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Comic makes headlines after taking on landlord

Australian comedian Tom Cashman is looking to start a trend that could help revolutionise the rental market.While on his search for a new apartment in Sydney, Tom was successful on an application for a property that “wasn’t my favourite”, but he decided to seize his opportunity. Tom emailed the real estate agent handling the rental property to request something he’s “never asked for before”. He went on to ask the agent for a “landlord reference”, which would involve the landlord of the property providing feedback from a past tenant. Tom argues that turning the tables on the rental application dynamic could make for a more honest and informed arrangement from both the landlord and prospective tenants. “It occurs to me I’ve never heard anyone ask for this, but they [the landlord] ask me for like three references to see if I’m a good guy; what about them?” Mr Cashman said in the social media post.“Are you [the landlord] a good guy? Are you going to fix stuff? Are you going to reply to my emails, or are you just going to ignore me once I’m in there?”Documenting the experience on his social media accounts, Tom updated his followers when he got a response from the leasing agent. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF;border: 0;border-radius: 3px;margin: 1px;max-width: 540px;min-width: 326px;padding: 0;width: calc(100% - 2px)" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CZbDSh4lIDa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"><div style="padding: 16px"><div style="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="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="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="flex-direction: row;margin-bottom: 14px;align-items: center"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;height: 12.5px;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"> </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"> </div></div><div style="margin-left: auto"><div style="width: 0px;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right: 8px solid transparent"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;flex-grow: 0;height: 12px;width: 16px"> </div><div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left: 8px solid transparent"> </div></div></div><div style="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><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/tv/CZbDSh4lIDa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tom Cashman (@tomcashman1)</a></div></blockquote>The agent asked for clarification on what Tom meant, and when he elaborated, the agent claimed the landlord did not want to provide a reference, saying it was “not a requirement”.After more back and forth via email, Tom was shocked when his previously successful application to rent the property was withdrawn. Since his experience has gone viral, the Real Estate Institution of Australia has backed Tom’s idea, saying a landlord reference is a “reasonable request”.“I think it's quite a reasonable request for a tenant to say, 'Look, I just want to get a bit of a feel for how the landlord is. Are they popping in all the time unannounced? Are they purporting to be looking at the garden or something like that?” Real Estate Institute of Australia president Hayden Groves <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-04/the-renter-who-asked-for-references/100802402">told the ABC</a>. Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram @tomcashman1

Real Estate

Prince Harry refers to "darkest of places" in new Netflix documentary

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> Prince Harry refers to the "darkest of places" in the latest Netflix documentary Rising Phoenix, which focuses on the creation of the Paralympics and the challenges competitors have faced. To promote the new documentary, Harry appeared via Zoom alongside other athletes. "There isn't anything else in the world that can bring you back from the darkest of places than sport," the Prince explained. Other athletes in the group included Tatyana McFadden and Matt Stutzman from the US, Bebe Vio from Italy, Jean-Baptiste Alaize from France and Ntando Mahlangu from South Africa. "With COVID and everything else that is happening at the moment, your stories and the strength that you guys show, is incredible and that needs to be seen more," the Duke of Sussex says. "It needs to be spoken about more, to try and get rid of the stereotyping to get rid of those preconceptions. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> The Duke of Sussex spoke to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RisingPhoenix?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RisingPhoenix</a> stars <a href="https://twitter.com/ArmlessArcher?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArmlessArcher</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jbalaize?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jbalaize</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TatyanaMcFadden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TatyanaMcFadden</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/VioBebe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VioBebe</a> and Ntando Mahlangu about the power of sport to change the world and the way we think. Rising Phoenix – the extraordinary story of the <a href="https://twitter.com/Paralympics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Paralympics</a> - is out now on Netflix. <a href="https://t.co/Kzq0COg6RF">pic.twitter.com/Kzq0COg6RF</a> — HTYT Stories (@HTYTstories) <a href="https://twitter.com/HTYTstories/status/1301523211667099649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2020</a></blockquote> "My biggest hope is that people will watch this film and go, 'No matter how hard my life is, no matter how hard a day or a week can be, this what I aspire to, not just for me but for my family and all the loved ones around me'. "It is that element that I think will end up changing the world, so well done and thank you very much." The Duke of Sussex is a long-time advocate for overcoming adversity as he created the Invictus Games, which gives wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women the chance to compete in sports to assist their recovery and rehabilitation. Rising Phoenix is now available to watch on Netflix. </div> </div> </div>

News

This may be the most important energy news we’ve ever seen…

Are you tired of paying high energy bills? Something new happened on July 1st that can help you save on your energy bill. Something that’s so big that we’re confident saying it’s the most important energy news we’ve ever seen. We understand that’s a rather big claim to make – so let us prove it to you. What can be so big that would make it the most important energy news we’ve ever seen? As of July 1st, the Australian Government set a new benchmark or ‘Reference Price’ for electricity plans. [1] So, why does this matter to you? This new ‘Reference Price’ is a common benchmark price that’s set by the Australian Energy Regulator and varies based on your region. So now, if you want to save money on your energy costs, retailers in your area are required to start at the same price that’s set by the AER when offering discounts. You want to keep as much of your money as you can, don’t you? Here’s the quick version on how you can save. In most cases, retailers are now required to advertise against this new ‘Reference Price’ – so when you compare services, the plan that shows the highest discount will now be the cheapest. [2] When comparing energy retailers you now have a baseline number to start from. So when a retailer says they’re giving you a discount you know exactly how much you’re saving. Simple, right? Let’s get started. This new program is straightforward, easy and fast. That’s why last month alone over 40,000 Aussies have used <a href="https://electricityandgas.com.au/over-sixty-2/?utm_medium=sponsoredarticle&utm_source=over60&utm_campaign=october">ElectricityandGas.com.au</a> to compare and save on their energy costs. It’s entirely risk-free. Either you save money – or you just lose a small amount of time. With only a few minutes, our customers are now finding plans that save them an average of $160 each year. Here’s How You Do It: Step 1: Select your State below. Step 2: After answering a few questions, you will have the opportunity to compare quotes in your area and could be eligible for significant savings. <a href="https://electricityandgas.com.au/over-sixty-2/?utm_medium=sponsoredarticle&utm_source=over60&utm_campaign=october"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.34556574923545px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7831653/energy-bill-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2c5162db46a84189a50bf6fd22b4c54f" /></a> Still not convinced? Here’s how it works compared to the old system. Let me give you an example… Under the new system, let’s say that this new ‘Reference Price’ for your area is $1000 for 3900 kWh a year. <ul> <li>Retailer #1 offers a 50% discount</li> <li>Retailer #2 offers a 25% discount</li> </ul> You can now be sure that if you use 3900 kWh a year you would be paying Retailer #1 $500 and Retailer #2 $750. Easy, right? Before July 1st, it was much more complicated. Let’s assume they offered the same discounts for the same 3900 kWh a year: <ul> <li>Retailer #1 offers a 50% discount</li> <li>Retailer #2 offers a 25% discount</li> </ul> You may have seen something like this and thought to yourself “Wow! 50% off, what a great deal”. Then switched energy plans to save money… Only to find yourself paying even more. While a 50% discount sounds like twice the deal, the actual price could have been higher when compared to the 25% discount. This is because there was no set rate. <ul> <li>If the rate for Retailer #1 was $1800 you would have paid $900 with the 50% discount.</li> <li>If the rate for Retailer #2 was $1000 you would have paid $750 with the 25% discount.</li> </ul> Confusing, isn’t it? This is why the Australian Energy Regulator decided to simplify things with the new ‘Reference Price’ system — and suggests shopping around to try to find a way to reduce your costs. In their words: “This will make it much easier to find a better deal”. [3] Last year almost 400,000 Aussies chose <a href="https://electricityandgas.com.au/over-sixty-2/?utm_medium=sponsoredarticle&utm_source=over60&utm_campaign=october">ElectricityandGas.com.au</a> to help them compare, switch and save. Now it’s your turn – your savings are only a few clicks away. Get Started Now: Step 1: Select your State below. Step 2: After answering a few questions, you will have the opportunity to compare quotes in your area and could be eligible for significant savings. <a href="https://electricityandgas.com.au/over-sixty-2/?utm_medium=sponsoredarticle&utm_source=over60&utm_campaign=october"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.08395324123273px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7831652/energy-bill-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/76e8df8968b54c358f7475ac064a44e7" /></a> REFERENCES [1] <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/health-home-travel/electricity-prices#reference-price">Australian Competition and Consumer Commission</a> [2] <a href="https://www.energy.gov.au/sites/default/files/price_safety_net_resources.pdf">Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy</a> [3] According to average customer data provided by Thought World in May 2018. Figure based on previous customer data and could change on a customer to customer basis. [4] <a href="https://www.energy.gov.au/sites/default/files/price_safety_net_resources.pdf">Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy</a> This article is opinion only and should not be taken as medical or financial advice. Check with a financial professional before making any decisions.

Money & Banking

Wife killer Borce Ristevski given glowing character reference by daughter

A glowing character reference has been submitted by Sarah Ristevski in favour of her father, Borce Ristevski, and was heard in court. Sarah, 23, was asked whether or not she wanted to submit a victim impact statement about the death of her mother Karen Ristevski – who Borce confessed to killing – but declined in favour of submitting a character reference for her father. She described her dad as “loving”, “sympathetic” and “protective”. Sarah also said that she wanted to experience a marriage like her parents shared one day. She told the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/courts-law/karen-ristevskis-family-lash-wife-killer-borce-in-court/news-story/aea75779710ed1b6adc0e17a86f7c38b" target="_blank">Victorian Supreme Court</a>: “It pains me inside to hear all of these untrue claims about my parents’ marriage and the love they had for each other from people who were not a part of their lives and I can’t stress enough how much this has affected my dad,” Sarah wrote in the statement. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7824783/borce.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/87dba910b8dd48fdb544c860f263027c" /> She also explained the impact that the murder confession had on her father. “Since the act of violence, my dad has experienced job loss, a loss of respect within the community and the loss of close long-term friendships,” Sarah wrote. “The circumstances have left me without both of my parents and I know there is nothing I can do to change that but all I can try to do is communicate the truth of how good of a dad and husband he was to my mum and I.” Victim impact statements were written by Karen Ristevski’s family and read out on the first day of the pre-sentence hearing. A cousin of Karen’s, Nevada Knight, told the court she had lost 15kg “by going days and weeks without being able to move” after Karen went missing. “I would vomit every time I moved,” Nevada said. Patricia Grey also broke down in the witness box, which was metres away from Borce. Grey said: “To watch ... as he was comforted by family and friends, to hear lies spew from his mouth — it would’ve made me sick. “I can never forgive Borce for the lies and deceit and manipulation,” she told the court through tears. “He manipulated his family. I believe he bullied and manipulated (Sarah).” Grey went on to say that she didn’t think Borce was remorseful. “You’ve had almost three years to come forward. That’s not remorse. That’s selfishness. “Her body was discarded in the most inhumane way. It takes only a second to dial triple-0.”

Legal

John Howard's glowing character reference for George Pell revealed

Former Australian prime minister John Howard has provided a glowing character reference for disgraced Cardinal George Pell, who was convicted of child sexual offences in December. In the letter directed to the Melbourne County Court dated February 26, Howard described the high-profile Catholic cleric as "a person of both high intelligence and exemplary character". Howard wrote, "I am aware he has been convicted of those charges; that an appeal against the conviction has been lodged and that he maintains his innocence in respect of these charges. None of these matters alter my opinion of the Cardinal." He explained that he first met Pell about 30 years ago, when the latter was working in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. "Cardinal Pell is a person of both high intelligence and exemplary character. Strength and sincerity have always been features of his personality. I have always found him to be lacking hypocrisy and cant. In his chosen vocation he has frequently displayed much courage and held to his values and beliefs, irrespective of the prevailing wisdom of the time. "It is my view that he has dedicated his life to his nation and his church." Since the news about the character reference emerged, Howard had kept his comments on the case to a minimum. "[Pell] continues to declare his innocence, and has lodged an appeal," Howard told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.9news.com.au/2019/02/28/08/02/news-george-pell-john-howard-speaks-character-reference" target="_blank">9News</a> on Thursday morning. "In those circumstances, it is not appropriate for me to make any comment at all and I do not intend to do so." Howard is one of the 10 people who provided character references for Pell. Lawyer Robert Richter QC said these people – T.K. Tobin, Sue Buckingham, Anne McFarlane, Chris Meney, Greg Craven, Elsie Heiss, Katrina Potter, Daniel Casey and Michael Casey – do not believe that Pell "is capable of these offences" either. Former Channel Ten newsreader Katrina Lee has also shown support for Pell, staying by his side throughout the trial on <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/why-is-1980s-newsreader-katrina-lee-standing-by-george-pells-side/">Tuesday</a>. <img style="width: 450px; height: 253px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7824144/herogp.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/80878d1c1c364fbbb8a9ae8be6ddc474" /> According to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/pm-scott-morrison-moves-to-strip-cardinal-george-pell-of-highest-honour/news-story/39ab44b0543622824957c5a2064f9ed2" target="_blank">News.com.au</a>, Howard’s stance seemed to be in contrast with current PM Scott Morrison, who reportedly is looking to strip the cardinal of his Order of Australia honour. In December, Pell was found guilty of five counts of child sex charges committed in 1996 against two 13-year-old choirboys. On Wednesday, Pell withdrew his bail application as prosecutors told the court that the 77-year-old "has shown no remorse" about his crimes and he spent the night in jail on February 27. The Vatican has also confirmed that it is investigating Pell's case, which could see the Australian cleric dismissed from priesthood.

Legal

The subtle reference to Meghan’s divorce in the royal wedding invitations

The final details are coming together as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding on May 19 draws closer. One of the latest details to be revealed about the wedding are the traditional invitations that have been sent to guests, with <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5553565/Prince-Harry-Meghan-Markle-wedding-invite-includes-subtle-nod-divorce.html" target="_blank">MailOnline</a>’s etiquette expert William Hanson noticing one subtle reference hidden in the copy. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> The invitations follow many years of Royal tradition and have been made by <a href="https://twitter.com/BarnardWestwood?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BarnardWestwood</a>. They feature the Three-Feathered Badge of the Prince of Wales printed in gold ink. <a href="https://t.co/cd7LBmRJxO">pic.twitter.com/cd7LBmRJxO</a> — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/976828794249076737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2018</a></blockquote> On the invites issued in Prince Charles’ name, Meghan is referred to as “Ms” Markle, where as in 2011, the Duchess of Cambridge was referred to as Miss Catherine Middleton. “The royal household, in particular the Queen, has never before acknowledged the honourific Ms – regardless of whether it was being used to signify a divorced woman or one who did not feel her marital status was of importance,” said Hanson. “It was first used in connection to Meghan in the November engagement announcement and since then has been used throughout the royal household's communications, on press releases, invitations and social media. “I would imagine Meghan herself has asked to be styled accordingly and that there is no slight intended on Prince Harry's fiancée. It is another subtle sign that the royal household is moving with the times." Meghan was previously married to film producer Trevor Engelson, with the pair marrying in 2011 after seven years of dating. Three years later the couple divorced citing irreconcilable differences, with some claiming it was due to clashes in their work schedules. Prince Harry and Meghan’s invites were shared with the public last week and were produced by company Barnard & Westwood, which has held a Royal Warrant for Printing and Binding by Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen since 1985. The invites read, “His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales KG KT requests the pleasure of the company of....... at the marriage of His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales with Ms Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on Saturday 19th May, 2018 at 12 Noon followed by a reception at Windsor Castle.” It is expected that 600 guests will attend the wedding service and then enjoy a lunchtime reception at St George’s Hall, held by the Queen. Later, 200 guests are invited to a private reception at Frogmore House given by Prince Charles.

Relationships

7 sneaky adult references in kids’ books

We’ve <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2015/09/dirty-jokes-in-kids-movies/" target="_blank">previously taken a look</a> at some of the adult jokes that were sneaked into so-called “family friendly” movies, but it seems those cheeky writers and illustrators are just as good at hiding them in kids’ books, too! Twitter users have taken to the social media site to share the cheeky, risqué jokes they’ve found in their little ones’ books, and we have to say, we don’t know how some of them managed to get published! See for yourself in the gallery above and tell us in the comments, have you ever spotted an adults-only joke in a family movie or kids’ book?

Books

The hidden reference in Back to the Future everyone missed

If you have watched Back to the Future, you would have only spotted this reference if you watch the credits after the movie. In the movie, Marty McFly travels to 1955 and he crashes the DeLorean into the Peabody’s barn. Due to the crash, the Peabody family stick their heads out from the barn. <img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/35532/in-text_498x245.jpg" alt="In Text (2)"/> The little boy claims that the Time Machine is a UFO like he has seen in comics. In the credits, we find out the name of the boy is Sherman. Yes, as in Sherman Peabody. This is a subtle reference to fellow time travellers, Sherman and his dog Mr Peabody. Did you pick up this hidden reference when you watched the film? Let us know in the comments below.

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