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82 Cover Story HOW HOBBIES HELP US Far from a waste of time, pastimes are good for body, brain and spirit. by charlotte hilton andersen 6 My Story Navigating Young Adulthood with a Guide Dog The heartwarming story of Charlotte and her guide dogs Bronte and Hollie. story supplied by guide dogs australia 38 My Story Meet the 81 Year-Old Jumping out of Planes Kathryn Mount isn’t letting age get in the way of adventure. story supplied by skydive australia 52 health This is Your Brain on Dance How dance is improving the lives of 6 Features people with neurocognitive and movement disorders. by claire sibboney 70 your true StorieS On Second Thought... ‘Never’ is a long time to not change your mind. by reader’s digest readers 96 draMa in real life Rescue Deep Within the Earth When George Linnane was seriously injured while caving, hundreds an- swered the call for help. by simon hemelryk and joy persaud GUIDE DOGS AUSTRALIA reader ’ s digest 2 june/july 2026 cover photograph by Emiko Franzen A Trusted Friend in a ComplicatedWorld RYAN JOHNSON 4 Dear Reader life well lived 10 “Love, Dad” by kyle melnick from the washington post 14 Glad to Hear It 13 things 24 13 Fast Moving Facts about Driving by stephanie gray smart animals 27 These Caddies Work for Peanuts department of wit 28 Dear Pet Sitter ... by judith newman from the new york times 10 Brain Games 115 The ORBISCULATE Challenge, Twisty Path, Reflect on It and More 119 Word Power The Healthy 32 Under Pressure by nina agrawal from the new york times 45 News from the World of Medicine by molly jasinski 63 “Aaarrrgghh!” by rosemary counter 76 Stress Less by rosemary counter Departments art of living 51 Cue the BBQ world of good 58 Making a Splash food on your plate 60 Chocolate point to ponder 95 Roger Federer the rd list 106 Tuner, Remarkably Bright Creatures and More Quotable Quotes 112 Fran Lebowitz, CC Sabathia and More where, oh where 122 That’s One Big Guitar! Humour Life ����������������������������� 16 Humour in Uniform �������������������� 22 All in a Day’sWork �� 24 Laughter ������������������� 48 VOL. 211, NO. 1237, JUNE/JULY 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 LANGUAGES 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 readersdigest.com.au 3 Contents