Placeholder Content Image

"Beyond devastated": One Direction pay tribute to Liam Payne

<p>One Direction band members Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik have shared emotional tributes to Liam Payne, who died at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony on Thursday. </p> <p>Payne's <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/one-direction-star-passes-away-aged-31" target="_blank" rel="noopener">death</a> was confirmed by Argentinian media outlet <em>La Nacion</em>, who reported that Payne fell from around 13 or 14 metres while on holiday in Buenos Aires and suffered "very serious injuries incompatible with life", while Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, confirmed "there was no possibility of resuscitation.”</p> <p>His sudden death has sent shockwaves through the music industry, with fellow artists and millions of fans expressing their sadness online. </p> <p>Louis Tomlinson, one of the members of One Direction, shared a lengthy post paying tribute to his friend and bandmate, recalling some of the moments they shared. </p> <p>"I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother," he wrote alongside a photo of the pair on stage. "Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul. "</p> <p>"I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for."</p> <p>"Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band. And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam."</p> <p>Tomlinson then shared a "message to you Liam if you’re listening", writing, "I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours , reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be. "</p> <p>He went on to share a message to Payne's seven-year-old son Bear, adding, "I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was."</p> <p>"I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you. Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X."</p> <p>Zayn Malik, another member of One Direction, also shared his own tribute, writing how he has found himself talking out loud to Payne “hoping you can hear me”.</p> <p>“I can’t help but think selfishly that there were so many more conversations for us to have in our lives,” he continued.</p> <p>“I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let you know. that you were my friend and I was loved.”</p> <p>“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give just to give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly.” </p> <p>“There is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you bro,” he concluded the post.</p> <p>Harry Styles also shared a tribute after Liam's sudden death, writing, "I am truly devastated by Liam's passing."</p> <p>"His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it," he continued.</p> <p>"Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend."</p> <p>He concluded his message, which was shared alongside the "🖤" emoji and a photo of Payne looking out onto the stage, with: "My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did."</p> <p>The One Direction Instagram account also shared a statement from all four of the members, that said, “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say."</p> <p>“But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.</p> <p>“The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”</p> <p>The statement was signed from Louis, Zayn, Harry, as well as Niall Horan.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

One Direction star passes away aged 31

<p>Former One Direction star Liam Payne has reportedly been found dead outside a hotel in Buenos Aires, in Argentina, according to local newspaper <em>La Nacion</em>.</p> <p>The 31-year-old is believed to have fallen from the third floor of a hotel at around 5pm local time the newspaper said, citing emergency services.</p> <p>According to<em> La Nacion</em> the local police station was called by the hotel manager who reported "an aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol". </p> <p>It is reported that Payne fell from around 13 or 14 metres and suffered "very serious injuries incompatible with life." </p> <p>Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system SAME (El Sistema de Atención Médica de Emergencias), told local TV that Payne had fallen into a courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood.</p> <p>“At 17.11, a SAME team arrived and confirmed the man’s death. We later learned that he was a singer in a musical group.</p> <p>“Unfortunately, he had injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall, so we had to confirm his death. There was no possibility of resuscitation.”</p> <p>Payne was one of the founding members of One Direction, one of the most loved boy bands of the past decade.</p> <p>He auditioned first as a solo act for the UK reality series The X Factor in 2008, before being eliminated.</p> <p>In 2010 he auditioned again and was grouped with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik by the judges to form One Direction.</p> <p><em>Image: SplashNews.com/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p> <p> </p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Woman's heartwarming encounter with millionaire teen fisherman

<p>A mum has revealed her heartwarming encounter with Keegan Payne just moments before he caught the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/domestic-travel/this-is-crazy-teenager-goes-fishing-and-emerges-a-millionaire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">million-dollar fish</a>. </p> <p>Sarrita King, an artist from Darwin, took to TikTok to recall the moment when the teenager and his friends helped her and her family after they had crashed their car and became stranded.</p> <p>“These kids came and actually towed us back to safety,” she said in the video. </p> <p>“So it was an hour out of their time, they unhooked a buggy, they were on their way to go fishing for the Million Dollar Barra, and they were absolutely amazing.</p> <p>“They restored both my partner and I’s faith in kids these days.”</p> <p>The mum said that the group of teenagers made them feel “really safe”.</p> <p>“For a terrible situation - the car was wrecked - they were the best,” she said.</p> <p>“At the time we were like ‘I hope these guys have the best life’, they have so much going for them.”</p> <p>She then shared her surprise when she found out that Payne won the life-changing prize.</p> <p>“We have just been over the moon for him ever since,” she said.</p> <p>“And we just can’t stop smiling and thinking about it. So congratulations. Good karma.”</p> <p>King's followers shared their support for the teen and called it a "beautiful story". </p> <p>“His story just gets better and better, I think he’s going to be a full-on Aussie icon,” one wrote. </p> <p>“Darwin kids have a heart of gold,” another added. </p> <p>King later on told <em>NT News </em>about what a "wonderful young man" Payne was and how kind the teenager was. </p> <p>“He was kind, he spoke proudly about being from Katherine – where I’m from too, so we spoke about that.</p> <p>“He spoke about his family and his love of fishing. It was just what you want your own kid to be like that at that age.</p> <p>“The way he’s handled himself through everything, he’s going to be someone in the future with all the pressure and all the scrutiny, he’s got his head screwed on.”</p> <p><em>Images: TikTok/ Facebook</em></p>

Domestic Travel

Placeholder Content Image

"He's a good kid": Teen fisherman's boss defends young millionaire

<p>The former boss of teenager fisherman Keegan Payne has spoken out in support of the new millionaire, just days after Peter Stefanovic and <em>Sky News</em> were slammed for a "harsh" interview. </p> <p>On Wednesday, Stefanovic made headlines after he used his <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/peter-stefanovic-slammed-for-harsh-question-to-young-million-dollar-winner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview</a> with 19-year-old Payne, who had just won a million dollars in a fishing competition in the Northern Territory, to quiz the young man about a petty crime he committed when he was 16. </p> <p>"There is a claim online that you stole a Polaris Ranger and Polaris quad that you and your friends stole and damaged from a business a few years back, first of all, is that true?" Stefanovic asked from his Sydney studio during the live interview.</p> <p>Payne, who was speaking from the Darwin, simply answered, "Yes".</p> <p>Payne explained he and his friends "were young", and "weren't thinking at the time" but having come up with the idea they "went for it".</p> <p>Stefanovic asked Payne if he regretted the act and he said he did "big time".</p> <p>The interview was widely condemned online, with many saying Stefanovic "ripped the carpet from underneath" Payne and chose to focus on a past mistake rather than celebrate his life-changing win. </p> <p>The backlash to the interview prompted both Stefanovic and Sky News to issue an apology to Keegan, saying he "regrets" his line of questioning. </p> <p>“An apology from me, last Wednesday we invited Keegan Payne onto our show to discuss his win in the Million Dollar Fish competition in the Northern Territory,” Stefanovic said during First Edition on Monday. </p> <p>“During that interview I asked him about a theft that had occurred several years earlier. I should not have asked him about those claims and I regret doing so. </p> <p>“I apologise sincerely to Keegan and his family.”</p> <p>Now, the teenage fisherman's former boss, Bob Cavanagh, has spoken out in defence of Keegan, saying "he is a good kid" who had a lapse of better judgement.  </p> <p>Cavanagh ran the business that Payne stole the vehicles from a few years ago, but said he does not hold a grudge and holds no ill will to the teenager. </p> <p>“He’s a good kid who made a mistake,” Cavanagh told the <em><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13384033/Keegan-Payne-Peter-Stefanovic-fishing-Bob-Cavanagh.html">Daily Mail</a>.</em></p> <p>“What was meant to be a celebratory moment was stolen from him. I’m glad he [Stefanovic] apologised to Keegan, he deserved that apology.”</p> <p>Cavanagh said he believes Stefanovic has learnt a lesson.</p> <p>“We all make mistakes and I bet he regrets it,’ he said. ‘The fact that he’s come out and apologised to Keegan and his family, I think he’s realised he’s overstepped the mark.”</p> <p>After his big win, Keegan offered to pay back the stolen vehicles.</p> <p>“Out of the blue this morning, his father rang me and said, ‘Keegan wants to repay you’, and you could have knocked me down with a feather,” Cavanagh said.</p> <p>“He said Keegan has always felt so terrible for what he did.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

Peter Stefanovic slammed for "harsh" question to young million-dollar winner

<p>Peter Stefanovic has been slammed online for bringing up a past crime committed by the 19-year-old, who had his life change overnight when he won $1 million. </p> <p>Keegan Payne was fishing in the Northern Territory when he <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/travel/domestic-travel/this-is-crazy-teenager-goes-fishing-and-emerges-a-millionaire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">caught</a> a barramundi worth $1 million, that was part of a years-long fishing competition in the Top End. </p> <p>While dong the media rounds to celebrate his life-changing win, Keegan spoke with Stefanovic on <em>Sky News</em>, who chose to focus on a petty crime Keegan committed when he was just 16-years-old, cutting the joy of his win short. </p> <p>"There is a claim online that you stole a Polaris Ranger and Polaris quad that you and your friends stole and damaged from a business a few years back, first of all, is that true?" Stefanovic asked from his <a id="mol-c0669630-0788-11ef-a01a-6393dcd80371" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/sydney/index.html" target="_self">Sydney</a> studio during the live interview.</p> <p>Payne, who was speaking from the Darwin, simply answered, "Yes".</p> <p>"So, what happened?" Mr Stefanovic pressed.</p> <p>Payne explained he and his friends "were young", and "weren't thinking at the time" but having come up with the idea they "went for it".</p> <p>Stefanovic asked Payne if he regretted the act and he said he did "big time".</p> <p>Social media users were quick to condemn Stefanovic's line of questioning to the teenager, saying he chose to cut him down on live TV, rather than celebrate his success. </p> <p>One person wrote online, "Reporter hears good news. Does everything they can to dig up dirt and be negative. He made a mistake and took the fall out for it and was forgiven way before this win!"</p> <p>Another simply said, "S***ty reporting as usual", while others asked why people couldn't "just be happy for this kid?"</p> <p>"No one's perfect, but to shame him on tv? Talk about rip the carpet from beneath him! Stop kicking people back down when they move forward!" another added</p> <p>"Shows the mentality of dipsh*ts who like ruin other peoples happiness!"</p> <p>Another simply called Stefanovic a "grub", and said he was being "unfair" on the teenager.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Sky News / Million Dollar Fish  </em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

Alan Jones slams Australian government for inaction: “China isn’t telling the truth”

<p>Controversial radio presenter Alan Jones has slammed the Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne in an interview for not grounding all flights from China and has claimed the government is too afraid of offending China as our country’s biggest trading partner.</p> <p>The 2GB radio and Sky News host criticised Senator Payne on Friday for allowing a number of flight from China into Australia despite the coronavirus taking a turn for the worst throughout the country and especially in the city of Wuhan in Hubei province.</p> <p>Up to 49,000 people are landing in on flights from China each week – and Jones was not shy to point out to Senator Payne there were nine flights arriving in Sydney on Friday alone.</p> <p>“That's just into Sydney alone and there are direct flights from China to Melbourneand Brisbane when every region of mainland china now has confirmed cases of the virus,” he said. </p> <p>“Why haven't you grounded every flight?”</p> <p> The death toll from the virus has hit 170 - with nine confirmed cases in Australia - with the World Health Organisation declaring a global health emergency. </p> <p>170 lives have already been claimed by the deadly virus and nine cases have been confirmed in Australia.</p> <p>The World Health Organisation has declared a global health emergency in light of the deaths.</p> <p>Ms Payne did not back down from the criticism however and defended the government’s actions so far by saying they are working “step by step with authorities”, who have assured the public it is still safe for flights to arrive in Australia from China.</p> <p>“They have repeatedly told us that stopping all flights from China is not recommended at this stage and in fact no other country has stopped all flights from China,” the politician said.</p> <p>“So we review that every single day and we will continue to do that.”</p> <p>Jones harshly responded further by pushing his claim that the “public mood” was against Ms Payne.</p> <p>“At the end of the day I don't think anyone believes that China is telling the international communities the truth,” Jones said.</p> <p>“I'm just saying if every region in mainland China has confirmed cases - we are flying people out here from all of those regions.”</p> <p>Ms Payne told Jones that her department has taken steps “way ahead” of the World Health Organisation and have continued to work quickly to install more biosecurity at airports.</p> <p>“We have acted to advise the 14 days of isolation for anyone who has come out of Hubei province as an extra step,” she said.</p> <p>Jones interrupted the Foreign Minister to question why her department is still allowing flights to come in that have hundreds of people from China arriving to Australia when people are still testing positive to the virus, despite showing no symptoms.</p> <p>“A person can infect two or three others. we're just letting people into the country. You can't bring a nail file in but you can bring a virus,” he explained and claimed people with little to no symptoms could still be carrying the virus.</p> <p>The radio host further alleged “political sensitivities” were at play.</p> <p>“People are saying there are political sensitivities at play here about China that didn't exist with other epidemics like Ebola in West Africa, and we are frightened of China,” Jones said.</p> <p>“We're frightened of offending China. We know that the Chinese students most probably keep our universities financial.”</p> <p>“We know that we've got massive indebtedness to China we've got massive exports to China. So the money is coming ahead of the public health.”</p> <p>Ms Payne categorically denied the claims Jones alleged were the reason Australia was not grounding flights out of China, and said the government is placing all priority on the health of Australians.</p> <p>She said her department took steps ahead of the WHO to advise Australians not to travel to the Hubei province and to reconsider all travel to China.</p> <p>Up to 49,000 people are landing on flights from China per week and a global health emergency has now been declared over the virus.</p> <p>Four people in Sydney, three in Melbourne, and two on the Gold Coast have been diagnosed with coronavirus in recent weeks.</p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Meet the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup

<p>Michelle Payne has become the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup.</p><p>Ms Payne, 30, ran a great race on Tuesday with Prince of Penzance, which is quite a feat when you consider the 101-1 odds some of the bookmakers were giving before the race started.</p><p><img width="430" height="662" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10580/michelle-payne-and-her-brother_430x662.jpg" alt="Michelle Payne And Her Brother" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></p><p><em>Michelle and her brother Stephen</em></p><p><em>Image credit: Twitter / Sylvia Jeffreys</em></p><p>The only woman racing in the premier event, Ms Payne described the win as “unbelievable, a dream come true”, but also took a moment to note the chauvinistic side of the male-dominated sport.</p><p>“It is such a chauvinistic sport, some of the owners wanted to kick me off the horse,” Ms Payne said. “But I gave it everything I got. I want to say to everyone else get stuffed, they think women aren't strong enough but we just beat the world.”</p><p>This is Ms Payne’s second run at “the race that stops a nation”, after her first ride in 2009. She’s only the fourth female jockey in history to compete in the prestigious race.</p><p>At the victory presentation Ms Payne said: “Racing is a very male dominated sport. But you know what? It’s not all about strength. It’s about getting a horse into a rhythm for you. It’s being patient.”</p><p><em>Hero image credit: Twitter / ABC Grandstand</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Meet the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup

<p>Michelle Payne has become the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup.</p><p>Ms Payne, 30, ran a great race on Tuesday with Prince of Penzance, which is quite a feat when you consider the 101-1 odds some of the bookmakers were giving before the race started.</p><p><img width="430" height="662" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/10580/michelle-payne-and-her-brother_430x662.jpg" alt="Michelle Payne And Her Brother" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></p><p><em>Michelle and her brother Stephen</em></p><p><em>Image credit: Twitter / Sylvia Jeffreys</em></p><p>The only woman racing in the premier event, Ms Payne described the win as “unbelievable, a dream come true”, but also took a moment to note the chauvinistic side of the male-dominated sport.</p><p>“It is such a chauvinistic sport, some of the owners wanted to kick me off the horse,” Ms Payne said. “But I gave it everything I got. I want to say to everyone else get stuffed, they think women aren't strong enough but we just beat the world.”</p><p>This is Ms Payne’s second run at “the race that stops a nation”, after her first ride in 2009. She’s only the fourth female jockey in history to compete in the prestigious race.</p><p>At the victory presentation Ms Payne said: “Racing is a very male dominated sport. But you know what? It’s not all about strength. It’s about getting a horse into a rhythm for you. It’s being patient.”</p><p><em>Hero image credit: Twitter / ABC Grandstand</em></p><p><strong>Related links:</strong></p><p><a href="/lifestyle/mergedfamilypets-new/2014/10/what-scares-me-about-ageing-and-an-open-letter-to-my-five-daughters/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>What scares me about ageing and an open letter to my five daughters</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="/lifestyle/mergedfamilypets-new/2014/07/how-to-talk-to-your-granddaughter/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>How to talk to your granddaughter</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="/lifestyle/mergedfamilypets-new/2015/09/disney-princesses-as-seniors/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Disney princesses reimagined as senior women</strong></em></span></a></p>

News

Our Partners