Search

Are you a victim of elder abuse without even realising it?

A wealthy widow being told how to manage her money. A retired couple being denied access to their grandchildren. A single woman paying her high income-earning son’s credit card debt with her superannuation. Very different Australians with one unfortunate thing in common – they are all victims of elder abuse. While most people are familiar with the term ‘domestic violence’, the term ‘elder abuse’ is less well known. Which in itself is part of the problem: a lack of awareness helps perpetuate the cycle. The World Health Organization (WHO) <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/abuse-of-older-people" target="_blank" rel="noopener">defines elder abuse</a> as: “a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. This type of violence constitutes a violation of human rights.” It isn’t necessarily restricted to actions that leave physical scars – which can make it harder to identify, even for victims themselves. The absence of physical violence or financial theft can provide a false sense of security. Not recognising the signs that something is amiss lets mistreatment go unnoticed altogether. Alternatively, excuses are made for a loved one’s behaviour or concerns aren’t raised in order to ‘keep the peace’. How prevalent is elder abuse in Australia? The limited discussion of elder abuse in the media and society in general would suggest it isn’t common in Australia. Sadly, this couldn’t be more wrong. <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/population-groups/older-people#abuse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Government figures</a> estimate that one in six older people – around 598,000 individuals – were directly affected in 2023. Psychological abuse was the most widespread, while 2.1 per cent of older Australians – 83,800 people – experienced financial abuse. Who is responsible? The saddest fact of all is that elder abuse is typically committed by people their victims should be able to trust the most. More than half (53 per cent) of perpetrators are family members: adult children are the most common, with partners/spouses ranking third. Friends are the second most common perpetrators. What are the impacts? Impacts of elder abuse are typically far-reaching and depend on the type of abuse involved. Among them are: <ul> <li>Loss of control and independence</li> <li>Physical and mental health issues</li> <li>Relationship breakdowns</li> <li>Financial losses</li> <li>Insecure living arrangements</li> </ul> It is not uncommon for older people to be pressured over how to manage their finances and estate planning, influencing everything from how much they have to live off in retirement to care arrangements in their final years and who benefits from their estate. Much of the abuse and subsequent fallout centres around the family home. Charity <a href="https://www.theforgottenwomen.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Forgotten Women</a> notes there are over 40,000 women aged 55-plus who are homeless in Queensland alone. Elder abuse is often a contributing – if not causal – factor, such as one woman forced to live in her car while her son occupies her home. Meanwhile, the current housing crisis creates ideal conditions for abuse to flourish. Multi-generational households risk reduced independence and increased control over older people. A lack of proper agreements and structures when the Bank of Mum and Dad assists with a home deposit and/or loan guarantee opens the door to expectations of further financial assistance or threats to default on guaranteed loans. Warning signs of elder abuse Besides physical violence, red flags to look for include: <ul> <li>Coercive control – undue pressure over decision-making, living arrangements, spending and investment strategies, pensions, superannuation, tax, legal affairs and wills, ownership of assets, power of attorney.</li> <li>Guilt – emotional manipulation and ‘guilt-tripping’ for not meeting particular demands.</li> <li>Isolation – from family and friends as well as from independent professional advisers (your accountant, financial adviser, lawyer, healthcare professionals etc.).</li> <li>Money mismanagement – taking cash without consent; restricting access to money and assets; pressure to pay expenses that aren’t yours.</li> <li>Neglect and abandonment – withholding essentials or anything that is needed to maintain quality of life.</li> <li>Blackmail – a tragically common example is withholding access to grandchildren unless financial or legal demands are met.</li> </ul> Given the potentially disastrous consequences, it is important to recognise the signs and act quickly. Don’t suffer in silence or hope that things will sort themselves out. If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse, seek help straight away. Speak to a trusted relative or friend. Seek independent legal and financial advice about your affairs. Or call the government’s <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/contacts/elder-abuse-phone-line" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free elder abuse line on 1800 353 374</a>. And if your life is in danger, call triple zero (000) immediately. About the Author: Helen Baker is a licensed Australian financial adviser and author of On Your Own Two Feet: The Essential Guide to Financial Independence for all Women. Helen is among the 1% of financial planners who hold a master’s degree in the field. Proceeds from book sales are donated to charities supporting disadvantaged women and children. Find out more at <a href="http://www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au</a> Disclaimer: The information in this article is of a general nature only and does not constitute personal financial or product advice. Any opinions or views expressed are those of the authors and do not represent those of people, institutions or organisations the owner may be associated with in a professional or personal capacity unless explicitly stated. Helen Baker is an authorised representative of BPW Partners Pty Ltd AFSL 548754. Image: Getty

Retirement Income

Marcia Hines returns as Australian Idol fans cry foul over upset win

The Australian Idol 2024 grand finale left viewers stunned and divided as Dylan Wright emerged victorious, leaving many fans feeling that Amy Reeves had been unjustly denied the crown. The electrifying finale aired on Monday evening, showcasing the talents of Denvah Baker-Moller, Dylan Wright and Amy Reeves as they vied for the coveted title. However, it was Wright who clinched the top spot, much to the disappointment of numerous fans who had rallied behind Reeves. Throughout the season, Wright had consistently impressed both judges and audiences alike with his remarkable performances. His emotional reaction upon winning the recording contract with Sony Music Entertainment Australia and a $100,000 cash prize was palpable: “I’m about to cry!" he told the cheering crowd. "So, thanks!” The finale kicked off with hosts Ricki Lee and Scott Tweedie addressing the absence of judge Marcia Hines, who <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/marcia-hines-rushed-to-hospital" target="_blank" rel="noopener">had been hospitalised</a> due to health issues potentially related to her Type 1 diabetes. The void left by Hines was temporarily filled by guest judge Guy Sebastian, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/guy-sebastian-reveals-what-happened-when-marcia-hines-collapsed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">who stepped in</a> to ensure the show's continuity. Despite her absence, Hines' spirit remained present as she conveyed her apologies via Instagram, assuring fans of her eagerness to return. “I feel fine,” she said on Monday night's show in response to Ricki Lee and Scott Tweedie. “I want to thank everybody who reached out towards me, you know. I do appreciate it. And you guys need to know – I couldn’t have missed this for the world. I couldn’t have.” Hines admitted to having had stitches after collapsing backstage, and briefly lifted her hair to show the stitches on her forehead. “It is all good," she explained. "I’m good. I go back to the hospital tonight,” she added jokingly. As the finalists delivered their last performances, Reeves' rendition of Jessie J's "Bang Bang" stood out, earning praise from judge Kyle Sandilands and igniting a wave of support from viewers. However, despite her standout performance, it was Wright who ultimately clinched the title after a tense battle with Reeves. The decision sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with many expressing disbelief and frustration over Reeves' loss. Some fans proclaimed Reeves as the most deserving contestant in Idol history. “Call the police!" they wrote. "A robbery has taken place on #AustralianIdol. Amy has been absolutely shafted. Easily the best performer in idol history.” Amidst the chorus of disappointment, there were voices of congratulations for Wright, acknowledging his talent and triumph in the competition. Despite the divided opinions, one thing remained certain – the passion and fervour of Australian Idol fans, who eagerly await the next chapter in the musical journeys of all the finalists. Images: Channel Seven

"It feels like losing her all over again": Missing woman's remains identified

Human remains discovered in a grassland area in New South Wales have been positively identified as those belonging to Samah Baker, a victim of a tragic murder. The individual responsible for her murder, James Hachem, who had an intermittent relationship with her, was convicted last year for the crime that occurred in January 2019. He was subsequently handed a 24-year prison sentence in May of this year. The recent discovery, made on July 28th, involved a woman stumbling upon the remains approximately 100 metres to the south of the Windellama Overpass in Goulburn. Law enforcement officials have now officially confirmed the identity of these remains as belonging to Samah Baker. The Baker family, in response to this development, released a statement expressing the persistent anguish they have endured since Samah's untimely death. While the identification of her remains offers some solace after four-and-a-half years, it doesn't provide a complete sense of closure. The family highlighted how each new twist in the case exacerbates the wounds that have barely started healing, serving as a stark reminder of their profound loss. The statement poignantly conveys the feeling that even though her physical remains have been located, it evokes the sensation of losing her all over again. Samah, a 30-year-old resident of Sydney, had been engaged in a tumultuous and occasionally violent relationship with Hachem, who was 37 years old, ever since their initial encounter at work in 2015. Despite numerous breakups, Baker eventually moved on and found a new partner in December 2018. The court proceedings unveiled that Hachem had obsessively watched Baker, even waiting outside her apartment and growing increasingly furious when he observed her with her new partner on the early morning of January 4. He concocted a ruse involving a fabricated story about his parents being in a car accident to lure Baker out of her apartment before committing the heinous act. Hachem's premeditation extended to purchasing materials, such as a double sheet, gloves, cleaning supplies and a digging trowel from a Bunnings store, before embarking on a journey to remote regions in rural New South Wales. At the time of Hachem's sentencing, Baker's body had not yet been discovered, compounding the grief experienced by her family and friends. The full statement from the Baker family reads: "On Friday 4 January 2019, Samah was taken away from us in the cruellest way. "In the years that followed, our grief has been compounded by the fact that we have not been able to have a funeral or lay her to rest. "We never got to say goodbye to her or tell her we loved her for the last time. "The news of her remains being discovered four and a half years later isn't a neat resolution, but it does offer a small measure of what we've been longing for all this time. "Each development in the case feels like a reopening of our barely healed wounds, reminding us of the harsh reality of our loss. "Even though what remains of Samah has been found, it feels like losing her all over again. We ask for privacy in dealing with our grief." Images: PR Handout / Facebook

Legal

Simon Baker’s stunning transformation

For many, the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Simon Baker is The Mentalist - a lead role that established him as one of American TV’s highest paid stars. For others, it’s Baker as the face of ANZ. Either way, it’s easy to put a face to the name, though even some of his most hardcore fans may be surprised by the actor’s latest transformation, stepping back from Hollywood to instead embrace his passions and focus on his “creative renaissance”. Simon’s latest project, Limbo, comes in the wake of his homegrown work with High Ground, Blaze, and adaptation of Tim Winton’s Breath - with some going so far as to call it Baker’s “career best”. In Limbo, an outback noir written and directed by award-winning Indigenous filmmaker Ivan Sen, Baker steps into the shoes of jaded police detective and former drug squad officer Travis Hurley. Hurley and his addictions are sent to a small community in the outback that’s surrounded by opal mines and filled with secrets - one of which is a two-decades old disappearance of an Indigenous woman that Hurley is there to investigate. And while some of this may feel familiar to Baker’s regular audiences, the film is a far cry from what they’ve perhaps come to expect from the likes of The Mentalist, and his role even more so, with one reviewer calling his performance “hypnotically sinister”. Sen - who took on the roles of cinematographer, composer, and editor as well - paints a black-and-white picture, and utilises known crime drama tropes without thrusting them into the faces of Limbo’s viewers. Audiences witness the film through Hurley’s perspective, learning of what the town’s community has endured through the eyes of an ‘outsider’. As Hurley learns more about the failures of investigative authorities in the town, so too do the audience, as well as the underlying messages on the value of Indigenous life. It’s not the first time Sen has explored this in his work, and combined with Baker’s ability to tell a story subtly, with quiet nuance and separation from stereotype, it appears a match made in movie heaven. As Sen told The New Daily, “he has got an amazing presence. “He can talk so well without actually having to open his mouth. I wanted to expand that within a cinematic context, so this was our chance.” Images: Bunya Productions, Warner Bros. Television

Movies

Simon Baker discusses his "difficult" relationship with his father

Simon Baker has shared emotional family secrets and details of the strained relationship with his father on the SBS hit series Who Do You Think You Are? The Aussie actor agreed to do the show after being approached for many years, “despite my mum, sister and kids saying ‘you should do it’.” Eventually he decided to take part in the show, saying “I thought, I’ll just see what kind of adventure it is and where it will all take me.” He discussed the early days of his life after he was born in Launceston in 1969 to his father Barry Baker and mother Elizabeth. “And soon after, my parents moved to the highlands of New Guinea, with two kids, to a remote area,” he says. In the show he summarises the family’s brief time there, saying “They went on this incredible adventure – and they didn’t come back together.” He explains how his young mother went on to remarry, but his father remained in his life under a different persona. “I didn’t know he was my dad. He was a family friend, Uncle Barry. I’ve struggled with that.” A reunion between the two finally took place when Baker was 18 years old, but in the meantime, the family moved to the northern NSW beach community of Lennox Head. “It was a small community and back then it was an idyllic place to live,” Baker says. “I felt a really strong sense of belonging in that place and still do. It was a phenomenal childhood in that regard – but the personal family life was difficult.” Before he appeared on Who Do You Think You Are?, Baker “looked back at my immediate family as this sort of mess,” he says. “But the truth is, families have many different forms and I think if you can look at your own past and the past of your ancestors with compassion, you can carry that forward with you with a little bit more wisdom.” He admitted that revealing the story of his parents was "challenging", and likened his difficult childhood to why he became an actor. “I’m pretty shy … But there is a kind of psychological reason in why I became an actor. The initial desire when I was young was about connecting with people, the idea of seeing someone in a story on a screen that you could identify with, and it could help you understand feelings inside you that you didn’t necessarily know how to articulate. When I watched certain episodes of Who Do You Think You Are?, I felt a connection to that person – and with that, you don’t feel as alone.” Image credits: SBS

Family & Pets

Beloved Seinfeld star dead at 90

The prolific and beloved character actor Phillip Baker Hall has died at 90 years of age. Known for his roles in films like Boogie Nights and Magnolia and shows such as Seinfeld and Modern Family, he had an impressive career spanning over six decades. Hall's wife of nearly 40 years, Holly Wolfle Hall, confirmed the news, saying he died on the 12th of June in Glendale, California, surrounded by loved ones. His most memorable roles in film include playing the IRS Boss in Say Anything, Sydney in Hard Eight, Floyd Gondolli in Boogie Nights, Jimmy Gator in Magnolia, Jack Baylor in Bruce Almighty, Sherwood Morrill in Zodiac and a CIA director in Argo. When it came to TV, Hall gave over 200 guest performances, including as library cop Joe Bookman on Seinfeld, Senator Matt Hunt on The West Wing, Dr. Morrison on Curb Your Enthusiasm and Walt Kleezak on Modern Family. Born in Toledo, Ohio on September the 10th, 1931, Hall began his career as a United States Army translator in Germany and a high school teacher before pursuing acting as he entered his 40s. His career in film really picked up during the '80s, when he starred as Richard Nixon in Secret Honor (1984) and held supporting roles in movies like Garry Marshall's Nothing in Common (1986), Midnight Run (1988) starring Robert De Niro, John Hughes' classic rom-com Say Anything (1989) and Ghostbusters II (1989), in which he played the police commissioner. Hall also began working with Paul Thomas Anderson during the decade, starring in his short film Cigarettes & Coffee in 1993, which then led to his directorial debut Hard Eight (1996) in which Hall stars alongside John C. Reilly. Later appearing in Anderson's films Boogie Nights (1997) and Magnolia (1999), playing an adult theatre magnate and a children's game show host. Hall's career in film continued to grow in the '90s and 2000s with films such as The Truman Show (1998), The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), The Insider (1999), Dogville (2003), Bruce Almighty (2003), Zodiac (2007) and Argo (2012). Phillip is survived by his wife, his brother, four daughters and four grandchildren and will be missed by his fans and family. Image: Getty

News

Inside Simon Baker's new rustic Bondi home with stunning ocean views

Simon Baker has purchased a $6million home in Sydney’s Bondi Beach, a new report has claimed. The Australian actor allegedly bought the three-bedroom cottage after it was offered for sale by social commentator Ruth Ostrow. The property, which also contains three bathrooms, is set in lush tropical gardens and boasts ocean views. There is an idyllic patio area to entertain guests, while interiors take on a neutral colour palette with polished wooden floorboards, whitewashed walls, high ceilings and timber accents. The reported purchase comes after Simon and his ex-wife Rebecca Rigg, reportedly sold their three-bedroom home in Bronte, Sydney, for almost $17million. According to Domain in September, the former couple shocked property watchers with the lucrative sale, especially given they purchased the home for just $6.5million back in 2015. Boasting sweeping ocean views and located in one of Sydney's most sought-after suburbs - the former Baker residence offers the ultimate in coastal living. A number of images were listed by CoreLogic following the sale in 2015, with reports revealing the pair made no major improvements on the property after acquiring it. The couple announced their split last year after having been together for 29 years. Images: Domain

Real Estate

Simon Baker confirms long-held rumour

Aussie actor Simon Baker has had an awkward experience while being interviewed on Today Extra. The 52-year-old was asked by co-hosts David Campbell and Sylvia Jeffreys whether he’d ever watched the 2006 Oscar-nominated movie The Devil Wears Prada, which he played a starring role in. “I need you to set the record straight on this, that you have never watched the film,” Jeffreys <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/morning-shows/simon-bakers-awkward-response-to-devil-wears-prada-question-on-today-extra/news-story/36e09e349ac0aa88802a6c2ba3fac991" target="_blank">began</a>. After a long pause while looking away from the camera, Baker said, “No I haven’t. That’s true.” Without elaborating on his answer, a stunned Jeffreys responded, “Oh, it’s a cracker. You should definitely change that.” Again looking off camera, Baker added, “I’ve heard. It’s clearly been … quite successful.” When Jeffreys asked The Mentalist star why he hadn’t seen the film since it premiered 15 years ago, Baker simply said, “I haven’t gotten around to it.” The hosts burst into fits of laughter, and Jeffreys joked, “We’ve been under lockdown orders! There’s been nothing else to do.” Baker gave a longer explanation, saying, “Oh look I don’t know, you’ve got to get a bit of distance from films sometimes.” Since its release, The Devil Wears Prada has gained popularity among viewers and been labelled as a film that’s stood the test of time. In 2016, the film’s legacy was described by <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/07/july-4-weekend-box-office-flops-and-surprises" target="_blank">Vanity Fair</a> as more pervasive than other more profitable films such as Superman Returns, which beat it at the box office on its opening weekend. “The degree to which The Devil Wears Prada has penetrated pop culture needs no explanation - as does the degree to which Superman Returns didn’t,” the publication wrote. In total, the movie grossed $326 million against a $41 million budget, and saw Meryl Streep receive a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her starring role. Image: Channel 9

Movies

Simon Baker’s ex speaks for first time since split

Simon Baker’s ex-girlfriend, Laura May Gibbs, fashion designer and founder of the Australian label Nagnata, has spoken publicly for the first time since Baker’s representatives confirmed the <a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/simon-baker-quietly-splits-from-model-girlfriend" target="_blank">couple had split</a> last week. There were rumours that Baker had decided to end things after Gibbs attended an anti-vaccine protest on November 7. In a video from the event that she uploaded to Instagram, a crowd can be seen dancing to ‘Power to the People’, while some hold signs with anti-vax messages and others hold Australian flags. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CV-D5MMDtdr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CV-D5MMDtdr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by LAURA MAY (@lauramay_)</a> </div> </blockquote> Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Gibbs wrote a lengthy post explaining her justification for attending the protest, opposing vaccine mandates more generally, and seeking to quash the rumours that her anti-vax beliefs were the reason for the breakup. Gibbs wrote, “Last weekend, the Northern Rivers community gathered peacefully alongside the local police and around 10,000 others, including nurses, teachers and first responders who are being subject to unreasonable mandates, currently in place in NSW. There was a march, followed by speeches and conversation, music and hope from people across all walks of life coming together to question - what is happening in our beautiful Country? I care about these people. I care about my staff and community, without division or prejudice. Regardless of our differences we are moving through this time together. The decisions being made by those in power effect all of us, including our children and their future freedoms. I have always been here, standing up for Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Choice, despite the politics of the time or what is considered appropriately ‘trendy’. So, to the gossip columnists, who have slandered my name across their platforms and used a false narrative around the relationship I’ve been in this year - it’s simply not true. And to the tabloid media I want to say - try harder. Stop using lies and sloppy journalism to make an example out of me. I never discuss my private life, but I will say this - the friendship and respect I share with this person runs too deep for the media’s noise to have any true impact in our lives. Instead, while we’re here, let’s start talking about the REAL issues facing our country - the mental health crisis, the housing crisis and the very real health crisis. This is not just about me, or my “rights”, this is about Freedom for all. Our freedom is not something that the government gives or takes away. It is our right from the moment we are born. So I won’t apologise for voicing my concerns, when I see so many struggling, losing their livelihoods and being silenced, shamed and ridiculed for wanting to ask questions. Activism is important to me, I’ve attended numerous environmental rallies and Indigenous rights protests, and taken action in all of these areas. If the media is going to cover issues I make a stand on, then report the full scope of the matter - and while you’re at it, lead with my name.” <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWSNMJ4PBta/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWSNMJ4PBta/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by LAURA MAY (@lauramay_)</a> </div> </blockquote> Gibbs and her brand previously made headlines for their decision to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CU1hl96lZTl/" target="_blank">close their Byron Bay store</a> rather than require customers to wear masks and check in using QR codes, per the NSW government’s rules for retailers after NSW’s lockdown lifted last month. Image: Instagram

Relationships

Simon Baker quietly splits from model girlfriend

The Mentalist star Simon Baker has <a rel="noopener" href="https://celebrity.nine.com.au/latest/simon-baker-girlfriend-laura-may-gibbs-breakup/eb897d82-0729-487f-8945-e517868ac3ba" target="_blank">reportedly</a> ended his relationship with girlfriend Laura May Gibbs. The news was confirmed by a representative of the Aussie actor, who told The Daily Mail that the pair went their separate ways a couple months ago. Though the rep didn’t want to reveal the reason behind the breakup, they noted that it was not because of Gibb’s anti-vaxxer stance. The 36-year-old fashion designer made headlines last month after her brand Nagnata announced that its Bryon Bay store would only reopen once both vaccinated and unvaccinated customers would be allowed to enter retail venues. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUv4my_vZGg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUv4my_vZGg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by NAGNATA (@nagnata_)</a> </div> </blockquote> In a follow-up post on the store’s Instagram page, Gibbs addressed the “hate” that had been directed at the page and stated that “the majority of our Nagnata team are fully vaccinated”. “The decision to close was in no way to support an ‘anti-vax’ mentality, as that is not where we stand as a team,” the caption read, accompanied by a photo of Gibbs and her sister and co-founder Hannah Gibbs. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CU1hl96lZTl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CU1hl96lZTl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by NAGNATA (@nagnata_)</a> </div> </blockquote> Gibbs was also recently spotted at a protest against mandatory vaccinations and vaccine passports held by ‘Reclaim the Line’. The 52-year-old actor was last seen with Gibbs in August, after they were initially seen together earlier this year in Byron Bay. The sighting came two months after Baker separated from his wife of 23 years, Australian actress Rebecca Rigg. Rigg and Baker were together for 29 years and said they remained “close friends” in a joint statement at the time. Images: @snappytoes / Instagram, @lauramay_ / Instagram

Relationships

Simon Baker debuts relationship with 36-year-old designer

Simon Baker has debuted his relationship with fellow Aussie Laura May Gibbs. People reported the 51-year-old was spotted with the activewear designer, 36, at a beach off the NSW town of Byron Bay. Gibbs is the founder of fashion and lifestyle brand Nagnata, a creative design collaborative with her sister Hannah Gibbs. In January, The Mentalist star announced his separation from Aussie actress Rebecca Rigg, 53, his wife of close to 30 years. They share three children together: Stella, 27, Claude, 22, and Harry, 19. "We remain close friends and our three children will always be the most important focus of our lives," the couple — who met in the early 1990s and starred on the Aussie soap E Street together — said in a joint statement at the time.

Relationships

Simon Baker splits with wife of 29 years

Australian actor Simon Baker and his wife Rebecca Rigg have separated after almost 30 years of marriage. The pair quietly split in April 2020 but confirmed the news on Friday. “We remain close friends and our three children will always be the most important focus of our lives,” the pair said in a statement. The two were married for 29 years and share three children - Stella, 27, Claude, 22 and Harry, 19. Baker opened up about his marriage in the past when asked why he and Rigg didn't celebrate wedding anniversaries. “We’ve never really been big on it. Anniversaries, they’re an odd thing, aren’t they?” Baker told <a rel="noopener" href="https://people.com/movies/simon-baker-happy-20-year-marriage/" target="_blank">People in 2018</a>. “I think we put too much pressure on it. It’s not like that with us. “We’re a team. Most of the time, 99 per cent of the time, we’re really great friends. So I don’t need to mark it with great things.” Baker and Rigg met in the 1990s and both appeared in the Australian drama E-Street.

Relationships

“This is the ugliest cake I’ve seen”: Bride-to-be slams celebrity baker

A bride-to-be has slammed a celebrity baker for creating “the ugliest cake” she has ever seen. New Zealand baker Jordan Rondel, also known as ‘The Caker’, might have achieved success with multiple cookbooks, brand partnerships and celebrity fans such as Lorde. However, she is still not immune to customer criticism. On Thursday, New Zealand baker Jordan Rondel shared an email from a customer who had asked to be refunded for her cake order. “I don’t know how I’ve paid for the simplest cake with minimal decorations and paid the amount I have just because it’s “the Caker”,” the unnamed customer wrote. “This is the ugliest cake I’ve seen. I want a full refund.” <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BuZ9llUjZVA/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BuZ9llUjZVA/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Apparently this is the ugliest cake this customer has ever seen, so ugly it won’t be served at the wedding tomorrow 🤔 We had no other option than to refund them in full. I personally loved the look of this cake, which we felt fitted what the customer asked for, and ultimately we would never send out something we weren’t happy with...so I’m completely shook. Anyone else running a business who puts in their best efforts and ends up losing out? 🤯 #thecaker #cake</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/thecaker/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Jordan Rondel, The Caker</a> (@thecaker) on Feb 27, 2019 at 4:39pm PST </div> </blockquote> Rondel, who also included a picture of the cake on the Instagram post, wrote: “Apparently this is the ugliest cake this customer has ever seen, so ugly it won’t be served at the wedding tomorrow.” She said as there was “no other option”, the customer was refunded in full. “I personally loved the look of this cake, which we felt fitted what the customer asked for, and ultimately we would never send out something we weren’t happy with... so I’m completely shook. Anyone else running a business who puts in their best efforts and ends up losing out?” The comments section was filled with expressions of support for Rondel. “I think it’s absolutely beautiful! People can be so harsh sometimes,” one wrote. Another added, “Your cake is lovely, minimalist and elegant. Refund the money and put it in the back of your mind – I’m so sorry this has happened to you!” Some people could understand the customer’s disappointment with the wedding cake, but still blasted her demand for a refund. “It's lovely!” one commented. “Would I have it as a wedding cake? Personally, no. But it's certainly an occasion cake. Clearly the bride was after a freebie.” “It's not my style but certainly still a pretty cake,” another chimed in. “Be interesting to know her brief to you, and the price she paid, as this may have a lot to do with her reaction... Not to excuse her approach though, which was downright rude!” What do you think of the wedding cake? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Relationships

Aussie baker hits back at customer's negative review: "$6 croissant is a joke"

A Sydney bakery has defended its $6 croissants against a negative review. When a customer took to social media to complain about the croissants from bakery Flour and Stone, founder Nadine Ingram responded with a thorough explanation. On Sunday, a customer wrote on the business’s Facebook page about her less than impressive experience. "Not the best croissants I have eaten. They're too buttery. 6 dollars [for] the croissant is a joke." Ingram replied with a long statement, which she shared on Facebook and Instagram, to justify why the item is priced so high. "It's true $6 is a lot for a croissant and you're not the only one to raise an eyebrow or two at the price increase," Ingram wrote. "The $6 croissant pays for the training, the ingredients, the purpose." <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3D2127585853988397%26id%3D191275080952827&width=500" width="500" height="664" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> She explained that the price increase was to facilitate pay rises and training for her staff. "I allocate 3 training shifts a week just on croissant for the bakers in my team because they said that’s what they want to learn," she wrote. “In addition I have a career mentor program where my staff go and spend the day with one of my peers making coffee, cheese, bread or chocolates. Flour and Stone pays for this and I add, this type of scheme is almost unheard of in hospitality. It’s my purpose.” She also said the use of quality materials for the baked goods, such as Pepe Saya butter and Country Valley milk, also influences the price. She also mentioned her refusal to reduce the number of employees on her payroll. "Did you know there are manufacturers out there getting creative about avoiding payroll tax (a privilege I will have for the first time this year) by investing in machines and reducing their workforce? I’m not going to do this! Because I don't believe this is a sustainable way for Australia to move forward." Many of the bakery’s fans have applauded Ingram’s response. "Excellent response. I would rather pay $6 for a great croissant than $2-$5 for a crap one," commented one user on Instagram. "It's a tough gig running a bakery and people just don't understand the price of ingredients from paddock to plate, adding on wages, electricity... and so many more," another chimed in. However, some customers also came in defense of the reviewer. "It's totally out of line to berate a customer personally with feedback in this condescending manner. [The reviewer] is entitled to leave an honest review of their experience with your product," a Facebook user replied. "I don't think it's reasonable to expect everyone to know what goes in to making the highest quality croissants (or what Pepe Saya butter is)," another customer wrote on Instagram. "A lot of people don’t grow up being able to access high quality produce. So it's great to teach people about what does go into producing your amazing and high quality products, but I don't think it's a good idea to undermine people who don't know." Ingram told <a rel="noopener" href="https://kitchen.nine.com.au/2019/02/11/15/41/six-dollar-croissant-bakery-flour-and-stone-outrage" target="_blank">9Honey Kitchen</a> she did not expect her posts to stir up an outrage. "I went to a hospitality symposium before Christmas and listened to a lot of people in the industry who are hurting every day. People who are trying to keep prices low but maintain their integrity,” she said. "I made this flippant remark at the end that there should be a revolution to change the way people perceive food to be produced." What do you think of the baker's explanation on her $6 croissants? Share your thoughts in the comments.

News

Shark Tank contestant and former Coles worker scores $100,000 investment

A Shark Tank contestant has scored a $100,000 investment for his business idea to gift cupcakes in mason jars. Former Coles employee James Willis, 26, impressed the show’s judges when he presented his idea on Tuesday. Instead of sending flowers, James’s business sees overnight delivery of assorted cupcakes in secured mason jars, ensuring they are not ruined in transit. “I knew people would want to get cake in the mail but you can't send cupcakes because they get squished,” he said. He explained to the judges that his concept and delivery method was a first in Australia. “So we're the only cake manufacturer that can ship Australia-wide overnight which is pretty exciting,” he said. “Everyone's sending flowers, no one's sending cupcakes in a jar.” Judges Andrew Banks and Naomi Simson offered James the $100,000 investment for a 30 per cent stake in the business. The business, named The Mason Baker, is expected to bring in over one million dollars in retail sales over the next year. On The Mason Baker Instagram page, James shared a photo with his two new investors. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 62.175925925925924% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlDNwJ9FP-W/" target="_blank">A post shared by The Mason Baker (@themasonbaker)</a> on Jul 10, 2018 at 4:55am PDT </div> </blockquote> He wrote: “Excited to do a deal with @abanks_88 and @naomisimson - Some big announcements to come! Watch this space.” Before launching the business in July 2017, James worked in the bakery department at Coles. The young entrepreneur has also signed a deal with Australian online flower retailer Roses Only to sell his jars, increasing weekly production from 1,000 per week to 5,000 plus. What are your thoughts on this business idea? Let us know in the comments below.

Money & Banking

Why this Bakers Delight ad has been banned

A Bakers Delight advertisement appearing in shopping centres around the country has been banned by the Advertising Standards Board (ASB) after a complaint about the manner in which it was “advertising lollies on bread for school lunches”. The campaign in question, which you can view below, depicted a cheese and vegemite scroll, a cheese and bacon roll and four mini finger buns covered in chocolate M&M’s with the slogan, “School lunches? Problem solved.” <img width="500" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/34056/bakers-delight-banned-ad-in-text_500x500.jpg" alt="Bakers -Delight -banned -ad -in -text (1)"/> The complaint to the ASB argued, “Advertising of lollies on bread for school lunches is appalling. Lunch and healthy food choices is challenging enough for most families and to have this as an acceptable choice is unfathomable. “Bakers Delight is specifically targeting children to include M&M finger buns as a day-to-day lunch box item. Such products, should rarely (or preferably never) be eaten by children, let alone promoted and 'normalised' as an everyday food.” The ASB concluded that the poster series did promote unhealthy diets and ultimate breached a section of the AANA Food Code for advertisements. ASB said, “The reader may interpret the advertisement as being a suggestion of some items to go in the lunch box, however... the text 'your lunch box solution' strongly suggests this is all you could have (a scroll and a finger bun).” We’d be keen to get your thoughts on this one. Do you agree with the reasons for pulling this ad, or do you think it’s political correctness gone too far? Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/money-banking/2017/01/coles-customers-warned-about-email-gift-card-scam/">Coles customers warned about email gift card scam</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2016/09/aldi-announces-big-game-changer/">Aldi announcement that could push it to number-one supermarket</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2016/06/aussies-are-leaving-coles-and-woolies-for-this-supermarket/">Aussies are leaving Coles and Woolies for this supermarket</a>

News

French baker to sell business to homeless man for $1.50

A French baker has decided to sell his business to the homeless man who saved his life, only asking for a single Euro for the Parisian boulangerie he built. But the baker Michel Flamant, 62, has a good reason to offer his business at such a bargain. Just last year Mr Flamant was working when disaster almost struck. When one of the pastry ovens started leaking carbon monoxide Mr Flamant was in trouble, dazed and staggering around the bakery. <img width="499" height="305" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/18587/baker-2_499x305.jpg" alt="Baker 2" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Jerome Aucant, the 37-year-old homeless man who regularly stopped by the bakery, was walking past and quickly noticed something was amiss. When he saw Mr Flamant staggering around he immediately contacted emergency services. "If Jerome wasn’t around that day I would have been a goner," Mr Flamant told said. Mr Flamant spent the next 12 days in hospital, before returning to health. Mr Flamant offered Mr Aucant a job at the bakery, and Mr Aucant has impressed the bakery owner so much with his application he taught him the baking business. Now, with retirement just around the corner, Mr Flamant has offered Mr Aucant his business for just one euro ($1.50). "What's more important, money or life? I don't care about money. I'm not rich but I don't care. I want to be free, I want to take it easy now. And also, if this makes him happy..." Mr Flamant said. And Mr Aucant is very grateful for the offer, "I have to be 100 percent on the job/ Michel has given me a real gift, and now... I want to be worthy of it." To see the pair at work, scroll through the gallery above. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/04/oldest-skier-in-britain-retires-from-sport/">102-year-old skier retires from the slopes</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/03/grandmother-lifts-100kg/">78-year-old grandmother lifts weights like a pro athlete</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/03/man-celebrates-92nd-birthday-by-jumping-out-of-plane/">Grandpa celebrates 92nd birthday by jumping out of a plane</a>

Retirement Life

Our Partners

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Newspaper

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Compare

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Are you a victim of elder abuse without even realising it?

Marcia Hines returns as Australian Idol fans cry foul over upset win