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Bgrandparenting game, I'm still coming to grips with how it all works — and the fact that one grandchild belongs to a vegetarian and the other to a vegan doesn't help.

Nanna, of course, is all too happy to break the rules. If it worked for their parents, then what's the problem?

But while I personally subscribe to the idea that what happens at grandma's house stays at grandma's house, Carrol Baker's interviews with the experts this month indicate that perhaps it should be otherwise.

I consider my role not so much as the parent handing out the discipline, making sure they eat their dinner and lying low on the goodies, but as the

granny who is here to be fun. I've done my parenting, and now it's time to enjoy the time spent with my little humans. If that means breaking a few rules, so be it.

My four-year-old granddaughter has developed a real taste for salami, much to the disgust of her vegetarian mother. It's the first thing she looks for at Nanna's house and I make sure I keep up the stocks. To her credit, mum has given up trying to change my evil ways and now just sniffs and groans.

We also call the lollies stashed in my car "energy boosters". That makes us all feel much better about it.

On the other hand, I have been warned that if my vegan son were to discover I had given his eight-monthold son a taste of scrambled egg, I would be in big trouble. His patient mother warns me that this will have to stop before the little guy starts talking, although I did call it avocado as I popped it in his mouth.

And so yes, I must admit I'm a bad granny. It's lucky that I'm not in charge for too long or too often or I really would spark a spoiler alert. Carroll's report is indeed enlightening.

Dorothy Whittington Editor

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Contents

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Spoiler alert…

Grandparents of the new millennium can easily find themselves in a tricky situation — spoiling the babies, becoming granny day care, or feeling guilty about doing too little or too much. CARROL BAKER investigates the role of grandparenting.

When three-year-old Mia looked up at her grandmother with her big baby blues, Jen just knew she was going to cave in. “Nana can I just have one more piece of chocolate pleeeease?”

Before long the happy duo had nibbled their way through the whole block.

When Mia’s mum popped in to collect her offspring, with hands on hips she watched as Mia zoomed around the loungeroom on a sugar high.

“Mum not again,” she lamented. Oops. For some, it’s an all too familiar scenario.

The older generation getting into strife for over-indulging their grandchildren, while the grandparents are thinking “why can’t I spoil them just a little bit?”

With sweet chocolate-covered kisses, sticky tiny hands tightly holding yours, and lots of heartfelt hugs, grandchildren are in fact one of life’s greatest joys. You want to protect them, to love them, and to

tickle them until their belly hurts.

Grandparents do play a cool role in their grandchildren’s lives. They do the fun stuff; they don’t have to worry about discipline, or setting boundaries or rules – that’s the parent’s job.

But according to those in the know, grandparents should be respecting them.

Trish Carroll, a psychologist from Elder Matters, says shared, open and honest conversations between parent and grandparent is key.

“Clear communication and mutual respect in discussing the grandparent’s role is therefore really important,” she says.

Psychologist Dr Kimberley O’Brien from The Quirky Kid Clinic, agrees, saying grandparents should be aligned with the wishes of their child.

“Even if it goes against what you would do,” she says. “Your child has a right to create a parenting style their way, just like you probably did when you were parenting them.”

In other words, if certain boundaries have been discussed, or laid down, grandparents really should honour them.

But not everyone thinks they should toe the line. Some grandparents believe it’s their right to indulge their grandkids - if they’re on their turf, or in their care while parents work, they call the shots.

They know what they are doing. After all they’ve done the hard yards, and raised their own children, and they turned out ok, didn’t they?

In the past, parents looked to the next generation for parental guidance, and advice – what do I do if my child shoves a pea up his nose? Or what do those tiny spots on her tummy mean?

With the proliferation of social media and the internet, many parents jump online and consult Dr Google or mummy bloggers for answers which can potentially leave grandparents feeling a little surplus to requirements when it comes to the practical side of parenting.

It’s little wonder they want to enjoy their grandchildren and do the fun stuff.

There is also a host of reasons why it’s beneficial for grandparents to spend time with their grandkids. They’re more engaged with life, it gives them a sense of connectedness, and it can put a spring in their step. It benefits grandchildren too.

Trish says grandparents are story tellers; they can share tales about lives lived in different times.

“Grandchildren can discover where they came from, and the bond they share with grandparents creates a sense of belonging for the child and can contribute positively to the child’s psycho-social development,” she says.

By connecting with grandkids, it’s also fulfilling an instinctive desire that grandparents have to nurture and care for grandchildren.

Trish says the term “generativity” was coined by Erik Erikson, a psychoanalyst in the 1950s-60s.

“It refers to an innate need that grandparents have, to guide and care for the next generations,” she says.

While it might be tempting to say “yes” to an extra couple of stories which will push out bedtime, Kimberley says if grandparents want to do things their way, they need to consider the implications.

“It can be unpleasant for the child when old boundaries are restored,” she says. “The child’s parent could also begin to resent the grandparent.”

Keep the communication open with the parent and they with you, so everybody can be on the same page, and there is consistency.

The reality is, you could also argue, that everywhere your grandchild goes different rules apply; at friend’s houses, school, and daycare.

What is considered off limits in one place, is allowed in another. Should it be that what happens at grandma’s place stays at grandma’s place?

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And can that mean playing by the rules, also means maybe bending them, just a little bit, from time to time? If your adult child is sending a message that you are overstepping, perhaps be more open to negotiation and compromise. For example, waffles as a treat for breakfast, but only on a Sunday. Or an hour extra bedtime extension on a Friday night.

Don’t be fooled by a heart-melting smile: “Poppy, can we play this computer game I like. Dad lets me.”

Some clever grandkids become master manipulators, asking their parents for something – and when mum and dad say no, they’ll try it on with the grandparents.

Trish suggests, if in doubt, ask the question, “have you asked your parents?

Be watchful if they have a little glint in their eye. They may be testing the limits.

Grandparents have worked hard, and many want to lavish presents on their grandkids; gifts their own parents may not be able to afford. It can be a point of contention for some parents.

Instead of a monetary gift or whizzbang new toy, the most precious gift you can give your grandchild is the gift of your time. Show them the world as you make precious memories together.

Kimberley suggests shared experiences enrich their lives more than monetary gifts.

“Family time is a really rare and special thing – a day at the zoo, wandering through botanical gardens, or playing in the park will keep the kids engaged,” she says.

Sadly, not all grandparents have the opportunity to create a loving bond with their grandchildren, whether that is through distance, or a rift with your adult child or their spouse.

According to The Family Law Act, the law recognises the importance of a child having a relationship with grandparents, whether the child’s parents are together or not.

As long as it is in their best interests, a child has the right to spend time and communicate not only with their parents, but other people important to them, such as grandparents, relatives and members of extended families.

If you have been denied access to your grandkids, work to have an honest conversation with your children.

Trish says, let them know how much your grandchildren are loved, and that even though you might not have been the parent they wanted, you want to be there for your grandchild. “It’s an opportunity to work through sadness or grief, to address any issues from the past, so you can establish mutual respect with your children,” she says.

Then there’s the issue of granny day care.

Caroline was looking forward to retirement — morning coffee catchups with friends, lazy days sitting in the sun reading books, and packing up the caravan and exploring this wide brown land.

That was until her daughter Gabby asked her to look after her twins four days a week, rather than using day care.

Caroline loved her grandchildren to

bits so she agonised for weeks, but in the end, she said no.

That might elicit some mixed responses from grandparents. Some of you will be fist bumping the air and thinking, “you go girl.” Others might feel Caroline is missing out.

According to the Australian Institute of Family Studies, 39 per cent of grandparents provide regular childcare for their grandkids.

For some it’s helping to ease the strain on the family budget. For others it’s because they don’t want their children left with strangers, or they like the idea of having on-call care.

As a grandparent you’ve raised your kids, and earned the right to spend your retirement, or your golden years, however you please. The reality is that for some parents, a request for grandparents to care for their children may not always elicit the response they want.

According to Trish, there may be a parental expectation that grandparents will step in and take care of their childcare needs.

“The difficulty with having expectations, is that we are often disappointed,” she says.

There are grandparents who love caring for their grandchildren – they have the time, resources, and desire to do so.

Others heed the call, but it comes at a cost.

Some cut back on their own work to support the needs of parents for childcare, potentially adding to their own financial duress. Others can become stressed and tired with boisterous toddlers, at times pushing grandparents to breaking point.

If you aren’t coping, your next move should be to convey to the parent how you are feeling.

“It’s a tough conversation to have,” says Kimberley. “Be crystal clear about what you can offer your child, then there is no expectation that you’ll drop what you are doing and be available more often.

“For example, I can look after the kids every Wednesday, and when you get called in to do overtime.”

It’s an arrangement that requires regular check-ins, as care needs will change over time.

Trish says minding one child might become two or three, as more grandkids come along.

“It’s about having the conversation ahead of time, to let them know what you can and can’t do,” she says.

The changing roles of grandparenting need to be negotiated with love, care, and mutual respect.

In the not-too-distant past grandparents would see their grandkids for a Sunday roast, cheer them on at a sporting match, or watch a school play, with a little babysitting thrown in, while mum and dad went out to a function.

In this millennium, there is an expectation that grandparents will be more involved in their grandchildren’s lives.

What that looks like needs to be negotiated by all, with no prejudice or bias, and no expectations – but with lots of love and laughter and heartfelt hugs.

Playing, educating, or working to keep them entertained? Grandparents have choices to make.

by Mocco Wollert

dress to suit my shape and tell myself that I look ok.

Didn’t we all envy the film stars and the fabulous lives they were living?

You can look at what someone has or is with envy, but do you really know what lies behind that person? Just take some of the most famous film stars. Did they really have such a fantastic life?

Elizabeth Taylor had a weight problem and dependency on drugs.

John Wayne needed a corset to be able to sit on a horse and I think the poorest of them all was Marilyn Monroe, the girl who had everything – fabulous looks, a movie career, money and fame. And yet we later found out how unhappy she really was.

Instead of being envious of the slim friends you have, go on a diet, drop some weight and you no longer need to be envious.

There is a wise saying “compare – despair”. Who are you comparing yourself to?

The richest woman in Australia, the richest man? When you read a trashy magazine – I won’t mention any names but the ones which are full of lies – and see the supermodels or actresses, super skinny and with remodelled faces, are you feeling envious?

by Cheryl Lockwood

THERE are women who have long necks, long legs and a beautiful rump in-between. My friend Lexie calls them giraffes.

I am envious because I resemble a wombat, with short legs and a rather rounded body. But whatever I do to my body, be it exercise or diet, I will never be a giraffe.

When I was young, I was often unhappy about my looks. I wasted a lot of time being envious. Now I simply

There will always be people who are thinner than you, who have longer legs, who have no wrinkles in their face, who have a brilliant mind, who are good in business etc.

The world is full of people you could envy. But is it getting you anywhere except making you unhappy? Envy is as corrosive to your wellbeing as acid is to metal.

If you are envious of someone, maybe you should do something about being like that person.

Maybe you eat too many chocolates or sweet cakes and your shape has, well, rounded up a bit.

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Have you ever thought that there are people out there who envy you? That you own a car – even an old one – that you are in reasonable health, that you can travel, that you have a loving family?

When you consider your life, even with all the ups and downs, you can be sure that in fact there are people out there who envy you.

What would it be like to be the richest person in the world, to have no more unfulfilled wishes; when you have bought or received anything you ever wanted?

Would that give you happiness and contentment? I wonder.

May you be content with who you are and what you have.

Email mocco.wollert@bigpond.com

WHEN it comes to holidays, do you throw the bare essentials into a bag or does your suitcase bulge with everything but the kitchen sink? Or maybe there are multiple suitcases.

My packing quirk is that I like to use every article of clothing in my bag at least once while away. No wishing I’d taken something else. When this happens, I deem my holiday a success. Ok, scenery and relaxation do play a part too. Also, I have many quirks, but that’s a whole other story! Australia’s climate often challenges my packing rule. A friend remarked that she was so glad she had taken her winter woollies for a trip to Victoria in summer, even though it was quite balmy when she’d left home.

In the past, I’ve shivered in shorts and T-shirt on a southern beach in January. On the other hand, if I’d taken beanie and scarf, I’d have been disappointed if the weather was too warm.

Hubby is the lightest packer you’ll ever find. The evening before travel, he throws a clean shirt and a handful of undies into a shopping bag. Done! He takes a bit more when it comes to longer trips but either way, it’s last minute. I see his point.

If you pack a bag too early, you will need something you’ve buried at the bottom before you leave. His biggest decision is flannelette shirt or Hawaiian shirt depending on weather.

Digging around in the bag also upsets my system. I need to know where everything is. Clothing likely to be needed first will be on top. Whether it’s a jacket or pyjamas depends on arrival time.

Socks and underwear always share their own corner, preferably in a separate zipped compartment. To date, I haven’t lost anything in transit which I imagine could be inconvenient.

Over 65 years ago, my in-laws embarked on their honeymoon. After the flight to the big smoke, they checked into their fancy motel, but Dad’s luggage had gone missing. That night, Mum insisted he wear one of her nighties as she did not want him in her bed naked. He obliged.

Meanwhile, a friend back home had heard about the suitcase dilemma. She

snuck into the newlyweds’ home before they got back and placed a frilly nightie on the new groom’s pillow. Whether he wore it or not was never disclosed, but the story is embedded in the pages of family history.

My mother was the Houdini of packing. Somehow, everything that four children needed magically materialised upon request. The car was full with six people and the boot lid must have groaned at its hinges.

Dad usually had a boat in tow, so this too was piled with belongings. Cramming it all in caused some colourful language at times. Packing and unpacking took nearly as long as the holiday itself!

Just once, we must have forgotten hats. My sister and I were allowed to buy new terry towelling ones, red for me, blue and white for sis. It has stuck in my mind because it was unusual.

It wasn’t just clothing. Most food was brought along as it was cheaper than purchasing at the small general store. Our snacks were homemade cake and biscuits stowed in tins.

The parcel shelf of the car was loaded with board games and the gaps stuffed with winter jackets. Between holiday preparation and keeping kids fed and clothed, I doubt Mum got much of a break.

If you’re lucky enough to be heading away for some R and R, I wish you happy and efficient packing.

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Grand old lady who helped build the Coast

The Gneering was a familiar site on the Maroochy and Mooloolah Rivers for almost 30 years and is remembered as the great workhorse of the early timber industry, writes AUDIENNE

She carried away much of the great forests of the Sunshine Coast, transporting thousands of logs of the best quality timber to Brisbane for milling or onward to the rest of Australia or overseas.

But the Gneering is now an historic shipwreck on Goat Island near the mouth of the Maroochy River at Maroochydore.

The hulk and a heap of steel cable and massive timber beams were exposed in 1997 but have not been seen since.

Some reports state that the Gneering was lost in the great flood of 1893 but the end came before that.

In 1892, she was beached, abandoned, dismantled and left on the opposite bank of the river to William Pettigrew’s Maroochydore mill.

His Machinery Register confirms: “1891. Got into Mooloolah River, detained there by weather. Got her into Maroochy River and after being there some time detained by weather, discharged men and laid up. Feb 1892, some three months ago went over for logs from Mooloolah. Leaked very much. Intend dismantling her and condemning her. No use for her. About August 1892, had her dismantled and put on bank of other side of

BLYTH

river to mill. Nov 1892, Getting cobra eaten. Engine in mill.”

John Williams had launched Gneering in the mid 1850s as the John

Three new owners – William Pettigrew the sawmiller, William Grigor the timber overseer and James Low the ship’s captain – bought and outfitted her for the timber trade under the name of Granite City

In 1862 they sailed from Brisbane to assess the Maroochy and Mooloolah River entrances and later that year the Granite City was delivering timber-getters and a large quantity of supplies.

The following year they crossed the Noosa Bar to examine the timber resources along the Noosa River.

But the efforts of the Granite City were not enough to feed the colony’s appetite for timber and a larger ship was needed.

In 1863 the schooner was transformed to a paddle steamer and given a new name, Gneering, the Aboriginal word for wild duck.

Setting a record of four days, the ship could leave Pettigrew’s Sawmill, arrive at the Mooloolah River, spend two days loading and then steam back to Brisbane.

The sternwheel paddle steamer Gneering, left, and the Tarshaw at William Pettigrew’s wharf in Brisbane in the 1880s.

Sawmiller William Pettigrew.

So many ships sought the valuable timbers such as cedar it could have been described as a red goldrush.

The Gneering played an important part in development. She would carry lighter goods to and from ships anchored in Moreton Bay. Casks of tallow and bales of wool were delivered for export. The young colony was dependent on imports such as manufactured foods, clothing and farm machinery.

She delivered a boiler to Cleveland for Louis Hope who, it is said, established the first sugar mill in Queensland.

She carried miners to the Mooloolah River or the Caboolture River from where they mainly walked to the goldfields of

Gympie or Jimna. She provided transport for passengers and selectors when waterways were our highways.

She delivered farmers’ produce back to Brisbane and from Caboolture, she carried sugar cake and rum.

She crossed the hazardous Noosa Bar with a replacement boiler for McGhie, Luya & Co’s sawmill.

She made visits to the Logan and Albert Rivers as well as to the Mary River. In sheltered waters she towed rafts of logs or punt-loads of sawn timber.

She had a hand in Queensland’s first lighthouse, making several trips to transport materials to Bustard Head for builder W.P. Clark.

In 1883, the Gneering was fitted with twin screws so as to negotiate the shallow river entrances and the shoals and sandbars more easily.

Remarkably, she survived for almost another 10 years and was always fondly recalled by residents, who relied on her for transport and provisions, as a familiar sight; her end was personal.

A new era began with the opening of the rail link between Brisbane and Gympie in 1891; and with river transport becoming obsolete, her fate was sealed.

Audienne Blyth is a member of the Nambour Historical Museum, open Wednesday to Friday, 1pm-4pm and Saturday 10am-3pm. All welcome.

GET INTO FAMILY HISTORY AT CALOUNDRA

THE Caloundra Family History Research has celebrated its 30th anniversary with the launch of a book detailing its history. It was written by president June Blackburn with support from the

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committee and longest-serving member, Loris Gray.

At a celebration, founding members Jan Hunter (Woods), Brenda Smith and Pat Norton, as well early members, Fran Lawrence and Therese Matthews shared the story of how CFHRI grew from friends researching at the local Caloundra library to a 115-member group.

The next meeting is June 15, 1.30pm, when the guest speaker will be Dr Jon Prangnell, reader in archaeology, director of teaching and learning and associate professor at the University of Queensland’s School of Social Science.

All are welcome to join in person or via Zoom. Meetings are at the CFHR rooms, Corbould Park, via Gate 2, Pierce Ave, Caloundra.

To register email hello@ caloundrafamilyhistory.org.au

FOLLOWING its successful participation in Clean Up Australia day at Bokarina Lake Park, and regular donations of children’s pyjamas to the Salvation Army, the Lions Club of Lake Currimundi-Kawana will hold an information session on Lions in Australia and their role in supporting their communities around the world.

It will be at the Kawana Group Scout Den, 58 Iluka Ave, Buddina on June 10, 2pm-4pm, with afternoon tea provided. The club meets at the Kawana Surf Club on the first and fourth Mondays of each month, from 6.15pm.

Call Norm 0404 984 455 or follow on Facebook.

CENTENARY SPECIAL

BUDERIM East Probus Club was in party mood when friends helped Beth Keith, who has been a member for more than 30 years, celebrate her 100th birthday.

The Probus mantra of Fun, Friendship and Fellowship continues as members enjoy guest speakers, attend theatre events, morning teas, cards and outings. The most recent trip was a Brisbane Airport tour.

Buderim East Probus Club welcomes new members.

Email Jenny buderimeastprobusclub@ gmail.com or call 0435 099 678

BIRTHDAY

GLASSHOUSE Country View Club members have had some interesting outings, including a picnic in Beerwah Turner Park and a visit to Mary Cairncross Park.

Speakers at lunch meetings have included Martin Kavanagh from Bank of Queensland Beerwah branch who spoke about banking scams and Roger Pearce talking about his time in the fire service.

The club will celebrate its 20th birthday this month with a high tea on June 21 from 10am at the Glasshouse Country RSL, 1 Reed St, Glasshouse Mountains.

The club raises funds for the Smith Family in all its activities and currently supports five Learning for Life students.

Any women interested in attending an event or who would like to join should contact Adrienne 0408 486 124 or Janet 0448 845 303.

Visit view.org.au or follow on Facebook.

HISTORY SOCIETY CALLS FOR VOLUNTEERS

BUDERIM Historical Society is seeking volunteers to join them and offers a variety of roles to suit skills and interests.

These include visitor’s guide, collections care and research, museum and garden maintenance, marketing and administration.

Roles involve two or four hours a month. The society is based at Buderim’s Pioneer Cottage, 5 Pioneer Cresc, Buderim, open Monday to Saturday, 11am-3pm.

Call 5450 1966, visit buderimhistorical society.com or email bhsinc4556@ optusnet.com.au

Jan Hunter, Therese Matthews, Brenda Smith, Fran Lawrence and Pat Norton at the 30th birthday cake cutting.

Beth Keith and Sheila Waddington

EVENING VIEW

JOIN an amazing group of women to share friendship and outings while making a difference to the lives of disadvantaged youth. Caloundra Evening View Club supports 12 Learning for Life students with financial and/or peer support.

The club meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 6.15pm, at Caloundra Power Boat Club for a dinner meeting with a guest speaker.

Guests are assured of a warm welcome.

Call president Diane 0400 473 193

CALOUNDRA PROBUS 86

PROBUS Club Caloundra 86 offers many varied activities for health and wellbeing.

Members organise monthly activities from dining out to card games and outings.

Probus Club Caloundra meets at Rumba Resort on the third Tuesday of each

HARMONY WITH TAI CHI

TAI chi sessions are starting in Buderim, Eumundi, Maroochydore and Nambour.

The ancient art of tai chi improves balance, flexibility, and wellbeing. The first session is obligation free, and it then continues weekly with intake into July.

The introductory courses are:

Maroochydore: Millwell Road Community Centre, starts Saturday June 24, 10.30am.

Buderim: War Memorial Hall. Monday, June 26, 10.30am.

Nambour: Nambour Uniting Church Hall.

Wednesday, June 28, 9am.

Eumundi: Eumundi State School Hall, Wednesday, June 28, 6.30pm.

Pre-registration is essential.

To register, call 1800 108 801 or email sunshinecoast@taoisttaichi.org

month, 9.30am-11.30am. Morning tea gives time to chat with other members. Parking is free. Active retirees who enjoy outings and activities are welcome to join.

Call 0403 143 731, visit Caloundra86Probus.org or email probusclub86@gmail.com

GEOFF LYONS

(Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws majoring in Wills & Estates)

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Meet Garry Reynolds, who will share his thoughts each month.

The 73-year-old retiree says he is not bouncing back as a senior, but bouncing forward into a new era of life.

I followed my dream to become a high school teacher in country NSW for 18 years, and relished helping students and the local community. A project to save the beautiful, but threatened, local railway station resulted in it becoming the community’s art and craft gallery and creating many fulltime jobs.

When Australia Day citizenship awards landed in my lap, it triggered a career change

to working out of Canberra as an economist, helping people in regions around Australia protect their natural environment, and create sustainable jobs.

They say all good things come to an end and it certainly seemed that way when I suffered three strokes.

Moving from hospital bed to wheelchair, recovery to the mainstream was uppermost in my mind. With the love and support of my daughters, I eventually stepped out of the wheelchair to walk the talk.

Relocating to beautiful Queensland put a spring back in my step and sunshine in my life. Every day brings new friends and discoveries creating renewed purpose.

Having written six Australian history books, writing is a big part of my life.

They say writing is the painting of the voice and through this column I would like to share some thoughts with you each month.

With your ideas, perhaps we could paint some inspiring pictures of life in Queensland together.

Garry

SOMETIMES it feels a bit old fashioned to mail a greeting card with a handwritten message, but it can still mean a lot.

The card conveys our feelings; that we are thinking of someone and have taken the time to let them know in a personal way.

In Australia, an average of 22 cards are purchased per person each year. The $500 million business employs 20,000 people. Some cards offer the gift that keeps on giving, with part of the price directed to charities.

For the consumer, finding the right card with the right message and artwork can be a skill involving trawling through racks of cards.

Receiving a card is a good feeling, but it can also make the sender feel good especially when they pen a personalised message.

Some people struggle to create their own and turn to great writers:

Celebrating his wedding anniversary, Winnie the Pooh author A.A. Milne, wrote to his wife: “If you live to a hundred, I want to live to a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you.”

Alfred Lord Tennyson, author of Charge of the Light Brigade, mused: “If I had a flower for every time I thought of you – I could walk through my garden forever.”

I sent a card to a friend for her

musical accompaniment to my stretching, he has graduated to warbling along.

60th birthday, knowing that many women like to keep their age to themselves.

When she told me she had received an OBE, I congratulated her on the Order of the British Empire, but she soon corrected me. She said she was turning 83 and the OBE was from her Red Ladies Club for being Over Bloody Eighty!

Who doesn’t like receiving a card as a pleasant surprise from a person who appreciates us for qualities others take for granted. But sometimes the printed message can be a bit twee, like: “Life without you is like a broken pencil – pointless.” Perhaps that pencil needs sharpening.

A MAGPIE has taken to perching on the garden chair and tapping on the window while I do my morning exercises inside. Now, when I play a CD

I have discovered we share a fondness for Roy Orbison’s soaring vocals about unrequited love.

The friendly maggie now has a name “Roy the Boy”.

Perhaps Roy is suffering soulful rejection as he fancies

the song Love Hurts. I have decided to join him in performing heartfelt duets by trilling Only the Lonely and other Orbison hits.

It’s a tough gig. After what I thought was my stellar performance this morning of Blue Bayou, Roy’s mark of appreciation was to poop on the garden seat.

Every breath you take …

As scientists continue their research into unlocking the causes of dementia, a simple and safe finding has emerged. KAILAS ROBERTS explains the possibilities that might come with controlled breathing.

What if I told you that you have over 25,000 opportunities each and every day to protect your brain and reduce the risk of developing dementia? Sounds implausible, right?

Well, a recent study has suggested just that. And if you are struggling to imagine what quotidian activity I am referring to, don’t hold your breath as it is in fact this very simple act.

In the study, a group of healthy volunteers were asked to deliberately control their breathing – specifically, breathing in and then out for a count of five. They were asked to do this for up to 40 minutes a day for only four weeks.

They then had their blood analysed for amyloid, the protein which, when misfolded in the brain, is associated with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Amazingly, the blood levels were far lower than in those who did not undertake the breathing exercises.

We all have control over our breath, and being more mindful and deliberate in our practice of breathing may go a long way to protecting our brains.

So how does it all work?

One prime candidate for the link

between breathing and the brain is the autonomic nervous system.

You may have heard of this. It is the network of nerves that underpins our “fight or flight” response (when one arm of the system – the sympathetic arm – is activated) and “rest and digest” phase (when the opposing parasympathetic arm is dominant).

Now, for optimal health, these opposing arms need to be in balance. You need to be able to react to danger by engaging the sympathetic system, but if this stimulation lasts too long there are a myriad of potential negative health effects including

health conditions that arise from chronic inflammation.

There is accumulating research that one of these conditions is dementia. Overstimulation of the sympathetic system seems to both mobilise the release of amyloid and reduce its clearance from the brain – not a good thing if you’re trying to prevent Alzheimer’s Disease.

By breathing in the manner examined in the study, you are stimulating your parasympathetic system. In fact, it is probably the increased length of the exhalation that is doing this, as inhaling tends to be associated with sympathetic activation. So more controlled breathing, with a focus on the exhalation, equals less amyloid which may be associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s dementia.

Although this does not prove that breathing the right way can prevent dementia (that’s not what they were studying), it is an intriguing finding.

In medicine, we tend to make decisions by weighing up the benefits of doing something against the harm doing that thing might cause. For instance, a drug might reduce your pain very effectively, but also cause confusion and increase the

risk of falling over. It is a matter of the lesser evil I suppose, something that in reality is often hard to gauge.

Controlled breathing is a wonderful example of a situation where there is only an upside. It is unlikely to cause any problems.

In addition to the exciting observation it might reduce amyloid, it is also known to reduce stress and help lower blood pressure and there is evidence it can improve immunity and help manage pain. There are of course many other variables that affect the risk of dementia, but it is wonderful to think that something as simple and straightforward as the right approach to breathing may help.

You have plenty of exhalations in your day so why not give it a try!

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

DO YOU NEED EYE SURGERY? at Noosa & Nambour

Why come to SCOAN?

• Locals caring for locals

• Consulting rooms in Noosa and Nambour

• We operate at Noosa, Nambour and Kawana Private Hospitals

• Associate Professor Kristopher Rallah-Baker uses the latest surgical equipment and was the first Ophthalmologist in the southern hemisphere to use the ZEISS QUATERA 700 by invitation

• He was recently an international speaker in Singapore discussing advanced in cataract surgery

We are a referral-based service which means you need to see your Optometrist or GP for a referral and our friendly team will be in contact to book you in for assessment in our surgery clinic.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our lovely team on 07 5470 2400

NOOSA: Suite 304, 90 Goodchap Street, Noosaville QLD 4566

NAMBOUR: Lower level, 62 Netherton St, Nambour QLD 4560

www.sconoosa.com.au

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

I WAS interested to read your article Its Your Funeral (YT May). Quite often family members do not know all the details that need to be included in a person’s death certificate. If the deceased person is elderly or has come from overseas, the names of their parents may not be readily available, or the names and birth dates of children not all known.

Here is a list of what is needed to have all the details ready when necessary:

Full name, date and place of birth, date and place of death.

Father’s full name, date and place of his birth and death; mother’s full name and maiden name, date and place of her birth and death.

How long did they live in Australia? How long were they resident in Queensland? Did they live in any other country?

Marital status, date and place of marriage, spouse’s full name,

and date and place of birth and death.

Divorced? Other marriages? Birth and death dates of children? Location of the Will.

Jan England, Genealogy Sunshine Coast

I THINK it is time we stopped wasting time and money on surveys and useless studies on the possible cause of dementia and do fundraising for scientific research as is done for cancer and other diseases.

My friends and I who have partners now in care with early onset dementia were very disappointed with the article on the possible causes of dementia. Nothing in that report was relevant to our partners or any dementia sufferers.

We know and have met a lot of people on our journey affected by this disease. They have all been clever, social people, very

good at their careers, living in many different locations and loved by their close know families.

This disease is getting worse quickly in younger people and there is no real treatment or cure. Only those travelling or who have travelled the dementia journey understand it is one of the most misunderstood diseases.

Marg Hobson

COMPETITION WINNERS

Winners of double passes to see The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry which opens in cinemas on June 8, are Ferdinand Kropman of Maleny, Colleen Durham of Maroochydore, Paul Musk of Nambour, Debbie Brennan of Golden Beach, and Anne McGovern of Tewantin.

Passes are valid for most cinemas and are in the post.

IN THE GARDEN — with Penny

THE cooler weather has arrived making it a great time to do so much outdoors.

It’s amazing how many wheelbarrows you can quickly fill by removing dead foliage and light pruning. And it’s all good for the compost bin.

My lawn has taken a hit with lawn grubs and dollar spot fungi. Both are treatable with sprays. Unfortunately, there are too many grubs for the birds to handle.

Pop in cuttings of your favourite chrysanthemums and seedlings of stocks, pansies, poppies, begonias, and snapdragons are available.

Gladioli also can be planted now. I put five together so they can support each other.

In the vege garden, plant peas, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce, coriander and leeks. I’m picking heaps of corn, tomatoes, cabbage, spring

onions and capsicums, which are great for salads and stir fries.

My cymbidium orchid has three spikes. The cattleyas have also been putting on a good show.

The passionfruit vine has more than 40 fruit ripening and the mandarins and lemons are nearly ready. Citrus are great in pots if you don’t have a garden.

I’ve picked my pumpkins and turned one into soup. Will put in more next season.

The spotted pardalotes are back to nest in one of the hanging baskets and native bees have been busy pollinating. I’ve also seen a lot of blue banded bees.

Prune and spray roses for scale and black spot and it’s also time to order new ones.

I’m looking forward to getting more plants at the Queensland Garden Expo and the group tour to Pittsworth and Toowoomba. I love this time of the year.

Penny Hegarty

Beware the mistake of clicking on a fake

Imet with a client recently whose computer had been attacked by a common internet scam.

It’s a terrible feeling to know that your details might be compromised but we had him back up, running and secure within an hour or two.

The scam was the very simple – and easy to make – mistake of clicking on a suspicious link on the internet. It came from a newsfeed with other legitimate links and was most believable.

Once clicked, it disabled the mouse and the pop-up window covered the entire screen. It was a red alert allegedly from Microsoft, to say that the computer had (ironically) been comprised by a scam.

The message also spoke aloud saying contact must be made with “Microsoft” and most interaction with the computer was disabled. If you clicked to close the window, it kept popping up again.

This type of scam is common and luckily, it wasn’t a ransom scam, but rather a pseudo-ransom scam.

A ransom scam is one that blocks all movement of your computer, and there are only a few ways to get rid of it, most

This scam was trying to make the user believe that the computer had been completely compromised, and to contact the fake-authoritative party, being “Microsoft”, to likely pay them a large sum of money or inadvertently grant them access to bank accounts.

If the number was called, the

scammer might have quickly shut down the “alert” and prompted them to download an application such as TeamViewer to remotely access their system.

This could have allowed them access to saved passwords and bank account numbers among other imortant and personal information.

Thankfully, my client called for advice before doing anything, and Greyology was able to solve it promptly.

We also backed up data to ensure no future loss was possible and ran scans to ensure no compromising malware had been installed.

It’s important in these situations to:

• Remain calm.

• Question the legitimacy of the window you are seeing – would Microsoft really make spelling errors, or use the colour pink to signify a scam?

(Probably not).

It’s an easy mistake to make — you click on a scam link cleverly disguised among legitimate links on a website. EDIN READ explains a common internet attack and what to do if you are compromised. of them compromising onboard data.

• Don’t let anyone remotely access your computer through a program such as TeamViewer unless they are completely trusted.

• Don’t make outgoing contact with the scam-provided phone number.

• Call for assistance to disable the scam. It’s important to always keep a backup of your information so that you can restore your computer if you have a problem.

Edin Read is the chief technician and founder of Greyology. Visit greyology.com.au or email edin@ greyology.com.au

Cardiovascular exercise works on healthy ageing

Aerobic workouts are good for the brain as well as the body. LUKE SCRIVEN explores the value of cardiovascular exercise as we age.

AEROBIC exercise is a type of physical activity often referred to as “cardio” and can include running, cycling, swimming, and walking. It also has many benefits for the brain and cognitive health.

Here are five ways that regular aerobic exercise can help keep your brain functioning well.

1. Improves memory and learning – Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to increase the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that helps protect brain cells from damage and stimulates the growth of new neurons. Studies have shown that individuals who engage in regular aerobic exercise have higher levels of BDNF, which can lead to improved memory and learning abilities.

2. Boosts mood and reduces stress – Stress can have a negative impact on both physical and mental health, leading to anxiety and depression. Aerobic exercise is a natural mood-booster as it releases endorphins, natural chemicals in the brain that help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

3. Increases focus and attention – Aerobic exercise has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, which can help focus better and pay more attention. Increased blood flow also helps to oxygenate the brain, which is essential for optimal cognitive function.

Furthermore, exercise has been shown to activate regions of the brain responsible for

attention and concentration, which can improve overall cognitive performance.

4. Helps fight depression – Depression is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Aerobic exercise has been shown to be an effective treatment for depression, with some studies suggesting that it can be just as effective as medication.

Regular exercise can help improve mood, increase self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of depression by reducing levels of stress hormones and increasing the release of endorphins.

5. Supports brain health as you age – As we age, our brain function can start to decline, which increases the risk of age-related cognitive decline and dementia. Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to reduce the risk by improving blood flow to the brain, reducing inflammation, and stimulating the growth of new neurons.

Exercise has also been shown to increase brain volume, which can improve overall brain function and reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline.

The benefits of aerobic exercise on cognitive health are numerous and well-established.

Regular aerobic exercise can help improve memory and learning, boost mood and reduce stress, increase focus and attention, fight depression, and support brain health as you age.

Luke Scriven is a senior exercise physiologist. Visit fullcirclewellness.com.au

FIT HAPPENS With Tom Law

I AM lucky to be able to visit social clubs, community and weight loss groups and gated communities to talk about health and wellness.

Lucky because I am talking to like-minded people who want to improve their health, so they are interested in my message.

And my message is simple and not at all revolutionary, but if I enthuse even one member of the audience, I consider I have done my job. So here is an insight to the message.

Firstly, you want to have a priority on good health, that is paramount. Concentrate on good health rather than weight loss.

Good health comes hand in hand with healthy weight.

Living a generally health balanced life should be one of our main priorities. You have heard it before – you have nothing if you do not have good health.

The three main points I emphasise in my talks revolve around personal choices. In no particular order they are:

1.Wake up happy. Make a conscious choice that you are

Our best yet Arcare Birtinya

going to have a great day. You are alive, you have things to do so make sure you decide to be happy and have a good day. Do you have to fake it to make it?

Perhaps you do, but your mood and the mood of those around you will be positively affected if you are happy.

2. Do something every day that includes movement and activity. It may be a walk, swim, gardening, a gym session –anything that includes moving your body. Physical activity helps us in so many ways, and actually assists in keeping our mood positive. That is a fact.

3. Do something for yourself. It may be read a book, take some time out to meditate, challenge yourself to finish that jigsaw puzzle.

So there is my take on how we can help ourselves enjoy our prime years. You may already be doing the things suggested. If not, give them a try. It could make a world of difference to how you negotiate your senior years.

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

SEA AND TREE CHANGE IN ONE DESTINATION

IF YOU are looking for a sea change or a tree change, Sunset Palms Retirement Living by Aveo on the Sunshine Coast offers easy access to both.

Located in Palmview, the popular resort-style community is expanding with the next stage of 22 villas due for completion later this year.

Opened in 2019, the first 38 stylish, architect-designed villas sold out, increasing demand for the new villas.

Sunset Palms provides two or threebedroom low-maintenance villas only 15 minutes from the beach at Mooloolaba or 20 minutes from the hinterland.

Like-minded and welcoming residents enjoy a vibrant social calendar with regular lunch gatherings, happy hour, book club and art and craft classes.

Residents Kim Ward and Geoff Montgomery, long-time residents of the area, moved into their two-bedroom villa at Sunset Palms in February 2020.

“We lived only 6km away and loved the area, but our large house was just too much for us. We had been looking around

and when my husband Geoff saw this villa that was it,” Ms Ward said.

“Geoff loved that it was brand new and tucked in a corner with one of the largest yards available for our dog.”

They find the location between beach and hinterland ideal. Facilities include an outdoor pool, gym, billiard table, library, media room, salon, bocce court, and vegetable garden. A bus is available to take residents on shopping trips to retail centres.

Sunset Palms, at 58 Harmony Blvd, Palmview, is within the Harmony residential estate which has plans for a town centre

To book a tour, call 13 28 36 or visit aveo.com.au

COUPLE FIND FOREVER HOME IN PALMWOODS

quality of the build, and love to visit whenever possible,” Patsy said.

Among the first to settle into GemLife Palmwoods the couple, who know the area well, have watched a community grow around them and new facilities added such as the $1.5m Summer House, a resort-style entertainment area with a pool.

CREATIVITY FLOURISHES IN NEW HAVEN FOR ARTISTS

CREATIVITY is being fostered among homeowners who are tapping into B by Halcyon’s new Creative Arts Pavilion.

Various studies show that creativity plays an important role in healthy ageing and assists in maintaining social, cognitive and emotional wellbeing.

Stockland has taken a holistic approach to healthy ageing, offering homeowners a range of active lifestyle facilities as well as spaces where creativity can be explored.

B by Halcyon’s new Creative Arts Pavilion features arts and craft studios, a pottery workshop with kiln, a music studio and an open courtyard for exhibitions and displays.

Foundation homeowner and artist in residence Sue Hadenham said the Pavilion was a great addition to the growing community.

“The spaces allow for a whole range of artistic endeavours and already there are many interest groups including painting, pottery, sewing, craft and jewellery making,” she said.

She started seriously painting in the

KATZ KEEP ON TAPPING

WHEN Laurie White moved from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast, it created a path for what is now the well-loved tap-dancing group, Tap Katz.

What started out as a dance group, led to a performing cast and eventually to costumes that were spoken about well after the curtain came down.

early 1980s, attending classes in all forms of painting and drawing through TAFE and private tutors. In 2000, she joined The Margaret Saul School of Botanical Art at Mount Coot-tha and completed a diploma in Botanical Art. She also studied graphite drawing, coloured pencil and watercolour.

At B by Halcyon, Sue is working closely with her good friend and fellow homeowner Jillian Coustley.

“Jill is an amazingly talented artist and teacher; we are very lucky to have such talented people at B by Halcyon,” she said. “It’s very exciting to work with Jill and support our budding artists as they explore their creativity.”

Visit stockland.com.au/halcyoncommunities

BUYING a new home at GemLife Palmwoods over-50s lifestyle resort ticked all the boxes for Patsy and Nigel Cundy who, after nine months of residency, refer to it as their “forever home”.

They have moved 26 times during their 38-year marriage and were looking for a place to settle permanently – and the resort has everything they, and their pet labrador, could want.

“Being pet-friendly was a big bonus. We also love our house which is so spacious and new. Even our sons, all tradesmen, were impressed with the

“We have also been watching with great interest, our fabulous new $12.5m country club with all its fabulous facilities being built,” they said.

Both wanted to settle in the Palmwoods area as it is in the middle of nature just 20 minutes from the beach.

GemLife resorts are also at Maroochy Quays, and Pacific Paradise and GemLife Moreton Bay, on the edge of the Deception Bay Conservation Park, is underway.

All offer premium recreational facilities and beautifully designed, lowmaintenance homes for the over 50s.

Call 1800 317 393, visit gemlife.com.au

For Suncare customer Aileen, who has been a member of the group for 15 years, the benefits of Tap Katz are endless.

“Movement, bone strength, making others happy, being happy in myself, socialisation. You should never slow down – it’s what keeps you alive, keeps you thinking and keeps you happy. And it is always so wonderful if you can make others happy too.”

The aim of the Katz is to bring enjoyment, movement, colour and music to their audiences.

The Tap Katz are a tight-knit group and always there for one another. Most of the

dancers are in their 70s and 80s, with the eldest of the group a sprightly 87.

Laurie still teaches the group and many of the flamboyant costumes are designed and created by a couple of team members.

“Covid put a stop to concerts for a while but we will be back to perform next month. We are also always looking for tap dancers to join the group” says Aileen.

To join or book Tap Katz for an event, call Aileen 0410 405 334.

Visit suncare.org.au

Thanks for the memories – and here are the winners

Five decades of driving and reviewing all manner of machinery, from tractors to Ferraris, adds up to a fair list of vehicles.

shares 10 of his favourites.

Motoring’s only been half the story, yet it still provides a tonne of fun and names to drop – from riding Bathurst in Dick Johnson’s Falcon to nudging 245km/h in a Volvo wagon on an autobahn; from driving the Outback Highway from Winton to Kalgoorlie to reviewing John Deere tractors.

So here are 10 favourites, in no particular order, starting with the Porsche 911. All 911s, from the earliest to the latest, forever excite and entertain. The cockpit is just right, engine sounds unique, steering most tactile and the chassis balance a delight.

Then there’s the Range Rover, the original two-door in particular. The wagons from 1974 were enjoyed for no-nonsense style, practicality, and evercomfortable drive characteristics whether down the highway or through the bush.

In a similar vein, if not quite as capable off-road, was Ford’s

Territory. This all-wheel drive was arguably the best of Australians. The interior was pragmatic yet welcoming with the Territory’s ride and road manners, over good and bad tracks, well ahead of many so-called Sports Utility Vehicles.

The favourite Holden – and there were some top sedans – was the 2007 VE Commodore ute. This sportster, aimed more at

the lifestyle set than trades folk, caught the eye and with six litre V8 option sounded the business. Not that great as a workhorse but one to remember.

Among sports cars, there was Nissan’s 370Z Nismo of 2017. The standard 370Z was a goodlooking coupe with grip and balance before the Nismo version took things that extra metre; tauter, a touch more powerful,

with more nuanced steering and always well-planted.

Since 1989 Mazda’s MX-5 has been a spirited roadster, a two-door convertible with engaging road manners that makes the most of small engines.

The current model is a sharp-looking, rear-drive sports car with modern mechanicals but old-school driving charms.

Then there was the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA. The front-wheel drive Alfa 147 hatchback was, still is, one of the prettiest of cars.

In 2002 the Italians shoved a tuneful 3.2 litre V6 up front; this could lead to decent understeer, yet chassis balance, sharp steering and throttle responses made that part of the fun.

With the last of Ford’s Falcons from 2008 to 2014 came one of the best-ever Australian sedans – the G6E Turbo. This was the top-of-the-tree Falcon, with all the luxuries, and then gifted the turbocharged four-litre six engine (plus suspension work)

BRUCE McMAHON

from Ford’s XR6. This was an effortless tourer which could double as family car or sports sedan.

For something completely different there’s the Suzuki Jimny. These litre-sized fourwheel drives have always been fit-for-purpose. The new one is cute, more comfortable than before, and still able to run rings around other off-roaders in the scrub.

So to number 10, a vehicle not built. Yet. But a dual-cab version of today’s Land Rover Defender has much potential; Defender wagons are top machines, most capable on and off road with drive characteristics that hark back to the original Range Rovers. A ute version should be a good thing.

PS: And a shout-out to all Subarus.

Bruce has owned a number of cars, including a second-hand Porsche, second-hand Range Rovers, Alfa Romeos and Jeeps.

Bruce recalls his first Range Rover with affection.

Checklist assists in retirement village decision-making

There is much to consider when making the big decision to move into a retirement village. DON MACPHERSON lists the top 10 mistakes to be avoided.

1. Not understanding the contract Do you get capital gain? What percentage? What are the exit fees? What percentage? Do you pay for renovation costs went you leave? What percentage? Do you pay legal costs going in, going out, or both? What are the ongoing costs? Can you afford them?

2. Not focusing enough on finances

If you are on a pension or want to qualify for one, the choice of what you pay for your retirement village unit, and what is left over from the sale of your house, is important. Getting financial advice is strongly recommended. Paying more for a unit and qualifying for a pension may be for the best long-term.

3. Not looking around enough

Look at many villages from different operators. What suits a friend or relative may not suit you.

4. Not considering the geography

Do you still drive? Will you continue to do so? Is the village close to shops and interests, or is it at the back of beyond? If you can’t drive, will you be marooned at the village? Is there a village bus?

5. Forgetting the family

How far away are the family? Can they visit easily or is it a major trip? Can family stay over? What are the rules?

6. Not exploring activities available

Does the village offer activities or amenities that interest you? A pool? Social club? Trips away? You don’t want to be bored to death – literally.

7. Not considering what comes next

A retirement village is not usually the last stop on the journey. Is there colocated aged care? Do residents get preferential treatment to transition? If there’s no aged care, where next? How

LAST DAY OF WORK RATES AS A BIG LIFE EVENT

The very last day of work is an important event in your life. JUDY RAFFERTY writes that regardless of emotions, hopes and expectations, it should be celebrated.

IF YOU have yet to fully retire, try imagining your last day. How would you like it to be? Would there be a send-off, speeches of appreciation, a gift? Would you prefer to go quietly into the night?

Can you imagine it? It will happen, whether you are prepared for it or not.

You may have carefully crafted your exit or you may be unaware that it is going to be your last day. Sometimes work finishes without warning. You might have an accident or be retrenched. Ready or not, there will be a final day.

In my experience, for many people the last day is not momentous. They have already left mentally and emotionally. Work hasn’t been a focus for some time.

Another significant group are those leaving with a sense of possibility and an expectation of further work options. To their mind, the last day is a quasi last day. Maybe they will do some casual work, a new opportunity will open up or they

will start a small business from home.

And there are those leaving work for the last time with no firm plans, unsure of whether they are excited or anxious.

If you are headed towards a last day, I encourage you to ponder its meaning for you and to ensure it is meaningfully celebrated or acknowledged.

I am not suggesting you think about what to do in your first weeks of freedom. Nor am I referring to your last day on paper, the one when your long service runs out. I am suggesting you focus on your last hands-on day on the job. A last day is an important event.

Whatever your mix of emotions, hopes and expectations, the last day is an extraordinary event in your life. Enjoy it!

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

quickly do you receive your payout?

8. Not investigating in-home care

Can you stay in the village and, with support, delay the move to aged care? What support is available at the village?

9. Focusing too much on finances

A retirement village purchase is about lifestyle, not making money. No one ever got rich buying into a retirement village.

10. Not getting specialist contract advice

Retirement village contracts are voluminous (often over 100 pages), onerous, technical documents. They vary from village to village, operator to operator. They are not all the same. They all have particular idiosyncrasies and issues. Getting advice from a lawyer who specialises in these contracts is essential. Don Macpherson is an expert in retirement village law at Sunshine Coast Elder Law. Call 1800 961 622 or visit sunshinecoastelderlaw.com.au.

Heading into the iron age

It is estimated that more than 1 billion people worldwide have an iron deficiency. TRUDY KITHER explains the importance of iron, the signs of deficiency and how to stay on top as our system changes with age. pathogens from getting hold of free iron to limit their growth.

The body needs iron for energy, hair, skin, nails and feeding the good bacteria in your gut. Iron is needed for oxygen, so if you cannot produce enough oxygen, your body will start to show symptoms of iron deficiency.

Iron is a red protein and is responsible for transporting oxygen in your blood. The issue with iron is that you have two types of iron in your diet – heme iron and non-heme iron.

This differentiation of the types of iron relates to how efficiently your body will absorb it.

Iron deficiency anaemia will have symptoms such as, but not limited to, brittle or spoon-shaped nails, sallow complexion (pale, yellow, dull and uneven skin tone, sometimes with blemishes), fatigue, throbbing headaches,

thinning hair and patterned hair loss (in men it’s usually on the top of the head and in women it is generally thinning all over the head), irritation, twitching, pica (a craving for dirt or clay or an overwhelming urge to chew on or consume ice) and restless leg syndrome.

Some causes of iron deficiency anaemia are excessive bleeding, colon cancer, ulcers in the stomach or small intestine, and low stomach acid, as well as gall bladder issues and malabsorption often caused by problems in your small intestine, colon, food allergies and intolerances, and if you have had a gastric bypass or your gall bladder has been removed.

A lot of people have low stomach acid and don’t even know it. As you age, your stomach acid decreases, and

you are unable to absorb certain minerals, especially iron and calcium. Inflammation and autoimmune diseases will also deplete your iron. Good and bad bacteria need iron to grow, so when the immune system has an infection it binds, or locks up, iron stores. It is a natural survival mechanism in which the body prevents the

Certain antibiotics and dietary choices will also cause iron deficiency.

Vegans only consume grains and plants which contain non-heme iron. You only absorb a small amount of non-heme iron – about 1.4 per cent of the actual iron. Also, many of these plants and grains contain oxalates or phytates, which block iron uptake in your body.

Dairy also blocks iron uptake. Refraining from consuming grains or dairy within two hours of dietary or supplementary iron is essential for maximum iron absorption.

Suppose you are diagnosed with an iron deficiency. The doctor will advise taking an iron supplement, which is often an elemental iron.

Unfortunately, most elemental iron is the non-heme

form, so it will not be utilised by the body efficiently as it is a very crude form of iron.

Most people also become constipated when taking the non-heme form as a supplement. The body needs the highly bioavailable iron, which is the heme form.

The best dietary sources of highly bioavailable iron contain heme iron from seafood, red meat, poultry and eggs. Other good sources are pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, tahini, basil, parsley and coriander, to name a few.

You can also take a good quality heme iron supplement if your dietary intake contains few of these foods.

This article is general health information only and not intended to diagnose or treat specific health conditions.

Trudy Kither is a naturopath at Nature’s Temple Wellness Clinic. Visit naturestemple.net

INVISIBLE MADE VISIBLE TO EXPLAIN MS

AS THE incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) continues to rise, a video has been released in a bid to demystify and explain the complex, and at times invisible, disease that affects more than 33,000 Australians.

The What is MS? video was made to educate the public and those living with MS, especially the newly-diagnosed, about the causes, different types and common symptoms of a condition that has no cure.

“MS affects everyone differently. People living with MS will sometimes be well one day, and then be quite unwell the next,” MS Australia chief executive Rohan Greenland said.

“It’s really important for

employers, family, carers, and others in the community to have a better understanding of how MS impacts those living it.”

MS Australia president, Associate Professor Des Graham lives with MS and agrees that there is an inherent challenge in trying to explain what it is.

The video makes the invisible visible using 3D modelling and live action video to show a real person in everyday scenarios, bringing the symptoms and challenges to life.

The number of Australians living with multiple sclerosis is increasing at a significant and accelerating rate.

Visit msaustralia.org.au/ what-is-ms-video

AT LAST SOME GOOD NEWS FOR IBD SUFFERERS

CROHN’S and Colitis Australia (CCA) has welcomed news that medications for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis have been added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

CCA believes this will significantly benefit more than 100,000 Australians who live with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease IBD.

People with IBD can suffer chronic pain, bloody diarrhoea with frequent bowel movements up to 20-30 times a day, weight loss, anaemia and

fatigue, which severely impacts their everyday functioning.

Recent research has highlighted the lack of resources and support available to older Australians living with IBDs, or worse, undiagnosed IBD.

While there is no identified cause or cure, there is a raft of new treatments, and diagnosis methods have changed significantly in recent years.

Royal Australian College of Physicians research last year revealed that those aged 60-plus are less likely to experience steroid-free remission; be prescribed biologics (a relatively

new form of treatment); or have a specialist IBD nursing contact and/or multidisciplinary IBD Team.

These factors make living with the disease more disruptive and painful and less manageable.

The research indicates that clinicians should be aware of better and more effective options when it comes to treating older Australians; and that older people with IBD should insist on further exploration when it comes to diagnosis and treatment.

Visit crohnsandcolitis.org.au

TEST COMBATS LEADING CAUSE OF FEMALE FATALITIES

HEART disease claims the life of more than double the number of Australian women who die from breast cancer.

This is because for many women, heart episodes occur without prior warning. About 40 per cent of heart attacks in women are fatal with the symptoms often different to those experienced by men.

While men experience well-known symptoms such as

chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath or nausea, women may experience additional symptoms that can be dismissed as something less sinister – back, neck or jaw pain, dizziness, fatigue, light headedness and sweating.

Less obvious symptoms mean many take longer to seek help.

A survey conducted by the Heart Foundation Heart Watch found that despite more than

one-third of Australian adults living with high blood pressure, just five per cent nominated high blood pressure as a key risk factor for heart disease.

Statistics show that men 45 years and over and women 55 years and older are at greater risk than younger men and women. Free, routine blood pressure checks are recommended.

Visit bloomsthechemist.com. au/blood-pressure-evaluation

and Dry Eyes

2025 START FOR HOME SUPPORT PROGRAM

With one in six Australians over 65, the Federal Budget has had to address aged care issues, writes LUCINDA DEAN.

The Federal Government has pushed back the start of the Support at Home Program until July 1, 2025.

The delay, announced in the May Budget, is aimed at ensuring aged care service providers are prepared for the change to avoid disruptions to continuity of care for older people. It was made in response to feedback, and is to allow time “to further refine the design” of the program catering for older Australians who wish to remain at home for longer.

Currently, one in every six Australians is over 65 — that’s 16 per cent of the population.

Building on recent Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommendations, the Government has created an Aged Care Taskforce (2023-24) to oversee development of the Support at Home Program, as well as review funding arrangements for aged care, and develop options for a system that is fair and equitable for all.

THE CURRENT STATE OF CARE GIVING

The taskforce will examine:

• Contributions arrangements that will support a sustainable system;

• Equity for older people needing aged care now and into the future, and for all Australians contributing to aged care funding through taxes;

• Making innovation the sector default;

• Enhancing the elements of the system that Australians value, including putting people using aged care at the centre of the funding arrangements.

Existing grant arrangements for the Commonwealth Home Support Program will be extended for a further 12 months to June 30, 2025. The May Budget also pledged:

• $166.8 million to aged care to provide an additional 9500 home care packages.

• $81.9 million to develop and implement a new Aged Care Act to support sector reform;

• $12.9 million to improve food and nutrition in aged care.

AUSTRALIA has more than 2.5 million caregivers, representing about 11 per cent of the total population.

More than 860,000 are primary carers, meaning that they are the main source of care.

Carers are integral to Australia’s health system and are the foundation of the aged, disability, palliative and community care systems.

They are commonly responsible for the management of medications, but also play a

pivotal role in emotional and social support. Many also involved in helping with appointments, banking and family emergencies.

On average, the median weekly income of primary carers is around $200 less than non-carers who receive $997.

The reasoning is that one third of primary carers provide up to 40 hours or more of unpaid care a week.

It is for such reasons that Mark & Sylvie’s Home Care was created — to offer personal, honest and reliable care to those

who need it. Their approach to managing patient needs has always been focused on a vision, rather than a checklist.

When it comes to home care, they consider the person and their goals and aspirations.

If you or someone you know is struggling with the burden of excessive caregiving, it may be time to consider help.

The team at Mark & Sylvie’s is happy to answer questions about home care in general or how they can help.

Visit atticushealth.com.au or call 1300 268 431.

HOME ASSIST GETS THE MODIFICATION JOBS DONE

AS THE population ages, peace of mind comes from organisations such as Maroochy Home Assist.

Its purpose is to assist Sunshine Coast residents with living safely and independently in their own homes.

Servicing the Greater Sunshine Coast and surrounding areas since 1999, Maroochy Home Assist helps seniors through Government subsidised services.

Manager Julie Stacey is proud of the organisation’s

growth and says it now has five builders, 11 field officers, 17 administration staff and more than 70 specialist contractors.

The ample resources mean they can provide a range of services, and cover most jobs that are health, safety or security related”.

General manager Bill Fay, who has been with the organisation almost from its inception, is kept busy managing the major modifications department, which completes

more than 300 jobs a year, including removal of baths and hobs to create more accessible bathrooms, installing large access ramps, bidets, and stairlifts.

Maroochy Home Assist has specialised departments looking after major modifications, minor modifications, maintenance, NDIS participants and Home Care Package clients. The organisation brokers work to more than 40 home care package providers. Call 5476 6130.

Experience the Mark & Sylvie’s difference: integrated health and home

SELF-MANAGED HOME CARE PACKAGE CHECKLIST

IF YOU’RE considering a Home Care Package (HCP) or in the process of obtaining one, the Home Care Package Self-Management Checklist is a guide to getting the best value.

As the idea of self-managing can be overwhelming, this checklist will help navigate the HCP program and to make informed decisions.

ARE YOU PREPARED TO?

• Give some time to self-manage your Home Care Package.

• Recognise the need for a review of your Care Plan package and start it.

• Consider current health, risks, and safety.

• Develop plans and methods to stay connected to the community.

• Find, communicate with, and roster your own care workers.

• Be unbiased when discussing and determining care needs.

• Coordinate and track a simple budget, including managing invoices.

• Examine bank statements, identifying anything which appears incorrect.

• Record tax invoices for the products and services you have purchased.

• Communicate and resolve disagreements regarding payments and services. These steps are essential in selfmanaging a Home Care Package. To effectively assess needs, look at your chosen provider’s self-managed packages to determine if extra assistance is needed.

It may be more beneficial to choose a care coordinator to assist.

DO YOU understand your rights as a Home Care Package consumer?

• Know the items and services available for purchase with package funds.

• Have the ability to access and use the internet as well as view documents online and access emails regularly.

• Plan ahead regarding medical or other conditions that may affect your package.

• Understand/recognise your care needs and how to plan for them.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?

Find a provider with experience in assisting clients manage their Home Care Package. Here are some things to do now:

• Engage your support networks: Involve family members, friends and advocates in the care management process.

• Leverage technology: It has many benefits to streamline and enhance care management. Digital tools and platforms can facilitate communication, track care expenses, schedule appointments and provide real-time updates.

• Collaborate with care providers: Establish open communication and build strong relationships with your care provider. Maintaining regular contact, sharing feedback, and discussing any concerns or adjustments needed, can greatly enhance the overall experience.

Visit trilogycare.com.au

RangeCarehasbeenatrusted,not-for-profitcommunitycareprovider specialisingindayandovernightservicessince1986.

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INDUSTRY EXPERTS

OF

THE MONTH

KING GEORGE is a male Birman aged 10 years and nine months.

Separation: Is it the end, or just the beginning?

Divorce, ending a de facto relationship or ending a civil partnership can be emotionally difficult but have you ever thought what happens to your Will if these events occur?

Under the Succession Act 1981 (QLD), if any of the above events occur, your Will is revoked to the extent that it:

1. Gives a gift to your former partner;

2. Appoints your former partner as executor, trustee or guardian.

Your Will is read as if your former partner died before you. Your ‘reserve’ beneficiaries and executors named in your Will effectively replace your former partner.

Sound complicated? It is.

Rather than rely on the provisions in the Act, it is best to review your entire estate plan if one of the above events occur.

Your Will is only the beginning.

What about your Enduring Power of Attorney, the beneficiary nomination for your super fund, the beneficiary of your life insurance or the impact on jointly owned property?

Obtain legal advice so that the end of the relationship does not become the beginning of estate planning problems.

Recovery after an anterior total hip replacement

Many patients are surprised at how quickly they can comfortably ambulate after an anterior total hip replacement. Patients are typically mobilised within hours of their surgery. Most of our patients usually rapidly progress to being independent on crutches and require them for only one to two weeks.

There are many factors that dictate how long a patient needs to stay in hospital but generally getting back to your home environment as soon as it is safe to do so is an important component of your physical, as well as your psychological, recovery.

Excessive physical activity in the first two months after a hip replacement is counterproductive. We generally recommend gentle walking and stretching.

Many patients are safe to drive after just three to four weeks and can perform most of their everyday activities within six weeks.

For patients who enjoy more extreme activities such as surfing, they should wait at least three months to return.

All patients are different, and you should discuss your specific situation with your orthopaedic surgeon.

THE benefits of pet ownership are well recognised and there are pets who need owners too. The Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge, established in 1979 to provide temporary refuge and find new homes for abandoned, abused, stray and unwanted cats and dogs, this month introduces:

He is very snuggly and will purr to let you know how much he enjoys life with you.

He enjoys company and being around you and will need a little beauty routine to keep his coat lush. He could also do with some help to lose some of his cuddly kilos. Adopt him for $175.

ROCKY AND REBEL are a father and son Bichon Frise. Rocky is 10 years old and Rebel is nine.

They need a forever retirement home in a quiet household and enjoy their daily walk and having company.

Due to some existing health issues, they are looking for a permanent foster home so that SCARS can continue to treat and care for their health conditions.

All cats and dogs are vet checked, vaccinated, wormed, desexed, microchipped and medically treated if necessary. The refuge at Sippy Creek Road, Tanawha (adjacent to the Council Pound) is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm. If you’d like to adopt call 5494 5275, email office@sippycreek.com.au or find more details at sippycreek.com.au

JACK URGENTLY NEEDS A HOME

THE 4 Paws Animal Rescue provides refuge for homeless cats and dogs and is a not-for-profit run entirely by volunteers.

Most animals come from council pounds, some are surrendered or abandoned, others are saved from cruel living conditions.

The group is desperately seeking a foster carer with a view to adopting Jack, the Jack Russell.

This cute 1-year-old has a beautiful personality, weighs 5kg, and adores being around people. Jack has a lot of energy so a secure fenced yard where he can have a good run around as well as being taken for walks on his lead would be perfect. Jack is of the terrier breed so would not be good around chickens, cats and pocket pets.

He does still need a little training so his perfect home would be with someone who can dedicate some time towards Jack growing to his full potential.

Visit 4pawsanimalrescue.org.au

MAKE YOUR STORY YOUR LEGACY

WHEN a family member dies, many are left trying to fill the gaps in their family history.

Caroline Jamieson’s experience after the death of her parents inspired her to bring together professional writers who could condense a lifetime of stories into a memoir told in the person’s own words – Your Life Your Words.

The process is simple with a series of one-on-one interviews in the comfort of a person’s own home, while they relive moments and events that shaped their life.

“Not everyone has the ability to write, and in recognising this we’ve collated a team of professional writers who can skilfully weave details, memories and

personality together to really get the essence of the person,” she says.

Your Life Your Words also has videography enabling the client to relax and share their feelings over a glass of bubbly or a cuppa.

With Your Life Your Words anyone can document their life journey to share with loved ones today and as a legacy for children and grandchildren.

Your Life Your Words has a special place in the growing interest around genealogy.

“Ensure memories live on by recording them in the words of the person who lived them,” Caroline says.

Visit yourlifeyourwords.com.au

AFTERNOON OF SWEET MUSIC WITH ANDY COWAN

THE Jazz & Blues Collective presents Andy Cowan and Big Mama’s Door Cowan is one of Australia’s foremost performing songwriters and has a voice that invites comparison with the blues of Muddy Waters, and the soul of Ray Charles.

His piano and keyboard playing is both energetic and melodic while his songwriting and performance skills give him a strength and quality that define a complete artistic entity.

Appearing with Andy will be special guest Doc Spam (harmonica) accompanied by Christian Dunham (bass) and Duncan Macqueen (drums).

A coffee van will be on site from 12.30pm, doors open 1pm. BYO liquor licence so bring your own food and drinks. Millwell Road Community Centre, 11 Millwell Rd East. Maroochydore. Sunday, July 2, music 1.30pm-4pm. Tickets $26, seniors $24. Bookings: ticketebo.com.au/ jazz-blues-collective

CLAY ARTISTS EXHIBIT AT BUSHLAND GARDENS

MAKERS Perspective II – Bushland

Impressions is an exhibition of works by four clay artists who have been inspired by the bushland setting of the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens.

It will add a new dimension for visitors to the gardens this month.

Maureen Sheargold (pictured) is a founding member of the botanic gardens and current volunteer. Her pieces capture the essence of the bushland.

Carol Forster reimagines texture in her functional and decorative ware. Kath Melzer’s bushland inspired pieces echo her love of colour and form while Kristina Pearson’s sculptural work embodies the

texture and form of native flora. As well as the impressive collection of ceramic perspectives, there will be demonstrations daily and a chance to meet the artists.

Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens, Arts and Ecology Centre, 33 Palm Creek Rd, Tanawha. June 7-18, daily 10am3pm. Follow Makers Perspective on Facebook.

SCONETIME A BIG MORNING TEA FOR COOROY

SCONETIME in Cooroy this month will be part of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea raising funds for cancer research.

Sconetime creates meaningful community connections as seniors come together with family and business owners over fresh hot scones loaded with homemade jam and freshly whipped cream.

Sunshine Coast foodie Martin Duncan and Noosa Black Coffee’s Tracey Hinner will host Sconetime at the Cooroy Memorial Hall, 23 Maple St, on June 13. There will be auctions, a raffle, fabulous prizes and lots of fun.

For every Sconetime ticket sold $2 will

A priceless experience it is, to have your very own professional, personal writer visit your home to take you ‘down memory lane’ and compose your memoir… your life story, for you. Alternatively your writer can meet you at a café or somewhere else you prefer.

All you have to do is talk, and your writer will be by your side every step of the way, making record of your unique life of joys, challenges, adventures and achievements.

Your talented and empathetic writer will open the door to your heart, to let your story come to life.

Come and enjoy this priceless, once-in-a-lifetime experience!

IF WE DON’T SHARE OUR STORY TODAY… T OMORROW IT IS LOST, FOREVER!

be donated to cancer research.

Tickets are $8 for morning tea of scones with tea or freshly brewed Noosa Black coffee and are a chance to get together with friends, relatives and neighbours. For tickets visit trybooking. com/CHXBG

Sconetime Caloundra is on the last Wednesday of the month at the CWA Hall, 17 Kalinga St, Caloundra.

Sconetime Buderim is on August 9 and November 8, and Glasshouse Country is at the Beerwah Community Hall on August 10 and November 9.

Visit sconetime.com.au

QUEENSLAND GARDEN EXPO BLOOMS AGAIN

PREPARATIONS are underway for next month’s Queensland Garden Expo, one of Australia’s best-loved gardening events, attracting almost 40,000 visitors each year.

With more than 360 exhibitors offering an extensive range of gardeningrelated knowledge, products and plants, this year’s event will again have something for all gardeners, regardless of experience.

The event transforms the Nambour Showgrounds into a flourishing 7ha of gardening inspiration, knowledge sharing and community, with more than 50,000 plants on sale each day, as well as the chance to meet growers and access the best gardening minds in the country.

Australia’s largest gardening speaker program, it has more than 100 free lectures and demonstrations across eight live stages featuring Gardening Australia’s Sophie Thomson and Jerry Coleby-Williams among other well-known experts.

The Expo covers all corners of the backyard from a feature on keeping domestic chickens to organic veggie growing in the Giant Kitchen Garden, a collaboration of gardening and permaculture groups.

Nambour Showgrounds, Coronation Ave, Nambour. July 7-9, 8am-4pm

Tickets $22.50 online, $25 at gate, groups 10+ $20, weekend pass $40 Visit qldgardenexpo.com.au

www.yourlifeyourwords.com.au

Nothing could be more priceless than… YOUR LIFE STORY, TOLD IN YOUR VERY OWN WORDS

The WORLD in Your Hands Travel in Your Time On your bike

Old railway lines around Australian are being given new purpose and one of the newest is the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. DOT WHITTINGTON heads south of the border to the Tweed and becomes an easy rider.

that trees planted to screen private properties are still saplings, will ultimately be extended to link the Tweed Valley with Byron Shire, Lismore and Casino.

We set out from the beautiful northern NSW beach of Cabarita on a pleasant autumn day for the short drive to Mooball (pronounced Mow-bil), a little farming community with its original 1930s pub and cafes providing a good starting point.

Murwillumbah is the official trail head but bikes can be hired at both ends, so we elected to minimise the drive and start at Mooball. This meant we would have to head 3km back to the end of the trail at Crabbes Creek if we wanted to complete the full trip.

Alas, by the time we got back from Murwillumbah, good intentions of adding this extra 6km to the journey had disappeared into the afternoon breeze.

There are eight stops along the way, and being on the railway line, arrival is always in the middle of a village that’s waiting to be explored.

There are a few very good reasons for exploring the country on a route along an old railway line. The best one is that they are generally nice and level. The old train lines tended to go around or through hills not over them.

In the case of the new Northern Rivers Rail Trail, it’s a maximum of 4.5 per cent with short sections on to bypass bridges briefly rising to 15 per cent.

Another reason is that alongside development of rail trails, came businesses ready to hire electric bikes, which makes the long distances manageable for even the laziest of cyclists (I’m thinking of myself here). With battery power, what could be a daunting distance and test of endurance becomes an easy and fun adventure.

And then there are the ever-changing landscapes and old stations to be found

along the way, all with signboards offering stories and photos from rail’s golden past.

When my 50-something niece suggested I join her to cycle 48km from Crabbes Creek to Murwillumbah and back, I had to question my fitness, but she assured me she hadn’t been on a bike for years and was fearful of being a bit wobbly herself.

And I had the benefit of having sampled my first rail trail a year earlier, 42km from Tumbarumba to Rosewood in the Riverina Highlands of NSW, also on an e-bike. It passed through subalpine country and farmland and was dotted with historic stations, making it a remarkable ride through the region’s history as well as its countryside.

To be offered something similar so close to home was irresistible. The trail, so new

The trail has 6km of sealed asphalt, and the rest is solid compacted gravel so the journey is smooth as it winds through fields, native bushland, paddocks full of

cows and even a shady rainforest canopy. On this Tweed section, there are 26 bridges – cross 16 of them and enjoy picturesque views of the other 10 as you cycle past – and two tunnels.

The Burringbar Range tunnel, which connects the villages of Stokers Siding and Burringbar, opened in 1894, and closed in 2004. At about 524m long it is by far the longest of nine railway tunnels on the Casino-Murwillumbah line – its nearest rival is 265m.

It’s also the biggest challenge and arguably most thrilling part of the ride. At 7m high and 3.7m wide it is now home to microbats and glow worms. Although there is unquestionably a light at the end of the tunnel, dense blackness closes in and with only a small bike lamp to light the way, visitors are advised to bring a torch. It’s also a good idea to ensure the light is facing down and directly in front as in the darkness it’s all too easy to slam into the tunnel wall, a hazard I personally tested.

The trail is level and the surface is either bitumen or compacted gravel for easy riding.

Heritage-listed Murwillumbah railway station. The last train departed in 2004.

Entrance to the 524m Burringbar tunnel.

The landscape constantly changes but views along the way are never disappointing.

It wasn’t just me either. Others we passed also commented on how disorienting it could be. As a result, there was little time or will to look for the wildlife within.

First stop is the pretty village of Burringbar, just over 2km from Mooball. Burringbar is thought to mean the place of non-returning fighting boomerang in the local Bundjalung dialect.

The first building erected by John Ewing in 1888 became an overnight stop for Cobb and Co coaches bringing mail and supplies from Murwillumbah and Brunswick Heads.

It’s another 10km to Stokers Siding Station, which was known as Dunbible Siding when the railway was built in 1894. It was renamed in 1903, after local landholder Joseph Stokers and was one of the first stations with a raised platform.

Trains continued to travel through without stopping after it closed in 1974.

The railway serviced the area’s cane and dairy farms, transporting cream to the Norco Butter Factory in Murwillumbah and cane to the sugar mill in Condong.

Next stop is Dunbible where dairy, pig and cattle farmers once welcomed the trains. Cream no longer had to be loaded up on horses for the long journey to the factory.

About 2km short of Murwillumbah, there is a shelter and bike stop. A steep stairway leads up to the Tweed River Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre perched dramatically on the hill above the trail. Wollumbin (Mount Warning) rises on the horizon.

Finally, we pull into Murwillumbah which became the major centre of the Tweed when the railway line to Lismore

opened. Visitors now admire its art deco architecture, vibrant arts community, cafes and restaurants, but it remains a centre for dairying, sugar and banana farms.

We had covered the 20.85km with lots of stops, in less than two hours, so the four-hour bike hire was never going to be a problem. But of course, you don’t have to hire an e-bike.

The trail is well suited to all types of mobility devices, including shank’s pony, or bring your own pedal power.

I took the easy way and can heartily recommend the ride. Try to avoid weekends when, I was told, the route becomes very busy.

Visit northernriversrailtrail.com.au

HAVE A FUNTASTIC TIME

RESEARCH that staying active and social is vital to overall wellbeing has led to the Funtastic Tour Company tailoring tours specifically for seniors.

Owner/operators Mark and Geoff, who also run Coast to Hinterland, provide an avenue to explore, connect, and make lasting memories.

“The pain of loneliness and isolation can lead to a decline in physical and mental health while lack of social interaction and physical activity can exacerbate existing health issues and increase the risk of developing new ones,” they say.

The Funtastic Tour Company tackles both challenges.

Carefully designed tours mean seniors can go exploring, whether it’s a scenic coastal drive, a Northern Rivers Escape or a Tasmanian adventure.

“If you’re ready to embark on a new adventure, meet new friends, and stay vibrant and healthy, The Funtastic Tour Company is here to make it happen,” Mark and Geoff say. “Don’t let age be a barrier to living life to the fullest.”

Visit thefuntastictourcompany.com.au

Reminders of the trail’s original purpose have been retained along the way.

LIVE IT UP IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

AS THE temperature drops, South Australia transforms into a winter wonderland with hideaways waiting to be discovered, from snuggling up in a tiny house in the Adelaide Hills, to glamping under the stars in the Limestone Coast.

Or settle in by the fire at some of South Australia’s best cellar doors and country pubs.

Stay in some of the country’s most sought-after properties, from coastal lodgings to sophisticated vineyard manors and glamourous hotels.

Taste an endless array of flavours as you travel through

regions renowned for wine, seafood, honey, farm gate stalls, and gourmet menus.

Explore kilometres of picture-perfect coastline, delve into outback culture and desert landscapes, be charmed by friendly wildlife and inquisitive sea life, or meander along rivers and lakes brimming with things to see and do.

Travel north to the Flinders Ranges to explore the ancient landscape on foot or from the air, follow Aboriginal Dreaming trails and retire beneath canvas or glittering skies.

Head for the coast and one of

South Australia’s three peninsulas – the Eyre, Fleurieu or Yorke. Although each offers something unique, they share a reputation as aquatic and culinary playgrounds.

Step ashore at Kangaroo Island and relax as rugged nature combines with a laid-back lifestyle, wildlife and tempting delicacies.

Adelaide is a Great Wine Capital, one of just 11 cities globally with wine regions recognised as significant cultural assets. Within an hour’s drive, more than 200 cellar doors are located in the Barossa, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale while a little further afield, the Clare Valley is famous for five-star wineries showcasing the region’s signature drop, riesling.

Celebrate at one of the many festivals and events in Adelaide this winter, such as this month’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival or the month-long art, light and sound extravaganza of Illuminate Adelaide.

South Australia is packed with rewarding experiences.

Call your local Travellers Choice agent 1300 78 78 58 or visit travellerschoice.com.au

JAPAN – CHERRY BLOSSOMS OR AUTUMN LEAVES

AS THE snow melts and Spring arrives in Japan in late March, a curtain of pink and white flowers delicately envelopes Japan’s streets, waterways, temples, houses, and parks as the cherry blossom trees burst into bloom.

The cherry tree, or sakura, is central to Japanese culture and identity, its blossoms appearing on kimonos, paintings, currency and even food.

They symbolise new beginnings and an opportunity to start fresh – hanami, a picnic where friends and families gather under the cherry trees, has been a tradition since the eighth century.

Join a Wendy Wu Tours’ Japan itinerary at this time and find yourself in a festive atmosphere where you are likely to be invited to join the hanami revelry.

Not to be outdone, Japan’s autumn is also an unforgettable experience. Known as Aki, it begins in late September and continues to November.

Streets, parks, and temple

gardens around the country are filled with the vibrant shades of red, yellow, and orange leaves of the maple and gingko trees, and if travelling into the Japanese Alps, glorious displays of colourful foliage are even more spectacular.

The weather is cool and clear, getting chillier as the season continues and it becomes much quieter for travel.

The expertise of an experienced local guide with insider knowledge makes all the difference to exploring this fascinating destination.

Book with Wendy Wu Tours now to save up to $1000 a person on selected 2023 autumn departures or $200 a person on selected dates in 2024 cherry blossom season. Call Tewantin Travel 5447 1011.

Kangaroo Island

IMAGE: TOURISM AUSTRALIA

SALLY FORTH FOR THE SIGHTS OF SPRING

HEAD west of the Great Divide and discover the treasures of country New South Wales, from historic homes and castles to spectacular gardens, all of it wrapped up in history – and the fragrance and colour of Spring.

For 12 days from September 23, relax in a luxury coach on a journey to the national capital through the little towns that made Australian history.

“The splendid Spring Gardens Tour features incredible gardens and historic homes, and includes Canberra, Cowra, and Orange,” says Paul Brockhurst of CT Travel, who has put together an itinerary that covers the highlights of regional NSW.

Leaving from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, spend the first night in Goondiwindi before turning south to Dubbo, home of the Taronga Western Plains Zoo, historic Dundullimal Homestead and the heritage-listed Old Dubbo Gaol which operated for 119 years.

Learn the story of Sir Henry Parkes at the town named in his honour which is now equally well known as the home of the Elvis Festival . Iandra Castle is one of the country’s great historical sites.

In Canberra, tour Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial where the shrine, museum and extensive archives commemorate the sacrifice of Australians at war.

July Day Trips | 2023

FRIDAY, 7 JULY: Nambour Garden

E xpo - Inc. Entry . . . .

SUNDAY, 9 JULY: Abby Medieval Festival - Inc. Entry . . . .

THURSDAY 13 & TUESDAY 18 JULY:

And be prepared for spring gardens, lots of them, at their most magnificent.

The Floriade Festival at Commonwealth Park is the largest of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. Hundreds of trees blossom among the flowerbeds at Tulip Top Gardens while Cockington Green Gardens has meticulously handcrafted miniature buildings from around the world set among its beautiful gardens.

At Cowra, the town made famous by the World War II prisoner of war camp and famous breakout, the Japanese Gardens and Cultural Centre was designed by renowned landscape architect Ken Nakajima.

Abercrombie House at Bathurst is one of the finest historical mansions in Australia, and hosts a Scotland the Brave dinner, complete with tartan, dinner in the ballroom and an evening of Scottish entertainment.

In the Hunter Valley Gardens, stroll along paths winding through hectares of manicured grounds that showcase gardens from around the world.

“There’s so much to see and there’s no better time to see it than in Spring,” Mr Brockhurst says.

For a shorter adventure, seven-day escapes to Carnarvon Gorge and Wallaroo leave on August 7 and September 4. Visit cttravel.com.au or call 5391 1648.

August Theatre | 2023

WEDNESDAY, 30 AUGUST:

TRAVEL CT

$85pp

$139pp

Christmas in July @ Secrets on the Lake

Two-course Lunch (L)

. $145pp

Mamma Mia 1 pm QPAC Inc. One-course Lunch (L) . . . . . . . $199pp

JULY - DECEMBER BROCHURE COMING SOON. Home Pick-up between Maroochydore & Caloundra

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST: Email your request to: hello@thefuntas ctourcompany.com.au

Day Trips & HOLIDAY ESCAPES

2023 Tour Program

MARCH 2023

Fraser Island Explorer (4 Days)

O’Reillys Escape (4 Days)

AUGUST 2023

APRIL 2023

2023 Autumn Tour (9 Days)

O’Reillys

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

There’s always more...

When you want a little more, South Australia is the perfect place to holiday liday. Reward your wonder and get more from your weekends and getaways, book today! ay!

DRIVE & STAY

Barossa & The Pink Lake

Indulge your senses in the Barossa with a cooking demonstration at the iconic Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop, then venture a little further north to an eco-friendly tiny house opposite Clare Valley’s Lake Bumbunga.

Includes Car hire • 1 night at Barossa Shiraz Estate • 2 nights at Pink Lake Tiny House ‘Sakura’ • Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop Indulgence Experience with lunch and wine tasting

Valid for travel Selected dates until 31 March 2024

4 days from $990*pp

DRIVE & STAY

South Australia Nature Trail

Get back to nature and a slower pace with this Adelaide, Kangaroo Island and Middleton escape.

Includes Car hire • 1 night at The Terrace Hotel Adelaide • 2 nights at Kangaroo Island Seafront • 2 nights at Beach Huts Middleton • Return car and passenger SeaLink Kangaroo Island ferry transfers

Valid for travel Selected dates until 31 August 2023

6 days from $1,139*pp

BOOK WITH YOUR LOCAL TRAVELLERS CHOICE AGENT

Explore Adelaide & Beyond

SHORT STAY

From your luxurious base at Eos by SkyCity in Adelaide, go behind the inspired lunch.

Includes 3 nights at Eos by SkyCity • Ultimate Penfolds Experience at Penfolds Magill Estate • Explore, Wine & Dine at Shottesbrooke Winery with lunch • Return private executive sedan transfers to McLaren Vale

Valid for travel Selected dates until 15 January 2024

4 days from $1,219*pp

Gourmet Getaway

the Barossa. Stay in stylish accommodation and savour exquisite food and wine.

Includes Car hire • 2 nights at The Manna by Haus • The Chef’s Table Experience 7-course lunch with wine pairing at The Lane Vineyard •

2 nights at Barossa Shiraz Estate with breakfast daily • Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop Indulgence Experience with lunch and wine tasting Valid for travel Selected dates until 30 November 2023

5 days from $1,425*pp

Kangaroo Island Adventure

Uncover the natural and cultural highlights of Kangaroo Island. Meet a true blue sheep farmer, surf down sand dunes, explore the iconic landscape and interact with local producers and craftspeople.

Includes Accommodation & some meals • Transport by private vehicle & ferry • Extensive Kangaroo Island touring including Penneshaw Sculpture Trail, Cape Willoughby Lighthouse, Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Oil

Distillery, Flinders Chase National Park, Seal Bay Wildlife Experience & much more • Services of an experienced local leader

Valid for travel Selected dates until 15 December 2023

5 days from $2,160*pp

*Conditions apply: Prices are per person twin share in AUD unless otherwise specified. Prices are correct as at 18 May 23 & subject to change & withdrawal without notice. Seasonal surcharges, blackout dates & single supplements may apply. Prices may vary due to currency fluctuations & changes to taxes & surcharges. All savings & bonus nights are included in advertised prices. Offers are subject to availability at time of booking. Barossa & The Pink Lake: Valid for sale until 31 Jul 23 for travel on Sun from 13 Jun 23 – 28 Mar 24, travel on Thu, Fri & Sat available at additional cost. Car hire based on return collection from Adelaide Airport. Lake Bumbunga colours can be pink, white & blue subject to weather conditions. South Australia Nature Trail: Valid for sale until 30 Jun 23 for travel until 31 Aug 23. Car hire based on pick up Adelaide downtown & return Adelaide Airport. Minimum car hire renter age without surcharge is 25 years, drivers aged 21-24 years may be eligible to rent subject to an age surcharge. Rentals are subject to the Terms & Conditions of Avis rental agreement & the Avis standard driver & credit qualifications. Rental days are based on a 24 hour period. Explore Adelaide & Beyond: Valid for sale until 30 Jun 23 for travel until 15 Jan 24. Shottesbrooke Winery tour does not operate on Wed. Gourmet Getaway: Valid for sale until 30 Jun 23 for travel until 30 Nov 23. Car

DRIVE & STAY

SMALL GROUP TOUR

VIXEN

By Donovan Hoult

Reviewed by Jan Kent

THE latest novel from Hoult is packed with action and characters as the story leaps from one side of the world to the other, following attempts to take barrels of highly-destructive radioactive material to destroy cities in terrorist attacks.

The repercussions of the welldocumented but perhaps overlooked trials at Maralinga form the basis of this fast-moving story.

It has been well researched, detailing the many settings accurately.

At times I was lost in the intricacies of the plot, numerous characters and contrived coincidences.

The twists and turns, betrayals and many murders will keep a sharp-minded reader involved. With a predictably short conclusion, most of the ends of the convoluted plot are neatly tied off.

FIRE WITH FIRE

By Candice Fox

DEATH, DYING AND DONUTS

By Dr Colin Dicks

Reviewed by Jo

Bourke

PERHAPS once in a lifetime a book lands in our busy lives and shakes us to our core! This is such a book for me. The title enticed me first – what do donuts have to do with dying?

Like most, I have experienced loss of close family members and friends – some brutally sudden, others a long palliative journey. Dicks, a radiation oncologist, gives many examples from his long career. Most of all he challenges us to think about our own death. How often do we talk about it with our family? How prepared are we?

In a knowledgeable, compassionate, often humorous style Dicks challenges us and urges us to not only accept the inevitability of our death but prepare for it with anticipation. Most of all he challenges us to look at our present lives.

The analogy of the enjoyment of a warm donut with coffee is spot on. For me, this book has been a wake-up call. Still working in my senior years, I plan to cut back and make changes to enjoy life to the full. The format is easy to read. See deathdyinganddonuts.com

Reviewed by Annie Grossman, Annie’s Books on Peregian

to extreme measures after the police close their case. The desperate pair are holed up in a laboratory with hostages and vitally important forensic evidence on criminal cases, which they are threatening to destroy.

THE BLACK BOOK

By Ian Rankin

Reviewed by John Kleinschmidt

THE Scottish novelist has enjoyed immense commercial and critical success with his crime novels, none more so than the Inspector Rebus stories. The Black Book is actionpacked with many twists and turns within a maze of plots and diversions.

Characters include a brother just released from prison, students living in his apartment, an ex-lover and a police colleague beaten up because of a coded Black Book that exposes the criminal underworld in Edinburgh. There are also the consequences of Rebus buying a gun that was used to kill an unknown man many years earlier. This is probably the best Rebus adventure I have read and it’s well worth reading.

CROWS NEST

By Nikki Mottram

Reviewed by Graeme Bowden. The Bookshop of Caloundra

THIS is the first novel from Nikki and I loved it.

The main character, Dana Gibson, is a child protection worker who moves from Sydney to Queensland to escape some personal problems.

The story is set around Toowoomba and Crows Nest and revolves around the murder of best friends Sandra and Debbie.

Dana does not believe the crime could have been solved as easily as it seems and uncovers a world of problems surrounding the murdered women, their extended families, children and authorities.

The author has worked in the area of child protection and the difficulties those people encounter come to life in this novel.

I am looking forward to further stories involving Dana and some of the other characters of Crows Nest.

THE COLLECTED REGRETS OF CLOVER

by Mikki Brammer

Reviewed by Lea Dodd, of Rosetta Books Maleny

death. But her job and her own experiences of loss since an early age have left her short on actual life experience.

CANDICE Fox is the author of 16 books, seven of which are co-written with James Patterson, one of the world’s most popular authors. She has written two trilogies set in Australia and three standalone thrillers. Fox’s latest release is a literal page turner!

A married couple who have endured the most horrific experience, the loss of a child, go

Detective Hoskins and police officer Lamb are deeply invested in the rescue of the hostages and, more so, the evidence. As the police attempt to negotiate with the couple, the book builds in pace and excitement to an explosive climax.

Candice Fox, who was a student of the University of the Sunshine Coast, is a skilled and entertaining author, and Fire With Fire sees her at the top of her field.

THIS story is as beautiful as the book’s cover – warm and full of heart about a normally taboo subject.

Clover works as a death doula, leading people through their last days toward what we’ve come to call a “good”

Security,

Her contact with a new client forces her to re-evaluate her life as she embarks on a journey to put the woman’s regrets to rest – and in turn explore her own regrets.

This is a profound story about friendship, love and courage that will make you question your own life and ask yourself if you are living it to its fullest.

With Quizmaster Allan Blackburn

1. In what month of 2022 did Queen Elizabeth II die?

2. Which major city is on the banks of the Barwon River?

3. “Australia is why” has been used as an advertising slogan by which major organisation?

4. Who was the first person to set foot on the Sea of Tranquility?

5. Complete the proverb: Waste not …

6. In AFL, how many white flags are waved when a behind is scored?

7. What is the only English word that can be made using the fifth, eighth, twelfth and sixteenth letters of our alphabet?

8. What drug is abbreviated to “ludes”?

9. True or false: dry ice is solid carbon monoxide.

10. What kind of creature is a water moccasin?

11. On what continent is Libya?

12. What fraction of a cubic metre of water is 100 litres?

13. What animal can inject formic acid when it stings?

14. A Hard Day’s Night was the first feature movie for which rock band?

15. In what US state is the Pentagon building?

16. On a map, what lines run parallel to the Equator?

17. What star sign is a person born at the end of January?

18. What type of cat did Alice meet in Wonderland?

19. What shape is at the centre of the Swiss flag?

20. What zoo was originally called the Beerwah Reptile and Fauna Park?

10. Snake; 11. Africa; 12. One-tenth;

6. One; 7. Help;

1. September; 2. Geelong; 3. Telstra; 4. Neil Armstrong; 5. Want Not;

8. Quaaludes or methaqualone; 9. False (solid carbon dioxide);

13. Some ants; 14. The Beatles; 15. Virginia; 16. Lines of latitude; 17. Aquarius; 18. Cheshire; 19. Cross; 20. Australia Zoo.

Across

1 Match material with some flexibility(6)

4 Farmer’s bug killer is shipped all over the place, including back of Bourke(5-3)

9 Explosive decapitated men in class(7)

11 Pressure applied by trade union in unusual period of happiness(7)

12 Young lady, one spring, converted a lost soul(7,6)

14 Street, in time of shortage, is settled(6)

15 ‘Information bulletin is crucial,’ corrected head of research(8)

18 Last of the woolly merinos should be coming out(8)

20 Worldly division, right, included in subject matter(6)

23 Selfish team found locked in container at sea(13)

26 Tenants of home unit errantly sent back suite(7)

27 Plan new position for parts of rugby move(7)

28 Health checks claimed falsely by patients ultimately(8)

29 Clear river entering a large bay(6)

Down

1 Organised meeting, held by cardinal say, is classified(10)

2 Wild animals consuming first consignment of raw chicken meat(7)

3 They inspect diggers attached under rising chopper(9)

5 Fresh analysis of the crime protected from outside agencies(8)

6 Sexpot nearly mucked up shows(5)

7 Call about boiler’s service book(7)

8 Remove skin from head of poached fish(4)

10 Wired component of busted gyroscope(4)

13 Racket misplaced before opening and running competition(5,5)

16 Vehicle quietly set down tradesman(9)

17 Whipped cream on large amount of powdered grain(4,4)

19 Temperature showing in faulty device should be put out(7)

21 One residing in old Chinese city reaching a high point(7)

22 Expensive motor vehicle is long in my opinion(4)

24 Sceptic’s features encapsulated in fancy nickname(5)

25 Study hard carbon stuff(4)

No.

M M

No.

Today’s Aim:

R U I E D

16 words: Good

24 words: Very good

33 words: Excellent M 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”.

WORD STEP

Society below the surface (10)

16 To place importance on (9)

18 Blasphemous (7)

21 Horrible (5)

23 Actor, Oscar – (5)

24 Sole (4)

27 Unhappy (3)

WORDY CULTS

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