Latest news with #AustralianInstituteofHealthandWelfare
The Advertiser
10-07-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
From luxury to low cost: The best gifts to buy yourself
This is branded content. If there is one thing that Parks and Recreation got right, it was popularising the idea of "Treat Yo Self." Research has shown that practising self-care and showing yourself love are essential for maintaining mental health and overall well-being. Birthdays are the perfect time to "Treat Yo Self" and practice self-care. Whether it be fancy chocolates, a spa day, or new tech, it's the perfect excuse to be self-indulgent and grab yourself a gift... Or two. If you're looking for ideas on how to treat yourself, this guide is for you. From gift ideas, such as the best birthday hampers in Australia, to the importance of practising self-care, it covers everything you need to know about making your special day perfect. In today's fast-paced society, self-care is often the first thing to be sacrificed when life gets too busy or stressful. Despite the stigma that taking time for yourself is too indulgent, it's critical for your well-being and ability to support others. With Australia currently facing a mental health crisis, it's more important than ever for people to practise self-care. Statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare have found that 1 in 5 Australians aged 16 to 85 experienced a mental disorder in the past year. Self-care refers to any activities that an individual takes to preserve and maintain their physical, emotional, and mental health. The activities will vary from person to person, but the ultimate goal of practising self-care is to: Self-care ensures that our basic needs are met-sleep, nutrition, movement, connection, and fun-which are all proven to have a significant impact on our mental health and well-being. Practising self-care looks different for everyone. For one person, it might be regular hikes through nature, and for another, daily meditation. There is one form of self-care that everyone can agree on, though-buying yourself gifts. Although it is not a formal psychological intervention, the concept of "retail therapy" has become popular in recent years. The idea is that shopping and purchasing items can help regulate emotions and provide a momentary relief from anxiety, depression, and/or stress. Research suggests that there is significant psychological and therapeutic value to shopping when done in moderation. It can help release the body's happy hormones, dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, which contribute to happiness, relaxation, and motivation. That's how treating yourself is a form of self-care, and your birthday is the perfect opportunity to indulge yourself in some "retail therapy". Below is a list of the best gift ideas you can purchase to treat yourself. A great way to treat yourself on your special day is through a birthday hamper. They're great because you aren't limited to just one item; instead, you get a basket full. Similarly, most hamper companies also allow you to tailor the contents to suit your preferences. There's also a diverse range of birthday hamper options. Whether you're looking for a suite of chocolatey treats, a collection of savoury snacks, or something a bit more adult, such as hampers for cocktails and spirits, there's one for everyone. Nothing screams self-care more than skincare products. High-quality skincare products, such as moisturiser and serums, can be quite expensive, which is why birthdays are the perfect excuse to open your wallet and get yourself a good set. Skincare products are also the gift that keeps on giving. The items themselves are a form of self-care, and the routines can act as daily rituals, adding stability and consistency to your life. Whether you're looking for a new laptop, phone, or tablet, birthdays are the perfect opportunity to upgrade your tech. Depending on the retail store, they may also offer birthday discounts that you can put towards the device. Buying electronics can be expensive, which is why birthdays are the perfect excuse to self-indulge and go big. Phones and computers can also facilitate self-care, such as playing games with friends or through mental well-being apps, like Finch. One of the best feelings in the world is receiving flowers and having them delivered straight to your door. If you ever needed an excuse to buy yourself a bouquet (or two), birthdays are the perfect justification. This guide is your sign that you should hop on your computer (or smartphone) and order some flowers for your birthday. Depending on the shop, many florists also sell gift hampers and candles that you can bundle with your flowers. If you want to treat yourself but you're not quite sure what to buy, gift cards are a great idea. You can buy your future self a gift card to a shop or a spa. You still reap the benefits of retail therapy, but have more time to decide what you want to spend it on. This is branded content. If there is one thing that Parks and Recreation got right, it was popularising the idea of "Treat Yo Self." Research has shown that practising self-care and showing yourself love are essential for maintaining mental health and overall well-being. Birthdays are the perfect time to "Treat Yo Self" and practice self-care. Whether it be fancy chocolates, a spa day, or new tech, it's the perfect excuse to be self-indulgent and grab yourself a gift... Or two. If you're looking for ideas on how to treat yourself, this guide is for you. From gift ideas, such as the best birthday hampers in Australia, to the importance of practising self-care, it covers everything you need to know about making your special day perfect. In today's fast-paced society, self-care is often the first thing to be sacrificed when life gets too busy or stressful. Despite the stigma that taking time for yourself is too indulgent, it's critical for your well-being and ability to support others. With Australia currently facing a mental health crisis, it's more important than ever for people to practise self-care. Statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare have found that 1 in 5 Australians aged 16 to 85 experienced a mental disorder in the past year. Self-care refers to any activities that an individual takes to preserve and maintain their physical, emotional, and mental health. The activities will vary from person to person, but the ultimate goal of practising self-care is to: Self-care ensures that our basic needs are met-sleep, nutrition, movement, connection, and fun-which are all proven to have a significant impact on our mental health and well-being. Practising self-care looks different for everyone. For one person, it might be regular hikes through nature, and for another, daily meditation. There is one form of self-care that everyone can agree on, though-buying yourself gifts. Although it is not a formal psychological intervention, the concept of "retail therapy" has become popular in recent years. The idea is that shopping and purchasing items can help regulate emotions and provide a momentary relief from anxiety, depression, and/or stress. Research suggests that there is significant psychological and therapeutic value to shopping when done in moderation. It can help release the body's happy hormones, dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, which contribute to happiness, relaxation, and motivation. That's how treating yourself is a form of self-care, and your birthday is the perfect opportunity to indulge yourself in some "retail therapy". Below is a list of the best gift ideas you can purchase to treat yourself. A great way to treat yourself on your special day is through a birthday hamper. They're great because you aren't limited to just one item; instead, you get a basket full. Similarly, most hamper companies also allow you to tailor the contents to suit your preferences. There's also a diverse range of birthday hamper options. Whether you're looking for a suite of chocolatey treats, a collection of savoury snacks, or something a bit more adult, such as hampers for cocktails and spirits, there's one for everyone. Nothing screams self-care more than skincare products. High-quality skincare products, such as moisturiser and serums, can be quite expensive, which is why birthdays are the perfect excuse to open your wallet and get yourself a good set. Skincare products are also the gift that keeps on giving. The items themselves are a form of self-care, and the routines can act as daily rituals, adding stability and consistency to your life. Whether you're looking for a new laptop, phone, or tablet, birthdays are the perfect opportunity to upgrade your tech. Depending on the retail store, they may also offer birthday discounts that you can put towards the device. Buying electronics can be expensive, which is why birthdays are the perfect excuse to self-indulge and go big. Phones and computers can also facilitate self-care, such as playing games with friends or through mental well-being apps, like Finch. One of the best feelings in the world is receiving flowers and having them delivered straight to your door. If you ever needed an excuse to buy yourself a bouquet (or two), birthdays are the perfect justification. This guide is your sign that you should hop on your computer (or smartphone) and order some flowers for your birthday. Depending on the shop, many florists also sell gift hampers and candles that you can bundle with your flowers. If you want to treat yourself but you're not quite sure what to buy, gift cards are a great idea. You can buy your future self a gift card to a shop or a spa. You still reap the benefits of retail therapy, but have more time to decide what you want to spend it on. This is branded content. If there is one thing that Parks and Recreation got right, it was popularising the idea of "Treat Yo Self." Research has shown that practising self-care and showing yourself love are essential for maintaining mental health and overall well-being. Birthdays are the perfect time to "Treat Yo Self" and practice self-care. Whether it be fancy chocolates, a spa day, or new tech, it's the perfect excuse to be self-indulgent and grab yourself a gift... Or two. If you're looking for ideas on how to treat yourself, this guide is for you. From gift ideas, such as the best birthday hampers in Australia, to the importance of practising self-care, it covers everything you need to know about making your special day perfect. In today's fast-paced society, self-care is often the first thing to be sacrificed when life gets too busy or stressful. Despite the stigma that taking time for yourself is too indulgent, it's critical for your well-being and ability to support others. With Australia currently facing a mental health crisis, it's more important than ever for people to practise self-care. Statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare have found that 1 in 5 Australians aged 16 to 85 experienced a mental disorder in the past year. Self-care refers to any activities that an individual takes to preserve and maintain their physical, emotional, and mental health. The activities will vary from person to person, but the ultimate goal of practising self-care is to: Self-care ensures that our basic needs are met-sleep, nutrition, movement, connection, and fun-which are all proven to have a significant impact on our mental health and well-being. Practising self-care looks different for everyone. For one person, it might be regular hikes through nature, and for another, daily meditation. There is one form of self-care that everyone can agree on, though-buying yourself gifts. Although it is not a formal psychological intervention, the concept of "retail therapy" has become popular in recent years. The idea is that shopping and purchasing items can help regulate emotions and provide a momentary relief from anxiety, depression, and/or stress. Research suggests that there is significant psychological and therapeutic value to shopping when done in moderation. It can help release the body's happy hormones, dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, which contribute to happiness, relaxation, and motivation. That's how treating yourself is a form of self-care, and your birthday is the perfect opportunity to indulge yourself in some "retail therapy". Below is a list of the best gift ideas you can purchase to treat yourself. A great way to treat yourself on your special day is through a birthday hamper. They're great because you aren't limited to just one item; instead, you get a basket full. Similarly, most hamper companies also allow you to tailor the contents to suit your preferences. There's also a diverse range of birthday hamper options. Whether you're looking for a suite of chocolatey treats, a collection of savoury snacks, or something a bit more adult, such as hampers for cocktails and spirits, there's one for everyone. Nothing screams self-care more than skincare products. High-quality skincare products, such as moisturiser and serums, can be quite expensive, which is why birthdays are the perfect excuse to open your wallet and get yourself a good set. Skincare products are also the gift that keeps on giving. The items themselves are a form of self-care, and the routines can act as daily rituals, adding stability and consistency to your life. Whether you're looking for a new laptop, phone, or tablet, birthdays are the perfect opportunity to upgrade your tech. Depending on the retail store, they may also offer birthday discounts that you can put towards the device. Buying electronics can be expensive, which is why birthdays are the perfect excuse to self-indulge and go big. Phones and computers can also facilitate self-care, such as playing games with friends or through mental well-being apps, like Finch. One of the best feelings in the world is receiving flowers and having them delivered straight to your door. If you ever needed an excuse to buy yourself a bouquet (or two), birthdays are the perfect justification. This guide is your sign that you should hop on your computer (or smartphone) and order some flowers for your birthday. Depending on the shop, many florists also sell gift hampers and candles that you can bundle with your flowers. If you want to treat yourself but you're not quite sure what to buy, gift cards are a great idea. You can buy your future self a gift card to a shop or a spa. You still reap the benefits of retail therapy, but have more time to decide what you want to spend it on. This is branded content. If there is one thing that Parks and Recreation got right, it was popularising the idea of "Treat Yo Self." Research has shown that practising self-care and showing yourself love are essential for maintaining mental health and overall well-being. Birthdays are the perfect time to "Treat Yo Self" and practice self-care. Whether it be fancy chocolates, a spa day, or new tech, it's the perfect excuse to be self-indulgent and grab yourself a gift... Or two. If you're looking for ideas on how to treat yourself, this guide is for you. From gift ideas, such as the best birthday hampers in Australia, to the importance of practising self-care, it covers everything you need to know about making your special day perfect. In today's fast-paced society, self-care is often the first thing to be sacrificed when life gets too busy or stressful. Despite the stigma that taking time for yourself is too indulgent, it's critical for your well-being and ability to support others. With Australia currently facing a mental health crisis, it's more important than ever for people to practise self-care. Statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare have found that 1 in 5 Australians aged 16 to 85 experienced a mental disorder in the past year. Self-care refers to any activities that an individual takes to preserve and maintain their physical, emotional, and mental health. The activities will vary from person to person, but the ultimate goal of practising self-care is to: Self-care ensures that our basic needs are met-sleep, nutrition, movement, connection, and fun-which are all proven to have a significant impact on our mental health and well-being. Practising self-care looks different for everyone. For one person, it might be regular hikes through nature, and for another, daily meditation. There is one form of self-care that everyone can agree on, though-buying yourself gifts. Although it is not a formal psychological intervention, the concept of "retail therapy" has become popular in recent years. The idea is that shopping and purchasing items can help regulate emotions and provide a momentary relief from anxiety, depression, and/or stress. Research suggests that there is significant psychological and therapeutic value to shopping when done in moderation. It can help release the body's happy hormones, dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, which contribute to happiness, relaxation, and motivation. That's how treating yourself is a form of self-care, and your birthday is the perfect opportunity to indulge yourself in some "retail therapy". Below is a list of the best gift ideas you can purchase to treat yourself. A great way to treat yourself on your special day is through a birthday hamper. They're great because you aren't limited to just one item; instead, you get a basket full. Similarly, most hamper companies also allow you to tailor the contents to suit your preferences. There's also a diverse range of birthday hamper options. Whether you're looking for a suite of chocolatey treats, a collection of savoury snacks, or something a bit more adult, such as hampers for cocktails and spirits, there's one for everyone. Nothing screams self-care more than skincare products. High-quality skincare products, such as moisturiser and serums, can be quite expensive, which is why birthdays are the perfect excuse to open your wallet and get yourself a good set. Skincare products are also the gift that keeps on giving. The items themselves are a form of self-care, and the routines can act as daily rituals, adding stability and consistency to your life. Whether you're looking for a new laptop, phone, or tablet, birthdays are the perfect opportunity to upgrade your tech. Depending on the retail store, they may also offer birthday discounts that you can put towards the device. Buying electronics can be expensive, which is why birthdays are the perfect excuse to self-indulge and go big. Phones and computers can also facilitate self-care, such as playing games with friends or through mental well-being apps, like Finch. One of the best feelings in the world is receiving flowers and having them delivered straight to your door. If you ever needed an excuse to buy yourself a bouquet (or two), birthdays are the perfect justification. This guide is your sign that you should hop on your computer (or smartphone) and order some flowers for your birthday. Depending on the shop, many florists also sell gift hampers and candles that you can bundle with your flowers. If you want to treat yourself but you're not quite sure what to buy, gift cards are a great idea. You can buy your future self a gift card to a shop or a spa. You still reap the benefits of retail therapy, but have more time to decide what you want to spend it on.
Sydney Morning Herald
09-07-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
CorWave device: Australian man receives heart implant at St Vincent's Hospital in world first
Jansz said the two-hour surgery was similar to that required for implant devices currently on the market, but its unique design had the potential to deliver enormous benefits for patients. Loading 'This represents a quantum leap in terms of technology,' he said. 'Very sick patients need a lot of blood flowing around their body … this new [implant] has the ability to pump, not only in a pulsatile manner, but in a greater volume.' The device, which effectively bypasses the failing pump action of the left ventricle, is implanted to act as a bridge to transplantation: keeping the patient alive and well until a donor heart becomes available. Smith is currently living in an apartment close to the hospital. He will return to Leeton in a few weeks, where he is looking forward to catching up with his sons and grandchildren – and getting back on the golf course. 'This transition period with the CorWave allows Michael to get better,' Jansz said. 'His kidneys are working normally, his brain and his heart's working well, he's nourished and he's essentially normal. That's a much better situation to go into a transplant with.' Smith was the first of about 20 patients expected to receive the implant as part of a three-year clinical trial testing the device's efficacy. One other patient has since received the implant at St Vincent's. Mimicking the behaviour of a normally functioning heart, the CorWave's oscillating membrane is driven by a single moving part that automatically adjusts blood flow based on what the patient needs – speeding up when the patient is moving and slowing down at times of rest. This represents a major shift from traditional LVADs, which use a rotating impeller to pump a continuous and fixed flow of blood, without generating a pulse. 'The benefit is that it will be able to respond to exercise more efficiently, and it can be put in sync with the heartbeat … the hope is that will translate to better outcomes for patients,' said Professor Chris Hayward, the senior cardiologist at St Vincent's who led Smith's recovery. Around 144,000 people in Australia live with heart failure, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates. It was the underlying cause of more than 5000 deaths and contributes to more than 170,000 hospitalisations each year. St Vincent's implants about 60 LVADs a year, Hayward said. The procedure is the latest milestone for the globally renowned team at St Vincent's, who in November implanted the world's first totally artificial heart. The research trial has not received Australian government funding, but the device has attracted significant backing from governments and private investors in Europe. Inspired by the movement of marine animals, the undulating membrane technology was conceived by former triple jumper Jean-Baptiste Drevet, who died in 2022. CorWave chief executive Louis de Lillers said the device was the result of more than a decade of research and development by Paris-based engineers and doctors. 'We owe this moment to the trust of the patient, the excellence of the team at St Vincent's, and the perseverance of our team,' he said. Start the day with a summary of the day's most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
The Advertiser
08-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Why Australia became so obsessed with the Erin Patterson mushroom case
The "mushroom murder trial", as it has popularly become known, has gripped Australia over the past 11 weeks. More than that, it's prompted worldwide headlines, multiple daily podcasts, and even YouTube videos of self-proclaimed "body language experts" assessing defendant Erin Patterson's every move. There's an ABC drama series in the works. Acclaimed Australian author Helen Garner has been in the courtroom. But why did this tragedy, in which three people died and a fourth was lucky to survive, grip the public consciousness in way no other contemporary Australian case has? On July 29 2023, in a sleepy town called Leongatha in the foothills of the Strzelecki Ranges in Victoria, a very normal woman called Erin Patterson made an ostensibly very normal lunch of beef Wellington. She was cooking for her in-laws, Gail and Don Patterson, Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, and Heather's husband Ian. Erin's estranged husband, Simon Patterson, was also invited, but chose not to attend. Simon and Erin had two children, a boy and a girl, who did not attend the lunch either. Shortly after the lunch, all four guests were admitted to hospital with suspected gastroenteritis. Erin Patterson also presented to hospital, but refused to be admitted. Within a few days, Gail, Don, and Heather all died as a result of what was later confirmed as poisoning with Amanita phalloides, better known as death cap mushrooms. Ian survived, but he was lucky. He spent seven weeks in hospital and needed a liver transplant. The questions became, how did the mushrooms get into the beef Wellington? Was this an awful accident or something more sinister? These questions became the focus of very significant public and media attention. Erin Patterson spoke to the media in the days after the incident. She presented as your typical, average woman of 50. That is, in my opinion, where the obsession with this case began. This case had the feel of a Shakespearean drama: multiple deaths within one family, death by poison, and a female protagonist. The juxtaposition between the normality of a family lunch (and the sheer vanilla-ness of the accused) and the seriousness of the situation sent the media into overdrive. Then there were the lies. Patterson lied about foraging for mushrooms, and about having cancer to encourage the guests to attend. The location also played a huge part. Leongatha is known for its staggering natural beauty and thriving food and wine scene. It's hardly a place where the world expected a mass murderer to live. However, the perception that rural areas are utopias of safety and social cohesion, and cities are dark and dangerous places, is a myth. One study by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare paints a different picture. For serious assault cases that resulted in hospitalisation, for major cities the rates were 65 per 100,000 people. In rural areas, this rose to 1244 people per 100,000. And for murder, in very remote areas the rate was five per 100,000 population, but fewer than one per 100,000 in urban areas. Then there was Erin Patterson's unusual behaviour. She disposed of the desiccator in which the mushrooms she had foraged were dehydrated. She used multiple phones, one of which underwent multiple factory resets on in the days following the lunch. One of these resets was done remotely after police seized her phone. There are also the much-discussed plates. The court heard she prepared her meal on a different-coloured plate to those of her other guests so they were easily identifiable. The public latched onto these details, each providing a new talking point around water coolers or spurring new Reddit threads dedicated to unpacking their significance. Ultimately, after three months, Erin Patterson was charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. She pleaded not guilty. The trial lasted 40 days. The prosecution alleged Patterson intentionally poisoned her guests, whereas the defence suggested it was all an awful, tragic accident. The jury took six and a half days to deliberate. During that time, various media outlets did everything they could to keep the story on the front page. Bizarre pieces began appearing online from credible sources such as the ABC, profiling people who had attended court. They included stories of people turning down work to attend the court daily, cases of friendships blossoming during the trial between regular attendees, and the outfit choices of locals turning up every day to watch the drama unfold. There were also articles profiling local cafe owners and how they felt about being at the centre of the legal theatrics. The daily podcasts continued even when news from the courtroom didn't. The vibe felt more appropriate for a royal visit than a triple murder trial. It seemed everyone in Australia was gripped by one event, united in a way few other things could manage. We all waited with bated breath to see what the 12 men and women of the jury would decide. The end to this strange and unique criminal case came on Monday, July 7. The result? Guilty on all four counts. Erin Patterson is formally a mass murderer, though many in the court of public opinion had reached the same conviction months earlier. Leongatha will always be known for being the setting of (arguably) the most infamous multiple murder case in Australian history. It will join Snowtown in South Australia (home of the "bodies in the barrell" murder case), Kendall in NSW (where William Tyrrell disappeared), and Claremont in Western Australia (the murder or disappearance of three women) as places forever linked to tragic crimes. While the trial is over, there's much more content still to come, the public's appetite yet to be satiated. But the final word should be saved for the Patterson and Wilkinson families. This is an awful tragedy, and there are no winners. Ian and Simon have lost loved ones. The Patterson children have lost grandparents and now have to come to terms with the fact their mother caused those deaths intentionally. Amid the spectacle, it's easy to lose sight of the humanity at the centre. As the media spotlight dims, may the families get the privacy and respect they deserve. The "mushroom murder trial", as it has popularly become known, has gripped Australia over the past 11 weeks. More than that, it's prompted worldwide headlines, multiple daily podcasts, and even YouTube videos of self-proclaimed "body language experts" assessing defendant Erin Patterson's every move. There's an ABC drama series in the works. Acclaimed Australian author Helen Garner has been in the courtroom. But why did this tragedy, in which three people died and a fourth was lucky to survive, grip the public consciousness in way no other contemporary Australian case has? On July 29 2023, in a sleepy town called Leongatha in the foothills of the Strzelecki Ranges in Victoria, a very normal woman called Erin Patterson made an ostensibly very normal lunch of beef Wellington. She was cooking for her in-laws, Gail and Don Patterson, Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, and Heather's husband Ian. Erin's estranged husband, Simon Patterson, was also invited, but chose not to attend. Simon and Erin had two children, a boy and a girl, who did not attend the lunch either. Shortly after the lunch, all four guests were admitted to hospital with suspected gastroenteritis. Erin Patterson also presented to hospital, but refused to be admitted. Within a few days, Gail, Don, and Heather all died as a result of what was later confirmed as poisoning with Amanita phalloides, better known as death cap mushrooms. Ian survived, but he was lucky. He spent seven weeks in hospital and needed a liver transplant. The questions became, how did the mushrooms get into the beef Wellington? Was this an awful accident or something more sinister? These questions became the focus of very significant public and media attention. Erin Patterson spoke to the media in the days after the incident. She presented as your typical, average woman of 50. That is, in my opinion, where the obsession with this case began. This case had the feel of a Shakespearean drama: multiple deaths within one family, death by poison, and a female protagonist. The juxtaposition between the normality of a family lunch (and the sheer vanilla-ness of the accused) and the seriousness of the situation sent the media into overdrive. Then there were the lies. Patterson lied about foraging for mushrooms, and about having cancer to encourage the guests to attend. The location also played a huge part. Leongatha is known for its staggering natural beauty and thriving food and wine scene. It's hardly a place where the world expected a mass murderer to live. However, the perception that rural areas are utopias of safety and social cohesion, and cities are dark and dangerous places, is a myth. One study by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare paints a different picture. For serious assault cases that resulted in hospitalisation, for major cities the rates were 65 per 100,000 people. In rural areas, this rose to 1244 people per 100,000. And for murder, in very remote areas the rate was five per 100,000 population, but fewer than one per 100,000 in urban areas. Then there was Erin Patterson's unusual behaviour. She disposed of the desiccator in which the mushrooms she had foraged were dehydrated. She used multiple phones, one of which underwent multiple factory resets on in the days following the lunch. One of these resets was done remotely after police seized her phone. There are also the much-discussed plates. The court heard she prepared her meal on a different-coloured plate to those of her other guests so they were easily identifiable. The public latched onto these details, each providing a new talking point around water coolers or spurring new Reddit threads dedicated to unpacking their significance. Ultimately, after three months, Erin Patterson was charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. She pleaded not guilty. The trial lasted 40 days. The prosecution alleged Patterson intentionally poisoned her guests, whereas the defence suggested it was all an awful, tragic accident. The jury took six and a half days to deliberate. During that time, various media outlets did everything they could to keep the story on the front page. Bizarre pieces began appearing online from credible sources such as the ABC, profiling people who had attended court. They included stories of people turning down work to attend the court daily, cases of friendships blossoming during the trial between regular attendees, and the outfit choices of locals turning up every day to watch the drama unfold. There were also articles profiling local cafe owners and how they felt about being at the centre of the legal theatrics. The daily podcasts continued even when news from the courtroom didn't. The vibe felt more appropriate for a royal visit than a triple murder trial. It seemed everyone in Australia was gripped by one event, united in a way few other things could manage. We all waited with bated breath to see what the 12 men and women of the jury would decide. The end to this strange and unique criminal case came on Monday, July 7. The result? Guilty on all four counts. Erin Patterson is formally a mass murderer, though many in the court of public opinion had reached the same conviction months earlier. Leongatha will always be known for being the setting of (arguably) the most infamous multiple murder case in Australian history. It will join Snowtown in South Australia (home of the "bodies in the barrell" murder case), Kendall in NSW (where William Tyrrell disappeared), and Claremont in Western Australia (the murder or disappearance of three women) as places forever linked to tragic crimes. While the trial is over, there's much more content still to come, the public's appetite yet to be satiated. But the final word should be saved for the Patterson and Wilkinson families. This is an awful tragedy, and there are no winners. Ian and Simon have lost loved ones. The Patterson children have lost grandparents and now have to come to terms with the fact their mother caused those deaths intentionally. Amid the spectacle, it's easy to lose sight of the humanity at the centre. As the media spotlight dims, may the families get the privacy and respect they deserve. The "mushroom murder trial", as it has popularly become known, has gripped Australia over the past 11 weeks. More than that, it's prompted worldwide headlines, multiple daily podcasts, and even YouTube videos of self-proclaimed "body language experts" assessing defendant Erin Patterson's every move. There's an ABC drama series in the works. Acclaimed Australian author Helen Garner has been in the courtroom. But why did this tragedy, in which three people died and a fourth was lucky to survive, grip the public consciousness in way no other contemporary Australian case has? On July 29 2023, in a sleepy town called Leongatha in the foothills of the Strzelecki Ranges in Victoria, a very normal woman called Erin Patterson made an ostensibly very normal lunch of beef Wellington. She was cooking for her in-laws, Gail and Don Patterson, Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, and Heather's husband Ian. Erin's estranged husband, Simon Patterson, was also invited, but chose not to attend. Simon and Erin had two children, a boy and a girl, who did not attend the lunch either. Shortly after the lunch, all four guests were admitted to hospital with suspected gastroenteritis. Erin Patterson also presented to hospital, but refused to be admitted. Within a few days, Gail, Don, and Heather all died as a result of what was later confirmed as poisoning with Amanita phalloides, better known as death cap mushrooms. Ian survived, but he was lucky. He spent seven weeks in hospital and needed a liver transplant. The questions became, how did the mushrooms get into the beef Wellington? Was this an awful accident or something more sinister? These questions became the focus of very significant public and media attention. Erin Patterson spoke to the media in the days after the incident. She presented as your typical, average woman of 50. That is, in my opinion, where the obsession with this case began. This case had the feel of a Shakespearean drama: multiple deaths within one family, death by poison, and a female protagonist. The juxtaposition between the normality of a family lunch (and the sheer vanilla-ness of the accused) and the seriousness of the situation sent the media into overdrive. Then there were the lies. Patterson lied about foraging for mushrooms, and about having cancer to encourage the guests to attend. The location also played a huge part. Leongatha is known for its staggering natural beauty and thriving food and wine scene. It's hardly a place where the world expected a mass murderer to live. However, the perception that rural areas are utopias of safety and social cohesion, and cities are dark and dangerous places, is a myth. One study by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare paints a different picture. For serious assault cases that resulted in hospitalisation, for major cities the rates were 65 per 100,000 people. In rural areas, this rose to 1244 people per 100,000. And for murder, in very remote areas the rate was five per 100,000 population, but fewer than one per 100,000 in urban areas. Then there was Erin Patterson's unusual behaviour. She disposed of the desiccator in which the mushrooms she had foraged were dehydrated. She used multiple phones, one of which underwent multiple factory resets on in the days following the lunch. One of these resets was done remotely after police seized her phone. There are also the much-discussed plates. The court heard she prepared her meal on a different-coloured plate to those of her other guests so they were easily identifiable. The public latched onto these details, each providing a new talking point around water coolers or spurring new Reddit threads dedicated to unpacking their significance. Ultimately, after three months, Erin Patterson was charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. She pleaded not guilty. The trial lasted 40 days. The prosecution alleged Patterson intentionally poisoned her guests, whereas the defence suggested it was all an awful, tragic accident. The jury took six and a half days to deliberate. During that time, various media outlets did everything they could to keep the story on the front page. Bizarre pieces began appearing online from credible sources such as the ABC, profiling people who had attended court. They included stories of people turning down work to attend the court daily, cases of friendships blossoming during the trial between regular attendees, and the outfit choices of locals turning up every day to watch the drama unfold. There were also articles profiling local cafe owners and how they felt about being at the centre of the legal theatrics. The daily podcasts continued even when news from the courtroom didn't. The vibe felt more appropriate for a royal visit than a triple murder trial. It seemed everyone in Australia was gripped by one event, united in a way few other things could manage. We all waited with bated breath to see what the 12 men and women of the jury would decide. The end to this strange and unique criminal case came on Monday, July 7. The result? Guilty on all four counts. Erin Patterson is formally a mass murderer, though many in the court of public opinion had reached the same conviction months earlier. Leongatha will always be known for being the setting of (arguably) the most infamous multiple murder case in Australian history. It will join Snowtown in South Australia (home of the "bodies in the barrell" murder case), Kendall in NSW (where William Tyrrell disappeared), and Claremont in Western Australia (the murder or disappearance of three women) as places forever linked to tragic crimes. While the trial is over, there's much more content still to come, the public's appetite yet to be satiated. But the final word should be saved for the Patterson and Wilkinson families. This is an awful tragedy, and there are no winners. Ian and Simon have lost loved ones. The Patterson children have lost grandparents and now have to come to terms with the fact their mother caused those deaths intentionally. Amid the spectacle, it's easy to lose sight of the humanity at the centre. As the media spotlight dims, may the families get the privacy and respect they deserve. The "mushroom murder trial", as it has popularly become known, has gripped Australia over the past 11 weeks. More than that, it's prompted worldwide headlines, multiple daily podcasts, and even YouTube videos of self-proclaimed "body language experts" assessing defendant Erin Patterson's every move. There's an ABC drama series in the works. Acclaimed Australian author Helen Garner has been in the courtroom. But why did this tragedy, in which three people died and a fourth was lucky to survive, grip the public consciousness in way no other contemporary Australian case has? On July 29 2023, in a sleepy town called Leongatha in the foothills of the Strzelecki Ranges in Victoria, a very normal woman called Erin Patterson made an ostensibly very normal lunch of beef Wellington. She was cooking for her in-laws, Gail and Don Patterson, Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, and Heather's husband Ian. Erin's estranged husband, Simon Patterson, was also invited, but chose not to attend. Simon and Erin had two children, a boy and a girl, who did not attend the lunch either. Shortly after the lunch, all four guests were admitted to hospital with suspected gastroenteritis. Erin Patterson also presented to hospital, but refused to be admitted. Within a few days, Gail, Don, and Heather all died as a result of what was later confirmed as poisoning with Amanita phalloides, better known as death cap mushrooms. Ian survived, but he was lucky. He spent seven weeks in hospital and needed a liver transplant. The questions became, how did the mushrooms get into the beef Wellington? Was this an awful accident or something more sinister? These questions became the focus of very significant public and media attention. Erin Patterson spoke to the media in the days after the incident. She presented as your typical, average woman of 50. That is, in my opinion, where the obsession with this case began. This case had the feel of a Shakespearean drama: multiple deaths within one family, death by poison, and a female protagonist. The juxtaposition between the normality of a family lunch (and the sheer vanilla-ness of the accused) and the seriousness of the situation sent the media into overdrive. Then there were the lies. Patterson lied about foraging for mushrooms, and about having cancer to encourage the guests to attend. The location also played a huge part. Leongatha is known for its staggering natural beauty and thriving food and wine scene. It's hardly a place where the world expected a mass murderer to live. However, the perception that rural areas are utopias of safety and social cohesion, and cities are dark and dangerous places, is a myth. One study by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare paints a different picture. For serious assault cases that resulted in hospitalisation, for major cities the rates were 65 per 100,000 people. In rural areas, this rose to 1244 people per 100,000. And for murder, in very remote areas the rate was five per 100,000 population, but fewer than one per 100,000 in urban areas. Then there was Erin Patterson's unusual behaviour. She disposed of the desiccator in which the mushrooms she had foraged were dehydrated. She used multiple phones, one of which underwent multiple factory resets on in the days following the lunch. One of these resets was done remotely after police seized her phone. There are also the much-discussed plates. The court heard she prepared her meal on a different-coloured plate to those of her other guests so they were easily identifiable. The public latched onto these details, each providing a new talking point around water coolers or spurring new Reddit threads dedicated to unpacking their significance. Ultimately, after three months, Erin Patterson was charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. She pleaded not guilty. The trial lasted 40 days. The prosecution alleged Patterson intentionally poisoned her guests, whereas the defence suggested it was all an awful, tragic accident. The jury took six and a half days to deliberate. During that time, various media outlets did everything they could to keep the story on the front page. Bizarre pieces began appearing online from credible sources such as the ABC, profiling people who had attended court. They included stories of people turning down work to attend the court daily, cases of friendships blossoming during the trial between regular attendees, and the outfit choices of locals turning up every day to watch the drama unfold. There were also articles profiling local cafe owners and how they felt about being at the centre of the legal theatrics. The daily podcasts continued even when news from the courtroom didn't. The vibe felt more appropriate for a royal visit than a triple murder trial. It seemed everyone in Australia was gripped by one event, united in a way few other things could manage. We all waited with bated breath to see what the 12 men and women of the jury would decide. The end to this strange and unique criminal case came on Monday, July 7. The result? Guilty on all four counts. Erin Patterson is formally a mass murderer, though many in the court of public opinion had reached the same conviction months earlier. Leongatha will always be known for being the setting of (arguably) the most infamous multiple murder case in Australian history. It will join Snowtown in South Australia (home of the "bodies in the barrell" murder case), Kendall in NSW (where William Tyrrell disappeared), and Claremont in Western Australia (the murder or disappearance of three women) as places forever linked to tragic crimes. While the trial is over, there's much more content still to come, the public's appetite yet to be satiated. But the final word should be saved for the Patterson and Wilkinson families. This is an awful tragedy, and there are no winners. Ian and Simon have lost loved ones. The Patterson children have lost grandparents and now have to come to terms with the fact their mother caused those deaths intentionally. Amid the spectacle, it's easy to lose sight of the humanity at the centre. As the media spotlight dims, may the families get the privacy and respect they deserve.
Herald Sun
07-07-2025
- Health
- Herald Sun
Tradies among the rise of Gen Zs opting not to drink alcohol
Gen Z guys are ditching drinking and embracing a sober, healthy lifestyle at a higher rate than girls, experts say, with some unlikely suspects taking on the teetotal life by the reins. Young apprentice tradies are among those leading the charge of youths staying away from booze, saying they prefer to have protein shakes at the gym over afternoon beers at the pub or to go on hikes at the weekend rather than party at a bar or nightclub. It comes as this masthead can exclusively reveal new research that found one in five 18-24-year-olds went longer than six months without alcohol last year. The survey of 1454 people last year by not-for-profit Dry July – which is encouraging people to abstain from alcohol this month to raise money for cancer support organisations – also found younger adults were more likely than the general population to say they were drinking much less (23 per cent compared to 17 per cent). Within Gen Z, a significant 63 per cent said they were motivated by their desire to save money while 35 per cent said wanting to fit in with their peers were top motivators for not drinking. Additionally, two in five said taking a break has become a social norm (40 per cent) and 30 per cent noted it as 'cool'. Statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023 found that risky drinking males have been slowly declining since 2019, from 47 to 45 per cent. National Drug Research Institute Associate Professor Dr Michael Livingston said the drop in risky drinking for young men had been more evident compared to young females. 'Both men and women in their 20s were drinking less than previous generations, but the drop for men was steeper,' he said. 'This was partly because they had further to fall, but it may also reflect that reductions in risk taking had more of an impact on men's drinking.' Apprentice landscaper Spencer Broda, 18 said his friends' drinking behaviours made him want to stay sober. 'My friends and I would much rather go out and do an activity together, where we don't have to drink and we can drive home' he said. 'I think it would feel weird if I was the only one drinking in a group.' Playing basketball on the weekends, he wanted to make sure his body was ready for games. 'If I drank and played the next day, I noticed I felt almost weaker,' he said. 'When I stopped drinking on the weekends, my game was so strong.' Apprentice carpenter at Ace Davies Carpentry, Nick Armstrong, said he made the decision to stop drinking to gain back control. 'For me, I had some bad experiences and I wanted that damage control,' the 27-year-old said. 'My friends will still drink but it's all in moderation now.' Apprentice carpenter at Kingsford Carpentry, Jorgan Tapau, said his strong commitment to fitness and the gym made him less likely to go out drinking. 'When I didn't drink, I would find myself going to the gym more regularly, which I really enjoyed,' the 19-year-old said. 'I have a really strong interest in the gym and just bettering my overall health.' Apprentice plumber Zander Te Brugge, 22, from Our Local Services said when he stopped drinking, he had a clearer mindset. 'When I stopped drinking, I felt more productive and had more interest in my hobbies,' he said. 'I'd would much rather splurge on camping or work on my cars than spend money on alcohol.' These changes surrounding alcohol culture aren't just noticed by friends, but by bosses too. Founder of North Shore Carpentry and Renovations, Alex Nejman, 30, said there had been a significant shift in the workplace since he was an apprentice. 'It's not the same culture that it used to be,' he said. 'When I was doing my apprenticeship, we would go to the pub almost every day, have a couple schooners and go back to work, but that's not the situation anymore.' For Mr Nejman, end of year celebrations are now more inclusive for those who choose not to drink. 'We go out camping, or go on hikes, it's healthier and more fun,' he said. At Boss Carpentry WA, Michael McCracken said his apprentices were drawn more to fitness than the pub. 'We have five apprentices and we've seen really strong sports dedication,' he said. At Brisbane City Landscapes, young mindsets have also shifted, according to managing director, Jack Blair-Swannell. 'Our younger labourers are less interested in alcohol than we were,' he said. 'A lot of our guys are really focused on fitness and sports.' Stephen Lawrence, founder of Australia's first non-alcoholic bar Brunswick Aces, said Gen Zs, alongside other demographics, had increased their purchasing of non-alcoholic beverages at his bar. 'We get everyone from the 18-year-old that wants to go out but doesn't want to drink, to the 80-year-old who was told to cut back,' he said. Research fellow at the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, Gianluca Di Censo, said that although the trend was promising, it's essential for young people to be aware of the dangers of risky drinking. 'Youth is a period characterised by high-risk episodic drinking so we still need to make sure young people are aware of the harms of binge drinking,' he said.
Sydney Morning Herald
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Calls for more childcare regulation miss the obvious point
The cliche used to be that a predictable response would come 'like clockwork'. Surely it's time to update that in the age of artificial intelligence 'large language' models. Calls for more regulation in the childcare sector following the horrific allegations against alleged childcare rapist Joshua Dale Brown, who has caused 1200 tiny children to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, are as predictable as ChatGPT. AI rows up everything that has been before and confidently asserts more of the same to be ideal. Similarly, childcare advocates, who too often seem to advocate for childcare rather than children or care, are suggesting that the best response to these distressing revelations is to do even more of the same, but samier. Will there ever come a point at which these advocates admit that it is not regulation which is the problem, but the system itself? Apparently not. You see, centre-based childcare is, as many of these advocates and numerous commentators have noted, at the heart of society as we have structured it. Women depend on it to be able to return to work after having babies. Families depend on it to be able to afford their mortgage or rent. Our economy depends on it because getting parents back to work increases the government's tax take. All fabulous outcomes, which have absolutely no connection whatsoever with the provision of the best possible care for young children. But say as much and the advocates will trot out another trope which is as predictable as AI: you're 'mother-shaming', blaming women for choosing to work, or making them feel bad if they can't or don't want to stop working after having children. This emotive rubbish is part of the reason we never have a proper discussion over whether the policy choices successive governments have made (centre-based childcare has been supported both financially and rhetorically by both Coalition and Labor governments) are the best for anyone forced into the system. Loading It is the reason why reports tend to find pleasing benefits from childcare, usually by rolling together studies of children from the ages of zero to five years old, so the benefits of preschool socialisation conceal concerning findings about the negative effects of rotating care by unfamiliar strangers on younger babies. That, or they roll together the benefits of a childcare environment for children from 'disadvantaged' home environments, with the effects on children without disadvantaged backgrounds, to create a homogenised result. Which inevitably fails to reflect reality. They have to be separated and they should be separated by policy. It's worth bringing in a longish quote from a literature review conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in 2015 to make this point.
