Media release: Sarah Murdoch steps down as Top Model host and EP . . .media release just in . .

media Release: Monday, December 12 2011

AUSTRALIA’S NEXT TOP MODEL


FOXTEL announced today that Sarah Murdoch has decided to step aside from her role as host
and co-executive producer of the FOX8 series, Australia’s Next Top Model.
Brian Walsh, FOXTEL’s Executive Director of Television, said: “Sarah has made a remarkable
contribution to Australia's Next Top Model and was instrumental in propelling the programme to its most successful season ever, in 2011. We would like to thank Sarah for her passion,
commitment and incredible support of the series. Naturally we are disappointed to lose her, but
the show goes on.
“Australia's Next Top Model is, and remains, FOXTEL’s most enduring and successful local
production. With the next cycle we promise another exciting series on FOX8 with more world
locations, more beautiful girls and more of the best television that only the likes of Alex Perry
and Charlotte Dawson can deliver. We wish Sarah continued success in her future endeavours,”
Walsh said.
Sarah Murdoch said: “It has been an incredible opportunity to work on a show as exciting and
popular as Australia’s Next Top Model. Leaving the show has been a very difficult decision for
me. Being entrusted to work on all aspects as host and co-executive producer has been a huge
experience and I have enjoyed it so much. Brian Walsh has been an amazing mentor and I
would like to thank him and FOXTEL for the opportunity to work on subscription television’s
highest rating series.”
For further information:
Jamie Campbell
General Manager, Publicity and Talent
02 9813 7315/0418 269 088
jamie.campbell@foxtel.com.au

Getting kids to cope living in two homes . . . .

Have just read two poignant, clever and smart children's books.
They may be meant for kids, but being a single, working mum who went through a separation not long before removing myself from an strssed-fuelled job, they really have great cut through. The books explain to single kids, who ultimately have two homes, two 'birthday cakes', two 'pets' and two sets of just about everything, that they are not alone.
The first book, authored by Danielle Jaku-Greenfild and the second in written by my friend Nicky McWilliam (both with experience in law and dispute resolution) with illustrations in both by Linda Greenfield, both help demystify what is now a very common childhood scenario.
Both explore, in simple language, the now popular life that many kids face: having 'two' families. The books deal with the prospect that 'dad' may have a new girlfriend (who, in one of the books is now pregnant with a new baby) to the reaction their mum has to that news and that, basically, it's all OK for kids to really talk about how they feel about their 2-house situation.
I, and am sure so many other mums and dads in the same situ, often wonder how this 'two houses' scenario pans out with our kids psyche.
Sure, 'two' sets of stuff sounds so grand and indulgent to those who haven't been across it, but split homes are a huge reality.

Our son handled our separation brilliantly as we never made 'him' the subject of any conjecture or small arguments we ever had. In fact, I never really talk about my personal life at all, it is just life, and everyone moves to their own tune.
Sure there are pitfalls of the two house thing: 'But I need to pick up the school instrument'; 'Have you his cricket gear?;' 'But I never saw that school note' . . and the list goes on. But they are trivial in the greater scheme of wanting to build self-esteem , integrity, a moral code and strength into a young child.
The way these authors and illustrator have put these books together is simply beautiful. And while no separation or divorce is simple, the way these stories are told are quite lovely.
Fortunately my sons dad is a very, very good father and the only thing on our minds when it comes to our son is his welfare, happiness and making sure he has a positive reaction to us not being a 'normal' family unit.
Buy hey, there are many 'not normal' of us out there nowadays. I still see relationships that are so ridiculously dysfunctional, but stay together (on paper anyway) 'because of the kids' and because their lifestyles may somehow be curbed if they 'part'. I have never, ever understood that. Especially when the kids see their parents 1/never talking or 2/always arguing.
As one of the books says as its closing remark, yes, we are a family, but "Just a different family."
I realy hope radio or tv networks pick up Two Birthday Cakes and do a story on these books. Definitey well worth it.



Take a look at www.sydneymediation.com.au for more information about the books, Two Birthday Cakes . .

Breast Friends; Breast Intentions; Simply The Breast . . . or 'How many breast cliches can I think of for one headline' . . .

It's a Knockout: Radio & TV gem Fifi Box baring nearly all at the ARIAs . . . (pic from news.com.au)

Pleasure State's O.M.B Turbo bra . .
I started thinking breasts when I saw a red carpet pic of vivacious radio and TV chick FiFi Box from the ARIAs on the other night.

And co-incidentally it is this week that the smart lingerie brand, Pleasure State introduces its 'O.M.B' . . . Turbo Boost Plunge bra.

Yep, lots of bra-wearing women search the globe, and online, for the newest bust-enhancer, so Pleasure State have produced the latest.

While Fifi look more like she was defying gravity and didn't need any enhancing, according to the underwear label, the 'new O.M.B. Turbo Boost Plunge creates the ultimate push, enhancing your cup size by up to 200% (yep, 200) and ensuring you get attention for all the right reasons,' goes the spiel.

'The O.M.B’s secret weapon is the SecretService™ sueded lining which boosts the breasts to attain the ultimate cleavage and ensures they stay put all day and all night long.

'The cutting edge nano fabric technology is exclusive to Pleasure State and offers supreme comfort unlike any other push up bra on the market.'

The RRP is $59.95 (10A – 14D) by visiting http://www.pleasurestate.com/ or by calling (02) 9384 2400.

Who'd have thought 'Gladys' could help women land a work gig . . . a feel-good online story . . .

FASHION . . . with a heart . . .

Always good to hear about an online enterprise which is giving back and not just taking . . .

Enter, vintage and contemporary online boutique store, DearGladys.com.au, the first not-for-profit online retail store in Australia, providing funding for a unique social enterprise that is changing the lives of thousands of long-term unemployed and disadvantaged women.
DearGladys started life as a vintage and contemporary clothing store in the Melbourne suburb of Northcote in 2009, established with the sole purpose of providing ongoing financial support for Fitted for Work, a not-for-profit organisation operating in Melbourne, Sydney and country Victoria.
Since 2005, Fitted for Work has transformed the lives of 6,500 women across Australia helping them obtain and maintain employment. As a not-for-profit organisation, Fitted for Work provides free interview-appropriate clothing through personal dressing services as well as mentoring and transition-to-work programs.
DearGladys, the boutique, and now DearGladys.com.au, raises much-needed funds to help women experiencing disadvantage get back into the workforce.
Since its launch in Melbourne 2009, the Dear Gladys shop front has contributed to 30% of the funds for Fitted for Work and has now expanded into the online arena taking advantage of e-commerce opportunities.
DearGladys.com.au supplies quality vintage and contemporary fashion and home wares to those wishing to make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged women in Australia. Proceeds from all sales at Dear Gladys online and in store go towards the efforts of Fitted for Work.
Fitted for Work CEO Jane Hunt said the goals of Fitted for Work clients are much the same as those of the organisation itself: “In the same way that we want sustainable employment for the women that we work with, we also want it for ourselves,” said Mrs Hunt.
“Our goal is to continue to support the disadvantaged women of Australia and expand our services as much as possible. The success of DearGladys.com.au will help determine the future of our organisation.”
Fitted for Work provides services tailored to the changing individual needs of the women who seek their help. The core fitting service includes a free out-fitting service, styling advice and interview preparation while the Transition to Work Program offers six month pre-employment training, work experience and mentoring service.
In September 2011 Fitted for Work won the Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year award in the southern region of Australia and more recently, CEO Jane Hunt, was awarded the Nokia Business Innovation Award for Victoria 2011.
Nice work indeed . . .

Aussie Matt Ingham: doing for Akubra what Fred Astaire did for the top hat and Buffalo Bill did for Stetson . . . .

I've gotta admit, I like a hat.
Not just all those smarty pants, racing-type feathered and floral chapeaux that squeezed their way into hat boxes, en route to the recent Spring Racing Carnival in Melbourne.
But, real, manly, blokey hats that myself (and even more adventurous son) has somehow fallen into the trap of loving too.
So, I was only too happy to come across the delicious Akubra Flash Bobby, a design collaboration from urban-meets-rural model Matt Ingham and the boys at Sydney's famous Strand Hatters, menswear top guns, Robert and Richard Carroll.

Matt has been a client of Strand Hatters and worn the iconic Akubra Bobby for years in the outback roustabouting and farming in between modelling jobs all over the world.
While in Sydney to catch up with Robert and Richard, it was inevitable from discussions that a new hat be born to properly represent the different facets of our urban cowboy.
The western design of the Flash Bobby is traditional, while the contrasting band and bound edge give the hat the sharpness the boys were after and is finished off with the world 'flash' laser-burnt on the side for its namesake.
Strand Hatters are releasing the limited edition hat on Thursday December 1st from 6pm to 8pm in the Strnd Arcade, so feel free to pop into the store and have a beer with Matt, Robert and Richard and give one a try . . .

Oh, and if you want to see a bit more of Matt's model life, check out http://www.chicmanagement.com.au/models/129/matt-ingham/