Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2025 i Australian Women’s Weekly NZ

Discomfort. Not the most inviting of words, is it? For much of my life, I’ve seen it as something to dodge – something to smooth over or fix as quickly as possible. But lately, I’ve been learning that maybe I’ve had it backwards, so it was interesting to read Wendy Petrie’s frank admission in this month’s cover story, sharing she’s had to learn to be “comfortable in the uncomfortable”. What if discomfort isn’t something to fear, but something to lean into? That uneasy feeling before a big decision, the butterflies before you speak up or the tension of trying something new. It’s uncomfortable, yes, but it’s also a sign that we’re stretching, growing, discovering and redefining. The tricky part, of course, is staying with it. I know I’m not alone…

Royal MILESTONE 75 years of service As she celebrates turning ng 75, Princess Anne is busy as ever, attending around 450 engagements last year. Given she began her life as a working royal in 1969, we estimate the Princess Royal has attended more than 20,000 events in an official capacity, even when accounting for time off for motherhood and competing in the 1976 Olympics. Big BABY Giraffe calf debut Melbourne Zoo’s new giraffe calf has delighted visitors with his playful nature. “Like a typical toddler, everything’s going in the mouth,” zookeeper Luke said. “I think he’s going to be a little bit of a terror when he hits that adolescence age.” Famous FAMILIES Supporting roles Sharon Stone’s sons Roan, 25, Laird, 20, and Quinn, 19, joined her on the red…

It was one of the hottest spring days on record in the UK when a small cluster of patients and hospital staff gathered at the gate of the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre in the ancient Wiltshire town of Salisbury. Flower and garden beds had been carefully weeded; tea and sponge cake set out in the shade in preparation for a much-anticipated royal visit. The car arrived bang on time but without security or entourage – and when its occupants emerged, both apologised profusely before running to find a loo. Princess Eugenie, 35, accompanied by her private secretary, Libby Horsley, had no interest in formalities (or curtsies) on this sunny, late May day. Dressed simply in summer florals and wearing flat shoes, the princess appeared intent solely on paying…

The world is good, thought Kathleen Folbigg in 1988. The curly-haired 21-year-old was settling into marriage with a man she adored and she had just learnt she was pregnant. All the angst and uncertainty that had darkened her life so far was dwarfed by this happy truth. She was going to be a mother, and in doing so, would fulfill the dream she had nurtured through her tough and confusing upbringing. Tragedy had marred Kathleen’s life early. Orphaned before toddlerhood when her father was jailed for killing her mother, she was passed to an aunt, and then a children’s home, before being fostered into a family with a strict and volatile mother. “I wanted the opposite of my life for my kids – a family full of love and happiness,…

Sidney Sheldon knew he was on to a good thing. The writer – who had made the leap to the small screen after a storied film and Broadway career – had penned a new series about a genie and her unlikely master which tapped into the cultural zeitgeist of the times. It was 1964 and America was gripped with the Space Race – astronauts were the modern-day rockstars. That same year the comedy series Bewitched had launched to massive ratings, viewers entranced with the witchy antics of Samantha and her family. And so, Sidney had created I Dream of Jeannie. The series began with an astronaut landing on a deserted beach where he found a mysterious bottle. Rubbing it, a beautiful genie would emerge … and the antics would begin.…

TRIAL FILE I’ve been testing Elizabeth Arden’s innovative new Hyaluronic Acid + Peptides Ceramide Capsules Hydra-Plumping Serum, $180 (60 piece) and Hyaluronic Acid + Peptides Ceramide Hydra-Plumping Water Cream, $180 (50ml), and this powerful pair has quickly become a standout in my routine. The serum impressed me immediately. Its size-shifting hyaluronic acid penetrates deeply before expanding in the skin, creating a plumping effect that mimics the look of a subtle filler boost. Peptides and ceramides reinforce firmness and hydration, while the biodegradable capsules ensure each dose is potent and precise. The Water Cream is equally noteworthy. Despite its feather-light texture, it delivers lasting hydration, leaving skin supple and luminous. Infused with peptides and exosomes, it enhances radiance and supports long-term skin health. Used together, they restore bounce, smoothness and vitality…

This is the simplest slice to make, and even to memorise – basically one of everything. One packet, one can, one cup. It’s a real hit too – and very rich, so a small bit will definitely cure any sweet cravings. You can change the dried fruit and nuts, or the flavour of your choc bits, to vary this however you like. This is me in the yellow jumper (obviously in the '70s!), with mum and my little sister, Deb. For our holidays we used to stay in a caravan park by the beach. Magic memories of magic days. Magic slice MAKES ABOUT 24 PIECES PREP + COOK TIME 40 MINUTES 250g packet butternut snap biscuits 100g salted butter, softened 1 cup (150g) white choc bits 1 cup (70g) moist…

Is there any facet of interior style more daunting than colour? For many of us, choosing a scheme comes with indecision. Perhaps you love Duck Egg Blue but are nervous about whether you would like it on all four walls? Will reupholstering your couch in navy velvet sit well with the colour on the walls? Perhaps your decision is influenced by knowledge of the psychological impact of colour. Deep greens are restful, a reflection of nature, while blue can be tranquil and calm but also cool, literally. Knowing the basics of colour theory is a great place to start when planning the look of your home. To help ensure your choices are ones you can love for years to come, one of the best starting points is to mirror the…

Libra Sep 24 - Oct 23 According to Libran philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, ‘We have art in order not to die from the truth.’ October’s sun and Mercury, followed by Venus, in your aesthetically-oriented sign bring a balance of beauty, levity, lightness and kindness to your birthday month. When partnering planet Venus swans into Libra midmonth, in harmonious aspect with Uranus who favours unconventional thinking, sudden insights and surprising solutions to relationship problems are possible. The peak moment for celebrating your astrological new year? Sun and new moon in Libra on October 21. Scorpio Oct 24 - Nov 22 This month’s Mars in Scorpio is considered the red planet’s strongest position, though its fire in your fixed water sign could generate all kinds of steam – exciting and otherwise – so…

Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham) and Elizabeth McGovern (Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham) clasp hands and stroll through the green and pleasant grounds of Downton Abbey. English afternoon sunlight scatters in golden shafts across the manicured lawns of Highclere Castle, where much of Downton has been filmed. After 15 years and as much trouble as any couple could be expected to withstand, they look at each other with the kind of relaxed affection that’s earned with time. And so the phenomenally successful period drama comes to a perfectly crafted conclusion with its third and final cinema release, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. Created by Julian Fellowes, on the back of the immense success of his 2001 period film, Gosford Park, Downton Abbey began as an ITV television series.…

Acler dress, $595. Alemais knit, $490. Scanlan Theodore earrings, $400. Jo Mercer flats, $249.95. Alemais dress, $790, and jacket, $550. Bohemian Traders top, $220. Alemais silk scarf, $190. Scanlan Theodore dress, $2800, and jacket, $1200. Hunter boots, $240. Leo Lin dress, $1399, and dress (worn as a coat), $1299. Lee Mathews dress, $649. Anko scarf, $7. Alemais ring, $240, and bracelet, $290. Hunter boots, $240. Lorna Murray bag, $275. Zara T-shirt, $69.95, knit, $79.95, pants, $239, blazer, $299, and shoes, $149. Oroton bag, $579. Zara top, $69.95, and skirt, $119. Bohemian Traders top, $220, and pants, $240. Alemais silk scarf, $190. Oroton top, $249, shirt, $199, and skirt, $399. Jo Mercer shoes, $219.95. Lorna Murray hat, $265. All prices are approximate. HAIR AND MAKE-UP: MONIQUE JONES. STYLING ASSISTANT: LILLY VEITCH.…

For years, I struggled with a chronic hip ache that just wouldn’t go away. It kept me up at night, made workouts miserable and had me bouncing (hobbling, if I’m honest) between specialists. I had MRIs, cortisone injections and enough ibuprofen to last a lifetime. The verdict? Overuse, inflammation, maybe even the early signs of arthritis. Not once did anyone mention hormones. When I eventually started MHT (menopausal hormone therapy), the pain all but disappeared. I’m not saying it’s the answer for everyone, but for me, it was nothing short of a miracle. It let me get back to doing what I love. Unfortunately, many GPs aren’t extensively trained in menopause care, which means symptoms like joint pain, anxiety or heart palpitations often get treated in isolation – without considering…

After decades of low-carb fads and confusing diet advice, many of us are still wary of carbohydrates. However, far from being something to fear or avoid, they play an incredibly vital role. Carbohydrates fuel our bodies, nourish our gut health and support our hormonal health through life’s many changes. So why are we still cutting them out? “We’ve got this idea that calories are bad but energy is good,” says Dr Emma Beckett, a molecular nutritionist and senior lecturer at the University of Newcastle. “But calories are where we get our energy, and carbs are one of the most accessible sources of that energy.” Why we need carbs One of the most common midlife complaints? Fatigue. Whether it’s juggling work, caring for family or adjusting to the symptoms of perimenopause,…

THE BOOK: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. THE LOCATION: The Alaskan wilderness. SEE IT ON: The 7-day Alaska: Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka & Victoria cruise – a round trip from Seattle, Washington, sailing from April through to September 2026. THE BOOK: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. THE LOCATIONS: Busan, South Korea, and Osaka, Japan (left). SEE THEM ON: The 14-day Japan: Osaka, Kochi, Nagoya & Busan cruise – a round trip from Tokyo, Japan, sailing October 2026. THE BOOKS: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón and My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante. THE LOCATIONS: Barcelona’s (left) Gothic Quarter, and Naples, Italy. SEE THEM ON: The 7-day Mediterranean: Italy, Spain & Tunisia cruise from Barcelona, May 2027. ncl.com…

NEW ZEALAND Editor-at-Large Sarah Henry Chief Sub-Editor Denise Bowden Art Director Mirella Monteiro Designers Anna Pétursdóttir, Shane Kelly, Béla Trussell-Cullen, Hayley Pearce Photo & Editorial Coordinator Kellie Blizard ADVERTISING Sales Director Claire Chisholm Senior Account Manager Chloe Jordan Senior Commercial Brand Manager Angela Wei Campaign Manager Georgia van Koningsveld 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. The Australian Women’s Weekly may have generated content partially using generative AI, which our editors review, edit and revise to their requirements. We take ultimate responsibility for the content of this publication. For delivery enquiries: delivery@magshop.co.nz. Published by Are Media © 2025. All rights reserved. Printed by Webstar, Auckland. We are... This publication…

Her front door opens and I’m immediately transported back to the Lower Hutt Town Hall, 1968. The TV pop show C’mon is on tour and I’m there, one amongst an audience of screaming teens, excited to see my pop idols in the flesh. Suzanne Donaldson is up there on stage, rocking her trademark white boots and the tiniest of miniskirts, alongside her sister Judy. Together, they are The Chicks and in 1960s New Zealand, they were bigger than Texas. Billed as a “dazzling pop spectacular”, C’mon the stage show was fronted by star of the moment, Peter Sinclair. Others in the line-up included performers Sandy Edmonds, Mr Lee Grant and Herma Keil. I was transfixed. It was one of the most memorable moments of my childhood. So I’m a bit…

The world’s eyes were on Alice Clarke that buzzy day in 1988. News of Alice’s one-month premature birth had leaked, and journalists rushed to record this landmark moment in reproductive technology – Australia’s first IVF surrogate baby, and the first publicly known in the world. There had been whispers of another birth overseas, but that baby’s identity remained secret. Eyes were also fixed on Alice’s family. Interest intensified when it emerged that her mother’s sister was Australia’s first surrogate. In an extraordinary act of sibling altruism, Linda Kirkman had carried baby Alice for her sister, Maggie. Linda and Alice switched hospitals to avoid the media, but their cover was foiled. Linda found the subterfuge “enormous fun. We even made up a story about why we were checking in, thinking we’d…

Joan Crawford once said, “The most important thing a woman can have, next to talent, is her hairdresser.” For many women, hair is a precious ornament, something Marie Antoinette expressed to maximum effect – her gravity-defying up-’dos stood two feet high, crammed with feathers, flowers, jewels and even a model ship on one occasion, to signify a French naval victory. The ill-fated queen’s elaborate pouf was an influential symbol of her lofty status and she used it to full advantage. Yet it’s what happened while awaiting execution that truly immortalised her locks: The 38-year-old’s natural strawberry blonde allegedly turned white almost overnight, a rare event still known as “Marie Antoinette syndrome”. Sudden greying happens because pigment-making stem cells on the scalp become ‘stuck’ and fail to mature (though it’s usually…

Whether you’re seeking a second opinion, managing costs, or simply want to be seen sooner, pharmacist Elise Fioretto says it’s not just your GP who is a helpful resource during menopause. Your local pharmacist can also answer questions, review medications and point you in the right direction for support. “We can provide information about symptom management, including prescription and over-the-counter products, review medications to check for interactions and to discuss potential side effects, provide lifestyle advice, and refer women to their GP, especially if symptoms are severe or impact daily life,” Elise explains. Menopause can also affect certain medications. For example, some thyroid, antidepressant and diabetic medications are all affected by hormone changes. “Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) or new supplements can interact with other medications. Your pharmacist can help with…

RECIPES: JESSICA BROOK. Beetroot chips with citrus & rosemary salt SERVES 4 PREP + COOK TIME 30 MINUTES 5 medium (850g) beetroots, scrubbed, unpeeled 1 tablespoon finely chopped rosemary ¼ cup sea salt flakes 2 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind 1 teaspoon finely grated orange rind olive oil, to deep-fry 1 Using a mandoline, slice unpeeled beetroot very thinly. 2 Add the rosemary, 2 tablespoons sea salt flakes and citrus rind in a mortar and pestle; gently pound until combined. Stir through remaining salt flakes. 3 Heat the oil in a large heavy-based saucepan to 180°C. Deep-fry beetroot chips, in batches, for 2 minutes or until golden brown and tender. Drain on wire racks over a tray. 4 Serve immediately sprinkled with salt mixture. Beetroot Beetroot is a versatile root…

Healthier tortilla chips with guacamole SERVES 4 PREP + COOK TIME 30 MINUTES 310g packet white corn tortillas 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon salt flakes extra virgin olive oil cooking spray GUACAMOLE 2 medium ripe avocados (500g) 1 small red chilli, chopped finely ¼ teaspoon ground cumin 1 small clove garlic, crushed 2 tablespoons lime juice ½ cup finely chopped coriander Tabasco chipotle sauce, coriander sprigs and lime wedges 1 Preheat a 5.3-litre air fryer to 200°C for 3 minutes if advised by manufacturer. 2 Stack three tortillas on top of each other, then cut the stack into six wedges. Repeat with remaining tortillas. 3 Combine cumin, paprika and salt flakes in a small bowl. 4 Taking care, place a third of the tortilla wedges…

Cruise special The armada is coming! This is the time of year when captains on major cruise lines give the order to head south for the Southern Hemisphere cruising season. It’s also time to get ready to pounce on a bargain. Why? Because come Cruise Month in October, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and its Australasian members will unleash promotional initiatives aimed at generating excitement around cruising, both at home and overseas. Many cruise lines and CLIA-accredited travel agents launch special offers such as cabin upgrades, onboard credits and round trip air plus cruise packages during the month, with different weeks dedicated to ocean cruising, river cruising, expedition cruising and luxury cruising. New points of view If you haven’t done a cruise ever, or one in Australian waters yet,…

Atmospheric CLIFFHANGER Left behind by Martine Kropkowski, Ultimo Press The white-sand beaches, isolated campgrounds and shark-filled seas of K’gari Island provide rich material for Martine Kropkowski’s new novel, Left Behind. The book was born out of a trip Martine took to the island years ago. “I was enamoured by the natural beauty and vastness … but also intrigued by the sense of remoteness and disconnection,” she says. “I found myself wondering: If everyone disappeared, how would I fare?” And so, the story begins. In the novel, Annabelle and her husband, Luke, arrive on K’gari with their friend Des and his new girlfriend, Julianni. The camping trip is meant to be a bonding experience, but cracks form as soon as their cruiser makes tracks in the sand. When Annabelle starts noticing…

Dinner or dessert? It used to be dessert 100 per cent – I was literally called the Dessert Queen. But now it’s dinner and I find that switch really strange because I’ve no idea how or when it happened. What sparks joy for you? My family, playing sport, being on a sunny beach. In fact, playing sport on a sunny beach with my family – 100 per cent joy for me. What makes you anxious? Being live on TV – yes, even after all these years! What lesson has been the hardest to learn? You can’t fix everything for everyone – even when you work on Fair Go. The three words your friends or family would use to describe you … Busy, happy, driven. How will your life be different…