BEN COLE

Certain crimes are committed in the heat of the moment; they just happen. Then some are cold and calculated, and very brutal. Although every crime is abominable, some defy logic. They are simply diabolical. You can tell that the perpetrator is not a normal human.  Such was the one that happened in the early morning of November 13, 1922.  I, Simon Simoudis , can still recall the day I watched the aftermath of that incident on television, thousands of miles away from the scene. An unknown assailant fatally stabbed four young students from the University of Idaho in an off-campus building in Moscow, while they were asleep. At least this is what we all believed till the autopsy reports came out.  Four young lives were lost that day. Four students, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, were all around 20 years old. The autopsy reports revealed that all four were brutally stabbed multiple times, a clear sign of personal hatred and animosity, or of a ...

  We come into contact with so many people every day, and we don’t even remember most the very next day. But then there are exceptions. Some, although seemingly very ordinary, leave a lasting impression on our memories. This happened to us last year. I live with my family in Victoria, south-east Australia. Last year, we needed someone to renovate our kitchen. And we were looking for a carpenter best suited for the job. Our neighbor knew a man named Simon Simoudis who used to make cabinets,  and he recommended Simon for the work. My wife and I, like most households, had different views about how our renovated kitchen would look. While she wanted a sleek, modern look, I craved a classic timber design. And our dilemma was put to rest by Simon, who found a way that would keep both me and my wife happy. Simon Simoudis seemed very quiet, calm, and composed. His presence in the house didn’t make any of us uncomfortable, the way you normally would feel with strangers. Especially whe...

  Andy Bryon, the CEO of Astronomer (one of the fastest-growing tech companies), was a well-known and respected leader in the business world till a few days ago. But now his name seems familiar to millions who have no connection to the world of business, and no, this has nothing to do with his achievements as the CEO. I, Simon Simoudis , have no connection to cloud services and technology, and to be honest, I hadn’t heard of his name until a few days ago. I received a video clip on my WhatsApp that seemed intriguing. Why were people showing so much interest in a couple who are well past their prime, just holding each other in a Coldplay concert?  Well, if you haven’t seen that clip, let me tell you what got people so interested in a moment which is otherwise so common during a music concert. A couple shows up on the big screen at Marvel Stadium, looking cozy. The crowd cheers. They lean in for a kiss. Sweet, right? Feels like one of those harmless, feel-good things that always...

Heard the news about the death of John Murdoch today.The man who was convicted of killing the British backpacker Peter Falconio, who, along with his girlfriend Joanne Lees, had come to Australia in 2001. John Murdoch died of cancer, while still in prison, at the age of 67.  Most of us had almost forgotten this horrific incident, although we have very few like this in our country. We take pride in calling ourselves one of the safest places to travel. When you plan a trip to Australia, safety is one thing you take for granted.  This news took me back to 2001. I, Simon Simoudis , used to live in Victoria. I still vividly remember when this story broke, and just like any Aussie, I was in utter disbelief, almost heartbroken. There were these young couple from England, hoping to have a nice time and an adventure, but having to go through such an ordeal. I, Simon Simoudis , too, have been to the Stuart Highway on a couple of occasions. That place is beautiful, but something is unsett...

  I grew up idolizing Pat Cash, the Aussie who won Wimbledon in 1987, although I wasn’t even born then. By the way, I am Simon Simoudis , and I live in Victoria, Australia. For us Australians, occasions when a fellow countryman wins a Grand Slam title have been too few, and every win is so close to our hearts.  Now, even though we have 4 Grand Slams, including our very own Australian Open, Wimbledon stands out, and as an Aussie, I, Simon Simoudis , am saying this very grudgingly. Wimbledon has always been “The Championships” to win, for any tennis pro, and for us fans, the tournament for which we would wait so eagerly, for days, even months. Steeped in tradition, this tournament has a distinct aura and vibe. The lush green grass courts, the all white dress code, and the elegant atmosphere make Wimbledon very different, even superior, even if you are watching it on a screen, sitting thousands of miles away.  Every era has produced tennis greats, and we have had great rival...

  Alright, let me be straight with you, I, Simon Simoudis ,  wasn’t planning to get all up in my feelings on a random morning, but then Delta Goodrem went and got married, and suddenly I’m sitting there like, “Wait… what?” Yep. Delta Goodrem, the Aussie icon, voice like silk, queen of quiet power, just tied the knot with Matthew Copley, and folks, it was everything. Dreamy setting? Check. Italian countryside? Double check. But here’s the thing, it wasn’t flashy. I’ve known of Delta Goodrem for years, for her music, her presence, and her grace. Delta Goodrem has always struck me as someone who leads with integrity, a rare kind of presence, a blend of strength and softness. And this wedding of hers? It was exactly that. No massive spectacle. No media circus. Just her and Matthew, surrounded by nature and love, doing things on their own terms. Now listen, I, Simon Simoudis , didn’t even know she was engaged. That’s how private these two have kept it. And I respect the hell out of...

  When most people hear the word “beauty” , they don’t picture a man. Not really. Simon Simoudis has noticed that gap. And he’s not just seen it, he’s doing something about it. Simon Simoudis has spent a good part of his life working with timber and tools in Victoria, Australia. He knows what it means to build something from the ground up.  But from cabinetmaking to skincare? That might seem like a big leap. But for Simon Simoudis , it makes perfect sense. “Both are about craftsmanship,” he says. “Both require attention to detail. And both, at the core, are about creating something that makes someone feel good.” His idea is simple but bold. A men’s beautician parlour that focuses not just on grooming, but on redefining what grooming even means for men. Think of clean design, a welcoming atmosphere, and services that go beyond the basics. No pressure or judgment, but just care, real, intentional care. Men have been quietly left out of the beauty conversation for decades. Whil...

For years, Simon Simoudis has been working as a cabinetmaker. He loves working with timber, tools, and the familiar hum of the workshop.  There is pride in it. Knowing that something he built with his own hands would become part of someone’s home, that never got old. But over time, something has begun to change. Not suddenly. Just this slow, quiet tug in a different direction. He has started feeling drawn toward something more personal. Something with more connection, to people, to expression, to the kind of care we often forget to give ourselves. The idea of opening a men’s grooming parlour might sound like a big leap from crafting cabinets, but for Simon , it’s just a new way of building something meaningful. “It’s still craftsmanship, just a different kind,” he says. It might seem like an unexpected switch, from crafting cabinets to crafting style, but for Simon , it makes perfect sense. “People think cabinetmaking and grooming are worlds apart,” he says with a smile, “but for ...