Features, explainers and long-form stories from across Australia.
You probably know him as Shaggy — the lanky, sandwich-loving member of Mystery Inc. with a voice that’s as unmistakable as his best friend Scooby-Doo’s. But behind that laid-back persona lies a character with a surprisingly detailed backstory, including a real name that wasn’t always canon. First appearance: 1969 · Real name: Norville Rogers · … Read more
Alphonse Gangitano, the Black Prince of Lygon Street, built a myth that still overshadows the documented facts. This article separates what is verified from what remains speculation, drawing on official sources and confirmed timelines. Born: 22 April 1957 · Died: 16 January 1998 (aged 40) · Nickname: Black Prince of Lygon Street · Known for: … Read more
Alia Bhatt has been a fixture in Bollywood since her debut in 2012, but her life story reaches far beyond film premieres. From her multicultural family roots to her marriage to Ranbir Kapoor, there are plenty of details that fans want to get straight. Age: 31 (born 15 March 1993) · Height: 5 ft 3 … Read more
Few business collapse stories in Australia pack a surprise like Jon Adgemis’s. He built a hospitality empire using aggressive debt financing, then the Federal Court declared him bankrupt in November 2024 after he failed to repay $1.8 billion in debts. Total debt at bankruptcy: $1.8 billion · Bankruptcy declared: November 2024 · ATO tax claim: … Read more
There’s something magnetic about watching a comedian who seems to invent a new character every time they open their mouth. Megan Stalter has built a career doing exactly that—turning her online sketches into a springboard for one of television’s most chaotic scene-stealers, Kayla on HBO Max’s Hacks. At 34 years old (born September 15, 1990), … Read more
When people remember Isabella Rossellini, they often picture her as the iconic Lancôme model or the haunting Dorothy Vallens in Blue Velvet. But her life has taken a very different turn – today, the Italian-American actress spends her days on a farm in New York, raising heritage chickens and studying animal behavior. Full Name: Isabella … Read more
Few actors can claim a career that bridges a beloved childhood classic and a steady daytime TV gig. Jerry O’Connell has done exactly that, landing his breakout role as Vern Tessio in Stand by Me at age 12 and later co-hosting CBS’s The Talk. But what does his life look like when the cameras are … Read more
When a player who has already battled back from one ACL tear faces the same devastating injury again, the question isn’t just whether he’ll return — it’s what drives him to try. For Eric Hipwood, a key forward for the Brisbane Lions, that answer involves a large family, a patient coaching staff, and the quiet … Read more
If you’ve spent an afternoon searching for a toy box in Ireland, you already know the balancing act: it needs to keep the living room tidy, but it also has to keep your child safe. With prices ranging from €50 to €150 and materials from wood to plastic, this guide walks you through safety, sizes, … Read more
Australian artist Ben Quilty smears, slaps, and scrapes oil paint onto canvas with a ferocity that rejects polish. His thick impasto technique and unflinching eye have made him a defining voice in contemporary Australian portraiture and a powerful social commentator. Early Life and Training Born 1973 in north-west Sydney, Australia (National Portrait Gallery) Studied at … Read more