Bowling & Lifestyle Autumn Edition 2024

News from our experts at BrainSpine. You’re in great hands.

See pages 26-30

Home Care: Keeping Your Golden Years Golden

In today’s age, Home Care is fast becoming one of the best ways to live your golden years, safely and happily in the comfort of your own home. The Australian Government recognises the positive impact of well-being in Seniors who choose to stay home, and for nearly a decade now, offer assisted funding through Home Care Packages.

You may have heard this term before, but what does it actually mean for you to have a Home Care Package? For some, it can mean help at home to keep on top of housekeeping, for others it may mean a lift to an appointment, and it can also mean a friendly face and connecting with someone in

For more information see the Aged Care website: www.myagedcare.gov.au/your-right-quality-care www.myagedcare.gov.au/agreeing-home-care-package

For example, you may require a cleaner and a gardener, or perhaps you also need some assistance taking medication or bathing, you have the right to choose which services you’d like, and also where the services come from. If you have a cherished cleaner or gardener, talk to your Service Provider and work with them to have trusted and your chosen care.

It can be quite daunting to have a stranger in your home helping you, but more and more the Aged Care industry are seeing stories of success, positivity and friendship; where your tasks are not only

Meet Our Founder

Hear Our Origin Story

In 2020, Jessica launched her career in the Aged Care industry and found a new career in Home Care. Her first walk in Aged Care began as a Scheduling Coordinator for an Aged Care Service Provider in Melbourne, Australia. With her passion lit and looking to further develop her skills and understanding of the industry, Jess then moved on to become a Case Manager for a local Aged Care Home Care Package provider. It was here that Jess found her true calling and place in the world: to help seniors in need.

Be a Part of Our Story

Hire a Happy Valley Hero

We’d love to help you in your home! We specialize in domestic assistance (unfortunately, we don’t offer Personal Care).

If you live in Victoria or NSW and would like to engage with our services, you'll first need to be approved with My Aged Care on a government funded Home Care Package.

Yet, assisting people to improve their quality of life from the end of a phone just wasn't enough for her. She decided to take on more industry work as an independent Support Worker, which allowed her to truly get to know the people she was helping and understand firsthand what it was to be a Home Care hero. Over time, Jess was able to identify that one of the most valuable services she was providing her clients, no matter what task she was assigned, was companionship. A chance to connect and to form a friendship built on patience, compassion, and dignity.

And so, in 2022, Jess launched Happy Valley Home Care. An organisation that focuses on providing direct, ongoing assistance to the elderly community, while building relationships and becoming a treasured and integral part of their support network. Helping them to continue living their best life and keep their golden years golden.

Once approved, you'll be designated or can choose a Service Provider to work with. Request a Happy Valley Hero and we'll take care of the rest! Or if you’re a Service Provider and would like to set up an agreement with us, please contact us.

Letter from the editor

Welcome to the 2024 Easter edition of Bowling & Lifestyle Magazine.

Thanks to our amazing Promotors for Tickets to Win to AB PUBLICITY PROMOTORS OF MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM- ALICE IN WONDERLAND & POTTED POTTER PROMOTORS: TWENTY 3 GROUP & KERRY O’BRIEN PUBLICITY FOR RIVERDANCE

Many thanks to everyone that continues to support Bowling & Lifestyle Magazine. Your commitment and dedication to the Magazine is very much appreciated. This bumper issue features an exclusive interview with multiaward-winning actor Paula Duncan AM. Plus, we once again feature a special article written by our guest writer (screen Powerhouse) Tony Bonner AM, all the latest news from Bowls Australia, Henselite, the Royal Family, The Mark Hughes Foundation and much more. Special thanks to Bowls Australia and our Lifestyle & Entertainment Columnist, Catherine Colusso for all their wonderful stories. Plus, a huge thankyou to all the clubs, bowlers and businesses who have sent in stories, latest events and articles. We love hearing what is happening at your club. ‘’KEEP THE STORIES COMING’’ Many thanks also to all our advertisers, who make this magazine possible. Read our latest and past editions on ISSUU “FREE OF CHARGE at https://issuu.com/sales. bowlingandlifestylemagazines

Head on over to our Facebook & Instagram pages and give us a like/follow and support Australia’s only National Lawn Bowls Online Magazine. Thank you for reading our magazine. We appreciate the support. From the team here at Bowling & Lifestyle Magazine. Please stay safe Until nest time...

2024 AUSTRALIAN OPEN ENTRIES LAUNCHED

A total of $286,200 will sit in next year’s prize pool at the world’s biggest bowls festival. This is an increase of more than $11,000 from 2023.

BY LACHLAN WILLIAMS

Entries are now open for the world’s greatest bowls festival!

After a record breaking edition in 2023, the Australian Open will be bigger and better than ever in 2024, running from June 8-21.

This year, Bowls Australia is encouraging entrants with BowlsLink logins to submit their entries. Entrants without BowlsLink accounts (internationals & users from some parts of Queensland) will need to enter via guest entry. You will see separate entry tiles below for each format, so select the relevant entry method for you. Take some time to watch the short video below explaining how to enter, and the benefits of login

“ I found the new Henselite Athletica Shoe to be extremely comfortable to wear from the minute I stepped into them. With the breathable material and the padded inner sole unit they give you the ultimate comfort you need for many hours on the bowling green. ”

Alex Marshall

Moreton Bay Pirates - BPL

Multiple World and Commonwealth Games

Gold Medallist

KIMBERLEY AND WA TOURS

-

SMALL GROUP 4WD SPECIALISTS

Put on your hiking shoes, have your swimming gear handy and get ready for breathtaking Kimberley and WA scenery, endless gorges, and Aboriginal culture as you tour with Kimberley Safari Tours - the specialists in the Kimberley and Gibb River Road Tours. We have fantastic Broome to Broome Kimberley Tours and we also have Perth to Broome Tours via Karijini, and the magnificent WA coastline. Explore the best of Kimberley and WA with the experts. Kimberley Safari Tours is a family-based business passionate about our beautiful state and our rich culture and history. Tour in small groups (typically 16-19 people) in modern, 4WD air-conditioned coaches, built for the tough Kimberley conditions. Journey with experienced guides ready to inform you at every corner. Comfortable camping (stand up tents, 70mm mattresses, pillows, comfy chairs with back / arm rests) with accommodation, park fees and most meals included. Travel to the spectacular and remote Mitchell Falls and the impressive and ancient Munurru Rock Art Sites (few operators go to the Mitchell Plateau). Visit the impressive Wolfe Creek Crater (few tour operators regularly visit this). Experience WAs magnificent Ningaloo Reef and walk in the Gorges of Karijini on our Perth to Broome Tours. Enjoy camp oven meals, explore gorges, be refreshed swimming in plunge pools and waterfalls, and ponder over ancient rock art. Walks are carefully planned so they are achievable for active travelers of all ages. Defibrillators, First Aid trained staff, remote communication, and safety equipment for peace of mind. Join Kimberley Safari Tours, a family run business, for the adventure of a lifetime!

Kimberley Tours, 'Broome to Broome' depart May through to August

'Perth to Broome' departs May (combine with our Broome to Broome tours at a reduced price

Founded in 2014 Kimberley Safari Tours has a goal and desire to enable others who perhaps don’t have access to a 4WD and camping equipment, to experiences the Northwest of Western Australia in particularly the Kimberley and the Gibb River Road in a comfortable group setting. In October 2023 the business changed ownership to Glenn and Jaye Ursino who are committed to continuing to provide the great comfortable camping tours.

We are a small family business run by a husband a wife team. Each tour has a tour leader and tour guide/helper to assist the tour leader and guests. We intentionally keep our business at its current size so we don't lose the family touch.

Our Mission

To share our love for the Kimberley through the provision of high quality small group comfortable camping tours, predominantly Kimberley Tours, at an affordable price for active travelers of all ages.

Our Values

All people are created as equals and are treated with respect and honour. The land and its creatures have been created for humanity to care for and cherish. We only take photographs and create memories whilst leaving no trace of our presence. We value fun, culture and doing things well.

How unlocking the equity from your home, debt free, could change your life forever

As a retiree, you may have built up significant equity in your home. This may be the difference between the value of your home and the amount you owe on your mortgage or, if you own your home outright, this is the value of your home today. Years ago, many retirees did not know they had the option to access this wealth locked up in their home or may have been nervous about accessing the equity in their home believing they needed to go back into debt to do so.

Today, the options for retirees are quite different. Many retirees are now turning to equity release products to get access to the funds they need to live a more comfortable retirement and improve their financial situation and quality of life.

There are several ways to access your home equity in retirement. One option is to downsize to a smaller home. This can free up cash that you can use to pay off debt, invest, or cover other expenses. Another option is to take out a reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage allows you to borrow money against the equity in your home without having to make monthly payments. The loan is repaid when you sell your home or move into long-term care.

However, there are some potential drawbacks to both options. Downsizing can be a stressful and emotional process, and it may be difficult to find a smaller home that meets your needs and budget. Reverse mortgages can be complex and expensive, and many retirees are reluctant to take out a loan at this stage of their life, particularly when interest rates are on the rise. Thankfully, there is another alternative for retirees who want to access their home equity in retirement without going into debt: Homesafe Wealth Release™.

Homesafe Wealth Release is a debt-free equity release solution that allows you to receive a cash lump sum in exchange for a share of the future sale proceeds of your home. You remain the legal owner of your home and have the right to live in it for as long as you wish.

There are several benefits to accessing your home equity with Homesafe Wealth Release:

• It is debt-free: You do not have to take out a loan or reverse mortgage, so you will not have the added worry of interest rates continuing to rise and the impact of compounding interest charges over time.

• You retain ownership of your home: You remain the legal owner of your home and have the right to live in it for as long as you wish.

• You can access any amount*: You can access any amount of equity in your home, from $25,000 to $1,000,000.

• There are no hidden fees: There are no hidden fees or charges associated with Homesafe Wealth Release.

• You have peace of mind: Knowing that you have access to a financial cushion can give you peace of mind in retirement.

Homesafe Wealth Release can be used for a variety of purposes, such as:

• Helping with living costs: You can use the money from Homesafe Wealth Release to fund your lifestyle in retirement. This could include having funds in the bank for a ‘rainy day’, paying bills, travel, hobbies, or spending time with family and friends.

• Paying off debt: You can use the money from Homesafe Wealth Release to pay off debt, such as credit card debt or even a reverse mortgage. This can free up more money each month for other expenses, such as healthcare or travel.

• Investing: You can use the money from Homesafe Wealth Release to invest in retirement incomegenerating assets, such as dividend-paying stocks or your Superannuation fund. This can help to ensure that you have a steady stream of income in retirement.

• Making home improvements: You can use the money from Homesafe Wealth Release to make home improvements that make your home more accessible and safer as you age. You can also use the money to upgrade your home to make it more comfortable and enjoyable to live in.

For over 18 years, Homesafe has provided a tried and tested solution which has assisted thousands of homeowners by focusing on providing a safe and secure equity release option. Homesafe is not a reverse mortgage or a loan product and is specifically designed to provide protections for homeowners for the life of the arrangement.

How can I make an enquiry with Homesafe?

The team at Homesafe offer personalised service by phone initially, and a no-obligation meeting with a Homesafe Mobile Specialist in the comfort of your home is organised to ensure you can receive all the information you – and your family – need to make an informed decision.

For more information on how Homesafe^ has helped retirees to fund their retirement for over 18 years, contact Homesafe on 1300 307 059 or visit www.homesafe.com.au

^Terms, conditions, and eligibility criteria apply. Homesafe Wealth Release™ is available in 90% of eligible postcodes in Melbourne & Sydney.

There are so many reasons to consider a Norfolk Island holiday. Situated a short two hour flight from Brisbane & Auckland and two and a half hours from Sydney, we are mid-way between Australia and New Zealand.

The beauty of the Island is renowned with its tall, majestic pines, high rising cliffs, green undulating valleys, lush rainforest and brilliant turquoise waters over coral reefs. So many arriving visitors are simply astounded by the beauty they find providing countless photographic opportunities. The island has long been a source of inspiration to painters and artists.

Our Home, Norfolk Island

Our little island is packed full of things to see and do. World Heritage listed Kingston will take you into the history of turbulent convict years and today’s vibrant Norfolk culture (born out of the infamous mutiny on the Bounty) all of which can be explored via tours, displays and even a chat with a friendly local. Encounter our pristine environment via swimming, reef snorkeling and rainforest walks. Our cafes and restaurants offer delicious, fresh, seasonal meals and local art, crafts, toys, shoes, and tax-free items are also among shopping highlights.

Many of our visitors experience a feeling of ‘coming home’ perhaps to a way of life they knew from years ago with a relaxed pace, a

Experience

Norfolk Island

Within a breathtakingly beautiful environment experience snorkelling in turquoise waters over coral reef, soaking up history in a World Heritage listed area and exploring a unique local culture.

Island History

From Polynesians, to convicts to the descendants of the Bounty mutineers, you’ll find museums, tours and spaces to just wander and soak up the stories.

sense of quiet, genuine friendliness, attention to life customs and community. On Norfolk there exists a safe place to gently ‘reconnect’ with yourself, loved ones or friends. At the same time this intriguing island has so much on offer that if you choose, you’ll be very well entertained – and busy!

Island Environment

Pristine, clean, green and abundant…

Whether you are in or on the water, a 4WD tour, a National Park walk or simply out and about, the beauty of our unspoilt environment surrounds you.

Island Food

Fresh, seasonal – and tasty! Islanders have always lived off their home grown fresh, seasonal produce. Restaurants advertise today’s fishing catch, likely be served with vegetables harvested that day.

Norfolk Island Travel Centre

Play in Paradise : Norfolk Island

‘Watawieh’

… Hello and how's it going?

A short flight from AU & NZ, Norfolk Island is ‘Paradise in the Pacific’ for lawn bowlers!

Renowned as one of the friendliest you’ll find, Norfolk Island Bowling Club's slogan is: “there are no strangers in this club, only friends you haven’t met”. With such a welcome, it's easy to see why bowlers of all skill levels are drawn to these tournaments.

Located in the heart of town, most things are 5-10 minutes away from the Club – including cafés, shops, accommodations and the airport! You could disembark, collect your bags, book in and be on the green within an hour of arrival! There’s no such thing as being 'stuck in traffic' on Norfolk, in fact the island has no traffic lights and only three roundabouts.

It won't take you long to slip into ‘Norfolk mode’, which is ‘easy, easy, easy’. Even locking your car during play is treated by the local members as strictly optional!

✓ Return flights + Norfolk Airport transfers

✓ 7 nights twin share accommodation

✓ 7 days car hire per room

✓ Norfolk Island Orientation Tour + MORE

 brisbane from $ 1 , 969 * pp

 sydney from $ 1 , 999 * pp

Annual Norfolk Island Bowling Club Tournaments:

Christian-Bailey Agencies Bounty Bowls: May 2024

The Bowling Club’s longest standing signature fours event.

 brisbane 04-11 MAY 2024 • 7 nights from $1,679 pp

 sydney 03-12 MAY 2024 • 9 nights from $1,909 pp

NIO Classic Triples: August 2024 – Mens or womens teams and a minimum of five qualifying rounds.

 brisbane 17-24 AUG 2024 • 7 nights from $1,969 pp

 sydney 16-25 AUG 2024 • 9 nights from $2,239 pp

South Pacific Pairs: February 2025 – An open competition with mens, womens or mixed pairs.

Travel ANYTIME of year. Whether you're in a group, or an individual looking to join a local team, you'll find plenty of play and socialising on and off the green!

Book today with Norfolk Island Travel Centre!

Email or call us to receive a detailed Info-Pack: groups@nitravelcentre.com • 1800 1400 66



Jonathan’s family leaves a legacy

Three-year-old Jonathan had a rocky start to life, after being diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) within 24 hours of being born.

HLHS is a condition whereby the left side of Jonathan’s heart was born too small to function e ectively and was unable to pump his blood around his tiny body. To alleviate his condition, Jonathan underwent two open heart surgeries – the rst of which was performed when he was only seven days old.

“Before he was taken away, we held him for what could have been the last time. It was not the beginning to his life that we had imagined. His chest remained open for three days postoperation to allow his swelling to go down, and I will never forget that sight,” remembered Jonathan’s mum, Jess.

Jonathan has since undergone two further open-heart surgeries, and his treatment is ongoing. He will require cardio appointments

every few months to monitor his progress and another surgery in a few years. His family cite the Foundation’s support as invaluable during one of the most di cult periods for the family.

Due to the support that Jonathan received during his hospital journey, his family have decided to leave a gift in their Will to the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Both Jonathan and his sister, Liesel, have spent time in hospital, so the family thought it was important to ensure that other families who nd themselves in similar situations can be supported by the Foundation.

“As Jonathan will need at least one more openheart surgery, we know that Children’s Hospital Foundation will be there to support us when his operation happens. The gift in our Will was easy to do when we wrote our Wills using Gathered Here, which took some of the stress out of creating this important document. It’s something we’ve encouraged our friends and family to do,” added Jess.

We’ve partnered with Gathered Here, a free and easy step-by-step online Will writing service. It can take less than 10 minutes to have an incredible impact on sick kids.

Even just 1% of your estate could be the di erence kids deserve and give hope to families now and into the future.

Evie’s Story

HOW YOUR GENEROUS GIFT CAN BE “TIDE TURNING’’ FOR KIDS WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS

When Lee took her happy and seemingly healthy baby girl to a routine health screening, she had no idea the impact this day would have on their family. Following the heal prick test, four-week-old Evie was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Overwhelmed and heartbroken, Lee and her family had to come to terms with the long and difficult journey Evie would now face.

THRIVING THROUGH THE TOUGH TIMES.

Evie’s condition has caused ongoing infections in her lungs which has resulted in severe lung damage. Her treatment includes daily physiotherapy, nebulisers, medications and nutritional support to aid her growth, and she has undergone multiple procedures and operations. Each hospital stay usually lasts around two weeks, with short stints at home in-between to recoup and mentally prepare for the next admission. Spending so much time in hospital away from family and friends is extremely difficult for the whole family. While Evie is in hospital, she is supported by the Children’s Hospital Foundation - spending time in Kidzone and receiving music therapy to help ease the anxiety during treatment and procedures. Despite everything Evie faces daily, she keeps smiling and remains determined to live her best life.

RESEARCH IS KEY FOR A FUTURE WITH HOPE

Evie will possibly require a double lung transplant in the future – with her medical team working tirelessly to prolong time before this procedure with admissions and treatment. In early, 2021, her family received news that Evie had access to Trikafta – a revolutionary drug used to treat cystic fibrosis – which has been instrumental in her wellbeing and quality of life.

For the very first time, there are now more adults than children living with cystic fibrosis across the world, with increased survival rates thanks to ground-breaking research. With the generosity of supporters and donors, the Children’s Hospital Foundation has pledged $2.5 million over five years towards Queensland’s first dedicated cystic fibrosis research program, supporting leading researchers including Professors Claire Wainwright, Peter Sly and Scott Bell. The research strives to deliver improved health outcomes, better quality of life and longer life expectancy for kids, just like Evie.

By including the Children’s Hospital Foundation in your Will, any gift you make will help kids like Evie. Even just 1% of your estate can give hope to sick kids and their families now and into the future.

https://childrens.org.au/meet-the-kids

Bowling&Lifestyle Magazine recently had the enormous privilege of chatting with Glenda Manne, (National Marketing Manager) for one of Australia’s leading homecare support services ‘‘RIGHT AT HOME .’’

“RIGHT AT HOME ’’ is a progressive organisation, which provides quality “in-home-care’’ for a wide range of scenarios. The company prides itself on being able to meet the highest of expectations, tailored to suit the individual needs of clients where they have offices, in most states of Australia.

“Right at Home’’ is an approved provider under the Aged Care Act, for levels 1 through to 4 which means they can provide quality specialised care under a “ Government funded home care package.’’ Home care packages are designed to provide senior Australians (those over 65 or those over 55 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) with the necessary support they need for activities for daily living as they age. Right at Home also provides care to clients who wish to pay privately, or who are selfmanaged or plan-managed NDIS participants or who are insured for post-operative care or are part of a post -hospital discharge arrangement. Some of the Right at Home offices are also registered NDIS providers who can deliver services to agency managed NDIS Participants. Right at Home provide in home care in the form of companionship, social outings, domestic assistance, transportation, shopping, meal preparation personal care including showering, and dressing right up to special care situations caused by complex medical conditions including skilled nursing, medication management

and wound care. This means that “Right at Home’’ are able to implement “in-home-care’’ for thousands of ageing Australians or those living with disabilities.

Right at Home operates with a mission. ‘To improve the quality of life for those we serveTM.’’

Q & A WITH GLENDA MANNE

B&L : Hi Glenda, and thank you so much for allowing Bowling&Lifestyle Magazine to conduct this interview. Can you tell us the history of Right at Home?

GLENDA: Yes of course, Right at Home was founded in the USA in 1995 by former American Healthcare worker Allen Hager.

B&L :What prompted Allen to embark on this immense project?

GLENDA: Allen worked for many years as a hospital administrator. However, while in the hospital environment he detected many elderly patients were unable to care for themselves once home and re-admissions to hospital were high for these people. He subsequently launched “Right at Home’’ which was one of the first companies to enter senior care and is now a leader in the home care industry.

B&L :When was “Right at Home ’’ introduced to Australia ?

GLENDA: RIGHT AT HOME was launched in (Brisbane)

Australia in 2014 by Karen and Daryl Sahli. In 2016, a second office was established in NSW. We now have 49 offices across Australia in NSW, QLD, VIC, ACT, WA and SA.

B&L :Moving forward, what is Right at Home’s mission for the future?

GLENDA:Our mission now and in the future is to ‘improve the quality of life for those we serveTM’, and provide personalised in-home-care and assistance for seniors and for those living with a disability.

B&L :Since its inception in Australia in 2014, Right at Home has exceeded all expectations and achieved an extraordinary amount of success. Can you explain why you think the organisation has been so successful?

GLENDA: Right at Home is a business that supports those living with a disability and elderly Australians who want to remain safe and independent in their own home and post hospital patients recovering from treatment at home.

A big part of our clients’ wellbeing is community connection, companionship, and socialisation, which assists in maintaining good mental health and which we are able to provide. Our company provides trained and insured caregivers to families as well as offering a variety of services that are customised

to each family’s needs and we are on call 24-hours a day, 365 days a year with each local owner, accessible on a local phone number to call them or a care manager as required. The service is personal and customised to our clients’ needs.

B&L: Can you tell us about the partnership between Right at Home, Bowls Australia and Bowls Clubs?

GLENDA:Bowls is an inclusive sport and Bowls Clubs across Australia are an important part of our lives. They are active hubs, which give members the opportunity to participate in bowls and continue to stay connected with their friends and communities. Socialisation is paramount when people are recovering from injury or illness or are ageing at home. Therefore, Bowls Clubs give communities access and involvement for rehabilitating people and provide socialisation to all people to prevent isolation and Right at Home is here to support that need.

We are able to offer the full spectrum of service, from basic domestic support such as meal preparation shopping, transport and light housekeeping to personal care and complex nursing supporting each family as their loved one’s needs change. The Aged Care system is complex and so we offer free consultations in your home to help you navigate Government Home Care Packages funding and get you registered on the My Aged Care portal and ready for assessment before you are even a client of ours . We offer this free home consultation service to all prospective clients even those who wish to pay via private pay arrangements. This consultation explains the complex government funding arrangements or alternatives, helps you get registered for government funding and allows Right at Home to assess your care needs. We hold your hand through this process and check in with you until you receive your Home Care Package months later or until you receive notification that you have not qualified and then we discuss alternatives.

B&L : Can you tell us about Lucas Protopapas?

GLENDA:Lucas is the Brand Ambassador for Right at Home .’ He stars in one of our TV Commercials and a video story which aired in 2022 on the Bowls Show. The video and commercial shows how participating in bowls has allowed Lucas to play and excel in a sport despite living with Cerebral Palsy. Playing bowls has given Lucas independence, pride, and social connection, which aligns with Right at Home’s mission, which is “TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THOSE WE SERVETM.’’

B&L :Why is Right at Home sponsoring the Jackaroos?

GLENDA: Sponsoring the “Right at Home Jackaroos” is a privilege, and has been a natural extension of ourpartnership with Bowls Australia, which began in 2022. We are delighted to be assisting in bringing the Australian bowls elite, The Right at Home Jackaroos, onto the screens in people’s homes.

LUCAS PROTOPAPAS, BRAND AMBASSADOR FOR RIGHT AT HOME “IT MEANS THE WORLD TO ME”

I never thought anyone would want me to be their Brand Ambassador! Admittedly, I didn’t really understand what it was but I’m so grateful to Glenda for taking the time to teach me. I feel so privileged to be representing Right at Home, the more I learn about what they do, is exactly the type of business I would like to be representing, it makes me proud. Right at Home has given me so many opportunities to learn new skills and play in bowling events I never thought would be possible. Spreading the Right at Home word is fast becoming my favourite thing to do, all my bowling friends talk to me about Right at Home and are always commenting when they see the commercial on television, this makes me feel very privileged. My bowling friends are always happy to play events with me wearing the Right at Home uniform, this makes me feel right at home on the greens. Right at Home’s support has given my life a boost and I will always be very grateful.

Lucas Protopapas Brand Ambassador Right at Home

Making you feel Right at Home

Right at Home is your local, quality, in-home aged care and disability support provider, providing care and support that allows our clients to remain safe and independent in their own homes.

Right at Home have 49 offices in Australia throughout New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and now also in the A.C.T.

Right at Home office owners aim to provide their communities with the best in-home care services, when and where you need them.

Right at Home’s mission is ‘to improve the quality of life for those we serve’TM. At Right at Home, our clients, their families, and our caregivers are at the centre of everything we do.

At Right at Home, you can expect exceptional, 24/7 customer service, 365 days a year. We offer free in-home consultations and care planning as well as free support navigating the government-funded Home Care Packages scheme (HCP). We are an Approved HCP Provider for levels 1 to 4 and can offer plan and self-managed support to NDIS participants, as well as care and support for private pay clients. We don’t charge package management fees for government funded clients, meaning you get more hours of care for your budget.

Right at Home understand that care decisions for you and your loved ones are important. We believe in the Right ApproachTM, so we carefully match our carers and support workers to our clients and participants. A personal introduction to your carer or support worker helps to ensure that you feel safe and comfortable prior to the start of your service. Our caregivers are highly trained, screened and insured prior to entering a client’s home. Because every client is different, we adapt our services to suit the client’s specific needs with a custom

care plan. We also offer free supervisory visits to ensure carers are following the Right at Home customised care plan and meeting your expectations.

Planning and organising the right home care services for your loved ones can be a daunting task, so why not let the Right at Home team of highly trained and experienced staff guide you during this time of inevitable change. Chat to our friendly owners to find out how we can support you and your family. Call us on 1300 363 802 to reach your local office or visit us at www.rightathome.com.au

Right at Home is the naming rights partner of the Australian Jackaroos and supports the inclusivity and community connection that the sport of bowls provides. Click here to see the story on Bowls Australia website

Right at Home are leaders in quality homecare and support, delivering services that allow our clients to remain safe and independent in their own homes. Your local Right at Home family is ready to look after yours when you can’t. We have offices throughout QLD, NSW, WA, SA, ACT and Victoria, catering for government funded and private pay clients.

Right at Home are leaders in quality homecare and support, delivering services that allow our clients to remain safe and independent in their own homes. Your local Right at Home family is ready to look after yours when you can't. We have offices throughout QLD, NSW, WA, SA and Victoria, catering for government funded and private pay clients.

- 24/7 On Call & 24/7 Care Service

- Supervised, Individual Care Plan

- Approved Home Care Packages Provider Levels 1-4

- No Home Care Package Management Fees

- Complex Nursi n g Care

- Disability & NDIS Support

- Flexib le, Reliable & Certified Carers

- Post Operative Care

- Hospital In The Home

- Personal & Companion Care

- Domestic, Shoppin g, Transport

RIGHT AT HOME JACKAROOS LEADERSHIP TEAM ANNOUNCED

The Right at Home Jackaroos 2024 leadership team has been appointed after a player vote was conducted among the Open and Para squads.

Six members have been selected and will act as the conduit between the athletes, coaches and high performance staff in order to enhance the program and create even stronger connections within the already cohesive squad.

The team consists of Kelsey Cottrell, Carl Healey, Ben Twist, Cheryl Lindfield, Serena Bonnell and James Reynolds.

Cottrell has been one of the most in form players in the world over the past two years and her international record speaks for itself, amassing

three World Bowls Championships titles and a Commonwealth Games gold.

Off the green, the 33-year-old is one of the most respected leaders within the Australian lineup and conducts herself with grace and humility in victory or defeat.

The Helensvale product established that when she and her Australian fours teammates stayed on the green to watch Jacky Hudson and Jake Fehlberg for the conclusion of the vision impaired mixed pairs final of last year’s World Championships despite going down to England in their own decider moments earlier. Healey has been a beacon of positivity and tenacity since his inclusion within the squad at the end of 2020.

Waiting more than a year to make his debut, the New South Welshman quickly became a mainstay within the team, being selected for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and Gold Coast World Championships.

The 36-year-old clinched a silver in Birmingham before making history and notching two gold medals in Queensland in the men’s triples and fours, while also exhibiting magnificent leadership qualities both on and off the rink.

Whether it be his calmness and patience in tricky situations or his support of his teammates despite suffering heartbreak, the Cabramatta member’s team first mentality embodies the Jackaroos 24/7 mantra.

Twist is a natural leader in his own right, taking up a coaching role within the sport to ensure that the next generation receive the same guidance that he did coming through the ranks.

One of the most humble individuals within the Jackaroos squad, Twist has been instrumental in upholding the standards of the team and playing the game in the best spirit.

On the green, he has been one of the most consistent players within the squad that culminated in a silver medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games with Healey and Barrie Lester.

Bonnell and Lindfield have together made themselves mainstays of the lineup, selected for the para women’s pairs for both Birmingham and the Gold Coast.

The duo made history as the nation’s first female

para pairs teams at the Commonwealth Games and World Championships, earning a silver medal in the United Kingdom and a bronze on home soil last September.

Bonnell is a trailblazer for para bowls not just in Australia, but globally, and is one of the most team orientated athletes within the sport.

A pioneer of inclusivity, the Club Tweed product ensures that each team member is valued and heard, while exhibiting tremendous leadership qualities.

Lindfield is much of the same, a much loved member of the team that has a wonderful way with people thanks to her background in human resources.

She is always team first, and like Bonnell, remains with the squad even when her disciplines have concluded to support her compatriots.

Finally, Reynolds is an inspiring teammate for the rest of the Australian team, able to perform with excellence under extreme pressure.

Making an international comeback after retirement, the Cabramatta product managed to clinch a remarkable gold medal in the men’s para pairs with Damien Delgado at last year’s World Championships in one of the most heartwarming stories of the year.

Reynolds’ leadership within the team is superb, as he is also the New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory Pathways Coach within the high performance setup.

He understands athletes and utilises his experience to get the best out of everyone around him.

National Coach Gary Willis is thrilled with the team selected, and labels being a member of the leadership team one of the greatest honours that can be bestowed upon a Jackaroo.

“Being selected as a leader is a huge honour and a great show of respect to them from their teammates,” he said.

“We look forward to working with this wonderful group of knowledgeable people to see what new innovations and further support they bring to our program to keep us moving forward”

Paula Duncan

AUSTRALIAN ICON

PAULA DUNCAN AM is one of Australia’s most recognisable and respected personalities. She is famously celebrated by the Australian Entertainment industry as Queen of television, film, theatre and cleaning products.

Her outstanding versatility, coupled with a stunning combination of beauty, talent and unrelenting positive energy have contributed greatly in securing Paula a place in Australia’s showbiz history. Paula is also well known to Australian audiences for her numerous television roles, countless films and a plethora of memorable stage productions. However, it was her Logie-winning performance as policewoman “Danni Francis’’ in the highly popular TV drama “Cop Shop’’ that resulted in TV stardom, unimaginable fame and media attention. After having studied drama at Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) Paula made a powerful impression on Australian television. Her TV roles include, appearances on Number 96, The Young Doctors, Home and Away and Neighbours. She then effortlessly garnered further respect and attention by winning

7 Logies during her lengthy career. Paula was recognised in the top-rating television show “This is your Life’ in 1996 and featured in “Who do you think you are’’ in 2022. She remains one of the most significant and commercially successful Australian actors of her generation. Away from the camera, Paula has tirelessly supported a wide range of Australian charities, and raised an estimated $14 million, making an immediate impact to help safeguard the future of many charities. Paula received an Australian Achievement Award in 1997, for her work relating to people with disabilities. In 2003 she was also awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for Outstanding Contribution to the Entertainment Industry and the Australian Community.

Q & A WITH PAULA DUNCAN AM

B&L : CONGRATULATIONS Paula on your successful and extraordinary acting career, and of course your countless achievements and devotion to charities.

EARLY DAYS & FAMILY

B&L : You were born in Cooma, and I believe you are from an extremely close-knit family of four children. Are you the youngest of the family?

PAULA : Yes, I am the baby of the family. My mother always said, I was the accident of the family. We were a

happy and close family, despite all the trials and tribulations that my family endured. My parents were party people and there was always a party. Dad ran a very peaceful pub and everyone loved him. My siblings Warren, Bob and Carmen and I grew up surrounded by parties and music. My mother was flamboyant, she captivated the pub patrons by playing the Honky Tonk piano (Upright piano) However, both my parents have now passed away, along with two of my siblings Bob and Carmen. Unfortunately, when I lost them, I lost a lot of my identity, it was a big chunk out of my life. Warren and I are the only sibling remaining.

B&L : How old were you when you and your family left Cooma and what were your aspirations as a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

PAULA : I was 4 ½ when we left Cooma, and I wanted to be a singer and a dancer.

B&L : Was there anyone else in the family that was involved in showbusiness.

PAULA : My sister Carmen Duncan was a successful stage and screen actor and activist.

B&L : Were you encouraged by your parents to pursue an acting career?

PAULA : No, my parents wanted me to be a secretary, get married and have children.

B&L : Did you have a mentor?

PAULA : No, I did not have a mentor, however my sister Carmen who was ten years older was very maternal towards me and encouraged me to attend NIDA and pursue an acting career. I also received endless amounts of support and encouragement from my cousin, theatre actor Donald MacDonald. Donald is an award-winning screenwriter, playwright and novelist, who wrote the critically acclaimed play “Caravan,’’ which has been described as one of Australia’s most successful comedies. Donald was a big influence on me within the industry.

B&L : What was your second career choice, if you were not successful in the entertainment business? PAULA : I would have become a psychologist or a social worker, because I love helping people.

B&L : What was the first role you performed after you left NIDA ? PAULA : The musical Production of Pirates of Penzance.

CAREER

B&L : Your career in television has been phenomenal, and you have won seven Logies as a testament of your work. Subsequently, and as a result of your exceptional achievements you are well known to Australian audiences for your LogieAward winning performance as policewoman Danni Frances in the television series “Cop Shop.’’ You met your future husband and co-star John Orcsik on the set of “Cop Shop’’ and married him in 1982, causing a media frenzy with such headlines as “TV’S WEDDING OF THE YEAR’’ “GIRL NEXT DOOR’’ ACTRESS PAULA DUNCAN MARRIES HEARTTHROB ACTOR AND CO-STAR JOHN ORCSIK.’’ Can you tell me about that union.

PAULA : Our relationship and marriage is a true love story.

B&L : Really? Why did you and John divorce in 1998?

PAULA : Because I can’t live with him and I can’t live without him.

B&L : Are you still in contact with John, if so, what is John doing now?

PAULA : Yes, we are best friends and see each other regularly. John and I worked together on the show “Paradise Beach’’ and also continued working together fundraising for various charities. John founded a film and Television acting studio on the Gold Coast in 1994, and has since expanded to Melbourne and Sydney.

B&L : You and John have a daughter together, can you tell me what she is doing now ?

PAULA : Our daughter Jessica is a successful actor, producer and writer. However, when I married John, I inherited a son, Simon.

He was only two! His mother was dying with Rheumatoid Arthritis. She passed away giving me the blessing to raise her son. There was a book written “The Mother of my son’’ in 1998. Simon and Jess are like siblings and very very close.

COMMERCIALS

B&L : Everyone loved your iconic stint as the lovable housewife, who solves all cleaning catastrophes with the Ajax household cleaning product “Spray N’Wipe.’ Did you enjoy that experience ?

PAULA : Yes I loved making those commercials, they were very successful, I did them from 1988 to 2010. They were very beneficial for me. They were so successful, the company has no need to make the “Spray N’Wipe’’ commercials anymore.

B&L : Can you tell me about one of the many highlights in your career ?

PAULA : I was awarded an “Order of Australia’’ (AM) in 2003 by the then Governor of NSW Marie Bashir. During the ceremony she informed me that her favourite was the “Spray N’Wipe’’ commercial. I felt extremely proud.

CHARITY WORK

B&L : You have been Ambassador for numerous charities including Wesley Mission, Royal Hospital for Women, Make a Wish and Lifeforce. You are currently Ambassador for ANZGOG (The Australia and New Zealand Gynaecological Cancer Group.’’ Can you explain why you are so invested in this cause and what is next on the agenda for Paula Duncan.

PAULA : I am committed to this cause in memory of my sister Carmen Duncan, who died of Gynaecological Cancer. Next on the agenda for me is to try and raise awareness in women and highlight the many forms of Gynaecological cancer that can occur. I am currently Ambassador for “Nova Employment’’ and the ‘‘Focus on ability International short film festival.’’ The International short film festival has reached 440,000 people on line all over the world. It encouraged people to submit a short film (only 5 minutes long) highlighting the achievements of people with disabilities. This festival survived “COVID’’ unlike many others. It has the support of corporate, government, families and schools across the globe. Also, being Ambassador for “Nova Employment,’’ means I work with the “transition to work’’ program, which helps young men and women with a disability to find suitable employment. I feel this is my major role now. People always ask me “what do you do”? Finding people with disabilities a job gives them a sense of purpose! Which is what we all need. STORY COURTESY OF

THE COMPLEX WORLD OF FILM MAKING. A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT HOW THINGS WORK ON A FILM SET.

Story courtesy of Tony Bonner AM

Bowling&Lifestyle Magazine asked me “what it was like to be an actor on a feature film set.’’ I answered it can be different. It depends, if it was mainly a film shot on a location or studio. Studio shoots are obviously more controllable, as there is no need to worry about weather conditions, the night, sun or even no sun, the noise, airplanes, cars, trucks etc and of course people passing by. For instance, if your film is set in a city, the sound department wants ‘clean dialogue’ sound – that’s the spoken words in the scene, ‘they’ the sound department, would much rather add the background sound in postproduction. That is the same for all or most location filming, clean clear words, the background sound added. The sound recordist on the location will record what is called an AT-MOS track (Atmospheric track) of the city or country or ocean etc sounds. Then they add that

‘under’ the dialogue track. Studio filming, therefore, the soundtrack is similar, but not as complicated, as the studio scene may have a TV or radio or music playing as the scene is shot, so again the scene will be filmed then when the director is happy with the scene, the performers, an AT-MOS soundtrack will be done for the same time as the spoken part of the scene, then put together in postproduction, the editing stage of filmmaking.

So, after explaining this process to the Bowling&Lifestyle editor, I asked, so what film that I have done, would you like me to talk about? A mainly location or a studio production? Out of all the various productions that I have been a part of “The Man from Snowy River’’ for a location film and the “Money Movers’’ for basically a studio shoot, were the contenders. They flipped a coin and ‘THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER’ was chosen…. My journey with “The Man from Snowy River’’ started earlier than the start of filming. The character of KANE the Foreman of the property that was the Harrison Homestead. One of the producers and the director, were both old friends. They both had directed me in many productions so knew my work and what I would bring to the role of KANE. I had previously worked with most of the cast on either Television, theatre or film productions. Our leading man, the legendary Kirk Douglas, was one I had not worked with previously. Certainly, my old pal Jack Thomson, I had known and worked with several times. The talented and beautiful Sigrid Thornton and I had done ABC TV series roles together and of course the wonderful Lorraine Bayly. Plus, there were many more Australian leading actors. Paul Hogan, Terry Donovan, Gus Mercurio, Chris Haywood etc with Tom Burlinson playing the young boy, who became The Man. The great bush rider Gerald Eagan did much of the riding with stunt rider, Heath Harris also an important part of the team. I have to mention that I would have liked to have been closer to Kirk. Playing his foreman, KANE in the film I was looking forward to the opportunity possibly of having a few meals with him, the odd drink (I was drinking

A group shot of cast members from The Man from Snowy River. From left: David Bradshaw (as AB ‘Banjo’ Paterson), unknown extra (kneeling), Gus Mercurio (Frew), Kristopher Steele (Moss), Kirk Douglas (Harrison, kneeling), Tony Bonner (Kane), (unknown extra, standing) and Chris Haywood (Curly).

in those days) and chat. Alas, that was not to happen. There were several instances while filming that showed me that those hopeful possibilities were not to happen, I will leave this, suffice to say that it was a little ’’old bull, young bull’’ driven.

One of the many highlights that the film delivered was a sensational soundtrack. Bruce Rowland is a genius. What he created was a memorable musical journey. You felt the rumble of the hooves, the sweetness of Jessica’s theme, the vastness of the high plains, brilliant. Subsequently, Bruce wrote the music for the mini series ANZACS. The cast in general was sensational. There was a sense of comradery amongst us, we felt we were doing something of national importance. I personally love Banjo Patterson’s work. I had done several Patterson ABC Melbourne productions. My closest pal on production was the wonderful Gus Mercurio. Gus and I had been friends for many years. We had done many TV series shoots together in the past and were great screen friends. Gus gave my eldest daughter, Chelsea, her nickname that is still used to this day. Gus would come into my house in Melbourne asking ‘where is my Bucko?’ in that gravel voice that had been created from his many years as a boxer. “Hey Tony, where is Bucko?’ Well Bucko became ‘Bucky’ that I still call her. I will finish up as I could write pages on “Snowy,’’ the pubs in Merrigig and Mansfield that we frequented, the fabulous Lovicks

and their horses, and my pal George ‘Noddy’ Miller who directed this epic so I had better stop, more moments will be in my biography. I will conclude for the moment with the discussion I had sitting on my horse between takes. My friend and the producer, Geoff Burrows cantered up to me and we sat together on our steads gazing at the fabulous view before us. Geoff said after a moment “When this is finished, I am going to do a mini series on WW1.’’ “Great’’ I responded. “There is a character I would like you to play.’’ “Great’’ I again responded. ‘He is the patrol leader of the squad. The series will be about the Anzacs.’ Lt then Captain Harry Armstrong was about to be created. I loved playing Harry, I made him a flawed leader who had fears and personal problems. But this is for another time. I thanked Geoff then and that thanks continues. So one brilliant film, lead to a brilliant mini-series. I LOVE WHAT I DO………………………..

“THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER’’ is an Australian Western drama, film based on the Banjo Paterson poem “The Man from Snowy River.’’ The film won the 1982 AFI Award for Best Original Music Score. That same year the film also won the award for ‘Most Popular Film’ at the Montreal World Film Festival and was nominated for the 1983 ‘Golden Globe Award’ for ‘Best Foreign Film.’

‘THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER’ was a box-office success, grossing A$17,228,160 in Australia and a total of A$50 million worldwide

STORY & RECOLLECTIONS COURTESY OF TONY BONNER AM

Tony Bonner on location with Kirk Douglas “The Man from Snowy River.’’

Tony Bonner as Captain Armstrong ‘ANZACS”

Tony Bonner & Paul Hogan “ANZACS’

NECK AND BACK PAIN

Neck and back pain can range from mild, annoying aches to severe, disabling pain

While most spine pain occurs as a part of the normal degenerative ageing process-it can also be a warning sign of cancer, infection, autoimmune disease, or a structural problem causing pressure on the spinal cord/ nerves

WHY DOES THIS OCCUR?

Our spines are comprised of a number of joints around the spinal cord and nerves. As we age, changes occur as the joints wear out resulting in inflammatory processes such as osteoarthritis.

The joints and tissues can also become overgrown and compress a neural structure, which is called spinal stenosis.

Failure of the joints to hold the bones in position can result in slippage and deformity. These are common characteristics of conditions such as spondylolisthesis, kyphosis, or scoliosis.

WHAT SYMPTOMS CAN THESE DEGENERATIVE CHANGES CAUSE?

• Dull, burning, or sharp pain-which can be confined to a single spot or cover a large area.

• Arm/leg numbness or tingling

• Sharp, shooting pain that radiates from your neck and your arm.

• Sharp shooting pain that radiates from your lower back to your buttocks, and down your leg (sciatica)

• Stiffness in your neck or back

• Difficulties with walking and balance

• Difficulties with coordination

• Loss of bladder and bowel control, with weakness in both legs are important symptoms that require immediate medical attention.

HOW IS A DIAGNOSIS MADE?

You should see your general practitioner for a medical and physical exam. They may obtain a CT scan and /or an MRI scan to assess your spine. CT/MRI produces pictures of bones, joints, ligament, the spinal cord and spinal nerves. Sometimes other tests are needed such as bone scans and specialised x-rays.

HOW ARE BACK AND NECK PAIN TREATED?

If you experience back or neck pain it may simply improve with some rest. Over the counter medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, may also help alleviate discomfort. Activity should be modified to avoid movement that exacerbates pain. Physiotherapy, acupuncture, and massage therapy are beneficial.

Low-impact exercise programs may improve range of motion, increase muscle strength, and improve flexibility and mobility, increase endurance, and improve pain. Weight loss and improving one’s core strength are also useful.

WHEN CAN A SURGEON HELP?

A surgeon can advise on further treatment if the above suggestions haven’t improved the pain and your quality of life.

Your surgeon can assess your imaging and recommend cortisone steroid injections that can alleviate some forms of neck, back, arm or leg pain.

An appropriate surgical operation can also significantly improve pain, mobility and quality of life.

WHAT DOES AN OPERATION INVOLVE?

Because symptoms, imaging findings and causative factors can vary significantly, a surgical procedure must be tailored for you.

A traditional spine surgery procedure involves an incision along the backbone. The surgeon moves muscle and soft tissue aside to gain access to the bones of the spine and the spinal cord.

Minimally invasive techniques involve a smaller incision and special microsurgical instruments, through which the surgeon operates on the spine. Minimally invasive techniques may be able to shorten recovery time and reduce the risk of complications.

These approaches allow the surgeon to trim

away overgrown bone, ligament and joint tissue to decompress the spinal cord and spinal nerve. Some operations (for example those that help control the conditions spinal stenosis or sciatica) employ a decompression technique and at times may also require a fusion. The latter involves a surgeon placing titanium screws and rods to stabilise the spine and cause adjacent vertebrae to fuse.

There are minimally invasive ways to perform this type of surgery, and can even encompass advanced technology such as GPS-like tracking systems and robotics. If performed for the right indications, surgery can be effective in 80-90% of patients.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER SURGERY

Most patients are mobilised either on the same or following day of surgery, as early movement has been shown to be be beneficial. You may be reviewed by a physiotherapist to provide advice on stretches, exercises and activities. Sometimes health professionals will design a rehabilitation program to meet your needs. The type of program will depend on the procedure you underwent and your level of mobility.

The goal of back and neck rehabilitation is to help you return to your highest level of fitness and independence and improve your overall quality of life.

Courtesy Dr Raj Reddy, MBBS, MS, FRACS

Dr Raj Reddy is a neurosurgeon with special interests in complex & minimally invasive spine surgery, paediatric neurosurgery, and brain tumour surgery.

Raj manages all neurosurgical conditions, both cranial and spinal. He has a special interest in spine surgery, with foci on minimally invasive techniques as well as complex reconstructive surgery. The focus of his cranial surgery is in the management of intracranial tumours, trauma , and craniofacial operations; both adults and paediatric patients

Suite 3, Level 7

Prince of Wales Private Hospital

Barker Street, Randwick NSW 2031

P (02) 9650 4132

E enquiries@brainspine.com.au

W. www.brainspine.com.au

Dr Peter Wilson is a specialist neurosurgeon with a focus on endoscopic skull base surgery, complex spinal surgery and cranial / spinal tumour surgery.

Peter is committed to maintaining the highest level of clinical and operative care of his patients, and is constantly striving to improve his practice by perpetually evolving in pace with the latest in medical advancements. His clinical interests include:

• Pituitary disease

• Trigeminal neuralgia / hemifacial spasm

• Spinal sagittal balance

• Benign and malignant brain tumours

Suite 3, Level 7

Prince of Wales Private Hospital Barker Street, Randwick NSW 2031

P (02) 9650 4132

E enquiries@brainspine.com.au

W. www.brainspine.com.au

Dr Raj Reddy, MBBS, MS, FRACS

Dr Peter Wilson BSc MB BS (Hons)

MS MSurg FRACS (Neuro)

DR PETER WILSON

BSc MB BS (Hons) MS MSurg FRACS

BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE recently had the privilege of chatting with neurosurgeon Doctor Peter Wilson from BRAINSPINE, about his extraordinary career, his family and private life away from the surgery and the legacy he wants to leave behind.

BRAINSPINE’S specialist neurosurgeon DR. PETER WILSON’s focus is on endoscopic skull base surgery, brain tumour surgery, and complex spinal surgery. His current appointments are at Prince of Wales Public and Private Hospitals, and St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney. Peter graduated from the University of Sydney in 2005 and has worked in multiple neurosurgical units as a registrar, training with over 30 neurosurgeons before completing his formal training in 2015. During his training, he completed a Masters of Surgery by research at the University of New South Wales and a Master of Surgery at Macquarie University. After concluding his neurosurgical training, Peter worked as a locum consultant neurosurgeon at the Prince of Wales Public Hospital prior to embarking on post-fellowship training. He then subsequently completed a complex spinal fellowship in Adelaide focusing on trauma, correction of spinal deformity and minimally invasive spinal surgery. He also travelled to Birmingham in the UK for further experience in skull base surgery and radiosurgery, as well as New York in the USA specifically for endoscopic skull base surgery. He is committed to maintaining the highest level of clinical and operative care of his patients, and is constantly striving to improve his practice by perpetually evolving in pace with the latest in medical advancements.

Q & A WITH DR. PETER WILSON

B&L : Congratulations Peter on your extraordinary career. What position do you currently occupy at The Prince of Wales Hospital?

PETER : I am currently a consultant neurosurgeon.

B&L : Why did you become a neurosurgeon, and are other family members in the medical profession?

PETER : Yes both my parents are doctors, and I became a neurosurgeon because I have always been fascinated by the way our bodies work, especially the nervous system. I also find it extremely rewarding helping vulnerable people overcome complex situations, associated with brain and spinal surgery.

B&L : How long have you been associated with BrainSpine?

PETER : I joined BrainSpine in 2016, after I returned from the the United States, where I was fortunate to learn from Dr. Theodore Schwartz, who is a world leader in endoscopic skull

base surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York.

B&L : What are the benefits of belonging to the BrainSpine team?

PETER : There are many benefits associated with belonging to the BrainSpine Team, the main one being, all the neurosurgeons involved are dedicated to maintaining the highest level of clinical and operative care for their patients. Subsequently we all get on well and are supportive of each other.

It is a very comfortable environment.

B&L : What was your second option, if you were not successful in this field?

PETER : I would have become a scientist.

B&L : Are you married and how does your wife/partner deal with your work commitments and long hours?

PETER : Yes I am married and have two children, my wife is supportive and understands my work commitments.

B&L : What is your advice for a healthy mind and body?

PETER : A healthy diet with lots of vegetables, and consistency when exercising.

B&L : How do you relax when you are at home?

PETER : Home is very intense because I have a 6 year old and a 2 year old. I relax by being at work and focusing intensely on one task at a time.

B&L : How do you feel about COVID, and do you think the Government has dealt with COVID correctly, is there anything you would have done differently?

PETER : Yes I would have done a few things differently, however compared to other countries, I think Australia is doing very well.

B&L : What are your aspirations for the future and what legacy do you want to leave behind?

PETER : Maintain my focus to maximise the positive outcomes for my patients, and continue to teach the next generation of budding neurosurgeons.

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Over 100 years of discoveries for humanity

For more than 100 years, medical researchers at Melbourne’s WEHI – the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research – have been making life-changing discoveries to improve the health of our community.

Our success has been a shared journey supported by thousands of donors, many of whom have made gifts to WEHI in their Will.

It is these gifts that help us tackle the world’s most complex health problems, including cancer, dementia and neurodegenerative diseases, so we can all live healthier, longer lives.

Together we can ensure future generations continue to benefit from world-class medical research and treatments.

For confidential enquiries about making a donation or leaving a gift in Will to WEHI, contact Christine Diamond in our Future Giving team 03 9345 2929 | diamond.ch@wehi.edu.au

After pioneering research by Associate Professor Tim Thomas and Professor Anne Voss, a new class of drugs that can treat cancer without the harmful side effects of conventional treatments, is now undergoing clinical trials.

New anti-cancer strategy puts cancer cells ‘to sleep’

Chemotherapy and radiation are two common treatments used to destroy or stop the growth of cancer cells, to prevent tumours from spreading.

But these treatments can also affect healthy cells and damage the cells’ DNA, leading to debilitating side effects, including nausea, fatigue and hair loss.

WEHI scientists Associate Professor Tim Thomas and Professor Anne Voss have led groundbreaking research in developing a new class of drugs that can put cancer cells ‘to sleep’, without the harmful side effects caused by conventional therapies.

Breakthrough treatment

The new class of drugs developed by Assoc Prof Thomas and Prof Voss have an unprecedented ability to stop cancer cells from reproducing and spreading – without damaging the cells’ DNA.

The pioneering work was recognized at Australia’s most distinguished science awards, the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes in 2023, with the pair winning the UNSW Eureka Prize for Scientific Research.

Prof Voss, Joint Head of WEHI’s Epigenetics and Development Division, said the pair felt honoured to be Eureka Prize recipients.

“This win is a testament to the collaborative power and the unwavering commitment of so many colleagues that has underpinned our work towards finding better treatments for a disease that still impacts millions of people worldwide,” she said.

“The best anti-cancer treatments currently available to patients can still impact their quality of life.

“This new class of drug compounds stop cancer cells from dividing and proliferating by switching off their ability to continue the cell cycle. This stops the cancer cells in their tracks, preventing them from spreading.

“Crucially, in arresting tumour growth, the new compounds don’t damage the cells’ DNA, a critical difference between this new class of compounds and standard cancer therapies.”

The research, spanning over a decade, involves a collaboration with the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) and the Cancer Therapeutics CRC (CTx).

New cancer weapon

Assoc Prof Thomas said this novel class of drugs has the potential to be an entirely new strategy towards fighting cancer.

“Our research has already shown great promise in halting cancer progression in models of blood and liver cancers. This is a significant step forward in combating the global health challenge of cancer.”

After further drug development collaboration with the CRC for Cancer Therapeutics and Pfizer, drugs based on the work of Associate Professor Tim Thomas and Professor Anne Voss are now in clinical trial for the treatment of cancer.

Professor Anne Voss.

A HUMAN RIGHTS ACT FOR AUSTRALIA

In Australia everyone’s human rights should be protected. But, right now our rights are only protected by a patchwork of laws that fail to adequately prevent human rights abuses. Without overarching federally legislated protections there are few avenues for people to challenge human rights abuses, and few remedies available to those who suffer human rights abuses in Australia today.

After a decade of inaction, we have an opportunity to ensure our human rights are protected by law in Australia. We know that 73% of Australians support introducing a Human Rights Act to protect our Human rights in law. Together, we can make this a reality.

Why does Australia need a Human Rights Act?

Human rights are the fundamental freedoms and protections that belong to all of us, and Australia’s current laws are failing to prevent human rights abuses.

Australia is the only liberal democracy in the world without a Human Rights Act that protects human rights in law.

If you or someone you love suffers a human rights abuse, there’s not much you can do to hold those responsible to account, and there are few legal remedies available. Because of this, powerful people continue to abuse human rights.

Which of our rights are protected?

Australia has Anti-Discrimination laws, but these only protect people’s right to live free from discrimination on the basis of their age, sex, disability, or race.

These laws don’t protect all our rights, including our right to access healthcare, to an education, to a healthy environment, and the rights of children.

What can you do if your rights are abused?

You can complain about an abuse to the Australian Human Rights Commission, and they can investigate.

If that complaint isn’t resolved through a conciliation process, then complaints about discrimination may be taken to court under the Anti-Discrimination Acts. If your complaint involves a right that’s not the right to live free from discrimination, there’s nothing more you can do.

This system is fundamentally flawed, and is failing to prevent human rights abuses from happening.

What would a Human Rights Act do?

A Human Rights Act is a tool with which we can fight for the fundamental rights and freedoms that belong to all of us, and hold those in power to account.

It would mean the rights of all Australians are protected in our laws, and force the federal government to consider those rights in their laws, policies and practices.

A Human Rights Act will:

• Prevent human rights abuses by forcing the government to consider human rights when passing laws, making decisions about policies, and delivering services

• Provide an avenue for people to take action and challenge injustice when their rights are abused

• Provide remedies for people whose rights are abused. With a Human Rights Act, we can create better lives for ourselves, our communities, and for those around us.

What does that look like?

The ACT, Victoria, and Queensland have their own state-based Human Rights Acts. They’re a good guide for a federal Human Rights Act, and show us how people can use one to challenge injustice and human rights abuses.

But without a national Human Rights Act, there is nothing enshrined in law that protects the rights of everyone in Australia.

The time to protect human rights is now

The housing crisis, robodebt, a broken aged care system... Australia needs a Human Rights Act that protects human rights in law.

Housing Crisis

Our right to housing isn’t protected in our national laws. That means if you or your family are threatened with unfair eviction, there’s not a lot you can do.

If we had an enforceable right to housing embedded in our laws, we could challenge forced evictions to ensure nobody is left out in the cold.

Robodebt

Nearly 450,000 robo-debts were issued by the Morrison government. Everyday Australians were harassed, paying thousands of dollars under a policy that was never lawful.

If we had a Human Rights Act, the government would have been forced to consider people’s human rights before rolling out robodebt.

Aged care

The horrifying findings of the Aged Care Royal Commission, laid bare the abuses so many older people face. Abuse and neglect. Sexual abuse. The use of chemical restraints.

The recommendation was a new aged care system, based on human rights. But how do you create this system, when our human rights are not even protected in our laws?

Remember the Religious Discrimination Bill?

In 2021, the Morrison government proposed the Religious Discrimination Bill supposedly protecting religious people from discrimination. In reality, it would give religious people the right to discriminate against others.

That Bill threatened LGBTQIA+ people, women, people with disabilities, and even other people of faith, and is a good example of how Australia’s patchwork of human rights protections don’t protect all our rights. Australia’s anti-discrimination laws don’t protect people from discrimination on the basis of their religious beliefs.

A Human Rights Act, by contrast, would protect people against discrimination based on their religious beliefs, but also protect the rights of LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, and women. It would allow rights to be balanced – one group’s rights would not take priority over another.

…It doesn’t have to be like this

Together, we can make Australia a place where human rights are protected, where people can challenge human rights abuses, and where there is justice for those whose rights are abused.

To learn learn more and take action for a Human Rights Act for Australia - head to https://action.amnesty.org.au/act-now/ support-a-human-rights-act

MAKE A BRIGHTER FUTURE YOUR LEGACY

For 60 years Amnesty International has campaigned for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all. We believe everyone is entitled to live in a world where their human rights are recognised, realised, and protected. At the very core of Amnesty International is the belief that the actions of each individual can make a difference. What better way to demonstrate this than by making a gift in your Will and helping to transform the future for the better?

Organising your Will is a way to ensure that everything you have stood for in your life, everything you believed in and cared so deeply about, lives on for the next generation. A Will is more than a piece of paper, it is absolutely vital to preserving and protecting the fundamental rights that underpin everything else we hold dear. When you choose to make a gift in your Will to Amnesty International, our promise to you is to continue to uphold our shared values long into the future. We are proudly independent and non-partisan, which means gifts in Wills are critical to our work. We rely on the generosity of our supporters to help us search out the facts, expose what’s happening and rally people

together to pressure governments and those in power to respect human rights.

It’s more important than ever to hold on to what you believe in, and what you know is true. No matter the size of your gift, it’s a way of ensuring that the struggle to uphold our shared values of freedom, equality and justice will continue in the world we’re leaving our children and grandchildren.

Your gift to Amnesty International will help safeguard a future world where human rights are respected, defended and upheld. It’s a gift that will ensure that your values will live on for your loved ones and across generations to come.

For more information call

Naomi Vaughan on 08 8110 8103 or naomi. vaughan@amnesty.org.au or visit www.amnesty.org.au to find out more

We’ve partnered with online Will writing platform Gathered Here, who host a free and easy step-by-step online Will writing service. Scan the code to write your Will for free today.

With hearing aids on, do you find it difficult to hear:

on the phone? in crowded places?

children’s voices clearly?

Then a cochlear implant may be right for you.

Did you know?

Hearing loss is the number one, biggest modifiable risk for dementia in middle age.1

Hearing loss can have a big impact on how you live your life.

A cochlear implant can be a suitable option for adults and seniors of any age.

Improve connections with your loved ones and participate in everyday activities with a new confidence.

Our mapping and audiological support are bulk-billed—no out of pocket expenses.

Join one of our free information sessions to meet a cochlear implant recipient and discover how you could benefit from a hearing implant system.

Register now →

For further information, contact us on 1300 581 391

MARK HUGHES FIGHTING BRAIN CANCER WITH DETERMINATION AND ENDURANCE

Mark, a former Newcastle Knights Rugby League football player, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2013. As a direct result of the diagnosis, Mark has made it his mission to create awareness and raise much needed funds to help find a cure for the disease. In 2014, Mark and his wife Kirralee launched ‘’The Mark Hughes Foundation.’’ The foundation kicked off their first fundraiser with ‘’The Beanie for Brain Cancer Campaign.’’ Since then, and with the help and generosity of supporters, volunteers and community grants, the money raised can go to where it is needed most. Fast forward to March, 2024. The Mark Hughes Foundation has organised a ten-day adventure for the MHF ladies to Papua New Guinea, to tackle The Kokoda Trail. Mark’s wife Kirralee, will be joined by three of the amazing Brain Care Coordinators, NRLW star Millie Boyle, along with families of brain cancer patients and wonderful supporters of MHF will make up this inspiring group of 20 brave women. The ladies will walk the Kokoda track over 8 days, retracing the footsteps of Australian history on this iconic pilgrimage. The group will be embarking on the 18th March, 2024.

Trekking the Kokoda Track is a physically difficult challenge, which requires trekkers to be mentally and physically prepared. The Trail is a singlefile foot thoroughfare that runs 60 kilometres through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The track was the location of the 1942 World War II battle between Japanese and Allied forces, which is regarded as one of the most important battles for Australians during the Second World War.

Q & A WITH BRAIN CANCER COORDINATOR SANDY

B&L : What does being a ‘’brain care coordinator’’ and working for The MHF mean to you ?

SANDY : I feel extremely grateful to work as a MHF brain cancer coordinator. It’s an honour to be there with my patients and their families every step of the way. It’s not just an ordinary job for me, it’s part of who I am. I think about people I care for even on my days off and in the middle of the night, they are ingrained in me. I have the privilege of meeting and walking alongside the most inspiring, courageous and resilient patients and their families. So to be part of this incredible team that is the Mark Hughes Foundation, means the world. B&L : How long have you been supporting The Mark Hughes Foundation as a brain care coordinator ?

SANDY : I have been a very proud MHF Brain Cancer Care Coordinator since 2016. Prior to then I was an oncology nurse. B&L : Can you tell us what you are enjoying the most about your time in this role and what you are hoping to achieve personally ?

SANDY : I initially became a nurse because I wanted to help people, but it has become so much more than just that. Being a MHF brain cancer nurse is being part of something much bigger than I could have ever imagined, it’s being part of a wider community to find hope amongst the devastation. I truly enjoy getting to know patients and their families. I also feel it is a privilege to be there as a support during the most traumatic time of their lives. I personally hope to achieve longevity within this role, to work with the MHF and be one day able to witness improved outcomes with better treatments, but bottom line, I want to witness a cure being discovered to eradicate this insidious disease.

B&L : What prompted you to take on this very challenging role ?

SANDY : This sounds corny, but I have always felt an inner calling in my soul to help people. To deliver patient centred care, to provide comfort, and to be their strength when they need it most. I wanted to make a lasting difference in people’s lives. Since the MHF created this role in 2016, it has had a

significant and life changing impact on thousands of patients and their families and made their tragic journey that little bit easier.

B&L : What are your aspirations for the foundation and what is the ultimate goal you would like the foundation to achieve ?

SANDY : We have an incredible team of MHF Brain cancer care coordinators, Elise, Alisha and I in Newcastle, Natasha in Tamworth and Kristy-Lee and Nicole in Port Macquarie. I would love to see ongoing developments of the special roles we share together and further enhance the already amazing impact we are having on so many patients and their families with brain cancer within our communities. The ultimate goal, for the MHF is to find the cure. This disease robs people of their livelihoods, their families, their friends, their jobs, their hobbies, their personalities, and often their dignity towards the end of their life. It’s a cruel disease that affects people in the prime of their lives. The MHF will not stop until a cure is found.

B&L : Have you been inspired by the challengers that Mark and his wife Kirralee have conquered thus far, and what is next on the agenda for The Mark Hughes Foundation ?

SANDY : Since meeting Mark and Kirralee in 2016. I have been fortunate enough to witness first hand their utter determination and strength of pushing through their own devastation and worries to create this unbelievable foundation for the benefit of not only Mark himself in regards to the unknown future, but for every single person that has been and will be diagnosed with brain cancer. The tireless hours Mark, Kirralee and the volunteers, truly goes to show what can be achieved when you have the dream team behind you. The MHF have created the Centre for Brain Cancer Research, which will bring researchers together in a more unified and collaborative way which hasn’t been seen before in Australia. This innovative idea to bring an array of diverse research teams together aims to achieve faster results, because time is not on our patients side, they needed the hope of better treatments yesterday.

B&L : I believe you are joining the ladies on the Kokoda Track in March, 2024. How are you preparing for this iconic undertaking ?

SANDY : My fellow brain cancer care coordinator and wonderful friend Alisha and I are undertaking Kokoda together. It will be very special to do this with her and the other 20 amazing women. Most of my training is currently being accomplished from running after my 6, 3, and 1 year old children. Yes I am slightly under-prepared (understatement of the century) but I’m banking on my physical and mental ‘’Mum strength.’’

B&L : This trek is a once in a lifetime opportunity, are you optimistic about confronting and conquering the challengers you might face during the trek ?

SANDY : Kokoda is a dream I’ve had since I was a little girl. To be presented with the opportunity to conquer this trek and to do it for the MHF is such an incredible opportunity which is certainly not lost on me. I know every step will require every ounce of determination I have. I will be drawing strength from my current patients and the fight they are currently battling, and also the patients I have lost to this terrible disease and the families that have been left behind. Alisha and I are doing it for every single one of them, which is why I feel optimistic we will make it to the end.

B&L : Since launching the foundation ten years ago, Mark & Kirralee have co-ordinated many campaigns to raise money for research, including the annual ‘’Beanie for Brain Cancer Campaign.’’ Can you tell us about other campaigns happening, and what is next on the agenda for you ?

SANDY : Mark and Kirralee and the entire MHF team continue to be such a driving force in fundraising for research. It amazes me what they continue to achieve and how they grow the foundation to even greater heights each year, just when you think the previous year surely cannot be surpassed! They will be undertaking many more marathons and treks including Melbourne Marathon Festival, Gold Coast Marathon, City to Surf, Larapinta, Two Peaks Scenic Rim challenge from Etheridge Ridge to Mt. Kosciuszko and Mt. Carruthers. The MHF Magic Ball is also the event of the year on everyone’s calendar and is an incredible night to celebrate all that the MHF has achieved.

STORY COURTESY OF CATHERINE COLUSSO

The Shock Abdication Of Queen Margrethe Ii Of Denmark & The Fairy Tale That Came True For Australian Mary Donaldson

The shock announcement of Queen Margrethe’s abdication was announced during her New Year’s Eve address to the nation in 2023. However, the official abdication of Margrethe II took place at Christiansborg Palace on the 14th of January 2024, which was the 52nd anniversary of her accession to the throne.

Margrethe was formally succeeded by her eldest son Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary on the same day. Since Brittain’s Queen Elizabeth’s passing in 2022, Margrethe has been Europe’s longest-reigning Monarch, serving Denmark for over 51 years.

However, despite Queen Margrethe saying in a 2012 interview ‘In my eyes, it’s part of the position that you have when you inherit a monarchy. It is a task you have handed down to you, and that you keep as long as you live, the way my father did and my grandfather before him.’’

“And the way I see it too.’’ She also added that her son Frederick would become king “when I am no longer here.’’

Unfortunately, in her 2023 New Year’s speech she announced her abdication. Queen Margrethe said back surgery in early

2023 led to “thoughts about the future’’ and when to pass on the responsibilities of the crown to her son Frederick.

Mary Donaldson

Growing-up Mary Donaldson from Tasmania had absolutely no idea, that a chance meeting in the year 2000 would result in her life changing forever.

The Romance

The storybook romance between Crown Prince Frederick and Mary Donaldson began on an unassuming day in the year 2000.

During the Sydney Olympics, an unsuspecting Mary Donaldson met what every girl dreams of “A knight in shinny armour.

The knight introduced himself as “just Fred’’ little did Mary know at the time, that Fred was in fact Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark. The couple met in Sydney at the “Slip Inn’’ located in Sydney’s CBD area. Frederik was at the bar with his brother Prince Joachim and several other family members when he was introduced to Mary through a mutual friend.

According to reliable sources, the couple engaged in a long-distance relationship almost immediately, and Frederik made several discreet visits to Australia.

Mary moved from Australia to Denmark in 2001. The couple became officially engaged in 2003, and married in 2004 in Copenhagen Cathedral.

On the 14th January, 2024. Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Crown Princess Mary, became King Frederick X and Queen Mary, as Frederik’s mother, Queen Margrethe stepped down as monarch. The couple have now been married for 19 years and are proud parents to four children.

STORY COURTESY OF CATHERINE COLUSSO

Bowling&Lifestyle Magazine recently had the immeasurable pleasure of catching-up with Josey Sharrad, (Wildlife Campaign Manager Oceania Programs) for IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Q & A WITH JOSEY SHARRAD

B&L : Hi Josey, and thank you for allowing Bowling & Lifestyle Magazine to coordinate this interview. Can you give us an overview of IFAW? When it was founded and by whom ? JOSEY : IFAW was founded in 1969 by Animal welfare activist Brian Davies and a group of like-minded citizens, who wanted to end the cruel Canadian commercial sea hunt. B&L : What do you think prompted Brian Davies to embark on this immense project ? JOSEY : Brian’s initial goal was to stop the commercial hunt of whitecoat seals who were being brutally slaughtered for their pelts off the East Coast of Canada. Brian’s involvement in this project resulted in the founding of 3 major international animal welfare organizations, which included IFAW. Fortunately, Brian’s Legacy continues today, we currently have 40 projects all over the world involving the protection of wildlife. B&L : Josey, you have had a long career with IFAW in both Britain and Australia. Can you tell us about an outstanding highlight in your career thus far?

JOSEY : I was extremely proud to be involved in the banning of “Fox Hunting’’ in Britain in 2004. This cruel and outdated ‘sport’ was banned as a direct result of IFAW’S campaigning, and resigned to the history books where it belongs. I am also extremely encouraged to note, that Prince William and Prince Harry are both passionate about saving and supporting wildlife in Africa. B&L : What are your aspirations as a (Wildlife Campaign Manager) for IFAW now and in the future? JOSEY : I would love to see animals co-existing with humans. For this to happen, we subsequently need to continue to restore and protect their habitats globally, especially after disasters like drought, floods, disease, deforestation, fragmentation, climate change and bushfires. “KOALAS ON

THE ENDANGERED LIST’’

The following extract is part of a blog by Josey Sharrad (Wildlife Campaign Manager) for

IFAW Initially published 16th March, 2022.

The up-listing of East Coast koalas from vulnerable to Endangered is something IFAW campaigned for over the past two years, since the 2019- 2020 Black Summer fires struck at the heart of already struggling vulnerable koala populations, pushing them to the brink. But, when the news finally came, it was bittersweet. Bitter in that it is now official – the species is one step further along the road to extinction. Australia holds the shameful title of having the world’s worst mammal extinction rate. Now the koala one of our most iconic and loved animals is at real risk of joining that list. Bitter in that it could have been avoided. The writing has been on the wall for the species for a long time, yet business as usual has continued, with koalas losing out to the interests of big developments time and time again. Sweet, in that their dire situation has finally been officially recognised and our call has been answered. IS IT A CAMPAIGN SUCCESS? IT’S COMPLICATED The campaign was a truly “koalaborative’ effort and garnered the support of over a quarter of a million people around the world. Thank you to each and every one of you who joined our call. However, the fact koalas have gone from Vulnerable to Endangered in a decade is not something to be proud of. It should serve as a stark warning that something needs to radically change if we don’t want to see them hit the Critically Endangered list in another 10 years’ time, and extinct by 2050.

www.ifaw.org/au/resources/wildlife-rescue-app

The problems animals face are growing larger and more complex everyday. More wildlife crime and online trafficking. More ocean noise. More powerful storms. Thousands of elephants are killed for their ivory every year. Countless dogs and cats are lacking basic veterinary needs and shelter. We believe that every animal matters.

With your help, IFAW is on the ground in Africa, Asia and around the world to protect vulnerable animals like elephants, koalas, tigers and more. We are in the oceans, rescuing dolphins, whales, seals and other marine life from entanglement and other hazards of commercial fishing. Your support will save animals and make the world a better place for all of us to thrive.

Photo © Donal Boyd

Excitement builds as 2024 BPL Cup events now open

Bowlers from around Australia will once again have the opportunity to get involved with the much-loved BPL Cup competition, with team entries now open.

Teams can now register to play in one of the several qualifying rounds already confirmed, with more rounds added daily over the coming weeks and months.

The BPL Cup went from strength-to-strength in 2023, with nearly 1000 teams competing in the event throughout the year.

The event sees Jack Attack and the Bowls Premier League come together, with grassroots players enjoying

the fun and fast version of the game, with matches completed in just over an hour.

Teams of three or four players can enter for less than $30 per person ($78 per team) in a qualifying round in their area. Teams progressing through their preliminary rounds will advance to Regional / State Finals to be played from late August through to September with the National Finals awaiting those fortunate to progress in mid-November.

National finalists win an expenses paid trip to Club Pine Rivers (Brisbane, QLD), vying for a national final to run parallel to the BPL20 event played at the same venue during the same week.

Teams entries will close one day earlier this year, with nominations needing to be submitted by 11.59pm on the Tuesday the week of the upcoming event.

Former Bowls Australia President among Australia Day honours

More than 1000 Australians have been recognised with Australia Day honours, with a handful of people from the bowls community among the recipients, including a former Bowls Australia President.

Several member of the bowls community from across the country were recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to their community, including work they have done with bowls clubs and in the sport.

This year, three people were recognised specifically for their service to lawn bowls.

Des Skinner, Joan Brotherton and Daphne Cantrill were all recognised with Medals of the Order of Australia (OAM) honours.

Mr Skinner was a member of BA’s Board for a threeyear period, from 2008, before being appointed as BA’s fifth president, serving in the capacity from 2012 and 2015. Prior to his involvement at a national level, Skinner served on the Board of the Royal NSW Bowls

Association (now Bowls NSW) and contributed for many years at other various levels in the sport. He sadly passed away in February, 2022.

Mrs Brotherton has made significant contributions to bowls in Queensland for many years. She has held roles at club and district level in a variety of capacities, many involving officiating and umpiring. She ias a member of Bowls Queensland’s Umpire Committee and was a bowls official at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Mrs Cantrill has been a member of the Moora Bowling Club since the 1970s, a life member of her club and the Central Midlands Ladies Bowling League were she has held various roles.

Many others have been recognised for their overall contribution to their communities, including bowls. See all those names and their bowls contributions below.

Bowls Australia congratulates all recipients for their commitment to their communities and the sport over many years.

Has The King’s Vision For A Streamlined Monarchy Backfired?

Many people believe Queen Elizabeth’s II passing in 2022 left an immense void in the House of Windsor. Unfortunately, the Queen’s death also renewed discussions about the future of the monarchy and the Commonwealth nations.

Consequently and as a direct result of her death, recent polls indicate there is now growing concern from the younger generation, who believe the Queen’s death has resulted in the dismantling of the protective shield around the Royal Family. Subsequently, many people believe the Royal institution is now in turmoil, and are questioning the relevance, or the need for a Monarchy.

The Monarchy’s fight for survival has without doubt influenced King Charles’s decision to reduce the monarchy to just seven working members. These seven senior working members who undertake official duties are funded by the sovereign grant.

However, staunch Royals are hoping this new strategy will result in the continued support and fascination by the public and the all-important mystique and intrigue the Royals have successfully portrayed, for almost a thousand years.

If reports are to be believed, King Charles III has considered restructuring the British Monarchy for quite some time.

According to reports, the key members include King Charles III, the King’s wife Camilla, Prince William and his wife Kate, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie.

Unsurprisingly, the “stepping down’’ of Prince Andrew (Duke of York) and the shock departure of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have without doubt also contributed to the depletion of royal ranks and caused several unforeseen royal dramas.

Unfortunately, Prince Andrew was forced by Buckingham Palace and the late Queen Elizabeth II to step down from all Royal Duties in 2019. This decision was made because of his connections to convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Ironically, Prince Andrew “stepped down’’ days after taking part in a television interview in which he addressed his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and alleged allegations of sexual misconduct with an underaged woman.

Approximately one year later, in January 2020 Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle stepped down as senior royals to pursue financial independence in America. However, since then Prince Harry and his wife have bombarded the Royal Family with explosive accusations and revelations relating to (what Harry has described as) the mistreatment and disregard of his wife.

The couple also took part in a “tell all’’ television interview conducted by Oprah Winfrey and accused The Royal family of “Unconscious bias’’ relating to alleged racists remarks made by two senior members of the Royal Family. Unfortunately, the couple’s departure from the UK triggered a herculean division between Prince Harry and an already fractured Royal Family. The situation became worse with the release of Harry’s memoir “Spare’’ in which he exposes the chaos and distrust inside palace walls. In his memoir, Harry also accuses his father’s wife Camilla of conspiring with British journalists, in an effort to “sacrifice him’’ for her own PR rehabilitation. The memoir was then followed by the Netflix docuseries “Harry and Meghan’’ in which the couple again aired their grievances relating to the Royal Family.

The division between Harry and the Royal Family has now widened to epic proportions, with the release of Omid Scobie’s book “Endgame.’’ The book heavily criticises King Charles with cruel and specific details about his alleged incompetency since taking over the throne

Harry and Meghan’s behaviour is being viewed as the most damaging smear campaign of all time, and has made a huge impact on the public perception of the Monarchy.

Unfortunately, King Charles, who only acceded to the throne 18 months ago, after his mother Queen Elizabeth II passed away, has now been diagnosed with cancer.

Buckingham Palace made the announcement after a separate issue of concern was noted while the King was being treated, for an enlarged benign prostate. Unfortunately, during this procedure the King was diagnosed with cancer, which apparently is unrelated to the prostate condition. This announcement breaks from tradition, as royal heath issues are typically kept private. However, the King’s diagnosis was disclosed to prevent speculation and to support those affected by cancer worldwide. The diagnoses has also prompted King Charles to postpone all public appearances following medical advice.

It is believed the King is still working behind-the scenes on constitutional matters.

Many royal watchers now believe that King Charles’ health scare could prove to be the olive branch Prince Harry needs to once again win over the public, after the Prince raced to be by his father’s side for less than an hour, before returning home to California the next day. Unfortunately, many sceptics believe Prince Harry chose to make the fleeting visit to see his father a PR opportunity. Only time will tell if this latest health scare will bring the prodigal son back home.

Princess Anne, The Rebel Princess Who Became King Charles’ “Secret Weapon’’

“IT HAS BEEN AN HONOUR AND A PRIVILEGE TO ACCOMPANY THE QUEEN ON HER FINAL JOURNEY. WITNESSING THE LOVE AND RESPECT SHOWN BY SO MANY ON THIS JOURNEY HAS BEEN BOTH HUMBLING AND UPLIFTING. WE WILL ALL SHARE UNIQUE MEMORIES. I OFFER MY THANKS TO EACH AND EVERY ONE WHO SHARE OUR SENSE OF LOSS.’’ “PRINCESS ANNE” THE PRINCESS ROYAL.

Princess Anne was by her mother’s side when Queen Elizabeth II passed away at Balmoral in September, 2022. Anne was also the only senior royal who accompanied the late Queen on her final journey from Balmoral to Edinburgh.

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION Anne was born at Clarence House in 1950. She is the second child, and only daughter of Queen Elizbeth II and Prince Philip (Duke of Edinburgh) and currently 17th in line of succession to the British throne. She completed her education at Benenden Boarding School, and began to undertake royal engagements in 1968 at the age of 18. Anne is said to be honest, reliable and extremely stoic. She is also intensely dedicated to the throne, and has been recognised as the hardest-working royal in the family.

ROMANCE, ENGAGEMENT & MARRIAGE

Ironically, Anne had a brief relationship in 1970 with eligible bachelor Andrew Parker Bowles, who later married Camilla Shand.

Camilla later became the second wife of Anne’s brother King Charles II. Princess Anne announced her engagement to Mark Phillips, a lieutenant in the 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards in May 1973. The two had met through equestrian circles, and prompted enormous media fascination. The couple then married in November 1973 at Westminster Abbey in a televised ceremony, with an estimated audience of 100 million. Unfortunately, the couple separated and then divorced in 1992. Anne then met Timothy Laurence, a commander in the Royal Navy, while he was serving on the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1989. The couple married in Scotland 1992 with approximately 30 guests.

ROYAL REBEL & KIDNAPPING ATTEMPT

Unfortunately, during her younger years, Anne was regarded as “arrogant’’ and an “unpredictable royal rebel.’’ She was nicknamed “her royal rudeness’’ by the media, when she famously demonstrated her royal temper by telling the media to “naff off.’’ She also chose to forgo titles for her children, which she shares with her first husband Mark Phillips. She announced at the time, that she wanted to give them a simpler childhood. In 1974, Princess Anne and her then husband Mark Phillips survived a kidnap attempt by an armed disgruntled unemployed labourer, who in his rambling ransom letter demanded £2 million and heavily criticized the monarchy. Unfortunately for the kidnapper, Anne (a tough force to be reckoned with) refused his demands and was able to distract him from his intended kidnapping aspiration. The assailant was then apprehended by a tabloid journalist, a former boxer, two chauffeurs and three policemen after shooting and wounding a member of London’s Metropolitan Police.

GLORY DAYS & DEVOTION TO THE CROWN.

Princess Anne is now being called the royal family’s “beacon of good old fashioned public service’’ having carried out over 20,000 engagements since her 18th birthday. However, despite being haunted by the controversies of her younger years, Princess Anne is now set to play a major role in supporting King Charles III and the Monarchy. She is currently patron of over 300 charities on behalf of the Monarch, and remains one of Britain’s most popular royals, who is committed to supporting the Crown and devoting herself to the Monarchy……..

STORY COURTESY OF CATHERINE COLUSSO

Alice In Wonderland

Returning to Sydney after a Sell-out Season last year

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Performance at Pioneer Garden

Saturday 13 – Sunday 28 April 2024

“Marvellous entertainment for children & adults.”

The Australian

This Easter school holiday, experience an adventure like no other as Lewis Carroll’s absurd & wickedly clever classic ALICE IN WONDERLAND is brought to life in Glenn Elston’s acclaimed production in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney 13 to 28 April.

Meet your favourite assortment of curious characters; the skittish, constantly late White Rabbit, the Dodo and other birds who love a sing-along, the Duchess and her crazy cook, the Cheshire Cat who will leave

you with a grin and Humpty Dumpty on his way to meet Tweedledum and Tweedledee. You can’t miss the silliness as the Mad Hatter arrives with the March Hare and Dormouse to have a grand old time with Alice at the tea party.

Come along and join the fun in this enchanting world of song, dance & interactive games that will have the whole family dizzy & giddy with nonsense.

VENUE: Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Performance at Pioneer Garden

DATES: Saturday 13 – Sunday 28 April 2024

TIMES: Tue & Wed 10am; Thu & Fri 10am & 1.30pm Sat 13 April 11am & 2pm; Sat 20 & 27 April 11am; Sun 11am

PRICES: Midweek $25pp (group of 4 $90); Fri-Sun $30pp (group of 4 $110)

BOOKINGS: https://www.shakespeareaustralia.com. au/productions/alice-in-wonderland-sydney-2024

AUSTRALIAN SHAKESPEARE COMPANY presents

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

‘SHAKESPEARE UNDER THE STARS’ IN CENTENNIAL PARK

9 to 28 April 2024

“Beautiful and wickedly entertaining” The Age

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ “a joyously fun and entertaining way to be spend an evening”

“It’s fun, it’s light, it’s easy to follow, and it’s full of laughs. An alfresco romp peppered with contemporary references” Richmond News UK

Australian Shakespeare Company director Glenn Elston OAM is delighted to announce that the jewel in Shakespeare’s comedy crown, A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be coming to Sydney! After receiving rave reviews from London’s Kew Gardens’ season in 2021, this production will be presented for the very first time ‘under the stars’ in Sydney’s beautiful Centennial Park from 9 to 28 April.

Shakespeare’s delightful comedy will dazzle and delight audiences of all ages with the park forming the ideal background as audiences are taken on a riotous ride through the world of lovers, fairies and fools in this enchanting tale of laughter and comedy.

The Australian Shakespeare Company Artistic Director, Glenn Elston OAM, said, “We’ve reimagined A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a way that makes it even more accessible and in step with today's world. It is a rare opportunity to present a play that concerns itself with themes so relevant to the current state of the world and reflective of the never changing effects of the human condition. It is a wonderful experience to enjoy art and nature together under the stars, bonding with the performers as we all experience the same openair conditions and go on the adventure with the characters in a more immersive style without the restrictions of a normal theatre.”

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, weaves together the intersecting stories of feuding fairies, eloping lovers, and a madcap troupe of actors. Theatregoers will be transported to a world full of laughter and comedy set in an enchanted forest (or Sydney’s Centennial Park).

“a whimsical show that is nothing short of delightful” The Australian Stage

“It would be impossible to imagine a more enchanting experience…“have brought an incredibly fresh, dynamic and modern take to a 400 year old play … the children in the audience seemed as engaged and enthralled as their parents” tripreporter.co.uk

Audiences are welcome to bring along a picnic of their own or take advantage of the on-site bar. High and low chairs are also available for hire at the venue. www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au

Location: Centennial Park, Belvedere

Amphitheatre (Cnr Carrington Drive & Broome Avenue, Paddington)

Dates: Tuesday 9 – Sunday 28 April

Performances: Tuesday - Sunday 7pm (Gates open 2 hours prior to show start)

Tickets: Adults $55 to $115; Concession $45 to $105; Child $25 to $35 Bookings: https://www.shakespeareaustralia.com.

au/productions/under-the-stars-amidsummer-nights-dream-sydney

For decades group travel has been one of the most popular forms of travel available for like minded friends. For more than 20 years, Groups Tasmania has been providing Clubs and groups from all over the world the opportunity to explore our wonderful State without the pressure of having to plan an itinerary or book everything themselves. Group touring is about being shown around by locals and really capturing the essence of the destination. It means seeing the famous attractions but also wandering off the tourist trail. So much more than just a coach tour, you’ll experience the culture, meet the locals and savour the wonderful food.

Our well-balanced tailor made itineraries are designed with the traveller in mind. We put great effort into getting the right balance between organised touring and free time, after all it is a holiday! We include all the essential sights that others consider “optional extras”, while providing plenty of time for you to explore & discover.

• COACH TOURS

The best way to see the spectacular island state of Tasmania is on board a well appointed coach, with different sizes available depending on the number in your group. Let your experienced and knowledgeable coach captains do the driving while you relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

• CAR CLUBS

Tasmanian roads are renowned for their appeal to car and motorcycle enthusiasts, with its natural topography allowing for long sweeping roads through undulating hills and magnificent scenery.

• EDUCATIONAL TOURS

Tasmania is a popular destination for educational tours with its history, scenery and perceived isolation from the rest of Australia playing a major role in drawing schools to Tasmania for a memorable life experience.

Opening in February 2000, Groups Tasmania was established as a Nationally Accredited Tourism Operator by David Luttrell with a vision to provide excellent service in the expanding market of coach touring. Tasmanian owned and operated, Groups Tasmania offers comprehensive knowledge and experience of holidaying in your Natural State. David and Brett are true Tasmanian’s with both having in excess of 25 years specifically selling Tasmania as a holiday destination and we would love you to benefit from our knowledge and to share our passion for Tasmania.

We specialise in itinerary planning for every kind of group from schools to car clubs through to senior community groups and everything in between! We can arrange your travel arrangements including flights, Spirit of Tasmania, accommodation, meals and attractions in Tasmania.

If your organisation is looking at Tasmania as a destination for its next conference we can also assist with day tours and pre or post conference tours.

Basically if you have a group that is looking to travel to Tasmania then Groups Tasmania can be your one stop shop and most importantly help you put together a memorable trip.

12 Nichols Street, Kings Meadows Tasmania 7249

Phone: 0409 857892 (David)

Email: david@groupstasmania.com.au

Website: www.groupstasmania.com.au

Tasmania is an island with diverse destinations, from a vibrant capital city at the center of spellbinding history and nature, to the powerful western wilderness. Experience the pure east coast beaches; the north’s superb food and cool-climate wines; the north west, a haven for simple pleasures; and the offshore islands for coastal lifestyle. Connect with communities that have a passion for this place. They love to share the wine and food they make, the art they create and the distinctive moods and features of Tasmania’s changing seasons.

History lovers will be amazed at how well some of Tasmania’s towns have been preserved with their original Georgian, Victorian and Art Deco buildings.

Wherever you travel in Tasmania the landscape has a powerful presence. With 40% of the island covered by National Parks or World Heritage Listed areas it is surely one of the planet’s great wilderness experiences. Coupled with this are the long stretches of white sandy beaches found circumference the state.

Gourmet Tasmanian Food & Wine

Discover a gourmet paradise, where people live with the land and sea and there is a natural flow from paddock to plate.

Four distinct seasons make our island ripe for foodies. Our producers love to share the fruits of their work, and visitors are treated to home-grown fare such as prime cheeses, mouth-watering berries, crisp apples, stone fruits, herbs, premium beef, specialty honey, mushrooms, cool-climate wines and some of Australia’s leading boutique and production beers and whiskies. Our Atlantic salmon, abalone, scallops, octopus and rock lobster are served in the best eateries around the world.

Meet the producers and sample their wares at Salamanca Market, or visit one of the specialist delicatessens across Tasmania to taste wasabi, gourmet sauces, the velvety smoothness of handmade chocolates and fudge, and ice-cream studded with organic berries. In Tasmania, locals harvest oysters from rocks, catch wild trout in highland streams, have vineyards for backyards and consider organic farming to be their office job … so enjoy our regional fare, friendly encounters with growers, makers and talented chefs, and celebrate the delights that come with the changing of our seasons. Come celebrate this island of bounty with us!

Tasmanian Vineyards

Tasmania’s quality wines are made from grapes grown in climates similar to those of the famous European wines – with mild summers and long autumn days that ripen the grapes slowly and surely. You can tour the Tasmanian Wine Routes easily by car or on guided tours. The island’s Wine Routes include the Tamar Valley, north of Launceston along both sides of the Tamar River and east to Pipers River; the Derwent, Coal River and Huon Valleys (together comprising the Southern Wine Route), an easy drive from Hobart; and the growing wine regions of the North West and the East Coast. Tasmania’s first vineyard was planted at New Town, a Hobart suburb, in 1821. In 1848, its white wine won an award at the Paris Exhibition. Tasmania now produces such elegant cool climate wines as pinot noir, riesling, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, pinot gris and sparkling wines. Most vineyards and wineries are small with many offering tastings at their cellar door outlets. Several wineries have beautifully situated restaurants offering vineyard or water views.

2024 Trans-Tasman –Final day wrap

In a sensational day of action, the Right at Home Jackaroos have clinched the 2024 Trans Tasman series after taking out four of the five competitions in tricky conditions at Naenae.

Australia would take home the open men’s and women’s trophies as well as both development events, with the blackjacks winning the para trophy as their only salutation of the three days.

Open men

Having already stitched up the trophy on day two, the open men split the ledger with their foes in the final six matches of the tournament.

It was a trying day for Aaron Wilson who fell in both of his singles matches, while he and Aaron Teys would secure a brilliant pairs win in the middle session.

Teys, Corey Wedlock, Carl Healey and Aron Sherriff conquered both fours matches throughout the day, winning by a combined total of 25 shots across both matches.

Wedlock, Sherriff and Healey would fall in the final triples matchup of the tournament, but all in all it was more than enough to secure the trophy with 13 wins to five.

Open women

In one of the most intriguing battles of the whole weekend, Australia’s open women clawed their way back from the brink to win their respective trophy on shot difference.

Sitting at six wins, two draws and eight losses heading into the final session, Kristina Krstic and Dawn Hayman would team up in the pairs as opposed to the Ellen Fife and Natasha Van Eldik combination.

Fife and Van Eldik would join Kelsey Cottrell in the triples and go on to clinch it by three shots before watching the pairs result unfold. Krstic and Hayman led by two shots with an end to play, leaving Selina Goddard and Katelyn Inch striving to tie the match to seal the event for the Blackjacks.

However, a monumental bowl from Hayman managed to secure the result, nailing the conditions to perfection and setting up the positive result for Australia.

The green and gold would take the trophy on shot difference, being ahead by 22 at the end of play.

Development men

Australia’s development men led by one win heading into the final round, needing to secure a solitary positive result to take the trophy.

Having gone undefeated in his singles matches throughout the entire event, normalcy resumed for Nathan Black who maintained his perfect record with a 21-18 win to seal victory for his team.

Nick Cahill, Matt Lucas, Cody Packer and Ben Twist would go down in the final fours match of the event but their superb weekend would conclude by hoisting a trophy.

Development women

Needing just one victory to seal their competition, the day commenced in rocky fashion as New Zealand won the opening four matches.

It came down to Kylie Whitehead and Chloe Stewart in the pairs and Cassandra Millerick, Brianna Smith and Jamie-Lee Worsnop in the triples.

In the end, both matches would go the way of the green and gold contingent, with the pairs saluting 18-10 and the triples winning 18-11.

Para

The para squad maintained a close gap with their counterparts throughout the final day and split the ledger in their first session thanks to Louise Hoskins, Calvin Rodgers and Serena Bonnell, who won the mixed triples 15-12.

Jacky Hudson, Tony Bonnell and James Reynolds would go down in the corresponding triples match, earning New Zealand their sole trophy of the weekend.

Australia would clinch one of the three matchups in the deciding session as the Blackjacks took the competition with ten wins to seven.

WIN!!!

POTTED POTTER

2 DOUBLE PASSES TO

GIVEAWAY

To be in the draw, send your email to bowlsplus1@bigpond.com

WINNER WILL BE ADVISED BY EMAIL

International smash hit POTTED POTTER has been seen by over a million muggles worldwide, and in 2024 returns to Australia for its fifth tour, opening in Canberra on 3 April then touring to Sydney from 9 April, Melbourne from 24 April, Adelaide from 8 May and Perth from 23 May.

This gloriously irreverent, lovable romp takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books (and a real-life game of Quidditch) into seventy hilarious minutes. This fantastically funny show features all your favourite characters, a special appearance from a fire-breathing dragon, endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic!

“Gloriously goofy. Casts the perfect spell over the audience.”

New York Times - Critics’ Picks

“Cleverly appeals to both ardent fans and parents.”

The Times, UK

Created by double Olivier Award Best Entertainment nominees Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, the show is a must-see for Potter addicts and a great introduction to the series for anyone who’s ever wondered what all the fuss is about. Even if you don’t know the difference between a Horcrux and a Hufflepuff, POTTED POTTER will make you roar with laughter. This brilliant family entertainment is perfect for ages six to Dumbledore (who is very old indeed).

POTTED POTTER

The Unauthorized Harry Experience A Parody by Dan and Jeff All Seven Harry Potter Books in Seventy Hilarious Minutes!

Returning to Australia from April to May 2024

“Blissfully funny, a winner in every way. This show is a crowd-pleaser.”

The Guardian, UK

“Fabulously Funny! Will tickle the funny bone of every age group.”

The Daily Telegraph, UK

Clarkson and Turner first created POTTED POTTER in 2005 for an appearance at a London bookshop, as a five-minute entertainment for fans awaiting the release of the sixth book in the series. The show grew from there into a full-length stage production, first seen at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2006, and has toured internationally, played multiple West End and off-Broadway seasons, securing an Olivier Award nomination as Best Entertainment and Family Show. It is currently in the fifth year of a residency at Horseshoe Casino on the famous Las Vegas Strip, which won two Best Of Las Vegas awards when it opened in 2019.

Written and created by Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner

Direction and additional material by Richard Hurst

Associate direction by Hanna Berrigan

Set design by Simon Scullion

Lighting design by Tim Mascall

Music composed by Phil Innes

Video designed by Tom Hillenbrand

Produced by James Seabright for Potted Productions www.pottedpotter.com.au

'A SHOT OF WHISKEY' - In the old west a .45 cartridge for a six-gun cost 12 cents, so did a glass of whiskey. If a cowhand was low on cash he would often give the bartender a cartridge in exchange for a drink. This became known as a "shot" of whiskey.

BUYING THE FARM - This is synonymous with dying. During WW1 soldiers were given life insurance policies worth $5,000. This was about the price of an average farm so if you died you "bought the farm" for your survivors.

IRON CLAD CONTRACT - This came about from the ironclad ships of the Civil War. It meant something so strong it could not be broken.

RIFF RAFF - The Mississippi River was the main way of travelling from north to south. Riverboats carried passengers and freight but they were expensive so most people used rafts. Everything had the right of way over rafts which were considered cheap. The steering oar on the rafts was called a "riff" and this transposed into riff-raff, meaning low class.

COBWEB - The Old English word for “spider" was "cob".

SHIP STATE ROOMS - Travelling by steamboat was considered the height of comfort. Passenger cabins on the boats were not numbered. Instead they were named after states. To this day cabins on ships are called staterooms.

SLEEP TIGHT- Early beds were made with a wooden frame. Ropes were tied across the frame in a crisscross pattern. A straw mattress was then put on top of the ropes. Over time the ropes stretched, causing the bed to sag. The owner would then tighten the ropes to get a better night’s sleep.

SHOWBOAT - These were floating theatres built on a barge that was pushed by a steamboat. These played small towns along the Mississippi River . Unlike the boat shown in the movie "Showboat" these did not have an engine. They were gaudy and attention grabbing which is why we say someone who is being the life of the party is “showboating".

OVER A BARREL - In the days before CPR a drowning victim would be placed face down over a barrel and the barrel would be rolled back and forth in an effort to empty the lungs of water. It was rarely effective. If you are over a barrel you are in deep trouble.

BARGE IN - Heavy freight was moved along the Mississippi in large barges pushed by steamboats. These were hard to control and would sometimes swing into piers or other boats. People would say they "barged in".

HOGWASH - Steamboats carried both people and animals. Since pigs smelled so bad they would be washed before being put on board. The mud and other filth that was washed off was considered useless “hog wash".

CURFEW - The word "curfew" comes from the French phrase "couvre-feu", which means "cover the fire". It was used to describe the time of blowing out all lamps and candles. It was later adopted into Middle English as “curfeu" which later became the modern "curfew". In the early American colonies homes had no real fireplaces so a fire was built in the centre of the room. In order to make sure a fire did not get out of control during the night it was required that, by an agreed upon time, all fires would be covered with a clay pot called-a “curfew".

BARRELS OF OIL - When the first oil wells were drilled they had made no provision for storing the liquid so they used water barrels. That is why, to this day, we speak of barrels of oil rather than gallons.

HOT OFF THE PRESS - As the paper goes through the rotary printing press friction causes it to heat up. Therefore, if you grab the paper right off the press it’s hot. The expression means to get immediate information.

There, don't you feel smarter now?

DC 3

‘It groaned, it protested, it rattled, it ran hot, it ran cold, it ran rough, it staggered along on hot days and scared you half to death.

‘Its wings flexed and twisted in a horrifying manner, it sank back to earth with a great sigh of relief. But it flew and it flew and it flew.’

This is the memorable description by Captain Len Morgan, a former pilot with Braniff Airways, of the unique challenge of flying a Douglas DC-3.

It’s carried more passengers than any plane in history, but - Now the DC-3 has been grounded by EU health and safety rules.

The DC-3 served in World War II , Korea and Vietnam, and was a favourite among pilots! For more than 70 years, the aircraft known through a variety of nicknames - the Doug, the Dizzy, Old Methuselah, the Gooney Bird, the Grand Old Lady - but which to most of us is simply the Dakota - has been the workhorse of the skies.

With its distinctive nose-up profile when on the ground and extraordinary capabilities in the air, it transformed passenger travel, and served in just about every military conflict from World War II onwards. Now the Douglas DC-3 - the most successful plane ever made, which first took to the skies just over 30 years after the Wright Brothers’ historic first flight - is to carry passengers in Britain for the last time.

Romeo Alpha and Papa Yankee, the last two passenger-carrying Dakotas in the UK , are being forced into retirement because of - yes, you’ve guessed it - health & safety rules.

Their owner, Coventry-based Air Atlantique, has reluctantly decided it would be too expensive to fit the required emergencescape slides and

Now the DC 3 has been grounded by EU health and safety rules

weather-radar systems required by new European rules for their 65-year-old planes, which served with the RAF during the war.

Mike Collett, the company’s chairman, says: “We’re very saddened.” The end of the passenger-carrying British Dakotas is a sad chapter in the story of the most remarkable aircraft ever built, surpassing all others in length of service, dependability and achievement. It has been a luxury airliner, transport plane, bomber, fighter and flying hospital, and introduced millions of people to the concept of air travel. It has flown more miles, broken more records, carried more passengers and cargo, accumulated more flying time and performed more ‘impossible’ feats than any other plane in history, even in these days of super-jumbos that can circle the world non-stop.

Indeed, at one point, 90 percent of the world’s air traffic was operated by DC-3s

More than 10,500 DC-3s have been built since the prototype was rolled out to astonished onlookers at Douglas’s Santa Monica factory in 1935. With its eagle beak, large square windows and sleek metal fuselage, it was luxurious beyond belief, in contrast to the wood-and-canvas bone shakers of the day, where passengers had to huddle under blankets against the cold.

Even in the 1930s, the early Dakotas had many of the comforts we take for granted today, like on-board loos and a galley that could prepare hot food. Early menus included wild-rice pancakes with blueberry syrup, served on bone china with silver service. For the first time, passengers were able to stand up and walk around while the plane was airborne. But the design had one vital feature, ordered by pioneering aviator Charles Lindbergh, who was a director of TWA, which placed the first order for the plane. The DC-3 should always, Lindbergh directed, be able to fly on one engine.

Pilots have always loved it, not just because of its rugged reliability but because, with no computers on board, it is the epitome of ‘flying by the seat- of- the- pants’. One aviator memorably

described the Dakota as a ‘collection of parts flying in loose formation’, and most reckon they can land it pretty well on a postage stamp.

Captain Len Morgan says: ‘The Dakota could lift virtually any load strapped to its back and carry it anywhere and in any weather safely.’ It is the very human scale of the plane that has so endeared it to successive generations. With no pressurization in the cabin, it flies low and slow. And unlike modern jets, it’s still possible to see the world go by from the cabin of a Dakota. (The name, incidentally, is an acronym for Douglas Aircraft Company Transport Aircraft.)

As a former Pan Am stewardess puts it: “From the windows, you seldom look upon a flat, hazy, distant surface to the world. “Instead, you see the features of the earth - curves of mountains, colours of lakes, cars moving on roads, ocean waves crashing on shores, and cloud formations as a sea of popcorn and powder puffs.’ But it is for heroic feats in military service that the legendary plane is most distinguished.

It played a major role in the invasion of Sicily, the D-Day landings, the Berlin Airlift, and the Korean and Vietnam wars, performing astonishing feats along the way.

When General Eisenhower was asked what he believed were the foundation stones for America’s success in World War II, he named the bulldozer, the jeep, the half-ton truck, and the Dakota. When the Burma Road was captured by the Japanese, and the only way to send supplies into China was over the mountains at 19,000 ft, the Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek said: ‘Give me 50 DC-3s, and the Japs can have the Burma Road .’

In 1945, a Dakota broke the world record for a flight with an engine out of action, travelling for 1,100 miles from Pearl Harbor to San Diego, with just one- propeller working. Another in RNZAF service lost a wing after colliding mid-air with a Lockheed bomber. Defying all the rules of aerodynamics, and with only a stub remaining, the plane landed, literally, on a wing and a prayer at Whenuapai Airbase. Once, a Dakota pilot

carrying paratroops across the Channel to France heard an enormous bang. He went aft to find that half the plane had been blown away, including part of the rudder. With engines still turning, he managed to skim the wave-tops before finally making it to safety.

Another wartime Dakota was rammed by a Japanese fighter that fell to earth, while the American crew returned home in their severely damaged - but still airborne - plane, and were given the distinction of ‘downing an enemy aircraft’.

Another DC-3 was peppered with 3,000 bullets in the wings and fuselage by Japanese fighters. It made it back to base, was repaired with canvas patches and glue, and then sent back into the air.

During the evacuation of Saigon in 1975, a Dakota crew managed to cram aboard 98 Vietnamese orphans, although the plane was supposed to carry no more than 30 passengers. In addition to its rugged military service, it was the DC-3 which transformed commercial passenger flying in the post-war years.

Easily converted to a passenger plane, it introduced the idea of affordable air travel to a world which had previously seen it as exclusively for the rich. Flights across America could be completed in about 15 hours (with three stops for refuelling), compared with the previous reliance on short hops in commuter aircraft during the day and train travel overnight.

It made the world a smaller place, gave people the opportunity for the first time to see previously inaccessible destinations, and became a romantic symbol of travel.

The DC-3’s record has not always been perfect. After the war, military-surplus Dakotas were cheap, often poorly maintained, and pushed to the limit by their owners. Accidents were frequent.

One of the most tragic happened in 1962, when Zulu Bravo, a Channel Airways flight from Jersey, slammed into a hillside on the Isle of Wight in thick fog. All three crew and nine of the 14 passengers died, but the accident changed the course of aviation history. The local radar, incredibly, had been switched off because it was a Sunday. The national air safety rules were changed to ensure it never happened again.

‘The DC-3 was, and is, unique,’ wrote the novelist and aviation writer Ernest Gann, ‘since no other flying machine has cruised every sky known to mankind, been so admired, cherished,

glamorized, known the touch of so many pilots and sparked so many tributes.

“It was without question the most successful aircraft ever built, and even in this jet-age, it seems likely that the surviving DC-3s may fly about their business forever.” This may be no exaggeration. Next month, Romeo Alpha and Papa Yankee begin a farewell tour of Britain ‘s airports before carrying their final passengers at the International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford on July 16 But after their retirement, there will still be Dakotas flying in the farthest corners of the world, kept going with love, dedication and sheer ingenuity.

Nearly three-quarters of a century after they first entered service, it’s still possible to get a Dakota ride somewhere in the world.

I recently took a DC-3 into the heart of the Venezuelan jungle - to the “Lost World” made famous in the novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It is one of the most remote regions on the planet - where the venerable old planes have long been used because they can be manoeuvred like birds in the wild terrain.

It’s a scary experience being strapped into a torn canvas chair, raked back at an alarming angle (walking along the aisle of a stationary Dakota is like climbing a steep hill) as you wait for take-off. The engines spew smoke and oil as they shudder into life with what DC-3 fans describe as ‘music’, but to me sounded like the hammering of a thousand pneumatic-drills. But soon you are skimming the legendary flat-topped mountains protruding from the jungle below, purring over wild rivers and the Angel Falls , the world’s highest rapids. Suddenly the ancient plane drops like a stone to a tiny landing strip just visible in the trees.

The pilot dodges bits of dismantled DC-3 engines scattered on the ground and avoids a stray dog as he touches down with scarcely a bump. How did he do it without air traffic control and the minimum of navigational aids? ‘’C’est facile - it’s easy,” he shrugged.

Today, many DC-3s live-on throughout the world as crop-sprayers, surveillance patrols, air freighters in forgotten African states, and even luxury executive transports.

One, owned by a Houston lumber company, had mink-covered door- knobs, while another belonging to a Texas rancher had sofas and reclining chairs upholstered with the skins of unborn calves. In Jaipur, India, a Dakota is

licensed for flying wedding ceremonies.

Even when they have ended their aerial lives, old Dakotas have become mobile homes, hamburger stands and hen houses. One even serves as a football team changing room.

Clark Gable’s private DC-3, which once ferried chums such as John and Bobby Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and Ronald Reagan, is in a theme park in San Marino. But don’t assume it won’t run again. Some of the oldest hulks have been put back in the skies.

The ancient piston-engines are replaced by modern turboprops, and many a pilot of a modern jet has been astonished to find a Dakota alongside him on the climb away from the runway.

So what is the enduring secret of the DC-3?

David Egerton, professor of the history of science and technology at Imperial College, London , says we should rid our minds of the idea that the most recent inventions are always the best. ‘The very fact that the DC-3 is still around and performing a useful role in the world is a powerful reminder that the latest and most expensive technology is not always the one that changes history,’ he says.

It’s long been an aviation axiom that ‘the only replacement for the DC-3 is another DC-3’. So it’s fortunate that at least one seems likely to be around for a very long time to come.

In 1946, a DC-3 on a flight from Vienna to Pisa crashed into the top of the Rosenlaui Glacier in the Swiss Alps. The aircraft was not damaged and all the passengers were rescued, but it quickly began to disappear as a blinding snowstorm raged. Swiss engineers have calculated that it will take 600 years for it to slide- down inside the glacier and emerge at the bottom.

The most asinine ruling ever dreamed up by a nightmare bureaucracy!!! I especially appreciate the part requiring “escape slides”. On it’s belly, you can step down from the aircraft floor to the ground.

And the article left out the tale of the “DC-2-and-a-Half”. After being shot-up by Japanese fighters, the damaged wing of a DC-3 was replaced with one from a DC-2. It was then loaded up with refugees, and flown to safety.

A special thank you to Les Taylor for sending in this wonderful piece of history.

Over the course of almost two centuries, the Easter Parade in NYC has become a fun tradition. It’s a rather informal parade and everybody is invited to be part of it. All you need is your best outfit, a lot of enthusiasm and a subway ride to Midtown Manhattan!

Back in the 1870s, the Easter Parade in New York City started as a spontaneous event. Over the years, the parade has evolved making it a New York tradition that takes place annually on Easter Sunday. Though the religious focus of the parade has faded, thousands of people gather on 5th Avenue, dressed in fashionable, colourful clothing, wearing floral Easter bonnets, and celebrating together. Anybody is free to join the parade at any time. Typically, more than 30 thousand people participate in New York’s Easter Parade, making it one of the largest celebrations in the country. This year too, you can expect large, happy crowds.

WHY DO WE CELEBRATE EASTER WITH BUNNIES AND EGGS?

Easter is the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and an important day on the Christian calendar. The day is also regarded as a global cultural holiday in several countries.

According to the bible, Christians believe that

Jesus Christ died on the cross on Good Friday and resurrected from the dead, Easter Sunday. Christians globally regard him (Jesus Christ) as the creator and spiritual leader of Christianity. This historic belief is still impacting on the world 2,000 years later.

However, the origins of the Easter Bunny and Easter Eggs are believed to come from an ancient Pagan tradition, specifically the festival of Eostre, the Goddess of fertility and rebirth, whose animal symbol was a rabbit. This is not surprising when you consider that rabbits are prolific breeders. Eggs have also been representative of new life and rebirth. It is believed that decorating and exchanging eggs for Easter dates back to the 13th century.

Over the years, these ancient symbols (rabbits and eggs) have merged and became associated with the Christian holiday of Easter.

Today, these two ancient Pagan symbols (rabbits and eggs) are still associated with fertility, rebirth, and new life.

People have continued to exchange eggs throughout history to celebrate a new season.

Easter celebrations around the world can vary dramatically, this of course is a reflection of different traditions and cultures. However, the ancient customer of exchanging Easter Eggs has become part of modernday Easter celebrations.

Like many other holidays. Easter has now become increasingly commercialized, with retailers offering a wide range of Easter-themed products including chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies and decorative items for the home. The main focus of the day being visits from the Easter Bunny and children embarking on Easter Egg hunts, to find chocolate eggs delivered by the Mythical Easter Bunny.

Story courtesy of Catherine Colusso

Orcinus orca

Amazing Orcas

Carnivore feeding on fish and other marine animals including seals and sea lions, rays and sharks, dolphins, whales and even seabirds.

50–80 years

Up to 8m in length, and usually weighing between 3500kg and 5400kg.

One of the world’s most powerful predators, the orca is often referred to as a killer whale, but is in fact, the largest member of the dolphin family. Famously recognizable thanks to its unique black and white coloring, the orca is classified as an Odontocete, meaning it has teeth, where other whales and dolphins have a mouth full of baleen, a keratinized structure like fingernails or hair.

Although they prefer cold water, orcas can live in all the world’s oceans from the Antarctic to the tropics. Orcas tend to follow their tummies and go where the food is, making their movement patterns less predictable than whales, which follow seasonal migration patterns. At the top of the food chain, orcas take advantage of their sharp 8cm long teeth and feast on a wide range of marine life including fish, penguins, seals, sea lions and seabirds. Ruthless in their pursuit of a meal, orcas are the ocean’s apex predator, meaning they have no natural predator and have even been known to hunt great white sharks and whales.

Orcas live in close knit groups, known as ‘pods’ in a

matriarchal society, where knowledge is passed down to the younger generation by their elders. Older female orcas share information about hunting techniques, vocalizations and calls that are unique to their pod, and the specific ‘accent’ of the population. Pods usually contain up to 40 orcas and can be either resident or transient. Resident pods prefer to eat fish and transient pods enjoy a diet of marine mammals, resulting in niche specializations that we see in orca populations today. Pods have evolved over millions of years to be genetically different from one another, with their own appearances and culture, yet each use effective, cooperative hunting techniques likened to a wolf pack.

Protective of their young, mother orcas give birth every 3–10 years and raise their young with the help of other adolescent females. Nursing for up to two years, the bond between mother and juvenile eventually weakens and young orcas must make the journey to find their own pod, with a few remaining within the original family group.

Highly intelligent, orcas communicate below the water’s surface through a series of clicks, pulsed call types and tonal whistles. Each pod has its own dialect, and this vocabulary is used in hunting and to maintain the group’s identity and cohesiveness. Once a common sight in marine park captivity, orcas would perform shows for human entertainment, but ongoing research indicates that artificial enclosures contribute to stress and the development of zoochosis (harmful repetitive behaviours) and this can lead to a reduced quality of life and lifespan for the orca.

Source Internet

SOLO GUIDING TONY

BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE recently had the amazing opportunity of catching-up with one of our favourite followers, to discuss the amazing journey shared by

“TONY AND HIS EXTRAORDINARY GUIDE DOG SOLO.’’

B&L : Thank you so much Tony, for giving Bowling&Lifestyle Magazine the opportunity to share and publish your incredible journey with Solo, your beautiful guide dog.

Can you tell us, about your condition, and when and why Solo came into your life?

TONY : I have been legally blind, with only 2% vision since 2009. My condition is officially known as Adult-onset vitelliform macular dystrophy (AVMD) I had previously been using a white cane to help me navigate life and all its challengers.

However, when I moved back to the Central Coast, New South Wales from Goulburn, I found myself wanting to get out and about more, unassisted. Fortunately, the lovely people from Guide Dogs Australia recognised my dilemma and persuaded me to consider a guide dog, who would suit my needs. Solo came into my life on Valentine’s Day, the 14th February, 2022. Subsequently, the story of “Solo Guiding Tony’’ began on that glorious day.

B&L : How has life changed for you, since the introduction of Solo 2 years ago, and did you choose Solo’s name ?

TONY :The name Solo, was chosen by Guide Dogs Australia, which suits me fine being a Star Wars fan. My life has changed dramatically since Solo came into my life. Having a guide dog is amazing, it really opens-up the world and life for you. Solo helps me find doorways, escalators, buttons at traffic lights and elevators, pedestrian crossings, empty seats to sit down, and so much more. He is even able to find my wife if we get separated at the shops, not to mention saving me from an electric car near miss.

B&L : That is very impressive. Can you tell us who trained Solo and if he is affectionate?

TONY : Guide Dogs Australia trained Solo, and yes he is very affectionate. He is also very eager to please and loves his job. He gets so excited when he sees me getting changed to go out, because it means work time. However, he also loves being a nearly 4 year old pup around the house when not working, but even then, he keeps a watchful eye out for me.

The independence he brings back into my life is fantastic. All this he does for love, and the odd treat. Solo has become that bigger part of the family, we can’t imagine life without him now, from helping me out and about to cuddling up on the lounge for snuggle time.

B&L : You mentioned, Solo does all this for love and the odd treat, what treats does Solo enjoy, and how does Solo react to other members of the family?

TONY : Being a Labrador, Solo loves his food, especially carrots, apples and Bananas. He also adores my wife, and runs around like an idiot when she gets home from work.

TONY : Work hard, play hard seems to be Solo’s motto in life and I’ve never known a dog to be so happy all the time, which is great for those dark days.

Catherine’s Column