From Aretha Franklin to strawberry sabotage: 2018's most talked-about topics
As 2018 draws to a close it’s time to reflect on what got your attention this year.
Despite the year bringing us Eurovision, the Commonwealth Games and the rescue of 13 members of a soccer team from a Thai cave, they weren’t the topics that got our interest.
Facebook has revealed what brought Australians together on social media, including key moments from politics, sport, happiness and tragedy.
1. Aretha Franklin
The death of American musician Aretha Franklin in August was what Australians cared about most in 2018.
Facebook said the death reminded us of the impact music has had, with Australians sharing their favourite songs as well as feelings of shock and sadness.
2. Strawberry sabotage
There was a major crisis this year for strawberry farmers in particular after reports emerged of needles in fruit.
The first needle was discovered on September 9 when a man bit into a contaminated strawberry he bought at a supermarket.
More needles were discovered around the country – with many believed to have been planted by copycats – and strawberries were stripped from shelves.
A 50-year-old Queensland woman was charged after allegedly inserting needles into strawberries, seeking revenge over a workplace grievance.
“The second most discussed issue was the strawberry contamination crisis where Australians vented their shock and dismay over the malicious act of the purposeful contamination of strawberries with needles,” Facebook director of policy for Australia and New Zealand Mia Garlick said.
3. Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking, who sought to explain some of the most complicated questions in life while working under the shadow of a likely premature death, died aged 76 in March.
He died peacefully after a battle with ALS. Facebook said many used the social media platform to mourn the iconic figure and share their thoughts on his life’s theories.
4. Leadership spill
Australians came together to discuss political turmoil after we experienced not one but two leadership spills.
“The fourth most discussed topic was the leadership spill, reflecting the political turmoil in Canberra, the removal of Malcolm Turnbull and his replacement by Prime Minister Scott Morrison,” Ms Garlick said.
5. Avicii
Similar to Aretha Franklin, many Australians shared tributes after the DJ’s death early in the year.
The Grammy-nominated electronic dance DJ died aged 28. TMZ reported he died from self-inflicted wounds leading to severe blood loss.
In a statement his family alluded his death was a suicide, saying: “He could not go on any longer.”
6. Anthony Bourdain
The celebrity chef was found dead at 61 after he took his own life in a French hotel room.
His television career catapulted him from cooking at New York’s top restaurants to dining in Vietnam with President Barack Obama.
Fans, friends and colleagues reacted with shock and sadness, with many sending thoughts to his daughter.
Fellow celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay said Bourdain “brought the world into our homes and inspired so many people to explore cultures and cities through their food”.
7. Royal Wedding
Prince Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle in May was one of the biggest events of the year, with people discussing the venue and esteemed guests.
Facebook claims around the time of the wedding many used the social media platform to celebrate their own marriages as well as comment on every aspect from the dress to Reverend Michael Curry’s sermon.
8. Missing boy sparks amber alert
Also in May police issued an amber alert after a 12-year-old boy was taken from Mudgeeraba in the Gold Coast Hinterlands.
Many Australians shared the alert to help ensure the safe return of the boy, who was later found in Grafton in NSW.
“The news that he was found alive made many Australians share their delight of the news,” Facebook said.
9. The Cranberries
The band’s lead singer Dolores O’Riordan died age 46 after accidentally drowning in a hotel bath after consuming alcohol, a coroner ruled.
She was found in her hotel room in January and the coroner said the death was an accident.
10. State of Origin
Aussies love their sport, so of course one of the biggest annual sporting events worked its way onto the list.
While many would have expected the most talked-about event to be the Melbourne Cup, it was in fact the State of Origin.
This year NSW took back their victory from Queensland for the second time since 2005.
