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Fan throws mother’s ashes on stage at Pink concert

<p>Singing sensation Pink was left momentarily speechless after a fan threw a bag of their mother’s ashes on stage mid-performance.</p> <p>The singer was just four songs into her headlining set at the British Summer Time festival in London’s Hyde Park when she grabbed a large package of white powder that had been thrown across the stage.</p> <p>“Is this your mum?” a confused Pink asked.</p> <p>“I don’t know how I feel about this.”</p> <p>Simply stunned, the singer then placed the package down behind the front-of-stage speakers and continued performing the current song, <em>Just Like A Pill</em>.</p> <p>Pink did not speak out about the bizarre situation, but social media users put the concert-goer on blast for the act.</p> <p>“Someone gave their Mothers ashes to Pink. I need yall to have boundaries like girl what?” one fan wrote.</p> <p>“She handled it well cause I’d definitely be mad that someone handed me their mom’s ashes,” another added.</p> <p>“I feel like security at a concert will be like going thru TSA if people don’t stop being WEIRD,” a third wrote.</p> <p>Other online users had more extreme takes, “I would have started snorting their mother on stage,” one person wrote on twitter, while another insisted they would’ve “sprinkled it on the crowd.”</p> <p>This incident follows a string of boundary-breaking events at pop stars’ concerts, with singer Bebe Rexha receiving stitches after a fan threw a phone at her head, and another singer Ava Max having to end her show abruptly after a concert-goer rushed the stage and slapped her in the face.</p> <p>Pink will be returning to Australia for a string of stadium shows in February 2024.</p> <p>While the star hasn’t touched on the matter, there’s a good chance she'd recommend leaving the deceased at home.</p> <p><em>Image credit: TikTok</em></p>

Caring

"Best year yet": Ash Barty shares pregnancy announcement

<p>Ash Barty has shared that she is set to become a mum this year in a heart-warming announcement of her pregnancy. </p> <p>The former tennis champion posted on Instagram on Friday night that her and her husband Garry Kissick are excited for their "new adventure" of becoming first-time parents. </p> <p>With a picture of one of her dogs Origi with a pair of tiny shoes next to her, Barty posted, “2023 set to be the best year yet. We are so excited for our new adventure. Origi already the protective big sister”.</p> <p>Kissick, a mad Liverpool FC fan shared the news writing, “Little Red, 2023”.</p> <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/CnEbAz8hs1d/?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/CnEbAz8hs1d/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ash Barty (@ashbarty)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The couple's happy news quickly went viral, with the post racking up over 150,000 likes. </p> <p>Tennis champion Jelena Dokic posted, “Congratulations Ash, so happy for you”.</p> <p>Nedd Brockmann, the loveable tradie who ran across Australia and raised nearly $2 million, wrote, “Yes ash!!! How exciting!”</p> <p>Comedian Tanya Hennessy commented, “OMG BEST NEWS!! Cutest baby ever incoming!”</p> <p>Barty shocked the world in 2022 with news of her retirement from tennis following a huge win at The Australian Open, but still had an impressive year. </p> <p>She married her long-time partner Garry Kissick, released a series of children’s books, wrote an autobiography, and capped off the year winning the Newcombe Medal as Australia best tennis player and Sport Australia’s The Don Award.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

News

Ash Barty reveals what has shocked her most about retirement

<p>Ash Barty has revealed what has surprised her most about retirement since walking off the court for good last January.</p> <p>The former world number one quit her stellar tennis career at the height of her powers following her Australian Open win last January, and has rejected all suggestions that she might return to professional sport in the future.</p> <p>Barty, 26, has absolutely no regrets about her decision to retire, saying she has been "surprised" by how comfortable she is now.</p> <p>"To be honest, I think what has surprised me most is how comfortable I've been," she told the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/28/sports/tennis/ashleigh-barty-retirement.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener">New York Times</a>.</p> <p>"I think there was probably a normal fear or uncertainty in not knowing what my life would look like after tennis after being so focused."</p> <p>"I was a bit unsure how I would deal with that because I am a person who likes to be organised. There was probably a little bit of fear in that, but overall, that hasn't been an issue, a concern or a worry."</p> <p>"What's been surprising in a good way is that I've slipped quite seamlessly into this life that's just like everyone else. Which is kind of always what I wanted."</p> <p>While Barty is adamant she will not return to play the sport at a professional level, she is staying involved with the tennis world by starting up an elite academy in Australia with Jason Stoltenberg and Craig Tizzer, and says she's interested in mentoring, but not coaching, junior players.</p> <p>"The more time I've had to sit and think and absorb this year, I think it is never in the sense of me competing professionally again," she said.</p> <p>"But I'll never not be involved in the sport. So I think that's where I'll always get my tennis fix, that taste of the sport that gave me so much."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Retirement Life

Nick Kyrgios blasts Ash Barty’s historic win

<p dir="ltr">Nick Kyrgios has hit back at Ash Barty’s historic win of the Newcombe Medal for a record fifth time in a row.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 26-year-old retired tennis player won the Newcombe Medal at the Australian Tennis Awards for her Australian Open success.</p> <p dir="ltr">This, however, did not appear to sit right with fellow Aussie Kyrgios, who said she did not deserve the medal after having only played the Australian Open this year.</p> <p dir="ltr">In an Instagram story, Kyrgios shared a photo with Barty and his achievements in the past year, clearly showing he achieved more.</p> <p dir="ltr">He had the caption: "LOL. No respect at all. I don't give a f***."</p> <p dir="ltr">The graphic showed that Barty had played only three months of 2022 in which she won two singles titles and one doubles crown, including 14 matches across the two formats.</p> <p dir="ltr">Kyrgios on the other hand had one singles title and three doubles crowns, as well as 61 victories across the two disciplines.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/12/nick-1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the huge difference in numbers, it would appear that Kyrgios played better than Barty but that is not the case.</p> <p dir="ltr">Barty won a singles grand slam and Kyrgios simply did not after losing the Wimbledon singles decider to Novak Djokovic while Barty defeated Danielle Collins.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

News

Ash Barty makes history while flashing her stunning wedding ring

<p dir="ltr">Ash Barty has once again made history when she became the first person to win a fifth Newcombe Medal at the Australian Tennis Awards.</p> <p dir="ltr">The retired tennis player turned heads when she arrived at Melbourne's Crown Palladium on Monday night where she was honoured for her Australian Open success.</p> <p dir="ltr">All eyes were on the 26-year-old as she stunned in a black dress and massive $14,000 diamond wedding ring as she walked down the red carpet with her husband Garry Kissick.</p> <p dir="ltr">The former world No.1 was then presented the highest individual honour in Australian tennis by John Newcombe following her success at the 2022 Australian Open - 11 singles and four doubles victories.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s obviously an amazing way to cap off what has been an incredible journey,” Barty said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The journey of a lifetime, the journey of me chasing after my dreams and exploring what was possible out in the world.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Barty beat six Newcombe Medal nominees including: Hunter, Ajla Tomljanović, Nick Kyrgios, Alex de Minaur, Matt Ebden and Max Purcell.</p> <p dir="ltr">Tennis legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley was also honoured that night receiving the Spirit of Tennis Award.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Full list: 2022 Australian Tennis Awards recipients as per Tennis Australia</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Newcombe Medal: Ash Barty (QLD)</p> <p dir="ltr">Spirit of Tennis Award: Evonne Goolagong Cawley (NSW)</p> <p dir="ltr">Female Junior Athletes of the Year: Talia Gibson (WA) and Taylah Preston (WA)</p> <p dir="ltr">Male Junior Athlete of the Year: Edward Winter (SA)</p> <p dir="ltr">Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability: Heath Davidson (VIC)</p> <p dir="ltr">Most Outstanding School: Aitken Creek Primary School (VIC)</p> <p dir="ltr">Most Outstanding Tennis Club or Venue: Collaroy Tennis Club (NSW)</p> <p dir="ltr">30+ Tennis Senior of the Year: Jarrod Broadbent (VIC)</p> <p dir="ltr">Coaching Excellence – Club: David Grainger (SA)</p> <p dir="ltr">Coaching Excellence – Development: Luke Bourgeois (NSW)</p> <p dir="ltr">Coaching Excellence – Performance: Craig Tyzzer (VIC)</p> <p dir="ltr">Excellence in Officiating: Robyn Tucker (SA)</p> <p dir="ltr">Most Outstanding Tournament: Euroa Lawn Tennis Club Labour Day (VIC)</p> <p dir="ltr">Volunteer Achievement Award: Julie Polkinghorne (SA)</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Beauty & Style

“I was always going to be back”: Ash Barty shares career news

<p dir="ltr">Tennis champion Ash Barty has announced that she will be returning to the sport at next year’s Australian Open - but she won’t be returning as a player.</p> <p dir="ltr">After she caused a stir when she hung up her racket earlier this year, the 26-year-old has rejected suggestions that she would be returning to her professional sport in the future.</p> <p dir="ltr">Instead, Barty will be attending the Australian Open as an ambassador for the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was never going to run away, I promise. I was always going to be back,” she told the <em>Today Show</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It wasn't something that it was close the door and never come return.”</p> <p dir="ltr">While she won’t be making an appearance on the centre court again, Barty said she will be “doing my thing” in the background.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I certainly will be enjoying it, like everyone else,” she told the program.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I can't wait, it's scary to think it's so close, it feels like a couple of sleeps and it will be here.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But I am certainly excited for a big summer ... It's an incredible way to bring people to the Australian Open to help them experience it in just the most incredible fashion.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Barty shared her excitement at attending the championship, saying it “will be a great way to bring people together”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Obviously Melbourne during the Australian Open is crazy for the players and now I am excited to actually see what it is like on the other side,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Experience the culture, the different way the city buzzes.”</p> <p dir="ltr">This year has been a busy one for the former World No.1, who married her long-term partner Garry Kissick, and released several books, including her memoir <em>My Dream Time</em> and <em>Little Ash</em> children’s book series with Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I'm not bored, I think this year obviously was very busy with all my book stuff and the memoir release, the Little Ash books which has been great,” Barty said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It's been a lot to take in. I think there was a part of me that was a little bit scared and fearful of how it would be received.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But so far, so good.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It's the first time that really my life, my thoughts, my biggest fears were on the page for people to read and judge and to take in.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So many people cheered for me when I won, cried with me when I lost and now it was time to let them in and really enjoy the journey for what it was in all of its truths, some of it ugly, some brilliant, but for all that it was.”</p> <p dir="ltr">When asked whether she missed tennis, Barty had a mixed answer.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Yes and no. There are certainly parts of it that I miss,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I miss testing myself against the world's best, I miss seeing my mates that I met from all corners of the globe.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I'm certainly happy and I know that it was the right time for me, it was the right decision and certainly no regrets.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-8d5a855f-7fff-bfe8-bbec-c188124b90bc"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @ashbarty (Instagram)</em></p>

News

“I’ve tasted the faintest bitter edge of racism”: Ash Barty admits to being racially abused

<p dir="ltr">Ash Barty has confessed that she’s been on the receiving end of “bitter racism” after finding out about her Indigenous heritage. </p> <p dir="ltr">In her autobiography, <em>My Dream Time</em>, which will be published on November 2, Barty opens up about the moment she found out about her family’s past. </p> <p dir="ltr">The former tennis player said it was a difficult moment when her father searched for the truth and eventually told Barty and her sister which then led to “vile racism”. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve seen glimpses and tasted the faintest bitter edge of racism” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’d win a Deadly Award but get vilified on line. I’d become a Tennis Australia First Nations Ambassador and then find some muppet calling my heritage into question.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The three-time Grand Slam winner said there was still a lot of work and educated needed to address the importance of Indigenous Australians. </p> <p dir="ltr">“There was no need for us to talk about that in the moment but it was certainly something that confused me a little bit as to why someone would criticise something that is so personal to me,” she told NewsCorp.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Looking back now it’s all about the education and giving people the tools to understand others and appreciate what came before us.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Barty went on to reveal that her trip to Central Australia where she worked with First Nations children was when she was convinced of a connection with them. </p> <p dir="ltr">“If anything it has just reassured to me that the path I want to go down in the future is to try and help First Nations youth around the country.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Eventually, Barty found out of her Indigenous heritage when her father Rob traced back his roots. </p> <p dir="ltr">At 13 he was told by a cousin that there was Indigenous heritage in the family but his parents denied it, claiming their connection was only to Māoris in New Zealand. </p> <p dir="ltr">Rob did not accept that and went on to trace back his family history where he found out that his great grandmother was an Indigenous Australian who married a white man. </p> <p dir="ltr">Barty’s dad sat her and her sister down when she was just seven and told them the truth. </p> <p dir="ltr">The family then went on to record their names with the Ngarigu Nation. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It was not a conversation his parents could have with him,” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“To his parents, Aboriginal ancestry was something to be ashamed of and not something he should be curious about.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Ash Barty’s memoir cover revealed

<p dir="ltr">Ash Barty has revealed the cover of the memoir titled <em>My Dream Time</em> due for release later in the year. </p> <p dir="ltr">The retired athlete used her Indigenous heritage in naming her autobiography <em>My Dream Time </em>which will be published by HarperCollins.</p> <p dir="ltr">The stunning cover shows a smiling Ash with the beautiful Queensland sunset in the background.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m so happy to share the cover for My Dream Time,” Ash wrote on Instagram.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is the story of my journey to be the best I could be, not just as a tennis player but as a person. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m now working on the final manuscript and selecting photos, I’m excited to share the finished book with you soon!</p> <p dir="ltr">“We shot the cover at sunset in Queensland with the talented @nics_mindset. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I hope you like it.”</p> <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/tv/ChJl1i4BqWW/?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/tv/ChJl1i4BqWW/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ash Barty (@ashbarty)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The book is ready for pre-order from <a href="https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9781460762820/my-dream-time-a-memoir-of-tennis-and-teamwork/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> but will be released in Australia and New Zealand on November 3, in the UK on November 10 this year.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fans in the USA and Canada will have to wait a while longer for its release on January 10, 2023.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ash already has a series of children’s books titled <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/books/ash-barty-s-books-released" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Little Ash</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: HarperCollins/Instagram</em></p>

Books

Ash Barty's bizarre new job title

<p dir="ltr">Ash Barty has traded her tennis whites for a corporate outfit after announcing she is the new Chief of Inspiration for Optus.</p> <p dir="ltr">The retired tennis star shared the news that she had joined the telecommunications giant in an Instagram post, saying she is excited to work with her new team.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Saying ‘yes’ to your goals, dreams and ambitions is something I’m pretty passionate about!” her post began.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m excited to join the @optus family as their Chief of Inspiration, a role with a purpose to help people go after their personal fulfillment.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m humbled by this opportunity and hope to be a voice that might inspire future generations to say ‘yes’.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Also pretty keen to work alongside @danielricciardo and the rest of the Optus ambassador family. #itstartswithyes.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The post included a funny clip with F1 star Daniel Ricciardo, who is encouraging Ash as she plays a bit of golf.</p> <p dir="ltr">Using Optus’ slogan “it starts with yes”, Ricciardo asks Ash to share another moment when she said yes.</p> <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/tv/ChWWYs8BcMX/?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/tv/ChWWYs8BcMX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ash Barty (@ashbarty)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“When I said yes to my gut, and my heart, and trust myself in that I was making the right decision in retiring for me,” she responded as the clip ends.</p> <p dir="ltr">The exciting announcement comes just weeks after the tennis player "said yes" and <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/game-set-and-match-ash-barty-ties-the-knot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tied the knot</a> with long-term partner Garry Kissick in an intimate wedding in Queensland.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ash, 26, and Garry, 29, announced their engagement in November 2021 and the professional tennis player was unsure of whether or not she should share the news.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Garry and I have been together for a long time now and I had designed the ring with him,” she previously said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We are obviously excited now for the next chapter. We were at home on the couch with the puppies.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was very much just us. It was perfect for us. Everyone has their unique way of doing it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">So when the pair married in a secret wedding, Ash shared an image wearing the wedding dress and Garry in a suit with the simple caption, “Husband & Wife”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ash was also vocal about having an intimate wedding with close family and friends, and so further details of the special day have yet to be revealed.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, it is believed that Ash’s incredible wedding dress was designed by Suzanne Harward, who has been creating wedding dresses since 1975.</p> <p dir="ltr">The dress sits around the $10,000 price point.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair then jetsetted to Queenstown in New Zealand for their honeymoon with Garry regularly sharing <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/adorable-honeymoon-photos-of-ash-barty-and-husband-garry-kissick" target="_blank" rel="noopener">adorable couple photos</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Their wedding comes just a few short months after Barty shocked the tennis world by <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/ash-barty-announces-retirement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcing her retirement</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Money & Banking

Adorable honeymoon photos of Ash Barty and husband Garry Kissick

<p dir="ltr">Ash Barty’s husband Garry Kissick has shared beautiful images from the pair’s honeymoon after they secretly wed.</p> <p dir="ltr">The loved up couple, who have been together for seven years, <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/game-set-and-match-ash-barty-ties-the-knot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tied the knot </a>in an intimate wedding in Queensland.</p> <p dir="ltr">The newlyweds then jetsetted to Queenstown, New Zealand with husband Garry sharing heartwarming images together as they celebrated love.</p> <p dir="ltr">Several of the images showed Ash and Garry posing for the camera in standalone photos or when they’re hugging.</p> <p dir="ltr">They shared stunning photos of the immaculate views they are being treated to in Queenstown as they enjoy the snow, the waterside, long drives, and of course some golf courses.</p> <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/CgyysgahjFw/?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/CgyysgahjFw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Garry Kissick (@gazlfc90)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Ash, 26, and Garry, 29, announced their engagement in November 2021 and the professional tennis player was unsure of whether or not she should share the news.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Garry and I have been together for a long time now and I had designed the ring with him,” she previously said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We are obviously excited now for the next chapter. We were at home on the couch with the puppies.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was very much just us. It was perfect for us. Everyone has their unique way of doing it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">So when the pair married in a secret wedding, Ash shared an image wearing the wedding dress and Garry in a suit with the simple caption, “Husband & Wife”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ash was also vocal about having an intimate wedding with close family and friends with details of the special day yet to be revealed.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, it is believed that Ash’s incredible wedding dress was designed by Suzanne Harward, who has been creating wedding dresses since 1975.</p> <p dir="ltr">The dress sits around the $10,000 price.</p> <p dir="ltr">Their wedding comes just a few short months after Barty shocked the tennis world by <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/ash-barty-announces-retirement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcing her retirement</a>.</p> <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/CgodNphhRB6/?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/CgodNphhRB6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ash Barty (@ashbarty)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I will be retiring from tennis. It’s the first time I’ve actually said that out loud and it’s hard to say,” she said in an Instagram video.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But I’m so happy and I’m so ready and I just know at the moment in my heart for me as a person, this is right.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m so grateful to everything that tennis has given me. It’s given me all of my dreams, plus more.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But I know that the time is right now for me to step away and chase other dreams. And put the racquets down.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Since her retirement, the former World No.1 has released <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/books/ash-barty-s-books-released" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a series of children’s books</a> titled, Little Ash.</p> <p dir="ltr">Click below to see the heartwarming images from Ash and Garry’s honeymoon.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

Game, set and match! Ash Barty ties the knot

<p dir="ltr">Ash Barty has tied the knot with her long term fiancé Garry Kissick in a beautiful intimate ceremony in Queensland.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 26-year-old announced the heartwarming news by sharing a beautiful image of her and Kissick with a simple caption “Husband & Wife”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The adorable couple, who have been together for seven years, announced their engagement in November 2021. </p> <p dir="ltr">At the time of their <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/ash-barty-reveals-why-she-kept-her-engagement-a-secret" target="_blank" rel="noopener">engagement</a>, Barty confessed that she was debating on whether or not she should share the news. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Garry and I have been together for a long time now and I had designed the ring with him,” she previously said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We are obviously excited now for the next chapter. We were at home on the couch with the puppies. </p> <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/CgodNphhRB6/?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/CgodNphhRB6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ash Barty (@ashbarty)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“It was very much just us. It was perfect for us. Everyone has their unique way of doing it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She also said the <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/ash-barty-talks-wedding-plans-for-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wedding will be small</a> and intimate with close family and friends. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It will be very low-key, very small, pretty chill, for Garry and I, just the people we love the most, people who have been impactful and important in our lives. </p> <p dir="ltr">“My nieces and nephews will be front and centre, I wouldn’t live it down if they weren’t, they will be dress shopping before I will be.’’</p> <p dir="ltr">Their wedding comes just a few short months after Barty shocked the tennis world by <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/ash-barty-announces-retirement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcing her retirement</a>. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I will be retiring from tennis. It’s the first time I’ve actually said that out loud and it’s hard to say,” she said in an Instagram video.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But I’m so happy and I’m so ready and I just know at the moment in my heart for me as a person, this is right.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m so grateful to everything that tennis has given me. It’s given me all of my dreams, plus more.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But I know that the time is right now for me to step away and chase other dreams. And put the racquets down.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

"Beauty from ashes": The unlikely love story to emerge from devastating US shooting

<p>It's one of the most unlikely places for romance to blossom. </p> <p>But for Lasamoa Lanier, what was the most traumatic and devastating night of her life also became the night she met her future husband. </p> <p>On July 20th 2012, Lasamoa and her then fiancé AJ Boik attended the midnight screening of Dark Knight Rises in Colorado. </p> <p>Just after the opening scenes, a gunman opened fire in the cinema which claimed the lives of 12 people and wounded 70. </p> <p>Among the deceased was Lasamoa's 18-year-old fiancé, who died at the scene after sustaining two fatal gun shot injuries. </p> <p>Officer Cody Lanier, a resource officer at Lasamoa's high school, was one of the officers who rushed to the scene to try and assist on that horrifying day.</p> <p>Lasamoa was trying to cope with the grief of losing her fiancé, while Officer Lanier was reeling from the pain of not being able to save all those who perished. </p> <p>He also was the officer who had to break the tragic news to Boik's mother telling her that her son probably did not survive calling "it the absolutely the worst singular event I could imagine as a cop."</p> <p>For Lasamoa, she spent years trying to heal from the tragedy and found various ways to cope. </p> <p>Part of her healing included writing letters to the police officers, who were also traumatised by the massacre, thanking them for risking their own lives while trying to save others.</p> <p>She delivered the letter to Officer Cody, and the pair decided to go out for lunch. </p> <p>What was supposed to be an hour long lunch turned into an entire evening and the beginning of a special relationship. </p> <p>"In a way, La kind of filled this gap," Cody said. "Beyond that it was just this connection. Every day since she turned into my best friend."</p> <p>"I am pretty sure there is not a thing that I want to do where she is not involved," he said.</p> <p>On October 3rd 2021, the pair made it offical and tied the knot in a beautiful wedding ceremony which Lasamoa calls the "best day of her life".</p> <p>The couple are still swept up in their post wedding bliss, as they reflect on how they found love in the most unlikely circumstances. </p> <p>"It's like a sleepover with my best friend all the time. It's crazy. Beauty from ashes, man," Cody said. "I don't know what I would do without her."</p> <p>Lasamoa shares the same feelings, as she counts her blessings each day. </p> <p>"Sometimes I stop and think about it and I am like oh you are able to find love again," she said. </p> <p>"I have been through this and been through that but life is still happening."</p> <p>Lasamoa still journals to help her heal from the trauma, and shared a letter she wrote to her late fiancé AJ on Instagram. </p> <p>She wrote, "I don't know if you had any intentions of leading him [Cody] to me, but I really appreciate you sending him to me."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

Ash Barty weighs in on golfing rumour

<p dir="ltr">Retired tennis star Ash Barty has dispelled rumours she is switching to a career in professional golf, revealing she “will never play another professional sport”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking to <em>Today</em>’s Ally Langdon about life after hanging up her tennis racket earlier in the year, Barty addressed the speculation that she was swapping her racket for a golf club in the wake of her retirement announcement.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I love golf, but much to everyone’s disappointment, I will never be playing professionally,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I will never be playing another professional sport. I’ve got other things that I would love to do.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I love it as a hobby, but it’s not for me.”</p> <p dir="ltr">When asked about her final two wins, first at Wimbledon then the Australian Open, Barty said she may “break some Aussies’ hearts” when it came to her favourite success.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I feel like I’m going to break some Aussies’ hearts but Wimbledon was the one, Wimbledon was the one that I’ve always wanted the most,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s the feelings and the memories that you keep forever - the trophies and accolades mean nothing, it is the moments, the memories, the emotions that you create through that opportunity (that) is the most exciting.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The 26-year-old revealed that things haven’t slowed down since her retirement.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m not going anywhere, it’s just that I’m no longer travelling around, hitting a little yellow fluffy ball,” Barty said.</p> <p dir="ltr">She added that settling into a routine with her partner, Garry, and her dogs has also been nice.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Just actually being in my kitchen, being in my house - cleaning - I find it really therapeutic,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I love cooking, I love just being home.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f518562d-7fff-eb12-2cb3-72085f3ebea7"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Alongside enjoying life’s simplicities, Barty has been working on a special new project, a children’s book series called <em>Little Ash</em> that is based on her upbringing and the values she was raised with.</p> <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/Cfpi8q2BkCy/?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/Cfpi8q2BkCy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ash Barty (@ashbarty)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“It’s been such a fun process to go through and really relive some of my favourite childhood memories and bring them to life,” Barty said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I always wanted to contribute to kids' books in my way.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The first four books in the six-part series <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/books/ash-barty-s-books-released" target="_blank" rel="noopener">have been released</a>, with the remaining two due hit shelves in early November.</p> <p dir="ltr">To watch Barty’s full interview, head <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/today/ash-barty-new-childrens-book-series-little-ash/47ffe98e-389f-40fe-931c-98e80d3898f5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a0657f3e-7fff-0eca-20f0-bbccbc05c57f"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Today</em></p>

Retirement Life

Ash Barty’s books released!

<p dir="ltr">Ash Barty’s new book series has finally been released. </p> <p dir="ltr">The former World No.1 announced the exciting news on Instagram along with adorable photos of her with her niece and other children reading books from the series, <em>Little Ash</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Today's the day! The first four books in the Little Ash series are out now from @harperkidsau @harpercollinsaustralia,” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I loved books growing up and watching the joy my niece now gets from reading inspired this series. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It's been so fun adding elements of my childhood to these stories, in a way that I hope will make children smile. </p> <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/Cfpi8q2BkCy/?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/Cfpi8q2BkCy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ash Barty (@ashbarty)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I want these books to help kids learn to be comfortable with themselves and get the confidence to try new things. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Thank you to @jasmin_mcgaughey and @jadey.draws for helping me bring Little Ash to life.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Barty shocked fans across the world when she announced on March 23 that she would be retiring from tennis.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 25-year-old then came out to say that she will be writing a <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/books/little-ash-is-now-ready-to-inspire-the-next-generation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">children’s book series</a> called <em>Little Ash</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ash teamed up with First Nations creatives Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin “to bring young readers this fun and exciting new illustrated series about school, sport, friendship and family”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Order the book <a href="https://linktr.ee/ashbarty" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Books

Nervous Ash Barty making comeback this weekend

<p>On the opposite side of the planet to her former tennis compatriots and competitors, Ash Barty is preparing to suit up for triumphant return to international sport.</p> <p>The former tennis world number one is getting ready to compete in the Icons Series golf tournament in New Jersey at Liberty National golf club – and it will mark her official return to international competition since hanging up the racquet earlier this year at just 25 years of age.</p> <p>Barty has shown how serious she is about exploring golfing as a career by signing up for the Icons Series where she will be watched on by a global TV audience.</p> <p>During competition she will be going head to head with some of the biggest names in sport, including 23-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps, NFL quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, boxing megastar Canelo Alvarez, English footballer Harry Kane and Aussie cricket legend Ricky Ponting.</p> <p>Barty is playing for “Team World” in a Ryder Cup-like format against Team USA in a nine-hole team matchplay exhibition event.</p> <p>The second day of the competition will be broadcast around the world, including on Fox Sports and Kayo from 4 am (AEST) on the morning of Sunday the 3rd of July.</p> <p>Barty won the ladies competition at the Brookwater Golf and Country Club in Brisbane’s outskirts in April and she plays off a handicap of 4. However, playing on the global stage is another level of pressure. “I’m going to absolutely be struggling,” she said in a recent interview.</p> <p>“My heart was beating so fast playing the club championships in our final with nothing on the line, so this is going to be a lot of fun.</p> <p>“I will just soak it all in, if it (my first tee shot) goes badly it’s all right, it is what it is, just go out and enjoy it with a smile.”</p> <p>Barty has always been a talented golfer and it was just over two years ago that she stunned American golfing great Tiger Woods.</p> <p>Barty also impressed English golfer Ian Poulter at the US Open, Icons Series chief executive Thomas Brookes revealed recently.</p> <p>“She’s got those skill sets within her locker. With a bit of practice she can get lower than a three or four handicap. I know she’s really, really excited to be playing in New York and she’s also really keen to bring the concept to Australia.”</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

News

Qantas loses woman's luggage that contains her mother's ashes

<p>A woman has been left "non-functional with distress" after Qantas lost her luggage which contained her mother's ashes. </p> <p>On a flight from London to Sydney, the woman and her partner were confused when they were still waiting for their luggage to turn up at Sydney Airport several hours later. </p> <p>Women’s Community Shelters chief executive and Domestic Violence NSW chair Annabelle Daniel expressed her frustration on Twitter after she and her partner had not heard back from the airline when they reached out to enquire about the lost bag. </p> <p>“Hey @Qantas, my partner‘s bag is four days late from QF2 on Saturday morning,” she posted on Wednesday night in a now-deleted tweet. </p> <p>"It has her mother’s ashes in it. She wasn’t able to see her mum before she died, or attend the funeral in 2020 due to the pandemic."</p> <p>“No responses from your website. Could you help more please?”</p> <p>The tweets attracted the attention of several shocked Twitter users, as Annabelle described how the situation was effecting her distraught partner. </p> <p>“My partner was so close to her mum and just devastated she couldn’t travel to be with her when she died. Watching your mum’s funeral on Zoom is gut wrenching enough, let alone this,” she wrote.</p> <p>“She’s not the kind of person to make a fuss, but this compounds the grief all over again."</p> <p>“She’s quite non-functional with distress. I very much hope this is sorted out."</p> <p>“She’s so anxious and this has just been a horror show.” </p> <p>The Qantas Twitter account responded to Annabelle and asked for further details so they could sort out the issue. </p> <p>In a statement to NCA NewsWire, an airline spokesperson apologised for the “extremely distressing situation” and said the bag was being sent to the woman on Thursday. </p> <p>“We understand that this is an extremely distressing situation for this customer and have apologised for the delay in getting their bags to them,” the Qantas spokesperson said.</p> <p>“The bag is being couriered to the customer today (Thursday)."</p> <p>“Heathrow Airport has had widely publicised baggage issues over recent days which led to tens of thousands of misplaced bags.”</p> <p>Airports all over the world have been making headlines for long queues, baggage losses and dallied flights as eager travellers jet off freely for the first time since the start of the pandemic, putting unprecedented strain on air travel. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Ash Barty's huge weekend

<p dir="ltr">The Queen’s Birthday long weekend has been anything but dull for retired tennis champ Ash Barty, having joined a lengthy list of Aussies recognised on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List and taking part in an icy plunge in the name of charity.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 26-year-old was appointed an AO (Officer of the Order of Australia) after ending her tennis career having won this year’s Australian Open - making her a three-time grand slam singles champion.</p> <p dir="ltr">Barty also took part in Big Freeze 8 - an annual sporting event that raises funds for Motor Neuron Disease (MND) - which saw her slide down the iconic Big Freeze slide into icy waters.</p> <p dir="ltr">With costumes encouraged, Barty took to the slide while dressed as Rafiki, the baboon from <em>The Lion King</em>, re-enacting an iconic moment from the movie with a small Simba toy in hand.</p> <p dir="ltr">In an <a href="https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/ash-barty-steals-the-show-as-big-freeze-returns-to-packed-mcg-on-queens-birthday-c-7146375" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview</a> during half-time of the event’s clash between the Collingwood Magpies and Melbourne Demons, Barty showed her true classy colours while reflecting on the slide.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The moment’s about Simba. It’s not about me, it’s about Simba!” she told Hamish McLachlan and Tim Watson.</p> <p dir="ltr">“At this point I’m thinking, ‘I can’t breathe, I need to get this wool off me’.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Then it is Simba’s moment. This is the iconic moment from the movie! Why not, right?”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c61192e4-7fff-0f68-9072-560a12cbd5ea"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">McLachlan said: “The beautiful thing about Ash, it is never about Ash. It is always about someone or something else. It happens to be Simba.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">"The moment is about Simba" 😂</p> <p>Ash Barty walks us through her Big Freeze 8 slide 💙 <a href="https://t.co/Y3VzDUTnJQ">pic.twitter.com/Y3VzDUTnJQ</a></p> <p>— 7AFL (@7AFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/7AFL/status/1536236886825480193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">But Barty wasn’t the only one to have a momentous weekend, with the 992 people featured on the Queen’s Birthday Honours Lists including individuals involved in the country’s pandemic response, the first female premier of NSW, scientists and philanthropists championing for good causes, and athletes and politicians.</p> <p dir="ltr">Shane Warne was posthumously appointed an AO in recognition of his distinguished service to cricket - with 708 wickets under his belt - and her service to the community through charitable initiatives.</p> <p dir="ltr">"On behalf of all Australians, I congratulate the Australians recognised in today’s Honours List," the Governor-General said in a <a href="https://www.gg.gov.au/queens-birthday-2022-honours-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Recipients share some common traits – including selflessness, excellence and a commitment to service. They’re from different backgrounds, their stories are each unique, and each has served in different ways. This diversity is a strength and each has impacted their community and made it better.</p> <p dir="ltr">“For that, we thank them and, today, we celebrate them.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Collectively the recipients, whose achievements span community service, science and research, industry, sport, the arts and more, represent the very best of Australia.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Some of the Queen's Birthday honours recipients include:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Teacher's aide Jill Smith</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Managing Director of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Nicholas Heyward</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Chief defence scientist Tanya Monro</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Former deputy prime minister John Anderson</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Physicist Anne Green</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Cook and author Donna Hay</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Chef Matthew Moran</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Former Queensland chief health officer Jeannette Young</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Golfer Adam Scott</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Author Susan Marsden</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Founding director at The Immunisation Foundation of Australia Catherine Hughes</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Former Nationals politician Larry Anthony</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr">For a full list of Australians included on this year’s Honours List, head <a href="https://www.gg.gov.au/queens-birthday-2022-honours-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c8ec2967-7fff-52ba-2d35-7cd7936f1a84"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @7AFL (Twitter)</em></p>

News

Little Ash is now ready to inspire the next generation

<p dir="ltr">Ash Barty’s children’s book is all ready for pre-order just three months after announcing her retirement from tennis. </p> <p dir="ltr">The former World No.1 shocked fans across the world when she announced on March 23 that she would be retiring from tennis.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 25-year-old then came out to say that she will be writing a children’s book series called Little Ash, which is now ready for pre-order and set for release in July.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ash teamed up with First Nations creatives Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin “to bring young readers this fun and exciting new illustrated series about school, sport, friendship and family”.</p> <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/CeR-8C4BhGa/?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/CeR-8C4BhGa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ash Barty (@ashbarty)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve been working on something special that I’m excited to share with you! Coming in July, Little Ash is a series of books for young readers aged five and up,” she wrote on Instagram. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Reading to my nieces and nephew is something I love to do, and seeing their little faces light up when we read a book they love is magic. </p> <p dir="ltr">“With First Nations writer Jasmin McGaughey and illustrator Jade Goodwin, I’ve created Little Ash to be fun and relatable for all kids.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Supporting kids’ education is something I’m passionate about and if I can help encourage new readers that will make me very happy.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The Little Ash series is now available to pre-order!”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Books

Barty reveals new major sporting career move

<p dir="ltr">Ash Barty has announced a completely new career change after retiring from professional tennis.</p> <p dir="ltr">The former World No.1 <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/ash-barty-announces-retirement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced her retirement</a> in a video interview on Instagram on March 23, thanking those who supported her along the way.</p> <p dir="ltr">After announcing that she will be <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/ash-barty-reveals-surprise-career-move" target="_blank" rel="noopener">writing a book series</a> titled Little Ash as well as a memoir to be released later in the year, Ash revealed she will head to the US to play professional golf. </p> <p dir="ltr">The 25-year-old will head over to the US to play in the Icons Series which will take place at the Liberty National course in New Jersey. </p> <p dir="ltr">Ash has already been spoken highly of by Icons Series chief executive Thomas Brookes. </p> <p dir="ltr">“She’s absolutely terrific,” he told <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/golf/what-ash-did-next-barty-to-play-in-global-golf-tournament-20220418-p5aeaa.html?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1650323600-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fairfax</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She did a range session with Ian Poulter, who is one of our future captains in September when she was at the US Open, and she had not hit a golf ball for a while. Ian said, ‘just hit a few balls and we’ll see how you go’.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She hit this ball, I don’t know how far. And he turned around and said, ‘you’re having me on. Let’s just take it a bit deeper. Can you do me a high fade?’ And she did a high fade. Then he said, ‘can you do me a low draw?’ And she did a low draw.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He said, ‘oh my goodness, you are something else’. She’s got those skill sets within her locker. With a bit of practice she can get lower than a three or four handicap. I know she’s really, really excited to be playing in New York and she’s also really keen to bring the concept to Australia.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ash will be captained by Ernie Els and will play in the inaugural nine-hole team match alongside boxer Carnelo Alvarez, Manchester City soccer manager Pep Guardiola and Tottenham striker Harry Kane. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m excited to be part of the Icons Series and I hope through my participation in the series that we can encourage more women and girls to participate in golf around the world,” Ash said.</p> <p dir="ltr">She hopes all Aussie fans in New York and New Jersey will come out and cheer her and her teammates on. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

News

Ash Barty reveals surprise career move

<p dir="ltr">Ash Barty has made an incredible career move just weeks after announcing her retirement from tennis. </p> <p dir="ltr">The World No.1 kept mum about her plans when she <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/ash-barty-announces-retirement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">retired</a> but is now excited to reveal she will be writing a book series titled Little Ash.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ash will be teaming up with First Nations creatives Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin “to bring young readers this fun and exciting new illustrated series about school, sport, friendship and family”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It's the day of the tennis tournament and Ash is so excited to compete!” the short blurb reads.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But Ash forgets her favourite hat, there's a flat tyre and Ash wonders how they will ever get there! </p> <p dir="ltr">“Will Ash arrive in time for her big match?”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ash said writing a book (or two) was something she has always wanted to do and was inspired by her niece Lucy. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The project has been so much fun and something I have always wanted to do,” she told The Courier Mail.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Lucy was my north star. She is the perfect age to understand stories and storylines and read chapter books.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The six-book mini series will be published by <a href="https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9781460715352/little-ash/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HarperCollins</a> and will be available for purchase in July. </p> <p dir="ltr">Ash will also be releasing a memoir of her life later this year.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

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