RDAUTBMag2026

A Trusted Friend in a ComplicatedWorld 6 RD CLASSICS The Ordeal of John Cali Police thought the deaths of his wife and daughter were a mur- der-suicide. He was sure they weren’t. from reader’s digest 1975 20 ADventuRe My (Reluctant) Trip to the Titanic In 2023, a submarine imploded on its way to the famous ocean liner. A year earlier, our writer took the same trip. by mike reiss 31 tRuSteD bRAnDS The Fibre Future is Now - And Aussie Broadband is Leading the Charge One of Australia’s most trusted Internet Service Providers is leading the charge on upgrading Aussie customers’ experience. by kathy buchanan 50 teChnoLogy MAKING FRIENDS WITH AI* Whether you’re already chummy or you’ve been avoiding getting ac- quainted, our guide will Features help you understand how to best use the technology to make your life easier ... and what to watch out for. by sage lazzaro 60 InnovAtIon How AI is Saving Lives AI can find new ways of treating disease - in- cluding the one that nearly killed Joseph Coates by kate morgan from the new york times 70 tRuSteD bRAnDS We’re now GENERAL. Still Australia’s Favourite Air GENERAL Australia on their origins as Fujitsu Australia - and their 50- year history of reliability in Australia. by kathy buchanan 108 DRAmA In ReAL LIfe Special Delivery How the efforts of the Royal Flying Doctors Service helped deliver Australia’s youngest premature baby by the royal flying doctor service 2026 Trusted Brands Supplement CONTENTS 147 Cover 148 Introduction, Survey Methodology Top 20 Winners 152 Tables 156 Featured Brands 246 Outro 2026 SURVEY RESULTS OUT NOW! 2026 A n n i v e r s a r y e 27 th 2 may 2026 4 Dear Reader world of good 5 The Ripple Effect 14 Smart Animals 13 things 42 13 Things about Fascinating Fungi 17 things 45 Bluster About Extreme Weather classic reads 78 The Boy with the Billion Dollar Secret from reader’s digest july 2013 classic inspiration 86 Choose Life from reader’s digest february 1985 my story 92 Choosing Zen over Road Rage by sheron white 45 Brain Games 140 The ORBISCULATE Challenge, No Dice and More 143 Word Power The Healthy 90 News from the World of Medicine by molly jasinski 100 My Heart Will Go On by melinda lawrence 114 The Poison in the Pinot by sheron white Departments Humor Life ������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 28 Laughter, the Best Medicine ���������������������������������� 83 department of wit 111 My Dad, the Cookie Monster art of living 123 Turn the Page drama in real life 124 Last Ditch Effort the rd list 132 Alphbet Lane, Good Hang with Amy Poeler Quotable Quotes 138 Sheryl Lee Ralph, Michael Kosta, Steve Wozniak point to ponder 146 Jane Goodall VOL. 211, NO. 1236, MAY 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