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Return and Earn is a great way to recycle

When you recycle your eligible bottles and cans through Return and Earn, the material that is used to make the bottles and cans stay in use for as long as possible and are turned into new products, rather than ending up in landfill or polluting waterways. The scheme has already more than halved the number of drink containers littering our parks, waterways, or ending up in landfill compared to before the scheme was launched in December 2017. What happens to containers returned through Return and Earn? Have you ever wondered what happens to the containers once they are returned through the scheme? All containers returned through Return and Earn are recycled. The containers are picked up from the return points and trucked to a sorting facility where the containers are processed depending on the material type. Cans are crushed and baled into a giant cube, glass bottles are crushed into small particles called cullet; and plastic bottles are sorted by type and colour and shredded into smaller flakes before being turned into pellets. <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-68727" src="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/crushed-cans-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="500" /> The giant cubes of Aluminium cans are melted, rolled into sheets, and sent to manufacturers to be turned into new cans or other products – some even go to make up aeroplane parts! Glass cullet is melted and mixed with raw materials before being blown into a new glass bottle and sent to drink companies. The plastic pellets are melted down, moulded and blown into new plastic bottles, ready to be bought be retailers. The new bottles and cans made from the recycled materials are filled by the beverage companies, labelled, capped, and ready to be consumed. By using the recycled material from Return and Earn, we save water, energy, and landfill, as well as reducing the carbon emissions that would be used if new raw materials were used instead. This conservation contributes to a more sustainable and efficient economy. Keeping materials in Australia The purity and quality of the material from Return and Earn plays a crucial role in establishing local recycling facilities so most of the key materials stay in Australia. A key milestone was the opening of the Circular Plastics Australia plant in Albury, NSW, in March 2022. This state-of-the-art PET plastic recycling facility is a joint venture between waste industry and beverage industry partners and is the largest of its kind in Australia. The facility reprocesses 100% of the PET (one of the materials that make up plastic containers) collected through the Return and Earn network of over 600 return points and uses the materials to remake new bottles and other food-grade plastic packaging. All glass collected through the Return and Earn network is also being reprocessed in Australia and contributes to the growing demand of locally sourced glass to use in making new bottles and other products. Having facilities in Australia means that the cycle of making a new container from the recycled material is fast. Plastic bottles can be back on the shelf in as little as six weeks and glass bottles in four weeks. Now that’s recycling at its best. <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-68725" src="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/what-happens-when-you-return-and-earn-journey-image_770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="846" /> Do you recycle? It’s easier than ever to recycle your empty containers through Return and Earn. We have over 600 return points across Australia, and we continue to work with businesses and local councils to identify more sites. Every container counts – recycling is an important way to reduce the load on our natural resources and keep valuable waste on the path to being remade into new products and used again. These small acts can make a big impact. If you’re not interested in returning the containers, consider leaving them out for others in your neighbourhood that are collecting them, or donate them to a charity or community group who is fundraising through the scheme. If you are unable to give them away, place your empty drink containers in your yellow lid recycle bin. For more information about Return and Earn, and to find your nearest return point visit <a href="https://returnandearn.org.au/">returnandearn.org.au</a> Case Study: Sharing the dignity through recycling Semi-retiree Wendy Pluckrose from the far north NSW coast has supported Share the Dignity for years, so when she discovered Return and Earn it seemed an obvious way to raise some extra funds as well as protect the environment. Share the Dignity is a women's charity in Australia, that works to make a real difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or doing it tough. Wendy has installed bins at home and at local shops and restaurants to collect eligible drink containers. Most days she collects between 100 – 500 containers, and in the last year has raised nearly $3,500 from around 35,000 containers recycled through Return and Earn. “Return and Earn is just free money!” Wendy said. “It’s a little bit of effort, but it makes a big difference.” <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-68728" src="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/share-the-dignity-photo-article-770.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="733" /> With the containers collected so far, not only is the refund going towards buying women’s sanitary products to women experiencing hardships, but it has also contributed to protecting the environment. By recycling 35,000 containers to be remade into new containers rather than using virgin materials, the environmental savings calculated by the <a href="https://returnandearn.org.au/impact-calculator/">Impact Calculator</a> include 206,000 litres of water; 46 gigajoules of energy that equates to six months of energy consumption for a household; and 2,100 kilograms of material entering landfill. The carbon emissions avoided equates to keeping two cars off the road for 18 months. To learn more about Return and Earn, <a href="https://returnandearn.org.au/">head to their website</a>. Images: Return and Earn. This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with Return and Earn.

Retirement Income

Returning and Earning for your community

Charities and community groups across NSW are cashing in empty drink containers to support their important work in the community, all with the added benefit of helping the environment. It’s an easy win-win to fundraise through Return and Earn, and it makes donating to a local charity or community group very easy. Return and Earn is the incredibly successful container deposit scheme in NSW, where 10 cents is refunded for every eligible drink container returned for recycling through the network of 600+ return points across the state. Since launching over five years ago, <a href="https://returnandearn.org.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Return and Earn</a> has become an important and well used channel for charities and community groups fundraising to support a range of local and broader causes. Groups such as Rotary and Lions Clubs, animal rescue organisations, and fire and rescue services are just a few of the many different cohorts that have partnered with Return and Earn and relied on the generosity of NSW citizens to help them do vital work in their communities. “We’ve seen many groups really embrace the scheme, showing a humbling passion for giving back to the community – whether it’s to help fund an event for a local club, or to donate to a charity,” said Danielle Smalley, CEO of scheme coordinator, Exchange for Change. “Some of these groups have raised a lot of money from recycling drink containers through Return and Earn. Often local residents and businesses are handing over their containers or donating their refunds to support the cause, proving there is enormous goodwill in the community.” The Gerringong Lions Club recently celebrated one million containers collected, raising $100,000 that was donated to a variety of causes including medical research, local sporting facilities, as well as helping both Australian and oversees Lions Clubs provide relief during catastrophes. <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-67811" src="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Gerringong-Lions-Club-image-2-for-article-2_RD.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="500" /> The Gerringong Lions Club are now raising around $20,000 each year. The COVID shutdowns and restrictions put a halt to the activities that would normally bring funds to the club. Return and Earn was the only means for the club to generate an income to help the community during this time. As routine users of the scheme, the Gerringong Lions Club are now raising around $20,000 each year, all the while making positive impacts to the environment. Bruce Ray is a past president and active member of the club, and says he gets a sense of satisfaction knowing they are helping the community while also looking out for the environment. “We have the bins at the hotel, the bowling club, and campgrounds. The club also provides the container collection bins for events such as weddings and uses them at local New Years’ Eve events,” said Mr Ray. In Cobar, the local Rotary Club is also using Return and Earn to support the work in their community. They partnered with the local Girl Guides who help the club sort through any drink containers collected. They’ve now raised more than $25,000 since they began in early 2020. Club Secretary Gordon Hill said that one of the benefits for the Girl Guides is the real-world experience in seeing how much locally created waste can be recycled. “It also provides a healthy opportunity for a challenge to see which girls can pack the most containers during a 1.5 to 2 hour session. The record currently stands at 3,080, but the challenge continues,” Gordon added. <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-67813" src="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Cobar-Rotary-Club-image-for-article-2_RD.jpg" alt="" width="770" height="500" /> In Cobar, the local Rotary Club has partnered with the Girl Guides to help with sorting! Since Return and Earn launched in December 2017, over $42 million has been raised through donations and return point hosting fees. The funds have made a significant difference to individuals and groups who have received the support. “There are a lot more collection drives in the community that we don’t track, so the total fundraising amount is in fact even higher,” Ms Smalley said. “We encourage all our Return and Earn users to consider donating containers to a local charity or community group either at the nearest Return and Earn machine or using the Return and Earn app. “And if you’re a member of a group looking for an easy and effective way to fundraise, consider Return and Earn where you can double the benefit by raising funds while also helping the environment.” Every Return and Earn machine features a local donation partner, to whom users can donate part or all of their refunds to. The charity listed changes every six months to give as many groups as possible the opportunity. Charities and groups can also elect to be listed on the Return and Earn app, allowing anyone using the app at a machine or automated depot to donate direct to their favourite charity. There are currently over 170 charities featured on the app. When using a Return and Earn machine, select donate, then select which of the charities listed you want the funds to go. If you’re using the Return and Earn app, simply select donation as your payout option and then select the charity or group you would like to donate your refund to. “Contributions don’t need to be big to make a difference. It can be as easy as collecting a few eligible drink containers and donating them to a charity, helping local communities thrive while looking after the environment.” said Ms Smalley. For more information on donating through Return and Earn visit <a href="https://returnandearn.org.au/donate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">returnandearn.org.au/donate/</a> Images: Supplied This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with Return and Earn.

Money & Banking

Meghan and Kate’s fiery text exchange revealed

An explosive text exchange between Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle has been aired by Prince Harry, detailing how the women clashed over Princess Charlotte’s dress for Harry and Meghan’s wedding. In the Duke of Sussex’s memoir Spare, he shared exactly what was said between Kate and Meghan which led to him finding his wife “on the floor sobbing”. Harry wrote that the week of his 2018 wedding to Meghan, Kate texted his soon-to-be wife about a “problem” with Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress. “The French haute couture dresses had been hand-sewn based solely on [the bridesmaids’] measurements, so it was not surprising that they needed alterations,” Harry explained of the dresses, which were custom-made by Givenchy’s then-creative director Clare Waight Keller, who also created Meghan’s wedding dress. “Meg didn’t reply to Kate straight away. Yes, she had endless wedding-related texts, but mostly she was dealing with the chaos surrounding her father. So the next morning she texted Kate that our tailor was standing by,” Harry wrote. Meghan added that the tailor’s name was “Ajay” and he was “at the Palace”. But Harry claims “this wasn’t sufficient”. He explained that Kate wrote back, complaining, “Charlotte’s dress is too big, too long, too baggy. She cried when she tried it on at home.” According to Harry, Meghan replied, “Right, and I told you the tailor has been standing by since 8am. Here. At KP. Can you take Charlotte to have it altered, as the other mums are doing?” Harry claimed Kate rejected the offer, demanding that “all the dresses need to be remade,” and that her own wedding dress designer, Sarah Burton, had agreed with her. “Meg asked if Kate was aware of what was going on right now. With her father. Kate said she was well aware, but the dresses. And the wedding is in four days!” Harry wrote, to which his wife reportedly replied sharply, “Yes, Kate, I know.” Harry went on to explain that his wife eventually replied to Kate with, “I’m not sure what else to say. If the dress doesn’t fit, then please take Charlotte to see Ajay. He’s been waiting all day.” “Fine,” he says Kate responded. In his memoir, Harry says that while he came home to find Meghan “on the floor sobbing”, he hadn’t considered Kate’s behaviour to be malicious, telling his bride that she “hadn’t meant any harm.” Image credits: Getty Images

Beauty & Style

Russia finally frees Olympic basketballer

Russia has freed WNBA star Brittney Griner in a dramatic high-level prisoner swap with the US for notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. The swap was a major goal for President Joe Biden, but carried a hefty price. The deal, which was the second such exchange in eight months with Russia, procured the release of the most prominent American detained abroad. Brittney Griner is a two-time Olympic gold medalist whose months-long imprisonment on drug charges brought unprecedented attention to the population of wrongful detainees abroad. Biden's authorisation to release a Russian felon once nicknamed "the Merchant of Death" highlighted the escalating pressure that his government faced to bring Griner home. This follows the recent resolution of her criminal case. "Today my family is whole," Cherelle Griner said in a press conference at the White House. She also called for Paul Whelan's release. Biden says US has "not forgotten about Paul Whelan", will "never give up" trying to secure his release from Russia. "We've never forgotten about Brittney and we've not forgotten about Paul Whelan, who's been unjustly detained in Russia for years," the US President said. "This was not a choice of which American to bring home. We brought home Trevor Reed when we had a chance earlier this year. Sadly, for totally illegitimate reasons, Russia is treating Paul's case differently than Brittney's, and while we have not yet succeeded in securing Paul's release, we are not giving up.” Russian and US officials had conveyed cautious optimism in recent weeks after months of strained negotiations. Biden announced in November that he was hopeful that Russia would engage in a deal now that the midterm elections were complete. The Biden administration was ultimately willing to exchange Viktor Bout if it meant Griner's freedom. The detention of one of the greatest players in WNBA history contributed to a swirl of unprecedented public attention for an individual detainee case — not to mention intense pressure on the White House. Griner's arrest in February made her the most high-profile American jailed abroad. Images: Wikimedia / Twitter

Legal

"You just asked me": Albo and Ally's tense exchange

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has snapped back at Ally Langdon during a tense moment while he was being interviewed on the Today show. Mr Albanese appeared on the Channel 9 morning show to discuss several topics, one including the fallout from the recent revelations that former PM Scott Morrison had secretly appointed himself to five ministries. Ally broached the topic by asking the Prime Minister Albanese whether he would call a Royal Commission into how all levels of government handled the recent Covid-19 pandemic. She then raised John Howard's comments from earlier in the week, which Mr Albanese quickly dismissed as being those of a “loyal Liberal” and said when asked about Mr Morrison he will give an answer. Ally Langdon went on to question whether “the bloke you beat” should be the Prime Minister’s top priority, considering Australia's energy crisis and homelessness issues. The PM immediately took the issue with Langdon's line of questioning, declaring that he was only talking about the controversy because Langdon had asked about it. “You just asked me the question, Ally, about Scott Morrison and I gave you the answer. If you ask me a question about inflation or about the economy, I‘ll give you an answer about that as well. “This isn’t an issue that I chose to raise.” Ally quickly switched topics to something a little more light-hearted, discussing whether the NRL Grand Final would remain in NSW this year. Image: Sunrise

Manu Feildel and Kyle Sandilands pop off in tense exchange

Kyle Sandilands and Manu Feildel went head-to-head in a tense exchange about new My Kitchen Rules judge, Nigella Lawson. The shock jock questioned Manu as to why Nigella wouldn’t agree to doing an interview with him and help promote the show. “What’s her problem? Apparently I hear, correct me if I’m wrong producers, the network is upset because Nigella’s said ‘no way, you’re not going on that filthy show’. Our show. How does that happen?” Kyle asked. A confused Manu was shocked to hear the claims and told Kyle he was not sure as to why Nigella would not agree to an interview, explaining this is the first time he’s heard of it. “I have no idea, that’s news to me buddy. I will make sure she talks to you next time,” he responded. But that was not a good enough excuse for Kyle who continued his rampage against the wrong person. “How am I meant to support you when the woman besides you loathes the thought of me?” he asked. “I think she’s amazing, she’s the queen but when you find out someone doesn’t like you, you can’t help but not like someone back.” Manu’s voice changed and he made it clear that he was uncomfortable about the subject, requesting that they speak about My Kitchen Rules. “I think you’re just being upset for no reason. Let’s not get upset guys.” “I think he’s embarrassed that his co-worker let him down,” Kyle told Jackie O. Jackie O did not want anything to do with the conversation and said “maybe he [Manu] was sick of talking about it [Nigella]”. “Who gives a s**t what he's sick and tired of talking about!” Kyle shot back. “I like Manu, I like the show, he can come on but I am very shocked about the Nigella thing. That’s a real slap to the face.” Kyle then asked Manu to “sort out” Nigella’s management before the conversation slowly ended. My Kitchen Rules airs on Channel 7 on Sunday August 7 at 7pm. Images: Instagram

Princess Beatrice praised for sublime grace in awkward exchange

Princess Beatrice has received praise, following her interaction with a royal fan who didn't know who she was. During the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations last weekend, the 33-year-old princess had a sweet interaction with an elderly women who asked who she was. In a video shared to TikTok, the royal was filmed as she graciously explained that the Queen was her grandmother. <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@royalfamilyfanpage5/video/7106299885028216069" data-video-id="7106299885028216069"> <section><a title="@royalfamilyfanpage5" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@royalfamilyfanpage5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@royalfamilyfanpage5</a> <a title="princessbeatrice" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/princessbeatrice" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#princessbeatrice</a> <a title="queenelizabeth" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/queenelizabeth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#queenelizabeth</a> <a title="princesseugenie" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/princesseugenie" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#Princesseugenie</a> <a title="princeharry" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/princeharry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#princeharry</a> <a title="meghanmarkle" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/meghanmarkle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#meghanmarkle</a> <a title="princessdiana" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/princessdiana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#princessdiana</a> <a title="princecharles" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/princecharles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#princecharles</a> <a title="britishroyalfamily" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/britishroyalfamily" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#britishroyalfamily</a> <a title="royalfamily" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/royalfamily" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#royalfamily</a> <a title="lilibetdiana" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/lilibetdiana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#lilibetdiana</a> <a title="fy" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#fy</a> <a title="viral" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/viral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#viral</a> <a title="♬ πρωτότυπος ήχος - NADIA" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/πρωτότυπος-ήχος-7106299864224484101" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ πρωτότυπος ήχος - NADIA</a></section> </blockquote> The woman began by touching Beatrice's arm and asking, "Who are you?" "My name is Beatrice," she told the woman. "And the Queen is my granny." The woman responded, "You're one of the royalties?" The princess held the woman's hand and explained, "Yes, she's my granny. I'm very, very lucky." The video gained a lot of attention, amassing over 2.9 million views and thousands of comments from users commending Beatrice on how she handled the interaction. One user wrote, "She is soo underrated [to be honest]! But I love how she is doing her duty even [though] she is not part of the senior royals she's still doing her duties." Princess Beatrice has previously opened up about her admiration for her grandmother previous interviews. "I have two role models, my mother and my grandmother," she told the publication. "They are both formidable women. I think having female role models is incredibly important and I am very lucky that I happen to be related to these two incredible women." She continued, "I find my grandmother inspiring every day because her overwhelming sense of duty is linked with an overwhelming curiosity." Beatrice and her sister, Princess Eugenie, took part in the celebrations for the Queen's 70 years on the throne earlier this week and were photographed watching the Platinum Jubilee pageant from the royal box. "Every day she's curious to learn something new, to do something new, and I think that at 91 years old, she goes out into the community with a genuine curiosity as to how she can be a force for good in the world."

Beauty & Style

Scomo enters fierce exchange with 14-year-old journo

Scott Morrison’s latest interview became heated after the 14-year-old journalist interviewing him came in with hard-hitting questions on some touchy subjects. The prime minister appeared in an interview with independent media outlet <a href="https://www.6newsau.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">6News</a>, hosted by <a href="https://twitter.com/Leo_Puglisi6/media" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leonardo Puglisi</a> and reporter Roman Mackinnon, who caught Mr Morrison off-guard with well-researched questions spanning topics such as the election and the truth behind past claims. When asked about trust, particularly relating to Mr Morrison claiming he never referred to former NSW senator Sam Dastyari as ‘Shanghai Sam’ and claims relating to never visiting Hillsong, the PM accused “the media” of lying. “They’ve completely taken out of context what I’ve said,” Mr Morrison said. “I didn’t say I haven’t been to Hillsong Church, I said I don’t go to the Hillsong Church, that’s not my home church.” “Again, bunkum on what was being put around.” Puglisi doubled down on the claims, bringing up Crikey’'s ‘Dossier of Lies and Falsehoods’, which detailed 50 times where Mr Morrison lied in public office, and fact-checking by the ABC, which seemed to escalate the situation. “If you’re talking about credibility it’s not a good start.. It’s a gossip column,” Mr Morrison said. “The ABC, and Crikey, let’s add a few more then, the Australian Institute is probably going to be the next one, I suspect.” After quickly diffusing the situation, the exchange became heated for a second time after Pugilisi mentioned that direct quotes were used by the ABC and Crikey and after Mr Morrison began questioning where Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s economic plan was. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> PM Scott Morrison: "Where's <a href="https://twitter.com/AlboMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlboMP</a>'s economic plan...do you know?"<a href="https://twitter.com/Leo_Puglisi6?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Leo_Puglisi6</a>: "We're trying to speak to (him) & we'd love if his media team gave us a call" 📞 FULL INTERVIEW: <a href="https://t.co/uX3U2sb194">https://t.co/uX3U2sb194</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/6NewsAU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#6NewsAU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusPol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusPol</a> | <a href="https://t.co/eU0kSSqhk6">https://t.co/eU0kSSqhk6</a> <a href="https://t.co/Hb70BnVUxn">pic.twitter.com/Hb70BnVUxn</a> — 6 News Australia (@6NewsAU) <a href="https://twitter.com/6NewsAU/status/1511901584053129218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2022</a></blockquote> “I think the heated moments showed the PM was actually paying attention to our questions, but I didn’t back down as I needed to make sure the truth got out there and the questions were actually answers,” Pugilisi told OverSixty via email. He added that it was difficult to keep the interview going when it became heated, but that he ensured Mr Morrison was ‘pulled up’. “It was a bit hard, especially when the PM’s answers kept requiring follow-up - but with only around 15 minutes allocated to the interview it was necessary to move on,” Puglisi said. “That being said, I didn’t wanna let him get away with a falsehood and I made sure to pull him up.” The interview comes a day after Mr Morrison cancelled his interview with ABC’s 7.30, which was rescheduled for the following week and aired the day before the full, uncensored interview with 6News. Watch the full interview below: <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YnPRQwKPEKM" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Image: SIX News Australia (YouTube)

Picasso’s daughter exchanges famous artworks for a tax bill settlement

The French Government has negotiated a unique deal with Pablo Picasso’s daughter, Maya Ruiz-Picasso, to settle an inheritance tax bill. France is set to receive six paintings, two sculptures and a sketchbook by the world-famous artist, as French finance minister Bruno Le Maire announced during a press conference at the PIcasso Museum. “It is an honour for our country to welcome these new artworks by Picasso. They will enrich and deepen our cultural heritage,” Le Maire wrote on Twitter. Le Maire presented one of the artworks at the press conference: the 1938 painting called Child with a Lollipop Sitting Under a Chair. According to Picasso’s grandson Olivier Widmaier-Picasso, the painting depicts his mother Maya as a child. French citizens have been permitted to settle debts similar to Maya’s with a payment of profitable art, books, and collectibles of national importance since 1968. The collective total of the nine objects given by Picasso's daughter was not publicly disclosed. According to France’s culture minister Roselyne Bachelot, the artworks will enter the national collections at Paris’s Musée Picasso in 2022, and will be exhibited as a whole to the public in the spring of 2022. “It is with deep emotion that I come to celebrate the entry into the national collections of the works,” said Bachelot, who called the donation an “exceptional event.” Image credit: French Ministry of Culture

Art

Grant Denyer and Dipper caught in heated exchange

Tension has flared up between Grant Denyer and Dipper on I’m A Celeb. The two celebs had a tense confrontation in a scene that showed Dipper threatening Denyer after he fell asleep while cooking rice and beans for the campmates' lunch. Dipper did his best to salvage the food, but his fellow stars were less than impressed. “Oh my god, this is bad,” Paulini said. “I’ll eat anything, but I won’t eat that,” Ash Williams said. “That was the worst rice I’ve ever tasted.” “Honestly, I cannot believe how bad two ingredients taste,” Abbie Chatfield said. An annoyed Denyer had a dig at Dipper, saying: “Hey Dip, that food’s no good, man. Not a good start, mate. We can’t afford to miss a meal. I think if we’re on cooking duties we need to be up and awake.” Dipper did not say a word to Denyer, and simply turned his back and walked away. Travis Varcoe later informed Dipper: “The guys are a little bit upset about the rice.” The former AFL legend was angry that people were talking behind his back, and he later stood up in front of the group to clear the air. “Has anybody else got something to say to anybody here?” Dipper said. “Let’s get it all out. Anybody? If you’ve got something to say, speak up.” Denyer assumed the comment was aimed at him and replied: “Hey Dip, are you angry at me for saying something about lunch?” “You did say something … I thought that was a little bit personal,” Dipper said. “At the end of the day, I’ll take responsibility.” “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings or anything,” Denyer said. “None of us want to lose an entire meal, that’s all.” Dipper didn’t take the comment very well, responding: “No, but say it one more time (and) I’ll come and see you over there.” “Are you serious?” Denyer said. “Let’s just leave it at that, all right, Grant Denyer,” Dipper told him. The tense stand-off is one of the few scenes of conflict viewers have seen this season. Network Ten’s head of entertainment and factual programs Stephen Tate told news.com.au this year’s cast was the closest he’d ever seen. “There’s probably less conflict on this series but I think that’s probably a good thing given the current environment,” he said. “We kind of noticed it after the first week or so that the cast had gelled in a way that perhaps that other casts didn’t quite do or took longer to do.”

Novak Djokovic caught in tense exchange with Federer fan

Novak Djokovic may have defeated his opponent Mikael Ymer in the first round of the French Open, but that's not what people are talking about. The World No. 1 gave a withering glare to a fan that reportedly heckled him during his first round match at the French Open. Djokovic turned in the man's direction, held his stare for several seconds and blew him a kiss. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> It seems Djokovic received some heckling after missing a point, gave a long glare to a guy wearing a Federer cap, and then send a kiss. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RG20?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RG20</a> <a href="https://t.co/E6gHOFJIVe">pic.twitter.com/E6gHOFJIVe</a> — tennis gifs 🎾🎥 (@tennis_gifs) <a href="https://twitter.com/tennis_gifs/status/1310977711263940609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2020</a></blockquote> It didn't phase the man on the receiving end of the glare, as he laughed. As only 1,000 fans are allowed to visit and watch matches each day, it was hard for Djokovic to ignore something that usually would go unnoticed. However, he shrugged off the incident after the match, saying the man was his "childhood friend". “No, that’s my childhood friend,” Djokovic joked. “I sent him a kiss after I won the game. It was very nice to see him.” Ymer, 80th ranked, tried valiantly to defeat the World No. 1, but the encounter left him unnerved. “It felt like when a snake kills its prey,” Ymer, 23, conceded. “He hits it pretty big. I had chances to rally but then I got suffocated. It was corner to corner and he rarely misses. “At the beginning, it was just surreal. The court felt big and I was nervous because I was facing the best on the other side.

News

87-year-old woman berates William and Kate in hilarious exchange

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge could not hold back their tears of laughter after an aged care resident berated the pair for their “bingo calling” skills during a visit to Cardiff. Prince William and Kate Middleton both visited Shire Hall Care Home in Wales three months after conducting a virtual bingo session for the staff and residents. Joan Drew-Smith, 87, did not forget the pair’s appearance via live stream either and claimed they both did a "b-----y s-----y job" at it. The spirited elderly woman was certainly open and vocal about the couple’s lack of bingo calling skills during their session in May, claiming it "wasn't as good as it should have been," to the press. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837210/prince-william-kate-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/9a045a92f35745f7878e577352846078" /> Upon reuniting with Drew-Smith, the Duke asked if she remembered him. "'Hello Joan, do you remember we did the bingo with you? You said we weren't very good!" Prince William said. Drew-Smith replied with a simple "yes", adding "You did a b------y s-----y job". Though initially taken aback by Drew-Smith's blunt feedback, however they both into a fit of laughter moments later. Drew-Smith continued her comedy routine, by asking Kate Middleton if she was the prince’s "assistant." <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/CDhXPtBHS03/?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> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDhXPtBHS03/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">#special#photos#uk#london#british#royalfamily#queen#queenelizabeth#princephillip#princecharles#princessdiana#princessanne#princeandrew#princeedward#thecrown#monarchy#cambridge#princewilliam#katemiddleton#dukeofcambridge#duchessofcambridge#cute#princegeorge#princesscharlotte#princelouis#flower#flowerstagram#beautiful#art#royal#flowerstagram</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/uk.monarchy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> uk.monarchy</a> (@uk.monarchy) on Aug 5, 2020 at 1:37pm PDT </div> </blockquote> Laughing in response, the Duchess replied: "I have been for a long time." The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the quaint Welsh town to see for themselves the brand-new beach huts installed as part of the Vale of Glamorgan Council's £6 million (10.9 million AUD) regeneration project in the community. The pair also met with aged care residents, and thankfully enough met a much more welcoming resident. Margaret Stocks, 95, told the pair: "I did enjoy it,", claiming she "hadn't played," bingo before, despite being the victor of the virtual game. "Neither had we!" the Duchess responded, admitting that's why the pair were "so bad" at calling the numbers. "It was a new experience for us," William added. The Prince shared his admiration for Drew-Smith's candid nature, and only had praise for her when speaking to a staff member: "I love Joan, she's brilliant. If only everyone was as honest as her."

Retirement Life

Lisa Wilkinson opens up about tense exchange with Kerry Packer

Lisa Wilkinson opened up about a tense encounter with late media giant Kerry Packer during the latest episode of Anh’s Brush With Fame. During a candid interview and portrait sitting, Wilkinson spoke to Anh about her upbringing, the death of her father and her prolific media career to date. The turning point for her was the moment she took over as editor of Cleo magazine at the age of 25. Saying she “followed her instincts” to get rid of the magazine’s long-running nude centrefolds, a move she hadn’t cleared with Kerry Packer. “I announced it on Ray Martin’s Midday show, on the day of my first issue going on sale. I thought Kerry was still overseas,” she recalled of the bold move. Wilkinson was then approached by a grim-looking producer off-air, telling her Packer was on the line. “She said, ‘He’s never called the green room before.’ I just thought, ‘Oh. I think this is going to be OK …’ “I breezily grab the phone and said ‘Hi Kerry!’ He said ‘What the [blank] are you doing to my magazine? I’m back. I just saw you on the Midday show. What the [blank] are you doing to my magazine?” Wilkinson trusted her instincts, knowing she’d only have “one crack” at making her vision for the magazine work. “If I’m not strong in my belief that this is the right thing for the magazine, and that I’m not going to falter on this … So I put on my big girl pants and I said, ‘Kerry. Anyone who thinks that this magazine needs to languish in the ’70s any longer shouldn’t be working in magazines. The centrefold has got to go. It’s a very strong statement, and if you have a problem with it, I’ll come and see you right now,” she recalled. “I thought, I’m either about to be sacked, or he’s going to figure I know what I’m talking about. He said to me: ‘Well you’d better know what you’re effing doing,’ and hung up on me.” Wilkinson admitted to feeling a “pressure I’d never felt before … but I was so strong in my belief that it was time for it to go. I heard from Ita not long afterwards and she said, ‘Thank heavens someone’s had the courage to get rid of the centrefold.’” The biggest vindication? A centrefold-free Cleo became an even bigger success than before. “In the 10 years we were there we became the number one women’s lifestyle mag per capita in the world. We just moved it forward – you’ve gotta keep moving!”

News

Karl Stefanovic’s heated exchange with Premier Daniel Andrews

Today host Karl Stefanovic has accused the Victorian government for being responsible of the “catastrophic bungle” that allowed another spike in coronavirus cases in the state. Speaking to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Wednesday morning, Stefanovic claimed Andrews was putting the blame on Victorians for the recent outbreak. “How could you blame Victorians yesterday for the outbreak when it was your government’s decision to employ an incompetent private security force to guard those in quarantine?” the host said. “That’s an unbelievably catastrophic bungle right at the front door.” Andrews said: “It’s not about blaming Victorians, but all of us have a part to play and all of us have to be focused on those things we can influence. “If you’re sick you can’t go out. If you’re sick you have to get tested. The rules are there to protect us. “We all have to follow the rules. That’s not about blaming anyone. It’s simply about properly explaining to people the circumstances we’re in and the next steps that we have to take. “What’s gone on is unacceptable. To me. To everybody. But I can’t change that. All I can do is make the tough calls now to keep Victorians safe and to get us to the other side of this.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> "You talk about fear. If this gets right away from us then we'll see some very ugly scenes, great tragedy, thousands of people in hospital, and many, many people dying." Victorian premier Daniel Andrews on Melbourne going back into strict lockdown from midnight tonight. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9Today?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9Today</a> <a href="https://t.co/nlt0qatOEz">pic.twitter.com/nlt0qatOEz</a> — The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTodayShow/status/1280613881803608076?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2020</a></blockquote> Victoria’s recent surge in COVID-19 cases has been largely attributed to breaches in the quarantine system, with many of the state’s recent infections being linked back to <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-04/victoria-coronavirus-hotel-quarantine-leaves-states-vulnerable/12420970">private security contractors</a> working at two quarantine hotels in Melbourne. In NSW, where the system has seen <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/how-hotel-quarantine-let-covid-19-out-of-the-bag-in-victoria-20200703-p558og.html">far fewer outbreak issues</a>, police and the defence forces were significantly involved in hotel quarantine alongside private security.

News

“Rubbish”: Voice judges go head to head again in fiery exchange

The Voice judges Guy Sebastian and Kelly Rowland continued their fiery clash on Monday night’s episode of the singing competition. Rowland had walked off set in the closing moments of Sunday night’s episode after a harsh disagreement with Sebastian. Guy chose Mongolian throat singer Bukhu Ganburged, to take on teammate Johnny Manuel for a battle round performance. Rowland felt the pairing was unfair to Bukhu, given his specific skill, and said the pairing seemed specially orchestrated to showcase Johnny talents. Sebastian labelled her “disrespectful” as she stormed off set. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7836634/the-voice-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/809a6b305fd84ab99eea76f87592b600" /> And on Monday, Delta Goodrem even defended her fellow judge, Rowland, as the clash continued. “I don’t think it’s fair to say Kelly’s disrespectful – she’s allowed to say what she feels out here. That’s not fair,” she told Sebastian. Fellow coach Boy George attempted to make the mood lighter by saying he too had walked off set last lesson, as “Sometimes you just need to take a break.” “No, she doesn’t need a break!” Goodrem responded. “She’s said what she needs to say, and that’s fair,” she said, leaving the stage to check on Rowland. Sebastian apologised to the performers, saying: “You guys were part of a great moment. The crowd were standing on their feet enjoying two gifted musos. I’m sorry it’s turned to this,” he said. Backstage, Rowland told Goodrem that she was prepared to “just let it go. My feelings ain’t hurt, but this s**t is redundant.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7836636/the-voice.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/fb47779ef61f41d78d0a58f9a5f0ecd4" /> As the pair returned to their seats, it was time for Guy to decide which of the two performers he’d keep in his team and who he’d send home. After heaping praise on Bukhu, he said that “it’s quite clear this show suits somebody like Johnny, so I don’t think it’ll be any surprise that I’m going to go for Johnny. “I’m going to watch this back so many times, because I’m such a fan a both of you. This is why I do the show – to create moments like this.” However, backstage Sebastian escalated the emotions by speaking to Voice presenter Renee Bargh. “I felt like it was weird. There was no protest between these guys, they loved the idea (of performing together), they loved the collaboration … It seems like a low blow for drama,” he said. He seemingly suggested to his contestants the entire argument had been staged. “I’m just so sorry that has to happen. It’s the thing that I struggle with so much because I don’t even think people believe some of the things they say sometimes,” he told them. Sebastian’s words didn’t set well with his colleagues, who could hear what he was saying from where they sat on stage. “Can you hear him? He makes it up as he goes along. ‘It’s not a battle, it’s a collaboration’ – it is a battle. This is the battle rounds,” said Boy George. “It’s just rubbish, what he’s saying. Can you get him back, so we can get on with the show?” Rowland says she felt Guy made “a terrible choice” and “thought he was wrong." Guy admitted he felt weird about the situation: “Imagine having a mad blow-up with a workmate? I feel bruised.” He also took to Twitter to apologise for Monday’s episode, writing that there are “a lot that people don’t see on the show,” including “mentoring and follow-up phone calls with the artists”. “I am disappointed that I didn’t just cop it on the chin and bring focus back to the artists,” he wrote. “It was a challenge having someone like Bukhu and I admit that it seemed vocally unbalanced. I wanted them both 2 shine & thought that showcasing Bukhu’s musicianship was the way 2 do it. He is exceptional and I’m sad that this went down the way it did due to my choice. It’s something that cuts me & I didn’t handle it well.”

MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo turns on Laura Sharrad in tense exchange

MasterChef fans have gone wild after a tense exchange between judge Jock Zonfrillo and contestant Laura Sharrad. On Thursday night’s episode, Jock wasn’t thrilled to hear that Laura was whipping up a roast pumpkin, garlic tortellini with ricotta, brown butter and sage. And he made his opinion crystal clear when he described Laura’s dish as a “yawnfest”. He continued: “A pumpkin-filled tortellini, how many times do you go to a restaurant and you are so disappointed by that dish?” The pasta expert, seemingly fired up by his response, hit back: “Well, the only time I eat it, Jock, is in my restaurant, and I’m not disappointed by it.” Judge Andy Allen, who was watching the situation unfold, said: “Ooh! No, you didn’t!” Jock warned her: “It it’s rubbish, I’ll tell you,” to which Laura snapped back: “And I know you will.” Fans flocked to Twitter to share their reactions, including one who said: “Jock calling Laura's pasta dish a ‘yawn fest’ damn I felt that burn.” Another said: “I'm here for Laura sassing Jock – who doesn't like pumpkin tortellini?” “Ooft Laura firing back at Jock is pretty satisfying to watch ngl (not gonna lie),” a fan wrote. Someone else jokingly suggested: “Get your revenge Laura, put the whole jar of chili oil in.” Others were taken aback at the quarrel between the two, saying: “Cannot believe Laura and Jock are gonna have a blow up?! WTF!” But there were some who did not care for their drama, with one writing: “Jock and Laura together are just one big yawn fest.”

Food & Wine

Ash Barty answers reporters phone in utterly hilarious exchange

Ash Barty has shared a hilarious moment with the press after taking a reporter’s phone in a press conference ahead of the Adelaide International. After stunning in the Brisbane singles before getting some time on court in the double and getting through to the final, Barty appeared relaxed ahead of the exciting tournament with the Australian Open just a mere week away. As she sat among reporters, a phone went off and Barty asked “Does anyone know a Kez, it’s got a grandma emoji?” However when the response of “yeah, can you put it on Aeroplane Mode” came, Barty decided on a different path. “Hey Kez,” Barty said, before thinking she’d been hung up on. “You still there? Hello. Who are you trying to reach? “It’s Ash Barty, who’s this? “He left his phone on during a press conference.” The hilarious moment was heightened when it was revealed the mystery Kez hung up on the tennis star. “She hung up on me,” Barty said with a shocked look on her face. While Kez may not be a massive fan of the world no. 1, Roger Federer admitted he is and even gave a few tips to the 23-year-old. “She can have a different mindset,” the 20-time grand slam champion said. “It can relax you and you can really explore all of your potential and that’s what happened to me when I won my first major, and I broke through as world No. 1 after that. “I thought, ‘Well now I’m the guy to beat and I prefer to be in this position rather than being a contender’. “I hope that Ash is also going to see it that way.” “Roger’s done a pretty good job of it over an extended period,” Barty responded. “He’s the best of the best and has been in that position for a long time, but I don’t think necessarily that he changes whether it’s 1, 2, 3 or 10 next to his name. “I think for me and my team, we’re trying to take that same approach. Having a number next to your name doesn’t guarantee anything, it doesn’t guarantee wins, you still have to go out there and do the work and get the runs on the board and work from there. “All you can do is do the best every single match and that’s how I’m going to approach Adelaide, that’s how I’m going to approach the Australian Open and that’s how I’m going to try and approach the rest of my career regardless of the number next to my name.”

Domestic Travel

Inside what happens at the annual Royal Family gift exchange

Members of the royal family may have to follow strict guidelines and traditions throughout the year, but the annual Christmas gift exchange is said to hold a light, formal tone with the Queen. It is no secret either that the Windsor’s’ love a good wind up and in doing so, have been known to hand each other cheeky gifts to celebrate the annual holiday. Each year on Christmas eve, members of the royal family gather together at the Sandringham Estate where they give each other gifts following an intimate family afternoon tea. Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren reportedly take part in their gift exchange on Christmas Eve over Christmas Day, in a nod to their German ancestry. The family is believed to gather in the red drawing room at 6 p.m., where gifts have been secretly laid out for each family member. However, that is where any stale, old family traditions are thrown out the window because the Windsors like a gift with an admittedly silly tone. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/royal-christmas-traditions-meghan-markle-13618812" target="_blank">T</a><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/royal-christmas-traditions-meghan-markle-13618812" target="_blank">he Mirror</a> reported Prince Harry gifted his grandmother – The Queen – a shower cap that had "Ain't Life a B****" emblazoned across the front. It has also been reported that before Prince Harry was dating Meghan Markle, his sister-in-law Duchess Kate handed him a "Grow Your Own Girlfriend" gift as a gag. Other silly presents that have been exchanged over the years according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/royal-christmas-traditions-meghan-markle-13618812" target="_blank">The Mirror</a> include a leather toilet seat, which Princess Anne once gave her older brother, Prince Charles, and a leopard print bath mat, a gift for Fergie from her sister in law, Princess Diana. Scroll through the gallery above to see the Royal Family during Christmas throughout the years.

International Travel

"Homophobic": Scott Cam strikes back at The Block contestants in another heated exchange

Tension have continued to run high on another episode of The Block as the fiery couple Mitch and Mark went head to head with Scott Cam. On Sunday night, Mitch and Mark blew up at the show’s host for constantly referring to their upstairs living area as a “party room,” and implied he was judging their lifestyle. The accusation made for an uncomfortable exchange in which Cam insisted he was delivering the feedback by the judges who praised contestants El’ise and Matt for designing their bedroom from the “noisy people” next door. While Mitch said he wished to put the argument to bed, footage aired on Monday night's episode of him saying Scott should :”Go f**k himself”. “By 2019 homophobic innuendos are f***ing not on,” Mitch furiously said to Cairns couple Tess and Luke while backstage. “F***ing done with comments from people like him, aimed at people like me. Go f**k yourself,” he exclaimed. <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/B2MHu1SAZlu/?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/B2MHu1SAZlu/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by The Block (@theblock)</a> on Sep 9, 2019 at 4:49am PDT </div> </blockquote> Cam later approached the couple to “clear the air” by saying: “I want to make it clear when I say and when the judges say you’re designing a home for people like you — they’re referring to cashed up empty nesters like me and my wife, like you guys, like some of our friends who are in their 50s — that’s who we’re referring to. “It’s a bit concerning,” he continued. “Nothing could be further from the truth if you thought we were just referring to something about sexuality or gay couples, that is absolutely not the case,” Cam said. Mark responded “You and I had joked about it being a ‘party house’, that it’s about people partying, going out, late nights and I said no we don’t do that anymore … “There was that connection made, but I understand now and I accept what you’re saying.” Cam reiterated he meant no offence and said he was “flabbergasted” as to why they were so impacted, but still felt sorry. While Mark accepted the apology, the situation escalated when Cam pointed out the couple had a “service kitchen” in a living area which would in fact make their space an entertainment area. “A kitchen that wraps around the room to service the living area with a bar area and food service points … you keep saying this is not the party house, which we’re not going to call it anymore … ” the host began said before Mitch interjected; “It’s an entertaining space.” Cam became frustrated and added: “By the way, I know things were said about me, with regard to my character about you guys, and I don’t accept that. “I was offended and I was expecting you to say sorry once I explained it, but you didn’t say sorry you said ‘thank you’,” Mark muttered “oh well,” after Scott stormed off and Mitch responded to his partner, “whoops”. The contestants have called their house an “entertainers home” for “cashed up empty nesters like us” in the past.

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Top tips for travellers on currency exchange

Many overseas travellers make the assumption that exchanging your Aussie dollars for cash in foreign currencies, like US dollars, Euros or Pounds, will be pretty much the same deal no matter which institution they choose. In reality; nothing could be further from the truth! Even a fraction of a cent difference in exchange rates can add up to big dollars, once you multiply it over the amount of funds you want to exchange. What’s more, the method you use for purchasing foreign currencies can make an even bigger difference and fees and charges can slug you again. So, what are the key rules to go by for making sure you don’t ‘get fleeced before you fly’? Plan ahead for big savings The best option is to plan at least three days ahead and order your currency exchange online. This means you generally get a better exchange rate and can cut out potential commissions and fees that may apply. Here’s an example: Say you want to buy $2000 USD for your trip to America. After comparing some rates, a foreign exchange company provided the best deal at a cost of just AUD$2739. If you wait to exchange at their airport counter or local bank, you would pay AUD$2833.05. That amounts to a hefty saving of $94.05 – enough for some fine dining at a fancy LA restaurant! Use BPay to maximise the savings The above example is based on paying online via BPay, which is the most cost efficient method, as Travelex will not charge fees or commission for online orders using BPAY. You simply make an online transfer from your bank account and the purchase is complete and the savings locked in. The other good news when you purchase this way is that you can still pick up the cash at the airport, so you can avoid having to run around to get the cash beforehand. Don’t assume that the banks are best It might be reflex action to assume that the “big four” banks will have the best deals, but such an assumption could cost you money. It’s also a good idea to avoid shopping centre exchange kiosks too. They may be convenient, but you will probably pay more for the privilege. Beware of fees and charges Currency exchange operators have two ways of making profit; <ul> <li>putting a margin on the inter-bank exchange rate that they pay, and</li> <li>charging fees and commissions.</li> </ul> The complexity of these fee structures can make them tricky to compare, so rather than trying to sift through this yourself the best approach is to just ask for a quote from each institution. This way you will end up with bottom line figures to compare after differing exchange rates and fees are taken into account. Don’t rely on plastic alone Credit cards can also be more expensive. While you may see banks offering deals that say things such as “no overseas transaction fees on purchases”, they will still charge other fees such as an exchange charge - typically around 3% of the value of the amount exchanged. Of course, no one wants to carry around all their foreign funds in cash and the security of plastic does have merits, so the best solution is usually to use a combination of cash along with a prepaid travel card and/or a credit card to optimise convenience, cost savings and security. What is your experience on saving money on exchange rates? Share your ideas below. Written by Tom Raeside. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/travel/top-tips-for-travellers-on-currency-exchange.aspx">Wyza.com.au</a>

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Top tips for travellers on currency exchange

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Top tips for travellers on currency exchange

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