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Shock after baseball champion's 14-year-old son dies while on family holiday

The baseball world is grieving alongside former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner and his family after the tragic and unexpected passing of his 14-year-old son, Miller. Miller Gardner died in his sleep on Friday, March 21, while on holiday with his family. According to a statement released by Brett and his wife, Jessica, through the Yankees organisation, Miller had fallen ill during the trip along with several relatives. The family did not disclose further details about the nature of the illness or their location at the time. “We have so many questions and so few answers at this point,” the grieving parents shared. “Miller was a beloved son and brother, and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile.” Brett and Jessica, who also share an older son, Hunter, requested privacy as they mourn and seek healing. They described Miller as a vibrant and adventurous young boy who had a passion for football, baseball, golf, hunting and fishing. “He lived life to the fullest every single day,” they wrote, adding their gratitude to those who have offered condolences and support. They also extended their thoughts to other families who have suffered similar losses, saying, “We share their grief.” The Yankees, where Brett Gardner spent his entire 14-season Major League Baseball career, also released a heartfelt statement. They described Miller as having “a spark in his eyes, an outgoing and feisty personality, and a warm and loving nature.” “Words feel insignificant and insufficient in trying to describe such an unimaginable loss,” the team shared on social media. “It wasn’t just Brett who literally grew up in this organisation for more than 17 years – so did his wife, Jessica, and their two boys, Hunter and Miller.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Statement from Brett and Jessica Gardner: With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the passing of our youngest son, Miller. He was 14 years old and has left us far too soon after falling ill along with several other family members while on vacation. We have so many… <a href="https://t.co/lBCBVmKGUe">pic.twitter.com/lBCBVmKGUe</a> — New York Yankees (@Yankees) <a href="https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1903854341737386272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2025</a></blockquote> Brett Gardner, now 41, was a key part of the Yankees’ 2009 World Series-winning team and became a fan favourite for his grit and dedication to the game. Messages of love and prayers continue to pour in, a testament to the impact Miller had on those who knew him and to the deep respect held for Brett and his family. Images: X (formerly Twitter)

Caring

Hunter Valley bus driver learns his fate

The judge has handed down his sentence to Hunter Valley bus driver Brett Button, who was behind the wheel of one of Australia's deadliest crashes that killed 10 people and injured 25 others. After a three-day hearing, Button, 59, was sentenced before Judge Roy Ellis at Newcastle District Court on Wednesday afternoon to 32 years behind bars with a non-parole period of 24 years beginning May 8th. He will be eligible for release on parole on May 7th, 2048. When the judge read his sentence, gasps were heard within the courtroom from survivors of the crash, while many victims' families broke down in tears. In sentencing, Judge Ellis said Button was under the influence of the opioid-based painkiller tramadol and had “abandoned his responsibility” to his 35 passengers at the time of the crash. “Words cannot adequately express the pain, anger, and sadness that permeated the first two days of these proceedings as victim impact statement after victim impact statement was read by and for absolutely distraught, depressed, and devastated family members of the deceased and survivors," Judge Ellis said. Judge Ellis said that in his 50 years in the justice system he had never “dealt with, seen, or even read about a case that involved anywhere near the same extent of extraordinary devastation”. “Surviving passengers described the trauma of their injuries and scenes of the crash, with unwanted memory of the carnage still present and easily triggered,” Judge Ellis told the court. Outside the courtroom after the sentence had been handed down, Leoni Bowey, who lost her sister Nadene McBride and niece Kyah McBride in the crash, said the family was surprised by the result but she didn’t “think there was ever an end to this”. “I don’t think closure ever happens,” she said. “Listening to the stories, I realised many of the victims that were on the bus that night are all living with trauma, depression, and anxiety - all things that will be with us for the rest of our lives." “I was having an anxiety attack because it was taking so long to get the numbers, and I had no idea what it all meant... but I will say I didn’t think we would get that sentence. I am really surprised.” <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Image credits: 7News

Legal

Hunter Valley bus driver finally speaks out over horror crash

The man who was behind the wheel of the deadly Hunter Valley bus crash in June 2023 has finally taken the stand, saying he is deeply sorry for the hurt he has caused the victims and their families. Brett Button, 59, was transporting wedding guests from the reception ceremony at the Wandin Valley Estate back to Singleton when the bus flipped, causing the deaths of 10 people and injuring 25 others. After pleading guilty to 19 charges, including dangerous driving occasioning death and grievous bodily harm, Button appeared before Newcastle District Court on Tuesday to hear emotional <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/hunter-valley-crash-survivor-s-demands-of-killer-bus-driver" target="_blank" rel="noopener">victim statements</a> from survivors and family members of those who were killed. On Wednesday, Button finally broke his silence on the fatal crash, issuing an emotional apology to all those impacted by the devastating crash. "I've tried to figure out the words to say I'm sorry, but how do you say you're sorry for such a horrible tragic event that has ruined the lives of hundreds of people," he told the court. <div data-component="EmphasisedText"> "I can't forgive myself. I can't believe I caused this, I never meant to cause it and every single person that died and was injured and everyone involved in this, I truly wish it never happened and I could apologise where people actually believe me." </div> "I live with this every day and I hate myself. I've caused parents to have to bury their children, which has been my biggest nightmare all my life, and now I've done it to so many families." "I'm sorry to everyone involved, including the police and everyone, my family — I've shamed everyone." Button also shared with the court that he had been taking the opioid tramadol since 1994, and admitted on the day of the crash, he had taken “in excess” of his prescribed dose of painkillers. When asked by his barrister Paul Rosser KC if he felt he was addicted, Button said he was "certainly dependent", adding that a pain specialist warned Button one year before the crash that he was at risk of addiction. When further questioned, Mr Button said he had no perception on that night the drug had impaired his driving. "I take responsibility for the death and injuries, it was no way purposeful and I wasn't negligent," he told the court. "I didn't do it deliberately." Andrew Scott, 35, and wife Lynan Scott, 33, Nadene McBride, 52, daughter Kyah McBride, 22, and her partner, Kane Symons, 21, Darcy Bulman, 30, Rebecca Mullen, 26, Zachary Bray, 29, Tori Cowburn, 29, and Angus Craig, 28, were killed in the crash on June 11th 2023, with the crash now known as one of Australia's worst ever fatal road incidents. Judge Roy Ellis will consider 40 victim impact statements as part of his sentencing. Image credits: 7News

Legal

Hunter Valley crash survivor's demands of killer bus driver

A man who survived the devastating bus crash in the Hunter Valley in June 2023 that claimed the lives of 10 people has confronted the man who was behind the wheel with an emotional victim statement in court. On that fateful day, Brett Button was transporting wedding guests to the reception venue when the bus flipped at a roundabout at Greta, with the crash claiming the lives of 10 people and injuring another 25 passengers. As a result, Button, 59, has pleaded guilty to 19 charges, including dangerous driving occasioning death and grievous bodily harm, appearing before Newcastle District Court on Tuesday to hear emotional victim statements from survivors and family members of those who were killed. Taking the stand to deliver his impact statement following a day and a half of hearings, one survivor demanded Button look at him before telling him he'd trapped him in a “bus of hell”. “My friends didn’t deserve to die, the others didn’t deserve to die,” he said. “The families here don’t deserve to be here. My future has been destroyed because of your actions. I can no longer be the person I was. The intergenerational trauma you have caused is enormous.” Earlier on Tuesday, Steve Symons, whose son Kane died in the crash, fought back tears to tell Button about how his son had seized on a “second chance” after a childhood injury only to have it “cruelly” robbed from him. “Kane’s death has shattered our lives. It has left an unrepairable void. He was a vibrant and ambitious young man who had been given a rare second chance at life,” Mr Symons told the court. “He lived with an acute awareness of just how precious life is and embraced every moment of it. To lose him now after he was given that second chance at life is both cruel and unjust.” Zachary Bray was also given a “second chance” after a battle with stage-3 bowel cancer, as his mother, Jackie, said he “always chose the right path” in another emotional statement. “In many ways, Zac was the perfect child if there ever was one. He just wanted to please and did so his entire life, making his family, friends and colleagues proud in everything he did,” she said. “He and his friends did what they were told to do: have a plan B. They trusted the bus driver would get them home safely, but my son who did everything right still didn’t make it home." “Zac got a death sentence, and his family and friends got a life sentence.” At least 35 people are expected to provide witness impact statements to the court during a marathon three-day sentence hearing that began on Monday morning before Judge Roy Ellis, who is expected to hand down his sentence to Button on Wednesday. Andrew Scott, 35, and wife Lynan Scott, 33, Nadene McBride, 52, daughter Kyah McBride, 22, and her partner, Kane Symons, 21, Darcy Bulman, 30, Rebecca Mullen, 26, Zachary Bray, 29, Tori Cowburn, 29, and Angus Craig, 28, were killed in the crash on June 11th 2023, with the crash now known as one of Australia's worst ever fatal road incidents. Image credits: Getty Images

Caring

Hamlet: Experience the epic tragedy reimagined

Brett Dean and Matthew Jocelyn’s Hamlet has been one of the most universally applauded operas in recent memory, with successful performances at the Glyndebourne Festival, the Adelaide Festival, New York's Metropolitan Opera and the Bavarian State Opera. Now Opera Australia’s production of the incredible adaptation at the Sydney Opera House continues to bring new life to Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy. With its rich storytelling, the opera masterfully combines the profound themes of betrayal, revenge and madness with stunning musical compositions – but with a huge difference. For those familiar with Shakespeare’s work, this version of Hamlet provides a fresh perspective, blending the traditional elements of the play with operatic expression skilfully applied by Australian composer Brett Dean and Canadian librettist Matthew Jocelyn. Over60 was fortunate enough to secure an interview with librettist Matthew Jocelyn about his experience in adapting one of the world’s most famous plays into an opera. O60: Firstly, by way of an introduction, you’re a director and librettist – can you summarise your career and your current roles? Matthew: “I have led a particularly speckled career, navigating happily between directing theatre and opera, writing, teaching, running arts institutions in France and Canada, and walking. I always look forward to more of the latter. Right now I direct Koffler Arts, a gallery and multi-disciplinary arts project in Toronto, Canada, the first time I have had the opportunity to work directly with visual arts projects.” O60: How did you get involved with working on this production of Hamlet? Was this a project you’d be looking for or did an offer come as a surprise? Had you done a lot of work with Shakespeare works before this project? Matthew: “Brett Dean contacted me in 2013, through the recommendation of a couple of mutual friends in Berlin, a composer and a singer – both of whom I had worked with on a new opera in 2010. Brett was looking for someone crazy enough to embark on a project of adapting Hamlet for the opera. It was a cold call, but after a few conversations it was clear we shared similar ideas about what the opera could look like, and how to go about it.” O60: How did you approach turning Shakespeare’s famous lines into an opera? Did you write the libretto first or did Brett write the music first? Did you feel pressure making changes to the great Bard’s iconic piece? Matthew: “One of the most important decisions we made very early on was to use only Shakespeare’s own words to compose the libretto. But as three different versions of Hamlet were published during Shakespeare’s lifetime, or shortly after he died, there is no one definitive version – giving us both a multitude of choices for various lines, but also a deep sense that Shakespeare himself was continually rewriting his own text, giving us licence to continue doing the same. “The other major decision was to give ourselves freedom in who would say/sing each line. In our version, Hamlet may sing lines from Laertes or Ophelia, Ophelia sings lines from Polonius, Hamlet and Gertrude, lines get moved from one scene to another, and certain scenes appear in unexpected places for those who know the play. But at the end of the day – and this was the goal – the story is clear, and the emotions strong.” O60: You’ve collaborated with Brett Dean on other projects. What do you like about working with this Australian composer? Do you have future plans for work in Australia? Matthew: "Brett and I worked on numerous projects over a nearly ten-year period. This included chamber works, works for large orchestra with solo voices, and this opera. It was a rich and productive collaboration – with deeply thoughtful exchanges and a shared sense of play. Now we are both working on separate projects.” O60: What are your current projects / what’s coming up in the future? Matthew: “I am writing the libretto for a couple of new operas right now – one in Canada, one in France. And my most recent project, Cassandra by Belgian composer Bernard Foccoulle, will be performed at the Berlin Stadtsoper in June, 2025, after opening at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels last autumn. Reconceiving Koffler Arts is also a bit of a passion project – I’m very lucky that way.” Attending Opera Australia’s Hamlet is not just a night out but an opportunity to witness a masterful adaptation of a classic story. Whether you’re a seasoned opera lover or new to the genre, this production promises to be an enthralling experience. Don’t miss the chance to see this exceptional interpretation of Hamlet and immerse yourself in the beauty and drama of opera at its finest. Visit <a href="https://opera.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://opera.org.au/</a> for more info. Images: Opera Australia \ Tony Hauser

Music

Hunter Valley bus driver breaks silence

Brett Andrew Button, 59, who allegedly caused a fatal bus crash that <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/hunter-valley-bus-driver-hit-with-new-charges" target="_blank" rel="noopener">killed 10 people</a> and injured 25 others has broken his silence over the incident for the first time. Button appeared before Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday as he faces almost 90 charges associated with the horror crash. In a statement read by his lawyer, Chris O’Brien, Button said that there was “not a day that goes by that I don’t think about what happened that night”. “There isn’t an hour that goes by that I’m not thinking of the families that have been affected by the crash. “I truly feel for anyone involved, including the emergency services. “I am devastated by what has occurred and I am truly deeply sorry.” Button was the bus driver in charge of driving wedding guests to a Hunter Valley venue when the vehicle allegedly lost control and crashed. Husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott were killed in the crash and farewelled in ceremonies weeks later. Nadene and Kyah McBride who were among the ten wedding guests killed in the crash, were also <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/a-moving-time-hunter-valley-bus-crash-victims-honoured-at-aflw-grand-final" target="_blank" rel="noopener">honoured with a tribute</a> at the AFLW grand final in December. Zach Bray, Angus Craig, Darcy Bulman, Tori Cowburn and Rebecca Mullen were the other victims of the horror crash. Button faces 89 charges including nine counts of negligent driving occasioning death and 16 counts of driving a motor vehicle furiously doing or causing harm. He has not entered any pleas. Image: Getty

Legal

How to set realistic exercise goals you’ll actually stick to

We often think that exercise goals need to be huge mountains, feats that are big and hard to achieve. But when your goals are unobtainable you fall into the New Year's Eve cycle, where the excitement you feel at the beginning wavers after just a short time. The same goes if your goals are too small: you will only feel the sweet taste of success after a bit of hard work. Exercise goals need to be realistic. They need to stretch you enough so that you can become more than who you are at this moment without breaking you. Here are the top tips from Dr Brett Lillie – author of Rediscover Your Athlete Within – on how to set realistic exercise goals so you can achieve them on your own terms: 1. Follow the Principles Designing your goals begins with the core principles; be specific, clarify your destination, make it measurable, in bite size action steps that are achievable in a clear time frame. The goal posts. 2. Start where you are Be truthful about where you are right now. On one hand think about your body and be realistic about your physical capacity. On the other, have fun, be creative, get curious. What do your exercise goals make you feel? At the end of the day, we're only as old as we feel. It’s easy to fall into the “I’m too old, I can’t possibly do that” trap: get out of that thought and jazz it up. 3. Make your goals compelling Bob Proctor is famous for asking, ‘Is it big enough and scary enough’ to pull you out of your present circumstances and not playing small? A realistic goal doesn’t need to be climbing mount Everest, but it does need to stretch you and take you out of your comfort zone. The more meaning you give your goals, the more why you attach, the more realistic they become, the more they excite you and get you out of bed before the alarm. 4. Find the balance When you set goals, they are really signposts along your life journey, “in between” destinations that you are moving in the right direction. There are times where it is spring, and everything just seems to be going your way, heading into summer, you’re ticking boxes, only to head into Winter where nothing seems to be happening. No need to feel discouraged. As the change of the seasons, exercising needs balance too. Make rest and recovery part of your goals. 5. Stay on track Once you start exercising, the beginning bit is relatively easy, it’s the honeymoon period. The closer you get to your goal, the greater the effort, the more distractions begin to appear. This is the time you smile to yourself, you stick to your promise, you know your goal is just over the next ridge about to appear. Remind yourself you’re still progressing even if it doesn’t quite feel like it. You are still moving forward, and you have momentum. 6. Set yourself up to win Setting yourself up to win is about removing the clutter in your life, both mental and physical. When you’re young you just juggle the growing kids, a career, responsibilities and you multi task like a pro. However, it is putting your attention on the one thing that makes the big things that matter happen. Deliberate attention will give you the greatest success. So think: What is crowding your mind? And your environment? Are there worries or piles of unfinished projects cluttering your world? Clearing the decks is making way for the new. What is your one thing? Making an exercise goal realistic is about deciding what is truly important, then actually writing it down and turning it into a priority in our life. It is in our PM years where the views and values we hold tend to change, we look for the deeper meaning, more heartfelt fulfilment and think about the legacy we are creating. Recognise that setting exercise goals that are realistic is you taking the time to decide what is most important to you and why, setting a promise in place. Look for the wins, acknowledge the progress and celebrate your life every day. Dr Brett Lillie, author of Rediscover Your Athlete Within, is a sought-after speaker, coach and rehab professional who helps people rekindle their love for movement and find their mojo so they can live their best life. To find out more about Dr Brett’s programs, go to his website <a href="https://www.brettlillie.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.brettlillie.com</a>

Body

Police raid Hunter Valley bus crash depots

Police have issued defect and infringement notices to the transport company involved in the Hunter Valley bus tragedy after conducting raids on two depots. The crash on June 11 was the deadliest seen on Australian roads in over 30 years, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/more-than-we-can-bear-hunter-valley-bus-crash-victims-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leaving 10 dead and nine in hospital</a>. Police and National Heavy Vehicle Regulator inspectors checked 20 buses at Linq Busline depots in Wyong, on the NSW Central Coast, and East Gresford, near Newcastle, on June 15. Seven defect and two infringement notices were issued after a cracked windscreen, oil leaks, inoperative seatbelts and vehicle lights, and insecure seats were discovered. A defect notice is issued when a problem needs to be fixed before the vehicle can be deemed safe to drive. “The joint operation involved a comprehensive audit of documentation relating to fatigue, driver management, vehicle servicing and maintenance records, and safety management systems,” police said. Linq said “one major defect identified in the fleet has been rectified” and minor defects were being rectified in accordance with the timelines set by the regulator. The evening of June 15 saw heartbroken family and friends of the victims gathered near the crash site to mourn their loved ones and thank frontline workers. Most of the 25 survivors sent to hospital following the crash have since been discharged. The nine who remain in hospital are in stable condition, with seven at John Hunter Hospital and two at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, according to NSW Health. Over 900 donations have been made since June 14 to fund survivors and victims’ families, with almost $500,00 raised. The tragedy has shaken the Singleton community, with seven locals among the 10 people killed when the bus crashed on its way back from a wedding. Cessnock mayor Jay Suvaal said the community came together to support the loved ones of those lost in the crash and pay tribute to the first responder. “We’re a really tight-knit community that does come together and support each other in times of need,” he told AAP. Locals have offered accommodation and support for victims’ families. “People are just dropping in things like cake and biscuits to our crisis centres to make sure there’s food available for the people there,” Suvaal said. Devastated friends and family continue to visit a makeshift memorial at the crash site, which is strewn with flowers, cards and teddy bears. Counselling and support is being offered at centres in Singleton and Branxton. Health Minister Ryan Park said mental health services would remain available as long as necessary. “What I do know about these types of traumatic and devastating events is that often it’s not in the hours and days afterwards when people need additional support — it’s often in the weeks and months,” he said. “They’ve been through unimaginable grief and suffering.” The insurer managing the crash compensation claims is being urged to ensure that extended family and friends of the victims receive support. Under the state’s compulsory third-party scheme, only those directly involved in the crash or who had suffered psychological trauma due to the death or severe injury of a close relative are eligible for support. Slater and Gordon layer Doug Williams urged the insurer to show compassion to those who have suffered due to the cash regardless of their ties to the victims. “It’s (the scheme) so limited that the close friends and the extended family as well as members of the small community where many of those killed lived would be ineligible to claim treatment,” Williams said. Many of the victims were heavily involved with the Singleton Roosters AFL club and the AFL Central Coast has cancelled its senior matches the weekend following the crash out of respect. Sydney Swans players will be bearing black armbands ahead of their next game against the Lions in memory of the victims. “We are deeply saddened by the horrific events over the weekend,” Swans chief Tom Harley said. The bus driver, Brett Button, 58, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/hunter-valley-bus-driver-faces-court" target="_blank" rel="noopener">faced Cessnock Local Court</a> on June 13 charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving causing death. Image credit: Getty

Legal

Assault victim breaks silence after Rolf Harris' death

Warning: This article contains information about sexual assault which some readers may find distressing. One of Rolf Harris's victims has spoken out about the "impact of evil" the disgraced entertainer had on her life, after the news of his death broke around the world. Karen Gardner, a presenter for the the BBC, accused the convicted pedophile of assaulting her three times when she was his 16-year-old bag carrier for the show Star Games in 1977. Upon hearing the news of his death, Gardner wrote on Twitter, "Very few of us escape the impact of evil people. What we have to do is expose them, share and stand together to dilute the pain." "For me it was Rolf Harris but he inflicted much worse on other girls." Ms Gardner shared the details of her harrowing experience in the recent ITV documentary Rolf Harris: Hiding in Plain Sight, which aired just last week. She told the program, "In the space of I guess about 35 minutes, he assaulted me three times in plain sight. And it was horrible because you're surrounded by people, and he had a method of operating." "I won't talk about the actual details, but he was paying me attention, he was saying how great I had been, and he, he hugged me, and that that's when, when it happened. And it was humiliating and degrading and awful and your, your blood turns to concrete." "And then it was mid-afternoon and they had organised a couple of taxis and one of the cars came to get him. And I had to get in the back seat of the car." Ms Gardner said Rolf got beside her and assaulted her again, adding, "Maybe because there wasn't anyone there, I did tell him to f**k off. And he said something, which makes, still makes me feel sick now. He said to me, 'You're irresistible.' I was 16. He was 48. He was 10 years older than my dad." Harris was acquitted of assaulting Ms Gardner after the jury could not reach a verdict at two trials. Rolf Harris' <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/rolf-harris-cause-and-date-of-death-confirmed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">death</a> was confirmed on May 23rd, while his death certificate states he died at the age of 93 on May 10th, after a battle with neck cancer. Image credits: ITV / Getty Images

Caring

Set sail in style alongside these sporting legends

The time has come for sports fans with a passion for cruising to live their dreams, with <a href="https://www.cunard.com/en-au/cruise-types/event-cruises/sporting-greats">The Voyage of Sporting Greats</a> - the latest offering to the world of thrilling themed voyages from British luxury cruise line Cunard. The first-of-its-kind-trip will set sail in February 2024, headlined by none other than AFL legend Adam Goodes, cricket’s Brett Lee, and golfer Karrie Webb. Sunrise and Olympic presenter Mark Beretta will also be joining in on the fun, as well as Bruce McLaren’s daughter, Amanda McLaren. While onboard, guests will have the opportunity to attend live fireside chats with their sporting heroes, to enjoy sports-themed shore excursions with those very same stars, and to get to know them better - if you’ve ever wondered just how heavy some of those trophies can be, now’s your chance to ask. For example, the Queen Elizabeth - one of four ships setting sail as part of the 2024 fleet, alongside Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and the brand new Queen Anne - has a jam-packed star-studded program to offer guests, featuring everything from talks to sporting activities, and unique excursions to the shore in Sydney, Melbourne, and Hobart. Additionally, the Queen Elizabeth - the second largest ship in Cunard’s fleet with room for 2,000 guests and an additional 1,000 crew - boasts more than 10 different eating establishments, an entire Games Desk with the likes of paddle tennis, croquet, hitting bays, and bowls, as well as an impressive two-story library, a ballroom, and a Royal Court Theatre - the latter will even host performances by <a href="https://circa.org.au/">Circa</a>, an Australian contemporary circus company, in February 2024. As Katrina McAlpine, the commercial director of Cunard Australia and New Zealand, explained, “we are extremely excited to host some of the biggest local names in sport on Queen Elizabeth next February. “Brett Lee, Adam Goodes, Karrie Webb, Mark Beretta, and Amanda McLaren will captivate sport enthusiasts with stories of their career defining moments, their professional highs and lows, and give guests the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with them during priceless and bespoke activities onboard and ashore. “The Voyage of Sporting Greats offers sports fans a once in a lifetime chance to meet and engage with some of our country’s most famous sporting icons in one place.” 2014 Australian of the Year and AFL great Adam Goodes, for one, is eager to join in on the fun with his fellow sporting greats, noting that “this is a spectacular opportunity to join the other sporting icons and connect with guests aboard Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth. I am looking forward to sharing stories about my career, what drives and inspires me and what projects I am currently working on. “I am specifically keen to talk to fans onboard and create great memories of the sailing for them.” Celebrated Australian golfer Karrie Webb is similarly excited for Cunard guests to experience their athletic lineup. And golf fans in particular will benefit, with Karrie “very much looking forward to sharing with guests my favourite tips and golf stories, as well as having a swing with them onboard.” Amanda McLaren - daughter of the late Bruce McLaren - is honoured to be taking part, and “can’t wait to interact with guests and to share the McLaren racing story - and my father’s legacy that kick started in Australia.” And for cricket legend Brett Lee, the trip is set to become the highlight of his year, with the star most looking forward to catching up with guests on the “voyage for the ages”. The same could be said for and by renowned sports presenter Mark Beretta, who is thrilled to be facilitating the talent on deck as they share their stories. “Sharing stories of Australian sporting history and anecdotes from behind the scenes of the world of sports, plus talking to some of the biggest stars in Australian sport is going to be a treat for me and our guests,” he shared. “I’m also looking forward to getting on the road with guests to host a very special excursion!” The stars and their fellow cruisers will depart from Sydney on February 13 2024, heading to Tasmania and back over a span of 7 nights, with stops to stretch their legs and enjoy all that the shore has to offer in Hobart, Port Arthur, and Melbourne. To find our more about costs the voyage’s impressive guest list, and what’s on offer on this trip of a lifetime, potential passengers can learn all about it - and secure their spot - here: <a href="https://www.cunard.com/en-au/cruise-types/event-cruises/sporting-greats">https://www.cunard.com/en-au/cruise-types/event-cruises/sporting-greats</a> Images: Cunard [supplied]

Cruising

AFL star marries amid cancer battle

AFL star Jeremy Finlayson and his partner Kellie Gardner have tied the knot in an intimate ceremony. The Port Adelaide player and his now wife, both 27, exchanged vows in South Australia's Tennyson Beach on Sunday with only 21 close friends and family in attendance. Kellie shared a photo of the beaming newlyweds showing off their rings on Instagram with the caption, "THE FINLAYSONS", as well wishes for the couple flooded in. Jeremy and Kellie's wedding was a long time coming, as the couple originally planned to marry in October 2022, but had to postpone their nuptials after Kellie underwent chemotherapy, radiation treatment and surgeries for a devastating cancer diagnosis. Gardner was diagnosed with bowel cancer two years ago, just three months after their daughter Sophia was born in August 2021. However, in January came the awful news the cancer had spread to her lungs after the mum-of-one felt a tightening in her chest. After ruling out COVID-19 as the reason for the pain, it was discovered a mass "a bit bigger than a tennis ball" was discovered in her chest cavity. In February, Gardner told Mark Soderstrom's The Soda Room podcast she experienced a series of stomach problems ahead of her diagnosis and wishes she got a medical check-up sooner. "If I had got all of my tummy problems checked and not just been thinking I had a lactose intolerance like every other Joe, Dick and Harry these days. If I had got it checked…" she said on the podcast. "You hear cancer and you attach it to a 60-year-old. You don't attach it to a 25-year-old who is quite healthy, who runs marathons and who just had a baby." "I was a fit, young mum. You just don't attach it to that." Jeremy and Kellie are planning a more extravagant wedding bash for October this year once the AFL season is over, with Gardner hoping to have kicked cancer for good by then. Image credits: Instagram

Relationships

“What a disgrace”: Grace Tame slams footy star’s child abuse verdict

Content warning: This article includes mentions of child sex abuse (CSA) and child exploitation material. Activist Grace Tame has slammed the Australian legal system after former NRL star Brett Finch avoided jail time for sharing child sex abuse (CSA) material. Finch, a former halfback, pleaded guilty to one charge of using a carriage service to transmit, publish or promote child abuse in August, but was sentenced to a $1000 two-year good behaviour bond on Wednesday. The 41-year-old was under the influence of drugs when he left a series of messages on a gay chat-line expressing a desire to perform sex acts on young boys. In Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court, Finch admitted to feeling disgust at himself for making the calls, saying his intention behind them was to obtain cocaine. Ms Tame shared her outrage in a series of posts on social media on Wednesday night, describing the verdict as a shame on Australia. “This pathetic verdict is a shame on our nation. The fact that Judge Phillip Mahony accepted the distorted narrative alleged by Brett Finch that his production of child abuse material was a means of scoring drugs shows just how undervalued children are in Australia,” she wrote over a screenshot of a news story about Finch’s sentencing. “The buck continues to stop with innocent lives. What a disgrace. “Let’s be real here: of all the avenues to score cocaine, a paedophile ring is probably THE LAST PLACE you’d need to look. In the words of Robin Williams, ‘that’s like getting chemotherapy because YOU’RE TIRED OF SHAVING YOUR HEAD’.” The 27-year-old said that whether his story was true or not, the outcome of his actions remains the same. “It does not change the fact that he produced child exploitation material,” she continued. “It does not change the fact that he engaged with convicted paedophiles, therefore aiding and enabling the cycle of abuse culture and providing the social cue of legitimacy to a crime against humanity.” In response to his claims that the messages were just “s**t talk”, Ms Tame said it served to “dehumanise and objectify” children. “Yeah, that’s all it ever is, isn’t it, just “s**t talk?” she wrote. “It’s just “s**t talk” to dehumanise and objectify an underage member of your own species.” During Finch’s sentencing, Judge Phillip Mahoney described the content of the athlete’s messages as “highly depraved” and “morally reprehensible”. While the maximum penalty for the offence is 15 years, the Crown had asked that Finch be sentenced to full-time custody. Judge Mahoney found that there were some exceptional circumstances surrounding Finch’s offending, accepting that he had been motivated by a “patently absurd” attempt to source drugs rather than out of sexual interest in children. He noted that Finch hadn’t created or shared any images and had acted alone and while under the influence, with the offending being “entirely unsophisticated”. “I accept that he is genuinely remorseful for his offending conduct,” the judge said, noting Finch’s lack of a criminal record and his involvement in junior football coaching and charity work. The court heard that Finch was at the height of his drug use at the time, which had started in 2013 and peaked with his use of 12 to 25 grams of cocaine a week. There was evidence that he failed to adapt to life after his NRL career, and that he was ashamed of his actions and had been abused in public, prompting him to rarely leave his home following the arrest. Under his release order, Finch must be of good behaviour, not travel interstate or overseas without permission, and must undergo drug testing and treatment. If you or someone you know have been a victim or affected by child sexual abuse, support is available. You can contact Bravehearts on 1800 272 831 or Blue Knot on 1300 657 380 for support. Images: Instagram / Getty Images

Legal

“This house is my special place”: Wendy Whiteley promises $100 million gift to NSW

Wendy Whiteley has made an “extraordinary” cultural gift to NSW, promising to sell her Lavender Bay home and bequeath her collection of her late husband Brett Whiteley’s artworks to the Art Gallery of NSW. The collection is worth more than $100 million and will be among the largest single donations the gallery has received in its 151-year history according to director Michael Brand. “This gift is yet another example of what an outstanding citizen of our harbour city Wendy Whiteley is, and why she continues to be so admired and revered,” Brand <a href="https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/media-office/whiteley-bequest/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. Almost 2000 artworks spanning Whiteley’s career will be left jointly to the gallery and the Brett Whitely Foundation. As for Wendy’s home, which has lived in since 1969, it will not be preserved in public ownership. The 81-year-old has instead instructed that it be sold upon her death, with the proceeds going into a trust to secure the future of the collection and the Brett Whiteley Studio in Surry Hills. “It doesn’t amke any sense to turn [the house] into another museum,” Wendy told <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/this-house-needs-a-family-again-wendy-whiteley-s-extraordinary-100-million-gift-to-nsw-20220615-p5atzy.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sydney Morning Herald</a>. “It would be almost impossible to run it as a museum, having knowledge of what it costs to do this kind of thing. This house needs a family again. It would be lovely to think of a creative family but it would be enough if they loved it, and lived in it. She told the publication that she hopes its future owners would “keep an eye on the garden” and hassle “whoever’s in charge” if it starts to fall into disrepair. “I imagine I’m going to be here until, you know, they take me out in a coffin. Long ago I gave up taking anything for granted, like health or longevity,” she said. “The house is my special place, along with the garden and the studio. All have expanded my opportunity to lead a creative life. That’s what I’d like for others through this bequest.” The Wendy and Arkie Whiteley Bequest takes inspiration from the couple’s daughter, Arkie, who died just nine years after her father from cancer at the age of 37. After Arkie’s passing in 2001, Wendy became the sole custodian of the collection and solely responsible for maintaining her husband’s legacy. “Certainly this is Brett’s legacy, but it is also mine and my daughter’s because we made it happen,” Wendy said. The couple’s home in Lavender Bay features some of Brett’s major works, including Archibald Prize-winning Self portrait in the studio 1976, his Sir John Prize-winning Interior with time past 1976, and The jacaranda tree (on Sydney Harbour) 1977. Its significance was recognised in 2018 when it, along with the setting and former studio, were state heritage listed. Image: Art Gallery of NSW

Real Estate

Fleetwood Mac member loses his battle to cancer

Famed Musician Brett Tuggle has lost his battle with cancer, aged 70. He was best known for being the keyboardist for Fleetwood Mac and a founding member of the David Lee Roth Band. Brett is survived by daughter Michelle and son Matt, who confirmed that their father died from complications related to cancer. "He was loved by his family so much," Matt shared. "His family was with him throughout the entire time of his illness. He was a lovely father. He gave me music in my life." Fellow musician and good friend Rick Springfield was one of the first to pay tribute on Twitter. *embed tweet Tuggle was a founding member of the David Lee Roth Band in the 1980s before he joined Fleetwood Mac in the '90s. He was with the band for two decades, after officially taking over Christine McVie's keyboard duties when she left in 1998. He later worked with Fleetwood Mac stars Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham on their solo ventures, which caused conflict among the group and reportedly led to his exit. "I care about them all," he said. "They're all a big part of my life." Image: Getty

Music

Dean Jones dead at 59 as Brett Lee tried to save his life

Cricket legend Dean Jones died on Thursday night of a heart attack, aged 59, in a Mumbai hotel. Australian cricket legend Brett Lee returned to TV just hours after he desperately tried to save his broadcast colleague’s life. He and Lee were set to feature together in Star India’s English commentary for the 2020 Indian Premier League. However Jones suffered a sudden heart attack in the lobby of their hotel, and Lee reportedly sprung into action and attempted CPR. <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/CFiXhLChhBH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" 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/CFiXhLChhBH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsun_sport)</a> on Sep 24, 2020 at 4:02pm PDT </div> </blockquote> The sports veteran was taken by ambulance to hospital but was unable to be saved. The tragic event took place only hours before the pair were due to go to air. Lee eventually went on to front the cameras without his mate after the traumatic event. “I think the thing we want to say about Deano is he would have wanted us to be here tonight,” Lee said. “It’s pretty much the ‘Select Deano’ we call it. It’s Deano’s dugout tonight. “He is an absolute legend. “Firstly to his family and friends we send our condolences. It’s a real tough day for everyone, not only for his close mates and the whole cricketing world in general. “What Deano would’ve wanted is for us to come out here in the dugout, get it done, have some fun for the game we all love.” Just a few days earlier, Shane Warne had tweeted about how much he enjoyed the commentary team, to which Lee replied: “Yep it’s a lot of fun.” <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/CFiMUcog_n7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" 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/CFiMUcog_n7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by wade smith (@foreverfamous__)</a> on Sep 24, 2020 at 2:24pm PDT </div> </blockquote> The cricket world is mourning the loss of Jones. Australian Men’s Head Coach Justin Langer said he was “shocked and very sad to hear of his passing”. “Deano was a true legend of Australian sport and world cricket, one of the great players and personalities in a golden time for the game,” he said. “His role in the team’s World Cup win in 1987 and the 1989 Ashes under AB were a huge turning point for Australian cricket.” The operator of the broadcast, Star India, said Jones was one of the “great ambassadors of the game”. “He was passionate about discovering new talent and nurturing young cricketers. “He was a champion commentator whose presence and presentation of the game always brought joy to millions of fans.”

News

“Very, very wrong”: Margaret Court hits back at McEnroe and Navratilova

Tennis legend Margaret Court has slammed tennis stars John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova for their protest, saying that their actions were “very, very wrong”. Court has developed into a controversial figure due to her views on homosexuality and transgender athletes, which lead to McEnroe and Navratilova protesting for a name change of the Margaret Court Arena. McEnroe and Navratilova held a homemade sign which read “Evonne Goolagong Arena” as the Australian Open was celebrating Court’s achievements in the world of tennis. Court spoke to <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/margaret-court-australian-open-interview-controversy-fundamentalist-views/53475172-0613-4f50-80cd-edb436911284" target="_blank">Nine News</a> about the incident, saying that she “felt sorry” for McEnroe. “I always got on quite well with John McEnroe. I always thought we got on and I’ve always respected him,” Court said. “I feel sorry for him that he can’t separate one part of life to another.” She also labelled their actions as “very, very wrong” as Court feels that they should not have protested the way that the pair did on Australian soil. “I’d never go to another nation, whatever I thought of a person, I would never say, ‘Hey, you should take their name off a building’,” Court said. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> “She is a great Australian and a great tennis player… but Margaret Court still doesn’t acknowledge the damage she’s done with her opinions about homosexuals and same-sex marriage.” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9Today?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9Today</a> <a href="https://t.co/DEPt87kXpk">pic.twitter.com/DEPt87kXpk</a> — The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTodayShow/status/1224785361597014019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2020</a></blockquote> “I would never do that … I think that was very, very wrong.” Court has also slammed Tennis Australia for the treatment of her, labelling it “very sad”. "I think they said they were going to honour me but not celebrate me," the 77-year-old told 9News' Georgie Gardner. "Because of my stance and my views on gay marriage and all of those areas, and I've got nothing against people. "From the tennis side they've pointed the finger at me and tried to discriminate in everything that I've done and I think that's very sad."

Legal

“We’ve had our bumps”: Georgie was always leaving with Karl returning to Today

Karl Stefanovic has announced that he will be returning to Today in 2020, but it’s alongside Allison Langdon and not his former co-host Georgie Gardner. This came as a shock to some, as they have previously worked together on the show, but some believed that their union was doomed from the start. It was reported that Gardner had quit her role in 2014 after getting tired of Stefanovic’s blokey on-air antics. She acknowledged that the duo have had their “bumps” when it was announced that they were co-hosts in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/morning-shows/nine-announces-georgie-gardner-as-new-host-of-today-show/news-story/e7935154578a7b5142c82562666cfa05" target="_blank">November, 2017</a>. “I’m assuming with you we pick up where we left off. That is me running amok and you keeping me in line,” Gardner said. “Jokes aside, you know how much respect I’ve had for you. There’s been a bit of conjecture over the last few weeks how we feel about each other, loathe each other,” she joked. “You know, we have had our bumps, we’ve had our laughs.” <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-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqvUzf5AQFD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" 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> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqvUzf5AQFD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">@robynlawley is on a mission to change the fashion industry’s perception of what a real woman looks like! #9Today</a> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/thetodayshow/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> thetodayshow</a> (@thetodayshow) on Nov 28, 2018 at 1:40pm PST </div> </blockquote> Things would only get worse between the pair after the infamous Uber-gate scandal, where Stefanovic accused Gardner of “sitting on the fence” and saying that she needed to “step up” if “she wanted to stay on the show”. Viewers immediately tuned into the next show to see if there was any tension between the pair, which came to light in an unlikely segment about sausage dogs. “You have to face your fears, Karl,” newsreader Deb Knight told him. “That’s right, and that’s coming up – don’t you worry about that,” Gardner responded pointedly, looking him directly in the eye. When Karl continued to air his fears about sausage dogs, Gardner told him: “Well, it’s probably about now I should call you pathetic.” Tensions continued to rise after reports from an executive at 9 spoke to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/" target="_blank">Sunday Telegraph</a> about how Gardner wanted Stefanovic gone. <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-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B22xMIOJUcY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" 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> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B22xMIOJUcY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">We know who we’re supporting for the AFL Grand Final this weekend... do you? #9Today</a> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/thetodayshow/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> thetodayshow</a> (@thetodayshow) on Sep 25, 2019 at 6:20pm PDT </div> </blockquote> “Georgie simply demanded she won’t work with Karl anymore,” a Channel 9 executive told the Telegraph. “She hates Karl and has done for a long time. They didn’t like each other before she joined the show. Then the Uber thing tipped it over the edge. And then the wedding, she didn’t go when she was invited. You’d think your co-host would support you by being there but Georgie can’t stand Karl and has been waiting for this moment for a long time.” After hearing about Stefanovic’s return to the breakfast show, Gardner gave a statement to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/as-shocked-about-this-as-everyone-else-karl-stefanovic-back-at-today-20191108-p538o8.html" target="_blank">Sydney Morning Herald</a> earlier today. She said that she was made aware about the show’s direction two weeks ago and is “disappointed with the outcome”. “I have no regrets, even though the scrutiny and public discourse has been daunting and disproportionate. It’s also at times been cruel,” she finished.

Nine slams newspaper over “shameful” reports on Erin Molan and Sonia Kruger

Nine has slammed The Sunday Telegraph over the publication’s “sustained attack” on the network’s female presenters. The defence of Nine stars came after the Sunday tabloid published an article claiming that <a href="https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2019/10/28/nine-defends-female-presenters-after-shameful-attack-from-sunday-telegraph">a reshuffle at the network</a> would see Georgie Gardner demoted into the Today Extra hosting role, and Sonia Kruger facing the axe. Another article suggested that sports presenter Erin Molan has been “sidelined” by a “boys club” at the network amid an alleged feud with Andrew Johns. An online version of the article was later updated to inform that Molan had taken time off work for surgery on a broken shoulder. A Nine spokesperson has denied the reports, saying “all of the talk is made up”. “The sustained attack by The Sunday Telegraph on the female presenters of Nine is aimed to damage the standing of some of Australia’s most talented women in the media,” the spokesperson told <a href="https://thenewdaily.com.au/entertainment/tv/2019/10/28/nine-slams-news-ltd/">The New Daily</a>. “Working mums Georgie Gardner, Erin Molan, Sonia Kruger and Deborah Knight are just some of the Nine women who are performing great roles across the business, yet have been targeted ina shameful onslaught of stories.” This is the second time this year that Nine clashed with a News Corp tabloid. In February, Nine news and current affairs director Darren Wick criticised a Daily Telegraph report on Georgie Gardner as “one of the most <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/the-heartwarming-moment-georgie-gardner-was-moved-to-tears-on-today-show/">deliberate acts of bullying</a> I’ve ever seen”. In response to the tabloid’s claims that Gardner was described by audience focus groups as “ice maiden” and “smiling assassin”, Wick said, “Nine’s position is that this is an outrageous, false, reckless and defamatory attack on Georgie Gardner and the Today show. The claim by the Daily Telegraph reporter that Nine has conducted focus groups this year is wrong.”

News

Surprises galore! Brett Lee unveiled on The Masked Singer before making even more startling revelation

After being unveiled as the Parrot on The Masked Singer on Tuesday night, Brett Lee decided on giving his fans one more surprise. Speaking to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/reality-tv/the-masked-singer/masked-singer-brett-lee-baby-number-three-58422" target="_blank">Now to Love</a> after the unmasking, the cricket star broke the news that he and his wife Lana had welcomed a new addition to their family – a baby boy. The tiny tot is a sibling to Brett’s other children, Preston and Helena, and is only 13-weeks-old. “For me, I’m actually a very private person away from all this,” he said, explaining the reason why the couple didn’t announce the pregnancy to the public. “So, I haven’t even told anyone the name.” The father-of-three also shared a hilarious incident that occurred as his three-and-a-half-year-old daughter watched him be unmasked on screen. “She knows all of the words to What’s My Scene,” said Brett. “The last couple of months I’ve been around the house and I’ve obviously been practising and been really mindful who was in the house when I’m singing the song. “She knows all of the words and as soon as the song came on [last night], the first chord – she loves music, I play guitar for her all the time – and she knew it straight away. She said: ‘That’s daddy’s song!’ “But she freaked out when the head came off because she thought the parrot had died.” Despite being slightly traumatised, Helena insisted on watching it again on Wednesday morning.

“Kids are like dogs:” Pauline Hanson compares raising children to “training pets”

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has shared some outlandish opinions by comparing raising children to training animals. The politician told The Today Show on Monday there are similarities with disciplining your children and pets. Ms Hanson also said reports suggesting parents should “train” their babies as a dog was not so far off from the truth. “Kids are like dogs... you actually look after them, treat them well, give them that love and care and attention,” she said. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> “Kids are like dogs, if you actually look after them, treat them well, give them that love and care and attention. The problem today is parents aren’t allowed to discipline their kids. We are losing respect, they lose respect for authorities.” <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulineHansonOz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PaulineHansonOz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9Today?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9Today</a> <a href="https://t.co/DboCmqm5OP">pic.twitter.com/DboCmqm5OP</a> — The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTodayShow/status/1163195148760518656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2019</a></blockquote> The outlandish comments amused the morning show host Georgie Gardner, who said she was reluctant to end the segment. “Pauline, I loathe to interrupt because I'm scared I'm going to get in trouble but we have to go now,” she said. “Its been enlightening and everyone is awake across the country and terrified of you.” A controversial new British television show has caused a stir for it’s hosts, behaviourist Jo-Rosie, sharing her own parenting tips. She said she would be applying the same techniques as she would to train an animal with a three-year-old toddler. Ms Hanson said the “technique” gets results, and would use the same methods on her own children. “I would give them a clip over the ear if they didn't do what they were told. I had to control five of them and they had to do what they were told... and my grandkids get it too,” she shared. Radio host Neil Mitchell, another panelist sitting in on the controversial segment, sat shocked by Hanson’s admission to hitting her children. “You can't hit dogs, let alone children,” he said. The politician argued children need strong discipline. “The problem today is parents aren't allowed to discipline their kids. We are losing respect, they lose respect for authorities,” she said.

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