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Why Ray Martin is planning his own funeral

Ray Martin is planning his own funeral as he prepares for his 'Last Goodbye', as part of an eye-opening new series. The veteran journalist will be planning his memorial service for an upcoming SBS documentary series which explores cultural traditions surrounding death. The three-part series, called Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye, will explore various taboos surrounding death with comedic and witty anecdotes. The series will investigate various funeral trends and rituals around the world and will address some deep questions, including why people choose certain ceremonies, songs and resting places, and how geography, religion and social class impacts these choices. At 79 years old, Ray said in a statement that statistically he is only four years away from his own death and wants to explore the topic with a serious yet funny nature. <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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9QoU-goAtY/?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/reel/C9QoU-goAtY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by SBS Australia (@sbs_australia)</a> </div> </blockquote> Martin will also have a range of special guests on the show, including veteran presenter Gretel Killeen, 61, and comedian Alex Lee. SBS Commissioning Editor Bethan Arwel-Lewis said, "At SBS we aren't scared to tackle those subjects that are sometimes provocative or difficult in our programming." "So an exploration of death – one of our last taboos is the perfect subject for us to lift the lid on, and who better to take us into this world and get us talking and even laughing about death, than Ray Martin." Last year, Martin insisted that he still has a lot of life left in him, as he grows older gracefully and continues to work. "I'm never going to retire. David Attenborough is in his 90s and he's my role model. He says you've got to keep doing what you love," he told Woman's Day magazine. Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye will premiere on Wednesday, August 14 at 8.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand. Image credits: SBS

Young woman exposes "hate" response to Origin's Welcome to Country

The young woman who delivered the Welcome to Country at the State of Origin has opened up on the "overwhelming" response to it, revealing how she has "received a lot of hate". Savannah Fynn, 22, was invited to deliver the Welcome to Country and while it was generally well received, it also led to radio host Kyle Sandilands slamming the practice in general, saying the practice had become “overused and lost its impact”. Since then, Fynn revealed that she has received an overwhelming amount of hate online, with some even jumping to criticise her appearance. “I was just so worried I would stutter or mess up my words because I’d never spoken in front of that many people,” Fynn told <a title="www.dailytelegraph.com.au" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/stellar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-tgev="event119" data-tgev-container="bodylink" data-tgev-order="stellar" data-tgev-label="lifestyle" data-tgev-metric="ev">Stellar</a>. “But once I finished, I felt a moment of relief. I ran straight over to my nan, obviously one of my Elders, and I gave her a big hug and a cuddle. It’s definitely an overwhelming feeling, getting all this attention. It’s not something I’m used to at all." “I’m a very quiet person so this is a big change. Even though it’s all positive, I struggle with taking compliments and I get a bit shy. I’m kind of ready for it to die down!” “As sad as it is, being a lighter skin colour, I’ve received a lot of hate for that,” the 22-year-old university student said. “A lot of people have picked on the way I look, the way I speak, even coming down to having blonde hair. My hair is actually dark, I’ve just dyed it blonde." “I think people also get very confused as to what an Acknowledgement and Welcome actually is. We’re not welcoming you to Australia; obviously you live here." “We’re welcoming you to the traditional owners of that land and acknowledging the traditional land. And in terms of comments about overuse, I feel you have to respect everyone’s opinions, even if you may not agree." “Being a First Nations person, I find it wonderful seeing my culture embraced. But obviously you can’t please everyone.” Fynn is aiming to be a young role model and hopes to show “young Indigenous people that we can get up and speak”. Image credits: Nine <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; vertical-align: baseline;">

Daryl Somers receives unique gift at John Blackman's emotional funeral

The who's-who of Australian TV have turned out to farewell John Blackman at an emotional funeral in Melbourne. Hey Hey it's Saturday host Daryl Somers led the tributes to his late friend, reflecting on their decades-long friendship and side-by-side career. "He was so wonderful and he was so sharp and saw humour in everything. John was an optimist and we loved him so much,” Somers said. During the heartfelt memorial, Somers received a precious gift from Blackman's wife of 52 years Cecile, who gifted him the famous Dickie Knee puppet to the remaining Hey Hey It's Saturday stars. John Blackman's co-stars from across three decades of Australian TV were also in attendance, with Wilbur Wilde, Red Symonds, Eddie McGuire and Nine's Livinia Nixon among mourners. "There was a whole lotta love in the room, for him, for everything that he's done for everybody, for the kindness he's shown everyone," Nixon said. Mourners reflected on his quick wit and most famous character Dickie Knee, who took the mickey out of some of the biggest stars of the time. "A very sad day though it's kind of a very special time, all that time in variety. And another one's gone," Entertainer Rhonda Burchmore said. Some of Blackman's old radio colleagues also paid tribute, with veteran 3AW presenter Philip Brady saying, "We became best buddies a long, long time ago and had so many laughs together over the years." "And I'll be forever grateful to John for the humour he brought into our lives. He really enriched our lives and we are poorer for his passing." At the time of his death, Blackman had been suffering bone and skin cancer, and had undergone major surgeries to control the disease. Image credits: Nine

Caring

“Just return it”: Tragic appeal after grandma’s home robbed during her funeral

A family has been left "traumatised" after the home of their 81-year-old grandmother was broken into by heartless thieves on the day of her funeral. The house of 81-year-old Nola Bulkeley was targeted last Friday as her family and friends farewelled the mother of three and grandmother of 10, after she died from pancreatic cancer on May 27th. Nola's son Andrew recalled the moment they found out about the robbery, telling 2GB radio on Monday, "Some of the children and grandchildren went back to the house and when they arrived, they discovered that someone had accessed the house and taken a range of things." "Not only was it very, very sad, but it was confronting. Was someone else still in the house? We just didn't know. [We were] a bit blown away and it brought the wake to a pretty quick end." Andrew went on to describe Nola as a "wonderful woman" and "special grandmother", as their family continue to grieve their loss. "Mum lived in that house for 42 years and not once did someone access it in that way, it's very disappointing," he said. "Mum didn't have a lot of expensive jewellery but she had a whole little range of items that over the years she talked about with the grandkids." "She'd talk about when she left Earth... she'd be pleased to see them have it." He urged those responsible to return the jewellery, saying, "Please, just return it ... just leave it on the front doorstep, or something like that." "It's really broken the family's heart. I thank God she was not there to experience this injustice. She would have been so upset." Nola's grandchildren, who had been staying at the house in Sydney's north-west, discovered the theft when they returned to the house after the wake following Nola's funeral. Nola's daughter-in-law Celine said her three children felt "traumatised" by the break-in, saying, "We feel she has been violated ... her special items have been taken." Police were called to the home and forensic experts carried out an examination to identify the thieves, with the investigation still ongoing. Image credits: 2GB

Legal

The sad state of Aussie ski resorts ahead of winter holiday season

Ski resorts in Australia have had to get creative ahead of the tourist-heavy ski season after a lack of snowfall, despite plunging temperatures. The ski season begins this year on the June long weekend, running alongside the King’s Birthday on June 8th. Despite expecting a huge influx of keen skiers, there has only been light flurries of snow so far, according to WeatherZone, which melt away quickly and don't settle on the ground for long. In order to accommodate the busy season, Thredbo has had to resort to using fake snow for people to ski on. Manufactured snow happens by combining pressurised air and water through a ‘snow gun’ that gets blasted out into the air. The most ideal time to create the fake snow is on clear nights with low humidity, as the higher the humidity the colder it needs to be to make the flurries. Several photos from ski.com.au's cameras have shown popular ski sites with a disappointing lack of snow, in scenes similar to last year's ski season. “No significant snowfalls are on the horizon for the mainland Australian ski resorts before the official King’s Birthday Long Weekend season opening,” Weatherzone reports. “Snow-making began on the weekend at several resorts and has continued into the working week in the cold dry, air in the wake of the cold front.” According to WeatherZone, high-pressure systems, which have brought constant rain to the east coast recently, have been blocking the snowfall. Image credits: Xinhua News Agency / Thredbo

Travel Trouble

Hundreds of mourners seek change after Vyleen White funeral

The tragic death of Vyleen White, a beloved grandmother from Queensland, has not only left a family grieving but has also ignited a fervent call for justice and societal change. As her loved ones gather to mourn her passing, they are steadfast in their determination to ensure that her memory is defined not by the senseless violence that took her life but by the love and compassion she embodied. Vyleen White's daughter, Cindy Micallef, eloquently captured the essence of her mother's life during an emotional eulogy at the funeral service on Thursday, saying that that her legacy will endure through the love she shared and the lives she touched. White, a vibrant 70-year-old known for her unwavering kindness, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/grandmother-fatally-stabbed-in-front-of-granddaughter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was tragically stabbed</a> outside a shopping centre in Redbank Plains, sparking outrage and prompting a community-wide outcry against youth crime. Despite the profound grief felt by those who knew her, Micallef expressed a firm resolve to seek justice for her mother. With a steely determination, she declared that her family would not rest until those responsible were held accountable. “We want to move forward and mum’s legacy will live on and we’re not going to let that go,” Micallef said. “We’re going to make sure we get justice for mum and nothing will stop us until that happens.” The impact of White's death reverberated beyond her immediate circle, prompting widespread calls for reform in the Queensland community. Proposals for tougher youth justice measures, including "Vyleen's Law", seek to address the root causes of youth offending and ensure that perpetrators face appropriate consequences for their actions. Additionally, legislative changes aimed at improving transparency in court proceedings and restricting access to weapons underscore a commitment to preventing further violence. Amid the grief and outrage, White's family and friends fondly recalled her vibrant spirit and unwavering love. Whether it was her devotion to her beloved cat, her infectious laughter, or her boundless capacity for compassion, White's presence left an indelible mark on all who knew her. Image: Supplied.

Caring

“My sister-in-law announced she was pregnant at my child’s funeral”

A woman has asked for advice on how to navigate her relationship with her sister-in-law, after the woman overheard an inappropriate conversation at her child’s funeral. The grieving mother, a 28-year-old named Melissa, took to Reddit to share the heartbreaking story of how her toddler passed away after a battle with cancer. Melissa described the time as the “hardest in my life”, explaining how she felt she lost “a part of herself” after the funeral. While Melissa expected her toddlers’ memorial service to be difficult, she never predicted a family member would make it even harder. The mother said that when she heard her sister-in-law telling people about her pregnancy, she thought the move was just cruel. “She didn't make a big announcement but more than ten people at the service 'heard' and it's what everyone was talking about. To understate it, I was livid,” Melissa wrote on Reddit. Melissa’s post then asked social media users for advice, as she was unsure how much of a relationship she wanted to have with her sister-in-law after the stunt. The 28-year-old shared that she had fallen pregnant herself, and was facing pressure to have a party in celebration, but she didn’t want her whole family in attendance. “I've been working on who I want to invite, and I really don't want my SIL there,” she said. “Besides what she did, she's a vindictive and mean person and I cannot stand her.” “I mentioned it to my husband and he says he couldn't care less whether she's there or not. But for the sake of saving face, I want opinions before I do this.” She asked the online forum if she would be “an a**hole” for not inviting her, addin that she would still be inviting her husband's other sister and husband's brother's wife. “The original SIL will be the only one not invited,” she clarified. The post was flooded with comments as many backed up Melissa, slamming the sister-in-law for her selfish behaviour. “I wouldn't want someone like that around me. Announcing a pregnancy at a child's funeral is insane,” one said. “Cut her off and ignore everyone close to her. You are right to have nothing to do with her. She's totally classless.” However, others encouraged her to have an adult conversation with her sister-in-law in an attempt to mend their relationship. “Please let it go,” one person began. “This happened on a terrible day during a bad time for you. It's possible that could be clouding how you're looking at this, she may not have been malicious at all.” Image credits: Shutterstock

Family & Pets

“I’ll see you again one day”: Sister of slain doctor’s emotional tribute

Dr Ash Gordon has been farewelled in an emotional memorial service, with his family and friends joining together to honour the slain doctor. The 33-year-old died after a violent altercation following a home invasion on January 13th in the Melbourne suburb of Doncaster. Loved ones gathered at Kernot Hall, in Morwell, south-east Victoria, to honour his life and share in their grief. Funeral celebrant Elisha Dowsett opened the funeral by encouraging the mourners to “leave the anger” and focus on remembering Dr Gordon’s celebrated life. “He warmed the hearts of anyone lucky enough to cross paths with him,” she said. “He was a strong, compassionate, funny, driven, determined and cheeky man. He filled this dark and unpredictable world with genuine goodness.” Dr Gordon’s sister Natalie spoke to the congregation, sharing how she will “never get over his death”. “He was a huge part of our lives. He always encouraged me to take risks because he would say, ‘if you don’t, you’ll wonder what if’,” she said. Breaking down in tears, Ms Gordon told mourners she had promised to “take the risk and live the life I dreamt of just as he did”. “This isn’t goodbye little brother, this is see you soon. I’ll see you again one day,” Ms Gordon said. “And, when I do, I can't wait for you to tell me how bad my wrinkles are and for you to give me a big hug. Until we meet again Brother Bear.” Ash’s other sister Tammy Gordon said she “cannot express” how proud she is to call Dr Gordon her brother. “Losing a sibling is losing the person you can truly be yourself with,” she said. Following the passing of Dr Gordon, two 16-year-olds were <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/major-update-in-tragic-death-of-young-melbourne-doctor">charged</a> with murder, aggravated burglary and theft over his death. The teenagers allegedly broke into the home of 33-year-old Dr Ash Gordon, when the doctor then pursued the intruders after they fled the house. The teens then became violent, allegedly stabbing Dr Gordon several times and leaving him to die a kilometre from his home. Image credits: YouTube

Caring

7 things you should never say at a funeral

What not to say at a funeral Struggling to find the right words to convey sympathy at a funeral? Even the most well-intentioned comments can come across as hurtful instead of helpful. Here are some common phrases you should never say at a funeral –and what to say instead. Never say "I know how you feel" at a funeral Instead, say: “I can’t imagine how you feel.” By the time we’re adults, most of us will have experienced the loss of a family member, friend or colleague. What’s important to note, however, is that although the phases of grief are similar, we don’t necessarily know how another grieving individual truly feels. “Everyone’s experience is unique,” says Jaime Bickerton, executive director of Bereaved Families of Ontario in Canada. “Everyone’s loss is the worst, because it’s theirs.” It can help to think of yourself in a helper role, says author and grief counsellor, Dr Alan Wolfelt. “Walk ‘with,’ not ‘behind’ or ‘in front of’ the person who is mourning.” "Time heals all wounds" is something you should never say at a funeral Instead, say: “Take the time you need and be gentle with yourself.” “There’s no formula when it comes to grief,” says Asya Hadzismajlovic, bereavement expert. “It comes in waves.” The grieving process takes time and important dates like anniversaries and birthdays can trigger an emotional tsunami. Allow the bereaved to move through that process at his or her own pace, advises Wolfelt. “Don’t force your timetable for healing. Allow them to experience all the hurt, sorrow and pain he or she is feeling at the time.” Never say “At least he didn’t suffer,” “At least she made it to her birthday,” or “At least she died doing what she loved” at a funeral Instead, say: “I am here for you.” It’s best to avoid any statements that begin with “at least,” notes Bickerton. These sentiments are often an attempt to make dark days more bearable, but they won’t diminish the pain of losing a loved one. What the person grieving really needs is your quiet presence, says Hadzismajlovic. Check in during the day of the funeral and beyond. “People just want to be heard; to be listened to,” she says. “We say that grief shared is grief lessened.” “Let me know what I can do” is something you should never say at a funeral Instead, say: “Here’s what I can do for you…” This comment places the burden on the bereaved to reach out for help at a time when they likely don’t know what they need, explains Bickerton. Running a few loads of their laundry, tidying their house or yard and preparing meals are just a few ways to genuinely show you care as opposed to merely saying you care. “If they have 38 casseroles, make the 39th,” says Wolfelt. “Deliver it in your best dish and say you will be over in a week to pick it up. This provides you with an opportunity to check in.” Never say “She’s in a better place” at a funeral Instead, say: “She will be missed.” “Most likely, the person grieving is thinking the best place for [the deceased] to be is with them,” says Bickerton. “There’s also a danger of assuming the person ascribes to certain beliefs, which may not be the case.” Simply show your support for your grieving friend, colleague or family member, advises Wolfelt. “At the funeral, a touch of your hand, a look in your eye or even a hug often communicates more than words can say.” Never say “It was his time” at a funeral Instead, say: “I am so sorry for the loss of your precious [person’s name].” “This platitude can be particularly upsetting for the grieving person to hear as it implies a reason for the death when they may be feeling the death was senseless or irrational,” says Bickerton. Even if the loved one lived a long, full life, the person grieving would likely have been wishing for many more years together. When expressing your condolence be sure to say the person’s name, advises Wolfelt. “That way the person grieving knows you are genuinely concerned.” Never say “You need to say goodbye” or “Life must go on” at a funeral Instead, say: “He will always be remembered for his generosity/love for his family…” Statements like these tend to minimise the grief journey, says Bickerton. “Life will go on but it will look very different for the person grieving as they adjust to their new normal.” A note that shares a favourite memory or relates the special qualities you valued in the person who has passed is a thoughtful way to express your condolences before or after the funeral, says Wolfelt. “These words will often be a loving gift to the grieving person.” Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/relationships/7-things-you-should-never-say-at-a-funeral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

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What does El Niño do to the weather in your state?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kimberley-reid-767059">Kimberley Reid</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> You’ve probably heard El Niño brings hot and dry weather to the eastern states, but what about the rest of Australia? Are we all in for a scorcher this summer? El Niño is what scientists call a <a href="https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/overview/climate-system/australian-climate-influences/">climate driver</a>. But it’s just one of many. These climate drivers control year-to-year variations in the weather. Some years are hotter and drier, while others are cooler and wetter. Australia is particularly prone to weather whiplash because our continent is buffeted by climate drivers to our north, south, east and west. The dominant driver in your state may be one of the lesser-known influences. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iVhi1wq2sTY?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption>Understanding Climate Drivers (Bureau of Meteorology)</figcaption></figure> <h2>East: El Niño Southern Oscillation</h2> The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the resident climate driver in the Pacific Ocean and the driver with the biggest influence over Australian weather. Differences in sea surface temperatures and winds across the Pacific determine whether we swing towards El Niño (the boy) or La Niña (the girl). <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/about/?bookmark=enso">During the El Niño phase</a>, sea surface temperatures near South America are warmer than normal and they are cooler than normal off the coast of eastern Australia. Additionally, trade winds that blow from east to west across the Pacific weaken. El Niño brings hotter daytime temperatures, but often <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/enso/#tabs=Pacific-Ocean&pacific=History">cooler nights</a>. That’s because reduced cloud cover allows more heat to escape into space overnight. So the same process that increases the chances of heatwaves can also raise the <a href="https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/climate-weather/historical-frost-and-heat-maps-south-west-land-division">risk of frost</a> in Western Australia, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria. Australia as a whole is typically drier during an El Niño event. In the tropical regions, El Niño can delay the <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/updates/articles/a008-el-nino-and-australia.shtml">onset of the monsoon and reduce the likelihood of tropical cyclones</a>. In the southern states, the hot and dry conditions increase the chance of intense bushfires. La Niña is the opposite phase. Waters off eastern Australia are warmer than usual, increasing the <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/enso/#tabs=Pacific-Ocean&pacific=History&enso-impacts=La-Ni%C3%B1a-impacts">chance of tropical cyclones</a> and an earlier start to the monsoon for WA, the Northern Territory and Queensland. So what does El Niño do to the weather in your state? Hover over your state in the interactive map to find out. <iframe id="tc-infographic-1008" class="tc-infographic" style="border: none;" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/infographics/1008/7f37ae91389db072906b320ffd54d0fefd840c0d/site/index.html" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe> <h2>West: Indian Ocean Dipole</h2> The <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/about/?bookmark=iod">Indian Ocean Dipole</a> is like ENSO’s Indian Ocean cousin. A positive Indian Ocean Dipole is declared when ocean temperatures near Africa are warmer than normal and ocean temperatures off the coast of Sumatra are cooler than usual. A positive dipole tends to bring warmer and drier conditions, particularly to western and central Australia. A negative Indian Ocean Dipole is the reverse and is associated with wetter than normal weather and an increase in <a href="https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/why-more-clouds-can-mean-less-rain-in-australia">northwest cloudbands</a>. <h2>North: Madden-Julian Oscillation</h2> The <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/about/?bookmark=mjo">Madden-Julian Oscillation</a> is a pulse of storms that start in the Indian Ocean, travel over Northern Australia and Indonesia and die in the Pacific Ocean. Ahead of the pulse, the air sinks, causing sunny and dry weather. Under the pulse is high storm activity and typically heavy rainfall. We describe the Madden-Julian Oscillation based on whether the pulse of storms is <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/mjo/">active or inactive</a> and where the storm activity is located on its path between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. As well as causing rainfall, the Madden-Julian Oscillation can control the timing of the monsoon onset and <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/about/?bookmark=tc">tropical cyclone formation</a>. <h2>South: Southern Annular Mode</h2> The <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/about/?bookmark=sam">Southern Annular Mode</a> controls the north and south position of the westerly winds that whizz around the globe in the Southern Ocean. When the winds are further north than usual, we call this the negative phase. But when the westerly wind move towards Antarctica, we call this the positive phase. The phase of the Southern Annular Mode <a href="https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/joc.1370">affects how many weather systems</a>, like cold fronts, make landfall over southern Australia. A positive mode may also draw tropical moist air south, which happened in 2022 during the extensive flooding over eastern Australia. <h2>Climate drivers control the odds, but not the result</h2> These four key climate drivers affect the weather on average (over months and seasons), but they do not dictate the exact day-to-day weather we experience. As the Gippsland region of Victoria <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/oct/05/victoria-floods-flooding-warnings-gippsland-region-flood-and-fires-evacuation">saw in October</a>, heavy rainfall can still occur during an El Niño. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/561494/original/file-20231124-16-ip8fja.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/561494/original/file-20231124-16-ip8fja.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/561494/original/file-20231124-16-ip8fja.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=407&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/561494/original/file-20231124-16-ip8fja.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=407&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/561494/original/file-20231124-16-ip8fja.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=407&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/561494/original/file-20231124-16-ip8fja.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=512&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/561494/original/file-20231124-16-ip8fja.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=512&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/561494/original/file-20231124-16-ip8fja.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=512&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Map of Australia showing the difference from normal rainfall during October 2023, with a large wet patch around Gippsland, Victoria." /></a><figcaption>Difference from normal rainfall during October 2023, showing defined wet area around Gippsland, Victoria surrounded by drier conditions. The Bureau of Meteorology</figcaption></figure> Climate drivers are like a football coach. They can select the best players and develop ingenious strategies, but that doesn’t guarantee a win every time. Players can get injured on the field or simply have a bad game. These uncontrollable factors are challenging to predict and may change the result from what we would expect. Scientists call this stochasticity. The climate drivers are the football coach, but the day-to-day weather systems are the players. The Bureau of Meteorology <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/enso/">releases an update</a> on all of these drivers every two weeks. The update explains which drivers are currently active and the forecast for the next few weeks. So, if you are wondering why the weather is cooler during summer, or it’s raining in the middle of the dry season, perhaps take a look at which driver is steering Australia’s weather at the moment.<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;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/218257/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kimberley-reid-767059">Kimberley Reid</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Atmospheric Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-does-el-nino-do-to-the-weather-in-your-state-218257">original article</a>.

Domestic Travel

Free tickets up for grabs to Barry Humphries' state memorial

Australians will have the chance to pay their respects to the late Barry Humphries, with limited free tickets to his state memorial available to the public. Humphries died on April 22nd this year at the age of 89, and will be remembered for his legendary comedic characters such as Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson. His state memorial will be held at the Sydney Opera House at 11am on Friday December 15th, for those who wish to pay their respects to the entertainment giant. "The State Memorial will bring together dignitaries, family, friends and fans of Mr Humphries from across Australia and around the world to celebrate his extraordinary career and achievements," the NSW government said online. <div> Limited free tickets have also been made available to the public through the <a title="Sydney Opera House website" href="https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/state-memorial-barry-humphries-ac-cbe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sydney Opera House website,</a> with fans able to snag a ticket from 2pm AEDT on Friday November 17th. Each person hoping to get a ticket will be allowed two tickets per customer to give everyone a chance to farewell one of Australia's best-loved entertainers. For those who miss out on a ticket, the memorial will be streamed online and broadcast on ABC, providing an opportunity for audiences everywhere to share in the celebration of Mr Humphries' life. Image credits: Getty Images </div>

Caring

"He leaves a broken state behind him": Aussies react to Dan Andrews' resignation

Victorian premier Dan Andrews has announced he will be resigning from his role after nine years in the job, prompting a very mixed response from Aussies. Andrews made the announcement on Tuesday, describing his time as premier as the “honour and privilege of my life”. For many Aussies, the news of his resignation came as a shock, with the announcement prompting a wave of mixed responses. Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto had one of the strongest reactions to the news, saying Mr Andrews had “trashed Victoria’s reputation”. “I wish Daniel Andrews well. But we have to face the facts. He’s leaving because Victoria, under his leadership, is falling apart,” he said. Shadow Immigration Minister Dan Tehan also had little nice to say about the outgoing premier, claiming he made the state of Victoria “poorer” while in the top job. “I think he’ll be remembered as a very good politician, very good at politics, but I think, sadly, over time, his legacy is going to be one in which he made the state of Victoria poorer, and he made Victorians poorer,” Mr Tehan said via Sky News Australia. “While we wish him and his family well, the sad reality is it’s Victorians who are going to have to pick up the pieces of his nine years in charge of this state.” Throughout his time as premier, Andrews attracted his fair amount of controversy, particularly around his harsh stance on Covid lockdowns, which saw Melbourne go through one of the longest continuous lockdowns on the planet. One of Mr Andrews’ biggest critics, 3AW host Neil Mitchell, was also thrilled to bid the premier farewell, telling him, “Let’s hope we don’t see you in public life again”. He told 3AW Mr Andrews had done “enormous damage to Victoria” and claimed to have been predicting his resignation for months. “I reckon he’s been thinking for some time. He’s been out of sorts for months. He’s been making unusual political errors. He’s seemed disinterested, he’s snappy at press conferences. I’ve said on air for some months, ‘he’s thinking about getting out’,” Mitchell said, adding “It’s time for him to go”. Liberal Party powerbroker Michael Kroger argued that Mr Andrews had over the years “got away with murder”, politically speaking. “Record debt. Small businesses are still broken and have not recovered from these extreme measures during the lockdown,’’ Mr Kroger told Sky News. “He leaves a broken, bankrupt state behind him. That’s his legacy. The financial recklessness of Daniel Andrews is unprecedented. And will take a generation to recover from." “Victoria will be better for Daniel Andrews having left today.” Despite many harsh words from his critics, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was quick to praise Andrews' time as premier. He wrote in a lengthy post on Facebook that it had been a pleasure working “alongside an old friend”. “Daniel Andrews is a person of deep conviction, great compassion and fierce determination and he brought all those qualities to his time as Premier of Victoria,” Mr Albanese said. “As Prime Minister, it was a pleasure for me to work alongside an old friend – and a leader of such vision and ambition. It made a huge difference to sit at the National Cabinet table with someone who believed so deeply in the power of government to change lives for the better." “Nearly nine years as Premier is a remarkable achievement. Dan Andrews can be proud that he didn’t waste a minute. I wish Dan, Cath and their children all the very best for their future together.” Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

Loved ones gather to mourn father and children killed in house fire

Loved ones have gathered to remember the loving father and his five children who were killed in a house fire in Brisbane earlier this month. Wayne Godinet, and his five children – Zac, 11, Harry, 10, Kyza, 4, Noah, 4, and Nicky, 3 – were killed in the deadly blaze on August 7th on Russell Island. On Wednesday, family and friends travelled from interstate and from New Zealand to remember the five children and Wayne, who died trying to protect his kids. "The actions of Wayne on that fateful day I think was indicative of the love he has for his children," a spokesperson for the family said at the memorial "A lot of us really feel that he died a hero." The children's mother, Samantha Stephenson, was unable to attend the service, leaving her sister Christina to step in to deliver a personal eulogy. "If you could leave here with a message from our family today it would be to be grateful for your children's messy room, for taking your child to their soccer game, for chasing your kids around the park," she said. Samantha has been left <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/update-on-distraught-mother-who-escaped-deadly-house-fire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">devastated</a> by the tragedy, with family friend Simon Gordon telling Sunrise how dedicated she was as a mother. “She was a loving mother to the children,” Gordon told Sunrise. “What she is going through is unbelievable.” “Every time I ever met the family, the kids came first. They love the kids.” Police are still working tirelessly to determine the cause of the devastating blaze, but said the fire is not being treated as suspicious. Image credits: Nine

Caring

First state to lock in Matilda's public holiday promise

New South Wales premier Chris Minns has backed Anthony Albanese's proposal to implement a public holiday if The Matildas win the FIFA Women's World Cup. The Prime Minister flagged the idea of a public holiday if the Australian women's team claim the victory, however, the actual decision for the day off will come down to each individual state. NSW Premier Chris Minns has thrown his support behind the idea, and has even put forward the idea of a "ticker tape parade" through the Sydney CBD. "If the Matildas win the semi-final and then win the World Cup final, then yes we will pursue a public holiday in NSW, not just to celebrate the victory but also to have a massive civic celebration and allow the Matildas to celebrate with the people of Sydney what will be an amazing, like, life-changing and unbelievable event in the state's history," Minns told 2GB's Ben Fordham on Monday morning. He said the government was currently working on "contingency plans" in the event of the Matilda's victory. Minns went on to say that any celebrations would happen the week of the winning game, and not the Monday after. Despite the surge of support for the Matildas throughout the tournament, some businesses have opposed the idea of a public holiday, saying they can't afford the expense. "If we did do it in Sydney for a big public holiday, and a massive ticker tape parade, can you imagine the kind of energy and economic excitement," Minns said. The Matildas will be taking on England in the semi-final game on Wednesday night, with the winner going into the final against either Spain or Sweden. Image credits: Getty Images

News

"The last one he wore": Jock Zonfrillo’s widow shares heartbreaking funeral detail

Jock Zonfrillo’s widow Lauren Fried has shared another bittersweet update revealing that she wore her husband’s iconic Scottish tartan scarf to his funeral in May. Fried took to Instagram to share a gallery of photos of her late husband wearing the scarf during the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/far-out-i-did-it-masterchef-winner-crowned" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MasterChef season finale</a>, with a heartbreaking caption. “What a gorgeous man, alway happiest in his kilt,” she wrote. “This is the fly plaid (tartan over his shoulder) that I chose to wear to Jock’s funeral, the last one he wore,” she added. Many of the MasterChef judge’s celebrity friends took to the comments to show their support. “Missing his smile and energy so much,” commented fellow MasterChef judge Andy Allen, while celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay added a love heart emoji. Season 13 MasterChef contestant Dan Dumbrell also shared a bunch of red love heart emojis. <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/Cu3aoIDg99G/?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/Cu3aoIDg99G/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jock Zonfrillo (posts by Loz) (@zonfrillo)</a> </div> </blockquote> Chantelle Otten, sexologist and girlfriend of Paralympian Dylan Alcott, simply commented: “A beautiful man. A very sad time.” Fans also shared their support and how emotional the final episode of this year’s MasterChef was. “Was extremely emotional, so very moving seeing you wear his tartan on your shoulder carrying your husband's coffin. Wishing you all the courage & strength over the years to come Loz,” wrote one fan. “Kept it together for the whole episode... until the video right at the end. I just bawled. “Jock was a shining example of what it can look like when men show their emotions, are empathetic, vulnerable, supportive and inclusive. Much love to you, Jock's family as well as the Masterchef family ❤️🖤” commented another. “My heart breaks for you guys Loz. Thank you for being so open with your sharing. Jock’s fans (myself included) are so appreciative. It makes us feel like he’s still here,” wrote a third. “I was sobbing watching the last episode. Still can’t believe he’s gone,” commented a fourth. Images: Instagram

Family & Pets

Ronan Keating's emotional final tribute to his late brother

Ronan Keating has performed an emotional rendition of his song This Is Your Song at his brother's funeral, before helping to carry him to his final resting place. The 46-year-old singer returned to his native Ireland after hearing that his older brother Ciaran had died in a tragic car crash at the age of 57. Ronan and his wife Storm were among many grieving family and friends who congregated at St Patrick's Church in Louisburgh, County Mayo, to pay their respects to Ciaran in an emotional funeral service. After helping to carry his brother's coffin into the church, Ronan sang This Is Your Song during the mass after telling mourners, "I shouldn't be singing it in these circumstances but we are and we will." The Irish singer said the ballad was written after their mother, Marie, died of cancer in 1998, with the touching song including the lyrics, "You were our friend, walk with you till the end, and one day we'll all sing along, 'cause this is your song." To hear Ronan's emotional performance, click <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12319513/Ronan-Keating-pallbearers-carrying-brothers-coffin-following-death-car-crash-star-expected-sing-todays-funeral-Ireland.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. During the ceremony, Ronan paid a tearful tribute to Ciaran's three children - Conall, Ruairi and Aisling - and said they had made their father "very proud". He told the congregation, "As a parent all you want to do is raise your children as best you can, Ciaran and Annemarie have done a spectacular job - three incredible human beings. Your strength over the past few days has been incredible and you've done your dad very proud." Ciaran, who has been described as a "hero" by his grieving family, died in a car crash in the rural county while he was travelling with his wife Annemarie to watch their 28-year-old son Ruairí play football. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CFtMbfN5gcY" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Image credits: Getty Images

Caring

"Forever cherish the memories": Hunter Valley groom speaks

Mitchell Gaffney, the groom who lost 10 friends in the Hunter Valley bus crash incident, has spoken out for the first time. The newlywed spoke at his friend Zachary Bray’s funeral in Sydney, three weeks after the devastating collision. The 29-year-old was remembered as a loveable larrikin and an adored brother and son, who had survived a battle with bowel cancer and was dedicated to raising awareness to the disease. Gaffney and Bray met playing football and became friends off the field. “Although you’ll never get the chance to put the jumper on again, you’ll always be there by our side,” Gaffney said. Bray was known as Labrador or Lab to his footy mates, with the affectionate nickname speaking to his gentle character. “They’re pretty smart dogs,” Gaffney said. “They’re extremely loveable but no matter what they do, they do it with that big goofy smile." “That was the first impression he made and it still holds true.” Gaffney said Bray was the ultimate team player, who “had the ability to make everyone feel included”. “We will forever cherish the memories that we are lucky enough to hold together.” Bray’s family and friends including his girlfriend Georgie Copeland, came together to honour Bray in the emotional ceremony. “My heart hurts,” Copeland said. “I can’t deny it.” “But I know that it hurts deeply because it was deeply real.” Bray’s mother Jacqui Varasdi also spoke at the funeral, and said being his mother was her “greatest achievement”. <div> “And to see you here, laying in this box, just doesn’t make any sense.” Many of the guests will gather again next week to honour the lives of Nadene and Kyah McBride, who were also killed in the Hunter Valley bus crash. Image credits: 7News </div>

Caring

First victim of Hunter Valley bus crash farewelled

Family and friends have joined together for the emotional farewell of Angus Andrew Craig, at the first funeral of the ten wedding guests killed in the Hunter Valley bus crash. The 28-year-old was farewelled at a service held at Worrigee in Nowra on Monday morning, with many of those who attended the wedding present to say their goodbyes. Angus grew up on the south coast of New South Wales before moving to Singleton where Maddy Edsell and Mitchell Gaffney, the bride and groom, were also living. A notice of his funeral celebrated him as an “adored son, much loved brother and brother-in-law and beloved partner of Isabella”. Angus's sister Georgia laughed and wept as she remembered her brother who would now never meet her first child, which is due in two months time. "How cruel is this loss, of a lovely well-mannered gorgeous boy who matured into a lovely responsible thoughtful good-looking man," she said. Angus had only just moved in with his girlfriend Bella, who shared how "incredibly heartbroken" she was by losing the love of her life. “It’s so hard to put into words the immeasurable impact Angus had on my life and even harder to accept the fact we’ve lost such a beautiful, kind and exuberant soul,” Bella said at the service. "He was open minded and curious, he was up for any adventure no matter how quirky." “It didn’t take me long to fall in love with the bright, thoughtful and generous person he was." “When I’m feeling sad, when my emotions feel overwhelming and the world feels a bit dull, I’ll remind myself that tomorrow will be better." “I will smile and I will laugh, I will admire every sunset and every nice view. I will remember I’m forever a better person for having loved and been loved by you Angus.” Angus's funeral was the first of the ten wedding guests who were killed in a devastating bus crash in the Hunter Valley on June 11th, when the bus taking them to their accommodation rolled while driving through a roundabout. Image credits: Facebook <div id="ad-block-4x4-1" class="w_unruly ad-block unruly_insert_native_ad_here ad-custom" style="caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; box-sizing: inherit; text-align: center; float: right; width: 705.202209px; margin-bottom: 24px;" data-type="unruly" data-ad-size="4x4,640x360" data-device-type="web" data-cb-ad-id="hybrid-banner-1" data-cb-dfp-id="unit=ndm.news;" data-ad-tar="pos=1" data-ad-pos="1" data-google-query-id="CMCykP3v3_8CFeHUcwEdIqUE3Q"></div>

Family & Pets

“Slay while I decay”: 93-year-old grandmother’s hysterical funeral plans

A 93-year-old grandmother has taken the internet by storm after sharing a video she wants to be played at her funeral. Lillian Droniak from Connecticut — already a social media icon — with more than 10.1 million followers on her TikTok is known for posting very candid clips. She’s now revealed a series of events she’d like her family to put into action after she passes away. The clip, which has raked in more than 24 million views, shows Lillian talking to the camera as she lounges about in an armchair while wearing a pink t-shirt emblazoned with the slogan, “You’re not invited to my funeral”. The cheeky 93-year-old began, “Thank you for coming everyone. There's probably a lot of people here so have fun. “If you're crying, stop being a baby. Find a tissue and move on. Don't be sad, I lived a long time. “I slayed every day and now, I'm going to lay every day. I hope you slay while I decay.” The grandmother continued, “And Bertha better not be here. If she's here, kick her out right now. I'm going to haunt you Bertha. “And my ex George better leave. I know he's here, I'm going to haunt him too.” She concluded, “I hope everybody gets drunk after this. You better take a shot for me. Love you all.” <iframe title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7243826555644808491&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40grandma_droniak%2Fvideo%2F7243826555644808491%3Flang%3Den&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign.tiktokcdn-us.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-useast5-p-0068-tx%2Fe292006686a3487bb3da94441b230627_1686584808%3Fx-expires%3D1687507200%26x-signature%3DbI%252BPoMCv2yA5KqPQ10NN1r%252FaolM%253D&key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> She uploaded the clip paired with the caption, “Play this video at my funeral or I will haunt whoever is in charge thank you.” Social media users flocked to the comment section to have their say on her playful piece. One commented, “I hope Bertha and George show up just so they can be told to leave in front of everyone.” 'We can't slay while you decay,” another said. “Why am I crying?” a third added. Image credit: TikTok

Caring

Andrew Johns quits radio over on-air family feud

Andrew and Matthew Johns are familiar faces in the world of NRL, and while they may have achieved legendary - or ‘Immortal’, in Andrew’s case - status in their sport, their public feuds have become a significant contributor towards their wider fame over the years. As recently as May 2023, the Johns brothers had an on-air disagreement over the year’s State of Origin series, in which each of them backed an opposing team. Joey is a staunch supporter of the NSW Blues side - and was a former player for the squad, regarded by many as one of the game’s best - and took issue with his brother’s praise and admiration for the QLD Maroons, as well as Matthew’s support for the side’s coach, Billy Slater. Matthew ‘Matty’ Johns set things off when he noted that Queensland were coming prepared, and when Andrew asked if that meant New South Wales didn’t, Matty confirmed it. “Mate I’m sick of you rapping Queensland, that’s what I’m sick of,” Andrew then declared. Their spat continued from there, with Andrew going on to share that he “couldn’t give a s**t. I don’t even look at Queensland”. But he wasn’t done there, concluding his take when he told his brother, “you’re blowing smoke up their backsides, I couldn’t care about Queensland. “He [Matty] said they’re easy to admire - they’re the enemy,” he said, before informing their audience, and co-host Andrew Webster, that the two had grown up “hating” the Maroons together. And now, according to Fox Sports, Andrew ‘Joey’ Johns has reportedly stepped down from his position at SEN’s Morning Glory with Matty Johns for the rest of the year in the wake of the argument. Additionally, the head of SEN Craig Hutchison had reportedly tried to keep the peace between them by suggesting that he’d take the two out for a lunch to clear the air, once the 2023 State of Origin series had wrapped up. It has even been reported that Andrew and Matty haven’t spoken since the on-air incident, with Matthew revealing that Andrew was “off me” after making his own return to the show. Meanwhile, Hutchison - who is also the host of Nine’s Footy Classified - had more to add on the matter, and the likelihood of mending the rift and getting Andrew back on air with them. “We love Joey and we love Matt,” he began. “They’ve been a fantastic part of SEN 1170 on Friday mornings. “We respect Joey’s wishes to concentrate on Origin at the moment. We understand he’s got a fair bit on his plate. And I probably underestimated how worked up he is. “We look forward to sitting down with him after Origin and welcoming him back with open arms. I’ll get them both together for a bite to eat and go from there.” Images: Getty

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Andrew Johns quits radio over on-air family feud

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