How bad for you is this drink?

Satirical consumer affairs show The Checkout returns new and improved* and has a look at The Truth About Australian Made labeling, your consumer rights when services go bad, and how to not get ripped off when reading credit card statements.

Are you best? If so, you should probably drink Gatorade. Source: Supplied

ONE bottle is as sugary as a can of Coke and it would take an hour of high-intensity exercise to burn off the kilojoules it contains. Yet we think it's good for us.

Sports drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade are promoted as a smart alternative to water, although they cost 3000 times more.

They're popular with active young people and children, but research shows it's unlikely any of us non-athletes are doing enough exercise to make them beneficial.

Sports teams regularly promote Powerade, but non-athletes don't need it. Source: News Corp Australia

"I was surprised at just how aggressive the marketing was and how long it's been going on," Ben Jenkins from ABC's The Checkout told news.com.au. "It uses spurious science and makes claims about endurance.

"We call this the 'halo effect' — making one claim about a food or drink product means customers will make other assumptions, that it's low in sugar, or healthy in other ways."

In the 1960s, Gatorade ads made the nonsense claim the drink would get into your system "approximately 12 times faster than water." Drinks companies don't focus on hydration so much any more, perhaps because of a crackdown on products — most recently coconut water — purporting to be superior to H2O.

Tonight's episode of The Checkout, which airs at 8pm on ABC, examines the claims made by the multibillion-dollar industry and the concerning truth about their products.

Ben Jenkins from The Checkout says sports drinks use spurious science. Source: SBS

A recent study in the British Medical Journal said poorly designed tests and small sample sizes meant sports drinks companies' 40 years of research "did not add up to much". It also found that conflicts of interest were rarely declared.

The Australian Dental Association says ingesting acidic drinks after exercise poses a high risk of dental erosion. In response to such claims, Gatorade made the bizarre suggestion that consumers should use a squeezy bottle to ensure the drink doesn't touch their teeth, while Powerade recommended minimising contact time by "swallowing immediately and rinsing your mouth with water regularly".

"That's funny, especially as they go on about how tasty it is," said Ben. He believes sports drinks are "more pernicious than soft drinks" because we aren't making an educated decision about what we're drinking.

Unless you're doing a high-intensity workout for more than hour, you won't benefit from a sports drink. Picture: Choice Source: Supplied

"A lot of sports stars are endorsing these products and that sends a message to kids," he said. "In terms of children especially, there's no real benefit. A kilojoule is a kilojoule."

Many sports drinks have extremely visible marketing strategies, appearing at major sporting events, and, in Gatorade's case, even sponsoring the Australian Institute of Sport's fluid intake guide.

Ben believes the solution is for us to be far more sceptical over the claims made in adverts for sports drinks and other supposedly healthy products. "I think there's enough evidence that they enhance performance in specific athletic contexts," he said.

"It's replacing electrolytes, but you'd have to go pretty hard before it kicks in. If you're just doing regular exercise, you aren't going to work it off."

A spokesperson for Gatorade told news.com.au: "Gatorade is an electrolyte drink which is specifically designed to rapidly replace fluid, carbohydrates and electrolytes. Sports drinks like this are most beneficial for athletes and people who lead active lifestyles, and it is marketed as such." Powerade has not yet responded to news.com.au's request for comment.

Watch the full episode of The Checkout on ABC at 8pm tonight.

Strangest of all, both Gatorade and Powerade recommend using squeezy bottles and rinsing your mouth out to minimise contact time between their drinks and your teeth. Source: Supplied

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Shocking video of racist bully on Sydney train

Facebook image of Stacey Eden, who came to the aid of a Muslim woman as she was racially abused on a Sydney Train. Picture: Facebook Source: Facebook

WHEN Stacey Eden saw a Muslim woman being subjected to vicious verbal attack as they travelled on one of Sydney's trains, she did the only thing she could do – she stepped in.

Unable to contain her anger at the middle-aged woman who had launched this vile assault the 23-year-old launched her own assault by defending the Muslim woman while also filming the encounter on her mobile phone.

She then uploaded the incident on social media on Wednesday evening.

It has since attracted almost 80,000 views and praise from hundreds of people around the world, including the young family she defended.

In one post on Ms Eden's Facebook page a man named Hafeez Ahmed Bhatti wrote; " Stacey thanks again for your support for us on that day...I generally believe that you and many other Australians do respect all religions."

To which Ms Eden replied: "Hafeez Ahmed Bhatti thank you so much for contacting me.

"I wish I said more to you and your wife yesterday, but as I said when you got off the train, I'm very sorry you had to experience this.

"Please don't let one woman's ignorance change your opinions on Australia or the people who live here.

"I really hope your wife is OK, it must have been very confrontational and upsetting for you and her both.

"I wish nothing but the best for you both and your child.

"Take care and God bless."

So i sat there for a good 10 minutes before i started recording this, while i listened to this woman bad mouth muslims...

Posted by Stacey Eden on Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Ms Eden said she began recording the incident, which took place on a CityRail train travelling from Town Hall to the airport around 1.30pm on Wednesday, ten minutes after the woman began her tirade.

"So I sat there for a good 10 minutes before I started recording this while I listened to this woman bad mouth Muslims and call the lady sitting opposite me an ISIS supporter because she wore a scarf, then she told me to go join ISIS because I was sticking up for her," Ms Eden from Mascot wrote on Facebook.

"People like this make me sick. People who are so ignorant and disrespectful to other people who were clearly sitting there minding their own business.

"She was saying some pretty horrible and hurtful things before I spoke up then as soon as I started defending them she stopped.

"People need to stop judging and putting others down over religion!"

In the 48-second video, you can hear the middle-aged woman attacking the Muslim woman for wearing a hijab.

She then begins listing the recent attacks by Islamic State and made reference to the Martin Place siege, and the mass murder of Christians in Kenya in an attempt to justify her verbal assault of the defenceless woman.

But Ms Eden steps in telling her that the killings have nothing to do with her or her husband.

"'That is not her doing it," she says in the video. "That is a minority of people. Not a majority of people OK?

"It doesn't matter what they're doing. Have some respect, have some respect.

"It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter. What's that got to do with this poor lady? What's that got to do with her?'

Video still of a woman who carried on with a racist tirade against a Muslim woman on a Sydney train. Picture: Facebook / Stacey Eden Source: Facebook

Ms Eden also defended the Muslim woman's dress saying she "wears it for herself, OK".

"She wears it because she wants to be modest with her body not because of people like you who are going to sit there and disrespect her," Ms Eden says in the video.

Since she posted the video, Ms Eden has been hailed a "great example of being an awesome Australian", a "legend" and an "amazing human being".

Ms Eden said she has been overwhelmed by the response and thanked all those who responded positively to her video on Facebook.

Facebook comments on the page of Stacey Eden, who came to the aide of a Muslim woman as she was abused on a Sydney train. Picture: Facebook Source: Facebook

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‘It’s hard to hurt a brand that people don’t like’

Woolworths is grappling with a marketing disaster after being accused of exploiting the Anzac Day centenary.

Veteran's Affairs Minister Michael Ronaldson asked Woolworths to take down the site. Source: Facebook

WAS it tacky and tasteless, or an honest mistake?

Woolworths and its advertising agency have come under fire over the 'Fresh in our Memories' Anzac website, which was last night taken down following a public outcry and massive social media backlash.

The campaign encouraged members of the public to share stories and pictures of loved ones affected by or lost to war on a website that then branded them with Woolworths logo and the phrase "Lest we Forget 1915-2015. Fresh in our memories."

The campaign caused uproar on social media. Source: Twitter

Veteran's Affairs Minister Michael Ronaldson said Woolworths had not been given permission to use in the campaign the word "Anzac", which is protected under Australian law.

Senator Ronaldson asked Woolworths to take down the website once he became aware of it on Tuesday night. "In this instance, permission was not sought by the campaign proponents, nor would it have been approved," he said.

"Immediately upon having this campaign brought to my attention, I contacted Woolworths and asked them to end it. I am pleased that the campaign has now been withdrawn."

News.com.au asked four advertising experts and Gruen Transfer panellists for their take on how it happened, and what it will mean for Woolworths.

SIIMON REYNOLDS

Advertising Guru

Siimon Reynolds says Woolworths has been treated unfairly. Source: Supplied

First of all, as it turns out, it's against the law to use the Anzac name in that way, and there's no way in a million years the agency would have done that if they'd known. They would be feeling terrible right now.

Secondly, I think Woolies and the agency have been really unfairly treated. Woolworths doesn't need to increase its brand status, and I'd imagine the only reason they did it was out of respect for the Anzacs.

Their mistake was using a bit of cleverness in the headline, and that was a mistake, but you've got to look at the intention — it's ludicrous to think Woolworths was trying to boost its brand somehow. Australian consumers forgive pretty fast. It will be forgotten in less than a week, particularly in a few days when they need to buy food.

How did it happen? It's an interesting question. I think a lot of what happens is advertising people get too close to what they're doing and forget about the public. But the question should have been asked. It's a sacred subject and it would have been best to stay clear of it, but it's easy to say that in hindsight.

DEE MADIGAN

Campaign Edge

Fresh food and dead diggers don't mix, says Dee Madigan. Source: News Limited

What's surprising is that someone ever thought it was a good idea. There's no way to stick your logo on a photo of an old digger and for it to be in any way beneficial for your company. Even if they were being altruistic and donating money to the RSL, it still looks bad, and quite rightly so.

Companies have a really bad habit of talking themselves into the fact that they're doing good for the community, when in fact they're often not. It shouldn't have gotten through.

The difference between VB and Woolworths is that digger agreed to be in the ad, whereas the dead guy in the photo didn't, and the VB ad is quite clearly asking for donations to Legacy. Fresh food and dead people just don't work, there's no logical brand association.

The effect on Woolies will be minimal — it's hard to hurt a brand that people don't particularly like anyway. It's probably more the agency that will be affected.

ADAM FERRIER

Cummins&Partners

Adam Ferrier says the impact will be minimal. Source: Supplied

My thoughts are that people love to get outraged at the moment and any excuse they can find to get outraged they will. To marketers, all of these things are just feedback that helps them understand what is and isn't in line with societal standards.

There won't be any lasting negative impact on the Woolies brand because of this. It will be a blip in the ocean of consumers' interaction with Woolworths — it'll be forgotten within a week.

With the proliferation of media channels, it's more incumbent on brands to produce content across all of their channels, and so they're looking at things that are happening every day and wondering if they can comment.

Just like anybody else using social media, they can make mistakes. They're going to get it wrong from time to time, and that's okay. It's how they respond.

CAROLYN MILLER

Communications Strategist

Carolyn Miller says someone will definitely be held accountable. Source: Supplied

When you're dealing with anything to do with war or veterans, it has to be with the utmost respect. I think if they'd left the logo off of it, they might have been okay. 'Fresh in our memories' is close to the line, but the logo is the thing that bugs me the most.

Obviously there have to be approval processes, but how big it is and whether it got signed off by the top brass no one will know. The agency has gone to ground. It's entirely possible this was meant to be a small thing that blew up.

Someone is definitely going to be held accountable, and while I do think they've done the wrong thing I actually pity them. To know a campaign you've been responsible for has caused this amount of offence would make your heart sink.

In the old days there used to be a much longer lead time to do creative work for traditional advertising. You might have had a couple of months to consider things, go through changes and revisions. Now there's so much pressure to be reactive and topical, and as a result steps get missed.

frank.chung@news.com.au

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‘Why I won’t eat KFC again’

No longer finger lickin' good. Source: Supplied

ONE of the few people who have a copy of Colonel Saunders' secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices doesn't want to eat KFC ever again, labelling it "dreadful".

Raymond Allen was a personal friend of "the Colonel" and brought KFC to Britain but according to The Telegraph, the 87-year-old says the company has strayed so far from its original concept it's been "ruined".

"We have got one where I now live, but I would not go in there. I don't use it and I think it is dreadful. The company has ruined the product," Mr Allen said.

"Instead of staying with one good thing that was sellable, they have tried to compete with the other fast food units. They should have just stuck with the chicken."

Mr Allen did not give his verdict on whether the chicken still tasted the same as 50 years ago when he first met Harland Saunders, but his wife Shirley said the couple had visited a local KFC about a year ago.

"We had the traditional original chicken but there were so many different products it was difficult to know what to order. I don't think we will go back," she said.

Maybe they should have tried the DoubleDown burger? Source: Supplied

Or a zinger pie? Source: News Limited

Popcorn chicken? Source: Supplied

OK they could have a point ... Source: Supplied

The couple sold their business in 1973 after working hard to make it a success in the UK.

"It was slow to catch on at first because people didn't know what it was," Mr Allen said.

"In the UK in those days chicken was something you ate for Sunday dinner. It was way before its time. We had to give it away to passers-by initially.

"We would only use fresh chickens, and they had to be two and a half pounds in weight. It was initially difficult to source the chickens because of the demand."

Mr Allen still has a personal, handwritten copy of the secret recipe, which he said he had locked it in a safe.

"I have no idea how much it is worth but I would never sell it."

Remember when KFC went green and gold? Source: Supplied

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A sight that shocked passengers

Drunk Russian man sleeping on a luggage conveyor belt At Domodedovo airport

The man passes by hundreds of onlookers unaware of the spectacle he is creating. Source: YouTube

PASSENGERS waiting to collect their baggage at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport were met with a baffling sight.

As baggage came out onto the carousel, so did a man, fast asleep, with seemingly no idea at what was happening.

It is unclear just exactly how the man came to be on the carousel or his state — was he inebriated, just tired or lost?

And while a few passengers can be seen taking photos, the majority didn't flinch as he cruised past them on the baggage belt.

It's not the first time passengers have been busted taking a nap with their luggage. In 2012 a drunk Norwegian man fell asleep on the baggage belt at Rome's Fiumicino Airport. And earlier this year two boys were busted for jumping on the conveyor belt at Auckland airport in New Zealand.

Among passengers' suitcases was a man completely out to it. Source: YouTube

He caught the attention of a few onlookers but most didn't seem fazed by his presence. Source: YouTube

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FIFO tragedy: ‘They hate themselves and the world’

Everyday thousands of Australians fly in and out of remote mining sites to work in one of the nations most profitable industries. But workers say punishing rosters and long periods away from home are taking a toll with a growing number of FIFO workers taking their own lives. Tune in to The Feed on Tuesday 14 April at 7.30pm on SBS2.

FIFO camps can feel terribly lonely for some workers. Source: SBS

FROM the outside, the FIFO life looks tempting.

You earn big bucks fast, and get weeks off at a time to spend with your family.

You get to socialise with colleagues after a long day, and your food and accommodation are paid for by rich mining companies.

But the high-pressure job is taking a terrible toll on Australia's thousands of fly-in fly-out workers. Separated from their families, many struggle with depression, anxiety and alcohol abuse. For a large number, suicide seems to be the only way out.

The suicide rate is high, but no one knows the exact figures. Source: SBS

"I've had some bloody horrible thoughts go through my head," FIFO worker Simon* tells SBS2's The Feed in a special report to air tonight. "People on the ground have been basically saying that something's not right for years and years.

"You can always tell the people who have been out there too long, because their social skills are gone, they just basically hate themselves and the world in general."

In Western Australia, at least nine FIFO workers committed suicide in less than a year, but the exact numbers are not recorded, especially because some take their lives when back at home.

The challenges of the job are manifold. Workers spend weeks away from their families, working 12-hour days at a remote camp. When they get a week off, they can spend two days travelling home, and only have five days with their loved ones.

FIFO worker Luke Baker said many rooms are not much more than a prison cell, and the life could have an emotional toll. "You have these sinking, lonely feelings," he told news.com.au. "You feel isolated and alone.

"Men in general feel intimidated to talk about these things ... Generally speaking, I don't hear a lot of guys talk about how lonely they feel."

Many workers only see their families for five days a month. Source: SBS

A recent survey showed that many experience break-ups in their relationships or marriages, with their job putting added pressure on partners left at home with young children.

The Feed journalist Joel Tozer told news.com.au that many workers reported a detrimental effect on their mental health and alcohol was a big problem in many camps. "Even at camps with strict alcohol rules you can get it easily," he said.

Few want to confess to having difficulties. "It's a very macho culture," he added. "Men are afraid to put up their hand and say they are struggling.

"Workers are reluctant to use counsellors. The counsellors we spoke to said that often supervisors don't know how to deal with it and say it would be easier if they weren't working there."

Most workers know there are people queuing up to take their highly desirable jobs. They are trapped in "golden handcuffs", perhaps only having intended to take the job for a few years to pay off the mortgage, and now stuck in debt from buying assets.

"People are too scared to put their hands up and basically say, 'Oh listen, I'm having a hard time this week, I need a week off' because they are scared of job loss, simple as that," the father of a worker who took his own life tells The Feed in the program.

Counsellors say men are reluctant to discuss mental health problems because of a macho culture. Source: SBS

Lynette*, a paramedic at a FIFO camp in Queensland, treated many workers with mental health problems and saw several suicides.

"I want people to know that it is not all it is cracked up to be," she says of the job. "It is not for everybody and you make a lot of sacrifices for companies that don't really care about you."

She said mining companies would pressure employees to go back to work while injured.

A father killed himself just days after speaking to support group This Fifo Life about how his young son didn't recognise him.

Another man was found hanging on his door just 15 minutes after he was last seen by his colleagues. Afterwards, the mining company didn't want to talk about it. It could affect their reputation, and make people less willing to invest in them.

Both BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto refused to speak to the program.

Mining companies do not want to discuss suicides. Source: SBS

In the past, companies would set up communities and families would live there, with partners working in local hospitals, for example. But mining giants are taxed less on FIFO workers, so these days they set up dedicated camps, forcing jobless residents to move away, leaving ghost towns behind.

"It's the ideal work practice for a capitalist mining company," said former independent MP Tony Windsor, who produced a government report into the issue two years ago. "Traditionally dealing with mining communities, mining families, mining unions: all that's just been thrown into the toilet."

Mr Windsor recommended 12 major changes to save rural communities and stop the growing problem of suicide. Nothing has been done.

"MPs say it was written when the industry was booming and it's no longer relevant," said Joel. "He says it's more relevant than ever.

"As the mining boom declines, this is only going to get worse."

Anyone with personal struggles is urged to contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Lost Miners — the tragic toll of FIFO workairs on The Feed tonight at 7.30pm on SBS2.

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‘The button’ is driving us crazy

A screen capture of the button. Source: Supplied

AT first "the button" seemed like an April Fools' joke.

Now, 13 days later, Reddit's social experiment is still holding momentum.

The button feature was added to Reddit on April 1 and contains a timer which counts down from 60 seconds to zero.

However, every time the button is pushed, the timer is reset.

Although Reddit users have been speculating the reason for the experiment, no one knows its specific purpose.

Additionally, no one is aware what will happen when the countdown reaches zero because the timer is yet to fall below 29 seconds.

Redditors can only use the feature if they were a member of the website before April 1 and they can only push the button once.

As of this afternoon, over 711,000 members have pushed the button.

The color coding system. Source: Supplied

Since its inception, members have received coloured circles next to their username which indicate how long they waited to push the button.

Those who don't push the button receive a grey circle, while those who give in to temptation receive circles ranging from purple all the way down to red.

To date, no one has waited past the time restrictions of yellow meaning there are no orange or red circles floating around Reddit.

However, one can only assume interest will eventually disappear and the true purpose of the button will be revealed.

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‘Game of Thrones has just been ruined’

Justin Hill during one of his career highlights — interviewing Jamie Lannister (actually Nicholaj Coster-Waldau). Source: Supplied

EVERY now and then I walk into a book shop and lovingly linger near the enormous George R.R. Martin Game of Thrones books and think two things:

Can I even read that much?

And.

Should I just buy it for myself and ruin future viewing of the TV show?

From the very start of the Game of Thrones series I've gasped and clutched my chest at scenes like the red wedding. I've covered my eyes when there were beheadings, skull crushings and disembowelments.

I've grown up with Ayra Stark (I'm a 31 year old man BTW) and even DYED MY HAIR PLATINUM WHITE in honour of the snowy haired, Mother of Dragons, Khaleesi Daenerys Targaryen.

But I've managed to stay away from those sandstone slab sized books and just stick with watching the TV episodes as they were released each week. Last year I nearly fangirled as I interviewed Nicholaj Coster-Waldau (Jamie Lanister) at the premiere of Season 4 of Game of Thrones. We spoke about stumpy hand prosthetics and the joys of working on such a show while he flashed his million dollar smile and spoke in that euro-chic accent of his.

Before the cameras starting rolling on my interview with Kit Harrington I had to get all of my Jon Snow jokes out of my system. I even went to that Pompeii movie he was in (not my kind of movie FYI) just so I could interview him. I'm a massive fan, you get the picture.

But now it's all been ruined.

Justin Hill with Jon Snow (Kit Harrington). Source: Supplied

Because some snotty little reviewer (or so I presume) couldn't keep their review disc OFF the internet, now the first 4 episodes of GOT have been leaked and basically I feel like I should just give up now.

Watching a TV episode like this, before it's aired, is like eating a cake before it's ready. Why would you do it? You want it to bake all the way through otherwise it's just not the same. It cheats everyone involved — from the actors (my good friends Nicholaj and Kit) to the crew, the producers and the many people that spend months and months on this show, just to have it leaked online.

I feel like I've done ALL this work … cast myself out socially by staying away from my fellow GOT fans and loudly interrupting people and asking them to STOP talking about the storyline since the last season ended. And then someone goes and leaks four episodes online. Why did I bother?

But I won't give up.

Like the Khaleesi, I will persevere.

Like she treks across that harsh desert, with the lives of her subjects weighing heavily on her shoulders, I will be avoiding Facebook and quickly closing the app for fear of seeing any spoiler Tweet. I'll even stop posting selfies on Instagram until I watch the first episode tonight, along with the rest of the disgruntled fans joining me at the Sydney Opera House for the official premiere.

In the famous words of the Wilding Ygritte, no longer can I say 'YOU KNOW NOTHIN' JON SNOOO' … because those episodes leaked online and I accidentally saw a Tweet … and now I know something.

Justin Hill is an Entertainment Reporter on Today's hit network, The Scoopla Show, 6-7pm weeknights.

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Who our fiercest soldier looks up to

Hosted by Ben Roberts-Smith, the Sunday Night special 'The Power of Ten' focuses on Victoria Cross recipients.

Hosted by Ben Roberts-Smith, the Sunday Night special 'The Power of Ten' focuses on Victoria Cross recipients. Source: Channel 7

HE'S Australia's fiercest soldier. One of the most decorated members of the Australian Defence Force, he was singled out for acts of extraordinary bravery when locked in a bloody gunbattle with an unpredictable enemy in 2010.

But for Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith, there is a group of men who put his achievements on the battlefield in the shade.

Tonight, Roberts-Smith will present a special episode of Sunday Night where he will uncover extraordinary stories of valour that turned 10 of the first Anzacs into legends.

There are not many Australians who can truly say that they've walked in the footsteps of the Anzacs, but Roberts-Smith truly has.

After completing two tours of East Timor, he was posted to the Special Air Service in 2003 and went on to play a crucial role in the war in Afghanistan.

He was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for his actions as a patrol scout and sniper during Operation Slipper, but his most courageous act came during his fifth tour of Afghanistan in 2010.

Modern-day Anzac … SAS Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith, VC, MG, leaves a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter in Afghanistan in 2010. Source: News Limited

During the hunt for a senior Taliban commander, Roberts-Smith deliberately exposed his position to the enemy and drew heavy gunfire in order to protect his fellow patrol members.

Locked in a fierce, close-range exchange of bullets, Roberts-Smith valiantly stormed two enemy machinegun posts and shot dead the insurgents.

He was awarded a Victoria Cross for "demonstrating extreme devotion to duty and the most conspicuous gallantry … with a total disregard for his own safety".

So, what inspired this man to such a memorable act of gallantry?

When Roberts-Smith was growing up, his heroes weren't sportsmen like most Aussie boys; he looked up to the first Anzacs.

He was especially inspired by Anzac legend Albert Jacka, who was awarded Australia's first VC in World War I.

Jacka lives large in Anzac mythology for taking on seven Turks who stormed his trench, and killing every one single-handedly.

"He's quite prominent throughout our military history … (but) my connection with it is more personal," Roberts-Smith told news.com.au

Ben Roberts-Smith's Sunday Night specials will reconstruct the trenches from the Battle of Lone Pine. Source: Channel 7

"It's more about a guy that seemed fearless. In the end he took on seven blokes by himself. To me, it triggered that sense in me that this normal bloke wanted to make a difference, so he selflessly exposed himself to the enemy."

In valiantly taking on the Turks, Jacka's story from 1915 echoes the bravery Roberts-Smith would go on to display in 2010 in Afghanistan — but he is quick to reject the comparison.

"We are not in the same club as these guys," Roberts-Smith says. "They are on a pedestal.

"It's more of a case of, you have heroes growing up. It's much like sportsmen, when they are someone to idolise. It's hard to see ourselves as equal … These people are so highly regarded.

"You can never compare battles, you can never compare wars. We are professional soldiers. They were bank managers, carpenters, guys from the bush who were sold the idea that it was a big adventure but when they got there, that became a distant memory. You can't imagine what it's like to live in a trench for eight months. Eating the way they did, getting sick, watching your mates die: We don't have the insight into that.

"Shooting a machine gun then is pretty much the same as shooting a machine gun now — it's the same feeling, same sensation — but what these men went through is what we can't comprehend."

On the sacred site … Ben Roberts-Smith lived at Gallipoli for weeks to film the special reports. Source: Channel 7

However, when shooting the Sunday Night specials, Roberts-Smith came closer than most to understanding the Anzacs' plight.

He spent weeks living on the Gallipoli peninsula with a camera crew and one of Australia's foremost historians, Dr Peter Pedersen, to recreate the key moments of the campaign and offer viewers a "window into the past".

"I don't think many people get the chance to experience what I experienced," he said.

One of the key memories for him was arriving at the shores of Gallipoli at dusk via boat, just as his heroes did a century earlier.

"I arrived on the beach on a horrendous day — the wind was blowing, it was raining — and I remember there was no sound, just the wind as you move in slowly. That's when you get the tingle and the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. And as the sun rose and I got on the beach, what you are faced with is the incredible terrain. Trying to scramble up those cliffs would've been a nightmare.

"As an Australian it's a really sacred place where we can feel back on what has made us Australian. You get that sensation, the tingle; there were so many Australians that fought there and died there to maintain the free world. The first thing that happened to us as a nation was Gallipoli. All politics aside, it did help define us as who we are. It's certainly part of the basis for who we are as Australians."

Continuing the Anzac tradition. Picture: Ray Strange Source: Supplied

Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith. Picture: Channel 7 Source: News Limited

While walking in the footsteps of the 10 solders who were awarded the Victoria Cross during the Gallipoli campaign, the story of Alfred Shout resonated the most with Roberts-Smith.

Shout is considered one of the bravest men to set foot on Gallipoli — but it was his trademark sense of humour that helped him go down in legend. Unlike many of his fellow soldiers, the carpenter from Sydney had experienced battle before.

"What's amazing is he had been in the Boer War. But even having seen that fighting and probably being fearful, on day one he proved himself and won the Victoria Cross," Roberts-Smith said.

Shout is remembered for throwing a barrage of bombs into a Turkish stronghold and driving the enemy out in August of 1915.

One bomb exploded in his right hand, blowing off half of his face. But despite his horrific injuries, Shout never lost the larrikin spirit that defined the Anzacs.

"He was always telling jokes and always had a smile on his face, even when it was in battle. When he was stretchered out of the trenches, he said, 'Don't worry about it, boys. I will see you in a minute'. He was still willing to motivate the boys."

Shout died from injuries two days later and was buried at sea.

"We've recreated their world in precise detail so we can fully understand their stories," Ben Roberts-Smith says. Source: Channel 7

The Sunday Night reports will also feature the stories of a cricketer who used his skills with the ball to catch live bombs for 48 hours straight, and a lovesick young soldier who was told the only way to get a mother's blessing to marry her daughter was to come back with a VC.

Ultimately, Roberts-Smith is on a mission to ensure that these stories live on as an inspiration for the Australians of tomorrow.

"I still look up to these guys," Roberts-Smith said. "I wanted to make sure we didn't lose these stories and I wanted to provide role models for the future generations. It's not just talking about the battle they were involved in. The important thing is who they were as men."

Sunday Night: The Power of Ten, presented by Ben Roberts-Smith, airs on Sunday, April 12 and 19, at 8.30pm on Seven

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Live: Dan fighting after shocking start

Daniel Ricciardo's troubles continue 1:12

F1: Daniel Ricciardo 's troublesome start to 2015 continues with this horrible first lap in the Chinese Grand Prix

Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team's British driver Lewis Hamilton has qualified on pole for the Chinese Grand Prix. Source: AFP

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Rent a house for $1 a week

Hiddendale has five bedrooms and the rent is just $1 a week. Source: Supplied

YOU could be living on a farm in the country for just $1 per week.

That's what rural Aussie towns are offering in a bid to get young families to move in and help repopulate.

But there's a catch. Your children will have to enrol at the local school and you might have to renovate the house a bit.

Residents of villages including Cumnock, Molong and Bonshaw are in on the deal.

The farmers in the towns hope the cheap rentals will entice families with school-going children to move to the countryside and help repopulate the local schools to keep them open, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Cumnock resident Christine Weston, is the driving force behind the Rent-a-farmhouse program and said it was successfully tried back in 2008.

But with the previous wave of kids having grown up, she said it was time to revisit the idea.

And one Central Coast family of six has already moved into a five-bedroom, $1-a-week cottage on Ms Weston's farm.

Farmer Robert Armstrong is the owner of Yullundry Cottage at Cumnock, soon to be leased for $1 per week. Picture: Lisa Minner Source: Supplied

"Country life still appeals to many families, but it doesn't always make financial sense for them. "We're trying to change that," Ms Weston told The Daily Telegraph.

"We offer $1 rent on the condition that the families who move in have kids, but can also contribute to bush communities with skills we're short of."

Tradie families are also welcome.

Many of the 30-odd farmhouses currently offered on the Cumnock entrepreneur's online portal Rentafarmhouse.com.au require renovating, so building skills could be a distinct advantage for the applicant.

"Some of the farmhouses need a little restoration work or the farmer may want someone who is able to look after the farm while he is away," Ms Weston said

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Ninja rats really do exist

Splinter is a rodent character from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The comparisons are uncanny. Source: Supplied

MAKE no mistake, the Master Splinter ninja rats are among us.

A picture has surfaced of a rodent in New York City stealthfully holding itself between two bins.

The scary image of Master Splinter in action. Picture: Imgur Source: Supplied

How the rat got in the position and what it was trying to is unknown, but the team at news.com.au have a few suggestions.

1. Our initial assumptions are correct and the rat is actually Master Splinter.

2. There is someone with impressive Photoshop skills having a laugh at us all.

3. The rat has watched this JCVD commercial one too many times.

For those unaware: Splinter is the rodent character in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

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No vax, no visit! Parents fight back

Riley Hughes died at just four weeks old from whooping cough. Now his image is being used to campaign for the pro-vaccination movement. Source: Facebook

AUSTRALIAN parents are fighting back against the anti-vaccination movement, warning their friends and families they won't be welcome in their homes unless they are vaccinated.

Expectant parents are sharing a photo of Riley Hughes on social media with the slogan "No Vax? No Visit!"

Riley was just four weeks old when he died from whooping cough last month and has become the face of the pro-vaccination movement.

The post says: "To protect our new baby, we ask that ALL our friends and family make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations.

"Please talk to your doctor about which vaccines you may require. Immunity wears off particularly quickly for whooping cough (pertussis), so you need regular boosters."

Expectant parents are posting this message on Facebook. Source: Facebook

Last month Riley's family begged other parents to vaccinate their children.

"If you're anti-immunisation/anti-logic/anti-duty of care to your society as a whole, then feel free to take a look at this picture of my son in hospital right now at 4 weeks old with whooping cough — and then come and tell me how you think immunisation is a bad thing," Riley's father Greg Hughes wrote on Facebook last month.

'Please keep him in your thoughts' ... Riley's parents posted this picture while he was fighting whooping cough. Source: Supplied

The post currently being shared on Facebook was created by The Northern Rivers Vaccination Supporters (NRVS), a pro-vaccination grassroots movement started by six women and a male scientist who have experienced first-hand the consequences of people not vaccinating their children.

The core administrators of the NRVS include an immunisation nurse, an Intensive Care specialist doctor and a scientist.

"We have all had first hand experience of vaccine preventable diseases. We have had them, our kids have had them, and we have cared for patients with them. We know only too well the true horrors of how awful these diseases can be," the group writes on their website.

Rachel Heap is one of the group's founders and is an intensive care specialist.

"My first day at work, I admitted a baby with pertussis (whooping cough)," she shares on the NRVS website.

Riley Hughes has become the face of the pro-vaccination movement. Source: Facebook

"He was appallingly sick. He survived — just — and was discharged ... 6 months later. He was still dependent on oxygen, and may always be. He may well also have sustained brain damage but it was too early to tell. He was such a cute baby. The second baby I saw with pertussis did not survive."

Heidi Robertson is another NRVS supporter and is a former paramedic. She says she contracted whooping cough in 2008 when she was six months pregnant.

She experienced severe coughing spasms, vomiting and burst blood vessels for three months.

"I look back now and feel sick to the stomach that I may have unknowingly infected others during the time I remained undiagnosed.

If I had contracted the disease even one month later, I would have passed it on to my vulnerable newborn baby, and this would be a very different and tragic story.

"I was a fit, healthy adult. How a baby suffers from this I cannot even begin to imagine."

The NRVS says it wants to prevent further suffering by sending a "positive message out there to people who are confused or hesitant about vaccinations, to provide honest and clear information, and to support one another as we strive to prevent infectious disease."

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Wagging school pays: meet the teenage paparazzo

The time Ariana Grande invited Jayden Seyfarth, 18, to hang out in her limo. Source: Supplied

WHILE most teenagers struggle to get out of bed for school in the morning, some days Jayden Seyfarth is up at the crack of dawn, heading to the airport in case an Angelina Jolie, Ariana Grande, or another A-list celeb shows up.

When it's homework time, he's often hanging out by the back doors of hotels, hoping to catch up with, say, Harry Styles or Ed Sheeran after tracking down where they are staying.

And if there's a major celeb in town lunching at one of Sydney's more exclusive spots during class hours? No problem. His teachers understand and his mum might write him a note — he'll just take the day off.

This is the life of the Sydney schoolkid making a killing snapping celebrities as a paparazzo.

He usually approaches stars like Ed Sheeran to get a selfie before chasing them down and burning bridges. Source: Supplied

Jayden was one of the only fans to meet Harry Styles exiting his hotel, and he got some pap shots too. Source: Supplied

The Cumberland High School student describes himself as part "fangirl", part pap.

Jayden started chasing celebrities "just because", until he realised he could start making some cash.

That was about 18 months ago, and since then he's had at least 60 days off school, seen his social media following skyrocket, met just about every A-lister to grace our shores. He's also been banking thousands of dollars taking exclusive shots, commanding upwards of $1500 from a single photograph.

He's staked out hotels, waiting more than four hours in the cold to catch Tyra Banks, learnt the tricks of the trade — "finding a celebrity's hotel room is a lot easier than you'd think" — and copped abuse from some less-than-friendly stars.

"It all started when Modern Family was shooting in Sydney and just went from there," he tells news.com.au.

"I always wanted to meet celebrities. So sometimes I would go and there would even be any paps there, so I thought I might make some money."

The idea worked for the 18-year-old, who was approached by an older friend who was taking photographs as a freelancer and selling to a picture agency.

"They came to me really. I set up an account and when I was in places other photographers weren't, I could always make money from the pictures."

Yep, that's Kim Kardashian. Source: Supplied

When Jayden started making money and realised how much he enjoyed his new-found career, he realised he was going to have to let his studies take the back seat — which didn't come as a thrill to his parents.

"School's all right, I've never really been into it. I'm just there to finish it really, just to keep my parents happy," he says.

"When it comes to the money side and the fact that I'm working they're all right with that, but the days off I take, not really.

Jayden realised early on just wagging wasn't going to work, so he started begging his mum to call the school with a fake excuse so that he could stake out a celebrity's accommodation rather than sit in class.

"I'd call her up and she'd let the school know I'd have to go somewhere — a doctor appointment, family event — but when I started doing it more she'd actually let the teachers know what I was up to," he says.

"Now (the school is) all right about it. At the start they weren't too happy but then they just got over it. We had meetings and stuff so this year I promised to improve my attendance."

It's a quarter of the way through the academic year, and Jayden says he's only had about 10 days off since the beginning of the year. He's forecast an improvement on last year's 50.

It's more about meeting the celebs and boosting his profile than the money-making shots for Jayden. Source: Supplied

Once he finishes Year 12, the teen plans to travel to America to try his luck snapping celebs over there. That or become a professional soccer player. So it's high profile careers that he's after — do we think Jayden just wants to be famous?

"At the moment I just do it for the money to buy new clothes, but yeah, I guess I've kind of wanted to be famous too," he says.

Jayden had his biggest sale — his big break — when he snapped a pic of 5 Seconds of Summer singer Calum smoking a cigarette.

The teenager reckons he made about $1900 from the one shot between four different media outlets including News Corp Australia (publisher of news.com.au). While the money was nice, he says he more appreciated the boost to his profile, and how many new Twitter and Instagram followers he gained.

As well as hanging out on red carpets — like here with the cast of Dance Moms — Jayden stakes out hotels and airports. Source: Supplied

"Now the fangirls know me too and when they see me they want to get a photo with me — I'm just like, what the f***!" he says.

"They contact me for help on how they can meet them, I help them most of the time if they're hot and since I'm nice.

"I also got death threats after that photo because it made them look bad or whatever but I just found it funny — it's more publicity to be honest."

But apart from building his profile and making bank, Jayden's got another agenda — celebrity selfies.

He'll take a photo of him and Harry Styles, Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus or Brad Pitt, all of which he has by the way, over an exclusive shot that will make him money.

"It's for me and it's for social media — I care more about that photo than the one I can sell. It's just more publicity."

One of Jayden's favourite shots — with Rafa. Source: Supplied

Entertainment writer Andrew Bucklow followed a professional paparazzo, Karl Larsen, around for a day in LA.

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Every UFO sighting on record

What are people really seeing? Source: Supplied

HUMANKIND'S quest for intelligent extra terrestrial life has many of us gazing skyward trying to find any traces of their activity.

UFO sighting over the past century have become almost as common as they are mystifying and intriguing. Just last month, the internet was miffed when a clip of a high speed UFO whizzing over California went viral.

UFO sighting capture popular imagination like nothing else and can lead to the craziest conspiracy theories, including Larry Holcombe's idea that aliens played a part in the death of JFK.

Regardless of the questionable sanity that can be attached to many claims of UFO sightings, people keep seeing something. Fortunately for all the conspiracy buffs and alien hunters, someone has created an interactive map which shows all recorded UFO sightings since 1933.

In sequence, the world map shows the location of each sighting with a rather fitting flashing dot. The interactive tool was made by MBA candidate Christian Pearson using data from the National UFO Reporting Centre.

"It was a fun way of conveying the point that beautiful data visualisation can provide deep insights," Mr Pearson told City Lab.

Unsurprisingly, sightings became more frequent in the 1960s as aviation technology began to take off. This also coincides with an increase in CIA activity such as the U-2 program and ariel efforts of Cold War surveillance — something the CIA recently admitted was responsible for UFO sightings at the time.

When scrolling across Australia, it shows how nearly all the recorded UFO sightings have occurred near major coastal cities.

According to its creator, the map discredits the commonly held assumption that UFO sightings tend to happen in isolated, rural areas. "The map clearly shows large clusters of reporting in urban areas," Mr Pearson said.

Whether you're a believer or not, you can do your own investigation below.

A dash cam caught a seemingly unexplained and large blue-white flash light up the horizon in Stavropol, Tuesday. Some are reported to think that only a UFO could have caused the soundless flash which caused some streetlights in the city to go out and some lights inside apartments and houses to flicker. The incident occurred at around 00.39 local time (21.39 GMT on Monday). Those who are not so quick to believe in the existence of UFOs are reported to have said it could have been a rehearsal for the upcoming March 20 solar eclipse, while others are purported to believe that it was more likely caused by a white light signal rocket or flare that can produce extremely bright light without an explosion.

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‘I’m speechless at the hatred’

James Ritchie has resigned as women's officer at TUU after the student body campaigned for him to resign. Photo: LinkedIn. Source: Supplied

A MALE university student has stepped down from his position as women's officer at the Tasmania University Union (TUU), after students campaigned for a woman to be put in the role instead.

James Ritchie claims he was "democratically and constitutionally elected" to the role at the northern campus in student by-elections last month.

But a change.org petition started by the University of Tasmania's Women's Collective this week called for Mr Ritchie to be disqualified or resign. The petition attracted more than 1,000 signatures.

"In what have historically been male-dominated institutions, with a persistently patriarchal culture, it is important that women's rights, needs, interests and concerns in the university context are voiced through someone elected to directly represent them," the petition reads.

In a statement announcing his resignation on Wednesday, Mr Ritchie wrote he has been ridiculed for standing up for women's rights and is "speechless at the hatred" directed towards him.

"It breaks my heart to see the bitterness and unwillingness to engage in mature and rational debate about women's issues. I may not be a woman, but I am under no illusions as to the challenges women face," he wrote.

TUU President Heidi La Paglia told news.com.au the job description did not specify the role had to go to a woman.

"It didn't include the original clause, which was that the candidate must sign a statutory declaration to say they identify as a woman," Ms La Paglia said. That was a mistake, she confirmed to news.com.au.

On Tuesday, the TUU student council agreed the clause should exist in the job description and the position should be held by a woman.

This decision upholds a 2000 ruling by the university's Anti-Discrimination Officer that the Women's Officer must identify as a woman "on the grounds that the role exists to advocate for women as a group who experience oppression in relation to men," the change.org petition states.

Ms La Paglia says the female student body wants to be represented by a woman, not a man.

"Because the position is a representative position, it does need to be held by someone who represents women.

"I'm sure [Mr Ritchie's] intentions were good and it's great that he wants to stand up for women. But there are other ways to do it.

"There's a difference between standing up for women's issues and taking a women's representative position."

Mr Ritchie said his capacity to address issues such as women's safety on campus and greater female participation is now limited.

"The awareness campaigns I intended to run surrounding domestic violence, sexual violence and particularly the #HeForShe campaign would now be ... problematic."

Mr Ritchie said women's issues needed to be faced with the support of men, citing Emma Watson's now famous UN speech.

Emma Watson helps launch the HeForShe global campaign as the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. Courtesy: You

"Emma Watson called for male leadership in addressing women's issues and ... expressed that men are not the problem but rather the solution.

"What kind of example and precedent does this set for other men interested and eager to speak out against female discrimination and injustice?" Mr Ritchie said.

Tasmania's anti-discrimination commissioner Robin Banks told AAP there was no legal reason why a man could not occupy the role of women's officer.

Mr Ritchie could not be reached for comment. The UOT Women's Collective has been contacted for comment.

Mr Ritchie's full resignation letter can be read here.

What do you think? Can a man be appointed to a role representing women? Comment below and let us know.

rebecca.sullivan@news.com.au

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Why this rich megacity is failing

Sao Paulo is the biggest city in Brazil, and it's in trouble. Source: Getty Images

IT'S a city that more than 11 million people call home, and it's located in one of the wealthiest regions of South America.

Yet Brazil's capital, Sao Paulo, is a megacity on the brink of disaster. There's water everywhere, but barely a drop to drink.

Despite the country having the largest supply of freshwater in the entire world, it has been battling a huge water problem for months.

Water is not flowing into the city readily. Source: Getty Images

And now, the state government is so desperate to save the city that it has come up with a controversial "solution".

It wants to tap into a long-polluted dam in an area locals described to the Wall Street Journal as "a foul soup of raw sewage laced with human excrement".

The Billings reservoir is filthy, and it's apparently the solution. Picture: Milton Jung Source: Flickr

While the government says it will use treated water only from the non-polluted parts of the Billings reservoir, scientists have warned it would be a dangerous move due to the high levels of faecal matter and contaminants.

It hasn't been used as a potable water source for decades, and locals won't even swim in it.

Do you blame them for staying away? Picture: Milton Jung Source: Flickr

"If they want to use this water, they will have to stop this [pollution] first," marina worker Valdir Mastrocezari, 56, who blames contaminants for a rash on his arms, told the WSJ. "People don't swim here. We avoid putting our feet in the water."

The plan is one of several proposals put forward in a bid to end the water crisis which has left millions going without it for days on end.

The previous water line over the Atibainha reservoir, part of the Cantareira System that provides water to the Sao Paulo metropolitan area, can be seen here. Source: AP

So what's to blame for the region's worst drought in 80 years?

Brazil has more freshwater than any other country on the planet — with 12 per cent of the entire world's volume, the global research organisation World Resources Institute reports. But a change in weather patterns has hit hard.

According to the WRI: "The ongoing drought in Southeastern Brazil offers a prime example of how damaging a major supply drop can be over the course of a year. (It began) between December 2013 and February 2014, historically the wettest time of year.

"The region received only half its usual amount of rain, according to NASA's Earth Observatory."

Water rationing has already been taking place. Picture: Alex Thomson Source: Flickr

And it's not the only factor — environmental destruction is also to blame.

"Expert consensus is building around deforestation as a major driver of this year's drought and other serious dry periods in Brazil. In 2009, Antonio Nobre, a scientist at Brazil's Center for Earth Systems Science warned that Amazonian deforestation could interfere with the forest's function as a giant water pump; it lifts vast amounts of moisture up into the air, which then circulate west and south, falling as rain to irrigate Brazil's central and southern regions.

"Without these 'flying rivers', Nobre said, the area accounting for 70 per cent of South America's (gross national product) could effectively become desert."

An aerial view of the Atibainha dam. Source: Getty Images

Authorities already have imposed water-saving measures in Sao Paulo, including cut rates for people who limit usage, reduced pressure in water lines during off-peak hours and de facto rationing: some areas receive water only half the day.

And it looks set to continue — the crucial Cantareira water system, which provides water to about 6 million of the 20 million in the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo state, is still only about one-fifth full.

The water level of the Cantareira System is at 6 per cent of its total capacity. Source: Getty Images

Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira said those programs must be expanded, and the government is preparing "a rational water-use program". But some think that may not be enough.

Many also question the amount of water that's going to waste in the system — with an estimated 30-35 per cent of its water supply lost due to leakage.

Some people have been forced to hoard and recycle water. Source: Getty Images

Earlier this year the president of Brazil's Water Regulatory Agency, Vicente Andreu, warned Sao Paulo residents of a "collapse like we've never seen before" if drought conditions persisted.

— With wires

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Child killed in car lake plunge

A child is dead after a car plunged into a lake at Wyndham Vale. Source: HeraldSun

• One child has died and three others are critically hurt
• A woman was also in the car and is believed to be unconscious
• The crash happened at a lake off Manor Boulevard, Wyndham Vale at 3.40pm
• A neighbour had to smash the rear windscreen to rescue the children
• Motorists are advised to avoid the area

ONE child has died and several others are seriously injured after their car plunged into a lake at Wyndham Vale this afternoon.

The car was found in the lake off Manor Lakes Boulevard, near Pedder Street, at 3.40pm.

"One child is deceased and it's believed several other children are seriously injured," Victoria

Police spokeswoman Kelly Yates said.

Car carrying five people has plunged into a lake in Wyndham Vale.

"At this stage the exact circumstances of how the car went into the lake are yet to be determined.

"All the occupants were recovered from the water. A number of children have been seriously injured."

Resident Michelle told 3AW her neighbour Travis had to smash the car's back windscreen to rescue the children. "It's just a horrible scene." she said.

"Travis jumped into the water, smashed the back screen of the car and got one little boy out," she said.

"Then they started working on him."

Crying, she added: "It's so very hard to talk about when there are children involved."

Michelle said the car was travelling along Manor Lakes Boulevard and "but just went straight over into the lake."

She said: "I'm not sure if it was speeding or what happened."

Two helicopters have taken the injured to hospital.

Originally published as Child killed in car lake plunge

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The moment Luke was spotted

The moment the Victoria Police airwing spotted missing boy Luke Shambrook in bushland near Lake Eildon? Vision from Airwing Victoria Police

IT is the moment rescuers were hoping for but hope was fading. Then, out of the bush, a small, terrified face was seen staring blankly into the sky.

It was Luke Shambrook, and he was found.

Luke Shambrook first spotted from above. Source: Supplied

Images from a police helicopter of the moment Luke Shambrook was found near Lake Eildon. Source: Supplied

The picture was released this afternoon by Victoria Police and shows how lonely the bush must have seemed to the 11-year-old, who was missing since Good Friday.

Luke was found shortly before midday on Tuesday alive and in good spirits, but the bush has taken its toll on his small body.

Wearing a Victoria Police beanie, he was carried from the scrub — where he has spent the past four days — on a stretcher while his parents looked on, clearly relieved but with the horror of the last four days still etched on their faces.

Luke is placed into the ambulance as mum looks on. Picture: Mike Keating. Source: News Corp Australia

A miracle: Mike Keating. Source: News Corp Australia

Police said it was a miracle that Luke was found safe and relatively healthy after what was earlier described as a "life and death struggle" near Lake Eildon.

"He's a lucky boy, he's a strong boy," Acting Commander Rick Nugent said. "In some ways it's a miracle."

Media reports suggest Luke, who has autism, suffered a number of injuries and was suffering dehydration and hypothermia. He was transported by road ambulance to Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital and police are expected to provide an update on his condition shortly.

Luke's family issued a statement thanking "caterers, babysitters, supporters and volunteers".

"On behalf of the Shambrook family we would like to extend our most sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone involved for the support shown to Tim and Rachel," the family said via the Luke Shambrook Support Page on Facebook.

"They are incredibly grateful for all the effort put in by the volunteers. From those who helped with the search, to the ladies handing out food, to the babysitters at home. A big thank you also to those who supported in prayer and the extended church family."

The family said Luke was "in high spirits" and "walked out of the bush on his own two feet".

"He gave Tim a big thumbs up when they saw each other. The family are very happy to be reunited."

Luke's uncle Peter told Channel 9: "We couldn't believe it. We're just rejoicing".

Luke was last seen about 9.30am on Good Friday at Devil Cove campground in Fraser National Park. Police located his beanie in dense bushland about 3pm yesterday.

Police spokeswoman Natalie Webster said Luke spotted by a police helicopter after scaling a number of steep rocks to get to his position. He was found less than 1km from where search teams found his cap and less than 3km from where he went missing.

She said police had "limited information on the details of his condition" but that he "will now receive medical treatment".

Police described him as "one courageous, strong, determined young man".

Channel 7 reported Luke was "believed to be badly injured".

Mr Nugent said the relief was hard to describe.

"To spot him now is an absolute relief and the joy by all of us that he's been found is just hard to describe."

Police and State Emergency Service personnel spent four days looking for Luke. By Tuesday morning, hope of a positive outcome was beginning to fade.

Despite that, Luke's parents Tim and Rachel posted a message of thanks to "all involved in searching for Luke".

The rescue, from all accounts, was not an easy one. The terrain was described as "unstable under foot" and Sergeant Greg Paul told volunteers this morning the situation had become more urgent, with wet and cold conditions setting in overnight.

"We're racing against the clock, we're racing against the weather, OK. It's a life-and-death struggle. We want to get him found today," Sgt Paul said.

Found ... after 5 days 11 year old boy, Luke Shambrook is brought out of the bush. Found west of Auriferous Spur, high above Lake Eildon. Picture: Mike Keating. Source: News Corp Australia

Search teams were inundated with volunteers hoping to bring about a miracle. Walkers searched the campgrounds while others with more expertise moved through the rough, slippery terrain. Many did so without food.

"Due to the high number of volunteers, we regret that we can't provide them (volunteers) with meals," the statement said.

Tim and Rachel look on as Luke is treated by ambulance personnel. Picture: Mike Keating. Source: News Corp Australia

On Facebook, a Luke Shambrook support page attracted almost 10,000 members.

On Twitter, Australia expressed its thanks to volunteers and an overwhelming sense of relief.

"Not so dry in Melbourne today, not from rain, but from all the tears shed after Luke Shambrook was found," one user wrote.

"The mother's embrace we all hoped for," another wrote next to a picture of the pair, reunited.

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‘My sister was perfect and I couldn’t handle it’

This week Insight asks: When is competition and conflict between siblings a good thing, and how can favouritism affect this. How strong is the sibling bond? Courtesy SBS/Insight.

Jen (on the left) always thought older sister Melanie's life was perfect, and she could never live up to her. Source: SBS

JEN and Melanie are sisters born nine years apart. Jen always looked up to Melanie as the pretty, successful older sister, whom she could never live up to. And Melanie saw Jen as rebellious and adventurous, but lacking self-belief. It's a story that almost anyone with a sibling can relate to.

Jen:

I turned 21 this year and boy, has time flown by quickly. I grew up with my sister who is nine years older than me, going back and forth between our parents' houses. Even though we grew up with everyone telling us we were similar, we ended up on very different paths.

I can't remember a time when I didn't think she was amazing.

She's blonde, skinny, sporty, excelled at school and University and in my eyes could tackle any problem that presented itself to her.

Melanie (left) and Jen when they were kids. Cute! Source: Supplied

My parents praised our achievements of course. Before long, being a high achiever just felt like it was the norm. To me, my sister was the embodiment of success and even though I did very well in most of the things I did, I still felt like she was effortlessly achieving more than me every day. It only occurred to me recently that all through school, I never took the nine-year age difference into account when I was evaluating myself. I was always thinking I was behind.

I would constantly stay up past my bedtime and argue about rules with our parents, for example - she was allowed to watch M-rated movies but I wasn't! She was allowed to stay up and study but I still had an 8:30 bedtime. I was stubborn, wanting to do exactly what she was doing. I thought we should be treated equally. After all, I felt like I was trying just as hard as she was.

Yet at the same time, I saw my sister studying hard at uni, spending hours in front of computers and books. Toiling away night and day through sickness and tears to come out on the other side with a Student of The Year award and a full time job with her new qualification, before she even graduated.

She met an amazing boyfriend, now husband and moved out into the perfect little house, with a puppy too.

Behind the scenes I'm sure there were some struggles, but in my eyes it looked like she was living a real life Disney movie.

"I want that." I thought.

Jen has just turned 21. Source: SBS

By that time I had turned 17 and was trying to finish high school with the best grades I could muster, stressing and hoping that I would get into uni and do exactly as my sister did or face becoming a failure. I felt like I was wasting precious seconds. There was no other option. Be successful, and be successful quick.

I never made a back-up plan … I was told my options were university or win the lottery, basically.

My plan backfired shortly after high school ended when I was rushed to hospital with Glandular Fever during my first week of uni. After giving it my all for a year, I had to deal with the fact that I was too sick to keep up with the workload and pressures of uni until I recovered.

This greatly impacted on the other part of my 'plan' to live with my parents until I had a full time job. I had a lot of down time to think about what I could do to 'fix' everything. I felt like I needed to break out of a box and finally just be myself. So I made some new friends, dyed my hair pink, got a few piercings and moved out that week.

Not only had I dropped out, I was broke, fatigued, living on my friend's couch, refusing to talk to my parents, looking for a part time job and a place to rent. I was the anti-Melanie. Finally, I opened up to my sister about how much I envied her life. Just like always she said "You are successful, just keep going. Just do what makes you happy — I am."

After a lot of convincing it finally clicked. I was trying to adhere to everyone else's vision of success (parents, family members, teachers, bosses) when I should have been creating my own. My eyes suddenly opened and I realised there's nothing to "fix" because there's more than one path to success. The very person I aspired to be helped me realise that making my own path was an option. The whole time, my sister was behind me every step of the way, believing in me and whatever I did.

I'm 21 now and I'm so glad I grew up with her as my mentor. If it weren't for Melanie, I don't know where I'd be. Now I know because of her, not only have I learnt the meaning of success, I have learnt how to get there, too. Thanks Melanie.

Melanie:

I grew up desperately wanting a sibling but had accepted that I would always remain an only child. So I was shocked and excited when my parents sat me down at age eight and told me that I was going to get a little brother or sister.

I was nine when Jen was born and couldn't believe I had my own, real-life doll. I was thrilled to have a little sister and absolutely loved looking after her. I dressed her up in cute, girlie outfits and dreamt of the day that she would be old enough to play with my dolls.

Melanie was thrilled to dress Jen up. By the looks of it Jen was not so impressed. Source: Supplied

As Jen grew up, it became clear that my ideas of what it would be like to have a sister weren't exactly accurate. Jen was far from the 'mini-me' that I had hoped for. She hated pink, dresses and dolls and much preferred playing with cars and trucks. I still remember the day she told me that she hated Barbie. I was horrified! Jen was adventurous, loved getting dirty and was always getting up to mischief.

As a baby, Jen couldn't have been more different from me. She was into everything! Jen ate snails, drew on walls, climbed ladders and loved making mess. I was so cautious that I wouldn't even walk on grass and mum had to show me how to open cupboards because I never even tried (childproof locks were wasted on me!).

The differences between us became even more apparent as we grew up. I was very studious and performed well in school before completing a Bachelor Degree and Masters Degree at university and securing a high-profile corporate job. I had a huge respect for authority and always 'did the right thing'.

Melanie (right) says Jen was just lacking self belief. Source: SBS

Jen didn't perform as well at school and often skipped class. She constantly questioned the validity of homework and wouldn't bother doing it if it seemed like a waste of her time. At home, she would sneak out at night and party hard. She is extremely intelligent (probably more intelligent than me) and was certainly smart enough to perform well at school but was always incredibly rebellious and often didn't see the point in studying things she wasn't interested in.

I knew that Jen felt like a failure for her academic performance, particularly compared to mine. It was hard to see her refer to herself as 'not good enough' when it was obvious to me that her low grades weren't from a lack of intelligence but rather from a lack of self belief.

In fact, I admired her incredible confidence and complete fearlessness. I was terrified of upsetting a parent or teacher and the thought of not doing homework never even crossed my mind. I didn't even know that was an option! Jen was a bold, independent thinker who always did what she wanted.

Looking back Melanie says her and Jen are more similar than she thought. Source: Supplied

After years of thinking that Jen and I didn't have much in common, it is only in recent years that I have started to realise that we are more similar than I thought. Our approach to life is still very different but we have many of the same values and aspirations. Catching up with Jen is always entertaining and as much as she can drive me crazy sometimes, I still very much respect her love of adventure and fearlessness. I guess it balances out my more straight-laced nature!

Jen and Melanie appear on tonight's episode of Insight, 'Sibling Showdown' at 8.30pm on SBS ONE, which explores sibling rivalry.

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Graham, Klemmer hit hard by NRL

NRL: Canterbury's loss to South Sydney has been further compounded with three players including James Graham, David Klemmer and Sam Kasiano facing lengthy suspensions.

David Klemmer and James Graham confront referee Gerard Sutton. Source: Getty Images

JAMES Graham faces up to five weeks on the sidelines and David Klemmer could be banned for four weeks following the Bulldogs' moments of madness on Good Friday.

Graham was hit by the NRL's match review committee with two separate charges stemming from the dramatic finish to the Dogs' dramatic loss to the Rabbitohs.

He was hit with a grade two dangerous contact charge for his controversial challenge on Adam Reynolds when the Souths halfback was attempting a late field goal. Reynolds faces up to five months out with a serious knee injury.

Graham was also slapped with a grade three contrary conduct charge for confronting referee Gerard Sutton, who penalised the Bulldogs skipper for the challenge.

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David Klemmer and James Graham confront referee Gerard Sutton. Source: Getty Images

Klemmer, who was sin-binned by Sutton for dissent, was also hit with a grade three contrary conduct charge.

If Graham pleads guilty to both charges he will miss four weeks, but if he opts to fight them and loses he'll spend five weeks on the sidelines.

Klemmer will miss three weeks with an early guilty plea due to carry-over points and faces four weeks out if he fights the charge at the NRL judiciary and loses.

Should James Graham and David Klemmer fight the charges?

Meanwhile, Josh Morris has escaped suspension for his part in the Isaac Luke eight-point try but Sam Kasiano has been charged with dangerous contact and faces a three-week suspension. It could be reduced to two weeks with an early guilty plea.

A further dissent charge for Michael Lichaa rounds out a extensive wrap sheet for the Dogs, although the hooker will avoid suspension with an early guilty plea.

James Graham has been charged for his controversial challenge on Adam Reynolds. Source: Getty Images

Rabbitohs prop George Burgess was also charged with grade one dangerous contact on Josh Jackson and will be suspended for one match regardless of his plea.

Roosters forward Aidan Guerra was charged for a dangerous throw on Chris Heighington and will miss a week, however he has already been diagnosed with a fractured cheekbone and would have already been unavailable for selection.

Jordan Rapana is also facing a week's suspension due to carry-over points, but Michael Jennings will avoid suspension with an early guilty plea after both were charged with grade one careless high tackles.

Originally published as Graham, Klemmer hit hard by NRL

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The woman behind Hillary Clinton

Kristina Schake knows who to talk to ordinary people. Source: Facebook

YOU may not have heard of her, but Kristina Schake is the woman behind the world's most powerful women.

She was responsible for making us see Michelle Obama as a strong, stylish and relatable first lady.

Now she's taking on an even bigger challenge: getting Hillary Clinton elected as the first female US president.

Hillary Clinton, pictured with New York City first lady Chirlane McCray, needs the public to warm to her. Source: AP

The communications manager's brief is to transform Ms Clinton's image from tough ex-lawyer to popular leader. Ms Schake will need to help voters warm to a candidate who many believe lost out to Barack Obama in 2008 because she seemed tough rather than likeable.

Ms Schake's work takes place away from the formal appearances, speeches and policy discussion. Under her guidance, Ms Obama's appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and became a viral star after her "Mom Dancing" routine on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon gained 22 million views on YouTube.

The public embraced the first lady and her initiative to fight childhood obesity. The former secretary of state will be looking for opportunities to sell her key policy of lifting the middle class.

Ms Schake was working with Michelle Obama when this appearance on Jimmy Fallon made her a YouTube sensation. Source: AP

Ms Schake, a 45-year-old from California, honed her understanding of what resonates with the American public when working for When Harry Met Sally director Rob Reiner, according to The New York Times.

She helped him push through an initiative to add a 50-cent tax to every pack of cigarettes sold in California to fund early childhood education, by insisting he stick closely to a simple narrative — do you support big tobacco or little children?

Later, Ms Schake fought for gay marriage with former Clinton aide Chad Griffin, placing a feature on two lesbian plaintiffs in People magazine. She then handled media relations for California's first lady, Maria Shriver, who recommended her to Mrs Obama.

Calfornia's first lady Maria Shriver poses at an Alzheimer's Association benefit event. Source: AP

The communications guru is tight-lipped about her role in the president's wife's actions. Some thought she might have been responsible for Mrs Obama's trip to Target, which came after she had been accused of expensive tastes in clothes and holidays.

After Ms Schake joined her staff, the first lady appeared on the cover of Vogue (for the second time) and Better Homes & Gardens. She chatted with Jay Leno and David Letterman, but avoided party political debates, and started a Twitter account.

Whether it's sharing secret recipes, exercise tips or comedy skits, the "real" Hillary is about to stand up.

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The real life 21 Jump Street drug bust

Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum in '21 Jump Street'. Source: News Limited

MEMBERS of a Texas narcotics task force reportedly posed as students for eight months at a Houston-area high school to bust a drug ring allegedly run by students.

The Houston Chronicle reports six students in the Pearland Independent School District were arrested and handed a total of 10 charges following the operation by the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Task Force, which started in August of last year. Four of the students are adults and two are minors.

The task force seized cocaine, marijuana, Alprazolam and Tramadol from students at Pearland High School and Dawson High School. The Pearland Police Department and Pearland ISD assisted in the operation.

The adult student arrested at Pearland High School was 18-year-old Aaron Coleman. Three other students arrested at Dawson High School were identified as Kevin Lambert, 18, Matthew Van Richardson, 18, and Jonathan Gonzales, 17.

Charges included the delivery of marijuana, delivery of a controlled substance and delivery of a dangerous drug.

The operation took a page from the 1980s TV series "21 Jump Street" and the 2012 movie of the same name. In both the movie and show, young undercover officers pose as students to bust a drug ring at a local high school.

Lt. Chris Reioux of the Brazoria County Narcotics task force told the newspaper his department had conducted several "Jump Street"-style operations in recent years.

"I don't think anyone suspects that their classmate is an undercover cop," Reioux said. "With the recent release of the 'Jump Street' movies, I think they're a little more apprehensive, but it's more of a joking matter — 'you're not "21 Jump Street" are you?'

Reioux also said he hates the "Jump Street" movies.

This article originally appeared on New York Post.

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The perils of buying sexy lingerie

Kate Langbroek was buying sexy undies for her 'friend' she swears. Source: Sunday Style

ALTHOUGH I am a grown-up on the outside, I am a child within.

You know that age at which quite normal things embarrass you? I think it's about 13; when if your schoolbag spills open and other people see the blackening banana in your lunch box, you're mortified. Or if the boy you like somehow finds out you like him, you flush with shame. Or when your beautiful mum, returning from her job, waves heartily from her carriage as the train pulls into the station where you are standing on the platform with your equally awkward and self-conscious friends, you pretend not to see her.

Well, this may sound under-baked, but I still get embarrassed buying feminine hygiene products at the supermarket. Or getting undressed in the communal change room at the swimming pool.

So, the other week, when I found myself in a lingerie shop with my girl Georgie, I was thrilled. Not so much by the contents of the shop, which were strangely meagre, but by my friend's matter-of-fact audacity. Not much at all embarrasses her. Which makes her the perfect companion for an outing to a slightly kinky underwear shop.

Buying underwear is one of the most embarrassing things you can do. Source: ThinkStock

We were in Adelaide for its brilliant Fringe Festival, and it was 42 degrees, and we were dizzy with heat exhaustion and lack of sleep when we stumbled across the strange little store. It certainly wasn't your normal Bras N Things, yet there it was, with its bondage-esque finery in the window, right next to that well-mannered matron, Myer.

So we entered, and after a bit of 'hello, vicar!'-style giggling, Georgie found a bra she liked; a complicated pleather arrangement with lots of straps and buckles, so she disappeared into the change room to try it on, while I was left with the sales assistants.

As I said, it was a tiny store, so I all-too-quickly browsed what there was, and then found myself in what, if it were a Bunnings, would be the ELECTRONICS section, which I found mortifying, so I quickly scuttled back to the undies, and all the while, the sales girls were making small talk.

And occasionally the brunette would duck into the change room to help Georgie with a buckle on her bungee-jumping-harness-style bra, but the rest of the time I was outside with her colleague; a heavily made-up blonde who kept calling me "babe", and started going into GRAPHIC detail about a fella she was dating, and how she would use a particular (ahem) apparatus with him, and I really couldn't bear it, so I sought refuge by looking for the 10th time at these racy undies hanging in front of me, and then I found myself thinking: 'Why not?'

But I was too embarrassed to tell "babe", so I casually plucked my size from the shelf and took them to Georgie, who was still wrestling with the thousand-strap bra, and whispered that I wanted the knickers, but she had to pretend they weren't for me, and she understood my prudish weirdness and hung them on the hook in her change room.

It doesn't matter what age you are, embarrassment sneaks up on everyone. Source: News Limited

But then, things went awry. Georgie wanted to try another bra, so Babe went in to help her, and then I heard her pause and say: "Babe. These are totally NOT your size. You're not a LARGE! I'll get you your size," and I froze, and I heard Georgie say, "Oh. They're not for me…"

And then she uttered the phrase that's been used since time immemorial for the purchase of anything illicit, "THEY'RE FOR A FRIEND."

Which was so stupid, 'cause I am clearly a size large, and was hovering right outside the change room. In a lingerie shop. Where people go to buy lingerie.

Anyway, at the checkout I said to Georgie, "I'll pay for OUR FRIEND'S undies", and then Babe said: "Tell her she needs to use some [REDACTED] with them, because they might [REDACTED]."

And just the thought that the knickers came with instructions made my face flame.

But Georgie said: "Don't worry, I'll tell her." And looked at me and smirked.

And then Babe resumed her anecdote about blindfolding her boyfriend, and how he snuck a look, and saw what she was doing to him with some egg-shaped contraption, and it was so horrendous, I grimaced with relief when Georgie's bra was wrapped and handed to her. And then Babe handed me the other bag, and said:

"Enjoy, babe."

Enjoy? I don't think so.

I mean, they're not even for me. They're for my friend.

That shameless slapper. I'm almost embarrassed for her.

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The Museum at FIT presents "Exposed: A History of Lingerie," an exhibit with pieces ranging from a 1770's corset to contemporary high-end lingerie.

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