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Young girl who penned heartfelt letter to King Charles is floored by response

<p>An 11-year-old girl from New South Wales has captured hearts with her touching words and well-wishes for King Charles III. </p> <p>Maeve Malone, who lives in Willoughby with her family, wrote a letter to the monarch in September 2022 to offer her condolences on the loss of Charles’ late mother, Queen Elizabeth, and to let him know that she believes he will be a “fantastic king”.</p> <p>Maeve’s letter, which she shared with Ben Fordham on his 2GB series, opened with a quick introduction, before she launched into the heart of her message, writing that she was “really sorry to hear about your mum. I am 10 and in Year 4, Mum and Dad let me stay up to watch Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. </p> <p>“You were so brave on that sad day. I think you will be excellent at leading the commonwealth. I also believe you will be a fantastic king.” </p> <p>At the end of the page - one embellished with colourful images of purple flowers - Maeve shared another personal message for Charles, letting him know of their shared interest in botany when she said, “Mum told me you like gardening, me too! I hope the flowers in your new home are blossoming.”</p> <p>“I hope to visit London one day,” she concluded. “When I do, I will go past your home and think of you and your mum. </p> <p>“Best of luck with your new job.” </p> <p>After reading Maeve’s letter, radio host Fordham checked in with the young girl, asking her what had prompted her to put pen to paper and contact Charles in the first place. </p> <p>“I wrote it because I wanted him to know that I was sorry for Queen Elizabeth,” Maeve explained, “I really liked Queen Elizabeth, ‘cause she was a really good leader, and it was really sad for Charles to lose his mum.” </p> <p>When Fordham asked what Maeve had expected from her kind words, and whether or not she had anticipated a response, the 11 year old was quick to admit that she hadn’t expected one. </p> <p>But to her delight, she’d been wrong, with a letter arriving in the mail, addressed to her and signed by the monarch. </p> <p>“I got it out of the letter box, and when I got it … I started jumping with joy,” Maeve said. </p> <p>That letter - typed up with Charles’ signature at the bottom - read, “it was so very kind of you to send me such a wonderfully generous message following the death of my beloved mother. </p> <p>“Your most thoughtful words are enormously comforting, and I cannot tell you how deeply they are appreciated at this time of immense sorrow.” </p> <p>And while Maeve’s entire day might have been made with the kind reply, she still won’t be able to tune in for her new friend’s big day - he might have his coronation to attend, but Maeve is a busy girl, and has a party of her own to get to. </p> <p><em>Images: Ben Fordham Live / 2GB</em></p>

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"We've come so far": Deb Knight pens moving letter to daughters

<p>Presenter Deborah Knight has written a touching letter to her children to celebrate International Women’s Day. </p> <p>In the letters - one to her daughters, and one to her son - Deb honours them as well as all of the other women, girls, and gender diverse individuals to have come before them, and highlights that although society has come a long way in many regards, we still have a long way to go in many, many others. </p> <p>“To my Dear Daughters,” Deb began, in the letter shared to <em>9News</em>. “Happy International Women's Day! It's great being a girl, and there's so much to celebrate.</p> <p>“We've come so far from the days when girls weren't allowed to do so much. We couldn't have a job, or own our own things. We weren't allowed to vote at elections, or go to school, and a lot of this was not that long ago, and for no good reason.</p> <p>“Girls and women were just as able to reach their full potential as you are today - they just weren't given the chance.</p> <p>“Now, there are so many more opportunities for girls. If you work hard and put your mind to it, you can achieve so much in your life and career. You can even be a champion in sports that once only boys were allowed to play. But unfortunately there is still a way to go before you are judged only on what you are able to do, rather than whether you're a boy or a girl.</p> <p>“Your brother will still earn more money than you for the same job. He'll do less work around the house, and retire on more superannuation. He'll be more likely to be your boss or the Prime Minister. </p> <p>“You'll be at much greater risk of being a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault, and if you do become a professional sports star, you'll earn a fraction of what your brother would, and most likely have to fit another job around your training to pay the bills.”</p> <p>Deb went on to write about how there was still much to celebrate - though she wouldn’t touch on the beliefs she held when she was their age. </p> <p>She stressed that for her girls, there would be a difficult road ahead should they choose to have children and a career, likely drawing from her own experiences when she wrote “you’ll feel like you’re failing at one or both jobs - letting down your boss and your family at certain points. You'll feel guilty, and be made to feel guilty for the choices you make.</p> <p>“The harsh truth is you can't easily have it all, maybe not all at once. But I really hope you try.”</p> <p>To her son, Deb wrote of her hope that one day “boys and girls will be truly equal.”</p> <p>“Your Dad does so much more in raising you and your sisters than Grandad or Great Grandad ever did,” she reflected, “and I know you will likely do more than all of them if you have your own family one day. Although you need to get better at hanging up your towel after you have a shower…”</p> <p>And in comments reflecting what she’d told her daughters, Deb urged her son to do the right thing, and use his privilege to help whenever he could, “the girls can fight as hard as they like to get the same opportunities as you, but they'll never really achieve it without boys like you stepping up as well.</p> <p>“You need to make sure you show them respect, and call out boys and men you see treating girls and women badly, either with their words or their actions.”</p> <p>Deb concluded by telling him that it would be better for everyone to have people of all genders treated equally, and how it would “make life so much easier for everyone.</p> <p>“So I hope you recognise the importance of International Women's Day, not just for your sisters, but for families everywhere.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Musical mastermind pens King Charles’ coronation anthem

<p>Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has been revealed as the creative driving force behind King Charles III’s coronation anthem. </p> <p>Webber’s work is one of 12 commissioned, and personally selected by Charles, for the ceremony at Westminster Abbey on the 6th of May. The piece includes words adapted from Psalm 98, and is scored specifically for the abbey’s choir and organ to encourage “joyful noise”.</p> <p>"I am incredibly honoured to have been asked to compose a new anthem for The Coronation," Webber said in a statement from Buckingham Palace. "I hope my anthem reflects this joyful occasion."</p> <p>The coronation’s program is set to include older music and newer compositions in a bid to reflect Britain in 2023 by merging the traditional and the modern.</p> <p>"The decision to combine old and new reflects the cultural breadth of the age in which we live,'' said organist and master of choristers at Westminster Abbey Andrew Nethsingha. </p> <p>"Coronations have taken place in Westminster Abbey since 1066,” he added, “it has been a privilege to collaborate with his majesty in choosing fine musicians and accessible, communicative music for this great occasion."</p> <p>The ceremony will also include pieces by English composers William Byrd, Edward Elgar, Henry Walford Davies, William Walton, Hubert Parry, and Ralph Vaughan Williams, as well as German-British composer George Frideric Handel and contemporary Welsh composer Karl Jenkins. </p> <p>The musical talents of Sarah Class, Nigel Hess, Roxanna Panufnik, Shirley J Thompson, Judith Weir, Roderick Williams, Debbie Wiseman, Tarik O'Regan, and Paul Mealor will also be featured. </p> <p>Altogether, 12 pieces were commissioned and created for the event - six orchestral, five choral, and one organ. Additionally, it is said the coronation will include personal touches, one of such a musical tribute to Charles’ father, Prince Philip. </p> <p>Philip was born a prince of both Greece and Denmark, and was in the line of succession for both thrones. As such, King Charles III requested Greek Orthodox music be played, to be performed by the Byzantine Chant Ensemble. </p> <p>While many specifics are still unknown, many have no doubt that the 18th century hymn <em>Zadok the Priest </em>will feature. After all, it has been played at every coronation since 1727, when it was commissioned for King George. </p> <p>As Buckingham Palace said in a statement, “a range of musical styles and performers blend tradition, heritage and ceremony with new musical voices of today, reflecting The King's lifelong love and support of music and the arts.”</p> <p>And for those eager to hear even more of the music surrounding the event, a concert is set to be held at Windsor Castle the following night on May 7, with many international headlining acts rumoured to play. </p> <p><em>Images: Getty </em></p>

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“You are not alone”: Prince Harry pens emotional letter to bereaved children

<p dir="ltr">Prince Harry has penned a letter to children whose parents have died as a result of being in the military, telling him they share a bond in losing a parent and experiencing grief.</p> <p dir="ltr">The former royal wrote of how he learnt to cope with grief and encouraged the children to “lean into your friends” in his letter, which was shared by the charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers on Remembrance Sunday.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As many of us observe and reflect on Remembrance Sunday, I wanted to write to you and let you know you are all in my thoughts and heart today,” he began.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-319fa701-7fff-1059-e37f-7ace750a752b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“We share a bond even without ever meeting one another, because we share in having lost a parent. I know first-hand the pain and grief that comes with loss and want you to know that you are not alone.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/prince-harry-nov-letter.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Prince Harry penned a letter to children supported by the charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers for Remembrance Sunday. Image: Scotty’s Little Soldiers</em></p> <p dir="ltr">"While difficult feelings will come up today as we pay tribute to heroes like your mum or dad, I hope you can find comfort and strength in knowing that their love for you lives and shines on. Whenever you need a reminder of this, I encourage you to lean into your friends at Scotty’s Little Soldiers.</p> <p dir="ltr">"One of the ways I've learned to cope has been through community and talking about my grief, and I couldn't be more grateful and relieved that you have amazing people walking beside you throughout your journey.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We all know some days are harder than others, but together those days are made easier."</p> <p dir="ltr">Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity that supports children who have lost a parent in the military, was founded in 2010 by Nikki Scott, whose husband Corporal Lee Scott was killed in Afghanistan in 2009 and left behind two young children.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7881f497-7fff-4422-2c10-4168c81f7623"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">On Sunday, 55 children and their parents took part in the Remembrance Sunday parade wearing black and yellow scarves.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">A proud moment for Scotty’s 💛 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RemembranceSunday?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RemembranceSunday</a> <a href="https://t.co/CsD7wL9BQP">pic.twitter.com/CsD7wL9BQP</a></p> <p>— Scotty's L Soldiers (@CorporalScotty) <a href="https://twitter.com/CorporalScotty/status/1591767075567333378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">In his letter, Prince Harry acknowledged that taking part in the parade would be “hard but equally important to do” to raise awareness for others.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Today you will bring new awareness to young people, just like you, who will benefit from this community of support,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I salute you for serving others in need, in the most honourable memory of your parent.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The Duke of Sussex has long supported the charity, which was one of the organisations chosen by Harry and Meghan Markle to benefit from donations they received as gifts for their 2018 wedding.</p> <p dir="ltr">In 2017, he met with children who’d lost a military parent at a special party on the grounds of Buckingham Palace.</p> <p dir="ltr">This year, he and Meghan attended a service on Remembrance Day to pay their respects to those who died in war across the US and the Commonwealth.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-78e8d8b1-7fff-62de-8d2f-a91f99007698"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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Thomas Markle Jr pens apology letter to sister Meghan

<p dir="ltr">Thomas Markle Jr opened up about his relationship with estranged half-sister Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, on Big Brother VIP on Monday night, with the support of fellow housemate and former<span> </span><em>Survivor<span> </span></em>favourite Luke Toki.</p> <p dir="ltr">On Monday night’s episode, Toki, who’s been developing a friendship with Markle, was called into the diary room and asked to read the infamous letter Markle wrote to Prince Harry. In the letter, Markle urged Harry to reconsider his marriage, and called the pair’s marriage “the biggest mistake in royal wedding history”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Toki was asked for his thoughts on the letter, and he was incredibly supportive of his newfound friend, saying, “He’s so upset, he’s seen his sister being given so many opportunities. Some people like to climb the corporate ladder and not look back. I understand - there are two sides to every tale.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But from everything I know - I like Tom, and I think he loves his sister. As brothers and sisters we give each other s**t and we fight and get back together. At the end of the day family is family.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Tom really wants to reconnect with his sister - he loves his sister,” Toki said while tearing up and adding, “I’m actually getting quite emotional over this - sorry.” Asked by Big Brother if this struck a chord with him, Toki replied, “A little bit… A little bit… I haven’t spoken to my sister for the last two or three years, I just started speaking to her again.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Family is family and deep down the love is always going to be there, it doesn’t matter what happens.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Toki was then asked to convince Markle to write an apology to Meghan, which Markle agreed to do. Asked what it was like growing up with Meghan, Markle said, “It was fun. There was a whole lot of love growing up. Her first nickname as a child was ‘flower' because her bedroom she had these decorative flowers over her crib, so when she woke up that’s the first thing she would see.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“She’s my sister and she’s my blood and I love the hell out of her.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After taking some time to write the letter, Markle read it aloud. He had written, ”Dear Meghan and Harry, the first thing I want to say to you two is that I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart for the awful, mean letter I wrote to you prior to your wedding.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I want both of you to know that it didn’t come from the real person I am, but came from the very dark, hurt part of my heart. I am not a mean person at all and I have more love inside me to give than anyone I know.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The letter was definitely written from my feeling hurt and confused from your response that I was ‘distant family’ and that you ‘didn’t know those people’. I was hurt and confused because of the amazing bond and relationship we shared growing up together, and all I could do was put up a defensive wall to protect my heart.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I know that the letter was immature and wrong and I truly regret it. When your relationship with Harry first became known to the public, I - along with all of our family - became public figures overnight - no more privacy.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Let me tell you, It was very, very stressful to deal with it all alone with no help at all. A real nightmare and constant pressure, and I if I could turn back the clock and do it all over knowing what I know now. I would never have tried to communicate any of my feeling to the media. I feel like a complete ass after what I’ve done and I am truly sorry for that.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Meg, if I could turn the clock back, I would tell you that I'm so, so proud of you and I'm truly happy for you and Harry and I love you. You’re my little sister, my family, and you always will be. Now you’ve found the love of your life and started a family of your own, I couldn’t be more proud.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The last several years of my life I have grown and learned more about myself, and I must say what I did to you with that letter is quite possibly the biggest mistake of my life. I hope you and Harry can find it in your hearts to accept my sincere apology because this is the real Tom Markle. I truly love you guys. I wish you, Harry and Meghan, and Archie and Lili the happiest most loving life possible. Sincerely, your big brother, Tom.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Following the exercise, Markle said it felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, and that he felt indebted to Big Brother, who confirmed he would be sending the letter to the couple.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve grown exponentially since my stay here,” Markle added.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images</em></p>

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“My hero turns 8!”: Michael Bublé pens sweet message for son

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Michael Bublé has shared a sweet series of photos to celebrate his son’s eighth birthday after battling cancer.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When Bublé received the news of his son Noah's diagnosis with cancer at the age of three in 2016, the singer’s music career was put on hold.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fortunately, Noah was cancer free a year later, prompting the star to pen the song </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Forever Now</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> about his son.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Four years later, Bublé took to Instagram to celebrate his “hero” Noah as he celebrated his eighth birthday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Today my hero turns 8!” the star captioned the photos.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 400px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843542/240585983_259572712654946_7521505066095890307_n.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2ae40b140be348ee9a8959ac869da25e" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Michael Bublé</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> / Instagram</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’ve never met anyone as brave… I’ve never known anyone as kind or as good-hearted… And I’ll never truly be able to express how proud I am, or how deep and profound Mommy’s and my love is for you.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You’ve blessed our lives in every way.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We hope God blesses you on your special day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Happy birthday, Noah B.”</span></p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843541/240825422_519076625863896_35171094723905959_n.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8b96333e7e6543948db32da772cdbc23" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Michael Bublé / Instagram</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Following his break from music, Bublé returned to the stage for an emotional performance at Dublin’s Croke Park in 2019.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My first show back, I played Croke and I cried for like two hours afterwards,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It was too emotional for me. I was too happy. Noah is great, thank God.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bublé married Argentinian actress Luisana Lopilato in 2011, and the couple share Noah, his younger brother Elias, five, and sister Vida, three.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Michael Bublé / Instagram</span></em></p>

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Johnny Ruffo pens heartwarming tribute to healthcare workers

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Former </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Home and Away </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">actor Johnny Ruffo has shared a heartwarming tribute to healthcare workers on social media, as he continues to undergo treatment for brain cancer.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Alongside his expression of gratitude for the hardworking nurses who have been treating him, Ruffo posted a picture of himself, masked-up, with a nurse dressed in PPE gear and also wearing a mask.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Grateful for the nurses at Life House keeping me entertained and putting up with my s*** talk during treatments,” he wrote in the caption.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You guys are the real heroes!”</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CR3QXHxnq6v/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CR3QXHxnq6v/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Johnny Ruffo (@johnny_ruffo)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The former </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">X-Factor</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> star has been providing regular updates on his battle with brain cancer with his hundreds of thousands of followers, often with his partner Tahnee Sims by his side.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In an earlier update from July 20, Ruffo shared photos of himself in hospital, with one image showing his head wrapped in bandages, and others showing his sutured head.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQVKtgol1zW/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQVKtgol1zW/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Johnny Ruffo (@johnny_ruffo)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite the discomfort he looked like he was in, Ruffo was still smiling as he underwent treatment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">His latest post has been flooded with positive comments from his fans and fellow celebrities, including comedian Dave Hughes.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Onya mate! You’re a bloody legend,” Hughesy wrote.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Keep fighting Ruffo, us aussies need you in our lives,” one fan commented.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“A true inspiration to all of us,” another added.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ruffo has been battling brain cancer for a second time, after it returned in November last year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“After an unexpected week of seizures and excruciating headaches it is with a heavy heart that I have to let you know I now have another huge battle ahead of me as my brain cancer has returned,” he wrote on Instagram on November 24.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I will dig deep and beat this s*** disease.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Johnny Ruffo / Instagram</span></em></p>

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Chandler Powell pens beautiful tribute to Bindi just days before birth

<p><span>The world is watching as Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell get ready to welcome their first child into the world.</span><br /><br /><span>However, Powell has taken a moment to stop and appreciate his wife by taking to social media to post a sweet photo of him cradling her baby bump, with the caption "my girls".</span><br /><br /><span>He continued: "In awe every day of how my wife has been handling 9 months of pregnancy."</span><br /><br /><span>"Bindi, you're going to be the most incredible momma to our Baby Wildlife Warrior. I love you."</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMXy3VhBC_N/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMXy3VhBC_N/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Chandler Powell (@chandlerpowell)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><br /><span>The couple wed last April are expecting their baby girl to be born any day now.</span><br /><br /><span>"You are my world," Irwin sweetly replied in the comments.</span><br /><br /><span>"Here's to our extraordinary new life chapter on the horizon."</span><br /><br /><span>The pair will raise their daughter on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, where they currently live on the grounds of the family's wildlife reserve, Australia Zoo.</span><br /><br /><span>It appears it will be a full house as uncle Robert and Nana Terri are currently living on the grounds with Bindi and her husband too.</span></p>

Family & Pets

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Allison Langdon pens heartfelt message from her hospital bed

<p>Ally Langdon has promised Today viewers that she will be back on-screen "soon" in a personal message written from her hospital bed.</p> <p>The host of the breakfast show is currently recovering from a knee injury in a Sydney Hospital.</p> <p>Langdon injured her right knee after landing badly while filming a segment on the Gold Coast last Thursday.</p> <p>The journalist revealed she won't be able to bear weight on the injured leg for five weeks.</p> <p>"I have a nice amount of metal in my knee now and have to wait a further five weeks before I can put any weight on my right leg," she wrote.<br /><br />"Patience has never been a strength of mine so let's see how we go."</p> <p>She thanked viewers for their messages of support, which has helped her through "the rough time".</p> <p>"I've been overwhelmed by all the lovely messages and just want to say thank you for all the love," she said.</p> <p>"I can't believe what looked like a pretty innocent fall has resulted in such drastic injuries."</p> <p>She revealed her eldest child Mack figured out a clever way to see his mum.</p> <p>"Little Mack, who turned four last month, told his daycare yesterday that he hurt his leg and thought maybe an ambulance should take him to hospital so he can get it fixed with Mummy," she said, adding that she misses her two kids terribly.</p> <p>"Hopefully I'll head home tomorrow though as I am desperate to hug the kids," she said.</p> <p>"COVID rules mean they haven't been able to visit me in hospital. It's unfortunate but I understand why the rules are in place."</p> <p>Langdon finished by thanking journalist Leila McKinnon who has been filling in for her over the past week.</p> <p>"Thank you to the gorgeous Leila McKinnon too for stepping in and doing an amazing job in the chair," she said.</p> <p>"I texted her on the first morning at 3 am to see how she liked the early alarm as it can be a real shock. The response was something like 'you owe me Langdon'."</p> <p>"Leila I really do. From the bottom of my heart I mean it - thank you.</p> <p>"I'll see you all soon".</p>

News

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Father pens emotional tribute two years after daughter's tragic death

<p><span>A father of a girl whose body was found in the dunes of a Queensland beach over two years ago has penned a beautiful and emotional letter.</span><br /><br /><span>Troy Cordingley wrote a tribute for his daughter Toyah on the second anniversary of her unsolved murder.</span><br /><br /><span>Toyah was last seen when she took her dog on a walk before she vanished.</span><br /><br /><span>Mr Cordingley went on to discover his daughter's body on Wangetti Beach as a search party who were looking for the young woman after she failed to return home on the evening of October 21, 2018.</span><br /><br /><span>"Two years … it seems like yesterday … it seems like one hundred years," Mr Cordingley wrote on Facebook.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838394/famiyl-dad.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/32154b8510ee4edc9d0bc112dd304ff3" /><br /><br /><span>"I had a million things to say, but now I don't seem to be able to.</span><br /><br /><span>"I miss you more than life itself, I would trade places with you in an instant.</span><br /><br /><span>"I am now half the person I used to be, you are my world.</span><br /><br /><span>"You are all the love, joy, and happiness I have ever known, you taught me to be a better person.</span><br /><br /><span>"Without you, everything seems pointless.</span><br /><br /><span>"I love you Toyah, my Brighteyes, my world.</span><br /><br /><span>"Daddio xoxo."</span><br /><br /><span>There have been no arrests made over Toyah’s murder.</span><br /><br /><span>There is one person of interest, Innisfail nurse Rajwinder Singh, wbu travelled to India not long after Toyah's body was found and has not been located.</span></p>

Family & Pets

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Ellen DeGeneres pens open letter to staff

<p>Ellen DeGeneres has penned a letter to the staff of her talk show in the wake of allegations of a toxic workplace culture.</p> <p>According to<span> </span><em>The Hollywood Reporter</em>, the note to crew is part of an effort to change the culture behind the scenes of<span> </span><em>The Ellen DeGeneres Show</em>, which will reportedly also see one of the show’s producers ousted.</p> <p>In her apology note published by<span> </span><em>THR</em>, DeGeneres insisted that steps will be taken to “correct the issues” going forward.</p> <p>“As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done. Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again,” she writes.</p> <p>DeGeneres opens the letter with an apology, saying that what has happened was “the opposite” of what she intended for the show.</p> <p>“Hey everybody – it’s Ellen. On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that The Ellen DeGeneres Show would be a place of happiness – no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry. Anyone who knows me knows it’s the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show,” she writes.</p> <p>Elsewhere in the letter, DeGeneres says she’s “learning that people who work with me and for me are speaking on my behalf and misrepresenting who I am and that has to stop”.</p> <p>The talk show host said if it wasn’t for the pandemic, she would have “done this in person”, and said she was “so sorry” to those who did not have a good experience working on the show.</p> <p>The Ellen DeGeneres Show is reportedly under investigation after numerous accusations by former staffers that it is a “toxic” work environment.</p>

TV

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Lisa Curry pens rare and heartfelt message to ex-husband Grant Kenny

<p><span>Their relationship may have ended in 2009 but it seems former Olympic swimmer Lisa Curry is still on good terms with her ex-husband, former ironman Grant Kenny.</span></p> <p><span>Lisa took to her social media profiles to wish the father of her three children a happy birthday in a rare public display of affection, while also revealing the sweet nickname she has for him.  </span></p> <p><span>“GK doesn’t do social media … so I’ll do it for you today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GK. Have a great day,” said the 58-year-old alongside a photo of Grant cradling his grandson Flynn.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBZCCu-D1h-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBZCCu-D1h-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">GK doesn’t do social media ...so I’ll do it for you today😊 HAPPY BIRTHDAY GK 🎂 Have a great day 🤗 @jaimileekenny 💕@morgangruell💕 @jettkenny 💙💕💙💕</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/lisacurry/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Lisa Curry AO</a> (@lisacurry) on Jun 13, 2020 at 2:55pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span>Lisa also tagged her three adult children they share together, daughters Jaimi Lee and Morgan and son Jet, while Grant shares seven-year-old daughter Trixie Box with television presenter Fifi Box.</span></p> <p><span>Her post was inundated with well wishes from fans, as they praised the </span><em>I’m A Celeb</em><span> star’s approach to family.</span></p> <p><span>"You're amazing Lisa. Such a happy beautiful human. Your family is so blessed to have your diversity," one fan wrote.</span></p> <p><span>"That one is a bit special!! Just beautiful and yes Grant still looking pretty good," another added.</span></p> <p><span>"Happy birthday to an Aussie legend Grant Kenny," a third said.</span></p> <p><span>Lisa and Grant separated in 2009 and officially divorced in 2017 after tying the knot in 1986.</span></p> <p><span>Last month, Lisa explained to </span><em>Now To Love</em><span> and that she and Grant have always strived to be harmonious co-parents.</span></p> <p><span>"Grant and I as parents, we always said we will always be there for all our kids, for everything that they do," she explained.</span></p> <p><span>"Every success, every failure, every try, everything it didn't matter. Just being there and being proud is really important as parents."</span></p>

Relationships

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National pen-pal program launched to help seniors stay connected

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Many older Australians are feeling lonely and isolated as they’re staying inside due to the coronavirus pandemic.</p> <p>To combat these symptoms, care provider Home Instead Senior Care is launching an electronic pen-pal program to more than 40 franchises across the country.</p> <p>The program aims to connect members of the public with elderly Australians who are self-isolating in their homes or who are in aged care facilities.</p> <p>"I think there is a great need for community relations during this time, particularly with our most vulnerable," Home Instead's Karen Buckley told<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://10daily.com.au/news/australia/a200330rktbg/national-pen-pal-service-launched-to-help-elderly-stay-connected-in-isolation-20200330" target="_blank">10 daily</a>.</em></p> <p>“This is about kindness and joy, and making these people still feel like valuable members of the community.”</p> <p>The idea started when a local business offered to deliver toilet paper to elderly people in Sydney, and the gesture sparked interest on the Facebook page “Viral Kindness Eastern Suburbs”. Donations and notes were printed off and delivered to residents of Regis Aged Care Rose Bay.</p> <p>"We trialled it locally in the eastern suburbs and within a few days, we got 20 cards, notes or emails," Buckley said.</p> <p>From Thursday, a new Facebook page and website will be launched for people who want to be a pen-pal. You’re able to register as a sender or a receiver. The public are also able to send an email directly or scan and attach a handwritten letter, which carers will print and share to the elderly in their care.</p> <p>"If there is a response, they will scan it and send it on accordingly," she said.</p> <p>"Loneliness is emerging as big a threat as dementia for our vulnerable, elderly people," she said.</p> <p>"This crisis we are facing brings home the fact they’re even more limited in terms of community connectedness. They could be quite well but the social isolation -- though warranted -- is another barrier to them retaining that sense of community."</p> <p><em><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://homeinstead.com.au/penpals/" target="_blank">If you want to register for a penpal, you can do so here.</a> </em></p> </div> </div> </div>

Caring

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Princess Mary pens powerful letter to Scott Morrison about horrific Aussie bushfires

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Aussie favourite Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has expressed her condolences to Australian families who have lost everything due to the bushfires ravaging the country.</p> <p>Mary, who was born in Tasmania, said that she was “proud” of her Australian heritage and expressed her “deepest sympathy” to those who had lost their homes.</p> <p>The 47-year-old wrote the letter of support to Prime Minister Scott Morrison as she has been following the disaster from her home in Denmark.</p> <p>"In this time of great hardship caused by the ruthless bush fires, my husband [Crown Prince Frederik] and I would like to convey our warmest wishes to the Australian people as we enter a new year," Crown Princess Mary wrote in the letter, released by the Danish royal family.</p> <p>"Our heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and our deepest sympathy to the many families who have lost their homes - their livelihoods.</p> <p>"When the immediate crisis subsides and people can begin to return from where they have fled, our thoughts and concerns will remain with the affected local communities, as it will undoubtedly take great efforts and time for them to rebuild what has been lost.</p> <p>"The courage and unyielding efforts of the volunteer firefighters have our deepest respect and admiration.</p> <p>"Following from afar, it makes me proud of my Australian heritage to witness the strong sense of community and the Australian spirit of 'never giving up' in the face of such devastation and adversity."</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B67_r-Vg2J7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B67_r-Vg2J7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by DET DANSKE KONGEHUS (@detdanskekongehus)</a> on Jan 5, 2020 at 4:08am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Cooler weather and rain has given firefighters a chance to catch their breath as 139 fires continue to burn across the state of NSW. The RFS, according to the<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-06/sydney-news-monday-morning-briefing/11843022" target="_blank"><em>ABC</em></a><span> </span>have said that at least 60 properties were lost across the state this weekend, but that number is set to rise. RFS volunteers have been pushed to their absolute limits as they try valiantly to stop the bushfires from impacting more families and taking their homes due to the blazes.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="post-actions-component"> <div class="upper-row"><span class="like-bar-component"></span> <div class="watched-bookmark-container"></div> </div> </div> </div>

Caring

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Angelina Jolie pens powerfully touching essay on her family's struggle with cancer

<p>Angelina Jolie has penned an emotional essay where she opened up about struggling with the loss of her mother to cancer. </p> <p>The actress’ personal essay was featured in<span> </span><em>Times<span> </span></em>and touched on her own personal tragedy of losing her mother and grandmother to cancer, and preventative procedures she elected to have. </p> <p>"I simply feel I made choices to improve my odds of being here to see my children grow into adults, and of meeting my grandchildren," Jolie explained on her choice to get a preventative double mastectomy and remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes.</p> <p>"My hope is to give as many years as I can to their lives, and to be here for them."</p> <p>The actress shares six children with ex-husband and fellow actor Brad Pitt: Maddox, 18, Pax, 15, Zahara, 14, Shiloh, 13, and 11-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3eZMB0pIMT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3eZMB0pIMT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Angelina Jolie (@angelinajolieofficial)</a> on Oct 11, 2019 at 3:40am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"I have lived over a decade now without a mom. She met only a few of her grandchildren and was often too sick to play with them," Jolie wrote.</p> <p>"It's hard now for me to consider anything in this life divinely guided when I think of how much their lives would have benefited from time with her and the protection of her love and grace. </p> <p>“My mother fought the disease for a decade and made it into her 50s. My grandmother died in her 40s. I'm hoping my choices allow me to live a bit longer."</p> <p>Marcheline Bertrand, Angelina’s mother, died of breast and ovarian cancer at the age of 56 in 2007. </p> <p>In 2009, Jolie decided to remove her ovarian and fallopian tubes. </p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0QIGYEI69Y/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0QIGYEI69Y/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Cinema, Music and More💫 (@people__choice)</a> on Jul 23, 2019 at 1:07am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>However it was not until 2013, after the loss of her aunt who passed away from breast cancer, that she decided to get a double mastectomy done after a genetic test revealed she carried the BRCAI gene. </p> <p>This meant Jolie had an estimated 87 per cent risk of developing the disease and a 50 per cent risk of getting ovarian cancer. </p> <p>"People also ask how I feel about the physical scars I carry," Jolie said.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B07mPIjHdek/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B07mPIjHdek/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Angelina Jolie 😈 (@joliedream)</a> on Aug 8, 2019 at 10:22pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"I think our scars remind us of what we have overcome. They are part of what makes each of us unique. That diversity is one of the things that is most beautiful about human existence."</p> <p>Jolie ended her emotional essay by touching on the emotional toll and care needed for anyone battling the disease. </p> <p>"I have learned that when it comes to women's health, medical advances are only one part of the picture" she said. </p> <p>"Mental and emotional health, and physical safety, are just as important."</p>

International Travel

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“This is childhood cancer”: Mum pens powerful post about the realities of deadly illness

<p>A US mum has been praised for her candid post about the realities of living with a member who has childhood cancer.</p> <p>Her son has been diagnosed with leukaemia and has opened up on the ways that the diagnosis in 2015 has impacted the whole family.</p> <p>Kaitlin Burge has documented her son Beckett’s cancer experience on Facebook and has shared a heartbreaking image of her other child Aubrey comforting Beckett during a bout of nausea.</p> <p>"My two kids, 15 months apart, went from playing in school and at home together to sitting in a cold hospital room together," the mum writes.</p> <p>"My then four-year-old watched her brother go from an ambulance to the ICU.</p> <p>"She watched a dozen doctors throw a mask over his face, poke and prod him with needles, pump a dozen medications through his body, all while he laid there helplessly.”</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fbeatitlikebeckett%2Fposts%2F3305533652820876&amp;width=500" width="500" height="764" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p>Kaitlin explained that her daughter Aubrey struggled to understand what was happening to her brother.</p> <p>"She wasn't sure what was happening. All she knew was that something was wrong with her brother, her best friend."</p> <p>"He never wanted to play. She didn't understand how he was able to walk before this, but now he can't even stand unassisted," the post continues.</p> <p>"Why couldn't they go to their favourite trampoline park anymore? ... Why didn't he have to go back to school, but she did?"</p> <p>Kaitlin said that Aubrey never left her brothers side, which is something that Kaitlin strongly supported.</p> <p>"She spent a fair amount of time, by his side in the bathroom, while he got sick. She stuck by him," she continues.</p> <p>"She supported him and she took care of him, regardless of the situation. To this day, they are closer. She always takes care of him.</p> <p>"Vomiting between play sessions. Waking up to throw up. Standing by her brother's side and rubbing his back while he gets sick ... This is childhood cancer. Take it or leave it."</p> <p>The comment section was flooded with supportive messages from other families who praised Kaitlin for shining a light on childhood cancer.</p> <p>"You are highlighting an often overlooked fact that cancer affects the entire family, especially childhood cancer," one writes.</p> <p>"Your daughter has a loving and compassionate heart and is showing that by the way she is helping her brother."</p> <p>"My other two children are much older but they break down watching their sister go through the motions. I can definitely relate," another says.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery to see Beckett and his sister on his journey through childhood cancer. </p>

Caring

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Osher Günsberg’s pens emotional letter to wife and new baby boy

<p>Osher Günsberg and his wife Audrey Griffen have welcomed their first child together, baby “Wolfie” Wolfgang. </p> <p>The<span> </span><em>Bachelor Australia<span> </span></em>host shared a sweet post in honour of his newest addition to the family - with a heartfelt message to both Audrey and baby Wolfgang. </p> <p>"I am in complete awe of my wife," he wrote.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1ldaeEgcwd/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1ldaeEgcwd/" target="_blank">A post shared by Osher Günsberg (@osher_gunsberg)</a> on Aug 25, 2019 at 4:29am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"What I witnessed her do, the power I saw her summon from within her to bring this boy into the world was utterly astonishing. ⁠⁠As he came closer and closer, her body began to unleash an incredible energy that was absolutely not going to be held back. ⁠⁠</p> <p>"Yet Audrey was able to harness it, guide it, and use it to transcend the extraordinary pain she was feeling and channel it all towards an energy that brought this boy alive and well into the world.⁠"</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ByNG3DqDKYE/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ByNG3DqDKYE/" target="_blank">A post shared by Osher Günsberg (@osher_gunsberg)</a> on Jun 2, 2019 at 3:56am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Günsberg and Griffin first met on the set of<span> </span><em>The Bachelor<span> </span></em>back in 2014. </p> <p>"That I've known Audrey for over five years, and yet had no idea that within her this whole time was an almighty divine force capable of bringing life into the world like this blows my mind and was astonishing to witness," he continued.</p> <p>"⁠⁠I can't think of any single thing a man does in his life that physically equates to what I saw Audrey do. ⁠⁠</p> <p>"For me – any marathon or endurance event I've ever raced is essentially a wander to the kitchen compared to what I saw Audrey do on Friday."</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfN95JWBb8b/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfN95JWBb8b/" target="_blank">A post shared by Osher Günsberg (@osher_gunsberg)</a> on Feb 15, 2018 at 5:00am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Gunsberg also mentioned his step-daughter, 14-year-old Georgia, who in the past he has called the “light of his life.” </p> <p>“Less than an hour after he was born, Wolfie met G for real - and she’s the best big sister he could have ever hoped for,” the Studio 10 TV presenter added. </p> <p>While she wasn’t able to be in the room to witness her mother give birth, she managed to give her own gift to welcome the arrival of her new brother. </p> <p>Georgia prepared a playlist for the occasion - with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce and Khalid serenading the room. </p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfVVKO9hq0f/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfVVKO9hq0f/" target="_blank">A post shared by Osher Günsberg (@osher_gunsberg)</a> on Feb 18, 2018 at 1:38am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Osher announced he and Audrey were expecting back in February.</p> <p> "Our lives are already so full of love and adventures and I’m blessed to have such an amazing daughter in Georgia. Looking forward to meeting this little one and expanding my heart even more," Audrey wrote at the time.</p>

Relationships

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“Dear tech”: IBM pens open letter to the tech industry

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">IBM is urging the tech sector to use technology for the good of humanity instead of its downfall in an open letter to the industry called “Dear Tech”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to the firm, the world needs tech companies that can apply “smart technologies at scale with purpose and expertise — not just for some of us, but for all of us”. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the global tech giant held its annual Think summit in Sydney, it showcased the mindboggling ways that artificial intelligence is being used to tackle the world’s biggest problems, according to </span><a href="https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/tech/2019/05/22/ibm-think-summit-2019/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The New Daily.</span></a></p> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9">  <iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gNF8ObJR6K8"></iframe></div> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stefan Harrer says that healthcare is ideal for the use of artificial intelligence (AI).</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Ultimately we want to be able to use and develop technology to improve peoples’ lives,” Dr Harrer said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We want to build tech that can help improve the lives of people that suffer from a variety of diseases.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“That requires that we do cutting-edge research and develop the tech and think hard about how to translate it into trustworthy and impactful solutions.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, as AI becomes more commonplace, it’s more important than ever that there are strict ethics in place around it.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s as important to pay enough attention to getting the ethical framework right around AI as it is the technology,” Dr Harrer said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This revolution will not look like the information revolution, it’s not move fast and break things.”</span></p>

Technology

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Cheeky! Prince Harry pens hilarious note to Wimbledon wheelchair champion Dylan Alcott

<p>Wheelchair tennis champion Dylan Alcott received a nice surprise in the mail, as he took to Twitter to show off a cheeky letter from none other than Prince Harry himself.</p> <p>The royal heaped praise on Alcott, commending him for his Wimbledon win and most popular new talent at the Logies.</p> <p>He also appreciated him for his work “raising awareness and changing perceptions of disability”.</p> <p>But while the top half of the note was quite formal, it was the PS that had fans chuckling, as Harry hilariously asked about Alcott’s underwear situation.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">Pen pals with the Duke of Sussex himself - Prince Harry.. What an absolute legend ... Also very impressed he watches the <a href="https://twitter.com/TVWEEKmag?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TVWEEKmag</a> logies..! <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RoyalFamily</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KensingtonRoyal</a> <a href="https://t.co/I328TqnMaX">pic.twitter.com/I328TqnMaX</a></p> — Dylan Alcott (@DylanAlcott) <a href="https://twitter.com/DylanAlcott/status/1163385140308918273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">19 August 2019</a></blockquote> <p>The letter reads: “Dear Dylan,</p> <p>I wanted to pass on my congratulations for your recent win at Wimbledon and your most popular new talent award!</p> <p>Thank you for the special contribution that you made to sharing the stories of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women on the Invictus Games Today show.</p> <p>Your achievements are extraordinary, and the impact you have had in raising awareness and changing perceptions of disability is really inspiring.</p> <p>I wish you the very best of luck for the future, on-air and on-court!</p> <p>All the best, Harry</p> <p>PS – I’m wondering if you wore your Invictus Games budgie smugglers on the big night to accept it? Mine have come in handy in this recent UK heatwave!”</p> <p>The 28-year-old won the Wimbledon title in mid-July for his ninth wheelchair Grand Slam title, including third straight this year as he nears a calendar Grand Slam.</p>

Body

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Duchess Camilla pens emotional letter to domestic abuse survivors

<p>The Duchess of Cornwall has written an emotional letter to survivors of domestic and family violence.</p> <p>The 72-year-old penned the note to show her support for the upcoming Stand Up to Domestic Abuse conference in the UK. She went into detail about the “shocking prevalence of domestic violence which affects so many people in this country and leaves some in fear of their lives”.</p> <p>Camilla decided to lend her voice after she was approached by Rachel Williams, the organiser for the event whom she met through her work with charity SafeLives.</p> <p>Rachel is a survivor of domestic violence, which she endured for 18 years at the hands of her husband.</p> <p>Darren shot and beat her before committing suicide after she filed for divorce in 2011. A few weeks later, she lost her 16-year-old son Jack to suicide also.</p> <p>The conference is set to take place on September 13 at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales.</p> <p>Rachel’s story had a profound effect on the Duchess.</p> <p>“It is a testament to her courage that she was able to write her book<span> </span><em>The Devil at Home</em><span> </span>to spread the word about the reality of living with domestic abuse,” she wrote in the letter.</p> <p>The conference is the first of its kind to be run by survivors in Wales, as victims will work hand-in-hand with police and social services.</p> <p>Camilla wrote: “I’m sure [the survivors’] stories will remind everyone that there is still much to be done, but I hope that the conference will also inspire positive steps to tackle [the abuse].”</p> <p>The 72-year-old is a passionate advocate for those who have suffered domestic abuse, organising a reception in 2016 at Clarence House on the issue. She met Rachel and other survivors earlier that year and was pictured in tears.</p> <p>Speaking to<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hellomagazine.com/" target="_blank"><em>HELLO!</em></a><span> </span>magazine, Rachel says that having the Duchess’ support is “important” because it “brings it up to another level”.</p> <p>“She is really encouraging me to get my voice out there, which in turn gives a platform for those who have not had their story heard before, which is why I’m doing the conference,” she said. “There is no shame for the victim and survivor. The shame lies at the perpetrator’s feet.”</p> <p><em>If you are troubled by this article, experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide, you can call Lifeline 131 114 or beyondblue 1300 224 636 or visit <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/" target="_blank">lifeline.org.au</a> or <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/national-help-lines-and-websites" target="_blank">beyondblue.org.au</a>.</em></p>

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