Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2019 i The Australian Women's Weekly

I have always been what you would call accident prone. To be fair, I was born pigeon-toed and knock-kneed, so I did spend my early years literally tripping over my own feet. That was until callipers and compulsory ballet lessons were employed to turn my feet in an outward direction. But by then the reputation had been earned, and I continued to live up to it. Fractured wrists, broken ankles and busted noses punctuated my life from my pre-teens to my twenties. Then, age 35, I broke both arms simultaneously in one spectacular fall playing netball. A feat even the world’s elite players would struggle to pull off. This came six months after my heart had been broken following a split from my long-term partner. At the time of my…

Letter of the Month wins $100. The winner of our Pearl of Wisdom this month wins a 12-month subscription to The Australian Women’s Weekly, valued at $86.40. Your postal address must be included in all correspondence. Please state clearly if your letter is not for publication. See Contents for the location of Bauer Media Ltd’s Privacy Notice. CORRECTION: In the story The Black Death, May 2019 edition, Victoria’s Health Complaints Commissioner Karen Cusack was incorrectly referred to as Dr Karen Cusack. She is not a doctor. The error was the reporter’s.…

UNIVERSAL SUCCESS A law graduate who works for the Victorian government has been crowned Miss Universe Australia. Priya Serrao will follow in the footsteps of Jennifer Hawkins, and compete in the finals later this year. WOMEN RULE NSW With Jodi McKay elected as leader of NSW Labor, the state now has both a female Premier and opposition leader. Labor has also introduced a new shadow cabinet with gender parity. FEMINIST FASHION The first woman to lead the historic French fashion house of Dior, Maria Grazia Chiuri, has received France’s highest honour, the Legion d’Honneur, for aligning the label with feminism.…

The sky is mid-winter blue. Sunlight fractures in shards across the inky Pacific. High on a cliff top, in a razor-sharp breeze, half a dozen actors clink glasses, make languid conversation and evoke the illusion of summer on the set of Rachel Ward’s new feature, Palm Beach. Old friends Sam Neill, Greta Scacchi and Richard E Grant are here, along with new friends Jacqueline McKenzie, Heather Mitchell and Claire van der Boom, as well as Rachel’s husband of 35 years, Bryan Brown, and their daughter, Matilda. Rachel calls action and for the most part calls the shots. The only slightly meddlesome one is Bryan, who disputes the need for his character to shed tears in this scene. She indulges his spirited mansplaining with goddesslike calm. Later, she confesses: “I respect…

When Georgie Stone came home from school, she often rushed straight to the toilet, tears welling up in her eyes. Georgie, who had been telling her mum, Rebekah, she was a girl since she was two-and-a-half years old, had stopped using the boys’ toilets, instead holding on all day till she got home. From there, she’d be in her mum’s arms, weeping quietly. “It’s so hard trying to be a boy,” she’d say sometimes, between muffled sobs. School was a distressing place for Georgie. Children pointed and laughed at her. When her primary school realised she wasn’t prepared to broach the boys’ toilets, they insisted she use the disabled ones. She wasn’t allowed to wear the girls’ uniform and teachers called her “he” or “George”. “That hurt,” Georgie says, “but…

Rachel watched, intrigued, as the new girl at the table ordered another bottle of imported vodka, and swept her tangle of auburn hair away from her face. Anna Delvey’s European accent was hard to place. There was a rumour she was an heiress of some sort – German, or Russian? Her manners were intriguing, as was her appearance. Anna’s eyelashes were long and dark but her face was unexpectedly make-up free. In a city like New York, where excess rules, the heiress’s style was markedly pared back. However, those who paid attention, as Rachel did, would notice her simple strappy shoes were Gucci and her thick lashes were expensive extensions. As the pair fell into easy conversation that first night, in a dim bar on the Lower East Side early…

In the strangely hot summer of 1969, the hills above Los Angeles offered a sanctuary, not only from sweltering workplaces and smog-wreathed freeways, but the ominous flow of bad news spilling through the vast metropolis. At her home on Cielo Drive, a steep, winding road behind Beverly Hills, 26-year-old Sharon Tate, one of Hollywood’s brightest young stars, kept the windows open and padded around the secluded property dressed as lightly as possible. Things were going well for Sharon. After a hesitant start, her career had taken off, and a year earlier she had married the newly fashionable French-born film director Roman Polanski, whose worldwide hit Rosemary’s Baby had rocketed him into the big league. Best of all, Sharon was eight months pregnant with the couple’s first child. As the weekend…

“She’d already learnt Mirandah’s low blood sugar scent.” Mirandah Wilson was just a toddler when she first became seriously ill. What started out as flu-like symptoms rapidly developed into something far worse, and she ended up in the emergency department of The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, lapsing in and out of consciousness. “It was the most frightening night of our lives,” says Mirandah’s dad, Derek. The little girl was diagnosed with unstable Type 1 diabetes, a potentially life-threatening auto-immune condition. The condition can be managed, but it requires constant vigilance because a low blood sugar event can lead to loss of consciousness, seizures or death. Once she was home, Mirandah’s worried parents were up every three hours at night checking her insulin levels, but it wasn’t long before they…

Myf Warhurst had her first, humiliating bra fitting with a sergeant-major-type sales assistant in Mildura – in a shop called Dawnice Body Fashions. That was in the 1980s, when Myf (then known as “Myffy”) also sported a mullet hairdo, memorised the entire Thriller dance routine, and fell in lifelong love with the Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton country duet, Islands in the Stream. In other words, her upbringing was as embarrassing as ours. Myf delights in the uncoolness of it all, and even now, decades later, that daggy Mildura schoolgirl doesn’t seem far from the surface. This is, after all, a woman who names Twisties as her number-one addiction. “I hate to say it, but I’m pretty normal,” says the 46-year-old radio and TV presenter. “I am who I am.…

The SLIM This style is an enduring classic for a reason. Want the best fit? When trying on, check which rise – be it low, mid or high – flatters you best. WASH JEANS EVERY 8-10 WEARS TO MAINTAIN FIT AND PREVENT COLOUR LOSS. LINE DRY TO AVOID SHRINKAGE. TURN JEANS INSIDE OUT AND HANG IN THE SHADE TO PREVENT FADING. The FLARED Whether you want to emphasise your curves or create shape, try a pair of flares on for size. The BOYFRIEND This style works on almost everyone, creating a relaxed look. It’s great teamed with a coat or tailored jacket. The WIDE LEG Pair with a shirt you can cinch in at the waist, and wide-leg jeans can help to…

Whether you’re shopping colours or bases, it helps to know your tone. For impeccable matching we can recommend the “hosts” at Mecca Cosmetica who ask a lot of questions (where you wear foundation, how you apply it, what brands you like and which finish you prefer) and do a three-step stripe shade test on the jawline (for deeper skin tones, on the nose/forehead too, where skin can be much lighter). You can also try these techniques to determine your tone: CHECK YOUR WRISTS: if your veins appear blue/purple you’re cool, if they seem blue/ green you’re neutral, if they look green/olive you’re warm. CHECK YOUR JEWELLERY: preferences aside, gold is said to look lovely if you’re warm, silver seems more flattering if you’re cool. If they look equally good, you’re…

We’re more concerned than ever about our health and the environment, so naturally we’re questioning what’s in our beauty products, too. To help us make more informed decisions, Rochelle Jacobs, managing director at Naturally Serious, and Karen Behnke, founder of Juice Beauty, shed some light on the natural beauty movement. Natural vs organic vs clean “The word organic is highly regulated and means the brand or ingredients have been certified by the country-relevant organic certification body. A logo should be found on the packaging,” says Rochelle. Natural usually refers to plant or mineral ingredients, but you need to read the label to know how natural your products are – they may 99 per cent synthetic. Clean has no legal definition but is commonly understood to refer to products free of…

“Bone density starts to drop before women are completely menopausal,” notes Professor Eisman. “That’s a good time to have bone density checked. Start by heading to osteoporosis.org.au and taking the Know Your Bones quiz.” What’s involved? You lie down while the scanning arm hovers over your body. What do they cost? They’re free to those over 70 and some others, such as those who’ve had fragility fractures after age 40. However, anyone can have a bone scan. Your doctor will write a referral to your nearest bone scan service and the cost is around $120. What about radiation? A small amount of radiation exposure but less than what you’d get on a flight from Sydney to Melbourne.…

Pears can be cooked a day ahead; refrigerate the pears and reserved syrup separately. Tarts are best cooked on the day of serving. You will need to make the cheesecake a day ahead. You can use firm amaretti biscuits, available from delis, instead of Anzacs, if you prefer. Depending on the design of the springform pan, clip base in upside down so the base is level and the cheesecake is easy to remove. You can use Greek-style yoghurt instead of the mascarpone for a more tangy sorbet, if you like. Biscotti will keep in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.…

CHOOSE YOUR FLAVOUR Baked until they’re golden and crisp, Kettle Flat Bread Sea Salt Crackers are made using red quinoa, crunchy pumpkin seeds, spelt flakes and a sprinkling of sea salt. Pair them with your favourite platter ingredients or choose something different to create a brilliant new combination.…

Fiction THE FRIEND  by Sigrid Nunez, Hachette A deeply affecting tome in which a woman inherits the Great Dane dog of a writer friend who recently died by suicide. Even though she is a cat person she adopts Apollo, who weighs 82kg. Grief-stricken at the loss of her friend, she remembers their last conversation – refugee women who reported blindness after years of crying over atrocities. Her grief intensifies with the mute suffering of Apollo, wondering where his owner has vanished to. Her friend would have worried about Apollo in deciding to take his own life. And then: “The peaceful rise and fall of his flank.” Children’s tale THE TALES OF MR WALKER  by Jess Black, Penguin Delightful true story of Labrador Mr Walker, the Guide Dog ambassador of the…

Back in the bad old days, Kris Kristofferson used to raise hell. Nowadays, at 83, he prefers to tend the lush grounds of his secluded Hawaiian home, or nurture the “bunch of grandkids” that brings him so much joy. “To me, the best part of my life, at this end of it, is my family,” he growls in the rugged baritone that’s thrilled music and movie fans for more than half a century. “My wife, Lisa, and I pinch each other every now and then and say, ‘Can you believe we’ve got this beautiful family that’s so much fun together?’ I wish I could convey how really deeply I feel that.” Kris, who burned up the screen with Barbra Streisand in the 1976 version of A Star Is Born, usually…

WHITE WINGS Loved by Australian households for over 120 years, White Wings: range of premium flours are made using quality Australian wheat grains, and triple sifted for your best baking results. That’s why The Australian Women’s Weekly test kitchen exclusively uses White Wings flour. Visit whitewings.com.au FELLA HAMILTON Hedrena has a new home at Fella Hamilton. Visit our website to see the full collection of our 100% Australian merino wool basics. For your free catalogue, visit at fellahamilton.com.au or call 1800 800 866. 20TH CENTURY FOX Bring home the romance and drama with The Aftermath on DVD on July 31. Keira Knightley, Alexander Skarsgard and Australian Jason Clarke star in this story of love, lust and loss, set in the aftermath of World War II Germany. Available from BIG W,…

Baking is a little bit of kitchen magic! The magic (aka kitchen science) is the simple process of combining everyday pantry staples such as eggs, butter, flour and sugar to produce nourishing food to share. It’s not only creative but also empowering. There are so many good reasons to learn to be a better baker, not the least is the joy of tasting your creations still warm from the oven and the compliments that will be showered on you for your efforts. In our Test Kitchen we believe that great baking starts with a Triple-Tested recipe and quality ingredients. I’m thrilled that White Wings and The Australian Women’s Weekly have teamed up to create a delicious collection of easy recipes for you to make at home. Cheers,…

Spinach pull-apart MAKES 12 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 55 MINUTES (+ STANDING TIME) 2 teaspoons (7g) dried yeast 1 teaspoon caster sugar 1¼ cups (310ml) milk, warmed 3⅓ cups (500g) plain flour 1½ teaspoons table salt ½ cup (125ml) extra virgin olive oil 300g baby spinach ¼ cup (80g) caramelised onion 1 cup (120g) coarsely grated cheddar 1 cup (100g) coarsely grated mozzarella 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes 1 Combine the yeast, sugar and the milk in a medium jug. Stand in a warm place for 15 minutes or until the mixture is frothy. 2 Sift flour and salt into a large bowl. Stir in yeast mixture and ¼ cup (60ml) of the oil; mix to a firm dough. Knead dough on a…

Our daughter had three children under six when her husband became critically ill and was not expected to survive. There was no money coming in as he’d just started a new job and hadn’t accrued any entitlements. She had to cope with all that and feed the kids and pay bills. A random cheque for $80 was left at the children’s school for her and food from the local bakery anonymously left at her door. Neighbours mowed her lawns and did odd jobs. She got through and thankfully so did our son-in-law. Forever grateful. For reminding us of the importance of reaching out to those in need, Joy will receive an Australian Women’s Weekly cookbook gift pack worth $150. Email an Women me’s at Weekly awweditor | AUGUST 2019 @bauer-media.com.au Follow me…

Leading ladies FASHION LOVERS were the big winners at this year’s TV Week Logie Awards, where our favourite stars dazzled in big, bold couture. Dramatic skirts, block colours and old-world glamour ruled the red carpet, but our favourite accessory had to be Amanda Keller’s glittery runners, which she sensibly wore under the folds of her divine Mary Ioannidis dress. Smiling sisters frock up for charity MADDY AND BRIELLA LUK were all sparkles and smiles at a fundraising dinner for the Children’s Medical Research Institute, which supported them through life-saving surgery. CMRI aims to help the 1 in 20 children with a genetic disease or birth defect. To show your support, visit jeansforgenes.org.au US prosecutors have dropped manslaughter charges against a woman who had a miscarriage after being shot in the…

On Christmas Day in 2014 Loren O’Keeffe’s phone rang. A young tradie was on the line pleading for help to find his missing mate. Two weeks earlier Dane Kowalski, a 27-year-old plumber from Melbourne, had told buddies he was going fishing ‘up north’ but no one had seen or heard from him since. As she’d done so many times since her own brother Dan disappeared three years earlier, Loren snapped into action. In just a few minutes she’d devised and launched a national media campaign for the distraught young man and his mates through the Missing Persons Advocacy Network (MPAN), which Loren established after Dan’s disappearance. By that evening, thousands of people were on the lookout for Dane. Knowing she’d been of help eased a little of the heartache caused…

MARY BRUNNER, 75, a former librarian from San Francisco, became Manson’s first disciple, had his son and took part in the murder of Gary Hinman, a singer and activist Manson had fallen out with. She gave evidence against the Family, and was released from jail in 1977. Now believed to be living incognito in Wisconsin. LINDA KASABIAN, 69 ,  joined the Family as a teenage runaway and was one of the killers sent by Manson to Sharon Tate’s house. She claimed she only acted as a lookout, and turned prosecution witness to escape jail. She has led a troubled life since and now lives alone in a low-rent apartment in Tacoma, Washington. LESLIE VAN HOUTEN, 69, met Manson while living in a hippy commune near San Francisco. One of his…

We love our furry friends, but their adventurous natures can land them in trouble, and a vet trip can be costly. Australians spent a combined $12.2 billion on pet products and services in 2016, and veterinary care is the second biggest expense after food. Yet only one in four dog owners have pet insurance. The most common condition pets present with are outer ear infections, according to data from RSPCA Pet Insurance, which can cost up to $1000 to treat without insurance. Find out more at rspcapetinsurance.org.au.…

Maggi Eckardt was still a teenager when, in 1959, she stepped through “this perfect window into the most amazing world of photography and couture”. An Australian in Europe, within months she had taken the international modelling world by storm. There were covers of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, she rubbed shoulders with royalty and film stars, and of all the people who will stroll through the doors of the Bendigo Art Gallery in coming months to see its fabulous Balenciaga retrospective, Maggi will surely be the only one who worked in the great designer’s studio. It was a dizzying change of pace from Maggi’s childhood in a working-class family on Sydney’s northern beaches. “My mother went to work to send me to a private school,” Maggi begins. “It was wonderful of…

Comforting colours are exactly what we need right now, with tones from soft peach through to red ochre generating a sense of warmth, inside and out. Pantone even named coral their colour of the year because it’s “a nurturing colour” that “embodies our desire for playful expression”. This is especially true in make-up. You don’t need time-consuming techniques to make peachy shades work. It’s the opposite: they do the work for you, brightening and lifting your complexion on contact. “Warm tones like peach and rust have been popular for a while and aren’t going away anytime soon,” agrees make-up artist Allison Boyle, who created the looks on our model, Grace. “I love working with them – they’re a great way to add warmth to your complexion as an alternative to…

One of the joys of working with peach is that you can intensify it gradually, adding layers and layers until it’s just rich enough. That’s what Allison did here. 1. “Start with peach eyes (previous page) and layer a richer powder shadow on top to increase the intensity,” says Allison. “If you use cream shadow underneath, it acts as a base to prevent creasing.” 2. “For a dramatic effect, concentrate a rich brown pencil (or shadow) along the upper and lower lash lines, followed by two coats of black mascara. ” 3. Leave cheeks bare or enhance them just a little with cream blush dabbed on the upper apples, or highlighter swept over cheek bones. Finish with a layer of luscious rusty red lipstick.…

When it comes to smoother limbs, we don’t necessarily need a salon anymore. At-home hair removal devices are the latest tech to hit the shelves – and simplify personal grooming. They work by using intense pulsed light (IPL) to hinder hair growth at the follicle. Dark hair is the most responsive to light energy; if you have fair, red, white or grey hair the device won’t be as effective, as you don’t have enough pigment for the light to target. Not all devices are suitable for dark skin – check the box. Philips Lumea Prestige IPL Hair Removal Device, $749 @ harveynorman.com.au…

ALMOND Low in saturated fat and contains healthy heart fats, but also low in protein and calcium; often sweetened. Choose one unsweetened and fortified with calcium. SOY The best alternative to dairy milk as it is the most nutritionally balanced with good protein content. Choose a calcium fortified version. RICE Low allergy risk, though lacks nutrient variety. Could be good in a pre-workout smoothie due to the high natural carbohydrate content. Choose a calcium fortified variety. OAT Low in protein and not nutritionally balanced (also contains gluten so not suitable for coeliacs). Choose a calcium fortified oat milk. DAIRY Nutritionally good option. Provides protein, calcium and essential nutrients, although also some saturated fat and cholesterol.…

Fish in crazy water SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 40 MINUTES 2kg very ripe tomatoes, chopped coarsely 5 cloves garlic, 1 chopped, 4 sliced thinly 1 cup fresh basil leaves 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes 1 teaspoon caster sugar ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil 2 (750g) baby snapper, rinsed 2 fresh long red chillies, sliced thinly ½ cup (125ml) dry white wine 2 (260g) baby fennel bulbs, sliced thinly, fronds reserved 400g mixed cherry and grape tomatoes 4 fresh thyme sprigs ½ cup fresh marjoram leaves chargrilled sourdough, to serve 1 Blend chopped tomato, chopped garlic, basil, salt and sugar in a blender until completely smooth. Pour into a large sieve set over a large bowl. Push tomato liquid through sieve using a ladle; set aside. 2…

Classic lasagne SERVES 8 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil 1 medium (150g) brown onion, chopped finely 1 trimmed (100g) celery stalk, chopped finely 1 medium (120g) carrot, grated 650g pork and veal mince 2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 anchovies, chopped ¼ cup (70g) tomato paste 800g canned crushed tomatoes 1 cinnamon stick 2 bay leaves 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves 1½ cups (375ml) beef stock ½ cup each chopped parsley and basil 2½ cups (200g) finely grated parmesan 375g fresh lasagne pasta sheets BECHAMEL SAUCE 125g butter ¾ cup (110g) plain flour 1.25 litres (5 cups) hot milk 1 Heat oil in large heavy-based frying pan over medium heat; cook onion, celery and celery, stirring, for 10 minutes or until vegetables…

Warm roasted root vegetable salad with salsa verde SERVES 4-6 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 20 MINUTES 600g parsnips, scrubbed, halved lengthways 350g mixed heirloom baby carrots, scrubbed, trimmed 1 small celeriac, peeled, halved, cut into 1cm slices 500g small sweet potato, cut into 1cm slices 2 medium fennel, trimmed, cut into 1cm slices, fronds reserved ½ cup (125ml) extra virgin olive oil ¾ cup (180ml) verjuice SALSA VERDE 4 anchovy fillets 1 teaspoon capers ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard ½ clove garlic 100ml extra virgin olive oil 1 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped ½ cup basil leaves ½ cup mint leaves ½ cup sorrel 2 teaspoons verjuice 1 Preheat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced). 2 Place all the vegetables into a large mixing bowl; pour over the oil…

Magical fiction A Lifetime of Impossible Days by Tabitha Bird, Viking Prepare to immerse yourself in wonder, childish delight and dark, dark trauma in this unique novel from a new and important Australian literary voice. Author Tabitha Bird draws you into her constantly shifting flights of fancy and won’t let you go. Here she presents three storytellers in interweaving chapters, only they are the same person – Willa – at different stages in her life. Super Gumboots Willa is age eight in 1965, a frightened but courageous child in a shouty, disturbing house trying to protect her younger sister Lottie. Middle Willa is 33 in 1990, a mother of two struggling with the demons of her past and the guilt of what has happened to Lottie. And Silver Willa is…

More than a century before Diana, Kate, Meghan and Mary graced the royal red carpet, the first true celebrity princess was arguably Empress Elisabeth of Austria (right). At just 16 years of age, Sisi, as she was affectionately known, was swept off her feet by Franz Joseph I, heir to the Habsburg monarchy’s Austro-Hungarian empire. In April 1854, they married in a fairytale ceremony in Vienna and Sisi immediately became one of the most powerful and most talked about women in the world. She was breathtakingly beautiful with a natural warmth and shyness which endeared her to the masses and earned her the moniker ‘The People’s Princess’. The young Empress was a trailblazer; her exquisite fashion and elaborate hairstyles were copied by Viennese high society, and with every public appearance…

PILOT. RESTAURANT + BAR Shop 5/6 Wakefield Gardens, Ainslie Sophisticated dining showcasing local produce and wines. Order the prix fixe menu for an unforgettable meal. HIGHROAD Cnr Cape and Woolley Street, Dickson Popular with the locals, this modern, all-day venue is a great spot to stop for brunch, with excellent coffee and a laid-back vibe. GARDEN PAVILIONS, PIALLIGO ESTATE 18 Kallaroo Road, Pialligo A picturesque farm property serving modern Australian fare against spectacular views of rolling hills – you won’t believe you’re just 10 minutes from the CBD. MORNING GLORY NewActon Pavilion, 2/15 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra Morning Glory offer a fresh Southeast Asian spin on your favourites – think matcha hotcakes or eggs benedict with miso hollandaise for breakfast.…

Leo JUL 24-AUG 23 Lights, cameras, a trumpet flourish and roll out that red carpet as the large and in charge quartet of Mars, Venus, sun and new moon in Leo on August 1 announce this month is all about absolutely fabulous you. When you’re an influencer in the centrestage spotlight, everything you do and say has repercussions, so remember that with leadership comes responsibility. As Mercury adds even more vivid charisma to Leo, your birthday month offers spectacular opportunities to expand beyond what’s good for you to what benefits the wider world, because they’re not separate. Whatever you do this month, dreams will come true. Virgo AUG 24-SEP 23 The August 1 new moon in your house of healing gets straight down to business with a shift towards less…

Hazelnut and chocolate chip biscuit cake SERVES 16 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR (+ STANDING AND COOLING) 1¾ cups {385g} firmly packed brown sugar 1 cup {150g} plain flour 1½ cups {240g} wholemeal plain flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 egg 1 cup {250ml} milk 125g butter, melted, cooled ⅓ cup {55g} roasted hazelnuts, chopped 2 tablespoons cacao nibs GANACHE 500g dark chocolate, chopped finely 600ml pouring cream COFFEE CREAM 1 tablespoon boiling water 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules 600ml thickened cream ½ cup {80g} icing sugar 1 tablespoon cocoa powder 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Draw 8 x 18cm circles on sheets of baking paper. Turn the sheets marked-side down. 2 Combine sugar, flours, baking powder,…

LETTER of the MONTH When you think of a journalist, you think of someone looking for a breakthrough story. After reading your interview, I have concluded that Carrie’s Bickmore’s story is a breakthrough in itself (I Know What’s it’s Like to Need Help, AWW July). Her words about friendship, mental illness and the testaments of her friends solidify that there is no shame in asking for help, while the best way to have great friends is to be one. The perfect interview to read while reflecting on your own journey and encouragement to be the best friend you can be. Thank you, AWW. A. Wallace, via email A PROUD HISTORY I’m not as old as The Weekly, but I’ve been a fan since childhood. The July edition sums up what…

THE MOST FAMOUS wife of Dubai’s billionaire ruler is believed to have fled to London. Princess Haya bint al-Hussein, 45, is reportedly hiding out in an £85 million London townhouse near Kensington Palace, after escaping the desert kingdom in fear of her life, according to the BBC. Princess Haya is an Oxford-educated former Olympian, the sixth wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and mother to two of his 23 children. The Sheikh was embroiled in controversy last year when his daughter Princess Latifa vanished. As reported by The Weekly, Princess Latifa wrote to a friend that she had been mistreated and oppressed her whole life, and that women were treated as “sub-human” in Dubai. Princess Latifa made a bid for freedom, attempting to sail to India with two…

IT ’s the eve of the start of the Copenhagen Fashion Summit and there’s a lot going on behind the ancient heavy wooden gates of Frederik VIII’s Palace. The event’s proud patron, Crown Princess Mary, is preparing to host a rather exclusive welcome dinner for the key players of this annual brainstorm, and after weeks of grey drizzle the sun has obligingly come out with a bright, almost Australian, blue sky backdrop. Queen Margrethe II’s Royal Life Guards are parading outside, Her Majesty’s golden curly M insignia emblazoned on their red painted wooden gatehouses and the mirror-shined black patent bags that accessorise their dashing uniform. These young soldiers clutch rifles with sharp bayonets fixed, and beneath towering bearskin fur hats their expressions are suitably impenetrable. It’s a wonderful permanent display…

Page 30, first row, left to right: Deidre Cunningham, Qld; Max Castor, Vic; Bronwyn Winfield, NSW; Gregory Christiansen, SA; June Doyle, NSW; Christopher Colombo, overseas (OS); Lucille Butterworth, Tas; Zac Barnes, NSW; Steven Goldsmith, Qld. Second row: Philippe Fortin, NSW; Elizabeth Barlow, NSW; Madeline Bigatton, NSW; Bruce Farifax, Tas; Carole Livesey, WA; KyleeAnne Schaffer, NSW; Gregory Love, NSW; Louise Brian, NSW; Jake Bearup, WA. Third row: Revelle Balmain, NSW; Edward Faulkner, Vic; Carmel Giannasca, NSW; Daniel Mountwhitten, OS; Allecha Boyd, NSW; Richard Hadwick, Vic; Helen Barker, WA; Renee Aitkin, NSW; Christopher Chillingworth, NSW. Fourth row: Robert Neville, NSW; Eve Askew, Tas; Anna Fiore, NSW; Michelle Mills, NSW; Stanley Cooper, NSW; Penelope Smith, Qld; Kate Alexander, ACT; Sonia Naylor, SA; Donelle Newberry, WA. Fifth row: Lazaros Anastassiadis, NSW; Ellen Wilson, NSW;…

On a warm evening in February 2014, Miranda Hill received the text message she had been longing for. Her best friend’s name flashed up on her phone screen – My Megs – and as Miranda read she caught her breath. “I think something’s happening. I think tonight might be the night,” the text said. Miranda’s heart, weak though it was, began to race. Years earlier she had learned she had the same cardiovascular condition that had claimed her father’s life, and that even though medical science had advanced enough to keep her alive, her body would not be able to withstand pregnancy. It had been a cruel blow but her best friend Megan had offered to be a surrogate. Now, this text message signalled that years of testing, waiting, fear…

Standing outside the “Birthday Gates” of Clarence House, it’s impossible not to be reminded of the Queen Mother. As a child growing up in England, I remember crowds gathering every year outside these big black gates in Stable Yard Road, hoping to greet the former Queen Elizabeth who would step outside her front door on August 4 to receive birthday wishes from the people. It was one of those peculiarly British rituals which underlined the public affection for the royal family and started in 1970, continuing until Her Royal Highness’s final birthday at the age of 101. The custom resulted in the current moniker for the gates, and as The Weekly is welcomed inside for a privileged private tour of the house and gardens, currently the London home of Prince…

Sir Michael Parkinson retired from his TV interviewer’s chair 12 years ago, but he is still considered beyond compare. Today’s youth probably have no clue what the magic of “Parky” was all about, but one mention of his name and a wave of glorious nostalgia washes through anyone over the age of 40. In the UK stars hadn’t made it until they’d revealed their most intimate stories on Parkinson, while on his shows in Australia – first on the ABC then on Network 10 – the likes of Bob Hawke and Kerry Packer succumbed to the bluff Yorkshireman’s cajoling. The interviews were candid, sometimes awkward, often flirty, controversial, explosive and always fascinating as the most famous folk in the world, from Lauren Bacall to Muhammad Ali, Helen Mirren and Madonna…

1. “Buff peach-toned eye shadow (cream or powder) all over the lid, to just above the crease,” says Allison. “Use a fluffy eyeshadow brush to make it cloud-like around the edges.” 2. “Now focus the same shade underneath the eye, using a smaller brush to give a halo effect. Finish with brown mascara, top and bottom.” 3. “Smile and buff a peachy blush in circles over the apples of your cheeks, radiating out along the cheekbone to your hairline. Finish with dab of lip gloss”…

Time wounds all heals – and hands, we might add. “Nails show signs of long term dehydration, becoming brittle with ragged cuticles, especially through winter,” says manicurist Jocelyn Petroni. As we all know, lovely nails can work wonders for hands that have seen too much weather, weeding or washing up. The shape to go for, says Jocelyn, is short and natural with a gently curved edge – and a glossy red ochre is this season’s rouge noir. Mavala Nail Polish in 992 Walnut Grove and 989 Bergen, $8.50 each.…

Osteoporosis is often described as an invisible disease. We can’t see our bones. We can’t feel how strong they are. They’re out of sight, out of mind. Until they break. “Many people think osteoporosis is something that happens ‘when we’re older’ but the peak incidence of fragility (or unexpected) fractures is under the age of 75,” says Professor John Eisman from the Garvan Institute. “This is a relatively common problem in our population. And after age 75 you have a one in two chance of having a fragility fracture.” There’s a cluster effect, too. Your first fracture may mend well. However, for the next five years your risk of another fragility fracture grows two-or three-fold. The problem, say experts, is that we’re not doing enough to treat the underlying cause…

Q My newborn has been diagnosed with reflux and has been put on medication, why does it take so long to start working? What else can I do to help him? None of us is sleeping! F.L., WA. Reflux is when the baby’s stomach contents regurgigate back up the oesophagus, and pain can cause the baby to become very distressed. It usually resolves within the first year but may need medication. A feed thickener may help. Try feeding in a more upright position. The baby may be unsettled for other reasons, so check back with your GP or paediatrician. Q Is it safe to take generic medicines instead of the brand-name medicine? How can I be sure that it’s of a high quality and contains the right dosage of what…

Cooking chicken in butter and oil allows you to cook at a higher temperature. You could simply use oil, but the butter adds a lovely golden colour and flavour to the pan juices. Uncooked meatballs can be frozen for up to three months; place in an airtight container, separating the layers with baking paper to prevent them sticking together. It is important to use the right type of potato for gnocchi as varieties vary in their moisture content. Choose a dry variety and cook whole in their skins. If freezing gnocchi, do so as soon as they are shaped. Arrange in a single layer on a tray and snap freeze until gnocchi are solid (about 3 hours). Transfer to a container or freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months.…

Raspberry ricotta cheesecake SERVES 8 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES (+ REFRIGERATION AND COOLING TIME) 200g Anzac biscuits 2 tablespoons caster sugar 75g butter, melted 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind 2 tablespoons lemon juice ¼ cup (55g) caster sugar, extra RASPBERRY RICOTTA FILLING 500g cream cheese 400g fresh ricotta 1 cup (220g) caster sugar 3 eggs 125g raspberries 1 Grease a 20cm springform pan. Line the base and side with baking paper. 2 Process the biscuits and sugar until fine crumbs form. With the motor operating, gradually add the butter until well combined. Press the biscuit mixture over the base of tin using the back of a spoon. Place tin on an oven tray; refrigerate for 30 minutes. 3 Preheat the oven to 140°C (120°C fan-forced).…

Dream kitchen If you dream of the ultimate country kitchen, AGA Dual Control oven-cookers are the centrepiece you’ve been waiting for. This luxe appliance has a choice of three, five or seven ovens in 16 different colours, so any size or colour scheme is possible! Visit agaaustralia.com.au for details. Next-level caramel sauce Dark brown sugar gives a rich toffee notes due to a high molasses content. It’s not only perfect for gingerbread, cakes and winter puddings but also gives balance and depth of flavour to savoury dishes like marinades, chutneys and curries. For the ultimate caramel sauce, combine one cup of CSR dark brown sugar with 100g butter and 300ml of cream in a saucepan, stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then simmer for 5 minutes until thickened slightly.…

Debut novelist Tabitha Bird, 42, was raised in suburban Brisbane, the daughter of a concreter and stay-at-home mum. “I adored my younger sister and would tell her stories to calm her or entertain her,” recalls Tabitha. “My home was chaotic and ruled by violence and abuse. I’m thankful for my love of reading and drawing, as I often escaped into my imagination to cope.” As an adult Tabitha worked as a primary school teacher and today she lives and writes in the rural township of Boonah with her husband, three sons and chihuahua. “Boonah has been my first real home. The community out here rallied round my family and accepted us.”…

STAY Budapest: Kempinski Hotel Corvinus (for luxury), Marriott (for river views). Vienna: Hotel Imperial. EAT Budapest: Dunacorso (great location), Vak Varju E’tterem (traditional fare). Vienna: Restaurant Rote Bar (fine dining), Bitzinger Wurstelstand (for sausage!) VISIT Budapest: Fisherman’s Bastion and Buda Castle. Vienna: The Belvedere Museum and Park. WHEN TO GO In September/October for Vienna’s lively Wiener Wiesn-Fest. In December for the Christmas markets in Budapest’s Vorosmarty Square.…

Renovation reality show queen Shelley Craft has been tinkering with numerology. “Apparently this is a number six house,” she says of the home she lives in with husband Christian Sergiacomi, daughters Milla, eight, and Eadie, seven, and two Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Numerologically, six means Shelley’s house promotes love, relations and artistic expression. “Oh, that sounds so Byron Bay,” she adds with a wry chuckle. Shelley’s home is right in the heart of the NSW north coast town famous for surf, tourists, celebrities and alternative lifestyles. “It’s a house for gypsies – very fluid,” the co-host of The Block explains. A Byron Bay address usually means a constant stream of house guests, particularly in the summer months. Effervescent and friendly, Shelley loves to share her home with friends. “We do a lot…

Picture perfect Having trouble positioning the picture wire of a frame onto a nail in the wall? Slide the tines of a fork over the nail, guide the wire over the handle of the fork and onto the nail, then gently remove the fork. Sweet trick Keep cakes, fruitcakes and sponges fresh and moist after cutting by placing leftovers in a sealed container with a slice or two of white bread. Health hack If you need a humidifier to moisten dry, cold air when you have a cold or cough, three-quarters fill a slow cooker with water, heat on High until steam appears, then remove lid and set to Low, adding essential oil if desired. Do not leave unattended. Single-handed fix When you’re trying to do up a bracelet with…

I was what teachers call in educator-speak “a challenging student”. Not poorly behaved; “challenging”, not a menace to myself or others – “challenging”, more a “hey Miss, why do we stop our times tables at 12 – what about 13 and 14 times tables?” type of challenging. From the very earliest of ages numbers have made sense to me. I’ve come to believe strongly that the essence of being human, what separates us from puppy dogs and plants, is to look at the world around us and wonder … what on earth is going on? And of all the tools we have with which to examine, measure, describe and predict the world around us, surely numbers are the greatest tool in the box. I loved numbers and maths from the…

Gluten-free butterfly cakes with rainbow butter cream MAKES 12 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR. 1¾ cup (235g) White Wings gluten-free self-raising flour ¾ (165g) cup caster sugar 125g butter, softened 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ⅔ cup (180ml) milk edible icing decorations and coloured sprinkles, to decorate icing sugar, to dust RAINBOW BUTTER CREAM 250g butter, softened 3 cups (480g) icing sugar ⅓ cup (80ml) milk pink, purple and green food colouring 1 Preheat oven to 1800C (160°C fan-forced). Line a 12-hole muffin pan with patty cases. 2 Place flour, sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla and milk in a medium bowl. Beat on low speed with an electric mixer until ingredients are combined. Increase speed to medium; beat for about 3 minutes or until mixture is smooth and changed…

Coconut banana cake SERVES 12 PREP AND COOK TIME 2 HOURS butter, for greasing 250g butter, softenend 2 cups (440g) caster sugar 4 eggs, lightly beaten ¾ cup (60g) desiccated coconut 3 cups (450g) White Wings self-raising flour 1 cup (250ml) coconut cream 4 medium over-ripe bananas, mashed (about 1½ cups) 1 medium banana, extra ¼ cup (10g) flaked coconut, toasted 2 tablespoons fresh passionfruit pulp PASSIONFRUIT FROSTING 250g butter, softenend 250g cream cheese, softened 2 cups (320g) icing sugar, sifted ⅓ cup (80ml) fresh passionfruit pulp 1 Preheat oven to 170°C (150°C fan-forced). Grease 2 x 20cm round cake pans, line the base and side with baking paper. 2 Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add egg, beating after each…