Elephant mother trumpets miracle birth of her baby

IN THE end, it was nature that triumphed and astounded. Two days after experts had declared her calf dead in the womb, Taronga Zoo's Asian elephant matriarch, a first-time mother, squatted in a corner and gave birth without any human help.

Pregnancy massages offer many benefits for the expecting and post-natal woman

Specialised massages that cater for the considerations of the pregnant body an ...

Odd Spot

Dutch dairy farmers are pampering their cows with massages and comfy mattresses - some even get water beds - to produce better tasting milk. "You can taste the difference in the milk of a happy cow, it tastes sweeter," farmer Nancy Vermeer said.

Pampered Lamb Chops

We've heard about wagyu cattle being pampered with beer and massages; now sheep are getting in on the act as well. Lambs raised for Aurora Gourmet Produce in northern Tasmania drink only filtered rainwater, eat expensive natural grains and are treated to "gentle handling techniques" to minimise stress, we're told in the publicity blurb. You might ask why sheep would be grain-fed at all. It's a valid question, but it doesn't alter the fact that the meat from these cosseted babies makes ...

Bargain Hawkesbury

Stay on the banks of the Hawkesbury River over Easter at The Retreat at Wisemans. Family packages start from $560 a couple, which includes three nights' bed and breakfast, dinner on one night and an Easter Sunday barbecue and egg hunt. From $640 a couple, stay three nights in a bed and breakfast and receive two half-hour massages, dinner on one night, a restaurant voucher worth $50 and a bottle of wine on arrival. Phone 4566 4422 or see www.wisemans.com.au.

Be Cointreauversial Circular Quay

hit Zeta Bar's Jason Crawley mixed the delicious drinks at this summer cocktail launch in the Overseas Passenger Terminal where publishing and publicity types (including Follow editor Mark Vassallo) rubbed shoulders with actor Steve Bastoni and Lovable underwear models. Munchies including quail egg canapes, Jaffas and orange-dressed oysters, were a hit with the crowd as were the massages, makeovers and manicures.

Touched By An Angel

Meet the students who descend on Sydney's bars to deliver three-minute massages.

The Good, Bad And Ugly

KICK off the Cuban-heeled boots, select your favourite mood music (I would suggest Liberace's Loungin' With Lee or Rodney Rude's I Don't Give a Rat's Arse), organise a stiff drink and recline in the hammock while someone with magic hands massages away the frustrations of another working day. I need you nice and loose for the final instalment in the inaugural Quincy Awards . . .

Money Rates Above Massages

Companies are wasting time and money installing espresso machines and offering massages and yoga classes to employees - most workers would rather have more money in their pay packets.

Perks Or Pay? Staff Want Money Not Massage

Companies are wasting time and money installing espresso machines and offering massages and yoga classes to employees - most workers would rather have more money in their pay packets. Recruitment firm Link has surveyed workers and found that only one in five consider that fashionable workplace extras, such as yoga classes, massages, mental health days and free movie tickets are "very important".

The Magic Of Massages

USED to be of the opinion that having a body massage was something to enjoy only on holidays or as a very rare treat. But as I continually delve into the powers of wellbeing, I am now convinced that having a regular massage is vital to overall wellness.

No Massages At Detention Centre

ILLEGAL immigrants were treated to free massages and other relaxation therapies at an immigration detention centre.