Your Time Brisbane - February 2023

BEWARE THE SCAMMERS WHO AIM TO TAKE IT ALL

Ifall for the tricks of a scammer, but history has shown that is not always enough.

Only last year I was taken in by the assurances of a builder who promised the world and delivered little at a high price. It was the sense of being played for a sucker that hurt as much as the invoice.

But that’s quite a different story to those smart online folk who set out to take over your bank account, your computer, and your very soul.

While I occasionally amuse myself reading junk box emails about the millions coming my way from banks and relatives I’ve never heard of – “ooh look, it’s my lucky day. A widow in

Texas wants to me to have her family fortune” – others are not so obvious.

I recently made a rare trip on a Brisbane toll road and was surprised to receive a text at 2am telling me that I was going to be fined if I didn’t immediately make a payment. Strange, as the tag in my car seemed to have worked just fine. The big question is, who was watching to know that I had used the tunnel and also had access to my phone number?

I did take the time to look twice at that one before dismissing it. Similarly, emails purportedly from Australia Post arrive just after I have posted a parcel. This is true Big Brother stuff.

And so it was for Julie Lake, who also likes to think she is savvy enough to recognise the scammers. Her experience inspired her to write this month’s feature, with suitable warnings, about the predators dwelling online who are just waiting to get their sticky fingers on our dollars and identity.

Contents

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PUBLISHER Michelle Austin 5493 1368. EDITOR Dorothy Whittington editor@yourtimemagazine.com.au ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES 0438 717 210. sales@yourtimemagazine.com.au. FOR DIGITAL EDITIONS AND MORE yourtimemagazine.com.au.

It’s a salutary warning for us all and if it saves even just one of us from the heartache and sense of violation, it is well worth the read.

Dorothy Whittington Editor

olation,

it is

Living in fear – navigating the cruel world of scammers

Even the most cautious and wary among us can all too easily become victims of sophisticated scams. JULIE LAKE investigates the world of cybercrime and its devastating impact, both financially and psychologically, on those who are conned.

come close to scamming me when I am usually so vigilant; and third, that we live in a world where we are so closely watched and easily invaded through the wormholes of our phones and other devices.

And, as banking and police fraud experts will tell you, most scams target the vulnerable and often gullible elderly.

Andrea Wu of a major bank’s Scan and Fraud department says new scams are targeting us every day and it costs the banking industry billions of dollars a year in trying to stay ahead of them – costs which it is not unreasonable to suppose are passed on to the customer.

In Greek mythology, the Hydra was a much-feared multi-headed monster – every time a head was cut off, another popped up in its place. Today, this monster comes to us in a different guise and with a different name – we call it The Scam.

It comes sneakily, stealthily as a phone call, or an email. Or, more often, as a text. That’s how it came to me, on the Saturday morning before Christmas.

It started innocuously enough; a text beginning “Hi Mum” purportedly from my daughter, telling me she’d broken her phone and until it was fixed could I please text her via WhatsApp, supplying me with a new number on which to do so.

I don’t use WhatsApp and didn’t think she did either but assumed she must have a good reason. It all seemed harmless enough.

Next morning, when I was dashing

around trying to get things done before going out to an appointment, the second message came – she had a couple of urgent bills to pay and could I do this for her and she’d pay me back on Monday.

It’s a long story that lasted most of the day but the gist of it is that I tried to help her, was foolish enough to photograph my debit card and send it, and dithered about so much that the scammers got a bit desperate and made mistakes that alerted my bank.

I didn’t lose any money but I wasted many hours on the phone to my bank’s fraud department, had to wait two days to unlock my bank account and then wait for a new debit card – in the week before Christmas when I had no other ready access to money!

But the worst thing was the overwhelming fear, first that I might have lost money; second that someone had

Banks have increasingly sophisticated technology to detect unusual account use and usually intervene very fast … but not always fast enough if customers give away details such as credit card and account information, and passwords.

Scams cost Australian victims $8.7 million last year and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Little Black Book of Scams lists 15 common scam types.

These include the already mentioned “Hi Mum” (or Dad) scam already mentioned, post office parcel waiting, your (Apple) Wallet is in danger, bogus lottery or other prize wins, taxation office demands and tech support.

Some scams are crude and obvious but they still claim victims. Others are amazingly cunning. Facebook Marketplace has been targeted by scammers seeking PayPal or PayID details, mainly for larger items.

Farmers are being targeted by bogus heavy equipment “salespeople” and recruitment scams are rising.

Dating sites are plagued by scammers. Jim, 74, tried a well-known dating site because he was lonely after his wife of 46 years died. He met an “African woman” whose exoticism he freely admits was an enticement.

Before long she was asking him for small sums of money and then a larger amount for her sick mother’s operation.

“Yes, I’d heard of such scams,” Jim says. “But this was so cleverly done and we exchanged photos, family information., I even sent her an air fare so she could visit her children.”

Alas, after he’d done this, he never heard from “her” again. And although he is too embarrassed to say how much he lost, it was “over $100,000”.

Margaret, 67, received a call from her bank – or so she thought – asking for certain information following a possible cyber crime attempt on her account.

“He had an accent that we have come to associate with scamming,” she says, “And so I was suspicious and asked him for a number to ring back. Before I did that, I rang my bank and found it indeed WAS a scam attempt.

“When I rang the number the scammer gave me, it was some factory on the Gold Coast.”

Margaret immediately reported the attempt to Scamwatch, the online monitoring agency.

Bevan, mid-80s, was not so lucky. He responded to a text from his insurance company – or so he thought – telling him he was due a rebate.

To claim this, he was required to make a small, initial payment to cover supposed administration fees. Due to an apparent glitch he was then asked to provide his

credit card details – and the scammer got away with a few hundred dollars.

The problem with this scam is that some insurers do indeed pay rebates. I received such a message last year from my vehicle insurers, and because I thought it was a scam and ignored all their messages they eventually had to send me a cheque.

These are just three of the people who responded to my call on social media for scam stories. I was inundated by messages and some of the stories were pathetic indeed.

Most of the sums involved were small, under $100, but this can be devastating for somebody on a pension and there’s also the inconvenience of being on the phone for hours trying to sort it out, and often the need for a new credit card.

Far worse, though, is the fear, embarrassment and sense of helplessness suffered by scamming victims.

Bevan is a case in point. His health has deteriorated and he has developed palpitations and agoraphobia.

“I just feel sick every time I think of it”,

he says. “It’s not just feeling old and stupid at being scammed, it’s the sheer number of scams out there that are trying to trap you every day. I feel like I’m surrounded by unseen enemies.

“We never had this sort of thing when I was young and I don’t bloody understand why the government is not protecting us from it now!”.

One sad result is that Bevan, like so many other scam victims, has withdrawn from online engagement. He has cancelled his MyGov and medical apps, refuses to write or receive texts and emails – and drives to the bank.

Just at a time of life when older people need to use digital technology to stay connected, they are becoming afraid to do so.

Nan Bosler, digital advocate and president of Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association (ASCCA), sees the need to reassure seniors that, despite the constant scamming threat, being digitally savvy is an essential part of ageing today.

The organisation has partnered with NBN to initiate ScamFit which runs webinars to equip people with the skills to avoid potential scams.

The ASCCA also operates the Scamwatch monitoring agency whose website provides information to consumers and small business about the latest cyber crimes. If you’ve been scammed, that’s the place to report it and the site is well worth a visit anyway.

Bank websites also warn against latest crimes and their high-tech fraud prevention and security teams remain our best protection. But they will not refund your money if you are gullible enough to give away ID and pin numbers or give scammers access to your computer.

The Queensland Police Financial and Cyber Crime Squad also offers advice but, like the banks, it’s very general and of little use once you’ve actually been tricked out of your hard-earned savings. All they can

tell us is stay aware and be vigilant.

Cyber scammers are rarely caught and punished.

Their crimes are complex and sophisticated so that highly specialised skills are required to detect, track, trap and identify them.

And even when this has been done, they are usually located in countries where efforts to arrest them are hampered by low legal standards and bureaucratic corruption, such as Russia and Nigeria.

Because scamming is trans-national it takes cooperation between Interpol and the law enforcement agencies of many countries to bust cybercrime.

One such operation a couple of years ago resulted in 10,380 locations raided, 21,549 cybercriminals arrested, 310 bank accounts frozen and $USD153, 973, 709 worth of illicit funds intercepted. It all took a lot of time and money and revealed only the tip of a very large cybercrime iceberg.

There is still a lack of recognition in Queensland of the severe effects being scammed can have on health, with anxiety and depression being the two worst outcomes. Specialised counselling is obviously needed.

But beware of websites offering legal redress and “support”, if money is involved – they may not be what they claim. Some have turned out to be – you guessed it –highly sophisticated scams!

So all we can do is not respond to unsolicited texts, calls or emails from unknown people without a thorough vetting (my mobile phone is set not to take calls from anyone except those on my contact list), as well as regularly check our bank websites and Scamwatch for the latest alerts and advice.

And if someone tries to scam you, spread the word in any way you can because until our techno whizzes come up with an effective method of scambusting, the only enemy scammers have is public exposure.

Trust me!

Here is an example of a common email scam attempt to make PayID members update to a “business” account. It has cost victims thousands of dollars. There is a warning about this on the genuine PayID website. We would like to confirm your email registration to payID. Your account is now fully operational. While crediting your account we encountered a little problem, we have a pending payment of $500AUD but we have a problem while getting that amount because your account is not a premium account which makes your account have a limit. Your account has a small limit of an amount that can be deposited into it therefore you are required to immediately expand the limits on your account.

YOU HAVE TO TAKE THIS URGENT STEP TO EXPAND YOUR LIMIT.

And, at the bottom of the message, to give it bogus veracity: Terms and Conditions.

Privacy Policy PayID is an initiative from the New Payments Platform

The poor English and typography alone should be enough to alert any potential scam victim. The scam below is slightly different and can arrive by text to your phone In this case the victim has showed some suspicion that the attempted transaction is, in fact, a scam. So the perpetrator, unfazed, replies by indicating that there is some problem with the victim’s account, that he (or she) will himself be temporarily out of pocket and must “trust” the victim. Thus trying to disarm and reassure the victim by reversing the issue of trust, on which all scams are based.

I received an email from PayID well that your account isn’t business so you can’t get credited so I am required to send in an additional payment of $900 to expand your account limit to business so you can get credited can I trust you that once I send the additional payment you’ll refund me back immediately can I trust??

Have your say. Send letters to Editor, Your Time Magazine, PO Box 6362, Maroochydore BC 4558 or email editor@yourtimemagazine.com.au

THANK you for your story on the last 50 years ( YT Jan), which brought back many memories. But to my mind the piece missed two elephants in the half-century room.

Elephant #1 is life expectancy.

Disregarding gender, an Australian baby born in 1973 looked forward to a life expectancy of 71.85 years. This leapt to 83.64 years for a baby born in 2021, the latest annual data available to me. That’s over 11 years better, something to be celebrated widely.

The second elephant to be celebrated, albeit with reservations, is Australia’s road death rate improvement over the last 50 years.

Some 3679 men, women and children died on the roads in 1973 compared with 1123 in 2021.

That’s a huge improvement, although the old adage that one road death is one too many applies today as much as it ever has.

But road death data does not stop here. More important is the improvement in the road death rate per

100,000 population. Australia’s population doubled since 1973, meaning that the road death rate plummeted from 27.5 per 100,000 to 4.3 per 100,000 today.

That’s massive, although it is cold comfort to the families and friends of today’s road crash victims to know that Australia is doing vastly better these days.

The only acceptable goal for road deaths is zero. We’ve done well since 1973 but will we ever reach it?

Win Fowles

A LETTER ( YT Dec 22) argues for the anonymity of biological parents, but refutes the right of anyone to hide the identity of a born child.

I have suffered every day of my life and have been treated as a lesser human because of the stigma of not knowing who I am, though in the community most others knew.

My entire life was rubbished as I was some “big secret”, as the rights of my parents to avoid shame or

embarrassment were more important than my right to access equality among my peers.

Why do people who have family so frequently decide that adoptees are not allowed to be equal humans.

Why fight against the right of those people who are still struggling to learn about their biological parents?

Laws regarding veto MUST change. Knowing where we come from should be freely available from birth.

Ella (name withheld)

THE article about the Sandakan death march ( YT Jan) was sensitive and informative.

As I read, I could feel the horror of the situation, but felt honoured to read about the past.

I liked the comparison to Kokoda, which has a much higher profile.

“We need to remember the past, so that we don’t repeat it.”

Sally Areva

AT 75, I look forward to collecting my copy of Your Time from my local chemist every month and have enjoyed reading it for quite some time now.

The articles are well written, varied, account for a range of interests and issues for senior citizens and in many cases are very thought provoking.

The only thing I can think of that

might provide a small opportunity for readers to interact with those lovely people who write the articles might be to offer a “reader’s comment” section. What has made me think of this are a couple of articles I read recently, the latest about the “nature” versus “nurture” argument in raising children. Thank you for providing a magazine that is interesting and at the same time helpful to read.

Cynthia Burnett

LYNDA Scott’s piece ( YT Jan) on the words of comfort to the mothers of killed ANZACs attributed to Kemel Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, was poignant.

I first read those uplifting words in situ at Gallipoli on a private visit. The memorial was just above what the local guide referred to as Queensland Beach.

My grandfather, Pte Harold (Sam) Bacon #1043 9th Batt, stormed that beach in the first wave at 4.30am Sunday, April 25, 1915.

He survived the carnage of World War I to take up a soldier settlement block at Cedar Pocket, Gympie.

On that moving visit I dipped his Anzac medallion into the clear, tranquil waters of the Aegean Sea, a baptism of renewal.

Gary Bacon AM

WELCOME to February and there’s still plenty to do in the garden.

It’s a great time of year with gardenias, agapanthus, perennial asters, angels trumpet, frangipani and many others in flower and providing a lovely perfume in the air.

Keep the water up to all plants especially citrus as they need constant moisture to allow fruit to set and grow.

I have had a bumper crop of cucumbers which are now pickled and in the pantry. There’s still time to plant more, along with pumpkin, corn, spring onions, tomatoes and lettuce.

Dig copious amounts of compost and aged manure into your vege garden in readiness for March plantings of cabbage and cauliflower etc.

If you are thinking of putting sweet peas in, the ground needs to be prepared as above with the addition of lime. I leave putting seeds in until mid-April to avoid mildew. I had a very good display last season by planting in a large pot with a trellis.

I’m looking forward to taking a group to the Melbourne Flower Show in March

where I can stock up on bulbs and plants that are not readily available.

Rose season is not far away, so order early if there is something special you want.

Keep lawns fertilised, watered and weed free.

Time to plant stock seeds if you want the giant column ones as they don’t seem to be available as seedlings anymore. My alstroemerias have been great value. I have seven colours now, flowering for months. Along with the dahlias and statice they are great cut flowers.

Still time to plant fruit trees – it’s always good to pick your own.

The Purple Plum tomatoes are prolific and tasty.

Happy gardening

Penny Hegarty

by Mocco Wollert

during that week. There are not many.

The problem with SBS and ABC are the never-ending repeats. I look in vain for something new: a current documentary, an interesting movie, a series of crime or comedy.

I am surprised how many times Portillo can find a colourful jacket and travel the globe with his little travel book. When the series started, I enjoyed it, but that was a long time ago. He still keeps on travelling, wearing the same colourful jackets.

Enter the reality shows. I try to be fair and give every one of them a chance but after 10 minutes I can’t stand it any longer. The whiff of fake is overwhelming.

Take The Farmer Wants a Wife where city girls fall in love with smelly sheep and rusty machinery.

First Sight? The fake declarations of love, the fake tantrums? Marriage should not be entered lightly, and I thought hard about it before I said YES. Having been married for 63 years I can say I made the right decision.

The epitome of bad taste is a new reality show in which grown up children watch their parents –without the parent’s knowledge – fall in love with a woman or man their age, all set up secretly by their own children, with the help of, I presume, the producers of the show.

I watched a few minutes of it –couldn’t bear to look any longer – and was disgusted seeing two parents kissing passionately unaware their children were watching.

I USED to consider a reality show as being a show featuring real people doing real things. They were not only entertaining but usually geared to give advice to people watching at home, such as Gardening Australia.

I usually don’t turn on my TV before it is news time. After the news I start looking through the choice of programs. Every week I buy the TV Time, a total waste of money because every week the programs are more or less the same. Still, I like to look at all the programs and mark the ones I want to watch

Mind you, some of the young farmers are so good looking I could be tempted myself, even if I don’t know one end of a cow from the other.

I am always amazed how “ordinary” citizens can instantly turn highly professional. Take The Block for example.

People become builders overnight. I was married to a builder and I know these people wouldn’t have been allowed on any of his building sites, simply for safety reasons.

Have you ever watched Married at

And just when you think you have seen it all and it cannot get any worse, along comes The Goggle Box. Whoever had the idea of filming people watching TV?

Watching their reactions to the programs while munching away on – I would bet – fattening and unhealthy food. I really cannot see how their antics and reaction to shows can be classed as entertainment. Do I yearn for a NEW comedy or crime series? You bet I do.

May you find normal programs and enjoy watching them.

by Cheryl Lockwood

LATE in 2022, Australia’s longest river, the mighty Murray, approached record breaking levels.

It may not mean much to most Queenslanders but for me, the Murray River is a little piece of home. I grew up in South Australia exploring the muddy banks and murky waters less than a kilometre from home.

Before our small town progressed to a clear, chlorinated pool, the river was our refuge on summer days. Our “pool” back then was a sandbagged area near the local ferry. It was here that my mother watched vigilantly from under the gum trees as I impressed her with my freestyle. I daresay she knew I was touching the bottom with each stroke, but I thought I had her tricked at

the time. My older brothers were allowed beyond the sandbags to the deeper section which was surrounded by a wooden structure.

Mum could not take her eyes off of me for a second because I would attempt to go out my depth to where the big kids leapt and somersaulted into the water. Fortunately, once I started school, there were learn-to-swim classes at the school pool. I quickly progressed to proper swimming as it was too deep to touch the bottom.

As teenagers, my friends and I thought nothing of swimming across the river, sometimes dragging inflated tractor tyres or anything else that would float. We hurled ourselves from rope swings into the water and hitched a ride with the ferryman if we didn’t want to swim back.

On a recent visit, the river was closed to all water activities due to the high flow and the hazard of floating debris. The talk among locals was whether the peak would surpass the 1956 flood level. Though it occurred before I was born, this particular flood was the measure of all floods. It was proclaimed that nothing would be built below the ’56 flood level … ever!

As I climbed the stairs of the lookout tower, perched high and dry on a clifftop, I observed one section of the Murray spilling over normally dry land. A lagoon, where we once canoed on a school trip, had joined up with the river making a vast

lake. A line of trees marked where the bank should be. The riverfront road, where local youths would normally drive a lap or two, was concealed under a quickly constructed levee.

Barbecue shelters were partly submerged on one side of the levee, while the caravan park and footy oval were still safe on the other. The rest of the township is located at a sensible distance uphill, well away from harm.

I recall the high rivers of the 1970s and a school excursion to this same riverfront spot. It must have been acceptable to take a bunch of kids on a fishing trip in a flooded river back then. I’m not sure that would be allowed now, but we all survived.

The dangers of a swollen waterway were certainly drummed into us, but the river was part of our lives. My sister and I often hosed grey mud from our shoes and legs so our parents wouldn’t know that we’d been exploring the river flats.

After a high river, we sunk knee-deep in sticky muck. Other seasons saw the same mud dry as hard as concrete, forming a pattern like cracked tiles. We were taught to respect all the changes, just as we learnt to enjoy the many leisure activities it generated. Fresh-caught and cooked yabbies are the best!

As I gazed at the swift flow of this beautiful river, I was impressed, yet again, but happy to observe from a safe distance. Visit lockwoodfreelance.com

When grace and elegance ruled in Queen Street

Thousands of Brisbane shoppers pass through a piece of Queensland history every day without even realising it. LYNDA SCOTT visits old Queen Street.

The elegant black columns marking the entrance to the Carlton Hotel, once the finest in Queensland, stand almost forgotten at the Queen Street entrance to the Myer Centre.

The historic frontage of the hotel, built in 1891, was one of the four facades retained when the area was redeveloped as the Myer Centre in time for Brisbane’s Expo ‘88.

The Carlton was THE place to stay for country visitors. It underwent an extensive renovation in the 1920s, ensuring guests had “hot and cold running water to every bathroom”.

Just as importantly, the hotel bar upgraded its refrigeration to ensure patrons could be guaranteed a cold drink on a hot Queensland day.

The “best people” held their wedding receptions there, and “generations of young ladies received their marriage proposals over dinner in the chandeliered dining room”.

At the outbreak of World War II, the hotel converted its basement into a cinema running continuous newsreels for a public eager for the latest war news.

Queen Street’s oldest hotel maintained its elegant standards right to the end.

“No thongs, no t-shirts”, said the sign behind the bar on closing day in 1985.

The rest of the ornate façade with its elegant verandas are still proudly on show for those busy

shoppers who pause and look up. Next door was the Telegraph Newspaper Company, also built in 1891. The sound of the presses, accompanied by the whiff of printers’ ink and newsprint, echoed into Queen Street until 1963, when the Tele, as it was affectionately known, moved production to Bowen Hills. For decades the reporters’ room, quaintly known as the Literary Department, was a “jumble of piled desks, tatty linoleum, and

strange old telephones…” The floor was uneven and some stools had two shorter legs to compensate for the floor’s slope.

When the Tele moved the building was revamped as Queensland Newspapers’ city office and renamed Newspaper House, replacing an older similarly-named building near the GPO.

The other two buildings to make way for the Myer Centre were the York Hotel and the Barry & Roberts department store, both built in the 1920s and demolished in 1985.

The York’s fine decorative metalwork on the top floor is as stunning today as when it was built. At street level it had a bar, a shop, and the entrance leading up to a second floor dining room.

Standing elegantly alongside the colourful façade of the York Hotel and still on show today is the remaining survivor, the shop front of Barry & Roberts Queen Street store.

Barry & Roberts was a

household name in Queensland, a retail icon founded by Thomas Barry and Sam Roberts who made a name for themselves undercutting other retail merchants and opening many suburban and regional stores.

When the Myer Centre opened in 1988 it created history as the largest central business district shopping complex.

While the exterior kept the historical façades, inside was said to be “classic Victorian-revival styling, or Old Queenslander, with cast-iron decorations, verandas, light-giving atriums and sub-tropical palms and gardens adding to the Queensland feel.”

It remains to be seen what future generations make of the 1980s architecture that binds those four historic buildings together, and whether it too is deemed worthy of preserving.

Lynda Scott is a volunteer at the Royal Historical Society of Queensland. Visit queenslandhistory.org

THE REAL OUTBACK. LIVE IT YOUR WAY!

3-day Longreach Storytelling Holiday

Arrive on a Monday and this premium short-break itinerary packs in the three signature Outback Pioneers experiences, two nights’ accommodation at The Staging Post and entry to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Qantas Founders Museum. Fully escorted with transfers and most meals included. Includes VIP gift $1589*

6-days unleashing Longreach and Winton

Arrive on a Wednesday and settle in for five nights at The Staging Post accommodation. Enjoy all of Outback Pioneers experiences, including a Winton Discovery Day Tour, and entry to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Qantas Founders Museum. Fully escorted with transfers and most meals included. Includes Winton and VIP gift $2920*

The four buildings in the bustling section of Queen Street in 1954.

Picture: Royal Historical Society of Queensland archives

ART EXHIBITION A WINNER

BRISBANE community hub Amici House had hundreds of guests attend its first art exhibition with paintings created by the NDIS and community art classes.

Art teacher Ali Gillet was thrilled with the success after only two months of leading the classes.

“Art generates bravery and confidence in our students. It empowers them to make small decisions like what brush to use, how to correct colour, or how to see the colour or shape needed,” she said.

Clinton Wade, who made his debut at the event, said he was havaing fun and learning, while Karen Petersen said it was a time to relieve stress.

Co.As.It. CEO, Dina Ranieri thanked Amici House staff and praised the art classes at the community centre.

“An exhibition like this highlights the work we do in the community, and it highlights us bringing participants together to join an activity,” she said.

“We know art reduces stress and anxiety in many people, and all of those within our creative enjoy it.”

Amici House runs activities and services for older Australians and members of the local community and beyond. Visitors enjoy yoga classes, art classes, women’s groups, technology classes, Latin dancing, NDIS art classes and health services such as podiatry and physiotherapy.

BRENDALE VIEW GEARS UP FOR BIG YEAR

BRENDALE Evening View Club has celebrated the successful fundraising efforts of its 2022 committee and elected its 2023 committee.

Visitors are invited to join them on February 21, for the 24th birthday celebrations. Theme is “In the Pink” so dress in everything pink.

Guest speaker will be Trevor Peacock, a former diplomat.

Dinner meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at Aspley Hornets Football Club, 50 Graham Rd, Carseldine, 6.30pm for 7pm start.

Coffee and Chat mornings are 10am on the first Saturday of each month at White’s Coffee Co., Bracken Ridge Tavern, 153 Barrett St, Bracken Ridge.

Call Shayne 0409 991 428.

OLDER WOMEN NETWORK

WOMEN over 50 interested in social activities and meeting new friends are invited to attend a branch meeting of the Older Women’s Network.

Members enjoy a chat, discuss a range of topics, try a range of activities and have fun while making new friends.

To find your nearest branch call Older Women’s Network Qld 3358 2301.

Brisbane Rockhampton

Removalists Relocations Storage Experts

Let it snow, let it feefl e, let it snaw

Did you know?

Many of history’s biggest disasters are caused by lack of sleep – the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the Challenger explosion, the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown all were caused in one way or another by exhaustion and lack of sleep on the part of the men who were responsible for preventing such disasters.

By the numbers

Scotland has more than 400 words for ‘snow’. When linguists from the University of Glasgow compiled the first historical glossary of Scots, one of Scotland’s three official languages, they were blown away at the bountiful ways to express the concept of snow. Some of those words include ‘snaw’ (snow), ‘feefle’ (swirls of snow), and ‘flindrinkin’ (a light snow shower). And a giant snowflake that fell? That would be called a ‘skelf’.

Quote of the month

11,034 metres

Do you remember?

Don’t we all just love our mobile phones? They have become indispensable to our existence and continue to take over our lives. Do you remember when the first mobile phone was launched in 1983? It was called the DynaTAC 8000x made by Motorola and looked like other telephones from its time, except it didn’t have wires! It took 10 hours to charge fully, and you could use it only for 30 minutes.

6863 kilometres metres

The longest river in the world is The Nile. It’s water resources are shared by more than 11 countries.

18 months

It would take you approximately 18 months to walk all the way along The Great Wall of China. (It’s more than 8000 kilometres long.)

This month in history

1784 - Evangelist John Wesley charters the Methodist church.

1874 - Walter Wingfield patents the game of lawn tennis in England.

1922 - Reader’s Digest is first published.

1935 - The board game Monopoly goes on sale.

1938 - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is released.

1949 - Ruth Handler invents the Barbie Doll

1949 - The first 45 RPM vinyl record is released.

1959 - Rock singers Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper die in a plane crash

2004 - Mark Zuckerberg creates Facebook

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”

– Thich Nhat Hanh

The deepest place on Earth is the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean.

Light Grey Stone Look Plain Rug

Persian Tabriz Superfine RugPersian Mashehad Vintage Rug

Alimentary, my dear Watson

The connection between the gut, part of the alimentary system, and the brain, is the subject of ongoing research. KAILAS

reports on one of the hot topics in brain health.

We have long recognised that the brain influences the gut –just think of how stress can play havoc on your bowels – but we are now appreciating it is a two-way street, and that the health of your gut can profoundly alter the health of your brain.

One of the key components of this so-called gut-brain axis is the microbiome – the collection of microorganisms that live in your gut.

In total, this population of bacteria, viruses and fungi can weight a mighty 2kg, and consists of up to a mind-boggling 100 trillion individual creatures.

Although research is still very much in its infancy, we know that the microbiome can act as friend or foe. If there are too many of the wrong kind of bacteria, this leads to a condition called dysbiosis, which in turn creates chronic inflammation.

This inflamed state may involve the brain, leading to its immune cells becoming activated as it tries to address the problem. Many experts now believe that it is the attempt to tackle the inflammation that leads to the death of brain cells, and hence dementia.

One of the most compelling studies to

illustrate this was performed on mice, whose mouths (technically part of the gut) were filled with a bacterium called p gingivalis.

For those of who have had your coffee, you may recognise that the similarity with another word – gingivitis – or inflammation of the gums, and this is no coincidence, as p gingivalis is a very common cause of gum disease and poor oral health.

When the mice were deliberately given this bacterium, their brain created more beta-amyloid, one of the proteins implicated in Alzheimer’s Disease.

This has been supposed to be because amyloid has an anti-microbial action – it is

place to call home

released to contain the infection. In addition, the toxin released by p gingivalis affected the other Alzheimer’s protein –tau.

So, in this instance, the microbiome acts as an enemy (another reason to brush your teeth and floss!), but how can they be helpful?

Again, this needs a lot more study, but one mechanism is through the way the gut bacteria process what you eat.

In particular, some healthful bugs have the ability to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs for short – a well-known example is butyrate) from your food.

It seems these compounds are very beneficial for your brain, helping communication between nerve cells, promoting a healthy blood brain barrier, which is critical for good brain function, and consolidating memory.

There is a long list of things you can do to nurture the right gut bugs, including avoiding unnecessary antibiotics and excessive alcohol, and exercising regularly.

Social contact is also helpful – literally sharing bugs with others that you might hug or touch may increase their diversity – and some research shows that owning a

dog can help, probably for the same reasons.

And then there’s your diet. Eating a broad range of healthy foods is recommended – different bacteria thrive on different nutrients – as is avoiding too much saturated fat, sugar, and processed food.

Your microbiome loves fibre as well and so try to get enough roughage. Finally, fermented foods and drinks like sauerkraut, kombucha, kimchi and kefir are like rocket fuel for the good bacteria and are seriously worth considering.

With fibre and fermented foods, if you are not used to eating them, build up gradually. If you run into problems or want more tailored advice, dieticians are worth their weight in gold.

Kailas Roberts is a psychogeriatrician and author of Mind your brain

The Essential Australian Guide to Dementia now available at all good bookstores and online. Visit yourbraininmind.com or uqp.com.au

ROBERTS

Research finds link between hearing loss and dementia

Having difficulty hearing can affect more than your social life. KENDALL MORTON discusses the importance of addressing a hearing impairment.

More than 50 per cent of Australians aged between 60 and 70 experience some kind of hearing difficulty.

According to Dementia Australia, people with mild symptoms of hearing loss may be twice as likely to develop dementia as those with healthy hearing. And alarmingly, people with severe hearing loss may be five times more likely to develop dementia.

However, Dementia Australia notes that while hearing loss is a risk factor, it does not mean you will develop dementia in your later years.

Research such as the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study 2021 suggests hearing loss creates an additional mental load. More cognitive power is used in decoding words and meanings. This strain can leave less capacity for memory work.

Another possible reason for this link between hearing loss and mental decline is the

deprivation hypothesis. With poorer hearing you miss out on cognitive stimulation.

There is good news though. Data suggests hearing aids can reduce the risk of developing dementia.

According to Professor Brodaty, co-author of the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study, large trials are showing that older adults who wear hearing aids have a reduced risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

Another reason poor hearing

increases your risk of dementia is a compounding effect.

When you or a loved one is struggling to hear conversations, a common response is to withdraw. This can lead to social isolation, loneliness and depression. These in turn are risk factors for developing dementia.

A Chinese study of 8844 older people shows the importance of staying actively involved in leisure activities if you have a hearing loss.

The study found that elderly people with self-reported hearing

loss who frequently participated in leisure activities performed better on cognitive tests than non-participants.

Interestingly, the benefit of social leisure was more pronounced for the men in the study.

There are some simple changes you can make to improve communication.

Always face the person with the hearing impairment before speaking. Give a context for your conversation such as “In regard to Tuesday …”. Stand still and give speaking and listening your full attention.

Avoid standing with the bright sun behind you. This can put you in shadow and make lip reading difficult.

Summarise any important discussions to check that both people have understood the same thing. Write down important decisions or appointments so they can be referred to later.

Many of us try to adapt to a hearing loss without the use of

hearing aids. We speak louder and rely on our friends and family to fill the conversational gaps.

Some indications you or a family member are experiencing a hearing loss include difficulty joining in with conversations, frequently asking someone to repeat information and turning the television or radio up louder than in the past.

If you have concerns, see your doctor who can refer you to an audiologist for assessment. You may be a candidate for hearing aids.

Like exercise or a good diet, a hearing aid is a long-term health investment.

Wearing a suitable hearing aid can lead to improved communication with partners, children and grandchildren. Life is more fun.

Kendall Morton is Director of Home Care Assistance Sunshine Coast to Wide Bay. Call 5491 6888 or email kmorton@ homecareassistance.com

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Champagne driving on a beer budget

Electric vehicles continue to challenge the internal combustion engine and, writes BRUCE McMAHON, the future of the motor car is closing in at a steady pace.

attention to detail, more sophisticated engineering and generally be more nuanced in the drive experience. Perhaps the BMW will last longer with better quality mechanicals and trim materials. Perhaps that badge is worth a dollar or two. But with 3-1 pricing there’s fair odds the H6 GT will attract more custom (if you like this coupe-style SUV fad that’s spreading through the suburbs). And two Havals should last as long or even longer, as one BMW with money left over for a decent holiday.

one too many buzzers and bells for all manner of driver transgressions. The touchscreen and its controls can take a few days to learn but there’s not much left out here. The GT has as much standard gear as offered by premium car makers.

Drivers have electric adjustment for their seat and there’s decent ergonomics aside from a restrictive rear view through that narrow back window. It feels big and tough, a bit of a bully-boy.

While in 2023 there remains a number of electric vehicle dilemmas to be resolved there will be more, cheaper, EVs headed this way soon; many from China. More, and more generous, taxpayer subsidies will also help out.

Yet the ICE – internal combustion engine – has many, many kilometres to run. (And fuel excises to pay). And Chinese makers are now well-established here too with petrol and diesel-engined cars to spark up another season.

Take the Haval family of SUVs built

by GWM; aka Great Wall Motors.

These SUVs first arrived as straightforward, if cheapish, family wagons. Style and substance improved, while prices stayed low, to a point where it was hard to ignore them up against offerings from Japan and Korea.

That transformation is highlighted by the Haval H6 GT, a hulking SUV with fastback-coupe styling, reasonable road manners and a la-de-dah interior. Think BMW X6 look-alike at a third of the price.

On the face of it, the German machine should be better built, with finer

The Haval H6 GT has an imposing road presence, a clean collection of body lines though there’s maybe one too many badges on the rear. The body’s bulk translates to good accommodation for four or five full-sized adults.

Back seat head, leg and knee room is good, along with a decent rear luggage compartment considering the sloping rear hatch. Below that is a space-saver tyre.

That bold exterior is matched by a 2023-and-beyond interior, a tad fancier than a standard Haval H6 wagon.

It’s smart and attractive, full of all the bits and pieces of convenience and safety today’s crowd seek. For some there’ll be

All up this is a handsome, wellequipped and value package powered by a two litre, turbocharged petrol motor and with seven-speed, all-wheel drive transmission, plus look-at-me style for a reasonable $46,490.

It rides well with fair road manners yet the H6 GT’s sophisticated style is not quite matched in the engineering department. It is a safe, honest drive but the engine-transmission combination can act sluggish from the get-go, steering feel is a touch awkward and the heft of that big body can be felt when pushing down a country road.

All this probably won’t worry most customers happy to swan around in a cutprice luxury machine.

Relax and enjoy spectacular ocean views from our 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, all with private balconies.

Facilities include a heated pool and spa, games room, tennis court, gym and saunas and on-site restaurant. Local shops, restaurants and cafés all within a short stroll.

Live your best life at home and in the community

At Burnie Brae, we provide integrated support and connection services to empower older adults. We offer respite and care, social support, allied health and wellbeing - plus member, lifestyle and connection services for every stage of life.

Connect and engage with a community of your peers.

Participate in a range of social, health, wellness, and education classes. Earn loyalty points and receive special member promotions and discounts. Join our community for free or upgrade to MemberPlus for $25/year and receive incredible offers including café vouchers, hair salon promos, travel discounts and savings on spring-cleans.

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Self-managing your home care delivers better outcomes

– By Lucinda Dean

Aged Care Quality and Safety

Commissioner Janet Anderson is encouraging people receiving aged care via a home care package to work closely with their provider to sort out their care arrangements.

“Active participation by home care consumers in decisions about their care arrangements typically leads to better outcomes. I want to encourage all consumers and those authorised to speak on their behalf to talk often with their provider, asking any questions they might have,” Ms Anderson said.

The commissioner’s comments come after the Australian Government introduced new pricing caps on home care fees and charges on January 1. Its aim was to improve pricing transparency and reduce excessive charges.

More than 1 million ageing Australians rely on in-home care.

“It is important for consumers to understand that their home care provider cannot make changes to their care arrangements without consultation,” Ms Anderson said.

“Also, any changes that are made should not negatively impact the quality and safe delivery of care and services that consumers receive.”

In 2021, the Government initiated a 5-year reform plan aimed at ensuring higher quality and safer care for older Australians. The $18.3 billion reform package was in response to the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

One arm of the reform plan addresses issues around selfmanagement of home care packages.

The CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Programme), the HCP (Home Care Packages) Program and the STRC (Short Term Restorative Care Program) are set to be abolished and replaced by the Support at Home Program in July this year.

Introduction of this new program means older Australians will be able to self-manage their care, including using multiple service providers if they choose to. Under current arrangements, recipients of home care can only choose one approved provider.

Please call Jen on 0414 576 230 for a

GRACE’S GOLD MINE

MAREEBA resident Grace is no stranger to moving, having lived in many parts of Queensland during her life.

After graduating from Brisbane State High, Grace worked at the National Bank and then as librarian at the University of Queensland library at St Lucia and at the Armidale CSIRO library.

It was during this time Grace met and married her husband John and they settled down and built a home together.

Over the years, Grace uncovered and pursued passions for reading, gardening and painting. As she matured, her passions remained strong, especially her love for her garden, although she finds it a little harder to manage these days.

Nevertheless, Grace still has a garden full or colour, which features beautiful bromeliads and a settler’s cottage-style garden shed that her husband John built.

When John died, they had been married for 62 years and she felt his loss

keenly. Their two daughters don’t live in Brisbane, so she had to copy alone during an emotional time.

A naturally social person, Grace found comfort and connection when she joined Burnie Brae’s Club Respite. She celebrated her 90th birthday in respite last year, and enjoyed her special day surrounded by friends and live music.

“I love coming to respite each day for the entertainers, care workers and of course, the people,” she says.

Grace is grateful that she can continue to live independently at home with the support of Burnie Brae. She is registered with the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) to receive access to entry-level social, community and care service support.

“I cannot speak highly enough of Burnie Brae - what would I do without you? I have discovered a gold mine!” burniebrae.org.au

STAFF SHORTAGES HIT AUSTRALIA’S GROWING HOME CARE CRISIS

IMPROVEMENTS to Australia’s healthcare system aimed at improving wellbeing and life expectancy, have often missed the growing home care sector.

The cost and effort of providing home care has often been seen as not financially rewarding, with local councils dropping out of providing home care.

The organisations brought in to help clean up the mess are also falling short. Since 2011, the number of home care users has more than trebled while numbers of those wanting a career in aged care are decreasing.

Despite the massive increase in home care users, finding workers continues to be problematic. Many organisations struggle to meet demand, yet refuse to turn down new clients, leaving many elderly individuals with a home care provider who can’t provide.

What the home care sector needs more than ever is to integrate healthcare with home care.

To empower personal care assistants by giving them access to GPs and other medical staff, which would also make their job more fulfilling both professionally and personally.

Mark & Sylvie’s Home Care was set up by doctors to do just this.

Its main point of difference is that they empower their personal care assistants by giving them access to, and the ability to communicate with, medical staff.

The greatest part about this is being able to give back to the community in a way that leaves people feeling appreciated and valued. And while many struggle to find workers, having a sister company of medical clinics means they are well placed with staff. No individual should ever feel put aside and forgotten. atticushealth.com.au

2022

National Aged Care Award

Skin Cancer 101: What you should know about Australia’s cancer

Did you know 2 in 3 of us will be diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70? With one Australian losing their life to melanoma every five hours, it’s important that we know how to keep our skin healthy and safe.

What is skin cancer?

Most skin cancers are locally destructive cancerous growths on the skin. They originate from the cells in the outer layers

of the skin, called the epidermis. There are various types of skin cancers that grow in different cell types. Some types of skin cancer grow larger on the skin and cause disfigurement and pain. Aggressive skin cancers like melanoma can quickly spread to other organs in the body and become deadly.

What causes skin cancer?

Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which damages the cells and

What does skin cancer look like?

Seborrhoeic Keratosis

Harmless wartlike spots usually developing by the age of 60.

causes tanning, sunburn, pigmentation, and freckles, and can potentially turn those cells cancerous. Skin cancers will often develop years after sun exposure has occurred. Solarium use significantly increases your chances of growing skin cancer.

Some skin cancers can appear in areas that haven’t been exposed to the sun. For example, melanoma can be hereditary; if your parent, sibling or child has had a melanoma, your own risk increases significantly.

Skin cancer can affect anyone, occur anywhere on the body and come in various shapes and colours.

Dysplastic Naevi

Benign moles which might indicate greater melanoma risk.

Solar Keratoses

Sun damage indicating increased skin cancer risk.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Most common but least dangerous form of skin cancer.

How to check your own skin for skin cancer

Between professional skin checks, you can self-monitor your skin for any new, changing or unusual lesions.

Start by examining your body in a full-length mirror, checking all skin on your front and back with your arms raised.

Next, look at your underarms, forearms and palms, then your legs, toes and the soles of your feet. Use a hand mirror or ask a loved one for help examining your neck, scalp, ears, back and buttocks.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

A more serious form of skin cancer often on areas exposed to the sun.

Did you know?

Melanoma diagnoses in Queensland reach up to 82% above the national average.

Melanoma

The most dangerous form of skin cancer which must be treated urgently.

The ABC signs of melanoma

Asymmetry: The two halves don’t match

Border: The edges are notched or uneven

Colour: There are multiple colours

Diameter: The lesion is larger than a pencil eraser

Evolving: The lesion is changing

Firm: It feels hard to the touch

Growing: It has recently gotten bigger

If anything stands out, see your doctor straight away, even if you aren’t due for your follow-up check.

Remember, skin cancer can be invisible to the naked eye.

What happens if a mole is suspicious?

During your full-body skin cancer check (recommended for all Queenslanders at least once a year), your doctor will examine any moles, freckles or bumps with a dermatoscope: a skin microscope that allows them to see beneath the skin to identify suspicious characteristics.

“Melanoma can grow very fast and may show no symptoms until an advanced stage,” says Professor David Wilkinson, Chief Medical Officer at National Skin Cancer Centres.

“Special diagnostic tools are necessary to see beneath the skin’s surface to identify suspicious changes. Skin checks are important for early detection and produce life-saving results.”

If your doctor identifies signs indicating a malignancy (skin cancer), a biopsy may be performed. The skin tissue sample is sent to a pathologist to confirm diagnosis, which will determine treatment approaches available to you, including excision or topical creams.

Did you know?

Early detection with total body photography

For high-risk patients, total body photography is recommended in addition to your skin check. It is the best method to detect skin cancers accurately and early by monitoring changes over time through the comparison of a series of digital images of your entire skin surface.

“With something as life-threatening as skin cancer, the earlier we detect it, the higher the chance of successful treatment,” says Prof Wilkinson.

Are you at risk of skin cancer?

You are at increased risk for developing skin cancer if you:  are aged over 40  have had multiple sunburns

 have pale skin, fair hair or blue eyes

 have a large number of freckles or moles  have had skin cancer before  have skin spots that look different to the others  often enjoy outdoor activities or work outdoors  bleed easily, even with little abrasion

 have ever used a tanning bed

“Many patients have sun-damaged skin in Queensland, so they’re at high risk of skin cancer including potentially deadly melanoma, but a lot of people underestimate that risk,” says Prof Wilkinson.

How can you protect your skin?

Most skin cancers arise anew rather than developing within existing moles. The majority of skin cancers develop because of exposure to the sun’s UV rays, so to protect yourself this summer it’s important to:

• always wear sunscreen every day, and re-apply every two hours;

• avoid going outside in the middle of the day when UV levels peak;

• cover exposed skin with a hat, sunglasses, and sleeves;

• stick to the shade whenever possible;

• never use a solarium (tanning bed);

• self-monitor your skin for any new or changing moles in between professional skin checks; and

• see a doctor once a year for a professional full-body skin cancer check using dermoscopy for a head-to-toe examination of your entire skin surface.

“It’s important to take steps from prevention to detection in summer when UV levels are highest,” says Prof Wilkinson.

“Early detection through regular full-body skin cancer checks is the best defence. Our mission is to detect skin cancers in the early stages to minimise complex, and expensive treatments, and ultimately save lives.”

Over 1.1 million skin cancers are treated every year in Australia.

Hit on the liver and feel the difference

Your liver is important to almost every bodily function. TRUDY KITHER writes that it is deserves much more attention than avoiding alcohol, coffee, and processed foods.

Your liver is like your car’s air filter. It processes and removes all the toxins so the engine can function at maximum capacity. You replace or clean the air filter every six months to keep the car running smoothly and fuel efficient.

This is equally true for the liver, one of the body’s major organs.

Its job is to filter every toxin inhaled, ingested or put on your skin throughout your lifetime.

Think moisturisers, harsh soaps, cleaning chemicals, sunscreen, makeup, perfume, deodorants, shampoo and conditioners, food, drink, water, air pollutants, toothpaste, smoke, medications and so on.

It then breaks down the toxins for excretion out of your body via the bladder and large intestine (bowel/colon). It is vital for your stomach and small intestine to absorb nutrients from what you consume.

your parasympathetic nervous system (which allows your body to digest and rest) produces the bile to instantly break down what is going into your mouth and then pass the waste product into your bowel for daily excretion.

The gall bladder is equally important. Its action is to produce and store bile and instantly send it to the liver as soon as saliva glands react to incoming food or fluid.

naturally declines so the gall bladder needs assistance to digest and absorb nutrients and move them into the small and large intestines and out of your body daily.

If the gall bladder is removed, bile production capability is lost. Undigested food can get stuck in leaky channels in your stomach lining, causing fermentation, bloating, flatulence, constipation or diarrohea.

red blood cells, hormones, and chemical messengers to all systems and organs of your body.

But when liver and lymphatic systems are over-burdened and stagnant, you will not be able to lose weight, as those toxins are not moving out of your body as they should.

Symptoms can include weight gain, fatigue, headaches, constant exhaustion, constipation and/or diarrohea, acid reflux, heartburn, GERD, fluid retention, sleep disturbances, irritability, brain fog, hay fever and increased allergy responses. Most skin issues develop from a burdened liver, such as eczema, psoriasis, rashes, dermatitis, and acne.

The liver is the major fat-burning organ of your body. It is important that it is cleaned and your liver cells regenerate and renew every night, as they are designed to do.

will be prevalent and hard to shift.

A correct liver detox is not achieved by stopping alcohol, coffee, processed foods, juice fasts or any other vices for maybe a week or two.

Your liver and gall bladder must be regularly “encouraged” to actively cleanse themselves and regenerate and heal.

Effective treatment focuses on specifically targeted herbs to cleanse, regenerate and heal your liver and gall bladder.

When treatment is completed correctly, patients always feel amazing.

A bonus for most people is that they experience at least a few kilos of weight loss because their liver is finally reducing its toxic overload and clearing their stagnant lymphatic system.

When you eat and drink,

A downside is that as we get older, our bile production

A healthy, circulating lymphatic system carries healthy

If not, weight gain and puffiness due to fluid retention

Trudy Kither is a naturopath, herbalist, and iridologist at Nature’s Temple Wellness Clinic. Visit naturestemple.net Do

RESEARCH SUPPORTS CERVICAL SCREENING FOR OLDER WOMEN

MORE women over 65 years are presenting with late-stage cervical cancer than younger women.

A new study in the Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention Journal for the American Association for Cancer Research, has found that 71 per cent of patients were over 65 compared to 48 per cent of younger women.

Evidence shows that with adequate screening and follow-up, cervical cancer can be prevented or detected at an early

JOIN EXPERT BREAST CANCER PANEL ONLINE

LEADING oncology research group, Breast Cancer Trials, is this month hosting a free, virtual Q&A about breast cancer treatments and their side effects, featuring breast cancer experts and patients.

Hosted by Annabel Crabb, it will be on Thursday, February 23, 4pm-5.30pm.

Everyone’s breast cancer experience is different, including the impact of treatment.

Some may experience few or mild side effects, while others may have long-lasting issues that continue long after treatment has finished.

Common side effects may include fatigue, hair loss, joint pain, skin and nail problems, menopausal symptoms, lymphoedema, weight loss or gain, poor appetite and diarrhoea.

In addition, breast cancer treatment can also affect mental health, relationships, ability to work, to look after children and to function in day-today life.

The panel includes Professor of Surgery at the University of Melbourne Bruce Mann who is research director at Breast Cancer Trials, medical oncologist Nicholas Zdenkowski; nurse practitioner in breast oncology at Macquarie University Jenny Gilchrist; and breast cancer survivor Naveena Nekkalapudis.

To tune in, simply register at breastcancertrials.org.au/news/qaevents/qa-the-side-effects-of-treatment where questions can also be submitted either or writing or as a video that can be played during the broadcast.

Visit breastcancertrials.org.au

DISEASES REMAIN THE BIGGEST KILLERS

ISCHAEMIC heart diseases; dementia including alzheimers; cerebrovascular diseases; malignant neoplasm of trachea, bronchus and lung; and chronic lower respiratory diseases including asthma have remained the top five underlying causes of death in Australia in 2021.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) there were 171,469 registered deaths in Australia in 2021, and in every age group from 0-84 years, there were more male than female

deaths. From 85 upwards, more female deaths were recorded.

Analysis by Bare Cremations group found that iron deficiency anaemia is nine times more deadly than venomous animals or plants.

Men are over three times more likely to die from transport accidents than women. Three men died falling out of a tree, and 21 men from falling from a boat and drowning. Four people died from a dog bite and only one from lightning.

the portable travel mobility scooter

stage, which is related to excellent survival.

The study revealed that late-stage five-year relative survival was lower for those over 65 years (23-37 per cent) compared to younger patients (42-52 per cent).

Current Australian guidelines recommend discontinuing screening for women over 65 who have a history of normal Pap and/or HPV tests.

This potentially leaves the age group vulnerable.

There were 942 women diagnosed with cervical cancer in Australia last year, and 222 women died.

Where to from here? The dilemma of structural lag

Aspiring retirees want to stop working, but they need to fund themselves. They need to contribute economically but they should not take jobs from the following generations. JUDY RAFFERTY discusses the conundrum facing older Australians.

T

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, men can expect to live, on average, to 84 years of age and women to 87.

Governments, as we know, are counting heads and counting dollars and they do not match – too many of

he expectations and lived experience of retirement has changed.one and not enough of the other. Individuals are counting years and counting dollars and wondering how to make them match.

People who started their working lives at age 15 and completed their working lives at age 65, will have worked for 50 years.

Their earnings from 50 years of work will need to support them for

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another 20 years, approximately.

Both the government and the individual recognise that this is a challenge. This concern is one reason why the government is keen to raise the age of eligibility for the age pension.

The age pension continues to supplement the income of 65 per cent of retirees.

And perhaps it is also a reason why the over-63 cohort is the fastest growing category of workers in Australia.

Gerontologist Matilda White Riley contributed a great deal to our understanding of the retirement dilemma.

She wrote of age and structural lag. This lag refers to the idea that lives have changed, but social structures have not caught up.

She argued that social institutions, public policies and cultural understandings are resistant to change whereas demographic, social and economic conditions change rapidly.

This is the case for those of retirement age and the institution of retirement. It means that the notion of, and act of, retirement is full of contradiction.

Retirees may need and want to work but an ageist society makes this difficult. There is no paradigm for people who want to retire in some way but also want to continue to work.

Structural lag means the message for the retirees is that they need to retire but they need to fund themselves. Another message is that they need to contribute economically but not take up jobs needed by younger people. It leads to confusion and a loss of confidence in how to move forward. Undoubtedly many who are ready to retire are caught in this lag.

There is no easy answer to the problem of structural lag.

We

believe

Judy Rafferty is the author of Retirement Your Way, A Practical Guide to Knowing What You Want and How to Get It, at all good bookshops and online.

Retirement living offers multitude of choices

There is a lot to think about when moving to retirement living. LESA MACPHERSON lists some of the questions to ask when choosing a retirement village. just entry costs? Understand what they are.

Right-sizing is the new term for downsizing but there are many things that should be carefully thought through before progressing with your retirement living decision.

Lifestyle choices and financial costs are equally important. Emotions must be taken into account.

Visit a variety of villages and picture yourself in each of them. Talk to residents, as well as friends and family.

Here are some of the questions to be asking:

How will you continue to include your loved ones in your life at the village you choose? Will you be close to friends and family? Can they stay overnight for a short visit? Are pets allowed? Does the Village include bus/ transport services?

An engaging lifestyle is an important consideration. Can you keep up your favourite hobbies or learn new ones? What clubs/social groups/activities are offered?

Can you afford the ongoing costs, not

What happens with any capital gain on the unit? Some allow no gain while some share it equally with the operator.

What are the renovation or refurbishment requirements or obligations on exit? Exit Fees – What are they? How are they calculated? If you leave the Retirement Village what are your entitlements? How soon would they be paid?

What sort of contract are you entering into – freehold, lease, licence to reside?

What arrangements are there for ill health/support/hospitalisation if needed?

Ongoing care, can you stay in the village, or do you have to move elsewhere? Consider the costs of transitioning.

Home Help and Aged Care is a vital consideration. Plan these sooner rather than later. What options are available?

Do you prefer new, or established

accommodation? High-rise? A garden? Take time to view a variety of options. If possible, look closely at floor plans and view lived in areas, not just a display unit.

Ask about the demographics of each option – does the age range of other occupants suit you?

If you are still partnered, would fees be manageable if you become single through separation or death?

Can you maintain your own garden? How would the area be modified for your pet?

What’s covered in the GSC (General Service Charge)? Do you pay for electricity, gas, water, internet separately? Are these shared, or are they individual costs?

Can you meet the on-site manager? Do you relate well? What involvement does the residents committee have? How are disputes resolved in the village?

Is the security in the village suitable for you?

FIVE GLOBAL INVESTMENT THEMES FOR 2023 – By Troy Derwin, Ord Minnett.

After challenging global equity and bond markets in 2022, the outlook for 2023 remains difficult and could be testing for investors. We present five global themes for 2023:

1. A US recession – The US Federal Reserve is in the midst of its most aggressive tightening cycle since 1981, having increased rates by 425 basis points in nine months. Four lead indicators suggest to us that this tightening cycle is driving a recession:

• a sharply inverted yield curve, with longer-dated interest rates significantly lower than shorter-term interest rates

• The Conference Board leading indicator is falling at a 9.6 per cent annual rate, consistent with prior recessions

• rapid tightening of lending standards by US banks

• rapid declines in new orders in both manufacturing and services sectors. Fundamentally, it appears difficult for the Fed to reduce US core consumer inflation from 4.7 per cent to its 2 per cent target without a downturn. US core private wages growth at 5.6 per cent year on year is almost twice the 2.9 per cent level that would be consistent with 2 per cent inflation. Sharply higher unemployment is required to dampen wages growth which, in turn, needs a recession.

2. The Fed to continue tightening, with no early pivot – Struggling for traction, the Fed should lift cash rates above 5 per cent, while the still-hot labour market should deter the Fed from an early pivot. Contributing to the Fed’s

lack of traction is the fact that 90 per cent of mortgages in the US are fixed for 30 years for about 3 per cent. So the central bank increasing rates does little to change homeowners’ behaviour.

3. High risk of a non-US financial event – Fed tightening cycles often lead to financial crises. Given its most aggressive rate cycle in 41 years and solid US private balance sheets, a non-US financial event, possibly in peripheral Europe, seems more likely.

4. Easing geopolitical tensions as China re-engages with the West and Russia remains on the defensive – Even so, these events are driving increased defence spending, accelerated clean energy investment and deglobalisation.

5. China’s reopening to underwhelm – Weak growth, modest stimulus and

What arrangements are in place for maintenance of unit, community facilities, grounds/common areas. Are meals or a dining area available?

When are village staff on duty? How often is there a nurse on duty? Who responds to emergency call buttons? Are these provided?

Review amenities and services, such as wheelchair access, physio, exercise and relaxation classes, gym equipment, pool, spa, hairdresser, men’s shed, library etc.

The State Government in its retirement village documentation strongly recommends obtaining Independent legal advice prior to signing a retirement village contract. When entering into any contract always use a lawyer with extensive experience in that area – not a generalist lawyer or conveyancer.

Lesa Macpherson is from Brisbane Elder Law, experts in retirement village contracts. Call 1800 328 952 or visit brisbaneelderlaw.com.au

severe structural challenges should limit reopening recovery unless policy becomes aggressively stimulative. Investment implications: We remain cautious and stay very underweight in the US where equities are not factoring in a recession and bonds should be disappointed by a hawkish Fed. Plus, equities do not expect a significant financial event. While we expect an underwhelming China reopening, expectations are modest in emerging markets, leading us to remain overweight.

Troy Derwin is an Authorised Representative (no 435773) of Ord Minnett Ltd, AFS licence 237121. This article contains general financial advice only. Troy can be reached on 07-5430 4444 or tderwin@ords.com.au.

RETIREMENT LIVING

INSPIRATIONAL BARRY PUSHES THE ENVELOPE

THE phrase “pushing the envelope” means to behave in a more extreme way or to try new things, and that perfectly sums up Suncare client Barry Pittard.

After becoming ill and receiving a poor future health prognosis, the retired schoolteacher decided to take matters into his own hands

“Many times, little equals big,” Barry says. “You need to take small steps, but regularly, in order to achieve results. Like starting with one word, adding more words and making a song . And it always needs to be fun.”

When it comes to exercise, Barry suggests you be gentle on yourself.

“Start with moving a finger; run like a snail , but run; and use your common sense – your body will tell you what you can do next,” he says. “The secret is in doing it, not overdoing it.”

Barry now attends the local gym four times a week and his health has improved substantially.

Staying active and positive, Barry loves writing poetry, and with some success – his poem Ukraine 2022, was recently published.

He has also rediscovered his singing voice and hopes to share his love of music and his poetry at retirement facilities.

Barry thrives on being independent,

and while he likes to walk or catch the bus, he also enjoys the social support and taxi vouchers he receives as part of his Suncare Home Care Package .

Call Suncare 1800 786 227 or visit suncare.org.au.

CREATIVE ARTS PRECINCT BRINGS ARTISTIC FLAIR

AFTER visiting many different over 50s communities, Brisbane couple Paul and Catherine Hemmings couldn’t go past B by Halcyon as the setting for their next chapter.

The pair, who lived in leafy Burbank, were excited to swap their acreage home for one of the community’s coveted homes, which backs directly on to the 100-yearold Buderim forest.

“We looked at quite a few communities, and we were very impressed with Stockland’s Halcyon Communities in relation to a range of things,” Paul said.

These included design, masterplanning, facilities and environmental considerations which made the Buderim community the standout choice.

An artist, Paul was also impressed by the community’s Creative Arts Precinct, which opened in December.

“I have been playing in the contemporary art space for as long as I can remember,” Paul said. “Once I retired and left my corporate life behind, I had more time and opportunity to expand my artistic brain.

“Now that the precinct is open, I am looking forward to being able to share ideas and inspiration with other homeowners from the community.”

He said contemporary art was something anyone could get involved in and people were often surprised by the great pieces they could create.

B by Halcyon’s Creative Arts Precinct features arts and craft studios, a pottery workshop with kiln as well as an open courtyard to hold exhibitions and displays.

“I think the precinct is a great addition to our growing community here and will allow for a whole range of artistic endeavours,” Paul said. “Already there’s many interest groups forming, for different types of art as well as jewellery, quilting and mosaics.

“It’s just fantastic to have a space that feeds the creative souls of our homeowners here at Buderim.”

To preview B by Halcyon’s new Creative Arts Precinct and Recreation Centre, join an upcoming small group tours.

Visit stockland.com.au/halcyoncommunities/b-by-halcyon or book a private tour on 1800 050 050.

GET RETIREMENT LIFE ON TRACK AT BERNBOROUGH ASCOT

BERNBOROUGH Ascot

Retirement Living is a lively precinct.

It brings together an idyllic trackside location, spacious apartments, a full suite of amenities, wellbeing activities and a thriving resident community.

With stunning views across Doomben racecourse, residents can enjoy the open landscape and the proximity to restaurants, cafes and retail, with easy travel to the

river, city and airport.

Well- designed residences, premium fixtures, seamless open plan living, and large balconies provide the space to bring friends and family together to celebrate good times.

Amenities at Bernborough Ascot include a concierge, masters lounge and café with stunning racecourse views, cinema, gym, library, and barbecue area.

The next stage will deliver the restaurant, resident lounge,

indoor pool, gym and wellness centre roof top terrace and a bowling green.

Bernborough Ascot represents the opportunity to join the many wellness and social activities, sharing moments joy and adventure with like-minded residents.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments have sold and only a handful of two-bedroom apartments remain.

Visit bernboroughascot.com.au

Paul Hemmings loves having artistic space.

Stretch yourself with a fit ball

The wobble is part of the value of a fit ball, as it keeps muscle groups working just to stay aboard. TRISTAN HALL suggests some fun ways to make the most of the experience.

Fit balls wobble around. This is an important advantage over other equipment. To stay stable you need to activate many large and small muscle groups. When using the ball, sit forward a bit. This engages your core and prevents slumping.

A ball is the right size if, when you sit on it, your hips are slightly higher than your knees. A 65cm ball suits most people.

Use the fit ball on a surface that has some grip such as a carpet or grass.

Here are a few fun ways to get started:

The Squat: Stand near a wall with the ball behind you. Move the ball up and down your back by bending your knees. Repeat this for a few minutes.

Ideally do this routine a few times a day. It will help to keep knees and hips mobile and lubricated. Daily activities such as lawn bowls or walking on tourist trails will be more fun.

Side Stretch: Sit on the ball and lift your right arm up and over your head towards the left side of the room. Return your arm to beside your right thigh then repeat the stretch 10 times. Switch and stretch your left arm over your head and to the right.

You can do this slowly, holding the maximum stretch for around 20 seconds or dynamically. Keep your feet stable as the ball will move sideways as you do this stretch. This is a very pleasant stretch and a good antidote to sitting around.

Chest Press: Sit on the fit ball holding a small free weight in each hand. Slide forward until your head

and shoulders are supported on the ball. Use core muscles to raise your body so hips are elevated and the torso is flat like a table top. Keep feet firmly on the floor.

Hold the weights at your shoulders with your elbows bent outwards. Slowly lift the weights above your head then lower them to the starting position. Repeat this 10 to 15 times.

Pass the Ball: Lie down on your back. Raise the fit ball behind your head and touch the floor behind you. Then lift your feet and legs and pass the ball into your feet. Pass it back to your hands. Then place the ball behind your head. Continue passing the ball for 10 repetitions.

Take a break and do another set. It is not necessary to raise your head.

Tristan Hall is an exercise physiologist with Full Circle Wellness. Call 0431 192 284 or visit fullcirclewellness.com.au

FIT HAPPENS With Tom Law

TWO friends and exercise clients are more than halfway through a cruise to New Zealand.

According to their pictures and posts on social media, they are having a ball. The other obvious thing we can see is that they are getting around quite all right thank you very much.

One of the ladies is over 70 and the other is over 80. They have been travelling together for some time and were waiting until it was reasonable and medically sound to travel again.

My wife has retired and although I am of retirement age, I want to work for a little while yet, but we both hope to be as fit and healthy as our two friends at their age.

One of the things that I am aware of, being a personal trainer, is the fact that although we lose fitness and health as we age, we do not have to succumb to the aging process completely.

I have worked with quite a few senior citizens who

have had drastic changes in their overall health and wellness including significant weight loss, gains in strength and aerobic fitness, and flexibility.

Some clients have even reduced or ceased specific medications as they no longer need them, and even several diabetics have been able to come off medication.

So, what do you have to do to improve your health?

Firstly, talk to your doctor. Secondly, have a regular exercise program.

Start slowly, go easy and work into it. It may be as simple as a daily walk, doing some body weight exercises such as push-ups and squats, or gym sessions.

Australian Department of Health physical activity guidelines recommend being active on most, if not all, days for 150 to 300 minutes a week, including up to 150 minutes of vigorous exercise.

Tom Law is author of Tom’s Law Fit Happens. Visit tomslaw.com.au

RIVER OF DREAMS

Anita Heiss

Reviewed by Jan Kent

IT COMES as no surprise that this wonderful novel received a number of literary awards in 2022. Being based on a true historic event – the 1852 great flood at Gundagai – gives the book authenticity.

Many lives were lost, but many were saved due to the bravery of indigenous rescuers.

It is a story of family, belonging and connection to country of the Wiradyuri people, set in a time of colonisation and conflict between the white man’s law and indigenous culture. The author, a proud Wiradyuri women, has woven her native language into the story, but this does not detract in any way, with a glossary of the words included.

I found this made it more powerful, as the strength of the main character, Wagadhaany, humbles the reader.

Highly recommended.

ABANDONED IN DEATH

J D Robb

Reviewed by Jo Bourke

IF YOU are already an avid crime reader, chances are you have already discovered author J D Robb who published her first “In Death” series in 1995 (Naked in Death). For new readers the futuristic (21st century New York) suspense series features Eve Dallas, a meticulous detective who never misses a beat and who nurtures and challenges her team including psychological profiler Dr Mira.

Her 54th book, Abandoned in Death did not disappoint and focused on the killer’s abandonment by his mother when a very young child and his obsession with revenge. Even though I knew the killer would be captured, the many twists and turns had me reading late into each night waiting for the clever conclusion.

J D Robb is now in her 70s. Her website advises she has new novels ready for release in 2023 to add to the more than 500 million books already in print. What a woman!

If you enjoy crime fiction and you’re yet to read an Eve Dallas novel, do yourself a favour and visit your bookstore or library.

THE GOOD WIFE OF BATH

By Karen Brooks

Reviewed by Annie Grossman

Married off at 12 years old to an elderly farmer, Eleanor’s destiny is in other people’s hands, as is the way of the medieval world; but this lady doesn’t bow meekly.

KNIFE

Jo Nesbo

Reviewed by John Kleinschmidt

JO NESBO is my favourite Swedish crime writer with more than 20 titles and over 40 million books sold worldwide.

Knife (2019) is a fairly typical Jo Nesbo novel – well written with well-developed characters and an engaging plot complete with red herrings and many twists and turns.

Knife is a Harry Hole thriller, a brilliant detective with so many character flaws and issues with his superiors that he is sometimes annoying. Nonetheless, this is a story that revolves around Harry, his family and a notorious killer, the first that Harry put behind bars.

This stands by itself as a crime thriller but is probably more enjoyable if you have read previous Nesbo books.

KEEPING UP APPEARANCES

By Tricia Stringer

Reviewed by Lea Dodd

RUNT

Craig Silvey

Reviewed by Graeme Bowden

I WAS very excited when I saw the new Craig Silvey book had arrived and was not disappointed. I loved every bit of it.

It is very, very funny but with lessons on how we should all behave.

Runt is a homeless dog, of unknown pedigree, with very special talents. He is befriended by a young girl, Annie Shearer, and her family.

Set in the small country town of Upson Downs, which is enduring hard times because of drought, and the actions of the Earl RobertBarren.

That is, until Annie, with the help of Runt, hatches a plan to change their fortunes.

Craig has created a story and cast of characters that you will love. It’s not a just a kid’s book but a great story for people of all ages.

IF YOU are looking for a big, enjoyable romp of a book, this is one!

The Good Wife of Bath is the story of Eleanor Cornfed, who is loosely based on Chaucer’s character, The Wife of Bath from The Canterbury Tales

She is a fighter (and a lover). Eleanor outlives five husbands, and in a world where women are pushed aside, manages to take control of her own life.

This is an entertaining, compelling and well-written novel. Highly recommended.

IN the small Australian country town of Badara, it seems that everyone knows everyone else’s business. But one by one, this delightful cast of characters have to own up to their own truths as their secrets are exposed and begin to unravel their perfectly constructed lives.

Briony’s children are breaking the traditional mould, her sister-in-law Marion’s former teenage antics are catching up with her, and single mother Paige has landed in Badara to avoid her past mistakes.

This is a heartening and sometimes humourous story about friendship where the women of the town, both old and new, learn that keeping secrets and living up to societal expectations take their toll, honesty is always the best policy, and home-baked sausage rolls fix everything.

I fell in love with the characters and the town and found it difficult to say goodbye at the end of this book.

Security, Independence & Peace of Mind

Providing privacy & independence with the security of proximity to family. Glendale Granny Cabins provide comfortable, self contained accommodation for elderly relatives on the same site as the family home.

BEWARE THE PET SCAMMERS

LEADING national animal welfare charity

Companion Animal Network Australia (Australia CAN) is warning pet adopters about fake pet rescue groups which are breaking hearts and draining bank accounts.

“The majority of pet rescue groups are run ethically by staff and volunteers who are dedicated and work hard to save animal lives,” said Trish Ennis, CEO of Australia CAN, a registered charity representing the companion animal welfare work of member organisations around Australia.

“But sadly, there is a rise in scam pet rescue groups targeting people who want to adopt from a shelter or rescue. Scammers are impersonating real animal shelters and rescue groups or posing as people who want to rehome an animal and tricking the public into adopting pets that don’t exist.”

To raise awareness about pet scams, Australia CAN partnered with Puppy Scam Awareness Australia (PSAA), a dedicated organisation that brings awareness about the thousands of pet scamming syndicates who prey on pet shoppers, helps puppy shoppers spot a scammer and assists those who have been scammed.

Visit puppyscamawarenessaustralia.com.au

OF THE MONTH

THE benefits of pet ownership are well recognised and there are pets who need owners too. RSPCA Queensland has more than 47,000 animals arrive each year –strays, surrendered by an owner, rescued by the Animal Ambulance, or victims of cruelty. All deserve a second chance. Meet:

Isla is a Border Collie cross Staffordshire Bull Terrier, aged seven years and 10 months.

She is a sweet, affectionate, shy girl looking for a caring and understanding owner.

Her world was turned upside down and after all the changes has become a bit more reserved but will soon settle back into home life.

She loves treats and will be your side like glue. Isla has great manners and will sit when asked.

She suits both indoor and outdoor life and would mix with other dogs, ideally a calm and respectful dog.

Desexed, microchipped, vaccinated, worm and flea treated. Adoption price $350.

Bella is a female domestic short hair aged four years and three months. She is looking for a second chance and has been patiently waiting for a new owner for a few months. An easy-going cat she would be the one-and-only furry companion, so if there is space for only one cat, this is the one.

Bella likes to laze the day away, and would make a relaxed companion. She likes a good chin scratch, is also happy doing her own thing. A few cardboard boxes and a scratching post and she’ll be happy.

Desexed, microchipped, vaccinated, worm and flea treated. Adoption price $165.

To adopt, apply online rspcaqld.org.au/adopt or call the RSPCA adoption line 1300 364 443

SAY GOODBYE WITH GRACE AND DIGNITY

WHAT’S ON CURTAIN RISES WITH A SERIOUS COMEDY

ACT 1 theatre company’s first show for the year is the hilarious but serious Farmer Will Swap Combine Harvester For A Wife written by Hugh O’Brien and directed by Terry Frawley

When 59-year-old bachelor farmer Cyril Evans runs a personal ad in the Queensland Country Life offering to swap his reconditioned John Deere 9750 STS combine harvester for a wife of “breeding age” all hell breaks loose.

A fourth-generation grain and beef producer, Cyril promised his father he would never sell the family property Evanswood. But life didn’t quite go as

planned for the likeable Cyril.

Due to a sad misunderstanding 33 years ago, his marriage to the lovely Delmay Maydel was called off the night before the wedding. In quick time a bevy of people appears on his doorstep.

They include the beautiful young Skye Wilson, who has been driving and fixing headers since she was 12. Cyril’s jilted fiancée from 33 years ago, Delmay; Cyril’s neighbour Gus Bell, who has his own secret agenda; sexy young Roxanne “Roxfox” Foxton; and a well-mannered young grazier, Doug Dinnington.

Act 1 Theatre, 238 Gympie Rd, Strathpine. February 17-19, 24-26. March 3-4 (including two Sunday matinees)

ARTS THEATRE PRESENTS A FAMILY STORY

BRISBANE Arts Theatre presents Things I

Know to be True by Andrew Bovell, which delves into the core of the Australian family unit and how it evolves over time.

The Prices are the ultimate working class family. Bob and Fran have worked hard to give their four children the opportunities they never had. Now, with the kids ready to make lives of their own, it’s time to sit back and smell the roses. But the change of the seasons reveals some shattering truths, leaving us asking whether it’s possible to love too much.

The play has six characters – Bob,

Farmer Will Swap Combine Harvester For A Wife

Fran, Pip, Mark, Ben and Rosie, with each taking turns to bring shockwaves to the family dynamic over the course of a year. Rosie returns to Adelaide brokenhearted after a European gap-year; Pip has marriage troubles; Mark is struggling with gender identity and Ben’s greed to overcome his working class roots, drives much of the action. The story is hauntingly beautiful, and achingly real.

Brisbane Arts Theatre, 210 Petrie Tce. Fridays and Saturdays until March 4, 8pm. Select Sundays 6.30pm Tickets $36, concessions and groups $29. Visit artstheatre.com.au

PICK FROM TEN FABULOUS SHOWS OVER FOUR DAYS

FROM an evening of queer and precarious provocations, to funky disco madness, beautiful acoustic melodies and toetapping folksy fun, the Stage Sessions Concert Series is four days of cabaret programming.

Celebrating its fourth iteration as an influential performing arts program that showcases local, emerging and established talent, Stage Sessions has presented many of the ground-breaking artists and companies that make the Redlands Coast a source for creative ideas and performance.

This year’s shows include well-known favourites, hot young ensembles, comedic geniuses and talented musicians in two new and five local works, a pioneering First Nations performance, and a show created in conjunction with resident company, indelabilityarts.

The No Bang Theory by Oliver Hetherington-Page, produced by indelabilityarts, will appear as part of an

Sex and Other Philosophies outstanding double-bill on opening night, Thursday 2 March, together with Karen Lee Roberts’ new trash cabaret, Sex & Other Philosophies.

On March 3, whip out your neon tracksuit and trip back to the ’80s with two glorious shows, including the return of RPAC’s favourite ‘funny mummy’ Jenny Wynter with her latest hilarious cabaret.

On the weekend, will be a smorgasbord of musical styles and offerings, including lauded Quandamooka bluesman, Adam James, and music prodigy, 13-year-old Jake Murdoch.

Concert Hall, Redland Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland. March 2-4

Tickets $28–$32

Bookings RPAC Box Office 3829 8131 or visit rpac.com.au

TAKE A TRIP ON THE RATTLER

IF YOU’RE looking for a day’s entertainment, head to Gympie for a historic rail journey through the Mary Valley.

The Mary Valley Rattler provides an atmospheric journey back in time, when Gympie was one of Australia’s richest gold mining regions.

Today, the lovingly-restored steam and diesel trains travel the Mary Valley to the historic village of Amamoor, where passengers can disembark for refreshments while watching the engine being turned.

The Rattler operates throughout the week, providing a range of services including traditional steam engine rides and the Tasting Train, when passengers can taste the Mary Valley’s famous produce.

Special packages are available to ride with the driver, tour the workshops or take the VIP car.

Dine at Rusty Rails Café at the heritage Gympie Station, pre or post journey, and purchase food and beverages for the journey.

Visit maryvalleyrattler.com.au

EXPO A COMPLETE GUIDE TO RETIREMENT LIVING

THE free Retirement Village and Resort Expo will be a chance to find out more in taking the first step towards a happy and healthy retirement.

The Expo is an opportunity to learn more about retirement living options available in southeast Queensland.

Australia’s most respected retirement living operators, representing communities of every type and price point, will be on hand to explain the benefits of life in a retirement

STAGE SESSIONS

village or resort.

These include social life, affordable accommodation, low-maintenance living, recreational facilities, an active lifestyle, safety and security, ready access to services, “lock and leave” homes that make travel easy and, with so many communities to choose from, a location to suit every way of life.

Retirement communities are purpose built for seniors.

Clear sightlines, level floors and wider corridors support

ageing in place, while communal gardens and well-maintained footpaths make outdoor settings safe and accessible.

The DCM Longitudinal National Resident Survey in 2020 found that 43 per cent of residents experienced improved mental, physical and financial wellbeing after moving into a village or resort.

Broncos Leagues Club, Red Hill. February 19 and 20, 10am-3pm.

Visit retirementexpo.com.au

SATURDAY MAY 27

SATURDAYMAY27

Music | Comedy | Theatre

Ten fabulous shows to choose from across four days!

This is your chance to try some new cabaret or music from the best local, emerging and established talent.

THU 2 – SUN 5 MARCH

Redland Performing Arts Centre, Concert Hall Stage Tickets: $28 – $32 via 3829 8131 or rpac.com.au

Longreach stays inspired by the pioneers

Staging Post have an early-Australian theme and the benefit of a kitchenette.

All guest rooms at The Staging Post have ensuites, air conditioning, TV, microwave, simple self-catering facilities, free WiFi and access to a guest laundry.

The Staging Post guest rooms are often fully-booked during the April-October holiday season but the three-day short break Outback Pioneers Longreach storytelling holiday starting every Monday includes accommodation, the three signature Outback Pioneers experiences and entry to the Qantas Founders Museum and Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame.

10 GOOD REASONS TO LEAVE TRAVEL PLANNING TO THE EXPERTS

Up to 30 per cent of travellers book their own travel. SARAH WEBSTER lists some of the many good reasons to tap into the expertise of a travel agent.

The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) has found that more than 70 per cent of Australian travellers used a travel agent before the pandemic.

When travelling the Outback, accommodation can make or break the holiday mood.

Whether looking for an inspiring short break or a change from nomadic van life for a few days, The Staging Post in Longreach is a unique way to live and dream the Outback’s pioneer stories.

The Kinnon family, founders of Outback Pioneers, have brought their passion for storytelling and their careful curation to creating guest rooms that will wrap you in quirky, rustic-luxe comfort.

The Stables guest rooms at the Staging Post are the signature 4-star choice.

In the historic heart of town, yet whisper quiet at night, the Stables are approached through a courtyard full of restored horse-drawn vehicles from the pioneer past.

When entering the room, the sense of having stepped back in time continues.

“We wanted to create accommodation that tells a story,” Marisse Kinnon says.

“Not only do these boutique rooms

contain stories of the time when the stagecoach clattered into town but every modern convenience is cleverly concealed to maintain the vision.”

Through necessity, the pioneers were the original role models for “reuse and repurpose”. The Stables deluxe guest rooms re-used timbers from Nogo Station, old cabinets as bedside tables, artwork created from barbed wire and recycled cans, and a quirky rainshower that is just what the pioneers might have had – if they’d had the luxury of a shower.

Across the street is The Welcome Home, a restored historic building, where you can book Outback Pioneers experiences and have the famous country buffet breakfast and stonegrill dining experience during the April-October season.

Longreach’s supermarket, cafes, pubs, restaurants and the Merino Bakery are just a short walk away.

As an alternative to The Stables, the 3.5-star Coach Inn guest rooms at The

Sat, 29 April: Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre .... $68

Sat, 17 June: Maleny – Chocolates & Cheese .................................$113*

Sat, 8 July: Queensland Garden Expo – Nambour ............................ $60

Sat, 22 July: Gold Coast to Brisbane Lunch Cruise

Includes coach Brisbane to Gold Coast .....................$188*

Sat, 9 September: Mooloolaba Canals & Harbour Cruise $152*

Sat, 4 October: Eumundi Markets .................................................... $42

Live, breathe, eat and sleep the Outback with the Cobb and Co stagecoach experience riding through the bush on the old mail route; the Nogo Station experience with a Kinnon family host; and the Starlight’s cruise aboard a historic paddlewheeler on the Thomson River at sunset followed by a gidgee-wood campfire.

For a longer six-night stay at The Staging Post including all these experiences plus a full-day tour to Winton, choose the Unleash Longreach holiday.

The Staging Post accommodation is open year-round while the Outback Pioneers holidays and experiences run between April and October. Book early for a choice of dates.

Visit outbackpioneers.com.au

But there’s a lot more to consider when travelling these days, so having a travel expert on your side is more important than ever.

Were you part of the 30 per cent that used to book all your travel yourself? If so, here are a few things for you to consider moving forward:

1. Travel agents have a wealth of experience and knowledge that can take holiday plans to another level. In addition to their own experiences, they draw from the feedback of customers they booked holidays for previously.

2. Things are always changing in the world of travel, but they’ll help you rearrange your plans to suit, plus they’re up to date with the latest restrictions and policies.

3. They tell you what is, and isn’t, included in the price so there are no surprises later.

4. Travel agents can save time and money. It’s possible to spend a huge amount of time researching online before booking a holiday but there’s too much information online – who to trust and what to choose. Travel agents have spent years researching, learning about, and visiting the world. Your time is valuable so let them do the work for you.

5. They’re real people who work on holidays every day, so they can identify things that would be important to you and offer options to suit. They understand the big picture and can take

all factors into account from the start.

6. They genuinely care about you and want your travel experience to be stress-free. Without a travel agent, you’re on your own but when you’ve booked with an expert, you have support and peace of mind. Don’t spend your holiday worrying – enjoy your trip knowing they’re just an email or phone call away.

7. As they get to know you, they learn your preferences and can let you know when they discover something they know you’ll enjoy.

8. They can manage your entire trip. Rather than searching various websites for information, they’re a one-stop shop with tried and tested products . This can include comprehensive travel insurance, and currency cards, and current information on requirements such as visas, vaccinations, entry/

re-entry restrictions and quarantine.

9. If any detail changes, they coordinate everything that needs adjusting. Instead of you calling different companies for each affected element, possibly being on hold for hours at a time, they manage that for you.

10. Want good old-fashioned customer service? If any issues arise with your travel suppliers, or you need any special requests accommodated, they often have contacts who they can call upon for favours or special consideration. They’ve spent years forming valuable relationships with suppliers.

You’re possibly now thinking a travel agent might be a good idea, so how do you find the right one for you?

Don’t expect the same treatment across the board – ask friends, neighbours, or even your community Facebook group, if they have a good agent that they can recommend.

Feel free to “interview” your local agents so you can work out if they’re a good fit. Don’t know who is still operating in your area?

Visit travelagentfinder.com.au to search a trusted network of ATAS accredited experts by location or specialty to find your perfect travel agent match.

Sarah Webster is owner of Wayfinder Travel and Cruise. Visit wayfindertravel. au or call 0411 184 784.

SENIOR COACH TOURS HOME PICK-UP AND RETURN

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW, GREAT OCEAN ROAD

Fare includes: Motel accommodation, all breakfast and dinners, all admissions & touring, Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, International Flower & Garden Show, MCG tour, Ballarat Botanical Garden - Bergonia display at the Conservatory, Marble Statues, Tram Museum, Echuca Murray River, Paddlesteamer morning tea cruise, Bendigo Vintage Talking Tram ride, Blue Mountains Katoomba, Hunter Valley, Myall Lakes Forster & Tuncurry.

PICKUP AND RETURN: Brisbane, Redcliffe, Redlands, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Sunshine Coast, Bribie Island and Caboolture.

14 Days 25th March - 7th April, 2023

MUDGEE – LIGHTNING RIDGE COFFS HARBOUR, DUBBO ZOO, WARRUMBUNGLES, SIDING SPRING OBSERVATORY GOONDIWINDI, TOOWOOMBA

Fare includes: Accommodation, Lightning Ridge, Tamworth, Dubbo, Goondiwindi. All dinners and breakfasts, all admissions, Taronga Western Plains Open Range Zoo, Lightning Ridge Walk-In Mine, Chambers of the Black Hand, Mudgee Wineries, Siding Spring Exploratory.

PICKUP AND RETURN: Brisbane, Redcliffe, Redlands, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Sunshine Coast, Bribie Island and Caboolture.

9 Days 15th - 23rd April, 2023

OUTBACK

&

MAGNETIC ISLAND, WHITSUNDAYS, HAMILTON ISLAND

CHARLEVILLE, LONGREACH, WINTON, CHARTERS TOWERS, TOWNSVILLE, AIRLIE BEACH, TOWN OF 1770

Fare includes: Motel accommodation and all breakfasts and dinners, all admissions and touring. Charleville Bilby Experience, Longreach, Hall of Fame, Qantas Museum, Thompson River Dinner Show, Winton Age of Dinosaurs, Royal Open Air

FALL FOR THE COLOURS OF AUTUMN

RICH colours of autumn aren’t part of the Queensland landscape, but that doesn’t mean booking a trip to the northern hemisphere – just turn south.

Temperatures drop dramatically on the New England Tableland and the countryside delivers the beauty of deciduous trees trading their summer green for a glorious display of orange, red and yellow.

Paul Brockhurst of CT Travel has carefully planned a nine-day autumn tour departing on April 3, that will capture the splendour of autumn scenery through the New England highlands to the Hunter Valley and on to Canberra.

Four nights in the national capital will give plenty of time for Australia’s story to come life exploring our country’s history since federation.

“The autumn colours are spectacular and there are so many quaint country towns to visit along the way,” Mr Brockhurst said. “We will be driving down and flying back to Brisbane.”

Guests can sit back in the comfort of a modern new touring coach and enjoy the service and facilities as they head southwest towards Warwick to join the New England Highway to Tenterfield and the first night in Glen Innes.

Glen Innes is home to the Australian Standing Stones, a national monument to the Celtic nations of Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall, Wales, Isle of Man, Asturias and Galicia. They were officially opened in 1992, and have become internationally recognised as a gathering point for Celtic descendants and clans.

From there, it’s an interesting 100km drive to beautiful Armidale – city of churches, schools and heritage. After lunch, the coach heads down the Thunderbolt Way for two nights at Harrigan’s Irish Pub in the Hunter Valley.

At McGuigan Village, taste the fine handmade and preservative-free cheeses at the Cheese Factory, wine at the cellar door and specialty chocolate and fudge.

Hunter Valley Gardens in the foothills of the Brokenback Ranges, is in the heart of the Hunter vineyards covers more than 25ha of international display gardens. See more than 8000 roses on display or take a walk above the 10m

2023 Tour Program

MARCH 2023

Fraser Island Explorer (4 Days)

O’Reillys Escape (4 Days)

APRIL 2023

2023 Autumn Tour (9 Days)

High Country to Murray Delta (11 Days)

Gold Coast & Northern Rivers (4 Days)

MAY 2023

Norfolk Island (9 Days)

JUNE 2023

Red Centre - Adelaide to Darwin (18 Days)

Outback QLD to the Coast (1 Days)

JULY 2023

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo (7 Days)

AUGUST 2023

O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat (4 Days)

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo (7 Days)

Lightning Ridge (7 Days)

Fraser Island Whale Watch (4 Days)

SEPTEMBER 2023

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo (7 Days)

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (4 Days)

Spring Gardens Tour (12 Days)

October, November, December

details available soon

waterfall for superb views.

It’s a spectacular drive into the Blue Mountains, travelling through Dungong and Singleton before joining the iconic Putty Road through the major towns of the Blue Mountains.

Everglade Gardens at Leura is one of the most important gardens in Australia and is considered unparalleled for its unique design and historical significance.

In Canberra, Capital Hill overlooks Lake Burley Griffin and faces the Australian War Memorial where the impressive new Anzac Hall has been added to the galleries and exhibitions.

The original Parliament House below is now the Museum of Australian Democracy, while the stunning architecture of the National Museum makes it an extraordinary place to explore the rich and diverse stories of Australia and its people.

Cockington Green Gardens has miniature buildings and almost 35,000 flowers planted each year while the National Arboretum has one of the world’s largest living collections of rare, endangered and significant trees.

“There is so much to see and learn and while the countryside is dressed in its autumn colours, it’s a great time to head off,” Mr Brockhurst said.

For a full itinerary plus a list of other upcoming tours see the website.

Visit cttravel.com.au or call 5391 1648.

HEAD OFF ON A GREAT SOUTHERN ADVENTURE

COMBINE the history and culture of Melbourne with the scenic beauty of the Great Ocean Road on a coach tour to the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show departing on March 25.

The Coastal Variety Tours 14-day tour heads down the Pacific Highway to Coffs Harbour, Sydney and Albury, and arrives in Melbourne for the southern hemisphere’s largest and horticultural event. But it’s not all flowers and gardens.

Travellers will tour the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Victoria Markets and journey along the spectacular Great Ocean Road before heading back to the mining regions of Ballarat and Bendigo.

Go back in time with a tour of the Eureka Centre Museum, a ride on the Bendigo Talking Tram and a visit to historic Daylesford.

Other highlights include a leisurely paddle steamer cruise on the Murray River at Echuca, the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley and Myall Lakes. The tour includes home pick-ups from the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Gold Coast.

Coastal Variety Tours has been taking seniors on tours led by experienced guides, through some of the most spectacular sights and locations of the east coast for more than 40 years.

Call 5530 2363 or 0437 436 722 or visit coastalvarietytours.com.au

With Quizmaster Allan Blackburn

1. While transiting the Panama Canal, in what cardinal direction is the closest part of the Equator?

2. At what speed are standard vinyl LP records played?

3. What is the purpose of a conclave of cardinals?

4. What is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen and gives blood its red colour?

5. In what chemical are pickled onions usually preserved?

6. The 1973 Elton John song Candle in the Wind was written in memory of whom?

7. What does “derring do” refer to: hairstyle, laziness, courage?

8. In which country is the tourist resort city of Benidorm?

9. What is the name of the NRL’s 17th team?

10. What is the lowest number on any completed Sudoku line?

11. Who was the last Australian prime minister to come from Victoria?

12. What is muslin made from?

13. What does the Roman notation LXXX represent?

14. What would a French person typically do with a cassoulet?

15. What animal is used in the logo for ING?

16. “Tell him he’s dreaming” was a memorable line from which 1997 comedy?

17. Which country hosted the most recent Olympic Games?

18. What is the most common colour of the domestic canary?

19. A banjolele is a cross between a banjo and what other instrument?

20. What is the only country representing a letter in the phonetic alphabet?

mast, mate, mates, mats, matt, matte, matts, mean, meanest, means, meant, meat,

enema, mane, mans,

With many costs on the increase, it makes sense to secure your cremation at today’s prices with a guaranteed Cremation Deed.

It’s a very simple, secure way of saving and it doesn’t matter whether your service is held in your local church or our beautiful chapel, as all you’re locking in, is the cremation.

And should you want to go one step further, you can even select your memorial at the same time. Great Northern has acres of beautiful memorial gardens, featuring commemorative rose bushes, streams, green lawns and columbarium walls, all surrounded by natural bushland.

1. South; 2. 33 1/3 rpm; 3. To elect a new Pope; 4. Haemoglobin; 5. Vinegar or salt; 6. Marilyn Monroe;

7. Courage; 8. Spain; 9. The Dolphins; 10. One; 11. Julia Gillard; 12. Cotton; 13. 80; 14. Eat it (stew);

15. Lion; 16. The Castle; 17. China; 18. Yellow; 19. Ukulele; 20. India.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

27 Pitch mostly at area of neck(6)

DOWN

2 Reformed prisoner came to like people(14)

3 Adjudicator replaced free roll of film before the end(7)

4 Murderer left in the custody of person unknown(9)

5 Queues inside base looked around(7)

6 Start working as an actor(5)

7 Spray a variety of rose only on the odd occasion(7)

8 Blend of Australian red plugged by one business sector(10,4)

15 Stud who eats endlessly collected seeds?(9)

ACROSS

1 A vehicle, American – it crawls along(6)

5 Garbo fiddled with heel of worn ankle-high work boot(6)

9 Manipulated elements of fusion are abominable(9)

10 Called service “grand”(4)

11 Live with syndicates operating behind a specific location(8)

12 Sit back and sue a paper of little substance(6)

13 Turn up briefly ahead of long court challenge(6)

14 God accepting retired politician’s weakness(8)

16 One who picks up a specialist doctor(8)

19 Come shortly to make suitable sweet(6)

21 Climax or excellent film’s ending(6)

23 Mass of fine hair fellow, in front of everyone, is undoing(8)

24 Cheeky agent turned back time(4)

25 Vital energy supplier is a cheat(9)

26 Members of commune – a sect – worry(6)

17 Purify speed in empty can(7)

18 In diner we ordered a shiraz, say(3,4)

20 Fractured femur, swollen by fluid, could be warmer(7)

22 Academic, with no aid, shuffled around a holy city(5)

WORDFIND

QUICK CROSSWORD

No.

9-LETTER WORD

T M

Today’s Aim:

A N E E T

21 words: Good

31 words: Very good

42 words: Excellent T S

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

WORDSTEP

Every row, column and 3x3 outlined square must contain the numbers 1 to 9 once each.

No. 067

5 Speaker’s platform (4)

7 Accord (6)

8 Watersurrounded land (6)

9 Supervisors (7)

Complete the list by changing one letter at a time to create a new word at each step. One possible answer shown below.

TIMOR

19

MOLES

QUEENSLAND'S BEST VARIETY AND VALUE!

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