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Editorial

How amazing is one of our cover stars this week – Betty – who is showing the world that age is no barrier when it comes to adventure, by jumping out of planes at 93! I did laugh at the part of her story on page 4 where the instructor gave her a one-piece suit to put on, so her “bits wouldn’t flap in the breeze”, as I remember my own hilarious photos from my skydive, where my cheeks were flapping all over the place! Two of our writers who won’t be following in Betty’s adrenaline-fuelled antics are Emilia and Matilda. “Absolutely not! I’m scared of heights,” Emilia said. Matilda has been put off by her mum. “The instructor said she was the only person who has ever screamed and…

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Stary Angel

The atmosphere at work was charged with energy when I walked in. Considering that I worked for an aged care facility, and it was usually quiet, this was saying something. “What’s going on?” I asked my colleague Bridget. “Last night, when I was doing my rounds, I noticed a dog sleeping on the couch in the reception area,” she said. “A dog?” I said surprised. “What, like a stray?” “I guess so,” she said. She told me she’d called the police to report it missing, and they came to collect him. They took him to an animal shelter across the road and it turned out they knew the dog. They’d been looking after him since he’d been found and brought in. The poor thing showed signs of having been mistreated…

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Style Refresh

FAIL-SAFE SHIRTING For the transeasonal period, while it isn’t cool enough for jackets, make shirts your layer piece. Wear them open over tank tops, summer dresses, or buttoned up with linen separates to create a matching set. Creates shape a nd interest CINCH IN If you feel like you need a style refresh but want to save a couple of dollars, belts are the easiest way to update on a budget. They can dress up a pair of pants, change the shape of a dress, slim your waist or add a touch of glam. PRIMARY COLOURS Bright red, bold blues and yellow are key colours this year and are simple to style, you just need a dash of confidence and a pinch of practice. Red brightens up jeans or camel…

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I’m Going To Die!

Megan Pascoe, 34, Paxton, NSW. As I danced the night away with my new wife, I’d never felt happier. “This has been the best day of my life!” I told Steph, 32, as our wedding reception came to an end. “Mine too!” she agreed. Steph and I had been together for two years and two weeks earlier, we’d officially married in a small ceremony in front of 20 loved ones and my gorgeous son, two, who’d walked me down the aisle. Now, we’d been celebrating with all our friends and family with a fun-filled reception, before our honeymoon in Thailand in two weeks. It was perfect. A week after our big bash, Steph and I were settling right into married life. We’d recently moved into our new home in Paxton,…

5 min

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Daylight nightmare

Lisa McMahon, 27. I walked into the bar and quickly spotted the handsome, muscular bloke grinning at me. “You kept me waiting long enough,” he said, leaning in for a kiss. “Good things come to those who wait,” I quipped. Jamie and I had been chatting online for a year before now finally meeting in person. At first I worried the eight-year age gap might work against us, but we clicked just as well as we had online. I felt like I already knew everything about him. Months later, when I was 18, I moved in with Jamie and as a true romantic, he lavished me with meals and flowers. I was excited about our future together. But tragedy struck when I suffered two devastating miscarriages. “It’s okay, we can…

5 min

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Budget-Busting Dinners

Italian tomato meatball & macaroni soup SERVES 4 PREP 5 MINS COOK 15 MINS 1 litre chicken or vegetable stock 420g can tomato soup ¾ cup macaroni 2 tbsp olive oil Shaved parmesan, fresh herbs, crusty bread, to serve MEATBALLS 250g beef mince 2 green onions, finely chopped ¼ cup finely grated parmesan ¼ cup breadcrumbs 1 In a large saucepan, bring stock and soup to boil on high. Add pasta. Cook 8-10 mins until tender. 2 MEATBALLS Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Season to taste. Roll tbsp of mixture into balls. 3 In a large frying pan, heat oil on high. Cook meatballs in 2 batches 3-4mins each, turning, until golden. 4 Add meatballs to soup. Simmer 4-5mins until meatballs are cooked through. Season to taste.…

2 min

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High tea, High tension

Hi Take 5ers, I recently turned 60 and to celebrate I invited a group of my girlfriends to high tea with me. Two of my friends said they couldn’t make the event, and before my high tea, they would come to coffee with me to celebrate and catch up. During coffee, they learned I would pay for all my guests. They both seemed quite annoyed, and I felt they would have come if they knew I was paying. I did not purposefully withhold that I would be paying, it just didn’t cross my mind to tell them as it would have cost them around $45. Should I have told my friends in advance and do you think their reactions are justified? Kayleigh* 60. Are YOU in a tricky situation? Why…

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Happy Birthday To Me

I got a caravan park for my 70th! Gavin Smith, 70, Longreach, Qld. The room was full of dust and cowboy swagger. A stock and station agent, I was hosting a cattle auction, calling out bids. From my position at the bidding rail, I noticed a woman I knew named Irene standing at the back. She was tipping her hat and flicking flies off her face so I pretended she was making bids so I could raise the price of the cattle. After the auction was over, I walked up to her. “You bought a lot of cattle today, Irene, you’d better pay up,” I joked and she laughed. “Gavin, I want to introduce you to my sister, Alice,” she said. “She’s just come up from Hobart.” Irene moved aside…

4 min

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Your Letters

Easy as pie When I was a kid, my great aunt Iris used to make something she called gramma pie. She always made it for special occasions and I remember it tasted like sweet pumpkin and had a buttery, crumbly pastry. I was wondering if anyone has an old recipe they’d be willing to share so I can try and recreate the pie for my family? Simone Katims, Karratha, WA. Losing face My granddaughter Hattie, six, was staying for the weekend. We spent the afternoon at the theatre then grabbed a bite to eat before heading home. “It’s time for you to get into your pyjamas and for me to take my face off before bedtime!” I said as I went to the bathroom to remove my make-up. Later, as…

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Geronimo Gran!

Age is no limit for adventure Betty Gregory, 93, Palm Beach, Qld. Shielding my eyes against the bright sun, I watched skydivers landing on Kirra Beach, Qld, and whooping for joy. Oh, what a thrill that must be! I thought, grinning. I was 79, and seeing them with their parachutes reminded me of being in the Women’s Royal Air Force when I was 17. I’d gone up in a plane as part of my aerial photography training, and although I’d been given a parachute to wear, this was only for safety. After landing, I’d hoped the pilot might take me up again so I could jump, but sadly, he refused. “Not out of my plane, you won’t,” he said. Putting the idea aside, I found other ways to indulge my…

4 min

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Power Down

CREATE A BEDTIME PREP ROUTINE DR CLARE BAILEY, GP and co-founder of The Fast 800 online programme If you struggle to fall asleep at night, Clare says it could be a sign you need to fine-tune your sleep hygiene. “Create a consistent routine before bed as it can help signal to your body that it’s time to wind down,” she says. Set yourself a consistent bedtime, and try to limit caffeine and alcohol during the last few hours before you hit the hay. “Another nonnegotiable is to keep your screens (TVs, laptops and mobiles) out of hand’s reach late in the day,” Clare advises. “Stop scrolling a few hours before you go to sleep and try reading a book or magazine instead. And definitely no TVs in the bedroom –…

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Independent Gorgeous Alliance

Kristy Sayer-Jones, 32, Lugarno, NSW. I poured the last of the milk into a glass. “Looks like we’ve run out,” I said to my toddler Jensen, two. “Let’s go to IGA!” he cheered. Ever since he was born, Jensen and I went to our local strip of shops regularly. I run my own marketing company from home and my husband Jesse, 34, works in tech support. Jensen loved going to our local IGA and often pretended to be a shop keeper during play at home. A friend had given me a cash register toy and Jensen would scan items and add them up on his till. In July 2024, Jensen and I were at home with flu. To keep him occupied, I started drawing things. “Can you make me an…

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Press & Go

TO PRESS OR POLISH? Press on false nails or an instant mani. Whatever you call them they’re having a huge comeback and here’s five reasons why it should be on your beauty list. 1 Cheap Nail salon visits every few weeks often cost upwards of $50. Instant manicure kits can cost as little as $8 and usually come with multiple sets. 2 Convenient Forgot to get your nails done for a special occasion? These instant manicures mean you can do them from anywhere with no drying time! 3 Zero damage Some salon manicures and treatments can compromise delicate nail beds. This option has gentle adhesive and easy removal to avoid damage to your natural nails. 4 Chip free This fool-proof option lasts weeks without any chipping or lifting due to…

1 min

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Say Peas!

Silverbeet gnocchi with lemon pea pesto SERVES 4 PREP 30 MINS COOK 1 HOUR 20 MINS 1kg potatoes, pierced with a skewer, unpeeled 1 bunch silverbeet, stems, veins removed 2⁄3 cup plain flour, sifted ½ cup grated parmesan, plus ½ cup extra 2 egg yolks 250g punnet cherry tomatoes, halved 1 tbsp olive oil 40g butter Basil leaves, to serve LEMON PEA PESTO 1 cup frozen peas, thawed ½ cup mint leaves ½ cup torn basil leaves 1/3 cup olive oil 2 tbsp lemon juice 2 tsp finely grated lemon zest 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Bake potatoes on a lined oven tray 1 hour 15 mins until tender. Blanch silverbeet 1-2mins. Refresh in cold water. Squeeze out moisture. Finely chop. 2 LEMON PEA PESTO…

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Impossible House

Graham Birchall, 68, Ipswich, Qld. My colleague handed me back my thesis. “It’s a lovely idea, but you can’t build it,” he said. “It’s not practical.” I looked at him and didn’t say anything, but in my head I thought, I’m going to prove you wrong. As an architectural student, I liked to think outside the box. Waterproofing a house is always hard, and to me that was because we always use straight walls and roofs. I wanted to build a house that was round to solve that problem, and in my thesis I’d designed a house that was made up of a series of interconnected domes, like bubbles. While I studied, I also worked at an architectural firm and once I graduated I carried on working there full-time, building…

3 min

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Three Years A Slave

Mayada Oso, 21, Coffs Harbour, NSW. Frantically closing doors and windows, my family huddled in the kitchen, terrified. I was 11 and lived in Kocho, Iraq, with my parents, two younger brothers, baby sister, and relatives. It was August 2014, and for weeks Kocho had been surrounded by the terrorist organisation, ISIS, which was torturing and beheading people outside the town. As Yazidi people, we were despised by ISIS for our religion and now, they’d infiltrated our village. A soldier wielding a large gun kicked open our door. “To the school, now!” he yelled in Arabic. My mum, Shaha, cradling my sister in one arm, took my hand as we all hurried outside. If my parents are with me, I’m safe, I thought. At the school, the men were separated…

7 min

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Brighten Up

Any beautician will tell you that having a nice set of pearly whites is one of the key tricks to looking youthful. And thanks to social media, the interest in having shiny white teeth is growing, making teeth-whitening a procedure some might want to embrace. Australian Dental Association (ADA) spokesperson, Professor Laurence Walsh, says that the colour of your choppers doesn’t necessarily reflect your dental health. “There is a belief that white teeth equal healthy teeth, though this is not always the case,” he says. THE METHODS According to ADA surveys, only one-third of adults whitening their teeth are doing so under the supervision of a dental professional. The other two-thirds do so by other means, like sourcing teeth-whitening kits online or using whitening services provided by someone other than…

2 min

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Your tips

After boiling eggs, put them into ice-cold water so that it’s easier to peel off the shell. As I have arthritis in my hands, a large paper clip makes an easy button hook for stiff fingers. Put the end of the clip through the hole, collect the button and ease it through. I keep a list of free activities for kids in my area, like parks, museums and zoos, all ready for when the grandkids come to stay and complain that they’re bored. As soon as I’ve done the dinner dishes, I set the plates and cutlery on the table for the next day, to save time. To clean your air fryer, sprinkle baking soda on the base, squirt in some dishwashing detergent, then fill halfway with water. Cook it…

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An Affair To Remember

Lucy Mate, 39. As I hurried to my car, I spotted an envelope on my windscreen. Keep in touch over Christmas. Love, Steve, the card inside read. I felt myself blush. Steve and I worked together and I knew he liked me. He’d asked me out before and although he was handsome and friendly, I’d declined as I was getting over a breakup. But I admired Steve’s persistence. When he invited me out for dinner with another couple on New Year’s Eve, I didn’t have plans so agreed to go. I had an amazing evening! Steve was funny and charming and I couldn’t ignore our chemistry. We continued dating and I soon fell for him. “He’s got such a good heart,” I told friends. In time, we moved in together…

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Ready to Crumble

Strawberry & pink lady crumble SERVES 4-6PREP 20 MINS COOK 40 MINS 5 pink lady apples, peeled, cored, 2cm cubes 250g punnet strawberries, hulled, halved ½ cup caster sugar ¼ cup orange juice 1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped Cream, to serve CRUMBLE 1¼ cups plain flour, sifted 1 tsp ground cinnamon ½ cup caster sugar 185g chilled butter, chopped 2-3tsp iced water 1 Preheat oven to 180°C. 2 In a shallow 8-cup baking dish, combine apples, strawberries, sugar, juice and vanilla. Gently mix together. 3 CRUMBLE Sift flour and cinnamon into a large bowl. Stir in sugar. Using fingertips, rub in butter until mixture resembles crumbs. Add iced water, gently toss with a fork until combined. 4 Sprinkle crumble evenly over fruit. Bake 35-40 mins until crisp and golden on top and fruit juices are bubbling. Cool…

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Wanderlust on a budget

Travel is one of life’s greatest adventures – but it’s also one of life’s biggest luxuries. While you can’t put a price tag on new experiences and memories that will last a lifetime, the reality is that travel does have a tendency to break the bank. If the cost of heading overseas has been delaying your travel plans, don’t wait any longer. Here are six of the most affordable global cities for travellers, each with their own unique charm… ISTANBUL, TURKEY Istanbul is very affordable for budget travellers. You’ll find hostels and low-cost hotels for as little as $25 per night, while a simit (Turkish bagel) will set you back less than $1, or enjoy a doner kebab meal for under $5. Meanwhile, popular landmarks such as the Blue Mosque…

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Stars

Your week ahead with award-winning astrologer Yasmin ARIES Mar 201 -Apr 20 Relationships are center stage as Venus retrograde stirs up unresolved feelings. Miscommunications are likely with Mercury retrograde, so choose your words carefully. You should feel more confident and vital than you have done in a while but tread lightly ★ Refine how you connect with others. TAURUS Apr 21 – May 21 If you’re dreaming of a lost love or even a lost stage of life, that’s fine, and as it should be. You are now at the start of a four-week cycle when it’s the ideal time to remove yourself from your social life. ★ Take time out to contemplate your next best move. GEMINI May 22 – June 21 The Sun is now lighting up the…

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Masthead

EDITORIAL Editorial Director Kate Kirsten, Editor Rachel Williams, Deputy Editor Kim Bonett, Art Director Fiona Parsons, Picture Editor Vanessa Mckenzie 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, Director of Marketing Carly Bowra 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. ©2024. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written permission. Take5 is a registered trade mark of Are Media. Use of trademark strictly prohibited. Licensing Inquiries: www.contentshop.com.au / syndication@aremedia.com.auPrinted by IVE Building…

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