Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
Catherine Roy You’ve probably seen the phrase “gold necklace gold” and wondered if it’s just a seller’s way of saying “this is really, really gold” — it is, but there’s more to it than that. In Ireland, buying a gold necklace means understanding karats, hallmarks, and how to sort the pure from the practical, from 24K to … Read more
There are some cases that refuse to fade from the public memory, and the murder of Anita Cobby is one of them. A 26-year-old nurse and former Miss Australia entrant, she was abducted and killed in February 1986 in what remains one of Australia’s most infamous crimes. This article separates the verified facts from the … Read more
Melanie Perkins turned her frustration with complex design tools into a billion-dollar business, co-founding Canva at age 26. This profile traces the key decisions, the personal story, and the financial facts behind the woman who changed how the world designs. Born: 1987 (Australia) · Co-founded Canva: 2013 · Company valuation: ~$42 billion (2025) · Annual … Read more
Few Australian actors have made the leap from Baywatch to a Logie-winning lead in Stingers — Peter Phelps is one of them. He played Trevor Cole on the lifeguard series and later anchored the crime drama Stingers for six seasons, and he’s still active in Australian theatre and television. Born: 20 September 1960 · Age: … Read more
If you’ve scrolled through animal videos online in the past year, you’ve likely seen a tiny Japanese macaque clutching a stuffed orangutan. That’s Punch, a baby monkey born at Ichikawa City Zoo near Tokyo, whose story of maternal rejection and social rehabilitation has captivated millions. This article traces what’s factually known about Punch’s journey—from his … Read more
Few founders have left a mark as deep as Enzo Ferrari, yet the details of his personal fortune and the fight for control of his company after his death remain surprisingly murky. When he died in 1988, his son Piero inherited just 10% of Ferrari, while Fiat held the majority. Here’s what we know about … Read more
Gregory Peck gave Hollywood one of its most enduring icons of quiet integrity as Atticus Finch, but the actor himself was more complicated than the role that defined him — a man of mixed heritage, a famously private personal life, and persistent rumors that still trail his legacy. Here’s what the evidence shows. Full Name: … Read more
Jack Thompson has been a fixture of Australian cinema for decades, but in recent years the actor behind Breaker Morant and The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith has become almost as famous for what he won’t say as for what he’s done on screen. This article pieces together the verifiable facts of his life—from his birth … Read more
If you’ve ever been drawn to a pot of rice by its sweet, floral fragrance, you’ve probably met jasmine rice. This long-grain Thai variety is a staple in Southeast Asian kitchens, and its aroma comes from a natural compound called 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline — the same molecule that gives basmati its nutty scent, but in a softer, … Read more
Few AFL careers end with a lap of honour and a mural in the suburb you grew up in, but that is exactly how Michael Walters is bowing out. After 17 seasons and 239 games for Fremantle, the Dockers legend retired in July 2025. Full name: Michael Walters · Born: 7 January 1991 · AFL … Read more