Innholdsfortegnelse for 28 September 2020 i New Idea

This week’s Emmy Awards marks the beginning of the red-carpet award season, but as with everything in 2020, it’s set to be a little different than normal. Thankfully, not even a global pandemic will stop Hollywood from glamming up – so, as always, we can expect beautiful dresses and over-the-top speeches to help distract us from the current day-to-day. And I’m sure there will be some jaw-dropping moments, as we’ve seen in past ceremonies – turn to page 30 to remind yourself of some of the best. Plus, this week psychic Linda Roberts tells New Idea her predictions for the next year, and reveals when she believes life will start getting back to normal ……

In a clear sign that their decades-long estrangement is firmly in the past, Ryan and Tatum O’Neal beamed alongside one another in a new family photo shared on Instagram by Tatum’s son, Sean McEnroe, last week. “The last time we were all together was at the 30-year Paper Moon anniversary in 2003,” he wrote. “I could cry tears of gratitude that … we were all able to come together again after so many years of hardship … If the O’Neals can reconcile, truly anything is possible .”…

Two years ago, Australia’s favourite swim star Lisa Curry was on cloud nine after marrying her sweetheart, Elvis impersonator Mark Tabone. Last week, her world came crashing down after the tragic death of her eldest daughter, Jaimi Kenny, aged just 33. A distraught Lisa said she could “barely breathe” after losing the daughter she shared with ex-husband, Grant Kenny. “Our hearts are completely broken,” the 58-year-old wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo with Jaimi that showed how strikingly similar they were. “So loved. So beautiful. So kind to everyone … So painful. I can barely breathe.” A day later, Lisa thanked her followers for their “outpouring of love and strength”. She urged parents to “give your children the biggest hug and tell them how much you love them, and do…

Earlier this month, Prince Andrew was seen visiting the Queen and Prince Philip at Balmoral Estate. Now, New Idea can reveal that the Duke of Edinburgh, 99, had summoned his second son for crisis talks about his 100th birthday next year. “The decision to cut down Prince Andrew’s role in the planned celebrations ... is one of the toughest decisions Prince Philip will have had to make in his life,” says Nigel Cawthorne, author of Prince Andrew, Epstein and the Palace. “But he knows that Andrew’s name is poison currently and that the survival of the monarchy requires that Buckingham Palace backs away from his son. It is a poignant moment, and the loss of Prince Andrew’s HRH title is highly likely merely a matter of time.”…

Tension is set to reach boiling point on The Block after one contestant took unfair advantage during the unprecedented COVID-19 shutdown period. Just a stone’s throw away from the building site is the home of Victorian team, Harry and Tash. From the get-go, this has given the team an obvious advantage. But it appears Harry took it too far and was spotted sneaking around the set during lockdown – although Tash, 32,  insists the duo weren’t cheating. “Our advantage only felt apparent at the start when people were trying to find their feet in Melbourne,” she told New Idea. Meanwhile, the culprit himself Harry, 57, also stressed that their advantage was solely limited to “local knowledge”. “Our advantage… is that we’re local to Melbourne and local to Bayside,” says Harry.…

When it came to getting her kit off, comedian Fiona was thankful for the surgery she had done. “I treated myself to a tummy tuck in 2018, and I was very grateful for that during filming,” the 57-year-old says. “Especially when I was being fitted with my corset. I’m obsessed with corsets now and would wear one every day if I could.” The mother of five and grandmother of one says the thought of her granddaughter, Una, 2, makes her smile. “[My love for Una] is one of the deepest loves I’ve ever known,” she says.…

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SHOULD YOU REALLY BUY ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS ONCE YOU’RE OUT THE DOOR? BLOW-DRY Once your hair has dried off you can see exactly what the hairdresser has done and decide whether you like it or not. CONDITIONING TREATMENT It’s not an absolute must-have but if you do invest, your hair will look so much healthier. SALON-ONLY SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER They’re worth it if your budget stretches that far – but if you choose the right at-home products, your hair can look pretty damn good! TONER Nine times out of 10, a blonde needs a toner. It’s hard to get the result you want without your locks looking brassy, and a toner will help reduce this effect.…

GRAPES The toxic substance within grapes (and raisins as well) is unknown, but these fruits can cause kidney failure in dogs. NUTS Nuts, including almonds, pecans and walnuts, contain high amounts of oils and fats. The fats can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and potentially pancreatitis in pets. CHOCOLATE Chocolate contains methylxanthines, which are found in cacao seeds, and when ingested by pets, it can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, as well as panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Note that darker chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. MILK Because pets do not possess significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk), milk and other dairy-based products cause digestive upsets. ONIONS Onions can cause gut and stomach irritation and…

Find out what’s on your horizon.. IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY … If you make better communication your aim in the coming 12 months, you will make the most of your 2020 birthday chart. There are undoubtedly going to be some challenges. Your lessons are about learning when to quit, not poking the bear, so to speak, and being practical, even when you feel exhausted. A year to work through money issues. READER Q&A Q Can you give me an idea of the direction we should be taking to make our online business a success? CHRISSY, SYDNEY. A The problem with asking the cosmic realms for an answer is that sometimes they come back with the last thing you wanted to hear. A card literally jumped out of the pack as…

There’s no need to do a double-take if you happen to spot Home and Away newcomer Maddy Jevic out and about with the gorgeous young folk from Summer Bay. For the talented 27-year-old actress and musician, who plays Dean’s (Patrick O’Connor) feisty baby mama Amber, spending time with her new castmates both on and off the set has become one of the joys of joining the long-running drama. “I’m so besotted,” she exclaims with a laugh. “We’re all like a big family. Sam Frost (who plays Jasmine) is beautiful – she’s one of the kindest human beings I’ve ever met, and has made my experience of joining the show so easy. And Sarah Roberts (Willow) is beautiful, too. Honestly, everyone is divine and we have drinks sometimes and chat. We’re…

It was love at first sight when Team Greece’s Dezi met her future husband, Michael – even if she was only 16 at the time. “We were at his cousin’s party and I was the one that didn’t pay attention to  him – because he was quite cute!” says Dezi, 41. The couple have been together ever since – although the mother-of-two admits her “strict Greek parents” needed some convincing. “Greek parents always do their background check to check he’s a ‘good boy’,” Dezi reveals. “But it was fine once they met him. And my mum loves him because he eats everything!” The couple share two daughters, Mia, 11 and Chloe, 8, and recently celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary. “Michael is my best friend and I wouldn’t want to be…

She might have been axed from Studio 10 last month, but Kerri-Anne Kennerley isn’t cutting ties with the network just yet. Despite whispers that she might be moving to Nine, New Idea can exclusively reveal the Aussie TV legend has inked a six-figure deal to appear on the third season of The Masked Singer! “She’s left the lowest-rating show on the network to go to one of the highest-rating shows,” dishes an insider. “Before leaving the building, Kerri-Anne met with executives to negotiate being on the next series of The Masked Singer. It was a no-brainer and the deal was signed straight away. She’s getting about $100,000.” Kerri-Anne, who turns 67 this week, has always loved belting out a tune. A born entertainer, she was part of a children’s singing…

Grant Denyer and wife Chezzi are baring all in a shocking new tell-all podcast about the ups and downs of their marriage. In the unfiltered chats, the expecting couple reveal the truth about how they started their relationship while working together on Sunrise and Grant’s dependency on pain medication after breaking his back. Chezzi recounts in one episode: “[There were] so many drug psychosis episodes where Grant would kick me out of the house thinking I was an imposter dressed up as Chezzi!” In the first episode, the pair also recall how they had to sneak around when they started dating in 2008. “Colleagues started to cotton on, rumours started to spread and you had paparazzi waiting outside your apartment,” Grant said. “I was trying to sneak in and out…

Royal watchers are convinced Princess Beatrice is expecting her first child with husband Edo Mapelli, after she was spotted covering up her stomach with a shopping bag while in London recently. And it seems bets are on! “We’re expecting a baby for Beatrice in the coming months and wouldn’t be surprised to hear a pregnancy announcement before the year is out, after she tied the knot back in July,” bookmakers Ladbrokes spokesman Alex Apati told the Express. Meanwhile, Bea may not be the only royal set to announce a baby on the way. Princess Diana’s niece Kitty Spencer is also rumoured to be keen to start a family with her multi-millionaire fiance, Michael Lewis, 60. The duo announced their engagement in January. “Michael proposed to Kitty before Christmas,” a friend…

Radio star Fifi Box was also mourning the death of Jaimi Kenny. Fifi and Jaimi shared a close bond, as Jaimi was the half-sister of Fifi’s daughter, Trixie, 7, due to Fifi’s short-lived romance with Jaimi’s father, Grant. Paying tribute on social media, Fifi, 43, said losing Jaimi was “suffocating”. “We laughed, we cried, we shared so many wonderful memories that I will keep alive for Trixie, who loved her big sister so much, her little heart is broken,” she wrote. “You loved Trixie with all your heart and she felt every inch of your love. With every tight squeezy cuddle, your love poured into her.” She went on to describe Jaimi as a “true and loyal friend”.…

Placing her hand on her growing baby bump, Anna Heinrich looked every inch an excited mum-to-be as she and hubby Tim Robards enjoyed a babymoon in Byron Bay recently. “Isn’t she a cutie?” smitten Tim captioned a photo of his wife on Instagram. Back in June, the couple announced they are expecting a baby girl, sharing snaps from their gender-reveal party on social media. “Looks like she’s going to be Daddy’s lil girl!,” Tim captioned a photo. “Still wrapping my head around becoming a father, but I cannot wait to wrap my little girl in so much love, hugs and spikey bearded kisses when she’s ready to join us.”…

Sofia Vergara has made George Clooney an offer he won’t be able to refuse. The 48-year-old Colombian actress is plotting a new money-spinning crime caper flick and wants the ageing heartthrob, 59, to be her leading man. Hollywood is buzzing about the explosive on-screen pairing and already streaming giant Netflix has “put a blank cheque down to make this happen”. “George is brilliant at comedy and he’s got the same sex appeal Sofia does,” says a pal. “The two of them together is a multimillion-dollar prospect and his team know it.” George and Sofia first met back in 2015 at the Met Gala. They have often been at the same events since, but their teams have generally kept them apart due to their star power. “THE TWO OF THEM TOGETHER…

Hollywood golden girl Drew Barrymore has scored the first points in her freshly brewing battle against the recently toppled queen of daytime TV, Ellen DeGeneres. Amid backlash against her alleged bullying of staff – both at work and home – Ellen was forced to delay her return to the small screen for another week as she prepared to publicly address the scandal. However, this paved the way for Drew to launch her own self-titled show. And the 45-year-old wasted no time taking what some have called “potshots” at Ellen, who has been accused of banning staff from making eye contact with her, “taking pleasure” in firing people, and even accusing her security of being overweight. Addressing the lack of studio audience due to COVID-19 restrictions during her debut show, a…

Keanu Reeves, 56, and his partner Alexandra Grant, 47 are “solidifying their relationship” by adopting a child together, reveals a source. “They’ve both been so happy since they started dating. A family would be the icing on the cake,” says the source. “Keanu’s a very caring person. He’d be a natural [father].” In 1999, Keanu’s girlfriend, Jennifer Syme, gave birth to a stillborn baby girl – whom they named Ava – when she was eight months’ pregnant. A little over a year later Jennifer was tragically killed in a car crash. “Alexandra has brought joy back into Keanu’s life,” adds the source. “She helped heal his broken heart. It’s been a beautiful thing to see.”…

Ever beach-ready as one of the gorgeous young stars of Home and Away, Sam Frost appears happy and confident in her own skin. And yet that hasn’t always been the case. “I CERTAINLY FEEL LIKE I GREW AS A HUMAN BEING” For the popular actress, the filming of Channel Seven’s The All New Monty: Guys & Gals was an emotion-charged experience. As we see in the show, in which Sam and other big-name celebrities strip off for a good cause, feeling body confident hasn’t come naturally at times. “I think a lot of females struggle with body confidence and insecurities about their bodies,” she reflects, admitting candidly to New Idea: “It was something I didn’t think was going to come up for me. But it just sort of bubbled up…

If anyone knows what it’s like to bare all on national TV, it’s Aussie favourite Georgie Parker. After shedding her clothes last year, she’s back as co-host of The All New Monty, along with Shane Jacobson, guiding the celebrities to their big reveal on stage. Are the stars nervous? You bet, Georgie says. “It’s out of everyone’s comfort zone in many ways,” the dual Gold Logie winner, 55, says of the show. “A lot of these people aren’t actual performers on stage, and certainly not in the way that we ask them to be. “Then we ask them to not only perform and dance, but to take their clothes off. The only thing that really gets them over the line is the reason why they’re doing it.” The ladies are…

I was sitting at the kitchen table, feeding Ben his bottle, when I heard Emile run down the stairs in a panic. “I’m late for work,” he announced, popping his head into the doorway. “I’ve got to go but I’ll see you later.” “OK, I’ll see you tonight,” I replied, listening to him open the front door. “Bye!” he called out, slamming the door shut behind him. “Looks like it’s just us today,” I cooed. “We’ve got the day to ourselves before Daddy returns.” But Emile never came home. By the time he was due to arrive back from work, I was watching cartoons with April when there was a knock at the door. “Come on,” I muttered to her as I heaved myself to my feet. “Let’s see who…

Raspberry Sundae Cupcakes Makes 12, Prep and Cook: 1 hour 410g packet vanilla cupcake mix ¼ cup raspberry jam 250g can whipped cream Coloured sprinkles, fresh raspberries and wafers cut in half on the diagonal, to decorate FROSTING 200g unsalted butter, chopped, at room temperature 2 cups icing sugar mixture 2½ tblsps milk Liquid pink food colouring 1 Line a 12-hole muffin pan (/3-cup capacity) with paper cases. 2 Prepare cupcake mix according to packet directions, reserving frosting sachet. Divide evenly among prepared paper cases. 3 Cook in a moderately slow oven (160C) for about 25 minutes, or until cooked when tested. Remove. Stand in›pan 5 minutes before transferring to›a wire rack to cool. 4 To make frosting, beat butter in a›small bowl of an electric mixer until pale and…

Ever walked out of a hair salon with a pixie cut instead of the trim you wanted? We’ve all been there! Learn how to prevent a future disaster by knowing how to communicate with your hairdresser so they know exactly what you’re after – every time. Try these expert tips from Raw salon’s Anthony Nader when asking for: AN EASY-TO-MANAGE STYLE DON’T SAY: “Lots of layers or a super-short bob.” These kinds of styles and anything with too much detail require multiple products and lots of blow-drying. DO SAY: “I want a haircut that’s seamless to grow out, easy to blow-dry and only needs one product to style it.” HIGHLIGHTS DON’T SAY: “A full head of lighter colour.” Making the switch to a much paler colour is dramatic, not to…

COTTESLOE BEACH HOTEL, PERTH Overlooking Perth’s famous Cottesloe Beach, The Cott is perfect for people watching or for simply enjoying a long lunch on a hot Sunday. This once-casual establishment underwent a lavish refurbishment several years ago, but while the decor may look posh, it still offers classic pub dining. Expect a seafood-heavy menu with plenty of modern beach food, including pizza and crispy fish and chips. Visit cottesloebeachhotel. com.au FELONS BREWING CO, BRISBANE When it comes to views, it doesn’t get much better than this. Named after the four convicts who were the first early settlers to discover the Brisbane River, this working and wholesale brewery doubles up as a pub. Enjoy a craft beer while taking in panoramic river views from the boardwalk, or pick a shady spot…

ROYAL TEA I wish to commend you on your sister magazine, New Idea Royals Monthly, and the edition featuring Princess Beatrice’s wedding to an Italian count. I think that it is the perfect royal love match for modern times! I also enjoyed all the photos of royal fathers with their children, especially of Prince William with his kids, and I also love the look of Camilla’s Chocolate Biscuit Cake and the Kit Kat Fudge. I cannot wait to try making them myself! They looked simply delicious in the photos! Thank you for all the wonderful news and gossip about all the royals from around the world. I cannot wait until the next issue! ANGELA MORRISSEY, EAGLEHAWK, VIC. When Mum was sick, she sent my dad to the wet market for…

THE LAST BOOK I COULDN’T PUT DOWN WAS… A book of poetry [by Charles Bukowski] – Love Is a Dog from Hell. THE LAST TV SERIES I BINGE-WATCHED IN LOCKDOWN WAS… Seinfeld. I’d never watched it before, but now I’m addicted. MY FAVOURITE SEINFELD CHARACTER IS… I can’t choose, but I’d have to say George Costanza is one of the funniest, and Kramer. THE LAST MEAL I ATE WAS… At [co-stars] James Stewart and Sarah’s [Roberts], where they had some rhubarb, cream and blueberries – and a cheese board.…

When you were young, what’s the one food you couldn’t get enough of? Spaghetti and gruyere cheese. What was the last meal you ate that was so good it almost made you cry? My wife’s Aunty cooked me a Sri Lankan dinner that was out of this world. It included a mixture of dishes and hoppers. If we looked inside your fridge, what would we see? Sauce, butter, cream and lots of different Asian condiments. Who would be the perfect celebrity dinner party guest? The Seinfeld cast. If you could only eat one cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be? Japanese. PLATE OF ORIGIN, TUE. 7.30PM ON SEVEN…

MOVIE FOUR KIDS AND IT This fantasy movie centres on a magical creature which can grant wishes. But Tristan (Russell Brand) has his own plans. IN CINEMAS THURSDAY TV LINDY CHAMBERLAIN: THE TRUE STORY What’s fascinating about this exceptional doco are the interviews with Lindy and her surviving children. Make sure you watch. SUN. 7.30PM ON TEN PODCAST AMERICA, IF YOU’RE LISTENING  Love him or loathe him, there is no escaping Donald Trump. With Don facing re-election in November, this political podcast jumps into his first term as president. AVAILABLE NOW…

After being unmasked as Bushranger, victorious Bonnie Anderson has no plans to hang up her microphone. “Music has always been my number one love and passion,” says the Neighbours star. “This is what I’m good at. I’m going to do it.” Bonnie, 26, admits her costume was “pretty heavy. But I can’t complain ... all the others were heavier than Bushie’s”. A self-confessed “terrible liar”, she says keeping her participation on the hit reality series a secret was tough. The only people who knew were her sister and boyfriend.…

The Melbourne scene is abuzz with whispers that two local stars have all the makings of a future celebrity power couple! The Block judge Shaynna Blaze and cricket star Shane Warne have been industry pals for years – but sources tell New Idea that the pair’s confidants are convinced the high-profile duo are a perfect match! “You can’t get two more Melbourne personalities than Shane and Shaynna, and they’ve been circling around each other on the same social scene there for years,” says the source. It’s been almost two years since Shaynna, 57, announced her shock split from husband of 18 years, Steve Vaughan. Since then, Shaynna has kept an extremely low profile when it comes to her personal life. “Until a couple of years ago, Shaynna was married and…

The biggest collateral to Ellen’s scandal has been her marriage to Portia de Rossi, say sources. Outwardly the Aussie actress, 47, insists that everything is fine. But, says our insider, “anyone would struggle under the weight of the pressure that’s on them.” Especially given the couple are now dealing with accusations that Ellen was also rude to her household staff. One ex-employee says the talk show host would “lay traps” to ensure they were doing their jobs properly. “Ellen knows she’s hard to be around right now, so she flings tens of millions at Portia so she can buy more animals – whatever to keep her happy. Portia spends most of her time with her horses these days and has been spoiling them rotten – they keep her sane.”…

As this season of The Bachelor comes to a wrap on screens, New Idea recently caught up with the man of the moment to find out just where his head is at ahead of the finale. “Excited is an understatement,” Locky tells us of finally being able to reveal the last lady standing. “I cannot wait. I am beyond excited to be able to finally say it out loud … who I have chosen to spend the rest of my life with. “I’m so happy and all I want to do is tell people how great she is.” Locky’s confession seems to clear up any rumours that the 30-year-old will be left brokenhearted in the end. In fact, the Perth-based star admits he can’t wait to see his girlfriend again…

For the champion breaststroke swimmer, there’s a personal reason why she was looking forward to stripping. “I have had family members affected by breast cancer,” Leisel, 35, says, adding the show has opened her eyes about getting regular checks. “I am in tune with my body and any changes,” she says. In her 2015 book, Body Lengths, Leisel revealed she suffered body image issues throughout her swimming career. But she didn’t feel pressure to change for the show. “I felt confident and supported by beautiful women, who were all feeling the pinch at exposing ourselves in front of a live audience,” she says.…

JENNIFER LAWRENCE When Jennifer won the coveted Best Actress Oscar for Silver Linings Playbook, her big night quickly turned into a nightmare after she tripped on the skirt of her voluminous Christian Dior ball gown while making her way to the stage. “You guys are just standing up because you feel bad that I fell,” the actress said in her acceptance speech. “That was embarrassing.” Classic J-Law! FAYE DUNAWAY & WARREN BEATTY At the 2017 Academy Awards, the Bonnie and Clyde co-stars bungled their presentation of Best Picture. The pair announced La La Land as the winner, when in reality Moonlight had scored the most votes! The cast and crew of La La Land were already on the stage and had begun listing their thank yous by the time the…

Exonerated prisoner Amanda Knox has been free for nine long years since she was acquitted in 2011 over the murder of her roommate Meredith Kercher. But the now 33-year-old’s worst nightmare may just come true after news broke that the man convicted of killing Meredith is planning on penning a tell-all book about what really happened that night in Perugia, Italy in November 2007. Amanda and her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were initially convicted of the stabbing of the 21-year-old British student, but were tried, acquitted and eventually exonerated after spending four years behind bars. The true killer, Rudy Guede, now 33, was also convicted and spent 11 years in prison. Ivory Coast-born Guede is now on work release and has reportedly vowed to expose the truth about Meredith’s murder. According…

• Don’t be afraid of being an annoying client. If you’re not sure what your hairdresser’s talking about, ask questions. Just remember to be polite – they’re holding the scissors, after all! • Don’t come in with dirty hair that’s pulled back. Wash and wear your locks as you normally would so your hairdresser gets a clear picture of the texture and your styling skill level. • Only bring up to three photo references of the style you want, not 50, so your hairdresser gets a succinct indication of what you want. • Arrive wearing what you would normally wear during the week so your hairdresser can match your hair to your style and lifestyle.…

Want to get what you want? Let your body do all the talking. According to UCLA research, only seven per cent of communication is based on the actual words we say, 38 per cent comes from tone of voice and a whopping 55 per cent comes from body language. Here are some tricks for success. GET THE JOB YOU WANT You’ve snagged the interview and now you need to show them that you’re the right candidate for the job. Research from social psychologist Amy Cuddy has shown that by doing a couple of simple moves before the interview, you can appear to be powerful and confident, and also lower stress. The power poses she recommends include raising your arms to waist height in a V and standing with your hands…

For daily shopping tips and hacks, follow ‘I bought it at…’. Go to facebook.com/ iBoughtAU LUXE: Made from genuine goatskin, these are built to last. Despite being soft, they are very durable and offer loads of protection to avoid injuring your hands. Available in sage and coral colours.gyrofish.com.au MID: Made from synthetic leather, these gloves are abrasion resistant and made from stretch fabric which is comfortable and also breathable. bunnings. com.au LESS: These eco-friendly wonders are soft, washable and at the right price.hoselink.com.au…

ARIES MAR 21 – APR 20 The focus shifts this week to your most important relationships – personal and professional. This is your annual chance to make things right with those you absolutely have to get on with. There could be a few challenges. All the better for you to hone your relationship skills. You are in a cycle where you can learn how much better life is when you control that infamous Aries temper! YOUR POWER DAY: SEPTEMBER 24 TAURUS APR 21 – MAY 21 You’re moving into a four-week cycle whereby your best bet is to get your life as functional as possible. That means working on your routines, among other things. Start the day with a moment of gratitude, a glass of water and some stretching. End…

Karina Machado is a journalist, host of the podcasts Spirit Sisters and The Ghost Files, and the author of Spirit Sisters, Where Spirits Dwell and Love Never Dies, a series of non-fiction books exploring the extraordinary experiences of ordinary people. SACRED STORIES I was a toddler the first time my mother placed a Little Golden Book in my hands. I’ve always treasured stories, and wholeheartedly believe that those books helped heal the sadness of leaving behind so many family members when my parents emigrated to Australia when I was 2. I learnt early on that stories are life-sustaining and sacred. Later, when I began to awaken to the abiding presence of the spirit world, I understood how sharing a story about a ghostly encounter is also a way of honouring…

Penny has always been passionate about being fit and healthy. However, when she became pregnant, she saw her weight balloon by almost 40kg. “My husband kept telling me, ‘You’re pregnant, just eat!’. He also put on 10kg while I was pregnant!” Penny, 33, laughs. But when Penny put in the hard yards of “dieting and exercising” in the months after her daughter Sia arrived, she was confused when the weight wouldn’t budge. “I couldn’t even lose 100g at that time,” says Penny. The Team Greece cook finally realised something was seriously “wrong” when she found herself falling asleep at the wheel. “MY THYROID LEVELS WERE SO LOW ... I WOULD HAVE ENDED UP IN A COMA” “I couldn’t keep my eyes open in the middle of the day,” she recalls.…

TEAM GREECE – DEZI & PENNY SO FAR: Won their head-to-head over France, then aced a Fast and Furious cook against India. Their secret ingredient is their killer tzatziki. BEST DISH: Their souvlaki received a perfect score of 30/30 from the judges. WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: Gary: “That was the best souvlaki I have ever, ever had.” TEAM ITALY – TERESA & MICHELLE SO FAR: They won their first head-to-head against Team Venezuela, then their Fast and Furious cook against Team France by a point. Teresa is a pasta master. BEST DISH: Their Squid Ink Pasta with Prawns received 30/30. WHAT THE JUDGES SAID: Matt: “I don’t know if you could have picked a better dish to make your argument that Italian cuisine is the best in the world.” TEAM…

THE WOMEN’S PAGES BY VICTORIA PURMAN World War Two is finally over but for Tilly Galloway, the only female war reporter at a Sydney newspaper, life remains unsettled. As she waits for news of her soldier husband, she is moved onto the women’s pages and realises the war stories of other Australian women should be told. Tilly and Mary had left their Potts Point flat so early that morning that Kings Cross had still been asleep. They’d been too excited to stay in bed, as rumours had swirled for days that the war in the Pacific might be over that very day and they hadn’t wanted to miss a minute of it. As they’d walked hurriedly through Hyde Park – they were far too excited to stand in the crush…

The British-born former journalist released her debut novel The Dry in 2016, and almost single-handedly launched the outback-noir genre. She talks about her fourth novel, The Survivors, which is out this week… What sparked the idea for your new book? With The Survivors, I had the idea for a story set in a small coastal community which was nearly destroyed by a freak storm, and a decade later faces being torn apart again when a body is discovered on the local beach. Tasmania had that perfect mix of coastal towns and rugged landscape. What research did you do? I was excited to go to Tasmania over the summer. My husband and then-3-year-old daughter and 12-week-old son came too and we drove along the coastline, visiting a lot of communities and…