Placeholder Content Image

Hero kindergarten teacher remembered at community park vigil

<p>Hundreds of people have gathered in a vigil to honour Eleanor Bryant, the speech pathologist killed by an <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/heroic-kindergarten-teacher-identified-after-horror-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">out-of-control water tanker</a> that crashed into a Victorian kindergarten earlier this week.</p> <p>Friends, colleagues and first responders gathered at Lions Park in Riddells Creek to pay tribute to the mother of two, with flower tributes growing for the heroic kindergarten teacher. </p> <p>Macedon Ranges Shire Council chief executive Bernie O'Sullivan said the vigil aimed to provide connection and support for the grieving community.</p> <p>"Eleanor Bryant was such a beautiful person and her impact and reach [was received] in such a positive way," O'Sullivan said.</p> <p>"It's still really raw and a massive shock to this tight-knit community in Riddells Creek."</p> <p>The mother-of-two has been remembered by her family for her caring and down-to-earth nature. </p> <p>"She was the light of our lives: a cherished mother, wife, daughter and sister, and beloved by all her family and enormous network of friends," they previously said in a <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/she-was-the-light-of-our-lives-family-s-tribute-to-hero-kindergarten-teacher" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>.</p> <p>A three-year-old boy was injured in the crash. </p> <p>The 68-year-old driver of the truck, who was believed to have suffered a medical episode, was taken to hospital but has since been discharged, and no charges have been laid. </p> <p><em>Images: Nine</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

"She was the light of our lives": Family's tribute to hero kindergarten teacher

<p>Eleanor Bryant, 43, put herself in harm's way to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/heroic-kindergarten-teacher-identified-after-horror-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">save preschoolers</a> from a water tanker that crashed into the Macedon Ranges Montessori Pre-School in Riddells Creek on Tuesday. </p> <p>Now, the mother-of-two and speech pathologist has been remembered for her caring and down-to-earth nature by her family. </p> <p>Bryant's husband and his two young kids expressed their grief in a statement, saying they were "devastated by the loss". </p> <p>"She was the light of our lives: a cherished mother, wife, daughter and sister, and beloved by all her family and enormous network of friends," the statement read. </p> <p>"Her infectious smile, sense of humour and passion for life made her a joy to be around.</p> <p>"There is an enormous hole in our hearts today.</p> <p>"We thank the emergency services for their tireless work and the public for their beautiful tributes.</p> <p>"We will miss her like crazy. We thank you for respecting our privacy at this difficult time."</p> <p>Bryant has also been remembered for the impact she has made as a speech pathologist, with mum Becky Burton thanking her for changing her daughter Milla's life. </p> <p>"I've never met someone that was so engaging, so down to earth, so caring and would do whatever it took [to make sure Milla was happy]," Burton said.</p> <p>"[She was] the most beautiful mum and person just taken so tragically."</p> <p>Bryant tragically died at the scene after the crash, while a three-year-old boy was injured and taken to the Royal Children's Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries to his arm.</p> <p>He remains in hospital and is in a stable condition. </p> <p>The driver of the truck was also taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition after the "experienced 68-year-old driver is understood to have suffered a medical episode".</p> <p>Parents and family members have since visited the kindergarten and laid flowers and cards as a tribute to Bryant. </p> <p>Family friend Walter Lucas held back tears as he remembered the beloved mother-of-two, saying: "She saved that kid's life.That kid is now going to go off and live their whole life. For her to take her life for that kid, she is more than a hero.</p> <p>"She's a superhero."</p> <p>Clinton Zammit, whose children went to the kindergarten, described the situation as "really sad".</p> <p>"I feel sorry for the woman who lost her life, her kids waking up today and having no mother. An unsung hero to push away kids and not care about anything else but the kids.</p> <p>"It hits home when my kids used to come here and there are other families involved.</p> <p>"We are a close-knit community, we are small but have big hearts and this will affect the community for a while."</p> <p>The pre-school is expected to remain closed for the coming weeks, and ongoing counselling has been offered onsite.</p> <p><em>Images: Nine</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Heroic kindergarten teacher identified after horror crash

<p>A heroic kindergarten teacher who died saving preschoolers from an out-of-control water tanker that crashed through the school's playground has been identified. </p> <p>Mother-of-two Eleanor Bryant worked with children with special needs at the Macedon Ranges Montessori Pre-School in Riddells Creek in Melbourne’s northwest.</p> <p>Bryant tragically died at the scene after the crash, while a three-year-old boy was injured and was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital with a serious upper-body injury following the incident, Ambulance Victoria said.</p> <p>The driver of the truck, 68, is thought to have had a medical episode and was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition, but police are still investigating the incident.</p> <p><em>Sunrise</em> reporter Teegan Dolling paid tribute to Bryant on Tuesday morning, saying, “She is the mum herself of two really young children. She’s been remembered this morning as a very happy speech pathologist, and mum who loved it here at the Macedon Ranges Montessori Pre-School."</p> <p>“What she did yesterday police are saying was heroic. She was working here at the school looking after a three-year-old boy. It was around 2.30pm when the water truck came hurtling down the road, smashed through the play equipment and it was playtime.</p> <p>“The preschoolers were out on the playground. She’s selflessly put herself in harm’s way … saving the life of the three-year-old.</p> <p>“Sadly, she died at the scene. A little boy was rushed to hospital. He’s got injuries to his upper body. As to why this has happened, the police are still investigating.</p> <p>“The scene is cleared here this morning. They believe the 68-year-old truck driver may have had a medical episode.”</p> <p>McKenzie Water owner Alan McKenzie confirmed that the truck belonged to his company and the driver was understood to have suffered a medical episode, adding that they were "devastated" by the crash and sending their "deepest sympathies" to those affected. </p> <p>Detective Senior Sergeant Christian Von Tunk said initial investigations led them to believe the truck lost control on a bridge about 120m from the kindergarten.</p> <p>“It appears there’s some contact with that bridge — we can see some debris,” he said. “There are also some signs on the left-hand side of the road that appear to have been struck as well."</p> <p>“It’s a tragic set of circumstances which actually could have been a lot worse. This is one of those close calls and I don’t know how only one person has died today.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Seven</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Qantas announces massive overhaul of frequent flyer program

<p>Qantas, Australia's flagship airline, has unveiled significant changes to its frequent flyer program in response to ongoing feedback from millions of members. The announcement, made at the airline's headquarters in Sydney, marks one of the most substantial expansions in the 35-year history of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.</p> <p>During the event, Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson, alongside Andrew Glance, the newly appointed Loyalty boss, outlined the updates to both the media and select members of the frequent flyer program. These changes aim to address longstanding concerns and enhance the overall experience for loyal customers.</p> <p>A key highlight of the overhaul is the introduction of Classic Plus Flight Rewards, providing members with access to an additional 20 million reward seats for booking flights. Vanessa Hudson said that this expansion is a direct response to member feedback.</p> <p>“The Qantas Frequent Flyer program is an integral part of Qantas and has always been about recognising our customers for their loyalty," Hudson said. "We’ve spent a lot of time listening to members about how we can better reward them . . . We’re adding over 20 million new flight rewards with the launch of a new type of reward seat called Classic Plus. It’s one of the biggest expansions we’ve made to the Frequent Flyer program in its 35-year history."</p> <p>With Classic Plus Flight Rewards, frequent flyer members can now access sought-after destinations such as London, Tokyo, New York and Singapore with greater ease, even during peak travel periods. This substantial increase in available seats – 20 million annually compared to the previous 5 million – represents a significant advantage for members seeking to redeem their points for travel.</p> <p>However, it's important to note that while Classic Plus Flight Rewards offer increased availability, they will require more points to book compared to the original program.</p> <p>This announcement follows recent speculation about a major revamp of the frequent flyer program, with Qantas hinting at changes aimed at allowing customers to maximise the value of their points.</p> <p>These changes come in response to feedback from program members, some of whom have voiced frustrations about the devaluation of points and difficulties in securing rewards seats. </p> <p>Qantas' announcement of sweeping changes to its frequent flyer program signals a significant step in the airline's ongoing efforts to prioritise customer satisfaction and loyalty.</p> <p><em>Images: Qantas</em></p>

Money & Banking

Placeholder Content Image

“Sooks”: Bill Shorten slams tennis “whingers”

<p><span>Former Labor leader Bill Shorten has slammed tennis players and their entourage who are complaining about the strict quarantine measures in place for the Australian Open.</span><br /><br /><span>There are currently 72 players in hard quarantine.</span><br /><br /><span>They are unable to train outside their hotel rooms for 14 days after there were positive COVID-19 tests on tournament charter flights.</span><br /><br /><span>The strict measures follow after there were six positive cases.</span><br /><br /><span>They have been linked to three international charter flights that carried players, coaches, staff and officials to Melbourne Park for the year's first grand slam.</span><br /><br /><span>Aussie Bernard Tomic is among those in quarantine.</span><br /><br /><span>The controversial Aussie player’s girlfriend Vanessa Sierra has come under criticism after she posted clips of her and Tomic’s experience in lockdown.</span><br /><br /><span>As they spend 14 days togethers in hard quarantine, Ms Sierra has complained about the quality of the food provided to them and the fact she has to wash her own hair.</span><br /><br /><span>"This is the worst part of quarantine. I don't wash my own hair, I've never washed my own hair. It's just not something that I do. I normally have hairdressers that do it twice a week for me," Sierra told her followers.</span><br /><br /><span>"This is the situation that we're dealing with. I can't wait to get out of quarantine just so I can get my hair done."</span><br /><br /><span>Channel Nine's Karl Stefanovic showed the clip to Shorten on the Today Show to get his opinion on the matter, to which the former Labor leader sent a scathing message to the “pampered sooks”.</span><br /><br /><span>"At a human level, sure, it's not great to be cooped in a hotel room for that period of time. But they just need to get a grip," Shorten said.</span><br /><br /><span>"Covid's been shocking. People have died, people have lost their jobs, people haven't been able to go to the funerals of their loved ones and you've got these pampered sooks who are having a cry over their conditions.</span><br /><br /><span>"They're elite athletes, I can sympathise. But they get paid a lot of money to come to the Australian Open. Maybe they've just got to see how the rest of the world is putting up with Covid as well."</span><br /><br /><span>World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has not let any ill words affect him however and has reportedly sent a list of quarantine demands to Australian Open officials, on behalf of the players.</span><br /><br /><span>A Spanish tennis website reported that Djokovic's "demands" to Craig Tiley included reduced isolation periods, better food and having players moved to "private houses with tennis courts”.</span><br /><br /><span>Nick Kyrgios took aim at the tennis star, on Monday night, saying: "Djokovic is a tool.”</span><br /><br /></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Djokovic is a tool. I don’t mind Bernie but his Mrs obviously has no perspective, ridiculous scenes 🤦🏽‍♂️ <a href="https://t.co/MMgeriH2GJ">https://t.co/MMgeriH2GJ</a></p> — Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickKyrgios/status/1351131106993725443?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><br /><span>The players will pocket a minimum $100,000 if they take part in the Australian Open main draw.</span></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Lawsuit bombshell shakes Kobe Bryant memorial service

<p>The widow of sporting star Kobe Bryant has sued the owner of the helicopter that crashed amidst fog and killed the former Los Angeles Lakers player, their 13-year-old daughter and seven other people aboard.</p> <p>Vanessa Bryant announced the wrongful death lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court and first said on Tuesday in an emotional public ceremony amidst hundreds of sporting legends and musical artists that she would be going ahead with the suit.</p> <p>The lawsuit says the pilot was carelessly negligent by flying in cloudy weather conditions on January 26 and should have aborted the flight that killed all nine people aboard.</p> <p>The lawsuit names Island Express Helicopters Inc. and also targets pilot Ara Zobayan’s representative or successor, listed only as “Doe 1” until a name can be determined.</p> <p>It claims Zobayan was negligent in eight ways, including failing to correctly assess the weather, flying into conditions he wasn’t cleared for and failing to control the helicopter.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.624500665779px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7834756/kobe-bryant-victims-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ec128715b14e44ac8c73cd4d6a5f8bbb" /></p> <p>Ara Zaboyan,50  was flying Bryant, 41, and his daughter Gianna, 13, along with Payton Chester, 13; Sarah Chester, 45; Alyssa Altobelli, 14; Keri Altobelli, 46; John Altobelli, 56; and Christina Mauser, 38 when it crashed and killed them.</p> <p>The lawsuit was filed the morning of the public memorial service for Kobe Bryant and the rest of the lives taken in the crash, including Zobayan.</p> <p>It was held at a sold-out crowd at Staples Center, an arena Bryant spent most of his career making memorable highlights in the NBA and achievements not many other sporting stars can claim.</p> <p>Zobayan was Bryant’s frequent pilot and had been attempting to navigate in heavy fog that limited visibility to the point that the Los Angeles police and sheriff’s departments had even grounded their helicopter fleets.</p> <p>Under the visual flight rules that Zobayan was following, he was supposed to be able to see exactly where he was going.</p> <p>Zobayan was cited by the Federal Aviation Administration in May 2015 for violating those rules by flying into reduced visibility airspace, the lawsuit said.</p> <p>In his last transmission, Zobayan had told air traffic control he was climbing to 1219m, strictly to get above the clouds.</p> <p>He was just 30m short of breaking through the cloud cover when the helicopter banked left and plunged into a hillside, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.</p> <p>While there is no final conclusion on what caused the crash in Calabasas, there is said to be no sign of a mechanical failure.</p> <p>However, a final report will not be expected for a full year or so.</p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

Final moments of Kobe Bryant’s fatal helicopter crash revealed

<p>The pilot in the helicopter that crashed in California, killing NBA star Kobe Bryant and eight others, was climbing to avoid a cloud layer before the aircraft plummeted, an accident investigator said.</p> <p>Speaking at a news conference Monday, Jennifer Homendy of the National Transportation Safety Board said pilot Ara Zobayan told air traffic controllers via radio he was climbing before the Sikorsky S-76B plunged more than 300 metres and crashed in Calabasas on Sunday morning.</p> <p>“When [Air Traffic Control] asked what the pilot planned to do, there was no reply,” Homendy said.</p> <p>The helicopter did not have a black box and was not required to, she said. Investigators will be looking at an iPad believed to have been used by Zobayan for flight tracking and weather briefings.</p> <p><span>The weather observation at the nearby Van Nuys Airport at 9.51 am on Sunday recorded visibility of 2.5 miles with a ceiling of 1,300 feet, the <em><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/01/27/weather-fog-kobe-bryant-crash/">Washington Post</a> </em>reported.</span></p> <p>Some aviation experts said Zobayan might have been disoriented by the fog in the area, but Homendy said investigating teams would look into every relevant factor from the pilot’s history to the engines.</p> <p>“We look at man, machine and the environment,” she said. “And weather is just a small portion of that.”</p> <p>Zobayan was a certified pilot and flight instructor, Homendy said. The aircraft’s owner Island Express Helicopters said Zobayan was <a href="https://apnews.com/d5769dce7e07abcb79ec44474c262a9a">the chief pilot for the company</a>.</p> <p>“Ara has been with the company for over 10 years and has over 8,000 flight hours,” the company said.</p> <p>The <a rel="noopener" href="https://nypost.com/2020/01/27/kobe-bryants-helicopter-tried-to-climb-to-avoid-clouds-before-crash-ntsb-officials-say/" target="_blank">accident</a> killed retired athlete Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant; college baseball coach John Altobelli, his daughter Alyssa Altobelli and wife, Keri Altobelli; girls’ basketball coach Christina Mauser; mom Sarah Chester and her 13-year-old daughter, Payton Chester; and Zobayan.</p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

“Basketball is my life”: Nick Kyrgios on why Kobe Bryant’s tragic death moved him to tears

<p>An emotionally drained Nick Kyrgios was motivated by the tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant to give it his absolute all against Rafael Nadal in their Australian Open grudge match.</p> <p>The controversial figure was praised by fans and his opponent after he bowed out of the grand slam in a pulsating four setter at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.</p> <p>Kyrgios paid tribute to Bryant before and after the match, which was played only a few short hours after he died in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles, shocking the entire world.</p> <p>The 24-year-old, who is a huge basketball fan, was visibly emotional as he walked onto Rod Laver Arena wearing Bryant’s LA Lakers jersey in tribute to the star.</p> <p>With Bryant’s famous number 8 emblazoned on his jersey, Kyrgios struggled to contain his emotions during the warm-up.</p> <p>The Boston Celtics fan showed up to his post-match press conference after the loss in a Lakers jersey and was asked about the late sports star as soon as he sat down.</p> <p>“I never met Kobe. But basketball is practically my life. I’ve been following it for as long as I can remember,” said Kyrgios.</p> <p>“It was pretty emotional when I woke up to the news today. It was pretty heavy, like all day.</p> <p>“Obviously I was having basketball on at my house, watching the games. It was heavy. Yeah, it’s just tough. It’s horrible news.”</p> <p>He revealed Bryant inspired him to keep fighting in the fourth set where he looked down and out against the world number one.</p> <p>Kyrgios clawed his way back and forced the set into a tie-break, where he lost the match.</p> <p>“If you look at the things he stood for, what he wanted to be remembered by, I felt like, if anything, it helped me tonight,” he said.</p> <p>“When I was down a break in the fourth, I was definitely thinking about it. I fought back.”</p> <p>Kyrgios then made the ultimate tribute to Bryant.</p> <p>“I don’t think they make them like him anymore. He was different, the way he trained, the way he did things, the way he played. He was special,” he said.</p> <p>“Just sad. Like, when I think about my life [it] is literally basketball. When I think about it, it’s heavy. It’s tough.”</p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Liam Neeson’s son pays touching tribute to his late mother Natasha Richardson

<p>Liam Neeson’s son Micheál has chosen a touchingly beautiful way to pay tribute to his late mother, Natasha Richardson, nine years after her death.</p> <p>According to <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://pagesix.com/2018/10/22/liam-neesons-son-changes-last-name-to-richardson-to-honor-late-mother-natasha/" target="_blank">Page Six</a></em>, Micheál has legally changed his surname from Neeson to Richardson to ensure his mother’s legacy lives on forever.</p> <p>Known for her extensive acting career, Natasha passed away in 2009, aged 45, after a skiing accident was to blame for a traumatic brain injury.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821555/liamneeson.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5429367ecbc3465d975efd1a97ad9f9b" /></p> <p>The couple’s sons, Micheál and Daniel, were 13 and 12 when their mother died unexpectedly.</p> <p>Fellow actress and Natasha’s mother, Vanessa Redgrave, told the <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/auhome/index.html" target="_blank">Daily Mail</a></em> that Micheál’s intention was not to offend his father but to pay tribute to his mother.</p> <p>“That wasn’t because he wanted to avoid his father’s fame, which is enormous,” she said. “He wanted to hold his mother close to him – because she was a remarkable actress. Absolutely remarkable.”</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 337.16666666666663px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821556/gettyimages-83689249.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6bcea1a056d04051b986e8c5b3fa4836" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Natasha Richardson with Micheál (left) and Daniel (right)</em></p> <p>An earlier interview dating back to 2015 with Micheál by the <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rising-son-bcxqkr3j60c" target="_blank">Sunday Times</a></em> revealed that the now 23-year-old tried to hide his emotions as he “pushed it out". The built-up grief then led to unfortunate decisions that he now regrets.</p> <p>“Things just started going downhill. The people I was with, we were partying a lot. It was dark. I hit rock bottom,” he admitted. </p> <p>“Everybody said, ‘This kid has lost his mum, that’s where the problem comes from.’ And I was like, ‘No it isn’t, I just like to party.’ But looking back, I realise it was a delayed reaction.”</p>

Movies

Placeholder Content Image

Vanessa Redgrave recalls unapologetic speech at 1978 Oscars: "I had to do my bit"

<p>Vanessa Redgrave is someone who isn’t afraid to speak her mind, and that’s exactly what the 81-year-old actress did when she sat down with <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/vanessa-redgrave-recalls-unapologetic-political-speech-at-1978-oscars-1136251" target="_blank">The Hollywood Reporter</a></em> for an exclusive interview.</p> <p>The actress, who made her on-screen debut at the age of 21 in the film <em>Behind the Mask</em> where her father Michael Redgrave played the lead, has made a name for herself throughout her time in the industry. </p> <p>She is the proud recipient of every acting honour available, including an Oscar, Golden Globe, Emmy, Tony, BAFTA and countless more awards from Venice and Cannes.</p> <p>But the successful star had other plans growing up, where she saw herself as a dancer. </p> <p>“I wanted that more than anything, but it became clear that it wouldn’t work, that I would be too tall,” she said, addressing her 6-foot tall height.</p> <p>She has been at the forefront of Hollywood’s most successful films. Movies such as Michelangelo Antonioni’s <em>Blow-Up</em> (1966) where she speaks fondly of the Italian director saying that he “is a terrific man and a real artist. I felt he was somewhat glorious", to the Catholic drama <em>The Devils</em> (1971). But for Redgrave, her most memorable role, and the one she constantly revisits is Josh Logan’s musical interpretation of <em>Camelot </em>(1967).</p> <p>“I was thrilled to bits to get that role,” she says. “It was a huge thing for me.”</p> <p>Regarding her work on stage, American playwrights Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams have named her “the greatest living actress of our times” and in the UK, her name is spoken with the same level of respect as Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen.</p> <p>But the talented artist isn’t immune from criticism, as she is a proud advocate for political causes and regularly uses her platform to speak up on what she believes in. In the past, she has voiced her disagreement with the Vietnam and Iraq war. She also ran for political office in Britain as a member of the Trotskyist Workers Revolutionary Party. And, at the age of 80, she directed her first ever film <em>Sea Sorrow</em>, which was a documentary highlighting the conditions refugees must face when fleeing to Europe.</p> <p>After congratulating the Academy for standing up “to a small bunch of Zionist hoodlums” who had criticised her for producing and featuring in a documentary regarding Palestine in her 1978 Oscar acceptance speech, she was put under intense scrutiny as many in the audience booed her off the stage.</p> <p>And while her comments were directed towards extremists in the Jewish Defense League, who had offered a bounty to have her killed, the phrase “Zionist hoodlums” tarnished her image for many, even though she ended her speech with a promise to “fight anti-Semitism and fascism for as long as I live".</p> <p>Fire bombings at cinemas showing her documentary and having a statue of her burned to ashes were only a few of the things Redgrave faced after saying those words, but 40 years later, she still remains unapologetic.</p> <p>“I didn’t realise pledging to fight anti-Semitism and fascism was controversial. I’m learning that it is,” she says. And her political conquests have always been driven by one thing: a sense of responsibility to do the right thing.</p> <p>“I had to do my bit,” she says.</p> <p>“Everybody had to do their bit, to try and change things for the better. To advocate for what’s right and not be dismayed if immediately you don’t see results.”</p> <p>She credits her parents as her inspirations behind her powerful personality – actors Sir Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson, but also writers such as Cecil Day-Lewis and EM Forster – for making her more politically aware. Her long list also features fellow co-worker and African-American actor Paul Robeson, who featured in one of Redgrave’s first acting jobs as the lead in a 1959 performance of <em>Othello</em>.</p> <p>“He was wonderful, wonderful,” she remembers, “Paul played Othello and Tony Richardson directed it! So, I have a sackful of people to admire and look up to there!”</p> <p>Redgrave recently finished shooting Matthew Lopez’s play <em>The Inheritance</em> and will soon be featuring in three other projects: Adrian Nobel’s <em>Mrs. Lowry and Son,</em> <em>The Aspern Papers</em> by director Julien Landais and Christoph Waltz’s directorial debut, <em>Georgetown</em>.</p> <p>“I have a big mortgage, so I have to pay the bills!” she says matter-of-factly while remaining thankful for the opportunities she is still given. “It’s still so rare. If you have the chance, well, you have to keep going at it.”</p>

Movies

Placeholder Content Image

The truth about The Crown star's romance with Tom Cruise

<p>The rumour mill went into overdrive when The Crown star Vanessa Kirby was pictured kissing Hollywood celebrity Tom Cruise.</p> <p>However, the paparazzi shots proved to be on-set photos of the latest Mission Impossible movie, <em>Mission Impossible – Fallout.</em></p> <p><img width="478" height="269" src="https://www.etonline.com/sites/default/files/styles/max_970x546/public/images/2017-03/1280_tom_cruise_vanessa_kirby_split.jpg?itok=jy2R-E1M" alt="Image result for vanessa kirby tom cruise" class="irc_mi" style="margin-top: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>But that didn’t stop the rumours and this week, Kirby, who played Princess Margaret on The Crown, was forced to deny it all.</p> <p>“There’s literally zero truth in it,” she said of the suggestions she and Tom were romantically involved.</p> <p>Speaking on The View, the actress said: “I had met him once in a room full of people! I was like, that was fast! We were filming on the river bank in Paris, and we have to kiss, and then the paparazzi [were] taking pictures.”</p> <p>Kirby continued: “I’ve been in a relationship for two years ... We hadn’t started filming, and all of a sudden we’re getting married! It’s so bizarre. My boyfriend found it hilarious.”</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: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc5ZKshlOhi/" target="_blank">A post shared by The Crown (@thecrownnetflix)</a> on Dec 19, 2017 at 12:11pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Kirby believes the rumours likely flourished because she is a private person and the public did not know she was in a relationship.  </p> <p>“I didn’t bring it up. And he [Tom] never mentioned it. I don’t think he even knows. The whole thing’s ridiculous,” she said.</p> <p>But Kirby did confirm that she has since spoken to Hollywood actor about the rumours and revealed that “it was embarrassing. Most of all for him probably.”</p>

Movies

Placeholder Content Image

Craig McLachlan's partner breaks silence over sexual harassment claims

<p>Craig McLachlan’s partner Vanessa Scammell has broken her silence over the<a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/2018/01/craig-mclachlan-accused-of-sexual-misconduct/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong> vicious sexual harassment claims</strong></span></a> levelled at the one-time <em>Home and Away star</em>, revealing she was in deep shock when she first found out about the allegations.</p> <p>“All I can say is that the shock was out of this world,” Vanessa Scammell told Steve Price on 2GB on Thursday.</p> <p>“It’s been a rough and savage... being an Australian (and believing) in the adage of giving people a fair go in this country just has not happened in this and there’s been such a willingness to for people to jump on this express with no due process.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Craig McLachlan has been seen in public again as he sues the ABC , Fairfax &amp; an actress over claims he was a predator in the stage production of the Rocky Horror Show. The case is in court Friday with McLachlan's lawyers wanting a response from the defendants. <a href="https://twitter.com/ebatten7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ebatten7</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/7News?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#7News</a> <a href="https://t.co/64fG9MlvDk">pic.twitter.com/64fG9MlvDk</a></p> — 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) <a href="https://twitter.com/7NewsSydney/status/973106433876111360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>Scammell, who is a conductor at Opera Australia, told Price she feels the allegations McLachlan sexually harassed co-stars during a 2014 production of <em>The Rocky Horror Picture Show</em> are false, and has never asked him if they where true.</p> <p>“When it all happened the one thing I said to my girlfriend is that you know you know through all of this I didn’t even ever have to ask Craig if there was any truth in it. I didn’t have to.”</p> <p>Scammell who has been McLachlan’s partner of eight years reaffirmed her commitment to stand by her man throughout the scandal, and fight to clear his name.</p> <p>“We basically are determined and will do everything we can to move through this and clear his name. For everyone to realise that the person who is Craig McLachlan is not the person who has been painted.</p> <p>“Craig McLachlan is not that person. He’s kind and gentle and funny … yes he’s mischievous.</p> <p>“But one of his greatest assets is that he loves to make people happy and comfortable.”</p> <p>McLachlan is suing the ABC, Fairfax Media and his fellow <em>Rocky Horror Picture Show</em> co-store Christie Wheelan-Brown over the reports which suggest he indecently touched the actress.</p> <p>The lawsuit is set to return to the NSW Supreme Court on Friday.</p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p> <p><em>Hero image credit: Twitter / 2GB</em></p>

Music

Our Partners