Sommaire pour Issue 14, 2026 de that's life!

April is the month where we remember those who have served or given their lives for their countries. And with each passing Anzac Day, there are sadly fewer and fewer veterans of one of those conflicts, the Second World War, left to share their stories. Of the one million Aussies who served, it’s believed only a thousand remain. And in New Zealand, of the 194,000 men and 10,000 women who served, there are less than one hundred. In my own family, my grandad Fred served in Italy and North Africa, but he died 30 years ago, aged 79. So we were deeply honoured to be able to share with you Marie Kirkby’s story (page 6) this week. Marie turned a sprightly 105 in February, but in the 1940s, as a…

P opping my handbag in the footwell, I buckled my seatbelt. ‘Thanks for coming to get me,’ I said to my mum, Sue, then 58, as she pulled out of the car park. It was 5pm in January 2021 and, aged 19, I’d just finished my shift as a trainee childcare practitioner. Winter where I lived in North Yorkshire, UK, it was already dark. Mum, who ran a pub with my dad, Rocky, 52, had picked me up in a second-hand car they’d recently bought. About 15 minutes down the road, I heard a strange clanking noise. Seconds later, black smoke began streaming from the bonnet. ‘Pull over,’ I cried, as the smoke poured into the car through the air vents. As Mum pulled onto the side of the narrow…

W addling through the supermarket, every step felt heavy. ‘When are you due?’ the cashier smiled at the till. where the weight around my middle came from. Worse still, it was causing me agony. I first noticed something was wrong a week out from my wedding in June 2022. ‘I’m not pregnant,’ my cheeks burned with embarrassment. Mortifyingly, it wasn’t the first time someone had asked this very question. Ahead of marrying my partner, Lex, then 32, I wanted to break in my wedding heels. But my feet were so puffy and painful it was like I was walking on needles. I barely made My belly was so swollen, I looked like I was eight months along! For years, I’d been to countless doctors but nobody could tell me it…

Try this You can use any Mexican-style seasoning in this salad, such as chilli powder, taco or fajita seasoning. SERVES 6 PREP & COOK 25 MINS 50g butter, melted 2 x 425g packets corn cobbettes 1 small iceberg lettuce, finely shredded 400g can black beans, drained, rinsed 2 avocados, sliced DRESSING ½ cup mild chunky salsa 1 tbsp Mexican-style spice blend ½ small red onion, finely chopped ¼ cup finely chopped fresh coriander ½ cup olive oil 1/3 cup lime juice 1 tsp caster sugar 1 tomato, finely chopped 1 DRESSING Place 1 tbsp salsa, spice blend, onion, coriander, oil, lime juice and sugar in a jug. Whisk well to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in tomato. 2 Combine butter and remaining salsa in a large bowl. Add…

I have so many store loyalty cards I had to get a holder to put them all in. Most of them are free memberships from shops I’ve visited, but a few have a monthly or yearly fee. When you’re paying to belong to a rewards program it’s important to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth, otherwise that card is nothing more than a costly but useless piece of plastic. The good news is, when used strategically, rewards programs can put some savings back in your pocket. FREE TRIAL Signing up for a free trial gives you the opportunity to calculate how much you can save before committing. Most 62 www.thatslife.com.au trials are for one month, so use the program consciously, and record your savings and any freebies or benefits.…

Herb gardens have always offered more than flavour for the kitchen. Certain plants are symbols of prosperity, protection, romance, and success. Here are eight herbs that can bring beauty, aroma, and a touch of intention to your garden! Basil – prosperity Sweet basil is cherished in many traditions as a symbol of wealth and abundance. Its lush green leaves and fast growth make it a living metaphor for flourishing fortunes! Plant basil in a sunny spot, keep it well watered, and harvest often to encourage new growth to invite abundance. Rosemary – health & clarity Rosemary’s distinctive scent is associated with memory, protection, and vitality. A hardy plant that thrives, it’s also a symbol of resilience and long life. A pot near a window brings fragrance and a sense of…

My funny pooches love to dress up with me. Rivkah Bendet, via email Luckily I had my that’s life! mag with me while waiting for our tour of the Whitsundays, leaving from the beautiful Hamilton Island. Margaret Jupp, New Lambton, NSW Athena loves to show off her tongue when dining out at the pub! Jo Michell, Kensington, Vic 1976 On April 1, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple Computer in Steve Jobs’ parents’ garage in Cupertino California. 1962 The Seekers were formed in 1962 in Melbourne. They became the first Australian band to achieve major success internationally. 1980 Band Men at Work released the famous song ‘Down Under’ which topped the charts in Oz in 1981 and in New Zealand in 1982. It was also a hit in the…

L egs pumping, I powered my bike up the mountain. This is tough, I thought, my legs burning. It was a sunny day in 2019 and my kids, Kalena, then 15, and Jeremy, 13, had joined me and their dad Jonathan, 51, on a ride up Mt Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak. Seconds later Jeremy whizzed past. ‘See you at the top,’ he grinned, overtaking everyone. Jeremy was happiest on a bike. When he was a toddler, I bought him an orange BMX and he’d pedal around for hours. As he grew, that passion turned to mountainbiking, then motorbike riding. He loved fixing engines too – lawnmowers, quad bikes, and motorbikes – and eventually bought a run-down van to restore with his mates after getting his learner’s permit. He’d also dedicated…

Try this Smoked paprika is not spicy – add a little chilli powder or cayenne pepper for some extra heat. CHICKEN AND CHORIZO COUSCOUS SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 30 MINS 500g chicken breast fillets, cut into 5cm pieces 2 tbsp olive oil 1½ cups chicken stock 250g packet pearl couscous 1 chorizo, halved lengthways, thinly sliced 1 onion, halved, thinly sliced 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 red capsicum, cut into thin strips 200g green beans, trimmed, cut into 1.5cm lengths 1 tsp smoked paprika 2 tbsp coarsely chopped fresh oregano, plus leaves to garnish 1 Toss chicken with half the oil in a bowl. 2 Bring stock to boil in a medium saucepan over a high heat. Stir in couscous. Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for about 5 mins, or…

Top tip For extra heat, replace half the sweet chilli sauce with your favourite hot chilli sauce. SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 30 MINS 600g pork stir-fry strips ¼ cup cornflour 6 green onions, thinly sliced, white bases and green tops separated 1 carrot, shredded 1 red capsicum, cut into thin strips 400g snow peas, trimmed 1/3 cup sweet chilli sauce ¼ cup light soy sauce 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar 200g dried egg noodles 1 Toss pork with cornflour. 2 Heat an oiled, large, non-stick frying pan over a high heat. Add pork in three batches. Cook for 1 min, without stirring. Stir-fry for a further 1-2 mins, or until browned and almost cooked. Remove. 3 Add white onion bases with carrot and capsicum to same oiled, hot pan.…

Swap idea Corn tortillas can be replaced with taco shells. MAKES 8 PREP & COOK 40 MINS 8 small white corn tortillas 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 2½ cups shredded roast chicken meat 35g packet crispy chicken spice mix Lime wedges, to serve SWEET CORN SALSA 3 corn cobs 1 small red capsicum, chopped ½ cup finely grated parmesan ½ cup chopped fresh coriander leaves, plus extra to garnish ¼ cup chipotle aioli 1 tbsp lime juice, plus wedges to serve 1 SALSA Heat an oiled grill plate over a medium-high heat. Add corn. Cook, turning occasionally, for 10-15 mins, or until charred. Remove. Cool slightly. Cut kernels from cobs and place in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well. 2 Cook tortillas…

Top tip For added flavour, try adding chopped chorizo or bacon to the mushrooms and tomatoes when roasting. BAKED MUSHROOMS, TOMATOES AND EGG WITH FETA SERVES 6 PREP & COOK 55 MINS 4 large flat mushrooms, stems removed, thickly sliced 3 roma tomatoes, quartered lengthways 2 tbsp olive oil 60g baby spinach leaves 100g Greek-style feta, crumbled 8 eggs Toasted Turkish bread, to serve 1 Toss mushrooms and tomatoes in oil in a 20cm x 30cm shallow rectangular ovenproof dish (12-cup capacity). Season with salt and pepper. 2 Cook in a 200°C preheated oven for about 15 mins, or until soft. Remove from oven. 3 Sprinkle over spinach leaves and crumbled feta. Crack an egg into a small bowl. Pour into the dish over feta. Repeat with remaining eggs. 4…

Walking towards Central Square Shopping Centre in Altona Meadows, Vic, I headed for the chemist. It was July 2025, and I’d had a fever and cough for a couple of days. As I walked, I dialled my best mate to make plans for the following day. After paying for my medicine, I stepped out the sliding doors of the pharmacy and noticed a group of teenagers on a bench. I didn’t pay them much mind as I turned down an alley between the shops, chatting to my mate as I went. I’d made it about halfway when I heard footsteps behind me. Seconds later I was surrounded by five teens. ‘I don’t want any trouble,’ I said. I tried to push past them to escape, but before I could get…

Ever wondered why your beloved pooch keeps landing in trouble? It could come down to breed personality. Dogs known for their adventurous, high-spirited and curious natures are often the most accident-prone, with injuries ranging from fractures and soft tissue damage, to snake bites and heatstroke. According to Pet Insurance Australia, breeds topping accident-related claims share traits such as high energy and curiosity. Spokesperson Nadia Crighton says these dogs are ‘incredibly active, curious and athletic,’ which can lead to mishaps. The top accident-prone breeds include greyhounds, whippets, Australian cattle dogs, Great Danes, German shorthaired pointers, Rhodesian ridgebacks, border collies, American Staffordshire terriers, Jack Russell terriers and boxers.…

Great ideas We used thick ling fish fillets. Add peeled, raw prawns and mussels for a seafood curry. SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 30 MINS 1 large brown onion, coarsely chopped 2 tbsp each of garlic and ginger paste 2 tsp cumin seeds 2 tsp ground turmeric 1 tsp garam masala 1½ cups chicken stock 270ml can coconut milk 10 curry leaves 600g thick, firm white fish fillets, cut into 5cm pieces Sliced small red chillies, steamed rice, lime wedges, to serve 1 Heat an oiled stockpot over a medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and ginger pastes and cumin seeds. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 4 mins, or until onion is soft. 2 Add turmeric and garam masala. Cook, stirring, for 1 min, or until fragrant. Add stock, coconut milk…

MEXICAN-STYLE CHARGRILLED CORN MAKES 8 PREP & COOK 40 MINS 75g butter, melted 40g packet fajita spice mix 8 large corn cobs, husks, silk removed ½ cup mayonnaise 1 tsp finely grated lime rind 3 tsp lime juice, plus wedges or halves to serve 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander 2 green onions, finely chopped 1½ cups freshly grated parmesan cheese 1 Combine butter and spice mix in a small bowl. Brush over corn cobs to coat. 2 Heat an oiled, barbecue grill plate over a medium heat. Add cobs. Cook, turning occasionally for 8-10 mins, or until charred and tender. Transfer corn to an oven tray. 3 Meanwhile, combine mayonnaise, lime rind, juice, coriander and onions in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. 4 Using a clean pastry…

SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 25 MINS 6 round crumpets 4 eggs 1/3 cup milk 1 tsp vanilla bean paste Sliced bananas, strawberries, to serve Icing sugar mixture, cinnamon sugar, to decorate CINNAMON BUTTER 125g butter, softened ¼ cup icing sugar mixture 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 Place crumpets in a single layer in a shallow dish. 2 Whisk eggs, milk and vanilla in a jug. Pour over crumpets. Refrigerate, covered, overnight to soak, turning crumpets once. 3 CINNAMON BUTTER Place all ingredients in a bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until pale and creamy. Refrigerate, covered, overnight. 4 Next morning, remove cinnamon butter from fridge. Bring to room temperature. 5 Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Spray base with cooking oil. Add crumpets in two batches…

Top tips For a richer chocolate flavour, replace cookies with Choc Ripple biscuits and milk chocolate with dark chocolate in the topping. Tart can be made up to three days ahead, keep covered in the fridge. © ARE MEDIA, CONTENTSHOP.COM.AU SERVES 12 PREP & COOK 40 MINS 250g packet Butternut Snap 100g butter, melted 3 x 50g Mars Bar chocolates EASY NOUGAT 2 cups white marshmallows (170g) 1 cup Milk Choc Melts (150g) 1 tbsp malted milk powder 2 tbsp milk ¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar CARAMEL 395g can sweetened condensed milk 125g butter, chopped ¼ cup golden syrup TOPPING 150g milk cooking chocolate, finely chopped ⅓ cup pure cream Cookie 1 Grease a 23.5cm round x 3.5cm deep, loose-base flan tin. 2 Process cookies in a food processor…

R olling balls of cookie dough between the soles of my feet, I placed them on the baking tray and stamped my big toe in the middle. ‘Perfect!’ I smiled, placing them in the oven to bake. It was December 2021 and I’d just completed another customer order. I sell all sorts of feet related stuff to strangers online – including cookies made with my tootsies. In fact, a bloke had just bought a batch for $42! The side hustle had fallen into my lap after I posted a video of my partner *Sam, then 35, massaging my feet at a footy game that June. Having 10,000 followers on TikTok @realcheybutt at the time, the video quickly went viral! Before I knew it, my followers had boomed to 200,000 and…