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5 ultimate tips before you schedule heating and cooling maintenance in Adelaide

<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Adelaide's climate, a reliable heating and cooling system isn't just a luxury – it's a must-have! Beyond comfort, maintaining these lifesavers at peak efficiency helps you tackle the temperature swings. But how do you ensure they're up to snuff year-round?</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Walk about our </span><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.metropolitanheatingandcooling.com.au/blog/how-often-should-i-schedule-heating-and-cooling-maintenance/"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; -webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maintenance and Routine Services Guide</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. They'll arm you with everything from understanding your unique system, spotting trouble early on, the cleaning nitty-gritty, right to zeroing in on the best time for that crucial maintenance in Adelaide.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now, let’s dive into these handy pointers and get you sorted, shall we?</span></p> <h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 18pt; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-size: 17pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What You Need to Remember</span></h2> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/12/HeatingCooling02.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aside from air conditioner repairs and ducted gas heating repairs, diligently scheduling heating and cooling maintenance in Adelaide is just as important. Whether it's your first time scheduling one or you've done this before, these five tips can surely help you.</span></p> <h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tip #1: Understand Your Air Conditioning System</span></h3> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The kind of air conditioning unit you have can make a big difference to your maintenance schedule. Could be split systems, ducted gas heating systems, or the lot. Most Adelaide homes use evaporative coolers, and servicing these units is quite a different ball game compared to reverse-cycle systems.</span></p> <h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tip #2: Recognise Signs of Trouble</span></h3> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today's air conditioning units are excellent at giving you a heads-up about an upcoming hassle. If it's not putting out enough cool air, or it's not running as it should, it might be time to call someone for those heating and cooling repairs. Nipping these problems in the bud is what you should be aiming for.</span></p> <h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tip #3: Regular Cleaning and Air Filter Changes</span></h3> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keeping your air conditioners' filters clean and changing them regularly is a clever way to keep your air conditioning service in tip-top shape. The air filters, in particular, play a big role in this. Blocked air filters can lead to poor airflow and overworking of the system, which bumps your running costs up the wall.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">However, don't stop at just swapping out the generic filters. Give the other components like the coils and fins in your air conditioner system a good clean as well.</span></p> <h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tip #4: Regular Cooling and Heating System Checks</span></h3> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keeping up with regular air conditioning repair services makes sure your system is always raring to go. Your system needs to be a ripper, ready to go the minute you need it. Maintenance involves cleaning and checking big brands like Mitsubishi Electric, making sure any faults are out of the picture.</span></p> <h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tip #5: Knuckling Down the Right Time for Check-up</span></h3> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The best time to schedule air conditioning services or ducted gas, heating, and cooling systems repairs is before peak use - early autumn for heating systems and early spring for your cooling systems. This way, you're sorted with a climate-controlled environment just when you need it.</span></p> <h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 18pt; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-size: 17pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Importance of Scheduling Heating and Cooling Maintenance</span></h2> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/12/HeatingCooling03.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have our busy days, and there are times when scheduling maintenance for our heating and cooling unit is the last thing on our list. However, there are plenty of reasons why sticking to heating and cooling maintenance like glue is so important:</span></p> <h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It Keeps Your Systems Efficient</span></h3> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Routine maintenance keeps your system running efficiently. A well-maintained unit uses less energy to run and is therefore less likely to punch a hole in your wallet when the energy bill shows up.</span></p> <h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It Helps Prevent Breakdowns</span></h3> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Regular maintenance can spot potential problems and get them sorted before you're left stuck without climate control on a stinking hot day or a freezing cold night. It's a lot cheaper and less hassle to prevent problems than to fix them once they've happened.</span></p> <h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It Prolongs the Life of Your Unit</span></h3> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Frequent maintenance can extend the lifespan of your heating and cooling system. Like a meticulously serviced engine, it promises to function efficiently for a long haul.</span></p> <h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It Keeps You in Warranty</span></h3> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A lot of manufacturers require regular maintenance to keep the warranty valid. You'd want to avoid voiding your warranty for lack of looking after your investment well.</span></p> <h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 18pt; margin-bottom: 4pt;"><span style="font-size: 17pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Choosing the Right Professionals</span></h2> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/12/HeatingCooling04.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When it comes to air conditioning installation, repairs, and maintenance, make sure you're seeking out the right professionals. Some folks might be game for a bash at DIY, but trust us, most air conditioning repairs need the know-how of a trained pro.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whether it's regular </span><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.metropolitanheatingandcooling.com.au/locations/sa/heating-cooling-adelaide/"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; -webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">heating and cooling installation in Adelaide</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, system updates, or tweaks for maximum efficiency, the role of the professionals is crucial. They ensure vital parts, such as your air conditioning unit, are installed well, functioning properly, and maintained to provide <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/5-reasons-to-check-on-your-elderly-neighbour-during-a-heatwave" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cool air in summers</a> and warm air in winters. That's precisely why heating and cooling installations in Adelaide should only be carried out by seasoned pros.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Adelaide, you're in luck with professional, reliable air conditioning services. Keep an eye out for fully trained and licensed heating and cooling technicians who are accredited to work on big brands.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Look after your system well, and you'll be cool in the summer and cosy in the winter. Keep cool, Adelaide!</span></p> <p><em><span id="docs-internal-guid-f55474ea-7fff-8d26-6743-0e1ae38713e8">Images: Supplied.</span></em></p> <p><em><span id="docs-internal-guid-f55474ea-7fff-8d26-6743-0e1ae38713e8">This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with Metropolitan Heating and Cooling.</span></em></p>

Home & Garden

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Follow this cleaning schedule to keep your home spotless

<p>Whether you’re a neat freak or the type of person who only tidies up before major holidays (or fall somewhere in between), you can stay on track by following a cleaning schedule. Our cleaning checklist, which includes a timeline for the kitchen and the bathroom, tells you what to address and when, so nothing gets so dirty that it takes hours to clean or is left beyond repair.</p> <p>“If you put in even 20 minutes of effort a day, you’ll keep chaos at bay,” says Vera Peterson, president of housecleaning company Molly Maid.</p> <p><strong>Before you start cleaning</strong></p> <p>Step 1. Gather your cleaning supplies.</p> <p>Peterson recommends creating two to three cleaning caddies, each of which has been specially created for a specific area of the house (bathroom, kitchen, bedrooms, etc.) and includes everything you need to get straight to work.</p> <p>Step 2. Move clutter out of the way.</p> <p>Overall, the less stuff you have, the less stuff you must put away, dust, clean and maintain. Stack papers and books in neat piles, and group like items on a shelf or in a corner.</p> <p>Step 3. Group chores by task when monthly or deep cleaning.</p> <p>When you’re doing a whole-house monthly or deep cleaning, it can be faster to group similar chores, such as cleaning mirrors or vacuuming, than go room by room. With the tools already in hand, you’ll be able to finish them up in no time.</p> <p><strong>Daily cleaning schedule </strong></p> <p>Your daily cleaning schedule focuses on tasks you need to do frequently, like making your bed and washing the dishes. The good news is that these tasks are quick and make an immediate difference. Here are more tips for everyday cleaning:</p> <p>Instead of breaking out your stick vacuum daily, invest in a programmable robot vacuum and you won’t even have to think about cleaning your floors.</p> <p>Fingerprints on the taps and toothpaste spots in the sink are almost inevitable. Store sanitising wipes under the vanity to quickly clean them.</p> <p>When you’re finished washing the dinner dishes, sprinkle the kitchen sink with baking soda and scrub it with a slightly damp sponge.</p> <p>After each shower, squeegee the glass or tile walls to prevent watermarks and mildew.</p> <p><strong>Weekly cleaning schedule </strong></p> <p>The chores on the weekly cleaning schedule are a bit more time intensive than the daily ones. The payoff is that the additional attention to these areas now means they’ll be easier to clean than if you pushed the task off another few weeks. These are a few things to consider as you do your weekly cleaning:</p> <p>If you don’t use your microwave regularly, you can get away with cleaning it every other week.</p> <p>When mopping, start at the farthest corner of the room and move back toward the entrance. Rinse the mop after completing each 1.2m x 1.2m area to keep your water fresh.</p> <p>To clean mirrors, use a glass cleaner and microfibre cloth (or newspaper), wipe across the mirror in a broad “S” pattern, working from edge to edge, top to bottom.</p> <p>Don’t forget to dust doors, windowsills and light fixtures (turn them off first). When dusting, move a microfibre cloth from left to right and top to bottom for the best results. High-touch surfaces, such as door handles, light switches and television remotes, are gathering spots for dirt and bacteria. Spray or wipe the surface with a multipurpose cleaner, followed by a disinfectant. Allow it to sit for the recommended amount of time, according to the instructions, then rinse or wipe the surface to remove residue.</p> <p>While you have the vacuum out, do a quick pass over your curtains and any upholstered furniture.</p> <p>Dirty cleaning tools only spread grime. Remember to wash microfibre cloths, sanitise your sponges, and wipe the handle and base of your vacuum and clean its filter.</p> <p><strong>Monthly cleaning schedule</strong></p> <p>The monthly cleaning schedule addresses bigger tasks that require both more time and more equipment. Think of it as an investment in your appliances and your home, and you’ll recognise that it’s time and effort well spent. Here are some things to keep in mind:</p> <p>To clean the splashback, mix one cup baking soda, one cup hydrogen peroxide, and a degreasing dishwashing liquid. The combination breaks down the greasy buildup that is common in most kitchen areas, Peterson says.</p> <p>How you degrease the rangehood depends on if it’s removable or not. Soak a removable range hood in hot, soapy water. Otherwise, clean it in place with a soft, damp, soapy cloth.</p> <p>While you’re cleaning your fridge, toss any old or expired food and wipe down the shelves and drawers.</p> <p>It is possible to get even the grimiest bathroom grout lines clean with extra elbow grease and our secret cleaning concoction: Mix one cup of baking soda with one cup of hydrogen peroxide and scrub with a toothbrush.</p> <p>Mattresses need love too. To refresh yours, sprinkle it with baking soda, let it sit for 20 minutes, then vacuum.</p> <p>To clean skirting boards without bending, run a broom with a microfibre towel tied over its bristles along them. To dust ceiling fans, turn them off, then use an extendable duster to clean the blades and remove dust and any built-up grime.</p> <p>For streak-free windows, spray them with glass cleaner and wipe them with newspapers. Or for hard-to-reach spots, use a telescoping squeegee. Finish by whisking away debris from the window track with a crevice brush.</p> <p><strong>Deep cleaning schedule </strong></p> <p>Every three to six months, roll up your sleeves (and call in some help, if necessary) to knock out the deep cleaning house checklist. These tasks are bigger projects for sure, but they help keep your home looking its best. Keep these points in mind as you prepare to deep clean:</p> <p>You’ll be amazed at how many crumbs you have under your stove and cobwebs lurking behind your fridge. Pull each appliance out to sweep and clean behind them. Vacuum any refrigerator coils to improve its energy efficiency.</p> <p>After you empty your kitchen drawers, wipe them down and thoroughly wash any organisers.</p> <p>To clean window screens, remove them from the window, then loosen grime by lightly scrubbing them with a very soft bristle brush dipped in an all-purpose cleaner mixed with warm water. Rinse with an outdoor hose.</p> <p>Clean and organise your closet and dresser drawers.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/follow-this-cleaning-schedule-to-keep-your-home-spotless" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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Longstanding Seven Sunrise host scales back role due to “gruelling schedule”

<p>Fans were shocked as a major departure was announced from Seven’s hit breakfast show<span> </span>Sunrise.</p> <p>Basil Zempilas has been with the network since 1994 but is set to “scale back” his current duties as the host of Weekend Sunrise.</p> <p>According to<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-7368223/Major-departure-Sevens-Sunrise-longstanding-host-scales-duties.html" target="_blank">TV Tonight</a></em>,<span> </span>the Perth-based broadcaster will remain “part of the Sunrise inner circle” but is focusing more on his family due to the “gruelling schedule” which seems him travelling between Sydney and Perth every weekend.</p> <p>Zempilas has a tough schedule at the moment, as he is flying to Sydney each weekend for<span> </span>Weekend Sunrise<span> </span>while presenting weeknight sports reports for Seven News in Perth.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Byv2cAWjlGs/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Byv2cAWjlGs/" target="_blank">TO OUR TWO JAMES... We salute you 👨🏼‍✈️👮‍♂️ @sunriseon7 @channel7</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by @<a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/basil_zempilas/" target="_blank"> basil_zempilas</a> on Jun 15, 2019 at 3:45pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>He also has a top-rated breakfast radio show with Steve Mills on<span> </span>6PReach weekday morning in Western Australia.</p> <p>TV Tonight claimed that his “gruelling schedule” is most likely the reason for his revised workload for Seven.</p> <p>The father of three has been co-hosting<span> </span>Weekend Sunrise<span> </span>since March 2018 but acknowledges that he would not have been able to host the show without the sacrifices made by his family.</p> <p>“There's no doubt that [my wife] Amy and my family, the three kids have sacrificed a lot for my career, all of it I suppose,” he told<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://thewest.com.au/entertainment/tv/basil-zempilas-racks-up-25-years-with-seven-ng-b881113249z" target="_blank"><em>The West Australian</em></a>. </p> <p>“All of my children have been born in the time that I have been travelling away interstate. I'm very aware had it not been for their support and flexibility I wouldn't be able to do the things that I'm doing.”</p> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2019/8/17/sunrise-on-the-hunt-for-new-host-as-basil-zempilas-steps-aside" target="_blank"><em>TV BlackBox</em></a><span> </span>reported that Sunrise is “on the hunt for a new host” as negotiations between Zempilas are continuing and the expectations are that he will still appear on the show, just as a more flexible guest presenter role instead of the co-host role he has now.</p> <p>Zempilas will continue to play a key role in Seven’s coverage of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.</p> <p>Commitments are set to be scaled back before the end of 2019, but a replacement host for<span> </span>Weekend Sunrise<span> </span>is yet to be confirmed.</p>

TV

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Today star Deborah Knight's gruelling work schedule

<p>Deborah Knight is across television screens seven days a week right now – both morning and night – due to her current hectic schedule.</p> <p>The <em>Today</em> co-host is on TV from 5:30 am weekdays and pumps out three-and-a-half hours of high-pressure live television.</p> <p>On top of that intensive workload, Knight is also the anchors of Nine’s 6 pm evening news bulletin on Saturday and Sunday nights, but also fills in for Peter Overton, the weekday host of Nine's 6 pm news bulletin, when he is on leave.</p> <p>And, Overton has been on leave this week, so Knight has had to step in.</p> <p>Knight will be clocking off tonight for a well-earned break for two whole days. However, that means that this week alone, she will have done more than 22 hours of live broadcast presenting. Those are very high numbers.</p> <p>Others in the industry are raising their eyebrows at Knight’s hectic work schedule, as the mum-of-two is waking up at 3 am each day for <em>Today</em> and then back on TV at night for the 6 pm news.</p> <p>“I’m exhausted just thinking about it,” one on-air personality at a rival network told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/morning-shows/television-star-deborah-knight-is-everywhere-becoming-channel-9s-morning-and-evening-workhorse/news-story/bbca998eb03ce7e0d01f37b593b9573b" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>.</p> <p>“Not many people come to mind when I try to imagine someone else so willingly putting in those hours. Live TV is gruelling stuff. She’s a gun.”</p> <p>Media consultant Steve Allen believes that Knight’s constant appearance on Channel Nine is part of a larger plan to aid the failing <em>Today</em> brand by luring some of the evening news bulletin audience to the breakfast show.</p> <p>“It’s a very clever strategy and it should, over the midterm, produce some ratings dividends. <em>Today</em> certainly needs it,” Allen said.</p> <p>“It brings Nine back to where many think it should be, as the professional and slightly more up-market home of news. They’re positioning themselves as more trusted and more serious than that mums-and-dads show called <em>Sunrise</em>.”</p> <p><em>TV Tonigh</em>t editor David Knox agrees.</p> <p>“When Deb was given the plum job of anchoring<span> </span><em>Today</em><span> </span>with Georgie Gardner, Nine indicated she would no longer be fronting prime time news bulletins in Sydney,” Knox said.</p> <p>“But clearly, they recognise she is one of their most versatile presenters, whether holding her own in political interviews or never missing a beat when the news autocue goes down.</p> <p>“Knight has survived TV’s revolving door where many others would not. Whether on Nine or Ten, viewers have always rated her, possibly more than some TV execs.”</p> <p>Allen says that her hectic work schedule at the moment is due to her being “more humble” than many in the television industry.</p> <p>“She doesn’t have any side to her, you know. She’s a lot more humble than many in TV and I think the public sees that. That’s why they really relate to her,” he said.</p> <p>“If Nine is doing tracking research, which I imagine they are, she’s bound to be coming out as someone who viewers like.”</p> <p>Nine has kept quiet about their new strategy, but it will be interesting to see whether or not viewers will follow Knight from the nightly news to the breakfast morning show.</p>

Body

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The Queen does not stop! Her rigorous work schedule revealed

<p>On the outside looking in, a full-time position in the royal family looks like a pretty good gig.</p> <p>After all, the Queen has a throne, numerous palaces, endless crowns, tiaras and jewellery to pick from and theoretically a personal navy.</p> <p>However, being the Monarch involves a level of dedication many of us are not cut out for.</p> <p>This week the 93-year-old attended the Order of the Garter service, a special ceremony dating back to 1348 that watched senior royal family members along with 24 personally chosen knights to wear blue velvet capes, gold chains and feathery caps at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.</p> <p>The Queen, like many of her royal duties, has not missed a single one since the service became an annually held service in 1948 – meaning she has overseen 67 as Sovereign of the Garter.</p> <p>Impressively enough, it turns out Her Majesty, despite getting older, has not slowed down in the slightest – outlasting 12 British Prime Ministers and 13 US Presidents.</p> <p>Even further, the Queen’s number of royal engagements and duties were more than her grandsons and their wives, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.</p> <p>In 2018, Prince William racked up 225 engagements, while Prince Harry didn’t fall behind by completing 200.</p> <p>Queen Elizabeth however, not only increased her workload from 2017, but managed to tick off 300 official events, based off research from the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.royal.uk/court-circular" target="_blank">Court Circular.</a></p> <p>These official events are not the only ways she fulfils her role as the most senior royal member.</p> <p>Despite their being fancy afternoon teas and indulgent cocktail parties, the Queen does not get to stop and rest during these gatherings – she is expected to make polite small talk with most, if not all attendees.</p> <p>There is also paperwork no sane person would take pleasure in going through – yet the 93-year-old Monarch does so, 363 days a year, as the only days she takes off are Christmas Day and Good Friday.</p> <p>Although the royal’s job may be much easier than our own, there is no denying the Queen works hard.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see Queen Elizabeth throughout her royal duties over the last few months.</p>

News

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“Why wouldn’t everyone in the world have one?”

<p>James Park is the co-founder and CEO of Fitbit, a wearable technology that tracks health statistics, such as the number of steps you take in a day, as well as tracking your quality of sleep.</p> <p>SleepScore is a new feature implemented by Fitbit that gives you a score based on your quality of sleep. Although in beta testing since December, Park is hoping it’ll be available worldwide shortly thanks to the paid service Fitbit plans to launch in the second half of 2019.</p> <p>However, Park is still aware of the challenges that Fitbit faces to get to the number one spot.</p> <p>“For us, our whole strategy is about bringing more people onto Fitbit, and the key theme that you heard in this launch is simplicity and affordability,” Park said.</p> <p>“It’s all about more accessible, affordable devices working in concert with software that knows you and helps guide you and coach you.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BuUZVG7BK-F/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BuUZVG7BK-F/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by fitbit (@fitbit)</a> on Feb 25, 2019 at 12:46pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Park also says that cognitive behaviour therapy is a big reason as to why people aren’t sleeping properly.</p> <p>“There’s a technique called cognitive behavioural therapy, because a lot of the challenges that people face in going to bed is psychological.</p> <p>“Helping people work through those issues through digital therapies is another part of what we’re going to offer,” Park said.</p> <p>“With cognitive behavioural therapy, one part is that when people get into bed they just lie there. But that’s not good. Your brain should think that bed is where you sleep, not where you’re just lounging around.</p> <p>“So, one part of cognitive behavioural therapy is that you should only get into bed when you’re absolutely tired, not when you think you should go to bed.”</p> <p>Do you wear a fitness device to track your steps and other activity? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Technology

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Harry and Meghan’s Aussie tour schedule revealed: Where you can meet the royals

<p>Next month, Aussie royal fans will have the special opportunity to get close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during their Australian tour.</p> <p>Last night, Kensington Palace announced that Prince Harry and Meghan will visit Sydney, Melbourne, Dubbo and Fraser Island during their tour.</p> <p>The couple’s visit is centred around the 2018 Sydney Invictus Games, the international sporting event for injured and ill veterans that was founded by Prince Harry.</p> <p>The couple will arrive in Sydney on October 16 for a day and then they will spend October 17 in Dubbo, in rural New South Wales.</p> <p>Harry and Meghan will then head to Melbourne on October 18, before returning to Sydney for the Invictus Games from October 19-21.</p> <p>The opening ceremony for the games will be held on October 20.</p> <p>On October 22, the royals will travel to Fraser Island in Queensland to see a completed Queen’s Canopy project, which aims to restore rainforests across the Commonwealth.</p> <p>Harry and Meghan will then visit Fiji and Tonga, before returning to Sydney on October 26, so they can attend the Invictus Games closing ceremony the following day.</p> <p>It is expected the couple will have time allocated in their itinerary to visit community groups involved with young people, focusing on employment, training and community leadership.</p> <p>Royal spectators also expect that the newlyweds will take time to visit a community group that assists farmers struggling with the drought.</p> <p>The 16-day tour will mark the couple’s first major international tour and there will be several opportunities for the public to see the royals.</p> <p>Kensington Palace revealed in a statement that the governments of Australia and New Zealand had invited the couple to visit. </p> <p>At the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK, the royals will also visit Fiji and Tonga.</p> <p>“The programme across these four Commonwealth countries will focus on youth leadership, environmental and conservation efforts — including the dedication of several new Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy projects — and the recovery and rehabilitation of servicemen and women through the Invictus Games Sydney 2018,” a spokesperson said last night.</p> <p>Following the Invictus Games closing ceremony in Sydney, the royals will travel to Wellington on October 28.</p> <p>It is expected Harry and Meghan will meet New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden and her newborn Neve Te Aroha during their time in the country.</p> <p>The pair will visit Abel Tasman National Park in New Zealand on October 29 and then head to Auckland on the 30th.</p> <p>To conclude their trip, Harry and Meghan will visit Rotura in New Zealand on October 31 before heading home.</p> <p>Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that he is looking forward to welcoming Prince Harry and Meghan into Australia.</p> <p>“Their visit will be an opportunity to promote the incredible achievements of Invictus athletes from around the world, and showcase Australian programmes promoting youth leadership, environmental and conservation efforts,’’ he said.</p>

Domestic Travel

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Cruise lines cancel scheduled Bali stops

<p>Concerns regarding the threat of terrorism have caused a number of cruise lines to cancel scheduled port calls to Bali, as numerous travel advisories warn of potential terrorist attacks.</p> <p>Royal Caribbean Cruises and Celebrity Cruises have both announced they would be leaving the Indonesian island off itineraries for the Radiance of the Seas and Celebrity Millennium cruises.</p> <p>The Celebrity Millennium cruise was due to spend a night in Bali on March 16 and the Radiance of the Seas had originally planned to dock at the island on the following day.</p> <p>Royal Caribbean Cruises apologised to guests of the cruise in a statement, “Our guests’ vacation time is precious and we did not take these decisions lightly. The safety of our guests and crew is always our foremost concern. We will continue to monitor the security situation in Indonesia and will notify guests or their travel agents if there are changes to future sailings that visit Indonesia.”</p> <p>Royal Caribbean’s Radiance is set to remain at sea for an additional day as part of the revamped itinerary, and the Celebrity Millennium will spend an extra day in Singapore and another in Darwin.  </p> <p>The terrorists Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is currently warning tourists to exercise a high degree of caution when visiting areas of Indonesia that includes Jakarta, Bali and Lombok, due to the relatively high threat of terrorist attack.</p> <p>According to the Australian government’s <a href="http://smartraveller.gov.au/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Smart Traveller</span></em></strong></a> resource, “Recent indications suggest that terrorists may be in the advanced stages of preparing attacks in Indonesia (see Safety and Security). The overall level of advice has not changed. We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia, including Bali.”</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/cruising/2016/02/diary-of-a-cruise-rookie/">Diary of a cruise rookie</a></span></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/cruising/2016/02/gastro-outbreak-on-sydney-cruise-ship/">158 passengers struck with gastro on cruise ship docked in Sydney</a></span></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/cruising/2016/02/romantic-destinations-for-your-next-cruise/">10 romantic destinations for your next cruise</a></span></em></strong></p>

Cruising

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