People

Everyday People PNG : Carol Paul & Tabitha Abel

My name is Carol and my wantok, well sister, is Tabitha. Our province has been a leader in education and that’s because of our ‘action’ Governor. Now we will be a leader in bringing peace into the province. Often we get a bad image because of all the tribal fighting. Recently we had three deaths in our community and it was a horrible feeling to hear about these young lives lost. We are peaceful people, these are opportunists high on drugs and so the news was a shock to us.

Everyday People PNG : Ilangin Maru

Sr. Rosemary has been assigned to run chaplaincy here.

I was recruited in 2017 when the chaplaincy program began. When I was invited to come here, I had completed my bible studies and was at home praying about what the Lord wanted me to do for him.  

I came from a business sector. I worked in a bank for 16 years and I left to serve the Lord. And it’s funny how the theme ‘saved to serve’ because I think that it matches my past.

So I left my work and my career and I completed a diploma in a bible college here in Port Moresby.

Why yawning is contagious

A University of Nottingham team found it occurs in a part of the brain responsible for motor function.

The primary motor cortex also plays a part in conditions such as Tourette's syndrome.

So the scientists say understanding contagious yawning could also help understand those disorders too.

Contagious yawning is a common form of echophenomena - the automatic imitation of someone else's words or actions.

Echophenomena is also seen in Tourette's, as well as in other conditions, including epilepsy and autism.

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How I became fit in my 60s

It came after decades of eating and drinking too much in a high-stress, sedentary job: "It was an explosion waiting to happen," he said.

For Graham, whose wife had become increasingly disabled through multiple sclerosis, the diagnosis was a wake-up call.

"I need to be able to help her - and I need to be around for longer," he said.

Graham is not alone in his diagnosis.

Public Health England estimates that 42% of 45- to 64-year-olds have a long-term health condition such as diabetes or heart disease.

How a Melbourne man opened China's only comedy club

Melbourne-born comedian Andy Curtain started producing comedy shows in bars across China in 2010, and opened Shanghai venue Kung Fu Komedy in 2015.

Comedians such as Chizi, Dandan and Drew Fralick — familiar faces on Chinese television — cut their teeth at shows put on by Curtain and his colleagues.

There were two distinct stand-up scenes in China, Curtain told ABC Radio Melbourne's Jacinta Parsons and Sami Shah.

"There's the English scene and the Chinese scene, and we kind of started both."

From the Cape to the catwalk: Sharing Indigenous culture through fashion

The first is just days away at the prestigious Melbourne Fashion Week.

They will then go on to represent Australia at the World Indigenous Fashion Week in the Seychelles in October.

Designer Christy Van Der Hayden said they hoped to share the stories of Indigenous culture with the rest of the world.

"I think it's an important time for Indigenous cultures in general to have recognition in their artworks and in their storytelling," she said.

Changing careers midlife: People share their success stories

People changing careers mid-life face ageism and financial uncertainty, but it can be done.

Here are some success stories from ABC Radio Melbourne listeners.

From disillusioned to energised

When Brunswick East resident Chris had his 45th birthday, he realised he was closer to 50 than he was to 40.

"I was in the corporate world for a while, over 10 years, and I just became a bit disillusioned."

How I prepared my son for the death of his mum

It's a heartbreaking sentence to hear from a six-year-old.

When Tina was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2010, five months after Lucas was born, she and her husband Aaron were devastated.

But after chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and hormone therapy, she was as doctors called her "a miracle" and well for another three years — until the cancer returned.

"We were married for almost 14 years," Aaron said.

"I was worried Tina would never hear Lucas say his first words, call her mum ... that she would die before he had fully developed that bond.

Arnhem Land rapper inspiring young people

And with the release of his track Cloud 9, which features the 20-year-old rapping in Yolngu Matha, he's on his way.

Baker Boy, also known as Danzel Baker, is from Milingimbi community in north-eastern Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.

He has a distinguished cultural pedigree — the Djuki Mala dancer is related to up-and-coming musicians Garruwa and Yirrmal, and hails from a part of the country that has produced major Australian acts such as Yothu Yindi and Gurrumul.

Heart attack shock for one half of Queensland music duo Busby Marou

The 34-year-old — one half of Busby Marou — was playing touch football in Rockhampton last week when he started feeling light-headed.

"I just thought I was puffed and unfit," he said.

"There was tightening across my chest ... it was all the things I had read about, all the signs.

"I still didn't think that was it, but I had a good crew around me that got me to the hospital."