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Unique way couple raised $11K for their wedding

When Andie Lickiss proposed to Pagan on New Years Eve in 2021, he had no idea that the pair would spend the next year collecting trash from their neighbours. With the cost-of-living on the rise, the couple were doing everything they could to save up for their dream wedding on September 2023. “We were both working two jobs, trying to save for a house, and everything is just so expensive,” Pagan told 7Life. “We didn’t want the wedding to put us in debt.” While thinking of ways to cut corners and save more money, Pagan - who was a keen recycler and had been using a state government-run recycling initiative, Return and Earn, since 2018 - felt inspired to take her recycling to the next level after spotting a wheelie bin in her backyard. Pagan then took to her local community Facebook page to ask her neighbours for their unwanted bottles and cans to help with the cost of their wedding, with the initiative offering 10 cents per aluminium can, plastic or glass bottle deposited. “I had about 50 messages from people ... saying they will just stack them outside their house and we can come and collect,” she said. She then started mapping out the perfect route to pick up the recycling ,and not long after, the couple began their trash-collecting journey almost every day after work in their ute and trailer. “People might laugh because it is only 10 cents (per container),” she said. “But every little bit counts.” Over 19 months the couple recycled more than 100,000 containers, and made memories along the way, as they got closer to their neighbours who would donate cardboard boxes and wheelie bins full of empty cans and bottles. They also volunteered at local sporting events and spent weekends cleaning up fields and stadiums. Each dollar went towards their goal of $4,500 to pay for their dream photographer, with the couple sometimes pocketing more than $400 at a time when they cashed in each load. Within six months the couple had reached their goal, but they didn't stop there. “I couldn’t believe it,” Pagan said. “We just decided to keep going. The cost of living wasn’t getting cheaper.” Andie and Pagan cashed in cans and bottles right up until the week before their wedding. “We never told anyone how much we made,” Pagan said. “Our celebrant announced it at the wedding (and) the looks on everyone’s faces! They were so shocked, and our photographers caught it.” The couple collected a grand total of $11,127.50 with the help of their local community, and now Pagan encourages others to reach out and ask for help. “I hope that people who are doing it tough are not afraid to reach out and ask for help.” Images: 7News

Relationships

Shocking amount Australia's richest people earn per hour

Three of Australia's richest people — Gina Rinehart, Andrew Forrest and Harry Triguboff — have more than doubled their wealth since 2020, according to the charity Oxfam. A report from the charity published on Monday, found that the fortune of Australia's richest people doubled at a staggering rate of $1.5 million per hour. The report also found that the total wealth of the country’s billionaires increased by $120 billion in that same period, which is over 70 per cent. Tech tycoons Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, are among the top five richest men worldwide, with the report finding that it would take them 476 years to spend all of their wealth if they spent $1.5 million daily. The global wealth of billionaires grew three times faster than the inflation rate, and they are $4.9 trillion richer today than they were in 2020, despite nearly five billion people worldwide growing poorer. According to the Australian Council of Social Services, one in eight adults are living in poverty, earning half of the median household income which ranges from $489 a week for a single adult to $1,027 for a couple with two kids. The report was released to raise concern over the growing global inequality, as they urge the federal government to reduce the wealth gap by scrapping the stage three tax cuts coming into effect on July 1. The tax cuts will lower marginal tax rates for high-earning Australians. Oxfam Australia chief executive Lyn Morgain has urged governments to step up. “We cannot accept a society that promotes the gross accumulation of wealth alongside widespread global poverty,” she said. “One of the best mechanisms we have to address this is progressive taxation. “The shame of our woeful global response to catastrophic disasters, displacement, famine and the climate crisis cannot be attributed to a scarcity of resources, it is distribution — and that’s a problem all governments, including the Australian government, need to tackle urgently.” Oxfam have also called for a wealth tax on the world's millionaires and billionaires that it claims could bring in $2.7 trillion each year. The report also called to cap CEO pay and break up private monopolies, which have gained significant power thanks to surging stock prices. Images: Getty

Money & Banking

Return and Earn is a great way to recycle

When you recycle your eligible bottles and cans through Return and Earn, the material that is used to make the bottles and cans stay in use for as long as possible and are turned into new products, rather than ending up in landfill or polluting waterways. The scheme has already more than halved the number of drink containers littering our parks, waterways, or ending up in landfill compared to before the scheme was launched in December 2017. What happens to containers returned through Return and Earn? Have you ever wondered what happens to the containers once they are returned through the scheme? All containers returned through Return and Earn are recycled. The containers are picked up from the return points and trucked to a sorting facility where the containers are processed depending on the material type. Cans are crushed and baled into a giant cube, glass bottles are crushed into small particles called cullet; and plastic bottles are sorted by type and colour and shredded into smaller flakes before being turned into pellets. <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-68727" src="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/crushed-cans-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="500" /> The giant cubes of Aluminium cans are melted, rolled into sheets, and sent to manufacturers to be turned into new cans or other products – some even go to make up aeroplane parts! Glass cullet is melted and mixed with raw materials before being blown into a new glass bottle and sent to drink companies. The plastic pellets are melted down, moulded and blown into new plastic bottles, ready to be bought be retailers. The new bottles and cans made from the recycled materials are filled by the beverage companies, labelled, capped, and ready to be consumed. By using the recycled material from Return and Earn, we save water, energy, and landfill, as well as reducing the carbon emissions that would be used if new raw materials were used instead. This conservation contributes to a more sustainable and efficient economy. Keeping materials in Australia The purity and quality of the material from Return and Earn plays a crucial role in establishing local recycling facilities so most of the key materials stay in Australia. A key milestone was the opening of the Circular Plastics Australia plant in Albury, NSW, in March 2022. This state-of-the-art PET plastic recycling facility is a joint venture between waste industry and beverage industry partners and is the largest of its kind in Australia. The facility reprocesses 100% of the PET (one of the materials that make up plastic containers) collected through the Return and Earn network of over 600 return points and uses the materials to remake new bottles and other food-grade plastic packaging. All glass collected through the Return and Earn network is also being reprocessed in Australia and contributes to the growing demand of locally sourced glass to use in making new bottles and other products. Having facilities in Australia means that the cycle of making a new container from the recycled material is fast. Plastic bottles can be back on the shelf in as little as six weeks and glass bottles in four weeks. Now that’s recycling at its best. <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-68725" src="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/what-happens-when-you-return-and-earn-journey-image_770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="846" /> Do you recycle? It’s easier than ever to recycle your empty containers through Return and Earn. We have over 600 return points across Australia, and we continue to work with businesses and local councils to identify more sites. Every container counts – recycling is an important way to reduce the load on our natural resources and keep valuable waste on the path to being remade into new products and used again. These small acts can make a big impact. If you’re not interested in returning the containers, consider leaving them out for others in your neighbourhood that are collecting them, or donate them to a charity or community group who is fundraising through the scheme. If you are unable to give them away, place your empty drink containers in your yellow lid recycle bin. For more information about Return and Earn, and to find your nearest return point visit <a href="https://returnandearn.org.au/">returnandearn.org.au</a> Case Study: Sharing the dignity through recycling Semi-retiree Wendy Pluckrose from the far north NSW coast has supported Share the Dignity for years, so when she discovered Return and Earn it seemed an obvious way to raise some extra funds as well as protect the environment. Share the Dignity is a women's charity in Australia, that works to make a real difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or doing it tough. Wendy has installed bins at home and at local shops and restaurants to collect eligible drink containers. Most days she collects between 100 – 500 containers, and in the last year has raised nearly $3,500 from around 35,000 containers recycled through Return and Earn. “Return and Earn is just free money!” Wendy said. “It’s a little bit of effort, but it makes a big difference.” <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-68728" src="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/share-the-dignity-photo-article-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="733" /> With the containers collected so far, not only is the refund going towards buying women’s sanitary products to women experiencing hardships, but it has also contributed to protecting the environment. By recycling 35,000 containers to be remade into new containers rather than using virgin materials, the environmental savings calculated by the <a href="https://returnandearn.org.au/impact-calculator/">Impact Calculator</a> include 206,000 litres of water; 46 gigajoules of energy that equates to six months of energy consumption for a household; and 2,100 kilograms of material entering landfill. The carbon emissions avoided equates to keeping two cars off the road for 18 months. To learn more about Return and Earn, <a href="https://returnandearn.org.au/">head to their website</a>. Images: Return and Earn. This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with Return and Earn.

Retirement Income

Returning and Earning for your community

Charities and community groups across NSW are cashing in empty drink containers to support their important work in the community, all with the added benefit of helping the environment. It’s an easy win-win to fundraise through Return and Earn, and it makes donating to a local charity or community group very easy. Return and Earn is the incredibly successful container deposit scheme in NSW, where 10 cents is refunded for every eligible drink container returned for recycling through the network of 600+ return points across the state. Since launching over five years ago, <a href="https://returnandearn.org.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Return and Earn</a> has become an important and well used channel for charities and community groups fundraising to support a range of local and broader causes. Groups such as Rotary and Lions Clubs, animal rescue organisations, and fire and rescue services are just a few of the many different cohorts that have partnered with Return and Earn and relied on the generosity of NSW citizens to help them do vital work in their communities. “We’ve seen many groups really embrace the scheme, showing a humbling passion for giving back to the community – whether it’s to help fund an event for a local club, or to donate to a charity,” said Danielle Smalley, CEO of scheme coordinator, Exchange for Change. “Some of these groups have raised a lot of money from recycling drink containers through Return and Earn. Often local residents and businesses are handing over their containers or donating their refunds to support the cause, proving there is enormous goodwill in the community.” The Gerringong Lions Club recently celebrated one million containers collected, raising $100,000 that was donated to a variety of causes including medical research, local sporting facilities, as well as helping both Australian and oversees Lions Clubs provide relief during catastrophes. <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-67811" src="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Gerringong-Lions-Club-image-2-for-article-2_RD.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="500" /> The Gerringong Lions Club are now raising around $20,000 each year. The COVID shutdowns and restrictions put a halt to the activities that would normally bring funds to the club. Return and Earn was the only means for the club to generate an income to help the community during this time. As routine users of the scheme, the Gerringong Lions Club are now raising around $20,000 each year, all the while making positive impacts to the environment. Bruce Ray is a past president and active member of the club, and says he gets a sense of satisfaction knowing they are helping the community while also looking out for the environment. “We have the bins at the hotel, the bowling club, and campgrounds. The club also provides the container collection bins for events such as weddings and uses them at local New Years’ Eve events,” said Mr Ray. In Cobar, the local Rotary Club is also using Return and Earn to support the work in their community. They partnered with the local Girl Guides who help the club sort through any drink containers collected. They’ve now raised more than $25,000 since they began in early 2020. Club Secretary Gordon Hill said that one of the benefits for the Girl Guides is the real-world experience in seeing how much locally created waste can be recycled. “It also provides a healthy opportunity for a challenge to see which girls can pack the most containers during a 1.5 to 2 hour session. The record currently stands at 3,080, but the challenge continues,” Gordon added. <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-67813" src="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Cobar-Rotary-Club-image-for-article-2_RD.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="500" /> In Cobar, the local Rotary Club has partnered with the Girl Guides to help with sorting! Since Return and Earn launched in December 2017, over $42 million has been raised through donations and return point hosting fees. The funds have made a significant difference to individuals and groups who have received the support. “There are a lot more collection drives in the community that we don’t track, so the total fundraising amount is in fact even higher,” Ms Smalley said. “We encourage all our Return and Earn users to consider donating containers to a local charity or community group either at the nearest Return and Earn machine or using the Return and Earn app. “And if you’re a member of a group looking for an easy and effective way to fundraise, consider Return and Earn where you can double the benefit by raising funds while also helping the environment.” Every Return and Earn machine features a local donation partner, to whom users can donate part or all of their refunds to. The charity listed changes every six months to give as many groups as possible the opportunity. Charities and groups can also elect to be listed on the Return and Earn app, allowing anyone using the app at a machine or automated depot to donate direct to their favourite charity. There are currently over 170 charities featured on the app. When using a Return and Earn machine, select donate, then select which of the charities listed you want the funds to go. If you’re using the Return and Earn app, simply select donation as your payout option and then select the charity or group you would like to donate your refund to. “Contributions don’t need to be big to make a difference. It can be as easy as collecting a few eligible drink containers and donating them to a charity, helping local communities thrive while looking after the environment.” said Ms Smalley. For more information on donating through Return and Earn visit <a href="https://returnandearn.org.au/donate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">returnandearn.org.au/donate/</a> Images: Supplied This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with Return and Earn.

Money & Banking

Kylie Minogue’s eyewatering earnings from her wine venture revealed

Kylie Minogue is well known for her singing, dancing and acting, but it turns out she knows a thing or two about wine. Kylie launched her own wine brand, Kylie Minogue Wines in 2022, and it has since proven to be a major success. In less than three years, the brand has achieved remarkable success and has since expanded to have a portfolio of 9 wines, which are distributed to over ten countries. Due to the brand’s roaring success, Kylie has been making bank. In 2022, with ventures outside of her wine, Kylie made almost $2.4 million AUD via her London-based Darenote Limited company, which receives Kylie’s earnings from her lingerie brand and various sponsorship deals. She also earned $1.2 million AUD from her touring brand. The real money came from the sales of her Prosecco, which has been revealed to have made the popstar a staggering $13.5 million in sales. Kylie is the Creative Director of her wine brand and has a heavy hand in the business. In 2022, she spoke to the Daily Telegraph, sharing the key to her success. "I'm not stomping the grapes. I just think it's about having the team and right understanding… it's about tasting for me. "I'm in it for the long haul. I'm invested in it.” As one of her vinos is consumed every 1.5 seconds, there’s no doubt this venture of hers will age like fine wine. Image credit: Getty

Money & Banking

The most feel-good way to recycle

Long-time Return and Earner "Scooter Dave" has been a keen participant in the NSW container deposit scheme since the program started, and the Illawarra local has returned 500,000 containers in that time. Dave gets about on a scooter and any day when weather and health permits, he completes his route to collect rubbish from Windang Bridge in Shellharbour. Along the way he picks up eligible drink containers from residents and businesses who keep them in their yards ready for his scooter collection service. He has donated all of the $50,000 in refunds to many charities, including the Smith Family, the Sydney Children’s Hospital, and children’s ward in Wollongong, bushfire appeals and the Illawarra Convoy. “It gives me something to do, and I know that I am doing something to help people," says Scooter Dave. "People always say that there should be more people like me. There are, but they aren’t cleaning up rubbish like I am.” In a world that’s becoming more eco-conscious, we’re seeing more and more initiatives implemented to reduce the impact we’re having on the planet – from the single-use plastic bans to adopting reusable packaging and recycling. Recycling remains one of the best ways to help protect the environment. The benefits of recycling include reducing the amount of rubbish that ends up in landfill or as litter in our local environment, and reducing the need to extract raw materials from the earth to create new products such as mining raw aluminium to create cans. And with <a style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;" href="https://returnandearn.org.au/?utm_source=over-60&utm_medium=article&utm_content=native-article&utm_campaign=grey-partnership" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Return and Earn</a> there are even more direct benefits for you. Return and Earn is one of many drink container return schemes that have been adopted around the world, where customers who return their used eligible drink containers for recycling can collect a refund. “With Return and Earn, you earn a 10c refund for every empty can, glass or plastic bottle, carton, juice box or popper that you return through one of its 600 return points across NSW. “Since the scheme launched five years ago, over 8.6 billion containers have been returned for recycling by the NSW public resulting in over $860 million in container refunds back in people’s pockets,” says Danielle Smalley, CEO of Exchange for Change, scheme coordinator for Return and Earn. The scheme is entirely funded by the beverage industry, aiming to place responsibility for container recycling firmly back with the industry. The scheme targets commonly littered items and includes most 150ml to three litre plastic, glass, aluminium, steel, and liquid paperboard containers. Eligible containers featuring the 10 cent refund mark can be redeemed for the refund. “Return and Earn is an extraordinary example of how individual action can have a collective impact,” says Smalley. The environmental benefits of the scheme have exceeded expectations – reducing the volume of drink container litter by 52 per cent compared to pre-scheme levels and sending over 755,000 tonnes of material to be recycled. Plus the Return and Earn app makes recycling your containers even easier because you can check the map to see where the nearest return points are to your location and make sure they’re open. Another fantastic feature on the app is the container checker which helps you avoid taking containers that are not eligible. Simply scan the barcode on your container and the app tells you if it can be returned for recycling at a return points. If not, they can go straight into your household recycling bin. Choose your recycling experience To return your containers, you can choose from four types of return points, depending on what suits you and what is nearby. There are Return and Earn machines - a self-service option where you return your containers one-at-a time. You’ll receive a receipt which is redeemable for cash at the partner redemption location or payment straight to your bank account by downloading the Return and Earn app. There are also Return and Earn Centres which are larger format indoor locations featuring multiple machines inside. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/01/Tomra1.png" alt="Return and Earn" width="741" height="423" /> For larger numbers, heading to your nearest automated depot is your best option. Here staff will take your bags of eligible containers and process them in their automated counting system called a singulator. Once counted, they’ll provide you with your cash refund. Even local businesses are taking part, with some corner stores, newsagents, fruit shops and some Surf Life Saving Clubs able to take your containers and give you your refund. To find your nearest return point, visit <a href="https://returnandearn.org.au/return-points/?utm_source=over-60&utm_medium=article&utm_content=native-article&utm_campaign=grey-partnership" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.returnandearn.org.au</a>. Top tips for returning and earning When you’re ready to return your first collection of containers, here are some tips to make your experience even easier: <ul> <li>Download the Return and Earn app: use the app store available on your mobile phone. </li> <li>Sort your containers before you go: if you’re using a Return and Earn machine, sort your glass containers from your plastic bottles and cans as these are return using separate chutes on the machine. If you’re using an automated depot or an over-the-counter return point, there’s no need to sort. </li> <li>Check if your containers are eligible: Use the Return and Earn app to check if your containers are eligible for a refund. And make sure they’re uncrushed, with the barcode visible and keep the lid on.</li> <li>Plan your trip: make sure to check opening times of your nearest return point via the Return and Earn app or website. You can even optimise your trip by checking the busiest and quietest times to visit.</li> </ul> With these tips under your belt, you can make the most of your Return and Earn experience and reap the benefits for your wallet and for the environment. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OYDROMQIDbU" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> For more information, visit <a href="https://returnandearn.org.au/?utm_source=over-60&utm_medium=article&utm_content=native-article&utm_campaign=grey-partnership" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Return and Earn.</a> All images: supplied This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a href="https://returnandearn.org.au/?utm_source=over-60&utm_medium=article&utm_content=native-article&utm_campaign=grey-partnership" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Return and Earn</a>.

Retirement Income

Female artists earn less than men. Coming from a diverse cultural background incurs even more of a penalty – but there is good news, too

Artists all over the world, regardless of their gender, earn <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/handbook/handbook-of-the-economics-of-art-and-culture">considerably less</a> than professionals in occupations requiring similar levels of education and qualifications. But there’s an additional income penalty for artists who are female. In an analysis of gender differences in the incomes of professional artists in Australia that <a href="https://australiacouncil.gov.au/advocacy-and-research/the-gender-pay-gap-among-australian-artists/">we undertook in 2020</a>, we found the creative incomes of women were 30% less than those of men. This is true even after allowing for differences in such things as hours worked, education and training, time spent in childcare and so on. This income penalty on women artists was greater than the gender pay gap of 16% experienced in the overall Australian workforce at the time. <a href="https://theconversation.com/screen-australia-celebrates-its-work-in-gender-equality-but-things-are-far-from-equal-122266">Some sectors</a> of the arts have tried to redress this problem. However, women continue to suffer serious and unexplained gender-based discrimination in the artistic workplace. Cultural differences are <a href="https://www.nber.org/papers/w27725">also known</a> to influence pay gaps in many countries. In new research <a href="https://australiacouncil.gov.au/advocacy-and-research/culture-and-the-gender-pay-gap-for-australian-artists">out today</a>, we considered whether cultural factors might also affect the gender pay gap of artists in Australia. In addition, we analysed the gender pay gap for remote Indigenous artists for the first time. <h2>A larger gap for women from a non-English speaking background</h2> In our <a href="https://australiacouncil.gov.au/advocacy-and-research/making-art-work/">2016 survey of 826 professional artists</a> working in metropolitan, regional and rural Australia, we asked participants if they came from a non-English speaking background. Only a relatively small proportion of artists – 10% – came from a non-English-speaking background, compared to 18% for the Australian labour force as a whole. A non-English-speaking background appears to carry an income penalty only for women artists, not for men. We found the annual creative earnings of female artists from a non-English-speaking background are about 71% of the creative incomes of female artists whose first language is English. But there is little difference between the corresponding incomes of male artists. Within the group of artists from language backgrounds other than English, the annual creative earnings of female artists are about half (53%) those of their male counterparts. By contrast, the ratio of female to male creative earnings among English-speaking background artists is 73%. These results suggest that women artists from a non-English-speaking background suffer a triple earnings penalty – from being an artist (and hence as a group earning less than comparable professionals), from their gender, and from their cultural background. Despite this earnings disadvantage, 63% of artists who identified as having a first language other than English thought their background had a positive impact on their artistic practice. Only 16% thought it had a negative impact. When artists were asked whether being from a non-English speaking background was a restricting factor in their professional artistic development, 17% of women answered “yes”, compared to only 5% of men from a similar background. Nevertheless, like their male colleagues, these women artists continue to celebrate their cultural background in their art. They contribute to the increasingly multicultural content of the arts in Australia, holding up a mirror to trends in Australian society at large. <h2>No gender gap in remote Indigenous communities</h2> For First Nations artists working in remote communities, a different picture emerges. For this research, we used results for remote communities in three regions of northern Australia drawn from our <a href="https://apo.org.au/node/257301">National Survey of Remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artists</a>. The gender gap is not replicated among remotely practising First Nations artists. There are some minor variations in this finding for subgroups in different regions, depending in part on differences in the mix of visual and performing artists in the population. But whatever other differentials may exist between female and male earnings, they do not appear to be attributable to the sorts of systemic gender-based discrimination that affects the residual gender gap for other Australian artists. A possible reason relates to fundamental differences between the cultural norms, values and inherited traditions that apply in remote and very remote First Nations communities. Gender roles in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have been <a href="https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1525/can.1992.7.2.02a00020">described</a> by researchers as distinctively different, rather than superior or inferior. The importance of both women and men as bearers of culture has been clearly articulated. The unique cultural content of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music, dance, visual art and literature is an essential feature of the work of these artists. These characteristics pass through to the marketplace, and there does not appear to be any obvious gender gap in the way the art from these remote communities is received. There is always differentiation between the art produced in different remote regions of Australia which varies depending on the complexities of different inherited cultural traditions. But there is no indication of any gender-based discrimination associated with these regional differences. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/female-artists-earn-less-than-men-coming-from-a-diverse-cultural-background-incurs-even-more-of-a-penalty-but-there-is-good-news-too-195646" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Art

Two thirds of Australian authors are women – new research finds they earn just $18,200 a year from their writing

Most Australian book authors do not earn enough income from their creative practice to make ends meet. They rely on other jobs and other support, such as a partner’s income. In the 2020-21 financial year, the average personal income in Australia was approximately $A70,000. Only one-third of authors earned this amount from all their sources of income combined. The average total income for authors, including all sources of income, was $64,900. And the amount they earned from their books alone was far, far less. In 2022, <a href="https://researchers.mq.edu.au/en/projects/2022-national-survey-of-australian-book-authors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">we surveyed over 1,000 Australian book authors</a>. We found the average annual income authors derive from practising as an author is $18,200. That’s an increase from $15,100 seven years ago (adjusted for inflation). But it’s a modest increase from a low base: it represents growth of less than 3% per annum over seven years. Book writing is a profession dominated by women, who make up two thirds of all Australian authors. More than 80% of authors have attended university and almost half have completed a postgraduate degree – a high level of education that is not matched by high income. In our survey (which followed up on <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-read-the-australian-book-industry-in-a-time-of-change-49044" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an earlier 2015 study</a>), we asked Australian book authors about their income and how they allocate their time, the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on their career, their relationships with their readers and publishers, and more. We wanted to find out what has changed in the last seven years – and whether conditions are improving for Australian authors. <h2>Authors’ earnings and ‘portfolio careers’</h2> If you are planning a career as an author, what could you expect to earn? Education authors earned the highest average income from their practice as an author ($27,300), followed by children’s ($26,800) and genre fiction ($23,300) authors. Even though these figures are above the overall average for authors, they are not enough to live on, to support a family, or to pay rent or a mortgage. At the other end of the spectrum are poets, who earned an average of $5,700 from their creative practice. Literary authors earned $14,500, which is a decrease in real terms since 2015. To break this down, an author’s income from their creative practice includes advances from publishers, royalties on book sales, fees for live appearances, Public Lending Rights (PLR) and Education Lending Rights (ELR) paid by the government for the use of their work in libraries and educational institutions, prizes and fellowships, and rights sales for film, TV etc. Artists’ careers are often known as “portfolio careers” – which sounds more glamorous than the bracing reality of juggling multiple commitments. Some authors have another career as a journalist, medical specialist, academic, teacher or public figure that provides their main source of income. Several authors wrote about the uneven timing of income from their work. One literary author wrote: It’s difficult to capture the life and income of an author because for up to five years nothing might happen except writing, then for about 18 months there is a flurry of (a tiny amount) of cash and editing, and then a month or two of publicity. <h2>The difficulty of spending time to write</h2> We asked authors what prevents them from spending more time writing. Only 6% of authors reported no competing demands for their writing time. Domestic responsibilities affect almost two-thirds of trade authors (62%). One literary author wrote: <blockquote> I managed to devote regular time to writing alongside a full-time job pre-children but the addition of a baby (now toddler) to life has rendered those opportunities non-existent. I now meet my obligations to my publisher by taking annual and sometimes unpaid leave to work on my author duties. It has certainly slowed my career and I can no longer devote time to learning experiences, networking, or applications for prizes, grants and residencies. </blockquote> Insufficient income is a factor for over half of all authors. Some commented that their ability to spend time writing was enhanced by other sources of financial security. A creative non-fiction author commented: <blockquote> Having my first book published the year before I turned 60 meant I faced less financial issues due to owning my own home, superannuation and financial support from my partner. However, if I was less financially established it would be very difficult to live on what I make as an author. </blockquote> The financial insecurity inherent to the profession may contribute to the recognised lack of diversity of Australian authors: a <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/culture/books/fewer-than-1-in-10-aussie-books-published-by-people-of-colour-report-finds-20221013-p5bpj4.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent report</a> found only 7% of books published in 2018 were written by people of colour. As the UK Society of Authors <a href="https://www.societyofauthors.org/News/News/2019/May/Report-on-authors-earnings-diversity-implications" target="_blank" rel="noopener">noted</a> a few years ago, “people from less privileged backgrounds who want to write are less likely to have additional sources of household income”. In the 2022 survey, we heard from established, prize-winning authors – including some who’d had a bestselling book earlier in their career – who were contemplating no longer writing books, due to dwindling opportunities for mid-list writers. We all stand to lose if established authors leave the profession. <h2>Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic</h2> Like many Australians, the majority of authors experienced disruption and hardship due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Approximately one-third of authors reported large or modest increases in levels of financial stress. Authors promote their books through live appearances in bookstores, schools, libraries, writers’ festivals and other events. Over half of authors experienced a reduction in promotional opportunities for their next book. One creative non-fiction author wrote: <blockquote> My book [was] released into closed bookstores and I still find myself questioning if there is anything I can do to improve sales, eight months on. It was, and is, devastating. </blockquote> The lockdowns meant that over one third of authors experienced a large decrease in income from paid appearances. We found it difficult to identify a single factor that meant authors were negatively affected by the pandemic. A range of factors could be influential: whether an author lived in a state which experienced lengthy lockdowns, whether they had a book released (and if so, if they had an established large readership base or not), whether they had carer responsibilities (which could include elderly relatives as well as children), and whether they were experiencing financial stress. <h2>Small, good news – and what’s next?</h2> One piece of good news is that authors are 10% more likely to be satisfied with their main publisher than they were seven years ago. Nearly one-third (31.6%) of authors are very satisfied with their main publisher – an increase from just 19.6% in 2015. Authors, large and small publishers, booksellers and libraries are working on joint initiatives to promote Australia’s reading culture in 2023. The industry awaits the federal government’s national cultural policy with anticipation. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/two-thirds-of-australian-authors-are-women-new-research-finds-they-earn-just-18-200-a-year-from-their-writing-195426" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Shutterstock

Books

Stranded opera singer busks to earn cash after cancelled flights

After her flight home was cancelled, one Jestar passenger said she was forced to busk for money until she could get home. Edit Pali had travelled to a remote resort in Phuket with her husband Tibor to celebrate her 50th birthday when a cancelled flight saw their stay extend for another five days. Having spent a large portion of their savings on their trip, the couple were faced with the problem of paying for their additional days in the resort. Ms Pali told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/stranded-aussie-jetstar-passengers-speak-out/04c064ba-f60c-43dd-8ba8-640595f8ddc9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Current Affair</a> that the airline had offered them $30 for meals and $150 for accommodation each day in compensation - but the money failed to arrive. “I’m a tough chook but I cried, I really cried,” she said. Taking advantage of her skills as an opera singer, Ms Pali decided to sing for her supper at breakfast, lunch and dinner while they waited for the funds to come through. "We're just average people, we don't make a lot of money, so for us to go away to Thailand for a week to a luxury resort, that was a big enough chunk into our savings,” she added. A Jetstar spokesperson said they were aware of Ms Pali’s situation and were doing “everything we can”. But Ms Pali isn’t the only person affected by a cancelled flight, as six out of 11 of Jetstar’s 787 planes were grounded earlier this month. At least 4,000 passengers travelling on popular winter routes, including to Bali, Thailand, and Japan, have been affected by delays and cancellations, with the airline blaming lightning, bird strikes and parts shortages. "Our teams work around the clock to get passengers on their way as soon as possible and we provide a range of support, including help to cover accommodation and meals costs as well as other reasonable expenses," the airline said. In a statement, Jetstar said Ms Pali and her husband were due to have their expense claim paid by September 27. Image: A Current Affair

Travel Trouble

How Meghan Markle earned her new nickname

Meghan Markle has been given a new nickname thanks to her behaviour in California. The Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry have been living in the American state after leaving the British Monarch. And Meghan seems to be making an impression on the locals that she has been dubbed “Princess of Montecito” because of her bizarre requests. “If she’s going into Beverly Hills or West Hollywood for lunch or dinner, she’ll generally call ahead and request a table that is completely secluded,” a source told the UK’s Closer magazine. The source alleges that Meghan’s favourite restaurants aren’t well known but when she goes to high-end places, she ensures the place is perfect for her arrival. “But, generally speaking, these days she likes higher-end hangouts like Cecconi’s, Sunset Tower, Sugarfish or Lucky’s steakhouse in Montecito, which was recommended by Oprah,” the magazine reported. “It’s become their favourite, and they’re waited on hand and foot.” Montecito is best known to host some of the most popular celebrities including Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres and Serena Williams. The source said that Meghan spend quite a bit of time with Oprah where they talk about her future, issues in the UK, and Harry. It comes as Harry and Meghan were seen leaving Oprah’s house in June with rumours swirling that another tell-all interview is on the way. Harry appears to be content with his life in California as he wakes up to feed the kids and drive his wife to meetings before coming back, the source alleges. But questions are swirling on how much longer he would be comfortable with the lifestyle. “With all this speculation around her political career ambitions, everyone thinks Harry would be happy at the idea of being first gentleman if she accomplishes her long-term goal,” the source continued. “Having said that, he might be fine with it right now — but you have to wonder for how much longer.” Image: Getty

Beauty & Style

Brooke Shields earns TWICE what she spent on LA home

Actress and model Brooke Shields has reportedly <a href="https://www.redfin.com/CA/Pacific-Palisades/1710-N-San-Remo-Dr-90272/home/6849498">sold</a> her LA home for $10.2 million - making a hefty $5.7 million profit in the process. According to <a href="https://www.dirt.com/gallery/entertainers/actors/brooke-shields-house-los-angeles-1203456072/brookeshields_pps15/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dirt</a>, Shields bought the five-bedroom, five-bathroom 1980s home for about $4.5 million in 1997, meaning she has collected double its original value. The opulent residence, located in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, features an airy living area with a functional fireplace and exposed beams, as well as a large balcony area with sweeping views of the canyon, and a marble-topped professional kitchen. On the second floor, the master suite boasts two fireplaces, a study nook, a free-standing tub, a sauna, and its own private balcony. Outside, the home’s second deck on the first floor is home to a lagoon-style pool and spa, accompanied by a lush lounge area. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CaVXUThuZb7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CaVXUThuZb7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Brooke Shields (@brookeshields)</a> </div> </blockquote> Shields took to Instagram last week to announce she was moving on from her LA home, sharing a series of throwback photos from when she made jam with LA Times columnist Ben Mims. “My iPhone just reminded me of these pics from jamming mandarins with my new friend @benbmims in my backyard, as I said goodbye to my LA home 💛 #movingon,” she wrote. Although the Blue Lagoon star has owned the property for 25 years, she has spent most of her time on America’s east coast in the 1840s Manhattan townhouse she owns with her husband Chris Henchy. Images: @brookeshields (Instagram), Redfin

Real Estate

Reddit user reveals what his father-in-law did to earn a lifetime ban from Bunnings

An Australian Reddit user has shared details of his father-in-law’s lifetime ban from Bunnings Warehouse, and commenters were quick to let him know just what they thought of the man’s actions. According to the son-in-law, his father-in-law “lost his temper at customer service”, and told them “he was coming down to the store to pick up his bed (which had been having delays and had a been a f*** around). “Guy took it as a threat. Dad’s not exactly the calmest person, so they probably are in the right. But he didn’t mean it that way, and he’s legitimately sorry.” The man shared the story in an effort to solicit advice for how he could go about getting the ban reduced. <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/karens-and-darens-bunnings-shopper-slammed-on-reddit-after-details-of-his-lifetime-ban-are-revealed-c-4171519" target="_blank">Speaking to 7 News</a>, Bunnings General Manager Operations Ryan Baker said that the store has a “zero tolerance approach to team abuse” and “won’t hesitate” from banning offenders from stores. Commenters were quick to praise Bunnings for doing the right thing in defending their employees from abusive customers. Many agreed that retail staff didn’t deserve abuse, while others said there should be more consequences like this in order to teach people to be respectful. One response read, “Good. F*** him, he’s a s******t for treating someone like that when it’s not their fault.” Another pointed out that Bunnings doesn’t issue lifetime bans easily, so it “must have been quite the tantrum”. One person mentioned Bunnings Karen, the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-28/bunnings-karen-condemned-online-for-refusing-to-wear-mask/12928476" target="_blank">woman who went viral</a> after refusing to wear a mask per store policy, saying, “Geez, I don’t even think Bunnings Karen got a lifetime ban. Your father-in-law needs to learn some manners. Feel sorry for retail staff and the s*** they have to put up with.” Another commenter went on to dub difficult male customers ‘Darens’, saying that “Karens and Darens” have “mastered the system”, having figured out that “yelling and making a scene gets them what they want”. One user put it simply: “Mate, if you’re bad enough to get a lifetime ban from f*****g Bunnings, there’s something wrong.” Image: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Home & Garden

How much does the “average” Aussie earn?

New data from the Australian Tax Office has revealed the average Australian takes home just over $60,000 a year. Data from the 2018-2019 financial year shows the average salary was $63,085 for Australians who submitted tax returns, an increase of $1634 from the year before. The median reported salary - which paints a more accurate picture of “average” Aussies without being pulled upward by millionaires - for 2018-2019 wass $52,732. The data also showed vast differences between the earning power of men versus women. In 2018-19, the median taxable income for Australian men was $55,829 and $40,547 for women. Australians also paid a median net tax of more than $11,000 for the same financial year. When analysed by location, NSW was found to be home to the majority of Australia’s high-income earners. The country’s wealthiest suburb was Double Bay in Sydney, with an average taxable income of $202,598. Close behind was the suburb of Toorak in Melbourne, with individuals earning an average income of $201,926. NSW and Victoria made up the majority of the top 10 wealthy suburbs. Cottesloe in Western Australia was the only exception, coming in sixth with an average income of $179,376. The top-paying professions on average were found to be surgeons ($394,303), with anaesthetists ($386,065), internal medicine specialists ($304,752), financial dealers ($275,984), engineers ($184,507) and chief executive officers ($164,896) in the top ten.

Retirement Income

68% of millennials earn more than their parents, but boomers had it better

A lot of us are pessimistic about our children’s future. According to the most recent data from the Pew Global Attitudes Survey (in 2019), just 29% of Australians believe today’s children will be <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/global/question-search/?qid=1625&cntIDs=&stdIDs=">better off financially</a> than their parents. Such pessimism is common in many developed nations. In Japan, just 13% believe children will be better off, in France 16%, in Britain 22%. Australians are still marginally less optimistic than Canadians (30%) and Americans (31%), and significantly less optimistic than Swedes (40%) and Germans (48%). <a href="https://www.lifecoursecentre.org.au/research/journal-articles/working-paper-series/are-we-richer-than-our-parents-were-absolute-income-mobility-in-australia/">Our research shows</a> things aren’t as bad as many fear, with 68% of millennials (those born between 1981 and 1987 for our research) earning more income than their parents did at the same age. This is close to the highest percentage <a href="https://www.iza.org/publications/dp/13456/trends-in-absolute-income-mobility-in-north-america-and-europe">among countries</a> for which estimates are available. The experience of gen-Xers (born from the early 1960s to late 1970s) has been similar. But it’s not all good news. That percentage is lower than the upward mobility enjoyed by baby boomers (born from 1946 to the early 1960s). For those born around 1950, 84% earned more at age 30-34 than their own parents did at the same age. There are two prime reasons for this decline in absolute mobility since the 1980s. Lower economic growth leading to average incomes growing more slowly; and growing income inequality. How we did our research The share of people whose income is higher than their parents at the same age is known as “absolute income mobility”. It is an appealing indicator of economic progress because it captures aspirations for our children. It reflects economic growth, inequality and opportunity. Estimating absolute mobility, though, is quite hard. The data we need to measure it directly – information about what people earned at a particular age compared to their own parents – does not exist for Australia. To do this exercise, therefore, we’ve applied <a href="https://science.sciencemag.org/content/356/6336/398">new statistical methods</a> that have been developed in recent years to estimate absolute mobility without linked parent-child data. These methods, using separate generational data on income distribution, have been verified in research published <a href="https://4a2bc32e-a967-44a4-9e23-f2b3b9cf578e.usrfiles.com/ugd/4a2bc3_10d644c7d36c42eba03136cca93e56fc.pdf">in 2018</a> and <a href="https://www.iza.org/publications/dp/13456/trends-in-absolute-income-mobility-in-north-america-and-europe">in 2020</a>. Our own approach closely follows leading international studies. We used sources of data including the Melbourne Institute’s Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, data from Australian Bureau of Statistics surveys and income tax records. What our research shows The main results are below. Of people born in 1950, 84% had higher household incomes than their parents. This fell to about 68% for those born since the early 1960s. It has stayed roughly constant for gen-Xers and millennials. <hr /> <iframe id="CxoOP" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/CxoOP/3/" height="400px" width="100%" style="border: none;" frameborder="0"></iframe> <hr /> The main driver of this change is slower economic growth. Boomers’ incomes were much higher than their parents particularly due to decades of uninterrupted economic growth from World War II to the mid-1970s. <hr /> <iframe id="qjHQt" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/qjHQt/1/" height="400px" width="100%" style="border: none;" frameborder="0"></iframe> <hr /> The other driver has been rising income inequality over the past 40 years, after falling in earlier decades, as the next chart shows. The relationship between inequality and mobility is complicated, because high inequality for either generation lowers the rate of mobility. <hr /> <iframe id="8bQEW" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/8bQEW/1/" height="400px" width="100%" style="border: none;" frameborder="0"></iframe> <hr /> Absolute mobility would be higher if income was adjusted for family size – 78% for millennials, because the younger generation have smaller families than their parents did at the same age. Complicating factors Our results are for income earned in a single year (at about age 32). We have also found similar results when looking at income at around age 37. Ideally, we’d like to calculate absolute mobility of lifetime income. But methods to do this have not yet been developed. So we don’t know what mobility in lifetime income is. The same could be said for indicators of income inequality, which mostly use single-year income measures as well. You also might be wondering about how the cost of housing fits in – an important issue given the escalating cost of a home compared to the median wage. In all the results shown, income is adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index. Housing is a big part of the index though costs such as the price of land and mortgage interest payments are <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/6467.0Feature+Article1Mar+2017">not included</a>. The ABS does factor mortgage debts into its “Selected Living Cost Indices”, but these only go back to 1998, so couldn’t be used in these calculations. However, the changes in the CPI and the SLCI over the past 20 years are similar, which gives us some assurance our estimates account for the cost of housing. Further work could explore this in more detail. Valid concerns Australia has achieved high levels of absolute income mobility for all generations since at least the 1950s. This is still the case. But the pessimism about our children’s financial future is rooted in some valid concerns. Wage growth has been <a href="https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/bulletin/2017/mar/2.html">slow for years</a>. Income inequality has been <a href="https://wid.world/country/australia/">increasing for decades</a>. So has the gap <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/generation-gap/">between young and old</a>. So there are clear threats for the prosperity of today’s children – even without factoring in concerns such as climate change.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/161647/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/peter-siminski-250958">Peter Siminski</a>, Professor of Economics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/68-of-millennials-earn-more-than-their-parents-but-boomers-had-it-better-161647" target="_blank">original article</a>.

Retirement Income

Fake school headmaster ordered to pay back career earnings

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> Neil Lennie, disgraced former Melbourne school principal, has been ordered to pay back the half a million in wages he earned after he was exposed as a fraud. He claimed he had various degrees and used his father's legitimate teaching registration over a 24-year career between 1976 and 2000. He worked across Victoria's Mount Scopus Memorial College, Haileybury College and Overnewton Anglican Community College. Lennie admitted in Victoria's County Court to four counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception to the tune of $843,567. He was also sentenced to three months in jail which was wholly suspended as well as being given a 12-month community corrections order. He has since been ordered to pay back $500,000 in earnings as the judge found that his lies caused no loss or harm. References also described him as an "excellent educator", with leading infectious diseases expert Professor Sharon Lewin AO describing him as the best teacher she'd ever had. “I often credit Mr Lennie with my enduring love of science, pursuit of academic excellence and self-belief in my own capabilities in science,” she wrote in a letter to the court. “I remember him very clearly telling me that I was capable of doing anything in life and to shoot for the stars. “As a young woman in the 1970s, I now understand that this kind of encouragement for women in science was most unusual.” Photo credits: <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/news/court-justice/school-headmaster-neil-lennie-in-melbourne-ordered-to-pay-back-wages-after-faking-his-way-through-career-c-2934137" target="_blank">7NEWS</a> </div> </div> </div>

Legal

Dawn Fraser’s home could earn her more than when she was an Olympian

Aussie swimming legend Dawn Fraser could earn more on the sale of her Sunshine Coast investment property than she did throughout the entirety of her athletic career. The 83-year-old has listed her darling Noosa Heads home more than two decades after she bought it for $345,000. Fraser is regarded as one of Australia’s greatest swimmers and strongest Olympian and is hoping to fetch $1 million for her four-bedroom, three-bathroom investment property. The charming home sits on a 599 sqm block and overlooks the pool and a park across the street. Sam Plummer of Noosa Estate Agents sold the property to Fraser back in 2001 and now has the property under her arm again. The agent says the Noosa market was “unprecedented.” “It’s a market nobody, I believe, has seen before here,” she said. “I’ve never seen this in my time, in 20 years.” She is currently renting out the property for $600 a week, but the lease is due to expire in October. Ms Plummer said no improvements had been made on the property since Fraser first bought it, but still it has gained attractive offers. “It’s a great time to sell and to capitalise on this current market,” Ms Plummer said. “It’s attracting a fair bit of attention. We’re looking at offers in excess of $1 million. “We’re selling it as a home to either renovate and live in yourself, or you may want to knock it down and build your dream home.”

Real Estate

Millions earned in coronavirus fines

Across Australia, each state and territory has enforced their own public health orders to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, by handing out fines and penalties to encourage Aussies to comply. While Australia's two biggest states have not disclosed the total amount of revenue they have received from these fines, the ABC reports that an estimate of $5.2 million has been raked in since pandemic laws came into effect in March this year. States like Tasmania are keeping the financial penalty relatively low at $756, however in Victoria, which is facing the nation's worst outbreak, a fine could cost up to $1,652. Queensland In Queensland, the maximum fine for breaching the state’s public health order is $4,003. QLD police have issued 2,168 infringement notices worth $2,998,872 from March 27 to July 27. Due to Queensland's Public Health Act, state and local government officers can hand out infringement notices. A Queensland Government spokesperson says funds from fines go towards the state's consolidated revenue. "Tough penalties apply to those who do the wrong thing by deliberately breaching the rules and putting the lives of others at risk," the spokesperson told the ABC. "Queenslanders have done a great job in uniting against COVID-19 … by complying with health rules, we can keep ourselves, our families and all Queenslanders safe." Western Australia In WA, people infringing the rules will cop a $1,000 fine. A WA Government spokesperson said the total fines issued had not exceeded $140,000. "In the rare cases where police have issued infringements, the breaches have been pretty obvious and careless of other people's health, safety and lives," the spokesperson said. "The McGowan Government has spent hundreds of millions of dollars responding to the pandemic and is investing billions of dollars on projects to drive economic and social recovery across the state." South Australia South Australia's first infringement was handed out on March 29, and a total of 448 notices totalling $503,750 have now been issued. A spokesperson has said any revenue received from fines was placed into "consolidated accounts in accordance with section 17 of the Expiation of Offences Act 1996". A consolidated account is a set of accounts that combines a number of separate smaller accounts. Tasmania Tasmania Police has issued a total of nine infringements to individuals, at $756 each which totals $6,804. ACT In the ACT, police issued the territory's first fine for a breach of coronavirus restrictions from July 17. Any revenue collected from infringements and fines in the ACT is "redirected into support for our local business community and health system to support Canberra through the COVID-19 pandemic", a spokesperson said. Northern Territory Northern Territory police has so far issued 146 infringements for coronavirus-related breaches at $1,106 each which totals out to $161,476. Authorities in NT had conducted more than 30,000 compliance checks as of July 30. Victoria Victoria Police have the power to issue on-the-spot fines of up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses which don't follow the directives of the Chief Health Officer. Fines of $200 are also issued to individuals who refuse to wear a mask. A spokesperson has said that all the revenue from infringements is being used to pay for the state’s key services and infrastructure. All revenue from infringements was used to pay for the state's key services and infrastructure. Victoria does not and will not release the money made from penalties, fines, and infringements, and instead will be aggregated and published into the Victorian budget later this year. New South Wales It is not clear as to where the money made from penalties is going, or how much exactly the state has raked in.

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Most couples are less satisfied when the woman earns more

Women are now the main earners in about <a href="http://www.ncsehe.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Families-Incomes-and-Jobs-Vol-9.pdf#page=66">one in four</a> Australian households. This increase in female “breadwinner” households challenges traditional expectations of men and women and their roles in family life. Our <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jomf.12653">research</a> shows those expectations remain strong, with both men’s and women’s satisfaction with their relationship dropping when the woman becomes the primary breadwinner, earning 60% or more of household income. Examining relationship satisfaction We examined what happened when couples experienced change in their household breadwinning arrangements using data from the <a href="https://melbourneinstitute.unimelb.edu.au/hilda">Households Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia</a> (HILDA) Survey. Our study used detailed information collected from about 12,000 Australians over a maximum of 17 years. Our analysis took into account the level of economic prosperity of the household as well as health, number of children, marital status, the division of household labour and gender role attitudes. We did this to ensure any changes we found in relationship satisfaction by breadwinner status were irrespective of other characteristics. For example, it would be unsurprising for both partners to feel dissatisfaction if the reason for a woman being the main income provider was her partner’s unemployment. Even when both partners were employed, our findings show both men and women were less satisfied when she earned more. Conditions make a difference It is true, though, that a woman earning more because her partner is unable to work due to unemployment or illness has different implications for relationship satisfaction than her having a better-paying job. Women on average were least satisfied with the relationship when she became the primary breadwinner due to her partner being unable to work due to illness or disability. The reverse is not the case; the woman being unable to work does not, on average, affect the man’s relationship satisfaction. <hr /> <iframe id="jCLwV" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/jCLwV/7/" height="400px" width="100%" style="border: none;" frameborder="0"></iframe> <hr /> Both men and women were generally more satisfied with their relationship when the woman became the homemaker. This is similar to international research that finds women who are homemakers <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/41682634">are slightly happier</a> than full-time working women. This change in satisfaction may be explained by most women becoming homemakers after having a child. Many new mothers want to stay home with their infant. It also helps working families manage the time pressures of having young children. It is usually short-term. About three-quarters of women return to work by <a href="https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/families-and-children/programmes-services/paid-parental-leave-scheme/paid-parental-leave-evaluation-phase-4-report">their child’s first birthday</a>. Employed women were most satisfied with the relationship when they became “equal” earners – contributing between 40% and 60% of household income. Men were most satisfied as the main or equal earner. Gender Equality - still a long way to go? Our research suggests gendered expectations about who earns income persist despite the changing reality of the labour market. Women are increasingly <a href="https://www.employment.gov.au/newsroom/statistical-snapshot-women-australian-workforce">obtaining university qualifications</a> and entering occupations that are in demand and on the rise. Meanwhile some traditionally well-paid <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Game_Changers_Web.pdf">male-dominated industries</a> are subject to uncertain boom-and-bust cycles (such as mining) or long-term decline (such as manufacturing). Yet men’s identity – the way they see themselves and are perceived by others – is more tied to employment and being the breadwinner than women’s. Women often expect their male partner to contribute at least equally to the household finances, <a href="https://newprairiepress.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1147&context=jft">or to be the primary earner</a>. Another factor that might partly explain the greater dissatisfaction when she is the main earner is how couples <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0192513X14522246">share household labour</a>. Research shows Australian women do, on average, about 70% of <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1440783315579527">unpaid domestic labour</a> in couple households. Previous Australian research, also using HILDA, shows women who earn 75% or more of household income spend 40 minutes <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13545701.2012.744138">longer doing domestic labour</a> than women who were more equal earners. If a woman continues to do more housework as the main or sole earner, this may well decrease her relationship satisfaction. That both women and men are generally less satisfied in relationships when she earns more shows the issue is complicated. Personal expectations and values sit in tension with both changing economic reality and social ambitions for gender equality.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/131659/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/belinda-hewitt-311407">Belinda Hewitt</a>, Professor of Sociology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-melbourne-722">University of Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/niels-blom-964159">Niels Blom</a>, Research fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southampton-1093">University of Southampton</a> This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/most-couples-are-less-satisfied-when-the-woman-earns-more-131659">original article</a>.

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New study shows men feel stressed if female partners earn more than 40 percent of household income

The best marriages are probably based on teamwork. But it seems individual contributions do matter – specifically, who earns how much of the household income. <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0146167219883611">My research</a> shows that in, heterosexual couples, men are happier when both partners contribute financially – but much prefer to be the main breadwinners. With stress levels high when they are sole breadwinners, men appear to be more relaxed when their wives or partners earn anything up to 40% of the household income. But their distress levels increase sharply as their spouse’s wages rise beyond that point. And they find it most stressful when they are entirely economically dependent on their partners. The findings are based on an <a href="https://psidonline.isr.umich.edu/">analysis</a> of over 6,000 married or cohabiting heterosexual couples over a period of 15 years. Levels of distress are calculated based on feeling sad, nervous, restless, hopeless, worthless, or that day to day life is an effort. Men who are the only earners are relatively unhappy but they were not as stressed as men whose partners are the principal earners. Neither of the extreme scenarios is good for male mental health. The exception is men who knowingly partner with a high-earning woman. These men do not appear to suffer from higher psychological distress when their partners earn more. People do not pick their partners at random, so if the woman was the higher earner before marriage, then the potential income gap was already clear to the man – perhaps even a reason to partner with them. Balance of power There are a variety of reasons which may explain why husbands who are “outearned” by their partners may suffer from psychological distress. When one person in a couple earns a much greater proportion of the joint income, it may create a relationship imbalance. For example, if the relationship deteriorates significantly, the possibility of divorce or separation can make the lower earner feel more vulnerable, financially speaking. These effects are larger among cohabiting couples, possibly due to the <a href="https://ifstudies.org/blog/less-stable-less-important-cohabiting-families-comparative-disadvantage-across-the-globe">higher probability of break up</a>. Even if breaking up is not on the cards, money that comes into the household predominantly through one partner also affects the balance of power. This is important if partners have a different view on what is best for their family, how much to save, what to spend their money on, and various plans and big decisions. Traditional gender identity norms Another theory involves the historic effect of social, psychological and cultural norms when it comes to gender roles. The social construct of a male breadwinner has been highly durable in the past. For generations, in many cultures, there has been an expectation that men will be the primary income provider in the family, and masculinity is highly linked to <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1389781?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents">fulfilling this expectation</a>. Faced with a change in this outcome by being outearned by their partners, means men are likely to experience high levels of psychological distress. But the reality is that things are changing. In places like the US, the percentage of wives outearning their husbands <a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/article/630326/pdf">is growing</a>. In 1980, only 13% of married women earned about as much or more than their husbands. In 2000, that figure almost doubled to 25%, and in 2017 it was 31%. This trend is likely to continue into the future and similar patterns <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1136176">have been observed</a> in other countries. The stress of being a sole bread winner On average, men in my study said they experienced the lowest levels of psychological distress when their partners earned no more than 40 percent of household income. But for men, being the sole breadwinner may also come at a psychological price. For even if social gender norms support this situation, being the only income earner in a household comes with a lot of responsibility and pressure and so may result in significant anxiety and distress. <img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/302676/original/file-20191120-524-40h5dt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /> How perceived stress levels vary. Joanna Syrda, Author provided And while the emerging profile of a female breadwinner and its possible consequences has been <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225702056_The_Female_Breadwinner_Phenomenological_Experience_and_Gendered_Identity_in_WorkFamily_Spaces">widely researched</a>, very little attention has been devoted to the psychological hurdles faced by male primary breadwinners. This lack of research is perhaps symptomatic of the strength of the male bread-winning tradition. Health and wellbeing research is typically devoted to new phenomena, rather than widely accepted norms in society. <a href="https://academic.oup.com/qje/article/130/2/571/2330321">Gender identity norms</a> clearly still induce a widely held aversion to a situation where the wife earns more than her husband. And as the number of women outearning their male partners grows, the traditional social norm of the male breadwinner may begin to adjust.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/126620/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joanna-syrda-386410">Joanna Syrda</a>, Lecturer in Business Economics, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-bath-1325">University of Bath</a> This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/men-feel-stressed-if-their-female-partners-earn-more-than-40-of-household-income-new-research-126620">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

What the royals would earn if they had real-life jobs

As members of the royal family, the Dukes and Duchesses might be <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/international-travel/the-world-s-richest-royal-in-2019-revealed/">worth millions of dollars</a> – but how much would they earn as a commoner? Training and qualifications provider <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.theknowledgeacademy.com/" target="_blank">The Knowledge Academy</a> has analysed the royals’ skills and qualifications to discover the job and the salary they would have if they were part of today’s job market. Duchess Meghan came out as the top earner with an expected annual salary of £350,000 (around AU$655,000) thanks to her acting experience, while Prince Harry and Prince William could earn between £21,000 and £55,000 ($39,000 and $103,000) as a charity worker or a major in the army. Duchess Kate – the first royal bride with a university degree – could earn up to £23,000 ($43,000) in a corporate administrative or marketing role, considering her experience working for high-end retailer Jigsaw and her parents’ party supplies company Party Pieces. Sophie, Countess of Wessex would earn £40,000 ($74,800) with her secretarial training and PR experience. Her husband Prince Edward, who had worked in production for theatre and television, could earn up to £28,000 ($52,400) as an experienced production assistant. Princess Anne and Duchess Camilla, who had limited work experience, were expected to have a salary of £19,000 ($35,500) and £17,500 ($32,800) as a charity worker and a secretary respectively.

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Millions earned in coronavirus fines

Most couples are less satisfied when the woman earns more

New study shows men feel stressed if female partners earn more than 40 percent of household income

What the royals would earn if they had real-life jobs

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