Features, explainers and long-form stories from across Australia.
You have to wonder: how many poets get to change their name and in doing so rewrite their own story? Oodgeroo Noonuccal did exactly that — first she became Australia’s first published Aboriginal poet with We Are Going in 1964, then she shed her colonial name to reclaim her Noonuccal identity. Born: 3 November 1920, … Read more
Bette Midler has been a fixture in American entertainment for decades, but ask someone what she’s up to these days and you might get a shrug. The Divine Miss M is still very much active—she just isn’t touring, and her days of belting out “Wind Beneath My Wings” on stage may be behind her. That … Read more
Few Pixar movies spark as many conversations at the dinner table as Inside Out. It turns complex emotions into colorful characters, making psychology feel accessible to kids and adults alike. Released in 2015, the film earned a 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. This guide unpacks the emotions, … Read more
Tom Segura has built a career out of making people laugh about the uncomfortable stuff — parenting fails, blackout bar stories, and career regrets. But behind the stage persona is a comedian with a rich family background and a recent health transformation that’s sparked plenty of curiosity. Born: April 16, 1979 · Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio … Read more
Shaun Tan, the Australian artist behind the haunting sepia-toned images of a migrant leaving everything behind, has reshaped how we talk about displacement and belonging through wordless storytelling. His Chinese-Malaysian heritage runs through every page, giving his work a depth that resonates far beyond children’s literature. Born: 15 January 1974 · Birthplace: Perth, Western Australia … Read more
For a generation of viewers, Sarah Michelle Gellar was the slayer who made being a vampire hunter look cool. But since Buffy the Vampire Slayer ended, she’s largely chosen a quieter life — one shaped by motherhood, a food-focused business, and a careful return to the spotlight. Age: 47 (born April 14, 1977) · Height: … Read more
There’s something refreshing about an actress who doesn’t feel the need to conform to every Hollywood standard. Aimee Lou Wood has built a career on playing characters who feel startlingly real—and off-screen, she’s just as direct. Born: 3 February 1994 · Known for: Sex Education, The White Lotus · Condition: ADHD (Neurodivergent) · Instagram followers: … Read more
Few names in literature carry the weight of William Shakespeare, yet the man behind the plays remains surprisingly elusive. Born in a small market town in the 16th century, he rose to become England’s most celebrated dramatist and poet, with 37 plays and 154 sonnets to his name. This guide separates the confirmed facts from … Read more
When Sally Phillips co-created the sketch show Smack the Pony in 1999, she was known for sharp, absurd comedy, but in recent years, the actress has become equally recognized for raising her son Olly, who has Down syndrome, and speaking openly about it. Since 2024, she and Olly have served as patrons of the Down’s … Read more
Few British actresses have left as deep a mark on both stage and screen as Joan Plowright. Her six-decade career moved from the radical energy of the Royal Court Theatre to Hollywood and even Hogwarts, while she shared her life with one of the greatest actors of the 20th century. Born: 28 October 1929 · … Read more