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Dad cops furious note from "egotistical Karen" for parking in parent's bay

A Perth dad has been left hurt after he was targeted by an "egotistical Karen" for parking in a parent's bay, while his wife was inside a shopping centre changing their seven-month-old baby. "Don't park here again, you selfish prick!" the note read. His wife took to Facebook on behalf of her hurt husband to question why someone would go out of their way to criticise him for parking in a space designated for parents. "My husband was putting a baby gate in the boot while I was in the forum changing our seven-month-old baby," she defended her partner, who parked at the Mandurah Forum. "He came back into the forum looking for me [and] when we returned, someone had put this note on our windscreen. "How about next time you be sure before insulting an innocent husband and father, you hero." The woman said that the note left her husband "hurt and almost feeling guilty" and she argued that he had every right to be there as a parent. Her post attracted over 300 interactions with many agreeing with the mum, and saying that the "Karen" should've gotten their facts straight before taking action. "There is no law for who can park in parents with prams spaces they are just convenience but anyone can park there and use," one man wrote. A few others shared the same sentiment and said that "it's not illegal to park in those bays" regardless of whether or not you have a baby. Some parents even shared their own experiences and why it is important to not judge someone based on looks alone. "This has happened to me also. I had a baby and a toddler and my husband took them inside the Mandurah forum while I unloaded our car," the person began. "A couple with a baby parked next to me and the man kept yelling at me that it was only for parents with prams, even though I told him I had young kids and a pram. But he didn't believe me and yelled loudly to move my car." One mum added that she doesn't see the need for parents with prams spaces altogether. "As a mum of just a five-year-old, I personally don’t see the need for parent spaces. They are not any bigger, just more convenient. Kids need exercise and prams have wheels, not hard to walk," she wrote. "I personally think they should be seniors bays instead, they are less mobile and struggle to walk long distances. Give them the spots." Images: Facebook

Legal

Inside Jamie Durie's new Byron Bay holiday getaway home

Once upon a time in the lush hinterlands of Byron Bay, where celebrities are as common as sunsets and vegan cafes, the notorious green-thumbed celebrity gardener Jamie Durie was up to some garden-variety mischief. He had just scored a sweet deal – a dairy farm called Akubra, situated about 22km southwest of Byron Bay. The price tag? A cool $3.6 million. The way he splurged on this deal, you'd think he was buying smashed avocado toast. The farm came with everything a celeb like Jamie could ask for – creek frontage to Byron Creek, a three-bedroom farmhouse nestled among mature trees, tropical plants, fruit trees, macadamia trees, and a bountiful vegetable garden. It even had a massive wood fireplace with a brick hearth, giving Jamie the perfect opportunity to toast marshmallows while he discussed the finer points of mulching. But it didn't stop there. Akubra was no ordinary farm; it was a place that could accommodate a menagerie that would make Old MacDonald blush. Up to 40 head of cattle? Sure! More than 300 sheep? Absolutely! And if that's not enough, bring on the chickens, llamas and goats. It was a veritable farm animal extravaganza. You could almost hear Jamie saying, "You get a llama, and you get a llama, and you get a llama!" There were six paddocks for all the creatures to frolic, and to top it all off, a five-hole golf course and a lagoon-style pool. Imagine Jamie mowing the grass while swinging a golf club – a true multitasking genius in the making. But there was one problem. You see, Jamie was also building a house in Avalon, costing a mere $2.75 million (pocket change for a celebrity gardener, of course). He had been dreaming about this project for six years, and this year, he had finally "broken ground". He was going for an energy-efficient, off-the-grid, state-of-the-art green home. This wasn't just any house; it was going to be so green that even Kermit would be envious. However, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/home-garden/jamie-durie-under-fire-for-controversial-building-plans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the locals in Avalon weren't too thrilled</a> about his ambitious green dream. They opposed his plans with fervour, as if he wanted to build the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in their backyards. Jamie was bewildered. He even brought in experts, the Green Building Council of Australia, to vouch for his eco-cred. After all, the house he bought was more of a relic than a residence, having survived since the 1950s. "It is no longer fit for living," Jamie wrote, "and does not comply with current code requirements." And let's not even talk about the 70 years' worth of wild and woolly vegetation that had taken over. If Mother Nature had a say, she'd be like, "Yeah, Jamie, you've got some work to do here!" So, as Jamie Durie juggles his new holiday-escape-slash-dairy-farm in Byron Bay with his eco-friendly mansion project in Avalon, you can almost picture him in his gardening gloves, scratching his head, thinking, "Who knew that being a celebrity gardener could be so delightfully complicated?" Just another day in the life of this horticultural maestro, where buying a farm and building a green paradise are all in a day's work. Images: RealEstate.com.au / The Vine Foundation

Domestic Travel

Count Nikolai's Aussie birthday bash

Count Nikolai has embraced his 24th birthday with an Aussie-style celebration - a short getaway to Byron Beach and eating Vegemite. The Danish royal took to Instagram on Monday to share photos of his getaway with friends and girlfriend Benedikte Thoustrup. "Birthday getaway at Byron Bay 🤙" he captioned the photo. In one photo, was pictured sitting outside with his friends while holding up a T-shirt with a map of Australia and pictures of Vegemite jars. The table was set with some muffins decorated with candles, fruits, and a Vegemite jar. Later that night, his girlfriend Thoustrup posted a photo of the Count enjoying dinner and a cocktail decorated with a sparkler. He also shared a few photos from Boomerang Point Reserve, which is one of the area's most popular surf beaches. Fans took to the comments to share their birthday wishes. "Happy birthday 👏" wrote one fan. "A heartfelt Happy Birthday! May this day be full of joy, smiles and happiness. May you fulfil all your dreams and may life bring you only great success," wrote another. "Happy birthday, your excellence ❤️" wrote a third. The Danish Royal family also shared their birthday wishes to the count on their Instagram, with a photo of the young royal smiling in a cafe. "His Excellency Count Nikolai has a birthday and is turning 24 today," they captioned the photo. They added that he was celebrating the special occasion in Australia after <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/international-travel/touchdown-count-nikolai-arrives-in-sydney-to-begin-studies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">moving to Sydney</a> to study at the University of Technology in Sydney for a semester. The Count has been embracing Aussie culture, visiting a number of icons including the Sydney Tower Eye, going to an AFL match, and two of the Women's World Cup matches including the final. Images: Instagram

Family & Pets

Hollywood A-listers quietly move to Australia

Hollywood couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie are the latest A-listers to make the move Down Under. The A-list couple kept their relocation under the radar, as they moved to the quiet coastal town of Byron Bay on the New South Wales north coast. The married couple, who are usually based in Los Angeles, now join the likes of Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky, Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso, and Zac Efron as the latest famous Byron Bay residents. Alison Brie, best known for her roles in TV series Community and GLOW, is in Australia filming her latest project, TV miniseries Apples Never Fall based on the best-selling novel by Australian author, Liane Moriarty, with her actor husband by her side. The actress’ Instagram page showcases plenty of moments of the couple’s happy new life in the popular coastal town, as well as pictures of them taking in the sights of Sydney and Melbourne, where they celebrated Franco’s birthday. The famous couple met in 2011 after being introduced by a mutual friend, and got married six years later during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans. Byron Bay has long attracted high-profile celebrities looking for a slower pace of life. Chris Hemsworth brought plenty of attention and star power to the town back in 2014 when he purchased a 4.2 hectare property for $7 million. He and wife Elsa Pataky lived in the original eight-room home before knocking it down to build a $20 million mega-mansion. Zac Efron also famously rode out most of the pandemic living in the coastal town, while American actress Melissa McCarthy chose to base herself there for a small stint after wrapping up production on Nicole Kidman’s Nine Perfect Strangers TV series in 2021. Image credits: Instagram

International Travel

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

Margot Robbie eyeing up incredible Byron Bay mansion

Dubbed as “Australia’s most beautiful home” this remarkable Byron Bay property certainly fits Margot Robbie’s criteria for a dream house. The beloved Aussie actress and husband Tom Ackerley have flown back to Australia and have taken the time, in between visiting friends and launching a new spirits label, to go house hunting in beautiful Byron Bay. Robbie and Ackerley were spotted walking through the stunning “Cedar Hill” home in Newrybar, which sits around 10km south of Byron Bay. Property records state the 8-bed, 8-bath home that offers over 2 hectares of land has been on the market for two months. In its marketing campaign, it is described as a “Malibu Aspen Love Child”. “The perfect property is a place where calmness calls, fusing relaxed luxury with picturesque tranquillity,” the listing reads. “Such a rare destination does indeed exist with “Cedar Hill”. “Revered as one of Australia’s most beautiful homes and boasting lush hinterland and ocean views, it is a spectacular showcase of international design and unique architecture. “Cocooned within five acres of absolute peace and paradise, two sprawling premium hardwood residences rise up from this elevated, northeast-facing estate. “Linked by a glass-lined walkway that nicely separates social and sleeping quarters, elegance blends skilfully with cutting-edge design, including retractable glass walls, soaring ceilings with exposed timber beams and polished concrete floors. Brought to life by award-winning designer, Jase Sullivan, these globally inspired interiors are a textural triumph. “Recycled timber, blackbutt wall panelling, chic bohemian textiles, grass-cloth walls and natural stone combine to create an earthy ambience, pairing perfectly with custom furniture. “Likewise, the galleries of glass invite an abundance of natural light to cascade in, creating sumptuous and serene spaces to enjoy.” The property was last sold in 2019 for $2.415 million but has since been significantly upgraded. According to development records, around $4 million has been spent on the redevelopment of the home. If Robbie was to purchase Cedar Hill it would only serve to enhance Byron’s reputation as a home of the rich and famous. The area’s biggest star and longer-time resident is actor Chris Hemsworth, who bought in the area about five years ago before building his $20 million mega mansion. While his brother Liam owns upwards of $13 million of real estate in the area. Hollywood star Zac Efron also purchased a significant piece of land in the Byron hinterland region in 2020, after filming there. PropTrack reported just four houses have been sold in the tightly-held Newrybar market over the last 12 months. There is currently no price guide for Cedar Hill but is said to be worth around $20 million. Image credit: Instagram/Realestate.com

Real Estate

Hidden gems to see in Australia

If you want to experience Australia in all its glory, then you need to check out these three stunning locations - which just happen to be some of the country’s best-kept secret destinations. 1. The Whites Beach, Byron Bay, NSW Byron Bay is a tourist hotspot, but the town’s Whites Beach is a hidden treasure. Getting there alone is an adventure in itself. You’ll have to drive through a road inside a rainforest and walk to the shoreline once you see a path filled with trees. Once you reach the shoreline you’ll be greeted with crystal clear water, white sand, and if you’re lucky enough, you might even see a dolphin! 2. The Wilpena Pound, Flinders Ranges, SA The Wilpena Pound is abundant with wildlife and covers 50 hectares of land. You’re likely to see some kangaroos, and eagles flying above. It’s a beautiful nature walk and if you go in far enough you can catch a glimpse of incredible Aboriginal rock art and unbelievable geological formations. It has a campground that makes for the perfect base to settle down as you venture off into the breathtaking wilderness. 3. Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience, Bird Bay, SA Head to Baird Bay Ocean for the once-of-a-lifetime opportunity that is swimming with sea lions! These cheeky little creatures will follow you, and even sometimes mock you. If sea lions take a liking to you, they’ll happily introduce you to their babies. If you’re especially fortunate, you could run into some bottlenose dolphins. Head to these locations for an unforgettable experience, but don't tell your friends! Image credit: Getty/Instagram

Domestic Travel

So close! Sam Armytage’s huge property payday ... ALMOST

Former Sunrise presenter Sam Armytage’s marriage to Richard Lavender has come at a significant personal financial cost. Three months after the couple got engaged and four months before their wedding, Armytage had sold her Burrawang weekender, Pear Tree Cottage, for $3.1m in August 2020. The former Sunrise presenter sold the stunning property to move in with Lavender into his farm at Berrima. The Pear Tree Cottage has been onsold to Max Johnston, the former chairman of Austcann, for a stunning $6m. This is a record price for acreage in the Southern Highlands village, and was sold by Vendor Patsy Peacock, a talent recruitment veteran. The Pear Tree Cottage, is a stunning five-bedroom, four-bathroom homestead with wraparound verandas, and an outdoor fireplace, that was built in 2001. The land size for the property is 20,239 m². Armytage had purchased the property in 2017 for $2.2m. Armytage had also sold her Bondi home to live with Lavender on his rural property, but she still has a city bolthole at Rushcutters Bay and a Hyams Beach retreat. Images: Realestate.com.au, Instagram

Real Estate

Could Johnny Ruffo be returning to Summer Bay?

Johnny Ruffo has teased a possible return to beloved Aussie soap, Home and Away. The 34-year-old who is suffering from brain cancer, shot to fame on the popular series in 2013, playing Chris Harrington. On Thursday, Johnny told Yahoo that he would like to return to Summer Bay in a cameo. The actor and X-Factor star said he has retained a strong friendship with his former Home and Away cast mates, especially Lynne MacGranger, 69, who plays Irene Roberts on the long-running show. Johnny told the publication he has a great relationship with Lynne both on and off-screen, describing the actress as a "really good friend". Johnny said if he did return to Home and Away, he wants Lynne's character - who runs the local cafe - to feature. "[I would just waltz in] and order a coffee," Johnny said, describing his idea for a "come back scene". "And Lynne - I mean Irene - would be like...Chris!" Johnny revealed his prognosis as terminal earlier, only a few short months ago now and said he doesn't want the diagnosis to slow down anything in his life anymore. Image: Network 10

Caring

Aussie octopuses caught on camera slinging mud

Australia’s <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/people/social-sciences/when-octopuses-dont-want-any-trouble/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘Gloomy Octopuses’</a> have been caught throwing things. Sometimes at each other. Underwater footage, from Jervis Bay in New South Wales, shows Gloomy Octopuses (Octopus tetricus) throwing debris. Occasionally the material – mainly silt, shells and algae – was aimed at other octopuses, and even the camera recording them. Throwing is an uncommon behaviour in animals, an activity only observed in a handful, including elephants and chimpanzees. <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/5483960636001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6315259579112" width="960" height="540" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> A throw by a female octopus that hits a male attempting to mate with her / Credit: Godfrey-Smith et al, 2022, PLOS ONE, CC-BY 4.0 Twenty-four hours of footage gathered during 2015 and 2016 captures around 100 octopus throws among a group of roughly ten of the animals. Ninety throws were by females, and eleven by males. On 17 occasions, octopuses threw material which actually hit another octopus, often with ‘high vigour.’ In two cases, the throw hit a fish. Twelve meanwhile were directed at the camera. <div class="newsletter-box"> <div id="wpcf7-f6-p222798-o1" class="wpcf7" dir="ltr" lang="en-US" role="form"> <form class="wpcf7-form init mailchimp-ext-0.5.62" action="/nature/octopuses-caught-slinging-mud/#wpcf7-f6-p222798-o1" method="post" novalidate="novalidate" data-status="init"> <input class="wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text referer-page" name="referer-page" type="hidden" value="https://cosmosmagazine.com/" data-value="https://cosmosmagazine.com/" aria-invalid="false" /> </form> </div> </div> One female octopus was recorded throwing 17 times in the space of an hour, with nine throws hits on other octopuses (who sometimes ducked or raised their arms in the direction of the thrower). The gloomy octopus is common in Australian and New Zealand waters. Having gathered their ammunition, octopuses hurled their material by using a jet of water from their siphon (a tube-shaped structure that can eject water at speed) to propel it between their arms. Throwing under water requires greater force than throwing through air, and the octopuses often managed to throw their material several body lengths away. Given the octopuses had to move their siphon into an unusual position to perform the throws, the researchers believe the behavior was deliberate. The study by Australian and US researchers is the first-time throwing behaviour has been reported in octopuses. The research is <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0276482" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">published</a> in PLOS One. <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/5483960636001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6315258284112" width="960" height="540" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> A throw by a female octopus, hitting a male. The male ducks just before the material is released / Credit: Godfrey-Smith et al, 2022, PLOS ONE, CC-BY 4.0  <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=222798&title=Aussie+octopuses+caught+on+camera+slinging+mud" width="1" height="1" />  <div id="contributors"> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/octopuses-caught-slinging-mud/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This article</a> was originally published on Cosmos Magazine and was written by Petra Stock. Image: Getty Images </div>

Family & Pets

"Kids are quick": Romantic proposal takes wild turn

What was meant to be a beautiful proposal took a turn for the worst when the engagement ring plunged right through the jetty cracks and into the ocean below. Luke was down on one knee ready to propose to his pregnant girlfriend Stephanie on the Hervey Bay jetty while two-year-old Harper Jane watched on. But before they saw what was happening, Harper Jane quickly grabbed the engagement ring from the box and it slipped out of her hands. “Kids are quick, much quicker than you think - I didn’t actually realise she had grabbed it,” Luke said in a TikTok. Luke called out Harper Jane's name before immediately throwing off his thongs and taking his phone and wallet out of his pocket, ready to jump into the water. <div class="embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; width: 619px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7141170167098117402&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40alarcon_sinverguenza%2Fvideo%2F7141170167098117402%3Fis_from_webapp%3D1%26sender_device%3Dpc%26web_id%3D7070374670839465473&key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Rubik, 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">Blindsided in the moment, his friend called out that he couldn’t jump because it was too shallow causing him to change his landing mid way through which left him with an earache. But Luke was on a mission to find the ring and was excited when he heard Stephanie’s dad call out to say that he could see it. “I can see it! Stop there, by your right hand,” he could be heard calling out. Thanks to the crystal clear waters of Hervey Bay, Luke was able to find the ring quickly and get back to shore. The ring eventually ended up on Stephanie’s finger, with the couple then revealing that Luke also wanted to ask Harper if he could be her step-dad. “I’m committing to them both so I felt like both of them should be present,” he said. “It’s just funny. Even if we had lost (the ring), there would have been humour in it - just sadness, too. “That will go down in the history books for us.” Images: TikTok

Relationships

Why Sam Armytage won’t return to breakfast TV

Samantha Armytage has vowed that she won’t ever return to breakfast TV after being the face of Sunrise for eight years. The 46-year-old sat alongside David Koch from 2013 to 2021 hosting the popular breakfast news program before marrying her farmer husband Richard Lavender, 60. The last few weeks, Sam has been promoting the new season of Farmer Wants A Wife, as she enjoys her life as a farmer’s wife. In the midst of promoting on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, she has revealed that she won’t go back to breakfast TV because she is happy with her life. <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/Ch1U7UjPrVu/?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/Ch1U7UjPrVu/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Farmer Wants A Wife (@farmeraustralia)</a> </div> </blockquote> “We found some really good farmers this year,” she said. “The show is genuinely about these people fall in love.” She was then put on the spot by Jackie O who said: “It doesn’t sound like you miss breakfast TV at all." “I don’t,” Sam bluntly replied. “I wouldn’t want to go back and be a TV star. I quite like my life.” When Sam famously left Sunrise she confessed there were a number of reasons for her leaving television. “There were many, many reasons,” she told Kyle Sandilands on her podcast Something To Talk About with Samantha Armytage. “But one of the reasons, was that I thought the fun wasn’t there anymore because anything I said – and I was the lightning rod for the show at that point – anything I said was analysed and I was getting beaten to death by the bloody Daily Mail. “You just think, ‘Is life worth this?’” Images: Instagram

What Olivia Newton-John wanted after her death

A never before seen interview of Olivia Newton-John before her tragic death has aired on TV. The Grease star lost her battle with breast cancer on August 8 when she passed away peacefully at the age of 73. Olivia appeared in a special interview on Spotlight: Olivia - A Magical Life where she explained what she wanted to happen when she died. The beloved singer said she wanted her ashes to be scattered in Byron Bay, California and “in other places I love”. Olivia’s late mother and sister also had their ashes scattered in the popular holiday destination. “I don’t think I’ve really thought about it that deeply. We all should,” Olivia said in the interview. “But I’d like to be with them, I’d like to be with them … that would be nice.” The <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/honouring-dame-olivia-newton-john" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news of Olivia’s passing</a> was announced by her husband John Easterling on Instagram via his late wife’s account, and included an appeal to continue her good works in the field of cancer research: “Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time,” he wrote. “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer. “Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the @onjfoundation." Her daughter Chloe also shared a series of <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/no-words-emotional-images-from-olivia-newton-john-s-daughter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heartwarming photos</a> upon the news breaking as celebrities and fans alike offered their condolences. The family have also accepted a state funeral from Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Image: Seven

Caring

Own a slice of TV fame in Byron Bay’s hinterland

Amileka, the striking, modern homestead won by Love Island Australia competitors Mitch Hibberd and Tina Provis in the show’s third season, has hit the market - and it could be all yours, as long as you’re willing to spend somewhere between $11.5 and $12.5 million. The five-bedroom home at Federal in the Byron Bay hinterland sits on a sprawling 25 acres that hosts an 18-metre pool, a fire pit area, an orchard of limes, lemons, mandarins, and oranges, as well as a veggie garden, chooks and a 100-year-old blackbean tree often featured on the show. <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/CWXU0JlF4za/?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/CWXU0JlF4za/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tina (@tinaprovis)</a> </div> </blockquote> Amileka is also the country’s first Tesla home installation, with two Tesla Powerwalls and featuring a passive-solar design that allows windows, walls and floors to collect, store, reflect and distribute heat in winter and reject it in summer. The property also boasts a separate three-bedroom residence with a pool, which makes it “perfect for dual-living”, according to the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-federal-139714783" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listing</a>. Inside the home, concrete floors and glass panels dominate, creating a light and airy ambience. The home is currently open to expressions of interest through McCarth Bryon Bay agents Nick Dunn and Ollie Charkos - but you’ll want to get in before they close on August 19. Images: @tinaprovis (Instagram), Realestate.com.au

Real Estate

Four people injured in stabbing frenzy

Four members of the public have been horrifically stabbed in what police have described as an “isolated” incident. The alleged offender randomly stopped four people in Murrays Bay on Auckland's North Shore about 11.18am on Thursday before stabbing them with “quite a large knife”. Another member of the public stepped in and stopped the alleged attacker with a clutch before police apprehended him. Luckily, none of the victims were severely injured but are being treated in hospital. Waitematā district commander Superintendent Naila Hassan commended the random person’s efforts, saying it could have been “a lot worse”. "This was an isolated incident," she said. "This offender was on the move, he was on foot, it started in Murrays Bay [where he stabbed members of the public], and he continued to walk through to Mairangi Bay. "A number of members of the public were following him and eventually one of them intervened. "It could've been a lot worse and that's why I really need to acknowledge the bravery of those members of the public that intervened to bring this to a conclusion." Superintendent Hassan gave a special shoutout to the members of the public who helped prevent the situation from getting any worse. "I really need to acknowledge the bravery of the members of the public who intervened," she said. A thank you to the public was also released on the North Shore, Rodney & West Auckland Police Facebook page. “We would like to acknowledge members of our community for their actions, who put aside their own personal safety to get involved in the events earlier today,” the statement read. “Whilst Police generally discourage intervening, we greatly appreciated their efforts today which undoubtedly prevented further harm. “We also want to thank those who called emergency services. “Understandably the community will be shaken by what has occurred today and I would like to reassure them that this was an isolated incident and we have the person responsible in custody. “There will be an increased Police presence across the community as a result of what has occurred. “We would like to thank the community for their patience as scene examinations and area canvases taking place.” The alleged attacker remains in North Shore Hospital under police guard where he is being treated for his injuries. He is yet to be charged. Image: RNZ

News

Gorgeous secluded beach perfect for snorkelling

A gorgeous secluded beach with crystal clear rock pools has been dubbed the perfect place for swimming and snorkelling. Bushrangers Bay aquatic reserve is less than a two hour drive from Sydney and is located just south of Shellharbour village. Tourists are flocking to the breathtaking beach which is shaped like an amphitheatre and protects plant and sea life, which are also hiding in the six metre cliffs. The Reserve is a sheltered dive site where visitors are welcome to scuba dive, swim, and snorkel among the marine wildlife. Located at the Heritage-listed Bass Point Reserve, visitors will have to do a bit of a trek to reach Bushrangers Bay. The coastal walking trail boasts spectacular views of the coastline and the ocean with the chance to see migrating whales when visited between May and November. The waters also contain six shipwrecks which also serve as homes for grey nurse sharks. Images: Instagram

Domestic Travel

Triple tragedy after hero dad dies saving children

A hero father’s last moments before his devastating death have been captured in a heartwarming family photo. Brad Coleman posed for a beautiful photo with his wife Hulya and two kids Raiden, 13, and Aleyna, 11 at their favourite holiday spot in Jervis Bay on the south coast of NSW. The family were enjoying their first holiday in three years, when a tragic turn of events changed everything. As Raiden and Aleyna jumped into the water at Hyams beach, a dangerous rip took them in and forced their father to rush in to save them. The 40-year-old father did not think twice when he jumped into action to save his two children with the help of onlookers on bodyboards. As he tried to bring himself to safety, Brad struggled greatly and it is believed he suffered from a heart attack which saw him die in the water. His wife Hulya watched on in horror as his body slowly made its way to shore, with his head under water. She suffered a heart attack as well after approaching her husband’s body. Hulya, Raiden and Aleyna were all flown to the Prince of Wales Hospital where they were all treated. “It just kept pulling, the waves kept pulling and pulling at you,” Hulya told <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/brad-coleman-drowns-saving-kids-raiden-and-aleyna-at-hyams-beach/news-story/0b355735a60648a9ea42119b32e9ca27" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Telegraph</a>. “There was nothing I could do to save him. I’ve lost my best friend. I never thought I’d ever be a widow. “This is a nightmare that I keep thinking I’ll wake up from... then I realise it’s true. “I’ve lost my best friend, the love of my life and the most wonderful father to our children. “We are in this timeline and it’s not just a nightmare. Brad would have fought long, hard, and then long and hard again before taking a lungful of water, of that I have no doubt. “My beloved became our eternal hero, and my heart literally broke on that beach, but it could have been so much worse.” Further to that, Hulya’s father passed away in palliative care before she was able to say goodbye. Brad’s brother Scott organised a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-family-of-brad-coleman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page to help support Hulya and her children. “Any donation you can make, small or large, to assist in the long-term support of Brad’s family will be gratefully and humbly received.” Image: GoFundMe

Caring

Potential breakthrough in Theo Hayez case

Investigators are a step closer to solving the mystery of missing backpacker Theo Hayez, after honing in on WhatsApp messages he exchanged the night he vanished, to gain an insight into what happened. The Belgian teenager disappeared in 2019 from NSW hotspot Byron Bay, with an inquest on Wednesday hearing there had been a 'potential breakthrough' in the case. The development came just hours after Theo's parents suggested 'another person' was involved in their son's disappearance and police offered a $500,000 reward for information. 'I don't want to overstate it, your honour, but we know Theo was engaged in some WhatsApp activity just before 1 am on the 31st of May,' counsel assisting the coroner, Kirsten Edwards said. This activity was prior to a five-hour window when Hayez' mobile phone ceased communicating with the nearest tower. In a bombshell revelation, Ms Edwards said the investigating team had also found a mystery person 'who was communicating with Theo on the 31st of May' but it is not yet known when the two exchanged messages. But WhatsApp messages, very commonly used as the primary messaging app in Europe, are encrypted, making it virtually impossible to find out what the texts said without one of the senders' phones. Earlier on Wednesday, it was revealed the police officer who led the initial search for Mr Hayez was inexperienced, missed vital training and would have conducted the operation 'very differently' with the benefit of hindsight. Speaking at the inquest the same day police announced a $500,000 reward for information on his case. Senior Constable Louis Papworth admitted he had only previously conducted two minor searches before the 18-year-old went missing. Due to the urgency of the search and his inexperience, Papworth told the inquest he had made 'some mistakes.' If he'd had access to location data sourced from Theo's phone on the first two days of the search, it would have looked very different, Papworth said. With the benefit of hindsight, he would also have tried to find out more about Theo's interests and behaviours, to help tailor the search. The data showed Theo had spent seven minutes near cricket nets at a local sporting field, before charting a route through the Arakwal National Park to Cosy Corner Beach. 'If you'd had that access to that information, you would have approached the search in a very different way, and with a lot more intensity?' Ms Edwards asked at the inquest. More volunteers would have been sent to those areas and he would have sent detectives to interview 'vagrants' who were staying near the sporting field. The inquest continues, and is due to hear more new 'significant' evidence in the coming days. Images: Facebook

Travel Trouble

Rundown Rose Bay mansion sells for 10,000 percent profit

A crumbling mansion last sold in 1974 has gone under the hammer, selling for a 10,000 percent profit.Despite sorely needing a paint job, its dilapidated roof, and <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-rose+bay-138314474" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a lack of interior photos</a> due to the state it was in, the property in Sydney’s Rose Bay was one of Sydney’s biggest auctions this year.Its sky-high final price of $16.5 million can be attributed to its priceless 180-degree views of the city skyline, including the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.The house was purchased by company director Norman Barrett in 1974 for $153,000, who died at 84, according to a death notice from last year.The notice described him as the “loving father of Duncan and Amelia”, who he shared with the late actress Carmen Duncan.Due to a caveat on the title, Duncan and Amelia stand to benefit from the property’s sale.With nine registered parties and four competing in the sale, bidding opened at $12 million and jumped by increments of $100-200,000.The new owner will build a new home on the 744 square-metre block to take advantage of the views, as reported by <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/rose-bays-crumbling-mansion-that-last-traded-for-153000-sells-for-165m-at-hot-auction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Realestate.com.au</a>.Images: Realestate.com.au

Real Estate

REVEALED: "Worst" Aussie towns for 2021

Image: Getty The Queensland city of Townsville has been dubbed Australia’s “supreme s***hole of the year” — stoking a strong reaction from some of its residents. It topped a list in this year’s countdown run by the viral Facebook page S*** Towns of Australia, receiving the most votes from the group’s 500,000 followers. Just over 36% of voters listed Townsville as the worst city in the nation, with most blaming high levels of crime. After a year of Covid-19 lockdowns, the entire state of NSW came in second, winning 30% of votes. In third place was the popular beachside suburb of Byron Bay, which received 20% of votes, with Sydney’s Mount Druitt in fourth place. Despite topping the list, some Townsville locals were quick to defend their home town, with one saying “it’s not as bad as what people make it out to be”. “Townsville has a lot to offer. We have the biggest military base here in Australia. We also have a university to further people’s careers,” he said. “There are also some nice beaches where you can camp. You are within an 80km radius to go see a rainforest. “Property values are cheap compared to other places. There’s also a lot of work available if you are looking for a job.” However, some residents actually agreed with the ignominious award — saying crime in the city is out of control. “I would like to formally thank Annastacia (Palaczszuk), Scott (Morrison) and crew for their unfailing efforts in ignoring the crime situation in Townsville,” one resident said. “We could not have won this amazing award without their consistent neglect.” “I love Townsville. Like genuinely have an affinity for the place,” said another Queenslander. “But far out, it is ALWAYS getting on the list for some gronk doing something stupid and getting arrested for it. So I would say that this is probably fair play.” The S*** Towns of Australia website had this to say about Townsville: “Townsville (or Towntown in English) was named after Robert Towns, a notorious slave trader who was well-known for the practice of ‘blackbirding’, which is Australian for abducting South Sea Islanders and forcing them to work on your sugar cane plantations. In true s*** town fashion, Townsville honoured their namesake with a bronze statue for his services to racism.

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