Coffee first entered human lives and veins over 600 years ago, writes Clare Collins. Here’s how much it’s OK to drink. Now we consume an average of almost two kilos per person each year – sometimes with very specific preferences about blends and preparation methods. How...
Sandy Leen finds that her idea of what constitutes a good babysitter is quite different from those of her children. When You Don’t Have “A Regular” The downside of living far from family and moving every couple of years or so is that we have never had...
How parents shape a child’s pain response matters, writes Joshua Pate It happens in slow motion. Your six-year-old daughter is sprinting across the playground at school drop-off time when her toe catches on uneven ground. She goes down hard. The playground goes silent. She freezes and looks...
A mother’s story of love, loss and the child who never leaves her heart, by Rosemary McKnight Content note: This article contains themes of pregnancy loss and grief that may be distressing for some readers. The Day That Never Ends The date was written at the top of...
Strategic thinking is essential today as we navigate social challenges, writes Nelly Liyanagamage If you’re tired of the same old Monopoly, perhaps it’s time to try Settlers of Catan. It’s a strategy board game for three to four players fighting to be the dominant force on Catan...
Teachers play a vital role in every community, a fact widely acknowledged by the public. Yet recent research shows a looming shortage, especially in rural areas, as many teachers leave – or at least consider leaving – the profession. Why is this happening? A new study, Perceptions...
New measles cases in Queensland showed ‘herd immunity’ is now more important than ever, report Frank Beard and Kristine Macartney The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Australia free of measles in 2014. Historically, high childhood measles vaccination coverage and thorough follow-up of suspected cases have helped prevent...
Thumb and finger sucking are common self-soothing habits in babies and young children — but when they persist, they can start to affect teeth and jaw development. Paediatric dentist Dr Anna Buckeridge explains what’s happening in your child’s mouth, when parents should be concerned, and...
This show-stopping salmon from Donna Hay balances sweet honey, gentle chilli heat and a light cure for incredible flavour and texture. Finished under the grill and served with a sharp horseradish crème fraîche, it’s an elegant yet easy centrepiece for entertaining or a special family...
Note: this is a companion piece to H2Know: How to Keep Your Family Safer Around Water National drowning deaths (all ages) 357 people drowned in Australia in the 2024–25 financial year, a significant increase (27% above the 10-year average). This is the highest national drowning toll since...
