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Samantha Armytage hints at major career news

<p>Samantha Armytage has hinted at a major change, following reports that the former <em>Seven</em> star has joined rival network <em>Nine</em>. </p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">The former <em>Farmer Wants a Wife</em> host </span>teased her new gig as she was being interviewed by <em>The Daily Telegraph </em>at The Everest in Sydney over the weekend. </p> <p>Last week, it was reported that Armytage had signed a deal with Nine to host the Australian version of the dating show <em>The Golden Bachelor</em> in the coming year. </p> <p>The publication also revealed that the deal is believed to be worth a significant amount, with insiders confirming the news to them. </p> <p>When asked whether she had signed with <em>Nine</em>, the TV veteran remained coy, saying with a smile: "Look, watch this space. Exciting times ahead."</p> <p>The news reportedly comes after months of negotiation between the TV star and her new network. </p> <p>"There was a bit of back and forth, but I believe the contract has been signed" an insider told <em>The Daily Telegraph</em> last week.</p> <p>The Golden Bachelor is a spin-off of <em>The Bachelor</em> series, but the contestants of the show are senior citizens instead. </p> <p>"This is a smart move for Sam and Nine. She is well suited to this gig and breathed new life into <em>Farmer Wants a Wife</em>," the insider added. </p> <p>Armytage announced her departure from Seven in August after 21 years with the network. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

King Charles' $97k arrival gift slammed as "waste of money"

<p>King Charles and Queen Camilla are set for a lavish welcome to commemorate their first visit since 2018, but taxpayers are not impressed with the massive cost. </p> <p>The sails of the Sydney Opera House will be illuminated from 8pm on Friday for four minutes with images from previous royal visits intended to show the "diverse ways in which Their Majesties have engaged with and celebrated NSW and Australia over the years."</p> <p>“We are lighting up the Sydney Opera House to warmly welcome The King and Queen to our beautiful harbour city," Premier Chris Minns said in a statement.</p> <p>"The photo projection on the Opera House sails celebrates a historic moment - The King’s first visit to NSW as Sovereign - and is a fitting tribute."</p> <p>The gesture does not come cheap, costing taxpayers an estimated $97,030, and many were unhappy about it. </p> <p>"Cannot support wasting our taxes on people who wouldn’t be here if we didn’t pay," one person wrote on Facebook. </p> <p>"At a time when rents are sky high ...more and more homeless.. Hospitals are overcrowded...Food and petrol prices are ridiculous...Do you really think it excites battling Aussies...having money spent this way?" another person asked.</p> <p>"How many homeless could be housed with the money spent on a visit by millionaires, paid by us?" another wrote. </p> <p>"Waste of money! Channel the funds to the needy. King who with the horse?!," another remarked.</p> <p>However, there were a few others who expressed their excitement about the royal visit. </p> <p>"I will definitely head in with the kids to see this," one wrote. </p> <p>"As a monarchist, yes I'm going there to warmly welcome them," another commented. </p> <p>"Can’t wait for their majesties arrival," a third added. </p> <p>Royal fans will have a chance to meet or see the monarchs, as they plant to engage with members of the public on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt on October 22nd at 4.20pm. </p> <p>Their appearance will be followed by a Fleet Review on Sydney Harbour, featuring an Australian Defence Force fly past.</p> <p>Members of the public can see the ships and fly past from various vantage points including Farm Cove, Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair at approximately 4.50pm.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Money & Banking

Controversial suicide capsule applications suspended amid investigation

<p>Advocacy groups behind the suicide capsule have suspended the process of taking applications amid a criminal investigation into its first use in Switzerland. </p> <p>In a statement on Sunday, they said that 371 people were “in the process of applying” to use the device, known as the Sarco, as of September 23 and applications were suspended after its first use. </p> <p>The Sarco capsule is designed to allow the person inside to push a button that injects nitrogen gas from a tank underneath into the sealed chamber, allowing the person to fall asleep and then die of suffocation in a few minutes. </p> <p>On September 23, an unidentified 64-year-old woman from the US Midwest, became the first person to use the device in a forest in the northern Schaffhausen region. </p> <p>The president of Switzerland-based The Last Resort, Florian Willet, said at the time that the woman's death was "peaceful, fast, and dignified", although those claims could not be independently verified. </p> <p>On the same day as the woman's death, Swiss Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider told parliament that use of the Sarco would not be legal.</p> <p>Willet and several others were taken into custody following her death and prosecutors opened an investigation on suspicion of incitement and accessory to suicide.</p> <p>Willet is currently being held in pretrial detention, according to The Last Resort and Exit International, an affiliate founded in Australia over a quarter-century ago. The others who were detained were released from custody. </p> <p>Exit International also clarified that their lawyers in Switzerland believed the use of the device is legal.</p> <p>“Only after the Sarco was used was it learned that Ms Baume-Schneider had addressed the issue,” the advocacy groups said in the statement Sunday.</p> <p>“The timing was a pure coincidence and not our intention.”</p> <p>Switzerland has some of the most permissive laws when it comes to assisted suicide, but the first use of the Sarco has prompted debate among lawmakers. </p> <p>Laws in the country permit assisted suicide, as long as the person takes their own life with no “external assistance” and those who help the person die do not do so for “any self-serving motive”. </p> <p><em>Image: Exit International</em></p> <p> </p>

Legal

World’s longest treasure hunt ends as Golden Owl finally unearthed in France

<p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">After more than three decades of mystery and intrigue, the world’s longest-running treasure hunt has come to a thrilling conclusion with the discovery of the elusive Golden Owl. Valued at approximately $240,000, the treasure had captivated the imaginations of thousands since it was first buried in France in the early 1990s.</span></p> <p>The hunt began with the publication of the now-famous book, <em>On the Trail of the Golden Owl</em>, written by communications expert Régis Hauser under the pseudonym “Max Valentin” and illustrated by artist Michel Becker. The 1993 book challenged readers to solve a series of intricate riddles and clues, which, when deciphered, would reveal the owl’s secret location.</p> <p>Despite years of painstaking attempts to crack the mystery, the Golden Owl remained hidden for decades, surviving even its creator. Hauser passed away in 2009, leaving the prize still buried. Michel Becker, who took over the management of the hunt, delivered the long-awaited news on October 3 via an online announcement that sparked a frenzy among treasure hunters: “A potential winning solution is currently being verified.”</p> <p>Two hours later, he confirmed: “Don’t go digging! We confirm that the Golden Owl countermark was unearthed last night.”</p> <p>The treasure hunt’s <a href="https://goldenowlhunt.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official website was also updated with the announcement</a>, bringing an end to a search that has been both thrilling and, for some, overwhelming.</p> <p><strong>The obsession and madness behind the search</strong></p> <p>For over 30 years, the Golden Owl hunt transcended being just a hobby for many treasure hunters and became an all-consuming obsession. While some enjoyed it as a leisurely pursuit, others were driven to extreme lengths – financially, emotionally and mentally. The search for the owl has been linked to personal crises, including financial ruin and broken marriages. At least one individual reportedly ended up in an asylum due to their fixation on solving the hunt’s riddles.</p> <p>The toll wasn’t limited to individuals. Searchers caused considerable disruption across France, digging unauthorised holes in public and private lands. In one eastern French village, the local mayor was forced to plead with hunters to stop digging around its chapel, while in other cases, searchers brought power tools to banks and even considered destroying structures in the hopes of unearthing the treasure.</p> <p><strong>The Golden Owl’s elusive clues</strong></p> <p><em>On the Trail of the Golden Owl</em> contained a complex series of 11 riddles, each paired with a painting by Becker. The riddles, combined with maps, colours and hidden details, challenged readers to work out the owl’s hidden location.</p> <p>Before his death, Hauser revealed three crucial elements to solving the puzzle:</p> <p>The use of maps: Hunters needed to work with maps to narrow down the search area and use a specific map to pinpoint the final zone.</p> <p>A “mega trick”: This was the key to using the sequence of riddles to locate the final area where the owl was hidden.</p> <p>A final hidden riddle: Once in the final zone, hunters had to uncover one last riddle to lead them to the exact spot of the treasure.</p> <p><strong>Joyous celebration among treasure hunters</strong></p> <p>The treasure-hunting community was overjoyed when the news broke, with many expressing their disbelief and excitement. “Finally – liberated!” exclaimed one fan on the hunt’s Discord forum. Another added, “I didn’t think I’d live to see the day.”</p> <p>As of now, the exact location of the owl’s discovery and the identity of the finder remain undisclosed. However, Becker hinted at the complexity involved in concluding this monumental hunt. “Tons of emotions to manage for all those who are responsible for managing the end of this episode and complex logistics to put in place,” he said in a statement on October 6.</p> <p>For now, the Golden Owl, a treasure that has held a generation of sleuths in its grasp, has been unearthed. Yet, the fascination with its story will undoubtedly linger for years to come.</p> <p><em>Images/Illustrations: Michel Becker</em></p>

International Travel

Fresh claims about Queen Elizabeth's health in her final days

<p>Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has shared a sad claim about Queen Elizabeth and her secret health battle that she was going through before her death in 2022. </p> <p>Johnson reflected on his relationship with the former monarch in his upcoming memoir, <em>Unleashed</em>, detailing his final meeting with the Queen at Balmoral Castle just days before she died.</p> <p>In the book, he explained that the Queen had been battling bone cancer and was worried about the deterioration of her condition.</p> <p>“I had known for a year or more that she had a form of bone cancer, and her doctors were worried that at any time she could enter a sharp decline,” Johnson wrote in an excerpt obtained by the <em><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13901877/BORIS-JOHNSON-meeting-Queen-inspirational-words-wisdom.html">Daily Mail</a></em>.</p> <p>Before their meeting, Johnson claimed the Queen’s private secretary, Edward Young, warned him that her health had “gone down quite a bit over the summer.”</p> <p>“She seemed pale and more stooped, and she had dark bruising on her hands and wrists, probably from drips or injections,” Johnson wrote.</p> <p>He continued, “But her mind – as Edward had also said – was completely unimpaired by her illness, and from time to time in our conversation she still flashed that great white smile in its sudden mood-lifting beauty.”</p> <p>Queen Elizabeth died just two days after their final meeting. </p> <p>According to Johnson, the Queen “had known all summer that she was going, but was determined to hang on and do her last duty” by overseeing the “peaceful and orderly transition” of power from him to his successor Liz Truss.</p> <p>Johnson isn’t the first person to have claimed the late monarch was diagnosed with cancer during her final years, as royal author Gyles Brandreth wrote about rumours Her Majesty had a rare form of myeloma, a bone marrow cancer, in his book, <em>Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait</em>.</p> <p>He explained that the diagnosis “would explain her tiredness and weight loss and those ‘mobility issues’ we were often told about during the last year or so of her life.”</p> <p>However, the Queen’s official cause of death was listed as “old age” and the palace has never disclosed any other medical records.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Andrew Parsons/No 10 Downing Street/UPI/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Caring

The Block couple calls off wedding

<p><em>The Block</em> couple Paige Beechey and Jesse Maguire have called off their wedding following their abrupt exit from the show earlier this month. </p> <p>The Perth-based couple have reportedly sent their wedding guests a note informing them that their wedding has been postponed, with no new date confirmed. </p> <p>“Dear friends and family, life, in its unpredictable course, has presented us with unforeseen circumstances that has led us to postpone our upcoming wedding on 12 December,” the message read, according to <a href="https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/the-blocks-paige-and-jesse-call-off-their-wedding-with-heartbreaking-note-042835911.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Yahoo Lifestyle</em></a>.</p> <p>“While we were eagerly looking forward to celebrating our love and commitment with you all, we believe it is essential to acknowledge when a moment is not right. This year, it is not.</p> <p>“We extend our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience and disappointment this news may bring. A new date for our celebration is unknown at this time, but we will keep you abreast of any rescheduling.”</p> <p>Despite their decision it is understood that the couple are still together, even telling the outlet that their reality TV appearance had brought them "closer" together. </p> <p>The couple were branded this season's "villains" due to their <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/violent-threats-the-block-star-opens-up-after-sudden-exit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">multiple on-screen arguments</a>, with the show’s executive producer Justin Sturzaker forced to step in after their tensions escalated one night, and the couple were recorded yelling at each other. </p> <p>After reaching out to the counselling services on the show, the couple eventually decided to quit the show. </p> <p>“We feel as though you need to get to a place that’s out of here, to take care of yourself,” he told the couple, adding that their departure was “for the best", <em>The Block</em> host Scott Cam said during their final farewell. </p> <p>Cam also added that it was the couple's decision to leave and "we didn't force them out". </p> <p>"They made the decision they wanted to go home. We followed it up with professional care in their home state for as long as they needed it.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

Legal battle could separate Molly the Magpie and carers again

<p>Molly the Magpie and her friends Peggy and Ruby the Staffies captured hearts around the world with their unlikely friendship. </p> <p>In March, the trio were separated from each other, following <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/tears-started-rolling-first-glimpse-of-molly-the-magpie-shared-by-carers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">complaints </a>that his owners, Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen, didn't hold a wildlife permit. </p> <p>After 45 days apart, Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) granted them a licence with <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/first-pics-of-molly-the-magpie-reunion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">special conditions</a> so Molly could return home to her adoptive family. </p> <p>But now their licence to keep Molly has been called into question, threatening to separate them again, according to <em>A Current Affair</em>. </p> <p>"Four years ago yesterday, when we came across a little magpie, who would have thought we'd be standing in front of the Supreme Court here in Brisbane," Wells said.</p> <p>Mortensen and Wells don't even know who is challenging the Queensland government's decision to reunite the magpie with the family, as the wildlife support volunteer and magpie specialist chose to remain anonymous. </p> <p>"Molly's 100 per cent, and always has been, our focus, his well being... and we just want to just move on and just get over, get on with it," Mortensen said.</p> <p>The applicant will stay anonymous as they contest the government's decision to grant them the licence to care for Molly. </p> <p>"Every time we're in the public sight and things like that, it raises awareness for people to get out there and try and do something to help wildlife and become involved," Mortensen added.</p> <p>"That's what we want to try and do is get get as many people involved as we possibly can in helping wildlife."</p> <p><em>Image: A Current Affair/ Instagram</em></p>

Legal

The Block star reveals shock cancer diagnosis

<p><em>The Block</em>'s Jasmin Neuwen has revealed she's been diagnosed with breast cancer. </p> <p>The 40-year-old, who appeared in the 2020 season of the show alongside her husband Luke, shared the heartbreaking announcement on social media on Thursday evening. </p> <p>"Unfortunately last week I was diagnosed with breast cancer," she wrote in the caption of her post. </p> <p>"We are devastated, given my age, no family history and lack of symptoms. I was just heading off for my first ever mammogram after a friend at work told me to go after turning 40. She saved my life."</p> <p>Jasmin said that she was thankful the cancer had been caught early but said she has a long way to go with treatment. </p> <p>"My treatment includes a double mastectomy, chemo and radiation followed by years of hormone blocking medication.</p> <p>"Wow. It's a lot. I know. I don't know anyone who's walked this path so if anyone out there has been through this... Please reach out."</p> <p>Jasmin, ended her post by urging those who are eligible to book in their free mammogram. </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/DAGAv8-TjaX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DAGAv8-TjaX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Luke and Jasmin (@lukeandjasmin)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"I'm confident I'll beat this and come out stronger than before 💪🏼 With an even better outlook on life. Just like my wrist tattoo says 'Focus on the Good' that's my mantra through this battle," she wrote.</p> <p>"If you are 40, I urge you to book in a FREE mammogram. Don't put it off. Make it a priority in your busy life."</p> <p>Jasmin, also filmed a video with her husband, which she shared on her Instagram stories, and reiterated how important it is to go and get checked as she felt no symptoms whatsoever before her diagnosis. </p> <p>"My prognosis is good, however it's going to be a really long treatment because of my age," she said. "We wanted to tell our followers because when I went in for my mammogram, I thought I was ticking a box of self-care because I'm 40."</p> <p>"I have surgery in two weeks. We're going to enjoy the next two weeks with our young children, then after that probably chemo and radiation and some other long-term treatments to block my hormones. It's a lot. We're processing it, but we're remaining optimistic."</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

Aussie TV star shocks with unrecognisable makeover

<p>An Aussie TV star has undergone a major makeover to become a popular television character. </p> <p>Ahead of the release of the highly-anticipated <em>The Penguin</em> show on HBO, Karl Stefanovic spent hours in hair and makeup to turn into the Gotham City bad guy. </p> <p>The 50-year-old <em>Today</em> show host completed his look with the super-villain’s signature facial scar, all while sporting The Penguin’s infamous black and purple suit.</p> <p>“There’s a new Kingpin in town…” read a captioned posted on the Today show’s Instagram.</p> <p>The makeover didn't stop there, with Stefanovic then spotted driving around the streets of North Sydney outside Nine HQ, in a bright purple Maserati with the windows down as he laughed at passers-by in the trademark Penguin snarl. </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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAFscMouMYi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAFscMouMYi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by thetodayshow (@thetodayshow)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“You know there’s only one man big enough to run this city,” he said in character, while telling the gathering crowd to “get back to work, you bludgers”.</p> <p><em>The Today Show</em> posted a behind the scenes look at the extensive transformation, with Karl being layered up in silicone and special effects makeup, before receiving a heavy coating of fake tan to finish the look.</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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAFuFs3u8Nw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAFuFs3u8Nw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by thetodayshow (@thetodayshow)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Karl's makeover coincides with the release of <em>The Penguin</em> on streaming service Binge on Friday, in the next instalment of the <em>Batman</em> universe after the 2022 film starring Robert Pattinson. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

How you can get the official Australian portraits of The King and Queen

<p>Royal fans nationwide can now request a special keepsake online for free. </p> <p>All Australians are entitled to their very own free portrait of King Charles and Queen Camilla. The way one can obtain the monarchy keepsake is through sending an email to their local federal MP requesting one. </p> <p>The initiative comes under the constituents' request program, which allows registered Australian voters to receive their own printed portrait of the royals. </p> <p>Official portraits of the King and Queen were provided to the Australian Government by Buckingham Palace in July and are available for public access. </p> <p>Photos available include a photo of the royal couple standing together, and seperate ones of the monarch and her majesty posing alone. </p> <p>In the photos the King and Queen both donned royal blue outfits and their Commonwealth Insignia, with the King wearing The Sovereign's Badge of the Order of Australia and the Queen wearing the Wattle Brooch.</p> <p>The portraits were taken by royal photographer Millie Pilkington in Buckingham Palace's White Drawing Room in June.</p> <p>The digital images can be downloaded for free from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet <a href="https://www.pmc.gov.au/government/official-australian-portraits-king-and-queen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a> for private use. Those who want a physical copy can request printed versions through their Federal Member of the House of Representatives or Senator in their state or territory via email.</p> <p>The government-funded program, introduced in the Parliamentary Entitles Act 1990, is available for Australian citizens only.</p> <p><em>Image: <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet/ </span>Millie Pilkington</em></p>

Art

Larry Emdur celebrates 500 episodes on The Chase

<p>Larry Emdur has celebrated a special milestone after filming his 500th episode on <em>The Chase Australia</em>. </p> <p>Since stepping into the role in 2021, the beloved TV host has become a fan favourite. </p> <p>Emdur took to Instagram to share a series of photos commemorating the moment, which included a special tribute to viewers. </p> <p>“I recorded my 500th episode of The Chase today and the crew threw me a party but honestly I should’ve thrown one for them,” he wrote, alongside a photo of a cake adorned with the message "500 fabulous episodes". </p> <p>He also shared a few photos of the crew congratulating him for the special achievement. </p> <p>“So much work goes into this show behind the scenes, these guys and girls are incredible. Thank you for all your support , thank you for the cake and special thanks for my red carpet (towel🤣🤞🤞).</p> <p>“And of course if you watch The Chase thank YOU for making us part of your evenings.”</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/reel/C_5FoUKuLW5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_5FoUKuLW5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by @larryemdur</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Fans were quick to shower Emdur with messages of congratulations. </p> <p>“Wow man that went quick! Well deserved mate. Def bought it up several notches.” one wrote.</p> <p>“CONGRATULATIONS, LOVE THE SHOW , LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR NEXT 500," added another. </p> <p>“Love the show and you are the perfect host, Larry,” wrote a third. </p> <p>“Far out! That came around fast!! Congratulations legend!!” added a fourth. </p> <p>It's been quite the year for the beloved TV host, who recently won his first ever <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/larry-emdur-takes-home-gold-logie-in-star-studded-awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gold Logie award</a> after over 30 years on Aussie screens, followed by him getting the names of the other nominees <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/larry-emdur-gets-tattooed-live-on-air" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tattooed </a>on his bum live on-air because he <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/larry-emdur-s-crazy-pledge-ahead-of-logies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pledged</a> to do so if he won. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

"Violent threats": The Block star opens up after sudden exit

<p>Paige and Jesse, contestants on the 2024 season of <em>The Block</em>, have finally addressed the intense backlash they've received following their portrayal on the popular reality show.</p> <p>The couple, who became social media’s latest "villains" due to multiple on-screen arguments, have opened up about the toll it has taken on their mental health. Fans of the show have accused the duo of having a "toxic relationship", and some online commentators have left harsh, often cruel comments directed at them.</p> <p>The 27-year-old Paige expressed her dismay at the negativity, calling it "really sad" to see so many of her fellow contestants also receiving hate. “It's just a TV show as well," she told <a href="https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/lifestyle/what-you-dont-see-on-tv-the-block-star-on-horrific-consequence-of-being-a-reality-villian-053436673.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo Lifestyle</a>. "I don't think it's appropriate whatsoever.”</p> <p>The attacks have gotten so bad that Paige revealed that Jesse has taken control of her Instagram to filter hateful messages, and she has deleted her Facebook presence completely, to avoid the barrage of negativity.</p> <p>In her interview with Yahoo Lifestyle, Paige revealed how serious the situation has become, explaining that the constant harassment has led her to turn off comments on her social media to safeguard her “sanity”. “I've had a lot of death threats, violent threats, and nasty comments that are unimaginable. I turned the comments off for my own wellbeing,” she said, explaining that the online abuse began almost immediately after the first episode aired.</p> <p>While Channel Nine has provided counselling and mental health resources for them, Paige says that her biggest support has come from her family and from Jesse. Her family, who have moved in with them temporarily, have been a source of strength, with Paige explaining that her brother also experienced severe online bullying when they were younger. “I think just being around grounded people, it's a lot harder to fall into those traps,” she shared.</p> <p>Jesse also opened up about the difficulties of watching themselves on TV, admitting that the negative portrayal has made them question their self-identity. However, they’ve found comfort in reconnecting with their co-stars, who remind them of the fun, positive moments that weren’t aired. “You start to question yourself when you’re watching yourself on TV,” Jesse said, adding that they often reflect on the good times during filming, despite what viewers see.</p> <p>Despite the negative attention, Paige and Jesse have also experienced an outpouring of support. Following Paige’s <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@paigebeechey" target="_blank" rel="noopener">candid three-part TikTok series</a>, where she revealed details about their experience on the show and their decision to leave on bad terms, the couple received a flood of encouraging messages. “The response that I got was pretty huge,” Paige said. “I received so many wonderful messages from women, men, current contestants, past contestants.”</p> <p>Jesse echoed her sentiments, sharing that for every few negative comments, there were significantly more positive ones. “It’s like, okay, there actually are people who understand and care and realise that it's more than just a show,” he said.</p> <p>As part of her post-exit TikTok series, Paige levelled a parting shot at the long-running renovation show itself, saying “The Block is over to me. All I want to do now is implore the network that when this show continues, there needs to be serious reform on how you prepare contestants.”</p> <p><em>Images: Channel Nine</em></p>

"This is horrific": Queen icon calls out convincing scam

<p>Brian May has spoken out after becoming the target of a dangerous scam, urging people to be careful online. </p> <p>The guitarist of iconic rock band Queen was made aware of the scam by a fan, who sent him the TikTok of what seems to be May himself offering concert tickets at a discount. </p> <p>The video, which is actually AI-generated and has nothing to do with May or with Queen, shows the rockstar offering music fans the chance to see a concert from backstage. </p> <p>“I hope you’re all well out there,” says the fake Brian May in the video. “Some good news. Backstage tickets for my next show in your cities are now going for only $800, which were previously $2000. I’m only selecting 10 people in the comments, so if you’re ready to make payment, comment, ‘ready’.”</p> <p>May responded to the post publicly, sharing his horror and anger with fans over the “creepy” video, saying, “My God. This is horrific.”</p> <p>“I suppose this is now so easy to do – and there are always people who will sink to any depths to try to make a quick buck. Disgusting.”</p> <p>He continued, “Thanks for the alert dear (TikTok username) stereojazz. I’ve alerted our team and hopefully we can squash this.”</p> <p>Fans were quick to comment that they had almost been fooled by the convincing video. </p> <p>“That they abuse your beautiful personality for this scam hurts even more and is really scary. I hate it,” commented one. </p> <p>“It is insanely terrifying what AI can do these days,” wrote another.</p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

Legal

"Laughably bad": New sculpture of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip divides opinion

<p>A newly unveiled bronze sculpture of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip has received somewhat mixed reviews from the public, with many criticising the piece for looking "nothing like" them. </p> <p>The artwork was unveiled at Antrim Castle Gardens in Northern Ireland on Friday, and was commissioned by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, which said the piece “captures Her Majesty in a dignified pose, reflecting her grace, steadfastness and lifelong dedication to public service”.</p> <p>It also depicts two of her famous corgis at her feet and her husband, Philip standing behind her with his hands behind his back. </p> <p>While the local council told CNN that the bronze statue of the Queen "has been warmly received by most who have seen it in person," many have ridiculed the statue for looking nothing like them. </p> <p>One user wrote on X that it was "laughably bad", adding: "It doesn't even look an iota like her, does it? Am I blind, or is that just nothing like the Queen? Surely they pay a fortune for these commissioned pieces - is there no requirement that there actually be a likeness?"</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">It doesn't even look an iota like her, does it? Am I blind, or is that just nothing like the Queen? Surely they pay a fortune for these commissioned pieces - is there no requirement that there actually be a likeness?</p> <p>Why is everything so shit, now?</p> <p>— Dr Dani Sulikowski (@DrDaniS) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrDaniS/status/1832347891433927015?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <p>Another user on X wrote: “It is awful...It looks nothing like the Queen or the Prince.. Terrible..Dreadful..Melt it down and start again”. </p> <p>One person commented on the council's announcement of the artwork that while it was "beautiful" the statue didn't "look like our late queen or represent how she always dressed".</p> <p>"Even the corgi is confused," another user wrote.</p> <p>“Would you know this was the late Queen if I didn't tell you?" another wrote on X. </p> <p>Following the wave of criticism, the council acknowledged that at "art can sometimes spark diverse opinions" but said that it "was particularly pleased with how the (Elizabeth) sculpture complements its surroundings, standing adjacent to the statue of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and accompanied by two lovingly crafted corgis."</p> <p><em>Images: Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council</em></p>

Art

New details revealed on King Charles and Queen Camilla's Australia tour

<p>King Charles and Queen Camilla are visiting Australia next month for the first time in five years, and now their itinerary for the trip has finally been revealed. </p> <p>First on the line up the King has scheduled a meeting with Australians of the Year, Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO in Sydney to learn about their ground-breaking research into cancer. </p> <p>The five-day tour will kick off on October 18 to October 23 and will take place in Canberra and Sydney. </p> <p>During their time in the ACT, the royal couple have been invited to Parliament House by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and there they will attend a reception for political and community leaders, as well as Australians who have excelled within health, arts and culture. </p> <p>They will then pay their respects at the Australian War Memorial, before visiting the Australian National Botanic Gardens to discuss the global impacts of climate change with staff and volunteers. </p> <p>While in the ACT the couple will also branch off for separate engagements with Charles heading to the CSIRO headquarters to discuss the toll of bushfires with scientists, and Camilla participating in a discussion on family and domestic violence.</p> <p>In Sydney, while the King meets with the cancer research team, the Queen will visit a library and meet with children participating in a Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition workshop.</p> <p>The royal couple will also conduct a Fleet Review of the Royal Australian Navy, and attend a community BBQ celebrating Australia’s cultural diversity. </p> <p>After their Australian visit, the royals will then head to Samoa to attend the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). </p> <p>This trip will mark their first visit Down Under since the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018, and the first time a reigning monarch has visited the country since Queen Elizabeth in 2011. </p> <p>The Palace first confirmed the Australia tour in July, but they did not add New Zealand to the itinerary on the advice of the King's doctor as he continues to recover. </p> <p>In a statement following the news, Prime Minister Albanese said he was looking forward to welcoming the King and Queen back.</p> <p>“I welcome Buckingham Palace’s statement announcing the visit,” Albanese said at the time. </p> <p>“The Royal Visit is an opportunity to showcase the best of Australia – our rich culture, our sense of community, and contributions to science, research and global progress.</p> <p>“His Majesty first visited Australia in 1966, and has a strong personal affection for our nation. We are delighted that His Majesty is recovering well and has made visiting Australia once again a priority.</p> <p>“Australians look forward to welcoming The King and Queen back to Australia in October, and highlighting the best of the Australian spirit.”</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Domestic Travel

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at 30: more important, enjoyable and vital than ever

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/stephen-gaunson-265553">Stephen Gaunson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a></em></p> <p>The lavender painted bus named “Priscilla” continues to pick up new fans while never going out of favour with its legion of original devotees, 30 years after its release.</p> <p>The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert was shot on location in and around Sydney, Broken Hill, Coober Pedy, Kings Canyon and Alice Springs over six weeks in 1993.</p> <p>Directed by Stephan Elliott, the film screened in the <em>Un Certain Regard</em> section of the May 1994 Cannes Film Festival, winning <a href="https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-885750952/view?sectionId=nla.obj-888737519&searchTerm=priscilla+queen+of+the+desert&partId=nla.obj-885806856#page/n13/mode/1up">critical and popular acclaim</a> for its positive portrayal of LGBTQI+ characters.</p> <p>Awards came, most notably for costume designers Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner who won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for their sparkly, sequin-filled costumes.</p> <p>The film’s cultural brilliance lies in juxtaposing the extreme flamboyance of the costumes and props against the equally extreme rural natural desert landscape. The unexpected revelation for audiences was how perfectly these contrasting elements harmonised.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wGWWeourHUg?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>A smash hit</h2> <p>Less than 12 months since its release, the Film Finance Corporation (FFC) of Australia had the rare success of <a href="https://if.com.au/why-the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-turned-the-government-a-profit-in-just-12-months/">fully recouping</a> its A$1.67 million investment.</p> <p>Initially hesitant due to Elliott’s disappointing box office return on his debut feature, Frauds (1993), the FFC was convinced after the screenplay gained attention at Cannes. The film exceeded predictions, grossing more than $16 million in Australia.</p> <p>The film was socially and critically embraced as an instant classic.</p> <p>Ask cinema employees from this time and they will all share similar memories of lines of people outside the cinema doors eager to watch and rewatch (and rewatch again) the musical road movie about a pair of drag queens (Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce) and a transgender woman (Terence Stamp) as they set out from Sydney on a bus journey across the Australian outback.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tex3dw3RjGk?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>The casting today seems like more of a sure bet than it did in 1994. Stamp was a British actor of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/mar/12/terence-stamp-i-was-in-my-prime-but-when-the-60s-ended-i-ended-with-it">legendary status</a>, having gained critical accolades in the 1960s in films such as Billy Budd, The Collector and Far from the Madding Crowd. However Stamp was equally a <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/event/article-4869258/Terence-Stamp-79-bids-farewell-active-sex-life.html">regular tabloid subject</a> for his high-profile romances with film star Julie Christie and supermodel Jean Shrimpton.</p> <p>Would audiences be willing to go with the idea of this playboy as the trandsgender woman, Bernadette?</p> <p>It is now impossible to consider any actor better able to deliver Terrance Stamps’s deadpan sardonic lines so perfectly: “Don’t ‘Darling’, me, Darling. Look at you. You’ve got a face like a cat’s arse.”</p> <p>Pearce and Weaving also were a risk. Neither were box office marquee stars at the time. Pearce was known as a lovable Mike from the popular television soap opera, Neighbours. Weaving was a critically respected actor known more for his quirky small parts than as a star in his own right.</p> <p>Both were perfect casting, launching them onto Hollywood careers. Pearce as Adam was a remarkable revelation.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p2QiCFAQ-qQ?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>The chemistry and connection between the three lead actors makes the film truly succeed.</p> <p>Never do their performances seem showboating or forced. Each has their own arc, personality and journey. And when they climb Kings Canyon in full drag regalia at the film’s end there is something moving about what they have been able to accomplish together.</p> <p>A film that begins to be a slight and joyful comedy about drag performers becomes a deeper essay on the importance of lived experience and friendship (or, dare I say, mateship).</p> <h2>More vital than ever</h2> <p>Drag has a <a href="https://www.remindmagazine.com/article/3894/drag-through-decades-film-tv/">long history</a> in mainstream cinema with its own codes and references.</p> <p>The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is crucially different by it not being about “straight” men masquerading as women to mask their actual identity. Instead, Elliot’s film rather positively celebrates these characters in drag as their true and authentic selves.</p> <p>This film stood with others as a wave of Australian cinema in the 1990s unashamedly wanting to celebrate an Australia juxtaposing the blokey masculine stereotype.</p> <p>Ocker characters (men and women) appear in this film, but ultimately they are publicly humiliated for their homophobia. Bernadette kneeing in the groin the vicious and vulgar Frank (Kenneth Radley) often receives a big cheer from cinema audiences: “Stop flexing your muscles, you big pile of budgie turd,” Bernadette scorns.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9nc12yOA4jM?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Perhaps the true star of the film were not the actors as much as the iconic 1976 Japanese model Hino Freighter Priscilla bus that became the set for several scenes in the film. Because the bus interior was such a small set, there was no room for the crew with many actually in shot, hiding under clothes and other props.</p> <p>The bus, long thought to be lost, was <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-12/bid-to-restore-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-bus/103699136">rediscovered</a> on a farm in New South Wales in 2019. The bus is currently being restored, with an aim to have it on display at the National Motor Museum in Birdwood, Adelaide Hills, in 2026. Perhaps it will be good timing for shooting the recently announced <a href="https://deadline.com/2024/04/priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-movie-sequel-original-cast-1235890358/">potential sequel</a>.</p> <p>30 years after its original release The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert seems more important, enjoyable and vital than ever. All aboard, Priscilla. Long may she run.</p> <hr /> <p><em>RMIT Capitol will be hosting a <a href="https://www.rmit.edu.au/thecapitol/events/2024/september/the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert">screening and introductory panel discussion</a> on September 11 with the film’s costume designer Tim Chappel, executive producer Rebel Penfold-Russell, Melbourne Queer Film Festival program director Cerise Howard, historian Kristy Kokegei and Stephen Gaunson.</em><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/235424/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/stephen-gaunson-265553"><em>Stephen Gaunson</em></a><em>, Associate Professor in Cinema Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Metro Goldwyn Mayer</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-adventures-of-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-at-30-more-important-enjoyable-and-vital-than-ever-235424">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Movies

"Weak": Raygun's tell-all interview divides audience

<p>Raygun has finally faced the music after her disappointing Olympics performance, sitting down with <em>The Project</em>'s Waleed Aly to share her side of the story from the breakdancing event in Paris. </p> <p>Rachael Gunn, 37, represented Australia in the breakdancing competition at the Paris Olympics where she failed to score a single point, and her unusual routine quickly went viral around the world. </p> <p>While some people, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, thought Raygun gave it her best try, others were quick to call her out for "making a mockery of Australia". </p> <p>In her first exclusive tell-all interview since the Olympics, Raygun told Waleed Aly that the backlash to her performance had a huge impact on her mental health. </p> <p>“I didn’t understand the scale of it,” she said. “I did preview some comments and I was like, ‘Oh, no’, and this kind of sick feeling started coming out. I was like, ‘Oh, goodness! What has happened?’”</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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_fbu5PvItj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_fbu5PvItj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Project (@theprojecttv)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“That was really wild,” Gunn said. “If people are chasing me, what do I do? But that really did put me in a state of panic for a while after that and I was quite nervous being out in public because I just didn’t know what was safe, if anyone was going to recognise me, how they were going to respond to seeing me."</p> <p>“And it was pretty nerve-racking for a while there.”</p> <p>She went on to say that the hate she received, both in person and online, took a toll. </p> <p>“It was really sad, how much hate that it did evoke,” she said. “There’s been a portion of very angry and awful responses, not only attacking me but attacking my husband, attacking my crew, attacking the breaking and street dance community in Australia, my family. The energy and vitriol that people had was pretty alarming.”</p> <p>Despite her candid answers on <em>The Project</em>, the interview as a whole divided audiences, as some viewers were unhappy with the style of interviewing, claiming Waleed hadn't gone hard enough on her and saying that Raygun is still not taking any accountability for "making a mockery" of Australia and hip-hop culture.</p> <p>"Weak AF interview," one person raged on Facebook. "Just another absolute p***take by her and Waleed's questions."</p> <p>"Of course it will be a Waleed interview. Let Steve Price ask her a few questions," someone else commented, with another agreeing, "Pity Steve Price didn't do the interview."</p> <p>"No apology for making a mockery of the breaking hip-hop culture. And there are other female breakers who are much more talented," one person said. "She needs to apologise for taking the place of talented dancers. She’s an embarrassment that scored a zero. That has to be a first," someone else ranted.</p> <p>Not everyone had a problem with the line of questioning, with some labelling Waleed as "kind and respectful".</p> <p>"Very well done, and very kind interview. You asked some tough questions, and she gave some tough answers," one person said. "Bravo, Waleed, that was a wonderful interview. You were probing but also kind and respectful," someone else commended. </p> <p><em>Image credits: The Project/Paul Kitagaki, Jr/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock</em></p>

Sonia Kruger in talks for surprise reboot

<p>Sonia Kruger may soon take on a new role, with an insider telling <em>Yahoo Lifestyle</em> that Channel 10 is considering her for a reboot of <em>The Golden Bachelor</em>. </p> <p><em>TV Blackbox </em>reported that Channel Nine would be announcing <em>The Golden Bachelor </em>at its annual Upfronts event in October, and now it is reported that the network has eyes on Kruger to host the series. </p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">"The word on the street is that Sonia could reboot The Golden Bachelor on Channel Nine in 2025," the source told </span><em style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Yahoo Lifestyle</em><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">.</span></p> <p>“Channel Nine loved working with Sonia and everyone would welcome her back with open arms. There is a real bidding war which will see two networks keen to lock her services down in the new year.”</p> <p>Earlier this year, Channel 10 announced that they have cancelled <em>The Bachelor</em>, following 11 seasons, so news of a reboot on Nine could be just the thing for reality TV fans. </p> <p>"The Bachelor is going to look very different to how Network 10 has been making the show," the insider told <em>Yahoo Lifestyle</em>. </p> <p>They added that Nine wanted the show to look more "lux" and that executives are interested in the "class" Kruger would bring to the series. </p> <p>"The ambition is to appeal to a wider audience and make it a yearly feature on the network. There is no reason it won't be as big as MAFS in a couple of years."</p> <p>“The Channel Seven star is yet to hear what the lineup for 2025 will look like if she stays with the network but with Big Brother cancelled there is a hole in her contract that will need to be fixed if she is to be picked up again," they said.</p> <p>Kruger previously left Channel Seven to take on rival network Channel Nine's reboot of Big Brother Australia in 2011, a move which was considered a "huge risk" at the time. </p> <p><em>Image: Seven</em></p>

The Project hosts shocked by snarky Father's Day remark

<p><em>The Project</em> hosts have been stunned by a snarky Father's Day comment by a guest, with viewers letting loose online over the remark. </p> <p>On Sunday night's show, which coincided with Father's Day, hosts Hamish Macdonald and Sarah Harris were joined by <em>The Guardian</em>'s political editor Amy Remeikis to discuss Australia's housing shortage and cost of living crisis. </p> <p>At the end of her interview, however, she signed off by noting Father's Day with a snarky comment. </p> <p>"Happy Dad's Day to all the non-crap dads and for all the mums and everyone else who had to stood up for the crap dads [sic]," she said. </p> <p>The bizarre off-the-cuff remark left the bemused hosts lost for words with a perplexed Harris appearing to grimace, while the audience awkwardly laughed. </p> <p>"Okay, in other news," Macdonald eventually responded as he quickly moved to the next segment.</p> <p>Dozens of viewers took to X to share their confusion over the remark after the program shared the segment online, which has since been deleted. </p> <p>"What was that little rant at then about c**p dads?" one viewer asked. </p> <p>Others slammed the comment and believed that it shouldn't have been aired, as another viewers wrote, "Happy Father's day to the non crap dads? Are you serious? What a s**t thing to say." </p> <p>"Just say happy Father's Day, or don't."</p> <p>But some viewers did see the funny side, as one person wrote, "I've just watched Amy Remeikis discuss capitalism and crap dads on Father’s Day. Cannot ever imagine an equivalent on British TV."</p> <p>Single parents who solely raise their children alone also leapt to Remeikis' defence, as one mum added, "Just saw you on The Project. As a mum who does both roles. THANK YOU!"</p> <p><em>Image credits: The Project</em></p>

The eye-watering salaries of The Voice Australia judges revealed

<p><em>The Voice Australia</em> has revamped the lineup of the judges for the 2024 season, with American music icons Adam Lambert and LeAnn Rimes joining Aussies Guy Sebastian and Kate Miller-Heidke. </p> <p>As the new American talent joins the show, Seven are reportedly paying big buck for the international stars after their salaries were leaked by <a href="https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/exclusive-the-voice-australia-coaches-salaries-leaked-amid-pay-row-230921307.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Yahoo News</em></a>. </p> <p>According to the publication, an alleged source claims that Adam and LeAnn "are believed to be receiving between $750,000 and $1.2 million" for the single season of the show. </p> <p>Meanwhile, Kate Miller-Heidke "is believed to be receiving upwards of $500,000" for her first season on the show. </p> <p>Veteran judge Guy Sebastian allegedly started on $750,000 per season in 2019, "but this is believed to now be worth $1 million". </p> <p>These new judges are getting "considerably less" than outgoing coaches Rita Ora and Jason Derulo, <em>Yahoo</em> alleges.</p> <p>According to a production insider, the reason for the switch-up of judges was the star's pay cheques, and a desire from producers to keep costs down.</p> <p>The insider said the program has been wanting a change in judges lineup for a quite some time, adding that salary increases are necessary to keep returning stars on the show and the price tag for the former crop was "too expensive".</p> <p>"The company line was that Jessica, Rita and Jason were all too busy, but I don't think anyone is too busy to pick up these sorts of pay cheques. It certainly did have a lot to do with keeping the costs down."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Seven </em></p>

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