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Hunter Valley bus driver breaks silence

Brett Andrew Button, 59, who allegedly caused a fatal bus crash that <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/hunter-valley-bus-driver-hit-with-new-charges" target="_blank" rel="noopener">killed 10 people</a> and injured 25 others has broken his silence over the incident for the first time. Button appeared before Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday as he faces almost 90 charges associated with the horror crash. In a statement read by his lawyer, Chris O’Brien, Button said that there was “not a day that goes by that I don’t think about what happened that night”. “There isn’t an hour that goes by that I’m not thinking of the families that have been affected by the crash. “I truly feel for anyone involved, including the emergency services. “I am devastated by what has occurred and I am truly deeply sorry.” Button was the bus driver in charge of driving wedding guests to a Hunter Valley venue when the vehicle allegedly lost control and crashed. Husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott were killed in the crash and farewelled in ceremonies weeks later. Nadene and Kyah McBride who were among the ten wedding guests killed in the crash, were also <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/a-moving-time-hunter-valley-bus-crash-victims-honoured-at-aflw-grand-final" target="_blank" rel="noopener">honoured with a tribute</a> at the AFLW grand final in December. Zach Bray, Angus Craig, Darcy Bulman, Tori Cowburn and Rebecca Mullen were the other victims of the horror crash. Button faces 89 charges including nine counts of negligent driving occasioning death and 16 counts of driving a motor vehicle furiously doing or causing harm. He has not entered any pleas. Image: Getty

Legal

How to set realistic exercise goals you’ll actually stick to

We often think that exercise goals need to be huge mountains, feats that are big and hard to achieve. But when your goals are unobtainable you fall into the New Year's Eve cycle, where the excitement you feel at the beginning wavers after just a short time. The same goes if your goals are too small: you will only feel the sweet taste of success after a bit of hard work. Exercise goals need to be realistic. They need to stretch you enough so that you can become more than who you are at this moment without breaking you. Here are the top tips from Dr Brett Lillie – author of Rediscover Your Athlete Within – on how to set realistic exercise goals so you can achieve them on your own terms: 1. Follow the Principles Designing your goals begins with the core principles; be specific, clarify your destination, make it measurable, in bite size action steps that are achievable in a clear time frame. The goal posts. 2. Start where you are Be truthful about where you are right now. On one hand think about your body and be realistic about your physical capacity. On the other, have fun, be creative, get curious. What do your exercise goals make you feel? At the end of the day, we're only as old as we feel. It’s easy to fall into the “I’m too old, I can’t possibly do that” trap: get out of that thought and jazz it up. 3. Make your goals compelling Bob Proctor is famous for asking, ‘Is it big enough and scary enough’ to pull you out of your present circumstances and not playing small? A realistic goal doesn’t need to be climbing mount Everest, but it does need to stretch you and take you out of your comfort zone. The more meaning you give your goals, the more why you attach, the more realistic they become, the more they excite you and get you out of bed before the alarm. 4. Find the balance When you set goals, they are really signposts along your life journey, “in between” destinations that you are moving in the right direction. There are times where it is spring, and everything just seems to be going your way, heading into summer, you’re ticking boxes, only to head into Winter where nothing seems to be happening. No need to feel discouraged. As the change of the seasons, exercising needs balance too. Make rest and recovery part of your goals. 5. Stay on track Once you start exercising, the beginning bit is relatively easy, it’s the honeymoon period. The closer you get to your goal, the greater the effort, the more distractions begin to appear. This is the time you smile to yourself, you stick to your promise, you know your goal is just over the next ridge about to appear. Remind yourself you’re still progressing even if it doesn’t quite feel like it. You are still moving forward, and you have momentum. 6. Set yourself up to win Setting yourself up to win is about removing the clutter in your life, both mental and physical. When you’re young you just juggle the growing kids, a career, responsibilities and you multi task like a pro. However, it is putting your attention on the one thing that makes the big things that matter happen. Deliberate attention will give you the greatest success. So think: What is crowding your mind? And your environment? Are there worries or piles of unfinished projects cluttering your world? Clearing the decks is making way for the new. What is your one thing? Making an exercise goal realistic is about deciding what is truly important, then actually writing it down and turning it into a priority in our life. It is in our PM years where the views and values we hold tend to change, we look for the deeper meaning, more heartfelt fulfilment and think about the legacy we are creating. Recognise that setting exercise goals that are realistic is you taking the time to decide what is most important to you and why, setting a promise in place. Look for the wins, acknowledge the progress and celebrate your life every day. Dr Brett Lillie, author of Rediscover Your Athlete Within, is a sought-after speaker, coach and rehab professional who helps people rekindle their love for movement and find their mojo so they can live their best life. To find out more about Dr Brett’s programs, go to his website <a href="https://www.brettlillie.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.brettlillie.com</a>

Body

Police raid Hunter Valley bus crash depots

Police have issued defect and infringement notices to the transport company involved in the Hunter Valley bus tragedy after conducting raids on two depots. The crash on June 11 was the deadliest seen on Australian roads in over 30 years, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/more-than-we-can-bear-hunter-valley-bus-crash-victims-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leaving 10 dead and nine in hospital</a>. Police and National Heavy Vehicle Regulator inspectors checked 20 buses at Linq Busline depots in Wyong, on the NSW Central Coast, and East Gresford, near Newcastle, on June 15. Seven defect and two infringement notices were issued after a cracked windscreen, oil leaks, inoperative seatbelts and vehicle lights, and insecure seats were discovered. A defect notice is issued when a problem needs to be fixed before the vehicle can be deemed safe to drive. “The joint operation involved a comprehensive audit of documentation relating to fatigue, driver management, vehicle servicing and maintenance records, and safety management systems,” police said. Linq said “one major defect identified in the fleet has been rectified” and minor defects were being rectified in accordance with the timelines set by the regulator. The evening of June 15 saw heartbroken family and friends of the victims gathered near the crash site to mourn their loved ones and thank frontline workers. Most of the 25 survivors sent to hospital following the crash have since been discharged. The nine who remain in hospital are in stable condition, with seven at John Hunter Hospital and two at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, according to NSW Health. Over 900 donations have been made since June 14 to fund survivors and victims’ families, with almost $500,00 raised. The tragedy has shaken the Singleton community, with seven locals among the 10 people killed when the bus crashed on its way back from a wedding. Cessnock mayor Jay Suvaal said the community came together to support the loved ones of those lost in the crash and pay tribute to the first responder. “We’re a really tight-knit community that does come together and support each other in times of need,” he told AAP. Locals have offered accommodation and support for victims’ families. “People are just dropping in things like cake and biscuits to our crisis centres to make sure there’s food available for the people there,” Suvaal said. Devastated friends and family continue to visit a makeshift memorial at the crash site, which is strewn with flowers, cards and teddy bears. Counselling and support is being offered at centres in Singleton and Branxton. Health Minister Ryan Park said mental health services would remain available as long as necessary. “What I do know about these types of traumatic and devastating events is that often it’s not in the hours and days afterwards when people need additional support — it’s often in the weeks and months,” he said. “They’ve been through unimaginable grief and suffering.” The insurer managing the crash compensation claims is being urged to ensure that extended family and friends of the victims receive support. Under the state’s compulsory third-party scheme, only those directly involved in the crash or who had suffered psychological trauma due to the death or severe injury of a close relative are eligible for support. Slater and Gordon layer Doug Williams urged the insurer to show compassion to those who have suffered due to the cash regardless of their ties to the victims. “It’s (the scheme) so limited that the close friends and the extended family as well as members of the small community where many of those killed lived would be ineligible to claim treatment,” Williams said. Many of the victims were heavily involved with the Singleton Roosters AFL club and the AFL Central Coast has cancelled its senior matches the weekend following the crash out of respect. Sydney Swans players will be bearing black armbands ahead of their next game against the Lions in memory of the victims. “We are deeply saddened by the horrific events over the weekend,” Swans chief Tom Harley said. The bus driver, Brett Button, 58, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/hunter-valley-bus-driver-faces-court" target="_blank" rel="noopener">faced Cessnock Local Court</a> on June 13 charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving causing death. Image credit: Getty

Legal

Set sail in style alongside these sporting legends

The time has come for sports fans with a passion for cruising to live their dreams, with <a href="https://www.cunard.com/en-au/cruise-types/event-cruises/sporting-greats">The Voyage of Sporting Greats</a> - the latest offering to the world of thrilling themed voyages from British luxury cruise line Cunard. The first-of-its-kind-trip will set sail in February 2024, headlined by none other than AFL legend Adam Goodes, cricket’s Brett Lee, and golfer Karrie Webb. Sunrise and Olympic presenter Mark Beretta will also be joining in on the fun, as well as Bruce McLaren’s daughter, Amanda McLaren. While onboard, guests will have the opportunity to attend live fireside chats with their sporting heroes, to enjoy sports-themed shore excursions with those very same stars, and to get to know them better - if you’ve ever wondered just how heavy some of those trophies can be, now’s your chance to ask. For example, the Queen Elizabeth - one of four ships setting sail as part of the 2024 fleet, alongside Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and the brand new Queen Anne - has a jam-packed star-studded program to offer guests, featuring everything from talks to sporting activities, and unique excursions to the shore in Sydney, Melbourne, and Hobart. Additionally, the Queen Elizabeth - the second largest ship in Cunard’s fleet with room for 2,000 guests and an additional 1,000 crew - boasts more than 10 different eating establishments, an entire Games Desk with the likes of paddle tennis, croquet, hitting bays, and bowls, as well as an impressive two-story library, a ballroom, and a Royal Court Theatre - the latter will even host performances by <a href="https://circa.org.au/">Circa</a>, an Australian contemporary circus company, in February 2024. As Katrina McAlpine, the commercial director of Cunard Australia and New Zealand, explained, “we are extremely excited to host some of the biggest local names in sport on Queen Elizabeth next February. “Brett Lee, Adam Goodes, Karrie Webb, Mark Beretta, and Amanda McLaren will captivate sport enthusiasts with stories of their career defining moments, their professional highs and lows, and give guests the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with them during priceless and bespoke activities onboard and ashore. “The Voyage of Sporting Greats offers sports fans a once in a lifetime chance to meet and engage with some of our country’s most famous sporting icons in one place.” 2014 Australian of the Year and AFL great Adam Goodes, for one, is eager to join in on the fun with his fellow sporting greats, noting that “this is a spectacular opportunity to join the other sporting icons and connect with guests aboard Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth. I am looking forward to sharing stories about my career, what drives and inspires me and what projects I am currently working on. “I am specifically keen to talk to fans onboard and create great memories of the sailing for them.” Celebrated Australian golfer Karrie Webb is similarly excited for Cunard guests to experience their athletic lineup. And golf fans in particular will benefit, with Karrie “very much looking forward to sharing with guests my favourite tips and golf stories, as well as having a swing with them onboard.” Amanda McLaren - daughter of the late Bruce McLaren - is honoured to be taking part, and “can’t wait to interact with guests and to share the McLaren racing story - and my father’s legacy that kick started in Australia.” And for cricket legend Brett Lee, the trip is set to become the highlight of his year, with the star most looking forward to catching up with guests on the “voyage for the ages”. The same could be said for and by renowned sports presenter Mark Beretta, who is thrilled to be facilitating the talent on deck as they share their stories. “Sharing stories of Australian sporting history and anecdotes from behind the scenes of the world of sports, plus talking to some of the biggest stars in Australian sport is going to be a treat for me and our guests,” he shared. “I’m also looking forward to getting on the road with guests to host a very special excursion!” The stars and their fellow cruisers will depart from Sydney on February 13 2024, heading to Tasmania and back over a span of 7 nights, with stops to stretch their legs and enjoy all that the shore has to offer in Hobart, Port Arthur, and Melbourne. To find our more about costs the voyage’s impressive guest list, and what’s on offer on this trip of a lifetime, potential passengers can learn all about it - and secure their spot - here: <a href="https://www.cunard.com/en-au/cruise-types/event-cruises/sporting-greats">https://www.cunard.com/en-au/cruise-types/event-cruises/sporting-greats</a> Images: Cunard [supplied]

Cruising

“What a disgrace”: Grace Tame slams footy star’s child abuse verdict

Content warning: This article includes mentions of child sex abuse (CSA) and child exploitation material. Activist Grace Tame has slammed the Australian legal system after former NRL star Brett Finch avoided jail time for sharing child sex abuse (CSA) material. Finch, a former halfback, pleaded guilty to one charge of using a carriage service to transmit, publish or promote child abuse in August, but was sentenced to a $1000 two-year good behaviour bond on Wednesday. The 41-year-old was under the influence of drugs when he left a series of messages on a gay chat-line expressing a desire to perform sex acts on young boys. In Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court, Finch admitted to feeling disgust at himself for making the calls, saying his intention behind them was to obtain cocaine. Ms Tame shared her outrage in a series of posts on social media on Wednesday night, describing the verdict as a shame on Australia. “This pathetic verdict is a shame on our nation. The fact that Judge Phillip Mahony accepted the distorted narrative alleged by Brett Finch that his production of child abuse material was a means of scoring drugs shows just how undervalued children are in Australia,” she wrote over a screenshot of a news story about Finch’s sentencing. “The buck continues to stop with innocent lives. What a disgrace. “Let’s be real here: of all the avenues to score cocaine, a paedophile ring is probably THE LAST PLACE you’d need to look. In the words of Robin Williams, ‘that’s like getting chemotherapy because YOU’RE TIRED OF SHAVING YOUR HEAD’.” The 27-year-old said that whether his story was true or not, the outcome of his actions remains the same. “It does not change the fact that he produced child exploitation material,” she continued. “It does not change the fact that he engaged with convicted paedophiles, therefore aiding and enabling the cycle of abuse culture and providing the social cue of legitimacy to a crime against humanity.” In response to his claims that the messages were just “s**t talk”, Ms Tame said it served to “dehumanise and objectify” children. “Yeah, that’s all it ever is, isn’t it, just “s**t talk?” she wrote. “It’s just “s**t talk” to dehumanise and objectify an underage member of your own species.” During Finch’s sentencing, Judge Phillip Mahoney described the content of the athlete’s messages as “highly depraved” and “morally reprehensible”. While the maximum penalty for the offence is 15 years, the Crown had asked that Finch be sentenced to full-time custody. Judge Mahoney found that there were some exceptional circumstances surrounding Finch’s offending, accepting that he had been motivated by a “patently absurd” attempt to source drugs rather than out of sexual interest in children. He noted that Finch hadn’t created or shared any images and had acted alone and while under the influence, with the offending being “entirely unsophisticated”. “I accept that he is genuinely remorseful for his offending conduct,” the judge said, noting Finch’s lack of a criminal record and his involvement in junior football coaching and charity work. The court heard that Finch was at the height of his drug use at the time, which had started in 2013 and peaked with his use of 12 to 25 grams of cocaine a week. There was evidence that he failed to adapt to life after his NRL career, and that he was ashamed of his actions and had been abused in public, prompting him to rarely leave his home following the arrest. Under his release order, Finch must be of good behaviour, not travel interstate or overseas without permission, and must undergo drug testing and treatment. If you or someone you know have been a victim or affected by child sexual abuse, support is available. You can contact Bravehearts on 1800 272 831 or Blue Knot on 1300 657 380 for support. Images: Instagram / Getty Images

Legal

Cute-as-a-button mushroom house captivates buyers

A quirky “Mushroom House” has popped on the market in Michigan, USA. A home owner in the United States has taken their love for the humble vegetable to a whole new level, with the seven-bedroom property expected to sell for a cool $US4.5 million ($6.4 million). The unique abode covers 6,000 square-feet and is referred to as “The Thatch House” due to its signature roof. American architect Earl Young designed the original seven-bathroom home back in 1918. He was known to source stone for his multiple properties throughout Northern Michigan. However, the new owner dreamed up a new aesthetic, drawing a thatched roof onto a napkin. The design concept took nearly two years to come to fruition and saw thatch being imported in from Europe. The interiors reflect Young’s original aesthetic with stone fireplaces and staircases, along with the timber joinery and benchtops in the living areas, kitchen and bathrooms. The timber floorboards are a rich chocolate tone, along with the new owner’s choice of plush textiles in bold hues, provides a warm and inviting feel to the estate. Images: Domain

Real Estate

“This house is my special place”: Wendy Whiteley promises $100 million gift to NSW

Wendy Whiteley has made an “extraordinary” cultural gift to NSW, promising to sell her Lavender Bay home and bequeath her collection of her late husband Brett Whiteley’s artworks to the Art Gallery of NSW. The collection is worth more than $100 million and will be among the largest single donations the gallery has received in its 151-year history according to director Michael Brand. “This gift is yet another example of what an outstanding citizen of our harbour city Wendy Whiteley is, and why she continues to be so admired and revered,” Brand <a href="https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/media-office/whiteley-bequest/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. Almost 2000 artworks spanning Whiteley’s career will be left jointly to the gallery and the Brett Whitely Foundation. As for Wendy’s home, which has lived in since 1969, it will not be preserved in public ownership. The 81-year-old has instead instructed that it be sold upon her death, with the proceeds going into a trust to secure the future of the collection and the Brett Whiteley Studio in Surry Hills. “It doesn’t amke any sense to turn [the house] into another museum,” Wendy told <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/this-house-needs-a-family-again-wendy-whiteley-s-extraordinary-100-million-gift-to-nsw-20220615-p5atzy.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sydney Morning Herald</a>. “It would be almost impossible to run it as a museum, having knowledge of what it costs to do this kind of thing. This house needs a family again. It would be lovely to think of a creative family but it would be enough if they loved it, and lived in it. She told the publication that she hopes its future owners would “keep an eye on the garden” and hassle “whoever’s in charge” if it starts to fall into disrepair. “I imagine I’m going to be here until, you know, they take me out in a coffin. Long ago I gave up taking anything for granted, like health or longevity,” she said. “The house is my special place, along with the garden and the studio. All have expanded my opportunity to lead a creative life. That’s what I’d like for others through this bequest.” The Wendy and Arkie Whiteley Bequest takes inspiration from the couple’s daughter, Arkie, who died just nine years after her father from cancer at the age of 37. After Arkie’s passing in 2001, Wendy became the sole custodian of the collection and solely responsible for maintaining her husband’s legacy. “Certainly this is Brett’s legacy, but it is also mine and my daughter’s because we made it happen,” Wendy said. The couple’s home in Lavender Bay features some of Brett’s major works, including Archibald Prize-winning Self portrait in the studio 1976, his Sir John Prize-winning Interior with time past 1976, and The jacaranda tree (on Sydney Harbour) 1977. Its significance was recognised in 2018 when it, along with the setting and former studio, were state heritage listed. Image: Art Gallery of NSW

Real Estate

Fleetwood Mac member loses his battle to cancer

Famed Musician Brett Tuggle has lost his battle with cancer, aged 70. He was best known for being the keyboardist for Fleetwood Mac and a founding member of the David Lee Roth Band. Brett is survived by daughter Michelle and son Matt, who confirmed that their father died from complications related to cancer. "He was loved by his family so much," Matt shared. "His family was with him throughout the entire time of his illness. He was a lovely father. He gave me music in my life." Fellow musician and good friend Rick Springfield was one of the first to pay tribute on Twitter. *embed tweet Tuggle was a founding member of the David Lee Roth Band in the 1980s before he joined Fleetwood Mac in the '90s. He was with the band for two decades, after officially taking over Christine McVie's keyboard duties when she left in 1998. He later worked with Fleetwood Mac stars Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham on their solo ventures, which caused conflict among the group and reportedly led to his exit. "I care about them all," he said. "They're all a big part of my life." Image: Getty

Music

“Benjamin Button” mice could pave way for reverse ageing

If the three blind mice from the iconic nursery rhyme were living in molecular biologist Dr David Sinclair’s lab at Harvard Medical School, they might not be blind for very long. Dr Sinclair and his team at Harvard Medical School have been using proteins that can turn adult cells into stem cells - a kind of cell that can be turned into any of the specialised cells our bodies need. These stem cells have been helping restore the sight of old mice with damaged retinas, essentially making them younger versions of themselves. “It’s a permanent reset, as far as we can tell, and we think it may be a universal process that could be applied across the body to reset our age,” Dr Sinclair said about his research, which was published in late 2020. The Australian scientist has spent the past 20 years studying ways to reverse the effects of ageing - including the diseases that can afflict us as we get older. “If we reverse ageing, these diseases should not happen,” he said. During a health and wellness talk at Life Itself, Dr Sinclair said the technology is available and it’s only a matter of when we decide to use it. “We have the technology today to be able to go into your hundreds without worrying about getting cancer in your 70s, heart disease in your 80s and Alzheimer’s in your 90s,” he said. “This is the world that is coming. It’s literally a question of when and for most of us, it’s going to happen in our lifetime.” Whitney Casey, an investor who has partnered with Dr Sinclair to create a DIY biological age test, said the researcher wants to “make ageing a disease”. “His research shows you can change ageing to make lives younger for longer,” she said. Dr Sinclair said that when it comes to how modern medicine addresses sickness, it doesn’t tackle the underlying cause, which is usually “ageing itself”. “We know that when we reverse the age of an organ like the brain in a mouse, the diseases of ageing then go away. Memory comes back, there is no more dementia,” he continued. “I believe that in the future, delaying and reversing ageing will be the best way to treat the diseases that plague most of us.” Dr Sinclair’s research comes amid a global effort by scientists working to reprogram adult cells into stem cells, started by Japanese researcher Shinya Yamanaka, who won a Nobel Prize for reprogramming adult skin cells into behaving like embryonic (or pluripotent) stem cells. These “induced pluripotent stem cells” became known as “Yamanaka factors”, with later research finding that exposing cells to four of the main Yamanaka factors could remove signs of ageing. Since their original study, where they discovered that damaged cells were able to be rejuvenated by injecting three of these factors into the eyes of mice, Dr Sinclair and his lab have reversed ageing in mouse brains and muscles, and are now working on a mouse’s whole body. Dr Sinclair said their discovery indicated that there is a “back-up copy” of youthful information stored in the body, which he calls the “information theory of ageing”. “It’s a loss of information that drives ageing cells to forget how to function, to forget what type of cell they are,” he revealed. “And now we can tap into a reset switch that restores the cell’s ability to read the genome correctly again, as if it was young.” Image: Getty Images

Body

5 must-have items for the cooler months

As we head into the cooler months, the time of hearty soups and snuggly sleep-ins, let’s opt for fashions that make us feel cozy, warm and comfortable – all while still looking good. <a href="https://www.suzannegrae.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Suzanne Grae</a> will make the transition effortless with fabulous clothes that are both easy to wear and easy to care for. You’ll be confidently tackling your day and ticking off your to-do list with clothes that are subtly elegant and sophisticated. Here are the five must-have items from Grae’s collection that celebrates all women, from petite to plus-size. The Wear-With-Everything Knits You can’t beat a cozy textured knitted jumper as the temperature drops. Grae’s collection of <a href="https://www.suzannegrae.com.au/clothing/knitwear" target="_blank" rel="noopener">knitwear</a> effortlessly teams up with any outfit. You’ll be wearing your favourite knits on repeat as they’re available in all the trendy season colours like creams, pinks, blues, lilacs, and white. And you’ll be able to get one in each colour, with Grae’s knitwear starting from the budget-friendly price of $39.95. With a knit and denim combo, you can never go wrong. Or layer a knit cardigan over the top of a basic tee or blouse for a smart casual look that doesn’t skimp on warmth, comfort or style. Grae’s breathes fresh life into the knitted jumper with ombre prints and modern stripes that you’ll love season after season. Love-Your-Body Pants Yes, pants season is here. And Grae’s newest styles fit so perfectly that you’ll be loving your body all day, everyday. You’ll be living in Grae’s elasticated cropped pants while out and about. And keep yourself looking fresh and chic with their <a href="https://www.suzannegrae.com.au/clothing/pants" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wide-leg pant</a>, which gives you plenty of room to move while you’re on the go. Autumn dressing isn’t complete without the perfect pair of corduroys, and Grae’s are top-class. Their cord jeans come in pink, green and camel and hug the body in all the right places. Pair them with your favourite knit and a loafer, and you’re all ready for a day of fun. You’ll find trousers that look good on you, whatever your shape, with all Grae's styles available from sizes 6-24. They’ll fit just right. You’ll be wearing them time and time again. Everyday Shirts Grae’s everyday <a href="https://www.suzannegrae.com.au/clothing/shirts-tops-clothing-szg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cotton button-down shirts</a> are fresh, light, and the finishing touch your outfit needs. No styling is required. Simply throw on, and you’re dressed and ready to tackle your day with confidence and ease. Or wear them unbuttoned over a basic fitted tee, that starts from $19.95 and delivers a two-for-one outfit. With the fluctuations in temperature the autumn months bring, you can roll the long sleeves up or down however you need. The breathable, flowing fabric creates a flattering silhouette on the body and looks good on every woman. It’s also for all women to embrace with shirts available in petite to plus-size. Classic Shirt-Jacket A classic shirt-jacket is always in style. And just enough to ward off a nippy breeze but not too bulky that it will weigh you down while you’re on the go. Grae’s <a href="https://www.suzannegrae.com.au/clothing/jackets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lightweight shirt-jacket</a> styles are ultra comfortable and will carry you through all the seasons with a bit of layering. Sitting at the waist, jackets have the perfect balance of structure and a loose fit to show any figure in the best light. Grae’s has options for every women’s body in every style and for every budget, starting from $59.95. A shirt-jacket will be the go-to item in your wardrobe and always be on rotation. Throw it on over a fitted singlet and be office-ready. Or take a more swanky approach with a skirt and jacket combo and enjoy a day out at the winery. Relaxed-Fit Jean A fabulously fitting denim never goes old. Grae’s <a href="https://www.suzannegrae.com.au/clothing/denim" target="_blank" rel="noopener">relaxed-fit jean</a> styles are designed to flatter every body and make you feel fabulous while you’re out and about. Dress up a jean easily with a pretty blouse and a wedge heel or boot, and you’re ready for dinner with friends in your smart-casual look. Be stylish every day with a relaxed-fit denim crafted from a soft cotton blend that makes moving around on the go super comfortable. It’s available in a range of modern washes and on-trend colours that you’ll be wearing from season to season. A pair of Grae’s denim that you’ll be wearing on repeat can be yours, starting from $39.95 and will make you feel good about every dollar spent. This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a href="https://www.suzannegrae.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Suzanne Grae</a>.

Beauty & Style

Why an edit button for Twitter is not as simple as it seems

Most people who use Twitter have had the experience: you fire off a quick tweet, realise it contains a typo, then get annoyed you can’t click “edit” to fix it. Twitter users have been <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90376786/a-brief-history-of-not-being-able-to-edit-your-tweets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">clamouring for an edit button for years</a>. Elon Musk, who has recently been buying up shares in the microblogging platform and has made a <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-15/elon-musk-offer-to-buy-twitter-worlds-richest-man/100994580" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US$48 billion offer</a> for the whole company, asked his 82 million followers if they wanted an edit button. His (deeply unscientific) poll attracted 4.4 million responses, with 73% in favour. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Do you want an edit button? — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1511143607385874434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2022</a></blockquote> Other social media platforms let you edit posts after you’ve sent them. It seems like it would be a simple feature to add – so why doesn’t Twitter do it? Well, the time may at last have arrived. Independent of Musk’s poll, Twitter has confirmed that <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/5/23011327/twitter-edit-button-blue-test" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an edit button may be in the works</a>. Enterprising users have even dug out some hints of what it <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/18/twitters-in-development-edit-button-offers-hints-as-to-how-the-feature-could-work/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">might look like</a>. So what’s the fuss about? Why has Twitter been so opposed to an edit button? The answer might be that it isn’t as simple as it appears. The first thing to know about tweets is that, unlike posts on many other platforms, there is fundamentally no way for Twitter to pull them back after they are sent. The reason is that Twitter has what’s called an Application Programming Interface (or API) which allows third parties such as other apps or researchers to download tweets in real time. That’s what powers Twitter clients such as TweetDeck, TweetBot, Twitteriffic and Echofon, which together account for some <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2018/08/17/6-million-users-had-installed-third-party-twitter-clients/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">6 million users</a>. Once third parties have downloaded tweets, there’s no way for Twitter to get them back or edit them. It’s a bit like an email – once I’ve sent it and you’ve downloaded it, there’s no way for me to delete it from your machine. If a user were to edit a tweet, the most Twitter could do is send out a message saying “please edit this tweet” – but the third party could choose whether or not to actually do it. (This is currently what happens when tweets are “deleted”.) Cats and dogs More importantly, an edit button might have unintended consequences, and could be weaponised. Consider this. I, a cat lover, decide to tweet “I love cats!” Then you, being also a cat lover (because why wouldn’t you be), decide to quote my tweet, agreeing “I do too!” (Remember when Twitter used to be this innocent?) Now, what happens if I edit my original tweet to declare “I love dogs”? You are now misrepresented as a dog-lover, and when your cat-loving friends see this (which they will when I reply to your tweet, mentioning them all), they disown you. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/459030/original/file-20220421-70799-6mgarp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/459030/original/file-20220421-70799-6mgarp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/459030/original/file-20220421-70799-6mgarp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=192&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/459030/original/file-20220421-70799-6mgarp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=192&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/459030/original/file-20220421-70799-6mgarp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=192&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/459030/original/file-20220421-70799-6mgarp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=241&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/459030/original/file-20220421-70799-6mgarp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=241&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/459030/original/file-20220421-70799-6mgarp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=241&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="A screenshot showing a tweet reading " /></a><figcaption>A Twitter edit button could be used to change statements after others have retweeted or endorsed them. The Conversation</figcaption></figure> Yes, this is contrived, but it doesn’t take much imagination to see how the edit button might be used in this fashion, particularly by things such as bot armies. Will Twitter users be happy to trade this possibility for the convenience of fixing typos in their tweets? ‘Warts and all’: a bug or a feature? Twitter has built its reputation on being the most “real-time” of the social media platforms – the place where <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ngeo832" target="_blank" rel="noopener">earthquakes are reported quicker than by scientific instruments</a>. However, for many people the “warts and all” nature of Twitter postings is starting to look like a bug, rather than a feature. Will an edit button change Twitter’s unique brand? There may be ways to ameliorate this, such as only allowing edits within a short time of posting, but it is surely a consideration for the company. More generally, the design of media platforms shapes the type of discussion that occurs on them. The presence of the “like” and “retweet” buttons on Twitter encourage users to create content that will entice others to click these buttons, and make their content spread further. This, in turn, shapes the nature of conversation that occurs on the platform. Similarly, websites use algorithms and design to “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2018.1476570" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nudge</a>” users in particular directions – such as to buy a product. There is a rich body of research into the ways discourse is shaped by the design of social media platforms, which establishes that every “affordance” a user is given affects the conversation that ends up taking place. This means that beyond the fundamental technological challenges, Twitter must think about the possible unintended consequences of seemingly simple changes – even to the level of a humble edit button. The medium shapes the message, and Twitter must think carefully about what sorts of messages they want their platform to shape.<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;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/181623/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lewis-mitchell-266859" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lewis Mitchell</a>, Professor of Data Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119" target="_blank" rel="noopener">University of Adelaide</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-an-edit-button-for-twitter-is-not-as-simple-as-it-seems-181623" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>. Image: Getty Images

Technology

Try this one pot lamb shanks with button mushrooms

Need some weeknight dinner inspiration? Why not try this tender-to-the-bone lamb shank recipe? Serves: 3 | Cooks in: 3 hours and 10 minutes Ingredients <ul> <li>50g (1/3 cup) plain flour, to dust</li> <li>4 lamb shanks, Frenched</li> <li>1½ tbsp olive oil</li> <li>½ bottle red wine</li> <li>12 eschalots, peeled</li> <li>1 bunch thyme, half trussed, half leaves picked</li> <li>400g Button Mushrooms, cleaned and trimmed</li> <li>Salt and pepper, to season</li> <li>Creamy polenta, to serve (¾ cup with 750ml mix of chicken stock and milk, butter and finely grated parmesan)</li> </ul> Method 1. Preheat the oven to 160°C. Place the flour into a large bowl and season well with salt and pepper. Dust the lamb shanks in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. 2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large, heavy-based, ovenproof saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the shanks for 5 minutes, turning, until browned. Remove and set aside. 3. Pour in the wine and boil for 5 minutes to cook off the alcohol. Return the shanks to the pan with the eschalots and trussed thyme. Pour in enough water to submerge the shanks and bring up to a simmer. Cover the surface with a piece of baking paper, then cover with a lid and place in the oven for 1.5 hours. 4. Carefully remove the pan from the oven and turn the shanks over, topping up with water if necessary. Add the mushrooms and cover with the baking paper and lid, then return to the oven for a further 1.5 hours or until the shank meat is falling from the bone. 5. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tsp oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. Toast the remaining thyme until bright green, then remove and set aside. 6. Remove the shanks from the pan and place in a bowl, loosely covered with foil and set aside to rest. 7. Place the pan over high heat. Reduce the sauce for 10-12 minutes or until thickened and glossy. 8. Divide polenta among bowls and top with a shank, mushrooms and eschalots. Spoon over the sauce and scatter with toasted thyme to serve. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Republished with permission of <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/recipes/one-pot-lamb-shanks-with-button-mushrooms" target="_blank">Wyza.com.au.</a>

Food & Wine

Dean Jones dead at 59 as Brett Lee tried to save his life

Cricket legend Dean Jones died on Thursday night of a heart attack, aged 59, in a Mumbai hotel. Australian cricket legend Brett Lee returned to TV just hours after he desperately tried to save his broadcast colleague’s life. He and Lee were set to feature together in Star India’s English commentary for the 2020 Indian Premier League. However Jones suffered a sudden heart attack in the lobby of their hotel, and Lee reportedly sprung into action and attempted CPR. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFiXhLChhBH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFiXhLChhBH/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsun_sport)</a> on Sep 24, 2020 at 4:02pm PDT </div> </blockquote> The sports veteran was taken by ambulance to hospital but was unable to be saved. The tragic event took place only hours before the pair were due to go to air. Lee eventually went on to front the cameras without his mate after the traumatic event. “I think the thing we want to say about Deano is he would have wanted us to be here tonight,” Lee said. “It’s pretty much the ‘Select Deano’ we call it. It’s Deano’s dugout tonight. “He is an absolute legend. “Firstly to his family and friends we send our condolences. It’s a real tough day for everyone, not only for his close mates and the whole cricketing world in general. “What Deano would’ve wanted is for us to come out here in the dugout, get it done, have some fun for the game we all love.” Just a few days earlier, Shane Warne had tweeted about how much he enjoyed the commentary team, to which Lee replied: “Yep it’s a lot of fun.” <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFiMUcog_n7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFiMUcog_n7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by wade smith (@foreverfamous__)</a> on Sep 24, 2020 at 2:24pm PDT </div> </blockquote> The cricket world is mourning the loss of Jones. Australian Men’s Head Coach Justin Langer said he was “shocked and very sad to hear of his passing”. “Deano was a true legend of Australian sport and world cricket, one of the great players and personalities in a golden time for the game,” he said. “His role in the team’s World Cup win in 1987 and the 1989 Ashes under AB were a huge turning point for Australian cricket.” The operator of the broadcast, Star India, said Jones was one of the “great ambassadors of the game”. “He was passionate about discovering new talent and nurturing young cricketers. “He was a champion commentator whose presence and presentation of the game always brought joy to millions of fans.”

News

Surprises galore! Brett Lee unveiled on The Masked Singer before making even more startling revelation

After being unveiled as the Parrot on The Masked Singer on Tuesday night, Brett Lee decided on giving his fans one more surprise. Speaking to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/reality-tv/the-masked-singer/masked-singer-brett-lee-baby-number-three-58422" target="_blank">Now to Love</a> after the unmasking, the cricket star broke the news that he and his wife Lana had welcomed a new addition to their family – a baby boy. The tiny tot is a sibling to Brett’s other children, Preston and Helena, and is only 13-weeks-old. “For me, I’m actually a very private person away from all this,” he said, explaining the reason why the couple didn’t announce the pregnancy to the public. “So, I haven’t even told anyone the name.” The father-of-three also shared a hilarious incident that occurred as his three-and-a-half-year-old daughter watched him be unmasked on screen. “She knows all of the words to What’s My Scene,” said Brett. “The last couple of months I’ve been around the house and I’ve obviously been practising and been really mindful who was in the house when I’m singing the song. “She knows all of the words and as soon as the song came on [last night], the first chord – she loves music, I play guitar for her all the time – and she knew it straight away. She said: ‘That’s daddy’s song!’ “But she freaked out when the head came off because she thought the parrot had died.” Despite being slightly traumatised, Helena insisted on watching it again on Wednesday morning.

The question on everyone’s mind: Does the pedestrian button do anything?

Picture this: You’re standing at a pedestrian crossing waiting for the red man to turn green. One-minute turns to five and next thing you know you’ve been standing there waiting for an eternity. To speed things up, you decide to press the pedestrian button a number of times but still no luck. Sound familiar? Because according to the latest reports, you may have been getting conned for the past 24 years. The nation is divided on the topic of whether pressing the pedestrian button has any effect on the traffic lights, but the answer is, it’s dependant on which state you reside in. The bad news is mainly for Sydney-siders, because if you’ve been pressing the pedestrian button hoping for the man to turn green between 7 am and 7 pm on Monday to Thursday and from 7 am to 9 pm on Friday – you’ve been conned. According to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/have-you-been-wasting-your-time-by-pushing-the-pedestrian-button/news-story/b87735fb87ad862c7e6fee6206510edc" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>, signals throughout Sydney have been set to “automated pedestrian phases”, which means those buttons have been useless since 1994. Though it does change over the weekend, as on Saturday the automated times are set to run from 8:30 am to 9pm, and Sunday is the when you should really push the button as that’s the day you’ll notice a difference. Every Sunday the automated times are disabled and the effort you put into pressing that button will actually have a direct impact on halting traffic. Speaking to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/have-you-been-wasting-your-time-by-pushing-the-pedestrian-button/news-story/b87735fb87ad862c7e6fee6206510edc" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>, a spokeswoman from Transport for NSW said these automated phases are set in areas where there is a “high level of pedestrian activity, at specific times of the day". “These phases are constantly reviewed against demand profiles of road users and other changes that may affect the network,” she said. “Shorter wait times have kept pedestrians moving and could potentially reduce the risk of jaywalking and pedestrian crashes.” The system also takes into account large events happening around the city, which bring in an influx of pedestrians. Studies show that if pedestrians around the country are made to wait more than a minute to cross the road, there is a high chance they’ll attempt to cross illegally. Due to this, waiting times in the city have been reduced since January, going from two minutes to 90 seconds – which is the most anyone should be waiting before crossing the road. Though for Sydney residents, the results are vastly different. With studies showing that Sydney-siders are willing to wait for 30 seconds before jaywalking. According to Transport for NSW, the automated phases are in place for Sydney CBD, North Sydney and Parramatta. And for all other areas in the state, it is claimed that pushing the button does make a difference. What do you think about the wait times at pedestrian crossings at traffic lights? Let us know in the comments down below.

Legal

Marta Dusseldorp prepares to say goodbye to A Place To Call Home: “It will be difficult”

An emotional Marta Dusseldorp, who plays feisty character Sarah Adams on A Place To Call Home, has revealed she has begun preparing to say goodbye to her character and show which has been her life for the past six years. Speaking to <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/a-place-to-call-home-star-looks-forward-to-future-femaledriven-projects/news-story/c6cb90a7492535ff302f6c882e5264bf">Confidential</a>, Marta said, “Six seasons is a lot, and like any good book, you have to eventually close it.” Marta and the cast are currently in production filming scenes for the final season of the period drama, which will wrap in the coming weeks. “I don’t think it will hit me until it goes to air because we are still shooting,” the AACTA award winning actress shared. “The ending for me is very definitive and that will be difficult to play,” Marta added. <img width="497" height="305" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7819177/screen-shot-2018-06-15-at-25530-pm_497x305.jpg" alt="Screen Shot 2018-06-15 At 2.55.30 Pm"/> A Place To Call Home debuted on Channel Seven in 2012 but was cancelled after two seasons. Also starring Noni Hazelhurst, Frankie J. Holden and Brett Climo, Foxtel made a deal in 2014 for the show to be produced and aired on its channels SoHo and Showcase. Marta, 45, says her next role will involve spending time creating some “fabulous female-driven projects”. “That’s my plan and my next adventure,” she confirmed. “I’m already onto that. They’re Australian stories for Australian people.” Are you a fan of A Place To Call Home? Will you be sad to see the Aussie period drama come to an end? Tell us in the comments below.

Strange body part to apply perfume to make it last longer

It seems every day we’re being told something new that we’ve been doing wrong all these years, and this one has to be the strangest yet. Steven Claisse, senior perfumer at fragrance company Takasago, has revealed that to make your perfume last longer, you should apply a few drops to your belly button. Yes, you read that right! While most people opt for a spritz on the wrists and each side of the neck, Claisse claims the navel is the best place to apply fragrance. “Any area on your body that radiates heat will enhance a scent, and your belly button does just that,” he told <a href="http://www.self.com/story/how-to-apply-perfume" target="_blank">SELF</a>. In addition, Claisse says applying perfume to your hair, the top of your ears, inside the elbows, behind your knees, down your calves or on your ankles will make the fragrance last longer and help you leave a “trail of scent” wherever you go. Tell us in the comments below, would you ever consider applying perfume to your belly button? Have you tried it before? Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/11/107-year-old-man-swears-this-drink-is-key-to-his-long-life/">107-year-old man swears this drink is key to his long life</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/11/how-to-pronounce-scone/">The correct pronunciation of “scone” revealed</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/11/9-foods-that-lower-cholesterol/">9 foods that lower cholesterol</a>

Beauty & Style

Everybody has a story to tell

Celeste Frances Scott is well known for her work as storyteller and emotive writer. The stories encompassing her life are inspiring and heartbreaking. In launching the innovative storytelling website <a href="http://buttonjarstories.com/" target="_blank">Button Jar Stories</a> Celeste is on a mission; to preserve one memory, one story in each family, as a legacy to future generations. The night my Father died, I met my Husband. My Mother died the same hour I gave birth to my Son. So how do you think you’ll be remembered? The brutally honest answer is; when a loved one plugs a memory stick into the latest gadget to download your image. YES. We’re all bound to end up stored on a piece of branded plastic. Hi. I’m Celeste Frances Scott. Writer, Author, Columnist and Creator of the innovative new concept Button Jar Stories where you simply journal one memory at a time guided by my question. We all have stories that have shaped the person we became and like many, mine reads like a book. Fifteen years a Graphic Designer for a national newspaper; PA to one of Australia’s leading Tourism Visionaries; Consecutive Finalist Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network Awards; long time Columnist for popular Noosa Magazine; Awarded top Female Marriage Celebrant during the decade I was one of the most sought after ceremony Officiants in Queensland; and then just to prove to myself I could, I went out and obtained my Heavy Rig Licence and became a FIFO worker on the Gorgon Project in WA; the most remote and expensive natural resource project ever undertaken in Australia’s history. <img width="499" height="278" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/35126/image-1_499x278.jpg" alt="Image 1 (9)"/> Celeste’s father and mother when they were young. These days the steel cap boots are off. I’m now a busy Freelance Writer, Guest Speaker and Workshop Presenter. My passion is to enlighten many on how to write their own life stories. Stories you simply MUST preserve for your own posterity. Let me tell you a little more of my story. My parents were your everyday Mum and Dad, yet they died when their grey nomad adventures were just beginning. Sudden and unexpected. Many of the untold stories in my parent’s life are now gone. As a family, we didn’t journal or preserve them. We always thought we must start that ‘tomorrow’. My children will never know the incredible people their grandparents were as told in my parent’s words. I know with all certainty those historical stories of our family will become forgotten. My Father was a Printer and Photographer. I grew up with a dark room under our family home. The legacy my Father left, were boxes of precious photos taken over the duration of his life. However, times of taking an actual photograph to hold to heart are gone. The generation of today rarely see a polaroid photo and tomorrow’s generation may not even know what a photograph is. It’s the sad truth. There will be no boxes of treasured photos to leave. There will however be boxes of old phones, microchips and memory cards. For the sake of those precious stories we must go back to basics and use our words to preserve our stories in print on paper. <img width="500" height="233" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/35127/image-2_500x233.jpg" alt="Image 2 (8)"/> Family photo of Celeste’s family in younger years. You may be thinking, ‘But I don’t have any stories worth preserving!’ Let me tell you, you do. How about those stories told sitting on Grandad’s knee. Stories shared around the dinner table. Stories of first loves, lost loves, eternal loves. Stories of new beginnings and endings. Stories in your family of black sheep, skeletons, personalities, legends and heroes. Stories of challenges that have shaped you. Stories of travels and adventures both behind and beyond your garden gate. Your parents love story. The one thousand stories and counting, that made YOU the person you are today. That memory stick will never tell the young man or woman in your future who share your DNA, anything about who you were, what you were, and how incredible the journey of your life was. I vow to change that. One memory, one story and one question at a time and it begins with ‘Button Jar Stories’. <img width="235" height="235" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/35128/image-3_235x235.jpg" alt="Image 3 (7)"/> Celeste when she was a baby with her grandmother and mother. ‘Button Jar Stories’ is a digital interactive storytelling website. Think of it as your personal PRIVATE diary where every day you log in to your private page and journal memories and events from your life prompted by a specific question opening pathways to those memories. There is no timeframe. No judgement. Once completed, your stories can be edited before printed and bound into a beautiful leather book delivered to your door. It becomes a priceless affordable keepsake of you. I created Button Jar Stories as a simple way for individuals or families to journal the stories now of that person whose memories you treasure and don’t want forgotten. It’s a private way to express emotions, feelings and events that are not always easy to talk about in person. ‘Button Jar Stories’ is being used by people with early onset dementia as well as those who have faced battles in their life and need a way to express that journey in private and begin to heal. The beauty with ‘Button Jar Stories’ is that the site is loaded with lots of questions that will bring all the important stories and events together. It’s that simple.Journal one memory at a time guided by that question.It’s a lifetime of memories written in your own words. A priceless book of words and photos compared to being saved on someone’s cherry red memory stick. Let me tell you more. Come visit my website today – not tomorrow – at <a href="http://buttonjarstories.com/" target="_blank">Button Jar Stories</a>. Thank you for reading my story. Let me help you tell yours.

Family & Pets

This hatching baby brown snake is cute as a button

Staff from Snake Catchers Adelaide have captured incredible footage which shows the exact moment a baby eastern brown snake hatches from its egg. Found in most part of Australia, eastern brown snakes are a member of the cobra family, and while this little guy might grow up to be something we’d never want to see on a bushwalk, for the moment at least he’s cute as pie. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SnakeCatchersAdelaide/" target="_blank">Snake Catchers Adelaide</a> posted the video on Facebook on Monday with the caption, “Our first lot of eastern brown snake eggs are starting to hatch after 10 weeks. They have what you call an egg tooth that they scratch through the surface of the egg which then comes off when they shed their first skin.” Have you ever come across an eastern brown snake? Video credit: Snake Catchers Adelaide via Storyful Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2017/01/croc-surprises-aussie-town-on-nye/">Croc gives Aussie town a wild New Year’s Eve surprise</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/12/snake-swallows-a-wallaby-on-australian-golf-course/">Snake swallows a wallaby on Australian golf course</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/12/snake-found-lurking-in-toilet-bowl/">Snake found lurking in toilet bowl</a>

News

Reason buttons on men’s and women’s shirts are on opposite sides

Anyone can instantly notice if they are wearing a dress shirt made for the opposite sex, as they suddenly find themselves fumbling with the buttons in a way that may feel slightly un natural for them. Since the early days of formal wear, men's shirts have buttoned the left side over the right, the women’s have buttoned the right side over the left. The reason? Today co-hosts Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie got to the bottom of things during the show’s “What’s Trending” segment, referencing the fashions and social climate of the 13th century. “Only wealthy women could afford to have buttons on their shirts, and if you were wealthy, you also had ladies’ maids. So having the buttons on the other side made sense, because it was someone else buttoning your clothes.” Did you know this fun fact? Or do you have an alternative answer? Let us know in the comments below. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/06/15-stylish-seniors/">15 stylish seniors you will love</a> <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/06/trick-to-loosening-tight-shoes/">The trick to loosening tight shoes</a> <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/06/80s-fashion-trends-making-a-comeback/">15 fashion trends from the 80s that are making a comeback</a>

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Everybody has a story to tell

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Reason buttons on men’s and women’s shirts are on opposite sides

Our Partners

News

Shop

Catalogues

Newspaper

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Compare

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Hunter Valley bus driver breaks silence

How to set realistic exercise goals you’ll actually stick to

Police raid Hunter Valley bus crash depots

Set sail in style alongside these sporting legends

“What a disgrace”: Grace Tame slams footy star’s child abuse verdict

Cute-as-a-button mushroom house captivates buyers

“This house is my special place”: Wendy Whiteley promises $100 million gift to NSW

Fleetwood Mac member loses his battle to cancer

“Benjamin Button” mice could pave way for reverse ageing

5 must-have items for the cooler months

Why an edit button for Twitter is not as simple as it seems

Try this one pot lamb shanks with button mushrooms

Dean Jones dead at 59 as Brett Lee tried to save his life

Surprises galore! Brett Lee unveiled on The Masked Singer before making even more startling revelation

The question on everyone’s mind: Does the pedestrian button do anything?

Marta Dusseldorp prepares to say goodbye to A Place To Call Home: “It will be difficult”

Strange body part to apply perfume to make it last longer

Everybody has a story to tell

This hatching baby brown snake is cute as a button

Reason buttons on men’s and women’s shirts are on opposite sides

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