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"You've done bugger all": Ray Hadley unleashes over death of childcare worker

<p>Ray Hadley has erupted over the alleged murder of a childcare worker, calling on the government to have tougher laws in place for those out on bail. </p> <p>Molly Ticehurst, a 28-year-old from the NSW Central West town of Forbes, was found dead in her home during a welfare check in the early hours of Monday morning. </p> <p>Her ex-boyfriend, Daniel Billings, has since been charged with murder (domestic violence) and contravening a apprehended violence order.</p> <p>At the time of Ms Ticehurst’s alleged murder, Mr Billings was on bail after being charged with raping the mother-of-one three times, stalking her, causing damage to her property and abusing a 12-week-old puppy.</p> <p>While discussing NSW Premier Chris Minns' pledge to review why Billings was out on bail, 2GB radio host Ray Hadley unleashed on the government for doing "nothing". </p> <p>"It just keeps happening, and happening, and happening," he began. </p> <p>"I know you're probably sick of me saying it, and I'm probably sick of saying it myself, but in the 34 years I've been doing this type of morning program, absolutely nothing has changed."</p> <p>"Until there's a societal change in the way judicial officers and others deal with men who are violent towards women, we'll have what we're dealing with again this week."</p> <p>He slammed politicians for what he described as "a lack of action" on keeping alleged offenders facing serious charges out of the community.</p> <p>"What have you done about it? You've done bugger all about it," he said.</p> <p>"And as a result, another young woman is dead because you've done nothing about it. You sit there and wax lyrical and w*** on about what you're going to do."</p> <p>Hadley said Minns should instead directly work to change the bail laws with the cooperation of NSW opposition leader Mark Speakman.</p> <p>"Woman after woman after woman is murdered because the government is too gutless to either offer a mandatory minimum to these people, or do something about the bail laws," he said.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine / 2GB</em></p>

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Groundbreaking approach offers ray of hope for ovarian cancer patients

<p>In a twist of fate, 24-year-old Tora Murphy’s globetrotting adventure took an unexpected turn when her health journey began. What started as a quest to explore the world swiftly turned into a battle against ovarian cancer, a disease she never imagined would become a part of her reality.</p> <p>"I was looking pregnant, like I looked about six months pregnant," Murphy recounted <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/health/ovarian-cancer-groundbreaking-treatment-hope-mater-cancer-research-centre-brisbane/0f8ffed0-ec48-4ab7-8de5-28b9025d06d3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to 9News</a>. "They basically told me that it was stage three cancer and I was just in shock."</p> <p>Her whirlwind journey abruptly halted as she returned to Brisbane to confront the daunting reality of her diagnosis. Ovarian cancer, a silent killer, had taken root in her body, presenting as a formidable 18cm  tumour. Murphy’s resilience was put to the test as she underwent surgery to remove the tumour and ultimately a full hysterectomy.</p> <p>"I didn't even know that people like me could get cancer," she expressed, echoing the disbelief many young women feel upon receiving such a diagnosis.</p> <p>Ovarian cancer remains a formidable adversary, claiming the lives of 1000 Australian women each year, with a five-year survival rate hovering at a concerning 49 percent. For Murphy and countless others, the fear of recurrence looms large, casting a shadow over their lives.</p> <p>However, amidst the darkness, there shines a glimmer of hope. Pioneering research led by Mater Research scientists is illuminating new pathways in the fight against ovarian cancer. Their focus? Dendritic cells, a key component of the immune system.</p> <p>"We think that by focusing on that cell type in particular, that we'll be able to actually make a vaccine to help fight that disease and to eventually help prevent recurrence," explained Professor Kristen Radford from Mater Research.</p> <p>This groundbreaking approach offers a ray of hope for individuals like Murphy, offering the possibility of a future where ovarian cancer is not only treatable but preventable. The development of a vaccine holds the promise of transforming the landscape of ovarian cancer treatment and prevention.</p> <p>Fuelling this hope is the unwavering support of communities and organisations dedicated to combating ovarian cancer. The Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, through its tireless fundraising efforts, has allocated $670,000 to support the vaccine development, part of a larger $2.4 million grant initiative.</p> <p>"These funds have been raised by our community, so that's people out there walking, running, baking, shaving their heads," says Georgie Herbert from the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.</p> <p>For Murphy, the outpouring of support from her partner, friends and the broader community serves as a symbol of strength during her darkest hours. As her loved ones prepare to walk 100km this coming May to raise funds in her honour, Murphy is buoyed by the knowledge that every step taken brings them closer to a future free from the grips of ovarian cancer.</p> <p>"Their money goes to such a good place," she remarked, underscoring the impact of collective action in driving progress in ovarian cancer research and treatment.</p> <p>As the fight against ovarian cancer continues, fuelled by groundbreaking research and unwavering community support, there is renewed optimism on the horizon for individuals like Tora Murphy and the thousands affected by this disease.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Caring

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Home and Away star calls for more diversity

<p><em>Home and Away </em>star Ray Meagher has spoken out about the iconic soap changing direction from its original premise and how he wants better LGBTQ+ representation on the show. </p> <p>Meagher, who has played Alf Stewart on the show since 1988 and is signed on until at least 2027, shared his thoughts on the show's creative direction. </p> <p>The soap, which has explored every possible plot line with cults, abductions, car and motorcycle accidents, health scares, and more, started to go on a different journey following the introduction of the River boys in 2011, with the storyline now focusing more on crimes. </p> <p>Meagher criticised network execs for letting the soap stray from its premise of a seaside community and its original Fletcher family taking in foster children.</p> <p>“There is still penchant for a River Boy,”  he said in an interview with <em>TV Tonight</em>. </p> <p>“I mean, that was just a great period. But was it Summer Bay? Hmmm…. in my humble opinion, not to that extent,” Meagher added. </p> <p>He also said that there was nothing wrong with the storylines or the focus on "sex, drugs and rock and roll" but believes that the change of pace "came in too big of a dose," and made the show completely different from its original plot. </p> <p>Meagher also said that it's about time the show had better LGBTQ+ representation, after the show was previously criticised for lack of sustained LGBTQIA+ characters</p> <p>“It’d be nice to have a nice gay character come into the Bay. That would be good,” he said.</p> <p>“However, how many of them do we have in Summer Bay? There would definitely be a percentage, whether they’re above the ground or underground still in a town like the Bay."</p> <p>“The one thing that I have a bit of a problem with is sometimes when you realise there’s a representative hole when people tend to think, ‘Oh, jeez, we’ve ignored that area,’ and then there’s a wash of it. And you think ‘No community looks like that," he added.</p> <p><em>Image: Seven</em></p>

TV

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Miranda Kerr welcomes "little ray of sunshine"

<p>Miranda Kerr has welcomed her fourth child with Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel. </p> <p>The 40-year-old supermodel gave birth to a baby boy named Pierre Kerr Spiegel on Sunday, February 18, but announced the news of her new bub's arrival ten days later.</p> <p>"We are overjoyed by the arrival of our little ray of sunshine, Pierre Kerr Spiegel," she wrote in a statement posted on Snapchat. </p> <p>"We couldn’t be more excited to welcome our fourth son into our family. Feeling so very blessed."</p> <p>Kerr shared a picture of flowers, nestled next to a pair of yellow baby socks and a baby blue blanket that read "Pierre."</p> <p>The heartwarming announcement was made just six months after Kerr revealed that she was <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/so-excited-miranda-kerr-s-special-announcement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expecting her fourth child</a> with a series of pictures showing off her baby bump. </p> <p>"So excited to announce baby 4," she captioned the photo at the time. </p> <p>Kerr and Spiegel, who tied the knot in 2017, have three sons together - baby Pierre, five-year-old Hart, and four-year-old Myles. </p> <p>The Aussie supermodel also shares a fourth son, Flynn, 13, with her former husband Orlando Bloom. </p> <p>Kerr first hinted at the possibility of having more children in a 2022 interview with <em>Vogue Australia</em>. </p> <p>"I just love being a mother and I always wanted three boys, so I feel really blessed that I have three healthy boys."</p> <p>"I feel like I'm open, so we'll see what God decides."</p> <p><em>Images: Miranda Kerr Snapchat</em></p> <p> </p>

Family & Pets

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Ally Langdon cited as a reason the Voice failed

<p>The tense interview between Ally Langdon and Ray Martin has been cited as one of the key reasons why most Australians voted No in the Voice to Parliament referendum. </p> <p>The <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/i-would-say-it-again-ray-martin-doubles-down-on-voice-comments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview</a>, which took place two weeks before the nationwide vote, saw Langdon and Martin butt heads on <em>A Current Affair</em>, where Martin defended his comments about no voters being "ignorant". </p> <p>During the interview, Langdon, who repeatedly interrupted Martin throughout the conversation, went on to say that the proposed law was confusing, and people "didn't understand it". </p> <p>Since the defeat of the Voice referendum on Saturday, prominent author and former journalist Martin Flanagan collated the list of reasons the county voted No in a <a href="https://footyology.com.au/the-voice-a-letter-to-the-39-per-cent/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"letter to the 39 per cent"</a>.</p> <p>Flanagan cited the <em>ACA</em> interview as crucial in voters minds, and contributed to the resounding defeat of the Voice.</p> <p>“Ally said Australians didn’t understand the Voice and, as proof of this proposition, said, ‘I mean, my parents don’t understand it. They’ve looked at it, their group of friends who have looked at it and don’t understand it, that is a massive problem’,” he explained.</p> <p>He appeared to take a shot at Langdon for using the revelation about her family’s lack of understanding to make a point about the entire Australian population.</p> <p>Flanagan wrote that the No campaign's slogan “If you don’t know, vote no” was an extremely effective tool in making sure undecided voters voted No, rather than educate themselves, describing it as is “the second most epoch defining campaign slogan I have seen in my adult lifetime, the other being ‘It’s Time’ in 1972,” which was the slogan used by Gough Whitlam in the federal election.</p> <p>Flanagan then went on to lay some of the blame squarely at Langdon's feet: "To commemorate the 2023 slogan, I would like to establish a media award named after Ally Langdon from A Current Affair. </p> <p>"Ally grilled Ray Martin after he said dinosaurs were voting NO. Ally said Australians didn’t understand the Voice and, as proof of this proposition, said, 'I mean, my parents don’t understand it. They’ve looked at it, their group of friends who have looked at it and don’t understand it, that is a massive problem.'"</p> <p>"The prize for my media award is a cartoon with a group of dinosaurs looking up at a billboard saying “If You Don’t Know, Vote No”. It’s not just the Voice referendum – it’s all the other things we don’t want to know about. We’ve got an overpopulated, overheating planet with two global conflicts raging as we speak. Major environmental catastrophes could have hundreds of millions of people on the move, the effect of climate change on the world’s agricultural regions could cause widespread famine etcetera etcetera. But back to you in the studio, Ally. Tell us what do your parents and their friends think."</p> <p>According to Flanagan, the Yes vote failed due to "Trump-like tactics" from the No side, as he accused them of tactfully confusing and besieging Australians to “make the whole thing dull and heavy” so no one had “energy to explore the Yes case”.</p> <p>He went on to say that a lack of organisation within the Yes team and a lack of continuation of momentum that was prevalent at the beginning of campaigning were also contributing factors to the Voice defeat.</p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair</em></p>

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"I would say it again": Ray Martin doubles down on Voice comments

<p>Ray Martin has been grilled in an explosive interview over his divisive comments about No voters ahead of the Voice to Parliament referendum. </p> <p>The veteran journalist appeared on <em>A Current Affair</em> to double down on his comments, saying he does not regret what he said. </p> <p>On Wednesday, Ray Martin spoke to supporters of the Yes campaign at the Factory Theatre in Marrickville, in Sydney's inner west, as he <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/ray-martin-s-scathing-voice-to-parliament-speech" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called out</a> those who are voting No, suggesting they are too lazy to educate themselves by performing a simple Google search, and instead are being driven by division and fear.</p> <p>Martin said, “If you don’t know, find out what you don’t know.” </p> <p>"What that excellent slogan is saying, is if you’re a dinosaur or a d**khead who can’t be bothered reading, then vote No.” </p> <p>In the tense interview, in which Langdon continuously interrupted Martin, the ACA host suggested the Voice debate “needs to calm down and get back to being respectful”. </p> <p>“Do you regret those comments, Ray?” she asked</p> <p>“No, I don’t,” Martin said.</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/CyAmMGOyEqw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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/CyAmMGOyEqw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by A Current Affair (@acurrentaffair9)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“This is a really important referendum. And I did not call No voters those words, I was talking about the slogan. ‘If you don’t know, vote No.’ That is an endorsement of ignorance. If you don’t know, find out, do not vote ignorantly. That is a dinosaur."</p> <p>"It is such an important vote, it is so important, and you need to find out.”</p> <p>“A lot of families have a lot of stuff on the plate,” Langdon said. “They are worried about power and food prices and crime, and many of them are the people that you’re calling names.”</p> <p>Martin insisted “no I am not”.</p> <p>“This is not a difficult one — you do not need a dictionary to find out what it is about,” he said.</p> <p>“It is about two things. It is about recognising First Australians in the Constitution, and do we give them a Voice … no veto, a Voice after 200 years of being told what to do. It is not about treaties or reimbursements. It is about nothing apart from these two things.”</p> <p>Langdon said Martin was a “respected journalist for many years” and knew “language is important, and the language used in that speech was inflammatory”, but Martin stood by his words. </p> <p>“I do not think it is and I stick by the language,” Martin said. “I would say it again. It was at Marrickville Hall when I was speaking, I was not speaking at the Catholic church up at the lectern. I was not talking to Women’s Weekly.”</p> <p>Asked again if he thought his language was disrespectful, Martin said, “I’ll tell you what’s disrespectful — voting, and admitting your ignorance, and going ahead and voting on such an important issue as this.”</p> <p>Ray Martin went on to say the language he used was “part of the Australian vernacular and you will hear it all the time on morning radio”, calling out conservative broadcasters who use similar insults to throw at the Yes campaign.</p> <p>Langdon admitted she watched Martin‘s full speech and while much of it was “very powerful”, the debate had “become inflammatory and divisive” and “you know that the most controversial thing you say is what is going to be picked up, and it has”.</p> <p>“I have been a journalist almost 60 years and I think people trust me,” Martin said.</p> <p>“I have reason to be trusted and I think this is really important. I do not think we should be scared by a scare campaign. I do not think we should look for something that is not in the referendum and I think that has happened. That is what the No side is doing.”</p> <p>He continued, "I do not think it is confusing. We have only made it confusing. The words are simple. Do you recognise the First Australians? Do you want to give them a Voice for the first time? Instead of telling them how to run their lives. When we listen to them in community health, community education and community life, we do much better. Instead of telling them what to do.”</p> <p>Martin admitted that the Yes campaign has not been perfect, but that was not a good enough reason to vote No on October 14th.</p> <p>“If you’re asking me has the campaign been good, I would say no,” Martin conceded.</p> <p>“And if you ask me whether this referendum will end poverty and disadvantage, the answer is no. But it is unquestionably a step forward.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair</em></p>

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Ray Martin's scathing Voice to Parliament speech

<p>Ray Martin has ripped into No voters while discussing the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum, calling them "dinosaurs and d**kheads". </p> <p>The veteran TV presenter spoke to supporters of the Yes campaign at the Factory Theatre in Marrickville, in Sydney's inner west, and did not hold back on what he thought of those voting no on October 14th.</p> <p>He called out those who are voting No, suggesting they are too lazy to educate themselves by performing a simple Google search, and instead are being driven by division and fear.</p> <p>Martin said, “If you don’t know, find out what you don’t know.” </p> <div id="story-primary" data-area="story-primary"> <p>“What that excellent slogan is saying, is if you’re a dinosaur or a d**khead who can’t be bothered reading, then vote No.” </p> <p>He went on to argue that No voters kept begging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the details of the referendum, but the details “could not be simpler”. </p> </div> <p>“At this stage of the game, the details simply don’t matter. They never did matter, honestly. They’re irrelevant,” he said. </p> <p>“Over the next 10 to 20 years, no matter who is in government, the details will change, inevitably. As will the members of the Voice delegation from around Australia, according to the needs, the priorities and the policies that are meant to close that bloody gap. </p> <p>“You can’t write all that in the constitution in 2023.”</p> <p>He explained that as governments and priorities will change over the years, so will the roles and responsibilities of the Voice representatives. </p> <p>“It’s a big country with lots of different demands and needs. How do you give the details of all that in the Australian constitution? Of course you don’t.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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Australia’s first TV weatherman passes away at 94

<p dir="ltr">Australian meteorologist and TV presenter Alan Wilkie has died at age 94, just two months after his fellow weather presenter brother Ray Wilkie.</p> <p dir="ltr">Alan passed away peacefully on Monday night surrounded by his three children, Andrew, Katrina and Michelle, according to <em>9News</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The weatherman is being remembered as Australia's first TV weatherman after first appearing on the <em>ABC</em> in 1956.</p> <p dir="ltr">He then joined Nine in the late 1970s and had delivered the weather for the channel for over 25 years.</p> <p dir="ltr">His passion for the weather was obvious as it was estimated that he has read the weather 10,000 times throughout his career.</p> <p dir="ltr">In an interview with The Australian Women’s Weekly in 1977, Alan reflected on his first ever TV appearance and he explained that he only applied for the job because his previous employer, the Bureau of Meteorology, insisted.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was in the very first week of television and I nearly died. I was so frightened. I don’t remember a single thing I said, but it must have been all right,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Alan grew up in the small town of Childers, Queensland and initially wanted to become a teacher but then went on to study science instead at the University of Queensland.</p> <p dir="ltr">His brother, Ray, was also a meteorologist and well-known weather presenter for Network 10.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ray passed away in May at age 98.</p> <p><em>Images: Nine News</em></p>

News

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Sweet reason for Ray Hadley's big property purchase

<p dir="ltr">2GB broadcaster Ray Hadley has purchased a stunning Central Coast property with his wife, Sophie. </p> <p dir="ltr">The seaside retreat is situated on the Bouddi Peninsula in New South Wales, right on the water’s edge of Pretty Beach, and boasts impressive views across Brisbane Water - views that a balcony accessed by the living, kitchen, and dining space makes the most of.</p> <p dir="ltr">The property has five bedrooms, allowing plenty of space for Hadley and Sophie to host their visiting family members  - and most importantly, their grandkids. </p> <p dir="ltr">Hadley, who currently resides in the northwest of Sydney, has four children with five grandchildren from them. And, in happy news for the family, another on the way. </p> <p dir="ltr">He regularly provides his radio listeners with updates on the growing brood, with a focus on the youngest generation - all of them five and under - who mean the entire world to him. </p> <p dir="ltr">As he told <em>9Honey</em>, “​​before I had grandkids five years ago, mates would say, 'you won't believe the difference it makes' ... it's basically changed my life.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Five years ago I had none, now I've got five and another one on the way. They basically are my life.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I just adore them, every one of them, and they've all got different personalities, they're all different people.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He went on to share that the youngest is learning to walk and talk, while the others are prepping for school, with his eldest granddaughter even going so far as to ask him not to work, and to instead come along for her first ever school drop-off. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Just the fact that she asked me to do it made me feel 10-foot tall,” he shared.</p> <p dir="ltr">And the new property will give him the chance to spend more time with them, serving as a midway point for sleepovers, after years of the radio host travelling up the M1 from Sydney to be with them.</p> <p dir="ltr">It isn’t the first time Hadley has dipped his toes into the real estate market, either, with the 68 year old having downsized from his acreage after he turned 66, moving for the first time since the mid-1990s.</p> <p dir="ltr">The home isn’t even his first coastal retreat, with Hadley having snapped up a property on the Gold Coast in 2016, and planning to make an upgrade once again at Main Beach.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though for the time being, he may be a little busy settling into his new home, and maybe even treating himself and Sophie to a night out at their friend John Singleton’s nearby eatery.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: realestate.com.au, Getty</em></p>

Real Estate

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“Ray of sunshine”: Wife of stabbed paramedic gives birth to baby girl

<p dir="ltr">The wife of NSW paramedic Steven Tougher has given birth to their baby girl just two months after his tragic death.</p> <p dir="ltr">Madison Tougher gave birth to their daughter, Lily-Mae Stevie Tougher, on Thursday.</p> <p dir="ltr">NSW ambulance announced the “ray of sunshine” on Madison’s behalf and also revealed that the baby girl weighed 4.1 kg and measured 48 cm in length.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Madison Tougher has asked us to announce the arrival of her and Steven’s daughter, Lily-Mae Stevie Tougher,” NSW Ambulance shared on Facebook.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Madison and Lily-Mae, and big brother Kobi, are doing well and the extended family is very excited,” they added.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Madison reports her labour and birth were peaceful and calm, just like Steven’s personality.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She has respectfully requested privacy at this time and asks not be contacted by media.”</p> <p dir="ltr">They also confirmed that a picture of Lily-May will be shared at a later date.</p> <p dir="ltr">Many have shared their well-wishes for Madison in the comment section of the post shared by NSW ambulance.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Congratulations on the birth of your little one , I’m sure Steven will always be there watching over you all. 🧡” wrote one person.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Congratulations and welcome to the world Lilly-Mae Stevie. What a special name for a special girl. Her daddy will always be watching over her and the family. Love to Madison at this bitter-sweet time,” commented another.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Congratulations to Madison and her family. Kudos to NSW Ambulance for such a respectful and beautiful announcement,” wrote a third.</p> <p dir="ltr">Steven passed away in mid-April after he was allegedly stabbed while on a break outside of a McDonalds in Campbelltown</p> <p dir="ltr">The 29-year-old paramedic was reportedly about to go on paternity leave and was finishing off paperwork in the ambulance when the incident occurred.</p> <p dir="ltr">21-year-old Jordan Fineanganofo was subsequently tasered and arrested, and is due to face court later this month.</p> <p dir="ltr">Steven was posthumously awarded a National Medal of Service and a NSW Ambulance Long Service and Good Conduct Medal at his funeral.</p> <p><em>Image: Facebook</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Thor and Star Wars actor dies suddenly just days before birthday

<p>Actor Ray Stevenson, best known for his work in the Marvel and Star Wars universes, has passed away at 58, just four days shy of his 59th birthday.</p> <p>No cause of death has been made public, but the news was confirmed to <em>Variety</em> through one of the late actor’s representatives, and Italian publication<em> La Repubblica </em>reported that he had been hospitalised shortly before he passed away. </p> <p>Stevenson was in Italy working on his upcoming action movie, <em>Cassino in Ischia</em>, at the time of his death.</p> <p>The Irish-born actor will be remembered by loved ones - those who knew him in real life and those who knew him through his wide range of film, TV, and theatre projects - and by the entertainment industry at large. </p> <p>Born in Northern Ireland in 1864, Steven moved to England with his family at the age of eight, and discovered his calling as an actor after witnessing John Malkovich in a West End theatre production. </p> <p>Stevenson went on to study acting, landing one of his first roles in television in <em>The Dwelling Place</em>, before establishing his place on the screen in a number of other British series, from the likes of <em>Waking the Dead</em> to <em>Dalziel and Pascoe</em>, and <em>At Home with the Braithwaites</em>.</p> <p>His career in Hollywood found its feet with his role in the 2004 King Arthur movie, where he took on the role of one of the Knights of the Round Table. </p> <p>And just four years later, Stevenson made a name for himself in the fan-favourite Marvel universe, playing the titular character Frank Castle in <em>Punisher: War Zone</em>. He was the third actor to ever portray Punisher on screen. </p> <p>Stevenson went on to appear in the likes of <em>The Book of Eli</em>, <em>The Three Musketeers</em>, and the<em> Divergent </em>series, before making his return to Marvel with <em>Thor</em>, where he played one of the god’s Warriors Three up until <em>Thor: Ragnarok</em>.</p> <p>He wasn’t to stop at Marvel, however, with the actor taking on the challenge - and opportunity - of voicing a character in the hit animated Star Wars TV series <em>Clone Wars </em>and<em> Rebels</em> as Mandalorian Gar Saxon. </p> <p>He was set to make his return to that same expanded universe, but this time with his own face at the forefront as a Jedi known as Baylan Skoll, in the upcoming  live action <em>Ahsoka </em>series.</p> <p>His co-stars in that series were devastated to hear of his loss, with the show’s lead and Ahsoka’s actress - Rosario Dawson - posting a touching tribute to social media, alongside a series of pics with the late star. </p> <p>“A giant of a man… stunned and reeling from this tragic, devastating news. Gone too soon from this world,” she wrote. “At a loss for words… just wanted to mark this moment and share your ever ready and present smile. Love you forever. Holding your family in my heart.”</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/Csjo9svpyue/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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/Csjo9svpyue/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by rosariodawson (@rosariodawson)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Cherishing this time we got to spend together this past year,” fellow <em>Ahsoka </em>actress Natasha Liu Bordizzo wrote, sharing Dawson’s post, “your giant heart, belly laughs and spirited zest for life will be sorely missed.”</p> <p>“RIP Ray Stevenson, whose turn as Titus Pullo on <em>ROME</em> is one of the greatest effortlessly charming performances of TV's golden age,” one fan shared. “A warm guy, by all accounts, and a serious craftsman. He'll be sorely missed.”</p> <p>“I’m shocked and saddened by the tragic news that a great actor and my good friend Ray Stevenson has passed away. I will miss you Big Ray!” wrote Scott Atkins, who starred in Accident Man with Stevenson. “Life is short so make the most of it people.”</p> <p>As Stevenson’s former <em>Rome</em> co-star James Purefoy said, “so sad to hear the news that Ray Stevenson, our Pullo in <em>Rome</em>, has passed away. A brilliant, gutsy, larger-than-life actor who filled every part he played right up to the brim. </p> <p>“My thoughts are with his family, his lovely wife Betta and their beautiful kids. What a loss.”</p> <p>“Ray… My heart is shattered and I can’t fathom you not being here. My dear friend. My Master. A giant with an even bigger heart,” a heartbroken Ivanna Sakhno, another <em>Ahsoka </em>star, said in her tribute. “You understood the infinite. Your love for life, your partner Elisabetta and your 3 boys was unyielding. Knowing you in this lifetime had been one of the greatest gifts.</p> <p>“I carry your light within me. Fly freely, Blackbird.”</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

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Top-tier salaries for high-profile talents at Channel 9 revealed

<p>Ray Hadley has been named the highest paid talent at the Nine Network, with his contract extension earning him a reported $9 million. </p> <p>The 68-year-old talk back radio host will remain the morning show host at 2GB until the end of 2026, with the gig lining his pockets with around $3.5 million annually. </p> <p>With the news of Hadley's new contract making headlines, an insider at <em>Media Diary</em> has revealed what the other top talents at the Nine Network are earning in comparison. </p> <p>The second highest paid personality at the network is reportedly comedian and <em>Lego Masters</em> host Hamish Blake, who rakes in around $2 million per year.</p> <p>Coming in with salaries around the $1.5 million per year mark are the likes of <em>Today</em> host Karl Stefanovic, <em>A Current Affair</em> host Allison Langdon, 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham and <em>The Block</em> host Scott Cam.</p> <p>Earning between $1 million and $1.2 million reportedly include veteran <em>60 Minutes</em> journalist Liz Hayes, <em>The Hundred</em> host Andy Lee, and 3AW presenters Neil Mitchell and Ross Stevenson.</p> <p><em>Nine News</em> journalist Peter Overton is said to make approximately $1 million a year, while <em>Today</em> co-host Sarah Abo and reality show host Sophie Monk are each said to net around $800,000.</p> <p>While the network does not disclose the salaries of each personality, an individual's annual pay is often leaked when star's renegotiate their contracts.</p> <p>When Lisa Wilkinson left the Nine Network in 2017 over a gender pay dispute, she reportedly signed a $2 million per year contract with Ten to co-host <em>The Project</em>.</p> <p>Also defecting from Nine, Sonia Kruger is said to have signed a $1.3 million contract with Seven as the co-host of <em>Dancing with the Stars</em>. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Today / Instagram</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Ray Liotta’s cause of death finally revealed

<p>The cause of Ray Liotta's death has finally been revealed, almost one year after his passing. </p> <p>The <em>Goodfellas</em> actor died on May 26th 2022, with reports at the time saying he had died in his sleep while he was in the Dominican Republic filming <em>Dangerous Waters</em>.</p> <p>According to new documents obtained by <em><a title="TMZ" href="https://www.tmz.com/2023/05/08/ray-liotta-cause-of-death-heart-failure-respirator-dominican-republic/" target="" rel="">TMZ</a></em>, Liotta's death was listed as "natural and nonviolent" and he reportedly died from respiratory insufficiency, pulmonary edema and acute heart failure. </p> <p>The reports also concluded that Liotta had been suffering from atherosclerosis, a medical condition where a person's arteries become thickened from plaque build-up.</p> <p>The news of Liotta's cause of death comes just weeks after the late actor was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with his daughter speaking on his behalf. </p> <p>"I'm so touched to be accepting this honour on behalf of my dad," Karsen Liotta said at the ceremony.</p> <p>"I couldn't be more proud of him. He was a one of a kind actor and the best friend, brother and father anyone could have asked for. I lucked out with you."</p> <p>"If you have a Ray in your life, you're lucky. I love you so much. Thank you for your work and the imprint you left on me and all of those who love you. Everyone deserves a Ray in their life."</p> <p>At the time of Liotta's death, <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/tributes-flow-for-ray-liotta" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tributes</a> flowed in from all corners of Hollywood, with his <em>Goodfellas</em> co-stars leading the charge. </p> <p>Robert De Niro told <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ray-liotta-dead-hollywood-tributes-1235154625/"><em>The Hollywood Reporter</em>,</a> “I was very saddened to learn of Ray’s passing. He is way too young to have left us. May he rest in peace.”</p> <p>Lorraine Bracco, who also appeared with Liotta in <em>Goodfellas</em>, shared that she was “utterly shattered” when she heard the news of his passing, <em><a title="pagesix.com" href="https://pagesix.com/2022/05/26/celebrities-react-to-ray-liottas-death/">Page Six</a></em> reports.</p> <p>“I am utterly shattered to hear this terrible news about my Ray. I can be anywhere in the world and people will come up and tell me their favourite movie is Goodfellas,” <a href="https://twitter.com/Lorraine_Bracco/status/1529868934463234048">she tweeted</a> along with a throwback photo with him. “Then they always ask what was the best part of making that movie. My response has always been the same … Ray Liotta.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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Ray Martin discusses interviewing “arrogant” senior royal

<p dir="ltr">Veteran journalist Ray Martin has interviewed many high profile figures over his stellar career in the media.</p> <p dir="ltr">Some of his most noteworthy conversations have been with members of the royal family, including the late Princess Diana, and another senior royal that Martin said confirmed his “worst suspicions” about the institution.</p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking with news.com.au’s<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ray-martin-names-arrogant-royal/id1593788055?i=1000602980406" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em> I’ve Got News for You</em></a> podcast, he shared the details of his 1981 interview with the late Prince Philip, who he recalled as being “arrogant”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The interview took place when Martin was a reporter for <em>60 Minutes</em>, as he was offered a rare sit-down with the late Duke of Edinburgh, about his role as the international president of the World Wildlife Fund.</p> <p dir="ltr">Unsurprisingly, it was a tightly-controlled environment on board the royal ship Britannia, where the interview took place.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was strictly about World Wildlife, we couldn’t talk about anything else,” Martin told the podcast.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I didn’t like Prince Philip – he was quite priggish and arrogant, and that confirmed all my worst suspicions of the royals.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite his unpleasant memories of the late royal, he said he felt completely differently about King Charles, who he first interviewed in 1994 amid a growing Republican movement, describing him as “very pleasant, very comfortable”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“(He was) a little shy, and went out of his way to be nice and polite to our team … He certainly made it easy for all of us, and I went away thinking, ‘You’re not a bad bloke’.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ray went on to say although no topics were officially off limits, he chose not to pry about personal issues with the now King.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Of course, I was tempted,” Martin admitted.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t remember them saying he wouldn’t talk about (Princess Diana), but protocol was that he was prepared to talk about the Republic and other issues like that, so that was it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After their interview concluded, Ray took a chance and asked the royal if he wanted to join the crew for a drink, given the warm Brisbane weather.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was a really hot Queensland day, and I said, ‘we’re going down to the Gold Coast for a swim and a beer, would you like to join us?’” he revealed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And he laughed and said, ‘I would like to join you, but I’ve got to give a bloody speech in Auckland... but I’d much prefer to go to the Gold Coast and have a beer.’ So it was kind of funny. I think he enjoyed the day, and we enjoyed it.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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“A ray of sunshine”: Catherine’s heartwarming visit to miracle baby

<p>A mother from West Sussex has recounted the experience of having Catherine, Princess of Wales, meet her young daughter Amaya-Rae. </p> <p>When Amaya-Rae was born at only 23 weeks and classed as a “late miscarriage” in August 2021, her parents were left heartbroken. </p> <p>Amaya-Rae had already beaten the odds by surviving what was described as a traumatic birth, but the family’s medical team didn’t have high hopes for the baby girl, advising her parents to say their goodbyes. </p> <p>Over the course of 360 days in hospital, Amaya-Rae’s family were told on eight separate occasions that she was not going to make it, but she had other ideas. </p> <p>“It’s nothing short of a miracle,” her mother, Mischa, said, “I’m not religious but I really do believe she has had someone watching over her, telling her it’s not her time to go yet, sending her back.</p> <p>“At first, each time we were told to say goodbye to her, our world just crumbled.”</p> <p>Amaya-Rae went on to prove her mum right and her doctors wrong, defying all of the odds in her fight to survive. Now, she is almost eighteen months old, and safe at home with her family. </p> <p>Despite the heartbreak that came with their time in hospital, Amaya-Rae’s mum has opened up about one bright moment in the dark: a visit from Princess Catherine. </p> <p>“When we were in the Evelina Children’s Hospital, we were totally stunned when Catherine, Princess of Wales, made an unexpected visit,” Mischa recalled. “Catherine was so lovely, she listened intently to Amaya’s story, and genuinely seemed so taken with her and asked such a lot of questions.</p> <p>“She seemed totally besotted, complimenting her smiles and her outfit. Amaya couldn't take her eyes off her, she was transfixed. </p> <p>“Someone suggested we take her to see a Disney Princess show at Christmas, but we joked she only deals with actual royalty now.”</p> <p>Amaya-Rae’s need for specialist care saw her transferred to the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, where she stayed for 166 days before getting to go home. It was there, at the children’s hospital, that she came face-to-face with the real-life princess. </p> <p>Catherine, who is the hospital’s patron, was there on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend. </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/CnxfEqxs3v2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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/CnxfEqxs3v2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by amayarae_ story (@amayarae_story)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>As Mischa explained, she was “with Amaya and her nurse came in and said we had someone who’d like to visit us. I was stunned when I realised who it was, I kept saying it couldn’t be her because it was the Jubilee weekend.” </p> <p>The nurse, she said, told them that Catherine had come to visit the families who couldn’t be out celebrating, and that after being told about Amaya-Rae, she had requested to meet her. </p> <p>“There were no press there, we didn’t see any bodyguards,” Mischa said of the meeting, “she just popped in to meet the children. She was so lovely.”</p> <p>In an interview with the <em>Mirror</em>, Mischa added, “when the nurses told me she was in the hospital and wanted to meet Amaya-Rae, I completely panicked.”</p> <p>“She was in her nappy. I ran around finding something presentable for her to wear. But as soon as Kate walked in through the door, all the nervousness disappeared."</p> <p>After speaking on Catherine’s calming demeanour, and how Amaya-Rae was “transfixed” with the princess, Mischa reflected on their experience and the surprise introduction, saying, “there are some really dark days in a children's hospital, and for our family - and lots of others - there isn't much to look forward to. </p> <p>“Everybody who met Kate said it gave them such a pick-me-up. She was a ray of sunshine in a really frightening time."</p> <p>Mischa’s miracle, her ray of sunshine, is now home. Though Amaya-Rae will require oxygen for another few months, and faces some underlying conditions that Mischa hopes will be manageable and won’t hold Amaya-Rae back, she is happy to report that her daughter is just like anyone else her age. </p> <p>“She is doing so well. She’s such a happy, chilled out little girl. You’d never know what she’s been through.”</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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Ray Hadley blasts Chris Smith as he is fired by 2GB

<p>Chris Smith has been fired by 2GB after his actions at the <em>Sky News</em> Christmas party saw female staffers come forward with allegations of inappropriate behaviour. </p> <p>The radio and TV host is on a suspension from <em>Sky News</em>, as his now former colleague Ray Hadley condemned  his behaviour and expressed his desire to never work with him again. </p> <p>In terminating his employment, Nine's Managing Director of Radio, Tom Malone said, "Chris' behaviour represents a serious breach of his contract, and is not aligned with the values of 2GB."</p> <p>He says the media company provided support to Smith in recent days, and will continue to offer that support as required. </p> <p>His firing follows prominent broadcaster Ray Hadley delivering a searing judgement of Smith's drunken behaviour.</p> <p>Hadley described Smith, 60, as "a disgraceful person" after he allegedly made lewd comments at the end of year party, reducing a female co-worker to tears.</p> <p>Following the allegations of abuse, Chris Smith released a statement about his actions and apologised for making female colleagues feel uncomfortable. </p> <p>In the statement released on Monday afternoon, Smith apologised for his behaviour and said the incidents at the party did not reflect his behaviour at work. </p> <p>"I am beyond gutted and devastated to know I have upset my colleagues after our Christmas party," Smith said. </p> <p>"I apologise profusely to the women I upset. That's not the man I am at work, ever, as they will all attest. They have been so supportive to me and do not deserve such drunken treatment."</p> <p>Smith blamed the incident on bipolar disorder and alcohol addiction, saying, "I have a recurring problem with alcohol... it sends me manic." </p> <p>"I am in a facility receiving professional help to deal conclusively with my abuse of alcohol and solve this once and for all, without qualification… it can and will be done," he said.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

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What's next for Tracy Grimshaw

<p>As Tracy Grimshaw prepares to say her final farewells after 17 years in the <em>A Current Affair</em> hosting chair, many are left wondering what her next moves in the media industry will be. </p> <p>Speaking candidly to 2GB's Ray Hadley, the veteran journalist admitted she is looking forward to having some time off. </p> <p>The 62-year-old said that her focus after her last show will be to “clear” her mind and “learn to sleep again”.</p> <p>“I’m going to take a year off, because I feel like I need that I need a one year sabbatical where I just can clear my head and learn to sleep again, rest my stupid brain,” she said.</p> <p>“I’m not just going to sit on the verandah, I’m going to see my friends. I have prioritised the work for a lot of years. I’ve put the work before really, certainly, before me."</p> <p>"I’d like time to not let my friends down. I’d like to be able to go away for a weekend and not find out say on the Friday that I’m doing an interview next week so I feel I have to spend the weekend at home prepping for the interview."</p> <p>“I want to be able to be spontaneous and flexible about those things. I’m looking forward to that.”</p> <p>Despite looking forward to her well overdue downtime, Tracy hinted that she may be interested in returning to our screens eventually. </p> <p>“And then after that, I think probably I’ll be bored enough to want to come back, I reckon,” she revealed.</p> <p>In early September, Tracy Grimshaw <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/tracy-grimshaw-s-huge-news" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that she would be finishing up with <em>A Current Affair</em> by the end of the year, with no confirmed date of when her last show might be. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Retirement Life

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"Stone the crows": Who made Ray "Alf" Meagher cry

<p><em>Home and Away</em> legend Ray Meagher has broken down on Channel Seven's <em>This Is Your Life</em> after a series of emotional tributes. </p> <p>The 78-year-old actor was discussing his life and career at Summer Bay when his past co-stars surprised him with endless praise for his role as Alf. </p> <p>The first tribute came from Chris Hemsworth, who thanked Ray in a pre-recorded message for his kindness and support during Chris's time on <em>Home and Away</em>. </p> <p>“Ray Meagher, godfather of Australian television, Australian icon, a flaming legend, my hero. Mate, what can I say?” he began.</p> <p>“I remember very vividly the first time I walked onto a <em>Home and Away</em> set, the first time I met you. I was teaming with excitement and nerves — mostly about meeting you, the man, the myth, the legend."</p> <p>“The moment arrived. I remember the doors busting open, and there you were down the end of the hallway, silhouetted by the sun, bathed in glorious light.</p> <p>“We locked eyes, we got closer. I took a big deep breath and I thought, ‘He’s probably not a hugger’. I lifted my hand…and dived off into the costume department because I had lost my nerve.”</p> <p>The audience chuckled at the <em>Thor</em> star’s hilarious recollection, but his next admission left Ray fighting back tears.</p> <p>“Sure enough, you came up to me and you said, ‘Chris, wonderful to meet you. You’re gonna do great here’. You were kind, genuine and supportive, and you’ve remained that through my entire career. Thank you so much buddy, I love you. You’re a dear friend.”</p> <p>Already overcome with emotion, Ray was presented with another surprise. </p> <p>Kate Ritchie, who played the role of Sally Fletcher on <em>Home and Away</em> for 20 years alongside Ray, walked onto the set and embraced her co-star. </p> <p>The pair watched a set of <em>Home and Away</em> scenes from 1990-2008, finishing with their on-screen goodbye at Palm Beach.</p> <p>“Ray is really so much of what I learned as a person, but also as a performer,” she began, before grabbing Ray’s hand.</p> <p>“And for both of us, we’ve played those characters for such a long time, that it is inevitable there is so much of us within them."</p> <p>“When I watch that footage…I actually see two friends. He’s watched me grow from a girl into a woman, and he’s really proud of me. So I’m glad I’ve made you proud, thank you."</p> <p>The Aussie icon told his former co-star that he’s still proud of her to this day, and his words "still stand".</p> <p>“You mean a lot to me Ray, you know that,” Kate added, causing Ray to wipe his tears away with a tissue.</p> <p>Ray has played Alf Stewart since 1988 and currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-serving actor in an Australian series.</p> <p>His appearance on This Is Your Life moved many Home and Away fans online, with floods of people sharing their gratitude for the veteran actor. </p> <p>"So emotional, tears are flowing. Congratulations Ray!! What a fantastic life!! You’re a wonderful man and a great actor,” one wrote on social media.</p> <p>“Crying happy tears. It was so lovely to see Ray (Alf) get recognised like this. ‘Stone the crow’ as he would say. I hope he keeps going on the show,” a second added.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Seven </em></p>

TV

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Ray Hadley hospitalised

<p dir="ltr">2GB radio host Ray Hadley has been forced to take a temporary leave of absence from his show due to a major health scare and has used it to send a message to other Aussies about their health.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 67-year-old underwent an “important surgery” to remove a lesion that his wife discovered on the back of his leg which continued to grow and bleed.</p> <p dir="ltr">Becoming concerned, Hadley visited a clinician and had a biopsy taken from the lesion for testing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Several weeks later he received the good news that it wasn’t cancerous, but it would still need to be removed.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ahead of his return to the airwaves next week, Hadley told his co-host Mark Levy that he was feeling good post-operation and that the surgery had been a success.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I've ended up with 60 stitches in the back of my leg,” he told listeners on Tuesday.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I'm okay … but that's what you can end up with.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Hadley has used his recent health scare to urge Aussies, particularly men, to stay on top of their health and go see their GPs.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I've been a big advocate for men's health for the last two decades, telling blokes, especially in the bush, to go and see their GP,” Hadley said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I concentrate on blokes because they're not as good as ladies at going and discussing their medical problems, and more recently, in light of what's happened to Paul Green's family and Paul Green himself, mental health is another one to advocate for.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Recounting his latest experience, Hadley said he took his own advice and went to the Melanoma Institute in northern Sydney, where he underwent a biopsy.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They weren’t happy with it, so they said, ‘We’ve got to take it out’,” he explained.</p> <p dir="ltr">When he was told the surgery might require a skin graft and that the lesion would be tested to determine whether it was a melanoma, he said he’d expected it would just be “a little wound” and not the large, 60-stitch wound he was left with.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You've got to check your health, because if I had let this linger and not done something about it, it's quite possible it could have transformed from what it is into something more sinister and become life-threatening,” he added.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Check your body, you blokes, especially if you're in the sun and spend a lot of time outdoors, get your partner to check what's going on, things you can't see on your back and talk to your GP about prostate cancer, bowel cancer, about heart health.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Levy said his co-host’s stitches made it look like he had been “bitten by a shark” and echoed Hadley’s message to Aussies to get their skin checked.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If you're worried about a little spot, just get it checked,” Levy said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“You can't leave it too long.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-8bd55deb-7fff-88a8-a157-0576064e8908"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: The Ray Hadley Morning Show (Facebook)</em></p>

Caring

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“I will not be bullied”: 2GB hosts Chris Smith and Ray Hadley go head-to-head

<p dir="ltr">2GB radio presenters Chris Smith and Ray Hadley have been engaged in a bitter stoush over the Coral Princess cruise ship scare.</p> <p dir="ltr">Smith said he has hired defamation lawyers and rejected claims he had received money from the cruising industry after Hadley accused him of playing down the cruise ship’s decision to allow passengers to disembark in Sydney after recording 118 cases of COVID-19 on board.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve actually engaged two media defo lawyers and will work on that very closely on Monday,” he told listeners on Saturday.</p> <p dir="ltr">The stoush began after Hadley slammed Smith for comments suggesting people “shouldn’t panic” about the Coral Princess, adding that he was “embarrassed to be on the same network” in a rant last Wednesday.<br />“One of my colleagues this morning was saying nothing to see here – it’s all wonderful,” Hadley said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m sorry – but the sort of nonsense I heard on the network this morning is just foolish. I’m almost embarrassed to be on the same broadcast network as that bloke. But anyway, that’s another story I’ll deal with privately.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Smith, who had been filling in for breakfast host Ben Fordham for the week, hit back at Hadley at the start of his regular Saturday morning show, though he didn’t mention his fellow radio host by name.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You may have been following the disagreements that have taken place here on-air over the arrival of the cruise ship the Coral Princess into Sydney Harbour on Tuesday,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I made the point that considering 95 percent of us are fully vaccinated, considering the antivirals that are available now, the new Covid treatments, the testing kits, the many protocols we’ve adopted in two years, the cruise rule that states at a minimum you should be fully vaccinated — the arrival of the Coral Princess was absolutely nothing like the drama and concern that surrounded the Ruby Princess more than two years earlier.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Smith described the situation surrounding the Ruby Princess as “a terrible tragedy” that “we were defenceless” to deal with.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But the way the television media traced this latest ship’s every move was way over the top,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“That was my simple point. It was a beat-up, there was no comparison. There were no critically ill people, no ambulances, and at one stage just four passengers infected. That’s not the same as 28 passing away, no vaccines, no treatments, no protocols, no masks, no defence. Any reasonable person can see the contrast here.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He went on to say that those who were “peddling fear”, particularly for those with loved ones on board, were “foul and shameful”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Peddling fear in this context is foul and shameful, especially for families with loved ones on board. It scares people for no reason, which is what Dr Nick Coatsworth said to me on the breakfast show as well,” Smith said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Which is why I said what I said. It was also consistent with what I’ve said throughout the second half of this pandemic — we need to live with this and stop panicking.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t hold a candle for the cruise industry, except I feel terribly sorry for the tens of thousands of families whose loved ones have been left jobless because the industry was shut down for so long.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He emphasised that he wasn’t affiliated with the cruising industry, and that he had read commercials and taken listeners on cruises “without payment” and as part of his job.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s not a paid role, I take no financial advantage from it at all, none, it doesn’t work that way. I have absolutely no link to cruise companies,” Smith said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Why would I ever go into bat for cruise companies for the sake of it? Anyone who suggests I have, anyone who peddles that suspicion had better be prepared to defend themselves in court — I know I can.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Smith concluded by thanking fans for their support and stressing that he wouldn’t be intimidated by critics.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I hold my head up high on this subject and won’t be intimidated, bullied or scared into acquiescence ever, so thank you so much for your overwhelming support, it’s been phenomenal. Those that have elected to go down a twisted path and get personal to hurt me have terrible glass jaws, they have copped a terrible bashing too on various media platforms which says it all. I will not be bullied, even by lifetime bullies,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I love a good rumble, I look forward to further disagreements and I look forward to standing up for myself each and every time.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-7f9cb439-7fff-4e35-b1d6-2a4d0cc46cf9"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: The Chris Smith Show (Facebook) / Getty Images</em></p>

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