Reader's Digest Australia Dec/Jan 2025

TMB STudio, kajakiki/GeTTy iMaGeS ( COVER). LAURA MARTÍN 50 Cover Story A VERY TVSN CHRISTMAS: CELEBRATING 30 YEARS WITH LEE & MOIRA* Find out what makes for the perfect Christ- mas with beloved TVSN hosts Moira McLean and Lee Bradley. by kathy buchanan 24 Drama in real life Sean Survived a Shark Attack. Now He Snowboards for Australia.* The story of Sean Pol- lard’s rescue and triumph. by the royal flying doctor service Features 91 health 15 Ways to Sharpen Your Memory Forgetting things? We explore 15 ways to improve your memory. by sheron white 100 ServiCe The Christmas Truce of 1914 As World War I raged around them, soldiers facing off along one stretch of the fighting decided to hit pause. 108 your true StorieS True Tales of Pampered Pets How spoiled are your fur babies? We read your stories here. by reader ’ s digest readers 112 life well liveD Our Best Worst Christ- mas Idea Ever ... Amidst an already-cha- otic Christmas, one family added a lively puppy into the mix. by megan mcardle from the washington post 117 holiDay inSpiration Ditch the Awkward Gifts: Our Christmas Gift Guide Tap into the spirit of giving this Christmas with our guide to do- nating to worthwhile charitable causes. by sheron white 126 national intereSt Filling in for Family* When families fracture, surrogate grandparents can fulfill essential roles for love and support. by lexi pandell from wired 2 december 2025/January 2026 A Trusted Friend in a ComplicatedWorld VOL. 211, NO. 1234, DECEMBER 2025/JANUARY 2026 READER’S DIGEST IS PUBLISHED UNDER LICENCE BY DIRECT PUBLISHING PTY LTD., 431 WARRINGAH ROAD, FRENCHS FOREST, NSW 2086, © 2025 DIRECT PUBLISHING PTY LTD (ABN 81000565471) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, REPRODUCTION IN ANY MANNER INWHOLE OR PART IN ENGLISH OR OTHER LANGUAG- ES PROHIBITED. REQUESTS FOR PERMISSION TO REPRINT ANY MATERIAL FROM READER’S DIGEST SHOULD BE SENT TO PERMISSIONS@TMBI.COM . FOR LETTER, STORY AND READER INQUIRIES, SEND ALL EMAILS TO LETTERS@READERSDIGEST.COM.AU WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER. PUBLISHED STORIES AND LETTERS WILL RECEIVE A READER’S DIGEST COLLECTED EDITION BOOK. PUBLISHED STORIES MAY BE EDITED FOR CONTENT OR LENGTH CONSTRAINTS, ANDMAY BE USED ACROSS ALL ELECTRONIC MEDIA. FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES, EMAIL SHERON.WHITE@DIRECTPUBLISHING.COM.AU ILLUSTRATION BY TOM NEWSOM 4 Dear Reader heart 6 The Art of the Restart by sheron white everyday heroes 10 The Angel of Indian Rocks by dereck burnett glad to hear it 15 Dancing the Tears Away smart animals 16 Cinder the Hardware Cat everyday heroes 20 Drawn to Help by sydney page from the washington post 13 things 30 Ice, Ice, Baby! All About Antarctica by emily goodman World of good 33 No Drama Llamas Brain Games 144 The ORBISCULATE Challenge, Herding Cats and More 147 Word Power The Healthy 41 Snap! Crackle! Pop! by patricia varacallo 46 News from the World of Medicine by beth weinhouse Departments department of Wit 36 Elf Mayhem Is Taking Over by mr sprinkly cookiebuttons from john paul brammer bonus read 62 The Case of the Rolex Murders from a hand in the water by bill schiller health 82 Small Changes... Big Results by charlotte hilton andersen the rd list 137 Wake Up Dead Man , Rental Family , Dog Affirmations and More Humor Life ������������������������� 18 All in a Day’s Work ���������������������� 34 Laughter, the Best Medicine �������������� 48 Quotable Quotes 143 Rita Moreno, Bill Gates, A’ja Wilson and More Where, oh Where 150 Silo Art Trail 112 readersdigest.com.au 3 Contents