Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2024 i Australian Women’s Weekly NZ

NEW ZEALAND Editor-at-Large Sarah Henry Editor Sebastian van der Zwan Chief Sub-Editor Denise Bowden Art Director Mirella Monteiro Designers Anna Pétursdóttir, Béla Trussell-Cullen, Debby Wei, Hayley Pearce Photo & Editorial Coordinator Kellie Blizard ADVERTISING Sales Director Claire Chisholm Sales Manager Chloe Jordan  Commercial Brand Mananger Bridget Hewitt  Campaign Manager Angela Wei  Directory Sales Manager Kim Chapman  EXECUTIVE  Chief Executive Officer Jane Huxley  General Manager Stuart Dick General enquiries to: The Australian Women’s Weekly, PO Box 52122, Kingsland, Auckland 1352. For delivery enquiries: delivery@magshop.co.nz. Published by Are Media © 2024. All rights reserved. Printed by Webstar, Auckland. We are... This publication has been printed by Webstar, a Toitū enviromark diamond certified company and a winner of the Green Ribbon Award. AUSTRALIA  Editor Sophie Tedmanson  Deputy Editor Tiffany Dunk  JOURNALISTS  News…

When Di Morrissey published her first novel in 1991 at the age of 48, it was the culmination of years of dreaming and yearning. It began when she was growing up on the shores of Pittwater, NSW, in the late 1940s and ’50s. Seven-year-old Di had strayed into the overgrown garden of Dorothea Mackellar and announced boldly, when asked what she was doing, that she was hunting for fairies. An amused Dorothea invited Di in for a glass of milk. “She was quite imperious,” Di recalls of the writer best known for her sweeping poem that begins I love a sunburnt country. “When you say something as a kid, and someone takes you quite seriously and listens, you want to elaborate.” Di told Dorothea that she loved to read and…

“Do you believe this is Kate Middleton?” It all started at a party back in January. A friend asked me casually over cheese and wine, “What’s the deal with Kate?” They were, of course, referring to Princess Catherine’s abdominal surgery. I told the truth: “I only know what Kensington Palace has said.” But then another friend chimed in and the speculating began. “Maybe she’s had a hysterectomy.” “Maybe she got a facelift.” It went on for a while … Flash forward to the end of February, and a few of my friends and I had accidentally fallen down a conspiracy theory rabbit hole. We would message daily about how suspicious it was that Catherine still hadn’t been seen publicly, joking that she must have left Prince William and fled the…

When I was little, I used to get crippling stage fright and my voice would shake. Little Astrid did not believe in herself very much. I was born in Hamilton, New Zealand, the youngest of five kids. My family moved to Brisbane in the late ’90s. My mum is from Singapore, and she wanted us to learn violin and piano, so my four brothers and I all had lessons from a very young age. I didn’t have formal singing lessons – I would cry and ask if I could stop playing violin and switch to singing, but I think my parents appreciated the tangible nature of pressing a piano key or holding a violin more than voice. Cash was tight, so I always wondered how my parents afforded it. I…

Nine years ago, onstage in a suburban theatre, I felt my heart climb into my throat. I was an actor playing a psychiatrist, and when it came time for my co-star’s monologue I couldn’t keep still. I was under attack, but from what? And how could a full house staring back at me have no idea? Over on a very different stage, three years later, marketing consultant Megan Barrow was about to undergo a similar reckoning. As an ambassador for R U OK?, a mental health charity focusing on suicide prevention, Megan stood in front of 80-odd corporate types covering familiar ground. “It was my second speech of the day, and I was feeling exhausted, but somewhat calm,” she recalls. “I was in the middle of telling my story, and…

Sausage, greens & gravy bake SERVES 4 PREP TIME 10 MINUTES COOK TIME 45 MINUTES 6 eschalots (150g) 800g white baby potatoes 4 sprigs thyme 2 tablespoons plain flour 1⁄3 cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon maple syrup 1½ cups (375ml) chicken stock 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 8 pork sausages 200g Brussels sprouts 1 small head broccoli (300g) 1 cup (120g) frozen peas, thawed extra thyme sprigs, to serve 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). 2 Peel eschalots and cut in half. Cut potatoes in half. Pick thyme leaves. 3 In a large jug, whisk flour with 2 tablespoons of the oil and half the maple syrup until combined. Gradually whisk in stock until smooth. Stir in mustard and Worcestershire sauce;…

If you had a theme song for your life, what would it be? Feeling Groovy by Simon and Garfunkel. What is your most-used cooking item? At the moment, my late mother’s crockpot. I haven’t had a kitchen for four months as we are renovating. It was a very cold winter of warm, comforting classics – coq au vin, Moroccan lamb, beef stroganoff, lentil curry, and pea and ham soup. Mum’s crockpot fed our family so well and is still looking after me. I love my crockpot and I miss my mum. Beach or bush? Four months ago, I would have said beach, but we now live in a house that has both in equal parts and the bush has been a revelation to me. The calm beauty, the birds, the…

One of the great benefits of growing older, particularly as a woman, is having the courage to change your mind – and the confidence to know that it’s perfectly fine. In fact, it’s liberating. There’s a wonderful shift that happens with time, where you learn to make decisions based on what feels right for you, even if it doesn’t make everyone else happy. Like many of you, I have spent loads of energy trying to please others or accommodating what everyone else wants and, let’s be honest, sometimes I still do, but over time, I’ve learned to pause and ask myself, “Is this what I really want?” That quiet moment of reflection makes all the difference It’s a misconception that changing your mind is a sign of indecision or weakness.…

“You can feel when things need to change. I knew I needed to find more time to myself.” Chelsea Winter is on week two of a vicious cold, the arrival of which managed to inconveniently coincide with the launch of her long-awaited new cookbook Tasty. The book is the triumphant culmination of one of the most tumultuous periods of her life. But on the day of her interview with The Weekly, the best-selling author is remarkably positive about the setback, despite being completely surrounded by tissues. “I’m clearing so much stuff out that whatever is coming after this must be pretty good,” she says dryly. “Colds and sicknesses are usually a sign your body needs to cleanse and clear itself out, so after a big purge like this, there’s so…

In autumn last year, one of the world’s most renowned cancer pathologists, Professor Richard Scolyer, wrote a grim prognosis for a glioma, which is a lethal form of brain cancer: “Fourteen months – the outer limit of median survival of 12 to 14 months.” And then he added the date that he expected the patient might survive until: “July 2024”. Richard’s specialty is skin cancer, and in particular melanoma. His work pioneering immunotherapy has saved thousands of lives and changed the trajectory of the deadly disease. As co-medical director of the Melanoma Institute Australia, he saw roughly 2000 cancers a year, and he also diagnosed many cases of brain cancer, earlier in his career, while working at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. However, the case he was contemplating in the…

All prices are approximate. HOW TO GET THERE Ferries to the island leave from Perth city, North Fremantle, Fremantle and Hillarys Boat Harbour in Perth’s north. WHERE TO STAY Samphire Rottnest in the heart of Thomson Bay offers beachfront relaxation, modern luxury, and nature-inspired rooms each with their own balcony or verandah. WHAT TO DO Snorkel in the clear blue waters and see the vibrant marine gardens. Or hire a bike to explore the island by yourself, or with a guided tour. WHERE TO EAT Experience relaxed dining overlooking the water and meals prepared with fresh local produce at Isola, an Italian-style restaurant. SEE THE QUOKKAS These adorable animals are found all around the island. The best time to spot them is early morning and late afternoon. Relax &…

My most memorable disappointment hit during the pandemic, when I had to postpone the wedding I’d spent a year planning. I not only felt bitterly disappointed but also sad (because I really wanted to marry my now husband), anxious (about whether “lifting and shifting” all my meticulously laid plans would be possible), and envious (of other friends who’d got hitched without a hitch). Others have told me of their own memorable blows – those surreal stabs to the heart that you don’t just “get over” with a hot bath and a Bridgerton binge. The sinking feeling at a negative pregnancy test after a miscarriage; being made redundant from a job you love; or a buyer pulling out, causing you to lose your perfect home when you’d already decided where the…

Rum caramel one-pan fruit cake SERVES 16 PREP & COOK TIME 4 HOURS (+COOLING TIME) Homemade caramel is the secret ingredient in this effortless, tropically-inspired cake with ginger flavours and a crunchy crown of nuts. 450g can pineapple rings in syrup 1 1⁄2 cups (330g) caster sugar ½ cup (125ml) extra smooth rum 1 orange, rind finely grated, juiced 1 1⁄2 cups (240g) sultanas 1 1⁄2 cups (225g) golden raisins 8 (160g) medjool dates, pitted, chopped finely 2 teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 250g butter, chilled, chopped 4 eggs 1 1⁄2 cups (225g) self-raising flour ¾ cup (110g) plain flour 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon mixed spice TOPPING 50g butter ¼ cup (55g) caster sugar 1 1⁄4 cup (100g) flaked almonds, roasted ½ cup (80g)…

Sailingi SUPERSTARS Kiwis keep the Auld Mug Third time is a charm! After a three-year build-up, Emirates Team New Zealand only needed nine short races against British challenger INEOS Britannia to make America’s Cup our cup for the third time in a row. The sailing aces, skippered by Olympian Peter Burling, who is now the most successful helmsman in the event’s 173-year history, took out the competition seven wins to two and wasted no time in celebrating with the crew in Barcelona, Spain. “It’s a pretty surreal feeling,” Peter said shortly after the win. “You’ve got to have so many parts come together to make it all work and now having done that three times in a row, it’s incredibly special.” Sir Ben Ainslie, skipper of the defeated British…

There’s an image that often replays in Will Reeve’s mind. The youngest son of Superman star Christopher Reeve, whose only memories of his dad are of him in a wheelchair, gazed around their living room to see his entire family there. His father, celebrating his 52nd birthday. His mother, Dana, who had just taken her first acting job since the equestrian accident which left her husband paralysed, with no sensory or motor function below his shoulders. And his two older siblings, Matthew and Alexandra (their mother Gae Exton was Christopher’s first great love). “I was in seventh grade, and it was an otherwise unremarkable small birthday celebration,” Will tells The Weekly of his memory of that day on September 25, 2004. “There was a cake. We hung out. I tried…

From the ridge high up in the hinterland, the hills roll gently down to the sea. In the clear light, the blue curve of Byron Bay beckons seductively in the distance. Farmhouses and grazing cattle spread out across the landscape. And off the bucolic country road, hidden in rainforest, is the home and studio of one of Australia’s most prominent artists. Here, in this forest of native trees, jacarandas and giant palm trees, among the songs of many birds is where the work is formed. Her work is elemental and so is this place. Right now, Lindy Lee AO is at the apotheosis of an artistic career. “It is the crescendo,” says her gallerist Joanna Strumpf, “of a very long piece of music.” No other single Australian artist has ever…

Luxuriously lovely 1. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Body Oil, $195. 2. Dries Van Noten Raving Rose EDP, $485. 3. Dolce & Gabbana Q EDP, $270. 4. Coach Love EDP, $202. 5. Ellis Brooklyn Apple Love EDP, $206. 6. Dolce & Gabbana Devotion EDP, $295. 7. Serge Lutens La Fille De Berlin EDP, $252. “Perfume is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory.” Glamorously glitzy 1. Jimmy Choo I Want Choo Le Parfum, $250. 2. Moncler Sunrise Pour Femme EDP, $216. 3. Heartwood Touch Wood EDP, $237. 4. Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum, $333. 5. Glasshouse Fragrances A Tahaa Affair Devotion EDP, $149. 6. CK One Essence EDP, $109. Perfectly pretty “The beauty of fragrance is that it speaks to your heart.” 1. Parfums de Marly Delina EDP, $579.…

When most of us think about exercise, our minds usually conjure up images of running as fast as we can or sweating it out in a gym class. But slower forms of movement – like walking and stretching – can be just as beneficial, especially when we’re overwhelmed. High-intensity exercise benefits our overall health, but it causes a steep increase in cortisol levels – the hormones responsible for stress. It’s undoubtedly good for us, and countless studies have proved that regular movement results in better sleep, lower blood pressure and improved mood, as well as helping to combat health conditions and diseases. But, when you’re already going a million miles an hour, adding in an early morning gym class could be doing more harm than good. Low-intensity exercise, on the…

Korean-style crunchy chicken wings SERVES 6 PREP & COOK TIME 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES (+ OVERNIGHT MARINATING TIME) 2kg chicken wings 2⁄3 cup (100g) cornflour ½ teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon fine salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1⁄3 cup (80ml) vegetable oil 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted 2 green onions, sliced thinly, including green top lemon wedges, optional, for serving DIPPING SAUCE 1 1⁄2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 cloves garlic, crushed 3cm piece ginger, peeled, grated finely 11⁄2 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean chilli paste) 11⁄2 tablespoons soy sauce 1⁄4 cup (90g) honey 1 Place chicken wings in a large bowl. Combine cornflour, baking powder, salt and garlic powder in a small bowl. Scatter flour mix over chicken, using your hands, toss chicken several times to coat in cornflour mixture. Grease…

Grilled pork chop Greek salad SERVES 1 PREP + COOK TIME 20 MINUTES 1 small clove garlic, crushed ¼ teaspoon dried Greek oregano 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1 (200g) pork loin chop GREEK SALAD 6 multi-coloured cherry tomatoes, halved 1 small Lebanese cucumber, sliced thickly ¼ red capsicum, chopped coarsely ½ small red onion, sliced thinly 1 tablespoon pitted kalamata olives 30g fetta, crumbled 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons lemon juice parsley leaves, optional to serve 1 Combine garlic, oregano, oil, rind and juice on a plate, season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Add pork and toss to coat. 2 GREEK SALAD Arrange tomato, cucumber, capsicum, onion, olives and fetta on a serving…

Sensational SUSPENSE The Thinning by Inga Simpson, Hachette You don’t know how you’ll react to a total solar eclipse until you go through one. The rare celestial event – when the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun plunging us into darkness – is known to elicit an emotional response. Some people cry, others scream. Animals are known to huddle together and stare skyward. There’s a sense of collective awe, heightened humility and overwhelming wonder. I felt the same emotions reading The Thinning. Inga Simpson’s new novel bursts with feelings: impending doom, camaraderie and hope. The dystopian story follows Fin, a young woman who grew up by an observatory before the world was thrown into turmoil, and Terry, one of the so-called “Incompletes”, a new generation who are…

I’d like to tell you about Kenya’s heart. How it beats, its rhythm. How this welcoming East African country takes you by the hand and shows you its ways. Kenya doesn’t hold its cards close to its chest; it shares them. I’m watching baby elephants bound across a paddock at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a conservation organisation in Nairobi. They are focused only on huge milk bottles held by their keepers, the bond between calf and carer is clearly parental. Rescued from the wild by rangers, the orphaned elephants, some only months old, suckle the containers dry. Then it’s playtime, sploshing around in sludge. A four-month-old rhino joins the shenanigans as we hear why, and how, the animals were saved. I look over to my fellow travellers who are with me…

Sagittarius Nov 23 Dec 21 The first day of December’s sun and new moon in Sagittarius are this year’s celestial birthday present, plus your annual reminder to turn end of year problems into adventures. Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius and retro Mars in a fellow fire sign both recommend a laidback approach to Christmas shopping, because cruise control is your key to surviving this season of merry madness. Glad tidings? With Mercury back on track around mid-month, communications clarify, jigsaw pieces fall into place, lost packages finally arrive, and you can happily proceed with making this a December to remember. Capricorn Dec 22 -Jan 20 Dec 22 -Jan 20 This month’s quintet of retrograde planets calls for patience in steering a steady, practical course through end of year challenges. But if…