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"Trauma is a beast": Grace Tame hospitalised

<p dir="ltr"><em>Content warning: This article includes discussions of suicide and mentions of sexual assault, abuse, and domestic violence.</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Two former Australians of the Year have spoken out about the toll of speaking out about the worst moments in their lives and being an advocate, warning that “trauma is a beast”.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-89efdaea-7fff-58e9-41ec-d99d785872aa"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Grace Tame and Rosie Batty spoke about their experiences during a talk titled ‘Protecting the Outspoken’ at the 2022 All About Women festival at the Sydney Opera House on Sunday.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Grace Tame says she likely wouldn’t be alive today if it weren’t for her fiancé and has had to call ER in recent days. She says the media has a lot to answer for - that shame should be directed at perpetrators, not trauma survivors. <a href="https://twitter.com/SydOperaHouse?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SydOperaHouse</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AllAboutWomen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AllAboutWomen</a> <a href="https://t.co/PdytrYiFPA">pic.twitter.com/PdytrYiFPA</a></p> <p>— Caitlin Cassidy (@caitecassidy) <a href="https://twitter.com/caitecassidy/status/1502851261883842560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Ms Tame revealed she had gone to the emergency room seeking mental health treatment after recent media storms, including the coverage of her drug use as a teenager.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was actually in the ER the other day because I lost control and I was really scared,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I called up the clinic and I said, ‘I can’t, I can’t, I’ve stepped too deep into the shame spiral’,” she said, adding that she was experiencing suicidal thoughts.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-e96b11fc-7fff-6eb0-d037-e099d65327b1"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“That’s real and that’s the toll it takes. That’s the price of shame. And so that’s why I wrote that open letter. You know, I’ve got a sense of humour, I can have a laugh.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">AN OPEN LETTER</p> <p>To every media outlet who sought to discredit me by publishing THAT photo,</p> <p>Although my humour and strength remain intact, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t let me down.</p> <p>Not just as an individual, but more so as an advocate of the survivor community…</p> <p>— Grace Tame (@TamePunk) <a href="https://twitter.com/TamePunk/status/1494877152491487239?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Though she said she could “make jokes” about the pressure of being in the spotlight, the media had “a lot to answer for” after publishing a photo of her with a bong when she had made it no secret that she had managed her trauma and self-harming behaviour with drugs.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The media has a lot to answer for where it directs its shame. There is a disproportionate amount of shame that is still pointed towards people who do not understand yet what has happened to them,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And that shame needs to be pointed squarely, not (at) these people who are trying to figure out what the f**k happened to them, it needs to be pointed at the perpetrators of domestic violence, of sexual assault and child sexual abuse.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Batty, who has campaigned for domestic violence reform following the murder of her son, Luke, by his father in 2014, said her place in the public eye had been “bittersweet”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think it’s overwhelming. I think imposter syndrome. I think, ‘all these people I’ve (been) nominated against, you know, have done amazing work for decades. Who am I?,” she said of receiving the Australian of the Year award in 2015.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I always felt very conflicted. Am I just getting this award because my son was murdered?”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Batty said it took her many years to process her grief and had poured herself into her work to avoid the “deep trauma” of her son’s death.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was so afraid of failing and not being good enough or perhaps overcompensating and poured myself into it,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I mean, this is eight years since I lost Luke. And it is an overwhelming journey.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I had a sense of purpose and meaning that gave me a reason to get up every day. So ultimately, it was my drive. It was my reason to keep living. So I would never change that.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But what it did do was isolate me, disconnected me, and I couldn’t understand why people didn’t keep in touch with me anymore.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I can tell you during the first year of Covid lockdown when other people were working out, and feeling dissatisfied or frustrated or pushing back on government restrictions, I was finally choosing which urn to put Luke’s ashes in. And it was uncomfortable and it was painful, but you have to eventually sit with pain. And we do avoid it, we drink, we smoke, we take drugs, we do anything to avoid pain.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Tame also spoke about the backlash she faced over a campaign she was involved in to fight for women’s rights, after complaints emerged that it featured too many white, middle class faces.</p> <p dir="ltr">She has urged feminists and progressive campaigners to avoid exclusionary language and said she was still learning about the language and history of feminism.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s been a lot of criticism, and that’s part and parcel of the landscape. But, you know, people bring their heart and soul to this. And there’s a lot of trauma in it,’’ she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m accountable for my mistakes. And that’s one thing that I’ve tried to do as best as I can, especially as someone who, you know, I didn’t go to university. I didn’t do gender studies. You know, and I don’t have as good a knowledge as I could have of feminist history, and all the terminology, but I do my best to understand and to learn.”</p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><em>Image: Roy Vandervegt / Adelaide Festival</em></p>

Caring

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Tragic end to search for missing grandma

<p>A Victorian grandma who was missing for 11 days has tragically been found.</p> <p>84-year-old Rosie McLean’s body was located lying next to a burnt-out car after last being seen on June 10 leaving her house.</p> <p>Police confirmed on Tuesday morning that Ms McLean’s body had been found in Wickliffe, around 100km from her home in Timboon.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841951/rosie-mclean-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d39356f552974fd08c73c4b6bd2d6e52" /></p> <p><em>Image: Supplied</em></p> <p>The body was found by a local at a property in Chatsworth-Wickliffe Rd, near Karmala Lane, at 3 pm on Monday.</p> <p>Leading Senior Constable Natalie Dean said the body is yet to be formally identified, however police believe it is that of Ms McLean.</p> <p>Constance Dean said Ms McLean’s Maltese shih tzu dog named Bindi, was found safe and near the location of her body.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841952/rosie-mclean.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/edb87bbe86ca41dba769a7528d81ee42" /></p> <p><em>Image: Supplied</em></p> <p>“The exact circumstances regarding the death are yet to be determined, and the investigation remains ongoing,” Constable Dean announced.</p> <p>It is not yet known by the public if the burnt-out vehicle was Ms McLean’s 2010 grey Holden Commodore sedan.</p> <p>Investigators carried out an extensive search around Southern Grampians, Moyne, Warrnambool and Corangamite during the 11 days she could not be found.</p> <p>Her family even hired a plane to search the region.</p> <p>Ms McLean’s daughter Susan took to Facebook to tragically confirm the news on Tuesday morning.</p> <p>“Bindi stayed with mum until they were found and we take some comfort in that knowledge,” she said.</p> <p>“We are truly grateful that you all cared for our mum and Bindi.</p> <p>“We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”</p> <p>Social media has erupted in support and mourning for Ms McLean, with many of those who helped during the search leaving their deepest condolences to her family.</p>

Legal

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Journalist behind Harry and Meghan documentary admits “everything wasn’t rosy”

<p>Only a week after Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s new documentary was released, the journalist who was behind the controversial piece has revealed that “everything wasn’t rosy” behind the scenes.</p> <p>Travelling through Africa with the Sussexes during their 10-day tour, Tom Bradby spoke to the royals one-on-one as he asked the two about the realities of living as a royal in the public eye.</p> <p>In a rare moment, Meghan spoke about her struggles with the British press, while Harry confessed that he and brother Prince William are “on different paths” in life, addressing rumours of a royal rift.</p> <p>The confessions shook fans around the world, but Bradby said he was just telling “the story that was in front of him.”</p> <p>“I knew that everything wasn’t entirely rosy behind the scenes, that’s true, but all the same I sort of had intended to turn up probably doing a more conventional journalistic job,” he told<span> </span><em>Good Morning America</em>.</p> <p>“I told them before I was going to have to put some particularly pointed questions. But I think the reality I found was just a couple who just seemed a bit bruised and vulnerable.”</p> <p>Ever since the documentary was released, opinions on the couple have been divided with many praising the two for their honesty, while others have accused them of complaining.</p> <p>Meghan’s estranged half-sister, Samantha Markle, labelled her as a “hypocrite”.</p> <p>“I think it is really ludicrous that someone who is escorted around the world by millions of dollars’ worth of security on private jets as a millionaire could ever complain about anything,” Samantha told<span> </span><em>Inside Edition.</em></p> <p>However, others have shown their support by rallying behind hashtag #WeLoveYouMeghan as a show of solidarity, after the Duchess confessed to being “not okay”.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see Harry and Meghan in Africa.</p>

Relationships

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You won't believe what child stars Sophia Grace and Rosie look like now

<p>Do you remember Sophia Grace and her little cousin Rosie?</p> <p>In 2011, a video of the duo rapping to Nicki Minaj’s ‘Superbass’ went viral. It was enough for a then eight-year-old Sophia and five-year-old Rosie to be invited on <em>The Ellen Show,</em> which catapulted them to even more fame.</p> <p class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/odhUPMYXpX4" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>Seven years on, Sophia is now 15 years old. The aspiring singer has released a new single “Number 1” and is a certified social media influencer. She boasts a 3.1 million-strong following on YouTube, where she regularly posts make-up tutorials and vlogs. She also posts daily updates to her 1.2 million Instagram followers.</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/BmQ1N4xAV0d/?utm_source=ig_embed" data-instgrm-version="9"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BmQ1N4xAV0d/?utm_source=ig_embed" target="_blank">🌧💓🎆💖🕊</a></p> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/therealsophiagrace/?utm_source=ig_embed" target="_blank"> s o p h i a</a> (@therealsophiagrace) on Aug 9, 2018 at 8:22am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <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/BhuNRb6Bpb7/?utm_source=ig_embed" data-instgrm-version="9"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 62.5% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BhuNRb6Bpb7/?utm_source=ig_embed" target="_blank">thanks for all ur birthday wishes love you guys 💞</a></p> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/therealsophiagrace/?utm_source=ig_embed" target="_blank"> s o p h i a</a> (@therealsophiagrace) on Apr 18, 2018 at 11:33am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>As for her partner-in-crime Rosie, she’s stayed rather quiet. But it appears the now 11-year-old is dabbling in music, releasing her own single <em>Handstand</em> to her YouTube channel back in May.</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/BkYICzfn8Qj/?utm_source=ig_embed" data-instgrm-version="9"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 62.5% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkYICzfn8Qj/?utm_source=ig_embed" target="_blank">Happy National Pink Day! #pink #nationalpinkday 💗</a></p> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/rosiergm/?utm_source=ig_embed" target="_blank"> Rosie McClelland</a> (@rosiergm) on Jun 23, 2018 at 11:18am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p> </p>

Art

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Woman gobsmacked by sneaky charge at trendy restaurant

<p>A woman has been left shocked after a trendy restaurant sneakily charged her for the privilege of having parmesan cheese grated on her pasta.</p> <p>UK food writer Rosie French was sitting town at London’s Ombra restaurant, and while her meal was enjoyable she was in for a rude surprise when she picked up the bill.</p> <p>She was shocked to find that she was charged an additional $2.80 (1.50 pounds) for the “Parmisan Supplement [sic]”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Any thoughts on this “parmisan supplement” <a href="https://twitter.com/jayrayner1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jayrayner1</a>? Wasn’t mentioned to us during the awkward, painfully slow, grating at the table. Would have let her carry on had we known! <a href="https://t.co/jjfie11oAR">pic.twitter.com/jjfie11oAR</a></p> — Rosie French (@rosiefrenchfood) <a href="https://twitter.com/rosiefrenchfood/status/988898905239818240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>Ms French posted the photo on Twitter, writing, “Any thoughts on this “parmisan supplement? Wasn’t mentioned to us during the awkward, painfully slow, grating at the table. Would have let her carry on had we known!”</p> <p>Twitter users were incredulous with the charge.</p> <p>“Good grief, I’ve never seen or heard of that,” one person said.</p> <p>Another user pointed out the 12.5 per cent service charge, with a line to add an additional date.</p> <p> “A service charge and a line to add a gratuity? Cake and eat it,” one person said.</p> <p>Another said: “Take a pen, draw a line through the item, and the 12.5 per cent service charge, add the gratuity you want to give, and put down the new total. Pay no more than that.”</p>

Money & Banking

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So sweet! Megan Gale shares rare photo of six-month old baby Rosie

<p><span>Australian model Megan Gale has taken to social media to share a rare beautiful photo of her six-month old baby Rosie.</span></p> <p><span>The mother-of-two wrote alongside the photo, “This is what pure joy &amp; happiness looks like.  And she brings it in spades! Love you so much my baby girl.”</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: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></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/BgA5bZ8HhFh/" target="_blank">A post shared by MEGAN GALE (@megankgale)</a> on Mar 6, 2018 at 11:42pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p style="text-align: center;"><span> </span></p> <p><span>Fans were quick to share the admiration for the gorgeous little girl, with many commenting on how happy Rosie looks.</span></p> <p><span>“Beautiful love the smile and the gorgeous chubby limbs she is precious,” one fan wrote.</span></p> <p><span>“Rosie looks like a real cutie with a happy personality,” wrote another.</span></p> <p><span>Rosie Dee was born on September 29, 2017. Rosie is Megan’s second child with her partner, Richmond AFL footballer Shaun Hampson.</span></p> <p><span>The couple also have a son, River Alan Thomas, who will turn 4 in May.</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: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></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/BcUSQkmnKam/" target="_blank">A post shared by MEGAN GALE (@megankgale)</a> on Dec 5, 2017 at 2:19am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p style="text-align: center;"><span> </span></p> <p><span>Megan was born in Perth and started to forge her successful modelling career at 18.</span></p> <p><span>In 1999, she hit the big time when she was selected to appear in a series of advertisements for Italian telecommunications company Omnitel.</span></p> <p><span>Do you think Megan's baby girl looks like her model mum? Do you see any resemblance? Tell us in the comments below. </span></p>

Technology

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Megan Gale shares gorgeous photo of newborn daughter Rosie

<p>Megan Gale and her partner Shaun Hampson have treated their newborn daughter and three-year-old son, River, to a relaxing holiday in Fiji, and it’s giving us a serious case of the green-eyed monster.</p> <p>The Aussie supermodel took to Instagram to share a beautiful snap of her nine-week-old daughter, Rosie May Dee, and it’s the cutest thing you’ll see all day.</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: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></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/BcHAFpnHMJa/" target="_blank">A post shared by MEGAN GALE (@megankgale)</a> on Nov 29, 2017 at 10:30pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>While baby Rosie was napping, the <em>Australia’s Next Top Model</em> judge took followers on a virtual tour of her exclusive, luxurious retreat at Vomo Island Resort, where accommodation can cost up to $12,000 per night. Scroll through the gallery above to see inside!</p> <p>“Taking you on a tour of one of the most spectacular and beautiful places that I’ve ever been so fortunate enough to stay at," she wrote. “So wonderful to be welcomed back to our Fijian ‘home’ at [Vomo Island] for our second visit, this time with our little girl – I can’t rate this place enough.”</p> <p>The mum-of-two also showed off her post-baby bod, commenting that she would be sad to see the marks of her pregnancy fade away.</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: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></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/BcDcNM0HGKl/" target="_blank">A post shared by MEGAN GALE (@megankgale)</a> on Nov 28, 2017 at 1:19pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“I'm a bit sad my linea nigra (Latin for black line) on my tummy is almost gone," she captioned the body-positive snap. “I love this little badge of honour as it's one of my last little physical reminders of my pregnancy with Rosie. I LOVE that she’s out and with us but I’m missing being pregnant as well.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Megan Gale/Instagram and Vomo Island Fiji Resort.</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Luke Batty’s mother pens emotional tribute to her son

<p>Few of us will come close to experiencing anything like the emotional pain Rosie Batty has been through. The mother of Luke Batty, the 11-year-old boy who was beaten to death with a cricket bat by his own father after practice, has penned a courageous, emotional tribute to her son on what would’ve been his 15th birthday.</p> <p>The horrific event, which occurred in February 2014 old, saw his father Greg Anderson attack his son with a cricket bat and knife at a local sports oval after training.</p> <p>Rosie, who has set up the Luke Batty Foundation in her son’s memory, shared her thoughts in a post to the organisation's Facebook page this week.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Flukebattyfoundation%2Fposts%2F1913093398962456%3A0&amp;width=500" width="500" height="583" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></p> <p>Rosie wrote, “Happy birthday to my beautiful Luke. We all miss you so much. I am celebrating you today. There's an entire community campaigning for change in your memory.”</p> <p>Rosie has used the tragic tale to call for stricter laws protecting victims of family violence.</p> <p>Anderson was reportedly only allowed to contact his son at cricket and football training, where the horrific event occurred. He was fatally shot by police after the attack.</p> <p>On the Never Alone campaign page, Rosie wrote: “My son Luke was almost as tall as me. We’d just come back from holiday. He loved his sports. We were a team.</p> <p>“But in February 2014, Luke was murdered by his own father at cricket practice.”</p> <p>Our thoughts are with Rosie, as she struggles with something no parent should have to go through.  </p>

Relationships

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Over60 travel diary: Cruising the Caribbean

<p><strong>Rosie Hersch, 68, is a retired pharmacist, whose hobbies include studying, cooking and theatre. Her biggest passion is travel and like the song says, “I've been everywhere man (well almost).” <em><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/cruising/2017/06/rosie-hersch-west-caribbean-cruise/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Read part one of Rosie’s cruise travel diary here.</span></a></em></strong></p> <p>March 24 had arrived and in the early afternoon we greeted my sister and brother-in-law on board our beautiful ship. Another lifeboat drill before setting sail and we were on our way to Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas which we would reach after two sea days. It was already March 25 in Melbourne so I was so fortunate that one of the staff at guest services on our ship allowed me to ring our older daughter on a ship phone to wish her a happy birthday.</p> <p>On the second sea day, I celebrated my big birthday. At dinner, the waiters arrived with a beautiful chocolate birthday cake. When I returned to the cabin I found 2 bottles of champagne compliments of Celebrity Cruise lines.</p> <p>On March 27, we had arrived at St Thomas. We took a taxi ride to a chairlift. The view of the island from the top was breathtaking. We then grabbed another cab and visited the many historic landmarks in this beautiful town. Of course, the next thing on the agenda was shopping. Then it was time for lunch and in one of the many colourful laneways we found a lovely restaurant and had a delicious paella and salad.</p> <p>The next day saw us firstly take a wonderful catamaran sail, on the Caribbean Sea, around the islands of St Kitts and Nevis. The sun was shining, the sky was a clear blue and gentle breeze was blowing across the bow. It was heavenly. This was followed by a scenic rail ride around St Kitts. We headed for the upper level of the train carriage and as we chugged along we crossed over narrow bridges, passed almond trees, sugar cane plantations, school children waving from the side of the track and small villages. We drank mango and strawberry daiquiris while listening to our guide’s commentaries in between which we were entertained by some local girls singing to us. It was a great excursion so take this one if you ever venture to this place.</p> <p>On March 29, we arrived at the capital of Barbados, Bridgetown. This port city reminded me of Port Vila or Nadi. It is quite third world, though I am sure there are beautiful resorts around the island just as there are in Fiji and other South pacific islands. We stopped for a drink at a bar by the water. I found the shopping quite lacking. There were the duty free expensive shops or the cheap quality merchandise. In any case, we decided to get out of the town which was quite disappointing and took a taxi to a lovely beach and spent the afternoon swimming in the beautiful clear aqua water and then lay on the sand under the shade of trees. Before we left the beach we found a food truck that served flying fish sandwiches and on the advice of our ship’s cruise director we bought one each. They were delish. Then it was time to get back to the ship.</p> <p>After a matinee concert on board, we docked at St Maarten at 3pm. This island is divided roughly between half belonging to the Netherlands and the other half belonging to France. St Maarten is a very pretty place on the Dutch side and the French side is called St Martin naturally. We grabbed a water taxi to a beach area opposite where the ship was anchored, sat at a bar drinking Carib, the local beer, using the free Wi-Fi to ring our younger daughter to wish her happy birthday. Then we scouted the shops around this beach area. This was an overnight stay on this cruise so it was back to the beach and tomorrow we would participate in an excursion of discovery.</p> <p>March 31 was another boringly beautiful day. It was time to take our trolley tram ride around the local capital, Phillipsburg. The ride was marvellous and we rode through the various streets and alley ways and pulled up at a resort. After alighting from the train, we walked uphill to the historic Fort Amsterdam. This was a very enjoyable excursion. Back at the boardwalk we sat down with my sister and brother in law and ordered more Carib. St Maarten was extremely hot. We sat at the bar looking back on a splendid beach and the beautiful blue shades of water and in the distance, was a view of our grand vessel. We took the water taxi back to the ship and were relieved as we entered from the gangway into deck 2 and air conditioning. Then it was straight up to Deck 14 for a late lunch at the Ocean View Buffet restaurant. The holiday was nearing the end. Two sea days and we would be back in Fort Lauderdale and there would be no boasting this time. I dreaded the packing and leaving such luxury behind.</p> <p>We fast forward to April 3. Our ship arrived at Fort Lauderdale at 6am. We were up and 6.30am, breakfast at 7am and off to our meeting place at 7.45am. We were booked on an excursion to the Florida Everglades and from there would be taken to Hollywood airport, Fort Lauderdale. It would be a total of 38 hours from the time we disembarked till I would unlock the front door, back home!</p> <p>So, we headed down the highway to the Everglades. The air boat ride was sensational. We saw plenty of different species of birds, five alligators, two also in captivity along with other animals at a rescue shelter within the Everglades reserve. We sampled grilled gator at a food truck at the Everglades. Then it was goodbye Florida, back to the airport and homeward bound.</p> <p><em><strong>Do you have a travel story to share? <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/community/contributor/community-contributor/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Click here</span></a> to share your story with the Over60 community. </strong></em></p>

Cruising

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Over60 travel diary: Cruising the West Caribbean

<p><strong>Rosie Hersch, 68, is a retired pharmacist, whose hobbies include studying, cooking and theatre. Her biggest passion is travel and like the song says, “I've been everywhere man (well almost).”</strong></p> <p>We arrived at 9.30 pm, Fort Lauderdale time on March 10. It was a balmy Florida night. After a smooth check-in at our resort hotel on the beach it was straight to bed. We woke next morning surprisingly energetic. The very first thing we did was to knock on the hotel room door of our London friends who had also arrived the previous night. We spent March 11 and 12 together catching up, laughing over the good times, sharing stories about our kids and grandchildren back home, sunbaking, shopping and dining at two great restaurants, PF Chang, the first night and Coconut on the second night.</p> <p>March is spring break for the college kids that go to universities in the Southern American states. You can believe everything you see on those American college movies. They had invaded our hotel and during those two days they would gather on the beach in front of their fraternity flags. The girls in their flimsy bikinis much to the eyeful pleasure of my Peter and London Peter, and the guys hauling their alcoholic drinks. When night fell they became extremely noisy party animals. They would be still celebrating at 4 am.</p> <p>But we were all so excited about what was to come that we did not mind the noisy continual racket of these kids.</p> <p><strong>The cruise</strong></p> <p>March 13, our anticipated embarkation on the Celebrity Equinox had arrived. So the four of us booked a maxi taxi and headed for our ship which was to take us to the West Caribbean. Our London friends had New Hampshire friends whom we had not yet met who were joining us on this cruise. I was greatly anticipating meeting them. We did not know it as we approached our beautiful ship but we were about to have a wonderful time, the six of us, over the next 11 days.</p> <p>The boarding went smoothly and quickly. Ah, that glass of champagne that is offered as you step from the gangway into the foyer of deck 5. Three beautiful days at sea followed. There is no better feeling than sitting on your stateroom balcony, looking out at an ocean that stretches as far as the eye can see, listening to the swish and roar of the waves beating against the sides of the ship that glides gently along and feeling that cool Caribbean breeze gently fanning your face and blowing your hair so soothingly.</p> <p>So many activities, so much to do on a sea day if that’s your bag. If that is not your thing, lying on a pool lounge, soaking up the warmth of the tropical sun, the pool waiter handing you that delicious Daiquiri, ear phones plugged in to your favourite I tunes is such a pleasurable experience.</p> <p>Day 4 and we were in Costa Rica. We visited the Veragua rainforest exploring the flora and fauna on a tram top ride above the trees, walked a trail though the under growth then took a riverboat ride on the Tortuguero canal past mangroves, palms, plantains, watching for the numerous species of birds, sloths, alligators and cayman.</p> <p>Day 5 came and we were in Colon, east of Panama. We were driven to the Gatun locks to witness two ships pass through the locks. It is an incredible sight to see two enormous ships steadily transiting the canal with only about 18 inches clearance on both sides of the ship’s hull. Next stop, the man-made Gatun lake where the ships await passage through the Panama Canal either to the Pacific from the Atlantic or vice versa. Again, we witnessed nature’s beauty and saw more wildlife. We then alighted from a pier on the lake to visit a village of the Emberá Indian tribe. Through an interpreter, the chief, speaking in the Emberá language, told us that this entire area is a world heritage protected reserve and the tribes that live around this huge lake are not allowed to hunt any form of wildlife. Fishing is however permitted but watch out for the crocodiles that live in these waters!</p> <p>Day 6 and 7 and we are in a very hot Cartajena, Colombia. The old town has such beautiful Spanish and Moorish style architecture. A most enticing walk lead us to the house where Sir Francis Drake lived for a month to rest between his adventures on the high seas, plundering the Spanish forts and fleets for their gold and other valuables in the service of his Queen Elizabeth the first. After some shopping, we returned to the ship. This was an overnight stay in this port. The next morning many left the ship to further explore or to take an excursion. I stayed on board to relax and just chill out.  There is so much history in this place but the heat was too brutal for me to venture out again</p> <p>Day 8 and another beautiful sea day was spent attending lectures about the Caribbean, enjoying the culinary delights on board and browsing the many sales in the onboard shops. Around 4pm the heavens darkened, the wind came up and it was time to leave the poolside deck chair and retire to our cabin, to sit on the balcony and watch the dark clouds transform into rain. We were heading for Georgetown, Grand Cayman Island, and I was thinking what a shame I don’t have a small fortune to deposit in an offshore tax free account in one of the many banks on Grand Cayman. Then it occurred to me that I was still so lucky that I could afford to travel to this far-off destination.</p> <p>Day 9 and we had arrived in Cozumel, Mexico. We headed by ferry to the mainland of the Yucatan Peninsula and then bussed to a Mayan ruin site.  For those of you who have visited Pompeii, Herculaneum, Ephesus in Kusadesi or the Pyramids this is a tour, the travelling time of which took a total of 4 hours, was not as good as anticipated. If you have not seen ruins of the past then this excursion will most likely intrigue you.</p> <p>Day 10 and our last day spent at sea again, heading back to Fort Lauderdale and for most disembarkation on Day 11. But, not for me. Peter and I were staying on board to do a second cruise, this time to the East Caribbean. All through that last day people were grumbling about having to pack and go home. Wherever I was I must admit I was very cheekily gloating to other passengers that I did not have to pack because I was staying on board. I probably depressed at least 100 people that day. It was pretty naughty of me. However, I was both sad and excited. I was sad because our London friends and our New Hampshire friends were leaving but happy because my sister and brother-in-law were embarking for this second, my big birthday cruise. The last and only time that I had ever holidayed with my sister was 54 years ago when I was only 16.</p> <p>Keep an eye out for part 2 of Rosie Hersch’s cruise story.</p> <p><em><strong>Do you have a travel story to share? <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/community/contributor/community-contributor/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Click here</span></a> to share your story with the Over60 community. </strong></em></p>

Cruising

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The secret to rosy, glowing skin

<p><span>Women of a certain age are very susceptible to advertisements for products promising to magic away the years. My bathroom drawers are full of discarded skin creams and hair products that have not lived up to their lofty promises.</span></p> <p><span>So, I viewed the new L’Oréal Golden Age range with a high degree of scepticism. </span></p> <p><span>However, six weeks down the track and I like the products so much, I’m considering changing the habits of a lifetime and adopting a slightly more complicated daily skincare routine.</span></p> <p><span>It all began when I reluctantly decided it was high time to upgrade to a higher-octane skin product than the one I had been using since I was a teenager.</span></p> <p><span>L’Oréal’s new range of Golden Age products claimed their formula "stimulated the epidermis to restore the skin’s rosy colour and radiance".</span></p> <p><span>"Poppycock," I thought, but decided to trial the range anyway on the off-chance of a miracle.</span></p> <p><span>Some weeks later, a friend asked me if I’d been out in the garden that day.</span></p> <p><span>"Nope, been in the office all day," I replied. "Why?"</span></p> <p><span>"Your skin looks as if you’ve had a touch of sunshine," she said. </span></p> <p><span>I peered in the mirror with my glasses on. During my hectic working week, I’d been too busy to notice the subtle transformation but on close inspection, there was a slight but unmistakable glow in the cheeks’ department. </span></p> <p><span>So, the two minutes’ extra ‘work’ morning and evening were paying dividends after all. </span></p> <p><span>Being a pedantic type, I had followed the instructions to the letter and used the serums and creams exactly as directed, patting and massaging them into my skin day and night. </span></p> <p><span>One of the litmus tests for me was the morning touch-test. If I could still feel the effects of the cream on my cheeks when I woke up and if my skin felt supple and well-nourished, it was obviously potent enough to perform its ‘magic’ all night. </span></p> <p><span>Having initially speed-read the blurb about the products, I reread the fine print which told me things I’d rather not know.</span></p> <p><span>"With age, features begin to sag and the face loses its firmness. Beyond this skin slackening, the skin gets thinner and micro-circulation slows down. It loses its natural colour and can look washed out.</span></p> <p><span>"L’Oréal laboratories have combined an exclusive complex of flower extracts and neo-calcium in a daily care formulated for skin losing its youthful density and natural colour."</span></p> <p><span>I liked what L’Oréal Global President Cyril Chapuy had to say about ‘mature’ women.</span></p> <p><span>"Women in their 60s now were in their 20s in the 70s. These are the women who demanded and exercised their right to control their own bodies, to let their femininity shine and to enter prestigious universities previously restricted to men. They demanded the right to freedom and responsibility, and to be working wives and mothers. They broke down barriers, allowing us to be the women that we are today. Now they want to feel good about themselves, and have begun another more intimate battle."</span></p> <p><span>L’Oréal has been around for a long time which suggests it must be honouring its promises to the women of the world. For all their Parisian pedigree, the products are in the mid-range price-wise ($30-$45 a jar) and there’s no false packaging which always infuriates me. </span></p> <p><span>I’ve also trailed their new mascara, L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Mascara, which is exceptionally good. The handle is longer than usual making it much easier to apply without your nose getting in the way and the brush is finer without delivering globs and blobs to the lashes. </span></p> <p><span>I’ve been faithful to one brand all my life but I think I might soon become a traitor.</span></p> <p><em>See the full range of products in the gallery above.</em></p>

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