The Australian Women's Weekly November 2023

Every Australian over a certain age will remember where they were when the verdict in the Azaria Chamberlain murder case was read out. News of the disappearance of Lindy and Michael Chamberlain’s daughter at Uluru had gripped the nation, sparking frenzied coverage and outlandish speculation. The story of the baby taken by a dingo took on mythical proportions – an iconic landmark, a wild predator, a child sacrificed in the wilderness. Through all the hysteria and lies, Lindy – grieving for her daughter – maintained her dignity, composure and innocence. Her subsequent guilty verdict and sentencing was a dark moment in our history. Over the years, The Weekly has followed Lindy’s story, including her exoneration. Today, a devoted grandmother, Lindy is determined that such a miscarriage of justice should never…

“You can’t cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” Lesson in resilience Flying to Queensland to look after my elderly mother, I took the October Women’s Weekly. We’ve enjoyed reading about many iconic, resilient women together. AWW has been part of our lives since the 1960s and never fails to inspire. Mum loves poring over the fashion pages and recipes. Sharing this issue has been great therapy. Thank you! J. Lingard, Ocean Grove, Vic. Striking a chord Bravo to The Australian Women’s Weekly in mentioning the A-list actors who picket the Hollywood studios in their effort to protect jobs of actors and writers (In Brief, AWW, October). A special cheer to Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and Meryl Streep who’ve donated to the unions’…

Royal PETS Queen’s corgis carry on Sarah Ferguson has provided an update on the Queen’s adored corgis, Sandy and Muick, a year after they lost their beloved owner. “I am delighted to say they are thriving,” Fergie said. She has provided frequent reports on the dogs since adopting the pair.“I think they’ve been trained by [the Queen] to be so gentle,” she said in April, revealing the corgis sleep in royal dog beds with crowns on them and enjoy digestive biscuits. Women we love Diviney’s debut Congratulations to Women of the Future finalist Hannah Diviney on her book, I’ll let Myself In. “This is basically my heart in ink and paper,” the writer and activist said. Actors’ app Elise McCann (Matilda, left) and Lucy Durack (Wicked, right) have created a…

Greece: A rare blue supermoon is captured rising above the Temple of Apollo in Ancient Corinth. The next blue supermoon will be in 2037. MEXICO Alien claim refuted Mexican congress was presented with two figures self-proclaimed “UFOlogist” Jaime Maussan says are alien mummies that were found in Peru. Critics were quick to label the move a stunt. The hubbub comes as NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope discovers signs of life on a planet 120 light years away. THE NETHERLANDS Masterpiece recovered A three-year search for a stolen Vincent van Gogh painting has ended with an art detective being handed an IKEA bag containing the artwork. The piece, worth millions, was snatched from a Dutch museum at the start of the pandemic. France Butchery ban The French government is again attempting…

Rachel Ward is making coffee, preparing a shoulder of lamb for dinner and washing up. At the same time, she’s checking that her cows are settling on the banks of the dam behind the house – their gentle mooing a soothing soundtrack – and disappears every so often to help with the horses in the paddock out the front. Husband Bryan Brown wanders in from the verandah for a cup of tea before settling at the dining table and, as we chat, both he and Rachel transform into twinkly-eyed besotted grandparents when Anouk, two, and Zan, four, run past barefoot and half-dressed. “Who would have guessed being a grandparent is so much fun,” says Rachel. “I’m Mopey and he’s Grandpa.” The sun-kissed white-haired siblings are the children of Rachel and…

In the past month, while reflecting on a tumultuous year for the House of Windsor, I have been repeatedly asked about the future of the monarchy and how things will change in a post-Elizabethan age. While we have yet to see the new King on Australian soil, the handover from mother to son in the UK has been much smoother than many anticipated, and Charles’ popularity is holding firm. This was not a given – the respect and elemental love for the late Queen is a hard act to follow – but let’s not forget the decades of meticulous preparation that have led up to this moment, as well as the benefit of King Charles’ unprecedented experience. So far, His Majesty has kept a reassuring hand on the tiller as…