Latest news with #Ooms
The Age
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
‘I don't have a tap-out button': Alone Australia's Corinne on her journey to motherhood
Corinne Ooms says she knows she is in a privileged position. The second runner-up – and last woman standing – in the latest season of Alone Australia, Ooms says spending 70 days on her own in the Tasmanian wilderness is something few get to experience. 'We are all so stressed and bogged down with work and emails and social media and everyone is low-key anxious and longing for that more natural, simpler way of life,' she says. Speaking to this masthead via a video link from her car in Hobart during her lunch break, the food safety consultant says Alone was a rare opportunity to press pause and think about what she really wanted from life. As it turns out, what she wanted was a baby. '[Motherhood] was on my mind beforehand, but I am sure this is something most people are feeling: the past few years have been so hard to keep on top of life, with bills and mortgage repayments and work, so that you don't really have a moment to slow down, reflect and connect with yourself and even connect with other people.' As she began to lose weight during her time in the wilderness (contestants typically lose significant amounts of weight as they struggle to catch food in difficult conditions), Ooms also became concerned about her menstrual cycle, which was disrupted by the lack of food she was able to consume. It started to play on her mind. 'When you're by yourself and you don't have anyone to bounce ideas off, your brain does start spiralling,' she says. 'I had moments of panic about lots of different things, and [my period] was one of them. 'I am in my late 30s and you hear all these things about women in their 20s struggling to conceive. I didn't know if I would struggle to conceive, I wasn't sure how fertile I was. I was thinking 'what am I doing out here? I'm leaving it so late, I really need to get a move on'.' She need not have worried. On returning to her home on the outskirts of Hobart, Ooms' body quickly bounced back and she fell pregnant within a matter of weeks. A recent scan at 13 weeks revealed everything was as it should be. The baby is due mid-December. Preparation for motherhood Ooms, 40, admits that Alone pushed her to her limits, teaching her that she was far more capable and adaptable than she realised. She says in some ways, it was the perfect preparation for motherhood. 'After this experience on Alone, I have gained a whole lot more confidence in myself as a person,' she says. 'I surprised myself out there and I am confident I will keep surprising myself with challenges and the unexpected curveballs that will happen with motherhood.' One of her concerns going into the challenge was her apprehension about killing an animal. While contestants can take 10 items with them, they have to build their own shelter and find their own food. Ooms thought she would be mostly relying on trout and eels from the lake for protein, as well as whatever she could forage. However, her biggest haul was a wallaby caught in a makeshift netting trap. 'I honestly thought the trap wouldn't work and I wasn't expecting to have to deal with it,' she says. 'And yeah, it did work. It was all a blur, the whole experience [killing the wallaby] was an adrenaline rush blur. As with anything, the psychological build-up you have to the task is a lot worse than the reality. It is still a horrible thing.' While she was dreading taking an animal's life, she says she has been changed by it. 'Something switched, so I am able to do it now,' she says. 'I have been processing my own chickens – I don't need my housemates to do it any more. It is still very hard, but I feel as someone who eats meat, going through that process of humanely, respectfully taking a life is part of it.' Making a home Ooms lives on a 10 acre (4ha) property just 15 minutes from Hobart. She has been renovating the cottage on the site, which was once owned by Tasmania's best known bushranger, Martin Cash. She hopes it will be an ideal environment to raise a child. 'I have been spending my time there renovating it, doing up the garden, creating a little vegie patch,' she says. 'You don't need much to have a little garden to supplement your lifestyle. I doubt I am ever going to be completely self-sufficient, but I think it's important to have that connection with your food.' Being in a financially stable position with a permanent roof over her head was also part of Oom's decision to start a family. 'I have been gearing up for years to be financially secure and to be able to provide for that child. I didn't want to be dependent financially on a man because you see all these break-ups or tense relationships in families due to finance.' While being able to continue to provide for her child is crucial, Ooms says her experience in the wilderness showed her the importance of making time for herself. This included making a guitar to pass the time in the long evenings in the wild. 'I didn't plan to create a guitar but when you have a lot of time on your hands and not a lot of distractions, it is incredible what you can create,' she says. 'I just had music going constantly in my head and I needed to do something about it. It was driving me nuts.' Quentin the quoll Ooms was also driven to distraction by a regular visitor – a quoll she named Quentin who turned up in search of wallaby meat. Quolls are mostly carnivorous and are among a number of native species that participants are not allowed to kill. 'Quentin was a love/hate relationship,' she says. 'He got into bed with me several times because I was using my wallaby skin over myself to keep me warm. I thought he was coming into bed with me because he was a creep, but no, he would nibble on the wallaby skin. After a while, I just ignored him. He didn't have access to my jerky and it didn't really matter that he chewed on my wallaby skin. 'He stole one of my socks and he chewed a hole through my glove – and that's the worst of it.' As she reflects on her experience, Ooms recommends everyone spend time alone in the bush at least once in their lives. 'You will probably be scared at first but push through that. It's one thing I think people are lacking in their lives, that space and time and connection with nature. But 70 days is a bit too much, I don't recommend that.' However, she is cognisant that the biggest, most demanding adventure still lies ahead. 'I am fully expecting motherhood to be a lot harder than my experience out there. The only difference is I don't have a tap out button.'
The Age
16-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Age
‘I don't have a tap out button': Alone Australia's Corinne on her journey to motherhood
Corinne Ooms says she knows she is in a privileged position. The second runner up – and the last woman standing – in the latest season of Alone Australia, Ooms says spending 70 days on her own in the Tasmanian wilderness is something few get to experience. 'We are all so stressed and bogged down with work and emails and social media and everyone is low-key anxious and longing for that more natural, simpler way of life,' she says. Speaking to this masthead via a video link from her car in Hobart during her lunch break, the food safety consultant says Alone was a rare opportunity to press pause and think about what she really wanted from life. As it turns out, what she wanted was a baby. '[Motherhood] was on my mind beforehand, but I am sure this is something most people are feeling: the past few years have been so hard to keep on top of life, with bills and mortgage repayments and work, so that you don't really have a moment to slow down, reflect and connect with yourself and even connect with other people.' As she began to lose weight during her time in the wilderness (contestants typically lose significant amounts of weight as they struggle to catch food in difficult conditions), Ooms also became concerned about her menstrual cycle, which was disrupted by the lack of food she was able to consume. It started to play on her mind. 'When you're by yourself and you don't have anyone to bounce ideas off, your brain does start spiralling,' she says. 'I had moments of panic about lots of different things, and [my period] was one of them. 'I am in my late 30s and you hear all these things about women in their 20s struggling to conceive. I didn't know if I would struggle to conceive, I wasn't sure how fertile I was. I was thinking 'what am I doing out here? I'm leaving it so late, I really need to get a move on'.' She need not have worried. On returning to her home on the outskirts of Hobart, Ooms' body quickly bounced back and she fell pregnant within a matter of weeks. A recent scan at 13 weeks revealed everything is as it should be. The baby is due mid-December. Preparation for motherhood Ooms, now 40, admits that Alone pushed her to her limits, teaching her that she was far more capable and adaptable than she realised. She says in some ways, it was the perfect preparation for motherhood. 'After this experience on Alone, I have gained a whole lot more confidence in myself as a person,' she says. 'I surprised myself out there and I am confident I will keep surprising myself with challenges and the unexpected curveballs that will happen with motherhood.' One of her concerns going into the challenge was her apprehension about killing an animal. While contestants can take 10 items with them, they have to build their own shelter and find their own food. Ooms thought she would be mostly relying on trout and eels from the lake for protein, as well as whatever she could forage. However, her biggest haul was a wallaby caught in a makeshift netting trap. 'I honestly thought the trap wouldn't work and I wasn't expecting to have to deal with it,' she says. 'And yeah, it did work. It was all a blur, the whole experience [killing the wallaby] was an adrenaline rush blur. As with anything, the psychological build up you have to the task is a lot worse than the reality. It is still a horrible thing.' While she was dreading taking an animal's life, she says she has been changed by it. 'Something switched, so I am able to do it now,' she says. 'I have been processing my own chickens, I don't need my housemates to do it any more. It is still very hard, but I feel as someone who eats meat, going through that process of humanely, respectfully taking a life is part of it.' Making a home Ooms lives on a 10 acre (4ha) property just 15 minutes from Hobart. She has been renovating the cottage on the site, which was once owned by Tasmania's best known bushranger, Martin Cash. She hopes it will be an ideal environment to raise a child. 'I have been spending my time there renovating it, doing up the garden, creating a little vegie patch,' she says. 'You don't need much to have a little garden to supplement your lifestyle. I doubt I am ever going to be completely self-sufficient, but I think it's important to have that connection with your food.' Being in a financially stable position with a permanent roof over her head was also part of Oom's decision to start a family. 'I have been gearing up for years to be financially secure and to be able to provide for that child. I didn't want to be dependent financially on a man because you see all these break-ups or tense relationships in families due to finance.' While being able to continue to provide for her child is crucial, Ooms says her experience in the wilderness showed her the importance of making time for herself. This included making a guitar to pass the time in the long evenings in the wild. 'I didn't plan to create a guitar but when you have a lot of time on your hands and not a lot of distractions, it is incredible what you can create,' she says. 'I just had music going constantly in my head and I needed to do something about it. It was driving me nuts.' Quentin the quoll Ooms was also driven to distraction by a regular visitor – a quoll she named Quentin who turned up in search of wallaby meat. Quolls are mostly carnivorous and are among a number of native species that participants are not allowed to kill. 'Quentin was a love/hate relationship,' she says. 'He got into bed with me several times because I was using my wallaby skin over myself to keep me warm. I thought he was coming into bed with me because he was a creep, but no, he would nibble on the wallaby skin. After a while, I just ignored him. He didn't have access to my jerky and it didn't really matter that he chewed on my wallaby skin. 'He stole one of my socks and he chewed a hole through my glove – and that's the worst of it.' As she reflects on her experience, Ooms recommends everyone spend time alone in the bush at least once in their lives. 'You will probably be scared at first but push through that. It's one thing I think people are lacking in their lives, that space and time and connection with nature. But 70 days is a bit too much, I don't recommend that.' However, she is cognisant that the biggest, most demanding adventure still lies ahead. 'I am fully expecting motherhood to be a lot harder than my experience out there. The only difference is I don't have a tap out button.'
Sydney Morning Herald
16-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘I don't have a tap out button': Alone Australia's Corinne on her journey to motherhood
Corinne Ooms says she knows she is in a privileged position. The second runner up – and the last woman standing – in the latest season of Alone Australia, Ooms says spending 70 days on her own in the Tasmanian wilderness is something few get to experience. 'We are all so stressed and bogged down with work and emails and social media and everyone is low-key anxious and longing for that more natural, simpler way of life,' she says. Speaking to this masthead via a video link from her car in Hobart during her lunch break, the food safety consultant says Alone was a rare opportunity to press pause and think about what she really wanted from life. As it turns out, what she wanted was a baby. '[Motherhood] was on my mind beforehand, but I am sure this is something most people are feeling: the past few years have been so hard to keep on top of life, with bills and mortgage repayments and work, so that you don't really have a moment to slow down, reflect and connect with yourself and even connect with other people.' As she began to lose weight during her time in the wilderness (contestants typically lose significant amounts of weight as they struggle to catch food in difficult conditions), Ooms also became concerned about her menstrual cycle, which was disrupted by the lack of food she was able to consume. It started to play on her mind. 'When you're by yourself and you don't have anyone to bounce ideas off, your brain does start spiralling,' she says. 'I had moments of panic about lots of different things, and [my period] was one of them. 'I am in my late 30s and you hear all these things about women in their 20s struggling to conceive. I didn't know if I would struggle to conceive, I wasn't sure how fertile I was. I was thinking 'what am I doing out here? I'm leaving it so late, I really need to get a move on'.' She need not have worried. On returning to her home on the outskirts of Hobart, Ooms' body quickly bounced back and she fell pregnant within a matter of weeks. A recent scan at 13 weeks revealed everything is as it should be. The baby is due mid-December. Preparation for motherhood Ooms, now 40, admits that Alone pushed her to her limits, teaching her that she was far more capable and adaptable than she realised. She says in some ways, it was the perfect preparation for motherhood. 'After this experience on Alone, I have gained a whole lot more confidence in myself as a person,' she says. 'I surprised myself out there and I am confident I will keep surprising myself with challenges and the unexpected curveballs that will happen with motherhood.' One of her concerns going into the challenge was her apprehension about killing an animal. While contestants can take 10 items with them, they have to build their own shelter and find their own food. Ooms thought she would be mostly relying on trout and eels from the lake for protein, as well as whatever she could forage. However, her biggest haul was a wallaby caught in a makeshift netting trap. 'I honestly thought the trap wouldn't work and I wasn't expecting to have to deal with it,' she says. 'And yeah, it did work. It was all a blur, the whole experience [killing the wallaby] was an adrenaline rush blur. As with anything, the psychological build up you have to the task is a lot worse than the reality. It is still a horrible thing.' While she was dreading taking an animal's life, she says she has been changed by it. 'Something switched, so I am able to do it now,' she says. 'I have been processing my own chickens, I don't need my housemates to do it any more. It is still very hard, but I feel as someone who eats meat, going through that process of humanely, respectfully taking a life is part of it.' Making a home Ooms lives on a 10 acre (4ha) property just 15 minutes from Hobart. She has been renovating the cottage on the site, which was once owned by Tasmania's best known bushranger, Martin Cash. She hopes it will be an ideal environment to raise a child. 'I have been spending my time there renovating it, doing up the garden, creating a little vegie patch,' she says. 'You don't need much to have a little garden to supplement your lifestyle. I doubt I am ever going to be completely self-sufficient, but I think it's important to have that connection with your food.' Being in a financially stable position with a permanent roof over her head was also part of Oom's decision to start a family. 'I have been gearing up for years to be financially secure and to be able to provide for that child. I didn't want to be dependent financially on a man because you see all these break-ups or tense relationships in families due to finance.' While being able to continue to provide for her child is crucial, Ooms says her experience in the wilderness showed her the importance of making time for herself. This included making a guitar to pass the time in the long evenings in the wild. 'I didn't plan to create a guitar but when you have a lot of time on your hands and not a lot of distractions, it is incredible what you can create,' she says. 'I just had music going constantly in my head and I needed to do something about it. It was driving me nuts.' Quentin the quoll Ooms was also driven to distraction by a regular visitor – a quoll she named Quentin who turned up in search of wallaby meat. Quolls are mostly carnivorous and are among a number of native species that participants are not allowed to kill. 'Quentin was a love/hate relationship,' she says. 'He got into bed with me several times because I was using my wallaby skin over myself to keep me warm. I thought he was coming into bed with me because he was a creep, but no, he would nibble on the wallaby skin. After a while, I just ignored him. He didn't have access to my jerky and it didn't really matter that he chewed on my wallaby skin. 'He stole one of my socks and he chewed a hole through my glove – and that's the worst of it.' As she reflects on her experience, Ooms recommends everyone spend time alone in the bush at least once in their lives. 'You will probably be scared at first but push through that. It's one thing I think people are lacking in their lives, that space and time and connection with nature. But 70 days is a bit too much, I don't recommend that.' However, she is cognisant that the biggest, most demanding adventure still lies ahead. 'I am fully expecting motherhood to be a lot harder than my experience out there. The only difference is I don't have a tap out button.'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Institute's 20th annual Indicators Report tracking the future of NEPA
May 20—AVOCA — Brian Ebersole, vice president of Academic Affairs at The Wright Centers, on Tuesday told a crowd of about 250 at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, that the 20th annual Indicators Report of The Institute is "the Super Bowl" of tracking the future of Northeast Pennsylvania. And to carry the metaphor a bit further, the report offered several touchdowns as it matriculated down the field of data, research and projections. Dr. Katie Pittelli, President of Johnson College, told the crowd, "We are all working together for a better future for NEPA." Teri Ooms, chief executive officer of The Institute; Jill Avery-Stoss, president; and Charlie Kasko, board chair, carried the ball most of the morning, offering key information and introducing several presenters on all main indicators. Ooms and Avery-Stoss said The Institute was founded on the belief that good data drives good decisions. Since 2004, the mission has been to serve organizations and communities by providing "empirical, objective research that drives discussion and informs action." For nearly two decades, Institute data and research on a wide range of topics have helped policymakers and community leaders from the public, private, and non-profit sectors understand and address some of the region's biggest challenges. The annual Indicators Forum is an opportunity to share this data and research. Conversations from past Indicators events have been a driving force behind many economic and community revitalization initiatives that produce positive outcomes in Northeast Pennsylvania. "It is our desire that the information in this year's program will provoke thought and discussion that reveal new priorities and continue to advance our region," Ooms said. Dr. Pittelli said the first Indicators report was in 2006 and covered approximately 40 Indicators in the region. In the coming weeks, the Times Leader will feature each of The Institute's Indicators and explain each in detail. Housing Romilda Crocamo, Luzerne County Manager, discussed housing in the region, and she spoke about the importance of The Institute and its work. "I stand before you today with immense pride and gratitude as we gather to applaud the remarkable work of The Institute in developing a comprehensive road-map to address our housing needs," Crocamo said. "This initiative is not just a plan — it is a vision for a brighter future, one that recognizes that housing is a fundamental pillar of economic development and community well-being." Crocamo said in her role as county manager, she has gained a deep understanding of the multi-faceted barriers and challenges related to housing in the region and the significant impact these issues have on individuals and families. "These challenges not only affect where people live, but also have far-reaching consequences on their health, employment opportunities, and educational performance," Crocamo said. "As we all know, stable and affordable housing is essential for fostering a thriving economy." Crocamo said when residents have access to safe and secure homes, they can contribute to their communities, pursue education and job opportunities, and participate fully in the economic landscape. "By addressing our housing needs, we are not only providing shelter, but also creating a foundation for growth, stability, and prosperity for all residents of Luzerne County," Crocamo said. Recently, Crocamo said The Institute responded to the county's call for proposals related to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants by putting forth an ambitious plan for a comprehensive county-wide housing needs assessment, which sought funding to address these pressing issues. "I am pleased to report that their proposal was awarded, and they have since prepared a detailed housing needs assessment," Crocamo said. "This thorough analysis encompasses community profiles, insights into housing development, interviews with housing professionals and community leaders, as well as a rigorous examination of secondary data and an analysis of existing zoning and planning codes." Furthermore, Crocamo said The Institute has compiled a series of well-considered recommendations, not only addressing the needs of Luzerne County itself, but also providing guidance for local communities, private developers, and nonprofit housing leaders. "As we review the report and its recommendations, we are taking proactive steps to form a dedicated housing committee and to re-evaluate our zoning and planning codes to better align with our communities' needs," Crocamo said. "Moreover, this commitment to housing is a testament to our collective responsibility to our residents. Every individual deserves a place to call home, a sanctuary where they can build their lives and dreams." Crocamo said the county's partnership with The Institute underscores the dedication to ensuring that everyone in the community has access to quality housing. "Together, we can create a future where no one is left behind, where families can thrive, and where our economy can flourish," Crocamo said. The county manager said Luzerne County is fully committed to working closely with The Institute to turn this road map into reality. "We understand that collaboration and innovation are key to overcoming the challenges we face in the housing sector," Crocamo said. "By aligning our resources, expertise, and passion, we can make significant strides toward fulfilling the housing needs of our residents." In light of these developments and with The Institute's pivotal role in facilitating regional planning discussions, Crocamo said she and the county are optimistic that more communities throughout Luzerne County will be inspired to collaborate and engage in "meaningful partnerships as we work towards enhancing housing solutions for all residents." Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
TBI issues Silver Alert for man missing from Murfreesboro
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation posted a Silver Alert Wednesday evening for a missing man out of Murfreesboro with a medical condition. According to officials, 74-year-old Donald Ooms is 5-feet 9-inches tall and 195 pounds with gray hair and hazel eyes. Men wanted on grand jury indictments added to Metro's 'Most Wanted' list The TBI said Ooms was last seen on Wednesday, April 30 in Murfreesboro, wearing blue pants and a navy blue shirt. He may be driving a 2014 blue Honda CR-V with Tennessee tag PC02692. Authorities said Ooms' medical condition may impair his ability to return safely without assistance. READ MORE | Latest headlines from Murfreesboro and Rutherford County If you see Ooms or have any information regarding his whereabouts, you're asked to call the Murfreesboro Police Department at 615-893-1311 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. No additional details have been released about Ooms' disappearance. 📲 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.📧 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.💻 for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
