Search

The Great Wheelie Bin Debate rolls on: What's the correct way?!

Australia is no stranger to heated debates – rugby versus Aussie rules, meat pie versus sausage roll, or which state has the best beaches. But a new challenger has emerged for the crown of most contentious topic: the humble wheelie bin. In the bustling inner-city suburbs, where space is as precious as a parking spot on a Friday night, one resident in Carlton, Sydney, has found themselves at the centre of the latest bin-based brouhaha. The seemingly innocuous act of placing wheelie bins for collection has sparked a clash of titanic proportions between neighbours, with one visually impaired newcomer caught in the middle. According to the frustrated resident, the bins in question have been making a weekly pilgrimage to the worst possible spot. “These people have been leaving their bins blocking the crossing every single bloody week since I moved here in October,” they vented. A photo shared online reveals the crime scene: two wheelie bins defiantly parked at a crossing entryway, appearing to guard it like bouncers at an exclusive nightclub. For anyone not blessed with perfect vision, navigating around them is less of a dance and more of a hazardous obstacle course: <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2024/12/wheelie-bins_reddit.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> “I’ve been so shocked at how the bins are put out. I see them on the street and I just question how that’s allowed... it’s a freaking jerk move,” the resident continued. Adding to the drama, they highlighted the danger: “I’m visually impaired, it’s not safe to just cross the road anywhere.” Bin battles are nothing new in Australia. Earlier this year, Melbourne residents went head-to-head over the correct bin-spacing protocol. Should there be a gap between bins? Should they form an impenetrable wall of waste? After what we can only imagine was a spirited exchange of opinions (and possibly garbage puns), the local council stepped in to confirm: gaps are indeed preferable. Meanwhile, Georges River Council’s website offers sage advice to would-be bin wranglers: “Avoid obstructing the footpath and driveways”, and for the love of all things recyclable, “never place items on the road or gutters”. This guidance, alas, has yet to penetrate the stubborn psyche of certain Carlton bin-barons. Our beleaguered resident, unwilling to let this trashy behaviour go unchecked, has considered taking direct action. “I’ve thought about taping a note to the bins, asking kindly to please not block the crossing, maybe explaining why it’s dangerous,” they mused. Such a note, perhaps paired with a smiley face or a diagram, could be just the diplomatic olive branch needed to defuse the situation. Or it could escalate into the neighbourhood’s first wheelie bin Cold War. Watch this carefully placed, wheelie-bin sized space. Images: Shutterstock, Reddit

Home & Garden

Happy news after AFL great's devastating diagnosis

Anthony Rocca has shared a positive update on his cancer battle. The Collingwood goalkicking great was diagnosed with with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma earlier this year after a series of tests and scan, and had to step back from his role as coach of under-18s side Northern Knights to get treatment. On Tuesday, he revealed that he had undergone the final day of his sixth and last round of chemotherapy, which had been successful, with two years of maintenance immunotherapy to go. “I’m fortunate to be able to say that all is looking great and it has gone to plan,” Rocca wrote on social media. “A heartfelt thank you to my oncologist, nurses and all the staff at Epworth hospital. “They are truly remarkable, caring and show great teamwork dealing with people with challenging circumstances. “I am feeling great and looking forward (to) 2025. “Thank you to everyone who has called and texted, your love and support is greatly appreciated.” <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/DDYW8whygYE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDYW8whygYE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Anthony Rocca (@anthonyrocca23)</a> </div> </blockquote> The AFL great received an outpouring of support current and former Collingwood stars including Scott Pendlebury, Brodie Grundy and Mason Cox, who all celebrated the happy news. His wife also shared that she and their children Mia and Max are “so proud”. “Chemo was tough, but you were tougher,” she wrote. “You were the perfect patient, never complaining and took everything in your stride. “We love you so much and we are also thankful and grateful to the oncologist, nurses and staff at Epworth. We f***en love you!” Rocca retired in 2009 after a long career in the AFL that began with the Sydney Swans. Image: Instagram

Caring

Radio presenter resigns after cancer diagnosis

MIX FM radio presenter Ali Clarke has make the emotional announcement that she is stepping back from her hosting role following her battle with breast cancer. Clarke delivered the news to shocked fans live on air after teasing a big announcement on social media. "So here's the big announcement MIX family," she began. "This will be my last week on air with MIX 102.3 doing brekky." "It's really hard to say now and probably even harder to accept it as well but I was offered the opportunity to continue on and it's really hard to say no to something like that because I love this," she said. "I love nothing more than connecting with people and I love radio so much, and I understand the privilege it is to be invited in to someone's home or their car or their lives." She said she'd "miss our listeners terribly and can't thank them enough for their support of not just me, but my family." "Man I love radio and will miss this incredibly hardworking local team, but I know they'll keep bringing the laughs and will go from strength to strength," she continued. When asked by co-host Max Burford if she "was sad" she said "don't ask me that" before fighting back tears in a heartwarming moment. In July, Clarke revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, sharing details of her health battle with her loyal listeners. She took some time off after being diagnosed but returned to the airwaves in August, reminding women to check their breasts for early signs of breast cancer. Clarke said at the time, "Book in to get checked if you need to or give someone in your life a little nudge if you think they need it … this isn't about scaring people and doing things unnecessarily, it's just making you aware that 'checking your breasts' isn't just a slogan and that you only start mammograms at 50." Image credits: Instagram

Caring

"Mum grew great dope": Son's hilariously honest tribute goes viral

Two brothers from Sydney have made headlines around the world for their hilarious tribute to their late mother. Sean and Chris Kelly wrote a death notice for their mum Jennifer Ann Kelly when she passed away aged 88 on Monday last week. “Farewell Jennie Kelly, our wild and wayward mother,” the notice which was posted in the Sydney Morning Herald began. Jennifer Ann lived most of her life outside Nimbin and The Channon in northern NSW until she moved to a nursing home in Turramurra 18 months ago. Her sons' tribute has triggered a call for more honesty about death as they opened up about their unconventional upbringing. They revealed that their mum refused to say "passed" when someone died, believed exposing youth to religion was a form of child abuse, and "it was impossible to watch the news in her presence due to her vocal outrage." And while the two brothers had spent most of their lives "compensating for our upbringing", their mother's "rare attempts at 'responsible' parenting or grandparenting were always touching". They also added: “Mum grew great dope, never wanted to leave a party and gave up champagne or gin frequently, but never simultaneously.” “News on what’s next to follow. Bring a shovel," they ended the notice. Their good-humoured grief and honesty gained global attention after it was posted on Reddit. It was also included in British outlet The Independent and US People Magazine. “Your mum sounds phenomenal. The amazing tribute has reached thousands of people in the UK,” one Reddit user said. “I wish I’d known Jenny, she sounds wonderful. Thank you for a wonderful obituary – clearly Jenny lived until she died,” added another. Others praised their candidness, with one saying: “[It’s] honest, as opposed to all those people who suddenly become heroes/Mother Teresa when they die.” In an interview with 7NEWS Sean admitted that the unconventional obituary was a first for him. “I’d never done a death notice, I’d never really looked at them,” he said. “I swear I spent less than four minutes on that.” He added that he wasn't even sure it would be published, and “the next thing I knew, the day after, someone said ‘I think we heard someone on the radio talking about your mother this morning’.” “She would say that she was mortified, but all my friends tell me she would be absolutely delighted at the attention.” Jennie leaves behind her two sons and three grandchildren. Images: 7News/ SMH

Family & Pets

Readers response: What celebrity do you think would make a great friend, and why?

When it comes to celebrities, everyone has their favourites, their crushes, and those they'd rather steer clear of. We asked our readers what celebrity they think they would be good friends with, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. Judy Yannopoulos - Keanu Reeves. A true honest person with a good heart. Jenny Maclean - Steven Fry. He’s honest and kind and so very intelligent. Jeff-Lyn Bloom - Tom Hanks. He is so down to earth. Doesn’t put on airs. Jan Totti - John Farnham, because he’s down to earth and there’s no pretences. He seems just a lovely honest person. He’s an amazing Australian singer. Caz McDougall - Michael Sheen and David Tennant. Karen Maberly - Judi Dench. Seems like a good communicator, sharp mind and full of fun, and not full of herself!! Cheryl Cunningham - Denzel Washington. Totally honest and decent human. Rhonda Moffitt - Maggie Beer. She treasures family & others. Always smiling, Maggie I think would be great company. Lisa Drury Hudson - Audrey Hepburn, for her compassion, strength, fighting for children's rights and empathy. What a loss. Bob Wilkinson - Hugh Jackson and Chris Hemsworth as they both seem like down to earth nice people. Image credits: Shutterstock

Relationships

"Heavy heart": Susie O'Neill breaks down as she resigns live on air

Olympic swimmer turned radio host Susie O'Neill has broken down live on air as she announced her resignation from her role with the Brisbane Nova breakfast show. The 51-year-old tearfully told her co-hosts David 'Luttsy' Lutteral and Ashley Bradnam that she would be taking a step back from radio after 10 years with the network. "I do this with a heavy heart, the decision wasn't easy. It's hard for me to articulate exactly why I'm leaving," Susie began. "Turning 50 last year, I realised I'm at a whole new stage in my life. The next chapter will see me pursue other goals, both professionally and personally." Susie added that she was already contemplating what her next career moves would be, as she reassured listeners that she would stay on the air for another six weeks, with her final show being on November 28th. "I want to get back to the grassroots of sport and involve myself in the wider community. It's going to be an emotional final day, saying goodbye to everyone," she said. "Whatever this next chapter brings, my Nova family won't be far away." She went on to thank both of her co-hosts a she reflected on her time on the show, saying, "Thanks to Ash and Luttsy for bringing me into your world and life a bit over 10 years ago now, when I pretty much had nothing going on in my life to be honest." "I joked that it saved my life at the time. You were both so supportive of me. I was horrible at radio and I’d be upset and say, 'I can’t do it' and you would say, 'no, just keep going, just keep going'." Co-host Luttsy was quick to pay tribute to Susie, saying, "It's been an incredible adventure becoming great mates with you. Can't wait to see your next chapter." Before joining the world of radio in 2023 as a sports broadcaster, Susie rose to fame at the age of just 14, joining the Olympic team and going on to score 35 Australian titles and retiring after the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Image credits: Nova

Music

Great-grandmother celebrated her 93rd birthday by skydiving

A great-grandmother from the Gold Coast has proved that age is just a number, by celebrating her 93rd birthday by going skydiving. Betty Gregory first got a taste for the thrill of being in the sky when she was just 17 and working in England's Royal Air Force. She told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/today/queensland-great-grandmother-jumps-out-of-plane-to-celebrate-93rd-birthday/707b554c-f6e4-47a5-b63f-b05370bfaaad">Today</a>, "I was 17 and I was doing a photographic course where I had to go up in a plane to do some aerial photography training." "I had to crawl past the pilot's legs, where they'd taken a panel out of the nose and installed this camera on a framework and I could see all the little fields with animals and cars on little tiny roads and I thought it would be very nice to do a jump." After she landed safely on the ground, Betty tried to convince the pilot to take her back up and let her do a jump, but to no avail. She put the idea on the back burner, vowing to herself to do the skydive at some stage in the future. Fast forward a few decades, when Betty had settled on the Gold Coast and started a family, she began thinking of the skydive once more. "I saw them landing on Kirra Beach and I thought, 'Now there's an idea, I'll do that for my 80th birthday,'" she said. So she did, and she pledged to go again on her 85th birthday for her second skydive. "I was going to do another one at 90, but COVID-19 happened and everything was cancelled," she said. "Then, for my 91st birthday, my son came up from Victoria and I asked if he also wanted to jump, he said 'well, I suppose if you can do it at 91, mum, I can do it at 68.'" As Betty’s love for jumping out of planes grew, she decided not to wait until her 95th birthday to do it again. "The numbers of my age are getting quite high, so I thought maybe I won't leave it for 95, I'll do it at 93 instead," she said. Betty admitted she's even gotten friendly with the tandem jumper who lets her manoeuvre the parachute handles so she can spend a little bit longer sailing through the skies. "It's exhilarating, it really is - I really enjoy it," she said. Image credits: Today

Domestic Travel

Another Channel Seven presenter announces shock resignation

Veteran Channel Seven weather presenter Liz Cantor has announced her resignation on Wednesday after 17 years with the network. The TV host shared the shock news in a statement and revealed she has accepted a new position at Network Ten. "I was a seven, now I'm a ten. I feel honoured to be part of the return of local news to Queensland. I'm really excited to take weather out into our community," she said. She paid tribute to her former colleagues and shared her excitement at starting the new role alongside a gallery of photos from her time at Seven. "I just want to use this space to take a moment and jump in to say thank you to my 7News colleagues," she shared. "I cherish the friendships, experiences, lessons and growth I've experienced while running alongside you all, over the past 17 years. "You're the most incredible, hard working bunch of inspirational people. I count my lucky stars I got to share such an influential part of my life with you all." <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_NSXdcTySW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_NSXdcTySW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by LIZ CANTOR (@lizcantor)</a> </div> </blockquote> Cantor will start her new role on Monday. She joins Sharyn Ghidella, who was axed from Seven last month, but will soon join Network 10 to anchor the 5pm Queensland news bulletin. Her move to Network 10 will also bring the 10 News First show back to the Brisbane studio after years of it being read from Sydney. In an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_OWPdxTOgF/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">update</a> shared on Wednesday morning, Cantor shared a photo alongside Ghidella in front of the Network 10 desk, sharing her excitement to be working with her again. "Also, @sharynghidella people know you as a calm, composed, intelligent news anchor - and you are all of these things - but I also know you as someone witty (YES!) and always encouraging and supportive of the people around you," she wrote. "I am beyond thrilled, to call you my colleague again. See you all Monday." Images: Instagram

"You are terrible": Brutal comment that drove Paralympian to greatness

From a young age, Paralympian Madison de Rozario knew that people treated her differently. "There's an enormous lack of expectation in what we [people with disabilities] are able to do in sport, in workplaces, in school," she told 9honey. "It can be the death of potential … I didn't recognise that's what I was experiencing as a young kid." Born in Perth, Western Australia, De Rozario developed a neurological disease at just four-years-old and has used a wheelchair ever since. It didn't hold her back from playing sports with her two sisters, and now she is a Paralympic champion with six medals to her name - two golds, three silvers, and a bronze medal. De Rozario recalled how Frank Ponta – a silver medallist at the first ever Paralympics in 1960, an inaugural Australian Paralympic Hall of Famer, and coach to several Paralympic icons – helped her overcome her early doubts. "There was a lot of sympathy, a lot of pity, which I didn't recognise as pity at the time," she said. "And then there was Frank, and he had none of it." Ponta was part of a generation of para athletes that fought for recognition and support back when most Australia treated them as if they were invisible. She recalled how the first time Ponta saw her try to play basketball at just 12-years-old, he told her, "you are terrible at this sport". While it's not exactly what a young athlete would expect to hear, she acknowledged that she was terrible, but Ponta saw her potential. He dug an old racing wheelchair out of a storage cupboard, strapped her in and told her to go for a spin around the carpark. "It was way too big for me and I absolutely fell in love with it," she recalled. Not long after, Ponta was training her multiple times a week even in the toughest conditions. Not only did he believe in her, he expected her to achieve great things and that expectation changed everything. "I think he was the first person that didn't treat me carefully," she said. "He just treated me like an athlete." A year later, one of Ponta's protegees, Sauvage, took over De Rozario's coaching and helped her nab a last-minute spot at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008. De Rozario debuted 48 years after Ponta and brought home the silver medal, the same medal he won at his debut. Ponta sadly died in 2011, a year before De Rozario competed in London, leaving behind a legacy for all para athletes to come. "I feel so just incredibly lucky that I had one of them in my corner. I didn't even realise it until he was gone," she said. "I feel so lucky that that's how my career started, with someone who just embodied all of those things that now as a 30-year-old, I hold very, very close." These memories help fuel her as she prepares for her fifth Paralympics in Paris this month. This year she hopes to make Ponta proud and be the inspiration to the next generation of para athletes. "That part still sits so restlessly in me," she said. Image: DARREN ENGLAND/EPA-EFE/ Shutterstock Editorial

International Travel

“Great initiative”: Airline's world first move to make female travellers safer

A popular airline has introduced a new measure to help female travellers feel safer on their journey. IndiGo will make the change in August, giving female travellers the option to choose not to sit next to a man on their flight. Prior to booking, women will be able to check the gender of the flyer sitting next to them and select if they don't want a male seat mate. However, this change will not apply to men, as male travellers will not be shown the gender of their seat mate when making a booking and instead will only be able to view available seats. The low-cost carrier is a codeshare partner of Qantas, and Australian passengers travel on-board its planes for destinations such as India, as well as within the country. The idea for the change came from an IndiGo survey where the airline asked females what would make travel more comfortable, and many said they would feel safer to have more power over who they spent their journey sitting next to. “IndiGo is proud to announce the introduction of a new feature that aims to make the travel experience more comfortable for our female passengers,” the airline said. “We are committed to providing an unparalleled travel experience for all our passengers, and this new feature is just one of the many steps we are taking towards achieving that goal.” There has been a mixed reaction on social media to to IndiGo’s attempt to make female flyers feel safer, as one commenter wrote on X: “Why can’t they allocate left side for one gender and right side for another gender?" There was also concern about how the good seats could be snapped up, writing, “Almost all seats available will be the middle ones”. Meanwhile a man protested, “What if I don’t want to sit by her? It works both ways”, while many simply praised it as a “great initiative”. Image credits: Shutterstock

Legal

"Worst nightmare”: Great-grandma confronts violent home intruder

A distraught great-grandmother has recounted the "nightmare" she endured when her home was targeted during a violent home invasion. Stella, 85, was woken up at midnight on Wednesday by a light shining from the kitchen of the Perth home where she has lived with her husband for close to 30 years. She got out of bed to inspect the noise and was met face-to-face with an intruder. Stella said she threw a radio at the stranger to defend herself and called out to her husband, who had not heard the commotion because his hearing aids were not in and he was sleeping in another room. “I got the long handle brush and ... I pushed it into him and that’s when he must’ve thought I better get out of here,” Stella told <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/shaken-grandmother-relives-nightmare-alleged-mandurah-home-invasion-c-15243511" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a>. During the terrifying ordeal, Stella was both threatened and punched in the face, and is now nursing a cut, bruising and swelling. The great-grandmother said she was still shaken over her “worst nightmare”, saying, “We’ve been here since 1995. This is the first thing that has ever happened.” The canine squad was called in and arrested an 18-year-old male who was found under a car in a neighbour’s front yard. Police allege the teenager broke into Stella’s son’s caravan, which is parked at the back of her property, between 6.30pm and 7pm on Wednesday before coming back hours later and forcing his way into her home. The accused has been charged with home burglary and commit, stealing, aggravated home burglars, aggravated robbery, possession of stolen or unlawfully obtained property and unlicensed possession of ammunition. Image credits: 7News <p class="css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020" style="box-sizing: border-box; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word; margin: 0px 0px 1.125rem; line-height: 25px; font-size: 1.125rem; font-family: HeyWow, Montserrat, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; caret-color: #292a33; color: #292a33;">

Legal

"The issue is, he's alive": AFL mistakenly commemorates Hawthorn great

The AFL has found itself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons after prematurely mourning a former player’s death at this week’s Hall of Fame ceremony. The ceremony, held on Tuesday night, saw Collingwood great Dane Swan inducted into the Hall of Fame and Hawthorn’s Jason Dunstall elevated to Legend status. But amidst the celebrations and the teary-eyed tributes, the AFL managed to pull off a major faux pas during the "In Memoriam" segment, which is of course supposed to honour those in the game who have passed away within the last year. Hawthorn's John Kennedy Jr was the first to express his shock on Channel 7’s The Front Bar program on Thursday night. "That 71 team, obviously a famous team and important team in Hawthorn’s history," host Sam Pang began, setting the stage for Kennedy’s bombshell. “But I believe, John, you have a cheerio you’d like to give to one of the players.” Kennedy, not one to miss an opportunity, replied: “I’d like to send one out to Michael Porter who played in the ’71 Grand Final. ‘Portholes’ they called him. He was noted as deceased last night on the AFL Hall of Fame, as one of the deceased people. The issue is he’s alive. So Portholes, if you’re listening mate or you’re up there in NSW, let us know when the wake is because we’ll be all there mate!” Indeed, the prematurely deceased Porter, who played 78 games for Hawthorn and was part of their 1971 VFL premiership team, took the news of his untimely death with remarkably good humour. Instead of sending a ghostly telegram from the great beyond, he simply called up former Hawks captain David Parkin, who was in the room for the Hall of Fame ceremony in Melbourne, to confirm he was alive and well. A league spokesman, likely blushing a shade of crimson, said: “Once this innocent mistake was realised we moved quickly to ring and apologise to everyone affected, including Michael, and thank him for his understanding.” Michael Porter, now thrust back into the limelight in the most unexpected fashion, might just hold the unique distinction of being the only player to attend his own wake and live to tell the tale. We can only hope he’s planning a grandiose party with a guest list featuring all his mates who would’ve otherwise been mourning his "passing". So, here’s to Michael Porter – alive, well and hopefully laughing his head off at the AFL’s latest gaffe. And for the AFL, perhaps a lesson: next time, double-check the list before sending anyone to the great footy oval in the sky. Images: Network 7

Caring

"Why is the water so salty?" and other priceless questions from clueless tourists

In the heart of the stunning intersection where the Daintree Rainforest kisses the Great Barrier Reef, you’ll find <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g499639-d1045292-Reviews-Ocean_Safari-Cape_Tribulation_Daintree_Region_Queensland.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ocean Safari</a> – a top-notch, eco-certified tour company. Brooke Nikola, one of their delightful tour guides, has been guiding wide-eyed adventurers through this paradise for years. With thousands of tourists coming from all corners of the globe, she’s accumulated a treasure trove of amusing anecdotes that could rival the size of the reef itself. Let’s dive right into the deep end with some classic moments <a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/australian-holidays/queensland/hilarious-comments-from-clueless-tourists/news-story/ad90a419cbf4fed9d454d3edef0cb096" target="_blank" rel="noopener">per news.com.au</a>. One sunny day, while marvelling at the endless blue expanse, a curious tourist asked Brooke, “Why does the water taste so salty?” “Well, it’s the ocean,” Brooke gently reminded them. Ah, the wonders of seawater – still a mystery to some. Then there was the time aboard the Ocean Safari vessel, cruising serenely over the waves, when a perplexed guest inquired, “How far above sea level are we?” And who could forget the would-be scientist who attempted to bottle the stunning blue ocean water, only to be baffled when it turned out clear. We can only imagine Brooke explaining the tricky science of light refraction and how the ocean's mesmerising blue doesn't quite fit into a bottle. No doubt their holiday turned into an impromptu science lesson. The complaints Brooke hears are just as priceless. One guest, dripping after a snorkelling session, grumbled, “Ugh, snorkelling makes me so wet.” Then there was the revelation about the rainforest. As rain drizzled through the lush canopy, a bewildered tourist remarked, “It’s so rainy in the rainforest!” Who knew that rain would be part of the rainforest experience? Certainly not that guest! Geography can be tricky, especially in a place as uniquely named as Cape Tribulation. As tourists boarded the Ocean Safari vessel from Cape Tribulation beach, one asked where the Daintree Rainforest was – oblivious to the verdant scenery they had driven through for the past hour. Brooke had to kindly point out that they had been in it this whole time. Another classic came from a guest who thought Cape Tribulation was an island. They earnestly asked, “So, how big is the whole island?” To which Brooke replied, “It’s pretty big. So big, in fact, it’s known as Australia!” Through all of these delightful moments, no doubt Brooke remained a fountain of patience and good humour. So, next time you find yourself at Cape Tribulation, remember to bring your sense of wonder – and a good laugh. Because as Brooke can tell you, the Great Barrier Reef is full of surprises, both above and below the water! Images: Ocean Safari / Instagram

Travel Trouble

AFL great's son in induced coma after mystery brain infection

Geelong great Peter Riccardi has revealed his son, Osca, was briefly put on life support after suffering a mystery infection on the brain. Speaking on the podcast Beyond The Boundary, the former AFL player revealed that his son became suddenly ill a fortnight ago. “A couple of Sundays ago (Osca) came home, been out with a few of his mates, he’d been to the beach, went out for dinner, went out to play 10-pin bowling ... and said he was going to bed,” Peter Riccardi said. “Then halfway through the night he was up, he was vomiting, he was feeling a bit crook ... we just thought he was run down. “But come lunchtime, he couldn’t talk, he could hardly walk.” He added that they were extremely lucky his wife Mel worked from home that day and rushed Osca straight to hospital, where they found some "swelling" on his brain following a scan. Doctors also found that he had a sinus and ear infection and glandular fever all “rolled into one”. “Whether the swim did something with his ears and went into his brain, I’m not 100 per cent sure, yet,” Riccardi said. “They put him an induced coma for three days. He was in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) for four days. “But he’s back home now recovering ... you wouldn’t know that two weeks ago, watching him on life support, and seeing him now, it’s amazing what they do in there.” The podcast hosts then asked how scary the situation was for Riccardi and his wife, and he responded: “It was, yeah ... obviously they have got to prepare you for the worst (outcome)." “That was probably the worst thing to hear, because we didn’t know how he was going to come out of it. “But again, like I said, if Mel had gone to work that day, he wouldn’t be here today. “We’re pretty lucky, we’re pretty lucky. “It must have been a mother’s intuition or mother’s instinct to stay at home that day.” Image: Facebook/ Geelong Cats

Caring

5 reasons art therapy is great for your mental health as you age

We know how important it is to look after our <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/healthy-and-active-ageing">physical health</a> as we age, but our mental health is equally important. <a style="color: blue;" href="https://aifs.gov.au/resources/short-articles/normalising-mental-illness-older-adults-barrier-care">Studies have shown</a> that besides the immediate impact on wellbeing, older people with untreated mental ill health are at risk of poorer overall health, increased hospital admissions, and an earlier transition into aged care. Art therapy is an excellent way to boost our mental wellbeing. In a nutshell, this type of therapy is when visual art, such as drawing, sculpting, or collage, is used in a <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.rtor.org/2018/07/10/benefits-of-art-therapy/">therapeutic context</a>. And don’t be put off if you haven’t picked up a paintbrush since you were a kid. Art therapy is not about creating works of beauty but about the process. It’s a completely <a style="color: blue;" href="https://cata.org.au/faqs-myth-busters/#:~:text=The%20focus%20of%20Creative%20Art,%2C%20growth%20and%20self%2Dawareness.&text=Reality%3A%20Creative%20Art%20Therapy%20does,to%20affect%20change%20and%20growth.">judgement free zone</a>! Emotional release: Growing up, many of us were never taught that it was okay to express how we’re feeling, especially emotions like anger and sadness. In that way, art therapy can be ideal us older folks who often feel stuck when it comes to expressing ourselves. Art therapy provides the opportunity to express our <a style="color: blue;" href="https://creativityintherapy.com/2017/06/expressing-emotions-creativity-6-step-art-process/">inner experiences</a> in a visual way. Through the act of creation, we can release pent-up feelings, reduce stress, and experience emotional release. Another challenging emotion that art therapy can help with is grief. As we age, we are more likely to experience the <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.nari.net.au/the-impact-of-prolonged-grief-in-older-people">loss of a loved one</a> and we don’t get ‘used to it’. The hole it leaves in our hearts is just as dark. Through <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.vivianpaans.com.au/blog/healing-through-art-how-art-therapy-can-help-with-grief-and-wellbeing">creating art</a> we can explore the feelings of grief and sadness in a safe, judgement-free space. It can also foster a sense of self-compassion and when we have more compassion for ourselves, it becomes easier to accept our emotions. Stress relief: <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.sane.org/information-and-resources/facts-and-guides/facts-mental-health-issues">Anxiety, depression, and past traumas</a> can heavily impact on our daily lives. Risk factors over our lifespans may change but they don’t magically disappear once we hit a certain age. Illness, grief, financial stress, social isolation, and life transitions such as menopause can all be <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/older-people-and-mental-health">contributing factors</a> of poor mental health for older adults. Creating art can ease symptoms as we refocus on what we’re creating and move thoughts away from overthinking and worry. Creating art releases <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.rtor.org/2018/07/10/benefits-of-art-therapy/">dopamine,</a> the chemical responsible for allowing us to feel pleasure and satisfaction. This further reduces bothersome symptoms of anxiety and depression. Also, participating in art therapy leads to a more creative brain. A creative brain is better equipped to create stress-relieving techniques for other areas of our lives. Through creating art, we draw the fears that are inside our minds. This takes them out of our heads and places them away from us, helping us feel more in control. Recovering from <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.interrelate.org.au/news-media/blogs/november-2021/how-art-can-heal-trauma">trauma</a> can be a lifelong process for many, and it’s important for someone dealing with it to find tools that will help this process. Art therapy can be one of those as it can give a sense of agency and self-understanding through the ability to express feelings symbolically. This can give <a style="color: blue;" href="https://anzacata.org/About-CAT">new perspectives</a> of ourselves and our worldview which is essential in the recovery process. It can also help connect with deeply stored emotions and help process them. Self-discovery: When we are younger we are often so busy working, socialising, and raising a family many of us never get a chance to take the time out for <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.visionpsychology.com/starting-the-process-of-self-discovery/">self-discovery</a>. Self-discovery is important in our lives as it gives us a clearer sense of purpose and direction in life. In turn, this leads to making better decisions that lead to our overall happiness. Some of us see our kids leave home and suddenly we’re left wondering, who am I when I don’t have a family to care for? Creating art can help us acknowledge and recognise feelings that have been suppressed in our subconscious. Through learning to use different techniques of art our minds open up to thinking more freely. Self-discovery comes from both the finished product we create as well as the process of making it. Self-esteem: As we age, it’s easy to look in the mirror and struggle to recognise the person we see. Our bodies are changing, and it can often feel like society doesn’t value us as much as when we were young. It can be a major shift in the way we view ourselves and lead to poor self-esteem. Art therapy teaches us how to use a variety of media to create something new. We can develop talents and see strengths as we master new materials and see the completion of projects. This sense of accomplishment can be a big leg up to our <a style="color: blue;" href="https://artbusinessnews.com/2022/01/benefits-of-art-therapy/">self-esteem.</a> A sense of community: <a style="color: blue;" href="https://likefamily.com.au/blog/what-is-loneliness-and-how-does-it-affect-someone/">Loneliness</a> is a big contributor to poor mental health. <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.psychiatrist.com/news/study-why-older-people-feel-so-lonely/">Studies</a> show two groups of people are most at risk: young adults and older people. With factors at our age such as children leaving home, not working as much or at all, living alone, and chronic illness, it’s easy to see how loneliness can creep into our lives. Group art therapy is a wonderful way to connect with others. We share a space with those who have similar interests, and it gives us a sense of belonging. For those who can't make a session in person due to distance or illness, some therapists offer <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.artandplaytherapytraining.com.au/art_therapy">online group art therapy</a>. You don’t need to see an art therapist to get the mental health benefits of creating art. But the advantage of that is they have the skills to work out what best suits your needs. They’ll also work with you through any tough emotions that may arise from your art therapy. So maybe it’s time to hide those new coloured pencils from the little ones, crack them open, and enjoy them yourself! If you’d like to find out more about art therapy sessions, the links below are helpful. They offer online, in person and group sessions. <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.zevaarttherapy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.zevaarttherapy.com/</a> <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.alliedarttherapy.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.alliedarttherapy.com.au/</a> <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.solacecreativetherapies.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.solacecreativetherapies.com.au/</a> <a style="color: blue;" href="https://cata.org.au/programs-ndis/online-creative-art-therapy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://cata.org.au/programs-ndis/online-creative-art-therapy/</a> And for some more ideas on dabbling in art therapy on your own (or with a friend), check out Shelley Klammer’s amazing resources. She is US-based but has some online workshops that are also amazing: <a style="color: blue;" href="https://www.expressiveartworkshops.com/expressive-art-resources/100-art-therapy-exercises/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.expressiveartworkshops.com/expressive-art-resources/100-art-therapy-exercises/</a> Article written by Kylie Carberry Image: Shutterstock

Mind

AFP commander resigns after drink driving accident

Former Australian Federal Police commander Danielle Anne Woodward has resigned after she drunkenly crashed her car into a tree following a police function in Canberra. The Olympic medalist pleaded guilty to a drink driving charge in the ACT Magistrates Court after blowing nearly three times the legal limit in November 2023. Woodward had attended an end-of-year function on the night of the accident, and intended to walk home or catch an Uber, but felt unwell after drinking champagne, so she decided to take the short drive back home. However, she crashed into a tree on her way home causing “extensive front-end damage” to her Mercedes-Benz. After getting help from members of the public, she immediately reported the incident to her supervisor and told him she had alcohol in her system. She also reportedly co-operated with lower-ranking officials who attended the scene, with the defence saying that she was "frank in her submission". "She was certainly not belligerent," Woodward's lawyer Michael Kukulies-Smith told the court. She was then arrested and taken to the police station for a breath analysis, which came back with a reading of 0.148. A police statement of facts also said that officers found Woodward with a flushed face and sleepy, watery eyes. “Police could smell a strong odour of intoxicating liquor emanating from [Woodward] and formed the opinion that [she] was well under the influence,” the statement of facts read. The court also heard that Woodward had been experiencing a "high level" of stress from her job, so had "at times resorted to alcohol, in a way she has been able to control." "The offending conduct is not only out of character … [but] her actions are usually the complete opposite. They're usually designed to benefit and protect the community," prosecutor Samuel Carmichael said. Woodward's lawyer asked Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker to record a non-conviction, as this was a "one off" offence, and the media coverage of the accident had already caused her "an unusual degree of reputational damage", which has impacted her mental health and career. While Magistrate Walker agreed to a non-conviction, she said that a general deterrence still needed to be served, with Woodward disqualified from driving for six months, taking into account a 90-day immediate suspension notice that was issued after the crash. The Chief Magistrate told the court: "What ultimately influences me … is Ms Woodward is a woman suffering from ill health. "It is often people of good standing in this community … who find themselves before the court for this type of offence." She also said that Woodward had shown “obvious and palpable” remorse, and was not someone who would ordinarily demonstrate “this level of stupidity”. Woodward was a highly decorated police officer who worked for the AFP for almost four decades. She became a commander in 2022 and received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2002. In 2020 she was awarded the Australian Police Medal in the Australia Day honours. Prior to her role in the AFP, she was a a triple Olympian in slalom canoeing and won a silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Image: ABC News

Legal

Here’s why having chocolate can make you feel great or a bit sick – plus 4 tips for better eating

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/saman-khalesi-366871">Saman Khalesi</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a> Australians are <a href="https://www.retail.org.au/media/sweet-spending-boon-predicted-for-easter-retail">predicted</a> to spend around A$1.7 billion on chocolates, hot cross buns and other special foods this Easter season. Chocolate has a long history of production and consumption. It is made from cacao beans that go through processes including fermentation, drying, roasting and grounding. What is left is a rich and fatty liquor that is pressed to remove the fat (cocoa butter) and the cacao (or “cocoa”) powder which will then be mixed with different ingredients to produce dark, milk, white and other types of chocolates. There are several health benefits and potential problems that come in these sweet chocolatey packages. <h2>The good news</h2> Cacao beans contain <a href="https://foodstruct.com/food/cocoa-bean">minerals</a> like iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus and some vitamins. They are also rich in beneficial chemicals called <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23150750/">polyphenols</a>. These are great antioxidants, with the potential to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5465250/">improve heart health</a>, increase <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25164923/">nitric oxide</a> (which dilates blood vessels) and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3488419/">reduce blood pressure</a>, provide food for gut microbiota and <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/7/1908">promote gut health</a>, boost the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5465250/">immune system</a> and reduce inflammation. However, the concentration of polyphenols in the chocolate we eat depends largely on the cocoa solid amounts used in the final product. In general terms, the darker the chocolate, the more cocoa solids, minerals and polyphenols it has. For example, dark chocolates may have around <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10942912.2011.614984">seven times more polyphenols</a> compared to white chocolates and <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10942912.2011.614984">three times more polyphenols</a> compared to milk chocolates. <h2>But also some bad news</h2> Unfortunately, the <a href="https://theconversation.com/treat-or-treatment-chocolate-is-good-but-cocoa-is-better-for-your-heart-3084">health benefits of cocoa solids</a> are easily offset by the high sugar and fat content of modern-day chocolates. For example, milk and white chocolate eggs are on average 50% sugar, 40% fat (mostly saturated fats) – which means a lot of added kilojoules (calories). Also, there may be some side effects that come with ingesting chocolate. Cocoa beans include a compound called theobromine. While it has the anti-inflammatory properties responsible for some of the health benefits of chocolate, it is also a mild brain stimulant that acts in a similar way to caffeine. The mood boost it offers may also be partly responsible for how much we <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2015.00030/full?crsi=662496658&cicada_org_src=healthwebmagazine.com&cicada_org_mdm=direct">like chocolate</a>. Dark chocolate has higher theobromine compared to milk and white chocolate. But accordingly, overindulging in chocolate (and therefore theobromine) may lead to feeling restless, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3672386/">headaches</a> and nausea. <h2>What else is in your chocolate?</h2> Milk and dairy-based chocolates may also cause stomach upset, abdominal pain and bloating in people with <a href="https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/health-advice/lactose-intolerance">lactose intolerance</a>. This happens when we don’t produce enough lactase enzymes to digest milk sugar (lactose). People with lactose intolerance can usually tolerate up to 6 grams of lactose without showing symptoms. Milk chocolate can have around <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310258/">3 grams of lactose</a> per 40 grams (the size of a standard chocolate bar). So two chocolate bars (or the equivalent in milk chocolate eggs or bunnies) may be enough to cause symptoms. It’s worth noting that lactase enzyme activity dramatically declines as we age, with the highest activity in newborns and children. So lactose sensitivity or intolerance may not be such an issue for your kids and your symptoms may increase over time. Genetics also plays a major role in how sensitive people are to lactose. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6815241/">Allergic reactions</a> to chocolate are usually due to the added ingredients or cross-contamination with potential allergens such as nuts, milk, soy, and some sweeteners used in the production of chocolate. Symptoms can be mild (acne, rashes and stomach pain) or more severe (swelling of the throat and tongue and shortness of breath). If you or your family members have known allergic reactions, make sure you read the label before indulging – especially in a whole block or basket of the stuff. And if you or your family members do experience symptoms of an allergic reaction after eating chocolate, <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/allergic-reactions-emergency-first-aid">seek medical attention</a> immediately. <h2>4 take home tips</h2> So, if you are like me and have a weakness for chocolate there are a few things you can do to make the experience a good one.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/202848/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <ol> <li>keep an eye out for the darker chocolate varieties with higher cocoa solids. You may notice a percentage on labelling, which refers to how much of its weight is from cocoa beans. In general, the higher this percentage, the lower the sugar. White chocolate has almost no cocoa solid, and mostly cocoa butter, sugar and other ingredients. Dark chocolate has 50–100% cocoa beans, and less sugar. Aim for at least 70% cocoa</li> <li>read the fine print for additives and possible cross-contamination, especially if allergies might be an issue</li> <li>the ingredients list and nutrition information panel should tell you all about the chocolate you choosing. Go for varieties with lower sugar and less saturated fat. Nuts, seeds and dried fruits are better ingredients to have in your chocolate than sugar, creme, syrup, and caramel</li> <li>finally, treat yourself – but keep the amount you have within sensible limits!</li> </ol> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/saman-khalesi-366871">Saman Khalesi</a>, Postdoctoral Fellow of the National Heart Foundation & Senior Lecturer and Discipline Lead in Nutrition, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/heres-why-having-chocolate-can-make-you-feel-great-or-a-bit-sick-plus-4-tips-for-better-eating-202848">original article</a>.

Food & Wine

"I have some very big news": Today host announces shock resignation

In a shock announcement on Friday morning, beloved Today show presenter Brooke Boney revealed that she will be bidding farewell to the morning program. Boney, known for her vibrant presence and insightful reporting, has been an integral part of the show since 2019, captivating audiences with her charisma and professionalism. However, her journey is about to take a new turn as she embarks on a remarkable academic pursuit at Oxford University. “Guys, I have some very big news for you this morning," Boney said to her co-hosts on the panel. "I’ve been offered a place at Oxford University later this year, which means I’ll be leaving the show after the Olympics “I don’t want to go into too much right now, because there’ll be plenty of time for goodbyes and thank yous, but I just wanted to share that good-slash-bad news with you all this morning. “It’s been a dream of mine to be able to study at an overseas university, and it just felt like the right time to take that step. “I’m so grateful to come in here every day and I love you all so much. So it’s made the decision really difficult. But it just means that you’ll all have to plan trips to the UK to come and visit." The news of Boney's departure stirred a wave of emotions among fans and colleagues alike. With tears and heartfelt messages, the tight-knit morning show panel expressed their pride and support for her next endeavour. Co-hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo showered Boney with words of encouragement, acknowledging her longstanding dream of studying at an overseas university. “We are very, very proud of you,” Stefanovic said. “So proud of you,” Abo added. Boney's journey to this pivotal moment has been marked by dedication and perseverance. Hailing from the Hunter Region of NSW, she discovered her passion for media at a young age, volunteering at a local community radio station. Her path led her to Sydney, where she pursued an advertising cadetship before delving into university education as a mature-age student. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in 2013, Boney's career trajectory took her to various roles, from political correspondent to newsreader on Triple J's breakfast show. Now, as she prepares to embark on a Masters in Public Policy at Oxford University, Boney reflected on the significance of this opportunity. "I thought if I don't do this now, then I'm probably never going to," she shared. While bidding farewell to the Today show, Boney reassured viewers that her departure is not the end of her journey with Nine. Expressing her desire to explore future collaborations with the network, she remains optimistic about the possibilities that lie ahead. As Brooke Boney prepares to embark on her next chapter, her legacy as a trailblazing journalist and cherished presenter continues to inspire. As she bids adieu to the morning show, audiences eagerly await the next chapter in her remarkable journey. Images: Nine

Heroic great-grandma saves two-year-old from collapsed ceiling

In a heart-stopping moment of bravery and maternal instinct, 88-year-old Nicky Panagiotidis shielded her great-grandson, two-year-old Harvey, from a collapsing ceiling in their Melbourne home. The incident occurred at Panagiotidis' residence in Ascot Vale, where she was caring for Harvey late in the afternoon. According to Harvey's mother, Nicole Brown, the terrifying ordeal unfolded suddenly. As the ceiling began to crack, Panagiotidis swiftly reacted, rolling over off the couch to cover young Harvey with her own body. Brown, overwhelmed with gratitude and admiration for her grandmother's quick thinking, remarked, "I just know that motherly instinct that she has went through her to be a hero - she is actually a hero for him," <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/ascot-vale-great-grandmother-saves-grandson-from-ceiling-collapse/9f2bd38f-5254-4f53-981b-e3fb4b9c1bd9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">she told 9News</a>. In a moment of urgency, Panagiotidis managed to contact her daughter, Julie Polimos, informing her of the dire situation: "The ceiling is on top of me and we can't move." Emergency services promptly arrived at the scene, discovering the pair with thankfully minimal injuries. Despite the trauma of the event, Panagiotidis displayed remarkable resilience. Despite suffering bruising on her back and shoulders, she managed to walk to the ambulance and was later discharged from the hospital. Speaking of her mother's strength, Polimos highlighted Panagiotidis' dedication to traditional values, noting her commitment to home-cooked Greek Mediterranean meals over takeaways. "She doesn't buy takeaways, she always cooks home meals... Greek Mediterranean meals," Polimos proudly stated. The family attributes the ceiling collapse to a water leak, which they had noticed a week prior, observing cracks and sagging in the structure. However, amidst the unfortunate circumstances, they are immensely grateful for the fortunate outcome and the selfless actions of Panagiotidis, which will undoubtedly be remembered as a testament to the extraordinary love shared within the family. Images: 9News

Family & Pets

Elite school headmaster resigns in the wake of damning exposé

The headmaster at an elite Sydney school has resigned after a damning exposé about historic toxicity and sexism within the school. Cranbrook School headmaster Nicholas Sampson announced his resignation on Thursday night after an emergency meeting was called to discuss the serious allegations made by former staff members in an episode of Four Corners. In the damning episode, former staffers shared their experiences of the "toxic boys's club" and systemic sexism in the school, which the <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/elite-school-teacher-blackmailed-for-naked-photos-by-student" target="_blank" rel="noopener">female teachers</a> allege was swept under the rug by the headmaster and his deputy. <p class="paragraph_paragraph___QITb" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">In a statement to the school community on Friday morning, the council said, "The circumstances of the matter and subsequently Mr Sampson's failure to disclose the matter to the current School Council in the context of this week's ABC Four Corners broadcast, have led to an irrevocable breakdown of trust between the Headmaster and the School Council." <p class="paragraph_paragraph___QITb" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">"The School Council communicated this to Mr Sampson and this morning received his resignation." The council said it, "deeply regrets the distress to our students, our staff, our parents, our alumni and the broader Cranbrook family arising from the current circumstances". Sampson's resignation comes after revelations he kept a teacher on staff after discovering he sent multiple graphic emails to a former female student. The teacher in question was still working at Cranbrook this week and had recently been promoted. Cranbrook confirmed on Friday he is now on immediate leave pending an investigation. Image credits: Cranbook School

Legal

Our Partners

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

The Great Wheelie Bin Debate rolls on: What's the correct way?!

Happy news after AFL great's devastating diagnosis

Radio presenter resigns after cancer diagnosis

"Mum grew great dope": Son's hilariously honest tribute goes viral

Readers response: What celebrity do you think would make a great friend, and why?

"Heavy heart": Susie O'Neill breaks down as she resigns live on air

Great-grandmother celebrated her 93rd birthday by skydiving

Another Channel Seven presenter announces shock resignation

"You are terrible": Brutal comment that drove Paralympian to greatness

“Great initiative”: Airline's world first move to make female travellers safer

"Worst nightmare”: Great-grandma confronts violent home intruder

"The issue is, he's alive": AFL mistakenly commemorates Hawthorn great

"Why is the water so salty?" and other priceless questions from clueless tourists

AFL great's son in induced coma after mystery brain infection

5 reasons art therapy is great for your mental health as you age

AFP commander resigns after drink driving accident

Here’s why having chocolate can make you feel great or a bit sick – plus 4 tips for better eating

"I have some very big news": Today host announces shock resignation

Heroic great-grandma saves two-year-old from collapsed ceiling

Elite school headmaster resigns in the wake of damning exposé

Our Partners