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Devastated mum warns of flu dangers after losing 11-week-old son

A heartbroken mother is pleading with Australians to get vaccinated against the flu this season after losing her 11-week-old son to the virus. Samantha Miller, 37, from Bathurst, NSW, was in the hospital battling her own illness when she received a devastating phone call – her infant son had also fallen ill. By the time he reached the hospital, it was too late. “I came down quite ill, so I ended up in hospital, and then we got a phone call saying he’d been brought into hospital not breathing, and we found out that he’d passed away,” Ms Miller told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/mothers-harrowing-warning-as-11-weekold-son-dies/news-story/9a453f35136ec6ec0085e10392fd5163" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au.</a> It has been 13 years since her son’s tragic death, but the pain remains fresh. Now, she is using her heartbreaking experience to encourage others to get vaccinated against the flu. “It took a little while to get some autopsy results, but it came back with bronchial pneumonia caused by H1N1 swine flu,” Ms Miller said, describing the loss as an unimaginable shock. Her son had been seen by a paediatrician the day before his death and had shown no serious signs of illness beyond a runny nose. A photo from the night before, showing the baby peacefully asleep on his grandfather’s chest, still haunts her. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my entire life. I would not wish it on anybody … it’s been 13 years and it hurts as if it was yesterday,” she said. Determined to prevent other families from suffering the same heartbreak, Ms Miller is now an advocate for flu vaccinations. “I know what it’s like to lose a child to influenza, and vaccination can help prevent other families from going through what we have been through for the past 13 years,” she said. She believes that there is a lack of education about the importance of vaccinations and the dangers of influenza, leading to misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. “Why are some people pushing for anti-vaccination when the numbers are there? They need to look at the data and get a vaccination. I mean, it’s easy enough … take ten minutes out of your life to get the vaccination,” she urged. Ms Miller also highlighted the strain that preventable illnesses place on the already overwhelmed healthcare system. “Anyone who ends up in hospital is putting a strain on the health services that are already under strain,” she said. With flu season approaching, her message is clear: vaccination saves lives. She hopes that by sharing her story, she can help prevent other families from experiencing the same devastating loss. Images: Courtesy of Samantha Miller

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Bruce Willis' wife issues amazing reflection on Gene Hackman's passing

As Bruce Willis continues to live with frontotemporal dementia, his wife, Emma Heming Willis, has emerged as a vocal advocate for those who support loved ones with long-term care needs. This week, she reflected on the tragic <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/gene-hackman-s-cause-of-death-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deaths of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife</a> and caregiver, Betsy Arakawa, in a heartfelt video shared on Instagram. "So this is not something I would normally comment on, but I do really believe that there is some learning in this story," Heming Willis said of Hackman and Arakawa. The couple was found dead in their New Mexico home in late February. According to the New Mexico medical investigator’s office, Arakawa, 65, succumbed to hantavirus, a rare and often fatal disease, while Hackman, 95, passed away days later due to heart disease. Authorities revealed that Hackman had been living with Alzheimer’s disease and may not have realised he was alone after his wife's passing. Heming Willis used the heartbreaking story to highlight a crucial issue: the well-being of caregivers themselves. "It's just made me think of this broader story, and that is that caregivers need care too and that they are vital, and that it is so important that we show up for them so that they can continue to show up for their person," she stated. She further addressed a common misconception about caregivers, saying that many assume they "have it all figured out". "They've got it covered, they're good," she said before clarifying, "I don't subscribe to that. We need to be showing up for them so they can continue to show up for their person." In the caption of her video, Heming Willis reinforced her message: "Caregivers need care too. Period. Full stop. #supportcaregivers." The flood of responses to her post was immediate and heartfelt, as fans and followers shared their experiences for caring for loved ones. "I had the same terrified reaction to Gene Hackman," wrote one reader. "What must he have suffered those last days? And his wife? It’s unfathomable. My father was a dedicated caregiver to my mom. Realising that dementia takes every ounce of patience and energy, my two sisters and I were honoured to take one full day each per week (in addition to afternoon nurses two alternate days) to support my dad’s decision to keep mama at home. She’s been gone three years now and I have never once regretted those special Fridays with her. Your message is so very important." "I’m so glad you said this," wrote another reader. "Because that’s exactly what I was thinking when this happened that his wife was so devoted to him that she didn’t take care of herself and this happens a lot with women a lot! She didn’t have any children, but I’m amazed that no friends checked in on her." Heming Willis speaks from personal experience, having taken on the role of primary caregiver for her husband since his diagnosis. It was announced in 2022 that Bruce Willis would step away from his acting career due to cognitive issues, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/cruel-disease-bruce-willis-given-heartbreaking-new-diagnosis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">which were later identified as frontotemporal dementia</a> (FTD), a progressive brain disorder. The couple, who married in 2009, share two daughters, Mabel and Evelyn. Through her platform, Heming Willis remains committed to raising awareness and fostering support for those navigating the complexities of long-term care. Images: Instagram

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Aussie Olympian air-lifted to Greece after horror crash

Australian Winter Olympian Belle Brockhoff is recovering in a Greek hospital following a serious crash at a Snowboard Cross World Cup event in Eastern Europe. The 32-year-old world champion sustained a significant injury during her final race of the program on Saturday, crashing at high speed and landing on her coccyx. Brockhoff was immediately airlifted to a hospital in Tbilisi, Georgia, where scans revealed a fracture in her L1 vertebrae. While she was cleared of neurological damage, the severity of her injury required an emergency evacuation to Athens for surgery. Her partner, Georgia, quickly boarded a flight to be by her side, while an Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) medical staffer has been assisting her throughout the ordeal. Brockhoff is expected to remain in hospital for up to two weeks before being cleared to return home to Australia. OWIA chief Geoff Lipshut assured that Brockhoff is receiving the best medical care possible. "Currently, our medical team is working with emergency service personnel and the hospital in Greece to ensure that Belle receives the best care possible," Lipshut said. "We will reassess options together with Belle following surgery over the next 48 hours." Despite the setback, Brockhoff remains in good spirits. Lipshut expressed relief that her partner could join her in Greece to provide additional support. The injury comes as another blow to Brockhoff, who recently recovered from what her surgeon described as "the worst" broken wrist he had ever seen. With just 11 months remaining until the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, her latest setback could not have come at a worse time. Brockhoff has a history of pushing through injuries in pursuit of Olympic success. She competed at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics with her knee heavily taped and braced after undergoing ACL removal surgery. More recently, she sought redemption after a heartbreaking fourth-place finish in the women’s snowboard cross final at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Frustrated by her near-miss, she bluntly described her result as “the loser” and expressed disappointment at missing the podium. Her Beijing campaign ended dramatically when she crashed out of the mixed team event, lying motionless on the course before being stretchered off by medics. Now, she faces yet another uphill battle in her journey back to competition. Images: Instagram

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"I'm not ready to go yet": Leading Aussie doctor given months to live

Leading melanoma researcher and Australian of the Year recipient Professor Richard Scolyer has revealed that he has only months to live following the return of his brain cancer. Diagnosed with incurable glioblastoma two years ago, Professor Scolyer chose to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/doctor-beats-cancer-using-his-own-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">undergo an experimental immunotherapy treatment</a>, defying his initial six-month prognosis. His remarkable journey was documented in a study published in late February, detailing the innovative approach he helped pioneer. However, after undergoing surgery last week, doctors confirmed that the aggressive cancer had returned. “Unfortunately, there is a larger volume of quickly growing brain cancer (glioblastoma, IDH WT, unmethylated etc.) in my left brain,” Professor Scolyer shared in an emotional social media post on Monday. “The prognosis is poor. Whilst some of my recurrent tumour was removed last week, some of it couldn’t be because of its site.” Despite the devastating news, Professor Scolyer remains hopeful that the experimental treatment he volunteered for could pave the way for future medical breakthroughs. Alongside his colleague and friend, Professor Georgina Long, he was named a 2024 Australian of the Year for their groundbreaking work in melanoma research and immunotherapy advancements. “I greatly appreciate the support of all my family, friends, and colleagues who have been looking after me so well and the incredible research that has been performed,” he said. “I hope the latter will change the field and patient outcomes in the not too distant future.” In a heartfelt interview on A Current Affair with Ally Langdon on Monday, the father-of-three shared his decision to forgo further experimental treatments, choosing instead to spend his remaining time with his loved ones. “It could help, but my heart’s not in the same place as what it was before,” he admitted. “It’s not fair, but there’s a lesson for everyone … make the most of every day because you don’t know what’s around the corner.” “I’m not ready to go yet. I love my life,” he said. “I guess I feel lucky that I’ve been able to go for so long without a recurrence of it.” Images: A Current Affair

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Prince Robert of Luxembourg announces youngest son's death

Prince Robert of Luxembourg has announced the heartbreaking loss of his youngest son, Frederik, at the age of 22. Frederik is Prince Robert's youngest son with wife Princess Julie of Nassau. According to a statement shared on the <a href="https://polgfoundation.org/frederik/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">POLG Foundation's</a> website, Frederik died on March 1 in Paris, France, from POLG Mitochondrial disease, a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive multiple organ dysfunction and failure. "It is with a very heavy heart that my wife and I would like to inform you of the passing of our son, The POLG Foundation Founder and Creative Director, Frederik," the statement, written by Robert began. Frederik, was born in Aix-en-Provence, France, on March 18, 2002, with POLG Mitochondrial disease, but was only diagnosed at the age of 14. He and his father later co-founded the POLG Foundation, with Frederik serving as Creative Director while Robert served as Chair. "Last Friday, February 28th, on 'Rare Disease Day', our beloved son called us in to his room to speak to him for one last time," the statement continued. "Frederik found the strength and the courage to say goodbye to each of us in turn." That included his brother, 27-year-old Prince Alexandre, his sister, 29-year-old Princess Charlotte and her 27-year-old husband, Mansour Shakarchi. Frederik also said his final goodbyes to his father's sister, Princess Charlotte, her husband Marc Victor Cunningham, and their three children: Charly, Louis, and Donall. "He had already spoken all that was in his heart to his extraordinary mother, who had not left his side in 15 years," Robert continued. "After gifting each of us with our farewells – some kind, some wise, some instructive – in true Frederik fashion, he left us collectively with a final long-standing family joke. "Even in his last moments, his humour, and his boundless compassion, compelled him to leave us with one last laugh….to cheer us all up." Prior to his other goodbye messages, Robert said, Frederik asked him: "Papa, are you proud of me?" "He had barely been able to speak for several days, so the clarity of these words was as surprising as the weight of the moment was profound," Robert wrote. "The answer was very easy, and he had heard it oh so many times, but at this time, he needed reassurance that he had contributed all that he possibly could in his short and beautiful existence and that he could now finally move on." "Frederik knows that he is my Superhero, as he is to all of our family, and to so very many good friends," Robert continued, noting how his son "was born with a special capacity for positivity, joy, and determination." "When he was little, I would always say that if there is one child of ours that I would never need to worry about, it was him," he continued. "He has social skills like no other, an amazing sense of humour, an emotional intelligence and compassion that were off the charts, a sense of justice, fairness and decency that knows no bounds. He was disciplined and organised beyond belief. " "Frederik is particularly headstrong (at times, I might have used the word stubborn). This serves him well. I cite him as being here in the present because I know that, though physically absent, he is still here, inspiring us and pushing us forward. His mission is not complete, and we all have much work left to do." Robert then thanked their family for their "messages of support and love", before asking those reading the tribute to volunteer with or donate to the POLG Foundation in Frederik's memory. "With our Superhero's help we hope to turn our deep grief into positive results and therewith follow his unwavering example," he wrote. "His ultimate message is one of hope, compassion, and resilience! We are all so very proud of you, Frederik. I am so very proud of you! We love you!" Images: The POLG Foundation

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Gene Hackman's cause of death revealed

The cause of death of legendary actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, has finally been confirmed, more than a week after they were <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/sad-new-details-emerge-in-gene-hackman-case" target="_blank" rel="noopener">discovered in their Santa Fe home</a>. The couple was found deceased in their residence on February 26, prompting an investigation by authorities. Dr Heather Jarrell, Chief Medical Examiner for New Mexico, disclosed at a press conference that Hackman succumbed to cardiovascular disease, with advanced Alzheimer’s disease being a significant contributing factor. His wife, Betsy Arakawa, died around seven days earlier from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare infectious disease contracted through exposure to rodents and their excrement. Authorities found evidence of rodent intrusion in the couple’s home, believed to be the source of Arakawa’s infection. Based on her movements and email communications, Dr Jarrell determined that Arakawa likely passed away on February 11, while Hackman is believed to have died on February 18. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed that Hackman was likely at home with his deceased wife for seven days before his own death. Dr Jarrell noted that Hackman was in "very poor health", and it was unclear how he managed in his final days without his wife's assistance. Given his advanced Alzheimer’s, Jarrell suggested that it was possible he was unaware that his wife had passed away. “There was no food in his stomach, which means he had not eaten recently, but he had no evidence of dehydration,” she stated. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a severe and often fatal respiratory disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, it begins with flu-like symptoms and rapidly progresses to serious lung and heart complications. The best prevention is avoiding contact with rodents and properly managing rodent-prone areas. Dr Jarrell’s findings confirmed that Hackman had severe heart disease, with evidence of multiple prior heart attacks and chronic high blood pressure. A full-body post-mortem examination showed no signs of trauma. He tested negative for COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory illnesses, as well as hantavirus and carbon monoxide poisoning. Similarly, Arakawa’s autopsy revealed no external or internal trauma. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of hantavirus, ruling it as the cause of her death. Other tests for respiratory viruses and toxins returned negative results. Dr Jarrell said that there were “no other significant natural disease findings” in either case, and that all medications found in the home were taken as prescribed and did not contribute to their deaths. The tragic passing of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa marks the end of an era for Hollywood, with fans mourning the loss of the two-time Academy Award-winning actor. Hackman, known for his roles in The French Connection, Unforgiven and The Royal Tenenbaums, retired from acting in 2004. The couple had been residing in Santa Fe for many years, enjoying a quiet life away from the public eye. Image: Instagram

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Lisa Curry's touching tribute to mum three years on

Lisa Curry has shared heartfelt tribute to her mum on the third anniversary of her death. The Australian swimming icon took to Instagram to reflect on their special bond, with an emotional video montage of some of her favourite memories with her mum. “Thinking of my mum all day today. 3 years since we said goodbye but she’s always around. 🤍👼🏻 Mums are amazing … make sure you call yours,” she wrote in the caption. Curry's mum passed away on March 3, 2022, at the age of 86. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGu7bu-TEX4/?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/DGu7bu-TEX4/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Lisa Curry AO (@lisacurry)</a> </div> </blockquote> The tribute received an outpouring of support from fans, who shared their condolences and love. “Thinking of you Lisa, you look like your dear mum. Too many losses in such a short time. xx,” one wrote. “She was your biggest fan may she be watching over you always," another commented. “Lisa such a beautiful daughter and Mum so much love,” commented another. “Sending you love and hugs Lisa," added another. Curry announced the heartbreaking news of her mother's passing in a social media post shared on March 2022. At the time, she expressed how deeply the loss had affected her, as well as the loss of her daughter Jaimi Lee Kenny in September 2020. “Our beautiful mum slipped away peacefully this morning,” Curry wrote at the time. “My heart is broken again. My baby girl, and now my mum.” She ended the post with a heartfelt thank you to her late mum, for being a "wonderful mother". “Have a nice long sleep mum. We love you so much and we’ll all miss you.” Images: Instagram

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Experts debunk dominant theory in Hackman deaths

It's been a week since acting legend Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy were both <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/sad-new-details-emerge-in-gene-hackman-case" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found dead</a> in their Santa Fe home. Gene, 95, was found dead in the home's mudroom, with his cane nearby, while his 65-year-old wife was found in the bathroom, near an open bottle of prescription pills. Preliminary autopsies have ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning as a cause of death, and Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed the actor had likely died about nine days before the bodies were discovered. While there's been speculation that the death could have been a "companion suicide", experts have casted their doubts on this theory. James Gill, Chief Medical Examiner with the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, told <a href="https://people.com/gene-hackman-wife-betsy-suicide-less-likely-says-expert-exclusive-11690593" target="_blank" rel="noopener">People </a>that it is unlikely the couple decided to end their lives together, as their bodies were found in different locations. While he is not working on the case, he offered his expert opinion, saying: “I’ve seen cases like that — usually they’re together in bed,” “The fact that they’re in two separate locations tells me that I think that’s less likely.” One of the couple's three dogs was also found dead inside the home, adding to the mystery. “From the initial kind of circumstances, it seems like he may have collapsed — he’s got a history of heart disease. He’s got a pacemaker. So that would not be unusual,” Gill told People. He also ruled out the theory that he had died after Betty because she was not around to take care of him. “Sometimes we’ll see instances where someone is bedridden and maybe they have dementia and then their caregiver dies from a natural event, and then there’s no one there to take care of them, and then they can die from dehydration or what have you. I don’t think that’s the case in this,” he said. Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden believes that the couple's death could be the result of a tragic accident, suggesting that Hackman's pacemaker could provide clues as to what happened. “That event would have been a cardiac arrest caused by an abnormal pulse rate,” he said. “The pacemaker keeps track of the pulse, and when it gets down too low, it discharges. And that’s all in the record.” “So the autopsy showed he didn’t have any injury,” Baden continued. “There was no carbon monoxide. And he had — the most common cause of death in this country — severe heart disease, coronary artery disease and high blood pressure perhaps, from what’s been released. So that would cause him, having cardiac arrest in the mudroom, to collapse right there.” Dr. Baden suggested that Hackman's wife Betsy could have died while trying to help him. “She may have struck her head on the way down and had some internal injury to the brain that doesn’t show up on the outside or bleeding in the inside of the brain,” he said. “Or that she may also, at 65, had severe heart disease and excitement can cause a trigger to the cardiac rhythm causing death under those circumstances. I think the first, that striking her head would be more common.” A criminal investigation was launched this week after New Mexico authorities deemed the circumstances around the couple’s deaths “suspicious.” Image: Dave Lewis/ Shutterstock Editorial <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">SANE: 1800 187 263; saneforums.org

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Tributes flow after Aussie tennis icon passes away

Fred Stolle has died at the age of 86. The tennis icon, with the nickname “Fiery”, began his career in the tennis world as a ball boy at the Davis Cup between Italy and the United States in 1951. He progressed through the ranks and made his breakthrough in 1965 at the French Open. The following year, he played at the US Open and achieved some of his best results in doubles, claiming 10 major doubles titles and another seven mixed doubles crowns. He was also a member of the Australian Davis Cup team, helping the nation claim three straight Davis Cup titles from 1964-66. Following his career on the court, Stolle made his debut in the commentary booth alongside John Newcombe and Tony Trabert, and became known to tennis fans for his insight and humour. Tributes have poured in from giants of the tennis world, with former teammate and friend Rod Laver leading tributes with an emotional post on X. “As I wrote in my book on the Golden Era of Aussie tennis, Fred Stolle was too nice a guy to hold a grudge,” he wrote. “He won many grand slams and was in the finals of many more. “It took the best to beat the best. We never tired of reliving the past as we travelled the world looking into the future with an enduring love of the sport. You will be missed, Fiery, RIP.” Paul McNamee, a former doubles world No. 1, also paid tribute to Stolle on X, writing: “Fiery Fred Stolle is no longer with us. What a player, what a commentator, what a bloke." “One of that great group of Aussie tennis players who made history, and whose legacy is perhaps unrivalled. “Thank you Fred for your wit, your friendship and for just being you. We’ll miss you.” Liz Smylie, who won the 1985 Wimbledon doubles title, wrote: “Very sad news to hear of the passing of Fred Stolle. “A champion player and person whose knowledge, generosity and expertise in the booth was legendary. He’ll be missed by all of us who knew and loved him.” Craig Tiley, chief executive of Tennis Australia and director of the Australian Open, shared: “When we speak about Australia’s golden era and the progression from amateur to professional, Stolle’s name is right up there with the best. RIP Fiery.” Stolle is survived by wife Pat, his son Sandon, and daughters Monique and Nadine. Image: X

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Baywatch actress passes away aged 61

Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff has passed away at the age of 61. The Baywatch actress and ex-wife of David Hasselhoff was found dead in her Los Angeles home on Wednesday, according to multiple media outlets in the US. Law enforcement sources have told TMZ that her family members were concerned after not hearing from her and wanted to check up on her. First responders were then called to her home after receiving a report of an unconscious female, and she was reportedly pronounced dead at the scene, according to Page Six. She has reportedly died by suicide. "Our family is deeply saddened by the recent passing of Pamela Hasselhoff," a representative for David Hasselhoff said in a statement. "We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time, but we kindly request privacy as we grieve and navigate through this challenging time." Bach was married to Hasselhoff for 17 years from 1989 to 2006, with the former couple sharing two children: daughters Taylor Ann Hasselhoff, 34, and Hayley Hasselhoff, 32. She was also a grandmother to Taylor's daughter, born in August 2024. Pamela was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1963 and moved to Los Angeles in 1985. That same year, she met David on the set of Knight Rider, with the couple tying the knot four years later. Six years later, she joined the cast of Baywatch, where she played reporter and businesswoman Kate 'Kaye' Morgan periodically in a few episodes across seasons two, three, five and six. Pamela and David filed for divorce in January 2006, citing irreconcilable differences. Image: MediaPunch/ Shutterstock Editorial <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">SANE: 1800 187 263; saneforums.org <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">

Caring

Family breaks silence after five-year-old son fatally hit by car

The devastated family of five-year-old boy Alby Thompson have remembered him for his "laughter and love". The young boy died after being struck by a four-wheel-drive in Broome, Western Australia about 5.20pm last Thursday. The five-year-old was rushed to Broome Regional Hospital where he later died. His family have issued a statement to the ABC on Wednesday and thanked the community for their “outpouring of love". “It is with profound sorrow that we share the news of our beloved son, Alby, who tragically lost his life in a road accident,” the statement began. “His laughter and love filled our hearts and home. “We kindly request privacy during this period of mourning as we come to terms with this devastating loss. “We thank the community for their outpouring of love and support during this heart-wrenching time.” The 34-year-old driver of the Landcruiser is assisting police with inquiries, and no charges have been laid. Image: 7News

Caring

AFL star's wife spends wedding anniversary in hospital amid cancer battle

AFL star Jeremy Finlayson's wife Kellie Finlayson has revealed she's had a bit of a setback with her health and is spending her second wedding anniversary in hospital. The 29-year-old is battling terminal stage four bowel cancer that metastasised in her lungs. She took to Instagram to share the update from her hospital bed, with a picture of the happy couple showing off their rings on their wedding day, and an updated photo of herself in the ward, with the caption: "Happy anniversary darl. Two years ago V. Today!" "Happy anniversary to me," she added, using a crying with laughter emoji and a bandaged love heart emoji. The AFL star shared his own anniversary message with an Instagram story, writing: "Happy anniversary <3" Kellie did not explain why she was hospitalised. The couple tied the knot back in March 2023 in South Australia. Kellie, who is a mother-of-one, was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 25. She previously opened up about her diagnosis on the Nova podcast Head Game, and shared just how hard her chemotherapy treatment was. "I lost a s--t ton of weight. I mean, I had a stoma, so I had a foreign object on my stomach. I wasn't the normal mum that she should have had, but I was as good as I possibly could be. It was hard," she said at the time. "I was allergic to one of the strands of that chemotherapy, which is why, when I did relapse, I had to change chemotherapy, which meant I lost my hair. "I was on my deathbed. I was getting anaphylactic reactions every three weeks to this chemotherapy. So I was essentially dying every three weeks, just to get better." Image: Instagram

Caring

NSW Health worker charged over anti-semitic remarks

A NSW Health worker who went viral over his <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/nsw-health-workers-stood-down-over-anti-semitic-remarks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">anti-semitic remarks</a> during a video call at Bankstown-Lidcombe hospital in Sydney's west has been charged. Ahmed Rashid Nadir, 27, and female co-worker Sarah Abu Lebdeh, 26, were recorded in a video call with Israeli influencer Max Veifer, where they said they would refuse to treat Israeli patients and allegedly threatened to kill them. The video has since gone viral and both nurses were stood down from their positions. After being stood down from the hospital, Nadir issued an apology through his lawyer, and told reporters the incident was a misunderstanding and a mistake. Nadir was arrested on Tuesday evening, and charged with threatening to menace, harass, or offend, as well as possessing a prohibited drug. He has been granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Lebdeh, was charged last Tuesday, and faces charges of threatening violence to a group, using a carriage service to threaten to kill, and using a carriage service to menace, harass, or offend, according to NSW Police. She is also scheduled to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on March 19. At the time of her arrest, Nadir was taken to hospital for assessment after paramedics were called to his home. He has reportedly been receiving ongoing medical treatment since then. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency previously confirmed the pair’s credentials were no longer valid and they “cannot practise in Australia”. Image: TikTok

Legal

Man who saved the lives of over 2 million babies dies aged 88

James Harrison OAM, the famous Australian blood donor who saved the lives of 2.4 million babies by donating his rare plasma, has died aged 88. Australian Red Cross Lifeblood has confirmed that Harrison died "peacefully" on February 17 at Peninsula Village Nursing Home on the NSW Central Coast. Harrison, also known as the Man with the Golden Arm, began donating in the 1950s became the world's most prolific blood and plasma donor thanks to his rare antibody, Anti-D, which helps mothers who are at risk of passing on deadly antibodies to their babies. Since he started donating at the age of 18, Harrison has donated 1173 times, continuing his kind act up until his retirement in 2018 aged 81. His family have since paid tribute to him, with his daughter Tracey Mellowship, remembering him as a generous soul. "James was a humanitarian at heart, but also very funny," she said. "In his last years, he was immensely proud to become a great grandfather to two beautiful grandchildren, Trey and Addison. "As an Anti-D recipient myself, he has left behind a family that may not have existed without his precious donations." Lifeblood Chief Executive Officer Stephen Cornelissen added that Harrison's impact has made a difference all around the world. "James was a remarkable, stoically kind, and generous person who was committed to a lifetime of giving and he captured the hearts of many people around the world," Cornelissen said. "It was James' belief that his donations were no more important than any other donors', and that everyone can be special in the same way that he was. "James extended his arm to help others and babies he would never know a remarkable 1173 times and expected nothing in return." "He leaves behind an incredible legacy, and it was his hope that one day, someone in Australia would beat his donation record," he added. "On behalf of Lifeblood, and the entire Australian community, we thank James for the incredible life- saving contribution he made and the millions of lives he saved." Harrison's rare blood and plasma may continue to save lives even after his death, with researches hoping they would be able to use his blood to develop lab-grown Anti-D. Image: Nine News

Caring

From sunscreen to essential oils, why some personal care products could be harmful to your health

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/asit-kumar-mishra-1458839">Asit Kumar Mishra</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-college-cork-1321">University College Cork</a> Each time you apply sunscreen to your face, you may inhale somewhere between <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/11/5944">10 to 30 milligrams of ethanol</a>, the type of alcohol used in alcoholic drinks. While the ethanol in sunscreen may not give you a buzz, it could make you think about what other chemicals you might be exposed to from personal care products. Products that are applied to the face, like sunscreen, can increase the inhalation of some chemicals by ten times or more than you would inhale from your <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34816489/">home air in the entire day</a>. The levels of ethanol in cosmetics and skincare products may be reasonably safe – although it can still dry out the skin, causing pain, redness and swelling, and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ethanol-properties-uses-and-incident-management/ethanol-general-information">irritate the eyes</a>, causing tears, burning and stinging – but personal care products such as shampoos, skin creams, deodorants, cosmetics and perfumes contain fragrances and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be inhaled, absorbed through skin or ingested and some are more toxic than others. Unfortunately, manufacturers of personal care products <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-015-0327-6">do not have to disclose</a> every fragrance compound used. This is concerning when you consider the potential effects of toxic compounds that <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34816489/">have been detected</a> in the air from personal care products. For example, hair-smoothing products have released formaldehyde, a toxic chemical that can cause <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK597627/">a range of symptoms</a> from dermatitis to low sperm count. Some perfumes and deodorants have generated monoterpenes, chemicals which <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8912113/#sec1-molecules-27-01716">can prove toxic</a> for some users. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cfloNXKeyX8?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Some of the VOCs found in personal care products <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36976159/">may trigger</a> skin irritation, headaches – and difficulty breathing, which can develop into an asthma attack in some users. The highest or peak concentration of these VOCs are likely to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22406137/">occur within ten minutes</a> of application. But these concentrations may take up to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34816489/">two hours to decrease to background levels</a>, depending on your home’s ventilation. <h2>Natural doesn’t mean risk free</h2> But even if the levels of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20659630/">VOCs in personal care products</a> are kept <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22406137/">within safe limits</a>, they can still cause discomfort and a variety of health issues, including irritation of the eyes and airways, migraines and asthmatic reactions, in those who’re <a href="https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12302-020-00311-y">fragrance sensitive</a>. In the UK, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-018-00655-8">27% of the population</a> self reports as fragrance sensitive. It makes sense then that some people attempt to avoid potentially toxic synthetic chemicals in cosmetics by opting for “natural” or “clean” personal care products. But, <a href="https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12302-020-00311-y">natural does not mean safer</a>. For instance, essential oils are often used in “natural” personal care products as fragrance. Essential oils, though, are a source of terpenes, some of which can be <a href="https://www.lung.org/blog/essential-oils-harmful-or-helpful">toxic if absorbed, inhaled or swallowed</a>. Indoor concentration of terpenes are often at levels where you can smell them but not high enough to cause <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28126407/">eye or respiratory tract irritation</a>. However, the terpenes from essential oils can react with other chemicals, such as ozone from outdoor air, producing <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32162221/">byproducts like formaldehyde, a known carcinogen</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22250748/">allergens</a>. <h2>Beauty salon safety</h2> Beauty salons can be particularly risky environments for exposure to VOCs. <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/7/4176">Studies have found</a> contaminants such as formaldehyde, ammonia and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/toluene-properties-incident-management-and-toxicology/toluene-toxicological-overview">toluene</a>, a potentially harmful ingredient used in many personal care products, at high levels in salons, putting staff who work there at the highest risk. Formaldehyde levels in some salons have reached <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31321727/">above safety limits</a>. <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/npi/substances/fact-sheets/methyl-methacrylate#tabs-2">Methyl methacrylate</a>, which can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions and potential <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3072694/">respiratory issues</a> has been <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30276513/">detected in the air of nail salons</a>. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ydRklqO01fE?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> These contaminants are not necessarily limited to the places in a salon <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23765035/">where a certain product is being used</a>. Beauty salons with poor ventilation are likely to expose workers and customers to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29494285/">much higher levels of contaminants</a>. Some of the components of personal care products are known, harmful contaminants and carcinogens. Regulations specifically related to ventilation in environments where large volumes of these products are used do reduce exposures. For instance, studies show that after ventilation regulations came into effect in Boston, US in 2011, the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31622145/">air quality inside nail salons improved</a>. When visiting your nail salon or hair stylist, check with them about their ventilation system and other steps they are taking to reduce exposure to VOCs. To limit exposure to potential VOCs at home when using personal care products, try to open windows and use extractor fans in wet rooms. Be especially careful when applying products to the face or when using a high temperature application – <a href="https://occup-med.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12995-018-0213-x">high temperatures can increase emissions</a>.<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/248273/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/asit-kumar-mishra-1458839">Asit Kumar Mishra</a>, Research Fellow in School of Public of Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-college-cork-1321">University College Cork</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/from-sunscreen-to-essential-oils-why-some-personal-care-products-could-be-harmful-to-your-health-248273">original article</a>. </div>

Body

Hollywood star dies aged 39

Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away aged 39. The former child star rose to fame in the 1996 film Harriet the Spy, before going on to have memorable roles on popular TV shows including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl. Police responded to a 911 call on Wednesday just after 8am local time, where “officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive,” inside a Manhattan apartment, according to a NYPD statement. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene, with no foul play suspected. Her official cause of death will come from the New York Medical Examiner. A NYPD source old ABC News that Trachtenberg may have been experiencing complications from a recent liver transplant, and is believed to have died of natural causes. "The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time," a representative for Trachtenberg told CNN in a statement. Trachtenberg appeared in 66 episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer playing Dawn Summers, the younger sister of the title character played by Sarah Michelle Gellar. She also featured in 28 episodes of Gossip Girl as Georgina Sparks, between 2008 and 2012. Gossip Girl creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage have paid tribute to the actress, writing: “We are deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing. Michelle was so funny, kind, and talented." “Her portrayal of Georgina Sparks was an iconic fan favorite, and grew from a one season villain to a beloved character who returned over the course of six seasons. She was a delight to have on set and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her family.” Image: SBM/Plux/ Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

Mystery illness kills more than 50 people within hours

An unknown illness has killed more than 50 people in northwestern Congo over the past five weeks, according doctors on the ground and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The interval between the onset of symptoms - which include fever, vomiting and internal bleeding - and death has been 48 hours in the majority of cases, and “that’s what’s really worrying”, according to Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital, a regional monitoring centre. The outbreak began on January 21, with 419 cases recorded including 53 deaths. According to WHO's Africa office, the outbreak began in the town of Boloko after three children ate a bat and died within 48 hours following the “hemorrhagic fever” symptoms. While these symptoms are commonly linked to known deadly viruses, such as Ebola, dengue, Marburg and yellow fever, researchers have ruled these out following a series of tests of more than a dozen samples collected so far. The tests were conducted after the second outbreak of the mystery disease in the town of Bomate on February 9, with samples from 13 cases sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in DR Congo’s capital Kinshasa for testing, the WHO said. All samples were negative for common hemorrhagic fever diseases, although some tested positive for malaria. The number of outbreaks from diseases spreading from animals to humans in places where wild animals are popularly eaten has been a concern, with outbreaks in Africa surging by more than 60 per cent in the last decade, the WHO said in 2022. Last year, another mystery flu-like illness that killed dozens of people in another part of Congo was determined to be likely malaria. Image: Shutterstock

Caring

icare safeguards NSW workers with new Lung Health Mobile Clinic

icare has launched a new, state-of-the-art Lung Health Mobile Clinic, which has embarked on its inaugural road trip to deliver lung health checks to individuals across NSW. The new mobile clinic continues the legacy of a bus that has served the community for nearly 16 years, travelling more than 700,000km (almost to the moon and back), screening more than 53,000 people, and visiting over 300 destinations across NSW. Each year, the program provides lung health checks to more than 5,000 people, ensuring early detection and treatment of dust diseases like asbestosis, silicosis, and mesothelioma. Minister for Industrial Relations and Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis MP, said the new Mobile Clinic underscores the NSW Government’s commitment to removing barriers like cost and location, ensuring workers across NSW have access to the critical support and care they need to safeguard their health. “Along with enforcement of the recent ban on engineered stone, the new Mobile Clinic demonstrates our commitment to improve outcomes for workers exposed to hazardous dust across NSW.” icare’s new Mobile Clinic is equipped with advanced technology and features including: • Digital chest X-ray technology, providing precise and reliable first instance imaging. • Enhanced spirometry (lung function) testing equipment to evaluate breathing capacity and respiratory performance. • Digital monitoring systems to streamline diagnostics and care. • A backup power supply to ensure uninterrupted operation in remote locations. • Greater accessibility and comfort, with larger clinical space designed to support both staff and clients. • An external design, created to help engage and welcome workers, and an interior mural by Mumbulla Creative - an Indigenous agency whose artwork reflects connection to Country, icare’s values and the people of NSW. icare urges anyone with past or present occupational exposure to hazardous dust - such as through mining, tunnelling, construction, or manufacturing - to prioritise their lung health. “A lung health check could save your life,” said icare Group Executive of General Insurance and Care, Britt Coombe. “Early detection is critical to effective treatment, and we’re here to make sure every worker, no matter where they live, has access to world-class care.” Lung health checks are painless, and take less than 30 minutes. The process includes: 1. Chest X-ray to detect abnormalities or damage. 2. Lung function testing to assess respiratory performance. 3. Consultation with a specialist doctor, who interprets results and provides tailored advice. 4. Referral for CT scan, as required to get a better image of the chest and lungs. Individuals are encouraged to contact icare directly, and the Dust Diseases Care team can help facilitate and fund lung health checks through local services, at icare’s Sydney CBD Kent Street clinic, icare’s lung bus, or organise transport should that be a barrier to screening in more remote locations. icare’s lung screening program adheres to the national guidance for doctors assessing workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica dust set by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, ensuring the highest standards of care for detecting and managing respiratory diseases. A clinical governance committee continually reviews emerging evidence on best-practice and makes recommendations to ensure icare delivers screening aligned with national standards. icare’s new Mobile Clinic underscores its commitment to removing barriers like cost and location, ensuring workers across NSW have access to the critical support and care they need to safeguard their health. For more information on lung health checks or to arrange a screening, visit the <a href="https://www.icare.nsw.gov.au/employers/employer-obligations/lung-screening-service" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lung Screening Service website</a> or call 1800 550 027. Image credits: Supplied

Caring

Hugh Jackman performs touching duet with Aussie schoolmate

Hugh Jackman has performed a special duet with an old friend from kindergarten. On a recent trip to New York, Gus Worland - the founder of Gotcha4Life foundation campaigning for better awareness around depression, anxiety and emotions among Aussie men - went to see his childhood friend, Hugh Jackman's new one man show at Radio City Music Hall. Jackman wanted to perform a few songs in honour of the work Worland does in the mental health field, and invited his old Aussie schoolmate on stage for a duet. "He didn't tell me he was going to do that before hand," Worland told Today. "But we sang a song from the Dear Evan Hansen soundtrack about having someone in your life who you can have those warts and all conversations with and he and I have been that since we were at kindy together at Pymble Public School. "And 51 years on, obviously his life is incredible and but he's been through a lot these past few years and he's needed his village around him to help." <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFZOjgWvtpa/?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/DFZOjgWvtpa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Gus Worland (@gusworland)</a> </div> </blockquote> Many followers praised the duo's performance, with one writing: "Wow what a voice Gus. Amazing pair of Aussies." "This is wonderful!! you can feel how much you guys love and care for one another. thank you for sharing," another added. "The greatest showman!!! And @thehughjackman," quipped another. Worland also spoke about the release of his book Boys Do Cry and the inspiration behind it. "We've got way too many people at the moment who have their emotional tap turned off really, really quickly in their life, so we want to try to get to the little ones to say, 'it's all right to show your emotions,'" Worland told Today. "Because we go through stuff and being human means we go through ups and downs." He hopes that the new book would help break the stigma around boys being taught not to show any emotion. "I talk to blokes now in their 20s, 30s and 40s, who from a very young age, five, six, seven and eight in the schoolyard that you can't show emotion, you can't cry," he said. "And they never turn that tap back on again which means we've now got all these guys out there who are really struggling with their emotional muscles." Images: Instagram

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Prince William’s heartbreaking call after Kate's cancer diagnosis

A former aide to the Prince of Wales has revealed that he was at his "lowest" after his wife Princess Kate was diagnosed with cancer about <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/kate-middleton-reveals-cancer-diagnosis-in-heartfelt-message" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a year ago</a>. In an interview with 60 Minutes Australia, Jason Knauf, who was the chief executive of William and Kate’s Royal Foundation, revealed the phone call he shared with the Prince of Wales, after Kate's cancer diagnosis last year. "It was awful, absolutely awful. It's the lowest I've ever seen him. "Within a couple of weeks, if you're Prince William, you find out that both your wife and your father have cancer. I couldn't believe it." Princess Kate is now in <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/kate-middleton-confirms-the-end-of-her-chemotherapy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">remission</a>, while King Charles receives ongoing treatment. The Princess of Wales' diagnosis was made public in March last year, with Knauf recalling: “But the problem was that all this crazy conspiracy theory stuff kicked off in the background, online. ‘Was she really ill?’. “But they didn’t want to say yet that she had cancer because they hadn’t told the children and they were still working through how to tell the children.” Knauf stepped down from his position at the end of 2021. He also previously worked for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as their communications secretary. The Prince of Wales previously told reporters at the end of his visit to South Africa in November last year, that 2024 had been “the hardest year" of his life. "Honestly? It's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life. So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult," he told the BBC at the time. “But I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it’s been brutal.” Image: 60 Minutes/ Instagram

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Prince William’s heartbreaking call after Kate's cancer diagnosis

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