#the sydneysider in me is saying hi

[breakbleheavens]

melbourne surprise songs are getting too good I need to fight them

[sillyrabbit81]

Her Heavy Cross

Summary: Three years after tragedy hits, Lana she decides to start dating again. She meets Will through a dating app and they begin an online romance. After months of constant requests, Lana relents and agrees to meet and go on an irl date with Will. But is Will who he says he is? Lana is quickly pulled into an intense relationship forcing her to confront her tragic past. Will Lana face it or will she close her heart forever?

Pairing: OMC x OFC

Word Count: approx 3k

Warnings: swearing, angst, implied smut

Authors Note: The story started as a Henry Cavill fanfiction but I changed it to be an original character, but shades of Henry are still there. Hope you enjoy the story and thanks for reading.

Part 10 Part 12

Part 11

The next few days were monotonous. Most mornings, I would go to the gym. Then I'd head off to work. After work, I'd take Perrin for a walk. We stopped at the dog park a few times to throw the ball. Then I'd go home and read or watch tv. After dinner, I would FaceTime Liam before falling asleep.

Although I missed him terribly, it had been good to have some space. I was able to think about us a bit. Liam was always great on the phone, a gentleman even. Yes, he flirted with me and made inappropriate comments, but they were always in context. I'd be lying if I said I didn't flirt with him back. But it was nice to get to know him better, and I decided I definitely liked him as a person and a lover. He was sweet, sincere, funny and warm, the same as he was when he was Will. He seemed to accept who I was. There were no digs at me, maybe some friendly ribbing, but it seemed he liked me too. We spent a lot of time laughing. We had a similar sense of humour.

He opened up about some of his past relationships, how he felt about them and what went wrong. A lot of the times, he admitted to fault, especially in the early ones. I talked a bit about Andy but kept a lot back. No doubt, he noticed.

Thursday afternoon changed everything.

Liam called me when I was driving home from work at about four-thirty. It broke with our routine. We usually spoke around nine o'clock. I answered the phone, and Liam's voice came through the speakers.

"Hello, Sweetheart. How was your day?"

I smiled at this now familiar greeting. "Really good, Liam. How was yours? Have you finished work already?"

"Yeah, good. I'm supposed to stay for another hour, but I wasn't needed, so I left." Liam paused and said, "Listen, Lana, I have to tell you something."

"Oh, no."

"Yesterday, a parent from your school saw the pictures of us." I went cold. I was 10 minutes from my house, but I pulled over. "She left a message on one of the pictures that you look like a teacher from her kid's school." Oh shit. "Anyway, this morning, you were on duty at the "kiss and drop", whatever that is."

Robotically I said, "it's where the parents drop the kids off at school without getting out of the car." I could see where this is as going.

"Right." He sounded strange but continued. "Well, they took a picture of you, put that side by side with the others. Long story short, Sarah was called to confirm your name."

"Oh, for fucks sake." I was pissed off. "What did she tell them?"

"She said she couldn't confirm or deny."

"In other words, yes, but my boss said, don't say anything."

"That's a bit unfair, Lana. She can't lie to them, or they won't bother calling her when they get a story. They will just run it because they can't trust what she says."

"Fuck this," I said and hung up on Liam.

I slammed my foot down on the accelerator and spun the tires. I had a Toyota Camry SX. It's sort of sporty, but it's not meant to be driven like that, but I was fuming. Liam rang again, but I ignored it. I backed off and slightly and rounded a corner, tires chirping as I went. I fumbled in my bag, driving one-handed until I found and lit a cigarette. As stupid as it was, I drove the rest of the way home like that.

When I got home, I quickly changed into my Draggin jeans, leather jacket and riding boots. I grabbed my helmet, gloves and went for a ride.

I loved being on the bike. Andy was the first guy I'd been with who rode. I remembered the first time he got me on the bike. He hadn't even let the clutch out, and I screamed and jumped off. The second time was better, and I went around the block before I got off. The third time, I was hooked. I loved holding onto his waist as we rode, my chest pressed against his back, my thighs touching his, my hands under his t-shirt. I loved the heavy thrumming of the bike, the wind whistling past. It was exciting, erotic, but also calming. Calming is what I needed.

I was so angry. Not at Liam or Sarah. Or even the bitch who outed me or the others who put my photo out there in the first place. I didn't know who I was angry with. Hollywood? Gossip? Social media? Myself? Maybe I was mad at myself. I deserved it. I'd turned my back on Andy, fucked another guy, and now I'm in a relationship with him, according to public record. Every time someone googles my name, his will come up.

The parents at school will give me looks, and I won't know what they are thinking. Will they be laughing at me? And if it didn't work out, everyone would know. I would have to go through a break up while everyone watched, picked at it, chose sides and commented.

I rode for about an hour up through the Blue Mountains. When I stopped for petrol at Wentworth Falls, my thoughts had settled, and I was thinking clearer. I stopped at a cafe, got a coffee and checked my phone. Liam had called twice more and sent a few messages. Riza had called and texted me.

I checked Riza's first. It was a link to an article, Liam Cross's Secret Aussie Lover. Her text simply said, "Jen just found this. Call me if you need me." I didn't click the link.

I checked Liam's. He said he wants to make sure I'm ok. Then he said he wants to come over and talk to me.

I called Liam. He seemed to answer before it even rang. "Sweetheart. Are you ok?" He sounded a bit frantic.

I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry I snapped at you."

"I knew you'd be upset."

"Upset is one thing. I snapped at you and blamed Sarah. You're right. It's not her fault."

"Lana, don't worry about that. Did you read the article?"

"No."

Liam was quiet a while. Then he said, "Are you ok now?"

"Yeah, I'm ok. I just needed some time to calm down." I let out a short laugh. "I am a redhead after all. I have a temper."

Liam laughed, "Do I have to be worried about being stabbed in my sleep?"

"Nah, being a redhead wouldn't make me do that. I get that part of me from being a Scorpio."

"I don't know whether to be scared or turned on right now."

I smirked, "Why not be both?"

Liam laughed and then got serious. "You sure you're ok? Do you want me to come over? I almost did get in my car when you wouldn't answer."

"Stalker," I teased.

"And that's why I didn't."

"I'm not at home anyway."

"Where are you?"

"I took off on the bike to clear my head. I'm in the mountains right now."

"The mountains?"

"Yeah, the Blue Mountains. Look west tomorrow, and you'll see them."

"I'll do that." Liam paused. "I'm really looking forward to seeing you tomorrow."

"I'm looking forward to seeing you too. Bye, Liam."

"Bye, Sweetheart."

I finished my coffee and rode home.

I texted Riza to let her know I was ok. I played with Perrin. I texted my brother to remind him to pick Perrin up tomorrow afternoon. I ate some dinner before packing my bag for tomorrow and went to bed. It was a long time before I finally fell into a restless sleep.

Liam Cross's Secret Aussie Lover

"Pictures of Liam Cross, 38, with an unknown female were circulating on social media earlier this week, and tongues were set wagging.

"Users were quick to put their detective hats on and tracked down Cross's new flame late yesterday. The woman was identified as Mrs Alana Walker, 30, Sydneysider, and special education teacher. Not much else is known about Mrs Walker other than she was widowed in 2017.  Her husband, Andrew Walker, and father Brian Kelly were killed in a horrific Boxing Day crash when his car was destroyed by a truck driver who had a medical incident behind the wheel.

"Sources close to Cross say that he has been elated the past couple of months, and now they know why. They hope for his sake that this relationship will not be plagued by scandal like his previous relationships.

"For now, Cross's camp is remaining tight-lipped on the situation. While they don't deny a relationship, they will not confirm it.

"Cross is currently in Sydney for an adaptation of the widely popular and romantic fantasy epic Beyond the Stones series by C. W. Taylor. He will co-star alongside Australian Myra Roberts with an expected release in the northern hemisphere winter of 2022."

I woke on Friday morning and laid in bed for a while. I should have gone to the gym, but I just couldn't get my body to move. I wanted to chuck a sickie, blow off the whole day, maybe go for a swim, or just watch movies all day. I had an urge to watch Kill Bill for some reason. But I couldn't do that to the kids.

I knew I was just trying to avoid the parents at school. I'm sure most of them know by now. Gossip runs rampant at the school gate. We've all seen Big Little Lies. Probably all the staff knew too. It was one of those days where I wish I could just press fast forward and get to the part where I see Liam again. I didn't want to miss out on that.

In the end, I got up, showered and got ready for work. I tamed my hair, put on my war paint and dressed in black work pants, ballet flats and a pink knitted cardigan.

I started to pack my bag for the weekend, trying to work out what outfits I needed. I had decided what I wanted to wear for dinner tonight, but I didn't know what to wear to bed. Would I even need anything to wear? I blushed at the thought. I packed a basic set of pyjamas. I added jeans and a couple of t-shirts, a hoodie and my Dr Martens. I put some pretty underwear in there too. I didn't have much, just a white lace set which Liam had already seen and two black lace sets. I packed them all.

My phone beeped, and I got a message from Liam. It was a picture of his face all sweaty from working out. He had his tongue sticking out. He had written, I was going to send you a picture of my cock but thought that was a bit vulgar. So I decided to send you a picture of another part of my body that's going to fuck you tonight. Can't wait x.

My whole body grew hot, my stomach filled with butterflies, and I giggled. I started to reply with 'cheeky bastard', but then I had an idea. I sent him a picture of my face with my mouth open in an O shape, and I rested a finger on the corner of my lower lip. I wrote, I was going to send you a picture of my pussy but thought it was a bit obvious. So I sent you a picture of another part of my body that's going to get fucked tonight. X

Within a minute, I got a reply of: Game on, Sweetheart.

Well, if Liam wants to play a game, I can play a game.

I pulled my pyjamas out of my bag and put in a satin shift, pretty much my only sexy bedclothes. I thought about what other sexy photos I could take and packed a few other things. Then I made my lunch and headed off to work.

I rang Riza on the way to work. She asked me about how I was feeling. I told her I was dealing with it, but I said no more about it. I asked Riza about how she and Jen were going, and she said we would meet up soon.

"I miss you," she said.

"Yeah, I miss you too. Talk soon, ok?"

"Yeah, have a good weekend slut! Tell Liam I said hi."

"Suck a dick Riz."

We hung up, and almost immediately, Dave calls.

He doesn't say hello or anything, just launches in with, "Are you dating Liam Cross?" Fuck. "One of Lucy's friends just sent her an article about you and him."

No use denying it then. "Yeah, I am. He's the one I'm spending the weekend with." I braced for his reply.

"Fuck me dead. My fucking little sister is rooting Liam fucking Cross." His voice didn't sound angry. He sounded impressed.

I rolled my eyes. "It's not a big deal. Just don't forget to get Perrin and don't tell Mum."

"Not a big deal? The kids will go crazy when they meet him."

"Dave, we are hardly at the point where we are meeting families."

"Yeah, alright, keep your shirt on."

"I'll come by Sunday arvo to pick Perrin up?"

"Wanna stay for dinner?"

"Yeah, ok. See you then."

I ended the call and got to work not long after that. I went straight to my classroom, trying to avoid everyone. There was one person I couldn't avoid, and that was Marla, my teacher's aide. She was in her late 50s, though, so I thought she would be pretty safe. She didn't mention anything all morning, which was a relief.

At lunchtime, I stayed in the classroom. I told Marla I had some work to do, so she left me alone. I checked my phone and found a message from Liam.

It was a picture of Liam drinking from a bottle of pineapple juice, and it said, Me hydrating for tonight x.

His innuendo made me chuckle, but I had planned for something like this. I took a selfie of myself with a banana in my mouth and sent it with the caption: Presumptive much? Me carbo-loading for tonight.

Liam replied a little later with, I can't decide if I'm winning because my pics are better or if I'm still winning because yours are better.

Marla came back into the classroom about halfway through lunch. She pottered around the room, trying to look busy. She kept looking over at me. I felt myself start to panic. She wasn't acting like that this morning. She must know now. They all must know. I started wondering what everyone was saying about me in the staff room. They had probably sent Marla back to the classroom to see what information they could get out of me. The panic receded, and anger filled the void.

Eventually, I lost my temper. "Have you got something to say, Marla?"

Marla had the good grace to look ashamed. "No. Nothing."

I crossed my arms. "What are they saying?"

Marla sighed, "honestly? They're mostly pretty stoked about it. Happy for you."

I let my arms fall. My vision went a bit blurry. "Really?"

Marla came over and leaned against the table, and rubbed my back. "Oh, Darl, yeah, most of us remember what it was like for you. We just want you to be happy."

I smiled at her, but the tears still came. Marla gave me a tissue. "Thanks, Marla." I sniffed, "ugh, the parents, though. I'm not looking forward to that."

Marla smiled and said, "don't worry about it, Darl. I'll fill in for ya this arvo, and you can do my Wednesday lunch duty. How's that?" I thanked her. Relieved, I hugged her and cleaned myself up.

When school had finished, I made a mad dash to the car park. I knew I was just putting off the inevitable. I'd have to show my face in front of the parents sooner or later, but I decided it was Monday's problem.

I checked my phone before I headed off to Liam's place. He had sent me a shirtless picture of himself with some rope curled up around his shoulder and written, One of my costumes has a rope. It made me think of you. I'm about to leave. See you soon.

Dammit, I couldn't think of a response to that one! I sat and thought about it for ages. I was not about to give in easily. Then it came to me. I got my water bottle and one of my spare undies from my overnight bag. I wet them a bit, put the underwear and water bottle on the bag and took a picture of them both. I wrote. My water bottle leaked in my bag, and my panties got wet. It made me think of you. I'm on my way.

The three circles came up within seconds, and Liam sent, You are in so much trouble, Sweetheart. Park around the back.

And because I can't control my tongue in real life or texts, I wrote back, That's what she said.

I didn't wait for a reply. I just put an audiobook on and drove.

Part 12

[fatenista]

“Wow, we’re moving to Sydney?” I remember that excitement we had for our new adventure ahead. It was last year of Adil’s PhD, so we were looking for ‘What’s next and where’s next’.

By October, 2018, Adil got an offer from UNSW as a postdoctoral fellow in Oceanography, Sydney. We had around 6 months before we move to the new place. Adil was excited to go to Australia because he wanted to see Australia. He was born in Australia (QLD) when his father did his PhD. UNSW is also where his father graduated his Master!

Adil always hears the good-life story living in Australia from his mom, so for us, it’s a really exciting experience to go live in a new place.

During UNSW interview

Congrats Dr.Adil!!

First thing first, visa. The visa process is so easy because everything is online. Maybe it was easy because we’re sponsored. The requirements for the visa was not too tiring, we just uploaded all needed documents but heyyyyyy, we’re Thai so it pretty sucks that we were asked to get “Police Clearance” which we had to get it from Thailand (Only).

บ่นเป็นภาษาไทยน่าจะมันส์กว่านะ คือเราติดต่อเรื่องนี้กับกงสุลไทย ซึ่งมันดูง่ายมาก เราเเค่เข้าไปกรอกข้อมูลเเล้วปั็มลายนิ้วมือ (ประกาศๆ เมืองไทยยังไม่ใช้ระบบเเสกน Biometric เหมือนโลกที่ 1 นะจ๊ะ เรายังใช้หมึกตราม้ากันอยู่ในการพิมพ์ลายนิ้วมือ) ขอบคุณบังซุฟยานกับบังยะห์ยามากที่ช่วยเหลือเราเต็มที่ในการเดินเรื่องตรงนี้ หลังจากเรากรอกเเล้วปัํมนิ้วมือ เอ้ะ! เดี๋ยวก่อน จำได้ว่าของเรายากมาก ไม่เเน่ใจเพราะนิ้วเล็กไปรึเปล่า ถึงปั็มเเล้วไม่เห็นลายนิ้วมือ ต้องกดเเรงมากๆถึงจะโอเค บังบอกว่า “ถ้าไม่ชัด เค้าจะไม่ทำให้” คนไทยที่เคยขอส่งไปไม่เคยได้เลยสักคน เราก็เเบบ “หาาาา! เเล้วเเบบนี้เราจะได้ไม๊เนี่ย ก๊อชชช!” พอบังบอกว่า “โอเค ได้ละ” ทางกงสุลเลยถามเราว่า “จะให้ทางกงสุลส่งไปหรือทางเราจะสามารถหาเพื่อนไปส่งเอกสารไปให้สำนักตำรวจได้ เเบบที่สองจะเร็วกว่านะเเละชัวร์กว่าว่าเค้าได้ เพื่อนสามารถตามเรื่องได้ด้วย” เราก็เลยโอเค ติดต่อเพื่อนไป ต้องขอบคุณนูรีย์ มากกกกๆๆๆ อีกคนที่ช่วยเหลือตลอด โชคดีที่ออฟฟิสนูรีย์อยู่เเถวนั้น นูรีย์บอกเบื่อบอสเมื่อไหร่จะออกไปทำเรื่องให้ ฮ่าๆ การขอใบนี้มันยากเย็นที่สุดละ อุปสรรคมาก ค่าธรรมเนียมขอใบสำหรับสองคนก็สองพันนะ ณ จุดนี้ ขอขอบคุณบังเด้ะมากๆๆๆๆๆๆๆๆๆ ที่ช่วยโอนเงินให้เพื่อนเดินเรื่องนี้ก่อน 😀 ไม่มีทุกคนที่กล่าวมาข้างบนนี้ เราคงไม่ได้มาอยู่ซิดนีย์เเละมาบ่นให้ทุกคนฟังเหมือนวันนี้ คิคิ หลังจากนูรีย์ไปจัดการส่งเอกสาร ไม่กี่วันต่อมาทางสำนักตำรวจติดต่อนูรีย์ละบอกว่า ลายนิ้วมือไม่ชัดนะ ทำไม่ได้ I was like … wtf!!! ห่วยเเตกมากกก เห้อออ ทำไงดี โชคดีเรามีบังเด้ะที่คอยช่วยเราอีกคน บังเด้ะช่วยเราได้เยอะมากๆ บังเด้ะติดต่อไปเเล้วทางสำนักตำรวจ (คนที่ดำเนินเรื่องนี้) เค้าบอกว่า มีอีกทางนะ เเบบไม่ต้องใช้ลายนิ้วมือ .. again, I was like ..เห้ยย! ทำไมไม่ทำให้ประกาศให้มันเป็นที่ทราบทั่วกันล่ะคะ ว่าสำหรับคนไทยที่พำนักอยู่ต่างประเทศ มันสามารถทำเเบบไม่ต้องใช้ลายนิ้วมือก็ได้? คืออันนี้ไม่ได้ต้องการจะพูดไม่ดีถึงการทำงานราชการของทางไทย เเค่สงสัยในฐานะคนไทยคนหนึ่งที่คิดว่าระบบมันควรจะเอื้อประชาชนมากกว่านี้ .. Anyways, ทางนั้นบอกว่า ถ้าให้ทำเเบบนั้น ต้องจ่ายเพิ่มคนละ พันห้าร้อยบาท ทางเราก็ตกลง ทำไงได้อีกหล่ะ เสียไป ห้าพันบาท ก็ดีกว่าไม่ได้ใบนั้น จริงๆ ทางออสก็บอกนะว่า ถ้าขอไม่ได้ ให้เเจ้งทางออสไปได้ เเต่สำหรับเราคิดว่า ไหนๆก็พยายามเเล้วก็ลองให้สุด หลังจากนั้นสองวัน เราก็ได้ใบนั้นมา ได้มาปุ๊บ อัพลงเวปขอวีซ่าเลย วันรุ่งขึ้น เราก็ได้วีซ่าออสเลย อยู่ได้สองปี..

Next, plan was looking for housing. I had (a lot of) time to do some research on cost-of-living in Sydney. Housing rental, electric bills, internet and so on. We focus on finding a place where Adil can walk to the office (This way, we can reduce the cost of transportation and also increase our timing flexibility if the distance from home to office is within 15-20 mins.) So! here comes the first wave of shock.. The cost of renting is OUTRAGEOUS. We were looking for a 2-Br, 1B with normal living room, kitchen, and balcony. The cost per WEEK is around A$500-$600! (10,000thb-12,000thb/Week). Lower than this is not a place call home. Trust me, we did try to find cheaper price with a nice and lively place, but we couldn’t.

Normading style

Fly AirAsia!

We flew with AirAsia from KL-SYD, I must say, it wasn’t bad at all. We flew morning and got here 8 hours later. It was night time, we had contacted a Thai driver to drive us to Alison Lodge (Thank you Mint for giving us his info 🙂

We stayed for 10 days before we finally got the house (after 3 house inspection).  We did the house inspection, the first house was not like what it looks on the website at all. It’s cramped, small and old. 2nd house was a nice wooden floor, big bedroom but open kitchen is so small and 3rd house is so dark and so old and the first cockroach I saw for the first time in 4 years. Then, we looked up again for a nice house and within distance and price between $500-$600, we found one which is what we were looking for, I contacted the agent and ask for an inspection asap. The price of this one we decided to move in now is $560, nice house and everything is in its place. 2 bedroom, carpeted house, winder binder, spacious balcony, separate kitchen room, bath and shower not too small, laundry room, built-in wardrobe, built-in shoe shelf, door hooks and door mirror. It’s perfect.

Neighborhood

Insha in front of our building

Our first night, we got out first blanket and pillows. We didn’t have anything. อารมณ์เสื่อผืน หมอนใบมากกกก. Next day we went shopping for kitchen stuffs at KMart (Cheap!) Luckily, when we came at that time it was first 6-month that residence here will put away their no-longer use good-stuffs outside their house. So we got some nice plastic chairs for Insha, free good TV, free lamp, dining table, dining chairs, a small carpet, we got a cheap microwave, cheap 2nd hand washing machine, we bought 2nd hand fridge, 2nd hand dryer. We waited for a couple months before we bought the couch. haha what a hard life that time with no couch. We only have 1 mattress for now and we bought a good sofa-bed. Soon, we will need to have another bed but it’s not necessary yet for now.

We got everything nearby our house. The library is just 10 mins walk with great service for the community. We can borrow books from there as many as we like also with toy membership ($75/yearly), Insha can borrow up to 8 toys a time for 3 weeks!

Within few minutes walk, there are a park and playground where all the kids in our neighborhood would go and play together. Most of the parents I met are so diverse. So, that makes me feel comfortable and they are all very nice, helpful and friendly.

15 mins walk from our home is Coogee Beach! Nice sandy beach with so-blue water. It’s true that everything here is expensive, but having a good time at the park and a nice walk to the beach is absolutely FREE!

The food products here are at the best quality but of course, it’s quite pricey. The quality is super good, fresh, farm pick, organic and no-hormone added etc. Downtown Sydney, there’s Thai Town that we go when it’s a sunny weekend. There are shops open by Thai people and we can get all Thai ingredients and veggies at cheap price! (This is what we missed when we were in Saudi)

Oh! One more thing I loveeeeeeeeeeee it so much here that there are second-hand shops at every corner. Pre-loved clothing is so cheap and you can even find nice like-new NEXT blazer or Zara or Adidas at cheap price like $5! Not only clothing, at Vinnies, they have everything; carpet, lamp, clothing racks,  kitchen stuffs, books, house deco at very cheap price. Me, love it. Red Cross shops also sell pre-loved clothing, the better quality and branded quality clothing and when you purchased, the $$ you paid also goes to Red Cross charity. Oh, what a great reason to shop 😀

One of the reasons we love Sydney is Taronga Zoo! We got annual passes for both of us and Insha gets in for free. So, whenever it’s sunny, we always go to Taronga. The animals here are super cuddly and so well-cared. There’s no cage, animals live freely in the jungly hill of Sydney (Right opposite the Opera House).

After the zoo, we often go downtown at Darling Harbour. A big playground full of kids and kiddy city-water area for kids to play and have fun!

Or some weekend, we’d go to Sydney Fish Market! Enjoying the fresh seafood and fighting with the seagulls that tried to steal our food!

Our Randwick community events also hold nice events all year. The event we went last time was at Royal Randwick Racecourse, so many kids activities, concerts from Baby Shark, free snacks and everything is FREEEEEEE!

Sydney weather is funny. You can expect it to be sunny around 24 degrees forecast and then dropping to 14 degrees on the same day with strong wind and chilly rain. So, someday, we find some activities to do together at home! Like easy cooking, baking and some painting at our cozy overpriced-renting home.

Last but not least, Thanks Dada Coralust for all of his efforts and always doing his best for us, our little growing family ❤

  WE LOVE SYDNEY!

SYDNEYSIDERS "Wow, we're moving to Sydney?" I remember that excitement we had for our new adventure ahead. It was last year of Adil's PhD, so we were looking for 'What's next and where's next'.

[madaraism]

Tourists – Liam x MC (NSFW)

A/N: Happiest of birthdays to my fellow Aussie, @topsyturvy-dream. Knowing you has been such an amazing journey, one of which I can be the complete salty, questionable bogan that I secretly am. I love talking about the joys that is Liam and Riley with you, and all the possible places that they would have chill dates with in Sydney. Please go check out her blog, she is an amazing person to talk to, not to mention her artworks for the Choices fandom is fantastic (she also gives the most extensive fanfic reviews ever, which ultimately gives me LIFE). Love you Nikki! You still owe me a woolies mudcake, even though it’s your birthday.

Also additionally, look at me, trying to break away from the angst-writer stereotype.

Summary: The royal couple has a little rendezvous in the land down under.

Rating: Mature – NSFW and language.

Inspiration: Adore by Ariana Grande

Perma tag: @topsyturvy-dream @hellospunkiebrewster @umccall71 @blackcatkita

Tagging people who might be interested: @never-ending-choices @laniquelove @hhiggs @cocomaxley @bobasheebaby @boneandfur @alicars @captainkingliam @kawairinrin @hopefulmoonobject

Such a peaceful place, Australia.

Full of different cultures and languages, festivities and curious eats, the bustle of other tourists, the relaxed and joyous atmosphere of other Sydneysiders.

The lead up to their trip down under was purely for relaxation; she had talked about it for years about visiting, desperate to explore places other than America and Europe, a point that she had shared with Liam when she brought him to that secret cove back in New York the night they met.

It had been a running gag for the past years.

She had lived with her extended family back in The States, sure, but deep down she missed the time she had spent growing up in the land down under.

It had started off with her vocabulary, the certain way that she would say things, and especially the accent that would slip out when she got angry or frustrated.

The whole crew would then laugh about it and joke about her accent with terrible imitations. They had spent so many years talking about it, letting her reminisce about her time spent there. She found it funny, seeing all their reactions and laughing at how misconstrued their idea of Australia was; Hana being squeamish with the sizes of certain insects, Maxwell foolishly, yet not surprisingly, believing in the existence of drop bears, Olivia boasting about the Cordonian Ruby being better than the Australian Pink Lady. At least Drake seemed to be interested in the extremely relaxed and much-loved drinking environment.

She remembers it all very clearly, correcting fiction with facts, teaching them certain slang, correcting inaccurate tourism ads with a rather frustrated, “We don’t even say shrimp on the barbie! What even is a shrimp? It’s a damn prawn!”

And Liam, being Liam, loved the idea of exploring a new country, especially one that meant so much to her.

So he spends months to plan the perfect trip for her birthday, finding the excitement bubbling within him when he realises that it falls within a certain period where the city of Sydney is dressed in different colours, bright lights and impressive art instalments for the three-week-long art festival called Vivid.

Liam makes a trip out of it, hoping to maximise their stay there to take in all the sights by opting to stay at the lavish Park Hyatt with uninterrupted views of the Opera House instead of the delegated Cordonian houses.

She discovers his surprise when she steps onto the plane; expecting another tedious journey to some state dinner in some European country, only to be greeted with the pop of multiple party poppers from the crew and the king himself; gold and green streamers covering her hair and the carpet underneath her feet.

“Surprise, my love. Have you guessed where we’re going yet?”, His eyes sparkle and he flashes his signature loving yet cheeky grin.

The gold and the green… the national colours…

“Noooooo…”, She gasps as it sinks in, taking around the comfortable attire of everyone.

Liam can only continue grinning as she wraps her arms around him, “We’re going down under.”

-

The flight was excruciatingly long. Not because of the travel, no, but the joke of it all being brought to reality was about to send her into madness.

It was a series of the usual discussion topics, only much more intense.

“For the love of god, Maxwell, if you play Down Under by Men At Work one more time,”

“No, Olivia, I don’t know why they don’t accentuate the ‘r’s in every word, maybe you can ask them when we get there.”

“Fairy bread is an Aussie staple, Hana. All you need is bread, butter and rainbow sprinkles. No, it’s not a dessert. It’s breakfast. It’s party food. Pavlova is a dessert.”

“No, Drake, Tasmania is not actually connected to Australia. I’m sure we can get you a bottle of Sullivan’s Cove in Sydney. …No, I didn’t know they won the World’s Whiskies Awards in 2014, I actually like having a functioning liver.”

Liam can only laugh, his fingers working along her back to untangle the stress induced knots in her muscles.

-

Perhaps it was the excitement of being in a different country; the truth in her words when they realised just how genuinely laidback the people were.

With Vivid on, the buzz and excitement was immeasurable. The different art instalments throughout various suburbs and in the central business district, the way different moving artworks illuminated the white sails of the Opera House, seeing people interacting with the moving sculptures and instalments… She missed it all, but sharing it with Liam and the others meant so much more to her.

She cringes but laughs at the way Maxwell tries to blend in into the Australian crowd with supposedly ‘Aussie streetwear’ – namely a singlet with his hippo tattoo proudly showing, board shorts and flipflops – or thongs, as he now calls it to fit in.

She laughs at the way Hana would drag the reluctant Drake and Olivia over to explore various art statues that would make musical notes when you hit them a certain way.

But most importantly, she loved how Liam’s eyes would sparkle, admiring how such beautiful displays were admired by everyone, tourists or not, and that they were all so interactive and interesting, taking in the ideas and hoping to start something similar in Cordonia in celebration of the arts when they return home.

At times, however, she would notice how distracted, almost frustrated he was.

Perhaps it was the crowds of people, she wonders, the way they all pushed in curious groups, making Liam’s arm cling around her waist, making sure they wouldn’t get lost.

Or maybe it was their incessant chattering, she wonders, the complaints from Olivia and the dry retorts from Drake and the endless questions from Maxwell and Hana, how the group was so insistent on travelling everywhere together as a pack with her as their tour guide.

But she didn’t care, she realised, because all those moments accumulated to Liam finding the opportunity to pull her away from her role of their delegated tour guide, when the rest of them finally got distracted with the colourful festivities amidst the other crowds.

From an aerial perspective, the Opera House stands tall and proud by itself at the end of the Circular Quay walk. People only pay attention to the front of the landmark, taking in the long flight of stairs that led up to the entrance and the white sails. The Vivid Light walk takes people around the front of the Opera House and to the right, leading them into the Royal Botanical gardens that overlooks the Harbour Bridge and the city skyline.

No one ever ventured around to the back of the Opera House. There was no need to.

And even if they did, there were just so many nooks around the landmark, the shadows and cold winter breeze by the sea acting as their curtain.

The wall pressed against her back is cold and hard, but his arms around her and the peppered kisses along her jaw makes her feel incredibly heated.

She knows that look too well; dark eyes hazed over with lust, lips swollen from shared kisses.

His voice was deeper than usual, raspy and desperate, groans leaving his lips at the feeling of her body against his, “I couldn’t wait until we got back to the hotel…”

She grins at his words, gasping when his fingers pull at the collar of her sweater, his kisses moving to behind her ear before trailing down across her collarbone and her décolletage.

His hands that followed the curves of her body, tugging and pulling at her clothes had made their way underneath and between her legs, fingers coy and toying.

“Why? I thought you… ah… enjoyed… mm… their company…”, Her words are slurred, her own hands pulling at his hair as his fingers work in tantalizing circles at her heat.

“I do…”, He mutters as his fingers continue to please her, delving further into her wetness before curling upwards familiarly, teasing. “But they wouldn’t stop asking you questions about this or that… They haven’t left you alone with me for more than five seconds…”

His finger is still curled within her, his thumb mirroring the pulses of pressure against her clit with emphasis at each word, “…I want you. All. To. Myself.”

Her hips buckle into his fingers, head tilted back into the wall with her eyes closed, bottom lip between her teeth. “Ah, fuck, Liam…”

Liam presses his forehead against hers, eyes half lidded, so dark and so full of want as his other hand moves to hoist her leg up, wrapping it around his waist. He groans out her name as he grinds into her core. “Don’t stop looking at me, my queen, I want to see you come undone…”

And his fingers quicken their pace; in, curl, rub, out, in, out, repeat. His thumb, putting more pressure but not too much that it becomes painful on her clit, switches from slow circles to faster ones.

Her brows are furrowed, mouth open in quiet ecstasy, legs trembling and hips rolling, but her eyes never leave his. His lips meet hers for a quick second before his teeth cling onto her bottom lip, tugging, his other hand moving from her hoisted leg to her thigh, up and up to squeeze her ass.

When she comes, she is writhing. Her ears are hot and her eyes are stinging as she refuses to blink, to tear her gaze away from his. She is quiet, his name rolling off her tongue in a frenzied, heated whisper.

Liam smiles at her, stepping back slightly after kissing her forehead which was now sticky from sweat. His actions are quick, unbuckling his pants and letting them pool at his feet. His hand, still wet from her high, strokes along his own hard length.

At times, their lives can be so happy and simple, full of laughter and pleasant, innocent kisses. The sense of normalcy is so heavily craved when their life is filled with duties of ruling a country and managing a duchy.

Her bottom lip is caught on her teeth, her mouth dry as she looks at the sight before her; Liam, standing tall with his broad shoulders and straight posture. The shadows were supposed to be their curtain, yet it complimented the dark, lusting look on his face so well.

In a sea of commoners, he is a king.

A master of body language.

So in the rare circumstance that the duties of country and court are not overtaking their lives, his art of kingship is more prevalent.

“Strip.”

She shudders, her fingers quickly and diligently working at pulling her pants off before moving back up, making quick work of pulling her sweater off and unbuttoning the shirt underneath.

Such a simple word, but spoken with such power.

He is the king, and he doesn’t let her forget that.

“Good girl…”, He steps back in, kissing her as he caresses her cheek with his free hand. Her other hand meets his along the length of his hardness, pumping him hard and slow; down and up with a slight twist right at his head and back down.

Liam groans into her touch, his hips moving slightly along with the work of her hands. “My Queen…”, His voice is emphasized in a hiss as her thumb grazes along his tip.

His hands are now on her hips, hoisting her up and pressing her up against the wall. It forces her arms to hold onto his shoulders instead of giving her the pleasure of pleasuring him back.

She finds herself void of complaints however as she feels his head slide tantalizingly slow against her folds. She clings onto him, letting her lips kiss his as she tries to push him into her, praying gravity would be on her side against the strength of his arms wrapped around her frame.

She growls when he doesn’t give in, “Liam, for the love of Cordonia, fuck me.”

He tuts at her, letting his weight and an arm hold her in place above the ground while his other hand continues teasing her. He doesn’t stop, pushing just the head of his length in before taking it out again.

She is whimpering, she is wanton. Her hips try to buck in her favour when he teases but it is no parallel to the strength in his arms.

“Is this how you speak to your king? Even after neglecting him?”, His eyes are so unbelievably dark when he is teasing; he lets himself slide in just a little bit more this time, before sliding back out. Liam looks at her expectantly.

She lets out a small cry, “I’m ah… sorry, my king, for getting distracted ah!... by… the others… fuck.”

“Good… Now let me show you just how much I’ve missed you, my Queen.” His forehead is on hers as he finally slides himself fully into her, the mewls that leave her lips music in his ears. He closes his eyes for a brief second, relishing at the feeling of her warmth around his length. “Fuck, my love, you are so wet.” His eyes open again, making sure that she keeps her eyes on him as he begins to move.

His thrusts are slow, hard and deep. His eyes are intense and his voice deep, muttering, “Fuck, my Queen, did you miss me? Did you miss me being inside of you? Filling you up?”

Liam’s free hand caresses and squeezes at her breasts, groaning at the mewls that she tries so hard to silence.

He is powerful, and each thrust force her up against the wall slightly, body falling and moving in time to his movements; his grips are now on her waist, holding her tightly so she doesn’t fall.

“Keep moaning my name, my love.”

“Liam… Liam… fuck, my King…”

“That’s it… You’re so wet for me, my Queen… Did I make you this wet?”

She is gasping and clawing at his back, clinging on to his body, taking in every powerful thrust. She wants to roll her head back in pleasure but she doesn’t dare, admiring the look of concentration in his eyes, the focus he has on his face. Both their foreheads touching, hair clinging onto their faces, wet and sweaty.

He moves just slightly, mouth latching onto her neck, sucking and biting as his other hand grasps onto her ass allowing him to angle his thrusts deeper. She lets a loud gasp slip and he smirks against her neck, moving back up to look at her.

“Fuck! Liam…!”

“I love pleasing you, my Queen… I fucking love hearing you call my name…”

Liam picks up his pace, head delving back down to leave kisses on her décolletage, her breasts and she is so thankful of the wall behind her, supporting their weight as he fucks her. The tightness in her stomach grows with his increased speed, the hotness appearing again in her head with each thrust, pushing her closer and closer to the edge; her ears must be red as she calls for him to look at her.

His name is a mantra on her lips, a hand of hers now on her clit, rubbing desperately as his speed increases, pushing her to her high.

Her rhythm matched his rough thrusts, the look of her pleasuring herself almost setting him off. She is writhing in his arms when he growls out her name, the thrust that accompanied it pushing her over the edge; her back arches into him and he takes the liberty to leave marks on her chest, his other hand digging into her ass.

Liam does not stop, thrusts still hitting her as he lets her ride out her high. Her chest is heaving and her eyes are heavy when she comes back down, her hand moving away from her core to rest on his shoulder again.

He lets her legs touch the floor but keeping a strong hold on her as she struggles slightly to maintain her balance. His voice is still raspy as he mutters, quickly turning her around so she is facing away from him, the both of them away from the wall so they wouldn’t get hurt.

“I’m not quite done with you yet, my Queen.”

His hand grasps her hair into his fist and his other pushes her back so her posture is bent; his knees spread her legs apart and he angles himself against her before thrusting back in.

“Shit, Liam…!”

He is almost merciless as he picks up the speed and the intensity of his thrusts again. His grasp on her hair is dulled by his other hand on her shoulder, holding her in place as he takes her from behind.

Liam peppers kisses along her upper back and shoulders, whispering ‘I love you’s into her ear as his other hand now moves to the front of her body, nipples between his fingers, flesh in his hands as he squeezes and caresses.

If he wasn’t supporting the weight of it all, she was convinced she would be collapsed on the floor at that very moment. She leans up into him, feeling the knot in her stomach make its return for the third time that night.

“Liam… Liam… fuck, baby, keep going… fuck, Liam…”

His hand now takes place on her clit, rubbing in harsh circles, edging her on. He is so incredibly hard and rough, biting down on his own bottom lip as his fingers brushes against his own length, feeling himself thrusting into her, the wetness of her folds, listening to her pants of his name disappearing into the cold, winter night.

He knows she is close and he lets go of her hair, making her tilt her face towards him as he kisses her. Both of their eyes boldly open yet so clouded with love and lust.

“I’m so close baby, please don���t stop…”

He curses in his mind, wishing there was a mirror in front of them so he could show her just how he makes her come undone once more.

“Come for me, my Queen…”

He urges her on and he can feel her walls tighten; his thrusts are desperate but not lacking, hitting the very spot in her over and over as his fingers work magic on her clit.

When she comes again, her walls are clenched around his length and he comes with her, spilling into her as he rides out his high.

His thrusts are slow and sluggish before it comes to a stop, their bodies still as one as they just stand there, catching their breath. Their hair is a sweaty mess and he presses lazy kisses on her shoulder and along her neck, not caring the slightest as he smiles into her skin.

She loves these after moments. Her laughter starts off as nothing but a soft giggle but he soon joins her, both of them in the post-sex high.

“I love you, my queen.”

“I love you too, my king.”

Liam can’t help but grin.

He pulls out of her and thus begins their clean up routine; pocket tissues serving their duty to tidy, Liam picking up her clothing and helping her dress first so she stays warm before dressing himself.

He presses his lips against her forehead once more once they are done and he takes her hand, the both of them stepping out of the shadows to stroll back towards the front of the Opera House.

When they check their phones, they realise they’ve received at least twenty missed calls and unread messages from a worried Maxwell who seemed convinced they’ve been killed by drop bears, more worried texts and missed calls from Hana, a few from Olivia and the latest one being from Drake – “If you two don’t get your fucking asses back here to shut Maxwell up, I swear to fucking Zeus I will set the apple orchards on fire again. Cordonia can flounder for all I care, I’m moving to Australia.”

Liam lets out an almost nervous laughter as he quickly texts him back, letting him know that they got lost and will be waiting for them at the top of the steps of the Opera House.

They sit at the top of the steps, Liam directly behind her with his arms around her frame. It was a glorious view before them; the bustle of people still very much evident, lights and music coming from the Royal Botanical Gardens on the left, excited screams of children down near the front of Circular Quay, the changing colours of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on the right with the colours controlled at some distant panel somewhere by the crowds as part of the festival and the warm glow of lights from the Opera House behind them.

“I’m so glad we came here, my love.” Liam speaks almost absentmindedly as his fingers try to brush through her hair.

“Yea? I’m glad too, Liam. I’m happy I was able to share a part of my home with you…”, Her smile is soft as she leans into his chest, looking up at him.

“It was the least I can do… It’s not fair for you that you threw everything away to move to Cordonia and me being unable to return the favour.” Liam leans down to kiss her upside-down nose.

She grins, “It was very considerate of you to book us rooms at Park Hyatt… Having sex with you with Opera House in the background and actually doing it at the Opera House is quite different.”

Liam chuckles and raises an eyebrow at her, “Are you implying we come back here for round two later?”

“Nah, there’s other famous Sydney landmarks that I want us to visit.”, She winks at him.

“…And I’m the kinky one?”

Her smile is so blindingly bright and beautiful. She reaches up to caress his cheek, admiring the feel of his peppered stubble under her fingertips. “Thank you for this amazing surprise, Liam. I love it, and I love you.”

He stares down at her with such love in his eyes, she feels like she is going to melt.

“You are most welcome.”, Liam leans down once more to press his lips onto hers. “Happy birthday, my love. Here’s to many more.”

[jamiemua]

Paul Robeson Tribute - 60th Annivesary from Maritime Union of Australia on Vimeo.

John Clough remembers the day 60 years ago when he heard his hero bass baritone Paul Robeson would be singing at what would become the first performance at the Sydney Opera House. It was November 9, 1960, a windy spring day, the city was awash with violet jacaranda blossoms and he hot-footed it over to the Bennelong Point construction site from George Street where he was working as a carpenter on Anchor House. "Everybody in the labour movement in Sydney knew Robeson was coming to sing and we were keen to see our hero perform," recalls Mr Clough, a lifelong union member since migrating to Australia in 1950 from Sunderland in northern England. Others, such as former Prime Minister Paul Keating, then a 16-year-old worker at Sydney City Council, also came from George Street on a double-decker bus to clamber his way onto the building site with a friend, to see the legendary opera singer, actor and civil rights activist. Robeson wore a black beret and herringbone jacket, and cupped his right hand to his ear as he sang a cappella in his "basso profundo" voice, Mr Keating recalls. In 1958, Robeson, the most acclaimed African-American singer in the world, had been denied an American passport in the McCarthy era because of his support for communism. By 1960 it was reinstated by the US Supreme Court, and he toured the world singing professionally, and free for unionists on construction sites. On Monday, 60 years to the day of Robeson's Sydney performance at morning "smoko", the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) organised a recreation of this historic moment. Secretary of the South Coast Labour Council Arthur Rorris said the union invited acclaimed opera singer and daughter of an Illawarra coal miner, Rachel Bate, to sing the same two songs Robeson had sung, Ol' Man River from the musical Showboat, and union anthem Joe Hill, about the American labour leader executed by firing squad. Mr Clough joined the construction workers currently refurbishing the Concert Hall, sitting on the steps of the Opera House on Monday. Mr Clough, the only audience member who had also been there for Robeson's performance, said Ms Bate's rendition of the songs was as moving as when he sat in silence on scaffolding in 1960, with Civil & Civic workers taking a break from constructing the podium of the building to hear Robeson talk and sing. "I remember Robeson changed the words to 'Ol Man River' for us," says Mr Clough, now 89. "His original version said 'get a little drunk and you land in jail', but he sang 'show some grit and you land in jail'," said Mr Clough, who had the vinyl record of Robeson's 1936 performance of the musical Showboat. "It was to encourage us all in the union to show some guts. "His Sydney performance was out of this world, he was an icon for me, I loved him all my life," he said. "Hearing those songs now, it's like the words in the song Joe Hill, he never died." Monday's performance was live-streamed to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union's San Francisco headquarters, where union president William Adams watched as part of a post-US election celebration. President of the CFMEU Rita Mallia paid tribute to Mr Robeson's "timeless contribution to union history and the working class", saying his performance lived on forever in the hearts of Sydneysiders. Even those who weren't there.

[hvarchivefinal]

Unify Gathering 2018: A Review

DAY 1

As someone who bussed down to Unify, I’m definitely glad I did. The relaxing and hassle free ride down to Tarwin was only interrupted when it started raining when we reached the coast.

With my tent set up in a matter of minutes (cheers Kmart), I met my fellow campers and was introduced to the ‘Unify Vibe’. Everyone was incredibly friendly and the atmosphere couldn’t even be dampened by the incessant rain.

I only caught the last few songs from Belle Haven, but if their charismatic Sunday acoustic set was anything to go by, they’re definitely a band worth keeping an eye on.

I was one of the lucky few to get my Unicoin wristband early, so I can’t really complain about the incredibly long line that I walked past after Belle Haven finished, but after running into some friends and waiting with them for their wristbands, I guess if there’s one thing to take away from Unify 2018, it’s that it definitely pays to get in early, especially at a festival of 7500 people.

Knocked Loose were up next and by god, the hype was palpable. The pit opened as soon as the band came onstage, and the crowd followed frontman Bryan Garris’ every move. Finger pointing goodness ensued as the band ran through fan favourites Counting Worms and Deadringer. Halfway through the set Garris asked how many people had heard of Knocked Loose, and was greeted with an entire crowd of raised arms. Hardcore is set to dominate 2018.

If Knocked Loose had already set the bar high, Sydneysiders Polaris absolutely obliterated it. Opening with ‘Lucid’, the band powered through a setlist comprised largely of songs off their debut album ‘The Mortal Coil’, much to the crowd’s delight. At points, fans almost drowned out the band, particularly during set closer and hottest 200 charting ‘The Remedy’. The band’s growth in the last 12 months is incredible, and proves that the Aussie scene is stronger than ever.

After going fucking hard to Polaris, I retreated to the campsite to have a drink and a game of Uno. I legged it to Tonight Alive’s Underworld release party at the bush bar, and was almost blinded with a sea of yellow. When Tonight Alive finally arrived they greeted every fan and thanked them, after spending so long overseas (Australia wasn’t even graced with a proper Limitless headliner), the release of ‘Underworld’ couldn’t come at a better time for the Sydney ‘Conscious Rockers’, Tonight Alive are definitely back. It was still raining by the time their set rolled around, but the mood was electric. Some in the crowd were still wearing yellow flower crowns from the release party, as the band belted out a mix of classics and newer songs. Welcome home Tonight Alive, we’ve missed you.

Next up was one of the most anticipated sets of the night, Architects burst onstage amid a flurry of lasers and cryo. Their set consisted mainly of songs from their last 2 albums, and while bodies hurled over the barrier during ‘Gravity’, everyone wanted to be in the mosh for crowd favourite ‘These Colours Don’t Run’. Rain split the light from the lasers as the crowd pulsed to the beat of every song. It was already set to be an emotional night, but following the new track ‘Doomsday’, everyone knelt on the ground as a tribute to Tom Searle as Sam Carter made a speech about loss and the importance of being able to grieve. There was barely a dry eye in the crowd as the band rolled onto ‘Gone With The Wind’. Architect’s Unify set was incredibly special, and will no doubt a favourite for many for years to come.

It’s been a while since Parkway Drive were last in Australia, but their first shows back were definitely special, celebrating a decade of metalcore classic ‘Horizons’. While the mosh had definitely gotten rowdy earlier in the day, Winston McCall definitely knows how to command a crowd. The Oompa Loompa boatrace was another highlight of the night, with other favourites ‘Wild Eyes’ and ‘Bottom Feeder’ chucked in for good measure. One last blast of confetti and it was over for the night, we all shuffled back to our tents, hoping that they had lasted the storm.

DAY 2

While I would’ve loved a sleep in, I was up bright and early (as in, 6am early) on Saturday, and was able to catch some of the brief glimpses of sun before the clouds began to roll in once again. I spent the morning hanging out at the campsite until it was time for my first set of the day.

I’ve heard about The Beautiful Monument quite a bit in the last few months, and so I was pleasantly surprised when I finally saw the band live, performing their own blend of synthcore and rock which ends up sounding a little like a PVRIS/Motionless in White mashup. Definitely a band worth checking out if you haven’t already, they also pulled a decent crowd for so early on in the day. Here’s hoping we see more of them in 2018.

I only caught the last of Outright’s set, but it was absolutely incredible.

A little more relaxing before what I like to call ‘The Marathon’, with back to back massive sets, starting off with Perth’s Cursed Earth. Applause was scattered as the band came onstage with a different vocalist, but they still gave an absolutely blistering set, full of hardcore mosh anthems off their newest double release ‘Cycles of Grief’.

Young Lions were a refreshing breather of rock goodness, and even the return of rain couldn’t stop the seemingly nonstop crowdsurfing. Ending with ‘Burn the Money’, Young Lions undoubtedly earned a load of new fans.

It was now raining heavily as Void of Vision finally came onstage, throwing merch into the crowd. The set relied heavily on cuts from their latest EP ‘Disturbia’, vocalist Jack Bergin climbed up the stage frame halfway through their set (what OHS?).

Roam were seemingly blown away with the size of the crowd during their set, pumping through a mix of old and new songs, before the crowd sang vocalist Alex Costello happy birthday. Watching the band’s growth just since the release of 2017’s ‘Great Heights & Nosedives’ has been incredible, and I can’t wait to see what the Roam camp has up their sleeves next.

The sun had just begun to peak through the clouds as Being As An Ocean took the stage. Playing songs mainly off their most recent album ‘Waiting For Morning To Come’, Joel Quartuccio dove into the audience to sing their last few songs. Despite a rough few months and a label dispute hindering the release of their 2017 album, the fan reaction to the newer songs (OK, Black & Blue, Thorns), proves that in 2018, fan support can still go a long way.

Next up was Make Them Suffer, who pulled a massive crowd following the incredible success of 2017’s ‘Worlds Apart’. As everyone has already heard by now, the walls of death and moshing was only interrupted by the absolute legends playing Uno in the pit (during Widower of all songs). The set was a perfect balance of old and new (though I was a bit emo when they didn’t play Fireworks).

Following a brief game of ping pong cricket in the pit, Knuckle Puck came out to give us all one final kick of Pop Punk for the night. The band seemed at home onstage, pumping out songs ‘Evergreen’ and ‘Gone’. Vocalist Joe Taylor proved he was a pro at Aussie festival culture, doing a shoey before the band had even played their first song.

The temperature had well and truly started to drop as Stick To Your Guns kicked off their set, full of cuts from their newest album ‘Married to the Noise’ as well as hits like ‘Amber’ and ‘We Still Believe’. Jesse Barnett took time out of the night to say how special it was that Unify gave bands the opportunity to play in front of massive audiences, and how mind blowing it was to see how many Aussie fans they had.

If anyone had any expectations for Hellion’s set, they were well and truly exceeded, to see how far the band have come since the release of ‘Opera Oblivia’ is incredible. Real Bad came out for his feature on ‘Hellions’, and a sneaky appearance from Northlane’s Marcus Bridge, as well as a debut of their still unreleased new song ‘X’, made the landmark set feel truly special.

Having seen Hands Like Houses multiple times on their ‘Dissonants’ cycle, I slid to the side of the crowd to watch the full show from the Canberra rockers. And by god I wasn’t disappointed. Confetti and cryo burst into the air as they powered through absolute bangers ‘I Am’, ‘Drift’, and slower songs like ‘A Tale of Outer Suburbia’.

It was bloody cold by the time The Amity Affliction came onstage, and despite being advertised as a ’15 Year Anniversary Show’, fans waiting for some deeper cuts were most likely disappointed, but the start of the set was full of classic hits pre ‘Let The Ocean Take Me’. Even the band seemed bored though as they dragged through the last few songs, and everyone seemed glad to be able to lug themselves back to the campsite.

DAY 3

Most people had left early on in the morning, so by the time I wandered down to the acoustic stage, the vibe was incredible. The sun had finally come out, and those who had waited around were greeted with clear blue skies and mellow tunes.

Belle Haven were the first acoustic I saw, and the intimate vibe seemed to suit them better as they chatted with the audience in between songs. Their cover of Paramore’s ‘Decode’ with an unbelievable feature from Brie (? My god, I’m sorry I can’t remember her name but she was so bloody good) was a particular highlight.

I didn’t know too many of the bands on the acoustic stage, but I’m now proudly a fan of Chasing Ghosts.

Introvert were up next, and even though the band seemed a little worse for wear from the previous night, they were still absolutely incredible.

I finally lugged all my shit to the bus area, which was full of people staring at the ground, eyes glazed. The ride home was a quiet one, with almost everyone on my bus taking the opportunity to have a nap on the 2 hour ride back to Melbourne. For my first Unify, I’m incredibly glad I went. Even though it rained all weekend, spending time with friends and making new ones all while listening to incredible bands made it a weekend I’ll never forget.

[jobinterviewghost]

Pertain to Mama: Casey Donovan talks career, catfishing and playing 'Mother' Morton in Chicago - Star Observer

Showbiz survivor Casey Donovan is at the top of her game with a brand-new role as Matron 'Mama' Morton in the musical Chicago. She talked with Peter Hackney.

Casey Donovan probably shouldn't remain in the public eye.

If that sounds like a sledge, it's not. Vice versa. Because she won Australian Idol in 2004 at the tender age of 16, Donovan has actually attained what few alumni of truth TV skill shows have managed: an enduring career in the home entertainment business.

Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy and a handful of others aside, the career goals of Donovan's peers from Australian Idol, X Element Australia, Australia's Got Talent and The Voice Australia have failed.

By contrast, Donovan has actually taken pleasure in # 1 single, a # 2 album, starred in big ticket musicals such as The Sapphires and We Will Rock You, been the face and voice of supermarket huge Coles, won Deadly Awards and Sydney Theatre Awards-- not to point out season three of I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here-- and now she's returning to the stage as Matron 'Mama' Morton in the brand-new production of Chicago.

"Chicago seems like coming cycle," she tells the Star. "It was the first musical theatre of any kind I ever experienced.

"I was about 10 when I first saw it. We went to see it after my grandad's brother passed away. He was a big musical theatre fan and at the time he died, there was a production of Chicago in town. Mum resembled, 'OK, Chicago was his favourite, let's go see it,' which was my intro to musical theatre.

"I pinch myself when I believe that all these years later, I remain in it myself."

Donovan states the production has put her out of her comfort zone sometimes-- however as rehearsals continue, excitement has actually changed nerves.

"What I really love about my job is that I'm a vocalist firstly however then I get to stroll down various avenues like musical theatre and tv, and broaden my comfort zone. I resemble a blended bag of lollies," she chuckles.

"'Mama' is an excellent character. She runs the entire jail, she likes the women in there-- however she doesn't do nothin' for nothin'. She wants her own method but she'll never turn her back on anyone. I'm really thrilled to embody her and I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity."

Luck, of course, has little to do with it. The real factor Donovan is where she is today is since of her enormous skill, coupled with large effort. Regardless of her powerhouse voice full of colour and texture, things haven't come easy to the 31-year-old Sydneysider and her varied profession included a stint as an Uber motorist throughout a "quiet period" numerous years ago.

"I'm sure a great deal of people believe, 'Oh, she's a star, all these celebrities should be making millions'," she states. "But the Australian entertainment market is small and the loan isn't constantly huge-- and at the end of the day, I need to pay my bills.

"I liked driving Ubers. it was a nice change in my life, I got to meet new individuals and drive them from A to B safely. Often, people would look me over and ask, 'What's going on? Am I getting pranked?' and I 'd need to state, 'No, I'm simply an uber chauffeur today'," she chuckles.

Casey Donovan. Image: caseydonovan.com.Donovan's candour reaches a challenging period of her life, which saw the vocalist catfished for 6 years when she fell for a guy named 'Campbell', to later on learn he didn't exist and was created by her then friend, Olga. Real to form, Donovan is modifying the experience as a

positive one, turning lemons into lemonade: the singer is working with the Star's own Patrick Abboud on an Australian variation of MTV's Catfish, which will follow everyday Australians who are suspicious of their online relationships."I leapt at the opportunity because this offers people closure and I can support them, and I can definitely empathise because I have actually been there myself,"she says. The experience has actually provided Donovan brand-new insight into her own'catfisher'." I don't think Olga was positive in herself and recalling, she wasn't comfy with her sexuality. I don't believe she knew how to browse what she wanted therefore she needed to create this persona to get near another woman,"she muses. As for her own sexuality, she says: "I constantly get questioned,'Casey, are you a lesbian?'and I'm like,' I'm not anything

.' "You like who you like and you love who you enjoy and you can't simply switch things on and off. I feel you miss out on chances if that takes place."A pilot episode of Catfish Australia will see Donovan host the program with Abboud and is set to air on Channel Ten during pilot week. However for

now, her life is all about the

Windy City, with Chicago opening as the Star goes to press. "It's offering really well, some of the

programs have actually currently sold out, so get tickets, escape truth for two-and-a-half hours and let us

transfer you back to the 1920s with some fantastic dance moves and Bob Fosse choreography. It's just ageless home entertainment."Chicago, starring Casey Donovan, Natalie Bassingthwaite, Alinta Chidzey, Tom Burlinson(Sydney and Brisbane seasons)and Jason Donovan(Melbourne) is now playing at Capitol Theatre, Sydney. Tickets from$ 59.50 are readily available at chicagothemusical.com.au. © Star Observer 2019|For the latest in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) news in Australia, be sure to visit starobserver.com.au daily. You can also read our latest publications or Join us

on our Facebook page and Twitter feed.

[omgmicheal01me]

'It has exploded': Building a wellness app business

Sepel says her success is because "it just feels good to live a healthy life". "People want to know this is a lifestyle they can maintain forever, people are becoming too clever for the fad and the short term. Of course it is trendy and anything trendy people latch onto, but I want to go beyond the trending of the wellness space, it is something they can maintain for life."

Jessica Sepel started her business off as a blog. Surge in popularity Australians are increasingly turning to wellness apps and while Apple won't reveal numbers, last year the tech giant said apps in the category health, fitness and wellness "surged in popularity". "Apple Watch and HealthKit paved the way for developers to make health, fitness and wellness apps more innovative, intelligent and interactive, which in turn have inspired customers to be more active and mindful of their health," a spokesman said. "Downloads for these apps have increased 75 per cent since the launch of Apple Watch. The leading Australian entrepreneur in the field is Kayla Itsines and her fiance Tobi Pearce, who are worth $46 million on the back of Itsine's Sweat app.

Kayla Itsines, co-founder of fitness app Sweat.Credit:Damian Bennett Not just a matter of clicking your fingers However a host of other entrepreneurs have also built businesses on the back of wellness apps including former Bachelor television star Sam Wood who created the 28 by Sam Wood fitness app. Wood says he has great admiration for Itsines and "what she has done is nothing short of incredible, she is the biggest fitness influencer in the world". However, Wood says Itsines' customers are mainly 15 to 22 year olds while his audience is 26 to 50-year-old women who are predominantly mothers.

Sam Wood at the launch of his app 28 by Sam Wood. Credit:Allegra Sugianto "To be honest it has blown me and my team away how many people have done the program and how big it has gotten quite quickly," he says. "Social media is part of the puzzle, but it is not everything, you need to be authentic and know what you are talking about and have a good product." Wood launched his app in July last year, which he says cost more than $1 million to build. "It's not just a matter of clicking your fingers," he says. "We have 20 full-time staff. I think everyone thinks it is a lot simpler and your overheads are a lot less. They dive into the space because it is new and exciting but to do it well, and you do have to do it well to survive, it is far more expensive than you think." 28 by Sam Wood is now approaching 60,000 downloads and Wood says he has had 150,000 people complete or still be on his program, with turnover of about $8 million last year. "This space is becoming more and more dense with people bringing out programs," he says. "I think a lot of people underestimate how much work is involved to create a businesslike this and keep it fresh and relevant."

Chris Plowman is the founder of Insight Timer. It has exploded That work continues even if an app isn't a money-making venture as Sydneysider Chris Plowman has experienced with his mediation app Insight Timer. The app hashalf a million daily users and almost 7 million globally with 99 per cent of those using the app for free. "We thought there was an opportunity to build a meditation app that was free, every other app out there was focused on building subscription and revenue," says Plowman. He bought an existing mediation app five years ago, which had 100,00 users, and Plowman says "now it has exploded" with the aim of getting to 100 million meditatorsby 2022. "Our success, our survival is not guaranteed," he says. "With our premium products we have about 50,000 subscribers, that income allows us to pay for our infrastructure." Plowman says it costs $5 million a year to run Insight Timer and the business loses about $3 million a year with the losses covered by investors including co-founder of Matrix Partners China, Bo Shao, who leads the $100 million Evolve fund that invests in companies doing good. "Even the paid mediation apps are introducing people to mindfulness so in that respect they have done a great job in bringing mindfulness to the mainstream," he says. "I do struggle with it a little as I think they are mostly focused on the commercial aspects. We shouldn't be trying to make money as fast as possible off this new fad." Plowman wants to see more people in the space building conscious companies. "It is mental health, this is not the gaming industry or house rentals it is mental health, not mental stealth, so it is important we understand the intentions of the companies involved," he said. Follow MySmallBusiness on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Cara is the small business editor for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald based in Melbourne Most Viewed in Business Loading https://www.canberratimes.com.au/business/small-business/it-has-exploded-building-a-wellness-app-business-20190307-p512l2.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_business

[lazybonesillustrations]

Hey Sydneysiders I’m in this art show THIS SATURDAY 1ST APRIL. I’ll be selling stickers and prints and pulling shapes. Come down and say hi, have a dance with me. There will be heaps of local DJs playing upstairs in the wormhole and some bands playing downstairs. BYO alcohol, $10 entry. Follow THIS LINK for the Facebook invite, it’s going to be thumbs up emoji.

[leighlim]

One of the most challenging things to learn is believing that the path you’re on is the right one. Even if there are times that you feel like no one has your back.

Note: Out of respect to those who haven’t watched Episode 13 (Season 1) of This Is Us…and would like to watch it while avoiding any sort of information (trailers, commentaries). I give this spoiler warning!

For maximum enjoyment watch the first 13 episodes! :)

(Scroll down at your own risk!)

Kate seems to struggle to ‘be okay’ with her own self. Not sure how the writers would draw her arc in the long term (a season 5 realisation?).

One character who is okay in his own skin (minus the whole Randall abandonment) is William. He was able to take Randall’s slightly bitter and angry tirade when they meet. No defensiveness whatsoever.

With the advent of content being released everywhere (Streaming, Free-To-Air, Paid Channels) I can’t believe the quality of this show. There has been talk of Free-To-Air channels dying (Which is why The Good Fight has been released behind a paywall --- to pave the way for the future of content), thankfully, shows like this give me hope.

Next time someone quotes that belief to me: “If something is too good to be true, it usually is.”

I’ll say: “Yep. You got that. Don’t forget exceptions though. Exhibit A: ‘This Is Us’ “.

Who says you need to be on Showtime/HBO/AMC to be able to flex creatively?

Thanks NBC. :) Oh....and also Ten! For Syndicating the show for us Sydneysiders. It’s really awesome how they pulled a lot of their marketing budget (I’ll make a note to take a picture of adverts when I am out an about!) like putting posters of the show on the side of busses and including it with the Channel logo for a number of times.

Screenshot from Season 1 Episode 13

____________________________________________________

Contact me (Through Tumblr’s Direct Messaging or via email) for the link to a copy (in PDF) of my Timestamp Commentary for this and other episodes of Season 6.

If you were brave (crazy?) enough to scroll down to the end of this post before watching previous episodes — you can join the timeline commentary collective too!

Format is up to you — though for me I use: (Time) (Scene Description) (Reaction) — so it’s handy if you have the disc version (or if on DVR and it would be a struggle to put in the exact timestamp — a work around is just mention the scene…so I can easily follow!)

I started to do Timeline commentaries to keep track of episodes (and just be able to pick up a discussion with someone who had just watched it — and it could get me as ‘fresh’ as I could). For films that I end up abandoning (either during the first ten minutes or towards the halfway mark after realising that it is not the sort of show for me), I still keep my commentaries on hand, and if someone from my circle asks…I can just easily remember why. Then I found other reasons why it’s something that I should continue!

[awkwardlyamusing-blog]

Why strip searches don’t work

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/why-strip-searches-dont-work/

Why strip searches don’t work

Sniffer dogs are as much part of Sydney life today as overpriced brunches and sudden public transport breakdowns.

We’re not just talking about the entrances to music festivals such as Defqon1 and Psyfari — the government has already pulled the plug on those events.

Take a wander through Sydney’s Central station during peak hour and you may well find yourself stopped by police, taken behind a semipublic barricade and stripsearched — even though, statistically, your pockets will probably yield nothing more illicit than a set of house keys.

In an especially baffling case last year, high school leavers had a dozen officers with sniffer dogs swoop in on their year 12 formal.

A report released last week found the number of strip-searches conducted in NSW has increased almost 20-fold in the past 12 years.

Research suggests the overwhelming majority of drug dog searches are fruitless; more often than not, no drugs are found, yet those stopped are still made to endure procedures such as strip searches and “squat and cough” tests many have described as “traumatic” and “dehumanising”.

Police and the NSW Government maintain, however, that searches are necessary to keep the community safe.

This week, news.com.au spoke to more than a dozen young people who had been stripsearched by police on suspicion of being in possession of illicit drugs.

Most requested anonymity, saying they feared reputational damage despite doing nothing wrong.

Here’s what they had to say.

‘THIS ABUSE OF POWER NEEDS TO STOP’

Lucy Moore knows from experience how traumatic strip-searches can be.

In March, the 19-year-old was stopped by a drug dog at Hidden Festival in Sydney. She said she had just one drink at her hotel before arriving, and had neither consumed nor carried any illegal drugs with her to the event.

A police officer told her she had been detected by a sniffer dog, and she was taken away to be stripsearched in a semi-private space.

“Not only did I see other people being searched, during my search the door was left half open and only blocked by the small female cop. I could easily see outside, which means that attendees and the male cops outside could have easily seen in as well,” Ms Moore said.

“Not only this, a girl in the cubicle next to me was also searched with her door still open with a couple cops entering and leaving at will.”

Ms Moore said she was made to “squat and cough” — a practice that entails bending over and coughing under the eye of officers to see if drugs are concealed in the rectal area.

Experts say the practice is legally questionable due to restrictions on anyone but a medical practitioner conducting a body cavity search.

At the end of her “humiliating and embarrassing” ordeal, Ms Moore said she was interrogated, held for over an hour and ultimately still kicked out of the festival — all despite no drugs being found on her.

Legal experts tell news.com.au there have been several cases in recent years of festival-goers being denied entry into events, even though they were not found to be carrying drugs and paid for valid tickets.

“It makes me feel disgusted, for police to constantly be breaching laws and taking advantage of young people who don’t know better. It’s terrifying,” Ms Moore told news.com.au.

A status she posted about the incident in March went viral, with more than 2000 shares and 12,000 reactions on Facebook.

“I think with the festival culture most teens are around these days, that strip-searches from police are something they deal with constantly, so it’s something that they can all relate with,” she said.

Ms Moore never received an apology from police and her ban from Sydney Olympic Park is still in place.

“I’m hoping we can get reform. Change is obviously needed to keep people’s privacy,” she said.

“Only 30 per cent of people will be charged and almost all of them being for very small amounts of drugs for personal use — leaving those 70 per cent with a humiliating and traumatic experience for absolutely no reason. It has to change.”

It’s not just festivals and dance parties where people are targeted. Police dogs are increasingly frequenting train stations, street corners, small pubs and restaurants.

One Sydneysider, who declined to be named, said he was stripsearched a few years ago at Marrickville Bowling Club, a lawn bowls centre in Sydney’s inner west.

“I was violently grabbed by the arms by the police and marched to the entrance of the club, where people were entering and leaving the party,” he told news.com.au.

“In full view of other patrons, they made me take off my shoes and socks, looked inside my underwear and checked all my pockets and wallet, becoming increasingly aggressive and frustrated as they found nothing.

“There was no apology at the end for the wrongful search; they just seemed to assume that I was guilty but they couldn’t find the evidence. I reported the search but nothing came of the report.

“This abuse of power needs to stop.”

Another Sydneysider, who requested only to be identified as Nate, said he was escorted out of a Sydney music festival by police after he was seen texting a friend.

“I was singled out as I was there by myself waiting for a mate who was coming from the other side of Sydney, so I was texting a lot and walking from stage to stage depending who was playing,” he told news.com.au.

Later, as they were dancing in the middle of the dancefloor, he said police tapped both of them on the shoulder and told them to follow them outside.

“We were both sober as a judge,” he said.

Nate described a setting in which a large group of police officers and security guards made him drop his pants and underwear, and pull up his shirt to be patted down.

“It made me feel very uncomfortable and like a criminal for doing absolutely zero wrong,” he said. “I asked the security why we were targeted. They said that they had seen me walking around texting constantly on my phone and then meeting my mate, they followed us in to where we were dancing.

“Getting pulled out in front of others we knew as well and explaining it to them after was a sh*t feeling.”

Do you think stripsearching is excessive? Comment below

Another young woman gave evidence in July at an inquest into six drug-related festival deaths over the summers of 2017 and 2018.

The woman, whose identity was suppressed, told the NSW Coroners Court heavy security at a music festival she attended made her feel “like a criminal” and that the officer in charge threatened to strip-search her “nice and slow”.

“Everyone was staring at me,” she said. “I have been stripsearched twice and they’ve never found anything on me.”

“She said, ‘If you don’t tell me where the drugs are I’m going to make this nice and slow,’” the woman said of the female police officer who conducted the test. “She made me take my shorts off and my underwear.

“Then she made me squat and cough … and then I had to turn around and squat and cough.”

ARE STRIP-SEARCHES LEGAL?

It is legal for police to request a drug search if they have reasonable suspicion to do so.

But aspects of this process — such as what constitutes “reasonable suspicion” and the validity of the “squat and cough” method — fall into a grey area.

Jahan Kalantar, a lawyer who represents young people convicted after drug dog searches, told news.com.au their experiences are often “traumatic” and “terrifying”.

He said police needed to establish grounds to justify a search.

Drug dogs are an important part of this, but because they’re notoriously unreliable, police use other undisclosed, vague information to select a person. Police might claim that you look nervous, or that your behaviour suggests you’ve taken illicit substances, but there is no official checklist.

The initial search involves removing your accessories and outer layers — backpacks, handbags, coats and hats. At this stage, police can turn out your pockets, pat you down, search your hair and instruct you to open your mouth.

NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge, who runs the anti-drug dog initiative Sniff Off, has long advocated against the practice.

“Often you’re surrounded by six or seven police officers with dogs nearby. It can be very intimidating,” Mr Shoebridge said.

“If nothing is found in that first search, what they should do is apologise and let people go on their way,” he said.

But statistics show this is not the case, with people increasingly being taken away for full strip-searches.

A strip-search, according to experts, involves the removal of clothing but should not extend to making the person expose their breasts or genital areas. They must also be conducted by a member of the same sex.

The “squat and cough” practice is arguably illegal, according to Mr Shoebridge, as it constitutes a “body cavity search” and thus requires a medical practitioner to be present.

Mr Shoebridge said it also breached “the overarching requirement to preserve privacy and dignity”.

“It’s far from uncommon. It’s a regular occurrence,” he added.

Mr Kalantar said the legality of “squat and cough” was murky.

“Police are not trained to the extent of, say, a clinical doctor,” he told news.com.au. “I think it’s certainly a dirty practice.

“I don’t understand how it’s a good usage of police resources.

“If you’re a father or a mother, do you really want police tapping on your children’s genitals? Do you really want a state that says it’s OK for this to occur? I have several clients who have been stripsearched — some of whom are child sex abuse survivors. It’s traumatic for them. It reawakens that torment. (Strip-searches) should only be used on very special occasions.”

WHAT DO POLICE AND THE GOVERNMENT SAY?

Police authorities stand by the prevalence of drug dogs and strip-searches, arguing it’s an effective way to ensure community safety.

News.com.au put a series of questions to NSW Police regarding the number of strip-search operations at Central station, the number of strip-searches conducted in NSW overall, and the cost of running operations involving drug dogs.

A spokesperson for NSW Police said the force detected illicit drugs on 1553 occasions during field strip-searches last year.

“Police officers do not enjoy carrying out strip-searches, but it is a power that has been entrusted to us and searches reveal drugs and weapons,” a spokesperson said.

“People who are trying to hide such items frequently secrete them in private places, and the only way to locate them is by a strip-search, which may involve asking the person to squat.

“Police are trained not to rely solely on a drug-detection dog indication when they exercise their search powers.”

Police said 82 per cent of strip-searches over the past five years resulted in either drugs being found on the person, or the person admitting to recent use or possession.

These statistics are incongruous with separate research conducted by the Redfern Legal Centre, Sniff Off and the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, which all argued the figure of “false positives” was far higher.

Samantha Lee, solicitor and head Redfern Legal Centre’s police accountability practice states:

“This figure is misleading, because admitting to recent use or possession of drugs is not an offence. To be charged with possession of a prohibited drug police must prove a person knowingly had possession of the drug at the time of their interaction with police. Also, the mere possession of a prohibited drug on its own would not meet the legal requirements of ‘serious’ and urgent’ to conduct a strip search.”

Police also said strip-searches were only carried out in a minority of cases, but did not comment on their increase over the past decade.

“Field strip-searches represent fewer than 1 per cent of the total number of all searches in NSW. Only about 20 per cent of strip-searches are initiated following a drug-detection dog indication. The majority of person searches carried out by police are not strip-searches.

“Training for police in how to undertake a person search occurs at the Police Academy and is reinforced in a number of forums throughout an officer’s career.”

The NSW government likewise takes an unapologetically hard-line approach to combating drug use.

Appearing on the ABC Q&A panel last week, Premier Gladys Berejiklian was asked about the rise in strip-searches.

She argued safety should ultimately take first priority, and the presence of police and drug dogs was the best way to ensure that safety.

“We want to make sure people are safe when they attend any event, music festival or otherwise, but also that they’re treated respectfully and appropriately,” the Premier said. “So, we’re always looking at ways in which we can improve the respect that young people feel they’re receiving. But also, the difficult thing that I have as Premier is keeping the community safe. It’s always difficult knowing where to draw the line on what community safety means.

“The bottom line is, and you could call me old-fashioned if you like, but illegal drugs are illegal for a reason.

“Please go and have fun and enjoy yourselves, but don’t risk not coming back to your family and friends, because there’s nothing worse than seeing a young person’s life lost.”

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU’RE STOPPED?

Legal experts say you can’t refuse a search if it’s demanded, but it’s important to stress that you don’t consent to the search.

“The first thing you need to say is that you do not consent. Be polite, be affable, but say you do not consent,” Mr Kalantar said.

By making police note that you don’t consent to a search, the evidence may be put aside if the search is later found to be unlawful, he explained.

That said, you should always comply with police requests, as refusing to be stripsearched would likely land you in hot water.

Mr Kalantar also recommended you ask police if you are free to leave, and stressed that you had the right to request to speak to a lawyer.

He said there were some cases — such as being under 18 or of indigenous background — where you were afforded extra protections.

If a person is found to have drugs on them, the consequences range in severity depending on the quantity and police officer in question.

If the amount is small enough to warrant personal consumption — say, a single joint or a couple of pills — Mr Shoebridge says police can choose to issue a caution or an infringement notice, which doesn’t require court attendance.

But police can also choose to take it further. “Police can, purely at their own discretion, decide to formally charge you and make you go to court,” he said. “This can have devastating consequences.”

That said, even if police didn’t find drugs on you, they have the power to deny you entry into a festival — as was the case with Ms Moore.

“Getting your money back is only half the battle,” said Mr Kalantar, who confirmed several clients of his had had their tickets confiscated in these circumstances. “There’s all these extra costs — hotels, travelling interstate, petrol.

“It’s a ludicrous position that a young person attends a festival but just because an indication is made, they may lose the right to attend that festival.”

Ultimately, Mr Kalantar stressed it was important not to jump to conclusions if you’re issued with a court notice, or assume your life is over.

“I really want young people to understand it’s OK to make mistakes, and there are people who can help them and it’s OK,” he said. “Mistakes like this won’t ruin your life.”

@gavindfernando | gavin.fernando@news.com.au

Source link Dog Training Information

[foodieworldmelbourne]

How it felt to get naked with strangers for Melbourne's big nude photo shoot

Updated December 16, 2018 13:32:53

Photo: Spencer Tunick's Melbourne photos were taken in July and released in December. (Supplied: Spencer Tunick) Getting naked with 500 strangers is a great leveller. We'd all been sitting together, fully clothed, for more than an hour in a warm, cavernous room in Prahran on a Sunday afternoon. Many chatted and laughed. But some not knowing another soul in the room sat quietly, making furtive eye contact with others. We were the lucky 500 who'd been chosen for the first of two Melbourne installations by renowned mass-nude photographer Spencer Tunick. More than 10,000 people had applied. While we sat on the floor awaiting instructions and pondering the small white tubs of body paint that had been handed to us on the way in, the suspense became too much for some. Test patches of dotted colour became whole faces smeared in red or yellow. Trouser legs were pulled up so calves could be rubbed with a vivid blue. Premature, yes, but it just stoked the excitement.

Photo: Lying on the cold concrete, we all hoped to glean some warmth from our neighbours. (Supplied: Spencer Tunick) A private moment and a prayer For a brief moment, an American assistant with lanyards and a megaphone kept the crowd entertained. We're waiting for the right light, we were told. Don't take your clothes off yet. But if you need a nervous wee, now is the time. Finally, the man himself appeared at the doorway to cheers and applause. Tunick instructed two men to stop filming him and put their phones away this was a private moment. He told us he'd done everything he could to keep us safe and to respect our privacy. He invited us to think about everything that was happening in the world at that moment and offered up a prayer of hope to those 12 little boys huddled in a cave in Thailand. Murmurs of agreement and a ripple of applause went through the room. A woman behind me muttered, not quietly: "Jeez, what is it with yanks and religion?"

Photo: It wasn't all body paint. Some participants were covered in pink veils instead. (Supplied: Spencer Tunick) The communal reveal Then, it was time. Right where we were standing. A communal peeling off of layers. Any nervous tension in the room evaporated once clothes were hurriedly removed and shoved into pink plastic bags. Every inch of skin was slathered in thick body paint the colours of a rainbow. Some participants stood tall and proud, others were slower to unfurl. But we all got there. All just flesh and bumps and hair and wide smiles. Together. Nothing quite breaks the ice like leaning over to rub body paint into your feet and inadvertently leaving a green print on a yellow person's left buttock behind you. "I'm so sorry," I say, turning to look Mr Yellow square in the eyes. "I've put green on your bum." Hot pink people helped other pinks fill in the spots they'd missed. Orange folk rubbed paint into their fellow oranges' backs like sunscreen. Then it was out into a typically bracing Melbourne winter's day. A glorious crowd of painted beauty practically skipping to a parking lot off Artists Lane. Tunick was high up on a cherry picker, waving at the delighted rainbow throng below. For an hour, he instructed us to stand, crouch, put one arm up, walk about, not smile. We lay amongst each other on cold concrete, purple shoulders flush up against green thighs, hoping to glean some warmth from our neighbours and silently looking up at the clouds crossing that wintry sky. Just the sound of Tunick's camera shutter, occasional instructions and the odd wry aside and giggle.

Photo: Veiled and painted from head to toe, these participants turned a rooftop car park into a sea of red. (Supplied: Spencer Tunick) Staring down the interlopers For the next set-up, we were shepherded into a damp and cold adjoining laneway. As we filed past a floor-to-ceiling window at the back of a cafe, patrons behind the glass produced mobile phones and started filming. This was going straight to Instagram. Boos and cries of "not cool" issued from the naked group in the laneway. We were suddenly vulnerable and exposed in the presence of those clothed and warm non-participants. But a calm acceptance quickly came over the crowd. A beautiful Rubenesque woman painted purple stood squarely in front of the window, staring the interlopers down. She didn't care. And then neither did we. In that moment, we were all connected. After our final shots, we filed out of the laneway and back into the lot, with waves and warm thank yous from Tunick. As we left, we all turned together and marvelled at a full rainbow stretching across the sky above South Yarra. It would have been an incredible photograph. But the only cameras that could have documented it were Tunick's. For the rest of us, it was mental snapshots only. The author of this story has chosen to remain anonymous. Tunick's photo shoots around the world

Photo: Tunick has previously photographed over 5,000 nude Sydneysiders on the steps of the Sydney Opera House in 2010. (AAP: Dean Lewins)

Photo: In 2016, Tunick's 'Sea of Hull' project was shot in northern England. (Reuters: Andrew Yates)

Photo: Tunick also photographed volunteers at San Sebastian's Zurriola beach in Spain in 2006. (Reuters: Pablo Sanchez)

Photo: Around 2,000 naked volunteers posed in the Europarking building in Amsterdam in 2007. (Reuters: Koen van Weel)

Photo: In Germany, Tunick directed models to pose in front of old paintings at Dusseldorf's Museum Kunstpalast in 2006. (Reuters: Ina Fassbender)

Photo: The Kursaal auditorium in the Spanish city of San Sebastian featured in another of Tunick's photos in 2006. (Reuters: Pablo Sanchez)

Photo: Tunick was also in Melbourne in 2001, when more than 2,000 volunteers stripped off to take part in his shoot. (Reuters) Topics:photography,arts-and-entertainment,visual-art,prahran-3181,melbourne-3000,vic First posted December 16, 2018 09:13:47 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-16/spencer-tunick-melbourne-photoshoot-getting-naked-with-strangers/10623578

[harryandmeghan0-blog]

Royal Tour, Day 1: Prince Harry and Meghan start official tour

New Post has been published on https://harryandmeghan.xyz/royal-tour-day-1-prince-harry-and-meghan-start-official-tour/

Royal Tour, Day 1: Prince Harry and Meghan start official tour

THIS is the adorable moment Prince Harry called his wife over to get a photo with her mini me.

Sethunya Gibbons, 9, was waiting with her family in the crowd at the Sydney Opera House wearing a T-shirt with the words “girls can do anything” when she caught the attention of the Duke of Sussex before he called Meghan over to meet her.

The Duchess then told the girl she reminded her of herself when she was younger, before Prince Harry took a photo of the group on the girl’s phone.

Someone in the crowd first told Meghan they thought the girl looked like her, to which she replied: “I was literally about to say the same thing.”

“You remind me so much of myself when I was younger. And I love your shirt,” she said to her young fan.

The girl posed with her grandma and later told 2dayfm of the exciting moment.

“When Harry came over to me, he came over first, he said ‘girls can do anything’ because that’s what it says on my shirt,” she said.

“Then he asked me if I wanted to meet his wife so I said ‘yes’ and then he asked me if I wanted him to take a photo of me and Meghan.”

Sethunya was with her grandmother Sharon Gibbons and cousin Rebecca Szekeres.

Her mum Rachelle Gibbons said: “Sethunya is very excited to be Meghan’s mini me.”

HARRY’S AUSSIE QUIPS

IN true Aussie style Prince Harry’s first official word on tour has been “G’day” before the Duke of Sussex commented on how great it was there was beer and tea at an afternoon reception at Admiralty House.

“We’re both absolutely delighted to be here and really impressed to see you serving beer and tea at an afternoon reception in true Aussie style,” he said in his first official address of their Royal Australian tour.

“Genuinely thank you for the incredibly warm welcome and the chance to meet so many Aussies from all walks of life and we also genuinely couldn’t think a better place to announce the upcoming baby.”

Prince Harry did not give any hints away as to what the sex of the baby was, pausing before saying “be it a boy or a girl”.

In true Prince Harry style, he kept his official address to Governor-General Peter Cosgrove and guests lighthearted, cracking a few jokes.

“G’day your excellency, ladies and gentlemen, it is obviously great to be back in Australia,” he said.

“Especially even more so this is my wife’s first visit here, so I’m very excited her to show her this incredible country of yours. Perhaps not Kangaroo Flats military training area in Darwin though — probably the last time I go there.

“You will also notice we had a roof on our boat earlier after last year’s downpour and luckily Sydney’s sun is shining today. So thank you for organising the weather.”

The Duke recapped the day’s activities, after spending the morning meeting koalas at Taronga Zoo.

“With some sleeping koalas or drop bears as some of the world know them,” he joked.

Prince Harry said he was grateful to the Australian government for hosting the Invictus Games which the country had embraced with great enthusiasm.

“Australia is of course home to some of the world’s best sporting talent but what you are about to see during these Invictus Games will quite literally astound you,” he said.

“A demonstration of the power of the human spirit, the power of the human spirit, the power of sport to change lives and the pour of feeling part of all of this from the stands. There really is something for everyone.”

Meghan changed outfits for the final official event of the couple’s whirlwind day, reporting wearing a wearing a green Brandon Maxwell pleated button-up shirt dress.

If she wasn’t already clucky enough, Meghan met singer Missy Higgins and her daughter Luna at the reception.

TOUCHING MOMENT WITH WAR WIDOW

THE Duke and Duchess of Sussex have met with thousands of adoring fans outside the Sydney Opera House this afternoon.

But no one has stolen Prince Harry’s heart more than Daphne Dunne — the 98-year-old war widow who famously stole a kiss from Harry when he visited in 2015.

After camping out for him all morning at the Opera House, Daphne and Harry have today shared another special moment in the crowd.

The pair exchanged words and Harry received a purple envelope from the widow.

98-year-old Sydneysider Daphne Dunne has met Harry for a third time in Sydney. Harry introduced his wife to Daphne for the first time today. “Marvellous.” #RoyalWatch #7News pic.twitter.com/OgDIKnQpyU

— 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) October 16, 2018

She also met Meghan Markle for the first time, with all the cameras on the pair as they shared a touching moment within the crowd about their baby announcement.

“Congratulations, I think that’s marvellous,” said Daphne to Meghan. “It’s just what Harry needs.”

“I’ve seen your shoes, they’re very cool,” chimed in Harry. “Have you dyed your hair a shade of pink?”

“It’s fantastic,” added Meghan. “I’m so happy to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you. All good things.”

“I think it’s wonderful, the two of you,” Daphne replied.

She kissed both the Duke and Duchess and gave them cards and flowers as gifts.

“Oh what’s this? This is fantastic,” Meghan said. “Enjoy the rest of the day. Hopefully next time we see you we’ll have a little one with us.”

Speaking to news.com.au earlier today, Daphne said she thought Prince Harry would make a “marvellous dad”.

“It’s exciting now because his wife is going to have a baby,” she said. “It’s a very exciting time for them … just marvellous.

“It’s what he’s always wanted. He will be a marvellous dad. He won’t let anything stand in his way and he will be so gentle and loving. This should be an Australian baby.”

Asked for her thoughts on what Meghan would be like as a mum, Daphne said: “Meghan will be out of this world. They are beautiful together. They show their affection … it’s lovely. Their affection just comes out, so instead of the rain pouring out it’s their affection.”

Daphne is a mother-of-one, with two grandchildren. Reflecting on her own experience as a parent, she said: “The hardest bit will be finding their way. They will be frightened too … you don’t know if you’re doing the right or wrong thing.

“He’s a wonderful friend … that’s how I feel about him. He’s my favourite royal and so good-looking too.

“I’m sorry he’s taken!”

Asked what the pair spoke about during their 2015 encounter, she said Harry was drawn to her late husband’s Victoria Cross, which she was wearing.

“We were chatting for a little while and they kept saying to him, ‘We’ve got to go, we’ve got to go’, and he didn’t worry about that. He just continued on with what he was doing, which was talking to me, and then when he started to go he gave me a kiss on the cheek,” she told the Today show this morning.

“And then he came back later and gave me another one because I was lopsided, and had to have another kiss to put me right.”

Asked if she had any gifts for them, Daphne said: “Flowers and that they will be very, very happy. I think that’s more important than any gift — to wish them happiness.”

Bless.

A lot of people are handing gifts over to the pair, including roses and Australian chocolates, and congratulating them on the baby announcement.

The pair will go from the Opera House back to Admiralty House in Kirribilli later this afternoon, where they will join in a reception hosted by the Governor-General.

The Duchess has added a trench coat to the cream Karen Gee dress she began the day in, hiding any sign of her barely-there bump.

CROWDS OUT IN FULL FORCE TO GREET ROYALS

In a spectacular welcome to Australia, Prince Harry and a glowing Meghan Markle have been greeted by thousands of royal fans beneath the sails of Sydney’s iconic Opera House. And the crowd outside may have just witnessed Prince Harry’s first ‘dad’ moment.

The Duke — who’s expecting his first child with Meghan Markle — had some stern words for Sydney teenager Emerson Yee, 15, after spotting her handmade poster, which read: “I gave up perfect school attendance to see you.”

“He came over and told me not to miss school again,” she told news.com.au.

Despite the joking reprimand, Emerson was thrilled with her royal encounter.

Meanwhile, her friend Tara, also 15, revealed that Meghan had promised she’d consider her name for the royal baby.

“She said she’d consider ‘Tara’!” she said.

An estimated 4,000 people gathered along the forecourt to meet them and celebrate the news.

After watching a rehearsal from the Bangarra Dance Theatre inside the Opera House, the Duke and Duchess appeared on the steps of the western boardwalk just after 12.30pm and were met by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

Helicopters whirled in the skies and fans waving Australian flags cheered as the pair slowly made their way down a barricaded walkway, surrounded by minders. Exceeding the allotted 15 minutes for the walk, they stopped to chat to royal fans and accepted flowers, stuffed toys and artwork.

After meeting the couple, one girl called her parents and shared: “He just took my phone! He took a photo of me and Meghan!”

Onlookers began lining up along the barricades from 8am, with some passing the time by singing songs like Waltzing Matilda as the couple’s arrival neared.

One large sign read: “Congratulations to Harry and Meghan — the proudest parents to be.”

While days of rain and grey skies threatened to hang around for today’s appearance, the clouds began to clear over the Harbour and provided the perfect backdrop for the couple’s first major public appearance on their 16 day Pacific tour.

At the end of the walk, the royal couple were greeted by a specially selected group mums and daughters.

Sarah Legge, 41, from Mount Colah surprised her eight-year-old daughter Alice with today’s mission to see the couple. She never thought they’d get to meet them.

“We thought we’d maybe just get a glimpse through a car window,” she said.

Alice said she has loved Prince Harry and Meghan “since their wedding”.

“She’s kind and pretty,” Alice said. “I told her she’s my role model and she told me I’m really kind. She asked what I wanted to be when I grow up — and I said royalty. She said no ones ever said that.”

As fans cheered and begged for more time, the couple were escorted to a waiting motorcade.

SECURITY BEEFED UP OVER OPERA HOUSE

If you needed reassurance that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be safe on their journey down under, look no further than this:

Police snipers have been stationed on top of the Opera House in preparation for the royal couple’s arrival. There is a heavy security presence outside the Sydney Opera House on the ground too.

Dozens of uniformed police and plainclothes officers have been sweeping the area for hours with sniffer dogs. Royal fans, meanwhile, have had to undergo X-ray bag checks to gain access to the Opera House forecourt before taking their places along the metal barricades.

There are also several police cars with flashing lights blocking the Opera House driveway, as helicopters fly overhead.

It’s not surprising considering all the security measures Meghan and Harry have to deal with on a day-to-day basis.

Just last month, the Daily Star revealed they were always referred to by their officials title initials “DS” for Duke or Duchess of Sussex.

A source said it was “far too risky” for their bodyguards to refer to them by their actual names, in case their details fell into the wrong hands.

The report noted “if anyone got hold of a phone belonging to a royal aide or security team member, they won’t find Harry Windsor and Meghan’s names in it” because “it is far too risky” to store the couple’s personal details on a mobile.

Hours before the pair arrived at Admiralty House this morning, an official motorcade of 11 police motorcycles was ready and waiting to escort them into the building.

The snipers will remain stationed on top of the Opera House as the couple prepare to watch a Bangarra Dance Company performance, before embarking on a meet-the-people walk around the iconic landmark.

But hey, they’re hardly the most controversial thing to be seen on the building in the past week.

MEGHAN AND HARRY HEAD TO OPERA HOUSE

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have weathered a windy morning on the rough waters of Sydney Harbour, making their way by boat to meet locals at the Opera House.

Chances of motion sickness replaced any potential morning sickness for the Duchess of Sussex, who it was confirmed yesterday is pregnant with her first child.

The royal couple boarded the Admiral Hudson about 11.25am and made the rough 15-minute journey from Taronga Zoo to the Man O’ War Steps at the Opera House, where they watched a rehearsal from the Bangarra Dance Theatre before meeting throngs of gathered fans.

Despite days of rain and a gloomy morning, the clouds cleared and blue skies appeared before they took to the water.

The couple was running behind schedule after meeting koalas and opening a new science facility at the Taronga Zoo and made a quick dash to the Opera House, avoiding any scenic drifts near the Harbour Bridge.

The Duke and Duchess were helped off the boat by minders and swiftly ushered up a path and into the Opera House through a stage door.

They held hands and smiled to crowd, with Meghan pushing her hair out of her face.

After watching the Bangarra rehearsal, they made their way to the forecourt underneath the iconic sails of the Opera House to meet the public. It was their first major public appearance since it was announced yesterday they were expecting their first child.

Royal fans started lining up outside the Opera House at 8am, hoping to secure a prime spot to see the Duke and Duchess during the meet-and-greet.

MEGHAN IS WEARING PRINCESS DIANA’S EARRINGS

Sometimes it’s the smallest details that can mean the most.

Meghan Markle is wearing Princess Diana’s gold and diamond butterfly earrings and bracelet today, as a tribute to the woman who would have been her mother-in-law.

The detail was picked up by The Sun’s royal correspondent Emily Andrews.

#Meghan wearing Princess Diana’s gold and diamond butterfly earrings and bracelet on her first day of #RoyalTourAustralia pic.twitter.com/2InKbM8dHW

— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) October 16, 2018

DUKE AND DUCHESS ARRIVE AT TARONGA ZOO

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrived at Taronga Zoo about 10.30am.

The royals were introduced to a pair of koala joeys named in their honour.

The newborn koalas were named ahead of their nuptials in May as an early wedding present from NSW.

Meghan and Harry were greeted by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian when they arrived.

The pair were on hand to help open a new research and education facility for students, and met with conservation scientists.

The Institute of Science and Learning will be home to native bilbies and quokkas living in classrooms, and the largest collection of frozen coral cells from the Great Barrier Reef.

— AAP

BABY GIFTS MELT HARRY’S HEART

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrived at Admiralty House just after 9am.

Governor-General Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove presented them with a number of little gifts, including a stuffed kangaroo and a pair of Akubra hats.

But it was the third little gift — a pair of baby ugg boots — that brought this heartwarming expression to Prince Harry’s face:

People took to social media as their hearts collectively melted for him.

they gave harry and meghan little baby ugg boots and look at how happy harry is pic.twitter.com/13rafPDeQv

— meredith (@meghanmrkIe) October 15, 2018

Seeing Harry gleefully hold those little baby ugg boots he got given this morning has made my cold, dead heart instantly thaw.

— Shannon Molloy (@sleemol) October 15, 2018

I’m not a monarchist, just happy for anyone having their first kid. I think those little ugg boots just made it real for Harry 👶 https://t.co/VknE05T6eR

— s c a r y 🕷 b e a r (@clarevward) October 15, 2018

BABY UGG BOOTS💙💕 I’m done #RoyalBaby 😍😍😂 pic.twitter.com/lWhagwldhX

— SuitablyforSussex (@suitablyforsus1) October 15, 2018

All eyes were on the royal baby bump as the pair made their arrival, with the Duchess of Sussex donning a minimalist white dress by Australian designer Karen Gee.

AUSSIES GEARING UP TO MEET ROYAL COUPLE

Today was a chance to recreate history for the Dunsire family.

Mum Pauline and her twin six-year-old daughters Grace and Willow drove up from the Southern Highlands to catch a glimpse of the royal couple.

Almost 30 years ago, Pauline’s own mother brought her to the Opera House to see Princess Diana when she toured the country.

“We got to meet her too,” Pauline said.

Grace and Willow hoped to meet Meghan and give her flowers, paintings and a letter.

“(In the letter) we congratulated them on their baby news and asked if they’re having twins,” they laughed.

Alice, 85, of Mosman, was lined up and in a prime position outside the Opera House bright and early to catch a glimpse or Prince Harry and Meghan.

“I love Harry! I saw him briefly when he was here last time. And Meghan seems to have a lovely personality — I’m so happy about their baby news,” she said.

Alice is somewhat of a royal tour expert — she’s seen the “always beautiful” Queen six times in Australia, and shared a sweet moment with Prince William on tour “back when he was a bachelor”.

“We shook hands, and he was very pleasant … but I was in a daze, I was speechless,” she said. Ella and Erin, both 18, even took a day off from studying for the HSC — which starts on Thursday — to try to meet Harry and Meghan.

Their hour-long train commute and 8am arrival meant a 5.45 alarm this morning, but it’s all worth it for the “hardcore royal fans”.

An hour before the Duke and Duchess are due, they’re still working out what they’ll say to the couple if they’re lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.

“I think we’ll go with congratulations!” an excited Erin told news.com.au.

Jordan Ilencik, 14, gave school a miss today to deliver a very special message — and flowers — to Meghan.

“I want Meghan’s attention,” he said, dressed in his finest outfit. “I want to give her a hug. She’s just a beautiful person.

“I’m going to give her the flowers and show her my cute charm.”

Yesterday’s news of a royal baby only made him more excited.

“I was so happy for her. I wish it was me,” he said.

And while his mum let him come down for the day, there was rules. “I have to be home by 4.”

‘THEY WERE SO DOWN-TO-EARTH’

Anna Quinn, a liaison officer and volunteer for the Invictus Games, was at the Admiralty House reception this morning.

She described the experience as “wonderful” and said it was a “real privilege” to be part of the occasion.

“They were just delightful,” she told news.com.au of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. “Very down-to-earth and just very friendly and they had lovely chats with us.”

She said Meghan looked “fantastic”, but they didn’t address the royal baby news.

— Vanessa Brown

SYDNEYSIDERS BEGIN FILING THROUGH SECURITY

The first locals have started filing through security and lining the metal barricades at the base of the Opera House.

Construction workers are putting together the finishing touches on railing and platforms.

Despite the impending chaos, some determined Sydneysiders aren’t letting a royal visit mess with their usual routines.

Morning joggers have been getting checked through security just to complete their usual run along the harbour.

‘WE HAD NO IDEA THEY WERE COMING’

Engaged couple Diego Wang, 22, and Hannah Li, 25, thought it would be a “quiet day” to take some pre-wedding photographs on the steps of the Opera House.

“We had no idea they were coming,” Wang laughed about the royal couple’s Harbour visit.

“We thought it would be quiet and not too many people — but when we got here we found out they were arriving.”

The students, who are getting married at home in China next year, decided two months ago to take professional photographs in their wedding outfits in front of the iconic landmark.

Arriving at the Opera House in full gown and suit, they’re the only couple who could take the attention off the royals today.

— James Weir

POLICE WAITING OUTSIDE ADMIRALTY HOUSE

An official motorcade of 11 police motorcycles arrived to Admiralty House in Sydney’s Kirribilli just before 7.30am, escorting two vehicles through the front gates.

Duties have well and truly started with around 20 police officers manning the gates ahead of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s first official engagement with Governor-general Peter Cosgrove.

Volunteers have arrived at the site, but all are declining to comment at this stage.

— Vanessa Brown

MEGHAN ‘DID NOT TELL’ FATHER ABOUT PREGNANCY

When Duchess Meghan broke her baby news to the Royal Family, her mother Doria was thrilled.

The 62-year-old issued a statement last night saying she was “very happy at this lovely news and is looking forward to welcoming her first grandchild”.

But according to royal reporters, Kensington Palace refused to comment on whether Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, had also been told in advance.

Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland issued a statement through Kensington Palace saying she was ‘very happy at this lovely news and is looking forward to welcoming her first grandchild.’ Kensington Palace declined to comment on whether her father, Thomas Markle, had been told.

— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) October 15, 2018

Now, sources are claiming he didn’t find out until Kensington Palace announced it to the world last night.

“Meghan did not tell Thomas Markle about the pregnancy,” a source told Us Weekly just hours after the announcement. “He found out the same time as the rest of the world.”

Meghan’s strained relationship with her father has been well-noted since the wedding. The 74-year-old has previously referred to the royal family as “cult-like” and compared them to the Church of Scientology, and he did not attend the couple’s nuptials.

By contrast, the source said Meghan gave her mum Doria Ragland the good news straight away.

“Doria is so delighted about the news of her first grandchild,” the source told Us. “Doria has been helping Meghan through this time in her life immensely. Meghan really looks to Doria for all advice in anything she does.”

Thomas was spotted shopping alone for groceries in San Ysidro, California, as the pair announced the news to the Royal Family on Friday, the day of Princess Eugenie’s wedding.

He was spotted buying beers, pot pies and firewood from the store near his home in Rosarito, Mexico, and appeared to be in high spirits, The Daily Mail reports.

PIPPA MIDDLETON ARRIVES AT LINDO WING

Heavily-pregnant Pippa Middleton has spotted arriving at the Lindo Wing maternity unit, just days after the royal wedding.

The younger sister of the Duchess of Cambridge is said to have been joined at the private hospital with her financier husband James Matthews, The Sun reports.

Hubby James was pictured carrying two overnight bags as they entered the wing — a £78 Cam Cam Copenhagen baby changing bag and another holdall.

Eyewitnesses say Pippa, 35, was seen smiling as she entered the Lindo Wing, where her nephews Prince George and Prince Louis and niece Princess Charlotte were born.

Pippa has already visited the exclusive Lindo Wing, where Kate Middleton gave birth to all three of her children.

The Duchess of Cambridge posed on the steps of the ward with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, shortly after each of their births.

The Lindo Wing is believed to be valued at £7500-per-night ($AU14,000).

The pricey ward is popular with royals, with Princess Diana having both of her children there, and she also stood for photos on the steps with Prince William and Harry.

Pippa and James were spotted visiting the wing, in St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, which is a stone’s throw from their £17 million ($AU31.3 million) mansion in Chelsea earlier on in her pregnancy.

— Lauren Fruen

DUKE AND DUCHESS EXPECTING A BABY

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is pregnant with her first child and will give birth in the British spring next year.

The confirmation ends days of speculation about whether the 37-year-old and Prince Harry, 34, were about to become parents.

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019. pic.twitter.com/Ut9C0RagLk

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 15, 2018

The world has gone wild over the happy news, but Aussies will be the first to congratulate the pair in person, with the royals beginning their 16-day tour of Australia today.

Rumours have been floating since Princess Eugenie’s wedding on Friday, where Meghan wore a loose-fitting navy coat. When she didn’t take off her jacket in the church, speculation started up.

The rumours continued when the pair touched down in Sydney yesterday and Meghan was pictured carrying a stack of binder folders in front of her stomach.

“Victoria” is top of the bookies odds on girls’ names, while “James” is leading the way for boys.

Source: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals/royal-tour-day-1-prince-harry-and-meghan-start-official-tour/news-story/ebeaff2eeb9e52770e2fc7cdabc89546

[fillypeskykitten]

'Holding our breath': Fishermen angered by Hawkesbury Shelf proposed marine park designation

Updated September 11, 2018 16:10:03

Photo: Lobster fisherman Peter Ofner is one of those whose livelihood will be affected by the changes to the Hawkesbury shelf marine area (ABC News: Gavin Coote) The fishing industry and enthusiasts are warning the New South Wales Government's plan to designate the Hawkesbury Shelf marine area a marine park with 25 distinct protection zones could destroy their livelihoods and lifestyles. But some in the region who are already feeling the effects of climate change say the protections do not go far enough. Scott Thorington, who runs a charter fishing company popular with Sydneysiders and Chinese tourists, is among those worried about the plan. "We have relatively clean water here, we have a lot of good access to reefs," he said. "There's generally a good fishery here where you can go and catch a few snapper, flathead, there's plenty of kingfish." But his favourite spots may soon fall into at least five of the 25 new protection zones that are being proposed as part of a massive new marine park. "I think we're holding our breath at the moment to see what happens," he said. "I've been doing it for 30 years; it's too late for me to change jobs. I love doing what I'm doing."

Photo: Some of the proposed marine zones would allow lobster and abalone fishing, but not line or spear fishing. (ABC News: Gavin Coote) Different zones, different restrictions The NSW Liberal Government hopes the marine park, stretching from Newcastle to Wollongong, would help address the threats posed by fishing, boating and climate change. Each of the proposed zones would have unique conditions set out for them. Some would allow lobster and abalone fishing, but not line or spear fishing. In other areas, like the popular Forrester's beach, north of Terrigal, all fishing would be banned. That is annoying recreational fisher Justin Reid, who takes his nephew there regularly. "There's a couple of the beaches in the marine parks where I normally take him where it's nice and safe and protected from the wind," he said. "They're going to [say] either not go fishing or go fishing in other areas which are not as protected and aren't as safe for the young kids."

Photo: Opposition to the proposed marine park is strongest on the Central Coast. (ABC News: Gavin Coote) While the proposed marine park covers a vast area, opposition to it is strongest on the Central Coast. That is providing a political opportunity for the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, which is hoping to harness the discontent to pick up some coastal seats. Even the Liberal member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, has reservations about the proposal. He has described the marine park proposal as "too extreme". Mr Reid said he was pleased the issue had captured the local member's attention. "I think he's seen the writing's on the wall; that this is going to affect the Central Coast in a huge way that he probably didn't understand," Mr Reid said. "Not just recreational, but commercial, and all the businesses a huge amount of income's not going to come to the Central Coast if this happens."

Photo: Peter Ofner and recreational fisherman Justin Reid (ABC News: Gavin Coote) Protecting habitats a priority But John Asquith, a prominent Central Coast conservationist, said there was a large amount of coast that people could use, which the scientists had determined was a lesser priority than the areas identified for marine park zoning. "It's really important that we get these areas [planned protection zones] because they're the healthiest," he said. "They're the ones where the biodiversity is going to be the richest and where the most opportunity is, by good management, to maintain species. "In time, those species spill out of the reserve areas and travel all along the coast."

Photo: A sign protesting the plan says "Stop the Lockout: We Fish, We Vote". (ABC News: Gavin Coote) Consultation on the marine park proposal closes later this month. The Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair said no final decision had been made. "I think one thing we can all agree upon is that the 25 sites that we have identified are probably the right sites because they have key habitat and key species at them," he said. "What is not in agreeance is the proposal that's been put forward on how to manage those sites, and that's what we're consulting on at the moment." Mr Asquith urged those on all sides of the debate to think about future generations of ocean lovers. "That's where the message has got to be sold, because those people have the vote, they communicate better, they're better educated," he said. "Not with people who want to play politics on it, because it's too important to be left to just the politics." Topics:marine-parks,fishing-aquaculture,environmental-policy,environmental-management,environment,climate-change,government-and-politics,nsw,forster-2428,wollongong-2500,newcastle-2300,terrigal-2260 First posted September 10, 2018 15:45:01 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-10/hawkesbury-shelf-proposed-marine-park-sparks-anger/10221680

[umichenginabroad]

Sydney Week 8: Iconic Architecture and Final Moments with the Mates

8/17/18

Hello! In case you’ve missed my earlier posts, I study mechanical engineering and am currently doing an internship at a startup in Sydney, Australia through the Sage Corps program.

My final week in Sydney has arrived. In terms of work, I spent most of the week waiting on crucial part shipments to arrive and working on the actual assembly of the newest version of the Floc Strength Instrument. Since I had spent the past two months updating the hardware design, making a thorough 3D model on SolidWorks of the design from scratch, and then finally manufacturing some of the necessary components, it was rewarding to end my internship by getting to actually build the machine and see everything come together. Being able to stare at a model on a screen and have it turn into a physical 3D reality is a wonderfully fulfilling feeling.

As a celebration of the end of our internships and time in Australia, our boss invited me and my fellow intern along with one of our coworkers to an informal dinner at his house. I had met his wife and adorable young daughters previously, and enjoyed learning about everyone in a setting outside of work. After some much-appreciated home-cooked food and dessert, we said our final goodbyes and headed back to our apartment downtown. The realization that I only had a few days left in Australia truly started to sink in.

Although I’m staying in Sydney through the weekend, most of the Sage Corps cohort had booked flights out on the last official day of the program on Saturday. Thus, the end of the week was my final chance to spend time with all of my mates! The “lasts” of the trip kicked off with a delicious KBBQ dinner with the entire Sage Corps cohort. I finally got around to trying kimchi, but the beef wagyu was the clear winner of the evening. Also, my roomie and I finally got around to taking an official tour of the Opera House, and I am so glad we did. The space itself was mesmerizing at every turn and I soon found myself falling in love with the architecture. The tour itself was very informative on the history of the icon’s design and construction, as well as the intention of every part of the interior. A few recalled facts;

- The Opera House’s design by architect Jørn Utzon was selected by an international competition in the 1950’s

- In order to make the iconic white “shells” a structurally sound reality, their exact shape and slopes were derived from sections of a sphere- beautifully described on the Opera House’s website as “a timeless expression of the fusion between design and engineering”

- Remember from Week 1 when I was shocked by the tiles covering the building? Turns out there are nearly a million of said tiles covering the sloping roofs

- There is no carpet in the Opera Theater in order to achieve the desired “dry acoustics”

- Over 1.5 million people see more than 2000 performances every year at the Opera House’s various theaters and concert halls

Before I knew it, it was time to say goodbye to the rest of the cohort. Dutifully, I stayed up with the other girls nearly all night before they left (this was with the intention of helping them sleep on the flight), and reflected on everything I had seen and done with them these past eight weeks. I have often found that with travel, as with life, it is the people you meet along the way that truly shape your experience, and that couldn’t have been truer Down Under. Many hugs and last minute photo exchanges later, everyone headed to the airport to begin the all-day journey home. It’s strange to think I will be saying my own goodbyes to the city in just a few days.

Avia Matossian

^ Sydneysiders are well-known coffee snobs, which makes for a city full of delicious roasts around every corner (shown above is Skittle Lane Coffee)

^This is Danny Lim; I would see him smiling and giving commuters a thumbs-up with his trademark sign and dog, Smarty, nearly every morning at the train station on my way to work at the factory

^ Our cohort’s final KBBQ feast! ft. my roomie in the corner :)

^ Shot from inside of the Opera House with a glimpse of the beautiful Sydney Harbor views visible through the window

^ This is the entire Instrument Works company in one picture (minus one); the other intern is at the far left, with my boss/CEO of the startup, Shane Cox, in the gray shirt

^ Enjoying some amazing views of downtown Sydney from the guys’ penthouse apartment and throwing M’s with the other UMich students in my cohort

[dani-qrt]

Small-Town Wisdom for You and Me

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Innovators come in many forms. Take Tom Smith. He’s a pig farmer in rural Victoria, a quiet man with a white beard who you’d walk right by in Bunnings without even noticing.

But in 2008, without any guidance, he went out on a limb and posted a help wanted ad in a Manila newspaper. Then he went there, found a few people he liked and started sponsoring worker visas.

It was a bold if simple act that has led dozens of Filipino families to move to a town called Pyramid Hill — reversing population decline, and laying the groundwork for a model of multiculturalism far healthier than what can be found in many cities.

“When you’re desperate, it’s just what you do,” Tom told me when we first met. But it wasn’t just that. There was a glint of mischief in his eye. “I saw it as a bit of a challenge,” he said, smiling, “to try and do something different.”

That urge to break the mold, to resist conformity and decline, ran through the story I wrote about Pyramid Hill’s transformation.

The article was Part 2 of a series we published this week about regional Australia — Part 1 focused on the tragedy of farmer suicides — and I hope you’ll read both stories if you haven’t yet. They’re an attempt by our bureau to cover oft-overlooked issues and areas with depth and nuance.

But here in this week’s newsletter, I also wanted to highlight Tom and his efforts because they amount to a personal challenge.

What he and many others in Pyramid Hill have done is stretch beyond their comfort zones. Both Anglos and Filipinos have gone out of their way to bring people together. They cheer each others children on. They help each other when tragedies hit. They share meals together, often.

And in conversations from the pub to the piggery, I heard both pride and frustration: pride, because people felt that what they had learned about how to build a multicultural community should be applied more broadly; frustration, because small-town views are so often ignored.

Canberra, they said, was too focused on petty squabbles and the problems with immigration. City elites, they added, rarely invest much time in engaging with people who are different.

“City people are so wrapped up in their own world,” said Gail Smith, the breeding supervisor at Kia-Ora, the pig farm Tom runs with his sons. “They need to broaden their horizons.”

Many of the Filipinos I met in Pyramid Hill agreed, having moved from cities like Brisbane.

Their comments made me think not just of my own life in Sydney, but also New York — a diverse but highly segregated city by race and income, where people often think they’re open-minded simply because they share a subway car with people from different backgrounds.

In fact, it takes quite a lot more than proximity to create social cohesion — a society that truly reflects the Enlightenment principle of equality for all.

Australia does plenty of academic research on the subject. There are some inspiring speeches to be found from government officials, too — like this one from 2015. There are even sizable grants for projects that address social cohesion.

But Pyramid Hill speaks to something else: the power of individual actions, sustained over time.

At the end of the day, many people told me, countries — like towns, or city neighborhoods, or even sports teams — only cohere when people prioritize getting to know each other and looking out for each other.

I keep coming back to what Tom told me when I asked why Pyramid Hill seemed to be so integrated, with connections spanning ethnic boundaries and conversations that go beyond platitudes or conventional wisdom.

“People in the country mix, and need to mix,” he said. “It’s just different out here; it’s the only way to survive.”

Something to chew on.

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Before we dive into the week’s stories you shouldn’t miss, along with a recommendation, a bit of community housekeeping is in order:

• Many of you shared fantastic lists of Top 5 things you love about Sydney (and one you loathe). We’ll be back soon with a creative treatment of a few of our favorites.

• We’re trying something a little different in the NYT Australia Facebook group next week. Liminal, a Melbourne-based magazine that publishes art by and interviews with talented Asian Australians, will be “taking over” the group for a week (starting Monday) to lead some really interesting and inclusive discussions about race, identity and Australia. Join the group now if you haven’t already — we’d love you to get involved throughout the week.

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I loved this little story about London’s red telephone booths being refashioned in creative ways, with books, businesses and other creative ideas.

And of course, we’ve had LOTS of coverage about London’s other news: the royal wedding. A rundown of everything we did can be found on our special Royal Wedding Collection page.

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The latest on North Korea?

North Korea said on Thursday that it would reconsider holding a summit meeting between its leader, Kim Jong-un, and President Trump, singling out Vice President Mike Pence for remarks that a top official called “ignorant and stupid.”

News

• In Australia, Fears of Chinese Meddling Rise on U.N. Bribery Case Revelation: An Australian politician identified Chau Chak Wing, an Australian citizen of Chinese descent, as a co-conspirator in a 2015 bribery case.

• With Senator’s Snub, Australia Gets Stood Up by U.S. — Again: Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee declined to become the ambassador, just weeks after President Trump’s previous choice was reassigned. Should Australia be taking this personally?

• Australian Archbishop Philip Wilson Guilty of Sexual Abuse Cover-Up: He became the highest-ranking Catholic official to be convicted of concealing child sexual abuse, and could face two years in prison.

Culture / Fun

• Courtney Barnett Faces Doubts and Doubters on ‘Tell Me How You Really Feel’: Newly unguarded, the songwriter sets aside her sly character studies in favor of declarations and confrontations on her second solo studio album.

• Big Things and Long Goodbyes: A poem remembering a last road trip taken together before a long separation.

• A Very Hungry Black Hole Is Found, Gorging on Stars: Astronomers in Australia say they have discovered a fast-growing black hole swallowing stars in a baby galaxy 12 billion light-years from here.

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… And We Recommend

At sunrise this morning, hundreds of Sydneysiders (including me, my wife and our two kids) gathered at Bondi Beach to raise awareness and finance research for brain cancer by trying to set a world record of the largest gathering of people wearing beanies (winter hats for all you Americans), in support of the Mark Hughes Foundation.

We discovered the organization through the death of Matt Callander and the way that his friends, supporters and neighbors have rallied to the cause has been an inspiration. We’ve purchased many beanies for brain cancer, and encourage others to do the same.

Here’s my Instagram post from the gathering this morning, a moment of community love drawn from sorrow.

Correction: 

An earlier version of this newsletter included an incorrect reference to Mark Hughes. We regret the error.

Damien Cave is the Australia bureau chief for The New York Times. He’s covered migration issues across the United States, and in Latin America and the Middle East, for more than a decade. Follow him on Twitter: @damiencave.

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