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John Farnham "deeply touched" by Robbie Williams' tribute

<p>Australian music legend John Farnham has said he was "deeply touched" by Robbie Williams' dedication to the singer, as he continues to battle cancer.</p> <p>In front of 100,000 AFL fans on Friday's grand final match in Melbourne, Robbie took to the stage to deliver a 20 minute mash-up of his biggest hits as the pre-show entertainment. </p> <p>During the medley, he shocked the crowd with his own rendition of Farnham's most well-known track <em>You're The Voice</em>. </p> <p>“The next song is the unofficial national anthem of Australia,” Williams told the crowd. “Let’s all send our love to John and his family.”</p> <p>The enthusiastic audience joined in, singing their mightiest and knowing every word.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5Na-myptTZw" width="100%" height="400" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>“We were delighted to see Robbie Williams dedicate his performance of <em>You’re The Voice</em> to John,” a statement from Farnham’s wife Jill and sons Rob and James said.</p> <p>“John was watching from hospital and was deeply touched by that very generous gesture. He thoroughly enjoyed Robbie’s performance too.”</p> <p>Robbie was joined on stage for his performance by Chong Lim on the keyboards, who has also been John Farnham's touring pianist since 1994.</p> <p>John Farnham is currently undergoing cancer treatment after a gruelling 11-hour surgery, in which doctors removed a part of his jaw due to a cancerous tumour. </p> <p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">"John's recovery from last month's surgery for mouth cancer is progressing well," John’s family said in a statement. </p> <p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">"His medical team are very pleased with his progress over the past month.</p> <p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">"He was moved from ICU and into a general ward a couple of weeks ago. That in itself was terrific progress.</p> <p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">"Each of these steps means things are moving in the right direction and for that we are enormously thankful.”</p> <p dir="ltr" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Music

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“Dedicate this to dad”: A group of mates lucky $500,000 Melbourne Cup win

<p>A group of mates will be counting their blessings after winning $500,000 by backing Vow and declaring months ago they would be victorious in the Melbourne Cup. </p> <p>The incredible moment they realised they had won an eye watering amount was recorded on video.</p> <p>39-year-old Alex Xerri made a number of bets starting from June when Vow and Declare were at huge odds. Thankfully this bet paid off in the end, and won him $320,000 on Tuesday, as well as an extra $200,000 by his friends who followed his hot tip. </p> <p>The video was shot by his friend Jimmy Hoyne, and showed the group’s excitement when the gelding surged home and snatched up the Melbourne Cup. </p> <p>The moment felt bittersweet for Mr Xerri who’s father Paul, 81, passed away a month ago, before he had the chance to collect $40,000 from bets he also made on the winning horse. </p> <p>“It was difficult, I was really sad that he never got to watch the Cup and share in the excitement and happiness,” he told Daily Mail Australia.</p> <p>“He always backed my judgement and I know he's proud of me. It was a very touching and emotional moment.</p> <p>“I have to dedicate this to dad.”</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FJimmyHoyne%2Fvideos%2F2536730216403887%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=267" width="267" height="476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p> Xerri said he and his dad hopefully placed their first bets on June 8 after watching Vow and Declare come second in the Queensland Derby.</p> <p>Just two weeks later, the racehorse won the Tattersall's Cup, however they then had to wait months to see it would compete again at the Turnbull Stakes on October 5.</p> <p>However, in a turn of tragic events, Paul suddenly died from an unexpected heart attack the morning of the race, a month before the Melbourne Cup would commence. </p> <p>Xerri said a eulogy delivered at his funeral expressed how excited Paul was to put his bets to the ultimate test. </p> <p>“The speech said how he was really excited about a horse that will run in the Melbourne Cup, and last few months of his life that's what he was really looking for,” he said.</p> <p>The winning son said his father would continue to place bets on the horses despite being told to stop. </p> <p>“We went through his wallet and he had all his bet slips printed and A4 sheet of paper,” he explained.</p> <p>“He believed it would happen, he'd never won that sort of money in his life and we were talking about what we would do if it won.” </p> <p>Mr Xerri said he became convinced Vow and Declare could win the Melbourne Cup after it won an 1,800m race on Oaks Day in 2018. </p> <p>Paul listened to the advice of renowned horse trainer Danny O'Brien, who talked up his horse's abilities.</p> <p>“He said it was an elite staying prospect and everything it was doing suggested it could run the Cup's distance,” he recalled.</p> <p>“I thought from then it was a potential Melbourne Cup champion.”</p> <p>Xerri placed more bets in following months after initially placing $100 for the horses to win at 201/1 and $900 to place at 51/1 at the Queensland Derby. </p> <p>He placed more bets in following months and convinced 25 friends to get on board and place their own bets on the same horses. </p> <p>The gamble earned him about $320,000 in winnings by Tuesday’s race, and his friends $200,000 between them. </p> <p>Mr Hoyne's video showed the five friends getting progressively more excited as Vow and Declare entered the final straight on the tail of the leader and gradually wore down the margin.</p> <p>When Vow and Declare crossed the line first, the room erupted. </p> <p>“I have never felt a rush like that in my life... words cannot explain,” the friend who filmed the scene said.</p> <p>“Such a big day for the family man been riding this horse for over a year and to see it come true - unbelievable.”</p> <p>Xerri said there was a lot of anticipation leading up to the race as he knew he and others had cash riding on the result. </p> <p>“I was nervous, my legs were jelly. I'd told so many for so long and they'd put money on it just because I said to,” he said.</p>

Caring

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There’s a festival dedicated entirely to garlic

<p>The biggest celebration of garlic in the world, this annual Californian festival draws tens of thousands of people from around the world. It has been running for 39 years and there’s a big focus on charity, with the event raising millions of dollars for local schools and non-profits over the years.</p> <p>Food is a highlight and the festival uses more than two tonnes of the pungent bulb to cook up an epic feast. Gourmet Alley is the heart of the festival and chefs will be cooking up all sorts of garlicky delights, like seafood, pasta, stuffed mushrooms and all kinds of garlic bread. Vendors will also be selling more interesting options, like garlic ice cream or popcorn infused with garlic. Much of the cooking takes place outdoors in the impressive ‘pyro kitchen’, with chefs utilising huge flames.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="375" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39359/image__500x375.jpg" alt="Image_ (384)"/></p> <p>Over the festival’s three days there’s also live entertainment, arts and crafts, cooking competitions and more. Keep an eye out for Miss Gilroy Garlic, the festival’s beauty queen, who is chosen in a pageant in May. The 2017 queen is Maggie Pickford and she will be on hand (crown and all) during the festival to judge competitions and host events.</p> <p><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cFhW8xeIETM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" style="text-align: center;"></iframe></p> <p><strong>Where is it?</strong></p> <p>The festival is held in the town of Gilroy, the Garlic Capital of the World. Gilroy is in Santa Clara County in California, a region just south of San Francisco. Guests can even catch a special Garlic Train from nearby San Jose station to reach the event.</p> <p><strong>When is it?</strong></p> <p>The Gilroy Garlic Festival is held over the last weekend of July.</p> <p><strong>How much is it?</strong></p> <p>Tickets are priced at $20 for adults and $15 for seniors.</p>

International Travel

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The breathtaking Chelsea Flower Show display dedicated to the Queen

<p>It’s the annual horticultural event that never fails to draw a crowd of stars and royals alike – the Chelsea Flower Show.</p> <p>This year has been no exception, with the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry in attendance along with stars Judi Dench and Twiggy.</p> <p>Some of the show’s highlights include a beautiful floral arrangement designed in the silhouette of Her Majesty’s profile and The Princess Charlotte Chrysanthemum, named of course after the newest addition to the royal family.</p> <p>Take a look at some of the stunning photos in the gallery above.</p> <p>Have you ever been to the Chelsea Flower Show? Tell us about your experience in the comment section below.</p> <p><em>Images: Daily Mail</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/05/gallery-the-royal-family-and-their-pets/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Gallery: The royal family and their pets</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/05/trespasser-caught-climbing-walls-at-buckingham-palace-grounds/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>Trespasser caught climbing walls at Buckingham Palace grounds</em></strong></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/05/the-queen-opens-parliament/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>The Queen opens Parliament in extravagant ceremony</em></strong></span></a></p>

News

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5-year-old dedicates birthday to helping rescue animals

<p>An animal-loving boy from the US has dedicated his birthday to raising food and supplies for rescue animal.</p> <p>When Dalton Shaw’s fifth birthday came around this year, he decided to forego presents. Instead he asked his friends and family to gift supplies for rescue dogs and cats at local shelters.</p> <p>"He just has such a big heart," Stephanie Shaw, Dalton's mother, said. "He was so excited."</p> <p>The bowling birthday party was a big success with Dalton receiving a huge amount of items for his endeavour. His father posted a photo on image sharing site Imgur of Dalton in front of all the toys and pet food he received from his party.</p> <p>"The response was overwhelming," Stephanie said. "I had expected a little bag of treats from people here and there."</p> <p>Dalton not only collected food and toys for the animals, he received a couple hundred dollars in donations for the shelter as well. He even declined his parent’s offer for a personal birthday present, simply asking for money to help the rescue animals.</p> <p>Dalton, who has two rescue dogs and two rescue cats himself, plans to hand-deliver the items with his parents to the local animal shelter. </p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/dogs-with-no-concept-of-personal-space/">These dogs have no concept of personal space</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/inside-a-1950s-tea-factory/">Inside a tea factory from the 50s</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/30-common-plants-that-are-harmful-to-pets/">30 common plants that are harmful to pets</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><strong> </strong></p>

News

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Astronomers dedicate constellation of stars to David Bowie

<p>As tributes to David Bowie continue, a group of astronomers in Belgium have come up with a canny way to pay homage to the late pop music icon registering a constellation in his honour.</p> <p>Consisting of seven stars in the vicinity of Mars, the constellation forms the shape of a lightning bolt similar to the one painted on Bowie’s face on the cover of the 1973 album Aladdin Sane.</p> <p><img width="500" height="300" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/14053/stardust-for-bowie_500x300.jpg" alt="Stardust For Bowie" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>In a statement, Philippe Mollet from the MIRA Observatory said, “It was not easy to determine the appropriate stars. Studio Brussels asked us to give Bowie a unique place in the galaxy.”</p> <p>“Referring to his various albums, we chose seven stars — Sigma Librae, Spica, Alpha Virginis, Zeta Centauri, SAA 204 132, and the Beta Sigma Octantis Trianguli Australis — in the vicinity of Mars. The constellation is a copy of the iconic Bowie lightning and was recorded at the exact time of his death.”</p> <p>Bowie passed away on 10 January aged 69 after an 18 month battle with cancer.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/01/chihuahua-begs-for-freedom-photos/">Photographer captures moment dog begs for freedom</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/01/service-dog-steals-the-show-at-wedding/">Service dog steals the show at wedding</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/01/nsw-gold-opal-daily-cap-could-rise/">Gold Opal daily cap could rise and self-funded retirees could lose cards</a></strong></em></span></p>

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