Innehållsförteckning för Issue 4, 2025 från New Idea

The future is looking bright – and camouflaged! – for Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, who might be enlisting in the army just like her late grandmother once did. Louise, 21, has joined the University Officer Training Corps at St Andrews University in Scotland while she works towards completing her English degree. Since joining the Corps, Louise has had training in weapons, leadership, and has also completed a course on how to navigate tough terrain when under pressure. A source tells The Sun Louise is eager to serve in the forces, and could even attend Royal Military Academy Sandhurst once she graduates from St Andrews. Her cousins the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex both attended the elite facility. Louise has “loved every minute” as a cadet, the source also…

Tania Zaetta has been quietly rebuilding her life as a single mum on the Gold Coast after her long-time partner, Chris Rogers, called it quits in a move that came as a complete shock to the Who Dares Wins presenter. “She was left heartbroken,” confirms one friend from Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, where Tania, 54, and Chris, 41, were raising their twins, Alby and Kenzie, until they secretly split in late 2023. “They had been having issues for quite a while, but even so when Chris decided he wanted out of the relationship, it was a shock,” adds the pal. “I know they rarely speak, even though Tania regularly takes the twins down to see Chris. No-one in our circle thinks there’s any chance of the two of them getting back…

There will be one glaring omission from all future Sons and Daughters reunions, as popular cast member Leila Hayes passed away aged 85 on January 19. The Aussie actress and radio personality is best remembered for playing Beryl Palmer in the hit soap throughout its six-season run. According to a post on the Leila Hayes Drama Studio Facebook page, the star died at a Sydney hospital following long-term health challenges. Tom Richards, who played Leila’s on-screen husband David Palmer, was among those who commented on her passing. He replied on Facebook: “The memories of us working together way back in 1972 … are something that I shall cherish.” Tom added that Leila was “great to work with” and “a beautiful person to boot”. Leila also appeared on hit TV shows…

NATURAL BORN KILLERS Cult classic movie Natural Born Killers follows young lovers and psychopaths, Mickey Knox and Mallory Wilson (played by Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis), who go on a killing spree. After murdering Mallory’s abusive father, they cross states, killing randomly wherever they stop. The 1994 film triggered copycat killers Sarah Edmondson and Benjamin Darras. A year after the film’s release, the lovers, both 18 at the time, drove from Edmondson’s family cabin in Oklahoma with the intention to kill. In March 1995, they murdered cotton-mill manager William Savage in Mississippi, and then robbed and shot Patsy Byers at a Louisiana convenience store. She survived but was left a quadriplegic. Edmondson was jailed for 30 years and Darras for 35 years. Patsy sued Oliver Stone – the director of…

We’ll be the first to say it: Pilates is an addictive thing. In 2023, it was the most popular workout on ClassPass, with bookings increasing 92 per cent from 2022. And, we can’t say we’re surprised. From getting that post-class dopamine hit to improving flexibility, posture and muscle tone, Pilates has a lot going for it. But, like all things in-studio, Pilates does tend to cost you. Luckily, if you want the experience without the cost, this is one form of fitness you can do from the comfort of your living room. Here’s what you need to master your home Pilates practice. GRAB A MAT Consider the mat as your base for a perfect at-home Pilates session. Ideally, your mat should be thicker than a standard yoga mat to aid…

Not only is the hydrangea one of the most loved flowers around the world, but it’s also reliable and easy to grow in Australia. Used by gardeners far and wide, hydrangeas offer beautiful bouquets of clustered flowers. With their flamboyant flower heads in cool blue, pink or white, they are one of the signature blooms of the summer. Catch Charlie on BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Fri. 7pm on Channel 7 and in Better Homes and Gardens magazine every month. Traditionally a shrub for shady garden beds or side paths, hydrangeas have spread their wings in recent years, with a bunch of new sun-loving varieties appearing on the scene. They’ve also scaled down a little in size, making great potted plants for decks and small patios. ALL ABOUT LOCATION Mophead varieties…

Q As a family we have experienced a lot of trauma over the last few years. Do you see this coming to an end, and will our individual futures finally improve? – JOANNE A You certainly have had a lot of challenges over the last three to four years. I can see the challenging cycle you and the family have been stuck in is going to be behind you. You are usually a very positive person, but I can see you feel broken by the things you can’t change or resolve. Utilise the energy of 2025 to focus on what you can change and let go of what you can’t. Sometimes we get stuck in the past and we can’t see our way forward. I am hearing the song from…

You learn something new every day – and Angelina Jolie certainly has something to teach moviegoers with her biopic, Maria. Portraying the late renowned opera star Maria Callas, Ange, best known for her action films, seriously impresses with her incredible soprano singing voice. Directed by Pablo Larraín, the filmmaker behind Jackie (about Jackie Kennedy) and Spencer (about Princess Diana), Maria depicts the Greek-American singer’s tragic final days. Here, Angelina, 49, shares how working on the project was so special for her… The film has been so well received. What has this meant to you? Well, part of it is I feel like I’m with Maria. She’s one of us. She’s an artist. When I first was researching her, I read a lot of [her] last reviews, and they were so…

Singer Michael Bolton’s recovery following brain surgery is going so well, he’s already contemplating a return to the stage! The 71-year-old crooner was forced to cancel his 2024 scheduled concerts after being diagnosed with a brain tumour that required surgery and extensive downtime. An insider tells Closer Weekly magazine that Michael’s surgery was a “complete success”, and that after a prolonged recovery he seems back to his old self. Michael took to social media recently to post family photos and share an update on his health. He wrote: “I am beyond grateful for all the love and support you have so generously shown me through the years. Know that I’m keeping your positive messages in my heart, and I’ll give you more updates as soon as I can.” The ‘When…

It might be one of Australia’s smallest schools, but there is no shortage of smiles at Jerdacuttup Primary. With just six students enrolled in 2025, aged between six and nine, the school’s population is one of the smallest in its 61-year history. Some days, there are more staff than pupils. But principal Geoff Kustka insists the school remains the hub of the community. “It’s such a welcoming community here and they are great to work with,” Geoff tells New Idea. “We have so much space and so few students that we are able to implement new ideas and programs easily. This is of great benefit to the students.” The rural town of Jerdacuttup is situated 150 kilometres west of Esperance, WA. With a population of 183 in 2021, the town…

Twenty years ago, the stars aligned for Aussie sweetheart Johanna Griggs. In 2005, the former swim champion not only took over as host of Better Homes and Gardens, but also realised she’d finally met the love of her life. Down-to-earth builder Todd Huggins, who Johanna wed the following year, taught the single mum to trust again, after her painfully brief, high-profile marriage to actor Gary Sweet. “Failure is the greatest lesson in the world,” she told The Australian Women’s Weekly in a wide-ranging interview. “The greatest opportunities in my life, the greatest lessons I’ve learnt and the greatest pivot points where you totally change direction, have come from my failures. And that’s not a bad thing.” Johanna readily admits she’s faced her share of struggles, from divorce to chronic fatigue…

Heatstroke in dogs is very real – and life-threateningly dangerous. Every summer, I see dozens of pets come through the doors of Bondi Vet, struggling to cope with the heat. All dogs are affected by high temperatures, and my rule of thumb is that anything above 30 degrees is too hot for outdoor activities. The dogs most vulnerable to heat are squishy-nosed breeds like bulldogs and pugs, older dogs (those aged eight years and above) and dogs with medical conditions such as heart disease. These groups make up 95 per cent of those requiring urgent medical care. For these heat-sensitive dogs, temperatures above 25 degrees mean they should stay indoors. So, how do you keep your dog cool when the weather gets scorching hot? 1 KEEP THEM INDOORS WITH FRESH…

Imagine the clearest, brightest blue water you’ve ever seen in your life. It’s perfectly warm all day and night, an unbelievable mixture of blues and greens swirling together as the waves move in and out from the shore. That is one of the things you will never forget about Heron Island. The colour of the water is simply unbelievable. Like someone has used a filter, or your eyes have increased the saturation. It honestly surprised me, every time I stepped out of our room, every day for our five-day visit. It’s incredible. Pair that water with the remarkable marine life and turtle experiences to be had on Heron Island, and it quickly becomes a can’tmiss bucket list destination. A snorkelling and diving hotspot year-round, Heron Island is known for its…

NERVOUS NELLY Given her star status, Harris, 28, was nervous to meet Nicole on the set of erotic thriller Babygirl. Luckily, those jitters faded fast. SOLDIER ON Before turning to acting, Harris, a former marine cadet, was set on joining the military. He’s since appeared in war films The King’s Man and Blitz. ENGLISH ROSE He is currently dating British singer-songwriter Rose Gray. The happy couple have been together since 2018. BOY WONDER Harris, who has three siblings, had a keen interest in filmmaking from an early age. As a youngster, he would film sketches for YouTube. Don’t miss! Drama THE NEWSREADER SEASON 3 Exes become rivals as our favourite newsreaders return. It’s now 1989. Dale, fronting News At Six solo, is the most beloved name in TV. Meanwhile, Helen…

1 Which singer won the second season of Australian Idol? A) Stan Walker B) Guy Sebastian C) Natalie Gauci D) Casey Donovan 2 Where in the world will you find Suvarnabhumi Airport? A) Singapore B) Thailand C) Peru D) China 3 Which artist sang ‘Purple Rain’? A) John Lennon B) Frank Sinatra C) Elvis Presley D) Prince 4 What year was the Australian maternity allowance introduced? A) 1905 B) 1912 C)1918 D) 1923 5 What was the first artificial Earth satellite launched by the Soviet Union? A) Sputnik 1 B) Space 33 C) Apollo 12 D) Beem 11 6 Which Jonas Brother was in the popular Disney Channel movie Camp Rock? A) Kevin Jonas B) Joe Jonas C) Nick Jonas D) All of the above 7 When was Canberra declared…

When Billy Crystal met Meg Ryan on the streets of New York City recently, their fans went wild! The pair, who starred in When Harry Met Sally, were seen huddling under an umbrella in the East Village together. With Billy dressed in a cream cable-knit sweater like the one his character wears in the movie, many took it as a sign that they could be secretly filming a yet-to-be-announced sequel to the hit 1989 rom-com. Meg, 63, later confirmed on Instagram that she and Billy, 76, are indeed “reuniting for something iconic”, but didn’t clarify if it’s an actual movie-length sequel. “It’s finally happening … Can’t wait to show you all soon,” the actress teased. While a sequel would be welcomed, the general consensus is that the pair might be…

He’s only been in the South African jungle for a week, but New Idea can report that Dave Hughes is already risking getting offside with some of his fellow I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! campmates. “Hughesy is abrasive, he says whatever he thinks and he doesn’t worry about the consequences,” a TV insider tells New Idea. “Some of his off-thecuff comments will have no doubt annoyed his campmates.” Hughesy, 54, had little sympathy for Tina Provis and Max Balegde when they were visibly upset after being nominated by the public, early on in the season, for challenges. British social media star Max, 26, has a phobia of heights. But that didn’t stop Hughesy from telling him that “a blind person” had already successfully tackled a height challenge –…

Loved ones are rallying around Dame Judi Dench as she mourns the death of yet another friend and contemporary, Dame Joan Plowright. “She knows at her age to expect these things, but it’s always devastating when it happens,” a source tells New Idea of the 90-year-old British star. Joan, who was the widow of acting titan Sir Laurence Olivier, passed away peacefully on January 16 at the age of 95. In recent years she had faced health complications related to her advancing age, and battled blindness due to macular degeneration. Joan and Judi came up together in the 1950s London theatre scene, before going on to make names for themselves in Hollywood. An Oscar nominee as well as a Tony and two-time Golden Globe winner, Joan was best known as…

Dating coach and psychologist Mel Schilling is just as excited about the new season of Married At First Sight as we are! With a fresh set of brides and grooms entering the experiment, Mel tells New Idea that this year’s show has “a lot to it”. “[There’s] more interesting characters and a lot more subtle storylines to get your teeth into,” she says. The 53-year-old promises there will also be the “gorgeous sparks, love stories and sexiness that fans expect every year – and of course, the drama!” Mel is determined that those participating in the experiment this season don’t underestimate the power of the ‘slow burn’ relationship. “I’d say the biggest lesson I’ve learnt about love is that chemistry doesn’t have to be there immediately,” Mel tells us. “It’s…

CONSCIOUS CANDY After a healthier hit than the sugar-packed treats that dominate the confectionery aisle? Funday Sweets has stepped up their treat game (again!) with Lil Lolly Lovers – a healthier alternative designed specifically for kids, but equally appreciated by health-conscious parents and grandparents. It’s one of our first lollies with a five-star health rating – stocking up has never felt so guilt-free. Available at Woolworths. RRP $4.50. CELEBRATING SALADS There are zero excuses for not making friends with salad this summer with the release of Alice Zaslavsky’s new ode to the veg, Salad For Days. Packed with fun, easy and affordable ways to up your salad game – consider this your go-to guide to wowing a crowd or nailing a healthy, lazy mid-week dish. With recipes for cauliflower tabouli…

Vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, protein, dairy, and carbohydrates are crucial for our health, but our nutritional needs change at different stages of life. Consider a baby’s growth compared to an elderly person’s need for more vitamin D, or a young woman’s higher iron requirements, and a man’s need for zinc. EAT RIGHT For optimum health, our bodies need a variety of nutritious foods, proper hydration, enough calories, good fats, protein for growth and repair, and foods containing phytochemicals to protect against heart disease, cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis and diabetes. This means wholegrains, legumes, dairy, fruit, vegetables and lean meats. Catch Sarah and journalist Sally Bowrey on their new health podcast, 10:10 Be Well. THROUGH THE AGES In babies, breast milk or formula is essential, providing key nutrients to support immune…

What do you call a camel with no humps? Humphrey. We had an amazing night at Road to Bethlehem this year. This has now become a annual family tradition. This is a picture of Morgan, age 11. JEFF TANTI, MELBOURNE, VIC. PET OF THE WEEK When you’re trying to watch your favourite show but the kids won’t leave you alone! JESSICA THOMAS, SOLDIERS POINT, NSW. Animal house My neighbour’s little girl told me she would love a puppy for her birthday but said sadly, “Mummy told me she won’t have one in the house.” I asked, “What about your daddy then?” She replied, “Oh, he can come in.” FELICITY ROONEY, SALE, VIC. Bluey’s World Bluey’s World was a hit! Elizabeth, six, thoroughly enjoyed it. We enjoyed our time at Bluey’s…

THRILLER THE BIG EMPTY by Robert Crais This twisty page turner will keep you on the edge of your seat. Traci hires investigator Elvis Cole and his partner, Joe Pike, to uncover the truth about her missing father. They face a cryptic case and a terrifyingly unpredictable killer. SIMON & SCHUSTER, $34.99 CRIME SMOKE AND MURDERS by J.L. Blackhurs t Detective Tess Fox and her con-artist sister, Sarah Jacobs, are called to help a lead suspect clear their name when a MP’s remains are found during a local Bonfire Society event. HARPERCOLLINS, $24.99 ROMANCE THE BAD BRIDESMAID by Rachael Johns Author and serial dater Winifred is determined not to be the maid of honour at her mother’s sixth wedding. Can she pull off ‘Operation Break-Up’ before any ‘I dos’ are…

Harry Connick Jr. The US singer had a ball at the Australian Open in Melbourne with his wife, Jill Goodacre, and their three daughters – who are now all based in Oz! IT MUST BE RUFF BEING THIS CUTE! Brooke Boney There’s no bones about it – the dog UK-based Brooke crossed paths with while exploring England is paws-itively gargantuan. Jeremy Allen White Hearts were aflutter as The Bear actor entered dad mode for an outing to his local LA Farmers Market with daughters Ezer and Dolores. Cameron Diaz Doing press is just like riding a bike for Cameron! After not being in a movie for 11 years, she easily jumped back into the swing of things to promote Back in Action with co-star Jamie Foxx in London. Billy Zane…