The April 18 edition
Luke Bateman has amassed a million followers on his social media accounts, who tune in to hear his verdicts on what he has been reading in the fantasy genre. He exploded as a “bookfluencer” last year after posting a review on BookTok which has been watched more than two million times. A book publishing deal – and some backlash – followed. While Bateman is now penning fantasy tales, his own story is also compelling, as Good Weekend writer Tim Elliott discovered. – Melissa Stevens, editor
How Luke Bateman became Australia’s most unlikely book influencer
Luke Bateman was an NRL star, but gambling, drugs and an injury left him in crisis. Books came to the rescue – and now he’s penning his own fantasy novels.
- Tim Elliott
Forty years on, Paul Hogan’s Crocodile Dundee is still our biggest film. Here’s why it could have been a disaster
Even one of the country’s most astute businessmen, Kerry Packer, thought Paul Hogan’s comedy would be a box office failure.
- Garry Maddox
‘You have no idea how difficult you’ve made my life’: The brutal reality of being a food delivery rider
They’re everywhere in the inner capital cities – but who are those people whizzing past, and what do they really think about life on the road?
- James Hughes
The global frog population is crashing. Here’s why that’s bad news for everyone
Scientists are racing to resurrect frog populations in Central America – and discovering new, surprising links between nature and human health.
- Dino Grandoni and Melina Mara
They’ve been mates for nearly 50 years. Then one day, Russell brought out a book
The decades-long friendship between Russell Thompson, a professor in transport engineering, and Russell James, a retired teacher, began in 1977.
- Lenny Ann Low
Australia’s youngest-ever senator on the ‘she’s far too young’ argument
Charlotte Walker, who won her seat for Labor at the federal election on her 21st birthday, discusses sexism, ageism – and her commandments for good leadership.
- Benjamin Law
The one topic you should never use as a conversation-starter (and what to say instead)
Breaking the ice with a stranger is an artform: experts recommend learning to nail “body torque” and subliminal cues as well as “safe starter” questions.
- Melissa Fyfe
The season’s new jacket style has an added bonus
The “designer’s designer” Phoebe Philo was the first to debut it on the runway – now, the funnel-neck jacket is this autumn’s outerwear staple.
- Damien Woolnough
Pretty, playful, polished: New-season day dresses starting from $100
A good dress might still be the best low-fuss way to make a high-impact entrance.
- Kim Wilson
Danielle Alvarez’s beef and tomato ragu with pappardelle is pure autumn comfort
An ultra-comforting dish to keep on standby for when you just need a hug in a bowl.
- 2 hrs +
- Danielle Alvarez
- Review
- Kumbira
Eating this ‘dinosaur egg’-garnished dessert will blow your mind in five different ways
Kumbira’s menu is a creative rethinking of Filipino food for modern Melbourne.
- Dani Valent
- Review
- Claret Club
Wine bar downstairs, restaurant up, this spot from gun sommeliers is revitalising Stanley St
Owners Harry Hunter and Bridget Raffal bring experience from three-hatted Sixpenny, Where’s Nick and Bentley to their new labour of love, which feels a little like the caves à vin of Paris.
- David Matthews
Someone compared my baby to a corgi. Did I overreact?
Clearly, this person is not familiar with the one simple rule of commenting on strangers’ babies, notes our Modern Guru.
- Danny Katz
Test your general knowledge with the Good Weekend quiz
Trivia buffs: can you get a perfect score in the interactive superquiz?
Other editions
The June 13 edition
Our next football superstar is here | Capturing beauty in 360-degree detail | A planner and protester on bridging differences | Tasma Walton on dicey topics
- 10 stories
The June 6 edition
The Style Edit | Cinema icon Tony Leung | Kate Ceberano on staying in the game | Vintage fashion’s new moment | Sartorial tricks from the celebrity realm
- 16 stories