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First pics of Molly the Magpie reunion

<p>After a heartwarming 45-day saga that captured the nation's attention, Molly the Magpie has finally returned to her Gold Coast home, reuniting with her unlikely best friend, Peggy and Ruby the Staffies.</p> <p>The news, announced by Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI), brought immense relief and joy to Molly's devoted followers and animal lovers across the country.</p> <p>DESI's decision to approve a specialised license for Molly's return was a pivotal moment in this remarkable journey. Independent veterinary experts deemed Molly "highly habituated", highlighting the importance of her continued care and wellbeing. The dedication of Molly's human family, Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen, in meeting the conditions outlined in the license – including refraining from commercial exploitation of the bird or its image, undergoing wildlife carer training, and engaging with DESI to ensure Molly’s ongoing care and enrichment – demonstrated their unwavering commitment to her welfare.</p> <p>Throughout Molly's absence, the nation remained captivated by her story, eagerly following updates on social media. With over 800,000 followers on Instagram, Molly and her human family became symbols of compassion and friendship, inspiring countless individuals along the way.</p> <p>"WE HAVE THE BEST NEWS 💥 MOLLY IS HOME !!!!" wrote Juliette and Reece on Instagram. "We are overwhelmed with emotion right now 😭👏. I have been visualising &amp; looking forward to this day for what feels like a lifetime 😊.  It was a very exciting reunion at the Dept this morning for us with a little cry of happiness from Molly.</p> <p>"When we arrived home the Peggy &amp; Ruby wiggly bottoms were in full force and a few excited noises from Molly.</p> <p>"We are so grateful to you our supporters, QLD Premier Steven Miles &amp; the DESI for allowing us to get our licence &amp; to be reunited with Molly again ❤️. We look forward to life settling back down to normal very soon."</p> <p>The outpouring of support and celebration upon Molly's return was overwhelming. Messages of joy flooded social media, echoing the sentiments of a nation rejoicing in Molly's homecoming. From tears of happiness on train commutes to heartfelt expressions of relief, Molly's story touched the hearts of many.</p> <p>"Oh THANK GOODNESS - SANITY has PREVAILED," wrote one folllower. "Poor little Molly must feel so relieved. I do still think it’s ridiculous you can’t do a book or a movie- I would love that and would be happy for you to make millions because you have brought so much JOY to so many. I mean it’s not like someone can grab a magpie and put it with their dogs and this happens. I’m not sure what that legality is protecting🙄🙄🙄."</p> <p>"I understand why there are rules about wildlife," posted another. "I understand why this unusual circumstance brought concern. Humans have been abusing wild animals for personal gain forever. But I do think all of the goals surrounding Molly's concerns could have been achieved without removing him from his home and upsetting everyone, most especially Molly. I hope he settles in without being disoriented. He's seen a bit more of the world now. He may want to see more of it. But I hope he always comes home. Love to all of you." </p> <p>As Molly settles back into her familiar surroundings, surrounded by the love of her family and furry friends, there is a collective sigh of relief. The journey may have been challenging, but the outcome is one of triumph and unity.</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/p/C5xhlv9pgG5/?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/p/C5xhlv9pgG5/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Peggyandmolly (@peggyandmolly)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Rod Stewart's rare, rockin' family reunion

<p>When it comes to reunions with none other than legendary rock icon Rod Stewart, this ain't your regular family get-together. Rather, it's a rare cosmic alignment of almost all his children in the same place at the same time. </p> <p>Sir Rod, at a spry 78, boasts quite the tribe, with eight kids from three different marriages and a few past flings thrown into the mix. We're talking a generational span that could give the history books a run for their money. His eldest offspring is a seasoned 59, while the youngest is just a fresh-faced 12-year-old.</p> <p>Usually, you might catch Rod gallivanting about town with a couple of his kiddos, but this time, it's a whole extravaganza! He's managed to gather almost the whole brood for a picture. And we bet he had to pull some serious strings and break out all his dad jokes just to make it happen.</p> <p>Penny Lancaster, Sir Rod's wife, was the genius behind capturing this monumental moment on their family holiday in Spain. Picture this: Rod flashing his rockstar grin, surrounded by seven of his beloved offspring and their significant others. It's a regular rock 'n' roll galaxy right there!</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/p/CuwfTK0sClQ/?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> <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/p/CuwfTK0sClQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Penny Lancaster (@penny.lancaster)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Now let's talk about the missing star – Sir Rod's eldest daughter, Sarah Streeter. She was the first to grace Rod's life when he was just a young buck of 17. A family affair, but with a twist – Sarah was adopted and didn't find out about her superstar dad until she was all grown up. But fret not; they reunited, and now she's officially part of the extended rockstar clan.</p> <p>Next up, the glam diva Kimberly Stewart, the love child from Rod's first marriage. She's followed in her mum's footsteps and delved into the world of modelling and acting – and she even had her own reality show. </p> <p>Then there's Sean Stewart, Rod's offspring from the same union. He's taken a shot at acting and reality TV too, but it seems he had a bit of a "cashing out" situation with his inheritance. Third time's the charm, they say, but maybe it's time to let go of that clothing brand, Sean!</p> <p>Now, let's meet the musical maestro, Ruby Stewart. Rod's got some good genes, and she's rocking out just like her old man. She and her musical duo, The Sisterhood Band, released an album that gave us a sweet taste of the summer vibes. And in a true "like father, like daughter" moment, they even covered one of Rod's hits together. </p> <p>But wait, there's more! Introducing Renee Stewart, Rod's child from his second marriage to Rachel Hunter. She's ditched the rockstar life for a zen path as a yoga teacher. Namaste to that!</p> <p>Liam Stewart, the ice hockey champion, slides into the scene as the brother to Renee. He's got a knack for the sport and has played with some seriously icy teams. Talk about having a cool career!</p> <p>Alastair Wallace Stewart, the oldest son of Rod and his current wife, Penny, is already working his charm in the modelling world, proving that talent runs in the family.</p> <p>And last but not least, there's Aiden Patrick Stewart, the youngest bundle of joy. He might be just 12, but he's already got a strong passion for Celtic F.C., just like dear ol' dad. </p> <p>So there you have it, folks, the epic saga of Rod Stewart and his magnificent offspring. They span decades, genres, and life adventures, making this rockstar family a force to be reckoned with. Keep on rockin' and rollin', Rod and crew!</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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“So elated”: Kathleen Folbigg’s reunion with lifelong friend following pardon

<p dir="ltr">After spending 20 years behind bars Kathleen Folbigg is starting a new chapter as a <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/kathleen-folbigg-pardoned-after-20-years-behind-bars" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free woman</a>, and the first person who welcomed her back was her lifelong friend, Tracy Chapman.</p> <p dir="ltr">Folbigg, 55, who was convicted of killing her three children Patrick, Sarah and Laura and the manslaughter of her firstborn Caleb between 1989 to 1999, was <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/kathleen-folbigg-pardoned-after-20-years-behind-bars" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pardoned</a> on Monday and released immediately.</p> <p dir="ltr">Just hours after she walked out a free woman, Folbigg was reunited with her lifelong friend in a warm embrace on Chapman’s farm in northern NSW.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I am so elated it's not funny. I am nervous and I am everything," Folbigg told <em>9News</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">With her newfound freedom, Folbigg couldn’t say what would come next.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I don't know. I need a drink of water. I don't know about anything else," she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Chapman, who was an advocate for Folbigg since her conviction 20 years ago, created a “sanctuary” on the farm in case her best friend was pardoned, so she could have somewhere "peaceful, quiet,” to return to where “she's surrounded by animals".</p> <p dir="ltr">Folbigg has always maintained her innocence, and said that her children all died of natural causes.</p> <p dir="ltr">Former NSW Chief Justice Tom Bathurst KC, has submitted the new scientific evidence in an inquiry into the death of her babies, and is currently writing up a final report, which could be finished this month.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Nine News</em></p>

Legal

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"Love it!": Kochie’s sweet reunion with Melissa Doyle

<p dir="ltr">David Koch and Melissa Doyle were reunited in the annual Australian Fashion Week in Sydney.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 67-year-old<em> Sunrise</em> host attended the event for the first time ever, and revealed that he had felt “like an absolute fish out of water” as he reposted a selfie that he took with co-host Natalie Barr and former colleague Melissa Doyle.</p> <p dir="ltr">The trio attended the Mariam Seddiq show and sat in the front row with <em>Channel 7</em>’s personal stylist, Natalie Shehata.</p> <p dir="ltr">Nat Barr took to Instagram to share a sneak peak of the reunion.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Took Kochie to his first fashion show. The incredible Mariam Seddiq really put on an amazing night. What a woman!” she captioned the post.</p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>Sunrise</em> co-host shared a video of Kochie looking confused and playfully admitting that “I am so out of my comfort zone, it is not funny. I don’t know what to do. I’ve just gone for a drink, that’s all I’m doing”.</p> <p dir="ltr">She also shared a selfie of the group which sparked a comment from Melissa Doyle.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You’ve taught him so much! 😍” she wrote, which Nat Barr replied to with two laughing emojis.</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/p/CsVxUUnPkt2/?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/p/CsVxUUnPkt2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Natalie Barr (@natalie_barr7)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Kochie reposted the same selfie with the caption: “Feeling like an absolute fish out of water at @mariamseddiq runway show @ausfashionweek. Thankfully sat with some experts.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Loved the show and @mariamseddiq as a really impressive entrepreneur,” he added.</p> <p dir="ltr">Many fans shared their joy at the reunion.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The ‘old’ gang 👍🫶🏻” commented one fan.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Great pic! You, Nat and Mel! Love it!” commented another.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Yeah the Mel Doyle ❤️” wrote a third.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

TV

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A mother’s love story blossoms from a family reunion 40 years in the making

<p dir="ltr">When Helen Mansfield took to social media in search of her biological mother, she could never have foreseen the good fortune she’d bring about - not only to herself, but to those she held most dear, too. </p> <p dir="ltr">It was in 2016 that Helen posted to Facebook, hoping to connect with her mother - who had given her up when Helen was only 10 days old. </p> <p dir="ltr">And a mere five hours later, someone did reach out, informing Helen that her mother was in the United Kingdom, and that her name was Glenda Joy.  </p> <p dir="ltr">Helen, on the other hand, was in Perth, Australia. She’d been adopted by a Welsh couple, but had moved to Perth after marrying an Australian - with whom she shares two daughters.</p> <p dir="ltr">Four decades of mystery had gone by, but after that stranger on Facebook had set her on the right path, things had quickly fallen into place. </p> <p dir="ltr">As Helen informed<em> 7News</em>, “straight away, we knew each other. [She] gave me a big hug and said ‘I feel I just won the lottery’.”</p> <p dir="ltr">It should have marked the end of that happy chapter for Helen and Glen, but Helen’s adoptive dad, Gwyn, had other ideas. </p> <p dir="ltr">Because when Helen introduced the two - as her biological mother and her adoptive father - they immediately felt a connection, and set out on a number of adventures together, enjoying everything from the cricket to the beach, and last but certainly not least, a kiss. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I went in to Helen,” Glen recounted, “and I said ‘I’ve got something to say’. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I said ‘your dad kissed me’.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Glen added that she hadn’t been expecting it, but that wasn’t a bad thing, as she’d very much “wanted it to happen”.</p> <p dir="ltr">And it was only good times from there, with the unexpected couple getting married in the United Kingdom after enjoying a commitment ceremony in Perth with Helen as their joyous celebrant.</p> <p dir="ltr">They have every intention of returning to Australia, too, for a trip packed full of celebration with Gwyn’s 80th and the upcoming birth of a great-grandchild.</p> <p dir="ltr">But at the end of the day, Helen is “just really happy it happened”, and holds hope in her heart that their story will offer encouragement to anyone else in a similar position, searching for their biological or long-lost families. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I hope that anybody else - you know, it probably won’t go this far because this is a different story - but anybody else who wants to reach out and find their birth mother,” she added, “should try and do it.” </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: 7News</em></p>

Relationships

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Woman reunites with family 50 years after her abduction

<p>DNA testing has confirmed the identity of a Texas woman who was allegedly abducted by her own babysitter when she was 22 months old, and reunited with them after 51 long and painful years apart. </p> <p>The Fort Worth Police Department announced that they had “completed official DNA testing which confirmed Melissa Highsmith’s identity”, while noting their hope that “this test result will offer additional closure for the Highsmith family”. </p> <p>While they requested that anyone with more information come forward, the criminal statute of limitations expired 20 years after Melissa’s 18th birthday. </p> <p>As <em>NBC Dallas-Forth Worth</em> reported, Melissa’s own mother was initially suspected of possibly killing her and then covering up the crime, and the family claimed that a babysitter had been responsible for taking her back in 1971. </p> <p>Melissa’s disappearance had been one of America’s oldest missing persons cases, according to <em>WFAA</em>. </p> <p>And while Melissa’s family had spent decades searching for their long lost loved one, it wasn’t until November 2022 that they made their first major breakthrough, when a 23andMe DNA test presented a link between Melissa and her biological parents. It was these same results that the Fort Worth Police Department was seeking to confirm.</p> <p>"I feel like I am dreaming,” Melissa told <em>WFAA</em> upon reuniting with her parents after their life changing discovery, “and I keep having to pinch myself to make sure I'm awake.”</p> <p>"I’m just elated, I can't describe my feelings,” Melissa’s mother, Alta Apantenco, added, “I'm so happy to see my daughter that I didn't think I would ever see her again.”</p> <p>Meanwhile, her father Jeffrie Highsmith admitted that he “cried like a baby”.</p> <p>Melissa went on to tell her family that she had had a difficult life, even going so far as to run away from home, and that she’d done “what I had to do to get by”.</p> <p>“I didn’t feel loved as a child,” she said. “It was abusive, and I ran away at 15 years old.” </p> <p>And the whole time, she’d been living just 20 minutes from her biological family. </p> <p>That same family who are overjoyed to have their beloved Melissa back with them, and took to social media to update followers, sharing the delightful news that their search was - finally - over. </p> <p>“The results were exactly what we already knew. She was in fact Melissa Suzanne HIghsmith!” they wrote on their Facebook page. “We now have the OFFICIAL confirmation that she is ours! Our daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, niece. We are thrilled! We are thankful and grateful for all the love and support we have received over the years and especially since we found Melissa. </p> <p>“Our family is whole and we look forward to the time we will be able to spend as a family of 7!”</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Neighbours icons reunite

<p>Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan are planning a small-screen reunion.</p> <p>The Neighbours icons are reuniting for a special episode of the hit BBC sitcom <em>Ghosts</em> as part of this year’s comic relief fundraiser.</p> <p>It’s been 37 years since the pair first starred as Charlene and Scott on Neighbours, and they will take on new roles in the one-off special of <em>Ghosts</em>.</p> <p>Kylie and Jason, who were previously romantically involved, have already shot the episode, according to The Sun, with the show set to air on Friday, March 17.</p> <p>The episode of <em>Ghosts</em>, which portrays a group of spirits haunting a country house, will reportedly include nods to their pop career, including their 1988 duet <em>Especially For You</em>.</p> <p>A TV insider told<em> The Sun</em>, “Getting Kylie and Jason back together is a real coup, and the results are hilarious.”</p> <p>“The episode is really tongue in cheek and they crack gags about their history and music.</p> <p>“It was all kept hush-hush on set to keep the secret that they were both reuniting for the show.”</p> <p>The pair also appeared on screen together in 2022 in what was thought to be the end of an era, the final episode of <em>Neighbours</em>.</p> <p>Jason and Kylie appeared in a brief cameo in the last episode of the soap, which has since been renewed for a new run starting 2023.</p> <p>Kylie parted ways with <em>Neighbours</em> in June 1988, having become the first person to win four Logie Awards in one year and the youngest ever recipient of a Gold Logie.</p> <p>She furthered her career and became a pop sensation, selling more than 80 million albums worldwide.</p> <p>Jason left Neighbours in 1989 and, like Kylie, pursued a pop career. Although he wasn’t as successful as his on-screen love, he had a string of hits, including <em>Too Many Broken Hearts </em>and <em>Sealed With A Kiss</em>.</p> <p>The two stars dated from 1986 to 1989.</p> <p>They were so popular at the time that they recorded the Christmas Number 1 single Especially For You.</p> <p>In 2016, Jason told Mirror, “It was an extremely painful parting of the ways and, without a doubt, I took a long time to recover from it. Years, definitely.”</p> <p>Kylie then went on to date the late INXS frontman, Michael Hutchence. She is now romantically involved with British CQ’s Creative Director Paul Solomons, and Jason is married to Angela Malloch.</p> <p>Comic Relief airs on BBC on March 17.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

TV

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“An incredible moment”: Sisters share how they found each after 17-year search

<p dir="ltr">Two sisters who were separated after they were given up for adoption have opened up about their emotional reunion more than 25 years later and the 17-year search they went through to find each other.</p> <p dir="ltr">Laurinda and Ashleigh were born in the Dominican Republic and given up for adoption when they were just two and six weeks respectively.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though Laurinda knew she had a younger sister, Ashleigh wasn’t as sure but knew that her mother had given birth to her at a young age and assumed she had more siblings she hadn’t met yet.</p> <p dir="ltr">Appearing on the podcast, <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/family-friends/i-think-youre-my-sister-siblings-find-each-other-after-25year-separation/news-story/a02923ba902801a135f5ab4cc919c41d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">I’ve Got News For You</a></em>, Ashleigh recalled how she finally had success in her quest to find blood relatives where online photo books and adoption websites turned up nothing when she came across the genealogy website MyHeritage.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was doing my adopted family tree and I noticed that [MyHeritage] were doing a pro bono program called DNA Quest and they basically were sending out about 15 to 20,000 free DNA kits to help adoptees reconnect with their family members that they were looking for,” she told podcast host Andrew Bucklow.</p> <p dir="ltr">After submitting her story to the platform in return for a free MyHeritage DNA kit, Ashleigh found a genetic match: Laurinda. </p> <p dir="ltr">She then reached out to her mystery match via email.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Hi, my name is Ashleigh, I got a match from you on MyHeritage and according to it, you may be my aunt or my sister. I was adopted at the age of six weeks old from the Dominican Republic. This is my mother’s name. Could you please get back to me with any information and I look forward to hearing from you,” her email read.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-da64c428-7fff-ee45-d465-0882c058b6db"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Laurinda, who was living six hours away from her sister, received the life-changing email notification while on her lunch break.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/08/laurinda-ashleigh1.jpg" alt="Ashleigh (left) and Laurinda (right) with their adoptive parents. Images: MyHeritage" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Ashleigh (left) and Laurinda (right) with their adoptive parents. Images: MyHeritage</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Having spent 17 years looking for Ashleigh, Laurinda had “fallen off the wagon” in recent years.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I replied [to the email] right away, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, you know, I think you’re my sister.’ It was an absolutely unbelievable thing. You know, I ran into work yelling, ‘my sister, my sister’, and it was an incredible moment,” Laurinda said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair then spoke over the phone before meeting for the first time two weeks later.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was wild. We were planning on recording it but … [as] we pulled up to the driveway, Ashleigh must have sprinted down from the apartment,” Laurinda said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Before I knew it, she was pulling the door open and, you know, we just embraced each other hugging and crying. It was just the most surreal, beautiful thing that I could have ever hoped for.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ashleigh added: “I just bolted out of my building … I just ran out there and gave her the biggest hug and we just stood there for like 10 minutes [but] it seemed like forever.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The sisters discovered that they also have three brothers, including one who died before either could meet him, as well as a grandmother, another sister, and a half-brother.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though their biological mum died six months before the sisters’ reunion, Laurinda was fortunate enough to have met her and shared the photos they took together with Ashleigh.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You know, I kind of get to live vicariously through [Laurinda] and she said [mum] always told her that she would give up her life to find me and you know, we think she probably did,” Ashleigh said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Laurinda also introduced her sister to their biological dad virtually, but he passed away before Ashleigh could meet him in person.</p> <p dir="ltr">Now feeling as if they have “known each other” forever, Ashleigh said the goal for the two sisters is to reunite the rest of their siblings.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I haven’t had a chance to go and meet the rest of [the family] yet … but hopefully, hopefully, someday soon, we’ll get that cash together, and we’ll be able to go down and meet everybody and have everyone together again,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Laurinda also shared that she had found out that her adoptive parents had the opportunity to also adopt Ashleigh but chose not to. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Since they had already adopted me, they kind of had first pick to be able to adopt [Ashleigh] since we were full siblings,” Laurinda said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But at the time I was two years old, I’m sure very much of a handful, so unfortunately my parents didn’t take up that opportunity to be able to adopt her as well.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She said she was “a little bit upset” when she found that out from her parents at 15, but admitted it motivated her to find her sister.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s absolutely no resentment in any way, you know, everything happens for a reason,” Laurinda said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We’re just honestly blessed to be able to have this opportunity to connect with each other and find each other after all these years.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-03a090d0-7fff-11a2-2403-f2f4fa0c5a6a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Supplied</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Touching reunion for Bruce Willis after serious diagnosis

<p>Bruce Willis has revisited the site of one of his most famous films.</p> <p>The actor's wife, Emma Heming Willis, posted a video on her Instagram account recently that showed her husband visiting Fox Plaza in Los Angeles, which was the setting for Nakatomi Plaza in his now iconic film Die Hard.</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/CgDlsmAj4Wv/?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/CgDlsmAj4Wv/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Emma Heming Willis (@emmahemingwillis)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"Nakatomi Plaza 34 years later #happymovieanniversary #diehard @20thcenturystudios," she wrote in the comments. The video is particularly significant considering that Willis' family announced the star would be "stepping away" from acting due to being diagnosed with aphasia, which is affecting his cognitive abilities.</p> <p>Aphasia is a rare language disorder that's caused by brain damage and affects communication ability.</p> <p>Heming Willis' comments were flooded with support, which showed Willis looking over Fox Plaza and included iconic snippets from the film. "My favourite movie! I love him! Happy 34 years! ❤️👏👏👏👏👏," someone wrote. Since Willis' diagnosis was revealed, Heming Willis has shared updates about his life, as well as footage and highlights from his career.</p> <p>The diagnosis has been difficult for Emma Heming Willis, who revealed Willis' battle with the rare disorder has taken a "toll" on her mental health.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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Kochie takes three weeks off for very sweet reason

<p dir="ltr">David ‘Kochie’ Koch has announced he will be taking a break from TV for three weeks to spend time with his family for a very special occasion.</p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>Sunrise </em>star revealed he would be taking the time off for his daughter Georgina’s wedding in London.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Georgie is getting married, the last of four, so it’s going to be good,” Kochie said, adding that he would be staying with the parents of his future son-in-law while in the UK.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’ll all sharing a house with he and his parents before the wedding and we’ve never met,” he added.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-93308005-7fff-ba31-1acf-25a329eb8188"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“It’ll either be <em>Father of the Bride</em> or <em>Nightmare on Elm Street</em>. It will be a bit of fun.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wishing all the best to <a href="https://twitter.com/kochie_online?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kochie_Online</a> who is taking some time off to travel to London for his youngest daughter's wedding 💛 <a href="https://t.co/1vO8iahVI9">pic.twitter.com/1vO8iahVI9</a></p> <p>— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) <a href="https://twitter.com/sunriseon7/status/1539882978549317632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">His family-focused break comes after Kochie had another disappearance from screens, this time for a less enjoyable reason.</p> <p dir="ltr">The father-of-four vanished during the ad break of a May episode, with co-host Natalie Barr telling viewers he was suffering from a bad case of laryngitis.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You may notice something slightly different,” she said after the break.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Kochie came in [and] he bravely fought for about 25 minutes.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He had laryngitis yesterday and apparently he’s still got it. He couldn’t really speak.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7d999ed8-7fff-0813-09b0-55ad0c154ac9"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">His latest break promises to be a much more enjoyable reunion, which comes several months after Georgie flew to Sydney for a five-week trip over Christmas.</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/p/CYTdgPhLCaY/?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/p/CYTdgPhLCaY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Georgie Koch (@georgie_koch)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Oh Sydney, not the trip home I expected, but the one I’m glad I had,” Georgie wrote of her trip home on Instagram, along with snaps of friends, her parents Kochie and Libby, and her weeks-old nieces. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Five weeks can’t make up for two years, but I gave it a good crack and I’m leaving with a full heart, a decent tan and an exploding suitcase. Miss you already.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-acce9c14-7fff-324e-897a-c90af834a75f"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @sunriseon7 (Twitter)</em></p>

Family & Pets

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“A night of magic and music”: Julie Andrews enjoys touching ‘Sound of Music’ reunion

<p dir="ltr">Dame Julie Andrews has been awarded one of Hollywood's highest honours - bestowed on one person each year - and had a heart-warming reunion all in the same night.</p> <p dir="ltr">When the acclaimed actress received the American Film Institute's lifetime achievement award in Los Angeles on Thursday, she was surprised with a sweet rendition of 'Do Re Mi' from five of the stars who played the Von Trapp children in <em>The Sound of Music</em>.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-4c0365a4-7fff-eb66-55da-638e9fb1020f"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Andrews went on to join Duane Chase (Kurt), Kym Karath (Gretl), Angela Cartwright (Brigitta), Debbie Turner (Marta), and Nicholas Hammond (Friedrich) in their performance which marked the first time the cast had performed together in over six decades.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Julie Andrews is surprised by her kids from THE SOUND OF MUSIC and joins them in a sing-a-long of ‘Do-Re-Mi’ to kick off the AFI Life Achievement Award presentation to her — what a beautiful moment! <a href="https://t.co/TZYT7UNPhr">pic.twitter.com/TZYT7UNPhr</a></p> <p>— Scott Feinberg (@ScottFeinberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottFeinberg/status/1535106725946093568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Only Charmian Carr, who played eldest sister Liesel and passed away in 2016, and Heather Menzies-Urich, who played Louisa and died in 2017, were missing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Prior to receiving her award, Andrews said she was “gobsmacked” to find her career was being honoured in such a way.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I didn’t know or think that it would ever come,” she said on the red carpet.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But it’s just as well, because you can’t go around expecting awards and things like that.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ca10a206-7fff-1b50-f412-1247ae730fed"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Fans took to social media to share their delight at Andrews’ award and reunion with her castmates, prompting Karath to share an update on what happened after.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Signing our SOM Family Scrapbooks together today, and talking about how magical Julie’s AFI Tribute was last night! <a href="https://twitter.com/thesom7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thesom7</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DebbieTurnerDTO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DebbieTurnerDTO</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/acstudio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@acstudio</a> <a href="https://t.co/memxYDOR5V">pic.twitter.com/memxYDOR5V</a></p> <p>— Kym Karath (@KymKarath) <a href="https://twitter.com/KymKarath/status/1535362904928575488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Signing our SOM Family Scrapbooks together today, and talking about how magical Julie’s AFI Tribute was last night!” she commented on a video from the performance, sharing a behind-the-scenes look of the five Von Trapps.</p> <p dir="ltr">All five, along with Andrews, also posed for a formal portrait and shared it on social media.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So much fun last night at the 48th AFI Life Achievement Award honouring Julie Andrews,” Cartwright captioned the photo on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CepYeBdFTtc/?igshid=YTgzYjQ4ZTY%3D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was great being with my ‘Sound of Music’ siblings once again. A night of magic and music.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-e6277b9a-7fff-3527-d2e4-ec84f8e524f8"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @angelacartwrightstudio (Instagram)</em></p>

Music

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Another Neighbours alum to return for final episode

<p dir="ltr">Former <em>Neighbours </em>star Guy Pearce is coming home to Ramsay Street one more time for the show's grand finale.</p> <p dir="ltr">Pearce, who has gone on to star in <em>Memento</em>, <em>LA Confidential</em> and <em>The King's Speech</em> among other big titles, has returned to film the end to the shows 37-year run, with the final episode airing on August 1.</p> <p dir="ltr">The actor isn’t the only big-name star to return for the finale, with alums Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan both reprising their roles.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-3ddd5b5f-7fff-9a31-5a77-48e266e83244">Speaking to London newspaper <em>Metro</em>, Pearce described his return to <em>Neighbours </em>as “very exciting and surreal”, and that it “feels like coming home”.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">What better way to start your weekend than with this?! </p> <p>Mike Young is back on his old stomping ground, Ramsay Street! 🔥 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Neighbours?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Neighbours</a> <a href="https://t.co/PK50CInGPr">pic.twitter.com/PK50CInGPr</a></p> <p>— Neighbours (@neighbours) <a href="https://twitter.com/neighbours/status/1532829478967050240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“It’s where it all started for me professionally. I’ve been asked to come back on occasions over the years and wondered whether it was the right thing to do, but once I knew the show was finishing, I knew I had to do it,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“While I’ve caught up with many of the cast I worked with on the show over the years, there is nothing like being here all together again.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Pearce has already been taking to social media to share sweet behind-the-scenes moments with the rest of the cast, saying it was “so lovely” to be reunited.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-dbcc7453-7fff-cadc-72bd-49c1c66b72d9"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Another delightful day on set with beautiful old friends … (and a pretty swish new bike!),” he captioned one post.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Another delightful day on set with beautiful old friends.....(and a pretty swish new bike!) <a href="https://t.co/x6sosGEZeD">pic.twitter.com/x6sosGEZeD</a></p> <p>— Guy Pearce (@TheGuyPearce) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheGuyPearce/status/1533785389726461952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Jason Herbison, the soap’s executive producer, told the newspaper Pearce’s return to set was “poignant” for everyone involved.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b3c1adb2-7fff-e060-7f5e-6f31e1ba80cf"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m incredibly honoured that Guy is returning to the show for a very special story arc,” Herbison continued. “Having him back on set has been poignant for him and for us. He’s been very involved in the storyline, and I can’t wait to finally answer the question for viewers - who is Mike Young today?”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">So lovely to be back with the gang! And to get to work with my lovely friend Henrietta Graham too. <a href="https://twitter.com/NeighboursTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NeighboursTV</a> <a href="https://t.co/XlXSbXBA4P">pic.twitter.com/XlXSbXBA4P</a></p> <p>— Guy Pearce (@TheGuyPearce) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheGuyPearce/status/1532866692270895106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Herbison, who wrote the final episode, told <em>Digital Spy</em> that it won’t be obvious to everyone.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I feel very privileged to write the final episodes and bring our beloved Neighbours to an end. I always had a vision of how I would close the show and I have stuck to that vision, so I hope the viewers enjoy it,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The magnitude of the moment is not lost on me and everyone is coming together behind the scenes to make the ending as befitting as possible,” he added, hinting that more surprises were in store.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m pleased to say that I haven’t seen anyone guess what happens yet - though the final scene would be hard to guess!”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b2101cef-7fff-f6ec-aebb-42303fce5e4c"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @neighbours (Twitter)</em></p>

TV

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Lilibet and Queen Elizabeth II to meet for first time

<p dir="ltr">Queen Elizabeth II is expected to meet her great-granddaughter Lilibet for the very first time at her upcoming Platinum Jubilee celebrations.</p> <p dir="ltr">Lilibet, whose name is a nickname of the monarch’s, will be travelling to the UK with her brother Archie, and their parents Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, per <em><a href="https://honey.nine.com.au/royals/prince-harry-meghan-markle-daughter-lilibet-could-meet-queen-elizabeth-first-birthday-platinum-jubilee/b42887c7-db1c-4188-b874-55e0949c25aa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9Honey</a></em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">The visit will be the first time the couple will reunite with the royal family - aside from the Queen and Prince Charles - since they stepped down from their senior roles in 2020, having met the monarch and future king during a secret visit last month.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though it’s still unclear which events the couple will attend, it’s expected they will appear at a few across the Jubilee holiday.</p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, the Queen herself will only confirm her attendance at several events on the day of or a few hours prior, though she is expected to be at Trooping the Colour at Buckingham Palace.</p> <p dir="ltr">Harry and Meghan will also be joining Prince Andrew in not standing on the balcony at Buckingham Palace since they are no longer working royals.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Sussexes, who will be reuniting with the Queen at Friday’s Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s, are believed to be staying at Frogmore Cottage while in the UK, with Princess Eugenie and her family believed to be living there at the moment.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a89759bf-7fff-8a01-c856-8bd0e8d1f929"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Alexi Lubomirski/Duke and Duchess of Sussex</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Mrs Doubtfire actors 30 years on

<p dir="ltr">The actors who played the children in <em>Mrs Doubtfire</em> have reunited in honour of the movie’s release almost 30 years ago. </p> <p dir="ltr">Lisa Jakub who played the older sister Lydia, Matthew Lawrence who played Chris the middle child, and Mara Wilson who played Natalie posed for a photo at their heartwarming get together. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Siblings” Lisa captioned the photo of her on-screen family, along with a heart emoji, while Mara captioned hers “Hilliard Family reunion”. </p> <p dir="ltr">Since the movie’s release, the actors have gone on to do their own thing, with only Matthew sticking to acting.</p> <p dir="ltr">Lisa, 43, quit acting at 22 and married Hollywood theatre manager Jeremy Jones in 2005.</p> <p dir="ltr">She currently works as a yoga teacher, speaker and writer. She wrote an autobiography called <em>You Look Like That Girl</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">Last year, she launched <em>Blue Mala</em>, a wellness website to help those in need. </p> <p dir="ltr">Matthew, 42, continues to act and regularly appears in his siblings’ TV shows. </p> <p dir="ltr">Mara, 34, also well known for her role in Matilda, quit acting after tragically losing her mother. </p> <p dir="ltr">She did however, recently star in TV series <em>BoJack Horseman</em> as the recurring black widow NYC playwright "Jill Pill" Philipowicz, and has also released her own book, <em>Where Am I Now?</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Movies

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Princess Charlene finally comes home

<p dir="ltr">Princess Charlene has finally been able to reunite with her family in Monaco after an unknown illness saw her withdraw from the public eye.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 44-year-old has been plagued by poor health for almost a year - with the majority spent separated from her family - and an official statement from the palace has confirmed she has reunited with her husband, Prince Albert, and two children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-3387a191-7fff-103a-d970-453ee51c9858"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“As a result of Princess Charlene’s encouraging recovery and her doctor’s approval, their Serene Highnesses are delighted to announce that the Princess will now continue her convalescence in the principality, with her husband and children by her side,” the statement <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals/major-development-in-princess-charlenes-mystery-health-battle/news-story/63cefad41948b8efacbeee321a464355" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read</a>.</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/p/CWBjB1EMrWP/?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> <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/p/CWBjB1EMrWP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by HSH Princess Charlene (@hshprincesscharlene)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Consequently, Princess Charlene has already returned to Monaco where she has been happily reunited with her family and loved ones. The next few weeks should allow for Princess Charlene to further strengthen her health before gradually resuming her official duties and commitments.” </p> <p dir="ltr">The palace said Charlene still needed to recover before she could spend time with the people of Monaco, but that she “looks forward” to doing so.</p> <p dir="ltr">The statement also read that the couple asked for privacy for their family in order for the Princess to fully recover.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-36a88be0-7fff-3c6f-5cf1-10298fc2cf0b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Charlene was temporarily reunited with her family when <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/princess-charlene-of-monaco-reunites-with-family" target="_blank" rel="noopener">they visited her</a> in August last year, after an ear, nose and throat infection saw her undergo multiple surgeries in her native South Africa and remain there for ten months.</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/p/CS_VuctjIN1/?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> <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/p/CS_VuctjIN1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by HSH Princess Charlene (@hshprincesscharlene)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">She briefly returned to Monaco in November before taking a temporary break from royal duties and reportedly <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/we-miss-you-princess-charlene-s-children-share-heartbreaking-message" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seeking medical care</a> in a Swiss clinic.</p> <p dir="ltr">In January, the palace issued a statement saying the Princess had received and was recovering from dental treatment over “several weeks”, meaning she would miss the annual celebration of Saint Dévote Day.</p> <p dir="ltr">“With her husband H.S.H. Prince Albert II, she shares her heart with all Monegasques and residents on the occasion of these celebrations,” the statement, translated from French by <em><a href="https://people.com/royals/monaco-palace-shares-update-on-princess-charlenes-health-as-her-recovery-continues/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PEOPLE</a></em>, reads.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As soon as her health will allow, it will be with joy that the Princess once again shares moments of conviviality with them.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-443a4383-7fff-5e85-ca3e-55500e4e1932"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @hshprincesscharlene</em></p>

Caring

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First look at the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary reunion

<p>As 2021 marks 20 years since <em>Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone</em> hit the big screen, the cast of the iconic franchise are set to reunite in a special anniversary reunion. </p> <p><em><span>Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts </span></em><span>will see the star-studded cast reminisce about the years they brought the wizarding world to life, and the everlasting impact the franchise has had on fans around the world. </span></p> <p><span>The special will bring cast such as Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton and many more back to Hogwarts for the first time since 2011, when the final film in the franchise was released. </span></p> <p><span>Notably missing from the line-up is Harry Potter writer J.K Rowling, who was not invited to the reunion due to </span>recent transphobic comments. </p> <p>In June 2020, <span>Rowling tweeted an article with the title, "Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate".</span></p> <p><span>Finding issue with the opinion </span>piece, Rowling added, <span>"'People who menstruate.' I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"</span></p> <p>The transphobic comments prompted the star cast of the Harry Potter movies to come out against her stance, with Emma Watson writing, <span>"Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren't who they say they are." </span></p> <p><span>"I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are."</span></p> <p><em><span>Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts</span></em><span> is set to air in Australia on New Year's Day, January 1, 2022, on the Binge streaming service.</span></p> <p><span>Check out the teaser trailer below. </span></p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X2RzASP6cbA" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Warner Bros - HBO Max</em></p>

TV

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Should I take a gift? As borders open, how to prepare for reuniting with your grandkids

<p>As border restrictions lift, family reunions are being planned around Australia. This is an exciting but also uncertain time, particularly for grandparents who have been separated from grandchildren.</p> <p>Over the past months (and in some cases, years), grandchildren will have grown and changed. They may have new interests, routines and skills. You may even have the <a rel="noopener" href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1474704919875948" target="_blank">transformative experience</a> of meeting a new grandchild for the very first time.</p> <p>With older grandchildren, <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/grandparent-grandchildren-video-calls-are-vital-during-covid-19-here-are-simple-ways-to-improve-them-141534" target="_blank">digital technologies</a> may have kept you in contact and up-to-date. But with younger grandchildren, this is harder, and it may be time to rekindle relationships.</p> <p>We are researchers investigating the roles grandparents play and the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/21582041.2018.1433317" target="_blank">influence</a> this has on families and communities. So, how can grandparents make the most of this time?</p> <p><strong>The special role of grandparents</strong></p> <p>Due to increased lifespans, grandparents have more time and ability to invest in their grandchildren than <a rel="noopener" href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0963721411403269" target="_blank">ever before</a> in human history.</p> <p>The grandparent-grandchild relationship can be a very special one. A grandparent’s involvement in a child’s life, whether through shared actives or a listening ear, is <a rel="noopener" href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1099-0860.2009.00215.x" target="_blank">linked</a> to the child’s well-being.</p> <p><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/429276/original/file-20211029-23-1y65rbj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="Grandparents hug a baby." /> <em><span class="caption">Researchers are finding increasing evidence of the importance of grandparent-grandchild relationships.</span> Image: S<span class="attribution"><span class="source">hutterstock</span></span></em></p> <p>The benefits depend on your family situation, but can include improved psychological adjustment for <a rel="noopener" href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1728-4457.2011.00379.x" target="_blank">grandchildren</a>, increased <a rel="noopener" href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S004727941700071X" target="_blank">workforce participation</a> for mothers, and a longer and happier life for <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090513816300721" target="_blank">grandparents</a>.</p> <p><strong>The importance of asking questions</strong></p> <p>When preparing to see your grandchildren again, our first suggestion is to ask your grandchild’s parents what they think is a good idea for your first catch-up. What does your grandchild enjoy doing at the moment? What is their daily routine? Is there anything to avoid?</p> <p>If you are meeting a grandchild for the very first time, bear in mind the parents have gone through huge changes since you last met. As with older children, ask the parents what will suit them in terms of visit type and time.</p> <p>Be <a rel="noopener" href="https://raisingchildren.net.au/grown-ups/grandparents/family-relationships/being-a-grandparent" target="_blank">open and honest</a> about what support you think you can provide, and be aware the parents needs may change (they may want more or less help than they anticipated).</p> <p>When it comes to discussing the changes a new baby has brought, grandparents are trying to juggle in their mind the thrill of participating in their grandchild’s life, without disrupting or overstepping parents’ boundaries. From our yet to be published research, we understand this is not a simple matter for many families, but starting the conversation is important in maintaining these valuable relationships.</p> <p><strong>Persistent, not pushy</strong></p> <p>Your grandchildren may be feeling shy when you first meet. So even though this may have been a longed-for reunion, you may need to tread carefully.</p> <p>This is perfectly normal and can be overwhelming for everyone. Just take your time, and let them get to know you again. Your first instinct will be to catch up on the thousands of lost hugs, but it may work better stay close by and let them come to you.</p> <p><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428728/original/file-20211027-27-42qfit.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="Grandparents playing with grandkids." /> <em><span class="caption">With young children, you don’t have to plan something fancy for your first catch-up. Image: S</span><span class="attribution"><span class="source">hutterstock</span></span></em></p> <p>The good news for grandparents is that several research projects have shown what grandchildren <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.hoepflinger.com/fhtop/Grandchildren.pdf" target="_blank">really want</a> is simply for grandparents to be “there when needed”.</p> <p>So just “being there” – interested and available – for your first visit is perfectly fine. This helps reduce expectations of what you feel you need to do.</p> <p><strong>Gifts</strong></p> <p>Your first inclination may be to bring something exciting to play with together. But on top of seeing each other again, rushing in with a new treat might be too much. You will need to read the room.</p> <p>Consider taking something small, or maybe you can keep something in the car and bring it out once everyone has warmed up.</p> <p><strong>Parallel play</strong></p> <p>Play is obviously central to children’s learning and experience. Early in life, however, this may mean playing alone, which may be confusing for some of us.</p> <p>A good way to work with this while rekindling your relationship is parallel play, particularly if a child is aged between two and five. Parallel play involves playing next to your grandchild and letting them come to you when they are ready.</p> <p>This is one way you might need to put the patience and persistence we discussed earlier into practice.</p> <p><strong>Let grandchildren lead (within reason)</strong></p> <p>In the same vein, don’t feel as though you need to take the lead when working out what to do with your grandchild, either. Or that your idea for reading a certain book or doing a particular puzzle is the one your grandchild will go with.</p> <p><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428727/original/file-20211027-15-34v14w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="Grandparents push a grandchild on a swing." /> <em><span class="caption">Seeing your grandchild again could be as simple as a walk to the park. Image: S</span><span class="attribution"><span class="source">hutterstock</span></span></em></p> <p>Often, seemingly simple activities like a walk to a park are the most rewarding. Here your grandchild has the opportunity to show you about their world and what they like to do on their terms. It is also a good way to see how your grandchild has grown and developed.</p> <p>We want to show our unconditional affection and love for our grandchildren, <a rel="noopener" href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0038026120916104" target="_blank">this feels natural</a>, and we know it can be so valuable.</p> <p>But in the the early stages of getting to know each other again, don’t put pressure on you or them. Being available, interested, curious and patient is enough.</p> <p><em>Rebecca Bullingham, a masters student in medical and health science at Edith Cowan University, contributed to this article.</em><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/169731/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/david-coall-408193" target="_blank">David Coall</a>, Senior Lecturer, <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720" target="_blank">Edith Cowan University</a> and <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/shantha-karthigesu-1284704" target="_blank">Shantha Karthigesu</a>, Teaching and Research Scholar, <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720" target="_blank">Edith Cowan University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/should-i-take-a-gift-as-borders-open-how-to-prepare-for-reuniting-with-your-grandkids-169731" target="_blank">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Relationships

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New images of Cleo Smith revealed

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Footage from the moment <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/my-name-is-cleo-missing-cleo-smith-found-alive-and-well" target="_blank">Cleo Smith was rescued</a> by WA police officers has been released, after they kicked down a door to find her.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The officer who went through the door and asked the little girl for her name described the moment as one he would never forget.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845310/cleo-found1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2e87a5c251fb46ba9aa1af6767c59b7d" /></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @WA_police / Twitter</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though Detective Sergeant Blaine knew he had found Cleo, he wanted confirmation from the child he found sitting on a bed in the backroom of a Carnarvon house.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“To see her sitting there, was incredible,” he </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/cleo-smith-police-return-to-campsite-where-abduction-happened/news-story/030b06c4c834151c6163cfd2c3e29909?utm_source=DailyTelegraph&amp;utm_medium=Email&amp;utm_campaign=Editorial&amp;utm_content=DT_PREM-AM_CUR_02&amp;net_sub_id=325889887&amp;type=free_text_block&amp;position=1&amp;overallPos=4" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I asked her what her name was as one of the guys jumped in front of me and picked her up.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I just wanted to be absolutely sure. It certainly looked like Cleo, I wanted to be sure and I asked her ‘what’s your name?’ and she didn’t answer and I said ‘what’s your name?’, she didn’t answer again so I asked a third time and she looked at me and said ‘my name is Cleo’.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“And that was it, we turned around and walked out of that house.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the footage, Sergeant Blaine can be heard introducing himself to Cleo while another officer holds her.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845311/cleo-found2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5f3e3b9c7366454991881b5bd5191426" /></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @WA_police / Twitter</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My name’s Cameron, how are you? We’re going to take you to see your mummy and daddy, OK? Is that good?”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cleo then nods her head to both questions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sergeant Blaine said going on to make the call to Cleo’s parents was “a wonderful feeling”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You can imagine just absolute surprise and they were absolutely ecstatic,” he said. “Things developed so quickly we didn’t really have time to prepare them and certainly didn’t want to give them any false expectations about what might happen, we didn’t know ourselves.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cleo’s parents were told their little girl was physically fine and that they could meet while Cleo was being checked over at the local hospital.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">The moment Cleo was rescued 👏 <a href="https://t.co/arusYi9kCa">pic.twitter.com/arusYi9kCa</a></p> — WA Police Force (@WA_Police) <a href="https://twitter.com/WA_Police/status/1455784205548359682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Upon seeing her parents, Cleo screamed “mummy” and the family shared hugs, kisses, and tears.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sergeant Blaine also said that Cleo was “very trusting and open” with officers as they talked to her and took evidence.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I have to say having seen her a couple of times this morning she’s a little Energiser Bunny and how she has that much energy, I wish I did I’m just about ready to go to sleep but she is very sweet, energetic girl, very trusting and open with us, we all wanted to take turns holding her,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The man who was taken into custody at the scene has been “assisting police” with their inquiries, according to Police Commissioner Chris Dawson.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">The miracle we all hoped for. ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/zOd5WDTA1A">pic.twitter.com/zOd5WDTA1A</a></p> — WA Police Force (@WA_Police) <a href="https://twitter.com/WA_Police/status/1455761708262199308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He said the reunion of Cleo with her parents was “a thrilling and proud moment”, and it was “an outcome you hope for”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He gave full credit to the team of police officers and intelligence analysts who pored over “thousands and thousands” of pieces of information.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @WA_police / Twitter</span></em></p>

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“It’s emotional”: Edwina Bartholomew fights tears as Aussies return home

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With international borders reopened in Melbourne and Sydney, </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sunrise</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">’s Edwina Bartholomew was affected by the emotional scenes of families reuniting.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sixteen flights touched down on Monday as the border reopened for the first time since March 2020.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sunrise</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> host, who watched the reunion of families from the show’s studio, one man’s story was hard to talk about.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the first passengers to land in Australia told the show he can finally see his mother who has been in permanent care for the last two years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m really scared and emotional because I really want to see my mum,” he </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/sunrise/on-the-show/sunrises-edwina-bartholomew-fights-back-tears-over-touching-sydney-airport-scenes-c-4383461" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">told <em>Sunrise</em></span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> at Sydney Airport.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845231/sunrise1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/22d2de61762845239d2d84e822d2a817" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Sunrise</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The doctors said she hasn’t got long and I’m going to do whatever I can today to see her.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“She’s been in permanent care for a few years and it’s been so long since I’ve seen her and I love her heaps and I just want to get back there.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, the man still has to find a way to enter Western Australia, where his mum lives.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He called on WA Premier Mark McGowan to ease current border restrictions to “bring families together again”, with visitors from NSW and Victoria currently deemed as extreme risks.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We respect that you’re trying to be safe but everyone needs to be together,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Back in the studio, Bartholomew became emotional and shared her own experience having family remain overseas.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845232/sunrise2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a8068501d8a248fcacccd02915763c01" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Sunrise</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s lovely to see so many people coming home finally,” she said, while holding back tears.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My sister is overseas too, it’s emotional.” </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Karen Andrews, the Minister for Home Affairs, addressed the man’s situation on the show and labelled WA’s tight borders as “just nonsense”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My heart went out to that poor man and he is one of many in similar circumstances,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The fact that there are still borders between our states that are not open, so it is really at the point where you can go from Sydney to LA but you can’t go from Tweed Heads to Coolangatta - it’s just nonsense.”</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">A true 'Love Actually' moment 💖<br /><br />Today we welcome the first international arrivals under the new quarantine-free travel arrangements.<br /><br />With the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/internationalborder?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#internationalborder</a> officially open, we can't help but feel emotional as loved ones reunite at the Arrivals Hall.<br /><br />📸 by <a href="https://twitter.com/GettyImages?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GettyImages</a> <a href="https://t.co/WlVFIO1gP5">pic.twitter.com/WlVFIO1gP5</a></p> — Sydney Airport (@SydneyAirport) <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyAirport/status/1454960979368820738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As Sydney Airport welcomed back its first wave of international travellers, many emotional scenes played out in the airport's arrival halls.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Families were tightly embracing holding bouquets and balloons, with many seeing each other for the first time in nearly 600 days.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845233/sunrise3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5c835c9cad094143be0b666ba1547403" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The newly-returned travellers were also greeted with signs welcoming them home by airline staff. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It comes as fully-vaccinated Australians are now able to return home without needing to go through hotel or home quarantine.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Sunrise</span></em></p>

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