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Iconic Star Trek actor dies suddenly at age 73

Iconic Star Trek: Enterprise actor Gary Graham has passed away suddenly at the age of 73. The actor’s ex-wife Susan Lavelle confirmed the news in an emotional facebook post, sharing their family’s devastation over his death. The family chose not to disclose his cause of death, only writing that his passing was “sudden” and came as a “shock”. “It is with deep profound sadness to say that Gary Graham, my ex-husband, amazing actor and father of our beautiful only child together, Haylee Graham, has passed away today,” Lavelle wrote. “We are completely devastated, especially our daughter Haley. His wife, Becky, was by his side.” She went on to share some of her favourite things about her ex-husband, writing that he was “Funny, sarcastic sense of humour but kind, fought for what he believed in, a devout Christian and was so proud of his daughter, Haylee.” <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsusanashleylavelle%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0XTf8xMGFeD96Ehnk6a8X7RcKQYDxdHvvm3S82J24FX3eaNwtVo3Uax6H4SvQW3YKl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="777" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> “This was sudden, so please pray for our daughter as she navigates through this thing called grief,” she said. “Fly high into the heavens Gar!” “Thank you for our journey and thank you for the gifts you left me in acting, my love of horses and most importantly, our daughter.” Gary shot to fame in Hollywood for his role in the ‘80s series Alien Nation. He stayed in the world of sci-fi as he played Vulcan Ambassador Soval on Star Trek: Enterprise between 2001 and 2005. Gary also starred in TV series such as Starsky and Hutch and The Dukes of Hazzard, before acting alongside Tom Cruise in the film All the Right Moves. Image credits: Getty Images

News

"Beyond excited": Graham Norton announces Aussie TV show

Graham Norton, the beloved Irish television presenter and talk show host, is set to bring a wave of nostalgia to Australian screens with the revival of the iconic game show, Wheel of Fortune. While Norton is best known for his charismatic chat show, he's expanding his horizons and diving into the world of game shows, and fans are in for a treat. In a recent announcement from Channel 10, it was revealed that Norton would be the new face of Wheel of Fortune Australia, making its return in a primetime slot as part of the network's 2024 schedule. For those unfamiliar with the game, Wheel of Fortune is centred around a colossal carnival wheel. Contestants spin the wheel in hopes of landing on a lucky segment, which could lead to a life-changing cash prize. The show is a perfect blend of skill, luck and, of course, plenty of surprises. Interestingly, the revival of Wheel of Fortune also coincides with the news that Norton will be hosting a UK reboot of the same show, while Ryan Seacrest takes on hosting duties in the United States. In a statement, Norton expressed his excitement, saying, "I’m beyond excited to be bringing such an iconic American show to Australia with Network 10. "Hosting game shows is brilliant fun, and even more so when you have a giant wheel to spin! This show has it all, mixing skill, luck, and lots of surprises, and I hope the Australian audience loves it." This is not the first time that Wheel of Fortune has graced Australian screens. The game show was last seen in 2008 when it aired on Channel 7 under the name Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune, hosted by Tim Campbell. Sadly, the show met an untimely demise, being cancelled after just a month due to poor ratings. The decision to bring it back, albeit in a different form, indicates the enduring popularity and appeal of this classic game show. One noteworthy change in this revival is the location. Unlike its previous iteration, the new Wheel of Fortune Australia will not be filmed down under. Instead, it will be produced in the United Kingdom, with the charismatic Norton taking the helm and a variety of Aussie expats appearing on the show. But that's not the only exciting game show news for Australian viewers. Channel 10 also announced that the beloved Australian host, Grant Denyer, will be bringing back the iconic Deal or No Deal. The show, which had a global following and was beloved in 325 countries, will make a comeback in 2024, airing at 6pm on weekdays. Denyer expressed his excitement about the return of the show, saying, "In this time of the high cost of living, I can't wait to be a hyperactive 'human ATM,' handing out big cash and sending Australians off into the sunset with their pockets bulging and their lives changed. It's a magical feeling and a real privilege. I'm so damn excited." Additionally, the popular wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin is set to host I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! alongside Julia Morris (who has <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/julia-morris-promises-a-little-less-shameless-flirting-with-new-co-host" target="_blank" rel="noopener">promised to behave herself</a>) for the show's 10th season, taking over from former host Dr Chris Brown. And for fans of cooking shows, there's a reboot of Ready Steady Cook primed for Friday nights, featuring former The Living Room star and chef Miguel Maestre as the show's host. With these exciting announcements, Australian television is set to have a fantastic lineup of game shows and entertainment in the coming year. Whether it's spinning the iconic wheel or choosing between those elusive briefcases, the fun and thrill of these game shows are set to captivate viewers once again. Image: BBC One

David Crosby’s cause of death revealed

Rock legend David Crosby’s cause of death has finally been revealed almost three months after the shocking <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/rock-legend-dies-at-81" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news</a>. In the initial statement, Crosby’s wife shared that the music icon passed after “a long illness,” but his former Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young partner, Graham Nash has shared further details. Speaking to Kyle Meredith With… podcast, Nash told him that Crosby was rehearsing just hours before his shock death. “He was rehearsing for a show to do in Los Angeles with a full band. After three days of rehearsals, he felt a little sick,” Nash said. “And he'd already had COVID and he had COVID again. And so he went home and decided that he would take a nap, and he never woke up. But he died in his bed and that is fantastic,” he added. Nash also shared his grieving process, and how “astonishing” it was that Crosby lived up to 81 despite battling ill-health, but added his death was still “a shock”. “It was kind of like an earthquake, you know? You get the initial shock and then you figure out that you survived. But these aftershocks kept coming up, and they’re diminishing in size as I go along,” Nash said. Crosby had battled with ill-health for many years, after being diagnosed with hepatitis C in 1994 and receiving a liver transplant that same year. In the following years, Crosby was also diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and had to use insulin to keep it under control. Throughout his career the icon had won numerous awards including the Grammy Award for Best New Artist for Crosby, Stills, and Nash. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. Crosby is survived by his wife Jan Dance, his sons Django and James, and his daughters Erika and Donovan. Image: Getty

Caring

Sam Burgess’ major life update

Former South Sydney Rabbitohs star Sam Burgess is reportedly expecting his third child with girlfriend Lucy Graham. As a friend of the family informed Confidential, Lucy’s pregnancy has apparently progressed past the three-month mark, and the couple are said to be “extremely happy.” “Both Sam and Lucy are happy and healthy and excited about their future together,” a representative for Burgess added. The two only went public with their relationship five months prior to the announcement, though it is believed that they had been friends for roughly 20 years beforehand. Both hail from the United Kingdom, with Lucy reportedly having moved to Australia to start a family with Burgess. The 34-year-old is already a father of two - daughter Poppy and son William - with ex-wife Phoebe. The couple parted ways barely a month after William was born, and while they gave their relationship another try in 2019, they split for good before the year was up. In October 2020, allegations of domestic violence - as well as drug use - were made against him by his ex-wife, and he was stood down from his new position as assistant coach. Burgess denied the allegations, and he was cleared after a year-long investigation. And it was only two years later that his new relationship with Lucy made its public debut on the red carpet of friend Russell Crowe’s Poker Face premiere. At the time, Lucy was labelled by tabloids as a “mystery brunette”. They became ‘social media official’ in January 2023, when Burgess appeared in Lucy’s gallery of New Year’s pictures. Sam’s brother George, and his partner Joanna, were also in attendance at the event. Additionally, the pair have been spotted out and about enjoying a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert in Sydney. Despite their whirlwind romance, a source close to the former rugby league player opened up to The Daily Mail, explaining that Burgess is “mad” about his new partner. “It’s been a whirlwind but she is a fantastic woman. They get along so well. All of his friends are so happy to see how happy he makes her,” they said. “The Burgess are very family oriented and I think there was always a plan to start a family,” they added. “From what I hear, she is genuinely good for him. When they're together apparently they laugh all the time - she cracks him up. “He is likely going to coach South's … so this is a nice step for him.” Images: Instagram

Relationships

“That is what makes him a predator”: Graham Norton names worst ever guest

Graham Norton has called out his "least favourite guest" on his long-running talk show in his new tell-all book. The BBC presenter was on a book tour for his new memoir Forever Home in his native Dublin when he opened up about the star's "chilling" behaviour before he even arrived on set. Two years before the avalanche of allegations about convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein came to light in 2017, he appeared on Graham's famous red sofa. He joined Doctor Who actor David Tennant, Oscar winner Olivia Colman and singer Jessie J in 2015. “I often talk around who my least favourite guest was, but someone reminded me, I have a really good answer to this now,” Norton said, according to Irish news outlet <a title="www.joe.ie" href="https://www.joe.ie/movies-tv/graham-norton-worst-guest-756066?fbclid=IwAR16hRsekgbR7OCKoYxJMIzG08n1nkAKcuASfa4ErXuXOpByUu3Y0X3WXeE">Joe</a>. “And actually, it was weird, because he asked for my e-mail. And he e-mailed me something very nice, a complimentary thing. And then he decided he wanted to be on the show, because he was going to promote something." “And it was a show that was fully booked, so I replied saying ‘Oh, thank you so much, but the show is fully booked’. He e-mailed back: ‘What if I blah de blah de blah’." “And he e-mailed back again, ‘But I think...’, and I just had to turn to my booker and say ‘Can you please deal with this?’ And at the time, I thought that sort of attitude, that kind of ‘Oh no, I’m going on’, that is what makes you a very good producer." “But of course, now that we know what we know, that is what makes him a predator. It was that kind of weird, tunnel-vision thing. And it was sort of chilling in retrospect, because I was just laughing at those emails. But you realise ‘Oh my God, that is an insight into how that man is’.” Weinstein is serving a 23-year prison sentence after a New York jury found him guilty of sexual assault. Image credits: Getty Images

Man accused of shooting family of four identified

The accused shooter who <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/three-confirmed-dead-after-horrific-shooting" target="_blank" rel="noopener">killed two farmers and their son</a> and wounded the other has been identified. Darryl Young has been charged with the murder of his neighbours Mervyn, 71, Maree Schwarz, 59, and their son Graham Tighe, 35, following a dispute of boundary lines on their land in Bogie near Collinsville in Queensland. The 59-year-old was also charged with one count of attempted murder after Mervyn and Maree’s other son Ross Tighe survived following a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Police will allege Young invited the three members to the edge of his property on August 4 before shooting them “execution style”. Young allegedly shot at Ross who managed to escape the farm in a ute and alert police to the horrific attack against his family. Police charged Young with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder and he is due to appear at Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday. Acting Superintendent Tom Armitt said it was incredible Ross was able to survive due to the properties being so far apart. “It’s actually a 45-minute drive between the neighbours,” he said. “At the crime scene, which is at the front gate of one of the premises, it is a 3km drive between the gate and the house at that location.” In another devastating twist of events, Graham’s wife Lucy had just given birth to their second child. “It’s just devastating shock that things can happen so quickly in the blink of an eye and ruin so many lives so quickly,” Greg Austen, Graham’s uncle told 7News. Images: 7News

News

Three confirmed dead after horrific shooting

A person who allegedly shot four people, killing three of them, is in police custody. Mervyn and Maree Schwarz and her sons Graham Tighe and Ross Tighe were the target of a horrific shooting at a rural property in Bogie near Collinsville in Queensland on Thursday morning. Mervyn, Maree and Graham have been confirmed dead, while Ross remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital due to a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Queensland Police confirmed on Friday morning “the person who has been nominated as the alleged gunman is with us here in custody”. “We haven’t pressed any charges at this point in time while our investigations are ongoing,” Mackay District Superintendent Tom Armitt said. Police are currently speaking to five people to help establish the events of the devastating attack. They commended Ross for his bravery after fleeing the scene with a gunshot wound to the abdomen and walking “many kilometres” to alert police. “We believe that the male was able to extract himself from the area when he was spoken to by a police officer many, many kilometres away from the crime scene,” Superintendent Armitt continued. “He was fleeing from the scene…he was able to tell police that he had been shot and three others (were) also shot.” Ross was able to speak to police on Thursday, and will once again be asked more questions on Friday in relation to what happened. Superintendent Armitt confirmed that all involved were neighbours and that “some conversation has occurred” before the shooting. “(This) resulted in a meeting up of the parties at the boundary line in the early hours of yesterday (Thursday) morning when the incident occurred,” he said. Detectives have declared several crimes scenes in the area and forensics will conduct examinations. There is no ongoing danger to the public. Images: 7News

News

Radio presenter and recording artist killed in floods

The severe floods taking northern NSW by storm have claimed another victim, bringing the current death toll to four. Residents in Lismore in far northern NSW, already heartbroken by the devastating floods, are now grieving the loss of beloved members of the community. Local radio presenter and recording artist Marge Graham was identified as one of the victims. The 82-year-old was a country music performer who launched Lismore’s annual The Cedar Guitar Country Music Festival. She also hosted her own radio show called Country Breakfast. The Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) and community members posted tributes on their Facebook page after hearing about Ms Graham’s death. “The CMAA is saddened to hear of the tragic loss of Northern NSW country music performer, broadcaster, promoter, and event organiser Marge Graham,” the statement read. “We’d like to extend our thoughts and well-wishes to Marge’s family and friends during this very sad time, and to all those who have been affected by the terrible floods in QLD and NSW. Please stay safe.” One person wrote: “Marge will certainly be missed. She has done a lot for country music and radio for many years. Condolences to her family from country music friends far and wide.” “Condolences to her family, and the entertainment industry of friends,” another posted. “So sad to hear this news. Condolences to her family and the country music family too,” someone else commented. The three other victims so far identified are Stuart Bock, 56, Lorraine Hyman aged in her 80s, and another man believed to be in his 70s, yet to be formally identified. Image: Facebook

Travel Trouble

Queensland borders to NSW to reopen "within weeks"

Queensland could be up and running for NSW residents within just weeks, one of the country’s leading tourism figures have claimed. Flight Centre boss Graham Turner predicts that Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will be left with no other choice other than to open up their state as other Australian jurisdictions start to ease their border controls. “I’m pretty sure that the borders – the NSW border with Queensland will open within the next three or four weeks. I don’t know that for sure. But it seems logical,” he told the Today show on Friday morning. “The only thing that will stop it I believe is a serious outbreak in NSW somewhere. “There’s got to be a good reason. If there’s a very good reason, safety, health, but I think that’s done and dusted now. That’s over. So I think pragmatism will reign and I’m pretty confident the borders will open because I don’t think there is any choice.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837943/flight-centre.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/21e1256717ae4b8ea6eae947cdf17507" /> Flight Centre boss Graham Turner Mr Turner said the tourism industry was “suffering”, especially on the Gold Coast and in North Queensland. “They do all right at the weekends, you know, from the Brisbane traffic, but during the week, it is absolutely dead,” he said. “Everyone’s suffering. Travel, tourism, airline, airports, it’s a bit of a disaster.” Mr Turner hoped by March that his business would be back to “some level of normality”. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837944/borders-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/79e7dc73d6a143c0b20db050cfab5f7f" /> “International will take a little bit longer. But it’s just JobKeeper has been pretty generous, probably too generous in some cases. “You know, businesses like ours or airports and airlines, if we get the domestic travel back full-on, we will get back to a break-even situation with a little bit of luck. “I think most of the major airlines, Virgin and Qantas, and the airports, will feel the same way.”

Domestic Travel

Poem on growing older

Graham Poynter, 79, drove semi-trailers interstate and locally for the final 30 years of his working life. This verse was written when he was 65 just after returning from a long truck trip. He’s now retired and travels with his wife in a car and caravan to various parts of Australia. It’s just that he likes driving. How am I? Let me tell you. My joints all ache. My muscles hurt. Don’t think I’ll see out another shirt. I’ve put on weight. Can’t touch my toes. Just a couple of things amid other woes. I’m always tired. Can’t sleep at night. Each morning I feel I’ve been in a losing fight. When I try to think my mind goes numb. I never used to be this dumb. My body hurts. I cannot run. For me life seems to have lost it’s fun. My sight is fair. My hearing too. There are so many things I can no longer do. I do my best. It’s not enough. Living now has become so tough. So now I must believe what I’m told. They tell me it’s that I’ve become too old. The time has come and I must agree There can be no big future plans for me. We are getting old when life has gone so fast That there is not much ahead and so much in the past. No longer the thought of setting the world on fire. My thoughts now are that I should retire. So now I think it’s time to take a rest. It’s the one thing left that I can do best. PS. I guess I was just having a whinge because I did continue for a further seven years… Do you have a poem or story to share? <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/community/contributor/community-contributor/" target="_blank">Click here</a> to share your story with Over60.

Retirement Life

Graham Ross reveals his battle with cancer

Graham Ross who has entertained Australian gardening enthusiasts for over 50 years has opened up about the cancerous health scares he has recently faced. The famous horticulturalist, who turns 70 in October, has not let his ageing or life-threatening cancer scares deter him from doing what he loves. “I’ve had a couple of nasty skin cancers, and I’m a prostate [cancer] survivor,” he told New Idea. “They thought I had bowel cancer there for a while, but at the moment I don’t, which is good.” “I lost my whole bottom lip a while ago – had to have it razored off – that was the most serious. There was a major skin cancer heading down my cheek into my throat, carotid artery and lymph glands.” “The doctor told me if they hadn’t got to it when they did, if it had been just five or six weeks later, I wouldn’t be here now.” “Australia is full of it, you know, and with outdoor hobbies like gardening you really need to be very careful, so I always warn people to watch out and use plenty of 50+ sunscreen.” “When I was head of horticulture at Ryde TAFE I had 76 teachers working with me, and 32 of them have died of cancer. We were exposed to the worst, most carcinogenic chemicals back then, which is why I’m so keen on organic gardening today.” Graham Ross joined Better Homes and Gardens when it started in 1995 and has helped the show receive 12 Logie Awards. For the past 37 years, Graham has broadcasted his three-hour radio show The Garden Clinic every Saturday and Sunday and he also manages to find time to run the world’s largest specialist garden tour company with his wife Sandra. Graham started gardening at the age of 4 and by 11-years-old was part-time at his local garden centre in Sydney’s southern suburbs. Graham has received various industry honours over the course of his career and is qualified in horticulture, park administration, greenkeeping, landscaping and agronomy. “It’s only gardening, it’s not brain surgery. I never dreamt my TV and radio career would go on this long, but people and plants are my absolute passion.” “I love talking to people, and I’m a real old-fashioned storyteller who can talk under water. There aren’t too many people with my qualifications who can do what I do, so I guess that’s why I’m still around.” Image credit: Better Homes and Gardens

News

Graham Ross shares what he’s looking forward to in 2017

The 2017 NSW Seniors’ Festival kicked off this week with hundreds of events all over New South Wales, encouraging seniors to enjoy new experiences, learn new skills, and most importantly, have fun. The theme of this year’s festival is “Let’s do more together” because life is even better when shared with friends, family and others. This year’s NSW Seniors Festival ambassadors shared their wisdom and tips on ageing happily and healthily through their own personal life experiences and inspirations. Here Australia’s favourite gardeners Graham Ross shares what he’s most looking forward to in 2017. Graham invites you to do the same and share a video of what you’re looking forward to doing more of in 2017. <a href="http://seniorsfestival.verbate.com/">Share your video here</a> and the most inspiring will win an iPhone 7. Find out more about hte <a href="http://www.nswseniorsweek.com.au/home" target="_blank">NSW Seniors' Festival here.</a> Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/03/this-couple-has-worn-matching-outfits-for-37-years/">This couple has worn matching outfits for 37 years</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/03/99-and-92-year-old-race-in-60-metre-sprint/">99-year-old and 92-year-old go head-to-head in 60-metre sprint</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/03/great-grandma-dances-into-100th-birthday/">Gorgeous great-grandma grooves into her 100th birthday</a>

News

Things you might not know about Graham Ross

As one of the hosts of Better Homes and Gardens TV, Graham Ross has educated, entertained and inspired green thumbs (and aspiring gardeners alike) across Australia during a career that has almost spanned over 55 years. But lounge rooms across the country aren’t the only platform in which Graham has taught Aussies about all things green and growing.The passionate gardener together with his wife Sandra (who is also a horticulturalist), and their daughter Linda (a landscape architect), present a three-hour gardening program every Saturday and Sunday morning for Radio 2GB. The show has been broadcast since 1980, making it one of the longest running, and highest-rating programs in Australian radio history.A garden enthusiast since the age of four, an invitee to be a fellow at the impressive (and infamous) Kew Botanic Gardens in the UK, Over60 sat down with Graham to find out what he’s most proud of accomplishing.1.What are you most proud of achieving to date?This is a very hard question. I’ve been enormously lucky to have survived on television for 36 years and on Radio 2GB for 34 years, and I’ve been very privileged to have received awards from every professional horticultural association in Australia. But receiving the Gold Veitch Memorial Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society in London in 2011 for a “lifetime international achievement in horticulture” was amazing as I was the only the fourth Aussie to receive the award since Queen Victoria created the medal in 1870. Receiving it from Princes Alexandra on behalf of the Queen was a huge honour.2.Three things that are essential for ageing happily and healthily?I think about this a lot now that I’ve been working for over 55 years. Without a doubt working in the job you love is a real bonus and to keep working as long as you can and want to is important. It’s an old chestnut, but keeping as active as possible helps. All my family live on one block in two homes and that keeps me thinking young with grandchildren around. It’s common with Greek, Italian and Chinese families and I can see the benefits all round.3.What does the word senior mean to you?It says respect, wisdom and life experiences to share. I love spending time with older folk, always have since I was young. I guess I’m a bit old fashioned but I was apprenticed twice as a teenager and learnt from a Master and enjoyed listening at an early age. Now that I’m older, I enjoy chatting to youngsters willing to listen. I’ve worked in all aspects of the horticultural and gardening profession and had over 200 trips around the world with our tours and I’m happy to share my knowledge and experiences.4. If you could change one thing for seniors in Australia, what would it be?Governments are desperate, understandably, for seniors to be financially independent but penalise as we try to live in retirement. Paying tax when you earn a salary, then tax on superannuation and savings, I think that’s a crime. If it’s in the bank, in super or in investments or savings there is always more tax to pay when you use it as a senior.5.What is something people don’t know about you?I’m the only Australian in history to have been appointed a Life Fellow of the prestigious Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Guild, London. This honour connects a present-day Aussie to colonial botanists and horticulturists like Sir Joseph Banks, George Caley and Alan Cunningham. I’m still learning from reading their body of work.6.What can’t you live without?Without a doubt it’s my garden, I love being in it 24/7, well when I can anyway.Related links: <a href="/health/health/2014/09/maggie-beer-on-positive-ageing.aspx" target="_blank">Maggie Beer on being positive as you age!</a><a href="/health/health/2014/09/ita-buttrose-reveals-her-secret-for-a-happy-life.aspx" target="_blank">Ita Buttrose's secret for a happy life.</a>

Mind

From PTSD to entrepreneur

With an award-winning business under her belt, Over60 sat down with mum-of-three and ex-Police officer, Nicole Graham, to talk about how suffering PTSD and mitral valve prolapse led her to start Emergency ID to help others like her.<img width="162" height="205" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/1221/nicole-police-pic_162x205.jpg" alt="Nicole Police Pic" style="float: left;"> You used to work in the Police force, why did you decide to leave? “I joined the Police force in 1989 at the age of 20. I had a strong sense of social justice and enjoyed the mateship within the force. We literally put our lives in each other’s hands and faced the most harrowing experiences side by side.I was a ‘career cop’ and my ultimate aim was to become the first female commissioner. However, that all went pear-shaped when, like so many other Police, I was struck down with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after 13 years.During my time stationed in busy western Sydney and remote rural communities, I experienced many horrific situations – fatalities, sieges, autopsies, stabbings, suicides, accidents and domestic violence – and I specialised in taking statements from sexually and physically abused children.It eventually took its toll and I was severely affected by flashbacks, depression and anxiety. Most people don’t realise the huge amount of stress Police deal with and they have an extremely high rate of PTSD, depression, divorce and suicide. We need to look after and appreciate our Police a lot better than we do.”You’ve had major heart surgery, can you tell us about this? “I was 34-years-old and the mother of two young children. I was into fitness and competing in biathlons. During a routine GP visit I mentioned that I had been experiencing dizziness, vomiting and tiredness but had been pushing through to maintain my fitness.[The doctor] listened to my heart and sent me immediately to a cardiologist. Within a week I was in St Vincent’s Hospital having open heart surgery. I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse, which meant oxygenated blood was not pumping around my body as it should, and told I was extremely lucky that I didn’t have a massive heart attack.It was a long and slow recovery after a few complications, life support, intensive care and rehabilitation.Living through such a traumatic time made me realise what is important in life. In the long run it changed me for the better. They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger – and that was certainly the case for me.”Was this surgery one of the reasons you started your business? “One of the outcomes of my heart issue was that I was recommended to wear medical jewellery so that if anything happened to me in the future, medical or emergency personnel would have some knowledge of my history.That’s when I found there were very limited choices available and it was generally very unattractive – I guess as a 30-something young woman I didn’t fit their target market!It got me thinking and I realised that members of my own family would have benefited from medical jewellery too.I had an uncle with an intellectual disability who was killed by a drunk driver. He had spent hours in the hospital and then the morgue before we even knew anything had happened because he had no ID on him. My father suffered from cancer when he was 26 until his passing at 43. He had great difficulty remembering his lengthy medical history, medications and contact details of specialists. Medical staff really needed to know those details so he could be treated correctly but he didn’t wear or carry anything as there was nothing suitable.I also knew from my time in the Police, that it is so difficult to contact people in times of emergencies. Often the only details we had of those seriously injured, or worse, was an address from their licence. We were so often unable to contact loved ones and many heartbreaking moments could have been avoided if people carried emergency information on them.”What is Emergency ID all about? “Emergency ID is all about having a huge variety of products and services to relay vital information to first aiders, emergency services and hospital personnel if you are involved in an accident or medical incident. It’s all about providing information that could save your life, rather than leaving those treating you guessing if you have any previous medical conditions, medications or history that can affect your treatment. It’s also about having emergency contacts on or with you at all times so that the correct people can be notified and with you when you need it the most.”What are you most proud of in relation to your business? “Nine years ago the business consisted of a laptop on my dining room table and five products. We now have the largest and most diverse range available and we are world leaders in our field. We have also been independently judged and awarded numerous times – we are the most awarded in our field. We’re proudly 100 per cent Australian and AUSBUY accredited.I am also very proud that as we grow we are becoming more and more involved in giving to charities and organisations. For example, we have proudly supported the Love Your Sister campaign, we are in a fundraising partnership with The McGrath Foundation, and I recently did the St Vincent’s CEO Sleepout, where I slept out on the street to raise money for the homeless. We also proudly donate Emergency ID to those in dire financial need and who are homeless though the Matthew Talbot Hostel and St Vincent de Paul Health Clinic in Kings Cross, NSW.Lastly I am very proud to have just become a volunteer speaker for Beyond Blue, working to reduce the impact of depression and anxiety in the community by raising awareness and understanding, empowering people to seek help, and supporting recovery, management and resilience.”What’s next for you? “Doing more community work. I have lots of speaking engagements including one for Beyond Blue and supporting more and more charities and community events. I’d also like to take Emergency ID Australia worldwide, so we can not only assist Australians, but anyone who could benefit from wearing or having Emergency ID in a crisis. Oh, and travelling and being with the loves of my life – my husband and my three children. My 20-year-old skydiving instructor son, my 18-year-old budding lawyer daughter and an overly loved, attention-seeking four-year-old. Yes, there is a huge age gap there.”

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Iconic Star Trek actor dies suddenly at age 73

"Beyond excited": Graham Norton announces Aussie TV show

David Crosby’s cause of death revealed

Sam Burgess’ major life update

“That is what makes him a predator”: Graham Norton names worst ever guest

Man accused of shooting family of four identified

Three confirmed dead after horrific shooting

Radio presenter and recording artist killed in floods

Queensland borders to NSW to reopen "within weeks"

Poem on growing older

Graham Ross reveals his battle with cancer

Graham Ross shares what he’s looking forward to in 2017

Things you might not know about Graham Ross

From PTSD to entrepreneur

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Travel

Health

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Iconic Star Trek actor dies suddenly at age 73

"Beyond excited": Graham Norton announces Aussie TV show

David Crosby’s cause of death revealed

Sam Burgess’ major life update

“That is what makes him a predator”: Graham Norton names worst ever guest

Man accused of shooting family of four identified

Three confirmed dead after horrific shooting

Radio presenter and recording artist killed in floods

Queensland borders to NSW to reopen "within weeks"

Poem on growing older

Graham Ross reveals his battle with cancer

Graham Ross shares what he’s looking forward to in 2017

Things you might not know about Graham Ross

From PTSD to entrepreneur

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