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Man restores mate's dream pub after tragic death

Kevin "Stumpy" Darmody ran the Peninsula Hotel in the Cape York town of Laura, Cairns for over 20 years before he was tragically killed by a crocodile during a fishing trip. The 65-year-old went missing on the Kennedy River at Rinyirru National Park in April last year, with his body recovered a month later, after wildlife officers shot and killed a crocodile during their search, discovering his remains in its stomach. Now, Darmody's best friend Stuart Wiggins has picked up where he left off, and travelled all the way to Cairns from Canberra to restore his mate's pub. "I've been coming up for 20 years myself and watched all the hard work Kev's put in and I thought I didn't want to see that get wasted," he told the ABC. He got to work and trimmed the three-metre long weeds that covered the pub. "The weeds were like trees. We've worked from day to night and it's looking really good now." Wiggins recalled how his best mate first moved to Laura, Cairns 20 years ago after he came across the town on a 4WD trip across northern Australia. Now, in honour of his late friend, Wiggins has renamed the hotel "Stumpy's Bar". "I've got a nice big sign out the front of the pub to remember him," Wiggins said. He also reminisced their friendship and how the pair "got on like a house on fire", saying that he too had "fished off the same spot" where Darmody was taken "so many times". "He was always warning people going out there, 'don't get too close to the water. If you fall in you're not going to get out,' so what happened that day we'll never ever know", he said. Wiggins shared that Darmody was known to for his tough exterior, but was the type of person that would "give you the shirt off his back and do anything for you". "Even the week before he passed, he bought a plane ticket to sneak down to surprise me for my 60th birthday," he said. Prior to Darmody's death Wiggins was working a "cruisy job" at Parliament House in Canberra, before deciding to leave his family behind to re-enter the hospitality industry. "It was a massive move to leave my family behind but even my lady Tanya knew it was something I needed to do," Wiggins said. "I couldn't just sit at parliament thinking the place was going to go to rack and ruin." Images: ABC/ Stuart Wiggins

Domestic Travel

Better Homes and Gardens star's dream rural property up for grabs

Better Homes and Gardens star Charlie Albone and his wife interior designer Juliet Love, have listed their dream Ourimbah home. The 2.07ha property located on the Central Coast has been listed by McGrath Gosford agents Peter Morris and Nate Waters with a $3m to $3.2m price guidance. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom home sits deep behind a gated entry, which ensures privacy and is surrounded by plenty of greenery with its garden alcoves, a stunning wisteria-covered arbour, fruit trees, and a few garden beds for vegetables. There is also a feature dry-stone wall fire pit built by Scottish stonemason Callum Grey, that's perfect for winter and colder nights. The English cottage-style home comes with a separate self-contained unit that includes a bedroom and kitchenette. The home is every animal lovers' dream with five paddocks that come with animal shelters, plumbed water troughs and a three-stall stable. For those hot summer days, whoever the new owners are can dip into the saltwater pool located on the property. The property is equipped with 100,000-litre tanks and has town water. Albone and his family bought the property in 2012 for $840,000 which means that if it was sold at the price guide then it's almost four times the original price they bought it at. The top acreage sale at Ourimbah currently sits at $3,725,000 for a 13.93ha Dog Trap Rd six-bedroom house, which sold in 2021. Images: news.com.au

Real Estate

Inside Bec and Lleyton Hewitt's new $10-million dream home

Bec and Lleyton Hewitt have headed back to Sydney after stints in Melbourne and the Bahamas, with hopes that their new $10.3 million dream home in the semi-rural suburb of Glenhaven, will provide more stability. "I'm a Sydney girl, I love Sydney," said Bec, who swapped the busy inner city life for a more secluded one with her husband their three kids, Mia, 17, Cruz, 14, and Ava, 12. Their new home is close to Bec's family, and one of their neighbours is none other than Bec's former Home And Away co-star Lynne McGranger. Their six bedroom home comes with a host of features, including an inground swimming pool with a cabana, a tennis court, guest cottage and office. It also includes a space that will be used as a "boys room" for Lleyton and his son Cruz. The home sits on just over two hectares, and even features a secret room hidden in the loft, if they want to escape and have some peace and quiet. The couple's lavish purchase comes after they sold their Melbourne mansion in the ritzy suburb of Toorak for $16 million in 2021. They didn't require a mortgage for their new home. A local insider told Woman's Day that "the house is tucked away on a quiet, dead-end road in a sleepy suburb, which will give them a bit more privacy." Images: @threebirdsrenovations / Instagram

Real Estate

Explore. Dream. Discover: An Over60 Reader's epic journey

Many people travel to all corners of the earth, seeking new and exciting experiences, especially when we retire and are able to do so. Sometimes we can be pushed beyond the boundaries of our comfort zone but usually the experience is positive and often transformational. One popular destination for travellers who enjoy adventure is Sedona in Arizona, a town that nestles in a desert on the edge of red rock canyons. Nearby is Hopiland, home to the Hopi Indians. One of my most treasured memories occurred in this part of the world in 1990, on top of a desert mountain known as a mesa. The mesa rose thousands of feet above ground level and I climbed up there with a group of friends from Australia. As we reached the top, we began to hear the sound of drums and chanting coming from an underground cave. Our travel guide informed us that inside the cave, Hopi women and children huddled together on the dirt floor to watch their menfolk perform legendary rituals honouring their ancient ancestors. Since the ceremony was forbidden to tourists, we were given an hour to explore the top of the mesa. Moving a short distance away from the rest of the group, I sat down on a rock to fully absorb the nearby pulse of drums and chanting. A few minutes later, three young Hopi boys appeared and attempted to converse with me. Initially, I found it difficult to understand what they were saying until I realised they were actually inviting me to accompany them underground to join their tribal family. Throwing caution to the wind, I followed them down a rickety wooden ladder poking out of a hole in the ground. The atmosphere inside the cave was thick with burning sage combined with swirling dust from the pounding feet of men dancing, their heads hidden inside huge masks. Barefooted women and children squatted on the dirt floor and I felt very much an intruder as I squeezed myself amongst them. But, reassured by friendly smiles and head-nodding, I began to relax, absorbing the magical rituals of times past. Eventually the ancient ceremony ended, and I climbed the ladder back into the twentieth century, overcome by a newfound sense of humility and realisation of just how unimportant the wealth and material greed of Western society is. One can often rely on the unexpected to occur when travelling. During a visit to Egypt one year, our group emerged from the Temple of Isis to settle down and meditate on the bank of a nearby river when a military policeman appeared out of the bushes, clutching a large submachine gun. His other hand appeared to conceal something behind his back and as he drew closer, we noticed he had a second gun tucked into his belt. Terrified, we leapt to our feet. Then, his face breaking into a smile, he held out the hand from behind his back. Lying in its brown sinewy palm were eleven pink oleander blossoms, one for each of us. A moment of sheer terror switched instantly to one of absolute delight. Another example of ‘the unexpected’ occurred a few days later for a member of our group who had just turned eighty. All her life she had suffered with claustrophobia and its related anxiety and panic attacks. Consequently, when we visited the Great Pyramid to ascend the steep tunnel inside which would take us up to the King’s Chamber, we arranged for her to remain outside with our tour guide. But at the last minute she changed her mind, not wanting to miss out on such a special experience. By slowly crawling through the tunnel all the way up inside the Great Pyramid, she managed to achieve something she had never in her life believed possible. We celebrated her victory that night with champagne, lots of laughs and some hilarious attempts at belly dancing. A travel memory that always makes my grandchildren laugh is when I was visiting my friend Palden Jenkins, an historian who lives in Glastonbury. One day we set off for Snowdonia, North Wales, for a holiday. As we pulled up outside the 500-year-old stone cottage a farmer approached, urging us to be sure to leave a pot of tea outside every night for the Booka, the name given to Welsh brownies or elves. If we did this, he said, we would be assured of a hassle-free holiday. The Booka would not trouble us if we kept the cottage clean, left out the tea and didn’t have long noses. Words cannot describe the fun we two ‘grown-ups’ had in brewing tea every evening over an open fire to cater to the whims of Snowdonia’s faerie folk. Travelling the world can create change in our lives that we will never regret, opening our hearts, broadening our minds, and sometimes transforming our lives forever. To quote Mark Twain, ‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than by the ones you did. So, sail away from the safe harbour. Explore. Dream. Discover.’ This wonderful story, including the images, was sent in by Over60 Reader Jo Buchanan. Thank you, Jo, for sharing your adventure with us! If you have a Reader Story you would like to contribute to Over60, please send it to the editor via <a href="mailto:greg@oversixty.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">greg@oversixty.com.au</a>.

International Travel

Tiny house, big dreams: How to take a trip and give back at the same time

When it comes to getting away over the summer, there is no one size-fits-all option to accommodate everyone’s unique needs. Some of us may prefer an off-the-grid adventure to the bush to reconnect with nature, while others just can’t pass up an opportunity to lay on the beach and frolic in the ocean. But if there’s one thing every holiday goer can agree on, it's the absolute need to relax. Luckily, <a href="https://reflectionsholidayparks.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reflections Holiday & Caravan Parks</a> has something for everyone this summer. From blissful camping and caravanning sites to luxurious tiny homes and creature-comfort cabin accommodation, Reflections is proud to be New South Wales’ largest holiday park operator, showing 2 million visitors a year the magic of the outside. You can feel good about your stay with Reflections, as the company is the first and only holiday park group in Australia that is certified as a <a href="https://www.socialtraders.com.au/news/what-is-a-social-enterprise" target="_blank" rel="noopener">social enterprise</a>. That means the profits from the parks go back into the Crown land nature reserves the company manages to protect and nurture the land, for their lasting preservation and the community’s enjoyment while also giving back to local areas. A holiday here is essentially giving back to the local environment and community. I was lucky enough to be invited for a trip away with Reflections, and stayed in a charming Tiny House at the Jimmy’s Beach park in Hawk’s Nest on the mid-coast of NSW. Despite bringing the dreary Sydney rain with me up the coast, my stay with Reflections was nothing short of a dream. The tiny house provided all the comforts we needed on an overcast weekend, with the cosy atmosphere providing the perfect place to fully unwind from busy city life. Despite being, by name, a tiny house, the one bedroom home provided everything we needed, including a comfy bed, spacious shower, a large lounge and TV, as well as everything you could need to cook your own meals. A spacious deck was also most welcome, giving you the chance to sit in the sun and take in the picturesque nature around you, while spotting the best of Australia's wildlife. As the sun came out, we were able to indulge in all that Reflections had to offer, including bush walks, trips to the beach and even a dip in the pool. The sense of community in Reflections holiday parks is palpable, as making friends and meeting new people is encouraged and fostered, with a welcoming environment making it easy to hear the life stories of others as you cross paths in communal areas. The holiday parks are also perfect for families, with playgrounds available for the little ones, and even an ice cream truck making the rounds while playing Waltzing Matilda to signal the arrival of delicious treats. So, when booking your summer trips away, whether you’re after a quiet beach stay, a family-friendly destination, or an exploration off the beaten track, a stay at a Reflections Holiday Park is sure to leave you refreshed, reconnected, and ready for whatever comes your way. Image credits: Supplied

Domestic Travel

The science of dreams and nightmares – what is going on in our brains while we’re sleeping?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/drew-dawson-13517">Drew Dawson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/madeline-sprajcer-1315489">Madeline Sprajcer</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a> Last night you probably slept for <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352721816301292">seven to eight hours</a>. About one or two of these was likely in deep sleep, especially if you’re young or physically active. That’s because <a href="http://apsychoserver.psych.arizona.edu/jjbareprints/psyc501a/readings/Carskadon%20Dement%202011.pdf">sleep changes with age</a> and <a href="https://www.hindawi.com/journals/apm/2017/1364387/">exercise</a> affects brain activity. About three or four hours will have been spent in light sleep. For the remaining time, you were likely in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. While this is not the only time your brain is potentially dreaming – we also dream during other sleep stages – it is the time your brain activity is most likely to be recalled and reported when you’re awake. That’s usually because either really weird thoughts or feelings wake you up or because the last hour of sleep is nearly all <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Elizaveta-Solomonova/publication/320356182_Dream_Recall_and_Content_in_Different_Stages_of_Sleep_and_Time-of-Night_Effect/links/5a707bdb0f7e9ba2e1cade56/Dream-Recall-and-Content-in-Different-Stages-of-Sleep-and-Time-of-Night-Effect.pdf">REM sleep</a>. When dreams or your alarm wake you, you’re likely coming out of dream sleep and your dream often lingers into the first few minutes of being awake. In this case you remember it. If they’re strange or interesting dreams, you might tell someone else about them, which may further <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00426-022-01722-7">encode</a> the dream memory. Dreams and nightmares are mysterious and we’re still learning about them. They keep our brains ticking over. They wash the thoughts from the day’s events at a molecular level. They might even help us imagine what’s possible during our waking hours. <h2>What do scientists know about REM sleep and dreaming?</h2> It’s really hard to study dreaming because people are asleep and we can’t observe what’s going on. Brain imaging has indicated certain <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087079216300673#sec3">patterns of brain activity</a> are associated with dreaming (and with certain sleep stages where dreams are more likely to occur). But such studies ultimately rely on self-reports of the dream experience. Anything we spend so much time doing probably serves multiple ends. At the basic physiological level (indicated by <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053810021001409">brain activity, sleep behaviour and studies of conciousness</a>), all mammals dream – even the platypus and echidna probably experience something similar to dreaming (provided they are at the <a href="https://www.wired.com/2014/07/the-creature-feature-10-fun-facts-about-the-echidna/#:%7E:text=It%20was%20long%20thought%20that,re%20at%20the%20right%20temperature.">right temperature</a>). Their brain activity and sleep stages align to some degree with human <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053810021001409#b0630">REM sleep</a>. Less evolved species do not. Some <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468867319301993#sec0030">jellyfish</a> – who do not have a brain – do experience what could physiologically be characterised as sleep (shown by their posture, quietness, lack of responsiveness and rapid “waking” when prompted). But they do not experience the same physiological and behavioural elements that resemble REM dream sleep. In humans, REM sleep is thought to occur cyclically every 90 to 120 minutes across the night. It prevents us from sleeping too deeply and being <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4972941/">vulnerable to attack</a>. Some scientists think we dream in order to stop our brains and bodies from getting too cold. Our core body temperature is typically <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(22)00210-1/fulltext">higher while dreaming</a>. It is typically easier to <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.2147/NSS.S188911">wake from dreaming</a> if we need to respond to external cues or dangers. The brain activity in REM sleep kicks our brain into gear for a bit. It’s like a periscope into a more conscious state, observing what’s going on at the surface, then going back down if all is well. Some evidence suggests “fever dreams” are far less common than we might expect. We actually experience <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00053/full">far less REM sleep</a> when we have a fever – though the dreams we do have tend to be <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3830719/">darker in tone and more unusual</a>. Spending less time in REM sleep when we’re feverish might happen because we are far less capable of regulating our body temperature in this stage of sleep. To protect us, our brain tries to regulate our temperature by “skipping” this sleep stage. We tend to have fewer dreams when the weather is hot <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/23744731.2020.1756664">for the same reason</a>. <h2>A deep-cleaning system for the brain</h2> REM sleep is important for ensuring our brain is working as it should, as indicated by studies using <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/pdf/S0960-9822(17)31329-5.pdf">electoencephalography</a>, which measures brain activity. In the same way deep sleep helps the body restore its physical capacity, dream sleep “<a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/pdf/S0960-9822(17)31329-5.pdf">back-flushes</a>” our neural circuits. At the molecular level, the chemicals that underpin our thinking are bent out of shape by the day’s cognitive activity. Deep sleep is when those chemicals are returned to their unused shape. The brain is “<a href="https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.1241224">washed</a>” with cerebrospinal fluid, controlled by the <a href="https://theconversation.com/on-your-back-side-face-down-mice-show-how-we-sleep-may-trigger-or-protect-our-brain-from-diseases-like-als-181954">glymphatic system</a>. At the next level, dream sleep “tidies up” our recent memories and feelings. During <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC534695/">REM sleep</a>, our brains consolidate procedural memories (of how to do tasks) and emotions. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC534695/">Non-REM sleep</a>, where we typically expect fewer dreams, is important for the consolidation of episodic memories (events from your life). As our night’s sleep progresses, we produce more cortisol - the <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2005-01907-021">stress hormone</a>. It is thought the amount of cortisol present can impact the type of memories we are consolidating and potentially the types of dreams we have. This means the dreams we have later in the night may be <a href="https://learnmem.cshlp.org/content/11/6/671.full.pdf">more fragmented or bizarre</a>. Both kinds of sleep help <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jb-Eichenlaub/publication/313545620_Daily_Life_Experiences_in_Dreams_and_Sleep-Dependent_Memory_Consolidation/links/5c532b0ba6fdccd6b5d76270/Daily-Life-Experiences-in-Dreams-and-Sleep-Dependent-Memory-Consolidation.pdf?ref=nepopularna.org">consolidate</a> the useful brain activity of the day. The brain also discards less important information. <h2>Random thoughts, rearranged feelings</h2> This filing and discarding of the day’s activities is going on while we are sleeping. That’s why we often dream about things that happen <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0264574">during the day</a>. Sometimes when we’re rearranging the thoughts and feelings to go in the “<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3921176/">bin</a>” during sleep, our level of consciousness allows us to experience awareness. Random thoughts and feelings end up all jumbled together in weird and wonderful ways. Our awareness of this process may explain the bizarre nature of some of our dreams. Our daytime experiences can also fuel nightmares or anxiety-filled dreams after a <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/dreams/how-trauma-can-affect-dreams">traumatic event</a>. Some dreams appear to <a href="https://rai.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1111/j.1467-9655.2010.01668.x">foretell the future or carry potent symbolism</a>. In many societies dreams are believed to be a window into an <a href="https://digitalcommons.ciis.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1050&context=ijts-transpersonalstudies">alternate reality</a> where we can envisage what is possible. <h2>What does it all mean?</h2> Our scientific understanding of the thermoregulatory, molecular and basic neural aspects of dreaming sleep is <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn2716">good</a>. But the psychological and spiritual aspects of dreaming remain largely hidden. Perhaps our brains are wired to try and make sense of things. Human societies have always interpreted the random – birds wheeling, tea leaves and the planets – and looked for <a href="https://brill.com/display/book/edcoll/9789047407966/B9789047407966-s003.xml">meaning</a>. Nearly every human society has regarded dreams as more than just random neural firing. And the history of science tells us some things once thought to be magic can later be understood and harnessed – for better or worse.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/210901/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/drew-dawson-13517">Drew Dawson</a>, Director, Appleton Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/madeline-sprajcer-1315489">Madeline Sprajcer</a>, Lecturer in Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-science-of-dreams-and-nightmares-what-is-going-on-in-our-brains-while-were-sleeping-210901">original article</a>.

Mind

"Am I dreaming?": Prince William serves up burgers from food van

The Prince of Wales has stunned a few unsuspecting customers of a London food truck by serving them burgers. In collaboration with popular YouTube channel Sorted Food, Prince William took part in the stunt to promote The Earthshot Prize, a mission he founded in hopes to repair the planet. They worked together to create a plant-based 'Earthshot burger', which they served to customers, in the clip shared on YouTube. As part of the stunt, Prince William first hid his identity by facing away from the customers, when it was time to serve the food, he turned around with burgers in hand to the shock of the diners. "My brain took three seconds to buffer - am I dreaming?" one said after seeing Prince William serving burgers. "I was lost for words," said another. "I was shell-shocked" said a third. The Prince of Wales also praised last year's Earthshot Prize winners, and explained that the dishes served used three of their innovations, which all represented a solution to help repair the planet. "For those of you who don't know, the Earthshot Prize is there to repair and regenerate the planet. Everything you see here comes from the winners from last year," he said. The ingredients for the burgers were sourced by Indian start-up Kheyti, who support local farmers and help shelter their crops from unpredictable weather events and pests. The burgers were cooked in a cleaner-burning portable stove from Mukuru Clean Stoves, which aims to reduce air pollution, and the food was served on Notpla takeaway containers made from natural and biodegradable materials. This is the verdict from the diners: "the best burger we've ever had." The Prince also joked with diners saying that the global Earthshot Prize started back when he "had hair." "It's designed as an environmental prize tackling the world's greatest environmental problems," he said. "We liked the idea that this is a big deal, this is like something we really need to aim for, but it's about saving the planet, not taking us to the moon." He added: "And there's many people out there who want us to move to the next planet already and I'm like, hang on, let's not give up on this planet yet." Images: Kensington Palace/ Sorted Food YouTube

Food & Wine

"I did it”: 59-year-old grandma finally scores dream Qantas job

A 59-year-old grandmother has gotten her big gig with Qantas after dreaming of being a flight attendant for about 40 years. Jackie Cookson is one of the airline’s latest recruits, having graduated on May 29, with her first flight scheduled for June 3. Cookson can now add flight attendant to her versatile resume, with her previously working as a travel agent, a receptionist on an oncology ward and a newspaper sales rep. The 59-year-old, who calls herself “crazy nana” has shared her journey on TikTok since her first interview with Qantas, through all the assessments and training and to her upcoming graduation. In January 2023, she posted her first video ahead of her first in-person interview with Qantas, which attracted more than half a million views, saying people might think she was crazy to apply given her age, but she was finally following her dreams. The grandmother-of-two revealed she had an interview at another airline when she was 20 years old but never went as she ended up getting married. “In my eyes then if you were married you couldn’t be cabin crew. How bloody stupid was that,” she said. She got the job and relocated from Perth to Sydney for her training. “Crazy nana is going to be a cabin crew, watch out!” she told her followers. Four months on saw Cookson standing proudly in her Qantas uniform, with her certificate in hand. “Can you believe it? Crazy nana’s gone and bloody done it, hasn’t she? I’ve passed, today I’ve graduated. I did it,” an elated Cookson said. “If I can do it, anyone else can do it. Follow your dreams. Don’t give up. Don’t be thinking ‘I’m too old’ or this or that. Look at me, I’ve got my wings.” Cookson, who is originally from England but has been living in Australia for about 30 years, told news.com.au that the older she got, the more she thought she may have missed her chance. “After Covid I took a year off and travelled the world, went back to see my 91-year-old dad in Yorkshire, and I applied while I was on holiday,” she said. “I haven’t studied for a long time, so it’s definitely been a challenge, but I put everything I’ve got into it and I’m thrilled to have gotten my wings. “I fly on my first flight to LA on Saturday. I’m nervous, like any first day on the job, but I know I’ll settle into it, but I’m mostly just really excited. I love people and I’m looking forward to working with our customers.” Image credit: TikTok

International Travel

What it means when your teeth fall out in a dream

Dreaming of your teeth falling out is never pleasant, but surprisingly and unfortunately they’re one of the most common types of dreams people experience and there are a few reasons why. 1. Insecurity or shame Dreams often represent feelings more than literal symbolism, and teeth falling out can represent issues with confidence and self-esteem. To interpret this dream, think about any areas of your life where you are experiencing shame or self-doubt. 2. Rebirth or transformation A theory popularised by renowned psychiatrist Carl Jung suggests that teeth falling out in a dream could represent a type of rebirth or transformation. Losing teeth is not necessarily a bad omen, but rather could be a sign of growth or positive changes, as adult teeth come in afterwards. 3. Loss or grief Losing teeth in a dream could represent a real-life loss or grief, and if the subconscious is trying to assimilate a real-life loss, it could lead to ‘losing’ things or parts of you in your sleep. 4. Lack of control Another popular idea is that losing your teeth in a dream is about control, more so a lack thereof. It’s important to consider if there is something in your life that makes you feel powerless, such as an issue out of your control or a sudden change. 5. Literal dental issues There is a possibility that dreaming of your teeth falling out could represent literal dental issues. Researchers in the Frontiers in Psychology study found that teeth dreams often correlated with dental irritation. Image credit: Shutterstock

Mind

Maccas hit the road with a coffee lovers dream giveaway

McDonald’s are celebrating the 30 year anniversary of the world’s first McCafé - right at home in Melbourne - in style, offering up a special treat for caffeine lovers all along the east coast of Australia. With the McCafé van tour, the party hit the road, and the second stop of the trip gives Sydneysiders a chance to get in on the fun, and to enjoy the benefits of their very own free coffee - all they have to do is swing by Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in the Royal Botanic Garden on Tuesday 30 May between the hours of 5:30am to 2:00pm. And for those who don’t fancy the early start - or simply crave something a little sweeter - have no fear, because McCafé’s all over are introducing the<a href="https://mcdonalds.com.au/menu/birthday-cake-flavoured-latte"> limited-time Birthday Cake flavoured latte</a>. The delicious new treat can be enjoyed both hot and cold to delight all taste buds, and boasts McCafé’s “signature smooth and rich blend combined with delicious cake flavours”. And if there’s one thing McCafé knows, it’s how to make a good coffee, with 1,026 establishments across Australia, and a further 4,000 in 60 other countries. All of which work together to serve more than 230 million cups of coffee - barista made, of course - and other hot drinks each year, with a staggering one in every four coffees sold in Australia coming from none other than a McCafé. “One of the innovations we’re most proud of at McDonald’s Australia is McCafé,” Lancy Huynh - Group Brand Manager for McDonald’s Australia - explained, “a homegrown idea that has turned into a global success. “McCafé changed McDonald’s approach to coffee across the world – inventing a new way of serving our customers and defining what it means to offer great-quality, barista-made coffee in our restaurants. “With over 1,000 locations in Australia, McCafé is now one of the largest coffee retailers in the country, representing an impressive one in every four coffees sold in Australia. “It’s a brand that was created by coffee lovers for coffee lovers, so we are extremely proud to celebrate this milestone with the experts that helped shape it – our customers right here in Australia.” And Sydney isn’t the only city blessed with the opportunity to snag one of those impressive blends during this milestone celebration, with <a href="https://mcdonalds.com.au/sites/mcdonalds.com.au/files/230522_McCafe%CC%81%20celebrates%2030%20years_FINAL%20%281%29.pdf">the van tour set to swing by Brisbane and Townsville in the coming weeks</a>, having already completed its Melbourne run. “We are excited to hit the road and celebrate McCafé’s 30th anniversary with the coffee lovers that helped shape it – our customers right here in Australia,” Lancy Huynh explained. “Over the next few weeks, the McCafé coffee van will give away free coffee … to thank our customers for their loyalty and support over the last 30 years. “We look forward to meeting our customers across the east coast and fuelling them up with our great quality, barista-made coffee.” Images: McDonald’s [supplied]

Food & Wine

What these 8 common dreams mean

If you dream of being a rock star who forgets their words, or you're seeing tigers – it could mean you have some bottled up stress to deal with. Dreams are open to interpretation, but New Zealand experts suggest these eight could give you some insight in to simmering stress levels. 1. Falling This is the most common recurring stress dream, according to Margaret Bowater, president of the Dream Network Aotearoa New Zealand. She says it's a metaphor about falling short, possibly falling out of favour, or maybe not living up to the expectations of yourself or others. 2. Being unprepared for a test Finding yourself unexpectedly sitting an exam with no idea of what you're doing comes from feeling you're not coping or unable to take control of the situation. Dreams like taking a test, or having to perform on stage and forgetting the words, indicate you're under pressure, Bowater says. "I used to be a teacher, so my typical stress dream was about the whole classroom getting out of control. I would be feeling powerless or helpless to manage a situation." 3. House falling down A house can signify the family unit, and how it is being affected. Dr Rosie Gibson, Research Officer at Massey University Sleep/Wake Research Centre, conducts research related to sleep and people with dementia. "Depending on what their background is, we've had reports of having dreams of a house falling down around them and relate that to not being able to look after their family, and possibly relate that to financial changes, or changes in family roles... I think that is reflective of their awareness of their condition and how it's impacting on their waking life." 4. Teeth falling out "It's about words that have fallen out of your mouth that you wish you hadn't said," explains Bowater, who has been running dream workshops for 30 years. "Three people who have asked me about that dream have been radio or tv presenters... Some dreams, you might even be stuffing them back in your mouth again." It could also indicate not being able to find the right words to express yourself. 5. Missing the plane Is the dream version of you not going to make a flight or bus journey? You could be fearful of missing deadlines – especially if you have a job that revolves around them, Bowater says. Gibson adds you're more likely to be the type of person who catches planes reasonably regularly. 6. Tigers Gibson says children are more likely see animals in dreams, with a "token stress creature" represented as a tiger or other scary animal, possibly chasing them. "My own repetitive stress dream as a child would be of a wolf jumping down my next-door neighbour's stairs and I'd wake up with that rush of stress and anxiety," she says. 7. Driving Not being able to steer a car is a conceptional dream that means you don't feel in control, and one you are more likely to have as an adult, according to Gibson. Bowater says on one occasion a man on a very strict diet indulged in a "cheat day" at a restaurant with friends, and paid the price later that night. "He had a dream about trying to wrestle control of a car which was going too fast downhill... it was clear he'd let his appetite get away with him." Other common stress dreams with cars involve it rolling backwards, sometimes towards a cliff edge. 8. Feeling trapped or lost Again, this is a conceptual dream where the dreamer considers themselves trapped in real life. Bowater recalls a young woman she worked with who was considering separating from her husband. She would dream of being stuck crossing the road halfway by the traffic. "A dream is trying to show, or repeat, something back to you," she says. "It's usually using concrete imagery for something that is not necessarily a concrete thing to say. Like anxiety - how do you show anxiety? You have to show a situation that portrays it." For example, being alone the woods or on unfamiliar roads translates into feeling lost and don't know where to go next. Written by Janan Jay. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>.

Mind

The staggering amount of young Aussies giving up on home owning dreams

New research has determined that most young people and middle-income earners in Australia have completely given up on ever owning their own home. The <a href="https://www.smh.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sydney Morning Herald</a> questioned over 1600 people in their Resolve Political Monitor poll, and found that two-thirds of the respondents agreed that young Aussies will never be able to buy a home. From respondents who do not currently own a home, 63 percent of low-income earners and 54 percent of those on middle incomes thought they will never purchase their own home. Housing affordability has long been an issue in Australia, with the recent housing crisis further pushing property prices out of reach for many. Even for those who do own homes in Australia, which has one of the world's most expensive property markets, many are battling continual increases on mortgage repayments after a string of interest rate rises. These extortionate increases have only added to the difficulty of younger Australians trying to break onto the property market. This harsh realisation comes without also taking into consideration the ongoing cost of living crisis, which is continually making all aspects of life more expensive. Resolve director Jim Reed said high house prices and rents meant younger people were impacted by not buying, and also facing pressure if they did manage to purchase a home. “They are buggered if they do and buggered if they don't," he said. "My researchers in this area tell me that many young people have simply given up on the dream of owning a home, at least in their early careers, and some are even telling me that they are giving up on having a family because they can't afford to look after themselves, let alone more mouths." Image credits: Getty Images

Real Estate

7 travel experiences straight out of a fairytale

Some travel destinations are so beautiful they hardly seem real. We’ve put together a gallery with seven dreamy destinations that look like they are straight out of fairytale. To see them all, scroll through the gallery above. 1. Holland’s Tulip Fields – The Netherlands 2. Sagrada Familia – Spain 3. Lake District – England 4. Lake Sørvágsvatn – Faroe Islands 5. Preikestolen – Norway 6. Neuschwanstein Castle – Germany 7. Krzywy Domek – Poland Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/a-look-inside-first-class-cabins/">Inside 8 first class cabins that will amaze you</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/most-photographed-locations-in-london/">London’s 8 most photographed locations</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/02/holiday-ideas-for-animal-lovers/">8 holiday ideas every animal lover needs to experience</a> Image credit: Shutterstock

International Travel

The Block couple lists stunning “dream home”

The Block contestants Dylan and Jenny-Heath Adams are selling their newly built home located at 100 Palm Beach Ave, Palm Beach, Queensland. The five-bedroom and three-bathroom home will be up for auction on April 29, and the couple have said that they have always planned on selling it despite it being their “dream home”. “I think people honestly thought this was our dream home, but we’re going to build heaps of dream homes,” said Jenny. The stunning Hamptons-style abode boasts 6m-high cathedral ceilings with nine skylights allowing plenty of natural light in. The coastal home also includes beautiful timber floors, a spacious open living and dining area, a small breakfast bar, and a Hamptons-inspired kitchen complete with a stone island bench. While the interior is impressive, the exterior is equally stunning with a generous al fresco area that’s perfect for hosting events or family gatherings, a magnesium pool and outdoor shower so you can cool down in summer, and a firepit to keep you warm and snug in winter. The low-maintenance lawns are perfect for avid plant mums (and dads) or for families with kids who love to play outdoors. The property is also fitted with an energy-saving Red Earth battery system. This is another milestone for the couple who got <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/the-block-stars-lavish-gold-coast-wedding" target="_blank" rel="noopener">married</a>, built two houses, and sold one in the past year. Images: realestate.com.au

Real Estate

AFL veteran backs $10 million dream home

AFL legend Kevin Sheedy has backed a stunning resort-style property in Melbourne’s southeast. The owners of the breathtaking, resort-style property, Bill and Dianne Hartley built their “dream home” about 15 years ago through Mr Hartley’s commercial building company, and it has everything a family could ask for. The 24-26 Glen Moidart Drive home in Berwick is sure to wow potential buyers with a six-car garage, mod grass tennis court, 1.2 hectares of beautiful gardens and a large pool area modelled by a resort the pair visited in Port Douglas. “This was our dream home, we spent a lot on the tennis court, pool, gardens and interiors,” Mr Hartley said. “Quite easily we could have fit 20 families inside.” Obrien Real Estate Keysborough’s John Rombotis said potential buyers could bump into AFL veteran Kevin Sheedy, who knew the vendors and had become an ambassador for the home where he would attend some of the private inspections. “He’s helping out with the home, and with qualified buyers he’s been out on two occasions,” According to Mr Rombotis. An ex-footy player with Fitzroy, Port Adelaide and Richmond, Mr Rombotis said his mentor was the latest in a succession of footy icons to help vendors from some of Melbourne’s most elite addresses to connect with a new owner. Recently, champion for North Melbourne Wayne Carry was seen in videos and had attended the auction of 1301/188 Macaulay Rd, North Melbourne, with Mr Rombotis paying thanks to King's involvement in reference to the conclusion of the auction. The estate is decked out with a tiled foyer and a bronze statue water feature which sits behind a Jarrah hardwood and ironwork staircase. It also included a private external entrance, making it a perfect home for those working from home. The ground floor has multiple family living and dining rooms, and the main bedroom features a walk-in-robe, a separate dressing room, and two ensuites, one with a spa bath and a vanity table. The home also includes a large entertaining wing with a pool room, built-in barbecue, bar, gym and sauna, all looking out onto the beautiful, manicured gardens and pool area. The second floor is ideal for a teenage retreat, with four bedrooms, all accompanied by an ensuite and two with a shared balcony, a terrace, a rumpus room, and a home theatre room. The resort-style home also includes a cellar beneath the ground floor, while Mr Hartley has also built a two-bedroom cottage as a guest house above the garage. The separated cottage comes with a small kitchen, a dining area, a bathroom and a balcony. “That was going to be a carer’s cottage if we got too old,” Mr Hartley said. The couple have decided to renovate a smaller home in Sandhurst where they plan to live after the sale is concluded. “We’re on the north side of Berwick and on this side it’s more acreage type properties, you’ve got virtually no neighbours but you’re only two minutes away from town,” Mr Hartley continued. “It’s been a really good house, it’s a very sad thought to be leaving it but it’s too big for us now.” OBrien Keysborough corporate director Darren Hutchins mentioned that while the garage had space for six cars, there was likely enough room to fit up to 15 cars if the driveway leading up to it was taken into consideration. “They’ve spared no expense, the house quality wise is absolutely stunning,” Mr Hutchins said. “Ideally it’s a house that would suit a family, maybe even a couple of families … but you wouldn’t need to go on holidays as you’d have your own private resort.” The price guide for the 24-26 Glen Moidart property has an eyewatering price tag of $9.7m-$10.5m and is only available for inspection via private appointments. Image credit: Realestate.com.au

Real Estate

“Just heartbreaking”: Woman’s dream win turned nightmare

Amelia Conway has opened up about her heartbreak after her dream car was snatched away from her in the middle of the night. The 22-year-old from Victoria received the $100,000 4WD when she was named the winner of a Hello Lifestyle Australia online charity raffle. Amelia had purchased $120 worth of tickets in the draw, and was delighted when she was announced as the proud new owner of the modified Widebody Y62 Nissan Patrol. Supposedly, all associated on-road costs were also included in her prize. Amelia lives in Colac, Victoria, and had to be flown to Queensland by Hello Lifestyle Australia to claim her vehicle. Flights weren’t in order for the return trip, with the excited pair driving Amelia’s new car all the way back home to Victoria. However, Amelia’s good time was destined to come to an abrupt end. Upon trying to transfer the car into her name, and to register it in her home state as necessary, she discovered that the vehicle was still under finance. It had been one of Amelia’s friends who suggested that she look into the “too good to be true” win, and do a Personal Property Securities Register check. “I thought maybe they had paid it out,” Amelia said of learning the vehicle had money owing, “and it's taken a little while to clear, but that wasn't the case.” February 1 marked the beginning of Amelia’s nightmare, with someone showing up at her home to repossess the car. “Randomly, without me knowing anything, at 8pm last night a guy showed up to repossess the car,” Amelia said of the incident in a Facebook post. In the time to follow, Amelia attempted to get in touch with Hello Lifestyle Australia to find out more about what was going on with the vehicle’s transfer, and to get clarification on the payment of all on-road costs. But those attempts were met with silence for the unfortunate 22 year old. Victoria Police also confirmed that they are investigating Amelia’s case, but faced a difficult time ahead, with Hello Lifestyle Australia’s website and social media accounts having been shut down. “The patrol is gone and I am trying to gather information through other people that have won anything through Hello Lifestyle Australia to take it a lot further,” she said of her ordeal, adding, “it’s not fair on myself or anyone else that has won anything through this company. It’s just heartbreaking.” However, in a delightful twist to Amelia’s tale, Car Hub Australia took it upon themselves to get involved and to “right others’ wrong”. After searching the country high and low for a new Nissan Patrol - a vehicle in high demand with waiting lists measuring in months - before finally locating one on the New South Wales south coast. The team then made their way from Western Australia to Wollongong, before driving the car all the way to Amelia at home in Victoria. And all the company had to say of their good deed was that they “know there’s a lot of companies out there that don’t do the right thing. “We hold ourselves to a higher standard.” Despite the eventual happy ending to Amelia’s woes, it appears that she was not the first victim of Hello Lifestyle Australia’s “raffles”. Aaron Edmundson, a father from Perth, claims that he had to spend over $7,000 on a car that he also “won” from them. While the company apparently claimed that they would cover all related costs, this wasn’t the case, with Aaron eventually selling the car. Images: Seven News / Facebook

Legal

One person’s cringe is another’s dream Spongebob proposal

Sometimes it’s best to keep your opinions to yourself, especially when it comes to the one of the most important days of your friend’s life, as one woman has learned the hard way. After witnessing her best friend’s “super cringey and uncomfortable” proposal, she was left with some feedback. Some feedback she felt compelled to share, though her friend - unsurprisingly - was not too thrilled with what she heard. Taking to Reddit’s ‘Am I the A***ole’ (commonly known as AITA), the woman asked other users for their take, wanting to find out if she really was in the wrong, as she just didn’t [get why she’s [her friend] so upset.” “My friend invited a group of us over for her birthday last night. During dinner, her bf leaves the room and comes back playing the harmonica,” she began, before explaining how it had seemed a little odd to her, but that she’d just assumed he was “showing off or something.” That was when things took a turn for the bizarre, with the groom-to-be switching out the harmonica to instead serenade his would-be fiancée with Spongebob’s ‘<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzGH_AtmfRw">Gary Come Home</a>’. She noted that he wasn’t a particularly good singer, and that everyone in the room appeared to have the same idea about how cringe-inducing the whole thing was. “After he finishes singing,” the woman continued, “he goes over to my friend [and] gets down on one knee and proposes. She said yes and we all congratulated her but the rest of dinner I was having severe second hand embarrassment.” These thoughts got the better of her in the end, and she went on to explain how she’d approached her friend while the two were cleaning up, and asked what she’d thought of the proposal, adding “I told her it was weird especially since she’s never watched/liked Spongebob. They haven’t really talked about marriage before so she was completely surprised and I told her that makes it even weirder.” Her friend was offended, and made the accusation that the original poster just wasn’t “happy for her”. “I pointed out [that] she seemed embarrassed too during his charade,” she said. It was then revealed that the two hadn’t spoken for the remainder of their evening, and that she still couldn’t understand why her friend had gotten upset, as “a proposal should be romantic, not whatever the f*** that was.” And of her question as to whether or not she was the bad guy in the situation, her fellow Redditors had plenty to say. “Are you the proposal police?” one asked. “It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks of the proposal but your friend! When she asked you for your opinion all you had to do was say, ‘as long as you are happy I’m happy for you’ instead you went on a long tirade about how weird it was.” “What you feel is romantic could well be someone else’s version of horrific. It wasn’t your place to feel second hand embarrassment. It wasn’t your place to tell your friend it was weird,” another chastised. “If she was happy, you should have been happy for her, but instead you’ve made her upset. There was no need for you to do that.” One was of the mind that while yes, she had been out of line with her sharing her opinion, “that proposal was weird and the fiancé forced people to be a part of it with no heads up? It’s cool if they’re both into bad harmonica music and SpongeBob but keep the proposal private. Or let people know what they’re in for. “OP [original poster] deserves a trophy for not laughing during. The friend clearly knew it was weird, but asked anyway. OP should have bit her tongue and had this conversation later, but proposing before ever talking about marriage is also strange. Real friends can be honest with each other, but some more tact was needed.” Images: Getty

Relationships

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck splurge on their new dream home

The gruelling search for a new home has come to an end for celebrity couple Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, with a multi-million dollar Los Angeles mansion reportedly stealing their hearts - and their wallets. Jennifer and Ben were spotted viewing the property this past weekend, and brought their kids along to get a second, third, and fourth opinion from their children - Jennifer’s twins, Emma and Maximillan, and Ben’s daughter, Seraphina. The home, set on an entire acre of land surrounded by Sycamore trees, boasts seven bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, a six-car garage, a home theatre, an entire detached guesthouse, and a price tag of almost $50 million ($34.5m USD and $49.4m AUD). “The estate showcases the highest level of immaculate detail, timeless craftsmanship and design,” the home’s listing read. “Immerse yourself in a world of tranquillity with the feel of a meadow-like retreat surrounded by towering Sycamore trees." The luxuries don’t stop there, with the 2022 Palisades build also featuring a temperature-controlled wine cellar, a gym, a health spa, a pool, hot tub, and entire outdoor kitchen. Prior to finding their dream home, Jen and Ben had been looking at properties of an even higher price range - some reportedly as much as $85m USD (~$123m AUD). Although the price is enough to see many run the other way, it wouldn’t have come as a shock to Jennifer, who listed her nine-bedroom property in Bel-Air for $42.5m USD ($61m AUD) earlier this month. Jennifer had been in the French-style home for six years, and originally purchased it for $28m USD ($40m AUD). Meanwhile, Ben sold his seven-bedroom Pacific Palisades mansion last year, fetching just shy of $30m USD ($43m AUD). “They are looking forward to making the home their own and having a place together,” a source revealed to Entertainment Tonight when the couple began their search in 2022. “They are also planning to decorate it together and any renovations that they choose to do will be theirs together.” "Jen and Ben are excited to further solidify their relationship and take this next step,” they added. “At this point, they know they are meant to be together and they are prepared to elevate their relationship in this way and include their families in the process and bring everyone together as a healthy unit. It will be great for the kids and everyone is excited and can't wait to get even closer.” Images: Realtor.com, Getty

Real Estate

“My home away from home”: Pink’s dream Down Under

Pop superstar Pink has revealed that she’s open to the idea of trading in the United States for a life in Australia. While appearing on 60 Minutes, the 43-year-old singer shared that she has had serious thought about becoming an Australian citizen. “Last year I was thinking about applying for citizenship,” she confessed, “I am not even joking.” “You should! You’re practically an Aussie,” 60 Minutes reporter Amelia Adams encouraged. “I was like ‘if we’re going somewhere, Carey, we’re going–’ and he’s like ‘yep, that’s where we’re going, if we’re going somewhere’, so, I was kinda looking into it,” Pink explained. The star, who lives in Santa Barbara with her husband, Carey Hart, and their children - Willow, 11, and Jameson, 6 - is no stranger to Australia, boasting thousands of fans and a history of successful touring in the country. Most recently, Pink has announced that her Summer Carnival Tour will hit Australia and New Zealand in February and March 2024, set to span seven cities and their stadiums. She has previously only taken to the stage in arena-sized venues, so 2024 will mark her first Australian stadium tour, an exciting prospect for any musician and their supporters. “Bringing it back to where it all started for me… Australia and New Zealand!” Pink captioned her tour announcement Tweet, “Summer 2024 can’t come soon enough!” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Bringing it back to where it all started for me… Australia and New Zealand! Summer 2024 can’t come soon enough! 😎 <a href="https://t.co/1dun5H8oYd">https://t.co/1dun5H8oYd</a> <a href="https://t.co/JREWE9GM30">pic.twitter.com/JREWE9GM30</a> — P!nk (@Pink) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pink/status/1623398740596760581?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2023</a></blockquote> Pink has not performed in Australia since 2018, when she was in the country for her Beautiful Trauma tour. It seems that distance really has made the heart grow fonder for the singer. The announcement isn’t the only time in recent years that Pink has demonstrated her love for Australia. In 2020, the singer pledged a donation of $500,000 to fire services on the frontline of the year’s devastating summer bushfires. This was after she had already declared them to be heroes, and thanked them for their service, as well as others all across the globe. In that same year, Pink described Australia to be her “second home”. “I can’t wait to bring the Summer Carnival Tour to my home away from home,” the singer announced last week of her delight at getting to visit once again, “and smile and sing together until our cheeks hurt.” Whether or not Pink and her family decide to make the move, it seems safe to say that Australia will always hold a special place in their hearts. Image: Getty

Music

Want to work from home and love watching movies?

Ever wish you could get paid to do nothing? Well your dream might become a reality with one major streaming service offering a lucky candidate thousands of dollars to laze around on the couch and watch TV. Prime Video Australia is on the hunt for a “Prime Video Buff” to stream content over summer and recommend their favourites to Aussies. “Pretty much, doing what you do anyway - but you’ll earn money for it,” The job ad says. “If you live for the latest series, love a shameless rom-com and box-office-breaking blockbuster or eat up spaghetti westerns for breakfast, we want you.” The lucky candidate will be paid up to $40,000 for the three-month stint, which Prime says aims to help Australian audiences choose what to watch. New national research conducted for the streaming platform revealed the average Australian has watched 67 movies and TV series this year alone. The research also found while 46% of those surveyed enjoy AI recommended content, while 64% rely on word-of-mouth recommendations when picking a new movie or TV show. TV host and podcaster Osher Gunsberg is helping recruit for the position, which he says needs someone who “must relish the thrill of exploring new genres and be an expert at all things pop-culture with TV and film knowledge”. Prime Video Australia and New Zealand head Hushidar Kharas said the platform knows Australians love content but choosing what to watch can be a challenge. “The Prime Video Buff role has been created to further help our customers discover something new,” Kharas said. You can apply for the dream job <a href="https://7news.com.au/business/workplace-matters/the-dream-job-offering-40000-to-watch-tv-c-8816381" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Good luck! Image: Getty

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