The Australian Women's Weekly September 2025

The new film Kangaroo is not only a wonderful snapshot of Australian spirit. Behind the scenes it’s also been an inspiring lesson in mentoring for much-loved actress Deborah Mailman AM and newcomer Lily Whiteley (above). We met the pair during NAIDOC Week, and Deb shared how she not only feels stronger than ever at 53, but how she is ready to pass the baton to a new wave of talent. “It’s all about looking after the next generation and taking care of them. It’s our duty,” Deb told Deputy Editor Tiffany Dunk in the feature on page 32. Looking after others and ourselves is the theme for our annual health and wellness issue. And in support of this, we are thrilled to soon be hitting the road for a Women’s…

THE AUSTRALIAN Women's Weekly Sophie Tedmanson EDITOR DEPUTY EDITOR Tiffany Dunk CREATIVE DIRECTOR Joshua Beggs FEATURES News & Features Editor Samantha Trenoweth Senior Writer Genevieve Gannon HEALTH & BEAUTY Health & Beauty Editor Ashleigh Austen STYLE Style Director Mattie Cronan Market Editor Lilly Veitch ART & PHOTOS Shoot & Photo Director Jane Vincent Senior Designer Madeleine Wright Senior Designer Jennifer Mullins FOOD – WOMENSWEEKLYFOOD.COM.AU  Food Director Frances Abdallaoui  Food Digital Managing Editor Sarah McInerney  Digital Content Producer Chanel Gellin DIGITAL – WOMENSWEEKLY.COM.AU  Digital Editor Orlaith Costello  Senior Content Producer Tia Thomas  Social Content Producer Jessica Parker TRAVEL  Travel Editor & Chief Copy Editor Bernard O’Shea COPY  Deputy Copy Editor Bronwyn Phillips  Deputy Copy Editor Nicole Hickson  Copy Editor Georgia Moore REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS  Alley Pascoe (Books), Amanda Blair (Columnist), Chrissie Swan…

Letter of the month I’ve just read Neysa King’s story (“I graduated as a nurse at 70”, AWW, August). Thank you for covering it in The Women’s Weekly. And a big thank you to Neysa King for reminding me that older women still have much to give at any age. As part of the ‘sandwich’ generation and current redundancy squeeze, your example shows a pathway of contribution and wisdom relevant to the workforce and life. We need more of these vibrant stories to keep us all shining bright. Lane Cove, NSW. A relatable tale I’ve always loved hearing what Sussan Ley (How a leader was born, AWW, August) has to say and strongly believe that her time to shine has come. Her story of her mother’s passing at the time…

Royal CELEBRATION George turns 12 This photo was released for Prince George’s birthday. “12 today!” the social media post read, along with a video of the prince playing with his siblings. Prince George is second in line to the throne, after Prince William (see page 40 for more). Women we love Literary Libby AFLW player Libby Birch has kicked off a new career, with a kids’ book, Libby’s Footy Adventures. “Girls deserve to see themselves in stories,” she said. A lifetime of care Proud Wiradjuri woman Dr Sally Goold OAM has been remembered as a trailblazer, the first Aboriginal registered nurse in NSW and vital to establishing the Aboriginal Medical Service in Redfern. Ukraine’s top woman Ukraine’s new Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, 39, says she will focus on weapons production…

India It was an act of simultaneous Savasana. Thousands of people across India took part in the International Day of Yoga. The USA Royal splendour Marie Antoinette’s famed pink diamond has set a record at auction. The 10.38-carat kite-shaped fancy purple-pink diamond sold for $14 million after a fierce bidding war. The UK Swan Upping The King’s annual swan census has taken place on the Thames. Held every year to assess the health of the swans, the Swan Uppers weigh and measure the cygnets, and check for injury, in a tradition that dates back to the 12th century. The UAE Road to joy A kilometre of highway in the UAE plays Beethoven’s ninth symphony, known as Ode To Joy. The rumble strips, which alert drivers they’re drifting, are designed to…

Vale Peter Russell-Clarke 1935-2025 G’day and goodnight Australia’s first celebrity chef as well as author, cartoonist and TV personality, Peter Russell-Clarke has passed away aged 89. “Adieu, Peter Russell-Clarke – the loveable larrikin artist and gentleman,” said long-time friend Beverley Pinder. Emmie Silbery 1929-2025 Reality TV favourite Gogglebox favourite Emmie Silbery has been lovingly remembered by her granddaughter, Isabelle. “She was 96, an orphan, a nurse, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, the oldest woman on TV, a great grandmother, an author and so much more.” Julian McMahon 1968-2025 Fans, friends and former colleagues paid tribute to Julian McMahon after learning of his death at the age of just 56. The Australian actor had been privately battling cancer, his wife Kelly revealed in a statement to US entertainment news outlet…