The coronavirus pandemic in Australia has revealed problems “in an already compromised [healthcare] system”, a midwifery expert said. Curtin University midwife research fellow Dr Zoe Bradfield said, “what we have in the industrialised world is an industrialised approach to health care.” Dr Bradfield, who has researched the impact of Covid on maternity care and is vice-president of the Australian College of Midwives, said the pandemic had provided an opportunity for Australia’

Victoria’s Big Housing Build won’t solve the state’s social housing issues, a leading social housing expert said. The Victorian government’s proposed $5.3 billion project will see the construction of more than 12,000 new homes around metropolitan and regional Victoria, of which 9300 will be classified under social housing. Premier Dan Andrews said the initiative would “change lives, giving thousands of Victorians the security and stability of a home”. Haven, Home, Safe commu

An unexpected silver lining of Covid-19 has been an increase in the uptake of technology—and the ability to connect—for senior citizens. Amaroo Aged Care special projects coordinator Kim Arnold said FaceTime had become the new normal for aged care residents to communicate with their families. “We now using FaceTime and Zoom for things like physio appointments, listening to talking books, attending funerals residents couldn’t access otherwise,” she said. As soon as we successf

With the anticipated mass exodus of travel-hungry Aussies, there’s no better time to acknowledge that our cousins across the ditch can make some seriously good music. And this time, let’s not pretend they’re ours. Here’s a list of the best New Zealand artists of the last decade that you can listen to on your adventures. Then listen to the selected Spotify playlist (link at end). THE BETHS Marrying the vocal melodies of Middle Kids and Ruby Fields with the manic indie guitar

Nomadland is a slow burn, character-driven story that showcases the beginnings of one person’s solitary journey. It captures the essence of what it means to be connected to the earth and to embrace your roots. Nomadland’s vast landscapes cover thousands of miles, from desert to deep forest. Beneath the beautiful imagery, however, is a story about the need for connection in such isolation. Frances McDormand leads a cast of real-life nomads Swankie, Linda and Bob, in their fi

Many children with special needs are struggling to return to school, with parents turning to home education post-Covid-19 lockdowns. Associate Professor of Autism and Inclusive Education at the University of Wollongong, Amanda Webster said home education for children with special needs was becoming more popular. “There’s a growing issue in the country of students on the autism spectrum being in distance education,” Dr Webster said. Research by My Homeschool Australia showed,

A fast-growing Facebook page is providing a platform for men to speak their mind and provide support for one another’s mental health and wellbeing. The Blokes & Their Mental Health page was created in early January and has quickly grown to more than 24,000 members. Page admin Sam Rintoule said everyone struggled sometimes. “It’s really good to see that these blokes are taking it upon themselves to start a conversation,” he said. “The day-to-day reality is everyone struggles

Twelve months on from the first lockdown and Victorian students are still struggling with the impact Covid-19 lockdowns had on their mental health. Students said lockdowns and online learning left many with inadequate support to deal with their feelings of hopelessness, anxiety and social isolation. Former VCE student Morgan Dickins said students were still feeling the effect of the lockdowns despite the transition to some on-campus learning. “You can’t fix a burning building

Another Round – a film about a midlife crisis, alcohol and having another go at life – earned the Oscar for Best International Film for Danish filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg. After his previous film Jagten , nominated in the same category, Vinterberg reunited with Danish superstar Mads Mikkelsen ( The Hunt, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Hannibal ). Mikkelsen stars as Martin, a teacher living through a mid-life crisis who, along with three teaching friends, learn of a Norwegian t

REVIEW Film: Minari Starring: Steven Yeun ; Han Ye-ri ; Alan Kim ; Noel Kate Cho; Yuh-jung Youn; Will Patton Director: Lee Isaac Chung Running time : 1 hour 56 minutes Awards: Academy Award and BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for Yuh-jung Youn; many others Showing at: Cinema Nova Verdict: Recommended Minari is a soft, tender and loving film that showcases the hardships migrants experience. It explores the pressure they feel when promising their families a better l

From AR historical stories to facial scanning tabletop games, Melbourne Knowledge Week is showcasing tech start-ups and universities as they push the boundaries of what technology can do. Focusing on innovation and new ideas, Melbourne Knowledge Week is wrapping up today after a week of events, artist installations and panels run between multiple CBD landmarks and virtual spaces. In light of the pandemic that has caused people to look towards their own city for entertainment,

Swinburne Uni students have expressed their frustration at the staggered return to campus and the continued reliance on online learning this semester. An online poll by The Standard showed 85 per cent of the 325 Swinburne students surveyed were frustrated with the reduction in on-campus tutorials this semester. Student Liana Zucchet was upset by the situation. “The fact that we’re paying the full cost of the unit and only getting half of the contact hours with tutors is abs