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Australia's number one biscuit revealed

<p>Australia's favourite biscuit has been revealed. </p> <p>Arnott's sold more than 300 million packets of biscuits this year, and they have been tracking what has been sold the most. </p> <p>Now they have revealed the 10 most popular biscuits in their range - and it is not surprising that Tim Tam Original was the most popular biscuit in 2024. </p> <p>Despite previous complaint's of the price increase this year, the biscuit is still well-loved by Australians. </p> <p>The popular snack was followed by Barbecue Shapes, Chicken Crimpy Shapes, Pizza Shapes, and Jatz. </p> <p>In the last year, more than 13.4 million packets of Barbecue Shapes and more than 5.5 million gluten free biscuits were bought. </p> <p>While the original Tim Tam's took the number one spot, the double coat Tim Tam also went up in popularity taking the sixth spot, up from the eighth spot in 2023. </p> <p>Salada Original took the seventh spot, followed by Mint Slice, Scotch Finger, and Monte Carlo. </p> <p>“There’s nothing like a fresh bikkie debate to start the week and everyone hoping their favourites will make the top 10," Ranita Cowled, Business Director for Treating at Arnott’s told <em>news.com.au</em>. </p> <p>“Whether it be our iconic bikkies like Monte Carlo and Scotch Finger, or crowd favourites Jatz and Barbecue Shapes, it’s clear Aussies love a mix of classic, sweet, and savoury in 2024.</p> <p>“It’s fitting to see that as we close out the 60th birthday year for Tim Tam that the Original flavour has taken out the coveted #1 spot!”</p> <p><em>Images: Alex Cimbal / Shutterstock.com</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Aussies outraged over price of staple snack

<p>Australians have expressed outrage over the price of Tim Tams, after one Reddit user spotted the staple snack being sold in stores and online for $6 per pack. </p> <p>“I (remember) when a double pack used to only be about $4.50. F**k this shit,” the user who posted the photo stated.</p> <p>Others blasted the price hike as excessive and "un-Australian". </p> <p>One commenter pointed out that the iconic Australian biscuit was potentially cheaper overseas, despite the import taxes. </p> <p>“That’s in Australia? They’re half that in Canada and they have to import them from Australia,” one said.</p> <p>“Like many other shrunken and quality reduced products I can live without them," another added. </p> <p>Arnott's traditional flavours are currently listed at $6 in Coles and Woolworths, while a family packet will set buyers back $7. </p> <p>An Arnott's spokesperson told the Daily Mail that the price hike was due to increased input costs. </p> <p>“Like most Australian manufacturers, we are experiencing a significant increase in our input costs, including the surging price of cocoa," the spokesperson said.</p> <p>“This has led us to make the difficult decision to increase the price of our Tim Tam biscuits.</p> <p>“We continue to invest in promotional programs with our retailers year-round, to ensure consumers can buy our products at great value prices.</p> <p>‘The changes are necessary for Arnott’s to remain competitive as an Australian manufacturer and to continue to make the delicious products Australians know and love.”</p> <p><em>Image: Reddit</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Tim Tam Jatz: How an April Fool's joke became a real product line

<p>Snack enthusiasts have been left both bewildered and ecstatic as Arnott’s has announced the release of the long-awaited Tim Tam Jatz – a fusion biscuit that promises to revolutionise the sweet and salty game. What started as a mere April Fool’s prank has now escalated into a reality stranger than fiction.</p> <p>For years, brands like Arnott’s and Macca’s have toyed with our taste buds, teasing us with tantalising new product announcements on April 1st, only to dash our hopes with the cold reality of jest. But Arnott’s, oh Arnott’s, they decided to take it one step further.</p> <p>Last year, amid the chaos of April Fool’s 2023, they dropped the bombshell: Tim Tam Jatz was on its way. The internet erupted in a cacophony of disbelief and desire. Comments flooded in, ranging from desperate pleas to joyous declarations of snack nirvana.</p> <p>Fast forward to the present, and Arnott’s has delivered the unthinkable. The Tim Tam Jatz is no longer a figment of our collective imagination but a tangible delight that will soon grace the shelves of Coles, bringing joy to snack enthusiasts everywhere. Combining the decadent chocolatey goodness of a Tim Tam with the unmistakable crunch of a salty Jatz cracker, this biscuit is poised to redefine the very essence of snack time.</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/C5fBOF1veqy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5fBOF1veqy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Arnott's Biscuits (@arnottsbiscuits)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Rebecca Chan, the mastermind behind this stroke of genius and Tim Tam’s marketing manager, expressed her delight at bringing this unconventional creation to life. “We love getting behind an April Fool’s prank, and dreaming up new ways to tap into Australia’s love of Tim Tam,” she wrote.</p> <p>“But following the overwhelming number of comments and requests, we knew we had to bring Tim Tam inspired by Jatz to the shelf and make it available for every Aussie to enjoy.</p> <p>"We can’t wait to share the latest Tim Tam creation, where consumers can expect something a little bit sweet, and a little bit salty in every bite.”</p> <p>The announcement sent shockwaves across social media, with food bloggers and snack enthusiasts alike losing their collective minds over the prospect of this culinary marvel. </p> <p>As word spread like wildfire, social media erupted in a frenzy of anticipation. “My sister is obsessed with Tim Tams and Jatz, so she will love this,” proclaimed one user, already envisioning the delight on their sibling’s face. “OMG I need it immediately,” cried another, echoing the sentiments of snack lovers everywhere.</p> <p>But amidst the jubilation, there were voices of caution. “Ooh, I will be trying, but I seem to only ever buy a new Tim Tam once and then run straight back to my beloved double coat,” confessed a hesitant fan, torn between loyalty and curiosity.</p> <p>Only time will tell if Tim Tam Jatz will live up to the hype, but one thing is for certain: Arnott’s has unleashed a culinary juggernaut that is sure to leave a lasting impression on snack history. So brace yourselves; the sweet and salty revolution is upon us, and there’s no turning back.</p> <p><em>Image: Arnott's</em></p>

Food & Wine

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'Australia's Forrest Gump' reaches major milestone

<p>The man dubbed Australia's Forrest Gump has arrived back Down Under to complete the final leg of a mammoth journey. </p> <p>Tim Franklin has long dreamed of becoming the fastest person to run from one end of the world to the other, and has already completed most of his journey. </p> <p>The 40-year-old has run over 19,000 kilometres through 17 countries across five continents, setting off on his epic adventure in December 2022. </p> <p>With a world record in his sights, has been averaging more than a marathon a day for the past 427 days, as he battled floods, snow, exhaustion and injury on his travels. </p> <p>The worst of his hurdles came when his father was dying, as he decided to pause his journey to come home and say his goodbyes to the man he describes as "my hero, my mentor".</p> <p>"That message he gave me of 'go out and finish that damn run' was the last thing he said to me before he passed away," Franklin told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australias-forrest-gump-tim-franklin-lands-australia-final-leg-tim-runs-the-world/c3dac7d4-8c71-4fc5-84e2-4fbd2fb5af61" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>9News</em></a>.</p> <p>The pause in proceedings knocked him out of world record pace but it didn't derail his dream and only further fuelling the fire for him to achieve his goals. </p> <p>In order to "officially" run around the world, certain kilometres need to completed in each continent.</p> <p>Franklin started his journey in New Zealand, before heading coast to coast across the US, then South America, and across from Spain through Europe to the Black Sea.</p> <p>After a short stint in Asia he decided to head back to Australia, landing in Perth to a surprise greeting from his siblings.</p> <p>Now, it's the beginning of the end as Franklin makes his way from Perth to Brisbane, via Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.</p> <p>"[I'm] really excited to be back here in Aus for the last leg of my run."</p> <p>When he finally reaches Queensland, his friends and family will be waiting but there's one thing the 40-year-old is looking forward to most.</p> <p>"I just wanna give my mum a hug to be honest," he said.</p> <p><em>Image credits: 9News</em></p>

International Travel

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Radio star shares devastating relationship news

<p dir="ltr">Nova radio host Tim Blackwell has announced that he and his wife of 14 years have separated. </p> <p dir="ltr">Blackwell, co-host of the <em>Ricki-Lee, Tim &amp; Joel</em> drive show, married his now-ex Monique in 2009, with the couple announcing their split in an emotional Instagram post. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Not all good things end, but this has,” the yoga instructor wrote in a caption alongside two pictures of herself and Tim, 42.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Thank you in advance for your messages of love, support and sadness at the news that Tim &amp; I are no longer together.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Our babes are forever supported by Tim’s and my love for them. And our friendship together is a source of strength for our family always, as we raise our children as best friends.”</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/C0qsVaiv3-K/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0qsVaiv3-K/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Monique Blackwell (@moniquepickles)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The couple share three children: Bo, 10, Alfie, seven, and Artie, four.</p> <p dir="ltr">Back in 2018, Tim opened up about the day he met his wife, and how it happened to coincide with the biggest day of his career. </p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking candidly to <em>Stellar</em> magazine, he explained it happened after he’d just moved to Perth in 2002 to launch Nova 93.7FM’s drive show.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s the cheesiest radio-nerd story ever — one of the biggest days for my career and certainly the biggest day of my love-life,” Tim told the publication. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I had all the big bosses in town, all the news media there. I was shaking and absolutely sh***ing myself but also exhilarated at the same time.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Once all that was over, we went downstairs and had this huge launch party and Monique was a part of the promotions team at the time there. She came over and I got the courage to say, ‘I’m new to Perth and I’d love to take you out to coffee or something’.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Why Tim Minchin chose to go on stage after his mum died

<p>Tim Minchin has shared why he went ahead with his Sydney concert the day after his mother passed away. </p> <p>Just weeks ago, Minchin<a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/tim-minchin-s-tragic-mid-show-announcement" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> took to the stage</a> at Sydney's State Theatre for his An <em>Unfunny Evening with Tim Minchin and his Piano</em> concert in front of 2,000 fans.</p> <p>The performance went ahead like any other show, until at the end of the concert, he shared with the audience that his mum had passed away the day before, after a three-year battle with cancer.</p> <p>The confession left the audience stunned, and many were moved to tears as Minchin asked for help to sing the final song of the night, Leonard Cohen’s <em>Hallelujah</em>.</p> <p>On Wednesday night, Minchin told <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/tim-minchin-s-tragic-mid-show-announcement" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>news.com.au</em></a> that he wanted to still give his loyal fans an "honest" experience, and performing was his way of working through the devastating news. </p> <p>“I sort of didn’t know what else to do. I mean, that’s my job," he said. </p> <p>“I also really care that when I play gigs that people have an experience that feels honest, and it was the day after my mum died, so I thought I’d be honest about it."</p> <p>“Not because I wanted to manipulate them or get pity, but because everyone goes through those experiences, and that’s our job as artists to go, ‘I’ve experienced this and this is how I unpack it and maybe you’ll get something out of me talking about it and playing songs.”</p> <p>Minchin said he was proud of the show he put on that night in Sydney, but added, “I must admit, I can barely remember that night because I was just in this slightly otherworldly headspace”.</p> <p>After the moving performance in Sydney, audience members took to social media after the show, with comments including, “It felt like the audience held you in their arms during the final song, not a dry eye in the house”, and “Singing <em>Hallelujah</em> with 2000 other people … was by far the closest thing to a religious experience that I will ever have”.</p> <p>While Minchin's fans were all moved by the tribute to his mum, the musician was met with <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/that-s-cheap-tim-minchin-attacked-by-former-senator-over-emotional-moment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">criticism</a> from <span style="caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">former government minister Amanda Vanstone, who </span><span style="caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">accused him of "cheapening" the experience by making it public. </span></p> <p><span style="caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">However, the public response to Vanstone's comments was swift and overwhelmingly negative.</span></p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

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"That's cheap": Tim Minchin attacked by former senator over emotional moment

<p>In the wake of tragedy, renowned Australian musician and comedian Tim Minchin faced an unexpected wave of criticism from former government minister Amanda Vanstone.</p> <p>Minchin, who recently <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/tim-minchin-s-tragic-mid-show-announcement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shared the heartbreaking news</a> of his mother's death during a concert in Sydney, was accused by Vanstone of "cheapening" the experience by making it public. The public response to Vanstone's comments was swift and overwhelmingly negative.</p> <p>During last Friday night's concert, Minchin bared his soul to the audience, disclosing that his beloved mother, Ros, had been battling terminal blood cancer for three years. The emotionally charged performance included anecdotes about his mother's life, interspersed with songs he had composed in her honour. The devastating climax came when Minchin revealed that his mother had passed away just a day before, at the age of 74.</p> <p>In a late-night tweet following the performance, former Senator Amanda Vanstone criticised Minchin for sharing such a personal and private moment with the public. </p> <p>"Losing a parent is hard," Vanstone wrote. "Whatever age and however expected. But to me it’s a private grief. Making it public seems to cheapen it, make it marketable."</p> <p>The comments struck a nerve with many, igniting a firestorm of backlash on social media.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Losing a parent is hard. Whatever age and however expected. But to me it’s a private grief. Making it public seems to cheapen it, make it marketable : Tim Minchin stuns audience with sad announcement <a href="https://t.co/tSK3LhhvlX">https://t.co/tSK3LhhvlX</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/newscomauHQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@newscomauHQ</a></p> <p>— Amanda Vanstone (@amandavanstone) <a href="https://twitter.com/amandavanstone/status/1724032047511916677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Readers expressed their indignation at Vanstone's perceived lack of empathy, with many arguing that everyone processes grief differently and that Minchin's decision to share his pain was a personal choice. Some accused Vanstone of disrespecting Minchin's right to grieve in his own way, and others called for her to retract her statement.</span></p> <p>"Shut down your account you heartless crone - but then you've always been that. However, you've never been cheap - with our money," read one angry post. </p> <p>"It brings those who have lost their parent together to share their grief. As someone who lost their mum to cancer at a young age, this sharing is what gets me and many others through. You’re entitled to privacy. He’s entitled to share and not be labeled as opportunistic," read a second comment.</p> <p>"Imagine disrespecting someone’s right to grieve in a way of their choosing. That’s cheap," another said.</p> <p>Among the many voices condemning Vanstone's comments, an overwhelming outpouring of support for Tim Minchin also emerged. Fans commended the artist for his courage in continuing with the show despite the family tragedy. Many emphasised that sharing grief in a public space can be a source of solace and connection for those who have experienced similar losses. The consensus among Minchin's supporters was that his decision to proceed with the concert demonstrated strength and resilience.</p> <p>Minchin, undeterred by the controversy, has continued his nationwide tour, receiving rave reviews for his performances. On Instagram, he shared a glowing tribute from a concertgoer, underscoring the beauty of his show and its impact on the audience. The positive response to his performances served as a powerful rebuttal to those who criticised him for sharing his grief publicly.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram / X</em></p>

Caring

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“Sounds like some terrible rash”: Iconic Aussie food Jamie Oliver has never tasted

<p>Jamie Oliver has been visiting Australia on and off for the past 20 years - but he has never tried  Tim Tams. </p> <p>The celebrity chef revealed that he never tried the classic Aussie treat during an interview with <em>The Today Show </em>on Friday.<em> </em></p> <p>Jamie touched down in Sydney recently ahead of his 10-year anniversary with Royal Caribbean cruises, and was onboard the Ovation of the Seas when he was asked to  pick his favourite between Vegemite toast or Tim Tams. </p> <p>“What’s that in English? What did you just say?" the celebrity chef asked. </p> <p>“Ah, Vegemite toast. What’s a Tim Tam? What is it, it sounds like some terrible rash,” he joked.</p> <p>The presenter told him that it was a chocolate biscuit and got him to try one after finding a tray on the ship. </p> <p>“This is the moment of truth – this thing I have never had before,” Jamie said before he took a bite out of the popular snack. </p> <p>“Very, very nice … I will never forget this moment.”</p> <p>The 48-year-old chef first came to Australia when he was just 24 years old. Ever since, he's been travelling in an out of the country after falling in love with it. </p> <p>“I normally came, in the old world, every year, but obviously Covid threw a little curve ball in there,” he told <em>news.com.au.</em> </p> <p>“I just love it here. It always feels like weirdly, my true home. I feel like my style of cooking, my personality, my ridiculous jokes seem to go down better here than back home.”</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Tim Minchin's tragic mid-show announcement

<p>In an incredibly emotionally charged evening, Tim Minchin, the acclaimed Australian musician and comedian, left his audience stunned during his recent show, "An Unfunny Evening with Tim Minchin and his Piano", at the State Theatre in Sydney.</p> <p>With an audience of approximately 2000 people, the night promised Minchin's signature blend of humour, storytelling and musical brilliance. However, the evening took an unexpected turn as Minchin opened up about a devastating piece of personal news on stage.</p> <p>While sharing anecdotes from his life and performing songs from his extensive repertoire, Minchin briefly mentioned that his mother, Ros, had been diagnosed with a terminal illness – blood cancer – in 2020. The gravity of the situation became apparent as he continued with the performance despite the family tragedy.</p> <p>As the final notes of the show resonated, Minchin received a well-deserved standing ovation. Yet, the audience was not prepared for the bombshell Minchin dropped during the encore.</p> <p>“My mum died yesterday,” Minchin revealed, sending gasps through the theatre.</p> <p>In a display of tremendous strength and dedication to his craft, Minchin explained that he felt compelled to proceed with the show despite the recent loss. He then delivered a heart-wrenching rendition of one of his most beloved songs, "White Wine in the Sun".</p> <p>During this emotional performance, Minchin's voice momentarily faltered as he sang the poignant lyrics: “I’ll be seeing my dad, my brother and sisters, my gran and my mum … they’ll be drinking white wine in the sun.”</p> <p>The show concluded on an even more poignant note, with Minchin inviting the audience to join him in singing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". The theatre's lights were dimmed for this haunting rendition, and many concertgoers found themselves in tears as they sang along with Minchin in the darkness.</p> <p>Fans took to social media to express their admiration for Minchin's honesty and bravery. One attendee wrote, “Saw the show on Friday night in Sydney. It was incredible. Thank you for your honesty and bravery. It felt like the audience held you in their arms during the final song… not a dry eye in the house.”</p> <p>Other comments echoed the sentiment, with one person expressing, “Singing ‘Hallelujah’ together was one of the most beautiful moments I’ve experienced, and I will not forget it ever.” The outpouring of support continued, with fans acknowledging the emotional depth of the performance despite the challenging circumstances.</p> <p>Despite the grief that hung in the air, some fans recognised the uniqueness of the experience. “Fifth time seeing Tim Minchin tonight. Absolutely incredible show without question his best! Very emotional ending to the night,” wrote a third person.</p> <p>In the face of personal tragedy, Tim Minchin delivered a performance that will be remembered not only for its musical brilliance but also for the raw and authentic connection he shared with his audience. As the lights dimmed in the theatre, it became clear that this was more than a concert; it was a shared moment of catharsis and healing.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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The Bachelor stars' joyful baby news

<p><em>The Bachelor </em>stars Anna Heinrich and Tim Robards have officially announced that they are having another baby!</p> <p>The couple took to Instagram to announce the happy news, in two separate posts.</p> <p>Anna first posted a picture of her looking stunning as she showed off her growing bump, with Tim and their firstborn daughter Elle by her side. </p> <p>"BABY NO.2 Due early 2024," she captioned the photo. </p> <p>The couple then shared an adorable Instagram Reel of their daughter Elle walking around with a balloon under her shirt saying "my mummy [is] going to get a baby too.”</p> <p>The caption read “Turns out Elle was right. Bringing another rascal into the world 2024.”</p> <p>Fellow celebrities and fans were delighted at the news, taking to comments to share their joy. </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/CxRISNBBM7R/?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/CxRISNBBM7R/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by ❤️ANNA ROBARDS❤️ (@annaheinrich1)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"Yay!!! Congratulations beautiful humans,"  wrote Sam Frost, season two winner of <em>The Bachelor Australia</em>.</p> <p>"Congratulations beautiful. This is the most wonderful news," commented Lisa Wipfil. </p> <p>"Congratulations & oh Miss Elle you are the sweetest 💖" wrote one fan. </p> <p>"😂 best announcement video ever. Congratulations my love x," added another. </p> <p>Anna, the winner of the first season of <em>The Bachelor Australia</em>, and Tim have been inseparable since their televised romance in 2013. </p> <p>The lovebirds tied the knot in 2018 in a beautiful ceremony in Italy, before welcoming their first child in 2020. </p> <p>Anna and Tim have reportedly been very open about expanding their family, with Anna previously telling <em>Who Magazine</em> “we have always wanted more than one."</p> <p>“I’ve grown up with two sisters, Tim’s got a brother and a sister, and I’ve always loved having siblings. So, hopefully one day in the future we can give Elle a brother or a sister," she said. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Tim Tam slammed over biscuit blunder

<p>A bemused shopper has caused a stir online with their side-by-side comparison of Tim Tam packets. </p> <p>In a photo posted to Reddit, biscuit fans were met with the horrifying discovery that unless they were buying Tim Tam’s Original line, they were receiving significantly less biscuit for their buck. </p> <p>Two packets had been placed side by side - one Tim Tam’s Original biscuits, the other their Deluxe Dark Choc Mint - to make the disparity in Tim Tam to plastic ratio clear for all to see.</p> <p>In the deluxe pack, eight biscuits could be nestled in the plastic with large gaps between them, typically weighing in at 175g when full. Meanwhile, in the original, 11 could be sandwiched into the packaging, and weighed 200g before any were eaten. </p> <p>Most importantly, both packs - from the outside - appeared to be exactly the same size. </p> <p>“Australia’s biggest scam unwrapped,” <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/12tws3i/australias_biggest_scam_unwrapped/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the post was titled</a>, drawing in over 600 comments, and over 7,000 ‘upvotes’ - the Reddit equivalent of telling fellow users that something is worth a look at. </p> <p>As one put it, “that’s gotta be the most un-Australian Australian thing I’ve ever seen.”</p> <p>“As an American looking at this, it actually bothers me how inefficient the packaging is. You can get so much more in there,” another pointed out.</p> <p>“Stupid amount of plastic for eight biscuits,” one noted. </p> <p>“Honestly just make the packet smaller,” someone suggested, before adding that “this only increases plastic waste. At least a smaller expensive product ‘feels’ more premium.”</p> <p>There were those that could see the funny side, of course, taking to the comments to try and lighten the situation for those mourning the loss of their beloved biccies. </p> <p>“11 Tim Tams. Why 11? Not divisible by anything. I can’t eat 1/4 of the packet, or 1/2, so looks like I’m eating the lot,” one wrote. </p> <p>“And here I was, thinking I was just eating them too quickly,” joked another.</p> <p>“Duh, that's why they're called ‘Deluxe’, cause they're rarer and way harder to capture in the wild to put in packs,” one expert on the matter explained. </p> <p>And while the original poster went on to respond to many that they were only having some fun, and it really wasn’t that serious, there were those that simply wanted to rain on their parade, repeatedly pointing out that the weight and quantity of biscuits was clearly displayed on the packaging itself.</p> <p>In response to one such comment, the poster said that they were “literally having a laugh, I’m not a victim having a cry. It’s biscuits. The photo shows the spacing of the deluxe which is wasteful and the packet sizes are the same length, which is deceiving.”</p> <p>And, as they also later explained, the packaging information simply wasn’t a factor because “I’m a professional Tim Tam eater so I pick based on flavours.”</p> <p><em>Images: Reddit</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Limited edition Mother's Day treat for the mum who has everything

<p dir="ltr">Tim Tam has released a limited edition gift box just in time for Mother’s Day. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Australian made Tim Tam scented candle and reed diffuser set will leave the house smelling like a “rich and decadent chocolate oasis”. </p> <p dir="ltr">At just $100, the scented candle and reed diffuser is vegan and cruelty-free. </p> <p dir="ltr">“This premium set has been carefully blended to truly immerse yourself in the aromatic layers of Tim Tam decadence,” the Tim Tam website reads.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Indulge your senses with rich, decadent, cocoa notes from a chocolate absolute accented with layers of caramel, tonka bean and a hint of sandalwood.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Each box contains a one Tim Tam scented Diffuser 200ml, a Tim Tam scented Candle 300g, a packet of Tim Tam Deluxe Salted Caramel Brownie 175g and a packet of Tim Tam Original 200g. </p> <p dir="ltr"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; color: #444444; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial; background-color: #ffffff;">For more brilliant gift ideas for Mum, check out the full range of </span><a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #d90000; text-decoration-line: none; background-color: #ffffff; transition: all 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; font-size: 16px; border: 0px; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" href="https://www.innovations.com.au/p/gifts/mothers-day-gifts?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=nativearticle&amp;utm_campaign=MothersDayGifts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Innovations Mother’s Day Gift Ideas here</a><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; color: #444444; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial; background-color: #ffffff;">. </span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Tim Tam Shop</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Neighbours reveals which stars are moving back to Ramsay Street

<p>New details have emerged over which <em>Neighbours</em> cast members will be returning to Ramsay St when the series launches on Amazon’s FreeVee late 2023. </p> <p>The show - axed after 27 years on air - will benefit from the presence of a few fan favourite faces, with Annie Jones, Rebekah Elmaloglou, Georgie Stone, and Tim Kano reprising their roles as Jane Harries, Terese Willis, Mackenzie Hargreaves, and Leo Tanaka respectively. </p> <p>And for those hoping to see Ramsay St’s iconic faces in the mix again, have no fear, Ian Smith will be returning at Harold Bishop. He will, however, only be returning as a guest, along with April Rose Pengilly (the actress behind Chloe Brennan), and Melissa Bell (Lucy Robinson). </p> <p>The announcement is not the first to delight fans of the long-running soap, with the likes of Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson), Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy), Alan Fletcher (Karl Kennedy), and Ryan Moloney (Toadie Rebecchi) already having confirmed their commitment to the revival. </p> <p>Georgie Stone took to Instagram to share the news of her return, along with a series of snaps with her fellow cast members. </p> <p>“Ramsay Street here we come… (again!),” she captioned the image, noting her excitement and that fans should “stay tuned”.</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/CpNEXARrsfH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpNEXARrsfH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Georgie Stone (@georgiestone)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Fans were thrilled with the news, and showered Georgie with their enthusiasm in the comments - a few, however, were miffed that they’d been through an entire finale only to have to pick it all back up again. </p> <p>“Fantastic to see the familiar favourites all coming back!” gushed one fan. “Can't wait for <em>Neighbours</em> to start back again! Honestly, I barely watch TV anymore without my daily fix of Neighbours.”</p> <p>“Yes, can't wait for watch <em>Neighbours </em>again,” echoed one. </p> <p>“Cannot wait to have you back on our screens,” wrote another.</p> <p>And in a comment that appeared to speak for the masses, one declared “love that you guys are all back!” </p> <p>The news was also shared to Neighbours’ official twitter account, with a special video from the cast members to commemorate the announcement. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">We're so excited to announce that Annie Jones, Georgie Stone, Rebekah Elmaloglou and Tim Kano will be reprising their roles in the new episodes of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Neighbours?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Neighbours</a> later this year! 🎉✨ Plus we will have special guest appearances by Ian Smith, April Rose Pengilly &amp; Melissa Bell! <a href="https://t.co/6ZLKkmKJWE">pic.twitter.com/6ZLKkmKJWE</a></p> <p>— Neighbours (@neighbours) <a href="https://twitter.com/neighbours/status/1630529084013834240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p><em>Neighbours</em>’ producers have announced that the series will not be jumping around with its timeline, instead picking up where the finale left off. </p> <p>The series is set to go into production in the next few months, with new episodes likely in the spring - Australians will be able to catch the first-run episodes on Channel 10, and one week later on Amazon Prime Video. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

TV

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Socceroos hero's tragic news moments after full time

<p>Bailey Wright could hardly speak after the Socceroos' incredible win over Denmark.</p> <p>He paid an emotional tribute to huge sacrifices made by his family, after receiving the news that his mother in-law had passed away.</p> <p>“I just want to dedicate this to my wife, and her mum - I'm going to be honest, I'm not sure if she's still with us. So this was for them," Wright said.</p> <p>"They're having a really tough time back home, but ultimately, they've made this possible for me to be here and live one of my dreams.”</p> <p>"I've just come in from a message from my wife ... it's sort of something I've kept to myself, we've all got a lot going on.”</p> <p>Wright managed to put personal issues to the side, coming on with half an hour to go and helping see off Denmark, to secure Australia's spot in the last 16.</p> <p>"(Coach Graham Arnold) asked me to warm up when it was 0-0, then we had a few shouts that Tunisia were winning 1-0 so I wasn't sure, maybe, if I'd get on or what would happen.</p> <p>"Next minute, (Mat Leckie) worked his magic (to score) and I was already warmed up and ready to go.”<br />Whatever he kept to himself, even from other players, is now out in the open but there's no doubt the rest of the squad will be around to support him.</p> <p>"When we set out on this journey four years ago and Arnie kind of said to us what he wanted this to be about; and that our mateship and togetherness is what's going to make us create history."</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Family & Pets

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How investors can build a sustainable income in an inflationary market

<p>Over recent months, rising inflation has hit our back pockets more and more each day, while our hard-earned dollar is getting us less than it used to.</p> <p>The last 12 months have seen Aussies grapple with terms like inflation, interest rates and volatility, along with plenty of numbers and percentages, as we try to make sense of what’s happening in the financial world.</p> <p>Tim Montague-Jones, Head of Australian Equities Research at ASR Wealth Advisers, tells <em>OverSixty</em> that during periods of inflation, like the one we’re experiencing currently, we can actually become poorer despite our bank balances staying the same.</p> <p>“In simplistic terms, if you had $100,000 in savings, and you have 10 percent inflation, then that $10,000 is just evaporating out of your bank account each year,” he explains.</p> <p>“But in reality, what it means is you go into the shop and everything just costs more money, your dollar buys less. So you become poorer.”</p> <p>If we do nothing or invest in generally considered safe options such as bonds, government securities or term deposits, our money can also lose value.</p> <p>“If cash value goes down 10 percent a year, you lose 10 percent. Now, if you go and put it in a bond, you’ll be lucky to get a four or five percent return,” Montague-Jones says.</p> <p>“So what people talk about is real rates, which means the difference between inflation and what you can return from an investment, a cash account for example is unable to offer a higher return than inflation, meaning your money is going down in value every year.</p> <p>“If people do nothing in such conditions, they will lose wealth.”</p> <p>“You’re seeing higher prices and lower economic growth, and it just erodes people’s savings. “And it hits the hardest for people who aren’t employed, who don’t have a salary because they’re not going to get wage inflation.”</p> <p>As unstable as everything might seem, Montague-Jones says it is possible to still get a return on your investments and ensure your hard-earned cash isn’t losing all of its value.</p> <p>“In reality, there’s no safe place to put your money to offset inflation, but there are certain strategies you can take to try and mitigate that inflation,” he says.</p> <p>Income portfolios, like the one offered by <a href="https://www.australianstockreport.com.au/top-3-income-stocks-2022-o" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ASR Wealth Advisers</a>, are created by analysts who scan the market for high quality stocks that are expected to achieve a steady return on investment and therefore may provide you with a sustainable income in addition to your other income sources.”</p> <p>“We have put together what we call our income portfolio. I have a team of analysts, and what we do is we are looking for businesses which pay what we call a ‘defensive’ cash flow,” he explains.</p> <p>“So we’re not trying to buy a company which is going to double in price, we’re not looking for that capital growth. What we’re looking for is a company with that annual cash flow.”</p> <p>In times like these, Montague-Jones says it comes down to investing in defensive stocks.</p> <p>This refers to buying stock in businesses that return consistent profits each year, rather than those that are high risk and high reward. Examples of defensive sectors of the market include infrastructure, utilities, supermarkets and healthcare.</p> <p>“What we like is electricity distribution, gas pipelines, toll roads, port facilities, airports. We like what we call defensive infrastructure, utilities, things that are expected to continue doing well and are resilient to an economic cycle,” Montague-Jones explains.</p> <p>“Because we will continue to have economic cycles, what we want to do is just have that cash flow, so we’re not going to really look at the share price from month to month, what we’re going to be looking at is the consistency of that cash flow through time.</p> <p>“And that’s what we’ve helped our investors to get exposure to through our income portfolio.”</p> <p>As a result of its consistent returns, the <a href="https://www.australianstockreport.com.au/top-3-income-stocks-2022-o">income portfolio</a> from ASR Wealth Advisers has a low turnover or a ‘set and forget’ nature, which Montague-Jones says allows some investors to essentially live off the income generated by the portfolio.</p> <p>“What we like about our income stocks is of the nature of its cash flow, even through an economic cycle, we still wake up, we turn the lights on, you turn the gas on, businesses still function, life goes on and so does income from the portfolio,” he says.</p> <p>In terms of strategies investors can use during inflation, Montague-Jones says that there aren’t many places where your money can go without incurring some kind of loss. Even areas that have done well in the past, such as property, offshore assets and precious metals aren’t generally offering the same kinds of returns as defensive stocks.</p> <p>“And I do think you have just got to invest in infrastructure assets, such as a utility business churning out cash flow, is where you need to hide at the moment until the smoke clears and we can work out where to go,” he says.</p> <p>“Longer term, we still like commodities, we like green metals. We particularly like copper, there’s a big structural shift happening into electric vehicles and a move away from combustion vehicles,” Montague-Jones explains.</p> <p>“And there’s a big boom for lithium, copper, nickel and aluminium, so we like to get more speculative investors to invest in these commodities.”</p> <p>With over 20 years of experience in investment management, Montague-Jones has personally adopted some successful strategies over the years, including having a “get rich slow” mindset.</p> <p>“I like to set and forget, to own a business and then just let it do what it does, which is generate income.</p> <p>“And that’s what it’s all about. It’s not get rich quick, it’s get rich slow.</p> <p>“It’s about that compound return, year in year out. If you can make nine or ten percent every year, you compound that over 10 or 20 years, you’ll have better chances to become extremely wealthy, rather than trying to make 30 percent this year then lose 30 percent next year.</p> <p>“So it’s about get rich slow and about income; it’s a key ingredient to becoming wealthy.”</p> <p>To find out more and receive a free report detailing how you can see attractive growth on your investment, head <a href="https://www.australianstockreport.com.au/top-3-income-stocks-2022-o" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p><em>This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with </em><a href="https://aaigl.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>AAIGL</em></a><em>.</em></p> <p><em> </em><em>Atlantic Pacific Securities Pty Limited ABN 72 135 187 085 trading as ASR Wealth Advisers CAR 339207 of Trilogy Group Australia Pty Ltd ABN 80 078 111 654 AFSL 218770 and Amalgamated Australian Investment Solutions Pty Ltd ABN 61 123 680 106 AFSL 31461 distributes a wide range of its investment research reports through Australian Stock Report Pty Ltd ABN 94 106 863 978 AFSL 301682. ASR Wealth Advisers and Australian Stock Report Pty Ltd are part of Amalgamated Australian Investment Group Limited ABN 81 140 208 288.</em></p> <p><em>General Advice Warning: Any views and recommendations expressed in this article are limited to general advice only without taking into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider whether this information is appropriate for you in light of your personal circumstances and seek professional investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Investment in securities involves risk. Share prices rise and fall. The payment of dividends and the return of capital are not guaranteed.</em></p>

Retirement Income

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"Pull ya head in": Lisa Wilkinson’s colleagues lash out

<p dir="ltr">Lisa Wilkinson’s colleagues have turned on her in the wake of the Brittany Higgins trial being delayed.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The Project</em> host caused <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/serious-legal-fallout-of-lisa-wilkinson-s-logies-speech" target="_blank" rel="noopener">serious legal issues</a> for the alleged rape case against the former Liberal Staffer following her Logies speech. </p> <p dir="ltr">Chief Justice Lucy McCallum announced the case, which was due to begin next week, has been delayed due to Wilkinson’s speech. </p> <p dir="ltr">And now, Wilkinson’s <em>Channel 10</em> colleagues have turned on her and the result has been nothing but nasty. </p> <p dir="ltr">Beloved weatherman Tim Bailey called out Wilkinson in a now deleted tweet telling her to “pull ya head in”.  </p> <p dir="ltr">“Hey Lisa, pull ya head in. I know this might be difficult, because it is a very big head. But please try. #LisaWilkinson #Logies2022 #carparkthief,” the tweet read. </p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/06/tim-bailey3.jpg" alt="" width="642" height="344" /></p> <p dir="ltr">Veteran newsreader Sandra Sully has also liked a tweet by celebrity reporter Peter Ford, who heavily criticised Wilkinson’s speech. </p> <p dir="ltr">His tweet had an image of The Daily Telegraph’s Wednesday front page showing Wilkinson with her hand up and the headline: “Hand up if you’ve caused court chaos”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ford also tweeted: “Such serious consequences from @Lisa_Wilkinson Logies speech. If only she’d stuck to silly stories like the paparazzi who stalked her in Chapel Street. Hope she now backs away now and lets people seek justice they (both parties) deserve.” </p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/06/10-tweet.jpg" alt="" width="873" height="408" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Sunrise </em>presenter Natalie Barr also briefly mentioned the incident on the breakfast TV show on Wednesday questioning why the speech wasn’t checked by lawyers. </p> <p dir="ltr">“You know, we have our own lawyers, we often consult them before we put a story to air, would this have been the case where Channel 10's lawyers should have stepped in and lawyered this speech?”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ironically, Wilkinson called for discretion to be used when writing/reporting on the case. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Naming the man on social media &amp; passing judgement could have dire consequences for the outcome of any trial,” she tweeted last year. </p> <p dir="ltr">There is a high possibility that Wilkinson’s speech could be investigated and she may face legal consequences according to President of the Australian Bar Association Matthew Collin.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bruce Lehrmann is accused of sexually assaulting Higgins in 2019 and was due to stand trial in the ACT Supreme Court next week.</p> <p dir="ltr">He has pleaded not guilty over the alleged rape.</p> <p dir="ltr">Lehrmann’s team then requested a temporary stay of court proceedings due to the publicity surrounding the case from the speech.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

TV

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New Tim Tam flavour hitting the shelves

<p dir="ltr">Arnotts gave Aussies the opportunity to vote for the new Tim Tam flavour and the results are in!</p> <p dir="ltr">The options were between Dark Choc Espresso Martini Tim Tam or Butterscotch and Cream Tim Tam. </p> <p dir="ltr">Voting closed on April 11, with the winning flavour announced as Butterscotch and Cream Tim Tam.</p> <p dir="ltr">The delicious, decadent flavour will hit Coles’ shelves in July. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Butterscotch and Cream Tim Tam has rich brown sugar and toffee notes paired with a creamy blend of buttery smooth butterscotch cream, also coated in delicious milk chocolate.</p> <p dir="ltr">Compared to the Dark Choc Espresso Martini which is made with roasted espresso and vodka flavoured cream sandwiched between two crunchy biscuits, all coated in decadent dark chocolate.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Butterscotch and Cream Tim Tam flavour will make a delicious addition to the pantry, alongside your other favourite Tim Tams.</p> <p dir="ltr">Rebecca Chan, Arnott's Senior Brand Manager said it’s always fun getting Aussies to vote for a new flavour, proving it successful in previous years. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We know how passionate Australians are about Tim Tams and we love giving them the opportunity to choose a new flavour each year,” she said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The two flavour contenders are certainly our most indulgent so far, bringing an espresso martini into mouth-watering biscuit form, with the ultra decadent Butterscotch and Cream alongside as a fierce contender.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Arnotts</em></p>

Food & Wine

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‘A gentleman with the mad soul of an Irish convict poet’: remembering Chris Bailey, and the blazing comet that was The Saints

<p>Inala in the early 70s was bleak. A Brisbane suburb of wide dusty streets, treeless and bland. A planned community, meant to grow over time. Austerity, accented by the cheap houses – weatherboard, red brick, concrete – stifled the suburb like a blanket on a hot February night. </p> <p>It was boring. Beyond boring. The only concession to communal childhood joy was the pool, and the crazy concrete skate rink. But if you wanted a creative outlet, you needed to search elsewhere. </p> <p>Ivor Hay, (future Saints drummer), was heading to the picture theatre in Sherwood one Saturday night in early 1971, "and I saw Jeffrey [Wegener – another Saints drummer] with these two longhairs, Chris [Bailey] and Ed [Kuepper]. They were off to a birthday party in Corinda and asked me along. That was our first night."</p> <p>Bailey was raised by his mum, Bridget, in a house alive with siblings – mostly girls, who looked after the kid. He got away with a lot. </p> <p>“None of us had a lot of money,” Hay tells me. "Both Chris and I were raised by single mums in reasonably sized families. Chris’ mum was pretty feisty, with this Belfast accent which was just fantastic. They all looked after ‘Christopher’, he could do all sorts of things and they would accommodate him. His mum would have a go at him about the noise, but we’d just go to his bedroom and rehearse and bugger everybody else in the house!"</p> <p>Kuepper taught Hay to play the guitar: Stones and Beatles and Hendrix. Hay passed the knowledge down to Bailey, who was keen to learn. Neither Kuepper nor Bailey learned to drive, so Hay became the driver in those wide suburbs where driving and cars were everything. </p> <p>There was politics in Bailey’s house – his sister Margaret chained herself to the school gates to protest uniform policy – but this pervaded the town. The conservative government had no time for the young, and the police force did their best to make life difficult. </p> <p>But there was a sense that these young men were making something new. As Hay says, "We used to sing <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Internationale">The Internationale</a> at parties. I don’t know if we were revolutionaries, but we had that sense that something was happening. [With the band] we were doing something that we thought was going to change something. Chris was particularly good at pushing things, at being anti-everything."</p> <h2>Out of Inala</h2> <p>To escape the suburb was to head north to the railway line. It was the lifeline to the centre of Brisbane – record stores, bookshops and other forms of life. </p> <p>Kuepper remembers going into the city with Bailey. "We had intended to steal a record, and we went into Myers […] both wearing army disposal overcoats […] these two long haired guys walking into the record department with these overcoats […] surprisingly enough, we were successful!"</p> <p>Like the railway line, Ipswich Road joins Brisbane to the old coal town of Ipswich. It slices through these western suburbs, carrying hoons in muscle cars and streams of commuters, the occasional screaming cop car or ambulance.</p> <p>On Thursday nights, the boys used to sit at the Oxley Hotel, overlooking Ipswich Road, “just sit up there having beers, we wouldn’t have been much more than 17 or 18 at that time. Chatting about all sorts of stuff,” says Hay.</p> <p>"Chris and Ed were comic collectors and Stan Lee was the hero […] there were political discussions, philosophical discussions. Those guys could talk underwater."</p> <p>They talked and played and sang. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5YP_tsPzmg&amp;t=905s">And Bailey had the voice</a>. It was a force, not just loud and tuneful, but full of snarl and spit. </p> <p>Soon they had songs, and in 1976 scraped the money together to record and release their first single on their own Fatal Records label. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpMwMDqOprc">(I’m) Stranded</a> took Bailey out of Inala, out of Brisbane and into the world. </p> <p>He never looked back.</p> <h2>A changed city</h2> <p>The Saints released three albums in as many years – (I’m) Stranded, Eternally Yours and Prehistoric Sounds – before Kuepper and Hay returned from the UK to Australia, leaving Bailey to his own devices. </p> <p>Bailey remained in Europe, releasing a cluster of solo albums and many Saints records over the next 40 years. He wrote some achingly beautiful songs. It is a testament to his talents as a songwriter that Bruce Springsteen <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ4a_tgJp4I">recorded a version</a>of Bailey’s Just Like Fire Would in 2014.</p> <p>There’s no doubt that Bailey and The Saints changed Brisbane forever. People around the world who love music know Brisbane exists because of The Saints, The Go-Betweens and bands like them.</p> <p>Peter Milton Walsh (The Apartments) was one of many who benefited from The Saints legacy, "They blazed through our young lives like comets. Showed so many what was possible – that you could write your way out of town."</p> <p>“Without The Saints,” Mark Callaghan of The Riptides/Gang Gajang told me, “we probably wouldn’t have started. ” </p> <p>"They just made it all seem doable. It was like, ‘Well, they’re from Brisbane!’ So we started our first band, and at our first gig we covered (I’m) Stranded! We even took a photo of the abandoned house in Petrie Terrace with (I’m) Stranded painted on the wall. But it never crossed our minds to stand in front of this. It would be sacrilege, you know? And we were trying to work out a way that we could get it off the wall intact, because we recognised it was a historical document."</p> <p>Chris Bailey isn’t the first of our creative children to leave this life behind and move on into memory. With their passing, like the returning comet, the past is freshly illuminated, allowing us to look back at our young lives. Back when the future was broad in front of us, urged on by voices like Bailey’s to open our eyes and see the world.</p> <p>And Bailey’s was a unique voice. Kenny Gormley (The Cruel Sea) remembers him singing <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYA5WdP47Y0">Ghost Ships,</a> "But ah, I’ll never ever forget seeing Chris pick that shanty, alone at sea in a crowded room, holding us sway, wet face drunk and shining, quiet and stilled in storm, cracked voiced with closed eye and open heart. And that was Bailey, a gentleman with the mad soul of an Irish convict poet.“</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared in <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-gentleman-with-the-mad-soul-of-an-irish-convict-poet-remembering-chris-bailey-and-the-blazing-comet-that-was-the-saints-181059" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Music

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Poor Nat Barr's massive red carpet fail

<p dir="ltr">Natalie Barr was left embarrassed and flustered on the Oscars red carpet as she failed to wave down celebrities with a packet of Tim Tams. </p> <p dir="ltr">This is the first time the <em>Sunrise</em> co-host covered the Oscars and was left a rambling mess with many viewers unsure she was the right person for the job. </p> <p dir="ltr">Holding a packet of Tim Tams in an attempt to lure celebrities, Barr was embarrassingly unsuccessful given the fact that other experienced reporters were nearby. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We’ve got ET one side and Access Hollywood on the other side,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“These guys know what they’re doing … I’m basically just stealing all the people who stop for them. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I just sort of butt-in. Sometimes it works, sometimes it fails dismally.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Barr managed to interview Nicole Kidman, Tiffany Haddish, Billie Eilish, Kirsten Dunst, Kevin Costner and Jesse Plemons while the others walked past ignoring her.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Even the lure of a Tim Tam wasn't enough for <a href="https://twitter.com/sunriseon7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sunriseon7</a> host <a href="https://twitter.com/natalie_barr?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@natalie_barr</a> to tempt <a href="https://twitter.com/serenawilliams?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@serenawilliams</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/Venuseswilliams?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Venuseswilliams</a> for an <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/oscars?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#oscars</a> red carpet chat!</p> <p>Catch <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAcademy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAcademy</a> Awards exclusively on <a href="https://twitter.com/Channel7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@channel7</a> <a href="https://t.co/jeeLjxD9oG">pic.twitter.com/jeeLjxD9oG</a></p> <p>— The Morning Show (@morningshowon7) <a href="https://twitter.com/morningshowon7/status/1508230129201266689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Another mishap was when she was snubbed by Venus Williams, who completely ignored Barr after calling her her sister’s name Serena.</p> <p dir="ltr">Back in the studio in Australia, <em>The Morning Show’s</em> Kylie Gillies pointed out that it was actually Venus, while Larry Emdur chuckled next to her.</p> <p dir="ltr">Barr tried to call her back introducing “Australian television” saying “we love tennis”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Venus was seen walking away as Barr stood there unsure of what to do, before she bent down and grabbed the packet of Tim Tams.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Would you like a Tim Tam? It’s an Australian delicacy,” Barr asked as she turned around, only to find Venus had already walked off and was being interviewed by ET.</p> <p dir="ltr">Barr hovered nearby listening to the interview before asking the studio if it was “rude to put my mic in”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The interview finished and Barr tried one more time to call Venus over before she was shut down by Kylie who said they’d go back to her when she had someone else. </p> <p dir="ltr">Viewers were left stunned and criticised Barr’s coverage, saying someone with more experience should have been at the Oscars.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Oh dear God. What a mess.Laughing stock,” someone wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So embarrassing, Nat is so out of her league,” another commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Dickie or Angela Bishop would've had a better chance in getting Serena or Venus,” someone suggested. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Embarrassing for Australian TV,” another wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: The Morning Show</em></p>

TV

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