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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

"You've restored my faith": Community shows up for lonely birthday boy

One dad's desperate plea has "restored" his faith after his local community showed up for his son's third birthday party. Pre-schooler William Buck and his dad Steven sat patiently on a beach in Wellington, waiting for his friends to arrive and begin the celebrations for his third birthday party. As time passed, William and his dad grew more hopeless, and they worried about the fate of the celebrations. "He kept asking where everyone was, and we were like 'they’re coming soon'," Steven Buck told <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/wellbeing/parenting/133203054/familys-plea-after-nobody-shows-at-3yearolds-birthday-brings-community-to-beach" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-i13n="cpos:2;pos:1" data-ylk="slk:Stuff;cpos:2;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0" data-rapid_p="9" data-v9y="1">Stuff</a>. Steven felt "guilty" that none of his son's mates had come to the party, especially given how excited his son had been for this birthday, as he had been talking about the celebration for weeks. In a last ditch effort to make William's day special, Steven turned to social media for help. Steven posted an image of the pair online and invited any locals wanting "some sun and sand" to join them. "William would love some friends to play with. He has Hot Wheels, sand toys, dinos, and we have some snacks and drinks. Any and all welcome," he wrote. Amazingly, locals responded in their thousands, wishing William a 'Happy Birthday' while many others joined the three-year-old and his parents. "Going there. See you soon," one local wrote, before arriving with her family. The partygoers arrived with bubbles and inflatables, parking themselves down on beach chairs ready to celebrate the sunny day with William. "Thank you so much everyone for the birthday wishes and support," Steven wrote online after the day. "Wellington you always restore my faith in humanity!" Image credits: Facebook

Family & Pets

Sapling planted at Sycamore Gap to "restore hope" removed by National Trust

UK resident Kieran Chapman, 27, is "absolutely gutted" after the sapling he planted in memory of the<a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/you-can-t-forgive-that-teen-arrested-after-felling-of-iconic-200-year-old-tree" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> felled Sycamore Gap tree</a> was heartbreakingly removed by National Trust. The 27-year-old spent hours on Friday planting the sapling just metres away from the stump of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree, but his efforts were in vain, as the sapling had been dug up by the National Trust on Sunday morning. The conservation charity said that they had to remove the sapling because it is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. A National Trust spokesperson told the Newcastle Chronicle that while they understand “the strength of feeling following the events at Sycamore Gap” the site “is a scheduled ancient monument and a globally important archaeological setting, with UNESCO world heritage designation”. “Altering or adding to it can damage the archaeology, and is unlawful without prior consent from government.” But Chapman couldn't hide his disappointment: “It’s just devastating, isn’t it? It genuinely brought people a lot of joy and that’s been taken away," he told the publication. “I honestly thought if it got a good response they might end up keeping it.” Chapman planted the sapling because he wanted to “restore people’s faith in humanity, bring a smile back to people’s faces and just give them a bit of hope”. “I planned to go and take the dog for a walk next weekend there," he added. In a follow up post on Facebook, Chapman added that he was told by the National Trust that his tree will be replanted on another piece of land at the Housesteads Visitor Centre on Hadrian’s Wall. “Too many politics around all this for my liking, the top and bottom of it, it’s a tree, planted in soil. I understand the land is protected, but to protect a tree from being planted in the earth, where they’re designed to be, no matter where it’s location, is crazy,” he wrote. Two people were arrested over the incident, a 16-year-old boy and 69-year-old former lumberjack. Both have been released on bail, with the lumberjack insisting that he had no involvement in the felling. “You’ve got the wrong feller,” he told The Sun. “I’m a former lumberjack and I’ve just been kicked off my property so I can see why people have pointed the finger. “My brother came down to make sure I hadn’t been arrested as he had heard a rumour that I had cut it down. I didn’t do it," he added. Images: Getty/ Facebook

Travel Trouble

Neglected pre-war car up for sale after miracle restoration

A 1939 MG VA, initially purchased as a stripped bare shell of itself, is heading for auction. When the pre-war vehicle sold for only a few hundred dollars, it wasn’t asking for much - most likely because it wasn’t offering a whole lot either. Missing entire doors and rusting in more than one place, the car left a lot to be desired. Its original owner had tucked it away in the garage after the MG failed an MOT in 1969 - an annual test in the United Kingdom to verify a vehicle’s safety. Although they’d intended to restore it, those plans never came to fruition, with the car learning a hard lesson in dust bunnies instead. 45 years later, it finally got the chance to see the light of day again, with its next owner snatching it up from a family friend at a ‘bargain’ price. And to everyone’s delight, the vehicle finally got the makeover it had been waiting almost half a century for. The owner - who has requested anonymity - even performed the bulk of the work by themself, although they left the engine overhaul and respray to the professionals. The hard work produced some spectacular results, and with the car now rolling into auction with an asking price of ~$18,500-$22,2000, its next owner is sure to enjoy all that it has to offer. When the line of MG VAs left production, they sold for up to $650 (or roughly $35,000 in 2023), and only 2,400 of them were ever made. The vehicles were produced alongside the larger SA and WA models, with their smallest-in-the-range 108-inch wheelbases distinguishing them from their counterparts. The VA model was only produced for two years, before the Second World War saw production come to a screeching halt. The MG company itself had been founded in the 1920s, and was renowned for its range of two-seater sports cars. After years of ownership changes, and after it was absorbed into the British Leyland group, the firm - which at that point was known as MG Rover - faced financial difficulty in the early 200s, and by 2005 was forced into receivership. However, the group was then purchased by Nanjing Automobile Group, and resumed its production of vehicles in 2007. In 2011, the MG6 appeared in the market, establishing itself as the first UK model in 16 years. And as for the 1939 VA model heading to auction with Charterhouse, Richard Bromell - who is handling the sale - had one just one thing to note, “to say the MG was bought as a project makes it sound much better than it was as it was in a very sorry state indeed “Thankfully the owner was more than handy with a spanner and undertook a complete restoration of the MG.” Images: Charterhouse Auctioneers & Valuers

Money & Banking

Leila Abdallah thanks community for restoring memorial

Leila and Danny Abdallah have thanked the community after the desecrated memorial for the four children who lost their lives in the Oatlands crash was restored. After the memorial was torn down by a vandal, Leila Adballah said it felt like a “knife was put in my heart”. The simple memorial included framed photos of her children Anthony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna Abdallah, nine, as well as their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11 that were hung on a fence in the Sydney suburb after their deaths in February last year. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPekk9vBOZh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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/CPekk9vBOZh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Leila Geagea Abdallah (@leila._abdallah)</a> </div> </blockquote> On Sunday morning, the memorial - which is the only public memento to the children - was found desecrated, with the photos ripped off the fence. “Somebody had the nerve to strip down my kids’ pictures and strip down the temporary memorial on Bettington Rd where the kids passed away,” Leila Abdallah said on Instagram. “Obviously they didn’t have the courage to do it in the day. It was done at night,” she continued. “All over Australia there are memorials in honour of people that have died in car accidents and I have never heard of anyone attempting to get rid of them. “It disappoints me that the person wouldn’t have the decency to reach out and talk to me. “It’s public space and we are allowed to have it there. This is the last memory I have with my children. “Memorial or no memorial that place will always be reminded of those beautiful children having their lives cut short.” Abdallah said she hopes a permanent memorial will be built in the near future. Her husband, Danny, was seen at the memorial on Sunday restoring it. By Monday, the memorial had been restored to its former glory and had been adorned with numerous flower bouquets. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CPheMCcBhnS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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/CPheMCcBhnS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Leila Geagea Abdallah (@leila._abdallah)</a> </div> </blockquote> The mourning parents thanked the community for their support. “Thank you for your love and support,” Leila said on social media on Monday afternoon. “The Abdallah, Sakr, and Kassass family are blessed to have you all in our lives. “No matter what you go through, walk a peaceful path and God will do the rest.” She concluded: “Stay loving, forgiving, and resilient.”

Caring

Mum’s miracle hack for restoring ruined chopping boards

An online Melbourne mum and avid Tik Tok user by the name of <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mama_mila_/video/6862601561869241606" target="_blank">Mama Mila</a> has wowed fans with her amazing hack to bring scratched wooden chopping boards back to life – and it’s so easy you can get it done in just minutes. “This hack is so quick and it's completely chemical-free,” writes Mila. “Just cut a lemon in half and rub the entire board with the juice. Once you've rubbed the board with lemon juice, sprinkle coarse sea salt and rub that in with a cloth.” Leave it for a few moments, and then rinse the board and leave it to dry. “Finally, rub it with mineral oil as this prevents it from absorbing moisture and cracking over time.” METHOD <ol> <li>Cut a lemon in half and rub the lemon juice into your wooden chopping board.</li> <li>Sprinkle coarse sea salt and rub it in with a microfibre cloth.</li> <li>Leave for a few moments, then rinse the board and leave it to dry.</li> <li>Rub is with a mineral oil to prevent it from absorbing moisture and cracking over time.</li> </ol> Thousands who viewed the quick and easy hack were blown away by just how simple and effective it is, writing “OMG” and “this is fantastic”. “I need this,” another wrote, “my board just cracked.” Others said they would definitely try it for themselves. IMAGES: Tik Tok / <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mama_mila_/video/6862601561869241606" target="_blank">Mama Mila</a>

Home Hints & Tips

What has happened to the $1.6 billion donated to restore Notre Dame

It seems like a whole world away, but long before COVID-19, the world was brought to a standstill by the fire that gutted Paris’ Notre Dame cathedral. The fire occurred on April 15th and was all that anyone could talk about as the 850-year-old landmark and priceless artefacts were destroyed by a blaze that ripped through the cathedral. It motivated some of the world’s richest people into action, and within days, 1.6 billion had been pledged by France’s wealthiest individuals and corporations to restore the Roman Catholic cathedral. However, many are curious as to whether or not they will pay up. Six months after the fire, only some of the money from wealthy donors materialised. Early work to repair the building replied on $59 billion in smaller donations from individuals and businesses. As the first anniversary of the fire approaches, where are the billions for the Notre Dame? <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/B97A_xlhZ7w/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <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/B97A_xlhZ7w/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris (@notredamedeparis)</a> on Mar 19, 2020 at 9:35am PDT </div> </blockquote> This week, the Foundation Notre Dame, which is the largest of the four official charities overseeing the repairs, said that all of the donor pledges have come through. "I can confirm that all the companies that committed to pay money for the restoration of the cathedral to the Notre Dame Foundation have either already paid it in full or have contracted to pay it as and when needs," the foundation's funding director Jean-Michel Mangeot said to <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.businessinsider.sg/notre-dame-fire-one-year-reparations-billionaire-donations-progress-2020-3" target="_blank">Business Insider</a>. The other three charities raising money have not revealed the status of the pledges they have received. The future of the cathedral remains unclear due to the coronavirus pandemic delaying vital work, with 500 tonnes of melted metal lattice on the roof of the weakened building threatening to come down at any minute. It is not currently known when workers are able to start repairing the cathedral.

International Travel

Restoring Notre Dame: How much of the money has made it through?

When the Notre Dame Cathedral caught fire in April, people around the world quickly gathered efforts to restore the iconic Paris landmark. However, AP reported that there have been months of delays in the pledged funds materialising, leading officials to rely on small charity donations for the repair works. But the money has started to roll in. Since the fire, the Notre Dame Foundation has up until the end of September received €36 million (AU$59 million) from 46,000 individuals, 60 businesses and 29 municipalities, Associated Press (AP) reported. Last week, French billionaire Francois Pinault and son Francois-Henri Pinault signed documents to finalise their 100 million euros (AU$163.4 million) donation for the Foundation. Archbishop of Paris, Michel Aupetit said the Pinaults’ donation pledge, which was within hours of the fire, inspired a movement. “It came spontaneously during that evening, when we didn’t yet know whether the cathedral could be saved,” he said. “It launched a movement that is still ongoing, because we still have 140 donations a week.” Other billionaires and major entities also pledged millions in donations – Bernard Arnault of luxury group LVMH and the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation of the L’Oreal empire promised €200 million each. Aupetit said authorities won’t know how long the restoration and repair project will take, or how much it will cost, until the spring. President Emmanuel Macron previously said he hopes to complete the restoration within five years. Aupetit said the donation has so far been focused on cleaning and safety work. Scroll through the gallery to see the progress from the Notre Dame Cathedral’s restoration project so far.

International Travel

Labor wants to restore penalty rates within 100 days. But what about the independent umpire?

Labor has promised to restore the penalty rates cut by the Fair Work Commission in its first 100 days. From its point of view, as part of a broader attack on the Coalition’s record on industrial relations, wage stagnation, widespread wage theft and the growth of insecure work, it makes sense. But it betrays a broader principle Labor holds dear - independence of the tribunal. The Coalition is saying little about it – still spooked by the electoral poison wrought by its <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WorkChoices">WorkChoices</a> legislation more than a decade ago. Throughout the campaign it’s been happy to fall back on claims about economic growth and tax cuts creating favourable conditions to lift wages generally. So what did the Fair Work Commission decide about penalty rates back in 2017, and what has occurred since? The commission’s decision was limited The cuts to penalty rates are often discussed as if they applied across the board. They didn’t. The commission’s decision affected penalty rates in the federal awards applying to only six sectors: fast food, retail, hospitality, pharmacies, clubs and restaurants. It determined that the penalty rates for working on public holidays in those awards would be reduced from July 1, 2017; and that the penalty rates for Sunday work in four of the awards would be phased down over four years. For example, full-time workers on the retail award had their Sunday rates cut from 200% of the normal rate to 195% in July 2017, then to 180% in July 2018, and were to have the cut to 165% in July this year, followed by a cut to 150% in July 2020. Extra payments for working irregular or unsocial hours are a longstanding feature of Australia’s industrial relations system. Traditionally, penalty rates have been included in awards with two objectives in mind: to compensate workers for having to work overtime or on weekends and public holidays, and to deter employers from requiring employees to work at these times. However, in reaching its decision, the commission found that the deterrence objective was no longer relevant for public holiday or Sunday penalty rates. Sundays have become less sacred The finding followed a report of the the Productivity Commission that found that working on Sundays was far more common than it had been in industries such as hospitality, restaurants and retail. This reflected a broader shift to a “24/7 economy”. In the Fair Work Commission’s word, the “disutility” endured by workers employed on Sundays was less than it was. Labor and the union movement have strongly criticised the commission’s decision in the two years since it was handed down. Labor very quickly introduced a bill to override it and restore the penalty rates of the 700,000 affected workers. The government opposed it and a similar bill introduced by The Greens, enabling Labor and the unions to hammer the prime minister in the election campaign for “<a href="https://www.penaltyratesrecord.com/cook">voting eight times</a>” to cut penalty rates. Labor has argued that over the recent ten-day Easter and Anzac Day break, the penalty rate cuts resulted in a loss of between <a href="https://www.billshorten.com.au/morrison_s_penalty_rate_cuts_leave_australian_workers_up_to_370_worse_off_over_easter_saturday_20_april_2019">$218 for a fast food worker and $369 for a pharmacy employee</a>. The union/Labor-aligned McKell Institute says workers will be $2.87 billion worse off by the end of the scheduled reduction in penalty rate cuts <a href="https://mckellinstitute.org.au/app/uploads/McKell-Fork-in-the-Road-April-26-2019-.pdf">if the Coalition is re-elected</a>. But cutting penalty rates has created few jobs Business groups have long claimed that cutting penalty rates will boost employment levels, a position endorsed by both the Productivity Commission and Fair Work Commission. However, research published by the Australia Institute last year finds that the retail and hospitality industries were among <a href="http://www.tai.org.au/content/penalty-rates-and-employment-one-year-later">the lowest industries for job growth in the year after rates were cut</a>. The Council of Small Business Organisations conceded two weeks ago that the cuts <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/penalty-rate-cut-failed-to-create-one-new-job/news-story/4946a1915162c197a896063ae4009bb7">failed to create one new job</a>. Its chief executive, Peter Strong, said the impact had been minimal because it had coincided with above average increases in the minimum wage. “There’s no extra jobs on a Sunday,” he was reported as saying. “There’s been no extra hours. Certainly, I don’t know anyone (who gave workers extra hours). It’s been just a waste of time.” However, the Fair Work Commission is set up to be independent. Labor’s approach carries longer term risks A campaign spokesperson for the Liberal Party was quoted in the <a href="https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/election-2019/2019/04/22/penalty-rates-labor-liberal/">New Daily</a> last month saying: “‘Bill Shorten knows it is the independent Fair Work Commission that sets penalty rates, not the government. In fact, it was Bill Shorten … who set up the review into penalty rates. He even appointed the umpire.’” The Coalition is gilding the lily. It has been no great defender of the industrial tribunal’s independence in the past. Under WorkChoices it sidelined the commission completely. Lately it has stacked the commission with employer representatives. But it’s not a great idea to start overruling Fair Work Commission decisions that are unpopular. Yes, the penalty rate cuts are arbitrary, reducing the take-home pay of low-paid workers. But Australians have trusted the tribunal to make those judgment calls for more than 100 years. If Labor wants to influence Fair Work Commission decisions, it should change the criteria used by the commission to review awards – it plans to do so as part of its promise to turn the minimum wage into a “living wage”. Overturning decisions it doesn’t like will leave the Fair Work Commission wondering why it is bothering, and allow others to refuse to accept decisions they don’t like. And if Labor is elected and perseveres, it will also allow a less worker-friendly successor to overturn decisions it doesn’t like. Written by Anthony Forsyth. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/labor-wants-to-restore-penalty-rates-within-100-days-but-what-about-the-independent-umpire-116154">The Conversation.</a>

Money & Banking

How this woman found her diamond ring will restore your faith that miracles do happen

Once you lose a diamond ring in a busy car park, there’s no going back. And that’s exactly what happened to Shelley Wells, who dropped her prized possession in a Louisiana car park in the US on December 5. Despite the item of jewellery being small, Shirley Ross, who was also in the same car park on the same day, stumbled across the ring. She discovered the diamond ring as she was getting out of her car, and luckily for Wells, Ross was adamant on returning it to its rightful owner. It was an innocent blunder, as Wells took off her ring to apply hand cream as she sat in her car. She placed the ring on her lap, and forgetting that it was there, she got out of the car and dropped it. The ring was a 20th-anniversary present from her husband. She soon realised the sentimental item was missing and went back to the car park to look for it, but unfortunately, had no luck. Speaking to local news station <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/local-news/shreveport-women-say-divine-intervention-led-to-lost-ring-s-return/1654182401" target="_blank">KTAL</a>, Wells said: “That night I got into bed and I said, ‘OK, I’m going to post it on Facebook’.” She took to social media to ask about her ring at 10:19pm, hoping desperately for a response. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FShelley.Jenkins.Wells%2Fposts%2F10216463357632406&width=500" width="500" height="528" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> With Ross having the ring in her possession, she thought to hand it to the store staff, so they could take care of it, but then a voice inside her told her to track down the owner herself. “As I looked at the ring, I said, ‘No, I can’t, I must pursue this,” she said. “I must find the owner of this ring.” Coincidentally, Ross was in this exact position before, as she had also taken off her wedding ring in a parked car and lost it. Unfortunately, Ross never found her ring, but that made her more determined to help deliver this one back to the woman who lost it. Ross’s daughter posted on Facebook exactly one minute after Wells at 10:20 pm about the found ring as she tried her best to find the owner. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsherri.collier%2Fposts%2F10156886430339324&width=500" width="500" height="480" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FShelley.Jenkins.Wells%2Fposts%2F10216467575217843&width=500" width="500" height="573" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FShelley.Jenkins.Wells%2Fposts%2F10216468368037663&width=500" width="500" height="242" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> Wells, who’s post was shared over 3200 times, reached out to Ross by December 6. And a few short hours later, the ring was back in her hands. “Thank you to the most wonderful lady who saw it in the parking lot and was honest enough [to] turn it in!” she wrote on Facebook. “I truly have been gifted a Christmas miracle!!”

Beauty & Style

You can stay in this lovingly restored 300-year-old Italian cottage

Italy is one of the world’s most popular tourist locations and with properties like this it’s easy to see why. Set amongst panoramic hillside views in Puglia, this 300-year-old cottage, with traditional “trullo” cones, has been lovingly restored. The result is like something out of a dream. While the exterior retains its traditional features, the inside of the property combines modern fixtures and conveniences, with rustic charm, making it the idyllic base for any Italian adventure. To see the property, scroll through the gallery above. If you’re interested in booking it, or learning more, simply <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/53243/?af=61160407&c=apac_au_over60_trullo" target="_blank">click here</a>. Have you ever been to Italy? Let us know in the comments. <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/?af=61160407&c=apac_au_over60" target="_blank">Whether you want to make money by renting your place or to find affordable accommodation options and stretch your travel budget further, head over to Airbnb now and have a look around.</a>

Accommodation

Lovingly-restored barn house is a hidden gem in the desert

While a trip in the US might currently be characterised by countless nights spent in cookie cutter hotels and motels, if you know where to look you can find some of the most distinctive, interesting holiday accommodation in the world. Today’s Airbnb property is the perfect example. This <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/2213095/?af=61160407&c=apac_au_over60_barnhousecali" target="_blank">lovingly-restored barn house</a> in Morongo Valley is a hidden gem on the western edge of the Mojave Desert and the perfect place to pop your head in on a road trip through California. You get a true sense of desert serenity <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/2213095/?af=61160407&c=apac_au_over60_barnhousecali" target="_blank">at this lovely property</a>, sitting on the deck with a drink in hand as you listen to the sounds of nature and ponder the star-studded skyline. And the location simply couldn’t be better. Once you’re here you’re only 20 minutes from Joshua Tree National Park, Pioneer Town, Cabazon and Palm Springs. Even if you’re not planning a trip to California any time soon, make sure you scroll through the gallery above. It’s incredible to see what they’ve achieved with the place. For more information or to book your own stay, <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/2213095/?af=61160407&c=apac_au_over60_barnhousecali" target="_blank">click here</a>. Image credit: Airbnb <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/?af=61160407&c=apac_au_over60" target="_blank">Whether you want to make money by renting your place or to find affordable accommodation options and stretch your travel budget further, head over to Airbnb now and have a look around.</a>

Accommodation

How to restore ageing lips

Dorrie Jacobson, 81, an internationally recognised expert on ageing stylishly, writes for her popular website <a href="http://www.seniorstylebible.com/" target="_blank">Senior Style Bible</a>. She also writes about senior sexuality and her experiences with online dating as an older woman. As we age, we tend to lose some of the volume and fullness in our lips. One of the most common problems we begin to encounter are the fine lines and wrinkles that gradually appear around the mouth. The application of lipstick can become a monumentally frustrating challenge as it takes on a will of its own, bleeding into the fine lines around the lip area. Let’s be honest, “feathering” lipstick is aging. We want our lips to look like Angelina Jolie’s, not a downtrodden clown… But don’t lose hope. A full pout is not a feature we have to relegate to the past. As a self-confessed product junkie, I have tried numerous lotions and potions, all of which have all claimed to solve the problem, but have ever lived up to their promises, until now. Something like Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch is a creamy, miracle worker in a small jar. The product fills in the fine lines, making your skin smooth and ready for the application of lip liner and lipstick. I found it’s also quite effective in eliminating small lines and wrinkles in other areas of the face and can be used under or over makeup. With the artful application of make-up, you can change the shape and fullness of your lips simply by covering them with concealer and outlining a fuller mouth with your lip liner and lipstick. Bear in mind that matte lipsticks can be drying, so make sure that your favourite brand is creamy and moisturising. If your lips are drying out after a few hours, then it’s time to find a new lipstick. Also please be aware of going overboard with the lip liner. The shade should closely match your lipstick…not contrast it. We have all seen the ladies who like to outline their lips in a much darker shade. Please don’t. That trend is long gone. We are going for a natural looking lip, one that resembles our natural features, just a bit fuller. Once your lipstick and lip liner have been applied, place a tissue over your mouth and set it with powder, and then finish it all off with a bit of lip gloss. Are you still a fan of the dark lip liner trend? Let us know in the comments below. For more of Dorrie Jacobson, please visit <a href="http://www.seniorstylebible.com/" target="_blank">Senior Style Bible</a> or her <a href="https://www.instagram.com/seniorstylebible/?hl=en" target="_blank">popular Instagram here.</a> Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/08/new-second-skin-can-help-you-hide-wrinkles/">New “second skin” can help you hide wrinkles</a> <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/08/things-to-eat-and-drink-to-make-your-skin-glow/">6 things to eat and drink to make your skin glow</a> <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/08/most-common-physical-feature-we-worry-about-with-age/">Most common physical feature we worry about with age</a>

Beauty & Style

Historic black-and-white photos of America restored in colour

Black-and-white photographs depicting life in America at the turn of the 20th century have been restored in colour – and the results are striking. Using a technique pioneered by Photoglob Zürich AG, which sees colour manually added to black-and-white negatives, the following images come alive in, showing the realities of life in the America at the turn of the century. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/domestic-travel/2016/06/10-lesser-known-new-zealand-holiday-spots/">10 lesser-known New Zealand holiday spots</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/06/japan-beach-illuminated-by-mysterious-natural-phenomenon/">Japan beach illuminated by mysterious natural phenomenon</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/06/10-breathtaking-photos-celebrate-the-beauty-of-britain/">10 breathtaking photos celebrate the beauty of Britain</a>

International Travel

10 breathtaking restored images of iconic world landmarks

From the Eiffel Tower to the Taj Mahal, these world wonders are some of the most photographed landmarks in the world. But they didn’t just appear out of thin air! In the gallery above we can see 10 of the world’s most spectacular wonders, either mid-construction or undergoing some sort of recuperative process. The images have been restored to colour by Jordan Lloyd from colour restoration specialists Dynamichrome, as part of a collaboration with Retronaut. Eventually, these 10 images, along with 120 other meticulously restored photos, will be part of a book called The Paper Time Machine, providing a compelling record of the massive feats of construction that went into some of the world’s most famous sites. To see all the images, scroll through the gallery above. They are in the following order: 1. Eiffel Tower 2. Taj Mahal 3. London’s Tower Bridge 4. Hoover Dam 5. Golden Gate Bridge 6. Mt Rushmore 7. Statue of Liberty 8. Sacre Coeur Basilica 9. Stonehenge 10. Nelson’s Column Image credit: Instagram / dynamichrome Related links: <a href="/travel/international/2016/04/10-life-changing-travel-experiences/">10 life-changing travel experiences</a> <a href="/travel/international/2016/04/top-10-landmarks-to-visit-in-2016/">Top 10 landmarks to visit in 2016</a> <a href="/travel/international/2015/12/iconic-destinations-falling-apart/">6 iconic destinations that are falling apart</a>

International Travel

Historic rusting ocean liner could be restored to luxury

In her heyday, the SS United States was as famous as the Titanic. The grand ocean liner used to carry celebrities, royalty and heads of state across the Atlantic at record speeds. The 301-metre ship (30 metres longer than Titanic) made its maiden voyage in 1952 and sailed from New York to Southampton in three days, 10 hours and 42 minutes, a time that was not beaten until 1990. Its glory days were short lived and by 1969 the ship had been decommissioned. It was a naval reserve vessel for around a decade, but remained sealed in her berth. She was then purchased by a succession of owners, all of whom had grand plans for restoration. The SS United States Conservancy stepped in to try and save the ship, but late last year the group revealed it could no longer afford the $60,000 a month to keep it docked in Philadelphia. It looked like one of the world’s great ocean liners was destined for the scrapyard. Enter luxury line Crystal Cruises. CEO Edie Rodriguez saw the news that the conservancy was out of money and stepped in to resurrect the liner. Crystal operates a small fleet of ultra-luxurious, boutique ships and is currently expanding into river cruising and private jet tours. The line plans to restore the ship and convert it into a modern luxury vessel. The first step is a comprehensive feasibility study to identify any structural issues or dangerous chemicals. Once the ship gets the all clear, Crystal will refurbish the ship to accommodate 800 guests in spacious suites that measure 350 square feet. Original areas of the ship will be recreated, like the Navajo Lounge and the Promenade. It’s predicted that the refurbishment will cost at least $800 million and, if all goes to plan, it could be sailing again by early 2018. Related links: <a href="/travel/cruising/2016/04/cheaper-to-cruise-than-live-in-london/">It’s cheaper to live on a cruise ship than in London</a> <a href="/travel/cruising/2016/04/santorini-planning-to-ration-cruise-tourists/">Santorini planning to ration cruise tourists</a> <a href="/travel/cruising/2016/04/tugboat-pushed-underwater-by-cruise-ship/">Tugboat pushed underwater by cruise ship</a>

Cruising

Blind dog has his sight restored

Duffy the Irish terroir hasn’t had the easiest of lives. The rescue dog bonded immediately with his new adoptive family, but had many health issues that lead him to develop diabetes, and eventually lose his eye sight. After a lot of effort on his family’s behalf, his general condition improved and he qualified for surgery to fix his vision. After months of being blind, his sight was finally restored. The above video shows the first time Duffy is reunited with his family since his operation. His reaction is almost too much. He runs into the room with such excitement and doesn’t know who to look at first. Eventually he starts happily cooing in thanks. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/11/cats-are-like-psychopaths-gallery/">11 ways cats are like “psychopaths”</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/dogs-with-no-concept-of-personal-space/">Dogs with no concept of perosnal space</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/photos-of-animals-hitchhiking/">Hilarious photos of animals hitchhiking</a>

News

10 photos that will restore your faith in humanity

From pedestrians stopping to help a dog accidentally tear-gassed during a demonstration to a man offering free haircuts to the homeless in exchange for a hug, these random acts of kindness will restore your faith in humanity. Related links: <a href="/health/mind/2016/01/how-to-get-out-of-a-mental-rut/">7 mental shifts to get yourself out of a rut</a> <a href="/health/mind/2016/01/holistic-ways-to-promote-good-vibes/">10 ways to bring good vibes in your life</a> <a href="/health/mind/2016/01/tips-for-being-a-good-person-today/">8 ways to be a good person today</a>

Mind

11 images that will restore your faith in humanity

Nowadays it can be easy to forget how many good people there are out there. Everyday thousands of people around the world are performing good deeds for others. In the above gallery we’ve put together 11 images that will restore your faith in humanity. There are a lot of good people out there, and it’s important to remind ourselves of this sometimes. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2015/12/rescued-kitten-turns-into-fluffiest-cat/">Rescued kitten turns into world’s fluffiest cat</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/12/101-year-old-friendship/">101-year-old friends reminisce about friendship spanning decades</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/12/puriri-family-grows-christmas-tradition/">Puriri family grows Christmas tradition – literally</a>

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How this woman found her diamond ring will restore your faith that miracles do happen

You can stay in this lovingly restored 300-year-old Italian cottage