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Lauren Brant and Barry Hall share huge family news

<p dir="ltr">Lauren Brant and Barry Hall have shared that they will be welcoming a new addition to their family later this year. </p> <p dir="ltr">The former <em>Hi-5</em> star and the AFL legend are set to welcome their fourth child together in July, with the couple sharing a sweet announcement with their three kids.</p> <p dir="ltr">Posting a series of photos to Instagram, Lauren showed off her growing bump while her husband and three sons, Miller, six, Houston, four, and Samson, two, gathered around. </p> <p dir="ltr">Writing in the caption, Lauren shared the news saying, “Our year is about to get a whole lot more colourful.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Baby Hall number four arriving July. We are so excited to share this news with you all,” Lauren wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">An influx of Lauren's celebrity friends quickly took to the comment section to offer their well wishes and congratulations for the growing family. </p> <p dir="ltr">Lauren and Barry started dating in 2016, and are already proud parents of three boys. </p> <p dir="ltr">In June 2021 during an emotional interview on <em>A Current Affair</em>, the couple confirmed they secretly married that February and were expecting their third child. </p> <p dir="ltr">The couple secretly tied the knot so that Lauren’s terminally ill sister-in-law Sandra could attend the wedding.</p> <p dir="ltr">She tragically died just two weeks later, after her second battle with stage-four bowel cancer. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e680fe66-7fff-aa80-5288-db945a56378d"></span></p>

Family & Pets

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Barry Humphries’ daughter explains absence from her father’s memorial

<p dir="ltr">Barry Humphries' daughter has explained why she didn’t attend her late father’s state memorial service which was held in Sydney on Friday. </p> <p dir="ltr">The entertainer’s youngest daughter Emily wasn’t in attendance at the ceremony, with many believing her decision not to attend was due to Richard Wilkins hosting the event.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Nine entertainment reporter forged ahead with hosting the memorial, despite alleged <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/the-unfunny-fallout-richard-wilkins-causes-bizarre-boycott-of-barry-humphries-memorial">objections</a> from members of Humphries’ family. </p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the rumours, Emily has now cleared up why she didn’t attend the service, taking to Facebook to share a lengthy post explaining her actions.</p> <p dir="ltr">She wrote, “I want to be loud and very clear. I am grateful to both Richard and the organisers for their part in this send-off.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Despite some complexities in my relationship with my father, I was proud of his achievements and think a public send-off is important for both him and his public.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She continued, “Privacy and intimacy were missing elements in my relationship with him so public comments have really bothered me. That they are inaccurate and hurtful to another fired me up.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Emily went on to say she didn't attend her estranged father's state memorial because “they're not my thing” and she was “away working on a film project in Sri Lanka”.</p> <p dir="ltr">She went on to assure her followers that she did attend her father’s private funeral in Bowral, which was held in April at the home of artist Tim Storrier. </p> <p dir="ltr">Emily attended the service, which was closed to the public, with her stepmother Lizzie Spender, sister Tess, brothers Oscar and Rupert, and the comic's grandchildren.</p> <p dir="ltr">Enily and her father had reportedly been estranged for over 20 years, and only patched up their relationship in the months before his death. </p> <p dir="ltr">The late comedian's state memorial was held at Sydney Opera House on Friday, December 15th, following his tragic death in April. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Facebook / Getty Images</em></p>

Family & Pets

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King Charles' final message to Barry Humphries hours before he died

<p>In a touching tribute to the late comedian Barry Humphries, the King has sent a personal message to be read out at the state memorial. The King, who shared a close friendship with the legendary comedian, expressed his deep sadness following Humphries' passing at the age of 89.</p> <p>The King, at 75, was not just a monarch but a friend who spoke to Humphries mere hours before his passing on April 22. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson at the time conveyed the King's profound sadness and mentioned that he was privately reaching out to Mr Humphries' family.</p> <p>Charles' connection with Humphries extended beyond formalities. The duo's friendship was a source of joy and laughter, exemplified by Humphries' memorable performance as Dame Edna at the 2013 Royal Variety Performance. </p> <p>Lord Archer, a close friend of Humphries, has also revealed that the King attended many of the comedian's shows, even bringing his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, backstage when they were young boys.</p> <p>The Australian newspaper also revealed recently that Charles sent Humphries an email just hours before his passing, with film director Bruce Beresford sharing the story:</p> <p>"Barry said, 'Well, I always admired him. We always got on well and I really liked his company and enjoyed being with him'," <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Mr Beresdord told the newspaper. </span>"Barry was one of those people, he had a great capacity for friendship. He was so interested in people."</p> <p>Now, years later, the state memorial service at the Sydney Opera House promises to be a fitting tribute to Humphries as family, friends and fans gather to celebrate the comedian's illustrious career. The Australian Chamber Orchestra, a favourite of Humphries, will perform, adding a touch of elegance to the proceedings. The presence of Humphries' widow, Lizzie Spender, and his children at the memorial underscores the profound impact he had on those closest to him.</p> <p>Humphries' association with royalty was not limited to the King; he was a mainstay at royal performances, meeting Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana at various events. The comedian's contributions were acknowledged with a CBE by the late Queen in 2007, and he continued to be a familiar face at royal gatherings, including a delightful encounter with Queen Camilla at The Oldie of the Year Awards in 2021.</p> <p>The state memorial, with its mix of laughter, music and shared memories, will undoubtedly be a fitting tribute to a man who brought joy and laughter to millions around the world. </p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Caring

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Tiny chihuahua saves 90-year-old woman with heroic act

<p>In the world of unlikely heroes, step aside Batman, move over Superman, because Minnie the Chihuahua cross is here to steal the spotlight.</p> <p>This petite pooch from Kingston, in the South Australia's southeast, has recently been showered with praise for her unexpected, life-saving antics.</p> <p>Picture this: Minnie, a little dog with a heart as big as her bark, not particularly keen on hugs, found herself in a situation that required more than just a wag of her tail.</p> <p>On that fateful Friday, December 1, Minnie noticed that her 90-year-old owner, Joyce Gibbs, was in a bit of a pickle – struggling to catch a breath. Now, most dogs might just tilt their heads in confusion (you can picture it) or fetch a chew toy, but not Minnie.</p> <p>Untrained in any form of medical assistance, Minnie decided to take matters into her own paws. Whether by sheer luck or by innate instinct, the canine prodigy leaped onto Joyce’s lap and – brace yourselves –  <em>pressed the medical alert device hanging around her neck</em>. Yes, you heard that right; she hit the SOS button, sending out a message that would make any emergency service scramble into action.</p> <p>Lyn Gibbs, Joyce’s daughter, expressed her astonishment, “Minnie never jumps up in that chair when mum is in it..." she <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/chihuahua-praised-for-saving-90-year-old-south-australian-owner-struggling-to-breathe-c-12821344" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told 7News</a>. "Minnie knew she needed help, so she jumped up, trying to help her.”</p> <p>A stroke of genius? An incredibly lucky accident? Either way, Minnie became the the hero of the moment, saving the day like a furry little Avenger.</p> <p>As Joyce found herself in the hospital grappling with Rhinovirus, Minnie continued to be her unwavering companion. Doctors predicted a three-week recovery period, but after only four days, Joyce was back home, thanks to the vigilant care of her four-legged saviour.</p> <p>Lyn couldn’t help but gush about Minnie’s dedication, “Minnie’s been so good from the day I got her... she’s the best dog... she doesn’t leave her side.” Move over Florence Nightingale; we’ve got Minnie, the dedicated dog nurse, taking care of business.</p> <p>This heartwarming tale isn’t just about Minnie’s heroics; it’s a reminder of the importance of those pesky but life-saving medical alert devices. As Lyn says: “The medical alert is just so important for old people... a lot of them won’t wear them. They put them on the cupboard or on the table, but you really need them at all times, especially in the shower.”</p> <p>So, take heed: wear your devices and maybe, just maybe, you'll have a four-legged hero by your side, ready to leap into action when you least expect it.</p> <p>In a world where a Chihuahua can be the difference between a close call and catastrophe, we salute you, Minnie, for proving that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.</p> <p><em>Images: 7News</em></p>

Caring

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The unfunny fallout: Richard Wilkins causes bizarre boycott of Barry Humphries memorial

<p>In what can only be described as a plot twist worthy of its own sitcom, the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/free-tickets-up-for-grabs-to-barry-humphries-state-memorial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">memorial service for Australian comedy icon Barry Humphries</a> is shaping up to be more dramatic than the very finest of soap operas. </p> <p>The cause of this uproar? None other than the involvement of Richard Wilkins, the silver fox of entertainment reporting, as the MC/host of the event.</p> <p>It seems Wilkins' mere presence has caused such distress among some of Humphries' nearest and dearest that they've decided to boycott the memorial altogether. </p> <p>One of Humphries' longtime friends, Professor Ross Fitzgerald, <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/family-friends-slam-richard-wilkins-as-mc-for-barry-humphries-memorial/news-story/b6e4dd1ddcd20237a4b88e83cac40e33" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expressed his disbelief</a>, saying, "Like a number of Barry's friends, I was amazed and aghast that Channel 9 personality Richard Wilkins was chosen to be the MC at this important event, Barry's memorial." </p> <p>Fitzgerald continued, "I find it very hard to believe that members of the family and the children, for example, would have approved this."</p> <p>And now, while the upcoming memorial turns into a high-stakes game of 'Who Wants to Avoid Richard Wilkins?', Sydney Confidential went on to report that while Humphries' widow Lizzie Spender played a role in organising the service, Humphries' daughter Emily was not consulted and won't be attending. </p> <p>But Wilkins has his fair share of defenders. Australian TV producer Mark Llewellyn took to Twitter to proclaim, "Humphries would have abhorred these snobs," adding, "Shove a gladioli up their boycotting bottoms!" That's one way to settle a family dispute.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Seven entertainment reporter Peter Ford, in an attempt to play peacemaker, tweeted, "It's all very unfortunate and obviously not Richard's fault. He's a great M.C." </p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Caring

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Free tickets up for grabs to Barry Humphries' state memorial

<p>Australians will have the chance to pay their respects to the late Barry Humphries, with limited free tickets to his state memorial available to the public. </p> <p>Humphries died on April 22nd this year at the age of 89, and will be remembered for his legendary comedic characters such as Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson.</p> <p>His state memorial will be held at the Sydney Opera House at 11am on Friday December 15th, for those who wish to pay their respects to the entertainment giant. </p> <p>"The State Memorial will bring together dignitaries, family, friends and fans of Mr Humphries from across Australia and around the world to celebrate his extraordinary career and achievements," the NSW government said online.</p> <div> <p>Limited free tickets have also been made available to the public through the <a title="Sydney Opera House website" href="https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/state-memorial-barry-humphries-ac-cbe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sydney Opera House website,</a> with fans able to snag a ticket from 2pm AEDT on Friday November 17th.</p> <p>Each person hoping to get a ticket will be allowed two tickets per customer to give everyone a chance to farewell one of Australia's best-loved entertainers. </p> <p>For those who miss out on a ticket, the memorial will be streamed online and broadcast on ABC, providing an opportunity for audiences everywhere to share in the celebration of Mr Humphries' life.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> </div>

Caring

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AFL legend Barry Cable accused of historical sexual abuse

<p>AFL great Barry Cable is being sued over allegations that he sexually abused a Perth teenager at the height of his playing career. </p> <p>Until now, his identity had been concealed by order of the District Court of Western Australia. </p> <p>Cable denies all allegations and is not facing criminal charges. </p> <p>In court documents, the woman who cannot be named claims she was sexually abused by Cable, starting in 1968 when she was 12 years old, and continuing until 1973. She is seeking damages, claiming she suffered psychiatric harm as a result of the harassment.</p> <p>The woman said Mr. Cable once told her “he would teach her about the facts of life and the birds and the bees” so “she would be a big hit with men.” She claims Cable had also threatened to sexually abuse her sister if she did not comply with his demands. </p> <p>The judge, Mark Herron said Cable would not take part in the upcoming five-day trial and is not represented by a lawyer. </p> <p>Cable has also filed a defence in which he states he had a “consensual sexual relationship” with the woman around 1983.</p> <p>The court was informed that Cable had been declared bankrupt, so no funds are available if there are any costs. </p> <p>Barry Cable is considered to be one of the greatest Australian footballers of all time. He was inducted into the Australia Football Hall of Fame and was elevated to “Legend” status in 2012.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

Legal

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Barry Du Bois shares emotional health update

<p>Channel 10 star Barry Du Bois is currently battling Plasmacytoma Myeloma, a type of cancer that attacks the immune system.</p> <p>The Aussie designer, 62, shared a heartfelt post about the importance of being open during such turbulent times.</p> <p>“During a podcast last week, the host thanked me for being so open with my emotions,” he wrote.</p> <p>“She said we really don’t know each other that well and to expose my feelings so openly [and] honestly was very brave to allow that vulnerability,” he continued.</p> <p>“I explained that after being forced into the ring with terribly viscous opponents like cancer, it is not a scary thing for me to allow emotions to surface when sharing a painful story.</p> <p>"So I don’t see it as brave and have learnt that expressing your emotions rather than suppressing [them] helps to self reflect and gain emotional resilience.”</p> <p>The 62-year-old paired the post with a black and white photo of his arm hooked up to an IV drip as he lay in bed.</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/CtaS9UBvtIs/?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/CtaS9UBvtIs/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Barry Du Bois. (@baz_dubois)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Du Bois is best known for co-hosting Channel 10’s <em>The Living Room</em> lifestyle show for the past decade, where he hosted the show’s renovations segment.</p> <p>After signalling a year-long hiatus, the cast bid fans farewell, and the show’s future remains uncertain.</p> <p>Du Bois’ current cancer comes after a decade-long battle in 2017.</p> <p>Speaking to the Adelaide Advertiser in March, he said he was determined to fight the blood cancer.</p> <p>“I looked, and I'm still looking, for every advantage I can find to give me an extra second, an extra day, maybe a week, or even a month with my children and this beautiful life that I've been gifted,” he said.</p> <p>Du Bois also made a surprise run for the Senate as an independent in the 2023 federal election.</p> <p>He eventually withdrew after deciding that his “health and family come first”.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

Caring

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Barry Humphries' memorial details revealed

<p>Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that the late Barry Humphries will receive a joint state funeral between Victoria, New South Wales, and the wider Commonwealth.</p> <p>The 89-year-old comedian passed away in April following complications from hip surgery, with tributes flowing in from around the world. At the time, Albanese wrote that Humphries had entertained audiences for generations with his “galaxy of personas, from Dame Edna to Sandy Stone”.</p> <p>And during an interview with the UK’s <em>Talk TV</em>, Albanese revealed that plans were underway to host a state funeral for the star - though he could not provide further official detail on what that might entail.  </p> <p>"There will be a state funeral for Barry Humphries as well,” he explained, “co-hosted by the New South Wales and the Victorian government, and the Australian government, my government will be a part of that.</p> <p>"He's someone who gave an enormous amount of pleasure to generations of Australians and I know that a range of people who are friends of mine knew him very well.</p> <p>"I know how warmly he was regarded by people in Australia and the UK."</p> <p>However, when Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was asked about it all, he had to tell reporters that he “wasn’t aware there was a three-government thing.</p> <p>"I can't confirm for you where the service will be, or where the funeral will be. As far as I know, that's not settled and we're still talking to the family.”</p> <p>And while Albanese may not have had those talks with Andrews, he did take the time to further discuss Humphries with <em>Talk TV</em>’s controversial host Piers Morgan, prompted by a question surrounding ‘cancel culture’ and the late "quintessential Australian character".</p> <p>“People can legitimately put forward their concerns about someone’s comments that were made then,” Albanese said, in reference to the criticism over Humphries’ hurtful comments about the transgender community, and the decision to rename the ‘Barry Award’ in 2019. </p> <p>“But, at the same time, I think that we’ve got to be able to laugh at ourselves,” he continued. “The idea of ‘cancel culture’ is - in my view - a sad development … you see it happen so often and things [get] too taken out of context.” </p> <p>And as he previously noted, "Barry Humphries could only have come from Australia. What Barry Humphries would say is [that Australians like] 'taking the piss out of ourselves'.</p> <p>"He did it so well and for such a long period of time, so it was a big loss for the Australian arts community."</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

News

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"I've been attacked": Barry Humphries' response to Comedy Festival incident

<p>Anti-trans campaigner Graham Linehan has shared an email he received from the late Barry Humphries in the response to the fallout from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival incident. </p> <p>In 2019, Humphries name was removed from one of the key awards at the annual comedy festival after he made comments ridiculing transgender people, included labelling gender affirmation surgery as “self-mutilation”.</p> <p>In an interview in 2018, Humphries branded being transgender “a fashion” and criticised teachers who support trans youth in schools, declaring it a "pretty evil" practice. </p> <p>As a result, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, which was partly founded by Humphries, renamed their 'Barry Award' amid the controversy. </p> <p>Now, just days after Humphries passing, writer and anti-trans campaigner Graham Linehan has shared an email he allegedly received from Humphries after the renaming of the award. </p> <p>The email purportedly from Humphries said, “Thanks for your letter. I’ve been banned by the Melbourne Comedy Festival which Peter Cook and I launched! I’ve been attacked and branded fascist and ‘transphobic’ by the ‘they’ brigade, and accused of racism by people who have never met an [Indigenous person]."</p> <p>“That actors who have become rich and famous by performing in JKR’s plays and films and then vindictively excoriated her, seems to me a cowardly betrayal. Thanks for writing to me and good luck against a powerful and malign foe.”</p> <p>Humphries appears to be referring to J.K. Rowling by “JKR”, as the <em>Harry Potter</em> creator is one of the most high-profile anti-trans campaigners and refers to herself as “TERF”, an acronym for “trans-exclusionary radical feminist”.</p> <p>Linehan co-created TV comedies including <em>Father Ted</em>, <em>Black Books</em> and <em>The IT Crowd</em> but has in recent years become better known for his strident anti-trans views.</p> <p>In the wake of Humphries’ death, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s 2019 decision has come under attack by some commentators, who accused the festival of “cancelling” the comedian.</p> <p>However, festival’s director Susan Provan defended the organisation for their decision, while also paying tribute to Humphries' influence on comedy. </p> <p>She told ABC radio in Melbourne, “We’ve never cancelled Barry Humphries. There seems to be some misconceptions going on around there. We changed the name of an award, which… was the right decision to make when we did that."</p> <p>“We have celebrated, and continue to celebrate Barry, an incredible comedian, comic artists, who took Australian comedy global. We will always celebrate that he was amazing. And we really value his contribution to the comedy festival too.”</p> <p>Provan added the decision had been made in 2019 because Humphries’ “comments did not reflect the values of our community”.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

News

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Video of Dame Edna's antics with the King and Queen Consort resurfaces

<p>As <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/tributes-flow-for-barry-humphries" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tributes</a> start pouring in for Barry Humphries following his death, a viral video of the comedian making King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla lose their composure has resurfaced.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Aussie entertainer, whose persona included Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson has met the royals on countless occasions, but this one meeting had left a lasting impression.</p> <p dir="ltr">Performing as Dame Edna Everage in the 2013 Royal Variety Performance, Humphries posted a clip of the interaction onto his Dame Edna Everage Facebook page in 2019.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Me with Prince Charles and Camilla at the Royal Variety Show. I absolutely ADORE them!” he captioned the clip, which has now been viewed over 10 million times.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the clip, Dame Edna, who was dressed head to toe in scarlet sequins, her trademark wisteria hair and oversized glasses, bustled into the royal box unannounced.</p> <p dir="ltr">The royal duo immediately burst into laughter at the sight of Dame Edna who acted like she didn’t see them until Charles pointed a finger at her to which she blew a kiss back.</p> <p dir="ltr">Dame Edna, who was enjoying the attention she received from the roaring crowd, sat next to the royal couple and broke protocol by grasping Camilla’s arm.</p> <p dir="ltr">At this point, Charles completely lost it as he audibly guffawed at Dame Edna’s antics.</p> <p dir="ltr">A lackey then walks into the box, taps Dame Edna on the shoulder and whispers into her ear causing her face to drop.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m so sorry,” she said remorsefully as she stood up to leave, as the King and Queen lost themselves in a fit of giggles.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They’ve found me a better seat,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDameEdnaOfficial%2Fvideos%2F740650273031100%2F&show_text=false&width=476&t=0" width="476" height="476" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p dir="ltr">Fans have commented on the video sending their tributes to Barry Humphries.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is brilliant. What a legend! She'll be missed,” wrote one person.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There will never be another Barry Humphries . You are the best of us! May you rest in peace!😢” wrote another.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Will be missed!! Had endless laughs, so enjoyable to watch. R.i.p,” commented a third.</p> <p dir="ltr">The monarch has also issued a <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/tributes-flow-for-barry-humphries" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement </a>saying that he was "saddened" by the entertainer’s death.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

TV

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Barry Humphries morbid hospital jokes revealed

<p>Beloved Aussie comedian Barry Humphries was renowned for his jokes and cheeky commentary, and it seems he held onto his humour until the very end.</p> <p>Longtime friend of the jokester, author Kathy Lette, said his comedic flare had everyone laughing, although his jokes were rather grim.</p> <p>Speaking to <em>The Project</em>, Lette, who was Humphries’ UK neighbour for 26 years, mentioned one of her recent visits to the late performer in hospital.</p> <p>“Barry didn’t have a skerrick of self pity so when you’d visit him in hospital his one concern was you felt at ease and that he was making the nurses laugh,” she said.</p> <p>“So the last time I saw him in hospital he was joking about how the grim reaper had been walking up and down the hospital corridors at night saying, ‘He didn’t collect me this time.’</p> <p>“And he joked with the nurses, saying ‘How many did he collect?’ and I said to him, ‘As you’re here they probably died laughing.’ Then he made jokes about what the grim reaper was wearing and what a terrible outfit he has, how it was the original hoodie.</p> <p>“ … Being in hospital visiting Barry I almost had to be hospitalised from hilarity.”</p> <p>Lette shared she was shocked by his death as she had expected him to pull through.</p> <p>“It’s been such a horrible ordeal. We honestly thought he was going to rally.”</p> <p>Humphries <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/tributes-flow-for-barry-humphries" target="_blank" rel="noopener">died aged 89 on April 22</a> at Sydney’s St Vincent Hospital in Darlinghurst following health issues caused by a broken hip. He was surrounded by his wife Lizzie and daughters Emily and Tessa.</p> <p>He was infamous for his comedy characters like Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson.</p> <p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described him as “the brightest star in the galaxy” and King Charles said he was “saddened” by the news of his death.</p> <p>“He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit,” the statement read.</p> <p>“With over seventy years on the stage, he was an entertainer to his core, touring up until the last year of his life and planning more shows that will sadly never be.</p> <p>“His audiences were precious to him, and he never took them for granted.</p> <p>“Although he may be best remembered for his work in theatre, he was a painter, author, poet, and a collector and lover of Art in all its forms. He was also a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a friend and confidant to many.</p> <p>“His passing leaves a void in so many lives.</p> <p>“The characters he created, which brought laughter to millions, will live on.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

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Tributes flow for Barry Humphries

<p>Barry Humphries has passed away at the age of 89. </p> <p>The iconic entertainer had been suffering health complications after undergoing extensive surgery to repair a broken hip. </p> <p>Humphries, who was well known for his characters such as Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, died on Saturday in Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital, while surrounded by his closest friends and family. </p> <p>A statement from his publicist confirmed the news, as they wrote, "It is with great sadness that we announce that Barry Humphries passed away peacefully in Sydney, Australia today. He was surrounded by his family."</p> <p>"He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit."</p> <p>"With over seventy years on the stage, he was an entertainer to his core, touring up until the last year of his life and planning more shows that will sadly never be. His audiences were precious to him, and he never took them for granted.</p> <p>"Although he may be best remembered for his work in theatre, he was a painter, author, poet, and a collector and lover of Art in all its forms. He was also a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a friend and confidant to many. His passing leaves a void in so many lives."</p> <p>The news of the comedian and satirist's passing prompted a wave of tributes from all corners of the globe, with King Charles leading the charge.</p> <p>Monarch said he was "saddened" by the death of the entertainer, with a royal family spokesman telling<a title="www.dailytelegraph.com.au" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/saddened-king-charles-reacts-to-barry-humphries-death/news-story/3809ff73d23c41d9e5c36f5c4fd84089" data-tgev="event119" data-tgev-container="bodylink" data-tgev-order="3809ff73d23c41d9e5c36f5c4fd84089" data-tgev-label="entertainment" data-tgev-metric="ev"> News Corporation,</a> “His Majesty is writing privately to Mr Humphries’ family as we speak.”</p> <p>Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute to Humphries, writing on Twitter, “For 89 years, Barry Humphries entertained us through a galaxy of personas, from Dame Edna to Sandy Stone.”</p> <p>“But the brightest star in that galaxy was always Barry."</p> <p>“A great wit, satirist, writer and an absolute one-of-kind, he was both gifted and a gift. May he rest in peace.”</p> <p>Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson shared his memories of the entertainer, writing, “RIP Barry Humphries – one of the greatest ever Australians – and a comic genius who used his exuberant alter egos, Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, to say the otherwise unsayable. What a loss."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">What an honour to share a moment with the genius Barry Humphries. One of the funniest experiences of my life. RIP kind sir. <a href="https://t.co/WWcCoQvbCS">pic.twitter.com/WWcCoQvbCS</a></p> <p>— Guy Pearce (@TheGuyPearce) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheGuyPearce/status/1649858881831436288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">In my late teens I was taken to a Barry Humphries performance. It was my very first exposure to live theatre. I remember so clearly the electricity, the collective sense of anticipation. He was extraordinary. He lit a creative fuse in me that night. Thanks Barry for the laughs.</p> <p>— Eric Bana (@EricBana67) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricBana67/status/1649921224028610560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">RIP Barry Humphries. A true great who inspired me immeasurably. It was a delight to call him my friend.<br />I've been in Australia and was with him only 3 days ago. He was, as ever, making me laugh. His talent shone until the very end.<br />My love goes out to Lizzie and all the family. <a href="https://t.co/G5aJfLiVkK">pic.twitter.com/G5aJfLiVkK</a></p> <p>— Rob Brydon (@RobBrydon) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobBrydon/status/1649742241047379969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>Born in Melbourne in 1934, Barry Humphries had a passion for the arts from a young age. </p> <p>He became immersed in the Melbourne Theatre Company, where he created the first incarnation of what would become his best-known character, Edna Everage.</p> <p>Humphries then moved to London in 1959 and became consumed by a series of productions in the West End. </p> <p>After also finding success in the box office with two films, Edna was made a Dame by the then-prime minister Gough Whitlam, prompting the legend of the gaudy housewife to grow.</p> <p>Humphries' characters earned him an Olivier Award as well as a Tony Award. </p> <p>He went on to create characters such as Sandy Stone, and the ever-irreverent Sir Les Patterson, and toured with these characters until just one year before his passing. </p> <p>Barry is survived by his wife Lizzie, his children Tessa, Emily, Oscar and Rupert, and 10 beloved grandchildren.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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Barry Humphries' family gathers as health worsens

<p>Barry Humphries has taken the time to thank his supporters - and to offer them some much-sought after reassurance - in the wake of his readmission to hospital. </p> <p>The 89-year-old’s family issued a statement updating everyone on the comic’s “serious condition”, and while the message was heartfelt, it came right along with a laugh - in typical Humphries style. </p> <p>“Barry would like to thank everybody for the support and best wishes he has received,” the message read, before noting that “he would like more and more.” </p> <p>His fans and friends, of course, were quick to answer the call, flooding social media with another wave of love and support for the star. </p> <p>“Sending fondest best wishes to my old friend!” one friend wrote. “Take baby steps Barry and don’t argue with the doctors!”</p> <p>“People throw the term “living legend” about fairly freely, but in Barry’s case, it’s true! What a guy!” declared one fan. </p> <p>“Good onya Baz! A true Aussie!” said another, on behalf of them all. “Wishing you all the best and a quick recovery.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">BREAKING: This statement has just come in from the family of Barry Humphries. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/10NewsFirst?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#10NewsFirst</a> <a href="https://t.co/3dX1YYlgil">pic.twitter.com/3dX1YYlgil</a></p> <p>— Angela Bishop OAM (@AngelaBishop) <a href="https://twitter.com/AngelaBishop/status/1648596207437230081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>The update on his health comes after Peter Ford, Humphries’ friend, shared that the comic - better known for his alter ego, Dame Edna Everage - was in a “serious condition” during an appearance on <em>Sunrise</em>. </p> <p>He later shared a clip from the episode on social media, writing that Barry “is being kept comfortable. He’s surrounded by family.” </p> <p>And while Ford noted that “Barry won’t give up easily”, there are concerns that the Australia icon’s health is deteriorating, with his family rushing to be at his side. </p> <p>Ford explained that “ABC radio in Sydney have now reported Barry has gone into an unresponsive state.</p> <p>“It does tally up with information I was given yesterday that Barry’s pain was beginning to increase so in turn they began to give him more morphine, which certainly keeps you comfortable, is a nice way of putting it.”</p> <p>“As we have been reporting all week, Barry has been in an increasingly perilous state of health, all these complications from the fall, the hip replacement, pneumonia … as I told you, his children were told in the beginning it would be advisable if they wanted to come see him to do so … and they are all there right now, along with his wife Lizzie.”</p> <p>And it seems that his children have followed that advice, with his sons - Oscar and Ruper - coming over from London to be with him, alongside their sister, Emily. </p> <p>The latter came as a shock to many, as Humphries and his daughter had been estranged for two decades - with the two reportedly only making amends at his bedside. </p> <p>According to Ford, “he also did reconcile with his daughter who he has not spoken to for over 20 years. They had a bedside meeting and that’s a good thing that that’s happened. </p> <p>“Largely, now it’s just a waiting game … It is a really serious situation. </p> <p>“I don’t expect there’s going to be a good outcome.”</p> <p>However, Humphries' publicist Wendy Day has since denied reports that the beloved comedian was "unresponsive", telling AAP that his condition was unchanged and that he was resting under the care of his doctors. </p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

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"Downward spiral": Barry Humphries rushed back to hospital

<p>Barry Humphries has been rushed to hospital, just days after being discharged following an extended hospital stay to fix a <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/barry-humphries-suffers-agonising-fall" target="_blank" rel="noopener">broken hip</a>. </p> <p>The comedian suffered a major health scare, after his broken bones led to several months of "poor health". </p> <p>Entertainment reporter Peter Ford told Ben Fordham on his 2GB radio show that the 89-year-old is still battling complications as a result of his extensive reconstructive surgery. </p> <p>"A lot of it has got to do with the complications of hip replacement surgery. He had a fall, just simple fall, tripping on a rug," Ford explained.</p> <p>"And this has led to a sort of downward spiral. He was in absolute agony and I'm told things haven't improved at all. In fact, they've gotten worse and is his now re-admitted to hospital."</p> <p>Ford went on to call the entertainer a "trooper" and said he will fight hard to stay healthy and upright.</p> <p>"He doesn't intend on giving up easily, in fact he's got dates pencilled in to go back on stage at the end of this year," he told Fordham.</p> <p>"Whether that's realistic or not, it's just important that you have a goal. And Barry certainly intends to keep on fighting."</p> <p>Just weeks ago, Humphries told <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/there-s-nothing-like-a-dame-edna-for-barry-humphries-20230323-p5cuoo.html#xd_co_f=YTM5MzVmOGQtNTY4My00NWE1LThjNDctMTUxMjJlNjVhMWNj~" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Sydney Morning Herald</em></a> that he was recovering well after his operation, undergoing "very painful" but regular physiotherapy. </p> <p><span style="font-size: 16px; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; background-color: #ffffff;">Barry described his incident as "the most ridiculous thing, like all domestic incidents are," as he recalled, "I was reaching for a book, my foot got caught on a rug or something, and down I went." </span></p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">"The medical bills were bloody enormous," he said.</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">"I strongly advise not breaking your hip!"</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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Barry Humphries suffers agonising fall

<p>Barry Humphries has shared a health update with fans after a broken hip left him in "agony".</p> <p>The 89-year-old comedian behind the character Dame Edna Everage had a drastic fall which saw him undergo surgery, and is recovering well with the help of "very painful" but regular physiotherapy. </p> <p>Dubbing himself "Bionic Bazza" after receiving a titanium hip as a result of his accident, Barry says he is recovering in a clinic in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. </p> <p>He is well on the road to recovery, and told <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/there-s-nothing-like-a-dame-edna-for-barry-humphries-20230323-p5cuoo.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Sydney Morning Herald</em></a> he is "adamant" he will be better for his one man show later this year. </p> <p>"I sit a lot in the show, and there's a bit of pacing... I don't think it's going to be a problem, but I do have to get on with my physio," he said.</p> <p>Barry described his incident as "the most ridiculous thing, like all domestic incidents are," as he recalled, "I was reaching for a book, my foot got caught on a rug or something, and down I went." </p> <p>Humphries said he wanted to ease his fans' fears and assure them he's "on the mend" and his "trajectory is up", and also advised them to avoid breaking their hip if possible.</p> <p>"The medical bills were bloody enormous," he said.</p> <p>"I strongly advise not breaking your hip!"</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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Reward in mystery murder of billionaire couple tops $52 million

<p>The deaths of Canadian billionaires Barry and Honey Sherman have been a mystery right from the start.</p> <p>On December 15, 2017, a realtor giving a tour of the couple's Toronto mansion around midday discovered their bodies, fully dressed, beside their indoor basement swimming pool.</p> <p>They were semi-seated side by side, with belts tied around their necks and attached to the railing of the indoor pool according to police. Barry Sherman was 75 and his wife Honey was 70.</p> <p>The story made headlines across the globe, as police called the deaths suspicious.</p> <p>Theories have swirled about who might have wanted to kill the founder of Canadian generic drug giant Apotex and his philanthropic wife – being one of Canada's richest couples.</p> <p>Investigators have worked to connect the dots however, five years later, no arrests have been made. On this week's anniversary of the killings, the Shermans' son offered an additional $25 million (A$37 million) for information leading to an arrest.</p> <p>The reward is now $52 million.</p> <p>"This week marks the five-year anniversary since my parents were murdered in their home. Every day since then has been a nightmare. I have been overwhelmed with pain, loss, and sorrow and these feelings only continuously compound," Jonathon Sherman said in a statement announcing the reward money.</p> <p>"Closure will not be possible until those responsible for this evil act are brought to justice," he added.</p> <p>The victims' prominence meant the case was high profile from the start. At the time of his death, Forbes estimated Barry was worth $4.5 billion.</p> <p>The Shermans' wealth, vast investments and philanthropy work saw them cross paths with Canada's business and political elites, their funeral was attended by thousands of people, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Kathleen Wynne, premier of the province of Ontario.</p> <p>At the service an emotional Jonathon Sherman took the stage, with his three sisters, and slammed speculation that their parents died by suicide.</p> <p>Police later concluded someone had killed them, only six weeks after the bodies were found, Toronto police announced a review of evidence showed they were victims of a homicide, saying they believed the couple was targeted.</p> <p>With no forced signs of entry to the property, it's possible someone had a key, had access to the lockbox that held the keys or was known to the couple, Gomes said.</p> <p>In 2021, police asked for help identifying a shadowy suspect.</p> <p>After years of silence, police made a shocking announcement on the fourth anniversary of the couple's deaths last year, sharing a video of a shadowy person caught on security video walking on the snow-covered sidewalks in the couple's North York neighborhood.</p> <p>The Sherman children say the lack of answers adds to their grief. It's been five years since the murders and there have been no major developments. True crime podcasts have even have tried to unravel intrigue surrounding the deaths.</p> <p>In a statement to the CBC, her brother, Jonathon Sherman, echoed the same sentiment, saying the family will never get closure until the killer is brought to justice.</p> <p>The siblings reminded the public of the $52 million in reward money and pleaded for anyone with information to contact the Toronto Police Service.</p> <p><em>Image: AP</em></p>

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Restaurant owner praised for hiring policy that targets "oldies"

<p dir="ltr">Like many in the hospitality business, Barry Iddles was struggling to find staff to fill shifts at his restaurant 360Q in Queenscliff when he was struck by inspiration.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 67-year-old decided to put the call out to “oldies”, adding an invitation to retirees to come and work at his waterfront venue on the back of his winter postcards.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We sent out 42,000,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr"> “I put, ‘We’re recruiting – juniors, come and learn the skills of hospitality. Millennials, come and show us what you can do. And seniors and retirees, come back to the workforce for one or two shifts per week.’</p> <p dir="ltr">“I sent it out by mail and off we went. We had a great response.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He stressed that potential employees didn’t need a resume or hospitality experience and could just come in for a chat.</p> <p dir="ltr">Now, Iddles has 12 staff working for him aged over 50, including former nurses and healthcare workers, a mechanic, small business owner and florist.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We've got two 74-year-olds, a 70-year-old, and then we've got [people aged] 57, 60, 64, 66 and 67," Mr Iddles said.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-ee34f340-7fff-b24e-62b4-35aa29306b6d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">"There is a labour shortage and a labour crisis, [but] I don't have one. I have five too many staff at the moment. And I could actually open another venue to keep them all gainfully employed."</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/CgNZSgSvoqP/?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/CgNZSgSvoqP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Barry Iddles (@barryiddles)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Iddles said most of his older staff at the 150-seat restaurant, which also includes outdoor dining and an upstairs function venue, work during functions and that there has been a major benefit to both older and junior workers working alongside each other.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s amazing, the interaction is absolutely incredible,” he said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s good for their life skills – the oldest have got a great work ethic.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Since his story was shared by the <em><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-15/defying-ageism-older-workers-fill-gaps-in-workforce/101651806" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC</a></em> on Tuesday, Iddles said his phone has been ringing non-stop and his hiring practice went viral.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Everyone wants to talk about hiring old people,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">One of Iddles’ employees, 67-year-old Kenton Savage, told the <em>ABC </em>he wanted to retire after selling his distribution business - but his plans went awry when it went bankrupt during the pandemic.</p> <p dir="ltr">Without super and amidst rising living costs, Savage and his wife had no choice but to find jobs.</p> <p dir="ltr">"The pension just didn't pay enough. So I looked around for a job and Barry was hiring," he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I think it just keeps me fit and healthy and happy. Being able to get out and about, it's really been good for me," he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">73-year-old Susan Borton, another employee, said she applied to boost her confidence and contribute.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Covid made a lot of people depressed,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And I know amongst the older ones, we’re all saying we’re actually finding it quite difficult to get out and about again. [Working] makes me feel better. And I love putting in, I love contributing.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The Council for Older Australians chief executive Ian Yates praised Iddles for his hiring practice.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Many older people will have experienced a lot of knock backs and not being taken seriously as prospective employees,” he told the <em>ABC</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The labour market is so tight, that employers are being forced to look at channels and groups that they wouldn’t normally look at, including older Australians.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking to <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/queenscliff-restaurant-360q-sees-huge-response-after-inviting-oldies-to-come-and-work/news-story/7e08f752c17bc86dd109581ef602b4c5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em>, Iddles said others should adopt his policy too, and that it applies to both young and old.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Age discrimination can be quite bad, at both ends of the spectrum,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If I’ve got a 15-year-old coming for a job I’ll give them a job immediately. Too many people go, you’ve got no experience. But they actually want to work.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s a great mix to have [employees ranging] from 15 to 75.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-83c437d2-7fff-df48-0cde-4b6e9ca845b2"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Facebook</em></p>

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Man who abducted wheelchair-bound partner dies two days after her

<p dir="ltr">A man who <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/man-charged-with-abducting-wheelchair-bound-partner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">abducted his wheelchair-bound partner</a> from a Perth nursing home and attempted to cross the border with her has died just two days after her.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ralph “Terry” Gibbs, 80, died after his car collided with a utility truck on Wednesday morning south of Bowen, in Queensland’s north.</p> <p dir="ltr">His death came just 48 hours after that of 84-year-old Carol Lisle, his partner of 15 years.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 84-year-old, passed away in an aged care facility in Mandurah, Western Australia, where she was living with dementia and Parkinson’s disease.</p> <p dir="ltr">They died just a week after Mr Gibbs appeared before a Perth magistrate over charges of deprivation of liberty and endangering Ms Lisle’s life, after he took her out of her aged care home in January and tried to drive her across the border during heatwave conditions.</p> <p dir="ltr">He received a seven-month suspended sentence and a restraining order to prevent him from contacting Ms Lisle.</p> <p dir="ltr">Outside court, Mr Gibbs described Ms Lisle as “my little sweetheart” and said he fought “for over a year to get her back so we can see each other because she has dementia and may not last much longer”.</p> <p dir="ltr">A close friend of Ms Lisle, who didn’t want to be named, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-24/ralph-gibbs-kidnapped-partner-from-nursing-home-dies-after-her/100856128" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told the <em>ABC</em></a><em> </em>she passed away in the early hours on Monday morning.</p> <p dir="ltr">Having known Ms Lisle for 24 years, the friend said she was loved and well-looked after at the nursing home, and that she had been very unwell since she was taken by Mr Gibbs in January.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Carol’s friends are devastated at her passing and believe the separation from her loved ones contributed to her death,” the friend said.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a <a href="https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/news/2022/02/23/fatal-crash-bowen-4/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>, Queensland Police said Mr Gibbs was driving north along the Bruce Highway early on Wednesday morning when he collided with the other vehicle which was being driven by a 60-year-old man.</p> <p dir="ltr">Gibbs died at the scene of the crash, while the other driver was airlifted to a local hospital and is believed to be in a serious condition.</p> <p dir="ltr">Queensland’s Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the incident.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: WA Police</em></p>

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Simon Baker’s ex speaks for first time since split

<p dir="ltr">Simon Baker’s ex-girlfriend, Laura May Gibbs, fashion designer and founder of the Australian label Nagnata, has spoken publicly for the first time since Baker’s representatives confirmed the<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/simon-baker-quietly-splits-from-model-girlfriend" target="_blank">couple had split</a><span> </span>last week.</p> <p dir="ltr">There were rumours that Baker had decided to end things after Gibbs attended an anti-vaccine protest on November 7. In a video from the event that she uploaded to Instagram, a crowd can be seen dancing to ‘Power to the People’, while some hold signs with anti-vax messages and others hold Australian flags.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CV-D5MMDtdr/?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> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CV-D5MMDtdr/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by LAURA MAY (@lauramay_)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Gibbs wrote a lengthy post explaining her justification for attending the protest, opposing vaccine mandates more generally, and seeking to quash the rumours that her anti-vax beliefs were the reason for the breakup.</p> <p dir="ltr">Gibbs wrote, “Last weekend, the Northern Rivers community gathered peacefully alongside the local police and around 10,000 others, including nurses, teachers and first responders who are being subject to unreasonable mandates, currently in place in NSW. There was a march, followed by speeches and conversation, music and hope from people across all walks of life coming together to question - what is happening in our beautiful Country?</p> <p dir="ltr">I care about these people. I care about my staff and community, without division or prejudice. Regardless of our differences we are moving through this time together. The decisions being made by those in power effect all of us, including our children and their future freedoms. I have always been here, standing up for Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Choice, despite the politics of the time or what is considered appropriately ‘trendy’.</p> <p dir="ltr">So, to the gossip columnists, who have slandered my name across their platforms and used a false narrative around the relationship I’ve been in this year - it’s simply not true. And to the tabloid media I want to say - try harder. Stop using lies and sloppy journalism to make an example out of me. I never discuss my private life, but I will say this - the friendship and respect I share with this person runs too deep for the media’s noise to have any true impact in our lives.</p> <p dir="ltr">Instead, while we’re here, let’s start talking about the REAL issues facing our country - the mental health crisis, the housing crisis and the very real health crisis. This is not just about me, or my “rights”, this is about Freedom for all. Our freedom is not something that the government gives or takes away. It is our right from the moment we are born. So I won’t apologise for voicing my concerns, when I see so many struggling, losing their livelihoods and being silenced, shamed and ridiculed for wanting to ask questions.</p> <p dir="ltr">Activism is important to me, I’ve attended numerous environmental rallies and Indigenous rights protests, and taken action in all of these areas. If the media is going to cover issues I make a stand on, then report the full scope of the matter - and while you’re at it, lead with my name.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWSNMJ4PBta/?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> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWSNMJ4PBta/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by LAURA MAY (@lauramay_)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Gibbs and her brand previously made headlines for their decision to<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CU1hl96lZTl/" target="_blank">close their Byron Bay store</a><span> </span>rather than require customers to wear masks and check in using QR codes, per the NSW government’s rules for retailers after NSW’s lockdown lifted last month.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

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