Media Columns

Since 2021, I've written a weekly column for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald about life, love, royals and modern realties . You can find my entire back catalogue by clicking the button below or browse a handpicked selection here:

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So far, so good: A mother’s guide to parenting on the

Kate Halfpenny

Feb 9
3 min

So far, so good: A mother’s guide to parenting on the

It feels like it was only five hours ago that I left the Freemasons Hospital with my firstborn, terrified and exhilarated. It seemed...

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This summer I’ve found the secret to happiness – and science agrees

Kate Halfpenny

Jan 26
3 min

This summer I’ve found the secret to happiness – and science agrees

My neighbour Lisa texts just after 7.30am. Swim? Yep. We chuck boogie boards in the Golf, its boot studded with sand middens, and head to...

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The enduring optimism of petrol station guy

Kate Halfpenny

Dec 29, 2022
3 min

The enduring optimism of petrol station guy

The man in front of me at the petrol station on Christmas Eve took his sweet time. He’d pulled up on a motorised scooter, grabbed a large...

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Harry & Meghan spares the royals but not the hyperbole

Kate Halfpenny

Dec 8, 2022
3 min

Harry & Meghan spares the royals but not the hyperbole

What do we learn in the first three episodes of hot new reality TV show Harry & Meghan? Lots of cool fun facts. That the Sussexes wore...

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A new man has spiced up our marriage: Our golf coach

Kate Halfpenny

Nov 24, 2022
3 min

A new man has spiced up our marriage: Our golf coach

The minute my husband knocked off work on Wednesday, we took off for couple’s time. Not long ago, that would have meant vodka and a...

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Life’s golden rule: Whatever you do, don’t look back

Kate Halfpenny

Nov 3, 2022
3 min

Life’s golden rule: Whatever you do, don’t look back

Watching Ariarne Titmus gingerly carry the Melbourne Cup out before Tuesday’s race made me want to yell at the telly. Arnie was doing it...

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Heavy backpacks, no showers, sleeting rain. My new definition of luxury.

Kate Halfpenny

Oct 20, 2022
3 min

Heavy backpacks, no showers, sleeting rain. My new definition of luxury.

The first terrifying bit of our terrifying holiday came at Tullamarine airport when I nearly did a hip flexor getting my backpack from...

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Even the old can feel sexy under their sensible clothing

Kate Halfpenny

Oct 13, 2022
3 min

Even the old can feel sexy under their sensible clothing

Along with golf lessons and joining bird watching Facebook groups, my husband and I have been dabbling in hiking. Think being confused by...

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For modern women, it’s about champagne footy, not sidelines Chandon

Kate Halfpenny

Sep 15, 2022
3 min

For modern women, it’s about champagne footy, not sidelines Chandon

My car turned into a time machine the other day. One minute, I was burning along, wondering if the Keto diet works and whether facial...

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The senior royals who broke the mould and almost broke the Queen’s heart

Kate Halfpenny

Sep 12, 2022
10 min

The senior royals who broke the mould and almost broke the Queen’s heart

Celebrating Prince Harry’s christening at Windsor in 1984, the royal family had a hoot. The baby’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, wore...

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Let me be the one to break it to you, Tim Smith, alcohol is a drug

Kate Halfpenny

Nov 4, 2021
3 min

Let me be the one to break it to you, Tim Smith, alcohol is a drug

For me, the best bit of Tim Smith’s “I will reflect” press conference this week was his reaction when asked if he’d taken a drug test...

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Kate Halfpenny

Oct 14, 2021
3 min

Enfolding grief within the joy of life

I turned 55 this week. And I couldn’t feel luckier to be middle-aged and bedevilled by sleeplessness, weird fluffy hair and a stomach...

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Welcome back Kylie: Pop princess reclaims her roots

Kate Halfpenny

Oct 6, 2021
2 min

Welcome back Kylie: Pop princess reclaims her roots

Suddenly – even amidst a personal Botox crisis and the pressure of being the only person alive who doesn’t see the clever allegories in...

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Harry plays second fiddle in the Meghan show

Kate Halfpenny

Sep 30, 2021
3 min

Harry plays second fiddle in the Meghan show

Suddenly, I’m not annoyed by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry anymore. Watching their quasi-royal New York tour was the most fun I’ve had...

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Gender offender: When you’re a woman, you won’t be easily forgiven

Kate Halfpenny

Sep 16, 2021
3 min

Gender offender: When you’re a woman, you won’t be easily forgiven

We were warming up the telly before last Friday’s AFL preliminary final when a friend texted. She was watching footy too: “Why does Wayne...

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Guy Sebastian hits wrong note with vaccination stance

Kate Halfpenny

Sep 6, 2021
3 min

Guy Sebastian hits wrong note with vaccination stance

In trying to be everything to everyone, Guy Sebastian has plumbed a low not seen since his bad juggling in his Elevator Love video. The...

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Meghan and Harry keep the royal ties in naming newborn Lilibet Diana

Kate Halfpenny

Jun 13, 2021
2 min

Meghan and Harry keep the royal ties in naming newborn Lilibet Diana

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are just starting parental leave for the second time and I’m wondering if they’ll use the time off from...

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Kate Halfpenny

Jun 13, 2021
3 min

My Corona! Ooh you make my memories run

It’s true you never forget your first love. A lot of us also never forget our first car. As pandemic prices for secondhand cars hit...

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Hold it, fellas: Let women bring out their slayer

Kate Halfpenny

Jun 13, 2021
3 min

Hold it, fellas: Let women bring out their slayer

Because it’s 2021, even Disney understands leading ladies can stick up for themselves while being pretty. It’s a different story at the...

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How to have a fabulous life: Ignore trends, listen to your inner voice

Kate Halfpenny

Jun 10, 2021
3 min

How to have a fabulous life: Ignore trends, listen to your inner voice

Dear Adeline, With your mother’s brains, you’ll be able to read this by the time you’re two. Still, I ask my inspirational niece—an...

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