that's life! Issue 16, 2022

I was struck by how young the soldiers were Anzac Day is such a special day in our national calendar and it always makes me feel proud that we continue to mark it, so many years after the very first Anzac Day was observed. That was back on April 25, 1916, when people gathered to mark the first anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli and honour those who were lost. Since then, the day has come to represent much more than commemorating the terrible loss of life during that particular battle. It is a time when we remember and honour all those who served in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. For me, Anzac Day always reminds me of a dear friend, Frank, who was serving in Singapore when it fell…

My two-year-old girl Claudia having fun with Big Ted. Heidi Laugesen, Geilston Bay, Tas Thanks that’s life! for the cash prize I won. My granddaughters Heidi and Summer help me with the puzzles. We are all very happy to have won. Thank you! Nola Falknau, Hervey Bay, Qld I was amazed to spot this tree in Swan Hill, Vic, on a bowls trip. Mav Janetzki, Horsham, Vic My kitten Adorabelle decided to take a catnap with Joe. Kim Rees, Whanganui, NZ Our family – Tyron, Jed, Richard, Nakara and me – had a day out at Wet’n’Wild water park. We love spending time together. Debbie Holloway-Hill, Birkdale, Qld I met football commentator Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin at Suncorp stadium in Brisbane. Robert Cox, Oxenford, Qld We enjoyed a great girls’day out in the NSW Hunter Valley. Virginia Ung, Redfern, NSW My mum Raewyn and I…

Maria Xynias, 57, Balmain, NSW Picking me up from the hospital after I had a scan, my sister Kerry drove me home. ‘I don’t know what I’d do without you,’ I said, grateful. I’d recently been diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome. A condition which can develop after constant high levels of cortisol, it had caused a 10cm benign tumour on my adrenal gland. I’d had surgery to remove it and, after spending a month in hospital, I’d had to have follow-up visits for the next two. Single and without kids, I was fortunate to have my big Greek family – Mum, Despina, then 80, my brother, Ric, 45, and Kerry, 50, as well as my many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews – pitch in. ‘Imagine how many people don’t have families like we do,’ Kerry said. In…

Alexia Daval was desperate to hear the pitter patter of tiny feet in the home she shared with her husband, Jonathann. The couple had been trying to have a baby but, sadly, had been unsuccessful. So, Alexia started fertility treatment, hopeful that she’d soon fall pregnant. She’d been beaten and strangled But, in October 2017, the small town the 29-year-old lived in was rocked by tragedy. A passer-by discovered a woman’s body in the bush. Tragically, the remains belonged to Alexia. Discovered not far from her usual jogging route near their home, she’d been beaten and strangled. Her body, which was covered with branches, had been burned. How could an innocent woman out for a run be killed in such a way – and in such a sleepy small town of just 5500 inhabitants? Days later, at a march…

Robyn Lewis, 53, Gladstone, Qld A swig of vodka immediately made me feel better. That’s really good, I thought, as the room swam around me. Shockingly, I was just 10 years old, but I was desperate to escape the reality of my life. My dad was a heavy gambler and would constantly get drunk and abuse my poor mum. He’d also knock us to the floor and beat us viciously, or drag us by the hair as we screamed. By the time I reached 30, my life was a mess While the neighbours must have heard our cries, no-one ever came to help. It was the 1970s, and domestic violence was regarded as more of a private matter than a police one. All I could do was try and get through it. When I was 15, I started…

Leah, 46, Frankston, Vic* Stifling a yawn, I glanced around the conference room, searching for my husband Tony. When I finally spotted him, I gave him a meaningful smile. Please can we go soon? I implored with my eyes. Tony nodded and made his way over. But as he drew near, a man stopped him. ‘Tony!’ the man cried. ‘Great to see you!’ ‘Mate!’ Tony grinned, giving him a bear hug. ‘Where have you been?’ ‘I’ve been overseas,’ the man said. ‘What about you?’ ‘I’m married now,’ Tony replied, pulling me to him. ‘This is Leah, my wife. Leah, meet Mal.’ ‘I’ve heard a lot about you Mal,’ I smiled. ‘It’s lovely to finally meet you.’ ‘You too,’ Mal smiled. I recognised his piercing blue eyes and curly hair from Tony’s old photos. They’d been best mates at both school and uni, but…