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Bindi Irwin sparks controversy over photoshop claims

<p>Bindi Irwin has responded to claims that she photoshopped a series of photos featuring a red panda named Teddy and her three-year-old-daughter Grace. </p> <p>Earlier this month, the wildlife warrior shared the images of the red panda sitting on Grace's lap on social media with the caption: “Meet Teddy. The sweetest red panda with a true love for snack time. I hope you can meet him on your next #AustraliaZoo adventure.”</p> <p>Fans were quick to speculate whether Teddy was real and if the image had been digitally manipulated. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-gS9r-TWIP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-gS9r-TWIP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Pretty sure that’s a Photoshop image," one wrote. </p> <p>“He looks Photoshopped into the second one!”, another added.</p> <p>"That guy looks wild! Almost looks fake," a third added. </p> <p>Bindi responded to their speculation in the comments saying: “I think it’s so funny how some people think that our sweet red panda was Photoshopped,” she said.</p> <p>“I can tell you with absolute certainty that these photos are 100 per cent real (thank you @kateberryphotography for taking such beautiful pictures) and Teddy is in no way Photoshopped.”</p> <p>She ended her message with: “Hope you have a wonderful day and just a note … I’ll always share real wildlife moments with you. That’s kinda my thing …”</p> <p>Other fans supported Bindi, responding to haters: “You’re literally commenting on an Irwin’s pic.”</p> <p>“Why would this page ever Photoshop themselves with an animal, it’s a ZOO,” another said.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Cheaper mortgages, tamed inflation and even higher home prices: how 29 forecasters see Australia’s economic recovery in 2024-25

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-martin-682709">Peter Martin</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/crawford-school-of-public-policy-australian-national-university-3292">Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University</a></em></p> <p>Australia’s top economic forecasters expect the Reserve Bank to start cutting interest rates by March next year, taking 0.35 points of its cash rate by June.</p> <p>If passed on in full, the cut would take $125 off the monthly cost of servicing a $600,000 variable-rate mortgage, with more to come.</p> <p>The panel of 29 forecasters assembled by The Conversation expects a further cut of 0.3 points by the end of 2025. This would take the cash rate down from the current 4.35% to 3.75% and produce a total cut in monthly payments on a $600,000 mortgage of $335.</p> <p>The forecasts were produced <em>after</em> last week’s news of a higher than expected <a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-inflation-rate-jumps-to-4-putting-an-rba-rate-rise-back-on-the-agenda-233331">monthly consumers price index</a>.</p> <p>Several of those surveyed revised up their predictions for interest rates in the year ahead, while continuing to predict cuts by mid next year.</p> <p>Only two expect higher rates by mid next year. Only four expect no change.</p> <hr /> <p><iframe id="6eIe8" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/6eIe8/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <hr /> <p>Now in its sixth year, The Conversation survey draws on the expertise of leading forecasters in 22 Australian universities, think tanks and financial institutions – among them economic modellers, former Treasury and Reserve Bank officials and a former member of the Reserve Bank board.</p> <p>Eight of the 29 expect the first cut to come this year, by either November or December.</p> <p>One of them is Luci Ellis, who was until recently assistant governor (economic) at the Reserve Bank and is now at Westpac. She and her team are forecasting three interest rate cuts by the middle of next year, taking the cash rate from 4.35% to 3.6%.</p> <h2>Reserve Bank a ‘reluctant hiker’</h2> <p>Ellis says inflation isn’t falling fast enough for the bank to be confident of being able to cut before November. But after that, even if inflation isn’t completely back within the bank’s target band but is merely moving towards it, a “forward-looking” board would want to start easing interest rates.</p> <p>Another forecaster, Su-Lin Ong of RBC Capital Markets, says in her view the bank should hike at its next board meeting in August after the release of figures likely to show inflation is still too high. But she says the bank is a “reluctant hiker” and keen to keep unemployment low.</p> <p>Although several panellists expect the Reserve Bank to hike rates in the months ahead, almost all expect rates to be lower in a year’s time than they are today.</p> <hr /> <p><iframe id="2xF3M" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/2xF3M/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <hr /> <p>The panel expects inflation to be back within the Reserve Bank’s 2-3% target band by June next year, and to be close to it (3.3%) by the end of this year.</p> <p>Twelve of the panel expect inflation to climb further when the official figures are released at the end of this month, but none expect it to climb further beyond that. And all expect inflation to be lower by the end of the financial year than it is today.</p> <p>One, Percy Allan, a former head of the NSW Treasury, cautions that the tax cuts and other government support measures due to start this month run the risk of boosting spending and falling progress on inflation.</p> <hr /> <p><iframe id="LGJa7" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/LGJa7/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <hr /> <p>The panel expects wages growth to fall from 4% to 3.5% over the year ahead, contributing to downward pressure on inflation, but to remain higher than prices growth, producing gains in so-called <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/realincome.asp">real wages</a>.</p> <p>It expects wages growth to moderate further, to 3.2%, in 2025-26.</p> <hr /> <p><iframe id="iV7mZ" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/iV7mZ/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <hr /> <p>Consumer spending is expected to remain unusually weak, growing by only 1.7% in real terms over the next 12 months, up from 1.3% in the latest national accounts.</p> <p>Mala Raghavan, from the University of Tasmania, said even though inflation was falling, previous price rises meant the prices of essentials remained high. AMP chief economist Shane Oliver expected the boost from the <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/tax-cuts">Stage 3 tax cuts</a> to be offset by the depressing effect of a weaker labour market.</p> <h2>Unemployment to climb modestly</h2> <p>The panel expects Australia’s unemployment rate to climb steadily from its present historically low 4% to 4.4%.</p> <p>Moodys Analytics economist Harry Murphy Cruise said although the increase wasn’t big, the effect on pay packets would be bigger. Employers were shaving hours and easing back on hiring rather than letting go of workers.</p> <hr /> <p><iframe id="SM8PI" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/SM8PI/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <hr /> <p>Panellists expect China’s economic growth to slip from 5.3% to 5% and US growth to slip from 2.9% to 2.4%.</p> <p>Australia’s economic growth is expected to climb from the present very low 1.1% to 1.3% by the end of this year and to 2% by the end of next year. Although none of the panel are forecasting a recession, most of those who offered an opinion said if there was a recession, it would start this year when the economy was weak.</p> <p>Some said we might later discover that we have been in a recession if the very weak economic growth of 0.1% recorded in the March quarter is revised and turns negative when updated figures are released in September.</p> <hr /> <p><iframe id="3I49o" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/3I49o/1/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <hr /> <p>Home prices are expected to continue to climb notwithstanding economic weakness. Sydney prices are expected to increase a further 5% in the year ahead after climbing 7.4% in the year to May. Melbourne prices are expected to rise a further 2.8% after climbing 1.8% in the year to May.</p> <p>Percy Allan said Sydney had fewer homes available than Melbourne, and Victoria’s decisions to extend land tax and boost rights for tenants had upset landlords, many of whom were offloading their holdings.</p> <h2>Home prices to climb further</h2> <p>Julie Toth, chief economist at property information firm PEXA, said rapid population growth was colliding with an ongoing decline in household size since COVID. At the same time, fewer new homes were being commissioned and long delays and high construction costs were also keeping supply tight.</p> <hr /> <p><iframe id="JzLaY" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/JzLaY/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <hr /> <p>The panel expects non-mining business investment to continue to climb in the year ahead, by 5.2%, down from 6.9%.</p> <p>It expects the Australian share market to climb by a further 5.6%</p> <p><strong>Read the answers on <a href="https://cdn.theconversation.com/static_files/files/3350/2024-25_The_Conversation_AU_Forecasting_Survey.pdf">PDF</a>, download as <a href="https://cdn.theconversation.com/static_files/files/3351/2024-25_The_Conversation_AU_forecasting_survey.xlsx?1719478737">XLS</a></strong></p> <hr /> <h2>The Conversation’s Economic Panel</h2> <p><em>Click on economist to see full profile.</em></p> <p><iframe id="tc-infographic-1066" class="tc-infographic" style="border: none;" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/infographics/1066/93fb29ba32e178ec2dcda111f014a50cf7ea1f49/site/index.html" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/233244/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-martin-682709">Peter Martin</a>, Visiting Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/crawford-school-of-public-policy-australian-national-university-3292">Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/cheaper-mortgages-tamed-inflation-and-even-higher-home-prices-how-29-forecasters-see-australias-economic-recovery-in-2024-25-233244">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Money & Banking

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Grace Tame reveals unexpected health diagnosis

<p>After years of dismissing her symptoms, including chronic pelvic pain and vomiting, Grace Tame has revealed that she has endometriosis. </p> <p>Tame, an activist for survivors of sexual assault, is among the one in nine Australian women and girls who suffer from the debilitating disease, which mostly affects the reproductive organs. </p> <p>She announced the news in an Instagram post on Tuesday morning and revealed that she underwent surgery to remove the endometriosis from her bowel, pelvic walls and sacral ligaments on May 24.</p> <p>The former Australian of the Year, initially ignored the symptoms thinking it was due to her traumatic experiences of child sex abuse that she endured when she was 15-years-old, but only recently discovered the actual cause of her pain. </p> <p>"It’s easy to fall into the trap of internalising trauma to our detriment," she said.</p> <p>"I always assumed persistent sexual abuse alone caused my chronic pelvic pain, and learned to disassociate from most of it.</p> <p>"The episodes of violent sickness I put down to food poisoning. That is, until the end of 2022, when I began vomiting weekly into early 2023.</p> <p>"After negative screenings for Crohn’s, coeliac and IBD, my cousin Morgan encouraged me to see a gynaecologist for the first time in over a decade."</p> <p>She added that her gynaecologist suspected endo, and later on confirmed <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">the diagnosis </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">in a laparoscopic operation.</span></p> <p>"Surgery went smoothly, and as I write this, I can’t help but feel extremely grateful to be where I am, even if removal isn’t the panacea for this disease,” she said, hoping to raise more awareness for the disease.</p> <p>“Grateful knowing, in the absence of both prevention and cure, there are still options, and we’re not alone," she said. </p> <p>She also added that she was grateful for the support of her friends and family, and for being able to afford and access treatment. </p> <p>According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), there were 40,500 endometriosis-related hospitalisations in 2021–22, with this rate doubling in the past decade. </p> <p>In May's federal budget, the government announced a $49.1m investment into tackling endometriosis. </p> <p>From July 1, 2025, women suffering from endometriosis will have longer specialist consultations of 45 minutes or more covered under Medicare.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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All the footy stars are getting married!

<p>Love was in the air, and wedding bells rang joyfully as AFL star Jack Silvagni and his beautiful bride, Grace Phillips, sealed their love in a heartwarming ceremony over the weekend.</p> <p>The couple, who have been together since 2014, took the plunge into marital bliss in a picturesque setting in Noosa, Queensland. Their love story, culminating in a beautiful union, is a testament to the power of love and commitment.</p> <p>As the 25-year-old Carlton forward and his stunning bride exchanged vows, they did so in the company of their nearest and dearest. The joyous occasion was made even more special as it coincided with a wave of AFL weddings, with teammates Mitch McGovern and Matt Kennedy also embracing the off-season to celebrate their nuptials.</p> <p>Jack Silvagni, the eldest son of Carlton legend Stephen Silvagni and model Jo Silvagni, looked every bit the dashing groom in his suit, but the true star of the day was of course his radiant bride, Grace Phillips.</p> <p>She donned an enchanting ivory off-the-shoulder gown by Kyha Studios, setting hearts aflutter as she walked down the aisle. The couple shared their first photo as newlyweds on Instagram, a picture-perfect moment captured in time, and their caption, "19•10•23 🤍", was a simple but powerful declaration of their love.</p> <p>The Carlton Football Club, recognising the significance of the day, congratulated the newlyweds with heartfelt wishes on their official Instagram account, "Congratulations Jack and Grace 💍💕." It was a wonderful show of support from their football family, acknowledging that love and happiness transcend the boundaries of the game.</p> <p>Surrounded by a guest list that included their closest friends and family, the day was filled with laughter, love, and cherished moments. Silvagni's Carlton teammates, Patrick Cripps, Jack Martin and Sam Docherty, were in attendance to witness this beautiful chapter in their lives.</p> <p>Silvagni's proposal to Phillips last year marked the beginning of their journey towards this day. Their engagement, shared on the same day as Richmond's Tom Lynch and Olivia Burke, was a special moment that foreshadowed the love-filled year ahead. Burke, the Senior Marketing Manager for Kyha Studios, wore the same brand that Phillips chose for her wedding dress, adding a poetic touch to their story.</p> <p>In the world of football, love clearly knows no bounds, as Western Bulldogs star Jason Johannisen also recently tied the knot, marrying Logan Shine in Bali. And Carlton star Mitch McGovern also found his forever love over the weekend, marrying Kirsten Prater in South Australia.</p> <p>With so much love in the air, it's clear that the AFL community knows how to celebrate both on and off the field. Silvagni and Phillips' wedding day was not just a celebration of their love, but a reminder that love conquers all and brings joy to everyone it touches. We wish the newlyweds a lifetime filled with love, happiness, and memorable moments.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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“Only an Irwin!”: Bindi’s latest update on Grace stuns fans

<p dir="ltr">The Wildlife Warrior cannot hide her pride in the latest update showing just how well Grace is following the family’s nature-loving footsteps.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bindi Irwin took to Instagram to share a video of Grace exploring a beach in Australia as the proud parents watched on.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Winter #Beachday” she captioned the photo.</p> <p dir="ltr">There was one tiny detail in the video that caught everyone’s attention, and it was the moment Grace said "Like a plesiosaur” as she walked through the water.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bindi echoed her daughter’s statement, and fans were stunned at the two-year-old’s knowledge of animals.</p> <p dir="ltr">Plesiosaurs are aquatic reptiles which were common during the Jurassic period and went extinct around 66 million years ago.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuiUsdWhOAi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuiUsdWhOAi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Many fans were impressed that the two-year-old knew about the Plesiosaurs existence, while others were stunned at her articulation.</p> <p dir="ltr">“How many two-year-olds know about plesiosaurs or even how to say that word, only an Irwin!!” wrote one fan.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t even know what it is!” one fan commented to which another one added: “Same 😂🤣I was like a please?..”</p> <p dir="ltr">“That’s very impressive, you’re raising her to appreciate nature and every living thing on the planet 🌎 even the species that don’t exist anymore aww 🥰,” commented another.</p> <p dir="ltr">A few others commented on the “magical” view and how proud the late Steve Irwin would be of his granddaughter.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You know Grampa Steve is looking down on you with a happy smile on his face,” one commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So sweet your Dad is beaming from above,” wrote another.</p> <p dir="ltr">Just last month Bindi posted an adorable <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/irwin-genes-are-strong-bindi-shares-adorable-candid-snap" target="_blank" rel="noopener">candid snap</a> of her daughter cuddling a giant tortoise, and Grace’s love for animals only seems to grow.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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“Irwin genes are strong”: Bindi shares adorable candid snap

<p>Bindi Irwin has delighted fans after sharing a sweet snap of her two-year-old daughter, Grace Warrior cuddling a giant tortoise.</p> <p>The wildlife warrior took to Instagram to share the sweet snap with a comparison photo of herself hugging a giant tortoise when she was around Grace’s age.</p> <p>“Holding my newborn daughter wondering if she’ll love wildlife like I did” she captioned one of the photos in the Reel.</p> <p>The next two photos showed comparison photos of the mother-daughter duo which showed that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.</p> <p>“Our Grace Warrior, the Wildlife Warrior," she captioned the post.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cs4wPGzBjZZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cs4wPGzBjZZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The adorable photo has been praised by fans who commented how proud Steve Irwin would be of his daughter and granddaughter.</p> <p>"It’s in the Irwin blood! You guys have the most beautiful connection with wildlife and each other! Steve Irwin genes are strong!” wrote one fan.</p> <p>"Your dad is probably so so proud looking down,” commented a second person.</p> <p>"This gives me happy goosebumps babe,” wrote a third.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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“Our Disney princess”: Grace Irwin’s magical milestone

<p dir="ltr">Bindi Irwin and her family were all smiles on a recent trip to “the most magical place on Earth”, with some of their favourite highlights documented on social media for their fans to enjoy the occasion right along with them.</p> <p dir="ltr">The day was something of a milestone for two-year-old Grace, who was making her first trip to Disneyland alongside Bindi and Chandler. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Our Disney princess visited the most magical place on Earth for the very first time,” Bindi wrote. “My. Heart.”</p> <p dir="ltr">In the clip accompanying the caption, a series of snaps and short videos played out, though two things remained constant throughout - the delight on their faces, and the wonder on young Grace’s.</p> <p dir="ltr">It opened with a sweet family picture in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, a popular location in the centre of the park for capturing the all-important Disney portrait. </p> <p dir="ltr">Next, Grace had been introduced to a bubble wand in her dad’s arms, before the family were captured flying through the air on Disney’s Dumbo The Flying Elephant ride.</p> <p dir="ltr">From there, Grace was pictured exploring the park - on her own feet and from her mum’s embrace - as well as dancing to live music, meeting some iconic Disney characters, hosting her very own princess tea party, and experiencing the wonder of the world famous It’s a Small World attraction. </p> <p dir="ltr">All, it appears, picture perfect items on any Disneyland agenda. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cse2J6nh6S0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cse2J6nh6S0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Bindi’s followers certainly seemed to agree, flocking to her comments to gush over Bindi’s heartwarming post, all agreeing that the family must have had “the best time”. </p> <p dir="ltr">“That’s the BEST!” author Steve Maraboli declared. “Moments and memories like that are vitamins for the soul!”</p> <p dir="ltr">“That is so so special,” Australian TV personality Rove McManus said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Looks like you had the most perfect time! I loved when she was dancing for the musicians,” one fan shared.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Watching Disney through your child’s eyes is simply the best!!” another noted. </p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, some could only marvel at how much Grace and grown, with others simply happy to see Bindi enjoying herself in the world after her <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/body/bindi-irwin-breaks-down-on-camera-about-health-condition">difficult health journey</a>. </p> <p dir="ltr">“So glad to see you are feeling so much better that you can enjoy an adventure like Disney,” one wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, another wasn’t quite so sure about the whole “happiest place” side of things, revealing that while their day had looked “amazing”, they had to note “Australia Zoo is one of the most magical places on earth. Anywhere we can love and protect animals.”</p> <p dir="ltr">And, of course, Robert Irwin had to get in on the celebration, sharing a series of hearts in response to his sister’s post - just weeks after sharing his own happy snap with the youngest Irwin wildlife warrior, too. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Bindi Irwin shares daughter’s adorable transformation pics

<p dir="ltr">Bindi Irwin has stunned fans on social media after sharing her daughter, Grace’s adorable transformation pictures.</p> <p dir="ltr">The wildlife warrior took to Instagram to share a set of photos that are two years apart of the mother-daughter duo all cuddled up in celebration of Mother’s Day.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Then and Now ✨ Exactly two years between these photos,” Bindi wrote in the caption.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My beautiful Grace Warrior, thank you for making me a mama. Being yours is the best part of my entire existence.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I love you with my entire heart, forever.”</p> <p dir="ltr">In the first photo, Bindi was pictured looking down at her newborn daughter affectionately as she slept.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the second photo, Grace, now two years old, was pictured fast asleep in her mothers arms, with a similar expression on her face.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CsM_IkvBbCi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CsM_IkvBbCi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Friends and fans took to the comments to share their surprise and love.</p> <p dir="ltr">Former Wiggles star, Emma Watkins, commented with three orange heart emojis.</p> <p dir="ltr">One fan wrote: “So precious! You can really see your dad in her! 🌸✌️💜”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Growing up so fast 😍,” wrote another.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Wow. Crazy. Feels like yesterday. Happy mothers day,” commented a third.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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"A national hero": Grace Tame's tribute to Brittany Higgins

<p>Grace Tame has wished Brittany Higgins a happy birthday in the form of an emotional tribute.</p> <p>The former Australian of the Year shared a behind the scenes photo of the pair from their cover shoot with Marie Claire magazine in November 2021 of their "Women of the Year" issue. </p> <p>The photo shows the women smiling and looking relaxed, but Grace explained the picture was "nothing like the reality of that day."</p> <p>“It was anxiety, distress, exhaustion, invasion of personal space, and a quarter of an hour spent in the bathroom decompressing afterwards at dinner. It was tears.”</p> <p>In her moving tribute to Ms Higgins, Ms Tame said her friend was a “warrior” and “a national hero”.</p> <p>“Over the past 18 months of getting to know Brittany Higgins, I have been moved by a person who is thoughtful and measured, who is reserved and self-effacing."</p> <p>“I have been awed and floored by her intelligence, kindness, vulnerability and determination to keep fighting for herself and others."</p> <div id="indie-campaign-EAbKwvW1L2TJ5OnFRiOT-0" data-campaign-name="NCA LIFESTYLE Newsletter OneClick SignUp" data-campaign-indie="newsletter-signup" data-jira="" data-from="1650290400000" data-to="1681826400000"></div> <p>“She has provided support, comfort and reinforcement for myself and others amid some of the darkest, loneliest times. She is indeed a light.”</p> <p>Ms Tame also praised Ms Higgins for her response to national scrutiny in the face of her trial agains Bruce Lehrmann. </p> <p>“Brittany Higgins has taken every step of her excruciating journey under a microscope; with a nation breathing down her neck. This is no mean feat."</p> <p>“I am not a judge or jury, but I am a person who has also walked repeatedly in the line of fire – often alone – and it is not for the faint-hearted."</p> <p>“However, it is not for this reason that I stand with Brittany. It is simply because she is a decent human being. I stand with Brittany because I have compassion for her."</p> <p>“Brittany Higgins is a national hero.”</p> <p>Ms Higgins spent her 28th birthday on Wednesday in a mental health clinic in Queensland, after her trial against Mr Lehrmann was dropped out of fears for her mental health. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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“A disgrace”: Grace Tame slams Scott Morrison

<p dir="ltr">Grace Tame has hit out at former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, describing his secret acquisition of several government portfolios as a “disgrace”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Appearing on Thursday night’s episode of <em>Q&amp;A</em>, Ms Tame was asked about her thoughts on Mr Morrison’s self-appointment to five ministerial portfolios during his time as Australia’s leader, and the 23-year-old activist had plenty to say.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The gaslighting, the dishonesty, was another level that we witnessed,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He wasn’t even a good enough villain – he had the ambitions of Voldemort with the brains of Peter Griffin,’ she added, referring to the villain of the <em>Harry Potter</em> series and main character of the TV series <em>Family Guy</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s very important that we have people in positions of power that we can trust.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was a disgrace – we need better than that.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Her comments come after Mr Morrison became the first former Prime Minister to be censured in federal parliament - a rare move to show parliament’s condemnation of his actions.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Morrison was condemned by members of the House of Representatives for failing to disclose that he had appointed himself as the minister for health, finance, home affairs and industry, energy, resources, science and treasury.</p> <p dir="ltr">During the <em>Q&amp;A</em> episode, Ms Tame also revealed that she has considered stepping back from her public life, given that the man who sexually abused her as a child has continued to harrass her.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ll be honest with you, yes I do (think about stepping back),” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve had a really hard 24 hours. This morning I was meeting with the Department of Public Prosecutions.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The child sex offender who abused me has been menacing and harassing me all this year.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He hasn’t really stopped for the last 12 years, behind the scenes.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-301982ce-7fff-3d95-84c5-db66e50dafed"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Twitter / Getty Images</em></p>

TV

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

<p dir="ltr"><em>Content warning: This article includes mentions of child sex abuse (CSA) and child exploitation material.</em></p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Tame shared her outrage in a series of posts on social media on Wednesday night, describing the verdict as a shame on Australia.</p> <p dir="ltr">“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.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The buck continues to stop with innocent lives. What a disgrace.</p> <p dir="ltr">“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’.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The 27-year-old said that whether his story was true or not, the outcome of his actions remains the same.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It does not change the fact that he produced child exploitation material,” she continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">“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.”</p> <p dir="ltr">In response to his claims that the messages were just “s**t talk”, Ms Tame said it served to “dehumanise and objectify” children.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Yeah, that’s all it ever is, isn’t it, just “s**t talk?” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s just “s**t talk” to dehumanise and objectify an underage member of your own species.”</p> <p dir="ltr">During Finch’s sentencing, Judge Phillip Mahoney described the content of the athlete’s messages as “highly depraved” and “morally reprehensible”.</p> <p dir="ltr">While the maximum penalty for the offence is 15 years, the Crown had asked that Finch be sentenced to full-time custody.</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">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”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“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.</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">Under his release order, Finch must be of good behaviour, not travel interstate or overseas without permission, and must undergo drug testing and treatment.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>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.</em></p> <p><em><span id="docs-internal-guid-0aeebea0-7fff-4515-96fd-837a56bf31c7"></span></em></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram / Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

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The Grace Albert Park Lake: the right place for now and the future

<p>Life is a journey and each phase along the way has its own joys and challenges. When the time comes to downsize and you’re seeking a healthy retirement lifestyle where you can live your best Melbourne life, look no further than the award-winning <a href="https://www.thegracealbertparklake.com.au/?utm_source=OverSixty" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Grace Albert Park Lake</a>.</p> <p>Member-owned health and wellbeing company, Australian Unity, is behind this prestigious high-rise retirement village, located in the upmarket leafy suburb of South Melbourne. The development recently won an award for the Best Retirement Development at the Property Council Retirement Living Awards.</p> <p>According to The Grace Sales Manager, Martine Vance, “what makes this development unique is that people can live independently in this luxury community, with peace of mind regarding their possible future needs. The Alba, opening in 2023, will offer assisted living and residential aged care, so residents will be able to access a range of additional support services should they need them. </p> <p><strong>An iconic inner-city location</strong></p> <p>“When it comes to luxury retirement living, there’s nothing else like it in the South Melbourne area”, says Martine. Perfectly placed across from Melbourne’s stunning Albert Park Lake, The Grace offers luxury retirement living at its best. Whether you’re into jogging, cycling or golf, you have some of the city’s best outdoor facilities at your doorstep. You’re also moments away from the famous South Melbourne markets, the Botanic Gardens and the trendy cafes and restaurants of South Yarra. For lovers of culture and the fine arts, the Arts Centre and the National Gallery of Victoria are also only minutes away from home.</p> <p>The one, two- and three-bedroom apartments on offer at The Grace have been meticulously designed to offer residents expansive, light filled open plan living areas for stylish and relaxed entertaining. Designed by Fender Katsalidis and interiors by Mim Design, the neutral colour palette allows you to add your own personal touch to create a sense of familiarity and comfort. “The master bedroom has a fully-fitted wardrobe and marble ensuite. Similarly, there’s a stunning Italian marble island bench in the kitchen, which has Miele appliances and an integrated Fisher and Paykel fridge, freezer and dishwasher, “says Martine.</p> <p><strong><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/TheGrace02.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></strong></p> <p><strong>Be part of a like-minded community</strong></p> <p>When you choose to venture beyond your own personal sanctuary and mingle with your neighbours, The Grace has multiple shared spaces to enjoy. On par with a luxury hotel, every second floor of The Grace has a themed room residents can use at their leisure, including private dining rooms, a plush theatrette and a piano lounge. To keep you fit and active in the comfort of your own home, The Grace’s exclusive wellbeing facilities include a pool, gym and studios offering personal yoga and Pilates classes. There’s even a games room for when the grandchildren visit, an art studio, an edible garden and a beautiful rooftop terrace, which has views of the lake, bay and city.</p> <p><strong>Lock up and leave</strong></p> <p>Unlike other residential apartments with a mixture of occupants, where you don’t know who’s coming and going, The Grace gives you the comfort and security of living in a community of retirees at a similar life stage, as well as being in a community with access control systems in place and a concierge on site seven days per week. </p> <p><strong>An eye to the future</strong></p> <p>At The Grace, you can also choose your level of independence and will be supported to live in your own home for as long as you choose. If you feel you need a little extra support with daily chores in the future, once The Alba is complete and residents are settled, you have the option of having access to services such as cooking, cleaning and laundry being brought in to assist you. This means you can enjoy the lifestyle for as long as you choose.</p> <p><em>Images: Supplied</em></p> <p><em>This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.thegracealbertparklake.com.au/?utm_source=OverSixty" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Grace Albert Park Lake</a>.</span></em></p>

Real Estate

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How to receive criticism with grace and open arms

<p><em><strong>Tom Cronin is a meditation teacher, life coach and writer. He is the founder of The Stillness Project, a global movement that aims to help people on their journey towards calmness and fulfilment.</strong></em></p> <p>Put your hand up if you like to receive criticism.</p> <p>Of course you kept your hand down. No one likes to be criticised. To the point where we often hold ourselves back from doing many great things in fear of being criticised.</p> <p>I saw a quote this week by Aristotle:</p> <p>“There is only one way to avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”</p> <p>Criticism can cut to the core of our ego. It challenges all the false beliefs that we’ve had about ourselves. We tend to measure ourselves by the perspectives of others and when that perspective becomes negative, then OUCH! It hurts.</p> <p>I’ll let you in on a secret, which is not so secret now. I’m a recovering perfectionist, recovering in that I’ve been in ‘perfectionist rehab’ trying to wean myself off being a perfectionist. One thing about perfectionists is that we love to be perfect…. and what does criticism from others say about our perfectness? That it doesn’t exist! Our illusion becomes shattered and it’s brutally painful.</p> <p>It was for this reason that I held back from writing, speaking, and teaching. I mean what if someone faulted what I did? Heaven forbid! But the compulsion became stronger and it was a tussle between what was the natural flow forward and my ego holding me back in fear. The block was in my ego, so that’s what I had to work on… dissolving that pesky little thing (only it wasn’t little, it was gargantuan!)</p> <p>Through my meditation practice I was able to slowly dissolve the big E and allow my clear fearless expression to shine through. (Mind you it’s not totally dissolved, there is still some there)</p> <p>Sure, I get criticised. It’s going to happen. But now I see criticism as something very constructive. It’s up to you; it can be destructive or constructive. I find it useful market research that helps me refine what I do and become better at it. In fact, only the other day I asked my children to critique me as a parent. I sat them both down and said to them (true story):</p> <p>“Hey kids, so I have never been trained as parent and this is my first time at it. So I may be doing things wrong or things that you don’t like. I’m still learning. I want you to let me know how you’d like me to change as a parent and what you think I could do better?”</p> <p>To which they replied along the lines of:</p> <p>“Nah, we think you’re doing a great job Dad, you don’t need to change anything.”</p> <p>It was a nice to hear but I was seriously looking for some constructive criticism to help me become better at parenting. I used to really struggle receiving criticism, it was a painful experience. But not I welcome it with gratitude. It teaches me to evolve and adapt.</p> <p>But coming back to Mr. Aristotle, and his quote. What would you prefer? Not being criticised and playing the small safe, game or growing, expanding and inspiring others while you expose yourself to potential criticism?  You think Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Jesus, Martin Luther King or Nelson Mandela were never criticised? The choice is yours and you have greatness within you to share with the world. So what are you waiting for?</p> <p>Share with us how you would like to share your gifts with the world in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Written by Tom Cronin. First appeared on <strong><a href="http://stillnessproject.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Stillness Project</span></a>.</strong> </em></p>

Mind

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Seoul stampede victim identified

<p dir="ltr">A Sydney woman has been identified as the Aussie victim who was crushed in the stampede in Seoul which killed 154 people.</p> <p dir="ltr">Grace Rached, 23, was celebrating Halloween in downtown Seoul when the party made its way to a narrow alley. </p> <p dir="ltr">There were more than 100,000 people in attendance of the party which turned deadly and saw Grace crushed to death. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Sydney filmmaker was days away from her birthday and her family have been left devastated.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We are missing our gorgeous angel Grace who lit up a room with her infectious smile," her family said in a statement.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Grace always made others feel important and her kindness left an impression on everyone she ever met. Grace always cared about others and she was loved by all.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Grace was a talented film producer who was passionate about making a difference.</p> <p dir="ltr">"She cared deeply about her two sisters and was a wonderful role model. Grace showed us all what it meant to be an incredible human being.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We will all deeply miss our beautiful Grace, our life of the party."</p> <p dir="ltr">Officials have placed the death toll of the tragedy at 154 and the number of injured people at 133.</p> <p dir="ltr">It is expected that the numbers will rise. </p> <p dir="ltr">Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also issued a statement wishing partygoers a speedy recovery. </p> <p dir="ltr">“These were people who were out celebrating Halloween, out to have a good time and to come home safely,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This tragedy has impacted people in South Korea in particular. But it has also impacted, in the harshest way possible, one Australian family and other Australians who were hurt in this incident.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We just wish all of those people a very speedy recovery.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

News

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Grace under pressure: Princess Kate heckled in Ireland

<p dir="ltr">Princess Kate was the subject of a heckler in Northern Ireland, where she was greeting crowds after visiting a suicide prevention charity.</p> <p dir="ltr">Footage has emerged of the Princess of Wales shaking hands with the heckler, who filmed herself telling the royal that “Ireland belongs to the Irish”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Nice to meet you but it would be better if it was when you were in your own country,” the woman said.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-33624c49-7fff-e851-b17e-b59d386e2ae7"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The princess laughed off the comments before letting go of the woman’s hand and continuing to greet other members of the crowd.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">This woman reefing the arm off Kate Middleton and telling her 'Ireland belongs to the Irish'.... <a href="https://t.co/KK2gAqZ0Kv">pic.twitter.com/KK2gAqZ0Kv</a></p> <p>— Caolán Mc Aree (@Caolanmcaree) <a href="https://twitter.com/Caolanmcaree/status/1578095529233641472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Northern Ireland has been a hotly contested region since 1922, when the southern part of the country become gained independence and became the Republic of Ireland while Northern Island remained in the United Kingdom.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the tense interaction, Princess Kate’s time in Belfast seemed quite successful, as she and her husband Prince William visited several cross-community support organisations.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a197fca1-7fff-6746-3b76-235f45d6e206"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Earlier in the day, the royal was spotted making and enjoying a cheeky drink with her husband after the couple travelled to the city centre to view the new outdoor street food and retail market.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/kate-belfast.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Kate Middleton was spotted trying her hand at cocktail making during her visit to Belfast, Northern Island. Image: Getty Images</em></p> <p dir="ltr">The market, which opened in July, was designed as a place for the community to come together to enjoy artisanal food and local products.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair also met with workers from PIPS, a suicide prevention charity, and spoke to them about their work helping people at risk of suicide and self-harm.</p> <p dir="ltr">During their visit, the charity arranged for William and Kate to take part in an art therapy session, which saw them paint pumpkins with children whom PIPS has supported.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-dc55e41c-7fff-872e-4632-e3782f547000"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: The Sun, Getty Images</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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"There is great strength in vulnerability": Grace Tame’s surprising, irreverent memoir has a message of hope

<p>Grace Tame’s <em>The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner</em> shifts expectations. It’s not a minute-to-minute backstage account of the 12 months Tame spent as Australian of the Year, or the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/12/tasmanian-survivor-of-sexual-assault-wins-the-right-to-tell-her-story" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#LetHerSpeak campaign</a> or the March4Justice.</p> <p>It’s not wholly focused on her struggles with hostile elements in the commercial media or the former prime minister she calls “Scott” – which is only democratic after all, given “Scott” invariably called her “Grace”.</p> <p>The book presents a horrifying account of being groomed and sexually abused as a 15-year-old by her 58-year-old schoolteacher, but it’s also not entirely taken up with “that part of my story that has been magnified and scrutinised publicly”.</p> <p>What the book reveals is that while such events are “undoubtedly traumatic” they haven’t “defined” her “unfinished experience of life”.</p> <p>And this is the important message of hope it gives to survivors of child sexual abuse. Until very recently, this crime was diminished or largely ignored by a culture that has historically <a href="https://www.routledge.com/Child-Sexual-Abuse-Moral-Panic-or-State-of-Denial/Pilgrim/p/book/9781138578371" target="_blank" rel="noopener">labelled it a myth or moral panic</a>, thereby enabling abusers. Meanwhile, as Tame writes, “they [abusers] deny, they attack, and they cry victim, while attempting to cast [victims] as the offenders”.</p> <p>“Child abusers groom through isolation, fear and shame,” writes Tame. “Through the manipulation of our entire society. All of us, to some extent, have been groomed.”</p> <p>Ahead of publication, Tame deleted her Twitter account. “I am aware this book will draw varying responses,” she writes, “including brutal backlash”. Pre-emptively responding to trolls and detractors, Tame says that she doesn’t “work for critics” but for “the people who find themselves in our words” and are “empowered by them”.</p> <p>Instead, the book shares the larger story of Tame’s life in the hope that “my being vulnerable will permit the vulnerability of another”.</p> <h2>Mining for diamonds as an attitude to life</h2> <p>Unexpectedly, the memoir opens with the story of a man called Jorge – aged “67 or 76” – who Grace met in a ramshackle share house in Portugal at the age of 19. Jorge was “asset poor” but “story rich”. He had led “nine lives” in “seven different languages”, as a soccer player, a musician, a springboard diver, the former husband of a Jewish-American heiress and – like the figure in the book’s title – a diamond miner in Brazil. All that remained of these great adventures was an “overstuffed” chihuahua called Pirate and books of photographs.</p> <p>An older, “healthily jaded” Tame suspects the chameleon-like Jorge was probably a con artist but writes that this “layer of delicious irony” merely served to confirm in her mind the things Jorge taught her that had “genuine value” – that life is essentially about people, experiences, authenticity, and connection. “Raw. Real. Uncut.”</p> <p>Of course, it’s not Jorge but Tame herself who is the diamond miner in the book’s title. In this extended motif, diamond mining expresses an attitude to life.</p> <p>“Some things in life are ultimately what we make of them,” writes Tame, “… there are things we can and cannot control” but “our power resides in how we respond to each”.</p> <p>Inevitably, this sense of optimism is tempered with a warning. The “ninth life” of a cat is the point at which the creature becomes vulnerable.</p> <p>For feminists of my own generation, who were taught that you had to be stronger, and tougher, and smarter just to get by, the book surprisingly reveals that “there is great strength in vulnerability”. Being vulnerable, says Tame, is about remaining open to life.</p> <p>Tame writes about her aunts and cousins, about her parents’ divorce, her fight with anorexia, her neurodiversity, and the six years she spent living in the United States, where she moved aged 18. There’s her brief marriage to former Hollywood child star Spencer Breslin in 2017, with an Elvis-themed wedding, her friendship with actor John Cleese and his daughter Camilla, her work as an illustrator and indeed her brief stint working on a marijuana farm.</p> <p>She writes about partying in California, hanging out in New York, and experimenting with drugs, which she says she no longer does. She has strong views on everything from the politics of Austrian novelist and playwright Peter Handke to her visit to the house of Frida Kahlo’s husband Diego Rivera in Guanajuato, Mexico.</p> <p>The book is loosely chronological, but mostly follows the rhythms and shapes of Tame’s thoughts. It is held together by a strong, irreverent, irrepressible voice, and is enclosed within a cover illustration that she drew herself.</p> <h2>Growing up neurodiverse</h2> <p>Tame was born in 1994, in Rokeby, a working-class suburb of Hobart, growing up in the same street as her aunts, cousins and grandparents, surrounded by a boisterous crowd of relatives who taught her, “Solidarity. And lots of love.”</p> <p>She describes childhood days spent “climbing trees, jumping fences” and running in and out of cousin’s houses.</p> <p>But she also recollects her childhood as a time of instability, being carted back and forth between the houses of two amicably divorced parents, which was, she says in retrospect, too much for a neurodiverse child.</p> <p>“My mind sees time through the glass door of a front-loading washing machine on a never-ending spin cycle,” she writes. “I can pull out specific memories that look as clean as yesterday because at any given moment everything is churning at high speed in colour”.</p> <p>She quickly learnt “mimicking and masking”, the “survival strategies” of autistic women. Much later, she would find out that neurodiversity can also be a strength. Tame calls herself “the autistic artist who finds everyday socialising harder than calculus, but walking onto a stage as easy as kindergarten maths”.</p> <p>She is at pains to point out that although she has “seen some strife” – unlike the former prime minister’s characterisation of her as person who has had “<a href="https://7news.com.au/politics/pm-had-no-issue-with-grace-tame-meeting-c-5473752" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a terrible life</a>” – “on the whole” her life has been mostly “wonderful”.</p> <h2>Abuse</h2> <p>But in the background was “our family’s sixth spidery sense”, largely directed at divining the presence of huntsmen, which Tame learnt to carry out of the house “by the leg”. Aptly, this description foreshadows her encounter with the “rock spider” Nicolaas Bester, the serial sex offender lurking in the private Anglican girls’ school for which Tame’s mother, aspiring to a better education for her daughter, worked hard to pay the fees.</p> <p>Bester began preying on Tame at age 15 in “the very same year my mental health began to decline”. The grooming started in the classroom with Bester telling what he claimed were jokes. Once, about a student “obsessed with tubular objects”. At another time, about <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/rage-saved-my-life-in-the-end-grace-tame-on-not-backing-down-20220719-p5b2s7.html?collection=p5biok" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a former student</a> who he claimed was “as easy as a McDonald’s drive-through”.</p> <p>Through “innocent, permissive laughter” students became acquainted with a “supposedly harmless man”. His “recycled racy comments were just part of his schtick, and they didn’t alarm our young inexperienced minds in the same way they might have adults”.</p> <p>Nobody suspected there was something fundamentally wrong in all this, alleging “he pushed the boundaries, that was all”.</p> <p>Bester soon began following Tame about, attempting to gain access by pretending to be her uncle at a medical facility where Tame was being treated, also turning up at the kiosk where she had a part-time job.</p> <p>Tame’s parents had two consecutive meetings with the school, asking them to put an end to Bester’s “inappropriate behaviour”. But Bester “coolly laid the groundwork for a narrative in which I was the supposed aggressor, and mentally ill one that he felt ‘sorry for’.” And the school, she writes, believed him. “This would, in fact, be his line of defence in court.”</p> <p>The police statement given by the school principal was, she argues, “perversely, almost as damning of the school as it was of him”.</p> <p>It revealed that “despite regular and consistent complaints from students, staff, parents and visitors to the institution” the school “allowed him to continue working”.</p> <p>Police found “videos of adults raping children on his computer”.</p> <p>Tame writes that after she disclosed the sexual abuse by Bester, the school sent her mother a bill for outstanding fees.</p> <p>Bester was sentenced to <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-12/nicolaas-bester-sentenced-over-social-media-comments-child-abuse/7083524" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two years and 10 months in jail in 2011</a> for the abuse of Tame. Yet, writes Tame, he was surrounded by apologists. His church group invited him back to play the organ as soon as he was released. On social media, or simply standing on the street outside a nightclub, Tame was surrounded by a barrage of victim-blaming abuse.</p> <h2>Advocacy and the media</h2> <p>Over time, the media narrative around child sexual abuse has begun to shift, due to the public advocacy of countless men and women, including Tame. But the change is inconsistent and uneven.</p> <p>In 2018, Tame teamed up with Nina Funnell, a Walkley Award winning freelance journalist and sexual assault survivor who began the #LetHerSpeak campaign in partnership with Marque Lawyers and End Rape On Campus Australia. The campaign was aimed at overturning the gag clauses in Tasmanian and Northern Territory law. In 2019, Tame won a supreme court exemption to tell her harrowing story of being groomed by Bester.</p> <p>Advocacy takes its toll, she writes, in “the re-traumatisation that results from reliving the abuse.” It is predicated on an incessant “unpacking and processing”, with the reality of abuse “playing on a loop”.</p> <p>All the while Tame says she has been called everything from a “feminist hero of the fourth wave” to a “man-hater” and a “transgender child abuser”.</p> <p>The brief accounts Tame gives of her interactions with commercial television producers and journalists are far from flattering to the media. Though she looks strong, the media furore frequently left her “shaking”.</p> <blockquote> <p>I’d never had such intense panic attacks, coloured by flashbacks cut with criticisms so violent that all I could hope to do was knock myself out in the hopes of knocking them out of me.</p> </blockquote> <p>And there were, consequently, missed opportunities. The 2021 National Press Club address “in which I talked about how the media retraumatises survivors by not listening closely to the boundaries they set” was “overshadowed that day by a confected feud” between Tame and the former prime minister “that then spiralled and became an ongoing convenient media distraction used to dilute the work I did.”</p> <p>Other media encounters are slammed as “trauma pornography in disguise” and the “unethical, disingenuous gathering of vulnerable people for the purpose of entertainment”.</p> <p>Towards the end of the book Tame recounts the frenzied criticism generated by the so called “side-eye” moment, where she was photographed with then PM Morrison at this year’s morning tea for Australian of the Year recipients.</p> <p>In the wake of these photographs, she writes, her partner Max Heerey was “sent a barrage of text messages” including repeated messages from one journalist asking whether her “autism” had “something to do with” her frosty exchange with Morrison and if “I frowned because I was autistic”.</p> <p>At this point, Max informed the journalist that their questions were ableist and “incredibly offensive”.</p> <p>“I have no idea if it’s offensive or true or what but just wanted to ask as it’s a discussion being raised,” the journalist shot back, followed by a screenshot sampling an article citing autistic “so-called ‘social-deficits’”.</p> <p>“I said please don’t contact me again. This is all incredibly offensive,” Max repeated. “Grace is autistic but not stupid”.</p> <p>But the texts kept coming.</p> <p>Tame writes,</p> <blockquote> <p>I didn’t frown at the Prime Minister because I can’t control my face, because I’m disabled, because I have some kind of deficit, or because I need help. I didn’t frown at him because, in his words, ‘I’ve had a terrible life’’".</p> <p>I frowned at Scott Morrison deliberately because, in my opinion, he has done and assisted in objectively terrible things.“</p> </blockquote> <p>Without specifying what those things are, Tame writes, "No matter what your politics are, the harm that was done under his government was … not limited to survivors of domestic and sexual violence”.</p> <p>To have “smiled at him” would have been a lie.</p> <p>In place of confected outrage, which is “disturbingly skewed”, this memoir attempts to “bridge gaps in understanding” and “ignite a conversation”. It’s worth the “risk and pain”, Tame writes, because “evil thrives in silence”.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/there-is-great-strength-in-vulnerability-grace-tames-surprising-irreverent-memoir-has-a-message-of-hope-191074" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Images: National Press Club of Australia/Macmillan</em></p>

Books

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"An incredible gift": Grace Kelly remembered 40 years on

<p dir="ltr">The royal family of Monaco have shared a series of stunning tribute photos to the late Princess Grace, 40 years after her death.</p> <p dir="ltr">Princess Grace, formerly known as Grace Kelly an American actress, died in a car accident at the age of 52 after suffering a stroke.</p> <p dir="ltr">She appeared in several movies including <em>Mogambo</em> (1953), <em>To Catch A Thief</em> (1955) and three <em>Alfred Hitchcock</em> thrillers before retiring from acting at the age of 26.</p> <p dir="ltr">She went on to marry Prince Rainier III in April 1956, earning her the title of Princess of Monaco, and the couple had three children, Princess Caroline, 65, Prince Albert, 64, and Princess Stéphanie, 57.</p> <p dir="ltr">The official Instagram page of the Monaco Royal Family shared a series of photos of Princess Grace in her memory.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In Memoriam Princesse Grace de Monaco 1929 - 1982,” the caption simply read.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her son Prince Albert said it doesn’t feel like 40 years had passed and people still remember his mother.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It doesn't seem like 40 years," he told <a href="https://people.com/royals/prince-albert-remembers-his-mother-princess-grace-on-the-40th-anniversary-of-her-death/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PEOPLE</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Many times during a day, a week, not only do I find myself thinking of her, but numbers of people still recall her to me.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They remember her and that's a great tribute to her and who she was — to what an exceptional human being she was.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Forty years on, she still captures people's imagination. She managed to capture the imagination and attention of several younger generations and not many have done that. It's an incredible gift that she had.</p> <p dir="ltr">"She had charm and incredible allure about her. And It's not only her beauty or the fashion icon that she was that attracts people, It was her warmth, her heart, the humanity people saw in her that they remember."</p> <p dir="ltr">He said if he could speak to his mother again, he would want her to meet his children.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If I could speak to her, I would say that I wish she were here to see her grandchildren and how great they are. They're great kids."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram/Fausto Picedi, Georges Lukomski, Gianni Bozzachi, Italo Bazzoli</em></p>

Caring

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"She's really left us": Stunning double rainbow graces the skies

<p>As news of Queen Elizabeth's passing broke, people in the UK took to the gates of both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle to pay their respects to the monarch. </p> <p>As mourners gathered arm-in-arm to remember their Queen, they were graced with an emotional and magical sight. </p> <p>A spectacular double rainbow appeared over the dreary skies of London, with devastated Brits saying the Queen "sent us a sign" and that she has "really left us".</p> <p>The double rainbow even appeared over the Victoria memorial, prompting some to say it is "Queen Elizabeth with Prince Phillip". </p> <p>One twitter user said, "The rainbow at Windsor Castle made me cry. The rainbow Queen sent us a sign."</p> <p>Another said, "A rainbow breaks out, as the Union Jack is lowered to half-mast at Windsor tonight. A remarkable image. Farewell, Ma'am."</p> <p dir="ltr">The monarch was under medical supervision due to her deteriorating health but unfortunately died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8th at 8:30pm local time (3:30am AEDT).</p> <p dir="ltr">“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” The Royal Family tweeted.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The public was notified of her death through the traditional form of a formal message placed on an easel on the railings outside the Palace.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images / BBC News</em></p>

Caring

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"Sad, old menacing coward:" Grace Tame reports childhood abuser to police

<p dir="ltr">Activist Grace Tame has revealed she continues to be harassed by the man who abused her as a child, having reported him to the police for “targeted harassment” online.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Tame was 15 when she was groomed and raped by her maths teacher Nicolaas Bester, who then bragged about his crimes online while she was unable to speak out due to Tasmania’s “gag law”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her legal fight to change the laws, which prevent sexual abuse victims from publicly identifying themselves, as part of the #LetHerSpeak campaign, saw Ms Tame pushed into the public eye and recognised for her efforts when she was named the Australian of the Year.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, on Wednesday the 23-year-old said she was “still dealing with open threats and harassment from the man who abused me and others”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This has been my reality for 12 years now, behind closed doors for my family and me,” she wrote on Twitter.</p> <p dir="ltr">She also shared screenshots of tweets appearing to be from Bester, where her childhood email is referenced and he threatens that “he is coming to show all too (sic) you”.</p> <p dir="ltr">In one message dated April 27, Bester uses her email address and writes, “at last I shall come for [email address]..... in good time…..”.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f717230e-7fff-daf2-45a4-7cf9c4cb0c6a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">In another, posted on August 28, he uses her email address again, writing that “the good old comeuppance on its way” with “only 4 weeks to go!!”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">This has been the reality for 12 years now, behind closed doors for my family and me. </p> <p>Mark my words, I am not going anywhere though.</p> <p>— Grace Tame (@TamePunk) <a href="https://twitter.com/TamePunk/status/1564185208882352128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Here he is, the twice-convicted child sex offender, referring to my childhood email, which very few people know, in place of my name. It was the login to my old Facebook he and I communicated on,” Ms Tame wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He’s counting down to an act of revenge, planned for the day of my book’s release.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She alleged that his repeated comments constituted a federal offence and contravened <a href="https://help.twitter.com/en/rules-and-policies/sexual-exploitation-policy">Twitter’s child exploitation policy</a>, which says that content that further contributes to the victimisation of children “through the promotion or glorification of child sexual exploitation” is also prohibited.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is targeted harassment of a known victim of his past crimes, designed to cause further harm,” Ms Tame said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve reported them to police, but our reactive justice system is too slow, and nothing’s changed.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Bester was sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison for maintaining a sexual relationship with someone under the age of 17 and possession of child exploitation material, but only served one year and nine months before he was released.</p> <p dir="ltr">He has been free to speak about his abuse of Ms Tame for some time and has previously taken to social media to brag to his followers.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The majority of men in Australia envy me,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was 59, she was 15 going on 25. It was awesome.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Bester’s account has since been suspended by Twitter.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Tame said her tweets were an act of reclaiming power “against a predator operating in plain sight”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This man seems to think he is still relevant and can maintain control over me,” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This man who groomed and abused me when I was a child.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m not ashamed of any of it now.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But he should be. He was an adult who abused his authority.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Just because I have found the anger and strength in me now, does it make me an aggressor, or a survivor?</p> <p dir="ltr">"I know who I am. I am a survivor. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I have the power to be vulnerable. He will never have that. He is too afraid, and too weak. He is too weak to be vulnerable. Instead, he exploits others who are. He knows no other way to be. I see that now. And because of that, he doesn't scare me anymore.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Tame added that her posts were “not for the critics” and were instead for survivors like her.</p> <p dir="ltr">"He is a sad, old menacing coward.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is not for the critics. They will say what they always say. This is for the people like me. And you know who you are too.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I stand with you. We have the power.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-5922148f-7fff-0a6b-a1ff-adbf0776ba85"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em><strong>If you or someone you know needs support as a result of sexual assault or child sexual abuse, contact the Blue Knot Helpline and Redress Support Service on 1300 657 380, or LifeLine on 13 11 14 for immediate support.</strong></em></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

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Police desperate to locate abducted 5-year-old Grace Hughes

<p>A multi-agency taskforce has now been established in order to further intensify the ongoing search for missing five-year-old girl, Grace Hughes.</p> <p>Northern Territory Police claim that a group peddling "ideologies and false information" abducted Grace last Sunday, and that she was allegedly taken without permission by her mother Laura Hinks, also known as Laura Bolt. The incident took place during a supervised visit in the Darwin suburb of Berrimah on August 7.</p> <p>On Saturday August 13, another Darwin-based woman, 50-year-old Juliet Oldroyd, faced court and was charged with child abduction in relation to the disappearance of the young girl.</p> <p>When she faced local court, she was represented by her husband and flanked by a group of supporters.</p> <p>A special taskforce has now been set up to intensify search efforts, including the Australian Federal Police and other agencies.</p> <p>In a statement, Northern Territory Police said : "The taskforce is committed to locating her and reuniting her with her lawful guardian".</p> <p>"NT Police will continue to target this group and any other persons assisting the ongoing harbouring of Grace.</p> <p>"Police will use every power available to them to locate Grace. Anyone who is found to have harboured those who abducted Grace will face significant charges before the courts."</p> <p>Earlier this week, Detective Superintendent Kirsten Engels said 'some effort' was being put into keeping Grace hidden, and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.<br />'We know that there will be people in the community that can assist us, they will know where Grace is and they'll be able to help us,' she said.</p> <p>'We're asking you to do the right thing, reach out and call police and let us know what information you have, no matter how small.'</p> <p>Engels said the five-year-old needed to be returned so she could go to school and be reunited with her friends.<br />'Whatever issues that are preventing her return should and could be dealt with in appropriate ways, taking Grace in this matter is not appropriate,' she said.<br />'Our primary concern is the wellbeing and safety of Grace, knowing that this would be a very traumatic event being removed from this meeting and separated from her siblings.<br />'It is likely to have a detrimental effect on her mental and psychological wellbeing.'</p> <p>Grace is described as having a fair complexion with brown hair and eyes. She was last seen wearing a short-sleeved white dress, as well as white socks and black sneakers. Her mother has a fair complexion, a slim build and dark hair and eyes. She was last seen wearing a white and green floral-patterned ankle-length dress or skirt, with a white or cream long-sleeved shirt.</p> <p>NT Police urge anyone with any knowledge of Grace's abduction to come forward and contact police on 131 444 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.</p> <p>Image: NT Police</p>

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