Australian health authorities have issued urgent medical alerts following a measles outbreak linked to hotspots in Bali and South East Asia. Victorian officials released a list of potential exposure sites including a number of popular health facilities, hospitality venues and retailers in Melbourne and its surrounds. Anyone who visited the sites on dates between 24 February and 13 March have been advised to monitor for symptoms and to seek medical advice where necessary. Symptoms include sore eyes, runny nose, fever and coughing usually followed within a few days by a fast-spreading rash. Prahran’s Revolver Bar, Taylors Lakes Hotel, Kmart and Big W Highpoint and the Royal Melbourne Hospital were included in the list. Meanwhile the US has recorded more cases in the opening months of 2025 than it did across the entire year prior. While Australia’s measles vaccination rate is high by international standards, national coverage has recently dipped below the target rate of 95 per cent. Up to one-third of people with measles experience complications and may require hospitalisation, while symptoms can take up to 18 days to present following exposure. In Victoria, three of the new cases are believed to have been contracted in Bali while two stemmed from earlier recorded local cases. Five new measles cases have been recorded in Victoria bringing the state’s total to 13 new cases in 2025 while New South Wales has recorded one new case. A number of Australians are particularly susceptible to the illness, including people who are not vaccinated, infants under 12 months of age, adults born between 1966 and 1992 who may not have received two vaccines and immunocompromised people. Measles cases are on the rise globally, including in Europe which recently announced a 25-year-high in reported cases across the continent. Health authorities in NSW similarly put out an alert on Friday following reports of a single case of measles contracted by a returned traveller from Vietnam. Similar outbreaks have been recorded across Europe and the UK, the USA, the Middle East and Asia. Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can lead to uncommon but serious complications, such as pneumonia and brain inflammation (encephalitis),’ Victoria’s chief health officer Dr Tarun Weeramanthri said. MEASLES SURGE: Cases of deadly virus rocket to highest level in 25 years – is your area a hotspot? Potential exposure sites include Vietnam Airlines flight VN773 arriving in Sydney on 10 March at 9.50am, Sydney International Airport arrivals terminal and baggage claim from 10am to midday that day and the Westmead Emergency Department on 13 March.

If you’re as magpie-like about jewellery as I am, you’ll always be on the lookout for new brands and original pieces to add to your collection. The brand’s founders, sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg, believe you shouldn’t just save beautiful jewellery for best, so the sculptural rings and earrings are as practical as they are elegant. If you love keeping things unique and prefer to shop independent, these jewellery brands are worth checking out and keeping in mind for your next purchase. Their goal is to make pieces that ‘will be your go-to for years to come’. But along with the prominent brands we all know and love, there are a load of under-the-radar gems (no pun intended) out there just waiting to be discovered. Her signature T-bar necklaces have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift. Otiumberg positions itself as a demi-fine jewellery brand. All Grove & Vae jewellery is designed in London, and created using 14k gold vermeil and rhodium-plated sterling silver. There are so many amazing affordable and mid-range jewellery brands out there today, with a plethora of choice no matter what your style. Tilly Sveaas founded her eponymous brand in 2016. Born in Hong Kong to British-Norwegian parents, London-based Tilly has been a jewellery designer for over 25 years, creating her first pieces during an extended trip to Bali, where she still produces to this day. This British brand was launched in the autumn of 2024 by Tofi Caroline Adedoyin, a former investment banking director.

Made by small workshops all over the world, each piece holds a story.

The brand focuses on creating timeless, versatile pieces tailored to the modern woman’s everyday wardrobe. So she decided to make her own. The brand uses solid metals – not plated or vermeil, and promises no green fingers or brass rash. After working in the jewellery industry for 10 years, Amelia Bainbridge saw a gap in the market for jewellery that was both beautiful and affordable – and Auree was born in 2014. All Auree pieces are made with the highest quality solid gold, sterling silver or gold vermeil and natural gemstones. Items are produced in developing countries, giving the artisans income to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. Made by small workshops all over the world, each piece holds a story. Prior to starting Bijoux De Mimi, Amelia attended Central Saint Martins. I was tired of sacrificing style for quality, or my bank account for both’ says Neima Row founder Naomi Genes. Catherine ‘Catch’ Rhys Jones started her label out of a frustration with the jewellery she was buying. With Love Darling believes in changing the world one piece of jewellery at a time. Crystals & Co. founders (and best friends) Emily Mackeogh and Leah O’Reilly aim to accessorise peoples lives with fun, high quality affordable jewellery. The pieces are gorgeous too – from delicate pendants to eye-catching hoops, available in either 18ct gold vermeil or sterling silver. Think timeless glamour meets modern minimalism, without the unattainable price tag. It specialises in bright, colourful jewellery. Founded by Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt in the middle of lockdown at just eighteen, Bijoux De Mimi became one of the fastest growing jewellery brands in the UK. It always came with lengthy care instructions and still tarnished after only a few wears or turned my skin green’ she says.

It was established in 2009, with the ethos that jewellery should say a lot about who you are, whether big and bold or delicate and gold. The eclectic collection draws inspiration from founder Abby Kaye’s past experiences and travels through India, as well as her childhood in London and love of nature. Dreamt up on a bicycle ride through Rajasthan, India, the British jewellery brand Memara was launched in 2019, with the aim to create beautiful, timeless yet affordable demi-fine pieces. The brand is named after Olivia’s mother Deborah Louise who Olivia sadly lost to cancer in 2017. With the loss of her mother, Olivia felt life was too short to not be truly passionate about the everyday and D.Louise was born. Founded by Olivia Jenkins in 2021, D. Louise creates timeless long-lasting yet affordable jewellery. Pieces are made in sterling silver with 18ct gold vermeil. The ranges include a collaboration with Vogue Williams. Award winning British Jewellery Brand Scream Pretty was founded by Lucy Lee with her sister Jessica Pearce in 2016. This family run business designs jewellery for self expression; affordable, stylish and fun – jewellery to shout about. After growing up in Singapore, founder Lynette Ong left her job in finance to pursue a dream of using her creativity for the better. Olivia’s pursuit began when she identified a gap in the jewellery market – the need for everyday pieces that wouldn’t fade after a few wears – with this every piece comes with a lifetime guarantee against colour fading. Scream Pretty’s signature style is the curated ear – combining piercings and ear cuffs, to create bold stand out styling. Abby is a big believer in the talismanic and restorative power of jewellery, and strives to create designs that are both ethical and fashioned with love.

Stellar 79 is a British demi-fine jewellery brand created by sisters Natasha and Sheena.

Inspired by a wealth of artisans selling beautiful jewellery on her travels around Asia, Edge of Ember was born. Designs are hand crafted through the process of lost wax casting in her studio, and stone setting takes place nearby in Hatton garden. The collection includes base earrings and chains, complemented by a range of interchangeable statement pendants to customise your look. These stories of romance, travel and history were the founding concept behind Carousel Jewels: modern jewellery that takes us back. The sisters draw inspiration from their combined passion for art, fashion, travel, music, and culture across the South Asian diaspora to unify and celebrate cultural heritage and nostalgia with the present day. The Cult of Youth collection has since expanded to include on-trend, fashionable jewels with a rock ‘n’ roll edge at accessible price points. Deborah is very mindful that the business be as sustainable as possible, and so she uses recycled silver and gold in all of the pieces. Cult of Youth is a London-based silver jewellery brand founded by Kelly Seymour in 2011. The brand started out on a stall at Portobello Market, before being picked up by Urban Outfitters and sold at its stores. In 2015, the brand shifted tack as Seymour gave birth to her son, Elvis, and started to document her life as a single mother, entrepreneur and jeweller. Each piece of jewellery is created from start to finish within a small area of North London. London-based jewellery designer, Deborah Blyth began designing in 2004, whilst living in Italy. A silver letter necklace spelling out MAMA became a bestseller, and this motif has been applied to new styles including rings and lockets. With dual Mauritian-Trinidadian heritage and London roots, the co-founder’s mission is to create inspired, authentic, and expressive jewellery made with a conscience. Her passion for the arts and love of nature combined to influence her process, which finds beauty in imperfections. Stellar 79 is a British demi-fine jewellery brand created by sisters Natasha and Sheena. Harfi’s mission is to bring affordable, demi-fine jewellery to shoppers, working directly with its artisan partners. Founder Sally Louise was inspired by the films of grandparents’ time, from Casablanca to Gone with the Wind and Lawrence of Arabia.