Readers Digest Australia December 2021

IT’S SAFE TO SAY THAT 2021 is a year we’re all pleased is coming to an end. Across our readership, individuals and families have been tested like never before. But, it’s also been a time to reassess what really matters in life. With lockdowns hopefully behind us, communities are returning to a new normal with a greater emphasis on local connections. As we start to plan our New Year’s celebrations, I’m certain Patricia Pearson’s sentiments in ‘Bye, Bye 2021’ (page 56) will strike a chord with our readers. Because even though 2021 has been anything but happy, that’s no reason to hold off celebrating and anticipating a Happy New Year for 2022. In the spirit of Christmas, this issue has stories about inspiring experiences and perspectives. ‘Melodies Straight From The Heart’…

Return To Glory For those of us lucky enough to have visited the Notre Dame Cathedral before the devastating fire that almost destroyed it, images of the ferocious flames roaring skywards, and the toppling of the spire, broke hearts not just in France, but all around the world (‘Saving Notre Dame’, September). Now more than two years on, the complex repair, restoration and rebuilding of Notre Dame continues in the safe hands of scientists and craftsmen with century-old skills, passionate about bringing new life to the cathedral that never lost its heart. JUDITH CAINE Finding A Family ‘Learning to Love’ by Melissa Fay Greene (September) has stayed with me. For Izidor to have had such a painful life – unable to comprehend what love is, not be able to relate to a loving family…

Ambulances are normally associated with medical care, but in Romania, a different kind of ‘ambulance’ is racing to save the life of historical structures. In 2016, architect Eugen Vaida founded Ambulance for Monuments. Starting with a tool-filled truck, he roamed Romania repairing neglected historical buildings and monuments with the help of volunteers. Now, some five years later, Vaida has seven trucks, 500 volunteers and has saved 60 structures, including medieval churches, ancient windmills and castles. Various sponsors help bankroll the project, and local communities donate food and housing to the volunteers, while local governments supply construction materials. “It works similarly to an emergency medical intervention,” Vaida says. “There is an ambulance that comes to the site, assesses the damage, stabilises the patient, and then the patient is ready for treatment.”…

IN 1955, AT AGE 12, I BECAME obsessed with the idea of recording an album for our parents for Christmas. My sister, aged nine, brother, ten, and myself would sing our favourite songs from the era – an unusual undertaking for a child in those days. My sister and I used to take our time washing the dishes so we could sing our hearts out to the latest songs by Doris Day, Pat Boone, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Lynn. There were also a few child stars at the time, like Shirley Temple and Judy Garland, who gave us inspiration. We all loved the movie Hans Christian Andersen starring Danny Kaye, with songs The Inch Worm, The Ugly Duckling and The King’s New Clothes. I remember feeling the romance and sadness of Hans…

Elephant Reunion CHANDANA BASUMATARY When my niece, Keya, was two years old, her father worked as a senior forest official for the Indian Forest Services in Assam. At the time there were devastating floods and a baby elephant got caught in a current and became separated from its mother. The baby elephant was brought to their house to recover and my niece named him Ramu. Over the next three years my niece became very attached to him and the two were great playmates. But, as Ramu grew older and stronger it was time for him to be reunited with his herd at the National Reserve Park. My niece was incredibly sad to see him go. Fast forward 15 years to March 2021 and my niece heard news of Ramu from her father, who…

Our regular pet columnist, Dr Katrina Warren, is an established and trusted animal expert. OLD WIVES’ TALES, MYTHS, AGE-OLD BELIEFS – call them what you will, there are plenty of misconceptions relating to dogs and cats. Over time, some aspects of pet behaviour became ingrained in our psyche as common knowledge, when in fact this ‘knowledge’ is often quite incorrect. Veterinarian Dr Katrina Warren shares her expertise to challenge some common pet myths. DOGS ONLY EAT GRASS WHEN THEY FEEL SICK Dogs sometimes eat grass to induce vomiting when they are feeling unwell. But there are other reasons why a dog will eat grass, such as increasing dietary fibre, to fill a nutritional void, or even because they are bored. Some dogs may simply enjoy eating grass. It is not usually a…