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"She was the light of our lives": Family's tribute to hero kindergarten teacher

<p>Eleanor Bryant, 43, put herself in harm's way to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/heroic-kindergarten-teacher-identified-after-horror-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">save preschoolers</a> from a water tanker that crashed into the Macedon Ranges Montessori Pre-School in Riddells Creek on Tuesday. </p> <p>Now, the mother-of-two and speech pathologist has been remembered for her caring and down-to-earth nature by her family. </p> <p>Bryant's husband and his two young kids expressed their grief in a statement, saying they were "devastated by the loss". </p> <p>"She was the light of our lives: a cherished mother, wife, daughter and sister, and beloved by all her family and enormous network of friends," the statement read. </p> <p>"Her infectious smile, sense of humour and passion for life made her a joy to be around.</p> <p>"There is an enormous hole in our hearts today.</p> <p>"We thank the emergency services for their tireless work and the public for their beautiful tributes.</p> <p>"We will miss her like crazy. We thank you for respecting our privacy at this difficult time."</p> <p>Bryant has also been remembered for the impact she has made as a speech pathologist, with mum Becky Burton thanking her for changing her daughter Milla's life. </p> <p>"I've never met someone that was so engaging, so down to earth, so caring and would do whatever it took [to make sure Milla was happy]," Burton said.</p> <p>"[She was] the most beautiful mum and person just taken so tragically."</p> <p>Bryant tragically died at the scene after the crash, while a three-year-old boy was injured and taken to the Royal Children's Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries to his arm.</p> <p>He remains in hospital and is in a stable condition. </p> <p>The driver of the truck was also taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition after the "experienced 68-year-old driver is understood to have suffered a medical episode".</p> <p>Parents and family members have since visited the kindergarten and laid flowers and cards as a tribute to Bryant. </p> <p>Family friend Walter Lucas held back tears as he remembered the beloved mother-of-two, saying: "She saved that kid's life.That kid is now going to go off and live their whole life. For her to take her life for that kid, she is more than a hero.</p> <p>"She's a superhero."</p> <p>Clinton Zammit, whose children went to the kindergarten, described the situation as "really sad".</p> <p>"I feel sorry for the woman who lost her life, her kids waking up today and having no mother. An unsung hero to push away kids and not care about anything else but the kids.</p> <p>"It hits home when my kids used to come here and there are other families involved.</p> <p>"We are a close-knit community, we are small but have big hearts and this will affect the community for a while."</p> <p>The pre-school is expected to remain closed for the coming weeks, and ongoing counselling has been offered onsite.</p> <p><em>Images: Nine</em></p>

Caring

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Aussie rocker hits back at John Farnham's drugging claims

<p>A legendary Australian rockstar has hit back at John Farnham's claims that he was <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/so-ashamed-john-farnham-opens-up-about-years-of-abuse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">drugged</a> by a former manager. </p> <p>Peter Tilbrook, who was the guitarist for iconic Aussie rock band The Masters Apprentices in the 1960s, has taken to social media to share his own stories about Darryl Sambell, after Farnham wrote in his memoir that Samuel drugged him in the early days of his career. </p> <p>As Farnham wrote in <em>The Voice Inside</em>, he recalled that Sambell “drugged me for years and I had no f**king idea,” until he found a half-dissolved pill at the bottom of a cup of coffee. </p> <p>Asked what it was, Sambell told Farnham: “That’s just something to keep you awake.”</p> <p>However, Tilbrook took aim at the comments saying he also worked with Sambell and only had good experiences.</p> <p>"Sambell was a brilliant and skilful manager to us, and from what we saw and heard, definitely to Farnham as well," Tilbrook said online.</p> <p>"I find it very hard to believe that any another manager at the time could have done any more to further Johnny's incredible career."</p> <p>Sambell, who managed Farnham's early career from 1967 to 1976, also managed The Masters around the same time, and Tilbrook asserted his experience with the late manager was nothing like Farnham's.</p> <p>"He was an amazing, caring and resourceful manager," Tilbrook said. </p> <p><em>Image credits: petertilbrookentertainment.com/news.com.au</em></p> <p> </p>

Legal

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Readers response: What piece of travel memorabilia brings back the best memories for you?

<p>When we travel, many of us love to pick up a souvenir to remind us of our holidays and the destinations we loved. </p> <p>We asked our readers what piece of travel memorabilia brings back the best memories, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said.</p> <p><strong>Jan Hall</strong> - Christmas Decorations! Then when I put my tree up it’s like a trip down memory lane, first one was 1973 from Singapore our first overseas holiday.</p> <p><strong>Debra Stone</strong> - A letter opener with a Paua shell on the handle. New Zealand wouldn't let us take it in our luggage, so we posted it home to ourselves!</p> <p><strong>Becky Murfet</strong> - In 1984 we went to Europe and I collected match boxes from different countries. Have them in a large glass bowl. Great to look at for memories sake.</p> <p><strong>Caron Castner</strong> - Stines from Germany.</p> <p><strong>Margie Buckingham</strong> - A palm-sided wooden carved elephant from a side trip off my cruise from Singapore to Malaysia &amp; Thailand and back to celebrate my 40th. It sits on my mantelpiece so to deliberately trigger good memories of a younger me.</p> <p><strong>Frank Nieuwenhuis</strong> - 2300 year old oil lamp bought in Israel.</p> <p><strong>Fay Russell</strong> - Turkish tea set. </p> <p><strong>Valma Blake</strong> - Of all the things I've bought on my travels, my favourite is my cat ornament collection that are decorated relative to the country or area I visited.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

International Travel

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School apologises for removing memorial after girl's suicide

<p>Santa Sabina College has apologised after removing a makeshift memorial to honour the life of 12-year-old Charlotte O'Brien, who took her own life after years of alleged bullying at the school. </p> <p>The year 7 student died in September after being bullied at the Catholic school in the inner-west Sydney suburb of Strathfield.</p> <p>Following her tragic death, Charlotte's family created a memorial near the school, only for it to be removed days later, leaving her loved ones devastated.</p> <p>Principal Paulina Skerman initially defended the decision to remove the memorial, citing advice from mental health experts at Headspace, saying, "On the advice of mental health experts including Headspace, who are working with the College, we removed the memorial because of the concerns that were raised about the impact this could have on other young people."</p> <p>However, 2GB radio host Ben Fordham challenged her reasoning and reached out to Headspace, who said they gave no such advice to the school principal. </p> <p>"Headspace did not recommend Santa Sabina or Paulina Skerman remove the memorial dedicated to Charlotte. To say that they did is a straight-out lie," Fordham told his listeners.</p> <p>He added, "It never ever happened. Headspace did not advise Paulina Skerman or anyone at Santa Sabina to take it down."</p> <p>After Fordham's revelations, the school issued an apology on Monday, saying, "We are devastated for Charlotte's family and friends, and we acknowledge that some of the college's initial statements to the media were inadequate and hurtful."</p> <p>"We apologise to Charlotte's family for this. It was never our intention to add to their pain. We acknowledge that, at times, our efforts have fallen short, and we are sincerely sorry."</p> <p>"The choice to remove the public memorial was a difficult one, balancing the desire to honor Charlotte's memory with our responsibility to prevent further distress to students."</p> <p>"Ms Skerman was grateful to visit Charlotte's parents, Kelly and Matt, to apologise to them personally. We are committed to working together to create a permanent memorial to remember Charlotte. She will not be forgotten."</p> <p><em><strong>Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone.</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit <a href="http://lifeline.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://lifeline.org.au" data-sk="tooltip_parent">lifeline.org.au</a></strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>SANE: 1800 187 263 or visit <a href="http://saneforums.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://saneforums.org" data-sk="tooltip_parent">saneforums.org</a></strong></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: 7News / Facebook</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Your Go-To guide to game-changing Christmas skincare

<p dir="ltr">When it comes to Christmas presents, it’s hard to go wrong with skincare, makeup or anything in the general “self-care” space. </p> <p dir="ltr">This Christmas, <a href="https://gotoskincare.com/collections/holiday-2024">Go-To</a> (the revolutionary skincare brand founded by Zoe Foster-Blake) have released their most beautiful collection yet in collaboration with Alémais to deliver the very best in feeling good, for any budget. </p> <p dir="ltr">With 11 extremely limited gifts and sets to help you spread some serious cheer this season, you’ll find something for everyone, whether it’s for your daughter, granddaughter, neighbour, or that one friend that is always looking to level up their skincare routine. </p> <p dir="ltr">For the second year running, Go-To’s undeniably unique print and packaging is thanks to a local collaboration with Alémais, celebrating the very vibrant and zesty DNA of both brands.</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/DBsyJSnxTMY/?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/DBsyJSnxTMY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Go-To (@gotoskincare)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The gorgeous gift sets start at just $26 with Perfect Present, or for those looking more on the luxury side, the $300 must-have Facial In A Box has everything you need.</p> <p dir="ltr">You’ll also spot several never-before-seen items from Go-To, like, Bon Bons, a trio of tinted lip balms, and custom tarot cards.</p> <p dir="ltr">In addition to all the stunning skincare, Go-To have created gifts that live on as keepsakes, such as the signature silk pillowcase and matching silk eye mask.</p> <p dir="ltr">Or, if you can’t pick just one gift for that special someone, or you want to treat yourself and just can’t wait until December 25th, the 12 Days Of Go-To advent calendar is filled with so many merry items of merch paired with the effective, quality, clinically-proven skincare you know, love and need.</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/DBrsRwlJRsG/?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/DBrsRwlJRsG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Go-To (@gotoskincare)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The Go-To treats are ones you can feel good about in more ways than one, as Go-To is donating $1 from all marked gifts and sets, to their 2024 charity partner, Orange Sky: a not-for-profit that provides complimentary laundry services and warm showers to people in the community who are experiencing homelessness and hardship.</p> <p dir="ltr">With this glorious fusion of colour, wonderfully wacky motifs, and giving to those in need in the spirit of Christmas, Go-To has a gift for everyone in their most coveted holiday collection to date.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Go-To Christmas range is available at <a href="https://www.mecca.com/en-au/go-to/">Mecca</a>, both in-store and online, and on the official <a href="https://gotoskincare.com/collections/holiday-2024">Go-To</a> website.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock / Instagram </em></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-bb2c25c8-7fff-6953-de80-1b3c24792a23"></span></p>

Beauty & Style

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Grieving father pays tribute to young son killed in school crash

<p>The heart-broken father of the young boy who was killed when a car crashed through his school gate has spoken out about his profound loss. </p> <p>Jack Davey was sitting with friends when a car slammed through a fence and into a group of Year 5 students at Auburn South Primary School on Tuesday afternoon.</p> <p>He was critically injured and died on the way to hospital, while four other children were also injured. </p> <p>As tributes for the young boy have started to emerge in the days following the accident, Jack’s father has also now publicly spoken for the first time following his son’s death.</p> <p>In a moving tribute, Mike Davey said he couldn’t imagine spending the rest of his life without his “beautiful” boy.</p> <p>“Our beautiful son. A shooting star who blessed us for 11 years with love, friendship and kindness,” he said. “You were my inspiration and motivation. I cannot comprehend the life ahead without you."</p> <p>“My mate, my champ, my Jackie-boi. Godspeed, until we meet again ... I love you.”</p> <p>His mother, dad and siblings visited a growing memorial for the student outside the school on Wednesday afternoon to read all the messages left in his honour.</p> <p>His father wore his son’s backpack and his two sisters left teddy bears.</p> <p>School mum and friend of the family Lucy Pristel along with some of the other school mums, decided to launch a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-davey" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" data-ylk="slk:GoFundMe;cpos:5;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" data-rapid_p="15" data-v9y="1">GoFundMe</a> to help "ease the burden" of funeral costs, adding, "We just wanted to make life as easy as possible." </p> <p>In a matter of hours, the fundraiser has exceeded its goal, and at the time of writing over $160,000 has been <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/boy-s-tragic-death-in-school-crash-sparks-incredible-community-response" target="_blank" rel="noopener">donated</a> by the community.</p> <p><em>Image credits: GoFundMe</em></p>

Caring

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Boy's tragic death in school crash sparks incredible community response

<p>The 11-year-old boy who tragically died after a car <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/child-dies-after-car-crashes-through-school-gate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">crashed</a> through his school's gate has been identified, with a family friend sharing more details about the horrific accident. </p> <p>Jack Davey was sitting with friends when a car slammed through a fence and into a group of Year 5 students at Auburn South Primary School on Tuesday afternoon.</p> <p>He was critically injured and died on the way to hospital, while four other children were also injured. </p> <p>School mum and friend of the family Lucy Pristel told <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/incredible-response-after-boys-tragic-death-in-melbourne-school-crash-052951244.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Yahoo News</em></a> the shocking incident has "affected" the entire "close-knit" community.</p> <p>“I have no words, to be honest with you. They are the most beautiful family. They would do anything for anyone,” she said. </p> <p>Lucy's own 11-year-old son, who is also a student at the school and played basketball with Jack, witnessed the tragedy unfold before his eyes.</p> <p>"Unfortunately a lot of the kids saw what happened," she said. "It's affected everybody. The school has offered councillors to us all, so there's been a lot of support. We're a close-knit community." </p> <p>To help support the grieving family, Lucy, along with some of the other school mums, decided to launch a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-davey" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" data-ylk="slk:GoFundMe;cpos:5;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" data-rapid_p="15" data-v9y="1">GoFundMe</a> to help "ease the burden" of funeral costs, adding, "We just wanted to make life as easy as possible." </p> <p>In a matter of hours, the fundraiser has exceeded its goal, and at the time of writing over $140,000 has bee donated by the community.</p> <p>Lucy recalled the moment she found out about the horror that unfolded at the school on Tuesday afternoon, saying she didn't realise the extent of what had happened at first. </p> <p>"I actually drove past the school after it happened and didn't think much of it," she admitted. "Then I started hearing about it."</p> <p>"I ran down to the school... you could see parents for at least 300, 400 metres and I saw everyone hugging. That's when I knew something happened at our school [and not one of the others close by]."</p> <p>Ever since then, "everyone has just bound together," she said sharing the "pure horror" felt by everyone.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

Caring

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Family heartbroken after school removes teen's memorial site

<p>Charlotte O'Brien, 12, sadly <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/mother-s-heartbreaking-farewell-at-bullied-daughter-s-funeral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">took her own life</a> on September 9 after experiencing relentless bullying at Santa Sabina College in Strathfield, Sydney. </p> <p>Following the young schoolgirl's tragic death, her heartbroken family set up a memorial for her on a tree near the school. Her aunt Melinda Rodgers explained it was the only way they could bid farewell to the teen. </p> <p>“It was something we wanted to do for Charlotte because we didn’t get the opportunity to say goodbye,” she told <em>Nine News</em>.</p> <p>“It was our special way of giving her something to say you mattered and we miss you.”</p> <p>The memorial was set up over the weekend, with a small plaque put in place and flowers which began piling up as others started to pay tribute to the 12-year-old. </p> <p>On Monday afternoon, the memorial site had been removed. The family first realised this when they saw Charlotte's grandfather, who had previously left flowers at the site, “wandering aimlessly up and down the street … trying to find the memorial site to lay his flowers”</p> <p>“Words cannot express how devastated we were,” Rodgers said, after finding out the memorial site had been removed. </p> <p>Paulina Skerman the principal of the school, confirmed they had removed the memorial “because of concerns that were raised about the impact this could have on young people”. </p> <p>She explained that  the school was “with Charlotte’s family to find a permanent and loving way to remember Charlotte” and promised the 12-year-old would “not be forgotten”.</p> <p>Despite the school's explanation, Charlotte's father Mat, said he was “running out of words” to describe his feelings about the situation. </p> <p>“From the school’s perspective, If I was given advice to remove those things, I wouldn’t have touched them,” he said, adding it would be a "positive step" for the school to put up a permanent memorial to his daughter. </p> <p>Her parents had previously opened up about how disappointed they were in the school for reportedly showing "no empathy" during their <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/parents-disappointed-by-principal-s-response-to-daughter-s-suicide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">20-minute meeting</a> with the principal, following Charlotte's death. </p> <p>“We arrived there and met with the principal. When I shared the feedback, she wasn’t interested in receiving that. The feedback was interrupted. It was discounted. It was disagreed with," Mat said at the time.</p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', '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;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone.</span></em></p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', '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;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Lifeline: <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">13 11 14</span>, <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #258440; text-decoration-line: none; background-color: transparent; transition: 0.2s ease-in-out;" href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lifeline.org.au </a></em></p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol, Noto Color Emoji;"><em>Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or <a href="http://kidshelpline.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">kidshelpline.com.au</a></em></span></p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; background-color: #ffffff;"> </p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', '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;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">SANE Support line and Forums: <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">1800 187 263,</span> <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #258440; text-decoration-line: none; background-color: transparent; transition: 0.2s ease-in-out;" href="https://saneforums.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saneforums.org</a></em></p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', '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;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Headspace: <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">1800 650 890,</span> <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #258440; text-decoration-line: none; background-color: transparent; transition: 0.2s ease-in-out;" href="https://headspace.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">headspace.org.au</a></em></p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', '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;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Beyond Blue: <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">1300 224 635</span>, <a style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #258440; text-decoration-line: none; background-color: transparent; transition: 0.2s ease-in-out;" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/beyondblue.org.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">beyondblue.org.au </a></em></p> <p> </p> <p><em>Images: news.com.au</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Child dies after car crashes through school gate

<p>One child has died and another four kids have been left injured after a car crash through a school gate in the east Melbourne suburb of Auburn. </p> <p>Emergency services were called to Auburn South Primary School in Hawthorn East on Tuesday afternoon after a car veered off the road and into the primary school's gate.</p> <p>The car collided with a table where five children were sitting. </p> <p>Two 11-year-old girls, one 10-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were all taken to hospital with serious injuries.</p> <p>An 11-year-old boy was taken to hospital with critical injuries, and later died.</p> <p>The driver of the vehicle was identified as a 40-year-old woman who was local to the area, and was arrested at the scene. </p> <p>A primary school-aged was also in the car at the time of the crash but remained unharmed. </p> <p>Victoria Police Inspector Craig McEvoy said the driver was attempting a U-turn before veering off the road, and it appeared the crash was an accident.</p> <p>"It's tragic circumstances ... really tough for everyone involved," McEvoy said. "It's always a tough time when children are involved."</p> <p>"The ongoing investigation will take days, weeks, months," Inspector McEvoy added.</p> <p>Premier Jacinta Allan also commented on the incident, saying it should have been an "unremarkable sunny day" at the school.</p> <p>"Instead, a dark shadow has been cast over our city and state," she wrote on X.</p> <p>"I'm sending my love and thoughts to the students, their families and the whole school communityAnd my thanks to the first responders on the scene," she said.</p> <p>"I know tonight Victorians will be thinking of Auburn South Primary, and holding our kids even closer."</p> <p><em>Image credits: ABC News / Nine News </em></p>

Caring

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The internet is worse than it used to be. How did we get here, and can we go back?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marc-cheong-998488">Marc Cheong</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/wonsun-shin-1300054">Wonsun Shin</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722"><em>The University of Melbourne</em></a></em></p> <p>When it comes to our experience of the internet, “the times, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Times_They_Are_a-Changin%27_(song)">they are a-changin’</a>”, as Bob Dylan would say. You can’t quite recall how, but the internet certainly feels different these days.</p> <p>To some, it is “<a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/01/16/1224878097/everyday-users-are-complaining-that-the-internet-is-more-chaotic-than-ever">less fun and less informative</a>” than it used to be. To others, online searches are made up of “<a href="https://www.theverge.com/c/23998379/google-search-seo-algorithm-webpage-optimization?src=longreads">cookie cutter</a>” pages that drown out useful information and are saturated with scams, spam and content generated by artificial intelligence (AI).</p> <p>Your social media feeds are full of eye-catching, provocative, hyper-targeted, or anger-inducing content, from <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-dead-internet-theory-makes-eerie-claims-about-an-ai-run-web-the-truth-is-more-sinister-229609">bizarre AI-generated imagery</a> to robot-like comments. You’re lucky if your video feeds are not solely made up of exhortations to “subscribe”.</p> <p>How did we get here? And can we claw our way back?</p> <h2>Commercial interests rule</h2> <p>One major factor contributing to the current state of the internet is its over-commercialisation: financial motives drive much of the content. This has arguably led to the prevalence of sensationalism, prioritising virality over information quality.</p> <p>Covert and deceptive advertising is widespread, blurring the line between commercial and non-commercial content to attract more attention and engagement.</p> <p>Another driving force is the dominance of tech giants like Google, Meta and Amazon. They reach billions worldwide and wield immense power over the content we consume.</p> <p>Their platforms use advanced tracking technologies and opaque algorithms to generate hyper-targeted media content, powered by extensive user data. This creates <a href="https://www.campaignasia.com/article/the-echo-chamber-effect-how-algorithms-shape-our-worldview/491762">filter bubbles</a>, where users are exposed to limited content that reinforces their existing beliefs and biases, and <a href="https://philarchive.org/archive/NGUECA">echo chambers</a> where other viewpoints are actively discredited.</p> <p>Bad actors like <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/ai-fuel-financial-scams-online-industry-experts/story?id=103732051">cyber criminals and scammers</a> have been an enduring problem online. However, evolving technology like generative AI has further empowered them, enabling them to create highly realistic fake images, deepfake videos and <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/science/annals-of-artificial-intelligence/the-terrifying-ai-scam-that-uses-your-loved-ones-voice">voice cloning</a>.</p> <p>AI’s ability to automate content creation has also flooded the internet with low-quality, misleading and harmful material at an unprecedented scale.</p> <p>In sum, the accelerated commercialisation of the internet, the dominance of media tech giants and the presence of bad actors have infiltrated content on the internet. The rise of AI further intensifies this, making the internet more chaotic than ever.</p> <h2>Some of the ‘good’ internet remains</h2> <p>So, what was the “good internet” some of us long for with nostalgia?</p> <p>At the outset, the internet was meant to be a free egalitarian space people were meant to “surf” and “browse”. Knowledge was meant to be shared: sites such as Wikipedia and The Internet Archive are continuing bastions of knowledge.</p> <p>Before the advent of filter bubbles, the internet was a creative playground where people explored different ideas, discussed varying perspectives, and collaborated with individuals from “outgroups” – those outside their social circles who may hold opposing views.</p> <p>Early social media platforms were built on the ethos of reconnecting with long-lost classmates and family members. Many of us have community groups, acquaintances and family we reach out to via the internet. The “connection” aspect of the internet remains as important as ever – as we all saw during the COVID pandemic.</p> <p>What else do we want to preserve? Privacy. A New Yorker cartoon joke in 1993 stated that “<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20051029045942/http://www.unc.edu/depts/jomc/academics/dri/idog.html">on the internet, nobody knows you’re a dog</a>”. Now everyone – especially advertisers – wants to know who you are. To quote the <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/your-privacy-rights/your-personal-information/what-is-privacy">Office of the Australian Information Commissioner</a>, one of the tenets of privacy is “to be able to control who can see or use information about you”.</p> <p>At the very least, we want to control what big tech knows about us, especially if they could stand to profit from it.</p> <h2>Can we ever go back?</h2> <p>We can’t control “a changin’” times, but we can keep as much of the good parts as we can.</p> <p>For starters, we can vote with our feet. Users can enact change and bring awareness to problems on existing platforms. In recent times, we have seen this with the <a href="https://theconversation.com/thinking-of-breaking-up-with-twitter-heres-the-right-way-to-do-it-195002">exodus of users</a> from X (formerly Twitter) to other platforms, and the <a href="https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2023/06/26/why-reddit-users-are-protesting-against-the-sites-leadership">platform-wide protest against Reddit</a> for changing its third-party data access policies.</p> <p>However, voting with our feet is only possible when there’s competition. In the case of X, various other platforms – from Mastodon to Threads to Bluesky – enable users to pick one that aligns with their preferences, values and social circles. Search engines have alternatives, too, such as DuckDuckGo or Ecosia.</p> <p>But competition can only be created by moving to decentralised systems and removing monopolies. This actually happened in the early days of the internet during the 1990s “<a href="https://thehistoryoftheweb.com/browser-wars/">browser wars</a>”, when Microsoft was eventually accused of illegally monopolising the web browser market in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Microsoft_Corp.">a landmark court case</a>.</p> <p>As users of technology, all of us must remain vigilant about threats to our privacy and knowledge. With cheap and ubiquitous generative AI, misleading content and scams are more realistic as ever.</p> <p>We must exercise healthy scepticism and ensure those most at risk from online threats – such as children and older people – are educated about potential harms.</p> <p>Remember, the internet is not optimised for your best interests. It’s up to you to decide how much power you give to the tech giants who are fuelling theirs.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/236513/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marc-cheong-998488">Marc Cheong</a>, Senior Lecturer of Information Systems, School of Computing and Information Systems; and (Honorary) Senior Fellow, Melbourne Law School, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/wonsun-shin-1300054">Wonsun Shin</a>, Associate Professor in Media and Communications, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </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-internet-is-worse-than-it-used-to-be-how-did-we-get-here-and-can-we-go-back-236513">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Technology

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"Enough is enough": Pauline Hanson calls for ban on Welcome to Country

<p>Pauline Hanson has called for a ban on Welcome to Country ceremonies at events, after an unusual version of the acknowledgement was performed at the AFL semi-final on Saturday.</p> <p>Aboriginal Elder Brendan Kerin performed the unique Welcome at Sydney’s Engie Stadium on Saturday night, sparking widespread debate as Kerin tried to explain that the Welcome to Country ceremony is intended to welcome all visitors to the land they have gathered on, rather than welcoming people to Australia itself.</p> <p>He also added other seemingly divisive aspects to his speech, stating the ceremony was not “invented to cater for white people” and Aboriginal people have been conducting the ceremony “for 250,000 years-plus”.</p> <p>After the controversial Welcome, One Nation senator Pauline Hanson took to X to call the ceremonies “racially divisive” and declaring her belief Australians are “sick and tired of them”.</p> <p>“As I have said in the past, these Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country performances are one of the most racially divisive features of modern discourse in Australia,” she began.</p> <p>“Australians are sick and tired of them. They are sick of being told Australia is not their country, which is what these things effectively do. Welcomes and acknowledgements deny the citizenship and sovereignty held equally by all Australians and they need to stop."</p> <p>Hanson concluded her post by stating: “Australians should not be forced to participate in or be subjected to these divisive performances. Enough is enough.”</p> <p>While many of Hanson's followers were quick to agree with her comments, others said that they have often observed the Welcome to Country be respected and applauded, and said Elder Kerin's version of the acknowledgment was "informative" and "really respectful". </p> <p>One person wrote, “This welcome to country will have annoyed all of the right people.”</p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

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MSG is back. Is the idea it’s bad for us just a myth or food science?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/evangeline-mantzioris-153250">Evangeline Mantzioris</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p>MSG is making a comeback. The internet’s favourite cucumber salad recipe includes fish sauce, cucumber, garlic and – as the video’s creator Logan tells us with a generous sprinkle from the bag – “MSG, obviously”.</p> <p>But for many of us, it’s not obvious. Do you have a vague sense MSG is unhealthy but you’re not sure why? Here is the science behind monosodium glutamate, how it got a bad rap, and whether you should add it to your cooking.</p> <h2>What is MSG?</h2> <p>Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a sodium salt of glutamic acid, one of the amino acids that make up proteins.</p> <p>It occurs naturally in <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10942912.2017.1295260#d1e167">foods</a> such as mature cheeses, fish, beef, mushrooms, tomatoes, onion and garlic. It provides their savoury and “meaty” flavour, known as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316622140186">umami</a>.</p> <p>MSG has been used to season food for <a href="https://wjpsonline.com/index.php/wjps/article/view/effects-monosodium-glutamate-human-health-review">more than 100 years</a>. Traditionally it <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/epdf/10.1021/ed081p347?ref=article_openPDF">was extracted</a> from seaweed broth, but now it’s made by fermenting starch in sugar beets, sugar cane and molasses.</p> <p>Today it’s widely used as a flavour enhancer in many dishes and pre-packaged goods, including soups, condiments and processed meats.</p> <p>There is no chemical difference between the MSG found in food and the additive.</p> <h2>Is it safe?</h2> <p>For most people, yes. MSG is a safe and authorised additive, according to the Australian agency that regulates food. This corresponds with food standards in the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/questions-and-answers-monosodium-glutamate-msg">United States</a>, <a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02008R1333-20201223#tocId3">European Union and United Kingdom</a>.</p> <p>Two major <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/sites/default/files/consumer/additives/msg/Documents/MSG%20Technical%20Report.pdf">safety reviews</a> have been conducted: one in 1987 by a United Nations expert committee and another 1995 by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. Both concluded MSG was safe for the general population.</p> <p>In 2017 the <a href="https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/4910">European Food Safety Authority</a> updated its stance and set a recommended limit based on body weight, aimed to prevent headaches and increased blood pressure.</p> <p>That limit is still higher than most people consume. The authority says an 80kg person should not have more than 2.4g of added MSG per day. <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/1602526">For reference</a>, Europeans average less than a gram per day (0.3-1 gram), while in Asia intake is somewhere between 1.2-1.7 grams a day.</p> <p>Food Standards Australia New Zealand says the European update does not raise any new safety concerns not already assessed.</p> <h2>Isn’t it bad for me?</h2> <p>Despite the evidence, the idea MSG is dangerous persists.</p> <p>Its notorious reputation can be traced back to a <a href="https://news.colgate.edu/magazine/2019/02/06/the-strange-case-of-dr-ho-man-kwok/">hoax letter</a> published in the <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM196805162782014">New England Journal of Medicine</a> in 1968. A doctor claiming to have experienced palpitations, numbness and fatigue after eating at a Chinese restaurant suggested MSG could be to blame.</p> <p>With a follow-up article in the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1968/05/19/archives/-chinese-restaurant-syndrome-puzzles-doctors.html">New York Times</a>, the idea of “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” took off. Eating MSG was associated with a range of symptoms, including headache, hives, throat swelling, itching and belly pain.</p> <p>However an <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/027869159390012N?via%3Dihub">early randomised control trial</a> showed no difference in these symptoms between people who were given MSG versus a placebo. This has since been confirmed in a <a href="https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1541-4337.12448">review of many studies</a>.</p> <h2>Can MSG cause reactions?</h2> <p>A very small percentage of people may have hypersensitivities to MSG. The reported reaction is now known as MSG symptom complex, rather than so-called Chinese restaurant syndrome, with its <a href="https://www.jandonline.org/article/S2212-2672(21)00068-X/abstract#:%7E:text=A%20New%20York%20Times%20piece,connecting%20MSG%20to%20health%20outcomes.">problematic</a> racial connotations. Symptoms are usually mild, short-term and don’t need treatment.</p> <p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091674999703714">One study</a> looked at 100 people with asthma, 30 of whom believed they had hypersensitivities to MSG. However when participants were blinded to whether they were consuming MSG, not one reported a reaction.</p> <p>If you believe you do react to added MSG, it’s relatively easy to avoid. In Australia, it is <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/additives/msg">listed</a> in ingredients as either monosodium glutamate or flavour enhancer 621.</p> <h2>Is it better than table salt?</h2> <p>Using MSG instead of regular salt may help <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6893472/">reduce</a> your overall sodium intake, as MSG <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/msg-what-the-science-says-about-its-safety#Uses-of-MSG">contains</a> about one third the amount of sodium.</p> <p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21372742/">One study</a> found people who ate soup seasoned with MSG rather than salt actually liked it more. They still found it salty to taste, but their sodium intake was reduced by 18%.</p> <p>MSG still contains sodium, so high use is associated with increased <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21372742/">blood pressure</a>. If you’re using MSG as a substitute and you have high blood pressure, you should closely monitor it (just as you would with other salt products).</p> <h2>Should I use MSG in my cooking?</h2> <p>If you want to – yes. Unless you are one of the rare people with hypersensitivities, enhancing the flavour of your dish with a sprinkle of MSG will not cause any health problems. It could even help reduce how much salt you use.</p> <p>If you’re <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/25765299.2020.1807084#d1e199">vegetarian or vegan</a>, cooking with MSG could help add the umami flavour you may miss from animal products such as meat, fish sauce and cheese.</p> <p>But buying foods with added MSG? Be aware, many of them will also be <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/public-health-nutrition/article/un-decade-of-nutrition-the-nova-food-classification-and-the-trouble-with-ultraprocessing/2A9776922A28F8F757BDA32C3266AC2A">ultra-processed</a> and it’s that – not the MSG – that’s associated with poor physical and mental <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/1/174">health outcomes</a>.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/237871/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/evangeline-mantzioris-153250">Evangeline Mantzioris</a>, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </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/msg-is-back-is-the-idea-its-bad-for-us-just-a-myth-or-food-science-237871">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Food & Wine

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Network Seven claps back after Robert Ovadia's claims of "evil" conduct

<p>Channel Seven has clapped back at claims from former <em>7News</em> presenter Robert Ovadia that they are engaging in "evil" conduct, claiming they have found more inappropriate emails from the veteran journalist. </p> <p>Robert Ovadia, who worked with Seven for 23 years, was fired in June and has taken the matter to court claiming he was unfairly dismissed, while also claiming the network is hellbent on destroying his reputation. </p> <p>However, the network has finally spoke out about the claims, saying they have recent complaints from more female staffers about inappropriate behaviour. </p> <p>“Mr Ovadia commenced Federal Court proceedings against Seven over his dismissal for serious misconduct following the sending of inappropriate emails to a 23-year-old news producer and other employees of Seven," a Seven spokesman said.</p> <p>“In doing so, Seven is discharging its obligations to prevent sexual harassment at work, including as more recently expanded under recent legislation. Mr Ovadia was trained about these new legislative obligations by Seven and failed to comply with them.”</p> <p>The statement from the network went on to suggest there are further revelations to come, as more women have come forward with allegations of inappropriate conduct.</p> <p>“At the first hearing of those proceedings on Thursday, 29 August 2024 about Orders for the filing of evidence and timetable steps, Justice Raper asked Seven whether any other conduct would be relied upon by Seven other than set out in the termination letter," the spokesman said.</p> <p>“In that context, Seven confirmed it has had complaints or allegations about Mr Ovadia from 13 other employees. Although Seven was not required to provide examples of the other conduct it intends to rely on at this stage, Seven has provided Mr Ovadia and his lawyers examples of some of the inappropriate emails by Mr Ovadia, which will be further detailed in Seven’s defence required to be filed on 12 September 2024."</p> <p>“Out of respect for their privacy, Seven has not chosen to make further even more inappropriate emails public at this stage. In response to this, Mr Ovadia has made outlandish complaints about Seven being an ‘evil company’ with a ‘propaganda unit’ that is setting out to destroy his reputation. Seven is confident its position on this matter will be upheld by the Courts."</p> <p>In response to the statement, Ovadia took to Instagram to take another swing at his former employer while also maintaining his innocence. </p> <p>“I can be crass, I can be blunt, I can be obnoxious, my humour is dark – 20 years surrounded by trauma and danger will do all of that to you – but I do NOT mistreat women,” Mr Ovadia said in a lengthy Instagram post.</p> <p>“I’ll expect more smear over the coming months as this evil company (in whose service I risked my life and safety many times) now seeks to destroy my reputation further,” Mr Ovadia said.</p> <p>“When this kicked off, the day Seven first leaked this story, my teenage daughter asked if people will think her dad is a rapist. At least <em>Four Corners</em>’ laboured hatchet job got one thing right – the Seven Network is diabolical.”</p> <p>The journalist went on to share screenshots of conversations he had with female staffers who shared their words of support for Ovadia, saying they believe the allegations are false. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

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Six old-school strategies to cope with disruptive airport tech

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christopher-schaberg-1451119">Christopher Schaberg</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/arts-and-sciences-at-washington-university-in-st-louis-5659">Arts &amp; Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis</a></em></p> <p>Ten years ago I wrote a book titled “<a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/end-of-airports-9781501305498/">The End of Airports</a>” about how digital technologies and commercial air travel were on a collision course. Earlier this summer, I was proved right.</p> <p>In July, <a href="https://theconversation.com/massive-it-outage-spotlights-major-vulnerabilities-in-the-global-information-ecosystem-235155">a cybersecurity software outage</a> snarled airports around the world. Airlines took weeks to get back to normal. Delta was particularly <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/07/business/delta-passengers-sue-crowdstrike-meltdown/index.html">hard hit</a>, with some <a href="https://apnews.com/article/crowdstrike-technology-outage-fallout-delta-c287aaded657a1092724b222435c3d16">7,000 flights canceled</a> and delays lasting well into August.</p> <p>As an expert on air travel who contemplates flight from <a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/textual-life-of-airports-9781441189684/">a humanistic and cultural studies perspective</a>, I think the new technologies woven into air-travel management are a double-edged sword. While they enhance elements of safety and efficiency, they can also make the entire system <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/07/crowdstrike-failure-warning-solutions/679174/">more fragile and vulnerable</a>.</p> <h2>The downsides of digital technology</h2> <p>To be fair, aviation depends on technology. Humans would never have gotten off the ground without it. But new technology can create new problems even as it solves old ones. The latest digital tech offers necessarily imperfect ways to manage a vast, intricate network of places, machines and people.</p> <p>And as the computer systems get more fine-tuned and integrated, they also can result in catastrophic failures, precisely because of the connective nature of tech. And let’s not even talk about <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-hot-weather-and-climate-change-affect-airline-flights-80795">the weather</a>.</p> <p>The past summer’s <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/crowdstrike-outage-bug-bad-data-falcon-update-microsoft/">software glitch event</a> won’t be the last time some unforeseen variable brings air travel to a halt. Fortunately, travelers don’t have to depend solely on airport technology systems or our own smart devices for seamless travel. Here are six analog strategies that travelers can use to cope with air travel debacles:</p> <h2>Old-school flying suggestions</h2> <ol> <li> <p><strong>Pack smart for potential delays.</strong> Make sure you have a carry-on that includes whatever you’d need for an unplanned overnight stay at a hotel – or worse, on an airport floor. Take <a href="https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/liquids-rule">Transportation Security Administration-approved toiletries</a> and enough clothes so you can deal with a layover somewhere you didn’t expect. And wear comfortable shoes.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Be kind to airline employees and airport staff, who can’t control delays or cancellations.</strong> Remember that no one airline employee can automatically fix the problem when a software malfunction happens or a freak storm grounds planes. But if you are kind and patient, an airline employee may just comp you a hotel room or give you a more generous rebooking arrangement. Also: It’s just the humane thing to do.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Purchase your tickets directly from airlines.</strong> It’s not worth saving $20 or $50 on a ticket deal from a third-party vendor. When delays and cancellations happen, if you have such a ticket, the airline will have less interest in aiding you. Buying tickets directly from the airline will help you get back in the air quicker.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Have a plan B.</strong> In the event that your connecting flight is canceled mid-trip, have you contacted someone you know in that city? Or have you researched hotels easily accessible from the airport? What would it take to get a comfortable spot for a night? A little homework can go a long way if you end up stranded.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Bring healthy snacks and other supplies.</strong> It’s smart to pack vitamins, zinc, hydration packets, a reusable water bottle, medications, hand sanitizer, or whatever helps bolster your health during a travel stint. If you get waylaid for a few hours or overnight, preplanning some self-care items can help you avoid contagious illnesses and general fatigue.</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Enjoy the airport.</strong> It’s a fascinating place where so many people converge. If you’re <a href="https://stuckattheairport.com">stuck at the airport</a> for several hours, use that time to find interesting things in the concourses. You might discover art shows, a great bookstore, a yoga room or a movie theater. It can be tempting to just stand around the gate area and seethe. But it’s more fun to move around the airport and explore what’s there.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/237372/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> </li> </ol> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christopher-schaberg-1451119"><em>Christopher Schaberg</em></a><em>, Director of Public Scholarship, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/arts-and-sciences-at-washington-university-in-st-louis-5659">Arts &amp; Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </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/if-new-technologies-snarl-your-airline-experience-here-are-old-school-strategies-to-cope-237372">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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How long does back pain last? And how can learning about pain increase the chance of recovery?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-wallwork-1361569">Sarah Wallwork</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lorimer-moseley-1552">Lorimer Moseley</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p>Back pain is common. One in thirteen people have it right now and worldwide a staggering 619 million people will <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7186678/">have it this year</a>.</p> <p>Chronic pain, of which back pain is the most common, is the world’s <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7186678/">most disabling</a> health problem. Its economic impact <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92510/">dwarfs other health conditions</a>.</p> <p>If you get back pain, how long will it take to go away? We scoured the scientific literature to <a href="https://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/196/2/E29.full.pdf">find out</a>. We found data on almost 20,000 people, from 95 different studies and split them into three groups:</p> <ul> <li>acute – those with back pain that started less than six weeks ago</li> <li>subacute – where it started between six and 12 weeks ago</li> <li>chronic – where it started between three months and one year ago.</li> </ul> <p>We found 70%–95% of people with acute back pain were likely to recover within six months. This dropped to 40%–70% for subacute back pain and to 12%–16% for chronic back pain.</p> <p>Clinical guidelines point to graded return to activity and pain education under the guidance of a health professional as the best ways to promote recovery. Yet these effective interventions are underfunded and hard to access.</p> <h2>More pain doesn’t mean a more serious injury</h2> <p>Most acute back pain episodes are <a href="https://www.racgp.org.au/getattachment/75af0cfd-6182-4328-ad23-04ad8618920f/attachment.aspx">not caused</a> by serious injury or disease.</p> <p>There are rare exceptions, which is why it’s wise to see your doctor or physio, who can check for signs and symptoms that warrant further investigation. But unless you have been in a significant accident or sustained a large blow, you are unlikely to have caused much damage to your spine.</p> <p>Even very minor back injuries can be brutally painful. This is, in part, because of how we are made. If you think of your spinal cord as a very precious asset (which it is), worthy of great protection (which it is), a bit like the crown jewels, then what would be the best way to keep it safe? Lots of protection and a highly sensitive alarm system.</p> <p>The spinal cord is protected by strong bones, thick ligaments, powerful muscles and a highly effective alarm system (your nervous system). This alarm system can trigger pain that is so unpleasant that you cannot possibly think of, let alone do, anything other than seek care or avoid movement.</p> <p>The messy truth is that when pain persists, the pain system becomes more sensitive, so a widening array of things contribute to pain. This pain system hypersensitivity is a result of neuroplasticity – your nervous system is becoming better at making pain.</p> <h2>Reduce your chance of lasting pain</h2> <p>Whether or not your pain resolves is not determined by the extent of injury to your back. We don’t know all the factors involved, but we do know there are things that you can do to reduce chronic back pain:</p> <ul> <li> <p>understand how pain really works. This will involve intentionally learning about modern pain science and care. It will be difficult but rewarding. It will help you work out what you can do to change your pain</p> </li> <li> <p>reduce your pain system sensitivity. With guidance, patience and persistence, you can learn how to gradually retrain your pain system back towards normal.</p> </li> </ul> <h2>How to reduce your pain sensitivity and learn about pain</h2> <p>Learning about “how pain works” provides the most sustainable <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj-2021-067718">improvements in chronic back pain</a>. Programs that combine pain education with graded brain and body exercises (gradual increases in movement) can reduce pain system sensitivity and help you return to the life you want.</p> <p>These programs have been in development for years, but high-quality clinical trials <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2794765">are now emerging</a> and it’s good news: they show most people with chronic back pain improve and many completely recover.</p> <p>But most clinicians aren’t equipped to deliver these effective programs – <a href="https://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(23)00618-1/fulltext">good pain education</a> is not taught in most medical and health training degrees. Many patients still receive ineffective and often risky and expensive treatments, or keep seeking temporary pain relief, hoping for a cure.</p> <p>When health professionals don’t have adequate pain education training, they can deliver bad pain education, which leaves patients feeling like they’ve just <a href="https://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(23)00618-1/fulltext">been told it’s all in their head</a>.</p> <p>Community-driven not-for-profit organisations such as <a href="https://www.painrevolution.org/">Pain Revolution</a> are training health professionals to be good pain educators and raising awareness among the general public about the modern science of pain and the best treatments. Pain Revolution has partnered with dozens of health services and community agencies to train more than <a href="https://www.painrevolution.org/find-a-lpe">80 local pain educators</a> and supported them to bring greater understanding and improved care to their colleagues and community.</p> <p>But a broader system-wide approach, with government, industry and philanthropic support, is needed to expand these programs and fund good pain education. To solve the massive problem of chronic back pain, effective interventions need to be part of standard care, not as a last resort after years of increasing pain, suffering and disability.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/222513/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-wallwork-1361569">Sarah Wallwork</a>, Post-doctoral Researcher, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lorimer-moseley-1552">Lorimer Moseley</a>, Professor of Clinical Neurosciences and Foundation Chair in Physiotherapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</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/how-long-does-back-pain-last-and-how-can-learning-about-pain-increase-the-chance-of-recovery-222513">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Body

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Kyle Sandilands' warning about new "right to disconnect" laws

<p>Kyle Sandilands has warned Aussies against "abusing the system" put in place by new 'right to disconnect' laws. </p> <p>As of August 26th, employees of large companies can legally refuse to respond to "unreasonable" after-hours calls from their employer.</p> <p>Discussing the new laws on KIIS FM on Monday morning, Sandilands warned workers about celebrating the laws too soon, as they could come with a catch depending on the leniency of employers. </p> <p>"It doesn't mean they won't railroad you out behind the scenes," the radio host said.</p> <p>Kyle then argued that while it would be illegal under the new legislation for bosses to punish workers for not responding after hours, some devious managers could find ways around the laws.</p> <p>"Don't think for a second: 'Screw that real estate agent boss'," Kyle said. "Because eventually they will find a way to get rid of you to work around the boundaries."</p> <p>Sandilands then urged Aussies not to "abuse the system", saying, "Everyone you can say, 'oh by law, I don't have to respond to that' and they will then go, 'no worries'."</p> <p>"And then they get you for every little tiny infringement. You will go if they want you to go, one way or another. So, don't abuse the system."</p> <p>Jackie O then chimed in on the debate, saying the laws were a direct response to a modern working problem. </p> <p>"I feel like that might happen," Jackie said.</p> <p>"I think it's sometimes because the thing is that work hours now are infinity. When you didn't have email and mobile phones, you never got bothered outside of work hours."</p> <p>Kyle replied, "And nothing got done. It was the late 1970s. The world spun very slowly back then."</p> <p><em>Image credits: KIIS FM</em></p>

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"Go back to your ocean": Olympic medallist insulted by French customs officer

<p>An Aussie Olympic medallist was caught off guard upon his return home to Brisbane, when he was called out by a French customs officer. </p> <p>Jack Robinson, who won silver in the surfing competition in Tahiti as part of the Paris Games, was returning to Aussie shores with his medal in tow and happy with his Olympic performance. </p> <p>However, when he was greeted by a customs officer who happened to be French, things took a turn. </p> <p>The Frenchman took the opportunity to stick it to the Aussie Olympic runner up, relishing the fact that Kauli Vaast, from France, had won gold in the comp. </p> <p>Taking to TikTok to share the hilarious encounter with his followers, Mr Robinson said: "what are the odds of being welcomed like this?"</p> <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: currentcolor !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 600px; max-width: 100%; outline: currentcolor !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7400700745911225618&amp;display_name=tiktok&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40jackrobinsonsurf%2Fvideo%2F7400700745911225618%3Fembed_source%3D121374463%252C121451205%252C121439635%252C121433650%252C121404359%252C121351166%252C121331973%252C120811592%252C120810756%253Bnull%253Bembed_masking%26refer%3Dembed%26referer_url%3Dwww.escape.com.au%252Fnews%252Faussie-silver-medal-surfer-jack-robinson-brutally-burned-by-french-customs-officer%252Fnews-story%252F48306be5756c2cf2d353787e823bf812%26referer_video_id%3D7400700745911225618&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2F99adeff03a574c23861d622aa90e9b89_1723109925%3Flk3s%3Db59d6b55%26nonce%3D74009%26refresh_token%3Db5b746d3b3a1eb36e30b00a6f4cd678d%26x-expires%3D1723780800%26x-signature%3Dh7x7Li%252B%252BEw4xdRkWkw2PKU3jkNQ%253D%26shp%3Db59d6b55%26shcp%3D-&amp;key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p>"Yeah ze French guy in the Australian customs. So on my way back from Tahiti I arrive from ze flight and I get ze dec-er-al-ation, I come to ze customs, the guy looks at me and says 'Ey, better luck next time zon, go back to your ocean.'"</p> <p>Despite the customs officer's remarks, many Aussies praised Robinson's performance in Tahiti, as fans hailed his "amazing efforts".</p> <p>His TikTok was flooded with comments, with many saying they believed that the officer "did not mean it badly", as Robinson confirmed he had taken the jibe in his stride. </p> <p>Others said the Frenchman could "go back to his 'La Seine'", while others remarked, "Bro the French are cocky asf, you did good man" and "Why the French so smug? That's a Tahitian gold, not a 'French' one."</p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Teenager charged with murdering school girls at dance class identified

<p dir="ltr">A court in the UK has identified the 17-year-old boy accused of going on a stabbing rampage at a <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/taylor-swift-in-shock-after-three-young-girls-killed-at-dance-class" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dance class </a>and killing three young girls. </p> <p dir="ltr">The court released the information on Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, a 17-year-old born in Cardiff, in order to stem the flow of misinformation about the suspect that ignited riots around the UK. </p> <p dir="ltr">The court said that while Rudakubana would not normally have been publicly named due to the fact that he is still a minor, they made an exception to quash the riots, while also taking into account that he is just days away from his 18th birthday. </p> <p dir="ltr">Unrest has been seen outside mosques as protesters target Muslims in the wake of the tragedy, causing police to again confirm that the teen was born in the UK. </p> <p dir="ltr">Police said his family are of Rwandan descent where 92 per cent of people identify as Christian, while only 2 per cent of Rwandans are Muslim.</p> <p dir="ltr">The horror began at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on Monday in Southport, just north of Liverpool in England’s north west, when Rudakubana targeted the young girls and their families. </p> <p>Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar died after the knife rampage, while eight other children suffered stab wounds and five were in fighting for their life, alongside two adults who were critically injured.</p> <p>Following the tragedy, large crowds fought with police in the town close to where the tragedy had happened including outside a mosque after false reports emerged that the attacker was Muslim. </p> <p>Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff in Wales but lived in the town of Banks in Lancashire, close to Southport, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder and a knife possession charged.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Merseyside Police</em></p>

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Sacked Olympic commentator hits back at "massive overreaction"

<p>Fired Olympics commentator Bob Ballad has hit back at the "massive overreaction" to the sexist comments he made about the Aussie swim team that cost him his job at the Paris Games. </p> <p>Ballard was <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/commentator-sacked-after-sexist-comment-on-aussie-swim-team" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sacked</a> by EuroSport after making a sexist remark about Australia's female swimmers after their gold medal win in the 4x100m freestyle. </p> <p>After the win, the former BBC commentator said, "Well, the women just finishing up. You know what women are like… hanging around, doing their make-up.”</p> <p>Ballard’s co-commentator Lizzie Simmonds laughed at the remark, calling it "outrageous".</p> <p>The commentator was then sacked from the Games, issuing an apology statement online, saying, "It was never my intention to upset or belittle anyone and, if I did, I apologise."</p> <p>However, speaking to British media outlet LBC on Tuesday, Ballard said the public's response to his sexist comments were an "overreaction". </p> <p>He said, "I am overwhelmed by the reaction I’ve had from the British public."</p> <p>"It was a throwaway line - some people might say it’s a bit old-fashioned but it was never meant to offend. It was never meant to upset everybody and I think there’s been a massive overreaction from my employers."</p> <p>"I’m dealing with it as best I can right now."</p> <p>These comments welcomed a fresh wave of backlash, with commenters on social media saying his sacking was the "right message to send" in response to everyday sexism. </p> <p>One person wrote on X, "This sort of “joke” for women is part of the every day, sexist, chipping away we are used to. People (often men, but women too) say it’s harmless but consider very recent news to see how this can contribute to much worse attitudes to women. It was the right message to send."</p> <p>Another person added, "Because even us oldies, who grew up in a different time, know it was inappropriate."</p> <p>After Ballard's comments during the Olympics, his employer EuroSport issued a statement to confirm that he would be let go from his commentating position. </p> <p>"During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment," EuroSport wrote online. </p> <p>"To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect."</p> <p><em>Images: Twitter (X) | Paul Kitagaki, Jr/ZUMA Press Wire | Shutterstock</em></p> <p class="text_text__nEn66" style="margin: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; font-size: var(--text-lg); line-height: var(--leading-7); word-break: break-word; font-family: system-ui;"> </p>

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Grandmother's plea after tragic fatal school excursion

<p>A 13-year-old girl from New Zealand has tragically died after sustaining an “unsurvivable head injury” during a school excursion to an ice skating rink.</p> <p>Kymani was rushed from Alpine Ice Sports Centre to Christchurch Hospital in a critical condition on Tuesday morning, after falling while skating with her classmates. </p> <p>Following her sudden death, the young girl's grandmother created an online <a href="https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/ice-skating-school-trip-unexpected-tragedy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fundraiser</a>, where she explained, “Sadly while on a school excursion Kymani fell, sustaining an unsurvivable head injury.”</p> <p>“This is a parent’s worst nightmare — sending your child to school and to never return home,” Kymani’s family said.</p> <p>“Her parents, brothers, sisters and whanau are devastated. Kymani was a beautiful girl, only 13 years old."</p> <p>“As this is an unexpected tragedy, any funds would be gratefully appreciated and will go towards preparing for what comes next.”</p> <p>"Aroha nui Hiley-Hetaraka whanau (Much love to the Hiley-Hethara family)."</p> <p>The skating rink was closed on Tuesday, as spokesperson said the staff’s “thoughts are with the family at this time”.</p> <p>The Ministry of Education also released a statement, which read, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic news and our thoughts are with the family and school community. Our traumatic incident team is available to support the school for as long as needed.”</p> <p>WorkSafe NZ is looking into the incident.</p> <p><em>Image credits: givealittle.co.nz</em></p>

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