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Cancer survivor becomes world's strongest great-grandmother

<p>An Australian great-grandmother has become a world-record holder for an impressive feat in the gym. </p> <p>Heather Maddern, 80, found a new love of weightlifting after she decided to hit the gym to regain strength after beating cancer three times. </p> <p>Now, she is officially the world's strongest great-grandmother. </p> <p>"I hold the Australian and world record for an 80-year-old lady. It's amazing," she told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/great-grandmother-strongest-powerlifting-world-records/ffe9aa0e-9fc9-40b5-b8ff-d8744b37de0c" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>A Current Affair</em></a>.</p> <p>"I just absolutely love the life I am living and I put it all down to powerlifting."</p> <p>Maddern, who suffers from Parkinsons, lifted the record-breaking 80kgs in Brisbane at a powerlifting competition, saying she is "absolutely chuffed" to break the world record for her age group. </p> <p>Reflecting on the moment she broke the record, Maddern said, "I just put it [the bar] down and went through the crowd with a big smile on my face, I was absolutely chuffed."</p> <p>Before the great-grandmother discovered her love for lifting weights, she was barely able to walk up and down stairs due to extensive chemotherapy and radiation to treat her cancer, and decided to make a change.</p> <p>"I was very weak, my posture wasn't very good. I was extremely tired. I knew I had to do something to change it, otherwise it would keep getting worse and worse," she said. </p> <p>Her coach, Jill Cox, said, "We had to help Heather walk down the stairs to get into the gym. She is inspirational. what she can do, anybody can do."</p> <p>Heather's life has changed drastically since she regularly started going to the gym, and despite being 80 years old, she has never felt better. </p> <p>"My son six months ago thought I was totally crazy, now they are all so very proud of me," she said. </p> <p>"I just feel so fit. Mentally I feel clearer headed and happy all of the time."</p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair</em></p>

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AFLW star's cause of death revealed

<p dir="ltr">Content warning: This article includes discussion of mental health and suicide.</p> <p dir="ltr">The cause of the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/aflw-in-shock-after-star-dies-at-just-28">shock death of AFLW player and army medic Heather Anderson</a> has been confirmed, triggering a renewed conversation about the mental health of Australian troops.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 28-year-old was found after having taken her own life at an army barracks in Perth on Sunday morning, according to the Australian Veteran Community page.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a statement to <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/military-mental-health-in-spotlight-after-28yo-former-aflw-star-heather-andersons-death/news-story/a288899a503e25822caaba89a5e570c7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em> on Tuesday, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) confirmed Anderson’s death and said it was still under investigation.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It is with great sadness Defence can confirm the death of an Australian Army soldier Private Heather Mary Anderson on Sunday, in Perth,” a spokesperson told the outlet.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Anderson was a gifted athlete playing professional AFLW football with the Adelaide Crows and as part of the ARMY AFLW squad, and served her country for many years.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The death of any Defence member is a tragedy and deeply felt by the Defence family and community.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Private Anderson. We are providing welfare support in accordance with the wishes of her family.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As investigations by WA authorities are ongoing, it is not appropriate for Defence to comment on the matter further.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Anderson was best known on the footy field for her bright pink headgear, which she wore so that her vision-impaired mother could identify her.</p> <p dir="ltr">"[Mum] hated watching me get smashed and she couldn't really see me play in the field. I hated pink and anything girly, so she would joke, 'Maybe if you spray painted your helmet pink, I'd come and watch you play',” she told <em><a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/heather-anderson-pink-helmet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mamamia</a></em> in 2017.</p> <p dir="ltr">"So I bought one in a sports shop as a joke and said, 'now I've got one you've gotta come watch me play'. It just sort of went from there."</p> <p dir="ltr">After playing for the Adelaide Crows in the 2017 season, including their victorious grand final match against Brisbane, Anderson was forced to retire before the 2018 season after suffering a shoulder injury.</p> <p dir="ltr">She was also a serving medic in the army, having joined in 2013 and helping to rebuild communities during the 2020 bushfires and the pandemic.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the wake of her death, hundreds of soldiers have taken to the Australian Veteran Community page to pay their respects and share their condolences for her family.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Your commitment, dedication and tireless efforts can often go unnoticed,” a fellow medic wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We know it’s not the desire for recognition, it’s the deep responsibility and sometimes helplessness of the situation for the lonely Medic that makes the night so dark. We who have stood in your boots regret we could not reach you. Know this we remember and share the deepest respect, for you are so much more. You are the “Doc” The Medic! forever reliable. Always.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Northern Territory MP Luke Gosling, who served as an ADF member for 13 years, wrote: “Condolences to family and friends.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Footy fans also took to social media to pay their respects and tackle the subject of mental health support for army members and veterans.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This young lady is more than an AFLW star, she is a serving member of the Australian Defence Force, another who is no longer with us,” one fan wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It is time the Government look after our Defence Force personnel, both current and former.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Over the past year, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has heard from more than 194 witnesses and received 1900 submissions, exposing the culture of institutional abuse and a lack of mental health support for veterans.</p> <p dir="ltr">The latest report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare into the mental health and rates of suicide among former ADF members were higher for both men and women.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>If you are experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide, you can call Lifeline 131 114 or beyondblue 1300 224 636 or visit <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lifeline.org.au</a> or <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/national-help-lines-and-websites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">beyondblue.org.au</a>. </em></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>ADF members and their families can also access confidential online and telephone support through the <a href="https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/health-well-being" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Defence all-hours Support Line</a> on 1800 628 036 or 24-hour free counselling through <a href="https://www.openarms.gov.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Open Arms</a> on 1800 011 046.</em></p> <p><em><span id="docs-internal-guid-47dcaa39-7fff-8d20-ccc9-8bac10197469"></span></em></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

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Dynasty: where are they now?

<p>The drama, the glamour, the hair… <em>Dynasty</em> hit our screens in 1981 and ran for nine seasons before its cancellation in 1989. It was the series that shot Heather Locklear to fame, but since this year marks its 35<sup>th</sup> anniversary, we decided to take a look at where the Carringtons are today.</p> <p><strong>John Forsythe</strong></p> <p>After <em>Dynasty</em>, Forsythe starred in the short-lived sitcom, <em>The Powers That Be</em>. He also voiced the mysterious Charlie in 2000’s <em>Charlie’s Angels</em> starring Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu. Forsythe sadly passed away in 2010 at the age of 92.</p> <p><strong>Linda Evans</strong></p> <p>Currently aged 73, Evans followed <em>Dynasty</em> with a number of TV movies such as <em>The Stepsister</em>, <em>Dazzle</em> and <em>She’ll Take Romance</em>. She returned to her role as Krystle in <em>Dynasty: The Reunion</em> in 1991.</p> <p><strong>Joan Collins</strong></p> <p>Collins, now 82, continued to experience success as an actress and also established a writing career, penning 17 books. Collins was awarded both an OBE in 1997 and a DBE in 2015 by the Queen and is currently married to her fifth husband, Percy Gibson.</p> <p><strong>John James</strong></p> <p>Following the series, Colby moved on to the <em>Dynasty</em> spinoff, <em>The Colbys</em> in 1985, which ran for two seasons. After this he continued to act in soaps such as <em>As the World Turns</em> and <em>All My Children</em>. The 59-year-old now lives in L.A. with wife Denise.</p> <p><strong>Gordon Thomson</strong></p> <p>Now 70, Thomson continued acting in soaps after <em>Dynasty</em>, with roles on <em>The Young and the Restless</em>, <em>Days of Our Lives</em> and <em>Santa Barbara</em>. He also appeared in the 2006 Best Picture Academy Award Winner <em>Little Miss Sunshine</em>.</p> <p><strong>Pamela Bellwood</strong></p> <p>Pamela, now 64, played Krystle’s friend Claudia Barrows from 1981 to 1986. After <em>Dynasty</em>, she continued to appear in TV series <em>Murder She Wrote</em>, <em>The Twilight Zone</em> and <em>Criminal Minds</em>. She is married to photographer Nik Wheeler and still acts occasionally under the name Pamela Bellwood-Wheeler.</p> <p><strong>Pamela Sue Martin</strong></p> <p>63-year-old Martin, who played Fallon, continued her career with TV roles and also moved into writing and producing. In the 2000s, she became more involved in the theatre, directing plays for the Interplanetary Theatre Group.</p> <p><strong>Al Corley</strong></p> <p>After Corley, 59, was fired from the series after two seasons and his character recast, he returned for the 1991 reunion. Since then, he has had few acting roles. He currently lives in Los Angeles.</p> <p><strong>Heather Locklear</strong></p> <p>Locklear, 54, continued to have success in film and TV after <em>Dynasty</em> ended. She became famous for her role as Amanda Woodward on <em>Melrose Place</em> as well as parts in <em>T. J. Hooker</em> and <em>Spin City</em>. Most recently she had a recurring role on <em>Hot in Cleveland</em> and starred in TV comedy <em>Franklin &amp; Bash</em>.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/03/actors-hired-from-tv-shows-while-filming/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 actors fired from hit TV shows while filming</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/03/where-full-house-cast-are-now/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Where the original Full House cast are now</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/02/tv-shows-ending-in-2016/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 TV shows ending in 2016</span></em></strong></a></p>

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