The Australian Women's Weekly February 2024

Since its inception in 1933, The Australian Women’s Weekly has captured the cultural Zeitgeist, marking and recording for posterity memorable events: The outbreak of war, a royal baby, the pandemic. So, it’s with enormous pride that we bring you this special souvenir issue capturing an unprecedented moment in our history: The ascension of the world’s first Australian-born Queen, HM Mary of Denmark. There’s always been something about ‘our Mary’. It’s been 20 years since Mary Donaldson from Hobart first featured on our cover, celebrating her fairytale romance and wedding to then Crown Prince Frederik. And now, standing proudly alongside her newly-proclaimed husband, King Frederik X, Mary is finally Queen of Denmark. Still, Australia will always hold a special place in Mary’s heart.“I miss family and friends,” she once told royal…

“The adventure of life is not knowing all that is to come.” Ready for the new year I have just read the first The Australian Women’s Weekly for 2024. Seeking a magazine that would not berate me for the puddings l ate last night or my lack of exercise, I noticed Rebecca Gibney and Dawn French on the cover. I was soon inspired by words of wisdom and hope: The gutsy opal miners (Bright stars in a rugged land, AWW, January) and the brave Maureen Elliot (The gift of life). I also adored Diesel’s comment that love can be seen in “wiping down the countertops” (In brief). Thank you. Now l feel renewed, repaired and ready for a fresh year! M. Bourke, Vermont South, Vic. Kylie’s triumph I can’t begin…

Award SEASON Globes glory If further proof of Sarah Snook’s (right) talent is needed, compare her portrayal of icy heiress Shiv Roy with her charming acceptance of the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama TV series statuette.“This room is so intimidating. I’ve got to get out of here,” she laughed. Elizabeth Debicki (left), who won for The Crown, appeared astonished but thrilled. Women we love Rahimi’s rise Australia’s first hijab-wearing boxer, Tina Rahimi, has qualified for the Paris Olympics. “It just displays to the world that you can achieve anything you want,” she said. Kerr-tastrophe Australia is coming to grips with the fact that beloved Matilda Sam Kerr will be sidelined for the Paris Olympics after suffering an injury to her anterior cruciate ligament. She’s worth it L’Oréal…

Gaza: War photographer Jack Guez took a moment to pause and capture birds in flight over Gaza as a rainbow painted the sky with colour. INDIA Baby elephant walk A tiny elephant calf was photographed cuddling up to her mother after a scary misadventure. Park officials discovered the distressed calf and deployed drones to locate the herd and reunite the four-month-old with her mum. GREECE Ancient palace restored More than 2300 years after it was built, and 16 years after a restoration project began, the site of the Palace of Aigai is being re-opened to the public. The classical Greek palace is famously the place Alexander the Great was crowned King. It was built by his father, Philip II. Spain Mar makes history Mar Galcerán has made history, becoming the…

Lilly was eight years old when she came home from her school and confidently announced to her mother, Bernadette, that she wanted to work in childcare when she grew up. Lilly’s plan was no vague notion; four years later she’s already a volunteer who reads stories to the children at a local centre in Hobart. Bernadette says Lilly’s decision came after “a discussion that she’d had with the director of our local childcare centre that does before- and after-school care as well. She was very much: ‘I’m taking your job. I’ll be the director, thank you’,” she laughs. She’s proud of her daughter, now 12, who has a knack for science and has recently discovered the joy of woodworking. However, Lilly has faced barriers to embracing school as fully as…

There were tears, romance, humility and plenty of symbolism in the short but very sweet ascension ceremony of King Frederik X and Queen Mary, which ended in an unexpected balcony kiss, to the delight of the throngs below. In puffer jackets and beanies, a sea of Danes – and a few Australians – braved 2°C in Copenhagen to catch a glimpse of the newly-minted King and Queen, and they weren’t disappointed. The royals arrived at Christiansborg Palace, home of the Danish government, as Denmark’s Crown Prince Couple in a 1958 Rolls Royce, and returned to their home at Amalienborg Palace in a 19th century golden carriage as King and Queen. With none of the elaborate pomp and religious iconography of King Charles III’s London coronation last year, the proclamation of…