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"Most loathed woman in parliament": Karl Stefanovic grills Lidia Thorpe

<p>Karl Stefanovic has labelled Lidia Thorpe as “the most loathed woman in parliament” during a fiery interview on the <em>Today </em>show. </p> <p>The <em>Today </em>host interviewed the politician on Thursday morning, noting that her decision to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/you-are-not-my-king-lidia-thorpe-interrupts-charles-parliament-house-visit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heckle King Charles</a> was not winning her much support. </p> <p>“Lidia, good morning to you. Nice to see you. I think it’s fair to say you might very well be the most loathed woman in parliament in Canberra at the moment. And that’s really saying something,’’ Stefanovic said. </p> <p>However, the Senator had no regrets and said that she was used to being "the black sheep" of politics. </p> <p>“Oh, well, it’s just another day in the colony, Karl. I’m used to that treatment,” she said.</p> <p>“You know. I am the black sheep of the family, if you like. But I wanted to send a message to the King. I got that message across. The whole world is talking about it.</p> <p>“And my people are happy because my people have been protesting for decades and decades. As you all know, for exactly this. And so the message has been sent, delivered. Now it’s up to the King of England to respond.”</p> <p>Stefanovic then asked her: “The question this morning you were being asked is, why the hell doesn’t Lidia Thorpe just do everyone a favour and get out of Canberra? Will you?”</p> <p>To which she replied: “I’m about truth telling. I’m loud, proud, black. Get used to it and listen to what I have to say.</p> <p>“We need to grow up as a nation and get rid of him and have our own head of state.”</p> <p>The broadcaster then showed a video of her swearing allegiance to the late Queen Elizabeth. </p> <p>“Did that hurt a little when you swore your allegiance? Did it take a little bit of your soul?’’ Stefanovic asked.</p> <p>“Absolutely it did. And I had to go through a process with my family prior to doing that, because swearing allegiance to someone else from another country whose ancestors have done a lot of damage to my ancestors, I think is completely inappropriate,” she replied. </p> <p>This comes after Thorpe's <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/lidia-thorpe-s-pledge-to-queen-elizabeth-raises-questions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pledge to Queen Elizabeth's</a> "hairs" instead of "heir" came to light.</p> <p>“We don’t need to be paying the Governor-General $800,000 a year to sign a piece of legislation. And we paid for that man to come here. How many millions of dollars did that cost?” she continued. </p> <p>Karl hit back saying that Thorpe herself is “getting paid pretty well to be part of the process and to be part of parliament, a place you clearly despise.”</p> <p>She replied: “Yeah. I’m being paid to do my job. You could say it’s paying the rent if you like." </p> <p>“This government has walked back a treaty. I know the opposition is not interested in treaty. So where else do you go? You go to the King of England. Who? Whose ancestors treated with other countries but didn’t treaty here. So there’s unfinished business. I’ll spend the next three years getting that unfinished business done.”</p> <p><em>Images: Nine</em></p>

Surprising cost of King Charles' Aussie dinner item

<p>While royal fans have expressed their excitement over King Charles and Queen Camilla's trip to Australia, others weren't as happy with how much <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/money-banking/king-charles-97k-arrival-gift-slammed-as-waste-of-money" target="_blank" rel="noopener">taxpayer money</a> is being splashed out on the visit. </p> <p>The royals touched down in Sydney on Friday, and with members of the public questioning the cost of the monarch's visit, the cost of the wine selection for their dinner with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon on Monday have been revealed - and it's surprisingly affordable. </p> <p>All five wines on the menu were under $40. </p> <p>The royal selection included:</p> <ul> <li>Josef Chromy Sparkling NV (RRP $32.99)</li> <li>Hentley Farm Eden Valley Riesling (RRP $28)</li> <li>Hentley Farm Barossa Shiraz (RRP $36.50)</li> <li>Castelli Silver Series Chardonnay (RRP $25)</li> <li>Cape Mentelle Marmaduke Cabernet Sauvignon (RRP $21.99)</li> </ul> <p>David Moulton, Chief Winemaker at Margaret River winery Cape Mentelle, told <em>Yahoo Lifestyle </em>that it was "really exciting" to have their wine on the list. </p> <p>“We received a picture message of the menu, and it worked its way across the entire business - it brought such a positive energy to the team,” he told the publication. </p> <p>“The door is always open to the King next time he wants to venture out of NSW and visit us here in Margaret River, so long as the door is open to Cape Mentelle to serve our wines in the palace!”</p> <p>However, the beer selection at the Federal government’s Parliamentary Reception was slammed online, with the selections being: Great Northern, Great Northern zero alcohol, and Furphy.</p> <p>“Good to see a couple of WA wineries in the wine selection. But those beer selections are horrendous,” one said. </p> <p>Another quipped: “LOL Great Northern… may as well gone all out and had VB and Carlton Draft." </p> <p>“As well as crap beer, the wine list is very much on the budget side. Probably not a bad thing seeing how much they cost the taxpayer usually,” another added. </p> <p><em>Images: X/ Instagram</em></p>

Travel Trouble

"Give him a break": Karl Stefanovic weighs in on Lidia Thorpe outburst

<p>Karl Stefanovic has jumped to King Charles' defence after Lidia Thorpe's outburst Parliament House. </p> <p>The Today Host was joined by two political commentators to share their thoughts on the situation, reflecting on Thorpe's <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/you-are-not-my-king-lidia-thorpe-interrupts-charles-parliament-house-visit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tirade</a> during a welcome ceremony for King Charles. </p> <p>The monarch had just finished his speech and was returning to his seat after shaking hands with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when Thorpe started yelling from the back of the room. </p> <p>“You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us, our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people, you destroyed our land,” Thorpe said during her outburst on Monday.</p> <p>“We want a treaty in this country. This is not your land. You are not my King, you are not our King. F*** the colony.”</p> <p>On Tuesday morning, Stefanovic jumped to the King's defence, saying "you don't have to like the King, but give him a break" after what he's been through the past few years.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" 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);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBaFUelBdwU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <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> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </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;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBaFUelBdwU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by thetodayshow (@thetodayshow)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"I just wanted to give my take on what happened yesterday and the whole thing," the Today host began.</p> <p>"The dude has been going through a lot, for obvious reasons his youngest son's cheese has slightly fallen off its cracker, that son is feuding with the good son and as a parent that must ache his soul."</p> <p>"The good son's beautiful wife got diagnosed with cancer at the same time as pops, so imagine the psychology and physicality of that joint battle, he hasn't finished treatment yet, but he flies all the way to Australia and starts pressing the flesh straight away because for some bizarre reason, he genuinely loves this country and us and in comes Lidia giving a welcome to country 'Thorpe style' in sacred possum gear, shouting obscenities at him."</p> <p>"And all the while, the King and Queen just keep smiling - you don't have to like the Royal family and what it stands for, but by goodness, this King is a dude."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Today/LUKAS COCH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

"You are not my King": Lidia Thorpe interrupts Charles' Parliament House visit

<p>Senator Lidia Thorpe has caused a stir in Parliament House as she launched into a tirade against King Charles during his welcome to Canberra. </p> <p>The monarch had just finished his speech and was returning to his seat after shaking hands with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when Thorpe started yelling from the back of the room. </p> <p>“You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us, our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people, you destroyed our land,” Thorpe said during her outburst on Monday.</p> <p>“We want a treaty in this country. This is not your land. You are not my King, you are not our King. F*** the colony.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" 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);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBX9nEUoQ9r/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <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> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </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;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBX9nEUoQ9r/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Daily Aus (TDA) (@thedailyaus)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Security quickly swarmed around Thorpe and escorted her from the Great Hall, where a reception for political and community leaders was being held.</p> <p>The King continued to chat with Albanese during the disruption, which lasted about one minute.</p> <p>The outburst has sparked calls for Thorpe to resign, with the Australian Monarchist League describing her behaviour as a “childish demonstration”.</p> <p>“Senator Thorpe should step down with immediate effect,” league national chair Philip Benwell said.</p> <p>“The Australian Monarchist League unequivocally condemns the ill-considered behaviour of this isolated senator."</p> <p>“Her childish demonstration has done nothing to diminish the gratitude and pride that millions of Australians have for our country, its history, its peoples and its sound system of governance. In fact, it has likely only strengthened these feelings."</p> <p>“Should she not resign, the league expects Senator Thorpe will be referred to the President of the Senate and that her misconduct will be addressed in accordance with what is the obvious and prevailing public sentiment.”</p> <p>In a statement released on Monday afternoon, Thorpe said her aim was to “hand King Charles a notice of complicity in the genocide of the First Peoples of this county”.</p> <p>“The visit by the so-called King should be an occasion of truth-telling about the true history of this country,” Thorpe said. “The colonial state has been built on the continuing genocide on First Peoples.”</p> <p>“Today I was silenced and removed from the parliamentary reception when pointing out that the Crown stole from First Peoples."</p> <p>“The British Crown committed heinous crimes against the First Peoples of this country. These crimes include war crimes, crimes against humanity and failure to prevent genocide. There has been no justice for these crimes. The Crown must be held accountable.”</p> <p>Following the statement, Thorpe was forced to apologise to her online followers for a different display of anti-royalism, as an artwork of the King being beheaded was posted to her Instagram. </p> <p>The controversial MP said that the image was uploaded “without her knowledge” and she has now “deleted it”.</p> <p>Writing on X she said, “Earlier tonight, without my knowledge, one of my staff shared an image to my Instagram stories created by another account."</p> <p>“I deleted it as soon as I saw. I would not intentionally share anything that could be seen to encourage violence against anyone. That’s not what I’m about.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: LUKAS COCH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Legal

Aussie sisters recall tradition that left young King Charles speechless

<p>Aussie sisters Jane Tozer and Amanda Boxshall have had the rare privilege of forming a closer bond with King Charles than most, having hosted the young royal during his studies in Australia. </p> <p>In 1966, at the age of 16, King Charles spent a year in Australia attending Timbertop outdoor adventure school, a remote campus that forms part of Geelong Grammar School.</p> <p>He stayed at Jane and Amanda's family farm, the two sisters then aged 11 and six, got to share six months of their lives with him. </p> <p>The royal family's security chose their dairy farm as it was an easy place to keep the then Prince Charles secure, and had enough room for his personal staff.</p> <p>On Monday, the sisters recalled their experience of living with the royal to <em>Sunrise</em> hosts Nat Barr and Matt Shirvington. </p> <p>They said that he was a "normal kid" but there was one family tradition that shocked him - their family eating together. </p> <p>“Mum and dad and the farm workers all used to just sit at one table and King Charles would come past and he couldn’t believe that people all sit together — that families sit and enjoy meals together,” Amanda said.</p> <p>The sisters also said that while they were briefed by the King's security prior to him moving in, they "didn't really understand the whole concept of being royal." </p> <p>“He was just another person on our farm that we chatted to and had a swim with. But he was very friendly. He always had his security with him ... (but) he was really friendly, very curious," Jane said. </p> <p>“He would ask a lot of questions, like how did this and that work? Can I help you do this? Can I do that?”</p> <p>They also said the King liked the outdoors - a passion he still holds to this day. </p> <p>“(We would go) horse-riding, of course. He’s very into horses ... and just doing kid things ... it was just like this whole new family had moved into our farm life. It was a unique experience.”</p> <p>The sisters managed to catch up with King Charles during his royal tour in 2018. </p> <p>“He remembered mum and dad and asked how they were and all of those sorts of things,” Jane said.</p> <p>“We laughed about all the things we did on the farm. So, he remembered everything. We didn’t really expect that he would remember all those things. But he did. So yeah, it was part of history.”</p> <p>Reflecting on Charles' last day staying the family, they said while they "were very sad" he had to leave, the family commemorated the moment with a portrait together. </p> <p>"Mum made us all beautiful new outfits and he said, ‘no, I want you as you really are’. So, we had to go and get our farm clothes back on. But he, he’s just such a nice person and very funny,” Jane said.</p> <p><em>Images: Seven</em></p>

Family & Pets

Aussies chat with King Charles on first day of royal tour

<p>Hundreds of Aussies have lined up for a hours to catch a glimpse of King Charles and Queen Camilla on the first day of their royal tour of Australia, with some royal fans getting the chance to have a brief moment with the monarch. </p> <p>In their first public appearance of the royal couple’s five-day tour Down Under, Charles and Camilla attended a church service at St Thomas Anglican Church on Sunday morning in North Sydney as hundreds of fans waited to see the royals. </p> <p>After the service, Charles and Camilla made an unexpected stop to talk fans who had congregated on the street. </p> <p>Royalist Mary-Anne Spring said the monarch made the stop after a boy “yelled out” asking him to come over to the group, as Ms Spring shared that she spoke to the King about his health. </p> <p>“I welcomed them to Sydney and I wished the King all the very best in his cancer treatment. He said thank you very much I really appreciate it,” she told <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals/king-charles-queen-camillas-first-public-appearance-in-australia-on-royal-tour/news-story/f23713cc089ce37d149fd829c68e50fd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em>. </p> <p>“I think it’s good to support them and the work they do.”</p> <p>Another royal fan, Malcolm Lemirae, managed to gift the Queen a bunch of red roses. </p> <p>“They accepted the flowers and Camilla asked if I grew them and I said I grew them in my garden,” he said. "I think she was thrilled about that. It’s just a little symbol of my gratitude for them coming out. The guy's got cancer. To come out here and do that trip, it’s a long, long trip.”</p> <p>Julianne McCartney, who is originally from the UK, also had her own moment with the King, recalling her previous encounter with the royal family.</p> <p>She said, “He told me he really appreciated the crowd. He noticed my British accent and asked if I was from the UK, I said I had met his mother before and I think he thought that was quite nice actually.”</p> <p>On Monday, King Charles and Queen Camilla will head to Canberra for a reception with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with other political and community leaders. </p> <p><em>Image credits: DEAN LEWINS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Domestic Travel

King Charles' $97k arrival gift slammed as "waste of money"

<p>King Charles and Queen Camilla are set for a lavish welcome to commemorate their first visit since 2018, but taxpayers are not impressed with the massive cost. </p> <p>The sails of the Sydney Opera House will be illuminated from 8pm on Friday for four minutes with images from previous royal visits intended to show the "diverse ways in which Their Majesties have engaged with and celebrated NSW and Australia over the years."</p> <p>“We are lighting up the Sydney Opera House to warmly welcome The King and Queen to our beautiful harbour city," Premier Chris Minns said in a statement.</p> <p>"The photo projection on the Opera House sails celebrates a historic moment - The King’s first visit to NSW as Sovereign - and is a fitting tribute."</p> <p>The gesture does not come cheap, costing taxpayers an estimated $97,030, and many were unhappy about it. </p> <p>"Cannot support wasting our taxes on people who wouldn’t be here if we didn’t pay," one person wrote on Facebook. </p> <p>"At a time when rents are sky high ...more and more homeless.. Hospitals are overcrowded...Food and petrol prices are ridiculous...Do you really think it excites battling Aussies...having money spent this way?" another person asked.</p> <p>"How many homeless could be housed with the money spent on a visit by millionaires, paid by us?" another wrote. </p> <p>"Waste of money! Channel the funds to the needy. King who with the horse?!," another remarked.</p> <p>However, there were a few others who expressed their excitement about the royal visit. </p> <p>"I will definitely head in with the kids to see this," one wrote. </p> <p>"As a monarchist, yes I'm going there to warmly welcome them," another commented. </p> <p>"Can’t wait for their majesties arrival," a third added. </p> <p>Royal fans will have a chance to meet or see the monarchs, as they plant to engage with members of the public on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt on October 22nd at 4.20pm. </p> <p>Their appearance will be followed by a Fleet Review on Sydney Harbour, featuring an Australian Defence Force fly past.</p> <p>Members of the public can see the ships and fly past from various vantage points including Farm Cove, Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair at approximately 4.50pm.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Money & Banking

Should King Charles apologise for the genocide of First Nations people when he visits Australia?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebe-taylor-1379975">Rebe Taylor</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/greg-lehman-18970">Greg Lehman</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a></em></p> <p>King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit Australia from Friday <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/from-bbqs-to-the-csiro-king-charles-and-queen-camilla-s-australian-itinerary-revealed-20240910-p5k9gb.html">on a five-day tour</a> of Canberra and Sydney.</p> <p>The king will be the second ruling British monarch to visit Australia, after <a href="https://theconversation.com/16-visits-over-57-years-reflecting-on-queen-elizabeth-iis-long-relationship-with-australia-170945">Queen Elizabeth II’s 16 visits over 57 years</a>.</p> <p>These visits showcase Australians’ evolving relationship with the monarchy and our colonial past.</p> <h2>Changing attitudes</h2> <p>An estimated <a href="https://theconversation.com/16-visits-over-57-years-reflecting-on-queen-elizabeth-iis-long-relationship-with-australia-170945">75% of Australians</a> greeted Elizabeth on her first tour in 1954, at events that celebrated Australia’s growth as a prosperous nation.</p> <p>Historical milestones remained central to the queen’s subsequent visits.</p> <p>In 1970, she attended the re-enactment of Captain Cook’s arrival at Botany Bay. This included depictions of shooting at First Nations actors.</p> <p>The queen’s 1986 visit included <a href="https://www.naa.gov.au/students-and-teachers/student-research-portal/learning-resource-themes/government-and-democracy/prime-ministers-and-politicians/queen-elizabeth-ii-signs-proclamation-australia-act-cth-1986">signing the Australia Act</a> that severed Britain’s formal powers over Australia.</p> <p>Her 1988 visit coincided with the Australian bicentenary of <a href="https://www.royal.uk/queen-marks-australias-bicentenary">the arrival of the First Fleet</a> carrying convicts and officials from Britain. But by this time, many Australians had lost their royal fervour.</p> <p>Her final tour, in 2011, came 12 years after Australia had attempted <a href="https://www.aec.gov.au/elections/referendums/1999_referendum_reports_statistics/1999.htm">to become a republic</a> by referendum.</p> <p><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61585886">The queen’s death in 2022</a> not only reignited questions over the future of the monarchy in Australia, it instigated a public discussion over the monarchy’s role in imperial colonialism.</p> <h2>Genocide in Australia?</h2> <p>On the eve of <a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9789/#:%7E:text=The%20Coronation%20of%20Their%20Majesties,Coronation%20in%20nearly%2070%20years.">Charles’ coronation in 2023</a>, Indigenous leaders from 12 settler states including Australia and New Zealand cosigned <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/indigenous-people-around-the-world-have-sent-kin/rbfzwoyav">a letter calling on the new monarch</a> to apologise for the genocides that British colonisation brought to their territories.</p> <p>Australia was settled in the name of the Kingdom of Great Britain. Did that settlement result in genocide?</p> <p>Recent research led by Ben Kiernan for <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/series/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/445A52F1E949DCB6CA8FC6BD09F04DE0">The Cambridge World History of Genocide</a> has investigated this question using the 1948 <a href="https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-1&chapter=4">United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide</a> as a framework.</p> <p>The convention defines genocide as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group”.</p> <p>The term “genocide” itself is modern; coined <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/general-editors-introduction-to-the-series/986A5AFB44203A21265FF31C96C0DE3B">by Raphael Lemkin in 1944</a>. The <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/genocide-in-van-diemens-land-tasmania-18031871/ED82A107B2C76801551EB3F51CA6179D">colonisation of Tasmania</a> by the British provided Lemkin with one of the clearest examples.</p> <p>The prosecution of crimes before 1951 is not permissible under the convention, but it provides a definitional framework to evaluate past events as constituent acts of genocide.</p> <p>The Cambridge World History of Genocide <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/the-cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/E60C05ADB875E63EE57B5D41EC4BA485">Volume II</a> and <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/24002BE3CC6F69B96F0C21356E6D9282">Volume III</a> demonstrate how settlers and government agents committed acts of genocide against First Nations Australians from the beginning of settlement to the late 20th centuries.</p> <p>All parts of Australia are considered. Acts conforming to the convention’s clauses include killing, forcibly removing children and inflicting destructive conditions.</p> <p>Australian historian Lyndall Ryan’s chapter, <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/frontier-massacres-in-australia-17881928/D1B285AF2125CA9586DBB1AFAF0CF70E">Frontier Massacres in Australia</a>, draws on her research for a <a href="https://c21ch.newcastle.edu.au/colonialmassacres/map.php">Massacre Map</a> showing how British troops and settlers committed more than 290 massacres across Australia between 1794 and 1928.</p> <p>These massacres killed more than 7,500 Aboriginal people.</p> <p>Ryan found the massacres were not sporadic and isolated – they were planned and sanctioned killings, integral to the aims of the Australian colonial project.</p> <p>Rebe Taylor’s <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/genocide-in-van-diemens-land-tasmania-18031871/ED82A107B2C76801551EB3F51CA6179D">chapter on genocide in Tasmania</a> details a pattern of government-sanctioned mass killings in a colony where an estimated 6,000 Palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) people were reduced to about 120 by 1835.</p> <p><a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/genocide-in-northern-australia-18241928/69106AF545B4C98486752DBA88575E05">Raymond Evans</a> shows how as colonisation moved northward in Australia, massacres increased in size.</p> <p>Evans documents killings that persisted into the 1940s, postdating <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/genocide-in-northern-australia-18241928/69106AF545B4C98486752DBA88575E05">the 1928 Coniston massacre</a> widely regarded as the last frontier slaughter.</p> <p>These findings are underscored by <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/very-british-genocide/78EB24782843ABFA05965F5E4C7562CA">Tony Barta’s insight</a> that colonists’ destructive actions constitute a record of genocidal intent “more powerful than any documented plot to destroy a people”.</p> <p><a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/australias-stolen-generations-19142021/9219A470B4665A643DC99CC5BBE699D0">Research by Anna Haebich</a> documents the taking of Indigenous children during the 19th century.</p> <p><a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/australias-stolen-generations-19142021/9219A470B4665A643DC99CC5BBE699D0">Joanna Cruikshank and Crystal Mckinnon</a> explain how these state-sanctioned removals in the 20th century were intended to eliminate First Nations people from Australia’s national life.</p> <p>The 1997 <a href="https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/projects/bringing-them-home-report-1997">Bringing Them Home</a> report, commissioned by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, <a href="https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/IndigLawB/1997/95.html">concluded</a> the “Australian practice of Indigenous child removal involved […] genocide as defined by international law”.</p> <h2>A significant moment of resistance</h2> <p>The colonial governor of Tasmania began to exile Palawa people from their land in 1829.</p> <p>More than 200 survivors of the “<a href="https://theconversation.com/tasmanias-black-war-a-tragic-case-of-lest-we-remember-25663">Black War</a>” were removed to Flinders Island and subjected to life-threateningly harsh conditions. High death rates were caused by ill-treatment, disease and insufficient care.</p> <p>In 1846, the Palawa <a href="https://indigenousrights.net.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/395794/f85.pdf">petitioned Queen Victoria</a> to honour the agreement made when they were removed: that in exchange for temporarily leaving their country, they would regain their freedom.</p> <p>In this bold petition, Tasmanian Aboriginal people initiated a historic appeal to the British monarchy.</p> <p>Aware of Queen Victoria’s sovereign authority across the vast British Empire, this action marked a significant moment in their continued resistance to genocide.</p> <h2>An acknowledgement of wrongs</h2> <p>British sovereignty over Australia was imposed without <a href="https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item-did-34.html">the required consent</a> of its First Nations. The result has been continued dispossession and suffering.</p> <p>Despite the <a href="https://www.royal.uk/the-role-of-the-monarchy#:%7E:text=Monarchy%20is%20the%20oldest%20form,resides%20with%20an%20elected%20Parliament">Crown’s deferral of power</a> to its parliament, the call for an apology from the king has immense symbolic importance.</p> <p>It is rooted in the desire for acknowledgement of wrongs. These include genocide and the continuing destructive effects of colonisation across Australia.<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/239092/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebe-taylor-1379975"><em>Rebe Taylor</em></a><em>, Associate Professor of History, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/greg-lehman-18970">Greg Lehman</a>, Professorial Fellow, Indigenous Research, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/should-king-charles-apologise-for-the-genocide-of-first-nations-people-when-he-visits-australia-239092">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

International Travel

Charles III will be the first king of Australia to visit our shores. He could also be the last

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jess-carniel-99739">Jess Carniel</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southern-queensland-1069">University of Southern Queensland</a></em></p> <p>King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s upcoming visit to Australia is significant for several reasons. It is Charles’ first visit since ascending to the throne – as well as the first time a British male head of state has visited Australia.</p> <p>Some observers are also wondering whether it might be one of the last royal tours, as debates about Australia potentially <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/13/republican-debate-flares-ahead-of-king-charles-first-visit-to-australia-as-monarch">becoming a republic</a> are reignited.</p> <p>As the monarchy tries to “modernise” alongside growing support for republicanism, this visit will be one to watch.</p> <h2>The curse of the Antipodes?</h2> <p>As Prince of Wales, Charles had a long and successful track record of royal tours to Australia, having visited 16 times. The visits included a term attending <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-64113876">Geelong Grammar School</a> in 1966, as well as the <a href="https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/g33926226/princess-diana-prince-charles-australia-royal-tour-1983-photos/">1983 tour</a> with Princess Diana that saw Australians caught up in Di-mania – and Charles reportedly <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-29/princess-diana-princess-charles-australia-1983-the-crown/12914130">gripped by jealousy</a>.</p> <p>But Charles’ royal predecessors weren’t as lucky in their trips down under. His own grandfather, King George VI, <a href="https://collectionswa.net.au/items/202bce46-f056-413e-bc74-ddf4d2f8e999#:%7E:text=Planning%20for%20this%20royal%20visit,after%20her%20father's%20untimely%20death.">planned to visit</a> Australia in the late 1940s with Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, but the tour was postponed due to his poor health. While he had previously visited as the <a href="https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/articles/2053#:%7E:text=They%20had%20two%20daughters%2C%20Elizabeth,Canberra%20on%209%20May%201927.">Duke of York</a>, George VI never made it here as king.</p> <p>The very first royal visit to Australia – Prince Alfred’s <a href="https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/first-royal-visit">1867 tour</a> – had all appearance of being cursed. One of his crew members drowned during the first stop in South Australia. Several more people died in a major fire accident and a Catholic-Protestant skirmish in Melbourne.</p> <p>Most memorably – certainly for Alfred – was <a href="https://theconversation.com/royal-visits-to-australia-can-be-disaster-magnets-in-the-first-one-the-prince-barely-made-it-out-alive-233103">an assassination attempt</a> on the prince in Sydney. This, interestingly, is an experience King Charles has also had.</p> <p>During Charles’ 1994 visit, student protester David Kang fired blanks from a starter pistol in protest of Australia’s treatment of Cambodian refugees. The then Prince of Wales wasn’t harmed and Kang went on to <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/he-shot-at-a-prince-now-hes-a-barrister-20050206-gdkmyp.html">become a barrister</a>.</p> <p>For non-British royals, however, Sydney has been a lucky location. King Frederick X’s decidedly modern romance <a href="https://www.womensweekly.com.au/royals/princess-mary/crown-princess-mary-crown-prince-frederik-love-story/">with Tasmania-born Queen Mary</a> famously began when they met at a bar during the Sydney Olympics in 2000.</p> <h2>Prince or king – does it matter?</h2> <p>This will be Charles’ seventeenth visit to Australia, but his first as reigning monarch. This means he is visiting not on behalf of the head of state, but as the head of state.</p> <p>The royal couple’s planned <a href="https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2024-09-10/the-king-and-queen-will-visit-australia-and-samoa">Australian engagements</a> are as strategic as they are symbolic. They reflect carefully curated and ostensibly “non-political” issues such as environmental sustainability, cancer research and family violence.</p> <p>The visit also includes a meeting with Indigenous representatives. Notably, it is the first royal tour <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/royal-walkabout-shelved-due-to-cultural-sensitivities-20240911-p5k9n1.html">to not use the term “walkabout”</a> to describe public meet-and-greets, as this term had been criticised as cultural appropriation.</p> <p>It seems Charles’ modernised monarchy is seeking to distance itself from overtly colonial language – as much as a foreign monarchy can, anyway. The king has yet to respond to Indigenous leaders <a href="https://theconversation.com/should-king-charles-apologise-for-the-genocide-of-first-nations-people-when-he-visits-australia-239092">calling for an apology</a> for British colonisers’ genocides of First Nations peoples.</p> <p>Although the Australian media has focused on the stops in Canberra and Sydney, the main purpose of the tour is for the king to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting <a href="https://samoachogm2024.ws/">in Samoa</a> between October 21 and 26.</p> <p>It is the first time the meeting will be hosted by a Pacific Island state. The talks are an important opportunity for the king to highlight issues such as climate change, to which small island states in the Pacific <a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/research/environmental-impacts/climate-change/pacific-climate-change-info">are particularly vulnerable</a>.</p> <h2>Are people happy about the visit?</h2> <p>All six state premiers have declined their invitations to meet the king at his welcome reception in Canberra, citing other commitments. Their excuses might be genuine in some cases. For example, Queensland Premier Steven Miles is in the last few weeks of an election campaign.</p> <p>However, critics from the monarchist camp have viewed the move as <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/king-charles-iii-snubbed-australia-state-leaders-visit-insult-uk/">a political response</a> to debates over whether Australia should remain a constitutional monarchy with the king as its head of state.</p> <p>A <a href="https://au.yougov.com/politics/articles/46044-one-year-king-charles-reign-where-do-australian-at">YouGov Australia poll</a> published on the first anniversary of Charles’s ascension showed Australians are divided on republicanism. While 32% want to become a republic “as soon as possible”, 35% preferred to remain a constitutional monarchy and 12% wanted to become a republic after the king’s death. The remaining respondents didn’t know.</p> <p>Notably, the poll found republican sentiment had increased since Queen Elizabeth II’s death in September 2022.</p> <p>The Albanese government established an assistant minister for the republic upon entering office in 2022 (although the portfolio was abolished with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/jul/29/albaneses-new-lineup-signposts-labors-areas-of-greatest-weakness-and-effectively-concede-he-made-mistakes">this year’s reshuffle</a>). Upon taking the role, assistant minister Matt Thistlethwaite <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jun/01/minister-republic-twilight-queen-reign-good-opportunity-next-for-australia">suggested</a> the “twilight of [Queen Elizabeth’s] reign” presented “a good opportunity for a serious discussion about what comes next for Australia”.</p> <p>Charles doesn’t seem to be taking all this too personally. In a letter responding to the Australian Republican Movement in March this year, his private secretary said the king <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/13/republican-debate-flares-ahead-of-king-charles-first-visit-to-australia-as-monarch">viewed this</a> as “a matter for the Australian public to decide”.</p> <p>The royal tour and the meeting in Samoa will be important opportunities for the monarchy to connect with Australia and other Commonwealth nations.</p> <p>By presenting itself as a modern institution engaged with contemporary issues such as climate change, the monarchy will also have to engage with the possibility of new political identities for its former colonies.<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/241345/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jess-carniel-99739"><em>Jess Carniel</em></a><em>, Associate professor in Humanities, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southern-queensland-1069">University of Southern Queensland</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/charles-iii-will-be-the-first-king-of-australia-to-visit-our-shores-he-could-also-be-the-last-241345">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Travel Trouble

"Absolute king of kings": Nedd Brockmann completes incredible 1600km run

<p>Nedd Brockmann has completed a 1600km run spanning 12 days at Sydney Olympic Park. </p> <p>The ultra-marathon legend raised $2.6 million for homelessness charity, We Are Mobilise, as part of the Uncomfortable Challenge on Wednesday. </p> <p>Brockmann was cheered by a crowd of thousands as he completed 3,760 laps of the track at Sydney Olympic Park, which is equivalent to 125.325 master laps (a master lap covers a distance of 12.84 kilometres).</p> <p>Upon crossing the finish line, Brockmann hugged his mum and burst into tears saying, "I can't wait for a shower," as he laid on the track. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" 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);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBKIBGLB2Sj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <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> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </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;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBKIBGLB2Sj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Nedd Brockmann (@neddbrockmann)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>It was also the biggest day of donations, with over $770,000 raised for the charity.</p> <p>"12 days, 13 hours, 16 minutes, and 45 seconds. Average 128 kilometres a day. $2.6 million raised for Aussies experiencing homelessness and counting," Brockmann wrote on social media following his mammoth run. </p> <p>"CONQUER."</p> <p>Brockmann started his run on October 3, with the goal of beating the world record of running 1600km in 10 days, while trying to raise $10 million for We Are Mobilise. </p> <p>While significant injuries prevented him from beating the world record, he has still managed to raise $2.6 million for We Are Mobilise, an incredible achievement for a 25-year-old. </p> <p>Many have praised him for being an inspiration on social media. </p> <p>"You've lifted a nation, and deeply, deeply sunken a track that never stood a chance! You're special Neddy, we are all blessed to have witnessed this. Thank you," one wrote. </p> <p>"You’re an inspiration and an unbelievable human being. What a mountain to conquer!" added another. </p> <p>"Absolute king of kings. You’re an inspiration to every one mate. Truly unbelievable," commented a third. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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King Charles' special tribute to Holocaust survivor

<p>King Charles has paid tribute to Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert, who has died aged 100. </p> <p>The Hungarian-born British writer died peacefully at home in north London. She was the eldest of six children and was freed from Auschwitz at the age of 20, almost 80 years ago, as her mother and two younger siblings were killed in the gas chambers.</p> <p>She migrated to the UK in 1967 with her husband and began educating the world about the horrors of the Holocaust. </p> <p>Since then, her story and resilience has touched millions worldwide, including King Charles, who met her in 2015 when she joined him to light one of six remembrance candles in London for the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. </p> <p>Last year, he made her an MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in recognition of her services to Holocaust education. </p> <p>In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, the monarch said "it was with the greatest sadness" that he had heard of her death.</p> <p>"As a survivor of the unmentionable horrors of the Holocaust, I am so proud that she later found a home in Britain where she continued to tell the world of the horrendous atrocities she had witnessed, as a permanent reminder for our generation – and, indeed, for future generations – of the depths of depravity and evil to which humankind can fall, when reason, compassion and truth are abandoned," he said.</p> <p>"Alongside other Holocaust survivors, she became an integral part of the fabric of our nation; her extraordinary resilience and courage an example to us all, which will never be forgotten."</p> <p>In 2021, Charles, who was the Prince of Wales described how he had been personally inspired throughout his own life by the stories of survivors and their bravery and personal sacrifice. </p> <p>At the unveiling of the Queen's Gallery in London, Ebert told him: "Meeting you, it is for everyone who lost their lives." </p> <p>To which the King replied: "But it is a greater privilege for me."</p> <p>Ebert's great-grandson Dov Forman, who helped co-write her book<em> How I Survived Auschwitz and Found the Strength to Live, </em>paid tribute to the family's "beloved matriarch", known as Safta on social media. </p> <p>"Over the years, Safta's story touched hundreds of millions worldwide, reminding us of the resilience of the human spirit and the dangers of unchecked hatred," he began.</p> <p>"She taught us the power of tolerance and faith, the importance of speaking out, and the need to stand against prejudice.</p> <p>"Safta was the queen of our large, loving family. With a surviving daughter and son – remembering a daughter who pre-deceased her – 10 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, her legacy lives on in each of us.</p> <p>"She rebuilt her life with faith and love, never asking, 'Why me?'. Instead, she focused on what could be rebuilt from the ashes, and her positivity continues to guide us through these difficult times.</p> <p>"As we mourn our beloved Mummy, Safta, we also celebrate her extraordinary life.</p> <p>"A light that shone so brightly has gone dark. She was our hero, and her absence leaves an unimaginable void in our lives."</p> <p><em>Images: </em><em>Arthur Edwards/WPA Pool/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p> <p> </p>

Caring

King Charles gives woman "the surprise of her life" on 87th birthday

<p>King Charles has given a woman "the surprise of her life" for her 87th birthday. </p> <p>Alice Ryce was visiting Dumfries House for her special day, when she bumped into the monarch who was walking around the grounds. </p> <p>The sweet interaction happened last week, but was only just shared to social media on Tuesday, and showed the birthday girl chatting with His Majesty. </p> <p>"Whilst enjoying a visit to the estate, which is open to the public, Alice unexpectedly met His Majesty, who was delighted to share in her special day," the caption in the video read. </p> <p>"The King was in Ayrshire to support the work of The King's Foundation, headquartered at Dumfries House. Happy birthday, Alice!"</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" 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);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAQ8jRSIPFi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <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> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </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;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAQ8jRSIPFi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Dumfries House (@dumfrieshouse)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>King Charles was wearing a light coloured suit and surrounded by minimal staff and security. He also wore a pair of sunglasses and carried an outdoor walking stick. </p> <p>While it's not uncommon for those celebrating their 100th birthday to get a birthday message from the King, it's very rare for anyone else to receive a birthday message from the monarch, let alone chat with him. </p> <p>Just hours after the clip was posted it gained over 30,000 likes with hundreds of comments, many of them sending their birthday wishes to Alice.</p> <p>"How wonderful!! The King always seems so approachable and such a generous person, so glad to see him looking fit and healthy. And what a wonderful surprise for Alice on her birthday, one she’ll never forget! Happy Birthday Alice and God Save The King!!" one wrote. </p> <p>"Awe she must have been so happy to see you King Charles. What a lucky day for both of you," another added. </p> <p>"What a lovely surprise for Alice," a third wrote. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

Why one baby king penguin is Sea Life's new social media star

<p>A baby king penguin at Sea Life Melbourne has become the aquarium's newest celebrity for one massive reason: his size. </p> <p>Pesto the king penguin is just nine months old and 22.5 kilogram, which is already bigger than his parents. </p> <p>Photos of Pesto, who is just 90 centimetres tall, towering over his parents have gone viral online, with thousands of people shocked at the animal's whopping size. </p> <p>When Pesto was born, he broke the record of being the biggest chick ever born at Sea Life. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" 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);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-Crh17SzVD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <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> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </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;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-Crh17SzVD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Herald Sun (@heraldsunphoto)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"I think he's always going to be a big boy," says Sea Life penguin keeper Michaela Smale. She said that once he fledges, "he will shrink and slim down a little but he's already significantly taller than his dad."</p> <p>Despite being less than a year old, adulthood is already on the horizon as Pesto has started losing some of his baby feathers, with swimming lessons from his dad likely to be starting soon.</p> <p>"Sometimes they become quite independent teenagers, so maybe he's ready for his bad boy phase," says Smale.</p> <p>"I hope he retains some of his quirky personality and hopefully we can follow his adventures as he becomes part of the colony."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p> <div class="" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div id="adspot-mobile-mobile-3-above" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"></div> </div>

Domestic Travel

How you can get the official Australian portraits of The King and Queen

<p>Royal fans nationwide can now request a special keepsake online for free. </p> <p>All Australians are entitled to their very own free portrait of King Charles and Queen Camilla. The way one can obtain the monarchy keepsake is through sending an email to their local federal MP requesting one. </p> <p>The initiative comes under the constituents' request program, which allows registered Australian voters to receive their own printed portrait of the royals. </p> <p>Official portraits of the King and Queen were provided to the Australian Government by Buckingham Palace in July and are available for public access. </p> <p>Photos available include a photo of the royal couple standing together, and seperate ones of the monarch and her majesty posing alone. </p> <p>In the photos the King and Queen both donned royal blue outfits and their Commonwealth Insignia, with the King wearing The Sovereign's Badge of the Order of Australia and the Queen wearing the Wattle Brooch.</p> <p>The portraits were taken by royal photographer Millie Pilkington in Buckingham Palace's White Drawing Room in June.</p> <p>The digital images can be downloaded for free from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet <a href="https://www.pmc.gov.au/government/official-australian-portraits-king-and-queen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a> for private use. Those who want a physical copy can request printed versions through their Federal Member of the House of Representatives or Senator in their state or territory via email.</p> <p>The government-funded program, introduced in the Parliamentary Entitles Act 1990, is available for Australian citizens only.</p> <p><em>Image: <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet/ </span>Millie Pilkington</em></p>

Art

Royals issue public birthday message to Prince Harry amid rift

<p>The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared a public birthday message to the Duke of Sussex amid their family rift. </p> <p>Kate and William wished Prince Harry a happy 40th birthday, with an old photo of him shared on Instagram. </p> <p>“Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to the Duke of Sussex,” the Prince and Princess of Wales wrote on Sunday morning. </p> <p>The royal family's official Instagram account also marked the occasion, sharing their first public post for Harry since 2021. </p> <p>“Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!” they wrote in the caption. </p> <p>Many royal fans applauded their decision to acknowledge the occasion and wished the Duke a happy birthday. </p> <p>“The Royals have class & it’s a milestone birthday that’s it. Nothing else should be interpreted into that,” one person wrote on X.</p> <p>“It's great you've done this. Unify & lead, go towards peace, the world will watch & applaud,” another commented. </p> <p>While a few others were "in disbelief" following the tensions created by the release of Prince Harry's memoir, <em>Spare</em> last year. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" 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);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_7ey6lMCDE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <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> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </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;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_7ey6lMCDE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>On Monday, <em> Sunrise</em> royal correspondent Rob Jobson spoke about the public message.</p> <p>“I think it is better than nothing. I mean, the fact that they did it … They would have gotten more bother if they hadn’t done it, so by doing it they cover themselves,” Jobson said.</p> <p>“(It would have been nicer) If it had been a bit more brotherly … rather than ‘we wish the Duke of Sussex a good day’, I think he could have been more personal. But it is better than nothing.”</p> <p>Prince Harry, who turned 40 on September 15, is spending the milestone birthday with his wife Meghan and their two kids. He will then reportedly embark on a group trip with a few close friends to an unknown location. </p> <p>In a statement to the BBC ahead of his birthday, the Duke of Sussex said: "I was anxious about 30, I’m excited about 40." </p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Simon Dorante-Day calls for "four-way paternity test" to prove royal lineage

<p>Simon Dorante-Day has called for a "four-way paternity test" to prove his royal lineage, while also casting doubt on if Prince William and Prince Harry are actually sons of the monarch. </p> <p>The Queensland man, who has been claiming to be the secret son of King Charles and Queen Camilla since 2005, has called for an official DNA test to prove his claims in a lengthy Facebook post. </p> <p>Dorante-Day's post highlights a photo comparison of himself, King Charles and William and Harry as evidence supporting his demand for answers from the royal family. </p> <p>“This comparison of William, Myself, Charles, and Harry demonstrates something very clearly, there is no consistency. The fact that the left side of my face identically matches Charles whilst neither William nor Harry’s does, raises the obvious question, just who are Charles’s real sons?”</p> <p>"This is why my wife, Dr. Elvianna, and I believe a 4-way Paternity test is the only way to resolve this issue once and for all. The truth of the game that has been played by the Monarchy, the Government, and the Establishment for 58 years needs to be exposed."</p> <p>"It's not just what happened to me as a child, and what I remember from growing up in England, but it’s also what’s happened since to myself, my wife, and my children in Australia that supports our argument. These covert and illegitimate activities that are targeted towards us constantly are an attempt to stop us on this journey, nothing more. They will not succeed. They will only strengthen our argument and provides us with evidence to demonstrate what has occurred, in a court room, to judges."</p> <p>"My question to all of you is how will you truly react when you hear the truth of what has occurred? Would you still want them on the throne?"</p> <p>Dorante-Day was born in Portsmouth in the UK in 1966, and was adopted at just eight months old. According to his claims, his adoptive mother, who worked for Queen Elizabeth II confessed on her death bed that he was the son of Charles and Camilla.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

Family & Pets

New details revealed on King Charles and Queen Camilla's Australia tour

<p>King Charles and Queen Camilla are visiting Australia next month for the first time in five years, and now their itinerary for the trip has finally been revealed. </p> <p>First on the line up the King has scheduled a meeting with Australians of the Year, Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO in Sydney to learn about their ground-breaking research into cancer. </p> <p>The five-day tour will kick off on October 18 to October 23 and will take place in Canberra and Sydney. </p> <p>During their time in the ACT, the royal couple have been invited to Parliament House by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and there they will attend a reception for political and community leaders, as well as Australians who have excelled within health, arts and culture. </p> <p>They will then pay their respects at the Australian War Memorial, before visiting the Australian National Botanic Gardens to discuss the global impacts of climate change with staff and volunteers. </p> <p>While in the ACT the couple will also branch off for separate engagements with Charles heading to the CSIRO headquarters to discuss the toll of bushfires with scientists, and Camilla participating in a discussion on family and domestic violence.</p> <p>In Sydney, while the King meets with the cancer research team, the Queen will visit a library and meet with children participating in a Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition workshop.</p> <p>The royal couple will also conduct a Fleet Review of the Royal Australian Navy, and attend a community BBQ celebrating Australia’s cultural diversity. </p> <p>After their Australian visit, the royals will then head to Samoa to attend the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). </p> <p>This trip will mark their first visit Down Under since the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018, and the first time a reigning monarch has visited the country since Queen Elizabeth in 2011. </p> <p>The Palace first confirmed the Australia tour in July, but they did not add New Zealand to the itinerary on the advice of the King's doctor as he continues to recover. </p> <p>In a statement following the news, Prime Minister Albanese said he was looking forward to welcoming the King and Queen back.</p> <p>“I welcome Buckingham Palace’s statement announcing the visit,” Albanese said at the time. </p> <p>“The Royal Visit is an opportunity to showcase the best of Australia – our rich culture, our sense of community, and contributions to science, research and global progress.</p> <p>“His Majesty first visited Australia in 1966, and has a strong personal affection for our nation. We are delighted that His Majesty is recovering well and has made visiting Australia once again a priority.</p> <p>“Australians look forward to welcoming The King and Queen back to Australia in October, and highlighting the best of the Australian spirit.”</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Domestic Travel

Revealed: How much regular sex each generation is having

<p>While it's often seen as a taboo subject, researchers from Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, have just revealed their report on the sex lives of thousands of people around the world and across different generations. </p> <p>The report, titled<em> The State of Dating: How Gen Z is Redefining Sexuality and Relationships</em> is based on data from over 3,310 people of the dating app, Feeld.</p> <p>The participants, who came from 71 different countries and between 18-75 years old, were surveyed about their sex lives and results are not what you'd expect. </p> <p>Gen Z is having less sex, fewer partners and fewer relationships than other generations, reporting that on average they had had sex three times in the last month. </p> <p>"Gen Z and Boomers exhibited nearly identical sexual frequencies, suggesting that both the youngest and oldest adults are having the least sex," the researchers, led by Dr Justin Lehmiller, wrote in the report.</p> <p>Millennials and Gen X reported slightly higher figures, with both groups having sex five times in the last month. </p> <p>"Also, nearly half of Gen Z reported that they were single, compared to only one-ﬁfth of Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers." </p> <p>Despite having the least sex, Gen Z appears to be the most adventurous group in the bedroom, with 55 per cent of them saying they'd discovered a new kink since joining the app compared to 49 per cent of Millennials, 39 per cent of Gen X, and 33 per cent of Boomers.</p> <p>Researchers said there are two possible explanations for this. </p> <p>"One is simply that older adults have had more time to learn and discover what they enjoy about sex, so they may have already uncovered their kinks.</p> <p>"However, the other is that it also appears to be the case that younger adults today have a greater overall interest in kink than older adults, which may create greater openness to exploring and learning about one's kinks."</p> <p>The researchers hope that their findings will help shed new light on the evolution of sex, gender, sexuality and relationships. </p> <p>"Despite the longstanding tendency of humans to narrowly categorize sexuality and relationships, they have always existed on a continuum, and that continuum will only evolve and expand further as Gen Z and future generations continue their pursuit of sexual and relational self-discovery," they wrote. </p> <p>"The more that we can understand and embrace this simple fact of human life, the better suited we will all be to pursuing pleasure and happiness." </p> <p><em>Images: Shutterstock</em></p> <p> </p>

Relationships

New Zealand mourns Māori king

<p>Tributes have flowed for the king of New Zealand’s Indigenous Māori people Tūheitia Paki, who has died at the age of 69. </p> <p>Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII died peacefully on Friday surrounded by his family, a spokesperson confirmed. </p> <p>The Maori king had been in hospital recovering from heart surgery, and passed away just days after celebrating the 18th anniversary of his coronation.</p> <p>“The death of Kiingi Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Te Kiingitanga, Maaoridom and the entire nation,” the spokesman added in a statement.</p> <p>“A chief who has passed to the great beyond. Rest in love.”</p> <p>New Zealand's prime minister Christopher Luxon led the tributes to the King, writing “Today, we mourn the loss of Kiingi Tuheitia.”</p> <p>“His unwavering commitment to his people and his tireless efforts to uphold the values and traditions of the Kiingitanga have left an indelible mark on our nation."</p> <p>“I will remember his dedication to Aotearoa New Zealand [land of the long white cloud], his commitment to mokopuna [young people], his passion for te ao Māori, and his vision for a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect.”</p> <p>King Charles also paid tribute, writing, “My wife [Queen Camilla] and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the death of Kiingi Tuheitia. I had the greatest pleasure of knowing Kiingi Tuheitia for decades. He was deeply committed to forging a strong future for Māori and Aotearoa New Zealand founded upon culture, traditions and healing, which he carried out with wisdom and compassion."</p> <p>“My wife and I extend our deepest condolences to Kiingi Tuheitia’s whānau and friends and all those who will mourn his loss. Our special thoughts are prayers will be with you at this most difficult and heartbreaking of times.”</p> <p>Kiwi beauty pageant contestant Rosemary Poi also honoured the late King, writing, “Our hearts are heavy with the loss of Kingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII. Your humility, kindness, and cheeky spirit touched us all deeply. In these moments of sorrow, my heart is with your whānau and the kiingitanga."</p> <p>Kiingi Tūheitia will likely lie in state at Tūrangawaewae Marae, near Hamilton, for five days, then be taken to Taupiri Mountain for burial.</p> <p>The Kiingitanga — Maori King movement — was founded in 1858 with the aim of uniting New Zealand’s Indigenous Maori under a single sovereign, and Kiingi Tuheitia was the seventh Kiingitanga monarch.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Radio New Zealand / 9News</em></p>

Caring

King Charles and Queen Camilla's Australia tour confirmed

<p>King Charles and Queen Camilla are officially coming to Australia! </p> <p>Buckingham Palace confirmed on Monday morning that the monarch and his wife will embark on their first royal tour of Australia as King and Queen in October, with stops including New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. </p> <p>They will also visit Samoa, where they will attend the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.</p> <p>This marks the first time a reigning monarch has visited since the late Queen Elizabeth's trip in 2011. </p> <p>However, Charles and Camilla will not be visiting New Zealand based on the advice of doctors, according to the Palace. </p> <p>"The King's doctors have advised that such an extended programme should be avoided at this time, to prioritise His Majesty's continued recovery," a Palace spokesperson said. </p> <p>"In close consultation with the Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers, and with due regard for the pressures of time and logistics, it has therefore been agreed to limit the visit to Samoa and Australia only," the spokesperson continued.</p> <p>"Their Majesties send their warmest thanks and good wishes to all parties for their continued support and understanding."</p> <p>Charles' programme in both Australia and Samoa will also "be subject to doctors' advice", and his itinerary may also change according to his health. </p> <p>The royals are expected to spend six days in Australia, before heading to Samoa for the meeting. </p> <p>The last time the couple visited Australia was in 2018, when Charles was still a prince. </p> <p><em>Image: The Royal Family Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

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