Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 1, 2024 i New Idea

Sunriseweatherman Sam McMillan’s love life is all sunshine and rainbows right now – because he’s engaged to partner Rebecca James! He pulled off an elaborate surprise proposal in Sydney on New Year’s Eve, with their one-year-old daughter Margot present, as well as Bec’s family. On Instagram, Sam, 42, revealed that he’d made a “secret” New Year’s resolution at the beginning of last year that he would propose to his “darling” Bec sometime in 2023. “So I guess this is what you’d call a ‘buzzer beater,’” he joked. “[Bec] is calm, strong and unintentionally funny. “She’s super smart and a genuine knockout beauty.” He added that stylist and creative consultant Bec “makes me a better man”, and explained that he had asked his future in-laws, Phil and Celia, “for permission a…

Last week, the world watched on as double amputee athlete Oscar Pistorius walked out of South Africa’s Atteridgeville prison. Granted parole in November, the 37-yearold is now a free man, after spending nine years in jail for killing his 29-year-old girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentine’s Day in 2013. As Pistorius settles into life outside of prison, sources exclusively tell New Idea that plans are already afoot for him to sit down with Reeva’s mother, June. Sadly, the late model’s father, Barry, died suddenly last September. “Barry never stopped grieving for his precious daughter,” our South Africabased source divulges. “And now June feels she owes it to Barry, who she truly believes died of a broken heart in the end. She’s determined to find out what really happened that fateful night.…

Hungry goats have been chomping their way to the top of the payroll to eliminate a fire hazard. Queensland Rail certainly weren’t kidding when they offered the fleet of 15 goats a three-month contract to act as living lawnmowers on two hectares of overgrown bushland near Tully railway station, in the state’s far north. The inaccessible area had become a bushfire risk leading into summer after dry grass reached two metres in height. Headed by their supervisor Garth the Goat, decked in his high-vis workwear, the hungry herd rose up the employment ranks when they managed to annihilate the weeds within a third of the time they were given to get the job done. Herder Christina Forrest, co-owner of landscaping company Norveg that leased the goats out, says the friendly…

For two years now, Stephanie Panozzo and Nic Cartwright’s characters Eden and Cash have been putting the sizzle into Summer Bay – so it’s no surprise that they have totally embraced shooting these fun poolside pics on a steaming hot Sydney summer’s day! “Eden and Cash do have great chemistry and I’m really proud of that,” Steph, 31, tells New Idea. “Nic is amazing to work with. He’s the funniest person on set too!” Nic, 36, joined the show three years ago and is a fan of Steph as well! “We have such a great working relationship,” he says. “Steph is an awesome actor.” The pair are heading into a huge storyline, with Eden kidnapped by two strangers, leaving Cash in turmoil. “It’s so great to be a part of…

‘She was never given credit for her talents as an actress’ Some 50 years ago, a gorgeous young actress landed a starring role in what was a bold and brazen new soap opera. Blonde, beautiful and with a singular moniker, she quickly became Australian TV’s first pin-up. Her name was Abigail and she played the virginal Bev Houghton on the saucy sexand-sin drama Number 96. Even today, half a century later, Abigail remains one of television’s enduring icons, remembered for her place in 1970s Australia when the daring series took on the taboos of the times and smashed them. Turning 78 this July, Abigail is now retired, having stepped away from the spotlight years ago for a quiet life outside Sydney. While she starred in a variety of roles for…

TIP For a change, try adding pineapple pieces and brushing bacon with maple syrup. Pizzas can also be cooked in a moderate oven (180C) for 15 minutes. TIP Chicken tenders and salads are available from some Coles supermarkets. Chicken can be replaced with 400g box Ingham’s Frozen Southern Style Chicken Breast Tenders, but allow extra cooking time. TIP For a smooth sauce, mash pumpkin before adding to sauce. If you prefer, thinly slice or coarsely grate zucchini. Try seasoning sauce with a pinch of ground nutmeg.…

PET OF THE WEEK Rocket, two, rockin’ his bandana. EVIE HAMPSHIRE, RAYMOND TERRACE, NSW. Throwback to when Tina was playing in Sydney! What an incredible show this was. We jived the whole way through it! JUDY RIDLEY, WARREN, NSW. Hi, I’m Norbit and I’m playing hide and seek! Can you see me? ALISA MORETON, SHOALWATER, WA. Great-grandson Mason showed us how easy it is to solve a Rubik’s cube! ANNE GERRAND, SALE, VIC. Maxii loves her toy ‘Meow Meow’ to cuddle up with in her bed. DEBORAH BOWDEN, ROSEBUD, VIC. Top talent Australia has a deep pool of top-class actors and actresses. One of my favourites is Noni Hazlehurst – what a talent this lovely lady is – she just becomes the character she is portraying. APlace to Call Home…

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Erica Packer has all the ingredients for a new love, as she has been spotted with chef Shannon Bennett. The pair, and their combined clan of nine kids, spent time together around Byron Bay during the festive season. Erica, 46, and her children Indigo, 15, Jackson, 13, and Emmanuelle, 10, reportedly stayed at Shannon’s beach compound during the holidays Erica shares her children with ex James Packer, while Shannon, 48, has six children with actress Madeleine West. “They seemed really happy together,” an onlooker told New Idea.…

Cher has come under fire after she filed to become temporary conservator of her son Elijah Blue Allman’s estate. This is in spite of her voicing her disapproval in 2020 when Britney Spears was governed by one. According to court documents, Cher, 77, is concerned about her son’s alleged substance abuse and mental health issues. She claims they have left him with an inability to sufficiently manage his own financial resources. Elijah’s late guitarist father Gregg Allman set up a trust for him before he died in 2017. However, court documents state Cher is convinced any funds released to 47-year-old Elijah “will immediately be spent on drugs”, resulting in his life being “at risk”. Sources tell New Idea Cher’s boyfriend Alexander Edwards helped her decide to take the drastic action.…

The once ostracised Sarah, Duchess of York was a surprise inclusion at the Royal Family’s annual Christmas Day church service. The 64-year-old beamed as she greeted wellwishers at Sandringham, and even had to be ushered along by her daughter, Princess Beatrice, as she revelled in the spotlight. But some royal insiders were stunned to see Fergie there, especially given her ex-husband Prince Andrew, Duke of York, is in renewed hot water over his ties to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Not least Queen Camilla, 76. A source tells New Idea she’s “at her wits’ end” over seeing Fergie easing back in the fold since her breast cancer diagnosis last year. “Of course Camilla was worried about Sarah when she got sick, but that was also the moment King Charles had a…

The whole world might be fixated on Mary as she’s proclaimed as the first Australian-born queen in history, but there’s only one person on her mind right now – her late mother, Henrietta Clark Donaldson. “It’s hard to be going through so many huge moments without her mother cheering her on,” tells our insider. “Mary wishes she was here. She sees her mum in all her kids and knows they’re the ones missing out on ‘Grandma Etta’ and her big hearty hugs.” Mother-of-four Henrietta passed away suddenly in November 1997 aged 55 after complications from heart surgery, meaning she never got to see her youngest child Mary begin her incredible life as a royal or become a mother herself. Mary was just 25 at the time of her mum’s death…

There was no wiping the smile off Cameron Smith’s face – or getting rid of his trademark mullet! – during his recent wedding to American beauty Shanel Naoum. A source close to the champion golfer tells New Idea that “all his dreams came true” as he and Shanel exchanged rings at Brisbane’s Cathedral of St Stephen on December 30. “It was like the fairytale ending he’d been planning since the very day he proposed,” says our exclusive source. Cam, 30, first met Shanel in Florida, where she is a practising chiropractor. Friends say Shanel was initially wowed by Cam’s genuine “knockabout attitude” and his good old-fashioned values. And it seems she also loves the larrikin’s locks! “She insisted Cam not cut off the mullet, and even gave the nod of…

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Growing up, we were always taught about safety, whether it was crossing the road or not talking to strangers. My mum always took us to school and picked us up, and stayed with us at parties. We had a handful of friends that we could stay with, but the circle was small and she never liked the idea of sleepovers. Now, having my own children, I understand the protection and feel the same need to keep my children safe – but it is so much harder now. DANGER ZONE The same worries are there about strangers and who to trust, but there are also new concerns that didn’t exist when I was a child. The internet has changed the way kids learn, and they have access to computers and iPads…

Eighteen months ago, former Australian netball captain Liz Ellis was contemplating going back to work – as a lawyer. “My contract with Netball Australia had ended, I was just about to turn 50 and I’d let my hair go grey,” she tells New Idea. “I thought, ‘that’s it’ for any future TV work I might be offered. “I’ve got a law degree, so I signed up for [job search] website Seek to look for a ‘proper’ job.” The universe had other ideas though! Instead, Liz’s 12-year-old daughter Evelyn persuaded her to take part in the 2023 season of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! – which she won. Then, in addition to her regular appearances on The Project, Liz was offered the chance to co-host the upcoming reboot of…

Hugh Jackman and ex-wife Deborra-lee Furness have fans on tenterhooks over a possible recoupling! Following their friend Bill Granger’s death in London on Christmas Day, Hugh, 55, and Deb, 68, released a joint tribute to the Australian chef. They signed the heartfelt statement off with both their names, which many are hoping could be the first step to them rethinking their separation. “It is interesting they did that... they could have just done individual ones,” says one fan. The Aussie stars – who were married for 27 years before they split last September and share kids Oscar and Ava – also both spent the recent festive season in New York City, with Hugh flying in from London.…

He may already be worth a cool $220 million thanks to flicks such as Notting Hill and Love Actually, but now Hugh Grant is raking in even more cash thanks to his new blockbuster, Wonka. “Did anyone really think Hugh would agree to playing an Oompa-Loompa [in Wonka] if he wasn’t getting a share of the profits – and then some?” a source tells New Idea. “He’s making absolute bank from this.” Dad-of-five Hugh, 63, has said he only continues to make films because “I have a lot of children and need money.” Luckily, Wonkais a box-office smash, so Hugh is making lots of lolly!…

Could there be trouble in paradise for Bennifer? Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were spotted having a heated discussion while on holiday in St Barts recently, leading fans to wonder if all is well between the pair. Shopping for Bulgari jewellery in the boutiques of Gustavia, the couple looked strained, with Ben, 51, even throwing his hands in the air at one point as his 54-yearold wife sat next to him stony-faced. The actor was also seen picking up a necklace J.Lo had just tried on, possibly to check its price. The exchange came after J.Lo revealed she and Ben still have “PTSD” due to the intense public interest in their relationship when they began dating in 2002. “But we’re older now, we’re wiser,” the singer told Variety. And with…

MARGRETHE’S NEXT CHAPTER Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, her third cousin Queen Margrethe became Europe’s longestserving current monarch. But now that she’s decided to abdicate, a new royal styling will be assigned to Margrethe. According to a statement released by the Danish Royal House via its official website, “after the succession to the throne [by Frederik and Mary], HM The Queen will continue to be Majesty and bear the title HM Queen Margrethe.” A second statement clarified the current Lord Chamberlain will become the Chief of Court for the “newly established Court of her Majesty Queen Margrethe”. Margrethe’s decision to abdicate was prompted by the effects of the back surgery she underwent last February. After returning from their pre-Christmas trip to Australia and New Zealand, Denmark’s…

Whether it’s on screen or off, Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart have got each other’s backs. The pair have been pals for 25 years, and for the past seven years have been co-stars on Home and Away, playing married couple Leah Patterson and Justin Morgan. “Working with Ada is always so easy,” James, 48, tells us. “It’s a joy.” That bond is clear to see at New Idea’s Home and Away photoshoot. On set, it’s hot, it’s humid but Ada and James are complete troopers, and knock things over in record time! “I love the La Dolce Vita feel to this shoot,” Ada says. “I love that whole fun and glamorous era. I also love Italy – and I love pasta!” So much so, Ada adds, that she’s already planning…

Patti Newton is taking no prisoners after inadvertently lifting the lid on a secret clash with her fellow showbiz veteran, Val Lehman. Recently, Patti appeared on The Project to promote the new stage production of Grease and her role in it as Rydell High’s principal, Miss Lynch. But during the chat, Patti, 78, let slip about an incident between herself and Val, 80, who played the same role in a 2013 production. Incidentally, Patti’s late husband, Bert, starred in that same revival as Vince Fontaine. Patti recalled that when Bert and his co-stars were asked to take their production interstate, Val reportedly told the show’s producer John Frost that “she wasn’t going to tour”. “So, John Frost asked me, would I be interested?” Patti told The Project hosts. She added…

TIP Try a non-cook salad and replace pork with shredded roasted chicken meat for a change. TIP Sweet and Smoky BBQ Chicken Kebabs are available from the refrigerated meat section in major supermarkets. Any variety of kebabs can be used. TIP In dressing, replace chives with 1 small, crushed clove of garlic or, if short of time, use a shop-bought ranch dressing instead. TIP Try using lamb leg chops or pork steaks instead in this recipe. Photographer: James Moffatt. Stylist: Olivia Blackmore. Photo chef: Rebecca Lyall. Recipe development: Jane Ash.…

DITCH: Heavy contour Contouring your features has the ability to sculpt and shape, but heavy contouring is a trend we’re leaving in 2023 says Violette Serrat, founder of beauty brand Violette_FR. She believes it’s a method that takes away from natural beauty and is too much about “trying to change the face”, rather than “enhancing it”. “If you do [contour], I would say that unless you have fun with it, you don’t need it. I want makeup to be here in a way that highlights you, instead of really changing you,” explains Violette. To action her advice, try subtle highlighters that add a gentle glimmer to cheekbones, temples and the bridge of your nose. 1 Models Prefer Luminous Luxe Highlighter in Ethereal, $17, priceline.com.au 2 Ciate London Glow-To Highlighter in…

Bushfires are a part of Australian life and affect so many areas, not just those in rural regions. There are things you can do to help lessen the impact of these devastating natural disasters and ensure you’re well-prepared for bush fire season. MAINTENANCE IS KEY The most important thing that you can do is to keep your garden clean. Rake up leaf litter, dry sticks and debris as any combustible material should be removed from the garden area and composted. This includes removing any dead wood and loose bark from the surrounding trees and shrubs. It’s a good idea to tackle any long dry grass and weeds too, and add this to the pile. The benefit of putting all of this on your compost pile is that it adds often…

BACK ROADS Returns Tue. at 8pm on ABC TV and ABC iview Much-loved series Back Roadsreturns for another road trip around Australia, with host Heather Ewart continuing her quest to reveal the remarkable in seemingly sleepy towns and communities. Having been in the driver’s seat since 2015, the show is very close to Heather’s heart. In an interview with ABCNews, the country-born journalist shared that her childhood in Murchison, VIC, was filled with a “strong sense of community”, which is why she is so passionate about sharing “this slice of life” on BackRoads. “I think the bush gets a bad rap,” she told the outlet. “We see so much negativity, the perception is of whingeing farmers talking about drought and ice epidemics.” “We wanted to show the good things happening…

Mark Wahlberg The actor sure hasn’t been skipping the gym while holidaying in Barbados! Rod Stewart Great Scot, this is a fine looking clan! Rod and sons Aiden and Alastair looked dapper paying homage to their heritage, while wife Penny Lancaster ditched the tartan in favour for some feathers and sequins! Mary Fowler The Matildas forward had a blast putting her beau, NRL star Nathan Cleary, through his paces on the soccer pitch, before picking up the rugby league ball herself for a lesson. Rove McManus It was all fun and video games for the TV host, who spent the day at Super Nintendo World in California. Steffi Graf It’s still love all for Steffi and husband Andre Agassi, even after 22 years of marriage. Angelina Jolie The star was…