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Former SAS Australia contestant recalls terrifying Ozempic overdose

Former SAS Australia contestant Roxy Jacenko has opened up on the terrifying experience she had after overdosing on Ozempic. Jacenko was desperate to lose 15kg of extra weight, which she gained as a result of taking Tamoxifen - a hormone therapy drug she took for her breast cancer for seven years. “The Tamoxifen made me put on 15kg,” she said during a special 7NEWS Spotlight TV investigation into the drug. “And whilst to other people, they didn’t look at me and go, 'Oh well, she’s put on a lot of weight,' I didn’t feel comfortable. “And I tried everything. I tried the fad diets. I tried starting at a gym, doing workouts. I tried not eating much and I couldn’t shake the weight. I just wanted to fix it, and this seemed like the way. Ozempic seemed like the easy answer.” Weight loss is one of the side effects of the medication, which is usually used to help adults with Type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar. It is this side effect that has millions wanting to use it for weight loss. Despite Novo Nordisk - the pharmaceutical company supplying Ozempic - advising the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration that supplies throughout 2023 and 2024 will be limited and it should only be prescribed by doctors to diabetics, people have found other ways to obtain it. Jacenko revealed that despite her local GP telling her she didn't meet the criteria for the injection, she bought it on the black market in Nowra, NSW and ordered an Uber to collect it for her. “It was about $2,500 for the drive there and back, and then it was another $700 for the two pens,” she said. “I was actually like a junkie. I look at it now and I was like a junkie.” She recalled how she took more than the recommended amount in a desperate attempt to lose weight. “I took four times the amount in one hit,” she revealed. “I felt OK at that point in time. The aftermath of it was I think I’m going to die. She added, “in the morning, I was driving to work. I was sweating. I was so hot and then I just kept vomiting nonstop. What not to do? One milligram of Ozempic.” “That night, I ended up in hospital. They had never seen this before. This was the first they had seen of an Ozempic overdose. Like the shaking, my whole body was shaking, I couldn’t control my legs. It’s like I had no control of my body. “My arms and legs were like this. And then in addition to that, they just start pumping you full of fluid. You can rest assure I came out skinny, but it didn’t last for long. Literally, I truly thought this is it. I’ve been sick in my time. Cancer was a walk in the park compared to how bad I felt for those three days. As a result, Jacenko no longer takes the the medication and has since stopped drinking and started following a healthy diet. "And if anyone asks me, “Would you do it again, Ozempic?” No freaking way. I literally thought, “This is it. I’m going to die.” Image: Getty

Body

Frantic father's desperate plea after wife and daughters chased by gang of girls

A concerned father is urging South Australia’s Education Department to step in after his wife and three daughters were chased through a shopping centre by a gang of school girls in Adelaide. They chased year 9 student Addison Rice, her two sisters and her mother through Mount Barker Central, after following her from Mount Barker High School. Addison and her family were then chased into Specsavers, where staff helped protect them by closing and locking the front door. Addison’s father Paul Rice explained the experience was distressing for his wife and children. "[They] started yelling screaming, [they were] abusing her, threatening her, trying to punch her," he said. "One of [my] other daughters had to step in to stop these [girls] from attacking [my] younger daughter. "I had my wife and three daughters in that shop being protected by the people that work there.” Witnesses recalled the group ganging up on the girl, leaving some of the older customers feeling unsafe. Officers dispersed the group of girls at the scene but said they would not be taking further action. In a letter sent out to parents of enrolled students, Mount Barker High School has assured they will take "strong action once the full details of the incident are determined”. Parents are also calling for harsher, potentially legal consequences for severe bullying incidents. Image credit: 9News / Nine

Legal

The truth about ‘illegal’ car snacks revealed

Be it a long haul trip between towns, a coastal getaway, or an early morning Saturday sports run to the local oval, drivers all across Australia have found themselves steering to the drive-through or reaching in the Esky for a much-needed snack. And while rumours have swirled for years that such an act could put hungry drivers behind bars, they don’t have to fear any longer. Road rules may differ from state to state, but at the end of the drive, the answer remains the same: it isn’t illegal to eat while driving in Australia. There are, of course, various conditions that come along with the ruling, and most circle back to whether or not a driver is in complete control over their vehicle at the time of snacking. For example, in New South Wales, if you are found to have lost control of your vehicle due to eating, police officers have the power to impose a fine of $481 and three demerit points. In Victoria, there is no specific rule that prevents drivers from digging in on their drive. However, they can still receive a careless driving charge if eating is found to have a negative impact on either their concentration or their control over their vehicle. This charge comes with a penalty of $444 and - like New South Wales - three demerit points, as well as a maximum of 12 court penalty units if the driver is found guilty by a magistrate. The state of Queensland follows suit - it isn’t illegal there either, though “distracted driving” remains a real threat, with research even determining that eating can be just as dangerous as texting while behind the wheel. And drivers found to be travelling without control over their vehicles can face a fine of up to $575. While this is larger than either New South Wales or Victoria’s financial penalty, the demerit point cost remains the same at three. As a spokesperson for Queensland Transport and Main Roads told Drive, “a driver must always have proper control of their vehicle and drive with care and attention for the safety of other road users. "While there are no specific laws prohibiting a driver from eating while driving, it is up to the driver to ensure they remain in proper control of their vehicle and sufficiently alert to the road environment." And for drivers in the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, Western Australia, and South Australia, Drive have reported that the message essentially remains the same. While there are no rules that specifically prohibit behind-the-wheel snacking, a driver can - and will - face penalties if they are found to be demonstrating poor control of their vehicle. Images: Getty

Travel Trouble

SA board member quits after allegedly caught shoplifting

A prominent figure in South Australia has been captured on CCTV appearing to steal a handbag and a jumper. Leah York, the Australian Education Union state branch secretary, can be seen picking up a $280 handbag and walking out with it in CCTV footage released. Three minutes before she snatched up the bag, she can be seen adding a jumper to the bag, which is still visible on CCTV under the handbag as she left the shop. York’s team said she meant to pay for the bag, and she did so after footage was released on the store’s social media. The store uploaded the footage alongside the caption, ”After receiving more information about your theft, we took a closer look at the footage and discovered you failed to mention before you left the store the first time, that you had already stolen an orange knit," "This footage speaks volumes. You have impacted our staff greatly." York, who reportedly earns more than $200,000 a year, told 9News she had taken leave for health reasons and resigned from her position on the board of Funds South Australia. The board is responsible for the state's $30 billion superannuation fund for public sector workers. Police have not charged York with any crime but are investigating the alleged incident. Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said reporting alleged theft was up to the "individual businesses”. "We would certainly encourage people to report to police and provide those videos to police so we can investigate and hold people accountable," Stevens said. Image credit: Facebook

Legal

Australia’s top towns revealed

A study has compared 752 small Australian towns and crowned the 36 at the top of the pack. The study was <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/australias-best-towns-kiama-margaret-river-shoalhaven-among-the-top-places-to-live/news-story/695405e2e1787d67e64a93495a6cb8e6">published by The Australian</a>, and saw demographer Bernard Salt consider criteria such as unemployment, diversity, median income, technical skill, and education across the 752 towns in his mission to declare the best of the best in each Australian state and territory. More specifically, Salt looked at towns that: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Earn more than $1,282 per a week household median income </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Less than 5.1 per cent unemployment </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> More than 15 per cent attained university education </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> More than 36 per cent with technical (trade) skill </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> More than 12 per cent workforce owner/manager </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> No less than 14 per cent born overseas </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> At least 17 per cent volunteer </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> At least 14 per cent provide unpaid care e.g., for example to a relative </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> More than 59 per cent have no long-term health condition </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> More than 6.5 hours per a week in unpaid domestic housework </li> </ul> Salt’s findings revealed a town in each state and territory that was “drawn from a list of 36 finalists that survive most of the filters”, and ultimately declared to be a step above the rest. For Queensland, Tamborine Mountain came out on top. For the Northern Territory, it was Nhulunbuy. For South Australia, Mount Barker. Western Australia, Dunsborough. Victoria, Bright. Tasmania, Legana. And last but not least, Kiama took the trophy for New South Wales, as well as bragging rights as “the standout overall.” “In the modern era, say the 2020s and beyond, I think that small-town Australia, as well as big-city Australia, needs skills, training, entrepreneurial energy and a measure of diversity to deliver opportunity to residents,” said the founder of The Demographics Group. “What this exercise shows is that across the continent Australians want more or less the same thing when it comes to living in a small town,” Salt went on, “proximity to a capital or major regional city; a tree-change or a sea-change environment; or, better still, all three criteria jammed within a single location offering views and amenity.” “The Australian people have spoken through their collective responses to the census,” he concluded. “Sea-change, tree-change, big-city access and a place of their own within which they can potter about and steadily make improvements, while also volunteering, caring, and making a contribution to the local community. That is the essence of small-town Australia. “And of course if you disagree with the metrics and the logic of how the top towns were selected, then you are free to <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/top-towns">jump on to the website</a>, access the model, switch around the metrics and come up with your own version of Australia’s top towns. Hours of fun for the demographically inclined.” Images: Getty

Domestic Travel

SAS soldier claims Ben Roberts-Smith catapulted unarmed man off cliff

A former SAS soldier <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-28/ben-roberts-smith-trial-hears-more-evidence-from-afghanistan/100856732" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has said</a> he witnessed Ben Roberts-Smith kick and “catapult” an unarmed, handcuffed Afghan man over a slope before he was killed while testifying before a Sydney court. Mr Roberts-Smith launched a defamation case against The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and The Canberra Times early last year over several articles he claims contained false allegations of unlawful killings, domestic violence, and bullying. The trial has continued with the testimony of Person 4, a former Special Air Services soldier who was with Mr Roberts-Smith during a 2012 September mission in Darwan, in relation to a central allegation in the case. Person 4 told the court on Monday that an Afghan man with a donkey was searched, questioned and taken prisoner, becoming a PUC (person under control) of the Australian soldiers. The witness said he later saw the handcuffed man being held by a colleague referred to in court as Person 11, with his back towards a slope. “At the same time, I noticed Ben Roberts-Smith, he had walked to a position maybe three to four metres away,” Person 4 said. “As I was trying to understand what was happening, he turned around and walked forward and kicked the individual in the chest. “The individual was catapulted backwards and fell down the slope. “I saw the individual’s face strike a large rock and sustain a serious injury. He had knocked out a number of his teeth, including his front teeth.” Person 4 said he was “in shock” and that the man, who was injured and lying at the bottom of the slope in a dry creek bed, failed to sit up. He said Mr Roberts-Smith directed him and Person 11 to grab the man “and start to drag him” towards a tree. At that point, Person 4 said Mr Roberts-Smith and Person 11 had a “quick conversation” which he didn’t hear and was followed by two to three shots. Though he didn’t witness the shots, Person 4 turned around to see Person 11 in a “position to shoot”. He said that when the man’s body was photographed, there was an ICOM radio next to him. However, he said he didn’t see how it got there and that the man didn’t have it when he was being questioned. When he noticed the radio was “slightly wet” and had a fogged-up screen, he said, “It dawned on me that I did know where it had come from.” Person 4 previously told the court that Mr Roberts-Smith took items off a dead enem prior to their arrival in Darwan, including a detonation cord and a radio - which he carried while crossing a river to return to the patrol. Mr Roberts-Smith has previously told the court that a suspected Taliban “spotter” was killed that day in a cornfield, but has denied other details including that he was kicked off a cliff. Person 4 claimed that Mr Roberts-Smith later outlined a “story” to him, Person 11, and a third colleague referred to as Person 56, about the man and the slope. “Your Honour, it was words to the effect of ‘the story is that we engaged a spotter whilst moving to our HLS’.” The trial will continue before Justice Anthony Besanko. Image: Getty Images

Legal

Fiery start to new season of SAS Australia

The explosive opening night premiere of SAS Australia saw football legend Wayne Carey, aged 50, touch on the humiliating moment his life came off the rails back in 2002 – all during an intense challenge that saw him set on fire. As the former Kangaroos captain-turned-AFL commentator approached chief instructor Ant Middleton, he reflected on the infamous affair, when he was caught in a bathroom tryst with Kelli Stevens, the wife of North Melbourne Kangaroos vice captain Anthony Stevens. 'The affair, it's the biggest regret of my life as an adult,' said Carey in a cutaway confessional. 'As an adult, I've done a lot of work, I'm trying to overcome it,' he continued. Carey was then doused in accelerant and spectacularly set ablaze in a task that required him to race to water to put out the flames. This task also gave him time enough to ponder his past mistakes. 'People say people don't change, but people can change, they evolve,' he added. 'I'm a perfect example of someone that's been able to evolve.' Carey, winner of two premierships as captain of North Melbourne and regarded as one of the best players of all time, was just one of many celebrities looking for redemption on the fourth season of SAS Australia. Other contestants include retired NRL star Darius Boyd, model Simone Holtznagel and Bachelor star Locky Gilbert. Also appearing are former Olympic swimmer Geoff Huegill, Olympic diver Melissa Wu, AFL star Barry Hall, Real Housewives of Sydney's Melissa Tkautz and convicted cocaine dealer Richard Buttrose. Boxers Ebanie Bridges and Michael Zerafa as well as comedian Pauly Fenech, rugby star Ellia Green, NRLW player Millie Boyle and motorsports presenter Riana Crehan are also set to compete on the show. Rounding out the group is troubled Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger. Image: Channel 7

SAS soldier claims Ben Roberts-Smith threatened to shoot him in the head

A former soldier who served alongside Ben Roberts-Smith <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/ben-roberts-smith-defamation-trial-new-witness-claims-bullying-death-threat/7df734b2-d86b-44c5-ab2d-a57f1e26a7d3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has testified</a> in the SAS soldier’s ongoing defamation trial, claiming Roberts-Smith bullied and threatened to kill him during their time serving together. The soldier, known as Person 1, told the Federal Court he was a victim of a seven-year intimidation campaign while giving evidence for Nine newspapers. During the trial, the court heard of a mistake Person 1 made during a 2006 mission in the Chora Valley, with the same mission seeing Mr Roberts-Smith receiving a Medal for Gallantry for single-handedly fighting off 16 Taliban insurgents. Person 1 admitted that his machine gun jammed at least three times during the mission because he forgot to bring his weapon oil. His error later prompted a commanding officer to issue him a warning for “not performing to standard”. The incident was followed by several alleged run-ins between Person 1 and Mr Roberts-Smith which the witness claimed became threats. “[He] said words to the effect of ‘if your performance doesn’t improve on the next patrol, you’re gonna get a bullet in the back of the head’,” Person 1 said. Nine’s barrister Nicholas Owens SC <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-17/soldier-tells-oourt-ben-roberts-smith-threatened-to-shoot-him/100833982" target="_blank" rel="noopener">asked</a> the witness what he understood Mr Roberts-Smith to mean by that comment, to which Person 1 replied: “That he was going to shoot me in the back of the head on the next patrol if my performance doesn’t improve”. Person 1 told the court he lodged a formal complaint about the remark, which he said led to another confrontation. “If you’re going to make accusations **** you better have some f***ing proof,” he claimed Mr Roberts-Smith said to him. “Not only did I have to worry about the Taliban, but I also had to look over my own back at my own people,” Person 1 told the court. He also claimed that even after he switched patrols and climbed the ranks, Mr Roberts-Smith described him to other soldiers as “incompetent” and a “coward”. When they entered mediation in 2013, the soldiers agreed to disagree and shook hands. Mr Roberts-Smith has denied the claims while giving evidence last year and said Person “just wasn’t a very good soldier”. He also accused the witness of attempting to “cover up his poor performance”. The soldier’s testimony comes as part of Mr Roberts-Smith’s defamation trial, in which he is suing Nine newspapers over articles alleging he is a war criminal. Image: 9News

Legal

“Ripped off”: SAS fans lash out at Jana Pittman not passing

Image: Channel 7 SAS Australia fans have aired their outage after Olympian and “super mum” Jana Pittman was eliminated from the course just before the final challenge, despite correctly completing a mission. During Tuesday night’s explosive finale, the remaining four recruits were tasked with a terrifying helicopter insertion into enemy territory to locate a cache containing important information about an enemy. Jana, who was paired up with tennis legend Mark Philippoussis, was reaching her breaking point physically. But with just seconds to spare, the two athletes completed the challenge in time. Despite passing the mission, Jana was eliminated by the DS. “Outstanding effort. We are all super proud of you. We would have loved to have brought you forward but your reserve is empty,” Ant told the mother-of-four before giving her a warm hug. Diehard SAS fans took to Twitter to express their outrage that Jana was culled right before the final task. “Really? Jana has killed it in every challenge. I’m gutted for her,” one fan wrote. “Not happy with that! Needed to show why Jana failed. She looked as though she passed the challenge – and didn’t pass out or leave her partner for dead,” said another. “So the last task is hanging on a rope and Jana is sent home? She deserved to have a go at it. Kind of ridiculous after making her do the task before,” another fan wrote. “Jana was incredible! I think she was a bit ripped off.” Viewers widely hailed Jana as a "supermum" and an inspiration to women throughout her time on the course due to her courage, grit, determination and physical strength.

Emotions run high as SAS Australia winner crowned

The finale of SAS Australia proved to be the most gruelling challenge contestants faced, with NRL star Sam Burgess becoming the only recruit to pass the final challenge. After five celebrity recruits made it to the finale and only three remained for the final test, Burgess was crowned the winner. Home and Away actor Dan Ewing was the first to be booted off the show after believing a debriefing with the directing staff was part of the previous hostage challenge. Then, in the second challenge, recruits were tasked with completing a physical exercise on the ground before escaping to safety by hanging from a helicopter extraction rope. Olympian Jana Pittman struggled to complete the challenge, making it to the helicopter just in time despite being barely able to walk. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844772/sas-finale1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ac8d7390a5b4473fb72e65bca77934b8" /> She was cut from the show, as the directing staff could only allow three recruits to move to the next stage. The remaining three - Burgess, sprinter John Steffensen, and tennis star Mark Philippoussis - completed the difficult task of hanging from a rope suspended over a gorge for 90 seconds. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844774/sas-finale3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8a2b69db1fc94c2aa4492595a958c55c" /> But, the directing staff said completing the task didn’t necessarily mean they passed it. “We’re not looking for brawn, we’re not looking for brain, we’re looking for a combination of both,” Ant Middleton <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/entertainment/sam-burgess-the-only-celebrity-to-pass-sas-australia-selection-two-others-complete-course/news-story/ec7e7327c15d329db36588793c22ca50" target="_blank">said</a>. After telling Steffensen and Philippoussis to step back, Middleton announced that Burgess was the only one to pass. “You two, just that one percent that lacked,” he said. “Amazing effort from both of you, you completed the course but only 16 (Burgess) passed the course. Number 16, you were just that level ahead.” <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844773/sas-finale2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/935d9a6801c34eb09fbaf3a2d6664d74" /> Following his victory, Burgess shared an emotional post on Instagram where he shared how the show had helped him reveal who he truly was. “When I agreed to do this course I set myself two simple goals: be totally honest with myself, and complete the course,” he wrote, alongside a series of snaps from the show. <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/CU7Wi3_vfAb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CU7Wi3_vfAb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Sam Burgess (@samburgess8)</a> </div> </blockquote> “Throughout the experience, I grew enormously through pain and discomfort, through joy and teamwork, through fatigue and food deprivation but most of all by being vulnerable enough to share this, become better at understanding myself and in turn reveal true character.” Images: SAS Australia / Channel 7

Jana Pittman collapses after breaking SAS record

During a gruelling obstacle course on SAS Australia, Jana Pittman has collapsed after pushing her body to the limit. The Olympic champion became the first woman to complete the Ladder Troop Extraction challenge, with just three seconds left on the clock and breaking a record on the show. Instructor Ant Middleton helped Jana into the helicopter before showing a rare moment of softness as he gave her a congratulatory hug. However, just as she was riding her adrenaline high, she came crashing back down. Jana and the other recruits were sent to their second challenge where they had to complete a demanding obstacle course. The 38-year-old, who gave birth six months before appearing on the show, only just managed to get through the course. “When I was an athlete… your whole body is screaming at you to stop and you have to ignore it… I used to have that ability,” she said. <div class="hide-print ad-no-notice css-qyun7f-StyledAdUnitWrapper ezkyf1c0"> However, after finishing her second lap and on the brink of quitting the show, Jana collapsed in front of the instructors and her fellow recruits. “I’m so cooked, I’m done,” she said just moments before falling to her knees. “I was just seeing really bad spots… I was just super busy and seeing spots in my eyes,” she told the doctor. Jana has become a fan favourite on the show, appearing to remain calm under pressure and known for her kind demeanour. The two-time world champion hurdler recently announced she is <a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/twins-jana-pittman-reveals-she-is-pregnant" target="_blank">pregnant with twins</a>, saying she fell pregnant shortly after SAS Australia wrapped filming. Image credits: SAS Australia </div>

SAS Australia stars criticised over ‘dirty tactic’

Two recruits on SAS Australia employed what many fans are calling dirty tactics on Monday night’s episode of the reality television show, and the online backlash was swift. Sprinter Jessica Peris was up against Olympian Jana Pittman in a challenge that saw them try to knock each other off a log that was suspended in the air above fast-moving water. Peris was victorious, but only after throwing a handful of sand in Pittman’s eyes, causing her to become disoriented. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> It's win at all costs in this task <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a> <a href="https://t.co/2ujqkvjHq7">pic.twitter.com/2ujqkvjHq7</a> — SAS Australia on 7 (@sasaustralia) <a href="https://twitter.com/sasaustralia/status/1444947599216111618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote> Later, fellow sprinter John Steffensen employed the same tactic against actor Dan Ewing, and the pair were loudly criticised on social media, with many calling the move a ‘dog act’ and a ‘dirty tactic’. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> That’s a dog act! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a> — Lauren K (@lolly375) <a href="https://twitter.com/lolly375/status/1444946609817616391?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote> Others defended the move, arguing that “in war, it’s life or death”. Without consulting a military strategist or historian it’s hard to be certain, but ‘throwing sand in your opponent’s eyes’ probably isn’t a widely employed tactic in modern warfare. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> In war it's life or death. There's no safety rope. Sand in the eyes can be washed out. Hand in your number if you think otherwise <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a> — MXYZ 💉💉 (@MXYZ_) <a href="https://twitter.com/MXYZ_/status/1444949890065256450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote> As it turns out, the pair were acting on advice from the Directing Staff. Mark “Billy” Billingham spoke to Peris as she was preparing to walk across the pole, suggesting, “You know what I’d do? Keep your cool, keep looking at her … Handful of dirt when you get close enough. Face full of dirt … Boom, sweet, take her out.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 👀👀👀 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a> <a href="https://t.co/mIW2q0PQRI">pic.twitter.com/mIW2q0PQRI</a> — SAS Australia on 7 (@sasaustralia) <a href="https://twitter.com/sasaustralia/status/1444946465768427521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote> Peris tried to apologise to Pittman during the journey back to base camp, but Pittman let her know exactly how she felt, telling Jess, “Only you two did it. I just didn’t expect it from you (Jessica) … I expected it from him. … It’s just different personalities. I’ve never been a particularly aggressive person. No offence, doll, but there is no way I could’ve done that. Maybe that’s my weakness.” In response, Steffensen argued that there were “different rules here”. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> I’m with Jana, I would rather lose and have my morals than cheat to win. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a> — Ashlee (@_itsashleeee_) <a href="https://twitter.com/_itsashleeee_/status/1444949739380764677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote> AFL player Heath Shaw ultimately won the challenge, but departed at the end of the episode, along with Peris and ironman Jett Kenny. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Selection was one of the most challenging things Recruit #18 Jessica Peris has ever done in her life... and also the most rewarding! 👏 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a> <a href="https://t.co/YYNGrzCZld">pic.twitter.com/YYNGrzCZld</a> — SAS Australia on 7 (@sasaustralia) <a href="https://twitter.com/sasaustralia/status/1445139161850122241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote>

Koby Abberton reveals his massive SAS Australia payday

Koby Abberton has revealed how much he was paid by Channel 7 to appear on season two of SAS Australia, bluntly telling the hosts of Moonman in the Morning that he was paid $100,000. That makes Abberton one of the <a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/money-banking/sam-burgess-huge-sas-australia-salary-revealed" target="_blank">highest-paid stars on the show,</a> only earning less than Sam Burgess, and being paid the same amount as tennis star Mark Philippoussis. Model Erin Holland, 32, is earning between $60,000 and $80,000 while footballer Heath Shaw, 35, actress Isabelle Cornish, 27, and athlete John Steffensen, 39, tennis player Alicia Molik, 38, are on around the same amount. In the next rung, singer Pete Murrary, 51, athlete Jana Pittmann, 38, actor Dan Ewing, 36, runner Jessica Peris, 31, ironman Jett Kenny, 27, volleyball player Kerri Pottharst, 56, and socialite Brynne Edelsten are estimated to be being paid between $50,000 and $70,000. At the very bottom of the ladder is former Australian Labor Party member Emma Husar, 41, who is earning just $25,000. Meanwhile Manu Feildel, 47, will go without a pay day because his appearance is likely part of his contract at Channel Seven. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Recruit #2 Koby Abberton well and truly left his mark on the course and departs knowing he made the right decision for himself. 💪 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SASAustralia?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SASAustralia</a> <a href="https://t.co/VGklwou1QP">pic.twitter.com/VGklwou1QP</a> — SAS Australia on 7 (@sasaustralia) <a href="https://twitter.com/sasaustralia/status/1443380081590689795?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2021</a></blockquote> Abberton rose to fame as a member of Maroubra’s ‘Bra Boys’, culminating in the release of the 2007 documentary Bra Boys, produced by Russell Crowe and directed by Koby’s brother, Sunny, and Macario De Souza. He also shared with the Moonman in the Morning team the reason for his repeated questions about how much tennis star Philippoussis made, saying, "When I grew up, the only way out of my area was to be a sportsman. You were either a surfer, a football player or a fighter, and that's what we banked on. "These days these kids are constantly on Instagram, or Facebook or TikTok or all this garbage. They all seem to want to be Instagram stars, and honestly it's just garbage." Image: SAS Australia

Sam Burgess' huge SAS Australia salary revealed

Image: SAS Australia The massive range of salaries for the 2021 SAS Australia cast have been revealed. According to The Daily Telegraph on Sunday, former footballer Sam Burgess has the highest pay day, earning between $150,000 and $200,000 for his appearance on the brutal program, the paper claims. Next in line is tennis player Mark Philippoussis, 44, who is said to be earning $100,000. Model Erin Holland, 32, is earning between $60,000 and $80,000 while footballer Heath Shaw, 35, actress Isabelle Cornish, 27, and athlete John Steffensen, 39, tennis player Alicia Molik, 38, are on around the same amount. In the next rung, singer Pete Murrary, 51, athlete Jana Pittmann, 38, actor Dan Ewing, 36, runner Jessica Peris, 31, ironman Jett Kenny, 27, volleyball player Kerri Pottharst, 56, and socialite Brynne Edelsten are estimated to be being paid between $50,000 and $70,000. Bringing in a little less is former pro surfer Koby Abberton, 42, who is getting between $50,000 and $60,000. At the very bottom of the ladder is former Australian Labor Party member Emma Husar, 41, who is earning just $25,000. Meanwhile Manu Feildel, 47, will go without a pay day because his appearance is likely part of his contract at Channel Seven. This comes after news that retired cricketer Michael Clarke ‘pulled out’ of the next season of SAS Australia due to a back injury. Reportedly, the 40-year-old backed out of the Channel Seven Show shortly after the premiere of the current season. The Daily Telegraph reported that Clarke initially signed up for the military-style show with a $750,000 asking fee and had already signed a contract. Season three is due to begin filming in just weeks, but Clarke, who has suffered chronic back pain throughout his sporting career, pulled the pin after seeking medical advice and treatment.

Money & Banking

“Brutal”: Alicia Molik’s “torturous” SAS Australia experience

The premiere of SAS Australia saw recruits being tear-gassed, pushed out of a helicopter, and stripped down to their underwear, and one recruit received a severe scolding from chief instructor Ant Middleton. After celebrating crossing a ladder attached to a hovering helicopter, retired tennis star Alicia Molik <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-9985311/Alicia-Molik-dressed-Ant-Middleton-SAS-Australia-blatant-showboating.html" target="_blank">was scolded</a> for her display of showboating and pushed into the water. “Do you think that’s a f***ing laugh? Drop in the water! Get in the water, go!” Ant shouted before pushing her off the ledge. Once they were both back on land, Ant got right up in Alicia’s face while berating her. “Where is she? P*ss take! Number 17 get here! What did I say to you at the beginning?” he shouted. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844015/alicia-molik2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b304c40c00d74519ae2913053236feb0" /> Image: SAS Australia / Channel 7 “This is not a f***ing game show is it?! Is it? Do you think this is a f***ing game show? Do you think that’s a f***ing laugh? Do you think that’s a joke?” In an earlier segment of the show, Alicia revealed how she has used her ego to her advantage on the tennis court. “I’ve seen a lot of egos in sport, particularly international sport. I think someone having a bit of an ego can help someone… it fuels the desire really,” she said. However, after her celebration was perceived as being too egotistical, Alicia later agreed that she had not shown discipline. “I didn’t show it today. I got up there with the camaraderie. Everyone’s pumping each other up. I had a mental let-up,” she said. Prior to the show’s premiere on Monday night, Alicia shared her “brutal” and “torturous” experience in an interview with <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/tennis-champ-alicia-molik-on-her-time-on-sas-australia/news-story/78d2cb59ec85442d0d56449f855a86cb" target="_blank">The Advertiser</a>. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844016/alicia-molik3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/75b7eddf59814daf847850f1d73eae5f" /> Image: SAS Australia / Channel 7 “I enjoyed training like a demon for that period of time and it was a great experience. But it was brutal and it’s torture and that is not fun at all,” Alicia said. The mother of two explained that she was pushed to her limits by “constantly being in fight or flight mode”. “You are thrown into a situation and told what to do in that second - there is no preparation,” she explained. “You don’t know when you’ll have your next meal, or when sleep is coming. Your mind is constantly ticking overtime.” Image: SAS Australia / Channel 7

Sam Burgess choked out SAS instructor during challenge

Claims have been made that former NRL star Sam Burgess choked out an instructor during the filming of SAS Australia. Reports say Burgess, who is one of 18 celebrities who will appear on the second season of SAS Australia, choked an instructor during an “intense” kidnapping exercise. According to Fox Sports, one of the challenges on the show saw Burgess along with seven other celebrities being “kidnapped” by two SAS instructors. “Sam took matters into his own hands, ordering [John] Steffensen to pull the handbrake,” Fox Sports’ James Hooper claimed. “Burgess reached over and put the soldier in a head lock, choking him out, before climbing in to the driver’s seat and taking the wheel.” Reports say the point of the exercise was to see which of the other contestants would step up and set the other hostages free after they were thrown in as car that was driven up to speeds of 100km/h. Hooper says SAS instructors and producers were left “dumbfounded”. The ambulance was reportedly called. A Channel 7 spokesperson said: “The new season of SAS Australia, coming soon to Channel 7 and 7plus, is the most gruelling course in the world to date. “All participants will be pushed to their limits like never before.” The Burgess report follow after SAS Australia chief instructor, Ant Middleton, admitted Kyle and Jackie O that the cast from season two pushed his buttons. “There’s been some tears, there’s been aggression,” Middleton said on KIIS FM in May. “But I shut them down straight away. “You get a different setting, a different group of people and personalities and it’s gonna be a different show, but a lot of people still pushed my buttons,” he said.

Travel Tips

SA mum jailed after fleeing police at the VIC border

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post-body-container"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> A South Australian mum-of-two will spend at least two weeks behind bars after speeding past police at a checkpoint. Celeste Lockwood was arrested on Wednesday after entering South Australia from Victoria and allegedly breaching COVID rules. Before she crossed the border, she made a video taunting authorities. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> This is Celeste Lockwood. She doesn’t like masks. Or border checkpoints. Police had to use road spikes to stop her at Yamba after she crossed into SA from Victoria. She’s just fronted court. No bail. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/7NEWS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#7NEWS</a> <a href="https://t.co/nqacG9KNap">pic.twitter.com/nqacG9KNap</a> — Elspeth Hussey (@ElspethHussey7) <a href="https://twitter.com/ElspethHussey7/status/1400280574577700868?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2021</a></blockquote> “I as a person, as a South Australian person that lives there, I’m in Victoria, I’m gonna leave today,” she said in the video. “So I’m at On The Run, just went in, and do you know what they said, as soon as I walk in, they all have masks, they come up to me and said, ‘oh excuse me, you can’t come in, you’re not wearing a mask’, I said ‘excuse me, I don’t wear a mask’.” Around 4:10 pm, she approached the police checkpoint at Yamba but refused to answer basic questions from the police. The 37-year-old then allegedly took off before being pursued by police. Road spikes were used to stop Lockwood and she was soon arrested and charged with aggravated drive dangerously to escape police pursuit, drive disqualified and fail to comply with direction under the Emergency Management Act. She faced court on Thursday, but was refused bail and will spend at least two weeks in custody. </div> </div> </div> </div>

Legal

SA pizza bar worker breaks silence

The Spanish national accused of lying to South Australian contact tracers and prompting the nation’s hardest lockdown has expressed remorse for his actions. Speaking for the first time since news broke that a worker of the Woodville Pizza Bar misled the state’s authorities, the man said - via his lawyer - that he was apologetic for any consequences caused by his actions. Last week South Australia announced a six-day lockdown that would be the country’s hardest and shortest - but just three days later, it was announced that it would be over after finding out a worker had misled contract tracers. He reportedly let them know that he purchased a pizza from the shop, but the truth was he worked there. The man’s lawyer Scott Jelbert of Camena Legal said his client did not mean to cause harm with he information he gave contact tracers. "My client is in quarantine and I make this brief statement on his behalf. He is extremely remorseful and deeply sorry for any part his conduct played in any unnecessary lock-down actions," Scott Jelbert said in a statement. "He did not foresee or intend that things might unfold as they have. "Since entering quarantine he has had limited information about government media releases, public opinion and social media." But Mr Jelbert said some of the information circulating about his client was incorrect. "I am however instructed that some information is not fair, accurate or complete notwithstanding the State Government's comments, and he is concerned he has been all but publicly named," Mr Jelbert said. "My client's current focus is on cooperating with the authorities and completing quarantine. "He is sincerely concerned about the impact of the lock-down on South Australians. "My client has not been charged with any breach of the law but in the circumstances, including that such charges may emerge, no further comment about those matters is appropriate at this time."

News

First thing the winners did after SAS Australia was finally over

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> SAS Australia quickly became a fan favourite after the reality show put celebrities against their biggest fears and tested their physical and mental abilities. The winners of SAS Australia were finally declared after an intensive physical challenge and interrogations. The three that made it to the end are former rugby player Nick Cummins, Australian comedian Merrick Watts and AFLW player Sabrina Frederick. The three celebrities made it through weeks of rigorous tasks that involved physical injuries, mental torture and ice cold water. Merrick was delighted for the show to finish. "To pass it and to get through it and survive it is one of the greatest achievements I've ever had in my entire career." "I did this course to rebuild my own confidence and to show myself my own capabilities but I ended wanting to learn more about the soldiers that sacrifice what they do and how hard it is for them to give over so much of their lives for us." <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/CH-TtQZHqz6/?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/CH-TtQZHqz6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by SAS Australia on 7 (@sasaust7)</a> </div> </blockquote> Sabrina Frederick said that she has so much respect for the SAS after completing the show. "I have so much respect for the SAS to embark on this and to pass selection. For them to embrace me as one of their own, I will never be able to explain how much that means to me." Merrick revealed just what he did after being declared one of the winners of the show. "We went straight to Maccas and had a massive thickshake. That was definitely the first thing we did when we left," he said to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/reality-tv/news/sas-australia-winner-2020-66031" target="_blank">Now To Love</a>. However, the show has left its mark on Merrick, three months on. "I still have some niggling injuries. I had two fractured ribs and impact damage on my back. "The thing that is unseen from a viewers perspective is we have completely exhausted our bodies and actually changed the physiology of bodies because they've gone into a survival mode. We lost muscle and became very skinny." </div> </div> </div>

SA Premier furious at pizza worker who sparked lockdown

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> South Australian Premier Steven Marshall is furious at the "disgraceful conduct" of a pizza worker who claims he sparked the state's lockdown. Marshall said that one of the close contacts from Woodville Pizza Bar had "deliberately misled" contact tracers. “Their story didn’t add up. We pursued them. We now know that they lied. I stress this point, that this is still a very dangerous cluster and our expert health – our health experts remain extremely concerned,” he said. “I will not let the disgraceful conduct of a single individual to keep SA in these circuit breaker conditions one day longer than what is necessary. However, this lie still means that our contact tracers need breathing space to contact people but not for as long.” Despite putting the state into a sudden lockdown, the man will not be charged or penalised for withholding information, according to Police Commissioner Grant Stevens. He's urged angry South Australians to look towards Christmas instead. "I understand the community sentiment about the actions of this person. I don't think there will be a single person who is not going to be, for some reason, affected or upset by the fact we have had to go into such a strict lockdown," he said. "My expectations of the community are that we act as we have with every other challenge that we have faced through COVID-19. "There is a genuine basis for people to be outraged but we need to move past this, keep doing what we are doing so we crush this particular cluster and get back to where we were before 15 November and aim for December 1 where we see ourselves getting ready for Christmas and spending time with families." The state needs to stay in lockdown for one more day due to the actions of the person who initially lied. Stevens outlined the consequences to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/australia/coronavirus-australia-live-south-australia-victoria-nsw-updates/live-coverage/f6c07deca8947333c467379f9064a54b" target="_blank" class="editor-rtflink">news.com.au</a>. "The first consequence from this lie is we went into a six-day lockdown," he said. "The second consequence is this person's failure to be truthful with contact tracers means his close associates, who we understand he's had close contact with, haven't been identified and are currently in the community. "We need to lock that up before we move into a lower level of restrictions. Our goal is to do that by midnight Saturday." The state is currently managing 44 suspected cases of coronavirus, with 4,500 people in isolation. This is due to the state initially moving so quickly, according to SA's chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier. "I just want to give people a little warning we are expecting to see the number of cases here in South Australia rising over the next couple of days," she said. "That is because we moved so early in the beginning of this cluster, and put people in quarantine, and when we first tested them, they had not actually become positive. "But we will be expecting that to happen now over the next couple of days." "That is that double ring, directly linked to this cluster, in quarantine, and they will not be able to come out of that on Saturday night, they have their 14 days of quarantine," Prof Spurrier said. </div> </div> </div>

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