The Australian Women's Weekly March 2025

Naomi Watts is not only one of Australia’s best actors, but is now inspiring women around the world by speaking openly about menopause. As she tells her good friend Laura Brown – a fellow Aussie expat who interviewed Naomi for our cover story (page 24) – like most women she initially felt fear and professional vulnerability when going through menopause, which she did at the early age of 36. Naomi was blindsided by what was happening, but she decided to embrace it. Menopause awareness has now become Naomi’s mission, one that has seen her launch a wellness brand focused on menopausal health. She’s also written a refreshingly candid book, Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I’d Known About Menopause, which is aimed at taking the secrecy and shame out…

Letter of the month I was the proprietor of a milk bar in Geelong from 1984 until 1986, and what a wonderful experience it was. My stock included the usual treats listed in The shop around the corner (AWW, February), however the best part was the friendships made. I came to know my customers by name, heard their stories, and to this day I am still in touch with many of them. If only there could be a resurgence of the local milk bar! Port Douglas, Qld. Cuddle carer It was a delight flipping through the February issue and seeing volunteer Jenny Summerson (“I’m a professional baby cuddler!”, AWW). I work closely with Jenny; she’s as genuine in person as she is on paper. Her dedication brings an immense sense…

A royal LIFE Milestone birthday Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has entered her sixties with strength and confidence, as seen here in this new portrait to celebrate her birthday. As patron of over 70 charities and organisations, she champions gender equality and supports people with disabilities. Her interest in women’s rights has recently focused on the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls, and the positive role women play in building peace. Women we love Record breaker “Strength doesn’t depend on gender,” said Xie Ting, 22, from China, after she broke the world record for most pull-ups in a minute by a female, doing 44 pull-ups. Roan’s rise US singer Chappell Roan has won Triple J’s Hottest 100. Her hit Good Luck, Babe! received the highest number of votes in…

THE UK Fastest hat wins Competitors line up for the best hat race at the Cold Water Swimming Championships in south-west London. The event features almost 100 races in water that’s 5.5 degrees celcius, including breaststroke in your favourite chapeau. KENYA Bending over backwards Two giraffes play and groom each other at Nairobi National Park in Kenya. Giraffe populations have been declining in recent years, with giraffes in Kenya struggling amid the severe drought in the Horn of Africa. Kenya Wildlife Service has been working hard to protect the majestic creatures. India Tigerland India’s efforts to protect big cats from poachers has paid off, with the number of tigers in India doubling from an estimated 1706 in 2010, to 3682 in 2022. Seventy-five per cent of the world’s tigers live…

“Women don’t just stop having sex when they get older.” As I’m waiting for Rachel Griffiths to arrive at The Weekly’s office, the publicist for the show she’s here to promote – Nine’s new series Madam – promises the veteran star is “really down-to-earth”. And that’s proven the moment Rachel’s car pulls up; she waves off her driver from opening her door, doing it herself. Then she goes in for a hug instead of the traditional handshake. It feels like we’ve been friends for years rather than strangers meeting for the first time. Aside from her friendly demeanour, another thing about Rachel is clear: She’s very proud of Madam and is keen to know what audiences think. As soon as we’ve taken her beyond the lobby and exchanged a few…

Royal REPORT Golden moments Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, have introduced their new daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose (left), to the world. William, Prince of Wales, had a water fight after extracting water from a local pond to see what was living in it (top left). King Charles, Denmark’s King Frederik X and Queen Mary (right) joined world leaders at the Auschwitz-Birkenau German concentration camp to mark 80 years since the liberation of the notorious death camp near Brzezinka, Poland. Untold STORY Joan Collins to portray last days of Wallis  Joan Collins, 91, will play Wallis Simpson in a new biopic. “I am thrilled about the challenge of playing this iconic woman,” she said.…