‘I love my cats': All's fair for feted felines at curious new cat expo
The famous adage goes that dogs have masters, and cats have staff.
A phalanx of felines basked in the slavish, open adoration of fanciers who flocked to Melbourne's newest cat expo on Sunday.
And for an inaugural event, there was enough to see at the Oz Feline Fair to tickle cat lovers' fancies, including a hairless elf-breed cat riding a skateboard, Bengal cats with leopard-like fur, and Persian cats with enough hair to make a small rug.
Even attendees like Zoe Jackson, 9, of Thomastown, who already had pet moggies queued for the popular 'pat a kitten' stall. Zoe wanted 'to pat a different cat'.
On the stage, charismatic Portugal-based American cat judge Steven Meserve held court, talking about the characteristics of Persian cats.
Charmayne Hales, of Enfield, near Ballarat, said she didn't have three of her cats judged at the fair for the money. The prize for 'supreme exhibit', won by Lil Winnie, a Singapura cat owned by Fiona Sullivan, of Grantville, was worth about $1500.
Hales said she enjoys showing off the rare breed Australian mist, which was developed 50 years ago and blends Burmese, Abyssinian and domestic breeds.
Hales said she, husband Gary and daughter Emma, 12, love chatting to the public at the 20 shows a year they attend with their cats.
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The Advertiser
41 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Have you got what it takes to be the next Australian Idol?
Fancy yourself as a singer? Sick and tired of wasting your voice, singing in the shower, or in the car, or in front of an unappreciative audience of five at your local pub's karaoke night? Now's your chance. Film yourself singing, fill out an online form, upload your video or share a link, and hold your breath. "We know Newcastle is brimming with fresh talent and we'd love to showcase some of it in the next season of the show," a spokesperson fro Eureka Productions told the Newcastle Herald. "We're excited to see what Newcastle has to offer and encourage performers from all genres to apply. "Newcastle auditions begin as virtual. Interested performers are encouraged to fill out an application form at and callbacks will be held over Zoom in July." In a promotional video uploaded to Australian Idol's Facebook page, host Ricki-Lee Coulter says: "Whether you're country or crooner, rapper or rockstar, or anything in-between, Australian Idol wants to hear from you." A good voice and stage presence isn't enough, though. To be considered, you must be an Australian; a New Zealand citizen living in Australia; or a current permanent resident of Australia. You must not have an existing contract with any other television show or record label. And, importantly, you must be aged between 15 and 35 (as of October 1, 2025) to audition. That has rubbed some wanna-be Idols up the wrong way, if social media comments are anything to go by ("Can we just leave the auditions open for all ages? The oldest contestant in Eurovision this year was 52!" ... "Can't anyone older than 35 sing?" ..."Only 15 - 35 years old?? Ageism right there!! LOL!! I'm 51!!" ... "It's always been for younger people. I think The Voice has a wider age range"). Yes, that's true. The Voice auditions are open to ages 13 and up. If you meet the criteria and are considering auditioning for Australian Idol 2026, the following statistics might be of interest. This year's grand finale, won by Marshall Hamburger, reached 1.85 million people across Seven and 7plus, which was a 13 per cent increase on the 2024 grand finale. Across its full 2025 season, Australian Idol reached 11.14 million people. And Hamburger won $100,000 in prize money and an exclusive recording package with Hive Sound Studios. "Our call out and dedicated website at has been created to make it as easy as possible for all Newcastle residents to showcase their talents and chase their Idol dream," the spokesperson said. Fancy yourself as a singer? Sick and tired of wasting your voice, singing in the shower, or in the car, or in front of an unappreciative audience of five at your local pub's karaoke night? Now's your chance. Film yourself singing, fill out an online form, upload your video or share a link, and hold your breath. "We know Newcastle is brimming with fresh talent and we'd love to showcase some of it in the next season of the show," a spokesperson fro Eureka Productions told the Newcastle Herald. "We're excited to see what Newcastle has to offer and encourage performers from all genres to apply. "Newcastle auditions begin as virtual. Interested performers are encouraged to fill out an application form at and callbacks will be held over Zoom in July." In a promotional video uploaded to Australian Idol's Facebook page, host Ricki-Lee Coulter says: "Whether you're country or crooner, rapper or rockstar, or anything in-between, Australian Idol wants to hear from you." A good voice and stage presence isn't enough, though. To be considered, you must be an Australian; a New Zealand citizen living in Australia; or a current permanent resident of Australia. You must not have an existing contract with any other television show or record label. And, importantly, you must be aged between 15 and 35 (as of October 1, 2025) to audition. That has rubbed some wanna-be Idols up the wrong way, if social media comments are anything to go by ("Can we just leave the auditions open for all ages? The oldest contestant in Eurovision this year was 52!" ... "Can't anyone older than 35 sing?" ..."Only 15 - 35 years old?? Ageism right there!! LOL!! I'm 51!!" ... "It's always been for younger people. I think The Voice has a wider age range"). Yes, that's true. The Voice auditions are open to ages 13 and up. If you meet the criteria and are considering auditioning for Australian Idol 2026, the following statistics might be of interest. This year's grand finale, won by Marshall Hamburger, reached 1.85 million people across Seven and 7plus, which was a 13 per cent increase on the 2024 grand finale. Across its full 2025 season, Australian Idol reached 11.14 million people. And Hamburger won $100,000 in prize money and an exclusive recording package with Hive Sound Studios. "Our call out and dedicated website at has been created to make it as easy as possible for all Newcastle residents to showcase their talents and chase their Idol dream," the spokesperson said. Fancy yourself as a singer? Sick and tired of wasting your voice, singing in the shower, or in the car, or in front of an unappreciative audience of five at your local pub's karaoke night? Now's your chance. Film yourself singing, fill out an online form, upload your video or share a link, and hold your breath. "We know Newcastle is brimming with fresh talent and we'd love to showcase some of it in the next season of the show," a spokesperson fro Eureka Productions told the Newcastle Herald. "We're excited to see what Newcastle has to offer and encourage performers from all genres to apply. "Newcastle auditions begin as virtual. Interested performers are encouraged to fill out an application form at and callbacks will be held over Zoom in July." In a promotional video uploaded to Australian Idol's Facebook page, host Ricki-Lee Coulter says: "Whether you're country or crooner, rapper or rockstar, or anything in-between, Australian Idol wants to hear from you." A good voice and stage presence isn't enough, though. To be considered, you must be an Australian; a New Zealand citizen living in Australia; or a current permanent resident of Australia. You must not have an existing contract with any other television show or record label. And, importantly, you must be aged between 15 and 35 (as of October 1, 2025) to audition. That has rubbed some wanna-be Idols up the wrong way, if social media comments are anything to go by ("Can we just leave the auditions open for all ages? The oldest contestant in Eurovision this year was 52!" ... "Can't anyone older than 35 sing?" ..."Only 15 - 35 years old?? Ageism right there!! LOL!! I'm 51!!" ... "It's always been for younger people. I think The Voice has a wider age range"). Yes, that's true. The Voice auditions are open to ages 13 and up. If you meet the criteria and are considering auditioning for Australian Idol 2026, the following statistics might be of interest. This year's grand finale, won by Marshall Hamburger, reached 1.85 million people across Seven and 7plus, which was a 13 per cent increase on the 2024 grand finale. Across its full 2025 season, Australian Idol reached 11.14 million people. And Hamburger won $100,000 in prize money and an exclusive recording package with Hive Sound Studios. "Our call out and dedicated website at has been created to make it as easy as possible for all Newcastle residents to showcase their talents and chase their Idol dream," the spokesperson said. Fancy yourself as a singer? Sick and tired of wasting your voice, singing in the shower, or in the car, or in front of an unappreciative audience of five at your local pub's karaoke night? Now's your chance. Film yourself singing, fill out an online form, upload your video or share a link, and hold your breath. "We know Newcastle is brimming with fresh talent and we'd love to showcase some of it in the next season of the show," a spokesperson fro Eureka Productions told the Newcastle Herald. "We're excited to see what Newcastle has to offer and encourage performers from all genres to apply. "Newcastle auditions begin as virtual. Interested performers are encouraged to fill out an application form at and callbacks will be held over Zoom in July." In a promotional video uploaded to Australian Idol's Facebook page, host Ricki-Lee Coulter says: "Whether you're country or crooner, rapper or rockstar, or anything in-between, Australian Idol wants to hear from you." A good voice and stage presence isn't enough, though. To be considered, you must be an Australian; a New Zealand citizen living in Australia; or a current permanent resident of Australia. You must not have an existing contract with any other television show or record label. And, importantly, you must be aged between 15 and 35 (as of October 1, 2025) to audition. That has rubbed some wanna-be Idols up the wrong way, if social media comments are anything to go by ("Can we just leave the auditions open for all ages? The oldest contestant in Eurovision this year was 52!" ... "Can't anyone older than 35 sing?" ..."Only 15 - 35 years old?? Ageism right there!! LOL!! I'm 51!!" ... "It's always been for younger people. I think The Voice has a wider age range"). Yes, that's true. The Voice auditions are open to ages 13 and up. If you meet the criteria and are considering auditioning for Australian Idol 2026, the following statistics might be of interest. This year's grand finale, won by Marshall Hamburger, reached 1.85 million people across Seven and 7plus, which was a 13 per cent increase on the 2024 grand finale. Across its full 2025 season, Australian Idol reached 11.14 million people. And Hamburger won $100,000 in prize money and an exclusive recording package with Hive Sound Studios. "Our call out and dedicated website at has been created to make it as easy as possible for all Newcastle residents to showcase their talents and chase their Idol dream," the spokesperson said.
7NEWS
43 minutes ago
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Matildas superstar Mary Fowler shares ‘big family' plans with Panthers champion Nathan Cleary
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Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Aussie champ's seven-figure offer to put belts on table
Jai Opetaia is prepared to make a seven-figure sacrifice in his drawn-out quest for world boxing title unification. The Australian cruiserweight sensation (27-0) will defend his IBF and The Ring belts on the Gold Coast this Sunday against unbeaten Italian Claudio Squeo (17-0). They'll come face-to-face for the first time on Wednesday before headlining a stacked card that includes Conor Wallace, Ben Mahoney, Max McIntyre and Teremoana Teremoana. The fight comes almost three years after an unfancied Opetaia defied two breaks in his jaw to beat champion Mairis Briedis and claim those titles. He's fought five times since - the Briedis rematch last year his only genuine challenge - but is yet to land a shot at the other three belts in his division. Badou Jack owns the WBC belt but it's WBO and WBA champion Gilberto Ramirez firmly in Opetaia's sights, the Mexican two-weight champion due for a mandatory defence later this month and insistent he will face the Australian next. "I'll believe it when I see it," Opetaia told AAP. "(Former WBO champion Chris) Billam-Smith said that same stuff before he lost to Ramirez. "They all talk like that. "So when they're f***ing ready, I'll be ready." Should both fighters win, an Opetaia-Ramirez, four-belt unification bout would sit nicely on the undercard to September's historic duel between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford in Las Vegas. The purse on a blockbuster card would swell into the millions and traditionally be split between fighters who both hold two belts. But Opetaia said he'd be willing to leave half of his cut on the table if that sways the Mexican great to sign the deal. "If I have to, and they're being that hard to deal with," he said. "It should be down the middle but if he wants to be a sook, bro, take more, then. "I don't give a f***. I personally believe I'm the best and all I have to do is win, then the next fight I'll get paid. "It's not the money I'm chasing, it's the belts." A stumbling block presents in Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who will headline the Ramirez card on June 28 and has a long list of future targets that includes the Mexican, but not Opetaia. "Why don't they ask him about me?," Opetaia said of the former Disney star. "If he wants to get bashed, I'll bash him. He won't fight me. Why am I even talking about him? "I am the best cruiserweight in the world and no one is until they beat me." That will be the unranked Squeo's tall task in his first fight outside of Italy, the 34-year-old known as 'The Red Bull' arriving with a reputation as a knockout specialist. "It is annoying and especially these fights like this; dangerous and it's all risk and not much reward," Opetaia said of the non-mandatory defence designed to keep him busy. "It's just how it works. I have to stay on the ball and it's what makes the good great; the ones who stay switched on throughout these things."
