Issue #628

Dolly Parton

“I’d tell my younger self, you’re going to end up being very proud of your little old self one day. So just buckle up and be ready for the ride.” In this edition, the much-loved Dolly Parton takes us on a journey through her extraordinary life in her Letter to My Younger Self, revealing her crush on Johnny Cash, the time she said no to Elvis and why she’ll always stay true to her roots.

But Dolly is more than just a star – she’s a force for good, donating US$1 million to fund a COVID vaccine and sponsoring children’s reading worldwide, inspired by the struggles of her own daddy, who couldn’t read or write. “I am strong in my beliefs,” she says “There is an old saying, To thine own self be true. That has followed me all the days of my life.”

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Also in this edition
  • We chat to Naomi Watts about her latest film Penguin Bloom – based on a true story of healing between a woman, her family and a rescued baby bird.
  • Writer Vin Maskell investigates the sweetest memory of summer: Mr Whippy ice cream.
  • “I didn’t grow up disabled; I grew up with a problem. A problem that those around me wanted to fix,” writes Eliza Hull in her essay about self-acceptance and identity. It’s an extract from new book Growing Up Disabled in Australia.
  • South African-born South Australian chef Duncan Welgemoed from Africola shares his dad’s recipe for authentic Peri-Peri Chicken.
  • We speak to London punks Shame about their new album and the calming influence of the colour pink.
  • The Big Picture: photographer Alana Holmberg visits the sunniest place in Europe.

 

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Past Issues

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Elvis

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Libraries

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Molly Meldrum

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Food For Thought

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How Much?

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Denise Scott

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Louis Theroux

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Vendor Week

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Rosie Batty

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Jon Bon Jovi

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Summer Fiction

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A World Beyond Meat

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Hello 2022!

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Happy Holidays

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Here Comes Christmas!

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James Bond

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ABBA

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Baker Boy

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The Wiggles

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Costa

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Saving Ningaloo
by Tim Winton

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The Rock

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Jock Zonfrillo

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Olympics

Issue! Issue! Issue! Oi! Oi! Oi! As we cheer on our Olympians and Paralympians in Tokyo, here at The Big Issue we’re also celebrating our very own sporting champions: vendors and Street Soccer players who’ve donned the green and gold on the world stage.

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Cycles of Life
In this edition, we speak to people who’ve taken to two wheels, including Tour de France winner Cadel Evans, actor Samuel Johnson, and several Big Issue vendors, to find out why bikes are back in such a big way.

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Guy Pearce
From Jack Irish to Mare of Easttown, we’re in the midst of a Guy-naissance.

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25th Birthday
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From our launch on the steps of Flinders Street Station on 16 June 1996 till now, we reflect on our history, community and all things BIG!

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Greta
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“The climate crisis is a social crisis. It mostly affects people who are already the most vulnerable,” says Greta Thunberg in her exclusive interview with The Big Issue from her home in Stockholm.

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Chooks!
Australians love our chooks. They’re the nation’s fourth most popular pet, after all!

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Dr Karl
In this edition, everyone’s favourite scientist reveals it’s not too late to stop – and even reverse – climate change.

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Dave Grohl
Long dubbed the Nice Guy of Rock, in this edition Grohl shares his Letter to My Younger Self, talking about his love of music, his mum, Kurt Cobain – and lawn maintenance.

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The Briggs Issue
It’s the BRIGGS issue! In this edition we speak with the impressive Briggs – rapper, comedy writer, The Weekly regular, activist, actor and label owner.

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Let’s Go
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Kermit’s Great
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In this edition, Small Screens Editor Aimee Knight speaks to Kermit about his secrets for staying young.

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Welcome Back!
“I have been thinking about you all. I can’t wait to be back at work!” says Claudett, who sells The Big Issue in Adelaide.

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The big Interview: Katy Perry
“I think that this journey is about getting my smile back and getting my playfulness back and getting that purity back.”

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