Becoming a mother is rarely straightforward, and for many women, IVF, loss and hope become part of the same story. For Sydney psychotherapist Julie Sweet, that story unfolded over years, shaped by persistence, heartbreak and a quiet determination to keep going.

Rising fuel prices and ongoing cost-of-living pressures are forcing Australians to rethink how they holiday, with a growing number opting for shorter trips, regional destinations and lower-cost options.