Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2018 i The Australian Women's Weekly

Most of us can recall a moment in our romantic lives when we had the wind knocked out of us. That emotional jab to the midsection that leaves you feeling physically ill. For me, it was seeing pictures of a long-term partner, just weeks after our separation, laughing wildly with a bikini-clad young woman on his lap. The images popped up in my Facebook feed out of nowhere and literally floored me. It was that low moment, and the sick, sinking feeling that accompanied it, that came back to me as I watched our former deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, discuss his extramarital affair on national TV, complete with his young lover and their newborn son. Like many, my thoughts went straight to his estranged wife, Natalie, who I knew…

As Governor of Queensland, Quentin Bryce – pre Damehood – was a rural frequent flyer, darting about the skies in small planes buffeted on hot air pockets, visiting the far corners of the State. And whenever she flew over her hometown of Ilfracombe in the Central West, “I would ask the pilot to fly low and dip the wing in an aerial salute and all the locals would come out and wave,” Quentin says, her eyes actually twinkling as she recalls the memory. “My heart really does belong to the bush. It had such an influence on me, it gave me a sense of identity, of happiness,” she explains.“A Queensland politician once said to me, ‘You romanticise the bush’. I was annoyed and I found it quite offensive, because it’s…

The path to the police station is lined with palm trees. Its pitched corrugated-iron roof glints in the sun. Its lawns are neatly mown. Just down the road is a parallel universe, the main drag of Nimbin, with its psychedelic storefront murals, lingering marijuana smoke in the street, dreadlocks, beads and long greying hair. A free spirit, Lois Roberts used to come here, to this alternative world, most days. “She was such a sweet woman,” says Michael Balderstone, president of the Nimbin Hemp Embassy, a local landmark. “A sweet energy. There was a real innocence about her, with her freckly face, she was just a very lovable and loved person here in this community, and very vulnerable.” On the evening of July 31, 1998, at about 5.30pm, Lois, 39, had…

Every Australian home has one and it causes the same amount of grief. Mine is in the laundry in a wire basket, which I shove into a cupboard, not ever having the energy to face it. Today my basket runneth over onto the floor, so I was forced to tackle the lost-sock collection. I tipped the 64 single socks out on the dining table, arranging them in colour piles for ease of sorting. There were sports socks, promotional socks, airline socks, socks left over from birthday parties at Bounce trampoline park, socks with holes in the heel (why have I kept these?), socks that must belong to my father-in-law, because he always complains that “the kids” steal his socks, even though “the kids” are in their 40s. Stocking socks, school…

• Avoid sleeping during the day. • Don’t drink caffeinated beverages after midday. • Avoid alcohol. • Daily exercise is good for sleep, but not within three hours of bedtime. • Try to finish eating roughly two hours before you go to bed. • Maintain a regular bedtime and waking time, and adopt a regular bedtime routine that includes at least one hour of winding down time. • Put away laptops, iPads and smartphones at least an hour before bed, dim household lighting and dismiss the worries of the day. • Make your bedroom a relaxation retreat. Use it only for sleeping, relaxation and romance. • Keep the bedroom cool, dark and quiet. • Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows and keep your bed linen soft, clean and cosy.…

The ultra-wide leg trouser  looks great worn with a fitted t-shirt, which help keep the proportions balanced, while all white keeps the look fresh. Colour Aubergine is the perfect winter colour and lends itself to day and night wear. The trouser suit is the ultimate fail-safe outfit. The cropped pant makes the overall look less formal while the jacket keeps it sharp. Denim Opt for a classic straight-leg cut in a heritage wash. In terms of stretch or no-stretch, I would suggest choosing what feels more comfortable on your body shape. Stylist’s tip: Rigid denim will keep its shape longer. The dress A cotton dress is the perfect trans-seasonal piece. The fabric is lightweight and breathable. A dress that falls to just above the ankle is the perfect length, while…

BEST FOR tired skin Olay Total Effects 7 in One Day Cream, $32.99. Revive lacklustre skin with a multi-tasking product that combines moisturising with brightening and a good dose of antioxidants. BEST FOR sensitivity Dermalogica Calm Water Gel, $73. Hydrating dry and sensitive skin without agitation is a balancing act. This unique water-gel formula offers a solution. BEST FOR fighting redness Paula’s Choice CALM Redness Relief Moisturiser, $38. Soothing is top priority for skin prone to redness or inflammation. This plant extract moisturiser offers relief. BEST FOR dull skin L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening Moisture Cream, $86. Banish dullness via a brightening moisturiser. This smoothing gel-cream formula enhances skin luminosity. BEST FOR dehydrated skin Shiseido WASO Clear Mega-Hydrating Cream, $59. Well-nourished skin will appear plump, soft and nourished. For a rich moisture…

Q I suffer from lichen sclerosus, which causes discomfort and patchiness to the skin around the vulva. I’ve been prescribed to apply an ointment every day for the rest of my life. Does this seem right and is there anything else I can do? G.R., WA The chronic itch and soreness need to be controlled with steroid ointment applied daily. Eventually the maintenance dose will be once or twice a week but you should follow your doctor’s advice on this. Your condition will have to be monitored for life because 4 per cent of women with this condition go on to develop vulvar cancer. Q A routine check-up revealed that I have high blood pressure and I have already started to make changes to my diet and cut down on…

What an incredible time we had in Bordeaux and the surrounding areas. Cruising the river is simply stunning. The landscape, with its magnificent châteaux, exquisite gardens and miles and miles of grape vines, is like something out of a fairytale. The history of the area and the stories of the winemakers are fascinating, And the food! I’ve never seen so many cheeses. We have eaten the freshest of oysters, sampled escargots and frogs’ legs, and tasted the delicious Bordeaux specialty, Canelés. It’s been an amazing journey, a true feast for all the senses. Steak Bordelaise SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 30 MINUTES 4 x 250g scotch fillet steaks 3 teaspoons sea salt flakes 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 cloves garlic, peeled and halved 1 medium (170g) brown…

Fairy queen SERVES 24 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 10 MINUTES (+ COOLING & STANDING TIME) 450g chocolate-chip cookie dough 1 egg white 1½ cups (240g) icing sugar 2 teaspoons plain flour 2 teaspoons lemon juice, approximately pink food colouring 18 round pink jubes, halved 3 x 49g containers strawberry fields Tic Tacs 2 tablespoons each pink and pearl cachous 2 x 600g round caramel mud cakes 1 x 453 tub vanilla frosting 1 To make cookies, preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Roll half the cookie dough between sheets of baking paper until 5mm thick. Remove top sheet of the baking paper and slide the dough, on the paper, onto an oven tray. Repeat with remaining cookie dough. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden. Remove trays from…

JAPANESE FOOD ODYSSEY At the top of our foodie bucket list is to experience the incredible food scene of Japan. Scenic Freechoice gives guests the chance to immerse themselves in the buzzing nightlife and big city culture of Tokyo. Dive into the traditional local bar scene and visit Izakayas, or informal Japanese pubs, to experience an authentic Yakitori and Kushiyaki dinner. In Hiroshima sample Okonomiyaki, a Japanese-style pancake, and enjoy the fun as the chef prepares the meal before your eyes. Visit scenic.com.au. Piece of cake Delicake is a clear plastic cakeware container that’s designed to prepare, set and serve unbaked recipes such as cheesecakes, desserts and vegan baked goods. Comes in square, rectangular and round shapes from $49.99.Visit delicake.com.au . COLOUR YOUR KITCHEN Inspired by the…

A delicious edible gift for friends and neighbours is a jar of your own made-from-scratch marinated olives, and it’s handy to have a stash at the ready in the pantry to enjoy with a drink or to add to your favourite recipes. Fresh olives have a short season and are usually available at the greengrocers during autumn. However, don’t be tempted to eat these firm, shiny beauties straight from the crate, as fresh olives are incredibly bitter and need to be cured (salt preserved) before they are palatable. In Italian, Greek and Middle-Eastern communities all around the globe, getting together to cure olives is often a family affair. Chilli and herb cracked olives 2kg fresh green kalamata olives ¼ cup (75g) coarse cooking salt 3 cloves garlic, crushed 1 tablespoon…

The Geography of Friendship By Sally Piper, University of Queensland Press There’s a little bit of Big Little Lies about this deft and powerful study of female friendships under pressure, but don’t think Sally Piper is jumping on the Liane Moriarty bandwagon. No, this lyrical Queensland-based author has a style and tone all of her own which sucks you in and holds you in its seductive embrace, almost unable to breathe. This is a page-turner, a thriller which we suspect early on can’t end well. But it’s also a book dripping in the raw beauty of the Australian landscape. You can touch and feel every rock and tree branch and smell the salty ocean and the damp soil as our three protagonists, Lisa, Nicole and Samantha,…

THE GUERNSEY LITERARY POTATO PEEL SOCIETY by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, Allen & Unwin It’s 1946 and London journalist Juliet receives a letter from book collector Dawsey Adams on the island of Guernsey, who has chanced upon a book with her name and address on the flyleaf. His pigs were taken for soldier’s food during Nazi occupation, but a tipsy feast, courtesy of a neighbour’s hidden porker, launches the GLPPS (of the title). Breaking curfew to go home, the guests are halted by soldiers, and pretend they were at their literary society as cover. The Commandant wants to join, so war-weary locals are launched into a delightful escape. “Eats”: pie, mashed potato filling, peelings crust. As a correspondence begins, this courageous epistolary takes flight. AFTERNOONS WITH HARVEY BEAM…

Intense, intimate email confessions between filmmaker Vita – “crawling to 40” – and her college benefactor Royce – “stewing in sickness” and approaching 70 – who have not tarried together in 20 years. Their conversations are “a dance, a fertile loop”, and as they brood on Vita’s student days under the tutelage of Royce, we sense a pang for the giddy college years. Vita’s roommates did not know the secret hold this plain girl had, “on men like you who like to congratulate themselves in seeing something in me”. When Royce bestowed defensive Vita a 30-year-old bottle of Sauterne, she swigged it from the neck. As the conversations deepen, they fill the gaps in each other’s memories – mutual need established again. Royce adored archaeologist Kitty, and together they gazed…

Get the royal treatment Godollo Palace near Budapest was the favourite abode of Elisabeth of Bavaria, Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary, and on APT’s 15-day Magnificent Europe river cruise between Amsterdam and Budapest, guests can take part in a new Royal Signature Experience following in her footsteps. It includes a reception at Budapest station’s Royal Waiting Room and lunch on the Grand Empress steam train before a private tour of the palace. Visit aptouring.com.au . Time to chill out Winter’s here, and you can celebrate it fully at the two-week Winter Festival in Bathurst, NSW, where there will be an outdoor ice rink, a ferris wheel, an enchanted forest and night markets. The city’s historic buildings will be lit up in glorious colour each night…

LETTER of the MONTH Candice Warner is the gutsiest and most inspirational woman in Australia (“ We paid the ultimate price” , AWW , June). What has been said and written about her is an absolute disgrace. Full marks to The Weekly and journalist Lizzie Wilson for supporting her. She’s one very tough cookie and be certain her husband will be putting on his cherished baggy green cap again in England next year. And another certainty – there will be a baby Warner number three! Anonymous, via mail. A TREASURED KEEPSAKE I have read The Weekly for more years than I care to remember and I have to say thank you for the most wonderful issue of all with all of…

THE POWER OF 11 New Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez has backed up his government’s commitment to equality by appointing 11 women and only six men to his first cabinet. INNER BEAUTY Miss Ohio, Heather DeSantis, celebrates the news that there’ll be no more swimsuits on the Miss America stage and physical appearance has been dumped from the judging criteria. IRELAND SAYS YES A landslide vote in Ireland has said a resounding “yes” to women’s right to choose. The government will introduce less restrictive laws around abortion by the end of the year.…

“This woman doesn’t know how to control herself. The best thing Felipe can do is divorce her.” The Zarzuela Palace, an ornate, palm-fringed pile in the hills outside Madrid, is billed as the world’s largest royal residence, but, as things stand, it may not be large enough. Living within it are two queens at war, and the power struggle between them may determine the future of Spain’s embattled monarchy. In a wing of the main building sits the much loved 79-year-old Queen Sofía, wife of former King Juan Carlos, who abdicated four years ago. Related by blood or marriage to virtually every noble house in Europe, Sofía is devoutly religious and a staunch defender of traditional royal ways. Down below, in a spacious, terracotta-roofed villa, known as the Prince’s Pavilion,…

Kristina Keneally dazzles like a splash of sunlight on water, standing there, in her kingfisher blue blazer, surrounded by the sombre tones and sensible suits of the federal Senate. This is her first speech as a NSW Senator and she begins with a message from her heart. “Our daughter Caroline never drew breath,” she says resolutely, “but she changed me forever. She enlarged my understanding of love and loss, and she taught me to survive. She made me brave, almost fearless.” Three months later, the 49-year-old former NSW Premier, Sky News presenter, South Sydney Rabbitohs supporter and mother of three – two sons (Daniel and Brendan) and a daughter (Caroline, who was stillborn) – has invited The Weekly for morning tea and an open-ended conversation about love and grief, faith…

Talk about a warm country welcome. Wags, the family dog, is a tornado of excitement upon spotting Heather Ewart, bounding towards us as fast as her stumpy legs can carry her, all drool and smile. Suddenly, Heather is at dog level, kneeling in dust, cuddling the ecstatic mutt and savouring being back in her sanctuary, a rambling property in rural Victoria’s Murchison, the place she will always refer to as home. “It’s always so good to get back here,” Heather, the veteran journalist and host of the ABC’s hit series Back Roads, explains, nuzzling Wags before adding that it has only been a few days since she actually left, having attended a large family party the previous weekend. “This is where I grew up, where all my early memories were…

“When Rose first arrived, I felt okay. But I also felt numb.” I’d been inside bouncing for four hours when it happened. l flung open the door to our unit, stepped outside and ran. I ran until I found myself under a tree in the park next door. I was still bouncing. Up. Down. Up. Down. Three-month-old Rose had been in my arms the whole time. Screaming. Our dash outside had been desperate. Unplanned. I’d rushed past our neighbour. “Everything okay?” he asked awkwardly. “Yep – Rose is just going for her first ocean swim,” I quipped. Ha ha – joking! I think. Maybe. I don’t know. I was just running. I couldn’t stay inside our home any longer. I couldn’t stop bouncing. I was silently sobbing. Every time I…

Mist hangs between towering eucalypts and a carpet of moss-green ferns. Lyrebirds dart across a winding dirt track. The road to Miriam Margolyes’ home in the Southern Highlands of NSW might almost be a track through the Harry Potter books’ Forbidden Forest. Then it opens onto a grassy clearing with views from the escarpment across rolling farmland to the sea. The queen of British character actors stands on a muddy threshold beaming and ushering us into a kitchen that smells of freshly brewed coffee and ginger snap biscuits. Let us be clear: Miriam did not bake these biscuits. Miriam does not bake – nor does she cook or clean or garden if she can help it. But she does like to share a meal with friends and to chat and…

What’s wrong with offering a bit of advice, I asked the MOTH (Man of the House). We’re flying to Melbourne to meet our new grandchild. The MOTH zipped up his bag and picked up his hat. “They won’t think we’re interfering, will they?” I asked. “They won’t think we’re interfering,” said the MOTH. “They’ll think you’re interfering. I’ll be outside walking the baby round and round the garden like a teddy bear, minding my own business.” On the way to the airport, I asked the Uber driver if he had children. “Yep. I have a brand new baby girl! That’s why I’m driving.” “Making a bit of extra money?” I smiled. “Yes, but also to be out of the house. My mother-in-law’s visiting! On and on with suggestions – you…

Put down the tube. Step away from the jar. This is a beauty intervention. Despite your best intentions, being too heavy-handed with beauty basics may be doing your complexion more harm than good. To understand the detrimental effect of beauty overloading, you need to take a step back and examine the skin. And I mean really look at it. A 2016 review published in the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology identified that the skin’s top layer is comprised of a bacteria network called the microbiome. Vibrant, healthy looking skin requires a harmonious microbiome. (And this balance can be disrupted by the usual suspects like stress, pollution, diet and lifestyle.) Interestingly, this research also identified product over-usage as an overlooked microbiome disruptor. Namely cosmetics, moisturisers and even our cultural obsession…

TIME TO SHINE! THOUGHT YOUR SPARKLY-EYED DAYS WERE BEHIND YOU? THESE NEW EYE SHADOW PALETTES MAY MAKE YOU RECONSIDER. CONTAINING A MIXTURE OF LUXE NUDES AND SHIMMER-FLECKED SHADES, THEY’RE PERFECT FOR SOME AGE-APPROPRIATE SHEEN. “On a bad day, there’s always lipstick.” – AUDREY HEPBURN REMOVER REIMAGINED Innovation has abounded recently in the make-up remover category. Balms are the latest development, cleverly dissolving make-up and moisturising the skin in one convenient step. Try Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, $55. SKIN BUILDERS OVER TIME, THE SKIN’S COLLAGEN SUPPORT STRUCTURE DECLINES, CAUSING SKIN TO SAG. COLLAGEN STIMULATING PRODUCTS REINFORCE FACIAL SHAPE AND CONTOURS. TRY THESE HEAVY LIFTERS IN TANDEM. 5.5 is the optimal pH level for scalp health. If you’re dandruff-prone, Trichologist David Salinger, suggests pH balancing products. Head…

ROUND Slim down a round face by sweeping blush along the cheekbones, towards the temple. SQUARE Apply blush directly to the apples and into the hollows of your cheeks to soften angular features. HEART Start under the apple of your cheeks and sweep up towards the temple to balance out the jawline. LONG Make a narrow face look wider by blending blush across the cheeks, towards the ear. OVAL Highlight cheekbones by sweeping blush upwards from the apples.…

What if I told you that loneliness is a health risk equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and even more dangerous than high blood pressure or obesity? The reasons for loneliness are complex. It may be a result of family members moving away or being “too busy”, or advancing age, with friends and loved ones dying. Transport and mobility can be added challenges. You may have moved away from your home town, become divorced, started a new job or moved schools. Paradoxically, it seems that the more densely populated our cities become, the more loneliness can be a problem particularly for elderly people, although socially isolated children have poorer health as adults, too. We see the impact of loneliness in aged care facilities where elderly people might go for…

Bouncy, lustrous locks are easier said than done, right?! Styling alone is not enough to make it happen. For hair that radiates youth and vitality, you need a focused hair care approach that will encourage fullness, body, texture and shine. Once hair is in its best possible condition, it creates a platform for luscious locks to shine. BOOST YOUR STYLE Take your hairdo to new heights with the Batiste Stylist “Oomph My Locks” XXL Volume Spray. If you’re looking for sky-high styles this is the styling product for you. Batiste Stylist is infused with Keratin and Inca Inchi Seed Oil to strengthen your big do. TOP TIP The Batiste Stylist range contains Inca Inchi Seed Oil, which encourages softer, smoother, shinier looking hair. NOURISH HAIR FROM WITHIN Viviscal™ dietary supplement…

Spiced chicken pizza SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 30 MINUTES 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 medium (150g) onion, chopped 250g chicken mince 35g packet Mission Taco Seasoning 2 Mission Wholemeal Pizza Crusts ¼ cup (90g) tomato passata 1 medium (200g) red capsicum, sliced thinly ¼ cup (60g) sliced pickled jalapeno peppers ½ cup (100g) light sour cream ¼ cup finely chopped coriander 1 Heat oil in a medium frying pan over a medium heat and add onion. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until softened. Add the mince and seasoning. Cook, stirring, for 10 minutes or until mince is browned and cooked through. 2 Meanwhile, preheat oven 200°C (180°C fan-forced). Place the pizza bases onto oven trays lined with baking paper. Spread tomato passata over the bases;…

For centuries, the Rhine river has seduced poets, musicians, artists, locals and visitors as it flows along spectacular landscapes. Past hamlets and villages, churches and castles, the banks hold a wealth of history set against the romance of European architecture. Cruise the Rhine and enjoy regional gourmet experiences with APT from Arles to Belleville and then Basel to Amsterdam, aboard one of APT's all-inclusive, luxury river ships with river views from every cabin. "The banks hold a wealth of history." Romance of the river Enjoy 14 nights on board a luxury river ship and delight in experiences exclusive to APT, including a special dinner at Germany's Namedy Castle. Equally, enjoy the freedom to choose your sightseeing with 31 Freedom of Choice touring options. Rhine, Rhône & Moselle 15 days from…

THE 2018 TV WEEK LOGIE AWARDS It’s been a long time coming but veteran journalist and television presenter Tracy Grimshaw has scored her first TV WEEK Gold Logie nomination, in what is sure to be a tightly run race for the top gong. “I still can’t quite believe it. I never quite imagined myself in this space,” Tracy told AAP after the nominations were announced last month. “It’s a great honour and it’s a thrill, and it’s a pleasure.” Tracy’s extraordinary sit-down with TV presenter Don Burke, who has been accused of sexual harassment, indecent assault and bullying by women he worked with in the 1980s and 1990s, drew widespread praise back in November. Her no-holds-barred interview was also nominated for Most Outstanding News Coverage or Public Affairs Report and…

The buzz is building for the most highly anticipated debut of 2018, The Shanghai Wife. Author of The Lucky One and The One That Got Away Caroline Overington describes The Shanghai Wife as ‘lyrical and beautiful’, and bestselling author Nicole Alexander calls it ‘an immersive tale of illicit love’. The Shanghai Wife is a very personal, untold story inspired by Emma’s grandparents, who lived in 1920s Shanghai. Her grandmother dramatically rode a motorbike from her small country town in northern NSW to Sydney, where she boarded the boat for Hong Kong and adventure. Her grandfather stepped in as her protector from the unwanted advances of other men on the ship and they fell in love. Just like her grandmother, Emma left Sydney to explore the world, working as a journalist…

Sally Piper was born in South Gippsland in 1961. “As the youngest of three, and one of a tribe of older cousins, my childhood was spent mostly keeping up, usually in bare feet, in the bush or on the back of a horse, but preferably both at the same time,” she says. Sally started writing in her late 30s. “After 17 years as a nurse, I moved to the UK with my husband, a toddler and a two-week-old baby, where we lived for eight years. That marked the end of my nursing career, but to fill the void I started to write.” She now lives in Brisbane and her debut, Grace’s Table , was shortlisted for the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award.…

Heavenly showbiz stories from the incomparable Burchmore. Rhonda relives cherished childhood days with sister Michelle and brother Stewart, pursuing the girls’ love of song and dance. Mum made costumes while Dad built a veranda dance studio. Even though he knew the little girl who had to be dragged off stage at three as she sang “The Campdown Racetrack’s five miles long… doo dah!” was always going to be a star, he made sure she sat exams. It was while Rhonda was teaching in Sydney that she auditioned for They’re Playing Our Song starring John Waters and Jacki Weaver. Rhonda belted out Maybe This Time and the little jockey girl was off! She was the darling of TV – after singing The Man That Got Away, host Mike Walsh observed, “We’re…

Testy, hissing Herra Bjornsson, 80, is dying of emphysema, hooked up to an oxygen tank, but still smokes. She lives in a garage in Iceland. This is a book unlike any other. Helgason has written required reading in this face-on recollection of futile wartime atrocity. Herra and her mother were banished to a farm in 1929; her father assuming that his aristocratic family disapproved of his country love. When they met the in-laws, they were welcomed open-armed. “We [the Icelandic] don’t squander words unnecessarily … it is a language not designed for daily use.” Herra breaks the mould as she relives the loss of everyone she loved; roaming bombed eastern Europe alone from age 12, dressing herself from corpses, succoured by sassy women strangers, enduring a summer of rape by…

Q: How do I keep my camellia flowers from dropping after I’ve picked them? J.Tillson, Mornington, Vic A: Cheat! Double and frilled camellias are too heavy to stay long on the stem, but single camellias are less likely to fall. Twist florist’s wire around the stem and base to give support, or try a fast-acting glue. GET your QUESTIONS ANSWERED Send your gardening questions to: Clippings, The Australian Women’s Weekly , GPO Box 4178, Sydney, NSW 2001, or email openline@bauermedia.com.au .…

Now we are entering a new tax year it’s a good time to take stock of your financial situation. First, check all your major bills to make sure you have the best deals on your home loan, insurance and telco and power bills. A good place to start is Australia’s biggest comparison site, finder.com.au. In the May federal budget, most income earners were granted some tax relief ranging up to $665 a year for this financial year, but won’t be paid until tax time next year. However, there are some new rules taking effect on July 1 that you may be able to take advantage of. One is a scheme in which those aged over 65 can sell a family home they have owned for at least 10 years and…

APT From Mitchell Falls to the breathtaking Bungle Bungles, see the wonders of the Kimberley with APT, experts in the field with over 40 years of experience. Nine-day tours depart July-Sept from $6,195pp, conditions apply; aptouring.com.au/Kimberley2018 Dermeze Specially formulated to help hydrate the skin, the new Dermeze MoistureMatch range now also takes the guesswork out of choosing the right moisturiser for different skin care needs. From $7.99; dermeze.com.au Dr Oetker Ristorante We love the Dr Oetker Ristorante Mozzarella Pizza, with creamy mozzarella, aromatic basil, juicy cherry tomatoes and a fruity tomato sauce on a perfect thin and crispy crust. RRP $7.50 at Coles, Woolworths and selected IGAs; oetker.com.au Dr Oetker Dr. Oetker Party Pals Icing Decorations are delicate royal icing mermaids, seahorses and starfish, perfect for bringing a bit of…

My earliest memory is... ... of my mother pretending to throw away my pacifier, so I guess that would make me about two years old. I say “pretend” because what she did was whip it from my mouth and make a pitching motion towards the window, which was closed. “There! It’s gone” she announced. With a sleight of hand that made Houdini look a rank amateur as she palmed the dummy, leaving me with the unshakeable conviction that she could pass solid objects through equally solid surfaces at will. Then again, maybe she can. My all-time favourite movie is... It’s a toss-up between Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life and Roll, Freddy, Roll! starring Tim Conway. I’m embarrassed to admit that... Yeah, me too. I want to be remembered for...…

In the glamorous, bitchy and hilariously camp world inhabited by television’s arch she-devils, Cornelia Frances ranked with the best of them. Known for her role as Morag Bellingham, the evil sister of Alf Stewart, on long-running soap Home and Away, Cornelia also delighted audiences in the 1970s as the stern Sister Grace Scott in Young Doctors. During her three-year stint in fictional Albert Memorial Hospital, Sister Scott was regarded as the meanest woman on TV and finally met her end in a spectacular lift well plunge.“She was a lot of fun,” Cornelia wryly said of the nasty nurse. Born in Liverpool, England, Cornelia began acting in Britain but her career took off after she moved to Australia. The 77-year-old veteran of Australian television lost her battle with cancer on May…

Each morning, Sue Koning would get up to leave her Sunshine Coast home for work with sweating hands and a racing heart. The mother of four would tiptoe past the closed bedroom of her youngest child and only daughter, frightened of what could be on the other side but unable to look in. If Molly had been having a bad week, she would lock her door from the inside. But even when the door wasn’t locked, Sue didn’t want to disturb her teenager’s sleep. As soon as Sue arrived at the business she and her husband Jon owned, she would urgently log into Facebook, her breath catching in her throat. “I’d have it open on my computer and I’d be looking at it thinking, ‘She’s not on yet, she’s not…

Sigrid Thornton flits sparrow-like from stall to stall, chatting with friends and growers; picking up sunflowers, pears, carrots, a loaf of crusty sourdough. It’s a grey Tuesday morning in Melbourne but the Queen Victoria Market is alive with colour. This is Sigrid’s community. These are her people. Everywhere we go she is greeted by locals, admirers and supporters of her efforts to save the market from the developer’s wrecking ball. The fight to save this market feels somehow emblematic of the things that are most important in Sigrid’s life: a sense of community and connection to place and people, justice, compassion, a fair go. Family is also close to the 59-year-old actor’s heart, and the ease with which she yarns with the farmers here and the emphasis she places on…

Across Australia, 1 in 5 new mums and 1 in 10 new dads suffer from perinatal depression and anxiety. Gidget Foundation Australia aims to assist these new parents, offering them timely, appropriate and supportive care for perinatal depression and anxiety. Their latest initiative is the “Start Talking” program. With a GP-referred Mental Health Plan, expectant and new mums and dads can receive free access to up to seven video-call sessions with a perinatal psychologist. This is especially helpful for those living in regional or remote areas. Visit gidgetfoundation.org.au or call 1300 851 758.…

APM is Australia’s largest and highest performing national provider of Disability Employment Services. We have placed more than 45,000 people with an injury, illness or disability into work. APM has more than 20 years’ experience and has assisted more than 1 million Australians with an injury, illness or disability since 1994. With more than 400 offices across Australia there is an APM team near you. When you come to your nearest APM office, you will be supported by local people who know your local area. If you want a job, come to APM.…

“Routinely sleeping less than six or seven hours a night demolishes your immune system.” The sense of dread arrives at dawn. You’re lying on your back, sheets rumpled, pillow clammy, when the birds begin to twitter. Between a chink in the curtains you can see the sky turning from dark blue to pink as the sun prepares to rise. The stars fade, and with them your hopes of a good night’s sleep. Even if you fall asleep immediately, you will only get a few hours of rest before your alarm begins to shriek. You flip your pillow to the cool side in the hope that will help, but you know it’s too late. The sandman’s absence has condemned you to a day of drowsiness and low productivity. During the day…

Fashion Jump into WARM…

Bacteria is officially having a moment. (Now there’s a beauty trend we never saw coming.) Apart from avoiding overloading the skin microbiome, the other by-product of the latest research is the emergence of a theory suggesting that the microbiome can be rebalanced with products that are teeming with probiotics. Sound familiar? That’s because it’s similar to the approach to gut health. Just as an unhealthy gut needs to be repopulated with good bacteria, it’s suggested that the same goes for the skin microbiome. Dermatologist Rosemary Nixon says to tread with caution. “There’s limited research on the effectiveness, despite an increasing number of skincare products claiming to have beneficial effects,” she says.…

1 RIMMEL LONDON STAY MATTE LIQUID LIP COLOUR IN FATAL KISS, $14.95. Dabble in the wine colour trend with this darker take on nude. 2 MELLOW MATTE LIQUID LIP PAINT IN IBIZA, $18.50. Keep this classic warm nude colour on hand – it’s perfect for day to night. 3 ZOEVA PURE MATTE LIPS IN DARE TO DREAM, $20. For cool undertone complexions, this baby pink adds a soft, pretty flush.…

KATE, 46 A mother of two, Kate was concerned with fine lines and wrinkles across her forehead and around her eyes. Kate took part in an experiment where one side of her face was treated with a laser resurfacing procedure* while she used L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Laser X3 on the other side of her face for four weeks with comparable results. The effectiveness of Revitalift Laser X3 means she’s found a simple routine that gives her smooth, soft skin. Who isn’t obsessed with healthy skin these days? A hunger for results-oriented skincare means savvy women now know their ABCs from their SPFs, and they’re happy to share what works and what doesn’t. While some of us resort to sharp needles and (costly) laser treatments to slow down the signs of…

• Recognising that you are lonely or unhappy in a relationship can be difficult. It can feel as though you are admitting that you are not popular, or loved (or even lovable), or perhaps even that you have somehow failed in your marriage. • Recognising that you are lonely and that is could affect your health should trigger action such as relationship or family counselling. • If you have healthy relationships with family members, arrange regular personal contact. • If you do not have a network of friends or family, your GP can refer you to social workers or community agencies to help you to make social connections. Sporting groups are great for sharing common interests and getting regular exercise. • Volunteering is another way of finding potential friends. You…

Fishing for pain relief Pain self-management is an ongoing process for osteoarthritis sufferers. The University of Surrey has just released the largest study of its kind, examining effective management options. One key finding was that a low-dose supplement of fish oil could be beneficial for pain reduction. The reasoning was that the essential fatty acids reduce joint inflammation, helping to alleviate the pain. The study also noted that introducing mobility- appropriate exercises could help ease symptoms for overweight or obese osteoarthritis sufferers. Always speak to your doctor about appropriate pain management options. GO Healthy GO Fish Oil 1000mg Odourless 400 Soft Gel Capsules, $37.99. That’s nuts! Walnuts have been singled out in a new US study for playing a role in heart health and even potentially reducing colorectal cancer. The…

Food processor apricot Danish pastries MAKES 12 PREP + COOK TIME 1 HOUR (+ REFRIGERATION & STANDING) ½ cup (125ml) milk, warmed 2 eggs 2 cups (300g) bread flour 1½ teaspoons (5g) dried yeast 1 teaspoon sea salt 1½ tablespoons caster sugar 250g cold unsalted butter, chopped 12 canned apricot halves ⅓ cup (110g) apricot jam, warmed, sieved 2 tablespoons chopped shelled pistachios CREAM CHEESE FILLING 250g cream cheese 1 egg ⅓ cup (55g) icing sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste 1 Whisk milk and 1 egg in a medium bowl. Place flour, yeast, salt and sugar in a food processor; pulse until combined. Add butter; pulse until butter is chopped into 5mm pieces. Place mixture in a large bowl; stir in milk mixture to form a wet, sticky dough.…

The ultimate care Be spoilt with delicious meals, beverages and sightseeing all-included. Luxury reimagined With a sun deck, whirlpool, bar, lounge and many dining options, APT’s luxurious river ships are like your own private resort. Freedom to choose Whether it’s history and culture, gourmet delights or getting active, at most locations you can tailor your sightseeing. Onboard delight From chef’s tables to French fare, you'll have access to a wide range of culinary experiences. Feel free to retreat Sleep in or curl up with a book wherever or whenever you want. There’s never any pressure to join organised tours. Be in the know Learn about history, culture and traditions from the locals in their hometowns.…

Leaving behind her past in rural Australia, Annie Brand and her new husband, a ship’s captain, arrive to the political upheaval and glittering international society of Shanghai in the 1920s. But Annie’s freedom is quickly curtailed... She finds herself increasingly suffocated by the judgemental Club ladies and their exclusive social scene, one that’s even more restrictive than the life she left behind. Sick of salacious gossip and colonial condescension, and desperate to shake off the restrictions of her position in the world, Annie is slowly drawn into the bustling life and otherness of the real Shanghai, and begins to see the world from the perspective of the local people. But this world is far more complex and dangerous than the curious Annie understands, and she soon becomes caught in a…

BABYLON BERLIN by Volker Kutscher, Allen & Unwin In his felt hat, fresh from the Rhine Provence, DI Rath, new recruit to the Berlin vice squad, does not carry a gun as he chases a porn king into the night. It’s 1929 and sidekick Wolter is teaching him how to recruit an informant in the city’s corrupt underbelly. The carrot is being set free rather than becoming jail bait; it’s an easy choice. Once big in homicide, enigmatic Rath eyes Charlotte the homicide stenographer and wolfs bratwurst, as he is dragged into the Roaring Twenties’ underworld of prostitution, cocaine and the rise of Nazism. As seen on Netflix. WIDOWS by Lynda La Plante Allen & Unwin With a movie of bestselling eighties TV series Widows in the works, the time…

WELCOME TO COUNTRY by Marcia Langton, Hardie Grant Who better to bring us a guidebook to Indigenous Australia and the Torres Strait Islands than the wonderful Professor Marcia Langton. This fascinating tribute to the oldest civilisation in the world is also an essential travel companion to anyone wanting to scratch the surface of our wide brown land. Learn about indigenous languages and customs, as well as the sacred places and people who carry the traditions of care for country. Plus a foreword from Stan Grant.…

A woman’s work is never done – not by men anyway. That’s the feeling my three sisters and I share whenever we holiday, en famille. Ours is a happy family. We cherish our time together, basking in joyful camaraderie, cackling like kookaburras. An annual holiday is the perfect way to catch up. But cooking three meals a day for 17 people means endless work. Although we share glorious family fun in the sun in our coastal rentals, we mums end our yearly vacation completely exhausted. Arriving home last year, I was so tired I threw the dirty clothes into the washing machine – with the kids still in them. Which is why this year Mum suggested a cruise. Imagine it – family bonding with no cooking or cleaning. (Any woman…

• Invest in an extravagant potted orchid in full flower. It will bloom for months. • Plant bare-rooted fruit trees and flowering shrubs, including climbing roses. • Indulge in winter fruits, such as quinces, navel oranges, limes, tangelos, medlars and beurre bosc pears. • Fill your vases with proteas, fragrant jonquils, golden nerines, grevilleas, pink-flowered native thryptomene or rosemary. • Watch out for slippery moss on paths or paving. A spray of bleach will kill it, so it can be easily swept away.…

READER’S PRIZE HINT If possums are eating all the shoots off your climbing roses or vines, try slipping knee-high stockings over the shoots and secure with a peg or rubber band, moving the sock as the shoots grow. S. Manning, Burradoo, NSW. Non-stick trick Before forming meatballs or hamburger patties, spray your hands with a little vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Water repellent To make your canvas shoes waterproof, rub a white wax candle or tea light all over the uppers, especially along the seams, then heat gently with a hair dryer and allow to cool before wearing. A shoe-in for scarves Store all your winter scarves on hand in the pockets of an over-door hanging shoe holder. Winter soother If your cuticles dry out and get sore or cracked…

For the new tax year, make sure you’re building your nest egg, both inside and outside super. 1 Have part of your salary (maybe 10 per cent) diverted straight to a high-interest savings account as soon as it hits your main account. It’s likely you won’t even miss it! 2 Check whether your employer will let you salary sacrifice part of your regular pay to super. It’s a tax-effective way to build your balance. 3 If you get your tax cut in a lump sum next tax time, save it or put it in your super.…

Cancer JUN 23-JUL 23 The new moon on mythic, magic Friday the 13th will turbo-power your birthday month and kick-start your personal astroyear, and as a result you will be surfing this month’s ocean of emotion with signature style. Yours is the zodiac sign of containers – home, womb, cycles of time – and July is set to peel away some you’ve outgrown. Spend as much time as you can around your special water element, whether a beachside getaway, sea cruise, midnight swim or aromatherapy bath. If the late-month full moon brings a financial bonanza, and it may, why not be inspired by Cancerian exemplar Diana, Princess of Wales, and find a way to pay it forward? LEO JUL 24-AUG 23 Mercury in Leo for the next two months will…