Latest news with #PortDouglas
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Mum is left horrified by Virgin passenger's 'inappropriate' five-word request to three-year-old daughter as they boarded flight
A Virgin airlines customer has revealed the shocking moment a stranger tapped her three-year-old daughter on the shoulder and delivered a chilling warning. Emma Darrouzet and her family were traveling from Brisbane to Port Douglas when her daughter was approached by a fellow Virgin Australia passenger. The mum and her daughter, Odette, were 'at the airport, about to get on a plane for a family holiday' when the incident took place. 'As I was standing to check my bag in, a lady tapped my three-year-old daughter on the shoulder and said, 'Hello, I hope you know you need to be quiet on the airplane',' she said in a TikTok. In the video, Ms Darrouzet asks Odette if she was approached by a 'silly lady', to which the little girl nods her head. The artist told Yahoo Lifestyle she was 'taken aback' by the exchange and her daughter had been left frightened. She told the woman her daughter has flown before and 'knows what to do on a plane'. Ms Darrouzet went through security and met up with her husband and two other children, but was later shocked to see the woman queuing up for the same plane. @ Ummm… can we talk about airport etiquette for a second? 😡 Today at the bag drop, a random woman actually walked up and touched my kid, bent down low, and said right to her face that she needed to be quiet on the plane. First of all, WHO touches a stranger's child? Second, Odie is literally the dream flyer, headphones on, iPad, chilling. She wasn't even making a sound at the time. I was honestly SHOOK. The woman knew she crossed a line too because she bolted before I could even say anything. Like… what would you have said? Because I'm still ready to rehearse my clapback in the shower tonight. 😂 Is it controversial to say: Don't. Touch. Other. People's. Kids. Ever. #airport #donttouch #travelgram ♬ original sound - Emma Darrouzet Art 'It was completely out of line,' the mum and artist said. The incident divided viewers with some insisting airlines consider child-free flights, while others declared that those who travel without children have the 'right to a peaceful' journey. 'I would never say it out loud, but that's all we're hoping for, a tantrum free flight,' one commented. 'There needs to be a section on all airplanes where all the children and their parents sit with sound proof walls so the rest of us can enjoy a peaceful flight,' another shared. 'No this woman is not a silly lady because we all have the right to a peaceful, quiet flight,' a third said. However, others were horrified at the female passenger approached a three-year-old regardless of her intention. 'I'm a childless adult, so I do enjoy my quiet. However, having some random approach a child and make veiled threats is 100 per cent unacceptable and would be a serious issue for me,' one argued. 'She's going to be quiet or what? What are you doing to do if she's not quiet?' 'Regardless of what she said, a stranger touching my child and/or telling them what to do is a hard no from me,' another agreed. Someone else wrote: 'She walked up to a completely silent child, touched a random kid she doesn't know, and told them to be quiet on the plane. 'All while said child is standing there quietly. I'd knock her out.' Australian airlines do not offer child-free options for flights, but it's been over 10 years since Asian carriers Scoot and AirAsia introduced child-free cabins. The 'ScootinSilence' seats are located towards the front of the aircraft, giving passengers the option to book a seat in a child-free area where travellers under the age of 12 are banned. AirAsia offers a child-free zone, located in the first seven rows of economy class, on some of its flights to China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Australia and Nepal.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The hidden tax for those living outside Australian capital cities: 'A big strain'
An Australian business owner who was recently diagnosed with an aggressive type of throat cancer is calling for better accessibility to healthcare for those living outside the nation's major cities, and greater awareness when it comes to treatment plans and insurance. Phil Leahy, from Port Douglas in Queensland's far north, was diagnosed with p16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) earlier this year. It's a type of throat cancer that typically starts in the tonsils or base of the tongue and is commonly linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV). The Queenslander was forced to leave his home and relocate to Brisbane to embark on an eight-week treatment plan that involves both radiation and chemotherapy. Phil founded his own business MedCart five years ago — a marketplace for medical, healthcare and pharmacy supplies — but was forced to take a major step back when he received his diagnosis. His wife Annabel has taken over the reins from Phil as CEO while he's out of action, and, since falling ill, has also become the primary caretaker of the home. Speaking to Yahoo News, Phil said that because their property is located within a rainforest, it requires regular maintenance, meaning Annabel isn't able to join him in Brisbane for treatment. He said between the cost of travelling back and forth, paying for everyday expenses — including food and transport — and the emotional toll of being separated from your partner, Australians living regionally face a much tougher challenge when it comes to accessing life-saving healthcare. "Because Cairns doesn't offer dual treatment of chemo and radiation, I was forced to go to Brisbane," he said. "So in Far North Queensland, we're at a disadvantage there. And then you've got to think about all those extra costs of going interstate. "There's the accommodation challenge. We were lucky to get an Airbnb that was quite cheap — I think it was $70 a night. But it can be anywhere from $200 a night to $335 or $400 a night for a 49-night stay. My wife is acting as CEO, she's got to manage the house and also the business without me there, so it's a big strain." Phil said he initially opted for private care, thinking it would offer better flexibility and access. But he was surprised to learn that public hospital admission could have covered nearly all his treatment and support, something he only discovered after experiencing substantial out-of-pocket expenses. "I'm 60 years old, and I've been paying for private healthcare from the age of 18 — and I've been thinking twice about that now, if I could roll that back — it's very expensive." Australia records highest rates of 'aggressive' cancer in the world Risky activity Gen Z admit they love despite dire warning Aussie family's remarkable bravery after baby girl's tragic diagnosis With private health insurance in Australia, patients can choose their own hospital and specialist and may avoid long public waitlists. But many costs still aren't fully covered. As an outpatient staying nearby during treatment, Phil had to cover expenses like accommodation, meals, transport, and medications out of pocket, despite having paid for private health insurance for decades. In contrast, the public healthcare system offers broader coverage if you're admitted as a public patient in a public hospital. Under Medicare, most hospital-based treatments — including accommodation, chemotherapy, radiation, and medications — are fully covered. Phil later realised that had he gone through the public system and been admitted to a hospital, the majority of his expenses may have been taken care of. He believes many regional Australians aren't fully informed about how public and private care differ in practice, especially when it comes to serious illnesses like cancer. According to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), people living in rural and remote areas have higher rates of hospitalisations, deaths, and injury compared to those in major cities. These Australians often need to travel long distances or relocate to access health services or receive specialised treatment. Phil's now calling for clearer guidance, better support systems, and improved access to life-saving treatment for those living outside metropolitan areas. "I'm meant to be at the end of treatment — they said after seven to 10 days, things should start to get better. But at the moment, they're getting worse. So I'm hoping I don't have to go back, but I might have to," Phil said. "[People should] have a good think about whether they want to declare that they're going private. They might want to just go with public and get everything covered. "I'll tell you that the doctors and nurses going down the private road were fantastic, and I wouldn't change that. But I didn't know what the other side was like either." A fundraiser to assist Phil and his family with costs has been established and can be viewed here. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Daily Mail
30-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Sunrise star Mark Beretta reveals heartbreaking reason behind his 'brutal' charity challenge: 'It was pretty grim'
Mark Beretta has revealed the heartbreaking reason he is prepping to ride a marathon in his 16th Tour de Cure this year. The Sunrise star, 58, will bike a punishing 1,200kms from Airlie Beach to Port Douglas in Queensland over the course of eight days to raise money for cancer research. On Friday, he said he participated in the annual charity ride in honour of his mother Joan and father David who were both diagnosed with cancer, reported PerthNow. 'Two grand finals ago, we got a call to come home because dad's in hospital. He had a tumor the size of a tennis ball in his chest. It was pretty grim,' he said. Mark went on to say his father thankfully went into remission after several rounds of treatment, but then the Beretta family was struck with tragedy again. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Five years ago, his mother was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer and is still fighting it to this day. 'She's still battling on. It's tough. It's good days and bad days. I always say we've got skin in the game,' Mark said. The TV star added he and his family are 'always invested in better cures and better drugs for our loved ones'. Mark will participate in the charity event alongside 200 other riders, visiting Townsville, Magnetic Island, Mission Beach and Cairns. Olympians Chloe Hosking and Mack Horton, as well as Australian cycling royalty Richie Porte, will join Mark for the eight-day ride which will finish on June 6. This year, Tour de Cure is aiming to break its own $21million fundraising record from last year, adding to the $145million already raised by the event since its 2007 debut. Professionals from all walks of life, including soldiers, paramedics, policemen, doctors, and CEOs, come together to raise funds for the important cause. Tour de Cure launched in 2007, with thousands of people participating each year by walking, running, riding, swimming and attending gala events. The charity has funded more than 1,198 cancer projects and contributed to nearly 200 world-class scientific cancer breakthroughs. Mark has helped raise more than $70million for cancer through the annual Tour de Cure cycling marathon. In 2022, he was awarded the Order of Australia, the country's highest honour, for his work in charity and entertainment. The Sunrise sports reporter received the award alongside pop superstar Delta Goodrem in Sydney at Government House. 'Humbled to receive my Order of Australia Medal amongst a group of amazing Australians,' he wrote to Instagram at the time. Mark also shared a photo of himself beaming with his medal as he posed with his parents, writing: 'I had a very proud mum and dad.'
