Looking back at the year that was, there was no shortage of uplifting and exciting news; from celebrity pregnancy announcements to the incredible efforts of our Olympic teams in Paris.
For all the light 2024 gave us, there was also darkness and a reminder there is still so much work to be done, particularly for womankind and equality.
Here, we round up the biggest news stories of 2024, that got everyone talking..
The Biggest News Stories Of 2024
Accidental Heroes: Gisèle Pelicot & Amy Scott
In France, rape trials are often held behind closed doors. That was before Gisèle Pelicot demanded a light be shone on rape culture.
The 72-year-old grandmother waived her right to anonymity in the horrific case that involved her husband drugging her and inviting up to 80 men to rape her over a decade. She has become the new face of feminism in a country still reckoning with its attitudes towards women. Her bravery led to a guilty verdict of not only her ex husband, Dominique, but 50 other men.
In Sydney, police Inspector Amy Scott was on duty on a Saturday afternoon when a man went on a frenzied attack, fatally stabbing six women and one man and injuring 12 more at a Bondi Junction shopping centre.
Alone, Scott ran towards the danger, confronting the attacker and shooting him, ending the carnage and saving countless lives.
The War On Women
After a spate of killings shocked the nation it seemed women could not go for a morning jog or take their newborn baby to a shopping centre without fearing they might not come home. Scared and angry, women took to the streets (again!), marching to demand real action and the Prime Minister responded, declaring violence against women a national crisis”.
We were not alone. United women’s marches took place across the globe – in the US, Canada, France and Turkiye, to name a few – with the sisterhood calling for equality, respect, safety and freedom from oppression for women everywhere.
US Election: Trump V Harris
For a brief, shining moment, Kamala Harris gave us hope there would be a new generation of leadership in the
United States. With a late campaign start in the run for presidency, she came flying out of the blocks in August, slaying in the meme wars with her Brat Summer/Gen Z love affair and her engagement with pop culture icons (including that memorable “Keep Kam-ala and Carry on” appearance on Saturday Night Live). Ultimately, America voted out an unpopular government to return convicted criminal – and assassination survivor – Donald Trump to the White House, while much of the world looked on in disbelief. Now we watch and wait.
Julian Assange Returns Home
When Julian Assange stepped off his flight in Canberra in June, it marked the WikiLeaks founder’s first time on Australian soil in 15 years.
For many, the moment symbolised a victory for democracy, but for Assange and his team, which included high-profile human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, the long, arduous task to bring him back from exile was a trial of negotiation mastery and patience.
Paris Olympics
At the Paris Games, it was our female stars who shone brightest, providing many of the most memorable Olympic moments.
When we weren’t screaming for Emma, Arnie, Kaylee and Mollie in the pool, we were
gobsmacked by the heroics of skateboarder Arisa Trew, pole vaulter Nina Kennedy and those enigmatic flying Fox sisters.
And there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when embattled BMX rider Saya Sakakibara finally won, and Paralympic swimmer Alexa Leary celebrated hard on the dais. The message was clear: do you want to win gold? Then play like a girl.
The Taliban Silences Women
The Taliban has continued its unprecedented assault on human rights and the lives of women in Afghanistan. In its latest decree, women must not utter a word outside the home. Women and girls are now banned from schools, universities, jobs, parks, sport and public life.
Kate Middleton’s Cancer News
After a tumultuous nine months of chemotherapy, the Princess of Wales won over a new legion of fans with the very British, drama-free manner in which she has fought to be cancer-free.
“To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey, I remain with you, side-by-side, hand in hand,” she announced in a video on Instagram.
First Nations Rights
Across the ditch, tens of thousands marched in New Zealand protesting against a controversial bill – a copy of which was dramatically ripped in two by NZ’s youngest Indigenous MP.
Protesters voiced concerns that the bill about the Treaty of Waitangi could erode hard-won rights and has sparked a reawakening of conversations around Indigenous recognition. Meanwhile, in Australia, First Nations Senator Lidia Thorpe heckled King Charles at Parliament House, yelling, “You are not my king,” and accusing the Crown of genocide.
Sean P Diddy Combs Allegations & Arrest
For years the parties of music mogul, Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs’ have been spoken of like legend, but in 2024 they took on a far darker tone. Following his arrest in September, federal charges were brought against the rapper for sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution, who now awaits trial in 2025.
Queens Of Oz
From Hollywood to Melbourne, to the corridors of power in Canberra and the royal court of Denmark, homegrown female trailblazers have been making their mark. In January, our own Tassie-born Princess Mary was crowned Queen of Denmark.
Powerhouse performer Nicole Kidman became the first Australian to receive the American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award for her significant body of work. In July, Sam Mostyn became only the second woman to be sworn in as our Governor-General. Pop icon Missy Higgins was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame – and delivered an awesome performance of “Scar” backed by an all-star all-female rock band. Google it.
Celebrity Baby Joy
It was a year of joyous baby news for our favourite celebs. Hailey and Justin Bieber welcomed first child, as did Margot Robbie & Tom Ackerley. Back in February, Miranda Kerr announced the arrival of her fourth child with husband, Evan Spiegel. We also had some exciting pregnancy announcements and subsequent impeccable maternity fashion from Jennifer Lawrence, Gisele Bündchen and Megan Fox.
We Said Goodbye To…
Liam Payne
Directioners’ hearts broke when the One Direction OG and solo artist died in October after falling from the balcony of his hotel. He was 31.
Dame Maggie Smith
The queen of the droll, acerbic deliveries and the master of many iconic characters in her past 70 years, died peacefully in September at age 89.
Shannen Doherty
The beautiful, beguiling bad girl of the ‘90s died in July aged 53 after nine years with cancer, defiant to the end.
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