• Anyway. So long Latin. I know there will be people close to Hazel who will be feeling sad and confused today. Sad for who she was and confused because she is perhaps better off dead now. And then there is everyone else who were touched by Hazel's contribution to our lives. Thank you Hazel and her supporters. - ro.watson
  • Perhaps I am projecting, but there really is something very special about the relationship between a regular cartoonist's work and their readers. A sort of mutual getting to know you abandon. - ro.watson
  • Ordinary folk, extraordinary soul. You'll be remembered Hazel Hawke, for the wonderfully decent, down to earth, inclusive woman you were. You connected with your heart and were justly admired. RIP - gogirl
  • What is that expression? Make hay while the sun is shining? Anyway, many Australian stories which belong to the lives of people and animals have remained submerged for many years until journalists within programs like Four Corners bring them to light. Some of us have been privileged enough (eg through our professions) to carry around these stories for several years and done our best to bring such stories to mainstream attention when it is clear there is some emblematic or systematic pattern emerging of eg suffering here in Australia. These stories and lives are not hard to find. - ro.watson
  • Stirring stuff, sue. Alas, from a bygone era. The www is where it's at. Few outposts are as isolated as they once were and now, with the whizz bang NBN they'll be able to access information from all over the world. The ABC has grown into a monster. The Drum website alone must cost a fortune. Then we've got numerous tv channels, radio, SBS and *hundreds* of journalists and ancillary staff ALL for a population of 22 million? It's a crazy waste of taxpayer dollars. If these journos can't cut it in the private sector, which their ratings indicate they can't, then too bad. Let them get jobs writing blurbs for breakfast cereal and cat food. If you want evidence of ABC bias, check out the poll questions on The Drum. Personally, I want it slashed and burned. And, I repeat, I'm a past Labor member. - Gee
  • I agree Sue. I love ABC Radio National and also ABC tv - from The Night Garden up. Lately I've been tuning in to the drivetime program hosted by Waleed Ali, 7.30 report and Emma on Lateline. All maintain high standards. Cheers, Carmen. - Carmen
  • Gee, the ABC Radio National has played and still does, a vital role in unifying Australians as Australia. It has been the one and only voice since the inception of radio, that has been able to be heard no matter where you are in Australia. It has connected the rural and the urban listeners, it has provided thought provoking programmes on health, science, music, art, literature, technology, religion, opera, language, the list is endless. Most importantly it has provided hundreds of different types of educational programmes over the years. Many of us can remember when the ABC broadcast singing programmes into our primary schools, imagine that, all the state primary students in Australia singing the same songs at the same time. They had a wonderful children's club for all Australians to join. The ABC is the organisation we turn to in times of war and disaster, only it has the gravitas needed. The ABC in later years has provided innovative programmes where farmers give a field of their crop and urban listeners select how that crop will be treated, when to fertilise, pay insurance, feed, water, reap. Again we see the great way the ABC unites the country and allows listeners to understand each other over the rural/urban divide. The ABC consistently has interesting, confronting, innovative interviews with people who make you think. The ABC broadcasts throughout Asia, fostering greater understanding throughout the region. Greater understanding can only lead to better trade, human rights, mutual respect and sharing of common goals. The ABC encourages local talent in all areas, something rarely seen on commercial radio/TV. So tell me where is the bias, what percentage of the programmes have a bias, what sort of bias is it, political or other? Here is an organisation that has united a very young country, a federation of states that have held together and together developed a common social ethos and a pride in our culture. This is no parasite it is in fact the host from which we all feed. - sue Bell
  • Capisco. However, after getting a major (not kidding) allergy which has eventuated in my frequent-flyership at the gynaecologists (best friends now!) - I can (as a total nobody - but a somebody to my gynaecologist) - thoroughly and wholeheartedly endorse LUX SOAP. I wash clothes, dishes, and me with it - and have never looked back. If it makes me look like Ma Kettle - so be it. Bring it on!! (really not joking about this one). Cheers, Carmen 50 Shades of Unemployment at http://50shadesofunemployment.blogspot.com.au - Carmen
  • Oh Mrs. Woog - your before shot is so much better than the after. However lately I've become a closet watcher of that TVSN channel (non stop advertising). I've just seen Dimitri of Hollywood, advertising his "uber quality" product range. If I had the money, due to Dimitri's infectious advertising approach, I would buy every product. But it all went sadly wrong, this morning - during the live model makeover, when he accidently knocked the model's hair-piece - causing it to fall off - no kidding! Hilarious. And there I was with the credit card, about to hand over my money for his product that would give me "Hollywood celebrity bee-stung lips!" On the topic of makoevers, makeunders etc. some readers may find this post a worth read: "The Hazards of Faking It" http://50shadesofunemployment.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/the-hazards-of-faking-it.html Cheers, Carmen - Carmen
  • @Sally. It has everything to do with religion! All the "great monotheistic faiths" i.e. Christianity, Judaism and Islam are the greatest blights ever to afflict mankind. Obviously you have never read the bible that absolutely luxuriates in tales of ethnic cleansing, murder, pillage, slavery, oppression and war-mongering. The Koran is even worse! Obviously you have never studied history or current affairs either. Have you ever heard of the Islamic conquest of North Africa and southern Europe? Have you ever heard of the Crusades? Have you ever heard of the "Dark Ages" when the pope and his henchmen ran Europe and eagerly burned alive heretic, blasphemers, adulterers, apostates, and witches - even "witches" as young as 4 year-old girls? Just remember the biblical edict "thou shalt not suffer a witch to live". Have you ever heard of the Thirty Years War? How the oppression and slaughter of the Huguenots? How about the English Civil War and Cromwell's war against the Irish? What about Northern Ireland today? Have you ever heard of the "Lateran Pact" between Mussolini and the Catholic Church? How about Hitler's "Concordat" with the Vatican and the later establishment of the "rat line" that allowed the likes of Eichmann and Menngele to escape to Catholic South America? Have you ever heard of the "Armenian Genocide" where the muslim Turks slaughtered around 2 million Armenian Christians - forced mostly women and children to walk from Turkey to Syria and then left the survivors to die of starvation and thirst in the desert - after pack raping the pretty ones first? What do you think is happening in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon today? What do you think is the cause? Everywhere you look for the last 3,000 years, the one constant in every war, massacre, holocaust and blood bath has been stinking bloody RELIGION! There's no Eastern solution either as the Hindus, Buddhists, and Shinto also have a long history of slaughter and oppression equal to that of the West. There will never be peace or progress in this world until the last Rabbi and Imam are strangled with the guts of the last priest! - Jack Richards
 
Categories:  Fashion, Lifestyle, Style, Wellbeing

RACHEL WARD’S FRANCO STYLE FILE

Rachel Ward, former actor turned writer and director, perennial style icon, is in Paris. She’s on a mission to chronicle the famed grace and elegance of the mature women she encounters on the boulevards and in the Metro.

For the next six weeks she’ll be offering her snapshots exclusively at The Hoopla. 

Why? It’s an interesting tale. Read on…

I admire Madonna’s ability to turn cartwheels at the Superbowl, I admire her energy and ambition and her compassion for African kids so I’ve been wondering what it is that so bothers me about her still primping and preening for the cameras and her audience.

Or for that matter those pics of Daphne Selfe – Eat your Heart Out Madonna – wonderfully lithe at 84 but why the wind-blown pose and pout of a 20-year-old? The truth is there is just something plain creepy about post-menopausal women carrying on like red-bottomed baboons when, clearly, they are past procreating.

Old habits die hard though and many women, only exposed to images of Dame Eda or the Queen as examples of post-menopausal women, cling longer than they often should to sexually embedded ideals of beauty and fashion.

I don’t blame them. At 54 I’ve dragged my feet too.

After a long, ambiguous relationship with my breasts I am now finding it hard to accept that it is time to ‘put them away’.  My wardrobe, full of scruffy boho items has been culled. (They now occupy a large suitcase that I can’t quite dispense of in case of time-machine miracles.)

Arty, Birkinesque, Glebe market treasures or Tree of Life fare tend to look tired and dirty after… well, probably, after 30… so I’m definitely over-due there.

Much to husband’s horror the tresses are gone too. All right for those with still thick, sleek, grey or tinted manes but the rest of us start to resemble something mummified if left long and stringy. In which case short and sharp might not be as fetching on the pillows but sure works better in daylight.

Much of the horror of ageing for me is less the lines, sags and bags than the face setting into ‘cross mode’.

That really is unfair, especially when, with independence regained after the toll of childrearing years and a nice disposable income, many of us have never felt perkier.

We’re all in this ageing lark together and most of us aren’t looking to defy the inevitable changes and freeze frame, but cosmetic surgery has come a long way.

I’m not looking for fat red lips to advertise my vulva but a little freshen up here and there to reflect my health and happiness, why not?

We hear a lot about becoming invisible past a certain age but invisible to whom? Sure, men aren’t looking like they did. Apparently it’s embedded in their infantile DNA to only look at what they can impregnate, and most younger women are probably too busy multi-tasking to notice us.

Paris: 53-year-old woman in tailored overcoat, cowboy boots and low-slung satchel.

But I am certainly looking at other women my age and, for the first time since I was at an all-girl’s boarding school, I find myself having secret crushes on a few dynamic, articulate, feisty, witty and stylish older women. There’s no doubt that two-dimensional images don’t serve us in the way they once did but in all our Technicolor three-dimensional glory we leave our younger selves for dead.

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26 Responses to this article

  1. Cate P April 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Brilliantly said, Rachel. At 47 I’m dressing with more class than I did at 23 (to be honest, ra-ra skirts and crop tops were never that classy. hey, it was the 80s),and I also have the vertical frown line resembling a canyon to give me that ‘cross mode’ even though I’m happier than I ‘ve ever been.
    I am hanging on to my hair though.. it’s still long, fairly glossy, wavy and naturally coloured. I think it will be my last act of defiance.

     
  2. dramaqueen75 April 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Oh, those cowboy boots have me swooning!

    I am all for aging in my own way. As I said here a few weeks ago, I am not going to wear elastic waisted anything (except tracky dacks, and only at home).

    I do believe it is time to invent our own new “story” for “women of a certain age”. This is a new era- women my grandmother’s age became matronly at 40- we are now living longer, living healthier and want to live a fuller life than many people of just a few generations ago.

    So, go forth and get out there mature women. Keep working, living, loving, dancing and following your passions. Invent your own style to go along with it – there are no rules.

     
  3. Julie Morgan King April 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    I don’t really mind Madonna’s preening. It’s been her life’s work, and it’s difficult for some to morph into another type of being when there is so much at stake. Nor do I mind if an 80 year old wants a little airbrushing.

    I suppose post 50 I just don’t care, more and more. I care about injustice and unfairness and the big issues, but really, if women want to be one way rather than another way, I don’t care, so long as they are OK with it. I won’t go down the plumping, scraping, injecting, stripping, slicing road because I’ve had way too much physical pain over many years to inflict more on myself. But whatever, for others!. With three body conscious almost grown up offspring, I’m never going to comment negatively about a woman’s right to choose how she wants to look. But I might talk to them about why some women have made different choices to mine.

    And Rachel, I hope you didn’t toss your beautiful boho clothes. Isn’t that what your beautiful, youthful daughters are for? My wardrobe is my girls’ gold mine!

     
    • Frankly feisty May 1, 2012 Reply
       
       

      So excited by the sentiment behind this piece.
      Although, I was quickly deflated by the following “but a little freshen up here and there to reflect my health and happiness, why not?” really undid it all for me.

       
  4. Denyse Gibbs April 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Great article. I am about to turn 58 and have really had the same problem of finding a style. I love my old Hippie/boho look but it doesnt look very good these days. There are few older role models other than actresses that have had ‘work’ and have lots of money to spend on clothes and looks etc.

    I have been watching Miss Fishers murder mysteries and have fallen in love with the 1920′s look which I am finding a nice look for a maturing woman. Lots of flowing. Will look forward to hearing more from Rachel’s trip to France.

     
  5. the*sparrow April 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Great article Rachel, I envy you the job of haunting the streets of Paris photographing stylish ladies, and will be looking forward to the results.

     
  6. Annette Piper April 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    I’ve been giving my wardrobe the once over in the last few weeks too. At 47 my shape is more rounded than it once was, my hair is salt & pepper unless its coloured regularly and the crepe-y neck has started. My ample bosom isn’t looking so fresh and needs to be hidden a bit more… yet not so hidden that I look like I’m hiding something under my shirt LOL.
    My biggest problem is that I live in the country and you know those ballet flats just aren’t going to cut it in the dusty gravel of the road when you get out at the gate or mailbox, or the wet grass you have to cross on a winter’s morning before making it to the car. Its hard to find stylish, practical clothes that aren’t jeans and boots and make me feel a bit like a hick.
    So if you find anything Rachel that might tick that box for me, in stylish Paris (unlikely, but you never know!) I’d love to see it :D

     
  7. jenran April 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Rachel has long been one of my favorite people in the world of celebrities – gorgeous, stylish, and so very down-to-earth. I really look forward to reading her articles, and wish for her a wonderful time in Paris. At the age of 71 I am finding it ridiculously difficult to find clothes than I can wear without feeling embarrassed to look in a mirror. I’m not overweight but many of the clothes I like only come in sizes for large ladies. I don’t want to always wear trackies and jeans, but nor do I want to dress in old-lady styles just yet. Many of my friends also find the same problem when looking for new clothes. Why do the stores only seem to cater for the young nowadays? There are so many older people in society, and we have more money at our disposal than those young.

     
    • Daphne Alaksa April 30, 2012 Reply
       
       

      Oh, jenran, Please just wear exactly what you feel like wearing. If the rest of the world thinks it’s not appropriate, why would you even care. Try what you love on for size, and if it fits, buy it. There are absolutely no rules that say older
      women must dress a certain way. It isn’t necessary to be bothered by the opinions of others when it comes to clothes. What I think matters most is that we should feel comfortable in, and love the look of the c lothes we wear. At an age that is older than yours I believe that all older women should dress exactly as they wish, and be happy.

       
      • jenran May 1, 2012 Reply
         
         

        Thanks Daphne, but my problem lies in actually being able to find the clothes I want to wear, and will feel comfortable in! When I go shopping for clothes, I usually have some idea of what I am looking for, but seldom can I find anything like. My policy nowadays is – if I see something I really like, regardless of whether I am currently in the market for it, I buy it then and there knowing that it is an item which I will wear and wear again in the future.

         
  8. The Huntress April 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    My goodness, Rachel, if I look anything like you at 54 I will consider it a great privilige indeed! Before I got to the part about your hair I was admiring your hair and everything about your picture – stylish, classy and exuding just the right amount of smoulder to keep it a bit saucy. I would love to spend time in Paris and document the marvellous women who live there. I love the European style and respect it has for all women.

     
  9. MargotG April 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    46 and so ready to be fabulous but somebody please tell me where to shop (or who to roll) without jetting to Paris first. Been searching for that tailored coat since Sinead O’Connor’s number in… that number. Although out in the burbs, I’ll travel to any end – or even the middle – of town to sort this. Until then, it’s French suede ankle boots and Danish skinny jeans every… single… day… Of course Rachel, you’re everyone’s secret crush.

     
  10. dramaqueen75 April 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Online shopping Margot.
    Birdsnest is great as they have ideas and fully styled outfits ready to peruse http://www.birdsnest.com.au/womens/outfits

     
    • the*sparrow April 30, 2012 Reply
       
       

      dramaqueen75, I concur on birdsnest, my absolute favourite online site for fashion.

       
  11. Kath April 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    I needed to read this! Thank you. At nearly 50 I’m struggling with my shape and the bits of me that seem to move independently of everything else! I love seeing stylish older women no matter their shape or size and I too have come to love the scarf.

     
  12. Margot April 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Super, DQ75 and sparrow; shall check it out tout de suite! Thanks.

     
  13. Lyn Mauger April 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Thank you, thank you, than you dramaqueen75 for the ref. to birdsnest site. Just checked it out. Fantastic!

     
  14. Bel April 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    “The truth is there is just something plain creepy about post-menopausal women carrying on like red-bottomed baboons when, clearly, they are past procreating.” That sentence bothers me for some reason. Just be yourself – no matter what your age.

     
  15. Doreen Leslie May 1, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Thanks for a very interesting, well written article. I find myself applauding the points about being accepting of being older, of embracing it as a different stage and finding ways to dress that may be different from what we’ve worn in younger years. But I do feel that my breasts have always been part of who I am, and not on display solely for the purpose of advertising myself as a sexual being, so I don’t think I will be putting them away, even if they’re saggier. Also, my wrinkles reflect who I am, the years I’ve weathered and all that entails. A blank canvas doesn’t truly reflect that, so no plastic surgery for me.

     
  16. Daphne Alaksa May 2, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Really, I love your attitude, jenran. Hope you always
    enjoy your life and your clothes.

     
  17. Dawn Stewart October 14, 2012 Reply
     
     

    I agree you need to accept ‘growing old gracefully’ as you would say, however being 2 years younger than Rachel, and having been an enormous fan mostly since ‘The Thorn Birds’ a part of me wants to continue Living On so to speak and what’s the harm in occassionaly carefully and tactfully mirror imaging the same clothes from those happy and memorable times and years, and in doing so, (rather than being stuck in a corner in the shade), then feeling even more comfortable, happy, and more connected with my
    17yrs daughter Rosa-Evie and 21yrs daughter Emily-Jane.
    After all fashion has such a habit of going round full-circle year after year anyway and when it does it bften brings back with it, the nice feelings and happy nostalgic memories of wearing it, that you had back then, in my case mostly between the 1970s, 80s and 90s,x.

     
  18. sue bell October 14, 2012 Reply
     
     

    jenran look for a TS shop,they are in every state and many suburbs, they are great for the older, rounder woman,. Stylish, shaping and can be casual or dressy. A lot of their clothes are bamboo a product I love and nothing needs ironing. They are on line and have great catalogues and offer a styling service. All their clothes are designed to go with their other clothes.
    as a woman in my sixties, I and my friends chose to dress up for coffee each day. We all wear interesting clothes (mainly in black, this is Melbourne) and interesting jewellery. None of the dyed Brighton bob and acres of gold. I haven’t worn make up since I was 25, my hair is long and it’s natural colour (now slowly turning silver) and as I have no interest in living with any one I feel confident to talk to anyone I meet, sharing tables with strangers if the coffee house is crowded, and remember, flirting with the butchers has always been compulsory for the older woman.

     

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  • ro.watson: Anyway. So long Latin. I know there will be people close to Hazel who will be feeling sad and confused today. Sad for ...

  • ro.watson: Perhaps I am projecting, but there really is something very special about the relationship between a regular cartoonist'...

  • gogirl: Ordinary folk, extraordinary soul. You'll be remembered Hazel Hawke, for the wonderfully decent, down to earth, inclusi...

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