Your Time Sunshine Coast - February 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dorothy Whittington Editor

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olation, it is

Living in fear – navigating the cruel world of scammers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Next morning, when I was dashing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2012 Nissan Navara D22 2012 Audi A3

2019 Kia Picanto

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

tell us is stay aware and be vigilant.

Cyber scammers are rarely caught and punished.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trust me!

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

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

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

Privacy Policy PayID is an initiative from the New Payments Platform

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

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

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

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

Elephant #1 is life expectancy.

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

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

Some 3679 men, women and children died on the roads in 1973 compared with 1123 in 2021. That’s a huge improvement, although the old

adage that one road death is one too many applies today as much as it ever has.

But road death data does not stop here. More important is the improvement in the road death rate per 100,000 population. Australia’s population doubled since 1973, meaning that the road death rate plummeted from 27.5 per 100,000 to 4.3 per 100,000 today.

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

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

Win Fowles

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

As I read, I could feel the

horror of the situation, but felt honoured to read about the past.

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

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

Sally Areva

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

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

The only thing I can think of that might provide a small opportunity for readers to interact with those lovely people who write the articles might be to offer a “reader’s comment” section.

What has made me think of this are a couple of articles I read recently, the latest about the “nature” versus “nurture” argument in raising children.

Thank you for providing a magazine that is interesting and at the same time helpful to read.

Cynthia Burnett

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GET READY FOR A SCONETIME NEAR YOU — with Martin Duncan

SCONETIME is back, connecting seniors and their families with local business owners around the Sunshine Coast over a cuppa and fresh scones with lashings of jam and cream.

“It’s really important for communities to connect,” founder and avid foodie Martin Duncan says. “Sconetime is an amazing way to bring seniors, their families and their business communities together. It’s a very special mix.”

Martin bakes hundreds of a scones a week and with the help of volunteers prepares tables with vintage tea sets to set the scene for a good old-fashioned catch-up. Cooroy’s Helen Duncan, an 86-year-old retired lawyer, even donated her mum’s Royal Doulton tea set to complement the mood.

“But it’s the mix of seniors and local business people that makes it really special,” Martin says. “I love to hear the stories. There are some amazing people.”

Cost is $8 and tickets are available at the door, or use one of the booking codes below to

book for yourself, friends, relatives and neighbours: Buderim War Memorial Hall, Wednesday February 8, 10am. Join members of 4556 Chamber of Commerce and the Sunshine Coast Foodie for warm ginger scones served with Buderim Ginger marmalade as well as Martin’s famous scones made by Sandy at FeekaEspresso with lashings of strawberry jam and whipped cream served with delicious Montville coffee or tea.

Tickets trybooking.com/CEFZY Beerwah Community Hall, Thursday February 9, 10am. with Sunshine Coast Foodie, Montville Coffee, QCWA Beerwah & Glasshouse Country Chamber of Commerce. Tickets trybooking.com/CFEJF Cooroy Memorial Hall, Tuesday February 14, 10am with Noosa Black Coffee and Sunshine Coast Foodie. Get ready for a fun Valentine’s Day. Tickets trybooking.com/CDVCU

Your Time is a major sponsor of Sconetime in 2023 – helping our readers connect.

with Penny

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Keep lawns fertilised, watered and weed free.

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

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

The Purple Plum tomatoes are prolific and tasty.

Happy gardening

Penny Hegarty

GROUP WRITES ITS OWN HISTORY

CALOUNDRA

Family History

Research group is calling for former members to get in touch as it works on recording its own history for presentation at the 30th anniversary celebration.

They would like to hear from former members to record their reminiscences and are happy to conduct interviews or accept written accounts of memories.

The group has a rich history and envisages showcasing its growth, activities, research, stories, library and special interest groups in May.

Stories from past members would greatly enrich the 30th anniversary history book.

Anyone who can contribute should email hello@ caloundrafamilyhistory.org.au, write to P.O. Box 968, Caloundra 4551 or call 0437 235 842 or 0408 254765.

General meetings are on the third Thursday of each month.

All are welcome to join, either in person or via Zoom.

CFHR rooms, Corbould Park, via Gate 2, Pierce Ave, Caloundra.

LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE

THE Sunshine Coast Bridge Club’s annual six-week Bridge for Beginners course starts on Monday, March 6 at 9am.

The clubhouse is at the Elizabeth Daniels Sports Complex on Syd Lingard Drive, Buderim where there is ample parking.

It is disabled friendly.

Course cost is $60 and includes the lesson book. Instructor Lisa Phillips is a bridge director and title holder.

New players can join supervised games, and any of the many weekly sessions and events held throughout the year.

The course prepares beginners to play in clubs around Australia and the world.

Call Lisa Phillips 0412 196 457, email teaching@

sunshinecoastbridge.com.au or visit suncoastbridge.com.au

Nambour and Mapleton

THE Nambour and Mapleton Contract Bridge Clubs are providing lessons in this interesting and mind-expanding card game every Wednesday 12.30pm-2.30pm, for the next 12 weeks.

The lessons are held in a friendly and supportive atmosphere at the newlyrenovated Nambour Crushers Rugby League clubhouse on Bli Bli Road.

Lessons are cost effective, have proven easy to follow and are well-suited to raw beginners and as a refresher course.

Both Nambour and Mapleton clubs are small and are therefore friendly and sociable.

Nambour club meets at the Crushers clubhouse each Wednesday morning. The Mapleton club meets at the Kureelpa Hall on Friday morning.

Visitors are always welcome. Call Diana 0408 797 985, email nambourcbc@gmail.com, or visit nambour.bridgeaustralia. org or mapleton.bridgeaustralia.org

CHOIR WELCOMES ALL VOICES

COTTON Tree Community

Choir, a diverse group of singers committed to sharing the essential joy and power of song, is a lively, open, friendly, all-ages choir for singers of any ability.

The fun and supportive non-audition group of men and women meets every Wednesday morning for one hour and 15 minutes from 10.30am, in Maroochydore.

Artistic director Sue Bond said the choir was a group of like-minded people who shared a love of singing and the many benefits that come from it.

“Breathing through the diaphragm activates nerves that can rapidly reduce anxiety and stress, replacing it with the comfort of the relaxation response,” she said. “You can literally calm down by singing on a regular basis.”

The repertoire of the Cotton Tree Community Choir includes everything from popular hits from all eras as well as jazz standards, gospel and folk.

Rehearsals are open to the public and new members. Call

PHOTOGRAPHERS SNAP UP AWARDS

CALOUNDRA Camera Group is now called the Sunshine Coast Photography Club.

It celebrated its 25th anniversary by entering the new Camera Club category of the Photographic Society’s Photobook Awards and won with its book Coastal Exposure Di East who assisted in the production of the book, won Image of the Year awards. Caloundra Indoor Bowls Club, Golden Beach, 7pm, second and fourth Wednesday. Call Ann 0411 486 939.

DRAGON BOAT CLUB

KAWANA Powerblades dragon boat club is celebrating its first anniversary of paddling on the Mooloolah River and surrounding canal waterways. The club was formed by an active group of senior dragon boat paddlers wanting to remain fit and build friendships.

Training is at Outrigger Park (Panamuna) on Brisbane Rd. Call Anita 0433 140805 or Ross 0412 726 747 or visit

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Richard then took a hiatus from the dental profession and joined the Australian Defence force in Army Aviation. Dr Johnston then returned to the dental profession, qualifying as a dentist in 2008. This combination of Cosmetic Dental Technician and qualified Dentist, means Dr Johnston can look after all your dental and denture needs, understanding your oral anatomy, your dental health and how to create functional partial or full dentures that look amazing.

From left, Bill Turner, Smadar Menashe, Coral McVean and Beris Maurer at Nambour.

Volunteering remains on Gary’s list beyond retirement

After more than 30 years of making a difference in the Nambour community, Gary Langford has been honoured for his service. DOT WHITTINGTON talks to the Sunshine Coast’s 2023 Senior Citizen of the Year.

When Gary Langford and his young family arrived in Nambour in 1990, it was still the capital of the Sunshine Coast. As far as he is concerned, it still is, and even though much has changed, he remains as committed to his causes as ever.

It wasn’t long after arriving in town that Langford settled into the first of many community roles, giving freely of his time and leadership skills.

He was working on the local newspaper and felt he had a lot to contribute. It turned out he did. Gary joined the Nambour Chamber of Commerce and ended up staying for 10 years, four of them as president.

During this time he was instrumental in the implementation of the “Great Nambour House and Land Give Away” which promoted the Nambour community and its business houses. It was so successful he ended up travelling to other regions around the state helping them establish a similar promotion.

Langford also spent 10 years working for the St Vincent De Paul Homeless Men’s Shelter in Nambour.

“We had two houses side by side at the

Virtuous Aged Care Planning

top Nambour, and each housed about 16 -18 men dormitory style,” he says. ““We worked closely with police and there was a time when Woodford Prison would call saying they had someone ready for release and asking if we could take him. It was our policy to say ‘yes’, no questions asked. It was full every night.”

Langford played a key role in managing the project. Hundreds of men passed through before the doors finally closed almost 20 years ago.

It ended when the State Government ruled that dormitory accommodation was in breach of the privacy act. The men had to have their own rooms and to be given 24-hours notice before anyone entered.

“It was no longer possible. We had to close both down,” Langford says.

He also worked on the Taskforce 2000 committee which encouraged visiting athletes to acclimatise on the Sunshine Coast before the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, but his real work has been with the Nambour Local Ambulance Committee.

“While I was president of the chamber of commerce, I was invited to a meeting to discuss all things Ambulance at the old station in Howard St,” he says. “There were three of us and they talked us into forming a local ambulance committee.”

It was 1999, and the State Government had only just taken over the QATB.

“There was not much money in the budget for the ambulance and local committees did a lot of the fundraising,” he explains.

“The Nambour station had only one defibrillator. It was worth about $25,000 and was looked after by the officer in charge. The crews out on the road didn’t

have one so if they needed it, the OIC had to deliver it to them.”

When a committee members had a cardiac arrest, the OIC arrived wth the defibrillator and brought him back to life three times on the way to the hospital.

“As a result of that we raised the money to buy the station four defibrillators, so Nambour station ended up with five and became the envy of every station on the Sunshine Coast,” Langford says.

Then the QAS budget increased and so did the population.

“The workload for paramedics has gone through the roof,” Langford says. “But budgets increased and we don’t raise funds any more. Our job now is to educate the community about pre-ambulance care, in particular CPR.

Now 73, Gary retired from his job in real estate a year ago, but not his voluntary work. He just has more time for it now.

“Everybody loves what paramedics do, and to be able to work with them is enviable not hard yakka,” he says. “It is very rewarding.”

And his closing word? Volunteer!

“I would love to have a year when we see the number of volunteers double.”

SERVICES:

Cost Free Initial Information Session

An obligation-free appointment with our aged care advisor to help navigate you through this process.

Aged Care Financial Strategy Paper

A Strategy Paper involves a review of your current financial position and provides you with up to 5 scenarios and compares cashflow effects of each option,

Placement Service – Aged Care Facility

We liaise with facilities to organise your move from home or hospital and complete all the necessary paperwork.

Centrelink Service

We will handle all your Centrelink.

We enjoy meeting with clients to fully understand your goals and objectives, and working together to find the best outcome for now through to estate planning, ensuring peace of mind and comfort with your financial future.

We look forward to helping you navigate through the next stage of your life.

‘Modern services with a touch of traditional dignity’

by Mocco Wollert

during that week. There are not many.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I usually don’t turn on my TV before it is news time. After the news I start looking through the choice of programs. Every week I buy the TV Time, a total waste of money because every week the programs are more or less the same.

Still, I like to look at all the programs and mark the ones I want to watch

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

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

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

Have you ever watched Married at

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

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

May you find normal programs and enjoy watching them.

by Cheryl Lockwood

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

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

Before our small town progressed to a clear, chlorinated pool, the river was our refuge on summer days. Our “pool” back then was a sandbagged area near the local ferry.

It was here that my mother watched vigilantly from under the gum trees as I impressed her with my freestyle. I daresay she knew I was touching the bottom with each stroke, but I thought I had her tricked at

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Local government’s headquarters has come a long way

The Sunshine Coast’s new City Hall opened to great fanfare in Maroochydore and, recalls AUDIENNE BLYTH, is a long way from our local government’s humble beginnings.

The council has met in very different buildings over 144 years of local government.

Sunshine Coast residents have recently witnessed the grandest building of all – the new City Hall is open and for $100 million, it is impressive.

Our beginnings were humble. There were two very large areas – Widgee and Caboolture Divisional Boards were formed in south-east Queensland in 1879.

Caboolture Divisional Board members who represented the area from Eumundi to Kedron Brook, met in the Temperance Hall in Caboolture.

In 1890, the Maroochy Divisional Board was excised from the Caboolture Divisional Board and the first meeting was in Carroll’s hotel at Nambour’s Showground Hill.

By the end of 1891, the Board was meeting in its own hall in Brookes Street, Nambour.

Maroochy Shire Council was

formed in 1903, following a Government Act in 1902.

Master builder Walter Lanham built a new council headquarters known as the Nambour Town Hall next to the railway station in 1913. It was destroyed by fire in 1929.

A grand council chambers was opened in 1931 in Currie Street. It was damaged by fire but re-opened in 1960. It was again devastated by fire in 1986, and

eventually demolished in 1989.

In 1978, the prime minister Malcolm Fraser opened an impressive new building on the corner of Bury and Currie Streets in Nambour as the offices of Maroochy Shire Council. It was later named the Eddie De Vere building and is used by Sunshine Coast Council.

Although it was designed for future expansion upwards, Nambour’s days as the

administrative centre were numbered.

The building that was Landsborough Shire Council Chambers opened in 1924 and served until 1968 when new council buildings opened in Caloundra. These still serve as Sunshine Coast Council offices.

Landsborough Shire Council Chambers is now a historical museum.

For many years residents looked to Nambour as the administrative capital. However, grand plans were in place for council to relocate its main offices to Maroochydore, and to much fanfare on Saturday, December 10, Sunshine Coast Council Mayor, Mark Jamieson opened City Hall at Maroochydore.

He said its 10-storeys would ultimately feature retail and community spaces, venue hire for community groups and businesses, and large, open workspaces as well as communal facilities.

Said to be inspired by the Glasshouse Mountains, the building is a landmark in Maroochydore’s city centre.

The Mayor said that the community would be able more clearly to see governance in action with the Council Chamber, located on Level 1, easily accessible and visible externally to the building.

The top floor offers views from the hinterland to the coastline. It will be used for a wide range of council-hosted and sponsored events, citizenship ceremonies and community engagement workshops, as well as being available for hire for specified community and business events.

Residents are invited to visit council’s Customer Contact Centre and Development Services on the ground floor. There is assistance with any council-related enquiries such as rates, animal registration and a variety of applications.

Located

Join

A civic reception for the visiting Duke of Gloucester in front of the Maroochy Shire Chambers in 1934, three years after the building opened.

Alimentary, my dear Watson

The connection between the gut, part of the alimentary system, and the brain, is the subject of ongoing research. KAILAS ROBERTS reports on one of the hot topics in brain health.

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

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

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

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

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

One of the most compelling studies to

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

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

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

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

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Register your interest here

The Rheumatology Research Unit in Maroochydore is currently recruiting for a clinical trial assessing the safety and efficacy of a new treatment that may be effective in treating Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterised by a persistent immune response that can affect many joints, causing pain, swelling and stiffness. The new treatment being investigated is using live bacterial therapy. Bacteria are naturally found in the digestive tract and are a research focus for their important role in many health conditions such as regulating inflammation.

To be considered to take part in the study, you must meet all of the following:

• You are aged 18 – 80 years old

• You have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and experiencing joint pain/stiffness

If this sounds like you or someone you know, we would like to invite you to take part in this important study investigating a potential new treatment. If you agree to take part, and the study is suitable for you, your participation in the study is expected to last up to 16 weeks. This includes:

• 12-week treatment period

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If you take part in this research study, there will be:

• Reimbursement of costs for out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel

• Free study-related medical care, you may gain access to new treatmentsbefore they are widely available

• No overnight stays, all study visits are out-patient only

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RheumatoidArthritisTrial

This study has been approved by an independent ethics committee.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

dog can help, probably for the same reasons.

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

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

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

Kailas Roberts is a psychogeriatrician and author of Mind your brain

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

Your quality time starts now

Over 50s living at its best

From Moreton Bay to the Sunshine Coast, enjoy a quality lifestyle in a Stockland Halcyon Community. With resort-style facilities, low-maintenance living and luxury finishes, move into a new home from $559K*. Tailor your next chapter of life to be the start of something exceptional.

Call 1800 050 050 or Halcyon Communities

*All photographs, illustrations, statements, pricing and information in this advertisement, are for illustrative purposes only and are based on information available to and the intention of Stockland at the time of creation November 2022 and are subject to change without notice. No diagram, photograph, illustration, statement or information amounts to a legally binding obligation on or warranty by Stockland and Stockland accepts no liability for any loss or damage suffered by any person who relies on them either wholly or in part. Indications of location, distance or size are approximate and for indicative purposes only. Subject to change.

Research finds link between hearing loss and dementia

Having difficulty hearing can affect more than your social life. KENDALL MORTON discusses the importance of addressing a hearing impairment. loss who frequently participated in leisure activities performed better on cognitive tests than non-participants.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Another reason poor hearing

increases your risk of dementia is a compounding effect.

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

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

The study found that elderly people with self-reported hearing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stretch yourself with a fit ball

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

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

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

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

Here are a few fun ways to get started:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIT HAPPENS With Tom Law

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

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

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

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

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

I have worked with quite a few senior citizens who

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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MAXIMISE your

Self-managing your home care delivers better outcomes

– By Lucinda Dean

Aged Care Quality and Safety

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

•

•

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RangeCarehasbeenatrusted,not-for-profitcommunitycareprovider specialisingindayandovernightservicessince1986. RangeCareoffersaperson-centredcareapproachto homecarepackages,withasuiteoftailor-madeservicestohelpyou liveyourbestlife!

RangeCarecansupportyouby:

ProvidingassistancetomanageyourHomeCarePackage budget

Developingapersonalcareplantosuityourneeds Coordinatingyourserviceswithaqualifiedteamofstaff Maintainingregularcontacttoensureyouaresatisfied withtheservicesyoureceive

AS THE population ages it is comforting to know there are established organisations, such as Maroochy Home Assist, whose sole purpose is to assist Sunshine Coast residents to live safely and independently in their home.

Servicing the greater Sunshine Coast and surrounding areas, Maroochy Home Assist has been helping seniors on the Coast through government subsidised services for more than 25 years.

Manager Julie Stacey is proud of its growth.

“We now have five builders, 11 field officers,17 administration staff and over 70 specialist contractors,” she says.

“The ample resources at the organisation’s fingertips mean it can provide a range of services. We cover most jobs that are health, safety or security related.”

General manager Bill Fay, who has been with the organisation almost from its inception, is kept busy managing the major modifications department. His department completes more than 300 modifications a year from Woody Point to Tin Can Bay. Major jobs include removing baths to make bathrooms more accessible, installing access ramps, bidets and stairlifts.

Maroochy Home Assist has specialised departments looking after major modifications, minor modifications, maintenance, and NDIS and Home Care Package clients.

Other services offered to the organisation’s 12,000 clients include gutter cleaning, lock and door handle repairs, replacement of insect screens, smoke alarm checks, lightbulb replacements and subsidised plumbing and electrical work.

It brokers work with more than 40 home care package providers and can also assist NDIS participants by offering a full range of services at competitive prices. homecareassistancesunshinecoast.com.au

SINCE its inception in 1986, RangeCare has shown a strong commitment to providing an exceptional level of care to the local community.

RangeCare is driven by the desire to help its clients live independent and purposeful lives at home.

Founded at Flaxton in the hinterland, RangeCare has now expanded its services to the entire Sunshine Coast as well as Gympie and Cooloola Coast regions.

As a local community care provider, RangeCare offers a wide variety of services including nursing care, domestic assistance, social support, meal deliveries, minor home and garden maintenance, and day and overnight respite to the local elderly and physically disadvantaged population.

Thanks to continued development across the organisation, RangeCare is also able to offer a wide

selection of additional support programs such as technology support, social support and health and wellness programs to both clients and the local community.

The healthy lifestyle programs offered by RangeCare not only focus on physical health but also on mental health through social interactions as part of overall wellbeing.

RangeCare’s strong reputation for delivering quality in-home, respite and social support services can be attributed to its dedicated team of care support workers, nurses, drivers and domestic assistants.

RangeCare staff live and breathe the core values that have been built upon a foundation of strong leadership and a commitment to building strong relationships with clients and their loved ones. rangecare.com.au

STAFF SHORTAGES HIT AUSTRALIA’S GROWING HOME CARE CRISIS

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

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

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

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

What the home care sector needs more than ever is

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

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

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

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

2022

National Aged Care Award

Champagne driving on a beer budget

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

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

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

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

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

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

Take the Haval family of SUVs built

by GWM; aka Great Wall Motors.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Retirement living offers multitude of choices

There is a lot to think about when planning a move to a retirement village. LESA MACPHERSON lists some of the points to be considered when making decisions. allowed? Does the village include bus/ transport services?

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

Lifestyle choices and financial costs are both important. Visit a variety of villages and picture yourself in each of them. Talk to residents, as well as friends and family. How will you continue to include your loved ones in your life? Will you be close to friends and family? Can they stay overnight for a short visit? Are pets

WHERE TO FROM HERE?

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

Can you afford the ongoing costs, not just entry costs? What happens with any capital gain? What are the renovation or refurbishment requirements or obligations on exit?

What are exit fees and how are they calculated?

Retirees need to retire but need to fund themselves. They also need to contribute economically but not take up jobs. JUDY RAFFERTY discusses their conundrum.

THE expectations and lived experience of retirement has changed.

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

Governments, as we know, are counting heads and counting dollars and they do not match – too many of one and not enough of the other.

Individuals are counting years and counting dollars and wondering how to make them match.

People who started their working lives at age 15 and completed their working lives at age 65, will have worked for 50 years. Their earnings from 50 years of work will need to support them for another 20 years, approximately.

Both the government and the individual recognise that this is a challenge. The age pension continues to supplement the income of 65 per cent of retirees. And perhaps it is also a reason why the over-63 cohort is the fastest growing category of workers in Australia.

Gerontologist Matilda White Riley contributed a great deal to our understanding of the retirement dilemma. She wrote of age and structural lag. This lag refers to the idea that lives

have changed, but social structures have not caught up. She argued that social institutions, public policies and cultural understandings are resistant to change whereas demographic, social and economic conditions change rapidly.

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

Retirees may need and want to work but an ageist society makes this difficult. Structural lag means the message for retirees is that they need to retire but they need to fund themselves. Another message is that they need to contribute economically but not take up jobs.

It leads to confusion and a loss of confidence in how to move forward. Undoubtedly many who are ready to retire are caught in this lag.

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

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

For higher level care can you stay in the village, or do you have to move?

What options are available for home help and aged care.

Do you prefer new, or established accommodation? High-rise? A garden? Does the age range of other occupants suit?

Do you pay for electricity, gas, water, internet separately? Are these shared, or individual costs?

Can you meet the on-site manager? How are disputes resolved? Is the security suitable?

The State Government in its Retirement Village documentation strongly recommends obtaining independent legal advice before signing a retirement village contract.

Lisa Macpherson is an expert in retirement village contracts at Sunshine Coast Elder Law. Call 1800 328 952 or visit sunshinecoastelderlaw.com.au

Brisbane Elder Law is expert in retirement village contracts. Call 1800 328 952 or visit brisbaneelderlaw. com.au

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

The man least likely: How heart problems caught Mark off guard

WORDS BY BONNIE BAYLEY

When you think of a heart surgery patient, someone who lives a healthy lifestyle, has no symptoms and does daily exercise including a mix of yoga, walking, swimming and surfing isn’t the first candidate to spring to mind. But that’s exactly what happened in the case of Mark Ludbrooke, a 62-year-old Bokarina, Sunshine Coast local, who last year had a shock diagnosis of aortic stenosis (a type of heart valve disease), requiring surgery to replace his calcified aortic valve. “I’ve always considered myself active and generally speaking I felt good and had plenty of energy, so when I got the diagnosis, I was taken aback,” says Mark.

The diagnosis came about after Mark’s GP was concerned that his cholesterol (which had been elevated since he was around 40 years old) wasn’t sufficiently responding to medication. He was referred to Heart HQ, a comprehensive cardiology practice on the Sunshine Coast, for a series of cardiovascular tests.

“They did a number of tests including a

calcium score and X-rays, and what they found was a heavily calcified aortic valve that wasn’t letting blood through as normal,” says Mark.

“The cardiologist said to me that had I not presented when I did, there was a fair chance I would’ve had a heart attack this year.”

Aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve opening that restricts blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta, typically affects older people due to scarring and calcium build-up in the valve cusp over time, and can sometimes lead to problems like heart failure. As Mark was relatively young to be diagnosed, it’s possible his condition came about due to a lifelong heart murmur and also the fact that he was born with a bicuspid aortic valve (with two cusps instead of the typical three), which may have led to early calcification.

While some people (including Mark) don’t have any symptoms of aortic stenosis, others might have palpitations, fainting during exercise, chest pain, shortness of breath or fatigue. Aortic stenosis typically progresses slowly for years without symptoms, until around the age of 70 onwards, when symptoms may begin. An estimated 254,000 Australians are currently living with undiagnosed heart valve disease, while more broadly speaking, 90% of

Australians have at least one risk factor for heart disease.

Thankfully, Mark’s timely diagnosis led to prompt treatment by the specialists at Heart HQ – through a minimally invasive procedure known as TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation), which involves an artificial valve being implanted into the heart. “I was back driving, doing yoga and some basic cardio four weeks after the procedure, and now I’m 10 or 12 weeks post-procedure I’m pretty much back to normal,” says Mark. “I do yoga four times a week, and the other days I’m either swimming, walking, or having the odd surf.”

For Mark, his health scare hasn’t changed his lifestyle much: he says it’s ‘business as usual’, trying to keep moving, stay flexible and keep the weight off. His advice for others? “Even if you’re feeling good, get your heart checked,” he encourages. “My GP’s recommendation that I have some further tests probably saved my life.” If you’re 45 years and over (or 30 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples), ask your GP about a Heart Health Check today.

For 62-year-old Mark Ludbrooke, being diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening heart condition came completely out of the blue, and without any symptoms.

Hit on the liver and feel the difference

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

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

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

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

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

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

When you eat and drink,

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

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

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

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

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

A healthy, circulating lymphatic system carries healthy

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

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

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

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

If not, weight gain and puffiness due to fluid retention

will be prevalent and hard to shift.

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

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

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

When treatment is completed correctly, patients always feel amazing.

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

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

As a result, our skin is at risk and in need of good care. At SunLife, we believe in providing exceptional skin cancer care for you and your loved ones.

Cataracts and Dry Eyes

A cataract is any clouding of the lens of the eye. It acts in the same way the lens in a camera to help focus light rays on the light-sensitive nervous tissue a the back of the eye – the retina. Cataracts can be removed surgically and replaced with an artificial lens. At Best Practice Eyecare we use the latest generation premium lenses. There are no better lenses available anywhere in the world, ensuring you the best possible outcome.

Dry eye syndrome is a general term for the breakdown of the tear film that protects the eye’s front surface. Dry Eye Syndrome causes chronic, tired, uncomfortable, watery eyes. At Best Practice Eyecare we offer Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment for Dry Eye Syndrome.

Our team will carefully examine your eyes and plan your treatment.

P: 5492 2822

64 Landsborough Parade Golden Beach

e: enquiries@bestpracticeeyecare.com.au

INDUSTRY EXPERTS

HAEMATOLOGY

What contract changes mean to buyers and sellers

Amendments to the conditions of standard residential contracts in Queensland mean that all sellers and buyers have the choice to extend the settlement date for up to five business days.

To trigger this right, the notice must be given in the approved form, in writing and issued within the required time frames.

This could mean that on the day of settlement, even up until 4pm, settlement is extended without recourse and reason.

It is important to consider how this clause may disrupt plans with removalists and even tradespeople booked after settlement. Even worse, the activation of this clause may mean that linked settlements are cancelled.

This may leave people without a home, without compensation and in possible breach of any linked contract.

As a result, it is vital for all parties to stay in touch with their solicitors on the day of settlement to ensure their interests under the contract are protected. On the other hand, staying in touch with your solicitor will ensure that the correct notice is given to activate the clause in any urgent need to extend settlement.

Many patients are surprised at how quickly they can comfortably ambulate after an anterior total hip replacement.

Patients are typically mobilised within hours of their surgery. Most of our patients usually rapidly progress to being independent on crutches and require them for only one to two weeks.

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

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

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

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

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

Skin cancers not restricted to sun-exposed skin

There is a common misconception that skin cancer only develops on sunexposed parts of the body.

It is true that most skin cancers are caused by UV radiation, and therefore most cancerous lesions develop in areas that most often see the sun, such as the shoulders, face, arms and legs.

But not all skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. Australia’s most common cancer can grow anywhere on the body.

That means potentially deadly melanomas can develop on your mouth, eyes, palms, genitals, soles of your feet, and even under your fingernails.

Men are most likely to grow skin cancers on the trunk, upper body and face, while women see more melanomas on their legs.

The diagnosis of blood cancer can often come out of the blue and leave patients feeling scared and bewildered.

Many patients have never heard of lymphoma when they are diagnosed. Lymphoma is actually the sixth-most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, with the majority of these being of the non-Hodgkin type. Lymphomas are very heterogenous: they can behave in different ways. Some patients have minimal to no symptoms and others can be very ill and require immediate life-saving treatment.

Diagnosis usually relies on a biopsy specimen of an abnormal lymph node which is then subjected to comprehensive testing including light microscopy, immunohistochemistry (adding dyes to highlight certain cells) and flow cytometry (passing cells through a machine to examine the outside). Often complex genetic tests look for mutations that can guide exact diagnosis, as well as information on how the lymphoma may behave and possibly if more targeted ‘smart’ treatments may be beneficial.

Trials, including immunotherapy and targeted molecular therapies, are ongoing.

So, patients can expect to be treated in an integrated, holistic fashion for the greatest chance of remission and a long-term cure.

LEVEL 3, OCEAN CENTRAL, OCEAN STREET, MAROOCHYDORE P: 5443 9600, KRUGERLAW.COM.AU

SUNSHINE COAST UNIVERSITY PRIVATE HOSPITAL

SUNSHINE COAST HAEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY CLINIC. 10 KING STREET, BUDERIM 5479 0000, SCHOC.COM

DR CIELO MARQUEZ-DOYLE SUNSHINE COAST SKIN CANCER CENTRE

INNOVATION PARKWAY, BIRTINYA

Recovery after an anterior total hip replacement

ELEVATED BOARDWALK TAKES RESORT TO THE NEXT LEVEL

AN elevated boardwalk at GemLife Palmwoods is set to deliver an exclusive private walking trail for homeowners at the new over-50s lifestyle resort in the hinterland.

In its final stage of construction, the boardwalk is 313m of elevated pathway with multiple entry points. It provides a vantage point above the community’s lush subtropical vegetation which includes native gum trees, blackbutt, bloodwood, palm trees, ferns, grey mangroves, and melaleuca.

GemLife Palmwoods sales manager Liz Millroy, said the new boardwalk was more like a skywalk than a boardwalk, with some sections suspended as high as 5m in the air.

“The walk is going to be absolutely amazing because basically you are up in the treetops around the border of Paynter Creek,” she said.

“It’s going to be a beautiful walk for residents and their guests, as it will give them the opportunity to have relaxing strolls around the resort, while they experience nature’s best.”

Residents will be able to enjoy a walk of about half an hour along the treetops while soaking up the scenery and wildlife in the surrounding habitat.

The boardwalk will provide access to

one side of the resort’s future country club, a $12.5 million 4800sq m building over three levels featuring a huge array of facilities for relaxation, socialising and fitness.

Currently under construction, the GemLife Palmwoods Country Club, has been designed to seamlessly blend with the geography of the site, making the most of green and mountain views.

The country club will include a gym, sauna, 10-pin bowling alley, cinema, wine room, barbecue bar, arts studio, library, and lawn bowls green. It will complement other facilities at the resort including a recently-opened summer house with outdoor magnesium pool and pool house.

GemLife Palmwoods offers highquality, contemporary 6-star energy rated homes within a pet-friendly, secure, gated estate, with first-class facilities for homeowners’ use.

Display homes are available for inspection.

Call 1800 718 414 or visit gemlife.com.au

CREATIVE ARTS PRECINCT BRINGS ARTISTIC FLAIR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ART GROUP GIVES NEV A NEW LEASE ON LIFE

NEV Paull (pictured) was always an active person, enjoying life through sport, building, fishing and socializing with his wife, Kathleen.

After a devastating diagnosis of fibromyalgia and several other chronic arthritic conditions, he lost the ability to do much of what he loved. The pain was constant and endless visits to numerous medical professionals saw no lasting relief.

The relentless pain and changes in lifestyle saw the once active and outgoing man battling with depression and a feeling of despair. Supported by Kathleen, Paul

went to an occupational therapist who recommended art therapy to help manage his pain.

“This was a monumental turning point for me,” he says. “Art became an important part of my life. I experience no pain when my mind is focused on what I am painting.”

As well as painting at home, Nev joined the Suncare art group three years ago.

“Being here to paint and being here for other people is great for de-stressing … it’s better than any medication,” he says.

He also loves giving fellow artists free advice and tips.

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

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

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

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

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

Nev was invited to showcase his artwork at the recent Suncare Community Centre re-opening and was thrilled when the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk stopped for a chat.

He also stays busy making wooden frames for the artworks on his walls – until they are sold or given away as gifts.

“There are spaces available at the art group so join us and see for yourself how therapeutic and social art can be,” Nev says.

“You don’t have to be Picasso, just come and have fun.”

Call Suncare 1800 786 227

Paul Hemmings loves having artistic space.

BEWARE THE PET SCAMMERS

LEADING national animal welfare charity

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

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

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

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

Visit puppyscamawarenessaustralia.com.au

OF THE MONTH

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

Sam is a 2.5-year-old black fluffy panther. He is a shy guy who is hoping for a patient owner and quiet home. He would be ok with a younger cat too. Adopt him for $125.

Bud and Beau are our handsome pair of cattle dogs looking to be your instant fur family. They are five and three years old and would love a home where they can be both inside and outside. They are happy playing together and love their car rides and going for walks. They also have good basic obedience and are house trained. They must be rehomed together.

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

VISIT

JAZZ AND BLUES

THE Jazz and Blues Collective next month presents the Aaron West Band.

Raised in country NSW, Aaron began playing guitar at age 10 after being inspired by Stevie Ray Vaughan.

He attended the Conservatorium of Music studying both jazz guitar and jazz vocals, and has since played thousands of gigs throughout the world, studio session work, singing jingles for TV and radio, and, of course, leading his own band with some of Australia’s finest session musicians.

They perform legendary African American styles of soul, blues, funk, jazz, gospel, R&B and especially the music of New Orleans.

Drawing inspiration from the greatest artists in soul, rhythm & blues, jazz, gospel and funk, they are life-long students of music, embodying a level of dedication that sets them apart.

ART FOR EASTER

COOLUM Art Collective has extended its annual Easter Art Exhibition to four days due to popular demand.

Work by some of the Sunshine Coast’s leading artists and artisans will offer a diverse range of art, with more than 200 original artworks for sale.

Works are both traditional and current, including oils and watercolours

Daytime ConcertSeries

The band is Aaron West, vocals/ guitar/drums; Wil Sargisson, piano; Greg Lyon, vocals/bass; Dave Longo, guitar; James Sandon, guitar/drums. There will also be some special guests.

A coffee van will be on site from 12.30pm. BYO liquor licence and feel free to bring your own food and drinks.

Millwell Road Community Centre, 11 Millwell Rd East. Maroochydore. Sunday, March 5, 1.30pm, doors open 1pm. Tickets $26, seniors $24. Bookings ticketebo.com.au/jazz-bluescollective

to acrylic, mixed media and pastel. VIP guest and judge is awardwinning artist Garry Dolan who is also a founding member of Sunshine Coast Plein Air Painters.

Coolum Civic Centre April 7-9, 9am-5pm and April 10, 9am-3pm. Entry free. Visit CoolumArt.com.au

The WORLD in Your Hands Travel in Your Time

Calendar fills up for travellers heading to the NT

Whether planning to hitch up the caravan or book a flight, the Northern Territory has plenty of events lined up for 2023.

From leading First Nations arts and culture events to spectacular native food and wildlife experiences, Aboriginal fashion showcases, red desert drag extravaganzas and bumper music festivals, there are more than 180 unique and vibrant experiences.

Here is a guide to some of the events coming up across the Top End and Red Centre to consider when planning this year’s adventures:

fabALICE

March 9-12, Alice Springs

Inspired by the classic cult movie The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, fabALICE extends Mardi Gras and WorldPride celebrations to the Red Centre. Expect a sparkling showcase of drag, glitter, comedy, cabaret and entertainment, family-friendly and community activities – all in celebration of inclusion, individuality and the legendary film and stage musical.

Parrtjima – A Festival in Light

April 7-16, Alice Springs

The only Aboriginal light festival of its kind in the world, Parrtjima is an extraordinary free 10-night celebration of Aboriginal art, culture and music. The program includes the illumination of the West MacDonnell Ranges, light installations, workshops, films, talks and performances from leading First Nations trail blazers. The 2023 theme is “Listening with Heart”.

Karrimanjbekkan An-me Kakadu, Taste of Kakadu

May 13-21, Kakadu

An indigenous cultural food festival, Taste of Kakadu returns with a mouthwatering native-infused food program to

immerse visitors in a stimulating journey of senses. Guests can expect unique culinary and cultural experiences including traditional ground oven feasts, forage walks with Traditional Owners, canapé cruises and workshops.

BASSINTHEGRASS Music Festival

May 20, Darwin

The Northern Territory’s biggest and longest-running music festival returns to Darwin’s Mindil Beach. The 2023 line-up features leading Australian artists such as Angus and Julia Stone, Amy Shark, Baker Boy, Guy Sebastian, The Presets, and Tones and I.

Barunga Festival

June 9-12, Katherine surrounds

A nationally-acclaimed event, Barunga Festival celebrates a long and proud tradition of sharing the culture of remote Aboriginal Australia, as communities come together to camp and take part in a program spanning music, sport, and culture. Barunga promises musical collaborations, cultural workshops, sporting matches and the chance to purchase authentic First Nations’ art.

Alice Springs Beanie Festival

June 23-26, Alice Springs

Since 1997, this quirky red desert festival

has brought together beanie makers as well as locals, artists and Indigenous communities to share stories and make new friends. At Beanie Central, more than 6000 beanies hang alongside exhibitions, food stalls, live music, textile workshops and more.

Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta

July 16, Darwin

Established in 1974, the annual Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta has boats made of everything from beer cans to plastic bottles and milk cartons. Teams race along Mindil Beach into the water and hope their DIY dinghies make it across the finish line. The day also includes sandcastle competitions, ironman races and thong-throwing competitions.

Darwin Festival

August 10-27, Darwin

Australia’s warmest winter arts festival combines the quintessential multicultural spirit and energy of Darwin with diverse outdoor festivities and a vibrant program of world-class events for an unforgettable good time. Pick from music, theatre, visual art, dance, cabaret, and comedy.

The Rotary Henley-on-Todd Regatta

August 19, Alice Springs

Held for the last 58 years, this is the

world’s only land-based boat race, set on the dry Todd River in the NT’s Red Centre. Competitors race along the riverbed “Flintstones-style”, using pedal power to make it over the finish line with their home-made boats, dinghies, yachts and canoes.

Red CentreNATS

September 1-3, Alice Springs

The ultimate festival of wheels returns to the Red Centre. Over three action-packed days, the festival will showcase the best in street machines, elite show cars, hot rods, classics and exotic vehicles, with a program that includes street cruising, drag racing, and 4WD obstacle courses.

Desert Festival

September 21-October 1, Alice Springs

An award-winning showcase of arts, culture and community in the Red Centre which highlights the region’s diverse talents, ranging from live music, dance, theatre and circus to interactive workshops and demonstrations.

Darwin International Laksa Festival

November (dates TBA), Top End

The annual festival celebrates the Top End’s multicultural community and love of Laksa.

10 good reasons to leave travel planning to the experts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Travel agents can save time and money. It’s possible to spend a huge amount of time researching online

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

5. They’re real people who work on holidays every day, so they can identify things that would be important to you

2023 Tour Program

MARCH 2023

Fraser Island Explorer (4 Days)

O’Reillys Escape (4 Days)

APRIL 2023 2023 Autumn Tour (9 Days)

High Country to Murray Delta (11 Days)

Gold Coast & Northern Rivers (4 Days)

MAY 2023

Norfolk Island (9 Days)

JUNE 2023

Red Centre - Adelaide to Darwin (18 Days)

Outback QLD to the Coast (1 Days)

JULY 2023

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo (7 Days)

AUGUST 2023

O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat (4 Days)

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo (7 Days)

Lightning Ridge (7 Days)

Fraser Island Whale Watch (4 Days)

SEPTEMBER 2023

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo (7

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (4 Days) Spring Gardens Tour

and offer options to suit. They understand the big picture and can take all factors into account from the start.

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

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

8. They can manage your entire trip. Rather than searching various websites for information, they’re a one-stop shop with tried and tested products which can also include comprehensive travel insurance, currency cards, and advice regarding visas, vaccinations, quarantine requirements, and entry/re-entry restrictions.

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

time, they manage that for you.

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

They’ve spent years forming valuable relationships with suppliers.

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

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

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

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

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

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW

28th March – 30th March 2023

$1745 p.p. twin

NORFOLK ISLAND TOUR

27th May – 3rd June 2023

$3195 per person twin share

$3895 Single Room

Includes: Home pickups (conditions may apply), Return economy class airfare to Norfolk Island, Return airport transfers on Norfolk Island, 7 night’s accommodation including cooked breakfast daily, Island fish feast, Progressive dinner, Discover Our World Tour, Colleen McCullough Home Tour and much more!

WONDAI GARDEN EXPO

Coach

at Penny’s

garden,

Wondai Garden Expo, informative guest speakers, thousands of plants & garden related produce and the best roses in Queensland. Memerambi Springs Plant Nursery, unique indoor & outdoor plants. Blackbutt Bakery on return home. Plenty of room for your purchases.

TRAVEL

FALL FOR THE COLOURS OF AUTUMN

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

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

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

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

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

Includes:

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

Glen Innes was settled by Scots and has become recognised as Australia’s Celtic capital.

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

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

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

Hunter Valley Gardens in the foothills of the Brokenback Ranges, is in the heart of the Hunter vineyards covers

more than 25ha of international display gardens. See more than 8000 roses on display or take a walk above the 10m waterfall for superb views.

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

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

In Canberra, Capital Hill overlooks Lake Burley Griffin and faces the Australian War Memorial. Among the ceremonial areas, galleries and extensive exhibitions, is the impressive new Anzac Hall.

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

Cockington Green Gardens

HEAD OFF ON A GREAT SOUTHERN ADVENTURE

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

The Coastal Variety Tours 14-day tour heads down the Pacific Highway to Coffs Harbour, Sydney and Albury, and arrives in Melbourne for the southern hemisphere’s largest and horticultural event.

But it’s not all flowers and

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

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

Other highlights include a leisurely paddle steamer cruise

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

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

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

Visit cttravel.com.au or call 5391 1648

on the Murray River at Echuca, the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley and Myall Lakes.

The tour includes home pick-ups from the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Gold Coast.

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

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

SENIOR COACH TOURS HOME PICK-UP AND RETURN

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW, GREAT OCEAN ROAD

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

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

14 Days 25th March - 7th April, 2023

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

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

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

9 Days 15th - 23rd April, 2023

SEE THE WORLD IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

There is so much to see and do in Queensland. PENNY HEGARTY of Bruce Drysdale Group Tours discusses recent and upcoming trips.

THERE’S not too much travelling involved to get to Fraser Island, but it’s a beautiful place with pristine rain forests and clean, sandy beaches.

On our group tour we saw the whales playing, dingoes and soaring eagles. A bush tucker talk was informative along with tasting fruits and meats.

A bit further afield was a trip to Warwick and Stanthorpe. It was cherry time and they were delicious. We visited historic homes and dined on fine food. The native flowers at Giraween put on a great show and bower birds and many parrot species came in close.

The Carnival of Flowers in Toowoomba was another outstanding success.

A trip to Penny McKinlay’s was well received. Many bought plants which are now growing well at home.

Roma Street Parklands and Deception Bay make a good day trip.

We had a few days in Melbourne for the Cup which

unfortunately was cold and wet. Alister Clark rose gardens were a highlight as were Cloudehill and the National Rhododendron Gardens.

I’m looking forward to visiting Melbourne again next month for the Flower Show then it’s off to Norfolk Island in May.

As well as its history, the island is stunningly beautiful. Uluru and Alice Springs was another great trip. The weather was perfect in June. The night skies were clear and everyone enjoyed a visit to the Flying Doctor and School of the Air.

Join me in April for a day out via Gympie to the Wondai Garden Expo. Visit a boutique nursery and travel to Kingaroy and Blackbutt.

Join me and sit back and relax without anything to worry about as everything is done for you.

Call 0416 028 787 email penny.hegarty@gmail.com or visit brucedrysdalegrouptours. com.au

OUTBACK QLD & TOWNSVILLE, MAGNETIC ISLAND, WHITSUNDAYS, HAMILTON ISLAND

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

Fare includes: Motel accommodation and all breakfasts and dinners, all admissions and touring. Charleville Bilby Experience, Longreach, Hall of Fame, Qantas Museum, Thompson River Dinner Show, Winton Age of Dinosaurs, Royal Open Air Theatre, Historic North Gregory Hotel, Charters Towers Venus Gold Battery, Townsville Tour, Magnetic Island, Whitsunday Cruise Hamilton Island, Town 1770.

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

13 Days 13th - 25th June, 2023

RIVER OF DREAMS

Anita Heiss

Reviewed by Jan Kent

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

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

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

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

Highly recommended.

ABANDONED IN DEATH

J D Robb

Reviewed by Jo Bourke

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

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

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

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

THE GOOD WIFE OF BATH

By Karen Brooks

Reviewed by Annie Grossman, Annie’s Books on Peregian

KNIFE Jo Nesbo

Reviewed by John Kleinschmidt

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

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

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

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

RUNT

Craig Silvey

Reviewed by Graeme Bowden

The Bookshop of Caloundra

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

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

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

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

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

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

KEEPING UP APPEARANCES

By Tricia Stringer

Reviewed

by

Lea Dodd, of Rosetta Books Maleny

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

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

Married off at 12 years old to an elderly farmer, Eleanor’s destiny is in other people’s hands, as is the way of the medieval world; but this lady doesn’t bow meekly. She is a fighter (and a lover). Eleanor outlives five husbands, and in a world where women are pushed aside, manages to take control of her own life.

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

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

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

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

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

Security, Independence &

With Quizmaster Allan Blackburn

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

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

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

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

5. In what chemical are pickled onions usually preserved?

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

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

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

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

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

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

12. What is muslin made from?

13. What does the Roman notation LXXX represent?

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

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

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

17. Which country hosted the most recent Olympic Games?

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

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

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

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

7. Courage; 8. Spain; 9. The Dolphins; 10. One;

11. Julia Gillard; 12. Cotton; 13. 80; 14. Eat it (stew);

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

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

27 Pitch mostly at area of neck(6)

DOWN

2 Reformed prisoner came to like people(14)

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

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

5 Queues inside base looked around(7)

6 Start working as an actor(5)

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

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

15 Stud who eats endlessly collected seeds?(9)

ACROSS

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

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

9 Manipulated elements of fusion are abominable(9)

10 Called service “grand”(4)

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

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

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

14 God accepting retired politician’s weakness(8)

16 One who picks up a specialist doctor(8)

19 Come shortly to make suitable sweet(6)

21 Climax or excellent film’s ending(6)

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

24 Cheeky agent turned back time(4)

25 Vital energy supplier is a cheat(9)

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

17 Purify speed in empty can(7)

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

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

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

WORDFIND

QUICK CROSSWORD

9-LETTER WORD

T M

No. 067

Today’s Aim:

A N E E T

21 words: Good

31 words: Very good

42 words: Excellent T S

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

WORD STEP

No. 067

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

TIMOR

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

MOLES

No. 3695

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters Pty LTD. pagemasters.com