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The $9 Kmart hack that Aussie travellers swear by

Packing a suitcase is a task that can prove to be quite challenging as you struggle to fit in all your essentials. However, Aussie travellers are now singing the praises of a $9 Kmart product that they claim is their secret trick to organising their suitcase before they travel. Kmart shoppers are encouraging others to purchase ‘packing cubes’ so they can save both time and space when they prepare their luggage for a trip. <img style="width: 306px; height:254px;" src="/media/7820902/1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/c9d743d8ec7b4c67a075b4558d4152b1" /> The light-weight zip-up bags come in a set of three and allow travellers to compartmentalise their essentials inside a suitcase. Many travellers have revealed how much space the packing cubes saved in their suitcases. “I took this travel opportunity to use the $9 packing cubes and I have to say, I am gobsmacked. So impressed with how much I can fit in my suitcase using them,” a woman, who runs Kmart Styling Facebook page, said. “I love the idea of these cubes – I know where all my things are, they’re easy to access and put back and the best news of all … I still have plenty of room left in my suitcase so I can shop and buy some more stuff to bring back home.” Another said: “Great for organising and can fit so much when clothes are rolled or folded correctly.” One shopper explained that they use their cubes in various circumstances, including organising their nappy bag essentials. “Love love them! Use them for everything and have three sets. I use the smallest pouch to organise my little ones nappy bag essentials,” she wrote. The cubes have also helped travellers keep their belongings neat and tidy once they arrive at their destination. “We found the packing cubes meant NO MORE searching for anything and having to re-pack and re-sort continually. Very much like a suitcase filing cabinet,” one person told <a href="https://www.escape.com.au/">Escape</a>. Another revealed: “My suitcase has never been so neat, compact and organised. Group together items; seasonal, dirty, underwear. Packs can be placed straight into the hotel wardrobe for easy access and then pop back into the bag quickly and easily.” What is your best packing trick? Let us know in the comments below.

Travel Tips

The bizarre royal wedding rules Princess Eugenie has to follow

In just under a month, the second royal wedding of the year will take place as Princess Eugenie says “I do” to Jack Brooksbank on October 12. The youngest child of Prince Andrew and The Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson is planning for her big day to be a royal wedding extravaganza, with the ceremony taking place at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, just like her cousin Prince Harry. But before the 28-year-old can enjoy the lead-up to her big day, there is a royal wedding protocol checklist that she needs to make sure is met. According to Evening Standard, there are 17 rules that Eugenie must follow on her big day. Some of the rules are quite standard, such as the bride having to wear a white dress and a tiara. However, one of the more peculiar rules is that her wedding bouquet needs to contain myrtle – a tradition that has been carried out by every royal bride, including Duchess Meghan, since Queen Victoria walked down the aisle. The royal bride is also expected to lay her bouquet at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, although it is not known where this must occur before or after the reception. Another royal protocol is that the royal family must always sit on the right-hand side of the church and that the bride’s ring must be made of Welsh gold. Although many royal weddings have been televised over the years, it has been reported that BBC <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/the-bizarre-thing-prince-andrew-is-trying-to-do-for-princess-eugenie-s-wedding/">turned down the offer</a> to cover her big day over fears the ratings would be low. “The BBC was approached because they have a special relationship with Buckingham Palace and a formula that works,” an unnamed source told the Mail on Sunday. “But they turned it down because they don’t think enough people will tune in and that there isn’t enough support for the Yorks.” The palace is yet to confirm where Eugenie’s star-studded wedding will be televised.

Relationships

The pain of being misdiagnosed with Alzheimer's

Martin can recall, all too clearly, the day he received the devastating diagnosis of advanced Alzheimer's. He left the consultant's office, trying to understand how profoundly his life was going to change. It is 10 years since Martin, who "does not want to use my full name in case people who do not know me well start wondering if I really am all right", had become anxious enough about his forgetfulness and short-term memory loss to go to his GP. He was referred to the dementia clinic under a consultant at a London teaching hospital and in 2010 began two years of regular brain scans, while a psychiatrist performed detailed yearly cognitive tests. He was reassured by the knowledge that if something serious was taking place it would be identified. But during this time, Martin, 74, and his wife agree, his memory and cognitive ability did not seem to deteriorate. The consultant who had been monitoring his condition said she wanted to put Martin on galantamine, medication that is supposed to slow the progress of Alzheimer's, but is not a cure. In order to do this she had to give a formal diagnosis: "She said my hippocampus was riddled with sticky plasma of the kind indicating Alzheimer's, and I felt I had to trust her judgment." <div class="sics-component__ad-space sics-component__ad-space--storybody "> Martin and his wife asked to see the scans showing how the disease had progressed so they could understand. The consultant said she did not have the equipment to show them. At this point, Martin said he wanted a second opinion, but, while he waited for a referral, his wife remembers he "became depressed and withdrawn; neighbours commented on it, too. I can see now what a profound effect the diagnosis had on him psychologically." He adds: "From the moment I saw myself as an Alzheimer's patient, I began to dismantle my life and my dreams of the future." He retired from publishing three years early and cut back on plans he had made, from voluntary work to adventurous holidays. It was several months before his first appointment with consultant neurologist Dr Catherine Mummery at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London – when things changed quite dramatically. "She spent an hour talking with me, discussing a range of topics, and asking other testing questions. At the end, she said she did not believe I had Alzheimer's." As the hospital's clinical lead for dementia services, Mummery "quite regularly" sees people who have been misdiagnosed with dementia. Alzheimer's, she explains, is only one form of brain disease causing dementia and globally there is misdiagnosis of between 20 and 30 per cent of dementia cases. "Alzheimer's can be a complex condition to diagnose and there are no clear national figures on misdiagnosis," says Mummery. "Nor is there such a thing as a 100 per cent test. Martin was given a diagnosis on the basis of a PET scan of his brain; however, there are a number of conditions from menopause to depression or schizophrenia, where changes may take place in brain metabolism, so caution is needed. "If someone comes to me with an Alzheimer's diagnosis, I believe in doing my own tests and making my own judgment," she says. "Individuals will often not question the diagnosis they are given, as they expect the doctor to be accurate, due to their expertise. I would estimate that we see several cases a month where the diagnosis [should be] of another dementia, or where we have to retract the dementia diagnosis [altogether]." In Martin's case, she says: "I saw him three times and there were no changes, so I felt confident telling him categorically he did not have Alzheimer's. I continue to see him and there are no changes six years after the initial diagnosis." Unhelpfully for those living in the shadow of the disease, post-mortem diagnosis is still the "gold standard for providing definitive evidence of Alzheimer's", Mummery explains. Yet, as no cure or effective treatment for the disease exists, early diagnosis is essential because some drugs can delay its progress and help preserve quality of life for as long as possible. Dr Sara Imarisio, head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, says that with "only 60 per cent of those estimated to be living with dementia having a formal diagnosis, and rates varying across the UK, it's important that healthcare professionals understand the signs. Memory tests, brain scans and spinal fluid samples taken by lumbar puncture can reveal changes linked to the early stages." It is estimated that by 2025 there will be one million people in the UK with dementia, and it is the thing over-60s fear most, which means the importance of investment into improving diagnosis of Alzheimer's cannot be overstated, says Dominic Carter, senior policy officer at the Alzheimer's Society. "We have made big progress in getting accurate diagnosis, but there are not enough of the best clinical tools for getting the most accurate information," he says. "And further research is needed into how we approach misdiagnosis with all the distress it causes." In 2016, researchers from St Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Canada, revealed the results of a preliminary study of inconsistencies between clinical and autopsy diagnoses in more than 1000 people listed in the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center database. "Even with all the latest diagnostic methods, the discrepancy between the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and the pathological diagnosis is about 20 per cent," said adjunct scientist Dr David Munoz, the senior researcher. He and his colleagues found that 78 per cent of the patients they studied had a correct diagnosis in the clinic, which was confirmed in an autopsy of the brain. Nearly another 11 per cent didn't have a formal Alzheimer's diagnosis, yet were found to have had the disease. Roughly the same percentage of those diagnosed with Alzheimer's in the clinic did not actually have the disease. A false positive diagnosis can occur when, for instance, someone has depression and exhibits symptoms very similar to Alzheimer's. Others may have brain markers of Alzheimer's but never go on to develop the disease. Distress doesn't begin to describe the despair Martin felt at his diagnosis, but nor, he says, did having it revoked instantly make everything all right. "In one sense it was a relief, of course, but in another I just didn't know what to think. Could I really trust that Dr Mummery had it right?" he says. "I felt very bewildered, unsure of everything and my mood remained low, which is not like me. I've always been very upbeat, busy, interested by life." When Martin's confusion and sense of being psychologically displaced did not lift, Mummery referred him on to a clinical psychologist, with whom he has rebuilt his confidence and faith in a good future. "She helped me see that when something like my diagnosis happens, you have to regain the ability to be the person you were before." It was tough for his wife as well: "I felt a sense of relief but I had also had to adjust to the idea that Martin would become less and less of the man I knew. A diagnosis like that is such a weight to bear." A weight that has been lifted sufficiently, at least, for the couple to be taking a special holiday next month. A full stop at the end of an ordeal, it is, they say delightedly, "a celebration of getting back a life we thought had been taken away". Written by Angela Neustatter. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/teach-me/107159531/the-pain-of-being-misdiagnosed-with-alzheimers">Stuff.co.nz</a>. </div>

Mind

Barley, pea, mint and spinach risotto

Fibre-rich barley lends a more toothsome bite to risotto than the traditional arborio rice, creating a hearty, comforting dish. Serves: 4-6 Ingredients: <ul> <li>3 cups frozen baby peas</li> <li>100g baby spinach leaves (any hard stems removed)</li> <li>2 cloves garlic, crushed</li> <li>2 tablespoons chopped mint, plus extra whole leaves for garnish</li> <li>3 tablespoons olive oil</li> <li>4-5 cups vegetable stock</li> <li>1 medium onion, finely sliced</li> <li>1 cup pearl barley</li> <li>½ cup white wine</li> <li>60g grated parmesan</li> <li>2 tablespoons lemon juice</li> <li>Extra olive oil and parmesan for garnish</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>Place peas in a pot of cold water with a little salt. Bring to the boil, cook for a minute then drain and run under cold water.</li> <li>Place spinach in a pan with a little water and cook until wilted. Drain and remove as much water as possible.</li> <li>Place 2 cups of the cooked peas in a blender or food processor with the spinach, crushed garlic, mint leaves and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Process until well blended. </li> <li>Place stock in a pot and heat to a low simmer. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a pot over medium to low heat, add onion and cook until transparent.</li> <li>Add barley and stir-fry 2 minutes. Add wine and cook until it evaporates. </li> <li>Add the hot stock about ½ cup at a time, stirring occasionally and simmering until the stock is absorbed before adding more. Continue until the barley is soft but still has some bite, about 40 minutes. The mixture should be slightly liquid.</li> <li>Gently stir in puréed pea mixture, reserved whole peas, parmesan and lemon juice. Set aside for 5 minutes before serving, drizzled with a little olive oil and garnished with shaved parmesan. </li> </ol> Written by Bernadette Hogg. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz">Stuff.co.nz. </a>

Food & Wine

The hilarious A-Z guide on the perils of ageing

Barbara Binland is the pen name of a senior, Julie Grenness, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. She is a poet, writer, and part-time English and Maths tutor, with over 40 years of experience. Her many books are available on Amazon and Kindle. Retirement Alphabet Soup! Here is an ode to say, Retirement Soup for us today! A is for aging with attitude, We are feisty old chicks and dudes! B is for bronchitis, cough and blow, And for bursitis, where did vigour go? C is for COPD we were stoking, With all our youthful smoking. D is for diarrhoea, No doctor wants to know ya! E is for euthanasia, Some geriatrics’ fantasia. F is for the flatulence part, Yes, we are grand old farts! G is for the geriatricity stuff, We got old, suck that up! H is for halitosis for us, Listerine is good, no need to fuss. I is for Imodium’s task, All you do is the chemist ask. J is for jellybeans, eh? Been to the pharmacist, let’s say, Brought the lolly trolley today! K is for our kids who also grow old, Us they tell what to do, be told! L is for laxatives for that constipation, The flip side of grey consternation. M is for MRI scans and tests, All clear, we hope, that’s best. N is for negative Normans around, Wish grey positivity would abound. O is for obesity sighs, Cellulite for all our thighs! P is for pappa’s don’t preach, Lard butts so out of reach. Q is for hope we don’t go queer, No dementia here yet, dears. R is for Retirement years, We race on, switching gears. S is for that sexuality bit, Hope you made memories of blips! T is for testicles, you can’t see ‘em, Do oldies belong in museums? U is for ultrasounds, Our medical tests do abound. V is for Ventolin inhalers for us, Breathing disorders cause a fuss. W is for the water works, Fluid tablets are the worst! X is for more X-rays today, Got a photo of my bad back, yah! Y is for that yellow jaundice for oldies, Bilirubin levels make us feel mouldy. Z is for this human zoo, No rocking chairs for me and you! That’s your alphabet soup today, Welcome to our new old age!

Retirement Life

New research shows bigger banks are worse for customers

Elizabeth Sheedy is an Associate Professor of Financial Risk Management at Macquarie University. Yet again, the Hayne Royal Commission has brought disturbing news of misconduct toward customers of our largest financial institutions. This time <a href="https://www.afr.com/business/banking-and-finance/financial-services/cba-faced-157-million-penalty-over-super-breaches-20180814-h13xn0">super accounts have been plundered</a> for the benefit of shareholders. Recent <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3210206">research</a> from economists at the United States Federal Reserve suggests this problem is not unique to Australia. If true, this supports the argument that larger financial institutions should be broken up or face more regulatory scrutiny. The researchers found that larger banking organisations are more likely than their smaller peers to experience “operational losses”. And by far the most significant category (accounting for a massive 79%) within operational losses was “Clients, Products and Business Practices”. This category captures losses from “an unintentional or negligent failure to meet a professional obligation to specific clients, or from the nature or design of a product”. When a bank is caught out engaging in misconduct toward customers, it is required to make good to customers – the so-called process of remediation. It’s a category that perfectly captures the issues under review in the royal commission. Operational losses also include things like fraud, damage to physical assets and system failures. <a href="https://www.afr.com/opinion/columnists/banking-royal-commission-nabs-playbook-for-repaying-super-fees-20180807-h13nkh">In recent weeks</a> we have heard a lot about Australian banks having to compensate customers. The cost to the bank is, however, far greater than the dollar value received by customers. The administrative costs of such programs are significant, and then there are legal costs and regulatory fines. While no-one feels sorry for banks having to suffer the consequences of their misconduct, regulators monitor these losses due to the possibility that they may increase the chance of bank failure. Another aspect of the Federal Reserve’s study is the size of the losses. One example is where the five largest mortgage servicers in the United States reached a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mortgage-settlement/u-s-banks-agree-to-25-billion-in-homeowner-help-idUSTRE81600F20120210">US$25 billion settlement</a> with the US government relating to improper mortgage loan servicing and foreclosure fraud. In another example, a major US bank holding company paid out over US$13 billion for mis-selling risky mortgages prior to the 2008 crisis. Settlements of this size have simply not occurred in Australia. Why larger banks? One might assume that <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/economiesofscale.asp">economies of scale</a> – reduced costs per unit as output increases – also apply to risk management. The larger the organisation, the more likely it has invested in high-quality, robust risk-management systems and staff. If this holds, then a large bank should manage risk more efficiently than a smaller one. The possibility of unexpected operational losses should then be reduced. Larger financial institutions might also attract greater regulatory scrutiny, which might help to improve risk-management practices and reduce losses. But the reverse seems to be true, <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3210206">based on the analysis of American banks from 2001-2016</a>. For every 1% increase in size (as measured by total assets) there is a 1.2% increase in operational losses. In other words, banks experience <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/diseconomiesofscale.asp">diseconomies of scale</a>. And this is particularly driven by the category of Clients, Products and Business Practices. In this category losses accelerate even faster with the size of the bank. This could be the result of increased complexity in large financial institutions, making risk management more difficult rather than less. As firms grow in size and complexity, it apparently becomes increasingly challenging for senior executives and directors to provide adequate oversight. This would support the argument that some financial institutions are simply “<a href="https://www.afr.com/news/politics/national/royal-commission-banks-are-too-big-to-manage-20180421-h0z2b4">too big to manage</a>” as well as “too big to fail”. If bigger financial institutions produce worse outcomes for customers, there is an argument for breaking up larger institutions or intensifying regulatory scrutiny. Is the same thing happening in Australia as in the United States? The case studies presented by the royal commission suggest it could be, but it’s difficult for researchers to know exactly. Australian banks are not required to publicly disclose comprehensive data on operational losses. APRA may have access to such information, but any analysis the regulator may have done of it is not in the public domain. Perhaps this issue is something Commissioner Hayne should explore. Written by Elizabeth Sheedy. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. <img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/101371/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />

Money & Banking

Iconic Aussie pubs you cannot afford to miss

It would be un-Australian to not bend your elbow at one of these iconic Aussie pubs if you are passing through. 1. The Prairie Hotel, SA Voted Australia’s Number 1 Outback Hotel by Australian Geographic magazine in 2016, the Prairie Hotel in Parachilna draws thousands of visitors each year for its stunning Flinders Ranges location, artisan accommodations and highly unusual menu. While the gourmet bush foods change seasonally, the signature dish, available year-round, is the FMG – feral mixed grill – and basically means if you can kill it, they’ll grill it. Kangaroo, wallaby, emu, goat, camel, rabbit … are expertly complemented by locally sourced native ingredients such as quandongs, native limes and bush tomatoes. For a truly unique Australian pub food experience, what could be more adventurous? 2. The Ettamogah Pub, NSW When Australian cartoonist Ken Maynard scratched out his first doodles of the Ettamogah Pub in the late ’50s – an oddly top-heavy construction full of chain-smoking dogs and rural ruffians with a flat-bed truck parked precariously on the roof – he could not have imagined that half a century later four such pubs would exist in the real world. A brick and mortar tribute to his comic strip that ran in the weekly Australasian Post from 1958 until its final issue in 2002, the first Ettamogah Pub opened in 1987 in Albury, NSW, where Maynard was born. This award-winning family-friendly hotel has since been renovated to add a sports bar, cocktail lounge and other distractions such as a jumping castle and rock-climbing wall for the kids. The original red-roofed timber building with its unique slanted walls true to Maynard’s cartoon vision has been preserved as a permanent tourist attraction. 3. The Cherry Bar, VIC Any ‘favourite gig joint’ straw poll of local or international rock acts will likely include this hardcore underground bar, the only business located along the aptly named ACDC Lane in Melbourne’s CBD. The tiny 200-capacity live music venue is a standard fixture for touring legends, who like to pop in for a drink or play a set in between huge theatre or arena shows. Guns N’ Roses front man Axl Rose loved the place so much, he once whiled away six hours there; Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher famously tried to buy it during a 2002 tour down under; and when Lady Gaga wanted to host her 4th of July party there in 2012 she was turned away because The Cherry refused to bump an existing booking for local band Jackson Firebird. Now that’s rock ‘n’ roll. 4. The Daly Waters Pub, NT Looking for an Aussie outback pub dripping with character? The Daly Waters Pub, around 600km south of Darwin along the Stuart Highway to Alice Springs, claims to have “witnessed murders, shoot-outs in the main street, cattle stampeding through town and the odd drunken brawls”. It’s also haunted by the ghost of a woman named Sarah who was murdered by her husband. Oh, and female visitors are invited to ‘leave their mark’ by removing their bra and hanging it from the ceiling, a tradition that began in the early ’80s over a lost bet and continues to this day. It’s not limited to just ladies’ undergarments. Literally anything can be left pinned to any available surface. Half the fun of a Daly Waters Pub stopover (besides the swimming pool and the superb ‘beef ‘n’ barra’ dining option) is to browse through the memorabilia of thousands of previous visitors. What will you choose to leave behind? Written by Greg Barton. This article first appeared in <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/destinations/iconic-aussie-pubs-you-cannot-afford-miss">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestsubscribe?utm_source=readersdigest&utm_campaign=RDSUB&utm_medium=display&keycode=WRA85S">here’s our best subscription offer</a>. <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Domestic Travel

Cadbury vows to change packaging after death of 9-year-old in Australia

Confectionary giant Cadbury has promised to implement changes to its packaging, following the death of a 9-year-old girl due to unclear labelling. Isabel Marrero died from an anaphylactic reaction in March this year after her mother gave her what looked like her favourite biscuit. Helen Marrero has been buying Cadbury choc chip cookies for years without problems, until recently. Helen had accidentally picked up the wrong variety of biscuit because the packets were almost identical. <img style="width: 0px; height:0px;" src="/media/7820894/e7019d47a79957e7de1106fa40717094-79612.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7e109f9f5aa24b309b611fe9e8bc9d41" /> “They both look like choc chip cookies to me even when you open them up they look pretty identical, but one has the allergen egg and one doesn’t,” she said. After her daughter’s tragic death, Ms Marrero went head on with food manufacturers in the hope to strengthen allergen labelling laws. Now, Cadbury has responded to the heartbroken family, promising to change its packaging so it’s easy to distinguish which biscuit is which. The company said it would add additional colour and descriptions to help separate the packets. “The aim is to highlight further that the products are different,” the company said in an email to the family. But it will take a while for the final product to reach our shores, as the new product is expected to hit Australian shelves next year. “As mentioned previously, the product is made overseas and shipped to Australia, so it does take some months to make it here,” Cadbury said. Ms Marrero still struggles with the loss of her daughter to this day, saying it’s a difficult feeling to describe. For her, life without Isabel “has been very hard, just every second thinking about her and trying to implement change so this doesn’t occur again". She asks all parents to remain vigilant and to always check the ingredients list before purchasing products. “Please, which I have learnt now, please read every single time you have purchased a product, even if you’ve been buying it for five years.”

Caring

News

Strawberry farming families in crisis: "Within three days we lost it all"

A strawberry farm has been forced to shut down its season early and destroy hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of produce following the national contamination scare. Suncoast Harvest, a small farm on the Sunshine Coast, laid off 100 workers weeks ahead of schedule as sales plummeted after the needle scare. “We have decided it is best to pull out of growing strawberries for the rest of this year... and begin spraying out healthy paddocks of luscious, juicy berries,” the farm said. “Imagine how many millions of punnets of strawberries are going into landfill this week? Sad day for the environment too.” The company is one of many strawberry farms that have been forced to throw out produce as customers refuse to buy the fruit. Suncoast Harvest was not one of the six growers whose produce was sabotaged with needles and razor blades, but the whole industry is suffering. The contamination frenzy was heightened after supermarkets pulled all strawberries from shelves, with ALDI only putting them back on Monday. The strawberry farm owner hit back at those who complained about the contaminated fruit to social media, sparking fear about the safety of all strawberries. “There are proper channels to report these things to so they can be substantiated before causing fear and/or harm. Have a care, people,” they said. “Thumbs down to the various government departments who mismanaged this into an international scare campaign. They need to be held accountable.” The person responsible for the contamination is yet to be identified. Queensland Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk issued a $100,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the saboteur, who could face up to 10 years jail. “Hopefully, they find out who has committed this awful crime against our industry and our favourite fruit and against Australian consumers and farmers,” Suncoast Harvest said. “Food tampering carries maximum penalties for good reason. We all enjoy safe, clean food in this country and on that reputation, we have export markets across the globe. "Whoever has jeopardised that reputation and our confidence in the foods we eat need to be severely dealt with.” Earlier this week, the Queensland Strawberry Growers Association warned that a dozen growers could out of business even if their strawberries had not been contaminated. The situation was even worse for the growers whose berries were tampered with. The daughter of the couple who runs Donnybrook Berries, one of the brands that were tampered with, shared a heartbreaking video of harvested fruit being dumped. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsteph.chheang%2Fvideos%2F972927732890744%2F&show_text=0&width=269" width="269" height="476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> “This is no doubt the worst thing to ever happen to my family. This is worth more than you could ever imagine and within three days we lost it all,” Stephanie Chheang said, referring to her mother and stepfather’s business. “We have to throw them out because the markets wouldn't take our strawberries due to the needle scare,” she said. “They put all their money and effort in to build such a successful business. They work hard to make the money for our family and to have these selfish individuals destroy it is just so upsetting. “My mum works day through to the night, controlling the shed and her 250 employees, making sure her strawberries are packed to perfection.” Berry Obsession, Berry Licious and Donnybrook Berries have recalled their strawberries nationwide. Police are also investigation contamination of fruit sold by Delightful Strawberries, Love Berries and Oasis in NSW, Queensland, Victoria and the ACT.

News

Roger Federer breaks silence on Serena Williams sexism saga

Tennis superstar Roger Federer has opened up about the Serena Williams US Open sexism debacle, saying the game could use the incident as a catalyst for change. Williams caused worldwide controversy after claiming umpire Carlos Ramos displayed sexist behaviour and racism during her US Open final loss to Naomi Osaka. Tennis stars and the sporting community were divided by her comments, as some agreed that Williams anger was justified, while others believed that it was poor sportsmanship. Federer, who has had his own fair share of conflicts with umpire Fergus Murphy dating back to 2009, remained neutral when stating his views on the scandal. “It’s interesting but I think it’s important to look at it,” Federer told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.kvue.com/" target="_blank">KVUE</a>. “Every umpire has their own style, it’s just how it is in any sport. “In tennis, you might have an umpire that gives more coaching violations and another guy goes more to time violation. “You might get one guy who knows that this guy misbehaves quite often so I’ll give him a warning quicker or I’ll be more lenient with a guy because he’s a nice guy and just can’t control himself. I think it really depends on the situation.” While the champion tennis player believes that mistakes occurred on the court, the 20-time grand slam champion hoped that sexism had nothing to do with it. “I hope it’s not the case (that there is gender bias) but I think what happened, obviously there were mistakes along the way and there should be more discretion sometimes. “At the same time, they have to do their job, that’s what we want them to do. “It’s been tricky but a really interesting case to study." A report from the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/14/sports/tennis-fines-men-women.html" target="_blank">New York Times</a> revealed that male tennis players are three times more likely to be punished or fined for racquet abuse. Male players were fined 1517 times compared to women who were fined 535 times, according to data compiled by officials at Grand Slam tournaments for the period covering 1998 to 2018. However, Williams who spoke on The Project for the first time since the incident, refused to back down with her argument. “I just don’t understand … if you’re a female you should be able to do even half of what a guy can do,” she told The Project. “I feel it’s really important to stand up for what you believe in. “Especially if it can affect the future and affect a lot of people in the future. That’s what it’s all about. “Really it’s just about having a great team and rolling up your sleeves and hard work. “I work really, really hard at my game. And then I work super hard at my fashion business. And I’m working incredibly hard at being a mom.” Do you agree with Serena's views? Let us know in the comments below.

News

Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan's "secret code names" revealed

There is no doubt that they are one of the most-watched couples in the world, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have plenty of protocols in place to ensure their safety while they are fulfilling their royal duties around the world. As it is too risky to refer to Prince Harry and Meghan by their first name, they are known as “David Stevens” and “Davina Scott” by their personal bodyguards – a nod to the initials of their royal titles. A royal insider revealed to <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk">The Sun</a> that these code names are used in case “anyone got hold of a phone belonging to a royal aide or security team member, they won’t find Harry Windsor and Meghan’s names in it”. However, the code names have accidentally leaked at a recent event when Harry received an unexpected call. The caller had not been properly briefed on the “DS” code name and asked, "Why would I want to speak to David Stevens?” “Imagine the surprise he got when he heard Harry’s voice on the other end of the line,” added the royal insider. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also have pseudonyms to match their royal titles. Reportedly, Prince William and Kate are known by their security detail as Danny Collins and Daphne Clark. This is not the first time Harry has used an alias for security purposes. When he was younger, Harry had a Facebook account under the name “Spike Wells”. More recently, Meghan has been spotted in public by wearing a baseball cap when she visits her Pilates classes and Whole Food stores to help detract attention.

News

Summer plague continues: Experts warn of increase in monster insects

As the weather continues to heat up, experts are warning Aussies to watch out for increased numbers of bugs as they take advantage of the sweltering conditions. An expert on urban entomology and pest control at the University of Technology, Bryce Peters, revealed that the warmer temperatures will allow insects to breed faster. “Insects don't control their own body temperature, that's done by the ambient temperatures,” Mr Peters told the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/">Daily Mail.</a> “The warmer it is, the more active insects are and the faster they breed. Heat and humidity will certainly affect their populations. “If we have a hot, humid summer we will get very, very high populations.” Mr Peters said the summer plague will also bring out more spiders, such as redbacks and huntsmen. “Spiders are relying on the insect population to get their food. The insects then will support the spider population. The two go hand-in-glove,” he said. “The warmer it is, the better the insects will do. The better they do, the more spiders do.” Mr Peters also explained how the heat this summer will impact cockroaches. “They will seek out micro-climates, so they're inside our homes. The heat definitely gets them going,” he said. Owner of Bugstop Newcastle, Michael McNelis, said that he has already noticed large quantities of spiders in his customer’s homes. “Just from my sprays that I've been doing in the last month, I have already noticed redbacks (spiders) in larger quantities than in previous years,” he told the Daily Mail. “Normally they're a mid-spring insect that come out a little bit later on than what they are now. “I believe that's because it's been so dry and the heat which has come early.” Mr McNelis predicts that the warm weather will “make for a big year for redbacks and cockroaches in general”. “Last year was pretty big compared to the few years before that. It's been even more abnormal weather (this year),” he said. “As far as bugs are concerned, at the moment it feels like the end of spring rather than the start of it.” Although redbacks are the most common problem for Aussies at the moment, Mr McNelis said cockroaches will soon emerge as the dominant player. “The cockroaches they're going into their breeding season now, the bigger ones,” Mr McNelis said. “Customers are seeing one or two a week at the moment. I would expect in the next month or so, then they're going to be all coming out a lot more than now.” Last week, experts also warned that deadly <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/home-garden/youll-get-them-everywhere-snake-catchers-grim-warning-of-aussie-plague-this-summer">snakes</a> are making their way into Aussie homes as temperatures continue to rise.

News

Travel

$4.6 million payout over cruise nightmare

A man has been awarded a $4.6 million compensation from Norwegian Cruise Lines after a simple trip to the cruise doctor turned into hell. Ilija Loncar, 30, who was formerly employed as a waiter on the cruise ship the Norwegian Breakaway, made a trip to the ship’s doctor after he developed flu-like symptoms, including nausea. The doctor onboard, Sebastian Campuzano, had been hired by the cruise line a few months prior and was described as a “young, inexperienced, Columbia-trained physician”. To treat the mild symptoms, Dr Campuzano prescribed the antihistamine promethazine, which was injected by nurse Marco Oracion in a “huge” dose over a short period of time. This error led to an “intense” reaction that plunged Mr Loncar into a detrimental situation that resulted in his arm being amputated. Loncar’s lawyer, Thomas Scolaro, alleged in a Florida court that the medication wasn’t suitable for the worker’s illness and that the anti-nausea drug Zofran would’ve been a better treatment. The drug was also injected intravenously into Mr Loncar’s arm, instead of intramuscularly in his buttocks, which is the recommended technique. “(Dr Campuzano) gave the wrong medication, the wrong dosage by the wrong route through the wrong injection site, and it was administered over the wrong time and by the wrong method,” Mr Scolaro said. “They gave (Mr Loncar) the most dangerous type of medication they could give to treat this very simple, common problem that can be treated with a very light and easy medication — Zofran. It’s all they needed to do." It was also claimed that the 25-milligram dose that was administered was well above the usual amount prescribed. The <a href="https://www.law.com/dailybusinessreview/2018/09/10/miami-attorney-helps-secure-3-3m-for-man-whose-arm-was-amputated-after-seeking-care-for-flu-like-symptoms/?slreturn=20180818215235">Miami Daily Business Review</a> reports: “All the medical data out there strongly suggests six and a quarter milligrams is a perfectly therapeutic dose. Campuzano orders it by intravenous injection when there is a pill, there’s a suppository, there’s a syrup. “ … He orders it by IV injection into the vein when — if you are going to order this medication through the injectable method — there’s a FDA black box warning on IV promethazine, which says the preferred route is deep intramuscular, which is a shot in the tush.” Even when Mr Loncar reported a reaction to the medication, the medical staff did not respond. “As soon as the medication went in he immediately reported burning,” Mr Scolaro said. “All the warnings out there say when there is a reported burning, you stop.” A few hours later, Mr Loncar’s right forearm turned black and blue. Instead of immediately evacuating the employee to a hospital, the medical staff massaged the area for 24 hours until the ship reached the next dock. Due to the extreme negligence and human error, Mr Loncar developed Compartment Syndrome, where pressure builds up due to internal bleeding and swelling. Once he arrived at a hospital, it was too late to save his gangrene-infected arm. After emergency operations, Mr Loncar’s arm was amputated at the elbow. The former employee suffered mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, loss of future earning capacity, aggravation of pre-existing conditions, inconvenience, humiliation, scarring and disfigurement. Mr Scolora alleges that this is all because of “wilful, wanton, and outrageous violations” in the form of medical errors and the failure to evacuate Mr Loncar. Mr Loncar was awarded AU$4.6 million for past and present pain, medical expenses and loss of earning capacity.

Cruising

The votes are in: Experience the world’s best places

Time magazine recently released their inaugural list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places, highlighting new and newly relevant destinations. Editors and correspondents from around the world as well as industry experts came up with nominations across a wide variety of categories, such as museums, bars, restaurants and hotels. The nominees were then assessed for quality, originality, innovation, sustainability and influence. The winners on the diverse list are spread across 48 countries and three categories: where to visit, where to stay, and where to eat and drink. Check out a few of our absolute favourites from Asia and Australia that made the list. 1. To visit: ChangChui – Creative Park (Bangkok, Thailand) Whether you’re looking for great food, fun shops, quirky art or just a cool spot to take pretty Instagram photos, this 27,000-square-metre wonderland has it all – even an old airplane smack in the middle of the park. 2. To visit: Museum MACAN (Jakarta, Indonesia) The 4000-square-metre museum is the first of its kind in Indonesia, boasting a significant collection of modern and contemporary art from the country and around the world. The name is short for Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara, which is the Javanese word for archipelago. 3. To visit: Golden Bridge (Ba Na Hills, Vietnam) The iconic 150-metre long Cau Vang, or Golden Bridge, rises 1400 metres above sea level. It looks like it’s being held up by a pair of giant hands, which have been aged to look like they’ve been around for decades. 4. To stay: COO Boutique Hostel & Sociatel (Singapore) The hostel, located in a four-storey conservation shophouse, has 11 rooms and 68 beds. Visitors not only get an affordable place to stay at just US$20 a night, they can also meet fellow guests with similar interests through COO Connect, an online platform. 5. To stay: Jackalope, Mornington Peninsula (VIC, Australia) The Jackalope was opened in 2017 and quickly named Australia’s Hotel of the Year at the annual Gourmet Traveller Australian Hotel Guide Awards. The Jackalope features a 143-year-old homestead and winery. Located in Willow Creek Vineyard in the Mornington Peninsula, an hour from Melbourne's CBD, the hotel features two restaurants, a black infinity pool and spa and a room rate starting at $650 per night. 6. To stay: The Collectionist (NSW, Australia) Fancy strolling through a hotel and choosing the room you like best based on artwork, design and personal appeal rather than being allocated one from a cookie cutter layout? Sydney's boutique hotel, The Collectionist, has just that – featuring 39 'sleeping quarters' created by designers. 7. To stay: Tribe (WA, Australia) Marketed as 'part collaborative workspace, part social club' the Tribe hotel in Perth offers communal dining and easy check-in without fanfare and has done away with the concierge and room service. Rooms start at $120 per night and feature free unlimited Wi-Fi, a 40-inch flat Screen Smart TV, free movies on demand and free Nespresso coffee and T2 teas. 8. To eat and drink: Atlas Bar (Singapore) The bar is located on the ground floor of Parkview Square, which is inspired by the glamourous Art Deco skyscrapers of Europe and New York. It boasts one of the world’s largest collections of gin – some 1000 different varieties – some of which date back to 1910. Written by Siti Rohani. This article first appeared in <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/destinations/experience-worlds-best-places?items_per_page=All">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestsubscribe?utm_source=readersdigest&utm_campaign=RDSUB&utm_medium=display&keycode=WRA85S">here’s our best subscription offer</a>. <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

International Travel

Don't get caught out: 6 new holiday scams ripping off travellers

If you’re planning to take a trip across the world soon, then be warned, as there is an influx of new holiday scams affecting tourists as they travel to their dream break. Holiday-makers have money to spend and relaxation on their minds, which is why they are seen as easy targets for con artists. UK-based consumer group <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.which.co.uk/" target="_blank">Which?</a> has listed the six most common frauds travellers need to be aware of, along with tips on how to avoid getting scammed, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Sun</a> reported. So, if you’re planning a trip abroad, here are the things you need to watch out for: 1. Accommodation booking scams While the introduction of the internet has been a blessing in terms of ease, it’s also made it easier for scammers to lure you into their traps. With the growth of online holiday bookings, fraudsters often need nothing more than a few fake pictures to lure their victims. A common scam is one that includes picturesque photographs of holiday rentals that don’t seem to exist, advertised at affordable price points. The deals were often advertised on mainstream websites but asked those who were interested in booking to contact them via email, rather than use the site’s own booking system. Bookers were then sent a link to a convincing payment page, which suggested the payment hadn’t cleared. They then ask for a bank transfer instead. How to protect yourself: Do your research. Google the property to see if it shows up on other reputable websites to check its authenticity. You could use Google Maps and Street View to see if the accommodation actually exists. Also, never pay by bank transfer. 2. Dodgy flight deals Con artists have created fake airline websites that advertise budget deals on long haul flights that leave their victims high and dry. The UK government’s fraud agency has reported a recent surge of scams targeting those who are travelling to Asia, Africa and the Middle East. In many instances, tickets were purchased with stolen credit cards and then sold to unsuspecting victims, complete with a reference number. But tickets were then cancelled after the credit card was reported as stolen, leaving the victims out of pocket and nothing to show for it. How to protect yourself: Book tickets through trusted agencies. 3. Wi-Fi hacks It’s become human instinct to try and find Wi-Fi wherever you go, and the same applies when travellers land at airports. While it’s important to stay connected in order to get in touch with friends and family, there is a risk involved. Fraudsters have set up their own free networks in airports and use them to gain free information about anyone that logs on. Many passengers have been tricked into entering their credit card details before logging on. How to protect yourself: Ask airport staff about the real Wi-Fi connection to make sure it’s the real deal and be on the lookout for connections that don’t ask for passwords straight away. Also, if you are asked for confidential information then provide fake details where possible. 4. “Free” holidays This decade-long scam has been one that con artists have perfected throughout the years. Back in the day, people would be pressured into buying timeshares after accepting a complimentary break. Now, the con is conducted through scratch cards and other fake competitions. In one example of the scam, around 500 British travellers in Spain’s Costa del Sol have been scammed of around $27.5 million in the last year alone. How to protect yourself: Refuse all offers of free holidays because if it’s too good to be true, then it probably is. Do you know of any other travel scams? Let us know in the comments below. 5. Document fraud Over the years, the internet has seen a growth in websites selling fake travel visas and other important documents needed to visit foreign countries. A few cases were found to not be conducting illegal activity but were responsible for reselling documents at a huge premium compared to official channels. Some common examples included websites selling the European Health Insurance Card and US visa (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, or ESTA) documents. While the sites looked extremely convincing, they had nothing to do with the governments of the countries they claimed to represent. According to Which?, out of the top 20 search results for “ESTA visa” over half were unofficial. How to protect yourself: Follow links to official government websites through the Department of Foreign Affairs website. 6. Fake tickets It’s no secret that music concerts and major sporting events are on top of the list of potential scams, but travellers are now falling victim to fake packages to international events and are only finding out the true worth of their ticket once they arrive in the country. The FIFA World Cup in Russia was one example where countless websites offered travel packages including tickets when the only tickets that were considered valid and authentic were the ones purchased directly from FIFA themselves. Scammers love to lure desperate fans with fake tickets, as they know the demand is high and it’s easy to trap people who are willing to go the extra mile for a ticket to their chosen event. How to protect yourself: Make sure the tickets you are purchasing are from legitimate websites and web pages that start with “https” and have the padlock symbol in the URL bar. And if you’re on the hunt for second-hand tickets, then do a quick check if whether or not resale is allowed, as some tickets are only valid for the original buyer. “Criminals are finding ever more sophisticated ways to dupe holiday-makers, both in the booking process and when they’re on the holiday itself,” Which? Travel editor Rory Boland said. “If something seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Don’t hand your money over until you can be sure it’s the real deal.” Do you know of any other travel scams? Let us know in the comments below.

Travel Trouble

How to pack for your first cruise

Hand luggage Most cruise lines will take your suitcases at check-in, but it can take a while for these to be delivered to your room. So, it makes sense to pack a small carry bag to take on with you containing your passport, tickets, swimsuit, change of clothes and any other essentials including medication and valuables. Cruise style Do some research into what you’ll be doing. If it’s mostly on-board entertainment, you’ll need lots of swimwear and casuals, whereas shore trips to galleries and cultural venues will require smarter wear. Dinner style Most cruise ships have a selection of restaurants, and you’ll probably get a set number of dinners in a formal restaurant, with other meals served in casual or buffet style eateries. Each cruise line has their own dress codes and rules, which should be provided on their website. As a general rule they are: <ul> <li>Casual:If you’re having lunch or dinner at a buffet-style restaurant, then the dress code is laidback, although swimwear and bare feet are usually not allowed.</li> <li>Semi-formal:Polo shirts and chinos or smart jeans for men, with women wearing dresses or smart separates.</li> <li>Formal:Men will be required to wear a dark suit and tie or dinner jacket, with ladies dressing up in cocktail or floor-length dresses. Your tickets should say how many formal nights there are.</li> </ul> Gala nights If you are on an upmarket cruise, a gala night or two is usually part of the itinerary. Some men enjoy wearing a tuxedo for these special events, although a lounge suit is usually acceptable, and for women, it’s an excuse to go all out, with evening gowns or glittery cocktail dresses. This article first appeared in <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/cruising/how-to-pack-for-your-first-cruise">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestsubscribe?utm_source=readersdigest&utm_campaign=RDSUB&utm_medium=display&keycode=WRA85S">here’s our best subscription offer</a>. <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Cruising

Health

“Truly disgusting”: Would you eat this? The food inside aged care facilities

An investigation looking into the meals served to some of the most vulnerable people in Australia has uncovered a sickening reality. Food that wouldn’t be served to dogs is sadly being plated up as meals for elderly people living in Australia’s nursing homes, as budgets for aged care is slashed. Four thousand people involved with aged care wrote to the ABC as part of its investigation into the system, with the first of the two-part series airing on Four Corners last night. Concerned friends and family members sent in photographs of cheap and unhealthy meals, which included hot dogs with tomato sauce and watery soup. Aged care worker Nicole* described one common dish, known as minced moist, as “truly disgusting” with a “horrible” smell. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> As you sit down to dinner before watching part one of our <a href="https://twitter.com/4corners?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@4corners</a> collaborative investigation into <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/agedcare?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#agedcare</a> in Australia tonight, ask yourself: Would you eat this? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AgedCareRC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AgedCareRC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Royalcommission?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Royalcommission</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/4Corners?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#4Corners</a> <a href="https://t.co/LE0yamOIT7">pic.twitter.com/LE0yamOIT7</a> — 🦄 Flip Prior 🦄 (@FlipPrior) <a href="https://twitter.com/FlipPrior/status/1041540319538343937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">17 September 2018</a></blockquote> Elizabeth*, who is an aged care worker in Melbourne spoke of undercooked vegetables, hard carrots and potatoes and tough meat. “Sadly, because of cutbacks it’s hard to retain good staff and resident meals suffer because no one really cares,” she said. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> Would you eat this? Take a look at the food served inside Australian <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/agedcare?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#agedcare</a> facilities before tonight's landmark investigation on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/4Corners?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#4Corners</a> <a href="https://t.co/NuUupDE4In">pic.twitter.com/NuUupDE4In</a> — 4corners (@4corners) <a href="https://twitter.com/4corners/status/1041547844375572480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">17 September 2018</a></blockquote> The photographs showed meals that looked like unidentifiable blobs. Given the title “texture-modified meals”, the dish is for those who have trouble swallowing their food, the ABC reported. “My mother has dementia but still knows she is fed up with this meal and doesn’t like it,” one daughter told the broadcaster. While some meals looked healthy and nutritious, this was a rare case. Cherie Hugo, a dietitian who has looked after over 800 Australian aged care facilities, found that they were spending a mere $6.08 a day on food per resident. That’s $2 less than prison inmates and drastically less than what an average adult would spend, at $17 a day. Dr Hugo told the program that one of her biggest concerns was that the amount spent on aged care food had dropped by 31 cents per person per day in a year, while the figure spent on supplements had risen by 50 cents. Health Services Union national secretary Gerard Hayes has called it a “disgrace.” These findings come after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a royal commission into the aged care sector on Sunday following what he called an “alarming and disturbing” spike in elder abuse and poor standards. *Names changed to protect identities.

Caring

Essential reading to get your head around Australia’s aged care crisis

Tonight ABC’s <a href="https://tv.press.abc.net.au/who-cares-four-corners">Four Corners</a> will air the first of a two-part investigation into the often shocking treatment of the elderly in aged care homes around Australia. The timing coincides with Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s weekend <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-16/scott-morrison-announces-royal-commission-into-aged-care-sector/10252850">announcement of a royal commission</a> into Australia’s aged care system. The prime minister said poor standards had led authorities to close one aged centre per month since the Oakden aged mental health home scandal. South Australia’s Oakden facility <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-22/oakden-closed-as-last-two-residents-moved-out/8974156">closed nearly a year ago</a>, following revelations of abuse and neglect dating back a decade. While the terms of reference are yet to be determined, the royal commission will likely look into issues already raised by previous inquiries into the sector. These include the changing demands of Australia’s ageing population, staffing ratios, funding levels and the mental health, wellbeing and safety needs of nursing home residents. Below are five articles in which our experts have previously explored the complex aspects of Australia’s aged care system, drawing on research which has exposed where the problems are, and have been for some time. Lack of medical care Our ageing population, and the focus on helping the elderly stay at home for as long as possible, means by the time people enter aged care they are older and sicker than before. Around <a href="https://www.gen-agedcaredata.gov.au/Resources/Factsheets-and-infographics/Care-needs-factsheet.pdf?ext=">half of people</a> living in aged care today have dementia, depression, or another mental health or behavioural condition. In fact, the proportion of older people requiring high care for complex needs, which includes assistance with all activities of daily living such as eating and bathing, has quadrupled from 13% in 2009 to 61% in 2016. Yet there is no legal requirement for all aged care facilities to provide 24-hour registered nursing care. In the article below, Jane Phillips, David Currow, Deborah Parker and Nola Ries explore how today’s nursing home residents have minimal access to quality medical care. <a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-aged-care-residents-are-very-sick-yet-the-government-doesnt-prioritise-medical-care-88690">Australia’s aged care residents are very sick, yet the government doesn’t prioritise medical care</a> In a separate piece on health care in nursing homes, Sarah Russell has also written: <blockquote> nursing home providers looking to cut costs are bypassing registered nurses and employing less-skilled personal care attendants (PCAs) who aren’t adequately trained for the job. </blockquote> <a href="https://theconversation.com/heres-why-we-need-nurse-resident-ratios-in-aged-care-homes-59682">Here’s why we need nurse-resident ratios in aged care homes</a> Funding for older Australians to stay at home Research <a href="http://www.naca.asn.au/Age_Well/Blueprint.pdf">consistently shows</a> more people want to stay in their own homes as they age. In the <a href="https://www.budget.gov.au/2018-19/content/speech/download/budget_speech.pdf">2018-19 budget</a>, the government announced an extra A$1.6 billion over the next four years for an additional 14,000 <a href="https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/help-home/home-care-packages">Home Care Packages</a>. These deliver an agreed set of services to meet the specific needs of aged Australians who want to remain at home. The government also subsidises a number (currently <a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-aged-care-residents-are-very-sick-yet-the-government-doesnt-prioritise-medical-care-88690">around 283,000</a>) of residential care places for older people unable to continue living independently. Aged care subsidies are allocated <a href="https://agedcare.health.gov.au/sites/g/files/net1426/f/documents/08_2016/2016_report_on_the_funding_and_financing_of_the_aged_care_industry_0.pdf">through a ratio</a>, which aims to provide 113 subsidised care places for every 1,000 people aged 70 and over. This ratio will increase to 125 places for every 1,000 by 2021-22. Within the overall number of places, the government also sets sub-targets for the numbers of Home Care Packages and residential care places. The government is aiming to amend the ratio in favour of more home care packages. By 2021-22, the target for home care packages will increase from 27 to 45 per 1,000, while the residential target is to reduce from 88 to 78 per 1,000. But as Professor of Health Economics at University of Technology Sydney, Michael Woods has written, this still won’t be enough to meet demand. <a href="https://theconversation.com/there-is-extra-funding-for-aged-care-in-the-budget-but-not-enough-to-meet-demand-96403">There is extra funding for aged care in the budget, but not enough to meet demand</a> Poor mental health Older Australians living in nursing homes represent one of society’s most vulnerable populations. More than 50% of <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/aged-care/depression-in-residential-aged-care-2008-2012/contents/table-of-contents">residents in nursing homes</a> suffer from depression compared to 10-15% of adults of the same age living in the community. Recent <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/gps.4862">research</a> conducted by Briony Murphy and Professor Joseph Ibrahim from Monash University’s Health Law and Ageing Research Unit, found around 140 Australian nursing-home residents took their own lives between 2000 and 2013. The authors found nearly 70% of those who took their own life were male, 66% had a diagnosis of depression, and nearly 80% were experiencing one or more major life stresses, such as health deterioration. Around 43% were experiencing isolation and loneliness, and nearly 30% had trouble adjusting to life in a nursing home. They wrote: <blockquote> The small proportion of adults over 65 living with depression in the community shows that depression is not a normal part of the ageing process … the much larger figure of those suffering depression in nursing homes raises some serious questions. </blockquote> <a href="https://theconversation.com/too-many-australians-living-in-nursing-homes-take-their-own-lives-92112">Too many Australians living in nursing homes take their own lives</a> Poor oral health Stories of abuse and neglect in nursing homes have also highlighted the issue of poor nutrition and oral health. In November 2017, the dire state of this was shown in a report of a <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/push-for-inquiry-after-woman-found-with-maggots-in-her-mouth-at-nsw-nursing-home-20170509-gw0p1j.html">nursing home resident in NSW</a> who was found with maggots in her mouth the day before she died. Researchers have long highlighted people living in aged care have substantially poorer oral health and three times the risk of untreated tooth decay than people living in the community. Bronwyn Hemsley, Andrew Georgious, Joanne Steel and Susan Balandin collated a list of ways family members can help ensure their loved ones’ oral health is adequately looked after. This includes visiting your family member around mealtimes ... <blockquote> … or helping the person to eat … Ask the resident permission to look into her (or his) mouth to check if she (or he) is swallowing or removing leftover food promptly. </blockquote> <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-shocking-state-of-oral-health-in-our-nursing-homes-and-how-family-members-can-help-77473">The shocking state of oral health in our nursing homes, and how family members can help</a> If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or another mental health problem, contact <a href="http://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a> 13 11 14, <a href="http://beyondblue.org.au/">beyondblue</a> 1300 22 4636 or <a href="http://www.sane.org/">SANE Australia</a> 1800 18 7263. Written by Sasha Petrova. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/essential-reading-to-get-your-head-around-australias-aged-care-crisis-103325">The Conversation</a>.

Caring

Improving your mobility: Easy stretches to target your hip muscles

Our hips are one of the most important muscles in our body, as they support our posture when we’re standing and moving around, which is why it’s essential that they’re healthy. <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/289811806" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> In this video, Taylor Harrison, author, senior’s health expert and Director of <a href="http://www.activeseniors.net.au/">Active Seniors Health Centre</a>, shares four simple stretches to improve your hip muscles. To see more videos and articles on improving your health and fitness from Taylor, <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/search.aspx?Keyword=taylor+harrison">click here</a>.

Body

Why I'm done dyeing my grey hair

OPINION: Something weird is happening at the shops, at church and on the train. Women I don't know are telling me I'm brave. "You look beautiful, but I don't have the courage," a lady said in the parking lot. "My hairdresser is my sister and she won't let me." "I love your style, but I can't risk it," whispered a woman at a business conference. My act of courage isn't much. It's not like I went under enemy fire to rescue a fellow soldier, or saved a baby from drowning. I just stopped colouring my hair. I had dark-brown hair that started getting noticeably grey by the time I was 30. So like a lot of women, I started dyeing it, first on my own in the bathtub until I got sick of the stains on the porcelain. Then I switched to getting it done at the salon. It was expensive, messy and time-consuming. My interest in gossip magazines isn't enough to fill two hours sitting in a chair under a dryer, smelling chemicals. And my hair grows fast, so I needed to go back every five weeks to keep from getting a "skunk streak" of white at my centre part. When I didn't have time to make an appointment, which was often, I would colour in the roots with a special "touch-up" crayon and feel like an idiot. What really got me was seeing pictures of stars like George Clooney and knowing that it is considered fine and sexy for a mature man to have grey hair. Men with obvious dyed hair can look a little silly – think about certain ageing rock stars and politicians. <img style="width: 500px; height: 284.091px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="/media/7820818/1-george-clooney.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/c4307328937f491a97bad6532e163551" /> <div class="sics-component__caption__caption" style="text-align: center;">Why is it considered fine and sexy for men like George Clooney to have grey hair but not women?</div> But many women seem to think they have to keep up the illusion forever that they are still 35 (at most) and fertile, unencumbered by too much wisdom and too many accomplishments. Grey hair is one of the last feminist fashion frontiers. We no longer have to cinch ourselves into corsets. Many of us have given up crippling high heels and tossed the pantyhose. We're asserting ourselves at work, "leaning in", as the saying goes, asking for raises, demanding respect and a harassment-free environment. But our hair starts to silver and suddenly we're slaves to spending $500 or more a year to pretend something our male colleagues don't need to pretend. It's quite a racket. Don't get me wrong – men and women all want to look good as long as they can. And people should do what they want with their own bodies – my mother is 91 and still blonde and why not? Only her hairdresser knows for sure. I just wish more women would feel that it was OK to let it go, because going grey has done something for me besides saving time and money. I like my natural hair. I like how varied it is – silver along the sides and still dark in the back. I like how it has gotten curly and full again, in a way it wasn't after years of chemical damage. It's a lovely colour, which is why some young people are dyeing their hair grey on purpose. I also like that it has given me some needed perspective in a society that makes a cult of youth, disdains maturity and ignores the reality of passing time. It reminds me that I'm not a kid anymore. And this isn't a bad thing. Not being a kid anymore means I read the books I want, and not the books I feel I should read. It means that I'm still going to be polite, but not so polite that I lose myself and don't get what I'm after. It means not wasting my time at events I don't need to attend when I'd rather be with family and friends. When I see my hair in the mirror, it's a memento mori, a reminder that my time is not infinite, and I should spend it doing what matters. Anti-ageism activist Ashton Applewhite wrote that one problem with trying to pass for younger is that it's like a gay person trying to pass for straight – it's based in shame over something that is not shameful. I wouldn't take the comparison that far, but I agree there's nothing shameful about growing older. It's what happens if we're lucky. And pretending it's not happening is a way of surrendering power. I don't think I'm brave. I'm just frugal, and contrary. If the crowd goes one way, I want to go the other. I see my grey hair as a little act of rebellion against the toxic idea that people lose value as they age, instead of gaining it. To quote David Crosby, I see grey hair as my "freak flag". And I'm letting it fly. Written by Mary Wisniewski. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/beauty/107009322/why-im-done-dyeing-my-grey-hair">Stuff.co.nz</a>.

Body

Lifestyle

Prince George has a new obsession and he cannot stop talking about it

The innocence and inquisitive nature of a child is something we all wish we still had, and Prince George has proven that while he may be the future King, he’s no different to any other five-year-old. During a visit to the Acorn Children’s Hospice on Tuesday, Prince William told a group of children about little George’s new obsession, because the kids were taking part in an activity based around it. The children in the room were making and painting dinosaurs, so Prince William told them: “George is obsessed with dinosaurs. We’ve been learning all about them.” William may be busy with his royal duties, but the Prince still manages to find time for his children, proving his devotion to his kids. Speaking previously about his daughter, Princess Charlotte, he revealed that she is “obsessed” with fashion, “mad about pink” and “loves dancing". The Duke of Cambridge has also shared a personal insight into his own life, as he revealed his and Duchess Kate’s favourite food is sushi. After a Japanese chef gifted the royal a Bento Box, William responded by saying: “Thank you very much. My wife and I love sushi. We might have to come down here for lunch when no one else is in.” William’s visit to the Acorn Children’s Hospice was one that remains close to his heart, as his late mother Princess Diana opened it. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2018091862477/prince-george-teaching-prince-william-kate-middleton-about-dinosaurs/" target="_blank">Hello!</a> reported the hospice’s President Kay Alexander shared a few touching words dedicated to Diana and her involvement with the hospice, telling the audience she was “going to get tearful". William replied: “Don’t, you’ll start me off as well.” Kay had nothing but kind words to say about the Duke as she praised his caring nature. “The fact that he can come round like that and just chat to anyone is the biggest, best thing that could happen to those parents. He is a star.”

Family & Pets

Chocolate caramel slice

The chocolate caramel slice is a variation on one I have made for years, with an extra hit of chocolate in the caramel, and using my quick and easy method of combining caramel and regular sweetened condensed milks. This slice is so wickedly addictive, to avoid gluttonous temptation it's best to pop leftovers in containers for guests to take with them – or pop them in portioned amounts in the freezer. Makes: 40 Ingredients: <ul> <li>250g butter plus 25g, softened</li> <li>¾ cup caster sugar</li> <li>2 teaspoons vanilla extract</li> <li>2 ½ cups plain flour</li> <li>1 teaspoon baking powder</li> <li>⅓ cup dark Dutch cocoa powder plus 1 tablespoon extra</li> <li>1 tin sweetened condensed milk</li> <li>1 tin condensed milk caramel</li> <li>1 tablespoon golden syrup</li> <li>125g 50 per cent dark chocolate, roughly chopped</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Line the base and sides of a 28 x 21cm slice tin with baking paper.</li> <li>Put 250g butter, sugar and vanilla extract in a food processor (or mixer) and whiz until pale and soft. Add flour, baking powder and ⅓ cup of cocoa, and pulse again to combine. Tip ¾ of the mix into the prepared baking tin and press in, then smooth firmly with the back of a tablespoon. Pop in the fridge while you prepare the rest.</li> <li>Mix the condensed milks, 25g butter and golden syrup in a microwave-proof bowl and microwave on high for one minute. Add the extra tablespoon of cocoa powder and whisk until loosened. Microwave on high for a further minute and whisk until smooth.</li> <li>Pour the caramel mix over the base and sprinkle over the chopped chocolate. Top with the remaining base mixture, giving it a good squish as you crumble so it forms big clumps. Bake for 30-35 minutes until richly golden and cooked through. Cool in the tin, remove and slice into squares and store in an airtight container.</li> </ol> Written by Sarah Tuck. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz">Stuff.co.nz</a>.

Food & Wine

8 summer skincare tips dermatologists follow

For the key to keeping your skincare optimal during the summer months, try these 8 things dermatologists do every summer. 1. Lose old layers Twice a week, scrub skin with a soft brush, an exfoliating scrub, or a salicylic acid wash to brighten it and allow lotions and serums to be absorbed more deeply. If your skin becomes irritated, exfoliate just once a week. 2. Cleanse without cream As the weather warms, switch from a cream cleanser to a gel variety, which is lightweight yet still effective. If you have oily skin, try a foam cleanser. Be sure to wash your face every night in the summer. More time outside means more exposure to harmful air pollutants, which can attach to moisturiser and make-up and exacerbate the signs of ageing. 3. Lighten the lotion, too Heavy creams contain lipids that can cause clogged pores and pimples in more humid months. Instead, opt for serums, lotions or hydrating gels, which are all lighter. 4. Strategise sunscreen In the morning, before you apply your make-up, slather on a sunscreen that is at least SPF 30. Reapply sunscreen every two hours if you’re outside. If you’re worried about smearing make-up, use a mineral sunscreen powder that is easy to reapply throughout the day. Be aware that moisturisers that contain sunscreen are not as effective as sunscreen itself. 5. Consider covering up Each centimetre on a hat’s brim increases coverage of your face by four per cent. Working or exercising outside? Wear sun-protective clothing. Look for a swing tag with a high ultraviolet protection factor (UPF 50+) rating to be sure. You can cut exposure further by heading outdoors before 10am or after 4pm. 6. Be wary of clouds Sunburn can still occur on cloudy days, when cooler air persuades you to skip sunscreen. However, clouds block only about 20 per cent of the sun’s UV rays. Apply sunscreen as you would on sunny days. 7. Remember the sly spots A surprising number of skin cancer cases occur behind the ears and on other areas that you may ignore when applying sunscreen. Cover your ears, the tops of your feet and your hands for full coverage. 8. Eat for sun protection Studies show that certain foods may offer an extra level of UV protection from within or reduce the risk of skin cancer. Foods high in antioxidants (colourful fruits and vegetables, such as cherries, citrus fruits and pomegranates), Swiss brown mushrooms, green tea, nuts, probiotics (Greek yoghurt with live active cultures and kombucha, a fermented tea) and oily fish (such as salmon) are all star performers. Written by Kelsey Kloss. This article first appeared in <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/beauty/skin/8-summer-skincare-tips-dermatologists-follow?items_per_page=All">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestsubscribe?utm_source=readersdigest&utm_campaign=RDSUB&utm_medium=display&keycode=WRA85S">here’s our best subscription offer</a>. <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Beauty & Style

The bizarre thing Prince Andrew is trying to do for Princess Eugenie’s wedding

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s October 12th wedding is fast approaching and the royal’s father, Prince Andrew, is doing all he can to put his daughter’s big day in the limelight. According to the Mail On Sunday, Prince Andrew is working hard to get one of the British TV channels to buy the rights to air his daughter’s wedding ceremony. The report claims that the BBC rejected the offer over fears the royal wedding wouldn’t receive enough ratings but Prince Andrew now has his sights on a different network. After the 58-year-old’s deal with the BBC was a flop, he put his efforts on securing UK channel ITV. "From the outset, the instruction from the very top was that Eugenie's wedding must be televised," a palace insider explained to the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6172149/Will-ITV-rescue-Eugenie-ratings-flop-wedding-BBC-snub.html">Mail on Sunday.</a> "The BBC was approached because they have a special relationship with Buckingham Palace and a formula that works. "But they turned it down because they don't think enough people will tune in and that there isn't enough support for the Yorks. "The feeling at the Palace is that the BBC has dropped the ball. At the end of the day, this is going to be a huge Royal Wedding, with all the senior members of the Royal Family in attendance. But nobody wants to take the risk and spend the money it would cost to put it on air," the insider added. So far, Sky News is the only British channel covering the event with the station believed to be playing highlight clips throughout the day. As well as senior royal members attending their nuptials, Eugenie and Jack’s star-studded guest list will include George and Amal Clooney, Ellie Goulding, Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber. The lavish celebration is expected to have all the fine trimmings of a true royal wedding with experts expecting the day to cost a huge $AUD3.6 million. It has not been confirmed if ITV has since agreed to film the ceremony. Do you think Princess Eugenie's wedding should be televised? Let us know in the comments below.

Family & Pets

Finance

Barnaby Joyce hits back at sexual harassment claim: "It is not the truth”

Former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has hit back at claims that he sexually abused a West Australian businesswoman back in 2016 but said he won’t be suing for defamation. Catherine Marriott appeared on ABC’s 7.30 in an <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/all-hell-broke-loose-barnaby-joyce-accuser-breaks-her-silence)">interview last night</a>, telling Leigh Sales that the complaint she lodged against Joyce was meant to remain confidential, and once it was released, she was haunted by the consequences. Ms Marriott alleges in August 2016 the former National Party leader sexually harassed her at a function in Canberra. The allegations were dismissed earlier this month, as the party claims there was “insufficient evidence". Joyce appeared on the Today show this morning and quickly denied Ms Marriott’s claim and said it was “defamatory". “I’m not going to start going through it, but I can – I have absolute clear recollection of everything from that day. I know the person very well. It is defamatory, and I will leave it at that,” he said. But although Joyce is frustrated by the claims, he said he has no plans to sue Ms Marriott for defamation. “What happens with defamation laws is when very rich people sue other very rich people because they have a big solicitor … I have tried that path before, all that happens is you get a very big bill,” he said. Joyce also shut down the claims on Sunrise. “It is not the truth and that’s probably the thing that annoyed me the most. I watched it last night and I’m no better informed now than I was at the start,” he said.

Legal

The new ALDI range sending shoppers into a frenzy

ALDI has a cult following for its affordable products and now the German supermarket giant is proving that health foods don’t have to hurt your wallet. The supermarket’s new range of organic and alternative diet products is proof that you can eat healthy on a budget. From $2.49 kombucha to $4.99 cacao nibs, here are the products that loyal shoppers can’t get enough of. Plant-based food ALDI caters to Australia’s vegetarian and vegan population with delicious plant-based products. Popular options include the Simply Vegetarian Burgers and Sausages, which cost $4.99 each. Customers can also buy $4.99 Falafel Bites and $4.99 Chickpea, Sweet Potato and Quinoa Bites. <img style="width: 500px; height:434.54258675078864px;" src="/media/7820886/1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/de5f8ce423ff472bafdb22427e80fcb1" /> “Another option for vegans looking to indulge in a sweet treat is the famous Moser Roth dark chocolate,” accredited dietitian working with ALDI, Melissa Meier, told the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/">Daily Mail.</a> “The decadent chocolate has a cult following, however many shoppers would be surprised to learn that the Moser Roth Dark Chocolate 70%, Moser Roth Dark Chocolate 85% and Moser Roth Dark Sea Salt varieties are suitable for vegans.” Moser Roth chocolate is available for an affordable $2.69. The German retailer also sells vegan-friendly peanut butter and tofu for vegetarians. Paleo cuisine The Paleo diet has increased in popularity in recent times, with celebrities such as Pete Evans supporting the lifestyle. “One of the positives of the Paleo diet is that it advocates for reduced intake of refined sugar and discretionary processed foods – which as a population, we eat far too much of,” Melissa said. The Paleo diet ditches dairy, grains, refined sugar and processed food in favour of a diet based around vegetables, lean meat, seafood, fruit and seeds. ALDI’s Paleo options include cacao nibs for $4.99, $4.99 maca powder, $4.99 acai powder and $4.49 organic coconut oil. ALDI also sells meats, nuts, fresh fruit and vegetables. Gluten-free For ALDI shoppers who need to purchase gluten-free options, look out for the brand called ‘Has No’. ALDI stocks Has No’s $2.69 gluten-free cornflakes and $3.99 muesli, as well as gluten-free flour and gluten-free chocolate chip biscuits. <img style="width: 411.6883116883117px; height:500px;" src="/media/7820887/4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d3c4579e76e0410887ba5b86b21ab3c5" /> Organic ALDI also caters to those who are choosing to follow an organic lifestyle. Organic products available at ALDI include Organic Brie, Just Organic Yoghurt, Just Organic Pasta and Organic Kombucha. Will you be purchasing any of these products from ALDI, or do you already? Let us know in the comments below.

Money & Banking

Sneak peak of the next Coles Little Shop collection

The Coles Little Shop initiative turned into a nationwide phenomenon, with shoppers specifically doing their weekly grocery shop from Coles to score the mini items. And now, the supermarket giant has announced that a second collection will launch next year, and Australians are already eager to find out what the range will include. Many are betting on kitchen-based items because of another Little Shop range released in New Zealand by New World supermarkets in 2013. The collection released in New Zealand proved to be extremely popular, which is why people believe Coles may follow suit. <img style="width: 0px; height:0px;" src="/media/7820885/20150909_175912.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/9a45af4b03d8498a923c14a61f232467" /> The original Coles campaign was launched in Australia in July 2018, and for months, families were on a mission to try and collect all 30 mini items, which ranged from Vegemite to Weet-Bix. To encourage the frenzy, Coles also held swap days, where people could get their hands on the items that were missing from their collection. Now, with the rumour mill rife and shoppers excited for round two, people believe that the supermarket will make everyday kitchen items into miniature collectables. This means it could include things like crumpets, a tissue box and a Woman’s Day magazine, like the New Zealand range. “Are you ready for round two,” one person posted on Facebook. “Another set to collect,” another added. Are you excited for the next range of Coles Little Shop collectables? Let us know in the comments below.

Money & Banking

The legal matters you need to consider as you get older

Legal

Entertainment

Here’s why Burt Reynolds has left his only son out of his will

One would think that Burt Reynolds would have left all his assets and prized possessions in the hands of his only son, Quinton Reynolds, but that isn’t the case. The late Hollywood actor has left his son's name out of his will, and named his niece, Nancy Lee Brown Hess, as the trustee of his estate. At the peak of his career, Reynolds used to demand an upwards of US$10 million per movie but at the time of his death on September 6, he was only worth a reported US$5 million. According to court documents released by The Blast, Reynolds officially signed off on the will in 2011, putting all his life earnings into a trust which will be managed by Hess. But it wasn’t all doom and gloom for the actor's 30-year-old son, as his only child with ex-wife and actress, Loni Anderson, Quinton will still benefit from his father’s decision. The document states that the actor created the trust so that money will continuously be put aside for him. This is done to avoid estate taxes. “I intentionally omit him from this, my Last Will and Testament, as I have provided for him during my lifetime in my Declaration of Trust,” Reynolds stated in the legal document. The Hollywood actor tragically died after a heart attack in a Florida hospital earlier this month. The 82-year-old was surrounded by loved ones at the time of his death. “It is with a broken heart that I said goodbye to my uncle today,” Hess told Page Six in a statement at the time. “My uncle was not just a movie icon; he was a generous, passionate and sensitive man, who was dedicated to his family, friends, fans and acting students.”

Movies

Just married! MasterChef judge George Calombaris' lavish Greek wedding

MasterChef Australia judge George Calombaris and his girlfriend of 11 years Natalie Tricarico have tied the knot in Greece. George and Natalie exchanged their vows on Sunday in a Greek Orthodox church. The celebration gathered the greatest celebrity chefs from around the world, including Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan, Manu Feildel and Nigella Lawson. British chef Sat Bains shared a photo of the bride after the ceremony looking glamorous in her champagne-hued gown. <img style="width: 500px; height:500px;" src="/media/7820867/1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/55d8406152de49a7988bcb69d15bb894" /> In the photo, Natalie was standing next to the couple's five-year-old daughter Michaela, while George is seen in the background by the altar. The lavish reception is believed to have taken place at the Island Athens Riviera resort, which is known for its impressive views of the Mediterranean Sea. Another photo shared on social media by chef Travis McAuley showed a few of the culinary greats that celebrated George and Natalie on their big day. <img style="width: 500px; height:332.01892744479494px;" src="/media/7820868/2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d3a3b2b8b820446892b0c751f58afda5" /> In the snap, George can be seen with MasterChef judges Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan, as well as guest judge Shannon Bennett. Other famous guests included British TV chef Nigella Lawson, My Kitchen Rules’ judge Manu Feildel, The Living Room host Miguel Maestre and restaurateur Matt Moran. Speaking to the <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/">Herald Sun</a> earlier this year, George shared how excited he was to be marrying his long-time girlfriend. “I'm very privileged and lucky to have beautiful and healthy children, and Natalie has been an incredible backbone in everything in my life,” he said. “She's had to put up with a lot with me. I'm a very lucky man.” The couple met in 2007 following their respective divorces and share two children together, James, 7, and Michaela, 5. Scroll through the gallery above to see more happy snaps from their wedding day.

Harsh new $337 road rule you need to know

Harsh new laws that were introduced yesterday could see drivers being fined hundreds of dollars and possibly lose their license if they are caught touching their phone when driving. The new laws introduced across New South Wales on September 17 mean drivers will now lose five demerit points rather than four if they are caught using their phones. NSW motorists will also receive a $337 fine, making the state the strictest in the country for the offence. During double demerit periods, including public holidays and long weekends, those who touch their phone while driving can be penalised up to 10 demerit points. Drivers or motorcyclists with a Learner, P1 or P2 licence cannot use their phone under any circumstances while on the road. “These drivers may only use a mobile phone if their vehicle is parked,” a spokesperson for Transport NSW said. Under the stricter new laws, if a Learner or P1 is caught using their phone they will automatically incur a three-month driving suspension as they only have a threshold of four demerit points. P2 drivers will have three demerit points remaining if they are caught illegally using a mobile phone on the road. When NSW Roads Minister Melinda Pavey announced the increased penalties in July, she said a government survey showed that 74 per cent of the community supported further limiting in-car mobile use. “We all see it and the community has had enough,” Ms Pavey said. NSW motorists are only legally allowed to use their phone while driving for calls, music and navigation if it is secure in a cradle fixed to the car and doesn’t obscure a driver’s vision. Drivers can also only use their phones for the same purposes if they can activate it without touching it, such as through Bluetooth or voice activation. The only time a motorist can hold a phone is if they are passing it across to a passenger. A spokesperson for Transport NSW warned that using your phone legally can still be risky. “Drivers are reminded that using a mobile phone legally can still be distracting and should always consider the current road conditions before using a mobile phone while driving.”

Books

Duchess Meghan's touching gesture after tragedy

The Duchess of Sussex has started a very touching project in the wake of London’s tragic Grenfell Tower fire disaster which killed 71 people. In her first solo royal project, Duchess Meghan has lent her support for a charitable cookbook that contains recipes from women who were affected by the tragedy. The idea for the Together cookbook came from a group of women who started gathering in a communal kitchen at the Al Manaar Muslim Cultural heritage Centre in West London last summer to prepare food for their loved ones. The women’s gathering quickly formed into the Hubb Community Kitchen. Last night, photos were released of Meghan cooking in the kitchen with mainly Muslim women who were affected by the fire. The Duchess first visited the kitchen in January this year and returns regularly for private visits. <img style="width: 419.2176870748299px; height: 500px;" src="/media/7820863/kensingtonpalace.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/17e92b3dd9cb458d8eaf24d3ccea79da" /> Meghan’s passion for food is no secret and the former-actress used to write about food on her now-defunct lifestyle blog, The Tig. Meghan’s character in Suits, the legal drama which first made her famous, was also tweaked to mirror her food enthusiasm. Kensington Palace said Meghan believed in the powerful project and wanted to support the community kitchen so it could continue changing lives. The proceeds from the book will fund the Hubb to stay open seven days a week and welcome more people through its doors. The book, which has a forward written by Meghan, contains personal recipes by women from across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean. In her foreword, Meghan wrote: “I immediately felt connected to this community kitchen; it is a place for women to laugh, grieve, cry and cook together. “Melding cultural identities under a shared roof, it creates a space to feel a sense of normalcy — in its simplest form, the universal need to connect, nurture, and commune through food, through crisis or joy — something we can all relate to. “Through this charitable endeavour, the proceeds will allow the kitchen to thrive and keep the global spirit of community alive.” A good friend of Meghan’s, tennis star Serena Williams, tweeted her support of the project. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> I used to call you Meghan (and I still do) but dear Duchess of Sussex your first project “Together” a cookbook bringing women of all cultures together. I could not be more excited about it and proud of you. It’s beautiful - diversity, inclusivity, coming together in grief or joy <a href="https://t.co/RkB2O35qmG">pic.twitter.com/RkB2O35qmG</a> — Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) <a href="https://twitter.com/serenawilliams/status/1041669645844078599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2018</a></blockquote> The cookbook will be published by Penguin Random House and supported by The Royal Foundation. Penguin Random House chair Baroness Rebuck said the company was captivated by the vision of the cookbook. “Every woman who has contributed a recipe to this book has also contributed a fragment of their lives and memories,” he said. “Each dish tells a story of culture, family and a sense of home. “But most of all Together is a homage to life and friendship and we hope it will act as a symbol to all communities and encourage cooking together for life and joy.” The Royal Foundation will administer the transfer of funds from the sale of the cookbook to the Hubb Community Kitchen and related projects.

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