RDAU_2026-ISSUE0809_DIGITAL MAGAZINE

G rowing up, I never could have imagined a world with driverless cars. Yet, that reality is already here. As the mother of a son who only recently passed his driving test, I ad- mit I still get a bit terrified riding in the passenger seat with him, so I am not entirely sure how I’d feel handing the wheel over to an algorithm! It feels like a massive step up from a driverless train; at least those have tracks to hold onto. Then again, I recently went to see the musical adaptation of the 1980 film Back to the Future, and it made me think: who knows? Maybe time travel is next. You can dive into the fascinat- ing world of autonomous vehicles in our cover story on page 60. This issue is truly packed with stories that highlight the incredible power of human resilience and community. On page 18, we feature the amazing Krazy Kosci Klimb, an annual event organized by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. It chal- lenges young people with cerebral palsy or similar disabilities to trek or wheel 18.6km to the summit of Mount Kos- ciuszko. Read about Hudson and his inspiring fam- ily and see how com- panies come together SheronWhite, GM OF sales & publishing Innovation, Impact, and Trust to raise vital funds that prove the sky is the limit. Staying with the theme of impactful organizations, page 50 shines a light on the critical work of Médecins Sans Fron- tières (Doctors Without Borders). While we often associate MSF with conflict zones, their medical teams are increas- ingly adapting to the global climate cri- sis. We share a powerful perspective fromKiribati, where rising sea levels and water scarcity are directly impacting public health, proving that local envi- ronmental changes havemassive global consequences. Finally, if you have ever dreamed of a holiday at sea, turn to page 12 to dis- cover what makes Viking Cruises so unique. They were recently voted Aus- tralia’s Most Trusted Cruise Operator. Speaking of trust, you can also look back at our special photo feature on page 26, celebrating all the incredible winners fromour annual Trusted Brands awards event held earlier this year. There is so much more to explore in these pages. Enjoy the read, and please don’t forget to share your own stories with us at letters@readersdigest.com.au Happy reading! reader ’ s digest 4   August/september 2026  | reAdersdigest.com.Au DEAR READER Multi-award-winning and featured in RetailWorld, Herman Brot Complete Protein Bread is officially recognized as the ultimate nutritious choice. Crafted from sprouted seeds, hemp, and pea protein, this premium, Low GI bread offers a delicious, soy-free way to fuel your day.