The Australian Women's Weekly May 2024

When Princess Catherine courageously revealed to the world that she was receiving preventive cancer treatment – which we report on in a 10-page special from page 22 – it struck a chord with many families around the world who have dealt with cancer. Certainly, it did with me. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It is estimated that almost two in five Australians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, and over one million Australians currently live with cancer, or beyond cancer. My beloved mum, Deirdre, is one of those one million. She was diagnosed with breast cancer during the COVID lockdown in 2020. Having to hear her news over a video call and not be able to give her a hug was…

“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” Beacon of inspiration The article about Jennifer Robinson (A Law Unto Herself, AWW, April) was inspiring. My overwhelming feeling was of how far women have come in the male dominated field of law. My mother-in-law was one of two women at Sydney University studying law in 1935, in the same year as Gough Whitlam. Jennifer is testament to public education and the ability to rise above imposter syndrome. In a time when many high-profile people are letting us down, Jennifer is a beacon of inspiration. J. Bowles, via email. A heartbreaking loss I recall the shock of hearing about the death of Karen Carpenter (She’d Only Just Begun, AWW, April). The Carpenters’ songs were everywhere in the…

Stadium SELLOUT P!nk smashes sales records P!nk has beaten the Australian record for most ticket sales by a female artist. She celebrated the milestone by sending huge love to her local fans. “Australia and New Zealand I love you and I love it here. You get me, and you always have. We’ve grown up together over the last 20 years.” P!nk sold almost a million tickets to her Summer Carnival tour. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you,” P!nk wrote. Women we love Our new GG Business leader Samantha Mostyn pledges to represent the “values, hopes and aspirations of all Australians” when she becomes the next Governor-General. Senator Wong weds Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong (right) wed long-time partner Sophie Allouache (left) at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister…

The UK: A football with a remarkable “beard” of A football with a remarkable “beard” of barnacles has won the British Wildlife Photography Awards. The ball was seen in Dorset. IRAN Ancient beauty A classic red lip is timeless and a recent archaelogical find reveals just how enduring this beauty trend is. A stone pot of red lipstick discovered in Iran is estimated to be 4000 years old. INDIA Ringing in spring All over India, the streets were awash with a rainbow of powdered dye as Hindus celebrated Holi, the festival of colours. Holi is a day of joy that marks the arrival of spring. The streets turn into a chaotic, colourful party as people throw neon powder called gulal. The US Honey, it’s a bee boom America’s honeybee population…

Eurovision 2024 Australia’s Eurovision entry, Electric Fields, will drop a musical love bomb on Sweden when they perform in Malmö this month. At a time when the world seems irreparably torn, the Adelaide duo’s euphoric dance anthem, One Milkali (One Blood), “is an invitation to make it rain love,” says keyboardist/composer Michael Ross (right), “and to get soaking wet with kindness, respect, connection and knowing that we’re all leaves on the same tree.” The song will introduce the world to Zaachariaha Fielding’s (left) mesmerising vocals and to Yankunytjatjara, one of the languages that he grew up with in Mimili in the far north-west of South Australia. “We’ve been asked by our country to make magic in Malmö,” Zaachariaha (who is also a Wynne-Prize-winning arist) tells The Weekly, “and I want…

Marikit Santiago was in kindergarten when a visitor came to teach her class art. He instructed the students to trace their hands and when they were done, he showed Marikit’s work to the class. “I was terrified. I thought I was in trouble,” Marikit says. But the teacher wanted to praise her illustration, to which she’d carefully added fingernails, and feathery wrinkles around her knuckle joints. Marikit thought, “Oh, maybe I’m good at this.” But the life of an artist never seemed within reach. While Marikit’s parents, who had migrated from the Philippines, encouraged her creativity, they wanted her to have a secure and stable career. “They were like, ‘There’s no money in art.’ And it’s still true. I guess for them they made this sacrifice for us to have…