Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 8, 2025 i New Idea

Food p44 Travel p62 THIS WEEK IN… With the Christmas break now very much in our rear-view mirror, the team is full of chatter over our upcoming holiday plans. Associate editor Mel will be taking inspiration from our Perth travel feature in this week’s issue (page 62) as she prepares to head to Western Australia, news writer Maisy is excitedly planning a girls’ trip to Hobart, and senior copy editor Sarah has been making us all jealous with talk of her impending sojourn to Europe. As for me, I can’t wait to pack up my dog and husband and head on a road trip up the NSW Mid North Coast. We’re driving from Sydney to a classic Aussie beach shack near Yamba for a week, and I plan on doing…

After stepping away from her breakfast radio show to focus on her mental health last month, Kate Ritchie has been spotted looking relaxed and happy in Sydney’s Centennial Park. Kate, 46, was enjoying the sunshine as she cheered on her daughter Mae, 10, during a school sporting event. “Kate couldn’t wipe the smile off her face,” an onlooker told New Idea. “She looked every inch the proud mum.” Kate also likely had a spring in her step due to the warm response for her new ABC parenting program, The Role of a Lifetime. “It’s so great,” one fan wrote on her Instagram. Another another said, “So good seeing you back on our screens.”…

Almost two months after the sudden death of her husband, Jeff Baena, Aubrey Plaza has made a low-key return to the limelight with the support of her closest friends and colleagues. On February 16, Aubrey, 40, introduced Miley Cyrus’ musical performance at the SNL50: The Anniversary Special event in New York City. Fans were quick to notice a poignant tribute to Jeff, who passed away on January 3. Aubrey, 40, wore a tie-dyed T-shirt under her black blazer. In 2021, the same year they wed, Aubrey said on The Drew Barrymore Show that Jeff had “really gotten into tie-dying during quarantine”. One fan took to social media to praise Aubrey, saying, “if this isn’t love, I don’t know what is.” Prior to this appearance, Aubrey was spotted walking her dog…

HARRY FLIES SOLO A pensive Harry was spotted alone at the Invictus Games. The Duke of Sussex has spoken openly about his anxiety in front of large crowds. So it was little wonder Prince Harry appeared visibly emotional as he stood in front of 20,000 people at his Invictus Games closing ceremony in Vancouver last week. The 40-year-old was pictured holding back tears as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute to him for founding the incredible event for wounded war heroes. Despite the poignant and congratulatory scenes, New Idea has learnt some insiders were privately raising eyebrows about why Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was not by Harry’s side for his special moment. Instead, Meghan, 43, had left Canada several days before,returning to their California home where she relaunched her…

King Charles was once a regular visitor to the world’s most exclusive snow resorts, like Klosters in Switzerland. But the 76-year-old monarch has revealed his skiing days are over. The update came during the King’s recent visit to a wind turbine factory in Middlesbrough, UK. While chatting with Avzi Jusufi, a Swiss engineer, Charles was overheard speaking fondly about Switzerland, before sadly confirming, “I think my skiing days are behind me.” Charles’ last planned skiing holiday in 2023 was cancelled to ensure he’d be uninjured ahead of his May coronation. He hasn’t skied since his cancer diagnosis last year.…

Inside a bustling Perth workshop, a group of volunteers are hard at work, building, drilling and assembling hundreds of wheelchairs. The 250-strong team are part of the non-profit organisation Wheelchairs for Kids (WFK). Founded in 1996, the “The people we send them to, they’re too poor to buy wheelchairs. Some of these kids have been lying on the ground or sitting against a wall for years,” the group’s co-founder, Thomas Oliver (Olly) Pickett, tells New Idea. “Our wheelchairs adapt as the children grow, group make specially designed, all-terrain wheelchairs for children with disabilities. The chairs are then shipped around the world, free of charge. just by shifting a few nuts and bolts. It changes those children’s lives tremendously. ‘Some of these kids have been lying on the ground for years’…

‘How did it come to this’ The Murdoch family are in crisis. Their private legal battle has spilled into the public forum after James Murdoch made explosive comments about both his media mogul dad Rupert, and older brother Lachlan, their father’s protégé. In scenes that could have been ripped straight from the hit drama series Succession, James, 52, gave a scathing interview to The Atlantic, detailing a long history of betrayal and dysfunction amid the legal battle over control of the family’s $66 billion media empire. The article recalled a moment in the lead up to the November 2024 case, when James faced a barrage of “withering” questions from his father’s lawyer. This included referencing James and his siblings as “white, privileged, multi-billionaire trust-fund babies” – only to realise, James…

Only in New Idea Imagine for the better part of 40 years rocking up to the same job and sitting next to the same person every single day. Well, that’s exactly what 7NEWS Perth’s much-loved weeknight anchors Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr have been doing since their first bulletin together back in 1985. Rick and Sue, as they love to be known, have for four decades been delivering the stories that matter most to Western Australians. To no surprise, after more than 8000 bulletins they’ve earned a spot in the Guinness World Records as the longest-serving TV news anchor duo! “I’m both energised and amazed – it’s hard to imagine 40 years has gone by!” Sue shares with New Idea from Seven’s Perth studios. “It’s a win-win situation – we…

Strawberry Sundae Shortcake SERVES 8 PREP & COOK 1 HOUR 30 MINS ■ 150g packet shortbread fingers, coarsely chopped ■ 1 litre vanilla bean ice-cream ■ Whipped cream, halved fresh strawberries and freeze-dried strawberries, to decorate STRAWBERRY ICE-CREAM ■ 2 x 250g punnets strawberries, hulled, halved ■ 1 tblsp caster sugar ■ ½ x 395g can sweetened condensed milk ■ 300ml tub thickened cream 1 Grease a 19cm round springform pan (base measures 18cm). Line base and side with baking paper, extending paper 2cm above pan edges. (Do not invert the base.) 2 Scatter shortbread evenly over base of pan. 3 Remove vanilla ice-cream from freezer. Stand for 5 to 10 minutes until slightly softened (do not melt). Spoon over shortbread. Smooth over top. Freeze for about 3 hours, or…

Bottled bliss We’re taking our sparkling water to go. SodaStream has launched a sleek bottle in three trendy colours (mint green, storm blue, and sand) to keep your drink cool and bubbly for up to 12 hours! The double-walled stainless steel bottles are dishwasher proof for added durability and easy cleaning. Find them for $44.95 each at sodastream.com.au Fine dining Creating the tablescape of our dreams is too easy thanks to Linen House’s resin collection. With everything needed to serve up a stylish spread including bowls, cheeseboards, coasters, napkin rings and salad servers, the handcrafted pastel pieces are guaranteed to elevate your next dining experience. Prices range from $19.99-$179.99, available at linenhouse.com Home essentials Freshen up your space with Sheridan’s invigorating In Balance collection. The cosy palette features earthy tones…

Amid reports that Tiger Lily Hutchence Geldof is pregnant with her first child, many are holding hope the baby will bring about a reunion with her late father Michael’s side of the family. New Idea exclusively broke the news that Tiger, 28, is expecting with her long-term boyfriend, model Ben Archer. Ben shared an Instagram post that featured a visibly heavily pregnant Tiger. Not long after, the pair were seen in London, where they live, with Tiger showing off her growing bump. Now, an insider tells New Idea the happy news could be “just the thing” to heal a reported family rift which began after Michael’s brother, Bali-based Rhett Hutchence, was cut off years ago. Following Michael’s death in 1997 and the loss of her mother Paula Yates in 2000,…

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban will be beefing up their already-tight security after their Beverly Hills mansion was broken into and ransacked. Even though Nicole and Keith, both 57, weren’t home at the time of the invasion on February 14, it has undoubtedly shaken them, given the property is located inside a secure and gated community. RadarOnline reports that the intruder gained entry by smashing a window. They were ultimately scared off by an employee of Keith and Nicole’s. It’s not clear if they took any significant possessions. According to the Beverly Hills Police Department, there have been a string of recent burglaries in the city.…

Saoirse Ronan is an acclaimed four-time Oscar-nominee for films like Lady Bird and Little Women. But just like the rest of us, the Irish actress can’t get enough of trashy reality TV! Saoirse, 30, just made the surprise admission that our version of MAFS is her go-to guilty viewing pleasure because it’s “so hectic”. “[The cast] take it somewhere else,” Saoirse told W magazine. “Because the Aussies are like, so extra.” The London-based star also specifically praised the Aussie iteration of the dating show. “They have [MAFS] in the UK as well, but … I’ve gone straight to Australia,” Saoirse added.…

Jennifer Aniston has been unusually quiet about her next movie, and friends say it’s because she’s desperate to keep her upcoming leading man under wraps. Ever since Jen reunited with Brad Pitt at the 2020 SAG Awards, sources say the actress has had an “open invite” from her ex-husband to work together again. With the fourth Bridget Jones movie currently dominating the box office, the thirst for more romcoms in Hollywood has intensified, and New Idea can reveal that Brad, 61, has found one script that he thinks is the perfect vehicle for him and Jen, 56. “Brad has actually been pitching ideas to Jen for years now, but she’s always resisted. She didn’t want to complicate his divorce from Angelina [Jolie], but was also focused on her own projects,”…

Richard Gere was once revered as a leading Hollywood heart-throb. But these days, the 75-year-old prefers a more low-key lifestyle after he recently relocated to Spain for a fresh start with his wife Alejandra Silva and their young sons. The former People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive flagged the move abroad in an April 2024 interview, telling Vanity Fair Spain that it was driven by wanting to be “closer” to Alejandra’s relatives and allowing their two children, Alexander, six, and James, four, to experience the “culture”. “[Alejandra] was very generous in giving me six years living in my world, so it is only fair that I give her at least another six living in hers,” Richard said at the time. “For me, going to Madrid is going to be a great…

Moroccan Lamb and Couscous Bowls SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 30 MINS ■ 1½ cups pearl couscous ■ ½ cup Honey & Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette (see Tip) ■ 540g packet lean lamb leg steak (4) ■ 1 tblsp Moroccan seasoning ■ 120g packet 4 leaf salad mix ■ 200g punnet medley tomatoes, halved ■ ½ cup pitted green olives, halved ■ 3 green spring onions, thinly sliced ■ 100g Danish-style feta, crumbled ■ ¹⁄³ cup natural almonds, toasted, chopped 1 Bring 2½ cups of water to the boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in couscous. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and couscous is tender. Transfer couscous to a large bowl. Cool. Using a fork, stir in 1 tblsp of the…

Watermelon, Strawberry and Lime Ice-Pops MAKES 6 PREP 10 MINS ■ 500g piece watermelon ■ 250g punnet strawberries, hulled ■ ¹⁄³ cup icing sugar ■ 2 tblsps lime juice 1 Trim and discard skin from watermelon. Roughly chop watermelon. You will need 350g. 2 Place watermelon, strawberries, sugar and juice in a blender. Blend well until smooth. 3 Pour into six x 125mlcapacity ice-pop moulds. Tap bases of moulds to remove any air bubbles. Insert sticks. Freeze overnight. 4 When ready to serve, run moulds under warm water for a few seconds to remove ice-pops. TIP Blend very well to stop it separating on freezing. Store ice-pops in freezer for up to one month. Caterpillar and Snail Family MAKES 18 PREP 40 MINS ■ 1 bunch celery, trimmed ■ ½…

Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen are at “war” in their divorce, with an insider telling the Daily Mail that “any remaining veneer of civility has gone”. Now, the chances of their $120 million split proceeding smoothly has been further hindered, after Isla, 49, made telling comments in an interview with The Sunday Times. Isla broke ranks from the pair’s usual approach to not discuss their private life. She admitted her female friends “have been there” for her during this difficult time. “I’m sitting here today because of them,” the actress said. “I’ve just learnt that I do have resilience, who I am outside of a partnership, and what my values are.” Sacha, 53, is reportedly “furious” with the comments, a friend told the Mail. “They have always been very…

Princess Eugenie has been swept up into the ongoing Chinese spy controversy surrounding her father, the Duke of York. It was recently revealed Eugenie, 34, enjoyed a business-class flight as part of a deal Prince Andrew, 65, struck with alleged Chinese spy, Yang Tengbo. Although Eugenie was flying to Japan in a private capacity, her involvement has raised questions over the knowledge she could have about the “close friendship” between her dad and Mr Tengbo. The update comes after embattled Andrew was named in a damning report as a “valuable communication channel” by China.…

Despite appearing to be one of Married At First Sight’s strongest couples, New Idea can reveal that Carina and Paul’s union is hanging by a thread following an upcoming explosive row over her previous relationship with a famous rapper. While Carina, 31, doesn’t name the celebrity in episodes which air this week, she has been linked to rapper Drake, who is currently on tour in Australia. The WA-based digital marketing specialist met Drake in Perth and attended his recent concert with friends. But, New Idea can exclusively reveal this was not the first time Carina interacted with the global superstar. She openly told us she previously attended one of Drake’s post-NBA parties in New York, although she did not specify when. The brunette beauty also met rapper Post Malone at…

Hitting the stage as a host during the 2025 AACTA Awards on February 7, Russell Crowe had a noticeably renewed pep in his step that had industry insiders taking note. According to those in the know, it’s all down to his ex-wife, Danielle Spencer. Dressed in a smart black suit, the Oscar winner looked healthy and happy as he honoured iconic Aussie singer Paul Kelly with the inaugural AACTA Award for Outstanding Contribution at the Gold Coast’s Home of the Arts (HOTA). The 60-year-old’s demeanour is said to be down to the fact he’s spending more time back on home soil, where he’s focused on prioritising his health – at the encouragement of singer and actress Danielle, 55. “Danielle’s probably already saved his life several times over,” a close friend…

Only in New Idea As her five dogs jostle excitedly for attention, Stefanie Powers settles into a comfy sofa at her Beverly Hills home and admits that, despite heartbreak and health scares, she’s been incredibly blessed during her 67-year showbiz career. “I began as a dancer in a children’s ballet class with a teenage Natalie Wood and Jill St. John. Incredibly, we all went on to become friends – and to marry Robert Wagner either off screen or on,” the 82-year-old says with a smile. Attending Hollywood High School with Ann Sothern’s daughter, Patricia, the Oscar nominee scouted Stefanie in a school musical, offering her a guest spot in her TV show in 1961. This led to a contract with Columbia Pictures and embarking on a film career – until…

Three teenagers put their surf lifesaving skills to the ultimate test during a dramatic rescue at their local Perth beach during the summer holidays. The 14-year-olds – Molly Colgan, Finn Boyer and Coby Whitehead – had just arrived at North Mullaloo Beach on December 9 for training when a frantic group of girls ran to them asking for help. They quickly alerted the teens to a woman face down, 30 metres out in the ocean, having lost the fight against a fierce rip. A man was also being dragged out to sea. The trio sprang into action. “I was able to gain her trust and coaxed her to get on my board with me and the boys paddled next to us,” Molly tells New Idea. She recalls watching her Quinns…

Cheesy Pesto Bread SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 35 MINS ■ 100g butter, softened ■ 2 tblsps basil pesto ■ 35cm long crusty baguette ■ ½ cup grated pizza cheese 1 Combine butter and pesto in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well. 2 Cut baguette at 2cm intervals, about three-quarters of the way through. 3 Spread a heaped teaspoon of the butter mixture evenly between each slice. Spread remaining butter over the top. 4 Place baguette on a 60cm sheet of greased foil. Sprinkle with cheese. Wrap up to enclose. Place on a large oven tray. 5 Cook in a moderate oven (180C) for 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Open foil and scrunch around base of baguette. Return to oven. Cook for a further 7 to 10…

IN SEASON WATERMELON For a refreshing, hydrating snack on hot days, it’s hard to beat an icy-cold wedge of sweet and juicy watermelon. Once cut, pop it into a container in the fridge for up to five days. Blend it into juice and smoothie combos, toss watermelon pieces in a fruit salad, or try it in a salad with feta, mint and chilli. For something a bit different, season wedges with a sweet and spicy rub and cook on a hot barbecue grill for 2-3minutes each side until grill marks appear. It’s a surprisingly tasty treat! SIP OF CITRUS Looking for a fruity thirst-quencher with local family-run roots? Eastcoast Beverages has been in business for 60 years and still juice and bottle their products onsite an hour north of Sydney.…

1 PREP & PRIME While you don’t exactly need to apply a primer, adding this extra step ensures your skin is prepped and smooth, which comes with an array of benefits. For one, it can prolong the wear of your makeup and is especially helpful for those with oily skin. A hydrating primer like MCoBeauty Sherbet Glow Primer, $30, mcobeauty.com, creates a comfortable base while nourishing the skin with niacinamide and aloe vera. For something heavier, pick a pore-minimising formula like Huda Beauty Easy Blur Smoothing Primer, $50, sephora.com. au, to even skin tone. TIP For an even, seamless finish it’s best to apply foundation by gently buffing with a brush or sponge to gradually build. 2 SET THE FOUNDATION These days we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to…

Keen to visit a city that offers pristine beaches and parks, incredible food and luxury, five-star accommodation options? A Flight Centre global survey found that Perth has a 96 per cent satisfaction score. Here’s just some of the reasons why. SUBLIME BEACHES One of the first things travellers notice is the colour of the Indian Ocean, which is an iridescent turquoise. No wonder West Australians are nicknamed ‘sandgropers’ – who wouldn’t want to spend as much time as possible soaking up the beach life? But where to go? Sure, popular Cottesloe gets all the attention but there’s better waves (and lots to do) at Scarborough. The 100-hectare seafront area has been transformed into parklands, decked pedestrian walkways, a skate park and a swimming pool. Take a class at Scarborough Beach…

EDITORIAL Editorial Director Erin Holohan, Editor Karleigh Smith, Deputy Editor Leigh Credlin, Art Director Sarah Hadnam, Picture Editor Matthew Mackay ARE MEDIA Chief Executive Officer Jane Huxley, Director of Sales Andrew Cook, Director of Content Sally Eagle, General Manager Entertainment Susan Armstrong, Commercial Brand Manager Jessica Ashworth, Head of Consumer Marketing Louise Cankett Subscription enquiries: Customer Service 136 116 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm AEST) International +61 2 9692 3535 Email magshop@magshop.com.auWebsite www.magshop.com.au Advertising enquiries: advertising@aremedia.com.auPublished by Are Media Pty Limited (ABN 18 053 273 546), 54-58 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. ©2025. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written permission. New Idea is a registered trade mark of Are Media. Use of trademark strictly prohibited. Licensing Inquiries: www.contentshop.com.au / syndication@aremedia.com.auPrinted by…