CORRIE BOND. ALANA LANDSBERRY.editor ’s letter
Email me at [email protected] Follow me on Instagram @nicolebbyers
Welcome!
I
was always someone others would
describe as stoic. Even during my
hormone-charged teen years, I was
never prone to emotional outbursts
or spontaneous fits of weeping.
Then I had a baby.
Now I’m that person who carries
a mini-pack of tissues with them at
all times. So much as a stirring song, a
come-from-behind victory or a simple
kind word is enough to have me
welling up. So I feel I must warn any
other “criers” out there, that the office
Kleenex supply got a particularly
vigorous work-out this month.
Just try to read about the indomitable
spirit of three young children battling
serious illness, and the special people
bringing much-needed light to their
journey (Everyday Superheroes, see
page 36) without shedding a tear.
Elsewhere, the story of a powerful
mother-daughter bond (“We Are Still
A Team Of Three”, page 70) forged
firmer by a tragic loss is at once sad,
uplifting and bursting with love.
And there are many other emotions
to be stirred within the pages of this
month’s issue. From anger at the
self-proclaimed healers targeting
Australians at their most vulnerable
(The Black Death, page 76), to disgust
at the behaviour of some of our
sporting elite, whose violent acts and
atrocious treatment of women are
bringing shame to their game (Code
of Misconduct, page 54).
And then there’s our iconic
Aussie cover star. Growing up
as I did a tall, strawberry-blonde
tomboy with acting aspirations,
BMX Bandits-era Nicole Kidman
was something of an idol of
mine. But, as Editor-at-Large
Juliet Rieden discovered through
talking to Nicole and many of herNicole Byers
EDITOR-IN-CHIEFclosest friends for our cover story,
there is so much more to the flame-
haired beauty than simply the ability
to light up the screen or tower elegantly
over the men in her life. She is a
woman of substance with exceptional
talent, a besotted wife and mother,
and by all accounts, the kind of friend
you really want at your dinner party.
Nicole Kidman, we salute you.Reaching out
While my husband and I had lunch
at a seaside hotel, I noticed a frail
elderly gentleman drinking a wine
on his own. I couldn’t stop thinking
how alone he looked. I was at first
hesitant – he may have wanted to
be alone – but we decided to ask
him if he’d like to join us. After
chatting between tables, he came
to sit with us. He explained he had
lost his wife two years ago and
they always went out on a Friday
for lunch. He was keeping up their
tradition. He fascinated us with
his life story of high corporate
positions and extensive world
travel, and we shared some of our
stories with him. This lovely man
gaveusa mostbeautiful
experiencein ourlives.Jill Dale
Pay it forward
Tell us your stories of
delivering or receiving
kindness, and we’ll choose
our favourites to receive a
gift of kindness in return.
For more information, visit
nowtolove.com.au/
thekindnessproject.Congratulations to Jill Dale from
Glenalta, SA, who will receive a
$250 Gourmet Traveller gift card.
Your kind act reminds us of the
power of starting conversations.The Weekly’s
Juliet Rieden
got up close
and personal
with Elizabeth
McGovern
(right), while
Tiffany Dunk
hit the beach
with Johanna
Griggs (below).