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Remains of 4 Australian soldiers discovered just days ahead of Anzac Day

<p>The remains of four Australian soldiers who perished in World War I have been uncovered in northern France, more than a century after they were killed in the brutal Second Battle of Bullecourt.</p> <p>According to the Australian Department of Defence, the discovery was made during a recent fieldwork operation conducted by the Australian Army’s Unrecovered War Casualties unit. The soldiers were among the thousands who fought in the battle in May 1917, a fierce attempt by the Australian Imperial Force to penetrate the German Hindenburg Line.</p> <p>Up to 10,000 Australian troops were either killed or wounded during the operation, with approximately 3,700 confirmed dead between April and May 1917. Tragically, more than half of these fallen soldiers are believed to lie in unmarked graves across the region.</p> <p>The site of their final stand lies near Villers-Bretonneux, where the Australian National Memorial to the Missing was erected to honour the many who have no known grave.</p> <p>Australian Army Chief Lieutenant General Simon Stuart acknowledged the emotional timing of the find, just days before Anzac Day. “As we approach Anzac Day, recovering these four Australian soldiers reminds us the search for the missing is tireless and ongoing,” Lieutenant General Stuart said. “We do not forget the service and sacrifice of those who serve our nation.”</p> <p>Efforts are now underway to identify the soldiers using forensic analysis and historical research. The Defence Department has vowed to ensure they are reburied with full military honours and the dignity they deserve.</p> <p>The Unrecovered War Casualties unit continues to receive dozens of leads each year regarding the locations of Australian war dead. Discoveries like this are not uncommon: nine soldiers from the Battle of Fromelles were identified in 2018, with another five identified as recently as 2023.</p> <p>More than 44,000 Australians died on the Western Front during World War I, and around 17,000 remain without known graves.</p> <p>This Friday, Australians around the world will pause to reflect at dawn services in honour of the more than 103,000 servicemen and women who have laid down their lives in conflicts past, with the latest discovery serving as a reminder of the war's enduring legacy.</p> <p><em>Image: Wikimedia Commons</em></p>

Caring

Catch of the day: bride hauls in shark at her wedding!

<p>Most brides on their big day are content with a nice bouquet, a slice of cake and a husband who hasn’t locked his knees and fainted at the altar. But Miccala Toms of Darwin had slightly more ambitious ideas – and they involved beer, fishing and a decent-sized aquatic predator.</p> <p>After saying “I do” to her now-husband Brodie, the couple did what any sensible Territorians would do in the sweltering heat: they swung by the Dundee Tavern for a couple of cold ones and some casual wedding photos. You know – veil, vows and VB.</p> <p>But while some brides might be focused on getting the perfect shot with golden sunlight and maybe a well-behaved Labradoodle, Miccala spotted a local teen fishing off the rocks and thought, “Now <em>that’s </em>a vibe.”</p> <p>“It was a hot day,” Miccala explained on the <em>Today </em>show. “So we thought we’d have a few drinks and take some photos at the front.” The vibe was clearly: bridal glam meets bush telly.</p> <p>The helpful teen handed over his fishing rod – probably assuming she’d hook a little barra or, at worst, a mildly confused crab. But Darwin had other plans.</p> <p>Cue dramatic <em>Jaws</em> music.</p> <p>What Miccala thought would be a cute “bride-with-fish” moment turned into a full-on marine wrestling match when something large, scaly and very toothy yanked on the line.</p> <p>“It was a shark and I’m like, ‘Oh my god, it’s a shark!’” she recalled, possibly while her wedding photographer simultaneously reconsidered their life choices.</p> <p>In true Northern Territory fashion, this bride did not flinch. In fact, she dug in her heels (or possibly bare feet, unclear), while Brodie jumped in to help haul in the unexpected guest star of their wedding album.</p> <p>And because true love is built on mutual support, Brodie did what any man witnessing his wife dragging a shark in her wedding dress would do: picked the beast up by the tail so they could pose together, glowing with wedded bliss and mild concern for their fingers.</p> <p>The shark, possibly the only one more confused than the couple, was photographed before being safely released back into the water, no doubt with a wild story to tell its shark mates. </p> <p>As for Brodie? He knows he’s punched above his weight. “To be honest, I wouldn’t be here without her, that’s for damn sure,” he said. “She’s given me three lovely children and made me the happiest I’ve ever been, so can’t let it go now.”</p> <p>And why would he? When you marry a woman who’ll fish in full bridal gear and take a spill while catching a shark with a beer buzz and a grin... well, you know you’ve found The One.</p> <p>Moral of the story? In Darwin, love is real, the beer is cold and the brides are tougher than the wildlife.</p> <p><em>Images: The Today show</em></p>

Relationships

Sophie Delezio marries her childhood sweetheart in stunning style

<p>Love is in full bloom for childhood sweethearts Sophie Delezio and Joseph Salerno, who have officially tied the knot! The couple exchanged vows over the weekend in a stunning ceremony held at the picturesque Anambah House in the Hunter Valley, surrounded by their closest family and friends.</p> <p>Sophie, 24, looked radiant in a classic ball gown with intricate beaded detailing across the bodice. Her bridal look was perfectly complemented by her bridesmaids, who wore elegant champagne-coloured dresses, each in a unique style that reflected their individual personalities. Meanwhile, Joseph cut a dashing figure in a smart brown suit, complete with matching boots.</p> <p>The celebrations were nothing short of joyful. As soon as the couple was declared husband and wife, the festivities kicked off with cheers, champagne pops and plenty of laughter. Behind-the-scenes moments captured by friends showed the newlyweds and their bridal party revelling in the magic of the day, with Sophie's bridesmaids even lending a hand to carry her gown’s flowing train across the venue’s lush grounds.</p> <p>Fans were treated to glimpses of the festivities when Sophie shared a few cherished moments on her Instagram story, offering a peek into their special day.</p> <p>The wedding marks yet another beautiful milestone for the couple, who welcomed their first child, a son named Frankie, in September 2024. Their original wedding plans were lovingly postponed to celebrate their growing family, making their eventual walk down the aisle even sweeter.</p> <p>Sophie has recently spoken about the challenges of balancing motherhood and her career as a content creator, admitting that "there’s no pause button to soak in the joy of newborn life". With her wedding on the horizon, she decided to take a well-deserved break from social media to focus on her family, cherishing these precious moments that will last a lifetime.</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/DHuxj9_zgqg/?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/DHuxj9_zgqg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Sophie Delezio (@soph.delezio)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Joseph's romantic proposal in 2023, which took place at their home in Sydney after nearly a year of travelling the world together, set the tone for their enduring love story. He presented Sophie with a breathtaking three-stone engagement ring, symbolising their past, present and future as partners.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

Our ancestors didn’t eat 3 meals a day. So why do we?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>Pop quiz: name the world’s most famous trio? If you’re a foodie, then your answer might have been breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s an almost universally accepted trinity – particularly in the Western world.</p> <p>But how did it come about?</p> <h2>The first meals</h2> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/when-did-we-become-fully-human-what-fossils-and-dna-tell-us-about-the-evolution-of-modern-intelligence-143717#:%7E:text=Fossils%20and%20DNA%20suggest%20people,%3A%2050%2C000%2D65%2C000%20years%20ago">Early humans</a> were nomadic. Forming small communities, they would travel with the seasons, following local food sources.</p> <p>While we can only guess what daily mealtimes rhythms looked like, evidence dating back <a href="https://global.oup.com/academic/product/feast-9780199209019?cc=nz&lang=en&">30,000 years</a> from the South Moravia region, Czech Republic, shows people visited specific settlements time and again. They gathered around hearths, cooking and sharing food: the first signs of human “commensality”, the practice of eating together.</p> <p>One of the best-preserved hunter-gatherer sites we’ve found is <a href="https://global.oup.com/academic/product/feast-9780199209019?cc=nz&lang=en&">Ohalo II</a> – located on the shores of the modern-day Sea of Galilee (also called Lake Tiberias or Lake Kinneret) in Israel, and dating back some 23,000 years.</p> <p>In addition to several small dwellings with hearths, it provides evidence of diverse food sources, including more than 140 types of seeds and nuts, and various birds, fish and mammals.</p> <p>The development of <a href="https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/development-agriculture/">agricultural knowledge</a> some 12,000 years ago gave rise to permanent settlements. The earliest were in the Levant region (across modern-day Iraq, southwestern Iran and eastern Turkey), in an area called the “Fertile Crescent”.</p> <p>Permanent agriculture led to the production of a <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/foodfeatures/evolution-of-diet/">surplus of food</a>. The ability to stay in one place with food on-hand meant the time it took to cook no longer mattered as much.</p> <p>It quickly became common to eat one <a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/history-of-the-world-in-6-glasses-9780802718594/">light meal</a> early in the day, followed by a larger <a href="https://global.oup.com/academic/product/feast-9780199209019?cc=nz&lang=en&">hearth-prepared meal</a> later on. The specific timings would have varied between groups.</p> <h2>Eating together as a rule</h2> <p>The communal nature of foraging and hunting, and later farming, meant humans almost always ate their meals in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1525/gfc.2009.9.3.42">company of others</a>. In the ancient city-state of Sparta, in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.2307/293895">4th century BCE</a>, these practices were codified as common main meals called <a href="https://doi.org/10.1525/gfc.2017.17.2.51"><em>syssitia</em></a> (meaning “eating together”).</p> <p>These meals were consumed at the end of the day in communal dining halls. Food was served by young boys to tables of 15 or so men who lived together and fought in the same <a href="https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0063%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DS%3Aentry+group%3D5%3Aentry%3Dsyssitia-cn">military division</a>. The men gradually shared generational knowledge with the young boys, who themselves would join the tables by age 20.</p> <p>In the 5th century BCE, Greek historian Herodotus <a href="https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/the-histories-9780140455397">wrote about</a> how <em>syssitia</em> evolved from a Spartan military practice to having deep political meaning in society. Similarly, <a href="https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/the-republic-9780140455113">Plato</a> <a href="https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/the-laws-9780140449846">wrote</a> common meals were an integral component of civil society, and that missing a meal without good reason was a civic offence.</p> <p>By dining in <a href="https://doi.org/10.2307/293895">full view</a> of the rest of society, citizens were compelled to maintain self-discipline. Mealtime was also an opportunity for social linkage, and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1525/gfc.2017.17.2.51">important discussions</a> ranging from business deals to politics.</p> <p>The eating habits of Spartan women are missing in the texts, although it is implied they <a href="https://doi.org/10.1525/gfc.2017.17.2.51">ate at home</a>.</p> <h2>Bunches of lunches</h2> <p>Counter to the tough Spartan way of life, the Romans enjoyed their main meal, <a href="https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/1550/everyday-life-ancient-rome?srsltid=AfmBOooVPsJL24HR9woTdVNQwEG1uCU7q0k7r2beD-KD13m0KX-l1dSY"><em>cena</em></a>, earlier in the day, followed by a lighter meal just before bed.</p> <p>The northern European tribes tended towards two larger meals per day, as more <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23071">sustenance</a> is required in colder climes. To the Vikings, these meals were known as <a href="https://www.historyonthenet.com/what-did-vikings-eat"><em>dagmal</em> and <em>nattmal</em></a>, or day meal and night meal. <em>Nattmal</em> was the cooked evening meal, while <em>dagmal</em> usually consisted of leftover <em>nattmal</em> with the addition of bread and beer or mead.</p> <p>In Australia, evidence suggests Aboriginal peoples tended toward a <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03122417.2022.2089395">daily single meal</a>, which aligns with the predominant method of cookery: slow-cooking with hot coals or rocks in an <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/03122417.2022.2089395">earth oven</a>. This underground oven, used by Aboriginal and also Torres Strait Islander communities, was referred to as a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=745326709638881&t=0"><em>kup murri</em></a> or <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/food/the-cook-up-with-adam-liaw/recipe/slow-cooker-kap-mauri/lfza7eqs4"><em>kap mauri</em></a> by some groups.</p> <p>This is similar to other Indigenous preparations throughout the Pacific, such as the New Zealand Māori <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/15528014.2024.2381305"><em>hāngī</em></a>, Hawaiian <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/20707103?seq=1"><em>imu</em></a>, Fijian <a href="https://www.proquest.com/docview/1021389307?accountid=8440&parentSessionId=605Pt1iTclBEC77VSlZvrnxxY%2Bdc7e%2Bx9pT4MgRLPqQ%3D&sourcetype=Dissertations%20&%20Theses"><em>lovo</em></a>, and even the Mayan <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-012-9207-2"><em>píib</em></a>.</p> <p>The once-daily meal would have been supplemented with snacks throughout the day.</p> <h2>Three’s the magic number</h2> <p>The timing of meals was heavily influenced by class structure, local climate and people’s <a href="https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Cuisine+and+Culture%3A+A+History+of+Food+and+People%2C+3rd+Edition-p-9780470403716">daily activities</a>. Practicality also played a part. Without reliable lighting, meals had to be prepared and eaten before dark. In settled parts of Northern Europe, this could be as early as 3pm.</p> <p>So how did we go from one or two main meals, to three? The answer may lie with the British Royal Navy.</p> <p>Since its inception in the 16th century, the navy served <a href="https://www.historyhit.com/what-did-sailors-in-the-georgian-royal-navy-eat/">three regular meals</a> to align with the shipboard routine. This included a simple breakfast of ship’s biscuits, lunch as the main meal, and dinner as more of a light supper.</p> <p>Some sources suggest the term “<a href="https://www.grammar-monster.com/sayings_proverbs/square_meal.htm">square meal</a>” may have come from the square wooden trays meals were served in.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/660040/original/file-20250407-56-xgt2pm.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/660040/original/file-20250407-56-xgt2pm.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/660040/original/file-20250407-56-xgt2pm.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=455&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/660040/original/file-20250407-56-xgt2pm.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=455&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/660040/original/file-20250407-56-xgt2pm.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=455&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/660040/original/file-20250407-56-xgt2pm.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=572&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/660040/original/file-20250407-56-xgt2pm.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=572&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/660040/original/file-20250407-56-xgt2pm.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=572&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Initially, sailors recieved a daily gallon of beer with meals. This was later changed to watered-down rum, the infamous ‘grog’, which is being handed out in this 1940 photo taken aboard HMS King George V.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205185139">Imperial War Museums</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC BY-NC</a></span></figcaption></figure> <p>The <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-20243692">Industrial Revolution</a>, which started around 1760, arguably also played a role in formalising the concept of three specific mealtimes across the Western world.</p> <p>The cadence of breakfast, lunch and dinner matched the routine of the longer, standardised workdays. Workers ate breakfast and dinner at home, before and after work, while lunch was eaten with coworkers at a set time.</p> <p>With minimal breaks, and no time for snacking, three substantial meals became necessary.</p> <h2>The fall of the holy trinity</h2> <p>Today, many factors impact the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2015.09.005">time and frequency</a> of our meals, from long work commutes to juggling hobbies and social obligations.</p> <p>The COVID pandemic also impacted how and what we eat, leading us to eat larger amounts of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2022.102641">higher calorie foods</a>. The rapid growth of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980020000701">delivery services</a> also means a meal is no more than a few minutes away from most people.</p> <p>All of this has resulted in mealtimes becoming less rigid, with social meals such as <a href="https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781442229433/Brunch-A-History">brunch</a>, <a href="https://www.harpercollins.co.nz/9780261102354/the-fellowship-of-the-ring/">elevenses</a> and <a href="https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781442271029/Afternoon-Tea-A-History">afternoon teas</a> expanding how we <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18126235">connect over food</a>. And mealtimes will continue to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1525/gfc.2013.13.3.32">evolve</a> as our schedules become ever more complicated.<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/250773/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rob-richardson-2328981">Rob Richardson</a>, Senior Lecturer in Culinary Arts & Gastronomy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/auckland-university-of-technology-1137">Auckland University of Technology</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dianne-ma-2331997">Dianne Ma</a>, Lecturer in Culinary Arts & Gastronomy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/auckland-university-of-technology-1137">Auckland University of Technology</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/our-ancestors-didnt-eat-3-meals-a-day-so-why-do-we-250773">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> </div>

Food & Wine

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

<p>April 9 marked a special milestone for King Charles and Queen Camilla as they celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary! The royal couple kicked off the joyous occasion with a charming new video, shared across the royal family's social media accounts.</p> <p>The 60-second clip is a delightful journey through their two decades of marriage, showcasing a collection of heartwarming photos and candid moments. Captioned simply, "20 Happy Years!" accompanied by a white heart emoji, the post captured the love and happiness that has defined their union. Fans were quick to note that the white heart may also be a nod to the traditional 20th anniversary gifts of china or platinum, symbolising strength and beauty.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIN7uDus6Rg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIN7uDus6Rg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Though the royal couple is spending their anniversary abroad in Rome as part of their state visit to Italy, celebrations have been in full swing back home in the UK. Outside Buckingham Palace, the Band of the Household Cavalry serenaded well-wishers with a special performance of It Must Be Love, dedicated to Their Majesties – a perfect musical tribute to their enduring romance.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">It must be love! 🫶</p> <p>A special tribute on the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace, to mark Their Majesties’ 20th wedding anniversary today. <a href="https://t.co/15rlKuevVl">pic.twitter.com/15rlKuevVl</a></p> <p>— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1909937840185548915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>In anticipation of this milestone, the couple also released a new set of portraits earlier this week. Queen Camilla looked radiant in bridal white, wearing a bespoke dress by Anna Valentine, the designer of her original wedding gown. Adding a sentimental touch, Her Majesty adorned her outfit with the lily of the valley brooch once belonging to the Queen Mother, a beautiful symbol of eternal love.</p> <p>The day itself is a working one for the royal couple. King Charles is set to meet with Italy’s prime minister, while later, they will be the guests of honour at a grand state banquet hosted by the Italian president – a fitting celebration for their incredible journey together.</p> <p>King Charles and Queen Camilla’s love story is one for the history books. Though married for 20 years, their connection spans over five decades. From their first meeting at a polo match in 1970 to enduring public scrutiny, they have emerged stronger than ever.</p> <p>Their early years saw them part ways when Charles embarked on an eight-month naval tour, and Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles. Yet, even through life’s twists and turns, their bond remained unbreakable. Following the tragic passing of Princess Diana, Charles and Camilla slowly reintroduced their relationship to the public, eventually marrying in 2005 in a modest yet heartfelt ceremony.</p> <p>Since then, Queen Camilla has embraced her royal role with grace and dedication, earning the admiration of many. </p> <p>Here’s to King Charles and Queen Camilla – may the next 20 years be just as joyful!</p> <p><em>Images: Royal Family / Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

Outrage as school allows students to opt out of Anzac Day service

<p>A public primary school in Sydney’s northwest has sparked controversy after allowing students to opt out of its upcoming Anzac Day service. The decision by Sherwood Ridge Public School has drawn criticism from parents, veterans and community leaders, who argue that all students should recognise the sacrifices made by Australia’s service members.</p> <p>Principal Jody Sullivan recently emailed parents, requesting that they inform the school if they did not want their children to attend a commemorative assembly scheduled for April 10. The move was aimed at accommodating a small group of Christian students whose families object to commemorating war due to their religious beliefs.</p> <p>The announcement was met with strong condemnation, particularly from veterans and advocacy groups. Former commando and RSL NSW President Mick Bainbridge responded by <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14557953/Anzac-Day-Sherwood-Ridge.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">telling <em><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Daily Mail Australia</span></em></a><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">, </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">“Anzac Day is not a celebration of war; in fact, it commemorates the horrors of war and ensures the sacrifices of those who served and died are never forgotten. Our young people learn about Australia’s proud military past.”</span></p> <p>Less than a dozen students will be supervised in alternative learning activities while the rest of the school participates in the assembly. Despite the limited scope of the decision, many feel it still sets a troubling precedent.</p> <p>Veteran Advocacy Australia branded the move as “disgusting” and called on NSW Premier Chris Minns to intervene. Former NSW Veterans Affairs Minister David Elliott also criticised the decision, stating, “It really is an insult to the families of the 100,000 who died for this country.”</p> <p>Parents took to social media to express their dismay, with one mother writing, “Honouring and remembering those that have fought and lost their lives to keep us safe has nothing to do with religion.” Another parent argued, “This is not commemorating war; it is remembering those who gave their all to keep this country free.”</p> <p>The NSW Department of Education has since responded, reaffirming its expectation that all public schools commemorate Anzac Day with memorial ceremonies. Secretary Murat Dizdar stated, “Our students are required to learn about the importance of Anzac Day and the sacrifice our servicemen and women made, and continue to make, as part of their regular lessons.”</p> <p>While Sherwood Ridge Public School has acknowledged that its message could have been communicated more selectively, the backlash <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">as the nation prepares to mark the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing debate about how Anzac Day should be observed in schools. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Images: Supplied</span></em></p>

Legal

Chaos at Sunrise as Nat Barr and Shirvo told to evacuate

<p>It was a normal morning at <em>Sunrise</em> – until it wasn’t. Nat Barr and Matt Shirvington, Australia’s trusted duo for morning headlines, found themselves in an unexpected plot twist when a blaring alarm interrupted their broadcast.</p> <p>Just as they were busy reminiscing about <em>The Sound of</em> Music turning 60, their usual smooth delivery was derailed by an insistent fire alarm.</p> <p>“Hey, that’s a fire alarm! We might have to evacuate here,” a concerned Shirvo said, his journalistic instincts kicking in faster than a sprinter off the blocks.</p> <p>Barr, ever the professional, sought confirmation from the floor crew. “Are we being told to evacuate?” she asked, as though a second opinion might change the fact that alarms generally mean "leave".</p> <p>Despite a classic “Should we stay or should we go?” moment, the pair was finally ushered out – only to be showered in gold confetti by the <em>Sunrise</em> crew, who clearly had been planning this for weeks.</p> <p>“Of course it is – April Fools’,” Shirvo said, shaking his head as he wiped glitter from his suit. Barr, likely already composing a strongly worded email to the prank masterminds, chuckled in defeat.</p> <p>And so, another <em>Sunrise</em> April 1st came and went, proving once again that news anchors aren’t just here to report the stories – they sometimes <em>are</em> the story.</p> <p><em>Images: Network 7</em></p>

After a century of Monday to Friday, could the 4-day week finally be coming to Australia?

<div class="theconversation-article-body">The reality of shorter working hours could be one step closer for many Australians, pending the outcome of the federal election.</p> <p>The Greens, who could control crucial cross bench votes in a hung parliament, have announced plans for a <a href="https://greens.org.au/news/media-release/greens-launch-4-day-work-week-election-policy">four-day</a> working week, with no loss of pay. They say the policy would alleviate stress and burn out, and increase women’s participation in the workforce.</p> <p>Earning the same money for fewer hours would appeal to most workers. But is it too good to be true? Could it really be rolled out cost free to all workplaces, especially to “client facing” companies and service providers?</p> <p>Or does research suggest the Greens could be onto something?</p> <h2>The Greens’ plan</h2> <p>The Greens’ policy would involve a new National Institute for the Four Day Work Week and a test case through the Fair Work Commission.</p> <p>A series of national trials would be set up in a number of different industries, whereby workers would work 80% of their normal hours, while maintaining 100% of their pay.</p> <p>According to Greens Senator Barbara Pocock, it’s a win-win for everyone:</p> <blockquote> <p>It can increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, improve recruitment and retention and give employees more time to manage their home life. This change will allow workers to create a working week that works for them.</p> </blockquote> <h2>The 100:80:100 model</h2> <p>The four-day work week being proposed in this instance is commonly regarded as the 100:80:100 model.</p> <p>It delivers 100% of the pay, for 80% of the hours, in <a href="https://www.4dayweek.com/news-posts/100-80-100-rule">return</a> for maintaining 100% of productivity.</p> <p>This is unlike other forms of shorter working weeks, which compress five days’ worth of work into four longer days. This obviously disadvantages some employees.</p> <p>Recent <a href="https://figshare.swinburne.edu.au/articles/report/Emerging_Four_Day_Work_Week_Trends_in_Australia_New_insights_based_on_interviews_with_Australian_firms_who_have_already_adopted_4DWW_arrangements_Preview_report_/26282311?file=47647063">research</a> conducted by Swinburne University of Technology involved interviews with ten Australian firms that have already adopted the 100:80:100 model.</p> <p>They were a mixture of small and medium sized private sector businesses, including management consulting firms, a shipping and logistics company, and recruitment and marketing agencies.</p> <p>The research underlined the potential for a range of positive outcomes for both employers and employees.</p> <p>Workers reported having better work-life balance, more time to complete “life administration” tasks, and more time to invest in hobbies, exercise, wellness and self-care. Bosses cited productivity gains, reduced sick days, and significant improvements in recruitment and retention rates.</p> <p>However, the 100:80:100 model is viewed with scepticism in some quarters. There is still doubt that productivity and output would be maintained, or in some cases improved, when workers are working one day fewer per week.</p> <p>Also, there could be costs associated with the implementation of this work model for front-line roles, such as retail, schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Additional workers may need to be hired, at extra expense, to cover the hours dropped by the existing workforce.</p> <h2>100 years of working 5 days a week</h2> <p>The year 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the five-day work week.</p> <p>It was car maker Henry Ford who <a href="https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/henry-fords-five-day-week/">reduced</a> the working week in the United States from six days to five. Other sectors and countries followed suit. This was at a time when the average life expectancy of Australian workers was just 55 and households typically only had one bread-winner.</p> <p>Despite the time saved by the many technological breakthroughs in the past 100 years – from the photocopier, desktop computer and fax machine, to the internet, mobile phones and AI – the average Australian is now <a href="https://futurework.org.au/report/taking-up-the-right-to-disconnect-unsatisfactory-working-hours-and-unpaid-overtime/">working longer hours</a> in paid and unpaid labour than ever before.</p> <p>The Greens point out Australian society is changing. More women and carers are either in the workforce or would be encouraged into the workforce by more flexible arrangements:</p> <blockquote> <p>yet we are constrained by archaic labour laws that see the fruits of our efforts swallowed up in profits for bosses and shareholders.</p> </blockquote> <p>The role of generative AI technologies in the workplace may also deliver benefits to workers. Separate Swinburne <a href="https://figshare.swinburne.edu.au/articles/report/Generative_AI_at_work_Empowering_employee_mental_wellbeing/27252948">research</a> has revealed an increasing expectation among workers that they will receive a share in the time saved by future technologies in the form of improved work-life balance and wellbeing gains.</p> <h2>Time to enter the 21st century</h2> <p>Earlier this year, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/jan/27/two-hundred-uk-companies-sign-up-for-permanent-four-day-working-week">200 UK companies</a> signed up to the 100:80:100 model, as part of a campaign to “reinvent Britain’s working week”. Large scale trials are also underway in <a href="https://4dayweek.io/country/canada">Canada</a> and several <a href="https://www.euronews.com/next/2024/02/02/the-four-day-week-which-countries-have-embraced-it-and-how-s-it-going-so-far">European</a> countries.</p> <p>The global interest in a shorter working week is not surprising, and has likely been fuelled by the COVID pandemic, which has caused workers and employers to re-imagine their working lives.</p> <p>If the Greens are in a position to leverage any balance of power after the coming election, it could be Australia’s turn to recognise the conventional five-day working week is no longer fit for purpose.<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/252379/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-l-hopkins-255434">John L. Hopkins</a>, Associate Professor of Management, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</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/after-a-century-of-monday-to-friday-could-the-4-day-week-finally-be-coming-to-australia-252379">original article</a>. </em></p> <p> </p> </div>

Money & Banking

AFL royalty unite in a star-studded Noosa wedding

<p>In a celebration absolutely fit for footy royalty, the families of two AFL greats officially became one, as Ruby Brownless and Josh Wallis tied the knot in a breathtaking ceremony in Noosa over the weekend.</p> <p>Ruby, the daughter of Geelong legend Billy Brownless, and Josh, the son of Western Bulldogs icon Stephen Wallis, exchanged vows in a magnificent event that defied AFL traditions. Despite the league's unwritten rule of keeping key dates like Round 1 and grand final day clear, the happy couple chose to mark their special day as the Cats took the field for their season opener.</p> <p>The wedding was a glittering affair attended by a host of AFL stars, past and present, with family and friends flying in to witness the heartwarming union. Among the high-profile guests was Ruby’s mother, Nicky Brownless, who is engaged to Melbourne great and expert commentator Garry Lyon. With Josh’s brother, Mitch, having played 162 games for the Bulldogs and Ruby’s brother, Oscar, once listed with Geelong, the occasion was a true meeting of AFL dynasties.</p> <p>Proud father Billy Brownless, known for his jovial personality, shared his delight in walking his daughter down the aisle. Calling into his Triple M show the following day, he said, “(It was) beautiful. I’ve had a couple of limoncellos so I’m a bit dusty. We got dropped off at this beautiful area and there was just limoncellos. I didn’t think they had any alcohol in them, and after about seven I had a look and they’re nine per cent!”</p> <p>During the speeches, Billy moved guests to laughter and tears with a heartfelt poem. “When your daughters get married, it’s from the heart,” he said before reciting, “Roses are red. Violets are blue. I love you from here to Timbuktu.”</p> <p>The wedding had been highly anticipated ever since Ruby and Josh announced their engagement in 2022 during a romantic getaway to Hayman Island. Leading up to the big day, Ruby kept her 37,000 Instagram followers eagerly waiting, teasing glimpses of the preparations and declaring, “Wedding week begins!”</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/DHHw2YdTHmQ/?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/DHHw2YdTHmQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ruby Brownless (@rubybrownless)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The celebrations aren’t over for the Brownless family just yet, as another wedding is on the horizon. After a whirlwind romance, Garry Lyon proposed to Nicky Brownless at the end of 2023, marking yet another chapter in the intertwined histories of these AFL legends. </p> <p>With love, laughter, and limoncellos in abundance, the Brownless-Wallis wedding was a truly magical affair, proving that some traditions are worth breaking when it comes to celebrating love.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

AFL star's wife spends wedding anniversary in hospital amid cancer battle

<p>AFL star Jeremy Finlayson's wife Kellie Finlayson has revealed she's had a bit of a setback with her health and is spending her second wedding anniversary in hospital. </p> <p>The 29-year-old is battling terminal stage four bowel cancer that metastasised in her lungs. </p> <p>She took to Instagram to share the update from her hospital bed, with a picture of the happy couple showing off their rings on their wedding day, and an updated photo of herself in the ward, with the caption: "Happy anniversary darl. Two years ago V. Today!"</p> <p>"Happy anniversary to me," she added, using a crying with laughter emoji and a bandaged love heart emoji.</p> <p>The AFL star shared his own anniversary message with an Instagram story, writing: "Happy anniversary <3" </p> <p>Kellie did not explain why she was hospitalised. </p> <p>The couple tied the knot back in March 2023 in South Australia.</p> <p>Kellie, who is a mother-of-one, was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 25. </p> <p>She previously opened up about her diagnosis on the Nova podcast <em>Head Game</em>, and shared just how hard her chemotherapy treatment was. </p> <p>"I lost a s--t ton of weight. I mean, I had a stoma, so I had a foreign object on my stomach. I wasn't the normal mum that she should have had, but I was as good as I possibly could be. It was hard," she said at the time. </p> <p>"I was allergic to one of the strands of that chemotherapy, which is why, when I did relapse, I had to change chemotherapy, which meant I lost my hair.</p> <p>"I was on my deathbed. I was getting anaphylactic reactions every three weeks to this chemotherapy. So I was essentially dying every three weeks, just to get better."</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

Tennis legends immortalised with special honour

<p>Tennis legends and grand slam champions Ash Barty and Evonne Goolagong Cawley have bene immortalised as one-of-a-king Barbie dolls in honour of International Women's Day. </p> <p>The tennis duo were recognised together by Mattel's celebration of "the power of friendship".</p> <p>Barty opened up about the surreal experience, saying, "I think my first reaction was almost disbelief. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would be a Barbie myself. I think it's just such an incredible experience to be a part of."</p> <p>Barty's doll wears a replica of the outfit she wore while winning at the 2021 Wimbledon, while Goolagong Cawley's Barbie is wearing the skirt and shirt combination she wore to award Barty with her trophy.</p> <p>Goolagong Cawley confessed: "It's just absolutely amazing. I just love it; I can't believe it's happened."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGxAMpxBTCB/?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/DGxAMpxBTCB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ash Barty (@ashbarty)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The women became friends in 2011 after first meeting at the Junior Wimbledon, as Barty recalled of their first meeting: "There were so many similarities and just such easy conversation. Obviously there were so many things that we could relate to with each other in tennis, but also in life. It was just that connection straight away, without a doubt."</p> <p>Goolagong Cawley opened up about the early days of their friendship, and said: "We understood each other perfectly, I think. And we never talked about tennis. Ever. I was more concerned with her wellbeing ... I just want her to be happy, and she makes me happy."</p> <p>Mattel senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls said of the collaboration, "One of the greatest tools that a girl can have is the support and encouragement of her peers."</p> <p>"As we approach International Women's Day, Barbie is proud to honour legendary female friendship duos across different backgrounds, professions, and parts of the world."</p> <p>"We know firsthand that friendships formed at a young age can help fuel social and professional growth, setting girls up for limitless possibilities."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram/ Barbie - Mattel</em></p>

Beauty & Style

"Miss you every day": Brooke Warne's tribute to Shane

<p>Brooke Warne has shared an emotional tribute to her father Shane on the three-year anniversary since his sudden death. </p> <p>Cricket legend Shane died on March 4th 2022 in Ko Samui, Thailand, at the age of 52 following a suspected heart attack.</p> <p>Brooke, 26, wrote a heart-wrenching post about her dad, saying she misses him every day since his passing. </p> <p>She shared a series of photos with her dad throughout her life, captioning her post, "3 years without you Dad ❤️‍🩹 I miss laughing with you about the little things and there is so much I want to show you🤍."</p> <p>Brooke, who is the eldest of Warne's three children, added: "I know you're always with us, I love you ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹 I miss you every day."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGwBd3Vz43h/?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/DGwBd3Vz43h/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by B R O O K E 🍿 W A R N E (@brookewarne)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The post was flooded with comments, with Brooke's brother Jackson Warne commenting a red love heart underneath the post. </p> <p>In the years since his death, the sporting legend's children have honoured him and support the Shane Warne Legacy foundation as ambassadors.</p> <p>As the news of Shane's death first broke in 2022, Brooke admitted in a candid post that it didn't "feel real ".</p> <p>"It doesn't feel right, you were taken away too soon and life is so cruel," she said.</p> <p>"We were so similar in so many ways and I always use to joke that I got your genes and I use to joke about how much that annoyed me!! Well now I couldn't be happier and prouder that I have your genes."</p> <p>"And I was lucky and will forever be, so proud to call you my dad. I love you to infinity and back and I will miss you forever."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Family & Pets

Man charged with murder one day after police offer $500,000 reward

<p>Coffs Harbour police have charged a 66-year-old man with the murder of Duncan Campbell, one day after announcing a $500,000 reward for information leading to a conviction.</p> <p>Campbell’s body was discovered just over a year ago on February 12, 2024, in bushland near his campsite on John Champion Way. Initially, authorities did not consider his death suspicious. However, a medical review later revealed that the 58-year-old had been brutally assaulted, prompting a homicide investigation.</p> <p>Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty explained that humid and wet weather conditions had significantly decomposed the body, leading to the initial incorrect assessment of the cause of death. This misjudgment resulted in delays to the murder inquiry.</p> <p>On Tuesday, police issued a public reward of $500,000 for information on the case. Less than 24 hours later, strike force detectives arrested the suspect in Coffs Harbour. The man has been charged with murder and is accused of bludgeoning Campbell to death with a steel pole. He was refused bail and is set to appear in court.</p> <p>Campbell, a father of four and grandfather, had been living in a campsite with other rough sleepers near City Hill before his disappearance. Detective Superintendent Doherty noted that Campbell was well-regarded by those who knew him.</p> <p>"He was a loving father and grandfather," Doherty said. "[He] fell on hard times in recent years that led to him sleeping rough. He was a decent man; there was no criminality from Duncan."</p> <p>Campbell was reported missing by his family after they lost contact with him. Police discovered his body a week later in nearby bushland.</p> <p>Campbell’s murder comes amid a troubling rise in homicide cases in the Coffs Harbour-Grafton region. According to the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), the area recorded five murders in the year ending September 2024 – the highest annual total in the past decade.</p> <p><em>Image: NSW Police</em></p>

Legal

Anthony Albanese shares wedding details

<p>Anthony Albanese and his fiancé Jodie Haydon have revealed details of their upcoming wedding for the first time. </p> <p>Chatting candidly with Australian Women's Weekly, the couple admitted they are planning to tie the knot in a "small, intimate ceremony" in spring after the federal election.</p> <p>"Our wedding will be a moment when we make that commitment," Haydon told the magazine.</p> <p>"We're doing it in front of family and loved ones, and I see that as … for us. It's something we're looking forward to — an important and symbolic way to reaffirm our commitment with each other."</p> <p>Albanese and Haydon are planning on waiting until after the election, which is expected to be held in April or May, to get married in order to not have their big day wrapped up in politics. </p> <p>The ceremony will not be held in a Catholic church due to Albanese's prior divorce but could be outdoors, Haydon added, with their dog Toto playing a role.</p> <p>"It will be small, intimate," Haydon said. "Probably a spring wedding."</p> <p>"Possibly outdoors, in the second half of this year, with our family and loved ones … And you can be sure Toto will make an appearance."</p> <p>Albanese revealed the moment he decided Haydon was the woman he wanted to marry, and how he decided to <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/anthony-albanese-announces-engagement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">propose</a> on Valentine's Day last year. </p> <p>While gesturing towards the Lodge, the Prime Minister told the reporter, "This will end one day, and the thing about our relationship is that we enjoy spending time together. Just us."</p> <p>"So, when it became clear to me that Jodie was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, and that I couldn't imagine a life without her, I made the decision."</p> <p><em>Image credits: X (Twitter) </em></p>

Relationships

Gogglebox star marries in lavish ceremony

<p><em>Gogglebox Australia</em> star Jad Nehmetallah has tied the knot with his partner Sarah. </p> <p>The couple got married in Sydney's St. Mary's Cathedral on Saturday, just seven months after Jad proposed in Italy last July.</p> <p>After a traditional ceremony inside the church, the festivities kicked off outside as the newlywed couple were met with a troupe of drummers. </p> <p>The party continued on to at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Circular Quay, when the newlyweds were hoisted onto the shoulders of guests at the reception as they cheered them on inside the venue once formalities were done and dusted.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGILqN-Tz2O/?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/DGILqN-Tz2O/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jad Nehmetallah (@jadfunk)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Bride Sarah wore a strapless, rhinestone-encrusted ballgown from Steven Khalil complete with voluminous skirt, while Jad donned a sleek white tuxedo. </p> <p>Jad and Sarah first announced their engagement in July, one year after meeting through mutual friends.</p> <p>The reality star got down on bended knee at sunset at the picturesque Castle Elvira in Puglia, Italy, to pop the question.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGK1pajzzyk/?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/DGK1pajzzyk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jad Nehmetallah (@jadfunk)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Today was magical, a true fairy tale. God has blessed me with a real life angel. Sarah, you are the epitome of a woman,” he wrote on Instagram as he announced the happy news.</p> <p>"You make me feel like a King. Today, we stand together on this rooftop, as you’ve said YES to becoming my Queen. I love you and I can’t wait for us to do life together.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Relationships

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

<p dir="ltr">With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it's time to think about treating the one you love most to something special. </p> <p dir="ltr">Luckily, <a href="https://au.loccitane.com/FleursdeCerisier.html">L’Occitane’s</a> new limited edition range has something for everyone. </p> <p dir="ltr">Featuring a limited edition fragrance inspired by the blooming Cherry Blossoms and Vineflowers of Provence, the feminine, floral, and fruity scent transports you to a springtime stroll.</p> <p dir="ltr">With six new products in the new Fleurs De Cerisier range, the fragrance combines fresh top notes of mandarin and white muscat, with a heart of cherry blossom and green grapevine flowers, leaving a soft, sensual dry-down of rosewood and white musks.</p> <p dir="ltr">The range features an Eau de Toilette perfume, a hair and body Mist, a body lotion, a hand cream, and of course, L’Occitane’s iconic shower oil. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFKkRlZyYY5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFKkRlZyYY5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by L’Occitane en Provence | ANZ (@loccitaneanz)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">For those who can’t decide, the Visite En Provence Fragrance Collection comes with a fresh mist, a fragrance and a hand cream to keep you covered. </p> <p dir="ltr">The stunning collection ranges from $29 to $125, boasting something for shoppers on every budget. </p> <p dir="ltr">With its delicate yet captivating scent, this collection will make any Valentine’s Day moment smell and feel extra special.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock / Instagram </em></p> <p> </p>

Beauty & Style

Community rallies around family after fatal Australia Day crash

<p>A tight-knit community has rallied together to support a grieving widow and her children after her husband and four-year-old son were <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/father-and-four-year-old-son-killed-in-australia-day-crash-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">killed</a> in a car crash on Australia Day.</p> <p>Chris Vrbesic, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene after his Holden Commodore collided with another car at an intersection in Brisbane's bayside. </p> <p>His four-year-old son Julian was taken to Queensland Children's Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. </p> <p>The classic car community, of which Mr Vrbesic was an avid member, has since stepped up to help his widow Maria and the couple's two surviving children Myla and Vinnie since the sudden and tragic crash. </p> <p>Family friend Brittany Claxton said young son Julian was "so full of life and he loved his Tata [father] so so much".</p> <p>"He was sure to remind us of his favourite person - Tata," she said. "The pair had an unbreakable bond and his mumma realised they were just destined to be together forever."</p> <p>"Juju was an old soul who had a knack for making any adult do exactly what he wanted. Even staring contests and telling you EXACTLY what he thought of you."</p> <p>"Juju, that cheeky grin and even cheekier laugh will stick with us all forever. It will be the light that guides us all. Our mad dog forever."</p> <p>A <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-chris-juju-support-for-the-vrbesics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page was created by Clayton to support the grieving family, and has reached over $130,000 in donations.</p> <p>The fundraiser reads, "In order to relieve the financial burden in this unsettling time we are raising funds for Chris' loving wife and Juju's incredible mama Maria."</p> <p>"We hope to take away a small amount of the pressure as they process their grief. If you had the privilege to know this man - you know he was an incredibly loving Dad, supportive husband, loving son, grandson, big brother and a friend to so many."</p> <p>"The way he lived his life full of joy, passion and drive was admirable and we should all be inspired to live the same, in honour of him."</p> <p><em>Image credits: GoFundMe / LinkedIn</em></p>

Caring

Father and four-year-old son killed in Australia Day crash identified

<p>A father who was killed alongside his four-year-old son in a horror car crash on Brisbane's bayside has been identified as Chris Vrbesic.</p> <p>Emergency services were called to Ransome just before 9am on Australia Day, after a blue Holden Commodore collided with a red Mitsubishi Lancer on Rickertt Road at an intersection. </p> <p>Vrbesic, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene and his son was taken to Queensland Children's Hospital, where he died.</p> <p>The driver of the Mitsubishi, a 29-year-old Birkdale man, suffered minor injuries and was helped by bystanders before he was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital for treatment.</p> <p>Vrbesic, from Manly West, has been remembered by his friends and loved ones as a "family man" with a "big heart". </p> <p>A friend who stopped by the crash site told <em>The Courier Mail</em>: “I think you’re going to find this will be one of those tragedies … thousands of people it is going to affect.”</p> <p>"He helped so many people, he had such a big f***ing heart." </p> <p>The father-of-three was a project manager at Innate Developments - a company that specialises in residential and commercial construction.</p> <p>Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie shared their condolences for the family, saying: "Any life lost on Queensland roads is one too many and we must do anything we can to ensure safety on our roads." </p> <p>"If it's under police investigation obviously police must investigate the circumstances of what happened but there are communities hurting and families hurting."</p> <p>Police are investigating whether speed was a factor in the collision. </p> <p><em><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Image: LinkedIn</span></em></p>

Caring

"Disrespectful": PM hits out at Grace Tame's Australia Day stunt

<p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned Grace Tame for "taking focus away" from the 2025 Australian of the Year finalists with her choice of outfit. </p> <p>The former Australian of the Year winner was greeted by Albanese and his fiancee, Jodie Haydon, at The Lodge in Canberra on Saturday, as she donned a t-shirt that said "F*** Murdoch". </p> <p>Speaking with <em><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/live/perth" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-type="article-inline">ABC Radio Perth</a></em> on Monday, Albanese was asked about his meeting with Tame and his views on her T-shirt, as he said her stunt was disrespectful towards the award's finalists. </p> <p>“I held a function. It is something that, in my view, took away from the people who were there, and my focus was simply on that,” he said.</p> <p>Albanese believed Tame’s decision to wear the t-shirt had clearly been designed to get attention, as he said, “I don’t intend to add to that attention because I do think that it takes away from what the day should be about, which is the amazing people who were nominated as Australians of the Year.”</p> <p>When asked if he agreed with the message of what Tame was trying to portray, Albanese said that he “clearly disagreed” and he wants debate to be respectful, adding, “People are allowed to express themselves, but I thought it was disrespectful of the event and of the people who that event was primarily for.”</p> <p>Tame explained her decision to wear the shirt to the event to <em><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jan/25/grace-tame-wears-anti-murdoch-shirt-to-prime-minister-anthony-albanese-australian-of-the-year-morning-tea-ntwnfb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Guardian Australia</a></em>, saying, “[The T-shirt is] clearly not just about Murdoch, it’s the obscene greed, inhumanity and disconnection that he symbolises, which are destroying our planet.”</p> <p>“For far too long this world and its resources have been undemocratically controlled by a small number of morbidly wealthy oligarchs. If we want to dismantle this corrupt system, if we want legitimate climate action, equity, truth, justice, democracy, peace, land back, etc, then resisting forces like Murdoch is a good starting point.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Legal

Captain Cook statue vandalised ahead of Australia Day

<p>A statue of Captain Cook has been vandalised in Sydney just days ahead of Australia Day. </p> <p>The statue, which sits on Belmore Road in Randwick, had its hand ripped off in the attack and parts of its face destroyed before it was covered in red paint. </p> <p>It's the second time in 12 months the statue has been vandalised, with the attack being condemned by Randwick councilor Andrew Hay. </p> <p>"The Captain Cook Statue has been vandalised again," he said in a statement. "They've broken the sandstone and cut off his hand and nose."</p> <p>"Low lives in Randwick know no bounds, or have any reverence for great people of history, and will vandalise him to make a political point that he's not directly related to."</p> <p>Randwick City councillor Dr Carolyn Martin told <em>2GB</em> radio that the vandals scaled the fence around the statue and left it in an "absolute mess".</p> <p>"It's absolutely disgraceful behaviour. We're all absolutely horrified," she said.</p> <p>Randwick mayor Dylan Parker also called out the vandalism, saying, "Vandalism has no place in public discussion."</p> <p>"Vandalism is an illegal act that does a disservice to progressing your cause, a disservice to the community and a disservice to reconciliation."</p> <p>"Council will clean and restore the statue. The statue was cleaned and restored last year after a similar incident in February 2024."</p> <p>Australia Day, which is recognised each year on January 26th, marks the landing of the First Fleet in 1788 when the first governor of the British colony of New South Wales, Arthur Philip, hoisted the Union Jack at Sydney Cove. </p> <p>But for many First Nations people, it is regarded as 'Invasion Day' or the 'Day of Mourning' because it marks the beginning of Australia's colonisation. </p> <p><em>Image credits: 2GB </em></p>

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

Community rallies around family after fatal Australia Day crash

Father and four-year-old son killed in Australia Day crash identified

"Disrespectful": PM hits out at Grace Tame's Australia Day stunt

Captain Cook statue vandalised ahead of Australia Day

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