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

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. 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. 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.” 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.” Jillian, whose unwavering support played a crucial role in Farnham’s health journey, previously recounted in her memoir, The Voice Inside, 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. 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.” For Farnham, whose music has been the soundtrack of Australian life for decades, family remains his greatest treasure. Image: Instagram

Family & Pets

Beloved champion athlete dies from rare brain tumour

A beloved Australian athlete has tragically died after a high-profile battle with a rare and aggressive brain tumour. Jenny Alcorn, a champion triathlete, passed away on Monday at the age of 66, with her partner Margot Rupe breaking the devastating news. “She pushed every boundary in life and it was incredible,” Rupe said. “She was the love of my life for 20 years, she helped me raise two amazing children." “Yes, triathlon was her life but she always enjoyed all the sports our kids did, she never missed a TSS First 15 game, she never missed a Bond Uni rugby game." “Even on Saturday afternoon, she sat up and watched our son play rugby in Japan, so she was a pretty amazing person." “We’re all heartbroken, our souls are heartbroken, she did everything with love, she loved her family, she loved me, she loved our kids and embraced everything she did.” Alcorn was a sporting legend and Alcorn was recognised just last year at the AusTriathlon Awards, as she was particularly well known in Queensland as a coach, a competitor, and an inspiration to many. In 2016, at the age of 55, Alcorn came out of retirement and won the famous Kona Ironman World Championships in her age group. Last December, Alcorn’s “three-decade contribution” to Australia’s triathlon scene was recognised with the President’s Special Recognition Award, as the Trizone website said, “Her honour highlighted not just her achievements as an athlete and coach, but her inspiring resilience while battling a rare brain tumour." Surfers Paradise Triathlon Club member Dan Teasdale and close friend of Alcorn's paid tribute to his late friend. “She was always a fantastic spectator so you’d hear her yelling out ‘go Danny boy’ on the side of the race,” he said. “She was a very caring, loving person but a tough-as-nails athlete. She never had a bad word to say about anyone she was very inclusive, welcomed everyone and loved the sport triathlon.” Image credits: Instagram

Caring

Meghan Markle shares rare glimpse at Princess Lilibet

Meghan Markle has shared a rare glimpse at her daughter Princess Lilibet spending time with her sports star "Auntie", Serena Williams. The Duchess of Sussex took to Instagram <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', system-ui, -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Fira Sans', 'Droid Sans', 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 16px;">to share a series of photos and videos of Lilibet playing a game with the tennis star at their home. "When the aunties comes to celebrate … and to play! Love you @serenawilliams," shared in her stories. The three-year-old was pictured playing a personalised 'Archie & Lili Candy Land' board game, wearing a long-sleeved top and floral pants, with Serena watching over her. With the upcoming release of the royal's newest Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, a series where she holds candid conversations with friends while also sharing "practical how-tos" in the kitchen, garden and more, the royal spent some time with family and friends to celebrate. "[Three] days until the party begins. All are invited ❤️ @netflix," Meghan shared a follow up Instagram story, with a picture of her embracing Serena. Williams and the royal first met at the Super Bowl in 2010 and have remained close friends since. They recently spent time together at the Paley Honours Fall Gala in December of last year. Image: Instagram

Family & Pets

Princess Diana's former lover opens up in rare interview

Army Major James Hewitt, who had a five-year affair with the late Princess Diana from 1986, has spoken about the royal in a rare television interview with Good Morning Britain on Tuesday. When asked about whether he thinks Diana may have been able to reunite her sons, who have barely spoken in five years, he replied: "I think any mother would be worried and concerned about such a rift, as you put it." "And she'd do her best to try and get them together." Major Hewitt, who now spends his time doing aid work in Ukraine, revealed that the last time he had spoken to the late Princess was "just after" her BBC Panorama interview with Martin Bashir in November 1995, during which she admitted to their affair. He described the conversation as "distant" and admitted that the interview did "create problems" for him from which he was "trying to move on". After the affair was revealed, Major Hewitt was labelled as a "love rat" by the tabloid media and found his reputation in ruins. He also said that the interview was "very distressing" for the late Princess, as someone she had trusted had used their connection to make money. "It was a stitch-up job," he said of the Panorama interview. "It was appalling of Bashir to [have] inveigled, lied to her, criminal activity, absolutely appalling." "As I've said, I hate bullies and bullying and arrogant people and I think it's appalling." Major Hewitt, who was Diana's riding instructor at the time, has previously denied claiming to have been a "father figure" to the princes but has said that he "played with them, swam with them, taught them to ride". The Duke of Sussex had also addressed the rumours that Major Hewitt was his biological father in his memoir Spare, saying that he felt the rumours were designed to turn him into a "laughing stock". "One cause of the rumour was Major Hewitt's red hair, but another was sadism," he wrote in his memoir. Image: Ken McKay/ITV/ Shutterstock Editorial

Relationships

Meghan Markle shares rare glimpse of Princess Lilibet

Meghan Markle has shared a rare glimpse of her daughter, Princess Lilibet, as she reintroduces her lifestyle brand under a new name – As Ever. Following trademark issues with her original brand name, American Riviera Orchard, the Duchess of Sussex officially confirmed the rebranding in a social media post. Accompanying the announcement, a newly launched website prominently features an image of Meghan and Lilibet walking hand-in-hand through a park, seemingly captured by a drone. This marks the third new image of three-year-old Lilibet shared with the public in just a few months. In December, Prince Harry and Meghan’s private Christmas card included a touching moment of the couple embracing Lilibet and her older brother, Prince Archie, 5. Then, in a tribute video following the passing of Meghan’s beloved rescue Beagle, Guy, fans caught another glimpse of Lilibet in a photo from Meghan’s private album, showing her with Guy in a park. The latest image appears to have been taken on the same day, as Meghan and her daughter are seen wearing similar outfits. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2025/02/LilibetMarkle_Insta.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> The heartwarming photo aligns with the essence of As Ever, which will offer a variety of products, including Meghan’s homemade jams. In a video accompanying the brand's launch, the Duchess excitedly shared her passion for the venture. “I think we're all clear at this point that jam is my jam, but there are so many more products that I just love and use in my home, and now it’s time to share them with you,” she said. “I can't wait for you to see it.” The name As Ever holds special meaning for Meghan’s followers, as it was originally her signature sign-off on her now-defunct lifestyle blog, The Tig. The phrase later appeared on her podcast, Archetypes, and has now been embraced as the identity of her revived business, which coincides with her reactivated Instagram account. “And if you’ve followed me since 2014 with The Tig, you know I’ve always loved cooking, crafting and gardening,” she explained. “This is what I do, and I haven’t been able to share it with you in the same way for the past few years, but now I can.” As Ever is expected to reflect Meghan’s personal style and passions, much like her previous work on The Tig, with a focus on home and lifestyle products. Images: As Ever / Instagram

Family & Pets

19-year-old dies after battle with rare genetic condition

TikTok star Beandri Booysen has died at the age of 19, her mother confirmed in a heartbreaking <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19b59a3bfL/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tribute</a>. Booysen died following a battle with Progeria – a rare genetic condition that causes children to age prematurely. According to the Mayo Clinic, children battling the condition typically have a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. In a tribute shared to Facebook, her mother said that Booysen was "one of South Africa's most beloved and inspiring young women" and said she "radiated hope and joy" despite her battle. "In Loving Memory of Beandri Booysen," the post began. "It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Beandri Booysen, one of South Africa's most beloved and inspiring young women." The 19-year-old had more than 278,000 followers on her original TikTok account, becoming a symbol of awareness for the rare genetic condition and inspiring people worldwide. "Beandri was not only known for her vibrant personality and infectious laugh but also as the last surviving individual in South Africa living with Progeria – a rare genetic condition that causes children to age prematurely. "Despite the challenges she faced, Beandri radiated hope and joy. She became a symbol of awareness for Progeria and other special needs, using her unique spirit to inspire thousands of people worldwide." "The Booysen family kindly requests privacy during this profoundly difficult time as they mourn the loss of their beloved Beandri. Further details regarding the memorial service will be shared in due course," she added. Followers were quick to share their condolences to her heartbroken family, with one writing: "So sad. What an inspiration she was. Fly high with the angels sweet girl." "Rest in peace and without pain Beandri," another added. Images: Facebook

Caring

Jessica Mauboy shares rare glimpse at her pregnancy

Jessica Mauboy has shared a rare look at her pregnancy with a series of behind-the-scenes photos from the ARIA Awards last month. The singer, who performed at the awards show in a glossy black trench coat and leather jumpsuit, shared the photos on Instagram, while fans previously caught a glimpse of her growing baby bump, now she has revealed more of her pregnancy journey. Backstage, Mauboy is pictured cradling her baby bump and even cheekily comparing her belly to another performer’s. The pictures come months after she was spotted wearing oversized clothes while performing. In September the former Voice Australia coach announced that she is set to welcome her first child together with husband Themeli Magripilis next year. Magripilis and Mauboy met when the singer was 18 and out clubbing with friends in her hometown, Darwin. After seven years of long-distance romance, Magripilis moved to Sydney in September 2016 to live with Mauboy, and they often travelled back to Darwin together to visit family. The couple got engaged in 2019, after Magripilis proposed to her but because of the pandemic, their wedding was delayed. The pair married in a small church in in Darwin on July 2022, with the reception at the Mindil Beach Casino Resort. Mauboy previously told Sunrise their wedding was “a long time coming”. “We always spoke about it (getting married) and we would talk about how strong our families are and they get along really well.” Images: Instagram

Family & Pets

Prince Harry and Meghan share rare glimpse of their kids in Christmas card

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have released their annual Christmas card, featuring a collage of photos of their humanitarian work. Amidst the photos was a charming family photo, with royal fans delighted for their first glimpse of Archie and Lilibet in many months. The Christmas card has been sent to those who signed up to their subscription list, compiling moments of Prince Harry and Meghan at various appearances throughout the year. The photo with Archie, five, and Lilibet, two, seems to have been taken on the grounds of the couple's Montecito mansion. In the photo, we see Harry and Meghan standing on the driveway at their home with their arms outstretched as their children run into them. Archie is running towards his mum and Harry is crouched down as his Lilibet runs into his arms. Fans were quick to point out both the children's flaming red hair, reminiscent of Prince Harry's signature red locks. The family's three dogs are also in the shot, a black Labrador called Pula, and two Beagles called Guy and Mamma Mia. The message on the card read: "On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundations. We wish you a very Happy Holiday Season and a joyful new year." Other photos on the card include images from the couple's trip to Nigeria as well as snaps from their trip to Colombia in August. Archie and Lilibet last featured on the Sussexes Christmas card in 2021, when Lililbet was just six months old. Image credits: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Family & Pets

"I don’t want my son to be called a disease name": Gout Gout's dad weighs in

Australia’s new athletics sensation, "Gout Gout", has become the talk of the nation – not just for his blistering, breathtaking, ridiculous, insane 200m time of 20.04 seconds, but because everyone’s been calling him the wrong name. The 16-year-old sprint prodigy, who shattered a 56-year-old national record over the weekend, now finds himself racing against a linguistic mix-up that’s dogged him since birth. Turns out, his name isn’t actually Gout Gout at all! It’s Guot, pronounced “Gwot”. And his father, Bona, isn’t exactly thrilled about his son being inadvertently linked to an inflammatory arthritis condition. “When I see people call him Gout Gout, I’m not really happy for him,” Bona told 7News. “His name is Guot, it’s supposed to be Guot ... I know that Gout Gout is a disease name but I don’t want my son to be called a disease name ... it’s something that’s not acceptable.” It’s like winning gold but they hand you a medal shaped like a big toe. Nobody wants that. The name mix-up began years ago when an Arabic spelling error during the family’s journey from Egypt to Australia resulted in an unfortunate case of mistaken identity. Bona and his family were intending to move to Canada, but when Aussie paperwork was approved first, that plan became Brisbane - and Guot was then born in Ipswich, Queensland, in 2007, two years after his parents arrived in Australia. Since his epic run over the weekend, even Usain Bolt, the eight-time Olympic champion, has weighed in on the 16-year-old's stunning performance. “He looks like young me,” Bolt said in an Instagram comment. Guot’s meteoric rise has also attracted attention from sponsors. Having recently signed with Adidas, his career seems poised to sprint toward global stardom. But behind the scenes, his family is working on legally restoring the original spelling of his name before his fame gets forever linked to arthritis medication ads. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"> SORRY WHAT?!👂 10.04? 👀 Teenage sensation Gout Gout gets the crowd roaring with a spectacular though windy 10.04 (+3.4) performance in his U18 100m Heat - the fourth fastest time in all conditions by an Australian in history. Stay tuned for the final at 3:40pm AEST. Tune in… <a href="https://t.co/UbXfzH5mj6">pic.twitter.com/UbXfzH5mj6</a> — Athletics Australia (@AthsAust) <a href="https://twitter.com/AthsAust/status/1864879745344901478?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2024</a></blockquote> Watch out for media-savvy health organisations to now jump on the Guot bandwagon, perhaps offering free gout awareness campaigns. If nothing else, he’s made gout a household name for the right reasons. For now, Guot is focused on his next challenge: balancing Year 12 studies while training with Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles in Florida. But the family hopes the name change will allow him to leave the painful puns behind. Watch this space, though. No matter what happens, we will be hearing a lot about the sensational young athlete over the coming years. Images: X (formerly Twitter)

Family & Pets

Readers response: What are some things older generations did as couples that we rarely see today?

We asked our readers what simple acts of romance they encountered in their lives, that younger generations don't partake in anymore, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. Sharon Watson - Men would walk on the outside of the lady on the road. Also, walking hand in hand and doors & car doors were opened by men for women. Jo Hoffman - Went to cabarets for old time ballroom dancing to beautiful music! Ann MacCann - Taking walks holding hands. Judith Turpin - Ate breakfast and evening meal at the table as family. We communicated! Margaret Gerlach - Visited family and in-laws every week. Lorna Johnson - Gentlemen tipped their hats at ladies and held the door open for you. Jan Bradley - Dancing at the town hall, drive in movies, stayed together. Jane Reynolds - Spending time together as a family, playing games, talking to each other. No phones, writing and receiving letters, supporting each other, staying together, caring and helping each other. Myfawny Jones - One partner read the road map while the other drived, often on corrugated gravel roads. Lindi Williams - Played cards together. Cherylyn Thornton - Went to the drive in movies. Patricia Sutton - We had children because we wanted them, not because of the economy or that we couldn't afford them! Di Richardson - Shotgun marriages! Image credits: Shutterstock

Relationships

Bruce Willis pictured with family in rare snap

Bruce Willis has been pictured in a sweet family snap, two years after he was diagnosed with dementia. His daughter, Tallulah, shared a glimpse into their holiday celebrations over the weekend as they mark Thanksgiving this year with Willis, amid his diagnosis. The Die Hard star was pictured sitting next to his daughters, Tallulah and Scout, who gifted him a name plate that read: “Best Dad Ever.” Tallulah wrote “grateful” alongside the photos she shared of the actor sitting comfortably in a grey cardigan as his daughters doted on him. Friends and followers shared their love in the comments, saying it was great to see how happy the star was. “Pure love. Holding your precious family in light and love,” one said. <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/DC7SyfXS-iz/?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/DC7SyfXS-iz/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by tallulah willis (@buuski)</a> </div> </blockquote> “So loving, powerful and touching ❤️ thank you for sharing with us," another follower commented. The rare photo comes two years after his family released a statement announcing that the beloved actor had been diagnosed with <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/first-photos-of-bruce-willis-snapped-after-shock-aphasia-diagnosis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aphasia</a>. A year later, he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). In March 2022, Willis retired from acting, with his family releasing a statement that he was quitting Hollywood and "stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him". "This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support," they said at the time. Images: Instagram

Caring

Robert Irwin celebrates milestone birthday with rare pic of Steve at 21

Robert Irwin has celebrated his 21st birthday with a heartfelt tribute to his late father and Aussie icon Steve. Sharing a photo of his dad's 21st birthday in 1983, the wildlife warrior admitted how hard it was to celebrate the special day "when there's someone missing". "Today I turn 21. I was looking through the archives a few days ago and I found these pictures of my dad on his 21st," he wrote alongside the photos of Steve on Instagram. "It can be hard to celebrate the milestones when there’s someone missing, but I will carry his memory and passion with me in this new chapter of life. I am one lucky guy to be surrounded by my amazing family today." <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/DDBMJT1BPRE/?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/DDBMJT1BPRE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Robert Irwin (@robertirwinphotography)</a> </div> </blockquote> Steve Irwin died in 2006 when Robert was just two years old. His heartfelt post comes after he sat down with Stellar magazine ahead of his birthday, and admitted he had mixed feelings about the milestone celebration. “It can be heartbreaking. I can’t beat around the bush. It’s really hard, particularly when it’s those milestones,” he said. “It’s difficult navigating that without a father figure. But I have to really praise my entire family, and particularly my mum, on the way in which she’s stepped up, to make sure that – while there will always be part of myself missing and I’ll never be complete – I never felt like I missed out on anything.” Robert added, “I hope that somewhere, somehow, he knows I’m trying to make him proud.” Image credits: Instagram

Family & Pets

Michael Schumacher’s son gives rare interview about his father

Michael Schumacher's son has shared a rare insight into his life after his dad's devastating skiing accident. Mick Schumacher, who was only 14 at the time of his dad’s accident, pursued his dream of reaching F1 without his father's guidance, and has spoken about how much his dad father continued to inspire him. In the new book Inside Mercedes F1 written by Matt Whyman, the author had unrestricted access to the team, with the book including a conversation with Mick about his father’s influence. The 25-year-old, who became a reserve driver for Mercedes in 2023, told Whyman, “I was a crazy kid — everything my dad did, I did." “He was really supportive and a lot of fun, but could also be challenging. One time in a karting race I braked very late going into a corner and gained a lot of time." “When I told him about it, he said, ‘Yes, but you should have braked like that in every corner!’." “Whenever he felt like I was not taking it seriously, he would say, ‘Mick, would you rather go and play football with your friends? If so, we do not need to do all of this’." “I insisted that I wanted to race and he said, ‘Okay, then let’s do it properly’. So we started doing more European karting and I was getting better.” Mick later explained that he learned “a lot of technical points” from his dad that he “still uses today”, adding, “I started racing in the Formula classes the year after the accident and from that point onwards, I had to find my own feet." “I started karting aged three. I was six when I first went scuba diving. Aged 10 I was skydiving." “My dad was always very open to me trying out whatever I wanted to do and racing is all I wanted to do, because I enjoyed it the most.” Image credits: Eric Alonso/DPPI/Shutterstock Editorial

Family & Pets

John Farnham spotted with family in rare public appearance

John Farnham has been spotted in a rare public outing at Coldplay's concert in Melbourne. The music legend was seen alongside his wife Jill and their two sons, Robert and James, at Marvel Stadium on Sunday to watch the British rockers on their tour around Australia. A heart-warming photo of the family was shared on Instagram by Robert, who captioned the snap, "We were guests of @coldplay last night at Marvel Arena." "They were amazing. Was a pretty special night." With Farnham in the audience, Coldplay's frontman Chris Martin announced to the crowd, "Mr John Farnham’s in the building,” prompting huge cheers. The band then performed a call and response with the audience, singing the chorus of Farnham’s 1986 hit You’re The Voice. <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: currentcolor !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 600px; max-width: 100%; outline: currentcolor !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7431785816692673808&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40leonsjogren%2Fvideo%2F7431785816692673808%3Flang%3Den%26q%3Dcoldplay%2520you%2527re%2520the%2520voice%26t%3D1730762516834&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2FokJQIEjwILAGaREAgjlGoLCPg3AfOIOGrDleCe%7Etplv-dmt-logom%3Atos-alisg-i-0068%2FoAdQgCIIKHAABjn8SFwlEpEAGD3efXAjRACHBU.image%3Flk3s%3Db59d6b55%26x-expires%3D1730934000%26x-signature%3DsD967phpvU5baA%252B8Os3e67rKWa4%253D%26shp%3Db59d6b55%26shcp%3D-&key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> James Farnham later posted a video of the special moment on Instagram, writing, "Coldplay’s little tribute to dad. Was pretty cool! Such a sick show!" Farnham’s legion of fans jumped on social media to react to the singer’s surprise appearance. “We were there and hearing that JF was in the house made my absolute year. Sssooo happy to see you all out and about enjoying life together. Please pass on my love,” one fan said. “Awww amazing, what a prestigious honour and none more deserving than The Farnhams! Glad to see you all have a wonderful night together,” added another. “Aw your dad looks amazing Rob! Bet you guys had a sensational time,” a third said. Image credits: Instagram

Caring

From eye exams to blood tests and surgery: how doctors use light to diagnose disease

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-griffith-1539353">Matthew Griffith</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> You’re not feeling well. You’ve had a pounding headache all week, dizzy spells and have vomited up your past few meals. You visit your GP to get some answers and sit while they shine a light in your eyes, order a blood test and request some medical imaging. Everything your GP just did relies on light. These are just some of the optical technologies that have had an enormous impact in how we diagnose disease. <h2>1. On-the-spot tests</h2> Point-of-care diagnostics allow doctors to test patients on the spot and get answers in minutes, rather than sending samples to a lab for analysis. The “flashlight” your GP uses to view the inside of your eye (known as an <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003881.htm">ophthalmoscope</a>) is a great example. This allows doctors to detect abnormal blood flow in the eye, deformations of the cornea (the outermost clear layer of the eye), or swollen optical discs (a round section at the back of the eye where the nerve link to the brain begins). Swollen discs are a sign of elevated pressure inside your head (or in the worst case, a brain tumour) that could be <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache/increased-intracranial-pressure-icp-headache">causing your headaches</a>. The invention of <a href="https://openmedscience.com/lighting-the-way-in-healthcare-the-transformative-role-of-lasers-in-medicine/">lasers and LEDs</a> has enabled many other miniaturised technologies to be provided at the bedside or clinic rather than in the lab. <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-a-pulse-oximeter-should-i-buy-one-to-monitor-covid-at-home-174457">Pulse oximetry</a> is a famous example, where a clip attached to your finger reports how well your blood is oxygenated. It does this by <a href="https://www.howequipmentworks.com/pulse_oximeter/">measuring</a> the different responses of oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood to different colours of light. Pulse oximetry is used at hospitals (and <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-a-pulse-oximeter-should-i-buy-one-to-monitor-covid-at-home-174457">sometimes at home</a>) to monitor your respiratory and heart health. In hospitals, it is also a valuable tool for detecting <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(12)60107-X/fulltext">heart defects in babies</a>. <h2>2. Looking at molecules</h2> Now, back to that blood test. Analysing a small amount of your blood can diagnose <a href="https://theconversation.com/blood-tests-and-diagnosing-illness-what-can-blood-tell-us-about-whats-happening-in-our-body-80327">many different diseases</a>. A machine called an automated “full blood count analyser” tests for general markers of your health. This machine directs focused beams of light through blood samples held in small glass tubes. It counts the number of blood cells, determines their specific type, and reports the level of haemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that distributes oxygen around your body). In minutes, this machine can provide a <a href="https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/article/inside-the-pathology-lab-what-happens-to-my-blood">snapshot</a> of your overall health. For more specific disease markers, blood serum is separated from the heavier cells by spinning in a rotating instrument called a centrifuge. The serum is then exposed to special chemical stains and enzyme assays that change colour depending on whether specific molecules, which may be the sign of a disease, are present. These colour changes can’t be detected with the naked eye. However, a light beam from an instrument called a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5476943/#R88">spectrometer</a> can detect tiny amounts of these substances in the blood and determine if the biomarkers for diseases are present, and at what levels. <h2>3. Medical imaging</h2> Let’s re-visit those medical images your GP ordered. The development of fibre-optic technology, made famous for transforming high-speed digital communications (such as the NBN), allows light to get inside the body. The result? High-resolution optical imaging. A common example is an <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153737#risks-and-side-effects">endoscope</a>, where fibres with a tiny camera on the end are inserted into the body’s natural openings (such as your mouth or anus) to examine your gut or respiratory tracts. Surgeons can insert the same technology through tiny cuts to view the inside of the body on a video screen during <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9553337/">laparoscopic surgery</a> (also known as keyhole surgery) to diagnose and treat disease. <h2>How about the future?</h2> Progress in nanotechnology and a better understanding of the interactions of light with our tissues are leading to new light-based tools to help diagnose disease. These include: <ul> <li> <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/advs.201903441">nanomaterials</a> (materials on an extremely small scale, many thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair). These are being used in next-generation sensors and new diagnostic tests </li> <li> <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-019-0045-y">wearable optical biosensors</a> the size of your fingernail can be included in devices such as watches, contact lenses or finger wraps. These devices allow non-invasive measurements of sweat, tears and saliva, in real time </li> <li> AI tools to analyse how blood serum scatters infrared light. This has allowed researchers to build a <a href="https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/powerful-diagnostic-approach-uses-light-to-detect-virtually-all-forms-of-cancer/">comprehensive database</a> of scatter patterns to detect <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/aisy.202300006">any cancer</a> </li> <li> a type of non-invasive imaging called <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554044/">optical coherence tomography</a> for more detailed imaging of the eye, heart and skin </li> <li> fibre optic technology to deliver a tiny microscope into the body on the <a href="https://www.uwa.edu.au/projects/microscope-in-a-needle">tip of a needle</a>. </li> </ul> So the next time you’re at the GP and they perform (or order) some tests, chances are that at least one of those tests depend on light to help diagnose disease.<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/231379/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-griffith-1539353">Matthew Griffith</a>, Associate Professor and ARC Future Fellow and Director, UniSA Microscopy and Microanalysis Facilities, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/from-eye-exams-to-blood-tests-and-surgery-how-doctors-use-light-to-diagnose-disease-231379">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Scurvy is largely a historical disease but there are signs it’s making a comeback

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-ball-14718">Lauren Ball</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> Scurvy is often considered a historical ailment, conjuring images of sailors on long sea voyages suffering from a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables. Yet doctors in developed countries have recently reported treating cases of scurvy, including Australian doctors who <a href="https://casereports.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136//bcr-2024-261082">reported their findings</a> today in the journal <a href="https://casereports.bmj.com/">BMJ Case Reports</a>. <h2>What is scurvy?</h2> Scurvy is a disease caused by a severe deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is essential for the production of collagen. This protein helps maintain the health of skin, blood vessels, bones and connective tissue. Without enough vitamin C, the body cannot properly repair tissues, heal wounds, or fight infections. This can lead to a range of <a href="https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9781400884544/html">symptoms</a> including: <ul> <li>fatigue and weakness</li> <li>swollen, bleeding gums or loose teeth</li> <li>joint and muscle pain and tenderness</li> <li>bruising easily</li> <li>dry, rough or discoloured skin (reddish or purple spots due to bleeding under the skin)</li> <li>cuts and sores take longer to heal</li> <li>anaemia (a shortage of red blood cells, leading to further fatigue and weakness)</li> <li>increased susceptibility to infections.</li> </ul> <h2>It historically affected sailors</h2> Scurvy was <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23183299/">common</a> from the 15th to 18th centuries, when naval sailors and other explorers lived on rations or went without fresh food for long periods. You might have heard some of these milestones in the history of the disease: <ul> <li> in 1497-1499, Vasco da Gama’s crew <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(03)13131-5/fulltext#:%7E:text=After%205%20weeks%20at%20sea,lemons%2C%20clearing%20up%20the%20condition">suffered severely from scurvy</a> during their expedition to India, with a large portion of the crew dying from it </li> <li> from the 16th to 18th centuries, scurvy was rampant among European navies and explorers, affecting notable figures such as <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/26305889">Ferdinand Magellan and Sir Francis Drake</a>. It was considered one of the greatest threats to sailors’ health during long voyages </li> <li> in 1747, British naval surgeon <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3536506/">James Lind</a> is thought to have conducted one of the first clinical trials, demonstrating that citrus fruit could prevent and cure scurvy. However, it took several decades for his findings to be widely implemented </li> <li> in 1795, the British Royal Navy officially adopted the <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/003591572601902602">practice of providing lemon or lime juice to sailors</a>, dramatically reducing the number of scurvy cases. </li> </ul> <h2>Evidence of scurvy re-emerging</h2> In the new case report, doctors in Western Australia <a href="https://casereports.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136//bcr-2024-261082">reported</a> treating a middle-aged man with the condition. In a separate case report, doctors in Canada <a href="https://www.cmaj.ca/content/196/33/E1144">reported</a> treating a 65-year old woman. Both patients presented with leg weakness and compromised skin, yet the doctors didn’t initially consider scurvy. This was based on the <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/7/1963">premise</a> that there is abundant vitamin C in our modern food supply, so deficiency should not occur. On both occasions, treatment with high doses of vitamin C (1,000mg per day for at least seven days) resulted in improvements in symptoms and eventually a full recovery. The authors of both case reports are concerned that if scurvy is left untreated, it could lead to inflamed blood vessels (<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vasculitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20363435">vasculitis</a>) and potentially <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211419X11001625">cause fatal bleeding</a>. Last year, a major New South Wales hospital undertook a <a href="https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2023/219/10/serum-vitamin-c-status-people-new-south-wales-retrospective-analysis-findings">chart review</a>, where patient records are reviewed to answer research questions. This found vitamin C deficiency was common. More than 50% of patients who had their vitamin C levels tested had either a modest deficiency (29.9%) or significant deficiency (24.5%). Deficiencies were more common among patients from rural and lower socioeconomic areas. Now clinicians are <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.5694/mja2.52146">urged to</a> consider vitamin C deficiency and scurvy as a potential diagnosis and involve the support of a dietitian. <h2>Why might scurvy be re-emerging?</h2> Sourcing and consuming nutritious foods with sufficient vitamin C is unfortunately <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10260575/">still an issue</a> for some people. Factors that increase the risk of vitamin C deficiency include: <ul> <li> poor diet. People with restricted diets – due to poverty, food insecurity or dietary choices – <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10296835/">may not get enough</a> vitamin C. This includes those who rely heavily on processed, nutrient-poor foods rather than fresh produce </li> <li> food deserts. In areas where access to fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables is limited (often referred to as food deserts), people may <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9587807/">unintentionally suffer from a vitamin C deficiency</a>. In some parts of developing countries such as India, lack of access to fresh food is <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10296835/">recognised as a risk</a> for scurvy </li> <li> the cost-of-living crisis. With greater numbers of people <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10935407/">unable to pay for fresh produce</a>, people who limit their intake of fruits and vegetables may develop nutrient deficiencies, including scurvy </li> </ul> <ul> <li> weight loss procedures and medications. Restricted dietary intake due to weight loss surgery or weight loss medications may <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/oby.24067">lead to nutrient deficiencies</a>, such as in this <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3320124/">case report of scurvy</a> from Denmark </li> <li> mental illness and eating disorders. Conditions such as depression and anorexia nervosa can lead to severely restricted diets, increasing the risk of scurvy, such as in this <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32291151/">case report</a> from 2020 in Canada </li> <li> isolation. Older adults, especially those who live alone or in nursing homes, may have <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136//bcr-2024-261082">difficulty</a> preparing balanced meals with sufficient vitamin C </li> <li> certain medical conditions. People with digestive disorders, malabsorption issues, or those on restrictive medical diets (due to severe allergies or intolerances) can develop scurvy if they are <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8248877/">unable to absorb or consume enough vitamin C</a>. </li> </ul> <h2>How much vitamin C do we need?</h2> Australia’s dietary guidelines <a href="https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/nutrient-reference-values/nutrients/vitamin-c">recommend</a> adults consume 45mg of vitamin C (higher if pregnant or breastfeeding) each day. This is roughly the amount found in half an orange or half a cup of strawberries. When more vitamin C is <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/australian-health-survey-usual-nutrient-intakes/latest-release">consumed</a> than required, excess amounts leave the body through urine. Signs of scurvy can appear as early as a month after a daily intake of less than 10 mg of vitamin C. Eating vitamin C-rich foods – such as oranges, strawberries, kiwifruit, plums, pineapple, mango, capsicum, broccoli and Brussels sprouts – can resolve symptoms within a few weeks. Vitamin C is also readily available as a supplement if there are reasons why intake through food may be compromised. Typically, the supplements contain 1,000mg per tablet, and the <a href="https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/nutrient-reference-values/nutrients/vitamin-c">recommended upper limit</a> for daily Vitamin C intake is 2,000mg.<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/241894/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-ball-14718">Lauren Ball</a>, Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/scurvy-is-largely-a-historical-disease-but-there-are-signs-its-making-a-comeback-241894">original article</a>. </div>

Body

"What a score": Woman finds rare gems in Vinnie's op shop

One lucky thrift shopper has stumbled upon a rare find in her local charity shop, spotting stunning opal earrings on sale for just $2. The shopper took to Facebook to share her find, posting a photo of the gold earrings adorned with a series of blue opals that she got from a Vinnie's op-shop in Queensland. Many were quick to agree that they were "such a rare find" because of the low price, as admirers described the jewellery as "Pretty", "amazing" and "beautiful". "Holy moly," one person exclaimed. "I can't breathe," one other said. "What a score," another agreed. While some people were skeptical that the gems weren't real, others said, "There's no way someone would set that many beautiful opals into costume jewellery so I'd say you have found a unicorn there." "They most certainly look genuine opal and diamond," another agreed — and so do the experts. Sebastian Heffernan from Lightning Ridge Opal mines told <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/womans-rare-2-find-at-vinnies-op-shop-worth-1000-absolute-steal-042951545.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo News</a> that while it's difficult to determine based on photos alone, the opals "don't appear to be fake". "It's normally pretty obvious when they are," he explained. "They would look a little bit too perfect a lot of the time. Whereas these ones, you can see that some of them have little dots of colour, some have medium flashes." Assuming the opals are real but the diamonds are fake and the gold is plated, rather than solid, Sebastian guessed the earrings could sell for just couple of hundred. However, Wayne Sedawie, who owns Opal and Gem Stone Auctions, reckons the lucky thrifter could fetch close to $1,000 for the earrings, if resold or cashed in to a reseller, and suggested she get them valued. "It's definitely good to maybe get them looked at by someone in person because they do look quite nice from the photo, and the metal itself could be worth a little bit if it is actual gold," Sebastian added. "But either way, two bucks is an absolute steal". "That's such a great find. They're beautiful," Wayne agreed. "Just clean them up and they'll last a thousand years." Image credits: Facebook

Money & Banking

Demi Moore shares rare update on Bruce Willis' health

Demi Moore has shared a rare update on ex-husband Bruce Willis, as the actor battles frontotemporal dementia. The actress shared the update in an interview with Drew Barrymore on The Drew Barrymore Show, where she opened up about his health. She said she spends as much time as she can with Willis - who she was married to for 11 years and is the father of her three daughters - and his wife Emma Heming, with the blended family celebrating holidays and birthdays together. During the interview, Moore and Barrymore reminisced about their time working together on the 2003 film Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, where Willis made a special cameo. “When we did Charlie’s Angels, Bruce came and played on it, and he opens up the film,” Barrymore recalled, “And we got to work with him.” Barrymore went on to ask about his current health, noting she had known him for years, all the way back to his days as a barman. “I mean, I used to know him when he was a bartender at Cafe Central,” Barrymore said. “I’ve known him my whole life, too. How is he right now?” The actress provided a reassuring update: “Given the givens, he’s in a stable place.” Moore and Willis were married from 1987 to 2000 and share three daughters: Rumer, 36, Scout, 33, and Tallulah, 30. Moore also revealed details of how she supports their daughters as they cope with their father's health struggles. “What I say to my kids is you meet them where they’re at. You don’t hold on to who they were or what you want them to be, but who they are in this moment,” she explained. “And from that, there is such beauty and joy and loving and sweetness. “When I’m in LA, I go over every week, and I really treasure the time that we all share.” The Die Hard star was diagnosed with aphasia in March 2022 and almost a year later, his family shared that his condition had progressed to frontotemporal dementia. Image: Instagram

Caring

"Absolute breakthrough": New hope in search for Motor Neurone Disease cure

Melbourne researchers are one step closer to finding a cure for Motor Neurone Disease, with the help technology and stem cell research. Scientists at The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health have developed a world-first technology that will speed up the drug testing process to help find an effective treatment and maybe even a cure for the disease. New machines at the institute can now help determine whether drugs on the market could be used to treat MND in just weeks, a process which previously took decades. "This is an absolute breakthrough, it's at the cutting edge of technology," Florey MND researcher Professor Brad Turner said. Animal cells were previously used to test the efficacy of MND drugs, but now thanks to more than 100 MND patients who donated their skin cells to the institute, researchers have a library of stem cells to work with. The human stem cells can provide scientists with the full scope of the disease, something that they were previously unable to do with just animal cells. "This is really a game-changer in that we can use their own cells, and we can test drugs directly on their own cells," Florey MND researcher and neurologist Dr Thanuja Dharmadasa said. Large scale screening will commence thanks to a $5 million grant from the Australian Medical Research Future Fund. The research is expected to help people like Phil Camden who has been living with the disease for 10 years. "That's the key to all of us living with MND... we want to do what we can while we can," Camden said. "We know we're not doing it to find a cure for us. We're doing it for those in the future, my grandkids and their children." Scientists believe that medication or a cocktail of drugs tailored specifically to a patient is the way forward when it comes to treating the disease. "Therefore your drug treatments are tailed back to the clinical makeup in the dish and we call that personalised medical treatment," Turner said. Image: Nine News

Caring

Rare coin hidden for decades to fetch eye-watering sum

Three sisters from the US who inherited a dime coin kept it in a bank vault for more than 40 years, and while they know it had some value, they didn't know just how much until a few years ago. The rare coin, struck by the US Mint in San Francisco in 1975, could be worth more than $US500,000 ($748,000), according to Ian Russell, president of GreatCollections, the auction house selling the coin. What makes the coin depicting President Franklin D. Roosevelt so valuable is that it is just one of two coins missing the "S" mint mark for San Francisco. The other dime sold for $US682,000 (over $1 million) at a 2019 auction and then again months later to a private collector. While avid coin collectors have known about the existence of these two extraordinarily rare coins, their whereabouts had remained a mystery since the late 1970s. “They were hidden for decades,” Russell said. “Most major collectors and dealers have never seen one.” The three sisters from Ohio, who want to remain anonymous, inherited one of the two dimes after the recent death of their of their brother, Russell said. They told Russell that their brother and mother bought the first error coin discovered in 1978 for $27,225, which would amount to roughly $135,000 today. Their parents, who ran a dairy farm, saw the coin as a financial safety net, and it was only until last year that one of the sisters saw the coin first-hand. Russell also said that their brother had reached out to him about seven years ago and told him about the coin, but he too kept it a secret. When Russell told one of the sisters about the potential value of the coin, she told him: “is that really possible?”. The coin, known as the “1975 ‘no S’ proof dime,” will be displayed at a coin show beginning on Wednesday in Tampa, Florida, and before <a href="https://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/1655587" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the auction</a> closes late next month, Russell said. The current highest bidder has offered $US250,000 ($374,000). Images: Great Collections/ Professional Coin Grading Services

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

Beloved champion athlete dies from rare brain tumour

Meghan Markle shares rare glimpse at Princess Lilibet

Princess Diana's former lover opens up in rare interview

Meghan Markle shares rare glimpse of Princess Lilibet

19-year-old dies after battle with rare genetic condition

Jessica Mauboy shares rare glimpse at her pregnancy

Prince Harry and Meghan share rare glimpse of their kids in Christmas card

"I don’t want my son to be called a disease name": Gout Gout's dad weighs in

Readers response: What are some things older generations did as couples that we rarely see today?

Bruce Willis pictured with family in rare snap

Robert Irwin celebrates milestone birthday with rare pic of Steve at 21

Michael Schumacher’s son gives rare interview about his father

John Farnham spotted with family in rare public appearance

From eye exams to blood tests and surgery: how doctors use light to diagnose disease

Scurvy is largely a historical disease but there are signs it’s making a comeback

"What a score": Woman finds rare gems in Vinnie's op shop

Demi Moore shares rare update on Bruce Willis' health

"Absolute breakthrough": New hope in search for Motor Neurone Disease cure

Rare coin hidden for decades to fetch eye-watering sum

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