Month: August 2022

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Australia

Working-class suburbs make the rich list: Tracking Sydney’s changing fortunes

Working-class suburbs make the rich list: Tracking Sydney's changing fortunes

Erskineville-Alexandria leads a swag of suburbs to the south and west of the central business district which have climbed the city’s earnings rankings over the past decade. herald analysis of census data shows Waterloo, Rosebery-Beaconsfield, Botany, Marrickville North, Dulwich Hill-Lewisham, Sydenham-Tempe-St Peters and Haberfield-Summer Hill were among the suburbs with the fastest growing incomes between 2011 and 2021.

Ten years ago, the personal median income in Waterloo was $533 a week, below the citywide median of $619. But in 2021, Waterloo’s median income had more than doubled to $1,172, or a third higher than the citywide median (the median being the midpoint of all incomes).

Other neighborhoods where personal income growth outpaced the rest over that period were Wentworthville-Westmead, Macquarie Park-Marsfield and St Leonards-Naremburn.

The biggest declines in personal incomes relative to Sydney’s median over the decade were in the south-west including Prestons, Edensor Park and Bossley Park-Abbotsbury.

In 2011, the median weekly income in Prestons was $657, about 5 per cent higher than that of Greater Sydney. But by the 2021 census, while the area’s median income had increased to $757, it had not kept pace with income growth with the rest of Sydney and the area’s median income was less than the citywide median of $881.

However, the especially strict COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in Sydney’s west and south-west when the census data was collected in August 2021 could have impacted on people’s working patterns.

Rawnsley says many retail and service workers in the region, especially casuals, couldn’t get to their jobs during the lockdown and that they may have had a “statistical impact” on the income data.

The pandemic skewed income patterns in some places

While the harsh COVID-19 lockdowns may have subdued the level of income reported in Sydney’s west and south-west, in some suburbs the restrictions helped trigger a massive spike. In Ultimo, for instance, the personal median income was 100 per cent higher in 2021 than when the previous census was taken five years earlier. In Kensington, the jump was 85 per cent and in Camperdown-Darlington 67 per cent.

Unfortunately for locals the change wasn’t driven by big pay rises but by the exodus of students due to pandemic border closures and other restrictions. Each of those suburbs is adjacent to a big university and so had a high share of student residents.

Census data shows Kensington, Ultimo and Camperdown recorded the biggest population drops of any suburbs in the state over the past five years, and all had more than 15 per cent fewer people living there compared to census night in 2016.

Because so many students work part-time, and their incomes are relatively low, their mass departure artificially increased the income profiles of some suburban adjacent universities.

Northwest rising

Incomes are relatively high across much of Sydney’s north-west, including neighborhoods where housing development has been expanding rapidly. The census revealed five suburbs in that region with booming numbers and fast-growing pay packets.

The population of Box Hill-Nelson, near Windsor, has increased by more than 600 per cent during the past decade and its median personal weekly income has doubled to $1,274 in that period.

Suburbs nearby also showing strong population and income growth were Marsden Park-Shanes Park, Schofields West-Colebee, Schofields East and Riverstone.

These neighborhoods have been attractive to white-collar workers with children because of the relatively affordable housing and proximity to major transport corridors including the M7 motorway. This provides access to major knowledge-employment hubs including the central business district, North Sydney and Macquarie Park.

unequal city

The 2021 census, released in June, drew attention to huge income disparities across Sydney.

A small group of very high-income neighbourhoods, with personal weekly medians above $1500, is clustered near Sydney harbour.

But Sydney’s poorest suburbs were also highly concentrated. Neighborhoods with the city’s lowest median weekly personal incomes – all under $500 – were bunched around Fairfield and Cabramatta.

Double Bay-Darling Point in the city’s eastern suburbs had the highest median weekly personal income of $1,690. About 40 kilometers across town in Ashcroft-Busby-Miller the figure was less than a third of that, at $452.

This map shows where these are clustered, with the suburbs where weekly income is below $500 a week shaded orange and areas with income above $1500 shaded green:

Separate figures released recently by the Bureau of Statistics show the top 1 per cent of earners in Sydney take home a bigger share of the city’s total income than any other capital. In Sydney, the top 1 per cent snared 11.7 per cent of Sydney’s income in 2018-19, up from 11.5 per cent in 2012-13. The next highest was Perth where the top 1 per cent earned 10.1 per cent of the city’s income. Australia-wide 9.5 per cent of income went to the top 1 per cent of earners.

How Sydney compares

Taxation statistics released earlier this month showed that among the ten postcodes with the highest average taxable incomes in Australia eight were in Sydney. And all of them were located on the harbour.

But when it comes to citywide figures, the census found Darwin and Canberra had a higher median personal income than Sydney.

Even so, incomes in Sydney are high by national standards. The city’s median weekly personal annual income was about $75 (or 10 per cent) more than the nationwide figure, which translates to about $4000 a year.

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Business

‘Realistic’ sellers cut reserve for Marrickville house by $95,000

'Realistic' sellers cut reserve for Marrickville house by $95,000

The pair said they were looking for the right place rather than timing the market.

“We were really just waiting for the right place to come along… [interest rates] obviously plays into it. That’s a factor for everyone right now. We definitely have that in mind, but we’re pretty happy,” Charmaine said.

Raine&Horne Marrickville’s Filippo D’Arrigo said the auction went to plan with four expected registered bidders on the day and reasonable vendors, who were also upgrading.

The two-bedroom house in Marrickville was initially guided $1.45 million then revised upwards to $1.5 million after buyer feedback.

The two-bedroom house in Marrickville was initially guided $1.45 million then revised upwards to $1.5 million after buyer feedback.Credit:Rhett Wyman

“The vendors were realistic. There were no doubts when we asked the question [of reducing the reserve],” D’Arrigo said. “They were listening to the market and happy to go through the process.

“Today was a true representation of a good quality home. It was a real family home and there were people who wanted to buy it.”

The home last traded for $1.48 million in 2017, records show.

Marrickville’s median house price grew 24.4 per cent to $1.97 million in the year to June on Domain data.

In Double Bay, a cashed-up local downsizer picked up a one-bedroom unit for $2,005,000.

Six of the eight registered buyers placed a bid on G01/8 Patterson Street, which opened at $1.52 million.

Despite falling short of the $1.6 million guide, McGrath Paddington’s Georgia Cleary said the property was on the market within three bids, surpassing the $1.58 million reserve.

Clearly said the standout result was ultimately down to the property’s quality.

“If there is a point of difference then that is reflected in the price … in a normal market you see the better properties getting better prices, which should be the way,” she said, adding that the boom six months ago was “artificial” and could never last.

“This is a more sustainable market, and it’s better for buyers and sellers. There is a lot of local money and local interest to buy property.”

Double Bay’s median unit price grew 19.8 per cent to $2 million in the year to June.

In Concord, a young couple with triplets bought a 1950s art deco full brick house for just shy of $4 million with plans to build their dream home.

Four out of the seven registered buyers placed bids on 4 Sanders Parade, which had no price guide.

The auction was quick to start at $3 million and the handbrakes went up at $3.9 million, where the agents and Cooley’s auctioneer Michael Garofolo said they had to “really earn our keep”.

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The vendors eventually reduced their $4 million reserve and the highest bidders and sellers met at the final price of $3.94 million.

“The market is still there, buyers are still there; as long as you’re realistic, you’re selling,” Garofolo said.

“That’s still a premium price, we have to get our heads out of the clouds from six months ago. Yes, the market has come back, but it hasn’t fallen off a cliff.”

In Lane Cove West, a local family purchased a three-bedroom property that hit the market for the first time in over seven decades for $2.45 million as an investment.

The successful buyers outbid six other registered parties, including two online bidders who kicked off the auction for 34 Wood Street at $2 million.

The Agency North’s Shane Slater said the buyers were planning to do a minor renovation to rent it out before moving in after a few years.

“They’re going to do paint and carpets, a bit of a tidy up then rent it out for the next three to five years,” Slater said.

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“It’s really sought after. Six months ago, it probably would have gone for $2.6 million. These people are pretty astute buyers now, jumping in now to get it at that price.”

The reserve was $2.2 million.

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Entertainment

Can stencils help you create perfectly symmetrical brows? | Makeup

hack
The trend for perfect eyebrows never seems to abate, with options from microblading to lamination, but are stencils the ultimate hack for Insta-worthy symmetrical brows?

The test
Using a brow stencil is easier than you might think. I chose a medium-arch stencil from the Anastasia Beverly Hills set (£21), and held it in place over my brow using my index and middle fingers. Then I used a small eyeshadow brush to quickly color them in with brow powder. After removing the stencil, I thought it didn’t look too bad – though I did have to blend some areas with a brush to make them look more natural. And it was a little quicker than my usual brow routine. So they work, but they’re not perfect.

Picking the right stencil from the bunch is key, so stick as closely as possible to your natural brow shape – when I tried the high-arch stencil, it didn’t suit my face at all. They also don’t suit everyone’s style: my first attempt was a little too drawn-on for my tastes. But I did share some with a friend going through chemotherapy, and she said they were a gamechanger in creating uniform brows without any hairs as a guideline.

The verdict
These are a yes in general, but they’re just not for me. I’ll be sticking to my monthly tint and wax at Benefit brow bar – but if you’re curious, stencils are worth a try.

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Sports

Argentina crushes the Wallabies 48-17 in the Rugby Championship at the Estadio Bicentenario in San Juan

Argentina crushes the Wallabies 48-17 in the Rugby Championship at the Estadio Bicentenario in San Juan

The Pumas get revenge for last week’s Rugby Championship loss to the Wallabies, thrashing Australia in San Juan.

Look back at the action in our blog.

live updates

By Simon Smale

Dave Rennie: ‘We’re better than that’

Dave Rennie is speaking to Stan Sport.

“Massive disappointment,” he says.

“It’s not good enough.

“We conceded four tries with kicks in behind us and certainly got dominated in the collision area.

“We created opportunities but we’ve got to be patient our ruck is not a disaster and we just weren’t clinical enough.”

He says that the Wallabies lacked cohesion in the match and looked desperately frustrated, adding “We’re better than that.”.

“We want to earn the respect of the country and you’re never going to do that with performances like that.”

By Simon Smale

James Slipper: Wallabies ‘Probably fell short of standards’

Here’s the skipper, James Slipper.

“Clearly disappointed,” he says.

“Off the back of a good performance last week we wanted to back it up.

“Probably fell short of today’s standards.”

He says that the Argentinans were just the better team on the day.

“They got the momentum and the crowd behind them and they’re a tough team to play catch up football against,” he says.

With all teams sitting on one win each, Slipper says the Rugby Championship is even poised, but the Wallabies are excited to get home.

“I think we’re excited to get home. It’s been a really tough tour for us.”

By Simon Smale

Key Event

Argentina beat Wallabies 48-17

Wow, what a stunning result and a brutal scoreline for the Wallabies to stomach.

The Wallabies were tactically outclassed by former coach Michael Chieka and there’s no hiding it.

The Argentinians kicking out of hand was better, the breakdown was better and they capitalized on the big moments better than the Wallabies.

It’s the biggest ever win by Argentina over Australia.

By Simon Smale

Key Event

80+2′ What a try Argentina!

Oh that’s magnificent from both Tomas Cubelli and try-scorer Tomas Albornoz.

Cubelli took the ball off the back of the scrum and darted through a gap, chipping ahead and that allowed Albornoz to collect and score.

The kick is successful and it’s 48-17!

By Simon Smale

Man of the Match: Thomas Gallo

The player of the match has just been announced to a raucous ovation.

It’s the Argentina prop, Thomas Gallo off the back of his two-try performance.

By Simon Smale

Key Event

78′ Try Argentina!

Lovely try to seal the win from Emiliano Boffelli!

The Wallabies lost the ball at a ruck and then Lucio Cinti put boot to ball, rolling it in behind and Boffelli ran around Markia Koroibete to dot down the bobbling in the corner.

The kicking game has been superior all day, the Wallabies have been punished for mistakes, and that’s the game in a microcosm.

By Simon Smale

77′ Wallabies scrum

Argentina were pushing for another score but lost the ball forward thanks to some solid Wallabies defense on their right edge.

By Simon Smale

74′ Penalty Argentina

Reece Hodge is on and his first involvement is to tackle an Argentinian in the air from another up and under contestable kick.

Argentina put a couple more phases together but we’ll come back for that infringement on half way.

They’ll kick for the corner and have a lineout on the 22.

By Simon Smale

72′ Penalty Argentina

The Wallabies were on the charge, looking to build some phases but Ikitau threw the ball over the line while being tackled and it will be an Argentina line out.

Nope, it will be a penalty, Tate McDermott pinged for a push off the ball as frustrations boil over.

By Simon Smale

69′ Argentina penalty!

Oh the Wallabies can’t keep their discipline!

The ruling is that the Wallabies did not release the ball in the tackle and the hosts get a relieving penalty.

By Simon Smale

67′ 50:22 from Tait McDermott!

Oh that will help the cause!

What a kick from the Queensland scrumhalf!

If the Wallabies score from here, a lineout on the five meters, then things could get very interesting!

By Simon Smale

Key Event

65′ Try Wallabies!

Len Ikitau dives over after being tackled – he popped back to his feet and strolled over the line unapposed.

So that’s the application from the referee just as with the previous try.

Funny, the commentators aren’t nearly as unhappy with that decision…

Can the Wallabies launch a comeback?

By Simon Smale

64′ Wallabies subs

I haven’t mentioned every sub, but Billy Pollard is on. Great story there, the Brumbies hooker has had a hell of a journey to get to Argentina on time and he comes on to make his Test debut.

By Simon Smale

Key Event

64′ Try Argentina!

11 phases of precise and incisive play by the Argentinians get the reward it deserves.

Thomas Gallo looked like he was tackled short, perhaps the referee said he hadn’t been held, but he got up and dove over the line…

Hmmm, not sure about that on replay, but the officials were happy.

There were two penalties in the move through against Fraser McReight we heard the referee say, adding that the Reds man going to be sent to the bin.

The conversion is good and the lead is now 26, Argentina 36-10 ahead.

By Simon Smale

62′ Penalty Argentina

The Wallabies are really struggling to beat this blue and white defensive line, being forced to kick deep while the Argentinians have time to kick high and contest

Rob Valentini closed the gap that Juan Cruz Mallia tried to run into, and gives away the penalty by blocking him.

Again, the commentators seem to think that Valentini didn’t close that gap, but I don’t think they’re quite right. He didn’t do much, admittedly, but he did close out that lane for him to run in to.

Argentina kick deep for a lineout.

By Simon Smale

58′ Knock on Argentina

Oh the Wallabies get away with one there.

Argentina were flooding forward again, Matias Moroni with a decent run initially.

There was an intercept thrown to Petaia, who almost apologetically gave it straight back to the Argentinians.

Taniela Tupou put a thumping tackle in the midfield that barely interrupted the Pumas’ mometum.

A chip in behind isolated James O’Connor and the Argentinans counterrucked to win the turnover, but then knocked the ball on five meters out from the Wallabies line.

By Simon Smale

55′ Penalty Argentina

The Wallabies are caught offside as Argentina flood forward with some nice passing plays.

The hosts are swarming all over the breakdown to create that quick ball which resulted in the offside penalty.

The penalty is just inside the Wallabies half, but they’ll kick for touch this time.

By Simon Smale

Key Event

53′ Penalty goal Argentina!

The Argentinians kicked deep straight away off the lineout after seeing a big gap in behind.

The Wallabies get back through Tom Wright but as he runs the ball back he gets isolated.

The kick from the ten-meter line is good from Emiliano Boffelli and the gap is out to 19 points, 29-10.

By Simon Smale

52′ Wallabies turn the ball over

Some good ball movement right and left from the Wallabies but then a pass out the back goes behind and it will be out for a lineout, that Argentina takes quickly.

By Simon Smale

50′ Penalty Argentina

Gee, the last couple of scrums have been all over the place.

That one moved sideways at a rate of knots before Taniela Tupou was pinged.

They kick up towards halfway.

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Categories
Australia

Thousands make fraudulent claims for disaster relief cash

Thousands make fraudulent claims for disaster relief cash

The damage bill for the February flood disaster that ravaged Queensland and NSW is about $4.3 billion, the fourth highest from a natural disaster in Australia’s history. In total, Services Australia has received 3.5 million claims relating to the floods.

Federal Labor was critical of the former government over delays to flood assistance payments. But at least some of the delays are being caused by the increasing number of fraudulent claims, which are requiring resources to be put into investigations.

Over the past year, the agency has completed more than 916 investigations into alleged fraud against the natural disaster assistance program, resulting in more than 57 referrals to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions for criminal prosecution.

In July this year alone, the fraud profiling triggers stopped $7 million from being handed out to fraudsters.

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Many of the fraudulent claims were for the one-off $1000 cash payment that was made available after the NSW and Queensland floods in February.

Recent convictions for fraudulent claims include:

  • A NSW woman who used 42 stolen identities and 31 fabricated identities to claim payments for numerous natural disasters from the NSW bushfires in September 2019 to the Victorian bushfires three months later. She opened 42 bank accounts at nine banks in the names of the victims, but was later caught and sentenced to 26 months’ imprisonment and made to pay back $86,674 in March this year;
  • A NSW woman who was convicted and fined $1,332 for making a false claim after she stated that her holiday park residence sustained damage and received a $1,400 payment. The holiday park later confirmed there was no damage to the property;
  • A NSW man who provided a false address and false images of damage for the NSW bushfires in September 2019, later convicted and sentenced to four months’ imprisonment;
  • A NSW woman sentenced to an intensive corrections order for attempting to falsely claim a payment for the same event by providing a false image; and
  • Another NSW woman who used stolen identity papers to claim four fraudulent payments for the NSW bushfires in September 2019, later sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment and made to pay back $20,342.

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Business

Melbourne woman injured after slipping on lettuce at Coles in Wyndham Vale loses appeal

A Melbourne woman who slipped on lettuce at a Coles store at Wyndham Vale had her bid for compensation dismissed

Coles shopper who SUED the supermarket after slipping on a LETTUCE LEAF in the aisles loses court battle despite claiming she ‘suffered a whole person impairment’

  • Coles shopper who slipped on lettuce has lost her legal bid for compensation
  • Kanwaleen Bhelley claims she injured her knee and back in the fall in May 2020
  • Medical panel ruled she didn’t meet threshold required for compensation
  • She lodged an appeal to the court, alleging panel made jurisdictional errors
  • Victoria’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of panel and dismissed appeal

By Kylie Stevens For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

A Melbourne woman who claimed she injured her knee and back after she slipped on a piece of lettuce during a trip to the supermarket has lost her legal bid for compensation.

Kanwaleen Bhelley, 43, claimed she suffered a whole person impairment (WPI) of more than five per cent following the order at a Coles store at Wyndham Vale in May 2020.

Ms Bhelley’s medical reports supporting her claim that her impairment from the fall exceeded five per cent were rejected by the supermarket giant, which referred the case to a medical panel which assessed her in 2021.

The panel found Ms Bhelley suffered age-related degenerative changes to her spine and sacroiliac joints associated with rehabilitation treatment of her right knee.

The panel ruled her condition was stable and that she didn’t meet the WPI threshold required for compensation.

A Melbourne woman who slipped on lettuce at a Coles store at Wyndham Vale had her bid for compensation dismissed

A Melbourne woman who slipped on lettuce at a Coles store at Wyndham Vale had her bid for compensation dismissed

Ms Bhelley lodged an appeal against the decision in the Victorian Supreme Court, alleging the panel made jurisdictional errors.

‘In particular, she alleges that, in finding that her injuries did not satisfy the threshold level, the Panel either did not apply the Guides; mistook or misapplied the provisions of the Guides; or made a finding that was not open to it, or which was unreasonable,’ court documents state.

‘Mrs Bhelley submitted that, absent such error, the panel would have determined that her degree of whole person impairment resulting from her spinal injury was 5%, satisfying the significant injury threshold and in turn entitling her to claim noneconomic loss damages.’

Ms Bhelley claimed her injuries from the supermarket fall in 2020 caused pain, restricted her movement and limited her attendance at concerts and her temple.

Kanwaleen Bhelley claimed she suffered injuries to her back and right knee after slipping on a piece of lettuce at Coles (stock image)

Kanwaleen Bhelley claimed she suffered injuries to her back and right knee after slipping on a piece of lettuce at Coles (stock image)

She also alleged she could only drive for about an hour before experiencing lower back pain and did not run in fear of causing pain to her right knee.

‘She can stand for about 10 minutes before she has to stretch her back,’ the panel wrote in their report.

‘She can walk for about 30 minutes, (but) after about 500m she notices mild right knee pain, so stops walking to sit or stand for about 10 minutes.’

‘She can traverse stairs without difficulty, using alternate stair treads for both ascending and descending, with no lower back or right knee issues.’

Judge Andrea Tsalamandris acknowledged Ms Bhelley could still be suffering symptoms or complaints since the fall two years ago.

But she ruled the panel had not erred in their assessment and dismissed Ms Bhelley’s appeal when she handed down her judgment on Friday.

‘It was open to the panel to determine that Ms Bhelley’s complaints and symptoms were most appropriately categorized,’ Judge Tsalamandris wrote.

‘I am not satisfied that there was a jurisdictional error made by the panel, and therefore dismiss this application.’

A shopper has lost her legal bid for compensation from Coles (stock image of a Coles store)

A shopper has lost her legal bid for compensation from Coles (stock image of a Coles store)

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Entertainment

Chris Hemsworth shares a throwback photo of himself wearing a Batman shirt after starring as Thor

Looking back: Chris Hemsworth shared a throwback shot from his childhood to his Instagram account on Thursday

Chris Hemsworth shares throwback photo of himself wearing a Batman shirt after release of Thor: Love And Thunder: ‘My younger self would be so disappointed in my superhero choices’

By Sam Joseph Semon For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

Chris Hemsworth shared a throwback shot from his childhood to his Instagram account on Thursday.

In the photo, the 39-year-old performer was seen in his younger days while wearing a Batman costume and smiling for the camera.

The actor also wrote a short message in his post’s caption that read: ‘My younger self would be so disappointed in my superhero choices.’

Looking back: Chris Hemsworth shared a throwback shot from his childhood to his Instagram account on Thursday

Looking back: Chris Hemsworth shared a throwback shot from his childhood to his Instagram account on Thursday

Hemsworth’s post was shared just over a month after the premiere of Thor: Love And Thunder, in which he starred as the titular character.

The movie was centered on the Norse god as he recruited several of his friends to help him defeat Gorr the God Butcher.

Performers who were involved in the production of the Taika Waititi-directed feature include Tessa Thompson, Christian Bale and Russell Crowe, as well as the filmmaker himself.

Natalie Portman notably made a return to her old role as Jane Foster, who took on the identity of Mighty Thor.

Recent activity: Hemsworth's post was shared just over a month after the premiere of Thor: Love And Thunder, in which he starred as the titular character

Recent activity: Hemsworth’s post was shared just over a month after the premiere of Thor: Love And Thunder, in which he starred as the titular character

Development on the feature began in 2019, when the director signed on to helm the feature.

He previously collaborated with Hemsworth on the 2017 feature Thor: Ragnarok.

Much of the cast was brought together in 2020, and physical production took place the following year.

Thor: Love and Thunder premiered at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood on June 23, and it received a wide release in the United States on July 8.

Going wide: Thor: Love and Thunder premiered at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood on June 23, and it received a wide release in the United States on July 8

Going wide: Thor: Love and Thunder premiered at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood on June 23, and it received a wide release in the United States on July 8

The movie received generally positive reviews from critics and currently holds a 65% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film was also a hit with audiences and grossed a worldwide total of $705,744,337, according to Box Office Mojo.

Hemsworth spoke about working on the feature during an interview with Screen Rant, where he noted that he previously felt dismayed about what was being done with Thor.

He recalled: ‘I said, “Look, I’ll do it. But I feel a little stuck with what the character is doing. I feel a little bored.” And Taika said, “I’m bored of you too.”‘

Speaking his mind: Hemsworth spoke about working on the feature during an interview with Screen Rant, where he noted that he previously felt dismayed about what was being done with Thor

Speaking his mind: Hemsworth spoke about working on the feature during an interview with Screen Rant, where he noted that he previously felt dismayed about what was being done with Thor

The performer went on to express that he was fine with starring as Thor if new ideas were brought to the franchise.

‘As long as I keep getting to work with directors like this man, and cast that inspire me and bring something different out in myself and the character, then I’m down for whatever,’ he said.

Hemsworth also remarked that he particularly enjoyed working on the newest Thor feature.

‘It was basically dismantling and destroying everything we knew, and starting again. It’s completely refreshing, that experience and this one,’ he said.

Doing well: Hemsworth also remarked that he particularly enjoyed working on the newest Thor feature

Doing well: Hemsworth also remarked that he particularly enjoyed working on the newest Thor feature

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Sports

Wallabies smashed by Michael Cheika’s Argentina, scores, result, highlights

Argentina's Los Pumas wing Emiliano Boffelli (L) reacts after scoring a try at Bicentenario stadium in San Juan on August 13, 2022. Photo: AFP

The Wallabies will return home with their tails between their legs after letting slip a golden opportunity in Argentina.

Dave Rennie’s men were left frustrated by an overturned try midway through the opening half, but they didn’t lose 48-17 in San Juan because of the moment.

Instead, not for the first time the Wallabies were slow out of the blocks and fell behind 14-0 after six minutes.

Argentina's Los Pumas wing Emiliano Boffelli (L) reacts after scoring a try at Bicentenario stadium in San Juan on August 13, 2022. Photo: AFP
Argentina’s Los Pumas wing Emiliano Boffelli (L) reacts after scoring a try at Bicentenario stadium in San Juan on August 13, 2022. Photo: AFPSource: AFP

The Wallabies felt like they should have taken the lead midway through the first half when James O’Connor touched down, but referee Karl Dickson instead sought the assistance of his TMO and it was deemed James Slipper had illegally cleaned his opponent out.

Former All Blacks star Andrew Mehrtens deemed the decision “ridiculous.”

Jordan Petaia got away a ball to James O’Connor to score. But the try was overturned. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Michael Cheika’s men rubbed salt into the wound by scoring two quick tries to open up a 26-10 lead at the break.

A penalty to Emiliano Boffelli and prop Thomas Gallo’s second try saw Los Pumas pull ahead.

While Len Ikitau hit back after 66 minutes, but two late tries saw the home side pull away and punish the Wallabies for their mistakes to grab a bonus point.

The Wallabies were tactically outplayed, with their back three exposed by Argentina’s shrewd kicking game where they put boot to ball on 28 occasions.

Taniela Tupou had a mixed day at the office for the Wallabies in San Juan. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

In particular Tom Wright, playing his second Test at fullback, was exposed in the air and with his decision making.

The Wallabies were beaten at the set-piece too, with their scrum struggling at times and although their attack looked good at times their lack of discipline also hurt while their defense was poor.

Rob Valetini was one of the Wallabies’ best, with the back-rower continually getting over the gain line.

O’Connor, meanwhile, had a frustrating return after he was denied a try.

The playmaker didn’t get nearly as much ball in his hands as he would have liked and Rennie has a decision to make regarding his playmakers, but it appears he has muddied the waters by turning away from youngster Noah Lolesio.

Dave Rennie’s side struggled from start to finish against Argentina. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

The loss heaps more pressure on Rennie, with the Wallabies coach losing men on and off the field and struggling to oversee victories.

Slipper described the loss as “disappointing” and a step backwards after a “difficult” tour where they lost their captain Michael Hooper (personal health) and Quade Cooper (ACL).

Nor are they likely to have Hooper back when they take on the Springboks in a fortnight at Adelaide Oval.

Rennie’s side conceded a try after just 60 seconds as Jordan Petaia passed a ball too hot to handle for his back three teammate Wright and the home side ran away to score.

Argentina had a second after just six minutes to leave the Wallabies shell-shocked. But the stunned Wallabies rallied, finally getting their hands on the ball after some Fraser McReight brilliance at the breakdown won the visitors some ball.

From a lineout soon after Valetini charged over the gain line and captain Slipper hit back to score.

Three points from the kicking tee saw the Wallabies close to within four points.

Rob Valetini (C) put the motions in track for the Wallabies’ opening try. Photo: AFPSource: AFP

The Wallabies looked like they would go ahead, but O’Connor’s try midway through the second half was overturned after Slipper was pinged for an illegal cleanout.

Former All Blacks star Andrew Mehrtens slammed the call by referee Kael Dickson to reverse the decision, describing it as “ridiculous”.

The decision proved to be a 14-point swing soon after as Jeronimo de la Fuente scored in the 24th minute.

Seven minutes later Juan Martin Gonzalez scored to extend their lead out to 26-10.

The Wallabies had some luck of their own when Emiliano Boffelli was denied a try after the TMO Marius van der Westhuizen found no reason to overturn the initial no try ruling by Dickson. Boffelli’s lost ball came after some brilliance from Marika Koroibete in defence.

Mehrtens, however, disagreed, saying “I’m struggling to understand how the ball touching the ground is not compelling evidence”.

After a quieter start to the second half, at least from a points perspective, Wright’s inexperience at fullback was exposed again in the 52nd minute as the Brumbies back opted to run the ball back from rather than kick. It left him isolated as the Pumas got on the ball to win a penalty, which allowed Boffelli to add another three points from the kicking tee to see the home take a 29-10 advantage.

Ikitau hit back for the visitors, but two tries in the final five minutes of the Test saw the home side seal a convincing victory.

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Categories
Australia

‘These cows saved my life’: the Queensland farm offering healing cattle cuddles | Photography

Lawrence Fox acted quickly when he found out the cows on a friend’s farm were to be sold for beef.

The 34-year-old had sought refuge on the farm in Goldsborough, half an hour south of Cairns, after feeling burned out from his job as a business strategist – and had taken to spendings his days in the company of the farm’s herd of cows .

“I came to realize how unhappy I was, and how happy I became when I spent time with the cows. I grew up with racehorses that are very aggressive and will bite your hand off. If you go near them they can kick you in the face. But the cows were really big, sweet animals that allowed me to hug them and lie down with them. That was a gamechanger.”

Lawrence Fox with cows Amy and Sophia.
Lawrence Fox with Amy and Sophia on the Goldsborough farm.

Once he found out the cows were beef cattle, he says, and it was only “a matter of time” before they were going to be killed, he decided to buy them.

He was convinced that others would also benefit from the calming effect of the animals, and so he started Cow Cuddling Co, a cow therapy social enterprise in Far North Queensland designed to promote calmness and improvements in mental health and assist people to find employment.

“I wanted to make a point of employing people in need and people who, for whatever reason, aren’t able to work the kind of nine-to-five in an office setting, that’s a big part of the social enterprise model,” he says.

“The main thing that we focus on is employment opportunities for people living with mental illness, people who are neurodiverse, and people living with intellectual disabilities. As a member of the Queensland Social Enterprise Council we also donate a portion of our profits to COUCH, a cancer wellness center in Cairns.”

Fox says that currently, “people are paying out of their own pocket” to visit the farm, but that four NDIS providers have plans to include it in their programs this year.

“The idea is that it is not only sustainable as a cow therapy business, but also a vehicle to educate people about broader social issues in the community like mental illness.”

Patrick, 10, from Brisbane, who lives with autism, visits the cows in Goldsborough.
Patrick, 10, from Brisbane, who lives with autism, visits the cows in Goldsborough.

Fox bought the cows with cryptocurrency, giving each of them a personal asset wealth that exceeded their traditional market value. The cows were now worth more alive than dead; after all, they were no longer just beef cattle, they were therapists. When the MBA course he was studying at Central Queensland University required the development of a viable business model for an assignment, he decided his cow therapy business was the perfect example.

“We were allowed to use a business that we already owned or ran to work with, or we were allowed to make one up. I was initially going to make something up but in the end, this idea was crazier than anything I could have made up.

“A lot of corporate planning, strategy work and marketing was necessary for the business. But they are also assignments that I can be graded on.”

Cows Sophia and Milkshake.
Sophia and Milkshake on the farm.
Donna Astill feeding Amy and Milo.
‘I’m definitely an example of the benefits of cow therapy’ … Donna Astill feeds Amy and Milo.

‘These cows saved my life’

Donna Astill is Cow Cuddling Co’s first employee. A self-described sufferer of multiple and complex mental health issues, Astill says her new role has been life-changing.

“I have PTSD, borderline personality disorder, social anxiety, depression and rejection sensitivity disorder. I’m just a mixed bag. I struggle in life with a lot of things, even just getting out of bed.

“These cows saved my life.”

With Astill’s children now both 17, and close to leaving home, she developed the courage to visit a local employment agency that advocates for opportunities for people with health issues and disabilities, which connected her with Fox. Now Astill starts work at six in morning, herding cows in the rolling hills of Goldsborough Valley, tucked away at the foot of the Gillies Range.

“Each cow has their own personality, they’re just amazing. If someone told me last year that cows could make this much of a change to someone with mental health issues, I’d say ‘don’t be silly, that’s ridiculous’, but I’m definitely an example of the benefits of cow therapy .

“I’ve been here six months and I can definitely see the improvement in myself. My anxiety levels have decreased in every aspect of my life. I enjoy getting out of bed. I actually smile, when I’m not even at work.

Lawrence Fox.
‘I can already see that it’s healing people’…Lawrence Fox on the farm.

“My kids notice a huge difference. The impact these cows have had on my life, there are no words. It has definitely saved my life. Twelve months ago I wanted to drive my car into a tree. It’s been hard work trying to get to this point and without these beasts, I don’t think I would be in the position I am now.”

Fox is grateful that the cows have helped Astill get her life back on track. He is hopeful that they will help much more.

“The NDIS side of it has been a long road but it’s critical to have this option. We have parents who bring their young children with autism spectrum disorder. Without this farm, they would have to travel Innisfail to do equine therapy with those children, which is over an hour away from Cairns by car.

“We are in the early stages of proving that this model works, but I can already see that it’s helping people.”

In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and at MensLine on 1300 789 978. In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393 and Childline on 0800 1111. In the US Mental Health America is available on 800-273-8255