The Australian Women's Weekly April 2016

THE WEEKLY turns 83 this year and even in that very first issue back in 1933, the front page proudly campaigned for “Equal Social Rights for Sexes”. While a lot has changed, it’s hard to believe that we are still having to battle for equality in many industries. Jockey Michelle Payne captured hearts when she raced to victory on the back of Prince of Penzance at the Melbourne Cup. She used her winner’s speech to highlight the chauvinism at the heart of the sport and a collective cheer went up around the nation’s stables. “They think women aren’t strong enough, but we just beat the world,” trumpeted Michelle. It’s nearly 40 years since women were granted professional riding licences and yet only two Aussie female jockeys (four if you…

INGRID PYNE James Packer’s whirlwind courtship of Mariah Carey has baffled the country since the two were first snapped together in Italy last year. For her story on page 22, Ingrid spoke to more than a dozen of the couple’s friends to find out how – and why – Australia’s casino king is gambling his happiness on America’s pop princess. Ingrid began writing for The Australian Women’s Weekly in early 2010, after lengthy stints at The Australian Financial Review, The Times of London and The West Australian. BEVERLEY HADGRAFT Growing up, Beverley was horse-mad and her favourite book was National Velvet. So when Michelle Payne won the Melbourne Cup, she was thrilled. Michelle’s post-victory comments, however, made Beverley wonder why we don’t see more women riding in these carnival races,…

PEARL OF WISDOM “A family is like a painting – the children are the picture, the parents are the frame.” M. BOON, DAISY HILL, QLD. A call to Australians Congratulations on your courageous journalism with Island Of The Damned (WW, Mar). We are spending ridiculous amounts of money to mistreat innocent people and line the pockets of unscrupulous providers. Our country has been so blessed – why can’t we be more compassionate? Wouldn’t you risk everything for those you love? B. STONEY, MANSFIELD, VIC. A victor, not victim I would like to reply to last issue’s Letter of the Month on how divorce can supercharge your life. The writer put into words exactly what happened to me. It also took me a long time to get…

Thank you for publishing Clair Weaver’s article on Nauru (Island Of The Damned, WW, Mar). It was good to see so many people quoted in the article to give a broad picture as to why so many people are worried about Australia presiding over the isolation of asylum seekers on Nauru. Courageous people like Professor David Isaacs are trying to reveal the abuse women on Nauru are suffering. I believe Australian women do not want asylum seekers treated inhumanely with no recourse to reliable justice systems. Our government must be held to account. Secrecy and bland assertions insult our intelligence. H. ESMOND, CHERRYBROOK, NSW.…

JULY 6, 1921-MARCH 6, 2016 Nancy Reagan, the widow of former US President Ronald Reagan, was her husband’s staunchest supporter, both in office and as his caregiver after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 1994. Nancy was the first to notice his stumbling speech and forgetfulness and she was still at the former President’s side when he died 10 years later. Yet she will also be remembered as a fashion icon who brought style and elegance back to the White House.…

THE GIFT OF a child is perhaps the happiest and most significant time in a young couple’s marriage, a time for joy, love, family and sharing in the gift of life. For Brad Morcombe, the twin brother of murdered Queensland boy Daniel Morcombe, the news that his wife Anna is 20 weeks pregnant with their first child is all of those things, but like most of his life, that happiness is tinged by a loss that most of us may never comprehend. “We are both ecstatic about the prospect of becoming parents,” says Brad. “It’s something we have dreamed about for a long time. It is, and it should be, the happiest time of our lives. And we both feel the strength of that. “But, for me, there’s not a…