Moments after Rowan Crothers touched the wall in his 50m freestyle Paralympic final, he realised he had achieved his childhood dream—a Paralympic gold medal. The 23-year-old has chased after his dreams with a fierce determination, training alongside able-bodied athletes and often pushing his body to the brink. But for Crothers, it’s not about the guts and glory, it’s about doing what makes him happy. It’s been a long journey for the Gosford-born swimmer. Crothers was born in

Australian UFC fighters Casey O’Neill and Jamie Mullarkey both secured impressive TKO victories in their back-to-back fights at UFC Vegas 38 today. The event, held early Sunday (AEST), was headlined by light-heavyweights Thiago Santos and Johnny Walker. Embed from Getty Images Scottish-born Australian Casey O’Neill remains undefeated as she ended the event’s preliminary card with a second round TKO over fellow flyweight Antonina Shevchenko. O’Neill led aggressively in the f

While some see riding BMX as a sport, Nathan Leech describes it as an art form. “I like doing big drops, bar spins, things that look a little rougher and not as smooth, but have their own expressive value,” Nathan says. “I’m in it to have fun and not fall off too much.” Riding bikes of every shape and size since he can remember, Nathan’s journey to riding BMX began with borrowing his friend’s bike. “Me and my mate would go to the dirt jumps near our house. He would ride his

A trail of group chats, transferred files and zoom meetings documents the development of avant-garde “supergroup” High Castle Teleorkestra (HCT). It is a group that exists on computer screens and online networks, cordoned off by the restrictions of both transnational distance and a global pandemic. Many of the members have yet to meet in person. This until recently included HCT’s founders, the dual producers and day-to-day leads Tim Smolens and Chris Bogen. Smolens, 44, based

*This article contains spoilers. Money Heist season five delivers another exciting instalment in the Spanish drama. With just as much action as in previous seasons, audiences won’t be able to look away. Money Heist follows a rag-tag team of criminals – each code named after a major city – brought together by the mysterious Professor (Álvaro Morte) to carry out extravagant and dangerous heists. Volume 1 of season five, released this month, jumps back into the action mid-he

More than 3200 people have signed a petition calling on Woolworths to play more Australian music on its in-store radio. The change.org petition is demanding the supermarket giant play 50 per cent local artists as a way of supporting a music industry devastated by COVID-19 lockdowns. Petition founder Luke Hall, who is an employee at Woolworths, was inspired by Jack River’s successful campaign to get Channel 7 to feature local music in its Olympics coverage. Hall says large c

“People want to physically show what they support,” says the co-owner of the skateboarding/art clothing brand Stepmother , Matt Dwyer. While the pandemic has put widespread pressure on retail, interesting local brands have seen the benefits. Melbourne’s culture of supporting independence and creativity has been really helpful, Matt says. The owner of female-focused skateboarding brand Pearls Clothing , Tobi Stanley, agrees that the pandemic has been helpful to her enterprise

On September 28, 2001, the world was confronted with the existence of one Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller), an idiot who happens to be a three-time Male Model of the Year. Although the character had already been in a couple of short films produced for the VH1 Fashion Awards in the 1990s, Zoolander –directed, written and produced by Stiller – was his first feature-length outing. And it is wild. After he loses his title to a newer male model named Hansel (Owen Wilson), Derek rece

Genevieve Nardella finds the fashion groove that sets the Conchords apart.

Australian UFC fighter Alexander Volkanovski has successfully defended his Featherweight title against American Brian Ortega in the main event of UFC 266. Fans in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile arena were on their feet as the featherweights went to war in a battle that lasted the full 25 minutes. Volkanovski retained his title via unanimous decision, judges scoring the bout 49-46, 50-45 and 50-44. Volkanovski stayed in control that vast majority of the bout, keeping the fight a striking

Mary Grech is just one of the millions of Melbournians currently experiencing their sixth state-wide lockdown since the beginning of the global coronavirus pandemic. As a senior mental health clinician, as well as a parent and partner, she understands the added pressures this period has placed on Victorians, including couples who’ve found themselves locked in together. “It’s times like these that all kinds of relationships can get stuck in a real rut, which can be hard to exi

“I’ve felt disillusioned and discouraged … I haven’t had inspiration or drive hit me for months,” says artist Amy Zainal. Like many Victorians, she is feeling the effects of months spent indoors. After extended periods of isolation, levels of anxiety and depression are at an all-time high . One important tool in the maintenance of mental health that often goes overlooked: artistic expression. Research has found it can help alleviate psychological distresses and help people de