The November 30 Edition

“Nina is the most powerful athlete in the national athletics strength-testing database,” Ben Raysmith, a physiotherapist at the WA Institute of Sport, tells Amanda Hooton for today’s cover story. “Even Super 15 rugby players; she’s stronger than all of them.” That’s pole vaulter Nina Kennedy he’s referring to, who not only won gold at the Paris Olympics – the first gold in field events for any female Aussie athlete – but at the other two big events on her global calendar, too. She’s a phenomenon – and, as Hooton found on a visit to Kennedy’s home town of Perth, has been since her school days. However, that doesn’t mean she hasn’t had to face down demons, which, as she explains to Hooton, is how she turned a poor performance in Tokyo into gold in Paris. To hear more of what it’s like to throw yourself over the equivalent of a two-storey house, check out their chat on Good Weekend Talks, too. Editor, Katrina Strickland

15 stories

At Kennedy’s school sports carnivals, “no one else had a chance,” recalls a friend. “She would win every single thing: the shot-put, the running, the hurdles.”

For subscribers

Demoralised in Tokyo; gold medal winner in Paris. How Nina jump-started her career

Paris Olympics pole vaulter Nina Kennedy is at the top of her game right now – quite the leap from just three years ago.

November 30, 2024
by Amanda Hooton

For subscribers

Deep in Amish country, women in white hats and aprons churn out Pepe Saya butter

No smartphones, no internet – and no electricity. Making butter with an American Amish community presented Sydney’s Pepe Saya with challenges - and rewards.

November 29, 2024
by Liz Gooch

Joost Bakker at the home he has built for his mother in Monbulk, Victoria.

For subscribers

He’s known for his zero-waste mantra. Now Joost Bakker is turbo-charging it – for his mum

Building with straw, turf and recycled materials are no small-scale fantasy for Bakker: he says the world needs millions more homes like one he’s just built.

November 29, 2024
by Andrew Mackenzie

In Shigeru Ban’s bathroom, glass walls turn opaque when the door is locked.

For subscribers

‘The cleanest toilet in the world’: Why I joined a guided dunny tour

Tokyo’s public toilet project has spawned guided tours, Instagrammer invasions – and even a Wim Wenders film.

November 29, 2024
by Barry Divola

The interior of Australia’s Washington, DC embassy was praised by judges for its “casualness”.

Analysis

Less ‘timidness’, more confidence: What our newest embassy buildings tell the world

Our consulate in Washington, DC, recently won a big gong. Like our embassies in Jakarta and Bangkok, it projects a new image of Australia to the world.

November 29, 2024
by Luke Slattery

Two of Us

For subscribers

‘I just lay in bed and hugged her all night’: When your bestie loses her life partner

Robyn and Sally met at school and both ended up in fashion. They’ve been there for each other through the sudden loss of partners - one via divorce, the other a scooter accident.

November 28, 2024
by Katrina Strickland

“Fundamentally, art isn’t a place where you go to make money. You’re doing it because it’s a calling.”

Dicey Topics

For subscribers

‘It’s a mess’: Artist Julie Mehretu on art, sex and capitalism

The record-breaking Ethiopian-American artist on the role of markets in “making it”, creating works with big brands – and the advice she’d give her younger self.

November 29, 2024
by Benjamin Law

Plumage

“Hurry, love, the car will be here any second!” her mother said as Gina ducked off to her room on a flimsy pretext. There, she paced the floor. Beyond her closed door, the household clamour was overwhelming. Every glimpse of herself in the full-length mirror – a flash of brilliant, swan-belly white – sent her heart racing. She struggled to breathe. How had she gotten herself into this mess? She couldn’t back out now, could she? With Lewis already at the church? No, it was mapped out. It was happening. And there’s the car. Plumage ruffling, she made for the door. Words by Paul Connolly. Illustration by Jim Pavlidis.