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"It breaks my heart": Robbie Williams' dedication to fallen Sydney fan

Robbie Williams has dedicated an emotional song to the woman who passed away after an incident at his concert in Sydney. Robyn Hall, a woman in her 70s, died after spending a week in an induced coma, after she suffered a serious head injury at Williams' show at Allianz stadium on November 16th. Performing in Melbourne on Thursday, Williams addressed the devastating incident and dedicated his hit song Angels to Robyn and her family. He said on stage to the crowd at AAMI Park, “It breaks my heart and I’ve been thinking about it an awful lot and I’ve thought about it through the show tonight.” <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 600px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7304437214732094728&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40theageaustralia%2Fvideo%2F7304437214732094728%3Fembed_source%3D121355059%252C121351166%252C121331973%252C120811592%252C120810756%253Bnull%253Bembed_masking%26refer%3Dembed%26referer_url%3Ddk79lclgtez2i.cloudfront.net%252FPyWtRc2%253Fapp%253D1%2526v%253D1%2526img%253D1%2526lazy%253D1%26referer_video_id%3D7304437214732094728&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2Fo8cJDW8MgQerjBKI3SeYVvhS6CfAUQUwXD1FgA%7Etplv-dmt-logom%3Atos-alisg-i-0068%2FocfI48S6IAgjMyAgAEvQA5EgSDvWQfdeKwXIAF.image%3Fx-expires%3D1700949600%26x-signature%3DfCsDz4T93Vyn5CSPoqnmFZJY%252FOc%253D&key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> “I just want to give a big shout out and lots of love from me and my band to Robyn and Robyn’s family." “Let’s all sing up, she was somebody just like you who came to the gig just like you did tonight, this is for her.” After Robyn <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/sydney-woman-who-died-at-robbie-williams-concert-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tragically died</a> in St Vincent's Hospital, her son Michael paid tribute to his mum on Facebook, saying he had lost his "best friend". “I haven’t got the words to say what my mum meant to me,” he said. “Taken from under me and my best friend is no longer with me … I love you forever.” <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; 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';">A family friend said Hall loved the British singer and had “thoroughly” enjoyed the evening before tragedy struck. <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; 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';">“She was one of those ones who looked 50 but was 70. She took care of herself and didn’t need carers,” he said. <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; 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';">“Robyn was the most beautiful human I have ever met. Through all adversity, she smiled, hugged and laughed her way through,” he said. <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; 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';">“Broken hearts amongst all her family and friends, she will be missed by all who knew her.” <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; 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';">Image credits: Facebook / Getty Images <div id="fuse-injected-22953829264-1" class="fuse-slot-dynamic publift-video-ad" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-top: 24px; padding-bottom: 24px; display: flex; justify-content: center;" data-fuse="22953829264" data-fuse-injected-at="1700777022430" data-fuse-code="fuse-slot-22953829264-1" data-fuse-zone-instance="zone-instance-22953829264-1" data-fuse-slot="fuse-slot-22953829264-1" data-fuse-processed-at="892"> <div id="fuse-slot-22953829264-1" class="fuse-slot" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: inherit; max-height: inherit;"></div> </div>

Caring

Leila Abdallah dedicates award to “all the bereaved mothers out there”

The Sydney woman who lost three of her six children when they were struck by a drunk and drugged driver last year has been named mother of the year. Leila Abdallah and her husband Danny lost son Antony Abdallah, 13 and daughters Angelina Abdallah, 12, and Sienna Abdallah, eight when they were killed alongside their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, on February 1 2020. The kids were riding their bikes on a footpath in Oatlands, northwest Sydney, when a Mitsubishi Triton ute hit them just before 8pm. The man behind the wheel, Samuel William Davidson, 31, was sentenced to 21 years behind bars with no parole last month at Parramatta District Court after pleading guilty to multiple charges including four counts of manslaughter, each carrying a maximum of 25 years in prison. Leila and Danny inspired others by forgiving Davidson, saying their frustration lay with the "way our culture loves drugs and alcohol". After winning this year’s annual accolade, Leila said she dedicated her award to all women grieving the loss of a child. “I’d like to dedicate the award to all the bereaved mothers out there,” she told Sydney radio 2GB on Thursday. “A lot of people have been inspired and touched with the forgiveness and they were able to forgive in their own family and accept their grief. “Kids are the biggest joy any parents can have.” Davidson had been drinking for 12 hours at his home nearby and was driving up to 133km/h just moments before he crashed into seven kids who were on their way to buy ice cream. Judge James Bennett said Davidson’s “horrific” actions and “menacing” driving that day revealed he had abandoned all moral responsibility. “The manner of driving was such that tragedy was inevitable,” Judge Bennett said. “The magnitude of the tragedy extends to the unimaginable.” The seven children were making their way to a local IGA store when they were blindsided by the out-of-control ute around 7:50pm. Family Voice Australia said Leila “has demonstrated grace, charity, and peace beyond measure despite the horrific loss she and her husband have suffered and continue to suffer”. “There could be no better example of how to deal with such a significant and life-changing family disaster than Mrs Abdallah has demonstrated, even though her heart must still be breaking daily because of the loss of three of her precious children. “Yet she continues to express forgiveness rather than seek revenge.” Family Voice Australia is hosting the annual Mother of the Year award for the first time this year, after Barnardos Australia revealed they will not be running the award after 25 years in February.

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"She left me a poem": Samuel Johnson dedicates book to late mum

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> Samuel Johnson has made a touching tribute to his late mum while launching his latest book, a book of letters to mums. He shared his story on his charity Love Your Sister's Facebook page, which raises funds for cancer research as his oldest sister Connie battled the disease before passing away. Johnson shared that his mother took her life when he was just three years old. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Floveyoursister%2Fposts%2F3901552789939707&width=500&show_text=true&height=553&appId" width="500" height="553" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe> He told his followers that she left him a handwritten poem, that reads: All the seas of joy, Rise to sing for you boy, Surge and swell, and roar. All the seas of joy, Sound wonderfully near, Since you've been here. "That was my mum. Some crazy poet lady who found life a most onerous undertaking," Samuel wrote. "There exists only one photo of me and my mum, and that's always OK because I have that poem, burnt into my heart." He said that his older sister Connie felt the impacts of their mother's suicide more deeply than he did. "From a very early age, she was determined to become a mum and to see her kids through," he continued. "She was extraordinary. Connie became the mum our mum could never be, to two young sons. Now, like me, her boys are motherless." Connie died at age 40 after battling cancer three separate times in her lifetime. Dear Mum is a collection of letters written by famous Aussies, including Amanda Keller, Peter Helliar, Rebecca Gibney, Patti Newton and many more. "It serves as a fitting homage to mums and the importance of them ... it's a beautiful montage, for all kinds of mums," Johnson explained. "I put everything in on this one. And now I think of it, I'd like to dedicate this book to my mum. I suspect she'd be pretty puffy about this one." </div> </div> </div>

Books

“Dedicate this to dad”: A group of mates lucky $500,000 Melbourne Cup win

A group of mates will be counting their blessings after winning $500,000 by backing Vow and declaring months ago they would be victorious in the Melbourne Cup. The incredible moment they realised they had won an eye watering amount was recorded on video. 39-year-old Alex Xerri made a number of bets starting from June when Vow and Declare were at huge odds. Thankfully this bet paid off in the end, and won him $320,000 on Tuesday, as well as an extra $200,000 by his friends who followed his hot tip. The video was shot by his friend Jimmy Hoyne, and showed the group’s excitement when the gelding surged home and snatched up the Melbourne Cup. The moment felt bittersweet for Mr Xerri who’s father Paul, 81, passed away a month ago, before he had the chance to collect $40,000 from bets he also made on the winning horse. “It was difficult, I was really sad that he never got to watch the Cup and share in the excitement and happiness,” he told Daily Mail Australia. “He always backed my judgement and I know he's proud of me. It was a very touching and emotional moment. “I have to dedicate this to dad.” <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FJimmyHoyne%2Fvideos%2F2536730216403887%2F&show_text=0&width=267" width="267" height="476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> Xerri said he and his dad hopefully placed their first bets on June 8 after watching Vow and Declare come second in the Queensland Derby. Just two weeks later, the racehorse won the Tattersall's Cup, however they then had to wait months to see it would compete again at the Turnbull Stakes on October 5. However, in a turn of tragic events, Paul suddenly died from an unexpected heart attack the morning of the race, a month before the Melbourne Cup would commence. Xerri said a eulogy delivered at his funeral expressed how excited Paul was to put his bets to the ultimate test. “The speech said how he was really excited about a horse that will run in the Melbourne Cup, and last few months of his life that's what he was really looking for,” he said. The winning son said his father would continue to place bets on the horses despite being told to stop. “We went through his wallet and he had all his bet slips printed and A4 sheet of paper,” he explained. “He believed it would happen, he'd never won that sort of money in his life and we were talking about what we would do if it won.” Mr Xerri said he became convinced Vow and Declare could win the Melbourne Cup after it won an 1,800m race on Oaks Day in 2018. Paul listened to the advice of renowned horse trainer Danny O'Brien, who talked up his horse's abilities. “He said it was an elite staying prospect and everything it was doing suggested it could run the Cup's distance,” he recalled. “I thought from then it was a potential Melbourne Cup champion.” Xerri placed more bets in following months after initially placing $100 for the horses to win at 201/1 and $900 to place at 51/1 at the Queensland Derby. He placed more bets in following months and convinced 25 friends to get on board and place their own bets on the same horses. The gamble earned him about $320,000 in winnings by Tuesday’s race, and his friends $200,000 between them. Mr Hoyne's video showed the five friends getting progressively more excited as Vow and Declare entered the final straight on the tail of the leader and gradually wore down the margin. When Vow and Declare crossed the line first, the room erupted. “I have never felt a rush like that in my life... words cannot explain,” the friend who filmed the scene said. “Such a big day for the family man been riding this horse for over a year and to see it come true - unbelievable.” Xerri said there was a lot of anticipation leading up to the race as he knew he and others had cash riding on the result. “I was nervous, my legs were jelly. I'd told so many for so long and they'd put money on it just because I said to,” he said.

Caring

There’s a festival dedicated entirely to garlic

The biggest celebration of garlic in the world, this annual Californian festival draws tens of thousands of people from around the world. It has been running for 39 years and there’s a big focus on charity, with the event raising millions of dollars for local schools and non-profits over the years. Food is a highlight and the festival uses more than two tonnes of the pungent bulb to cook up an epic feast. Gourmet Alley is the heart of the festival and chefs will be cooking up all sorts of garlicky delights, like seafood, pasta, stuffed mushrooms and all kinds of garlic bread. Vendors will also be selling more interesting options, like garlic ice cream or popcorn infused with garlic. Much of the cooking takes place outdoors in the impressive ‘pyro kitchen’, with chefs utilising huge flames. <img width="500" height="375" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39359/image__500x375.jpg" alt="Image_ (384)"/> Over the festival’s three days there’s also live entertainment, arts and crafts, cooking competitions and more. Keep an eye out for Miss Gilroy Garlic, the festival’s beauty queen, who is chosen in a pageant in May. The 2017 queen is Maggie Pickford and she will be on hand (crown and all) during the festival to judge competitions and host events. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cFhW8xeIETM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" style="text-align: center;"></iframe> Where is it? The festival is held in the town of Gilroy, the Garlic Capital of the World. Gilroy is in Santa Clara County in California, a region just south of San Francisco. Guests can even catch a special Garlic Train from nearby San Jose station to reach the event. When is it? The Gilroy Garlic Festival is held over the last weekend of July. How much is it? Tickets are priced at $20 for adults and $15 for seniors.

International Travel

Kerri-Anne’s dedicates emotional Logies speech to husband

Last night, Kerri-Anne Kennerley gave an emotional acceptance speech as she was inducted into the TV WEEK Logies Hall of Fame. Kerri-Anne moved the audience as she thanked her husband John who was watching on proudly from the audience. "The person who shares this accolade more than anyone else, is my husband John. He been with me for almost the whole circus, up close and personal," Kerri-Anne said. "He has seen it all - even liked some of it. He's been there to push me out of bed at 4am with a cup of coffee. He's been there when I didn't think I could do it.” "He was there to party, to celebrate, to commiserate. In the last 13 months it's been a pretty big learning curve. We've learnt things we didn't want to learn, or have to learn. We have learned darling. And we will continue to learn." "And in that time, we've learned about fabulous medical professionals who not only saved his life but cared for him. Brilliant geniuses in surgery and brains - because I've only worked in TV, I don't know anything about brains!" "I can honestly say I would give away 50 years of this career and incredible experiences and anything else I can think of, just to have you standing right here by my side, holding my hand," she continued. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftvweekmag%2Fvideos%2F10155415148169684%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> Last year, John suffered from a fall that left him paralysed and in a wheelchair. Despite the heartbreaking injury, the couple continue to conqueror the challenged together and are taking on their new life head on. "I promise you one thing though darling, we haven't finished yet. And if there's a message... I'm not sure what it really is but my message is love whatever you do, and love even more whoever you chose to be with. Do what you've got to do," Kerri-Anne reflected. Ending her touching speech on a philosophical note, the 63-year-old reflected: "And if people want to know about survival, I can confidently say that life will change. Nothing is surer than that so embrace it." "Darwin said it's not the strongest or the most intelligent species that will survive, it is the most adaptable to change. So thank you TV WEEK, thank you mum, thank you audience." The couple reunited in the press room afterwards and John cheekily joked that his wife’s speech went on for too long. Kerri-Anne was also in high spirits joking that she would turn her award into a pendant before revealing what she has planned for the rest of the year. "I'm writing a book and still doing some stuff for Sunday Night, which is one of my favourite things,” the star explained. Video credit: TV WEEK

News

The breathtaking Chelsea Flower Show display dedicated to the Queen

It’s the annual horticultural event that never fails to draw a crowd of stars and royals alike – the Chelsea Flower Show. This year has been no exception, with the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry in attendance along with stars Judi Dench and Twiggy. Some of the show’s highlights include a beautiful floral arrangement designed in the silhouette of Her Majesty’s profile and The Princess Charlotte Chrysanthemum, named of course after the newest addition to the royal family. Take a look at some of the stunning photos in the gallery above. Have you ever been to the Chelsea Flower Show? Tell us about your experience in the comment section below. Images: Daily Mail Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/05/gallery-the-royal-family-and-their-pets/">Gallery: The royal family and their pets</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/05/trespasser-caught-climbing-walls-at-buckingham-palace-grounds/">Trespasser caught climbing walls at Buckingham Palace grounds</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/05/the-queen-opens-parliament/">The Queen opens Parliament in extravagant ceremony</a>

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5-year-old dedicates birthday to helping rescue animals

An animal-loving boy from the US has dedicated his birthday to raising food and supplies for rescue animal. When Dalton Shaw’s fifth birthday came around this year, he decided to forego presents. Instead he asked his friends and family to gift supplies for rescue dogs and cats at local shelters. "He just has such a big heart," Stephanie Shaw, Dalton's mother, said. "He was so excited." The bowling birthday party was a big success with Dalton receiving a huge amount of items for his endeavour. His father posted a photo on image sharing site Imgur of Dalton in front of all the toys and pet food he received from his party. "The response was overwhelming," Stephanie said. "I had expected a little bag of treats from people here and there." Dalton not only collected food and toys for the animals, he received a couple hundred dollars in donations for the shelter as well. He even declined his parent’s offer for a personal birthday present, simply asking for money to help the rescue animals. Dalton, who has two rescue dogs and two rescue cats himself, plans to hand-deliver the items with his parents to the local animal shelter. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/dogs-with-no-concept-of-personal-space/">These dogs have no concept of personal space</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/inside-a-1950s-tea-factory/">Inside a tea factory from the 50s</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/30-common-plants-that-are-harmful-to-pets/">30 common plants that are harmful to pets</a>

News

Astronomers dedicate constellation of stars to David Bowie

As tributes to David Bowie continue, a group of astronomers in Belgium have come up with a canny way to pay homage to the late pop music icon registering a constellation in his honour. Consisting of seven stars in the vicinity of Mars, the constellation forms the shape of a lightning bolt similar to the one painted on Bowie’s face on the cover of the 1973 album Aladdin Sane. <img width="500" height="300" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/14053/stardust-for-bowie_500x300.jpg" alt="Stardust For Bowie" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> In a statement, Philippe Mollet from the MIRA Observatory said, “It was not easy to determine the appropriate stars. Studio Brussels asked us to give Bowie a unique place in the galaxy.” “Referring to his various albums, we chose seven stars — Sigma Librae, Spica, Alpha Virginis, Zeta Centauri, SAA 204 132, and the Beta Sigma Octantis Trianguli Australis — in the vicinity of Mars. The constellation is a copy of the iconic Bowie lightning and was recorded at the exact time of his death.” Bowie passed away on 10 January aged 69 after an 18 month battle with cancer. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/01/chihuahua-begs-for-freedom-photos/">Photographer captures moment dog begs for freedom</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/01/service-dog-steals-the-show-at-wedding/">Service dog steals the show at wedding</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/01/nsw-gold-opal-daily-cap-could-rise/">Gold Opal daily cap could rise and self-funded retirees could lose cards</a>

News

This cafe is dedicated to laughing

Whoever said laughter is the best medicine must have been right, and we expect the seniors of Washington’s Sibley Memorial Hospital’s “Laugh Cafe” would agree. Created in conjunction with the Sibley Senior Association, the Laugh Cafe is a haven next to the cafeteria where senior patients can go to – you guessed it – laugh. After opening in August, 2012 the cafe now hosts hour-long laugh sessions each month. The first price of admission is $40 US, followed by a joke upon entry from there on out. “I had heard about the health benefits of laughter yoga so I informally surveyed my favorite jokester members,” Marti Bailey, Senior Association director, told The Huffington Post. “The overwhelming reaction was that they wanted a reason to laugh and rejected laughter simply for laughter’s sake.” And so was born The Laugh Cafe. According to Bailey, not all of the jokes submitted are PG: “People often ask if the jokes are censored or if there is a standard for what kind of joke might be acceptable. I respond that the members are all adults and as a club have elected to be self-governing and open about the types of jokes offered.” “So far members have provided jokes that are generally clean, sometimes word play that produce audible groans, and sometimes a little ‘racy’ or edgy. Everyone has a different sense of humor. All have laughed and none have complained. And people keep coming back.” As studies have often shown the de-stressing benefits of laughter, we think this hospital might be on to something. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2015/07/rescued-elephant-celebrates-freedom/">Terribly thin elephant rescued and enjoying freedom</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/07/dogs-taking-selfies/">These dogs love taking selfies</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/07/peanut-turtle-litter/">Turtle lives 20 years after being cut free from a six-pack ring</a>

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"It breaks my heart": Robbie Williams' dedication to fallen Sydney fan

Leila Abdallah dedicates award to “all the bereaved mothers out there”

"She left me a poem": Samuel Johnson dedicates book to late mum

“Dedicate this to dad”: A group of mates lucky $500,000 Melbourne Cup win

There’s a festival dedicated entirely to garlic

Kerri-Anne’s dedicates emotional Logies speech to husband

The breathtaking Chelsea Flower Show display dedicated to the Queen

5-year-old dedicates birthday to helping rescue animals

Astronomers dedicate constellation of stars to David Bowie

This cafe is dedicated to laughing

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