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Trump escapes second assassination attempt

Former president Donald Trump has escaped a second assassination attempt while playing golf at his private club in Florida. According to local authorities, a Secret Service agent was one hole ahead of Trump when he spotted a rifle barrel sticking out of the fence, which was later found to be an AK-47 with a scope, at the Trump International Golf Club, West Palm Beach on Sunday. The Secret Service opened fire on the suspect, who fled the scene only to later be pulled over on the highway and taken into custody. The FBI said Trump had been the subject of “an apparent assassination attempt” at his Florida golf club. Officials at a media briefing after the incident said a witness took a photo of the suspect's car as he fled the scene, helping authorities track him down. The Secret Service officer who was on the course and spotted the weapon was praised for doing a “fantastic job”. “What they do is they have an agent that jumps one hole ahead of time towards where the [former] president was at, and he was able to spot this rifle barrel sticking out of the fence and immediately engaged that individual, at which time the individual took off,” the Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said. “In the bushes where this guy was is an AK-47 style rifle with a scope, two backpacks – which were hung on the fence that had ceramic tile in them and a GoPro, which he was going to take pictures with.” Trump posted an update on his social media platform to assure his supporters he was unharmed in the attempted assassination. “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumours start spiralling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!” he wrote. “Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER! I will always love you for supporting me.” The attempted shooting comes just months after Trump was injured during another assassination attempt in July while speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania. Image credits: Shutterstock/CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial

News

Mother furious after toddlers escape daycare onto busy road

A young mother is demanding answers after her toddler managed to flee his daycare centre and walk onto a busy road. Adelaide mum Makayla Lill dropped her son Wyatt off at the Goodstart Early Learning Blair Athol on Monday, when only hours after, Wyatt and another toddler were seen climbing through a hole in a broken fence. The two children ran out towards the busy road, which is regarded as a notorious accident blackspot, forcing traffic to slow down to avoid hitting the children. The staff quickly realised the children had escaped and ran to retrieve them. "I am pretty furious. There’s no excuse,” Makayla said. After the children were secure, the staff rang Ms Lill to inform her of the incident, which is now under investigation. “The first thing she said was ‘I’m just letting you know Wyatt is safe’”, Ms Lill said. “That straight away makes you think ‘What’s happened?’” "They said he was there for a maximum, this is what makes me upset, 10 seconds," Lill said. The mother said staff told her the gap in the fence was missed on a routine perimeter check. George Mavromatis was nearby when the incident occurred and said he heard the staff's screams from across the road. "This is a very bad intersection. We've seen multiple car accidents, it was very lucky to come out of that lightly to tell you the truth," he told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/two-children-found-wandering-near-busy-road-after-leaving-childcare-centre-adelaide/3c0164f9-d799-45e2-806b-1db00bc67e22" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener">Nine News</a>. Makayla Lill has made a formal complaint with the centre, as some parents have pledged to remove their children from the daycare centre, while others have said they hoped it was just an isolated incident. The incident is now under multiple investigations by the centre and the Education Standards Board of South Australia, as South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said SafeWork may have a role to play in the investigation. "I think any parent would be horrified when they see these images. They're pretty confronting. I think it begs the question of what went wrong in this circumstance," Malinauskas said. Image credits: Nine

Family & Pets

Woman "trapped" on a boat for a decade details amazing "escape"

A woman has recalled her turbulent childhood spent "trapped" a boat with her parents, detailing how she made her "escape". Suzanne Heywood was just seven years old when her parents told her she, along with her younger brother Jonathan, would be pulled out of school to go on a three-year voyage around the world. The family of four from the UK set out on their quest to recreate Captain Cook’s infamous third and final voyage around the globe, which ended up taking a decade instead of the promised three years. While her parents thought it was the trip of a lifetime and often described the opportunity as a “privilege”, Suzanne has since compared it to being locked up in prison. Now 55 years old, Suzanne has shared her tale of survival on TikTok, and recalled her 10 years at sea in her tell-all memoir Wavewalker. “My father said we would be back in three years’ time, and that my dog would be waiting for me, and my friends and school and everything would go back to normal,” the author said in a now-viral video. “But in fact, it was almost 10 years before we came back, and I spent that time trapped on a boat, unable to go to school or have normal friendships.” Despite her father assuring her the “trip would be safe”, Suzanne claimed it was “incredibly dangerous”, sharing details of a perilous journey from South Africa to Australia where the boat hit an “enormous storm”. “The waves became bigger and bigger, and finally one crashed over the back of the boat, through the deck and out the side,” she recalled. “I was thrown, a little girl at 7, against the ceiling of the cabin and against the wall, fracturing my skull and breaking my nose. Three days later, we found a tiny little island in the middle of the Indian Ocean where I had multiple head operations without anaesthetic.” In order to get through her "very strange" childhood, Suzanne recalled how she was determined to get an education to live a normal life. “As it became clear my parents had no intentions of going back, I decided I had to educate myself as it was the only lifeline that I had,” she told the hosts of The Morning Show. “The only way to get off this boat was to get an education, it was my only hope to ensure I had a ‘normal life’ for myself one day.” While remote education wasn't an option in 1969, Suzanne enrolled in an Australian correspondence school when she was 13. she began studying in the small cabin of the boat, which she found challenging both practically, and academically as she “had missed a lot of education”. Then, when she was 16, and her brother 15, her parents enrolled the two teenagers into a school in New Zealand while they continued sailing. Despite the gaps in her education, Suzanne landed a spot at Oxford University, and after saving up money she’d earned working on a farm, Suzanne bought a one-way plane ticket back to the UK. Since going public with her story, which she was inspired to do after the death of her husband in 2018, Suzanne's book instantly became a bestseller, and she continues to work through the trauma caused by her "unstable" childhood. Suzanne's extraordinary tale has captured the hearts of millions, with thousands of online fans hailing her bravery. “Wavewalker is one of the best books I’ve read, I’m so sorry you went through all that,” one person replied, while another said, “Thank you for the this! Your story inspires me and I can change my life no matter when and how.” Image credits: Instagram / Suzanne Heywood

Travel Trouble

Planning a country escape these school holidays? 4 ways to avoid clogging up the emergency department

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katherine-riley-1499452">Katherine Riley</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebekkah-middleton-314433">Rebekkah Middleton</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> Winter school holidays are either here or coming up, depending on where in Australia you live. Maybe you’re planning a <a href="https://www.tra.gov.au/en/domestic/domestic-tourism-results">rural escape</a>. Rural tourism is crucial for job growth and sustainability of small rural towns. However, for rural emergency departments, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/am/holiday-medico-shortages-in-rural-and-remote-australia/103266540">school holidays</a> are often the busiest times. No-one plans a trip to the emergency department on holidays. But if you need health care, there are often other ways of accessing it than turning up at a rural hospital. Here’s why it’s so important to leave rural emergency departments for life-threatening illness or injuries, and some other options for seeking care. <h2>We’re short of doctors and nurses</h2> The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/rural-remote-australians/rural-and-remote-health">reports</a> a significant shortfall of nurses and specialist doctors in rural towns compared with staffing levels in big cities. This means many small rural emergency departments only have nurses on staff, with doctors on call or consulted remotely from a larger hospital. In a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755599X2300143X">study</a> published earlier this year, my colleagues and I discovered this dynamic was especially challenging for rural emergency nurses when critically ill patients presented. One nurse told us: "We need more staff. I mean, I look at these emergency TV shows, and you see them in Kings Cross at the big hospitals there or overseas, they get a phone call […] there’s a resus coming in. Everyone’s standing around the bed with all their signs on, the airway/circulation/team leader […] and here, we have two people. It’s just so different. It’s just a false sense of reality. It’s ridiculous." So emergency departments should be used for <a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Hospitals/Going_To_hospital/Publications/keep-ed-emergencies.pdf">emergencies only</a>. These include: <ul> <li>sudden collapse</li> <li>chest pain or pressure lasting more than ten minutes</li> <li>breathing difficulty</li> <li>serious mental health condition</li> <li>uncontrollable bleeding.</li> </ul> When emergency departments are used responsibly, this can reduce the pressure on staff. It ensures the most seriously ill receive the care they need promptly. <h2>What are my alternatives?</h2> Here are four ways you and your family can be better prepared for your rural holiday and avoid an unnecessary visit to the emergency department. 1. Pack your scripts and medical history summary Bring essential scripts and medications with you. This reduces the need to visit the local emergency department and ensures you have what you need during your stay. Do you have a chronic condition or have had a recent illness or surgery? Make sure you speak to your GP before you go. They can provide a medical health summary that includes your recent treatments and medications. Alternatively, if you have access to <a href="https://www.digitalhealth.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/my-health-record">My Health Record</a>, ask your GP to prepare a shared health summary and upload it to your record. If you need medical care, this summary will assist in a timely assessment. 2. Call Healthdirect, NURSE-ON-CALL or 13HEALTH depending on where you are <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/how-healthdirect-can-help-you">Healthdirect</a> is a 24-hour telephone health advice line (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria or 13HEALTH in Queensland). By calling the relevant number, you will be connected to a registered nurse who will ask a series of questions and provide evidence-based advice and guidance. The Healthdirect website also offers an interactive <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/symptom-checker">symptom checker</a> to advise whether you should see a GP, go to an emergency department, or manage your symptoms at home (or in this case, on holidays): <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au">Healthdirect</a> - 1800 022 222 </li> <li> <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/nurse-on-call">NURSE-ON-CALL</a> (Vic) - 1300 60 60 24 </li> <li> <a href="https://www.qld.gov.au/health/contacts/advice/13health">13HEALTH</a> (Qld) - 13 43 25 84. </li> </ul> 3. Need a GP? How about GP telehealth services? For minor health concerns or non-urgent issues, <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/how-emily-took-advantage-of-one-of-the-few-good-things-to-come-out-of-covid-20240507-p5fpg3.html">GP telehealth services</a> are a remote-access option that can be used when away from home. Before you go away, check with your GP to see if they offer a <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/health-technologies-and-digital-health/about/telehealth">telehealth service</a>. 4. Go to an Urgent Care Clinic The Australian government has funded the opening of <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/find-a-medicare-ucc/about">Urgent Care Clinics</a> across the country. These clinics provide medical assessment and care for urgent illnesses or injuries. They have been created as a solution to divert people away from busy emergency departments. But these Urgent Care Clinics are not suitable for people experiencing emergency or life-threatening conditions. Urgent Care Clinics are ideal for illnesses and injuries that would require urgent treatment such as gastroenteritis, minor infections, lacerations and back pain. Check <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/find-a-medicare-ucc">here</a> to find your closest clinic. <hr /> Please keep the emergency department for life-threatening illnesses or injuries, and if needed, call 000 for an ambulance immediately.<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/232262/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katherine-riley-1499452">Katherine Riley</a>, Lecturer, School of Nursing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebekkah-middleton-314433">Rebekkah Middleton</a>, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-wollongong-711">University of Wollongong</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/planning-a-country-escape-these-school-holidays-4-ways-to-avoid-clogging-up-the-emergency-department-232262">original article</a>. </div>

Domestic Travel

Teen who pushed 79-year-old woman off pier escapes conviction

A teenager who pushed a 79-year-old woman off a pier and later posted a video of it to social media has not been given a criminal conviction. The 14-year-old, who was on bail at the time of the attack, shoved the elderly woman off Mornington Pier in January, with his his friends cheering him on. Bystanders had to rescue her because she couldn't swim. A court has heard that he was remorseful his actions and he has since been handed a diversion, meaning that he will have to undergo a mandatory program which includes counselling and education courses. If he completes the four-month order, the charges will be removed from his record. "We're very pleased with the outcome," the teenager's dad said outside of court. During his sentencing, the magistrate said it was "not going to be an easy process" but "you're remorseful for your behaviour, which is a positive step for you and the community". "You're a smart young man, with support things can change," the magistrate said. The 14-year-old is currently serving a diversion for assaulting a a 35-year-old woman in Hastings in November, which he was on bail for in January. Although the teen was remorseful inside the courtroom, according to Nine News, he reportedly raised his middle finger to those waiting outside when he left. Images: Nine

Legal

Escaped race horse shocks commuters at suburban train station

An escaped race horse has been spotted at a suburban Sydney train station, bamboozling confused commuters. CCTV footage captured the moment a retired racehorse wandered into Warwick Farm train station around midnight on Friday, as confused commuters hid from the animal. Sydney Trains CEO Matt Longland said they were alerted to the unexpected passenger, and notified train drivers to keep a look out for a passenger that was "horsing around". “Thankfully we were able to warn our train drivers to take extra care to look out for animals on the tracks” Longland said. “A train stopped at the station, (but) didn’t open its doors.” <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/C5mXYfHSINA/?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/C5mXYfHSINA/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by 7NEWS Australia (@7newsaustralia)</a> </div> </blockquote> After pacing the platform for almost 30 minutes, the horse was reunited with its owner, top Australian horse racing trainer Annabel Neasham. “Unfortunately, we had an intruder break-in to one of our stables,” Neasham said. “In the meantime, he managed to let our stable pony out.” “(Our) horse is back at home, none the wiser, not even a scratch on him.” Stable hand Keith Morrison said it was “highly unusual” that the horse ended up on the platform and left him with unanswered questions. “I still want to know how it got up the stairs and onto the platform — it didn’t use the lift!” Langland said Sydney Trains were giving the horse, now affectionately nicknamed “Mr Red” by train staff, a “stern warning” for “failing to tap-on at the station”. "It's not every day you see a horse on the platform, but that's what we saw at Warwick Farm," NSW Transport Minister Jo Haylen said. She said the horse was a well-behaved passenger, adding, "It kept its hooves behind the yellow line, which is a good thing." Image credits: 7News

Family & Pets

Escape to the Country host dies aged 50

British TV presenter Jonnie Irwin has passed away aged 50 following a battle with terminal cancer. Irwin was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2020, when the disease spread from his lungs to his brain. He was initially given just six months to live, but managed to defy the odds and made his illness public after two years of keeping it a secret. The TV presenter rose to fame in the UK for his roles on shows including A Place in the Sun and Escape to the Country. A statement was shared to Instagram on Friday announcing his death, where he was described as "a truly remarkable soul." "It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Jonnie’s passing," the statement began. "A truly remarkable soul, he fought bravely against cancer with unwavering strength and courage. Jonnie touched the lives of so many with his kindness, warmth, and infectious spirit." “At this time, we kindly ask for the privacy of Jonnie’s family as they navigate through this profound loss," the statement continued. “Their grief is immeasurable, and your thoughts, prayers, and support are deeply appreciated. As we remember the beautiful moments shared with Jonnie, let us celebrate a life well-lived and a legacy that will forever be etched in our hearts.” “Jonnie may be gone from our sight, but his love, laughter, and memories will live on. Rest in peace, dear Jonnie. You will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.” <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C22vrMPCwmB/?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/C22vrMPCwmB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jonnie Irwin (@jonnieirwintv)</a> </div> </blockquote> Following his death, BBC have paid tribute to the fallen host and described him as an “extraordinary man and wonderful presenter”. “He brought such warmth and fun to Escape To The Country where he was a firm favourite with not just viewers, but the production team too," head of BBC daytime Rob Unsworth said. “More recently, he did some truly inspirational reports for Morning Live about his illness, tackling taboos around end-of-life care and wonderfully demonstrating the limitless positivity that he brought to everything he did.” Irwin’s longtime co-star Jasmine Harman, also shared a tribute on Instagram. “I have never admired you more than over the last few years as you’ve faced life with cancer with positivity, determination and bloody mindedness,” she wrote. “The world is a little darker today without you, but I will always smile when I think of you.” Irwin is survived by his wife Jessica and their three children, Rex, five and three-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac. Image: Instagram

Caring

Tourists' narrow escape after Great Barrier Reef plane crash

Nine tourists and a pilot on board a plane that flipped and crashed while trying to land on Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef are "lucky to be alive". The light plane bound for Cairns, was carrying nine adults and one 14-year-old girl, when it crashed shortly after 7:30am on Monday morning. It is believed that the plane tried to return to the Island after a mechanical malfunction, colliding with trees as it came down. Queensland Ambulance operations sent two rescue helicopters to the Island, shortly after the accident, and four passengers were flown back to Cairns Hospital for treatment. Royal Flying Doctor Service nurse Stephanie Beatty said it was remarkable that they managed to come out of the crash relatively unharmed. "Minor injuries, minor head injury and a fractured arm, otherwise most shaken but okay," she said. "I think the people are very lucky to be alive." Queensland Ambulance Service Acting Assistant Commissioner Brina Keating also said that it was "incredible" they managed to walk out alive. "All were walking — they were able to get out of the aircraft," she told ABC News. "To walk away from something like that is incredible." Ms Keating also said that the cause of the crash was being investigated. Footage of the wreckage shared on <a href="https://twitter.com/AnnaRawlings_/status/1744170681749946773?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1744170681749946773%7Ctwgr%5E4bc69f9710cd8300d7b1080153bf7dc1e4e405d4%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.9news.com.au%2Fnational%2Fplane-crash-lizard-island-great-barrier-reef%2F78af78a6-2df7-4ad3-86ce-57e724512856" target="_blank" rel="noopener">social media</a> show the mangled plane lying upside down with broken propellers, and emergency tape closing off the area. According to the Cairns Hospital and Health Service, all 10 people are in a stable condition. Images: Anna Rawlings/ X

Travel Trouble

"I fell asleep in the fire escape": Grant Denyer's pain meds confession

Grant Denyer has opened up about the "horrific" time he was on strong pain medication, which at the peak of his reliance, led him to wander off in only his underwear and socks. The former Sunrise presenter recalled the incident on the Jess Rowe Show Podcast and how it left his then-girlfriend Chezzi, with "PTSD" after she spent four hours looking for him in the Sydney CBD. The pair were staying at a hotel in Sydney’s Chinatown when the incident occurred. “I wanted some scotch one night, for whatever reason, and just went wandering around town in my undies, got lost in the fire escape on the way back to the apartment,” he said in the podcast. “I did not know where my apartment was and fell asleep in the fire escape. “It took Chez three or four hours to find me.” In another part of the interview he opened up on the effects of the medication. “When you are under the influence of that kind of power of medication and in that much pain, when you close your eyes at night you go into your worst nightmares immediately and it is every night,” he explained. “So I would come down and think there was a home invasion, I would be crawling down with a broken back to fight off people I thought were there attacking and raping Chez. “This would happen daily.” He added that the pain meds left him in such a daze that whenever he woke up couldn't "differentiate what was real and what wasn’t.” At the time, Denyer had a reliance on both endone and morphine following a monster truck accident in 2008 which left him with a severe spinal injury. The former Sunrise presenter was training for the Monster Truck Championships at Dapto Showground when the accident occurred, and had only been dating Chezzi for "a couple of weeks", which forced her "straight into carer nurse mode”. Denyer also opened up about the incident on the couple's podcast It’s All True? “As soon as you close your eyes you go into your worst nightmares. The things that you are afraid of the most are the first things that happen the moment you fall asleep and you start dreaming. “It is traumatic as every time you sleep and then when you wake up you can’t tell what is real and what isn’t," he said in 2020. Chezzi also explained her side of the story and said that when she found him in the fire exit, he was covered in filth. “It was pretty gross and it broke my heart,” she said. Despite the challenges, the couple's love has prevailed as the pair have been married since 2009 and share three daughters, Sunday, Sailor and Scout. Images: Instagram

Caring

Update on distraught mother who escaped deadly house fire

A heart-broken mother has been left “hysterical” after her five sons and their “excellent” father were <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/6-beautiful-souls-family-break-silence-after-tragic-house-fire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">killed in a house fire</a> in north Queensland on Sunday. The family home was engulfed in flames, with the blaze claiming the lives of Zackary, 11, Harry, 10, four-year-old twins Kyza and Koah and Nicky, 3, and their father Wayne Godinet. The children’s mother, Samantha Stephenson, was able to escape the fire, with witnesses saying Godinet ran back into the home to save Stephenson and the boys when he became trapped. In the wake of the tragedy, family friend Simon Gordon said the “kids came first” for Godinet and his partner. “She was a loving mother to the children,” Gordon told Sunrise on Tuesday. “What she is going through is unbelievable.” “Every time I ever met the family, the kids came first. They love the kids.” Another family friend, Peter MacLoughlin, told 7NEWS Godinet was an “excellent father”. “The people in this community will miss him walking the children to school,” he said. “They loved those kids.” He went on to say that Stephenson was “hysterical” as the tragedy unfolded. Gordon said Stephenson was being supported by a “close-knit network” of loved ones, while Godinet’s family travelled from New Zealand and other parts of Australia to Russell Island. He said the family wanted to express gratitude to first responders to the emergency, including members of the community, some of whom are volunteer firefighters. “With the limited resources we’ve got on the island, people need to remember that the first people on the scene were the neighbours ... and the volunteer firefighters,” he said. “Some of these firefighters were friends of the family. Their kids know their kids. They were on the scene and they must be going through hell right now.” Image credits: Facebook

Family & Pets

Escape to the Country star’s heartbreaking cancer update

Jonnie Irwin, star of Escape to the Country, has shared a heartbreaking update on his battle with terminal cancer. The TV star - who was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer and given only six months to live in 2020 - sat down for an interview with The Sun after early 50th birthday celebrations, where he opened up about his diagnosis, and the impact it has had on himself and his young family. Jonnie is the father of three young boys with his devoted wife, Jess. Rex - the couple’s eldest - is four, while their twins Rafa and Cormac are only two. And he was recounting a football game with his eldest son, Rex, when he revealed that he’s feeling the physical weight of his ongoing fight, explaining that he “tried to play football with Rex the other day and was in goal and I couldn’t get near the ball. It was so frustrating. “I’m very sporty and suddenly it’s just like … it was as if it was the first time I’d attempted football. I felt like a granddad. And that broke me a bit. “I always thought, ‘I’m an older dad but I’ll be leading from the front’. “But I’m now at the back.” “I’m weak now, fragile, and my memory is terrible,” he later added, “but I’m still here.” Jonnie only announced his diagnosis in 2020, when his appearance change had become noticeable. “People didn’t know for such a long time, which helped with not having the conversation for some time,” Jess explained. “Our friends knew, but not the severity of it, and Jonnie looked well so it was never really a topic we discussed. The physical side of it came more recently. Now it’s all we talk about at home.” Jess went on to explain that while she knows Jonnie is trying to “cross every T and dot all the I’s” for their family, she’s been trying to stress to him that he should “do what makes you happy. If you want to do something, just do it.” “I just want to be able to bring any bit of fun and enjoyment back into his life,” she added, “which is really hard to do, especially with the reality of how much he’s struggling on a day-to-day basis.” Their children have served as something of a distraction for them, although Jess admits they haven’t quite been able to wrap their heads around the enormity of the truth. “I don’t have time to think to be honest,” Jess said, “and I know that Jonnie is doing all that he can with the diet, the resting, the supplement, research, [and] looking into treatment. Jonnie is partly still here because of sheer willpower. “He’s stubborn and determined and he’s a scrapper. “I think I’m still in denial about a lot of it if I’m honest.” Despite the weight of their situation, Jonnie, Jess, and their loved ones recently came together to celebrate - although he won’t be turning 50 until November, the couple decided to celebrate his birthday early with over 150 of their nearest and dearest friends and family. “It was a great night,” Jonnie recalled. “I chose a playlist with some great tunes from the 90s and 2000s and people came from all over the country and abroad. “I didn’t know the extent of the loyalty and generosity that my friends would exhibit. “I’ve been dumbfounded and spellbound by their support, as well as that of our families, who have been amazing. I just wanted to do something to celebrate my birthday and had no idea how many people would actually turn up. It was incredible.” Images: Instagram

Caring

"I had to escape": Hugh Sheridan drugged and held captive

Hugh Sheridan has shared the details of a terrifying ordeal when they were given a date-rape drug and held captive for eight hours. The Aussie star, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, revealed the encounter to 88.3FM radio show, Sounds Good With Donna Demaio, recalling the moment they knew they were in trouble. They claim they woke up dazed and confused as a result of the Rohypnol in an unknown Sydney apartment, after being incapacitated by a couple. "I knew one of the people [involved], I just never thought it would happen, and it was a very scary situation," they said on the show. Sheridan, 37, said it wasn't until the drug wore off that they conjured up a plan. "It was like, 'Oh my God, how could this be happening to me? How could this situation happen? What do they think they're getting away with?'" they recalled. "I had to get out. I had to escape. When I left I had no phone, no wallet, no shoes." After being "stuck for eight hours", Sheridan managed to escape the Double Bay property and seek refuge at their sister's home in nearby Randwick. It was Sheridan's sister who went back to the property to collect the star's belongings from the property. "She went [to the property], [and said] 'I am here for my brother's things', and marched on in, and got my stuff," they said. "I was very scared, but she wasn't. She's very tough, my sister." Sheridan still has no recollection of what happened when they were under the influence of the drug, but chose not to press charges against the "manipulative" couple. But the star is speaking out now about the incident to "shine a light" on what happened to them and raise awareness. Image credits: Getty Images

News

Sydney lions’ great escape finally explained

The mystery surrounding the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/five-lions-escape-from-taronga-zoo-enclosure">five lions that escaped from their enclosure</a> at Taronga Zoo has been solved, after the zoo revealed the big cats were able to roam free due to a small gap in the fence. Male lion Ato and 16-month-old cubs Khari, Luzuko, Malike and Zuri sent the Sydney zoo into lockdown last week after they got out of their enclosure. The five lions were found in an area adjacent to the main exhibit and returned to their enclosure before the zoo opened to the public. In a statement on Thursday, officials said that clamps used to join wire cables together had “failed”, leading to a cable unravelling to create a gap in the fence. “Preliminary independent engineering advice has confirmed that swages (clamps that join wire cables together) failed, enabling a lacing cable that connects the fence mesh to a tension cable to unravel,” <a href="https://taronga.org.au/media-release/2022-11-01/statement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the statement read</a>. ”The lions were then able to create and squeeze through a gap.” The review into the incident found that the lions were “playing and interacting” with the fence for around 20 minutes before the gap formed. While the lion and cubs took the opportunity to escape, “lioness Maya and one cub chose to remain in the exhibit”, according to officials, and were later called back into their dens by keepers. While families who were camping at the zoo overnight were taken to a safe area by staff, other Taronga Zoo employees worked to bring the lions back safely and used vehicles to “monitor and control the situation”. “This enabled keepers to use their relationships with the lions, as well as their training for such incidents, to calmly call the lions back to their exhibit, ensuring a peaceful and safe outcome for all people and animals,” the zoo said. “The four other cubs and adult male lion appeared to remain calm and investigated the other side of the main containment fence, remaining within metres of their exhibit, before actively trying to find their way back under the fence.” After the five lions escaped, two cubs then breached a second fence while trying to find access back into the exhibit, with one walking back to the exhibit without issue and the other needing to be tranquillised by vets and returned. The zoo concluded the statement by saying the lions would “remain in an outdoor, back-of-house holding area pending specialist engineering advice”. The ongoing review of the incident has recommended that the fence be investigated by an independent tensile-structure engineer, who would advise the zoo on how the clamps broke and how the fence can be fixed. Image: Facebook

Family & Pets

Fence and digging marks at the centre of lion’s escape

A fence and digging marks are at the centre of an investigation into how five lions managed to escape their enclosure at Taronga Zoo. One lion and four cubs were roaming around the Sydney tourist destination prompting emergency alarms to go off and people to run to safety. A family who was sleeping overnight at the zoo as part of the “Roar and Snoar” program were ordered to run as alarms blared “code one”. Luckily no one was injured and the lions are back in their enclosure with a statement revealing what caused the animals to escape. “An initial review of this morning’s incident has confirmed that an integrity issue with a containment fence enabled five lions to temporarily exit their main exhibit,” Taronga said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon. “The lions are now in a back-of-house holding area while a full review continues. “A full report will now be prepared for the NSW Department of Primary Industries. “Keepers and vets report all lions are doing well. “Taronga Zoo remains open and is extremely grateful to its staff and the community for their support today.” Image: Nine

News

Five lions escape from Taronga Zoo enclosure

Sydney's Taronga Zoo was placed under heavy lockdown on Wednesday morning as five lions escaped from their enclosure. At 6:30am on Wednesday, one adult lion and four cubs were spotted outside of their main enclosure, but were still separated from the rest of the zoo by a six-foot fence. When the animals were discovered, a full scale emergency response was enacted in the zoo. Locals from the area reported loud alarms and directions for all staff apart from the lion keepers to go to "safe havens". A Sydney family who were staying overnight at the zoo as part of its luxury "roar and snore" program told the <a title="" href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/taronga-zoo-put-into-lockdown-after-five-lions-escape-enclosure-20221102-p5buua.html" target="" rel="">Sydney Morning Herald</a> they were told to leave their tent and run. "They came running into the tent area saying, 'this is a Code One, get out of your tent and run, come now and leave your belongings'," Magnus Perri said. "We had to run to this building, it was only 50 or 70 metres. They counted us, then locked the door." Taronga Zoo's Executive Director Simon Duffy confirmed that one of the cubs was tranquillised by a veterinarian on site. Taronga Zoo issued a statement just before 9am confirming the lions had escaped but they had been returned to their enclosures with no further issues. "An emergency situation occurred this morning at Taronga Zoo Sydney when five lions were located outside their enclosure. The Zoo has strict safety protocols in place for such events," the statement read. "All persons on site were moved to safe zones and there are no injuries to guests or staff. All animals are now in their exhibit where they are being closely monitored." "The zoo will be open as normal today. Further details will be provided when possible." Image credits: Getty Images / Nine News

News

Underbelly actor narrowly escapes jail time

Actor Vincenzo Colosimo has been slapped with a $2,500 fine after pleading guilty to drug driving. The former Underbelly actor appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to drug driving, driving while unlicensed and giving police false details. The 55-year-old was driving his silver Peugeot in April last year when police ran a plate number check and found that he was unlicenced, the court heard. Upon being stopped, police questioned the actor who said he did not have his licence on him and that he was Anthony Colosimo and had a twin brother. Officers ran a drug test on Vincenzo despite his pleas not to and they found methamphetamine in his system. His car was impounded on the spot and it was found that he had in fact lost his licence back in 2017 and that he had two prior offences for driving while suspended. The last time Vincenzo appeared in court in 2017, he was warned that if he reappeared for a fourth time he would face imprisonment. However, magistrate Olivia Trumble decided against sending the actor to jail because his past offences are “similar”. “My view is though that a term of imprisonment is not appropriate in this situation,” she told the court, <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/underbelly-star-vince-colosimo-pleads-guilty-to-drugdriving/news-story/4b5669efe26bbd1d13e4c810ea64fbfb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a> reported. “My view is that while a somewhat merciful disposition in the circumstances, an aggregate financial penalty is appropriate.” “Those matters date back to 2017, so they are somewhat aged. “It demonstrates that while you may not be completely there, you are on a particular path to recovery.” The court also heard that Vincenzo currently has 169 outstanding penalties with Fines Victoria totalling $65,215. Vincenzo was subsequently fined $2,500 and was banned from driving in Victoria for 16 months. Image: Getty

News

See inside Lleyton Hewitt’s coastal escape

Like thousands of other Aussies, Lleyton and Bec Hewitt made the migration from the country’s southern capitals to sunny Queensland - and it wasn’t long until they snapped up a new coastal home. The former world number one made the move with his family last year, at the same time as he was due to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF). “Hewitt’s induction celebrations were deferred to 2022 due to travel restrictions,” a statement from ITHF read. Having finally <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/lleyton-hewitt-s-huge-career-moment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">received the prestigious award</a> on Saturday (Eastern Time), the tennis legend and his family will be returning to their Gold Coast home <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/property/real-estate/lleyton-and-bec-hewitt-s-secret-rental-hideaway-goes-under-the-hammer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">they secured</a> for a hefty $4.305 million in September last year. The home, which had been sold just three months prior for $3.75 million, is in the heart of cosmopolitan Burleigh Heads and boasts plenty of luxe features. Conal Martin, the listing agent for Kingfisher Realty Burleigh Heads who sold the home prior to the Hewitts purchasing it, describes it as having a Palm Springs coastal design with irrigated greenery, natural stone feature walls and an open plan that flows from inside to outside and sold it as a “place where you can escape the bustle of everyday life”. “Spend your summer nights by the outdoor kitchen, BBQ and beer fridge, watching your family play in the pool through the custom infinity glass pool window or around the fire roasting marshmallows on those cosier winter nights,” the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-qld-burleigh+heads-137338154" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listing</a> reads. Inside, the home features timber flooring, high ceilings, a wine cellar, three ensuite bedrooms, and a media room or second living space with stunning hinterland views. Though it doesn’t come with a tennis court, the home is just a short walk from the famed Burleigh Beach and the area’s buzzing restaurant and bar scene. According to the ITHF, Hewitt will be the 34th Australian to be entered into the Hall of Fame, describing it as the “ultimate honour” in tennis. “Induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame is tennis’ ultimate honour, representing the sum of a person’s accomplishments as being among the greatest and most impactful in sport’s history,” the statement read. “Just 267 athletes and contributors from throughout tennis history have received this honour.” In a speech during the ceremony, Hewitt said it was an “incredible honour” made all the more special by having his family and friends with him on the court in Newport, Rhode Island, where he won his first ATP grass court match 24 years ago. “To think where it all began for me on junior tennis courts in the middle of nowhere in Adelaide in Australia, with no one watching, no TV cameras, and then to make the full tennis journey and actually now be coming into the Hall of Fame,” he said. “For me, this is such a special place here in Newport.” Images: Getty Images, realestate.com.au

Real Estate

Meet the women who helped Afghanistan’s women's soccer team escape

When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, a goalkeeper for the country’s female soccer team had to make the decision whether she and her teammates should stay in their home country or leave it and their loved ones behind. Fati, whose name and age have been withheld to protect her family’s identity, played with her teammates for years, representing an Afghanistan where women had more opportunity and freedom - and was free of the Taliban’s rule. “I accepted that Afghanistan was over,” Fati told the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61744830" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC</a>. “I thought there’s no chance for living, no chance for me to go outside again and fight for my rights. No school, no media, no athletes, nothing. We were like dead bodies in our homes. “For two weeks I never slept. I was 24 hours with my phone, trying to reach out to someone, anybody for help. All day and all night, awake, texting and searching social media.” Fati and her teammates managed to escape, thanks to an invisible, international network of women. Haley Carter, a 37-year-old goalkeeper, former US marine and Afghanistan’s assistant coach from 2016 to 2018, described it as a “little virtual operation running out of WhatsApp”. “Never underestimate the power of women with smartphones,” she added. Using WhatsApp and other encrypted messaging apps, Carter was sharing intelligence about the situation in Kabul with other marines and National Security staff in an operation dubbed ‘Digital Dunkirk’. She had been enlisted to help Fati and the team flee by Khalida Popal, a former national team captain who left Afghanistan in 2011 because of death threats over her involvement in the sport, and has lived in Denmark since. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/06/khalida-popal.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Khalida Popal knew time was of the essence for Fati and her teammates, and enlisted the help of Haley Carter to secure their escape. Image: Getty Images With time not on their side, Popal knew Fati and her teammates had to act quickly, with their sporting involvements making them particularly vulnerable to Taliban investigations. She told the team to delete their social media accounts, burn their soccer gear and bury their trophies - a decision Fati said was hard to do. “Who wants to burn their jerseys?” she said. “I thought, if I survive, I will make [the achievements] again.” At the same time, Carter was working to get the team onto a military plane out of Afghanistan at the earliest opportunity. “Khalida texted all of us saying, ‘girls, be ready to leave the airport together, just one backpack each’,” Fati recalled. “She said: ‘We can’t tell you that we are even sure that you will go inside the airport. But if you fight, you will survive’.” When it was time to go, Fati carried as little as possible and wrote Carter’s phone number on her arm in case her phone was stolen or confiscated. Carter also told Fati that they should rotate having their phones on to preserve battery life. At the airport, they were among thousands who had congregated with the hope of leaving - but for many, the struggle would be in vain. “If your name was not on a list, or there wasn’t somebody inside the airport coming out to get you, you weren’t going in,” Carter said. “So we had to work extra hard to make sure that marine counterparts at the gates had their information to make sure that they could get in.” Carter told Fati to meet “a guy” at the airport’s north gate with a password that would get them in. When they were turned back, Carter had to recalibrate the plan all the way from Houston. Meanwhile, Fati decided she and the players would try again at the south gate - though they would have to get past the two Taliban checkpoints in the way. After being separated from her brother - who was badly beaten - at the first checkpoint and being kicked and hit herself by men with rifles at the second, Popal’s text message gave her the push to keep going forward. “It was a thing that lighted up that darkness,” Fati said. “Suddenly, there was something telling me to get back up and I started again in a strong way.” The team regrouped, taking advantage of a moment when the Taliban guards were distracted to make a dash for Australian soldiers at the south entrance. “There were so many people but we managed to get past the last checkpoint,” Fati said. “We saw the Australian soldiers and shouted phrases like, ‘national team players’, ‘Australia’ and ‘football’. “They looked at our documents and let us through.” Along with some Afghan Paralympians, Fati and her teammates boarded a C-130 military transport plane heading to Australia. “The plane just took off and there was just noise and the fear that we had. Looking around, there were just scared faces,” Fati said. “I was thinking, you will never be able to see this beautiful place where you made memories and grew up. It’s your last time.” She sent a photo and message to Carter, reading: “I made it. We made it”. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> “I still can’t get my head around what they’ve been through & what they’ve come from but they just turn up to every session, always have a smile on their face” For <a href="https://twitter.com/gomvfc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gomvfc</a> coach Hopkins, working with <a href="https://twitter.com/AfghanWnt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AfghanWnt</a>’s reminded him why he got into coaching.<a href="https://t.co/vf0w0B7y8g">https://t.co/vf0w0B7y8g</a> <a href="https://t.co/mT7rIcRrte">pic.twitter.com/mT7rIcRrte</a> — Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sachk0/status/1530135643128745985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2022</a></blockquote> In February, Fati and her teammates trained together for the first time, after Melbourne Victory provided facilities and coaches. She described the feeling as “amazing” and a source of “new hope” for the team. “I’ve locked those smiles in my memory. And I thought, I’m successful. We will not be lost,” she said. Two months later, they played their first match against a local non-league team, though the backs of their jerseys had no names and just numbers out of concern for the safety of their relatives back home. Though their chances of competing internationally in an official competition requires the backing of the Afghan Football Association and the Taliban, Fati still has hope. “The goals instead will be for us to make the national teams of Australia or the country that we are in. Still we are Afghans and, somehow, we will be the representatives of our nationality,” Fati said. Image: Getty Images

Caring

“Lucky escape”: Man’s “red flag” called out

A man has been slammed for his unnecessary response to a potential date which he claimed was a “red flag”. Anthony Gilét took to <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@giletslays/video/7080582251351674118?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1&lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a> to share his story of how he was blocked after calling out a potential date for suggesting a place near his. “Here is the one thing I would not accept from a potential date and you shouldn’t either,” he began his video. Anthony had agreed to go out on a date with a man called Luke but was unsure of where they should go. “I said ‘sure, where should we go?” Anthony asked. Luke then suggested a pub in the area that he lives in which did not impress Anthony at all. “Now I’m not expecting him to take me up to the top of the Shard, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to be original,” he said. “However the line for me was suggesting somewhere on your doorstep and expecting the other person to do 95 per cent of the travelling.” Anthony said he rejected Luke’s offer by texting him: “I think I’m gonna pass, but thanks Luke. Feels like you’ve just picked an area that is convenient for you…and when a guy expects the other to do all of the travelling (to go to a pub, of which there are hundreds of) it reads as either inconsiderate or low effort/not that into. “No hard feelings and I hope you find what you are looking for” Anthony confessed that he thought he had been “quite polite” in his response to Luke but was shocked with his response. “You are mental. I hope you find some help,” Luke responded. Anthony did not let it go and replied once again: “It’s really not hard to select a pub that’s in between both of us, that should come naturally if you’re a considerate person. “But yeah, call me ‘mental’ because other little boys tolerate your bare minimum. It’s just not sometime I vibe with! And the fact that you’ve resorted to being rude quickly … another red flag.” The video has already been viewed more than 180,000 times and received 20,000 likes with many calling Anthony out for his behaviour. “By all means stick to your boundaries. But you could have just suggested somewhere else?” someone asked. “I’m with him on this one. You asked him to pick the place - don’t get mad about the decision. Reads really dramatic on your part,” another said. “Maybe he wanted a venue where he felt safe in case the date turned out abusive, psychotic or over dramatic? *cough*” another wrote. “Can’t help but think it was a lucky escape…for the other chap,” someone else commented. Images: TikTok

Relationships

Five incredible new tiny houses in Victoria, perfect for a rural escape

Ecotourism tiny house company Tiny Away has added new tiny houses to its portfolio of rural getaways and they’re ready to welcome travellers looking for that perfectly quaint escape. The new houses span Mount Alexander and Moorabool Shire, the High Country, and the Macedon and Yarra Ranges. With the idea of seclusion and switching off becoming a modern-day luxury, these sustainable tiny getaways are perfect for a couple’s escape or for solo travellers looking for the ultimate me-time break. Some houses even have a little more room so you can plan a getaway with the kids, and even your furry friend. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/tiny-house1.jpg" alt="‘The Sanatorium’, Yackandandah" width="1280" height="720" /> The eco-friendly tiny houses are perfect for travellers seeking alternative and unique accommodation experiences. A step up from glamping, each tiny house offers hot showers, air conditioning, a cosy queen bed, and a kitchenette. Tiny Away now has over 100 unique short-stay tiny house accommodation options across Australia. Its tiny architecturally designed houses are set on private land in rural and regional locations and are designed to get visitors out of the city and into the outdoors. Tiny Away was created for guests to truly disconnect, recharge, and enjoy a minimalist lifestyle with loved ones. “All the properties offer something different. Some are only semi-secluded and close to activities, and others are in the middle of nowhere,” says Jeff Yeo, co-founder of Tiny Away. Quantum Field, Toolangi Located in Toolangi, in the stunning Yarra Valley, <a href="https://tinyaway.com/listing/quantum-field/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this house</a> is surrounded by a charming mix of native and exotic European and Japanese flora, backdropped by a picturesque, swimmable pond. Guests will enjoy a truly tranquil and remote getaway with world-famous wineries and activities right on the doorstep. The property follows ecologically sustainable principles, including a waterless eco-friendly compost toilet and a natural water spring that feeds the property's filtered water. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/tiny-house2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> The Ridge, Korweinguboora Set on farmland in Central Victoria’s Wombat Forest, <a href="https://tinyaway.com/listing/the-ridge/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Ridge</a> is surrounded by productive gardens, including a fruit orchard, veggie garden and avenues of deciduous trees, all surrounded by tall eucalypt forests. The farm is home to a small flock of sheep, chickens, a (very) friendly border collie, and abundant birdlife. The rear of the property has 5 acres of forest to explore with elevated views beyond to the Wombat Forest. The nearby forest includes lush fern-covered gullies which form the headwaters of the Moorabool River. Just 10 minutes from the house is the thriving township of Daylesford, and close to all that the Macedon Ranges has to offer including mineral springs, truffle farms, wineries, organic produce, day spas, and fine dining. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/tiny-house3.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> The Sanatorium, Yackandandah Tucked in a stunning, elevated bushing seeing with panoramic views cradled above the Yackandandah Valley lies <a href="https://tinyaway.com/listing/the-sanatorium/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sanatorium</a>. The tiny house’s panoramic views allow guests to experience clean mountain air, abundant wildlife and birdlife, enjoyed within a well maintained and beautifully presented farm setting. The house is framed perfectly by cattle grazing, meandering horses and surrounding countryside. The nearby Stanley Range provides mountain biking, horse riding and trail bike activities, as well as boutique breweries, distilleries, wineries and restaurants found in and around Yackandandah. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/tiny-house4.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Tiny Hideaway, Newham Hidden in a 97-acre property surrounded by farmland on all sides, <a href="https://tinyaway.com/listing/tiny-hideaway-at-cloverhills/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tiny Hideaway</a> is surrounded by long winding roads, perfect for walking experiences - or bring your bike, go horse riding, or just simply appreciate nature. The Cobaw Ranges are just a short drive for those who want to do some serious hiking. The house is in Newham, a small hamlet in the Macedon Ranges, nestled between Woodend, Kyneton, and Lancefield, making it an ideal position to explore the country town hospitality of the regions’ cafes and restaurants, as well as wineries and gin distilleries. Newham is close to the iconic Hanging Rock and nearby Hanging Rock Winery. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/tiny-house5.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Treetops Trail, Walmer <a href="https://tinyaway.com/listing/treetops-trail/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Treetops Trail</a> is set in a beautiful bush setting, amongst the trees, just five minutes from the historical town of Maldon. The property offers a plethora of activities from bushwalks and discovering hidden gold mines to local towns boasting fairs, festivals and local produce. The friendly wildlife and remote setting will guarantee a relaxing getaway and to get a taste of the area, visitors can easily follow the Maldon Taste of Gold food and wine trail, sampling the area’s best local wines and produce from farm gates and cellar doors. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/tiny-house6.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> About Tiny Away Founded in 2018, the Tiny Away network includes a range of comfy eco-friendly ‘tiny houses’ for travellers seeking alternative and unique accommodation experiences. Tiny Away offers adventurous road-trippers and weekenders the chance to immerse themselves in Australia’s vast flora and fauna, without compromising on comfort. A step up from glamping, each tiny house offers hot showers, air conditioning, a cosy queen bed, and a kitchenette. Using a profit-sharing arrangement that sees landowners earning up to 45% of rental revenue, Tiny Away considers itself a partner with landowner hosts on a mission to create rare and exceptional accommodation experiences. The sustainably built tiny houses are typically positioned on a working farm, often totally offgrid, and hosts offer all sorts of unique activities that give guests a taste of rural life. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/image001.png" alt="" width="250" height="137" /> Images: Supplied

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Five incredible new tiny houses in Victoria, perfect for a rural escape

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