And today is .......

4 March is the day, as recent as 1922, when Shane Warne passed.

Australia lost its “King of Spin” such was his stature as one of our finest ever cricketers.
He was only 52, and left behind an ex-wife, partners, three children and his parents, as well as a grieving nation.

Shane’s death shocked every Australian cricket fan, as well as his admirers around the world. He was a force of nature, a stone cold genius, a once-in-a-generation talent.

When he arrived on the Test scene in the early ‘90s, leg spin (at least outside the subcontinent) was not so much a dying art as one practically being given the last rites.

Warnie changes all that. In his freakishly strong and dextrous hands leg spin became a weapon, swashbuckling and sexy. The ‘ball of the century’ to Mike Gatting in 1993 made him an instant superstar - ‘Gatting still doesn’t know what’s happened’ said Richie Benaud on commentary as the bewildered batsman left the field shaking his head - and that level of attention and fame never let up. Wherever Warne was, that was where you’d find the action: and, as often as not, that was where you’d find trouble too.

Yes, his life had extremes and his off-field indiscretions were as integral a part of his persona as his cricketing talent. Affairs, bookmakers, diuretic pills: you name it, he’d get himself involved. But there was never any malice in what he did, with the tragedy being that seemingly he was his own worst victim.

As so often with flawed geniuses, Warne was never happier than when out in the middle. For Warne, it was home. His cricketing brain was second to none, he understood the game’s myriad of intricacies better than all but a handful of those who’ve ever played, and he relished the competition like no other. When he was bowling, it was impossible to tell the score simply from his body language. Australia could have been a wicket away from winning the Ashes or they could have been 500 behind, but either way he would be bowling just the same: menacing, posturing, scheming, chuntering, grinning, totally engrossed in and loving not just the battle but the whole theatre of it too.

His statistics, stellar though they are, don’t show the effect he had on both the opposition and his team-mates, the times he’d run through teams like a fox in a chicken coop, a sorcerer causing pure havoc. And on the few occasions he came off second best, he was always the first to offer congratulations, and they were invariably sincere and generous.

Death came.
But the legend will never die.
Statistics say some of it: Warne played 145 Tests between 1992 and 2007, and his 708 Test wickets was the highest total taken at the time of his death.

“Warnie 350”, the cricket legend’s Test cap number, is written on the grass at the MCG, where he now has the former Great Southern Stand named in his honour.

The real truth is what the ordinary Aussie feels when the next test starts, when the next Australian spinner attempts to weave some magic, it’s only then that the measure of his rare talent lives forever in the memory.

RIP Shane Keith Warne



Fun Fact about Shane Warne:
  • Shane Warne admitted that he had Heterochromia, a condition in which an individual has two different shades colours of eyes.



"To me, cricket is a simple game. Keep it simple and just go out and play."

"Part of the art of bowling spin is to make the batsman think something special is happening when it isn't."

"You can't be afraid to fail. That's how you learn to win."

“Never give up; just absolutely never give up.”




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Smile: it’s March 6 and that means it’s Dentist’s Day.

Aligned with International Dentist Day, (February 9), today is a day when we each locally mark our appreciation for our dentist and their dedicated professional work.

Not taking care of your mouth can lead to many problems including bad breath, cavities, gum disease and even tooth loss. But the good news is that the majority of dental diseases are preventable. And this is where our dentists enter the conversation!

While orthodontists are primarily responsible for straightening teeth, they are concerned with your overall oral health and work with your general dentist to look after the health of your teeth while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Poor oral health is directly associated with major chronic diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Diseases like diabetes, HIV/AIDS, osteoporosis, Alzheimers, can make oral health even worse. And there are some diseases bad oral health can contribute to. Endocarditis, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy and pneumonia can all be compounded by bacteria from your mouth.

Quite simply: there are cases where good oral health can make a world of difference, so make sure you keep good dental hygiene!

There’s lots of ways we can bring this day to the fore:
  • Show our dentist how we’ve improved our oral health regimen
  • Commit to better dental habits - There is a science behind how to brush our teeth. We should ensure we brush in a circular motion, ideally using a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Manual and electric toothbrushes become worn out after 4-6 months and are not as effective as they once were. So, we should aim to change our toothbrush every few months to ensure optimal cleaning.
  • Raise awareness (teach our children a new tooth-brushing song, and encourage family and friends to visit their dentist)
  • Schedule a dental checkup (get back in the office to make sure our teeth are healthy and our habits are on the right track)
  • Smile (show off our “smile on our dial” and our dentist’s work)
  • Take a picture with our dentist and do a shout-out on your social media accounts
  • Make sure to add the #NationalDentistsDay hashtag to all posts
Our oral hygiene discipline reinforces our daily “thanks” to the dentists we trust by:
  • 1. Brushing twice a day for at least two minutes; It’s important to brush your teeth every morning and night to prevent the build-up of bacterial plaque which causes permanent staining on your teeth and can lead to oral diseases. (Don’t be part of the estimated 25% of people who do not brush twice a day!)
  • 2. Flossing daily
  • 3. Visiting our dentist regularly
  • 4. Eating a balanced diet and limit eating and drinking between meals


Fun facts about dentists and oral hygiene (although dentists seem to have a boring and difficult job, dentistry does have its fun and interesting side):
  • Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body.
  • The oldest known fillings are 6,500 years old and were made of beeswax.
  • Your set of teeth are as unique as snowflakes, your fingerprints or anything else that can’t be duplicated. No other person in the world has teeth the same as yours.
  • Over the course of your life, your mouth will produce roughly 25000 liters of saliva. This is enough to fill up two whole swimming pools!
  • People prefer blue toothbrushes to red ones.
  • It takes 43 muscles to frown. It only takes 17 to smile. Your dentist promotes “less is way more!”
  • The lifespan of a taste bud is about 10 days. The five known tastes detected by taste buds are: bitter, sour, salty, sweet, and umami.
  • Our handedness is correlated with which side of the mouth we chew our food on. For instance, if you are right-handed, you are very likely to chew food on the right side of your mouth, and vice versa.
  • Despite the importance of oral health, roughly 65% of Australians haven't seen a dentist or orthodontist in the last two years. A regular visit to the dentist for check-ups and preventative treatment is a basic and easy action to maintain oral good health. This will ensure that issues are detected early and the right action is taken for healthy teeth and gums in the long term. If this is you – just do it!
  • Drinking tap water can be good for your teeth because in most parts of Australia it contains a very small amount of fluoride (also found in many brands of toothpaste) that helps protect against tooth decay.


“Sparkle and shine, it’s brushing time.”

“Every smile tells a story.”

“Life is short. Smile while you still have teeth.”

“Ten years without brushing causes a horrible tooth decade.”




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We all know that it is very necessary to go to the dentist but it fills most of us with dread. Even though I have never experienced a horrific dental experience, I still dread the thought of going, even though my dentist is the most lovely & gentle man. I think partially it is due to the bill shock of dental work, the cost of even basic dental work is pretty outrageous. Whilst I appreciate the hours of training that goes into dentistry, I think it should be more affordable, so many families struggle to make ends meet & are just not able to stretch the budgets to have the necessary dental treatments.
People put off dental visits until they can afford them & by the time they seek treatment there are often further issues & expense.
 
We all know that it is very necessary to go to the dentist but it fills most of us with dread. Even though I have never experienced a horrific dental experience, I still dread the thought of going, even though my dentist is the most lovely & gentle man. I think partially it is due to the bill shock of dental work, the cost of even basic dental work is pretty outrageous. Whilst I appreciate the hours of training that goes into dentistry, I think it should be more affordable, so many families struggle to make ends meet & are just not able to stretch the budgets to have the necessary dental treatments.
People put off dental visits until they can afford them & by the time they seek treatment there are often further issues & expense.
Champion @krissy - you have way too much common sense .... 💯
 
We all know that it is very necessary to go to the dentist but it fills most of us with dread. Even though I have never experienced a horrific dental experience, I still dread the thought of going, even though my dentist is the most lovely & gentle man. I think partially it is due to the bill shock of dental work, the cost of even basic dental work is pretty outrageous. Whilst I appreciate the hours of training that goes into dentistry, I think it should be more affordable, so many families struggle to make ends meet & are just not able to stretch the budgets to have the necessary dental treatments.
People put off dental visits until they can afford them & by the time they seek treatment there are often further issues & expense.
I am one of those terrified of the dentist as a result of several horrific experiences, and that's before I count the bill! I have to take valium and have my husband or one my offspring drive me there- and stay with me so I don't bolt! I hate being so scared, and all the dentists I've been to are amazing, gentle, and kind. But it makes no difference when you've had dreadful experiences. Aside from pap smears, I find visiting the dentist the worst thing I need to do!
 
National Cereal Day it happens each morning in our Aussie homes, but (actually) the cereal packet/day opens annually on March 7.

Start your day off right with a bowl of crunchy goodness, complete with milk and your favourite fruits. It's breakfast time! And it’s National Cereal Day!

If you are like almost most Aussies, you are enjoying a bowl of cereal to fuel your morning! National Cereal Day was created to shine a milky, crunchy light on our favourite breakfast food.

Australians have a deep-seated love for breakfast cereal, with over 70% of the population identifying as fans and one in three enjoying a bowl most days. Iconic, fibre-rich brands like Weet-Bix, Nutri-Grain, and Sultana Bran dominate, with over 50 million boxes of staple brands sold annually.

The Australian market is highly competitive with over 480 ready-to-eat options available, ranging from classic staples to high-fibre, health-focused, and, occasionally, unconventional choices.
  • National Icons: Weet-Bix is the #1 breakfast cereal, followed by popular choices like Nutri-Grain, Milo Cereal, and various Sanitarium or Kellogg’s products.
  • Consumption Habits: While 59% enjoy their cereal with plain milk, many prefer adding fruit or toppings.
  • Health and Nutrition: Many popular Australian cereals are high in fibre, whole grains, and fortified with iron and vitamins, though some, like Sultana Bran, can have high sugar content.
  • Social Media Trend: Cereal is a popular social media topic, with roughly two million Australians posting photos of their breakfast bowls weekly.
  • Cultural Staple: It is considered a quick, nutritious, and convenient staple for breakfast.
  • Sanitarium Weet-Bix: Frequently cited as Australia’s most trusted and popular breakfast food, with a high-fiber, low-sugar profile.
  • Kellogg’s Favorites: Top sellers include Coco Pops, Nutri-Grain, Sultana Bran, Corn Flakes, and Just Right.
  • Uncle Tobys: Popular for oats and cereal options like Cheerios and Oat Crisp.
  • "Weet-Bix Kids": The brand has been a staple in Australian households for generations.
  • Creativity and Unconventional Toppings: Roughly 564,000 Australians add vegetables to their cereal, while nearly a million add herbs and spices.
  • Protein Boosts: There is a growing interest in adding nuts, seeds, and Greek yogurt to increase protein and fiber intake.
  • Nostalgia: Classic cereals like Coco Pops and Milo Cereal are favored for their familiar tastes, often viewed as a "childhood memory" breakfast.
  • Common Toppings: Fruit (7.1 million people) and nuts (3.8 million people) are the most popular additions.
  • Emerging Trends: A small but notable number of Australians add vegetables (approx. 564,000), herbs, or spices to their cereal.
  • Convenience: On-the-go products like breakfast biscuits and portable liquid breakfasts (e.g., Up&Go) have grown in popularity to suit busy lifestyles.

And we’re trying to be healthier in our choices: The Health Star Rating system is commonly used to help consumers identify healthier options. While many cereals are praised for being high in fibre and fortified with vitamins like iron and folate, dietitians often rank simple rolled oats and high-fibre options like All-Bran as the healthiest choices.

Whatever your go-to brekkie cereal is – get the bowl, get the spoon, and pour in your fav cereal, add the milk, and go for it!

Especially on National Cereal Day!



Fun Facts about cereals:
  • Australia is one of the top three countries in the world for cereal consumption, surpassed only by Ireland and England.
  • Since opening its Botany factory in 1928, Kellogg's has produced over four billion kilograms of cereal for Australians.
  • Since the 1930s, Rice Bubbles have been an essential ingredient in Chocolate Crackles, a staple snack found at almost every Australian child's birthday party or school fete.



“Start your day with a snap, crackle, and pop!”

“Breakfast of champions”

“Cerealously, there’s nothing better”

“Cereal: Your Morning Superfood!”




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