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Brisbane radio host becomes grandfather at just 37

Brisbane's B105 radio host Matty Acton revealed on Wednesday that he became a grandpa for the first time at just 37 years old. The radio host took to Instagram to share a few adorable snaps with his granddaughter, leaving many of his followers confused. "Welcome to the family Illyria Fay Acton 👶🏻 We love and adore you," he wrote on Instagram. It didn't take long for his followers to voice their confusion with one writing, "Congratulations to all! But how the hell are you a Grandpa? I thought you were 30-something!" "Hang on… Grandpa? The math ain’t mathing," another said. "Everyone madly googling Marty’s age lol 😂," another quipped before congratulating the radio host. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAmyFNOvHD4/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAmyFNOvHD4/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Matty Acton (@mattyacton)</a> </div> </blockquote> It turns out the reason why Matty is a grandpa at a relatively young age is pretty simple. Matty met his wife Esther when he was 18 through his flatmate while he was living in Toowoomba. Esther, who is three years older than Matty, already had three-year-old Ethan when the couple met, and since then Matty has raised Ethan as his own, with the couple also sharing another son Xander, 10, and daughter Eden, seven. Ethan and his wife Madison welcomed their first child on Monday, and Matty announced the happy news to his listeners on Tuesday. The radio host recalled how meeting his granddaughter for the first time reminded him of when his youngest was born, saying "It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life." "The last time we were here we were leaving with Eden. If everyone can now call me granddaddy it would be greatly appreciated." Images: Instagram

Family & Pets

"Just so tragic": Grandfather of slain boys speaks out

Warning: This article contains distressing content that readers may find upsetting. The grandfather of the two young boys who were <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/mother-arrested-after-two-boys-found-dead-in-blue-mountains-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found dead</a> in their home in the Blue Mountains has spoken out about his profound loss, while also sharing an update on his daughter's mental state while she remains in prison. Geoff Densmore is preparing to bury his grandsons Ben, 9 and Russell, 11, who were found dead in their mother’s Faulconbridge home on September 10th. Mr Densmore is also trying to support his daughter, Trish Smith, who has been charged over the alleged murder of her two children, as she remains under police guard. Ms Smith was rushed to hospital with self-inflicted injuries after the bodies of the two young brothers were discovered in their beds by their father, with both boys suffering fatal stab wounds. Mr Densmore told <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/trish-smith-living-a-bad-nightmare-after-allegedly-killing-her-sons-at-their-blue-mountains-home/news-story/b8a91443d155a988155dd5e27410becb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The </a><a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/trish-smith-living-a-bad-nightmare-after-allegedly-killing-her-sons-at-their-blue-mountains-home/news-story/b8a91443d155a988155dd5e27410becb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Telegraph</a> that he is preparing to bury his grandsons, while trying to cope with the devastating loss. “The kids, they were special kids, so special,” Mr Densmore said. “I have to put them under the ground. I’ve got so much to do. So many people are affected by this, the government has got to do something about this.” He went on to clarify that both he and his wife had no idea about their daughter's mental health struggles until it was too late. “We really don’t know what happened. We had no idea she was unwell. Many prayers and private masses have been said for her,” he said. “You can’t imagine what it’s like. Imagine if it happened to your family." “Linda, she’s not good, she’s very religious. She’s praying. I think I might crack one day but I’m trying not to. I’m trying to be strong for everyone. I still can’t understand that Ben … Russell. They’re gone.” Mr Densmore said he was not angry with Ms Smith, instead saying: “There is only one word for it: tragic. It’s just so tragic.” The grandfather has not spoken to his daughter following her charges, however, he did say Ms Smith was in “a bad way”. “We are all dealing with this, the whole community. We have to bury two children, we’ve never been in this situation before. We’re not sure what to do.” Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 SANE: 1800 187 263; saneforums.org Image credits: Supplied / NSW Police

Family & Pets

Quirky grandfather shocks Today hosts with unusual funeral plans

Michael 'Skip' Field has decided he doesn't want his family crying for him at an ordinary funeral when he dies. Instead, the quirky Queensland grandfather wants a celebration for his final send off and wants his family to remember him in a very unique way. Skip shared his funeral plans with Today hosts Sarah and Alex, who were perplexed by Skip's plans for his final send-off. "I've been to a lot of funerals over the years, I'm an old fart and I never enjoyed any of them," Skip said. "So come the time I turn toes up, they're going to cart me off to the crematorium for a big barbecue, where I'll be the guest of honour, then when the heat dies down, they're going to put me in a little shoe box and give my young son a ring," he said. "He'll come and pick me up and I'm an avid cowboy shooter, we load our own ammunition and one of the things that happens to cowboys when they pass on is they have a cowboy salute where you get a big, long line and everybody fires a shotgun, bang, bang, bang, bang, and have a salute." "Well, I'm going to get my ashes mixed into the shotgun shells and donate the shotgun shells to the range and they can shoot me off down the range." "Plus all the smoke that comes out at the end of the barrel is a bit blue, but being a Queenslander, I've got a bit of maroon chalk that's going to go in with the ashes, so when they come out at the end of the barrel it's going to be a maroon tinge on it," he said. Today hosts Sarah and Alex were gob-smacked by the idea of Skip donating his ash-filled bullets to the local firing range, but that's not all he has planned. "The other thing is a friend of mine's got a cannon and we're going to shoot part of the ashes out of the cannon at Pleasant Range near Dalby," he said. "Then the kids don't need a big, morbid ceremony, so they're going to have a party here at my house and I bought this thing called the 'loved one launcher' that is like a giant party popper, you put your ashes in and it'll shoot you 75 yards into the air with confetti and streamers and all that - Yeehaw! It's going to be great." Skip said the whole process cost less than getting a casket for the ground and it would be the last big thing he gets a say in. Image credits: Today

Retirement Life

Grandfather killed after being mistaken for kidnapper

An Indian grandfather has been tragically killed in a one-punch attack after being mistaken for a kidnapper. Mewa Singh, 60, was visiting his son and grandson in Christchurch when he suffered the fatal blow at the hands of a stranger. His 32-year-old attacker, whose name has been suppressed, was spending time at a park on April 7th 2023 with his son when he drove off and left his child behind to “teach his son a lesson” after the boy was misbehaving, according to <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350337161/totally-unfair-how-one-punch-changed-familys-life-forever" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-type="article-inline">Stuff</a>. When he returned a short time late to pick up his son, the man saw a stranger, later identified as Singh, holding his son’s hand near a bus stop and became enraged, shoving Singh and yelling “that’s my f****** son”. He drove the child back to his ex-partner’s house and explained the situation, when his son allegedly said, Singh was “trying to walk him to daddy’s car”. The man then decided to drive back to the park to find Singh, where he confronted the grandfather by grabbing his shirt collar and accusing him of trying to abduct his son. He then delivered a “haymaker-style punch” to his jaw, which caused Singh to fall backwards and hit his head on the pavement. Believing Singh to be dead, his attacker left and told his ex-partner he thought he killed him, prompting her to phone emergency services. Despite being treated in the ICU at Christchurch Hospital, Singh did not regain consciousness and died on April 9th. Singh’s attacker faced Christchurch High Court on Friday, when he pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and is scheduled to be sentenced in October. Speaking to <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350337161/totally-unfair-how-one-punch-changed-familys-life-forever" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stuff</a> about the attack 15 months on, Singh’s son Himanshu Keshwer said his family was still beyond devastated at the sudden loss. “He was a very good human being,” he said. Keshwer said what happened to his father was “totally unfair”. “Someone killed my dad and I couldn’t do anything, and still can’t do anything,” he told the outlet. “It makes me sad, it shouldn’t have happened.” A <a href="https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/helping-and-support-the-family" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-type="article-inline">fundraiser</a> was launched to support Singh’s family and transport his body back to India, raising $16,316, which exceeded the $15,000 goal. Image credits: givealittle.co.nz

Caring

Father and grandfather drown after rescuing toddler

The father and grandfather of a two-year-old have tragically died after jumping into a hotel pool to save the toddler from drowning. On Easter Sunday evening, Dharmvir Singh, 38, and his 65-year-old father Gurjinder Singh drowned in the pool at the Top of the Mark Holiday Apartments in Surfer's Paradise when Dharmvir’s two-year-old child fell into the pool. The family members, who had travelled from Victoria to Queensland for their holiday, jumped in to save the two-year-old, although none of the family could swim. While the mother and child were both able to return to safety, Dharmvir and Gurjinder both died in the rescue. Emergency services were called to the Queensland hotel where the men were found unconscious, as paramedics performed CPR and attempted to revive the men but were unsuccessful. The mother and toddler were taken to hospital, and did not need any further treatment. Mitchell Ware from Queensland Ambulance Service said it was an “extremely emotional scene”. “Obviously, anyone could understand that not just to lose one family member but to lose two family members,” he said, according to the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13258481/Top-Mark-Holiday-Apartments-Surfers-Paradise-drowning-Father-grandfather-killed-rescuing-toddler.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail.</a> "I will just reiterate to the community to exercise due care, especially if you're not a strong swimmer, and especially if there's young children around, that you are really careful because we know that children and even adults can drown in a matter of seconds." Image credits: ABC

Caring

"It was devastating": Grandfather loses $1 million in scam before his death

A "vulnerable" and "lonely" grandfather lost over $1 million in a complex scam in the months before he died, with his son now issuing a warning to others. Adrian Heartsch was described by his family as a "frugal" man, who had no experience with online banking before becoming involved in the scam. “Unless he knew exactly what he was paying for – he wouldn’t pay for it,” his son Simon Heartsch told A Current Affair. “I said to him if somebody can scam you, they can scam anybody.” He soon connected with someone online, who called themselves a woman named Vida and charmed him with sweet talk and pet names, and soon earned his trust. “He wasn’t alone, but he was lonely. He had no company, he didn’t even have his dog anymore to talk to,” his son told ACA. “So I guess he’s vulnerable in that way.” The woman convinced Mr Heartsch to send her several Apple gift cards, claiming he would be given over $20 million worth of gold bars or gold bullion in return. She also promised the grandfather that she would come to Australia and live “happily ever after” with him. Simon only discovered the truth about his father's finance and the long-running scam when Adrian landed in hospital. “We brought up these emails that were just gobsmacking,” he said. “The story grew from $300,000 to $600,000 to up and up and up … over a million dollars.” The ruse had been going on for three years, and saw Mr Heartsch buy up to $10,000 worth of Apple gift cards from several shops in a single day. Simon said his father was “mortified” after learning the truth and didn’t want to pursue a case with the police. The scam cost the 77-year-old almost everything, robbing him of his savings, truck and caravan, leaving him with only his home. Shortly after, Mr Heartsch fell “sicker and sicker” as his health deteriorated, and he passed away a month after his family learned of the scam. “It was like all this was the nail in the coffin, it was devastating for him, his whole life savings he’s lost,” said Simon. Adrian's family went searching for answers, and with the help of a cyber security expert, discovered that the scammer was operating out of Ghana in West Africa. Following his father’s death, Simon urged others to watch out for loved ones who may be vulnerable to “horrible” scammers. “They’re ruining peoples’ lives. They’re speeding up people’s deaths,” he said. “They’re preying on the vulnerable.” Image credits: A Current Affair

Legal

"I thought I was gone": Grandfather reunited with rescuers after pier fall

John Mirabelli, 88, has been reunited with the three men who saved his life after he accidentally fell into the ocean. The great-grandfather was fishing off Portsea Pier in Victoria last month, when he lost his footing and fell off the pier and into the bay. "I thought I was gone, because when I fell in, I went straight down," Mirabelli told 9News. Dressed in just a raincoat and a pair of gumboots, the 88-year-old was drenched and holding on to a slippery pylon for almost an hour, and just when he thought all hope was lost, local surfer Ben Buxton luckily walked by. "I looked over and I saw John holding onto a little wire and the look on his face, it was kinda terrifying, because he appeared to only have a few moments left until he had to let go of the wire," he said. "I just thought if I can get a board to where John is then he's possibly got a chance." As he paddled over to Mirabelli, police officers Oliver Waters and Adam Gardner arrived, after a call to triple zero. Between them Buxton and Waters took turns reassuring the great-grandfather and convinced him to hold on to the board, as they floated him around the pier for almost 20 minutes to get him back on dry land. "In that time, we were talking to John to try and get him relaxed," Buxton said. "And he kept talking about the calamari that he'd had to let go when he'd fallen into the pier." After a stint in hospital, Mirabelli was reunited with his rescuers. "It's special for us, we really appreciate the chance to catch up with John again," Waters said. "He's a lovely man." Mirabelli embraced the three men and expressed his gratitude: "If it was not for you, I would not be alive." The 88-year-old has fished at the same spot for decades and said that he won't be scared away anytime soon. He even joked about how he will search for the calamari that got away. "Next time I'll fix him up - if it's the same one," he said. Images: Nine

Caring

Australian family's desperate search for missing great-grandfather in Hawaii

An Adelaide family is growing desperate in their search for their missing great-grandfather, feared dead in the destructive Hawaii wildfires. Alfie Rawlings’ family have been trying to contact someone to help find him, but after an agonising five days, they still haven't received any news. “What keeps me up at night is the fact that he was by himself and he was stuck in his wheelchair and he couldn’t get out,” Rawlings’ daughter Shirley McPherson told 7NEWS. “That kind of drives me insane.” Rawlings' lived in an assisted living complex in Hawaii, which McPherson said was one of the first to go up in flames. “There’s nothing left of the apartment complex,” she said. “It’s completely flattened, it’s just turned to ash, so I presume that he’s died.” She said that the hardest part is not knowing, and all she wants is to find him - or his body, “It’s the not knowing,” she said. McPherson also added that she finds the images of strangers searching the ruins heartbreaking. “You’re walking all over all the stuff, you think, ‘that could be my dad you’re stepping over’.” McPherson still has hope that her father took shelter with others, but if her worst fears are confirmed, she would have to provide a DNA sample to see if it matches with any remains, a process that would take months. Images: Facebook

Family & Pets

Woman who killed grandfather apologises

Alisha Fagan claims she has changed her ways since killing a beloved grandfather in a crash while drunk and initially blaming four African men. The 21-year-old woman from Melbourne read out a letter of apology to Sedat Hassan’s family as she faced the Country Koori Court for a pre-sentence hearing on Monday. Fagan was on a suspended learners permit, drunk and driving more than 25km/h over the speed limit when she hit the 69-year-old man’s car, resulting in his death on June 9 2022. Hours before the incident, the court heard Fagan had been drinking wine from the bottle with a friend near the Maribyrnong River. The two friends then travelled to Sunshine West and picked up two men. Fagan’s passengers fled when she failed to give way and crashed into Mr Hassan’s car. She waited for emergency services to arrive, gave the police officers a fake name and said she was not driving at the time, instead pinning the blame on four African men. “She went on to tell the police four African males were in the car at the time and had fled the scene after the collision," prosecutor Kristie Churchill told the court. "She stated that she had only just met these males.” Fagan has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and drug possession; she was on four sets of bail at the time of the incident and was facing about a dozen driving offences. She was released on bail to undergo rehabilitation. Fagan shed tears as Mr Hassan’s family remembered him as a beloved father and grandfather who spent a great deal of his time caring for his disabled son, in statements read to the court. "My husband was my world, I can't bring him back," his wife said. "My son, who has autism, gets up in the middle of the night and opens all the windows looking for his father.” One of Mr Hassan’s sons shared his father had waited for years to become a grandfather. "As soon as he became one, he only got to hold his grandson three times and be with him until he was four months old," he said. Fagan read a letter of apology to Mr Hassan’s family, saying she took full responsibility for his death. "I only have myself to blame. At the time of this tragedy I was a severe alcoholic, had no impulse control, had no understanding of consequences," she told the court. "I've spent the last nine months improving myself every single day so that this will never, ever happen again. "Please know that who I was then and who I am now are not the same person." The hearing has been adjourned to May 9. Image credit: TikTok

Legal

“Loving grandfather” ousted as serial rapist

A local Bondi grandfather has been ousted by police as a serial rapist - one of the worst in New South Wales. Following a long 40 years of investigations and using new technology for DNA as well as a shocking 12 crime scenes, Keith “Maggo” Simms has been identified as a serial rapist. Dubbed “The Beast of Bondi”, Simms is believed to have raped and terrorised more than 30 women in Sydney's eastern suburbs from 1986 to 2001. He died earlier this year on February 20 at the age of 66. When Simms was ready to attack a woman, he would wear a balaclava and approach them with a knife, putting a hand across their mouth and threatening to kill them. It was only in 2016, when police received a weak DNA match to a relative of Simms, that they were eventually able to tie the crimes back to him. Unfortunately for his victims, Simms died before police were able to question him and get them some form of justice. His family also had no idea and referred to him as a “loving family man”, and when his wife found out she was shocked. “His family had no idea at all … we met with his wife and she was absolutely shocked,” Detective Sergeant Shelley Johns, from Strike Force Doreen said, The Daily Telegraph reported. Sex Crimes squad boss Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said that despite his death, it gives his victims a peace of mind knowing he’s not out there anymore. “It was important for the victim survivors and that is why we persevered. We wanted to let them know we were not just guessing it was him. It also meant we are not still looking for someone that is still out there,” she said. “So those women who are walking down the street and are still wondering: Is that him? They now know that person is deceased.” Images: The Daily Telegraph

Legal

Grandad says power company is to blame for wife leaving him

A 55-year-old man has blamed hefty power bills for the breakdown of his marriage. Grandfather Bryn Lawson has been in an ongoing battle with his energy provider, AGL, over bills that Mr Lawson claims are incorrect. The Western Sydney resident has accused AGL of using incorrect power meter numbers at his home, with his latest bill coming in at more than $1200. In attempt to lower his bills, Mr Lawson has tried to drastically reduce his electricity usage, even going so far as to get rid of his fridge. “It is a part of the decimation of my marriage to my wife of 35 years,” he told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/power-bills-dispute-agl/42ed3aaa-4e9b-4f34-820d-02160a9130a7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Current Affair</a>. “Because I’d come home and the lights would be on, the power would be on and the power bills are high. I’d be saying, ‘What have you got the lights on for, what’s this on for, why’s the heater on’?” However, even after his wife left, Mr Lawson was the only occupant of the home and his power bills still remained high, ranging anywhere from $900 to $1200. AGL has apologised to him for the issue and offered credit, but the mistakes keep happening. “Fix it AGL. Get your s*it together and fix it mate,” an enraged Mr Lawson said. He also shivers at night through cold temperatures because he does not want to use his heater to further drive up his bills. Mr Lawson, who said he was “sick to his stomach” and “scared” of his electricity bills, is ready to cut the power off. “I'm just banging my head up against a brick wall with these guys,” he said. “All I’m gonna get is a bad debt and a big bill I gotta pay off. “I have no problem at all putting my swag out there, putting my solar panels, my battery and running that fridge out there and living out there.” Mr Lawson has taken matters into his own hands by taking a picture of his power meter every month and sending the information to AGL three days before his bill is due, but he is still being overcharged just a few days later. An AGL spokesperson told A Current Affair the company had apologised to Mr Lawson for his experiences and would work with him to resolve his concerns. Image credits: A Current Affair

Relationships

Grandfather attacked by kangaroo while protecting his dogs

A grandfather has been left battered and bruised after getting in a fight with a kangaroo, while trying to protect his dogs. Victorian man Cliff Dess squared up with the huge animal when it broke onto his property and started intimidating his pets. Despite his best efforts, the 59-year-old was trampled by the kangaroo. “It was a six-foot buck in an aggressive mood,” Dess told <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/vic/shock-moment-grandfather-attacked-by-kangaroo-while-protecting-his-dogs-c-7006749" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a>. Grabbing a stick for protection, the grandfather refuses to back down, wrestling to stop the beast clawing at his face. “I was fortunate enough I landed, there was a big stick there, so I sort of started whacking it across the head and that and started defending myself but then the stick snapped like a carrot.” When Cliff first saw the huge animal outside his house, he approached it with caution in an attempt to shoo it away with ease. “I was a good 30-40 feet away from it, but it stood back on its tail and hind legs and claws up and started making grunting noises,” he said. The terrifying tousle lasted minutes until Dess wrestled the roo to the ground, using his weight to subdue it. “At least I had a little bit of fight in the tank,” Dess said. Despite suffering injuries to his back, Cliff was glad the roo chose his house to approach and not someone else. “There’s a lot of old people who walk past here and a lot of women with children and prams. It could’ve been worse. It could’ve been one of those.” Image credits: 7News

Family & Pets

Desperate search for grandfather enters fifth day

A desperate search has entered its fifth day as police and volunteers continue looking for an elderly man missing in Victoria’s freezing weather. Christo was last seen at the Big Muster Drive, Dinner Plain, north east of Melbourne about 2.45pm on Friday. His wife raised the alarm later that day when the 70-year-old did not return which sparked a massive 120 people search including police, volunteers in High Country near Mount Hotham. Police have been driving around with infrared sensors in hopes of detecting body heat from Christo. Mouth Hotham has seen temperatures dip to a cool -3C and with wind gusts of up to 70km/h but real temperature feels have made it feel like -12C. Senior Constable Joel Magno-Thornton said there is a “high chance” that Christo is still alive but the area he is believed to be missing is extremely dangerous. "The terrain out here is treacherous," he said. On Monday, the devastated family issued a statement describing Christo as a “kind and loving person”. "We are devastated knowing that our dad Christo is still missing in Mount Hotham's high country," the statement read. "He is a grandfather to four beautiful granddaughters and we know he would love to see them again. "He is adored by his children, wife, family and friends and everyone else who knows him. "We are all praying that his strong and resilient nature will find his way back to us.” Images: Victoria Police/Nine News

Family & Pets

Grandfather left shocked after police fine him for carrying a pocket knife

Wayne ‘Cowboy’ McLennan, a 75-year-old grandfather from Chinchilla, Queensland, was leaving his local pub after grabbing a beer last month when he was stopped by police, breathalysed, and charged for wearing a pocket knife in public, something he’s done since he was 14 years old. McLennan told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/aussie-grandfather-bushman-fined-over-carrying-pocket-knife-public/1d4492b7-8d17-4b23-a01e-de7578d2a72f">A Current Affair</a>, "I just said I'd head home now, get me four cans in a bag and just walked down the steps and the police pulled in behind … as I was walking down the steps ... she said 'I'm going to bretho (breathalyse) you', I said 'ok'.” He blew sightly over the alcohol limit, so the officer took him to the local police station, just 100m down the main road. There, he blew under the limit, so he thought he was free to go, but the officer surprised him. "While I was there she said 'but I am going to charge you for wearing a pocket knife in public'. I said 'what? ... I didn't know you weren't allowed to wear one ... I've been wearing one since I was 14-years-old'. She said 'that's it, that's the law'.” The law in question is Section 51 of Queensland's Weapons Act, which states that a person must not physically possess a knife in a public place or school unless the person has a reasonable excuse. <img style="width: 500px; height: 280.6122448979592px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844270/https___prodstatic9net-1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7f35af9627464c8b8646e616ea5f1f35" /> McLennan, a bushman who’s worked on the land his entire life, doesn’t go anywhere without his pocket knife. "Well if I got to go and put a bale of hay out, I use it to cut the string and then open a bag of horse feed, use it to open the top," he explained to reporter Pippa Bradshaw. He had no idea such a law existed, or that he was unintentionally violating it every time he went out in public with his pocket knife attached to his belt. After being charged by police, he faced court and was fined $100 by a magistrate. News of his run-in with the law quickly spread around Chinchilla. "That's why people keep ringing me and talking to me about it, they didn't know whether it was true or false," McLennan said. Many locals have expressed their support, pointing out how common it is for people in the area to carry pocket knives. As a result of this encounter with the law, however, Cowboy now plans to leave his pocket knife at home in the future.

Legal

"I don't hurt anyone": 89-year-old man fighting for his life after brazen attack

A grandfather is in an induced coma after he was attacked in an unprovoked and random incident. Adelaide man Francesco Candido was taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital after he was left with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain. The alleged offender is 33-year-old Joel Page, who admitted he was drunk when he swung at Francesco with a roundhouse punch. Francesco, who is 89-years-old, was walking through town with two bags of shopping when Joel randomly struck him. Tragically, it was the first time the grandfather had been into town for more than a year. “He was so determined to go to town because he hasn’t been for over a year, and I said, you know town can be a dangerous place,” Francesco's on Larry said. “And he said, not for me, I don’t hurt anyone.” His family started to grow anxious thinking Francesco has gotten lost when he didn't return home, before receiving a call from the local police. “I sarcastically say, ‘oh, you’ve found my dad’, and they say, ‘yes we found him but unfortunately it’s bad news’,” said Larry. Francesco’s wife of 60 years, his children and grandchildren have spent hours by his bedside since Tuesday, praying for a miracle. Larry said he has tried to communicate with his comatose father, but to no avail. “I try and talk to him, I try and see if I get any response,” Larry said. “At the moment, nothing." “I’m just hoping my dad pulls through and comes home.” Larry said he felt “anger and hatred, which I’ve never felt before,” after learning his elderly father had been hit, as the elderly man remains in a critical condition. Image credits: 7News

Legal

"Miracle I'm alive": Tragic way grandfather survived skydiving fall

After surviving a fall of 12,000 feet in a terrifying skydiving accident, a Victorian grandfather has praised the man who saved his life. Christopher Rantall was doing a tandem jump with his instructor Arron Toepfer when the pair got into difficultly when their parachutes didn't open. As they plummeted towards a paddock in Torquay, Arron turned in the last seconds of the fall to cushion the blow for Christopher and did not survive the impact. In an emotional interview, Christopher spoke to 7News about the traumatic ordeal. “It still gets to me. Arron basically sacrificed his life (so) that I can live, or have a chance at living,” the grandfather said. “I personally believe it is a miracle that I’m alive and another miracle that I’m as able-bodied as I am.” He shared the skydiving experience with his daughter Raya, as part of her birthday present and a bucket list wish for Christopher. The grandfather said he was having the time of his life until he realised something was wrong. “Arron has gone to release the first chute - It didn’t work,” the 54-year-old said. “I didn’t know and I’m just loving this free-fall and we’re just going down and down and down.” Christopher said he realised the severity of the situation once they were in a vertical position and he noticed the secondary chute was not filling with air. “At the same time I could see Raya above us, so I was like: ‘Oh, we’re in trouble here’,” he said. Raya had jumped first but her father overtook them as he fell at up to 200km/h. After not remembering the impact of the crash, Christopher spent two weeks in hospital with a dislocated hip, bleeding into his spleen and some broken bones. The 54-year-old praises his instructor for saving his life, and insists he won't skydive again. “For someone to put their life in danger to save a stranger - how brave do you have to be to do that,” he said. Image credits: 7News

Travel Trouble

Sunrise star's family tragedy

Matt Doran has admitted what life is like for him and his family now after losing his grandfather and having to farewell him over a video call. The Weekend Sunrise star was stuck in Sydney when he was forced to say goodbye to his pop, Brian George Doran, who passed away at age 99, in Melbourne. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842932/matt-doran-family.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7f2ba79d15e74c68982d2d711ba1042a" /> The city is currently in its sixth lockdown and Sydney unfortunately isn’t doing much better, with strict border controls put in place between the two cities. Matt shared he simply had to say goodbye to his grandfather and watch him through his final moments via a FaceTime call. “Just this week, like so many other families across Australia, I lost my grandfather. He’s in Melbourne,” Matt shared. “It’s not a situation unique to me. “I had to say goodbye to him via FaceTime in the carpark at the (Royal Prince Alfred Hospital) waiting to get my first jab. “That sort of sums up the experience.” Matt will likely not be able to attend his grandfather’s funeral, due to the ongoing lockdown in Melbourne and Sydney. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842930/matt-doran-family-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/39d0f5e680b243379060cee0a0d8864a" /> “They’ll be lucky to have 10 at his funeral this week and I’ll speak via FaceTime,” he said. Matt had a discussion with his co-host Monique Wright about the mental toll of the COVID pandemic. “It’s the mental toll now that I think has been taken by so many,” Matt said. “It’s a bigger problem than just saying how many deaths do we have, how many cases do we have... what is being denied to so many Australians who haven’t seen their loved ones in so long. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CSQCps8lR9j/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CSQCps8lR9j/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Sunrise (@sunriseon7)</a> </div> </blockquote> “It’s a big, big problem, families who are stranded overseas - they can’t come back and see their loved ones. “We have to look at this as being a bigger problem than just simply case numbers. “Quarantine has to be fixed and we need to deal with this in a much bigger, much more profound way than we are right now.” Victoria, parts of NSW and Queensland are currently battling their own Delta strain outbreaks. Images: Sunrise

Caring

Elizabeth Hurley speaks out against her son’s grandfather

Elizabeth Hurley has spoken out against her son Damian’s paternal grandfather, releasing a statement criticising the decision to prevent the 19-year-old from inheriting an expected $330 million AUD (or $354 million NZD) from his family trust. Damian’s father, Steve Bing, died by suicide in 2020 at 55. He and Hurley dated between 2001 and 2002. Steve Bing’s father and Damian’s paternal grandfather, multimillionaire Dr Peter Bing, made an appeal against Damian and his half-sister, Kira Kerkorian, to receive a share of Steve Bing’s fortune as they were born out of wedlock. In a statement made to The Daily Mail over the weekend, Hurley said she was hurt by Dr Bing’s decision, especially after Steve had won a court battle overturning Dr Bing’s attempt to exclude Damian and Kira from the family trust before his death. “When Stephen took his own life, he died thinking his children were going to be taken care of,” Hurley said in the statement. “Stephen fought very hard in his last year to have his children recognised and repeatedly told me how incredibly important it was to him. “What Stephen wanted has not been callously reversed. I know Stephen would have been devastated.” Although Damian reportedly didn’t have a relationship with Steve growing up, Steve called Damian and expressed hopes of building a relationship with him on the then 18-year-old’s birthday, according to Hurley. On the anniversary of his father’s death, Damian shared a tribute on Instagram, saying the “last year has been bloody hard”. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQbk0n3l9kA/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQbk0n3l9kA/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Damian Hurley (@damianhurley1)</a> </div> </blockquote> “He was happy beyond belief that the trial verdict ruled that Damian was to be treated like his sister’s children as far as the trust was concerned,” the Austin Powers star continued in her statement. “I am just relieved that Stephen will never know that Damian’s relatives - Stephen’s father and the family of his sister Mary - were ultimately successful in their appeal against the original trial verdict.” Kira’s mother, former professional tennis player Lisa Bonder, also contributed to the statement. “As a mum, I wonder why on earth this had to happen. Why make two innocent kids into victims?” Bonder said. Following the court’s decision, Steve’s fortune will be split between his sister Mary’s two children, Anton Ellis and Lucy Ellis. Steve, who founded Shangri-La Entertainment, inherited his fortune when he was 18 from his grandfather, who was a real-estate mogul. Image: Elizabeth Hurley / Instagram

Money & Banking

Michael Douglas sees his one-month-old grandson for the first time

Michael Douglas has finally gotten the opportunity to meet his one-month-old grandson for the first time - and the doting grandpa shared a beautiful photo of the touching moment. The 76-year-old and his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones announced last month that he had become a grandfather once again after his son Cameron Douglas welcomed his first son Ryder. In the heartwarming photograph, Michael is seen cradling his tiny grandson with a bottle in one hand and a burp cloth draped over his shoulder. “First time I’ve seen my month old grandson, Ryder!” he captioned the black and white photo. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CKOnQNyMT_D/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CKOnQNyMT_D/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Michael Douglas (@michaelkirkdouglas)</a> </div> </blockquote> This is Michael's second grandchild. Catherine took to her own Instagram to share the happy news, posting a beautiful family photo of Cameron, his girlfriend Viviane Thibes - who had their newborn son Ryder in her arms - and their three-year-old daughter Lua. "And a new Douglas is born!!!!! Welcome to the world Ryder T Douglas," she captioned the image on her Instagram Story. Michael and Catherine shared some funny comments under Cameron's post of the same image. Pointing out how unamused little Lua appears in the family photo over her little brother's arrival, Catherine wrote: "Lua's Face! Like......'whatever.......' Hilarious! Congrats!!" Michael added: "So happy for Vivian and you. Don’t think Lua is sure about this yet! What a holiday present." <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJHWr74nA1X/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJHWr74nA1X/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Cameron Douglas (@cameronmorrelldouglas)</a> </div> </blockquote> Cameron is 76-year-old Michael's only child with his first wife Diandra Luker; the former couple was married from 1977 until 1995. He has two half-siblings – Dylan Michael, 20, and Carys Zeta, 17, from Michael's marriage to Catherine.

Family & Pets

Hero grandfather foils neighbourhood thief

A NSW grandfather has put his body on the line to stop a thief from stealing his neighbour's car. A man has cheated with allegedly breaking into a home and fleeing on the back of a ride-on lawn mower on the NSW South Coast on Thursday. The 30-year-old man allegedly threw a brick into the window of a home on Semillon Place in Dapto around 6.50 am Thursday moments before entering and stealing a Ford Focus. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.11273792093704px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839191/rabbid-dog.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/984ab41c13164856b0f1b65ca2327bcb" /> Paul Robinson saw the robbery unfolding at his neighbour's house and knew that he had to step in. Mr Robsinson had the man in a headlock as the Ford Focus took off and slammed into a parked trailer. "I tried to get the ignition key off him and tried to hang on and he hit the accelerator and dragged me out of there," Mr Robinson told 9News. "My face actually head-butted the inside door handle." Mr Robinson was dragged about 40 metres before the car crashed but had only minor injuries. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.30360205831903px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839190/rabbid-dog-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/50d8a77329184d2182168f87fe76f7c8" /> The man fled the scene on foot before allegedly breaking into a second home on Cormack Street. Police say he attempted to drive off on a ride-on lawn mower. He was arrested on Mawarra Avenue before being taken to hospital. It is believed he allegedly may have ingested an unknown substance. He remains in police custody.

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