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Who really was Mona Lisa? More than 500 years on, there’s good reason to think we got it wrong

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/darius-von-guttner-sporzynski-112147">Darius von Guttner Sporzynski</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-catholic-university-747">Australian Catholic University</a> In the pantheon of Renaissance art, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa stands as an unrivalled icon. This half-length portrait is more than just an artistic masterpiece; it embodies the allure of an era marked by unparalleled cultural flourishing. Yet, beneath the surface of the Mona Lisa’s elusive smile lies a debate that touches the very essence of the Renaissance, its politics and the role of women in history. <h2>A mystery woman</h2> The intrigue of the Mona Lisa, also known as <a href="https://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/artdok/4207/1/Zoellner_Leonardos_portrait_of_Mona_Lisa_1993.pdf">La Gioconda</a>, isn’t solely due to Leonardo’s revolutionary painting techniques. It’s also because the identity of the subject is unconfirmed to this day. More than half a millennium since it was first painted, the real identity of the Mona Lisa remains one of art’s greatest mysteries, intriguing scholars and enthusiasts alike. The painting has traditionally been associated with Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Florentine silk merchant Francesco del Giocondo. But another compelling theory suggests a different sitter: Isabella of Aragon. Isabella of Aragon was born into the illustrious House of Aragon in Naples, in 1470. She was a princess who was deeply entwined in the political and cultural fabric of the Renaissance. Her 1490 marriage to Gian Galeazzo Sforza, Duke of Milan, positioned Isabella at the heart of Italian politics. And this role was both complicated and elevated by the ambitions and machinations of Ludovico Sforza (also called Ludovico il Moro), her husband’s uncle and usurper of the Milanese dukedom. <h2>Scholarly perspectives</h2> The theory that Isabella is the real Mona Lisa is supported by a combination of stylistic analyses, historical connections and reinterpretations of Leonardo’s intent as an artist. In his <a href="https://www.bookstellyouwhy.com/pages/books/51791/robert-payne/leonardo-1st-edition-1st-printing">biography of Leonardo</a>, author Robert Payne points to <a href="https://emuseum.hydecollection.org/objects/94/study-of-the-mona-lisa?ctx=760b87fd-efbf-4468-b579-42f98e9712d2&idx=0">preliminary studies</a> by the artist that bear a striking resemblances to Isabella around age 20. Payne suggests Leonardo captured Isabella <a href="https://emuseum.hydecollection.org/objects/94/study-of-the-mona-lisa?ctx=760b87fd-efbf-4468-b579-42f98e9712d2&idx=0">across different life stages</a>, including during widowhood, as depicted in the Mona Lisa. US artist Lillian F. Schwartz’s <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0097849395000317">1988 study</a> used x-rays to reveal an initial sketch of a woman hidden beneath Leonardo’s painting. This sketch was then painted over with Leonardo’s own likeness. Schwartz believes the woman in the sketch is Isabella, because of its similarity with a cartoon Leonardo made of the princess. She proposes the work was made by integrating specific features of the initial model with Leonardo’s own features. This hypothesis is further supported by art historians Jerzy Kulski and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owjJWxcnKrE">Maike Vogt-Luerssen</a>. According to Vogt-Luerssen’s <a href="https://www.kleio.org/de/buecher/wer-ist-mona-lisa/">detailed analysis</a> of the Mona Lisa, the symbols of the Sforza house and the depiction of mourning garb both align with Isabella’s known life circumstances. They suggest the Mona Lisa isn’t a commissioned portrait, but a nuanced representation of a woman’s journey through triumph and tragedy. Similarly, Kulski highlights the <a href="https://www.academia.edu/40147186/The_Mona_Lisa_Portrait_Leonardos_Personal_and_Political_Tribute_to_Isabella_Aragon_Sforza_the_Duchess_of_Milan">portrait’s heraldic designs</a>, which would be atypical for a silk merchant’s wife. He, too, suggests the painting shows Isabella mourning her late husband. The Mona Lisa’s enigmatic expression also captures Isabella’s self-described state post-1500 of being “<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1468-0424.12683">alone in misfortune</a>”. Contrary to representing a wealthy, recently married woman, the portrait exudes the aura of a virtuous widow. Late professor of art history <a href="https://brill.com/display/book/edcoll/9789004304130/B9789004304130_014.xml?language=en">Joanna Woods-Marsden</a> suggested the Mona Lisa transcends traditional portraiture and embodies Leonardo’s ideal, rather than being a straightforward commission. This perspective frames the work as a deeply personal project for Leonardo, possibly signifying a special connection between him and Isabella. Leonardo’s reluctance to part with the work also indicates a deeper, personal investment in it. <h2>Beyond the canvas</h2> The theory that Isabella of Aragon could be the true Mona Lisa is a profound reevaluation of the painting’s context, opening up new avenues through which to appreciate the work. It elevates Isabella from a figure overshadowed by the men in her life, to a woman of courage and complexity who deserves recognition in her own right. Through her strategic marriage and political savvy, <a href="https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85147429412&origin=resultslist">Isabella played a crucial role in the alliances and conflicts</a> that defined the Italian Renaissance. By possibly choosing her as his subject, Leonardo immortalised her and also made a profound statement on the complexity and agency of women in a male-dominated society. The ongoing debate over Mona Lisa’s identity underscores this work’s significance as a cultural and historical artefact. It also invites us to reflect on the roles of women in the Renaissance and challenge common narratives that minimise them. In this light, it becomes a legacy of the women who shaped the Renaissance.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/220666/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/darius-von-guttner-sporzynski-112147">Darius von Guttner Sporzynski</a>, Historian, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-catholic-university-747">Australian Catholic University</a> Image credits: Xinhua News Agency/Shutterstock Editorial This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/who-really-was-mona-lisa-more-than-500-years-on-theres-good-reason-to-think-we-got-it-wrong-220666">original article</a>.

Art

“I didn’t want to come out!”: Spanish mountaineer emerges after 500 days underground

When Spanish mountaineer Beatriz Flamini descended into her cave - and home for the next 500 days - the world was an entirely different place. COVID-19 restrictions were still enforced, Queen Elizabeth II was still alive and on the throne, war hadn’t been declared in Ukraine, and Flamini herself was only 48. She entered the cave on November 20 2021, and while she was forced to surface for eight days while repairs were made to a router - one used for transmitting audio and video - she spent that brief period isolated in a tent. And then, a year and a half later, a 50-year-old Flamini emerged from 230 feet underground outside of Granada, Spain. And while most would be eager for some sunshine and some company after such a stint, Flamini had an entirely different take, informing everyone that she had actually been sound asleep when her team came to collect her. “I thought something had happened,” she said. “I said, ‘already? Surely not.’ I hadn’t finished my book.” And when it came to whether or not she’d struggled while down there, Flamini was quite to declare “never. In fact, I didn’t want to come out!” To keep herself occupied during the marathon stay, Flamini tried her hand at a whole host of popular pastimes, from knitting to exercising, painting, knitting, and reading. The effort paid off, the days flying by as the determined mountaineer successfully lost track of time. “On day 65, I stopped counting and lost perception of time,” she explained. “I didn’t talk to myself out loud, but I had internal conversations and got on very well with myself. “You have to remain conscious of your feelings. If you’re afraid, that’s something natural, but never let panic in, or you get paralysed.” Flamini was given a panic button in case of emergency, but she never felt the need to use it. And while her support team were on hand to give her clean clothing, provide essential food, and remove any waste that had accumulated, they were not to talk to her. “If it’s no communication it’s no communication, regardless of the circumstances,” Flamini said of that particular decision. “The people who know me knew and respected that.” As for what comes next, Flamini will now be studied by a team of experts - psychologists, researchers, and the like - to determine what impact the isolation of her extended time below might have had on her. Images: Getty, Sky News

Travel Trouble

Jimmy Barnes to undergo urgent surgery

Jimmy Barnes has been forced to cancel his upcoming tour to undergo urgent surgery. The 66-year-old said the five decades rocking on stage and being bent at the waist will see him under hip and back surgery. His final performance will be held the first weekend of December at Valo Adelaide 500 before he goes in for surgery. “I’ve been jumping off PAs and stomping around stages for nearly 50 years, but it’s finally caught up with me,” Barnes said in a statement. “I’ve had niggling back and hip issues for years, but things suddenly got a lot worse over the last few weeks and I’m now in constant and severe pain. “As everybody knows, it’s against my religion to blow out gigs but the doctors tell me I need an operation as soon as possible and it will really limit my movement for a few months. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Clhaq9ghZdX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Clhaq9ghZdX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jimmy Barnes (@jimmybarnesofficial)</a> </div> </blockquote> “As much as it kills me to inconvenience everyone, I have to get this fixed so I can jump around onstage for another 50 years.” Barnes joked that his family would have to deal with him playing his record Blue Christmas during his recovery. “The operation will keep me cooped up over summer and I’m a notoriously cranky patient, so I probably need to buy noise cancelling headphones for my family too – that way they’ll hopefully still be talking to me when I’m back on my feet,” he said. He thanked The Hoodoo Gurus for stepping in and covering his shows as it means “other bands will still get their chance to rock”. Image: Instagram

Caring

Mayan city collapse over 500 years ago linked to drought and social instability

The Mayan civilisation was among the most advanced on Earth, based in Central America. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing even before the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century. Mayapán, 40km to the south-east of the modern city of Merida, in Mexico, was the political and cultural capital of the Maya in the Yucatán peninsula with thousands of buildings and a population of 15,000-17,000 during the city’s peak. Emerging in 1200CE, the city was eventually abandoned in 1450CE after its despotic rulers from the house of Cocom were overthrown. New research published in Nature Communications suggests that the civil unrest which led to the collapse of Mayapán emerged as a result of climatic changes. The interdisciplinary team included researchers from Australia’s University of New South Wales, the University of California in the US and the University of Cambridge in the UK. Their findings shed light on the impact of changes in the climate on societies, making use of records from the city from before the Colonial Period. A prolonged drought, the authors suggest, lasting between 1400 and 1450CE escalated existing social tensions in the city. The effects of the drought on food availability in particular provided the impetus for the civil conflict which eventually led to the city’s abandonment. “Our data indicate that institutional collapse occurred in the environmental context of drought and conflict within the city,” the authors explain. “Vulnerabilities of this coupled natural-social system existed because of the strong reliance on rain-fed maize agriculture, lack of centralised long-term grain storage, minimal opportunities for irrigation, and a sociopolitical system led by elite families with competing political interests, from different parts of the Yucatán Peninsula. We argue that long-term, climate-caused hardships provoked restive tensions that were fanned by political actors whose actions ultimately culminated in political violence more than once at Mayapán.” In addition to looking at the climate (political and environmental) during the collapse of Mayapán, the researchers also looked directly at human remains found in the ancient city. “Direct radiocarbon dates and mitochrondrial DNA sequences from the remains of individuals in the city’s final mass grave suggest they were family members of the heads of state (the Cocoms), ironically and meaningfully laid to rest at the base of the Temple of K’uk’ulkan, the iconic principal temple and ritual centtr of Mayapán.” The winds of revolution, the authors argue, were fanned by political actors while conditions were worsening for the city’s inhabitants. Chief leaders of the change in political power were the members of the Xiu family house. “Our results suggest that rivalry among governing elites at Mayapán materialised into action in the context of more frequent and/or severe droughts. Comparatively, such climate challenges present a range of opportunities for human actors, from the development of innovative adaptations to the stoking of revolution. These climate hardships and ensuing food shortages would have undermined the city’s economic base and enabled the Xiu-led usurpation. The unifying and resilient institutions that held the Mayapán state together until approximately 1450CE were ultimately eroded, the confederation dissolved, and the city largely abandoned,” they explain. But the researchers also note the ability of the Maya to persist despite their difficulties. Those that abandoned Mayapan went to other cities, towns and villages. “Yet economic, social, and religious traditions persevered until the onset of Spanish rule, despite the reduced scale of political units, attesting to a resilient system of human-environmental adaptations.” Such stories from human history provide food for thought as we face our own self-inflicted climate crisis which is exacerbating hardship for many millions around the world. The authors conclude: “Our transdisciplinary work highlights the importance of understanding the complex relationships between natural and social systems, especially when evaluating the role of climate change in exacerbating internal political tensions and factionalism in areas where drought leads to food insecurity.” This article originally appeared on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/history/mayan-city-collapse-drought/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Evrim Yazgin. Image: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

Police officer called a hypocrite for defect on car

A police officer who pulled over a man riding a defective motorbike has been called a hypocrite for having a smooth tyre. Theo Glibo was stopped by the police officer at a service station in Largs Bay, Adelaide for having an illegal blue light on his motorbike. The 24-year-old then spotted the officer’s front tyre which was “bald” and questioned why he was being ticketed while the car should also be unroadworthy. “I’m copping a defect and this cop has a bald tyre and he’s not even gonna defect his own car,” Theo said in his video. “I’m not going to put a sticker on it for something that’s going to be dealt with tomorrow,” the officer responded. “Why not? That’s what you’re doing with mine, you’re a hypocrite,” Theo continued. ”If this was anybody else’s tyre, you’d defect it. Where’s the wear bar on that?” The officer agreed that Theo was right and that he would deal with his tyre when his shift ended. “You’re absolutely right, so I will defect that when I get back to my office,” the officer said. Theo’s video went viral to the point that South Australia Police had to release a statement to address the incident. “South Australia Police are aware of the social media post relating to an interaction between a SAPOL employee and a member of the public where the police vehicle was identified to have a bald tyre,” the statement read. “SAPOL have taken steps to address this matter.” Images: TikTok

Travel Trouble

Mother of "stolen" four-month-old baby speaks out

The mother of a four-month-old baby who was the accidental victim of a kidnapping has spoken out, revealing her own devastating childhood and her "wrong" split decision. Young mum Erika Carter had the fright of her life earlier this week when her <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/man-arrested-after-stealing-car-with-baby-inside" target="_blank" rel="noopener">car was stolen</a> from the north Adelaide suburb of Klemzig, with her son Jordan in the backseat. After a desperate two hour search from local police, Jordan was found safe in the car, which had since been abandoned, and was taken to hospital as a precaution. Speaking for the first time since the incident to 7News, Erika said she made the "wrong decision" by leaving her baby in the car alone while she went to pick up some essentials at the shops. “I went for a quick trip to get a loaf of bed and made the wrong decision to leave bubs for that split second,” she said. “And as I was paying for my bread, I heard my car rev and my heart just sunk." “I sprinted out after my baby boy and tried my best to get in front, but I couldn’t get to him, I was just yelling, ‘my baby, my baby Jordan’ and I thought the worst.” Carter said it was “the longest few hours of her life” as the police searched for Jordan. <div> “It’s sad we live in a world where we can’t trust what’s around us, and we can’t feel safe,” she said. “You just think, ‘give me my baby boy back, take whatever you want’, if that’s what it takes.” In a shocking coincidence, Erika revealed that she was also abducted when she was just 11 years old. “I got followed as I was walking my mum’s dog, and I was grabbed and put into a car,” she said. “But I wasn’t taken like Jordan was,” she explained. “My dog bit the abductor, and I managed to unlock the passenger’s door and get out." “But that took me years to get over.” Erika said her abductor was never caught. The 37-year-old man who stole Erika's car and son was arrested and charged with the abduction of a child, before he was refused bail. Image credits: 7News </div>

Caring

Great grandma left outside hospital for two hours in the cold

A 92-year-old great grandmother who was rushed to hospital by her family due to a shortage of ambulances was left out in the cold for two hours. Maureen Wortley suffered a fall and was taken to Lyell McEwin Hospital in Adelaide about 6.30pm on Monday night. Upon arrival, Maureen underwent a Covid test before having to do another one due to miscommunication with staff. While waiting to be treated, Maureen was forced to wait outside in the freezing cold for two hours dressed only in her dressing gown. "She was asked to sit on her walker, wasn't provided with a wheelchair or a blanket, asked to sit on her walker outside in 10 or 12 degrees," a family member told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/south-australia-news-great-grandmother-left-two-hours-in-cold-outside-adelaide-emergency-room/ea975d2d-f2ad-4a37-b173-0d623e86849c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nine News</a>. The family made a formal complaint about Maureen’s treatment and claimed that staff were provided with heating while patients were not. South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas was made aware of the complaint and offered his personal apology. "We saw someone not getting the sort of care that any Australian with a degree of compassion would want to see or certainly expect," he said. Dr Penny Conor from the Northern Adelaide Health Network confirmed that the hospital was busy but was not at capacity. "I probably wouldn't describe it as a substantial stuff up but yes we could've done better," she said. "Again I apologise unreservedly to the family." Image: Nine News

Caring

Couple spends just $500 on gorgeous wedding

A woman has been applauded for spending just $500 on her wedding. Kiara and Joel Brokenbrough from California tied the knot in a beautiful, intimate wedding organised just two months before the big day. Sharing the footage to <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kiarabrk/video/7073611867482033451?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a>, Kiara revealed everything in total, from the dress, the tux, cake, make up, cost a measly $500. "Our goal was to just be as minimal as possible and to spend the least amount of money as possible,” Kiara told Good Morning America. She said she didn’t want to spend excessively on her dress either, which cost only $47 from fast-fashion website Shein. "I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on a dress because I had the mindset that I’m gonna wear this [once] for a few hours." TikTok users were in awe at the stunning wedding ceremony and commended the couple for not going into debt at the start of their new chapter. “This is everything!!!!!!!! I’m not going broke to feed and entertain anyone I don’t hear from on a regular,” someone wrote. “This is definitely possible! You don't need to spend 20k on a wedding! Congratulations you looked stunning,” another commented. “The wedding is just one day, people spending hundreds of thousands for what. Congrats madam you looked beautiful. I wish you both happiness,” another comment read. Images: Instagram

Relationships

“He was pure evil”: Grace Tame recalls the confrontation with her abuser

Content warning: This article mentions child sexual abuse and rape. Grace Tame has spoken out about the first time she “stood up” to her abuser, and how she would never forget telling him he was a “monster” and “pure evil”. The 2021 Australian of the Year spoke about her experience while addressing a packed audience at <a href="https://www.adelaidefestival.com.au/writers-week/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adelaide Writers’ Week</a> alongside event director Jo Dyer and author Jess Hill. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca3zmxxJVhQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca3zmxxJVhQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Eventalaide (@eventalaide)</a> </div> </blockquote> The Writers’ Week talk, entitled The Reckoning, saw Ms Tame open up about how she confronted the teacher who repeatedly raped her. Although she was “terrified of this paedophile”, Ms Tame said she “stood up” to him and told him “he was a monster” four days before she reported him to police. “I told him that, and I will always remember that, and you know what? So will he,” she <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-09/grace-tame-recalls-the-moment-she-confronted-her-abuser/100895514" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. “My fear of upsetting the apple cart died that day.” Ms Tame was repeatedly abused while she was a student at Hobart’s St Michael’s Collegiate. She was 15 at the time. “He’d never seen my true rage towards him, but as he sat in his office chair I pointed a finger at him, I was crying my eyes out, I started yelling and screaming and I told him exactly what I thought of him,” she recounted. “And I told him I thought - I thought he was pure evil, and that I hoped he died, and I pointed to a picture of his own children who were twice my age at the time, and I told him I hated him for what he had done to me. “Whenever I think I can’t do something I remember this day - and I was terrified when I did this - but this is what I draw on when I need self-belief.” Since her abuser’s conviction, Ms Tame has campaigned for the way sexual assault is dealt with to be changed, and told Wednesday’s audience that legal restrictions preventing victims from sharing their stories contributed to an “ecosystem of abuse”. “It’s so messed up how society has all these layers of victim-blaming entrenched, codified at every level,” she said. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/grace-tame1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Grace Tame opened up about how she confronted her abuser at Adelaide Writers’ Week. Image: Roy Vandervegt / Adelaide Festival She added that the language used to describe sexual abuse and assault also partially contributed to said “ecosystem of abuse”. “That’s what really inspired me to pursue a different kind of advocacy because I thought, ‘Why am I learning about this word (grooming) for the first time seven years after I’ve gone through this experience?’” she <a href="https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/adelaide-festival/the-reckoning-grace-tame-and-jess-hill-to-speak-at-adelaides-writers-week/news-story/e40b9959c254b735a383860b4fd5e920?utm_campaign=later-linkinbio-thetiser&utm_content=later-25219761&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkin.bio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. “You know, like if you are stabbed for instance, you can say I was stabbed. This is what happened. These were the circumstances and then we also have the skillset to then ask for help - the appropriate help - but that’s certainly not what I had.” Ms Tame also shared more details about a “threatening” phone call she received last year asking her to refrain from saying anything negative about Prime Minister Scott Morrison. She first mentioned the phone call at the National Press Club last month, alleging a senior member of a government-funded organisation was the one who called her. On Wednesday, she elaborated on the incident and said “it wasn’t an empty threat”. “I didn’t share this at the National Press Club but do you know what the threat was, from that person who phoned me? It was that they wouldn’t support the [Grace Tame] Foundation if I said something about the Prime Minister,” she said. Following her Press Club address, Women’s Safety Minister Anne Ruston said the federal government had begun an investigation into Ms Tame’s allegation. Image: Roy Vandervegt / Adelaide Festival

Caring

500-year-old mansion moved brick by brick on sale for millions

A 500-year-old English mansion that was dismantled, relocated and rebuilt has just hit the market with a $24.6 million price tag. The mansion was originally built in the 1480s in the British town of Colchester, which is considered to be Britain's oldest recorded town. The home was bought by an eccentric antiquarian in 1910 for approximately $84,000AUD at the time when adjusted for inflation. On top of that, the buyer spent another $7.2 millionAUD, almost 100 times the purchase price, to have the home taken apart brick by brick and rebuilt 110kms away in the Greater London borough of Kingston-upon-Thames. “Buyers are often drawn to a property because of its history, character and narrative, as well as its aesthetic appeal and the practicalities, such as size and location,” said Becky Fatemi, the founder and managing director of the home’s listing agency <a href="https://www.rokstone.com/properties/15113671/sales" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rokstone</a>. As well as its rich history and character, the 1,345 sqm mansion also recently underwent renovations and refurbishment. “The backstory here is fascinating, but it also has the rigour of being built twice and extensively refurbished very recently, so it really does stand the test of time in so many ways,” Fatemi's statement said.The three-storey Tudor mansion sits on one pristine acre of landscaped gardens and boasts 12 bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a gallery, a koi fish pond and multiple decorated fireplaces. “This will tick all the boxes for a high-net-worth family who want to buy the ultimate trophy home,” Fatemi added.Image credits: Rokstone

Real Estate

“That’s hot”: Aussie mum’s $500 investment becomes a $10 million business

Last year, Aussie brand Custom Neon received a voice message on Instagram from celebrity Paris Hilton, telling the signage brand she loved their products and would be keen to work with them. But, co-founder Jess Munday said nothing ever came of it. A year later, the star’s lavish four-day wedding included Kim Kardashian, Demi Lovato, Nicole Richie and custom items from the Geelong-based business. “She asked us to create neon signs for her wedding and it was an awesome opportunity,” Ms Munday told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/small-business/geelongs-custom-neon-finds-fans-in-paris-hilton-and-elon-musk/news-story/808941847d2bd4f0355f3fbf8eec1668" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>. “She had her wedding over three or four days I think and day two was a carnival themed party and in the party it had one of our neon signs - the biggest one, which said, ‘That’s hot’.” <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWPq__GveP5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWPq__GveP5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Custom Neon® (@customneon)</a> </div> </blockquote> But the mum-of-two said it hasn’t been the brand’s only brush with celebrity fans. Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Tesla, posted a neon sign with the phrase ‘cyberviking’ on Twitter - a nod to cryptocurrency dogecoin that quickly went viral. “That tweet went viral and we said that looks like one of our signs and we checked our records and it was created by us,” Ms Munday said. “He got it delivered to a place in California, which is very exciting.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> How much is that Doge in the window? <a href="https://t.co/bxTkWOr50V">pic.twitter.com/bxTkWOr50V</a> — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1395328697436033032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2021</a></blockquote> Initially, Ms Munday started Custom Neon as a side hustle with her husband in 2018, while the couple were expecting their first child. “We were decorating my son’s nursery and my husband wanted to get a neon sign with the baby’s name and we looked around and couldn’t find one that was affordable and the process wasn’t easy to get a custom-made design,” she recalled. “He had seen it on Pinterest and he thought it was cool that you could get your son’s name and at the time having a baby and revealing the name is a big deal, so there was excitement of the baby coming and wanting something cool for the nursery.” The couple then found a supplier to make the sign, as well as a few for their upcoming wedding. Soon, they were renting out their wedding signs via Instagram, and began fielding inquiries for custom pieces from up to 20 businesses and individuals each week. Their $500 investment in their first few signs has since grown into a $10 million business in just three years, with Ms Munday saying the business is on track for a turnover of $18 million by the end of the 2021-22 financial year. She said Custom Neon has been a “whirlwind” journey and a far cry from her job in HR prior to taking maternity leave. During the last three years, the 32-year-old said there have been some interesting requests for signs, including people asking for pictures of themselves or their pet dogs as neon signs. Their signs have also made appearances on The Block, as well as inside a range of restaurants, bars and other businesses around the world. Though business from events dried up during the pandemic, Ms Munday said 70 percent of their orders now come from business signage, and that 60 percent of orders come from the US. “It’s such a huge part now and such a large country so there is much opportunity for growth,” she added. “We are planning to expand further into the US and set up our own manufacturing there in the next year. We also just secured an office in LA and have five people starting.” With such rapid growth already, this small business looks like it will have a bright, neon-lit future. Images: Jess Munday (Facebook) / @customneon (Instagram)

Money & Banking

Revealed: the greatest songs of all time

An impressive list of the 500 greatest songs of all time has recently been released. The entertainment giants at <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time-1224767/" target="_blank">Rolling Stone</a> have rebooted their original list of top 500 tracks that they released in 2004. But back then, we didn't have unlimited access to music on streaming services, the technology revolution had just begun and many international artists where still in their infancy. Now, 17 years later, the new version the top 500 list boasts more than 250 artists, musicians, and producers form every niche genre. Over 4,000 people voted for the new list, with over half of the songs featured not being present in the 2004 list. While many of the tracks are from newer artists that have made their mark on the industry, most of the top 25 are classic tunes from the 20th century. The top 25 tracks range from pop classics from The Beach Boys, to punk rock angst tracks from Nirvana, and folk rhythms from Fleetwood Mac. The most featured artist in the top 25 was The Beatles, who appeared three times (or four if you include John Lennon's solo hit). Topping the list was the 1967 classic Respect by Aretha Franklin, which has become known by music fans all over the world and become an anthem for women everywhere. Check out the top 25 list below. 25. Runaway - Kanye West ft. Pusha T (2010) 24. A Day in the Life - The Beatles (1967) 23. Heroes - David Bowie (1977) 22. Be My Baby - The Ronettes (1963) 21. Strange Fruit - Billie Holiday (1939) 20. Dancing on my Own - Robyn (2010) 19. Imagine - John Lennon (1971) 18. Purple Rain - Prince and the Revolution (1984) 17. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen (1975) 16. Crazy in Love - Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z (2003) 15. I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles (1963) 14. Waterloo Sunset - The Kinks (1967) 13. Gimme Shelter - The Rolling Stones (1969) 12. Superstition - Stevie Wonder (1972) 11. God Only Knows - The Beach Boys (1966) 10. Hey Ya! - Outkast (2003) 9. Dreams - Fleetwood Mac (1977) 8. Get Ur Freak On - Missy Elliot (2001) 7. Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles (1967) 6. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye (1971) 5. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana (1991) 4. Like a Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan (1965) 3. A Change is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke (1964) 2. Fight the Power - Public Enemy (1989) 1. Respect - Aretha Franklin (1967) Image credits: Getty Images

Music

How two Adelaide mates were inspired by their pets to create a multi-million dollar business

In 2019, tradie Jye de Zylva noticed this pet kelpie was out of sorts. His dog was significantly stressed, and sometimes even missing, when his owner would return home each day from the job site. Jye teamed up with his mate and entrepreneur Davie Fogarty, and the pair created an innovative line of dog beds aimed at calming anxiety and stress in their furry friends. The 26-year-olds founded Pupnaps, which is the first of its kind and is largely inspired by a unique circular design. “The first design we settled on was one that kind of emulates a dog curling up in their mother’s womb,” Jye told NCA NewsWire. “It’s a really common way for dogs to sleep and it gives them comfort.” The company saw a flood of success and regularly surpasses $1million in monthly sales from selling 4,000 beds a week. Jye said the success of the company took them both by surprise. “It took us probably six to seven months and we did our first million-dollar month, which was really exciting in terms of the success and what it meant.” He said, “It was something that I didn't really expect in my wildest dreams; coming from being a chippie only six or eight months before that.” The Pupnaps line included four different dog beds: the original dog calming bed, as well as an orthopaedic memory foam bed, an orthopaedic floor rug and a calming furniture couch. Jye is a firm believer that the success of the company was aided by the pandemic, and pets having increased anxiety after their owners returned to offices for work. “Anxiety can really impact a dog’s quality of life, not to mention the guilt and fear that owners have whenever they need to leave their pets alone,” Mr de Zylva said. “It’s really rewarding to create a product that has been successful but also one that is helping dogs and their owners to live better lives.” Image credits: Instagram @pupnapsofficial

Technology

The bizarre reason passenger caused $500 fine

A driver has been fined a little more than AU$500 after police realised one strange detail about their passenger. The motorist was pulled over in the carpool lane in Baldwin Park, California on February 19 and California Highway Patrol noticed that the driver’s “passenger” was indeed not a passenger at all. They quickly realised it was actually a dummy that was put in the passenger seat and fully dressed in a flannel T-shirt, glasses, a Cleveland Indians baseball cap and none other than a face mask. “By far, one of the best dummies we have ever seen,” police said. “To clarify, we are referring to this fake passenger. “At least he was following CDC guidelines by wearing his face mask.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840102/daily-4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8f1d69d6b3964614a49e8deec2e44bde" /> Image: Supplied Officer Rodrigo Jimenez told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune that the driver “didn’t say much”. “Other than that he’s been driving with the mannequin, and he’d been getting away with it for a year and a half,” he revealed. The driver had a dummy beside him to show he had a passenger so he could use the carpool lane. It is illegal in several US cities to use a carpool lane with only just the driver in the car. The fine was around $514, however the driver was allowed to keep the dummy.

Legal

Family in Adelaide discover hilarious holiday surprise

An Aussie family couldn’t believe their eyes when they spotted a koala perched on their Christmas tree. 16-year-old Taylah McCormick took to TikTok to share the strange scene which took place in her home in Adelaide. "The dog went straight to the Christmas tree and was sniffing around, and mom thought that was a bit weird," McCormick told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/03/on-the-first-day-of-australian-family-finds-live-koala-in-their-christmas-tree" target="_blank">The Guardian's Matilda Boseley</a>. "There was baubles all over the floor, and she looked up and there was a koala in the tree." The young koala, which McCormick named Daphne, kept trying the eat the leaves - until she realised they were plastic. McCormick had left the front door open for her dog while her family was out for the afternoon. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F1300Koalaz%2Fposts%2F714469192808655&show_text=true&width=552&height=760&appId" width="552" height="760" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe> Her mother, Amanda McCormick, believes that Daphne could have been in the house for at least three hours. "I thought, 'Is this a joke?' I thought one of my kids may have put a soft toy in there, but no, it was a live one," Amanda told The Guardian. "We've had them in our trees before but not inside on our Christmas tree. It must have crawled in when the doors were open." Amanda wasn’t the only one who couldn’t believe what she was seeing, as when she called up Adelaide and Hills Koala Rescue, the hotline operator thought she was joking. The organisation later shared photos of Daphne on <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/1300Koalaz/" target="_blank">its Facebook page</a> and said the koala had been "desperate to get in the Christmas spirit." Speaking to The Guardian, Dee Hearne-Hellon, cofounder of the rescue group said that Daphne was most likely intrigued by the tree. "It's not actually that hot, so they wouldn't be seeking shade, particularly at the moment," she said. "They are curious, and they are in the suburbs, and if they see something that they want to have a look at, they'll just drop in and have a look." McCormick posted a TikTok video of Daphne on the family's Christmas tree, which has received nearly 400,000 views at the time of writing.

Family & Pets

“Miracle” coronavirus survivor released after four weeks in coma

South Australia’s last remaining COVID-19 patient has been released from the Royal Adelaide Hospital after spending four weeks on a ventilator. Paul Faraguna, 68, was the first coronavirus patient to be admitted to intensive care in the state and the last to walk out. He was admitted to hospital over two months ago after contracting the virus on the Ruby Princess cruise ship. At least <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-covid-19-death-toll-reaches-100-20200519-p54uhb.html">22 passengers have died since disembarking the vessel in Sydney</a>. Faraguna was rushed to intensive care six days later and placed in an induced coma and on a ventilator for about four weeks. During this period, he started to suffer multiple organ failure. “The doctors were unable to say what my future would be if I survived, even suggesting that I may have brain damage and be permanently disabled,” he said in a statement. “I remember that, after awakening from my coma, virtually every doctor and nurse consistently telling me that my recovery was a miracle.” On Thursday afternoon, he was farewelled by staff from the infectious diseases ward <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> The last patient recovering from COVID-19 left the RAH today. Paul contracted COVID-19 on the Ruby Princess. He was so ill he was in the ICU in an induced coma and on a ventilator for 4 weeks. He's still recovering and now receiving care closer to home at Modbury Hospital ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/NwcZ1ippPJ">pic.twitter.com/NwcZ1ippPJ</a> — SA Health (@SAHealth) <a href="https://twitter.com/SAHealth/status/1263396492577959936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2020</a></blockquote> Faraguna thanked the medical staff for the “caring treatment” he received. “I don’t particularly enjoy being in hospital for such a long time, but the experience of being looked after by the wonderful staff has made it far better,” he said. “I will never be able to repay all of the dedicated medical staff, but I give you my heartfelt thank you.” The hospital’s Nurse Unit Manager, Karen Shutz, said Faraguna’s recovery was “a huge boost” to the medical team. “We honestly didn’t think he’d make it through, but to see him come out the other side is just the most amazing gift you can have out of this pandemic,” she told the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-21/last-coronavirus-patient-leaves-rah/12273918">ABC</a>. “It was just such a huge boost that somebody had made it out the other side who was really sick, so yeah, there were a few tears as he was walking out this afternoon.”

Caring

Dream retreat: The country farmstay that comes with 500 animal residents

When it comes to back-to-nature getaways, some things are to be expected – fresh air, impressive countryside sceneries and a sky full of stars. However, the Edgar’s Mission Tiny Houses take it a step further, allowing guests to stay with more than 450 rescued farm animals on a 153-acre haven near Lancefield, Victoria. The houses offer sweeping views of the Macedon Ranges, with sheeps and goats roaming around the backyard for the guests to observe, interact and feed with the Weetbix provided at the paddocks. Across the grounds also live pigs, chickens, cows, turkeys, rabbits and geese that have been rescued and housed the Edgar’s Mission sanctuary. Among the animals are Leon Trotsky the piglet and Tim Tam the goat, who have been equipped with customised wheelchairs to enable them to make their way around independently. Edgar’s Mission was established in 2003 by Pam Ahern, who was seeking to care for a Landrace/Large White cross piglet she procured from a commercial piggery. Since then, the tiny piglet has grown into a 400-plus kilogram pig, and the sanctuary community population has risen to hundreds. “We often laugh, saying that Edgar’s Mission grew exponentially pretty much like the eponymous Edgar Alan Pig,” said digital communications manager Kyle Behrend. In 2014, the not-for-profit organisation was looking for a new place to house their extended family of furry friends after having outgrown their original 60-acre space – and that was when they found the Macedon Ranges, Behrend said. The team soon saw the potential of the area to further their cause. “Daily we look out over the beautiful surrounding vistas. This is such a treasure we want to share with the world,” said Behrend. “I guess the idea of the tiny homes, grew out of a tiny thought several years ago on seeking more creative ways to capitalise of the tourism aspect of not only Edgar’s Mission but the greater Macedon Ranges.” The three tiny houses are also designed to reflect the organisation’s values. No animal fibres are used for bedding and soft furnishings, and all the stocked products are sourced from environmentally-friendly companies such as Aesop and Earth Choice. Despite the small size, all the houses pack a kitchenette, mini library, sleeping and living quarters, self-contained bathroom and a deck on which to sit back and soak up the sunlight. “The Tiny Houses are a tool in showing that we can have everything we need in a small space whilst reducing our impact on the environment,” said Behrend. “We trust the Tiny Houses will afford our guests the opportunity to connect with nature, animals and themselves.” In return, guests are expected to be mindful about what they bring to the lodging. “We do ask that when guests come, they don’t bring any animal products out of respect for our animals here,” Behrend said. Scroll through the gallery above to see the pictures from the Tiny Houses. Photo credit: Edgar’s Mission

Retirement Life

Enjoy Adelaide on any budget with these hotels

Adelaide often gets neglected when it comes to concert lineups and tourists, but that doesn’t need to be the case for you. If you’re looking to give the state that hosts the Great Australian Bight some love, that’s easy to do no matter what budget you’ve got. Scroll through the gallery to check out the hotels that are listed below. Affordable<a href="https://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-8822-ibis-adelaide/index.shtml#section-rooms"></a> The Ibis in Adelaide is in a location that’s central to everything that Adelaide has to offer, whether that’s Rundle Mall or the casino (depending on what you like doing!). With each of the Ibis’ 311 rooms showing off the Adelaide Hills, it’s easy to relax and kick your feet up in this hotel. There are a variety of room types available, which include a choice between a Standard room or a Superior room. Depending on when you go, this room can set you back $100 a night depending on the room type you choose. Mid-range The Majestic Hotel Roof Garden in Adelaide offers a central city location as well as a surprise on the rooftop. The 4.5-star hotel offers a roof garden filled with plant walls whilst showing off the skyline of Adelaide. Each room has unlimited Wi-Fi and reverse cycle air conditioning. If you really want to treat yourself though, splurge on a superior or balcony room, as these are the rooms that come with bathtubs. There’s an award-winning onsite restaurant that sources wines from all around the state. A room here will cost about $120 overnight, but this price varies depending on room type, length of stay and time of year you go. Luxury With 10 different room types to choose from, you’re spoilt for choice at the Mayfair Hotel in Adelaide. The hotel was built in 1934 and opened as a boutique hotel in 2015, which makes it Adelaide’s latest five-star hotel available for the public. The central location of the hotel makes it easy to walk to Hindley, Rundle Mall and more. If you’re feeling adventurous, head to the River Torrens. However, if you enjoy the finer things in life, head to the hotel’s restaurant The Mayflower and enjoy some high tea. There’s also another restaurant within the hotel called The Den, which offers high-quality bistro food in stunning surrounds. There’s an enticing cake display available too if you’re looking to indulge your sweet tooth. Have you been to Adelaide before? Did you enjoy it? Let us know in the comments.

International Travel

The simple hack that could slash $500 off your holiday booking

With summer well and truly around the corner, people all over the country are gearing up to book their holidays, reserving accommodation and coordinating itineraries. Which is why you need to get on board with this one woman’s simple hack that could cut down hundreds of dollars off your final bill. Mother-of-two Janica Place, 39, spoke to <a href="https://www.kidspot.com.au/things-to-do/family-travel/family-holidays/the-private-trick-thatll-save-you-money-when-booking-a-family-holiday/news-story/006ff515ffef3a9b35cdb0eaef6dd434">Kidspot</a> and revealed how she got a discount of $500 on return flights between Australia and Helsinki for herself and her two children by doing this one simple thing. “I use two devices in order to make sure that prices aren’t being manipulated,” she said. “I search with my computer for instance, and then I book my flights on my phone.” The mother of two was so surprised to see how much cheaper the flights were that she couldn’t believe it until she returned to her computer to check that they were indeed different. “I’ve since booked all my flights that way,” she said. “I had no idea that searching destinations on different devices had such an effect. It’s crazy!” Another simple trick to nab cheap flights is one that is revealed by savvy travellers. All you need to do is clear your “cookies” – which are small computer files that let websites know if you’ve been on their page previously – on your device, so that your details are not stored. When information is stored, then there is a chance that sites may raise their prices as they can see that you’re most likely to book the fare. And this trick doesn’t just work on flights, but on hotels too. Will you be trying out this hack? Let us know in the comments below.

Travel Tips

Can you see what's wrong with this wedding photo?

There are lots of potential risks when it comes to planning a beach wedding – rain, wind and wild waves to name a few – but we’re betting this newlywed couple didn’t expect their big day to be crashed by a sunbather. The half-naked woman can be seen lying face-down in the sand just metres from where a couple exchanged their vows in Port Willunga, South Australia. The “awkward” photo has since gone viral after it was shared to the Instagram page, “Sh*t Adelaide”. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 62.48366013071895% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgvqqmwB6mT/" target="_blank">A post shared by Shit Adelaide (@shitadelaide)</a> on Mar 25, 2018 at 4:37am PDT </div> </blockquote> “That awkward moment when a beach wedding interrupts your sun tanning session...” the page captioned the snap, which has seen the woman labelled a “rude b***h” on social media. However, the wedding party didn’t seem too phased by the intrusion and didn’t let it ruin the nuptials. The woman who took the photo told the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5543607/Awkward-moment-half-naked-sunbaker-refuses-couple-exchange-vows-Adelaide.html" target="_blank">Daily Mail</a>, “She was just one metre away, it was pretty funny.” Other Instagram users agreed with her, finding the bizarre incident rather amusing. “I now pronounce you tan and wife,” one man remarked. “That’s just cousin Shazza,” another joked. “She always passes out drunk and half naked at family weddings... although during the ceremony is a new record...” One woman took the sunbaker’s side, writing, “Looks like a really big empty stretch of beach. If the tanner was already there, plenty of op to set up elsewhere. I wouldn’t move either.” Tell us in the comments below, do you think the sunbathing woman should have moved? Or was she well within her rights to remain there?

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Enjoy Adelaide on any budget with these hotels

The simple hack that could slash $500 off your holiday booking

Can you see what's wrong with this wedding photo?