Table of contents for Issue 47, 2022 in New Idea

It’s hard to believe there’s only six weeks until Christmas. I’m not sure about you guys, but I’m nowhere near ready. When it comes to baking for the festive season, I tend to leave it until the last minute. This year though, I’m going to get cracking early thanks to our wonderful food team who have put together some easy-to-follow Christmas baking recipes on page 38. Also in this issue, we catch up with TV host Deb Knight ahead of her 50th birthday. Not that Deb will be making a big deal of it – telling us she’d much prefer to celebrate at home with her beautiful family (and cake, of course). Happy reading! Editor newidea@aremedia.com.au newidea.com.au @newideamagazine @newideamagazine…

Judy Sheindlin and Justin Bieber may have been neighbours, but they weren’t good friends! The TV judge explained she lived next door to Justin when the singer was in his early twenties and was “doing foolish things” culminating in his 2014 DUI arrest. After his brush with the law, the ‘Love Yourself’ hitmaker avoided her at all cost. “[H]e was paying the front door people to let them know when I was there, coming and going, so he wouldn’t have to bump into me,” Judy reveals. The singer, 28, has since turned his life around.…

Royals What started as a romantic date night in an idyllic mountain town ended in disaster for Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. According to reports out of the US, the couple were seen treating themselves to dinner last week without the kids at The Dutchess, a low-key Burmese bakery-restaurant in Ojai, California, but sources say their relaxing evening soon turned sour. “They were having a nice time, chatting over some tandoori chicken about the kids and school and the upcoming US election – you know, usual husband and wife stuff,” says a source. “They blended in at first. But then things got frosty between them.” The source further reveals that the 38-year-old British prince “got up and walked out” toward the end of their meal, leaving the…

Royals It’s been a turbulent few months for the Danish royal family ever since they became embroiled in a title scandal back in September, so Crown Princess Mary and husband Crown Prince Frederik were looking forward to enjoying some time out on their tour of Vietnam. But the pair were forced to rush home to Copenhagen last week, after it was revealed that the feud had ignited a “ticking time bomb” within their ranks that is forcing them to fight to protect what they hold dearest – their four children. Queen Margrethe’s historic September announcement that she was stripping Countess Alexandra’s sons of their princely titles has left her former daughter-in-law “hell-bent” on getting revenge and she is planning to dish all on the royals in a tell-all book. The…

Hollywood All Paul Hogan wants is to be able to return home to Australia, but there’s one thing holding him back – his son Chance’s life in Los Angeles. The 83-year-old Sydney-born legend recently admitted he’s been “homesick for years”, adding that he “misses the people, the ambience”. “I’m not in the place I’m meant to be,” he told A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw from his home in Los Angeles “I’d be happier if I was sort of back in Sydney permanently, because I’m sort of, I’m bored here.” ‘I’d be happier if I was back in Sydney. I’m bored here’ However, he added that his musician son’s whole life has been in the States. “I’m here with Chance and I’m the only family he’s got really here. He…

Karly Kirk’s heart raced as she answered the incoming phone call from the doctor’s office. Her daughter Darcy, 11, had noticed a corn on her foot and a strange mark on her shoulder in June 2022. After multiple tests and doctors’ visits, their GP was calling to chat about Darcy’s biopsy results. What they had found was every parent’s worst nightmare. “The doctors told us that Darcy had anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a type of cancer,” Karly, 47, tells New Idea, thankful to have her husband Robert, 42, by her side. “I just switched into this survival mode of ‘what’s next?’” Still reeling from the life-shattering news, the family travelled from their home in Warracknabeal, in north-west Victoria to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne to speak to a specialist.…

Passionfruit Mango Panna Cotta Bars MAKES ABOUT 18 BARS PREP & COOK 1 HOUR ■ 125g unsalted butter, chopped, at room temperature ■ ¹⁄³ cup caster sugar ■ 1 egg ■ 1 cup plain flour ■ ½ cup desiccated coconut ■ 395g can sweetened condensed milk ■ ¹⁄³ cup lemon juice ■ ¹⁄³ cup passionfruit pulp, plus extra to decorate ■ Fresh mango slices, to decorate MANGO PANNA COTTA TOPPING ■ 1 large (250g) mango ■ 2½ tsps powdered gelatine ■ 2 cups thickened cream ■ ¼ cup caster sugar 1 Lightly grease and line the base and sides of a 20cm x 30cm lamington pan, extending paper 5cm above pan edges. 2 Beat butter and sugar in small bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg.…

Advicei Ladies Lunch A daytime event is a great opportunity to add a touch of femininity to your look. A midi dress with statement sleeves is the hero piece this spring, especially in white or a neutral tones. Add pastel accessories and a block heel for all-day comfort. Backyard Barbecue Go for comfort when it comes to a casual house party. A wide-legged jumpsuit is a summer staple, perfect for this type of occasion. Dress it up with strappy sandals and statement jewels for that touch of fashion-forward flair. Dinner Party Try jewel tones on your next night-time special occasion. They’re flattering on all skin types and are a nice change from classic black. A silky A-line skirt with a high-neckline top is a popular look this season. Just add…

From November 14-20 Stars Scorpio OCT 24 – NOV 22 Decisions, decisions … an offer may be tempting, don’t be pressured into making quick decisions. Instead, use this week’s insightful stars to research options and ideas. Expenses may be increasing, so rather than blow the budget on clothes or accessories, why not organise a swap night? Lucky numbers: 9, 11, 19, 26, 33, 39 Sagittarius NOV 23 – DEC 21 Smile! After a period of feeling under-appreciated, many Archers are entering a more satisfying phase. Not only is your luck on the rise, your creative thinking might finally have a chance to shine. And as Venus spins into your central arena, your powers of persuasion might prove hard to resist. Lucky days: Tuesday & Friday…

Spotlight ‘It brings a smile to my face’ If you’re going to immerse yourself in the world of disco, you want to make sure Marcia Hines is involved. For her latest venture, the music icon unleashes all the groovy classics playing The Diva in Velvet Rewired, a follow-up show to the hugely successful 2015 musical Velvet, which was based on the infamous US nightclub Studio 54. A spectacular mix of classic ’70s floor fillers, dance and aerial excitement, Velvet Rewired promises a great night out. We caught up with Marcia to discuss the joys of disco and her incredible career… How would you descibe the message of the show? It’s a love letter to disco. It’s one of those things in which acceptance is a rather large part of understanding…

There have been many painful moments in Prince William’s life and now the royal is being forced to watch as they play out on screen in The Crown. Controversially, the series has chosen to recreate Princess Diana’s infamous 1995 interview with Martin Bashir, which he has slammed as having “no legitimacy”. “Prince William has made his feelings very clear about it,” says a source. “He believes it should never be aired again.” And things are only set to get worse, with pictures emerging from the set where Season 6 is currently filming scenes depicting his mum’s funeral. Given that his little brother Prince Harry is still planning on working with Netflix, the new season will do nothing to help thaw out their tense relationship. “It’s hard to believe that Harry…

The photo of a beaming Cleo Smith holding an orange ice block and waving at the camera is an image few will forget. It marked the miraculous end to an 18-day search for the West Australian girl, who was snatched by a stranger from her family’s tent at the remote Blowholes campsite. A year on from the ordeal, which ended with 4-year-old Cleo’s dramatic discovery at a nearby Carnarvon home, her parents – mum Ellie and stepdad Jake – are gradually moving forward. They will get some closure in December when Cleo’s abductor, Terence Darrell Kelly, is due to be sentenced. The 37-year-old has pleaded guilty and faces a term of 20 years in prison. “She [Cleo] tells us that she was taken because her baby sister was sick. She…

Hollywood Jennifer Aniston has opened up for the first time about her secret longing for a child and her difficult battle with infertility. While speaking to Allure magazine for their December cover story, the actress admitted that she tried for years to fall pregnant. “It was a challenging road for me, the baby-making road,” the Friends star revealed. “I was going through IVF, drinking Chinese teas, you name it. I was throwing everything at it,” Jen added of the great lengths she went to while trying to become a mum. Jen further explains that she wishes someone had told her to freeze her eggs when she was younger, which potentially could have made her journey to motherhood much easier. “I would’ve given anything if someone had said to me, ‘Freeze…

Crime Only in New Idea Shifting on an uncomfortable plastic chair, Tracy Chapman scanned around the room. She had never felt more intimidated in her life. The scene she found herself in, full of hard-faced prisoners sitting opposite their loved ones, was like something from a tense movie. It was 2004. The previous year Tracy’s childhood best friend, Kathleen Folbigg, had started a 40-year jail sentence for the manslaughter of her first child, Caleb, and the murder of three more of her babies – Patrick, Sarah and Laura. While Tracy didn’t know it at the time, that visit to Kathleen in maximum security Silverwater Women’s Correctional Centre would be the first of many over the next two decades. “It was so confronting,” Tracy, 55, tells New…

Local stars Johanna Griggs and her family are breathing a sigh of relief after coming out the other side of a stressful health close call. The Better Homes and Gardens star took to her Instagram to share details of the harrowing skin cancer incident that affected her husband, Todd Huggins, on Instagram last week. The 49-year-old presenter revealed that Todd, who she’s been wed to for 16 years, went into hospital to undergo skin cancer removal surgery – but that things became “complicated” during his hospitalisation. “It’s been quite the start to the week,” Johanna said. “Two simple surgeries to remove a BCC skin cancer became a bit more complicated when the wound became infected.” The former Commonwealth Games swimmer explained that Todd required a second surgery. But the story…

Spiced Pineapple Ginger Fruit Cake SERVES 20 PREP & COOK 2 HOURS, 25 MINS ■ 440g can crushed pineapple in juice ■ 500g dried mixed fruit ■ ¼ cup glace ginger, finely chopped ■ 185g unsalted butter, chopped ■ ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar ■ ¼ cup apple juice ■ 2 tblsps golden syrup ■ 1 tblsp ground ginger ■ 2 tsps ground cinnamon ■ 1 tsp ground mixed spice ■ 2 eggs, lightly beaten ■ 1¼ cups self-raising flour ■ 1 cup plain flour ■ ¼ cup natural almonds ■ Icing sugar mixture, to decorate 1 Grease a 22cm deep, round cake pan. Line with two sheets of baking paper, extending paper 3cm above pan edge. 2 Place pineapple with mixed fruit, ginger, butter, sugar, juice, golden syrup…

Hoisin Pork and Cashew Noodles SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 15 MINS ■ 2 x 200g packets shelf-fresh udon noodles ■ 500g pork stir-fry strips ■ 1 tblsp vegetable oil ■ ¼ cup hoisin sauce ■ 2 tblsps oyster sauce ■ 200g bag classic coleslaw ■ 4 green spring onions, sliced ■ ½ cup roasted cashew nuts 1 Place noodles in a large heatproof bowl. Cover with hot water. Stand for 2 minutes. Gently separate. Drain. 2 Meanwhile, toss pork with oil in a bowl. 3 Heat a large wok over a medium to high heat. Add pork in two batches. Stir-fry for about 1 minute and 30 seconds, or until browned. Remove pork from pan. 4 Add combined sauces and ¹⁄³ cup water to the wok with noodles. Gently…

Advice Dr Kate Adams EXPERT ADVICE FOR KEEPING YOUR FUR FRIEND HAPPY AND HEALTHY As a veterinarian, I have always been pro-indoors when it comes to cats – or at least keeping them somewhat contained. It’s a subject that’s prompted not just debate but division – both indoor and outdoor advocates feel strongly about the way our cats should live. To the average non-cat owning Australian, it seems like a no-brainer – cats need to be contained in an effort to protect our wildlife. The data is also clear that indoor cats have a better chance of surviving to old age. They are safer – meaning they avoid the perils of the outside world, such as being hit by cars and catching infectious diseases like FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus).…

Advice 1 Consider your undertones Shade swatch a blush as you would a concealer or eyeshadow. Pale skin will do well with soft pinks or peachy hues, whereas darker skin tones will benefit from brighter shades due to the higher pigment content. If your skin has cool undertones, we recommend a blue-toned blush, while warmer undertones are best suited to anything with an orange or red base. 2 Start slow and build It’s easy to get trigger happy with that cream stick, however, before you go colouring in your cheeks, we recommend exercising a little restraint. When it comes to applying your cream blush, your fingers are your best friend. To guarantee a natural, flushed look, utilise the warm pad of your fingertips to tap in the product, building where…

Q I have been a widow for 3 and a half years. I fell in love, but he is already in a relationship. Will I get over this man and meet someone else? – HELEN A I am so sorry to hear of the challenges that you have been going through. I can see that you are a very loving and caring lady who has a huge heart. Unfortunately, I can see that the man you fell in love with is not the man for you. I feel that he is flirty and likes a lot of attention from the ladies. I can see that he is currently in a relationship with another woman who is needy and controlling of him. I can see that you are the opposite to…

Entertainment DREAMER by Dami Im Since her very first appearance auditioning for The X Factor in 2013, Dami Im has blessed audiences with her unforgettable voice. In her inspiring new memoir, the singer shares how she went from a shy Korean-born girl in Brisbane to a global platinum-selling superstar, all while staying true to herself. OUT NOW THE PARIS BOOKSELLER by Kerri Maher This absorbing biographical novel tells the story of Sylvia Beach and her iconic Paris bookstore. When the bookish young American opens Shakespeare and Company on a quiet street in Paris in 1919, she has no idea that she and her new store will change the course of history and literature itself. OUT NOW THE CHRISTMAS POSTCARDS by Karen Swan Natasha and Rob were on a make-or-break holiday…

Jessica Rowe She kept things fun in floral while supporting rural women. Talk about a bloomin’ good cause! Richard Gere We’re totally jealous of this pup who snuggled up with the pawsome Pretty Woman actor. Tim Allen He’s played the jolly man in red on screen, but Tim left the ho-ho-hard work to Santa at the premiere of The Santa Clauses. Edwina Bartholomew It was a family day out for the journalist, hubby Neil and baby Tom, who tried his first scone! Beyoncé Knowles The Knowles clan brought the Disney Channel’s favourite animated family, The Prouds, to life this Halloween. Dolly Parton They say great minds think alike – and in this case dress alike – when the country music star and Pink wore near-identical dresses! Sophie Delezio Iceland sure…

Are they wedding bells we hear? It seems former Aussie cricket skipper Michael Clarke is finally ready to settle down again with the woman of his dreams – who just happens to be his best mate Karl Stefanovic’s gorgeous sister-in-law, Jade Yarbrough! When the family caught up recently for a lunch date in Sydney, it’s believed the get-together at one of Sydney’s swankiest eateries, was an opportunity for the loved-up pair to share their big news with their nearest and dearest – including Karl and Jasmine. “Jasmine and Karl were determined her little sister and Michael would hit it off – and knowing both are keen to start a family, it’s likely they’ll want to tie the knot over the next couple of months while all their friends…

She’s been living a low-key life since she left our TV screens, but Jana Wendt joined personalities from the Nine Network recently to farewell industry legend John Westacott. The TV producer died on October 9 after suffering a medical episode on his yacht and falling into the harbour. He and Jana worked closely together during her stint on 60 Minutes. The former A Current Affair presenter appeared to comfort others at the event, hosted by John’s widow Cecile and the network. Jana was a regular fixture on TV until she left Channel Nine in 2006 under difficult circumstances. “The only thing I’d say I was unhappy with is that I didn’t leave earlier,” she previously told The Sydney Morning Herald.…

TV scoop As Today host Ally Langdon emerged last week as a favourite in the battle to host Channel Nine’s top-rating A Current Affair, no-one, least of all the remaining contenders – network sweetheart Sylvia Jeffreys, Ten’s Carrie Bickmore, and wildcard Amelia Adams – had any idea the race to the end would become so cutthroat! “It’s been a bit like a real-life Hunger Games over at Nine these past couple of months!” a well-placed insider reveals to New Idea. “In fact, it took months from when Tracy [Grimshaw] first made the announcement that she’d be stepping away from ACA after 17 years to finally find her replacement.” At the time of going to print, Nine had yet to announce just who had landed the most coveted role on Australian…

Local stars Much-loved Hey Hey It’s Saturday star Red Symons is finally sharing his joy at finding love again, happily smiling for the cameras during a day out with the woman who helped mend his heart. While the 73-year-old Skyhooks guitarist is still keeping the identity of his new love under wraps from all but his closest friends, it’s clear their relationship is blossoming. “She suits him! Nice couple,” a friend shared about the pair on Facebook. One Melbourne radio mate tells New Idea that loved-up Red could soon pop the question, joking, “I’ve never seen the old grouch smiling so much”. They add he seems more relaxed and comfortable than he has in years. Red and his mystery companion have been quietly dating for almost three years after he…

Hollywood During the 1990s Bono and Michael Hutchence were two musical artists at the peak of their fame, with Bono leading supergroup U2 and Michael topping charts the world over as the charismatic frontman of Aussie band INXS. With their paths crossing regularly, the pair became quite close, living the high life in a way that only rock stars can. However, as detailed in Bono’s new memoir Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, things fell apart for the good mates when Michael and Paula Yates began seeing each other. The relationship between the lovers was instantly intense after television presenter Paula interviewed him for her show. ‘He hoped that parting ways might shock Michael’ Paula went on to leave her millionaire activist husband Sir Bob Geldof to be with the sexy…

Roasted Pumpkin, Basil Pesto and Pine Nuts SERVES 6 PREP & COOK 1 HOUR, 15 MINS ■ 3 x 800g whole butternut pumpkins ■ 2 tblsps olive oil ■ 150g Danish feta, crumbled ■ ¹⁄³ cup pine nuts, toasted PESTO DRESSING ■ 1 cup firmly packed, fresh basil leaves, plus extra to garnish ■ 1 clove garlic, chopped ■ ¼ cup olive oil ■ 50g Danish feta, crumbled ■ 2 tblsps lemon juice 1 Cut pumpkins in half lengthways. Remove seeds. Place pumpkin, cut-side up, on a large oven tray. Drizzle with oil. Season with salt and pepper. 2 Cook in a hot oven (200C) for about 50 to 55 minutes, or until golden and tender. Remove. 3 Meanwhile, make dressing. Place all ingredients in a blender with 1 tblsp…

IN SEASON NOW! STONE FRUIT Succulent summer stone fruit is here. Aussie farmers are harvesting a bumper crop of peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums. Here’s what to look for when buying. ■ All stone fruit should be fragrant and yield to gentle palm pressure when ripe and ready to eat. ■ The stem area should have no dark green in the cavity when the fruit is ripe. ■ Peaches should be very aromatic and will start to lose their brightness when ripe. ■ Nectarines may have white freckles on the top half, which indicates a good level of sweetness. ■ Plums should be plump and evenly coloured. ■ Apricots should be deep yellow or yellow/orange, and plump, well-shaped and fairly firm. Flavour and sweetness develops on the tree. Q&A SHOULD…

AdviceDr Jana Pittman ADVICE YOU CAN TRUST TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY HAPPY The choice to use hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), herbal remedies, or nothing, can polarise even the greatest of friends. But it’s important you do whatever is right for you and leave other people’s judgements at the door. Considering the average life expectancy 200 years ago was 30 to 45 years, menopause didn’t even exist! Most people will agree we can thank modern medicine for our ability to outlive our ancestors. However, this extended life span now means women live well beyond our reproductive years, and here enters our wonderful new friend... menopause! THERAPY OR NOT? There’s some debate that using any type of therapy interrupts the ‘normal’ ageing processes. But what is the normal ageing process when we…

COMPACT STARS To win one of six prizes of $50, complete the puzzle and read the coloured squares to reveal a movie featuring Elisabeth Moss (7). Write this title on the coupon. $2000 PRIZE TO SHARE! SUPER CROSS For a chance to win one of two prizes of $250, simply solve the crossword to reveal the name of a fantasy drama TV series featuring our pictured star (5,2,3,6) in the coloured squares. Write this on the entry coupon. $500 UP FOR GRABS! ACROSS1 – Feet, animated penguin movie (5)4 Magnetic compass direction (5)6 Sat for a portrait (5)9 Mexican walking fish (7)12 Himalayan monster (4)13 Plenty (5)14 Differences between parents and children (10,3)16 Surfboard attachment (3)17 Shove (4)18 Sky blue (5)19 Underwater echolocation system (5)23 Long tale of heroism and…

This is our granddaughter Sammie and great-granddaughter Piper Elise. It is just a lovely photo of a mother and daughter and the special bond they have together. E. POLLOCK, MOUNT KURING-GAI, NSW. Ninety-seven-years-young Great Nan taking her great-grandson Darcy and great-granddaughter Willow for a spin on her walker. Just what they needed after a busy sports day. DOREEN TAYLOR, SOUTH LAKE, WA. My son Christos’ pet bird is named Moey, after his mohawk! TANYA GALWEY, BERRIMA, NSW. Say what? My husband went to his usual barber a few weeks later than normal so his hair had grown quite long. He asked the barber to cut it short and the barber promptly replied, “It’s a bit hard to cut it long.” IRENE SANDERSON, KALAMUNDA, WA. This is Maxi reading his book…

As if he wasn’t already busy enough juggling his music and modelling career, Isaiah Firebrace can now count himself as a children’s author. His debut book, Come Together, is a heartwarming, picture story about Indigenous culture and history for children aged 5 and up, inspired by the proud Yorta Yorta and Gunditjmara man’s petition to the Australian Government calling for it to be taught in every classroom in the country. “I’m so passionate about education and trying to get all Australians to learn more about First Peoples, so being able to do this was a dream for me,” the singer tells New Idea. “It’s really hard to teach adults anything as they have grown up with so many stereotypes of Aboriginal people, but kids want to learn. This book is…

“IT TAKES A LOT OF BALLS – AND YOU’VE GOT TO EAT THEM TOO!”Rita Ora rules out a stint in the I’m a Celeb jungle. “MURIEL’S WEDDING WAS HEAVILY INFLUENTIAL IN MY LIFE.”Suffice to say Anna Faris was excited to play Toni Collette’s sister in their new comedy, The Estate. “WE HAD TO SIGN SOMETHING SAYING WE’D NEVER COME BACK.”Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham on being banned from a New York hotel. “[I HATE PASSENGERS WHO] LOOK LIKE THEY’VE COME FROM THE GYM, BED OR STRIP CLUB.”Getaway’s Catriona Rowntree shares her pet peeves when it comes to flying fashion. “THE MICE HAVE MOVED IN SINCE LOCKDOWN!”Not even Dame Judi Dench is immune from a rodent infestation.…