Issue 11, 2024

that's life

The magazine with heart

that's life2 min read
Welcome
Letter from the Ed When I walked into the offices of that’s life! on my first day as editor back in 2006, I never dreamed I’d still be sitting here 18 years later. I’ve written around 900 of these ed’s letters, and when I wrote the first, I felt as
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It’s Your Life!
WE PAY FOR EACH PHOTO USED Snørre claiming the baby’s pram. Paul Delaney, Carrum Downs, Vic Jasper and Willow are people watching out the window. Julie Willigers, Keiraville ,NSW Kit-Kat loves to keep an eye on what’s going on! Alison Buys, Butle
that's life4 min read
Our Little Rays Of Sunshine
Marni Cochrane, 43, Merrimac, Qld Placing a record onto the turntable, my mum, Helen, and dad, Reinhold, slowdanced to the music. At four years old, it was my first memory. Mum was a huge music lover. ‘I went to see the Beatles perform when I was 18
that's life3 min readCrime & Violence
She Poisoned Her Hubby’s Dinner
On the night of September 2, 2016, Ramandeep Mann cooked up a meal for her family. Ramandeep, 38, had been married to her husband, Sukhjit Singh who was known as Sonu, then 34, for 11 years. The couple were on holiday in India visiting Sonu’s mum nea
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Make Mine A Mullet!
Mitch White, 25, Brisbane, Qld Let’s give the mullets a trim,’ Dad said brandishing the hair-clippers. Aged 23, in 2022, I took another sip of my VB, as my dad, Bevan, then 50, lifted up my light brown curls and carefully trimmed my undercut, finish
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The cheating Chef
Gemma, 43, Robina, Qld* Getting dressed up for a dinner party, I sighed. While I loved socialising with my friends, I knew eventually I’d have to be host and I was dreading it. My cooking had always been dreadful, to say the least. Pasta was about a
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Grinning Winner
Lady Luck was most definitely on Jenniferer Minton’s side – not once but twice in the same week. Her winning streak started with online lottery game Safari Quest. Netting $50,000, little did Jennifer know just a week later she’d win again – while she
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Happy Family
When Brittany and Chris Tyler struggled with infertility, they decided to try adoption. Around the same time, a baby had been surrendered at a local fire station. Only a few days old, he’d been left with a note from his biological mother. The Tylers
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Capybara Capers
Animal lovers can now meet the world’s largest rodent in an up-close and personal capybara experience. These chilled-out mammals are as curious as they are adorable. Visitors to Sydney Zoo, NSW, which is around 40 minutes west of the city’s CBD, can
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What We’re...
From the tl! team Wildlife Compendium of the World by Tania McCartney This is a charming encyclopedia-style book for children of all ages. It beautifully illustrates and describes some of the incredible species that are to be found on each contine
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I’m A Survivor!
Tatyana Koltunyuk, a 65-year-old widow, was enjoying an early evening swim in August 2023 when she felt something touch her hand. She looked down and saw a shark beneath the surface of the water, staring at her. ‘She saw all of its teeth. She describ
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Volunteer Of The Week
Hearing the rumble of motorcycle engines as riders took their positions, I grinned. There’s no place I’d rather be, I thought. I’d never ridden before, but in 2019, aged 20, I saw a second-hand black and silver Yamaha R15 for sale. And on a whim, I b
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Eat Well Spend Less
For a change, replace ham with chopped lean bacon. Swap sweet chilli sauce with sriracha for more heat. When cooking omelette, pull sides of egg to the centre to allow uncooked egg to run underneath. Kebabs are available in major supermarkets or butc
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Time for Cupcakes
Leftover watermelon puree can be used to make smoothies or served over ice-cream. Coloured paper cases are available at cake decorating stores and some supermarkets. Lolly clouds are available in the confectionery aisle of major supermarkets. Cupcake
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My Man’s Gone Quiet
I’ve been with a great guy for a year and thought everything was going well. We live separately but spend lots of nights together and weekends going away, and we even both got puppies from the same litter who love to play together. Over the last few
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We’re Loving...
We used Aeroplane Jelly’s Creamy Chocolate Flavoured Mousse sachets, available in the dessert section of major supermarkets. You will need 5 x 55g bars Turkish Delight.
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Brain Waves
SEND US YOUR CLEVER IDEAS I find using half the recommended amount of washing powder works just as well. Mary Thomas, Footscray, Vic To soothe an ant bite apply a paste of bicarb and water. Noelle Loker, Wyong, NSW After shampooing your hair, rin
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I paddled 12,700KM!
Bonnie Hancock, 33, Mermaid Beach, Qld I think I can paddle around Australia,’ I said to my husband Matt. Matt, then 30, knew when I set my mind to something I went for it. Inspired by Freya Hoffmeister, a sea kayaker who circumnavigated Australia i
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I Got My Life Back!
AUSSIE REAL LIFE Christabel Ndlovu, 42, Melbourne, Vic Cradling my newborn daughter, Nia*, I was completely in love with my beautiful baby. When I’d fallen pregnant to my then boyfriend it had been a shock, but Nia meant the world to me. But I was
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Reaping the Rewards
Do you have one of our loyalty cards?’ the shop assistant asked with a smile. These days, you’re hard pressed to find a store that doesn’t have some form of loyalty or rewards program to entice you to shop with them. In this instance, I knew I wasn’t
that's life4 min readCrime & Violence
I Was The Smiling ASSASSIN
Deb Wallace, 64, Sydney, NSW AUSSIE REAL LIFE All eyes were on me as the train trundled towards Blacktown, NSW. I was taking part in a police re-enactment of the horrific murder of 26-yearold Anita Cobby, who was abducted in February 1986. The young
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Living Well
Measles cases are rising in some parts of the world, with 42,000 cases reported in Europe during 2023. That’s a steep rise from 2022 when it was 941. Getting the right support depends on your sleeping position Thicker pillows can be the best option
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ASK THE Doctor
Q My dentist has given me some antibiotics for a dental abscess. My friends and I are due to celebrate my 60th birthday this weekend and I’d really like to enjoy a drink with everyone. I was always told that you should avoid drinking alcohol when tak
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My Boy Couldn’t Sit Up
Caite Rolfe, 35, Brisbane, Qld Walking in to wake my bub, Jasper, then 16 months, my heart stopped. His eyes were stuck to the right and he couldn’t sit up. ‘What’s wrong?’ I panicked. My hubby David, then 25, and I took him to hospital where doctor
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All-In-One
Our favourite concealers keep the skin hydrated while gently smoothing dark circles and imperfections. Head into your nearest store or pharmacy to test and choose the right colour for you.
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A special Treat
The sweet scent of cooked berries hit my nostrils almost as soon as I turned the key in the front door. My flatmate Kylie had been making jam and the kitchen was in chaos. ‘Lisa! Hi!’ Kylie greeted me before screwing the lid on a jam jar. ‘You’ve bee
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Signs From Beyond The Grave
Samantha Barker, 31, Sydney, NSW My parents Graham and Liz separated when I was seven. Dad later re-partnered and, when I was 12, my sister Sarah, then nine, and I went to live with him and our stepmum, Eileen. A high school teacher, Eileen was a st
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Kris Fontaine Psychic Astrologer
Avoiding people and places that cry ‘toxic’ is your new way, Aries. Magically, this kicks off a healthier phase from Monday. Staying with the health theme, be available to sample a beneficial eating plan or attempt a personalised exercise routine. LU
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Crystal Healing
Scientists have shown that crystals vibrate energy at their centre. Crystal healing involves allowing this energy to balance the energies of our seven chakras – base, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye and crown. Each crystal is said to h

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