The Australian Women's Weekly July 2025

Jane Fonda is not only a fearless actress, activist and all-round powerhouse, she’s a champion of women supporting women. “I exist because I have my women friends. They make me stronger, they make me smarter,” our cover star has said. For this issue of The Weekly, Jane spoke to our News and Features Editor Samantha Trenoweth from Cannes where she celebrated the L’Oréal Paris Lights on Women’s Worth Award (page 22). At 87, Jane is still breaking boundaries. And as a L’Oréal Age Perfect ambassador for almost two decades, Jane is a role model for women of all generations. Her unwavering commitment to causes close to her heart reminds us all that it’s never too late to stand up, speak out, and stay curious. This month we also feature some…

Letter of the month I can’t stop smiling since reading the story about The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book (Happy birthday to an icon, AWW, June). It brings back so many happy memories. I purchased that book in 1985 and my children used to love choosing their birthday cakes from it. Over the years I have made 34 of the cakes and some more than once. I’d like to thank those ladies in the Test Kitchen, they must have had a wonderful time creating those cakes. The book may not have been a success in Australia when first published, but in my family it was a huge success. Even though my copy is now looking very tired, it is still a treasure. Kiama, NSW. Twin lives Hello Chrissie…

EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES The Australian Women’s Weekly, GPO Box 4178, Sydney, NSW 2001, phone (02) 9282 8000, visit womensweekly.com.au The Australian Women’s Weekly is published by Are Media. SYNDICATION ENQUIRIES syndication@aremedia.com.au Published by Are Media Pty Limited (ACN 053 273 546), 54-58 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. © 2025. All rights reserved. Printed by IVE, 1 Huntingwood Drive, Huntingwood, NSW 2148. ISSN 0005-0458. The Australian Women’s Weekly may have generated content partially using generative AI, which our editors review, edit and revise to their requirements. We take ultimate responsibility for the content of this publication.…

Chelsea GIRLS Flower power “I’m trying to look like a garden,” Dame Joanna Lumley (left) said as she posed for photos during her visit to The King’s Trust Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. The King’s Trust garden will be relocated after the show to west London where it will be maintained by young people enrolled in King’s Trust programs. The trust thanked Joanna and Cate Blanchett (right) for their ongoing support. Women we love Stella win Michelle de Kretser has won the 2025 Stella Prize for her novel Theory & Practice, which judges called “a sharp examination of the complex pleasures and costs of living”. Endo in sight Australia will become a leader in endometriosis research after the Ainsworth family, led by Anna and Lily (above), committed to donating…

South Africa Grand-models Proving beauty is ageless, Maria Molefe, 72, and Alinah Tshonisile, 77, compete in the Sukuma Mbokodo Support Group’s Elderly Beauty Contest in Thokoza. Switzerland Cows moo-ved Fifty-two heifers have been hoisted to safety, after a helicopter was brought in to remove them from the path of a landslide. The Alpine bovines were evacuated from Blatten, Switzerland. Japan Water waived Tokyo’s government will waive basic water utility fees for residents of Tokyo this summer in order to offset the high costs that can come from running airconditioning. Heatstroke claimed 263 lives last summer. Denmark Ageing out The age of retirement in Denmark will gradually increase from 67 to 70 by 2040. The retirement age dictates when citizens can be eligible for the government funded “folkepension”. Slovenia Lost first…

I often wake up to the ABC in the morning and news of the new Pope was the first thing on. I let out a great cheer! I’ve always found Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost to be a great mentor and guide. He certainly has the qualities and the breadth of experience for this role. He’s a very down-to-earth, ordinary man. Intelligent, perceptive and attentive to people. Very much a person of integrity and highly qualified. As Pope Leo XIV, I believe he will be a unifying leader for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. He is one of the finest leaders I’ve ever come across. He’s profoundly respectful of different points of view, a great listener, but he will make hard decisions when needed. We first became friends when he was…