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King Charles' special tribute to Holocaust survivor

<p>King Charles has paid tribute to Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert, who has died aged 100. </p> <p>The Hungarian-born British writer died peacefully at home in north London. She was the eldest of six children and was freed from Auschwitz at the age of 20, almost 80 years ago, as her mother and two younger siblings were killed in the gas chambers.</p> <p>She migrated to the UK in 1967 with her husband and began educating the world about the horrors of the Holocaust. </p> <p>Since then, her story and resilience has touched millions worldwide, including King Charles, who met her in 2015 when she joined him to light one of six remembrance candles in London for the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. </p> <p>Last year, he made her an MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in recognition of her services to Holocaust education. </p> <p>In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, the monarch said  "it was with the greatest sadness" that he had heard of her death.</p> <p>"As a survivor of the unmentionable horrors of the Holocaust, I am so proud that she later found a home in Britain where she continued to tell the world of the horrendous atrocities she had witnessed, as a permanent reminder for our generation – and, indeed, for future generations – of the depths of depravity and evil to which humankind can fall, when reason, compassion and truth are abandoned," he said.</p> <p>"Alongside other Holocaust survivors, she became an integral part of the fabric of our nation; her extraordinary resilience and courage an example to us all, which will never be forgotten."</p> <p>In 2021, Charles, who was the Prince of Wales described how he had been personally inspired throughout his own life by the stories of survivors and their bravery and personal sacrifice. </p> <p>At the unveiling of the Queen's Gallery in London, Ebert told him:  "Meeting you, it is for everyone who lost their lives." </p> <p>To which the King replied:  "But it is a greater privilege for me."</p> <p>Ebert's great-grandson Dov Forman, who helped co-write her book<em> How I Survived Auschwitz and Found the Strength to Live, </em>paid tribute to the family's "beloved matriarch", known as Safta on social media. </p> <p>"Over the years, Safta's story touched hundreds of millions worldwide, reminding us of the resilience of the human spirit and the dangers of unchecked hatred," he began.</p> <p>"She taught us the power of tolerance and faith, the importance of speaking out, and the need to stand against prejudice.</p> <p>"Safta was the queen of our large, loving family. With a surviving daughter and son – remembering a daughter who pre-deceased her – 10 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, her legacy lives on in each of us.</p> <p>"She rebuilt her life with faith and love, never asking, 'Why me?'. Instead, she focused on what could be rebuilt from the ashes, and her positivity continues to guide us through these difficult times.</p> <p>"As we mourn our beloved Mummy, Safta, we also celebrate her extraordinary life.</p> <p>"A light that shone so brightly has gone dark. She was our hero, and her absence leaves an unimaginable void in our lives."</p> <p><em>Images: </em><em>Arthur Edwards/WPA Pool/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p> <p> </p>

Caring

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Rare photos of Michael Hutchence’s daughter emerge

<p>New photos of Tiger Lily, who is the only daughter of late INXS singer Michael Hutchence and late UK television star Paula Yates, have emerged.</p> <p>The ultra-private Australian star, 27, has been quietly dating British model Ben Archer, who posted a few rare candids of Tiger Lily on her birthday. </p> <p>The post which was shared in July and went unnoticed at the time was captioned: “Happy birthday to the rock dog.”</p> <p>"I love you!” she replied in the comments. </p> <p>In one photo the couple can be seen wearing sheet masks while looking out a window, and in another Tiger Lily was pictured pulling a funny pose in a tin man costume.</p> <p>“Best tin man in town,” Archer added.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CvAMMFStNby/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CvAMMFStNby/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ben Archer (@benarcher_)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Prior to her current relationship, Tiger Lily dated musician Nick Allbrook for six years before revealing that the couple had split last April. </p> <p>Despite her parents' fame, Tiger Lily has mostly stayed out of the spotlight, and it is not known where she is currently based as her Instagram account is private. </p> <p>She dabbled in the entertainment industry last February, with the quiet release of her first digital album <em>Tragic Tiger’s Sad Meltdown, </em>a play on a past headline written about her. </p> <p>After her mother's death in 2000, and the death of her father three years prior, Tiger Lily was raised by her mother’s ex-husband Bob Geldof, now 72, in London.</p> <p>When she was dating Allbrook, a former guitarist for the hit Aussie band Tame Impala, Tiger Lily was living in Fremantle, Perth.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Lilie James farewelled in emotional memorial service

<p>Friends and family of Lilie James have honoured the 21-year-old water polo coach in an emotional memorial service. </p> <p>The memorial was held at Danebank Anglican School in Hurstville in Sydney's south on Friday morning, with Lilie's loved ones making the sweet gesture at the service. </p> <p>Friends, family and members of her school community at St Andrew's Cathedral school where she taught were asked to show up in bright colours, to remember Lilie fondly and celebrate her life, despite it being cut short. </p> <p>In a statement, Ms James' father Jamie said the 21-year-old was a vibrant young woman who was "always on the go".</p> <p>"On top of working and studying Lilie loved coaching and playing water polo. She loved to dance," he said.</p> <p>"Even with her busy schedule, she always still made time to support her brother Max, her friends and family."</p> <p>"We cannot thank the community enough for their thoughts, prayers, generosity and messages through this difficult time."</p> <p>"From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for the many great memories we all share of Lilie."</p> <p>He concluded, "Lilie James we are so proud of you and thank you for sharing a wonderful and jam-packed 21 years together."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Family and friends are gathering at a private service in Sydney's south this morning, to farewell Lilie James - who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend and colleague, at her workplace, last month. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9News?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9News</a> <a href="https://t.co/BXkRYdPkj1">pic.twitter.com/BXkRYdPkj1</a></p> <p>— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) <a href="https://twitter.com/9NewsSyd/status/1725316273431527677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>A white hearse arrived at the school at 9:30am on Friday morning, as friends and family cried and embraced each other during the procession. </p> <p>NSW Premier Chris Minns was also seen arriving to pay his respects, with as many as 500 mourners expected at the service.</p> <p>As per the wishes of Ms James' family, the memorial at Danebank was for friends and the school community only, while the service was live-streamed into St Andrew's Cathedral School for students and teachers to view together. </p> <p>Lilie James was working as an assistant water polo instructor for the elite inner-city school when she was found dead with horrific head injuries inside the campus gymnasium toilets on October 25th. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine News</em></p>

Caring

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Elite school under fire over comments about Lilie James' suspected killer

<p>The recent <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/slain-st-andrew-s-staffer-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">murder of 21-year-old Lilie James</a> at St Andrew's Cathedral School in Sydney has raised profound questions about the nature of violence, the portrayal of perpetrators and the responsibilities of our educational institutions.</p> <p>What made this tragedy even more unsettling was a newsletter written by Dr John Collier, headmaster of the Shore School in North Sydney, <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">first <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-04/sydney-school-principal-lilie-james-murder-criticised-newsletter/103062628" target="_blank" rel="noopener">published by the ABC</a>, </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">in which he described the suspected murderer, Paul Thijssen, as "an absolute delight" and "not a monster". This statement has sparked a wave of controversy and calls for reflection within the community.</span></p> <p>The horrifying incident that unfolded at St Andrew's Cathedral School last week sent shockwaves throughout the community. The life of a promising young woman was abruptly cut short, and the alleged perpetrator, her former boyfriend Paul Thijssen, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/lilie-james-grieving-family-breaks-silence-as-body-is-found-in-manhunt-for-suspect" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was found dead</a> after an extensive police search. Dr Collier, who had served as headmaster of St Andrew's between 2010 and 2022, knew Thijssen during his time there and described him as a "fine student, a prefect, a role model".</p> <p>In his newsletter titled "Looking in the Face of Savagery", Dr Collier wrestles with the apparent contradiction between the image of Thijssen as a seemingly normal and well-adjusted young man and the heinous act he committed. Dr Collier's description of Thijssen as "an absolute delight" and "not a monster" has ignited a fierce debate about the language used to describe individuals who commit such acts of violence.</p> <p>"What is chilling about the tragedy which unfolded at St Andrew's, the shock and grief of which will cascade for a long time, is that the young man concerned was, in everybody's estimation, an absolute delight," Dr Collier wrote. "He appeared to be just like the best of us. An hour before he committed the atrocity, he was speaking in a relaxed, friendly mode with staff at that school.</p> <p>"He was not a monster; rather, in the last five hours of his life, he committed a monstrous act which was in complete contradiction to what everyone who knew him observed in the rest of this short life.</p> <p>"What led to his mental disintegration? Was it a psychotic episode which was deeply out of character?"</p> <p>Sexual consent advocate Chanel Contos pointed out to the ABC that this incident is symbolic of a more extensive problem that must be addressed. She argues that the normalisation of violence must be confronted and that we cannot simply classify such individuals as anomalies. Contos emphasises the importance of instilling a culture of respect and accountability, particularly within educational institutions.</p> <p>Schools like St Andrew's and Shore play a vital role in shaping the values and behaviours of young people. Shore acknowledged the criticism surrounding Dr Collier's newsletter and emphasised its commitment to building "good men" through character development programs that promote respect for women. However, this incident serves as a stark reminder that there is still much work to be done in addressing issues related to toxic masculinity, entitlement and violence.</p> <p>Lilie James's tragic death serves as a painful reminder of the urgent need to challenge harmful stereotypes, address toxic behaviours, and hold individuals accountable for their actions.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

News

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Chilling text sent to Lilie James' father moments after her death

<p>Heart-wrenching new details have emerged surrounding the tragic murder of 21-year-old water polo coach Lilie James on a school campus in Sydney. As students at St. Andrew's Cathedral School returned to their classrooms for the first time since the incident, the shocking revelation of a disturbing text message sent from the victim's phone has sent shockwaves throughout the community.</p> <p>On the night of Wednesday, October 25, Lilie James was found dead with horrific head injuries inside the campus gymnasium toilets. The incident left the entire community in shock and disbelief. Paul Thijssen, a 24-year-old sports coach at the same school, quickly became a person of interest in the investigation. He had been wanted for questioning in connection with the gruesome discovery.</p> <p>What adds to the chilling narrative is the use of James' phone by her suspected killer. Thijssen sent a text message to the victim's father, asking him to come to the school to collect her. The contents of the message remain undisclosed, but the mere fact that the perpetrator used the victim's phone to communicate with her family has sent shivers down the spines of many.</p> <p>Two days later, on Friday, a male body was discovered near the base of cliffs in Vaucluse, located in Sydney's east. Paul Thijssen was caught on CCTV in the vicinity just hours before he informed the police about the water polo coach's tragic fate.</p> <p>James and Thijssen were known to have been in a relationship for several weeks leading up to her untimely death. Detectives investigating the case had initially considered the possibility that Thijssen might have taken his own life following James' murder, and as a result, they were not actively seeking other suspects.</p> <p>As students returned to St. Andrew's Cathedral School, floral tributes began to pile up outside the institution. The community came together for an assembly to remember and honour Lilie James. Head of School Julie McGonigle expressed the grief and confusion that has enveloped the school community. The tragedy has left them grappling with the stark contrast between the individuals they thought they knew and the horrifying reality that unfolded.</p> <p>In the face of such a traumatic event, counsellors have been made available to both teachers and students to provide emotional support and guidance.</p> <p>Lilie James was described as "a ray of light", a young woman who was "so full of life" by those who knew her best. She was a dedicated student, a hardworking employee, and an enthusiastic coach in both swimming and water polo. Her grandmother, Barbara, shared her heartache, saying, "Some people come into this world, I think they're so special, and they don't stay long. That was my granddaughter."</p> <p>As the community tries to make sense of this devastating loss, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up on behalf of Lilie James' family, raising more than $18,000 to support them during this difficult time.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Legal

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“I remember the day she was born": Lilie James' grandma speaks out

<p>Lilie James' grandmother has spoken out for the first time since her granddaughter's <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/tragic-new-details-emerge-in-alleged-murder-of-lilie-james" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tragic death</a>. </p> <p>The 21-year-old water polo coach was found dead with severe head wounds in the gym bathroom of St Andrew’s Cathedral School on the 25th of October. </p> <p>On Monday, her grieving grandmother Barbara spoke with <em>2GB</em> radio host Ben Fordham to share an emotional tribute. </p> <p>“I remember the day she was born, bright as a button coming out and never stopped since then,” she told Fordham. </p> <p>“Just kept learning and having fun. She had a lot of fun, Lilie, and she was so kind.</p> <p>“Some people come into this world – I think they are so special, and they don’t stay long, and I think that was my granddaughter.”</p> <p>St Andrew’s Cathedral School will hold a special assembly in honour of James on Monday, with students expected to return to the school for the first time since her passing. </p> <p>Barbara's statement comes just days after James' family issued a <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/lilie-james-grieving-family-breaks-silence-as-body-is-found-in-manhunt-for-suspect" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> thanking the community for their support during these tough times. </p> <p>“We are devastated and heartbroken by the loss of our beautiful Lilie James,” they said in the official statement released at the time. </p> <p>“She was vibrant, outgoing, and very much loved by her family and friends.</p> <p>"We are tremendously grateful for the support of our community at this difficult time."</p> <p><em style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Figtree, Roboto, 'Noto Sans Hebrew', 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">Images: Facebook</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Lilie James' grieving family breaks silence as body is found in manhunt for suspect

<p>Lilie James' devastated family have spoken out for the first time, following her <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/slain-st-andrew-s-staffer-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tragic death</a>. </p> <p>The 21-year-old water polo coach was found dead with serious head injuries at the gymnasium bathroom of St Andrew’s Cathedral School on Wednesday night. </p> <p>Her male colleague and ex-boyfriend Paul Thijssen is believed to be involved in her <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/tragic-new-details-emerge-in-alleged-murder-of-lilie-james" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alleged murder</a>, when he went missing at The Gap in Vaucluse, after reportedly calling the police informing them of a body on school grounds. </p> <p>A body has reportedly been found at the base of the cliffs in Diamond Bay Reserve, however police are currently unable to confirm whether the body was that of 24-year-old Thijssen. </p> <p>“A police operation is currently underway to retrieve a body in Vaucluse,” NSW Police said in an earlier statement.</p> <p>“No further information is available at this time.”</p> <p>Detectives are currently investigating the possibility that Thijssen had taken his own life, as The Gap is a notorious suicide spot, and Thijssen's backpack and an item linked to the alleged homicide was found there. </p> <p>On Friday morning, her family have broken their silence following the grim discovery. </p> <p>“We are devastated and heartbroken by the loss of our beautiful Lilie James,” the family said in a statement released by the police. </p> <p>“She was vibrant, outgoing, and very much loved by her family and friends. We are tremendously grateful for the support of our community at this difficult time.</p> <p>“As a police investigation is underway, we will not be providing further comments.</p> <p>“We ask that you please respect our privacy.”</p> <p>Students have been paying tribute to the fallen water polo coach with a growing flower memorial at the school's entrance. </p> <p>A few of the students she coached also told<em> 7NEWS.com.au </em>that she was an “amazing” and “encouraging” coach.</p> <p>"She always had a smile on her face,” one student said.</p> <p>“You will be in all of our prayers and hearts. Thank you for making PE so much fun, thank you for being an amazing and strong coach, and thank you for being there. We love you,” another student said.</p> <p><em>Images: 7NEWS/Facebook</em></p>

News

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Tragic new details emerge in alleged murder of Lilie James

<p>After the prestigious St Andrew's Cathedral School in Sydney was been rocked by the alleged murder of a young water polo instructor, Lilie James, new details about the discovery of a possible murder weapon have been revealed.</p> <p>James was found dead in a gym bathroom within the school, with "serious head injuries" that were <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12674723/Lilie-James-murder-Paul-Thijssen-St-Andrews-Cathedral.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly inflicted with a hammer</a>. The circumstances surrounding her death are both puzzling and distressing, leaving the community in shock and disbelief.</p> <p>James, who had been romantically involved with her colleague, 24-year-old sports coach Paul Thijssen, met a tragic end in the place where she had dedicated her time and passion. The two had recently ended their five-week relationship, and the events of that night have left investigators piecing together a disturbing puzzle.</p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">CCTV footage obtained by the police revealed that Thijssen followed James into the school's gym bathroom, only to exit more than an hour later. Four hours after leaving the scene, he called the authorities to report a body on the school grounds – police were then able to trace that call to "The Gap" clifftop at Diamond Bay Reserve in Vaucluse, </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">a notorious suicide spot, where they found </span>Thijssen's backpack, <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">along with an item that has been linked to the homicide.</span></p> <p>The investigation has taken a tragic turn, as authorities are now trying to determine whether Thijssen had taken his own life. Detectives are grappling with the shocking and heartbreaking details of this case, with no prior indication of a history of domestic violence between the two individuals.</p> <p>Thijssen, a former student of St Andrew's Cathedral School, was part of a privileged family that had moved to Australia from the Netherlands in 2015. He excelled as a sports captain during his student years and later returned to the school as a cricket and hockey coach after graduating in 2017.</p> <p>The school, in the wake of this tragic incident, took immediate action to inform parents of the situation via text messages. The message indicated that the school would be closed, except for Year 12 exams, and a "critical incident" had occurred. It assured parents that no students were involved and that there was no ongoing threat to the school community.</p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">NSW Premier Chris Minns described it as a “horrible, horrible” crime. “One of the worst that I’ve seen in my public life", while </span>Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman described the crime scene as "quite confronting" for first responders, reflecting the severity and gravity of the situation. The school is working closely with the police to gather more information and provide a safe environment for students and staff members.</p> <p>As the investigation continues, the hope is that it will shed light on the circumstances surrounding her untimely death and provide answers to the many lingering questions.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook / LinkedIn</em></p>

News

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23-year-old bravely dies on her own terms

<p> A terminally ill young woman from Adelaide has ended her life under the state’s voluntary assisted dying laws.</p> <p>In a funeral notice published in the<em> Adelaide Advertiser</em>, the family of Lily Thai said she died at the Flinders Medical Centre on June 21.</p> <p>“Much loved daughter of Kate and Le. Beloved granddaughter, niece and cousin. Treasured friend to many,” the family wrote.</p> <p>The family have shared that her funeral will be held at Centennial Park Cemetery on June 29.</p> <p>She made the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/23-year-old-reveals-why-she-s-chosen-to-end-her-life" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heartbreaking decision</a> to take her own life after countless surgeries failed to improve her illness.</p> <p>Thai suffered from Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) – a genetic condition that left her completely bedridden and in constant pain.</p> <p>Her powerful story touched thousands nationwide before she passed away.</p> <p>Thai had long wished to take her own life with dignity after a battle with such a debilitating condition.</p> <p>“I decided that pain was so severe it wasn’t worth it, and I just wanted to take it into my own hands,” Thai told the Adelaide Advertiser.</p> <p>After her painful health battle, she spent her last days at the Flinders Medical Centre, where she said she mainly slept while in “excruciating pain”</p> <p>Thai had recently signed the paperwork to use South Australia’s voluntary assisted dying laws, which came into effect in January 2023, to end her life after being administered an IV medication.</p> <p><em>Image credit: The Advertiser / TikTok</em></p>

Caring

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23-year-old reveals why she's chosen to end her life

<p>23-year-old Lily Thai has made the crippling decision to end her life.</p> <p>The Adelaide native, who suffers from Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), will use recently passed voluntary assisted dying laws after signing the final paperwork a week prior.</p> <p>In January 2023, South Australia legalised assisted dying with the government funnelling in $18 million over the next five years to support safe access to the service.</p> <p>“I realised that I can’t have any more anaesthesia, so I (couldn’t) have any more feeding tube changes (or) surgeries,” Thai told <em>The Advertiser</em>.</p> <p>EDS is a debilitating genetic condition which has left the 23-year-old completely bedridden and in constant pain.</p> <p>It affects her joints, skin and walls of the blood vessels so severely she is reliant on her father as a caregiver to do everything for her, “even the most intimate things”.</p> <p>Doctors will administer an IV medication that will terminate the young woman’s life within 10 seconds.</p> <p>“I’ll no longer have any pain, I will no longer suffer with any of these issues, and I’ll finally be free of all the suffering that I have endured for so many years.”</p> <p>Thai had initially thought her health deterioration was caused by a spinal fluid leak, but after undergoing treatment to fix it, her condition did not improve and doctors couldn’t give her a definitive diagnosis.</p> <p>As a desperate last measure, she travelled to Sydney to meet a surgeon who “specialised in spinal issues (for) patients with EDS” when she was 21.</p> <p>She was then confined to a halo brace and required a nasal feeding tube as she "couldn’t keep anything down,” and weighed just 40kg.</p> <p>In May 2021, Thai had spinal fusion surgery and just a week later was fitted with a gastro Jejenul feeding tube to vent out stomach acid and secretion.</p> <p>Through her rehab period, hospitals were under strict Covid-19 protocols, so Thai suffered alone without any visitors.</p> <p>“I couldn’t stand not seeing my dad, so I got discharged early,” she said.</p> <p>She was later diagnosed with auto-immune autonomic ganglionopathy — a rare condition where the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system.</p> <p>“The neurologist said that I was in multi-organ failure, but it wasn’t until I had a severe decline after one of my surgeries, (and) when I saw my rehab doctor they found a large lesion of the left side of my brain,” she said.</p> <p>“He suspected I had a type of motor neurone disease.”</p> <p>Thai has spent the past two years at Flinders Medical Centre’s Laurel Hospice, where she shared that most of her days are filled with sleep to avoid being in “excruciating pain”.</p> <p>Healthcare staff there granted one of her final wishes, which was to visit a beach, and so they took Thai in the back of an ambulance to the coastline. </p> <p>An image (at top) shows Lily resting on a bed, enjoying her Maccas fries and looking out at the golden sand and blue water in front of her.</p> <p>While at the hospice, Thai also formed a strong bond with another young woman, Annaliese Holland, who was also suffering a terminal illness at the hospice.</p> <p>The pair say young people with a terminal illness often mourn the “life (they) never got to have.”</p> <p>“For elderly or older people, (they) have memories to look back on to laugh about and cry about,” Holland said. “But for a young person in palliative hospice, you haven’t formed many of them.”</p> <p>“You never do the normal things like going to your high school graduation,” Thai said.</p> <p>“What makes me sad is that … you just want to push on, but at the same time it’s really hard because you know you won’t have babies or any of that,” Holland said.</p> <p>Holland has vowed to do everything in her power to make Thai’s last days in hospice more bearable.</p> <p>“All I can do is brush her (Lily’s) hair or moisturise her legs. I just want her to know that I’m there and people care,” a tearful Holland said.</p> <p>Thai has been able to plan parts of her own funeral and has been busy saying goodbye to family and friends.</p> <p>As part of her legacy, she’s inviting donations for palliative research to The Hospital Research Foundation on her memorial card to be given to funeral attendees.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Facebook</em></p>

Caring

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Thai cave rescue survivor dies aged just 17

<p>Duangphet Promthep, one of 12 boys who was rescued along with their soccer coach from the Tham Luang Nang Non cave system in northern Thailand, has died. </p> <p>Duangphet was found unconscious in his dormitory on Sunday, and sadly passed away two days later. While the exact cause of death is unknown at this time, reports from the United Kingdom suggest he had suffered a head injury. </p> <p>Duangphet had only been enrolled in Leicester’s Brooke House College Football Academy since late 2022. </p> <p>Thai non-profit organisation Zico Foundation, which had assisted him in getting a scholarship to study in England, shared its condolences on Facebook. </p> <p>“Zico Foundation would like to express its condolences and condolence for the passing away of Little Dom Duangphet Phromthep,” they wrote of Duangphet, who also went by the name ‘Dom’, “a student of Zico Foundation.”</p> <p>When Duangphet was only 13 years old, he was trapped with his soccer team - the Wild Boars soccer team of which he was captain - and their squad’s assistant coach for over two weeks in a cave system known as the ‘Great Cave of the Sleeping Lady'. </p> <p>The twelve boys were between the ages 11 and 16, and 4 kilometres into their fateful adventure, when rising floodwaters prevented their escape from Thailand’s fourth-largest cave system. </p> <p>It was an international effort to save the boys and their coach, with a search and rescue mission that spanned over two weeks, with divers from Thailand and from overseas stepping in to help. </p> <p>Some of the boys who were with him in those terrifying times shared their condolences on social media as news of his passing broke around the world. </p> <p>“Brother, you told me that we would be achieving our football dream,” wrote Titan Chanin Viboonrungruan. “If the next world is real, I want us to play football together again, my brother Dom.”</p> <p>“You told me to wait and see you play for the national team, I always believed that you would do it," Prachak Sutham said. "When we met the last time before you left for England, I even jokingly told you that when you come back, I would have to ask for your autograph.</p> <p>"Sleep well, my dear friend. We will always have 13 of us together."</p> <p>In a statement, Duangphet’s school principal Ian Smith said, “this event has left our college community deeply saddened and shaken.</p> <p>“We unite in grief with all of Dom's family, friends, former teammates and those involved in all parts of his life, as well as everyone affected in any way by this loss in Thailand and throughout the college's global family."</p> <p>Dom’s mother joined an online news conference and shared her hope that a Buddhist monk in England would be able to conduct rites for Duangphet.</p> <p>In that same conference, former Thai national soccer team coach and the Zico Foundation’s chairman Kiatisuk Senamuang, described his shock at the news of Duangphet’s passing. </p> <p>“My thoughts are with his family and friends,' he said, fighting tears. 'I think back to his dream of becoming a professional footballer, representing his country and his voice keeps speaking in my head.”</p> <p>He went on to explain that as far as he knew, Duangphet had been healthy, as a full health check had been performed in order for Duangphet to obtain his student visa. While his cause of death is currently unknown, an investigation into the cause will likely take place, and hopefully provide his loved ones with closure in this tragic time. </p> <p><em>Image: Facebook</em></p> <p> </p>

News

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"No words": A-League captain's wife dies suddenly

<p dir="ltr">The Australian football community has come together to grieve after the shock death of Brisbane player Ulises Dávila's wife, Lily Pacheco, on Sunday.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-83d67cb0-7fff-e941-d560-f2839baf2561"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Macarthur football club shared the heartbreaking news on Monday morning and extended condolences to Dávila and his extended family.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">We are saddened to hear Ulises Dávila's wife, Lily has tragically passed away overnight. </p> <p>The club would like to express its heartfelt condolences to Uli, Uli Jnr and the extended family during this difficult time. ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/I9uwYvaiOp">pic.twitter.com/I9uwYvaiOp</a></p> <p>— Macarthur FC (@mfcbulls) <a href="https://twitter.com/mfcbulls/status/1531066621493657602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Dávila and Pacheo share one child, two-year-old Uli Jr.</p> <p dir="ltr">Other football clubs and players were quick to share their condolences, including former Socceroos player Robert Cornthwaite.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Devastating. Condolences to Ulises and his family," Cornthwaite tweeted.</p> <p dir="ltr">"All of us at Brisbane Roar (football club) send our deepest condolences. We are sorry to hear this terrible news," Brisbane Roar wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-e26a16da-7fff-0d9b-8d12-fc25d1815a14"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Melbourne FC tweeted: "Heartbreaking news. Everyone shares their condolences."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Wellington Phoenix are saddened to hear the news that Ulises Dávila’s wife Lily has passed away.</p> <p>Uli &amp; his whānau will always be a part of ours. </p> <p>We would like to send our deepest condolences to Uli &amp; his family during this tough time. </p> <p>Kia kaha. <a href="https://t.co/rkaYAOLmg5">pic.twitter.com/rkaYAOLmg5</a></p> <p>— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/WgtnPhoenixFC/status/1531085366656380928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“This is the most tragic news. The entire football community mourns for Ulises and their family. There are no words for this unimaginable grief,” sports journalist Sebastian Hassett wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">The news comes after Dávila was named Bulls player of the year earlier this month, after he signed on with the Macarthur team on a three-year contract last year.</p> <p dir="ltr">He also shared the Johnny Warren medal, awarded to the best player in the A-League, with Sydney FC’s Milos Ninkovic in 2020/21.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-eb3d6c7d-7fff-21f7-88f4-72b95c3c48d0"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @ulidavila (Instagram)</em></p>

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Scott Morrison’s children insulted online

<p dir="ltr">Scott Morrison’s daughters have been trolled online for the way they dress just days out before the federal election.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Prime Minister was with his wife Jenny, daughters Abbey and Lily at the Liberal Party campaign launch in Brisbane on May 15.</p> <p dir="ltr">A family photo from the event was shared online and a troll immediately jumped and attacked Abbey and Lily for the way they dress. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I'm not one to criticize appearances, but why is it that @ScottMorrisonMP's women always dress like the Amish? (serious Q),” the troll’s comment read.</p> <p dir="ltr">Twitter users however were not having any of it, calling out the troll for his insensitive comments to leave the children alone.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Oh ffs still picking on the kids. So classy,” one person wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“What on earth is wrong with people,” another commented. </p> <p dir="ltr">This is not the first time Morrison’s kids have been on the receiving end of disgusting comments with many saying the prime minister was using them as a publicity stunt. </p> <p dir="ltr">In February, he shared a photo of himself with daughter Lily in the kitchen while cooking a curry. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Joined by my curry apprentice tonight. Chicken Xacuti and Eggplant Masala,” he captioned the photo. </p> <p dir="ltr">People accused the prime minister of lying because the photo was in fact a few years old and not taken in the moment. </p> <p dir="ltr">Another incident was back on Australia Day when another family photo was shared online with many calling out his daughter’s fashion sense. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

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Grant Denyer’s big win over “false” affair story

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">TV presenter Grant Denyer has recently celebrated his win against tabloid magazine </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">New Idea</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, after the publication was forced to publicly apologise for publishing a false story about him having an affair.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In mid-October, </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">New Idea</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> published a story implying that Denyer was having an affair with his </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dancing with the Stars</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> partner Lily Cornish.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Taking to Instagram on Monday, the Gold Logie winner shared two photos of the apology, which appeared on both </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.newidea.com.au/grant-denyer-chezzi-denyer-lily-cornish-apology" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">their website</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and latest printed edition.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CXHTazzBfoa/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CXHTazzBfoa/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Grant Denyer (@grantdenyer)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“As many of you have already read and raised with us, <em>New Idea</em> have printed today on the editor’s page an apology to Chezzi, Lily and myself for their most recent attack - The false, sensationalised, out of context and WRONG front cover,” he began in the caption.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“And they have admitted (which very rarely ever happens) that the article was false.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“They also have admitted that they regret publishing the article.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://thenewdaily.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/2021/12/06/grant-denyer-wins-new-idea-battle/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">also revealed</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that he received a “confidential settlement” from the magazine almost two months after the “sensationalised” claims emerged.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Denyer said that he had every intention of suing the publication, employing lawyers from Corrs Chambers Westgarth to argue his case, but a “suitable” settlement was reached outside of court.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He noted that the settlement included, “most importantly, a public apology and an admission that the story and headline were false”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though he said he, his wife Chezzi, and Cornish couldn’t remove the edition from circulation, “we hope this sets a serious precedent for the future”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Thanks to each and every one of you who have sent us letters, emails and messages of support throughout this, and to all of those who passed on their distain (sic) to <em>New Idea</em></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and boycotted the magazine, we thank you from the bottom of our heart,” he continued.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Without your support the 3 of us may not have been brave enough to take on this media giant.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>New Idea</em> released the apology earlier on Monday and conveyed its regret in publishing the story.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Are Media and <em>New Idea</em></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">acknowledge that Grant Denyer and Lily Cornish are not having an extramarital affair. They have never had an affair,” it said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Are Media and <em>New Idea</em></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">regret publishing the article.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Are Media and <em>New Idea</em></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> wish to sincerely apologise to Grant Denyer, Chezzi Denyer and Lily Cornish for the hurt and embarrassment caused by this article.”</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CV4nf66Jw2G/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CV4nf66Jw2G/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Grant Denyer (@grantdenyer)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When the story first emerged, the </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/grant-and-chezzi-denyer-slam-cheating-rumours" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Denyers refuted its claims</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that Grant was “caught out” with Cornish.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Lilz is like our adopted daughter,” Chezzi said at the time, adding that Cornish was a close friend of both her and Denyer.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We grew extremely close during her month long stay with us here in Bathurst. We absolutely adore her!”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p>

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Grant and Chezzi Denyer slam cheating rumours

<p>Grant Denyer and his wife Chezzi have hit back at New Idea Magazine for claiming Grant had been "caught out" having an affair. </p> <p>The story, which has since been removed by the publication's online site, featured photos of Grant, 44, walking down the street with his <em>Dancing With The Stars</em> partner Lily Cornish, 22. </p> <p>One image in question showed Lily resting her head on Grant's shoulder, with Grant's hand on the dancer's leg. </p> <p>The magazine published these "shock new pics" and made bold accusations over "Chezzi's heartbreak". </p> <p>Upon the release of the magazine, Chezzi took to Instagram and shared the front cover saying "Ohhh PLEASE!!!"</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844967/grant-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6bee841d80eb460fba040773a3bfa87a" /></p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram @chezzidenyer</em></p> <p>Chez launched into a rant against the magazine, saying the photographer has apologised to the couple for the images being "taken out of context".</p> <p>“Right before this little ‘she’ll be right’ leg pat … I was on the phone with them also consoling Lilz,” Chezzi wrote, explaining that Lily is a close friend of the couple’s.</p> <p>“Lilz is like our adopted daughter. We grew extremely close during her month long stay with us here in Bathurst. We absolutely adore her!”</p> <p>She went on to describe the article as "gross and really mean". </p> <p>Grant also went on a tirade on his own Instagram stories, saying he usually doesn't bother chiming in to the rumour mill, but this situation was "savage".</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844968/grant.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/bbbbfa9db51d490b99a2e0de66ded3da" /></p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram @grantdenyer</em></p> <p>He said, “My wife and I are used to fabricated stories from these type of magazine, we’ve had a life of it but for Lily, she’s a 22 yo kid!!</p> <p>“This kind of treatment is brutally unfair and disgusting.”</p> <p>Grant concluded by saying, <span>“I’m a Dad of 3 girls. And if any friend is having a bad day or a tough time in their life, I’m going to be there for them. End of story.”</span></p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Jane Fonda talks about working with Lily Tomlin

<p>When Jane Fonda was last in Australia, we asked her what it’s been like working with Lily Tomlin on the much-acclaimed Netflix series, <em>Grace and Frankie. </em></p> <p>Fonda told us working with Tomlin was: “Paradise. I admire her and love her so much.”</p> <p>“It’s like working with a genius… She really is – there are so many people inside of her. Watching her work and watching how she is in life, is an inspiration.”</p> <p>“I feel so lucky to be part of Team Lily,” she concluded. You can watch her talking in the video below.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bLpsP045rWE" title="YouTube video player" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <p><strong>Four episodes of the seventh and final season of Grace and Frankie released </strong></p> <p>So far, there are four episodes of the seventh and final season of G<em>race and Frankie</em> streaming on Netflix because filming was delayed because of COVID. Netflix says it plans to load more episodes as they’re available.</p> <p>Many of us have enjoyed this Emmy-nominated series and this is majorly due to the great work from the actors Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. Netflix announced last year that the seventh season will be the last of the series but it still makes the show the longest-running original Netflix series to date.</p> <p>The first season of <em>Grace and Frankie </em>premiered in May 2015 and all the previous six seasons of the hit show are now streaming on Netflix.</p> <p>With the addition of this seventh season, which will end up consisting of 16 episodes, the show will have run for 94 episodes – a large number and this is what makes the show is Netflix’s longest-running original series to date.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/useJWxOqbJI" title="YouTube video player" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <p><strong>The star power <em>of Grace and Frankie</em></strong></p> <p><em>Grace and Frankie </em>has always had all the components needed to keep us glued to our screens whenever we watch it. As well as Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, it also features Martin Sheen and Sam Waterson as their husbands.  </p> <p>B<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Decker">rooklyn Decker</a> plays Mallory Hanson, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Embry">Ethan Embry</a> plays Coyote Bergstein, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_Diane_Raphael">June Diane Raphael</a> is Brianna Hanson and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baron_Vaughn">Baron Vaughn</a> is Bud Bergstein.</p> <p>The show has won fans all along the way because it has such an interesting storyline – all revolving around Grace and Frankie, who’ve know each other for many years because of the long-standing friendship between their husbands.</p> <p>That is, until their two husbands come out and say they’re gay and they wish to live as a couple. This leaves the women to live their own life and although they’re very different, they find they bond through this experience.</p> <p>The series was created by Marta Kauffman and Howard J. Morris and airs on Netflix. As Kauffman and Morris have said: “It’s thrilling and somehow fitting, that our show about the challenges, as well as the beauty and dignity of aging, will be the oldest show on Netflix.”</p> <p><em>Images and Video: YouTube</em></p> <p><em> </em></p>

Movies

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Lily Allen shares rare snaps of her daughters as flower girls

<p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p> <p>Lily Allen has celebrated her first wedding anniversary with stranger things actor David Harbour.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>“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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.<br /><br />“Refreshments were served at a small reception following”.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CE7KngMnprf/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by David Harbour (@dkharbour)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>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.</p>

Family & Pets

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You must try this prawn and broccolini pad Thai

<p>This recipe is a perfect mix of broccoli and Chinese kale. It has a mild peppery taste that becomes sweeter when cooked.</p> <p>Serves 4 | Takes 15 minutes</p> <p><strong>Ingredients</strong></p> <ul> <li>2 bunches Broccolini, roughly chopped</li> <li>200g packet pad Thai rice stick noodles</li> <li>¼ cup fish sauce</li> <li>2 tablespoons grated palm sugar or brown sugar</li> <li>1 lime, juiced</li> <li>2 tablespoons peanut oil</li> <li>700g medium green prawns, peeled, deveined</li> <li>2 eggs, lightly beaten</li> <li>3 tablespoons pad Thai paste</li> <li>3 green onions, thinly sliced</li> <li>bean sprouts, coriander leaves and fried shallots</li> <li>lime wedges, to serve</li> </ul> <p><strong>Method</strong></p> <p>1. Cook the noodles following the packet directions. Drain and cover to keep warm. Combine the fish sauce, palm sugar and lime juice. Stir to dissolve the sugar then set aside.</p> <p>2. Heat the wok over a high heat until hot. Add 2 teaspoons of oil and swirl to coat the surface.  Add half the prawns and stir-fry for 1 minute or until they turn pink.</p> <p>3. Remove to a plate. Repeat with oil and remaining prawns.</p> <p>4. Add 2 teaspoons of oil and the Broccolini to the hot wok and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add 1 tablespoon of water, cover and steam for 30 seconds. Remove to the plate with the prawns. Add the remaining oil. Pour in the eggs. Cook, gently stirring for 1 minute, or until scrambled. Push to one side of the wok.</p> <p>5. Add stir-fry paste and cook for 30 seconds. Return the Broccolini and prawns to the wok with the noodles and fish sauce mixture. Stir-fry until combined and hot. Add the onions and stir fry for 30 seconds. Top with bean sprouts, coriander and fried shallots. Serve with lime.</p> <p><strong>Tips</strong></p> <p>1. For a chicken and Broccolini pad Thai, replace the prawns with 600g chicken breast fillet, thinly sliced.</p> <p><em>Image and recipe courtesy of <a href="https://www.perfection.com.au/home">Perfection Fresh.</a></em></p> <p><em>Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/recipes/broccolini-prawn-pad-thai">Wyza.com.au.</a></em></p>

Food & Wine

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Thai king self isolates with 20 concubines during coronavirus pandemic

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Thailand’s controversial king is self-isolating in a luxury four-star hotel with his harem of 20 concubines.</p> <p>King Maha Vajiralongkorn, also known as Rama X, has angered many with his decision to self-isolate in the hotel.</p> <p>He is said to have booked out the Grand Hotel Sonnenbichl after the hotel received “special permission” from the district council to accommodate his party.</p> <p>His group includes a harem of 20 concubines and numerous servants, but it is currently unclear as to whether or not his four wives are in the hotel with the rest of the group.</p> <p>A spokesperson for the local district council has defended the choice to let the king stay there as “the guests are a single homogenous group of people with no fluctuation”, despite guesthouses and hotels in the region being ordered to close down.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLL-P4Mj7mc/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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/BLL-P4Mj7mc/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Grand Hotel Sonnenbichl (@grandhotelsonnenbichl)</a> on Oct 5, 2016 at 8:57am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>119 members of the entourage have reportedly been sent back to Thailand on suspicions they have contracted coronavirus.</p> <p>News of Vajiralongkorn’s self-isolation in a luxury location was met with anger by thousands of Thai people who criticised him online.</p> <p>This is despite the lèse-majesté laws that are currently in place, which means that criticising the royal family is illegal and punished with imprisonment for up to 15 years. A Thai hashtag, which translate to “Why do we need a king?” appeared 1.2 million times on Twitter after an activist claimed that the king was travelling on holiday in Germany while the outbreak continued to ravage Thailand.</p> <p>Activist Somsak Jeamteerasakul is a vocal critic of Thailand’s monarchy and said in one post that the King will let the Thai people worry about the virus.</p> <p>“[Vajiralongkorn will] let the Thai people worry about the virus. Even Germany is worried about the virus [but] it’s none of his business.”</p> <p>The Thai king has not made a public appearance in his hoem country since February.</p> </div> </div> </div>

Relationships

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5 minutes with author Lily Malone

<p><span>In <em>5 minutes with author</em>, <em>Over60</em> asks book writers about their literary habits and preferences. Next in this series is Lily Malone, a writer based in Margaret River, Western Australia. Following her 2016 debut trade paperback <em>The Vineyard In The Hills</em>, Malone launched the <em>Chalk Hill </em>three-book series set in the titular fictional Western Australian town. The last addition to the trilogy, <em>Last Bridge Before Home</em>, is out now.</span></p> <p><em><span>Over60</span></em><span> talked with Malone about writing during school hours, the wonders of the outdoors, and the one thing that makes for great romance.</span></p> <p><strong><em><span>Over60: </span></em>What is your best writing tip? </strong></p> <p>Lily Malone: My best writing tip is a very simple one. The darn book won’t write itself so you have to put your butt on the seat and start somewhere, and you have to commit to turning up and writing even on the days you’d much rather go for a walk or go fishing!</p> <p><strong>What was the last book that made you laugh?</strong></p> <p><em><span>Dear Banjo</span></em><span> by Sasha Wasley was just beautiful and had many tender moments that made me chuckle.</span></p> <p><strong><span>What do you think makes for great romance fiction?</span></strong></p> <p><span>Chemistry between the characters. That doesn’t have to be sexual chemistry all the time, but you need things to make it believable that these two would fall in love and stay in love.</span></p> <p><strong><span>What does your writing routine look like?</span></strong></p> <p><span>I am lucky enough to almost be writing full time these days, so for me, that is four days a week. Monday to Thursday are my writing days and I do a day’s admin work at a local business on a Friday. On weekends I try to keep for running around after my kids – swimming lessons, sleepovers at mates et cetera – making sure we have food in the house, catching up with friends and more. </span></p> <p><span>I try to hit my writing room from 9.30am and work through the school day. I can only write when the house is quiet, so school hours suit perfectly. I don’t write on the school holidays, so generally I set myself writing goals accordingly. For example, I could aim to finish a first draft by the end of Term 2, finish editing by end of Term 3, and get the book out to my beta readers, incorporate feedback and finish the whole book by end of school year. </span></p> <p><strong><span>Do you deal with writer’s block? If so, how do you overcome it?</span></strong></p> <p><span>If I’m stuck in a story I go for a walk or do something outside. I can solve the plot problems of the universe when I’m out walking.</span></p> <p><strong><span>Which author, deceased or living, would you most like to have dinner with?</span></strong></p> <p><span>Tess Woods (author of <em>Love at First Flight</em>, <em>Beautiful Messy Love</em> and <em>Love And Other Battles</em> and very much alive), because she’s a hoot (and she can cook). So I’ll be inviting myself to Tess’s place for her to cook me dinner!</span></p> <p><strong><span>Is there a trope that you can’t help but love?</span></strong></p> <p>I like reunion romances or second chance romances – I think it’s why I loved <em>Dear Banjo </em>by Sasha Wasley so much. Many of my books will have second chance/reunion elements to them – for example <em>Fairway To Heaven</em>, <em>The Vineyard In The Hills</em> and also my latest one, <em>Last Bridge Before Home</em>.</p>

Books

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