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Beloved star of Mother and Son passes away

<p>Henri Szeps, the cherished award-winning actor who brought warmth and wit to Australian screens for decades, has died at the age of 81.</p> <p>Best known for his role as the well-meaning but exasperated Robert Beare in the much-loved ABC sitcom <em>Mother and Son</em>, Szeps passed away peacefully after a quiet battle with Alzheimer’s disease. A statement released on Thursday confirmed the news, adding that “Henri retained his sense of wonder and joie de vivre until the end”.</p> <p>Szeps revealed his diagnosis in 2021 and had been living in a care facility since last year.</p> <p>Born in a Swiss refugee camp in 1943 to Polish Holocaust survivors, Szeps arrived in Australia as an eight-year-old and went on to become a pillar of the nation’s stage and screen. His career spanned decades, marked by memorable roles not only in television but also in theatre, including turns as Gandalf in <em>The Hobbit</em> and Sigmund Freud in a celebrated stage production.</p> <p>He received an Order of Australia Medal in 2001 in recognition of his contributions to the performing arts, the culmination of a career full of accolades.</p> <p>Alongside Ruth Cracknell and Garry McDonald, Szeps made <em>Mother and Son</em> a household staple during its original 10-year run, which ended in 1994. The show’s enduring popularity led to a recent reboot, a testament to the affection Australians still hold for the original.</p> <p>In addition to his television work, Szeps also starred as Prime Minister Harold Holt in the mini-series <em>Vietnam</em>, acting opposite a young Nicole Kidman, and later performed a series of acclaimed one-man shows before retiring at 70, saying his memory was “no longer up to the task”.</p> <p>He is survived by his wife Mary, their two sons, and four grandchildren.</p> <p>Henri Szeps’ legacy is one of intelligence, humour and deep humanity – on stage, on screen, and in life.</p> <p><em>Images: ABC iView</em></p>

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"It's just my name": Aussie mum's number plate banned for being too offensive

<p>In what may be the most <em>Queensland</em> story of the year, a local mum has been left scratching her head after being told her own legal name was too controversial to be printed on a number plate.</p> <p>Indica Bradford, a Sunshine State resident with a name more commonly found in dispensaries than baby name books, says she was crushed after Personalised Plates Queensland (PPQ) refunded her deposit and rejected her application for custom plates bearing her first name.</p> <p>“I’ve been planning this since I got my licence,” Indica told <em>A Current Affair</em>, possibly while sipping chamomile tea and definitely not sparking up anything illegal. “Everyone has personalised plates and I could get my full name because it’s so unique. I was really excited.”</p> <p>After confirming over several years that INDICA was still available (possibly due to others being less keen to broadcast a botanical classification of cannabis), Indica finally pulled the trigger. She bought a new car, put her chosen plates on lay-by, and waited for her custom dream to become Queensland highway reality.</p> <p>Then came the buzzkill.</p> <p>PPQ refunded her money, called her up, and delivered the bad news: Indica had been rejected. The reason? The Department of Transport and Main Roads had deemed the name inappropriate, saying it could be interpreted as promoting illegal drugs or criminal activity.</p> <p>Which, to be clear, was a surprise to Indica, who has spent her entire life thinking her name was simply a pretty word her mum liked. “She loved it for years,” Indica explained. “She finally had me and named me the name she loved.”</p> <p>Neither mother nor daughter had any idea it had a... greener meaning.</p> <p>“I think the majority of Australia would probably be the same. They wouldn’t even know what it meant,” she said, perhaps optimistically.</p> <p>To be fair, Sativa Bradford probably would’ve had the same issue.</p> <p>Despite the bureaucratic bummer, Indica isn't backing down. “I’m not trying to offend anyone. It’s just my name, yeah, my legal name, on my birth certificate,” she said, clutching her paperwork and likely resisting the urge to add a middle name like "TotallyLegal".</p> <p>The Department of Transport and Main Roads replied with a characteristically dry statement about how personalised plate content is reviewed “against several criteria” and is updated “to reflect current community and social norms”.</p> <p>Translation: no weed names, even if it’s literally what your mum called you before the first ultrasound.</p> <p>Still, all is not lost. The department said Indica can request a formal review, a chance for justice, or at least a small victory for people named after misunderstood plant strains everywhere.</p> <p>For now, Indica is driving around incognito. But if you spot a car with “ND1K4” on the back, give her a wave. </p> <p><em>Images: A Current Affair</em></p>

Legal

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"Just So Wrong": Karl's outrage after dad banned from playing footy with son

<p>In what experts are calling “a shock loss for common sense”, a Queensland dad has found himself in hot water for the most egregious of playground crimes: having a wholesome moment with his own child.</p> <p>Dean, a footy-loving dad from the Sunshine Coast, was left gobsmacked when a casual morning pass around with his “footy mad” son was blown the full-time whistle, by the school's own referees, no less.</p> <p>“He said, ‘Dad can we just stand over on the grass there and pass a ball to each other,’” Dean explained to Karl Stefanovic on the <em>Today</em> show. And that’s exactly what they did – for all of one or two minutes – before a teacher intervened to declare the unregulated father-son bonding session a health hazard.</p> <p>“She said, 'It’s not safe to be over here because you’re unsupervised at the moment,'” Dean recounted. “And I said, 'Well, look, I’m supervising my son, so no need to worry about his supervision, consider him supervised.'”</p> <p>But the staff member was unmoved. According to Dean, the kicker came when she added: “It’s unfair on the other children who don’t have their parents here at the moment to play with them.”</p> <p>That’s right: fatherly love, now officially a competitive advantage in the playground.</p> <p>The situation escalated faster than a second-half comeback, with the deputy principal allegedly taking the opportunity to sideline the young player while dad was off stashing a backpack, delivering an impromptu post-match debrief that left the child confused and visibly upset.</p> <p>“I didn’t understand why he (principal) wouldn’t come speak to me. … I left at that point,” Dean said, still flabbergasted.</p> <p>The unnamed school has, according to Dean, developed a bit of a reputation for treating physical activity like it’s full-contact cage fighting. “I know that after school they don’t want kids playing sport,” Dean claimed. “I think now the school’s pulled back, they don’t want kids playing on the playground, they don’t want them playing on the oval, on any grass patch. Now they come to the point where you’re not allowed to pass the ball to your dad.”</p> <p>Next week’s ban: blinking more than three times during recess.</p> <p>Dean says he and other parents had previously let it all slide, but the idea that adults now require adult supervision while supervising their own children was the final straw.</p> <p>Enter<em> Today</em> show host and national voice of incredulity, Karl Stefanovic, who gave the incident the full Stefanovic treatment.</p> <p>“It feel like April Fool’s Day, doesn’t it?” he said. “I mean, it’s just so wrong, a father can’t kick a footy with his son or his daughter, it’s crazy stuff, mate.”</p> <p>And the final punchline?</p> <p>“We did reach out to the school and we got told we couldn’t kick the footy with them either,” Karl added, with a smirk that echoed around the nation.</p> <p>While the school has yet to make a public comment, one can only hope the next school newsletter doesn’t come with a warning: “No running. No fun. Supervision mandatory, even for supervising.”</p> <p>In the meantime, Dean remains undefeated in backyard one-on-one, and his son still just wants to have a kick with Dad. Is that really so dangerous?</p> <p><em>Images: Today show</em></p>

Family & Pets

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John Farnham's son breaks silence on serious health battle

<p>James Farnham, the youngest son of Australian music legend John Farnham, has revealed the success of a major surgery that helped him reclaim his health – and his life.</p> <p>In a candid social media post, James shared that he recently marked the one-year anniversary of the operation to reverse his colostomy and ileostomy, surgical procedures that divert waste from the intestines through a stoma in the abdominal wall.</p> <p>“Wow, what a difference a year makes,” he wrote. “Exactly 12 months ago today, I was going in for my third surgery, hoping to finally reverse my colostomy/ileostomy. It worked.”</p> <p>Farnham admitted he kept quiet about the procedure at the time, fearing another setback. “I was scared it would go wrong again. It always seemed to,” he said. “But this time, I healed properly and there were no complications.”</p> <p>Since the operation, Farnham said he has been rebuilding in every way – physically, mentally, and emotionally. He’s returned to the gym, cleared his head, and reconnected with his musical passions.</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/p/DMJc6LwzhlJ/?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/p/DMJc6LwzhlJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by James Farnham (@jimbofarnham)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Adding to his joy, James also <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/welcome-to-the-world-john-farnham-s-double-celebration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">became a father for the first time this year</a>. He and his partner, Tessa Effendi, welcomed their son Jett in June. The baby weighed just over 3.1 kilograms at birth, and James described fatherhood as his “biggest dream.”</p> <p>Reflecting on how far he’s come, Farnham said, “Two years ago, I couldn’t imagine feeling this way. I was angry, lost, didn’t want to go anywhere or see anyone. Life felt like a dead end. Today, I can finally say, I love my life. I’m genuinely happy.”</p> <p>The uplifting post comes amid ongoing support for the Farnham family. James’ father, John Farnham, also endured a major health scare, undergoing a 12-hour operation for throat cancer in August 2022. He has since made a full recovery.</p> <p>James signed off his message with a note of encouragement: “If you’re struggling, just hang in there. Check in on your mates. Be kind to yourself. Life’s weird and unpredictable, but it can surprise you in the best ways.”</p> <p>Fans flooded the comments with praise and support, calling his journey “inspiring” and “incredible”.</p> <p>“Amazing mate. You should be bloody proud of yourself!” one wrote. Another added, “Onwards and upwards.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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“She doesn’t know where she is anymore": Robbie Williams shares sad update on his mother

<p>Pop icon Robbie Williams has revealed the devastating toll dementia has taken on his family, sharing that his beloved mother no longer recognises him.</p> <p>The Angels singer, 51, made the emotional admission during a recent performance in Germany, telling fans that his mother Janet's condition has now progressed to the point where she doesn’t know who, or where, she is.</p> <p>“My mother has dementia and she doesn’t know who I am anymore,” he said quietly. “She doesn’t know where she is anymore.”</p> <p>Williams, who rose to fame with Take That before becoming one of the UK’s biggest solo artists, went on to detail the mounting challenges his family is facing. His father, Peter – also a performer – has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and is no longer able to leave the house.</p> <p>“He used to sing with me every night on stage,” Robbie recalled. “He would come out, steal the show, be charming… and then wander backstage for a glass of red wine. Now he can’t leave the house.”</p> <p>He also shared his concern for his mother-in-law, who is currently battling lupus, Parkinson’s and cancer.</p> <p>“She is the most courageous lady and she is fighting, fighting, fighting,” he said, paying tribute to her strength.</p> <p>Clearly moved and grappling with the weight of his family’s health battles, Williams told the audience: “It’s a strange place to be, this place we find ourselves, 51 years old. It’s very strange to be the grown-up. I’m not ready for it.”</p> <p>Robbie has spoken before about his mother’s battle with dementia (an illness that also affected his grandmother) but now, the moment he feared has come: she no longer knows her son.</p> <p>“I’m in a different part of my life right now,” he reflected.</p> <p>The deeply personal revelation comes at a time when Robbie is also being recognised for his extraordinary contributions to music and charity. He was recently nominated for a knighthood, an honour that, if approved, will be confirmed by King Charles following recommendations from the honours committee and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.</p> <p>With 15 No.1 albums in the UK – tying The Beatles – and a legacy that includes seven chart-topping singles, 11 Comic Relief appearances, and over £100 million raised for UNICEF through Soccer Aid, Robbie is one of Britain’s most celebrated entertainers.</p> <p>But in the face of such public recognition, his thoughts remain firmly with his family.</p> <p>“I think Robbie should be knighted, 100 per cent,” said BBC Radio 2 host Scott Mills. “Let’s not forget, he’s the most decorated Brits winner in history. I think we should celebrate and acknowledge how much joy he has brought.”</p> <p>For Robbie, however, no accolade can ease the pain of watching those he loves fade before his eyes.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Son's sad farewell to beloved Aussie icon

<p>Eileen “Red” Bond, beloved Australian socialite and devoted matriarch, has been farewelled in a moving service at Fremantle’s St Patrick’s Basilica, remembered for her unwavering commitment to “faith, family, friends and fun”.</p> <p>Hundreds gathered on Monday to pay their respects to the former wife of entrepreneur Alan Bond, who died on July 2 aged 87 following a stroke. The service celebrated a woman who brought colour, warmth and strength to the lives of those around her.</p> <p>Delivering the eulogy, son John Bond described his mother’s deep Catholic faith and love of St Patrick’s as a guiding force through life’s darkest moments – none more painful than the loss of her daughter, Susanne.</p> <p>“This place gave her strength to get through the tough times in life, of which she had a few,” he said. “In times like these, this church was her refuge.”</p> <p>Known affectionately as “Red” for her bright red hair as a child, Ms Bond was remembered as a fiercely loyal mother and a friend to many.</p> <p>“To mum, family could do no wrong even when we obviously had,” John said with affection. “She would brook no criticism whatsoever of family members.”</p> <p>Her generosity and openness touched people from all walks of life. “She had an incredible knack of befriending anybody, at any time, in any circumstances,” John said. “She was vitally interested in people’s lives, and I think that was the key.”</p> <p>Eileen met Alan Bond as a teenager and he converted to Catholicism to marry her. The couple went on to raise four children – John, Craig, Susanne and Jody – and built a life of both privilege and public scrutiny. Through her husband’s spectacular business highs and painful lows (including bankruptcy and prison) Ms Bond remained a steadfast and loyal presence.</p> <p>“She never really changed,” John said. “Wonderful, exuberant, engaging and loyal to the end, she will be terribly missed.”</p> <p>Bond University, founded by Alan Bond in 1987, also paid tribute to Ms Bond. Vice chancellor and president Tim Brailsford remembered her as a “great friend and fierce supporter” of the university.</p> <p>“The room was always brighter once Red had entered,” he said. “Her cheeky sense of humour entertained many a crowd.”</p> <p>Though she lived a life that spanned continents and social circles, those closest to Eileen Bond said her truest joys came from home – her faith, her children, and the love she carried for all who knew her.</p> <p><em>Images: 96FM</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Hollywood star sings to her mother in hospital during cancer battle

<p>Kate Beckinsale has shared an emotional video of herself singing to her mother, Judy Loe, as the 77-year-old remains in hospital while bravely battling stage four cancer.</p> <p>The tender moment, posted to Instagram, shows the <em>Underworld</em> actress gently serenading her mum with the Everly Brothers’ 1958 song Bye, Bye Love, revealing the choice had a deeply personal meaning. “When my mum was 14, she was in a harmony group with her best friends Mary, Sylvia (known as Fuzzy to this day because of an unfortunate perm decades ago), and Chris,” Beckinsale wrote. “I am a very poor substitute not being a very good singer but I want my mum’s dearest and oldest friends in her hospital room with her.”</p> <p>Beckinsale, 51, thanked her mother’s friends and signed off the post with love and humour, saying, “Love you all but most especially my mum. X and apologise to anybody in the hospital subject to my dreadful singing 🤍.”</p> <p>While the cause of Loe’s current hospital stay is unclear, the actress and her mother have been enduring wave after wave of heartbreak. Earlier this year, the family lost Roy Battersby, Loe’s husband and Beckinsale’s stepfather, who passed away at 87. He was a renowned British television director and a guiding presence in their lives.</p> <p>In a previous post, Beckinsale opened up about the compounding grief that’s taken a severe toll on her health. “I watched my stepfather die quite shockingly, my mother has stage 4 cancer, and I lost a lot of weight from stress and grief, quite quickly,” she wrote.</p> <p>She went on to reveal that the emotional strain had physical consequences. “I was in hospital for six weeks because the grief had burned a hole in my oesophagus which made me vomit copious amounts of blood, and I found eating very hard.”</p> <p>Support has poured in for Beckinsale online, with many followers sending kind messages. One wrote: “Bless you, darling Kate. I wish we could hold our mums’ hands and hearts forever and ever.”</p> <p>As she continues to care for her mother through unimaginable pain, Beckinsale’s heartfelt video stands as a raw and powerful reminder of the depth of love and the quiet ways we try to ease each other’s suffering.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Couple's heartfelt plea after both losing their right legs

<p>A Perth couple who both lost their right legs in a horrific motorbike crash have opened up about their long, painful road to recovery – and the staggering new challenges they now face.</p> <p>Dean and Sharon English, both seasoned motorcyclists, were enjoying a ride through WA’s Wheatbelt in September when tragedy struck. As they rounded a bend on Great Eastern Highway near Meckering, about 130km east of Perth, their bike collided with an oncoming vehicle towing a caravan. Dean had been riding, with Sharon on the back.</p> <p>The collision was so severe that both were airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital in critical condition. Placed in induced comas and undergoing multiple surgeries, the couple awoke to find they had both lost their right legs, Dean’s amputated at the hip, and Sharon’s below the knee.</p> <p>Their bodies broken and their lives changed forever, the couple spent nearly five months recovering side by side in hospital.</p> <p>“Some days it’s really, really difficult,” <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/perth-couple-who-lost-legs-in-bike-crash-reveal-costly-new-challenge-c-19303575" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dean told 7NEWS</a>. “We have our private moments where we sit there and have a cry. If I didn’t have Sharon with me, I’d be absolutely wrecked.”</p> <p>Their fight to rebuild their lives is now twofold: physical recovery and financial survival. While Sharon, as a passenger, qualifies for third-party compensation, Dean does not. Despite 33 years of service as a prison officer, he had no private health insurance and now faces the daunting task of proving he wasn’t at fault to receive any support from the Insurance Commission.</p> <p>To do that, he’ll need to pay tens of thousands of dollars for a private investigator – money the couple simply doesn’t have, especially now that Dean’s paid leave has run out and he’s on leave without pay.</p> <p>As Dean continues intense rehab at Fiona Stanley Hospital, trying to learn to walk again on a prosthetic while coping with a shattered hand and missing finger, Sharon has returned home in a wheelchair. She too hopes to one day walk again with a prosthetic, though doctors warn she may require further surgery first.</p> <p>Despite everything, their gratitude and determination remain remarkable. <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-fir-dean-english" target="_blank" rel="noopener">On their GoFundMe page</a> – which has raised nearly $45,000 – they shared a heartfelt message: “We would like to thank each and every one of you for your support and generosity. It is a very humbling experience and we truly thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”</p> <p>Dean also praised his long-time workplace, revealing the prison commissioner has promised him a job when he’s well enough to return.</p> <p>“I want to get back to normal,” he said. “This isn’t normal. It’s not what I was like.”</p> <p>The couple are using their experience to warn others about road safety. Dean urged all riders to wear proper protective equipment, which he believes saved their lives. “We wear the best of equipment all the time, and I would urge anyone who rides a motorbike to make sure they wear proper PPE,” he said.</p> <p>WA’s road toll is at a decade high, and for Dean and Sharon, the cost is deeply personal. But in the face of unimaginable loss, they are refusing to give up – leaning on each other, on the kindness of strangers and on hope for a future where “normal” may look different, but is still within reach.</p> <p><em>Images: GoFundMe</em></p>

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"Carbon copy": Lleyton Hewitt's son wins Wimbledon debut

<p>In a heartwarming echo of history, 16-year-old Cruz Hewitt – son of 2002 Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt – made a dream debut at the All England Club on Sunday, storming into the second round of the boys' competition with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 win over Russia’s Savva Rybkin.</p> <p>With his famous father watching from the stands, Cruz channeled classic Hewitt energy, complete with the iconic backwards cap, as he dismantled his opponent in just 51 minutes. Lleyton, now a veteran of the game and ever-supportive parent, beamed with pride and pumped his fist from the sidelines as his son put on a dazzling display.</p> <p>The victory marked a strong return for the young Aussie, who crashed out in the first round of the juniors at the French Open in May but clearly found his rhythm on the famed grass courts of Wimbledon. Breaking Rybkin twice in the opening set and racking up 26 winners overall, Cruz delivered a performance that would have made any tennis parent proud, especially one with a Wimbledon title to his name.</p> <p>Earlier this year, Cruz showed promise with a solid second-round appearance in the Australian Open juniors and even took a swing at qualifying for the men’s main draw, facing off against seasoned pro Nikoloz Basilashvili. Off-court, he found himself briefly caught in a lighthearted social media stir after a training session with Jannik Sinner, drawing playful jabs from family friend Nick Kyrgios – quickly clarified as just banter between mates.</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/p/DLxC_7qtSZR/?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/DLxC_7qtSZR/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tennis Australia (@tennisaustralia)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Currently ranked 827th on the ATP Tour and gaining momentum on the ITF circuit, Cruz recently made a run to the final of the M25 ITF event in Launceston, falling just short against fellow Aussie Jason Kubler. But with Sunday’s Wimbledon debut, he’s taken another confident step toward building a name of his own.</p> <p>As the Hewitt legacy continues on Centre Court’s doorstep, one thing’s clear – Cruz is not just following in his father’s footsteps; he’s carving a promising path of his own.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram / Tennis Australia</em></p>

Family & Pets

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“We are righting the wrongs”: Excavation begins to unearth nearly 800 lost children

<p><em><strong>WARNING: Distressing content</strong></em></p> <p>A tranquil, walled patch of grass in a quiet Irish housing estate is about to expose one of Ireland’s darkest secrets. The site, in the town of Tuam, 220km west of Dublin, is the final resting place for significant quantities of human remains – the victims of a brutal chapter in the nation’s history known as the “mother and baby” home scandal.</p> <p>From 1925 to 1961, Tuam’s mother and baby home, run by the Bon Secours nuns, housed women who became pregnant outside of marriage – and their children, many of whom died in disturbing numbers. The institution was demolished in 1972, but the land lay largely untouched. That will change next month, as excavation teams begin the delicate task of recovering the bodies buried in what is believed to be a disused septic tank.</p> <p>“There are so many babies, children just discarded here,” said Catherine Corless, the local historian whose painstaking research uncovered the mass grave and sparked national reckoning. In 2014, Corless, now 71, produced evidence showing that 796 children, from newborns to age nine, died at the Tuam home. “There are no burial records for the children, no cemetery, no statue, no cross – absolutely nothing,” she said.</p> <p>Despite early investigations and the identification of human remains in underground chambers in 2016 and 2017, it took until 2022 for Ireland’s parliament to pass legislation allowing excavation of the Tuam site. For Corless, it has been a long and painful campaign. “It’s been a fierce battle – when I started this, nobody wanted to listen. At last, we are righting the wrongs,” she said. “I was just begging: take the babies out of this sewage system and give them the decent Christian burial that they were denied.”</p> <p>The mother and baby homes were institutions where unmarried pregnant women were sent, isolated from society and often separated from their babies through forced adoption. A state inquiry revealed that between 1922 and 1998, around 56,000 women and 57,000 children passed through 18 such homes across Ireland. More than 9,000 children died.</p> <p>Anna Corrigan, 70, is among those seeking answers. She only learned in her 50s that her late mother had given birth in Tuam to two boys – John and William – whose fates remain unclear. “They prevaricate, they obfuscate, they make it difficult for people to get to the truth,” Corrigan said. “There are dirty little secrets in Ireland that have to be kept hidden.”</p> <p>For Corrigan and others, the coming excavation is a bittersweet step forward. A specialist team, appointed last year, will search for remains, conduct DNA testing and arrange dignified reburials. “I never thought I’d see the day that we’d get over so many hurdles – push them to finally excavate what I call the ‘pit,’ not a grave,” Corrigan said. “I’m glad it’s starting, but if we can even find and identify a certain amount, it’s not going to give us all closure.”</p> <p>As excavation crews prepare to break the ground that has kept these stories hidden for so long, Ireland faces a fresh confrontation with a painful past – and the opportunity, at last, to honour lives lost in silence.</p> <p><em>Images: Aeon.com</em></p>

Caring

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Mother accused of murdering daughter dies in hospital

<p>An already deeply tragic case has taken a further heartbreaking turn with the death of a woman charged with the murder of her three-year-old daughter.</p> <p><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/chilling-new-details-emerge-after-qld-mother-s-alleged-murder" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lauren Ingrid Flanigan</a>, 32, was found unresponsive in her cell at the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre on Friday night. Despite being rushed to hospital, she died from her injuries overnight, Queensland Corrective Services confirmed.</p> <p>Flanigan had been in custody since last Monday, when she was arrested in the front yard of her Bundaberg home. Police were called to the property after reports of a seriously injured child. Her daughter, Sophia Rose, was found with multiple wounds and died at the scene despite desperate efforts to save her.</p> <p>The devastating loss of Sophia had already shocked the community. Now, just days later, Flanigan’s sudden death has left many struggling to make sense of the unfolding tragedy.</p> <p>“Queensland Corrective Services officers provided immediate assistance before paramedics transported the woman to hospital, where she died last night, June 1,” a QCS spokesperson said. “Support is being offered to the responding officers and their colleagues.”</p> <p>Police have confirmed that the Corrective Services Investigation Unit (CSIU) is examining the circumstances of Flanigan’s death, and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.</p> <p>Flanigan had not entered a plea and was scheduled to appear in court in July. Her death now leaves many unanswered questions, while intensifying the sorrow surrounding an already harrowing case.</p> <p>Sophia’s father, Jai Ruane, a FIFO worker at a Central Queensland coal mine, was not home at the time of the incident. He has since returned and is caring for his two other children.</p> <p><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bundaberg-homicide-investigation-murder-probe-launched-after-threeyearold-girl-found-dead-in-queensland/fd891d0d-9c31-46a9-9668-44cda55655e0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Speaking to 9NEWS</a>, Ruane shared memories of his “bubbly” little girl, who he described as the “light” of his life. “She was always smiling, always wanting to help, just so full of life and love. She just had such a huge heart,” he said.</p> <p><em><strong>If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression, contact beyondblue on 1300224636.</strong></em></p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Chilling new details emerge after Qld mother's alleged murder

<p>The Queensland mother who has been charged with the alleged murder of her three-year-old daughter posted a series of disturbing and emotional messages to social media just days earlier that hinted at inner turmoil and a spiritual battle.</p> <p>Lauren Flanigan, 32, was <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/qld-mother-charged-with-murder-of-toddler-daughter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">taken into custody on Monday night</a> after police were called to a property in Moore Park Beach, near Bundaberg. Flanigan was present at the scene and arrested shortly after. A knife, believed by authorities to be the murder weapon, was found and seized. She was formally charged with murder on Tuesday.</p> <p>In the days leading up to the incident, Flanigan’s social media presence had taken on a concerning tone. Through a series of emotionally charged posts, she spoke of trauma, spirituality and defiance against "the system".</p> <p>In her final post, published just a day before her daughter's death, Flanigan wrote:</p> <p>“REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE. Not what the system told you. Not what your trauma whispered. Not the lies of fear. You are ROYALTY. You are CHOSEN. You are HOLY. You are a WARRIOR OF LIGHT.”</p> <p>She continued: “Train like it’s war – because it is. Discipline is deliverance. Refine your algorithm. Refine your soul. God is calling His army out of hiding. This is kingdom rising… No more delays. No more compromise. Tag your generals. It’s time to RISE.”</p> <p>Another post reflected on her role as a mother and her desire for a more meaningful life:</p> <p>“Time to watch my babies grow. Time to breathe. Time to live. Time to love,” she wrote. “I have given my life to serve. I have a beautiful little family who remind me of love daily.”</p> <p>Flanigan, who was known to be an active member of Bundaberg’s Alive Church, often shared religious and inspirational messages online. She frequently posted photos of her children, once calling them her “divine babies”, and reflected on spiritual metaphors during walks on the beach.</p> <p>One lengthy post, accompanied by a video of waves washing over seashells, read: “As I walked along the beach today… I began to notice the shells scattered along the shoreline. Each one completely unique… Some cracked. Some whole… And then I realised… We are like these shells.”</p> <p>The alleged murder has shocked the quiet regional community and sparked widespread sorrow and disbelief. Neighbours and community members are grappling with the tragedy, as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding Sophia’s death.</p> <p>Flanigan remains in custody and is expected to appear in court later this week. Police have confirmed that mental health will be a key focus of their ongoing inquiries.</p> <p><em><strong>Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).</strong></em></p> <p><em>Images: Facebook / Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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Qld mother charged with murder of toddler daughter

<p>A Central Queensland community is reeling after a mother was charged with the alleged murder of her three-year-old daughter in a shocking incident that unfolded in the front yard of a home in Moore Park Beach, near Bundaberg.</p> <p>Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32, was arrested on Monday afternoon after emergency services responded to multiple triple-zero calls from concerned neighbours. Police and paramedics arrived at the Regency Road residence just before 5pm, where they discovered the young girl with multiple stab wounds. Despite their best efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.</p> <p>Flanigan, who was allegedly found by police in the front yard, was taken into custody and later charged with one count of murder. She did not appear in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Tuesday when her case was briefly mentioned.</p> <p>The child's father, who was away for work at the time of the incident, has since returned home and is said to be devastated. Two other young children, aged one and two, were inside the home during the incident but were unharmed. They are now in the care of family members.</p> <p>Acting Superintendent Brad Inskip, visibly emotional during a press conference, described the scene as "horrific" and said a knife was recovered from the property, which has since been declared a crime scene. Forensic and scientific officers are continuing their investigation.</p> <p>“This is not something any of us ever want to attend,” Inskip said. “It’s a terrible, terrible incident for everybody involved —–the witnesses, the neighbours and the first responders.”</p> <p>Flanigan had previously shared her joy about becoming a mother on social media. In 2021, she posted photos of her baby bump during her pregnancy, expressing excitement about the journey to motherhood. “16 weeks pregnant and totally loving becoming your mama my sweet girl,” she wrote in one post. In another, she called becoming a mum a “rapid transformation in every way.”</p> <p>Photos from her online presence also show the child smiling with her parents and celebrating her first birthday in 2022 with a rose-decorated cake.</p> <p>Flanigan had also been vocal online about causes such as domestic violence awareness and the importance of flexible work options for mothers.</p> <p>Inskip said police are working closely with the Bundaberg Regional Council and community services to offer welfare support to those affected, including emergency responders and neighbours.</p> <p>“This has shocked the entire community,” he said. “Support is available, and we encourage anyone impacted to seek help.”</p> <p>Flanigan remains in custody, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.</p> <p><em><strong>Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).</strong></em></p> <p><em>Images: Facebook / Instagram</em></p>

Legal

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"Not acceptable": William Tyrell's foster mother breaks silence

<p>The foster mother of missing toddler William Tyrrell has broken her long silence, calling on police to investigate new evidence allegedly linking a convicted child abuser to the victims of three unsolved murders.</p> <p>The plea follows revelations from <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/william-tyrrells-foster-mum-breaks-silence-amid-new-claims-aired-about-person-of-interest-in-case/news-story/34d7b2bb1de4b141ff3aecedbeab4737" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au’s Witness: William Tyrrell podcast</a>, which reported that key evidence presented during the inquest into William’s disappearance has not been pursued by investigators.</p> <p>“In the middle of William’s inquest we find three more families who don’t have answers,” the foster mother said. “That’s not acceptable. How can they be forgotten?”</p> <p>When asked whether police should act on this new evidence – much of which was tendered during the coronial inquest into William’s suspected death – she responded simply: “Yes.”</p> <p>This marks the first time William’s foster mother has spoken publicly since being identified as a suspect by police in a leaked front-page story in September 2021. The report claimed officers were “now confident they will solve the mystery of the disappearance of the three-year-old boy”, who vanished from a property on the NSW Mid North Coast in 2014.</p> <p>Nearly four years later, she has not been charged and continues to deny any involvement in William’s disappearance.</p> <p>Last November, the barrister assisting the coronial inquest stated it was “beyond argument” that no forensic or eyewitness evidence had been found to explain what happened to William.</p> <p>Despite this, in June 2023, NSW Police submitted a brief of evidence to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), reportedly seeking to charge the foster mother. No public statement has been issued regarding the ODPP’s advice, and both the ODPP and police declined to comment on the matter.</p> <p>While the foster mother remains under scrutiny, both she and her partner were charged with unrelated offences, including assaulting and intimidating another child – who is not William. She earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of assault after striking the child with a wooden spoon and kicking them on the thigh, however h<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">er conviction over these incidents was overturned on Friday May 23 at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court.</span></p> <p>The new allegations emerging from the podcast involve Frank Abbott, a convicted child sex offender currently serving time for abusing two girls and a boy. Abbott has previously been named as a “person of interest” in the Tyrrell case but was never summoned to give evidence at the inquest.</p> <p>Abbott has consistently denied any involvement in William’s disappearance.</p> <p>As the inquest continues and new leads emerge, William Tyrrell’s case remains one of Australia’s most haunting and unresolved mysteries.</p> <p><em>Images: NSW Police / Facebook</em></p>

Legal

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Mother charged after fatally crashing car through school fence

<p>In a moment that has shattered hearts and silenced a vibrant community, an ordinary school day at Auburn South Primary turned into a scene of unimaginable tragedy on October 29, 2024. A car, driven by a 40-year-old mother from Hawthorn East, veered off the road and crashed through the school's fence, ploughing into a group of Year 5 students during recess.</p> <p>Among those struck was 11-year-old Jack Davey – a much-loved son, brother and friend. Despite efforts to save him, Jack was critically injured and died on the way to the hospital. Four other children – two 11-year-old girls, a 10-year-old girl, and a 10-year-old boy – were also seriously hurt, sustaining broken bones and significant upper body injuries.</p> <p>The woman behind the wheel had just picked up her own child from the school and was allegedly attempting a U-turn when the vehicle lost control. Both she and her child were unharmed. The driver, a recently licensed P-plater, was arrested at the scene but initially released. Now she has been formally charged with careless driving and failing to maintain proper control of a motor vehicle.</p> <p>Jack has been remembered as a bright light – a talented athlete, a member of several local sports clubs and a child whose laughter and energy lifted everyone around him. His parents, in a heartbreaking statement, expressed the depth of their grief: “We find comfort in reading the many messages and memories of Jack and how his life and energy was a positive influence on so many in the community at just 11 years old,” his father said. “Personally, he is our champion. He is our beloved son and brother who remains very much alive in our hearts and memories as we piece together our lives with his spirit going forward.”</p> <p>The tragedy has touched far beyond the school gates. An online fundraiser created in Jack’s memory has raised more than $290,000, as people across Melbourne and beyond rally around his grieving family.</p> <p><em>Images: Victorian Department of Education</em></p>

Legal

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Mother charged with murder after deadly house fire kills three children

<p>A 36-year-old Queensland mother has been charged with multiple counts of murder after a devastating house fire in Toowoomba claimed the lives of three of her children, in what police believe was a deliberately lit blaze.</p> <p>The fatal fire broke out just after midnight last Wednesday at the family's home in Harristown, engulfing the property before emergency services could bring it under control. When fire crews arrived, the house was already consumed by flames.</p> <p>Tragically, a young boy was found dead near the front door of the home. His two sisters, also young children, were rescued from the fire in critical condition and rushed to Queensland Children’s Hospital. Despite efforts to save them, both girls later died after being taken off life support.</p> <p>Queensland Police allege the children’s mother intentionally started the fire. In a statement on Tuesday, police confirmed she has been charged with three counts of murder (domestic violence offence), three counts of attempted murder (domestic violence offence), and one count of arson.</p> <p>Two other children survived the blaze, as did the woman’s 34-year-old partner. Investigators have ruled out the involvement of any other suspects, though police say the investigation remains ongoing.</p> <p>“This is an incredibly tragic incident that has deeply affected the community,” a police spokesperson said. “Our thoughts are with the surviving family members and all those impacted by this devastating loss.”</p> <p>The woman is expected to appear in court as the legal process continues.</p> <p><em>Images: 7 News / Facebook</em></p>

Legal

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Bill Gates set to give away his entire fortune

<p>In a bold, legacy-defining move, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation had announced plans to spend more than $200 billion over the next two decades, dramatically accelerating its mission to combat global poverty and disease before closing its doors in 2045.</p> <p>The philanthropic giant, co-founded by Bill Gates in 2000, will double its giving in the years ahead – an effort Gates says is driven by a sense of "urgency and opportunity". With advances in artificial intelligence and public health breakthroughs on the horizon, and as government aid budgets decline worldwide, the foundation is aiming to make its final chapter the most impactful yet.</p> <p>"People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that ‘he died rich’ will not be one of them," Gates, 69, wrote in a personal blog post on Thursday. “There are too many urgent problems to solve for me to hold onto resources that could be used to help people.”</p> <p>The decision marks a pivotal shift from the foundation’s original charter, which called for operations to end 20 years after Gates’s death. Instead, the organisation will sunset in 2045, regardless of Gates’s lifespan.</p> <p>The scale of the commitment is staggering: over the next 20 years, the Gates Foundation will give away more than twice what it distributed in its first 25 years. “During the first 25 years of the Gates Foundation – powered in part by the generosity of Warren Buffett – we gave away more than $100 billion,” Gates noted. </p> <p>Founded at the dawn of the 21st century, the Gates Foundation has become one of the most influential forces in global health. From spearheading polio eradication efforts to funding a life-saving rotavirus vaccine that has reduced child deaths from diarrhoea by 75%, its impact is undeniable.</p> <p>Now, the foundation’s final act aims even higher. “By accelerating our giving, my hope is we can put the world on a path to ending preventable deaths of mums and babies and lifting millions of people out of poverty,” Gates wrote.</p> <p>The announcement also comes at a moment of transition. In 2024, Melinda French Gates departed from the foundation, three years after the couple's divorce. Yet the shared vision remains clear: a world where fewer lives are lost to poverty, illness and neglect.</p> <p>As Gates prepares to give away nearly all of his $112.6 billion fortune, his message to the world is simple – and powerful: we don’t have forever to make a difference. So we must act now.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Money & Banking

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7 films to watch this Mother’s Day

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>With Mother’s Day almost upon us, you may be wondering what gift you’ll give mum – or any of the mums in your life. This year, why not skip the fancy dinner and offer one of the most precious gifts there is: quality time, in front of the TV.</p> <p>When I asked seven experts what movies they’d recommend for Mother’s Day, I wasn’t expecting I, Tonya or Alien: Romulus – but their responses have made me realise just how multifaceted the experience of motherhood is, and how weirdly and wonderfully it can be reflected onscreen.</p> <p>So here’s what to watch if you want to laugh, cry, or scream, in an ode to mothers everywhere.</p> <h2>I, Tonya (2017)</h2> <p>The first film from Margot Robbie’s production company LuckyChap Entertainment – which earned Robbie an Oscar nomination for best actress – is an ideal viewing choice for anyone wanting to support Aussie female talent.</p> <p>Former American figure skater Tonya Harding became a household name in 1994, after her then-husband Jeff Gillooly <a href="https://time.com/5027311/i-tonya-movie-true-story/">orchestrated an assault</a> on her primary rival, Nancy Kerrigan, in a bid to block Kerrigan from representing the United States at that year’s Winter Olympics.</p> <p>I, Tonya presents the event, and those of Harding’s career leading up to it, from a more sympathetic perspective than usual. Although it is careful to open with the caveat that the story is derived from “irony-free, wildly contradictory, totally true interviews with Tonya Harding and Jeff Gillooly”, the film presents Harding’s life as one of abuse and cruelty at every turn.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OXZQ5DfSAAc?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>The judges can’t stand her “unfeminine” power. Her husband only shows love through violence. And her heartless mother, LaVona (Alison Janney) is desperate to cash-in on the financial gains from her career success, while simultaneously resenting it.</p> <p>Janney’s performance as LaVona won her the Academy Award for best supporting actress, a title thoroughly deserved as an ice-cold LaVona chainsmokes through barbed criticisms and physical threats. While I, Tonya may not be the most obvious choice for a film to watch on Mother’s Day, it certainly will make you appreciate yours.</p> <p><em><strong>– Jessica Gildersleeve</strong></em></p> <h2>Stepmom (1998)</h2> <p>Stepmom, starring Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon, is a family weepy for anyone who needs a cathartic cry. Directed by Chris Columbus, the comedy–drama follows the story of terminally ill woman Jackie Harrison (Sarandon) as she comes to grips with the fact her ex-husband’s new girlfriend Isabel (Roberts) will soon be her children’s stepmother.</p> <p>The film, like others under Columbus’ direction, is a critique of domestic dysfunction (think Home Alone, Mrs Doubtfire, or Nine Months), and an exploration of the lengths characters will go in order to restore the ruptured (nuclear) family, whether literally or symbolically.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QNUu1d7i26g?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Despite its melodramatic machinery and predictable ending, Stepmom offers a nuanced portrayal of the struggles of children during separation or divorce. We see 12-year-old Anna and her little brother, Ben, an aspiring magician, caught in an emotional tug-of-war between their loyalty to their dying mother and their natural affection for their new stepmum.</p> <p>In an honest moment, an anxious Ben asks his dad, “can you ever fall out of love with your kids?”</p> <p>“No, that’s impossible,” Dad responds.</p> <p>In an equally realistic thread, the sullen Anna begrudgingly turns to Isabel for advice on boys, clothes and makeup – their relationship soon resembling one of sisters rather than adversaries (controversially, Roberts’ character even takes it upon herself to explain the concept of “snowblowing” to the tween).</p> <p>In 1998, Stepmom was ahead of its time – not in its representation of motherhood, but in its acknowledgement the nuclear family was, even back then, a thing of the past.</p> <p><strong><em>– Kate Cantrell</em></strong></p> <h2>Double Jeopardy (1999)</h2> <p>Like most thrillers made in the 1990s, Double Jeopardy begins in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States: the epicentre for murder and mist.</p> <p>Libby Parsons (Ashley Judd) is living the idyllic waterfront life with her husband Nick (Bruce Greenwood) and son Matty. After being convinced by Nick to go yachting, Libby wakes up on the boat (during what could best be described as a mist storm) to discover Nick is missing, and there is an endless path of blood from her hands to the yacht’s edge.</p> <p>Libby is tried and convicted for Nick’s murder. While grieving her son in jail, she finds out her husband is actually alive and has framed her. Libby’s cellmate tells her about the “double jeopardy” rule: you can’t be tried for the same crime twice.</p> <p>The montage of Libby preparing for revenge in jail signals an uptick in campy action. Upon her release, we’re introduced to parole officer Travis (Tommy Lee Jones). A game of cat and mouse ensues that is equal parts thrilling and ridiculous.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u22fy9OTaxo?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Ultimately, Libby must choose between vengeance and getting her son back. Will she follow the rules and wait, or will she put her relentless jail workouts to good use? Double Jeopardy is profoundly stupid and fun, with all the unexpected charm of a midday movie that pulls you in, despite not making much sense.</p> <p>It’s just the kind of movie my mum and I have found ourselves glued to on a Saturday afternoon – cheerleaders for revenge.</p> <p><strong><em>– Kathleen Williams</em></strong></p> <h2>Monster-in-Law (2005)</h2> <p>What lengths would you go to protect your son from marrying someone unsuitable? One of the first references to the roles of the mother-in-law can be traced back to <a href="https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Representations_of_the_Mother_in_Law_in/gdxfDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&amp;gbpv=1&amp;dq=mother+in+law+latin&amp;pg=PA73&amp;printsec=frontcover">Latin literature</a>, and the comedic play Hecyra, by Roman playwright Terence, which was first <a href="https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&amp;UID=13480">successfully performed</a> in 160 BC. The play’s comedic twist is that the mother-in-law is accused of hating her son’s wife.</p> <p>The 2005 box office hit Monster-in-Law (2005) follows this trajectory and takes it to the extreme. Viola Fields (Jane Fonda) becomes manipulative and acts downright dirty to prevent her son, Kevin (Michael Vartan), from getting married to his fiancée Charlie (Jennifer Lopez) – who she thinks is not good enough for him.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/njLr1z66EfA?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>This romantic comedy has the conventions of love, romance, a wedding, and overall impending chaos. It is about a mother trying to do what she thinks is best for her son, as well as the fragile links between romantic love, familial love and matriarchy.</p> <p>In parts, the film transgresses into slapstick territory, as Kevin remains oblivious of Viola’s volatile antics towards Charlie. The tension between the two strong female leads hilariously spirals out of control in the lead-up to the wedding.</p> <p>Monster-in-Law is a feel-good film that draws on the close bond between mother and child, making it good viewing for Mother’s Day.</p> <p><em><strong>– Panizza Allmark</strong></em></p> <h2>The Wild Robot (2024)</h2> <p>There’s a cultural belief that once your baby is in your arms, you’ll immediately know how to look after them, or that you can draw on your own experience of being mothered, or find the right path in one of eleventy billion parenting books.</p> <p>But even if you did have a good experience of being mothered (and many don’t), or you find some great books, parenthood remains a journey of uncertainty and trial and error.</p> <p>When I took my young children to see The Wild Robot, I laughed and cried way more than them. Not just because the animation was so beautiful, or because the story was so moving, but because of the non-didactic moments that resonated so strongly with how we parents feel.</p> <p>We often don’t know what we’re doing; we’re trying our best, and wishing it will be the right thing – playing out an internal war between wanting to protect our children and wanting them to forge their own path.</p> <p>In The Wild Robot, Roz the robot (voiced by Lupita Nyong'o) is focused on helping her adopted gosling Brightbill (Kit Connor) learn how to fly – something she has no experience of. More importantly, Brightbill must fly on a migration flight with other birds, where she can’t join him.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/67vbA5ZJdKQ?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>The film mirrors the beautiful and horrifying knowledge parents carry: if we do our job, our children will become their own individuals who are able and willing to leave us. All we can hope is we’ve formed a bond that will make them want to return.</p> <p><em><strong>– Rebecca Beirne</strong></em></p> <h2>My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)</h2> <p>Was your mother born overseas? It’s likely. Nearly half of all Australians <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/2021-census-nearly-half-australians-have-parent-born-overseas">have a parent born overseas</a>. Or perhaps you married into a family where your “new mum” was born overseas?</p> <p>Your mother-in-law counts on Mother’s Day. Don’t forget it. And if you married into a wonderfully loud Greek/Italian family as I did, then your mother-in-law is likely a hard worker who deserves to be entertained. So why not offer her, and all the mums in your life, a sweet, disarming rom-com about a clash of cultures and a life milestone all mums can get behind: a wedding. A Big Fat Greek Wedding, to be precise.</p> <p>Written by and starring Nia Vardalos, this film tells the tale of Toula Portokalos, who, at the “advanced” age of 30, remains persistently unmarried in the early aughts Chicago. In Greek terms, this is already a tragedy. The title does a lot of heavy lifting in terms of what comes next.</p> <p>The real charm of the film is the clash of cultures that anyone with any ethnic background will recognise.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O2mecmDFE-Q?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>My Big Fat Greek Wedding was a small film with huge global success. Will your mum care it was made with a budget of just US$5 million but <a href="https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-first-my-big-fat-greek-wedding-was-the-blockbuster-nobody-saw-coming/">grossed more than US$360 million worldwide</a>, making it one of the most profitable films of all time, with a more than 6,150% return? Probably not.</p> <p>But she’ll love John Corbett, that tall guy who was also in Sex in City (and he’s really good in this one). Just make sure you skip the sequels.</p> <p><strong><em>– Ruari Elkington</em></strong></p> <h2>Alien: Romulus (2024)</h2> <p>Not everyone wants to watch saccharine romantic comedies on Mothers’ Day. If you can relate, dystopian horror film Alien: Romulus (2024) offers much darker pleasures.</p> <p>Feminist scholars have long found the Alien franchise to be rife with symbolism and repressed fears about motherhood, birth and reproductive organs. Alien: Romulus goes further than the original 1979 film in making the theme of sexual violation explicit. As you might expect from Fede Álvarez, the director of Evil Dead (2013), there is plenty of body horror as human characters are assaulted and orally impregnated by Alien species.</p> <p>The film also includes neo-Marxist messages about “the company” and its violation of workers’ bodies. Working mums may enjoy the dark humour of a futuristic corporation that literally sucks the life out of workers before politely thanking them for their service.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OzY2r2JXsDM?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Leading action woman Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaeny) is more vulnerable and relatable than the iconic character Ripley of previous films. When Rain discovers her work contract has tipped over into slavery, she joins up with her ex-boyfriend Tyler (Archie Renaux) and his pregnant sister Kay (Isabela Merced) to hijack a space station.</p> <p>They must then manage a coolly indifferent IT operating system called “MU/TH/UR” to control the ship. The fact Kay is pregnant does not bode well; her baby eventually bursts out as a hideous alien-human mutant which tries to eat her.</p> <p>Alien Romulus is basically every unspeakable anxiety about pregnancy and motherhood realised through spectacular special effects. It’s also the franchise’s best film since the original.</p> <p><em><strong>– Susan Hopkins</strong></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/255004/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>By <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jessica-gildersleeve-141286">Jessica Gildersleeve</a>, Professor of English Literature, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southern-queensland-1069">University of Southern Queensland</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kate-cantrell-444834">Kate Cantrell</a>, Senior Lecturer – Writing, Editing, and Publishing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southern-queensland-1069">University of Southern Queensland</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kathleen-williams-538927">Kathleen Williams</a>, Senior Lecturer in Media, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/panizza-allmark-198784">Panizza Allmark</a>, Professor of Visual &amp; Cultural Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-beirne-183948">Rebecca Beirne</a>, Senior Lecturer in Film, Media and Cultural Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ruari-elkington-105955">Ruari Elkington</a>, Senior Lecturer in Creative Industries &amp; Chief Investigator at QUT Digital Media Research Centre (DMRC), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-hopkins-157472">Susan Hopkins</a>, Senior Lecturer in Education (Curriculum and Pedagogy), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-sunshine-coast-1068">University of the Sunshine Coast</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/stepmums-alien-mums-robot-mums-vengeful-mums-7-films-to-watch-this-mothers-day-255004">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> </div>

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What every parent should read before becoming the bank of mum and dad

<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">In late 2023, economists Jarden estimated </span><a style="color: #467886;" href="https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/the-bank-of-mum-and-dad-is-good-for-70-000-new-analysis-concludes-20231129-p5enpp"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">15 per cent of mortgage borrowers received some form of financial support</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> from their parents. A separate poll by comparison site Finder around the same time </span><a style="color: #467886;" href="https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/first-home-buyers-reveal-huge-amount-aussie-parents-gifted-them-201221909.html"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">put the figure at 11 per cent</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">. Fast forward to February this year, with a UBS survey </span><a style="color: #467886;" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-06/cost-of-living-sting-lessened-by-bank-of-mum-and-dad/104882754"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">suggesting almost half of first home buyers receive parental assistance</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">. Clearly, the Bank of Mum and Dad is a rapidly growing source of funds for younger people seeking to purchase property. However, some older Australians are now paying a hefty price for having done so without adequate planning and protections.</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">On the hook</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Amid the excitement of homebuying, many parents overlook the fact they could be left on the hook to cover any shortfall. The worst-case scenario here is losing your own home, as well as your child losing theirs, if you went guarantor on their loan and they defaulted and you didn’t have a backup plan. If you loaned them money which they subsequently can’t repay, the principal amount goes unrepaid and you also miss out on the interest/compound growth that money could have earned if invested elsewhere. You may even be asked to fork out more in future if your child needs help to keep the property or to subsequently buy a replacement property. Unlike for a real bank, there is no public bailout for the Bank of Mum and Dad.</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Financial shortfall</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">A common problem that I and other financial advisors are now seeing is parents inadvertently giving their children more than they can actually afford. Take people who acted as Bank of Mum and Dad before the pandemic hit. They budgeted how much they would need for retirement and then gave their adult kids money towards buying a home of their own. Then COVID-19 arrived. Countless jobs were lost and businesses shuttered. Many would-be retirees were forced to stay in the workforce for longer than planned. Next came the inflation crisis, with mortgages and living costs soaring. Retirement budgets blew-out as more money was suddenly needed for everyday expenses, particularly energy, insurance and food. Meanwhile ballooning house prices over the pandemic years saw first homebuyers needing even larger deposits. That all translated to significant financial shortfalls for the Bank of Mum and Dad.</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Elder abuse</span></strong></p> <p><a style="color: #467886;" href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/population-groups/older-people#abuse"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Government figures from 2023</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> estimate one in six older Australians suffer elder abuse in some form, with 2.1 per cent experiencing financial abuse – undue control, pressure or restricted access to their own money and financial decisions. Half (53 per cent) of elder abuse perpetrators are family members, with adult children the most common offenders.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Given the amount of money involved in property purchases, and the stresses associated with housing affordability, the potential for the Bank of Mum and Dad to suffer elder abuse is alarmingly high.</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Relationship breakdowns</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Money is perhaps the greatest source of tension in relationships. Usually that is between partners, yet these can multiply for the Bank of Mum and Dad and its stakeholders. Some examples include:</span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">You and your partner disagree on what or how much assistance to provide.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Your other children feel disadvantaged if they don’t receive the same financial assistance.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Having provided the finances, you then interfere in how your child manages the property or their general finances, causing resentment to build.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">A marriage breakdown (yours or your child’s) affects the repayment of a loan or the nature of a mortgage guarantee.</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Protect yourself</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">While supporting children is the foremost concern of the Bank of Mum and Dad, it is important to protect yourself too. A written agreement outlining the nature of the support, conditions and contingencies is crucial to keep every aligned. Independent advice from your financial adviser, lawyer, mortgage broker and accountant ensures you fully understand what you are on the hook for, how much you can afford to contribute, and whether there are less-risky options.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Finally, be sure that the decision to support your child’s property ambitions is your own and that you aren’t coerced into it. If you’re concerned that you may be experiencing elder abuse, call the free </span><a style="color: #467886;" href="https://www.health.gov.au/contacts/elder-abuse-phone-line"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">elder abuse line on 1800 353 374</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">.</span></p> <p><strong><span style="line-height: 18.4px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #242424;">Helen Baker is a licensed Australian financial adviser and author of the new book, <em>Money For Life: How to build financial security from firm foundations (Major Street Publishing $32.99).</em> Helen is among the 1% of financial planners who hold a master’s degree in the field. Proceeds from book sales are donated to charities supporting disadvantaged women and children<em>. </em>Find out more at </span></strong><a style="color: #467886;" title="http://www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au/" href="http://www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au/"><strong><span style="line-height: 18.4px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au</span></strong></a></p> <p><strong><em><span style="line-height: 18.4px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #242424;">Disclaimer: The information in this article is of a general nature only and does not constitute personal financial or product advice. Any opinions or views expressed are those of the authors and do not represent those of people, institutions or organisations the owner may be associated with in a professional or personal capacity unless explicitly stated. Helen Baker is an authorised representative of BPW Partners Pty Ltd AFSL 548754.</span></em></strong></p> <p><em><span style="line-height: 18.4px; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #242424;">Image: Shutterstock</span></em></p>

Money & Banking

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"She was my everything": Audrey Griffin's heartbroken mother speaks out

<p>What began as an ordinary night out with friends ended in a tragedy that shattered a family, stunned a community, and prompted a determined mother to fight for answers no one else seemed to be asking.</p> <p>Audrey Griffin, 19, was <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/beloved-aussie-athlete-found-dead-at-just-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found dead in Erina Creek</a> on the Central Coast of New South Wales last month. Her fully clothed body was discovered partially submerged in the water on March 23, just hours after she was reported missing. Initially, police deemed her death non-suspicious, possibly a tragic accident. But her mother, Kathleen Kirby, refused to accept that explanation.</p> <p>“It’s like you can’t breathe, it’s like you don’t want to breathe,” <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/mother-speaks-of-heartbreaking-loss-after-alleged-murder-of-teen-audrey-griffin-on-nsw-central-coast-c-18457494" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kirby told 7NEWS</a>, speaking publicly through her grief. “But I needed to find the strength because I wasn’t satisfied with what the outcome was, so I kept going.”</p> <p>Kirby’s instincts proved tragically accurate.</p> <p>On Monday, NSW Police arrested 53-year-old Adrian Torrens and <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/murder-charge-laid-after-death-of-19-year-old-ironwoman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charged him with Audrey’s murder</a>. Torrens, who police say had no prior connection to Audrey, is also facing 11 unrelated domestic violence charges. Authorities now allege a violent altercation occurred between the two as Audrey was walking home. Torrens’ lawyer appeared in court on his behalf Tuesday; he did not apply for bail. His case has been adjourned until next month.</p> <p>Superintendent Darryl Jobson said that while early forensic and post-mortem findings did not initially indicate foul play, the case remained open due to “unusual circumstances”.</p> <p>“Getting answers for the family was front of mind,” Jobson said. “New information from other sources led us to reconsider and launch a full homicide investigation.”</p> <p>Kirby, driven by a mother’s intuition and unrelenting love, was at the centre of that push for the truth. “My head and my gut were telling me different,” she said. Now, as police pursue justice, a mother mourns the unimaginable loss of her only child.</p> <p>“She was more than my world, she was my everything,” Kirby said through tears. “She’s just everything that you’d ever imagine, or want, for a child.”</p> <p>Audrey was much more than a statistic or a headline. She was a triathlete, a teammate, a leader and a beloved friend. Just weeks before her death, she competed in New Zealand’s ANZCO Foods Half Ironman, finishing 23rd in her age group. She played water polo for Gosford, patrolled beaches with the Terrigal Surf Life Saving Club, took to the field with the Terrigal Sharks, and once served as vice-captain of Central Coast Sports College.</p> <p>“She touched the hearts of so many people and always had a smile,” one friend wrote on social media. “Her laugh was contagious and her goofy self always made us laugh. Audrey, you are truly loved by so many people.”</p> <p>Now, those same people are left grieving a life stolen too soon, and honouring a young woman whose courage, kindness and spirit made the world brighter – if only for a short time.</p> <p>For Kirby, the fight for answers has turned into the deeper, longer journey of navigating life without her daughter. “I will never feel whole again,” she said.</p> <p><em>Images: 7NEWS</em></p>

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