In 2023 it was announced Australia would be getting it’s own spin-off of the hit American-crime series NCIS, filming in Sydney. Now, after an impeccable first season, NCIS: Sydney has been renewed for a second season.
With a new season, comes new challenges that the squad must face. Paramount+ is promising a much more powerful adversary coming to threaten the region and the team itself.
NCIS: Sydney returns for season two. (Image: Paramount)
Aside from the seriousness of the synopsis, the cast were overjoyed to here the show would be returning for season two, with many taking to social media to express this.
“WE ARE COMING BACK FOR SEASON 2 BABY!!!” former Home and Away star, Todd Lasance wrote. “NCIS: Sydney has been renewed for Season 2 on @cbstv and @paramountplusau Still feels like a dream……. Thankyou to every single one of you who tuned in and supported us!! Cannot wait to step back on set with our squad!”
Olivia Swann wrote: “Season ✌🏽 baby. We’re getting the fam back together! So happy. So excited. So grateful 💙”
“So excited to get back and start this journey all over again! Thank you to all of you for supporting,” Sean Sagar captioned his photo.
The precise premiere date for the second season remains unknown, however, the network has revealed it will be sometime later in the year as production is already underway.
It’s also been confirmed that two of the episodes will be set in Darwin, with filming taking place in the Northern Territory’s Top End.
Meet the NCIS: Sydney cast. (Image: Paramount)
NCIS: Sydney is the first international iteration of the franchise outside of the US, following a team of US NCIS Agents and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) as they join forces to fight against tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
The team is spearheaded by NCIS Special Agent Michelle Mackey played by DC Legends of Tomorrow and The River Wild star, Olivia Swann.
Meanwhile, Todd Lasance stars as Olivia’s AFP counterpart, Sergeant Jim ‘JD’ Dempsey.
These stars are joined by Sean Sagar as NCIS Special Agent DeShawn Jackson, Tuuli Narkle as AFP Liasion Officer Constable Evie Cooper, Mavournee Hazel as AFP Forensic Scientist Bluebird ‘Blue’ Gleeson and William McInnes as AFP Forensic Pathologist, Dr Roy Penrose.
NCIS: Sydney airs in November.(Image: Instagram)
“Wow. One of the best- loved franchises in the world in the hands of one of our best production companies and an outrageously talented cast and crew,” Paramount Australia and New Zealand’s Head of Drama, Rick Maier said.
“NCIS: Sydney is exciting for all of us at Paramount and we hope one of the most eagerly anticipated commissions of the year.”
For months, NCIS: Sydney was exclusively streaming on Paramount+. However, NCIS: Sydney will bring its action-packed drama to free-to-air from Wednesday May 15, at 8:40pm on 10 and 10Play.
Loading the player...
Endemol Shine Australia Head of Scripted, Sara Richardson said: “At the heart of NCIS are charismatic and engaging characters that audiences fall in love with.
“We have found just that with our incredible cast and the tight team they have formed. This first international iteration has all the DNA of the beloved franchise, but with a quintessentially Australian flavour.”
A favourite among celebrities, influencers and stylists, the Dyson Airwrap has reached cult status for a reason.
Loved for its ability to deliver bouncy, beautiful curls every time, and for being incredibly versatile with a range of attachments, the hair tool is constantly sought out by the masses.
But it does come with a hefty price tag. Retailing at an eyewatering $849, not everyone can afford the splurge for a beauty tool, which is why we look to sales.
Image: Dyson
Where to shop the Dyson Airwrap on sale in 2024
For those who have been waiting for the coveted Dyson Airwrap to finally go on sale so they can save big, we’ve scoured the internet to find the best deals happening right now.
Dyson typically participates in seasonal and year-round sales, including participating in the Black Friday event, Boxing Day, and more.
Year-round discounts tend to occur during special occasions, including Mother’s Day, Christmas, and Afterpay Day, among others.
Is the Dyson Airwrap worth investing in?
While the Airwrap’s price tag is steep, Dyson backs it with several features to make it worthwhile.
For starters, the Coanda air technology makes it so your hair gets minimal damage thanks to its aerodynamics, and uses less heat than any other hair tool.
The Airwrap also offers multiple styling possibilities including a hair dryer function, a smoothing brush for straight styles, a round brush for volume and curling barrels for all your needs.
Emily Gielnik, one of Australia’s soccer stars, has always impressed us on the field. With over 57 appearances for the Matildas and a solid run with Aston Villa in the UK, she’s definitely left her mark in the sports world.
But behind all those achievements, there’s a personal journey that’s just as inspiring – her love story with Temica Sayer.
Emily, who is set to appear on The Amazing Race: Celebrity Edition 2024 alongside her Matildas’ teammate Chloe Logarzo, has been with Temica for nearly a decade, but it wasn’t always easy for Emily to be open about their relationship.
Emily is as passionate on the field as she is off of it, with Temica by her side. (Image: Getty)
COMING OUT
Growing up in a Croatian family, where being gay wasn’t accepted, made coming out difficult.
In the Disney+ doco Matildas: The World At Our Feet, Emily opened up about it, saying, “I tried everything to live this lie for years. There were a lot of dark times.”
Luckily, Temica has been by her side through it all. Emily even credits her for helping her feel comfortable enough to fully embrace their relationship.
“She deserves this more than anyone,” Emily says.
THE PROPOSAL
The proposal might not have gone exactly to plan, but mission accomplished – she said YES! (Image: Instagram)
One of the biggest moments for them came when Emily decided to propose. She flew back to Australia from the UK, nerves in full swing, ready to pop the question.
Of course, things didn’t go exactly as planned – Emily admits she froze and forgot everything she meant to say – but it didn’t matter. It was still the perfect moment for the couple.
On 23 August 2023, they finally said, “I do” in a gorgeous outdoor ceremony. It was an intimate affair with close family and friends, including Matildas teammates Ellie Carpenter and Teagan Micah.
Emily and Temica shared a sweet video of the day, captioning it, “23.08.23 – Truly the best day of our lives.” And honestly, it looked like pure magic.
FUTURE WIFEYS
The two have been together for nearly a decade. (Image: Instagram)
Before the wedding, Temica kicked things off in July with a fun hen’s party at Broadbeach with her besties. As the director of wellness studio Saltt, she’s all about balance. But she didn’t hold back her excitement, posting on social media about how she couldn’t wait to marry her “future wifey.”
Emily, who was originally supposed to be part of the Matildas squad for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, had to sit this one out due to an ankle injury.
While it was tough to miss the tournament, it gave her time to focus on her life off the field, spending time with Temica and preparing for their big day.
Now, as the lovebirds recently celebrated their ninth anniversary together and one year married, Emily looks back with so much gratitude.
“It should have been a long time ago, but better late than never,” she says.
Winter has finally waved us goodbye, spring has sprung and summer is well on its way. Which means it is officially beach season, and with beach season comes sun, swimwear, sunburn (boo) and accessories.
Don’t leave the toys to the kids, there are plenty of adult-friendly beach bag essentials to make your next day by the sea a truly special one.
Whether you prefer lounging in the sun (safely) or an action-packed day in the waves, below are some of our must-have beachside necessities to shop before summer.
Of course you will be taking a snack with you to the beach, right? Don’t just throw them in any old bag, this adorable cooler bag will keep it fresh all day long.
It also comes in 6 patterns and prints, so the options are truly endless.
What screams summer like having a drink on the sand? Ensure you do it safely and in style with this party cup set made from a durable material that keeps beverages cold all day long.
If there is anything you need at the beach beside some swimmers and sunscreen, it’s a beach towel. This stylish option is extra large and ultra absorbent.
Not to mention it comes in multiple colours, so your biggest problem will be picking just one.
If you’re hitting the beach, there’s a checklist of things you need to make sure you bring with you for your day in the sand and sea.
Beach essentials include sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat to stay protected from the sun, water to stay hydrated, snacks to keep you going, and of course a cute bathing suit.
But if you want to make your day extra special, why not bring along a protective cabana, a fun beach game, and a book?
The Paralympic Games have long been a symbol of resilience, determination and triumph. And this year in Paris adds yet another symbol – that of love.
Like the Olympic Games, the City of Light has transformed into the City of Love right before our very eyes.
While the athletes are competing for medals, one thing is clear – love has taken home the gold.
Here, we look at all the sweetest romances coming out from Paris 2024.
PARALYMPIC GAMES ROMANCE
01
Christiana & Kayode Alabi
The Para-table tennis power couple from Nigeria have faced a lot of trial and tribulation over the years to get to where they are today.
From a long-distance relationship to their marriage in 2022, which was heavily criticised by those doubting the viability of their relationship, Christiana and Kayode have flourished despite it all.
“While our families supported us, others saw it as unusual for two people with disabilities to be together,” Christiana shared.
But together, they’ve found a winning relationship. “Christiana has been my coach at many tournaments,” Kayode said.
“We listen to each other and work well together, which is why we’re heading to the Paralympics as a team.”
And Kayode admits that if it weren’t for Christiana, he might not be competing in the Games this year.
“[…] My wife qualified while I was still in the semi-final,” Kayode said. “That motivated me to put in even more effort so that we both could qualify.”
“I’m glad that we made it together,” his wife added. “We believe we will make the standard we are hoping for: gold medallists, by God’s grace. People in other countries have an advantage due to facilities. We struggled every day.”
Kayode, a bit more confident, said, “I believe that for both of us to be the No.1 in our country, and the No.1 in Africa, we can be the No.1 in the world.
“So we are not just going there to participate – we are going there for a mission that we want to achieve. We want to get the gold.”
He took his love’s hand, pulled out a ring box and got down on one knee to ask for her hand in marriage.
Covering her face in surprise, Jes quickly embraced her new fiance while onlookers tossed what looked to be condoms at the happy couple.
The two sealed the proposal with a passionate kiss. And Lionel went on to take sixth place in the PTS2 paratriathlon event, winning an Olympic diploma.
03
Robyn Love & Laurie Williams
Wheelchair basketball couple Robyn Love and Laurie Williams are representing Team GB at the Paralympic Games. And their love story has been likened to a Hollywood film for its fairytale-like moments.
The two lovebirds have been together for nearly a decade and, during that time, they’ve welcomed a beautiful baby named Alba Anne Love.
Now competing together on the court for Paris 2024, the couple are right back where their love story was cemented with a proposal.
Just 18 months before they played together at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, Robyn proposed to Laurie right beneath the Eiffel Tower.
As the weather heats up and the days get longer, we find ourselves daydreaming about summer beach days filled with lazy dips under the sun, slapping on layers (and layers) of sunscreen, and of course, buying adorable bikinis.
With that said, shopping for swimwear can be quite costly, especially when you consider the different styles, fabrics and patterns each one comes with – burning a rather steep hole in our wallets come summertime.
That’s not to say we can’t look great without the high price tag, as there is a wide range of affordable swimwear brands in Australia offering options that look anything but cheap, and under $100 no less.
The best affordable swimwear brands in Australia
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best affordable swimwear brands in Australia for summer 2024, so keep scrolling (and shopping).
01
Seafolly
Designed with women in mind, Seafolly provides swimwear, beachwear and accessories for all shapes and support styles to suit a variety of body types, destinations, and activities. Bikinis start from $20, with regular sales slashing prices even further.
Whether you’re lounging by the pool or cooling off at your local beach, Cotton On has you covered with all the swim styles and accessories you need, and at an incredibly affordable price tag, starting from $5.
Whether you want an entire swimwear refresh or to simply top off your look with a trending bucket hat, look no further than Endless. Prices start from $10.
When it comes to the surf lifestyle, Billabong is the one brand that will always come to mind. With a huge range of swimwear, accessories, and footwear, you’re sure to find exactly what you need, with prices starting from $20.
Move in confidence, comfort and style with Cupshe’s swimwear designs, made with the best materials at an affordable price. With pieces starting from $15, you’re sure to find something you’ll love.
Epitomising endless summer, Sydney label Aere offers more sustainable wardrobe staples in neutral hues and time-honoured fits – the perfect investment in the effortlessness of minimalist style. Prices start from $10.
The new heir to the Danish throne, Crown Prince Christian of Denmark.
He’s quite a private young man and at only 18 he hasn’t much to do outside of his royal beginnings. So what do we know?
Prince Christian on his 18th birthday. (Image: Getty)
WHO IS PRINCE CHRISTIAN?
Prince Christian is the first born of King Frederik and Queen Mary and therefore, first in line for the Danish throne.
Christian Valdemar Henri John was born on October 15, 2005 in Rigshospitalet at the Copenhagen University Hospital.
He was named Christian because Denmark has a four-century-old tradition of alternating the names Christian and Frederik as Danish kings.
After Christian turned 18, he took the next step forward in becoming King by swearing on the constitution.
This allows him to act as regent if both his parents are prevented from governing.
After Christian signed, it marked the first time that three generations in line of succession were at the Council of State at the same time.
Queen Margrethe bestowed the Order of The Elephant to Prince Christian on his 18th birthday. (Image: Getty)
WHAT DOES HIS CHANGE IN POSITION MEAN?
His title has changed to Crown Prince of Denmark but that is not the only difference, he might receive a large royal allowance.
Previously the Danish Royal Palace issued a statement explaining that Prince Christian would not receive any financial aid “until he turns 21 or upon a possible change of throne, if it takes place before that”.
He might increase his public duties now that his parents are King and Queen, but, for the meantime, the palace has made it clear his “main priority in the coming year will be the completion of his upper secondary education”.
Prince Christian with his siblings, Queen Mary and King Frederik. (Image: Getty)
WHAT IS PRINCE CHRISTIAN DOING NOW?
Aside from his recent high-school graduation from Ordrup Gymnasium, it’s been a big year for Prince Christian. His 18th birthday was marked with a gala dinner in October. And it was quite the soiree, with royals from around the world attending.
Prince Christian was seen with four future European queens – Princess Estelle of Sweden, Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands and Princess Elisabeth of Belgium – at the event.
And, in his first public speech at his birthday gala, the Crown Prince said: “I would like to thank everyone who helped celebrate me. Both you who are here and all of you who have sent greetings and gifts.
“I will never forget today. But maybe I will remember it as less challenging already tomorrow. I have to find my way, even if it leads to a familiar place. I have roots in many places in the world, and I enjoy traveling. But home will always be here. Because I love my country.”
Prince Christian’s birthday bash was quite the affair. (Image: Getty)
His grandmother Queen Margrethe also awarded him with the Order of the Elephant – Denmark’s highest honour of chivalry.
Currently, the young prince is spending the next few months in East Africa. While there, he “will be involved in the daily operation of two farms, which will, among other things, include practical and administrative tasks and also give the Crown Prince insight into local nature protection”, the Danish Royal Household said in a statement.
Christian left Denmark on Wednesday, 4 September 2024 and will remain on the African continent until December.
At an event, his mum Queen Mary was asked how she felt about her son’s departure. She admitted that while she and King Frederik were “looking forward” to Christian’s travels “as he is going to experience learning on his own”, they “are going to miss him unimaginably – very, very much.”
Gap years like this are common practice for young royals. In fact, his father King Frederik, for one, spent his gap year in Mongolia in 1986, followed by a year spent working at a Californian vineyard in 1989.
Christian’s grandmother Queen Margarethe II also enjoyed travels to the Americas during the 1960s after school. And even Prince William spent time volunteering on environmental projects in Chile and visiting African countries upon graduating from Eton.
With its round neckline and thin adjustable straps, this one-shoulder style dress is designed to fit you perfectly, making it an easy choice for any occasion.
If you’re looking to stand out from the crowd in striking red, this bandeau-style dress is the one to do it with. It comes in a range of other colours too.
Sizes: 4 to 18
Colours: chilli red, black, indigo blue, olive green, mono stripe, chartreuse, swirl print, leopard print, black and white spot, orange and lemonade
This midi-length dress has a functional wrap design, a crew neckline, a sleeveless cut and a button and loop fastening to the nape for a classy ensemble.
This ultra-feminine dress has a sweetheart neckline with underwired cups for ultimate support and bust-flattering cleavage. Plus, the gorgeous French Pink hue is a classic for spring.
Made from 100 per cent linen, this dress is perfect for a summer wedding. It has a crew neckline, a maxi hemline, pintuck details, a cutout and zip fastening to the back and an exclusive all-over print.
After returning to Instagram for the first time in four years, Meghan Markle used the social media platform to announce her latest business venture in mid-March 2024.
The Duchess of Sussex, 42, revealed the launch of a new lifestyle brand called American Riviera Orchard.
A new website and Instagram page also went live for Meghan Markle’s new project ahead of the announcement.
The bio for the American Riviera Orchard Instagram page simply reads, “By Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. Established 2024,” and we haven’t been given too many details about the brand as of yet.
At the time, the Instagram account uploaded a story of the Duchess of Sussex picking flowers and cooking in a kitchen, hinting at the type of the project this will be.
The brand uploaded this story last week. (Image: Instagram)
The name of the new brand, American Riviera Orchard, seems to be a reference to Meghan and her husband Prince Harry’s current place of residence: Santa Barbara in California.
According to Travel & Leisure, for more than 100 years Santa Barbara has been known as the American Riviera “because of its temperate climate and lush landscapes, as well as its robust food and wine culture.”
The logo for the brand also includes the word Montecito, which is the specific neighbourhood in which the Sussexes live.
The new brand’s logo. (Image: American Riviera Orchard)
A trademark application for the American Riviera Orchard brand reveals that the lifestyle business intends to sell tableware, drinkware, kitchen linens, edible treats such as jellies, jams, marmalade and spreads, and cookbooks.
It seems her range is already expanding, despite the business not having officially launched yet, as the Duchess of Sussex has continued to pursue trademarks for more products.
There have been additional trademark applications for cosmetic products, home home décor, stationery, linens, kitchen appliances, condiments, yoga equipment, gardening gear and pet accessories.
Not only that, but the 42-year-old also sent some of her homemade jam to close friends and fellow celebrities. The recipients included the likes of Kris Jenner, Tracee Ellis Ross, Mindy Kaling, Chrissy Teigen, and Meghan’s Suits co-star Abigail Spencer.
A source told Us Weekly that the Duchess was “very pleased” with the strong start American Riviera Orchard has had so far.
“The rollout for American Riviera Orchard is already off to a strong start. The website has over 100,000 who have signed up to hear about the first products launched,” an insider shared. “Meghan is very pleased with the early interest it has gained.”
It’s been one setback after another for the Duchess. (Image: Getty)
However, despite the huge public interest, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has rejected Meghan’s attempt to trademark her limited-edition jams and other homemade goods.
The reason? The USPTO told the Duchess that businesses are forbidden from trademarking geographic locations. That means the ‘American Riviera’ part of her brand name is off limits.
“Registration is refused because the applied-for mark is primarily geographically descriptive,” USPTO said in its filing, according to the Daily Mail.
“Commonly used nicknames for geographic locations are generally treated as equivalent to the proper geographic name of the place identified.”
This isn’t Meghan’s first setback with her new brand – back in February, her trademark request was also denied.
However, these types of things are routine and even expected when starting a new business. The ball is now in Meghan’s court as to how she responds.
Loading the player...
American Riviera Orchard appears to be similar to Meghan’s previous lifestyle blog, The Tig, which was used from 2014 to 2017.
On The Tig, Meghan shared insights into her favourite foods, travel discoveries and personal reflections.
“I’ve never been the type of person to do only one thing. I guess that’s how my website was born,” Meghan said in her 2022 documentary Harry & Meghan.
“There was fashion, there was tons of food, and travel, so it was all of the things that I loved. And The Tig wasn’t just a hobby. It became a really successful business.”
Meghan has dabbled in lifestyle-related work in the past. (Image: Getty)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are no strangers to starting new businesses, as they have embarked on numerous ventures over the past few years.
The couple have also made deals with Netflix, releasing a docuseries about themselves in 2022 and will also be producing a number of projects for the streaming giant too. Two of these non-fiction series have reportedly already wrapped production, with Meghan appearing in a cooking show and Prince Harry in a docuseries about his beloved sport of polo.
Additionally, the pair have continually worked on their non-profit organisation, the Archewell Foundation, for many years.
Meghan and Harry at the Archewell Foundation‘s World Mental Health Day Parents’ Summit in 2023. (Image: Getty)
The launch of the American Riviera Orchard Instagram page marks the first time either of the Sussexes have used social media since 2020 when the pair made their last update to their @SussexRoyal Instagram page after stepping back as working members of the royal family.
Meghan shut down all of her personal social media profiles and The Tig blog after getting engaged to Prince Harry in 2018.
Radio host Amanda Keller is no stranger to opening up about life’s challenges, especially as it relates to her husband Harley Oliver’s brave battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Most recently, the Jonesy and Amanda Show host appeared on ABC’s new series, The Assembly, where she was asked a simple and “beautiful” question: “Do you love your husband?”
Amanda visibly teared up and replied, “I think I’m going to cry, because my husband is going through some stuff at the moment. My husband has Parkinson’s disease, and we’ve been married 34 years, and life is changing around us.
“He’s so good with it, in a way that I’m not, actually. We’re learning to find ourselves in the midst of changing circumstances, and part of me thinks – it’s easy for me to say, he’s the one going through it – but part of me thinks it’s a real privilege to be with someone long enough that you go through these changes with them.
“So yes, I love him very much, even though we’ve got some stuff going on,” she concluded.
(Image: Instagram)
Amanda also recently bared her soul in an interview with Stellar magazine. She opened up about navigating Harley’s devastating diagnosis. And how she’s found it “hard to accept”.
“Every time I talk about this, sometimes I’m fine and sometimes it gets a bit overwhelming,” she admitted while describing her husband as “quite remarkable.”
“He’s so pragmatic with this. He just gets on with it. And I’ve gone through a phase of being angry because I’d say things to him like, ‘Oh, come on, stand upright’, or ‘Your voice…’
The couple just celebrated their 34th anniversary. (Image: Instagram)
“I knew what it was, he’d been diagnosed. I knew what was going on, but I found it hard to accept.”
Amanda isn’t reading up on Parkinson’s. She doesn’t want to know what they’re in for. Instead, she says she’s choosing to take each day as it comes. “I’m living it as it happens. And part of that is choosing to be naïve,” she shared.
“I’m living it as it happens. And part of that is choosing to be naïve.”
Amanda Keller, Radio Host
“There’s no easy way out. But I know what I’m like. And I’d be prone to overthinking and panic. [I’d try] to fix things that are so out of my control.”
ON-AIR BREAK DOWN
In May, Amanda became emotional while live on the Jonesy and Amanda show, again over her husband’s diagnosis.
The tears came as Amanda began sharing a story about planning their son Jack’s 21st birthday party. She wanted to put a slide show together to play throughout the night – something that would have traditionally been Harley’s domain.
“He has been the guy who will make the kid’s birthday invitations. He’s very creative. He will work on the computer to do this funky stuff. Normally, he would have done all of that,” Amanda shared.
“And with the way things are with Harley at the moment, he’s got Parkinson’s disease and things are just hard.”
THEIR LOVE STORY
Amanda and Harley live in Sydney’s seaside suburb Coogee, and they’ve just celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on May 27th.
Harley gifted Amanda a pearl necklace tucked inside a pretty yellow box.
The couple got married in 1990, the same weekend as the Monaco Grand Prix. But their love story began two years prior in 1987.
Harley was a producer on the show Beyond 2000 that Amanda was auditioning for, and he knew she was the one the moment he laid eyes on her.
This particular role saw his leading lady wedged into a tiny, two-man submarine making an ascent from the choppy waters. Recalling that magical moment, Harley laughed, “The lid was lifting up and there was Amanda desperately trying to remember what her piece to camera was going to be.
“And all she could do was vomit over the side as the thing bounced around the harbour. It attracted quite a crowd in the viewing room! But she was pushing through it. She was being a brave soldier – and that’s what she is like.”
A BRAVE BATTLE
Harley and Amanda attended the Save Our Sons Gala in September 2017. (Image: Getty)
Ironic how not much has changed. Amanda has continued to put on a brave front since they received Harley’s devastating diagnosis seven years ago.
However, it was just last year in 2023 that the radio host disclosed his health challenge publicly on her Double A Chattery podcast.
“I first noticed Harley’s footfall around the house changing, like he was dragging his leg, and his hands started to shake, and he said he’d just been whacked in the thumbs as a wicketkeeper playing cricket, but I felt something was going on,” Keller told her podcast co-host Anita McGregor.
“I know Harley so well, and how protective he is of his inner core, he was absolutely scared and in denial, and who would blame him.”
Shortly after the show aired, Harley received the gut-wrenching diagnosis. “When he came home (from the doctor), we both just sat there completely numb,” Keller said.
LONGING FOR THE WAY THINGS WERE
Parkinson’s is an incurable neurodegenerative disease that causes uncontrollable movements like shakiness, stiffness and difficulty with balance and coordination. Sadly, symptoms gradually worsen over time.
Only human, Amanda has opened up about “hating herself” for wishing things were different and getting frustrated at the situation.
“I miss the ease of life. Of going to a restaurant, [but then] Harley’s back gets sore, and he’s quietly spoken so the noise overwhelms him. I miss the ease of travel. It changes us,” she said.
It’s hard to always keep a brave face. (Image: Instagram)
“But we’re not alone in that. Life is this stuff, isn’t it? We talk a lot about long-term relationships, and how popular culture celebrates the beginning and the end.
“But the meat of life, the joy of life, the sadness of life, the true human condition, lies in the middle,” she said, her voice breaking.
THE BIGGEST SURPRISE
The heartbreaking week she had planning their son’s birthday made all these feelings come crashing back. She admitted to feeling “lonely” and that her heart breaks for her darling husband whom she thought would have to miss the birthday celebration.
She knew how hard it would have been for Harley to make it.
However, it was Amanda who was, perhaps, given the biggest surprise of all on Jack’s special day. The couple’s friend Pam and their driver Cole came walking into the party with none other than Harley.
“A lot of people were shocked because they hadn’t seen Harley for a while. But I know what it cost him to get there. And he said to me, how could I not be here?” Amanda said as tears began to form.
HARLEY OLIVER: THE ARTIST
Painting is in Harley’s DNA. (Image: Supplied)
Harley was born in New Zealand but grew up in London. While he’s best known for his career in television, Harley’s first love – other than Amanda – has always been painting.
It’s a passion that comes naturally. Harley was practically born with a paint brush in his hand. His great, great, great grandfather was Samuel Massey, a well-known English portrait artist. Samuel married his sister’s friend, also a painter, JN Rhodes.
So when Harley picked up a brush at the tender age of eight, it was no surprise that he took a liking to painting as well.
His affinity stuck with him. Harley attended Wimbledon Art School in London in the late 1960s. There, he painted English landscapes that stood out in an era of abstract minimalism. After art school, however, he got into television as an editor at the BBC.
Later, he moved into a producer role, then a director. He began making documentaries for National Geographic and the Discovery Channel as well as various programs for TV channels in Australia and New Zealand.
Of course, in between projects, he’d find time to paint. But it wasn’t until around 2014 that Harley decided to dedicate more of his time to being an artist. He debuted his first solo exhibition, Inappropriate Nudity, at Stanley Street Gallery in Sydney that year.
.jpeg?fit=94%2C128){kind=avatar}
.png?resize=380%2C285)
-scaled.jpg?resize=380%2C285)