Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2020 i The Australian Women's Weekly

As an adventurous but naive 20-year-old backpacking through Africa with my then-boyfriend, I jumped at the chance to trek into the Rwandan jungle to see the gorillas. It was 1995 in a country where just six months earlier – while I’d been obliviously ‘finding myself’ in India – one of history’s worst genocides was unfolding. In what was grimly titled “100 Days of Slaughter”, Tutsi villagers were massacared in their hundreds of thousands by extremists from the rival Hutu tribe. It’s hardly surprising then that we didn’t encounter many fellow travellers. Instead, it was volunteers from Médecins Sans Frontières who invited us into their temporary home and, on a rare day off, joined us and an armed local guide on our trip to see the gorillas. As powerful as the…

Down on the farm THE DUCHESS of Cambridge has been talking to parents and grandparents about their little ones to promote a national discussion about the early years of life. Catherine visited a farm in Northern Ireland with her UK-wide “5 Big Questions” survey, that aims to bring about a national conversation and lasting change for generations to come. Royal updates Peter’s marriage comes to an end The Queen’s grandson, Peter Phillips, and his wife Autumn have announced their 12-year marriage is over, but they are committed to co-parenting their two daughters, and maintaining an “ongoing friendship”. Autumn met the young royal at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal in 2003 and reportedly dated him for six weeks before learning he was the son of Princess Anne. In a statement…

“I’d love to have a parcel of kids running around.” Magda Szubanski is funny. She just has to roll her eyes, strike a pose or – of course – open her mouth and everyone is laughing. Indeed, from the moment she walked into the studio for our exclusive cover shoot, Magda had The Weekly team in stitches. It’s a gift the instinctive comedienne has recently used to brilliant effect in an inspired run of Uber Eats adverts. But Magda is also hilarious in print, as I have just discovered from her new project, the first of a series of laugh-out-loud – I kid you not – children’s books called Timmy the Ticked-Off Pony. At the heart of the Timmy stories is a study of fame and what it can do…

When Greta Thunberg, the teenage Swedish climate activist, sailed into New York harbour on August 28 last year, foghorns hooted and flags flew, but few in the cheering crowd on the quayside noticed the slender young man with the cool blue eyes and blonde stubble at the boat’s helm. Pierre Casiraghi, the 32-year-old son of Princess Caroline of Monaco, prefers to keep a low profile, even on public occasions. Having safely delivered Greta aboard his $8 million zero-carbon racing yacht, Malizia II after a 14-day transatlantic crossing from England, Pierre stowed his oilskins and slipped quietly away. The clubs and salons of Manhattan held little appeal for him, and he was soon headed back to the tiny, super-rich principality, snuggled into a stretch of Mediterranean coastline, that his family has…

Jason Donovan was looking for a birthday card for a friend near his London home recently when he stumbled across one that made him chuckle. Picking it up, he took it to the counter and placed it face up. “Can I buy this,” he asked the nonplussed clerk. “He sort of looked at me and I looked at the card,” Jason recalls gleefully at the baffled look he received in return. “And I felt like saying, ‘Do you want to give me that one for free? I didn’t get paid. I’m not getting a royalty on this!’” Emblazoned with the title of their hit duet, Especially For You, the card featured the iconic wedding picture of a young Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue, taken at the 1987 nuptials of their…

Azeena Nuhumaan was 15 years old and wanted to turn her life around. It was September 2001 – within weeks of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. The day that changed America also changed Azeena forever. The teenage troublemaker began to get an inkling of the power that could be wrought both by evil and by kindness, and she knew in her heart which side she wanted to stand on. The question was how to make that shift? And would her family and the staff and students at her local high school in Sydney’s west give her the benefit of the doubt while she turned her life around? Luckily the principal of that school, Dorothy Hoddinott, was an unusual woman. At Holroyd High, she had created a groundbreaking…

• Grow native plants in your garden. • Leave a container of water in a shady spot, especially in very hot weather, and place a rock or a stick in it so small animals can get out. • Keep pets indoors at night and ensure cats wear collars and bells. •Avoid plastics, even micro plastics, which can escape into the environment and injure wildlife. • Choose recycled paper to protect native forests. • Choose renewable energy or a renewables mix from your power company to help limit the impact of climate change. • If you see an animal in distress, call WIRES, the RSPCA, a vet or another animal rescue service.…

Studying handwriting was long thought of as a way to delve into the psyche. In fact in 1991, 91 per cent of French companies still used graphologists to screen job applicants. They scrutinised the size, shape, spacing, angles, slopes, links, pen pressure and deviation from the norm to assess personality traits. While the science on this is sketchy, we do know that messy writing may be a sign of ADD and increasingly illegible scrawl could signal cognitive decline. Though more than the science, it’s the romance of handwriting that we often yearn for. “I’m an actress, a writer ... a pretty good cook, and a firm believer in handwritten notes,” said Meghan Markle before marrying Prince Harry. Handwriting is more than well-mannered, though. Research shows us that it has a…

If you’d like facial sculpting and lifting, but you’re not okay with needles, the IntraOral Facial Massage by Isabella Loneragan could be for you. There’s the loveliness of a classic French facial: pillowy bed, puffy blanket, warm steam, deep cleansing. Then Isabella starts to knead out knots in my jaw, smooth tension across my forehead and press into my brow bone. Soon, the gloves go on and I feel fingers inside my cheeks. The aim is to unlock stiff joints and loosen tension in the facial muscles, where we often hold stress. Afterwards I look glowy, as you do after a French facial, and feel pummelled, as you do after a massage. There’s a definite sense of “shift” and the release in jaw muscles is real. NB. The Intrinsic Facial…

The challenge of pelvic floor health problems came into sharp focus in recent months when the Federal Court handed down a judgement in favour of more than 1200 Australian women in a landmark class action over pelvic mesh implants. The mesh implants were used in surgical procedures to treat women with prolapse and urinary incontinence, but left many women with chronic debilitating pain or recurring infections. Since the mesh debacle, women are searching for more conservative and non-surgical but low risk, effective options for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and urinary incontinence. So, what is POP? One in two women have a degree of POP, where the ‘sling’ of muscles and ligaments supporting the pelvic organs (bladder, bowel, uterus and cervix) drop down with age or vaginal childbirth.…

Tick of approval Ticks can bug the whole family, fur babies included. While researchers are investigating the link between tick bites and Lyme disease, they can cause other illnesses as well as tick paralysis in children and pets. It's important to remove ticks as soon as possible. Here’s how: 1. Freeze (kill) it with an ether spray, then wait 10 minutes. 2. If it doesn’t fall off, grip it at the skin with surgical tweezers. 3. Gently and smoothly ease the tick out. Never too late Just five key habits hold the key to a longer, healthier life, according to new Harvard research studying thousands of adults. • Don’t smoke; • Exercise 30 minutes daily; • Keep a healthy BMI below 25; • Drink moderately; • Eat a healthy diet.…

Cook and freeze pumpkin quiches MAKES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES 4 sheets shortcrust pastry 900g butternut pumpkin, chopped 1.5cm 2 cloves garlic, sliced thinly 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh sage, plus extra to serve 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil ½ cup (125ml) milk 4 eggs, beaten lightly ½ cup (60g) frozen peas 100g fetta, coarsely crumbled 1½ tablespoons pine nuts 30g mixed baby salad leaves beetroot relish, for serving 1 Preheat oven to 220°C (200°C fan-forced). Oil four 9cm x 12cm oval pie tins 1½ cups capacity. 2 Combine the pumpkin, garlic, sage and oil on an oven tray lined with baking paper. Season. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove, cool. 3 Meanwhile, line pie tins with pastry, leaving about 1.5cm overhang; press into side.…

Mix and sift the dry ingredients together to ensure they are fully combined. Using a stand mixer with the paddle beater attachment, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until thick and pale. Beat well until the sugar has almost dissolved. (You can also use a handheld electric beater.) Continuing to beat, gradually add oil and beat until well incorporated. While continuing to beat on low speed, alternate between adding other wet ingredients (milk, juice, etc.) with dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, etc.) in 3 lots; beat until just combined. In a separate bowl, using the whisk attachment on medium speed, whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining sugar while continuing to whisk on medium speed, and whisk until they are just stiff…

Easy apple pies MAKES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 20 MINUTES 385g can apple pie slices 2 tablespoons caster sugar 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 sheet frozen shortcrust pastry, thawed 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed 1 egg, beaten lightly 1 small pink lady apple (100g) (see tips) 2 teaspoons cinnamon sugar 1 Drain canned apple over a small bowl; reserve 1½ tablespoons of juice; discard remainder. Combine apple, reserved juice, caster sugar, rind and cinnamon in a medium bowl. (Makes 1¾ cups.) 2 Lightly grease and preheat a 4-hole (⅓-cup/80ml) pie maker. 3 Using pastry cutter provided, cut four large rounds (11cm) from the shortcrust pastry and four small rounds (9.5cm) from the puff pastry. Line prepared holes with shortcrust pastry rounds, pressing…

STAY Why not spend an extra night or two in Renmark and explore the Riverland? Places to stay include the Murray River Queen (a refurbished riverboat moored in the centre of town with a terrific Thai restaurant) and the Renmark Hotel on the waterfront. Just out of town, The Frames offers luxury accommodation and breathtaking Riverland views, while Paringa Resort has comfortable family cabins. Houseboat rentals are available from Wilkadene Station and River Murray Houseboats. Renmark is a three-hour drive from Adelaide; 1.5 hours from Mildura Airport in NSW.…

READER’S PRIZE HINT To remove persistent suncream stains that have made a perspex pool gate cloudy and white, rub gently with a cutting car polish and buff with a clean cloth. S. Burt, Fitzroy, Vic. Travel companion Wet a couple of reusable make-up remover pads with micellar water and seal in a ziplock bag for face cleaning when travelling. Rinse and re-use at your destination. Shake it off To clean inside a narrow-necked vase or bottle, put in 2-3 tablespoons of coarse rock salt, add a good splash of white vinegar, shake until glass is clean, then rinse. Mind the gap Apply a small self-adhesive velcro dot between buttons on a shirt band that gapes. Tight fix If you wind a little steel wool around a screw that keeps coming…

• When lighting your homemade citronella candle for the first time, let it burn for long enough to create a full pool of melted wax to the edges. This helps it burn evenly later. • It will be easier to clean the Pyrex jug if you do it while it’s still warm. • Other types of wax, various wick sizes and essential oils have different properties and may burn differently, so use these instructions as a guide only, if using products other than those suggested. • Never burn your candle for longer than 3-4 hours at a time. • Never leave candles unattended and always keep out of reach of children and pets. • Use on a heat-resistant surface and stop burning once wax is 20mm from the bottom of…

Dubliner Anne Enright, 57, grew up on her mother’s tales of the glamour of the city of her youth and says her latest novel, Actress, “is a bit of a love letter to that old Dublin when the theatre was one of the more exciting places to go”. Anne was always a writer but as “an interruption” became a TV producer/director before returning to her main passion 30 years ago. She has won many awards including the 2007 Man Booker for her novel The Gathering. The prize secured her writing life and she happily notes “gave me a huge increase in readership”. She currently lives in Dublin with her husband, two children and a dog.…

Historical romance THE DRAGON LADY by Louisa Treger, Bloomsbury The guests of honour at the party held at Eltham Palace by Stephen and Virginia Courtauld were recently crowned Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson. Once a royal palace, it was leased to the Courtaulds who moved in with Ginie’s pet lemur Mah-Jongg. In this fictional replaying of the Royal visit, Wallis leans in to ask, “That marvellous snake [tattoo] on your ankle … I love it!” In 1930s London, “foreign divorcee” Ginie was outcast, despite the King being in her social circle. The Courtaulds left post-war Britain for Rhodesia in the 1950s. But their liberalism in opposing racial segregation wasn’t welcome. Still the Marchioness with the “dragon tattoo” and Sir Stephen left major philanthropic achievements. Family saga THE SEVEN OR…

A COURAGEOUS LEGACY Jill Emberson’s story touched me deeply (When pink meets teal, AWW, February). What a brave, selfless woman. Although very ill with the dreaded ovarian cancer, Jill had the strength and determination to do something positive and think of others. A lot is done towards breast cancer, and how right it is that “the disease that whispers” should receive more awareness. I hope the campaign supports courageous Jill’s legacy. My heart ached reading of her death. May she rest in peace. F. Rooney, via email. LOVE BEFORE DUTY What a beautiful cover photo (right) of a young Prince Harry and his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales (AWW, February). Yes Harry, protect your family and live the life you want. Family first. D. Cooke-Ford, via Instagram. FOR THE FUTURE…

DANCING QUEEN Sydney’s Stephanie Kurlow, 18, is one step closer to becoming one of the first professional ballerinas in a hijab after touring with The Wiggles. SHE’S A STAR NASA astronaut Christina Koch has secured her place in history books after spending 328 days orbiting earth in the space station, the longest mission for a female. DELHI LIE IN Across Delhi, women are taking group naps in public parks to reclaim their ownership of a city where rapes have skyrocketed in recent years.…

Mother of the bride-to-be, Sarah, Duchess of York, said she had “tears of joy” when her eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, became engaged to Italian property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Sarah had known Edo since he was four – “his brother is my godson” she said – and was thrilled he would now be her son-in-law. There’s no doubt the proud mum will be shedding more tears when the couple ties the knot in what will be a private and intimate wedding for close family and friends on Friday, May 29. It’s going to be a beautiful ceremony for Princess Beatrice, 31, and the exceedingly dashing Edo, 37, who will be saying “I do” in the Chapel Royal in St James’s Palace. Many royals have married in this very special chapel…

There’s a fantastic opening two lines to 9 to 5, the theme tune Dolly Parton wrote for the ground-breaking 1980 comic movie which Dolly later transformed into a stage musical, that always stop me in my tracks. “Tumble outta bed and I stumble to the kitchen/ Pour myself a cup of ambition.” It’s genius! Somehow Dolly manages to bring a gritty positivity to the battle of sexes while also being ironic, all to a thigh-slapping beat. And as I talk to the global sensation that is Dolly Parton, I constantly catch sight of the razor-sharp mind and wry sense of humour, cloaked in those famous perky Southern vowels and big hair, that power this country music icon. “That’s one of those lines as a songwriter when you just think, thank…

Over a lavish assortment of cakes, Jean Kittson is gently teasing her nonagenarian parents as they prepare for The Weekly’s photo shoot. Or is it the other way around? This is familiar territory for the comedienne, writer, actor and public speaker who first shot to fame on ABC television’s The Big Gig in the late 1980s. For her mother and father, Elaine and Roy, it’s less routine but they are handling the unaccustomed spotlight with poise and a hefty dose of humour. “Now you know it’s not all glamour – those poor movie stars on the red carpet, having to suck everything in and stand up straight,” Jean smiles to her 94-year-old dad, a former mechanic and lifelong Mr Fixit, as she jokily stage manages the mood. “How about you…

The last known letter from Brenda Hean was sent to her niece late in the winter of 1972, shortly before her mysterious disappearance. In it, Auntie Bren – as all the nieces called her – thanked Diane Rex for hosting her on a recent trip to Melbourne, delighted in Di’s young son, Philip (“never known a more intelligent or loveable child”), extolled her freshly permed hair (“Great improvement. Helps a lot.”) and wrote excitedly about an upcoming “wonderful adventure”. On September 8, she planned to fly from Hobart to Canberra in a World War II Tiger Moth to lobby federal MPs to save Lake Pedder, a pristine glacial lake in Tasmania’s south-west wilderness. Refined, perfectly coiffed and in her early sixties, Brenda made an unlikely eco warrior. Yet something about…

Mentorship can be a simple, informal relationship between colleagues, friends or family, or it can be a more formal arrangement. Here are just a few examples: • If you’re interested in becoming a mentor for Raise in either the Bump program for young mums or the In School Mentoring program, you can find out more at raise.org.au/volunteer. • If you’re a young mum, or you know one, who could benefit from having a mentor, you can register interest at raise.org.au/portfolio/bump. • To help children from refugee backgrounds achieve their dreams, contribute to Dorothy Hoddinott’s Refugee Scholarship Fund. Visit sydneycommunityfoundation. org.au/find_a_fund/dorothy-hoddinott-ao-fund.…

The scientists and ecologists we’ve spoken to have been impressed by the community and citizen science groups springing up around the country. Karina Waterman is a member of one of those groups, the Coomera Conservation Group, which was set up to help the koala population in an area of the Gold Coast that’s rapidly urbanising. Members trained to become rescuers of sick and displaced koalas, wrote submissions and met with politicians – “any we could get a hold of really”. Then, last December, their efforts bore fruit. The Queensland Government announced there will be no new developments within 570,000 hectares of a “koala priority area” in south-east Queensland. The community at Toondah has also rallied. They’ve fought against a proposed marina that would destroy the habitat of shorebirds that fly…

“Flourishes are like accessories for letters,” says Brenna Jordan in The Lost Art of Handwriting. “Like jewellery, scarves and shoes, flourishing ties a piece together, creating a wow factor that brings basic to the next level.” Here are her top tips: ALWAYS THINK BIG When creating larger, sweeping flourishes, utilise your whole arm, not just finger movement, for a more natural-looking effect. LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES Apart from ascenders and descenders, capitals and letters with crossbars (t) are also conducive to flourishing. The beginnings and ends of words also work well. STRIVE FOR BALANCE Words like Friday, which contain both an ascender (F) and descender (y) nicely spaced, are ideal for flourishing practice since balance is more easily attained. TRY IT! The following exercise with the words chocolate and beautiful shows…

Bold prints If you like your fashion with a side of fun, a print with a punch is your wardrobe go-to. Opt for a classic silhouette and pair with block colours or neutral tones to let your retro print become the focal point of your out›it. Gone to rust Call it the new neutral, rust tones are in›initely wearable and have an informal elegance. Gold and chocolate coloured accessories blend perfectly with this palette. White out A trans-seasonal hero shade that lends itself to unexpected styling. Keep it clean and minimal in tonal or mix with upbeat coloured and/or textured accessories. Soft pastels These sweet looking hues can be incorporated with almost any colour. Either mix and match with other pastels or try brighter colour shades for a side of…

Keihl’s Ultra Facial Cream 125ml, $84 Formulated with glacial glycoprotein to deeply hydrate and squalane to strengthen and restore skin’s moisture barrier. Lancome Tonique Confort 400ml, $90 Honey and sweet almond extracts leave skin feeling soft and hydrated. Christian Dior Capture Totale Super Potent Serum, $215 A luxurious update on the classic serum based on floral extracts. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% B5 30ml, $12.90 Combines 3 types of hyaluronic acid to deliver multi-depth hydration. NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1 15ml, $90 This unique blue serum (thanks to the copper peptide) promotes the production of collagen and elastin in skin. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex, $105 Features concentrated repair technology to protect and restore the eye area. All products available at Myer.…

We should exercise our pelvic floor muscles once a day, though shorter sessions might be easier at first. Start by sitting or lying down, eventually working up to standing. The pelvic floor muscles are tricky to ‘isolate’ (or switch on) so if in doubt see a pelvic floor physiotherapist or continence nurse. Visit jeanhailes.org.au for more. 1 Tighten the pelvic muscles as if you’re ‘holding on’ and draw them up inside. Don’t push down, hold your breath or squeeze your bottom or legs. Count slowly to three. Let your muscles go completely and count to six. Repeat up to 10 times. 2 Once you’re comfortable with these, try tightening for a count of six to eight. Then try some shorter, harder squeezes, working up to 20 in a row. 3 Eventually…

Q My 15-year-old daughter has POCS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and was put on the Pill to regulate her periods. Is POCS serious and can it be cured? S.P., NSW. PCOS is a hormonal condition associated with irregular periods, excess facial and body hair, acne, overweight, reduced fertility and an increased risk of diabetes. It requires long-term lifestyle management with strict attention to diet, weight control and exercise. The contraceptive pill may be prescribed to regulate periods but does not solve all of the problems. Medication to help with insulin resistance and assist with weight loss may be prescribed, such as metformin. There are long-term health implications if it is not carefully managed. Q My father has trouble walking but he refuses to get a walker or cane. How can I…

TIPS We used flathead fillets here, but you could use snapper, ling, whiting or blue-eye trevally, if you like. If you don’t have an ovenproof frying pan, transfer the fish to an oven tray lined with baking paper before baking. Serve with extra baby gherkins or cornichons, if you like. Sage leaves fried in a little olive oil are a delicious garnish for serving with the quiches. Defrost frozen quiches in refrigerator overnight before reheating in a moderate oven. Have everything prepared before you start to cook. Use brown rice instead of jasmine, if you like. Chicken supremes are chicken breasts with the skin on and wing bone still attached. Use the remaining chickpeas in a salad or freeze in a snap-lock bag or container.…

Sweet potatoes with chickpea tabbouleh SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 20 MINUTES 4 small sweet potato (1kg) (see Tips) 400g can chickpeas, drained, rinsed, chopped coarsely 2 small tomatoes (180g), chopped finely 1 Lebanese cucumber (130g), chopped finely 2 green onions (green shallots), chopped finely ½ cup small mint leaves (see Tips) ½ cup (130g) hummus 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil ¼ teaspoon sumac 1 Pierce the sweet potatoes a few times with a sharp knife. Microwave on HIGH (100%) for 8 minutes or until soft. 2 Meanwhile, combine chickpeas, tomato, cucumber, green onion and mint in a medium bowl; season. 3 Whisk hummus, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl until smooth; season to taste. 4 Cut sweet potatoes lengthways…

TIPS Use a mandoline or V-slicer to cut the unpeeled apple into thin slices; slice at the last moment to avoid apple discolouring. These apple pies are best served on the day they are made but will keep stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. We used 7 fresh lasagne sheets measuring 15.5cm x 29.5cm; if you buy smaller sheets, you will need more. Freeze any leftover lasagne sheets and bolognese sauce for up to 2 months. Top pie-making tips Size matters Most pie makers are designed to make four individual pies and are similar to operate. The main difference lies in the size of the pies they make. One of the most popular-sized machines makes ⅓-cup (80ml) pies; however, there are also machines…

GET ON BOARD The bushfires that threatened Port Macquarie had receded by the time peak tourism season arrived, but the damage had been done. “I’m grateful we’re not on the south coast, but it definitely affected tourism,” says Corey Enfield of Soul Surfing, which offers surfing, yoga, art therapy and healing retreats (see soulsurfing.com.au). If you’re heading there for a #RecoveryWeekend, you can visit the nearby Koala Hospital to check on the progress of its patients. See koalahospital.org.au Road trip to the Shoalhaven Just two hours from Sydney and Canberra, you can enjoy: Beautiful beaches galore: take your pick from those at 100beachchallenge.com. Wine tours: the Shoalhaven’s many cellar doors include Two Figs and Coolangatta Estate. Coffee and cake: Try Hyper Hyper in Nowra for the caffeine, Milkwood Bakery in…

For some people, their first home is their ‘forever’ home, renovated or redecorated only once a decade or so. Other people are free spirits who change their surroundings whenever the mood strikes. Interior designer Bronnie Masefau is in the latter camp. Originally from Brisbane, Bronnie, her husband, A.J., and their children – Isaiah, 21, Nate, 19, and Kayziah, 16 – lived in various addresses in Melbourne over a span of 13 years, ranging from a heritage-listed house to an apartment “a stone’s throw from the National Gallery of Victoria”. Yearning to be closer to family, the Masefaus decided to return to the Sunshine State in 2016. “Prior to moving to Melbourne, my parents lived with us on a property in Samford Valley [about 40 minutes’ drive from Brisbane],” says Bronnie.…

Tip 1: Remove the rush The terms ‘retail therapy’ and ‘buyer’s remorse’ are well known, but what you may not know is that these emotions are driven by the same brain chemicals at play in addiction. When we’re bargain hunting, our brain releases dopamine, which gives us a shopping high. “It’s about slowing down and finding mechanisms to do that,” financial planner and author Kate McCallum says. Rules to short-circuit this thrill, she says, can ensure your savings aren’t being frittered away. “I got an email the other day from an activewear company. The designs were beautiful and they were on sale.” She felt herself being drawn to the buy button. “I picked a few things and I put them in the cart and then I logged out. By…

Food investigation THE FATE OF FOOD by Amanda Little, Bloomsbury With a subtitle: “What We’ll Eat in a Bigger, Hotter, Smarter World”. reporter Amanda Little discovers how food giants are producing specially sealed products for families to lay down for the future. “Of all the places I’ve visited the Pot Pie room [in Salt Lake City, Utah] is one of the most surreal I’ve seen.” Steel machines and a funnel the size of a dumpster pump out “a grayish blend of freeze-dried potato chunks, carrot, celery, onion, peas and whey protein”. She imagines her children, grown-up, surviving underground on pouch meals. What will be on the table for Thanksgiving 2050? Family memoir HER KIND OF LUCK by Michelle Balogh, Brio Books Michelle Balogh traces the life of her…

Floral tale The Tulip: The Story of a Flower that has Made Men Mad by Anna Pavord, Bloomsbury This exquisite hardback is an investigation into the passionate back story of the beautiful tulip. It’s a tale of greed and desire, power and anguish as the tulip heads on its journey from Asian wild flower to take Western Europe by storm. Originally published 21 years ago, the book became a surprise bestseller and this new edition is stunningly updated. ©RHS Lindley Collections. The Tulip: The Story of a Flower that has Made Men Mad is on sale now. Romance Wife After Wife by Olivia Hayfield, Piatkus King Henry VIII is the very loose inspiration for this rollicking tale of womanising mogul Harry Rose, number 18 on the Forbes rich list who,…

It’s where our best, brightest and funniest have their say. Dear Parents and Caregivers, Now that we’ve had a few weeks to settle into the school year, I thought I would write to say how much I’m enjoying working with your children, watching them grow and learn and change. There’s a restless kind of beauty to these first few days of a school year; haircuts are admired, playground friendships reignite, little ones turtle along with too-big backpacks, new shoes trudge into line and broad-brimmed hats shade bright young faces. Such beauty, such treasures: our children are just so special. Every child is special. I truly believe that. That’s why I became a teacher. I want children to grow up knowing that they matter, that they are important in this world…

I have seen many moving and poignant images from the bushfires, but the one that leapt from the pack and brought me to tears was that of a Muslim community service group donating their time in support of the firefighters and bushfire victims (Black Summer special, AWW, February). They would have felt the blowtorch of intolerance in the past but despite this they have still been able to rise above the hate against them and prove beyond doubt that they are Australians. M. Wouters, Bundaberg, Qld.…

THE BEGINNING of Kirk Douglas’s life was as dramatic as his Hollywood career that spanned seven decades. Born to penniless immigrants after his father fled conscription into the Russian Tsar’s army in 1916, Issur Danielovitch Demsky grew up selling snacks to mill workers to earn money for food. He put himself through drama college by working as a professional wrestler and adopted the name Kirk Douglas. Legend has it that his classmate, Lauren Bacall, was responsible for his big break, mentioning him to a director while Kirk was appearing in stage productions after an injury cut his WWII naval service short. His on-screen charisma was undeniable and he went on to light up the screen in more than 80 films. Spartacus is certainly his most famous role, but he also…

Jessica* had undergone two bruising rounds of IVF when she decided to switch doctors. With her first failed attempt being followed by a traumatic miscarriage, her treatment was proving to be tougher than she’d expected. Her body was bloated and sore from the hormone injections, but she had pulled herself together and focused on the baby she longed for. She was at an early scan with her husband, feeling good about her decision to change clinicians, when her new doctor made an alarming comment. “She was looking at my follicles and saying, ‘That’s okay. Have sex tonight, and then have sex tomorrow,’ and we were sitting there confused,” Jessica, 37, recalls. “She said, ‘Sorry, is that confusing? You need to have sex.” Jessica had to remind her doctor that her…

Michael Rowland says his knees literally “quivered” when he proposed to the love of his life, fellow journalist Nicki Webber. It was late December back in 2001. Oh what a night! to quote a seasoned Frankie Valli song. The ABC News Breakfast anchor is a self-confessed music tragic, so it’s tempting to add a soundtrack to his life story, although his song of choice would be slightly more blokey. He cites The Rolling Stones, Midnight Oil, The Beatles and Cold Chisel among his top of the pops. He actually took Nicki to a Stones concert on the night son Tom was due. “We hadn’t bought tickets naively thinking the baby would be born on its due date,” recalls Nicki. But when a colleague couldn’t use their tickets Michael couldn’t resist.…

In the car on the way to the prison, the crew was unusually quiet. We were due at the prison at 9am to see Bernard McGrath, a former brother of John of God, now a convicted paedophile, serving 39 years for crimes against children. No one knows, or likely ever will, the total number of his victims but we knew of more than 50 children, molested and raped while he was Brother Bernard, a teacher and headmaster in residential schools run by the Catholic order of St John of God in Australia and New Zealand. Throughout the rolling scandal of clerical child abuse in Australia, the voice we have not heard is the voice of the perpetrators. I wanted to speak to these men to ask them face-to-face how they…

T’was the eye roll I noticed first. She quickly followed this with a jaw drop and a loud exhalation worthy of Puff the Magic Dragon himself. Hands went to hips, head tilted to the side and then the words that no mother wants to hear. “Thanks, Mum, but I didn’t ask for your opinion. I think this looks good on me. I don’t tell you what to wear, do I? So I don’t think you should tell me.” She relegated me to the pouf outside the change room where I sat idly but yet contemplatively reflecting on this milestone moment. What happened to my darling girl, my sweet compliant Miss who dutifully wore all the outfits I’d purchased her without complaint? The child who happily modelled tartan skirts with white…

SANS BEAST founder Cathryn Wills wanted her range to reflect her stance on animal welfare and the environment. Sans Beast’s collections are 100 per cent vegan, ethical, design-led and versatile. Sans Beast bag, $199. Denim that is saving lives Created by Aussie couple James and Erica Bartle, Outland Denim began as a way to provide employment to young women who had experienced sexual exploitation and abuse by providing an income, basic skills, dignified work and a viable career pathway. A favourite with Meghan Markle and Leonardo DiCaprio, Outland Denim is creating positive change for some of the world’s most vulnerable women along with ethically produced, long lasting fashion items. Visit outlanddenim.com. au for more information. A lunch date with The Weekly Grab a friend and join The Weekly and some very…

We may think of muscle relaxants as blunt tools to freeze frowning, but they’re also used to freshen up the face in more subtle ways, says Natalie Abouchar, registered nurse ›nd director at Privée Clinic: SLIMMING “Teeth grinding builds up the masseter muscles and injecting there can slim the jaw in six to eight weeks, while protecting teeth and reducing headaches.” LUMINISING “Botox is mixed with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C and injected into the skin instead of the muscles to reduce pore size, redness and fine lines. This is sometimes called skin Botox or mesotherapy.” LIP FLIP “We can reduce puckering and smoker’s lines by focusing on four injection points along the top lip, which flips it up.” BROW LIFT “Instead of targeting above the brows to stop your…

We first saw luxurious collagen creams in the ’80s before learning the molecules are too big to penetrate skin. Now, there’s collagen in pills, powders, drinks and snacks. What is collagen? A structural protein that makes up almost 80 per cent of our skin. It’s what gives you a nice firm, fresh complexion. However, we lose 1 per cent per year starting in our 20s and more with sun exposure, smoking and pollution. How do we take it? Pure collagen peptide powders are odourless, tasteless and can be mixed into any drink, hot or cold. But which type? “Marine collagen has type 1 which is suited to beauty,” says Dr Jaroslav Blazek, PhD in Food Science. “It’s rich in amino acid hydroxypropoline, which is essential in skin, and hence used…

Whether we’ve had prolapse or not, we all need to take care of our bladders, according to Jean Hailes. That’s because those occasional tiny leaks you may notice after childbirth can get worse. Plus, the oestrogen drop that comes with menopause makes women more susceptible to prolapse. DO: hold on Going before you really need to go can eventually weaken your bladder. That’s because pre-emptive peeing (such as before leaving the house) conditions it to hold onto less and less urine. DON’T: stand for it Your bladder relaxes better when you sit on the toilet. In public, put down some loo paper or a disposable toilet seat. DO: stop leaks A few drops, even during a run, is not okay because it will likely get worse. Consult…

Zesty yoghurt potato salad with salmon SERVES 4 PREP AND COOK TIME 35 MINUTES 1kg kipfler (fingerling) potatoes, scrubbed, halved lengthways 100g pancetta 1 tablespoon olive oil 4 x 150g skinless salmon fillets, pin-boned 2 stalks (300g) celery, trimmed, leaves reserved, sliced on the diagonal ZESTY YOGHURT DRESSING ½ cup (140g) Greek yoghurt ½ bunch chives, chopped finely, plus extra to serve 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind, plus extra to serve 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 Cook potatoes in a large saucepan of salted boiling water for 10 minutes or until tender; drain. Cover to keep warm. 2 Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Cook pancetta for 3 minutes each side or until crispy; drain on paper towel. 3 Wipe frying pan clean.…

TIME TO GO BUSH The Buy From the Bush campaign (now with over 215,000 Instagram followers) was set up by Grace Brennan after a friend suggested a ‘buy from the bush’ Kris Kringle late last year. It aims to create connections between city consumers and bush businesses. Visit buyfromthebush.com. au for a selection of fashion, homewares and food like @thedilltickle pickles and jams pictured. In season Figs Sink your teeth into these luscious purple fruits. Perfect in sweet and savoury recipes, they’re best served simply. Drape with thin prosciutto slices, grill with a little brown sugar or bake into an upside down cake. They’re best eaten on the day of purchase but to store, arrange in a single layer on a paper-towel lined plate and refrigerate until ready to serve.…

It’s an hour before sunrise and we’re drifting in the dark across the Murray River. The runabout thuds against the far bank and six sleepy travellers disembark, stamping feet, blowing steam, wrapped in scarves and gloves and beanies. We begin our winding, upward climb by torchlight, then find a path that meanders along the rust-red clifftops. There, with slabs of carrot cake and mugs of strong tea, we watch the sun cast its first light across the green, grey and ochre floodplain below. The four-day Murray River Walk is one of the iconic Great Walks of Australia. It covers the internationally recognised Riverland Ramsar wetland in South Australia, a breeding ground for rare birdlife and forests of ancient, towering river red gums that grow to 700 years old. Each night’s…

The harbour water is rippling rather charmingly, which is fitting given this is Aotearoa’s ‘windy city’. Tourists are seated along the waterfront boardwalk, stretching out their legs to the blue sky, while bohemian uni students pass by in earnest conversation. Here on the southerly point of New Zealand’s North Island, perched between the mountains and the sea, Wellington crams a lot of character and creativity into its compact frame. The melange of Kiwi friendliness and surprising sights makes it ideal for a weekend ‘over the ditch’. Saturday: on the waterfront The waterfront is clearly the jewel in Wellington’s crown. It’s been boardwalked, signposted and decorated with artworks and plaques to within an inch of perfection. Start with a dip at the beach in Oriental Bay – unusually close to the…

You will need Makes 1 candle Glass tumbler 80mm high x 77mm diameter or similar (must be heat-resistant and not too large) 250g soy wax, melted (approximately 2 cups wax shavings) 10ml citronella fragrance or essential oil Wick (longer than the depth of the tumbler) Double-sided tape or hot glue to hold wick in place Wooden wick holder Pyrex jug Wooden ice-block stick for stirring Pot to use as double boiler Candy thermometer Candle-making items available from craft stores such as Spotlight. Label, twine and heat-safe glue like super glue for porcelain (optional) 1 Start with a clean work surface. Measure and lay out all the ingredients before starting (A). 2 Use a piece of double-sided tape or hot glue to secure the wick to the bottom of the jar.…

Literary fiction Actress by Anne Enright, Jonathan Cape Almost everything about famous Irish actress Katherine O’Dell was fake. She wasn’t Irish, her name wasn’t O’Dell, her titian hair wasn’t red, but she did love her only child, Norah, who in turn adored her mum. That reciprocal love, though, is far from blind and as Norah retells her mother’s life, it is cracks and all. The world of Katherine and Norah unfolds in a swirling whirlpool of stories in this lyrical, sometimes bitingly witty, ponderous and engrossing novel from the brilliant, genuinely Irish novelist Anne Enright. It is a place of grease paint and putting on a show, of drunken nights and inappropriate lovers, of violence and loneliness and ultimately of an extinguishing of the light. “I have been waiting to…

Girl With A Pearl Earring author Tracy Chevalier tackles the clandestine toiling of the real-life women who sacrificed leisure time to stitch the complex cushions and hassocks (kneelers) for Winchester Cathedral in the 1930s in this brilliant bittersweet novel. Adorned with Mary Tudor, Richard the Lionheart and embroidered on canvas, the pieces even had a special benediction service when presented in the house of God. Fictional Violet Speedwell, 38, has been engaged forever and just moved out of the suffocating house she shared with her miserable mother. She works as a typist in a stuffy office, but her pay doesn’t stretch to a hot meal after she’s paid for heating and hot water in the house where her landlady serves poached eggs for breakfast every day and lodgers hang stockings…