Central Coast, January 2019 by seniors

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LEANING INTO 2019

INDEX 3 News: Sharing our stories 12 Talk ‘n’ Thoughts 18 Feature: Senior Australian of the Year 21 Feature: NSW Seniors Festival 28 Community group guide 33 Wanderlust 38 Wellbeing 43 Living 47 Money 48 What’s on 50 Reviews 51 Puzzles

Good start for a good year

Gail Forrer Seniors Group Editor WELCOME and happy new year readers. It’s great to be able to start 2019 with a host of positive stories including a feature on next month’s annual NSW Seniors Festival. In this jam-packed edition we commence with a two-page feature on our Senior Australians of the Year. The recognition that comes with this honour allows us to look at the best of who we are. In the daily run of 24/7 news – which I follow through newspapers, current affair shows and online updates – I am often saddened when I read the worst of human nature. But when it comes to reading about the work carried out by the people named as Senior Australians of the Year, I am uplifted by their humanity. It shows that far beyond the concept of age, generosity of mind and spirit are key among the qualities that define us as human beings. Included with these outstanding personalities

are local stories highlighting community stars. Throughout our pages you will find a great group of characters who have defied any and all age stereotypes. We also feature older Australian Beauty Pageant winner, Beauty Queen of the Year and Ms World 2018, 60-year-old Robbie Canner, who believes that people “age themselves out of life” by developing negative connotations toward ageing. She is determined to “start a conversation” about positive ageing. I’m with Robbie – if we can keep a place inside of ourselves filled with hope, self-confidence and self-esteem , then there’s a good chance of a happy 2019.

Seniors Festival feature & events

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 “Northern NSW Seniors Newspaper”. 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. Printed by News Corp Australia, Yandina. 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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Sharing our stories Her life’s theme is “we are one but we are many” Alison Houston RETIRED textile artist Elizabeth Long believes it’s important to pass on our stories and skills to the next generation. The Kincumber resident said she had always tried to share the craft and cooking skills she had learned with her children and grandchildren, but she is worried that in today’s screen-based society, it’s not happening enough. Turning the TV off when the family comes over, she said, was a great start, allowing all ages to sit around the table and talk to each other, play cards and board games or do “together things” like making pizza, baking or craft. Instead of instantly “googling” how to do something, she encourages people to turn to each other for answers. Dutch-born Elizabeth and her parents arrived by ship in Australia in 1947 when she was about six years old. It wasn’t an easy start to life, with her mum a German-born Jew who had taken Dutch citizenship in 1935 and married Elizabeth’s Dutch Catholic father, having been forced to hide indoors with Elizabeth and her sister for most of their early years to escape the Nazis. Her father had been conscripted into the Dutch army. Her grandmother was one of the estimated 1.1 million people killed at Auschwitz but, thankfully,

AUSSIE AT HEART: Elizabeth Long is proud of her adopted country and made this Anzac quilt to commemorate the 100 years since Armistice. much of the rest of the family had already made it out of the country. Elizabeth is unsure exactly how or why because it’s a time her parents never spoke about and she is still trying to piece together the history with her cousins. The Sydney suburb of Bronte, where they moved, was filled with European war refugees, and Elizabeth said the local children taunted them as “refos” or “yids”. But she loved her new country and was brought up as an Aussie, fondly remembering building billy carts, collecting old newspapers for pennies from the greengrocer to wrap his produce in, and lots of outdoor activities, including camping, swimming and

‘‘

Elizabeth and her parents arrived in Australia by ship in 1947 when she was about six years old. bushwalking. Her mum had actually been an Olympic-standard kayaker but was robbed of the opportunity to compete in Hitler’s Germany. Working with her hands is in Elizabeth’s blood, with her mum trained in millinery and dressmaking

and her father an upholsterer. Elizabeth recalls her mum creating toys from her father’s old suits and reworking and redesigning second-hand clothes so they were like new. Little wonder Elizabeth trained in dressmaking and textiles, making (among others) her own wedding gown as well as both her daughters’, before turning to patchwork quilting in retirement. She said she always had “a stash of fabrics”, old cards and pictures, and her three kids and nine grandchildren loved making cards, toys and dress-ups, as well as cooking with her. In 2001 she was one of just 5000 Australians selected to take part in an outdoor installation called

People Scape, stretching from Old to New Parliament House in Canberra, to commemorate the centenary of Federation. Elizabeth chose Dutch-born textile artist Annemieke Mein as her Australian hero in a decision which perhaps best sums up her love of the country and its melting pot of cultures. “That’s what makes Australia such a great place, as the song says, ‘we are one but we are many’, Elizabeth said. Now 77, Elizabeth has taught textiles at schools and community clubs and groups, and is still happy to share her skills with others. To contact her, you can phone 02 4369 6791.

Heatwaves and your energy supply WITH heatwave conditions forecast across most eastern mainland states and South Australia this month, the Australian Energy Council and Energy Networks Australia have released a fact sheet on potential impacts on the energy system. The Australian Energy Council’s General Manager Policy, Ben Skinner, said electricity demand has historically been highest on hot weekdays and when business and industry is fully operating. “The biggest risk occurs with very high demand. “Usually that is at the end of a run of two or more hot days,” Mr Skinner said. “Losing power even for short periods during a heatwave can cause real discomfort. “Electricity providers will be doing everything possible today to avoid any loss of power and have worked with AEMO to have plant available for the hotter periods.” Energy Networks Australia CEO Andrew Dillon encouraged people to find out which company distributed electricity to their premises so they can follow them on social media and bookmark their website. “Only one network business supplies electricity to your house or business, so follow them to get timely information specific to your local area in the event of an outage,” Mr Dillon said. Info: energycouncil.com. au/media/15064 /heatwaves-factsheet -january-2019final.pdf

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JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

Worthy work honoured Coast Shelter stalwart to head Australia Day celebrations

FORMER Coast Shelter CEO Laurie Maher (OAM) has been named the Central Coast’s 2019 Australia Day ambassador for his tireless support of the homeless and those at risk of homelessness. Central Coast Council Mayor Jane Smith said Laurie’s community advocacy and national pride made him the perfect choice to help lead the Coast’s celebrations. “As a former Mayor of Gosford City Council and award recipient for services to the Aboriginal

Community, Laurie has demonstrated his commitment to community service on the Coast,” she said. In his role with Coast Shelter Laurie led the development of 10 different programs: Kara, Neleh and Elandra Women and Children’s Refuges, Rondeley Domestic Violence Program, Coimba Men’s Refuge, Rumbalara Refuge, Maya Young Women’s Refuge, Youth Angle, Woy Woy Youth Cottage, Wyong Youth Refuge and Coast Community Centre.

“Laurie is an outstanding ambassador for the Central Coast and I am delighted that he will join me to help present the Australia Day Awards on Friday, 25 January (at The Art House, Wyong) and will also help officiate at our community events at The Entrance and Woy Woy,” the mayor said. At the Entrance, you can celebrate Australia Day from 1.30pm with a mainstage line-up including local artists and headliner, Glenn Shorrock, of Little River Band fame.

There will be a free activities zone with a huge chess set, Mega 4, bowling, sack races and plenty more for the whole family including Vera’s Watergarden and amusement rides and activities for the littlies. In Woy Woy, activities at the foreshore start from 2pm with food and market stalls, community displays, kids’ activities and a main stage line-up including headliners, The Nevilles, before a lantern parade and fireworks over the water. Council’s ‘Including You’

TRUE BLUE: Former Coast Shelter CEO Laurie Maher (OAM) is the Coast's Australia Day ambassador. Photo: accessibility tent will also be set up as a safe space at Woy Woy to support people with a disability, the elderly people, parents with prams and

others with limited mobility. Australia Day Citizenship Ceremonies will be held at Mingara Function Centre.

New retirement industry Code of Conduct aims to be fair to all THE revitalisation of the retirement sector has taken a major step forward after the launch of a new code of conduct described as “vital for the industry”. And retirement operators are being urged to sign up now. The Retirement Living Code of Conduct is the

product of the combined efforts of two of the sector’s peak bodies: the Retirement Living Council (which is part of the Property Council of Australia); and Leading Age Services Australia. Both organisations represent retirement operators across

Australia. The code has been formulated on consultation with retirement operators, residents and other interested stakeholders. It was created to operate within state and territory laws and is expected to take full effect from January 2020.

LASA chief executive Sean Rooney said the code would “set standards above and beyond statutory obligations”. “The code covers all aspects of a resident’s experience in a retirement community: from signing the contract to enter the community, their on-site experience of living in the

retirement community, their decision to leave the community and then right through until the resident’s unit or apartment is re-sold,” Mr Rooney said. “The code is vital for the industry to set high standards for the marketing, selling and operating retirement

communities, to promote and protect the interests of residents, and provide a clear framework for resolving disputes should they arise.” From January, all retirement village operators will be able to subscribe to the code. Info: retirementlivingcode.

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SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

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Keeping eyes on our great reef Tracey Johnstone ENVIRONMENTAL champion and multimedia specialist Mike Middleton spends every spare private moment he can trying to improve Australia’s understanding of the challenges the Great Barrier Reef faces. Describing the 62-year-old Queenslander as passionate is an understatement. The ex-Sydney man since his youth has been deeply fascinated by the reef’s islands - what’s on them and what’s around their shores - and about their environmental wellbeing. “I also have a passion for the reef and concerns for the environment because of climate change and pollution by plastic,” Mike said. Mike spends about seven months each year travelling around the reef, talking to the boaties, observing their actions and impacts, recording the changes. “I gather the information by talking to people directly and by visiting other boats at anchorages, and meeting people on the island at things like sundowners or while diving,” he said. His role as the recreational reef users representative on the Burnett Local Marine Advisory Committee, which advises the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on local marine park management issues, gives him the voice he needs to use his networking skills to connect the users and the overseers. He shares what the users need and think to the Authority and shares back to the users what they need to know. Mike recently released his latest pictorial book, The Keppel Isles, which records the indigenous and European history, and

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As a senior, do the best you can to minimise the impact for the young ones coming through.

REEF WARRIOR: Mike Middleton with his new book, The Keppel Isles, and below, checking the health of the coral. stunning beauty, of the island group located in the southern part of the reef. He is working on his next pictorial book which will be about the Great Southern Barrier Reef. “There is a massive un-told history of the Bunker Group, south of Cape Capricorn,” Mike said. Take only what you need Mike has learnt that recreational fishermen are doing the most damage, almost 55 per cent, to the reef. “They are not being compliant with the amount of fish they take and the size limits, and fishing in green zones,” he

said. “For example, the Swains Reef has been over fished for the last 25 years and as a result, it has the biggest outbreak of the Crown of Thorns. The predatorial fish that eat the larvae have been decimated so we have

this outbreak because there is no balance of nature or control. “There is a huge ignorance on the reef. Fishermen just want to fill their eskies and go home.” While not one

environmental change issue is the main cause of the reef damage, “it’s a combination of all”, Mike admits. “But, filling your esky and tinnie when you are a senior, for example, is pretty uncool because you are taking the breeding stock away. “Just take what you can eat.” Talk to the other generations Chatting to the younger generations around you - to your children and grand-children - about what they can do to reduce their impact on the reef is another idea Mike has for seniors to lend a hand to the future. Sharing ideas on how to

Photo: Contributed

stop using plastic in our everyday life is another way to help. He also suggests you talk to them about which politician is going to really do something about climate change, and then vote for them. If you are out fishing and see something that doesn’t look right, or you see something that is doing damage to the reef, Mike says you can report it through two mobile phone apps - Eyes on the Reef and Queensland Recreational Fishing Guide. “As a senior, do the best you can to minimise the impact for the young ones coming through,” Mike said.

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A trip to a secret place Once a year this tiny town stages a unique market

Alison Houston ONCE a year, the residents of Spencer share their gem with the rest of the Central Coast at the Spencer Cup Riverside Markets. This year the markets, the town’s biggest fundraiser, are on Sunday, January 27 and Spencer Community Progress Group secretary Catherine Wade said the old-fashioned country fete-style event had plenty to interest Seniors. “I call it quaint and quirky,” she laughed. Catherine said the regatta which gave the markets their “Cup” name is no more due to the rising costs of insurance, but the title has stayed in hopes of the race being resurrected one day. Meanwhile, the riverside markets feature local arts, crafts, fresh produce and plants, antiques, a community garage sale, a display by the Wisemans Ferry Men’s

Shed, a live band, rubber duck and mud crab races and lots of raffles. Check out some of the historic buildings in town, including the Heritage-listed school and church, and a sandstone cottage dating back to the 1840s, or you might just relax by the river with a picnic, be tempted by the goodies from local chefs, or enjoy the shade of the Dunkirk Hotel tree – the local meeting spot. Now, if you’re not sure where Spencer is, Catherine says you won’t be alone, but to her and about 300 others, the town on the picturesque bank of Mangrove Creek and the Hawkesbury River is not just home but the best place on the Coast. “It’s one of the most historic and beautiful places on the Coast, in Australia in fact,” she said. “It’s untouched and unique.’’ Catherine said most of the town’s population is now over 50; many have

HIDDEN TREASURE: The annual Spencer Cup Riverside Markets bring this often overlooked but picturesque little town back to public attention with an old-fashioned country fete-style event. lived there all their lives, and it’s a bit like stepping back in time to a period when everyone looked out for each other. Most of the funds raised from the markets

each year go to the upkeep of the community hall, the town’s unofficial evacuation centre and the lifeblood of the community where movie nights, barn dances,

Christmas in July and other celebrations are held. The markets run from 10am-3pm, so take the 45-minute mountain road from Gosford which

classic car buffs and motorcyclists so adore, and check it out. To find out more, phone Catherine on 0414 769 993.

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Artwork made by women THE Central Coast has a strong contingent of female artists, and the Tuggerah Lakes Art Society hopes they will come out in force for the inaugural Women in Art Exhibition in March. The exhibit is part of the Central Coast Festival of Women and will be launched on Tuesday, March 5 at the Entrance Lake House, running until March 17. Co-ordinator Tammy Briggs said the society was excited to be holding a celebration of women on the Coast and to be able to showcase women’s talents. There will be one $300 prize in each of the event’s seven categories: oil, watercolour, mixed media, sculpture, photography, ceramics, and the dual class of printmaking and stitch art.

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All the artwork must be original, by women. There are two launch sessions from 10.30am-4.30pm and 5.30-10pm on March 5. The $20 entry includes wine, light refreshments and live music. An art market running throughout the day will also feature jewellery and craft locally handmade by women. “It’s a wonderful venue and it’s going to be a great atmosphere,” Tammy said. All the artwork must be original, by women, and while there is no limit to the size of the work, each

WOMEN'S WORK: Watercolour artist Cheryl Bruce leads one of the monthly Tuggerah Lakes Art Society workshops, with onlookers including president Rasheeda Flight, left, and Pam Brooks, right. artist can submit just two pieces centred around the Coast, nature and women. Entry is $20 for the first piece and just $5 for the second. Society president Rasheeda Flight said experience was not a prerequisite for entry. She said they hoped the low entry price and the fact

that pieces can be framed or unframed will allow upcoming artists to “give it a go” and exhibit alongside more recognised artists. “We believe every person has the ability to paint or draw, it’s just lack of confidence that stops many people,” Rasheeda said.

“There’s so much potential for this event which we hope to grow and make bigger and brighter next year.” And in good news for the group, Rasheeda said the last big exhibit, November’s Fab Fakes, had been “beyond our expectations”, with one piece selling for $1200.

Entry forms must be submitted by February 18 and artworks will be received on the morning of March 4. For details, forms for Women in Art, or to inquire about a market stall go to tlas.org.au or email Tammy at secretary@tlas.org.au.

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Let’s help you

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Small dream leads to a great event ‘‘ Young mum is inspired by loss of grandfather Alison Houston

BUDGEWOI mum Kristal Forestieri knew Christmas wouldn’t be the same this year after the loss of her grandfather to lung cancer. And she figured there were probably other people in the community doing it tough too. So, she and friend Holly Stringer came up with the idea of a simple free community barbecue in the park “to fill your heart and your tummy”. “We went in half expecting to only get one or two people but we got about 20,” Kristal said. “It was quite a challenging year for us, losing Pop, and I wanted to change our Christmas, make it better.

Why Webster-Pak solutions work and others don’t • Simple, convenient and portable • A visible reminder to take your medications • Easy to check that medications are taken • We alter your packs on the same day when there are changes in your medication summary • Free medication packing • Free delivery How does Webster-Pak work? Our pharmacists dispense all your medicines needed for each day of the week into blister compartments of a Webster-Pak, which is then sealed to prevent spilling or mixing up the medicines. The pack lists all contents that provide vital information for hospital or emergency staff, family and friends. To take the medicines, simply push the blister’s contents through the foil backing. With Webster-pak it’s always easy to see where you’re up to and whether our medication has been taken correctly.

a simple free community barbecue in the park to fill your heart and your tummy.

“I wanted to reach out to people who were alone – especially the elderly and single parents who might not have their child with them at this time of year, because I know how hard that is.” While a cross-section of ages attended, Kristal said one older gentleman

who lived on his own, with his only family six hours south of the Coast, particularly struck a chord. “He was an incredibly intelligent man who had done so much over the years,” she said. “It was great to see people mingling with locals they didn’t know and with my friends and family, who came to support us. “We just wanted to be able to maybe touch one person’s life but it turned into much more.” A patient transfer officer studying to be a paramedic, Kristal said giving back to the community was “what lights a spark in me” and next Christmas “I will 100% do it again”.

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LIGHTING A SPARK: Budgewoi mums Kristal Forestieri and Holly Stringer put on a free community barbecue in the park on Christmas Day.

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WHETHER it’s show tunes, soothing classical, or swing hits, The Art House has a show coming up for just about every kind of music fan. Here are three of the best. Rhonda Burchmore: Up Close And Personal Tuesday, February 19 at 11am. ENTERTAINMENT legend Rhonda Burchmore will treat musical theatre lovers in a fun, uplifting morning concert. The show features hand-picked songs from Rhonda’s incredible 35 years in the industry, as well as up close and personal stories from her career in musical theatre, cabaret and television. Sydney Symphony Orchestra: Alessio Bax

Performs Mozart – Friday, March 22 at 7.30pm AFTER A hugely successful Central Coast debut in 2018, Sydney Symphony Orchestra make a welcome return to The Art House with a stunning piano program performed by virtuoso pianist Alessio Bax who plays Mozart’s transcendent final piano concerto. The program also featured Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture, which transports us to the wild isles of Scotland, as well as and Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony, which packs a punch with its unstoppable energy. Swing On This with Ben Mingay, Matt Lee, Luke Kennedy, Michael Falzon

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Has age-at-home push gone too far

Talk 'n' thoughts

Gail Forrer Group Editor

CHOICES: Do the options available suit you.

Photo: Thinsktock

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personal observation tells me that most people wish to age in their own home

AT one point over the past few years, my friends’ conversations often noted how difficult it was gain services which would enable their elderly parents to stay in their homes. These days the conversation is changing to one of wondering if the push towards people ageing in independent accommodation has gone too far. For instance, I was recently in conversation with a friend who said: “My father is 92-years-old. “I think he should be in a home where he can have 24/7 care but these days the government is pushing the stay-at-home philosophy and doing everything they can to keep them at home, even

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if it doesn’t seem right.” It’s not the first time I’ve heard this sentiment expressed. It’s hard to get it right all the time and personal observation tells me that most people wish to stay in their own home, even if this isn’t the best choice for their extended family or safest for them. These days, retirement villages offering staged accommodation to suit changing health needs can provide a segway between independent living and full-time nursing home care. Yet, without doubt, the opportunity to stay in independent living accommodation is rising with the advancement of technology. In fact, a trial of a new high-tech movement monitoring system designed to help senior Australians live safely in their own homes for longer begins this year. The Federal Government has invested $260,000 in the system, which allows early

detection and intervention should safety issues arise for older people living at home. Federal Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt, said the Monitoring Data Response Solution (MDRS) was Australian innovation at its best. “It enables remote monitoring and tracking of an aged care recipient’s daily routine, to help prevent misadventure or possible deterioration in their wellbeing,” he said. “A nominated individual, such as a family member, will receive notifications when the care recipient’s behaviour deviates from their regular routine. “The government is committed to meeting the wishes of senior Australians, the majority of whom want more help to live at home. “While there will never be a substitute for the value of personal visits and community connections in supporting

our senior Australians, leading-edge technology like this has great potential to improve independence and support sustainable home aged care.” Mr Wyatt said Ericom will partner with a number of residential aged care services to trial the system in the homes of 50 senior Australians. The University of Wollongong will evaluate the trial, with the final report to be publicly available to share the potential benefits of the technology across the aged care sector. The $260,000 was made available through the $34 million Dementia and Aged Care Services fund, which supported innovative projects to improve seniors’ quality of life and the government’s aged care reform agenda. source: National Seniors ■ If you would like to comment on this or any other topic, please email us at editor@seniorsnews .com.au

SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

NEWS

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

Real beauty is age fearless

These women are talking up positive numbers Alison Houston GOLD Coaster and 2018 Role Model of the Year Suzi Dent wants to help other women “celebrate and embrace being over 50”. The 56-year-old tomboy has undergone a transformation in the past two years, including winning the Australian title of Mrs Earth Health 2017 (and finishing third in the world), and wants to share the positivity she has learned. “I am hoping to inspire women to stop paying attention to their age number, and be fearless about making changes in their lives, and to celebrate their life experiences and knowledge,” Suzi said. It’s a sentiment embraced by her fellow Australian Beauty Pageant winner, Beauty Queen of the Year and Ms World 2018, 60-year-old Robbie

Canner, from Sydney, who beat out entrants from 22 countries, aged from 26, to claim the global title in June. Robbie, a sports therapist, believes people “age themselves out of life” by developing negative connotations toward ageing, and is determined to “start a conversation” about positive ageing. It’s not all about looks for either woman but about health, selfconfidence, self-esteem, a purpose and zest for life. Robbie became involved in the Tour de Cure after her son, Scott, died of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She set up the Scott Canner Young Investigator Grant to help fund cancer research by young Australian academics, with more than $750,000 in grants awarded. Suzi has been involved in Soles4Souls and, more

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recently, Friends with Dignity, which supports victims of domestic violence. Despite the seemingly glamorous world in which she worked as a TV and advertising hair and make-up artist, Suzi said her go-to clothes had always been practical, casual and baggy.

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We need to embrace everyone for who they are She said she felt safer and more comfortable dressed down, avoiding both unwanted advances from men and comments from women. However, when her soul-mate husband, Don, suffered depression, Suzi knew she had to do something to get herself and her family out of the groundhog day which their life had become. When she was asked to pose for a photoshoot, she decided to give it a go – even though it did mean overcoming her “frock fear” and practising wearing high heels in front of the mirror. “My husband had only ever seen me in a dress twice before that, and one of them was my wedding dress,” Suzi marvelled. That single job drew the attention of the Mrs Earth Pageant director, who thought Suzi would be a good fit for the competition, and the rest is history. Suzi has since been interviewed by national

QUEENS OF POSITIVITY: Gold Coaster and Role Model of the Year Suzi Dent and Beauty Queen of the Year and Ms World Robbie Canner. Photo: David Fuentes media, become a motivational speaker and mentor, and next year heads to India for the Women’s Economic Forum. “And it’s all because I said ‘yes’ to the opportunity life dropped in my lap,” Suzi said. “By stepping out of my comfort zone, I’ve found my true, authentic self which had been hidden away … and that’s a wonderful thing to find in your 50s. “Now I want to help other women step out too and achieve their dreams.” She believes women, particularly older women, too easily accept the negative attitudes of

others in their lives and the subliminal messages of advertising that they are not good enough. She pointed to the absence of older women in advertising, with women in their 30s and 40s promoting wrinkle creams. “We have an obsession with airbrushed images – so we are convinced we have to look like this image of perfection … it’s sending the women’s movement backwards,” said Suzi, who is “a very healthy size 16”. “We need to embrace everyone for who they are, not what they look like. “I want to see my age represented in the advertising on the walls of

shops, and an acceptance that women come in all shapes, sizes and ages.” She also wants to empower women to speak out about improper behaviour by men, and to promote a more open conversation about the wider effects on people’s partners and families of depression (which her husband has thankfully overcome along her journey). Suzi has definitely set her goals high but, talking to her, you get the feeling that changing her own life was just the start for this passionate and positive woman. Find out more at www.suzident.com or call 0412 607 691.

SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

NEWS

Working out with Sheila A lady in her ninth decade inspires with DVD AT 94 Sheila Hall last year became the star of her own professionally filmed exercise DVD, The Sheila Story. Speaking to Seniors newspaper this month, Sheila said it was just as well because only weeks after it was launched, she fractured her humerus, not to mention a couple of ribs, and spent six weeks in hospital. The DVD meant the twice-weekly classes she has run for decades at Kincumber’s Brentwood Village retirement community could go on without her. And while she said it would take a “freight train” to stop her exercising, even now Sheila runs the DVD behind her because she still can’t raise her arm high enough to do her complete 45-minute exercise program. But she admitted she hadn’t always embraced the idea of fame however small. “It’s against my religion really to want to show myself off,” she laughed. “But I decided, I can’t live forever, so this way the exercises could continue to help people and maybe help other

people outside the village.” Her goal from the start, she said, had always been to help others see the benefits of exercise and maximise their health and fitness potential – and frankly, if I sound as good as Sheila when I’m 95, I’ll be happy. It was fellow resident Patricia Cooke, 23 years Sheila’s junior and with a sports training background who, having taken the classes herself, identified the suitability of Sheila’s workout for all ages. She suggested a Central Coast Council grant might make a DVD possible and spread Sheila’s inspiration to others. That is exactly what happened, with Patricia becoming the project’s executive director and 1000 free DVDs made and distributed to individuals, seniors centres, clubs, libraries, nursing homes and other venues around the Coast. “Sheila exercises and stretches your entire body from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet,” Patricia said, adding that despite the age gap, she believes Sheila still

did the exercises better than she does. “She really keeps me motivated.” Always active, Sheila explained, she had discovered yoga after a freak injury to her back in her early 40s and had trained as an instructor. When she moved to Brentwood Village with her husband in 1986, it wasn’t long before she started a class there. When the village pool opened, management approached her about adding an aqua aerobics class. She knew nothing about it, but set out to learn, and before long had put together her own program for the pool, which she taught for 17 years until a knee reconstruction put a stop to it. Having decided in 2006 that the term ‘yoga’ was negatively influencing people who didn’t feel they could do yoga-esque contortions, and didn’t properly reflect Sheila’s uniquely crafted program, class members decided Bend and Stretch was a better title, and so it was christened. While Sheila admits last year’s fall “knocked the blazes out of me”,

FIT FOR LIFE: Sheila Hall teaches two exercises classes a week at 95 years old and last year her DVD, The Sheila Story, had a limited release. She is also involved with Probus, Legacy and enjoys line dancing. Photo: Kevin Rodrom-Robertson she’s also one determined lady, does her own house and garden work and says she “couldn’t live without exercise”. As for others calling her

an inspiration, well “maybe”, she allows, but “if a 95-year-old can do these exercises with a bad back, after breaking a hip and a knee replacement, 60–80

year-olds definitely ought to be able to do them”. To find out more about The Sheila Story DVD, contact Patricia on 0431 791 946.

Neura researchers partner with foundations for Parkinson’s A TEAM of researchers from Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and UNSW Sydney has received a grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Shake It Up Australia Foundation for

Parkinson’s Research to test eHealth and smart garment technologies to prevent falls in people with Parkinson’s disease. NeuRA’s Dr Matthew Brodie and Associate Professor Kim Delbaere, who lead the study, are

working with industry partner Sensoria Health to create StandingTall-PD, the leading eHealth solution for maximising mobility and preventing falls in people with Parkinson’s disease. “This project has the

potential to become an affordable option to address gait and balance issues and improve overall quality-of-life for people with Parkinson’s,” she adds. The neuro-rehabilitation program, known as

StandingTall-PD, uses visual, audio and haptic sensory cues to help rewire the parts of the brain that control walking in people with Parkinson’s. The program aims to prevent freezing-of-gait

and falls. Investment from Sensoria Health includes the development of the textile sensor infused Smart Socks with haptic feedback and core microelectronics for the study.

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BRAND INSIGHT

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

Lexus comes to Coast Lexus of Central Coast opens its doors with luxury vehicles

BRAND INSIGHTS THE Worthington Prestige Group has opened a $6.5 million state-of-the-art Lexus dealership on Kangoo Rd at Somersby (Kariong), giving Central Coast luxury car buyers their first ever opportunity to buy vehicles from one of the world’s leading luxury car brands. The 1800sq m Lexus showroom overlooking the M1 Motorway exit will become a landmark for motorists heading into Gosford. Built to Lexus corporate specifications with extensive use of frameless glass, it will also include an automatic car wash that will be free for customer use, as well as an amazing guest experience that raises the bar for luxury brands on the coast. Lexus is renowned for its exceptional sales and aftersales care with the Lexus Encore program. An example of this is

complimentary pick up and drop off from the Lexus owner’s home and the use of a Lexus while their vehicle is serviced. “We are excited to bring the Lexus brand to the Central Coast and we aim to create a very special experience for our customers,” managing director and dealer principal Brad Worthington said. “Our dealership customers will experience convenient and uncompromising service with friendly, highly trained sales and service staff.” Twenty people will be employed at the dealership under general manager Chris Andrews, who brings 17 years’ prestige car sales experience to the role including 14 years with Sydney City Lexus and Lexus of Chatswood. The Lexus model range extends across sedans, SUVs and self-charging hybrid-electric vehicles. The opening of Lexus of Central Coast comes at a

CUSTOMER CARE: Dealership manager Chris Andrews and Lexus of Central Coast Dealer Principal Brad Worthington aim to create a special experience for customers. great time for Lexus with the introduction of the seventh-generation Lexus ES, a luxury sedan that draws inspiration from the world class and recently released fifth generation

Lexus LS flagship. Other dynamic models in the Lexus line-up include the all-new Lexus RX L seven-seat SUV, a diesel variant of the all-conquering LX four

wheel drive, high performance F models such as the RC F and GS F and the multiple award-winning LC 500 and LC 500h coupes. December 2018 also saw

the debut of the first compact crossover luxury SUV from Lexus, the UX. Go to lexusofcentral coast.com.au or phone 02 4340 3500.

SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

NEWS

Art offers so many joys

Former teacher turned student paints herself into a new life

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Alison Houston

MARLENE Palagyi remembers well what it’s like to start out in art and to enter your first show, having taken up watercolour painting seriously just 11 years ago at 58. These days she’s a recognised talent on the Central Coast, teaches workshops, has won a number of awards and exhibits regionally and in Sydney, including three works entered in the Central Coast Art Society’s Summer Exhibition. The annual exhibition and awards began on Friday (January 18) and run until January 23 at Gosford Regional Gallery, with a diverse range of paintings from traditional to abstract, varied media, as well as jewellery and cards, unframed and miniature paintings. “It’s very nervewracking, especially the first time, to put your work out on display for someone else to see and to judge,” Marlene said. “You look at other people’s work and you think ‘oh, mine’s not good enough’, and then you see it hanging with them and you see it’s not actually out of place.

She had found art just as fulfilling as she dreamed “Then you start to get compliments and to sell pieces and your confidence grows.” When Seniors spoke to Marlene she had just finished her third piece for the exhibit, a watercolour called The Birch Forest, which will accompany a pen and wash piece of Port Isaac in Cornwall and a floral watercolour and black ink. A former teacher, Marlene said she had always enjoyed sewing and craft and wanted to explore art when she retired, which is exactly what she did. She started with a drawing class, before trying different media, but when her husband, George, gave her a week’s watercolour class for her 60th birthday, she fell in love. “I just loved what people can do with watercolour; I wanted to learn how to how to build colours and to make that

DRAWN IN: Marlene Palagyi has a watercolour and ink painting similar to this in the Central Coast Art Society Summer Exhibition, and will run CCAS's first workshop for the year. Photo: Contributed

soft transparency happen,” she said. Having sought out a teacher, Judith Hoste, now CCAS president, and joined both CCAS and the Central Coast Watercolour Society, Marlene’s work went from strength to strength and she started teaching about four years ago. She enjoys seeing the transformation over a couple of lessons of people in her beginners’ classes, often quite

anxious at the outset, learning the techniques and proud in the end to have a completed piece to take home. Part of the secret, she said, is acceptance that there is no right or wrong, that no two artists are the same and therefore, while they all start out with the same subject and techniques, at the end of the class they will have 15 completely different paintings. She said she had found

art just as fulfilling as she had dreamed, both the act of painting and quiet times alone, and socially, meeting and mixing with other like-minded people. “It really draws you in,” she said. This year, Marlene is opening the CCAS workshop season with two sessions for all levels of experience on Wednesdays February 6 and 20. She will concentrate on wet-on-wet to create

dramatic skies and landscapes, which she says are a favourite subject for her. To find out more about the workshops (cost $25 a week including morning tea) go to artcentralcoast.asn.au. You don’t have to be a member to take part. To see more of Marlene’s work go to marlenepalagyi.com.

A hard and rocky beginning to the many shades of rainbow WATERCOLOR came to western artists in the late 1400s. Artists had to formulate, prepare and grind their own watercolour paint and tended to keep their secret recipes and methods to themselves.

In the 18th century the first paint manufacturers set up shop in major European cities. They not only provided the basic pigments, resins and oils but found a market for ready made color pastes and other artist equipment.

A famous example is an “herbal extract” shop in Paris that prepared the colours for Jean Baptiste Chardin when the artist’s failing eyesight prohibited him from making his own paint. Artist’s watercolour paints came directly from

the colourmen in dry clumps that had been cut off of clay-like slabs of prepared watercolor paint. The paints were hard. Artists would have to break up the clump into useable bits and grind them in water.

The usual method of preparing to paint included “rubbing up” your colours with water on a stone or ceramic dish as you would a sumi-e ink stick. Grinding your paint in water was a tedious but necessary step repeated

every time you set up to paint. With time, artistic entrepreneurs began preparing ready-made paints for artists. Source: watercolorpainting. com/history/

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FEATURE

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

EACH STATE’S SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR

Our top Seniors WE ARE proud to introduce you to eight senior Australians who are outstanding contributors to our community and to its wellbeing in a wide variety

Sally Wise, the Tasmanian Senior Australian of the Year.

of ways. Each of these people are winners of their state Senior Australian of the Year award and are in the running for the ultimate national accolade, Senior

Australian of the Year in 2019, to be announced on January 26. They have shared with Seniors News how they will use their raised profile in 2019.

Photo: Alastair Bett

TAS - Sally Wise, 67 SALLY is a kitchen guru, author and media presenter who is dedicated to equipping people with the knowledge to prepare nourishing food with accessible ingredients. In 2006 she received a request from a radio presenter to discuss jams and preserves. It led to Sally’s book A Year in a Bottle which sold thousands of copies. It was the first of 15 popular cookbooks. Sally launched a program at Risdon prison to teach soon-to-be

released inmates cooking skills. She also speaks to community groups to promote better nutrition using accessible ingredients. In addition, Sally helps new businesses in the food sector to optimise their recipes and techniques. “This past year has cemented my pathway and passion for the year to come, through chance encounters in cooking programs I have conducted. It has made me realise that there are silent, uncomplaining,

James Dale, the Queensland Senior of the Year.

often unnoticed groups within the community that would truly benefit from ‘companionable’ cookery – where the cooking and recipes are, as a natural part of the process, a catalyst to communication, between generations, cultures, at all levels of society. “My goal is to seek out such groups and place increased focus on the positive social, as well as inherent nutritional, benefits from preparing never-fail, delicious dishes made from readily accessible ingredients.”

Photo: Louise Bagger

SA - Reginald Dodd, 78 THE Arabunna elder used a Roget’s Thesaurus to interpret complex legislation and made his first Native Title claim in 1998. At Reg’s initiative the Arabunna Marree People was created with lawyers across Australia providing pro-bono assistance.

With a LAMP lawyer, Reg also co-designed and co-taught a law course at RMIT on country. “I will take this opportunity to create a dialogue with the government that will deliver and provide quality essential service to remote towns and

communities. My plan is to consult with the public through meetings and talks. I will continue the cross-cultural tours that have been a great success over the last 20 years or so. I will also continue the work with LAMP on heritage and cultural issues.”

Photo: Renae Droop, Richard Walker

QLD - Professor James Dale AO, 68 THE scientist, researcher and humanitarian has led significant research programs in agricultural biotechnology. His work includes seeking a solution to Vitamin A deficiency which can lead to death or blindness with children in developing countries particularly susceptible, and genetically modifying bananas, the staple diet in many poor countries.

Reginald Dodd, the South Australian Senior of the Year.

“Within the next 30 years our climate will degenerate and the world population will grow to more than nine billion. Together these will have a major impact on food and nutrition security. “Most of the population increase will be in the tropics and sub-tropics. Australia is one of the very few developed countries with tropical regions and tropical

agriculture. “I will use this award to stress that Australia has an opportunity or maybe a responsibility to be a major contributor to the development of the next versions of our tropical crops to alleviate this impending food and nutritional insecurity. Importantly, to do this we will need to mobilise all the technologies we have available.”

Dr Sue Packer, the ACT Senior Australian of the Year.

Photo: Contributed

ACT - Dr Sue Packer AM, 76 PAEDIATRICIAN and child advocate Dr Packer fights for the rights of children in the healthcare system and wider community. “My intention is to use my profile to encourage all Australians to think seriously about the experiences and challenges for all children

growing up in Australia in the 21st century. There is much we could all do to improve their lives and opportunities as they grow up, particularly considering the comparative wealth of Australia. “When we think about our children and their

vulnerabilities and the options we have to improve their lives, many of the possible measures would also be of benefit to vulnerable groups of adults, in particular the elderly and those with disabilities, to enable them to live fuller and more satisfying lives”.

SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

FEATURE

EACH STATE’S SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR

Heather Lee, the NSW Senior Australian of the Year.

Photo: Salty Dingo

Alison Harcourt, the Victorian Senior Australian of the Year.

NSW - Heather Lee OAM, 92

VIC - Alison Harcourt, 89

SHE is an unstoppable Australian. Heather started walking regularly late in life – signing up for a series of fun runs in her late 70s – and discovering she was actually quite quick. In 2011, at her physiotherapist’s suggestion, Heather competed in the Australian Masters Games, just before her 85th birthday – winning four gold medals. In 2012 Heather set a new Australian record for

ALISON is now best known for developing integer linear programming, the basis of efficient computer processing. “I’ve always loved numbers, so one of my aims is to try to convey that love to others. “This feeling is one which I believe anyone can absorb, but I’m aware that many people acquired a fear of numbers when they were

5km race walking for her age group. Later that year, at the Australian Masters Track and Field Championships, she broke three Australian records; the 10km (84m 06.00s), the 1500m (11m 36.90s) and her own 5km (41m 25.40s). Currently, Heather holds eight Australian and five world records. Heather has been a member of the local Hawkesbury Cancer Support Group for many years and was the 2018

Cancer Council March Charge Ambassador. Remarkably, she is one of the few who walks the full 24 hours of the Hawkesbury Relay for Life “I am the message,” Heather said. “Independence is vital. Make wellness your goal with diet, lifestyle and exercise to nurture your body, mind and spirit. “I never define myself by age and never define anyone else by age, because getting old is an achievement.”

young which they have not been able to shake off. “We should recognise that we are using numbers all the time, to measure temperature or the ingredients to make a cake, to knit a jumper or to check at what date in spring we should plant tomato seedlings. “Specifically, from the experience of using numbers and listening to how others use them, we can expand our

Ian Frank Mallard, the WA Senior Australian of the Year. Charlie King, the Northern Territory Senior Australian of the Year.

NT - Charlie King OAM, 67 THE veteran sports broadcaster and human rights campaigner in 2008 became the first Indigenous Australian to commentate at an Olympics. Charlie initiated the zero-tolerance campaign ‘NO MORE’ which has links with more than five sporting codes and nearly 100 individual sports teams.

“My vision is to contribute to an Australian community where all of its members feel safe,” he said. “The elimination of violence requires a monumental shift in the way that Australian’s view domestic violence. “I think that it is vitally important to connect with diverse groups of people, including seniors from

across Australia to harness their knowledge and to develop constructive actions that can lead to change. “This provides an opportunity to recognise the contribution that senior Australians and all Australians can make in influencing a change in the attitudes and beliefs that lead to domestic and family violence.”

Photo: Gavin Blue

appreciation of the wide world of mathematics. “More generally, we should ask older people about their life journey. We should also consider, rather than dismiss, creative people who want to challenge old ways. We should respect the enthusiasm of youth and the wisdom of immigrants. “Put simply, we should be open to other people’s ideas.”

Photo: MCB Photographics

WA - Frank Mallard, 73 THE Yamatji elder, ex-serviceman and volunteer is an ambassador and advocate for the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and women. He served in the Army and Army Reserves.. Despite PTSD and Parkinson’s, Frank is a dedicated veterans’ issues volunteer and chair of Voice of the Voiceless Ministry. “I would like to go back

to the old ways in Australia where we had the welfare of our families uppermost in our minds. To the days when the older members of family were cared for by the family and not sent off to an aged care facility. “I know that that cannot happen, so I would use my position to indulge my passion of caring for the less fortunate in our society, to make the community aware of the mental health problems

faced by our military and the youth, and to bring comfort to the homeless and marginalised in our cities, by providing free health care, meals and shelter, to those who can’t afford it. “We are acclaimed as the ‘lucky country’, but we have many people who would not think that. Some of them have served their country, but their country has forgotten them. Lest we forget.”

NEWS

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

Carolyn & Don, Tarragal Glen residents

Discover the Central Coast’s premier retirement living at Tarragal Glen and Wood Glen

Experience the relaxing, maintenance-free lifestyle you deserve when you make the move to a warm and welcoming RetireAustralia community on the Central Coast. Our villages are crafted to offer the ultimate in connection and peace of mind, with extra support services available if your needs change. Explore the superb homes and lifestyles on offer at our upcoming village events!

RETIREMENT LIVING SEMINAR

Tarragal Glen RETIREMENT VILLAGE

When Saturday 2nd February, 10am to 1:30pm Where Tarragal Glen, 110 Karalta Road, Erina RSVP Call our friendly team on 1300 68 77 38

Discover everything you need to make a smooth move to retirement village living at Tarragal Glen’s free Retirement Living Seminar. Come along and enjoy: • Presentations by expert speakers • A range of exhibitors • A tour of the facilities, properties and parkland • Complimentary morning tea and refreshments

WOOD GLEN OPEN DAY

Wood Glen RETIREMENT VILLAGE

When Tuesday 5th February, 10am to 2pm Where Wood Glen, 105 Karalta Road, Erina All welcome - we hope to see you there!

You’re invited to explore the superb homes and lifestyles on offer at Wood Glen at our Open Day. Join us and: • Inspect a fantastic range of properties • Tour the Lodge and community facilities • Have your questions answered • Enjoy complimentary cake and coffee

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SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

easy steps

FEATURE

TO YOUR PERSONALISED HOME CARE

PLEASE TURN THE PAGE

FEATURE

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

2019 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL

Loving your life to the fullest and those in it

Festival is just for you

Gail Forrer Group Editor WELCOME to our special feature celebrating the annual NSW Seniors Festival. Themed ‘Love your Life’, the festival – held from February 13-24 – has attracted government funding for 120 organisations to host events and activities in Sydney and regional areas during the festival. If you have felt like extending your circle of friends, trying out a new activity, or just wanting to add a little zest to your life, then this really is your opportunity to make it happen. Minister for Ageing Tanya Davies encourages seniors to make the most of the festival and to get involved in as many local events across New South Wales as possible. “The NSW Government wants to celebrate seniors and create exciting opportunities for older people to get out in the community, kick up their heels and meet others while sharing new experiences,” Mrs Davies said. The Premier’s Gala Concerts and Seniors Expo will be held during the festival at the International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour. Dates and tickets will be announced soon. Locally, you will find plenty to do in our Calendar of Events.

FOR HOME CARE STEP

AS THE Seniors Festival gets into full swing, this year’s theme of ‘Love Your Life’ prompts us to look at the key components to help us have the best life possible as we move through our aging years. The age old question of ‘how to live the best life’ or ‘life to the fullest’ has been philosophised and publicised since the beginning of time and now the science of positive psychology is adding evidence based strategies to enable all of us to live a life full of potential. Positive psychology, put simply it is the study and application of ‘how to feel good and do good’ and according to research, to ‘live our best possible life’ it is vital to focus on the three following components; our strengths, relationships and discover personal meaning or purpose. It can be easy as we move into our senior years for each of these areas to be a challenge and get lost. Strengths provide us with energy, are easy to use and essential to thriving. They are things we are good at and find enjoyable. Living a life where you focus on ‘what’s right’ with us and in our lives allows us to enjoy more positive experiences bringing greater joy and fulfilment and ultimately, helping us to ‘Love our Life’. In addition to utilising a strength-based approach to life, the ability to create and experience meaningful relationships have also been identified as wellbeing boosters and enable us to increase our life satisfaction levels. Humans are biologically wired to connect and seek out meaningful relationships.

LOVE AND CARE: For more than 35 years, leading Central Coast home care provider Sue Mann Nursing & Community Care has helped older Australians 'love their life' through support at home. When we experience positive relationships we thrive, when this is denied human connections we languish. Without a conscious effort during the ageing process, many older people find themselves socially isolated. It may be not being able to drive anymore; the loss of a spouse or close friends may result in a lack of motivation to get out and about; health or medical conditions may

be restrictive – all common reasons that result in social isolation which in turn negatively impacts on a person’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. And finally… personal purpose. Having something to get up for, be involved in, be responsible for… what is our legacy, what is our contribution? Reflecting on these questions can lead to deeper thoughts and

enable action to live our best life full of love, strength, meaningful connections, contributions and personal purpose – all positive contributing factors in our senior years to help ‘Love Your Life’. After nearly 35 years, leading Central Coast home care provider Sue Mann Nursing & Community Care has helped older Australians ‘love their life’ through support at home.

Call Sue Mann on

1300 241 300

Home care services can help keep you living independently in your own home and connected with your community. Whether it’s help around the home, personal care, social support or nursing care, let Sue Mann Nursing & Community Care help you ‘Love Your Life’. For more, go to suemann.com.au or phone 1300 241 300.

SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

FEATURE

2019 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL

Calendar of events TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Gentle Exercise Class 10.45am-11.45am Come and join our Gentle Exercise Class, facilitated by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist. We’ll show you how to improve your strength, flexibility, balance, fitness and how to reduce your risk of falls. Exercises are adjusted to suit your individual needs, catering for medical conditions or injuries if required. Limited places available, bookings essential. Venue: Colongra Bay Community Centre, 1 Colongra Bay Road , Lake Munmorah. Cost: $5 Contact: Ingrid Jeffries Insight Exercise Physiology. Phone 0404 269 018. Bookings essential. ■ Gentle Exercise Class 2.30pm-3.30pm Come and join our Gentle Exercise Class, facilitated by an accredited exercise physiologist. We’ll show you how to improve your strength, flexibility, balance, fitness and how to reduce your risk of falls. Exercises are adjusted to suit your individual needs, catering for medical conditions or injuries if required. Limited places available, bookings essential. Venue: Westlakes Music Centre, 3 Stilling Street , Rathmines. Cost: $5 Contact: Ingrid Jeffries Insight Exercise Physiology. Phone 0404 269 018. Bookings essential. ■ Gentle Movement Classes 10am-11am Venue: Bateau Bay Community Restaurant, Tuggerah Lakes Community Centre. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings to attend these free Gentle Movement classes are essential. Limited places are available at all venues. Phone

02 4357 8444. ■ Gentle Movement Classes 10am-11am Venue: Woy Woy Community Restaurant, Yaringaa Building, 93 McMasters Rd. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings to attend these free Gentle Movement classes are essential. Limited places are available at all venues. Phone 02 4357 8444.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13

■ Table Tennis Tournament 1pm-4.30pm Join us for the sixth edition of our traditional table tennis tournament where seniors will compete against the youth centre team to win prizes and the Mosman Table Tennis Trophy. Venue: Mosman Council Seniors Centre Main Hall, 1 Mosman Square Spit Junction, Mosman. Cost: Free Contact: Mosman Community Care Mosman Municipal Council. Phone 02 9978 4128. Bookings recommended. ■ Silver Storytime 10am-12pm We all love hearing stories. Come along to our Silver Storytime and hear old favourites and exciting new books read aloud! Listen, laugh and wonder. Free Incl. Morning

FOR HOME CARE STEP

ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE: The NSW Seniors Festival covers events and activities including legal issues, health and wellness, drama, dancing, sports, cooking and films. Tea. Venue: Erina Library. Cost: Free Contact: Phone 02 4304 7650 or book online, go to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au /libraryevents. ■ Be Connect Program 10am-12pm Join us for a relaxed, interactive morning where you will learn about smart devices and the Be Connected program. The YourLink Team will also help you sign up to the free online Be Connected website. Bring your email address, iPad or smart device. Venue: Gosford 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre. Cost: Free. Includes morning tea. Contact: Bookings essential, phone 02 4304 065. ■ Centrelink and Carer’s Benefits 10am-11:45am It’s never too early to begin planning for your future – working out what you want, looking at the options available and setting some goals. This free seminar, provided by the Financial Information Service, can help you plan your financial situation now and for the future. Venue: Tuggerah Library. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings essential, phone 136 357 or email: fis.seminar.bookings @humanservices.gov.au.

■ Young at Heart film festival The Apia Young at Heart is back for its 14th edition and is the only nationwide film festival in Australia with a film program especially dedicated to an audience of film lovers 60 and up. Venue: Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona & Palace Central, Sydney. Contact: Register via youngatheart.net.au/ or facebook.com/young atheartff/. ■ Art of Ageing Exhibition 9.30am–5pm Come along and see the Art of Ageing digital photography exhibition which celebrates the experience and contributions of older people in NSW, with thirty images and stories that challenge out-dated perceptions of ageing. Runs from February 13-22 (not incl. Saturday & Sunday). Venue: Umina Beach Library. Cost: Free Contact: Phone 02 4304 7333. ■ Chess 9am-12pm Come along and join in a social game chess. Venue: Gosford 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre. Cost: Free Contact: Phone 02 4304 7065. ■ Active Over 50’s Classes 8.30am-9.30am

Active over 50’s Group fitness classes are targeted at improving strength, cardiovascular fitness, balance and overall health. Venue: Lake Haven Recreation Centre. Cost: Free Contact: Phone 02 4304 8020. ■ Indoor Bowls 9am-12pm Come along and join in a social game of indoor bowls. Venue: Ettalong 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre. Cost: Free Contact: Phone 02 4304 7222. ■ Leatherwork 9am-12noon Come along and learn the art of leatherwork from one of our Centre Volunteers. Venue: Ettalong 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre. Cost: Free Contact: Phone 02 4304 7222. ■ Table Tennis 9am-12noon Come along and join in a social game of Table Tennis. Venue: Ettalong 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre. Cost: Free Contact: Phone 02 4304 7222. ■ Mindful Art 9am-12noon Come along and relax with a morning of Mindful Art. All materials supplied. Venue: Gosford 50+

Tell us what you need: nursing care, cleaning, shopping

Leisure & Learning Centre. Cost: Free Contact: Phone 02 4304 7065. ■ Accommodation Options for Older Australians 12pm-2pm It’s never too early to begin planning for your future – working out what you want, looking at the options available and setting some goals. This free seminar, provided by the Financial Information Service, can help you plan your financial situation now and for the future. Venue: Tuggerah Library. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings essential, phone 136 357 or email: fis.seminar.bookings @humanservices.gov.au. ■ Line dancing 1pm-3pm Come along and Line Dance your afternoon way. A great way to meet new people and get fit at the same time. Venue: Gosford 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre. Cost: Free Contact: Phone 02 4304 7065.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14

■ Gentle Movement Classes 10am-11am Venue: Toukley Presbyterian Church Hall. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings to attend these free Gentle Movement classes are essential. Limited places are available at all venues. Phone 02 4357 8444. ■ Active Over 50’s Classes 8.30am-9.30am Active over 50’s Group fitness classes are targeted at improving strength, cardiovascular fitness, balance and overall health. Venue: Lake Haven Recreation Centre Cost: Free Contact: Phone 02 4304 8020. ■ Creative Folk Art Social Group 12.30pm-2.30pm Come along and spend the afternoon doing some Folk Art. Materials

FEATURE

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

2019 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL supplied and volunteers can help guide you along on your Folk Art journey. Contact: Phone 02 4304 7222. Cost: Free Venue: Ettalong 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre. Cards – Hand & Foot 12pm-3.30pm Do you like playing cards but have no one to play with? Come along and have a game or two, or three, with likeminded people. Venue: Ettalong 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre. Cost: Free Contact: Phone 02 4304 7222. ■ Old Time / New Vogue Dancing 9am-12noon Are you looking for a place to let your hair down and do some old time/new vogue dancing? Then come along and join our social dancing group where you can met new people and enjoy a dance or two. Venue: Ettalong 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre. Cost: Free Contact: Phone 02 4304 7222. ■ Darts 9.30am-12pm Come along and join in a social game of darts. Venue: Gosford 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre Cost: Free Contact: 02 4304 7065. ■ Myuna Bay Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival 10am-3pm Come and join in or just have a day out to watch our local Rock ‘n’ Roll dance group show off their ability to twirl, swing and move those hips dancing for you. The day will start off with a morning tea on arrival, a display of vehicles from yesteryear and then dance routines that will just blow you mind - a hearty lunch - before kicking off for the final dance round from our local dancers. Venue: Myuna Bay Sport and Recreation Centre, Wangi Road. Cost: $25 per person. Contact: Phone 131 302. Bookings essential.

■ Gentle Exercise Class 9am-10am Come and join our Gentle Exercise Class, facilitated by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist. We’ll show you how to improve your strength, flexibility, balance, fitness and how to reduce your risk of falls. . Venue: Halekulani Hall, Cnr Tenth Avenue and Noela Place, Budgewoi Peninsula. Cost: $5 Contact: Ingrid Jeffries Insight Exercise Physiology. Phone 0404 269 018. Bookings essential. NSW Seniors Festival Expo From 9am The NSW Seniors Festival Expo is an annual free and fun event, featuring over 50 exhibitors, live stage entertainment and plenty of games and giveaways. In 2019, the NSW Seniors Festival Expo will be held on Thursday 14 & Friday 15 February. Venue: Hall 4, Exhibition Centre at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Sydney. Cost: Free ■ Mingara’s Free concert 11am Join your host Jenifer Green and her wonderful array of performers for Mingara’s Back To The Tivoli on Thursday

FOR HOME CARE STEP

FULL HOUSE: Do you like playing cards but have no one to play with? Come along and have a game or two, or three, with like minded people at the Ettalong 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre. Photo: PeopleImages morning. Doors Open: 10.30am, Showtime: 11am. Venue: Mingara Recreation Club, Mingara Drive, Tumbi Umbi. Cost: Free Contact: Places are limited, tickets available from Mingara’s welcome desk on 02 4349 7799. ■ Senior Festival Concert and Expo 10am-1pm Central Coast Council will be holding a free Seniors Festival Concert with a variety of amateur and professional entertainers. The morning will also include a mini Expo with a range of information on aged care services in the local government area. A free morning tea will also be included. Venue: Wyong Service Centre. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings essential: 02 4304 7065 (2 tickets per person only).

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15

■ Seniors Active Day 9am-2.30pm Seniors Active Day at Pt Wolstoncroft SRC held in conjunction with Seniors Festival includes a Centre tour, two fun activities and lunch. Participants will also get to relax with morning tea and refreshments. Numbers

are limited and bookings are taken on a first-come first-serve basis. Cost is inclusive of lunch, refreshments, morning tea and instructor led activities which may include archery and canoeing (but can be subject to change on the day). **NB: Please state any dietary requirements at time of booking. Also please arrive 10 mins early so the program can commence on time. Venue: Point Wolstoncroft Sport and Recreation Centre, Kanangra Drive , Gwandalan. Cost: $25 per person Contact: Client Service Centre Staff - Office of Sport. Phone 131 302. Bookings essential. ■ Gentle Exercise Class 9.30am - 10.30am Come and join our Gentle Exercise Class, facilitated by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist. We’ll show you how to improve your strength, flexibility, balance, fitness and how to reduce your risk of falls. Exercises are adjusted to suit your individual needs, catering for medical conditions or injuries if required. Limited places available, bookings essential. Venue: Penisula Community Centre, 93 McMasters Road , Woy Woy.

Cost: $5 Contact: Ingrid Jeffries Insight Exercise Physiology. Phone 0404 269 018. Bookings essential. NSW Seniors Festival Expo From 9am The NSW Seniors Festival Expo is an annual free and fun event, featuring over 50 exhibitors, live stage entertainment and plenty of games and giveaways. In 2019, the NSW Seniors Festival Expo will be held on Thursday 14 & Friday 15 February. Venue: Hall 4, Exhibition Centre at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Sydney. Cost: Free ■ Aqua Water Aerobics 8.30am-9.30am A low intensity aqua fitness class, this is suitable for beginners, seniors or those managing injury or illness. This class uses various equipment such as pool noodles and dumbbells to tone and shape the body while providing a gentle cardiovascular workout. Please be in the water by 8.30am ready to start. Venue: Gosford Olympic Pool Cost: Free Contact: Phone 02 4304 7250. ■ Seniors Active Day 9am-2.30pm Seniors Active Day at

Answer the door: no wait times, no stress

Point Wolstoncroft includes a tour of the Sport and Recreation Centre, two fun activities and lunch. Participants will also get to relax with morning tea and refreshments. Numbers are limited. Cost is inclusive of lunch, refreshments, morning tea and instructor led activities which may include archery and canoeing (but can be subject to change on the day). Venue: Point Wolstoncroft Sport and Recreation Centre. Cost: $25 Contact: Phone 131 302 or 02 4348 6700. ■ Learn Indoor Bowls 12noon-1pm Come along and learn the art of indoor bowls from one of our Centre’s Volunteers. Venue: Ettalong 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre. Cost: Free Contact: 02 4304 7222. ■ Gentle Movement Classes 10am-11am Venue: West Gosford Community Restaurant, Yallambee Community Centre. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings to attend these free Gentle Movement classes are essential. Limited places are available at all venues. Phone 02 4357 8444.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16

■ Wyong Family History Group Drop In Session 9am-12pm Have you hit a brick wall with your family history research, or do you want to know what records are available at the library and how to access them? Volunteers from the Wyong Family History Group are available to help you. Venue: Tuggerah Library Cost: Free Contact: 02 4351 2211. ■ Centrelink and Carer’s Benefits 10am-11.45am It’s never too early to begin planning for your future – working out what you want, looking at the

SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

FEATURE

2019 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL options available and setting some goals. This free seminar, provided by the Financial Information Service, can help you plan your financial situation now and for the future. Bookings essential: 136 357 or email: fis.seminar.bookings @humanservices.gov.au Venue: Erina Library Cost: Free Contact: Bookings essential, phone 136 357 or email: fis.seminar.bookings @humanservices.gov.au. ■ It’s BBQ Time 12pm-3.30pm A delicious BBQ lunch will be served at 12:30pm along with entertainment & raffles. Venue: Toukley 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre. Cost: $10 Contact: Bookings essential by February 12, phone 02 4396 5075. ■ Accommodation Options for Older Australians 12pm-2pm It’s never too early to begin planning for your future – working out what you want, looking at the options available and setting some goals. This free seminar, provided by the Financial Information Service, can help you plan your financial situation now and for the future. Venue: Erina Library. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings essential, phone 136 357 or email: fis.seminar.bookings @humanservices.gov.au. ■ Understanding the Costs of Aged Care 2.30pm-4.30pm It’s never too early to begin planning for your future – working out what you want, looking at the options available and setting some goals. This free seminar, provided by the Financial Information Service, can help you plan your financial situation now and for the future Venue: Erina Library. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings essential, phone 136 357 or email: fis.seminar.bookings @humanservices.gov.au.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17

available, bookings essential. Venue: Colongra Bay Community Centre, 1 Colongra Bay Road , Lake Munmorah. Cost: $5 Contact: Ingrid Jeffries Insight Exercise Physiology. Phone 0404 269 018. Bookings essential. ■ Sit & Sew Social Group 9am-12pm Want to finish that sewing project you started last year or years ago? Come on in and join our Sit & Sew Social Group. Machines and an overlocker available for use. ACTIVE AGEING: Enjoy an Aqua Aerobics class or a Gentle exercise class at one of the many venues mentioned Venue: Gosford 50+ throughout our Events Calendar. Photo: shironosov Leisure & Learning Centre. Silver Screen – Day 3 10am-1pm Competition. Must bring TUESDAY, Cost: Free Editing This is a day event own supplies. FEBRUARY 19 Contact: Phone ■ 10am-2pm providing the opportunity Venue: Gosford 50+ ■ IT 4 Retirees Seminar 02 4304 7065. This event is a 5 day for Seniors living in Leisure & Learning Series ■ Latin American / free film making course Toongabbie and Centre. Get IT savvy with four Ballroom Dancing and workshop for people surrounding suburbs to Cost: Free free seminars covering a 9.30am-11.30am aged 50 years and over connect with each other, Contact: Phone range of technology topics, Are you looking for a with an interest in film focusing on creating a 02 4304 7065. especially suited to place to let your hair down making. Participants will positive environment to ■ Origami seniors. Scams and Online and do some Latin learn how to make their encourage the seniors in 9am-12pm Safety for Seniors. American/ballroom own 5 minute film which living a healthy and active Come along and learn Venue: Tuggerah Library. dancing? Then come will then be screened at a lifestyle. Activities on the the art of Origami from ■ Gentle Exercise Class along and join our social Seniors Film Festival held day include dance and one of our Centre 2.30pm-3.30pm dancing group where you in The Hub, at the Erina musical performances, Volunteers. Come and join our can met new people and Centre on February 24. gentle yoga exercises and Venue: Gosford 50+ Gentle Exercise Class, enjoy a dance or two. Venue: The Hub, The tai chi. Leisure & Learning facilitated by an accredited Venue: Ettalong 50+ Erina Centre. Venue: Toongabbie Centre. exercise physiologist. We’ll Leisure & Learning Cost: Free Community Centre, 244 Cost: Free show you how to improve Centre. Contact: Bookings Targo Rd. Contact: Phone your strength, flexibility, Cost: Free essential, register online, Cost: Free. Bookings 02 4304 7065. balance, fitness and how Contact: Phone go to coastonscreen.org. recommended. ■ Mini Market to reduce your risk of falls. 02 4304 7222. Contact: Annie - Boronia 9am-2pm Exercises are adjusted to MONDAY, Multicultural Services Items for sale will suit your individual needs, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Incorporated. Phone include craft, jewellery, catering for medical FEBRUARY 19 ■ Gentle Exercise Class 02 9631 1777 or email plants, cakes & conditions or injuries if ■ ■ Wyong Family 11.30am - 12.30pm anniel@bms.org.au. preservatives. Handmade required. Limited places History Group Open Day Come and join our ■ Celebrating our local greeting cards, mosaics & available, bookings 10am Gentle Exercise Class, Seniors and Family & Devonshire teas will also essential. Ever wanted to research facilitated by an Friends be available. Venue: Westlakes Music your family tree but didn’t Accredited Exercise 12pm - 3pm Venue: Terrigal 50+ Centre, 3 Stilling Street , know how to start? Come Physiologist. We’ll show A three hour event Leisure & Learning Centre Rathmines. to our free open day for you how to improve your celebrating our local Runs from February Cost: $5 some tips and tricks to strength, flexibility, seniors with a gentle Tai 18-22. Contact: Ingrid Jeffries - help you on your way. Be balance, fitness and how Chi class and an Cost: Free Insight Exercise warned, family history can to reduce your risk of Introduction to Technology Contact: Phone Physiology. Phone be addictive. falls. Exercises are Class followed by light 02 4384 5152. 0404 269 018. Bookings Venue: Wyong Family adjusted to suit your refreshments. ■ Move ‘n’ Groove essential. History Group. individual needs, catering Venue: Watanobbi 11.30am-12.30pm ■ Gentle Exercise Class Cost: Free including for medical conditions or Community Centre, 1 Do you like to move and 10.45am-11.45am morning tea. injuries if required. Harrington Close groove? Come on in and Come and join our Contact: Phone Limited places available, Watanobbi. have a go at Zumba where Gentle Exercise Class, 02 4351 2211. bookings essential. Contact: Bookings you get to move and facilitated by an Accredited ■ Scrabble Venue: Erina Trust Hall, essential, phone Kim groove. Exercise Physiologist. We’ll 1pm-3.30pm Cnr Karalta Road & Ilya Anderson on Venue: Ettalong 50+ show you how to improve Come along and enjoy a Ave , Erina 02 4351 2860. Leisure & Learning your strength, flexibility, relaxing afternoon of Cost: $5 ■ Social Painting Group Centre. balance, fitness and how Scrabble. Contact: Ingrid Jeffries - 9am-12pm Cost: Free to reduce your risk of falls. Venue: Gosford 50+ Insight Exercise Come along and paint Contact: Phone Exercises are adjusted to Leisure & Learning Physiology. Phone while making new 02 4304 7222. suit your individual needs, Centre. 0404 269 018. Bookings connections, or plan your catering for medical Cost: Free essential. next great masterpiece for conditions or injuries if Contact: Phone ■ Active for Life the 2019 Grandma Moses required. Limited places 02 4304 7065.

For home care, talk to us now

1300 241 300

suemann.com.au

FEATURE

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

2019 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20

■ Canoe/Kayaking at Avoca Lake 10am-noon Get paddling and take in the unsung beauty and tranquil waters of Avoca Lagoon on Sport and Recreation’s guided canoe/kayaking tour. Participants must be able to swim 50 metres. **Please arrive at least 10 mins prior to start time. Venue: Avoca Lake, Avoca Drive. Cost: $15 Contact: Phone 131 302. Bookings essential. ■ Healthy Ageing Talk 10am–12pm Learn and get information about good mental health and wellbeing as we get older from health professionals with the Central Coast Local Health District. This will include information, resources & a special clinic if you would like to undertake a healthy ageing check-up & speak to one of our specialist nurses on the day. Venue: Gosford 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre Cost: Free and includes morning tea. Contact: Bookings essential, phone

TECH-SAVVY SENIORS: There are some easy to learn computer, ipad and phone classes available.

Photo: Jacob Wateckerhausen

02 4304 7065. ■ Understanding Your Pension 10.30am This free seminar provided by Centrelink covers topics such as how your pension is calculated, assessment of income and assets, concessions, your rights and obligations, and taxation. Venue: Toukley Library. Cost: Free Contact: Phone 02 4350 1541. ■ Aqua Water Aerobics

12.30pm-1.30pm A low intensity aqua fitness class, this is suitable for beginners, seniors or those managing injury or illness. This class uses various equipment, such as pool noodles and dumbbells, to tone and shape the body, while providing a gentle cardiovascular workout. Please be in the water by 12.30pm ready to start. Venue: Peninsular Leisure Centre. Cost: Free

Contact: Phone 02 4325 8123.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21

individual needs, catering for medical conditions or injuries if required. Limited places available, bookings essential. Venue: Halekulani Hall, Cnr Tenth Avenue and Noela Place, Budgewoi Peninsula. Cost: $5 Contact: Ingrid Jeffries Insight Exercise Physiology. Phone 0404 269 018. Bookings essential. ■ Seniors Festival concert 12noon

Central Coast Council Seniors Festival Concert 2019

Help us celebrate the NSW Seniors Festival and join in the many events being held across the Central Coast. The Festival celebrates seniors and their contribution to family, friends, workplaces and the community. Take your pick from the many library activities, art, entertainment, sport, concerts, demonstrations, workshops, day trips, health and ﬁtness, and technical classes. Pick up your full program of events from your local 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre, Senior Centre or local library. A full program can also be found online at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/news

Seniors Festival concert - “Let Us Entertain You”. Be entertained by: Toukley Public School, Kindy Ballet, St. Mary’s School Choir, plus our Club’s Variety Group. Compered by talented David Lang. Come along and enjoy a fun afternoon. Venue: Toukley 50 Plus Leisure & Learning Centre, Club Auditorium, 1 Hargraves St. Cost: Free entry. Contact: Phone 02 4396 5075. ■ Aqua Fitness 7.45am-8.45am This low impact class is designed with a focus on increasing functional mobility and strengthening of joints, using the warmth and buoyancy of the water to decrease load on the joints during activity and includes the use of dumbbells, noodles and discs. Venue: Toukley Aquatic Centre. Cost: Free Contact: Phone 024304 8060. ■ Cardmaking Workshop 1pm-3pm Ever wanted to learn how to make cards? Come along to this free cardmaking workshop and receive one free card you can design and send to

SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

FEATURE

2019 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL that special someone. All materials supplied. Venue: Gosford 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre. Cost: Free Contact: Phone 02 4304 7065. ■ Sandra’s Tai Chi Workshop 1.30pm-2.15pm Learn the art of Tai Chi and gain the health benefits for your mind, body and soul in this 45 min workshop for beginners and the like. Venue: Gosford 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre. Cost: Free Contact: Phone 0408 898 557. ■ Shall We Dance 6pm-7pm Ever wanted to learn ballroom dancing? This is your chance to come along and learn how to sweep your way along the dance floor with a Beginners class held by Robyn from Shall We Dance. Bookings not essential, however, please mention this add on arrival to get your free ticket. Venue: Gosford 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre. Cost: Free. Visitors Only. Please mention ad in Calendar on arrival.

Contact: Phone 0414 242 669. ■ Gentle Movement Classes 10am-11am Venue: Bateau Bay Community Restaurant. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings are essential. Limited places are available at all venues. Phone 02 4357 8444.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22

■ Gentle Movement Classes 10am-11am Venue: Toukley Presbyterian Church Hall. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings are essential. Limited places are available at all venues. Phone 02 4357 8444. ■ Gentle Movement Classes 11.15-12.15pm Venue: Woy Woy Meals on Wheels Outlet, Yaringaa Building, 93 McMasters Rd. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings are essential. Limited places are available at all venues. Phone 02 4357 8444. ■ Gentle Exercise Class 9.30am - 10.30am Come and join our Gentle Exercise Class,

facilitated by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist. We’ll show you how to improve your strength, flexibility, balance, fitness and how to reduce your risk of falls. Exercises are adjusted to suit your individual needs, catering for medical conditions or injuries if required. Limited places available, bookings essential. Venue: Penisula Community Centre, 93 McMasters Road , Woy Woy. Cost: $5 Contact: Phone 0404 269 018. Bookings essential. ■ Aqua Water Aerobics 8.30am-9.30am A low intensity aqua fitness class, this is suitable for beginners, seniors or those managing injury or illness. This class uses various equipment such as pool noodles and dumbbells to tone and shape the body while providing a gentle cardiovascular workout. Please be in the water by 8.30am ready to start. Venue: Gosford Olympic Pool Cost: Free Contact: Phone 02 4304 7250.

■ Cardmaking Workshop 9am-12pm Ever wanted to learn how to make cards? Come along to this free cardmaking workshop and receive one free card you can design and send to that special someone. All materials supplied. Venue: Terrigal 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre. Cost: Free Phone: 02 4304 7065. ■ Accommodation Options in Retirement 10am It’s never too early to begin planning for your future – working out what you want, looking at the options available and setting some goals. This free seminar, provided by the Financial Information Service, can help you plan your financial situation now and for the future. Venue: Woy Woy Library Cost: Free Contact: Bookings essential, phone 136 357. ■ Footcare and Ageing 10am Podiatrist Seleisa Duddy, of the Walking Pod will present a seminar on how best to look after your feet as you age. Venue: Ettalong 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre Cost: Free

Contact: Bookings essential, phone 02 4304 7222. ■ Investing with Safety 10am-12pm It’s never too early to begin planning for your future – working out what you want, looking at the options available and setting some goals. This free seminar, provided by the Financial Information Service, can help you plan your financial situation now and for the future. Venue:The Entrance Library Cost: Free Contact: Bookings essential, phone 136 357. ■ Understanding Aged Care 10am Aged Care Specialist, Sophie Doyle, of Morgans will present a seminar on understanding the costs and financing of aged care options. Venue: Gosford 50+ Leisure & Learning Centre Cost: Free Contact: Bookings essential, phone 02 4304 7065. ■ Nutrition and Cooking for Positive Ageing 10.30am As we age, our food and cooking needs change…This free healthy cooking workshop for

positive ageing teaches you how to cook a nutritionist and delicious meal using every day, seasonal ingredients that are good for positive ageing, without skimping on flavour! Venue: Long Jetty Over 50s Club Cost: Free Contact: Bookings essential, phone 02 4332 5522.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24

■ Silver Screen – Day 5 Screening / Film Festival 12pm-2pm This event is a 5 day free film making course and workshop for people aged 50 years and over with an interest in film making. Participants will learn how to make their own 5 minute film which will then be screened at a Seniors Film Festival held in The Hub, at the Erina Centre on February 24. Venue: The Hub, The Erina Centre. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings essential. Register online, go to coastonscreen.org. DISCLAIMER: Dates and times are printed as given to us. No responsibility is taken for inaccuracies.

Central Coast. It's time for a Chemical CleanOut. Your free drop off:

Start 2019 with peace of mind Our specialist staff regularly hold Plan Ahead days where you can make or update your Will, Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship documents.

Upcoming Plan Ahead Days available in your local area:

With over 100 years of experience, NSW Trustee & Guardian can be appointed as your independent executor and attorney. Situations where you may want to make or update your Will include:

retirement buying or selling assets new relationships separation/divorce welcoming children or grandchildren Fees may apply. See website for details.

Sat 2 – Sun 3 March 2019 9am – 3.30pm Council's Long Jetty Depot Corner The Entrance and Wyong Roads Long Jetty

www.cleanout.com.au

Only household quantities accepted.

Belmont Cessnock East Maitland Erina Gosford Lake Haven Salamander Bay Toronto Woy Woy Make an appointment in-branch Monday to Friday:

Newcastle branch 1-9 Beresford Street Newcastle West

Appointments essential via our Newcastle branch. Call 1300 723 124or start online at www.tag.nsw.gov.au

For more information call the Environment Line on 131 555 This project is a NSW EPA Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded from the waste levy

FEATURE

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

2019 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL Community notes

Community group guide

We welcome your community notes and if you would like to submit a photo ensure it is at least 180dpi or 500kb to 1mb in size and of faces, in a nice bright setting. Email editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au.

WYONG WRITERS

LOCAL writers meet monthly to encourage and develop their writing skills. Meeting on the fourth Saturday of each month. Please arrive at 1.15pm for a 1.30pm start. Our next meeting is February 23 at Woodbury Park Community Centre, 1 Woolmers Crescent, Mardi. Inquiries: Mei-Ling Venning, president on 02 4333 7489, email meilingvenning @hotmail.com or go to wyongwriters.org.

VIEW CLUBS

Brisbane Water Evening WE ARE working for the Smith Family and hold our monthly dinner meeting in the Function Room at the Grange Hotel, Renwick Street, Wyoming, on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6.30pm for 7pm. New members and visitors are most

welcome. Phone Valda on 02 4325 1688 or Helen 02 4367 5670.

DYING WITH DIGNITY NSW

OUR first meeting of year will be held on Friday, February 15 at 10am, meeting room 3, opp. Gosford Library, The Hive, Erina Fair. The subject: Aiming for a good death - taking control of our inevitable journey through ageing and death with the Speaker: Prof Ken Hillman, MBBS, FRCA, FCICM, FRCP, Professor Of Intensive Care, Liverpool Hospital, University Of New South Wales (SWS clinical school) with a question and answer session after refreshment break. Non-members welcome. Inquiries on 02 4369 8053 or email j2@heelstone.com.au.

OFFICIAL LAUNCH: A Welcome to Country was given by Elder John of the Worrimi and a traditional smoking ceremony was performed by Elder Leigh followed by the official ceremonies led by the Mayor of Port Stephens Ryan Palmer, Kate Washington Local Member for Port Stephens and Kevin Tucker CEO Hometown Australia.

SUNRISE LIFESTYLE RESORT PORT STEPHENS HOMETOWN Australia Communities recently held the official launch of its newest prestige over 55’s lifestyle community, Sunrise Lifestyle Resort Port Stephens. Over 100 guests including a large contingent of future homeowners and local dignitaries joined in the

celebration. After a week of severe weather Port Stephens turned on beautiful weather for the event. A real feature of the proceedings was the Smoking Ceremony, a particularly moving and solemn ritual performed by Uncle Leigh of the Worrimi. Sunrise sets a new benchmark in lifestyle resort living for the over 55’s offering superb

facilities which include a state of the art clubhouse complex with 2 swimming pools, gymnasium and wellness centre, tennis & pickle ball courts, bowling green, theatre, library, function and dining room, sports bar and recreation areas, craft room, workshop, caravan storage and so much more. Hometown’s communities are known

for quality amenities and professional onsite management. Community involvement, good citizenship and corporate responsibility are fundamental to Hometown’s long and successful track record. Presenting over 55 Australians with the lifestyle they deserve is Hometown Australia’s top priority. And nobody does it better.

Love Your Life with Meals on Wheels Central Coast • Free Delivery & Delicious Meals • Community restaurants & lunch groups • Social Support • NDIS Registered Provider • Pet Food Delivery

Join us for our free NSW Seniors Festival activities. For more information visit:

www.ccmow.com.au or call 4357

8444

Central Coast

SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

FEATURE

2019 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL

Love your life and concerts

Live local music for you to love

CAN’T make it to the Premier’s Gala Concerts? There are lots of other concert events taking place around the state as part of NSW Seniors Festival. Here’s our pick of live music and entertainment.

VALENTINE’S CONCERT

SING and dance along to the smooth sounds of Tony Mazell and COA Sydney in Woollahra. Wednesday, February 13 from 12.45pm-1.45pm COA Activity Centre, Krygier Centre 25 Rowe St, Woollahra.

JAM’N’SONGS

ENJOY live music, an interactive concert and afternoon tea at the Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre. Thursday, February 14 from 1pm-3pm. Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood

CELEBRATE WITH A CONCERT: There are lots of concert events taking place around the state as part of NSW Seniors Festival.

Centre, 12A Elizabeth Street , Pottsville Beach.

CANZONISSIMA FEST - ITALIAN MUSIC OLD & NEW

FIVE different performers will be sharing songs old and new at this

Italian-themed concert and luncheon in Carnes Hills. Tuesday, February 20 from 10.30am-4pm Carnes Hill Community and Recreation Precinct, 600 Kurrajong Road, Carnes Hill.

SINGING FOR FUN AND HEALTH

HEAR some old and new favourite sing-along numbers at this concert presented by LaVoce Community Choir in Lane Cove. Tuesday, February 19 from 6.30pm-7.30pm -

Living and Learning Centre, 180 Longueville Road, Lane Cove.

MUSIC WITH BOBBY JAMES

GRAB a bite to eat and enjoy a performance by the great Bobby James at

the Corowa RSL Club. Wednesday, February 13 from 11am-3pm - Corowa RSL Club, 30 Betterment Parade, Corowa. Love Your Life! There’s so much to love about life at any age and there’s so much to love about NSW Seniors Festival. For the first time, Valentine’s Day falls within the festival dates. Love Your Life is a playful spin off the celebration of romantic love. We hope you’ll find new ways to love your life during the Festival. There are hundreds of free and heavily discounted events taking place across the state. We hope to encourage you to love technology, love creativity, love being active and lots more! These and many more events can be found in our Calendar of Events or go to seniorsfestival .nsw.gov.au. Can’t see an event near you? Contact your local council to ask what’s on.

QUALITY LIFESTYLE AND CARE OPTIONS FOR SENIORS Personal care in a home like environment

Yallambee Village offers 148 wellmaintained, affordable independent living units, all boasting a king-sized main bedroom, the ﬁnest of ﬁttings and all the mod cons you need

Yallambee Lodge is a ﬁrst-class residential care facility. Providing professional care. Staff are committed to giving individual care and supporting each resident’s individual needs

• Variety of plans to choose from • Extensive range of recreational and social groups at your fingertips • Private and secure • Bush or water views • 24/7 emergency call systems • Community Centre for social gatherings • Units located on level grounds • On site cafe for residence and families to enjoy

• Private spacious rooms with own on suite • 24-hour care • Access to many allied health services • Regular GP visits • Variety of recreational activities • Freshly cooked meals prepared on site • Hairdressing Salon on site • On site cafe for residence and families to enjoy

To find out more information about our services please contact us on

02 4349 2300

Yallambee Avenue, West Gosford NSW 2250

6899769aa

Two bedroom Independent Living

FEATURE

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

2019 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL

Volunteering helps you and your community thrive Paul McKeon IT’S NO secret that lots of retired people make big contributions to their communities by volunteering across a range of organisations. This unpaid work is worth billions to the Australian economy. Today I’d like to tell you a story about the other side of volunteering – what it does for the volunteers themselves. I’m on the management committee of the National Cartoon Gallery, which is situated in a WWII bunker in Coffs Harbour. It’s home to the largest collection of original cartoons in Australia and it operates with a paid manager and assistant plus 20 volunteers.

The point of this story is that volunteering at this community gallery has created lots of friendships among people who didn’t know each other previously and who come from a range of backgrounds. It’s also given many of them an interest and a sense of belonging to a team doing interesting work, which benefits the local community and the tourist industry. Recently one team member had a birthday party which was attended by most of the other volunteers. This was not particularly unusual as many of them now see each other at various social functions. Being a volunteer has enabled these people to expand their network of friends and learn a range of new skills. This cartoon gallery experience is not unusual and it’s just another

example of the value of volunteering to both the community and the individual people who make the effort to become volunteers. There’s overwhelming medical research which shows that social interaction and participating in activities which are interesting and enjoyable, are very important for our physical and mental wellbeing. Volunteering is an easy and inexpensive way to enjoy all these benefits. Your local council would probably have a list of organisations in your area which are looking for volunteers. You’ll find more information on volunteering and a range of other issues of interest to over 50s in our range of books.

You can more information on our website, go to retirementbooks.com.au.

Peace of mind with five Qs

WE ALL know having a will can ensure that your wishes are carried out however there are some important considerations. NSW Trustee and Guardian has compiled a checklist of five things to ask yourself about your will: 1. Is your will up to date? As circumstances in your life change, you should seek advice about reviewing your will. Some of these situations include retirement, acquiring or selling assets, changes in relationships or welcoming a new family member. 2. Can your will be found? Your executors and beneficiaries need to know where to find your will. If a will can’t be found, your wishes may not be fulfilled. NSW Trustee and Guardian recommends at least two people, such a family members or major beneficiaries, know where your will is stored. NSW Trustee and Guardian offers secure

ESTATE PLANNING: Check out these tips to help prepare your will. Photo: Contributed storage of your will through its Will Safe service. 3. Are you aware of what property may not be covered by your will? You may have an interest in assets that you can’t give away in your will because of how they are owned, such as a house you own equally with your spouse under a joint tenancy. You should consider this when making your will. 4. Have you thought about your digital assets? Your digital assets can include online accounts, memberships, and files stored on a computer or in the ‘cloud’; these may be of sentimental value (like your photo collection or social media account) or financial value (like an

iTunes, eBay or Opal account). Knowing what to do with each of your digital assets can be tricky but like any asset, you need to think about how they will be dealt to ensure your wishes are fulfilled. 5. Have you considered other planning ahead documents? While most people know what a will is there is still confusion around a power of attorney and enduring guardianship appointments. Both are important documents to have in place. If you would like to learn more about making your will, power of attorney and enduring guardianship appointment, phone our Newcastle branch on 1300 723 124 or go to tag.nsw.gov.au for more.

Open day at Adelene There’s no keeping quiet…

New friends, old friends and shared good times are part of the delightful lifestyle found at Adelene. With our evergreen gardens, cheerful, caring community and spacious, pet-friendly homes, a move to Adelene will be the most straightforward move you’ve ever made. Say hello to the simple pleasures and goodbye to the complications of home maintenance, and relax knowing we’re taking care of it. Adelene is the aﬀordable life you’re looking for with no hidden surprises. So come and visit us for a tour and then ask us how soon your new Adelene lifestyle can begin! • Community Centre • Library • Indoor bowls • Barbecue area • Village bus • Onsite nurses • 24/7 emergency call system • 24/7 security • Low care • High care

Thursday 21 February 10am-2pm

1 bdr from $270,000 2 bdr from $350,000

1 BIRCH ROAD WYOMING, CENTRAL COAST

4325 3693

www.adelene.com.au

Adelene is a not-for-profit community based village

19-GBD-0016

OPEN DAY!

SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

FEATURE

2019 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL

NSW is offering a range of expos CAN’T make it to the NSW Seniors Festival Expo? There are plenty of expo style events taking place across the state as part of NSW Seniors Festival. Here’s our pick of expos: ■ Health and Wellbeing Expo. Be informed, entertained and inspired to take control of your health. This expo in Shellharbour will feature an exercise session, guest speaker and stallholders across health, lifestyle, aged services and more. Wednesday, February 6 9am–12.30pm, Shellharbour Civic Centre auditorium, 76 Cygnet Ave, Shellharbour City Centre. ■ Port Macquarie Sensational Seniors Expo. Visit 800-plus stallholders under one roof. Get to know services and businesses to help you be

JOIN IN: There are plenty of expo events across the state like the Health & Wellbeing Expo. Photo: SolStock healthy, wealthy, wise and travelling. Monday, February 18, 9am–2pm, Panthers, Port Macquarie (SettlementCity), Bay St, Port Macquarie. ■ Byron Shire Seniors Festival and Expo. Get expert advice, tools and resources to improve your opportunities and love

your life. Meet and greet 25 stallholders, with talks and entertainment throughout the day. Tuesday, February 19, 10am–4pm, 68 Jonson St, Byron Bay. ■ Western Sydney Career Check Up Expo for Mature Workers. Plan your future and get the right advice

Seniors, come say hello for discounts

about work and retirement. Meet and greet HR advisors, trainers, financial planners and age-friendly employers at the Penrith Panthers Event Centre. Wednesday, February 20, 8am–1pm, Panthers Penrith, Event Centre 123 Mulgoa Rd, Penrith. ■ Multicultural Seniors Lunch and Expo. Celebrate the multiculturalism in the Shellharbour area with information stalls, interactive entertainment and cultural showcases. Friday, February 22, 10am–2pm, Shellharbour Club, Cnr Wattle and Shellharbour Rds, Shellharbour. More events can be found on our website, go to seniorsfestival.nsw. gov.au. Can’t see an event near you? Contact your local council to ask what’s on.

WELCOME to the exclusive shopping destination in Gosford CBD. We’re excited to offer the local community a mix of national brands and unique local retailers. With free Wi-Fi, two levels of shopping and free parking for three hours, your shopping experience will be even more convenient and enjoyable at the new-look Imperial Centre. We have 500 books full of huge discount coupons available during the 2019 NSW Seniors Festival. It’s first in best dressed, so here’s what you need to do for the Seniors Discount Voucher Booklet Giveaway. ■ Come along from Wednesday, February 13 to Saturday, February 16 between 10am-2pm and visit our collection desk, centre court. ■ Mention our slogan – ‘Let us spoil you’. ■ Vouchers include 40 exclusive retailer offers + $12 worth of ‘centre money’ redeemable at participating retailers.

■ Sample Offers – Free traditional scone from Bakers Delight, Buy one coffee get one free from Michel’s Patisserie, Free cookie with every sub purchased from Subway and 20% off all full priced items from Brand Bags &

‘‘

It’s first in best dressed.

Luggage Quantity - We only have 500 books available. First in best dress. Whilst stocks last. NB. Please show your ID/Seniors Card and complete the form, one booklet per customer. Centre trading hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9am-5.30pm; Thursday 9am-7pm; Friday 9am-5.30pm; Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday10am-4pm. Imperial Centre is located at 171 Mann St, Gosford. Phone 02 4324 4299 or go to imperialcentre.com.au.

Here’s why you should learn to play Bridge, it’s: a) A great social outlet – we play 9 sessions a week and also have great fun days like Melbourne Cup b) Bridge is proven to be great exercise for the mind c) Bridge is played all over Australia and in club and on cruise ships around the world

Lessons are starting at our club on Monday March 11 (1.30pm) and Tuesday March 12 (7.00pm) For further information please contact the club on (02) 4339 3824 or email ccbridgeclub@gmail.com

Come and give it a try, have some fun and make some new friends!

Celebrate NSW Seniors Festival with Imperial Centre Seniors will be given a voucher booklet ﬁlled with 40 exclusive in-centre offers. Plus $12 to spend at any participating retailer. Wednesday 13th to Saturday 16th February 2019 10am to 2pm daily Collection desk located near Centre Court

Terms and conditions apply. 500 voucher booklets available only while stocks last. 2 X $6 vouchers. Only available to Senior citizens.

FEATURE

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

2019 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL

Seniors Sydney cruise NSW Seniors Festival super Sydney cruise deal on offer

SYDNEY Harbour cruise specialist, Captain Cook Cruises, is offering seniors up to 50 per cent off a selection of harbour dining and sightseeing cruises during the 2019 NSW Seniors Festival which runs February 13 to 24. The deals are valid for the Buffet Lunch and Harbour Story Premium cruises for NSW senior card holders and for Australian national and state senior card holders. It’s an enjoyable way to experience Sydney Harbour whether you are an inter-state senior or a local. The Sydney Harbour Buffet Lunch cruise aboard MV Sydney 2000, which will cost $59 per person, includes fresh Sydney rock oysters, king prawns, succulent fish and mussels, plus a wide range of non-seafood and vegetarian dishes,

desserts and cheeses. A full commentary of the Harbour sights is also provided. The Seniors Festival Sydney Harbour Buffet Lunch Cruise departs daily at 12pm from Darling Harbour’s King St Wharf No. 1 and returns at 1.45pm.

‘‘

A full commentary of the Harbour sights is also provided. The cruise also departs from Circular Quay Wharf No. 6 at 12.30pm and returns at 2.20pm. The Seniors Festival Harbour Story Premium

SYDNEY CRUISING: This is a great offer any Senior visiting Sydney during this year's Seniors Festival, and for locals as well. Cruise will explore the famous landmarks of Sydney Harbour and include a commentary on the sights, people and history of the world’s most beautiful harbour. The cruise includes a glass of sparkling wine, a

morning or afternoon tea selection of sweet and savoury treats and Vittoria coffee to order or a selection of fine teas. It will depart daily Circular Quay Wharf No.6 at 10am and 2.15pm for

the two-hour cruise and will cost $27.50 per person. You will need to show your Australian Seniors Card at the check-in time. To take advantage of these special seniors

offers, book online on the Seniors Festival website, go to captaincook.com.au/ sydney-harbour-cruises/ whats-on-in-sydney/ seniors-week/ and enter the promo code SEN-PEN at the check-out page.

HISTORY AND HERITAGE TOURS 2019 Cathedrals and Abbeys Tour of England

BOMBER COMMAND The RAAF in the UK 1939-45

THE FOUNDATION OF WESTERN CIVILISATION

Maps of Medieval England pinpointing the sites of historical monasteries and convents, either surviving or now long lost, are often the cause of wonder. Built on many of those sites are Cathedrals and Abbeys.

During the Second World War, the RAF established

A tour through Greece and Crete, experiencing it’s rich

September 2019

Join us as we visit many of those sites as part of the Cathedrals and Abbeys Tour of England, prepared by History and Heritage Tours. Your host will take you to visit some of the most beautiful buildings in England and hear experienced guides share their love of and interest in various Cathedrals or Abbeys.

July 2019

and operated Bomber Command. Over the past seven years, Col. Graham Fleeton has led tours to the UK,

Tour to Greece and Crete,April 8-28 2019 history, ancient culture and it’s welcoming people. From

visiting airﬁelds where the Australian’s ﬂew from during

sites straight out of the history books such as Delphi,

the war and paying their respects to their sacriﬁces.

Olympia and Knossos to places of more recent historical

The tour includes visits to many air museums plus unforgettable days at the Duxford and Yeolvilton airshows.

signiﬁcance where the ANZACS fought in 1941. Including a Dawn Service in Athens on ANZAC Day.

For more information or to register please call 1300 450 436 or visit www.battleﬁeldhistorytours.com.au

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SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

AUSTRALIA

Just follow the Silo Art trail INSIDE

Win an Event Cinemas Merry Movies Gift card!

Buy a movie gift card in cinema or at eventcinemas.com.au

including Bumblebee, Aquaman, Disney’s ‘Mary Poppins

Movie gift card. You choose the value, they choose the

Returns’, How To Train Your Dragon – A Hidden World and many

experience! Movie Gift Cards can be used at any Event Cinemas location and for their choice of tickets including the big screen experience of Vmax or the laid back luxury of Gold

more! Give more than just a gift, give experiences. Buy Movie Gift Cards now at the box office or eventcinemas.com.au Thanks to Event Cinemas, we have 10 Merry Movies

Class and food and beverage!

gift cards to give away, each worth $50. To be in the draw, just

There are so many great blockbusters coming up to see

fill in our form online at seniorsnews.com.au/competitions

^Visit seniorsnews.com.au/competitionterms for full competition terms and conditions. Promoter is ARM Specialist Media Pty Ltd of 2 Newspaper Place, Maroochydore Qld 4558. Promotional period 17/12/18-1/2/19. Competition drawn 10am 4/2/19 at Cnr Mayne Rd and Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Winners announced in Seniors March Edition 2019. Total prize value $500.00 (including GST). Entry is open to all permanent residents of Queensland, residing in the Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Toowoomba Seniors distribution areas and NSW in the Northern NSW, Central Coast and Coffs & Clarence Seniors distribution areas. NSW Permit Number LTPM/18/03133

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GIVE MOVIES THIS CHRISTMAS

Say ‘Merry Movies’ this Christmas with an Event Cinemas

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

SILO SOLO: Matt Adnate, a former Melbourne graffiti artist turned painter, has finished painting his biggest commission ever, four silos in the Victorian Wimmera wheat town of Sheep Hills. Photos: David Geraghty GIANT works of art now dot the 200km landscape across Victoria’s Wimmera Mallee region. Towering high above the paddocks and towns along the Henty Highway, the Silo Art Trail celebrates the deep history of the region through murals painted on wheat silos by renowned Australian and international street artists. The trail takes in six of Victoria’s smallest towns – Rupanyup, Sheep Hills,

Known internationally for her art with exhibitions and streetart walls in Asia and Italy, Sobrane has just completed a massive project in Victoria’s north.

Lascelles silo art.

Highway gallery

Brim, Rosebery, Lascelles and Patchewollock. The trip between each town and artwork will take about 25 minutes, but that’s no reason not to make the visit to the region last a day or more with some of the towns offering accommodation, food and side attractions.

Cam Scales’ silo art at Devenish Graincorp silo.

Begin your journey at Rupanyup. Look up at the monochrome mural created by Russian artist Julia Volchkova on the huge metal grain storage bins – a work that was inspired by the local Rupanyup Panthers Football and Netball Club. Stop off at Sheep Hills

and see the huge mural by Adnate, an internationally renowned artist, famous for his work with Aboriginal communities across Australia. Brim hosts Guido van Helten’s famous Farmer Quartet. Located on the Henty Highway and stretching

out across all four of the Brim silos, this massive mural was painted in 2015 as a tribute to the drought-stricken farming community. The tiny town of Lascelles hosts artwork by celebrated Melbourne artist Tyrone (Rone) Wright.

Photo: Andy Rogers

Rone turns his intimate portraiture to giant grain silos, depicting local wheat farmers Geoff and Merrilyn Horman looking out over the rural landscape. Finish the journey along Victoria’s Silo Art Trail at Patchewollock; population 250. Marvel at the work of Brisbane-based street artist Fintan Magee. For more information on the trail, go to siloarttrail.com/home.

Magnificent silo art at the Victorian township of Sheep Hills.

SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

Heritage Rail Travel lines or private harbour cruises. In most cases there is little more to pay once on tour, making budgeting easier. Where possible we also provide free time for our passengers to explore destinations as they wish.” What is on the agenda for 2019? “We have several departures planned including an incredibly rare journey from Sydney to Broken Hill and Port Augusta and a visit to Griffith for an exclusive food and wine weekend. We’ll also be part of history as we cross from Echuca to Deniliquin, the first time a steam train has been there in over two decades! We are really looking to take our passengers well beyond what is expected or available anywhere else.”

BRAND INSIGHTS THE old adage ‘getting there is half the fun’ couldn’t be more appropriate for heritage rail holidays. For several years, Cruise Express has been successfully running heritage rail journeys throughout Australia and as the demand continues to grow, we asked Cruise Express Heritage Rail Manager, Richard Boyce, why he believes there is such an incredible interest in these sell-out holidays. What is the appeal with heritage trains journeys? “There is a definite interest in and nostalgia for travel as it used to be before air travel become affordable. Passengers often tell me how they used to travel on the Southern Aurora or Spirit of Progress and we are privileged to be able to run some of these original carriages on our tours. We also offer something that hasn’t been provided recently - the opportunity to travel on these trains long distance and often to destinations that aren’t usually served by passenger trains. Another bonus is the wonderful camaraderie found onboard.” What is the experience like? “Stepping aboard, you are truly stepping back in

ALL ABOARD: Cruise Express has been successfully running heritage rail journeys throughout Australia. time. Many of the carriages are just as they were when in service. We have an experienced team onboard to look after all the little details and ensure everyone has a great time and of course is well fed! We also often have rail experts aboard for those who want to know a little more about the trains.” “Passengers time and again tell us how they love being able to open a

window and just watch the countryside roll by on the way to the next destination. It’s personal, exclusive and a huge amount of fun. There’s nothing else like it.” Is heritage rail an expensive way to travel? When you consider what is included, and there are really no comparable tours, then yes. The trains are privately chartered meaning our guests have exclusive access to the

entire train to move about as they please. As were are travelling in Australia we avoid airport queues and jet lag too! Aboard you are able to relax, mingle with other friendly passengers, stretch your legs, eat,

drink, read or even have a snooze.” “Our Rail and Sail journeys also include a cruise along with transfers, hotel accommodation and extra exclusive events such as cocktail parties, dinners

For more information on Heritage Rail Travel, please call in to Cruise Express at Suite 2/26-30 Karalta Road, Erina or phone 1300 766 537. Go to cruiseexpress.com.au, email info@cruiseexpress. com.au or find us on Facebook

Cruise Express

s Bonu offer

Central Coast’s Cruise Travel Specialists

Culinary dreaming in Asia

IT’S the ultimate gastronomic adventure in which foodies and gourmets can satisfy their epi-curious itch on Ecruising’s Culinary Dream through Asia Rail and Sail journey. The cruise sets off on February 27, 2019 for a 24-night itinerary that takes in some of southeast Asia’s most celebrated food destinations. In the itinerary is a two-night train trip on the Eastern & Oriental Express, hosted by celebrity chef Luke Mangan, and a 15-night cruise from Myanmar to Indonesia. Staring in Singapore after two nights of exploring the city’s famous Hawker stalls, guests board the Eastern & Oriental Express for three days of tours and cooking demonstrations as Luke shares his passion for Asian cuisine. Highlights include stopovers in the royal

The Great Southern Loop

FOOD TRAVEL: Kandawgyi park, Myanmar.

For the Love of Crochet

Heritage steam and diesel rail journey through country NSW & Victoria May 2019 - 6 days from $3,440*pp twin share

New Zealand cruise with exclusive crochet kit & workshops onboard Celebrity Solstice October 2019 - 13 nights from $3,990*pp twin share

Northern Lights of Norway

Music Themed Cruises

Photo: SAKDAWUT14

town of Kuala Kangsar in Malaysia’s Perak Province, visits to Thailand’s notorious River Kwai Bridge and the Thai-Burma Railway Museum, a bicycle tour through Thai rice paddies and cooking classes. From Bangkok guests will fly to Yangon in Myanmar before boarding the Silver Discoverer March 5 for the 15-night Silversea Expedition which takes in India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands and a semi-circumnavigation of Sumatra and Java. One of India’s most remote territories, the

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are slowly opening up to tourism and the cruise offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn more about its indigenous tribal communities. Guests will be able to explore spectacular beaches or snorkel with an array of sea creatures including snappers Entering Indonesian waters, cruise highlights include a stopover in Banda Aceh on Sumatra’s tip For more information, go to www.ecruising.travel or phone 1300 369848.

Includes ﬂights to/from Oslo, 6-night fjordland cruise and historic Flåm Railway January 2020 - 15 nights from $8,590pp twin share

Cruisin’ Country & Bravo on Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas October & November 2019 - 7 nights from $2,079* pp twin share

FREE transfer to any Sydney or Newcastle cruise terminal or airport*

Suite 2/26-30 Karalta Road, Erina

T: 1300 766 537

www.cruiseexpress.com.au

* Terms and conditions apply

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

Adventure in be thrilled Ann Rickard visits a remarkable region that FIVE things to do in New Zealand’s Queenstown without a bungy jump in sight. I like adventure, but I like comfort too. In Queenstown I found plenty of both. Here are my five thrills of the gentler kind in Queenstown.

CHECK INTO A GOOD HOTEL

QUEENSTOWN offers myriad accommodation options from backpackers to high-end luxury resorts. We chose The Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa, right on Lake Wakatipu with a backdrop of the Remarkables Mountains. Spacious villas with private balconies give a sense of privilege. Your own in-villa fireplace is a bonus. The signature restaurant, Wakatipu Grill, with its inside and outside fire-pits overlooking the lake is very welcoming, and the resort’s Stack’s Pub serves reassuring comfort food.

FOR A (SOFT) ADRENALINE THRILL

types zip down the mountain on a luge (a kind of billy cart contraption). Get on one if you can; it’s not hard.

CRUISE LAKE WAKATIPU

Try the Million Dollar Cruise because it cost just $NZ39 and cruised the lake for an hour a half, and had an open honesty bar. Indoor and outdoor seating, a captain and commentator who couldn’t have been more informative, helpful or friendly, knew every intimate part of the lake, pointed out wild birds and fish species in the transparent water and took us up-close to some of the multi-million-dollar water-front homes

WINE, WINE AND A BIT OF CHEESE

Queenstown sits in the Central Otago region which is known for its quality wines, especially pinot noir. Dozens of tour operators will take you to some of the top wineries in comfort and style and allow you to sip, sniff and swirl to your limit. We took ourselves to Amisfield, a stylish, chic and popular winery with luxury dining. It was difficult to get a reservation for lunch, but a cheese plate and a glass each of pinot noir in the garden was just as good as a long lunch. Be prepared to pay. New Zealand isn’t cheap. That cheese board and the two glass of wine... $NZ100.

LOOKING GOOD: Queenstown city and Lake Wakatipu is surrounded by dramatic mountains. Photo: New Zealand Tourism

WITHOUT actually jumping, leaping or being thrown around rapids in a high-speed jet-boat, take a Skyline Gondola (right in the heart of town) to the top of Bob’s Peak where the panoramic views of the lake, the town and the mountains make you feel you actually have done some heady adventure stuff. Enjoy a drink or snack at the Skyline Café, watch other more adventurous

The Rickards enjoying the fruits of Queenstown and the Otago region.

Aimsfield Winery offers fine wines and great food.

SHOPPING

There is high quality everywhere, especially New Zealand brands from fashion to outdoor and footwear. The town is compact and easy to stroll. It’s simple to find yourself in a cross-alleyway where more stylish shops and art galleries beckon. Surprises at every corner, and always with that majestic mountain range watching over you.

FINE DINING

Perhaps as well-known for its culinary prowess as it is for its adventure, Queenstown offers every cuisine from around the globe. We loved Flame Bar & Grill, upstairs in Beach Street with garden and lake views and giant flame-grilled steaks and succulent ribs. If you are of a patient nature – the hottest place in town is Fergburger in Shotover Street. The attraction eluded us, but not so the hundreds of others prepared to queue and wait an average of 45 minutes just to get in the door for a hamburger. With names like Morning Glory and The Dawn Horn and Holier Than Thou, the burgers do sound exotic, but from what we saw watching devotees devour the giant burgers on the footpath, they were just hamburgers. Another place to try is the Botswana Butchery. It has superb food and wine, all in a decor that wraps its arms around you.

Photo: Graeme Murray

SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

Queenstown or get chilled excites the senses on many levels CHOOSE to be one, the other, or both. Queenstown offers a surprising number of holiday choices, all within a dramatic landscape of mountains, a pristine lake and fabulously crisp clean air.

SHOTOVER JET

GO ON, jet thrilled on a jet boat on the Shotover River. The jump on point is close to town. You’ll come back still feeling flush from the adventure. The boat takes you on a ride through dramatic and narrow canyons, with a few exhilarating full 360 spins thrown in. The Shotover Jet combines both of adventure and thrills in an exhilarating and unforgettable way.

FARM VISIT

JOIN the iconic steamship TSS Earnslaw for an entirely relaxing voyage across Lake Wakatipu to Walker Peak High Country Farm. The hand-fired steamship, which dates back to 1912, sets sail several times a day. You can do a round trip, or get off at the farm for morning tea, lunch or afternoon tea. While at the farm visitors meet some of the local animals, watch the sheep being shorn, help encourage the local sheep dogs to herd up their charges and enjoy fresh food in the Promenade Café or the restaurant. The more active can go horse trekking, adventure on electric farm bikes or to try independent cycling.

WALKING & HIKING

THE area offers a huge choice in walking tracks and trails that explore different parts of the region, including Ben Lomond, Queenstown Hill, Glenorchy, Arrowtown and Lake Hayes. Some trails are little more than a stroll, others are wide but challenging uphill hikes towards far-off peaks, and others still are narrow trails that cut into gullies and offer a different kind of excitement. If you don’t have your own gear there are hiking equipment hire outlets and shops for picking up new gear. Queenstown's track transport operators will drop you off and pick you up at your preferred location, letting you enjoy your walking or hiking adventure without worrying about the safety of your parked vehicle, or the possibility of being stranded at the end of the track. There are climbing tracks and lowland walking trails to enjoy. Details on where to go and how long each trail or walk should take are readily available.

WINTER WONDERLAND

QUEENSTOWN is in the heart of the Southern Alps and boasts mountains for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. There are four ski areas open during the long winter season. The closest is just 20 minutes drive from the town centre.

Remarkables Ski Field which is near Queenstown.

Ski passes range from single day, single ski area passes to season passes allowing unlimited access to multiple Queenstown ski areas. Snowboard and ski gear can be hired downtown, on-mountain or it can even be delivered to your accommodation. Most Queenstown ski rental shops are open until 9pm during the ski season. Queenstown also offers ice skating, snowmobiling and snowshoeing.

HISTORIC ARROWTOWN

THE Arrowtown Chinese Settlement was home to thousands of prospectors who came to the region in search of gold in the middle of the 19th Century. There are now about 70 historic buildings and features left from the gold rush era. In among these buildings are half-day’s worth of craft, art, good food and pleasant walks. Down by the river where the Chinese gold-miners were forced to live are their huts which have been restored and offering visitors the chance to step back into that ‘golden’ era and see up-close their modest living conditions, and learn stories of their occupants.

Historic Arrowtown.

OTHER IDEAS

There’s golf, tennis, wineries, fishing, health spas and much, more to do and see. For more Queenstown visitor ideas, go to queenstownnz.co.nz.

Thrilling ride through the Shotover River canyons.

The TSS Earnslaw steaming towards Walter Peak Farm.

Photo: New Zealand Tourism

WELLBEING

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

Want to live a longer life?

Wellbeing

RELIEF: Hospice Nurse visiting an elderly male patient who is receiving hospice/palliative care. Photo: LPETTET

End of life care psilocybin trial

Seniors News MAGIC mushrooms could soon move from the party drug culture and into the palliative care wing of Australian hospitals with a new study set to monitor the effect of the drug’s major ingredient during end of life care. A group of 30 palliative care patients will be administered the psychoactive ingredient psilocybin in a trial to alleviate their anxiety during treatment at St

Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne. Psilocybin is a natural occurring hallucinogen that can affect “perception, mood and thought”. The trial is set to begin following a year-long battle with the ethics committee and state and federal authorities. “I think it’s fantastic this study has been able to obtain the requisite approval, there have been multiple attempts to use psychedelics which have all been knocked back,”

‘‘

I think it’s fantastic this study has been able to obtain the requisite approval, there have been multiple attempts to use psychedelics which have all been knocked back

Vice President of Australia’s Psychedelic Research In Science and Medicine Association Dr Stephen Bright told 9News. “The fact that this has been able to secure approval is very encouraging.” In the trial, patients will receive a single dose of the drug and then be examined for their reaction to anxiety, fear and depression for six months. Medical professional will monitor the patients on ‘dose day’ while therapists will also be made available. Trial applicants will be screened and will require a state government permit to take the medication. A similar trial in New York recorded most of the subjects found the experience a spiritual significant event and reported increased life satisfaction.

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Seniors News DO YOU want to live a longer life? Then it’s time to take a Life Check. That’s the advice of the Federal Government after it launched the Life Checks website in its ongoing campaign to help Australian live a longer and healthier life. Minister for Seniors Australians and Aged Care Ken Wyatt said taking a Life Check “is one of the best New Year’s resolutions you can make in 2019”. “Taking a Life Check means having more choices for a longer life,” the Minister Wyatt said. “Average Australian life expectancy is now 82.5 years and it is projected by 2050 there will be more than 40,000 centenarians. “We’re already living 25 years longer than we did a century ago and we owe it to ourselves, our families and the nation to live the best we can.”

The minister said the Life Checks website was “designed to help your health, wealth, work and social wellbeing” – including your finances. “An important aspect of Life checks is assessing

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We’re living 25 years longer than we did a century ago, we owe it to ourselves, our families and the nation to live the best we can

people’s financial preparedness for the future,” he said. “Four in 10 Australians

over the age of 55 do not have a financial plan for the next five years, with even fewer people having a plan that extends beyond that. “Options for employment are also included, whether the focus is to keep earning or to stay involved in the community. “With so many types of work available and flexible working arrangements, retirement is no longer the only choice.” The Life Checks website is private, stores no personal information and can prepare you for the next stage of life. “Just taking the quiz is a positive step, offering encouragement and accessible resources to improve things you may want to change to realise your dreams and help futureproof your life,” Minister Wyatt said. To take a Life Check, lifechecks. gov.au

LIFE CHECKED: Australian seniors are being urged to take a Life Check.

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SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

WELLBEING

How to sleep deeply Tracey Johnstone WE might need less sleep as we age, but we still need to make our sleep work well towards keeping us healthy and happy. Getting good sleep; it’s a surprisingly common problem with one in three people struggling with sleeping problems. So, when it comes time to put our head down each night there are some tips from medical doctor and professor of health science at RMIT Professor Marc Cohen, which we can follow to help us get the best out of sleep. ■ Aim for about seven hours a night. ■ Set up a regular sleep pattern and avoid the stimuli that throw you out of that regular pattern. ■ Try to wake up naturally rather to the noise of an alarm. This way you are less likely to disturb your sleep cycle. What to avoid before sleep ■ Stay away from blue light which you find with mobile phones and computers. “Blue light is what normally happens at sunrise,” Prof Cohen says. “It’s a stronger light and it turns off our melatonin

which is a hormone which gets released when we are asleep in the dark.” ■ Use a soft light for night toilet visits. For anyone who turns on a light when they get up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet, their melatonin production can be affected. That means you will wake up a lot more if exposed to white light. Prof Cohen suggests plugging in a night light which utilises an orange or red light as either one won’t affect your melatonin. These days you can even buy orange-light torches. ■ Sleep in a dark room. Reduce the amount of light in your bedroom throughout the night. This may mean turning down or away from where it will affect your sight during the night, the power light on the television, iphone charger, or even your clock radio. ■ Think before using prescribed sleep enhancers. They put you to sleep, but they also change your cycle so you don’t get as much regenerative sleep. Prof Cohen recommends you avoid these “hypnotic medications”, on a

GOOD SNOOZE: It's a common problem with one in three people struggling with sleeping problems.

Photo: gpointstudio

regular basis. “Herbal medicines are much safer and more appropriate to be used as a regular sleep enhancer,” he adds. Try herbal relaxants

The herb valerian along with hops has been used for a long time to help with sleep. However, the place and climate that a herb is grown in, and how it is processed, is important.

Not all valerian, for example, works well in sleep support medications. The Ze91019 formula has been found to be the most effective.

“It has been shown to help provide relief from getting to sleep or waking during the night, and it promotes melatonin production,” Prof Cohen says.

Tips to help you avoid summer sizzle and protect your skin QUEENSLAND is the skin cancer capital of the world and sun protection is critical in preventing skin damage. So, don’t risk your health from a careless moment in the sun. Remember these sun protection tips from Cancer Council Queensland. ■ First - look at the UV levels. It’s important to remember that its exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, not the temperature, that is linked to skin damage;

REMEMBER: Make sure to Slip Slop Slap. that’s why you can get sunburnt on overcast or cool days. Track the daily UV levels where you live by using the SunSmart app (free via app stores or online via cancer.org.au/

SunSmartApp) and ensure you are using multiple methods of sun protection when the level is three or above. ■ Two - seek shade. Built, natural and portable shade are all recommended for sun protection. Some of the sun’s UV can still reach a person in the shade via reflection off surrounding surfaces and that’s why Cancer Council Queensland always recommends people use a combination

of all five sun protection methods. ■ Three - what you wear matters. Clothing, hats and sunglasses will all help protect you from the sun. The best sun protection comes from covering up as much skin as possible, but darker clothing with a tighter fabric structure will generally offer better protection than lightly woven fabrics, stretched-out clothing, or light, pastel shades. If you want to be sure of

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the level of protection offered by your outfit, look for a tag with a high ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating. Fabrics rated above UPF15 provide good protection, but UPF50+ is recommended. ■ Four - know your SPF. SPF stands for sun protection factor – and it’s the measure of how much UV gets through. The higher the number, the less UV passes through. An SPF of 30 allows one-thirtieth of 3.3 per

cent of UV to reach your skin. This means it filters 96.7 per cent of UV. With an SPF of 50, 98 per cent is filtered and one-fiftieth or 2 per cent gets through. It’s also important to remember that you can’t add the numbers together. For example, SPF20 moisturiser and SPF10 foundation used together don’t equal SPF30 protection. Info: cancerqld.org.au or 131 120.

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WELLBEING

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

A senior’s life examined

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Government reports on life quality

THE Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland is today calling for greater focus on older person’s health and well-being, in response to a new landmark national report launched in Canberra. The State of the (Older) Nation 2018 Report is the most comprehensive national study undertaken to seek the views of Australians aged over 50 ever. COTA Queensland chief executive Mark Tucker-Evans said the report highlighted the need for older people to not only be valued, but to feel valued, in society. Support systems need to be in place for those who are at risk or are vulnerable, and for them to have adequate access to health and mental health services in Queensland. “Whilst the report shows that a high percentage of people rated their quality of life highly, seven per cent rated their lives as mediocre, citing health, financial, and negative emotional issues as the top three contributors,” Mr Tucker-Evans said. “Today most Queenslanders can expect to live into their eighties and some beyond. “Longer life provides the opportunity to reconsider not only what

The report investigated issues including employment, age discrimination, cost of living, financial security, health...

Nearly one-third (7.9 million) of Australians are aged 50+, highlighting the importance of this research in giving this group a voice. older age might be but how our whole lives might unfold. “Yet the extent of the opportunities that arise from these extra years of life will be very heavily dependent on one key factor: health. “If people are experiencing these years in good health their ability

to do things that matter to them will be little different from that of a younger person. “If these added years are dominated by decreases in physical or mental capacity the implications for older people and for society are much more negative.” Key findings in the

report with particular relevance to Queensland were: ■ The vast majority of older Australians feel younger than their current age, with more than half feeling at least 10 years younger. ■ Women feel 12 years younger than their actual age, whereas men feel 10

years younger on average. ■ On average, those aged 80-89 feel 13 years younger than their age. More than three quarters of survey participants (78 per cent) rated their quality of life highly, at 7 or more out of 10, including a quarter who feel particularly positive (26 per cent rated

their quality of life a 9 or 10). ■ Meanwhile, just over one in five (22 per cent) rated their quality of life at the mediocre or poor end of the scale, with 7 per cent giving a low rating of just 0-4. COTA is seeking a commitment from all political parties to develop a comprehensive long-term national strategy to address the needs of older Australians – including raising rent assistance by 40 per cent; taking a whole-ofgovernment approach to budget funding; and reducing ageism, particularly age discrimination in the workplace. The report investigated issues including employment, age discrimination, cost of living, financial security, health, home and aged care, housing, later life planning, consumer rights and transport.

RetireAustralia launches the ‘Retire Ready’ guide Alison Houston A NEW guide aimed at helping seniors and family members choose a retirement village has been launched by RetireAustralia. Called Retire Ready, the 24-page guide provides helpful information on moving into, living in, and leaving a retirement village. RetireAustralia chief executive Alison Quinn said Retire Ready was designed to help seniors plan their futures with confidence. “We know making a decision about your future is an important step and we hope this guide helps you feel better informed and more confident about making your choice when

the time comes,” Ms Quinn said. “It’s important to have the facts, so we can make informed choices that set us up for the future we want.” Ms Quinn said the guide provides information on the various types of villages and lifestyles available, how to choose one suitable for your circumstances, costs, contracts, care options and much more. It is available online at info.retireaustralia.com. au/retire-ready or in print form from a Retire Australia village. PRACTICAL RESOURCES: Retire Australia's new guide, Retire Ready, is available online.

SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

WELLBEING

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

Try five ways to lift your spirits

THE most comprehensive report on loneliness in Australia shows that a quarter of adults are lonely for three or more days of the week. The Australian Psychological Society and Swinburne University study, also found that one in two (50.5 per cent) Australians is lonely for at least one day a week. Gold Coast University Hospital Foundation CEO Kim Sutton, who helps people in hospital overcome distress and medical hardship, says the holidays are often the most difficult time of the year, particularly for

those in the community too unwell to leave hospital. For those finding themselves alone these holidays, Ms Sutton shares five ways to lift your spirits: 1. Take the chance to complete those things you’ve always wanted to do. Make a list of all the things you wanted to do, but never had a chance – tick off your bucket list. At least plan your time in advance so you don’t wake up at a loss on Christmas morning with nowhere to go and nothing to do. 2. Random acts of kindness. Think about

KINDNESS MATTERS: One of the best ways of lifting your spirits is giving to others - so think about volunteering your time or donating to a worthwhile cause. Photo: Purestock volunteering your time or donating to a worthwhile cause. You will feel good and brighten other people’s holidays in turn. 3. Head to a busy social place and chat. I’ve travelled the world solo many times and often found myself facing a day,

or a meal alone. To overcome this, try heading to a relaxed, busy place such as the beachfront or a café and chatting with others. 4. Step out of your comfort zone. Those that don’t have any plans for the holidays might

consider opening their house to a friend or neighbour who may also want company. 5. Know that time will heal. If you are alone and full of grief, it’s going to be a hard time. Mourning the loss of someone, or something,

is made harder by the social importance placed on certain periods – particularly at this time of year. Reach out and let people know how you feel. For more information, go to gchfoundation.org.au.

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LIVING

Men’s group explores a healthy and positive life BRAND INSIGHTS ADSSI HomeLiving is a not-for-profit home and community care organisation providing in-home support to people on the Central Coast. Support includes practical day-to-day tasks like household help, personal care, respite, home modifications and

transport to appointments. It can also include support to remain socially connected, such as through the Men’s Group. The federal government subsidises these activities under the Commonwealth Home Support Program. The Adssi HomeLiving Australia Men’s Group is designed to enhance the

health, wellbeing and lifestyle of older men (over 65s). The aim is to provide information, education and interesting topics in a safe, friendly and fun environment. The group meets fortnightly at Tuggerah Lakes Community Centre, Bateau Bay. Meetings are held Mondays from noon–1pm.

Living

MEN’S GROUP: The Adssi HomeLiving Australia Men's Group is designed to enhance the health, wellbeing and lifestyle of older men over 65. Photo: simarik Lunch and transport is included for $11 for eligible participants. Activities include guest speakers on topics such as men’s health, police and fire safety, sport, personal safety, medications, etc. Discussion groups are

held and lunch outings to neighbouring clubs and cafes are also arranged. Participants come from all walks of life. If you’d like to know more, please phone Amanda on 1300 578 478 or you can refer yourself via My Aged

Care on 1800 200 422. Please ask My Aged Care to be referred for the ‘social support group’ with Adssi HomeLiving Australia. For more information via our website, go to adssihomeliving.com.au.

‘‘

Activities include guest speakers on topics such as men’s health, police and fire safety, sport, personal safety, medications, etc.

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LIVING

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Start on healthy habits

■ Fruit. ■ Grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain and/or START the new year well by high cereal fibre varieties, following the Australian such as bread, cereals, Dietary Guidelines top four rice, pasta, noodles, health tips for older polenta, couscous, oats, Australians. quinoa and barley. ■ Lean meats and poultry, ACHIEVE AND fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and MAINTAIN A seeds, and legumes/ HEALTHY WEIGHT beans. BE physically active and ■ Milk, yoghurt, cheese choose amounts of and/or their alternatives, nutritious foods and drinks mostly reduced fat. And to meet your energy needs. drink plenty of water. Older people should eat nutritious foods and keep LIMIT SATURATED physically active to help FAT, ADDED SALT, maintain muscle strength ADDED SUGARS and a healthy weight. AND ALCOHOL LIMIT biscuits, cakes, CHOOSE FROM pastries, pies, processed THESE FIVE meats, commercial GROUPS EVERY DAY burgers, pizza, fried ■ Plenty of vegetables, foods, potato chips, including different types crisps and other savoury and colours, and snacks. legumes/beans. Seniors news

HAPPY APPROACH: Start your new year well with these simple, healthy lifestyle tips.

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monounsaturated fats such as oils, spreads, nut butters/pastes and avocado. ■ Low-fat diets are not suitable for children under the age of 2. Limit intake of foods

and drinks containing added salt. Read labels to choose lower sodium options among similar foods. ■ Do not add salt to foods in cooking or at the table. Limit intake of foods

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and drinks containing added sugars such as confectionery, sugarsweetened soft drinks and cordials, fruit drinks, vitamin waters, energy and sports drinks. If you choose to drink alcohol, limit intake.

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SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

LIVING

Be informed and alert

You have to know what to do when scams target you Seniors News IT SEEMS every week there is a new scam warning issued. What this shows is scams are increasing and so too are the number of people caught up in them. Keeping up to date on what are the latest scams and remaining aware that you can easily become a victim of one, are two important strategies we should all be using. The most recent warning is to be on the look out for tax scams. Scamwatch is warning people not to engage with phone calls or emails they receive threatening arrest or jail over unpaid tax debts. Reports of these scams have jumped significantly during the past month. Most of these scams occur over the phone. People get a phone call from an aggressive scammer directly or receive a robotic-sounding

‘‘

Reports of these scams have jumped significantly during the past month. voice message informing them they need to contact a phone number in relation to an outstanding tax debt, or face imminent arrest and jail time. The scammer pretends to be from the Australian Tax Office or the police to scare you into believing the contact is real. They will tell you to buy gift cards like iTunes or Google Play to “pay” the tax debt or a fine. They may also ask you to send money by other methods like Bitcoin ATMs or pre-paid credit cards. This is a scam.

TAX SCAM: There is no let up when it comes to scams. in fact, they are on the increase and so are the number of victims. Photo: dszc The ATO will never threaten you with arrest, or demand immediate payment of a tax debt or fine with unusual payment methods like gift cards or Bitcoin.

Try to remember these tips: ■ If you ever get a call or email claiming you will be arrested due to a tax debt, simply hang up the phone or delete the email.

■ Do not call the number provided in the phone message or email you receive. ■ If you’re concerned the contact may be legitimate, you can also call the ATO

on 1800 008 540 to check its veracity. Scams can be reported online: scamwatch.gov.au/ report-a-scam.

LIVING

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

Membership discounts on offer for seniors Start off the new year with Curves, get fit and healthy BRAND INSIGHTS CURVES Erina is offering discounts on membership during the 2019 Seniors Festival. You may have heard the adage that it takes 21 days to form a habit. Motivational speakers, teachers, and clergy have adopted the phenomenon to help their charges kick old habits and develop new, more positive ones. While 21 days isn’t a sure-fire reality for every lifestyle change, it’s worth a shot and is always a great start. Just think about that: 21 days could be the only thing standing between you and a new fitness routine and healthy eating plan. Your Curves club is locally owned and operated and caters for

women only. The team at Curves Erina care about your journey to get fit, gain strength and stay healthy. They have passionate and dedicated coaches to assist with your health, fitness and wellbeing journey. If you need to change your ways and want to do it in a safe, happy and caring environment, Curves Erina is worth a visit. Pop in during the Seniors Festival as you can save 10% off your membership if you sign up during the festival. The friendly staff at Curves Erina will be happy to sit down and discuss a personal plan to help you to reach your goals. Find us opposite Harvey Norman upstairs in the Karalta Plaza, Erina, or phone on 02 4367 2204.

GET ACTIVE: Pop in to Curves Erina during the Seniors Festival as you can save 10% off your membership if you sign up during the festival. Photo: yacobchuk

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SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

FINANCE

Money

Gifting impacts pension I WAS recently asked by a couple who assisted their son and his partner with their mortgage costs by giving them $120,000 towards the deposit, what impact that could have on their age pension entitlement. In applying for the age pension, Centrelink applies an assets and income test to determine your entitlement to a pension benefit. Broadly speaking, whichever test delivers the lower pension benefit is the test that will apply. There are limits as to how much an age

pension applicant can gift in order to reduce the amount of assets they own to increase their pension entitlement. You are entitled to gift up to $10,000 a year or $30,000 over a five-year period. The same limits apply as a single person or as a couple. If you exceed these limits the amount in excess of the limit is considered a deprived asset and the excess amount counts as an asset for five years from the time you made the gift. Even though you are applying for the age pension now, as you

PENSION ADVICE: Check the background on Aged Pension limitations before gifting your money to family members. Photo: Andrey Shevchuk gifted your son the $120,000 three years ago, $110,000 which exceeds the limit will count as a deprived asset and therefore count for assets test purposes and be deemed under the income test. However, in 2020, once the five years has expired from the date of gifting, it will no longer be counted. Under the assets test, your assessable assets, which exclude the family home for example, are counted at current market

Wins, losses for super THE 2019 year promises to be another big one for superannuation and retirees. Winners The introduction of the five-year catch-up provisions now allows members to put in more than $25,000, if they don’t use their full $25,000 in previous years. It started on July 1, 2018, so won’t be until next financial year (FY20) that people will be able to make contributions to play catch-up for previous years. The provisions won’t be fully operational until FY23, when you will potentially be able to make contributions to cover unused concessional contribution caps for FY19, 20, 21 and 22. Important note: you can only use the catch-up rules if you have less than $500,000 in your total super balance (TSB). New downsizer contribution rules allows over-65s who are selling a home to put in up to $300,000 into superannuation. If it’s a couple selling the home, that’s up to $600,000. This opportunity came into force on July 1, 2018, and there are plenty of qualification rules.

The main ones include that you need to be older than 65, you have to have lived in the house for at least 10 years and the sale must have occurred after July 1, 2018. You also can’t contribute more than the value of your home – that is, if you sold a jointlyowned home for $500,000, you would limited to making $500,000 of contributions between the two of you. Spouse super splitting rules have continued to rise in prominence, for any couple where it’s likely, or possible, that one member might go above the Transfer Balance Cap (TBC), which is $1.6 million. These rules allow a spouse to transfer up to 85% cent of the concessional contributions they have made the previous year across to their spouse’s super fund account. If one spouse is making the full $25,000 of CCs available each year, they could transfer up to $21,250 across to their spouse’s account. Done over many years, this is potentially a powerful way to help slow the growth of the higher

earner’s super fund, to try to minimise the chances of going over the $1.6m TBC. Couples with even reasonable super balances, but particularly those which believe one of them is likely to bust the $1.6m TBC, needs to start seeking advice to save, potentially, tens of thousands of dollars in tax in retirement. SMSFs will be allowed to have up to six members in the future. Similarly, the government intends to allow those SMSFs with a good record of compliance to only have to have funds audited every three years. Both measures were announced in the May 2018 Federal Budget but are not yet legislated. Losers For those with more than $1 million in a super pension, the new Transfer Balance Account Reporting rules are in force. That is, if you are going to make a decision to take out more than the minimum pension and, as a commutation, the ATO wants to know about it, essentially in real time. Tony Kaye is the Editor of InvestSMART. www.investsmart.com.au

value. Your age pension reduces by $3 per fortnight for each $1000 that the assessed value of your assets exceeds the threshold. The current cut-off point for receiving a part age pension for a couple who own their home is assessable assets less than $848,000 ($564,000 for a single). For a non-home owner couple, the threshold will be $1,055,000 ($771,000 for a single). If the $110,000 that is

Once the PBS Safety net has been reached you will receive PBS prescriptions without charge for the remainder of the calendar year. You are entitled to access to bulk-billed doctor visits if these are provided by your doctor. Additionally, access to a larger refund for medical costs when you exceed the Medicare safety net. Unlike the age pension, the CSHC is not subject to the asset test. However, it is subject to an income test threshold. The threshold limit is adjusted taxable income (plus deeming from accountbased pensions) of $87,884 a year as a couple or $54,929 a year as a single. To apply, contact the Department of Human Services and request an application for the CSHC. If you have previously been issued a Centrelink Customer Access Number, this number remains current. Applications can be made online at www.human services.gov.au This story first appeared on www.wealth partners.net.au. Any general advice in this story doesn’t take account of personal objectives, financial situation and needs.

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

A Word from your Liberal Federal Member for Robertson We live in the very best country in world. There is no other place I would rather grow up and raise my family than Australia and, of course, the very best region in Australia, the Central Coast.

to celebrate in so many different ways – the sun and the surf, ﬁshing, cricket with our mates, coffee or something delicious to eat at one of our wonderful local cafes or just enjoy family and friend time.

The Coast is such an incredible place to live and a wonderful place to spend Australia Day. We are all lucky enough to be able

A highlight for me personally will be the Citizenship Ceremony. I ﬁnd it such a humbling experience watching people choosing to become Australian citizens and

choosing to make Australia their home. Later in the afternoon, I will be taking the kids along with hundreds of other people to the Woy Woy waterfront festivities. Australia Day is a special day where we can all reﬂect on the shared values of what it means to be Australian irrespective of age, where we have come from, what we do for a living or how much money we have.

It’s all about having a fair go and lending a hand to others, especially here on the Central Coast. However, you choose to celebrate January 26, I wish you the very best and rest assured I am determined to work day and night to ensure our region is known as a place of excellence, a place of opportunity and a place of hope. Have a great Australia Day. Lucy.

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Andrew Heaven

still being assessed (as a result of the $120,000 gift to your son) will exclude you from receiving the age pension, there are a range of options available to reduce your assessed assets. You could: ■ Consider renovating or upgrading the family home as the family home is assets test exempt. ■ Spend money on a holiday. ■ Purchase a funeral bond up to $12,500 per person or pre-pay your funeral and cemetery plot. Alternatively, you could wait for the five years from the date of gifting to expire and then re-apply for the age pension then. If Centrelink tells you that you have lost your age pension due to exceeding the assets test, but do qualify for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC), what would be your benefits? The CSHC is a concession card that is available to individuals who are Australian resident, of pension age or who do not qualify for the age pension due to their level of income or assets. The benefits of the CSHC include discounted prescriptions for medicines listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

LUCY UC WICKS C S MP Federal Member for Robertson

Authorised by Lucy Wicks MP, Liberal Party of Australia, Level 3, 69 Central Coast Highway, West Gosford NSW 2250.

Level 3, 69 Central Coast Highway, West Gosford NSW 2250 lucy.wicks.mp@aph.gov.au

lucywicks.com.au

4322 2400

lucywicksmp

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

ELVIS FESTIVAL

What's on

Alison Houston

TECH SAVVY

IT”S time to embrace technology. There are regular Tech Savvy courses at local libraries, including Toukley Library on January 22: 10am-noon is an introduction to smart phones and from 1-3pm an introduction to tablets. Smart phone sessions teach you how to navigate with a touch screen, make calls, add contacts, take photos and use apps. Tablet sessions explore navigating the web, the difference between a PC and a tablet, programs, emailing etcetera. If you have a device, bring it along as well as your Apple ID email and passwords. Bookings are essential on 02 4325 8460 or ask at your library.

COMMUNITY CHOIRS

IT’S TIME to get singing

again. Research shows that singing is good for your wellbeing, exercising your brain, lungs and improving socialisation … and besides that it’s just fun! Sandy Bigara conducts the PVL Aged Choir in Umina, Gosford and Wyong Community Choirs with a focus on enjoyment and the choirs are open to all skill levels. Gosford meets at The Rhythm Hut, 135 Faunce St, Mondays from 7-8pm and Wyong at 8 Rankens Ct on Tuesdays from 6.30-7.45pm. Cost is $10 a week. Phone Sandy on 0422 548 770 or go to sandybigara.com/ communitychoirs. You can also find our June story about Sandy at seniorsnews.com.au.

RECORD FAIR

IF YOU still believe in the greater sound quality of vinyl, the Peninsula Record Fair will have hundreds of pre-loved bargains on Sunday, January 27 from 10am-4pm. Entry is by gold coin donation to charity. It’s at Woy Woy Bowling Club. Phone Edmund on 0407 353 874.

TIME TO SING: Some of the members of Gosford Community Choir having fun, as well as learning some skills ... no auditions involved.

SENIOR MOMENTS

THEY are names you all know – John Wood, Benita Collings, Max Gillies and Geoff Harvey and they are having some fun with ageing at The Art House at Wyong on Saturday, February 2. Senior Moments is an old-fashioned comedy revue with a fresh collection of comic sketches and songs performed by “a cast who are old enough to know better”. There are two shows at 2pm and 7.30pm and tickets are $55-$69. Phone 02 4335 1485 to find out more.

GREEN LIVING

THIS workshop called Upcycle Recycle Kitchen Garden will focus on

creating a low-waste, low-cost, productive kitchen garden. Participants will learn hands-on propagation, seed-saving techniques, and how to reclaim items destined for landfill and turn them into practical garden items. It’s on Wednesday, February 6 from 12-2.30pm. Book at Woy Woy Library or phone 02 4304 7555.

CHAMBER PHILHARMONIA COLOGNE

ONE of Germany’s finest ensembles, Chamber Philharmonia Cologne, is performing on Friday, February 8 at the Anglican Christ Church in Gosford. They will perform a diverse program ranging from Antonio Vivaldi and

his famous La Tempesta di Mare to J.S. Bach Concerto in D Minor to De Bussy’s Claire de Lune, Tchaikovsky and Camille Saint-Saens. The concert is at 8pm and tickets are available from the Music Centre Gosford on 02 4325 4900

LOVE LANES

THE annual Love Lanes Festival from 4-9pm on Saturday, February 9 is into its third year and encourages us all to re-explore the Wyong CBD. The one-day community festival includes music stages, buskers and roving entertainment, circus performances, an art display, food and more across four laneways and the park.

THANK you very much! It’s on again, the Central Coast Elvis Festival is at Davistown RSL across the weekend of February 16-17. Now in its seventh year, the Elvis Tribute Concert on Saturday will feature multi-award-winning Sean Luke Spiteri among others. The show is at 8pm and tickets are $25. On Sunday, there’s the Classic Car Show n Shine from 9am and Elvis Idol Karaoke Competition from 12.30pm. Phone 02 4363 0199.

WAR ON WASTE

THE host of the ABC’s War on Waste program, Craig Reucassel, will be at The Art House, Wyong on Wednesday, February 20 to inspire residents to reduce household waste. Central Coast Council has organised the event from 6-7pm. “Working towards more than 45% of domestic waste being diverted from our landfill sites each year is a key deliverable of our first Community Strategic Plan, as is educating the community on practical ways to do this,” Mayor Jane Smith said. Bookings are essential at centralcoast.nsw. gov.au/events.

SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

GARDENING

To advertise, call 1300 136 181 or visit finda.com.au Notices

Motoring

Public Notices

Cars

BEWARE OF SCAMS

Buyers and sellers should be cautious of possible scams when buying or selling a vehicle.

winners of Seniors “A Pocket Affair” Giveaway

Be wary if the number in the ad is disconnected. If the buyer/seller says the number is disconnected because they are overseas, ask for a landline phone number at their current location as well as a mobile phone number. All contact details of the person buying or selling the car should be verified to ensure they are genuine.

More information is available at scamwatch.gov.au

Colin Henson • Mark Lyons Andrew Burger • Beryl Dennison

Tip

Photo Finish. Including a photo of your vehicle in your car sale advert is perhaps the single most important thing you can do to boost your chances of a successful sale.

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Congratulations to the

Buyers should be cautious when dealing with car sellers that are overseas and should always arrange to view the vehicle prior to the transfer of any money.

SUMMER GARDEN: Fruity Parfuma from Treloar Roses.

Photos: RosePix

The future is rosy with some top tips THIS time of year will bring hot days, drying winds and high humidity, all of which affects the health and appearance of roses. It may be time for you to prune your roses if they have developed leggy or sparse growth and spindly stems. This will refresh and reinvigorate in them in a matter of weeks. Follow these pruning tips from Yates horticulturist Angie: ■ Trim off around 30 per cent of the overall growth and remove any dead or thin stems. ■ Use hedge shears or a good sharp pair of secateurs, and protect your hands, arms and face from the thorns by using sturdy gloves, long sleeves and glasses. ■ After pruning, collect up all the fallen leaves and stems, and apply some Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant

This rose has good size blooms of a rich yellow which pale as they age are produced in small clusters. Food and water in well. ■ Spread a layer of mulch, like sugar cane, lucerne or pea straw around the root area to help keep the soil moist and protect the top soil from baking sun. ■ Re-apply Yates Thrive each week to encourage healthy new foliage growth and lots of flowers. ■ Watch out that the

new foliage and flower buds isn’t attracting insect pests like aphids. Spray regularly with Yates Rose Gun. If you are looking for more varieties of roses, Treloar Roses have some new, gloriously coloured and perfumed roses out this summer. To view the new offering go to www.treloarroses.com.au

This tip brought to you by www.finda.com.au Orangie is a truly spectacular variety with fully double blooms and an intense, stable colour. Extremely healthy and recommended for all climates. Grows to 1m tall.

REVIEWS

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS

Dalton delivers again THE enthralling story of the epic journey of the First Fleet, from one of Australia’s greatest writers.

– willingly or unwillingly. Drawing from historical sources of the time, Trent Dalton paints a vivid picture of the people who

‘‘

Trent Dalton paints a vivid picture of the people who embarked on this epic journey. Originally published as a Kennedy Award-winning multi-part serial in The Australian earlier this year, By Sea & Stars tells the story of the voyage that led to the founding of our nation, as told from the point of view of the people who took part in it

embarked on this epic journey. From terrified 12-year-old convict and former chimneysweep John Hudson and conscientious Lieutenant Ralph Clark to brave and determined CaptainGeneral Arthur Phillip, the

brightest star of the British Navy, these are the people who made the voyage, and these are their stories – of death, duty, glory, lust, violence, escape and mutiny, and a great southern land. Praise for Trent Dalton ‘I’ve always looked out for Trent’s work because he has a magic about him – what he sees, how he explains things. He can describe a kitchen table in a way that makes you want to throw your arms around it … (Dalton is) a genuine treasure of Australian letters’ – Annabel Crabb. ‘As a brilliant journalist, Trent Dalton has always intimately understood how fact is often stranger than fiction’ – Benjamin Law. ‘A major new voice on the Australian literary

scene has arrived’ – Nikki Gemmell. About the Author Trent Dalton is a staff writer for the Weekend Australian Magazine and a former assistant editor of The Courier Mail. He’s a two-time winner of a Walkley Award for Excellence in Journalism, a four-time winner of a Kennedy Award for Excellence in NSW Journalism and a four-time winner of the national News Awards Features Journalist of the Year. His debut novel is the critically acclaimed and bestselling Boy Swallows Universe, which was published in mid-2018. By Sea & Stars by Trent Dalton available now. Hardback. RRP: $24.99.

Details never released about the Thai cave

Nine Perfect Strangers and a strange resort

THE upcoming publication of The Cave will reveal previously unknown aspects of the Thai cave rescue, based on exclusive interviews with several of the rescued boys and their families, as well as with British diver John Volanthen. Author Liam Cochrane has gained unrivalled access to some of the key players in the dramatic rescue, with help from a team of Thai researchers. “Getting to hear about the boys’ experiences inside the cave and get their story in their own words has really made this book something special,” Cochrane said.

LIANE Moriarty has produced another superb tale in her novel Nine Perfect Strangers. I picked up a copy of Liane’s latest novel at the airport the other day. I took hold of it in trepidation that it would now be as good as her other seven international bestsellers, several of which I have read. Luckily, my choice proved a good one. Liane has again created an engaging tale. It’s setting is familiar, it’s characters easy to get attached to. The subject well, who hasn’t dreamt of going to a health retreat to get some rest and

“Many aspects of the rescue were unclear until I spent seven hours interviewing John Volanthen, one of the true heroes of the operation.” The ABC’s South-East Asia correspondent was on the scene during the search and rescue mission, but most of the material for the book has been drawn from fresh research with more than 25 key sources involved. The Cave will reveal aspects of the operation that have never been publicly disclosed. The Cave by Liam Cochrane. Published by Harper Collins.

maybe lose just a little bit of weight? Though, I’m not no sure this retreat would stay on your bucket list once you read what it has to offer. Tranquillum House is a place for health and wellness experiences, so the brochure says. It also promises total transformation. We meet at the retreat nine city residents. Each character has a deep story. — Tracey Johnstone Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty. Pan Macmillan, RRP$32.99 and ebook for $14.99

DEBUT NOVEL: A thriller that will excite you.

A white-knuckle ride of non-stop suspense

NEW INFORMATION: The Cave by Liam Cochrane is on bookshelves this December.

MICHAEL McGuire’s debut novel Flight Risk is a gripping thriller full of pure adrenalin, explosive action and terrifying revelations that will keep even the most jaded reader glued to the pages and utterly engrossed. The Australian author’s tale is original, the read a white-knuckle ride of non-stop suspense - a high-octane thriller full of pure adrenalin, explosive action and jaw-dropping revelations. The story introduces disgraced former pilot Ted Roberts. He works for a top-secret government organisation set up to investigate terror-related incidents. Sent to Jakarta

to find out as much as he can about the pilot of a vanished Garuda flight, Ted discovers a flight simulator in the pilot’s apartment. When the investigation turns sour, Ted escapes to New York as further disaster strikes. Another plane disappears from the sky. Then another. Three planes and hundreds of passengers and crew vanish, without a trace. Panic is widespread and the world is teetering on the brink. Still no one claims responsibility. Published by Allen and Unwin RRP$29.99.

NEW BOOK: Liane Moriarty doesn't disappoint in her latest novel.

SENIORS \\JANUARY, 2019

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

Across 1 William Driver coined what name for the US ﬂag? (3,5) 7 What was measured in ells? (5) 8 Which 70s US band changed their name from Teen King and the Emergencies? (3,6) 9 What abbreviation in recipes means a teaspoonful? (3) 10 What are the fuel components in a nuclear power plant called? (4) 11 What vegetable is used in a Waldorf salad? (6) 13 What military word is from German for “coat of mail”? (6) 14 Which pleasure garden in Copenhagen has been enjoyed since 1843? (6) 17 What bird might lay its egg in the nest of another? (6) 18 Who is killed in regicide? (4) 20 Poetically, what is an area of grassy pasture? (3) 22 What foodstuff is couverture? (9) 23 What do you get if you ask for chateaubriand in a restaurant? (5) 24 What word came from the name of a Texas rancher who refused to brand his cattle? (8)

7 8 9 11

10 12 13

16 17

20 22

PUZZLES

Down 1 Spraint is the droppings of what animal? (5) 2 What is the capital of Saxony in Germany? (7) 3 What metal did the Romans use for water pipes? (4) 4 What nickname is applied to a Rolls Royce car? (6) 5 How many thieves were encountered by Ali Baba? (5) 6 In Indian cookery, what thin bread pancake is cooked on a griddle? (7) 7 Which novelist’s ﬁrst names are Clive Staples (1,1,5) 12 Some consider the feathers of what bird unlucky in a house? (7) 13 What (“_____ and be damned”) was the Duke of Wellington’s response to a blackmail threat? (7) 15 What is the Japanese art of folding paper into decorative shapes? (7) 16 What is the capital of Colombia? (6) 17 What is a brief appearance in a ﬁlm by a well-known actor? (5) 19 What language gave us the word panorama? (5) 21 What is a private box in a theatre? (4)

12/1

23 24

SUDOKU

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

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

7 8

5x5

ALPHAGRAMS

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

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 ﬁveletter solution starts with J, the six-letter solution starts with K, and so on.

11 12

G D

O E

R E

RIDGE HEARTY ON A FISH DRAINAGE SAD SHRINE

E E

Note: more than one solution may be possible.

19 20

SOLUTIONS

alate alike alive alkie atilt avail aviate kale kava lake late latte lava lave leak tael tail taka take tala tale talk TALKATIVE talkie teak teal teat vail vale valet veal vial vital

WORD GO ROUND

R E E V E

E R R E D

QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 6. Raw deal 7. Lever 9. Cap 10. Hesitated 12. Premeditate 15. Subordinate 17. Impressed 19. Bar 21. Steep 22. Hatchet. Down: 1. Pagan 2. Ode 3. Fame 4. Devastate 5. Repents 8. Hidden 11. Armouries 13. Modest 14. Submits 16. Taper 18. Elan 20. Ice.

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 letter. There is at least one nine-letter word. No words starting with a capital are allowed, no plurals ending in s unless the word is also a verb. TODAY: Good 18 Very Good 24 Excellent 30

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

BLACKOUT

ALPHAGRAMS: DIRGE, EARTHY, FASHION, GARDENIA, HARDINESS.

A I

K T

A G L O W

613

WORD GO ROUND

P A D R E

SUDOKU

5x5

S W I G S

T V

L E

Down 1. Non-believer (5) 2. Poem (3) 3. Celebrity (4) 4. Destroy (9) 5. Regrets (7) 8. Concealed (6) 11. Arsenals (9) 13. Unassuming (6) 14. Gives in (7) 16. Gradually reduce (5) 18. Style, enthusiasm (4) 20. Frost (3)

GK CROSSWORD Across: 1 Old Glory. 7 Cloth. 8 The Eagles. 9 Tsp. 10 Rods. 11 Celery. 13 Panzer. 14 Tivoli. 17 Cuckoo. 18 King. 20 Lea. 22 Chocolate. 23 Steak. 24 Maverick. Down: 1 Otter. 2 Dresden. 3 Lead. 4 Roller. 5 Forty. 6 Chapati. 7 C S Lewis. 12 Peacock. 13 Publish. 15 Origami. 16 Bogota. 17 Cameo. 19 Greek. 21 Loge.

Across 6. Unfair treatment (3,4) 7. Prise (5) 9. Restrict (3) 10. Thought twice (9) 12. Plan in advance (11) 15. Inferior (11) 17. Moved (9) 19. Pub (3) 21. Sheer (5) 22. Small axe (7)

Q X R T O E N Y R E C I T E S

E M E R V F O D O R O D A F C

P L A T E A U D C R U M B L E

U O L J R S G W X E C W A C U

B E I N G F A M E T H Y S T J

S M S V R O T A K U O L C U D

V H E R O Y M W I S H B O N E

W A K J W X T T D B A D A J B

I N G E N U I T Y W R A G E D

N P O M N N T H L C D Y O H A

S H O R T F A L L A I O T A E

U Q P I D B L Q U O N X S D E

L D K F I J I S C H E R O O T

I D G L K I C C O N S E C B Y

N K D E N S O B T Q S T I E S

BLACKOUT

Work out which squares need to be deleted to reveal a completed crossword. Solution opposite

DOUBLE CROSS

P U B L E R E A L I T N O V E R G A N O U G A M R O C E E R T C O U C H I M Y T A B A S E L T E

S I N S U L H N H S E G O O R E R I F R O W N T I O U F J T I T A L I A W T L I D Y L L C S H H A R D I N E B A O R C O G O T O N E A D O E D T

S S T I B E S O T C

D L E N S I N

CENTRAL COAST

JANUARY, 2019// SENIORS