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"It must be love!": Charles and Camilla mark wedding anniversary with sweet video

<p>April 9 marked a special milestone for King Charles and Queen Camilla as they celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary! The royal couple kicked off the joyous occasion with a charming new video, shared across the royal family's social media accounts.</p> <p>The 60-second clip is a delightful journey through their two decades of marriage, showcasing a collection of heartwarming photos and candid moments. Captioned simply, "20 Happy Years!" accompanied by a white heart emoji, the post captured the love and happiness that has defined their union. Fans were quick to note that the white heart may also be a nod to the traditional 20th anniversary gifts of china or platinum, symbolising strength and beauty.</p> <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/DIN7uDus6Rg/?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/DIN7uDus6Rg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Though the royal couple is spending their anniversary abroad in Rome as part of their state visit to Italy, celebrations have been in full swing back home in the UK. Outside Buckingham Palace, the Band of the Household Cavalry serenaded well-wishers with a special performance of It Must Be Love, dedicated to Their Majesties – a perfect musical tribute to their enduring romance.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">It must be love! 🫶</p> <p>A special tribute on the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace, to mark Their Majesties’ 20th wedding anniversary today. <a href="https://t.co/15rlKuevVl">pic.twitter.com/15rlKuevVl</a></p> <p>— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1909937840185548915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>In anticipation of this milestone, the couple also released a new set of portraits earlier this week. Queen Camilla looked radiant in bridal white, wearing a bespoke dress by Anna Valentine, the designer of her original wedding gown. Adding a sentimental touch, Her Majesty adorned her outfit with the lily of the valley brooch once belonging to the Queen Mother, a beautiful symbol of eternal love.</p> <p>The day itself is a working one for the royal couple. King Charles is set to meet with Italy’s prime minister, while later, they will be the guests of honour at a grand state banquet hosted by the Italian president – a fitting celebration for their incredible journey together.</p> <p>King Charles and Queen Camilla’s love story is one for the history books. Though married for 20 years, their connection spans over five decades. From their first meeting at a polo match in 1970 to enduring public scrutiny, they have emerged stronger than ever.</p> <p>Their early years saw them part ways when Charles embarked on an eight-month naval tour, and Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles. Yet, even through life’s twists and turns, their bond remained unbreakable. Following the tragic passing of Princess Diana, Charles and Camilla slowly reintroduced their relationship to the public, eventually marrying in 2005 in a modest yet heartfelt ceremony.</p> <p>Since then, Queen Camilla has embraced her royal role with grace and dedication, earning the admiration of many. </p> <p>Here’s to King Charles and Queen Camilla – may the next 20 years be just as joyful!</p> <p><em>Images: Royal Family / Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Why older couples love short cruises for a quick romantic getaway

<p>Long holidays are great, but they are not always practical, especially when you just want a quick break together. They can be expensive, require a lot of planning and sometimes feel more tiring than relaxing. </p> <p>A <span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.carnival.com.au/short-cruises" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;">smooth, short cruise</span></a></span> is the perfect balance for older couples. There’s just enough time to unwind, visit new places and enjoy amazing food and entertainment, all without the stress of organising every detail.</p> <p>With options from Carnival, Australia’s leading cruise line, a quick and relaxing romantic getaway is easier than ever. Everything is taken care of, so you can simply step on board and make the most of your time together.</p> <p>To show you what makes them special, here’s why short cruises have become a favourite getaway for couples looking to relax and reconnect.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Skip the stress and start your holiday sooner</span></strong></p> <p>Planning a holiday can sometimes feel like more trouble than it’s worth. Long flights, busy airports and endless logistics take time and effort, which can make a romantic getaway feel stressful before it even begins. But taking a break doesn’t have to be complicated.</p> <p>A Carnival <span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.carnival.com.au/short-cruises/sydney" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;">short cruise from Sydney</span></a></span> or Brisbane is an easy way to escape for a few days without the stress of flights or long drives. Enjoy slow mornings together on a peaceful deck, take in the ocean views or visit a beautiful destination like Tasmania or Moreton Island. </p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Enjoy time together without going far</span></strong></p> <p>You don’t need to travel far to enjoy a romantic break. A short cruise lets you escape for a few days, soak up the ocean views and spend uninterrupted time together. Set sail from Brisbane or Sydney and choose from a three-day cruise at sea, a four day cruise to Moreton Island or Airlie Beach, or a <span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.carnival.com.au/short-cruises/5-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;">five-day cruise</span></a></span> to Tasmania.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Spend quality time with onboard activities</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/02/Carnivalimage-1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></span></strong></p> <p>Finding time to unwind together isn’t always easy, but a Carnival short cruise makes it simple. With plenty of <span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.carnival.com.au/onboard" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;">exciting onboard activities</span></a></span>, you can do as much or as little as you like. </p> <p>Lounge by the pool, enjoy some quiet time at <span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.carnival.com.au/onboard/serenity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;"><span lang="EN-GB"> an</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;"><span lang="EN-GB">a</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;"><span lang="EN-GB">dults-</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;"><span lang="EN-GB">o</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;"><span lang="EN-GB">nly </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;"><span lang="EN-GB">r</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;"><span lang="EN-GB">etreat</span></span></a></span> or watch a live music performance. You can even play video games or visit the fitness centre together. For total relaxation, book a couples’ treatment at Cloud 9 Spa* and let the stress melt away.</p> <p>In the evening, share new experiences together. Watch a Playlist Productions show, enjoy stand-up comedy at The Punchliner Comedy Club or settle in for a movie under the stars. If you prefer a quieter night, find a cosy spot to take in the ocean views or enjoy a drink with live acoustic music.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Share great food at every meal</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/02/Carnivalimage-3.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></span></strong></p> <p>Good food is even better when shared, and a Carnival short cruise gives couples plenty of <span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.carnival.com.au/dining" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;">dining </span></a></span>options to enjoy together. Start the day with a relaxed breakfast and freshly brewed coffee, or grab a quick bite from the main dining room. For a special night, Fahrenheit 555* or Luke’s Bar &amp; Grill* serves perfectly cooked steaks and fresh seafood in a cosy setting.</p> <p>If you’re in the mood for something to eat, the pizzeria has fresh-made pizza, and Bonsai Sushi Express* offers quick, fresh sushi. For something classic, Guy’s Burger Joint serves juicy burgers. With so many choices, every meal is a chance to relax and spend time together.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Plan your next romantic getaway</span></strong></p> <p>A few days away is sometimes all you need to recharge and reconnect. On a short cruise, you can enjoy new experiences, soak up the ocean views and make the most of every moment together without worrying about travel logistics.</p> <p>All the details are sorted, so you can focus on choosing the perfect destination and how long you’d like to relax together. Visit the <span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.carnival.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #1155cc;">Carnival Cruise website</span></a></span> to find a short cruise that fits your schedule, and start planning your next romantic getaway today.</p> <p><em>Images: Supplied<br /></em></p> <p><em>*Charges apply</em></p> <p><em>This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with Carnival</em></p>

Cruising

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"Love never dies": Tributes flow for Iconic Hollywood star

<p>Hollywood is mourning the loss of one of its most beloved stars, Richard Chamberlain, who passed away at the age of 90. The acclaimed actor, best known for his roles in <em>The Thorn Birds</em>, <em>Dr Kildare</em> and the stage production of <em>The Sound of Music</em>, died from complications following a stroke, his publicist Harlan Boll confirmed to <em>Variety</em>.</p> <p>Born George Richard Chamberlain, the actor died in Hawaii, leaving behind a legacy that spanned over six decades. His career took off in the early 1960s when he starred as the charming Dr James Kildare in the hit television series <em>Dr Kildare</em> (1961-1966), a role that quickly made him a teen idol.</p> <p>Chamberlain became a household name and was soon dubbed the "king of the mini-series" after starring in a string of highly acclaimed television dramas throughout the 1980s. His extensive stage work further demonstrated his versatility, portraying characters such as Professor Henry Higgins in <em>My Fair Lady</em>, Captain von Trapp in <em>The Sound of Music</em> and Shakespearean roles like Hamlet and Richard II.</p> <p>He also made history as the original Jason Bourne in the 1988 mini-series adaptation of <em>The Bourne Identity</em>, showcasing his ability to captivate audiences across various genres.</p> <p>Following his passing, his longtime partner Martin Rabbett shared a heartfelt tribute: "Our beloved Richard is with the angels now. He is free and soaring to those loved ones before us. How blessed were we to have known such an amazing and loving soul. Love never dies. And our love is under his wings lifting him to his next great adventure."</p> <p>One of Chamberlain’s most memorable roles was in <em>The Thorn Birds</em>, the ABC mini-series based on Colleen McCullough’s novel, in which he portrayed Father Ralph de Bricassart. The series, a sweeping saga set in the Australian outback, remains one of television’s most cherished dramas.</p> <p>In later years, Chamberlain continued to make appearances in popular shows, including <em>Touched by an Angel</em>, <em>Nip/Tuck</em>, and <em>Chuck</em>. His final acting credit came in 2019 with the film <em>Finding Julia</em>.</p> <p>Chamberlain leaves behind a body of work that will be cherished by fans for generations. His charisma, talent and passion for his craft made him a true Hollywood legend.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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More young people are caring for a loved one with dementia. It takes a unique toll

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>Dementia is a growing health problem, affecting more than <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia">55 million people</a> around the world.</p> <p>In Australia, an estimated <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/about-dementia/dementia-facts-and-figures">433,300 people</a> are living with dementia. This figure is projected to rise to 812,500 by 2054.</p> <p>Dementia <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/about-dementia">refers to brain disorders</a> that are not a normal part of ageing. These disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, cause a decline in cognitive function and changes in mood, memory, thinking and behaviour. Ultimately they affect a person’s ability to carry out everyday tasks.</p> <p>In Australia, around <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2020/10/06/research-backs-home-based-program-for-people-living-with-dementi.html">75% of people with dementia</a> live at home.</p> <p>While dementia care at home has traditionally been associated with older spouses or middle-aged children, it seems an increasing number of young adults in their 20s and 30s, and <a href="https://www.ncb.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/files/young_people_caring_for_adults_with_dementia.pdf">even teenagers</a>, are stepping into this role to care for grandparents, parents or other loved ones.</p> <p>In Australia, 3 million people (11.9% of the population) are carers. This includes <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-ageing-and-carers-australia-summary-findings/latest-release">391,300 under 25</a> – a sharp rise from 235,300 in 2018.</p> <p>How many young carers are specifically caring for a loved one with dementia is unclear, and something we need more data on. Young dementia carers remain largely invisible, with minimal recognition or support.</p> <h2>Unique challenges and the burden of responsibility</h2> <p>Unlike older carers, who may have more financial stability and free time, young carers often must balance caregiving with university, early-career pressures, and personal development, including maintaining social relationships, pursuing hobbies, and prioritising mental welling.</p> <p>In Australia, where <a href="https://aifs.gov.au/media/more-young-adults-living-parents">51% of men and 43% of women</a> aged 20–24 still live with their parents, many young carers will have limited experience in managing a household independently.</p> <p>They’re often thrust into <a href="https://www.ncb.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/files/young_people_caring_for_adults_with_dementia.pdf">complex responsibilities</a> such as cooking, housework, managing the family budget, coordinating medical appointments and administering medications.</p> <p>Beyond that, they may need to provide physical care such as lifting or helping their loved one move around, and personal care such as dressing, washing, and helping with toileting.</p> <p>All this can leave young carers <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/PROM.S499063">feeling unprepared</a>, overwhelmed and isolated.</p> <p>While general support groups exist for dementia carers and young carers more broadly, few cater specifically to <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9819145/">young adults caring for someone with dementia</a>.</p> <p>This lack of targeted support is likely to heighten <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13676261.2024.2390899?casa_token=6Q73sIFsfssAAAAA:1rQ7NyiiHkwTwIk4mkk6d2r5tiUxeXJDCKTfIohKmHzCue9xvuj5r4e8-fowJGQeIYKe6afuO9FT">feelings of isolation</a>, as the young person’s friends struggle to relate to the emotional and practical burdens <a href="https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12877-020-01976-z.pdf">young carers face</a>.</p> <p>The demanding nature of caregiving, combined with the difficulty of sharing these experiences with peers, means young dementia carers can become <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/14713012211023653?src=getftr&utm_source=tfo&getft_integrator=tfo">disconnected socially</a>.</p> <h2>The psychological toll</h2> <p>These challenges take a profound <a href="https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/statistics/carers-statistics">psychological toll</a> on young carers.</p> <p>Research shows young carers are <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9263065/">35% more likely</a> to report mental health issues than their non-caregiving peers. These can include <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1471301220980243">depression</a>, anxiety and burnout.</p> <p>Again, we don’t have data on mental health outcomes among young dementia carers specifically. But <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dementia/dementia-in-aus/contents/carers-and-care-needs-of-people-with-dementia/impact-of-the-caring-role-on-carers">in Australia</a>, 75% of dementia carers reported being affected physically or emotionally by their caring role. Some 41% felt weary or lacked energy, and 31% felt worried or depressed.</p> <p>Also, there are negative stereotypes about ageing – that people turn forgetful, frail, and need constant care. For young carers whose loved ones have dementia, these stereotypes <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2009.01662.x?casa_token=w0MW7GGY80gAAAAA:szB0XyXKPG_XMqAVyAHLm0Tye8yH3TYXK9X5cFCSIRkorhsNHx4Wgurmy_oAuZKsTsskS6kBw9Vr">can be reinforced</a> by their experience. This could shape young carers’ perceptions of <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13607863.2025.2464705?utm">their own future health</a> and wellbeing and increase anxiety about ageing.</p> <p>Caregiving may also affect <a href="https://www.apa.org/pi/about/publications/caregivers/faq/health-effects">physical health</a>. Research suggests carers often sacrifice <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/psyg.12354">healthy habits</a> such as exercise and a balanced diet. What’s more, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/psyg.12354">carers report symptoms</a> including poor sleep, fatigue, headaches and back pain due to the physical demands of caregiving.</p> <h2>Caring for a parent – a role reversal</h2> <p>This emotional burden is particularly acute for those caring for a parent. These young carers are likely to experience the progressive loss of parental support, while simultaneously assuming the <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1471301220988231">demanding role of caregiver</a>.</p> <p>A significant portion of young dementia carers support parents with <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dementia/dementia-in-aus/contents/dementia-in-priority-groups/population-health-impacts-of-younger-onset-dementi">young-onset dementia</a>, a form of dementia diagnosed before age 65. These <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1471301220988231">young carers</a> face the shock of a diagnosis that defies typical expectations of ageing.</p> <p>The burden may be compounded by fears of <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0038026119874280?icid=int.sj-abstract.citing-articles.9">genetic inheritance</a>. Young onset dementia often has a <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-causes-and-risk-factors/alzheimers-disease-genetics-fact-sheet">hereditary component</a>.</p> <p>This means young carers may have a higher risk of developing the condition themselves – a concern spousal carers don’t have. This fear can fuel health anxiety, alter life planning, and create a pervasive <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26560507/">sense of vulnerability</a>.</p> <h2>How we can better support young dementia carers</h2> <p>Despite their growing numbers, young dementia carers <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/JMDH.S464195">remain largely overlooked</a> in research, policy and support services. This is partly due to the challenges in engaging this demographic in research, as these young people juggle busy lives <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/gps.4502?casa_token=5-Ih4KcUejwAAAAA%3AOvuh8ghI_ednIzRZmHdUl-_C7EQ8IUw2Qp7E0-0Z9abjV0xT6I4WK17V2U8JMCcxMl9yvpawBeT-l7c">balancing caregiving</a> with education and work.</p> <p>Many young carers also <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36353077/">don’t self-identify as carers</a>, hindering their access to support and resources. This could be because of the stigmatising label, or a feeling they’re <a href="https://www.ncb.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/files/young_people_caring_for_adults_with_dementia.pdf">not doing enough</a> to qualify as a carer. It could even be because of cultural norms which can frame caregiving as a family obligation, rather than a distinct role.</p> <p>Nonetheless, young dementia carers require <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/1/127">targeted support</a> beyond generic caregiving resources.</p> <p>This support might include specialised <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/JMDH.S464195">peer networks</a>, educational programs, and practical skills training. Tailored programs and resources should ideally be <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/1/127">co-designed with young dementia carers</a> to ensure they meet their unique needs and preferences.</p> <p>With dementia cases in Australia and elsewhere <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/about-dementia/dementia-facts-and-figures">projected to increase</a>, the demand for informal carers – including young adults – will continue to grow.</p> <p>Without intervention, these young carers risk burnout, social isolation, and long-term health consequences. We must ensure flexible, age-appropriate support for this often invisible group. Investing in young dementia carers is not just a moral imperative – it’s a crucial step toward a sustainable, compassionate care system for the future.</p> <p><em><a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/living-dementia/family-friends-and-carers">Dementia Australia</a> offers a national helpline, information sessions, and a peer-to-peer connection platform for carers.</em></p> <p><em><a href="https://youngcarersnetwork.com.au/">The Young Carers Network</a>, run by <a href="https://www.carersaustralia.com.au/">Carers Australia</a>, offers mental health resources, financial guidance, and respite care information, plus bursaries young carers can apply for to reduce financial pressure.</em><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/249361/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katya-numbers-784650">Katya Numbers</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow & Lecturer, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/serena-sabatini-2320527">Serena Sabatini</a>, Lecturer in Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-surrey-1201">University of Surrey</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/more-young-people-are-caring-for-a-loved-one-with-dementia-it-takes-a-unique-toll-249361">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> </div>

Caring

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"Love you": John Farnham spotted in rare public appearance for milestone occasion

<p>Music legend John Farnham has marked a joyful occasion as he joined family and friends to celebrate his wife Jillian’s 70th birthday in Melbourne. The intimate gathering took place on Tuesday evening at the renowned Italian restaurant, Florentino, where love, laughter and music filled the air.</p> <p>Seated beside his beloved wife of 51 years, Farnham radiated happiness, enjoying the company of his closest loved ones. The evening was made even more special with heartfelt live performances and a touching photo montage that honoured Jillian’s life and the couple’s enduring love story.</p> <p>Adding a moment of lighthearted humour, accordion maestro Hans managed to elicit a grin from Farnham when he jokingly offered to play one of the singer’s iconic hits. Their son, Robert, captured the essence of the night with a heartfelt social media post, sharing a picture from the evening and the simple yet touching words: “Happy birthday 70th to mum, Love you.”</p> <p>This joyous occasion comes as Farnham, 75, continues to embrace life after receiving the “all clear” in his well-publicised battle with cancer. Having undergone a major surgery in August 2022 to remove a tumour from his mouth and reconstruct his jaw, the legendary performer has shown incredible resilience. His son James shared an update earlier this year, reassuring fans that his father was “doing really well, walking around, kicking goals... and, of course, annoying mum.”</p> <p>Jillian, whose unwavering support played a crucial role in Farnham’s health journey, previously recounted in her memoir, <em>The Voice Inside</em>, how she urged him to seek medical advice before his diagnosis. “He had a big white mass on the inside of his cheek, and you could physically see it,” she wrote. “For several months I was saying to him, ‘Let’s go see about that thing in your mouth,’ and he’d say, ‘No, it’s alright, it’s alright, it’s alright.’” Eventually, her persistence led him to seek medical attention, ultimately saving his life.</p> <p>Adding to the excitement in the Farnham household, the family is eagerly anticipating a new arrival. James and his partner, Tessa, are expecting a baby boy, a new chapter that fills them all with joy. James, thrilled at the prospect of fatherhood, said: “We’re all really excited, another little Farnham on the way. I can’t wait to take him up to the farm and get Dad to teach him everything he taught me.”</p> <p>For Farnham, whose music has been the soundtrack of Australian life for decades, family remains his greatest treasure. </p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Jimmy Barnes shares huge announcement

<p>Jimmy Barnes has made a huge career announcement much to the delight of fans everywhere, just days after being released from hospital. </p> <p>After undergoing hip replacement surgery, the Aussie rocker has announced a new album called <em>Defiant</em>, and a tour to celebrate the new release. </p> <p>In a press release, Barnes shared, "I'm really looking forward to getting back on stage with my band again. I'm so proud of this new record – all the songs mean a lot to me and I can't wait to share them with you. It's going to be some serious fun!"</p> <p>He added on Instagram, "If you've been to one of my shows before, you know we don't hold back – and this one will be no different."</p> <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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGZC9EgzY6Z/?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/DGZC9EgzY6Z/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jimmy Barnes (@jimmybarnesofficial)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The Cold Chisel frontman will be taking to the stage in June, playing highly-anticipated shows across Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra.</p> <p>The news comes less than a week after he returned home from the hospital, following his third major surgery in over a year.</p> <p>Sharing a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, he thanked Jane for being with him and by his side "the entire time" and sharing details of his recovery. </p> <p>"I can't tell you how great it is to be home, to sleep in my own bed," he began.</p> <p>"Thank you to the medical teams at St Vincent's and St Luke's hospitals who have got me back on my own two feet."</p> <p>His health battle first started in November 2023 when he announced he was being treated for a bacterial infection, shortly after having to undergo open heart surgery in December.</p> <p>In August 2024 he felt a hip "twinge" which required yet another unexpected surgery.</p> <p>It was just two weeks ago when he confirmed he was going under to "have his hip replaced with a permanent joint".</p> <p><em>Image credits: Frontier Touring</em></p>

Music

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Tourists explain why they love “overrated” capital cities

<p dir="ltr">A group of travellers have explained why they love some capital cities that are often dubbed as “overrated”. </p> <p dir="ltr">On a dedicated travel thread on Reddit, one person asked the question, “Which capital city gets a lot of hate that you loved visiting?” which welcomed an influx of responses. </p> <p dir="ltr">A few capital cities were mentioned several times, one of which being the Greece capital of Athens. </p> <p dir="ltr">One Reddit user said they “avoided” Athens for a long time “because all I heard was negativity about it”.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, when they “finally went”, they say they “loved it” and “can't wait to go back”. </p> <p dir="ltr">Another person said they actually “loved” the city's “gritty feel” adding, “Incredible history at every turn, delicious affordable food, fun bars, cool music venues, neighbourhoods full of character and beautiful viewpoints.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another capital that was mentioned was the Norwegian capital of Oslo, with one person saying the Scandinavian city was perfect for a short getaway. </p> <p dir="ltr">They wrote, “I’m not advising anyone to go for a long time but for a weekend trip, it’s lovely. The seaside is great with lots of beautiful modern architecture, the old town is picturesque, lots of trendy new places to eat and drink, some old castles to walk to and in general a really nice vibe and very walkable.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Washington D.C. was also mentioned with many people defending the city, with one person claiming “it’s generally other Americans who hate it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">One person wrote of the city, “We have great museums, food, way more nature than you’d expect for a city, and incredible music and dance scenes. It’s not just insufferable bureaucracy and politics.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The Belgian capital of Brussels was also mentioned, with the city often copping a lot of flack amongst travellers. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, many were quick to defend the city, as one person wrote,”I loved Brussels, it’s beautiful in places, has amazing museums, great beer, the EU Parliament is really interesting and the Atomium is awesome.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

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Want your loved ones to inherit your super? Here’s why you can’t afford to skip this one step

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tobias-barkley-1271340">Tobias Barkley</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/la-trobe-university-842">La Trobe University</a></em></p> <p>What happens to our super when we die? Most Australians have superannuation accounts but about <a href="https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/journals/SydLawRw/2024/10.html#Heading24">one in five</a> of us die before we can retire and actually enjoy that money.</p> <p>If we do die early our money is paid out as super “death benefits”. They can be substantial. Even people who die young can have $200,000–$300,000 of death benefits through <a href="https://moneysmart.gov.au/how-life-insurance-works/insurance-through-super">super life insurance</a>.</p> <p>Death benefits have recently been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Last week <a href="https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/jim-chalmers-2022/media-releases/mandatory-service-standards-superannuation-industry">the Treasurer Jim Chalmers</a> expressed concern about delays paying out death benefits.</p> <p><a href="https://lawcouncil.au/resources/submissions/proposed-reform-to-superannuation-death-benefits">The Law Council</a> is concerned people do not have enough control over how death benefits are distributed. <a href="https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/championing-for-molly-perth-mum-s-milestone-in-her-quest-for-justice-20241206-p5kwiu.html">Others are devastated</a> about death benefits being paid to alleged violent partners.</p> <h2>How can you decide who gets your unspent super?</h2> <p>Our first thought might be writing it in our will. However, super is not covered by our will as it does not become part of our <a href="https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FCA/2001/1535.html">deceased estate</a>.</p> <p>Instead, death benefits are distributed by the trustee of your superannuation fund. Under the law, there are two main mechanisms controlling distribution: <a href="https://www.australiansuper.com/superannuation/access-your-super-early/nominate-a-beneficiary#:%7E:text=A%20binding%20nomination%20instructs%20AustralianSuper,the%20date%20we%20accept%20it.&amp;text=Lapsing%20binding%20nomination%20%E2%80%93%20This%20nomination,date%20you%20sign%20the%20form.">binding nominations</a> and the trustee’s discretion.</p> <p>Every super member has the option to create a binding nomination. It’s like a will for your super that the super trustee is obliged to follow. It also needs two witnesses to execute it. However, there are actually more ways for a binding nomination to fail than for a will to fail.</p> <p>The law only allows you to nominate certain people: your “<a href="https://www.lawsociety.com.au/resources/resources/my-practice-area/elder-law/superannuation-FAQs#collapse_165">dependants</a>” or your estate. If you nominate anyone else your entire nomination stops being binding. Plus, unlike wills, there is no way to fix execution errors. Also, many binding nominations expire after three years.</p> <p>If you don’t have a binding nomination, then the trustee can choose who your death benefit goes to. There are two main mechanisms controlling how the trustee chooses who gets your death benefit.</p> <p>First, <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-03/c2019-t371937-discussion-paper.pdf">legislation</a> requires the trustee to give the death benefit to your dependants or deceased estate before anyone else. This means that your parents, for example, will only receive something if you have no children, partner or other dependants.</p> <p>Second, decisions made by trustees can be disputed by complaining to the <a href="https://www.afca.org.au/">Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)</a>. The authority has a rigid approach to who should get death benefits and trustees usually follow this course of action.</p> <p><a href="https://openjournals.library.sydney.edu.au/SLR/article/view/20199">Research I’ve done with Xia Li</a> of La Trobe University reveals what AFCA does in practice.</p> <p>Most crucially, people’s wishes expressed in non-binding nominations were essentially ignored. Our research found there was no statistically significant association between being nominated in a non-binding nomination and receiving any of the death benefit. This was true even for recent nominations.</p> <p>Other factors the complaints authority ignores are family violence and financial need. In one case, five daughters provided evidence, including a police report, that their deceased mother was a victim of violence perpetrated by her new partner. <a href="https://service02.afca.org.au/CaseFiles/FOSSIC/701195.pdf">In keeping with the Federal Court, AFCA gave the alleged perpetrator</a> everything because he alone would have benefited from the deceased’s finances if she had lived.</p> <p>In another case, <a href="https://service02.afca.org.au/CaseFiles/FOSSIC/874050.pdf">the deceased’s adult son received nothing</a> despite living with disability and “doing it tough”. He had refused financial help so was not financially dependent. AFCA gave everything to the partner.</p> <p>AFCA ignores these factors because of one key issue. It places “<a href="https://service02.afca.org.au/CaseFiles/FOSSIC/832049.pdf">great weight</a>” on whether beneficiaries are financially dependent on the deceased.</p> <p>This means when choosing between a financial dependent – such as a new partner who shares home expenses with the deceased, and non-financial dependants, such as most adult children – AFCA will almost always give everything to the spouse.</p> <p>Relying on financial dependence can be arbitrary. Unlike in family law, a de facto partner <a href="http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/cth/consol_act/sia1993473/s10.html#spouse">does not need to be living with you for two years</a> before becoming entitled. For example, <a href="https://service02.afca.org.au/CaseFiles/FOSSIC/753556.pdf">in one case AFCA gave a partner of possibly only seven months</a> (and 41 years younger than the deceased) everything and the deceased’s three children aged 27–33 nothing.</p> <p>Also, AFCA treats any regular payment that supports daily living as financial dependence. For example, <a href="https://service02.afca.org.au/CaseFiles/FOSSIC/714258.pdf">a son paying A$100 a week board to parents means both parents are financially dependent on the son</a>. In another case, payments from the deceased to his brother of $5,000, $7,000 and $5,000 made over a year <a href="https://service02.afca.org.au/CaseFiles/FOSSIC/842323.pdf">was not financial dependence because they were irregular</a>.</p> <p>The whole process is slow. The average time it takes to resolve a death benefit case that goes to AFCA is nearly <a href="https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/journals/SydLawRw/2024/10.html#Heading248">three years and the longest case I’ve seen took over six</a>.</p> <p>The only thing that you can do that will make a difference is execute a binding nomination; non-binding nominations are worthless.</p> <p>But take care to execute your binding nomination correctly (get legal advice) and leave reminders for yourself to review it every three years.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/248019/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tobias-barkley-1271340"><em>Tobias Barkley</em></a><em>, Lecturer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/la-trobe-university-842">La Trobe University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/want-your-loved-ones-to-inherit-your-super-heres-why-you-cant-afford-to-skip-this-one-step-248019">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Money & Banking

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Share the love this Valentine’s Day with L’Occitane

<p dir="ltr">With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it's time to think about treating the one you love most to something special. </p> <p dir="ltr">Luckily, <a href="https://au.loccitane.com/FleursdeCerisier.html">L’Occitane’s</a> new limited edition range has something for everyone. </p> <p dir="ltr">Featuring a limited edition fragrance inspired by the blooming Cherry Blossoms and Vineflowers of Provence, the feminine, floral, and fruity scent transports you to a springtime stroll.</p> <p dir="ltr">With six new products in the new Fleurs De Cerisier range, the fragrance combines fresh top notes of mandarin and white muscat, with a heart of cherry blossom and green grapevine flowers, leaving a soft, sensual dry-down of rosewood and white musks.</p> <p dir="ltr">The range features an Eau de Toilette perfume, a hair and body Mist, a body lotion, a hand cream, and of course, L’Occitane’s iconic shower oil. </p> <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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFKkRlZyYY5/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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/DFKkRlZyYY5/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by L’Occitane en Provence | ANZ (@loccitaneanz)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">For those who can’t decide, the Visite En Provence Fragrance Collection comes with a fresh mist, a fragrance and a hand cream to keep you covered. </p> <p dir="ltr">The stunning collection ranges from $29 to $125, boasting something for shoppers on every budget. </p> <p dir="ltr">With its delicate yet captivating scent, this collection will make any Valentine’s Day moment smell and feel extra special.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock / Instagram </em></p> <p> </p>

Beauty & Style

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"Overflowing with love": Fergie celebrates newest grandchild

<p>Sarah Ferguson has welcomed her fourth grandchild with the arrival of Princess Beatrice's second daughter. </p> <p>The Duchess of York shared a sweet photo of the new baby to Instagram, introducing the tiny tot and sharing her name. </p> <p>"Overflowing with love and joy to be able to welcome Athena Elizabeth Rose into the world," Fergie wrote. </p> <p>"She is already so adored and I'm incredibly blessed to be a Granny once again. So proud of Edo, Beatrice and the rest of my little 5-a-side team!"</p> <p>Proud new dad Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, who took to the sweet snap of the camera-shy bub covering her face in her oversized onesie, commented on the post.</p> <p>"The best Gigi," he wrote, referring to what Fergie's grandkids call her.</p> <p>Edoardo also shared a post of the new baby, saying their family is "already completely besotted with her."</p> <p>He added, "A massive thank you from my wife and I goes out to all the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their exceptional care and support during this incredibly special time."</p> <p>Beatrice and Edoardo welcomed their first child, Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, on September 18th 2021, who is now three. Beatrice is also a loving stepmother to Mapelli Mozzi’s son, Christopher Wolf, affectionately known as Wolfie, from a previous relationship.</p> <p>Fergie is also a proud parent to her daughter Princess Eugenie's two children, August, three, and Ernest, one.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Does ‘made with love’ sell? Research reveals who values handmade products the most

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tuba-degirmenci-2291455">Tuba Degirmenci</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/frank-mathmann-703900">Frank Mathmann</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gary-mortimer-1322">Gary Mortimer</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a></em></p> <p>We’ve all seen the marketing message “handmade with love”. It’s designed to tug at our heartstrings, suggesting extra care and affection went into crafting a product.</p> <p>As Valentine’s Day approaches, many businesses will ramp up such messaging in their advertising.</p> <p>Handmade gifts are often cast as more thoughtful, special options than their mass-produced, machine-made alternatives.</p> <p>But does “love” actually sell? Our new <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cb.2455">research</a>, published in the Journal of Consumer Behaviour, reveals not everyone feels the same way about these labels.</p> <p>Why do some people feel handmade products are made with love, while others don’t really care? We found it’s all about how they approach purchase decisions.</p> <h2>A deeper, human connection</h2> <p>Why do businesses market products as handmade? Previous research has shown handmade labels can lead to higher positive emotions. This tendency is known as the “<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1509/jm.14.0018">handmade effect</a>”.</p> <p>In a world of seemingly perfect and polished products, <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/09590551211267593/full/html">research</a> shows consumers increasingly prefer human (as opposed to machine) interactions, including in their shopping experiences.</p> <p>It’s also been shown that giving handmade gifts can <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11002-024-09722-w">promote social relationships</a>.</p> <p>We often associated handmade products with smaller “cottage” retailers. But many major global retailers – including <a href="https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&amp;node=120955898011">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://www.ikea.com/au/en/new/handcrafted-textiles-for-a-better-future-pub6fc26570/">IKEA</a> – have strategically introduced handmade products, aiming to connect on a deeper emotional level with their consumers.</p> <p>Our research found not all consumers respond in the same way to these marketing messages.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kYn-xUjv_qs?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">IKEA has previously run a dedicated handmade marketing campaign.</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Who cares about love?</h2> <p>Across two studies, we found that the response to marketing products as “handmade” depends on a consumer’s locomotion orientation – put simply, how they approach decisions and other actions.</p> <p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022435917300155">Low-locomotion individuals</a> take things more slowly. They take their time and can thoroughly consider their purchase decisions. Think of them as the “mindful”.</p> <p>In contrast, high-locomotion individuals are “doers”. They like to get things done quickly without getting stuck in the details. They are the “grab-and-go” shopper.</p> <p>When the way they perform an action – such as making a purchase – matches their fast-paced mindset, something remarkable happens: they experience what’s called “<a href="https://myscp.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jcpy.1317">regulatory fit</a>”.</p> <p>This fit boosts their emotions and engagement.</p> <h2>Our first study</h2> <p>In our first study, participants imagined buying a gift for a loved one. They were split into three groups and presented with a photo of the same mug.</p> <p>One group was informed that the mug was “handmade”, one group informed it was “machine-made”, and the last group was not offered any “production cue”.</p> <p>We also asked and measured how much “love” they felt the mug contained – and how much they would pay for it.</p> <p>The handmade mug evoked more love and led to a higher willingness to pay – but only for those with a “low-locomotion” orientation.</p> <p>High-locomotion individuals didn’t react in the same way. For these “doers”, the backstory of how the mug had been made wasn’t as important as just getting a product they needed.</p> <p>For the “doers”, the benefits of marketing the mug as handmade actually backfired.</p> <p>They felt more love for the mug if it had no label at all.</p> <h2>Our second study</h2> <p>By communicating with consumers on social media, marketers can trigger a mindset called “regulatory locomotion mode”. Put simply, this is the mode where we take action and make progress toward goals.</p> <p>Marketers can do this by using <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-3514.79.5.793">locomotion-activating</a> words such as “move” and “go” to encourage active decision-making.</p> <p>To borrow one famous example from Nike: “<a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-3514.79.5.793">Just Do It</a>”.</p> <p>Our second study examined the marketer-generated content of over 9,000 Facebook posts from the verified <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Etsy">Etsy</a> Facebook page.</p> <p>We analysed how locomotion-activating words in social media posts for handmade products influence consumer engagement.</p> <p>In other words, we wanted to understand how these words affected social media engagement with the potential consumers reading them, particularly in terms of social media shares.</p> <p>We found the higher an individual’s locomotion orientation was, the fewer social media “shares” for handmade products occurred.</p> <h2>So, does handmade really matter?</h2> <p>As we get closer to Valentine’s Day, understanding these differences can help retailers tailor their marketing strategies.</p> <p>For “mindful” customers, retailers should highlight the story of the craftsmanship, care, and love behind a handmade product for Valentine’s Day. Use emotional language such as “made with love”.</p> <p>But be aware this mightn’t work on everyone. For a customer base of “doers”, keep it simple, leaving out unnecessary details about production methods.</p> <p>There are a range of <a href="https://marketingplatform.google.com/about/">website analytical tools</a> that can help retailers identify how their customers approach their purchase decision-making.</p> <p>Do they browse quickly, hopping from one product to the next, opting for “<a href="https://www.business.com/articles/one-click-purchasing-how-click-to-buy-is-revolutionizing-ecommerce/">one-click</a>” purchasing? Or do they take their time, browsing slowly and considering their product selection?</p> <p>Personalised marketing messages can then be crafted to emphasise the aspects – love or efficiency – that matter most to each group. The key lies in knowing who you’re speaking to.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/247351/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tuba-degirmenci-2291455">T<em>uba Degirmenci</em></a><em>, PhD Candidate School of Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/frank-mathmann-703900">Frank Mathmann</a>, Lecturer (Assistant Professor), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gary-mortimer-1322">Gary Mortimer</a>, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/does-made-with-love-sell-research-reveals-who-values-handmade-products-the-most-247351">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Money & Banking

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Readers response: What’s the best book you’ve read recently, and what did you love about it?

<p>With hundreds of new books on the market, it's hard to know what are the best to recommend.</p> <p>We asked our readers what the best book they've read recently is and what did they love about it, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Helen Ulgekutt</strong> - The Venice Hotel by Tess Woods, loved it start to finish.</p> <p><strong>Zoy Crizzle</strong> - The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George. Great book, so easy to read and an interesting story line. I loved it.</p> <p><strong>Keralie Stack</strong> - I have just finished Fallen Woman by Fiona McIntosh. A good read.</p> <p><strong>Karen Peardon</strong> - The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston. A great story.</p> <p><strong>Nola Schmidt</strong> - The Perfect Passion Company by Alexander McCall Smith. It was clever, witty, and gentle. </p> <p><strong>June Lennie</strong> - People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. Interesting story set in different historical periods. Brilliantly written and researched.</p> <p><strong>Christine Hayes</strong> - Where the Crawdads Sing, just beautiful.</p> <p><strong>Sandra Moores</strong> - All That's Left Unsaid by Tracey Lien.  A great debut based in Cabramatta, very compelling read.</p> <p><strong>Greg Cudmore </strong>- 'To Alpha From Omega'. Although very much Australian, its themes are universal.</p> <p><strong>Denise Zephyr</strong> - The Days I Loved You Most. Such a beautiful story and a beautiful ending.</p> <p><strong>Marie Chong</strong> - Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy. I love all her books, she tells a good story.</p> <p><strong>Yvonne Bercov</strong> - The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, couldn’t put it down.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p> </p>

Books

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Freddy Krueger at 40 – the ultimate horror movie monster (and Halloween costume)

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/adam-daniel-301018">Adam Daniel</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a></em></p> <p>Movie monsters have captivated audiences since the days of early cinema. They evoke fascination and terror, allowing audiences to confront their fears from the safety of the movie theatre or living room.</p> <p>Arguably one of the most enduring and captivating of these monsters is Freddy Krueger, the villain of the <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087800/">A Nightmare on Elm Street</a> series who celebrates his 40th screen birthday this November.</p> <p>Memorably played by Robert Englund, Freddy quickly became a cultural icon of the 1980s and 1990s. Beyond his burned face and iconic bladed glove, Freddy’s dark humour and acidic personality set him apart from other silent, faceless killers of the era, such as Michael Myers in <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077651/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2_tt_6_nm_0_in_0_q_halloween">Halloween</a> or Jason Vorhees in <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080761/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">Friday the 13th</a>.</p> <p>Written and directed by horror maven <a href="https://theconversation.com/wes-craven-the-scream-of-our-times-46915">Wes Craven</a>, 1984’s A Nightmare on Elm Street garnered positive reviews for its innovative concept: Freddy stalked and attacked his victims in their dreams, making him inescapable and allowing him to tap into their deepest fears. The series (seven films plus a 2010 remake and <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0329101/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">Freddy vs. Jason</a> spin offs) blended supernatural horror and surrealism with a dark and twisted sense of humour.</p> <h2>Scary … but funny</h2> <p>Humour was key to Freddy’s “popularity”. Both sinister and strangely charismatic, Freddy’s psychological torture of his adolescent victims often oscillated between terrifying and amusing.</p> <p>A famous kill scene from 1987’s <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093629/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors</a> demonstrates this paradox.</p> <p>Aspiring actress Jennifer drifts off to sleep while watching a talk show on TV. In her dream, the host of the talk show suddenly transforms into Freddy, who attacks his guest before the TV blinks out. When Jennifer timidly approaches the TV set, Freddy’s head and clawed hands emerge from the device, snatching her while delivering an iconic one-liner: “This is it, Jennifer – your big break in TV!”</p> <p>Freddy turns his victims’ fears or aspirations – their dreams – against them.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dCVh4lBfW-c?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">‘Whatever you do, don’t fall asleep.’</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Creating a monster</h2> <p>Craven has shared how the character of Krueger came to life in <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1510985/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy</a>, an oral history of the series.</p> <p>He described a childhood experience of seeing a strange mumbling man walking past his childhood home. The man stopped, he said, and looked directly at him “with a sick sense of malice”. This deeply unsettling experience helped shape Freddy’s menacing presence.</p> <p>The character’s creation also emerged from the filmmaker’s interest in <a href="https://www.iflscience.com/nightmare-on-elm-street-was-inspired-by-a-real-life-medical-mystery-60527">numerous reports of Southeast Asian refugees dying in their sleep</a> after experiencing vivid nightmares.</p> <p>In the film, Krueger’s origin story reveals him as a child murderer who was apprehended but released due to a technicality in his arrest. Seeking justice, the parents of his victims take matters into their own hands, and form a vigilante mob. They corner him in his boiler room and burn him alive. But Freddy’s spirit survives to haunt and kill the children of his executioners.</p> <h2>Cultural repression, expressed on film</h2> <p>Film critic and essayist <a href="https://www.cineaste.com/summer2019/robin-wood-on-horror-film-collected-essays-and-reviews#:%7E:text=Freudian%20theory%2C%20a%20crucial%20theoretical,the%20horror%20film%20perpetually%20enacts.">Robin Wood argued</a> horror films often bring to the surface elements society has repressed. These fears, desires, or cultural taboos are not openly acknowledged.</p> <p>But movie monsters act as manifestations of what society suppresses, such as sexuality, violence or deviant behaviour. American academic <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01956051.1995.9943696">Gary Heba</a> argues Freddy is:</p> <blockquote> <p>an example of America’s political unconscious violently unleashed upon itself, manifesting everything that is unspeakable and repressed in the master narrative (perversion, child abuse and murder, vigilantism, the breakdown of rationality, order, and the family, among others), but still always present in the collective unconscious of the dominant culture.</p> </blockquote> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UBrl4H0Uzng?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">Actor Robert Englund calls Freddy Krueger ‘the gift that keeps on giving’.</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>The monster decades</h2> <p>The 1970s and 1980s marked a golden era for the creation of horror film nasties like Krueger, Myers, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072271/?ref_=fn_al_tt_3">The Texas Chainsaw Massacre</a>’s Leatherface and <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094862/?ref_=fn_al_tt_19">killer doll Chucky</a>.</p> <p>Since then, the landscape of horror has shifted, with fewer singular monsters emerging. The diversification of horror sub-genres (zombie virus horror, anyone?), the rise of psychological horror (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7784604/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2_tt_4_nm_2_in_0_q_heredi">Hereditary</a>), and an emphasis on human-driven terror (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416315/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1_tt_7_nm_0_in_0_q_wolf%2520creek">Wolf Creek</a>) or supernatural forces all contribute to this shift.</p> <p>While modern horror continues to thrive, few characters have achieved the same iconic status as Freddy – although some would argue Art the Clown from the recent <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4281724/">Terrifier</a> franchise and the reinvigorated Pennywise from <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1396484/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1_tt_6_nm_1_in_0_q_it">IT</a> could join this exclusive group.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZuYoEtEI_go?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">‘Five, six, grab your crucifix.’ A 2010 Nightmare on Elm St reboot failed to fire.</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Happy Halloween!</h2> <p>Despite a <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1179056/">failed reboot in 2010</a>, the legacy of A Nightmare on Elm Street is strong, having influenced numerous filmmakers with its skilful mix of surrealism and slasher horror.</p> <p>However, it’s the orchestrator of the titular nightmares whose legacy is perhaps the strongest.</p> <p>With each Halloween, new fans choose Freddy for their costume. All it takes is a tattered striped sweater, a brown fedora hat, and a glove with sharp, finger-lengthening blades. Don’t forget makeup to re-create Krueger’s grisly facial burns. Sweet dreams!<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/240905/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/adam-daniel-301018"><em>Adam Daniel</em></a><em>, Associate Lecturer in Communications, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: New Line Cinema - IMDB</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/freddy-krueger-at-40-the-ultimate-horror-movie-monster-and-halloween-costume-240905">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Movies

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Arguing with the people you love? How to have a healthy family dispute

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jessica-robles-617248">Jessica Robles</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/loughborough-university-1336">Loughborough University</a></em></p> <p>Unlike Britain’s royal family, most of us don’t have the option to move to another country when we don’t see eye to eye. But most of us have likely experienced disagreements with loved ones.</p> <p><a href="https://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/soc/faculty/heritage/Site/Publications_files/CA_as_SOCIAL_THEORY.pdf">Conversations are designed to</a> do things – to start some action, and complete it – whether it’s a service transaction, an invitation to coffee or reassurance on a bad day. Our <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ZnhyDwAAQBAJ&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;source=gbs_ge_summary_r&amp;cad=0#v=onepage&amp;q&amp;f=false">uniquely complex communicative system</a> has evolved to help us get things done in the social world.</p> <p>Arguments are part of this complex system. They can be unavoidable, necessary or even productive. But they can also be difficult.</p> <p>It can be hard to know what to do when tensions are high and harsh words are flying, particularly when it involves someone you’re close to. But research on how disputes unfold – and conversation more generally – offers some ideas about the best way to handle one.</p> <h2>What is a dispute?</h2> <p>There are many words for disagreeing, and there are plenty of academic theories describing what disputes are and why they happen. But arguments are not abstract models. They’re lived in, breathed in, sweated in and talked (or sometimes shouted) into being.</p> <p>Research focusing on <a href="https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/288351315.pdf">how disputes actually happen</a> shows they’re characterised by three types of features. First are the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378216606000488">vocal features</a>, which include talking in a higher pitch, louder and faster. Then, there are <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1750481310395452?casa_token=MCNQWEQD6HwAAAAA:8nbyXh-cgjWzfL3syRrwybRFQl_ddHIMy9tRIAwPRAFADrgHtR2LSl9ZoUFsVlnzWPjWaKQZZ9XEVA">embodied features</a> such as aggressive gestures and avoidant stances, such as turning away from someone. Finally, there are <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/01638539009544746?casa_token=BB9edpIE1oUAAAAA:FTK-JRJ2oCmG7BufkUAQX1k1_9C1Cvc12r5ynYPM6duFB-HDWhgef8Va-Rh5Z2XksR64oTcPmi4FAQ">interactional features</a> such as talking over each other, not listening or metatalk – <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/08351813.2020.1826765?casa_token=isJl2NJbSIkAAAAA:Mh-dXMfkBSGvEeoOWAoxLDjzbZ_eF-zbND-D8q4RAP5WHadqg1KUZDF_UnySFAcyb3LD-DF3BbGq1A">comments about the conversation</a> as it’s happening.</p> <p><a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1354067X9953001?casa_token=Gje17vkyg_AAAAAA:ik_4Ze-4PIFLa6yjthOpztvJrtdVOokhRT73M8jDN4t1w0Bl7WzW2--d1vjZwanphorOH_r6jaVZdA">Displays of emotion</a> such as displeasure or anger, are also common. Participants might accuse each other of emotions or label their own emotions.</p> <p>Disputes happen for several reasons. What each person is doing can vary, from <a href="https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.530.8869&amp;rep=rep1&amp;type=pdf">complaints and accusations</a> to <a href="https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1348/014466610X500791?casa_token=r58ikQ5XFxEAAAAA:QR9wr0Fcz7q5BeSvL8soAIhKMNA1O9TcpcBaLleBKDvZ8Q5sPyX1OSg0OzSL5-xb8By5QbgNm9kHNhg">demands, threats or resistance</a>.</p> <p>They can be about many things – familial obligations, what to have for dinner, politics or how to plan a holiday. Luckily, disputes share elements <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=2NxaC7nSetAC&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&amp;q&amp;f=false">with each other</a> and with conversation generally – so you don’t have to invent new strategies every time you’re caught in one.</p> <h2>Affiliation and alignment</h2> <p>When bickering with a friend or family member, there are ways to make them feel like you’re still on their side even if you disagree. If you can keep these in mind, and use them at the right time, you might stop your dispute from escalating into something harder to mend.</p> <p>The first thing is <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781405198431.wbeal0196.pub2">affiliation</a>, which means support for the other person or their view of things.</p> <p>Affiliation involves phrasing what you say so it’s best <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/08351810903471258?casa_token=yxnWxfDAEB8AAAAA:uoHEX2dlOS06wxwlHH7TOWmmfB51qMMbzg5tadx5SeRcf_5-vABUKQZtIt0Hchu4vUlFNfCX4qRi5A">understood and easier to respond to</a>. For example, saying “you’ve been to France before, right?” invites someone to share their experience – partly by including the tag “right” at the end, which at least requires a confirmation.</p> <p>It can also involve categorisation, the way we talk about or treat others as <a href="https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/BF00142771.pdf">certain types or group members</a>. For example, if you reduce the other person to a stereotype through labelling – by saying something like “girls always say stuff like that” or “OK, boomer” – you risk provoking a response to the insult, not to the action in which that insult was embedded.</p> <p>The second thing we expect from any conversation is alignment – cooperating with the direction of the conversation, such as accepting or denying a request. The opposite, disalignment, might occur when a request is ignored.</p> <p>Alignment has more to do with the sequence of the conversation, how the dispute unfolds over time. Asking for clarification – a practice known as <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0136100">repair</a> – or <a href="https://www.jbe-platform.com/content/journals/10.1075/prag.27.1.03rob?crawler=true">claiming a misunderstanding</a> can treat problems as fixable errors rather than moral failings or attacks. <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0261927X17744244">Humour can diffuse</a> conflict escalation.</p> <h2>How to have a healthy dispute</h2> <p>In the course of a dispute, you need to think about when to bring these tactics out. They’re more likely to yield better outcomes earlier in the dispute. By the time it’s escalated, your responses may be viewed through the prism of the dispute and <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&amp;lr=&amp;id=eFSXDwAAQBAJ&amp;oi=fnd&amp;pg=PT200&amp;ots=6tM3fJnXr1&amp;sig=Zchtur1abh25W7ERN5Q49ASRaJc#v=onepage&amp;q&amp;f=false">any offensiveness</a> you’ve already displayed toward each other. In cases like this, teasing can come across as contempt, for example, and claims to misunderstand as bad-faith mockery.</p> <p>It can feel like disputes take on a life of their own – as if the conversation uses us rather than we use it – and this is partly because conversation can seemingly take us along for the ride (consider the difficulty of turning down invitations). We invest our identities into conversations so disputes can seem to threaten us and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378216618304302?casa_token=1SbOpn_2k8MAAAAA:YQ2Yb9nt-ONsmBKmVzTCx8cfl76bS5nK6_Yd8zONBVJFdJ57vwgdBDJxsXfk0aUOhilRQAF-ABA">what we stand for</a> morally.</p> <p>This may be starker with family, whose opinions of us often matter more than friends or colleagues, for example. It’s always worth stopping to reflect on what a dispute is really for, whether what you’re saying lines up with your goals and whether taking a stand is worth it.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/159565/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jessica-robles-617248">Jessica Robles</a>, Lecturer in Social Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/loughborough-university-1336">Loughborough University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/arguing-with-the-people-you-love-how-to-have-a-healthy-family-dispute-159565">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Family & Pets

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Aussies chat with King Charles on first day of royal tour

<p>Hundreds of Aussies have lined up for a hours to catch a glimpse of King Charles and Queen Camilla on the first day of their royal tour of Australia, with some royal fans getting the chance to have a brief moment with the monarch. </p> <p>In their first public appearance of the royal couple’s five-day tour Down Under, Charles and Camilla attended a church service at St Thomas Anglican Church on Sunday morning in North Sydney as hundreds of fans waited to see the royals. </p> <p>After the service, Charles and Camilla made an unexpected stop to talk fans who had congregated on the street. </p> <p>Royalist Mary-Anne Spring said the monarch made the stop after a boy “yelled out” asking him to come over to the group, as Ms Spring shared that she spoke to the King about his health. </p> <p>“I welcomed them to Sydney and I wished the King all the very best in his cancer treatment. He said thank you very much I really appreciate it,” she told <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals/king-charles-queen-camillas-first-public-appearance-in-australia-on-royal-tour/news-story/f23713cc089ce37d149fd829c68e50fd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em>. </p> <p>“I think it’s good to support them and the work they do.”</p> <p>Another royal fan, Malcolm Lemirae, managed to gift the Queen a bunch of red roses. </p> <p>“They accepted the flowers and Camilla asked if I grew them and I said I grew them in my garden,” he said. "I think she was thrilled about that. It’s just a little symbol of my gratitude for them coming out. The guy's got cancer. To come out here and do that trip, it’s a long, long trip.”</p> <p>Julianne McCartney, who is originally from the UK, also had her own moment with the King, recalling her previous encounter with the royal family.</p> <p>She said, “He told me he really appreciated the crowd. He noticed my British accent and asked if I was from the UK, I said I had met his mother before and I think he thought that was quite nice actually.”</p> <p>On Monday, King Charles and Queen Camilla will head to Canberra for a reception with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with other political and community leaders. </p> <p><em>Image credits: DEAN LEWINS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Domestic Travel

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‘We’re all Muriel’: why we still love Muriel’s Wedding, 30 years on

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lisa-french-12625">Lisa French</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a></em></p> <p>P.J. Hogan’s classic Australian film Muriel’s Wedding is 30 and it plays as well today as it did when it had its world premiere. Muriel might have been “terrible” – but the film was a great success.</p> <p>Australians love to laugh at themselves, and everyone loves an underdog. Muriel’s Wedding took more than A$15 million at the box office in Australia — making it one of the <a href="https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/fact-finders/cinema/australian-films/feature-film-releases/top-australian-films">highest-grossing</a> Australian feature films of all time.</p> <p>As fun as the film is with its kitsch aesthetic, bold colour palette and garish costumes, it has a unique mix of comedy and serious drama. It slips from the absurd to painful realism, with more depth than your average comedy and a twist in the plot that made it an original take on the genre.</p> <p>While Australians generally have received it as hilarious, audiences elsewhere were more attuned to the tragedy, such as Muriel’s mother Betty’s suicide following relentless bullying, and Rhonda’s illness and disability. But it worked for audiences everywhere who warmed to the representation of friendship, its emotional compassion and critique of the narrow mindedness of small-town communities.</p> <h2>‘We’re all Muriel’</h2> <p>Sometimes it is the stars who can bring in an audience and make a film successful. However, although there were a lot of experienced actors in Muriel’s Wedding, Toni Collette (Muriel) and Rachel Griffiths (Rhonda) – whose performances were exceptional – were both playing lead and supporting roles for the first time in a feature film.</p> <p>It was also Hogan’s first feature, so it is unlikely star power drew in audiences (although all of them were to become stars, and Hogan later directed My Best Friend’s Wedding with Julia Roberts, one of the <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/08/best-romantic-comedies-list">top romantic comedies of all time</a>).</p> <p>It did, however, have a wonderful trailer.</p> <p>I asked Rachel Griffiths what she thought was the key to the film’s success and she identified its universality: it translated for an array of audiences and enabled broad identification.</p> <p>She described the film as having one foot in the grotesque and the other in Ridley Scott’s 1991 getaway heist Thelma &amp; Louise – another film about female friendship, independence and individual growth.</p> <p>Griffiths gave the example of going with the film to New York on its release and discovering it was wildly meaningful to the LGBTQIA+ community. In conversation with a gay man in his late 20s, he described it as a parable for AIDS, which at that time was in full-blown crisis.</p> <p>According to Griffiths, he said: “We’re all Muriel. We don’t fit in.”</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/laHqRJeXeVU?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Growing up in small towns where they are “the freak”, with closet musical tastes, he said:</p> <blockquote> <p>We’re the outcasts in our family. Our fathers belittle us for being feminine. We escape to the big smoke with the promise of becoming ourselves and following our own journey. We replace our families who have rejected us with our chosen family who celebrate us.</p> </blockquote> <p>And when one of their own is struck suddenly by this terrible affliction, like Rhonda, they are sent home in humiliation, to be looked after, which is their worst fear. The aspiration is to be rescued by the adopted family and taken back to the big city and shown unconditional love.</p> <p>Griffiths says:</p> <blockquote> <p>That’s the ending and the survival story of both Rhonda and Muriel, you go back to that kind of pride moment, to be proud of who you are.</p> </blockquote> <p>For Griffiths, Rhonda and Muriel have “a kind of blood-sister friendship, a bond that can’t be broken”.</p> <p>We all long for that deep acceptance. It is a parable of inclusion, where Muriel and Rhonda truly see and accept each other and themselves.</p> <h2>A feminist film</h2> <p>I asked Griffiths if Muriel’s Wedding was received as feminist when it was released. She replied it wasn’t at the time it was made, but more recently this has come up.</p> <p>Her explanation of why this wasn’t considered 30 years ago is informative regarding film criticism. She elaborated that the critics at the time were 90% male and their take on feminism expected powerful female lead characters who pursue their goals and achieve in the face of competition.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oykn8YgGkJs?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>In this story, there is a girl escaping patriarchal control. Muriel’s father, Bill Heslop (Bill Hunter), is a bully and narcissist who blames everyone else – especially the women – for his failures.</p> <p>Griffiths aligns Muriel to the Cinderella myth because in the beginning she sees her value will only be ascribed to her once she marries. The film, Griffiths said, is “a fundamental kind of feminist journey”.</p> <p>The central focus is Muriel’s personal growth in rejecting ideology that promotes romantic coupling as the pinnacle of happiness for women. Instead Muriel embraces her own worth and her friendship with Rhonda. Marriage is portrayed as a patriarchal structure that ideologically binds women – the marriages are variously fraudulent, starting with Tanya and Chook, then Muriel and, ultimately, her mother.</p> <p>There are many elements that make Muriel’s Wedding an Australian classic, from the universal themes and relatability to how the story is able to extend beyond national borders. The film leaves us with admiration for resilience in the face of adversity, signalled by Muriel and Rhonda grinning assuredly at each other in the final scene.</p> <p>It is a unique and very real comedy/drama with a highly engaging aesthetic and a feminist message. It is an opportunity to laugh at ourselves, despite quite a lot of tragedy and adversity — which is a very Australian thing to do!</p> <p><em>The author wishes to thank Rachel Griffiths who was interviewed in Melbourne on August 17 2020.</em><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/236793/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lisa-french-12625">Lisa French</a>, Professor &amp; Dean, School of Media and Communication, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Miramax</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/were-all-muriel-why-we-still-love-muriels-wedding-30-years-on-236793">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Movies

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Things to remember when booking a group tour

<p dir="ltr">When it comes to travelling abroad, many people opt to take part in a group tour to get the most out of their holiday. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, there are always a few logistics to iron out before you book your trip, because running into issues on a tour can make or break your vacation. </p> <p dir="ltr">Thankfully, travel expert Dilvin Yasa has shared her go to tips for getting the most out of your group tour.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Budget accordingly</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">When planning your group tour, budgeting is one of the most important factors, as these trips are rarely all-inclusive. </p> <p dir="ltr">Dilvin Yasa told <em><a href="https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/things-first-timers-get-wrong-on-group-tours/61fa10d2-ce80-40bb-ab92-9008b3d9296d">9Travel</a></em> it’s important to “read the itinerary carefully before you book and add up all the exclusions until you arrive at your 'real figure'.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Extra costs on a group tour could include lunches, dinners, attractions and additional activities, so make sure you factor these potential costs in. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Know your geography </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Yasa advised against skipping between different destinations, as strict time constraints could prevent you from partaking in back to back tours. </p> <p dir="ltr">“If the itinerary doesn't list distances or time between destinations, hit up Google Maps to get an idea of how long you're expected to be in transit during each leg of the tour.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Don’t arrive at the last minute </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The travel expert said if you’re heading on a group tour, don’t leave it until the day the tour departs to arrive at your destination.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The last thing you want is to miss a connecting flight or hit any other sort of delay that could see you miss the first or two of the tour you've paid for,” Yasa said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Aim to arrive the day before at the very latest and give yourself a little extra free time at the tail end as well - just in case.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Keep some cash on hand </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">While most of your tour should already be paid for before you depart, you should always be prepared for extra expenses. </p> <p dir="ltr">Especially when travelling to more remote locations, or if you’re visiting smaller food vendors or markets, you shouldn’t assume everywhere will take card payments. </p> <p dir="ltr">Yasa said, “Make sure you have local currency on you at all times and you're good to go.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Travel Tips

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New details revealed on King Charles and Queen Camilla's Australia tour

<p>King Charles and Queen Camilla are visiting Australia next month for the first time in five years, and now their itinerary for the trip has finally been revealed. </p> <p>First on the line up the King has scheduled a meeting with Australians of the Year, Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO in Sydney to learn about their ground-breaking research into cancer. </p> <p>The five-day tour will kick off on October 18 to October 23 and will take place in Canberra and Sydney. </p> <p>During their time in the ACT, the royal couple have been invited to  Parliament House by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and there they will attend a reception for political and community leaders, as well as Australians who have excelled within health, arts and culture. </p> <p>They will then pay their respects at the Australian War Memorial, before visiting the Australian National Botanic Gardens to discuss the global impacts of climate change with staff and volunteers. </p> <p>While in the ACT the couple will also branch off for separate engagements with Charles heading to  the CSIRO headquarters to discuss the toll of bushfires with scientists, and Camilla participating in a discussion on family and domestic violence.</p> <p>In Sydney, while the King meets with the cancer research team, the Queen will visit a library and meet with children participating in  a Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition workshop.</p> <p>The royal couple will also conduct a Fleet Review of the Royal Australian Navy, and attend a community BBQ celebrating Australia’s cultural diversity.  </p> <p>After their Australian visit, the royals will then head to Samoa to attend the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). </p> <p>This trip will mark their first visit Down Under since the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018, and the first time a reigning monarch has visited the country since Queen Elizabeth in 2011. </p> <p>The Palace first confirmed the Australia tour in July, but they did not add New Zealand to the itinerary on the advice of the King's doctor as he continues to recover. </p> <p>In a statement following the news, Prime Minister Albanese said he was looking forward to welcoming the King and Queen back.</p> <p>“I welcome Buckingham Palace’s statement announcing the visit,” Albanese said at the time. </p> <p>“The Royal Visit is an opportunity to showcase the best of Australia – our rich culture, our sense of community, and contributions to science, research and global progress.</p> <p>“His Majesty first visited Australia in 1966, and has a strong personal affection for our nation. We are delighted that His Majesty is recovering well and has made visiting Australia once again a priority.</p> <p>“Australians look forward to welcoming The King and Queen back to Australia in October, and highlighting the best of the Australian spirit.”</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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