Laura Armitage

Journalist, digital expert, copywriter

My Recent Work

The House of Wellness •

It might be time to wake up to the benefits of morning sex

If having sex with your partner at night has become a little monotonous or less passionate than you’d like, listen up.
Intimacy experts say switching your end-of-day sex routine to an early romp between the sheets could be just what your relationship needs.
Besides, morning sex can leave you feeling less stressed and happier – and it can even fire up your metabolism.
Intimacy coach Chloe Mascord says many people are time poor and often sex is just something on their to-do list.
“It’s often somet...
The House of Wellness •

Caesarean births explained: Types, what to expect, recovery

The rate of babies born via caesarean in Australia is on the rise.
In 2021, 38 per cent of women giving birth had a caesarean section — an increase from 25 per cent in 2004.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare statistics show caesarean-section delivery was also higher in private hospitals (43 per cent) than in public (29 per cent), with elective — or planned — caesareans driving some of the trend.
Whether you are expecting, planning for the future, or simply curious about childbirth pract...
Herald Sun •

Feasting after fast for all

Leader has been invited by Elsedeaq Islamic Society president Faisal Shehata to join an iftar dinner — Arabic for breaking the Ramadan fast — to take part in the community feast.

Many of the Muslim men and boys from the surrounding areas come to chat, play games, pray and eat before heading home to their families for the night.

Egyptian Imam J Rizk is visiting the mosque just for the holy month.

Before the evening prayer, which takes place just after sunset, teens kick the soccer ball around
Herald Sun •

Family table filled with treats

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Gathering at their parent’s home in Heidelberg West, I meet siblings Sara Omar and Zach Omar who are waiting for the rest of their family to arrive for the evening meal.

The women have been cooking the evening feast since 1pm, starting with the homemade beverages and moving on to the main dishes including the Shurbad — a slow cooked oat and meat soup.

Talking with the family, Charles Latrobe College Year
Herald Sun •

Ramadan a time for reflection

Three dates savoured with a hot cup of spiced Somali coffee which swirls with the flavours of cardamom and ginger precedes the feast shared by extended family members from across Banyule.

I have been invited into the home of Heidelberg West’s Cabdo family to talk with them about their faith and the Ramadan tradition before enjoying dinner together.

Although an annual tradition, the date for the month of Ramadan is led by the new moon which this year fell on June 18.

Each night families come t
Herald Sun •

Westpac to stop Somalis’ money transfers

In a letter to a Bell Street Mall remittance provider, Westpac confirmed bank accounts would close after 4pm on March 31 and no further extensions would be given.

The Heidelberg Leader has been covering Banyule’s Somali community’s plight to keep the bank accounts open, which allows them to send life-saving money back to their families in Africa.

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Westpac is the last of the big four banks to stop services with remittance providers that kept the flow o
Herald Sun •

Last days for Somalia’s remittance lifeline

Don't miss out on the headlines from East . Followed categories will be added to My News.

The deadline comes as a report on the imminent threat to Somali remittance lifelines, Hanging by a thread, was released by Oxfam, Global Center on Co-operative Security and the African humanitarian organisation Adeso.

So far there have been no long-term solutions to come from the remittance working group or the Federal Government despite Westpac, the last of the big four banks offering the service, announ