Central Coast, December 2019

December, 2019

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FEATURE

GUIDE TO FESTIVALS ALL OVER AUSTRALIA

ROB MUNDLE

- the voice of sailing JOURNO, AUTHOR AND YACHTSMAN SHARES A LIFE OF CHANCE AND ADVENTURE

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BY SAFETY

CAN A WILL BE PROTECTED AGAINST A CHALLENGE ?

It would be nice to think that your assets which you have created through your own toil over your lifetime could be distributed in accordance with your wishes expressed in your Will.

However, greed and an expectation by undeserving individuals, who believe they are automatically entitled to a “piece of your cake”, often result in Court challenges to Wills.

This is commonly fuelled by unscrupulous lawyers who promote Will challenges (by newspaper or radio advertising) as a business to “assist” those who feel they have been “unfairly treated” by a Will.

Those lawyers who do such promotions are acting only in pursuit of feathering their own bank accounts.

Estate disputes, unlike other forms of litigation, generally result in the legal costs being borne by the Estate not the

litigant. As a result suing an estate is commonly risk free and so “why not have a go ?”

Some testators believe that bequething a modest sum to potential challengers may prevent a challenge.

Quite the reverse, it often fuels a sense of “deserving” on the part of the challenger (as the testator has found it appropriate to leave them something) and a “righteous indignation” that they have been “short sheeted”.

A better approach (given that a challenge may actually never arise) is to record at length your reasons for excluding certain people from your Will. These reasons might include estrangement, hostility, financial security, angry outbursts, threats, harassment etc.

This could be by way of a handwritten s t a t e m e n t (historically called a testament), a sworn affidavit or a video recording.

This testamentary evidence can be

stored in a sealed envelope with the Will clearly marked “to be opened by my Executor only in the event of a challenge to my Will”.

Your Executor, in the event of a challenge to the Will, could then present a copy of the document or video to the Plaintiff’s lawyer as a warning as to the risks of pursuing litigation.

If the matter proceeded then those sentiments expressed in the testament would be of enormous assistance to any future judge having to decide the matter.

As in any litigious matter there are no guarantees of a successful defence to a Will challenge, however, the more comprehensive the testament, the more effective will be the outcome.

As there are certain criteria which a Court looks at in determining these matters it would be best to produce your testament with the assistance of a lawyer experienced in estate disputes.

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Drama groups join Cover story - Rob Mundle Community Notes Feature - Music festival Travel - Wanderlust Wellbeing Climate Change Puzzles

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MONDAY DECEMBER 16 2019 SENIORSNEWS.COM.AU

On board for summer Gail Forrer Seniors Group Editor THINK Christmas, think Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

It’s Boxing Day and you’re relaxing on the lounge, feeling slow from the heat and festivities.

You turn on the tele and there it is: the reassuring vision of sailors and their great white racing yachts.

The media commentators bring to life the personalities and the challenge, while the aerial photography just about puts us on board.

Along with making new memories, we remember the great moments, like winning the America’s Cup, and the very bad moments when good men lost their lives at sea.

So to put us in the mood of summer and all that goes with it,we give our front cover over to yachting personality Rob Mundle – and what a read. Tracey Johnstone (herself a lifelong yachtie) spoke with Rob and recorded his tales of exciting nautical adventures.

Back on land, music festivals have become a favourite on Aussie calendars and to assist your planning, we have put together a doublepage spread listing some of the most popular.

Extremes of heat, fires, floods and drought have put climate change front of mind and reporter Alison Houston has spoken to Professor Roger Stone.

If your keen eye has noticed something a little different about this publication and you are wondering exactly what it is, wonder no longer. Due to printing requirements our paper has undergone a small change (3cm) in size.

Seniors News wishes our readers a safe and happy Christmas.

Enjoy, Gail

Exercises to make you stronger.

CONTACT US General Manager Geoff Crockett – 0413 988 333 geoff.crockett@news.com.au Editor Gail Forrer – 1300 880 265 gail.forrer@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Media Sales Executive Sue Germany – 0408 286 539 sue.germany@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Online Get your news online at www.seniorsnews.com.au Advertising, editorial and distribution enquiries Phone: 1300 880 265 Email: advertising@seniorsnewspaper.com.au or editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Website: www.seniorsnews.com.au Subscriptions Only $39.90 for one year (12 editions) including GST and postage anywhere in Australia. Please call our circulations services on 1300 361 604 and quote “Central Coast Seniors”.

The Seniors Newspaper is published monthly and distributed free in northern New South Wales and southeast Queensland.

The Seniors newspaper stable includes Toowoomba, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Northern NSW, Coffs and Clarence and Central Coast publications.

Published by News Corp Australia.

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Opinions expressed by contributors to Seniors Newspapers are not necessarily those of the editor or the owner/publisher and publication of advertisements implies no endorsement by the owner/publisher.

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FILM HIT: Drama therapist Dannielle Jackson works with one of the stars of Where the Lost Things Go, Robert Mitchell before his monologue.

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Lost things find home on film Alison Houston

completed film.

“People were just blown away by what they had accomplished,” Ms Garth said.

“That’s who he is, who he’s always been – so involved and animated,” the wife of one of the participants told Ms Garth after the film.

Sadly, at home the man had become isolated and withdrawn and had lost touch with friends and relatives.

Like many, he has found attempting to cover up the effects of dementia and pretend everything is all

right too much to deal with on an ongoing basis.

So for the participants and their loved ones to see the real person behind the illness, if even for a few minutes, she said was priceless.

Clients had decided early in the project that they didn’t want the film to be about memory loss but about love, laughter and life in general.

“They really came alive, came out of their shells and were so involved and present during the entire making,” Ms Garth said.

“They were as captivated

as they are captivating in what is a very creative, collaborative endeavour.

“People began really feeling comfortable within their own skins – not being identified by their illness which dictates and defines so much of their lives.”

She said the experience had reinforced research that has shown that being involved in drama has health and wellbeing benefits including physical and mental stimulation, increased social connectedness, providing empowerment and a sense of achievement.

While it played no part in the film’s title, the lyrics of the song by the same name in Mary Poppins 2 seem particularly relevant and poignant … “Memories you’ve shed, gone for good you feared, they’re all around you still, though they’ve disappeared ….. nothing’s gone for ever, only out of place ….”

You can find the film online at www.youtube.com/watch? v=zFM4l8cRV3g.

To discover more about integratedliving services, go to https://integrated living.org.au/.

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MEMBERS of integrated living’s Woy Woy, Gosford and Gorokan drama groups walked the red carpet recently at Avoca Cinema for the premiere of their short film Where the Lost Things Go. Dementia services manager Kerry Garth said the 12-month project had brought out the best in all the clients – including discovering they were all comedians.

Clients worked with drama therapist Dannielle

Jackson to carry out every aspect of the film’s production from concept to scriptwriting, set design, hair, make-up and directing.

The comedy follows the journey of a family heirloom – a gold gnome – which becomes lost, and how it is recovered.

About 40 clients had input into the project and Ms Garth said seeing themselves and their efforts on the big screen had been “a really magical moment for clients, their families and carers”.

It was the first time any of them had seen the

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SENIORS

Rob riding Sailing guru christens new chapter

BLUEWATER VOICE: Veteran author and commentator Rob Mundle.

Picture: CONTRIBUTED

THERE’S a nautical song playing in the background as author Rob Mundle (AM) talks about his latest book.

The ocean-racing machine’s rigging is swaying above, while below the hive of activity on the Sydney waterfront edges towards its climax on Boxing Day. This is where Rob is most at home. He’s been the face of Australia’s bluewater sailing scene for close to 51 years.

The 73-year-old has already recorded the maritime history of Australia’s big-ship adventures in Bligh: Master Mariner; Cook; Great South Land; Flinders; and The First Fleet. His latest book is a detailed account of the 75 years the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia has run the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

It’s a Boxing Day tradition to be on the shores on Sydney Harbour or glued to the television to watch the live-action start of the iconic race. Multimillion-dollar yachts with professional crews line up against weekend warriors prepared to take the ultimate challenges of testing themselves and their yachts against nature and each other.

Rob knows this Everest of bluewater sailing extremely well. He’s “gone south” three times and authored the international best-selling book Fatal Storm, which gave a deep insight into the devastating 1998 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, where six lives and five yachts were lost.

Writing about Australia’s maritime adventures has proven an appropriate fit for the former journalist. While researching Under Full Sail,

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Rob discovered his greatgreat-grandfather, George Valentine Mundle, was the master of a clipper ship that brought cargo and migrants to Australia.

As famous names and fabulous experiences roll off Rob’s tongue, a picture emerges of a writer who has been “kissed on the bum by a butterfly”.

Rob left school with no idea what he wanted to do, but he did know he was good at writing his old school compositions and had an interest in world affairs.

“I loved reading the newspaper every afternoon,” Rob said. “One day I was reading the Daily Mirror and I said to Mum, ‘I am going to ring them and see if they have any jobs’ without having any clue of what sort of job. I just loved the whole thought of a newspaper environment. A

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wave with the write stuff

Rob Mundle and crew on the English yacht Firebrand at the Southern Ocean Racing Conference in Miami in 1971.

Picture: Contributed

Rob Mundle at the Newport, Rhode Island, dock during Australia's challenge at the 1983 America's Cup. Picture: Contributed

An impression of the record-breaking ship Marco Polo painted by Thomas Robertson in 1859. It appears in Rob’s book Under Full Sail.

Picture: Contributed

kicked another goal,” Rob said.

He finally returned to Australia and got caught up in trying to make money out of selling little Laser dinghies, which became an Olympic Games class.

Round about then, Rob and an American friend, Lisa Halaby, who was in Australia training as an architect, were towing Rob’s yacht Waikikamukau back from a regatta in Queensland.

When Rob drove the trailer

under a low bridge it became stuck, much to the angst of the drivers behind.

Lisa quickly leapt onto the truck bonnet and leant on the mast, so Rob could fit the load under the bridge.

“People were cheering and

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Island, to cover the 1983 America’s Cup. “My world and the whole world of sailing changed when Australia won the Cup,” Rob said. “I was on air that day, live and worldwide, for eight hours and 10 minutes. Apparently, that still stands as a record for live television.”

Rob has now written 17 books, including Sir James Hardy’s and Alan Bond’s authorised biographies.

His 18th book, The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, is for sailors and non-sailors.

Available in bookshops from this month, the book is full of sailing history and entertaining anecdotes. “

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car horns blowing; people had never seen anything like it,” Rob said. “That girl dangling from the end of the mast, that absolutely delightful lady, went on to become the Queen of Jordan.”

But, “once journalism is in your blood, it’s there forever”, Rob remembers.

He was drawn back in by Kay Cottee’s husband, Peter Sutton, who was working on the Channel 10 Sports Week with host Ray Warren, as a sailing reporter.

“I (also) got to be weatherman on prime-time news,” Rob said. The news editor then decided to send Rob to Newport, Rhode

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week later I was a copy boy.”

One work day he was walking upstairs to the Sunday Mirror office when a blonde woman by the name of Blanche d’Alpuget stopped Rob and asked him whether he could fill in as the yachting writer while she went on holidays. “I just about kissed her on the spot,” Rob said. “It was one of those freakish things about everything unfolding in your favour.”

So, the copy boy suddenly also became the Sunday edition sailing column writer.

When Rupert Murdoch started The Australian in 1964, he moved a group of copy boys and journalists to Canberra to help put the new publication out. “I went down as a copy boy,” Rob said. “It was very exciting standing in the print room next to Rupert when the first edition of The Australian came off the presses. It was an adrenaline pump for everyone.”

While journalist Anna Torv, who later became Rupert’s second wife, was keen for Rob to stay in Canberra, the lure of better sailing options in Sydney drew him back to the big smoke. Soon after his arrival in Sydney, Rob was offered The Australian’s first Sydney bureau journalist cadetship.

He also got to keep his Daily Mirror sailing column.

In 1971, the chance to travel to America to see the big-boat competition and write about it was supported by his editor, Neal Travis, who offered Rob a retainer to keep filing stories while abroad. “Suddenly, I had

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SENIORS

Anzac memorial on way Council, RSL give approval for official site for Avoca residents Alison Houston AVOCA residents will soon have their own official Anzac memorial in a very Avocan style.

The memorial rock is “as local as you can get”, according to Avoca Beach Community Association president Steve Fortey.

It was identified as something special by David Benson during recent beachfront works.

A plaque, inscribed by Talking Stones, dedicates it to the memory of all who have served the nation in all conflicts.

“It will be quite a modest memorial in a specially prepared garden with the feature rock and plaque but it gives us a focus for our Anzac Day service, which we have been having at the beach for about 14 years

now,” Mr Fortey said.

The service, which he described as “more intimate, with a really nice community feel”, has been growing in popularity since inception, from just 14 people to well over 1000.

Again, it’s a service with its own style – no politicians and no long speeches.

Mr Fortey said the quest for a memorial had been led

by Gary Hore, a former professional soldier who served three tours of Vietnam.

Working on a committee with him have been Michael Scobie, whose grandfather fought at Gallipoli, and Lindsay Cunningham, whose father was on the Kokoda Track, and Mr Fortey whose father also fought in World War II. While RSL and council approval was gained, Mr Fortey said the funds

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needed for the memorial were raised in Avoca, giving the community real ownership of this special community project.

Meanwhile, he said, the

association was continuing its quest for a community hall. Central Coast Council is considering potential sites and ABCA is also talking with the Avoca Beach Scout

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Mr Fortey acknowledged

Picture: contributed

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Call to correct omission Mayor, MP say include Central Coast region in fire alerts Alison Houston WHEN a catastrophic fire warning was issued last month for the Central Coast, many seniors and other residents didn’t realise it applied to them.

The official announcements did not name the Central Coast because it is not recognised by many government agencies as a stand-alone region.

Instead it is lumped in with the Greater Sydney or Greater Hunter regions.

Central Coast Mayor Lisa Matthews and Federal Member for Dobell Emma McBride believe lives were potentially put at risk.

While acknowledging the brilliant job done by the NSW Rural Fire Service on the ground, and that it has stated it will change its

warnings from 2021, both women say more needs to be done now.

“I call on other agencies to follow suit and recognise us as the important region we are,” the Mayor said.

“We are the third-largest council area in NSW by population, and growing. We are big enough to be recognised as our own region.”

Even on Central Coast Business Review’s business investment prospectus for 2019-20, the area is referred to as “Sydney’s Central Coast”.

The departments of health, education and the Bureau of Meteorology all fail to recognise the Central Coast as its own entity.

That creates many issues, including in the ongoing fight for the region’s own palliative care hospice.

Ms McBride told federal

BE PREPARED: Central Coast District RFS spokesman Stuart O'Keefe in the operations room at the Fire Control Station on the day of the catastrophic fire warning on the Central Coast.

Picture: contributed

parliamentParliament on November 25 that “locals strongly identify with the Central Coast as the place they live”.

She said Central Coast Council had a population of more than 340,000 residents (expected to rise

by 75,000 by 2036) who all deserved clearer emergency warnings.

Just two days later she was again calling for the region to be viewed as a whole, this time in relation to road safety as she spoke of a government-promised

$70 million road package.

Welcoming the funding for the area which the NRMA has named as having “one of the biggest transport infrastructure backlogs in NSW”, she questioned why 90 per cent was earmarked for projects south of Wamberal in the Liberal-held electorate of Robertson.

Just 9.2 per cent will go to Dobell which is “the part of the Central Coast earmarked for significant population growth over the next 20 years”.

With more fires threatening the Coast and a dangerous summer ahead, it is important that residents know that warnings for the Greater Sydney and Greater Hunter can apply to them.

Residents are also encouraged to download and use the RFS Fires Near Me mobile phone app, and to look for the latest fire advice and preparation information on the RFS website at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.

Follow @nswrfs or @NSWRFSCentralCoast on Facebook or listen to local radio, particularly the ABC for emergency information.

For seniors on bushfireprone land, the AIDER (Assist Infirm, Disabled and Elderly Residents) program is a free, one-off service available by phoning 8741 4955.

Work can include clearing gutters, trimming vegetation and removing leaf and tree litter and long grass.

Central Coast Council is also urging residents to continue water-saving efforts delaying water restrictions under the “Live to 150L” campaign launched in September, with Mangrove Creek Dam now at 53 per cent.

As well as limiting your personal water use to 150L per day, water wise rules apply to outdoor use, including watering the garden before 10am or after 4pm.

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SENIORS

The green On the road to a change in lifestyle Alison Houston

NEW WHEELS: Margaret McDonald proudly takes delivery of her new electric car.

ERINA’S Margaret McDonald is a pioneer of sorts — one of a relative handful of Australians who own fully electric cars.

An RMIT ABC Fact Check midyear found just 0.2 per cent of new cars sold in Australia were electric and we had the lowest sale rates of any developed OECD country.

Concerned about the environmental future for her children and grandchildren, and inspired by attending last year’s Sydney’s Antidote festival of ideas, action and change, Margaret took delivery of her new Hyundai Kona in August.

She has also installed solar panels in her home and has moved to a vegetarian diet three days a week in order to reduce her carbon

footprint.

The 74-year-old also demonstrated at the school climate change protest in The Domain, has reduced her plane travel and become more aware of recycling.

That includes never buying bottled water and rejecting takeaway coffee unless she has her ‘keep cup’ with her.

“I just think about my grandchildren and what an awful thing we are leaving for them,” Margaret said.

With too many politicians having ignored the environmental consequences of fossil fuel reliance and the need to invest in alternatives, she said she believed it was up to every individual to do what they could.

“I feel a little glow when I go out, knowing I am not causing any pollution,” Margaret said, and not having to pay rising petrol

prices doesn’t hurt either.

Margaret also is electricity bill-free, with the 20 solar panels she has installed in her home providing three times more electricity than she uses, and contributing back to the grid.

But she admits, the initial outlay for both the panels and the car were significant, and a lot more planning is required to travel long distances to ensure a suitable recharging stop is available.

Margaret said her SUVstyle Kona cost about $65,000, but has a far greater range (450km) than the smaller alternative Ioniq (230km).

With a charger installed in her garage, she has not had a problem getting around the Coast — only recharging twice in five weeks.

But she decided to test out a longer distance, visiting her sister in Victoria’s

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which inspires the grey ‘‘

I feel a little glow when I go out, knowing I am not causing any pollution Bacchus Marsh — a round trip of 2288km.

She discovered the Plugshare app which allowed her to type in the vehicle make and her destination and showed all suitable charging stations along the route.

Much like mobile phones, she said, not all chargers suit all cars, with many aimed at the more expensive Tesla brand.

There are three ways to charge an electric car: a DC fast-charger takes 30-60 minutes depending on how low the battery is; an AC

CHARGING AHEAD: Margaret McDonald recharges her Hyundai Kona at Euroa, Victoria, where a different system to NSW requires you to download and use an app to recharge.

Pictures: Contributed

charger takes nine hours to fully charge; and the portable charger (suitable for any household socket) takes 24 hours to recharge.

The NRMA has installed free DC fast-charging

stations near parks and tourist information centres in country areas, and the RACV at highway service stations (requiring a ChargeFox App to use).

However Margaret said

she was surprised to find large towns like Wagga Wagga and Goulburn did not have chargers to suit her car, while in Canberra you have to apply for a swipe card which can take 5–10 days.

Another issue which Margaret hadn’t counted on was the car’s range changed with the environment, so travelling at high speed and climbing the escarpment from Nowra to Jugiong

drained her battery far faster than general driving, making it a close call to the next charging point.

She did run into other problems on the way, including using the Victorian app, but said the return journey was uneventful as she had become accustomed to the process.

“It was quite an adventure and a bit stressful at times but that is mostly to do with the lack of infrastructure,” Margaret said, with ranges of 170–265km between chargers.

For everyday driving around the Coast, she said the electric car was comfortable, easy to use, so quiet she sometimes forgot it was running, and had no exhaust or heat from the engine.

She has no regrets about her purchase, and says for the sake of a little extra planning and keeping an eye on the range, it is a positive step for the future.

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Community group guide

Community notes

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CENTRAL COAST CARAVANNERS

MEN’S SHED MILESTONE

THERE are vacancies for new members if you live in the Central Coast Council area and would like to enjoy your caravan trips with other friendly people.

The club meetings are held at the Terrigal 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre from 11am on the third Sunday of each month from January-November.

All upcoming trips are listed at the meeting. Recent trips included a holiday at Belmont Pines, a touring trip to inland NSW towns and Ariah Park Music Festival, and a visit to WA for the wildflowers.

If you have a caravan, mobile home or camper and would like to know more, ring Geoff on 0447 882 150 or Steve on 0423 267 565.

THE ENTRANCE Men’s Shed has achieved a decade of operation as part of The Entrance Community Centre. President Bruce Crouch said that during that time more than 150 men had taken advantage of the group and the facilities it offered.

The shed has some 50 members, of whom 40 are active, and an average of 16–17 attend each of the three days the shed is open.

Ages range from 35 to 87.

The shed was officially opened on November 27, 2009, by then-mayor Bob Graham following a number of years of planning and effort by current members Geoff Dunn and Alan Kember plus other Men’s Shed stalwarts Kevin

POPULAR PERSONALITY: Alison Homestead Museum is set to host a Devonshire tea with entertainment presented by renowned Central Coast singer Jake Cassar.

Picture: Contributed

Armstrong and John Sharples. Unfortunately, other foundation committee members Lyn Sawyer, Col Kennedy and Kim Hopkins have all passed away.

The Men’s Shed is one of the original tenants of the community centre on the site of the old Entrance Primary School and is housed in a purpose-built building on the Battley Avenue side of the location.

Originally the premises housed the office, lunch room and workshop activities in one area.

An extension carried out on the building in 2012 now houses the office and lunch areas, getting away from the

dust and noise of the workshop.

An official function to mark the 10th anniversary of the shed was held in the community centre grounds on November 27, 2019, and was attended by guest of honour Bob Graham, council and Australian Men’s Shed Association representatives, current and past shed members, community centre volunteers and representatives of suppliers and supporters of The Entrance Men’s Shed. For further information contact the secretary, Terry Anderson, on (02) 4332 1023 or email temensshed@gmail.com.

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MORNING TEA WITH JAKE CASSAR JOIN us at Alison Homestead Museum for a Devonshire tea with entertainment presented by Jake Cassar, renowned Central Coast singer, songwriter, musician and bushcraft expert. Jake is back on Wednesday, February 12, from 10amnoon at 1 Cape Rd, Wyong.

Cost is $10 (all-inclusive) and bookings are essential.

Tickets go on sale on January 6, 2020. Reserved seating only. To book, phone (02) 4352 1886 or email info@ alisonhomestead .com.au.

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TOUKLEY WE MEET on the second Friday of the month at Club Toukley RSL at 10.30am. We have lucky door prizes, raffles and a two-course lunch for $25 followed by guest speakers or members’ anticipation and interesting discussions. We also have outings, Friendship Morning Teas along with raffles.

Joining our VIEW Club is a perfect opportunity to meet with other like-minded women and establish new friendships.

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FEATURE

DECEMBER, 2019//

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Click go the Good eye still the greatest attribute Alison Houston

John Newton’s Boy with Bear, one of the club’s top images in its Australian Photographic Society Australia Cup win, and Toukley’s Arthur Roy’s Fighting Egrets, a finalist in the Australian Geographic Nature Competition.

Picture: Contributed

CAMERAS have changed a lot during the 60 years since The Entrance Camera Club formed on November 27, 1959.

But, for founder Ted Baker, it’s having a good eye rather than the type of equipment which really makes the difference between an average photo and a great one.

“That’s been borne out again and again over the years – often it’s those who don’t have the most expensive camera who have the ability to see the image and win the awards,” Ted said.

These days, he said, good cameras were readily available at affordable prices, with $400 buying a good secondhand digital SLR camera that professionals

would have used five to 10 years ago.

It’s a long way from when digital cameras, mostly 2MP (16-20MP is now common), first appeared in 2000. Ted recalls a 1GB memory card was considered massive storage and cost up to $600.

While he still believes “film photography has something about it, a depth”, Ted has embraced digital for being “able to do things you wouldn’t have believed possible before”.

THE PEOPLE Ted, who is almost 90, has pulled back from official duties but continues to enter some of the club’s monthly competitions and enjoy both the hobby and the friends he has developed.

While he started the club, he said it was those who followed, “leading the club

with dedication over the years, each in their own way” who had kept it thriving – this year winning The Australian Photographic Society’s Australia Cup. He paid particular tribute to long-serving presidents Spencer Vale, Gail Hardy and David Spratt, as well as David’s son and life member Anthony who “joined the club at eight in 1980 and has done everything for everyone”.

THE BOX BROWNIE BEGINNNING Ted’s love of photography began with a Box Brownie at about 10 years old – “how everyone started back then”.

Just having a camera in those days was a luxury, when people lived from payday to payday and few owned a phone or car.

You had to save not just to buy film but to get it

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years for camera buffs ‘‘

You had to save not just to buy film but to get it developed developed – without knowing if you had captured anything worth seeing – meaning you might use just six to eight rolls a year.

Kodak was the name in photography and photos were generally of family and friends at home, or enjoying the odd holiday away.

“It was a great hobby and it meant you could bring back memories, because you couldn’t afford to buy souvenirs,” Ted said.

The first SLRs, he said, involved a lot of guesswork, with no light meters, so you had to estimate the

exposure, aperture and distance, moving the folding accordion-like bellows to set the lens.

“By the time you’d done everything, often the subject had disappeared,” he laughed.

Film speeds of 50-100 ISO maximum meant “you had to hold the camera very still, so there were a lot of slightly out of focus photos in people’s albums around that time,” Ted said.

As post office clerk at The Entrance, then just a village – doing everything from sending and receiving telegrams, to paying bills, banking and postage (back when people still wrote letters) – Ted knew everyone.

That included who had cameras, making it easy to target who to invite to the inaugural club meeting at Toowoon Bay’s Pacific Guest House. He convinced fellow enthusiast, local chemist, community leader and “a

fellow with a great mind”, Hilton Chalmers, to be president.

It was also Hilton who refined Ted’s photography skills and later taught him the art of judging – always finding a positive rather than faults in what you see.

TODAY Membership then cost half a guinea, or 10/6; now it’s $55 annually and the club still meets on the second Friday of the month – except January – to show, critique, judge and award photos across A and B grades, so you don’t have to be a pro to shine.

Members can also join the weekly Friday morning photo walk, taking pictures and discussing techniques.

To find out more about the club, go to https:// theentrance.myphotoclub .com.au/ or if, like Ted, you aren’t on the internet, phone David and Anthony on 02 4396 4964.

HAPPY SNAP: The Entrance Camera Club founder Ted Baker with Member for Dobell Emma McBride and Central Coast Mayor Lisa Matthews at the club’s 60th anniversary exhibition, including one of Ted’s photos in the background.

Picture: Contributed

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Sound ideas Whether it’s close to your home or at an idyllic Tracey Johnstone

There's a smorgasbord of music festival choices on the high seas.

Photo: Contributed

IN ANY month in Australia there is a selection of festivals in obvious and less than obvious locations.

They are being held in your own backyard or somewhere along the grey nomad road.

Music along with local produce, craft, culture, dancing, poetry and workshops often make up these events. And there are the old friendships to be rekindled and new friends to be made as seniors enjoy all that these festivals have to offer.

Here are just some to tantalise you: Woodford Folk Festival (QLD) HELD in Woodford, just north of Brisbane, the 34th festival will be six days and six nights of fun with more than 2000 local, national and international artists, musicians and presenters. It begins each year with the iconic opening ceremony and closes with a spectacular fire event on New Year’s Day. It’s Australia’s largest gathering of artists and musicians. The festival experience is deep, rich and colourful.

December 27-January 1.

Info: woodfordfolkfestival.com.

Port Fairy Folk Festival (VIC) THE four-day event has music, theatre, visual arts, spoken word, interactive workshops and street theatre. The historic coastal town attracts more than

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Festival (NSW) HEAD 95km north of Wilcannia or 200km east of Broken Hill to the festival site. Its annual country music weekend festival is relaxed and welcoming.

The 2020 performers will include Adam Harvey, Andy Toombs and The French Family. May 15-17. Info: whitecliffsmusicfestival.co m.au.

Fairbridge Festival (WA) IT’S an annual three-day family-friendly celebration of folk, roots, blues, acoustic, Celtic, a cappella and world music in a trafficfree, self-contained, bushland, heritage-listed village. About 100 acts perform at this magical escape within just an hour’s drive of Perth. April 17-19.

Info: fairbridgefestival.com.au.

Groundwater Country Music Festival (QLD) GOLD Coast streets, parks, bars and restaurants come alive as 12 stages host more than 110 live performances. The annual Queensland Tourism award-winning event is on July 24-26. Info: groundwatercmf.com.

Tamworth Country Music Festival (NSW) TAMWORTH has it all when it comes to country music. Over 10 days, 700 performers will play across 120 venues. Hundreds of buskers provide a wide range of entertainment each day. The pinnacle event is the Country Music Awards, when the who’s

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100 acts from across the globe. March 6-9. Info: portfairyfolkfestival.com.

National Folk Festival (ACT) IT’S Australia’s longestrunning major folk festival, with 180 acts over five days.

The best and brightest in folk from around the globe converge on Canberra, with world-class performers hand-picked from 14 countries including Japan, Portugal and Italy, and a strong local component.

April 9-13. Info: folkfestival.org.au.

Fleurieu Folk Festival (SA) FLEURIEU presents a variety of folk music, dance, spoken word, culture and workshops. The music genres included are folk (folk/rock, folk roots, acoustic folk, indie/folk, folk/pop, alt/folk and contemporary/folk), country and bluegrass, singer/songwriters, world music, jazz (gypsy jazz) and blues. October 23-25. Info: fleurieufolkfestival.oztix.co m.au.

Gympie Muster (QLD) HELD in the Amamoor Creek State Forest, what was once a community fundraiser has grown to a four-day camping and country music festival attracting Australian and overseas musicians. Along with taking in the music, visitors can enjoy dancing classes, music workshops, a chilled Sunday session, bush poetry and more. August 27-30. Info: muster.com.au.

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the world. May 14-17. Info: bluesonbroadbeach.com.

Lord Howe Island Rock Fest (NSW) THE backdrop is stunning and the music for all ages.

This annual festival of free concerts and entertainment is the perfect reason to head to Lord Howe to explore the island during the day and party away the nights. It starts on Saturday at 5pm with dancing in the streets.

Sunday is a day to chill and explore. Monday features a music trivia night. Tuesday is 1960s and ’70s music.

Wednesday afternoon it’s music at Ned’s Beach, where the whole community joins in.

Thursday is open mic, with guests supporting the locals as they perform before the visiting musos finish the night. Friday is the closing night with a fireworks show.

The music starts with the local schoolchildren and then gets louder and livelier as the night progresses. Be warned - the island accommodation is limited so book in early. March 2128. Info: lordhoweisland.info.

Blues and Berries (NSW) COFFS Harbour is the place to be in November.

The festival showcases the region’s amazing growers, fantastic produce and a lineup of great musical talent.

It’s a jam-packed program.

November. Info: bluesandberries.com.au.

Byron Bay Bluesfest (NSW) AT ITS permanent home

at the spectacular 120hectare Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, just 11km north of Byron Bay, the Bluesfest in 2020 will have 200 performances across multiple stages over five 12hour days, with up to 6000 visitors expected. There are five licensed bars, more than 100 food and market stalls and plenty of entertainment for all ages.

In 2020, the performers list is impressive with Crowded House, George Benson, John Butler and Dave Matthews Band among the outstanding acts. April 9-13.

Info: bluesfest.com.au.

Bellingen Fine Music Festival (NSW) CLASSICAL, contemporary jazz and world music are now on the program at Bellingen. There are concerts, busking, workshops and superb food and wine. The venue is about 30 minutes’ drive from Coffs Harbour. Last year’s performers included David Helfgott, Joseph Tawadros (with James Tawadros) and Ensemble Q. September. Info: bellingen musicfestival .com.au.

Festival of Voices (TAS) CHORAL singers from all over the world gather in Hobart to perform, teach, learn, listen and connect.

Audiences are encouraged to take part and find their voices. The free Big Sing Bonfire event in Salamanca attracts up to 5000 people.

In between the choral events are performances by

ISLAND VIBE: The Lord Howe Island Rock Fest provides a picturesque chillout with a Wednesday afternoon concert at Ned's Beach.

Photo: Contributed

cabaret artists, actors, and jazz and contemporary singers from Australia and overseas. July 1-16. Info: festivalofvoices.com.

National Multicultural Festival (ACT) THE weekend festival of culture and music includes a parade that has everything from beautiful exotic costumed dancers and marching cultural bands to magnificent floats.

People flock to the Canberra streets to what is a sea of vibrant colour and sound as 2000 performers from the local community and international groups dance. February 21-23. Info: multiculturalfestival .com.au.

Blue-Water Festivals JOIN Royal Caribbean Cruises for its on-water festivals. There is Cruisin’ Country (Sydney, October 5) with Lee Kernaghan and 50 other artists, Bravo Cruise of the Performing Arts with Anthony Warlow and Ruthie Henshall (Sydney, October 13), and Rock the Boat with Suzi Quatro and Jon Stevens (Brisbane, November 24).

Info: royalcaribbean.com/ aus/en?country=AUS. Other festival ideas: Parkes Elvis Festival (NSW). January 8-12. Info: parkeselvisfestival.com.au.

Agnes Blue, Roots and Rock Festival (Agnes Water, QLD). February 21-

23. Info: agnesbluesand roots.com.au.

Top Half Folk Festival (Alice Springs, NT). June.

Info: alicespringsfolkclub.com.

Ballina Country Music Fest (NSW). November.

Info: ballinacountry music.com.

By The Banks IndieFolk Festival (Albury, NSW). November. Info: bythebanks.com.au.

Wirrina Bluegrass Festival (South Australia). November. Info: wirrinabluegrass.com.

Australian Festival of Chamber Music (Townsville, QLD). July 31August 9. Info: afcm.com.au.

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who of Australian country music gathers with fans to see who wins the famous Golden Guitars. January 1726. Info: www.tcmf.com.au.

Big Red Bash (QLD) WITH the 2020 event already sold out, it’s probably a good time to go online to secure your tickets for 2021. Held 35km from the Outback town of Birdsville, it’s the most remote rock music festival in the world. The festival is held on the striking red sands of the Simpson Desert in front of Big Red, a 40mhigh sand dune that provides a spectacular natural amphitheatre setting found nowhere else in the world. July 2020.

Info: bigredbash.com.au/ bigredbash.

Stone The Crows Festival (NSW) HELD at the Australian Clay Target Association grounds in Wagga Wagga, it’s the ultimate over-50s and grey nomads festival of music and fun. There’s a talent quest, workshops, bush poetry, markets, seminars, crafts and the Australian Disc Bowls Championship. In 2020, Normie Rowe and Belinda Marks head up the stellar list of performers. April 10-16.

Info: www.stonethecrows .com.au.

Blues on Broadbeach (QLD) FOR four days each year, one of Australia’s largest free music festivals features more than 70 top blues, folk, soul and rock artists from Australia and around

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

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NEWS

DECEMBER, 2019// CHRISTMAS Under the Stars is at Mingara Recreation Club from 4.309.30pm on Sunday, December 22. Cost is $5 for adults and children under 12 free (accompanied by an adult). It’s full of carols, entertainment and fireworks (9.15pm), hosted by Rob and Mandy from Triple M, with The Voice winner Diana Rouvas taking to the stage for her favourite carols, as well as local favourite Nathan Foley, and of course Santa. Find out more at www.mingara.com.au or phone 4349 7799.

What’s on LUMINOUS Christmas FESTIVE season is at The Entrance now until Tuesday, December 31. That includes Carols in the Park on Christmas Eve from 6-9pm.

There will be great performers, as well as amusement rides, craft activities and a Christmasthemed photo booth at Memorial Park. It is just part of a 30-day Luminous Christmas event that started December 1, including a 40m-long light and sound display, so it is worth checking out.

Avoca Farmers’ Market

WEDNESDAYS from 4-6pm at the Bowlo, the farmers’ market at Avoca has become quite a hit.

District farmers and producers have a huge range of the freshest foods on offer including vegetables, meats, eggs, honey, granola, cheese, breads, and even edible flowers. They recently raised $233 for the local

Central Coast Carols

FRESH TASTE: The Farmers' Market at Avoca Beach Bowling Club is creating a good following on Wednesdays from 4-6pm by offering fresh and interesting produce from within a one-hour travelling distance, including some popular breads.

Picture: Contributed

firies, so well done.

And her boys”, which

WEDNESDAY, December 18 is a special night for Gosford Regional Gallery’s 2019 Archibald Prize exhibit, opening extended hours to allow you to hear from finalist Jonathan Dalton about his painting “Sally.

Anderson and Guy Maestri.

You don’t have to book, just buy a ticket to the exhibition –$7.50 general or $5 concession. The exhibition is on until January 12.

Archies After Hours includes artists Sally

Christmas Under the Stars

FRIDAY, December 20 is the big night for Star 104.5s Central Coast Carols, helping the Cancer Council NSW. It’s on at Central Coast Stadium with gates opening at 4pm and the show from 5-9pm.

Headliners are Nikki Webster and singer-guitarist Fletcher Pilon, with hosts Rabbit and Julie Goodwin. Why not take the grandkids? Go to www.centralcoastcarols.co m.au.

New Year’s Eve

YOU ARE invited to celebrate 2019’s last sunset over the water at The Entrance, with a great line-

up of entertainment, amusement rides, food and music and fireworks at 9pm.

It offers fun for the whole family. Note, there will be road closures from 3-10pm.

Twilight Races

GOSFORD Twilight Raceday could be just the thing to remind you of long, happy afternoons from your past at the country races. It’s on Friday, January 10, with free entry and gates opening 2pm for the races from 36.40pm. You are promised action-packed racing, food trucks, TAB/bookmaker facilities and more. It’s at 4 Racecourse Rd, West Gosford. Go to www.theentertainmentgrou nds.com.au or phone 4325 0431.

Chalk the Walk

IS THIS one just for the kids? I don’t think so. From Thursday, January 16 to Saturday, January 18, Chalk the Walk turns the Waterfront Plaza into a chalk art gallery – and in the past, some of these artworks have been impressive! Find out more at www.centralcoast.nsw.gov. au/events.

Judith Lucy vs Men

JUDITH Lucy is single at 51 and, looking back over her

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relationship history, has decided it might be time to stop thinking about men.

“Whatever it is that I’m selling, a lot of straight guys simply aren’t that interested in buying it and I’m including people like my father,” she said. You can gather from this there will be a bit of sex talk involved, so don’t say you haven’t been warned!

She is at The Art House, Wyong on Friday, January 17. Tickets $49. Go to www.thearthousewyong.co m.au or phone 4335 1485.

Musicals for All

WHETHER you are looking for something special to do as you help out with grandkids over the holidays, or for a Christmas present with a difference, Wyong Musical Society could have the answer. Their juniors are presenting Alice in Wonderland Jr from January 14-18 at the Laycock Theatre with shows at 10.30am, 1.30pm and 7.30pm on different days and tickets $27. This is the traditional Disney tale with a cast of over 40 talented young locals. Tickets are available at www.gosfordmusicalsociety .com or call the box office on 4323 3233.

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Floating into enjoyment Beach wheelchairs making a difference for infirm, disabled Alison Houston A NEW amphibious wheelchair which allows people with disabilities to access open water at Lake Macquarie’s Belmont Baths goes one step further than beach wheelchairs on the Central Coast.

You can actually float in it.

For elderly people with mobility problems meaning they can’t walk the sand or swim at the beach as they used to, being able to actually get into the water is a real taste of freedom.

A harness and flotation devices attached to the chair mean the user gently reclines and gradually begins to float as they enter the water.

Australian wheelchair sports representative Tracey Blair is from Belmont and gave the Mobi-Chair a trial

run.

“Getting into the water makes me feel free,” she said.

“It is great that something like this is available for people in a wheelchair.

“It adds to their inclusion in the community and improves their quality of life.”

Lake Macquarie City Council’s Andrew Bryant said council recommended two carers be on hand at all times to assist and supervise because the baths are not patrolled.

“It’s an ideal piece of equipment for the baths’ access ramp, which opened last year as part of a wider upgrade to the site,” he said.

The $4400 threewheeled device will be stored in the baths’ new amenity building, accessible to people with a disability who have a Master

FLOATING FREE: Carers assist Tracey Blair as she enters Belmont Baths in the new MobiChair and, inset, actually floating in the water.

Picture: Contributed

Locksmith’s Access Key. MLAK is a universal lock and key system that allows people with a disability nationwide access to public

facilities 24 hours a day, including wheelchair accessible toilets which are locked after sunset.

Twelve Sand Cruiser and

three Hippocampe beach wheelchairs are available at selected surf clubs on the Central Coast.

Both types are all-terrain,

with the Sand Cruiser able to be pushed along soft or hard sand into the shallows, although it can’t float.

The Hippocampe can be taken into the water right up to waist level, when you push out of it and swim as it floats nearby, ready to be reaccessed.

These wheelchairs are available at Lakes Beach, Soldiers Beach, Toowoon Bay, Shelley Beach, Wamberal, Terrigal (Sand Cruiser and Hippocampe), North Avoca, Avoca (Sand Cruiser and Hippocampe), Copacabana, Killcare, Ocean Beach and Umina (Sand Cruiser and Hippocampe for young).

Contact your local surf lifesaving club, phone Surf Life Saving Central Coast on 02 4353 0299, or use council’s online booking form.

To find out more, go to www.centralcoast.nsw.gov. au/residents/supportprograms.

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Rollicking revue heads back to cast another spell Brand Insights MAX Gillies, Tony Barber and Normie Rowe will dust off their best jokes and silly songs to tour Australia in 2020 with Senior Moments 2: Remember, Remember.

In the words of the promoters: “Senior Moments 2? No, it’s not deja vu, you are having another ‘Senior Moment’!

“The smash-hit revue returns in a sequel without

equal: Yes, once again the senior sensation will be sweeping the nation with allnew jokes and all-old performers.”

Australian TV icon Barber (Sale of the Century), master satirist Gillies (The Gillies Report) and original rock legend Normie Rowe (Les Miserables) will head the classic cast for another 90 minutes of comedy sketches, songs and inspired senior silliness.

Return Fire Productions

will tour Senior Moments 2 around Australia from February 2020.

“The show is suitable for all ages,” Gillies says.

“As long as that age is in the high double digits or you can remember when we still used pound notes and milk came in a glass bottle.”

The cast also includes Kim Lewis (Sons & Daughters), David Callan (The Goon Show Live) and Dave Gibson (Andrew Denton Breakfast Show).

Senior Moments 2: Remember, Remember is written by Angus FitzSimons and Kevin Brumpton, and directed by FitzSimons.

Tickets are on sale now.

For details visit www.senior momentsshow.com.au.

The Brisbane show is at QPAC Playhouse from March 4–8.

Ticket prices range from $55–$75.

Bookings can be made at qpac.com.au or by phoning 13 62 46.

Senior Moments 2: Remember, Remember is heading to Brisbane in March 2020.

Picture: CONTRIBUTED

Glengara Care lifestyle apartments a game-changer for aged care RETIREAUSTRALIA has unveiled a game-changing alternative for aged care on the NSW Central Coast that gives older Australians unprecedented choice to live life their way.

The innovative model is being showcased with the completion of Glengara Care at Tumbi Umbi – a $30 million project of premium Care apartments located within the resort-style Glengara Retirement Village.

The model delivers an unmatched level of tailored care,

SPACIOUS: Exterior shot of Glengara Care’s Tumbi Umbi project. .

Picture: Contributed

overturning the unappealing nursing home style of aged

care and providing certainty that support will always be

available as residents’ needs change.

RetireAustralia General Manager of Operations and Care, Simon Fawssett, said the new model was a direct response to the changing expectations of Australian families.

“We have listened to their concerns and all the things about traditional aged care services that people don’t like,” Mr Fawssett said.

“Glengara Care is our unique solution. It provides the private support people need to continue living a meaningful

life their own way in beautiful surrounds,” he said.

The new Glengara Care apartments offer the privacy of a separate bedroom, lounge area, bathroom and kitchenette complemented with high level day-to-day living support, clinical services and community connection.

The apartments are co-located with the established Glengara Retirement Village and are suitable for couples, even if one partner does not require care. Meals are prepared by professional chefs and the

care team is on hand 24/7 to meet the needs of residents.

Under the supervision of the Registered Nurse care manager, each resident will have a personalised care plan that takes account of the personal choices each resident wishes to make regarding their lifestyle.

The first residents of Glengara Care will be moving into their new apartments in the next few weeks.

Phone 1800 955 070 or go to glenaracare.com.au.

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Spectacle of tsar quality Russia’s epic history, cultural treasures take centre stage PAGES 42 & 43

How does your grandchild’s school compare?

An exclusive education series every grandparent must read.

To find out more visit education.news.com.au THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO DECIDE YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE V1 - SECE01Z01MA

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Discover Russia’s Far East BRAND INSIGHTS THE far eastern part of Russia is a long way from the rest of civilisation but that certainly does not make it irrelevant.

This sparsely populated natural wilderness north of China has beauty, ruggedness and a hardy feel.

The landscape is dominated by mountains and volcanoes, tree pinned forests and vast open fields.

It is spread over a large area – 17 million km2 – and has a modest population of 4 million out of a total Russian population of 146 million. All this makes it the perfect

spot for nature lovers to visit.

This part of Russia, however, is not just a wilderness playground. It has cities and its own people, known as the Evens.

Petropavlovsk is the capital for the area and locals proudly point out that it is a world away from Moscow.

Situated on the Kamchatka Peninsula, unusually the city has no roads connecting it to the rest of the world. It’s population is under 200,000 instead are serviced by an airport.

Situated on the icy coast, the city is flanked by dramatic mountains and fierce looking volcanoes. Russia is not normally associated with

Autumn Colours of Japan Earlybird pricing ends 14 Jan 2020 With the stunning hues of autumn, this escorted tour will take you on a breathtaking journey by land and sea to one of the world’s most vibrant and captivating destinations.

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beaches but Petropavlovask has isolated, beautiful beaches with the mountains in the background completing a fine picture postcard scene. Sitting high on a hill above the city is the golden-domed Trinity cathedral which offers great views of the city, mountains

and bay.

Outside the city, the roughed edged countryside greets the explorer with open arms.

Visitors can have an adventure in this untamed land all year round just as long as they have decent footwear!

Picture: Contributed

Moscow and St Petersburg are great destinations in their own right but this is Russia in its authentic form. Russia untamed, Russia bold, Russia wild. A place where all touristy gimmicks can be forgotten and where visitors can rediscover authenticity.

Dip your toe in Russia’s Far East aboard Silversea’s Silver Muse on Cruise Express’ 30 night holiday package departing in August 2021.

Visit cruiseexpress.com. au/cruise-list/alaska-russianfar-east/.

Ponant Kimberley Cruise Aboard the new ‘Le Bellot’ Set sail for the wild and grandiose landscapes of the Kimberley. With stunning falls, abrupt gorges, savannah, and calm waters, these wild lands promise an exceptional adventure.

April to July 2021 - 10 night package From $9,990* pp twin

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Line up for the Flam Railway Shirley Sinclair ONE of the world’s most scenic train journeys takes only a leisurely 60 minutes but is worth travelling to the other side of the globe for.

Norway’s Flam Railway can be experienced in a day trip from Bergen – the cruising capital on the west coast.

When we were unable to fit the much-talked-about Nordic wonder into our itinerary on a recent Holland America Line Scandinavian cruise, we made the effort to fly back to Bergen from our Amsterdam base for a few days and completed the rail journey as a last hurrah.

To maximise our day, we rolled slowly out of Bergen train station on a rainy Saturday (the city takes the title of rainiest in Europe, being situated between seven mountains) at 6.50am – the first train headed for Myrdal, 106km away, to make the connection with the Flam Railway.

Bergen is known as “the gateway to the Norwegian fjords”, located in the middle of the Sognefjord in the north and the Hardangerfjord in the south.

So the Bergen Railway is its own surprise packet of panoramas. Even on this eerily misty morning, the mirror-image reflections of mountains, trees, collections of homes and boathouses on the fjord are impressive.

After many more passengers get on at Voss, we finally arrive at Myrdal: the upper terminal of the Flam Line.

It may be July and well into summer in Norway but the passengers are rugged up and snow is still found in crevices and dips in the mountains touching the sky above the station, which lies at 866.8m above sea level.

The cloud cover creeps lower here, almost embracing us as we wait.

The 20.2km journey, with 80 per cent running on a gradient of 5.5 per cent, takes an hour one way at a top speed of 45km/h.

The Flam Rail line hugs the typical Norwegian scenes, bringing the outdoors inside. We feel like we can almost touch flowing streams.

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Fascinating villages can be seen all along the train line.

VISUAL FEAST: Special views abound during the day trip from Bergen.

FAST FACTS The Flam Railway, or Flamsbana, was built over the course of 20 years at a cost then of about NOK 20 million. (about $3,210,000). It runs from the valley floor of the Sognefjord – the longest fjord in Norway and second longest in the world.

Flamsdalen Valley and Flam village, with a population of about 400 people in Aurland municipality.

Along the way, we have the opportunity to take photos of the Flamsbana trains as they head back to Myrdal and the quaint homes of Lunden, and stop for a snack by the turquoise waters of Flamselvi.

The Flam River brought the first tourists to Flam – mostly English lords and their families who came 150 years ago for salmon fishing.

The stretch of the river is now part of the Fretheim Farm, which holds fishing rights. The original bridges, giving fishermen easy access to the river, were built in 1910-20 but were restored in 2017 after a flood destroyed the originals.

We’ve taken many long and short rail trips over the years but as a window to Norwegian life and its majestic scenery in one day, Flam Railway deserves all its accolades.

The Flam Railway The Flam Railway opened for freight and goods transport on August 1, 1940, and to passengers in 1941. It became an important transport artery for the Sogn district, linking villages along the Sognefjord to Bergen and Oslo via the connecting Bergen Railway. Until the Flam Railway was completed, access to villages in the area could only be via the fjord or on foot and horseback over the mountains. Try to get a seat on the left when heading from Myrdal to Flam, and from Flam to Myrdal if doing the full trip. Head to www. vy.no/en for rail tickets.

Various tour companies such as Norway in a Nutshell include the Flam Railway as part of their package deal.

Go to www.visitflam.com for more information.

Where to stay Thon Hotel Orion, Bradbenken 3, Bergenhus, Bergen. Go to www.thonhotels.com/ourhotels/norway/bergen/thonhotel-orion.

Photos: Shirley Sinclair

A window into Norwegian life.

1300 484 510 | (07) 5513 1086 E: groups@uplifttours.com www.uplifttoursandtravel.com

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29 may - 05 june 2020

Join former Australian Lawn Bowls coach and Commonwealth Champion, Cameron Curtis on this incredible fully hosted tour, representing outstanding value for money that will provide you *per person Twin Share with amazing opportunities to bowl, meet the locals, see the veryy best sights and rejuvenate Learn from the very best on the sport * Ex BNE with your amazing tour host, as you immerse yourself in your Single supplement $695 local surrounds. The waterfalls are breathtaking, the caves are evocative, the cuisine is to-die-for and the people are fascinating.

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The Hawaii Ukulele Festival this year celebrates 50 years and is the largest ukulele festival of its kind in the world. We will experience all the festivities and immerse yourself in a little Oahu sightseeing also. So, come and join us ion this Ukulele Festival where the magic is in the music and the love that we share...

TERMS & CONDITIONS *Price is per person twin share. Single Supplement applies. Credit card surcharges apply. Deposit of AUD$500-$800 per person is required to secure tour. Tour requires a minimum number of passengers to depart. Prices may fluctuate if surcharges, fee, taxes or currency change. Prices current as at 1st November 2019. Uplift Tours and Travel in conjunction with Norfolk Select Marketing ABN: 93 367 366 822 ATAS Accreditations A10619

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It’s time to rush over to Russia now Friendly welcome a sign of the changing times Tracey Johnstone BETWEEN the history of murders and sainthoods of old Rus, the insurgence of Napoleon, and the reign of the Soviets and communism, incredible Russian architecture arose and outstanding artefacts were acquired.

Modern-day Russia has preserved a lot of that dynamic history and made it accessible and affordable for overseas visitors and locals.

It’s a destination I was hesitant to visit on my own, hence my choice to sign up for a 16-day tour with Australian company Academy Travel on the promise our tour leader, Dr Matthew Dal Santo, would take us behind the tourist banter and into the history behind the events that have made Russia such a fascinating place to visit.

We started in Moscow travelling for three hours, past the never-ending highrise residential buildings, through the incredibly congested traffic on the eight-lane highway, to the town of Suzdal.

Away from the madness, the countryside was lush, but the homes of the locals were small and simple, often timber construction. It was a timely reminder of how tough life would have been for the serfs.

On the way to Suzdal we stopped at the Sergiev Posad monastery, which is

thought to be the spiritual home of the Russian Orthodox Church. Its blue “onion” domes above are reminiscent of Constantinople, which provided the foundation for the orthodox church.

Suzdal was the start of the many, many visits to churches, some of which dated back to the 1100s – all important to understanding the growth of Rus, its governing structure and tsars. It was here that the churches moved from timber to limestone construction.

Every inch inside these churches is covered with dazzling icons, beautifully detailing the many stories of the faith.

Nearby is Vladimir, founded in 1108 by Kiev prince Vladimir Monomakh.

It replaced Kiev as the capital of Rus. From Vladimir it was a short train trip back to Moscow, with the train announcer proudly declaring we were arriving in the “hero city” of Moscow. It’s home to 12 million people in the city itself and 20 million or so across greater Moscow.

By late September the temperature was heading downwards, so out came the thermals. Luckily the central heating was already turned on. Normally, across the cities, it’s on from October 1 until May 1.

Moscow is old outside, modern inside. It throbs with commerce and tolerates

‘‘

Every inch inside these churches is covered with dazzling icons, beautifully detailing the many stories

eager visitors who are thrilled by the architecture, culture, history and artwork.

We did the obligatory and fabulous Bolshoi Ballet visit where we saw the prima ballerina Svetlana Zakharova dance, marvelled at the interiors and ceilings of the Metro stations, waved hello to Mr Putin while we wandered in the grounds of the Kremlin, and delved into the tsar and Soviet history sites.

Red Square is impressive and confusing. On one side is the huge mausoleum housing Lenin, on another side the flame of the unknown solider guarded by stern young military men who only move precisely at the changing of the guards.

On another side is St Basil’s Cathedral with its nine church domes of varying colours and styles.

Turn to your left and there on the final side is the GUM department store with just every top (read expensive) European fashion brand.

There was so much to see I have promised myself a return visit to take in this incredible city at a much slower pace.

Soon the group hopped on the comfortable train for the three or so hours’ trip to St Petersburg.

The city was built on swamps with no arable land nearby to help feed the serfs, but it was the perfect location to give the tsar access to the Baltic Sea. Here Peter the Great changed Russia forever as he forced it to move towards modernisation and Europeanism. The Court spoke French and spent up big. It was also the time when Rus was renamed Russia.

Several leaders later, Catherine the Great ascended to the throne and made her mark both on Russia and across eastern

MOSCOW MAGIC: A spectacular view of St Basil’s, the famous and iconic cathedral on Red

Europe. Her palace in Pushkin, just 20km out of the city, is said to rival the Palace of Versailles. It is certainly another example of exceptional architecture, and excessive wealth.

Apart from some 200 gilded palaces and countless domed churches, the nobility acquired incredible artwork from across Europe.

Much of it survived the world wars but was then confiscated from the ruling families to be preserved and

displayed for the people.

The Hermitage and its adjacent General Staff Building artwork collection, which has earned its status as world-class, the Yusupov Palace and the Carl Faberge Museum are everything they say they are and much, much more. Original paintings by Picasso, Monet, Matisse, van Gogh and Kandinsky are just a hand span away from the visitor.

Coincidentally, the Yusupov Palace visit was

very special as an old school friend of mine is a relative of the family. If her family had stayed in Russia, she would have been an empress. Alas, they escaped to Paris and beyond, but left a magnificent home and more outstanding artworks for the world to enjoy.

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A delicate Faberge egg on display in the Carl Faberge Museum.

St Petersburg’s massive The Hermitage Museum.

Catherine the Great’s palace in Pushkin.

Square, with a beautiful backdrop of blue skies filled with cumulus clouds.

Bolshoi Theatre.

Not to be missed is the Leningrad Blockade Memorial. It is a stark and sombre reminder of the 900-day blockade by the Nazis of then-called Leningrad from 1941-44.

In St Petersburg on May 9 – Victory Day – you will often see citizens carrying a photo or piece of memorabilia of a family member who fought during WWII. If you thought going to Russia would be like visiting V1 - SECE01Z01MA

the Outback, think again.

Zipping past us in the cities were Uber Eats-style delivery cyclists, while we regularly spotted Burger King and McDonald’s stores.

Ignore the grumpy face reputation; Russians are welcoming.

And celebrate the cleanliness.

The cities are impeccably clean, bar the occasional cigarette butt.

“Spacibo’’ to the Russians for a memorable experience.

Photos: Tracey Johnstone

Bishops’ hats for sale, but not to the public, at Sergei Posad.

St Basil’s sits at the edge of the square in The Kremlin.

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Travellers taking the risk RESEARCH shows that more than half of Australian travellers’ top three destinations to visit are countries with a Smartraveller Level 2, 3 or 4 advice level.

The research, commissioned by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Insurance Council of Australia’s Understand Insurance initiative, found: 32 per cent of Australian travellers say they would probably still travel if DFAT raised the travel advice level on Smartraveller to Level 3 (reconsider your need to travel). Of those who would likely still travel, 25 per cent said “the appeal of the destination justified the risk”.

87 per cent of Australians aspiring to travel overseas are attracted to destinations that carry risk, or are off the beaten track, with 60 per cent of those under 30 saying they are attracted to places that feel adventurous.

10 per cent of travellers chose not to buy travel insurance. Of these, 71 per cent were travelling to a country where they hold nationality or dual nationality.

Of those without insurance, 15 per cent said they expected to be safe in their destination.

22 per cent of men under 30 travelled overseas without travel insurance.

One in four travellers wrongly believes the Australian Government will pay for medical treatment or emergency travel home if something goes wrong.

Lisa Kable, spokeswoman for understandinsurance. com.au, said: “Travellers should check Smartraveller advisories when planning, booking and prior to departure on an international trip.

“Advisories for 177 countries are monitored and can change levels at any time depending on the risk to travellers.

“Risks include disease, natural disasters, civil unrest, war, terrorism activity, volatile security and political situations, banditry, kidnapping, carjacking and violent opportunistic crime targeting foreigners.

“The survey found less than a third of travellers were both aware of the travel advice level of a destination and knew that not all travel insurance may provide coverage depending on the level.”

Insurance is available for most high-risk destinations, but Level 4 destinations are usually excluded.

Many travel insurance policies may not cover financial losses resulting from acts of terrorism, war and civil war, but most will cover medical costs.

“Some policies may provide cover in some circumstances such as travellers who are already travelling. Some policies will pay for additional travel and accommodation costs, lost

luggage or repatriation,” Ms Kable added.

Traveller tips: Understand your policy by reading the Product Disclosure Statement, and know the inclusions and exclusions specific to the circumstances and conditions for the countries being visited.

Most policies have exclusions relating to preexisting medical conditions and extreme sports.

Australians should purchase their travel insurance at the time of paying for their trip, not when a travel warning has been issued for the destination.

Travellers who travel to a country despite a Level 3 or 4 travel advice are likely to find claims relating to the advice level are not covered.

Travellers who decide not to go on a booked trip before departure in response to an upward change in advice level are

likely not to be covered for claims relating to cancellation unless the advice level moves to a Level 4 – Do Not Travel.

Understand Insurance and Smartraveller encourage all Australian travellers to read the travel advice on smartraveller.gov.au before they leave home and subscribe to receive travel updates, or follow Smartraveller and Understand Insurance on social media.

Level 4 destinations include: Afghanistan, Burundi, Libya, Iraq, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, Central African Republic.

Level 3 destinations include: Bangladesh, Bolivia, Haiti, North Korea.

Level 2 destinations include: Belgium, France, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Brazil, Zimbabwe and Chile.

Check smartraveller. gov.au/countries/pages/ list.aspx for the latest destination advice levels.

SAFE HOLIDAYS: Travellers should check Smartraveller advisories when planning, booking and prior to departure on an international trip.Photo: Contributed

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Toast to historic Cowra MARJ OSBORNE

IF THERE’S one town in New South Wales that proclaims peace, it’s Cowra.

When we visit, it’s tranquil, the Lachlan Valley stretching out before our view, the town surrounded by vineyards, farmland and waterways.

But this land holds a more troubled history. On a gentle slope overlooking the town, a camp was set up during World War II to hold Japanese, Italian, Korean, Chinese and Indonesian prisoners of war. It was an extensive camp holding more prisoners than the number of Cowra residents at the time.

About 2am on August 5, 1944, more than 1000 Japanese war prisoners attempted to escape, in the largest POW breakout in modern military history.

During the escape and ensuing manhunt, four Australian soldiers and 231

Japanese were killed. The remaining escapees were recaptured.

It’s chilling to stand on the site today, picturing the scenes of chaos in the darkness of night, as a replay of the events unfolds, broadcast by loudspeaker from the guard tower beside us. It’s a tale of desperate men striving to maintain their honour and the few brave soldiers who tried to withstand the attack.

Not far away, the only Japanese war cemetery in Australia houses the graves of those prisoners who perished, now lying in peace beside the graves of Australian soldiers. It’s a place of tranquillity, a light breeze blowing as we wander beneath the Japanese maples. The site, tended by the RSL, is often visited by Japanese dignitaries on their visits to Australia.

The area’s significance to Japanese-Australian

relations was further reinforced when the Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre was later built on Bellevue Hill to commemorate these events.

Initially viewed as a tourist attraction, the gardens have become a symbol of reconciliation between Japan and Australia.

Funded largely by the Japanese Government as a sign of thanks for the respectful treatment of their war dead, with further funding from the Australian Government and private entities, the garden was designed by worldrenowned designer Ken Nakajima and opened in two stages, in 1979 and 1986.

The “strolling’’ gardens were designed in the style of the Edo period when Japan was united under one shogun. We have just missed the annual Sakura Matsuri (cherry blossom festival held each September), a major event in Cowra’s tourism

SORROWFULLY SIGNIFICANT: The site of the World War II POW camp at Cowra, where chaotic scenes played out.

calendar, but the springtime gardens are resplendent with foliage, their rocky hillsides, manicured hedges, waterfalls, lakes and streams representing the Japanese landscape.

Mr Nakajima said it was the best garden he had ever made, and upon his death his ashes were placed at the top of the garden overlooking his masterpiece.

Today, visitors to Cowra seek not only to learn about its war history and gardens,

they also come to taste food and wine from the area.

The Quarry Restaurant is the only Cowra restaurant situated among the vines.

Settle in and enjoy a glass of local wine with good food.

The first vines had been planted in Cowra when the first settlers arrived; however, many early settlers moved to Mudgee as it was a more prosperous town.

Although you can visit cellar doors by yourself, we took the Cowra Wine & Forage

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Tour to enjoy a carefree taste of the region’s wines.

Without the hassle of driving and finding wineries on country roads, this group tour ensured that we met producers at the farm gate.

Whether you visit Cowra to enrich your knowledge of history or to further your enjoyment of food and wine, the town is only a four-hour drive from Sydney.

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It’s party time in Barcelona!

Graeme Wilson IT’S not every day that you get to fly into Barcelona to celebrate your 60th birthday … in fact, you only get one shot at it.

So as the plane touched down at El Prat airport I was determined to grab my bag and hit the ground running.

My big day had started somewhat disastrously in Paris where a combination of city-wide transport strike and highly flawed decisionmaking on my part resulted in a $200 Uber airport fare.

So for this day to be memorable for the right reasons, the pressure was on

Barcelona to turn on the charm. The result was never in doubt. Fast forward several hours to a spectacular rooftop bar and as I took in the glorious sunset-drenched views, the French faux pas was long forgotten.

During my first day on Spanish soil, a casual wander along the famous Las Ramblas mall and on to Passeig de Gracia had already offered an introduction to the artistic brilliance of Antoni Gaudi.

The multi-coloured Casa Batllo was originally designed as home for a wealthy aristocrat, but these

days attracts millions of visitors as a museum.

Gaudi’s special touch is evident everywhere you roam throughout Barcelona and among other highlights of my three-night stay were tours of the iconic La Sagrada Familia, a Roman Catholic temple started in 1882 and finally due for completion in 2026, and the Gaudi House Museum.

Throw in a relaxing day on the beach at Platja de la Barceloneta, a romantic evening dinner overlooking the marina, expansive views from the hilltop Castell de Montjuic…and a tasty paella or three…and Barcelona ticked all the boxes.

The Castell de Montjuic provides sweeping views of the city below.

DRINK IT IN: When you’re looking to celebrate in style, it’s pretty hard to beat sunset drinks in the somewhat exclusive rooftop bar at Barcelona’s Majestic Hotel.Pictures: Graeme Wilson

The La Boqueria markets are full of colourful fare.

The ethereal interior of the spectacular Sagrada Familia.

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WELLBEING

DECEMBER, 2019//

SENIORS

Guide to not feeling age Councillor and rugby coach makes most of lifestyle FORMER national and international rugby union coach turned councillor, John Connolly, 68, spoke to Seniors News about how he is enjoying ageing on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

He’s like a lot people who led a very active life in their younger years. The aches and pains from past injuries and breakages have taken their toll on him, but they haven’t diminished his love for living life in the moment.

Q: How are you keeping fit?

A: I go to the gym and swim, but not every day. In the last 12 months I have lost about 25 kilos.

I have always played a lot of sport, but I ate too much and it got away from me. I was always solid, but when you do less exercise, it’s a problem.

A doctor mate of mine was at lunch with me about 12 months ago and said, ‘John, I have a question for you. How many fat buggers do you know that are over 70?’ I said, ‘Good question, doc.’ It jarred me into doing something.

I have also had a hip replacement about 12 months ago.

Q: What is ageing like for you?

A: I have three boys — 37, 36 and 15. The 15 keeps you

Q: When will you retire?

A: I haven’t thought about stopping. There is another election in March and I have put my hand up for that.

Q: Why live on the coast?

A: Every time I go to Brisbane I look forward to coming home. When I was in Japan recently I looked forward to coming home. It’s the lifestyle, the beaches and the fantastic hinterland.

I haven’t got one favourite place; I enjoy the lot.

NEW BALL GAME: John Connolly looking fitter and healthier since tackling the challenge of ageing well on the Coast.

young and you know, it’s much harder bringing up kids now than it was 25 years ago.

When I was 57 I semiretired for a few years, but since I got into council, it’s been good.

You know, if you don’t use it, you lose it. You’ve got to keep active, having goals and reasons to get up in the morning, whether it’s work, charity work or volunteering.

I feel just as sharp and energised as I was 30 or 40 years ago. And, life experience keeps you going.

Q: What is your

relationship like with your sons?

A: With technology, even now when I go home and have problems with the computer I get my 15-yearold to help.

Q: Any regrets?

A: I try not to spend too much time looking in the rear-view mirror. I try to move forward to the next thing that I want to get involved in, whether it be travel or doing well in council.

If you have problems, sometimes you can’t do anything about them.

Learning to live in the

now is important as you get older.

Q: Did you have any other sports?

A: I was an A-grade cricketer when I was 16. I got into rugby union by accident, but cricket was my first love.

If I have a regret, it’s not taking advantage of the opportunities I was given at a young age.

At 18 I would go out with my mates and have a few drinks and the next day you had to go out and play Agrade cricket. It wasn’t a good way to prepare.

Q: What about your

Picture: Contributed

nickname — Knuckles?

A: That comes from a past life. It was a different world in those days.

Q: Are you still involved in rugby union?

A: Journalists ring up for comments all the time because I coached Australia.

I watch it with interest. I had someone ring me up the other day asking me if I was interested in coaching in Europe again. I said you never say never, but it’s probably unlikely. If they have asked you, they have probably asked plenty of others. It’s always good for the ego when they ring up.

FACTS AND FIGURES John “Knuckles” Connolly (born June 26, 1951, in Brisbane) is a rugby union coach and the former head coach of the Wallabies.

Connolly has worked with the Queensland Reds, Stade Français, Swansea RFC as well as Bath Rugby.

Connolly played hooker for the Brothers club in Brisbane.

In 1989, Connolly took up a coaching position within the Queensland team. In 1991, he served as an Australian selector.

With the inception of the Super 12 competition in Australia in 1996, Connolly continued his position at the Queensland Reds. The Reds won the minor premiership that year, and Connolly went on to win the Super 12 Coach of the Year award in both 1998 and 1999, the Reds also winning the minor premiership in 1999.

In early February 2006 Connolly was appointed as coach of the Australian team. He got his nickname, “Knuckles’’, as a nightclub bouncer in Darwin years ago.

Source: Wikipedia

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WELLBEING 31

Weights lift quality of life

GOROKAN Age no bar to easing aches, boosting spirits Nick Rizzo GROWING old can be a difficult and scary process.

Improving the experience of ageing, the health of the older populations and the quality of life is a valuable endeavour.

When these objectives are achieved, it can empower older adults and the elderly to live a fuller, more engaged and active life.

Pain-free living Thankfully, training helps improve the overall quality of life. One way is by reducing the level of general aches and pains as well as disorder-specific pain.

That is exactly the point.

Reducing pain levels allows for greater ease of movement, fewer restrictions when moving, and in general, feeling better with less negative stimuli V1 - SECE01Z01MA

coming from your body.

Mental and emotional On top of being able to move around with less pain, improving strength and muscle through weightlifting improves health-related factors. This can improve physical capabilities as well as the emotional and mental state.

Now with these improved physical functional capabilities you are able to lead a more engaged and active lifestyle.

Being more active, engaged and having more social interaction is the golden ticket that improves mental and emotional health on various levels.

Weight training also innately improves mental, emotional and cognitive health through biological mechanisms that enhance the quality of life. l Urinary incontinence Other areas of quality are

less obvious: for example, urinary incontinence.

Twenty-five million adults in the US suffer with urinary incontinence and 75-80 per cent of those are women.

Twenty-three per cent of women over the age of 60 struggle with incontinence.

Frail older women who struggle with this issue and who underwent weight training had a 50 per cent reduction in daily leaks.

Verdict The benefits of weight training are many: a more engaged and active lifestyle; less pain; improved cognitive, mental and emotional health.

Weightlifting is a crucial aspect of improving the quality of life of older adults and the elderly.

Gorokan Guardian Pharmacy team would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

- Nick Rizzo is the director of training and fitness at RunRepeat.com.

Gorokan 02 4392 2131

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GET ACTIVE: Experts say weight training is a crucial aspect of improving older adults’ quality of life.

Photo: Contributed

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32

FEATURE

DECEMBER, 2019//

SENIORS

We can weather change Expert urges nations to dig in for long haul as climate takes high toll people who say they have seen it all before are correct … to an extent.

By Alison Houston

LIQUID ASSET: How we can better capture, store and deliver water is one of the big questions facing us.

Firefighters rescue a koala during the recent spate of devastating blazes.

Photo: Contributed

IT’S without question the hottest topic of the moment – climate change.

But with 50 years of experience in meteorology and climate science, University of Southern Queensland’s Professor Roger Stone says we are looking at the problem the wrong way.

To begin with, he says, we can dispose of arguments as to whether current high temperatures and drought conditions here and in other areas of the southern hemisphere are the result of predicted weather patterns or climate change – it’s both.

The same unusually warm sea temperatures in the Central Pacific and cool temperatures in the Indian Ocean, giving us the El Nino effect, cause the reverse weather patterns in Europe and the Americas, resulting in record lows and flooding there.

“The world is usually out of balance with rainfall – when we’re having droughts in Australia, they are often having floods in the northern hemisphere and vice versa,” Professor Stone said.

El Nino is part of a predictable periodic weather pattern occasionally resulting in prolonged events such as that experienced in Australia between 1991 and 1995, so

THE CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECT The difference, Prof Stone says, is that climate change is making the impact of these seasonal climate patterns far more severe, protracted and more common.

Because Australia has the most variable rainfall of any nation in the world – with variability increasing, especially in northern Queensland – we are very much affected by climate change.

Prof Stone said the United Nations Commission for Agricultural Meteorology, of which he is president, brought together the work of climate science teams – including climate prediction models associated with agriculture and drought – from countries around the world.

This provides a global picture of weather and seasonal climate events, how these affect countries, and how we can learn from each other.

The key, he said, was “to have greater preparedness for when these events – drought, severe storms and flooding – occur”.

That means getting governments to think long term about climate and its effect on our lives.

Extreme conditions fast being entrenched as new normal THE effects of climate change are already far-reaching, emerging in many crucial aspects of life.

As Labor health spokesman Simon Bowen recently highlighted at Sydney University: “Changing climate zones, desertification, ocean acidification, ecosystem collapse: these impacts threaten our food supply, our economy, our security and, of course, our health”.

HEALTH: The Australian Medical Association (AMA) in August declared climate change a health emergency, following

similar statements by its counterparts in Britain and the US. AMA president Dr Tony Bartone pointed to higher mortality and morbidity from heat stress – a major issue for the elderly – injury and mortality from increasingly severe weather events, food and water insecurity, and a higher incidence of mental health problems.

TOURISM: Australia’s Climate Council says Australia’s top-five natural tourist attractions (beaches, wildlife, Great Barrier Reef, wilderness and national

parks) are at risk due to rising temperatures and seas, and increased fire danger.

FIRE: Just last month, a state of emergency was declared in a number of states affected by “unprecedented” fires.

The Climate Council says “the nature of bushfires in Australia has changed” – with increasing risk to people and property.

Its key findings included that bushfire risk had been exacerbated by record-breaking drought, very dry fuels and soils, and recordbreaking heat. It also found the fire

season had “lengthened so substantially that it has already reduced opportunities for fuelreduction burning”, making it harder to prepare for worsening conditions.

WILDLIFE: The recent fires have left Australia’s koala population in crisis, with the Australian Koala Foundation saying they are “functionally extinct”, with more than 1000 killed and 80 per cent of their habitat destroyed.

WATER: According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Australia’s total rainfall during the 2018-19

financial year was 351.4mm, 24 per cent below average – the driest financial year since 1969-70.

Australia also experienced its second-warmest financial year on record with mean daily maximum temperature 1.7C higher than average – the highest on record.

The hot, dry conditions affected water resources in all states, resulting in reduced water in the soil (just 8.5 per cent), in storages, rivers, groundwater, continuing years of drought in many areas and necessitating tight water restrictions.

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– but joint plan is crucial ‘‘

TIME FOR UNITY: United Nations Commission for Agricultural Meteorology president and USQ Centre for Applied Climate Sciences director Professor Roger Stone says we need to be less parochial and look globally in addressing climate change and its effects.

The greenhouse gas emissions are almost entirely due to the northern

hemisphere THE POLITICS The climate problems we are experiencing globally due to greenhouse gas pollution in the atmosphere, Prof Stone said, would take at least 20 years to improve as a result of changes in our behaviour.

Having worked in government before becoming USQ Centre for Applied Climate Sciences director, he said some governments and politicians on both sides of the political divide were more willing to listen to environmental and climate concerns than others.

Part of the difficulty was that with each change of government and change in bureaucratic department heads, policy attitudes shifted, knowledge was lost and so little ongoing progress was ever achieved.

“The minute it starts raining, drought is taken off the agenda and becomes something for another day, so the next time it happens we are caught without answers again,” Prof Stone said.

However, with the country now clearly looking “so bad”, with “massive rainfall deficits” and AN

L I VE

Supporting the

D INS P IR E

unprecedented fires, he believes alarm bells are ringing that this is a climate crisis and we cannot afford to defer making long-term decisions.

But degenerating into political name calling, finger pointing and protesting for more to be done about greenhouse gases within Australia, he said, achieved nothing.

It was akin to burning the village witch in the Middle Ages, believing they had caused hailstorms.

“We are being too parochial in the way we think about climate change,” Prof Stone said.

“This is a global climate system we are working with and the greenhouse gas emissions are almost entirely

due to the northern hemisphere – they are responsible for 95 per cent.

“What we do in Australia has little effect (1 per cent of global emissions).”

That meant, he said, that while we needed to continue to do the right thing environmentally within Australia, we also needed to stop blaming ourselves and instead “ask our friends, particularly in the US, China and the European Union, to change what they are doing and set clear targets (to reduce greenhouse gas emissions)”.

“That’s where the real action has to be, and that’s the tougher question – how we, as a tiny nation, are going to influence the global picture, because we are very

much on the receiving end of this.

“We need to have a bigger voice on the global stage.”

TOLL ON THE LAND Those arguably hardest hit by the effects of climate change, including drought, associated fire, storm and flooding, are of course our farmers.

“The first thing we know is that farmers only make a good profit three years out of 10,” Prof Stone said.

On average, they will have three really bad years and four average.

He said that contrast in results would increase, and while good seasons would return, farmers needed to be more attuned and responsive to weather and

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climate conditions than ever.

Many farmers, he said, watched very closely in autumn when, for instance, El Nino patterns generally end, before making decisions on whether to destock or increase stock and what to plant.

“In the future they are going to have to be very responsive and opportunistic to capture the good years when they are there,” Prof Stone said.

Some, he said, for example had swapped from wheat crops to chickpeas, which were more drought resistant (where markets allowed), and to innovative plant-breeding programs such as stay-green wheat and sorghum that had also

THE FUTURE Events such as the devastating fires in New South Wales and Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria, Prof Stone said, had already overtaken debate.

The question is where will it end, and how can we improve our future outlook?

Prof Stone said extremist views polarising the community could do only more damage.

We need to work together to take a stand to influence those responsible for large-scale global emissions.

He said long-term planning and policy were the answer, both to find power alternatives and to cope with existing climate-related threats.

As individuals, that meant contacting and lobbying our politicians – including state and federal local members, agriculture and environment ministers and shadow ministers and party leaders – to talk with their international equivalents and reinforce the need for greater responsibility and prompt long-term policy action against large-scale emissions.

Our writers are from all walks of life and each piece theyy contribute brings the magazine together in a way that will w bring you joy, comfort and inspiration.

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SHARES

DECEMBER, 2019//

SENIORS

Bank on easy steps to help you reclaim your money

Money

What to do if you could be a lost shareholder Dianne Charman AMP ACCORDING to the Australian Shareholders Association there is currently more than $1.1 billion of unclaimed money lying dormant in Australia.

CASH TRAIL: AMP has launched a campaign to find 43,000 lost shareholders and reconnect them with their holdings.

Picture: File A lot of this money comes in the form of lost shares.

When it comes to small investors, it’s very common for shareholders to lose touch with the companies A one-day property investment workshop they invest in – more than on the Central Coast 150,000 small investors A one-day property investment workshop forgotten about For more have information $451 million worth of shares. on the Central Coast Contact Dennis Gordge: By dissecting his own property portfolio, containing Otherwise known as “lost For more information shareholders”. www.givingback.com.au 17 dissecting income streams from aportfolio, varietycontaining of property types,Contact Dennis Gordge: By his own property Lost shareholders are info@givingback.com.au www.givingback.com.au people who own shares but Dennis gives his students antypes, honest and 17 incomeGordge streams from a variety of property 412company 467 353has exhausted info@givingback.com.au +61the Dennis Gordge gives hisinsight studentsinto an honest incredibly detailed everyand aspect of property all means to contact them or +61 412 467 353 incredibly detailed insight into every aspect of property W pay their St dividends.

In many purchasing,investing, and growing their own portfolios. 14A Faunce St W14A Faunce West Gosford, NSW 2250 purchasing,investing, and growing their own portfolios. cases, investors – most of West Gosford, NSW 2250 whom are likely to now be retirees – provided the company with a postal address, bank account or email address that is no People starting out in property longer valid.

Anyone interested in property Sometimes a company loses track of shareholders Anyone who does not want to end up when they divorce or move on the pension house and don’t update their contact details with it.

Sole Traders or anyone with an ABN Also, physical addresses have changed over the Those too busy to make the time years. For example, some -you’ll -you’ benefit the most of all! roadside mailboxes in rural areas are no longer valid Take home a lifetime plan for investing in postal addresses. Some people have forgotten they property - and have the confidence own shares. to make it happen.

AMP, which has the thirdlargest shareholder base in Australia, recently launched Would you like your adult child or a campaign to find 43,000 grandchild to come along? “lost” shareholders and connect them with their Would you like your adult child or Gift vouchers can be purchased at: holdings and $13 million

Propel To Passive Income

Propel To Passive Income

grandchild to come along? www.givingback.com.au

Gift vouchers can be purchased at: www.givingback.com.au

7093112aa

Who should attend:

‘‘

There are 352 lost Johns, 322 lost Peters and 100 lost shareholders called Margaret. worth of unclaimed dividends.

The average lost AMP shareholder is a 63-year-old man. There are 352 lost Johns, 322 lost Peters and 100 lost shareholders called Margaret. Thirty-seven thousand lost shareholders are Australian while 4600 are New Zealanders. Most either live – or have lived – in New South Wales (12,000), Victoria (10,000) and Queensland (6700).

AMP has launched a website – findmyampshares. com.au – that allows people to use their date of birth to see if they, a family member or client (in the case of financial advisers, solicitors and tax agents) own a stake in AMP. The website also helps people to then claim their shares and any dividends they’re owed.

AMP is not the only company looking for lost shareholders. Telstra (1.3 million shareholders) followed by CBA (830,000) have the first and secondlargest shareholder bases in Australia.

LOCATING LOST SHAREHOLDINGS

If you think you may have forgotten shares with another company, these

guidelines from the Australian Shareholder Association may help: • Contact the relevant company.

• Contact the responsible state government department as the unclaimed money may be either registered with that department or, depending on the time that has lapsed, held by the department.

It’s important that if you discover you have lost shares, make sure you contact the company’s share registry and provide your new details.

It’s also worth trying to search for lost shareholdings through the Australian Government website moneysmart.gov.au.

The ASIC website contains details of how to claim your money. The unclaimed money form will step you through all the information you need to provide to ASIC. The company will be contacted

by ASIC once you have submitted your form.

Dianne Charman, of Jade Financial Group, is an Authorised Representative of AMP Financial Planning Pty Ltd, ABN 89 051 208 327, AFS Licence No. 232706.

Any advice given is general only and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.

Because of this, before acting on any advice, you should consult a financial planner to consider how appropriate the advice is to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

SECE01Z01MA - V1

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\\DECEMBER, 2019

SHARES

35

How to protect your assets from expensive mistakes Check your insurances Liability insurance is a must if you want to safeguard your assets in the event that you need to pay compensation.

Separate business and personal assets If you are a business owner and your family home is held in your name, it may be at risk from bankruptcy or litigation procedures. One way to protect your home is to give majority ownership of the home to a person who is not an owner of the business, typically a spouse.

Create a trust Trusts can be beneficial asset protection strategies, as you are transferring ownership of an asset away from yourself and into a legal structure, so the asset is not yours to lose in the event you are sued.

Picture:

Consider overseas markets for bigger slice of ‘selfie’ pie IT’S official – Australia’s army of self-managed super funds (SMSFs) makes up one of the biggest like-minded group of investors on the Australian sharemarket.

Collectively, SMSFs – or “selfies’’ – own about 20 per cent of the local sharemarket.

As a combined group, that makes them very powerful indeed.

But mum-and-dad funds aren’t in shares for the power.

It’s no secret that Aussie shares offer two key benefits that make them well suited to super funds – regular dividend income and the potential for long-term capital growth, both of which can be lightly taxed.

Oddly, though, many selfies are cooling on direct shares.

A recent report by Investment Trends found SMSFs have about 35 per cent of their portfolio in direct shares, down from almost 50 per cent five years ago.

It’s not a sign that selfies are bailing out of shares altogether. Many are moving their money out of directly V1 - SECE01Z01MA

held shares, and into exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other diversified products.

That’s not always a bad thing.

I’ve come across research showing do-it-yourself funds often concentrate their sharemarket investments in just two main sectors – finance and resource stocks.

This can leave your retirement savings highly exposed to possible shifts in these industries.

The added appeal of ETFs is that the fees are extremely low, so they can be a costeffective way to diversify your SMSF investments.

The Achilles heel of SMSFs is that many focus their investments on Australia. The big hurdle among selfies is a lack of understanding about what to invest in, or how to invest, overseas.

There are a variety of ways to invest globally. This can include ETFs, ASX-listed shares with overseas revenue and actively managed funds.

Whatever you can invest

in here in Australia – be it property, shares, or fixed income – you can also invest in internationally. The trick is to minimise the costs.

So, how do the returns compare? Well, bearing in mind that overseas shares don’t have the same taxfriendly benefits such as franking credits that apply to home-grown shares, the returns on international shares stack up well.

Over the past three years, overseas shares have dished up returns of 15.71 per cent compared with total returns (including dividends) of 12.57 per cent for Aussie shares.

For five and 10-year periods, global shares have notched up gains of 13.09 per cent and 12.63 per cent annually respectively, compared with 8.47 per cent and 8.34 per cent for Australian shares.

— Paul Clitheroe is chairman of InvestSMART, chairman of the Australian Government Financial Literacy Board and chief commentator for Money Magazine.

Please contact RI Advice RetireInvest so we can help.

Chase Financial Planning Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative of RI Advice Group Pty Limited (ABN 23 001 774 125), AFSL 238429.This editorial does not consider your personal circumstances and is general advice only.

Seasons Greetings from the team at RetireInvest Financial Planning

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Chase Financial Planning Pty Ltd is a Corporate authorized representative of RI Advice Group Pty Ltd ABN 23 001 774 125 AFSL 238429

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Pink Piggy bank money concept on dark blue background, stuffed with Australian cash.

Summary Structuring your assets the right way is one of the most important things you can do to protect your hard-earned wealth. As these strategies can be complex, always seek the help of a professional such as your financial adviser.

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Renault KOLEOS $ 30,990

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1205226

AN EXCITING A NEW ERA

More compact. p More stories. Easier to read.

Your favourite newspaper is changing for the better

We’ve changed in size!

Lately, you might have noticed our new, easier-to-read size. But even though we’ve changed the size of the paper, we’ll continue to bring you more of the local stories that matter to you.

With our new look and feel, and more local news than ever before, we’re fitting all of it and more into one simple size.

We’re excited about the changes! It’s all part of our commitment to covering the length and breadth of our great state, and our mission to make your favourite paper even better.

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SENIORS

\\DECEMBER, 2019

Kitchen too kitsch?

Find a redecorator to suit your style at Buy Search Sell.

Hunting for treasure?

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CLASSIFIEDS

37

38

NEWS

DECEMBER, 2019//

Moving memories of everyman PM REMEMBERING Bob is a warm, moving and revealing collection of stories and memories about Bob Hawke from across the nation, edited by his eldest daughter Sue PietersHawke.

Bob Hawke’s death in May this year sparked national mourning across the country as we remembered just how important Bob had been in the shaping of modern Australia.

In an age when political personas have become increasingly formulaic and predictable, Bob was a man of glorious contradictions.

He was a Rhodes Scholar who also had a deep affinity and understanding for mainstream Australia. He was a passionate ACTU officer and president who

also knew how to work with big business. He loved his sport, a drink and a bet, yet was also deeply intellectual in his approach to policy. In an age when our respect for politicians has never been lower, we respected Bob. The huge public outpouring of grief after his death showed we loved him too.

Remembering Bob, instigated and edited by Pieters-Hawke, is a collection of stories and memories about Bob by his friends, colleagues, old political foes, and ordinary Australians whose paths crossed that of their everyman prime minister.

A royalty on every copy sold will go to The Exodus Foundation, one of Bob Hawke’s favourite charities.

Published by Allen & Unwin, RRP$29.99.

SENIORS

Emotions can take a toll on physical health FORMER AFL professional player Andrew Golding, who is knocking at the door of becoming a senior, is sharing his message of joyful longevity through his seventh book The Wellness Puzzle.

“I talk about living your best live irrespective of your age,” the 55-year-old said.

Eating well and keep active are messages that have been shared with seniors many times before.

What he has found from research reports was the key consistent message around attitude — “waking up grateful, able to look at the positive side of life, able to forgive, not worry and able to let go of resentment,” Andrew said.

“My focus now is helping people understand the impact of their emotional state on their physical health.

“It’s our emotions — either positive or negative — that are going to take us to a joyful life of health and happiness or take us to

disease and sickness.

“There is a lot of research backing this up.

“We need to teach how to control our emotions.

“My message is very different to the normal wellbeing message. This is about being living the best life.”

The Wellness Puzzle is available in bookshops and online from andrewjobling.com.au/ books/wellness-puzzle. RRP $29.99.

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G E N E R A L K N O W L E D G E

PUZZLES

\\DECEMBER, 2019

1

2

3

4

5

8

6

Across 1/8 Which actor wrote the book Vet Behind the Ears?

(11,7) 9 In 1889, which prestigious new London hotel took its name from the theatre next door? (5) 10 In the Christian church, what is the period from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday? (4) 11 Which country lies between Ethiopia and the Red Sea? (7) 12 What is a large cask for beer or wine? (3) 13 What is a room where martial arts are practised? (4) 15 What is clarified butter used in Indian cooking? (4) 17 Which giant corporation began as a small, struggling radio network in the 1920s? (1,1,1) 19 What is a dramatic or literary composition dealing with serious or sombre themes and ending with disaster? (7) 20 What is a slight competitive advantage? (4) 23 What does a haematologist study? (5) 24 What describes a patent medicine whose efficacy is questionable? (7) 25 The Coalminer’s Daughter is the autobiography of which singer? (7,4)

7

9

10

11 12 13

14

16

15 17

18 20

19

21

22 23

24

Down 1 Neats-foot oil is made by boiling parts of what animals?

(6) 2 What word can precede candle, nose and numeral? (5) 3 In Ivanhoe, who is the attendant of Isaac and Rebecca?

(4) 4 What is the life-supporting component of the air? (6) 5 Who often assisted Poirot? (8) 6 What is a piece of instrumental music suggestive of a daydream? (7) 7 What orbiting construction crashed into the Indian Ocean in 1979? (6) 12 What is a bullfighter on horseback called? (8) 14 What expression means “experiencing a bout of success”? (2,1,4) 16 Which 18th Century English artist is renowned for his horse paintings? (6) 17 What is a young swan called? (6) 18 In Middle-Ages England, what was a man holding and cultivating a small landed estate? (6) 21 What is the American name for a bowler hat? (5) 22 Which is the largest continent? (4)

39 7/12

25

SUDOKU

Fill the grid so every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

2

3

4

DOUBLECROSS

5

6

7

8 9

Find a finished crossword by deleting one of the two letters in each divided square.

10

11 12 13

14

15 16

17

18

19 20

21

23

Down 1. Suffering (8) 2. Get the better of (5) 4. Accomplish (6) 5. Unofficially (3,3,6) 6. Clergyman’s salary (7) 7. Ground (4) 8. Day of religious celebration (6,6) 12. Throw overboard (8) 14. Extremist (7) 16. Consequence (6) 18. Rowing crew (5) 19. Poke (4)

Across 1. Ring (4) 3. Merry-go-round (8) 9. Withdraw an accusation (7) 10. Pretend (5) 11. Ill-considered (5,7) 13. Weak or feeble (6) 15. Grievance (6) 17. Inadequate (12) 20. Ranked (5) 21. Infuriates (7) 22. Deciphers (8) 23. Astonish (4)

SOLUTIONS

5x5 S E E D S

ALPHAGRAMS: BUDGE, CENTRE, DESERVE, ESTRANGE, FORESIGHT. GK CROSSWORD Across: 1/8 Christopher Timothy, 9 Savoy, 10 Lent, 11 Eritrea, 12 Tun, 13 Dojo, 15 Ghee, 17 CBS, 19 Tragedy, 20 Edge, 23 Blood, 24 Nostrum, 25 Loretta Lynn.

Down: 1 Cattle, 2 Roman, 3 Seth, 4 Oxygen, 5 Hastings, 6 Reverie, 7 Skylab, 12 Toreador, 14 On a roll, 16 Stubbs, 17 Cygnet, 18 Yeoman, 21 Derby, 22 Asia.

QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 1. Hoop 3. Carousel 9. Retract 10. Feign 11. Short-sighted 13. Infirm 15. Grudge 17. Insufficient 20. Rated 21. Enrages 22. Decrypts 23. Stun.

Down: 1. Hardship 2. Outdo 4. Attain 5. Off the record 6. Stipend 7. Land 8.

Easter Sunday 12. Jettison 14. Fanatic 16. Effect 18. Eight 19. Prod.

O

E R R E D

D

R L

TODAY: Good 20 Very Good 29 Excellent 38

P H A S E

How many words of four letters or more can you make? Each letter must be used only once and all words must contain the centre

O C T A L

WORD GO ROUND

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D O S E S

DOUBLECROSS

SUDOKU

ALPHAGRAMS Solve the anagrams. Each solution is a one-word anagram of the letters beside it, and the five solutions are sequential. For example, if the five-letter solution starts with J, the six-letter solution starts with K, and so on.

DEBUG RECENT SEVERED TEN GEARS GIFT HORSE

5x5 D

P C

S

R A

A S

S

Insert the missing letters to make ten words — five reading across the grid and five reading down.

Note: more than one solution may be possible.

E E

E

S

All puzzles © The Puzzle Company

lido lied lire loci oiled oiler oldie olio oriel oriole recoil relic rice riced ride riel rile riled roil roiled

22

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