We're a nation of oversharers, but no one needs to know this about you
It used to be the only way to know what was going on inside your average Aussie fella was to do open-heart surgery. But of late, I've noticed, we seem to have become a nation of oversharers.
For example, I was happily chatting to a woman in the doctor's waiting room about her love of riding, how it relaxed and thrilled her but could cause chafing. Five minutes later I realised she meant blokes, not horses. Clearly 'equine therapy' for middle-aged women means finding a man who is hung like one.
And that's not an isolated incident. Female friends have always traded confessions over smashed avo brunches – but not to the current extent. One gal pal recently shared explicit details about the way she eats strawberries from her lover's body. (At least she's getting one of her 'five a day'.)
I'm also privy to which high-powered female executive got down and dirty with the bartender. (Dignity is the only thing alcohol doesn't preserve.) And which circuit judge likes to pick up blokes in the park. (Which explains why she's started dyeing her hair blonde – so men can find her in the dark.)
And the fellas are at it, too. Blokes who previously wouldn't even say 'I love you' to the woman who bore their children are suddenly getting down to their emotional undies in a psychological striptease that reveals all.
I blame Harry, Meghan, Gwyneth Paltrow and all the other self-obsessed celebs who like to 'sit in their truth'.
Previously reserved male pals have taken to confiding their boudoir peccadilloes. A swim-team chum, renowned for his taciturn toughness, recently confessed how much he likes wearing his wife's underwear. I now also know which of my male friends likes to talk dirty (and I don't mean sorting the compost and recycling bins) and those with a penchant for S&M. The thought makes my toes curl; I don't like to be beaten, not even at Monopoly. Surely handcuffs are only acceptable for an undercover police officer?
And it's not just friends confessing all. Like the woman I encountered at the doctor, complete strangers are suddenly haemorrhaging every detail of their emotional lives and medical ailments. Apropos of nothing, I've been shown photos of my florist's foot fungus and my barista's armpit boil. I can't even relax at yoga because the instructor keeps divulging details about her 'arousal disorder'. (I don't think she has an arousal disorder; what she has is a job, two kids and a lazy spouse.)
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Perth Now
44 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Warning after huge festival teases Aus event
Rumours that Australia may soon be home to a massive international music festival have swirled this week, with the stir prompting a reminder for Aussies to also look inward to the incredible talent of homegrown artists. The speculation was sparked when eagle-eyed festival goers spotted 'Melbourne, November 2026' on the walk into the electronic dance festival Tomorrowland in Belgium. Festival organisers have since revealed that while an Australian Tomorrowland is not currently on the cards, a festival featuring a CORE stage could be on the way - though organisers are yet to disclose when or where in Australia this could be. A Tomorrowland spokeswoman described CORE events as an 'experience where nature, music and art meet', with last year's CORE stage used at Tomorrowland in Mexico featuring hundreds of moving lights and LED flares, water fountains and geysers and firework fountains to match the energy of the pulsing electronic beats. The exciting news comes off the back of a bleak period in Australia's festival sector, with more than 10 events axed last year and several more — including Splendour in the Grass and Groovin The Moo — sitting 2025 out. A CORE festival down under is likely to spell success as interest in all things rave and electronic dance music continue to experience a steady rise in popularity across the country. Splendour in the Grass will not go ahead in 2025. Supplied/ Splendour Credit: Supplied Nearly a quarter of all festivals held in the country last year featured electronic music, with Australia the third-largest consumer of the genre on Spotify, according to reports by Music Australia and Creative Australia. Australian Festival Association managing director Olly Arkins likened Tomorrowland organisers turning their eye to Australia as a 'testament to the hard yards' local artists and promoters had been putting in for more than a decade. '(It's) just a real endorsement for the strength of the local electronic music scene in Melbourne, and the work that artists and promoters have been doing there for so long,' Arkins said. Amyl and the Sniffers. Mark Wilson Credit: News Corp Australia But while an event of CORE's magnitude appears on track to please Aussies and bring audiences some respite from the recent cancellations, it also raises the importance of including local artists on big bills. Acknowledging a large event such as Tomorrowland would be very exciting, Arkins emphasised the need to bolster the local music industry rather than just focusing on the 'shiny new thing'. 'The whole music ecosystem and industry is dependent on the strength of the grassroots,' Arkins said. 'The biggest problem we are facing at the moment for Australian artists is discoverability and competition with other English-speaking nations.' Groovin the Moo will also sit out 2025. Patrick Woods. Credit: Supplied More than half of Aussies not seeking local gigs About 66 per cent of music-engaged Aussies reported they wanted to hear more local music, but only 33 per cent were actively seeking out local acts, Creative Australia's June report found. Additionally, more than 50 per cent of Australian artists' rights were earned by overseas streams in 2023-24. Arkins claimed streaming platforms were allowing American artists to dominate algorithms, pushing Aussie music to the side. 'These big international events coming out are important, but they're only going to be successful if they've got a strong base and a strong music community and industry to leverage off,' Arkins said. 'The success of small music festivals is also just as important as the big shiny stuff like Tomorrowland.' A Tomorrowland spokeswoman said the CORE and Tomorrowland events brought together new releases and emerging artists from label CORE records. 'Branching off to different subgenres with both internationally renowned acts, as well as new talents to discover, CORE aims to give people enough energy for a proper party, while also introducing them to upcoming artists and special discoveries that they wouldn't expect,' the spokeswoman said. It is unclear whether any Aussie acts would be added to the bill. Aussie music 'soundtrack to life' Arts Minister Tony Burke expressed his support for any event planning to platform Aussie artists, while speaking generally. 'Australia produces some of the best music in the world. Last weekend's triplej Hottest 100 of Australian songs only further proved that,' Mr Burke said. 'Any event that wants to come here, platform our artists and provide jobs to our arts workers is a great one. 'We want our Australian music to be the soundtrack to life in Australia.' Aussie act Amyl and the Sniffers opened for the Foo Fighters at a one-off show in Geelong, Victoria, in 2022. Mark Wilson Credit: News Corp Australia The Foo Fighters last toured Australia in 2023. Mark Wilson Credit: News Corp Australia The federal government has injected nearly $8m into 112 live music businesses across the country, with an additional $25m to be invested into live music venues in the next two years. In Victoria — the rumoured host of a CORE event — the state government invests in local artists opening for international acts, backing Melbourne rockers Jet with their support of Lenny Kravitz's November performance. Tina Arena opening for Billy Joel and The Temper Trap for Kings of Leon in 2022 are among other performances supported by the Victorian government, along with the unforgettable 2022 Geelong gig at which Amyl and the Sniffers opened what would become one of the Foo Fighters' last performances with drummer Taylor Hawkins. Lenny Kravitz is touring Australia in November this year. Supplied. Credit: Supplied Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said the state was the live music and events capital of the country, with its government backing several events with grants of up to $50,000. This includes 33 festivals, such as the Queenscliff Music Festival. 'Victoria has built a strong reputation for delivering major music events that bring in visitors from across Australia and around the world, supporting local jobs and showcasing our homegrown talent,' Mr Dimopoulos said. Michael McMartin managed Aussie rockers Hoodoo Gurus. supplied Credit: Supplied In a similar vein, NSW recently became the first Aussie government to back the Michael's Rule initiative, which calls for at least one local artist to be brought in to support international acts in Australia. Venue hire fees will be cut by $20,000 for each eligible show that adheres to the rule, which was established in 2024 following the death of artist manager Michael McMartin. The fees for Opera House gigs will also be slashed by $5000 if they comply with the rule.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Warning amid rumours of Tomorrowland music festival launching Aus event in 2026
Rumours that Australia may soon be home to a massive international music festival have swirled this week, with the stir prompting a reminder for Aussies to also look inward to the incredible talent of homegrown artists. The speculation was sparked when eagle-eyed festival goers spotted 'Melbourne, November 2026' on the walk into the electronic dance festival Tomorrowland in Belgium. Festival organisers have since revealed that while an Australian Tomorrowland is not currently on the cards, a festival featuring a CORE stage could be on the way - though organisers are yet to disclose when or where in Australia this could be. A Tomorrowland spokeswoman described CORE events as an 'experience where nature, music and art meet', with last year's CORE stage used at Tomorrowland in Mexico featuring hundreds of moving lights and LED flares, water fountains and geysers and firework fountains to match the energy of the pulsing electronic beats. The exciting news comes off the back of a bleak period in Australia's festival sector, with more than 10 events axed last year and several more — including Splendour in the Grass and Groovin The Moo — sitting 2025 out. A CORE festival down under is likely to spell success as interest in all things rave and electronic dance music continue to experience a steady rise in popularity across the country. Nearly a quarter of all festivals held in the country last year featured electronic music, with Australia the third-largest consumer of the genre on Spotify, according to reports by Music Australia and Creative Australia. Australian Festival Association managing director Olly Arkins likened Tomorrowland organisers turning their eye to Australia as a 'testament to the hard yards' local artists and promoters had been putting in for more than a decade. '(It's) just a real endorsement for the strength of the local electronic music scene in Melbourne, and the work that artists and promoters have been doing there for so long,' Arkins said. But while an event of CORE's magnitude appears on track to please Aussies and bring audiences some respite from the recent cancellations, it also raises the importance of including local artists on big bills. Acknowledging a large event such as Tomorrowland would be very exciting, Arkins emphasised the need to bolster the local music industry rather than just focusing on the 'shiny new thing'. 'The whole music ecosystem and industry is dependent on the strength of the grassroots,' Arkins said. 'The biggest problem we are facing at the moment for Australian artists is discoverability and competition with other English-speaking nations.' More than half of Aussies not seeking local gigs About 66 per cent of music-engaged Aussies reported they wanted to hear more local music, but only 33 per cent were actively seeking out local acts, Creative Australia's June report found. Additionally, more than 50 per cent of Australian artists' rights were earned by overseas streams in 2023-24. Arkins claimed streaming platforms were allowing American artists to dominate algorithms, pushing Aussie music to the side. 'These big international events coming out are important, but they're only going to be successful if they've got a strong base and a strong music community and industry to leverage off,' Arkins said. 'The success of small music festivals is also just as important as the big shiny stuff like Tomorrowland.' A Tomorrowland spokeswoman said the CORE and Tomorrowland events brought together new releases and emerging artists from label CORE records. 'Branching off to different subgenres with both internationally renowned acts, as well as new talents to discover, CORE aims to give people enough energy for a proper party, while also introducing them to upcoming artists and special discoveries that they wouldn't expect,' the spokeswoman said. It is unclear whether any Aussie acts would be added to the bill. Aussie music 'soundtrack to life' Arts Minister Tony Burke expressed his support for any event planning to platform Aussie artists, while speaking generally. 'Australia produces some of the best music in the world. Last weekend's triplej Hottest 100 of Australian songs only further proved that,' Mr Burke said. 'Any event that wants to come here, platform our artists and provide jobs to our arts workers is a great one. 'We want our Australian music to be the soundtrack to life in Australia.' The federal government has injected nearly $8m into 112 live music businesses across the country, with an additional $25m to be invested into live music venues in the next two years. In Victoria — the rumoured host of a CORE event — the state government invests in local artists opening for international acts, backing Melbourne rockers Jet with their support of Lenny Kravitz's November performance. Tina Arena opening for Billy Joel and The Temper Trap for Kings of Leon in 2022 are among other performances supported by the Victorian government, along with the unforgettable 2022 Geelong gig at which Amyl and the Sniffers opened what would become one of the Foo Fighters' last performances with drummer Taylor Hawkins. Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said the state was the live music and events capital of the country, with its government backing several events with grants of up to $50,000. This includes 33 festivals, such as the Queenscliff Music Festival. 'Victoria has built a strong reputation for delivering major music events that bring in visitors from across Australia and around the world, supporting local jobs and showcasing our homegrown talent,' Mr Dimopoulos said. In a similar vein, NSW recently became the first Aussie government to back the Michael's Rule initiative, which calls for at least one local artist to be brought in to support international acts in Australia. Venue hire fees will be cut by $20,000 for each eligible show that adheres to the rule, which was established in 2024 following the death of artist manager Michael McMartin. The fees for Opera House gigs will also be slashed by $5000 if they comply with the rule.
Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Perth Now
Reality of keeping dogs in apartments
A few weeks ago, a video of Harry the corgi pacing anxiously back and forth while trapped on a tiny balcony simultaneously captured and tore hearts apart across the country. The thought of an innocent pup unable to enjoy life while their owners are cramped in a tiny apartment is enough to make many people shudder. While Harry the corgi has since found his new forever home with loving new owners, his story is far from the only one. As the housing crisis and the cost-of-living crisis continue, many more Australians are choosing to downscale and live in apartments – and taking their pets with them. However, with a smaller floorplan and little room to run around outside, it can be easy for dogs to become anxious while living in cramped spaces. Here is how you can ensure your pet is living its fullest life while in an apartment. Distressing footage of a dog on a tiny apartment balcony in Melbourne went viral last month. TikTok/ heliabdollahi Credit: Supplied The dog has since been rehomed and won't be spending any more time trapped on a balcony. TikTok/ heliabdollahi Credit: Supplied Are apartments safe for pets? Generally speaking, living with a dog in an apartment is very safe, as long as the pets' needs are met. PetWell co-founder Ayda Hornak said this 'all comes down to routine'. 'As long as they're getting daily exercise (both physical and mental) appropriate to their breed, age, and temperament, there's no reason why apartment living should be an issue,' she told NewsWire. She said some dogs might even prefer living in an apartment, as long as their owner was 'attentive'. It's also important to consider the size and layout of an apartment before welcoming a furry friend into the mix, as the layout may not be conducive to a healthy pet lifestyle. 'Newer buildings are often more pet-friendly, with features like outdoor areas, pet wash stations, or even on-site dog parks,' Ms Hornak said. She said 'location is key' to ensuring your pet is happy living in an apartment. 'Apartments near walking tracks and dog parks offer more stimulation than a suburban backyard in most cases,' she said. Living in an apartment is becoming more popular – and pets are coming too. NewsWire/Sarah Matray Credit: News Corp Australia Following apartment rules Your Strata Property strata lawyer Amanda Farmer said while most states across Australia allowed pets in apartment buildings, and landlords were banned from barring pet ownership, pet owners also had to comply with the rules of the building. 'Those rules might require the resident to notify the body corporate that they're keeping a pet, make sure the animal is restrained on a lead when on the common areas, and ensure their pet doesn't disturb other residents,' she told NewsWire. She said the most common complaint among other residents was 'excessive barking'. 'I've seen these issues resolved or avoided with good routines, appropriate exercise for the dog, and respectful communication with neighbours,' she said. Following apartment rules are essential to keep other residents happy. NewsWire / Monique Harmer Credit: News Corp Australia Not all breeds are apartment-friendly Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, meaning some need more outside entertainment than others and are less likely to adapt well to apartment living. Naturally, many may think the smaller the dog is, the better they are suited for living in a smaller space. However, Ms Hornak said this wasn't always the case. She said smaller breeds like pugs and spaniels were excellent options for those living in an apartment or smaller space. Some may think all small dogs are suited for apartments – think again. NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia Larger dogs like kelpies and border collies require plenty of outside time, so living in an apartment may not be the best choice. 'These breeds are bred to work all day, so if they don't get adequate stimulation, they can develop behavioural issues,' Ms Hornak said. 'That said, it's not just about breed, it's about whether you're able to meet the individual dog's needs with daily enrichment, exercise, and company.' For those looking for a bigger dog that doesn't require too much exercise, Ms Hornak suggested opting for a great dane. 'This might surprise some people,' she told NewsWire. '(Great Danes are) typically calm, low energy, and love a good nap. They don't need as much exercise as you'd think.' Many big dog breeds aren't ideal for apartment living. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Working full-time and owning a pet A very common issue for Australians who live in an apartment with a pet is the amount of time they spend together. When combined with a full-time job, a dog spending hours alone in a small space can lead to 'anxiety, destructive behaviour, and even depression'. Ms Hornak said apartment dwellers should seek to take their dogs out 'three-to-four times a day' in addition to their walks, as they need 'time to sniff, explore, play, and stretch their legs'. She also suggested playing 'soft classical music' when leaving the house for extended periods of time. Leaving dogs alone on the balcony all day and night is not the answer, either. 'I don't believe any dog, whether they live in an apartment or a house with a large backyard, should be left alone for eight to 10 hours a day without some form of interaction or stimulation,' she said. 'If you work full-time, options like hiring a dog walker, sending your pup to doggie day care or arranging for a neighbour or friend to drop in can make a big difference. 'It's about creating a balance and ensuring they feel secure, engaged, and not forgotten.' Spending outside time with your dog can maintain a healthy mind. NewsWire / Nicki Connolly Credit: News Corp Australia Dogs can live wonderful lives inside apartments, as long as they go outside to play regularly. NewsWire / Glenn Campbell Credit: News Corp Australia Best practice for keeping pets in an apartment Keep them active – 'And I don't just mean a quick toilet break,' Ms Hornak said. 'Dogs need time to sniff, explore, stretch their legs, and just be dogs.' Stick to a routine – Having a predictable schedule for food, walks and play can help keep dogs feeling safe and secure. Keep your home safe and quiet – Create a small space with the dog's favourite toys and a blanket that smells like its owner to create a warm and safe environment when dogs are alone. Make play interesting – Use puzzles that encourage dogs to play and explore, such as treat-dispensing toys and short training sessions. This can help entertain the dog and tucker them out. 'A mentally stimulated dog is a calmer, happier dog,' Ms Hornak said.
