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West Side Story returns to Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour

Get ready to snap your fingers, tap your toes and experience the magic of Broadway in Sydney as Opera Australia presents the electrifying musical extravaganza West Side Story – making its triumphant return to the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour stage in 2024. The 2019 production of West Side Story, if you were fortunate enough to grab seats, was an absolute smash hit. With record-breaking ticket sales and rave reviews, it's no wonder this show stole the hearts of over 65,000 theatre and musical buffs. Directed by the incomparable Francesca Zambello, West Side Story promises to once again whisk audiences away to the bustling streets of New York City, complete with iconic songs, heart-pounding dance numbers, and enough drama to fill the harbour twice over. Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's musical masterpiece will once again take centre stage, accompanied by Jerome Robbins' legendary choreography – and this year, we were fortunate enough to be able to pose a few pre-performance questions to none other than Guy Simpson, the show’s musical director, and the all-singing, all-dancing Wayne Scott Kermond, who is playing “Doc” onstage. Let’s raise the curtain and see what they have to say! <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2024/03/Guy-Simpson.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Guy Simpson Guy Simpson, a seasoned musical director with nearly 45 years of experience, boasts an illustrious career spanning global productions. Notably, his involvement with iconic shows like Miss Saigon and The Phantom of the Opera has taken him across continents, from Australia to Asia and beyond. Simpson's extensive repertoire includes serving as Musical Supervisor and Director for Opera Australia's acclaimed productions such as Evita, My Fair Lady, and of course West Side Story. Additionally, his contributions as an orchestrator and producer of cast recordings further solidify his stature in the musical theatre realm. With credits ranging from beloved classics like Les Misérables to contemporary hits like Muriel's Wedding, Simpson's versatile talent continues to enrich the world of musical theatre on an international scale. OverSixty: What memories do you have of your first time working on West Side Story – when was it and what was the experience like? Guy: “I was a rehearsal pianist for the 1983 production of West Side Story. The conductor was Dobbs Franks, who came from the US to conduct the first production of the show in 1960. So I was lucky to learn the show from him. I wasn’t in the orchestra and had tickets to watch opening night but during the afternoon of that day I received a call to play in the orchestra that night because the pianist was unwell. I’ll never forget that! Since then I have conducted three seasons of the show and learn more and more about it each time.” OverSixty: What were Bernstein’s influences and what impact did Bernstein’s score have when the musical first premiered? And why do you think it remains so recognised today? Guy: “Bernstein was influenced by many things. There is an <a href="https://www.wrti.org/arts-desk/2018-08-23/the-surprising-backstory-to-west-side-story" target="_blank" rel="noopener">excellent article by Debra Lew Harder</a> that outlines these influences. I love the combination of Jewish themes, Puerto Rican rhythm, Mexican dance music and of course American jazz. His classical roots also come in here – especially the music of Aaron Copland and George Gershwin. The genius is Bernstein's ability to blend all this into a score that tells the story so brilliantly." OverSixty: What’s your favourite moment in the music that audiences might not always notice but could listen out for? Guy: I like what is known as ‘THE BALCONY SCENE’. Most people will know it as the iconic love duet ‘TONIGHT’. In the show this scene moves between spoken dialogue (with underscoring), into the song and back into dialogue in a wonderfully cohesive way. It is so well crafted and is quite a challenge for the conductor to fit the music with the dialogue in a seamless way. I also love the scene in the bridal shop that includes the song ‘ONE HAND ONE HEART’. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2024/03/Wayne-Scott-Kermond-as-Doc.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Wayne Scott Kermond Wayne Scott Kermond, hailing from a rich lineage of Australian Vaudeville performers, epitomises the essence of musical theatre, comedy and cabaret. With a repertoire spanning from Anything Goes to Hairspray, including acclaimed performances in several productions of West Side Story, Kermond's versatility shines through. Additionally, he's showcased his creative prowess as the creator and star of captivating cabaret shows such as Candy Man and Jive Junkys. Beyond the stage, Kermond's talents extend to film, where he's contributed to projects like Happy Feet 1 & 2, and as a respected scriptwriter and director for various musicals, cabarets and corporate events. With accolades including a Green Room Award and Mo Award, alongside nominations for Helpmann Awards, Kermond's exceptional abilities and esteemed showbiz heritage solidify his status as an extraordinary Australian talent. OverSixty: You and Guy first worked on this musical 40 years ago, how does it feel to be coming back together on the Handa Opera version? Wayne: “I first performed in West Side Story at the old Her Majesty’s Theatre (Sydney), 40 years ago playing the youngest member of the Jets gang, ‘Baby John’, and then again in another fabulous production touring Australia / New Zealand in the mid-nineties playing Arab. And so it was lovely to be reminded by Guy on the first day of rehearsals for this season how special it is to us both, here we are, doing it again, just a little greyer." “We shared a few laughs about ‘where did that time go?’, and how ‘young’ we still look after all these years. It’s so great to work with Guy again, I think the last show we did together was Chicago, back in the late nineties. So with Guy's huge amount of expertise and experience at the helm as our Musical Director the show is in great hands. Wait till you hear the amazing Orchestra.” OverSixty: What about this musical’s story, lyrics, etc resonate with you and why do you think it keeps being seen on stage? Can it appeal to all ages? Wayne: “West Side Story is as iconic to music theatre as Swan Lake is to ballet. All great musicals such as West Side have to have a great love story; West Side certainly has that. And to add to that, also an incredible score, dynamic original choreography and a beautifully written book makes it a triple threat. That's why it stands the test of time – it's an inter-generational piece, whose story and message still stands today, which is the reason why I’m now getting the opportunity to play an adult character ‘Doc’ in this OA production 40 years later, as it will be for another artist, in another 40 years' time.” OverSixty: What’s your favourite moment in the show and why? Wayne: It is very difficult to say there is a favourite moment as there are so many. The whole journey of the show is something everyone who loves theatre should experience. The Prologue, Dance at the Gym, America, Cool, Tonight, Something's Comin, and not forgetting the Quintet powerhouse... Every part of this show is special, whether you're seeing the show for the first time or for the tenth time, it’s exhilarating, poignant and moving." “It’s especially wonderful for me to have been given the opportunity to revisit the show, after all these years later as a performer. And it’s very exciting to watch another generation of performers being given the opportunity to experience such an exceptional piece of theatre.” So, mark your calendars, Sydney-siders, because Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is about to serve up a theatrical experience like no other. With world-class performances, breathtaking views of the harbour, and enough fireworks to make New Year's Eve jealous, this is one event you won't want to miss. So grab your tickets, grab your friends, and get ready to experience the magic of West Side Story like never before. See you at the opera! For more information and ticket sales, check out <a href="https://opera.org.au/productions/west-side-story-on-sydney-harbour/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">opera.org.au/harbour</a> All images: Supplied

Domestic Travel

Woman bitten by shark in Sydney Harbour identified

A 29-year-old woman may lose her leg after being bitten by a bull shark while swimming in Sydney Harbour. On Monday night, Lauren O'Neill went for an evening swim near a private wharf in Elizabeth Bay when she was attacked by the shark, screaming out to neighbours for help. Michael Porter told NCA NewsWire he had just gotten home from work when he heard the woman’s scream. “I saw Lauren climbing out of the Harbour on the ladder and she was sort of pulling herself up quite weakly, she didn’t have much strength and there was a whole pool of red blood in the Harbour,” Mr Porter said. “Her leg was limp.” An ambulance was called and transported Lauren to St Vincent's Hospital, where she remains with "serious injuries". While her condition is stable, the 29-year-old is facing the possibility of losing her leg. Marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/woman-bitten-in-sydney-harbour-shark-attack/news-story/c59017954729f2452efc7f26a8a3f0b1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a> it was “highly likely” to be a bull shark that bit Ms O'Neill, and warned people against swimming in the harbour, particularly in low light. “Bull sharks know they can come into Sydney Harbour and score an opportunistic feed,” he said. “If they can’t see or the water is cloudy, these animals will bite just to determine what something is and whether it’s prey. Unfortunately, Sydney Harbour after dusk is simply not a safe place to swim.” Image credits: Instagram / Nine News

Caring

Billy Joel lists New York estate for $73 million

Legendary rocker Billy Joel is <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/music/billy-joel-in-tears-over-career-announcement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying goodbye to The Big Apple</a> as he prepares to sell his jaw-dropping estate. The New York native’s property on the affluent Oyster Bay Harbour has a price guide of a staggering US$49 million (AU$73.4 million). According to the Wall Street Journal, the 26-acre estate comprises the original 14-acre property Joel bought for $22.5 million in 2002 and the adjoining area he’s purchased over the years. The property covers more than 600m of frontage on Centre Island, with the focal point of the estate being the 1,858 sqm main house with breathtaking water views. The home includes five bedrooms, six bathrooms, two half-baths, a playroom, a spa and hair salon, a bowling alley, and a wine centre. There is also an indoor pool, which the Piano Man singer has covered up to use as a music room as it offers fantastic acoustics, according to listing agent Bonnie Williamson, of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty. Parts of the main house are under renovation and are expected to be finished over the next several months. The magnificent estate also has a three-bedroom beach house, a three-bedroom guest apartment, and a four-bedroom gatehouse. Other amenities include a floating dock and boat ramp, two outdoor pools, and a helicopter pad. Image credit: Getty / Realestate.com.au

Real Estate

Tourist faces $10k fine for jumping into iconic harbour

Footage surfaced online of the man leaping from Opera Bar, just a few metres away from the Opera House. While his jump was certainly surprising, what shocked viewers was the hefty fine the tourist could be slapped with following his return from the water. Security helped the man back over the harbour ledge before telling him the risky stunt could see him $10,000 poorer. <iframe title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7235491102143401234&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40futuretravellers23%2Fvideo%2F7235491102143401234%3Flang%3Den&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2Fo03m1enFIeAeQNC0aCDgjQIXDXzvbjDTIIabA4%3Fx-expires%3D1686200400%26x-signature%3DoWRm%252BIslhOfB81xvrV77sRxfWog%253D&key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> “Well there's a very good reason why you've never seen anyone jump into the sea from the Opera House... I'll show you why,' Future Travellers said in a TikTok clip. In a second TikTok, the young man is seen talking to a group of police officers.<iframe title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7239141948261534984&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40futuretravellers23%2Fvideo%2F7239141948261534984%3Flang%3Den&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2Fbc76967996de4cefb23cfe5e6930fddc_1685494092%3Fx-expires%3D1686200400%26x-signature%3DSY8QPztxLxbP%252FPfYm4itGUmYloE%253D&key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> However, a number of viewers commenting about the eye-watering fine also noted it was the least of the swimmer’s worries. "I'm a Sydney gal and it's not the $10,000 that scares me, it's the huge bull sharks that lurk in those waters,' one person wrote. “It’s a busy shipping lane and if it was full of floating tourists the ferries couldn't run,” another said. “I'm sure if he got run over by ferry his family would be suing NSW government for compensation,” a third added. Others were skeptical of the large fine. The official fine for swimming around the Opera House is a maximum of $1,100 with the law stating a person must not “swim to and enter on any part of the Opera House premises or swim from any part of those premises”. Several others were impressed by the young man’s jump and slammed NSW for being a “nanny state”. “Welcome to Sydney, please do not do anything,” one person remarked. “This guy is an absolute legend,” another wrote. 'Only $10,000 per dip? It's probably cheaper to live in the harbour than some apartments. Sign me up,' a third joked. “Australia has a fine for everything,” another claimed. Earlier footage of the risky trick was shared alongside a montage of the tourist showing his British mum around Australia. The first video left viewers astounded with one writing, “In all my life living in Sydney I've never seen anyone jump in at the opera house!” Image credit: TikTok

Travel Trouble

How Ryan Gosling shut down Sydney Harbour Bridge

Footage has emerged from the set of Ryan Gosling’s new film The Fall Guy, which was filmed on the Sydney Harbour Bridge this Sunday. The iconic bridge was shut off in both directions today from 3 am to 10 am, with commuters redirected as the structure was closed off. The cycleway and footpath was also closed from 5.30 am to 10am. In a clip shared on Sunrise on Monday, Gosling's stunt double can be seen filming the high-speed stunt. The stunt double was filmed during an action-packed chase, where he was holding on to a shovel that was hanging on the back of a truck that sped across the Harbour Bridge. The actor and his stunt double were seen talking on set, wearing the same outfit, the red bomber jacket and the actor's stunning looks standing out in the picture. The Fall Guy is a movie adaptation of a 1980s TV series about a crime-fighting stuntman. Gosling, his wife Eva Mendes and their two children touched down in Sydney last September. The power couple have been spotted multiple times in Sydney, running errands, hanging out at a park in Rose bay, and trick-or-treating as a family in Bondi last Halloween. Image: Sunrise/ Bill Hearne

Movies

Former Nine mogul John Westacott dies in Sydney Harbour

A man who died after falling from a boat in Sydney Harbour over the weekend has been identified as former Nine Network titan John Westacott, the network’s former head of news and current affairs. Emergency services arrived at the harbour near Vaucluse at about 1.30pm on Sunday, after Mr Westacott fell off the boat near Neilson’s Park, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, after suffering from a suspected medical episode, as reported by The Guardian. Mr Westacott was helped from the water by police and treated by paramedics onshore. He was unable to be revived and died at the scene. According to a statement from NSW Police on Sunday, an 18-year-old man was also onboard at the time and was uninjured and returned to shore. Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the 73-year-old’s death, with a report to be prepared for the coroner. Mr Westacott is survived by his wife Cecile and two sons. On Monday, Channel Nine released a statement paying tribute to Mr Westacott as a trailblazer in Australian television. “He was the longest-serving and most successful Executive Producer of 60 Minutes, a driving force of A Current Affair and a visionary with Nine as the National Director of News and Current Affairs,” Director of TV Michael Healy and Darren Wick, the National Director of News and Current Affairs, said in a joint statement. “Westy was an enigma. There was no-one like him. He didn‘t care about political correctness and would publicly declare that. “He didn‘t care where you came from, nor about your gender, ethnicity or religious and political beliefs. He cared about whether you had the passion and ability to tell a great story. “Westy made Nine a better place. He was a big vision, big picture person who made us all reach for the stars and land on them. “We will miss him.” Channel Seven TV executive Mark Llewellyn told The Daily Telegraph of Mr Westacott’s love of sailing and news, recalling one time where took part in the 1994 Sydney to Hobart as a 60 Minutes reporter and deckhand. “Westy loved the news game almost as much as he loved sailing,” Mr Llewellyn said. “If he could combine the two he would be in seventh heaven - in fact, he did. Once sailing his little yacht in the treacherous Sydney to Hobart with Charles Wooley as both seasick deckhand and 60 Minutes reporter. Pure Westy! “He hated to lose, loved to get the big yarns and always dreamt of the next scoop. “He made friends, made enemies, made bloody memorable TV and now sails to a better place.” Mr Westacott worked at Nine for more than 20 years, serving as 60 Minutes' executive producer for 16 years and enjoying a stint as executive producer of A Current Affair before going on to become the head of news and current affairs. Despite retiring in 2009, Mr Westacott returned to Nine as a part-time consultant for 60 Minutes before he was made redundant in 2012. Image: Nine

News

About 200 dead whales have been towed out to sea off Tasmania – and what happens next is a true marvel of nature

Australians watched in horror as 230 pilot whales became stranded at a beach near Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s west coast. Some whales were saved, but the vast majority died. This left a big problem: what to do with all the rotting whale carcasses? Authorities decided to tow the dead animals out to sea, hoping they’ll eventually sink to the seafloor. Such mass whale strandings are sad to witness. But in this case, the aftermath presents a fascinating opportunity for scientific discovery. As the dead whales decompose, an astonishing and rare chain of events is likely to flow through the marine ecosystem – ultimately leading to an explosion of activity and new life. <h2>A 600-tonne problem</h2> Mass whale strandings happen fairly regularly – especially in Tasmania – yet no one really knows why. Days before this latest incident, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-20/sperm-whales-stranded-off-king-island-tasmania/101457406" target="_blank" rel="noopener">14 sperm whales</a> became stranded off King Island, northwest of Tasmania. And in 2020, about 470 pilot whales <a href="https://theconversation.com/like-trying-to-find-the-door-in-a-dark-room-while-hearing-your-relatives-scream-for-help-tasmanias-whale-stranding-tragedy-explained-146674" target="_blank" rel="noopener">became stranded</a> at Macquarie Harbour. While many were pulled out to sea, some of those carcasses washed up and were left to rot on the beach – an entirely natural process. However, pilot whales are big animals. Males weigh up to 2,300kg, which means they take a long time to decompose. The smell of two tonnes of rotting whale blubber soon becomes unbearable, so carcasses are frequently buried. This time around, authorities <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-25/whale-carcasses-towed-out-to-sea-after-mass-stranding/101471166" target="_blank" rel="noopener">decided to tow</a> the dead animals out to sea. The ABC reported local salmon farm workers took almost 11 hours to dispose of 204 dead whales with a combined weight of between 500 and 600 tonnes. They were tied to a 400 metre-long rope and towed by boats for 40 kilometres, before being dropped into deep water in the Indian Ocean. Some carcasses may wash back to shore, but most are likely to disperse with the tides and currents. <h2>Shark bait? Probably not</h2> The big question is: what happens to all that whale mass dumped at sea? Initially, a dead whale tends to float to the surface as it begins to decompose and its innards expand with gas. As this happens, ocean scavengers such as sharks and seabirds are likely to feast on the remains. Some people <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-14/do-buried-whale-carcasses-really-attract-sharks/10996512" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can be concerned</a> that whale carcasses attract sharks that might pose a risk to humans. Granted, encounters between sharks and humans, are <a href="https://theconversation.com/fatal-shark-attacks-are-at-a-record-high-deterrent-devices-can-help-but-some-may-be-nothing-but-snake-oil-150845" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on the rise</a> in Australia and elsewhere. But they’re still very rare. A <a href="https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/167613/swim-humpback-whales-risks-sharks.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> to the Western Australian government in 2012 found whale carcasses were a risk factors associated with shark attacks, and said caution should be exercised near a dead whale in the water. But the same report noted that of 26 shark attacks investigated, the highest number occurred more than a kilometre offshore. While there is no doubt <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00655" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sharks are attracted to dead whales</a>, the data is <a href="https://hakaimagazine.com/news/beached-whales-are-a-lure-for-hungry-sharks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not clear</a> on whether a whale carcass leads directly to an increase in shark attacks on people. Research <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989419301854?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has shown</a> the likelihood of whale carcasses washing towards shore, where shark scavenging can be observed, is low. So as long as the carcass is taken far from shore and people keep their distance from it, the threat to humans from shark encounters appears to be exceedingly low. <h2>From death comes new life</h2> Inevitably, the whale carcass will start to sink. Most life in the ocean is found fairly close to the sea surface, so if the water is relatively shallow much of what’s left of the carcass will be quickly eaten by scavengers once it reaches the sea floor. But these carcasses have been disposed of in deep water. The deep ocean can be a barren place, where rich food sources are rare. So the appearance of a single whale carcass can supercharge an entire ecosystem. New life and activity can erupt around the dead animal in very little time. This process is known as “whale fall” and has been studied by scientists, sometimes using remotely operated vehicles. On the seafloor of the North Pacific, whale fall has been found to <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.885572/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">support the survival</a> of at least 12,490 organisms of 43 species. Deep sea sharks will make the most of the carcass. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZzQhiNQXxU" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A host of other animals</a> including hagfish, octopus, crabs, lobsters, worms and sea cucumbers will join in too. All the while bacteria work away quietly in the background. <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-happens-when-whales-die.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to</a> Britain’s Natural History Museum, a single whale can provide animals with food for up to two years during the scavenging stage. Other animals and bacteria survive off the chemicals produced from the rotting carcass. These organisms, known as “chemotrophs” were thought to be unique to underwater volcanic vents, where they use hydrogen sulphide as the principal energy source. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2016.2337" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Research</a> has shown a similar suite of animals recruit around dead and decaying whales – generating a completely independent ecosystem based on a gas that <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-happens-when-whales-die.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">smells like rotten eggs</a>. Only a few organisms can break down the bones that remain, in a process that might take up to ten years. So take a moment to consider the effect of 204 whale falls in a small part of the ocean off Tasmania. Right now, they are probably generating interconnected marine metropolises, the likes of which are rarely seen. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/about-200-dead-whales-have-been-towed-out-to-sea-off-tasmania-and-what-happens-next-is-a-true-marvel-of-nature-191340" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Twitter

Travel Trouble

"Almost knocked me out": Shaq and Hasbulla's Sydney Harbour stoush

Pint-sized superstar Hasbulla has finally touched down in Sydney, sending his huge fanbase into a frenzy. The social media sensation shared a cheeky clip on his Instagram story over the weekend of him and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal together on a yacht in Sydney Harbour. Quite the mischievous start flowered into a beautiful friendship between two of the most popular celebrities on the planet. The pair were both in Sydney for public engagements and while it remains unclear why they linked up, the meeting sent social media crazy with everyone buzzing over the adorable clip. The video posted to Shaquille’s Instagram from aboard the yacht shows Hasbulla playfully striking the three-time NBA champion. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChwWdsbs7KX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChwWdsbs7KX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by DR. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL Ed.D. (@shaq)</a> </div> </blockquote> “(Hasbulla) almost knocked me out,” O’Neal wrote. Hasbulla tweeted the same video saying: “Australia has been great, Shaq isn’t even that tall." O’Neal then posted on Monday morning, after what was no doubt a busy weekend of back-to-back events for the two, showing them together asleep on a couch with the caption “tired boss”. The rendezvous saw the likes and retweets coming in thick and fast. O’Neal’s jam-packed trip saw the basketball superstar visit Melbourne for the sold-out fan experience “An Evening with Shaquille O’Neal” at Melbourne’s Margaret Court and DJ gigs late last week before he headed to Sydney for the second stop of the touring event. Hasbulla is also in Australia for his “Hasbulla visits Down Under” tour. The beloved 19-year-old was born with a rare Growth Hormone Deficiency condition that is responsible for his diminutive size. He quickly gained a following on social media in 2020 thanks to his fight training and adorable prank videos. Hasbulla has a fiercely loyal fanbase, clocking up billions of views with high engagement on his content. What can we say, he is a very loveable little man. Image: Instagram

Domestic Travel

Inside Kyle Sandilands' lavish temporary family home

Kyle Sandilands and his expectant fiancée Tegan Kynaston have taken up a pricey Bellevue Hill rental in Sydney's eastern suburbs ahead of the arrival of their baby boy. Their recently vacated Edgecliff rental has returned to the market, and their new temporary home, advertised as an $8000-a-week rental, was billed as “the blending of luxury with Tuscan classicism”. The property was recently sold, which prompted speculation that Sandilands himsels was the buyer, but that turned out to be investor Rosheeni Dobbie, who reportedly paid $13,808,900 for it. The five bedroom, six bathroom home, boasts a high-end Calacatta marble kitchen, a temperature-controlled wine cellar, plus a pergola-covered indoor pool that opens to a terrace with a northerly harbour view. The home is also decked out with a smart home system, which Sandilands admitted on air that he had been a struggling to get his head around. The three-level home dates back to 1910, and when it was last up for rent in mid-2020, Sandilands snapped it up at around $4,950 a week. The couple are set to relocate to a Hills district estate after their time in Bellevue Hill. Images: Domain

Real Estate

Entire HARBOUR up for grabs in epic seaside sale

If you’re in the market for somewhere to house your boats that’s just a stone's throw away from pristine beaches, this unusual property could be the one for you - and it costs less than the <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-property-prices-in-sydney-and-melbourne-record-first-quarterly-fall/73549c4c-88c3-42a9-aa11-f1e58b5440ce" target="_blank" rel="noopener">average home</a> in Sydney. For just £500,000 ($AUD 867,000 or $NZD 960,000), you could snap up Sandside Harbour in Caithness, Scotland, according to <a href="https://search.savills.com/property-detail/gbabruabr210016" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the listing</a>. The listing describes it as a “unique private stone harbour” built in around 1830, which comes with a traditional net store and bothy - basic living quarters - located on the store’s upper floor. The harbour is still functional, boasting “immaculate stone-built harbour walls”, two piers that form a basin, and a slipway boats can launch from, including local leisure boats and a few used for lobster and crab fishing on a “grace by favour basis”. Currently, the building is unoccupied and the listing notes that it needs “extensive upgrading”. With its double-height ceiling on the ground floor, originally used to hang fishing nets, potential buyers could consider converting it to create additional accommodation or incorporate it into the bothy flat to create “a spectacular single dwelling. The building has direct access to the harbour and is immediately adjacent to white sandy beaches that are surrounded by cliffs and inlets teeming with birds and other wildlife. Sandside Beach, a hidden gem that’s thought to be one of the least visited beaches in the country, is also right on the harbour’s doorstep. With the potential to develop the area or simply enjoy its natural offerings, Sandside Harbour’s new owner is sure to get plenty of bang for their buck. Images: Savills Realty

Real Estate

Police charge teen over horrific Harbour Bridge smash

A 19-year-old Queensland man has been <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-09/police-identify-alleged-sydney-harbour-bridge-crash-driver/100895066" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charged</a> by detectives for allegedly stealing a car before causing a fiery three-car crash that closed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Police were able to identify the man as Christopher Walker one day after releasing a photo of his arm and calling on the public to help. The image showed a distinctive tattoo of a large eye on Mr Walker's hand with wavy lines that extended across his fingers and wrist. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/tattoo.jpg" alt="" width="322" height="215" /> Police released an image to help them identify the driver. Image: NSW Police They allege he drove a Toyota Kluger SUV which swerved into oncoming traffic and careened into a van on Monday morning. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sydney?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sydney</a> Harbour Bridge closed due to a terrible multi-vehicle crash that brought all lanes to a standstill. Motorists have been advised to avoid the area and use Sydney Harbour Tunnel instead. Stay safe <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SydneyHarbour?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SydneyHarbour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/dryadusingh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dryadusingh</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DrAmitSarwal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrAmitSarwal</a> <a href="https://t.co/umbbU6oiIg">pic.twitter.com/umbbU6oiIg</a> — The Australia Today (@TheAustoday) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAustoday/status/1500600916746989572?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2022</a></blockquote> Mr Walker remains in hospital under police guard, where he is being treated for suspected head injuries. Police have laid several charges against him, including dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and assault with intent to take/drive motor vehicle. Police also allege Mr Walker stole the keys to the SUV from a man he assaulted in the CBD just before 7am on Monday. Emergency services were then called to the three-car crash a short time later, after the SUV flipped on its roof and burst into flames during morning peak hour. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> The Sydney Harbour Bridge is closed and three people have been injured – including one who was trapped – after a horror head-on crash during peak hour. Inquiries are continuing into the incident.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/australia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#australia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sydney?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sydney</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/habourbridge?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#habourbridge</a> <a href="https://t.co/1U05QgKMpV">pic.twitter.com/1U05QgKMpV</a> — 5 News Australia (@5NewsAustralia) <a href="https://twitter.com/5NewsAustralia/status/1500671979023892480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2022</a></blockquote> The two other drivers were taken to hospital to be treated for their injuries, with the van driver sustaining serious leg and pelvic injuries and a woman driving a Honda Civic sustaining minor injuries. Police have spoken to several witnesses over the past few days who were on the bridge at the time of the collision of saw the lead-up. Mr Walker <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/man-charged-over-fiery-harbour-bridge-crash-and-alleged-carjacking-20220309-p5a37w.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">appeared</a> before Central Local Court via a bedside hearing on Wednesday afternoon, where he was formally refused bail. He is due to appear in court again on March 23. Image: @5NewsAustralia (Twitter)

Legal

Car explodes on Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge was closed on Monday morning following a multi-car crash where one vehicle burst into flames. Emergency services were called to the iconic bridge just after 7am after three cars collided, with one flipping and catching fire. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Woken by all the sirens streaming onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Hearing exploding fuel/gas tanks, acrid smoke plumes into the sky. Prayers 🤲🏼 <a href="https://t.co/0AfkDhfCbO">pic.twitter.com/0AfkDhfCbO</a> — Laura Banks (@laurakatebanks) <a href="https://twitter.com/laurakatebanks/status/1500570546832310275?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2022</a></blockquote> Images and footage from the crash show the fireball rising up from the flipped car in the citybound lane, with witnesses saying it rose up to three metres into the air. Those on the scene who helped the drivers out of the cars have been praised as “heroes”, including a nearby Traffic Management Centre worker who helped drag a van with a trapped man inside away from the fire after he heard the crash and raced to the scene. Two of the drivers - a man and a woman - were treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The van driver was trapped in his vehicle for some time before he was freed by emergency services. He was later taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in a serious but stable condition. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Dashcam footage of the crash on the Sydney Harbour Bridge this morning. Just horrific. No one is critically injured - what a miracle. <a href="https://twitter.com/10NewsFirstSyd?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@10NewsFirstSyd</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/breaking?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#breaking</a> <a href="https://t.co/zRgMXofUjQ">pic.twitter.com/zRgMXofUjQ</a> — Charlotte Goodlet (@cgoodlet) <a href="https://twitter.com/cgoodlet/status/1500616289882353664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2022</a></blockquote> Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the flames, with the organisation’s superintendent, Matt Sigmund, <a href="https://7news.com.au/travel/nsw-traffic/major-traffic-delays-after-fireball-breaks-out-on-sydney-harbour-bridge--c-5957213" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirming</a> the driver had made it out of the vehicle before the fire started. He also said the man was incredibly lucky to escape. “Crews on arrival reported thick black smoke coming from one of the vehicles and we had heard reports of persons still in the vehicle,” Mr Sigmund told Sunrise. “The driver that was trapped in the van is really lucky to have escaped at this stage. “The traffic commander from that depot actually drove up at the time of call, the van was located next to the car that was involved on fire, he hooked that van up and dragged it away from the car that was on fire.” <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/fire1.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="281" /> Image: 9News NSW Ambulance Inspector Giles Buchanan praised the bystanders and emergency service workers who rescued the drivers. “A number of bystanders and other emergency service workers who risked their lives to assist these patients are absolute heroes, we can’t thank them enough,” he said. “One of the vehicles was well alight when we arrived on the scene, it was an extraordinary effort to get the patient out of the vehicle safely.” Crash investigators have remained at the scene, while motorists have been <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-harbour-bridge-car-crash-car-in-flames/ff266b3b-55e1-44ba-80de-87071c78315b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">urged</a> to avoid travelling towards the city and delay trips. “Those travelling towards the city should allow plenty of extra travel time and consider using the Sydney Harbour Tunnel or Anzac Bridge as an alternative,” Live Traffic Sydney said. EDITOR'S UPDATE Police allege that the Toyota Kluger’s owner was changing a tyre on the corner of Sussex and Goulburn streets in Sydney’s CBD when a man approached and started a conversation about the car. “There was a short scuffle which ensued and then the man got into the Kluger and drove it away headed towards the Harbour Bridge,” Sydney City Police Area commander Detective Superintendent Rohan Cramsie told 2GB radio. “We’d certainly ask anybody who has witnessed the (alleged) stealing of that Kluger to come forward.” Image: 9News

Travel Trouble

World first tourism ad filmed atop Sydney icon

A new advertisement from Tourism NSW has gone to new heights, featuring the first artist to film a music video on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.Australian indie musician Azure Ryder recorded her own rendition of Nina Simone’s jazzy 1965 hit, Feeling Good, which is the soundtrack for the NSW government’s latest tourism campaign, Feeling New.The ad sees Ryder traverse the Megalong Valley and Lincoln’s Rock in the Blue Mountains, before appearing at Mary’s Underground in The Rocks.The climax of both the ad and Ryder’s music video sees the artist performing on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s Southern Pylon.<img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/Azure-Ryder-Feeling-Good-2-4-screenshot.png" alt="" width="1280" height="544" />Azure Ryder took part in a world-first, filming part of her new music video atop one of the pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Image: Azure Ryder (YouTube)Stuart Ayres, who is both the Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade and the Minister for Tourism and Sport, said the clip truly showed off the diverse landscapes of NSW.“I am delighted with the music video for the soundtrack behind our Feel New campaign. It captures all the things I love about our state,” Mr Ayres <a href="https://media.destinationnsw.com.au/feeling-good-nsw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a statement.“We are incredibly blessed in NSW to have some of the most spectacular filming backdrops in the world and to have one of our brightest talents in Azure Ryder pay tribute to her home city and state this way highlights what incredible places Sydney and NSW are to live and visit.”<img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/Azure-Ryder-Feeling-Good-1-23-screenshot.png" alt="" width="1280" height="544" />Azure Ryder collaborated with Tourism NSW to go to new heights, capturing this stunning view from Lincoln’s Rock in the NSW Blue Mountains. Image: Azure Ryder (YouTube)Ryder said the experience filming the clip for Feeling Good was also quite special for her, capturing both the energy of her home state and the lyrics of the classic tune.“The experience you will see through my music video is one that I grew up my entire life believing in,” Ryder said. “The importance of what our surroundings can teach us, show us how to feel, and ultimately teach us how to be human. “The soul that Nina embodies and speaks of in Feeling Good is the soul that is all around us if we just step out, open our eyes, and look up to the beauty and the story written along mountaintops and city pavements.“We are so lucky to have such magic on our doorstep.”You can watch the new ‘Feeling New’ ad from Tourism NSW below.<blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF;border: 0;border-radius: 3px;margin: 1px;max-width: 540px;min-width: 326px;padding: 0;width: calc(100% - 2px)" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CZyNzRXFGnw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"><div style="padding: 16px"><div style="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="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="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="flex-direction: row;margin-bottom: 14px;align-items: center"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;height: 12.5px;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"> </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"> </div></div><div style="margin-left: auto"><div style="width: 0px;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right: 8px solid transparent"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;flex-grow: 0;height: 12px;width: 16px"> </div><div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left: 8px solid transparent"> </div></div></div><div style="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><a style="color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: normal;line-height: 17px;text-decoration: none" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CZyNzRXFGnw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by New South Wales (@visitnsw)</a></div></blockquote>To see Ryder’s full music video, head <a href="https://youtu.be/geAG0J820lY" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.Image: Oliver Beggs & Reece McMillan (Tourism NSW)

Domestic Travel

Sydney's skinniest harbour side mansion sold

Image: Ray White Eastern Beaches A harbour front home just six metres wide has sold for an eye-watering price at the weekend after spending nine days on the market. The Sydney waterfront property is nestled between two much larger homes at Darling Point. The home, which was once owned by the late Lady Susan Renouf, was last sold in 2014 for $6.34 million, according to realestate.com.au Before that, it was sold for $6.15 million in 2009. “This magnificent residence offers such an incredibly unique opportunity to secure one of just a handful of absolute waterfront homes in the heart of Sydney’s tightly coveted Darling Point,” the original advertisement for the property read.

Real Estate

Mark McGowan slams “self-absorbed” Sydneysiders

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan has slammed Sydneysiders accusing them of being “self-absorbed” and not knowing there's an Australia outside of the Harbour City. The WA Premier made the comments when he was asked about NSW's controversial plan to reopen the state to the fully vaccinated next month when the jab rate reaches the 70 per cent mark. “There's this headlong rush about these things in Sydney and Melbourne, but that's because Sydney and Melbourne are in lockdown,” McGowan said on Sunday. “And that's because so many people in Sydney don't think there's an Australia outside of Sydney,” he added. WA borders to stay closed in lead up to Christmas Premier McGowan said he was keeping the WA borders closed to the rest of the country, adding he’s refusing to open them just because the east coast states have decided to end lockdowns when vaccination rates hit 70 per cent. He added the borders will stay closed unless more than 80 per cent of West Australians are fully vaccinated. McGowan’s firm stance has seen him cop a barrage of criticism from Prime Minister Scott Morrison and various Liberal Party ministers in NSW. NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet even called him the “Gollum of Australian politics,” referring to the character from Lord of the Rings. Criticising federal government for uneven distribution of vaccines McGowan has retaliated to these criticisms saying: “We can't be criticised every day by the Prime Minister... and everyone else for not vaccinating at the same rate as NSW when they don't give us the same number of vaccines per capita as NSW.” He went on to blame the federal government's uneven distribution of COVID vaccines for his state's slow rollout. More than 100,000 Pfizer doses bound for WA were diverted to NSW in winter as the state battled the ongoing Delta outbreak. “The states that provided that additional support to NSW now need to be given our catch-up supplies, in particular of Pfizer,” McGowan said last week. “We can't have a situation where some states are punished for doing the right thing for NSW. “We're basically running our supplies of Pfizer down each and every day,” he said. Children from 12 to 15 encouraged to get a vaccination Premier McGowan has announced that WA has expanded its eligibility criteria for COVID vaccinations allowing children aged 12 to 15 to receive a Pfizer shot. He's now pleading with parents to sign their kids up for the jab, as the state continues to linger behind the national average when it comes to vaccination rates. “More than 57 per cent of Western Australians have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine but that rate needs to be rising,” he said. “From tomorrow, if you're 12 or 20, or like myself you're even older than that, you're eligible to get the COVID vaccine and I'd encourage you to get vaccinated because this is our best chance out of this pandemic. “[We're trying to] get to that group of people before they leave school and it becomes harder to access them,” he added. “The Year 11 and 12 students are nearing the end, they're only going to be at school for a matter of weeks. It's a bit of a race against time,” he said. Images: Getty Images

Travel Trouble

Lily Allen shares rare snaps of her daughters as flower girls

Image: Instagram Lily Allen has celebrated her first wedding anniversary with stranger things actor David Harbour. Marking this special occasion, the singer shared a video of the couple enjoying a romantic dinner, while also posting never before seen photos taken from their Las Vegas wedding. “1 year down with this guy. Happy Anniversary baby @dkharbour. I prefer my life with you in it. You can stay” Lily captioned the post with. Among these shared images were photos of Allen’s two daughters – Ethel and Marnie who were flower girls on the big day. In the sweet snap, the girls, who Lily Allen shares with ex-husband Sam Cooper, were dressed in cute matching pink ruffled dresses as they pink and orange roses. Allen wore a short blazer dress with a veil and the newlyweds then took Ethel and Marnie for a bite to eat at In-N-out burgers, which they then went on to eat in a car park. David Harbour wrote on Instagram “in a wedding officiated by the king himself, the people’s princess wed her devoted, low born, but kind credit card holder in a beautiful ceremony lit by the ashen skies courtesy of a burning state miles away in the midst of a global pandemic”. At the time he shared photos from the ceremony and car park reception. “Refreshments were served at a small reception following”. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CE7KngMnprf/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CE7KngMnprf/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by David Harbour (@dkharbour)</a> </div> </blockquote> The couple went public with their relationship in 2019 after they were seen catching a West End production of The Lehman Trilogy. A photo of the couple sharing a kiss followed in New York at Madison Square Garden later that year before they made their red-carpet debut at the SAG awards in LA in January 2020.

Family & Pets

Russell Crowe shares new photo of harbour cruise with Chris Hemsworth

The South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL game on Friday night became an unexpected celebrity magnet when Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky were accompanied by their A-list mates at the match. The Thor star watched the game from a private box along with Isla Fisher, Taika Waititi, Jeff Goldblum, Natalie Portman and other friends. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CM5eGiLJHSy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CM5eGiLJHSy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Chris Hemsworth (@chrishemsworth)</a> </div> </blockquote> It seems that they were hosted by longtime Rabbitohs fan Russell Crowe. Crowe and Hemsworth spent tile together prior to the kickoff too, with the actor and his wife enjoying quality time with the Oscar winner on a luxury yacht on Sydney Harbour. "Thanks for the hospitality <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/russellecrowe/" target="_blank">#russellecrowe</a>," Hemsworth wrote alongside some photos, one of which Crowe also shared on his Instagram and Twitter. Hemsworth is in Sydney to film the upcoming Thor movie, directed by Taika Waititi and also starring Natalie Portman. Meanwhile, Isla Fisher and her husband Sacha Baron Cohen have relocated to Sydney with their kids.

Beauty & Style

“Very serious”: Thousands in Sydney potentially exposed to infected woman

Health experts worry thousands of people have been exposed to COVID-19 after one infected woman travelled across the city using a dozen different trains and light rail services. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on Thursday that a woman who is employed at a Sydney hotel complex that worked with travellers quarantining, tested positive for the virus. The woman travelled on the train from Minto to Lidcombe and Central and on the light rail from Central to Darling Harbour on a number of occasions while she was potentially highly infectious. Hotel staff at the Ibis hotel in Darling Harbour and Novotel are all being tested and anyone who lives in the Minto area is being urged to come forward for testing. Ms Berejiklian said the situation was “very serious” and she “won’t hesitate to act” if the situation requires NSW’s restrictions to change.

News

Million dollar fish released into Sydney Harbour

A giant kingfish will be released into Sydney Harbour with $1 million on the line for the lucky fisherman who ends up catching it. Harbour of Life festival organisers have announced plans to release a tagged fish into the western side of the harbour, spanning from Barangaroo to Pyrmont. The only way the giant fish can be caught is with a net as it cannot be fitted with a tracker, like the ones used on sharks, because they only reveal a location when he fish surfaces and kingfish stay submerged. The competition, designed by the Western Harbour Alliance, is part of an effort to kick-start Sydney after coronavirus. “The $1 million kingfish is going to cause a lot of excitement among the millions of anglers across NSW and Australia,” Bob Baldwin, chairman of the Australian Fishing Trade Association, told the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sydney-harbour-festival-1m-to-angler-who-catches-tagged-kingfish/news-story/7b02117ccdd55048b01a96d537168873" target="_blank">Daily Telegraph</a>. “I can't think of a better place in the world to wet a line and maybe catch a fortune right in the heart of our magnificent city.” Organisers are hopeful that the festival will rival Vivid, which attracts millions of tourists to the harbour every year and generates $172 million. The festival would begin with a 'sculptures in the sea' exhibition, similar to Hong Kong's annual aquatic art festival.

Domestic Travel

Harbour Bridge crash: What went wrong

Police have told reporters what happened in the serious car crash that left one woman dead, two men with head injuries and a second woman trapped inside of her car on Thursday morning. Acting Superintendent Paul Dunstan says that early investigations reveal that a Mitsubishi Mirage travelling north had crossed two lanes of traffic. The vehicle ended up on the wrong side of the road for a “short time” before slamming into a BMW travelling south. The cars collided at the Millers Point entrance to the bridge just before 7.15am. People from both the vehicles were injured in the crash and the Mitsubishi driver was killed. Traffic was so dense that firefighters had no choice but to walk to the scene carrying life savings equipment. Wreckage could be seen strewn across the road during peak-hour traffic. Supt Dunstan said CCTV footage of the incident was “confronting” to watch. “It would appear at this stage that the vehicle travelling in the northbound direction has crossed two lanes of traffic and collided with the vehicle travelling south which was in its correct lane,” he said. “I have seen footage of the incident, and that’s how it appears in the early stages.” The female driver of the Mitsubishi has not been formally identified but reports say she is in her mid 30s. Her two passengers, both men believed to be in their 30s, have suffered head injuries. Both have been taken to Royal North Shore Hospital and one remains in critical condition. The second driver is a woman in her 40s who was trapped left in her BMW. Later she was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital with “at least” a broken leg, Supt Dunstan said. A male passenger believed to be with her was taken to Royal North Shore hospital with minor injuries. “There was a red car smashed, unbelievably, in the front, and I don't know how both of them – the black car and the red car – got over two different angles. But it was a big hit,” a witness informed the Today show. Supt Dunstan said the lanes of traffic were clearly marked. However he has noted that the driver might have believed she was driving in the right direction. The bridge was closed for about three hours on Thursday morning but has since reopened. Drivers are advised to avoid the area as traffic is still “extremely heavy”. Inspector Lucky Phrachanh who is duty operations manager at NSW Ambulance, said the scene was horrific”. “Paramedics and emergency services never want to attend these types of accidents,” he said. “We say this all the time, but please look out for each other on the roads. Driving any motor vehicle can be extremely dangerous.”

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