Maria Venuti Update on Health

An update on Maria Venuti is here and it's looking brighter for the Italian Australian star who was put into an induced coma two weeks ago, following a home invasion in her home by an alleged stalker.

Reporter Peter Ford said on 'The Morning Show' today:

"On the weekend, Maria started opening her eyes a lot more. She actually was taken out of the bed and sat up in a chair. And also was actually taken out of the ICU into a courtyard attached to the ICU unit, so she is still there, she's still in ICU...so she got a bit of Vitamin D, a bit of sunshine.

You don't want to say she's turned a corner... there are still no guarantees. Things are not going to be the same as they once were but it gives a lot of hope and optimism to those who are near and dear to her."

Here is that clip:

Maria Venuti has opened her eyes over the weekend following her stroke. #TMS7 https://t.co/7pEFurXGPz

— The Morning Show (@morningshowon7) November 20, 2016

Yesterday, long time friend, entertainment reporter Craig Bennett shared this photo and post:

It's now 15 days since the irrepressibly fabulous and stupendously generous and talented Maria Venuti suffered a devastating stroke/cerebral hemorrhage at her home..and she remains in ICU. Her daughter Bianca is so incredible - beyond words, actually..barely leaving Maria's bedside..singing Christmas carols, playing her favourite songs..showering her with kisses..surrounding her with leopard print and healing energy..giving her gold stars for progress..and corners turned in her long road to recovery. Maria is so loved..almost hourly, someone messages asking how she's doing. It's simply this: keep the love flowing. She's a trouper..a survivor..and miracles happen! A trio of 'bosom buddies' ..with Jeanne Little at a crazy party at my place. ❤️❤️🌺





And this from several days ago:

ALVA - Women In Entertainment page

10 November at 11:54 · 

Hi Everyone,
Message below today from Maria's daughter Bianca.
Please keep the Power of Prayer going as this is helping to get both Maria and Bianca thru.
Please remember that Maria needs peace to recover and Bianca knows we are all here for her if she needs us.
Maria is in ICU and stable so lets all focus on what we have, Maria is a fighter and I believe that is what she is going to keep on doing!
If anyone would like to send a message email president@alva.org.au and all has been and will be seen by Bianca and read to Maria.
Love to you Bianca and thank you for the info. Susie x

A brief request amidst all the US craziness... mum is going in under anaesthetic to have surgery on her broken ankle this morning (not one to ever do things in halves!)... and then hopefully her breathing tube can come out soon. 

Another big day of love, positive energy and prayers for no complications - she's done so well and proven what she can do to get to this point... now we just give her all the love... and every chance to get back into heels one day! XX 🙏❤️
She's been listening to some lovely music... Enjoy this song xx

Get well soon, beautiful Maria!

'SNL' Paris Tribute, Cecily Strong: VIDEO

ago

A simple Tweet, "We stand with you, Paris."

So said Cecily Strong, cast member of Saturday Night Live, who opened the show overnight with a brief, moving tribute to the city of Paris.

“Paris is the city of lights,” she said. “And here in New York City, we know that light will never go out. Our love and support is with everyone there tonight. We stand with you.”

She then recited those words again — in French.

And then, she said the trademark words, the line that opens the show every week: “And now, live from New York, it’s Saturday Night.”

The gesture from NBC’s long running show came a day after a series of terrorist attacks which left at least 129 dead and more than 350 wounded across Paris.

See the video here:

We stand with you, Paris. https://t.co/hqUX4oqWMj

— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) November 15, 2015

 

Deng Thiak Adut Unlimited: Western Sydney University VIDEO

Have you seen this ad?

It's probably the most moving ad I have EVER seen. I've been wanting to post it for weeks... it is nothing short of emotional, beautiful, and best of all: it's real. A real life story of how a person can change the course of their destiny, given the right set of opportunities.

Watch, then read on for more of the back story:

It's part of a new start and makeover and name change for Western Sydney University (formerly University Of Western Sydney).

I am a graduate of UWS, Nepean (the Werrington campus - in fact, my year and my degree [Bachelor of Arts, Applied Communication Studies] had the very FIRST lecture there, in 1990!).

This ad moves and inspires me because the story is so 'triumph over adversity', and, in the area I live, there is a large Sudanese population, the very area Deng was nurtured in. How wonderful is his story!

Says the site:

WELCOME TO WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY.

Here, we believe in a future that is unlimited for our students and the communities we are engaged with – both in Western Sydney and across the globe.

With a bold new vision and brand positioning, we are reaffirming our place as a world-class university with international reach, a reputation for academic excellence, and a track record in delivering impact-driven research.

From our unique geographical position in Australia's third largest and fastest growing economy, we are uniquely placed to help our students, staff and the communities we engage with, tap into a global perspective and unlimited opportunity.

In 2014, we were ranked among the top two per cent of universities in the world by the prestigious Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Since then we have continued to strengthen our international profile for academic excellence and research standing. As an integral part of Western Sydney and the global community, we continue to focus on changing lives and absolute commitment to excellence.

Says the site about the HUGELY inspiring Deng Thiak Adut:

DEFENCE LAWYER

In 1985, the Sudanese government began destroying villages eventually leading to the rise of the People's Liberation Army. Two years later, six-year old Deng Thiak Adut was taken away from his family's banana farm in South Sudan and conscripted into the Army. After undergoing military training, several years of army service and witnessing numerous atrocities, Deng was still a boy when he was shot in the back while running through a village.

A further two years later, a chance meeting led to Deng reuniting with his brother who helped smuggle him out of the country by hiding him in a corn sack on the back of a truck. The two brothers befriended an Australian family and eventually arrived as refugees in 1998. After working at a local service station to learn English, Deng enrolled at TAFE and completed his Advanced Diploma in Accounting before deciding to study law. In 2005 he enrolled in a Bachelor of Laws at Western Sydney University and became the first person in his family to graduate with a law degree.

Deng now works as a lawyer in Blacktown, where he is determined to ensure that other Sudanese refugees have the legal advice and support they need before entering the court system.

By the way, the song is: 

Jarryd James - Do You Remember (Official Video)

To read more case studies: westernsydney.edu.au/unlimited

'Doujon's Heart': Rosemarie + Oliver Zammit Interview, '60 Minutes' Story

You've likely just watched the incredibly moving story of the Zammit and Gribilas family on '60 Minutes' and were knocked for six with all the twists and turns in a story that just keeps pulling at the heartstrings. You can't quite believe what all four of these beautiful people have gone through.

UPDATED: WATCH '60 MINUTES' EXTRA MINUTES CLIP HERE.

And an additional EXTRAS CLIP HERE.

Doujon Zammit, and Rosemarie and Oliver Zammit: Screenshot from '60 Minutes' Australia, from photo supplied by Zammit family

Josie's Juice spoke with Rosemarie and Oliver Zammit earlier today on the eve of the book launch honouring their late son, Doujon Zammit. The book is titled 'Doujon's Heart', and is written by Greg Callaghan and Ian Cuthbertson. It will be released on August 24 (the cover is below).

Today, I asked Rosemarie how she felt when she first held the book in her hand.

"That's a good question! There were a 100 different emotions," she says.

"I was, I suppose, happy because I had visualised it [the book], you know, that voice inside me said, "Do this. Do this", and it's happened." We made it happen. it's a sense of accomplishment, relief.

"But then, you know, the sadness comes into it as well, of course, because the book is our journey with the loss of Doujon, so there is a huge weight that comes with it as well.

"But you know what, I'm proud as well. There are… a whole lot of emotions, Josie." (The Zammit family and my family have known each other for years - my husband has known Olly and his brother Joe since he was a child).

I suggest to Rose that this book, to tell this story, and to give this message to the world has come at an incredible cost.

"Yes, it has. But, can I tell you, I feel like it could have been a different story. You know, we could have been really angry, and bitter, and… our whole lives would have been different. Our boys (Olly and Rose's sons, middle son Zeake and and youngest son Laurent) could have been bitter.

"I know, in my heart, that Olly and I made the right choices. Not only for ourselves, but for the boys, and their future. And, you know what Josie, that's not who we are anyway. It would have been, it would have been a horrible thing to live with, you know, that anger, that bitterness, that hatred, you know… and that consuming feeling would have ruined our lives, so I'm really grateful that we've chosen to go the other way, and good things have come out of it, you know, with Doujon's decision of organ donation four people have a second chance of life.

"We've chosen to not harbour the anger and that bitterness, and we put that focus on a different energy. Gratitude is one of the things that got us through, I suppose, hey Ol," she says to her beloved husband.

"Just being grateful that we had Doujon… I think once we've spoken to you about this: that one day Olly just said: "Let's be grateful that we had Doujon for the 20 years that we were given with him."

"You know that one thought changes your whole outlook on everything."

To hear Rose say that they chose not to harbour anger and bitterness makes me believe that they have in fact changed the course of their sons' lives, and their own lives, and I express this to her.

"But… We have. We have. I know that. I felt… when we went to Greece with '60 Minutes' [in 2008] Josie, I remember… one of the days we went to Mykonos and I was so bitter and angry, and I remember Olly saying to me: "If you stayed like that, we're not going to stay together."

"Because, this anger is a horrible, horrible emotion. It's probably the worst emotion. And I'd never been like that before. I can honestly say that was probably the first time I was ever like that, hey Ol," she asks Olly, who has been through thick and thin with his beloved wife. The couple know each other inside and out, and to witness their love is to see a deep and unbreakable love which is as rare as it is heartwarming.

"It was horrible. Horrible. It's consuming. It's just… and it's really sad for people that have to live with that everyday, because it would just be horrible not to be to have control of yourself, and [not be able to] let it go. You know, not to find peace."

I ask Rose how she views their friendship with Kosta and Poppy over the years. So, when she first met Kosta, when she first touched Doujon's heart in Kosta's body, when Kosta and Poppy's baby was born, and when, tragically (as viewers discovered tonight in the TV interview) baby Konstantina died at age eight months. (The couple have since set up the 'Konstantina Angelique Gribilas Foundation' - you can 'like' and support them on Facebook here).

"I have to say, it was a really hard road for me, as I imagine it would have been for Kosta and Poppy. Because it's not… it's not the norm, Josie. You know… and the four of us can understand why, because it is a hard road, you know, for the [donor organ] recipients. Kosta and that sense of guilt… and for me, I was consumed with sadness. That was my main emotion. Losing Doujon, I was just so… sad.

"We had a lot of other things to deal with. Like, legalities, you know [the court case in Greece with the perpetrators of Doujon's death]. That was very early in the piece when it all happened. There were a whole lot of things that we had to deal with.

"So, meeting Kosta brought on all these different emotions. So yes, it was a hard road.

"But the thing is Josie is that they're [Kosta and Poppy] such beautiful human beings. You know, they're really good people and… one day, they were in the courtroom and I remember thinking to myself: you know, they don't really need to be here. This is after the first major court appearance on the island. And, they were there the whole time with the boys and us, and that was hard because Kosta had to actually listen to what happened to Doujon, and how he received his second chance of life.

"But our friendship has evolved because we all have respect, we have huge respect for each other. And with respect comes love. I think without respect you can't love someone."

Rose recounts how she was asked to be Godmother to Kosta and Poppy's baby Konstantina, which she says, "To me, was a huge honour. Because, as you know Josie, babies bring so much joy. I knew how much happiness she brought them. She was beautiful. This beautiful little baby. She was gorgeous. And they just absolutely idolised her. Like, we do [our children], you know. She brought them so much happiness, it was like… you know… this angel had come into their lives.

"You know, for me, I was so grateful because they have such a huge family, and friends, so to ask me was a huge honour. And I was 'ready' at that time, my emotions, I felt… you know, I felt like I was able to, with my emotions… I was in a lot better place, that I could deal with it all a lot more."

When I met up with Rose and Olly at the beginning of last year, baby Konstantina had just died. And I reminded Rose today that she'd said to me at the time how, sadly, Kosta expressed how he now truly understood their grief even more, and differently.

"Yes, definitely. He said to me that he thought he understood what we were going through, but until you lose your child, you can't possibly understand.

"Like, I can't say to you that there are words to describe the pain. There's nothing, is there? There's nothing [that compares]. I can't say to someone this is what it feels like, because there's nothing bad enough to explain how it feels to lose a child. Because there is nothing I have ever felt that comes close to that.

"And you know, my poor mother, I lost my mother six months after Doujon died, and…", Rose trails off. I know from my previous conversations that she felt overwhelmed with grief and that almost didn't grieve her mother in the way she'd imagined or hoped.

I ask Rose what her coping mechanism was in the early days, with all that raw emotion.

"I learnt that I had to… I learnt I had to, quiet my mind. That was probably one of the biggest things for me. I had to get this peace in my head.

"I was saying this Liz Hayes when she interviewed us [in 2008]: I used to visualise Doujon being bashed, especially when it first happened, it was horrible. And I knew that I couldn't stay like that. It was just really, really bad. And I had to learn to put that in the back of my head, and I learned to meditate on my own. I had to learn to quieten my mind down, and listen to the birds, and all the things that are usually in the background.

"And, I'd pray. I prayed a lot. I prayed for strength all the time. I used to pray for strength. 

"And also: Olly was a huge rock for me. All our friends, our family, were wonderful. We just had an amazing network. I call them my 'earth angels'", adds Rose with a sweet laugh.

I ask what kind of space does she feel she's at now, and if it varies each day?

"It does, especially at the moment. So many emotions come back. By tonight, for example (when the '60 Minutes' story screens), Olly and I will be exhausted. By the time we watch it… like, even talking to you… it's very draining, Josie. Because you're talking about your life and all your emotions, and everything that's happened to your child."

I express to Rose that I think that social media will be helpful to her and Olly after the program screens, where they can draw from the kind words offered up by others. She agrees.

Rose admits she hasn't read the book excerpt published yesterday in the 'Good Weekend' liftout magazine in 'The Sydney Morning Herald.' (Read a backgrounder and find the link to the whole story here).

"I haven't read it. I couldn't read it. I started and then I thought, 'No. I can't read this.'

"And, like I said to the boys: 'You know, we've lived it, so it's okay to not read it now. I don't need to read it. It's okay - they started to read the book but they couldn't get through it. And that's exactly what I had to say to them: 'It's okay, if you can't read it, don't. You lived it. So, it's fine. It's all good'".

For his part, when I speak to Olly earlier in the day, he says that he read the book across two days, and that at times, it was definitely hard for him to continue reading it, but he persevered, and says that he reached out to Doujon's spirit and asked him to give him a sign, in order to continue reading.

Later that day, Olly recounts, he meets someone who shares his late son's birthday. That was his sign. He continued to read the book until he finished it.

Rose says that, of course, she has read the book in its entirety because "I had to proof-read it. So I had to go through it. But that was so hard. Oh. As much as I wanted to read it, it was so hard."

"And I don't think I would have been the person I am today had we not gone down the path we did.

"I think the four of us have learned so much about life that we wouldn't have learnt had we not  gone through this tragedy, this loss, you know."

If she could crystallise into one sentence what she has learned, how would she say that, I ask Rose? In addition to the huge life lesson of letting go of intense anger.

"I think I look at life differently, I have a much deeper appreciation to life. You know, some people look at life very much… on the surface of it. But there are so many layers to it. Not everyone gets that, Josie… as you know. All those little things that really matter.

"You know, a tree," she says with her trademark Rosemarie laugh. "I look at a tree now, you know, the roots, and you think, wow, how beautiful, and just… there's a different appreciation to life.

"We are more grateful. Lots of lessons in our book, and what we've learnt, so… I hope people get it [those lessons]."

I offer up: the story is a powerful, moving one - but if you look beyond the story, the lessons can be absolutely life changing.

"Yes. You know the power of the human spirit is underestimated also. Like, we don't realise how powerful we are. And then, with everyone helping us, you know, our family and friends, we're very powerful."

Details on the book and how to pre-order it - it is released in September - are here.

You can see the new '60 Minutes' interview trailer here. 

You can read the Josie's Juice interview with Olly and Rose on king-hits here.

You can read how the Zammit family are involved in the 'Unite Against Violence' walk here.

And you can see the 2008 '60 Minutes' Australia Liz Hayes interview transcript with the Zammit and Gribilas family here.

BREAKING: Plans to move Bali 9 duo to island for execution postponed

BREAKING news: plans to move the Bali 9 duo to an island for execution have been postponed.

In news reported by Nine News, reports that the transfer of Bali Nine ringleaders Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan to Nusa Kambangan island prison have been delayed. More details are to come.

NSW Gambling Help: It Takes Guts

Gambling is SUCH a difficult topic to share thoughts on - that's because the shame associated with it is so private, the pain in the grief caused by those affected so deep, the guilt felt by those in its grip so raw and kinda scary. That whole feeling of helplessness can be overwhelming.

I know this because Josie's Juice readers have told me so.

In a series of re-posts of this particular post written for NSW Gambling Help, many private messages straight to the Josie's Juice inbox ensued, each story more heartbreaking and honest than the next.

I gave readers the opportunity to speak their mind, anonymously if they preferred. Many took that opportunity, with some sharing the post with loves ones, so they could anonymously give their own, firsthand feedback. And it was as honest as it gets.

Says Jim* (all names changed):

"I knew I was in deep when I became such an expert in lying to the partner, I started to not know where the truth stopped and the lies begun. I started to weave such elaborate tales, I was ashamed of my lying expertise. It simultaneously broke my heart; how could I have sunk so low? How could I betray the people (my wife and kids) who I loved the most? And yet, here I was doing it daily, saying I was doing overtime when I was at my local, spending hours there in a pokie daze. One night, I broke down to my wife when she questioned what has happened to our 'emergency' money. I could not lie. I confessed it all. We hugged, we cried (but that was well after she got exceptionally angry with me, and I cannot blame her). And then, I promised I'd seek help. And I did. Well, I took the first step, which I know is often the biggest - and most difficult - step of all. But I know I am now on the right path."

The stories got more honest with each message. This one, from Harry* had me actually feeling grateful we live in a country that cares so much for those how want to see help.

Says Harry*: "Our second child was just born, and I was feeling the pressure. Not only was I sleep deprived in trying to help settle our older child - who is only a baby himself, he just turned 1 - but I was feeling the pressure of a one-income home. I decided on one particularly down afternoon that I would try my luck at increasing my week's wages, doubling them even. How hard could it be? A few buck on the pokies - done, easy, then I'd go home.

Nope. How wrong I was. A 'few bucks' here and there turned into my entire week's pay packet. Before I knew it, when my partner asked me why her EFTPOS card was declined when buying nappies, I had to fess up. It was so very hard. I was mortified, embarrassed, angry (at myself) and ashamed, all rolled into one. I could barely look my partner in the face. But… I had to man up. I had to tell her the truth. After telling me how disappointed she was, she marched me straight to the phone and to a gambling helpline. It was the best and most significant phone call I ever made. The journey is slow, but the help is immediate. I am so grateful something like this even exists. I am so grateful there is help to help myself. I am getting there, and we all are, as family, together."

Gambling does not discriminate amongst the genders, either. Sue* shared her story also.

"Gambling for me went hand in hand with depression. I was feeling SO low, at such a horrible point in my life, so sad and lonely and hating my life and job. My relationship had just broken up so I felt more alone than ever. And so, I'd head to my local club after work for a meal and to be around people, even though I hated being around people and conversing. And so, heading over to the poker machines felt ideal. I’d escape my solo-ness at the dinner, to go to more 'socially acceptable' part of the club to be solo, the pokie area. It was here I became entrenched in the whole gambling setting: I’d just sit there with a blank stare and not interact much at all, just to get that little buzz (which then became a bigger thrill) when the pokies clicked over to a win. I knew I was in trouble when I barely had money for groceries. I am yet to seek help, but I will. I know it's kind of urgent."

And this one, from Peter.*

"Although I am not a gambler, the best advice I ever heard was this: 'If you win big the first time, it's the worst thing that can happen. Because when you do, you get the taste. And once you get the taste, you will want to keep satisfying that itch to win. I am so glad that when I had a 'casual flutter' on the horses I lost. Best win ever, actually."

With Australians spending nearly $12 billion a year on poker machines and three quarters of people who have a serious problem with gambling play the pokies, the occasional punt can be seen as part of the cultural fabric of Australia – you have a go and try your luck at your local. But, as we can see from the real-life stories above, this is a huge concern Australia-wide and it's not a matter to be treated flippantly.

Statistics show that between 8-17% of people with a gambling problem seek professional help (of any kind), and this subset of people tends to be those who have hit rock bottom and are in crisis. And this group is far more likely to have a problem with gaming machines than any other form of gambling.

Almost half of people seeking help suffer from anxiety and depression, and around one third of help seekers have a problem with alcohol.

While it's evident from discussions we want to break down the stigma, we still have a long way to go. Feel free to use this blog post as a way to start the gambling acknowledgement process, and share your own stories. You can email or comment anonymously. You will be surprised at just how good this first step feels. Help is at hand, and it’s not far away at all.

It’s also free. You can learn more at www.gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au 

The Katrina Dawson Foundation + Beyond Blue for Tori Johnson

It's tough to think about what happened this time last week in Sydney. It's hard to believe a hashtag - for #Sydneysiege - was even created for our beautiful city. Tears flow when one thinks about something that should never have tarnished our beautiful Sydney.

And now, on the day of the memorial services for the victims of this horrible event, Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson, a new foundation has emerged to honour Katrina - and a site set up for Tori via Beyond Blue.

Here is what the just-launched site says:

To preserve and honour the memory of Katrina Dawson and all she achieved, we want to establish the  Katrina Dawson Foundation. The Foundation will be focused on the education of women and former Governor-General The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO is the founding member. 

We have been touched and deeply honoured by the genuine tributes to our darling Katrina. We have been sustained by the extraordinary love of our family and friends, here and afar. Katrina’s friends and colleagues have given us unbridled support and have been a great source of strength. We also feel that we have been surrounded by the warmth of a city and a nation as we all struggle to come to terms with the tragic events of this week.

Katrina has inspired so many people to ask us what can be done to preserve and honour her memory. After much thought, we have decided to establish a charitable foundation in her name, which will be known as The Katrina Dawson Foundation. The Foundation will be focused on the education of women and former Governor-General The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO  will be its founding member.

Katrina was a light in so many lives. She shone in so many ways. And she made the most of every opportunity she had. It is our hope that out of her senseless death we will, through the opportunities the Foundation will provide, bring meaning to the lives of other amazing young women.

The site is here: http://thekatrinadawsonfoundation.org

And the you donate directly if  you click on the page, or go straight here: https://www.bpoint.com.au/payments/dawsonfoundation

For the family of Tori Johnson, they have requested any donations you wish to make go directly to Beyond Blue. Go to: beyondblueinmemoriam.everydayhero.com/au/torijohnson

Here is what the site says:

beyondblue has been contacted by Lindt Australia and the partner of Tori Johnson. Tori Johnson’s family has requested that donations made in Mr Johnson’s honour go to beyondblue. At their request, a website has been set up for this purpose: beyondblueinmemoriam.everydayhero.com/au/torijohnson

beyondblue expresses its deepest sympathies to Mr Johnson’s partner, family and the Lindt team. We are humbled and honoured by this gesture, and all money raised in memory of this courageous young man will be used to support people and families living with depression and anxiety.

On the page itself, it says about Tori Johnson:

Tori always believed in helping others and always taking a positive approach. In this spirit we have started a fund to raise money for beyondblue, a fantastic cause that Tori’s family have chosen to support.

beyondblue is a national initiative to raise awareness of anxiety and depression, providing resources for recovery, management and resilience. All those that knew Tori are deeply grateful for any support received.

The person behind #illridewithyou: @sirtessa

Who is the champion person behind the newest hashtag on social media #illridewithyou - it's a young woman, age 33, who calls herself a 'cranky little hermit crab', an Australian with a loud voice who has just become the person to create the biggest trending social media in the world right now. Yes, that's right - the biggest trending hashtag in the world.

You can follow her on Twitter here - she's at @sirtessa.

She writes a blog page called Silence Without, and you can see her writing here.

And here she is, the ledge:

Here are her 'stats', taken from her site:

Vital Statistics

• Name: Tessa
• Location: Melbourne, Australia
• :: alive since 1981.
• :: not a writer
• :: but writes anyway
• :: bookwyrm
• :: paid to be a monkey with a typewriter
• :: 7wishes ToC
• :: 365 Project
• :: xml feed
• :: lj feed
• :: shoutout

And in light of the still ongoing Sydney siege unfolding right now, she decided that all Muslim Australians should feel safe when they are travelling on public transport. And so, a few hours ago she created that hashtag:

Maybe start a hashtag? What’s in #illridewithyou?
— Sir Tessa (@sirtessa) December 15, 2014

After she saw this, posted a few hours before:

This, this is what good people do. #sydneyseige #MartinPlace pic.twitter.com/zxbHLWzxEp
— Michael James (@MichaelJames_TV) December 15, 2014

She then followed it up with this:

If you reg take the #373 bus b/w Coogee/MartinPl, wear religious attire, & don’t feel safe alone: I’ll ride with you. @ me for schedule.

— Sir Tessa (@sirtessa) December 15, 2014

Maybe start a hashtag? What’s in #illridewithyou?
— Sir Tessa (@sirtessa) December 15, 2014

Anyway. #373 bus between Coogee & Martin Place. #illridewithyou @ me if you just want to wear your headdress & not be bothered.
— Sir Tessa (@sirtessa) December 15, 2014

I don’t think that offer is specific to Sydney, or even Australia. It would do well in many spaces.
— Sir Tessa (@sirtessa) December 15, 2014

I'm not in a position to coordinate any organisation. If anyone would like to take the idea and run with it: do. I don't own this.
— Sir Tessa (@sirtessa) December 15, 2014

So, so, relieved that this has taken off. Hashtag currently moving faster that GG. Can't really engage because mentions are thick 'n fast.
— Sir Tessa (@sirtessa) December 15, 2014

Hi media outlets; I managed to catch the first few of you, now my mentions are launching into space. Apologies.
— Sir Tessa (@sirtessa) December 15, 2014

I'll be speaking to @BBCWorld in around an hour about #illridewithyou. In which I will stammer, spoonerism, and say it all again.
— Sir Tessa (@sirtessa) December 15, 2014

Those of you taking heart from #illridewithyou; I feel you. Needed to see this myself.
— Sir Tessa (@sirtessa) December 15, 2014

#IllRideWithYou: Australians show solidarity with Muslims amid the Sydney siege http://t.co/5hFgbIp2C3 pic.twitter.com/czDCx7OdM4
— Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) December 15, 2014

Richie Benaud: skin cancer diagnosis

Cricket commentator Richie Benaud has revealed to Nine News he has cancer and is receiving radiation treatment. And the only reason he has decided to speak about it is to raise awareness about looking after one's skin, wearing a hat and putting on skin screen, as he explained in the exclusive Nine News interview.



This health news comes only a year after suffering serious injuries in a car crash.

In fact, the cricket commentary box legend, 84, and his world renowned, iconic voice has been missing from Nine Network's cricket coverage since the accident just over a year ago.

I had the pleasure in interviewing Richie many years ago, when I was at City Weekly, in 2006.

He was nothing short of a gentleman, a lovely man, and very easy to interview. After all, he's a pro, and having been on the other side of a mic makes him an ideal subject - he knows how to answer a question and what a journo needs for their story.

We wish Mr Benaud a speedy recovery and all the best in his treatment journey.

Here is a snap of Richie in his early days.

Love Your Sister, Samuel Johnson: TEDxQUT VIDEO

I love this.

Samuel Johnson is the Australian actor behind the 'Love Your Sister' campaign; in 2013 rode his unicycle 1003.4 kilometres between Sydney and Melbourne to raise $500,000 for CanTeen and for his sister Connie, who was diagnosed with cancer.

(Samuel has also initiated a film making program for 'at risk' teens through Open Family, as featured in ABC's 'Australian Story').

Samuel has just uploaded his TEDTalks to social media (see below). Here is how the whole concept is described:

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

And so, here is Samuel's video. He captioned it on social media like this:

Love Your Sister

I got asked to do a TED talk. I got so paranoid that I avoided the thought of it till the night before, then stayed up all night trying to cobble something together. I look like a washed out junkie and I'm all shaky during it, but I assure you it's just fatigue and nerves! It's the real me though, for better or worse. xsj

Here's the TEDTalks full video:



The YouTube description says:

'This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. What do you want your legacy to be? Samuel Johnson's world record marathon unicycle ride around Australia began with this question to his sister who had been diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. In this beautiful talk Sam shares, not only what he learned while raising over 1 million dollars for cancer research, but also life lessons we can all take to heart. 

Samuel Johnson has established himself as one of Australia’s busiest actors and voice over artisits. He has been working in television, film, theatre and radio for over 20 years, in shows such as the Secret Life of Us, Rush, Underbelly and Wilfred.

In addition to acting, in 2003 Samuel rode his unicycle 1003.4 kilometres between Sydney and Melbourne to raise $500,000 for CanTeen and has initiated a film making program for 'at risk' teens through Open Family, as featured in ABC's 'Australian Story'.

This year, Sam is riding his unicycle again, this time around Australia, with the goal being to keep his promise to his sister Connie that he would complete this ride, raise $1 million, set a new Guinness World Record for the most distance travelled on a unicycle AND spread Connie’s message of breast cancer awareness. Through the Love Your Sister organisation, Sam has now completed his marathon and in doing so raised over $1.5 million dollars.

Samuel consulted all the experts, took none of their advice and set off on the challenge of a lifetime. He made a promise and through determination he kept it! He will be with us at TEDxQUT to share his experiences.'

What a man! Such love for his sister and her family. Such dedication to keeping at his cause at all times, his passion never waning. His eyes firmly on the prize: keeping Connie as happy and looked after.

Photo: Gina Millicia