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Good Weekend

The September 14 Edition

Popular culture is fascinating in the way it latches onto certain people at a particular moment in time. We loved Paul Hogan in the 1970s because he made us laugh at ourselves, and felt nationalistic pride the following decade when he exported our knockabout ways to the world with his “shrimp on the barbie” tourism ads. That Taylor Swift is the world’s most famous person today speaks to the global nature of, well, not just music but everything, including love and heartache, in 2024. And I think our fascination with Gina Chick, who survived more than nine weeks in the wild to win the inaugural Australian edition of the TV series Alone, also says something about the times. It speaks to how far so many of us now live from nature that we’re transfixed by someone so in tune with it. It reminds us how much we, too, want to strip away artifice in an era in which it’s everywhere. How we, also, might howl at the moon and sing and dance with abandon if we hadn’t so thoroughly buried such primal instincts. While working on today’s cover story, David Leser danced with Chick on an empty beach. I suspect it was one of the highlights of his time with her. Which pretty much says it all. – Editor, Katrina Strickland

18 stories
The September 14 Edition
Gina Chick on home turf at Jervis Bay on the NSW South Coast. As a child, she used to walk to the beach with the family’s three pet ducks.

‘Such a weird kid’: Alone winner Gina Chick never did fit in – and that’s her strength

She talked to a lake and apologised to a wallaby before eating it. Like her famous grandmother, survival-show star Chick does things her way.

  • by David Leser

When two tradies in Antarctica had time off, they snapped pics like this

In an unexpected bonus, a chef and a carpenter at the country’s Antarctic stations turned out to be excellent photographers.

  • by Tim Elliott

How Epstein wheedled his way into Bill Gates’ world – and why Melinda hated it

The billionaire Microsoft co-founder took a reputational hit from his association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

  • by Anupreeta Das
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‘A bit jealous’: When mum and daughter go to uni at the same time

Titania Henderson was a stay-at-home mum until she returned to study in her 50s. Her daughter Amy checked her essays; now they share a Melbourne studio.

  • by Susan Horsburgh
“Being sexualised is not going to lead to longevity. You may get attention but it’s not the same as respect.”
Dicey Topics
For subscribers

Belinda Carlisle: ‘We’ve gone backwards – and the industry is still run by men’

The former Go-Go’s lead singer and solo artist on the rise of the tawdry in music, how to stave off career death – and where to find heaven on earth.

  • by Benjamin Law
Modern Guru
For subscribers

My mate charges his EV at my place. Should I charge him?

What if you pull the plug? Modern Guru ponders the alternative.

  • by Danny Katz
Eggshells

Eggshells

Some days George was so jovial as to be almost silly, and they’d egg him on, delighting in his nonsense, his touch on their shoulders. Other days, they sniffed the air and just knew to stay out of his way. Failing that, they’d walk on eggshells lest they somehow set him off. On such occasions, after escaping to another room, they’d buckle from their efforts. “He just gets stressed. Work and stuff,” his wife, Jamila, told her daughters one such night. “He’s not a bad man.” They believed her but they excused themselves all the same, deciding on an early night. Words by Paul Connolly. Illustration by Jim Pavlidis.

Olivia Rodrigo, Gigi Hadid and Dua Lipa in their ballet flats.

How grown-ups are embracing fashion’s ‘dainty’ footwear trend

Plus: get ready for the weekend with these fresh diversions.

  • by Various

Here comes the sun: Spring fashion trends

The temperature’s rising and the days are growing longer: swap the puffer jacket and beanie with each-way bets.

  • by Damien Woolnough and Melissa Singer
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The award-winning makeover of a ‘higgledy-piggledy’ manor in the Snowies

It once had servants scuttling about. Now, after a thoroughly modern renovation, this grand villa is a home for four.

  • by Luke Slattery

Celeste Barber’s beauty range – no anti-ageing propaganda in sight

New products and positive initiatives designed for looking – and feeling – better.

  • by Frances Mocnik
Innovative outliers in a nostalgia-fi xated industry, from left: the MB&F HM11 Architect, Hublot Arsham Droplet, and Ressence Type 1˚ Round DX3.

While most watch designers remain gripped by nostalgia, some are dialling it up

In an industry fixated by heritage reissues and anniversary special editions, a few plucky brands are attempting to look to the future.

  • by Luke Benedictus

Put a spring in your step: Nifty gardening ideas

Handy tools for that horticultural hero in your life.

  • by Frances Mocnik
Danielle Alvarez’s chicken, pumpkin, chickpea and rice soup with spiced chilli oil.

Chicken, pumpkin, chickpea and rice soup with spiced chilli oil

The spices in the chilli oil give this comforting whole-chicken soup a slightly different feel.

  • by Danielle Alvarez

Sunday bake: Helen Goh’s double rhubarb, white chocolate and almond loaf cake

An unassuming cake full of rich texture and bursting with “little pockets of flavour”.

  • by Helen Goh
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Melbourne-meets-Milan at Sincero in Malvern.
Review
Sincero

Let’s give this sophisticated Italian restaurant a quiet clap for its lovely acoustics

Sincero is a charming high-street restaurant with high-concept dishes from the team behind Buono in Melbourne’s bayside.

  • by Dani Valent
The bar’s bistro menu is a drawcard on weekends.

The regional wine bar with a menu so good, I should have booked an extra night

I was not expecting a full bistro menu with too many beaut-sounding things to try. Nice one, Bar Superette.

  • by Callan Boys

Expand your drinking horizons with these wines from surprising locations

Japan, Bali, Denmark, Hungary … the world of wine is continually expanding. Here are some excellent (and unexpected) varieties to try.

  • by Huon Hooke
Good Weekend Quiz online index image

Good Weekend Quiz

Trivia buffs: test your knowledge.

Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/national/the-september-14-edition-20240802-p5jywm.html