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Today shakes things up for the weekend

<p>The Nine Network has revealed that Jayne Azzopardi and Clint Stanaway will be joining the dedicated team of<em> Weekend Today</em>, alongside news presenter Sophie Walsh.</p> <p>And in celebration of their new gig, the two spoke to <em>9Entertainment</em>, with Stanaway sharing the team’s excitement and desire to bring a fresh experience to the show, keeping viewers entertained and informed along the way. </p> <p>"We're good listeners,” he explained, “and I'm really excited to sort of showcase people's stories. There's no doubt, I think both of us, and including Sophie, we want to bring a relaxed sort of vibe to the show and have some fun, but as well as keeping people entertained, we know we have a responsibility to keep people informed as well."</p> <p>And as Azzopardi added, “during the week, everybody's so rushed, trying to get the kids off to school and get out the door to work. On the weekend everything happens at a little bit of a slower pace.</p> <p>"So you can have us on the TV while you're eating breakfast and having your coffee and there'll be interesting conversations, and also maybe helping you make sense of things that have happened during the week that you've heard about, but you haven't really had a chance to read a lot about it because it's too busy."</p> <p>Azzopardi went on to note that working with Clint has “just been so easy”, and that they know they have each other’s support, as well as being able to “trust each other to be able to do our jobs properly, and all actually really, really like each other.” </p> <p>"I'm a sports veteran, Jayne's all about politics, and I love Sophie's cheek and humour,” Stanaway noted of their team dynamic. </p> <p>"And we're all from different parts of the country. I'm unashamedly a Melbourne guy, Jayne's from the Sydney shire, and Sophie's a Queenslander at heart, and I love that about us. And I think that's really showcased on our show.”</p> <p>He added that they had also known each other for “a long time as colleagues”. </p> <p>The difference in their career history - Stanaway reporting on sports, Jayne covering finance and politics - is likely to be the backbone of their success for the breakfast TV programme, with its variety in coverage across the realms of news and current affairs, weather, politics, lifestyle, and entertainment. And as Stanaway put it, “Jayne's the sensible one. She started out in finance. Right there is the contrast between us.”</p> <p>But they won’t be the only ones contributing to their broadcasts, with Azzopardi making sure to recognise everyone behind the scenes too, noting that “we've got fantastic producers and they work so hard and keep us on our toes. They pull us up if we're talking for a bit too long and keep things running to time."</p> <p>Stanaway then took the opportunity to point out, “because when we get started we can be hard to shut up!"</p> <p><em>Images: Today / Nine </em></p>

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Erin Jayne Plummer farewelled

<p dir="ltr">Erin Jayne Plummer’s daughter broke hearts at their mum’s funeral as they recalled their favourite memories with her. </p> <p dir="ltr">The television presenter tragically took her own life on May 22 at the young age of 42, leaving behind a husband and three young daughters. </p> <p dir="ltr">She was best known for hosting advertorials on morning show Studio 10 as well as shopping channel TVSN. </p> <p dir="ltr">Friends and family gathered at the Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens and the Dee Why RSL on Sydney’s northern beaches on Thursday to remember the beloved host.</p> <p dir="ltr">The event was live streamed to accommodate those who could not make it in person which saw loved ones fondly recall the bubbly, loud, enthusiastic, loving person Erin was.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, it was her daughters who stole the show with their heartbreaking words, missing their beloved mother. </p> <p dir="ltr">First was Erin’s middle daughter who performed her own interpretation of Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Each day that passes I still don’t believe that she’s gone,” Erin’s eldest daughter, 15, said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“That a family of three girls will grow up without our mum. This is the thought I can’t seem to get over. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Mum was loved by everyone. She was selfless and gave her everything to take my sisters and I to 40 activities each week.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She brought so much light to the world that we didn’t realise her heart was in so much pain.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Mum, I hope heaven treats you better than we ever could. She’s not ours anymore but we are hers forever.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Erin’s youngest daughter then went on to recall her cherished moments with mother.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My mum was the best person ever. I will always love you dearly mum,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I can’t say much because she was so awesome and amazing. You were the key of the whole galaxy and world and all of the country to me.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My favourite three things I liked doing with mum was going on a morning walk, having lots of hugs and kisses and cooking because once we were cooking and I spilt flour all over the table and I didn’t get in trouble.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Me and my mum are such a great team. Her beautiful eyes shimmering in the sun was always so cool.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I will never ever forget about my mum. I love her so much that I am even crying at my school.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Erin’s mother then went on to say how Erin made every room she walked in brighter and her little interaction with Prince Harry when she was just 17. </p> <p dir="ltr">“From down-and-out people to Prince Harry, who was delightfully entertained by our Erin when she was 17,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Erin ran into Prince Harry at Circular Quay and began to perform magic tricks which saw him “captivated”. </p> <p dir="ltr">“When Erin walked into a room it was as if 20 more light bulbs were switched on,” she went.</p> <p dir="ltr">“To our precious darling daughter Erin ... thank you for your unconditional love for us and for everything you have done for us.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You gave it your best. Can’t ask for more than that. Until we meet again ... on this side or the other side of the vale, we love you with all our heart and soul.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Her father said he would miss seeing his daughter’s smile and her rushing in and out of the house.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ll miss her running in and out of home,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She’d run in the door, you listened, she talked. She’d grab a pickled onion out of the fridge every day, and say, ‘see ya, dad’.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They used to say she could talk under water with a mouth full of marbles.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Erin was loud. Look at all the photos and try to find one where her mouth was closed.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Finally, it was Erin’s husband Alan’s turn to remember his late wife, saying his daughter’s will continue her legacy.</p> <p dir="ltr">“To me and the girls you weren’t just a TV presenter, you were the best TV presenter,” he said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ll never forget your selfless devotion to our three angels. Since you’ve left us there are some things I want you to know.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I want you to know we’ve had the mattresses laid out together and we’ve all been sleeping together.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I wanted you to know how I see your legacy living on forever through our three angels.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I hope you’re in heaven forever, eating your red frogs.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The ceremony then ended with Erin’s middle daughter tearing up as she sang Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Facebook</em></p>

Caring

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TV presenter’s cause of death revealed

<p dir="ltr">Erin Jayne Plummer’s friends have confirmed the popular television presenter has died after committing suicide. </p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>Studio 10</em> host died unexpectedly on Sunday at the age of 42, with her colleagues Sarah Harris and Angela Bishop announcing the heartbreaking news on Monday.</p> <p dir="ltr">It has now been revealed that Plummer died from suicide after close friends confirmed a long battle with her mental health. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I want to share her pain,” her friend Tori Haschka told Daily Mail Australia. </p> <p dir="ltr">“She hated nothing more than being a burden. I wish she knew it was a weight we were happy to help carry.</p> <p dir="ltr">“​'I wish we had found her a way through.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I wish you had more peace while you were here with us.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Erin’s tragic death has seen the local community gather to support her family with a schedule created to bring dinner every night until the end of July, help with chores around the house, as well as school and sport drop-offs.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mourners have also left flowers, notes, and her favourite lollies at the family home. </p> <p dir="ltr">Hosts Sarah Harris and Angela Bishop shared the devastating news on Monday morning describing Erin as a “gorgeous human inside and out”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We've got some really sad news to share this morning,” Sarah began.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Over the weekend, Studio 10 lost a bit of its sparkle with our friend and advertorial host Erin Jayne passing away suddenly.</p> <p dir="ltr">“For two decades, Erin has been a friendly and familiar face on Australian telly, and for a lot of that she's been brightening up our mornings with her bubbly personality and megawatt smile.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Erin was just a gorgeous human inside and out, and if it wasn't for TV, perhaps Erin may have had a sporting career.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She represented Australia in synchronised swimming and even surf life saving, and there's no question that Erin Jayne was a high achiever, and certainly a gold-medal mum to her three young girls.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We'll miss your sunshine around the studio, Erin Jayne, and all of us here are sending lots of love and strength to her family. You'll be very missed.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Erin’s spectacular career saw her become a presenter for <em>Aerobics Oz Style</em> which aired in more than 80 countries and had an audience of 40 million people.</p> <p dir="ltr">Other host roles Erin did include <em>MTV, Guest TV, TVSN, Totally Active TV, The Morning Show</em> and <em>Channel 10 Sport</em> (Nutri-Grain Ironman Series).</p> <p dir="ltr">She also featured on many TVCs including Sunrice, Gatorade, Sony Wega, Razzamatazz, Australian Tourism, Allens Lollies and Subaru.</p> <p dir="ltr">Erin represented Australia as an accomplished synchronised swimmer at three world championships and won 11 national titles.</p> <p dir="ltr">Plummer leaves behind a husband and three young daughters.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: StarNow/Facebook</em></p>

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Tributes as TV presenter Erin Jayne Plummer dies suddenly at 42

<p dir="ltr">Television presenter Erin Jayne Plummer has died “suddenly” over the weekend aged 42.</p> <p dir="ltr">Plummer was best known for hosting advertorials on morning show <em>Studio 10</em> as well as shopping channel <em>TVSN</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Hosts Sarah Harris and Angela Bishop shared the devastating news on Monday morning describing Erin as a “gorgeous human inside and out”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We've got some really sad news to share this morning,” Sarah began.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Over the weekend, Studio 10 lost a bit of its sparkle with our friend and advertorial host Erin Jayne passing away suddenly.</p> <p dir="ltr">“For two decades, Erin has been a friendly and familiar face on Australian telly, and for a lot of that she's been brightening up our mornings with her bubbly personality and megawatt smile.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Erin was just a gorgeous human inside and out, and if it wasn't for TV, perhaps Erin may have had a sporting career.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She represented Australia in synchronised swimming and even surf life saving, and there's no question that Erin Jayne was a high achiever, and certainly a gold-medal mum to her three young girls.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We'll miss your sunshine around the studio, Erin Jayne, and all of us here are sending lots of love and strength to her family. You'll be very missed.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Erin’s spectacular career saw her become a presenter for <em>Aerobics Oz Style</em> which aired in more than 80 countries and had an audience of 40 million people.</p> <p dir="ltr">Other host roles Erin did include <em>MTV, Guest TV, TVSN, Totally Active TV, The Morning Show</em> and <em>Channel 10 Sport</em> (Nutri-Grain Ironman Series).</p> <p dir="ltr">She also featured on many TVCs including Sunrice, Gatorade, Sony Wega, Razzamatazz, Australian Tourism, Allens Lollies and Subaru.</p> <p dir="ltr">Erin represented Australia as an accomplished synchronised swimmer at three world championships and won 11 national titles.</p> <p dir="ltr">Erin leaves behind her husband and three daughters. The cause of her death remains unknown.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: StarNow/Studio 10</em></p>

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Fake au pair accused of stealing four kids in Victoria

<p><span>A woman has been accused of pretending to be an au pair to steal people’s children in Victoria.</span><br /><br /><span>Samantha Azzopardi has been slapped with a child stealing charge after it was alleged she stole three children between December 2018 and November 2019.</span><br /><br /><span>The 31-year-old has since been charged with a fourth child stealing offence from July last year, documents released by Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday show.</span><br /><br /><span>54 charges have been laid against Azzopardi, including forged documents to pass herself off as an experienced and qualified au pair by the name of Harper Hernandez.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7836725/samantha-azzopardi-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3903d1a62d1a42538173594a125ca249" /></p> <p><em>Samantha Azzopardi </em><br /><br /><span>It is alleged she dishonestly obtained $6,500 over six months.</span><br /><br /><span>The court was told she had targeted three families using different names and various pretences.</span><br /><br /><span>At one point, she allegedly pretended to be a talent scout.</span><br /><br /><span>Azzopardi has also been charged with allegedly faking being a nurse named Sakah to obtain a uniform from Lowther Hall Anglican Grammar School at Essendon in October 2019.</span><br /><br /><span>Magistrate Donna Bakos has denied a request from Azzopardi’s lawyers who asked to question three of her alleged victims - two parents and a child - about the fraudster's alleged identity.</span><br /><br /><span>“It's not good enough to say she disagrees with evidence. It's not good enough to say she wants to plead not guilty,” the magistrate said.</span><br /><br /><span>Azzopardi's case is due back in court for a further committal mention on July 13.</span></p>

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