Latest news with #Redfern
West Australian
2 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
WA dairy farmers remain reluctant to expand their business despite positive conditions in the upcoming season
WA dairy farmers remain reluctant to expand their business despite favourable weather conditions and forecasted higher farmgate prices and business profits for the upcoming season. Dairy Australia's 2025 national dairy farmer survey suggested improved seasonal conditions are contributing towards greater positivity about the future of the industry yet WA farmers remain cautious in the short-term. Similarly, Tasmania and Gippsland farmers remain positive but mindful, while in South Australia and Murray confidence in the industry's future and their own businesses have dropped significantly since 2024. New South Wales farmers are most optimistic about profitability, with many planning to make on-farm capital investments over the next two years and are more likely to make major investment decisions compared to other regions. Dairy Australia analysis and insights manager Eliza Redfern said extreme weather was the largest industry concern currently with 69 per cent of farmers affected by it. 'While the worst impacts have been in western Victoria and SA, at least half of all businesses in every dairy region have experienced some effects of extreme weather conditions,' she said. Industry is also facing higher operational costs and global headwinds that continue to impact profitability and decrease producer sentiment. With most WA milk going to the domestic market, the state is least likely to be impacted by trade and economic uncertainty. However, Rabobank's 2025/26 Australian dairy market outlook — released on May 28 — has noted an uncertain global backdrop could lead to a dampening of dairy demand locally and in Australia's export markets. Senior dairy analyst Michael Harvey said recent tariff measures introduced by the US administration have unsettled many international markets. 'While this is likely to see minimal direct disruption for Australia's dairy sector – given the local industry's product mix and market exposure – from a broader perspective, several key dairy trade flows remain under scrutiny,' he said. In terms of the domestic retail market, Dairy Australia's situation and outlook report — also released on May 28 — indicates dairy continues to perform well, supported by behaviour linked to inflation and emerging consumer trends. Ms Redfern said year-on-year milk was up 0.7 per cent, dairy spreads were up 3.3 per cent, cheese was up 4.2 per cent and yoghurt was up 8.4 per cent. 'Australia is on track to maintain a national milk pool of 8.3 billion litres this season,' she said. However, Ms Redfern said lingering climate impacts, margin pressures and a lower appetite for farm business growth may result in easing milk production for the 2025/26 season. 'Dairy Australia currently forecasts a 0-2% reduction in national milk production for next season, likely dropping to around 8.24 billion litres, however, it is a rapidly developing situation,' she said. In terms of WA, Ms Redfern said milk production has also been tracking down this season, despite favourable weather conditions. 'Both the dry conditions and cull cow backlogs from the 2023/24 season have been resolved, however the latter has left the state with a significantly smaller herd,' she said. 'There have been approximately eight farm exits this season, with all reportedly maintaining the same ownership but converting to beef as a hobby as part of their retirement plans. 'While the above has weighed on WA production this season, the state will likely maintain a milk pool between 300-350 million litres and will possibly do so again in the 2025-26 season, if weather remains favourable and farm exits slow.'
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Nigella Lawson gushes over Sydney's 'hidden gem' restaurant after discovering its 'staircase to heaven': 'Took my breath away'
She's dined in Paris, feasted in Florence, and hosted glamorous banquets in London - but it's yet another hidden Sydney gem that's captured Nigella Lawson 's taste buds. The beloved British food icon, who's currently soaking up the Australian sunshine, took to Instagram to wax lyrical about Club Fontana, a quiet Italian eatery tucked away in Sydney's inner-south. In a post brimming with culinary joy, Nigella, famous for her poetic descriptions of food and unapologetic love of carbs, revealed she was completely enchanted by the Redfern restaurant, describing the experience as 'uplifting,' 'cosy,' and 'exquisite.' 'The visit filled my heart with joy,' the 65-year-old foodie said. 'The food is exquisite but cosy, and the place immediately relaxing and uplifting.' Nigella admitted that despite already falling for a handful of favourite Sydney spots, she was finally persuaded to try Fontana after hearing repeated praise from her close friend and renowned ceramicist and artist Shelley Simpson. 'I haven't been able to resist going back to restaurants I already know and love here in Sydney… but nor do I want to restrict myself to only my fond, familiar haunts,' she explained. 'The wonderful Shelley Simpson has been telling me about Club Fontana for ages now, and I'm really not sure why I haven't gone there before… but we went together last week, and the visit filled my heart with joy.' And while Fontana may not be the most obvious pick from the street, what it lacks in visibility it makes up for in charm. 'It's hard to find from the street (mind you, I have got absolutely no sense of direction), but eventually I discovered the carpeted staircase to heaven,' Nigella said - and from there, she was completely sold. The self-confessed 'carb queen' dove into a string of bold, nostalgic, and impeccably executed dishes, starting with a humble Italian classic - pane fritto with anchovies. 'Pane fritto is, simply, Italian for fried bread,' she said. 'But think puffed-up little pieces of sausage-shaped dough, light but with just the right amount of chew, topped with a salty stripe of anchovy.' And the hits just kept coming. From crostini topped with soft-cooked chicory and velvety broad bean purée, to garlic bread rolls that ooze caramelised garlic butter with every greedy bite, Nigella made her way through the menu with delight. 'Carb queen that I am, I moved on to their garlic bread, which comes sumptuously in the form of a bread roll that gushes… with caramelised garlic butter,' she swooned. She paired it with fresh, soft ricotta which she likened to 'a butterfly kiss', and a bitter leaf Autumn Caesar salad, complete with guanciale, roast kohlrabi, and more anchovies (because one can never have too many). But it was the dessert that left the TV star and bestselling author speechless. 'Pudding had to be the zabaglione cream, piled Mr Whippy style on top of a kind of upside-down crumble… that's to say, wine-poached quince over a bite-able rubble of divinely peppery biscuit,' Nigella wrote. 'This took my breath away. Well, it all did.' Ever the thoughtful diner, Nigella made sure to give credit where it's due, singing the praises of the restaurant's talented chef for their 'palate as perfect as his touch.' She also applauded the service, giving a warm shout-out to front-of-house staff member who helped make the night 'an utter enchantment.' Despite flying relatively under the radar, Fontana has already built a loyal cult following among Sydney foodies, but now, with Nigella's golden seal of approval, a table at the cosy 40-seater could soon be one of the toughest to score in town. The visiting British food icon recently dined at Ester in Chippendale, a trendy Sydney restaurant headed up by chef Mat Lindsay that may be a hidden gem - not widely known among the general public but revered by off-duty chefs and serious foodies. She about Ester for remaining 'unfailingly the most exciting kitchen in the world' after visiting the little-known hotspot with two friends. The high level of praise that Nigella heaped on Ester should hardly come as a surprise given that she'd previously named it a must-visit when she's in town The 65-year-old specifically highlighted some of the restaurant's 'exceptional dishes', explaining that her dining experience commenced with 'impeccable' oysters to start. Also on the menu was the 'legendary fermented potato bread with salmon roe and beguiling jelly-topped kefir cream' - a signature dish renowned at the restaurant. Nigella also called out the 'exquisite pippies' as a standout. ReceipeTin Eats founder, Nagi Maehashi, also responded to Nigella's post with an elongated: 'Yuuuuuummmm!!!' The beloved Australian food blogger also recommended that Nigella check out Ester's sister restaurant, Poly. 'Get everything on the smalls list,' Nagi advised. The high level of praise that Nigella heaped on Ester should hardly come as a surprise given that she'd previously named it a must-visit when she's in town. The British food icon told Gourmet Traveller earlier this year that the surprising yet delicious creations at Mat Lindsay's restaurant are 'extraordinary'. The award-winning restaurant is known for its relaxed yet stylish interiors and wood-fired modern Australian fare.
Emirates Woman
5 days ago
- Business
- Emirates Woman
How I got my job as… Founder of this UAE-based resortwear label
This week, we speak to Lucy Redfern, Founder of the UAE-based fashion label Scorpio Rizing. Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series 'How I got my job as…' where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they'd give to those starting out; and the hurdles they've had to overcome. It's in a Scorpio's nature to be passionate about their art, and at Scorpio Rizing, the brand embodies this. All products are designed and made in the UAE, where designs will be launched in exclusive collections to advocate sustainability and will feature around stand out pieces. With resortwear pieces taking centre stage, these piece are exactly what you need to pack for your next holiday. To delve into her journey as a creative lead and founder, Emirates Woman spoke to Redfern to see how it began for her in the fashion world. What was your favourite subject at school? My favourite subject was History, right from an early age I had a huge interest in the history of the world from the Ancient Greeks up to the Tudors. My grandmother was a history and Latin teacher so she would teach me both subjects on a weekend as a child. Our house was full of old history books that my grandfather picked up as he travelled the world after he served in the Gurkhas during WW2 and subsequently then after for his work. I also loved English Literature, I am a very creative person who doesn't have the ability to draw, so English Literature allowed me to be creative through writing. What was your first job? I got my first job working in a perfume shop in a shopping centre in Yorkshire, England (where I was born and raised) on my 16th birthday. I would get my weekly salary and then go straight into the stores to spend it. I have always been obsessed with clothes. What brought you to Dubai? I was working as fashion buyer for a fast fashion company in Manchester, England when I was contacted by a recruiter for an opening at the e-commerce brant that is Namshi. I had never even been to Dubai before, but 4 weeks later I was packing my bags and saying goodbye to my family, ready to move to Dubai. I remember being amazed as I drove down SZR for the first time ever after leaving the airport. I owe alot to Namshi, not only were they responsible for me moving to Dubai, but I gained so much valuable experience from them that absolutely helped me start my own business. What inspired you to enter the space and launch your brand? I had been a fashion buyer for 10 years and always had the dream of having my own brand but I really had no idea where to start. I have always been told that I have a 'good eye' for fashion and I could pick on and source pieces/prints/trends that nobody else would see, so I always knew that I wanted to channel this into something of my own, something that didn't necessarily have the restrictions that can come from buying for a large company. Then in 2022, my best friend suddenly passed away and it made me realize that life really is too short not to chase your dreams and that Dubai was really missing a 'cool girl' brand. So after some hesitation, and alot of doubt, one of my closest friends Elle (who owns Posture Pilates Studio), finally gave me the pep talk I needed to get up and go for it, and Scorpio Rizing was officially born. Talk us through the concept? I always knew that if I started a brand, it would be called Scorpio Rizing (as I am, of course, a Scorpio rising!). I have always been into fashion, right from a young age as my mum would make a lot of my clothes for me (she too has a great eye!) and my interest in history from a young age also lead me to explore things such as astrology as I would read about this and spirituality in many of the old, worldly books we had at home. I always had a vision of combining fashion with astrology. I ultimately want women to wear the pieces and to know that she stands out because of her femininity. We avoid any sort of mainstream trend and design pieces which are eye catching and original but can be worn again and again. I very much position the brand as a part of the 'slow fashion' movement, meaning that we limit consumption by releasing limited collections each year. What are the key elements of your role? As well as being the owner of Scorpio Rizing – I am also the social media manager, customer service manager, and occasional logistics and finance manager! I am heavily involved in all aspects of the business as we grow but mainly I focus on the creative direction of the brand by creating moodboards and design ideas which I then share with my incredible designer who will then takes care of the actual sketching/CAD'ing process.. I also oversee all content and creative shoots as well as managing the day-to-day communication with my suppliers and fulfilment partners to ensure everything runs smoothly and on time. I do however hire people for the design and digital marketing side of the business. Talk us through your daily routine. I am an early riser so this means starting emails at 6am, I will respond to any customer service enquiries at this time. I then check over all orders received the day before to ensure our fulfilment centers in the UAE and UK have packed and shipped on time. I then start one of my favorite parts of the job which is checking the daily analytics of the store, which countries are people looking at the website from (it blows my mind that people all around the world know about Scorpio Rizing!), have we acquired new customers, what product are people buying/looking at the most etc. Then I will work on social media posts and ensure these are scheduled through the week (I'm really trying to build TikTok so try and document what I can but I keep forgetting!). I have regular catch ups with the wonderful freelancer, Beth, who manages all my digital marketing as I will approve all ad and email messaging as well as analysing the performance of our paid ads. I also have regular calls with my suppliers to ensure there are no issues or delays – they will regularly send me samples and fabrics to fit and approve as well (the average time from design to going online is around 8 months as I like to make sure everything is done to a high standard and as we are a 'slow fashion' brand, we don't rush the process). And then we have the general admin side of the business. What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps? Be passionate. Many people say they want to start a business or a brand but they don't know what business or what space they want to be in – I think if you don't already have that business/niche idea in your head, then you're not passionate enough to get started. Also ensure you do your research on suppliers, logistics, and the tech and AI needed to go into building a website. Make sure you have a target audience in mind and design everything for them. I always knew I wanted to capture the 'cool girl' who spends summers in Ibiza and winters in Dubai (with a little bit of Thailand and Bali thrown in!) so I build my branding to appeal to them. Tell us more about the pieces? Our pieces are limited, meaning we only initially buy 50-80 pieces per style and then repeat what works well (our Orange Tie Dye Soleil Maxi Skirt has been a best seller since day 1 so we always try to keep this in stock). I always start the design process by thinking 'where is the Scorpio Rizing girl going this summer?' and then I design based on that. Last summer it was the South of France, the summer before that when we launched was Coachella and this summer it is a full Euro Summer vibe! Each piece is designed with feminine fits (think backless, fishtail hems, flared sleeves) and stand out prints. We have released our first ever few pieces of swimwear this season and it has been amazing to see the reaction to this (pre-sales were crazy!). Our newest collection 'Celestial Waves' is really inspired by the magical island of Ibiza and the beautiful crystal waters that surround it. We develop our pieces using left over plain fabric which we then dye to our specific print, meaning we keep consumption as low as possible. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? ALWAYS TRUST YOUR GUT INSTINCT. Nobody knows your vision and goals like you do, so if you feel that something isn't aligning with them, remove it. I have had a few instances where external parties have tried to strong arm me into things that haven't felt right, so I have always followed my gut. Also a few occasions where I have felt that a particular style wasn't perhaps right and they have ended up being my worst sellers. Your instinct is a very powerful thing. And what is the worst? 'That's life' – my wonderful mum said this to me after I once complained that I didn't want to work a corporate job for the rest of my life! That isn't life for me, life for me is building something of your own that gives you freedom. I love my mum more than anything, but she was wrong just this once. What's the biggest challenge you have had to overcome? It has been my own mindset when things haven't gone to plan or I've faced setbacks. As a Scorpio, we do have the tendency to be maybe just a little overdramatic sometimes, so when I have faced setbacks I have initially seen this as the end or a sign to give up, but each time I have persevered and always pulled through to resolve the issue at hand. What's lies ahead for the brand? Growth! We have some exciting partnerships coming up with 3rd party e-commerce platforms, we are already partnered with Wolf and Badger and Silk Fred in the UK and are now expanding with our UAE partnerships which is so exciting. On top of this we are also strengthening our D2C (Direct to Consumer) business through our website by really improving the functionalities. Due my experience in e-commerce, I have been able to build really strong foundations which will support growth. I am also attempting to build a TikTok audience (when I find time to document everything) on top of growing our overall social presence through Instagram. And as always, designing really great pieces with a big focus on strong creatives. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Instagram @scorpiorizing
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Ita Buttrose's extraordinary justification for spending thousands of taxpayer dollars on chauffeurs to her favourite Italian restaurant
Former ABC chair Ita Buttrose says claims she wasted taxpayer funds on luxury car hire trips are 'irrelevant'. The 82-year-old media veteran spent at least $3,625 on luxury car hire services in the 12 months between January 2023 and January 2024, documents obtained under a Freedom of Information request by The Australian revealed. Internal policy at the ABC says staff should be 'discouraged' from using chauffeur-driven cars and that travel cost should be 'necessary, controlled, and defensible under public scrutiny'. Buttrose told The Australian those rules did not apply to her because the chairperson was 'not considered staff'. 'Directors of the ABC are not employees... so your questions are irrelevant,' she told The Australian. Invoices obtained by the newspaper revealed Buttrose repeatedly charted trips with Corporate Cars Australia - a chauffeur service that brands itself as a 'luxury car hire company' offering a 'first-class experience with 24/7 chauffeur service in Sydney, Melbourne and Australia-wide'. Among its fleet are 'only the latest model luxury vehicles' including sedans, stretch limousines, executive vans, and luxury coaches. While she was boss at the broadcaster, she used the service for many trips to and from her Redfern home, the ABC's Ultimo offices and a number of swanky restaurants and venues across the city. Buttrose twice used the car service to visit Beppi's Italian, a Darlinghurst staple she penned a review for some 70 years after her father, Charles Buttrose, did the same in his role as editor of The Daily Mirror. On October 11 2023, Buttrose spent a combined $312.26 on a trip to and from her Redfern home via work and Beppi's Italian. The journey included a $115.38 charge for the 2.4km drive from her home to the broadcaster's Ultimo headquarters. Buttrose, who took home a $211,297 salary in 2023 as ABC chair, sold her two-bedroom high-rise Redfern apartment earlier this year for $1.67million after purchasing it for $1.55million two years earlier. It's not the first time the media veteran's use of the luxury car hire has made headlines. Earlier this year, she used a receipt from the car hire company to dispute evidence raised by ABC managing director David Anderson in the unlawful termination case brought against the broadcaster by former interim radio host Antoinette Lattouf. Lattouf was let go from her fill-in post on ABC Radio Sydney's Mornings program in December 2023 after she shared a Human Rights Watch post that claimed Israel used starvation as a 'weapon of war' in Gaza. The journalist brought her case to the Federal Court after the Fair Work Commission found she had been sacked by the broadcaster. In that case, Anderson claimed he had shared a conversation with Buttrose the day Lattouf was let go at ABC's Ultimo office on December 20, 2023 before attending a Christmas lunch event. He claimed Buttrose told him they were 'going to have to agree to disagree' on his position Lattouf would see out the week at the company. In a letter sent to ABC's lawyers, Buttrose claimed receipts from the car hire service proved she had been been picked up from her Redfern home and therefore could not have spoken with Anderson at the Ultimo office before the lunch. Those receipts, obtained earlier this year by Daily Mail Australia, included a $108.99 charge for a car hire from a redacted location to Luke's Kitchen, a destination restaurant in the lobby of the ritzy Kimpton Margot Hotel in Sydney, via ABC's Ultimo offices at 12.10pm. The FOI request documents obtained by The Australian would suggest the trip began at Buttrose's Redfern home, in line with her claims. She also challenged Anderson's evidence relating to a conversation he claimed to have had with the ABC's former content chief Chris Oliver-Taylor in a taxi back to the Ultimo offices after the lunch. Buttrose claimed the conversation could not have taken place as Anderson had joined her in a car hire which dropped him at the offices before taking her home. Invoices appear to verify Buttrose's version of the itinerary, including a further $108.99 charge for a trip from the Pitt Street restaurant to a redacted location believed to be Buttrose's Redfern home via ABC's offices at 3pm. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest that Mr Anderson's evidence in the federal court case was anything but his honest recollection of events only that Ms Buttrose has contacted the ABC's lawyers to dispute them. Justice Darryl Rangiah has yet to deliver his verdict on Lattouf's case against the broadcaster.
News.com.au
19-05-2025
- News.com.au
Woman dies after alleged DV assault at Redfern
A woman has died in hospital days after an alleged domestic violence assault in inner Sydney. The 47-year-old was found with head injuries at a unit on Morehead St at Redfern at about 4.30pm on Saturday. She was treated by paramedics at the scene before being transported to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a critical condition. Police were notified the woman had died in hospital at about 5.40pm on Monday. A 30-year-man was arrested at the scene of the alleged assault, and was soon charged with cause grievous bodily harm to person with intent (domestic violence). Police believe the man and woman were known to one another. The man's case remains before the courts. A report on the woman's death will be prepared for the coroner. Police investigations are ongoing.
