Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2020 i Australian Women’s Weekly NZ

It seems fitting, given where we still find ourselves six months after the start of the pandemic, that this issue of The Weekly ended up being all about love. Not just the butterflies-in-the-pit-of-the-belly kind, but love in all its many guises. It is a primal, familial love that’s at the heart of our story about the remarkable Sam Bloom. The mother-of-three talks candidly about how it was the pull of her devoted husband and sons that drove her to fight the crushing despair that came after breaking her back (page 18). Author Hugh Mackay tells of another life-changing kind of love in his exploration of compassion (page 94). And we sit down with a man whose picture would sit comfortably underneath ‘compassion’ in the dictionary – former NSW fire chief…

Two weeks before it went on sale, Finding Freedom was already an Amazon UK bestseller just from pre-orders and, thanks to sneak peek early media extracts, the most talked about royal book since Andrew Morton’s 1992 Princess Diana biography. It’s one of a glut of exposés about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but from the moment it was first announced, the authors – reputed and seasoned royal reporters Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand – have been besieged. For while the heady romance of the union between Prince Harry and US actress Meghan Markle and their subsequent explosive split from the House of Windsor is innately fascinating, the most urgent issue for royal watchers has been the provenance of the book’s narrative. With no sight of the whole text, commentators…

Since the inaugural Women of the Future Awards in 2013, many young entrepreneurs, social change-makers and leaders who impressed our judges have gone on to achieve world-class success. From shaking up whole industries – particularly the male-dominated world of technology – to making real differences in the day-to-day lives of disadvantaged children, the Women of the Future alumni are a group of Australians that make us proud. Annabelle Chauncy OAM, now 34, who won the people’s choice prize in 2014, has gone on to enact real change on a grand scale in Uganda with her not for profit organisation, School for Life. One of the first students to enrol was a girl named Sissy. “I remember having a conversation with Sissy’s mum,” Annabelle says. “She said, I just want her…

In May 2014, a woman named Lisa, from the American mid-west, published a blog pleading with her estranged husband for money and answers. Her marriage had gone horribly wrong. The man she had pledged to love, honour and cherish had deceived her, left her with a massive debt, and then vanished. “Scott, it has been several months since we’ve spoken,” the post began. “You said you were in counselling for the lying … I found no record of your divorce from Jennifer ... I am aware that you are currently engaged to Diana ...” Lisa had known for a while that her husband was not who he claimed, but she was only just starting to discover how crooked he truly was. After creating the blog, she heard from women all…

On November 22, 1912, Doris Duke was born in the family house on Seventy-eighth Street, New York. Her father [James Buchanan Duke, known as “Buck”] immediately cabled his friend Lady Paget in London, “Fine girl just arrived. Mother and child progressing satisfactorily.” According to the received wisdom of 1912, and of her class, Nanaline Duke [Doris’s mother] seldom held Doris when she was a baby. Nanaline may have doubted her maternal competence after the death of her first child, prompting her to turn her baby daughter over to a series of uniformed nurses. The august presence and massive scale of the Seventy-eighth Street house certainly influenced the atmosphere of Doris’s childhood. The staff would have ministered to virtually all of her needs. But in early childhood, Doris could always depend…

Hermione Norris gusts into a busy Bondi cafe on a blast of freezing air straight from the Antarctic. The Cold Feet favourite’s pale blonde bob is beaded with rain and her cheeks are windblown as pink as the flowers embroidered on her fine grey scarf. Outside, the main road leading down to the beach is deserted, thanks to an early morning downpour. “I’m so sorry I’m late,” the softly spoken British actress starts apologising before she even sinks down into the cushioned booth. “I’ve been talking to my family in England, and you know what that can be like with the different time zones!” Hermione spent three months in Sydney, filming the Seven Network’s new television thriller Between Two Worlds, which she headlines alongside antipodean actor Aaron Jeffery. And as…

Mint & violet THESE DELICIOUS SORBET TONES ARE A MATCH MADE IN FASHION HEAVEN. Divine duo Bold sleeves are a new season staple. Make a style smash by pairing this voluminous look with sleekly tailored trousers. Style tip  It’s hard to go wrong with loose, floaty silhouettes in pastels. Just add gold jewels and summery espadrilles for easy elegance. H&M dress, $34.95. Accessories Avoid clashing colours and keep shoes and bags to a neutral palette to maintain a polished look. Marimekko bag, $350. Sol Sana shoes, $249. Cos scarf, $49. Oroton bag, $359. Perfect pairing Balance is key for a standout ensemble. A floaty top on a curve-skimming skirt will give you a perfectly cinched-in waist. Country Road top, $179. ASOS skirt, $80. Style tip Invest in a good-quality print…

Distance memory If you kept forgetting to socially distance during the early stages of COVID-19, blame your “working memory”. That’s the part of your mind that briefly holds information, sometimes for just seconds. The amount it can hold predicts many mental abilities, such as intelligence, comprehension and learning. According to UCLA researchers, people with a higher working memory capacity have an increased awareness of the benefits of social distancing, and subsequently showed more compliance with the recommended guidelines. “Eventually social distancing will become habitual and its relationship with working memory will diminish,” noted Professor Weiwei Zhang, the research paper’s senior author. Come to Papa! Piggybacks, wrestling, chasings and other physical play typically associated with dads aren’t just good fun, they may help children control their behaviour and emotions as they…

Taste of Tokyo edamame salad SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 15 MINUTES ½ cup (100g) quinoa, rinsed 3 cups (450g) shelled frozen edamame, thawed 3 cups (340g) thinly shredded red cabbage 3 cups (60g) baby spinach 4 spring onions, sliced ½ cup (75g) salted cashews, roughly chopped DRESSING ½ cup (140g) smooth peanut butter ⅓ cup (80ml) rice wine vinegar 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari 1½ tablespoons maple syrup 2 teaspoons finely grated ginger 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional – warning, this has a real kick!) 2 tablespoons hot water, plus more as needed to thin the dressing 1 Cook the quinoa according to packet directions. Drain. Transfer to a large bowl and cool in the fridge. 2 Add the edamame, cabbage, baby spinach, spring onions and cashews…

FRESH 60g baby spinach 2 medium sweet potatoes 3 large carrots 1 medium leek ½ medium green cabbage 1 bunch flat-leaf parsley 1 bunch coriander 1 bunch Thai basil 1 bunch mint 1 bunch chives 1 large lemon 1 medium brown onion 2 large red onions 4 spring onions 1 bulb garlic Cress (for serving) Tuscan kale (for serving) PANTRY Extra virgin olive oil Ground cumin Ground turmeric Smoked paprika Ground chilli powder (optional) 400g can chopped tomatoes 400g can chickpeas 200g dried red lentils 150g dried apricots 200g dried vermicelli rice noodles 250ml coconut milk 70g tomato paste 1 litre vegetable stock 500ml beef stock 60ml soy sauce or tamari 80ml sweet chilli sauce 80ml rice wine vinegar 2 tablespoons sesame oil 70g peanuts (or any nut you desire)…

Eating, sleeping and entertaining. Your home’s main rooms are where you spend most of your time, so of course they get all the decorative TLC. But spare a thought, too, for the smaller, less obvious areas such as your home office, laundry and storage. A few ideas and a bit of attention can turn these little spaces into little rippers ... Home office or study nook All you need is a dedicated area for a desk and a chair to create a working or study space. By a window is best (natural light is important), but failing that, add some plants and greenery. Think laterally as well: use a beautiful screen to partition off an area, or remove an under-stairs cupboard to utilise that cosy space. “A home office can…

In the ‘nik’ of time South Australia is the star of Bunnik Tours’ first Australian itinerary in its 25-year history. The SA-based company’s 11-day tour from Adelaide takes in Kangaroo Island, the Flinders Ranges and the wine regions. Prices start from $4395. More at bunniktours.com.au Insights and inspirations Check out the new domestic and trans-Tasman offerings from Inspiring Journeys (inspiringjourneys.com), and the ‘Local Escapes’ from Insight Vacations (insightvacations.com). Both feature itineraries in SA, Tasmania, WA, and the North and South islands of NZ.…

Forbidden love HERE IS THE BEEHIVE by Sarah Crossan, Bloomsbury This story of clandestine passion displays daring originality in its verse form. Ana and Connor have been sneaking around in hotel rooms for three years, building a hot-house affair alongside their marriages. But then Connor dies, and Ana hears the news from his wife, who is calling Ana in her capacity as family solicitor. From here, the revelations jump around, filling in the backstory and Ana’s need to hang on to something while unable to say anything. Bush fairytale FLYAWAY by Kathleen Jennings, Picador Magical realism and Aussie folklore combine in a macabre family mystery set in the district of Inglewell. The fragile trio of Queensland towns is hanging on to a way of life that is sinking into the…

Crime THE NIGHT SWIM by Megan Goldin, Penguin Megan Goldin scored global success with The Escape Room and is fast proving to be a sizzling new voice in Aussie crime fiction. The Night Swim is another page-turner, with protagonist Rachel Krall producing real-life crime podcasts. Rachel’s first two seasons reopened cold cases, but now she’s reporting on the jury trial of an Olympic swimmer accused of rape. At the same time, a woman named Hannah leaves a note on Rachel’s car, asking for her help with the rape and drowning of her sister 25 years earlier, which she claims was murder. Rachel is intrigued, especially when Hannah says that her sister’s killer will be in the courtroom of the current trial. Are the two cases linked? And why won’t…

“One kind word can warm three winter months.” –JAPANESE PROVERBDora Greay, Bedford, WA. LETTER of the MONTH Princess Anne looks so happy in your photo shoot (“I’ve never been a city girl”, AWW, August). She is one member of the royal family who has done what is expected of royalty, yet still manages to carry out a fulfilling life as a farmer, living in the beautiful countryside with her much-loved horses and family. Her no-nonsense approach and intelligent views have gained respect from many of us. V. Mavros, Sale, Vic. MEETING ROYALTY Your article about Princess Anne brought back fond memories of meeting her at a ball at Sydney’s Government House, in April 1970. In those days, the press often described Anne as “horsey”, but my impression was that she…

At night, when Sam Bloom has her most glorious dreams, she’s upright on her surfboard riding the big waves of Sydney’s northern beaches, travelling through remote Africa talking to “amazing people” or mountain biking with her family. And then she wakes up and all that “happiness and excitement” melts away. This was Sam’s world. “I had a great life,” she sighs. “But then I open my eyes and look in the mirror and see that I’m not her.” Sam says that in that moment when her brain resets to the pain of her new normal, the reality that she can no longer do any of these things, that she is paralysed from the chest down, confined to a wheelchair, “I die a little bit”. Sam is a fighter, but she’s…

We all carry inside us people who came before, wrote American author Liam Callanan. And in every new family line, glimpses of the older can be seen. A grandfather’s lopsided smile reappears in a grandson. Three generations of women have the same violet-flecked eyes. For historian Rose Overberg, it’s chestnut-coloured hair and distinctive height that she shares with her mother. “A lot of people say I look like Mum,” she says. But while Rose has freckles and brown eyes, her mother has olive-toned skin and green eyes, and there are other features that can’t be accounted for. “Nobody in my family has my eyebrows,” she says. For most of her life, Rose didn’t know who gave her those attributes, and she never thought much of it until she tried to…

On a sparkling day, at Bennelong restaurant in the Sydney Opera House, leading Australian women from business, politics, media and more gathered to congratulate the 2019 winners. Hosted by the ABC’s Virginia Trioli (below, right, with Awards patron Dame Quentin Bryce and Elizabeth Broderick) the inspiring event was full of joy, ideas and, occasionally, tears.…

It’s close to midnight in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Faint strains of street music provide a rhythmic backdrop to the howling and screaming coming from the maternity ward, and Aminata Conteh-Biger can barely contain her excitement. This is the part of her work Aminata loves best of all, watching babies take their first breath in the safety of the hospital her Foundation helps to fund. “They’re popping out like popcorn,” chuckles the midwife as, amid a flurry of nurses and doctors, Aminata flits between beds chatting to exhausted mothers, cooing over newborns and marvelling at this miracle of life in what has become one of the most dangerous places to give birth in the world. The Aberdeen Women’s Centre is the second busiest maternity hospital in the country, with 3000 babies…

In 1935, through Independent Aid, Doris gave $10,000 to Margaret Sanger’s National Committee for Birth Control, and $15,000 to Sanger herself. In 1936, Doris gave $15,000 to the Birth Control Clinical Research Bureau, and, in a dramatic escalation, $1 million the following year to the Birth Control League. A year later, she gave another $15,000. Doris was crucial to the cause of birth control, although her role is seldom recognised. Early in her career, Sanger could not have raised these sums for her controversial cause. What in Doris’s privileged life caused her to care about birth control? Early in her relationship with Jimmy, Doris inevitably had questions about sexuality. She would never have been able to discuss this with her mother, because of prudery and ignorance. Falling pregnant on her…

“Mum says she made the phone cake because I love a chat!” Like many Australians, some of Sylvia Jeffreys’ favourite childhood memories are punctuated by the scent of freshly baked goods. They reside fondly alongside the sensation of licking a wooden spoon and the joy of running a finger greedily around the bowl of leftover cake batter. And in each of them, sitting on a floury bench, is a well-thumbed copy of The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book. Her mother Janine may not have been the most accomplished baker, laughs Sylvia today, but she was certainly enthusiastic when it came to nailing the perfect birthday cake for each of her three children. “I had the telephone cake, plus I had the swimming pool cake when I was a…

Known for its classic wardrobe staples and on-point fashion designs, Witchery’s new spring collection doesn’t veer from its mission statement. Sleek suit separates in pastels and neutrals are the perfect addition to your work – or off duty – wardrobe. Along with prairie floral prints, silky wide-leg trousers with barely there heels make for high-low dressing at its best. Refined and relevant, Witchery launched its September range wanting to transcend trends while also reflecting the Zeitgeist of today, where comfort and versatility are paramount. Launching with luxurious and perfectly constructed monochrome pieces in extremely limited quantities, Witchery commemorates its 50th anniversary with one of its most haute fashion and collectable ranges to date. Visit witchery.com.au…

For more than 20 years, the CSIRO has been conducting research into the role of nutritional factors and the effects of higher-protein, lower-carbohydrate dietary approaches for weight and health management. The CSIRO Low-Carb Diabetes Diet & Lifestyle Solution is a plan designed to help those with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes understand the condition, and take practical steps to comprehensively improve their health and wellbeing through a complete diet and exercise solution that has been scientifically developed and proven. The diet An energy controlled, nutritionally complete plan based on eating whole, nutrient-dense core foods that provides 50-70 grams of high-quality carbohydrate a day, with proportionally balanced amounts of protein and healthy fats to meet your individual needs. This amount of carbohydrate is equivalent to 3-4 pieces of bread, about 1…

Shopping list FRESH 1 loaf sourdough bread 140g baby spinach 3 large carrots 2 bunches broccolini 2 medium zucchini 2 medium eggplants 2 medium red capsicum 1 medium yellow capsicum ½ small red cabbage 1 medium lemon 1 small lemon 8 spring onions 1 small brown onion 1 bulb garlic 8cm piece ginger Thyme (for serving) PANTRY Extra virgin olive oil Dried thyme Cayenne pepper 330g risoni 400g can chickpeas 400g can crushed tomatoes 250g microwave quinoa 75g salted cashews 75g harissa paste 2 tablespoons chipotle in adobo sauce 125ml light coconut milk 100ml soy sauce or tamari 80ml rice wine vinegar 80ml rice malt syrup 1½ tablespoons maple syrup 140g smooth peanut butter FRIDGE & FREEZER 8 (1.5kg) chicken thigh cutlets 500g green prawns 450g shelled frozen edamame Greek…

Literary fiction The Last Migration by Charlotte McConaghy, Penguin “If I were capable of staying any place it might be here. But the birds won’t stay, and neither will I.” Franny is alone in remote Greenland as she tags one of the world’s last flock of Arctic terns so she can follow them on what she believes will be their last migration home. The narrator of this mesmerising tale of love, loss and redemption, set in a time when wildlife is becoming extinct, is like a wild creature herself, constantly searching for the nest where she will find her family. Franny is a mix of strength and fragility, and her journey is as much about the birds as it is about running from a traumatic past.…

Home style Resident Dog by Nicole England, Thames & Hudson If you’ve ever wondered if a dog will make your house a home, this stunning book of photographs heralds a resounding yes. Melbourne-based interiors photographer Nicole England presents 25 houses with the dogs who live there. From spoodle Charlie to lagotto ramagnolos Mars and Truffle, and bull-mastiff kelpie Bergie, these pooches bring warmth and character to their exquisitely designed domains. Thriller Hex by Rebecca Dinerstein Knight, Bloomsbury Spellbinding novel about Columbia PhD student Nell, a botanist continuing the studies of a graduate who died while researching an antidote to poisonous plants. Nell – born in Kansas, where “luxury was a tuna casserole” – tries to imagine what happened to Rachel’s organs as the toxins spread. Class mentor, elitist Joan, is…

“How’s things, anyway?” Kelly and Ben were crossing the vacant lot behind the fire station. A public right-of-way ran through the lot, where the community had begun a herb and vegetable garden. “Wait, what?” Unlike Gordon, Kelly didn’t repeat herself for Ben. He heard what she said, it just took time to sink in. She loved him and, in the circumstances, indulged him, but she had her limits. “Good,” Ben said. Kelly bent down to the corten retaining wall separating the herb and vegetable beds by produce and “owner”. The community gardeners had initially staked signs with twee painted signs such as GIVE PEAS A CHANCE and DON’T STOP BELEAFING, but more recently the messages had become a more tersely proprietorial MEG + JANE or PETE + LIZ, and the…

Happy birthday, George! IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE it has been seven years since the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge introduced the world to a tiny bundle who would one day be King of England. Since then, Prince George has grown into a happy, confident big brother to Charlotte and Louis. Kensington Palace released two photos, including a shot snapped by mum Kate, to mark his seventh birthday. Picture of modernity As we continue adapting to a socially distant world, the Queen has attended the unveiling of a portrait via Zoom. The piece, by Miriam Escofet, was finished in lockdown after seven months of work. With the Tokyo Olympics being bumped to 2021, Aussie pentathlete Chloe Esposito is looking forward to defending her title, after bowing out at the start of…

Like many couples around the world, coronavirus restrictions compelled Princess Beatrice and her fiancé Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi to postpone their nuptials – and in the end, their more lavish plans were replaced with a small family ceremony at The Royal Chapel of All Saints at Windsor’s Royal Lodge. But from the looks of sheer joy, love and happiness on the newlyweds’ faces, the intimate occasion on a glorious summer’s day on Friday July 17 was pure magic. Prince Andrew walked his eldest daughter down the aisle watched on by the couple’s closest family and friends, including parents, siblings and Edoardo’s four-year-old son Wolfie, who doubled as both best man and pageboy. Bea embraced the ‘something borrowed’ bridal custom in a very special way, wearing a stunning vintage dress by the…

Last summer’s bushfire season broke Shane Fitzsimmons’ heart. And then broke it again, and again. The fires started early – ridiculously early, in July – but the first truly devastating news came in October, when four separate blazes tore through far northern NSW, fuelled by drought and dry lightning. Then, in the tiny rural outpost of Coongbar, two people lost their lives. When news of the casualties broke at NSW Rural Fire Service headquarters, the Commissioner got in his car and drove the 680 kilometres to Casino to be with local volunteers. “Gwenda Hyde and Robert Lindsey weren’t just names on a fatality list,” Shane says, with that characteristic mix of steadiness and empathy. “They were known to the local RFS members, they were known in the community. And it…

Why did you decide to join Veeda as their International Ambassador? When I had my daughter, Banks, I was so aware of the chemicals that go into products like nappies and I wanted the best natural products for her. Through trying to find the best product for my daughter, I found Veeda. I’d been using the same tampons for 20 years, and never thought about what was in it and what I was putting in my body. I feel so much more comfortable knowing that what I’m using is natural, and doesn’t have any fragrances, dyes, chemicals, or any of the other things that I never knew went into these products. I actually asked my management to reach out to them to see if there was a broader conversation we…

The first thing that hits you when you walk into the Wilkins household is the pulse of music. Booming out on our arrival, speakers twine through every room in the newly renovated waterfront property on Sydney’s north shore, ensuring a steady stream of tracks carefully curated to suit every mood and moment. It’s a shared passion for two of the home’s main residents: Richard – the 66-year-old seasoned entertainment reporter – and his youngest son, Christian, 25, who recently tangoed his way into the heart of Australia, placing second on Dancing with the Stars. As The Weekly will discover when we spend the day with the duo, there are many similarities that have bonded father and son strongly. They both light up in the spotlight, love public speaking, enjoy the…

WHAT YOU NEED ● A ready-made canvas ● Ruler ● Pencil and some paper ● Low-tack masking tape ● Testpot brush ● Small roller and foam sleeves ● Resene testpots in Resene Liberty, Resene Half Dusted Blue, Resene Bubble N Squeak, Resene Triple Sea Fog, Resene Double Pravda, Resene Alabaster. Top tip: Use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process. 1 Work out your colour scheme, allowing for six colours. We used Resene Liberty, Resene Half Dusted Blue, Resene Bubble N Squeak, Resene Triple Sea Fog, Resene Double Pravda and Resene Alabaster. 2 With a pencil and ruler, draw the lines of the artwork onto the canvas, using the template below. 3 Mask each block of colour one-by-one and use a small foam roller to paint the colour smoothly.…

A few months ago, the MOTH (Man of the House) announced he’d bought “us” a stationary bike – even though he knows the idea of pedalling furiously and getting nowhere leaves me cold. “Actually, it’ll leave you hot and sweaty. You’ll feel great!” he said. Social distancing meant the MOTH had been missing his much-loved gym workout and his twice-a-week swim at our local pool, so I wasn’t surprised when I saw two young men struggling to carry a huge box down the path and up the steps to our terrace. They set it down gently outside the study window and wished us luck as they waved goodbye. The MOTH unpacked the bike and stroked the seat proudly. Big and black with a shiny silver trim, the bike was menacingly…

1 Aerobic exercise, also known as endurance exercise or cardio fitness training. It involves sustained activities that use large muscle groups in a rhythmic manner, such as walking, swimming and cycling. 2 Resistance training, which is also known as strength or weight training. It consists of shorter, more intense activities that promote increases in muscle mass, strength, speed and power. 3 Flexibility and balance training. Flexibility training is also commonly referred to as stretching. It involves stretching or repeatedly moving a joint through its complete range of motion.…

Pantry staples OILS AND VINEGARS: Extra virgin olive oil and sesame oil, plus rice wine, white wine and apple cider vinegars. GRAINS AND SEEDS: Microwave rice and blends (these are great for cutting down on cook and prep times), arborio rice, sesame seeds and pepitas. PASTA AND NOODLES: Risoni, couscous and noodles. NUTS AND DRIED FRUIT: Cashews, almonds, macadamias, pistachios, walnuts and peanuts, plus raisins, apricots and cranberries. SPICES AND DRIED HERBS: Paprika, chilli, cumin, Moroccan spice mix (an instant flavour maker!), Italian herbs, oregano and thyme. STOCKS: Chicken, beef and vegetable. VEGETABLES AND LEGUMES: Dried lentils, plus canned chickpeas, cannellini beans and tomatoes. SAUCES AND SYRUPS: Soy sauce, rice malt and maple syrup, plus harissa and chipotle (for a fiery kick!). OTHER ESSENTIALS: Cornflour, coconut milk, Indian and Thai…

Impossible pie The reason this pie is “impossible” is because the ingredients separate into three layers while baking. The heavy flour sinks to the bottom of the dish and pretends it’s pastry; the light coconut floats to the top to make a kind of crust or topping; and the egg and milk stay in the middle, making a delicious custard. SERVES 8 PREP AND COOK TIME 50 MINUTES ½ cup (75g) White Wings Plain Flour 1 cup (150g) CSR coconut sugar ¾ cup (60g) desiccated coconut 4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 125g butter, melted ½ cup (40g) flaked almonds 2 cups (500ml) milk fresh passionfruit, blackberries and blueberries for serving 1 Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Grease a 24cm pie dish. 2 Combine sifted flour, sugar, coconut, eggs,…

Get walking APT has added guided walking holidays and luxury short breaks to its touring portfolio. The former include a nine-day Queensland Scenic Rim and Sunshine Coast trip (pictured left and above right, from $7595 per person twin share), and a 10-day tour along NZ’s Queen Charlotte Track and Marlborough Sounds (from $6495). Among the luxury short breaks are the six-day Margaret River 4WD Exploration (from $2995), and seven days in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges and wine regions (from $3995). For dates and other options, go to aptouring.com.au Test your limits Trafalgar’s ‘Near Not Far Limited Series’ trips, starting in September, include the seven-day Ultimate Wonders of the West, taking in Perth, Margaret River, Fremantle, and Rottnest and Penguin islands (from $3375), and the seven-day Majestic Tasmania (from $3700) from…

Australian author Charlotte McConaghy, 31, began to write her first book at 14 and was supported by her mum, who understood that writing takes practice. She was born in Darwin, but raised “all over the place,” McConaghy laughs. “By the time I turned 21, I’d lived in 21 different houses … Because we moved around so much, I understand what it feels like to be unsure where you belong, and this is something that informs a large part of [my protagonist] Franny’s character. She is a wanderer, a roamer, and a part of her is always searching for home and family, even while her wandering feet drive her away from those things.” The author now lives in Sydney and has worked in TV script development for many years. The Last…

2-6 RESPECT by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson, Magabala Books “Our way is old, older than red earth, Older than flickering stars. Our way is respect. Respect for Elders, for Ancestors always with us.” With beautiful earthy red illustrations by Lisa Kennedy, it’s a tender reminder about respect for all people and lands. “Respect for family who show us the way. We respect Country, each other, me.” 3-6 PING VS PONG by Mauro Gatti, Walker Two edamame beans dream of becoming the greatest table tennis players in the world. They beat all their opponents, but the world wants to know who is best – Ping or Pong? In a knockout game, Ping wins. There had never been a happier, or a sadder, bean. When they grow up,…