just bought the new Rocklea Road block and it was absolutely delicious and jam packed with flavour,” another commented.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">My god. Has Darrell Lea just released the ultimate pave <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TourSnacks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TourSnacks</a>? <a href="https://t.co/Crl7L19ds4">pic.twitter.com/Crl7L19ds4</a></p> — Beth (@zahribeth) <a href="https://twitter.com/zahribeth/status/1133575528739270656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/DarrellLea_AU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DarrellLea_AU</a> has made <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheBest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheBest</a> soft licorice since my childhood. Nothing has changed except I'm spoilt for choice. <a href="https://t.co/fTX93guK8G">pic.twitter.com/fTX93guK8G</a></p> — tarkan orada (@TarkanOrada) <a href="https://twitter.com/TarkanOrada/status/1133638241041625088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">You know how those Cadbury blocks have little hard marshmallows in them and it kind of ruins your whole day?<br /><br />These Darrell Lea blocks have actual marshmallows. Fluffy ones. A+. <a href="https://t.co/KOhdjKsewj">pic.twitter.com/KOhdjKsewj</a></p> — anna spargo-ryan (@annaspargoryan) <a href="https://twitter.com/annaspargoryan/status/1132799234099433473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>“We make some of Australia’s favourite confectionery products and we knew these would translate perfectly into a block format,” said Tim York, CEO at Darrell Lea.</p> <p>“We also thought we could improve on a few great flavour combinations … so we did. It’s time the confectionery aisle got a shake up and we’re excited to be doing it.”</p> <p>The new chocolate blocks are now available exclusively at Woolworths.</p> <p>The confectionary company has pulled its ‘No Worries Jan’ ad campaign for the new range after the Yellow Pages issued a cease and desist letter. In a statement, Darrell Lea said it “wanted to celebrate a classic Australian television ad”, referring to the iconic ‘Not Happy Jan’ campaign from the early 2000s.</p> <p>“As an Australian company with a 92-year heritage, we wanted to give an iconic ad a new lease of life and from the comments we received, the response was extremely positive.</p> <p>“However, [Yellow Pages’ parent company] Sensis has demanded that we shut down our campaign through its lawyers.”</p> <p><iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fPOO0emzAaY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>

Food & Wine

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How the Queen is fighting fit at 92

<p>Her Royal Majesty may be 92 years old, but she doesn’t let age deter her from her official duties and busy schedule.</p> <p>She enjoys long walks around Buckingham Palace, and the morning Prince Louis was born, she was seen horseback riding at Windsor Castle without a helmet.</p> <p>And now, one of the reasons for her youthful energy has been revealed – gin.</p> <p>Every day before lunch, the Queen enjoys a glass of gin mixed with a fortified wine called Dubonnet, reported the <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/features/how-to-drink-like-the-royal-family/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Telegraph.</span></strong></a></p> <p>While alcohol should be enjoyed in moderation, gin is made from juniper berries, which have some great health benefits.</p> <p>Juniper berries are good at fighting against free radicals, which cause oxidative stress and are responsible for cellular damage, premature ageing and triggering a number of diseases.</p> <p>The berries also help those with sore throats, respiratory infections and muscle ache.</p> <p>Experts have also previously suggested that the berries can improve blood circulation, prevent heart disease and decrease your chance of kidney and liver disease.</p> <p>Other research has shown that juniper berries may help you have a more youthful looking complexion for longer.</p> <p>To create the Queen’s favourite cocktail, pour one-part gin and two parts Dubonnet over ice and stir. The Queen enjoys a slice of lemon with the pips removed as her garnish.</p> <p>Just remember, the New Zealand alcohol guidelines recommend women having no more than two standard drinks and men having more than three on any day to reduce your risk of alcohol-related disease and injury.</p>

Body

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Barbara Bush dies at 92: US first lady’s parting jab at son George W. Bush

<p>Former US first lady Barbara Bush passed away yesterday at age 92, but as <a href="http://www.news.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>News.com.au reports</strong></em></span></a>, the notoriously witty matriarch of one of America’s most famous political families, was still cracking jokes right up until the end.</p> <p>Her eldest, former US President George W. Bush, has revealed in the days leading up to her passing, she continued to playfully needle him as she had in the past.</p> <p>At one points, Mrs Bush reportedly turned to the doctor and said: “You want to know why George W. is the way he is?”</p> <p>The doctor had looked a little surprised.</p> <p>“Because I drank and smoked when I was pregnant with him,” she replied.</p> <p>Mr Bush spoke in glowing praise of his mother, saying she, “was warm and wonderful, until you got out of line.”</p> <p>This was by no means the first time Mrs Bush gave one of her son’s a gentle ribbing, as she famously joked around with her son Jeb Bush during his bid to become US President.</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6IuDx88RwUo" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>“The best news of the day was that my mum finally said I was her favourite,” Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor, quipped to his mum.</p> <p>“Oh no I didn’t,” she said laughing. “You mean of all of the children?”</p> <p>“Yeah,” Bush deadpanned.</p> <p>“No,” she quipped.</p> <p>Bush family spokesman Jim McGrath released a statement from the family following her passing.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Herewith a statement from former President <a href="https://twitter.com/GeorgeHWBush?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GeorgeHWBush</a>. <a href="https://t.co/USSq5RkD4g">pic.twitter.com/USSq5RkD4g</a></p> — Jim McGrath (@jgm41) <a href="https://twitter.com/jgm41/status/986662348017537025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>Our thoughts are with Mrs Bush’s friends and family.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Twitter / US Secret Service</em></p>

Caring

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Bride asks 92-year-old uncle to be her “something blue”

<p>A US bride has given a whole new meaning to the wedding tradition of having “something blue”.</p> <p>When Alison Ferrel married her husband, Matthew, on May 13, 2017 she knew she wanted to include her 92-year-old uncle, Bill Lee Eblen, in the wedding ceremony.</p> <p>Bill, a former sergeant in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, was escorted down the aisle in his Dress Blues – and we must say, he nearly stole the show from the bride.</p> <p><img width="500" height="750" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/37209/1_500x750.jpg" alt="1 (182)"/></p> <p>"Once I got engaged, I knew I wanted to include my Uncle Bill, or as social media now calls him, 'Uncle Blue,' in a special way," Alison told Babble. "Coming from a close-knit family where I was taught to have respect and admiration for those in the armed services, this felt like a natural choice, to have Uncle Bill there in his dress blues."</p> <p>Uncle Bill fought through a severe bout of pneumonia to attend the wedding. In fact, it was Alison’s request for him to be her "something blue" that made him pull through his illness.</p> <p><img width="500" height="750" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/37210/3_500x750.jpg" alt="3 (152)"/></p> <p>"What's your goal?" a nurse asked him in his hospital bed. "To be her 'something blue' on her wedding day," he would answer.</p> <p>Photos of the bride and Uncle Bill were shared on the Facebook page Love What Matters.</p> <p>"It was such an honour to have him serve as my 'something blue' on my wedding day [for] a memory that will last a lifetime," Alison wrote.</p> <p><em>Image credits: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lovewhatreallymatters/photos/pcb.1528964690459257/1528964013792658/?type=3">Love What Matters Facebook</a></span></em></p>

Family & Pets

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92-year-old steals the show as flower girl at granddaughter’s wedding

<p>If there’s one thing we never get tired of seeing here at Over60, it’s got to be brides and grooms finding unique ways to include their grandparents in their big days. So far, we’ve seen a <a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/04/oldest-bridesmaid-walks-down-the-aisle-at-100/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">100-year-old bridesmaid</span></strong></a>, a <a href="/news/news/2016/10/flower-grandpa-steals-show-at-wedding/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">“flower grandpa”</span></strong></a> and even a bride who <a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/03/bride-ditches-wedding-dress-for-grandmas" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">swapped her expensive gown</span></strong></a> to don her grandmother’s vintage frock.</p> <p>So, there was no way we weren’t going to share this one! When 27-year-old bride Kerrin Walton walked down the aisle on Friday, there was only one option in mind when it came to choosing her flower girl – her 92-year-old grandmother, Alison.</p> <p>“Kerrin came with flowers and a lovely card that said would I give her the honour of being her flower girl,” Alison told <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/outer-east/alison-walter-92-stars-as-flower-girl-at-granddaughters-wedding/news-story/7b8e038ed9c11ac7045c9433dbc43e2d" target="_blank"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Herald Sun</span></em></strong></a>. “How could I refuse?”</p> <p>According to Kerrin, however, it took a little convincing to prove to her nan that she wasn’t joking. “She didn’t believe me when I first asked her,” the newlywed revealed to <a href="/good-news/2017/05/22/09/37/grandmother-92-beside-herself-after-featuring-in-granddaughters-wedding-as-flower-girl" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">9 News</span></strong></a>. “But she was the best flower girl in the world. She was beautiful, inside and out. I wouldn't want any other girl to walk me on my way to my husband.</p> <p>“I needed something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. And Nanna was my something old.”</p> <p>How sweet! And it’s not the first time the grandmother-of-12 has had a starring role in a wedding. So far, she’s been mother-of-the-bride six times, a bridesmaid, matron of honour and a bride herself.</p> <p>See the ladies celebrating their big day in the gallery above and tell us in the comments, did your grandparents have a special role in your wedding?</p> <p><em>Image credit: Alex Coppel.</em></p>

Retirement Life

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This airline will fly you from the US to Europe for $92

<p>On February 23, Norwegian Air announced that it will launch flights from the United States to Europe for as low as NZ $92.</p> <p>Norwegian's announcement comes a month after Icelandic low cost airline WOW Air launched a US$69.99 fare sale from the US to Europe with a stop over in Reykjavík.</p> <p>Starting in June, the Norwegian low-cost carrier will operate flights from its bases in Newburgh, New York; Hartford, Connecticut; and Providence, Rhode Island to destinations in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland using the airline's new Boeing 737MAX 8 airplanes.</p> <p>"We are pleased to announce our new highly-anticipated transatlantic routes. Our new, non-stop service will enable tens of thousands of new travellers to fly between the continents much more comfortably and affordably," Norwegian Air CEO Bjorn Kjos said.</p> <p>"Norwegian's latest transatlantic offering is not only great news for the travelling public, but also for the local US economies as we will bring more tourists that will increase spending, consequently creating thousands of new local jobs."</p> <p>According to Norwegian, the US$65 tickets are part of an introductory sale. However, the normal starting price is just US$99, Norwegian Air senior vice president of sales, Lars Sande said.</p> <p>The newly-announced flights to Ireland will be operated by NAI, Norwegian's Irish subsidiary, that finally gained Department of Transportation approval to fly into the US in December after two years of delays.</p> <p>The airline's Norway-registered operation has been flying into the US since 2013 using its fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliner widebody jets and will operate the new routes to Scotland.</p> <p>Norwegian's Irish operation has been a great point of controversy over the past few years. NAI is one of several subsidiaries operating under the Norwegian banner. Unlike the rest of Norwegian, NAI is based in Dublin, instead of in Norway. Critics, led by US airlines and their unions, believes this allows NAI to take advantage of Ireland's employment laws, which are significantly less stringent than Norway's. As a result, they say, NAI could hire pilots and cabin crew members from Asia at lower wages to fly transatlantic routes.</p> <p>"What the other airlines and unions are saying are alternative facts and fake news," Sande said. "We are doing exactly what Trump wants to do. We are flying American aircraft, hiring American employees, and we paying local salaries while following local regulations."</p> <p>In a press conference earlier this month, White House press secretary Sean Spicer seemingly agreed with Norwegian's stance saying the airline's agreement to hire US crew and place orders for Boeing jets represent "huge economic interests" for America.</p> <p>According Sande, the new bases will start up with 150 crew members while the airline has another 500 crew members based in New York and Fort Lauderdale, Florida to operate its Dreamliners. In addition, Norwegian currently operates an all-Boeing fleet consisting of more than 110 Dreamliners and 737s with another 100-plus Boeing jets on order.</p> <p>Would you be keen to take advantage of this fare?</p> <p><em>Written by Benjamin Zhang. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p>

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92-year-old neighbour becomes internet sensation

<p>A 92-year-old South Australian woman might just have become the <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/01/man-asks-elderly-neighbour-to-live-with-him-during-her-final-days/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>cutest neighbour in the world</strong></span></a>, after her lovely gesture was shared on an internet forum.</p> <p>Reddit user Your_Local_Engineer <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/61yq0b/last_week_i_put_a_piece_of_tape_on_my_bin_lid_to/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>posted a story</strong></span></a> about how he has used a piece of tape to fix a crack in the lid of his bin. His elderly neighbour mistook the straight line for the number “1” and assumed this was how they were labelling bins.</p> <p>So the next time it was bin night, the senior women had labelled hers accordingly, adding the number “7” to the lid of her bin in the same fashion.</p> <p><img width="499" height="370" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34805/bin-in-text_499x370.jpg" alt="Bin -in -text" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p><em>Image credit: Reddit/Your_Local_Engineer via Storyful</em></p> <p>And in doing so she created a neighbourhood trend. The story has become an internet sensation, with 29,679 likes at the time of writing.</p> <p>Do you have any stories like this you would like to share?</p> <p><em>Hero image credit: Reddit/Your_Local_Engineer via Storyful</em></p>

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Minister steps in to stop deportation of 92-year-old

<p>One of the <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/03/92-year-old-british-war-hero-set-to-be-deported/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>more unpleasant stories we’ve brought you</strong></span></a> this week looks set for a happy ending with Assistant Immigration Minister Alex Hawke stepping in at the eleventh hour to stop the deportation of 92-year-old war veteran James Bradley.</p> <p>Bradley, who served in the British Royal Navy during World War II, had his visa denied after officials deemed his health issues would be a financial burden on the taxpayer.</p> <p>The 92-year-old, who moved to Australia in 2007 with his wife Peggy to be closer to family, is suffering from the early stages of dementia and is wheelchair-bound.</p> <p>Bradly and his wife had applied for permanent residency in 2007 but were caught in a lengthy queue of about 80,000 people and in that time his health has deteriorated.</p> <p>But they embattled family finally has some good news, with Mr Hawke’s office confirming with <em><a href="http://www.smh.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Fairfax Media</strong></span></a></em> the minister had granted the couple a permanent visa, allowing them to remain in Australia for the rest of their lives.</p> <p>Ms Bradley said, "That's absolutely marvellous," Ms Bradley said upon being told the news. "I can't believe it. It's made my day. God bless him.</p> <p>“I didn't know what was going to happen if we were suddenly dumped in a country that we'd left 10 years ago. We've been in the doldrums for the last month or two. We'll be able to sleep at night.”</p> <p>We’re glad this story has a happy ending. </p>

Retirement Life

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92-year-old British war hero set to be deported

<p>A 92-year-old war veteran who has lived in Australia for over a decade is set to be deported to Britain after his visa was denied because his health issues would be a financial burden on the taxpayer, the Sydney Morning Herald report.</p> <p>James Bradley, 92, who served in the British Royal Navy during World War II, moved to Australia with his wife Peggie, 91, in 2007 to be close to his family and his grandchildren.</p> <p>The couple passed their mandatory health test when they first arrived and were place in the long queue for permanent parent visas. However, seven years later James was required to undertake another health test, which he failed. He is suffering the early stages of dementia and is wheelchair-bound.</p> <p><img width="440" height="273" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/03/19/23/3E7181D000000578-4329758-image-m-5_1489966531228.jpg" alt="Suffering from the early stages of dementia and confined to a wheelchair - Mr Bradley's condition is now deemed likely to 'result in a significant cost to the Australian community' and his visa has been denied" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="i-ddc1b08c19f5d05"/></p> <p>The couple’s visa was denied as James’ health issues have been deemed to “result in a significant cost” to the health system.   </p> <p>"Considering my background, I think I've been treated shabbily," James told the publication. "I've waited in a queue for permanent residency for 10 years, only to be rejected. I'd like to be able to spend whatever time I've got left here in Australia with my family."</p> <p>Despite being in good health Peggie’s visa has also been rejected as the couple came to Australia on a joint ticket.</p> <p>"Although we're old, we do play a part," said Peggie, who picks up her nine-year-old granddaughter Karis from school most days. "We can't believe that anyone knowing our history would have grounds for rejecting us."</p> <p><img width="443" height="258" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/03/19/23/3E7181DF00000578-4329758-image-m-13_1489967058884.jpg" alt="A spokesperson from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection said Mr and Mrs Bradley's appeal is being considered" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="i-42f452b8fc7e1ad1"/></p> <p>Speaking to Ten, Peggie begged the Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to overturn the decision.</p> <p>“Have a heart – allow him to stay,” Peggie said.</p> <p>“He served his country during the war. Not just for Britain but for Australia and for all humanity and mankind.”</p> <p>The couple’s daughter, Sharon Bradley-Town, says her father “could not survive deportation”.</p> <p>"Every day, the uncertainty around their immigration status weighs on dad's bent shoulders like the heaviest of invisible sacks," Sharon wrote in a letter to Dutton. "He worries terribly about what will happen to him and to Peggie ... when he is gone. He could not survive deportation."</p>

Retirement Life

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99-year-old and 92-year-old go head-to-head in 60-metre sprint

<p>Most people would be thrilled to make it to their 90s with their mind and body still intact, but two extraordinary nonagenarians have taken it a step further, battling it out in a nail-biting 60-metre track race.</p> <p>Orville Rogers, 99, and Dixon Hemphill, 92, went head-to-head in the sprint race at the USATF Masters Indoor Track &amp; Field Championships in New Mexico, USA. Hemphill maintained a slight lead for the first 55 metres before Rogers, a WWII veteran, narrowly overtook his younger competitor and won by five-hundredths of a second!</p> <p>Compared to the under-10 second personal bests of Olympians running the men’s 100m, the elderly duo’s times of 18 and 18.05 seconds to complete 60 metres is certainly impressive. So, it’s no surprise that footage of the thrilling race, posted to Facebook, quickly went viral.</p> <p>“I took off, and I was a little bit ahead so I thought, ‘This is going well,’” Hemphill told <a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/99-year-old-upsets-92-year-old-in-thrilling-sprint" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Runner’s World</span></strong></a> of his early lead. “I think had I leaned a little bit, I would have won.”</p> <p>However, Hemphill wasn’t too disappointed at his loss. The pair also faced off in the 200m, 400m, 800m an 1600m, with the 92-year-old coming up trumps in these longer events. “I guess he has the speed and I have the distance,” Hemphill chuckled.</p> <p><em>Video: USA Track &amp; Field/Facebook. Image: USATF.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/03/great-grandma-dances-into-100th-birthday/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Gorgeous great-grandma grooves into her 100th birthday</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/03/95-year-old-man-finally-comes-out-as-gay/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>95-year-old man finally comes out as gay</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/02/elderly-woman-gets-arrested-for-bucket-list/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Dutch woman in her 90s ticks “getting arrested” off bucket list</strong></em></span></a></p>

Retirement Life

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Bride asks 92-year-old grandmother to be her bridesmaid

<p>Reddit user RachelAmandaMay recently shared a beautiful picture of her wedding on the online social site.</p> <p>When the Ontario-based music teacher wed in 2016, she asked her grandmother to be one of her bridesmaids. And we must say, she looks like she was perfect for the job.</p> <p>“At 92 years young, my granny was the most beautiful bridesmaid! I am so fortunate,” Rachel wrote.</p> <p><img width="500" height="749" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/33526/bridesmaid_500x749.jpg" alt="Bridesmaid" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/02/difference-between-men-and-women-in-retirement/">Men and women: the differences in what we look forward to in retirement</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/retirement-income/2017/02/retirement-in-the-age-of-financial-uncertainty/">Retirement in the age of financial uncertainty</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/02/tips-to-maintain-mental-health-in-retirement/">2 top tips to maintain mental health in retirement</a></em></strong></span></p>

Retirement Life

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Heroic Chihuahua saves 92-year-old owner

<p>A rescued shelter dog has saved the life of his 92-year-old owner, after she took a rather bad fall in her front garden.</p> <p>Marie Alexander went out for a short stroll the mail box when disaster struck; she twisted her foot and fell backwards onto the ground. Despite her efforts, she was unable to pick herself up and was without a phone to call for help.</p> <p>Thankfully, her nine-year-old pup, Sassy, sprang into action. The nonagenarian told local news source  <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ftaoo7mNqc" target="_blank">ABC Action News</a></strong></span></em> that Sassy barked non-stop at passing cars for some five hours in an attempt to get help, while she lay immobile in the Florida heat.</p> <p>Finally, Sassy’s bark caught the attention of a couple walking by, who found Marie in the nick of time. She was dehydrated and had suffered bruised ribs but her spirits were high. She says that she is lucky to have survived, but even luckier to have a loyal dog like Sassy.</p> <p>“I saved her at the shelter and she saved me,” Marie told the ABC. </p> <p>Do you have a heart-waring story about a heroic animal to share with the community? Let us know in the comments below. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/05/special-bond-between-senior-dogs-and-their-owners/"><em>Images capture special bond between senior dogs and their owners</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/08/why-pets-give-you-the-side-eye/"><em>Why pets give you the side eye</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/07/why-do-dogs-tilt-their-head/"><em>Why do dogs tilt their head?</em></a></strong></span></p>

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