A tale of two Robbies – and a city with a key dilemma
In January, Lord Mayor Nick Reece bounded on stage at Fed Square and handed over a key to the city to the former Take That heartthrob in front of 10,000 adoring fans.
But the surprise award led to a council row and a review of procedures for awarding such honours, which decided that unilateral prize-giving was out.
Melbourne being Melbourne, the whole thing is strictly hierarchical.
The 'Honorary Freeperson' has only been bestowed on three people – ever: Menzies, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch and Nelson Mandela. It is the 'highest form of recognition' a way of 'bestowing a city's acclamation on a distinguished person'.
Next tier down is the 'Roll of Honour' signed by visiting 'Heads of State and other notable leaders', often as part of 'special welcoming ceremonies' with a 'certificate of the occasion'.
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The 'Key to the City' award is for an individual, group or organisation that furthers the 'ideals of the city', or it can 'recognise outstanding achievement' in sport, entertainment or humanitarian work at a national or international level.
It has 'traditionally been used as a marketing and promotion tool to provide an opportunity for mass public recognition'. Sounds like our Robbie. Many thanks for that AFL grand final show a few years back.
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News.com.au
15 hours ago
- News.com.au
Star Tammy Hembrow shares new post as love life makes headlines
Fitness star Tammy Hembrow, who was recently revealed to be dating AFL player Bailey Smith, has shared an update as her personal life continues to push her into the spotlight. Hembrow, 31, was spotted cuddling up to and holding hands with the 24-year-old Geelong Cats player as they left a Gold Coast lunch spot on August 9. It was less than two months after the popular influencer announced she and husband Matt Zukowski had called it quits after just eight months of marriage. Now, the mother-of-three has shared a glimpse into what life looks like lately, with a carousel of images posted to Instagram. The photo dump included Hembrow wearing a skimpy crochet bikini, taking selfies with her children and enjoying rainbows and sunrises. Part of the photo series included what appeared to be Hembrow in the car, wearing Smith's Adidas jacket. The image had her feet curled up in the front seat of her car with the bottom of the vintage jacket in frame. It's not the first time she's been spotted flaunting the jacket that Smith appeared to be holding while out on their date. In a clip posted on August 13 — four days after the date and two days after the public found out it had happened — Hembrow mouthed the words from a movie that said: 'Don't be f***ing boring. This whole town is so f***ing boring. I don't care,' and rolled her eyes for dramatic flair. It was all while wearing THE jacket, which eagle-eyed fans identified as the very same jacket Smith was wearing in previous photos on his own Instagram. The update from Hembrow sparked a lot of comments from friends and fans, who have witnessed the onslaught of negative attention the influencer has copped thanks to her budding new romance. 'This new energy is everything,' one said. Someone else added: 'You're stunning beautiful as always.' 'OK body in the pilates video,' another commented. Noticeably missing from the update, bar the appearance of his jacket, was any sign of Smith himself — but that didn't stop fans from making comments. 'Tammy, you're missing one more boy,' one said. Another claimed: 'Hehe Bailey Smith's arm photo #6, cheeky but I love it. Love you Tammy.' The Dates It's been a whirlwind week for Hembrow since she was spotted out with Smith on August 9, after the pair were photographed leaving lunch at Burleigh Pavilion restaurant, Rick Shores. Smith apparently flew up from Melbourne just to see Hembrow, a day after helping the Cats secure a victory over Essendon in Geelong. The new couple were allegedly seen making out for hours, The Herald Sun reported. Hembrow was wearing a cropped white halter neck top with baggy jeans, while Smith wore an Adidas polo shirt, denim jeans, and his signature long hair tucked behind his ears. Less than a week after their first date, footage was shared by Influencer Updates AU of the duo walking at Nobby's Beach on August 15, with Smith's arm wrapped around Hembrow's waist. Hembrow wore blue denim shorts, a grey tank top and joggers while Smith opted for an equally casual attire with trackies, a T-shirt and a cap. 'Spotted at Nobby's Beach GC yesterday!' the post's caption read. 'They pulled up together in her car, got coffee and went for a walk then drove off with him driving her car!' The Backlash A lot has been said about Hembrow's newest romance, despite the fact that neither of the stars have officially confirmed their relationship status. However, most of the commentary was targeting Hembrow with misogynistic rhetoric. One man, WA football coach John Baggetta, commented under a news article: 'He's trying to keep his relevance and she's a c** bucket.' Many were quick to call for the coach's dismissal, and Harvey Brunswick Leschenault Football Club confirmed on Friday that he'd been terminated after he posted the offensive slur to Facebook. The club said such remarks were 'not to be tolerated in society'. Journalist Sherele Moody demanded his sacking in a post on social media. 'I shared a post recently with a range of disgusting misogynist slurs by Australian men directed at Tammy Hembrow after she went on a date,' she wrote. 'Old mate John Baggetta's comment was the worst – he called Tammy a C** Bucket. A man responsible for mentoring and shaping the points of view of young men is just casually throwing around sexist slurs.' The club said it consulted with its women's team and members before making the decision. The Divorce Hembrow and Zukowski announced their divorce in June, claiming it was a mutual decision to end their marriage after just eight months. However, when Hembrow and Smith were spotted together everyone was quick to wonder what the Love Island star thought. Zukowski has since addressed the news on his Where's Your Head At? podcast, admitting that while he was the one to end their relationship, seeing his ex-wife with someone else still stung. 'Yeah, so my weekend was a different style of weekend,' he told co-host Anna McEvoy. 'Obviously, everyone's seen it … my ex has moved on with someone'. He claimed that he made one of the hardest decisions of his life when he left a relationship that wasn't right for him, but despite all of that, it wasn't easy to see Hembrow move on. 'In doing that, it does not make it any easier seeing the person that you loved, the person that you married, move on with someone. In previous relationships I've been in … it's not a public thing,' he said. 'And there's things you can do. Block them, mute them, move cities even, tell your friends not to tell you anything about them. But unfortunately, with the relationship I was in, it's right there. 'So as much as I know the relationship was done, seeing the person that you married and once loved and thought you were gonna spend the rest of your life with, it's not an easy sight to see them moving on. When it's splashed everywhere, that sucks.' Hembrow also addressed the divorce over the weekend. She shared footage of herself crying, shaking and breaking down, with her wedding rings clearly visible in many of the clips. 'It felt like the heaviness would never end,' text over the video compilation reads, while the caption reads: 'Some traumas shake you so deeply, they change the way you see literally everything. The world, the people around you … and even yourself.' The montage then takes an uplifting turn, with the final clips showing Hembrow smiling and laughing with her friends and family, on holidays, and by the beach. 'But then I noticed the light creeping back in,' the text on screen reads. Neither figure has publicly confirmed their relationship status, but Smith gave an expletive-riddled answer when asked about Hembrow. 'It's Hem-bro, not Hem-brow. F*****g hell, do your research,' he replied to one journalist. Asked if they are officially an item, he answered: 'What do you want me to say, mate? You're a grown man c***. That's actually f***ed up.'. Before the pair were spotted together, Smith signed on as the face of Tinder's new Double Date campaign. To promote the feature, Smith appeared on the We Mean Well podcast in July. During the episode, he said the oldest he would date is 28 — three years younger than Hembrow. He said he's essentially been in back-to-back relationships since he was 16 and was trying to find the right one. He also revealed one thing he was wary of. 'The ones (girls) you normally want aren't the ones that approach you, you know what I mean?,' he said, according to the Herald Sun. 'I feel like if they approach me, it's kind of, not a red flag, but …. I like the chase. Like I get some 19, 20-year-olds that are just a bit fan-girly, but, I don't know, it's all part of it. 'But normally the ones you want, no, they're not coming up to you … a bit of a chase is good.'
The Age
20 hours ago
- The Age
Writer boycott proves strangely selective
Just do it Reaching consensus on how to reform the Australian tax system seems unlikely. At the most basic level, there is little agreement as to what such reform even means. To some people, tax reform means finding ways to raise more tax revenue. Others argue the government would not need to raise more money if it spent what it already has more effectively. Some people say wealthy people and high-income earners should pay more. Others say they should not be penalised for their hard work and smart use of current tax arrangements. Raising and/or broadening the GST is often suggested, until the regressive effects are considered. Maybe rather than hoping to reach agreement on tax reform at a roundtable, or in the community, the government should just announce some significant changes to the tax system and be willing to face the consequences. Rod Wise, Surrey Hills Show your mettle US President Donald Trump went into his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin an aggressive peacemaker and came out purring like a pussy cat (' The art of the 'no deal': How the Trump-Putin meeting unfolded ', 16/8). Who would have guessed? At least the performance by Trump has bought the European countries of NATO out into the cold light of day. It is no longer possible for them to shelter under the tattered umbrella of the United States. Putin wants Ukraine, and nobody would expect Russia not to prevail – their military might is just too strong. So now it's up to the European countries in NATO. Unfortunately, issuing press releases championing the Ukrainian cause and blowing kisses to President Volodymyr Zelensky is no longer going to cut it. Either Britain, France, Germany and other European NATO countries form a coalition of the willing or they accept Russia expanding its territory in Eastern Europe at least up to the northern boundaries of Ukraine. Putin sees nothing but timidity from the European NATO countries – so the time has come either to call his bluff or be content with a dramatic expansion of Russian territory into Western Europe. Robert Dean, Hawthorn East A good start I'm amazed by the number of your correspondents who are criticising Donald Trump for not stopping the Ukraine-Russia war. I'm just pleased that for the first time in a long time, the leaders of the United States and Russia are talking (and not firing nuclear missiles at one another). The causes of this war are complex and need to be resolved before there can be a secure peace. The demand for a quick resolution is impractical and unreasonable, and is being used to pile undeserved criticism on Trump. There are plenty of things he has done wrong; opening up dialogue with Russia is not one of them. Peter Martina, Warrnambool More whistles Rarely a week goes by without decisions by AFL umpires being heavily criticised by both supporters and in the footy media. There's no doubt that AFL is by far the most difficult sport for umpires and referees to adjudicate, with the size of the field, the 36 players involved in the play, and the incredible pace of the game. The many rules such as holding the ball, push in the back, interference in marking contests are all very subjective, so it's little wonder that the match officials don't always get it right. Originally, only one field umpire controlled each game, but this increased to two in 1976, then to three in 1994, and four in 2023. Despite these increases, the overall decision-making by umpires does not appear to have improved exponentially. In fact, it is not uncommon for one umpire close to the action to award a free kick and have this overturned by another positioned further away. It is out of the question to introduce a procedure where umpiring decisions are reviewed by the AFL Review Centre, like they do in the NRL. The continuity of play in Aussie rules has always been one of the biggest appeals for spectators of the game compared with other football codes. The AFL should seriously consider giving whistles to the four boundary and two goal umpires. They are all closely engaged in the battle of play, and the extra six sets of eyes could well give us the outcomes that we all cherish, less bad decisions on the day. Will Muskens, Bardon, Qld Simple solution Michael Gleeson on the varying impact of umpiring errors (' Crow throws and the free kick that wasn't: Adelaide's luck turns ', 17/8) highlights the obvious point that the laws of Aussie rules can be 'silly'. Good luck explaining the game to a first-time spectator. If the AFL seeks to protect and recruit umpires, the rules need simplifying. This will bring clarity that can aid umpires, players and fans. Justin O'Halloran, Clifton Hill Much to play for The last few AFL games for teams unable to make the finals might not mean much to some people but I am sure they mean plenty for young players striving to make a good impression. As for the oldies like Patrick Cripps, the look on his face after a win and chance to end the year on a positive note spoke volumes. Just as during the season, there have been some lacklustre hitouts, but I bet Carlton and Essendon on Thursday night will be of great interest to supporters with a lot of young players on display giving their all to make a good impression. Dwindling crowds are to be expected, but I wouldn't be surprised if plenty of Blues and Bombers fans turn up to the MCG on Thursday night. John Rawson, Mernda Vibrant precinct I was surprised on reading ' The street's dead: Inner-city strip struggles with nighttime lull ' (17/8) as I did not recognise my local shopping strip. The implication and accompanying photo gave the impression of several empty shops sitting below tired facades which collect graffiti due to neglect. The graffiti depicted has been there for many years. While it would be good to see Yarra Council clean this up, it is no indication of neglect or apathy on the part of business owners. The end of the street near Fledgling Cafe is still a vibrant and bustling precinct, particularly at the weekend when the footpath becomes congested with shoppers and cafe-goers on both sides of Rathdowne Street. It needs to be mentioned that there is an abundance of cafes in this area, so competition is fierce. While evening dining is quieter in the winter months, the warmer months attract lively crowds indoors and out. Rathdowne Village has exactly the right mix of charm, quality shopping and an array of dining choices. I feel blessed to live in this area. Sue Lyons, Carlton North Incentivise action Ask any trader in Rathdowne or Nicholson streets why they're struggling or selling up. It's spiralling rent. You can't and don't need to ask the owners of the Victorian shopfronts blighting Nicholson Street why they're empty – some derelict for over 25 years. It's a no-brainer: their inherited capital gains mean they're cashing in effortlessly. And further largesse is guaranteed as planning regulation is captured by the property lobbies. The Henry George League, with an office in Melbourne, argues convincingly that our taxation system is over-reliant on revenue raised from productive activity (making, selling, servicing), while insufficiently taxing use of land and natural resources. Rather than despair at the prospect of the 2026 Victorian election, is it possible to mobilise support for state taxation reform, much as the teals did for climate change action? Angela Munro, Carlton North Time saver The idea that petrol cars refuel faster than EVs is a myth (Letters, 18/8). A petrol stop usually takes 10 minutes or more once you factor in driving in, waiting, pumping, paying inside, and the regular hours lost each year to servicing. An EV, on the other hand, is refuelled at home — every morning starts with a full battery and no wasted time at a servo. Given that the average person drives less than 100 kilometres a day, most owners rarely need public charging, and so-called 'range anxiety' all but disappears. One winter day, I took a trip I hadn't planned for and needed extra range. My EV directed me to a fast charger, pre-warmed the battery on the way, and five minutes of charging was all it took to return home — to be fed again overnight by my personal pump. Charging is also much cheaper than petrol, even without solar. However, if you can't charge at home, I doubt an EV is a sensible choice. And on top of all that, EVs deliver sparkling acceleration. David Milner, Port Melbourne AND ANOTHER THING Productivity Danielle Wood, chair of the Productivity Commission, said a carbon price 'is the best way to achieve a decrease in carbon emissions'. I'll say it out loud for Jim Chalmers: Australia needs a carbon tax. John Hughes, Mentone Remind me again, how well has the removal of red tape and the subsequent increase in self-regulation gone in the childcare sector for example? Phil Alexander, Eltham One can only hope that Ross Gittins is at the economic roundtable to dispense some sense ('Want better productivity? Keep wages rising strongly', 18/8). Vicki Jordan, Lower Plenty Putin and Trump Vladimir Putin is a master of the lesson 'grab 'em by their balls and their hearts and minds will follow', which he is busy teaching an obedient and compliant Donald Trump. Conversely, Volodymyr Zelensky must be a slow learner as he keeps fighting Putin. Robyn Westwood, Heidelberg Heights Loading To be clear, President Zelensky was not humiliated last time he visited the White House (as some have suggested). The humiliation should go to Trump, his thugs in the room and the people of America who watched the embarrassing spectacle of them replacing diplomacy with schoolyard bullying. Phill Goode, Southbank Is Donald Trump trying to win the Nobel 'appease' prize? Paul Miller, Albury Trump's reported statement on his negotiations with Putin that 'there's no deal until there's a deal' is a rare instance of him making a truthful, verifiable, and insightful comment on any of the major issues facing the world. Harry Zable, Campbells Creek Finally I'm fearful of venturing to the 'G without earplugs to see Cats v Tigers, not because of the crowd noise but because of AFL's 'enhanced experience'. To quietly share the intricacies of the game with six-year-old grandchildren adds the hype I need. George Reed, Wheelers Hill
Sydney Morning Herald
21 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Rankine, Snoop and the AFL's hypocrisy on homophobia
'It's acceptable in the singing world (to come out as gay), but in the rap world I don't know if it will ever be acceptable because rap is so masculine. 'It's like a football team. You can't be in a locker room full of motherf---ing tough-ass dudes, then all of a sudden say 'Hey, man, I like you.' You know, that's going to be tough.' Welcome to the thoughts of gangsta rapper Snoop Dogg, as told to The Guardian in a 2014 interview. Snoop is the entertainer of choice for the AFL grand final. What else has Dogg got for us? Oh that's it, the quickly-deleted Instagram post, also from 2014, showing two men together captioned, 'go suck ya man n get off my line f. A. G.' Cool. This is without getting into the rapper's problematic history of using misogynistic, sexually demeaning language in his lyrics. Someone at AFL house put all this together and said this is the man for us. He perfectly fits who we are. Besides, did no one else see him dressed up like an equestrian rider at the Paris Olympics? Oh, the laughs. Dogg says he is reformed and has gay friends, blah blah. Good for him. That is still a world away from being the right person for the AFL's biggest stage. Within days of confirming the worst choice of AFL entertainment since Meat Loaf, the AFL was confronted with its own hypocrisy.
