Central Coast, June-July 2018

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June - July, 2018

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FROM PAGE 33

2 Seniors Central Coast

In this edition

Cover Story: Sally Evans..................................Page 3 Feature Story: Carlotta...........................................Page 5 Travel ..............................................................Pages 33-38 Puzzles ...................................................................Page 43

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 Now 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 south-east 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.

Welcome

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

Be loud and proud and claim your age

HELLO Friends, I am often asked how I select stories for publishing, how the everyday reader can submit their own story and how you can make a comment about a story or point of view published in Seniors News.

Firstly, let me say, there are many worthy stories to be told and while online, there is unlimited space, print is limited by page numbers which means stories are limited.

After that, factors to be taken into consideration include timeliness, trends, style, tone and substance of stories.

That is, balancing the weight of stories from infotainment to entertainment articles including our well-being and travel sections and in this month’s issue, our special feature on retirement living options.

Reporters and I regularly discuss and debate the pros and cons of articles. As a senior myself, I reflect upon my own interests and

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK GAIL FORRER

Group editor Seniors Newspapers network

concerns. In the wider world, I attend meetings, seminars and festivals on various relevant topics and at these venues I listen to a range of viewpoints from diverse groups of people.

Then there is my family, all ready to share their point of view with me.

When Seniors News reporter Tracey Johnstone brought me a profile on Sally Evans, her snappy label, Retirement Enthusiast, immediately gained my interest and on reading further, certain parts of her story definitely resonated with me. In particular, her urging of people to wear their age with pride.

“When I hear others say they are not prepared to tell other people what their age is for fear of not

being given an opportunity or for those biases that seem to exist about people of particular ages; when I heard that, I made the decision that I was going to do the opposite. I was absolutely going to come out and talk about it. If we don’t talk about it, then we are just making the problem worse.”

In the last few decades, because people have publicly named and claimed their own truth they have successfully challenged society’s ridiculous stereotypes that inspire gender and race prejudices and ruin the lives of harmless human beings.

The same goes for age – while we all age differently, old age is not the same as it used to be, society demands different things from us and in return, we require different things from society. So, let’s start to get rid of ageism and claim our age without fear or favour.

Of course, if there was anyone who successfully

fought against prejudice, it has to be Carlotta. She wasn’t the first person to undergo a sex change operation, but I’m sure she led the way in talking about her life’s journey.

Our reporter Ann Rickard speaks with the 74-year-old and reveals how this vibrant woman still maintains a stage presence.

Our well-being and living sections also share some great health focused information. I hope it’s practical and helpful, rather than faddish and temporary.

The thing is, while it’s interesting and often inspiring to read about other people stories, it just mightn’t be us.

In the end I think we just like to ‘keep the body and mind moving’.

The best way to submit your story for publication is to email Gail.Forrer@ seniorsnewspaper.com.au The same applies if you would like to send me your comments on Seniors News articles.

— Gail

Local interactive wellness event of abundance

Authorised by Emma McBride, ALP, 204/1 Bryant Drive, Tuggerah NSW 2259

Try a massage, meditation or a movement class.

THE Health Connection was launched in June 2014 as a new, free “family wellbeing event” with entertainment and activities for all ages and proudly celebrates five years this year and returns for to its spiritual home at Kincumber Neigbourhood Centre Precinct Kincumber Saturday, July 28, from 10am–2pm.

Kincumber Neighbourhood Centre, Brentwood Village and Lendlease have teamed

up with Fixx Events again to present The Health Connection, at Kincumber Neigbourhood Centre and Precinct, 1/20 Kincumber St, Kincumber.

Free all-day activities for children will include eco-inspired Kincumber Street arts and crafts workshops from Sustainable Australia, Switcharoo Circus, free face painting, magician, party chameleon games, whilst the live music, yummy fresh food,

soups, cakes, juices and lifestyle talks can be enjoyed by all.

This year will feature more interactive health checks for the whole family, including diabetes testings, hearing checks, spinal checks and podiatry checks in a festive ambience, but there will also be quiet spaces where patrons may take the opportunity to sample a natural therapies treatment, live yoga, self improvement, chiropractic care,

meditation or movement class.

Local wellness practitioners will present reflexology, massage, naturopathy, sound therapies, food solutions, orthopaedics, herbalism, organic skincare, yoga, hemp information, food talks and meditations and sound healings for patrons to try, or discover more about them.

This is a great opportunity for the local community, families, residents, local

businesses and health practioners to attend the event again and be interactively involved in this family wellness event with 3000+ attending.

Sponsors include Catholic Care, Mitre10 Kincumber, Bendigo Bank Branches Central Coast, Star 104.5 FM and Lendlease.

Contact: Fixx Events 0416 923 655, info@fixxevents.com.au or Kincumber Neighbourhood Centre on 4363 1044.

Cover Story: Sally Evans

Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Central Coast

Seniors 3

Dismantling barriers in support of Seniors

Let’s face up to workplace issues and find solutions Tracey Johnstone

IN MANY ways, 60-year-old Sally Evans’ personal life reflects her public career goals. She is proud of her age, and proves it with the enthusiasm she expresses on gaining her Seniors Card.

At this stage of her life she is thoughtfully examining her own future lifestyle and in doing so, is coming up with ideas that can benefit all seniors.

In particular, this energetic businesswoman has focused her energy in the area of keeping seniors in the workplace and she is taking on

this huge issue in the same way she created her impressive resume.

Across a 30 year career, Sally has worked in the private, government and social enterprise sectors.

She has management experience in aged care,

health and investment management sectors, inclusive of holding executive positions with Opal Aged Care, BlueCross Aged Care, FTSE Compass Ground and AMP Capital.

Sally’s work excellence has seen her awarded The Telstra Business Award divisional winner 2002 and gain inclusion in the Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence (2013 corporate division).

Indeed, Sally is the type of person who sees a problem and finds a solution. In her encore career she has identified obstacles impeding the employment of seniors.

Her goal now is to support the seismic shift of consciousness that is needed to terminate ageism and discrimination against the older employee.

To end this ingrained prejudice, Sally has

RETIREMENT EXPERT: Sally Evans.

Need a

❝

I was absolutely going to come out and talk about it. If we don’t talk about it, then we are just making the problem worse.

identified issues that must change including decoupling the perceived link between seniority and pay, losing intergenerational stereotypes and seniors being willing to accept diversity in high performing teams.

Sally also wants people to wear their age with pride.

“When I hear others say they are not prepared to tell other people their age for fear of not being given an opportunity or for those biases that seem to exist about people of particular ages; when I heard that, I made the decision that I was going to do the opposite,” Sally said.

“I was absolutely going to come out and talk about it. If we don’t talk about it, then we are just making the problem worse.”

She said opening up these barriers will help older Australians to continue to be “economic participants” well past their 60s and even their 70s.

“I want more people to be really proactive in talking about the benefits of what they bring,” Sally said.

Sally also encourages employers to get on board with the opportunities these workers present, in various sectors including human resource management and her particular passion, aged care.

“Employers are missing two really important

points,” Sally said of the broader workplace issues.

“If they don’t proactively address this age diversity in the workplace they are going to have enormous workforce constraints in the future which is in their interests to solve, because if we don’t collectively and individually improve older workforce participation, our overall labour participation rates will fall and that will put pressure on wages and inflation.”

She was cautious about last month’s Federal Budget announcements around aged care initiatives.

“We need to increase the workforce and retain people in that workplace,” she said.

“But, because it can be a physically demanding role there is an expectation that at a certain age a worker will no longer be able to do a job.

“I am particularly interested in how we deal with those physical and mental health issues associated with the job, so we can have really healthy workplaces and older people working in those places.

“If we are really good at doing that for our employees, there’s a chance we might be really good at doing that for our residents.”

Sally’s ‘new retirement’ is a combination of work, well-being and relationships; about making choices. Her

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retirement choice is working, but in a different way while using her skills and knowledge from her former full-time working life.

She is currently a member of three boards associated with retirement, ageing and dying – a non-executive member of Gateway Lifestyle and Oceania Healthcare, and chair of the social enterprise group LifeCircle.

Sally is also a member of the advisory group for the Benevolent Society’s EveryAGE Counts project which is working with partners and supporters to research the attitudes and beliefs that drive ageism in Australia.

Her new work life is giving her the time to focus on what we need to do today to get a better future.

“I am really interested in digital technology and what it is being used for, particularly in healthcare and finance so most weeks I will go to one or two sessions, random things, around digital technology disruption, AI, anything.

“What I love is this random absorption of knowledge that I have the flexibility and time to immerse myself in.”

Surrounded by a diverse groups of friends and with her health a key factor in ageing well, Sally remains committed to the road ahead and to discovering new opportunities in the ever-changing workplace and in retirement thinking.

Definition of new retirement: A combination of work, well-being and relationships; about making choices.

4 Seniors Central Coast

Feature Story

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

Would you think about a pre-retirement gap year?

Tracey Johnstone speaks with the Federal Aged Care Minister “I notice the number (of people) who psychologically reach this point is that they are old and they start to behave old,” Minister Wyatt said.

“What governments need to do is to seriously think about is this whole notion of an active senior cohort in our population.”

The government wants all older Australians is to think about their life in the context of finances, ageing, aged care and career planning.

“My question to a lot of seniors is, what are you doing for the next 40 years? I want people to get their health check so that they can take the intervention needed to prolong their life, and quality of life, to think about their finances, and be well replaced to retire and look after themselves for the next 40 years with whatever Commonwealth

AGED CARE: Federal Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM. PHOTO: COURIER MAIL

pensions exist.”

Minister Wyatt also wants older Australians to consider keeping working, either in their existing industry or in a new one, such as aged care.

“In aged care I need by 2050 another 940,000 people on top of my current 366,000,” he said.

“I want people to turn their minds to other opportunities.”

The 65-year-old is

planning for his future, even putting money aside for when he “needs to be in aged care”.

“The government will provide some level of funding, but equally, having worked in this area, I am ensuring that I have sufficient funding for both myself and Anna for when we go into a retirement village or aged care facility together,” he said.

But, not until his 90s.

He intends staying active

attitudes around ageing is a big challenge ahead.

“This is important for all of us to talk about, not just government.”

When challenged about the potential appointment of a Minister for Ageing, the minister posed the interesting question of whether such an appointment would perpetuate ageing.

“Or, do you have every cabinet minister committed to encouraging people to think about longevity to 100 years?” he said.

“Sometimes when you put a label on an area, that label stays.

“In one sense I appreciate that maybe a minister for ageing may focus both the minds of Australians and the governments to build on what this government has commenced, and that is about recognising the inordinate levels of skills still in our seniors, the knowledge that still sits there.”

6813362ab

THE 2018 Federal Budget highlights the government’s return to a focus on older Australian issues through funding programs to deal with employment, skills, health, finance and aged care.

Nineteen of those initiatives fall under Minister Ken Wyatt’s responsibility.

While talking with the minister in his Canberra office late last month about these initiatives, he offered his thoughts on future ageing issues.

Future issues The minister identified the first two big future issue are Australia’s population continuing to have more people living into their elder years and the need to get these people to be re-enabled and abled to remain independent, and living well.

in some form of work and in his community for quite a bit more time.

As to what to do with our leisure time, the minister said we need to plan for our leisure time to help us avoid falling into depression.

“This is why I have sought and gained the mental health funding,” he said.

A gap year?

He advocates a pre-retirement strategy of a planned ‘gap year’ from work of 12 months without pay.

This he suggests could be a good way for seniors to ready themselves for the next life challenge.

Changing attitudes Minister Wyatt uses the example of a sign he saw in an aged care facility, ‘don’t use Google, ask Nan’. The burgeoning population isn’t a burden he reiterated.

“We have got to harness the energy there,” he said.

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Feature Story

Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Central Coast

Seniors 5

‘Darling, a lot of people call me a pioneer’ Ann Rickard

SHE IS an Aussie living legend and at age 74, Carlotta exhibits no signs of toning down the feathers or taking off the bling.

Over a five-decade career that began in 1963 in Kings Cross as a female impersonator with the all-male Les Girls revue, Carlotta has gone on to become a cabaret performer, television celebrity, a much-loved Australian icon, and perhaps, most importantly to her,

a transgender advocate and political activist.

“Darling, a lot of people call me a pioneer,” she said.

“I don’t know about that, but it’s a shame the government doesn’t hand out awards for people like me. I want one of those medals.

“No, I want two... for earrings.”

What keeps Carlotta performing today after all those years is simple. She loves what she does.

“I feel sorry for people who are in a job they don’t like,” she said.

“I have always liked what I do.”

It was Carlotta’s much-publicised sex change operation in the early ’70s that paved the way for others to follow and opened up discussion about the transgender community.

She acknowledges

she could never have envisaged the change in attitudes today towards transgender people and same-sex marriage.

“It’s good but as much as we have equality now with same-sex marriage, there is still that bit of prejudice,” she said.

“The ‘yes’ vote was wonderful, but I wouldn’t want a husband now. I like (my own) money too much.”

Living on the Gold Coast suits Carlotta at this stage of her life, but she never envisages retirement.

She will perform Carlotta, Queen of the Cross, at the Noosa alive! festival. The show promises songs and stories from 50 years on and off the stage with pianist Michael Griffiths accompanying her as she sings classics by Berlin, Rogers and Hart, Sondheim and Peter Allen.

ENTERTAINMENT SUPERSTAR: Carlotta will be in Noosa in July to perform as part of the Noosa alive! festival.

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6 Seniors Central Coast

Tech Talk - Industry Insights

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

Getting to know your Windows 10 computer Help is available from patient trainers to get you tech-savvy

DOES technology seem a bit intimidating to you? Do you have a Windows computer you’re not exactly sure what to do with? Do you find instruction from family members, while well-meaning, isn’t as clear as you need it to be?

Help is at hand through IT 4 Retirees – a local business that provides hands-on computer training for mature-aged clientele.

Patient as well as tech-savvy, Central Coast trainers Sally Harrold and Ally Jones use easy to understand language to demystify your devices and empower you to use them with confidence.

When: Eight-week course starts Friday,

July 20, from 10–11am.

Where: Gosford Anglican church, 3 Mann St, Gosford.

Cost: $150 a person, which includes weekly handouts.

BYO: Please bring your own laptop so you learn how to use your own device.

During this eight-week period, you will learn how to work with files and folders, personalise your computer, stay safe online, manage email, search the internet efficiently, organise photos, backup your valuable data and much more!

IT 4 Retirees trainers have police clearances and have been trained to deliver help in a straight-forward way without using confusing

TECH-SAVVY SENIORS: IT 4 Retirees trainers have police clearances and have been trained to deliver help in a straightforward way without using confusing jargon.

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Phone Christine David on 0401 017 459 to

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Local Story

Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Following the history of families for 35 years

Interest in researching the family tree grows Alison Houston

AN INTEREST in family history can be awakened in many ways but for one of the founding members of Wyong Family History Group, Lynda Smith, it was as simple as a baby book.

It’s an interest that, like the group, has grown vastly over the past 35 years.

Life member Lynda (officially member number two), a trained English and history teacher who now works at Bateau Bay Library, was a stay-at-home mum in 1983 when the group began, and has over the

years been president, vice-president, treasurer and assistant treasurer.

But it was a conversation with her own mother about filling in the details of the family tree in her eldest son’s baby book that really piqued her curiosity and put her investigative powers to work.

Her mother had owned a similar book, but had been unable to trace past Lynda’s father’s father who refused to talk about his family.

Wanting to know why, Lynda asked her father to apply for his birth certificate and his parents’ marriage

certificate … and the journey began.

“It’s a really compelling thing to do,” Lynda said.

“But at the same time it’s a good hobby because you can pick it up and put it down in small doses, or have a really marathon session.”

Before the advent of the internet and sites such as ancestry.com and Trove, she admits researching was “a bit of a slog”, involving a lot of letter writing and trips to Sydney to the State Library or the archives, and pouring over registers, microfiche and old newspaper articles.

“I became very good at deciphering elaborate

Central Coast

Seniors 7

FAMILY MATTERS: Eileen Wheway and Lynda Smith with Member for Dobell Emma McBride at the 35th birthday celebrations of Wyong Family History Group.

cursive handwriting and people’s strange abbreviations,” Lynda said.

For her, the family tree is about more than just names. It’s about getting to know the people, even when they don’t want you to, with some having changed names or ages for different reasons such as to marry without permission, births unreported or wrongly reported, people seemingly wanting to disappear, or doing so through simple clerical error.

Newspapers, she said, were an excellent source of information, with

names coming to light in anything from picnic day race wins to growing the biggest pumpkin to criminal and court reports.

Belonging to the Wyong Family History Group, she said, meant there was usually someone who had a similar experience, was searching for similar information to you and could help you find a resource or give you tips and shortcuts.

To celebrate the group’s 35th year and mark their long service to the group and the community, Member for Dobell Emma McBride, herself a sixth generation local,

presented Lynda and member number six Eileen Wheway with a desk clock and pen, respectively, made of timber reclaimed from the cottage which is now the group’s home.

State Member for Wyong David Harris presented life membership awards to John Selwood (No. 79) and Michelle Gane (No. 174) .

Wyong Family History Group Cottage is open Tuesday to Thursday 10am-3pm for research, and meets bimonthly on the second Saturday of the month with guest speakers. Ph: 4351 2211.

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Local Story

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

‘Shedders’ mark Armistice with a centenary garden

❝

The shed will now recognise Armistice Day annually Alison Houston

ARTIST Peter Skinner’s father fought on the Western Front and his uncle at Gallipoli, so the former signwriter said he had a real passion for his subject when asked to design murals for the Erina Community Men’s Shed Armistice Centenary Garden.

The design, inspired by historic photographs, comprises five panels measuring 2m high x 6m long (7ft x 20ft) and took about five months to complete.

It includes soldiers in a devastated landscape, a naval ship firing, light horseman, aeroplanes, and Australian women at war (a nurse, air force and factory worker), as well as the old “carrier pigeon” bus, a homing pigeon loft on wheels used to send messages during World War I.

Secretary Bob Miller said the “shedders” reckoned Peter did such a good job, they’d made him an honorary life member.

Lyn (Alex) Alexander was the originator and driver of the garden concept and applied for federal funding but, when that didn’t come through, the shedders decided to make it happen themselves through donations, barbecue fundraisers, and their own hard work.

Bruce Hodge, who describes himself as “a natural green thumb”, is the man behind the planting, featuring peace lilies, African violets, and fern varieties.

“I’m theoretically the gardener but we all worked together on it,” he said, adding ideas came from various sources.

Bob said this was a new sort of project for men’s sheds.

The men’s dhed, at the Erina Community Baptist Church, welcomes men of all ages.

PROUD: Artist Peter Skinner in the Armistice Centenary Garden with his murals in the background, holding a statue of a waler, an Aussie horse used by the thousands in World War I.

“We wanted to recognise those that had

given their lives in war and served in the armed

12 AUGUST 201 8

WATERFRONT PLAZA AND MEMORIAL PARK THE ENTR ANCE

forces,” he said.

“We also wanted to build a quiet area where men could sit and chat about issues with their mates.”

The shed will now recognise Armistice Day annually and use the garden, once little more than a junk area between buildings, for other important commemorations.

The garden was officially opened on May 25 by Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch, on behalf of Federal Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks.

Member for Dobell Emma McBride also attended and mentioned in parliament the project’s success, along with the

heartless theft of many of the Shed’s tools the previous week.

“Congratulations to Erina Community Men’s Shed for all that it does for everyone in our community,” she said.

The men’s shed, at the Erina Community Baptist Church, Cnr Central Coast Highway and Carlton Rd, welcomes men of all ages to join for an annual fee of $50, which can be waived or reduced in cases of hardship.

It is described as a safe haven where men can relax and enjoy each other’s company as well as undertaking a hobby or activity.

The shed is open 8.30am–12.30pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for a cuppa and a chat, woodworking, metalworking and gardening (flower and vegie), whether you are skilled or wanting to learn.

For more details, call Bob on 0439 247 267 or find the shed on Facebook.

Central Coast

Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

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10 Seniors Central Coast

Local Story

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

Council takes on the financial challenges ❝

Trying to find a real and lasting solution to a Coast problem Seniors News

IN ANOTHER big month for Central Coast Council, more than $420,000 in grants have been awarded to community organisations, taking the total for the financial year to over $1 million.

The council has also fixed the annual fees for each councillor at $29,970, a 2.5 per cent increase, in accordance with the maximum recommendations by the NSW Local Government Remuneration Tribunal.

Mayor Jane Smith will be paid $107,466 per year and Deputy Mayor Chris Holstein $38,314.

Central Coast Council has been classified as a Regional Strategic Area by NSWLGRT, in recognition of its population size and range of urban and rural

settlements.

“We certainly have a big job to do now we are a major region in our own right with a population of 335,000 and growing,” Cr Smith said.

Part of that job is tackling homelessness, with council agreeing to make urgent representations to the State Government to set up an assertive Outreach Team for the Central Coast to pro-actively deal with the issue of homeless people sleeping rough in council parks and reserves and in cars.

“This is a real issue on the Coast and we must show compassion, understanding and care for these most vulnerable members of our community,” Cr Smith said.

“Council will work with

COMMUNITY FUNDING: Central Coast Council Mayor Jane Smith.

all levels of government and key community organisations to find a real and lasting solution to this growing problem on the Coast.”

She welcomed community organisations taking advantage of the funding opportunities

available through the council to help make their big ideas happen.

This included four groups sharing $14,834 for smaller projects under the Community Support Grant Program, 12 sharing $98,141.50 to deliver innovative activities that

Council cannot do everything ourselves and these grants build community capacity and give local groups the funding to deliver services and quality opportunities for our growing community. celebrate the region’s character and diversity under the Community Partnership Grant Program, and 17 sharing $311,265.75 to deliver activities that foster a sense of community, build capacity, strengthen the economic base, enhance quality of life and protect

and enhance the Coast’s natural qualities.

“Council cannot do everything ourselves and these grants build community capacity and give local groups the funding to deliver services and quality opportunities for our growing community,” she said.

Last month council also agreed to provide $200,000 to the Australian Coal Alliance, to engage experts in its legal challenge against the Planning Assessment Commission’s consent to the Wallarah 2 mine, with the mayor saying council would continue to stand with the community in opposing the mine due to the significant threat to the region’s water supply.

For information on the council Community Grants Program, including upcoming grant-writing workshops, go to: central coast.nsw.gov.au/grants.

Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Aged care suffering

Local Story

Central Coast

Seniors 11

Politician makes passionate plea for funding Alison Houston

SHORTFALLS in aged care funding mean workers risk injury due to understaffing and are told not to use too many incontinence pads or gloves in a shift, while tending to some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

It was creating anxiety and unhealthy conditions for residents, nurses and personal carers and was part of an aged care crisis which must be urgently addressed, Member for Dobell Emma McBride said in a passionate speech in Federal Parliament last week.

Emma highlighted the recent Our Turn to Care rally, attended by about 100 people at Central Coast Leagues Club, which called for increased funding in aged care and better pay and conditions for workers.

“We heard stories from aged-care workers that were just shocking – for example, that they had been told to wait until a person’s incontinence pad was 70 per cent wet before it could be

❝

... there is not a single new dollar in the budget for aged care changed; that they were only allowed one pair of gloves per shift because a second pair would be too costly; and that the money spent on food per person per day in an aged-care facility is sometimes just $6,” she said.

Not only do the 14,000 additional home care packages over three years announced in the budget not come close to meeting

the growing demand, the money had been taken from residential care funding because there was not a single new dollar in the budget for aged care, she said.

More than 100,000 older Australians, including 750 on the Coast, were currently waiting for home care, on a waiting list that grew by 20,000 in six months.

“That’s people and families in urgent need and waiting right now,” she said.

“About two-thirds of those waiting have high needs. Many are living with dementia. Many need palliative care.”

Emma said the issue was particularly relevant to the Central Coast where one in five people were aged over 65 and one in six were employed in health care and social assistance.

SPEAKING UP: Central Coast citizens rally for more aged care funding.

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12 Seniors Central Coast

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Local Story

Central Coast

Seniors 13

Singers stepping out of the shower in community choirs Community choir aims to be the biggest in Australia Alison Houston

SANDY Bigara has a dream … to create the biggest community choir in Australia, the Central Coast Community Choir.

“It will be made up of a number of choirs, creating unity and community – friendships across cultural, age and demographic divides,” Sandy enthused.

It’s a vision she has already taken the first steps towards, forming the Gosford and Wyong community choirs in the past couple of months.

Her hope is to ultimately have a community choir in each suburb – 10–15 choirs in all – which will practise and perform separately but join together a few times each year in mass choir events.

“The choirs will sing at fundraisers and special events and really activate our communities with singing,” Sandy said.

And it appears she has struck a chord with others.

Having bought 25 music books for the start of her Gosford choir, 50 people turned up for the first day of rehearsals.

That has settled into an active membership of 44, with about 20 people taking part each week according to their own lifestyles and schedules.

This isn’t about auditions, formalities or pressure, it’s all about enjoying the music and loving to sing, with Sandy saying there are as many

FOR THE LOVE OF IT: A candid snap of Gosford Community Choir members at an early get-together – you don't have to be professional to love to sing.

“shower singers” as those who have sung in choirs or performed previously – some not since school days.

With a little voice training each week, Sandy said everyone was improving.

“They give me goosebumps each week, and we get to the end of the hour and feel like we’ve had a party,” she said.

“The positive reinforcement and encouragement works wonders; seeing strangers becoming friends who sing and laugh together each week is hard to describe – It’s joyful.”

Both the Gosford and Wyong choirs will join with the Peninsula Villages Aged (PVL) Choir for their annual matinee on October 20 at St John the Baptist, Woy Woy. The songs, which the community choirs have helped to choose, are the popular tunes that

❝

The positive reinforcement and encouragement works wonders; seeing strangers becoming friends who sing and laugh together each week is hard to describe.

The Peninsula Villages Aged (PVL) Choir is open to retired person in the Umina/Woy Woy area who enjoys belting out a tune.

everyone knows, including “a ripper” Beach Boys medley.

The PVL Aged Choir, which is open to anyone retired in the Umina/Woy Woy area, sings a slightly different range of more classic and jazz songs, as

well as a range of children’s songs which they perform at schools.

Sandy, originally from South Africa, has a 24-year choral history, both as a member and conductor of choirs which toured nationally and

internationally, including conducting the famous Durban Boys Choir and the Danville Girls High Choir before moving to Australia.

The Gosford choir meets at 6.45pm Mondays at The Rhythm

Hut, the Wyong Choir at 6.30pm Tuesdays at the Wyong Neighbourhood Centre and the PVL Aged Choir at 10am Wednesdays at Peninsula Village Tea House.

The cost is $10 a person per session, including vocal and repertoire training and all printed lyrics.

For details, call Sandy on 0422 548 770 or go to sandybigara.com/ communitychoirs.

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14 Seniors Central Coast

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

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Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Entertainment

Central Coast

Seniors 15

Playwright presents a fresh look at Chamberlains Many years later, it is time to look differently Alison Houston

ALMOST four decades after Azaria Chamberlain died on August 17, 1980, her mother’s story is being told afresh in the new touring production, Letters to Lindy.

The play is the work of award-winning playwright Alana Valentine, best known for her portrayal of the real-life hardship and abuse of girls in state-run homes in the 1960s–70s in Parramatta Girls and Eyes to the Ground.

In it she provides an insight into the woman whose story we all thought we knew, her resilience and faith, and shows the media bias, the clips of Lindy’s tears never broadcast, the effect on her other children and family, and the miscarriage of justice which surrounded arguably Australia’s most famous court case, set off when Lindy Chamberlain reported a dingo had taken her baby.

In the ultimate compliment, at the premier, Lindy hailed the play as “the closest thing to her story that had ever been portrayed”.

A 1989 graduate of NIDA, and with a Graduate Diploma in Museum Studies, Alana is no stranger to taking her research to the stage.

In this case her source was 199 boxes of meticulously filed correspondence which Lindy Chamberlain

donated to the National Library in Canberra, as well as several interviews with Lindy.

“It was very intimidating,” Alana admitted, of the size of the project.

Having gained a grant and Lindy’s permission, she spent three months examining up to half the collection of some 30,000 letters from the public, each of which Lindy had coded and marked with a post-it note summarising the contents, and a one to seven star ranking as to how remarkable they were in some way to her – seven being either the most beautiful or most horrific.

Surprisingly, for the woman so vilified in the media, only a small percentage of the letters were “ugly”, with 95 per cent being what Alana described as a “remarkable outpouring of support and love” from strangers.

And the letters, the majority of which Lindy received during the years she was in jail from 1982 to 1986, came from wide-ranging sources – poets, visual artists, children, professionals, workers and housewives, other prisoners, parents offering sympathy and telling stories of their own children or losses, those offering prayers, maverick journalists, and “apologisers”.

To this day, Alana said, Lindy still receives up to

1000 emails a year from people, many of them offering apologies for her mistreatment.

There were also numerous letters from local Aborigines and others talking about their experiences with dingoes in the area, in stark contrast to media and investigation teams suggesting the incident was without precedent.

But there were also the religious fanatics, one of whose letters is used in the play, who believed the events had occurred to draw attention to Uluru (then Ayers Rock), as it would be the site of the Second Coming.

The letters, voiced by three actors performing as a sort of chorus, wind in and out of the central monologue which captures Lindy’s words of her experiences more or less verbatim.

“I felt Lindy had been written about a lot, but had rarely been given her own voice,” Alana said, explaining why she had kept the words as close as possible to Lindy’s.

The play, which ends with a lullaby, Alana said often received standing ovations, which she felt were as much for Lindy and her resilience as for the play itself and its actors, including Jeanette Cronin as Lindy.

“I think people are amazed by the story but also relieved by the ability to let it go,” Alana said, referring to the way the

IN HER WORDS: Jeanette Cronin, as Lindy, in the play, Letters to Lindy.

community had been caught up in the drama at the time as a collective experience with almost a lynch-mob mentality.

She said the play had received the largest media response of any play she had written.

“I think the reason people continue to be so fascinated by the story is because it was one of the worst miscarriages of justice in Australian history, but also because Lindy is this beacon of resilience and forgiveness through it all.”

Letters to Lindy is at The Art House, Wyong at 7.30pm on Tuesday, July 10. Tickets are $25–$49.

Phone 4335 1485 or go to: thearthouse wyong.com.au.

LOSS OF INNOCENCE: Lindy Chamberlain was a 32-year-old mother of three when her world was turned upside down by the loss of her daughter, Azaria.

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16 Seniors Central Coast

Industry Insights

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

Asbestos disease compensation made easy

No out-of-pocket cost to you, due to no-win, no fee, basis.

THE partners of vbr Lawyers are among Australia’s leading asbestos compensation lawyers. Their expert knowledge allows them to do the hard work in the background to ensure a quick, stress-free and above all, successful process for clients.

Sufferers of asbestos disease, many of whom have never engaged a lawyer, can be anxious when considering the compensation process for the first time, only to end up being pleasantly surprised about the speed and the outcome of the process that can be achieved for them through the expertise and experience of vbr Lawyers.

Here are some

commonly asked questions from new clients: ■ Aren’t I too old to claim compensation?

No. vbr Lawyers regularly bring claims for clients with asbestos disease in their 70s, 80s and even their 90s. If you have an asbestos disease, meaningful compensation is likely to be recoverable no matter what your age. While we acknowledge that no amount of money can be true compensation for one’s health, our clients genuinely appreciate the peace of mind and security that the lump sum compensation can provide them in their advanced years.

■ How can I afford to pay

legal fees?’

There will be no out of pocket costs to you at all. vbr Lawyers act on a no win no fee basis meaning that you only pay any legal costs to us unless and until you actually recover compensation. Even then our costs amount to only a small fraction of the compensation recovered and in many cases the vast majority of your costs will be paid for by the entity paying the compensation.

■ Won’t it take too long?

At vbr Lawyers we are able to complete an asbestos compensation claim usually within three to six months. It is very rare for an asbestos compensation claim to go over the eight months.

■ I have asbestos disease but it’s not cancer. Can I still make a claim?

Some of the non-cancerous or benign asbestos conditions such as asbestosis, asbestos related pleural disease and pleural thickening can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain even though they are not malignant.

Some of these conditions can get worse with time. If these so called benign diseases are causing those symptoms, it is highly likely you will be entitled to significant compensation. It will cost you nothing to contact us and have us investigate your entitlements which we will advise you about at no obligation.

■ I have lung cancer. I have been exposed to asbestos but I have also been a smoker. Am I entitled to compensation?

Unlike the specific

SEAN RYAN: Director of vbr Lawyers.

asbestos cancer mesothelioma, asbestos related lung cancer often requires some additional proof for there to be an entitlement to compensation, so that if the asbestos exposure is significant, compensation may be recoverable irrespective of a smoking history. If you are in this situation, you will lose nothing and pay nothing to have an initial obligation fee investigation of your entitlements.

■ I have known about my asbestos condition for some time but I haven’t done anything about it.

Am I too late to claim?

In most Australian states, time limits for common law compensation for asbestos disease have been completely removed.

There remain some time limits in certain types of compensation claims but even where these have expired, there may be a basis to extend them.

■ Contact vbr Lawyers today on our toll free number 1800 316 716 to find out if you can bring a claim for lump sum compensation.

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Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 17

Have you been exposed to asbestos from James Hardie Building products?

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18 Seniors Central Coast

Every 5 minutes, one Australian is diagnosed with diabetes Are you that person? Or do you not want to know?

Digital Industry Insight

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

excess glucose to the liver for storage or to the muscles to be used for energy. If the body cannot make enough insulin to manage this, glucose stays in the blood and causes complications.

If someone has diabetes it is important they work with their GP and Pharmacist to appropriately manage their condition to reduce their risk of developing complications. But how can you manage something you don’t even You will be so much better off if you know your score and can make know you have? choices accordingly.

Early signs of diabetes may include Do you want to avoid nerve damage, impotence, blindness, kidney damage, gum disease, heart disease, losing toes or worse?

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When you eat or drink carbohydrates (starchy foods like biscuits, bread, sugary drinks, alcohol, etc) they get converted to glucose, which is then carried around in the bloodstream.

Normally the body detects when glucose levels are high and then produces insulin to move the

excessive thirst, frequent urination, feeling tired or lethargic, hunger, or slow healing cuts. You may be at greater risk if you have other family members with diabetes, are overweight, have high blood pressure, poor diet and do little exercise.

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MyLife MyJourney enables you to record your most meaningful moments. PHOTO: GAIL FORRER

Recording your life in a digital album THERE are plenty of happy moments in everyday life but milestones are rare.

Milestones are the penultimate moments.

When three people from differing backgrounds recently came together to discuss and define the milestones events in their lives, it seemed they shared a common event – the birth of a new generation.

Be it father, mother, grandparent or other relatives, the arrival of a family member soared way above the multitude of occasions that make up what most of us would consider a good life.

No doubt everyday actions prove our love but emotion associated with an event as powerful as a milestone is not so easily voiced.

Recording these magic moments from the birth of children to educational achievements,

attendance at family weddings or ceremonies to expressing the courage it took to skydive or learn Latin dancing creates an opportunity to invite your loved ones to join a unique and everlasting conversation with you.

The MyLife MyJourney website is a digital photo album that allows you to give three dimensions to the truly meaningful moments in your life.

Just like a printed photo album, it is there for you to share, remember and rejoice in the funny, inspirational or emotional life events. And just as you opened and welcomed friends and family to view your photo album, this digital album also gives you the freedom to choose the people who will share your memories.

MyLife MyJourney is a unique, fun and easy way to build your life story. It can be as simple as

adding photos to your timeline or more complex, with friends and relatives helping you with memories, video and other documents.

It is a safe online platform on which people of all ages and backgrounds can chronicle and share their story.

Unlike other social media platforms, you can tell your story in your own way and share it with the people you choose, alternatively you can even invite others to contribute to your stories.

Milestones is among the categories, which are called BRANCHES, representing the different, broad areas of your life and are there to make it easy for you to remember and jot down the different stories that belong to each BRANCH. For more: https://www .mylifemyjourney.org/faq.

Central Coast

Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 19

Community WE want to publish your community notices. Please send us the details of your meeting, get-together and club outings to us at editor@seniors newspaper.com.au and to submit a photo, please ensure it is at least 180dpi or 500kb to 1mb in size.

The deadline for our July issue is July 11.

VIEW CLUBS ●TOUKLEY

WE MEET on the second Friday of the month at Club Toukley RSL at 10.30am. We have lucky door prizes, raffles and lunch followed by guest speakers or members participation. We also have outings, friendship morning teas, soup and damper days raffles and interesting discussions.

Come along and make new friends. VIEW stands for voice, interests, education of women. VIEW

a brac, pre-loved clothes and book stalls as well as other outside stalls.

Tea/coffee and light refreshments will be available and entertainment by the Nga Waka E Whitu Maori Dance Group. Come check us out, lots of bargains with all proceeds going to Brisbane Water (NSW) Legacy.

is a valued part of the Smith Family and raises money for Learning For Life sponsorship and education of disadvantaged Australian children and young adults.

Phone Sandra on 4396 6206.

●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 – 6.30pm for 7pm. New members and visitors are most welcome.

Contact Valda on 4325 1688 or Helen 4367 5670.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT: The Toukley Torch Bearers for Legacy 2018 Annual Fete will be held on Sunday, August 19 from 8am-2pm with home-made cakes and jams, craft, book stalls and more.

ERINA TOASTMASTERS

TOUKLEY 50+ LEISURE & LEARNING CENTRE

WE MEET on the second and fourth Mondays at 6pm in the Erina Leagues Club. Toastmasters can improve your confidence and speaking skills in a

WYONG WRITERS

friendly environment.

Visitors most welcome.

Contact Gail 0403 280 882.

CHRISTMAS in July Barbecue on Saturday, July 21 starting at midday in the Club Auditorium. A delicious barbecue lunch

will be served at 12.30pm. Be entertained by popular and talented David Lang.

Tickets are $10 each, on sale from club reception. For catering purposes tickets must be purchased by Wednesday, July 18.

Located at 1 Hargraves St, Toukley. For more information phone 4396 5075.

TOUKLEY TORCH BEARERS FOR LEGACY

TOUKLEY Torch Bearers for Legacy 2018 Annual Fete will be held on Sunday, August 19 at Toukley 50+ Leisure & Learning Memorial Hall on Pearce St, Toukley, 8am-2pm, with home-made cakes and jams, craft, jewellery, bric

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 July 28 and the focus for the meeting will be poetry. This will be facilitated by Jan. Woodbury Park Community Centre, 1 Woolmers Cres, Mardi.

Enquiries: Phone Mei-Ling Venning, president on 4333 7489, email: meilingvenning @hotmail.com or go to: wyongwriters.org.

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20 Seniors Central Coast

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

Wellbeing

Simple exercise program to keep you on your feet Seniors step to better health

JOURNALIST ALISON HOUSTON “IT’S lovely to have re-found my legs and have them working for me again.”

That was the reaction of one woman who completed the free Stepping On program, designed to get over-65s back on their feet and staying on them.

It’s a scary fact that one in three people aged 65 and older fall each year, that falls are the leading cause of hospital admissions in older people and that 35 per cent of people who fall become less active.

So being pro-active in building muscle strength and improving balance through gentle exercise and thus avoiding falls makes a lot of sense.

The Stepping On program is a simple, laid-back, fun but evidence-based way to get those who have fallen or fear falling back on their feet and staying on them.

Co-ordinator Fay

Huckstepp, who has been leading the program for more than three years, said it could be life-changing.

“It gives people back their confidence and keeps them more independent so they can stay in their own environment or recuperate after injury, an operation or a fall,” she said.

“As you get older, your body does take longer to recover but, with a little weight-bearing exercise, muscle can be rebuilt in about two weeks if you stick diligently to the program.”

And provided you can walk (even with a walker, as long as you can put it aside for the class), the exercises are designed not to be beyond the capability of anyone up to 99.

One simple step is “retraining your brain” to walk heel to toe, promoting a steady gait, and getting rid of what can become a habitual aged “shuffle”.

After the first week, exercises are individually tweaked as necessary by

the physio to help anyone who is having difficulty.

The program runs for two hours (including a morning tea break) one day a week for seven weeks, and Fay said people didn’t want it to end and generally wished they had begun sooner.

“You can physically see some people’s confidence growing from week to

❝

With a little weight-bearing exercise muscle can be rebuilt in about two weeks if you stick diligently to the program. week, especially those who have had a fall in the past,” she said.

Specialist guest facilitators include a physio, occupational therapist, vision, footcare, pharmacist and police talking about community safety.

“It gives you a real insight into ageing and

what steps to take to avoid a fall both in the home and outside, such as moving over uneven terrain,” Fay said.

“A lot of it is common sense, but it brings issues to the forefront of your mind and makes you re-evaluate things, as we often get complacent.”

And every participant would have progressed, from their first movement test in Week 1 to their test in Week 7, whether it was ease of movement, getting out of a chair, or walking up stairs, she said.

“I love it because I get to be involved in helping preserve someone’s lifestyle, and that’s pretty special,” Fay said.

The program is free and run by Adssi HomeLiving Australia, as an initiative of the NSW Department of Health.

The next program runs from Tuesday, August 7–September 11, from 10am–noon at the Uniting Church Long Jetty.

To register, phone 1300 578 478.

To find out more, go to: adssihomeliving.com.au.

STEPPING OUT: Participants dosimple yet effective exercises to strengthen muscles and improve balance.

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Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Stepping ahead

Developments in your area

In this feature you will find the latest styles, amenities and locations available in living options

CATALINA LAKE MACQUARIE

www.catalinavillage.com.au

INGENIA LIFESTYLE THE GRANGE www.liveinmorisset.com.au

TERRIGAL SANDS LIFESTYLE VILLAGE & RESIDENTIAL PARK

Gail Forrer

MODERN hotel-like services, availability of health professionals, fun entertainment centres, provision for pets and attractive government financial incentives to ‘downsize’ are among the factors driving the demand for retirement living options around the nation.

Today’s Retirement Villages, a key component in the mix of retirement options, stays founded on the original concept of providing a supportive accommodation in a community environment.

But, beware, in the new millennium everything else has changed and evolved to meet the modern senior.

After the results of the PwC/Property Council Retirement Census (2017), PwC Real Estate Advisory Partner Tony Massaro said retirement village accommodation continued to be an affordable option for the current generation of Australian seniors, who, for the most part, own their own homes.

“The national average entry price for a two bedroom unit is at $424,000,” Mr Massaro said.

“This is almost one third less than the median house price in the same postcode.

“Every city needs vibrancy, diversity, connectivity and inclusion to truly thrive, so it’s exciting to see senior living continuing to evolve to support these needs with a myriad of amenities and care options – from dining to healthcare services to organised social outings.

“As our population ages, and more of us work longer, our cities are going to need to work for seniors Australian in ways they never have before.”

Ben Myers, Executive Director of Retirement Living at the Property Council of Australia said nearly 200,000 seniors

Seniors 21

www.terrigalsands.com.au

HARRINGTON WATERS

www.harringtonwaters.com.au

BOLTON CLARKE BROADWATER GARDENS, PORT MACQUARIE www.boltonclarke.com.au

FORRESTER’S BEACH RETIREMENT VILLAGE

www.retireaustralia.com.au/ communities/forresters-beach/

LIVING CHOICE BROADWATER COURT

www.livingchoice.com.au/ retirement-villages-central-coast/ broadwater-court/

ENJOY RETIREMENT: There are a variety of living options to suit your needs.

Australians have made the informed choice to choose retirement village living, and this number was set to grow share in the coming decade.

However, he noted the census data also revealed occupancy of retirement villages was close to capacity,

highlighting the forthcoming shortage of age appropriate housing for Australian in their local communities.

“While entry into retirement villages remains affordable, but a lack of supply will put upward pressure on prices and make access to villages for seniors

much harder,” Mr Myers said.

He called for more development in view of population figures predicting approximately 382,000 seniors seeking a place in a retirement village in 2025.

This is more than double the number of residents currently calling a retirement village home.

■ The full summary of figures from the 2017 PwC/Property Council Retirement Census can be found at www.retirementliving.org.au/research.

Operators who own and/or manage more than 56,000 retirement living units participated in the Census.

the retreat 2

2

2

22 Seniors Central Coast

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT UPDATE CENTRAL COAST JUNE 2018

COMMUNITY LIVING: The Gateway Central Coast lifestyle may provide you with financial freedoms.

Living the life they’ve always wished for at Salamander Bay LIVING so close to the beautiful waters around Salamander Bay has never been so affordable at Salamander Bay by Gateway Lifestyle, just ask Roy. Roy moved about 18 months ago from a three-storey townhouse in Newcastle to his beautiful new home at Salamander Bay and has never looked back.

“It was my stepdaughter who told me about this community,” Roy said.

“I’d been looking at a

pre-loved home in a community closer to Newcastle but, when I saw this place, I knew it was the right choice for me.”

Like many residents in Gateway Lifestyle communities across Australia, Roy loves the new-found financial freedom downsizing into a land lease community has given him.

“Within a month of moving in, I packed, locked the front door and headed off to Paris,” Roy said.

❝

Roy loves the new-found financial freedom downsizing into a land lease community has given him

“It was my first overseas trip and, since then, I’ve done a few more and have many more in the planning stages.”

Gateway Lifestyle CEO Trent Ottawa said the organisation was finding that a significantly high proportion of residents, working or retired, were moving into their communities to free up capital.

“The quality in lifestyle and affordable cost sees many of our residents living the sort of life they’d always wished for,” Mr Ottawa says.

“We have lots of residents that travel and appreciate that they can

lock up and leave and feel secure in doing so.”

Not everyone uses that financial freedom to travel internationally when they have such a beautiful spot on their doorsteps.

Located on a picturesque peninsula in the stunningly beautiful Port Stephens region of NSW, Salamander Bay offers a lifestyle second to none. The region offers a temperate year-round climate, crystal clear waters and uncrowded, white sandy beaches.

The final stage of 15 purpose-built homes is selling fast, with prices starting at $312,000 for a spacious two-bedroom home and a number of three-bedroom options, including the Endeavour and the Brewer, still available.

Visit the team at Salamander Bay so they can show you why a Gateway Lifestyle community is the smart choice for over 50s’ living.

Call Ros on 0415 169 959 for an appointment.

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Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Central Coast

Seniors 23

24 Seniors Central Coast

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT UPDATE CENTRAL COAST JUNE 2018

Less stress and more living

TRANQUIL waterways, modern facilities, a hit of golf and the joy of being part of a growing community are just a few of the highlights of life for residents who have chosen to make the move to Harrington Waters on the NSW mid-north Coast.

Just 20 minutes from Taree and 40 minutes from Forster to the south and Port Macquarie to the north, Harrington Waters is a mixed residential development set on 447 acres and surrounded by pristine national parks, beautiful beaches and the Manning River.

The development includes a fantastic array of facilities including a 13-tenant shopping village anchored by an IGA, Harrigan’s Irish Pub, and Harrington Waters Golf Course and club house.

Buying into the lifestyle is as simple as purchasing your block of land and building – it is an estate rather than a retirement village or gated community, so there are no exit fees and rates are your only ongoing cost for the property.

All service connections including town water, sewerage, electricity and telephone are located underground, further enhancing the community and all housing and land is just a short, flat, stroll by linked walkways to the neighbourhood facilities.

For the water lovers out there, Harrington Waterways features a 20-berth marina for casual moorings and has a wide range of features including

EASY LIVING: The tranquil waterways, modern facilities and the joy of being part of a growing community, are just a few of the highlights of life for residents at Harrington Waters.

power, pump out and water facilities.

Harrington Waters is growing steadily, attracting couples moving north from Sydney, Newcastle and the Central Coast to enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle and a less hectic pace of life.

The latest land releases offer a range of options for potential buyers including golf course or lagoon frontage. House and land packages are available too.

If you’re keen to find out more, go to: harringtonwaters.com.au or phone (02) 6656 0057.

The development includes a fantastic array of facilities including Harrington Waters’ Golf Course and club house.

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Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Wellbeing

Central Coast

Seniors 25

Future care in hospitals Tech-savvy seniors will gain the benefits of e-Health hospitals Tracey Johnstone

HOSPITAL care is already changing in many ways as technology and consumer demand drives the way in which medicine is delivered in Australia.

Overseas there are already virtual hospitals such as America’s John Hopkins Hospital control centre where staff are equipped with real-time and predictive information that help them to co-ordinate services and reduce risk.

Australia doesn’t have this type of centre yet, but it’s not impossible that we could see it sooner rather than later.

Associate Professor Ian Scott, director of Internal Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital, provides a fascinating insight to the changes we are encountering now and the ones we should expect soon as we move towards delivery models based around prevention, prediction, personalised medicine and participatory health.

Participation in our health Prof Scott said we all have a duty to take an active interest in our health and the care we are receiving; to understand the rationale for the treatments and the prescribed drugs, the possible side-effects, what needs to be monitored, and become more confident in self-managing.

“With digital guidance and the other resources, we can put in place, we can help people to become a bit more confident and competent in managing their own treatment,” he said.

Avoid hospital The future is home care and outreach services which will allow people to stay at home with care provided by other health teams.

“Even through nursing homes, we try not to transfer patients to hospitals if we can avoid it, allowing them to stay in the nursing home and receive care there,” Prof Scott said.

“We have a very successful program here at PA where we provide outreach to nursing homes provided by our emergency staff and paramedics.”

They have been able to avoid noticeable numbers of hospitalisations of those patients who needed “relatively simple therapy” and would have previously been treated in a hospital.

“I think it’s a theme that many hospitals are progressing, providing outreach services and trying to get community services to be a bit more proactive, and trying also to get general practitioners to be more proactive by identifying a person who may be heading towards a problem, getting in and being aggressive to prevent them from getting so sick they need to go to hospital,” he adds.

He also expects there to be a shift to more ambulatory, home-based and digitally mediated care so that patients come to hospital only when really need to.

Changing scope of practice Highly specialised roles are unlikely to change, but Prof Scott thinks other specialists will need to blur the boundaries of their role outside of their

THE FOUR P’S: The future is delivery models based around Prevention, Prediction, Personalised medicine and Participatory health.

PHOTO: EVA KATALIN KONDOROS

expert area so that they can understand the impact of what they do has on other organ systems.

“In other words, they don’t just look at one organ system, they should be aware of what the whole patient is like in terms of other disease conditions because that is the demographic we are increasingly dealing with,” he said.

“We are trying to get away from this process where older folk have to see four or five specialists for each of their organ systems and no one is co-ordinating the show and we are not aware of what is happening with interactions of one drug or another drug that someone else is maybe prescribing.

“We have problems with older people being on

multiple drugs because they are seeing multiple specialists who really don’t understand the full picture.

“There needs to be more generalist training.

People will be able to practice in other areas.

“They may not be fully qualified specialists in that area, but at least they have enough knowledge to handle a lot of problems in older patients to the point where we can avoid sending them to multiple different clinics.”

Prof Scott also extends this comment to GPS and allied health professionals, where he sees them already developing specialised interests which they can then treat their patients within their practices. e-Health interventions There is more focus on digital monitoring through

tele-medicine and remote sensor techniques which may help to slow down the flow of patients into hospitals.

Patients will remain at home where they are monitored for various health issues and the collected data is fed back to a hospital.

“Doctors can make changes to therapy if they think a patient is stepping outside desired parameters and they need to intervene otherwise the patient is going to deteriorate and land in hospital,” Prof Scott said.

As seniors become more tech-savvy, the value and understanding of e-Health will allow them to participate a great deal more in their health management.

“We are tailoring our care to your individual parameters.”

e-Consultations He sees tests being done externally and patients receiving an e-message from the doctor advising the test outcomes and what actions the patient needs to take.

Smaller hospitals “I don’t think we can no longer afford these great behemoths; building brand new hospitals of hundreds and hundreds of beds occupying entire city blocks,” Prof Scott said.

“I think those hospitals are no longer viable. I think they are going to become somewhat of a dinosaur since a lot of the space and a lot of activity goes on in those hospitals can be shifted into an outpatient or home-based setting.”

26 Seniors Central Coast

Wellbeing - Industry Insights

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

In-home hearing service will restore confidence Balancing budget and lifestyle for the right device LOSS of hearing can have a big impact on a person’s life and lead to loss of confidence, frustration, embarrassment and stepping back from the world.

But it is something that can be diagnosed easily and, like most things, the earlier the better so as not to increase the damage, according to Lori-Anne Brown, from Total Care Hearing Services.

Almost half of adults older than 65 experience some degree of hearing loss, according to healthline.com.

This can be due to changes in the structure of the inner ear, blood flow, nerve impairment, changes in the way the brain processes sound, or damage to the tiny hairs in the ear responsible for transmitting sound to the brain.

If not stimulated, these follicles start to die off, Lori-Anne said, and the

longer hearing loss was left untreated, the harder it was for the brain to “relearn how to hear with a hearing aid”.

“Aids can also help to stabilise hearing so it doesn’t deteriorate so quickly,” she said.

Lori-Anne and her husband have been in the hearing industry for more than 10 years and, having worked for major companies, established Total Care Hearing Services in 2014 in Wyong, to focus totally on the patient and patient needs rather than KPIs or the bottom dollar.

They provide one-on-one assessment and care in your home and at a number of medical centres, with Lori-Anne specialising in pensioner needs.

As well as being able to help people who find it hard to leave their home for various medical or accessibility reasons, assessing in the person’s

home meant she could evaluate the acoustics of that home, the person’s everyday living conditions, own TV, etc, to achieve better outcomes.

It also means a cheaper service, without the overheads of an office.

Lori-Anne said there were many levels of technology available.

A basic hearing aid, for instance, is good in a quiet, one-on-one environment, but not in situations where there is background noise, such as for people who go regularly to bowling or sports clubs, meetings or classes.

“Everybody’s needs are different and you have to establish their wants, needs and expectations from a hearing aid,” Lori-Anne said.

“A hearing aid will help with communication issues but it’s not a cure and it’s a case of balancing budget and lifestyle.”

HEARING RIGHT: Lori-Anne Brown, from Total Care Hearing Services, says everyone's needs are different and you have to establish their wants, needs and expectations to help them find the right hearing aid.

She recommends a range of devices, so people know the options available, with the top of their range costing about $7000, including fitting and a follow-up visit.

She recommends yearly

check-ups to adjust for hearing changes.

“Hearing loss can be such a gradual thing, that you don’t realise it’s getting worse – you might think it’s the TV or that people are just

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mumbling,” Lori-Anne said.

“We’re social creatures and we need to be able to communicate with others, but if we can’t, if we can’t follow a conversation or are embarrassed to keep asking people to repeat themselves, we can shut ourselves off, become isolated and studies have shown that leads to cognitive decline.”

Under the Hearing Services Program, pensioners on a blue card, or veterans with a gold or white card can access fully or partially funding hearing services, and Lori-Anne can help organise this, as well as transfers if you are not happy with your existing hearing services.

Appointments can usually be offered within two weeks so, to find out more, call 0499 008 190 or email lori@tchs.net.au.

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Wellbeing

Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Central Coast

Seniors 27

SPOTLIGHT ON THE SENSES: DEMENTIA

Honestly and openly talking about dementia Breaking down the stigma around cognitive decline Tracey Johnstone

DEMENTIA has been a tough conversation subject in the past, but through Dementia Australia and with the help of added government funding, more people are talking more openly about it.

This is a vital step in the battle to combat dementia, according to DA chief medical advisor, Associate Professor Michael Woodward AM. These conversations are opening up the broader community’s knowledge of dementia – its prevention, management and even possible cures.

Stigma around dementia It’s one of the issues around dementia that needs combating.

Prof Woodward recommends dementia patients can contribute to a positive change in attitude.

“We need people with Alzheimer’s to say ‘I have Alzheimer’s like a half a million other Australians and probably in the next few decades. It’s a bugger of a disease. I don’t want it, but don’t treat me any differently. There is still plenty of me left. I haven’t become a crazy person to be shunned just because I am becoming more forgetful’. We need to get Alzheimer’s out of the closet,” Prof Woodward added.

Prevention

In the absence of a cure, being proactive in following good prevention strategies is the next best thing.

“There have been population level intervention studies that we show we can almost certainly reduce the number of people with decline in their cognition and reduce the number of people with dementia,” Prof Woodward said.

“The strategies that seem to work are improving physical and mental activities, reducing our dietary indiscretions and keeping our weight under control, and eating a more Mediterranean, better-balance and not too fast-food type diet.”

Keep using your brain He supports dementia patients being encouraged to use their brain and memory, which may slow down the onset of the condition.

“We can teach people with dementia to use their brain and to learn new material, and certain memories are not much affected by dementia,” Prof Woodward said.

“We don’t give up on the brain once we become forgetful.”

Experimental treatments There are a number of treatments being used, such as trans-cranial magnetic stimulation and ultrasound.

“They are all in the early stages of research,” Prof Woodward said.

DEMENTIA NEWS: One expert believes we need to learn more and talk more about dementia.

“We need brand new approaches, but we need to do them in a methodical and scientific way.

“I don’t want to see what happened with cancer 40 years ago where everybody went off to a Pacific island and got some expensive new therapy that just didn’t work.”

Early stages of Alzheimer’s Prof Woodward recommends that anyone with the likelihood of the early stages of Alzheimer’s speak to their

GP about taking Souvenaid, a nutritional supplement.

Other management strategies he recommends are: ■ Keep your brain active ■ Get involved in groups and society, creating social interactions ■ Keep physically active ■ Eat a good diet “If you are doing those things, you are doing the best that you can at the time,” Prof Woodward said.

Is there a cure?

There is no cure found for dementia as yet.

A lot of money has been spent on working out how to reduce the toxic protein amyloid which researchers believe causes dementia.

“We can remove amyloid,” Prof Woodward said. There is a Roche product called Gantenerumab which has been used in high doses in two studies which has been shown to actually remove so much of the amyloid from the brain that people who were previously positive for amyloid have become negative for it.”

He points out however

PHOTO: FRED FROESE

there is more research to be done before the solutions to the symptoms can be addressed.

In the meantime, researchers are also studying the other toxic protein tau, looking for more answers.

“There are a number of possible explanations for why tens of billions of dollars hasn’t produced a cure,” Prof Woodward said. I certainly haven’t given up yet and neither have many of my co-researchers around Australia.”

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28 Seniors Central Coast

Wellbeing - Industry Insights

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

New TV listening device beats world’s best hearing aids hands down

The TV Voice Pro is completely wireless. You can listen at the volume you prefer without affecting others.

DIFFICULTY Hearing the TV Clearly is Now a Thing of the Past, Thanks to a Brand New TV Listening Device.

A new TV Listening Device has been released that is specifically designed to deliver clear TV audio for those with any level of hearing loss.

The product was developed by two hearing specialists from Australia who have engineered the sound to not only work for all degrees of hearing loss, but also to focus on speech frequencies for television listening.

Hearing specialist Don Hudson says he worked with another hearing specialist and audio engineers to create the product for those with

hearing loss.

“If you have any level of hearing loss, and are having difficulty hearing the TV audio, then this is the product for you. The headset is completely wireless, you can listen at the volume you prefer without affecting others in the room, and most importantly you can expect to hear the television dialogue with excellent clarity.”

Hearing specialist Don Hudson says trouble hearing the television is one of the strongest complaints by those with hearing loss.

“Even those with the very best hearing aids often complain that television dialogue is unclear, and their family

complains if the TV volume is turned up.”

“We have worked for two years to optimise the speech circuitry to work for the three most common configurations of hearing loss. Other headsets focus on stereo sound effects and quality bass, but those features are generally not beneficial to those with hearing loss. My patients main concern is to hear the TV dialogue, and the ‘TV Voice Pro’ system uses circuitry that is customised to work for hearing loss and optimise speech clarity for television listening. That’s what makes it so effective.”

The “TV Voice Pro’ headset is completely

LEND AN EAR: A TV listening device has been designed to deliver clear audio for those with hearing loss.

wireless, has up to 120 dB of volume, weighs just 70 grams and is a fraction of the cost of purchasing a hearing aid. The device is rechargeable and guaranteed to connect to any television.

The purchase price is $349.00 and comes with

a standard 30 day money back guarantee.

Simply call 1300 300 446 to place your order with the customer service team.

You can also visit www.TvVoicePro.com.au for further information or to purchase online.

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Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Central Coast

Seniors 29

Living

Helping Seniors to retire happily Seniors are comfortable doing business with fellow seniors

downsizing for seniors who wish to stay in their present location. They can relocate to a lifestyle village close by in the community area they are used to.

The villages I can help with are in Erina, Green Point, Terrigal, Avoca Beach and Kincumber.

Homes in lifestyle villages reflect affordability, need and security.

What are your future plans?

People often ask me when I plan to retire but I believe seniors are comfortable doing business with seniors. It’s easy for me to sell relocatable homes because I live in one myself. My plans are to keep supporting seniors into a happy retirement by developing new housing and refurbishing older style homes to meet and reflect their downsizing needs.

EXPERIENCED: Senior Real Estate Agent Chris Garnsey.

What advantages do seniors get by buying into a relocatable home in a lifestyle village?

Lifestyle villages offer no stamp duty, no council rates and no strata fees.

There are no entry fees or exit fees and a great bonus is that the set weekly fees, subject to conditions, can attract rental assistance.

How can people contact you?

Just give me a call on 0424 650 687 or go to: terrigalsands.com.au.

I’m happy to help.

Regards Chris.

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• Buying • Selling • Relocating • Downsizing • Decluttering • Deceased Estates • Retirement Village specialists • The Industry Experts • Seniors rates apply Charlie’s story For the first time in a long time, I’m excited about the future!

Id been thinking about Downsizing for some time, it’s hard to make the decision on your own.

My wife passed away 2 years ago, the home wasn’t the same after that, the house was far too big for one person and quite frankly it got a bit lonely and the thought of moving was quite overwhelming.

Agent Christian Purdue suggested I contact Real Retirement and the rest is history!

Deborah and Maureen found the perfect property, prepared the house for sale, decluttered and organised the move. Their honest and hardworking approach made all the difference.

Thank you, Real Retirement, for taking away the stress, anxiety and for making the whole experience an enjoyable one.

I’m off to the Northern Beaches where my friends are, who would have thought it would be so easy!

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MEET local Senior Real Estate Agent Chris Garnsey.

How long have you lived on the Central Coast?

I moved to the Central Coast in July 1972.My family and I lived previously in regional and rural New South Wales.

Where do you live?

At present I reside in Terrigal Sands. It’s an over 50s’ lifestyle village.

We hear you specialise in real estate for seniors?

I have been a real estate agent and auctioneer since 1980, operating and owning several real estate businesses. At present my selling focus is on relocatable homes and manufactured homes. I concentrate on helping Seniors who want to move into lifestyle villages.

Why these types of homes?

The market is moving to affordable housing and

30 Seniors Central Coast

Money

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

Understanding the nuances of bequests Tips to think about when go about planning gifts in Will

JOURNALIST TRACEY JOHNSTONE WHEN preparing your will, it’s a good time to consider bequests to charities that are close to your heart, ones that you have supported in the past and want to support one last time.

A gift of this nature, known as a bequest, is easily included in a will and can be made to any number of people and charities – it’s your decision.

Individuals ■ You are free to give the contents of your estate, under your will, to whoever you wish.

■ The ‘natural person’ must be alive at the time of your death.

■ They must be recognised as a ‘natural person’ under law, not an organisation.

■ If you give a bequest to someone who has died

before your estate is settled, the bequest will fail.

Charities You need to ensure: ■ The charity is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. The charity must have a charitable purpose.

■ That your will accurately describes the charity – its full name, registered address, even it’s ABN – so that you leave no doubt as to who the intended recipient is.

If you make a bequest to a charity which you don’t fully describe in your will, that bequest can go to places that you didn’t intend or it may fail due to the lack of clarity.

To search for a charity’s Australian registration details, go to www.acnc.gov.au.

Why leave a bequest?

When planning a bequest you may consider

the following: ■ If I could change things for the better in my community, what would they be?

■ What causes do I care the most about and want to support?

■ Do research, public education, sport, self-help, community groups, international aid or advocacy appeal to me?

How are gifts made?

Generally, the bequest from an estate has to be written into a will or a valid codicil. There can be exceptions where a court can recognise a testamentary document which reflects the deceased’s true testamentary intentions and which can be admitted to probate.

Most solicitors can advise you or talk to an estate planning specialist for complex matters. To find them, phone your state Law Society office.

GOOD TURN: A bequest is easily included in a will and can be made to any number of people and charities.

PHOTO: LIDERINA

Sharegift is an another way to get rid of small parcel, low-value shares Andrew Heaven, WealthPartners

SHAREGIFT Australia (SA) is a not-for-profit organisation that provides shareholders with an easy and tax-deductible way to sell and donate small parcels of shares.

There is no cost for the service – 100 per cent of the market value of the shares is donated to the charity you nominate

provided the charity has Deductible Gift Recipient status.

Donations of $2 or more are tax- deductible to the shareholder.

To qualify for this service, the shares must be for an ASX listed company, not be owned by a self-managed super fund and the value of each shareholding being transferred must be greater than $2.

To be donated, eligible

shares will need to be either issuer sponsored or sponsored by a SA supporting broker.

For further information, phone 1300 731 632 or go to sharegiftaustralia. org.au.

If you are unsure of the status of the organisation, go to the Australian Charities and Non-For-Profits Commission at acnc.gov. au to search their register.

Leave the legacy of a cancer-free future for children Consider leaving a gift in your will to The Kids’ Cancer Project, a charity dedicated to funding childhood cancer research.

Visit thekidscancerproject.org.au/giftinwill to learn more or phone Veena Singh in confidence on 02 8394 7715.

Complete the form to learn how your will can help the littlest cancer patients.

Post to (no stamp required): The Kids’ Cancer Project REPLY PAID 6400 ALEXANDRIA NSW 2015

Title:

Name:

Address: State:

Send me more information

Telephone:

Request a call from Veena

Email:

thekidscancerproject.org.au/giftinwill

Postcode:

A donation of shares is still treated as a disposal and may be subject to capital gains tax.

In the event of a capital gain, CGT may be payable independent to any tax deduction received for the value of the shares on transfer.

In your situation, if the market value of the shares is lower than the purchase cost of the shares, the difference will be treated as a

capital loss and may be used to offset capital gains on other shares sold in your portfolio or can be carried forward as a capital loss.

Presuming you nominate an eligible charity, you will receive a tax deduction for the donation of the value of the shares and you can use the tax losses to offset your capital gains.

The deemed disposal

date of the shares will be the date the shares are transferred from your ownership to SA. To qualify to claim a tax deduction for the 2018 financial year, share donations need to be submitted to Sharegift by 5pm on June 26, 2018.

Notwithstanding the tax benefits associated with this service, your donation will help the work of your chosen charity.

Central Coast

Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 31

Money

Be careful of using fast fix debt solutions THINK MONEY PAUL CLITHEROE NO-ONE likes being in debt but taking on some level of debt is, for many of us, necessary to reach our financial goals.

So, it’s understandable that anyone with a tarnished credit history may be eager to do whatever it takes to be eligible for a competitively priced loan.

However, our money watchdog ASIC is warning about companies that claim they can cure a poor credit rating or offer a quick fix for debt problems.

In my experience, most people know when they are in debt over their heads, even if it’s only a gut feeling.

Of course, there are some obvious signs like regularly spending beyond your budget, or carting valuables off to the local pawnbroker to drum up some extra cash.

A key warning sign is approaching non-mainstream, high interest, ‘fringe’ lenders for funds.

But think carefully about turning to so-called credit repair and debt management firms.

An ASIC report found debt management firms can use of high-pressure sales techniques, in some cases asking for payment upfront without clearly explaining their fees and costs.

PHOTO: JOEL CARRETT

These companies can charge high fees without actually fixing credit and debt issues, potentially leaving people in a worse financial situation.

An ASIC report found debt management firms can use of high-pressure

sales techniques, in some cases asking for payment upfront without clearly explaining their fees and costs.

Credit repair companies may try to clear a customer’s bad credit record by getting in touch

A bequest is more than a donation, it is a remarkable gift that can help to save lives in your community.

For more information on leaving a bequest through your Will, visit www.rescuehelicopter.com.au/SupportUs/Bequests, email enquiries@rescuehelicopter.com.au or call 1800 155 155.

1800 155 155 | www.rescuehelicopter.com.au

with an external dispute resolution (EDR) service like the Financial Ombudsman Service or Credit and Investments Ombudsman.

It’s a service these companies charge for. Yet working with an EDR is

something consumers can do themselves at no cost at all.

In fact, there is a whole range of free services that can help you fix poor credit reports or resolve debt problems.

If you’re finding it hard

to get a loan because of an incorrect default listing on your credit report, speak to the creditor and ask for it to be removed.

If you get no joy, contact the appropriate EDR service.

If you’re battling runaway debt, free help is available through the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007).

Or head to ASIC’s MoneySmart website and follow the links to financial counsellors.

Most offer a free or very low cost service that can include negotiating debt repayments with your creditors, applying for hardship variations on loan repayments, and developing a plan to get your finances back on track.

I am more than aware that sometimes debt can ensnare us no matter how hard we try to avoid it, through say, our income unexpectedly drying up, an investment going bad or just rotten luck. Under these circumstances professional advice and assistance is very useful, if not essential. But you don’t have to pay for services that can promise a lot and deliver very little.

Paul Clitheroe is Chairman of the Australian Government Financial Literacy Board and chief commentator for Money Magazine.

32 Seniors Central Coast

Money

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

Federal Budget choices are designed to please

Most of them won’t kick in until until July next year

The current PLS interest rate of 5.25 per cent per annum will apply to existing and new loans.

The measure will give older Australians more choice to draw on the equity in their homes to support their standard of living in retirement.

RE-ENTERING THE WORKFORCE

FINANCE TONY KAYE

PENSION WORK BONUS

From July 1, 2019, the PWB will increase to $300 per fortnight, up from $250 per fortnight.

This means that the first $300 of income from work each fortnight will not count towards the pension income test.

This is in addition to the income-free area, which is currently $168 a fortnight for a single pensioner and $300 a fortnight

MONEY ADVICE: No nasty surprises in this budget.

(combined) for a pensioner couple.

So, a single person with no other income will be able to earn up to $468 a fortnight from work and get the maximum rate of Age Pension.

Pensioners will also continue to accrue unused amounts of the fortnightly PWB, which can exempt future earnings from the pension income test.

The maximum accrual amount will increase to $7800 per year.

The government is also extending eligibility for the PWB to earnings from self-employment. That means a pensioner can earn $7800 per year through self-employment

PHOTO: PEOPLEIMAGES

without impacting their pension.

To ensure the PWB only applies to actual engagement in work, there will be a ‘personal exertion’ test.

It is not intended that the PWB would apply to income associated with returns on financial or real estate investments.

PENSION LOANS SCHEME

From July 1, 2019, the government will expand eligibility of the PLS to all Australians of Age Pension age, including maximum rate age pensioners, and increase the maximum allowable combined Age Pension

and PLS income stream to 150 per cent of the Age Pension rate.

Full rate pensioners will be able to increase their income by up to $11,799 (singles) or $17,787 (couples) per year by unlocking the equity in their home.

PLS participants have the flexibility to start or stop receiving PLS payments as their personal circumstances change, and generally repay the loan once their home is sold.

Existing age-based loan to value ratio limits will continue to apply. This means that PLS holders will not be able to owe the government more than what their home is worth.

WORK TEST EXEMPTION

From July 1, 2019, Australians aged 65 to 74 with a total superannuation balance below $300,000 will be able to make voluntary contributions for 12 months from the end of the financial year in which they last met the work test.

The work test exemption will give older Australians additional flexibility to contribute more into superannuation as they move into retirement.

Total superannuation balances will be assessed for eligibility at the beginning of the financial year following the year that they last met the work test.

Existing annual

Windows 10

THINGS TO DO BEFORE JUNE 30

■ Make sure you make your minimum pension payment before June 30.

■ If you don’t meet the minimum pension payment, the Tax Office deems your super fund to have not been in pension for the whole financial year, meaning you’ll pay tax on income and gains for that period.

■ If you had more than $1.6 million in pension or transition-to-retirement pension on June 30, 2017, you were able to then potentially take advantage of the Capital Gains Tax relief provisions that were outlined to soften the blow of the new Transfer Balance Cap of $1.6 million.

These decisions need to be made soon, if they have not been made yet.

Tony Kaye is the editor of listed financial services company InvestSMART. www.investsmart.com.au

Computer training for seniors

8 x 1-hour sessions covering a new topic each week including Working with files & folders, staying safe online, email, personalising your laptop, searching the internet, managing photos, backups & much more Commencing Friday 20th July 2018 at 10am The Gosford Anglican Church 3 Mann Street, Gosford Small groups led by a caring and patient trainer from IT 4 Retirees 8-week course only $150 per person (includes weekly handouts)

Please call Christine David on 0401-017-459 to book your place or answer any questions you may have

6647790am

AFTER introducing tougher financial measures for seniors in 2017, the latest Federal Budget was ostensibly designed to please.

It didn’t contain any nasty surprises for seniors, as such, but rather a series of measures focused on giving retirees a financial boost.

Yet, all of the changes announced are not due to come into effect for another year.

They include an expansion of the Pension Work Bonus (PWB) and the Pension Loans Scheme (PLS), allowing pensioners to earn more from paid work, and helping older workers to re-enter the workforce.

The government announced it will provide incentives to businesses to hire workers aged over 50, encompassing wage subsidies for employers worth up to $10,000.

A Skills and Training Incentive also will provide up to $2000 for workers aged 45-70 at risk of being made redundant through technological or economic change to undertake reskilling or upskilling.

concessional and non-concessional caps ($25,000 and $100,000 respectively) will continue to apply to contributions made under the work test exemption.

Individuals will also be able to access unused concessional cap space to contribute more than $25,000 under existing concessional cap carry forward rules during the 12 months.

As bring forward arrangements for non-concessional contributions are not available to those 65 and over, individuals will not be able to access bring forward non-concessional contributions under the work test exemption.

Central Coast

Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 33

T ravel

10

ways to make the most of a flight

Travel author ANN RICKARD has done more than her share of long-haul flying, and like everyone else, she hates it. But she’s learnt a few tricks along the way to make things less stressful.

Here are her top 10 tips...

THERE is a saying, ‘if you don’t fly Business Class, your kids will’.

In other words, leaving a hefty inheritance for your offspring will allow them up the front of the plane.

As a senior you’ve earned that privilege.

So fly BUSINESS CLASS if you can.

Best you get up there before your offspring do.

OK, we agree it is not always possible to fly Business Class, but next best is PREMIUM ECONOMY. Not all airlines offer it, and those that do don’t all give you a welcome glass of bubbles before take-off, and yes, the food is not all that much better than in Economy, but oh, the lovely extra space, and the limited number of seats in the cabin.

Worth every cent.

And you have priority check-in.

Lovely.

If you are down the

back in ECONOMY on a long-haul flight, keep in mind the amount of money you’ve saved and will have to spend at your destination.

Makes it less hurtful.

There are several ways to make Economy more comfortable, but planning is key.

Here’s what we do.

REQUEST AN EXIT ROW WHEN YOU BOOK. Some airlines charge for these rows and it’s up to you to see if you think it’s worth it.

However, many passengers don’t like an extra payment so there is a good chance exit rows will still be available at check-in.

If you ask nicely, smile politely, you have a good chance of succeeding in snapping an exit seat... all that extra leg room, no one in front of you reclining their seat.

But be warned... most exit seats in the middle rows of the plane are taken by people with babies.

We all know what that means.

REQUEST AISLE SEATS, ALWAYS. Getting out of your seat every hour is recommended to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Unfortunately, window seaters will have to climb over you.

But if you are in the middle row of the plane in an aisle seat with just two seats next to you, chances are they will be occupied by a couple who will climb over each other to get out the other side... leaving you in peace.

As a couple, we request an aisle seat each, middle row, one behind the other.

We might not be sitting together but we both have easy access to get up and out.

TAKE YOUR OWN

SNACKS. Nobody enjoys airline food... well, we’ve never met a person who does.

Having healthy snacks such as dried fruit, nuts, muesli bars (a chocolate bar for indulgence) will make you feel more in charge of your own nutrition and feel less unkindly towards airline food.

Drink lots of water and little alcohol, we all know that now.

INVEST IN GOOD QUALITY, SOUND BLOCKING HEADPHONES. Being able to block out everyone around you is a blessing without price.

Same goes for a good

eye-mask, gentle on the eyes and with good black out qualities.

MAKE YOUR OWN COMFORT PACK. Buy small travel size moisturiser, mouthwash, toothbrush/paste and socks, pop them in a small travel toilet bag and you have all the comforts of those who have paid three or four times more than you up in Business Class.

We call them ‘nerd cushions’ those unattractive NECK CUSHIONS you see people walking around airports with.

They are daggy, but

they save your neck and head from lolling when you sleep and sleep you must in economy.

Or you can always take your own pillow, bulky, but comfortable.

USE THE PAY-AS-YOU-GO AIRPORT LOUNGES. They make a stop-over comfortable and have you refreshed for the next step.

The price is worth it for the complimentary drinks, snacks, magazines. But more importantly... the tranquillity away from the masses.

A bit of peace and quiet makes all the difference.

Event Cinemas “Amore” Screening Giveaway Thanks to Event Cinemas, we have 10 double passes to give away to their screening of André Rieu’s “Amore” concert film.

Affectionately known as ‘The King of Waltz’, André Rieu stages an annual summer concert series in his beautiful Netherlands hometown of Maastricht, performing for thousands of fans from all over the world against the stunning medieval backdrop of the town square.

Visit eventcinemas.com.au for more details on the screening.

To be in the running, simply visit seniorsnews.com.au/competitions to enter online. Good luck!

Visit seniorsnews.com.au/competitionterms for full competition terms and conditions. Promoter is ARM Specialist Media Pty Ltd of 2 Newspaper Place, Maroochydore Qld 4558. Promotional period 04/06/18 - 06/07/18. Competition drawn 2pm 06/07/18 at Cnr Mayne Rd and Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Winners announced in Seniors August Editions 2018. Total prize value $400.00 (including GST). Entry is open to all permanent residents of Queensland, residing in the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Toowoomba Seniors distribution areas and NSW in the Northern NSW, Central Coast and Coffs & Clarence Seniors distribution areas.

Wellbeing + Travel + living + Money

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Visit www.seniorsnews.com.au for more information.

34 Seniors Central Coast

Travel - Industry Insights

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

Road trip takes you to our third largest island

Road Runner Tours combines both the sea and the outback KANGAROO Island is seven times the size of Singapore and one-third of it is National Park with an abundance of wildlife. It’s a location that captures natural beauty up close and where you spend three nights and two full days of activities as part of this amazing journey.

“But don’t worry, we go across on a ferry” our bus driver explains, on how you we get onto Kangaroo Island as part of a tour with Road Runner Tours.

Road Runner Tours is all about seeing great places and this 15-day holiday combines both the sea with the outback as you travel through the Flinders Ranges – which could just change the way you look at the world with its 540million-year-old landscapes.

You get to see the Natural Amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound, the Aroona Ruins – the first

cattle station in the Flinders Ranges and its magnificent gorges with all their vibrant colours.

This is definitely a place that’s should be on everyone’s to see list.

But there’s plenty more, as you’ll go on a guided tour of Adelaide City and visit the German town, known as Hahndorf, take a gentle ride on a horsedrawn tram and go up the Murray River on a paddlesteamer. You visit places like the whale centre and honey farm to wander and explore, to name a few of the many places you will see.

So for a holiday you will never forget, contact Road Runner Tours on 4353 9050 and ask for a full itinerary that includes many more destinations South Australia and this 15-day Kangaroo Island and Flinders Ranges holiday includes.

STUNNING: The Flinders Ranges and its magnificent gorges and vibrant colours.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF SATC CORPORATE SITE.

Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Travel

Central Coast

Seniors 35

All 4 Adventure’s Jase Andrews.

Off-Roading 101 guide

Jase Andrews is back in action for his All 4 Adventure show THERE’S nothing better than exploring the outdoors and venturing off the beaten track, but I know from first hand experience that an off-road adventure doesn’t come without its risks.

That’s why it’s important to be knowledgeable and prepared for all of the potential bumps mother nature may throw your way.

Prep for emergencies When embarking on your 4WD adventure, don’t forget to pack the necessities so that you are prepared for anything unexpected that comes your way, in particular: a shovel, air compressor and Maxtrax.

While not many would think to keep a shovel in the boot, when you’re off-roading, there’s nothing better to keep on hand.

Be sure to invest in a good quality shovel with a sturdy handle that won’t break when you need it the most, and the one from Rhino-Rack is great!

Installing a winch and having Maxtrax as part of your kit is a great investment – they’re exactly what you’ll need in a tricky situation.

But you haven’t already

invested in a winch, using Maxtrax with sand or leaves work well to create traction where there is none, giving your tyres something to grip on to.

Low pressures for increased grip To prevent the need to put that shovel to work or whipping out the bog boards, an air compressor will allow you to adjust your tyre pressure to the terrain you’ll be conquering.

Very low pressures of 20psi and under will provide more contact with the ground for increased grip and lessens the risk of punctures when driving over rocky surfaces.

On sand, a lower tyre pressure allows you to remain on top of the sand instead of sinking into it.

Know your gears Knowing your driving gears and their different uses is important when off-roading.

4H which is high-range, is suitable for the easier unsealed tracks, however once you reach more difficult terrains and steep inclines, you’ll want to use 4L which is the low-range 4WD. Hands on the wheel How you hold your steering wheel makes all

Jase Andrews has tips on how to help, if you get stuck off-road.

the difference to protect your hands and ensure you have control over your vehicle.

Because your wheels will find gaps in the rocky terrain, your steering column is likely to be wrenched away from you without warning – so if your grasp is too tight, you could seriously injure yourself.

With a loose grip on the steering wheel, your wheels will be able to find the ruts and gaps in the road.

And when bogged, your steering wheel could turn

suddenly, so making sure your thumb is always on top will avoid a trip to the emergency room!

Test the waters before entering When you’re approaching unfamiliar terrain, especially rivers or creeks, check the depth on foot or using a stick to ensure you aren’t in for any surprises.

Check the current and make sure the water is moving at a safe speed.

Try to avoid driving in bodies of water that are higher than half the height of your wheels to prevent

your engine from flooding.

If your tyres get caught, don’t panic and continue to drive slowly so that your vehicle can get a better grip of the surface.

Always remember to remain calm if things don’t go as planned.

If you stall, try to rock the car forward on its own gear in order to get out of the water.

This is where that trusty winch and mate can come in handy!

Be tame in your off-roading endeavours, don’t try to plough through the road or show off by

driving faster than the conditions allow.

There’s no sense in being over-confident, things can go wrong very quickly, so be sure to remain calm and drive with caution.

All 4 Adventure Winter Encore To see Jase Andrews in action, All 4 Adventure will be back for an encore this winter! Tune in to One every Saturday at 6pm to see Jase Andrews tackle the Territory in his latest season.

36 Seniors Central Coast

Travel

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

The world’s Top 10 WELCOME to the most definitive list of beaches ever assembled a diverse collection of off-the-beaten-path slices of paradise from every hidden corner of our planet.

To create The World’s 50 Best Beaches, FlightNetwork has consulted 600+ of world’s best travel journalists, editors, bloggers and agencies to gain insight from their opinions and expertise. By asking the top travel professionals, Flight Network has created the most trustworthy and accurate list out there to inspire travellers and help choose their upcoming winter holiday destinations.

Here are the top 10: 1. GRACE BAY Scoring: Sheer Untouched Beauty 10/10 Remoteness 8/10 Sand and Water Quality 10/10 Annual Days of Sunshine 319, Average Annual Temp. 29°C Grace Bay Beach, in Turks and Caicos is the most iconic and awe-inspiring stretch of sand in the world, and you’ll know you’ve set foot on one of the most spectacular beaches the moment you arrive. The protective and remarkably colourful barrier reef, which sits 1.6km off the shore, keeps the ocean swells at bay, making Grace Bay one of the most ideal places to soak in warm Atlantic waters.

Swimmers enjoy consistent plush sands without the annoyance of

Navagio Beach.

rocks, seaweed or pollution. Those looking for a truly unforgettable underwater adventure can take the short boat ride to the barrier reef just minutes away. With sunny skies roughly 319 days a year, this island opens its welcoming arms to visitors year round with delicious sands that wrap you in luxury and clearest waters that beckon you to dive in.

Travellers can fly directly into Turks and Caicos via Providenciales International Airport, the closest airport to Grace Bay, for around an incredible $300. To get to Grace Bay, visitors can rent a car, hop onto public transport, or grab a taxi.

Your tropical beach getaway is right at the edge of your fingertips.

2. WHITEHAVEN BEACH Scoring: Sheer Untouched Beauty 10/10, Remoteness 10/10, Sand and Water Quality 10/10, Annual Days of Sunshine 292, Average Annual Temp.

27°C

Whitehaven Beach will make you believe in love at first sight. Composed of 98 per cent silica, the sand here is some of the whitest on Earth. But the baby-powder-like sand isn’t all that makes every visit to this piece of paradise one to remember.

Visitors can only access this 7km of coastline along the warm, clear waters of the Coral Sea by helicopter or seaplane to experience this spectacular island. Seeing all of that untouched natural beauty from above will make you believe in a tropical utopia with glowing sands and crystalline beaches.

Situated on Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands with an always comforting 27°C temperature, this stretch of sand backed by tree-covered mountains is a heaven on earth which one must see to believe.

Venturing into this beautiful beach is easy when flying directly into major airports in Australia . You have quite a few

options once you have landed to get to Whitehaven Beach, including boat, helicopter or sea-plane.

3. ANSE LAZIO Scoring: Sheer Untouched Beauty 10/10, Remoteness 7/10, Sand and Water Quality 9/10, Annual Days of Sunshine 226, Average Annual Temp.

29°C Anse Lazio in Seychelles places each visitor into their own tropical paradise with soft, golden sand and sunlit atmosphere. Crystal clear water and lush coconut palms backed by granite boulders create a setting that feels more like a dream than real life.

Anse Lazio is recognised as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, known for its picturesque views and vivid colours. The saturated waters wrap each swimmer in a teal dream while the dark green palms frame the golden sunset. The magnificent stretch of

Pink Sand Beach.

coastline offers a tropical oasis for every traveller whether they prefer vigorous activities or serene environments.

Waters at an average 27°C draw visitors in for days spent snorkelling and swimming while the warm 28°C weather presents the perfect opportunity for exploration, activities, or a rest on pillow-like sands with a mimosa in hand.

Anse Lazio is located on the northwest coast of Praslin Island, east of Zanzibar and northeast of Madagascar. The beach may feel likes its quite removed from the world but is actually easily accessible. You can obtain cheap flights to Africa and then fly to Seychelles or to Madagascar. Visitors can catch the speed ferry for an adventurous trip or take a short 15-minute flight from Mahe to Praslin.

4. PINK SANDS, BAHAMAS Scoring: Sheer Untouched Beauty 8/10,

Remoteness 8/10, Sand and Water Quality 10/10, Annual Days of Sunshine 223, Average Annual Temp. 28°C Pink Sands Beach has a fairytale-like name, and you’ll understand why when you set foot on the beautifully coloured sands. The nearly 5km of stunning coastline, saturated in golden sun and pink plush ground, will plant itself in your memory forever. Harbour Island in the Bahamas is home to inviting stretches of coastline and mellow waters protected by an offshore coral reef. This portion of the island is an especially dreamy part, known for its pale pink sand made from the bright red and pink shells of the microscopic Foraminifera insects. The colour contrasts and meshes with the turquoise waterline, creating sunrise and sunset colours that are unlike anything else you’ll see in your lifetime.

You can find flights to the Caribbean from all major countries in the

Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Travel

Central Coast

Seniors 37

Anze-Lazio Beach.

Best Beaches Grace Bay.

world. The closest airport to Harbour Island is North Eleuthera (ELH) airport.

5. NAVAGIO BEACH, GREECE Scoring: Sheer Untouched Beauty 10/10, Remoteness 8/10 , Sand and Water Quality 8/10, Annual Days of Sunshine 275, Average Annual Temp. 19°C Navagio Beach in Greece will dazzle your tropical dreams into reality as blue and white beauty combine to create a shipwrecked oasis. In fact, you will not be able to get the clear, crystal blue waters and fine gravel sand off your mind for decades to come. The remoteness of the island only adds to the spectacular and unique atmosphere of Navagio on Zakynthos Island. The baby blue waters and towering golden cliffs absolutely enchant travellers with its exotic features and atmosphere.

The shipwrecked Freightliner MV Panagiotis, washed on the

gravel beach, only adds to the uniqueness of the paradise.

The crisp 19°C weather and 20°C water welcome visitors into a new kind of tropical island meant to be experienced through vivid sights and slow strolls.

Navagio Beach location is most easily and quickly accessible by first flying into the Zakynthos International Airport in Greece.

6. BAIA DOS PORCOS, BRAZIL Scoring: Sheer Untouched Beauty 10/10, Remoteness 10/10, Sand and Water Quality 9/10, Annual Days of Sunshine 258, Average Annual Temp.

27°C Tucked away in the Fernando de Noronha archipelago is Baia Dos Porcos, also known as the Bay of Pigs, one of the most awe-inspiring beaches to experience.

The myriad blues meddle in perfect harmony on the still water filled with rock

formations, including the iconic Dois Irmaos rocks which means the two brothers. Even better the beach is likely to be all yours, as it requires a trek to get to, and you have to pay per day to stay on the island, limiting the number of daily visitors.

Water sports are forbidden which means its all serenity, all the time.

Instead, search for the turtles and wildlife that inhabit the area and find yourself in preserved and natural beauty.

The best time to fly to Brazil is between December and March, during the Brazilian summertime. The closest state to Fernando de Noronha is Recife.

7. PLAYA PARAISO Scoring: Sheer Untouched Beauty 9/10, Remoteness 8/10, Sand and Water Quality 10/10, Annual Days of Sunshine 290, Average Annual Temp. 20°C Playa Paraiso in the Riviera Maya is a quintessential beach

destination for travellers on the hunt for perfection.

Stunning white sands and bright teal waters combine to create a beach unlike others in Mexico. The thousands of annual tourists will agree that Paraiso’s waters are always welcoming and calm while a bounteous coral reef rests just offshore for an adventurous snorkelling or scuba diving session. For those who want a tranquil getaway, Paraiso is their paradise with soft sands just waiting to be relaxed on while the 290 annual days of sun offer a sun-kissed glow.

With an average temperature of 20°C and water at 21°C, visitors are always able to find themselves comfortable and serene in their tropical paradise.

Known as Paradise Beach for a reason, Playa Paraiso is easily accessible with numerous direct flights to Cancun International Airport.

8. HYAMS BEACH, NSW

Scoring: Sheer Untouched Beauty 10/10, Remoteness 8/10, Sand and Water Quality 9/10, Annual Days of Sunshine 251, Average Annual Temp.

17°C No place on earth invites you to relax and unwind quite like the luxuriously soft white sands of Hyams Beach.

Located on the South Coast of New South Wales , this postcard-worthy stretch of sand along the Jervis Bay invites visitors to enjoy underwater adventures in crystal waters or sink their toes into the whitest sands in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. For the more athletically inclined, hike in the Jervis Bay National Park located among the beach beauties. Dotted with rugged rock formations and bright green foliage, you may have to pinch yourself to make sure you are not dreaming when you set foot on the luxurious sands of Hyams Beach.

The closest international airport is located in Sydney.

9. HIDDEN BEACH, MEXICO Scoring: Sheer Untouched Beauty 10/10, Remoteness 10/10, Sand and Water Quality 8/10, Annual Days of Sunshine 299, Average Annual Temp.

25°C Imagine a beach completely tucked away inside a cave with a cavernous opening in the

roof to let the perfect amount of sunlight enter.

That is Mexico’s Hidden Beach, and it’s undeniably one of the most interesting beaches in the world. Located just a one hour boat ride from Puerto Vallarta on the Islas Marietas, the only way to reach the golden sand at Hidden Beach is to jump off a boat and swim or kayak through a tunnel to shore. It is said that the hole in the roof of the cave, creating an ideal sunbathing area, was made when Mexican forces were engaging in bombing practice during World War I. Fly from major airports across various countries into Cancun or Cozumel.

10. TRUNK BAY, US VIRGIN ISLANDS Scoring: Sheer Untouched Beauty 10/10, Remoteness 7/10, Sand and Water Quality 10/10, Annual Days of Sunshine 140, Average Annual Temp.

27°C It remains one of the best-preserved beaches in the world. Venture to Trunk Bay Beach in the US Virgin Islands, where you will find a 205 metre underwater snorkelling trail, roughly half a mile of silky sands.

Any major airports will offer flights directly into the US Virgin Islands.

Find more information at flightnetwork.com/ blog/worlds50-best-beaches.

38 Seniors Central Coast

Travel

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

Sail to Torres Strait Islands Explore the culture, cuisine and amazing views BECOME an expeditioner in 2019 as you explore a rarely visited part of Australia, the Torres Strait islands.

Five Ahoy Buccaneer expeditions will journey to southern islands of the Torres Strait archipelago as well as to Cape York.

Spread out across 150km of ocean between Cape York and Papua New Guinea, the archipelago is home to a blend of Melanesian and Indigenous Australian cultures surrounded by stunning blue waters.

Dugongs, dolphins, giant marlin and sea turtles thrive in the crystal blue waters. The reefs provide opportunities for fishing, snorkelling and fishing.

The 19-guest motor yacht Oceanic will take passengers on a round-trip from Horn Island to the unique and culturally rich islands where a local guide will each day showcase the diverse history of the Torres Strait Islands.

Guests will be immersed in indigenous cultures, tales of

Book now to sail your way to the Torres Strait Islands in 2019.

head-hunters and the history of Possession Island, the place where Captain Cook claimed Australia for England in 1770.

Travellers can also visit the remains of the World War II airbase on Horn Island or enjoy a beer at Australia’s most northerly pub – the Torres Hotel on Thursday Island.

Accommodation on board is in double bed and bunk cabins, as well as sleeping under the stars in deluxe swags on deck.

The 24m rigged vessel also boasts indoor and outdoor dining areas, two lounges and a deck spa.

Fresh and healthy cuisine is prepared by an onboard cook who regularly sources much of the menu from what is caught from the sea each day.

The cruises begin and end on Horn Island with daily Qantas flights to the islands from Cairns.

The tour costs $2520 per person, including for solos, in a deck swag and from $3150 per person in a cabin, twin-share.

The cost include meals, shore excursions and transfers during the cruise. The flights to and from Horn Island are additional.

Ahoy Buccaneers is offering a 10 per cent saving on its six-night Torres Strait Islands cruises departing on February 25 and March 4, 11, 18 and 25 in 2019, if booked by June 30, 2018.

For more information, phone Ahoy Buccaneers on (08) 9193 7650 or go to ahoybuccaneers. com.au.

EXCITING TRAVEL: Indigenous culture, wildlife and amazing natural views are all part of the Torres Strait Islands tour.

Puttingg Fun into Coach Holidays FREE home pick-up & Return fo r our holida y 3 days & ove r

6 Day Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

16 Day Tasmania in Spring

8 Day Great Ocean Road

Departing Saturday 20th October

Departing 17th November

A holiday not just for the garden lovers. Travel to Tamworth for overnight before arriving in Toowoomba for a 3 nights stay. Visit Laurel Banks Park, Queens Park and the beautiful Spring Bluff Railway Station. Sit is reserved grand stand seating to watch the carnival parade. Visit some private gardens and visit Black Forest Hill. Overnight in Armidale on our return to the Central Coast.

Discover Tasmania in Spring .. a beautiful time of year to explore the hidden secrets that Tasmania has to offer.

Travel across on the Spirit of Tasmania with a 2 night stay at Strahan followed by 4 nights in Hobart. Historic Port Arthur, the Huon Valley, Arthur River Cruise and Cradle Mountain are just some of the highlights the tour has to offer.

Join us and travel one of the most photographed destinations in Australia the Great Ocean Road also known as the Shipwreck Coast. view the remaining Twelve Apostles, The Grotto , the Bay of Isles and the Blowhole. Plenty of photo Opportunities along the way. 3 nights in Warrnambool to visit Flagstaff Hill, Port Fairy and the Maremma Dogs. Enjoy the Sound & Light show “Shipwrecked” and Blood on the Southern Cross in Ballarat.

6 Day Riverina in Spring

8 Day Norfolk Island

Departing Thursday 11th October

Departing Monday 22nd October

Departing Thursday 20th September

Tour Price: $1667.00 per person twin share

This holiday favourite spends 5 nights at the Leeton Heritage Motel. Exploring the Murrumbidgee irrigation area. Tour the Roxy Theatre and visit Libby Bailey who restores Rocking Horses, View the amazing Citrus Sculpture in Griffith and visit some of the Local gardens open for the festival of gardens. Spend the day at Altina Wildlife Park. So much to see and do on this holiday.

Tour Price: $4150.00 per person twin share

Includes: return airfares, 7 night’s accommodation at Castaway, daily tours and outings, breakfast & dinner each day. Escorted all the way.

Tour Price: $3250.00 per person twin share

Tour Price: $1650.00 per person twin share

5 Day Cherry Festival - Young Departing 29th November

Enjoy a 4 night stay in Harden, pick your own cherries if you wish, see the Cherry Festival Parade and tour the local sights. Visit the Licorice Factory, the fudge and jam factory and Iandra Castle.

A great little getaway with lots to see.

Tour Price: $1185.00 per person twin share

Tour Price: $1450.00 per person twin share

Holiday Inclusions

Home pick-up for Central Coast & Newcastle passengers, 5-star coach travel with professional and informative coach captain/guide Quality Motel accommodation, 2 course dinners, full cooked breakfasts, all entry fees, attractions, sightseeing and cruises as per each itinerary.

It’s Easy Tours Shop 5A Gosford Central Plaza/153 Mann Street GOSFORD NSW 2250 Telephone: 02 4325 8000 | www.itseasytours.com

For detailed itineraries including our 2018 Holiday Guide & latest Day Tours call us 02 4325 8000

6641322am

02 4325 8000

Entertainment Feature

Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Central Coast

Seniors 39

A NIGHT OUT IN WYONG FOR GOOD FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT

A musical journey awaits A journey into a cappella music with The Song Company

GREAT for the brain, the heart and the body.

Since the beginning of time people have sung in groups and now a performance from Australia’s leading vocal ensemble aims to bring together this rich history in one stunning chronological concert on the Central Coast for one night only this winter.

The Arrow of Song comes to The Art House, Wyong, on Friday, August 10, and promises to be an unforgettable musical journey into the history of a cappella music.

In a breathtaking performance featuring a huge range of a cappella music, the ensemble starts at some of the earliest origins of written a cappella, with a haunting rendition of Ecce virgo concipiet, a 10th Century Plainchant.

Described as “virtuoso ensemble singing” (The

Sydney Morning Herald), the group seamlessly moves forward in time through medieval Germany, France and Italy, before reaching 1603 and Monteverdi’s 1603 Sfogava con le stele.

Travelling forward again, through pieces from Bach and a traditional 19th Century spiritual, the performance lands in the 20th Century and finishes with an incredible, rousing performance of an Australian classic.

The Arrow of Song entertains and informs through the medium of music.

The performance portrays how harmony and notation have developed into many styles and genres during the past 2000 years and is a unique opportunity to time travel through two millennia of music.

EXQUISITE ENSEMBLE: The Art House Presents, The Arrow of Song – A Song Company production on Friday, August 10, at 8pm.

Exquisitely curated and performed by The Song Company, Australia’s leading vocal ensemble, this is an experience

THE ART HOUSE PRESENTS

A JOURNEY INTO THE HISTORY OF A CAPELLA MUSIC

FRIDAY 10 AUGUST 7:30PM

TICKETS FROM $25

BOOKINGS

02 4335 1485 | THEARTHOUSEWYONG.COM.AU

THE ART HOUSE 19-21 MARGARET STREET, WYONG

which will encourage people of all ages to find their voice in the ongoing story of a cappella.

ENJOY A MEAL

Don’t forget to book an Italian meal at Osteria A’ Mano, before the show.

The Arrow of Song, August 10 at 8pm. For bookings: thearthouse wyong.com.au or phone (02) 4335 1485.

O st e r i a A ’ Mano Tra d i t i o n a l I ta l i a n R e sta u ra n t "Dine here before the Symphony for a great night of food and entertainment.”

The ideal venue for your next function!

66 Pacific Highway Wyong, 2259 For Reservations: 02-4353-4444 or ostamano@gmail.com

40 Seniors Central Coast

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

What’s on

REFUGEE WORKSHOP

HOSTED by Erina Community Baptist Social Justice and Erina Community Baptist Church on Thursday, June 28, is an event described as an “interactive refugee workshop” which will “explode the myths and explore the realities around refugees and asylum seekers and identify a biblical shaped way forward”. The event runs at the church from 7–9.30pm. Supper is provided and entry is free.

Phone 0401 873 921.

OPSHOP BIRTHDAY

WYONG Neighbourhood Centre OpShop is celebrating its seventh birthday with a garage sale and sausage sizzle from 10am–2pm on Friday, June 29. It’s on rain, hail or shine in Room 3 at the Old Primary School, cnr Alison Rd and Ranken Ct, with toys, books, games, jewellery, DVDs and CDs, kitchenware, shoes,

suitcases, linen, handbags and more.

Phone Sharyn on 4353 1750.

WHALE DREAMERS FESTIVAL

THE annual Whale Dreamers Festival is on again from 10am–2pm on Sunday, July 1. Held at Norah Head Lighthouse, the local organisers’ aim is to bring the community together to raise awareness of the plight of whales and raise funds for conservation and research projects. There will be free whale talks, live music, guest speakers, marine conservation displays and food stalls. Bus pick-ups are available. Go to: whaledreamers.org.au or phone Nikki on 0415 207 887.

SOLSTICE EXHIBITION

A GROUP of local artists has joined forces in Solstice to showcase their

GOOD TIMES: There's always a good crowd, good music and good times at the annual Winter Blues and Jazz at the Entrance.

PHOTO: GARY LUKE, PHOTOGRAPHICS

works for from Friday, July 6–Sunday, July 8 at Gosford Gallery. Works include painting, ceramics, photography, woodwork and glass art, all inspired by the Coast.

The official opening is 2–5pm on July 7.

Participating artists are Annette Heidrich, Fran Melrose, Jenny Knibb, Karen McPhee, Sandy Robinson, Meg McDonald, Sue Sullivan, Judy Barrett, John Chapman, Robyn Lowe, Murray Lowe and Thel Brown.

WINTER BLUES AND JAZZ

THIS annual festival is another council freebie, so make the most of it from 10am–4pm on Sunday, July 15, at Memorial Park, The Entrance. As well as the main acts – yet to be finalised as we went to press – there will be buskers, food stalls, wine tasting and plenty of room to relax and enjoy the vibes. Go to: theentrance.org.au/ whats-on.

NUNSENSE

WYONG Drama Group presents the comedy musical Nunsense, a talent show by five

survivors at the Little Sisters of Hoboken Nunnery. It’s on from Friday, July 20–Saturday, July 28. Tickets are $20–$35 at The Art House Wyong. Phone 4335 1485 or go to: thearthouse wyong.com.au.

BAYS ART SHOW

THE Bays Community Group will host its 2018 Art Show on the weekend of July 21–22. Again this year the six artists showcased are talented Central Coast professionals with varied styles and mediums from painting to sculpture. It’s at Woy Woy Bay. Entry is via gold coin donation except opening night, Friday, July 20, at 7.30pm, to which tickets are $35 (book in advance). Phone 0409 302 102. Proceeds go back into the community – Horsfield, Phegans and Woy Woy bays.

MY FAIR LADY

HERE’S a perennial favourite – Gosford

Musical Society will bring My Fair Lady to Laycock Street Community Theatre from July 27–August 11.

Based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, it’s the classic story of flowergirl Eliza Doolittle’s transformation to a lady, with hits like I Could Have Danced All Night. Tickets are adult $46. Phone 4323 3233.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

THE Iris Foundation presents its Christmas in July celebration at The Beachcomber Hotel, Toukley on July 28, with proceeds to Phoenix Youth Support Services and the prevention of suicide. The Iris Foundation, founded on the Coast in 2006, fosters resilience, hope and connections in our community as a means to reducing the risk of suicide. Tickets at $58.50 include all Christmas trimmings, lucky door prizes, auctions and more. Phone Sue on 0418 761 461, or go to: irisfoundation.org.au.

TUE | SCHNITTY

WED | RUMP STEAK

THU | AROUND THE WORLD

LOOKING FOR A

NIGHT OUT ?

Come in and check out the NEW

Winter Menu

at Archie’s Brasserie FRI | BURGER + BEER

SUN | FAMILY ROAST

...........................................

...........................................

Dane Drive Gosford www.cclc.com.au

Central Coast

Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 41

Live and let’s save Golden years of retirement

WE SHOULD all be rewarded with a pot of glorious gold at the end of the retirement rainbow.

Many seniors will still be working but need to plan what their future will look like in retirement.

Maybe that will include travelling, volunteering, looking after the grandkids or downsizing to a cheaper, more manageable style of living.

As with all major life changes, your regular income will change over time, so it’s good to review your finances at the end of each financial year. Prior preparation will assist with a smoother transition into retirement.

Some income sources during retirement to help with ongoing expenses: Age pension, home

BE THRIFTY AND THRIVE NICKY NORMAN equity release, income from super, investments outside of super, part-time employment, selling the family home.

Keeping an eye on your finances: ASIC has an app, TrackMySPEND, which can give you a clear picture of your purchasing habits, and help gain control of your money.

You can record the following types of expenses: your weekly household budget, costs for special events like weddings or celebrations, work or travel expenses,

coffees, lunches and any other cash expenses that you find hard to record.

This app allows you to nominate a spending limit (per week, fortnight, month or year) and track your progress; separate ‘needs’ and ‘wants’ to identify opportunities to save; create ‘favourites’ so you can track frequent expenses; view your expense history; add ‘tags’ to categorise expenses and set spending limits for each category; create expense reminders sent as text messages to your phone; auto-fill expenses based on past entries.

Bonus features include free data backup to prevent data loss, syncing your profile and use on multiple devices, exporting data to a CSV

POT OF GOLD: Good money management now will assist towards greater financial rewards in retirement.

file (for Excel, or other financial software).

For more go to www. moneysmart.gov.au.

Financial assistance: If you need financial assistance advice, particularly if you are in debt and have legal

problems, there are community legal centres and Legal Aid that offer free legal advice and services.

Queensland – Legal Aid Queensland 1300 651 188 and NSW – Legal Aid New South

Wales 1300 888 529 or (02) 9219 5000.

Women’s Legal Services Queensland – 1800 957 957 or 1800 457 117 (rural, regional and remote) and Women’s Legal Services NSW – (02) 8745 6900.

Winter planting ideas for newest rose varieties A RANGE of beautiful new roses becomes available during winter so now is the perfect time to start planning which varieties you want to plant in your garden.

Yates have three stunning new-release roses from Treloar Roses to tempt you: Unconventional Lady (Korsamasi) This is a hybrid tea rose with large, deep, pink, fragrant flowers. The vigorous bush grows to around 1.6m tall and its long flower stems make it a wonderful rose for cutting.

Climbing Future (Korjoslio)

It’s a climbing rose that is covered in softly scented large white flowers with a pale pink blush.

Growing to around 2m tall, it’s a beautiful rose for growing against a fence or over a large arch.

Garden of Roses (Korfloci) This one is a floribunda rose with delicately scented, full soft apricot blooms. It’s a compact rose, growing to around 60cm high, so is ideal for smaller gardens and pots.

Roses do best in cool to warm temperate zones.

■ When deciding on where to plant any new roses in your garden,

choose a spot with well-drained soil that receives at least six hours of sunshine a day.

■ An area with good air movement is also beneficial, as this will help to reduce disease problems.

■ If planting a new rose in a pot, use a pot that has good drainage holes and fill with a good quality potting mix like Yates Premium Potting Mix.

CATERPILLAR TIME

With vegetables like kale, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower in full swing, caterpillars like the cabbage white butterfly caterpillars will be on the

rampage. Even the smallest of them can chew through mountains of foliage and left unchecked can result in heartbreaking skeletonised leaves.

You may not see them, just their damage or droppings, as many are cleverly camouflaged.

They are easily controlled by regularly spraying with Yates Success Ultra.

Spraying should start as soon as the first caterpillars or their damage is spotted and repeat applications every seven to 14 days.

For more great winter gardening ideas, go to www.yates.com.au.

Don’t miss Brisbane’s

BIG DAY!

Bridge to Brisbane is back for 2018! Gather your family and friends get ready to make the journey for a fun day strolling over the historic Story Bridge and past the iconic sights of Brisbane City.

REGISTER TODAY

bridgetobrisbane.com.au

DEEP PINK: The Unconventional Lady rose is a new offering from Treloar Roses.

PHOTO: TRELOAR ROSES

42 Seniors Central Coast

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

Talk’n’thoughts Hurdles, highjumps and solutions

There are big changes ahead HOW are you feeling at your age?

Older? wiser? Hopefully.

Bolder? Depends. More mellow? Likely. Are you at an age where you can say with ease ‘I am what I am and I’m OK about that’?

Certainly, Doria Ragland, the mother of Meghan Markle (no need to say anymore), proved the point with the grace and confidence she exuded as she took her place at her daughter’s wedding.

Fronting up to the likes of the English royal family without losing her nose stud, dreadies or poise proved this middle-class 61-year-old AfricanAmerican woman was made of sturdy stuff.

Could she have done that at age 20, 30, 40 or 50? Perhaps not. It

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK GAIL FORRER

Group editor Seniors Newspapers network

seemed to me that she drew her strength and style from the well of lifetime experiences.

Could she have felt that way 50, 40, 30 or even 20 years ago? I doubt it.

The world hadn’t gone through or settled with the changes delivered from the fights against a host of discriminatory behaviour – most of all those of race and gender.

We are the first older generation to reap the benefit of these disruptions In many ways, Doria

Ragland represents a cross section of mature-aged people. She has married, divorced, brought up a child, educated herself, worked and cared for extended family.

It takes a lifetime to rack up these accomplishments and they should be respected and appreciated, not only in family life, but also in the public sphere and the workplace.

But, sadly in many cases, there is still a lingering discrimination that forbids an honest recognition of the innate value of these qualities.

It is called ageism.

Ageism means that you can be smart, healthy, happy and reliable and endowed with positive skills that came from a

lifetime of experience, but in certain situations, usually employment, if you own up to a certain number, then you’re out of the race.

If anything, the royal wedding presented a world healed from much of the pain caused from past prejudices.

It showed how increased longevity has led to four generations of a living family, it showed how there are old people and older people.

And in this new era, it also showed that it’s time to disassociate all the prejudices we link with a person’s age and instead see the reality of who they really are. The same as any discrimination, ageism is hurtful and unhealthy and the world is better without it.

AN OUTSTANDING MOTHER: Doria Ragland.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Email editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au or go online to www.seniorsnews.com.au.

Sassy grandma’s name: it’s your time to get funky Columnist Ann Rickard is a proud grandmother of seven of the most beautiful grandchildren in the land, but she says she isn’t biased. Ann gives us her take on grandmother names.

CHOOSING a grandmother or grandfather name might seem of little importance when you first find out you are going to become a grandparent, but believe me, it is.

This name is going to stick with you, and if you have happened to choose a name off-the-cuff that you don’t really have a fondness for, you are going to hate it until your dying day.

So... give it lots of thought.

No longer are us ladies required to be called granny (we shudder at that one).

Any woman of a certain age now will remember or know about the grannies of yesterday. Always old beyond their years, usually with a tight perm in their grey or white hair, a heavy cardigan around their stooped shoulders, hanky up the sleeve, a chair by the fire, slippers on the bunioned feet, knitting at hand. That is

SNAPSHOTS OF LIFE ANN RICKARD ann.rickard@apn.com.au

so not us, right?

Today’s grandmothers have caramel highlights in their blonde, fashionable hairstyles, they will sport the latest fashion labels, wouldn’t know what to do with a hanky if they owned one, and are more likely to be found at the gym doing high intensity interval training than in a chair by the fire.

So, we need a name that makes us sound as fabulous and fun as we are.

Ten years ago, I went through the name choosing when my first grandchild was due.

Rejecting outright ‘nanna’, ‘grandma’ or ‘granny’, but considering cute Italian and French names of nonna and grand-mere, I decided to keep on looking. I thought briefly of a Dutch name but grootmoeder didn’t quite cut it. And seeing as I am not Italian, French or Dutch, it wasn’t quite right.

GRANDMOTHER JOYS: Time to pick out a fun new name.

I consulted many a sassy woman of a certain age on this important subject. Finally, one came up with the name “Mimi”.

I liked it. And so my life as Mimi began.

Seven grandchildren later and the name is now as much part of my personality and character as my proper (boring)

name, Ann. Mimi is an easy one for children to say. It is very close to ‘mummy’. And say it they do. From the very minute they can talk.

The only problem is, they all say it at once.

There is a great chorus of ‘Mimi’ the moment they come in the door and charge at me. They seem

PHOTO: BOWDENIMAGES

unable to begin a sentence without a loud and raucous ‘Mimi’ at the start.

So entrenched is my Mimi name, my adult children call me that now.

Mum has all but been forgotten.

As for suitable grandfather names... not so difficult.

Who doesn’t love ‘poppa’, ‘pop’ or even plain old ‘grandad’?

They are all endearing and traditional and right.

Unless you are a groovy grandfather with a sleeve tattoo and a motorbike, then you’ll need to look for something a bit more you.

— annrickard.com

Puzzles

Monday, June 25, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

JIGGERED

4/6

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.

B U S E R A C

D U O B S E

T H E M R

I F N G

Y E E

N A C A R E

E E D R E R A

R O A P E M B

T T R S H

E F C R E T

G V E R E

S T E A R G

B L S E T H

S O I P E U

C U R A O

U R E E E M

T L E I F L E

U N A M B U

S E S S J A

C K S A A T I C

S C A R B A K

L P A W L X O

L A K W B E A

T Y

D T E A O T

M A S

K S C

S L O

Central Coast

QUICK CROSSWORD Across 1. Reunited (10) 7. Long-limbed (5) 8. Folds (7) 10. Alters (8) 11. Boast (4) 13. Speaker (6) 15. Mollycoddle (6) 17. Move slowly and cautiously (4) 18. Counselling (8) 21. Horses (colloq) (3-4) 22. Bury (5) 23. In particular (10)

Down 1. Stiff (5) 2. Happy shout (3,2,3) 3. Arrested (colloq) (6) 4. Frozen (4) 5. Makes certain (7) 6. Perplexing (10) 9. Tourists (10) 12. Benevolence (8) 14. Bowmen (7) 16. Breakfast food (6) 19. Mad (colloq) (5) 20. Deal out (4)

1

2

3

Seniors 43 4

5

6 7

8

9

10

11 12

13

14

15 16

17

18

19

20 21

22

TRIO

Can you complete these four words, using the same three-letter sequence in each?

SUDOKU

23

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

V

REFER, SEARCh, TRAIPSE, UNSORTED, VEGETABLE.

ALPHAGRAMS L E E R H E R

L

U

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

SUDOKU

K S A I C K S C U E E M P W L O F Y E E

JIGGERED

TRIO: hOR

Across: 1. Reconciled 7. Leggy 8. Creases 10. Modifies 11.

Brag 13. Orator 15. Cosset 17. Inch 18. Guidance 21. Gee-gees 22. Inter 23. Especially.

Down: 1. Rigid 2. Cry of joy 3. Nicked 4. Iced 5. Ensures 6.

Flummoxing 9. Sightseers 12. Goodwill 14. Archers 16. Muesli 19. Nutty 20. Mete.

Good 25 Very Good 34 Excellent 43+

A C S S S A F R E

QUICK CROSSWORD

Tukka Time Catering

Professionally made Home Delivered Meals We are a local HACCP Accredited company guaranteeing the safety of your meals Very affordable freshly cooked meals delivered weekly Catering to the individual, groups and care packages BULK MEAL DELIVERIES ARE AVAILABLE TO RETIREMENT VILLAGES

FROZEN meals start from $7 FRESH meals start from $9 Please call 0414721357

*conditions apply

JOIN US FOR A LUNCH AT WATERFORD CAFÉ located within Waterford Retirement Village at 24 Kincumber Street, Kincumber

We are open to the public for lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm Monday to Thursday

6761010aa

MA

S G O B R E O R A R E J K E C A T

550

A E

D B A S E T T A S T E B A R U S C U A A N C A K E L A W B E

TODAY

A

FREER ARCHES PARTIES ROUNDEST GET A BEVEL

M

D L

M 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.

T E O R O P E M D O B E S C R B A T H E R

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.

alameda alar alarm alarmed alder area areal armada armed dale dame dare deal dear derma dermal dram drama dream earl lade lama lame lamed lamer lammed lard lead lemma madam made male mama marae mare marl marled MARMALADE mead meal medal medlar rale rammed read real realm ream

ALPHAGRAMS

44 Seniors Central Coast

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, June 25, 2018

AURRUM AGED CARE • Clinical care excellence • Modern facilities & superior amenities • Dietitian-approved seasonal menus & home-cooked meals • Extensive wellness & lifestyle programs

OUR AURRUM FAMILY CARING FOR YOUR FAMILY

AURRUM TERRIGAL DRIVE

Call 1800 AURRUM (1800 287 786)

www.aurrum.com.au

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351 Terrigal Dr, Erina NSW 2250 351 Terrigal Dr, Erina NSW 2250 1A Scaysbrook Dr, Kincumber NSW 2251 60 Soldiers Point Dr, Norah Head NSW 2263 80 Chamberlain Rd, Wyoming NSW 2250