July-August 2019 FREE
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Embracing Ageing
WELCOME
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The great value of you
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News - Proud ageing advocate News - Act our age in workplace News - Staging a Brave rethink News - It’s a little bit country News - ‘Retired’ psychologists What’s on Community group guide Wanderlust Wellbeing Living Money Puzzles
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Entertainment, art and music
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JULY, 2019// SENIORS
Gail Forrer Seniors Group Editor HOW much do you value yourself? Are you guilty of age-discrimination against yourself? In 2017, Australia’s Benevolent Society launched its EveryAGE Counts campaign which is underpinned by a research program that found ageism damages lives and prevents older people from participating fully in society. Due to the numerous social implications of our increased lifespan, the lifestyle of contemporary older Australians is vastly different from previous generations. In this edition, 72-year-old entertainer Normie Rowe talks about his role as an advocate of ageing and his mission to change the conversation around ageing. In general, he believes there is a negative attitude to older Australians. “When you turn 60 your working life is over. It’s time to hang up the tools. You’re not of value any more,” he told Seniors News. However, we must also change conversations around the perception of ourselves. This is emphasised by our story on former four-star general Stanley McChrystal,
who left the military and re-invented himself as a workplace leadership consultant. The change was not all easy for McChrystal and today he speaks of his experience and shares tips on how to be your best self. If you are not ready “to hang up your tools”, rather you would like to “hang in there”, then you will gain an insight into the culture of modern workplaces in our employment feature. You might even gain inspiration from the vivacious and gifted 61-year-old Elena Kats-Chernin, whose great talent is shared with us via the work Opera Australia has commissioned from her. Besides personalities, we share a refreshing armchair tour of Iceland with our favourite senior travellers, Yvonne and John Gardiner. I trust this edition gives you plenty of reasons to value and enjoy this third stage of life. Enjoy.
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 or (07) 5435 3200 Email: advertising@seniorsnewspaper.com.au or editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Location: 2 Newspaper Place, Maroochydore 4558 Website: www.seniorsnews.com.au Subscriptions Only $39.90 for one year (12 editions) including GST and postage anywhere in Australia. Please call our circulations services on 1300 361 604 and quote “Central Coast Seniors”. The Seniors Newspaper is published monthly and distributed free in northern New South Wales and southeast Queensland. The Seniors newspaper stable includes Toowoomba, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Northern NSW, Coffs and Clarence and Central Coast publications. Published by News Corp Australia. 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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Proud ageing advocate Normie Rowe looks to change the conversation Tracey Johnstone
LOUD AND PROUD: Ageing advocate and rocker Normie Rowe warns not to waste a “national resource”. talking about those getting into their 80s and 90s who had to try and make do through the Second World War and perhaps The Depression. “Everyone seems to have it easy today. I just admire some of these people who have slogged away constantly at what they do.” Rowe finds remaining in the entertainment industry opens doors and enables him to be heard above the crowd of dissenters. His message to them is that they are wasting a vital national resource.
“These are people who have gathered knowledge,” he said. “Not everybody is running around in a demented state or with Alzheimer’s or can’t move their bodies because of arthritis. There’s this wealth.” Rowe continues to support a whole range of charitable organisations such as Soldier On and Variety. He is also talking ageing and attitude as a supporter of Grey Matters Live. “One of the favourite things I like to do at the end of a show is to talk to the people in the
‘‘
I don’t want to be the prettiest person in the cemetery. Every wrinkle I’ve got, I earned. audience,” he said. “I will sign autographs, have photos taken and maybe sell a few CDs or not.” Rowe wants to be the last person who leaves the foyer after spending time with his audience. The voice of the ageing
rocker still resounds strongly. “It’s actually better than it’s ever been. I really still love performing,” he said. “Over the last 10 years I have started playing the electric guitar on stage...I think I have bought about six guitars.”
Rowe jokes about being retired, but has plenty more to say about respecting older Australians. He has shows to do and a newly released single, Compulsory Hero, which will be on a album, ISH Reimagined, to be released later this year. “Life isn’t about being the most pristine corpse in the cemetery,” he said. “Life is about broadsiding up to the grave, completely worn out. I don’t want to be the prettiest person in the cemetery. Every wrinkle I’ve got, I earned.” 6888536af
NORMIE Rowe is heading down the road when he stops in front of a 70-ish woman resplendent in her gym gear, berating her for having her face in her phone and not looking where she is walking. “I pull over to the left of the footpath before I look at the device,” he says. The exchange highlights the passionate approach to life of the outspoken 72-year-old entertainer, who then completes his regular 45-minute workout before launching into an empathic discussion on how he is trying to change the conversation around older Australians. Rowe is proudly and loudly advocating for ageing Australians to be respected. “I really think Australian society has gone completely the wrong way,” Rowe said. “(They say) when you turn 60 your working life is over. It’s time to hang up the tools. You’re not of value anymore. “It’s really frustrating to me to see all these people who take umbrage at minorities being lampooned and are very happy to lampoon people over 60.” He uses the example of television news show The Project which he said constantly laughed at older people. “These people will never achieve most of the things that the older people have achieved in this country,” he adds. “I am not talking about those in their 60s. I am
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JULY, 2019// SENIORS
Act your age in workplace Tracey Johnstone STANLEY McChrystal has been on the very edge of life in dangerous, indeed often deadly, situations and has come out of it with a purpose of sharing his experiences to improve leadership in workplaces. The retired four-star US military general did it tough in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was the commander of US and International Security Assistance Forces Afghanistan and commander of the USA’s military counter-terrorism force, Joint Special Operations Command. Mr McChrystal resigned from the military in 2010, well before his designated retirement age. “I had been in the army for 34 years as an officer and four years at West Point,” he said. “I was commanding in Afghanistan and a magazine article came out in Rolling Stone from a
freelance writer, and it was titled The Runaway General, which you get from the title, it’s not a good thing. “It portrayed my command team as dismissive of our own administration, senior leadership, and all. I don’t think it was an accurate depiction, but it doesn’t matter. “It created a furore and so I offered my resignation to President Obama because generals aren’t supposed to create furores for the President’s desk.” Without any hobbies, other than his two granddaughters who live next door to him, and with a keen interest in working in teams, he started up the McChrystal Group leadership consultancy. Speaking to Seniors News at the recent AMP Amplify Festival in Sydney, Mr McChrystal talked passionately about how mature age workers can be part of workplace change.
“I don’t think you should have the idea that you should step away because you are a certain age,” he said. “You may want to slow down a bit. You may want to spend more time doing other things. But, I think you can decide what your value-add is. “If you decide where your contribution is, without trying to pretend you have to be the king or the CEO; it requires you to take a little bit of your ego and back off. “Be part of the team, but not so insecure that you have to have the answer for every question, because you don’t.” With so many mature-age workers dealing with evolving workplace environments and their role within them, Mr McChrystal, now 64, said the melding of the generations within the workplace was incredibly important. “What we provide is experience, and a lot of the time that is scar
SHARING KNOWLEDGE: Retired four-star US general and leadership expert, Stanley McChrystal. Photo: Graham Jepson tissue and perspective,” he said. Through reverse mentoring, Mr McChrystal discovered by asking what works and willingly listening, the younger generation didn’t resent his asking, in fact they seemed to like being asked. During Mr McChrystal’s time in Iraq and Afghanistan, he found the equipment and tactics had changed, and “information technology had revolutionised the
way we did business”. “I didn’t know what my small units on the ground did because I had never done that,” he said. “I had no direct experience. So, it was preposterous for me to say here’s how you need to operate. What we did was reverse mentoring. “I would go down to them and ask what works and why does that work that way.” His initial concern was whether it was
appropriate for a leader to ask for guidance, but Mr McChrystal found they didn’t resent him asking. “Letting people teach you is the most effective leadership tool,” he added. Sharing your knowledge can be effective if put in the context of a personal experience rather than telling or directing. “The idea that we have a hard retirement age is something I don’t believe in,” he said.
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Staging a Brave rethink Creative expression challenges stereotypes Alison Houston A NEW project is encouraging Central Coast residents to share their mental health challenges in a supportive but public way to help break down the stigmas that still exist, and offer hope. This is My Brave Australia – Central Coast Show is being produced by Men Care Too founder and carer Greg Smith in collaboration with other local organisations. Through storytelling, poetry, song, dance and creative expression live on stage, it aims to help people understand lived experiences and rethink mental health stereotypes. Developed in America in 2014, there have been 45 US and just three Australian shows to date. Greg said he had met Canberra producer Tim Daly at a conference last year and realised the potential healing power of
a platform to speak out creatively for participants and others dealing with mental health issues. Shows run like a theatre production, with auditions followed by support, rehearsals and the performance. “We are looking for 12-14 story-tellers who will each have 5-7 minutes to perform,” Greg said. “We would love to have people of all age groups involved. “Mental health is something older generations didn’t talk about, so we would really encourage seniors to be involved.” Greg said the auditions were a chance to meet people who wanted to be involved and hear a little about their ideas and what and how they want to share, rather than presentation of completed pieces. “We will definitely be working with people and making sure everyone is confident and comfortable about what they are
BE BRAVE: This is My Brave Australia – Central Coast show producers Ross Beckley and Veronique Moseley, of Behind the Seen, and Greg Smith, of Men Care Too. Photo: GREG SMITH @mencareCC doing,” Greg said. “The ‘cast’ is definitely our focus and there will be a lot of peer support in the lead-up which we hope will evolve into ongoing informal support. “We want them to feel really empowered because every person and every story matters.”
Greg said participants did not have to have a diagnosed mental health illness and could perform either solo or with others. The show is a 100 per cent volunteer production, with others involved including the Iris and Elderslee Foundations, Behind the Seen and
Epicentre. Profits will go to suicide prevention and mental health first aid training. Auditions for This is My Brave Australia (TIMBA) are at Tuggerah Library 12-4pm on Friday, July 26, and 9.30am-2pm Saturday, July 27, with the show at the Grove Theatre
Wyong during Mental Health Week on Sunday, October 20. To find out more, search TIMBA Central Coast on Eventbrite or Facebook, email mybravecentral coast@gmail.com or phone 0400 604 231.
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It’s a little bit country After 19 successful years, the music festival is an institution
Alison Houston THE new face of country music has wider appeal than ever and will be on display at this year’s Central Coast Country Music Festival from August 9-11. About 12,000 people are expected to join in the fun over the three days, with the main event at Memorial Park, The Entrance from 10am-4pm on the Sunday. Upcoming star Chelsea Berman is among the featured line-up, along with Lizzie Steadman, Christie Lamb, The Viper Creek Band, Sunny Cowgirls, Amber Lawrence and Veronika Lawson. Run by Central Coast Council, community partnerships manager Glenn Cannard said for those not fans of traditional country music, the festival had “artists inspired by today’s pop, rock and alternative genres”. He said great music, a
host of fun activities and the beautiful backdrop of The Entrance established the festival as a Central Coast institution during the past 19 years. “The longevity and success of this festival is due to its broad appeal – attendees include country music fans and music fans in general,” he said. “We see families, young people and older members of the community all having a great time.” As well as performances on the main stages, there will be buskers, The Entrance markets, food stalls, rides and other activities. That includes line dancing demonstrations, whip cracking and other activities for the grandkids. Performers will also feature at Long Jetty, Bateau Bay, Wyong and Wamberal venues over the three days, including local stars Whiskey Business – who took out Best Band and Most Popular Band at
COUNTRY SUN: Central Coast Country Music Festival's main event on Sunday, August 11, at Memorial Park, The Entrance, attracts all ages for a relaxed day of music and fun. Tamworth in 2018 – at Diggers 4pm on Saturday. The Coastal Country Band (aka the Helen Goss Band) is among performers that bass guitar and vocalist Rowley
Rushbrook says are “playing for a more mature audience” at the Central Coast Country Music showcase at Bateau Bay Bowling Club from 6.30pm Saturday.
You can expect a bit of the Eagles and Tom Petty on the play list. Other special guests are the Michael and Lorraine Wilks duo, Ross McGregor and young star
Ben Seymour. Festival program, go to centralcoast.nsw.gov.au /whats-on/council/ country-music-festival2019.
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JULY, 2019// SENIORS
Mature-age brilliance Experience counts when it comes to a great show
Alison Houston WHEN you find a “very funny play with four beautiful principal roles for older actors” and a subject that all ages will relate to, it’s pretty hard to go past. That’s why Terry Collins feels so fortunate to be directing Four Flat Whites in Italy for Woy Woy Little Theatre (WWLT) in August. “There aren’t many plays with really good, meaty roles for that age; they are more often supporting and character roles,” Terry said. “It’s a real advantage to get so much experience on the stage... it’s just seamless.” In this case, her major players are Michelle Wallace, Greg Buist, Yvonne Berry-Porter and Mark Austin, all well known in Coast theatre. Four Flat Whites in Italy is the intriguing story of two retired couples who, knowing very little about each other, are thrown
together through circumstance on an Italian holiday. The differences between the two couples’ budgets, backgrounds, politics and attitudes to life in general are put to the test as they visit Venice, Rome and Tuscany. By well-known New Zealand playwright Roger Hall, some changes have been made for an Australian audience, and Terry is confident it will strike a chord with everyone who gets the chance to see it. “It’s visually quite lovely and very funny, but with a nice pathos too as we follow the progress of these four people as they get to know each other,” Terry said. The sets, she said, were simple but with beautiful projected images of the places the tourists are visiting, including the canals of Venice, and a soundtrack of recognisable tunes including Dean Martin and
THAT’S AMORE: Seasoned performers Michelle Wallace, Greg Buist, Yvonne Berry-Porter and Mark Austin take to the stage for Woy Woy Little Theatre’s Four Flat Whites in Italy. Photo: Terry Collins Mario Lanza setting the scene. The other two stars of the show are Rowan Cowley and Rosemary Parsons, who take on the roles of everyone the two
couples encounter on their journey, from wait staff to a Centurion, and gondoliers to a count and his wife. A relatively unknown play written in 2009, Terry
said members had seen it performed in Sydney last year and put it forward among the 20 or so plays WWLT considers annually for presentation. It was an instant
standout. Four Flat Whites in Italy opens on August 16. For tickets ($25 seniors), go to woywoylt.com or phone 02 4344 4737.
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Call to put focus on dignity She confirmed she would again organise the Grant McBride Memory Walk in September to raise funds and awareness for Dementia Australia, saying she had been overwhelmed by the support last year. Although, unable to deliver on Labor’s campaign funding promises of a dementia park and palliative care hospice had it gained office, Ms McBride said she would be examining other ways to help achieve these projects.
Alison Houston A 73-year-old Central Coast woman with motor neuron disease has been told she will have to wait 12 months for the Level 3 Home Care Package for which she has been approved. She is one of 1423 elderly people on the Coast alone currently wait-listed for the services they actually need now. That’s a 17 per cent increase since September 2018 when the figure was 1178. “The government has to acknowledge that this is a crisis, and until they do so there is not the level of urgency required to change this,” Federal Member for Dobell Emma McBride said. “Every quarter the data is late and every quarter the numbers are increasing. “But these aren’t just numbers, they are people; people who have dementia or other complex health conditions that affect both them and the people around them.” “Central to this is dignity and choice, and
PROUD DAYS: Federal Member for Dobell Emma McBride (right) with Tony Sheridan OAM and longtime friend Anne Sullivan Craig at the official dedication of The Entrance's Tony Sheridan Walk recently.
❚ Ms McBride is asking carers and those with mental health issues on the Central Coast to contact her with their experiences, good and bad, so she can better understand how best to shape and improve future policy.
people deserve that, especially as they get older,” Ms McBride said. It’s been a big two months for Ms McBride since the Federal Election and being named Labor’s Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Carers.
❚ She is also keen to hear from all coast residents about what is most important to them, with a survey available on her website at https://emma mcbride.com.au or phone 02 4353 0127 or email emma.mcbride.mp@aph. gov.au.
It’s a position for which the Coalition does not have an equivalent, which Ms McBride said was disappointing because these areas should be prioritised, rather than bundled into other portfolios. She has pledged to
improve the wellbeing of people with lived experience of mental illness and their families and carers, and “stand up for the millions of carers throughout Australia so their challenges are recognised and their needs better met”.
After a career in pharmacy and mental health, she said her own view of the health system had been “turned upside down” by her family’s experiences when her late father, Grant McBride, was diagnosed with younger onset dementia.
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GRANDMA MOSES
FEELING creative? Keep in mind entries for the Grandma Moses Art Competition and Exhibition are due in August (date to be finalised at time of publication). There’s more than $3000 in prize money up for grabs in the 37th annual event open to all Coast residents 50 and over. Sections are open, watercolour, novice, 50+ leisure and learning centres and senior citizens’ centres art group members, and Central Coast-inspired. Winning entries are displayed from Tuesday, September 10, at Gosford 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre, Albany St North, Gosford. Phone (02) 4304 7065 for details.
STRICTLY BALLROOM
GOSFORD Musical Society will present this Aussie classic, made famous by the Baz Luhman 1992 film, at Laycock Street Theatre from July 26–August 10. It’s the story of Scott Hastings (Tyson Almond), ballroom dancer, future champion and rebel. When his radical dance moves raise eyebrows with the Australian Federation, he and Fran (Felicity Calwell), a beginner with little
11 training, defy convention and their families to go for victory. Phone (02) 4323 3233 for tickets ($46 adult).
What's on
TRIVIA NIGHT
THE Get Quizzical for Quolls Trivia Night (how could I not include something with this title?) is on Saturday, July 27, from 5–8.30pm at the Australian Reptile Park, Somersby. All proceeds go to Aussie Ark to help save our native wildlife from extinction. It’s $80 per table (4–8 players) so grab some mates and enjoy exclusive access and up-close encounters with Australian Reptile Park residents from 5pm and, of course, trivia. Food and drink available for purchase. Phone (02) 4326 5333 or get tickets on Eventbrite.
AUTHOR EVENT
THE HarperCollins Home-grown Thriller Tour comes to Kincumber Library on Friday, August 2, from 6–7.30pm. Join authors Wendy James, Nicola Moriarty, Sarah Barrie and Anna Snoekstra as they discuss their crime novels. Wendy’s newest book, The Accusation, a creepy psychological thriller about the abduction of an 18-year-old girl in a
HAPPY DAYS: There’s no doubt Burleigh Heads Ladies Probus Club members focus on the importance of friendship in retirement and how that makes all the difference. Photo: Rasheeda Flight regional town, and Nicola’s new book, The Ex, have both just been released. As places are limited, bookings are essential, but it is free. Phone (02) 4304 7641 or visit your local library.
the wedding favourite True Love. Catch her with songwriter, producer and guitarist Carmelo Luggeri at The Art House Wyong on Friday, August 2, at 8pm. Adult tickets $63. Phone (02) 4335 1485.
KIKI DEE WITH CARMELO LUGGERI
SATURDAY, August 3, is the grand opening of this year’s second annual Carnevale and Artisans’ Market at The Art House Wyong. Presented by Tuggerah Lakes Art Society, this year’s theme is Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder. Opening day is from 10am–2pm, with prize
CARNEVALE
LIKE me, you might not know Kiki Dee is far more than "that song" with Elton John. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart was just a small part of a 50-year music career in the UK, including I Got the Music in Me, and
winners in the Mask Project and Creative Art Sections announced at 11am, and the exhibition continuing until August 29. All works are for sale. As well as the art talents, on opening day you can enjoy musical performances and at least 25 stalls filled with locally handmade items, including the wonderful cooking talents of the CWA (Tuggerah Lakes Branch). Go to carnevale.org.au or email info@carnevale.org.au.
1979 – THE HITS
AS THE name suggests, this concert pays tribute
to the music of 40 years ago. So why not take a journey back to... school days, uni, raising the family? What were you doing in 1979 when Joe Jackson was asking Is She Really Going Out With Him, Kiss was Made for Loving You and Jo Jo Zep was in the Shape I’m In. The show stars, among others, Spencer Jones and Tim Moxey from The Voice, plus a six-piece band. It’s at The Art House Wyong from 8pm on Saturday, August 3. Phone (02) 4335 1485.
AFTERNOON TEA DANCE
Toukley 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre in Hargraves St, holds an afternoon of social dancing each Friday afternoon from 2.30–5pm in the club auditorium. The Friday Afternoon Tea Dance costs just $10 per person including nibbles. Phone Joan on 0419 599 236.
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JULY, 2019// SENIORS
Community notes
Community group guide WE welcome your community notes and pictures, please email to:editor@seniors newspaper.com.au.
TOUKLEY TORCH BEARERS FOR LEGACY
COME along to our annual fete on Sunday, August 18, at Toukley 50+ Leisure and Learning Centre Memorial Hall, Pearce St, Toukley from 8am–1.30pm with craft, cakes, jams, jewellery, pre-loved clothes, bric a brac, etc. Light refreshments will be available. There will be raffles, a chocolate wheel and entertainment. All proceeds go to Brisbane Water (NSW) Legacy.
BE CONNECTED
DIGITAL Connect meets monthly 10am–2pm at libraries across the Central Coast for anyone 50-plus who would like
help using digital technology. Get support to access the internet, use your device and find out how easy it is to keep in touch online. Meet at Erina Library on the first Wednesday of each month, Gosford third Wednesday, Kincumber fourth Monday, Lake Haven the third Friday, Toukley first Friday, Tuggerah the last Wednesday or Woy Woy on the second Thursday of each month. Phone 02 4304 7027.
VIEW CLUBS
VIEW stands for for Voice, Interests, Education of Women and is a valued part of the Smith Family raising money for The Learning For Life sponsorship and education of disadvant-
LIVING LIFE: The 2020 NSW Seniors Festival Grants Program has $200,000 in funding available for events and activities that encourage people over 60 to remain active, healthy and engaged in their local communities. Photo: Contributed aged Australian children and young adults. Bateau Bay WE WILL hold our lunch meetings at the The Entrance Leagues Club (Tigers), 3 Bay Village Road, Bateau Bay on the first tuesday of the month, commencing at 10.30am. Lunch, guest speakers, raffles, outings and
Central Coast. It’s time for a Chemical CleanOut. Your free drop off: Sat 3 - Sun 4 Aug 2019 9am - 3.30pm
Sat 10 - Sun 11 Aug 2019 9am - 3.30pm
Charmhaven Council Depot 137 Chelmsford Road (enter Depot Road), Charmhaven
Mount Penang Event Park Kangoo Road, Kariong
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Only household quantities accepted.
meeting new friends, while helping educate underprivileged children. New members and visitors are most welcome. Phone Lynne on 07 4362 6170 or Heather 07 4362 8405. Brisbane Water Evening WE HOLD our monthly dinner meeting in the Function Room at the Grange Hotel, Renwick St, 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. Toukley NEWLY retired/looking to make new friends? We meet on the second Friday of the month at Club Toukley RSL at 10.30am. We have lucky door prizes, raffles and a two-course lunch for $25, followed by guest speakers or members anticipation and interesting discussions. We also have outings, Friendship Morning Teas along with raffles. Joining our VIEW Club is a perfect opportunity to meet with other like minded women and establish new friendships. Phone Kathie on 07 4393 0647 or 0413 424 949.
CENTRAL PILATES NSW
OVER 50s – 10 week term. A tailored class for those over 50 to help you discover that at any age, you can feel healthy and fit when you exercise with full awareness of your body’s changing nature. These classes are carefully designed to minimise stress on the body yet provide a
stimulating workout. Thursday’s 9am from July 25–September 26 at the Central Life Christian Church, 5b/4 Dulmison Ave, North Wyong. Friday’s at 10am from July 26–September 27 at Evolve Performing Arts Company, Unit B8/4 Dulmison Ave, Wyong. All levels, no experience necessary. New client special: only $99 for your first term or join both classes for $265. Cost – $160 per term; Attend both classes for $280; Senior Card Holders – $130 per term. For more information, email centralpilatesnsw @hotmail.com or phone 0479 188 066.
WYONG WRITERS
LOCAL writers meet monthly to encourage and develop their writing skills. Meeting on the fourth Saturday of each month – arrive 1.15pm for a 1.30pm start. Next meeting is on July 27, then August 24 at Woodbury Park Community Centre, 1 Woolmers Crescent, Mardi. Inquiries to president Mei-Ling Venning on 02 4333 7489, email meilingvenning@hotmail. com or go to wyongwriters.org.
MANAGING FINANCES FOR THE OVER 55S
OWN your financial future: Managing finances for the over 55s on Friday, September 6, from 9am–12.30pm at Mint Business Centre, 2 Portside Crescent, Maryville, Newcastle. Key details: Free workshops for women aged over 55; Aims to
empower older women with basic investment and financial concepts. Created by the Australian Shareholders' Association, receives funding support from ecstra (formerly Financial Literacy Australia). For more information about this project go to australianshareholders. com.au/fin-lit-project or phone 1300 368 448.
2020 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL GRANT
WE ARE inviting councils and local organisations across the state to apply for a 2020 NSW Seniors Festival Grant. The Grants Program has $200,000 in funding available for local events and activities that encourage people over 60 to remain active, healthy and engaged in their local communities during the festival. Funding categories available: Category 1: Up to $1,000 for small-scale local community events and activities; Category 2: $1001–$5000 for larger local community events and activities; Category 3: $5001–$10,000 for large scale community and regional events and activities. Available to local councils only. The 2020 NSW Seniors Festival will run from Wednesday, February 12, to Sunday, February 23. The NSW Seniors Festival Expo is an annual free event that attracts over 17,000 seniors across two action packed days. For more information, go to seniorsfestival. nsw.gov.au.
SENIORS \\JULY, 2019
NEWS
A spectacular show in Sydney
THE brooding, magnificent castle is an unbeatable backdrop to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. A 1:1 scale Edinburgh Castle has been built to stage the 2019 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo spectacular. The replica castle is a massive 29m high and 80m across, complete with the figures of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce standing guard over proceedings. This beautifully designed set is so lifelike it will transport the audience back to Edinburgh. History of the tattoo The tattoo has a proud history beginning in 1950 as part of the Edinburgh International Festival; an event that was created, first and foremost, to support the services and arts charities. Today it plays a central role in the Edinburgh summer festivals and each year runs for 25 shows during August. About 220,000 people attend the show live each year with a further
FOUR SHOWS ONLY: The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will perform at ANZ Stadium, Sydney, from October 17–19. 100-300 million viewing it on television globally. The year 2018 was the 20th sellout season. The tattoo has only left Edinburgh Castle four times. The show is 90 minutes of breath-taking performances from the pipes and drums of the Scottish regiments and military and civilian performers from elsewhere in the UK and around the world. The cast involves up to 1400 performers. With its unique blend of music, ceremony, entertainment and theatre set against the backdrop
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Let’s help you
of a floodlit Edinburgh Castle, the tattoo is a vivid and intensely emotional display and unfailingly enthrals audience members, symbolising the event everyone holds dear in their heart. Audience experience The tattoo generates uncommon “reach” which transcends geography, cultures and background, drawing audiences into a common creative experience. All of this enhances the audience’s sense of self, sense of worth and reinforces how they fit into broader communities and with other nations. Four shows only – from Thursday, October 17, to Saturday, October 19 – will be held at the ANZ Stadium, Sydney.
For tickets and booking inquiries: phone 13 28 49, visit any Ticketek outlet or go to edinburghtattoo sydney.com.au/tickets. Bookings for groups of 20 or more phone 1300 364 001.
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COVER STORY
JULY, 2019// SENIORS
Inspiration comes from
This dynamic, gifted woman is known for her extraordinary output of work and brilliant musical compositions Tracey Johnstone ELENA Kats-Chernin AO is bringing to the Opera Australia stage this month the bold life of an iconic Australian artist in the opera Whiteley. Seniors News spoke to Kats-Chernin on the eve of the world premiere of Whiteley. It’s late in the evening in Sydney. She has been home from rehearsal for about an hour and already 40 pages of the 800-page orchestral score has been edited. There are another two scenes to be reviewed before the end of the night. The kitchen table is strewn with hand-written sketches and drafts. She has to push them away to find a corner to eat. Once the Whiteley opera work is complete, Kats-Chernin will put all the paper in boxes. But then there is another opera waiting to be written. She’s in bed by 2am then back at work from 5.30am before heading to the rehearsal well before it starts at 10.30am. There’s always a lot for her to do before and after each rehearsal. “I am like a machine; I need to work. I make sure I do exercise,” the 61-year-old said. She uses weights at home each morning and does something, even simple exercises, for about 10 minutes which forces her to engage her muscles. Kats-Chernin is also mindful of what she eats which includes lots of
healthy food and no sugar. “Says she who has just had a chocolate,” Kats-Chernin said jokingly. “But that’s OK because somebody gave it to me and it’s dark chocolate which I like.” As to using her gym memberships, she admitted: “At the moment I don’t have time because of rehearsals”. Born in Russia, the child prodigy started playing the piano when she was four and was composing at five. “I just sat down and played,” she said.
‘‘
He was an iconic artist, interesting, quirky, genius, flawed “I could play anything I saw. I couldn’t read the words, but I could read the music.” Her music-loving parents didn’t know what had hit them. “They did everything for me to have good lessons,” she said. “They got me special teachers because I was very far advanced immediately, so I was bored at normal music school.” The family moved to Australia in 1975 and Kats-Chernin started at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Her resume is simply
Brett Whiteley’s The Balcony 2.
MAKING MUSIC: Whiteley opera composer Elena Kats-Chernin. outstanding. She has created a huge range of pieces for symphony orchestras across Australia and overseas and composed pieces for television and film. How many? “If only I knew,” she said. “Sometimes I don’t even remember what I wrote. Sometimes people
will say ‘you know you wrote that piece and it went like this’ and I will have completely forgotten how it went,” Kats-Chernin said. “I will recover it immediately I hear it, but I forget as every year I write about five hours of music, sometimes more.” And that is after she has written several
Whiteley’s Mrs Christie.
versions to find just the right score. “This year alone I have written a piano concerto for Tamara-Anna Cislowska, called Lebewohl, a piano quartet, a piece for the ACO called A Knock One Night, and many more things. “It sounds crazy but when working on
Photo: Prudence Upton
something so big I need another outlet, something else to write.” Does she ever think about anything else? “No” is the emphatic answer. “I am thinking about it all the time because there is always a project. I am always thinking about it because it’s in my blood until something has
SENIORS \\JULY, 2019
COVER STORY
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the bold and beautiful FAST FACTS
Whiteley’s Opera House.
premiered, and even afterwards I still think I could have done this differently.” If she’s not composing, Kats-Chernin said her alternative was to clean the house. “And I don’t want to do that.” The only time she really takes off is when she visits her grandchildren.
“But, don’t do that very often. For that I wish I had more time because that is very enjoyable,” she said. There’s no planned date when Kats-Chernin will stop composing. “There are composers who compose when they are 100. As long as my brain works,” she said. “I think I will compose as long as I can. It’s
another reason why I work every single day. “I just think ‘who knows what will hit me tomorrow’ so I need to finish what I am doing and I try every day to send something away to my copyist in case something happens and I don’t wake up.” The prolific and highly acclaimed composer partnered with librettist Justin Fleming to honour and share the tumultuous story of Brett Whiteley. “It’s a great subject and inspiring in many ways and very multi-layered,” she said. “He was an iconic artist, Australian, interesting, quirky, genius, flawed; lots and lots of extreme character features which are inspiring to compose. “I don’t want to write about somebody who is a goody two-shoes who does beautiful pastels or something.” It’s been an 18-month project for the Sydney resident. As soon as
Photos: Contributed
Brett Whiteley’s self portrait. Fleming’s libretto was in her hands in December 2017, Kats-Chernin started work on the Whiteley score. She has crafted the score to deal with several themes and changes in pace from conversations, to aria, to the singer or singers talking to the audience, to them talking to each other.
Woven into the final product are the complexities of fitting the librettist’s work and the voices along with the orchestra and digital backgrounds that make up the complete show. Whiteley is on at the Sydney Opera House until July 30. More info: opera.org.au.
Elena Kats-Chernin has created works in nearly every genre including commissions for Ensemble Modern, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australian World Orchestra, the Adelaide, Tasmanian, Melbourne and Sydney Symphony Orchestras, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, Swedish Chamber Orchestra and the North Carolina Symphony. In 2000, she collaborated with leading Australian choreographer Meryl Tankard on Deep Sea Dreaming which was broadcast worldwide as part of the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Her awards include 1996 – Classical Music Awards – Best Composition by an Australian Composer; 2004 Helpmann Awards – Best Original Score; and 2014 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award – joint winner. She has been the Composer in Residence for the Melbourne and Queensland Symphony Orchestras. Her first QSO symphony, Symphonia Eluvium for organ, choir and orchestra, commemorated the devastating Queensland floods of January 2011.
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NEWS
JULY, 2019// SENIORS
Upskilling is the key to
Business advice for keeping engaged
Tracey Johnstone GAINING an edge in securing and retaining employment requires young Australians to hone their skills in digital literacy, critical thinking, creativity, problem solving and presentation along with expertise in a particular role. All those skills are equally applicable to mature-aged workers, not just exclusively to the younger generations. As the focus turns to how to keep older workers engaged in the workforce and how to upskill those same workers to meet the changing demands of an evolving workplace, the responsibility to meet these challenges lies both with the employees and the employers. ■ Changing the conversation Workplace solutions
BENEFITS: Bunnings has found its older workers are invaluable employees as they bring to the job life experience and an understanding of the needs of customers. Photo: Bunnings company WDC Director Morag Fitzsimons uses the example of one of her clients which wanted to be proactive in keeping its older employees engaged – an industrial supplies and safety company with an average employee age of over 50. “There has been some difficulty in retaining skills sets and getting replacement skills sets when people retire or
leave the organisation,” Ms Fitzsimons said. The company recognised that it needed to work out how to help its employees to stay at work longer and how to have a conversation with them in a non-threatening way so they could be honest about their needs and future plans. “Firstly, the program was about helping the older workers understand
they were valued,” Ms Fitzsimons said. “Secondly, it was about having a conversation with them to identify what their needs were going to be into the future to help them stay at work longer.” She looked at the financial goals and physical health of the employees as well as flexibility in the number of work days and the need for training to help them
transition to another role within the company. “They (management) also walked around some of the operations and asked people what the simple things were that they needed to help them cope with their workplaces,” she said. “We looked at lighting, temperature, matting to make standing easier, to magnifying glasses, to make it easier to reach
parts of products; so, what we could put into the workplace that would allow them to stay at work and make work easier than before. “As a consultant in this area, I am seeing more and more businesses thinking about this and wanting to find ways to engage in conversations with their mature employees about work, the importance of work in their lives and how they can help support them to stay at work for their benefit as well as the individual employees.” ■ Job options Telstra Group CEO and Managing Director Christine Holgate has been looking at how to repurpose Telstra’s extensive workforce to meet its changing business needs. “For us, automation is allowing us to think about our workforce,” Ms Holgate said at last month’s Centre for Economic Development Australia (CEDA) forum in Melbourne.” “We can get more women in, more part-timers in and moving
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SENIORS \\JULY, 2019
NEWS
17
workplace longevity the guys who were driving onto the mail processing lines because it’s less physical. It enables us to address where we have labour shortages in the market.” McKinsey & Company Associate Partner Hassan Noura said during the CEDA forum: “The workers most vulnerable to being disrupted are those in the more automated sectors as a first filter. “Those will be the transport, warehouse, manufacturing, mining and all sorts of administrative tasks. The second filter will be functional tasks even within very professional sectors that are quite routine; think of administrative and payroll, accounting, and basic legal research. Even in medicine, some particular specialisations like radiology are incredibly susceptible to automation. “So, while you can generalise and say it’s going to be lower-skilled jobs in certain sectors, the reality is that there are going to be pockets of
disruption everywhere. “In terms of who will be more vulnerable, it will come down to resilience and adaptation.” Curtin University’s Dr Gigi Petery has a different view on the impact of automation: “We have this idea that artificial intelligence (AI) is going to be taking over all the jobs and there is not going to be any work,” she said. “I don’t think that is the case. What we have seen is a change in the nature of work and a change in the roles and tasks that people are doing. “Yes, we are seeing AI taking over some jobs and tasks, but there are new tasks and jobs emerging as a result of that.” This keeps the door open to work opportunities for mature-aged workers. There are industries starting to open up work opportunities such as service industries, particularly in jobs that can’t be replaced by AI. “There is always going to be people working with other people,” Dr Petery said. Her recommendation?
FUTURE KNOWLEDGE: Service industries are job growth areas as technology disrupts other industries.
Photo: izusek
“Follow the population trend...look at what are the needs for ageing people and look at the renewable markets such as newborns.” ■ The opportunities Some of the industry opportunities across various skill levels are in health care, social services, education, technical, construction and retail. David Tarr, from the mature-aged workforce talent matching agency
maturious.com.au, said older workers’ skills were their future. “They have accumulated an enormous amount of knowledge, skills and experience which are transferable across many different industries and can be used in many different ways, as long as the individual has the ability or the desire to grow and learn because the world is changing...it will never stand still,” Mr
Tarr said. Dr Petery added: “There are transferable skills which most mature people will already have just by living and having to interact with other human beings, such as different types of people skills.” The skills she lists that can give an older worker a competitive edge over younger workers are professionalism, loyalty, productivity, teamwork, organisational skills, time management, research, planning, communication skills including writing, speaking and listening. “These are things that mature workers tend to do well,” Dr Petery said. Mr Tarr added: “As long as you have the aptitude and learnability, you will be successful.” Human Resources Director for hardware chain Bunnings, Jacqui Coombes, said its employees ages ranged from 15 to over 80. “This provides fantastic learning and mentoring opportunities for everyone. Mature-aged workers have always played a significant role at Bunnings with almost 30
per cent of our team members aged over 50,” Ms Coombes said. “We learned a long time ago that older, more experienced team members are integral in providing the welcoming and knowledgeable customer service we offer in our stores. “While Bunnings doesn’t target older workers, we actively welcome and value the wide array of skills and knowledge mature-aged workers bring to the business and recognise the value this has in providing expert advice to our customers. “Some have been with us for their whole career and others have joined us after retiring, often from trades. “They can bring great experience from their own home improvement projects and this knowledge really helps our DIY.” Part 2 of this story, which will look at reverse mentoring and redundancy, will be published in the August edition.
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NEWS
JULY, 2019// SENIORS
A mental health lifeline Retired psychologists relate and support men under stress
Alison Houston MOST people think of Lifeline as a telephone crisis helpline funded by sales from its op shops, unaware that face-to-face counselling is also available. But the free Central Coast Lifeline Psychology and Counselling Service has been running at Wyoming for five years, providing ongoing support for people needing to change their lives. Officially “retired”, psychologists Paul Armitage and Roger Matheson are the backbone of the service. “They are absolutely remarkable gentlemen who have created this service based on volunteer contribution,” the service’s new general manager, principal psychologist Andrew Webster, said. “Their incredible energy and concern for clients struggling to manage a diverse range of issues in
their life, is a real exemplar of the commitment and value of older people to the community they belong to.” Both volunteers, as well as seeing clients, supervise newly graduated psychologists who, like intern doctors, require a two-year clinical placement to become fully registered. “We supervise about 10 psychologists each year, so we can vicariously see far more clients and have also been able to produce a steady stream of new registered psychologists, so there’s an enormous feeling of being able to do something meaningful and worthwhile,” Paul said. Having “ticked things off the bucket list” travelling for a year post-retirement, Paul arrived back on the Coast in 2013 eager to do something of value to the community. He volunteered at Lifeline to work in the op
HELP NOW: 'Retired' psychologists Roger Matheson and Paul Armitage established the free Central Coast Lifeline Psychology and Counselling Service at Wyoming. Photo: Katie Allen shops or help collect furniture. But, with the Coast population expanding faster than services, and often long waiting lists to see private psychologists,
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Lifeline saw a different use for Paul’s skills. DEALING WITH LIFE’S TRAUMAS A registered psychologist since the early 1970s, Paul said Lifeline clients, like his own previously, were often people coping with a series of traumas in their lives, some dating back to childhoods of physical and mental abuse. Alcohol and drugs, often turned to as crutches to cope with life, did not deal with those problems, and instead led to further issues including potentially family break-ups, job loss, homelessness, and a possible cycle of abuse. Anger, loneliness, hopelessness, anxiety and depression were emotions often faced. Paul said a lot of research had shown men tended not to handle
accumulating stress as well as women, who were more willing to seek help both socially and professionally. According to the Bureau of Statistics, 3128 people died due to intentional self-harm in 2017, 75 per cent of whom were male. “It’s often a domino effect, with redundancy perhaps leading to marriage breakdown, homelessness, isolation from friends and family, and a feeling of hopelessness...,” Paul said. Retirement, loss of a partner and poor health were often crisis points, particularly for men, with statistics showing that men aged older than 85 have the highest suicide rate in Australia. Helping people to find meaning and purpose in life, to engage with society, make
connections and adopt healthier lifestyles, including regular exercise, he said, led to good outcomes in all age-groups. *Roger Matheson shares his views on the importance of self-worth after retirement, men’s mental health, anger management and bullying in the next edition. Lifeline is currently seeking experienced psychologists and counsellors to join the volunteer team; If you are interested, phone Andrew Webster on 4320 7400. To arrange face-to-face counselling, phone (02) 4320 7400 or, for crisis help 24-hours, phone 13 11 14. A text help service is also being trialled from 6–10pm on 0477 131 114.
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SENIORS \\JULY, 2019
Lights of Iceland
A dazzling experience PAGES 22-23
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JULY, 2019// SENIORS Barcelona, October 16-26, save 30 per cent; Asia: Singapore to Singapore, December 6-20, save 47 per cent; South Pacific: Los Angeles to Papeete, December 5-23, save 46 per cent. Info: RSSC.com or phone 1300 455 200 or contact your preferred travel agent.
TRAVEL BRIEFS
CRUISE WITH THE WINEMAKERS
NORWEGIAN Cruise Line’s Meet the Winemaker returns in the 2019/2020 season. Wine enthusiasts will meet winemakers and other experts through seminars and activities including open-forum discussions, meet-and-greets, intimate wine tastings and wine-paired dinners, interactive cooking demonstrations and educational sessions. Each cruise features vintages chosen by experts and on board for the exclusive events. Wine experiences range from US$19.95 to US$60 per person plus tax, and gratuity. Info: phone Norwegian Cruise on 1300 255 200 or visit ncl.com.
TOUR WHITE CLIFFS AND OPAL FIELDS
THE desert landscape of White Cliffs disguises the value that lies hidden underground; it’s one of the richest opal fields on earth. Experience the local’s way of life with a two-night stay in the Underground Dugout Motel. Enjoy a rich touring experience through the silver city of Broken Hill,
CANADA, ALASKA, USA WITH SCENIC
TRAIN TRAVEL: Great Southern has launched a range of off-train excursions. overlook Cobar’s first gold mine and visit Coonabarabran’s Crystal Kingdom. The All Australian Journeys tour goes for six days, and departs both Brisbane and The Hunter. Costs start at $2599 per person. Info: phone 1300 631 383 or visit aaj.com.au.
GO OFF-TRAIN ON GREAT SOUTHERN TOUR
GREAT Southern’s new immersive Off Train Excursions including wine tasting in the Hunter Valley, visiting the 12 Apostles, lunch with a view from Melbourne’s Eureka Skydeck followed by a laneways tour, Canberra’s War Memorial and Parliament House, exploring the wilderness of the Grampians and beachside dining. There will be 16 departures from Adelaide for Brisbane,
4 Day Dubbo Explorer
starting in December. Fares start at $1649 per person for Gold Single accommodation, $1829 per person for Gold Twin and $3899 per person for Platinum. Info: journeybeyondrail. com.au/journeys/ great-southern.
SUITE SALE ON REGENT CRUISES
REGENT Seven Seas Cruises have an offer of up to 55 per cent off 2019
sailings to the turquoise shores, glistening sunset horizons and rugged landscapes of some of the world’s most unique destinations including the Mediterranean, the Baltic, Asia, Alaska, and the South Pacific. Check out Alaska: Seward to Vancouver, August 14-21, save 55 per cent; The Baltics: Oslo to Stockholm, August 20-30, save 25 per cent; Mediterranean: Athens to
6 Day Gold Coast Outback Spectacular!
Departing: Thursday 10th September 2019 *Dish, Forbes *Western Plains Zoo *Dundullimal Homestead *Old Dubbo Gaol. Tour Price: $950.00 per person twin share
3 Day Canberra Sights and Floriade
Departing: Saturday 18th January 2020 *Mt Tamborine * Outback Spectacular Show *Lunch Cruise *Sunset Dinner Plus More! Tour Price: $1599.00 per person twin share
THE 2020 Canada, Alaska and USA Scenic brochure is out with great value offers. One night stops have been removed wherever possible in favour of longer stays at each destination point Included is New Scenic Enrich options have been added, including a visit to one of the world’s largest dark sky preserves in Jasper, and an incredible wildlife walk with local nature experts. Scenic is offering until 30 September 2019 partner flights included, fly Premium Economy from $2595 per person, fly Business Class from $5995 per person, book now and pay in full by September 30 to secure an additional discount of $600 per couple for all tours of 19 days or longer or discount of $300 per couple for tours of 9-18 days (conditions apply). Info: scenic.com.au or phone 138 128.
day tours August: 18th -Thirlmere Steam Train Ride $90 22nd - Cherry Blossom Festival $60
Departing: Friday 20th September 2019 *War Memorial *Mount Anslie *Floriade with a Lake Burley Griffin Cruise *Tulip Gardens Tour Price: $695.00 per person twin share
September: 4th - Scotties Mystery Tour $65 18th - Nth Head Quarantine Station $95
2 Day Bowral Tulips
26th - Ducks In The Field $95
Departing: Wednesday 2nd October 2019 *Kiama Blowhole *Bowral Tulips *Fairground Follies *Berrima. Tour Price: $420.00 per person twin share
29th - Retail Therapy $65
November: 2nd - Mamma Mia! $115
5 Day Cherry Festival - Young & Harden
Departing: Thursday 5th December 2019 *Pick your own cherries *Watch the Parade through the town and enjoy the 70th National Cherry festival atmosphere. Tour Price: $1315.00 per person twin share
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SENIORS \\JULY, 2019
Travel for a better world ‘‘ Your chance to volunteer for a scientific adventure
AS TRAVELLERS seniors can contribute to a better world while visiting remote and beautiful places where learning new skills alongside like-minded people and putting conservation into action can make a world of difference. The international not-for-profit wildlife conservation organisation Biosphere Expeditions (BE) offers this type of travel through its citizen science and wildlife conservation expeditions. For many destinations, the research could not be done without the provision of support and personnel from BE, and through its education, training and employment of locals to build their capacity to continue the research into the future. Some of the expeditions BE takes teams on are to survey snow leopards in the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan; monitor brown bears in the quintessentially Swedish woodlands of Dalarna province; survey leopards, caracals and Cape biodiversity in the Cape mountains UNESCO World Heritage Site of South Africa. The citizen science expedition teams get immersed in these long-term wildlife conservation projects run by scientists embedded locally. The teams may visit for one or two weeks, but BE will go back again and again until the work is completed. BE founder and CEO Dr Matthias Hammer explained his organisation has a very close connection to each project, which are selected after whittling
Tracking Romanian lynx. down the large number of submissions received each year from scientists. “It’s a very detailed process designed to ensure we can achieve benefit for our participants, local wildlife and people, and our expeditions have a genuinely positive impact and generate real conservation outcomes,” Dr Hammer said. “We then stay intimately involved in the project, sending staff on it each year and supporting our partners on the ground. “The people who commit to coming with us and helping with wildlife conservation for a week or two and sharing our ambitions; they will have a great time. “If people come expecting to be served cocktails at dinner time, and be handed safari-type wildlife experiences on a plate, then they won’t enjoy the experience.” What are expeditions like? They are expeditions with a conscience, a sense of purpose and tangible benefits and outcomes. Each one is a citizen science project, not a package holiday. Expeditioners live, breath and sleep expedition, working and sharing in the BE vision. If they go to bed tired
They are expeditions with a conscience, a sense of purpose...
CITIZEN SCIENCE: At (volunteer) work in South Africa. after a day’s work, then that will only make the experience more enriching, the memories stronger and the sense of fulfilment more real. Never too old The typical participant is in his/her mid-30s to late 70s (average age 42.3, spread six months to 87 years) and there are usually many singles and a few couples. What you eat BE has a unique vegetarian policy, so only vegetarian food is served on the expeditions. For expedition dates, destinations and costs, go to www.biosphere-e xpeditions.org.
Your Local Cruise Specialists
Cruisin’ Country 2019
Photos: Biosphere Expeditions
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JULY, 2019// SENIORS
‘‘
The lagoon, Jokulsarlon, had an ethereal beauty about it at twilight.
NATURE’S GREATNESS: Gullfoss, a waterfall in the canyon of the Hvítá river in southwest Iceland.
Photos: Yvonne Gardiner
Nowhere else on earth
Our travelling retirees John and Yvonne Gardiner take their journeys to another level when they walk through the snow, ice, caves and waterfalls of Iceland
ICELAND has the most dramatic scenery of any country I’ve visited. Its diversity of attractions is breathtaking. Raging waterfalls, soaring geysers, snow-capped mountains, stunted birch trees, vast glaciers and a picture-perfect coastline make this big island entirely unforgettable. It’s not a place where I’d like to drive, as the weather can change quickly, producing dangerous icy conditions and gale-force winds. Far better to book one of the many expert tours led by knowledgeable guides. In nine days, my travelling companion and I had time to complete the Golden Circle tour, seeing a host of major tourist sites, plus overnight stays on the south and west coasts. Hunting for the northern lights (or aurora borealis) was thrown in at every available opportunity. Expect to stay up late, or be woken during the night, if you’re keen to see this most spectacular of the world’s wonders. The nighttime tours
Dramatic scenery is everywhere you look in Iceland. included a cup of warming hot chocolate, which was very welcome when the temperature dipped below
zero and we’d been outside the bus for a good hour gazing at the sky. Trust me, when that
coloured light dances across the sky, the experience is worth all the discomfort.
Iceland, known as “the land of ice and fire”, is a destination that offers any number of energetic
23
SENIORS \\JULY, 2019
This famous fountain geyser, Strokkur, erupts every 6-10 minutes.
A supremely graceful waterfall, Seljalandsfoss, on the south coast of Iceland.
Jokulsarlon, also known as the glacier lagoon, is one of the most awe-inspiring and popular places in Iceland.
The Saga Museum in Reykjavik reveals the island’s Viking heritage.
like land of fire and ice
Sapphire blue ice caves vary in size and shape, and change daily. adventures. As a senior with a dodgy back, I was hesitant to visit the blue
ice cave. As it turned out, the trip wasn’t as strenuous as I’d imagined, requiring a
speedy ride in a super-jeep across the glacier – accompanied by the rousing AC/DC hit
Highway to Hell – then a slow walk across the ice wearing crampons, and short climbs up and down
steps at the cave. It’s no wonder the unique and other-worldly Icelandic landscapes have been the backdrop to countless TV series and movies, including Game of Thrones, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, Star Wars, Tomb Raider, Thor and Noah. Many scenes in two James Bond movies were shot in Iceland, taking in amazing snowboarding and an epic car chase across the frozen glacier lagoon, meandering between giant blue icebergs. The lagoon, Jokulsarlon, had an ethereal beauty about it at twilight. Dozens of slowly melting icebergs jutted out of the river, with the glacier in the background and the sea in front. Afterwards we drove through miles and miles of snow and moss-covered lava, punctuated by high mountains and glaciers, wide rivers, brown grasslands and small settlements. Our west coast tour guide, Christian, was a
rock-loving bikie with leather waistcoat and long, grey hair. He showed his six passengers sputtering geysers, an isolated church, towering waterfalls, a lava cave, and yet more stunning scenery. In November the capital, Reykjavik, was a delightful scene of pre-Christmas sparkle. A plethora of toy trolls of all shapes and sizes populated the shelves among the souvenirs. A visit to the Saga Museum gave us a fascinating insight into the island’s heritage, beginning with the Viking settlers, in a series of tableaux containing wax figures. A rare treat before we caught the plane out of Iceland was a few hours’ dip in the fabulous Blue Lagoon, a gigantic thermal heated pool complete with bar and restaurant. Said to contain healing qualities, the lagoon was a perfect finale to a captivating journey through an amazing country.
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JULY, 2019// SENIORS
The Ghan Station.
at
Darwin
The Ghan Explorer departs from Darwin, March and October.
‘‘
AWESOME: At first sight, the 900 metal snake metres of The Ghan stretching away from the Darwin train station is awe inspiring.
The isolated outback town of Coober Pedy has long been on my bucket list...
An epic Aussie rail journey Kerry Heaney IT’S A trip that will take you from one side of the continent to the other through Australia’s red heart in absolute comfort all the way. From first sight, the 900 metal snake metres of The Ghan stretching away from the Darwin train station is awe inspiring. When your cabin is in carriage Q, it is also a long walk. Luckily, The Ghan offers transport to your carriage if you prefer. That’s just one of the many thoughtful gestures that make travelling on this iconic journey a real pleasure. The Ghan Explorer is a
four-day and three-night trip that departs each week from Darwin between March and October. It heads out on a 2979km journey through Australia’s rugged outback, stopping to offer passengers experiences along the way. I boarded the train with my iPad loaded with plenty of books and Netflix shows, ready to relax in my seat and watch the world roll by. At the end, I realised I need not have bothered as sitting in the cabin was last on the list of top train activities. From day one and the first stop at Katherine, to cruising up Nitmiluk Gorge
to view the stunning red cliffs silhouetted against the bright blue sky, the options were many, varied and all included in the journey. With options for activity levels, the tours took passengers to see destinations well away from the train stops via buses. From sedate to more adventurous, including an optional flight over Uluru, passengers have plenty of choices to see the outback their way. There is also no chance that you will starve on this trip. The elegant Queen Adelaide dining car is full of old-fashioned charm and warm hospitality while
the meals and wines are included in the fare. As the train traverses the country, the menu reflects the region with crocodile sausages in Darwin, kangaroo in Alice Springs and Barossa gammon (ham) in Adelaide. Feeling peckish between meals? The lounge car is the place to go for a cappuccino and morning tea or pre-dinner drink. Day two on the journey sees the train pull in for a full day at Alice Springs. Passengers head off on buses to explore the town and surrounds and finish with a starlit evening meal at the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station.
It’s an outback barbecue with a rollicking local band that has many dancing the night away. The isolated outback town of Coober Pedy has long been on my bucket list, and I was not disappointed by this quirky underground treasure. The lunar-like landscape of the opal minefields, the spacious underground houses, the magnificence of Breakaway Conservation Park and the famed dog fence left me with lasting impressions. Back on the train for the overnight journey into Adelaide, I enjoyed sharing memories with new-found friends over
dinner and drifting off to sleep with the gentle rock of the rails. As The Ghan heads into its 90th year, it certainly deserves a place on every Australian’s bucket list as a unique way to explore the heartland of Australia. See more of Kerry’s journeys at www. eatdrinkandbekerry.net. Top tips ■ Pack light because storage is limited ■ Choose comfortable clothes for weather conditions ■ If you prefer your own company or want dinner for two rather than a shared table, choose an 8-8.30pm dining time ■ Internet is sketchy, so download before you go.
Australian sensory tours for the sight impaired TRAVLLERS with sight loss can now visit iconic east coast tourism sites regularly with accessible adventures that eliminate sightseeing and deliver experiences using other senses. Sensory short breaks is a new product launched by Cocky Guides, Australia’s first tactile and sensory tour operator for the blind and low vision community. The company offers sensory short breaks that range from two to four days. The tours start from
Sydney, butassistance can be given with inquiries from people living in other locations. If, for example, a traveller is from from Brisbane, a guide can be sent to meet them and assist with getting them to Cairns for the start of that tour. Destinations include Port Douglas, Byron Bay, Hunter Valley, Canberra, Snowy Mountains, Melbourne, Lake Mountain, Yarra Valley and the Mornington Peninsula. Sydney-sider Katie Best
a recent traveller and low vision community member, had a great time on a sensory short break to Port Douglas with Cocky Guides. “I have just had the best holiday in ages,” she said. “I honestly didn’t want it to end. The activities were fantastic, and the support was amazing. I am now counting down to my next adventure.” Details & costs: 1300 657 640 or go to cockyguides.com.au.
SENSORY TOURS: Indigenous Guide demonstrating the plating of a leaf for two travellers. Photo: Peter Killick
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SENIORS \\JULY, 2019
Cruise the Kimberley Coast BRAND INSIGHTS AN EXTREMELY geographically diverse region, many birdwatching enthusiasts would regard the Kimberley as an absolute bird paradise and what better way to immerse yourself in this breath-taking region, than by cruise ship? Fly into the Northern Territory and cruise from Darwin to Broome or fly to Western Australia and cruise from Broome to Darwin. While there are more than 500 species throughout Western Australia, Broome is home to 330 of them and is consequently regarded as the most important region in the country for shorebirds (home to nearly a quarter of the world’s total population). This destination is a must on a bucket-list for everyone who loves these magnificent creatures. While some are unique to certain areas, many species can be found throughout the Kimberley, too many to begin to even mention.
BIRDS-EYE VIEW: There are many species of birds along the Kimberley Coast skyline. Keep an eye and an ear out for eastern reef egret, sacred kingfisher and masked boobies – a seabird. Photo: Contributed One of these is the spectacular eastern osprey, the ultimate predator along the Kimberley Coast skyline. Keep an eye and an ear out for eastern reef egret and the sacred kingfisher, and if you are lucky you may spot a dancing brolga. Outlined below are a
few highlight destinations worth considering: Located on Australia’s North West Shelf, 610km north of Broome is Ashmore Reef. This incredible life-sustaining reef provides several marine habitats and species in and out of the ocean. It is here you will find
around 50,000 breeding pairs of various kinds of seabirds, including colonies of bridled terns, common noddies, brown, red-footed and masked boobies, eastern reef egrets, frigate birds, tropic birds, roseate, crested and lesser crested terns. Another stunning
destination to observe birds are The Rowley Shoals, about 260km northwest of Broome. The Rowley Shoals are a group of three atoll-like coral reefs on the edge of one of the widest continental shelves in the world. It is home to many ocean bids as well as a nesting site for the
red-tailed tropic bird, home to one of only two of Western Australia’s colonies, as well as and the rare, newly discovered white-tailed tropic birds. Other beautiful species found at Rowley Shoals include the wedge-tailed shearwater, brown booby, eastern reef-egret, white-breasted sea eagle, ruddy turnstone, large sand plover, crested and sooty terns and the white-throated needletail. Because the Kimberley is so extensive, it’s important to keep in mind that many species migrate or are nomadic and move with the seasons, so if you are really keen on spotting a particular species you may need to do a lot more in-depth research. Cruise Express in Erina specialises in travelling to the Kimberley from either Darwin to Broome or Broome to Darwin. Book any Ponant Kimberley Cruise in 2020 with Cruise Express by August 31 to enjoy complimentary flights, accommodation and transfers. Phone 1300 766 537 to secure your cabin.
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JULY, 2019// SENIORS
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ON SALE - Monday 1st July - Wednesday 31st July 2019 unless sold out earlier. LIMITS MAY APPLY TO SOME PRODUCTS. SALE PRODUCTS ARE STRICTLY VALID FOR PROMOTIONAL PERIOD OR WHILE STOCKS LAST. 0011
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NOT ALL ADVERTISED ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE IN ALL STORES +Vitamins may only be of assistance if dietary intake is not adequate. Vitamin supplements should not replace a balanced diet. ^Does not include PBS prescriptions. #For external use only. “Best Results in controlling weight are achieved by following a calorie controlled diet and maintaining an exercise program. ‘Limit of 2 per adult. Prices are stated in good faith, we reserve the right to amend pricing due to printing errors or manufacturer price rises. Pictures are for illustration purposes only. Quality use of medicine limits apply. We reserve the right to limit quantities. Not all products available in all stores. Product Lines may vary between stores. Valid for promotional period only OR WHILE STOCKS LAST. Savings are calculated off our Everyday Low Price at the time of production. Professional advice/medical advice. The information/advice provided by Chemist Outlet is not intended nor is it implied to be a substitute for medical advice.
SENIORS \\JULY, 2019
27
Happy 100th year Dorothy IT’S NOT every day that you become a centenarian. Congratulations to Dorothy Auld, resident at Aubrey Downer Independent Living Units, who turned a very sprightly 100 on Wednesday, July 10. Dorothy has a special connection to the Aubrey Downer home. Before Dorothy and her husband moved from Sydney up to the Central Coast in 1973, they would purchase $10 worth of bricks to “help build up the Central Coast” through a local charity. The bricks Dorothy and her husband purchased were for the Aubrey Downer Independent Living Units, the same ones she resides in now. To help celebrate this amazing milestone, Dorothy had an extended family birthday party on Saturday, July 6, with 60-plus guests, some flying in from Malaysia, and many others from various locations throughout Australia. Dorothy points out: “It’s easy to make a large party when you are the eldest of 13 children”. On July 10, which was her actual birthday, Dorothy was happy to spend it with her daughter, Jan, and her three grandchildren.
“My greatest moments in life have been spent with my three lovely children and my late husband, Pat. “So any time with my favourite people is time well spent,” Dorothy said. Dorothy received some special mail around her birthday from some high-profile people. First was her letter from Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, and then a special letter from Prime Minister Scott Morrison, as well as a message from the current Governor General, David Hurley. But Dorothy’s “best” letter of all came from her favourite politician of all time, John Howard. The secret to living to 100? Dorothy also had an aunt who lived to 103, so it’s obviously in the genes, but she also believes that staying active her whole life has kept her feeling good. Dorothy always attends the chair yoga sessions at Aubrey Downer to keep her activity levels up and the body moving. Eating three meals a day and a bit of TV (4.30pm session of The Bold and The Beautiful) as her guilty pleasures have always kept her happy. Dorothy is excited to have a special plaque installed on her brick of
Wellbeing
CENTENARIAN: Congratulations to Dorothy Auld, resident at Aubrey Downer Independent Living Units.
Photo: Contributed
choice and admits she often looks at the bricks at Aubrey Downer and wonders how many they
bought to help build the building. Well Dorothy, you pick any brick and it’s yours.
Be Treated Like Family Hall & Prior Residential Aged Care
For more information, go to hallprior.com.au. Written By Jacqui
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WELLBEING
JULY, 2019// SENIORS
How to stay safe in winter
SAFETY FIRST: Narelle Hopper, customer care manager at the Tunstall Monitoring Centre. Kerry Heaney
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HEALTH experts are preparing for an increase in falls and more elderly patients who require urgent attention as injury numbers jump by nearly a third in the colder months. According to a recent report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, falls are the leading cause of hospitalisation for the elderly. Narelle Hopper, customer care manager at the Tunstall Monitoring Centre in Eagle Farm, said several factors caused an increase in falls in winter. “The main factor is cold weather.” Limbs can get a bit stiff, and it can be hard to get up out of bed or your chair and move about. In some regions, the increase in wet and windy weather in combination with an increase in leaves on the ground can cause a rise in falls outside and around the house,” Ms Hopper said. “Vertigo brought on by certain hearing conditions, standing up too fast, dehydration, or some medications are other common fall causes.” The consequences of falling can range from mild to quite debilitating. Ms Hopper said a fall could affect a person’s
confidence, leading to a reduction in physical activity, and the complete opposite of what they actually needed to do. “People are often embarrassed if they can’t get back up again. “They worry about going to a hospital or being put into a nursing home,” she said. “The most important thing for our elderly loved ones is being attended to quickly, which can reduce the long-term impact and severity of a fall injury. “This is where fall detectors and personal alarms come into play.” ✰What are the top proactive measures to prepare and be safe? Here are some simple steps to decrease the likelihood of falling. ❚ Take medication at the prescribed times and dose recommended by your GP ❚ Drink plenty of water ❚ Keep hydrated ❚ Drink warm cups of tea and soup, which help to bolster fluids ❚ Warm your body up by doing leg stretches and circles before standing up ❚ If you have a walking aid, use it ❚ Do weight-bearing and balance exercises to help improve gait and balance ❚ Hold on to something to steady yourself when you stand up
❚ Whether you’re inside or outside, hold on to the railing while walking up or down stairs and take your time ❚ When walking outside, avoid slippery, wet areas and wet leaves ❚ If you have a personal alarm like the Tunstall Smart Hub, Vibby Fall Detector or TX4 Pendant, wear it so if something does happen you can get help quickly and your family can be alerted ✰If you are worried about the danger of falls for a friend or family member, these are the steps to take. ❚ Check the house and surrounds for trip or slip hazards ❚ Encourage your loved ones to do their exercises ❚ Make sure their home is warm in winter ❚ Check their medications are being taken properly. If they are a bit forgetful or the medication is complex, ask the chemist to pop them in a Webster pack ❚ If they have a fall detector or personal alarm, encourage them to wear it and use it ❚ If you see signs of bruises or scrapes, which may indicate loss of balance or spatial awareness, suggest a visit to GP or even an occupational therapist to get some further advice
SENIORS \\JULY, 2019
WELLBEING
Help your mind and body – cut down on TV
Paul McKeon WE’RE not saying give up TV entirely – just limit the amount of time you spend in front of it. There are a number of good reasons for us to cut back on the time spent in front of the TV screen. Here are some of them – Physical inactivity ■ Spending hours each night watching television is bad for our physical health. There are studies indicating that watching TV for more than 4 hours every day can increase our chances of suffering a heart attack by more than 80%.To be fit and healthy our bodies need to MOVE. Lack of Mental Stimulation. ■ “Use it or Lose it” applies to our mind as well as our body. To keep the brain active and to reduce the chance of getting dementia, we need mental stimulation and challenges. Most television does not offer any mental challenge.
Isolation ■ There is a real danger of older people becoming more isolated if they spend a lot of time watching television and less time socialising with friends and neighbours. This is particularly true for single retirees. Because it’s” free” and very easy to watch, there’s lots of temptation to spend 2, 4 or even 8 hours a day in front of the screen. The Alternative ■ A lifestyle that does not include full time work gives us a lot of time to fill. How we do it will have a major bearing on our wellbeing and happiness. If we can use this extra leisure time for creative, stimulating activities which expand our minds and make us feel useful community members, then we will be happier and healthier people. You don’t have to save the world – just spend more time with friends and acquaintances, doing things that make you feel good. Our book titled How to stay Healthy, Active and Sharp in Retirement is available at retirementbooks.com.au.
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Act now to avoid lung infection DON’T tempt waking a sleeping dragon if you are over 65 and have the flu or have a chronic disease; get a pneumococcal injection now. Take this message seriously said Professor Robert Booy, an Infectious Diseases Paediatrician and Immunisation Coalition chairperson. “It could keep you out of hospital and even save your life,” Dr Booy added. Ignore his warning and you could find yourself developing a lifethreatening case of pneumonia. “Anyone aged 65 and above is at risk of pneumonia,” Dr Booy said. “That can be quite serious. If you are admitted to hospital with pneumonia, there is a 10 per cent chance of dying from it despite the fact that you get good management in hospital with antibiotics.” Meredith Lores, 62, has just spent five weeks in a Brisbane hospital getting over hospitalacquired pneumonia. She was there to receive her regular treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. “I wasn’t shocked I got
BETTER HEALTH: Check with your GP if you require a free pneumococcal vaccine. pneumonia in hospital as you can pick it up anywhere,” she said. “I was in hospital two weeks prior to that and somehow picked it up from there not realising. After I came out, after a few days I started going downhill again.” It’s best to prevent it rather than trying to cure it. As Mrs Lores fits into the high-risk category she had her first pneumococcal vaccine about four years ago and is due for a booster next year. “My GP, even with the flu, has suggested I get one in October again, just to cover me,” Mrs Lores said. “I was just about to come home from hospital
with pneumonia when I got Influenza A.” GPs offer free pneumococcal vaccines to those at high risk of the infection and to people aged over 65. So far, only about one in two people at risk are vaccinating against pneumococcal pneumonia. If you under 65 and have chronic medical conditions that affect the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, or smoke or are a diabetic, you are at risk. Others at risk are indigenous Australians who are aged 50 and over. “It’s a must; it shouldn’t be a question,” Mrs Lores said about getting a pneumococcal vaccine. “My daughter is 28 and
she gets the flu injection as she is around me and she knows how sick I can get. “I think for anyone 65 or plus, and those susceptible to that or with chronic diseases, you have got to get it. “It’s not a question in my mind that people need to get it. Then it might stop others getting it,” she added. Flu is a virus and causes respiratory symptoms and if it is severe, it can lead to pneumonia. “You can get a secondary bacterial infection,” Dr Booy said. “On top of the virus, the bacteria comes in, like the pneumococcus, and that is quietly carried in the throat and not causing any trouble. But then the throat gets stirred up by the virus and then the bacteria starts invading the lungs or the bloodstream, causing severe infection. Often the two hunt together.” That is why it is wise when getting your annual flu vaccine to ask your GP if you are at risk of contracting pneumonia and should therefore also have the free pneumococcal vaccine.
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JULY, 2019// SENIORS
Aveo recipes taste better
Living
BRAND INSIGHTS
HEALTHY MEALS AT HOME: Enjoy a tasty freekah pomegranate kale salad from the Aveo cook book.
YOU may have heard that food in retirement and aged care communities is not very good. So had leading retirement and aged care community operator Aveo, which is determined to change the industry standards for all senior Australians. Aveo has been working with Nutrition Professionals Australia to set new standards in the kitchen so its residents enjoy meals that not only taste great, but meet their changing needs as they age. “We understand that food plays an important part in helping to maintain independence and bringing friends and family together,” an Aveo spokesperson said. “That’s why, at Aveo, residents come together over good food in our dining rooms, surrounded by a feeling of wellbeing. “We want older
Delicious lamb korma. Australians to feel empowered by good food and be inspired to cook simple and healthy meals at home.” Aveo has taken its mission one step further by asking its executive chef John Casey and Nutritional Professionals Australia to work together to create the Live Life Cook cookbook to meet the idea that eating well should be easy and that with the right preparation it can be. Live Life Cook features more than 50 simple recipes, beautiful photos of finished dishes and
easy-to-find ingredients. It draws on the 30 years of experience of John Casey, who began his professional career as as chef at one of Melbourne’s iconic five-star hotels. He has since gone on to successfully represent Australia at the Culinary Olympics in Germany, where he was awarded a gold medal. He has worked with chefs such as Stephanie Alexander and elite athletes such as Cathy Freeman and nurtured a passion for innovation in food quality and nutrition. Full of cooking tips and tricks, delicious and nutritious recipes, Live Life Cook will empower the country’s active seniors to keep cooking well into the future. The perfect gift for family members and friends is available now for $29.95. To purchase a copy, go to aveo.com.au/food/ aveo-cookbook.
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
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Yallambee Avenue, West Gosford NSW 2250
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Two bedroom Independent Living
SENIORS \\JULY, 2019
LIVING
31
Vintage village therapy
A dive into the past can act as a soothing tonic for spirit Tracey Johnstone TOWN Square in California is a unique and quirky concept for the delivery of reminiscence therapy for people with dementia. Developed by the team at the George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers in Chula Vista and led by its CEO Scott Tarde, Town Square opened in late 2018 as an old-time interactive and stimulating indoor urban environment reflective of the early 1960s. The Town Square concept is in the process of being franchised internationally by Senior Helpers, and could appear in Australia before too long. Reminiscence therapy has been around since the ’60s. “It says people make their strongest memories between the ages of 10 and 30,” Mr Tarde said. “If we look at the older people we serve in our organisation, they are typically in their early 80s.
It’s time to enjoy ice cream sundaes in Rosie’s Diner. “If you look at the time they made their strongest memories, it would have been in the 1950s and 1960s. “In the county of San Diego, there are 85,000 people with Alzheimer’s.” With the help of the San Diego Opera’s scenic studio, the Town Square was constructed across an area of about 836sqm. Over time the scenic company will help to remodel the site and music to reflect the change in generations using the centre.
The Town Square comprises 11 vintage stores, fully fitted out. There’s the diner with a ’50s jukebox, the City Hall and library, a pet shop, park, clinic, department store, garage, news stand, museum and even a movie theatre. With the help of onsite carers working at the respite centre, at any one time each weekday, up to 45 people with dementia spend a day immersed in structured, tactile experiences, in groups of five, going from rotating
GOOD TIMES: Glenner’s Rosie’s Diner is fitted out with a jukebox playing ’50s and ’60s music while old-fashioned food is served to its visitors. through 45-50 minute group activities in each of the stores to eating an old-fashioned meal in the diner. “If you think about it at a deeper level, these are spaces that are typically cut-off to people who have dementia,” Mr Tarde said. The experiences are designed to create dignity
Paradise is selling fast at Harrington Waters.
and purpose for the visitors, helping ultimately to reduce their agitation, improving their mood and sleep quality. “We’re not trying to fool anybody it’s 1953 within Town Square, but we are trying to create an experience that is consistent with where their strongest memories
are,” Mr Tarde said. School class groups have also visited Town Square to learn about what life was like for their grandparents. “The teachers have then been getting them to design a town square for what it would like when they are in their 80s,” Mr Tarde said.
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32
LIVING
JULY, 2019// SENIORS
Is laughter really the best medicine?
Meredith Yardley OK, it’s an old saying. But is it true? The science is in and…. YES! Laughter has a myriad of health benefits. Laughter is essential for our wellbeing. Why? When we laugh for a sustained period of time, our bodies release oxytocin – called the love drug; serotonin – to enhance our mood; dopamine – to tap into our brain’s pleasure centre; and endorphins – our body’s natural pain killer. Regular, sustained laughter can aid our: Physical health ■ When you laugh, you breathe deeply, bringing more oxygen into your blood stream. Your immune cells move around your blood stream, aiding general wellbeing. ■ This boost in oxygen also helps your brain, improving creative thinking and problem-solving skills. ■ Laughing elevates your heart rate – it’s an aerobic exercise! Mental health ■ Laughing is a mindful activity. You are completely in the here and now, not thinking about yesterday or tomorrow, reducing anxiety and even depression. ■ Laughter involves play and imagination – and having fun for its own sake. ■ Laughing is a connecting activity – the shortest distance between two people is a smile and a laugh. Emotional health ■ Learning to laugh at life can help build emotional resilience, enabling you to cope better with life’s challenges. ■ Connection – we are social beings and laughing helps us feel part of a group. ■ Regular laughter lifts your spirit and brings out your natural beauty. By engaging in regular, daily laughter, you can build up your physical, emotional and mental health arsenal. Meredith Yardley is a happiness specialist and has an MA in Communication She is on a quest to help people live happier, more fulfilled lives, regardless of their circumstances. meredithyardley.com
OPERATING OPTIONS: As the population ages, we're operating on increasingly older people.
Photo: Katarzyna Bialasiewicz
Deciding on surgery
Dr Claire McKie, Deakin University HOW do we decide who should and shouldn’t undergo surgery? As the population ages, we’re operating on older and older people. Rates for elective surgery in Australia are increasing most among those aged over 85. Advances in anaesthetic and surgical techniques, especially keyhole surgery, now allow older adults to undergo operations and procedures that were previously not possible. However, in many cases the balance between benefits and harms of surgery for older people is
not clear-cut. ■ Age is factor, but not the only one Some 70-year-olds are fit, healthy and still working full-time. Other 70-year-olds have multiple medical conditions, are frail and living in nursing homes. So decisions about surgery shouldn’t be based on age alone. We can’t ignore the changes associated with ageing, which means sometimes the potential harms of surgery will outweigh the benefits. The harms associated with surgery and anaesthesia include death, surgical complications, longer hospital stays and poorer long-term outcomes. This may mean not being able
to return to the same physical or cognitive level of function or needing to go into a nursing home. The changes in our body as we age, as well as an increase in the number of diseases, and therefore medications we take, can increase the risks associated with surgery and anaesthesia. Frailty is the strongest predictor of poor outcomes after surgery. ■ Consider the patient’s preferences Patients tend to overestimate the benefits of surgery and underestimate the harms. This highlights the importance of shared decision-making between patients and clinicians. As we age, outcomes
such as living independently, staying in our own home, the ability to move around, and being mentally alert often become more important than prolonging life at all costs. This information about a person’s values is critical for shared decision-making conversations. When considering these preferences, the discussion becomes more than just “could” we do this operation – it’s about “should” we do this operation? Someone living at home with early dementia may decide the risk of this worsening, and the possible need to move to a nursing home, is not worth any benefits of surgery.
In some cases, cognitive impairment and dementia associated with ageing mean it’s not the patient (but their appointee) making decisions about surgery. ■ Not everyone should be offered surgery There shouldn’t be policies that say “no” to surgery based on age. When considering resource allocation, it should not just be about how many years a person has to live, or blunt assessments based on how much their operation might cost the health system. This story was first published in The Conversation .
Supporting ageing through My Health Record AGEING is not a destination, but a journey. It’s not a place you suddenly arrive at one day – rather it’s something we’re all experiencing, all the time. Our population is living longer than ever before, and before the turn of the next century it is expected that nearly a quarter of Australians will be over the age of 65. The increased longevity is mostly due to advances in treatments, better hygiene and improved models of care – something that should be celebrated – but it also means it’s crucial that our health system is robust enough to provide support
Aged Care nurse Susan Emerson. Photo: Creolumen for all Australians through their ageing process. As our longevity continues to increase, so too do the new challenges faced by the aged care sector. Initiatives such as My Health Record can bolster our health system and make sure it is prepared to provide for all
Australians across the continuum of ageing. I see the My Health Record as a great tool to support inter-professional and cross-disciplinary care. I’ve worked in the aged care sector for almost 30 years. Time and time again, people in our sector hear Australians say they want to stay at home on their own or with their loved ones for as long as possible. It makes sense that our aged care system allows this, supporting people to manage their own care and maintain their independence. Geriatric care is critical to helping achieve and preserve the best quality of life and
independence for all Australians. GPs are a central, trusted link in managing this care in the community. But there are times when juggling multiple specialities and tests, and accessing medical records and medications in a timely manner can be difficult. The online summary of a person’s key health information ensures we can work with patients and their support networks to provide a treatment plan that is tailored around them. When patients arrive at hospital, they’re often already too unwell to accurately recall all their
medical history.. Being able to store that information and have it retrievable for all healthcare providers is of enormous value to both patients and clinicians. In the common instances of after-hours medical emergencies, a digital health record can be a pharmacist’s best friend, preventing misdiagnosis or medication errors when information and support is not otherwise readily available. Susan Emerson is an experienced aged care nurse and thought leader working in an innovative role in the aged care setting.
SENIORS \\JULY, 2019
33
Money
Your retirement savings maY have to work longer than You do As at 31 December 2017, there were 104,602 people waiting for a home care support package. A staggering 26.70% had been waiting for more than 12 months, although many had a lower care package in the interim.* how do you increase your chances of receiving the support you need to stay in your home? • Arrange to have an Aged Care Assessment to assess eligibility. • Research approved home care support providers in your area, what they offer and the costs. • Once approved, work with the home support team to develop a package of services you require and work out all the costs you will pay, and what may be subsidised by the government. • Sign the home care agreements. Of course, all of this is much easier with the help of a financial adviser
NO INTEREST: A new system is required to more accurately reflect deeming rates.
who specialises in aged care.
Deeming rates do not reflect interest reality
*Dept. of Health: Home Care Packages Program Data Report
ESTIMATES that over half a million pensioners are being severely short-changed by the current deeming rate have led to demands for urgent action. National Seniors Australia Chief Advocate Ian Henschke said the past four years had seen a “pensioner tax by stealth” because the last time the deeming rate was adjusted was in early 2015. This was despite the fact there had been five official interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank since then, meaning the deeming rate of 3.25 per cent for those with assets over $51,200 was far removed from the current cash rate of one per cent. Deeming rates are used to calculate how much some pensioners are estimated to be earning on their financial investments, with their age pension reduced accordingly. But Mr Henschke said interest rates on invested cash were “out of whack” with the deeming rate by over two per cent, meaning the government was stripping pensioners of financial entitlements. “It’s quite a simple process,” he said.
“If you take a little bit of money off a lot of people, you make a lot of money.” Social Services Minister Anne Ruston said this week the government was reviewing the deeming rate, but Mr Henschke predicted it would be a “too little, too late” response to overwhelming criticism. He said it was unlikely the government would cut the rate to bring it fully in line with the cash rate, meaning pensioners would continue to be disadvantaged. “We wait with interest to see what Minister Ruston will do when she finally lowers the deeming rate,” he said. “And the millions of older Australians and their families affected by that change will judge her and the Coalition by the amount it changes.” Mr Henschke said it was also time to take politics out of the pension and set up an independent body to establish what the deeming rate should be and also what the pension should be. Both major parties had been in government during the period since 2010 when the deeming discrepancy had
worsened. “It’s time to take it out of the hands of politicians where it’s open to misuse, where increases to age pension are achieved by short-changing retirees on the deeming rate,” he said. “If you’ve got hundreds of thousands of people being affected by this, you make hundreds of millions of dollars.” He said both parties had been guilty of the same rort, with a graph of the two interest rates showing the distance growing wider apart “like a great big mouth opening to take money off pensioners”. “The game’s up. It has to stop,” Mr Henschke said. “The Reserve Bank has to be given the power to set the deeming rate in Australia.” Many pensioners put their money into a bank account because they want some financial security, but Mr Henschke said the disparity in rates meant that very action was the reason they were losing some of their pension. “That is a tax on every pensioner’s bank account. Isn’t that just an appalling situation,” he said.
2nd Quarter 2017-18. Figures correct as at 30 September 2017. Please contact ri advice retireinvest so we can help. Chase Financial Planning Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative of RI Advice Group Pty Limited (ABN 23 001 774 125), AFSL 238429.This editorial does not consider your personal circumstances and is general advice only.
Worried about the proposed changes and the “noise” in the media? Concerned about your pension going forward? Need to protect your family? Your first appointment is free, so take control, ask for professional advice!
Our Financial Planning Services include; ✔ Life Insurances ✔ Superannuation ✔ Aged Care Planning ✔ Investments ✔ Retirement Planning ✔ Wealth Management
Lake Macquarie 02 4973 4699 www.rimorisset.com.au Email: admin@chasefinancial.com.au * Glenda Chase and Nick Arkoudis are Authorised Representatives of
RI Advice Group Pty Ltd ABN 23 001 774 125 AFSL 238429
6994449ac
Photo: Kritchanut
34
REVIEWS
JULY, 2019// SENIORS
Daughter’s tale shines spotlight
Heartfelt, tragic and humorous POW story
The forgotten aviator with a story to tell
AUSTRALIAN author Mary Garden shares the personal, soulful story of her father in the newly released book Sundowner of the Skies: The story of Oscar Garden, The Forgotten Aviator. She knew little about her father’s life as an aviator until she starting digging into his amazing flying adventures where she discovered his tumultuous childhood in north Scotland, the ghosts of his past which he could not escape. It turns out he was a famous long-distance aviator who soared through any sky but crash-landed the one-way journey of his life on earth. She approaches the book with the same disregard for self-preservation that saw her father fly to Australia from London in 1930 in a second hand plane with only 39 flying hours under his belt. In the early morning of October 16, 1930, Garden taxied his tiny Gipsy Moth across London’s Croydon aerodrome and with a wave of his hand to the only person there to farewell him, took off. He was to fly that plane to Australia, which was sheer madness as he only had a mere 39 flying hours under his belt. When he landed at Wyndham 18 days later, no one was expecting him.
Diggers warts and all account
However, his flight – the third fastest after veteran aviators Bert Hinkler and Charles Kingsford Smith – captured the world’s imagination. With a lack of fanfare, he had given the impression he had just set out on a short
pleasure trip, instead of the most formidable feat in aerial navigation. The press dubbed him Sundowner of the Skies. Unlike most of his contemporaries who died in crashes, Oscar survived and went on to a career in commercial aviation.
He ended up as Chief Pilot of Tasman Empire Airways, the forerunner of Air New Zealand, but left suddenly in 1947. He never flew a plane again. Released by New Holland Publishers, RRP $29.99.
FROM recruitment and training and the battlegrounds of Palestine, North Africa, Thailand, Burma and beyond, these are the highly individual stories of Australia’s World War II diggers told in their own voices – warts and all. With a reputation for being hard to discipline, generosity to their comrades, frankness and sticking it up any sign of pomposity, Australian soldiers were a wild and irreverent lot, even in the worst of circumstances during World War II. In Larrikins in Khaki, author Tim Bowden has collected compelling and vivid stories of individual soldiers whose memoirs were mostly self-published and who told of their experiences with scant regard for literary pretensions and military niceties. Most of these men had little tolerance for military order and discipline, and NCOs and officers who were hopeless at their jobs were made aware of it. They laughed their way through the worst of it by taking the mickey out of one another and their superiors.
THE Diggers of Colditz is a classic and dramatic prisoner of ware tale about escaping from the inescapable. Colditz Castle was Nazi Germany’s infamous ‘escape-proof’ wartime prison, where hundreds of the most determined and resourceful Allied prisoners were sent. Despite having more guards than inmates, Australian Lieutenant Jack Champ and other prisoners tirelessly carried out their campaign to escape from the massive floodlit stronghold... by any means necessary. In this riveting account – by turns humorous, heartfelt and tragic – historian Colin Burgess and Lieutenant Jack Champ tell the story from the point of view of the prisoners themselves. Their story is about 20 Australians, who made Colditz Castle their ‘home’, and the plans they made that were so crazy that some even achieved the seemingly impossible – escape! Published by Simon & Schuster. Available now. RRP $35.
Published by Allen & Unwin, RRP $32.99.
Ghosts of the Past brings a true story to life TONY Park’s new novel Ghosts of the Past brings to life the forgotten, but fascinating true story of a young Australian who at 24 took up arms against a brutal colonial power in the early 1900s in a remote corner of Africa. The book is based on the story of Edward Lionel Presgrave, an Australian who fought in the Boer War in South Africa, but stayed on after the war and made a quasi-legal living as a cattle and horse trader. In 1904, two years after the fight against the Boers ended, another conflict
broke out across the border in German South West Africa when the local indigenous people rose up against their colonial overlords. “Edward Presgrave ran horses and guns to the Nama rebels and at some point he joined the fight, tying himself to a charismatic guerrilla leader, Jakob Morengo, known to the Germans as ‘the Black Napoleon’ due to his tactical genius,” Park said. “By the time Presgrave joined the war the Germans had borrowed a tactic pioneered by the British in
the Boer War and rounded up innocent Nama and Herero women and children and interned them in concentration camps. “In an eerie portent of what was to come some three decades later under the Nazis, tens of thousands of prisoners were beaten, starved and worked to death on construction project and subjected to inhumane medical experiments in the camps. “We don’t know exactly why Presgrave joined Jakob Morengo in his war against the Germans, but we do
know he was a thorn in their side. “A price of 3000 Marks was put on his head and Presgrave was eventually lured into an ambush by a couple of Afrikaner spies working for the Germans, and killed.” The fictitious version of Presgrave, war-weary Australian Sergeant Cyril Blake is drawn into the rebellion by his love for two different women and a quest for a missing treasure based on another true story. Published by Pan Macmillan, RRP $32.99.
SENIORS \\JULY, 2019
PUZZLES
JIGGERED
15/7
The challenge is to rearrange a crossword which has been broken into 25 sections. One letter has been given to get you started. Work out which 3x3 square fits in with that letter and write in the letters. You can also shade the black squares if you find it helpful. After completing the first 3x3 area, work out which square joins on to it, and continue until you have made a complete crossword.
I N S
O R Y E U L
T
P O R P O S E
L C E D
V E R
B O V E R
C R E
T U L R
I
E F U M B U R S W S A K E H E A I M P R A T
D I S
I
T S U
A O T S
Down 1. Short-handed (12) 2. Step by step (7) 3. Tier (5) 4. Apt (7) 5. Trite (5) 8. Improvements (12) 9. Attacker (9) 14. Wedded (7) 15. Adored (7) 18. Flavour (5) 19. Wrinkled (5)
Across 6. Usual (6) 7. Conclusion (6) 10. Never ceasing (7) 11. Instruct (5) 12. Kill (4) 13. Steam bath (5) 16. Premature (5) 17. In this place (4) 20. Aptitude (5) 21. Foul-smelling (7) 22. Speckled (6) 23. Spurn (6)
1
2
I
R I U N N N Y
L I S L F
N A M
G A T O A R F
B L E E R T E
R A B E
D I S R E O S M
O S H N S E
I E A T B
C A R O T B
B L I E T E
H F A R L A
3
4
6
8
9 10
11
12
13 14
15
16
17
18
19
20
TRIO
5
7
I
O I P E N A
O S
QUICK CROSSWORD
35
21
22
23
Can you complete these four words, using the same three-letter sequence in each?
SUDOKU
Fill the grid so every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.
U
EXTRA, FEASTS, GLEANED, HEATHERS, IMMEDIATE.
ALPHAGRAMS SUDOKU
JIGGERED
TRIO: SER
Across: 6. Normal 7. Finale 10. Endless 11. Teach 12. Slay 13. Sauna 16. Early 17. Here 20. Flair 21. Noisome 22. Dotted 23. Reject. Down: 1. Understaffed 2. Gradual 3. Layer 4. Fitting 5. Banal 8. Enhancements 9. Assailant 14. Married 15. Beloved 18. Taste 19. Lined.
QUICK CROSSWORD
QUIZ 1. What type of insect is a green grocer? 2. Yuri Gagarin was the first Russian in space. Who later became the first American in space? 3. “The ants are my friends” are misheard lyrics from which Bob Dylan song? 4. The US state of Maryland was named after the wife of which English king? 5. What is a water moccasin? 6. With which team did Scottish driver Jim Clark spend all his racing career: Lotus, McLaren or Ferrari? 7. Which complaint was the Jacuzzi originally developed to help? 8. What in your body are affected by phlebitis: kidneys, veins or eyes?
A T O M
S H I E S
S U L T A N
E L D R I O A MO A R D W O B A P A Y E T A D C U E O R MO A U L L H U N T E R C Y N I C D A T A
WORDFIT
K E B R A E B T R O A P C T T I M U M
I T S D I T S L E A C H Y G O O L E N T A I D E S L L P A R E L C OM A N O B I O O T E D NW E D E N D
QUIZ
1. Cicada, 2. Alan Shepard. 3. Blowin’ in the Wind, 4.Charles I, 5. A snake, 6. Lotus, 7. Arthritis, 8. Veins.
7 LETTERS ACROBAT APPAREL DOORWAY OPTIMUM PAYROLL RETRACT
R O B B E R Y
4 LETTERS ATOM COMA COOL DATA HELD HOTS IDLY KITS LAID LENT
5 LETTERS AIDES ARRAY ASSET AURAL CURIO CUTIN CYNIC DOPED EDITS EMBED KEBAB LILAC SAMOA SCONE SHIES UNWED
6 LETTERS BLEACH DYNAMO HUNTER METEOR MOOTED ROOTED STAGED SULTAN
T
Solution opposite
G O O
LIMA MEND NONE NULL THUD TIED
D
Fit the words into the grid to create a finished crossword
3 LETTERS ACT ALP ANT BAT EMU ERA GOO OBI OIL OWN TIE WEB
O S C A H N S E T R A B O V E T O R E F U L E I W E A B L I C E
WORDFIT
G A O A R T S K E A O T S
TODAY Good 12 Very Good 16 Excellent 21+
I T S U N L A M L I E T E H A R L A I N N Y
C T
E D I I S T S U R O B P E R A F T E R U E N
C
T N
TAXER SAFEST A LEGEND HER HASTE ITEM AIMED
D I S C R E R O S M O S I I O P E N I N A R P R P O S V L E R M B L E A R T
U O
S R
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, e.g. he burns with anger.
B U A I M L I S F F U S H E
WORD GO ROUND
WORD GO ROUND
Solve the anagrams. Each solution is a one-word anagram of the letters beside it, and the five solutions are sequential. For example, if the five-letter solution starts with J, the six-letter solution starts with K, and so on.
concur concurs cons CONSTRUCT corn cornu cost count counts court courts crocus crust curt cuts occur occurs scorn scour scout scut stucco torc unco
ALPHAGRAMS
36
CENTRAL COAST
JULY, 2019// SENIORS
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