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"Yes, Burger Boy!": Australian Idol winner crowned for 2025

<p>What a night to remember! After two electrifying evenings packed with powerhouse performances and surprise guest appearances, <em>Australian Idol </em>has officially crowned its 2025 winner. In a grand finale brimming with excitement, finalists Iilysh Retallick, Gisella Colletti and Marshall Hamburger delivered unforgettable performances – but it was 19-year-old Marshall Hamburger who stole the show and captured the hearts of the nation.</p> <p>Marshall’s victory marks a sensational end to the show’s tenth season, earning him not only the coveted title of Australian Idol 2025 but also a life-changing prize package: $100,000 in cash and an exclusive recording deal with Hive Sound Studios.</p> <p>Overflowing with gratitude, Marshall beamed moments after his name was announced. “Thank you, Australia, thank you so much. You're gonna hear a lot of me in the future, I'll be out there,” he promised, as cheers erupted across the studio.</p> <p>Fans didn’t hold back their excitement, lighting up social media with praise for the newly crowned star. "I’m so happy congratulations Marshall," one fan wrote, while another cheered, "What a legend!" And in a playful nod to his surname, another delighted supporter exclaimed, "Yes, Burger Boy!"</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" 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);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIJN6_MiD5_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </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;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIJN6_MiD5_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Australian Idol (@australianidol)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Behind the scenes, Australian Idol host Scott Tweedie shared some fun insights into the suspenseful process of announcing the winner live on air, revealing the team’s clever methods to avoid any mishaps during such high-stakes moments.</p> <p>"We have it written down, so there’s no way that communication can be wrong," he explained. "On the card we've got in our hands, it has the winner's name – and we even use the 'thumb rule.' Your thumb has to be on the name you’re about to announce, so you cannot say the wrong name."</p> <p>Adding to the excitement, co-host Ricki-Lee, who has a deep-rooted history with <em>Idol</em>, typically takes centre stage for the final announcement. "Because of her DNA with Idol, I think she is the best at doing those really big announcements," Scott said, noting he’s always ready to back her up live on air.</p> <p>With a thrilling season now complete, all eyes are on Marshall Hamburger as he embarks on what promises to be an incredible musical journey. If his grand finale performance is any indication, Australia – and the world – will be hearing plenty from this rising star.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

TV

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Grandma shows off 24-year-old McDonald’s burger that “never rotted or decayed”

<p>While it may seem like the sensible idea to throw food away after several weeks, months, or even years – one woman has proven just how far she went with her McDonald’s hamburger and French fries.</p> <p>A Tiktok user recently took to social media to share her grandmother’s decades-old possession that she keeps hiding away in a shoe box in her closet.</p> <p>Aly Sherb showed her grandma pulling open the 24-year-old wrapper to reveal a slightly old looking hamburger that she purchased in 1996.</p> <p>She starts off the video by showing the bag’s advertisement for US Nascar races in 1996.</p> <p>She then takes out the fries, which she says look like they could have fallen into a seat “a month or so ago” and says that they “never rotted or decayed.”</p> <blockquote style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="6865455379787173126"><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@aly.sherb" target="_blank" title="@aly.sherb">@aly.sherb</a> <p>Make this go viral, y’all <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/grandparentsoftiktok" target="_blank" title="grandparentsoftiktok">##grandparentsoftiktok</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/mcdonalds" target="_blank" title="mcdonalds">##mcdonalds</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp" target="_blank" title="fyp">##fyp</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/decadechallenge" target="_blank" title="decadechallenge">##decadechallenge</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foryou" target="_blank" title="foryou">##foryou</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/happymeal" target="_blank" title="happymeal">##happymeal</a></p> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-6865455385554406150" target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - aly.sherb">♬ original sound - aly.sherb</a></blockquote> <p>The woman then shows the burger that she purchased in its original wrapping, then pulls out the burger.</p> <p>The bun and burger appear to never have rotted or decayed either.</p> <p>The video finishes with her saying, “24-year-old hamburger, not sure what would happen if you ate it though.”</p> <p>Anne Christensen, director of Field Brand Reputation for McDonald’s, told Fox News: “In the right environment, our burgers, like most other foods, could decompose. But, in order to decompose, you need certain conditions — specifically moisture.”</p> <p>“Without sufficient moisture – either in the food itself or the environment – bacteria and mold may not grow and therefore, decomposition is unlikely.</p> <p>“So if food is or becomes dry enough, it is unlikely to grow mold or bacteria or decompose. Food prepared at home that is left to dehydrate could see similar results. Similarly, this particular burger is likely dried out and dehydrated, and by no means the same as the day it was purchased.”</p>

Food & Wine

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5 hacks that will make holiday entertaining so much easier

<p>The holidays are a beautiful time of gatherings with family and friends but unfortunately, the pressures of hosting can leave many feeling stressed and exhausted during the festive season.</p> <p>To decrease the load of entertaining, follow these home hacks.</p> <p><strong>1. Set up a first aid station</strong></p> <p>If there is a clear first aid station, guests can tend to themselves instead of asking you for a product every time an accident happens. Key things to include in your first aid station include band-aids, burn spray, sunscreen and insect repellent.</p> <p><strong>2. Designate a relaxation room</strong></p> <p>Choose one room in your house that is away from everyone for anyone who needs a break from the hustle bustle or who isn’t feeling well. Make sure there is a fan in the room and a blanket for the guests’ comfort.</p> <p><strong>3. Tie a bottle opener to the esky</strong></p> <p>To avoid being asked multiple times for a bottle opener, tie it to the esky or drinks tub before the guests arrive. It will be one less thing for you to worry about on the day.</p> <p><strong>4. Make edible dessert cups</strong></p> <p>There are many recipes to make dessert cups or you can opt for waffle ice cream cones if you don’t have time to make anything. These dessert cups will give you an easy dessert that involves no washing up.</p> <p><strong>5. Use cupcake liners to keep bugs away</strong></p> <p>If you’re entertaining outside, turn cupcake liners upside down and place them over drinks to keep flies away. You can even punch a hole through them for straws!</p> <p>What are your home hacks for holiday entertaining? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

Home & Garden

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Why everyone is talking about Hamburg

<p><em><strong>Justin Paul writes for <a href="http://blog.virtuoso.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Virtuoso Luxury Traveller</span></a>, the blog of a <a href="http://www.virtuoso.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">global luxury travel network</span></a>, and he enjoys nothing more than taking a holiday.</strong></em></p> <p>Tune in to Hamburg for the visually delightful, acoustically advanced Elbphilharmonie.</p> <p>Today the building sails into its role as one of the world’s leading concert venues with a three-week festival that includes the Vienna Philharmonic, Yo-Yo Ma, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the resident NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/35262/image__498x245.jpg" alt="Image_ (176)"/></p> <p>Perched above a warehouse on the historic Sandtorhafen docks, the Herzog &amp; de Meuron-designed project houses three performance halls, a hotel, and numerous bars and restaurants. Visitors enter on an arced 270-foot escalator through a glowing, sequin-lined tunnel and arrive at an outdoor public plaza with 360-degree city views.</p> <p>Among Elbphilharmonie’s high notes: its Grand Hall, which floats within the structure on giant springs for soundproofing and features an interior “skin” of 10,000 gypsum fiber panels placed to optimize sound.</p> <p>Steeply tiered seating surrounding its center stage ensures all attendees close proximity to the musicians.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/35263/image__498x245.jpg" alt="Image_ (177)"/></p> <p>Oh, and that exposed plumbing beside your seat? Just one of the organ’s 4,765 pipes – touching is encouraged.</p> <p>Have you ever been to Hamburg? Let us know in the comment.</p> <p><em>First appeared on <a href="http://blog.virtuoso.com/destinations/everybodys-talking-hamburg/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Virtuoso Luxury Traveller</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.virtuoso.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Click here</strong></a></span> to visit its website for more information.</em></p>

International Travel

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