Your Time Sunshine Coast - April 2024

“Deciding where you want to go first makes the whole downsizing process much easier. Allow me to assist you to find the right property and, usher you into a fresh new lifestyle!”

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Ihave a confession to make: for the first time ever, I’ve switched supermarkets. I held out for years from buying the bulk of my groceries at Aldi – too lazy to pack my own groceries, unaccepting of new brands and aisle setups, and always being caught out without cash (to avoid the card surcharge) or the dollar for the trolley insert.

As a Target Chermside check-out chick in my teens, I used to receive a five per cent discount at Coles. The habit of shopping there and the brand familiarity has lasted four decades, with only one particularly long stint at Woolworths (as the main tenant when a new shopping centre opened nearby).

But the cost-of-living pressures have thrown loyalty out the window. We have to shop around for the best deal.

That may mean searching out real bargains and giving the local butcher, baker and candlestick maker a go. That may mean weighing up ‘convenience’ over the extra fuel needed to make a few

more stops to fill the fridge and pantry (and avoid paying $3 an avocado or $9 for sourdough bread).

The bottomline for me was that I simply couldn’t keep paying for skyrocketing supermarket prices, cover ever-increasing bills for utilities and insurance, and save for the overseas holiday I’ve been planning for a year amid the ups and downs of the Aussie dollar. Something had to give.

Still, hubbie and I are among the lucky ones. We have fairly steady incomes, own our own home, drive reliable secondhand cars and still have ‘a life’. How do people on pensions manage in this day and age? How do one-income families cope?

In our cover story this week, journalist Janine Hill does her ‘money hacks’ research to uncover ways to penny pinch and survive this current economic crisis (while also trying to maintain the lifestyle we have worked so hard for to this point). Turn to Page 4.

This month, we also head to Darwin for an afternoon delight of the foodie kind, while our motoring guru Bruce McMahon test drives the GWM Cannon ute. Enjoy the read!

Shirley Sinclair Editor

We can all use some tips on how to save money and JANINE Hill has done her research on the easy ways to penny pinch and some little-known discounts available to seniors.

Everyone likes to save a dollar but the rising cost of living has made that a tough ask.

Research by National Seniors Australia (NSA) and investment management company Challenger last year found that 80 per cent of older Australians were feeling the effects of higher living costs, and that proportion was predicted to increase in the 12 months to follow.

Ninety per cent of the over-50s who responded to the survey were concerned about keeping up with the cost of living and a quarter were “extremely concerned”, the NSA states.

Health costs, energy prices and

groceries were rated as the three big worries.

Compare the Market’s David Koch says that although the inflation genie seems to be going back into its bottle, some unavoidable expenses continue to hurt Australian households.

“Many Australians will be seeing that inflation rose just 0.6 per cent to 4.1 per cent in the latest quarter, which is lower than the previous quarter’s 1.2 per cent hike and the smallest we’ve seen since March 2021,” Mr Koch says.

“However, there are still some key areas that are continuing to hurt the hip pocket. Electricity costs, health costs and insurance aren’t really things Aussie

households can avoid. So, while it’s great to see some areas like education, transport and household equipment come down, the reality is most Aussies are still going to be feeling the pinch with some everyday costs.”

Your Time went in search of tips to stretch your dollars further but first, here is one big one: do not be age proud.

Get a Seniors Card, a Seniors Business Card, or a Seniors +go Card if you are eligible and present it, even if you are unsure that a discount is available.

You never know until you ask.

BUDGETING

Looking at how much money you have

coming in and how much you are spending might be a good starting point.

The Simple Money Manager on the Services Australia website makes it easy to calculate what you should have left every week to put away.

Go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/ how-to-budget?context=60271

GROCERIES

Choice ( the public face of the Australian Consumers’ Association) says to avoid pre-prepared fruit and vegetables.

For example, it is cheaper to slice your own than buy sliced carrots.

Swap your favourite brand for a cheaper one. Choice has found that home brands can taste the same or better than more expensive ones.

Choice suggests buying ‘ugly’ produce. Fruit and vegetables with odd shapes or imperfections taste just the same but can cost less.

Swapping out-of-season fresh produce for frozen is usually cheaper, Choice says. Buying frozen also makes it easier to reduce wastage.

Stock up on staples when they are on sale. Stick to a shopping list and do not shop when you are hungry.

The beginning and the end of the day can be the best times to score markeddown perishables, Insider Guides says.

Woolworths and associated stores such as Big W and Dan Murphy’s offer a five per cent discount to Seniors Card-holders.

Seniors Card-holders can join Senior Shopper, which is powered by Union Shopper, to access savings on everything from groceries to white goods and movie tickets: qld.gov.au/seniors/legal-finance-

concessions/seniors-card/senior-shopper

BATHROOM AND LAUNDRY

Choice checked 83 products – shampoos, cleaners, laundry products – and found refillables saved 32-38 per cent. So, re-use your spray bottles.

Do full loads of washing.

A laundry basket is 3.5kg and a washing machine can take much more, Choice laundry and white goods expert Ashley Iredale says.

Choice says that using just a third of the recommenced amount of laundry detergent will still give excellent results and your detergent will last three-times longer.

Wash in cold water. Warm is slightly better but the difference does not justify the cost, the organisation says.

BANKING AND SUPERANNUATION

Look for a savings account that does not charge fees.

Services Australia says that if you are still working but on a low income, you may be eligible for a government co-contribution to your superannuation of up to $500 if you put in $1000 yourself.

If you are still working, you can also ask your employer to pay some of your pre-tax earnings (up to $27,5000 a year) into your superannuation account.

These concessional contributions are taxed at 15 per cent, which is lower than the marginal tax rate for most people.

Services Australia advises you can often save a little by choosing to get statements and bills by email rather than on paper.

HOUSING

Centrelink’s Home Equity Access Scheme might provide some relief if your budget is pushed to the brink.

The scheme allows Australians of age pension years or older to use the equity in their home as security for a

“While it’s great to see some areas come down ... the reality is most Aussies are still going to be feeling the pinch with some everyday costs”

Compare the Market’s David Koch

loan to supplement their retirement income. Interest is payable at 3.95 per cent per annum.

The loan can be repaid in part or full at any time or after your death.

If you are a homeowner, make sure you collect any pensioner or seniors’ discount offered by your local council on rates (and pet registration).

ELECTRICITY AND OTHER SERVICES

Check if your electricity, reticulated gas or water supplier offers a pensioner or seniors discount. Unitywater, for example, offers a pensioner rebate of $120 a year.

Washing the dishes before or after you have a shower means you will save on running water until it turns hot for the second activity, costing less for the water and electricity.

Compare the Market’s Chris Ford says

to always read the fine print, as plans can be priced differently. Look for any discounts or conditions. Also:

1. Look at the supply charge which could be higher than other retailers offering similar usage rates.

2. Understand your tariffs as the cost for electricity could vary at different times of the day.

3. If it has been more than a year since you switched plans, you may have defaulted to a higher price. So, look for a new deal.

HEALTH

Mr Ford advises making the most of a health insurance policy if you have one.

If you are paying for inclusions that you do not use, consider switching to a lower tier that includes want you need but not what you do not. Also:

1. Understand what medical professionals plan to charge for your treatment as they do not all charge the same. If you have health insurance, ask if your treating health professional will participate in your fund’s no-gap scheme.

2. Make the most of any concessions or rebates. You might be able to claim from your health fund for medication not on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. A seniors, pension or health care card will get you a free pair of glasses every two years under the Spectacle Supply Scheme.

A seniors, pension or health care card means you can go to Queensland’s free public dental clinics.

Some gyms offer seniors’ discounts.

INSURANCE

Mr Ford says to never accept an autorenewal. Always compare.

Pay close attention to the sum insured, excess and any optional cover you may be able to do without. Also, consider opting for a higher excess to

lower your premium. Ask your insurer if they offer a seniors’ discount.

VEHICLES

Watch the fuel price cycle and keep your tank topped up when the cycle is in its low phase.

CHOICE recommends thinking about how you drive. Ease back on the accelerator and avoid harsh acceleration and braking. Also:

1. Avoid driving when traffic is congested. An idling car uses 1-2 litres of fuel an hour. Turn the engine off if you pull up for a short time.

2. Another tip from CHOICE: driving with the windows down is cheaper than using the air-conditioning unless you’re travelling at 80kmh or more, as drag becomes a factor.

3. Keeping your tyres inflated at the correct pressure can reduce fuel use by about two per cent.

4. Loading a vehicle to its maximum weight can use up to 24 per cent more fuel. Unload unnecessary items.

OTHER TRANSPORT AND TRAVEL

Queensland Seniors Card or pension card-holders are eligible for a discount on vehicle, motorcycle, caravan and boat registrations. The discount is worth about $180 on rego for an average vehicle.

Seniors Card +go, Seniors go card or green pensioner concession go cardholders who use a go card for two paid journeys in one day, travel free for the rest of the day.

Pension card-holders are eligible for a 25 per cent discount, and Seniors Card-holders are eligible for a 50 per cent discount on full adult Queensland Rail long-distance fares. Seniors Business Card, National Seniors Australia card, or a New Zealand Seniors card-holders are eligible for a 15 per cent discount on the same.

What’s hip

What to watch

SOME of the nation’s mostdefining moments are relived through the genius of The Chaser’s Andrew Hansen as co-writer in the ABC’s Australian Epic. The 2023 six-part series is available on iview until April 28, bringing hilarious musical comedy to the documentary format. Favourites include a deep dive into ‘Doing a Bradbury’, Princess Mary and the biosecurity controversy over Johnny Depp’s dogs Pistol and Boo (as puppets, pictured).

What’s a big deal

THE 2024 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships, affectionately known as ‘The Aussies’, will invade Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba beaches from April 13-21. Volunteer patrolling members from Australia’s 314 surf clubs come together to compete in more than 480 beach and ocean events. It is the largest event of its kind, comparable to the Commonwealth Games. This year, several thousand competitors, officials and supporters are expected, in a major boost to the local economy. Head down to see how skills in and out of the water, fitness and knowledge of the surf, first-aid, resuscitation and CPR keep us safe on patrolled beaches.

What to book

THE Grand Kyiv Ballet of Ukraine will return to Australia on May 6 and 7 for a double-bill evening of ballet, presenting Forest Song and Don Quixote. Act 1’s Forest Song is considered a showpiece that for more than 75 years has been the pride of Ukraine. Act 2 is the much-loved romantic comedy Don Quixote – a flamboyant and festive Spanish ballet. Prices start from $95.05 (a transaction fee of $7.20 applies). Go to qpac.com.au and search for ‘Grand Kyiv Ballet’.

Where to escape

IF YOU really want to get away from it all, the tiny island known as Pitcairn is about as remote as you can get without icebergs. The volcanic island in the south-central Pacific Ocean, 2170km southeast of Tahiti, was probably first inhabited by Polynesians but Britannica.com reveals that the British ship HMS Swallow ‘found’ the island in 1767, and its captain Philip Carteret named it ‘Pitcairn’ for the sailor who first sighted it. Pitcairn will be forever linked to the Mutiny on the Bounty tale as its population is descended from the mutineers of the British ship HMS Bounty and their Tahitian Polynesian consorts. Spacifica Travel offers a unique Pitcairn Island fly-cruise-stay package from Australia. Call 1800 800 722 or visit spacificatravel.com.

Back in the day…

There was ABBA. Fifty years ago on April 6, 1974, four Swedish singers – Björn, Benny, Agnetha and Frida – won the 19th Eurovision Song Contest in the English city of Brighton. The rendition of their song Waterloo blew away the competition that included our own Olivia Newton-John (competing for the United Kingdom). Australia catapulted the charming group to stardom (with a little help from Countdown host Molly Meldrum). The Eurovision 2024 finals are on May 11.

Where to dine

IT’S a popular area to try to find a park in but City Winery at 11 Wandoo Street, Fortitude Valley, is worth the effort. The restaurant champions seasonal, locally sourced produce. Almond-fed pork belly, half-shell scallops over coals or 30-day dry-aged striploin, anyone? Call 3854 1392 or visit citywinery.com.au

Where to have fun

THE historic Eumundi pub Joe’s Waterhole has had a makeover that retains much of its heritage value while showcasing its new operator, Matso’s Brewery. Matso’s made its name in Broome, WA, where Australia’s original alcoholic ginger beer was born. The kid- and dogfriendly beergarden at Matso’s Sunshine Coast is always a happening place. Visit matsos.com.au

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2024 ANZAC DAY SERVICES ON THE SUNSHINE COAST

HERE’S your chance to show up for all the diggers past and present who have fought for the freedoms we enjoy today and who have done their duty in trying to make the world a better place. These Anzac Day services are supplied by RSL Queensland to meet Your Time’s early print deadline. Visit the What’s On section of rslqld.org/ whats-on/anzac-day or individual RSL

Sub-Branch websites (such as Maroochy RSL and Caloundra RSL) for the latest on April 25 services.

Buddina – Kawana Waters

RSL Sub-Branch

Dawn service: 5.25-6.15am, Cenotaph at Coopers Point Lookout, 99 Pacific Boulevard.

March: 10.25-10.45am, 99 Pacific Boulevard.

Ceremony: 10.30am-noon, 99 Pacific Boulevard.

Contact: Gary Penney on 0419 829 258 or gary.penney@kawanawaters.rslqld.net.au

Glass House Mountains – Glasshouse

Country RSL Sub-Branch

Dawn service: 6-6.45am, Cenotaph in Settlers Rotary Park, Reed Street.

March: 10-10.30am, Pitt Street car park, Glass House Mountains.

Ceremony: 10.45-11.30am, Glasshouse

Community Hall, 8 Coonowrin Road.

Landsborough

Dawn service: 4.15-5am, RSL Park

Cenotaph at Landsborough Railway Station, Cribb Street.

March: 8.45-9.30am, Landsborough State School, 41 Gympie Street.

Ceremony: 9.45-10.30am, RSL Park in Cribb Street.

Contact: Brian Machin on 5438 7777, email president@glasshouse.rslqld.net.au or visit facebook.com/GlasshouseCountryRSL

Mudjimba – Mudjimba RSL Sub-Branch

Dawn service: 5.30-6am, Cenotaph in Power Memorial Park, Mudjimba Esplanade.

March: 10.30-11am, Coolibah Street, corner Mudjimba Beach Road.

Ceremony: 11-11.45am, Cenotaph in Power Memorial Park.

Contact: 5458 8320 or graeme.wong@ mudjimba.rslqld.net.au

Nambour – Nambour RSL Sub-Branch

Dawn service: 5.15-6am, Quota Memorial Park in Matthew Street.

March: 8.30-9am, Quota Memorial Park.

Ceremony: 9-10.30am, Quota Memorial Park.

Contact: Kim Symmons on 0400 763 167 or kim.symmons@nambour.rslqld.net.au

Woodford – Woodford RSL Sub Branch

Dawn service: 5-6am, Leopard Tank, 123 Archer Street.

March: 9:45-10.30am, corner of George and Archer streets.

Ceremony: 10.30-11.15am, Memorial Park, 123 Archer Street.

Contact: Bob Patterson on 0418 782 444 or woodfordrsl@bigpond.com.

A time when even schoolchildren knew the drill

AUDIENNE BLYTH recalls a time when war was considered a very real threat on our doorstep.

World War II lasted from 1939 to 1945. Australia was deeply involved. The authorities of the North Coast, the area we now refer to as the Sunshine Coast, were well aware of the need for war preparedness at the beginning of 1942.

In December 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour, and then Darwin in February 1942. There was great fear that a similar event could happen locally.

Meetings were held to inform the public of the dangers. Authorities set about organising a public response in readiness.

Volunteer patrols were established to watch for any sign of invasion. Look-out crews were established on high points such as Mt Ninderry. Wardens patrolled the streets at night, making sure lights were extinguished. First-aid posts were established in each town. Road signs were removed to confuse any invader.

In many cases, parents, who had relatives distant from the coast, entrusted their children to their care: they were so worried about an invasion.

A system was set up to warn of an air-raid strike. Locomotives or mills were to blow their whistles hard and long.

A Bra For

Identity disc and peg for schoolchildren to bite on when the bombs came

Public meetings were held to discuss the need for trenches to be built at all schools, however large or small.

Volunteers were called on to do the work and much debate went into the length and depth of trenches to minimise the effect of explosions.

At Nambour Rural School, about 500 lineal feet (152m) of trenches 2ft (60cm) wide and 3ft (91cm) deep with provision for drainage were built in the grounds.

Zig-zag trenches were built to lessen the effects of strafing from aircraft. Some schools halved attendance rates and lengthened the school day so that at any one time, only half the school population was present. Schools did not resume that year until trenches were built. There

Maureen has her camouflage hat specially made to wear in air-raid trenches. She says the school issued the pattern and fabric of plain khaki for mothers to do the sewing.

Camouflage hat worn by schoolchildren in 1942

were hopes expressed that the trenches might never be used.

Nambour Chronicle at the time recorded the planning meetings at one-teacher schools such as Maroochy River and bigger ones including Landsborough and Caloundra. All were intent on building air-raid trenches.

Public places, businesses and homeowners were also required to build their own air-raid trenches. In Nambour, a large trench with a concrete floor was built in the main street and another at the railway station.

Two dear friends, Maureen and Lorna, both 92 in 2024, recall school days in 1942 when camouflage hats, drills and identity discs were part of the routine.

Lorna has kept her original identity disc on a long tape worn around the neck and it still has the original peg to bite on, to stop her teeth from shattering when bombs exploded.

Schoolchildren were drilled in what to do if there was an air-raid warning. They had to keep their hats under their desks and, at a given signal, put them on and run and crouch down in the zig-zag trenches. Thank goodness this necessity never came about.

By 1944, Mooloolaba Progress Association voted to remove barbed wire from beaches and fill in air-raid trenches. Elsewhere, many trenches were not filled in until well after World War II ended in 1945. Some of us can still recall the trenches our families built in backyards ponding with water, mosquitoes and debris for many years.

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

UPDATED BOOK CELEBRATES LOCAL LOCO HISTORY

HISTORY buffs and cane train enthusiasts flocked to the Nambour Museum recently to celebrate the launch of the second edition of Locomotives of the Moreton Central Sugar Mill, by Clive Plater.

Originally written in 2013 to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the sugar mill’s closure, the updated book contains interesting new facts, including the history of the Maroochy River lift span tramway bridge that was destroyed by flood in 2022.

Mr Plater says his love of locos was spurred by his father Edgar, who worked at the Moreton Sugar Mill for 51 years as an engine driver, traffic officer, tramway and bridge supervisor, and assistant chief cane inspector.

“Dad kept meticulous diaries relating to the tramlines and bridges from 1960 until 1981, and these helped me enormously with my research and were still being used for reference by mill staff 20 years after he retired,” Mr Plater says.

The expanded edition of Locomotives of the Moreton Central Sugar Mill contains updates on the location and condition of the locos purchased by the mill between 1904 and 1976, along with those used during its subsequent ownership by

Howard Smith Industries. Many of the retired locos can be viewed at the Nambour Museum, including Eudlo, Shay, Valdora, Bli Bli, Flyer, Sandy and Joe, which is the only operational engine on display.

Most carry interesting back stories, such as Sandy, one of four small, V8 petrol engine ‘rail tractors’ built during World War II.

The loco was the star of the 1967 children’s book Sandy the Cane Train, written by Jean Chapman, and was named after Mr Plater’s uncle Les ‘Sandy’ Plater, a ‘Rat of Tobruk’ who lost his life fighting in the Middle East.

During the launch, Mr Plater presented a copy of his book to young train enthusiast and regular museum visitor Teddy Witherspoon, and paid tribute to Susie Blue for her help in putting both editions together.

Copies of Locomotives of the Moreton Central Sugar Mill are available from the Nambour Museum at 18 Mitchell Street, and cost $15. Opening hours are 1-4pm Wednesday to Friday, and 10am-3pm on Saturday.

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Lately, I feel myself lost in the wilderness, culture-wise – cut off from any live performances as I don’t drive into the city anymore.

By Mocco Wollert

RECENTLY, I came across a YouTube program which featured the wonderful Love Duet at the end of the first act of Madame Butterfly

Suddenly, I realised that it had been quite a time since I had been to the opera or any other live performance.

My husband and I loved the classical concerts at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and we enjoyed opera.

Even after a tiring day at work, we would still rush off to QPAC and lose ourselves in wonderful melodies. Slowly, as we aged, we went out less and less to evening performances but a matinee was also most enjoyable.

A while ago, my daughter took me to a concert with Rod Stewart (pictured) in Brisbane. It was a wonderful experience, with champagne during interval and delivering all the advertising had promised. No record, tape or YouTube performance can replace the real thing, even if it is pop music.

I do miss those evenings and matinees. The pre-opera or preconcert talks were a delight in themselves and that glass of champagne at interval just enhanced the joy of the event.

It is a new phase in our lives when we get older that we ‘miss out’. Art exhibitions, library events, concerts in the park suddenly are no longer in my planning of the week or month.

I do have a wonderful daughter in Brisbane who will take me but I don’t like asking. It might not be something she’d enjoy and just to act as my ‘unpaid driver’ is not fair.

There is Comlink and other organisations that will transport you – if you are eligible – to these events but they do not operate on weekends or after 5pm. Taxis are often a hit-’n’-miss affair – especially the pick-up after the performance.

For a while, one of the residents here at my village organised group tours to performances at QPAC. She had a contact at the box office and as a group, we got good seats.

Maxi taxis would take us there and pick us up. It was mostly

matinees, but wonderful melodies sound nearly as good in the afternoon as in the evening. Alas, age caught up and it became too much for her. So far, nobody has stepped into the breach and I can only look with great longing at the advertisements for operas, ballets, musicals and plays.

Sometimes, however, I think that it might not be such a bad thing to be ‘marooned’ at home because I am not sure that I would enjoy the modern plays, concerts or opera.

A few years back, I went to a performance of La Boheme, which was staged in a modern setting. I enjoyed the familiar melodies but somehow, the ‘story’ did not have the same impact. Rodolfo in a long plastic raincoat didn’t do if for me. May you get to live events as long as you can.

Email mocco.wollert@bigpond.com

Life in the slow lane Life’s an adventure

By Cheryl Lockwood

EVERY year, a list of the most popular baby names is revealed.

Some we love, some we don’t and some leave us wondering what the parents were thinking.

As someone who has always had her name mispronounced, I sympathise with people whose parents go for unusual spellings and/or pronunciations.

You’ve likely just glanced at my name and thought: “Sheryl. What’s so odd about that?”

Not much, really, but my parents pronounced it with a ‘CH’, as in ‘chair’ or ‘chicken’.

As much as I say it clearly, most people will still clarify it with what they think they heard, which is ‘Sheryl’. I generally just agree, as it is quite a subtle difference. Tomato/tomayto. As my mum used to say, “Call me anything you like. Just don’t call me late for dinner.”

The issue came up again when I attended a parkrun that I’d not been to before. Back in 2019, I wrote of my introduction to parkrun: a free event held every Saturday all over the world.

At that time, I was not a runner by any stretch of the imagination, but I gave it a go. I took a good, hard look at my fitness after wondering if I was actually going to die while attempting the 5km run.

Since then, I have become enthusiastic and have

now clocked up more than 120 parkruns.

Wherever you attend a parkrun, you’ll find a friendly bunch of volunteers who are full of encouragement – whether you sprint, walk or crawl on all fours, crying across that finish line. Prior to each run, a briefing is held which includes an explanation of the course. This is helpful for not getting lost along the way.

On this particular Saturday, the run director approached and asked my name and where I was from.

“Cheryl,” I answered. “From Noosa.”

I don’t actually live in the heart of Noosa, but this is where I regularly attend parkrun and it is more recognisable than my hinterland hometown.

“Sharon?” she queried.

“Cheryl,” I said again, emphasising the “CH” like I was imitating a steam train ... also hoping I didn’t spit on her.

“Oh, Charren.” Well, the “CH” sound was right. Sure, why not? It’s not like anyone was going to care or see me again

(also thinking, “Is Charren even a name?”).

Next came a few typical announcements, noting special achievements and mentioning sponsors.

Then the cheery, little director said, “Welcome to our visitors today. We have Dave from Brisbane.” Polite applause followed. “And Charren from Noosa. Where’s Charren?” she asked, as she scanned the crowd.

I could only assume she was referring to me, so raised my hand and accepted applause from 250 or so people. The majority had puzzled looks that said, “What kind of name is Charren?”.

Now that I’d given a false name and address, I jogged my 5km and left, avoiding eye contact, lest anyone wanted a discussion on names.

Names go in and out of fashion, with some very old ones making a comeback of late. Nature is another source of inspiration. I like to think Storm, Rain or Winter will become meteorologists when they grow up. There are names that go nicely with the surname, too. I know a guy called Rob Banks and have heard of a Barb Dwyer and a Sandy Beach.

I doubt that Cheryl ever made the top of the name list in any year and this has never bothered me. Whichever way you say my name, I will answer. I’ll answer to my sibling’s names, too … and two of them are boys. Charren is growing on me.

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R.E.S.P.E.C.T. – find out what it means and can do

LINDA FITZGIBBON discovers that despite what we may see in the media, many of those in the younger generations know what respect looks like and aren’t afraid to call out disrespectful behaviour.

Iwas talking to my niece the other day, and she said that someone had ‘dissed’ her. I was curious. Was this a good thing? A bad thing?

As I didn’t know, I asked her, and learnt that it’s a colloquial term meaning disrespect – a bad thing. I am not sure when this ‘word’ was coined, but according to my niece, all Gen Zs and millennials use this word to describe when they feel disrespected.

Recognising what disrespect looks and feels like are aspects of having healthy boundaries and then relationships, my niece told me with some seriousness. I was impressed. I began to wonder, if the Gen Zers and millennials know about disrespect, do they also know about respect? What do people of every age understand about respect?

My niece was right there, so I asked her. “Well, eh, it’s different for everyone,” was the reply.

Is this what school teachers talk about? There’s no respect for them anymore. Is this why there are signs in shops about not serving people who are disrespectful and abusive? I’m not sure. Is respect different for everyone?

My niece and I fell into a deep

conversation. What is respect? We decided that it is an attitude of honouring the human dignity of people while caring about their rights. After much discussion, we decided what respect looks like. As the old adage goes: treating others as we would want others to treat us. Also, having our property, boundaries and values recognised and prized.

My niece and I thought that respect would feel very liberating.

That’s because with respect, we are valued, our dignity is important, and our belongings are protected.

Where is respect and where does it come from? These were questions that we discussed as well. We decided that it is still not a cliché to suggest that spirituality is the sacred within: we all have the capacity

to develop respect. It is inside of us.

When I was younger, it was uncommon to ask for respect. This word wasn’t used in conversation, nor relative to relationships. Equally, no one used ‘dissed’.

I’m beyond glad that the word ‘respect’ is now used, and that disrespect is called out. The power of these words and associated attitude and behaviours will make our lives and communities safer and happier places. I am happy with the cultural change. May it continue.

On April 25, Australia commemorates Anzac Day: a day of remembrance, and a day where we can all practise deep respect for the Anzac legacy, as all of us deserve respect, and we can practise honouring human dignity and this tradition.

We don’t have to buy a poppy, but it’s wonderful if we do. We don’t have to go to a dawn service, but it’s wonderful if we do. We don’t have to play two-up, but it’s fun if we do. In line with language change and cultural change, we can all practise respect.

Linda Fitzgibbon has a PhD in Applied Linguistics, and is a trained and experienced facilitator with the Virtues Project™. Linda is now retired, and lives on the Sunshine Coast. She can be contacted at linda9laugh@gmail.com

MUSINGS WITH GARRY

TRADIE TALK

I LIKE having a chat with tradies.

As a former Secondary school teacher, I ask them whether they are living their career dream. Frequently, I find they are doing something totally different, owing to a critical sliding doors moment.

Recently, Rory came to fix my washing machine. He is good at his job. He grew up in Sydney’s south, living near the nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights. In high school, he was aspiring to be a cabinetmaker but, directed towards a carpentry apprenticeship, he was reluctant to pursue.

Rory tried Senior, but it wasn’t his thing and he dropped out of Year 11 to pick up the odd casual job. His mum was urging him to get back to school. The next year, he went back to Year 11 only because he reckoned the girls were hotter than his first time around, but that certainly wasn’t enough. He dropped out again – much to his mother’s frustration. Then up came the sliding doors moment. His mum’s washing machine broke down, and she asked the mechanic whether he had a place for a young bloke to do an apprenticeship. He did and the rest is history.

Rory got married and moved to the Sunshine Coast to establish a successful appliance repair business and raise a young family, with his wife doing a Master’s degree for her youth guidance career.

Me? I’m living the dream, doing the washing again.

Shillings, Six Pences, Three all

JEWELLERY

Facing the facts of chronic disease

CHARLIE GRIFFITHS looks at his own health circumstances from a fresh perspective that he hopes will ease some of the pain and anguish for others.

Okay, okay, I’ve got it. I’ve got a chronic disease that has the potential to wreck my career plans. It’s a bitch but it doesn’t mean that I’m special, as:

• 60 per cent of people aged 45-64 years have at least one chronic condition

• nearly 80 per cent of over-65s are in the same boat

• 50 per cent of all over-65s have at least two chronic conditions.

Where do these statistics come from?

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare monitors 10 chronic condition groups: arthritis, asthma, back pain, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, mental health conditions and osteoporosis.

So, since inflammatory bowel disease or Crohn’s isn’t counted in these figures, I might be special because I make the stats even worse.

Statistically, here’s what it means to have a chronic condition:

• 35 per cent of people with chronic diseases experience high or very high levels of psychological distress –compared with 4.3 per cent of those

without chronic disease

• 88 per cent of people with chronic disease experience recent pain –compared with 55 per cent of those without chronic disease.

• half of the people aged 18 and over who have more than one chronic disease experience disability, restriction or limitation – compared with 7.9 per cent of people of the same age with no long-term conditions.

Compared with people of the same age, people with chronic illnesses are:

• 60 per cent less likely to participate in the labour force

• less likely to be employed full time

• more likely to be unemployed than people without chronic disease.

How does it feel to have chronic disease? Apart from the symptoms and disabilities, how do I feel mentally, spiritually and emotionally?

Seven biggies spring to mind straight away: denial, guilt, anger, anxiety and depression, loss of identity, desperation and re-evaluation. These are known as the seven stages of chronic disease grief.

I call it ‘dancing with snakes’: skipping around, avoiding one then the other, while not being game to take my eye off the pit and find a way out.

I’ve had the dance and as scary as it was, I now appreciate the opportunity to face my demons.

They will always be there and I’m sure I’ll slip back into the pit on a bad day, but I found a way out and each time it gets easier to grab the ladder and climb to safety.

The first step is acceptance: “I’ve got it and it’s not going away. Now what to do with it?” Note that I said “with it” not “about it”. It’s part of me now and how I live my life, how I achieve my goals and how I contribute to society and family all come down to the choices I make.

I choose to use my skills as a coach

and my experience as a chronic disease (symbiont) host to help fellow professionals achieve their goals by making great decisions for the right reasons. By this, I mean aligning choices with core values, personality and beliefs.

This is the true you, warts and all, and with the new challenges you’re facing, now is the time to face the amazing truth about yourself.

Clint Eastwood famously said in Magnum Force (1973): “A man’s gotta know his limitations.” So true.

My take on this is to know what I can do, know what I can’t do, then push the limits to do what I want to do.

If this article resonates with you, I would love to hear from you. Contact me at charliegriffithscoaching.com.

Charlie Griffiths is a certified life coach and NLP practitioner dedicated to helping middle-aged professionals who are struggling with career decisions after being diagnosed with a chronic disease.

Clint Eastwood in Magnum Force

Building and maintaining your cognitive reserve

KAILAS ROBERTS looks at how a lifetime spent ‘using our brains’ can help protect against dementia.

When it comes to the brain at least, size does matter – but not as much as you think.

Although a contentious issue, there is some evidence linking bigger heads with protection against dementia.

Men might feel they can brag about this, as they do on average have brains roughly 10 per cent larger than women.

It is also the case that rates of dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease are lower in men than in women, but I suspect this is about a number of things other than the volume of their brains.

This notion of ‘brain reserve’ –referring to your neural real estate – is only one type of reserve, however, and in many ways not that interesting as it is not really amenable to change.

What is more engaging is the idea of ‘cognitive reserve’. This does not relate to the size of the brain but to its efficiency and connectivity. Software rather than hardware, perhaps.

Another analogy is that of a city. Cognitive reserve here may refer to the network of roads within.

Now let’s say you need to get a message from one side of town to the other. The more roads you have, the more

chance you have of being able to transport the message effectively, even if some of the roads are blocked.

In a similar way, having plenty of networks of neurons in the brain allows you to transmit a message from A to B, even if some of these networks are damaged. So, cognitive reserve refers to the ability of the brain to function despite the damage that occurs to it.

Damage to the brain can be the consequence of all sorts of things, including the proteins whose accrual is associated with Alzheimer’s disease (amyloid and tau).

So, in theory, greater cognitive reserve should be associated with less-severe symptoms. And this does appear to be the case.

There is a famous study known as the

nun study in which, you guessed it, nuns were given memory tests throughout their lives and then their brains were examined after they passed away.

What the researchers found was that many of the nuns had substantial amounts of amyloid in their brain, even when they had normal memory during their lives.

One of the influencing factors as to whether they developed cognitive decline during their lives, regardless of how much amyloid they had, was their level of education.

There is a certain difficulty in defining cognitive reserve, as it is a bit nebulous: how do we measure it exactly?

Well, we tend to use proxy measures: that is, ones that are indirect measures, but which seem logically to be connected.

It makes sense that the more you use your brain, the higher the reserve might be. And so, measures include the educational level studied in the nuns, but also how cognitively stimulating one’s job is or was, and how much time we spend in cognitively engaging tasks such as learning new skills and participating in leisure activities.

Another important proxy is social

The new name with a familiar face ...

Noosa & Hinterland Family Lawyers is the new name for a familiar face in Cooroy. Local lawyers Cooroy Legal Centre and McCarthy Family Law in Noosaville amalgamated in July last year and are now celebrating their successful marriage with a new name.

Principal lawyer Ms Jane McCarthy said the new name was chosen to celebrate the firm’s wide experience in all types of family law matters. “We will continue to offer sensible advice in all parenting, property, domestic violence and child protection disputes,” Ms McCarthy said. “Collectively our lawyers have more than 70 years’ experience between them in helping families to negotiate new arrangements after separation.”

Ms McCarthy said both offices in Cooroy and Noosaville would also continue to help people with their wills, powers of attorney, and winding up deceased estates.

Conveyancing remains a strength for the new practice. “Shelley, our very popular conveyancer, is still with us to provide

contact. This might not seem intuitive but socialising is a great workout for the brain and likely to enhance cognitive reserve.

A recent study involving more than 200,000 people looked at the some of these cognitive reserve variables and found that those who had better measures of them were indeed protected against dementia.

This is empowering, as we can incorporate many of these things into our lives.

The other variable was time spent watching TV. This was found to be inversely related to dementia risk: the more you watch, the greater the risk.

So, there’s an easy option here to protect your brain, I suppose. Switch off the gogglebox!

knowledgeable and friendly help for people who are buying or selling property in Noosa and the hinterland,” Ms McCarthy said.

Noosa & Hinterland Family Lawyers will operate from their Noosaville office to service the Noosa community, while the Cooroy office will service those in the hinterland. Video and phone appointments, including free initial consultations, are available for clients who are unable to attend either office easily.

More information about Noosa & Hinterland Family Lawyers can be found at the firm’s webpage www. noosahinterlandfamilylawyers.com.au. Both offices can be reached by phoning 5408 4399.

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

Cooroy

• The team at Noosa & Hinterland Family Lawyers.

Persian Carpets provide an effortless and enjoyable process of selecting and purchasing the perfect rug for your home. We at the Persian Carpet Gallery believe that every rug has a home. A place where you, the home owner, can enhance the beauty and individuality of a house to create your home.

All of Persian Carpet Gallery carpets are supplied with certificate of originality. You can also exchange the rugs at any of our stores across Australia. We have the most amazing rugs from traditional Persian to modern. For modern rugs, visit rugporter.com.au

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YOUR EYE HEALTH MATTERS

HEALTH FOR ALL APRIL 7, 2024

Make your appointment with SCO today!

reception@sconoosa.com.au

ST PATRICK’S DAY LUNCH

THE St Patrick’s Day luncheon for the Twin Waters VIEW Club was a grand one indeed, to be sure to be sure!

Members dressed in green clothing of every hue and sat among an assortment of shamrocks, leprechauns, rainbow balloons and pots of gold while listening to Irish ballads. Shenanigans included the club’s own Riverdance Troupe.

The club meets for lunch on the 2nd Thursday of each month at The Loose Goose Restaurant, Ocean Drive, Twin Waters, at 11am for an 11.30am start.  New members are always welcome.

Contact Doreen on 0415 695 921 or email twinwatersviewclub@gmail.com

30TH ANNIVERSARYPEARLER

BUDERIM Bridge Club will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Friday, April 12, from 11.30am.

All members and past members are invited to take part in this special ProAm. Enjoy a light finger-food lunch, followed by a cake cutting to honour the original members.

Numbers are limited to 20 tables.  No partner is necessary.

Call Sandi Owen on 0416 081 576 to reserve your place.

35 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP

THE Sunshine Coast Friendship Force this year celebrates its 35th anniversary.

This vibrant and energetic group enjoys visiting and hosting people of different cultures. The club was formed on March 15, 1989, to organise the first inbound exchange by 27 members from Atlanta, Georgia, in the US. Fifty members acknowledged the milestone at a meeting on March 24 and lunch on March 25.

Contact Jenny on 0448 866 141 or email info@ffsunshinecoast.org.au

MEMBERS mostly wore pearls and the colour green to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Buderim VIEW Club at Buderim Tavern.

Ramon, a trainee pilot, came up from Brisbane to be a guest speaker. He was one of the Learning For Life students who was supported by The Smith Family charity.

The club’s monthly meetings/lunches are held on the first Wednesday of the month at Buderim Tavern.

Anyone interested in becoming a member can call Gail on 0414 950 949 or visit view.org.au for further information.

SOCIAL NETWORK

IF YOU are a woman aged over 50 who is interested in social activities and meeting new friends, head along to a friendly and welcoming branch meeting of the Older Women’s Network Maroochydore. Members meet on the third Monday of the month at The Avenue Retirement Community at 32 Baden Powell Street. For more information, call Lee on 0429 831 414.

BUDERIM REMEMBERS

A SPECIAL community display is paying tribute to four Buderim Anzacs at Pioneer Cottage from April 20-27.

Those to be honoured are servicemen and women of the ‘Great Wars’: Eric Foote, John Dahl, Peter Noels (all World War I) and Dorothea Burnett (World War II).

Visit the static display, open daily at 11am-3pm from April 20-27 (Anzac Day 10am-4pm) at Pioneer Cottage, Pioneer Crescent, Buderim.Admission is $5 adults and $1 per child.

GENEALOGY CLASSES

IF YOU have been wondering how to do your family history research, then head along to the Genealogy Sunshine Coast Beginners’ Classes for three sessions on Wednesdays: April 17 and 24 and May 1, from 9.30am-3.30pm.

The cost is $15 per full day for members and $25 for non-members. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided.

Open days will be held on April 27 and August 24 (during Family History Month). The society will have a stand at the Queensland Garden Expo at Nambour Showgrounds from July 4-7, and holds workshops on the 4th Saturday of each month.

Email genealogysc@gmail.com or visit sites.google.com/site/ genealogysunshinecoastinc/Home

WAKE UP FEELING REFRESHED

NOVA is a five-year-old border collie-cross that adores people and thinks everyone is her best friend. She is okay with meeting other dogs but needs to be the only pooch at home. Nova is house trained and has loads of energy, and would love an active family. She is in a foster home, so call to arrange to meet her.

JOJO is one of the senior kids hoping for a forever home. She is nearly 11 years old and only $60 to adopt. When she is comfortable with you, JoJo will give head bumps and nose bops. She isn’t a great fan of small children as she sometimes likes time and space to herself. Don’t worry: she will let you know when that is. Jojo is chatty and affectionate and is looking for a nice, quiet place to live with a mature, like-minded owner.

All cats and dogs are vet checked, vaccinated, wormed, desexed, microchipped and medically treated if necessary. The Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge (SCARS) 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

JAG is a smoochy, friendly, mature-aged legend, seeking to spend his final few years in a loving and caring home.  Jag will not disappoint if you are looking for that companion who is going to sit on your lap and want cuddles.

Unfortunately, Jag came to 4 Paws severely underweight, had been roaming the streets and was neglected and suffering with hypothyroidism.  Now at a healthy 4kg, on daily treatment, Jag is ready for his ‘furever’ home.

All vet bills are paid for by 4 Paws for the rest of his life.

Visit 4pawsanimalrescue.org.au

Don’t treat updates like an optional extra

Software and app updates play a major role in protecting our online security and optimising performance, as EDIN READ reports.

As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, keeping our devices updated has never been more critical.

We all know that our computers, phones and iPads tell us when a new software or app update is available. But what do these updates do, besides change the look of our devices?

Updates play a pivotal role in the health, security and overall user experience of our devices.

They are there to protect us, even when we can’t see what’s changed. They are like a work crew constantly patching and renovating a house, stopping leaks and locking doors – and the best part is, these updates are usually free.

The primary reason for regular software updates is security. Cyber threats are constantly evolving, with new viruses, malware and exploits emerging frequently.

Software developers respond by patching vulnerabilities and strengthening security features.

Skipping an update can leave your device open to attacks that could compromise your personal information.

These updates defend against such vulnerabilities.

They work exactly like upgrading your home security: as crooks get better at their job, we get better at protecting against their technologies.

Software and app updates often include optimisations that improve the overall performance of your device.

This can include faster processing speeds, better battery life and fewer crashes or bugs.

By keeping your software up to date, you ensure your device operates efficiently and reliably.

With each update, new features are introduced or existing ones are enhanced.

These updates can significantly improve your device’s usability, offering new ways to manage tasks, better interfaces and additional functions that enhance your daily digital experience.

I can understand that sometimes simple is better: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

But the security risk you leave yourself open to increases with time and lack of updates, similar to leaving doors unlocked when you leave the house.

As new software and apps are developed, they are designed to work with the latest operating systems and software versions.

Regular updates ensure that your device remains compatible with the latest technology, ensuring you don’t miss out on using the latest apps and services because your software is

outdated. If your phone is several generations old and no longer receives updates, it might be time to consider getting a new one.

Search online to see if your phone still gets current updates.

Here are some tips to stay on top of things.

Enable automatic updates: most devices offer an option to automatically download and install updates as they become available. This is the simplest way to ensure your device stays up to date. You can head to Settings > General > Software Updates > Automatic Updates and flick it ‘on’ on iPhones, and similarly on androids.

Regularly check for updates: occasionally, check your device’s settings to ensure no updates are pending. This is especially important for critical security updates that require immediate attention.

This can be accessed in settings. App updates can be accessed through the App Store and tapping on the profile at the top right, or Google Play Store

and tapping on the profile > Manage apps & devices > Tapping ‘Update available’ to update.

Be Informed: stay informed about the latest software versions for your device and the benefits they bring.

This can help you understand the importance of each update and what it means for your device’s performance and security.

Software updates are not just optional extras: they are essential to the health and security of your devices.

By ensuring your devices are regularly updated, you’re protecting your personal information, improving your device’s performance and ensuring the best-possible user experience.

Keeping your software updated is a simple, yet effective step towards a safer, moreefficient digital life.

Edin Read is founder and chief technician at Greyology Tech Support for Seniors. Visit greyology.com.au

Cannon offers a direct hit in comfort and handling

BRUCE McMAHON can’t understand many drivers’ aversion to utes, nor the generalised arguments against their size and safety.

So, another month and another ute.

And another collective sigh from the anti-ute brigade.

Utes – in particular, four-wheel-drive, dual-cab versions – have long been a sensible work and family vehicle for many Australians.

Originally limited to a few Japanese brands, today’s utes come from Europe, North America, Korea, India and now China, with the likes of the GWM Cannon.

All are body-on-frame workhorses (albeit tarted up in many cases for extra on-road comforts and conveniences).

So, there remain compromises to ride quality and handling. Some foibles are muted by the modern suite of driver aids such as lane-keeping monitors.

Still, Australians are buying swags of utes and some folk have a problem with this, often arguing about the size and safety of these vehicles.

Maybe it’s time these people also consider the size of trucks, buses and delivery vans and maybe there are more pressing matters out on the highways and byways. Drivers, not vehicles, kill people.

Perhaps it’s time to add driver education to the school syllabus, or

find a safe spot to pull over. Steady Sunday driving habits can be dangerous, causing frustrations and risky overtaking.

Around town, please move off promptly when a turn arrow goes green. Some days you could fit a semi-trailer between cars turning. Stay alert.

Anyhow, GWM’s Cannon ute is also available as a cab-chassis unit and straight out of the box, with a 1730mm by 1855mm aluminium tray, it’s not a bad thing.

mandate that all would-be motorists take a defensive driving course.

Kids are taught to swim and the dangers of water but rarely about vehicle dynamics and how to drive. Last year, some 281 people drowned in Australia and 1266 died on the roads.

Road toll costs well outweigh the costs of better driver education.

Access to training in regional areas is problematic, not impossible (one jackaroo on a remote station a year or so back took, and passed, his driving test in a visiting police car).

Maybe re-consider road etiquette. Let

a stranger into the stream of traffic, wave when someone makes space for you, smile when someone beats you to the last park. Take it easy.

Australians, for better or worse, drive on the left-hand side of the road. Why is it so hard to keep left? Why so many whinges about tailgaters?

While a speedo may indicate you’re at the limit, that’s not always the case. Instruments can be out of whack. And anyway, who inducted you as a patrol officer?

Keep an eye on traffic behind. Move over, keep left. On narrow country roads,

Cabin accommodation is generous. Instrumentation and controls are easily followed. There are all the mod-cons and the finish is quite handsome.

Four-wheel-drive versions start at a most competitive $39,990. These are full-time four-wheel-drive with an easy switch to low range.

The Cannon’s two-litre motor puts out 120kW and, with the aid of an eight-speed auto, works fine with a light load aboard. Ride comfort and handling aren’t far behind the best, although that steering – even with lane assists turned off – can feel a tad sticky.

At that price and a seven-year warranty, the GWM Cannon ute is worth a good look ... as are many utes.

The 2023 GWM Cannon ute.

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Put the stepping stones to retirement firmly in place

HELEN BAKER offers her five money foundations you need before retiring.

Retirement is your time to enjoy life to its fullest and tick items off your bucket list.

However, without good foundations in place, that dream voyage could become an unpleasant slog up a proverbial creek.

Having worked hard all your life, the last thing you want – or deserve – is to board the retirement ship, only to discover it’s riddled with worrisome leaks, unfavourable cargo or is sailing in the opposite direction from your dream destination.

Before calling time on your working life, use this simple checklist to lay the foundations for a happy and prosperous retirement journey.

1. Tax planning: paying too much tax is generally an avoidable mistake with some diligent preparation.

Consider, for instance, the different tax rates applied to investments you own personally versus those owned by your superannuation, company or family trust. Optimise ownership to minimise tax. Selling investments to top up your super may attract capital gains tax. Or you could enjoy certain benefits for making additional contributions now.

Then there are your beneficiaries: you could unwittingly leave your family worse

off if your will is incomplete or poorly structured, or if assets are distributed unwisely.

2. Appropriate structures: retirement opportunities to stretch your money further will depend on structure and age.

For example, superannuation versus pensions: you may even be eligible for a part-pension, helping to conserve your super. Your spouse or partner may qualify for Centrelink benefits even if you don’t.

Even home ownership should be scrutinised. If you don’t own your own home, can you get into the market while still in paid work? Can your current home accommodate your needs as you get older? Will downsizing allow you to unlock additional funds? Is an expensive relocation on the cards? Are you and your partner joint tenants or tenants

in common?

3. Adequate protections: without employment to generate income once you’re retired, super and investments are your means of keeping food on the table. Protecting them is paramount.

• Review insurances. Some cover – life, total permanent disability and private health – becomes even more important with age, yet harder to obtain. Others, including professional indemnity, may no longer be needed.

• Revisit asset protections to maintain sufficient coverage – both for repairs/ replacement and associated losses. Does your home insurance offer temporary accommodation should your home be damaged? Rental car cover should your vehicle be stolen? Can you meet upkeep costs on an investment property if it is untenanted?

• Devise back-up plans. How will you respond if markets fall, wiping out super or other investments? How is your money invested to cater for access while still allowing growth and income? What is your emergency fund like?

4. Expense forecasts: consider how you will be spending your days in retirement, because your newfound freedom and what you do with it will directly impact

your spending habits. Sure, you may save on commuting to the office or having work clothes dry cleaned.

Conversely, though, more time at home will mean higher energy costs and no more work-funded meals. Plus, you may want to travel, start new hobbies or get more active in existing ones – all of which will have additional costs. Spoiling your grandkids doesn’t come cheap. Even volunteering your time may hit your hip pocket (such as non-refundable travel and administration).

5. A coordinated plan: a well-considered and coordinated savings and investment plan is the key to smooth sailing in retirement (as, in fact, for any stage of life).

Ensure that your left hand and right hand are talking to each other – that is, you know how your various income sources and protections (super, will, company, trusts, savings, investments, insurances, tax etc) align with one another. Factor in your partner: will they still be working once you retire? Do you both have enough super to contribute effectively?

Helen Baker is a licensed Australian financial adviser and author of On Your Own Two Feet: The Essential Guide to Financial Independence for all Women. Find out more at onyourowntwofeet.com.au

Navigating the aged care journey – the legal aspects

DON MACPHERSON explains contracts, costs and red tape that seniors and their families should be aware of before choosing accommodation providers.

Dealing with the myriad issues arising with entry to aged care is complicated and challenging.

This is even more complicated in the ever-increasing changes in the aged care space.

Aged care contracts often run to 50-plus pages, and on top of that, there are the Centrelink considerations to be worked through. Many contracts include a personal guarantee by family, and sometimes even require a security caveat against real estate.

It is essential that advice is obtained from an elder law expert who deals with these contracts on a regular basis. We have provided advice on contracts from all the major aged care providers across Southeast Queensland.

Paying for your accommodation in aged care can occur in a number of different ways, and sometimes using a combination of options.

All residents pay a basic daily fee, but on top of that daily fee, depending on one’s financial position, there is the need to pay for accommodation.

Those who can afford the cost of an

aged care room (usually in the $400,000 to $500,000 range) can choose to pay the whole accommodation cost, or some of the cost, by way of a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD). The RAD is refundable at the end, and is government guaranteed.

An alternative is the payment of a Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP).

It is the interplay of RADs and DAPs that can have significant financial consequences and needs to be carefully considered.

A resident can pay a full RAD, part RAD and part DAP, or go fully DAP.

If paying a part RAD and part DAP (for example, paying a RAD of $250,000 towards a $450,000 room cost), a decision needs to be made if the DAP is actually paid, or allowed to be drawn against the RAD. In that circumstance, the RAD may progressively reduce to nil over time.

The RAD payment is an exempt asset for Centrelink calculations (essentially as a principal place of residence). So, the option to pay a full RAD, rather than having those funds invested, with the flow-on detriment in terms of Centrelink

WHY WE SHOULD CHECK BANK ACCOUNTS DAILY

COMPARE the Market is warning that millions of Australians may not be aware of fraudulent activity on their bank account.

New research has found that 53.6 per cent of 1005 Australians surveyed in January didn’t look at their bank account daily – a concerning statistic, says Compare the Market’s economic director David Koch.

“We’ve all heard the stories of hardworking Aussies being swindled out of their savings or noticing funds missing from their bank account,” Mr Koch says.

“These scammers will stop at nothing to prey on innocent people. Greater vigilance can be part of the solution. It’s not always possible to get money back if it’s been stolen, but you may have a better

chance if you monitor your accounts and report fraudulent activity as soon as possible.”

Aussies collectively lost $455 million to scams last year, with phishing, false billing, online shopping scams, identity theft and hacking among the most reported.

In some good news, Compare the Market’s data found that 46.1 per cent of those surveyed at least look at their bank account every week. About 5.5 per cent only look at their account once a month.

Kochie’s top reasons why you should check your bank account every day:

1. You can see if your balance is low.

2. You can spot fraudulent activity.

3. You can break bad spending habits.

4. You can become more motivated to save.

5. You can put your anxiety to rest.

payments, could be a sensible option, depending on individual circumstances.

Sadly, at the end of the day, people generally only leave aged care one way, so the RAD (or what remains of it) becomes an asset of the deceased estate, which will normally only be released by the aged care operator if Probate or Letters of Administration are obtained.

Obtaining an understanding of the legal aspects of the aged care contract is important.

There are also very significant financial planning considerations involved. Any prospective aged care resident needs to get individually tailored advice from a financial planner who is expert in aged care. We know the right people to provide that specialised advice.

Sunshine Coast Elder Law are experts in aged care contracts, retirement village contracts, wills, estates and elder law. Contact 1800 961 622 or visit sunshinecoastelderlaw.com.au

Brisbane Elder Law are experts in Aged Care Contracts, Retirement Village Contracts, Wills, Estates and Elder Law. Contact them on 1800 9616 22 or visit brisbaneelderlaw.com.au

You’ve got to ‘move it, move it’ weekly

TRISTAN

HALL plans to get us all moving more by breaking down our activity planning.

In our previous article, we touched on the pillars of health: activity, nutrition, sleep and environment.

This month, we will provide four focus points for our first pillar: activity.

We will focus on the FITT principle (frequency of activity, intensity, type of exercise and time).

World Health Organization recommendations for exercise encourage us to engage in 150–300 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75–150 minutes of vigorous activity weekly.

How can we break this down into more applicable variables?

Frequency: four to six bouts of exercise per week with a day of rest in a seven-day cycle.

Intensity: for resistance exercises, a moderate intensity that builds power, strength and endurance is optimal. Incidental and aerobic exercises should be of lower intensity to enhance cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic and cognitive health without overexertion.

Type: ideally, this includes two to three weekly sessions of resistance training, two sessions of aerobic exercise, and one to two sessions of lower-intensity incidental activity.

Time/duration: resistance exercises should last 30-60 minutes with adequate recovery, while aerobic sessions should be longer: around 40-90 minutes.

So, what does this all actually mean?

In order to follow a healthy,

achievable and scientific-based exercise routine, the following could be applied:

1. Find something you like doing. Use this as your aerobic/ incidental exercise.

2. Aim for two to three times a week of resistance training for 30-60 minutes at moderate intensity.

3. Aim for aerobic exercise two times a week for 40-plus minutes in duration at a low intensity.

Research has shown that, overwhelmingly, the reason individuals do not reach their exercise goals is planning, with frequency being the second variable.

Hopefully, this article can give you some guidance in regards to planning.

If these topics have piqued your interest or you would simply like to ask general questions, feel free to reach our friendly team on 5456 1599.

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

FIT HAPPENS With Tom Law

MATURE-AGED FITNESS STEPS UP

MANY people will have access to a gym of sorts in their unit complex, gated community or even just the council exercise equipment in local parks.

Many Australians, particularly senior citizens, are engaging in regular exercise. We are living longer and so it makes sense that naturally we would want to live healthier. As a group, we have the advantage of more leisure hours generally and therefore more opportunity to engage in regular exercise.

Often, the exercise session ends with coffee or a get-together with fellow exercisers or like-minded people. A number of basic needs are catered for, apart from exercise, including social interaction and information sharing.

Others prefer a regular Saturday morning jog, run or walk with parkrun: an organised 5km event held in various locations every

Saturday from 7am. Where I live at Redcliffe, we have a very popular Man Walk at least two times per week.

These events are free and normally within walking distance or a short car ride. So, you should be able to access regular exercise in your area without too much effort and expense, but are you taking advantage of this?

CSIRO wrote in a 2012 article called Our Future World: “The diabetes and obesity trend is being countered by a fitness trend. People are more aware of health issues and are investing more in fitness. For example, there has been a significant growth in the number of fitness centres (24 per cent increase) and their income (131 per cent increase) in Australia during 2001-01 to 2004-05.” How much do you invest in your health?

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

SNORING AND FEELING TIRED – WHAT’S NEXT?

YOU may be waking up feeling tired, need a nap after lunch or your ribs are bruised from your bed partner delivering a swift elbow and threatening to banish you to the spare room.

These are all tell-tale signs that something else may be going on under the sheets (and not in a good way).

Sleep apnea is a common condition that traditionally affects one-in-four men, but it’s not all doom and gloom and, better yet, here is a step-by-step guide to how to find out what’s really going on.

Most people never do anything about their snoring because they put it down to their weight, lifestyle habits or simply just that they are so tired ... all the time.

Getting diagnosed is easier than you think and it’s the first step towards better sleep. Take a look at what to do next:

1. Take the free online assessment at cpap. com.au/pages/sleep-studies. This will give an indication of the potential likelihood that you may have an underlying sleep disorder such as sleep apnea.

2. Check your email for your results, which will guide you to the next step.

3. If it is likely that you may have sleep apnea, you will need a referral for a sleep study with Sleep Testing Australia. You can obtain this easily via a telehealth consult or by visiting your healthcare provider.

4. Sleep Testing Australia will contact you to make an appointment for your sleep study and run you through everything.

5. On the day of your sleep study, you will visit a clinic, and a friendly technician will hook you up with a state-of-the-art diagnostic device to take home and sleep with as normal.

6. Once the device has been returned the next day, a team of qualified and fully independent sleep scorers and physicians will assess your results. They will return a detailed report within two weeks.

7. You will have a helpful sleep consultant who will guide you through what it all means and what the options are.

With the support of CPAP Direct, you will be able to breathe easy in no time. The crew will ensure that you have the perfect machine and mask combination to suit your lifestyle and will go above and beyond to keep you on track. At CPAP Direct, your success is their priority, and it is comforting to know that you’ll have all the support you need throughout your entire journey.

Visit cpap.com.au

Cataracts and Dry Eyes

A cataract is any clouding of the lens of the eye. The lens is situated inside the eye, behind the pupil. It acts in the same way as the lens in a camera to help focus light rays on to the light sensitive nervous tissue in the back of the eye – the retina.

Dry eye syndrome is a general term for the breakdown of the tear film that protects the eye’s front surface. It is the most common symptomatic eye condition treated at Best Practice Eyecare. Dry eye syndrome causes chronic, tired, uncomfortable eyes.

Dr Michael Karpa and the amazing team at Best Practice Eyecare can help you with cataracts, dry eyes, and much more including glaucoma, pterygia, lid surgery and macular degeneration.

ROUTINELY CHECK YOUR HEARING

HEARING loss affects people of all ages.

It is important to have your hearing checked routinely, as you may begin to experience age-related changes to hearing from as early as 50 years of age.

Don’t let hearing loss change you.

The skilled experts at Audika Australia can carry out in-depth consultations to assess unique impact of hearing loss in your life. So, you can love your ears and keep being you.

Meet Joanne Pollock, one of the many talented clinicians at Audika Australia.

Working out of Noosaville, Joanne exemplifies Audika’s mission to help more people hear better through excellence in hearing care.

Joanne’s journey with audiology started while working as a clinic coordinator at Audika Mooloolaba.

Reflecting on her time there, she remembers being moved by the impact she could make in helping more people hear better and was inspired to start her traineeship at Audika.

“I found my empathy of seeing clients come in with a hearing loss, then leaving equipped to better manage hearing loss,” she says.

most-memorable client experience, she says it was helping her father.

socialising as he could clearly understand

people again, coupled by my mother’s relief of not having to repeat herself over and over,” she says.

“She was more relaxed now that she was able to communicate with him.”

Hearing loss doesn’t just affect the individual experiencing it. It can also have a significant impact on loved ones.

Communication difficulties can strain relationships, leading to frustration and misunderstandings.

If you or a loved one is struggling with hearing loss and are in the Noosaville area,

THE GARDENER

By Salley Vickers

Contemporary fiction

Reviewed by Jan Kent

WHILE not a newly-published book, the British author was unknown to me. How delighted I am that I came across this treasure.

Vickers writes with insight and sensitivity, moulding her characters with the skilful use of deliciously crafted language.

Hassie Days and her sister Margot purchase a run-down country house on the Welsh Marshes and as the story gently unfolds, the marked difference between the sisters –Margot following her London lifestyle and Hassie immersing herself in the project of transforming the garden to its former self –becomes evident. Loneliness, sibling rivalry and hurts of past relationships are all handled with empathy, but also humour and tenderness that saves the book from being too analytical.

Subsidiary characters (such as the Albanian refugee gardener who doesn’t figure as prominently as you would expect from the title) are well developed. Vickers’ clever use of language makes this one of the main attractions of the book for me. The ending left me a tad disappointed and confused, but not quite marring my enjoyment of a relaxing read.

REWILDING

KHAKI TOWN

By Judy Nunn

Historical fiction

Reviewed by John Kleinschmidt

MANY Australians are familiar with the World War II bombing of Darwin. Few are aware of the story revealed in this book.

Judy Nunn is a prolific writer of historical fiction and this is one of her better stories.

After Singapore fell, thousands of African-American soldiers were stationed outside Townsville to build airstrips in anticipation of the invasion of Australia by Japan. These soldiers were denied access to recreation, alcohol, entertainment and women – resulting in deadly racial tension.

White American officers fuelled the tensions with brutal treatment of those soldiers. Mutiny followed, resulting in the death of an unknown number.

A young Lyndon Baines Johnson was sent by the then US President to investigate.

The story is a complex one of racial politics and racist behaviour.

This is an interesting read about an historical event that was covered up for so many years.

By Donna M. Cameron – Eco thriller

Reviewed by Annie Grossman, Annie’s Books on Peregian

FOLLOWING an explosive whistleblowing event, entitled rich boy Jagger Eckerman escapes the city, his girlfriend, family and career, and heads to a secluded cave to hide away from the public eye.

There are dangerous people out to get him, and he is sure his cave will protect him.

So, he is horrified when a seemingly feral young woman with attitude appears

in his secret sanctuary.

Her dreadlocks and scruffy appearance are a far cry from his privileged, city clean-cut normality, and they make a very mismatched pair.

But underneath and in time, they find common ground: their love of the bush, the environment and their need to escape from a very real and terrifying threat.

This is a very wel- written, contemporary eco thriller, and a true page turner.

FINDING MARY JANE: A Tapestry of Mother’s

Love is the debut novel of emerging Sunshine Coast author Arie Baker

SET in Brisbane, this is an inspirational must-read for anyone who has ever been made to feel ‘less than’. It is especially intended for members of the adoptive community.

“As an adopted woman and triumphant survivor of multiple traumas including domestic violence, homelessness, substance abuse, self-harm, sexual assault and a horrific eating disorder, I find myself in the unique and inspiring position to be able to offer comfort to women and men affected by similar hardships,” Baker says.

“I am a true survivor and my only desire through the publication of this book is simple: to inspire readers that there is always hope.

“I’m a passionate advocate for adopted people who, like me, may have struggled to find their voice – until now.”

Now the proud mother of two young adults “among my greatest accomplishments”, Baker lives with her husband and is following a

THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

By Mary-Lou Stephens – Historical

fiction

life-long passion for writing.

Finding Mary Jane is an epic tale sweeping across two lifetimes – bridging the gap between the erotic haze of Brisbane’s 1970s to the city’s wild alternate-punk scene a decade later.

First, there’s Mary Jane: a naive nursing student who finds herself in an unspeakable situation. Then we meet Annie: a troubled young woman from more modern times as she searches for her birth mother and, in turn, the truth of her own identity.

Finding Mary Jane is a tapestry that showcases the enduring force of a mother’s love and the ultimate bond of powerful spiritual connection between two women, borne through one another’s hardship.

Reviewed by Lea Dodd, of Rosetta Books, Maleny

MARY-LOU Stephens sweeps us back to the past in this homage to chocolate and 1920s Tasmania.

From the opening journey across the sea, to the streets of Tasmania and floors of the chocolate factory, Stephens brings the era alive with her meticulous research and sensory descriptions.

In this fictional story, inspired by fact, we meet Dorothy Adwell: sent from Bournville, England, to help establish the first Cadbury chocolate factory in Australia.

Together with her mentee Maisie Greenwood, a poor daughter of a war widow, they not only suc ceed in this aim but also in protecting the secret recipe that is coveted by all the local chocolate makers.

These are two very strong female characters who balance responsibility and love to make this a warm and sweet human story. If you enjoy history, intrigue and chocolate, this book is for you.

ONE Man, Two Guvnors from Coolum Theatre Players is a fast-paced farce that follows the fortunes of Francis Henshall.

Suddenly finding himself in the employ of two bosses, and with the chance of both a meal and finding love with the fragrant Dolly, Francis uses all his wiles to survive.

WHERE: Coolum Civic Centre, 2-4 Park Street, Coolum Beach.

WHEN: From April 5-6 at 7.30pm, April 7 at 2pm, April 12-13 at 7.30pm, April 14 at 2pm.

TICKETS: From $25, via coolumtheatre.com.au

LUNCH &LAUGHTER

KATIE Rose Cottage Hospice will host Lunch & Laughter with Jean Kittson. The well-loved comedian and actor has released her latest best-selling book We Need to Talk about Mum and Dad.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 16, noon-3.30pm.

WHERE: Noosa Waterfront Restaurant & Bar, 142 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville.

TICKETS: From $175, via events. humanitix.com/lunch-withjean-kittson

FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL

SUNSHINE Coast French Film Festival director Murray Power has finally whittled down the best 12 gems for the 5th Sunshine Coast French Film Festival – the biggest regional French film festival in Australia.

The 2024 festival will run from April 14 to June 9, with 12 films to screen in Noosa and Caloundra, and a smaller selection set for Maroochydore.

The big opening film is The Three Musketeers: D’Artagnan (Part 1), packed with French stars. This film has drama and action but also a great sense of

humour. It’s so big that it’s in two parts – with the second film being The Three Musketeers: Milady (Part 2)

In a festival with so many highlights, France’s official nomination for the Oscars The Taste Of Things stars Juliet Binoche and Benoit Magimel in a feast for the senses.

Visit scfilmfestival.com

AGATHA CHRISTIE CLASSIC MURDER MYSTERY

CALLING all murder mystery fans: BATS Theatre Company Inc. presents Towards Zero, by Agatha Christie and Gerald Verner.

It’s been nine years since BATS last produced an Agatha Christie play: in 2015, And Then There Were None had sell-out shows. With the same director (Bruce Olive), the same costume mistress (Nancy Moule) and even a few of the same actors, Towards Zero is shaping to be another blockbuster. It has a great cast

and all the intrigue of a classic Agatha Christie murder mystery.

WHEN: April 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 7.30pm; and April 20 and 27 at 2pm.

WHERE: Buderim War Memorial Hall, corner of Main and Church streets, Buderim.

TICKETS: Visit trybooking.com/ CPGJY

FOR THE DIARY: April

HERE are some dates to keep in mind this month.

• April 1 Easter Monday; April Fools’ Day

• April 1-30 Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Awareness Month

• April 2 World Autism

Awareness Day

• April 7 World Health Day

• April 11 World

Parkinson’s Day

• April 17 Haemophilia Day

• April 22 Earth Day

• April 24-30 World

Immunisation Week

• April 25 Anzac Day

• April 29-May 5 Heart Week.

To help commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, Kim McCosker, of 4 Ingredients, has supplied her version of a traditional ‘Anzac biscuit’ recipe to fit the ‘only four ingredients’ format for a super-easy recipe.

Like an Anzac biscuit, a flapjack is a sweet traybaked bar made from rolled oats, butter, brown sugar and golden syrup.

BASIC FLAPJACKS

Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 110g butter

• 3 tbsp brown sugar

• 2 tbsp golden syrup

• 180g rolled oats.

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C. Grease a square, 20cm baking tin with butter.

2. Put the butter, sugar and golden syrup in a saucepan and, over low heat, mix until the sugar has dissolved.

3. Remove from the heat and add the oats. Mix well to combine (you may need a bit more golden syrup).

4. Spoon the delicious mixture into the tin. Flatten with the back of a spoon.

5. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool before serving, cut into rectangles.

Optional: Add 50g sultanas or raisins to the mixture and serve drizzled with a little melted milk chocolate.

TURN! TURN! TURN!

LIFE’S all about timing … you probably already know those beautiful lyrics which say that for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. You may be humming the 1962 song Turn, Turn, Turn by The Byrds right now?

The lyrics include: a time to be born and a time to die; a time for war, and a time for peace; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to keep, and a time to cast away.

Speaking of which, there’s very definitely a time to take a big breath and a time to downsize.

Over the past 20 years or so, I have stood alongside many ‘downsizing’ couples and singles, guiding them through the process of searching for and finding their new home, selling their existing abode and then all the steps forward required to complete the journey.

A major observation is that it’s all about timing, and my strong advice is not to leave it too late. Age equals energy and that’s a fact.

There can be a lot of mental and physical energy required when you finally take on the process of downsizing. There are big, important decisions to be made which are crucial to a happy downsize.

Sadly, some leave it too late, and it turns out to be extremely stressful and problematic and can even impact your health.

One of the cases that comes to mind is an older (80-plus years) client of mine who, in her everyday life, was quite active and clear thinking. Everything appeared to be going well during the listing process, and I believed she was managing quite well.

But I was wrong. She called me in tears in the first two weeks and was quite overwhelmed by it all.

I dropped and ran to spend the afternoon scheduling a whole range of tasks from packers to cleaners to handymen. This got her back on track, and we worked together to make the move.

She is now happily nestled into her new (much-smaller) home and lifestyle.

She was happy to admit that she had left it too late.

Another older (80-plus years) couple

who were well supported by a large family also began to lose ground a few weeks into the sales campaign.

Even though the family helped with preparing for open homes, the emotional stress of such a big move began to take its toll – so much so that the wife was taken to hospital at one stage. The family then decided to move the couple to a beachside unit for the remainder of the campaign, which was a perfect strategy.

The family even went ahead and set up their new home in a 60-plus retirement resort, so they were able to just walk in the front door and begin to enjoy life again.

Downsizing should be considered anywhere from the mid-50 to mid-70 years if you’re to have the tools you need to complete the process.

Ageing is not your only consideration in wanting to downsize. There’s the matter of timing the market, also.

Do your best to sell and buy in the same market, no matter what. You don’t want to be caught with having sold your home and wait too long without purchasing, just in case the market rises.

Some downsizers are comfortable with purchasing first and, likewise, it’s a good idea to then get your property sold as soon as possible.

That’s simple real estate logic!

It’s all about timing, and when you get it right, you have a smooth transition to a new lifestyle of low maintenance, more convenience, more peace and security and more enjoyment.

Could it be your turn?

WORDS: Jodie McDonell, Licensed Real Estate Agent, Century 21 On Duporth. Call 0419 762 309 or visit C21onDuporth.com.au

FINDING LOVE OVER 50 IN NEW REALITY TV SHOW

TWO Brisbane women in their 50s are proving that age is no barrier to finding romance.

They are navigating dating in the modern era in a new eight-part TV series, Ageless, screening on the Nine Network.

The episode titled Love At Any Age features hilarious 58-year-old salon owner Carole Haddad on her quest for romance, trying her hand at online dating for the first time, while inspirational, 57-year-old home stylist Lisa Young experiences a Cinderella moment with the ultimate makeover before she hits the dating scene.

This heart-warming TV series by over-50s developer GemLife explores the lives of remarkable people over 50, who are living life to the fullest or breaking down barriers and trying something new – such as Carole, who’s looking for love for the first time in more than 20 years.

“I was excited about finding a man, and for a woman like me that’s never had a husband, I knew I had to approach things differently,” she says. “My generation isn’t used to looking for someone online but, getting into it, it’s just so much fun and liberating. Even menopause hasn’t stopped me wanting to date. I just had the pause but not the men and trying online dating put a big spring in my step.”

Carole tells her story of growing up in a convent, navigating single motherhood and overcoming cancer. But nothing was going to hold her back from chasing love.

“It’s not how many storms you survive, it’s how good you dance in the rain and I rock’n’roll,” she says.

“Hurdles come and go but it’s not about how much you hurt, it’s about stepping out from it. I’ve had such support from everyone with this experience. They’re so excited for me. My friends are just like a Wonderbra: they keep me up and lifted. That’s what you want.”

The episode’s other local shining star, Lisa Young, shares her remarkable story of success and survival, overcoming divorce. She went on to find the love of her life, only to lose him six years later, but is ready to put herself out there for love again.

“We get thrown curve balls and we

need to pick ourselves up and reinvent and I really felt like I wanted to share my experiences with the view of giving other people inspiration,” Lisa says.

“The experience felt incredible, and it made me aware of what I should be looking for when presenting myself. I now look in the mirror and think I want to help other people, but first I need to help myself.

“I’ve only just joined online dating sites and it’s challenging but nice. It’s fun to go on coffee dates and meet new people.”

Ageless features stories from 11 everyday Australians, challenging age-old stereotypes and inspiring others to rethink what it means to ‘grow older’ while showing a zest for life and thirst for new experiences at any age. GemLife director and CEO Adrian Puljich says the new series is sure to spark conversation.

“We want the show to encourage viewers of all ages to question how they define ageing and embrace the concept of agelessness,” he says.  “We see people who defy stereotypes in our communities every day and we want the wider community to understand there is more to age than a number. While the dictionary typically defines being ageless as ‘appearing younger than one’s age’, the show challenges this tired view by showcasing people who embody the ‘ageless’ mindset.”

Ageless airs each Saturday until May 11 on Channel 9, and online at gemlife. com.au/ageless

Carole and Lisa on the red carpet.

Leon’s lifetime of elegance

A varied life has certainly kept Leon D’Aulnais on his toes and he wouldn’t want it any other way.

In the heart of Noosa lives a man whose life story reads like a script lifted from the golden age of Hollywood.

Leon D’Aulnais, at 83, is not merely a hairdresser: he is a living legend whose journey through the realms of dance, glamour and style has left an indelible mark on the world around him.

Born in Sydney in 1941, Leon’s fascination with the world of ballet was ignited at the tender age of five, when the ethereal performance of Giselle captivated his young heart. Raised by a mother whose passion for ballet was palpable, Leon’s destiny seemed preordained.

Though he entered the realm of dance relatively late at 16, his innate talent, coupled with unwavering determination, propelled him to the zenith of his class, proving that age is no barrier to the pursuit of dreams. However, the practicalities of life soon beckoned, leading Leon to pivot towards a career in hairdressing. Little did he know that this decision would open doors to a world of glamour and intrigue beyond his wildest imaginings.

His tenure at Elizabeth Arden’s Sydney’s boutique salon marked the genesis of his ascent in the world of hairstyling, where his creativity, eye for detail, and passion for his craft set him apart as a master of his trade.

Leon’s debut in the world of cinema came with the groundbreaking film They’re A Weird Mob (1966).Leon found himself not only styling the hair of the actors but also making memorable appearances in several scenes. Cementing his status as a maestro of style, Leon was asked to work on the production of Diary of The Plastic Surgeon

After realising that his passion for style had turned into success, Leon wanted to explore the world. He booked himself a one-way ticket through the East, via Russia, with the final stop in Copenhagen, where he found a job and began to enjoy European life. But the cold winter wasn’t pleasant and prompted another change –to London, where his brother lived. Leon approached the renowned Elizabeth Arden salon on Bond Street and secured a job for the next three years.

As his career gained momentum, word of Leon’s talents spread like wildfire, attracting a stream of A-listers to the salon. Jazz singer Sarah Vaughan and actresses such as Jane Powell, Donna Douglas and Cyd Charisse left looking more glamorous than ever, thanks to Leon’s expertise.

Among his most-esteemed clients was the British actor Vivien Leigh, who found solace in Leon’s chair amid personal turmoil. Adorned in a red Christian Dior suit, she entranced Leon during her performances in Twelfth Night and Lady of Camellia, leaving an indelible impression of her stunning elegance.

The Elizabeth Arden Salon served as a playground for burgeoning talent, and Leon relished immersing himself in British culture. Rubbing shoulders with famous actresses, models and societal luminaries, he indulged in fine cuisine and high fashion, basking in the glow of pure glamour.

Amid his father’s health struggles, Leon made the difficult decision to return to his hometown of Sydney, where he assumed a position at the esteemed Alexander’s salon in Double Bay. Yet, the allure of the exotic soon beckoned, prompting Leon’s relocation to Hong Kong, where he embarked on his new chapter: working in a new salon alongside a trusted friend.

This period of his life spanned more than two decades.

In 1997, Leon found himself drawn back to Sydney once more, and soon rediscovered his passion for ballet.

Fast forward to 2019 and Leon retired in Noosa, but is still enjoying ballet in the skilful hands of Angelika Burroughs, who runs FitBarre: a fitness regime for adults based on the grace and beauty of ballet.

Angelika, a former professional ballerina, combines the core building exercises she learnt at ballet school in Kiev in the Ukraine with ballet movements and her own choreography, making getting fit an art form and stimulating for the brain as well as the body.

Leon (pictured with classmate Christina), relishes the classes and last year performed a solo to Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers at Eumundi’s Christmas Extravaganza.

Leon’s infectious charm, coupled with his witty banter and twinkling eyes, endear him to all who grace the FitBarre classes, and he continues to dance his way through life, spreading joy and inspiration wherever he goes.

LEGAL

Talkin’ ’bout my generation … being skipped

With the ageing population, it is more common to assist clients in their 80s or 90s with a new Will. It is not uncommon to receive instructions from older clients to skip their children as beneficiaries and make grandchildren beneficiaries instead.

Recently, the NSW Supreme Court considered a ‘generation skipping’ Will. The two daughters who were ‘skipped’ weren’t happy about it and contested their mother’s Will. The NSW case did not have the ‘usual’ reason for generation skipping (that is, ‘my kids are retired now and don’t need it’). The daughters in the NSW case were not close to retirement age, four of the five grandchildren were under 18 years and there were some relationship issues between the deceased and the daughters.

The Court referred to the ‘social norm’ that parents, not grandparents, are primarily responsible for educating and maintaining their children. In this case, the daughters were successful in receiving further provision from their mother’s estate. Perhaps, the decision would have been different if the daughters were at, or close to, retirement age. Whether ‘generation skipping’ in estate planning is becoming a trend remains to be seen.

What is certain, is that each person’s estate plan is unique and requires careful consideration of all relevant circumstances.

ORTHOPAEDIC

Non-operative ways to treat pain

Before recommending surgery to someone suffering with hip or knee osteoarthritis, I recommend exhausting all non-operative methods of treatment first. These include physiotherapy, weight management, lifestyle modification, medication and, potentially, injection therapy.

Visit a physiotherapist for range-ofmotion and strengthening exercises for managing the symptoms of joint pain.

Maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle is vitally important. Ask your GP to check your BMI and suggest effective methods of weight loss if necessary.

It is important to modify the activities you perform if you suffer from joint pain. Choose low-impact activities such as walking, swimming and cycling.

A good medication for joint pain is Panadol Osteo (or equivalent), but always check with your GP before commencing, particularly if you have liver disease. There are also injections available to help treat joint osteoarthritis. These can be discussed at the Sunshine Coast Injection Clinic.

Being educated about your condition is important. Consult an orthopaedic surgeon about the best course of treatment for you or attend one of our knee patient education seminars.

The WORLD in Your Hands Travel

Your Time

What a capital idea for a taste

SHIRLEY SINCLAIR takes a seat at the table of some of Darwin’s most-innovative and popular dining establishments.

mint, is always on the tapas menu for its popularity and for being in season all-year round, courtesy of local farmers at the Rapid Creek Markets.

Another crowd-pleaser is the jewfish (caught around local reefs), marinated in coconut and lime, served chilled as a pick-me-up in the Darwin heat and humidity.

WThe two magpie geese sauntering along the grass in the park don’t have a care in the world. They must realise they’re outside the public hunting reserves of the Top End season and certainly off the menu of our Darwin Gourmet Tours’ afternoon delight (darwingourmettours.com).

That doesn’t stop owner Darrel Trueman and tour guide John Schier from enlightening us further on one of Australia’s most-unusual ‘bush tucker’ items. John says the birds taste goosey (naturally) and a breast goes well on the barbecue with the saltiness of Malay belacan (fermented krill) paste.

He adds that the geese, like most of the nation, love summer mangoes (the Australian Mango Industry Association reports that the Northern Territory now grows more than half of Australia’s production of the stone fruit favourite).

This is just one of the tasty morsels of information we devour on the magical mystery foodie tour that sprinkles local knowledge, history and landmarks across four hours and adds a big helping of

signature dishes, finger-licking share plates and moreish treats at a smorgasbord of ‘capital’ eateries.

We soon realise that Darwin serves up modern Australian cuisine like nowhere else. Innovative chefs with national and global experience combine with the influence of the Territory’s Asian neighbours and immigrants, and abundance of bush foods and fresh local produce, to put Darwin on the cutting edge of contemporary flavours.

While an ever-changing itinerary of dining establishments is on offer on the tour, our afternoon takes the cake for championing local producers and presenting dishes that pique the interest of our tastebuds.

First stop is North African-inspired Moorish Café (37 Knuckey Street, moorishcafe.com.au), specialising in tapas – and you can see why the restaurant is still packing ’em in after 20 years in business.

French owners Marc and Gertrude Wagnon’s family recipe for steak tartine and Berber-spiced kangaroo (that tastes like the finest wagyu steak) with tomato jam has us salivating right from the start.

The local Lebanese eggplant, in a sweet-and-sour dressing using chillies and

John says Moorish is known for its consistency of excellence – as any newcomer can observe from the gold plate awards displayed on the walls from Hospitality NT – and the late-night ‘pop-up’ Poco Bar at the back of the restaurant.

Next up is a quick coffee at Speaker’s Corner Cafe (15 Mitchell Street, speakerscornercafe.online) on the ground floor of Parliament House to take in the spectacular views from the Speaker’s Green (trust the politicians to have some of the best waterfront views with their lattes).

We learn that Parliament House is built on the site of the former General Post Office: the first site bombed by the Japanese on February 19, 1942, killing 10 people (commemorated with a plaque in the Main Hall floor and, quirkily, the top of

each of the corner columns of the building that look like torpedoes).

Next, at trendy Snapper Rocks on the Darwin Waterfront (7 Kitchener Drive, snapper.rocks), a hot tamale margarita cocktail is a welcome treat before we indulge in salt and pepper crocodile – as tasty as any calamari variety but ‘meatier’, plus a cool green papaya salad and barramundi ‘wings’.

Darrel says the large Humpty Doo barramundi farm, on an estuary in Darwin’s sprawling rural area, produces 90 tonne of premium, sustainably grown saltwater fish a week for the Australian market, including Darwin restaurants, and “is easily the best-tasting barra I’ve ever had”.

As well as specialising in fish and seafood (I really wanted to try the spicy tuna poke bowl and Gulf of Carpentaria bugs), the popular restaurant also rocks a caramelised banana dessert with vanilla ice cream, wattleseed caramel, macadamias and mint.

Onward on our foodie journey ... to the site of a former Woolworths store. A secret entrance – through an open laneway garage door, past the bins and up one floor – brings us to the final destination: Charlie’s of Darwin (corner Knuckey Street and Austin Lane, charliesofdarwin.com.au).

At this speakeasy-style distillery, bar and restaurant, we could relax on a chesterfield lounge in the bar, or kick back in the Raintree Lantern Terrace al fresco area. Instead, we take a seat at a table where we can marvel at the working distillery operations with its 50-litre and 500-litre stills.

Charlie’s has a host of food and wine accolades and, in 2021, the rooftop bar made it onto the list of the Top 20 bars to visit in the world, alongside venues in London, Hong Kong and Berlin, according to UK newspaper The Telegraph

Novotel and Mercure Darwin Resort's Nadee Wicks

IMAGES: SHIRLEY SINCLAIR

A mini buffet, courtesy of Charlie's of Darwin

Just as we sit down inside, a mini buffet of signature dishes materialises that is the best of Darwin in every bite.

Northern Territory Chef of the Year Sufendi Bong – an instrumental member of the team since 2021 and who was taught to cook by his Indonesian grandma – emerges from behind the kitchen benches. He comes to our table to explain each mouthwatering delight ... croc dumplings, line-caught loligo squid, Skull Island tiger prawns, barbecue lamb ribs with a special chipotle sauce, barramundi belly in a calamansi (Philippine lemon) sauce, sticky chicken karaage bites (Japanese deepfrying technique after marinating), smooth-as-silk chicken liver pâté, cassava wedges and bullhorn pepper (a long, sweet variety of capsicum with little heat) .

As we slowly make our way through the platter, Brazilian Lucas Aquino, a former Australian Bartender of the Year finalist, tells us about the distillery’s sustainability cred where nothing is wasted – even down to the fruit skins.

Our gin flight begins with the signature Darwin Gin (Kakadu plum, water lily and native lemongrass), before moving onto my favourite: the sweet and sour, orangecoloured Salty Plum (garnished with an Asian native plum).

Then, we are blown away by Tropical Monsoon (a small-batch gin, launched for owner Rebecca Bullen’s birthday, infused with seasonally harvested makrut limes,

pineapple, wild passionfruit and dragon fruit), ending with a cheeky Lady of the North Navy Strength Gin (crafted with native turkey bush, Kakadu plum and myrtles).

We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of the Darwin foodie scene. A memorable dinner the previous night at Cossies Restaurant in the Novotel Mercure Darwin Airport Resort, for example, (darwinairporthotels.com.au/dining/ cossies-poolside-bar-and-bistro ) acquaints our palate with taste sensations including saltwater crocodile carpaccio, and steamed baby barramundi with Granny Smith apple and arugula lettuce.

So, while our stomachs are full after four days in Darwin, the experience has certainly left us wanting more … please.

* The writer was a guest of Tourism NT, Bonza and Novotel and Mercure Darwin Airport Resort.

FOODIE FESTIVAL CELEBRATES AUTHENTIC CHARACTERS

GOURMay Mary Valley is a month-long celebration of the people who create, grow and harvest fine produce.

The festival officially begins on Wednesday, May 1, with an opening ceremony to be held at Honeybee Wellness Retreat, featuring the Mary Valley Variety Show. The following weeks will be filled with feature dinners, produce demonstrations, workshops and competitions, including:

• heritage railway the Mary Valley Rattler will operate its Tasting Train and Picnic Train throughout May. The Silver Bullet will team up with Creative Tours

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THAT?

on a scenic journey stopping at local farms for a Taste of the Mary Valley.

• the Long Lunch – savour the flavours of bushfood with Peter Wolfe at Kandanga Farm Store or the ethically grown produce at Woollahra Homestead.

The highlight of Festival Day on May 6 in Imbil Town Square and Rail Park will be the Great Mary Valley Cooking Challenge, pitting four locals in a mystery box challenge.

For the full program and booking details, go to gourmaymaryvalley.com.au

LOVERS of Mel Gibson’s Braveheart blockbuster will relish a visit to the National Wallace Monument in Stirling, Scotland.

With glorious views over the countryside and Stirling Castle, the monument, which opened in 1869, is dedicated to the story of Sir William Wallace – considered the patriot, martyr and Guardian of Scotland.

The ‘modern’ medieval tower is designed in Scottish Baronial style at 67m, with the top representing the Crown Royal of Scotland. It stands on the shoulder of the highest point of Abbey Craig, more than 90m above sea level, and has 246 steps to the final observation platform.

Abbey Craig is where Wallace, with the help of Andrew Moray, rallied fighters on September 11, 1297. Together, they defeated the 10,000-strong well-armed soldiers and 500 heavy cavalry of King Edward 1 of England – the largest and most successful army at that time in Europe – at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

If you have a gob-smacking photo from your holidays, send it in with details for consideration in our travel pages. Email editor@yourtimemagazine.com.au

APRIL

Great Ocean Road (11 Days) Fully Booked

Southern Downs Stanthorpe (4 Days) Fully Booked

MAY

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo Station (7 Days)

Vivid Lights Festival Sydney (7 Days)

JUNE

Qld Outback to Coast (12 Days)

Tropical Nth Qld (8 Days)

Nth Qld Savannah Way (11 Days) Fully Booked

JULY

Mystery Escape (4 Days)

Xmas in July (1 Day)

Lightning Ridge (7 Days)

AUGUST

Cobb & Co 100 year Anniversary (3 Days)

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo Station #2 (7 Days)

SEPTEMBER

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo Station #3 (7 Days)

K’gari (Fraser Island) Whale Watch (4 Days)

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (4 Days) Spring Gardens (10 Days)

NOVEMBER

Tasmania (14 Days)

O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat (4 Days) x

Moorish Cafe owner Gertrude Wagnon

IMAGE: SHIRLEY SINCLAIR

RIDING THE RAILS OF ADVENTURE IN YOUR OWN FRONT YARD

A HANDFUL of seniors and their carer are presented with high tea as they move off from the station on one of the world’s most-scenic rail journeys: the Swiss Alps.

Seated in the beautifully decorated dining car, under the vintage-style platform clock and using good china atop white tablecloths, the passengers cosy up to the panoramic windows as this picturesque world flows by.

Their jaws drop, eyes sparkle and smiles widen with every snow-covered mountain and each quaint group of chalets or mirrored reflection on a lake.

Every 60-minute scenic adventure may be a virtual experience but the thrills, memories and enjoyment are very real.

It’s diversional therapy for the soul.

After its first month on the road, Olive Express Immersive Reality Vehicles is already living up to its motto: “No boundaries, just horizons”, enriching the lives of seniors from the Tweed to Noosa.

The service is being embraced by the young at heart and their families, those with mobility issues and others whose long-haul travel days are over.

The van remains stationary in the family driveway or aged-care facility car park, yet manages to bring some of the world’s great train journeys closer to home. And never in their wildest dreams did some guests expect to ‘take the ride’.

Co-founder Che Turner – with a career

spanning aged care, community service and account management – developed his innovative social enterprise idea in his spare time across 12 months.

The full-time aged care employee and his co-founder and fiancée Kim Chatterjee saw the concept as a way of combating seniors’ loneliness and social isolation by promoting engagement.

“I’ve worked in the aged care industry for 15 years. It is my passion,” Che says.

“It’s what drives me to change the way Australians age. I just love what I do.

“I saw a gap in the market. We’re a registered social enterprise with the Queensland government, so all of our profits go back into Olive Express.

“Initially, it was designed for aged care homes, because that’s my background and that’s where I thought the demand would be. The demand is exactly that, but probably about 40 per cent of our calls now are from families who want to give it to their mum or their grandma, because there’s not much you can give the 85-yearold or 95-year-old for their birthday.”

Che says that the Olive Express adventure takes about 90 minutes from the ramp going down to welcome the five passengers aboard until they are bid farewell, including an hour-long virtual rail journey. Once the passengers are comfortable, tea and coffee are served and a brief explanation of the ‘tour’ is given

while still ‘at the station’. High tea is served once ‘the journey’ has begun.

“It’s actually real-live footage of the train journey itself,” Che says of what is billed as the first of its kind in Australia.

“We’ve got five computers in there that talk to one another. So, it’s not just a TV show on a screen. There’s quite a lot of programming, a lot of software engineering involved in making it as realistic as possible.

“I was working in aged care in Europe … and they put people next to the TV screen and show images of the outside of a train window. Any sort of diversional therapy is a really good idea and I support it 100 per cent. But it didn’t give that full, immersive experience. (The seniors) could look around and they’re still in the dining room (of the nursing home). So it was more: how do we get that essence (of reality)?”

Every virtual experience is a tribute to his late Nan Olive. The devoted grandson saw her often while living in England.

“I used to visit her once a week and we’d take little train trips,” Che says.

“Nan lived until she was 93. Up until her 90s, we were still going out.

“She was very cheeky. She was a rebel.

“She always used to say to me: ‘Ask for forgiveness, never permission’ throughout my life growing up. And I have pretty much followed that. She was a woman who changed a lot of people’s lives and changed mine with her attitude on ‘anything is possible’.”

Che had an epiphany while lying in bed one night that brought about the Olive Express concept. Happy memories of those train journeys spent with his Nan, his experience with the European aged care version of the ‘virtual’ train journey, and his desire to emulate the social enterprise success of Orange Sky Laundry for the homeless all combined in one clear idea of what he should do in the aged care space.

The feedback has only been positive.

“People were saying the other day that it’s like a mobile amusement park for senior citizens. You don’t go to Dreamworld when you’re 90 but you still want that enjoyment in your life.”

WORDS: Shirley Sinclair

Go to oliveexpress.com.au or call 1800 318 037.

With Quizmaster Allan Blackburn

1. Who is the only athlete to light the flame at the Opening Ceremony and win a gold medal at the same Summer Olympics?

2. What river forms much of the border between NSW and Victoria?

3. Aircraft with the registration prefix VH are from what country?

4. In what sport can a competitor be literally ‘on the ropes’?

5. What Australian coin still in circulation has the smallest diameter?

6. In what month of 2021 did the Duke of Edinburgh die?

7. A moodle is a cross between a Maltese and what other dog breed?

8. How many points does a gutter ball score in tenpin bowling?

9. What is part of the body’s nervous system: anatomic, autonomic or anabolic?

10. How many 20-cent coins make up $12.60?

11. Which insect has a species that rolls dung into balls as a food source?

12. How many wheels did a Reliant Robin car have?

13. The song Dammit Janet was part of what cult movie?

14. Who is the mother of the baby with the given names Grace Warrior Irwin?

15. What is the only element with three letters in its name?

16. Stealth aircraft are designed to avoid detection from what enemy device?

17. In the children’s book, who was the little boy whose nose grew when he told lies?

18. This year will be what anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing?

19. “Once you pop, you can’t stop!” was a slogan used by which potato crisps brand?

20. Which branch of Australia’s armed forces has the rank of Group Captain?

1. Cathy Freeman; 2. Murray; 3. Australia; 4. Boxing; 5. 5 cents; 6. April; 7. Poodle;

8. Zero; 9. Autonomic; 10. 63; 11. Dung Beetle; 12. Three; 13. The Rocky Horror Picture Show;

14. Bindi Irwin (Powell); 15. Tin; 16. Radar; 17. Pinocchio; 18. 55 years; 19. Pringles; 20. RAAF.

ACROSS

1 Piano one thought highly of is illegally reproduced(7)

5 Rubber block starts to erode under radiation?(7)

9 writ and left(5)

10 drilled into poles(9)

11 Soak is hot and quite high(8)

12 unyielding passion(6)

14 Leader of decathlon has prepared for fast race(4)

15 show-off, a supporter of an old British PM(8)

18 Delicate tube with core of an inch(8)

20 Person who is entitled to check one’s back(4)

27 Arrange available fruit needed in preserve(9)

28 Match, say, is entertaining(5)

29 Methods, say, disheartened branches?(7)

30 Container of beer, a large container, a doctor brought back(7)

DOWN

1 Re-issued update is kept in reserve(3,5)

2 Contractual provisions binding a rugby

3 Mouthpieces behind trade union’s showy plants(6)

4 Deli has bun cooked with cheese(6,4)

5 Church service’s collection(4)

6 sister aggravated

7 and unionists apparent in incident(4,3)

8 Tourist centre changed roster(6)

13 violent hostile(10)

16 NT town’s heat affected parasites(3,5)

17 discovered in restored

19 Puts down rotten results(7)

21 Caribbean island area of giant iguanas(7)

22 Social events in clubs

Scandinavia(6)

23 area is lost(6)

26 Weapons in good order turned up(4)

WORDFIND

DOWN

1 Condiment(4)

2 Incapable of being seen(9)

3 Greek island(5)

4 Plan(8)

6 City in southern France(7)

7 To deal with(3,2)

8 Release(9)

9 Gem(4)

14 Painting of the countryside(9)

16 Bulkiness(9)

17 One who exposes another(8)

19 Territory ruled by an Islamic monarch(7)

22 Waterlily(5)

23

25 Mesoamerican culture(5)

26 Biblical garden(4)

9-LETTER WORD

Today’s

18 words: Good

24 words:

29+ words:

WORD STEP