Latest news with #KateHalfpenny
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Kate Halfpenny on the downsides of a mid-life beach move
Australian writer Kate Halfpenny spent four decades telling other people's stories before she told her own. She set out in journalism while still a teenager, and was a columnist and sections editor at the age of twenty. She worked the tabloids, became a feature writer and eventually the executive editor at WHO magazine. All while raising three kids. Then came redundancy. A mortgage that seemed insurmountable. And Covid. So Kate and her husband Chris made a snap decision to quit Melbourne for a beach lifestyle - expecting sun and fun. But instead, they wound up having to face Chris' alcoholism head on. Kate has packaged up her experiences in a humour-filled memoir called Boogie Wonderland. She's also a weekly columnist for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald and runs a content creation business called Bad Mother Media.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Former Bishop of Bradford among trio awarded honorary doctorates
The former Bishop of Bradford is among a trio of people to have received honorary doctorates. Nick Baines, former Bishop of Bradford and current Bishop of Leeds; former Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman; and wedding dress designer Kate Halfpenny received honorary doctorates from the University of Huddersfield. Mr Baines was presented with an award of doctor of the university in recognition of his achievements in knowledge generation and ordained and episcopal ministry. During his speech, he referred to a previously-made comment of his which he felt was appropriate for the occasion. That comment was: "We are not driven by fear, we're drawn by hope." The bishop described Huddersfield University as being "drawn to the future." The trio were awarded their doctorates in separate ceremonies held at the university's Oastler Building on July 14 and 15. Mr Baines became Bishop of Leeds in 2014. At the time, the Diocese of Leeds, which had been newly created, was called the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales and, as reported in the Telegraph and Argus, subsumed the Diocese of Bradford as well as a number of other dioceses, which was to be followed by the appointment of 'area bishops.'
The Age
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Age
For the children, the system must change
Just meaningless As much as I admire Kate Halfpenny, this time she is just plain wrong. The wedding was hyper meaningless and gross. Frank Flynn, Cape Paterson Racialised hate Friday night's events in Melbourne mark a terrifying turning point. An Israeli restaurant was targeted. A synagogue was set alight. This is racialised hate. It does nothing to help Palestine. In fact, it makes Palestinian dignity more elusive. Some on the terminally-online far left will claim it's 'anti-Zionism', not antisemitism. But when Jewish businesses are attacked and houses of worship are burning, that excuse collapses. 'Zionist' has become a socially acceptable slur – a veil for bigotry. The far right plays the same game: when Donald Trump said 'Shylocks and bad people,' he claimed it was just a literary reference. Elements of the far left now launder hatred with the same trick. This is what happens when politicians aren't censured for saying Jews have 'tentacles,' when parties like the Greens scapegoat entire populations, when people get their news from TikTok, when unrepresentative fringe groups are given a megaphone again and again, and when even legacy media platforms platform the same predictable polemics, afraid to break ranks or admit moral complexity. What begins with euphemism ends with fire. This isn't about Israel. It's about whether Jews in Australia can walk the streets and live without fear. Say it, and say it clearly: this is racism. Simon Tedeschi, Newtown, NSW The deeper currents The article ″ Radical Israeli settlers fan the flames of hatred in West Bank ″ (5/7) is deeply disturbing. We are told these settlers are 'radical,' 'extremist,' 'fanatical.' But what if they are not? A recent Penn State University poll, reported in Haaretz, revealed that 82 per cent of Jewish Israelis support the forced expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, and 56 per cent support their expulsion from all of historical Palestine. Two-thirds believe Palestinians are a modern-day incarnation of Amalek – an ancient enemy God commanded to be 'blotted out' – and most of those believe that command still applies today. Given these findings, one is forced to consider that when settlers torch olive groves, shoot at farmers, , they may no longer be outliers, but echoes of a deeper current. It is not enough to be horrified. We must speak, act, withdraw support, and refuse to take part in the machinery that allows this to continue. Fernanda Trecenti, Fitzroy A big ugly bill There is nothing beautiful about Donald Trump's big beautiful bill. It is a disgraceful and inhumane outcome for the nation and most of its citizens. Mary Fenelon, Doncaster East The Wright stuff Tony Wright's piece (″ Why a treaty is key to better future ″, 5/7), illustrated by the beautiful images of Justin McManus, should be read by all, not just those of us with a conscience and a heart. Vikki O'Neill, Ashburton History's echoes Eva-Jo Edwards' recollection of her and her siblings' forced removal from their Swan Hill family struck an uncomfortable chord with me. In 1969, I visited Burwood Boys' Home and observed the presence there of some Aboriginal children. Without a doubt two of them would have been Eva-Jo's brothers; not for one moment did I wonder why they were there. Now we all know that trauma for our First Peoples isn't just something from centuries-old history, but has occurred, and continues to occur in our own lifetimes. If white children were legislated to be taken from their families, if young white people died in disproportionate numbers in, and out of custody, if blue-eyed people like me had to endure constant enmity and discrimination, heaven and earth would be moved to redress the inequity, and the iniquity. The Yoorrook Justice Commission's recommendations must be supported in full. David Johnston, Healesville Negative profit Private enterprises are supposed to be more efficient than government-run organisations but, how often does the pursuit of profits result in poorer services? Michael Brinkman, Ventnor A sinking feeling I am afraid the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal will go the way of all our sub deals – binned just like the Japanese and French plans.
ABC News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
When a sea change collides with messy midlife
During Melbourne's lockdowns, Journalist Kate Halfpenny and her husband Chris decided to leave the city for a sea change, to a beautiful town called Ocean Grove on the Bellarine Peninsula. For the first time in her life, Kate had an empty house, no job commitments and no city life to distract her. She was able to indulge daily in her love of boogie boarding and surf-side walks with her dog, Maggie. One day at the beach, Kate saw her elderly father struggling in the surf. Chris was in the water next to him, but was acting strangely and couldn't manage to haul him out of the dangerous water. That evening, Chris confessed his alcoholism to Kate and the couple faced the inevitable decisions they would have to navigate, together and apart. Further information Boogie Wonderland is published by Affirm Press.
The Age
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Get your copy of Kate Halfpenny's new book Boogie Wonderland
Boogie Wonderland is Kate Halfpenny's memoir about sea changes, marriage and riding the waves of midlife. In a special deal for subscribers, you can order a copy from Booktopia for the discounted price of $24.26 plus postage with the code WONDERLAND10. This offer is available until August 31. Description: When Covid lockdowns hit Melbourne, metropolitan midlife couple Kate and Chris decide to make a sea change and move to a small coastal town to ease financial pressures and live out the beach lifestyle many of us dream of. But they didn't give much thought to just how different it would be. With late night drinking sessions in Melbourne's coolest suburbs replaced by the disconcerting peace of a summer destination largely quiet for the rest of the year, they're suddenly rattling around in their beautiful new home without kids, friends or a real community. And when a disturbing truth about their marriage becomes unavoidable, it's time to face up to reality and ask what's really important. Should they stay or should they go? And what's next when your whole world seems to come crashing down around you?
