The Australian Women's Weekly April 2022

Reflecting on the month that was, it’s clear that the good news cycle we all so desperately need and deserve is not yet upon us. We lost another Aussie legend too soon in cricketing star Shane Warne (page 18), and devastating scenes from the floods at home and the war on Ukraine shocked us to our cores. All told it has been hard to hold onto that sense of New Year optimism and hope we had pinned to 2022 (or was that just me?). However, it was not only the horror and the loss that had me in tears in recent weeks – it was also the heartwarming displays of community and kindness. We saw solidarity and protests around the world in support of the Ukrainian people, including on the…

“A good half of the art of living is resilience.” - ALAIN DE BOTTON Inclusivity How wonderful to see a mainstream publication highlighting so many accomplishments across the disabled community in Australia. As a mother of two young children with rare disabilities, the stories of Dr Olivia Ong (My story, AWW, February) and Boston Inia (The healing power of music, AWW, February) were a joyous and insightful read. I do hope the rhetoric of aspiring to develop “typically” ends and instead we can simply appreciate the many and varied ways that we as the human race exist. S. Fisher, Calala, NSW. A revelation Oh my goodness, Pat McDermott, I have been reading your column since those five children of yours were little nippers. To finally discover that the famous M.O.T.H.…

I am a long-time reader and subscriber to The Weekly. Now in my mid-70s, I can say nothing has touched me as deeply as the Going under story of the people of Telegraph Point (AWW, March). I am aghast that 12 months later, insurance companies have not finalised claims and got people back in their homes. Your article has prompted me to raise this with the Resilience team headed by Shane Fitzsimmons. Something has to change. I thank you and your team for the well-written article.…

Flood of courage The loss has been devastating, but hope can be found in the hearts of community members in flood-hit regions. “Everyone’s just got their heads down. We’ve had teams of volunteers and neighbours and friends helping each other,” says Lismore councillor Vanessa Ekins. She’s speaking from the heart of the destruction, amid gutted buildings in her town’s centre. Stories have emerged of retailers sleeping in their businesses so they can be there for their communities. A butcher put on a barbecue for anyone in need of nourishment. Resilience and grit are on show across NSW and Queensland. “There are some people who have been so traumatised by this they won’t be living back down on the flood plains, there are others who will say, ‘This is my house,…

“... because my safe word is ‘harder’.” Sonia Kruger raised eyebrows during her commentary on DWTS. “Don’t over-pluck your eyebrows, and just know that somehow you eventually grow into those teeth.” Dannii Minogue dishes out advice to her younger self. “It blows my mind people get up, they go to work every single day, living a mundane and boring life.” Locky Gilbert during his stint on SAS Australia. “I don’t walk under a ladder. If I see a magpie, I salute.” Victoria Beckham on her superstitions.…

UNITED KINGDOM Mystery mosaic A 2000-year-old Roman mosaic has been uncovered during an excavation in London at the site of a new skyscraper. It is the largest mosaic to be uncovered in the past 50 years and is believed to have once been a part of a Roman dining room. Jewel justice Six men are about to stand trial after making off with £95 million ($169 million) worth of 18th-century jewels. The heist took place back in 2019 at the Dresden Green Vault. UNITED STATES The future is bright One hundred and twenty of the most incredible female minds are being honoured in the form of bright orange statues. The exhibit, #IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit, will be displayed at the Smithsonian and features researchers from all areas of science, technology…