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"I am lucky to be here": Julie Goodwin opens up on childhood trauma

Julie Goodwin has opened up about the childhood abuse she experienced in her latest memoir. The 53-year-old MasterChef Australia star wrote about how she was sexually abused as a child and later attempted suicide as a teenager in her autobiography, Your Time Starts Now. Speaking to The Australian Women's Weekly, Goodwin recalled how the memory of the abuse which she had buried for a long time returned when she was 16. "Nothing triggered it, it was just like the memory was always there, like a dusty book on a library shelf," she said. "And one day I took it down and looked at it and went, 'Holy crap, how have I not thought about that for nine years?'" Goodwin, however kept the resurfaced memory to her self and maintained an excellent academic record at high school, even becoming school captain, until a year later when she attempted suicide at the age of 17. She shared that following her hospitalisation, she returned to school a few days later and acted as if nothing serious had happened. The TV star then opened up on her road to recovery and the tremendous amount of help she received from her husband Mick, who gave her the love and support she needed. "I am living my second life," she told Women's Weekly. "I am lucky to be here." Images: Channel 10

Books

Australian Idol host opens up on painful health battle

Australian Idol host and singer Ricki-Lee Coulter has revealed that she has been battling endometriosis for over a decade. The 38-year-old took to Instagram to share the process that led her diagnosis, straight from the hospital bed, following her laparoscopy and excision surgery. "For over a decade I’ve been dealing with chronic pain that has progressively gotten worse,” she began the post. “Anyone with endometriosis knows it takes a long time to get to the point where you have surgery and can get any kind of diagnosis — and that you have to advocate for yourself and keep pushing for answers. “Over the years I have seen so many doctors and specialists, and have been down so many different paths to try to figure out what was going on — and for so long I thought the pain was just something I had to deal with. “But the past couple of years, it has become almost unbearable and is something I’ve been dealing with every single day. “I met with a new GP at the start of the year, who referred me to a new specialist, and we went through all the measures that have been taken to try to get to the bottom of this pain — and the only option left was surgery. “So this week I had a laparoscopy and excision surgery — and they removed all the endometriosis they found, and I can only hope that is the end of the pain. “I’m now at home recovering and feeling good. Rich is taking very good care of me xxx," she ended the post. She also shared a few photos after her surgery, and of her recovering at home. One in nine women suffer from endometriosis, a condition where the tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the womb, which sometimes moves to other areas of the body. Friends and followers shared their support in the comments, with reality TV star and fellow endo-warrior Angie Kent saying: “Sending you lots of love! You’re not alone in this — it’s a marathon not a sprint, unfortunately. “But there’s an amazing chronic invisible illness sista-hood out here! I hope you have a good support system with the recovery including an amazing women’s health practitioner.” “Sending lots of love,” Sunrise host Natalie Barr added. “Sending you so much love. Been where you are now and it gets so much better honey,” wrote Jackie O. Images: Instagram

Caring

Allan Border's desperate plea to PM

Allan Border has joined Parkinson’s Australia chief executive Olivia Nassaris in a plea for the Federal Government to provide more funding and research into the condition. The 68-year-old cricket legend is one of over 150,000 Australians living with Parkinson’s, after being diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disorder back in 2016. A new report from the organisation revealed that there are 19,500 new cases every year, with one Australian diagnosed with the condition every 27 minutes. “A lot of people know the disease but they don’t know the impact that it has — 150,000 people in Australia have the disease, it does present in different ways,” Border said. “When I was told I was suffering, my first image was of (boxer) Muhammad Ali and the Olympic torch, I just thought people suffered from a tremor. “But there’s about 100,000 different ways of it presenting.” Border joined the Parkinson’s Australia chief executive on April 11 to raise awareness for World Parkinson’s Day. Nassaris estimated that the number of Australians impacted by Parkinson’s would almost triple by 2050. “At the moment we don’t have a cause or cure, so it is frightening that a disease like this is going to almost triple in numbers,” she said. Responding to the cricketer’s plea, the Prime Minister described Border as a “great Australian” and hinted at a potential boost to government support in providing more resources into the condition. “Our heart goes out to him,” the PM said on Thursday. “I will have a word with the Health Minister about what more we can do. We have contributed over $100m to research into Parkinson’s. “There’s also a pilot program for nurses about people suffering from Parkinson’s at the moment. There’s some $6.5m being used for that pilot program. We want to wait and see what the assessment of that is.” Images: Getty

Caring

Matt Shirvington opens up on marriage and fatherhood

Matt Shrivington has opened up about marrying his "first crush" when he tied the knot with his wife in 2001. The Sunrise host spoke candidly to Sydney Morning Herald about the early days of his relationship with his wife Jessica, sharing how the pair "made it official" when they were just 18 years old. The 45-year-old reflected on his whirlwind romance, sharing how the couple met at a house party when they were teenagers. “We went to separate schools but had mutual friends and saw one another often at house parties,” Shirvo said. The former Olympian said the couple had a “false start” after Jess came down with chickenpox, while he was focused on his athletics career. “But by the time we’d finished our Higher School Certificate (Year 12, in NSW), we’d made it official. We moved in together aged 18 and started our lives as a couple,” he added. Jess and Matt married in 2001 and moved to London a year later, after Matt was based in England for his athletics training. Their family grew in 2006 when they welcomed their first child Sienna, before deciding to return to Australia in 2008. The couple had a second daughter, Winter, soon after, and went on to have a son, Lincoln, who is six. Shirvo shared how much he loves raising daughters and getting to see their sense of independence grow. “They’re great young women, strong and powerful, and I love seeing their desire for independence,” Shirvo said. “Sienna is extremely artistic and Winnie is ambitious about sport – she just competed in the under-17s National Rowing Championships." “It doesn’t matter what it is, if your kids have a passion for something and love waking up in the morning to do it, you’ll back it to the end of the earth as a parent.” On Monday morning's episode of Sunrise, Nat Barr praised the article and Shirvo for his heartwarming words about his family. “Interesting article in the paper over the weekend about our very own Shirvo — who got candid about life, love, and family,” Barr said, referring to the piece. “I wanted to give you a shout-out — it was really lovely, I loved reading it.” “My favourite part was when you said, ‘I never had a celebrity crush growing up, but I did marry my first crush’ It was a really gorgeous story,” Barr said of the piece. Image credits: Instagram

Relationships

“I told him not to open it": Flight attendant forced to hold plane door shut

A flight attendant was forced to hold an emergency exit door shut after an allegedly drunk passenger tried to open it shortly after takeoff. Footage shows a female flight attendant with one hand on the plane’s roof and another holding the lever of the emergency exit, after a man allegedly tried to pull it open during their flight from Qingdao, China on Saturday, according to the New York Post. “I told him not to open it,” the flight attendant said to another colleague in Chinese, according to JAM Press. Her colleague then asks the passenger: “Sir, did you open this?” The male passenger looked confused as he started gesturing at the lever. “Why did you open it? Didn’t you know it is prohibited to open this kind of thing?” the flight attendant asked again. But the passenger ignored him and looked down at his phone, as the male flight attendant continued to question him. The passenger eventually admitted that he had been drinking before he tried to grab the lever, and the man eventually had to change seats with another passenger sitting in the same row. He was allowed to remain on the flight, which managed to land safely at Harbin, China without incident. Images: New York Post

Travel Trouble

Jackie O opens up on loneliness post-divorce

Jackie 'O' Henderson has opened up on being gripped with feelings of loneliness in the years following her divorce. Speaking with fans at Luke McLeod's book launch for Everyday Enlightenment on Thursday night, the 49-year-old admitted she is "desperate" to find love and companionship. After being single for over five years, Jackie said it feels like "something's missing" in her life. "I just really want to find someone. I can't find him and I'm sort of a bit lost at the moment," she said. When Luke asked why she was so desperate to get into a relationship, Jackie said she couldn't quite put her finger on it, but it felt like "a piece" of her was "missing". "I have a lot of love to give or I want that affection, that company. It just feels like there's something missing in my life," she added. Jackie went on to tell her fans that Luke had previously given a piece of advice that "changed my life". He said she was giving off too much "desperate energy", and if she really wanted to attract love in her life, then she needed to be grateful for what she already has. "I said to him, 'How am I meant to change what I want and need? I feel like I need that in my life and I really want that. I can't just switch that off,'" she admitted. Jackie has been adopting Luke's technique, and makes time every day to express gratitude for what she already has, and not for what she's missing. 'Now I'm at a place where I've almost gone the other way. I'm so happy being single and not looking for someone because I'm genuinely happy with my life,' she said. Jackie O separated from her husband Lee Henderson in 2018 after they married in 2003, with the pair now co-parenting their daughter Kitty. Image credits: Instagram

Relationships

“I was silenced”: Jelena Dokic opens up on her difficult relationship with her father

Jelena Dokic has opened up about her difficult relationship with her father, and why she attempted to reconcile with him over ten years ago. The former tennis champion shared the details of the abuse she suffered at the hands of her father, documenting that he inflicted regular beatings in her new book Unbreakable. The 40-year-old said her victories on the court made no difference to her father’s violence, writing, “Even if I won, I would still at times be beaten and be abused. I had some very difficult moments where I was beaten and kicked and punched to the point of being unconscious.” Throughout her tennis career, her father Damir was her coach, and accepted nothing less than perfection from his daughter. “I was silenced for my whole life. From the very first day that I started playing tennis, the No. 1 rule was ‘Never tell anyone anything, or there will be massive, massive consequences’,” she said of his dominating personality. Now, Dokic has candidly shared the details of the last time she saw her father, who left her mentally scarred. “I last had contact with him about 10 years ago. And yeah, I even tried to reconcile with him once or twice,” she told the <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/why-i-and-so-many-others-needed-to-apologise-to-jelena-dokic-20240125-p5f050.html">Sydney Morning Herald</a>. “I think no matter what happens, you kind of hope that maybe you can kind of salvage a relationship when it comes to family.” “Those dynamics are always very difficult. But it's very hard when someone doesn't have any remorse or can't say sorry. In fact, what he says is that he would do it all again. So, for me, that is very, very hard.” “I had to make a cut and go, ‘I don't need a toxic person or a toxic relationship in my life’.” Thankfully, the star player turned tennis commentator is in a much better place with her brother and mother. “I have a great relationship with my brother, which I'm really glad about because my father used my brother and weaponised our relationship - not allowing me to talk with him for about seven years, because he was so much younger than me,” she said. “We pretty much talk every day, and with my mum, as well. I've had some tough conversations with her because she was on my father's side - but we're in a good place today.” Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram

Family & Pets

Sofia Vergara opens up on divorce

Sofía Vergara has revealed the reason why she and Joe Manganiello decided to call it quits after seven years of marriage. In an interview with El País, the 51-year-old actress revealed that Manganiello’s desire to have children led to their divorce. “My marriage broke up because my husband was younger; he wanted to have kids, and I didn’t want to be an old mum,” she said. “I feel it’s not fair to the baby.” The Modern Family actress added that although she respects those who wish to have children later in life, the path is just not for her anymore. The actress already has shares a 32-year-old son with her first husband, Joe Gonzalez. “I had a son at 19, who is now 32, and I’m ready to be a grandmother, not a mother,” she said. “When my son becomes a dad, let him bring the baby to me for a while and then I’ll give it back to him and go on with my life; that’s what I have to do," she added. Despite this, the actress is open to love again - as long as her next romantic partner has kids of his own. In July 2023, Vergara and Joe Manganiello announced their <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/sofia-vergara-and-joe-manganiello-announce-separation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">separation</a> in a statement shared to Page Six. “We have made the difficult decision to divorce. As two people that love and care for one another very much, we politely ask for respect of our privacy at this time as we navigate this new phase of our lives,” the statement read. Manganiello, has since moved on, after making his red carpet debut with his 33-year-old actress girlfriend Caitlin O’Connor in December 2023. Image: Getty

Relationships

Cruz Hewitt makes his Australian Open debut

Twenty-seven years after a young Lleyton Hewitt made his entrance into the tennis world, another young Hewitt has made their Australian Open debut. Cruz, the 15-year-old son of Lleyton and Bec, made his big debut in the junior boys’ singles on Sunday, taking on American teen Alexander Razeghi. Cruz Hewitt is the youngest player in the draw and came out as a wildcard in the tournament, with Razeghi ultimately proving more experienced, as Cruz lost 6-2 6-3 in 1 hour and 26 minutes. Despite not claiming the match, the similarities between the young tennis star and his famous father were uncanny, with Cruz sporting the backwards cap and almost identical two-handed backhand. Before taking to the court for the anticipated game, the youngster got in one last masterclass from his dad, a former world No. 1 and two-time grand slam champion, with a quick father-son training session. Undoubtedly filled with nerves for his son, Lleyton spoke to Nine News before the match, saying he was, “Just unbelievably proud, to be honest.” “They asked me late last night if I would go out and warm him up this morning on Show Court 3. Just a really special moment.” “My first ever main draw match at the Australian Open was actually out on Show Court 3 as well.” “Just some great memories coming back of me playing here. He’s been around the traps, but he’s worked extremely hard to get this opportunity. He is playing well.” The crowd rallied behind the 15-year-old player during his match, while proud parents Lleyton and Bec watched on eagerly from the stands. While he fell short of claiming victory against his 17-year-old opponent, Cruz got plenty of encouragement from the crowd as he made the first small steps on his tennis journey. “He’s still very young. This is all a learning experience,” Lleyton said. “That’s what the junior event is all about. You want to get the opportunity to play here as seniors one day.” “He’s been fortunate enough to get a wildcard and hopefully goes out, has a lot of fun.” Image credits: Getty Images

Family & Pets

“Utter madness”: Australian Open thriller drags past 3am

Day five of the Australian Open has seen a nail-biting match between Russian champion Daniil Medvedev and Finnish player Emil Ruusuvuori drag on until 3:30am. The epic match would’ve lasted even longer, if Medvedev didn’t blow away Ruusuvuori in the fifth set, claiming his victory and winning 3-6 6-7 6-4 7-6 6-0. Before the Australian Open began, the ATP and WTA introduced new rules that would force night sessions to begin prior to 7:30pm and prevent matches from going on court after 11pm. However, the Australian Open is not bound by these rules meaning that when Medvedev and Ruusuvuori stepped on court at 11:15pm, there was little chance of them finishing anytime before the early hours of the morning. The match was already in its fourth hour before the fifth set began at 3:20am, as Ruusuvuori lost his steam in the final set. Speaking after the match, Medvedev paid tribute to the fans who stuck around, saying he wouldn’t be among them if he didn’t have to play. “Honestly guys, I would not be here,” Medvedev said. “Thanks for staying.” “If I’d have been a tennis fan and I had come, at 1 I’d be ‘okay, let’s go home, we’ll catch the end of the match on the TV, we’ll watch 30 minutes and then go to bed’.” “So I guess thanks guys, you are strong.” Sports fans and commentators echoed Medvedev’s statements online, as journalist Ryan Sidle wrote on X that the match has descended into “utter madness”. The epic showdown now makes it two years in a row that an Australian Open match has gone into the early hours of the morning, with Thanasi Kokkinakis and Andy Murray taking their AO battle to 4am in the 2023 competition. Image credits: Getty Images

News

“Say it to my face”: Novak Djokovic confronts Aus Open hecklers

Novak Djokovic has confronted rowdy Australian Open audience members, saying the “tough guy” in the crowd “crossed the line” with his unsolicited commentary. The Serbian tennis player was on his way to a victory against Aussie player Alexei Popyrin when he got caught in a verbal altercation with a spectator. The frustrated defending grand slam champion was heard during the match yelling, "Come here and say it to my face" to a fan seated behind him at Rod Laver Arena. "Come here! Come here!" Djokovic could be heard yelling in response to the mouthy spectator. During his post-match press conference after the match win, the world No.1 elaborated on the clash with the spectator, telling the media he won't tolerate such behaviour from disrespectful audience members "I mean, you don't want to know [what he said]. There were a lot of things that were being told to me on the court, particularly from that corner, and the same side the other corner. I was tolerating it for most of the match," Djokovic said. "At one point I had enough, and I asked him whether he wants to come down and tell it to my face. Unfortunately for him, he didn't have the courage to come down. "That's what I was asking him. If you have courage, if you're such a tough man, tough guy, come down and tell it to my face, and let's have a discussion about it.” "He was apologising from far away. That's all it is." "I'm not going to sit and say 'it's all good'. It's not good," he said. "Of course, it upsets me. I'm frustrated. I don't want to be experiencing that, but I have to accept it as it is.” "Sometimes I don't tolerate when somebody crosses the line. That's it." The veteran player declared he would continue to "confront" patrons who attempted to throw him off his game, saying, "I was feeling a lot of mixed emotions today on the court. Not a great atmosphere to play in to be honest for me." Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

Sports journalist dies during Australian Open broadcast

Renowned sports journalist Mike Dickson has passed away while reporting on the Australian Open. The father-of-three was just 10 days away from celebrating his 60th birthday when he collapsed on Wednesday, with his heartbroken family confirming the news of his passing. “We are devastated to announce that our wonderful husband and Dad, Mike, has collapsed and died while in Melbourne for the Aus Open,” his wife Lucy wrote, also attributing the statement to their children Sam, Lucy and Joe. “For 38 years he lived his dream covering sport all over the world. He was a truly great man and we will miss him terribly.” Australian Open organisers said tournament officials were shocked by the news of the popular journalist. "We are shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Mike, our long-standing colleague and friend. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family," the organisation said on X. The UK Daily Mail reporter’s passing has led to scores of tributes including from tennis greats such as Tim Henman and the organisers of the US Open and Wimbledon. The organisers of Wimbledon said it was “deeply saddened” by Mr Dickson’s death. “Mike covered so many of our Championships during his remarkable career in journalism and brought so many stories to so many sports fans around the world.” The US Open said he was “one of the most well respected journalists in the industry,” while the World Tennis Association said Mr Dickson was a “highly respected figure on Tour among players, coaches, staff and everyone connected with tennis”. British tennis player Tim Henman held back tears on TV when discussing Mr Dickson, saying, “It’s incredibly sad that he passed away in Melbourne. He was a great friend of the tennis community”. Image credits: Getty Images

Caring

“Sky’s the limit”: Why Alex de Minaur is the one to watch at the Australian Open

The tennis world is buzzing with excitement as Alex de Minaur, the 24-year-old Australian sensation, extends his remarkable winning streak in the lead-up to the Australian Open. In a recent charity match held in Melbourne, de Minaur displayed his lethal form by securing a notable victory over the reigning Wimbledon champion, Spain's Carlos Alcaraz. Despite the match's charitable nature, this win marks a significant milestone for de Minaur, who is now ranked No.10 in the world – the highest ranking he has ever achieved. As he gears up for the upcoming Australian Open, de Minaur's triumphs and confidence are setting the stage for an electrifying tournament. The charity match against Alcaraz proved to be more than just a philanthropic endeavour, as de Minaur secured his first-ever win over the reigning Wimbledon champ. Alcaraz, currently ranked No.2 in the world, faced a resilient de Minaur who claimed victory with a 6-4, 5-7, (10-3) scoreline. This triumph not only adds a feather to de Minaur's cap but also instills a newfound confidence as he prepares for the intense battles ahead in Melbourne. De Minaur's recent success in the charity match adds to his growing list of upsets, notably highlighted by his stellar performance in the United Cup tournament. The Australian tennis star showcased his prowess by defeating formidable opponents, including Team USA's Taylor Fritz, tennis legend Novak Djokovic, and world No.7 Alexander Zverev. Leading Australia into the semi-finals, de Minaur's exceptional form during the United Cup laid the foundation for his current confidence and high world ranking. Despite his commanding victory in front of a packed Rod Laver Arena, de Minaur remains humble and focused on the challenges ahead. In a post-match statement, he expressed his gratitude and outlined his motivational mantra, quoting, "'How big would you dream if you knew you couldn't fail?' ... I'm pushing myself every day and hopefully the sky's the limit." As the Australian Open approaches, de Minaur's exceptional form and recent triumphs are capturing the attention of tennis enthusiasts worldwide. With a newfound confidence and a career-high ranking, de Minaur is poised for an exciting and potentially groundbreaking performance in Melbourne. The stage is set for a riveting Aus Open, and fans eagerly anticipate witnessing how far de Minaur can push the limits in 2024. Image: Getty

"Bad news": Jimmy Barnes rushed into emergency open heart surgery

Jimmy Barnes has shared a major health update with his fans, just hours before heading into an emergency surgery. The iconic musician took to Instagram to share that he is set to undergo open heart surgery, after a dangerous infection was unable to be controlled. The 67-year-old, who has only recently recovered from pneumonia, announced the news from his hospital bed on Wednesday. "Unfortunately I got some bad news yesterday….despite everyone's best efforts the bacterial infection I've been battling over the last fortnight has apparently now spread to my heart," Barnes wrote. "It's infected an otherwise healthy valve that was replaced some years ago due to a congenital defect, so l'll be getting open heart surgery over the next few hours to clear out this infection and put in a clean valve." <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C0xKOuBhSpS/?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/C0xKOuBhSpS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jimmy Barnes (@jimmybarnesofficial)</a> </div> </blockquote> After announcing the news himself on social media, Barnes' son David Campbell spoke about his father's condition on <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/today/jimmy-barnes-undergoes-open-heart-surgery-after-bacterial-infection-spreads/f4c56d1e-cd25-4a2d-8b24-11b592a4aae8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Today Extra</a>, saying his dad was more frustrated at letting his fans down than anything else. Just before being struck down with the infection, Barnes was due to headline the Rock the Boat 2023 cruise festival. "I am here to allay everyone's fears, he is in wonderful hands," Campbell said. "He loves to work and he is frustrated for the fans who have been booking tickets and coming to his shows, he is passionate about getting crews back up and running in Australia and performing with his band, but is grateful for the nurses and doctors and if he hadn't got bacterial pneumonia, he wouldn't have had this picked up." Campbell said the family were confident in the medical staff looking after his dad and said "it was a blessing" that the infection was picked up when it was. "He is in great hands and he will make a great recovery, so reach out to him on social media because all the love in the world will be good for him," he said. Image credits: Getty Images

Caring

"It was a relief": Rebecca Gibney opens up on mental health struggles

Rebecca Gibney has revealed what a "relief" it was to finally open up about the mental health struggles she faced from 14 to 30-years-old. The New Zealand actress, 58, said she spent a lot of that time "pretending" she was okay despite growing up around domestic violence, as her mother suffered from abuse in the hands of Gibney's late father, Austin. In an interview with Stellar on Saturday, the Packed to the Rafters star shared that she is "loving" how mental health is now being framed. “When I started talking about my mental health struggles and anxiety ... it was a relief,” she told the publication. “I could drop the mask of pretending that I was OK. What I’m loving seeing is that more and more people are now going, ‘I’m not OK’”. Gibney first opened up about her struggles in 2017, when she opened up about the abuse her mother faced and how she was “beaten so badly she had bruises for six months on her legs. “She’d always shut the doors ... you’d hear the yelling and the shouting and the slapping, but you’d never actually see it," she told Women's Day, at the time. After Gibney's father died in 1982, the actress began seeing a therapist, but was "on Valium and in a dark place for quite a while”. In her latest interview with Stellar, Gibney also added that more needed to be done to prevent domestic violence and help survivors. “We still don’t want to talk about it. We need to really drill down (and question), ‘Why is this happening?’ We need more education, more centres," she said. “We need people to be able to get the help they need.” Images: Instagram

Mind

"Betrayed": Shannen Doherty opens up on tough divorce amid cancer battle

Shannen Doherty revealed it all on the debut episode of her new podcast Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty. The actress opened up on her tough split from her husband of 14 years, Kurt Iswarienko, after she found out he had been having an affair for two years, while she was battling brain cancer. She recalled the moment she found out, right before her surgery to remove the tumour in January. “I went into that surgery early in the morning and I went in after I found out that my marriage was essentially over, that my husband had been carrying on an affair for two years,” she said. “To not go in that surgery, even though, being very clear, he wanted to go, I couldn’t go into that surgery with him there. I felt so betrayed.” “At the end of the day, I just felt so incredibly unloved by someone I was with for 14 years, by someone I loved with all my heart,” Doherty continued, adding that she had her family and friends by her side. Though the Charmed actress is currently focusing on her health and the future, she did admit that the entire experience has been overwhelming. “Just to have to go through all of that while trying to figure out if you’re going to get a frickin’ divorce and trying to get to the truth of that,” she said. She added that she was "obsessed" with finding out the truth of the affair, “through conversations, expecting someone to be honest with me.” “If you share 14 years together and you cheated, doesn’t that person deserve the absolute truth regardless of how much that hurts them? If they’re the ones asking for it, if they’re the ones saying, ‘Listen, I get it, I may cry, I may get angry, and this may really suck to hear, but I need to hear it because I need closure and this is how I get my closure.’ So I had a lot of months of trying to figure out what I was going to do,” she explained. She added that the reason why she was trying so hard to make sense of the situation was because she herself does not condone cheating, “If you cheat on me, you’re out," she said. “Then when someone you really, really love, someone that you regard as your absolute best friend in the world, when you’re lied to and you discover they cheated on you, or they finally tell you they’re cheating on you because they’re riddled by guilt or whatever, I didn’t walk away. I couldn’t. I was so confused.” She added that the confusion was also a side effect from her surgery as she was undertaking a bunch of medication and steroids to prevent her brain from swelling. Doherty and Iswarienko tied the knot in 2011 and filed for divorce earlier this year in April. The actress revealed that she struggled with her decision to file for divorce, and did talk to “girlfriend of two years that he cheated on me with.” “And honestly, it’s still really hard. Yes, I made the decision to file for divorce, but I have a lot of memories with this person,” she said. She added that although she takes responsibility for some of the issues in their marriage, she does not take responsibility for the "demise" of it. “I take responsibility not only because of how I was but because of how cancer impacted my marriage and how it impacted him the second time around," she said. "I do not take responsibility for the demise of our marriage because I am not a quitter. If somebody is still showing me loyalty and respect and love, I’m going to hang in there. I’m going to try my hardest," she added. Despite three failed marriages, the actress said that she still believes in love. Images: Getty

Caring

Nick Kyrgios' honest thoughts on Shane Warne's open letter

In 2015, late cricket legend Shane Warne posted an open letter Nick Kyrgios on social media, calling out the then hot-headed tennis player's fiery behaviour off-court. "Dear Nick, we all realise you're only 20 and have a lot to learn buddy, but please don't waste your talent," the letter began. "Everyone in the world, especially us Australians want to respect you. You need to respect the game of tennis and yourself. We all make mistakes. "You're testing our patience mate, show us what you're made of and how hungry you are to be the best in the world. It's time to step up and start winning, no excuses," he added in the scathing letter. "We all make mistakes. It's how we learn from them and the way we conduct ourselves when we lose that shows true character. You're testing our patience mate," he concluded. A then 20-year-old Kyrgios had just beat Spanish champion Rafael Nadal during the 2015 Wimbledon, but also attracted a lot of controversy after insulting Stan Wawrinka at a tournament in Montreal, Canada. This was a particularly difficult time in Kyrgios' career, as he was suspended for 28-days and got a $34,705 fine from the ATP. Since the incident, Kyrgios has managed to get his professional life back on track, and in a recent interview with Piers Morgan on his show Uncensored, the tennis star shared that he never read the letter. "I saw it and didn't read it. I'm never going to be the first one to go out on social media and put someone down," he told the host. He added that he believed that Warne would be proud of how far he's come. "I look back at that letter and at how far I've come and I'd say he would be proud for sure. I’ve had a pretty successful career. I feel I've won a lot more than I've lost." Images: Getty

New outdoor cinema with Queen-size beds opening

Do you ever find yourself torn between wanting to catch a flick and the irresistible allure of your comfy bed? Well, brace yourself, because Sydney's movie scene is about to get a serious dose of comfort with the grand opening of Mov'in Bed in Barangaroo. Yes, you read that right – a cinema where you can literally Netflix and chill on a queen-size bed! Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Barangaroo skyline, Mov'in Bed promises a cinema experience that'll make you question why you ever settled for uncomfortable theatre seats in the first place. Picture this: a giant 15-metre 4K screen, plush queen-size cloud-like beds, and a total transformation of Barangaroo's Harbour Park into a sandy tropical paradise. It's like combining a day at the beach with a movie night – talk about the best of both worlds. The grand opening on January 12 marks the return of Mov'in Bed after an extended intermission courtesy of the pandemic. If you've been waiting for the perfect excuse to combine your passion for cinema with your love of lounging, this is it. The lineup promises a mix of new-release blockbusters and timeless classics, with films like Trolls and Barbie making their debut on the giant Mov'in Bed screen. For those who like to take their movie nights up a notch, Mov'in Bed offers VIP packages that include unlimited popcorn, bubbly on arrival and even a personal butler. Because why settle for a regular cinema experience when you can have someone cater to your every cinematic whim? But what about the practicalities, you ask? Fear not, for Mov'in Bed has thought of everything. Each bed comes with comfy blankets, LED-lit bedside tables for those all-important snacks – and, of course, comfy pillows for all your cinematic napping needs. And to ensure you don't miss a single dialogue or explosion, noise-cancelling headphones are provided – because the only explosions you want to hear are on the screen, not your neighbour's popcorn bag. And let's not forget the halftime experience; a nostalgic nod to classic drive-in nights where you can replenish your snacks or hit the bathroom during those longer films. Scorcese's epic Killers of the Flower Moon with its 3-hour-and-26-minute runtime? No worries, you've got time for a quick snack break without missing any plot twists. Mov'in Bed isn't just a cinema; it's a full-blown cinematic event. Partnering with local restaurants, you can savour delicious dinners while catching the latest blockbuster. It's the perfect excuse for a summer evening date night or a laid-back hangout with friends. So, mark your calendars, Sydney-siders! Mov'in Bed Barangaroo is here to redefine your summer nights from January 12 to April 14, 2024. Whether you're a film buff, a beach lover, or just someone who appreciates the genius of combining the two, <a href="https://movinbed.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mov'in Bed</a> is the place to be. Because why settle for a regular movie night when you can have a cinema experience that's fun, chill, laid-back and upbeat – all while lying in the lap of luxury? Get ready to sink into cinematic bliss under the glistening Sydney moon! Images: Mov'in Bed.

Movies

Fergie opens up about cancer “paranoia”

Sarah Ferguson has spoken candidly about feeling paranoid that her cancer would return. The Duchess of York appeared on a UK morning show, and shared how she regularly wakes in the middle of night in a panic that she would “get cancer somewhere else”. The 64-year-old royal, who appeared on the show to talk about the importance of attending your regular mammogram appointments, said, “You start four in the morning syndrome.” “You know that moment when you suddenly wake up and go ‘oh I'm sure I've got cancer somewhere else... I'm gonna go and ring my doctor’.” “I'm getting over that but it's only been a few months since I've had the operation, so I'm just beginning to sit up straight.” The Duchess also opened up about feeling grateful that her diagnosis was caught early, and navigating the “feeling of demise” at the reality of living with cancer. “I caught it so early, just in time,” she added. “The real thing is, it's that terrible fear of ‘oh no, it won't happen to me’... and that's why I want to shout about it. I wouldn't be sitting here if I hadn't have gone.” Fergie admitted that she had been putting off her routine appointment, but her older sister, who was visiting her from Australia, pushed her to have the mammogram. The Duchess added that she's “very grateful” to the Royal Free Hospital and the NHS, praising their detection systems. “I had a shadow, it was like a splat,” she explained. “Eighteen months before, it wasn't there. So it had come on from the last mammogram to this mammogram.” She also added she will “never forget” her drive from the hospital. “Your mind goes into, ‘oh my god I've got to have a mastectomy, and you look it up and it's all so terrifying and this is what's going to happen and then I'm not going to see my grandchildren grow up’.” “That's what goes through your head... it's that feeling of demise.” Image credits: Getty Images

Caring

Melissa Leong opens up on sudden MasterChef exit

Melissa Leong has addressed the "chaos" and "confusion" behind the recent rumours that she got <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/melissa-leong-axed-just-weeks-ahead-of-filming" target="_blank" rel="noopener">axed</a> from MasterChef Australia in a statement released on Instagram. The food critic revealed that she voluntarily chose to leave the show, as she embraces a "new delicious chapter" of her life. “I get that there is going to be a bit of confusion and chaos about the ‘why’ of it all right now," she wrote in the statement released on Instagram. "I’m here and happy to clear that up, because negative tropes draped around women who achieve something is boring, and frankly we are all better than that,” she continued. “This is a shift I embrace with joy. One that allows everyone involved, to expand. To put it plainly, I’m very fortunate to continue to be a key part of [MasterChef], yet have the space to evolve my career. “In effect, I get to have my cake and eat it too…and what could be better than that?!” <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/CyxJ1y6Lvwy/?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/CyxJ1y6Lvwy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Melissa Leong | FOODERATI (@fooderati)</a> </div> </blockquote> This statement comes just two days after Leong <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cyu7xa_Ld-D/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">thanked Network Ten </a>for it's continued support, after three years on the show alongside Andy Allen and the late Jock Zonfrillo. “My time as co-host and judge on @MasterChefAU has been a great gift. To have been given the opportunity to learn and grow – and now to be given the vote of confidence to expand and evolve the MasterChef universe is huge!” she wrote in the Instagram post. She added that she is looking forward to share a few new projects that she has coming up, including the upcoming second season of Dessert Masters Australia on Ten, which she will co-host with pastry chef Amaury Guichon. "On top of all that joy, I am excited to share with you (soon), some other projects I’ve been working on behind the scenes, so watch this space! "My gratitude to our audience for all your support, can't wait for you to see the new show." Leong will be replaced by 2009 MasterChef runner-up Poh Ling Yeow and Michelin star chef Jean-Christophe Novelli. Leong shared her well-wishes for the new judges. “It is with great warmth and enthusiasm that I wish this new line-up of judges and hosts all the best in making it theirs, and big love to @andyallencooks for leading the way,” “The changing of the guard is one I always planned to embrace, and I’m so glad to do that, on my terms, today.” Images: Getty

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"I am lucky to be here": Julie Goodwin opens up on childhood trauma