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News.com.au
34 minutes ago
- News.com.au
NRL star's daughter unveils huge move
A young Australian woman who has spent more than a decade dancing for an NRL team could be set to land one of the most coveted cheerleading gigs in the world. Indianna Carroll, who has cheered for the Manly Sea Eagles' Seabirds for 10 years, has made it to the third round of the NFL's Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders try outs. She will now compete against 64 others and is set to find out if she has progressed on July 14 after an intense four week training camp where she will learn the team's choreography. She has come far — with as many as 4000 women applying for just 10 open spots this year. Overall, there are 36 spots on the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, which was the subject of an incredibly popular Netflix series that debuted in 2024. Ms Carroll, who is the daughter of former NRL player Mark and of Seabirds cheerleading director Monique, left for training camp on Monday and revealed she has 'put her life on hold' to achieve her dream. 'Dallas cheerleaders are the epitome of cheerleading in the world,' Ms Carroll told The Daily Telegraph. 'I have been in a cheerleading outfit with pompoms since I was one year old. It's part of who I am.' It's the third time that Ms Carroll has auditioned, getting to the same place in the try outs last year before being cut. She said she's needed to be mentally and physically strong to not only cope with missing out previously, but in order to push herself to keep going. The young cheerleader said getting as far as she has done has been 'surreal' and she knows it will be 'hectic' in the coming weeks. Ms Carroll said she loves cheerleading, and the NFL team's squad bring a certain kind of sparkle, adding it would be a dream come true to be part of the squad. 'When you love something so passionately, the most sensible thing to do is follow your heart. It's such a burning desire for me. I can't let it rest until I give it a good go. At the end of the day you just have to back yourself and Dallas is the most iconic NFL organisation, for sure,' she said. Ms Carroll, who also works for Zimmerman, said getting to this stage 'felt right', and both her parents have expressed how proud of her they are. Last year, after not making the cut, Ms Carroll penned a lengthy letter to Instagram, saying the experience was 'unforgettable and insightful'. 'While my path ended here this season, I am unhesitatingly thankful for the lessons this has taught me and continues to. Without a little bit of darkness, I'd never see the stars so I will continue to live for the hope of it all,' she shared.
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Buying property? What to look out for when a home has been staged
If you've been inspecting properties to buy, you've probably come across homes that have been styled. "Most agents will highly recommend doing a staging to create that 'wow factor', because an empty property has no personality," says buyer's agent Rich Harvey, based in Sydney/Gadigal Country. "It's been proven you get more money [in the sale] even though you might spend between $5,000 and $15,000 for styling." Staging usually involves bringing in hired furniture, artwork, plants, linen and other decorative items for the duration of the listing. While styling might impress you as a prospective buyer, can it also mislead you? Vivian Trantan is a buyer's agent in Brisbane/Meanjin, and says styling is about getting buyers' attention. "When it comes to marketing, it's about capturing their attention in the first few seconds when looking at photos of properties online. Mr Harvey says while creating an emotional connection between a buyer and a property is an advantage for the seller, staging can also be helpful for the buyer. "The buyers can visualise how they would style the home, what type of furniture they would get," Mr Harvey says. "They can see how to use the room and its functionality." Former property stylist Alex Mills says when staging a home, she would appeal to the demographic most likely to be interested in purchasing. "For first home buyers, I might lean into selections that make the space feel warm, comfortable and approachable," says Ms Mills, who now works as an interior stylist and photographer in Newcastle/ Mulubinba. "For a multi-million-dollar property … I might lean into a more editorial or high-end look." For partial staging, she would always recommend that personal elements, such as family photos or personal items, be removed from the space. "Buyers don't want to feel like they are walking into someone else's home," she says, adding they instead want to feel like "I could see myself living here". When Ms Mills was looking to buy a property, she was "swept up in the magic" of a perfectly staged home, even while working in the industry. "The kind of home that looks so beautiful in both the online photos and when you walk through, that it's hard not to fall in love and put your best offer forward." She recommends buyers keep in mind that staging can distract from other "less obvious red flags" you should keep an eye out for. Mr Harvey says you need to be mindful "not to fall in love with the cushions or the couch". "That won't be there when you settle. "You've got to look at the bones of the property, the floor plan, room sizes, natural light, and storage." He says to bring a tape measure when inspecting a property. "Make sure your king-size bed will fit in that second bedroom," for example. He says stylists may opt for double beds in a master room to make a room appear larger. "With cushions scaled down to make [the bed] look bigger than it really is." Opting for round tables over rectangle tables is another trick to create the illusion of more space, according to Mr Harvey, as is using light-coloured items and palettes to brighten rooms. He also warns about throw rugs covering floor damage, mirrors to make spaces look deeper, lamps and other artificial light to brighten dark rooms, and furniture placed in "awkward" corners to make them appear usable. "They might have a tiny little writing desk, and you think, 'Why is that there?'. Nothing else will fit, that's why," Mr Harvey says. Ms Trantan says large pieces of furniture may also be used to hide damage to walls. "Condensation, dampness, mould — that can easily be tucked away in certain corners." She says to also take note of cupboards, doors and windows. Are there missing door handles, for example? "Some things aren't as noticeable when a property is staged or had some kind of uplift," such as a basic renovation or fresh coat of paint. Also check if any key items are missing from the space. Is there a TV? And if not, is there room to fit one? With so many people showing up to property inspections these days, it can be hard to get a good look at the space, says Ms Trantan. She says people should be comfortable about taking their time to "get a peek around those corners", look behind couches and beds, under rugs, and even inside cupboards if the property is vacant. "The biggest tip I can provide would be to really take your time as you work through these spaces. "If the property is owner-occupied or tenanted, you may need to be more respectful in those cases." But remember, most major issues should be picked up with a building and pest inspection, says Mr Harvey. "Make your offer subject to that. Don't go to an auction without having completed a building and pest." The ACT government requires a building and a pest inspection report to be made available to a buyer before a property is offered for sale. Most other governments recommend that prospective home buyers obtain a building inspection before purchasing a property, and that the buyer make it a condition of the sale contract that they must be happy with the results of the inspection before the sale is finalised. "Ask the agent if there has been a history of water damage, or history of issues owners have had to deal with," he says as an example," says Mr Harvey. Ultimately, he says don't let the "wow factor" sway your emotions. "Buying a home is emotional, but don't let rugs and cushions sway your decision."
Daily Telegraph
6 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
Collette Dinnigan buys luxury Elizabeth Bay penthouse
Fashion designer and interior designer Collette Dinnigan has snapped up a luxury Elizabeth Bay penthouse after selling her Darling Point home for $20m. It's an interesting move for Dinnigan and husband Bradley Cocks, a hotelier and real estate agent, who previously owned a four-bedroom semi in Hamden Ave, Darling Point that they'd bought for $7m in 2017 and spent years renovating to capitalise on views Rushcutters and Elizabeth Bay. The couple's new home is a two-level three-bedroom residence atop the six-level Tradewinds building, bought for about $7.2m via BresicWhitney director Shannan Whitney and Romany Brooks last month, sources advise. MORE: $80m unit smashes all records The agents were contacted for comment this morning, but had no comment. Tradewinds is considered one of Elizabeth Bay's best positions, with the 250 sqm north-facing apartment coming with uninterrupted harbour views towards North Head. Expect Dinnigan to add her personal touches to the stylish new pad, which was last renovated a decade ago. It comes with three 'retro' styled bathrooms and kitchen and a wide balcony with large terrace on level one. MORE: Neighbours become $200m richer overnight There are two separate living zones on each level, with distinct detail and 1970s style custom joinery. Thanks to its northerly aspect, the residence is full of light and there's also airconditioning. It all comes with three-car garage parking. MORE: Wild reason Aussie has 300 homes The buyers of the couple's previous home in Darling Point were Julie Entwistle and her husband, Jason, the director of strategic development at wealth management platform Hub24. The Entwistle's former home, at 53 Regent St, Paddington, a magnificently renovated four-bedroom terrace with alfresco garden and parking, has been listed with Maclay Longhurst and Emily Davidson of Sotheby's. Neither wished to comment. On a 212 sqm block close to Centennial Park and with three bathrooms, there's a $5m guide for a June 28 auction. MORE: Kmart set to change everything in Temu war
