Tips to train your pet at any age

<p><strong><em>Dr Katrina Warren is a veterinarian and one Australia’s most loved and trusted pet experts. She is the PAW by Blackmores ambassador.</em></strong></p> <p>Dogs are often an integral part of our family, a loving and loyal companion throughout the years. We educate ourselves with a plethora of media when bringing home and raising other members of our family with love and care, why not pay the same attention to our furry family members as advised by one Australia’s most loved and trusted pet experts, Dr Katrina Warren.</p> <p><strong>Bringing baby home: Puppy</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">A guide to vaccinations</span></p> <p>Just like human babies, puppies need vaccinations to protect them from the many infectious diseases out there. They need a series of vaccinations to protect them against Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis and Canine Cough. Your puppy will need to receive these injections by a veterinarian and should have received their first vaccination prior to coming to you – ask the breeder for the vaccination certificate. Vaccination costs for your pup may seem steep, but consider the veterinary bills for treating your dog if it develops one of these illnesses – it could easily run into the thousands.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Dental care </span></p> <p>To keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy, it is important to include some hard food in their diet. You can offer raw chicken necks and wings from 12-14 weeks of age. Brushing is also a great idea - it may seem like a novelty, but dogs have just as many dental problems as humans, which can cause pain (not to mention terrible breath!) in the long run. Train your puppy from a very young age to let you brush its teeth, to make it a normal part of their routine. Be sure to use specific dog toothpaste, as human toothpaste can be irritating to a dog’s digestive tract.</p> <p><strong>Teenage angst: Adolescence</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Chewing</span></p> <p>Dogs are curious by nature and will chew almost anything they can get their mouths on, especially while they’re puppies and are teething. This is great if it’s a dog toy or a tasty bone, but not so great if it’s your new pair of expensive running shoes or the leg of a couch. Although chewing usually subsides within a year, it can become a bad habit if it’s not managed early on.</p> <p>If you have a young dog, puppy-proof your place by moving easily chewable items such as plants or electrical cables so they’re not easily accessible. Try not to leave your puppy unsupervised in areas like your garden or living room - there’s no point in getting angry at the puppy for an action that is natural for them, which happened because they weren’t being supervised.</p> <p><strong>Young at heart: Mature Dog</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Barking </span></p> <p>Firstly, find out what your dog is barking at. As dogs usually bark the most right after their owners leave home for the day, give your dog something to do every time you leave the house, like a chew toy stuffed with food. </p> <p>Dogs left outside are exposed to many more disturbances than indoor dogs and their barks are more easily heard by the neighbourhood.  Ideally leave your dog inside preferably in a room away from the street with a radio or TV playing to mask the sound of outside noise. Reward your dog often for quiet behaviour – if he starts barking, use a word like ‘quiet’ and reward only once your dog stops barking.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Jumping on people</span></p> <p>When he was little, everyone was probably entranced by the cute little puppy who jumped up at them, laughing and wagging his teeny tail. Now he's a bigger dog, no-one wants his dirty paw marks all over their clothes. But his behaviour is not his fault, because your loving attention has trained him to think that jumping up is a fun and rewarding thing to do.</p> <p>Now you have to do the opposite from what you did when he was little. Instead of making eye contact and touching him when he jumps up, do the opposite. Turn around and stand still completely ignoring him. Wait until he has all four feet on the ground and then give him a little treat. Keep on doing this, and it will take many, many times, and he will eventually learn that he only gets a treat and your attention when he is sitting. As before, there is no point in shouting and pushing, because to a dog this is still attention and will only confuse him about what you want him to do.</p> <p><em>This is an excerpt from PAW by Blackmores eBook: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://pawbyblackmores.uberflip.com/i/714306-20-things-no-one-tells-you-about-raising-a-healthy-dog" target="_blank" rel="noopener">20 things no one tells you about raising a healthy dog</a></strong></span> - a go-to-guide for pet owners to help through the different ages and stages of raising a healthy dog.</em></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Family & Pets

Climate scientist warns a deadly bushfire season is "likely"

<p>An early climate model has suggested a hot and dry El Niño could form once La Niña - the event responsible for three years of flooding rains - comes to a slow close.</p> <p>Should this be on the horizon, a summer of drought, heatwaves and bushfires are all but certain according to a climate expert.</p> <p>The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) released its latest climate driver update on Thursday, stating ocean temperatures "remain warmer than average in the western Pacific".</p> <p>Models indicate sea-surface temperatures may exceed El Niño thresholds in the equatorial Pacific by June.</p> <p>Dr Wenju Cai, a climate scientist with the CSIRO, said an El Niño is "likely" to form.</p> <p>"We have been through three years of La Niña, during each of which heat is stored in the equatorial Pacific," he told 9News.com.au.</p> <p>"With so much heat charged in the equatorial Pacific, an El Niño is readily triggered by relaxation of the trade winds over the region."</p> <p>"(The) majority of prediction models are predicting an El Niño by the summer.”</p> <p>After extreme wet weather conditions and soaking rains, Cai holds fears for the next bushfire season - warning it could recall the grim scenes of Black Summer of 2019 and early 2020.</p> <p>The World Health Organisation (WHO) says heatwaves are among the most dangerous of natural hazards.</p> <p>Cai said Australia should know for certain what the summer will hold by June.</p> <p>"Between March and May, predictability is low as this is a period in which there is high noise, the so-called autumn predictability barrier," he said.</p> <p>One thing is for certain though, La Niña is drawing to a close.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Travel Trouble

The wild weather of La Niña could wipe out vast stretches of Australia’s beaches and sand dunes

<p>Australians along the east cost are bracing for yet another round of heavy rainfall this weekend, after a band of stormy weather soaked <a href="https://theconversation.com/on-our-wettest-days-stormclouds-can-dump-30-trillion-litres-of-water-across-australia-191949">most of the continent</a> this week.</p> <p>The Bureau of Meteorology has <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUsNQ_-fNbM&amp;ab_channel=BureauofMeteorology">alerted</a> southern inland Queensland, eastern New South Wales, Victoria and northern Tasmania to ongoing flood risks, as the rain falls on already flooded or saturated catchments.</p> <p>This widespread wet weather heralds <a href="https://theconversation.com/la-nina-3-years-in-a-row-a-climate-scientist-on-what-flood-weary-australians-can-expect-this-summer-190542">Australia’s rare third</a> back-to-back La Niña, which goes hand-in-hand with heavy rain. There is, however, another pressing issue arising from La Niña events: coastal erosion.</p> <p>The wild weather associated with La Niña will drive more erosion along Australia’s east coast – enough to wipe out entire stretches of beaches and dunes, if all factors align. So, it’s important we heed lessons from past storms and plan ahead, as climate change <a href="https://theconversation.com/2022s-supercharged-summer-of-climate-extremes-how-global-warming-and-la-nina-fueled-disasters-on-top-of-disasters-190546">will only exacerbate</a> future coastal disasters.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QUsNQ_-fNbM?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">Ongoing flood risk for eastern Australia | Bureau of Meteorology.</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>How La Niña batters coastlines</h2> <p>La Niña is associated with warmer waters in the western Pacific Ocean, which increase storminess off Australia’s east coast. Chances of a higher number of tropical cyclones increase, as do the chances of cyclones travelling further south and further inland, and of more frequent passages of east coast lows.</p> <p>Australians had a taste of this in 1967, when the Gold Coast was hit by the largest storm cluster on record, made up of four cyclones and three east coast lows within six months. 1967 wasn’t even an official La Niña year, with the index just below the La Niña threshold.</p> <p>Such frequency didn’t allow beaches to recover between storms, and the overall erosion was unprecedented. It <a href="https://impact.griffith.edu.au/seawall-engineering/">forced many</a> local residents to use anything on hand, even cars, to protect their properties and other infrastructure.</p> <p>Official La Niña events occurred soon after. This included a double-dip La Niña between 1970 and 1972, followed by a triple-dip La Niña between 1973 and 1976.</p> <p>These events fuelled two cyclones in 1972, two in 1974 and one in 1976, wreaking havoc along the entire east coast of Australia. Indeed, 1967 and 1974 are considered <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/northern-beaches/one-of-the-storms-that-hit-us-in-1974-was-among-the-three-worst-since-white-settlement/news-story/0cd5ca874d6b37206762d8485e4eb442">record years</a> for storm-induced coastal erosion.</p> <p>Studies show the extreme erosion of 1974 was caused by a combination of large waves coinciding with <a href="https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1066&amp;context=scipapers">above-average high tides</a>. It took over ten years for the sand to come back to the beach and for <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/4300263">dunes to recover</a>. However, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-022-00437-2">recent studies</a> also show single extreme storms can bring back considerable amounts of sand from deeper waters.</p> <p>La Niña also modifies the direction of waves along the east coast, resulting in waves approaching from a more easterly direction (<a href="https://www.surfline.com/surf-news/forecaster-blog-la-nina-conditions-mean-surf/97904">anticlockwise</a>).</p> <p>This subtle change has huge implications when it comes to erosion of otherwise more sheltered <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/how-la-nina-may-damage-queensland-tourist-hot-spots-041805874.html">north-facing beaches</a>. We saw this during the recent, and relatively weaker, double La Niña of 2016-18.</p> <p>In 2016, an east coast low of only moderate intensity produced extreme erosion, similar to that of 1974. Scenes of destruction along NSW – including a collapsed backyard pool on <a href="https://www.wrl.unsw.edu.au/news/wrl-coastal-engineers-document-the-worst-erosion-at-collaroy-since-1974">Collaroy Beach</a> – are now <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-06/nsw-weather-large-waves-hit-collaroy-coast/7479846#:%7E:text=NSW%20weather%3A%20Collaroy%20swimming%20pool%20collapses%20as%20giant%20waves%20hit%20beachfront%20houses,-Posted%20Sun%205&amp;text=Waves%20up%20to%208%20metres,as%20wild%20weather%20battered%20NSW.">iconic</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-05792-1">This is largely</a> because wave direction deviated from the average by 45 degrees anticlockwise, during winter solstice spring tides when water levels are higher.</p> <h2>All ducks aligned?</h2> <p>The current triple-dip La Niña started in 2020. Based on Australia’s limited record since 1900, we know the final events in such sequences tend to be the weakest.</p> <p>However, when it comes to coastal hazards, history tells us smaller but more frequent storms can cause as much or more erosion than one large event. This is mostly about the combination of storm direction, sequencing and high water levels.</p> <p>For example, Bribie Island in Queensland was hit by relatively large easterly waves from ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth earlier this year, coinciding with above-average high tides. This caused the island to <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-27/bribie-island-changes-could-create-new-caloundra-bar/100777038#:%7E:text=Ex%2DTropical%20Cyclone%20Seth%20has,splitting%20the%20island%20in%20two.">split in two</a> and form a 300-metre wide passage of seawater.</p> <p>Further, the prolonged period of easterly waves since 2020 has already taken a toll on beaches and dunes in Australia.</p> <p>Traditionally, spring is the season when sand is transported onshore under fair-weather waves, building back wide beaches and tall dunes nearest to the sea. However, beaches haven’t had time to fully recover from the previous two years, which makes them more vulnerable to future erosion.</p> <p>Repeated <a href="https://www.usc.edu.au/about/structure/schools/school-of-science-technology-and-engineering/coast4d">elevation measurements</a> by our team and citizen scientists along beaches in the Sunshine Coast and Noosa show shorelines have eroded more than 10m landwards since the beginning of this year. As the photo below shows, 2-3m high erosion scarps (which look like small cliffs) have formed along dunes due to frequent heavy rainfalls and waves.</p> <p>On the other hand, we can also see that the wet weather has led to greater growth of vegetation on dunes, such as native spinifex and dune bean.</p> <p>Experiments in laboratory settings show dune vegetation can dissipate up to 40-50% of the water level reached as a result of waves, and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272771418307583">reduce erosion</a>. But whether this increase in dune vegetation mitigates further erosion remains to be seen.</p> <h2>A challenging future</h2> <p>The chances of witnessing coastal hazards similar to those in 1967 or 1974 in the coming season are real and, in the unfortunate case they materialise, we should be ready to act. Councils and communities need to prepare ahead and work together towards recovery if disaster strikes using, for example, sand nourishment and sandbags.</p> <p>Looking ahead, it remains essential to further our understanding about coastal dynamics – especially in a <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-03/gold-coast-no-stranger-to-beach-erosion/101381812#:%7E:text=a%20huge%20challenge-,Millions%20spent%20to%20protect%20Gold%20Coast%20beaches%2C%20but,change%20poses%20a%20huge%20challenge&amp;text=In%201967%2C%20Gold%20Coast%20beaches,and%20ruined%20the%20tourist%20season.">changing climate</a> – so we can better manage densely populated coastal regions.</p> <p>After all, much of what we know about the dynamics of Australia’s east coast has been supported by coastal monitoring programs, which were implemented <a href="https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/coastal-observation-program-engineering">along Queensland</a> and NSW after the 1967 and 1974 storms.</p> <p>Scientists predict that La Niña conditions along the east coast of Australia – such as warmer waters, higher sea levels, stronger waves and more waves coming from the east – will become <a href="https://theconversation.com/climate-fuelled-wave-patterns-pose-an-erosion-risk-for-developing-countries-184064">the norm under climate change</a>.</p> <p>It’s crucial we start having a serious conversation about coastal adaptation strategies, including implementing a <a href="https://www.usc.edu.au/about/unisc-news/news-archive/2022/january/coastal-erosion-may-force-retreat-from-the-sea#:%7E:text=Giving%20up%20land%20to%20the,of%20the%20Sunshine%20Coast%20researcher.">managed retreat</a>. The longer we take, the higher the costs will be.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/191941/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/javier-leon-262182">Javier Leon</a>, Senior lecturer, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-sunshine-coast-1068">University of the Sunshine Coast</a></em></p> <p>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-wild-weather-of-la-nina-could-wipe-out-vast-stretches-of-australias-beaches-and-sand-dunes-191941">original article</a>.</p>

Domestic Travel

Ray "Rabs" Warren calls it quits

<p>Legendary <em>Wide World of Sports</em> commentator Ray "Rabs" Warren has announced he will be stepping away from calling live sport after 55 years. </p> <p>Making the announcement on Wednesday night's <em>9News</em> bulletin, the veteran commentator said he will remain an important member of the <em>Wide World of Sports</em> NRL production team, but will no longer be featured in live match commentary.</p> <div title="Page 1"> <p>Warren said, “After talking with my family and calling rugby league and other sports for 55 years, I have decided my time in the commentary box is over. I will miss calling immensely but I think it’s time to move on with my 80th birthday only 12 months away."</p> <p>“I really want to thank everybody so much. All my workmates at Channel 9, Channel 10, Radio 2GB and where I got my start at Radio 2LF in Young, who each gave a youngster from Junee a chance to turn his dreams into reality. Hopefully my story will carry some inspiration into the lives of other young kids from the country."</p> <p>“To the game, the NRL and the players, for giving me the privilege of calling such a great product. And finally the viewers, for allowing me to share a little time in your living rooms since the early 1970s.”</p> <p>Ray first made his way to TV 1974 with Channel 10 before joining Channel 9 in 1988 to call the Rugby League World Cup Final, launching an incredible career in rugby league commentary that led to him being titled as “The voice of rugby league” and honoured in the NRL Hall of Fame.</p> <p>Nine CEO Mike Sneesby honoured Ray as the announcement was made, saying, “The great Ray Warren is synonymous with Nine and rugby league for fans, players and most of all everyone here at the <em>Wide World of Sports</em>. We are so pleased that he will remain an integral part of the team and thank him for his five decades of calling live sport."</p> <div title="Page 1"> <p>“We look forward to his insights, memories and character in our broadcast next week for Origin I and beyond. He brought the game to life for generations of fans in their loungerooms. You are the voice of rugby league, Rabs. Thank you.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Supplied</em></p> </div> </div>

News

Dr Katrina unleashes on annoying dog owners

<p dir="ltr">Dr Katrina Warren, beloved veterinarian and television personality, took to Instagram on Monday to vent about her frustrations with irresponsible dog owners.</p> <p dir="ltr">Shared as a caption to a photo of her with her Border Collie Chill, Dr Warren criticised owners who let their dogs run wild without leashes, writing, “I really love dogs but PLEASE PUT YOUR DOG ON A LEAD 🐶🐶🐶 Why has this become so difficult? Do people now buy a dog and forget to buy a lead?</p> <p dir="ltr">“Your dog should be on a lead at cafes, walking on the footpath and at parks that are NOT designated off-leash. It’s for your dog's safety, as well as the safety of other dogs and people. It has become impossible for me to walk around my local area without off-leash dogs running up to us. I don't understand it - your dog may be friendly, but the dog they run up to may not be.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And, why is it OK for your dog to be annoying to others? I've witnessed some dangerous things with fights, knocked-down tables, terrified kids and boiling coffee going all directions, as well as timid dogs and puppies being terrified. Your dog doesn’t need to “SAY HELLO" What if the other dog (or owner) doesn't want to "say hello" back? "My dog just wants to say hello" is usually the excuse people give when their dog has no recall, but why would you let your dog jump in the face of a dog on a lead that you don't know?</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s so dangerous and I’ve witnessed some dreadful dog fights as a result of this. Please work on your recall or just don't let them off the lead. I just want to walk my dog in peace and I know I speak for many others. I’m thankful that Chill is not a reactive dog but he has still been randomly attacked by off lead dogs on the street, and it’s not OK.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I can’t imagine how stressful it is for people with reactive dogs who are trying to avoid dogs! Thank you for reading 🐕🦮🐩🐕‍🦺”</p> <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/CVMXNhYPqoS/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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/CVMXNhYPqoS/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by DR KATRINA WARREN (@drkatrina)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">In addition, she added to the rant on<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/drkatrinawarren/posts/446770713472492?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWuhGZ9v3q9YH_4zqixb7AAfOO0fPll6bXj2k2BVokNAtDsHR3GTLOqpo5UsN7YHFzDWiMQXrtQyi5IDENulrVvrSfzMbSiPX8Cy1jGGmxjVMT1RFCU6qEMreh7i736l9ewavK0vz0tsq7L5Mokvjol&amp;__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, complaining about what she calls the ‘poodemic’, writing, “Finally, about the current POODEMIC - yes, dog poo is unpleasant, but you need to pick it up! If your dog does a poo on a footpath at night, it might be a shock to learn that you still need to pick it up, even if there were no witnesses!</p> <p dir="ltr">“I know it's hard to get your head around, but I'm getting sick of giant piles of poo on the footpath waiting in the morning!”</p> <p dir="ltr">People were thankful to Dr Warren for identifying and calling out these widespread problems, with some sharing their own horror stories of what can happen when dogs are allowed to run around off-leash. One woman wrote, “We lost our beautiful golden retriever following a dog attack just 4 weeks ago. She was being walked on lead when an off lead wandering dog attacked her out of nowhere, didn’t even see it coming.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another commented, “I have had my shepherd attacked by a toy poodle off lead. If he had reacted we know which dog would have got the blame. It is just wrong.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Celebrity supporters included Megan Gale, who commented a string of clapping emoji, and Dr Danni Dusek, of Bondi Vet fame, who wrote, “I couldn’t agree more 🙌❤️ Bear is one that is reactive to certain over confident dogs that get in her face and it is so hard to avoid for this exact reason…”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Dr Katrina Warren/Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

​Senior celeb moments that blew us away at the Oscars 2020

<p>As the world tuned in to watched A-listers strut their stuff on the red carpet for the 92nd Academy Awards, there were a number of veterans we have become all too familiar with over the years.</p> <p>As the Hollywood award season was at an all-time high on Monday, we got to see some of Hollywood’s leading actors and actresses cheer on our favourite performances of the year.</p> <p>The Oscars not only revealed some of the best works and performances of the year, but also some gorgeous fashion moments from the over-50’s celebs who prove you can still have the IT factor at any age.</p> <p>Jane Fonda has proven to be a woman of her word after declaring in November of 2019 she would give up shopping and purchasing new items as part of a fight against climate change.</p> <p>It seems she didn’t back down after showing up in a jaw-dropping red sparkling long-sleeved gown by Elie Saab – a frock she pulled out back in 2014 for the Cannes Film Festival as well.</p> <p>The 82-year-old Grace and Frankie star did debut a fresh hair-do however, with a new short grey style to replace her chin-length blond hair.</p> <p>Among Fonda was a number of other veteran actors and actresses who managed to pull out their best looks for the 92nd Academy Awards.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery to see some of the best senior looks from the Oscars.</p>

Movies

Warren Buffett sits out a deal to acquire Tiffany & Co

<p><span>Warren Buffett turned down a chance to acquire Tiffany &amp; Co.</span></p> <p><span>Following a takeover bid from luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, the US jewellery giant invited Buffett to make a counteroffer, the <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/9da47898-237a-11ea-b8a1-584213ee7b2b"><em>Financial Times</em></a> reported.</span></p> <p><span>However, the Berkshire Hathaway owner rejected Tiffany’s overture, allowing LVMH to strike a US$16.2 billion deal for the company in November.</span></p> <p><span>The rejection marks the conglomerate company’s fourth year without any major acquisitions as its cash pile reached a record US$128 billion. </span></p> <p><span>“Buffett has the luxury to move slowly on purchases because of Berkshire’s cash hoard,” Berkshire investor Bill Smead told the newspaper. “Shareholders will benefit tremendously when he puts that money to work.” </span></p> <p><span>Most recently, Buffett bid US$5 billion on technology distributor Tech Data in November but later withdrew after private equity firm Apollo Global Management raised its offer in the auction.</span></p>

Retirement Income

The stars over 50 who stole the red carpet at the Oscars

Movies

Big change to weather in 2018

<p>Despite a heatwave currently sweeping across parts of Australia, the rain-bringing La Nina event will see 2018 experience much cooler temperatures in most areas.</p> <p>This week, the low-intensity heatwave is expected to engulf Brisbane, northeast and central Queensland, parts of NSW, Tasmania and inland parts of Western Australia.</p> <p>In Western Australia, from Thursday to Sunday temperatures will soar in the Pilbara district.</p> <p>In NSW, the heatwave will last from Thursday to Sunday in large parts of the state.</p> <p>Once the heatwave subsides, the next three months will be followed by wetter and cooler than average temperatures due to a La Nina event.</p> <p>The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has signalled the La Nina alert, saying there is three times the normal chance of the event which generally brings above average rainfall.</p> <p>BOM senior hydrologist Dr Paul Feikema said, “While La Nina looks likely during summer, it’s expected to be short-lived and have less effect on rainfall and temperatures than recent La Nina events.”</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="345" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7266282/2_500x345.jpg" alt="2 (43)"/></p> <p><span style="text-align: center;">The 2010 to 2012 La Nina brought significant rain to large parts of Australia.</span></p> <p>Due to the event, temperatures will be cooler in the last two months of summer compared with the hot start at the end of 2017.</p> <p>The parts of Australia that are expected to be unaffected by the La Nina are far south-western and southeastern Australia, including Tasmania.</p>

Domestic Travel

Inside “Offspring” star Asher Keddie's $2.4 million home

<p><span>We know her as the somewhat scatty obstetrician Nina Proudman on the Australian hit drama </span><em><span>Offspring</span></em><span>.</span></p> <p><span>But Asher Keddie's real life is rather different, of course. Keddie, her artist husband Vincent Fantauzzo and children Luca, 6, and Valentino, 2, have been living at two addresses – a city pad in Melbourne and this sprawling 43ha ranch property in Hesket, near Mount Macedon, Victoria.</span></p> <p><span>Now they have decided to put Ravenswood, as it is named, on the market.</span></p> <p><span>In an interview with Fairfax Media in 2014, Fantauzzo, an Archibald Prize-winning artist, spoke fondly of time spent at the farm riding horses and being with nature. </span></p> <p><span>"I love it because it snows in winter and it's beautiful in summer," he said. "I can go for a meal at the pub and when I'm driving home I drive really slowly because there are kangaroos and wombats crossing the road."</span></p> <p><span>After the birth of Valentino in 2015, the couple bought their city pad, splitting their time between the two properties.  </span></p> <p><span>Keddie, a Gold Logie winner, has often spoken about her love of horses, and she has been able to indulge her passion at Ravenswood – there are even two large stables on the ground floor of the house, directly beneath the main living room, plus tackle and storerooms.</span></p> <p><span>And the three-bedroom house itself is styled like a barn, in a "fresh, Scandinavian style" with a lofty cathedral ceiling enhancing a sense of space and airiness. While the stable complex takes up the entire ground floor, the upper level is given over to family living and maximising the spectacular country views.</span></p> <p><span>The property also features a beautiful lake, the original barn, mature English trees, two dams, a spring-fed mountain creek, bore, huge water tanks, horse fencing and a fully (high) fenced vegetable garden with fruit trees and hen house, built to keep out the pesky wildlife.</span></p> <p><span>Listing agent Sandi Barry-Mueller of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.domain.com.au/849-romsey-road-hesket-vic-3442-2014034580" target="_blank">Keatings Real Estate</a></strong></span> says it's easy to fall in love with the area because it's "one of our most popular locations in the Macedon Ranges, only minutes from iconic Hanging Rock and from the ever-popular and thriving Woodend village". </span></p> <p><span>She describes the property as a great lifestyle weekender that is also suitable as a permanent home. </span></p> <p><span>The property is listed for A$2,150,000 <span>(NZ$2.38m).</span><br /></span></p> <p><span>Scroll through the gallery above to get a look inside the property.</span></p> <p><em><span>Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Stuff.co.nz</strong></span></a>. </span></em></p>

Home & Garden

"Rare" weather alert threatening Australia

<p>Southern Australia may be in the midst of a heatwave right now, but experts are warning the warm, sunny conditions won’t last much longer.</p> <p>The Bureau of Meteorology has upped its prediction of a “rare” form of La Niña (which usually occurs in Autumn or winter) to “alert”, revealing there’s now about a 70 per cent chance (triple the normal chance) of La Niña this year.</p> <p>What does that mean for you? Well, we could be in for a cooler summer than usual, and we’re likely to start feeling the effects as soon as next month. However, BOM believe this year’s weather event will probably be weaker and shorter than the La Niña that brought devastating floods to Australia between 2010 and 2012.</p> <p>Despite this, it seems unlikely that the country would experience the same heavy rainfall. “The climate outlook for this summer is, if anything, leaning slightly towards the dry side despite the likelihood of a weak La Nina,” BOM senior climatologist Dr Blair Trewin told the ABC.</p> <p>Sea temperature levels are likely to feel the impact, however, with surface temperatures dipping to -0.8C below the average 1961 to 1991 levels – the Australian threshold for a La Niña.</p> <p>“Oceanic indicators of ENSO [El Niño Southern Oscillation] show a clear progression towards La Niña,” the Bureau explained in a statement <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/enso/?utm_source=tw&amp;utm_medium=009&amp;utm_campaign=38" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">on their website</span></strong></a>. “Tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs) have cooled since late winter, and waters beneath the surface remain cooler than average in the eastern Pacific. However, they are currently just shy of La Niña thresholds.”</p>

Domestic Travel

How George and Amal Clooney first met

<p>George and Amal’s love story is something of a modern fairytale – two people, from seemingly opposite walks of life, falling head-over-heels in love. So just how did a Hollywood heartthrob find himself in the same room as one of the world’s most distinguished international human rights lawyers? Well, according to George’s father Nick, it’s quite the story.</p> <p>He revealed to <a href="http://people.com/movies/the-romantic-untold-story-of-the-day-george-and-amal-clooney-first-met/" target="_blank"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">People</span></em></strong></a> that the couple first met back in 2013 at a dinner party also attended by George’s parents, and the whole family – especially George – was instantly smitten with the barrister.</p> <p>“[George’s mother] Nina and I were actually the ones who answered the door when Amal came in,” Nick recalled. “She introduced herself to us and we talked. She was obviously very charming, gorgeous and so clearly accomplished, but by the time we had supper that night, it was clear there was a kindness to her and an inclusiveness.”</p> <p>Nick could see instantly that his notorious bachelor of a son was already falling hard for Amal. “By the end of supper, I started looking over at Nina and saying, ‘Look ouuuut, this could be trouble for this young man!” he said. “I really think by the time that first [meeting] was over, his and her fates were sealed, both of them. She was so remarkable and he was so remarkable around her.”</p> <p>Less than a year later, they were engaged, and on September 27, 2014, the pair tied the knot in a romantic ceremony at Ca’ Farsetti palace on the banks of Venice’s Grand Canal. Just last week, the lovebirds welcomed twins Ella and Alexander into the world, whom <a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/06/george-clooneys-father-gushes-over-grandchildren/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Nick describes</span></strong></a> as “gorgeous”.</p>

Relationships

George Clooney’s father gushes over new grandchildren

<p>Yesterday, George and Amal Clooney <a href="/news/news/2017/06/george-and-amal-clooney-welcome-their-twins/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">welcomed two gorgeous new bubs</span></strong></a> into the world, twins Ella and Alexander, and the newborns’ grandparents couldn’t be more thrilled. Nick Clooney and Nina Warren first laid eyes on the two-hour-old babies over Skype, since the star couple had arranged the birth to take place in London. Nevertheless, they’re clearly proud as punch.</p> <p>“They’re gorgeous,” Nick told <a href="http://www.fox19.com/story/35605437/george-clooneys-father-says-amal-and-sons-twins-alexander-and-ella-look-like-dad" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">FOX19</span></strong></a>. He revealed that while both babies have dark hair, one in particular appears to have taken after their heartthrob dad.</p> <p>“Nina swears they have George’s nose,” Nick said. “Not both of them – one of them. The little boy looked like he had [George’s] nose, his little profile.”</p> <p>And as for the names? The new grandparents “love” them. “Both sound terrific.”</p> <p>Nick confirmed that the new parents-of-two are doing “wonderfully well,” albeit exhausted, naturally. “George, well, his eyes were glazed so I’m not sure that he was sober,” he joked.</p> <p>Amal’s parents have also spoken out about their excitement for the new arrivals. Baria Alamuddin, who was present with her daughter for the birth, said the family is “over the moon”. “It was a beautiful delivery,” she told AFP. “The babies are beautiful and are doing well.”</p> <p>Ramzi Alamuddin, Amal’s father, also issued a statement from his home in Beirut. “They are in great heath,” he said. “All is perfect.”</p> <p>We don’t know about you, but we can’t wait to see the first snaps of the beautiful, newly-expanded family together!</p> <p><em>Image source: WireImage.</em></p>

Family & Pets

George Clooney’s mother “extremely happy” after baby news

<p>Nina Clooney told <em>Us Weekly</em> on Friday her 55-year-old son and the human-rights lawyer will be "great" parents, after it was announced the couple are expanding their brood. </p> <p>"We are extremely happy for George and Amal, and I cannot imagine two people who would be better parents," Nina said. "We (Nina and husband Nick Clooney) were with them and they told us together. We were all together, and it was lovely. It was just a personal moment."</p> <p>The Clooneys have yet to confirm the baby news, which comes one week after the couple celebrated Amal's 39th birthday in Spain, along with Clooney's parents.</p> <p>Nina, who is also mother to the <em>Ocean's Eleven</em> star's sister Adelia, has every faith her son and Amal will tackle their new parenting challenge head-on.</p> <p>"I think he'll be great, and I think she'll be a great mum," she told<em> Us Weekly</em>. </p> <p>The 39-year-old's pregnancy news was announced by Julie Chen on US chat show <em>The Talk </em>on Thursday, who also revealed the babies are due to arrive in June. "Beyoncé is not the only superstar expecting twins. Congratulations are in order for George and Amal Clooney!" Chen said.</p> <p>The news was then confirmed on Friday by Clooney's long-time friend Matt Damon, who said he had been keeping the couple's baby news secret for months. </p> <p>Clooney told Damon his big news on the set of their latest movie collaboration <em>Suburbicon </em>last year. "I was working with him last fall and he pulled me aside on set and I mean, I almost started crying," the actor told TV show <em>ET Canada</em>.</p> <p>"I was so happy for him. I was like, 'How far along is she?' And he goes, 'Eight weeks'."</p> <p>Damon then reprimanded his pal for telling him the news before the end of his wife's first trimester, when babies are considered safe from harm.</p> <p>"(I said), 'Are you out of your mind? Don't tell anybody else! Don't tell anybody else! Don't you know the 12-week rule?'" Damon recalls.</p> <p>"I'm thrilled for him," he added. "She's amazing. He hit the jackpot. Just on every level. She is a remarkable woman. They're gonna be great. They're gonna be awesome parents. Those kids are lucky."</p> <p>George and Amal wed in Italy in September, 2014.</p> <p><em>First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2017/02/amal-clooney-wife-of-george-clooney-pregnant-with-twins/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Amal Clooney, wife of George Clooney, pregnant with twins</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2017/02/star-confirms-pregnancy-with-twins/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>This star has just confirmed she’s pregnant with twins</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2017/01/mel-gibson-welcomes-ninth-child/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Mel Gibson welcomes ninth child with 26-year-old girlfriend</strong></em></span></a></p>

News

Dog Lovers Show returns to Sydney

<p>If you’re obsessed with all things dogs and puppies, you won’t want to miss this year’s Dog Lovers Show at the Royal Hall of Industries and the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney August 6 and 7.</p> <p>This celebration of our favourite four-legged pals is back again after a hugely successful run last year, which attracted more than 20,000 doggie devotees, and the show’s CEO and Founder Jason Humpris says 2016’s expo will be even bigger and better.</p> <p>“A love of dogs is something that unites literally millions of Australians because they enrich our lives, contribute a wide range of benefits to the community and make us fundamentally happier,” he said. “We have no doubt that visitors will not only enjoy a fantastic day out but will leave with a greater respect and understanding for the dogs in their life.”</p> <p>Headlining this year’s show is the Bondi Vet himself, Dr Chris Brown, who will not only be on hand to offer some of his veterinary wisdom, but will also be leading a pack of talented pups in the Weave Pole Challenge. The show will also feature an all-new performance from Dr Katrina Warren and the Wonderdogs, the canine aquatics competition DockDogs and an exclusive chat with celebrity dog trainer Peta Clarke, who will be bringing along some of her star pupils from <em>Legally Blonde the Musical</em>.</p> <p>Attendees will also bear witness to a World Record Attempt at Extreme Dog High Jump, where some of the Australian Working Dog Rescue’s most talented pooches will be aiming to smash last year’s record of 2.951 metres, set by Bailey at the Casterton Kelpie Muster.</p> <p>The Military Working Dog Tribute is the perfect place to pay respect to the canine troops who have loyally served our country over the past century. Nigel Allsop, founder of the Australian War Animal Organisation and Major Kendell Crocker, our first full-time Veterinary Officer, will take a look back at the history of these courageous animals and how they are cared for both during and after service.</p> <p>Last year around 2,000 dogs were rehomed thanks to the show, so if you’re looking for a new family member, this could be the perfect opportunity to do so, with more than 20 rescue groups showcasing dogs up for adoption.</p> <p>For more information about this family-friendly event and to purchase tickets, <a href="http://dogloversshow.com.au/sydney/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span></strong></a>.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/07/winter-wisdom-for-pet-owners/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>4 pearls of winter wisdom for pet owners</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/dr-chris-brown-plea-to-keep-australia-pet-friendly/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Dr Chris Brown’s plea to keep Australia pet friendly</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/do-our-pets-dream/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Do our pets dream?</strong></em></span></a></p>

News

Meet Amanda de Warren – she communicates with animals

<p>The first time that I spoke with pet communicator and medium, Amanda de Warren, I was hoping that my recently departed cat, Truly Scrumptious, would somehow figure in the conversation. <br> <br> Admittedly, I was sceptic, so I made sure that Amanda knew nothing about my circumstances, my life, or my pets. I ensured my Facebook page was set to the highest privacy settings, so she couldn’t scour through my images or glean any insider information on my life before our interview.</p><p>My cat, Truly, was my treasured best friend of 14 years, and had met a sudden and traumatic death when she was mauled by dogs. Suffice to say, it was the worst day of my life.&nbsp;</p><p>I have always blamed myself, and I guess in some way I was hoping I could speak to my cat via Amanda and let her know how sorry and how devastated I was.</p><p>It wasn’t to happen in that first phone call, though. My hopes were squashed and I was a little disappointed, but it didn’t dilute my faith that Amanda is the real deal. Why? Well, I had my question list prepared, as all good journalists should, but I didn’t get around to asking a single question.</p><p>Instead, Amanda just started talking about my menagerie of pets and for our allotted time, sent messages to me from them. Not only did she accurately pick the sex and species of each animal, but she perfectly described each critter’s unique personality. <br> <br> From my aloof male husky, Pepi, who she said sleeps in the living room as he likes to have his own space (it had been bothering me that he didn’t join us in the bedroom), to my soulful female husky, Simba, who I was considering training to be a therapy dog in oncology wards. <br> <br> “Go ahead with Simba and the hospital,” said Amanda out of the blue. “She is telling me that she really wants to help people.” I had not given Amanda even an inkling that I was in discussions with people about this.</p><p>Then she stopped and said, “I have two female dogs here that have passed over. They were your beloved pets and they want me to tell you that they are always watching you.”</p><p>I hadn’t thought about Goldie and Shiloh for years! They were the two rough collies that I treasured growing up. They had passed away when I was a teenager.</p><p>Despite not “talking” to Truly, I was a firm believer that this woman had a true gift. Sadly, Amanda had to cut our conversation short, as she had another reading to get to.</p><p>I rescheduled the interview time for a few months down the track (Amanda is in high demand and has a gruelling schedule). This time I was determined to get my questions in.</p><p>About a minute into our conversation, Amanda revealed that she had the presence of a noisy cat with her. “You lost your cat recently, very suddenly, didn’t you?” <br> <br> And there she was! I had not mentioned her to Amanda, and there was no way she could have known this. Amanda communicated that Truly did not want me to blame myself, and that she was OK.</p><p>Some of you may think this is crazy, but I am a believer. There was no way Amanda would have known that Truly used to chase me and bite at my ankles when she wanted a cuddle, or that she chatted to me all day long. And there were just too many instances where she knew things that she could not have otherwise known!</p><p>In between blubbering tears, I did actually manage to interview Amanda. Here’s what she had to say.</p><p><strong>When did you first realise you had this affinity with animals, this ability to actually speak with them?</strong></p><p>“I was about 5 years of age. I was on my uncle’s farm in England and one of his farm dogs went missing. I could hear him barking in my mind. I could hear him saying, “I am in the shed but I have fallen down the haystack.” <br> <br> I convinced everyone to go down there. And there it was! It had fallen down.</p><p>Also, when I was really young my neighbour passed away, leaving his cat to live with his widow. I was always connecting to his cat, which was still alive. <br> <br> The cat would say, “my daddy is here”. I could always see the neighbour who had passed over with his cat. I knew then that I could communicate with animals. I shut it down, but then I started working with Steve Irwin. That brought it out in me. I was always able to understand what they had said, but I felt like I wasn’t meant to bring it out back then. I worked with Steve and Terri for two years. That really brought it out in me.”</p><p><strong>What is the process you go through when speaking to animals?</strong></p><p>“It is a telepathic connection. It is pictures, feelings, drawings. It is an energy. It is the same if they have passed over. When your cat came through, I knew she came through in spirit. I saw her come through over the Rainbow Bridge and she had no heartbeat.” <br> <br> <strong>Do animals have the same thought processes/connection of thoughts as us?</strong></p><p>“Yes! They have thought processes and their own personalities and thoughts. They are like us, very similar to us in a way. We don’t actually speak to ourselves, we just get up and do it. They are like that. They just get up and do it. It comes in feelings, senses, taste.”</p><p><strong>Do animals use the same language that we do?</strong></p><p>“The thing we have to remember is that animals are far more advanced than we are. They are incredibly intelligent beings. They telepathically connect or vocally connect. They understand a vocal language between each other. It is universal language they have between them. Generally though, they don’t always vocalise with each other … they use body language and they connect telepathically. They connect to each other on so many levels, not just verbally.”</p><p><strong>What has been one of your most memorable animal readings/communications?</strong></p><p>“I was doing a reading for Kyle Sandilands and his dog came through to me and told me to say, “thanks Dad, for when we go to McDonalds and you feed me the chicken nuggets while you chow down on your burger!” The dog was meant to be on a diet, and so was Kyle! <br> <br> Animals will dob you in big time! I had three little dogs that came through to their Mum and said, “Mum who is that lady with the blonde hair and red jacket that comes to visit Dad when you’re at work?” <br> <br> They told her that this lady came to visit and brought them a treat, which they ate while this lady and Daddy went into the bedroom. <br> <br> So, one particular day, she left work early, but told him that she would be late home. She parked the car around the corner and she snuck into the house, flung the bedroom door open and busted them! <br> <br> Another dog told his Mum that Dad was hiding money in a shoebox and a hidden bank account. He had squirreled away $45, 000 was planning to run away!” <br> &nbsp;<br> <strong>What tips can you give us to enable us to have better paths of communication with our furry friends?</strong></p><p>“Animals love to communicate with us. However, where we humans chat verbally, they communicate through things like body language, through telepathic images.Clear your mind completely, sit on the floor with your animal and relax. Get a flow of energy between you. Leave your mind open they will do the rest. They will bring the information through to you. Once the lines of communication are open, then you won’t be able to shut your animal up! If we open our minds to them, they will open themselves up to us. <br> <br> Always remember that animals are far superior than we are. They look at us humans and they wonder, ‘what the heck are you doing to this planet? Why are you destroying it and destroying each other? Why do you have to kill and maim?’”<br> <br> <strong>What advice can you give to those grieving over a lost pet?</strong></p><p>“The love goes on forever. It doesn’t stop because they have passed over. They go on loving us forever. They never leave us.” <br> <br> <strong>To book a reading with Amanda, or to purchase her book, My Journey Behind Blue Eyes (BookCover Café), visit <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.amandadewarren.com/" target="_blank">www.amandadewarren.com</a>.</span></strong></p><p><strong>Related links:</strong></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/news/news/2015/02/loyal-dog-finds-owner/" target="_blank">Loyal dog travels 20 blocks to reach owner in hospital</a></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/news/news/2015/02/dogs-motivating-kids-to-read/" target="_blank">Therapy dogs are motivating kids who struggle to read</a></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/news/news/2015/02/dogs-can-read-you/" target="_blank">Dogs can tell how you’re feeling, according to new study</a></strong></em></span></p>

Family & Pets

Blind man’s paintings become sensation – selling to the likes of Elton John and Warren Buffet

<p>Showing that hardship is no barrier to success, 21-year-old Jeff Hanson has become a wildly successful artist despite being legally blind.</p><p>When he was younger, Mr Hanson was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that caused a brain tumour. This tumour eventually left him blind, but that hasn’t stopped the young man from following his passion.</p><p>Introduced to art by his mother, who wanted to distract him during chemotherapy treatments, Mr Hanson has now completed around 1,400 paintings, and counts people like Warren Buffet and Elton John among his biggest fans.</p><p>Original works by Hanson sell for around $5,000 each, a price tag that has benefited over 100 charitable organisations. At the age of 19, the artist announced he would give away $1 million by the time he turned 20. And he did so with flying colours.</p><p>Only able to vaguely make out shapes and colours, Hanson relies on texture to help him work. A thick, plastic substance, which he applies to each canvas, guides him around the pieces.</p><p><img width="499" height="250" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/4609/jeff-hanson1_499x250.jpg" alt="Jeff Hanson1"></p><p><img width="500" height="633" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/4610/jeff-hanson2_500x633.jpg" alt="Jeff Hanson2"></p><p><img width="499" height="495" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/4611/jeff-hanson-3_499x495.jpg" alt="Jeff Hanson 3"></p><p><img width="499" height="159" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/4612/jeff-hanson-4_499x159.jpg" alt="Jeff Hanson 4"></p><p><img width="498" height="270" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/4613/jeff-hanson-6_498x270.jpg" alt="Jeff Hanson 6"></p><p><img width="499" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/4614/jeff-hanson-5_499x500.jpg" alt="Jeff Hanson 5"></p><p><img width="500" height="248" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/4615/jeff-hanson-8_500x248.jpg" alt="Jeff Hanson 8"></p><p><img width="448" height="640" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/4616/jeff-hanson-9.jpg" alt="Jeff Hanson 9"></p><p>You can find out more about Jeff Hanson and his work by <a href="http://www.jeffreyowenhanson.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">visiting his website</span></strong></a> or <strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Jeffrey.Owen.Hanson" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">following him on Facebook</span></a></strong>.</p><p><strong>Related links:</strong></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2015/03/dragon-lizard-playing-a-leaf-guitar/" target="_blank">This dragon lizard has been snapped using a leaf like a guitar</a></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2015/03/endangered-kitten-born-lowry/" target="_blank">See the gorgeous new clouded leopard cub</a></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2015/03/cat-map-of-australia-nose/" target="_blank">Meet the cat with a map of Australia on her nose</a></strong></em></span></p>

News