The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age’s Good Weekend magazine will celebrate the best short break locations Australia has to offer in its annual 52 Weekends Away special issue, out this Saturday, November 1.
The 35th annual edition, which runs at 56 pages, features inspirational short break ideas with reviews of accommodation from luxury adults-only to family friendly.
With many Australians now reaching the end of a long year, 52 Weekends Away is the perfect guide to plan a summer holiday and 2026 mini-breaks.
This year’s carefully curated selection, compiled in collaboration with the team at stablemate Traveller, features new or revamped properties around Australia.
The short break has changed markedly over the three decades since Good Weekend published its first 52 Weekends Away issue on November 17, 1990. With an expanding list of chic city hotels that have an emphasis on resort style living, and an ever-growing list of sophisticated getaways a short drive from metropolitan centres, Australians have never had so much choice to enjoy a domestic break.
Good Weekend editor Melissa Stevens said: “A weekend away is an Aussie institution – and Good Weekend’s 52 Weekends Away aims to give options for mini-breaks to suit all budgets and itineraries. Whether you are after a city-based stay to catch up on a show or check out some new restaurants or want to get off-the-beaten track to decompress and disconnect, you will be sure to find something that fits the bill.
“This year’s issue features a collection of short break ideas designed to provide plenty of inspiration for those looking for a circuit breaker from the hectic pace of life.”
Good Weekend 52 Weekends Away edition will be available in this Saturday’s edition of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, and online at www.traveller.com.au
For further information, please contact: Adrian Motte Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing amotte@nine.com.au
Nine is set to shine at the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival with the unveiling of their majestic marquee at Flemington Racecourse’s renowned birdcage today, ahead of four huge days of live and free coverage.
Nine’s post-race interviewer Billy Slater was front and centre on horseback for the reveal, ahead of his second year in the saddle aboard his trusted horse Sam. Alongside him, the 9Network host team of Eddie McGuire, James Bracey, and Francesca Cumani provided guests with the first look inside, detailing the design of the marquee which stands as a living expression of Nine; a space where Nine’s stories and spirit take physical form.
Bringing the comforts of home to life that feel distinctly Nine, Nicole Slater’s two striking pieces titled Alyssa and Light, from her Stables Collection, depict a celebration of the beauty and spirit of horses, while both levels display several sculptural elements that are a subtle nod to the brand’s iconic logo.
Led by Ed&EdStudio, the design celebrates collaboration and creativity. Partnering with international florist Chloe Szukilojc of CSStudio, the team crafted a series of elegant floral vignettes that embody both sophistication and a sense of lived-in luxury, a reflection of Nine’s unique balance between authenticity and aspiration.
Nine’s marquee boasts a premium viewing lounge, where guests can take in the spectacular views of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Nine will host guests across the carnival from its vast programming slate that includes The Block, The Golden Bachelor, The Olympics, NRL/NRLW and State of Origin, Today, The Floor, 9News, Australian Open Tennis andFooty Classified (AFL) amongst many others within the 9Network.
As the official broadcast partner, the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival gets underway with Howden Victoria Derby Day on Saturday, November 1 at 11:30am AEDT, ahead of Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday, November 4, live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Host Eddie McGuire will bring all the latest updates from Nine’s expert studio, while in the mounting yard James Bracey will chat to all the biggest names, while international horse racing expert Francesca Cumani, delivers her last-minute observations.
Expert tips on the field will come from David Gately and Ally Mosley, while Tony Jones will get up close with all the action, speaking to trainers, owners, jockeys and special guests.
All the glitz, glamour and exclusive celebrity access from within the Birdcage will come to life with Clint Stanaway, Sylvia Jeffreys and Jelena Dokic. While in the commentary box Matthew Hill will call the 165th running of the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
Today, Weekend Today and 9News Melbourne, will broadcast live from Melbourne’s Southbank Promenade and Flemington when Karl Stefanovic, Sarah Abo, Danika Mason, Alicia Loxley, Tom Steinfort, Clint Stanaway, Alison Piotrowski and Lizzie Pearl, will bring their personal insights to Cup week and tell the stories happening behind the scenes.
Canva’s Melanie Perkins & Cliff Obrecht’s wealth surges by $4.5 billion in one year, while Oscar Piastri debuts on the Financial Review Young Rich List.
Canva co-founders Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht rank #1 on the Young Rich List for the sixth year worth a combined $18.5 billion, up from $14 billion.
Margot Robbie is Australia’s richest entertainer under 40, worth $193 million.
F1 driver Oscar Piastri debuts on the List with an estimated wealth of $122 million, while Daniel Ricciardo has increased his wealth despite no longer racing by $7 million to $194 million. But, basketball is still the biggest creation of sport wealth, with six basketballers on the Young Rich List.
There are 21 Young Rich Listers who have made their wealth through retail, contributing $4.5 billion to the total wealth of the top 100 in 2025.
Canva co-founders Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht have topped the Financial Review 2025 Young Rich List for the sixth year in a row, growing their estimated net worth by $4.5 billion in just one year to $18.5 billion.
The couple, aged 38 and 39 respectively, have a $13.9 billion lead on the next Young Rich Lister, Ed Craven, the co-founder of online cryptocurrency casino site stake.com who has an estimated wealth of $4.6 billion.
The full Financial Review Young Rich List will be available tomorrow, Friday, October 31 on afr.com and in a special edition of The Australian Financial Review Magazine.
In third spot are Immutable brothers Robbie and James Ferguson with $1.7 billion combined, while controversial Melbourne billionaire Adrian Portelli has increased his wealth to land fourth with $1.4 billion. Airwallex co-founder Jack Zhang rounds out the top five, with an estimated wealth of $1.3 billion.
Combined, the fortunes of the top 10 hit $31.7 billion, up 9.7 per cent from $28.9 billion in 2024.
Oliver Curtis – who as Roxy Jacenko’s husband is a regular fixture in tabloid stories – debuts at #12 on the List with an estimated net worth of $444 million thanks to his AI infrastructure company Firmus.
Margot Robbie maintains her role as Australia’s richest entertainer under 40, with a wealth pile of $193 million, to come in at #36.
Australia’s wealthiest Young Rich sport star is once again basketball star Ben Simmons, worth $260 million (#20) followed by F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, who despite retiring from the sport, managed to increase his wealth by $7 million to $194 million (#35). Golfers Cameron Smith and Jason Day (#41 and #42) are worth $176 million and $167 million respectively. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri debuts on the List at #56 worth $122 million.
There are 22 people making their Young Rich debut in 2025 – the most since 2022 – and they are collectively worth $4 billion. Among them are AI entrepreneurs, a former Macquarie banker, The Block judge Marty Fox and a couple behind a collagen beauty brand.
Ukrainian immigrant Anna Podolsky, 34, the founder of pet food company Lyka comes in at #30 on the list, worth $220 million.
To qualify for theYoung Rich List in 2025, you need a fortune of at least $44 million, up from $38 million in 2024. The tech sector’s dominance continues, contributing more than $28 billion, or 62 per cent, of the total net worth of the list in 2025.
“It’s been another record-breaking year for the wealthiest Australians aged 40 and under, whose collective fortunes have risen 1700 per cent in the 22 years since the first Young Rich List was published by BRW. When the list launched in 2003, the total net worth of the 62 people featured was only $2.5 billion,” Rich List editor Yolanda Redrup said.
“The list has charted the spectacular rise, and fall, of some of the country’s most notable business identities. Through its history it’s detailed the journeys of the founders behind Atlassian, SEEK and MYOB, but also the collapse of the empires of entrepreneurs including Eddy Groves, Craig Gore and Zhenya Tsvetnenko.
“Their stories highlight the dedication and sacrifice needed to build your own business, and the sometimes fleeting nature of wealth when it is still primarily tied to equity.”
The Financial Review Young Rich List2025 Highlights TOP 10 (worth a collective $31.7 billion, using exact wealth figures)
1 Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht, 38 & 39, $18.5 billion – Canva 2 Ed Craven, 30, $4.6 billion – Stake.com 3 Robbie and James Ferguson, 33 & 28, $1.7 billion – Immutable 4 Adrian Portelli, 36, $1.4 billion – LMCT+ 5 Jack Zhang, 40, $1.3 billion – Airwallex 6 Nick Molnar, 35, $1.1 billion – Block 7 Andrew Tulloch, 35, $953 million – Thinking Machine Labs, Meta 8 Paul Stovell, 39, $637 million – Octopus Deploy 9 Jessica Sepel and Dean Steingold, 36 & 40, $486 million – JSHealth 10 Nik Mirkovic and Alex Tomic, 30 & 32, $470 million each – Hismile
The Financial Review Young Rich List is available on www.afr.com and in a special edition of AFR Magazine this Friday, October 31.
For further information, please contact: Adrian Motte Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing amotte@nine.com.au
Australia’s most trusted and successful mastheads – The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age – are offering traineeships in partnership with Canon Australia to give the next generation of visual journalists a chance to develop their skills in award-winning, digitally-focused newsrooms.
The two 12-month Visual Journalist traineeships, aimed at talented, emerging photographers and videographers, will commence in January 2026. The traineeship program will be funded as part of a three-year partnership with Canon Australia that also includes providing industry-leading imaging equipment to Nine Publishing staff photographers.
With recruitment conducted by the Herald and The Age’s photo editors and senior editors, the traineeships are a unique opportunity for those with a strong passion for photography and video storytelling to contribute to the mastheads’ high-quality visual journalism.
The traineeship program is an opportunity to learn the craft of visual journalism alongside – and be mentored by – the country’s top photojournalists, video producers and editors, focusing on developing visual reporting skills as the trainees work across different parts of the newsroom.
The Herald and The Age have a combined total readership of 12 million, and a rich heritage of quality, independent photo journalism.
“The Herald and The Age have an extraordinary history of photographic excellence and this is an incredible opportunity for us to unearth the next generation of visual journalists. Words are important, but a good news picture is everything,” Executive Editor Luke McIlveen said.
“In partnership with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Canon Australia is proud to champion authentic visual journalism by equipping Nine’s journalists with our latest imaging gear and empowering the next generation of image-makers,” said Aaron Berthelot, Senior General Manager – Consumer Sales & Marketing, Canon Oceania. “Through professional Canon kits and dedicated investment in their development, we’re giving two aspiring visual journalists the tools and confidence to tell compelling stories and help shape the future of trusted news.”
For more information please visit the Nine Careers website or apply directly to the mastheads below:
For further information, please contact: Adrian Motte Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing amotte@nine.com.au
Canon
Canon is a world-leading imaging brand that actively inspires and enables people to achieve more than they ever thought they could through products, services and solutions for business and consumers.
With global revenues of more than $US28.5 billion in 2024, Canon has ranked among the world’s top 10 in the U.S. patent rankings for 41 consecutive years.
9Podcasts has launched In The Good Books with Luke Bateman, a compelling new podcast hosted by the former NRL athlete, reality TV personality, and viral BookTok star, Luke Bateman. This series is not merely a book club; it’s an intimate journey of reinvention exploring how literature has transformed a life – from the high-pressure world of professional sport to finding purpose and community in fantasy worlds.
Luke Bateman brings his surprising and candid perspective to the mic, reflecting on a personal evolution that saw him move from hiding his reading habit to becoming a leading voice in the online literary sphere. The podcast examines how books across all genres – from gripping fantasy to insightful self-improvement guides – provide courage, connection, and a blueprint for a new chapter.
Each week, Bateman shares the classics and bestsellers that shaped his world and sits down with bestselling authors and fellow passionate bookworms to explore their own literary journeys, creating a welcoming and honest space for anyone who loves getting lost in a good story.
Luke Bateman said: “I’m overjoyed to share my new podcast, ‘In The Good Books’ with the world. It’s such a fulfilling and meaningful project for me, and to finally share it with everyone is scary but incredibly exciting! Hearing how books, stories and magic have touched people’s lives is so invigorating and I can’t wait to bring that to a wider audience.”
Nine’s Head of Podcasts, Richard Stansbury said: “We are very excited to welcome Luke Bateman to our growing slate of original podcasts with ‘In The Good Books’. Luke has built a huge and highly engaged community who share his passion for reading and quality books. We look forward to evolving that passion into a weekly podcast, packing listeners into Luke’s tractor and going on a ride from romance and fantasy to self improvement and thriller.”
IN THE GOOD BOOKS LAUNCHES TODAY WITH NEW EPISODES DROPPING EVERY WEDNESDAY ON APPLE PODCASTS & SPOTIFY
For further information, please contact: Caitlin Lynch Senior Communications Manager, Nine clynch@nine.com.au
In a dramatic conclusion to this season of The Block, five brand-new builds went under the hammer in Daylesford this weekend at a tense auction, with some couples walking away with big profits and others left empty-handed.
In a rare move, all five couples unanimously agreed prior on the auction order, a united front heading into the biggest day of the year. But the mood quickly changed once they found out their reserves were set at $2.99 million.
Britt and Taz in House 3 started the day with a bang. Their bids soared to $3,410,000 and the final hammer delivered a massive $420,000 profit for the cops from WA. The winning bid came from a new buyer to The Block scene, injecting fresh energy into the competition.
Robby and Mat in House 5 followed, and were met with the familiar face of serial Block investor Danny Wallis. The IT entrepreneur known for his philanthropic support of the show over the years secured the home with a trademark bid of $3,099,999. The best mates from SA pocketed a profit of $109,999.
Then the momentum slowed with new parentsEm and Ben in House 1. Bidding reached only $2.97 million before the auction was dramatically paused. After deliberation, a vendor bid of $3.10 million was placed, but there was no further interest and the house was passed in.
Sonny and Alicia in House 4 entered the auction with a $50,000 reduced reserve of $2.94 million from winning Week 12, but the auctioneer started strategically with a vendor bid of $3.05 million. This set the stage for one of The Block’s most consistent buyer advocates, Frank Valentic, Director of Advantage Property Consulting, to enter the fold and place a bid of $3,060,000.This secured a $120,000 profit for the parents from Queensland.
Finally, Han and Can in House 2 closed the day with immense pressure. Like House 4, their auction started directly with a vendor bid of $3.10 million, but with no buyer uptake the house was also passed in for the couple from WA.
After the final hammer, the coppers and parents from Newman in WA scooped the $100,000 prizemoney and a take-home a total of $520,000, plus the title of the first team from WA to win The Block.
Winners Britt and Taz said: “It’s phenomenal to walk away with a reward like this for all the hard work we have put into it. This is life-changing for us, it’s incredible. It’s our mortgage paid off.
“But it’s mixed emotions though as we really wanted everyone to walk away a winner and sell their houses.
“I thought our auction set the tone for everyone else. We took it upon ourselves to do that, and we were shocked more than anything. We had worked as a team right to the end, so it’s just a bit hard for us to see what has happened today.”
Taz said he was very proud of Britt, as he wasn’t as eager to get onto the show.
“We had put it on the back burner for the last few years as it was never the right time, but it got to the point where I couldn’t say no to Britt anymore. She never faltered from day one. She had a vision and she did it.”
Britt said: “I’m so proud of Taz too. He worked so hard. We sacrificed so much to be here and to get this result. While our hearts are breaking for our team mates we are also so proud of ourselves.”
Recapping the day, host Scott Cam said: “Today was more realistic of what mums and dads are going through when they are selling their homes. Some are successful and some are not. But we want all of our contestants to be successful.
“We filmed with them for three months and got to know all of them so well, but unfortunately Em and Ben and Han and Can weren’t able to do it today. But they still have the opportunity to be rewarded for their hard work as the houses go back on the market.
“Congratulations to Britt and Taz on their very well deserved win and the beautiful home they created.”
Executive Producer,Julian Cress, said: “Auction day is hard for all of us. There is no other day of the year we wake up feeling physically ill when we go to work. We are worried sick because we get so close to our contestants over the months and we want everyone to do well.
“It’s bittersweet to see two coppers from the Pilbara make half a million dollars at auction, which is amazing, but then to watch a young couple like Emma and Ben, who just had a baby, pass in, as well as Han and Can. It was an up and down and sometimes very tough day for some.”
The final results leave three teams with big profits, while House 1 and House 2 now enter into a post-auction negotiation period. This season’s winnings record a combined total of $749,999. The Block has now awarded an incredible $40,377,138.06 in total winnings.
PREVIOUS BLOCK WINNERS 2003 – BONDI – Adam & Fiona, $256,000 2004 – MANLY – Jamie & Andrew, $178,000 2010 – VAUCLUSE – John & Neisha, $305,000 2011 – RICHMOND – Polly & Waz, $115,000 2012 – SOUTH MELBOURNE – Brad & Lara, $606,000 2013 – ALL STARS (BONDI) – Phil & Amity, $395,000 2013 – SKY HIGH (SOUTH MELBOURNE) – Alisa & Lysandra, $395,000 2014 – FANS v FAVES (ALBERT PARK) – Steve & Chantelle, $736,000 2014 – GLASSHOUSE (PRAHRAN) – Shannon & Simon, $435,000 2015 – TRIPLE THREAT (SOUTH YARRA) – Darren & Deanne, $935,000 2015 – THE BLOCKTAGON (SOUTH YARRA) – Dean & Shay, $755,000 2016 – PORT MELBOURNE – Will & Karlie, $815,000 2017 – ELSTERNWICK – Josh & Elyse, $547,000 2018 – GATWICK (ST KILDA) – Hayden & Sara, $645,000 2019 – OSLO (ST KILDA) – Tess & Luke, $730,000 2020 – BRIGHTON – Jimmy & Tam, $1,066,000 2021 – FANS v FAVES (HAMPTON) – Mitch & Mark, $744,444 2022 – TREE CHANGE (GISBORNE) – Omar & Oz, $1,686,666.66 2023 – HAMPTON EAST – Steph & Gian, $1,750,000 2024 – PHILLIP ISLAND – Maddy & Charlotte, $1,650,000
Saddle up on the 9Network for the race that stops a nation in 2025, when all four days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival are live and free, from Saturday November 1, at 11.30am AEDT on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Howden Victoria Derby Daybegins the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival coverage, with Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday, November 4, followed by VRC Crown Oaks Day on Thursday, November 6, and TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday, November 8 anchoring the event.
The 9Network has assembled a comprehensive commentary line-up befitting this beloved cultural event across four spectacular days of world-class racing, fashion, and entertainment.
Host Eddie McGuire will bring all the latest updates and excitement from Flemington in Nine’s expert studio, while in the mounting yard James Bracey is joined by leading international horse racing expert Francesca Cumani, who will deliver her last-minute observations of the horses via her deep technical knowledge, prestige and fresh perspective on form, training techniques, and the global contenders.
The revelation of the 2024 coverage returns when rugby league legend and former trackwork jockey, Billy Slater is back on track for his insightful on-track interviews with the winning jockeys post race. Expert tips on the field will come from David Gately and Ally Mosley, who will deliver the best preview for punters, while Tony Jones will get up close with all the action, speaking to trainers, owners, jockeys and special guests to bring the story of every race to life for audiences at home.
Off track all the glitz, glamour and exclusive celebrity access from within the Birdcage will come to life with Clint Stanaway, Sylvia Jeffreys and Jelena Dokic showcasing the colour of one of Australia’s most loved events.
Matthew Hill will call the 165th running of the Lexus Melbourne Cup, when the richest handicap race in the world comes to life once again.
The Fashions on the Field competition will showcase the extraordinary style of racegoers, when the 9Network roves the Birdcage and the Fashion Garden to capture the elegant designs. 9Now will be the one-stop hub for all your Melbourne Cup content including previews, documentaries, interviews with winning jockeys and trainers and the history that makes this race so special.
In addition, the teams from Today, Weekend Today and 9News Melbourne, will broadcast live from Melbourne’s Southbank Promenade and Flemington. The team includes Karl Stefanovic, Sarah Abo, Danika Mason, Alicia Loxley, Tom Steinfort, Clint Stanaway, Alison Piotrowski and Lizzie Pearl, who will bring their personal insights to Cup week and tell the stories happening behind the scenes.
Nine’s Director of Sport, Brent Williams, said: “After a hugely successful first year of our partnership, we’re excited to keep the momentum going and build on our relationship with the Melbourne Cup carnival. It is truly unlike any other event in Australia, highlighted by the race that continues to stop the nation. We look forward to bringing every captivating moment, both on the course and around the precinct to the whole of the country over four thrilling days of racing, fashion and sports entertainment across the platforms of Nine.”
Crack the whip and get into the spirit of the carnival from Friday, October 24 with Race to theMelbourne Cup Carnival episode 1 and the 2025 Melbourne Cup Official Film on Sunday, October 26. Then, we will go racing for the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival with Howden Victoria Derby Day on Saturday, November 1 at 11:30am AEDT on Channel 9 and 9Now, and continuing through to TAB Champions Stakes Day on November 9 – all live and free.
For further information, please contact: Ryley McKay Nine National PR Manager – Sport
After a monumental season that saw our Blockheads building brand new, architecturally designed homes in the picturesque town of Daylesford, it’s time to find out who will be crowned winner of The Block 2025, this Sunday at 7.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
The five couples – Emma and Ben (VIC), Han and Can (WA), Britt and Taz (WA), Alicia and Sonny (QLD), and Robby and Mat (SA) – have poured their hearts and souls into creating homes that reflect Daylesford’s unique country-meets-contemporary style. With identical floor plans, every detail, every finish and every styling choice has been a critical decision in their quest to sell the Daylesford dream to the highest bidder and take out the competition.
This season has offered everything from secret wine cellars to the biggest challenge prize in Block history, a Block baby, and a whirlwind 12 weeks of building and friendship drama. Now these turnkey luxury homes will be the perfect purchase for buyers seeking a tranquil, tree-change escape, with showstopping features.
Will the property market in Daylesford, a town that has embraced the show with open arms, deliver record-breaking profits? Who will turn up to auction? Who will take home the $100,000 prizemoney?
Host Scott Cam said: “After 12 weeks of hard work, it’s incredible to see these Blockheads transform their visions into stunning homes. The scale of this season’s build has been enormous and these teams have truly been put to the test.
“Auction day is the most nerve-racking day of the year for me. This is a life-changing weekend for our teams and they have all put in the effort to deserve an incredible result.”
Domain National Managing Editor Alice Stolz, who breaks down the property market, says: “Sellers are in a good spot right now. Interest rates are lower, clearance rates are higher and overall supply is decent. We’re seeing a lift in buyer enquiry across regional Victoria, particularly in commutable lifestyle hubs like Daylesford.
“But things can get tricky if sellers overbake what their homes are worth. Deals are not getting done if sellers are dreaming.
“This year’s Block contestants have delivered something truly extraordinary, large, beautiful and architectural homes in the heart of one of Victoria’s most charming towns. There’s nothing out there like it. Let’s hope enough buyers are ready to lock it in.”
Executive Producer Julian Cress shares the praise for this year’s contestants. He said: “There is no doubt that our contestants have built five incredible homes, in what we have discovered is one of the best country towns and communities in Australia.
“We would be very hopeful that people who have watched this series realise just what an amazing thing it would be to buy one of these homes and join the community in Daylesford.
“We are trying to do something that has never been done before, auction five high-end homes in Daylesford on the same day. And while the homes all deserve to sell well and command high prices, we are not certain that we can do it in one day. But we hope to.
“So as usual, we are as nervous as we always are going into a Block auction. Whatever happens on the day, on behalf of our entire cast and crew we would like to sincerely thank the people of Daylesford for welcoming us to their beautiful town.”
Since premiering on Channel 9 in 2003, The Block, Australia’s richest reality program, has awarded a total of $39,627,139.63 in prizemoney.
HOUSE 1 – EM AND BEN Address: 5 Cedar Lane, Daylesford VIC 3460 Listing: 4 Bed, 3 Bath. Price guide: $3-$3.3 million Full listing here
HOUSE 2 – HAN AND CAN Address: 4 Cedar Lane, Daylesford VIC 3460 Listing: 4 Bed, 3 Bath Price guide: $3-$3.3 million Full listing here
HOUSE 3 – BRITT AND TAZ Address: 3 Cedar Lane, Daylesford VIC 3460 Listing: 4 Bed, 3 Bath Price guide: $3-$3.3 million Full listing here
HOUSE 4 – SONNY AND ALICIA Address: 2 Cedar Lane, Daylesford VIC 3460 Listing: 4 Bed, 3 Bath Price guide: $3-$3.3 million Full listing here
HOUSE 5 – ROBBY AND MAT Address: 1 Cedar Lane, Daylesford VIC 3460 Listing: 4 Bed, 3 Bath Price guide: $3-$3.3 million Full listing here
Scores of innocent Australians may have been wrongfully accused of killing or harming a baby due to an outdated and flawed medical theory, a new podcast investigation by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald has revealed.
A landmark four-part podcast Diagnosing Murder, by The Age’s Walkley Award-winning journalist Michael Bachelard and executive producer Ruby Schwartz, delves into the traumatic and confronting deaths and injuries of babies, revealing that the medical orthodoxy behind shaken baby syndrome – used as a clear indicator of child abuse for decades – may be flawed and increasingly out of line with international standards.
Shaken baby syndrome is a collection of medical signs that most doctors, police and child protection experts have believed since the 1970s can be an almost certain sign of child abuse. But in the past 30 years a number of serious miscarriages of justice in the US and UK have convinced a growing number of people that that diagnosis may have led to false imprisonments on a vast scale.
While the debate rages overseas, in Australia the evidence of a small number of child abuse specialists is often still accepted, and on their opinions, children have been forcefully removed from families, and fathers mothers, boyfriends, and carers found guilty of serious charges leading to long prison sentences. Now, dissenting voices from medical experts to lawyers have begun to cast doubt on the shaken baby orthodoxy.
Produced by the team behind the award-winning podcast, Trial By Water, Liar Liar and Phoebe’s Fall, Diagnosing Murder poses the difficult question – is shaken baby syndrome good science or has a bad diagnosis led to good people being locked up when they’ve done nothing wrong at all?
Due to legal restrictions the families cannot be named so all parents interviewed go under aliases. But they tell raw and traumatic stories of having to deal not only with the death or injury of their baby, but also with a system accusing them of the most callous criminal acts.
Episode one delves into the theory behind the syndrome, including that shaking a baby causes three life threatening clinical findings, called the triad. Bachelard goes deep into the evidence to critically examine these three markers – bleeding under one of the membranes of the brain; bleeding in the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eyes; and swelling of the brain.
This medical diagnosis is at the heart of Diagnosing Murder. It’s a theory that means, in many cases, expert evidence from specialist doctors is enough to persuade a jury of the guilt of the accused.
“Not shaking a baby is just good advice. But the real question here is whether you can diagnose abuse or murder from the triad findings alone?” said Michael Bachelard. “Serious doctors now say there could be 40 or 50 other causes – which means potentially dozens of wrongful convictions in this country alone. Initially, I had serious qualms about reporting this story – nobody wants to excuse child abuse. But in having these doubts, I just think of one case – a case we study in detail. And to me it’s such a clear injustice it points to the fact that something is going terribly wrong in this country.”
Nine Publishing’s head of growth Lisa Muxworthy said podcasting was the perfect medium to tell this story.
“It allows listeners to absorb the complexity of the medical evidence alongside the raw, emotional testimonies of the families. It is an extraordinarily difficult story to tell but the resulting work is revelatory.
“Diagnosing Murder also demonstrates the Age and Sydney Morning Herald’s commitment to holding power to account and delivering credible, essential public interest journalism, even when it means challenging established medical and legal orthodoxies.”
Diagnosing Murder will be supported by interactive digital coverage and is available now through the mastheads, on SPOTIFY, APPLE, YOUTUBE, and all other podcast apps.
For further information, please contact: Adrian Motte Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing amotte@nine.com.au
Nine Queensland has been recognised at the 2025 Clarion Awards, last night, with wins in a range of categories, plus a special lifetime achievement award for one of Queensland’s most respected journalists.
Esteemed former 9News Queensland presenter Andrew “Lofty” Lofthouse was honoured with the Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism award, which recognises long-term commitment to excellence in journalism and achievement in the industry.
Director of News at Nine Queensland, Brendan Hockings, said: “This prestigious award is a powerful testament to the remarkable career and indelible impact of Andrew Lofthouse. Lofty retires as the gold standard for professionalism and character in Queensland journalism.
“His decades of dedication to truth-telling, combined with his legendary humility and deep respect for every member of the team, have defined his legacy at 9News.”
During last night’s ceremony, 9News Queensland presenter Melissa Downes, who was Lofty’s co-presenter for 16 years, welcomed him to the stage, “In 2009, he found his way up the mountain, to 9News Queensland, to a place on the desk with me…a partnership that endured for 16 years.
“Lofty is one of the true gentlemen of the TV news business, a consummate professional, a natural in any situation. You could send him to the heart of a cyclone, the edge of a bushfire, or the devastation of a flood and he’d always deliver.”
Nine Queensland secured a total of 4 Clarion Awards from 13 nominations, with wins across television news and publishing.
Among the wins were Best News Report in the Television/Audio category for “Police Release Victim Information” by Tim Arvier and Brendan Hockings and Best Artwork, Cartoon, Illustration or Graphic by Mark Brown for “Griffith Sentence”.
Hockings said: “I’m proud of all our Clarion Award finalists and the high-quality journalism 9News delivers to Queensland every night. These awards are recognition of a hard-working, passionate newsroom committed to delivering the kind of news coverage Queenslanders can rely on – accurate, timely and trusted.”
As an experienced and award-winning team, 9News Queensland continues to set the benchmark for comprehensive news coverage across the state. As Queensland’s most-watched and most-trusted news service, 9News remains dedicated to telling the stories that matter, a commitment clearly reflected in the recognition received at last night’s 2025 Clarion Awards.
NOMINATIONS (WINNERS IN BOLD)
Television News Report
Bailey Kenzie and Emily Prain, Nine, “Ezra Mam”
Tim Arvier and Brendan Hockings, Nine, “Police Release Victim Information”
Social Issues Reporting
Tim Arvier and Brendan Hockings, Nine, “Police Release Victim Information”
Most Outstanding Final Year Journalism Student – Graduating 2025
Jiselle Manning, University of Queensland and Nine, “Body of Work”
Radio, Documentary and Podcast
Jessica Lodge, Melissa Downes, Adam Buncher, Matty White and Sam Stove, Nine, “The Ultimate Sacrifice”
Artwork, Cartoon, Illustration or Graphic
Mark Brown, Nine, “Griffith Sentence”
Mark Brown, Libby Hodges, Hannah Treloar and Rebecca McLean, Nine, “Pheobe Bishop”
Broadcast Interview
Pippa Bradshaw, Rob Barbir and Ben Stivala, Nine, “Cult Dad”
Current Affairs, Feature, Documentary or Special Broadcast
Pippa Bradshaw, Miranda Eddy, Rob Barbir and Ben Stivala, Nine, “The Saints”
Best Metropolitan News Photo
Matt Dennien, Brisbane Times, “Not Part of Our Plan”
Investigative Journalism
Dan Nolan, Nine, “The Wreckage of a Predator”
Business Journalism
James Hall, Zoe Samios, Jessica Sier, Amelia McGuire and Primrose Riordan, The Australian Financial Review, “On the Trail of Star Entertainment’s Mystery Macau Shareholder”
Sports Journalism
James Hall and Zoe Samios, The Australian Financial Review, “How It All Went Wrong for Rocky Elsom”
Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism
Andrew Lofthouse
For further information, please contact: Lucy Charles 9Network Publicity lucy.charles@nine.com.au
Sunday, 19 October, 2025
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