NSW firefighters recognised for bravery
Strike Team Oscar was put to the ultimate test during the 2019 Black Summer bushfires.
The Fire and Rescue NSW squad were deployed to protect a community whilst facing catastrophic conditions.
Those actions are now being recognised, highlighting the lengths firefighters go to to help people in need.
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Courier-Mail
3 days ago
- Courier-Mail
Peter Helliar names worst celeb to interview
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australian comedian and TV personality has named the celebrity responsible for his all-time worst interview: Hollywood action man Mark Wahlberg. Appearing on The Hit Network's Carrie & Tommy show on Tuesday, Helliar recalled flying to the US in 2017 to interview Wahlberg and Will Ferrell to promote their film Daddy's Home 2 for The Project, but said it seemed Wahlberg did not want to be there. Helliar prefaced his interview by saying that he'd interview Wahlberg in the past and 'many times he's been great' – however, on this particular day, 'I think Mark may have either been hungover, tired, or not interested. He had his phone out …' Peter Helliar said he must've caught Wahlberg on a bad day. To be fair, it was 2017. Candy Crush and Farmville were HUGE. Picture:Host Carrie Bickmore asked if Wahlberg had taken his phone out mid-interview, which Helliar confirmed – but said the star did eventually put it away again. 'It was just too weird … he wasn't doing it in a fun way. I've interviewed Will a few times – and he does remember me – and he was a little bit embarrassed and carried the interview. That was not a great one. But I've had experiences with Mark Wahlberg where he has been great,' he said. He did at least smile! Ferrell (left) and Wahlberg chat to Helliar in 2017. The interview aired in November 2017, but it seems it never made it online, save for a brief seven-second teaser clip which was shared to social media before the episode and showed Ferrell and Wahlberg both laughing along with Helliar. Elsewhere in his chat with Carrie and Tommy, Helliar revealed his celebrity 'Hall Pass' – aka his biggest celebrity crush: Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore. 'She's great, she's awesome. Redhead; she's great. I do love Julianne Moore,' he gushed. Aussie hosts name their worst celeb interviews Helliar is hardly the first Australian TV or radio presenter to name and shame a dud celebrity interviewee. Last month, comedian and radio host Mick Molloy named F1 champ Mark Webber as a contender for his worst interview, describing the former nine-time Grand Prix winner as 'honestly designed to not give an interesting answer.' Molloy had previously told about an awkward interview with country superstar Shania Twain at the peak of her 90s fame, which was scuppered by Twain's posse of handlers sitting in the studio to constantly interrupt and tell him 'You can't ask that.' Beau Ryan revealed on-air earlier this year that popular US actress Melissa McCarthy was his worst famous interview to date, describing her as 'prickly' during their chat several years ago. '[She gave] short answers, didn't want to be there, gave me nothing,' he continued, saying the 'disappointing' interview made him feel 'uncomfortable.' Funny lady Melissa McCarthy's lack of chat was 'disappointing' to Beau Ryan. Picture: AFP Jonesy and Amanda took revenge on a 'surly' Harrison Ford. Picture: AFP Also earlier this year, Dave Hughes named another hilarious Hollywood A-lister as his least favourite interviewee when asked by his campmates on I'm A Celeb. 'If we're going to be honest … it hurts me to say it, but it's … Ben Stiller. I was a big fan, and he was just a pain in the a**e,' Hughes confessed, before joking that he might have 'ruined his Hollywood career' by calling out the powerful actor and director. Perhaps radio stars Amanda Keller and Brendan 'Jonesy' Jones can claim the prize for worst interview with a Hollywood star, though. Several years ago, they confessed to that their interview with A-list actor Harrison Ford had gone so badly it was deemed unusable and never actually aired. 'He was cranky, he was surly, he wasn't our favourite … and we dropped him,' Keller revealed. Originally published as Peter Helliar names worst celeb to interview
The Age
3 days ago
- The Age
‘Everyone wants a piece of Barry': Humphries' art hits auction highs
Two years after his death, the creator of Dame Edna and Sir Les Patterson can still pull a crowd and steal a show. Some 98 objects, mostly packed up from Barry Humphries' Sydney home, went under the hammer on Monday night in an Australian auction of his personal art which exceeded auction house Leonard Joel's most optimistic sale expectations. All up the Australian sale netted $477,112 including buyers' premium. 'He'd be saying, 'I told you I was good!', and he'd be planning an exhibition,' said son Oscar, from London as he watched the auction live. With his share of the proceeds, Oscar Humphries said he would frame works he held by his father and raised the idea of funding a comedy prize in Melbourne 'for people who are actually funny'. In 2019, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival stripped Barry Humphries's name from the festival's biggest award, following furore over the performer's comments about transgender people. 'If someone wants to match me we could talk,' said Oscar. 'We could recreate the Barry awards. I'm good for $50,000, but I have got to find a partner.' The opening lot at the auction was a framed watercolour and pen likeness by Humphries of his comic creation Dame Edna. It signalled the excitable buyer interest that was to come for works by the comic, selling for $17,000 under the hammer or $21,250 with buyers' premium. It had a top estimate before auction of $3000. Caricatures penned by Humphries while on the road in Australia, the US, Greece and elsewhere fetched several thousand dollars a piece.
7NEWS
3 days ago
- 7NEWS
New winter fire safety warning as Sydney couple faces rebuild after blaze destroys home
A mother who dragged her husband to safety from a devastating blaze — which has sparked new warnings over fire safety — is a 'brave' woman who 'won't ever back down,' according to their son. Maria Charalambous, 68, was taking a shower early Friday morning when a fire broke out in the bedroom where her husband Nick, 82, was sleeping. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Bonnyrigg bungalow destroyed by fire. 'I pulled his legs. I said, 'Come on, wake up, wake up, there is a fire,'' Maria recalled. Authorities say the situation could have turned into an 'absolute tragedy' if Maria had not been awake at the time, as the fire spread rapidly throughout the home. Their son, Nikos, said he was in shock but not surprised by his mother's heroic actions at the Bonnyrigg Heights property in Sydney, where the couple has lived for more than 30 years. 'She's a small lady, but she's so brave,' he told 'She's tough. She won't ever back down. I'm really proud of her.' The blaze is believed to have been caused by an electric heater plugged into a wall outlet. Nick had left the heater running overnight to keep their dogs warm. Four of the couple's beloved dogs managed to escape, but tragically, three were lost in the fire. No smoke alarm sounded, as it had been turned off. Flames completely destroyed the family home, along with irreplaceable memories — including photographs, videos, and other treasured possessions. 'Everything was just gone in a second,' Nikos said. 'My parents are going back to the house every day, trying to salvage what they can. They're trying to keep busy. There's no set plan at the moment.' In another heartbreaking blow, the couple had recently cancelled their home insurance as a cost-saving measure. Nikos hopes his parents' ordeal serves as a warning to others. 'When you hear stories like this, you never think it will happen to you — but it can,' he said. He also condemned the 'disgusting' online trolls who have targeted his family in the wake of the tragedy. Fortunately, his parents are not on social media and have been shielded from most of the negativity. 'It's so sad that my parents are in this position,' he said. 'They've just lost their home — something they've worked their whole lives for. The cruel comments are not needed. We wouldn't wish this on anyone.' Nikos has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to help his parents get back on their feet. Winter warning Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said there has been a rise in dangerous fires as winter sets in — prompting renewed warnings. He stressed the importance of keeping electric heaters at least one metre away from flammable objects and recommended switching them off overnight. 'The first line of defence in an emergency is a smoke alarm that is less than 10 years old,' Dewberry told He added that in nearly half of house fire emergencies, smoke alarms are either non-compliant or not installed correctly. 'Know the risks. Don't overload power boards, test electric blankets, be careful with heat packs, and don't leave food unattended on stovetops,' he said. NSW authorities have also issued a separate warning about the dangers of hot foods and liquids, particularly for children. In 2024, more than 400 children required specialised medical care for scalds caused by accidental spills. An additional 48 children suffered contact burns from hot surfaces like stoves, cooktops, and barbecues. 'It's crucial to remember that hot food and drinks, which may feel safe for an adult, can cause serious burns to a child,' said Torey Lawrence, head of burns at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. 'Children's skin is much thinner than adults', and even a small amount of hot liquid can result in deep, severe burns. 'Burns injuries can cause both life-long injuries and scarring. These can have a lasting impact on a child's physical, social, emotional and mental wellbeing.' What to do if someone is burned
