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Spring into a new season Gail Forrer Seniors Group Editor

Top gardening tips

Money matters INDEX 4 Cover Story: Hieu Van Le AC 6 Clarence Valley Country Muster 10 Talk ‘n’ thoughts 12 Community Group Guide 14 Prostate cancer survivors 16 What’s on 19 Wellbeing 25 Wanderlust 33 Living 35 Money 38 Spring gardening tips 39 Puzzles

HELLO readers, welcome to this month’s spring edition. Spring is traditionally a time of renewal and I believe our cover story truly highlights this theme. In many ways the extraordinary life of South Australian Governor Hieu Van Le runs like a movie – but this is no fantasy, it is real life and I think its authenticity gives us all hope for a better future and even renewal, no matter our age or circumstances. I hope you enjoy Tracey Johnstone’s story as much as I did. In celebration of spring, we speak to local gardeners who share their tips for a flourishing and fertile garden and, let’s face it, there is nothing like first-hand advice from people who love their gardens. Speaking of blooming gardens, in terms of travel we take a look at some of the best gardens in the world, featuring vast fields of buds, blooms and breathtaking colours. The bucket list of great world destinations continues, with another list of magnificent places on Earth to explore. But to participate in gardening and travel we

need to enjoy good health and, as always, our Wellbeing section shares an array of tips and hints to keep us good stead. Our Living section also endeavours to reveal fresh ideas to enhance our lifestyles. But here at Seniors News, we recognise the many aspects of life and this month in our Talk ‘n’ Thoughts section we highlight the HILDA report, a survey that has been tracking particular families since 2001, in order to gather social and economic data that may ultimately influence key government decision-makers. It’s not all good news and we stand with National Seniors and The Benevolent Society campaign to improve the pension. I trust you will enjoy our range of stories. Gail

General Manager Geoff Crockett – 07 5430 1006 geoff.crockett@news.com.au Editor Gail Forrer – 07 5435 3203 gail.forrer@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Media Sales Executive Sue Germany – 0408 286 539 sue.germany@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Online Get your news online at www.seniorsnews.com.au Advertising, editorial and distribution enquiries Phone: 1300 880 265 or (07) 5435 3200 Email: advertising@seniorsnewspaper.com.au or editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Location: 2 Newspaper Place, Maroochydore 4558 Website: www.seniorsnews.com.au Subscriptions Only $39.90 for one year (12 editions) including GST and postage anywhere in Australia. Please call our circulations services on 1300 361 604 and quote “Sunshine Coast Seniors Newspaper”. The Seniors Newspaper is published monthly and distributed free in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales. The Seniors newspaper stable includes Toowoomba, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Northern NSW, Coffs and Clarence and Central Coast publications. Published by News Corp Australia. Printed by News Corp Australia, Yandina. Opinions expressed by contributors to Seniors Newspapers are not necessarily those of the editor or the owner/publisher and publication of advertisements implies no endorsement by the owner/publisher.

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NEWS

Enjoy peace of yoga Yamba Festival puts the spotlight on mind, body, spirit Tania Phillips

MINDFULNESS is all the craze at the moment but it has a basis in Buddhism stretching back almost 2600 years according to meditation teacher Lynn Montgomery. The American-born Sandy Beach resident will be one of the teachers taking part in this year’s Yamba Yoga Festival. The two-day celebration of yoga and mindfulness, to be staged at 78 Angourie Rd, Yamba from October 13-14, will feature more than 20 yoga instructors from the local area and beyond. The event will offer a diverse program of classes allowing participants to embrace a variety of yoga styles with something suitable for beginners to seasoned yoga students of any age. Lynn, who also attended the event last year, will focus on The Buddha of Breath Awareness and Meditation for Challenge and Change. “It is a wonderful tool for everybody to learn breath awareness and to create our own sense of calm,” Lynn said. She also teaches techniques to help people cope with change in their lives. Having travelled and lived around the globe, Lynn has practised with meditation masters in Asia, North America, Australia and New Zealand. She started as a student of Zen at Green Gulch Farm in California and for the past 15 years has practised Vipassana meditation, attending retreats lasting from 10

HISTORY OF YOGA The history of yoga has many areas of obscurity and uncertainty due to the oral transmission of sacred texts and the secretive nature of its teachings. The early writings on yoga were transcribed on fragile palm leaves that were easily damaged, destroyed or lost. The development of yoga can be traced back more than 5000 years but some researchers think that yoga may be up to 10,000 years old. Yoga’s long, rich history can be divided into four main periods of innovation, practice and development.

days to five months. Event creator Rosie Richards said the two-day festival would offer something for everyone. “Start your weekend by experiencing bliss, peace and deep relaxation with Chichhan and her crystal singing bowls. Expand your experience of yoga by trying Japanese Yoga, break for lunch in our delicious cafe and continue your day by signing Matras,” she said. “Finally, attend our Kirtan Concert and find your flow in the Iyengar Yoga class which is focused on support hormonal balance. “Wow, what a day. And that’s only the Saturday.” Rosie said the event aimed to also allow people to forge connections within the community. “The Yoga Festival is about connecting with your local community of like-minded people, awakening to your true potential and expanding your mind, body and spirit,” she said. “It’s a festival for nurturing yourself and gives yourself access to activities that aren’t always available in our daily lives. Honour yourself by participating and soaking up the knowledge that this incredible weekend has to offer.” Rosie said the festival is a great place for both the beginner and advanced practitioners.

● Pre-Classical Yoga The beginnings of yoga were developed by the Indus-Sarasvati civilization in northern India more than 5000 years ago. The word yoga was first mentioned in the oldest sacred texts, the Rig Veda. The Vedas were a collection of texts containing songs, mantras and rituals to be used by Brahmans, the Vedic priests. Yoga was slowly refined and developed by the Brahmans and Rishis (mystic seers) who documented their practices and beliefs in the Upanishads, a huge work containing more than 200 scriptures. The most renowned of the Yogic scriptures is the Bhagavad-Gîtâ, composed around 500 BCE. The Upanishads took the idea of ritual sacrifice from the Vedas and internalised it, teaching the sacrifice of the ego through self-knowledge, action (karma yoga) and wisdom (jnana yoga). ● Classical Yoga In the pre-classical stage, yoga was a mish mash of various ideas, beliefs and techniques that often conflicted and contradicted each other. The Classical period is defined by Patanjali’s Yoga-Sûtras, the first systematic presentation of yoga. Written some time in the second century, this text describes the path of Raja Yoga, often called “classical yoga”. Patanjali organised the practice of yoga into an “eight limbed path” containing the steps and stages towards obtaining Samadhi, or enlightenment. Patanjali is often considered the father of yoga and his Yoga-Sûtras still strongly influence most modern styles. ● Tantra Yoga A few centuries after Patanjali, yoga masters created a system of practices designed to rejuvenate the body and prolong life. They rejected the teachings of the ancient Vedas and MINDFULNESS: Meditation teacher Lynn embraced the physical body as the means to Montgomery is preparing for her second Yamba achieve enlightenment. They developed Tantra Yoga Festival. Yoga, with radical techniques to cleanse the body and mind to break the knots that bind us to our physical existence. This exploration of these physical-spiritual connections and body-centered practices led to the creation of what we primarily think of yoga in the West: Hatha Yoga. ● Modern Period In the late 1800s and early 1900s, yoga masters began to travel to the West, attracting attention and followers. This began at the 1893 Parliament of Religions in Chicago, when Swami Vivekananda wowed the attendees with his lectures on yoga and the universality of the world’s religions. In the 1920s and 30s, Hatha Yoga was strongly promoted in India with the work of T. Krishnamacharya, Swami Sivananda and other yogis practising Hatha Yoga. Krishnamacharya opened the first Hatha Yoga school in Mysore in 1924 and in 1936 Sivananda founded the Divine Life Society on the banks of the holy Ganges River. Krishnamacharya produced three students that would continue his legacy and increase the popularity of Hatha Yoga: B K S Iyengar, T K V Desikachar and Pattabhi Jois. Sivananda was a prolific author, writing more than 200 books on yoga, and established nine ashrams and numerous yoga centers located around the world.

When: October 13th-14 at 78 Angourie Rd, Yamba. Price: $35 admission for one day. Two-day pass $65. Tickets online or at the door. Details: Go to yamba.yogafestival.com.

Sourced from:://www.yogabasics.com/learn/history-of-yoga/

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COVER STORY

SEPTEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Governor continues the

From a tiny boat to the top job Tracey Johnstone

“G’DAY mate! Welcome to Australia.” The shouted greeting wasn’t anything like what Hieu Van Le AC and his wife Lan expected to hear when they fearfully arrived in Australia. They arrived in 1977 as part of the early wave of Vietnamese refugees, huddled in a 15m wooden fishing boat with 40 other people. The trip was “horrendous”. After weeks at sea and violent rejection by coast guards along the way, the refugees arrived in the pitch dark at Melville Island. In heavy dawn fog of the following day and with grave doubts as to how Australian officialdom would receive them, their tattered boat chugged clumsily into Darwin Harbour, exhausted by the long journey. “All of a sudden,

MUCH APPRECIATED: South Australian Governor, His Excellency Hieu Van Le AC and Mrs Van Le in the grounds of Government House. Photo: AAP / Dean Martin coming towards us was the sound of an outboard motor,” Mr Le said. In the distance was a fast approaching tinnie

with two blokes resplendent in singlets and shorts, hats, white zinc noses, beer cans in hand and fishing rods

perched on the stern. “As they got close to our hull one of them raised his stubbie up, as if proposing a toast, and

shouted out,‘g’day mate! Welcome to Australia’.” Every day for the last 41 years, the 64-year-old reminds himself of that

greeting. “It was the first experience I had with Australian people and it made a deep impression.” he said. “I knew instantly we had arrived in a welcoming country, one where a laconic, easy-going attitude was the promise of a ‘fair go’. “Back then the arrival of boat people like us was considered a significant event.” Mr Le landed in Australia at age 23, armed only with a bright mind and a firm belief in making the best of what was in front of him. His journey has been one of persistence and resilience. His life, both then and now, has had many facets. After escaping the ravages of the Vietnam War, he completed two Adelaide University degrees before working as a senior corporate regulator. Prior to becoming South Australia’s Governor, Mr Le also served for several years as member of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Commission (SAMEAC).

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Our staff are people too. I was at a bank recently (Which bank you ask?) and I noticed a sign on the wall saying Our Staff are People Too. I thought about this and then talked to the Manager about why this was necessary. It was an interesting discussion on how some people are rude to customer service people when they are only applying the rules and regulations of the business. For example, if you don’t agree with the fees being charged then it certainly is not the fault of the person on the front desk. The bank manager said a 17 year old school based trainee was subject to this recently. Our Customer service people are our reception, intake, coordinators and our Support Workers who are out with our customers providing their services. It is important to remember that they are people too. They have family commitments such as young children, may be studying, saving to buy a home, looking to start a family or even caring for their elderly or sick parents. I believe each person will always try their best when working in this type of work and if you find that your service is not as expected please politely let your worker know. Feedback about our services is very important. There is always someone that you can let know about our services. We had a recruitment drive for more Support Workers recently and I am pleased to say that we employed eight new Support Workers. Some of these people had worked with us through a staff agency and we are glad they have decided to come on permanently with us. So if we send a new person to your home in their first 2 weeks they will be with an experienced staff person learning the job. Please make them feel welcome. Each time we recruit for staff we look for people with a variety of skills and knowledge. With NDIS and Home Care Packages there are requests for staff with particular skills and we also have agency staff to meet those needs or extra hours as requested. Rostering over 2000 hours of service per fortnight to meet the needs of each individual customer is a complicated business. Our rostering staff work extra hard to meet everyone’s request. They also have to consider staff leave including those who suddenly get sick and need time off. So there are times when last minute changes occur. So remember Our staff are people too. If you have any questions or require any information about community aged care services please give our Customer Cheryl Borton, Karen Waterhouse, Helen Aaron and Amanda Jones – staff all enjoying a laugh together. Service team a call on 6645 0400. 6687093an

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2018

COVER STORY

fight for a fair go ‘‘ His personal, long-term, mission through these roles has been to promote Australia’s cultural diversity and harmony. Prior to 1977 Australia was populated largely by people of Anglo-Celtic and European backgrounds. Then in the ’70s came the large waves of immigrants from South East Asia. These immigrants are now ageing into their senior years. In his previous roles with SAMEAC, Mr Le noticed some important challenges ahead for ageing immigrants, particularly where English is not their first language. “Over the years, migrants have come to our shores from all corners of the world,” he said. “Each of these may have its own cultural beliefs, traditions, practices, traditional medicines and circumstances that need to be taken into account in our aged care and health system. “Some people may revert to a place of comfort, returning to their mother tongue or

I knew instantly we had arrived in a welcoming country. — Hieu Van Le AC

preferring their traditional food and customs. “For many cultures, the concept of nursing homes or intensive care, which is given to elders in our society, are quite different experiences to those found in their native countries. “In many cultures, older people stay in their home, in the extended family until they pass away, surrounded by the children, grandchildren and even their great-grandchildren. “The warmth of being surrounded by family members and the ambience of the bustle of daily activities plays an important part in their later lives.” Mr Le points to the busy lifestyles that people lead

today, leaving many time-poor due to pressures of work, or running a business, raising a young family, and the demands of constant and instant news and communications. “People may, in some circumstance, have very little time for themselves let alone for their family and elderly parents,” he said. “This demand on their time, and many other pressures, means that trying to find a way to make it easier for everybody is to place a loved one’s care into someone else’s hands. “The challenge is that their parents and grandparents may in some circumstances feel they are a visitor rather than an integral part of the family at the very time they should be enjoying the fruits of their working life and the happiness that brings.” Mr Le and his wife have two adult sons of whom they are very proud. Having cared for his own mother who lived until her 90s, Mr Le is well aware of the demands that brings both

A FAIR GO FOR ALL: SA Governor Hieu Van Le AC with Tina Wang, Rui Love, Alice Li, Tian Love, Payel Rahman and Kylie Oyama. Photos: Calum Robertson

emotionally and physically in wanting to provide the best support for them. “Having experienced that, as parents we don’t want to impose a burden on our sons,” he said. “We fully understand the pressures they would be under.” He smiles and chuckles when he adds “Lan and I would, of course, one day, love to have some grandchildren; no pressure”. Mr Le has enjoyed every phase of his life and appreciated the many experiences they have brought, even when confronted with adversity. “I believe there is a strength and resilience deep in everybody. It comes to the fore when challenges provide an opportunity for it to shine through,” Mr Le said. He still has a journey ahead in which he hopes to “continue to do the best I can and enjoy a fulfilling life, at every stage of the journey”. And he will follow his passion of helping to make Australia’s egalitarian society even better, fairer and more compassionate.

The Governor indulges in a bit of backyard cricket.

Mr Le at Proclamation Day in Glenelg North, South Australia.

Queen Elizabeth II receives Mr Le and his wife at Buckingham Palace in 2016.

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Travelling to road tunes Retirement means more country music But that doesn’t mean you haven’t been able to find them at festivals all over the place. In fact they are just back from Nanago and getting to pack up the caravan and head to gearing one of their favourite festivals – The Clarence Valley Country Muster at Ulmara from 22-28 October. “We enjoy the camaraderie and catching up with friends made through these festivals,” Tess said. “Wendy (organiser Wendy Gordon) is a welcoming hostess and together with Terry, Ken and Kerry run one of the largest festivals around. “We have watched their Muster grow from 120 Caravans six years ago to a record year last year. “Even though we live in Grafton we spend 10 days relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere with like minded retirees

Tania Phillips

ANTICIPATION: Country music fan Tess Bloomer is already counting down to this year’s Clarence Valley Muster. Photo:

WHILE many “grey nomads” chase the sun for Grafton couple Tess Bloomer and her husband Ron the call of the road has more of a country twang. Tess and Ron spend a lot of their year since retiring heading off to country musical festivals around the country. Though even before retirement the duo’s love of country music saw them pack up their caravan and head out on the road. “We use to always go to Tamworth twenty years ago – even when the children were little,” she explained. However when Tamworth became more about country rock than the bush balladeers that they love the duo took a Tamworth hiatus (only returning last year).

listening to top class entertainers including bush poets, singers and musicians. The opportunity is also given to amateur singers, poets and musicians to show their skills with Suburban Country as a backing band. Country music fans like Tess and Ron know what they like, which is why at least 400 people booked their space for the sixth annual Clarence Valley Country Muster before they left the site last year. This year’s line-up includes Beccy Cole, Digger Revell, Wayne Horsburgh, Col Finley, Kiara Rodrigues, Charmaine Pout, Samantha Bellamy and Ray Pratley. To secure a place at the 2018 event, go to cvcmuster.com.au or phone Wendy on 0432 741 947.

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Let’s say you self-consume 50% of the electricity you generate free from the sun. Based on the average output, that’s 11.5 kW each day. Applying today’s average electricity tariff of 28c/kW, you stand to make a saving of $3.22 each day. That might not seem much but over the course of a year that’s a massive $1,175.00 back in your pocket.

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That still leaves the remaining 50% of your solar production that you can export back to the grid. Right now, the average solar feed in tariff sits anywhere from 8 cents to 15 cents per kW, depending on your electricity retailer. Let’s base our calculations somewhere in the middle… if you are exporting the remaining 50% at 12 cents per kW, that’s another saving of $1.38 cents per day, or a further $503.00 a year you’ll save in electricity costs. That’s a whopping total of $1678.00 per year in savings. Look to the price advertised on the right and you’ll see it’s possible to recoup the cost of a 5.5 kW solar system in under four years, and you’ve still got years of solar savings ahead of you. So why put off until tomorrow what you can start saving today. SAE Group are a Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer, who are committed to raising the bar in the solar industry. The team at SAE Group are Master Electricians ﬁrst and foremost, so you can also rest easy knowing you’re dealing with highly experienced, qualiﬁed staff. From consultation, to quality installation, and after sales service, they are with you the whole way, and offer a 12-year workmanship warranty with every installation. If you’re interested in securing your energy future, or looking for a solution that will protect you from crippling electricity prices, call SAE Group on 1300 18 20 50 or jump on their website www.saegroup.com.au to take advantage of this offer before it runs out.

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Volunteers recognised A lifetime of community giving is honoured at ceremony RAY Faggotter was one of 40 NSW Clarence Nambucca Region SES volunteers honoured at local award ceremony at Coffs Harbour late last month. Like many of his peers Ray was honoured for his many many years of volunteer service to the valuable local service according to SES controller for the Coffs Coast region, Bill Roffey. “A 30 year veteran of the NSW SES and has been involved in many traumatic responses and rescues along the Pacific Highway,” Bill said. “Ray no longer responds, but uses his knowledge and skills to support other SES Volunteers as a peer in the Critical Incident Support Program.” Bill said the group had many older members who were still actively involved in all facets of the running of the valuable service.

Member for Coffs Andrew Fraser said the award evening celebrated more than 330 years of combined service, and he congratulated the 37 recipients for their work in and for our community. “The men and women in orange do such amazing work, often under the most challenging circumstances,” Mr Fraser said. “These devoted volunteers are the lifeblood of their units, and it is my pleasure to be able to acknowledge their hard work and commitment.” The Clarence Nambucca Region comprises 15 SES Units which respond to storm and flood operations across numerous Local Government Areas. In addition to storm and flood responses, the volunteer members also provide support to other emergency services including the Ambulance Service of NSW, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Police

RESPECT: Andrew Fraser and Commissioner Smethurst with Ray Faggotter of Coffs Harbour City Unit who was acknowledged for 30 years service. Photo: Force, and the NSW Rural Fire Service. The Clarence Nambucca Region members also help promote resilience through community

Hello from SCCA …

Services under the following programs:

This is why words like ‘community’ and ‘we care’ are so important to the SCCA story. Big events like our ‘Spring Fling ‘where residents, plus family, friends and staff came together for a day of music, food and laughter in the sunshine to raise funds for “Buy a Bale” are focal points for connection. This month in October we’re holding our “Share a Story with Someone You Love” Grandparents Day celebration. But the small everyday connections over a cup of coffee in the Grove Café, a game of bowls or table tennis or the simple “Good morning” you hear from almost everyone and the smile that goes with it as we pass each other are the true threads that weave us together as a connected community. If you’d like to see our lifestyle in action, visit our blog at www.scca.net.au/lifestyle/blog/

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NSW SES Commissioner Mark Smethurst (right) with award recipients at the Clarence Nambucca Region Awards Presentation in Coffs Harbour on Tuesday.

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One study showed that social connection is a greater determinant to health than obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure. And social connection doesn’t necessarily mean physically being present with people in a literal sense, but someone’s subjective experience of feeling understood and connected to others.

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the lives of a cross-section of Australians are changing over time. The survey, a record of how we live, shows researchers many things: for example, how economics affects our lives or how choices made in the past lead to particular life outcomes. The content provides policy-makers with unique insights about Australia, enabling them to make informed decisions across a range of policy areas, including health, education and social services. It is published by the Melbourne Institute and funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Social Services.

NATIONAL Seniors chief advocate Ian Henschke said the recently released HILDA report highlighted inequality and poverty among older Australians. Mr Henschke said the report reflected some key

concerns voiced in last year’s National Seniors Advocacy Survey, including the rising cost of energy and housing stress as growing concerns. The 2018 HILDA Report also highlighted the growing issue of inequality among older Australians. It seems among seniors the gap between the “have a lot” and the “haven’t got much” is growing. The over-65s age group is the only one where inequality has increased significantly over the past 15 years Older single women, older single men and older couples are the three family types most likely to be experiencing income poverty in Australia. Older women have experienced the steepest increase in income poverty since 2015. The latest Department of Social Services data reveals that more people aged 55-64 are on

Newstart than those aged 25-34 and they are on the payment for much longer. They are also spending their retirement savings before they retire because they can’t live on Newstart without experiencing financial hardship. The average time a 60 to 64-year-old spends on Newtstart is 187 weeks (3.6 years). Conversely, the average time a 25 to 29-year-old spends on Newstart is 104 weeks (two years). The number of people aged 55-64 on Newstart is 174,532, compared to 156,664 aged 25-34. According to the OECD, 26 per cent of older Australians are experiencing poverty, compared to the OECD average of 13 per cent. In the run-up to the federal election and beyond, National Seniors and The Benevolent Society are calling on all Australians to support the Fix Pension Poverty campaign.

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SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2018

NEWS

Minding good health

Launch of a new program to assist in better mental health Tania Phillips COFFS Harbour seniors and those working with older people are set to be part of a new Older Persons Mental Health First Aid Training scheme being launched across the North Coast. State member for Coffs Harbour Andrew Fraser announced the $30,000 scheme which will see the Australian Red Cross Society deliver the training along the Coast and specifically in Coffs Harbour. Red Cross Country Zone Three Northern NSW zone representative Judith Jackson said the training will help with existing programs. “Local members and volunteers who complete the Older Persons Mental Health First Aid Training will use knowledge gained to enhance programs already operating, achieve further goals towards better mental health and be a catalyst for older people in seeking professional help if needed,” she said. “Training will help to remove the stigma around mental health issues and enable the promotion of good mental health and wellbeing. “Red Cross members and volunteers work from a socially inclusive approach to promote participation of seniors in their local community. “Examples of this are the Woolgoolga Red Cross Branch monthly Friendship Afternoon Tea (FAT) and the Hands On Program.” Judy said FAT was a boost for both the members and those who attended the afternoon

tea – and who sometimes struggled to feel valued. “This gives them a regular purpose and a great sense of achievement in a meaningful and positive way in a happy and safe environment,” she explained. “The Hands On Program at the local aged care facility, provides companionship, emotional support, nail care and hand and arm massage for residents. “Volunteers work in partnership with the facility to best meet the needs of the clients to

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Training will help to remove the stigma around mental health issues engender feelings of wellbeing and friendship through physical contact and constancy; they also provide an important contact with the outside world for residents who may not have many visitors.” “The volunteers at the village bring warmth, company and a special contact outside the usual confines of the facility therefore improving the mental health and well being of clients.” She said Older Persons Mental Health First Aid Training would boost the capability of improving social and emotional health and wellbeing

SOCIAL INCLUSION: Red Cross Volunteer Jean Vickery prepares for the introduction of the new Older Persons Mental Health First Aid Training Scheme. Photo: within the aged community. “Participants will learn to recognise that mental health is a state of well being,” she said. “It is not just the absence of illness. But also the ability to maintain relationships, cope with stress, contribute to the community and enjoy life.” Older Person Mental Health First Aid training is expected to commence from October. The successful

organisations will be promoting the training and taking registrations in their delivery regions. If you or someone you know needs crisis support, please do not hesitate to phone Lifeline on 131 114. For more information on where to find mental health services in your community, contact the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. Or visit: www.redcross.org.au.

Red Cross Zone three representative Judith Jackson.

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SEPTEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Community notes

Community group guide TO ALLOW for readers’ requests for the publication of more neighbourhood news, please keep notices short and to the point (100 word maximum). If you would like to submit a photo ensure it is at least 180dpi or 500kb to 1mb in size and of faces, in a nice bright setting. Email editor@seniors newspaper.com.au.

FELLOWSHIP OF FIRST FLEETERS

THE next Meeting of the North Coast Chapter of the Fellowship of First Fleeters will be held at the home of our President Pat & Darrell Davis at 45 King Parrot Parade, Gulmarrad (near Maclean) on Sunday, September 30 following an informal lunch. Our guest speaker for the day will be Robin Hosking on her ancestors John Small and Mary Parker. We are a very social organisation and have several Social outings during each year. We have meeting every two

months, usually on the first Sunday. We are a non-profit organisation and have members South from Nambucca and North to Maclean and out to Dorrigo. We welcome any interested persons and any further information can be obtained from Robyn Condliffe on (02) 6653 3615.

PROBUS CLUBS

Coffs City Inc WE WILL hold our next meeting at the Cavanbah Centre Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour on Wednesday, September 26 at 10am. The guest

SET SAIL: The North Coast Chapter of the Fellowship of First Fleeters will meet in Gulmarrad (near Maclean) on Sunday, September 30. speaker will be from the community radio station 2Air FM. Morning tea will follow the guest speaker. This is a friendly mixed club and visitors and new members are always welcome. For further information, phone Brian on (02) 5619 2484.

GRAFTON SENIOR CITIZENS INC.

OUR most recent activity was a mystery bus trip, travelling several back roads, before driving over Harwood bridge and attending Cardiff Alpaca at Harwood for morning tea, talk, feed and view animals. Then travelled

through Ashby and Tullymorgan to Lawrence, for lunch at Tavern, and afternoon tea and tour at museum. Group now preparing for eight-day tour to Mudgee area from mid September, to be followed by day trip to Eungai Creek Buffalo in October and annual picnic

in November. A day trip in early March 2019, for matinee stage show of Irish singer, Daniel O’Donnell, now on sale. Annual Christmas lunch, in December, will go on sale at October meeting. Phone Sandra Connelly (publicity officer/tours) on (02) 6642 7720.

Sharing your stories

MERRY MEMORIES: Early Storytime sessions were held at the old library in Castle Street, Coffs Harbour. Some local children are pictured with Santa.

DO YOU have fond memories of coming to Storytime at your local library? Or did you introduce your kids to the joy of reading through these ever-popular sessions? Help us celebrate 20 years of Storytime by sharing your stories and cake at the Harry Bailey Memorial Library on October 10. “Storytime is often the first experience many local kids have of books and reading and the sessions remain among the most popular happenings we have at the libraries. The fantastic

storytellers are like local celebrities,” Library Operations and Programs Co-ordinator Catherine Turner said. “It’s wonderful that, in this age of online technology, they are still as popular as ever – and we’re starting to see some of those early parents now coming back with their grandkids. “As it’s all about Storytime, we want people to share their memories or favourite picture books with us on the day – and beforehand on our Facebook page. Everyone is welcome.” The celebration will

take place at the regular Coffs Harbour Storytime session on October 10 at 11am with Birthday Stories and cake. Attendance is free, but please register online for catering purposes, go to storytime _birthday. eventbrite.com.au. If you can’t make it at 11am, you can drop in until 5pm on the day. Free Storytime sessions are held every week. Coffs Harbour: Wednesdays at 11-11.45am; Toormina: Thursdays at 11-11.45am; Woolgoolga: Tuesdays at 11-11.45am.

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SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2018

NEWS

Sticking to the ground Doctor comes up with a practical invention Tania Phillips

INVENTOR: Dr Hilton Beck holding the IQ stick.

Masters in Medicine (Primary Care Skin Cancer). He opened the clinic in Murdock Street in 2013 and while the new walking stick is a great project (he’s a keen inventor who has also tried his hand at inventing an electric blanket aimed at cooling in summer) he is happy to continue “doctoring”.

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The IQ Stick is a modern and unique walking stick that encourages the user to keep it with them at all times For Dr Beck the stick has been more about solving a problem and

preventing accidents. Walking Sticks help prevent falls and are the

Photo:

safest way to avoid serious injury from falls. Unfortunately many people - who normally use a walking stick - fall when they don’t have their walking stick with them. The IQ Stick’s modern and unique design encourages the user to keep it with them at all times, reducing the risk of injury from falls.

■ Dr Beck said Among people who fall at home most do not have their walking stick with them when they fall and sustain more severe injuries. ■ For further information about the stick, go to iqstick.com.au/ iqstickstandsbyyou/.

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WORKING as a GP many years ago Doctor Hilton Beck was struck by the amount of time it took for his patients to secure their walking sticks when they sat down for a consult. Now a couple of decades later and after a lot of thought and a bit of trial and error he hopes he has found the solution - The IQ Stick. It’s a modern and unique walking stick that encourages the user to keep it with them at all times, reducing the risk of injury from falls. He’s now patented a second proto type, to be released soon. “When I was a GP just about everyone who came in with a walking stick spent a fair bit of time propping it up and it invariably fell over,” he explained. “I started thinking about it.” All in all it’s taken about 10-15 years to get it from concept to the market place, though he admits it is still evolving. But it is now available on line, at his surgery and at Terry White Pharmacy in Coffs Harbour. Of course just because he is now an inventor, with a bit of help with a local engineer and friends, doesn’t mean he’s about to give up being a doctor. Dr Beck, originally from South Africa, has lived and worked in Coffs for more than 25 years, specialising in skin cancer medicine for the past two decades and attained his

NEWS

SEPTEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Cut that fruit before eating: warning AGED care providers are being warned to ‘exercise caution’ as the sector was dragged into the fruit crisis gripping Australia. The Department of Health is advising providers to cut up their fruit before consumption after a needle was found in a banana at an aged care service in NSW on Tuesday. “We stress the importance of vigilance to manage the safety and wellbeing of residents,” a spokesperson said. “If contaminated fruit is found, people should contact their local police in the first instance.” The warning follows an outbreak of metal objects being found in fruit across the nation. The crisis has led to Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemning the perpetrators as “grubs” as he announced new penalties and a steep increase in jail time. However, that has not stopped copycat instances, including a boy who admitted to inserting needles into strawberries as part of an apparent prank.

Could you become a foster parent?

Carers are desperately needed to provide emergency care WITH images of global crises filling our TV screens, you may be surprised to learn that on our own doorstep in NSW there are 20,000 children at risk and in need of out-of-home care. These are children who have witnessed domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse or have experienced other traumatic events. Reforms introduced by the NSW Government in October 2017 recognise that children and young people do better when they have continuity and stability in their home life. This is why the focus has shifted to giving children in need a permanent, safe home within two years of being placed in out-of-home care.

IT’S MORE POSSIBLE THAN YOU THINK TO BECOME A FOSTER CARER

Although the priority is still to return a child or young person to their family of origin, provided it is safe to do so, the reality is there are still thousands of children who will not be able to return to their family. We desperately need more foster carers to provide emergency, short-term and permanent care. Foster carers come from all walks of life. They may be single or married and de facto couples, including same-sex couples. They may have children already or have no parenting experience.

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If you’re not sure you have what it takes to be a foster carer, here are some personal qualities that will help you care for these vulnerable children and young people. Compassion, patience and lots of love to give. Many children in care have never experienced the stability and routine of normal family life. They are often angry, anxious or scared through no fault of their own. This may cause them to lash out at you verbally or physically, or even blame you for their predicament. Just like caring for any child, you need to stay calm and have eternal patience. You also need to be able to provide plenty of compassion, understanding and boundless love. The ability to bounce back. Being able to go with the flow, think positively and bounce back quickly will help you cope with challenging behaviour. This is known as resilience, or a “thick skin”. By not taking things personally, and by modelling how to solve problems, you will not only defuse the situation quicker, you will also be teaching the children and young people in your care how to become more resilient themselves. Flexibility and an open mind. It’s impossible to guess what sort of personality a child or young person will have and how they will respond to you. A technique that works with one child may not work with another. Being open to learn, improve and change, rather than having a fixed mindset, will help you to provide the particular kind of care the child or young person needs. Known as a “growth mindset”, this flexible approach will also help the child or young person learn that it’s possible to change their behaviour and their life.

ARE YOU READY TO CHANGE THE DESTINY OF A CHILD OR YOUNG

A STABLE HOME: There are many success stories of children and young people whose lives have been turned around by loving foster carers. Photo: Contributed

Care is rewarded with love WHEN she was 13 years of age, Ella was living with her mum who was struggling to overcome alcohol abuse issues. Her dad, now living in Queensland, had similar issues. Both parents wanted Ella to live with them but she needed somewhere to stay while her parents got on top of their alcohol abuse issues. Foster carers provide a critical link in restoring children in need to their family of origin when it is safe to do so. Coffs Harbour single parent Merrin is among those who have provided foster

care. With her two daughters having grown up and living away from home, Merrin still had a lot of motherly love to give. Ella was placed temporarily in her care. When Ella first met Merrin, she felt as if no one was considering her feelings. “Over the four months Ella was with me, I spent a lot of time with her doing things like cooking together and playing bingo and word games,” Merrin said. “I wanted her to know that I cared about her, that she was worth spending

time with.” While Ella was in Merrin’s care, her father overcame his alcohol abuse issues and is now able to provide Ella with the safe and loving family environment she needs. You too can be the critical link for children in need being restored to their family of origin. There is an urgent need for more foster carers in Coffs Harbour. For more information: contact Challenge Community Services by emailing fostercare@challenge community.org.au or call 1800 084 954.

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Foster carers provide a critical link in restoring children in need to their family of origin when it is safe to do so. Coffs Harbour single parent Merrin is among those who have provided foster care. With her two daughters having grown up and living away from home, Merrin still had a lot of motherly love to give. PERSON IN NEED?

Becoming a foster carer is a big step, but it’s one of the most rewarding life decisions you can make. There are many success stories of children and young people whose lives have been turned around by the loving nurture of their

foster carers. The first step to becoming a foster carer is to talk it through with your family then contact Challenge Community Services who can explain the process to you. Once you are approved as a foster carer, we will support you all the way

with special training, a dedicated case worker and 24-hour support. Are you ready to become a foster carer? We will support all the way. Go to challengecommunity.org .au or phone 1800 084 954.

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2018

NEWS

Share life-saving news Program after StrokeSafe ambassadors

Tania Phillips STROKE survivor Sue Bowden is hoping to inspire others in her position in the Coffs area to get out and help boost stroke awareness. Stroke Foundation is looking for Coffs Harbour volunteers to join the StrokeSafe Ambassador Program to help them take potentially life-saving messages to community groups. “I decided to become a StrokeSafe Ambassador to share my story, raise awareness of this devastating disease and to make a difference,” Sue said, explaining her role in the program supported by Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation. She said a training session will be held in October in Coffs and she urged stroke survivors to get involved. “From experience, I know stroke not only impacts the individual, but has a flow on effect to families,” she said. “It can turn lives upside down when you least expect it. “It’s estimated there will be more than 520 strokes in the Coffs Harbour region this year alone, but more than 80 per cent of strokes are preventable.

BE AWARE: Stroke Survivor Sue Bowden. “I am passionate about educating people about the practical steps they can take to reduce their own stroke risk.” Stroke Foundation NSW state manager Terasa Howarth said stroke numbers in Coffs were high and she believed that StrokeSafe Ambassadors played a key role in

educating the community on the FAST signs of stroke. “StrokeSafe talks aim to ensure people understand a stroke is a medical emergency and fast treatment is vital to survival and recovery,” Ms Howarth said. “We hope more locals get involved in the

Photo: Contributed

program to help us raise awareness about stroke and save lives.” Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Chair Phil Neat is pleased to support this community led approach to building awareness in Coffs Harbour. “Ambassadors can be from all walks of life,

including stroke survivors, carers and health professionals,” Mr Neat said. “When someone talks from personal experience, it is incredibly powerful – and it could save lives.” If you’re in Coffs Harbour and are interested in becoming a StrokeSafe

Ambassador, please contact the Stroke Foundation on 1800 787 653 or via email at volunteer@stroke foundation.com.au. To organise a StrokeSafe Ambassador for a local community group, go to strokesafe@stroke foundation.org.au.

Protections for stopped emergency vehicles road. ■ You must slow down to 40km/h when passing stationary emergency vehicles displaying blue or red flashing lights.

You must give way to any person on foot in the immediate area of the emergency vehicle. ■ The rule applies to vehicles travelling in both

directions, unless the road is divided by a median strip. ■ Motorists who do not comply with the rule will face a $448 fine and

three demerit points. Motorists should not increase their speed until they are a safe distance past the vehicle, so as not to cause a danger to

anyone in the vicinity. The NSW Government will be monitoring the impacts of the new rule over the coming 12month trial period.

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PHONE 02 6653 1577 Saturday 29th Sept - Tickets $20 - Doors open @ 7.30pm

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EMAIL: info@sawtellrsl.com.au ADDRESS: 38-40 First Avenue Sawtell

SEPTEMBER, 2018// SENIORS It is seen as a fun event, for all ages. There is not not just Goanna Pulling, but a range of other events such as: Tug-of-war, North Coast Axemen event, brick carrying races, sprint age races, market stalls, food and beverage stalls. Together with the food stall you will find carnival rides and live music.

What's on

MADAME BUTTERFLY

PRESENTED by the Melbourne City Ballet at the Coffs Harbour Jetty Theatre on September 28. Artistic Director Michael Pappalardo takes audiences on a journey to Japan with the classical ballet Madame Butterfly which follows a young Japanese girl called Cho-Cho (nicknamed Butterfly) as she marries US Naval Officer Pinkerton only to have him depart for the Americas. For further information, please phone (02) 6648 4930.

THE CLARENCE 100

AUTHOR TALK

CLAY INTERSECTIONS

HELD daily until November 11 at the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery,

SWEET TREATS: Yamba Rotary members Rick Angelo and Gayle Doe with Carly Brash at last year’s Yamba Farmers Markets. It’s on again this weekend, September 30 from 4-8pm in Coldstream Street. Photo: Adam Hourigan Clay Intersections is an ADC On Tour national touring exhibition, first presented by Australian Design Centre in 2016 and curated by gallery co-ordinator Cath Fogarty. The exhibition highlights the work of eight contemporary makers selected for their diverse approaches to their ceramic practice: Kenji Uranishi, Tania Rollond, Bridget Bodenham, Helen Earl, Ulrica Trulsson, Natalie Rosin and Cone 11’s Colin Hopkins and Ilona Topolcsanyi.

DORRIGO COMMUNITY MARKET

THE next Dorrigo Community Markets will be held on October 6 from

8.30am to around noon in Hickory Street. Visitors will find an eclectic mixture of stallholders from the local area and region. Includes hot food, fresh fruit and vegetables, leatherwork, bric-a-brac, books, seedlings, new kids clothes, homemade cakes, jams and chutneys.

ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR

THE Quota International of Lower Clarence Art and Craft Fair will be held from 9am-4pm on September 29 at Yamba Bowling Club. Exhibitors will be showing and selling, vintage items, jewellery, art, aromatherapy, crafts, wood, handbags, soaps,

scrapbooking, cards, prints, lapidary, felting just to name a few, but they will also be including garden items at the fair; garden art, furniture and plants for sale. Gold coin entry, everyone is welcome. Funds raised will be used to purchase a mobile hearing system for Clarence Valley Pre-Schools and to support local Rural Fire Services.

EAT STREET YAMBA THIS afternoon/evening food market will be held from 4-8pm in Coldstream Street, Yamba on September 30. This International food market includes Rotary’s barbecue, cold foods, Thai, Indian, seafood,

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chipstars, tornado twisters, organic foods, Churros, nibbles. There will also be ice creams, sweets, pizza, paella and unique gourmet food products available to purchase. The markets are organised by the Rotary Club of Yamba.

GOANNA PULLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

THE National Goanna Pulling Championships will be an all-day event held at Wooli on September 30 from 9am-6pm. This flagship event in the small coastal town, has been run annually since 1985 and attracts more than 3000 visitors each October long weekend.

OPEN HOUSE

THE third annual Tamworth Textile Triennial Exhibition will be held from November 16 at the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery. The event will run Daily until January 25. The event celebrates the open-ended nature of textile practice today. The participant artists are all linked with things outside of themselves and their studios. Many celebrate the sense of belonging that comes from working with other artists; while others take on wide-ranging issues, such as the landscape and the environment, and the artist’s place in a world beset by environmental, social and cultural upheaval.

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THIS month’s author talk at Harry Baily Memorial Library in Coffs Harbour features Kim Hodges from 6pm on October 18. Kim’s second memoir Girl Over the Edge provides a powerful and stirring insight into what it’s like to live – and succeed in life – with a mental illness. Kim’s battles to understand, and then work to overcome, bipolar disorder are an inspiration to us all. In a world where mental illness is still so frequently misunderstood, here is a dramatic, evocative and insightful work that everyone should read. For more information, phone (02) 6648 4900. For more information on Kim Hodges go to http://kimhodges.id.au. To book your free ticket, go to Eventbrite Kim Hodges.

THE Clarence 100 is a three-day paddle down the mighty Clarence River starting at Copmanhurst and finishing at Whiting Beach Yamba from 6am on October 19. The paddle is a total of one hundred kilometres of magnificent river scenery. The paddle is for the competent kayaker who is fit and ready to take on the challenge and is divided into three stages comprising different distances. The event caters for competitive and social paddlers. For more information, contact event co-ordinator Ben Sullivan on phone 0433 155 953 or email bensull@hotmail.com.

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2018

NEWS

GRANDPARENTS DAY COFFS HARBOUR

Make song and dance for grandparents’ day

AUSTRALIA’S National Grandparents’ Day 2018 is on Sunday, October 28, and there are events throughout the second half of October to celebrate the role of grandparents in our families and our communities. Coffs Harbour City Orchestra is getting in early and celebrating on Sunday, October 21, with one of its popular Music in the Gardens events at Coffs Botanic Gardens from 10am sharp to 12.30pm. If you haven’t been to one of these family friendly music events, then grab a grandparent or a grandchild, invite the whole family or just come along yourself and enjoy a variety of live music while relaxing on the lawns in

the fresh air. “You can check out the fabulous gardens – a great educational outing for the grandkids, and the Gardens Café will be open to purchase snacks or a cuppa,” Orchestra President Brian Holden says. “Or you can bring your own picnic and relax and soak up the atmosphere.” There is room for the kids to move around or dance to the music and orchestra conductor Tim Egan usually likes to invite a youngster to help him conduct the orchestra’s final piece for a bit of fun. “The orchestra will be joined by the Bellingen Big Band, so the music ranges from popular classics to jazz to movie themes to the fabulous

beat of the big band,” Mr Holden said. “There truly is something for everyone and a great Sunday morning’s entertainment for the whole family. “Some seating is provided or bring your own folding chair or picnic blanket. The area is flat so ideal for wheelchairs and walkers and we recommend hats and sunscreen on the day.” Thanks to the sponsorship support of the BCU and a grant from Coffs Harbour City Council, this is a free community event and there is no entry charge at the gardens. If you enjoy the music, donations will be welcomed and will be shared by the groups entertaining you.

KEEP THE DATE: Coffs Harbour City Orchestra is celebrating National Grandparents’ Day early on Sunday, October 21, with one of its popular Music in the Gardens events at Coffs Botanic Gardens from 10am sharp to 12.30pm.

You are Invited to GRANDPARENTS DAY

Fo C rL igh OP AF tR E E efr N es hm en ts

There is an urgent need for more foster carers in Coffs Harbour You can help a local child or young person in need by becoming a foster carer.

d d l i h c y Ever ong l e b o t

Explore rainforest, mangroves and natural bush along boardwalks and easy access pathways. Enjoy exotic display gardens and refreshments at the Garden Café. Live music by Coffs Harbour City Orchestra Coffs Harbour’s unique Botanic Garden located just one kilometre from the centre of town.

Hardacre St, Coffs Harbour

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Celebrate GRANDPARENTS’ DAY at a special

MORNING OF MUSIC in COFFS BOTANIC GARDENS (Coffs Coast Concert Series)

10am-12.30, Sunday 21 October Featuring Coffs City Orchestra & Bellingen Big Band FREE ENTRY (but donations welcome) Bring a picnic, or buy drinks and snacks at the Gardens Café. Some seats provided or bring a folding chair/rug. (event cancelled if signiﬁcant rainfall) 6860251aa

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Bring your Grandkids and come celebrate music in the gardens. SUNDAY OCTOBER 21

NEWS

SEPTEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Embrace the nosey kid

Read the signs and find how to cope with dementia in family Seniors News DO YOU ever tell your sticky-beak children to mind their own business? Well stop! It could help in the fight against dementia. Children are being encouraged to take more of an interest in their parents lives to allow better planning and understanding when it comes to living with dementia. And with September being Dementia Awareness Month, now is the time to have a nosey child! “If the kids don’t know what money their parents have and where, and the parent has dementia, it can be quite difficult to work out what their situation and options are, what they can afford and then act when help is needed,” Boutique Advisers aged care expert Brenda Will said. “Often houses can be disorganised and if parents don’t speak

openly with their kids and keep their finances private, you’re in a situation where nobody knows what their financial position is, and it just adds to the burden. “It’s a tricky thing then finding information on all the various assets and other bits of information, and emotionally it is already very difficult.” Ms Will said families should take these steps should a sudden need to enter a parent into aged care or provide a home care service, due to dementia, arise: ■ Appropriate documents arranged: Older Australians must carefully consider getting an Enduring Power of Attorney established while they can. The same applies to wills. ■ Planning for financial costs of care: Know the financial situation to ensure the affordability of care. Also consider the potential loss of income to those family members dropping out of work to

LEARNING: Children are being encouraged to be more ‘nosey’ in their parents lives during Dementia Awareness Month. Photo: Maria Teijeiro provide care to the person with dementia. ■ Find the right facility: There are dementia specific facilities with specially trained staff and security. It is important to

find the right facility. ■ Make informed decisions: There are a number of care options. This can be in the form of home care, day care, respite (or some

combination of these) or residential care. ■ Strong family support: the need for care can arise urgently, you’re dealing with emotions, finances, issues finding a

facility. Important for family members to get ongoing support themselves whether that be through friends, family, organisations or carer support groups.

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Michelle Bridges builds seniors fitness program

REACH OUT: Maureen Partridge takes part in Exercise for Seniors.

HELPING older Australians to move, mobilise and maintain fitness is at the heart of a new program developed by celebrity personal trainer Michelle Bridges and the Home Instead Senior Care group which specialises in the provision of in-home care for older Australians. Exercise for Seniors: A guide to help seniors move, mobilise and maintain fitness was created as a response to research revealing 44.7 per cent of adults aged 65 years and over are not sufficiently active. It’s no secret that regular exercise is essential for maintaining mobility, bone density, muscle mass and balance, but it also offers many more health benefits including lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and high blood pressure, management of chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes, higher levels of functional health and well-being and

improved cognitive function. The Exercise for Seniors guide provides seniors with straightforward exercises that mirror their everyday actions and can be completed in just five minutes. The top four are revealed below. ■ Sit to stand “Repetition of this basic movement is great for your whole body strength as it uses your legs and core and is beneficial for your heart and lungs. Start by sitting in the chair feet flat on the floor, looking straight ahead. Push down through your feet, squeeze your bottom and stand up.” ■ Push-ups against wall “Adjusting this popular exercise by doing it on the wall makes upper body strength training achievable for older people and also helps keep the range of movement through fingers too. Stand facing a wall, and put your hands on the wall about shoulder width

apart and elbows just below shoulder height. Bend your elbows and lower your chest towards the wall, then push through your hands, squeeze with your chest and return to your start position.” ■ Single leg balance “Balance deteriorates as we age, so practising this exercise helps guard against common balance issues such as falling. Holding the chair or using the wall, put your weight on your outside leg and lift your inside leg so you are just on its tippy toes. Look straight ahead, press into your outside foot and squeeze your bottom as you do this. Count to three, then put your foot down flat, turn around to do the same thing on the other side.” ■ Side steps with arms reaching overhead “This powerhouse movement targets strength, mobility, balance and co-ordination. Make sure you have enough clear space to take three

Wellbeing

spaces side to side. Step out to the side as you raise your arms into the air over your head then step your feet together as you bring your arms back down. Take two more steps like this, then step back three steps so you are back at your starting position.” “As we age, it becomes all too easy to let our exercise go,” Michelle said. “We lose the physical prowess we had when we were younger so it becomes more challenging to move the way we used to – so many people end up moving less and less. I am excited to collaborate with Home Instead Senior Care and the five minute exercise routine we’ve developed can help you maintain your mobility, bone density, muscle mass and balance.” Go to, homeinstead.com. au/resources/exercise forseniors.

Good news is that hearing loss is treatable DO YOU struggle to understand conversation when in groups? Do people need to repeat information regularly for you to understand? Is the TV volume annoying your loved ones? If you answered ‘yes’, then it’s probably time to have your hearing assessed. Hearing loss is one of the most common health problems in Australia. Most people will start to notice some changes in their hearing by the age

of 65 which is due to the natural aging process. For individuals that have been exposed to excessively loud noise or have a family history of hearing loss, it can occur much earlier. Hearing loss is not only frustrating and often embarrassing for the individual but can also be a source of frustration for family and friends with whom they interact on a regular basis. Untreated hearing loss can lead to many undesirable side effects

‘‘

Untreated hearing loss can lead to many undesirable side effects such as social isolation and depression. such as social isolation and depression. Research now shows a link between untreated hearing loss and an increased rate of memory issues such as dementia. The good news is that

hearing loss is treatable and with modern technology there has never been a better time to seek help. There have been many technological advancements in the past five years in digital hearing aids to make

hearing devices better and easier to use. Some of these advancements include wireless Bluetooth hearing devices that can connect directly to any mobile phone or TV. This helps to improve clarity and volume of speech. Also, rechargeable hearing devices eliminate the need to change batteries. For hearingimpaired individuals with more severe hearing losses, the benefit of combining additional accessories with the

hearing aids, can provide a major improvement in hearing in those challenging situations like group conversations, meetings and restaurants. For a free trial of this new technology make an appointment to see our audiologist Brett Chapman at Attune Hearing by calling on (02) 6656 3200. Brett has been providing hearing tests and hearing aids to Clarence valley residents for nearly 20 years.

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SEPTEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

HEALTH: SPOTLIGHT ON CANCER

Check and no regrets

Survivors urge others to get their prostate checked now Tracey Johnstone

SURVIVORS: Prostate cancer survivors Chris Warnes and Jon Sayer. blood checks.” Those checks were being done because of his age. “Because I was aware of it, I kept doing it.” Jon, 62, was diagnosed “one year, four months, seven days, three hours and two minutes ago”. “I was the same as Chris,” Jon added. He was aware that he was at the age where prostate cancer could be an issue for him. “I even changed to a lady doctor as I thought, no way did I want a man playing with his fingers anywhere around my bottom because I thought that was the only way you could find out.” The GP organised a full blood test. The result

apparently showed some elevation of his PSA, but as nothing was said to him he assumed his health was still OK. It was only when three years later he went to another doctor for a check-up that the past blood test, plus the new one, both showed an elevated PSA. Chris choose a full prostatectomy. “I didn’t even consider radiation,” he said. “At my age, it was the safest and I believe the best thing. I was very lucky as all my cancers were on the outside of my prostate. One had left my prostate and was heading towards my spine. “I would be dead by now had I not been checked regularly.”

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Jon made the same choice. “A few things I have since learnt that I wish I had been warned about earlier because I went through a fitness regime and certain diets, foods and alkalines to take the sugars and acids out of my diet, and maybe I could have attempted to fight it a different way for a while before I had the full procedure because it is a very slow growing cancer, nine times out of 10,” Jon said. Jon is calling for more groups where men can openly discuss what they are going through. When he first found out about his diagnosis he turned to Chris and another friend, David Adams, because he knew

Photo: Tracey Johnstone

they had experienced the prostate cancer journey and could him understand about what, when and how it was all going to be dealt with. “I just feel it’s a bit of under the table, taboo subject with men,” Jon said. He headed to Facebook and revealed his story. “It’s a bit of a male stigma thing attached to it and lot of people don’t talk about it,” Jon said. “I was surprised the number of my friends who had been through it and I didn’t know until I opened up about it. They congratulated me and gave me words of wisdom. “You need to talk about it more and go and get checked. Particularly, ask

about family history of it and if that is the case you have got to start doing it at 40, not 60. “The strange thing it wasn’t in any of my relatives and my dad was one of 11 boys, and none had it. I have warned by son already.” Chris is keeping to a healthy eating regime, his six-monthly checks and has slowed down, a bit, on the beer. “The strongest message I can say to anyone is don’t be frightened to go to your doctor and get your blood tests. And, if there is any doubt, get a digital check. It’s better than dying.” Talk to your GP and go to ausprostatecancer. com.au or prostate.org. au.

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THEY’RE everyday blokes with a confronting story to tell. Chris Warnes and Jon Sayer have survived prostate cancer and they want other men to hear their message – get checked now. The two sailors have been friends for many years since they moved from New Zealand to set up their new lives in Queensland. Life has been about hard work and downtime on the ocean for these blokes. Chris has his own earthmoving business while Jon designs and builds offshore racing yachts and sleek powerboats. What neither gave the slightest thought to was that they could end up a statistic – one in five men are diagnosed with prostate cancer before the age of 85. But, for Chris and Jon, other than being over 50, there was no other risk factors for them – no family history of the disease, no high fat and low vegetables diet, no high testosterone levels, no obesity. So why them? Chris, now 72, was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 62. “It was the funny thing with me,” Chris said. “I had absolutely no symptoms whatsoever, nothing. It was just because I got checked every six months that they picked it up through

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2018

WELLBEING

Don’t ignore the cough Top tips to relieve the barking Tracey Johnstone GAINING an understanding of why coughs happen and how you can manage them, can help you live a healthier, happier life. Your cough is a reflex mechanism trying to clear the lungs of an irritant through a forced burst of air. It’s not normal, says medical doctor and professor of health science at RMIT, Professor Marc Cohen. “If you are healthy, you shouldn’t be coughing,” Prof Cohen said. “If you have a cough as part of your everyday life, there’s something going on; that’s your body saying there is something going on with your body’s respiratory system.” A cough can be a wet or dry cough depending on the irritant. The irritant could be a

HEALTHY LIFE: Coughing is never fun, so here are some tips natural remedies to relieve a simple cough. build-up of mucus or “infective agents”, or it could be simply smoke or dust. Asthma is another cause of coughing. “Some blood pressure medications can also cause a cough,” Prof Cohen said. “A chesty cough is often caused by a cold or a mild illness, or they can indicate a more severe infection like an influenza or an infection.

“The quality and type of mucus can give you an indication as well as the symptoms. “Any cough that is associated with a fever or shivers or shakes, that is a very serious sign. “It will usually indicate pneumonia and needs to be attended to very quickly. “Whereas if you are coughing up a bit of mucus, that can be a chronic thing for smokers.

“With smokers, normally there is these little hairs that line your airways, called cilia. “Those hairs move mucus up and swallow it automatically. “But if you smoke, those cilia hairs, which are self-cleaning, get destroyed. “So, your airways no longer self-clean, so you have to clean them out physically by coughing.” If you can have a dry

Photo: Liderina

cough, it’s less likely that it will be associated with a serious infection. But, if there are associated symptoms or it has been going on for several weeks or longer, seek medical advice. Most coughs may only last a few weeks and aren’t too serious. There are some natural remedies to give you relief which can be useful: ■ Steam inhalation with a drop of eucalyptus oil –

this helps open your airways and relieve mucus. ■ Ivy leaf extract – the most common is sold as Prospan and comes in liquid, lozenge or droplet. ■ Manuka honey – avoid putting it on boiling water as it could deactivate some of the living enzymes in the honey. It is better to use as medicinal honey. ■ Salt – a teaspoon mixed with a glass of warm water and gargle. ■ Zinc tablets which help with managing a cold. ■ Thyme, sage, marshmallow extract or liquorice root tea – gargle or drink. If making a tea out of the woody part of a plant, then you need to boil it to get the medicinal compounds into the water. No matter what type of cough you have, cover your mouth to protect others around you. “And, be aware of what else is going on in your body at the same time, like aches and pains or a rash,” Prof Cohen said. “Just note them as they might say something more serious is going on.”

Small actions for big changes FRIENDS can make a big difference to the quality of another person’s life, particularly when they have been diagnosed with dementia. This year’s Dementia Australia awareness campaign is inviting everyone in the community to become a Dementia Friend. “Through the Dementia Friends program, we aim to transform the way we, as a community, think, act and talk about dementia,” Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said. Community clubs and organisations are also

being encouraged to put their hands up as a Dementia Friend. “With our Dementia Friends program we are providing an opportunity for everyone to empower themselves with more knowledge and increased understanding about dementia so they can learn how some small actions can make a big difference in the day-to-day life of someone living with dementia,” Ms McCabe added. Interested people should go online to dementiafriendly.org to

find the Dementia Friends module which provides explanations about dementia, and features interviews of people living with dementia sharing how dementia has impacted their lives and what others can do to support them in day-to-day situations. “Through the Dementia Friends program, we want to transform the way we, as a community, think, act and talk about dementia,” Ms McCabe said. For more, go to the website dementia.org.au.

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HELPING OUT: Become a Dementia Friend through the Dementia Australia awareness campaign. Photo: jacoblund

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10 reasons to add Provence to your hit list LIKE Italy’s Tuscany region, Provence in the South of France has that evocative sound to it. Stony villages, fields of vines, delicious food, copious wine and a feeling of joie-de-vivre in the air. It’s one of those destinations every traveller dreams about. Ann Rickard gives you 10 reasons why you should go as soon as possible. 1. Weather. With more than 300 days of sunshine every year, Provence is France’s sunshine capital. The summer months of June, July and August give you guaranteed sunshine. 2. Hilltop towns. Menerbes and Bonnieux became famous when Peter Mayle wrote so charmingly about them in A Year in Provence.

While they are delightful with their stone houses and narrow lanes, there are no museums or galleries and only a sprinkling of cafes. Like most hilltop towns, they are fun to explore and admire but don’t expect to find a lot to do. 3. Les Baux de Provence. In the Alpilles, this village provides plenty of interest. It is a living museum, crowned by castle ruins dating back to the 10th century. Walk over the ruins, climb crumbling towers, go down to the dungeons, be awed by the reproductions of giant medieval weapons, then wander the maze of lanes in the village with their small shops and cafes, and stop in a leafy square for lunch. 4. Avignon. For 70 years during the 14th century, this town was the hub of the Roman Catholic world

when the popes moved there from Rome and built the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes). The walled old town bustles with more shops and cafes than you could get to. Take a ride on the Petit Train, which rumbles through the town while a commentary gives you all you need to know about Avignon’s rich history. 5. I’isle sur la Sorgue. The name means “Island on the Sorgue River” and it looks so, with canals and water everywhere. Its imposing moss-covered water wheels have been toiling since the 1200s when they were used to grind flour. It is now famous for its antique and brocante stores. Best to visit on a Sunday – market day – when the town erupts with a festive atmosphere. 6. Markets. Every village, town and city puts on markets, where lanes,

SUPERIOR CUISINE: Enjoy cheese, seafood and meat at the markets in Provence. squares and streets become clogged with stalls and people. Even if you don’t buy a thing (you will), just wandering among the crowds with the sights and sounds of food and laughter gives a true sense of Provence. 7. Food. Fresh fruit and vegetables, olive oil, garlic, quality meat and sublime seafood, Provence is known all over the world for its superior cuisine. In summer, cherry, peach and apricot orchards burst with fruit so sweet you will find it hard to believe. Traditional dishes

include daube (beef stew) and ratatouille (we know that one). Look for the giant slabs of nougat at the markets and don’t go past the rich tapenades, probably made that morning. Green and black olive tapenade are traditional but try the anchovy tapenade for a bang-in-the-mouth hit. 8. Pont du Gard. This mighty aqueduct built by the Romans 2000 years ago to transport water from the town of Uzes to Nimes is reason alone to visit Provence. One of France’s most popular attractions, the aqueduct

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crosses the Gardon River. One look and your jaw drops. Best way to see it is to kayak from the nearby town of Collias, picnic on the banks with views to the awesome structure, then kayak under it. Better still, float on your back beneath it. 9. Plane trees, poppies, lavender, sunflowers. Nothing says France more than the rows of plane trees flanking the roads. They create an avenue of leafy shade in summer and make your heart sing. In April and May wild red poppies spring from the ground everywhere and then come August the sunflowers tilt their yellow heads to the sun to create fields of blazing yellow to the horizon. 10. Carriers de Lumieres. Below the village of Les Baux is perhaps the most stunning yet low-profile highlight of the region. In a vast, disused bauxite quarry, unique visual shows are projected on to the immense walls to the accompaniment of stirring music. It is usually the works of the world’s most famous artists on display – Van Gogh, Cezanne, Da Vinci in the past, this year it is Picasso. The 45-minute show is continuous, so any time you arrive is a good time.

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2018

Japan spring blossoms

NOWHERE on the planet do the modern and the ancient co-exist more harmoniously than in Japan. Kimono-clad ladies chatter on futuristic phones while blurring by on the fastest trains in the world; thousandyear-old Zen temples are dwarfed by seas of skyscrapers; and neon signs are reflected in flooded rice paddies. This fascinating country provides a sensory cultural overload, delivered in the most gracious and polite manner. The arrival of cherry blossoms, locally known as Sakura, are an important part of Japanese culture. Symbolising new beginnings and hope, their fleeting beauty is also a key characteristic representing human life, transience and nobleness. Adding to their magic and mystique, the Sakura are usually only in full bloom for a short time in spring. According to text from the 8th century, the tradition of Hanami, or flower viewing parties, have been held since at least the 3rd century, and is still an event of

BLOSSOMING ADVENTURE: Experiencing a sea of trees showing off bright pink flowers is well worth adding to the list. important cultural significance for Japanese people today. It is common to see people having picnics under the cherry blossom

trees during the day or admiring the blossoms by lantern light at night, which is a magical sight. If Japan is on your bucket list, spring is a

great time of year to visit. HANDY HINT: Next year Go See Touring will host an 11-day escorted tour to Japan for the Cherry Blossoms, departing

Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne March 31, 2019. The tour price is $7650 per person share twin, including return airfares.

Photo: Contributed

For full tour details, go to goseetouring.com or contact one of their friendly staff on info@ goseetouring.com or phone 1300 551 997.

Spring into a flowerful adventure in Singapore A FLOWER Dome, Supertrees, Dragonfly Lake and Cloud Forests. No, it’s not the set of Ridley Scott’s next film, but rather Singapore’s freshly minted Gardens by the Bay. Spanning 101 hectares, the gardens are a showcase for horticultural artistry. Living plants aside, all 700,000 of them, the waterfront park features

man-made trees stretching 50m into the sky with steel trunks and illuminated wire rods for branches providing nightly sound and light shows with plenty of drama. Today, Singapore is widely acclaimed as a global capital for culinary innovation, encompassing not only local street food and fine dining, but also new and innovative dining concepts at all price

ranges. From savoury carrot cake to Hainan chicken rice and knock-your-socksoff curries, Singapore’s hawker centres are cheap, cheerful and unforgettable. A melting pot of ethnic diversity, the many centres – Maxwell Road, Newton and Lau Pa Sat are reliably good – are always buzzing with locals swarming around stalls

selling steaming bowls of noodles and ocean-fresh seafood. Fans chug overhead, plastic plates clatter, Tiger beer bottles clink and fizz – now that’s fine dining. For retail therapy, the GSS, Great Singapore Sale, happens yearly between June and August and offers plenty of shopping opportunities. One of the newest kids on the shopping block is

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ION Orchard, about 400 retail outlets sprawling over numerous levels and underground passages. Go See Touring has two very special escorted tours to Singapore in 2019. Join Australian musicians Rodney Vincent, Graeme Hugo and Fortunato Isgro on an eight day Singapore Showcase Tour departing March 2, 2019. This tour features two

fabulous concerts by these entertainers. Price $3999 per person share twin (Ex Bne, Syd, Mel). For food lovers the eight day Singapore Food Festival Tour (departing Bne, Syd, Mel) on July 21, 2019 is sure impress. For a full itinerary, go to goseetouring.com or contact one of the friendly staff via email info@ goseetouring.com or phone 1300 551 997.

SEPTEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

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Your journey spans eight regions ranging from lush forests to craggy deserts.

A MOUNTAIN HIGH: Make hiking the Kilimanjaro in Tanzania one of the holidays on your to do list, and be in awe of nature’s beauty.

Photo: SVaP

Hike your way through Some places can only be dreams while others can become a real experience with the help of these super destination tips.

THIS month we profile destinations and experiences 45 to 41 as we count down the 2018 list of the World’s Best Journeys which we hope will inspire you to live life to the full. The top 50 bucket list has been selected by Flight Network and over 500 top travel journalists, agencies, bloggers and editors. Tighten the seat belt and let’s get you moving by putting some spring back into your forward travel plans.

HIKE THE KILIMANJARO, TANZANIA

THE seven-day Machame route up majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa at 20,000 feet, begins at the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, where you’ll walk through rainforest up a winding trail. The rainforest eventually dissolves into a small valley where you traverse a rocky ridge before reaching the Shira Plateau, a land of deep

valleys and weather worn lava flows. Pass the Lava Tower, nicknamed “Shark’s Tooth” because of its angular shape, before resting at Barranco Camp. Your next stop to help acclimatise is at Karanga Camp. Continue on to Barafu Camp where you’ll prepare your mind, body and soul for the Kilimanjaro summit, which commences between midnight and 2am. This epic trek will take you between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, before you take a rest at Stella Point and get rewarded by a magnificent sunrise. After reaching the highest point at Uhuru Peak, you descend to Mweka Hut and finish the following day in Moshi. Getting there: the trip begins and ends at the Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania which serves Arusha and Moshi. As you must be part of a guided tour for this adventure, your tour company will help advice you about travel arrangements from the airport.

HIKE THE JORDAN TRAIL, JORDAN

GAIN an education in Jordanian terrain, archaeology and religious relevance by embarking on this 650km hike that takes about 40 days. Your journey spans eight regions, ranging from lush forests to craggy deserts. Lace up your hiking shoes in Umm Qais then head south toward your final destination of Aqaba. Along the way you’ll encounter 52 villages allowing you to peel back the layers of this culture by tasting local cuisine, interacting with villagers and even spending the night in homestays. Highlights of the trail include jagged cliffs overlooking the Jordan Rift Valley, the rose-red city of Petra, and the towering sandstone mountains of Wadi Rum. Be sure to pack your bathing suit as you’ll be passing the Red Sea, whose crystal clear waters take on an orange-red hue when seasonal algae blooms. This warm sea is home to the world’s fastest fish,

the solitary sailfish, and has a thriving biodiversity, thanks in large part to its coral reef ecosystem. Significant historical sites, such as the ruins of the ancient church of Mar Elias and the Islamic castle of Ajloun will also be encountered on the route. Getting there: You will to fly into Jodan’s main airport, Queen Alia International Airport. From that airport a taxi is the most direct mode of transport to Umm Qais, which is about 2.5 hours away. The trailhead is located at the basalt ruins of the Decapolis of Um Qais. Be sure to plan your hike ahead of time, or hire one of the many local guide companies who can help you make the most of this trail, or check out the volunteer run Jordan Trail Association which offers an annual through-hike.

HIKE THE FRANCIGENA WAY, EUROPE SPANNING centuries of history and endless kilometres of

mountainscapes, the Francigena Way hike covers over 2000km from Canterbury to Rome and takes anywhere from 100-200 days, depending on how quickly you travel. This pilgrimage will carry you through England, France, Switzerland and Italy, with famous stop points such as Dover Castle, Notre Dame, Piazza del Campo Siena and Cathedral of Saints Peter and Francis. You journey through soft grass, stone stairways carved into mountain sides and thriving vineyards interspersed with time in grand cities such as Reims (France), Lausanne (Switzerland) and Rome (Italy). You can pause at any time to savour a special village or flower-covered field. At the end you can celebrate completing this hike-of-a-lifetime by tossing a coin into Rome’s Trevi Fountain and enjoying a Pizza Bianca from one of the city’s many bakeries. Getting there: You need to get to Canterbury by bus or train once arriving

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2018

Hike the Jordan Trail, Jordan and experience bedouin camels as they rest near the treasury Al Khazneh carved into the rock at Petra, Jordan.

Photo: DeSid

The Ancient Franceta Gate in the medieval town of Sutri.

Photo: davidf

Photo: Crisfotolux

Bushwalk in the spectacular Australian Blue Mountains.

this healthy bucket list in London. The Francigena Way starts beside the south porch of Canterbury Cathedral, at the kilometre zero stone. From the Cathedral, turn left onto Burgate and walk along Church Street and Longport, beside St Augustine’s Abbey. After passing North Holmes Road and St Martin’s Church, turn right onto Pilgrim’s Way and begin to follow the signs for the North Downs Way. Now, keep putting one foot in front of the other, allowing a trusty guidebook to support you the rest of the way.

BUSHWALK THE BLUE MOUNTAINS, AUSTRALIA A CAPTIVATING 3861 square miles of towering eucalyptus trees, sandstone cliffs and native bushland are waiting to be explored. Because of its intricate beauty, the best way to journey through this land is on foot. The seven day hike starts in Mount Victoria where you can spend the day in a historical pub or an art gallery.

Relax on board the Shinkansen Bullet Train, Japan. A few highlights of the trek include the secret grotto and rhododendron gardens at Mount Piddington, the cascading Bridal Veil Falls and Pulpit Rock lookout at Popes Glen, and the curious rock formation of Ruined Castle in the Jamison Valley. Aboriginal legend is mixed into your trip when you lay eyes on Three Sisters, a massive trilogy of rocky peaks that are said to have been three

sisters that were turned to stone. To reach the Three Sisters you’ll need to ascend Giant Stairway. Once your well-worked legs have descended the stairs you get to spend the night in the quaint village of Leura. Your last walk in the Blue Mountains will be National Pass walk, which leads into a mystical rainforest gorge. Getting there: The closest major airport to

Photo: blanscape

Mount Victoria is Sydney. From there you can reach Mount Victoria by taking a 2.5 hour train ride from Sydney’s Central Station, or rent a car and follow the M4 highway.

RELAX ON BOARD THE SHINKANSEN BULLET TRAIN, JAPAN

Reaching a maximum speed of 320km/h, the lightning-fast Shinkansen Bullet Train offers travelers a ride of a

lifetime. With the ability to tilt on turns, the needle-nosed Shinkansen is a thrilling way to travel. Known for its aerodynamic design and sleek rails providing ultra-smooth rides, the bullet train’s innovative, wing-shaped form helps to reduce wind resistance at high speeds. Boarding the train in Tokyo, after exploring everything from the modern glittering skyscrapers to its historic

temples, adventurers can take the Shinkansen to the popular city of Kyoto for a picturesque journey along towering mountains and flower-drenched valleys. Departing from the train, visitors can explore Kyoto’s timeless, island culture and a region draped in Japanese tradition. Peruse Kyoto’s Buddhist temples, imperial palaces and Shinto shrines before hopping on the Shinkansen and rambling on to your next destination. Getting there: With countless airlines serving Asia it’s easy to get to Tokyo. Once at Narita Airport the most cost effective way to get the city, which is 66km away, is to go by limousine bus which departs four times an hour and the fastest way is by boarding the Narita Express. Make your way to the Shinkansen by taking the Keikyu Rail Line to Shinagawa when you’re ready for your trip on the Bullet Train.

SEPTEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Five fantastic China destinations SPECTACULAR: Great Wall of China at the Jinshanling section.

Photo: SeanPavonePhoto

Explore history and the beauty of an ancient culture Tracey Johnstone CHINA, with its extraordinary cultural and political history, sweeping landscapes and imposing cities, has so much to offer a visitor these five experiences are just the tip of what this incredible country has to offer. Discover the Terracotta Warriors Xian has been the capital of 13 dynasties, including the Zhou, Qin, Han, the Sui and Tang dynasties, periodically from the 11th century BC to the early 10th century AD. Touring in Xi’an, you can breathe the historical air from all the must-see

spots. The major attractions in Xi’an include the Qin Terracotta Army, the 8th wonder of the world, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda which is the most outstanding landmark of Xi’an, Banpo Neolithic Village Museum which has the remains of a 6000-year-old village once home to a matriarchal clan community, and the Xi’an City Wall which stretches around the old city. Cuddle a panda, sort of Chengdu is the home of the giant pandas and exciting, authentic Sichuan cuisine. Its history dates back to at least the 4th century BC

Clay statues of Chinese Qin dynasty soldiers. when it served as capital for the Shu Kingdom. Artifacts from that dynasty are the focus of the Jinsha Site Museum. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is a conservation centre where visitors can view the endangered giant pandas in a natural

habitat. Spend Chinese New Year in China The Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is the most important festival for families in the Chinese calendar. It dates back over 4000 years. The festival is an occasion when people pray for a good harvest,

Photo: Nikada

celebrate and enjoy themselves. During the Spring Festival Han Chinese and many of China’s other ethnic groups hold a variety of distinctive celebrations in order to honour deities and ancestors, symbolise the replacing of the old with the new, and to welcome

the new year and pray for a good harvest. Touch silken history in Xinjiang The Silk Road is a thoroughfare linking east-west trade and cultural exchanges which was named after the lucrative trade in silk carried out along its length. It is also a

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2018

Close-up of China giant panda eating bamboo.

Photo: zorazhuang

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The cultural centre of China and its capital for 860 years is Beijing. It is one of the world’s largest cities and boasts over 3000 years of history.

well-known World Heritage site. The Chinese section of the route covers Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai and Xinjiang provinces as well as provincial-level autonomous regions. Xinjiang used to be a trading centre of Middle Asia. There are many bazaars inherited from thousands of years ago which can’t be missed when travelling in Xinjiang. Its spectacular geography features amazing plateau lakes, snow mountains, desert and flaming mountains. Xinjiang still retains its holiness and mysteriousness with fewer crowds. During ancient times, many kingdoms originated from here then disappeared, leaving ruins behind.

Cap off trip in the capital The cultural centre of China and its capital for 860 years is Beijing. It is one of the world’s largest cities and boasts over 3000 years of history. Its Forbidden City is one of the five most beautiful royal palaces in the world; the Temple of Heaven is where the emperors worship the heaven; Beihai Park and the Summer Palace which were imperial retreats; as well as sections of the Great Wall at Badaling, Mutianyu, and Simatai; and Prince Gong Mansion which is the world’s largest Siheyuan (courtyard house) are all worth visiting before you leave China to return another day for more extraordinary experiences.

MYSTERY RETAINED: One of the most visually rewarding destinations in Xinjiang’s capital is the Urumqi International Bazaar (also known as the Grand Bazaar). Nestled in the heart of Uyghur, Hui and Russian neighbourhoods, it claims to be the largest bazaar in the world. Photo: Spondylolithesis

chinese new year theme

Photo: Kameleon007

SEPTEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Glorious garden tours Grand tours across Europe for those with green fingers THE ultimate green thumb’s overseas holiday would have to be travelling by ship, train and coach through European countries visiting iconic and private gardens, and famous garden shows. The grandest tour has to be APT’s Botanica World Discoveries, Grand European. The 43-day tour takes in eight countries. Departing on April 25, 2019, the tour starts in Amsterdam in time to see the glorious spring bulbs. You then sail the Rhine and Moselle rivers to Basel and onto Zurich accompanied by the London Festival Opera. From Zurich you fly to Budapest where the group boards the luxurious Danube Express train over the European Alps viewing Alpine wildflowers before arriving into Venice. Then travel from Venice to Bordeaux visiting iconic gardens and picturesque landscapes on a leisurely tour where you can enjoy unique art inclusions and watercolour tuition from our art guide. Finally, enjoy a relaxing eight day river cruise through Bordeaux visiting gardens, chateaux, art and vineyards of the region. The tour includes free business class fares with Lufthansa, with some conditions applying, if booked before October 15, 2018. The price is $42,990 per person for twin share and $55,990 for solo travellers. Other Botanica 2019 gardening tours are: ❚ Hampton Court Flower Show and Gardens of Sussex Tour, UK – this show is set on the grounds of Hampton Court Palace and is held

during the summer months. Visit this show on the eight day tour which departs on June 17. Tour price is from $5995 per person, twin share. ❚ BBC Gardeners World Live, Birmingham, UK – it’s the ‘garden party of the year’. See British and world leading gardens and garden designers. Visit this show on Botanica’s 12-day Historic Houses and Gardens of the United Kingdom Tour which departs on June 15. Tour price is $8995 per person, twin share. ❚ Dublin in Bloom Festival, Dublin, Ireland – showcasing the best of Ireland’s gardens plants, design, construction, horticulture and gardening as a hobby. You can combine a visit to this event with Chelsea Flower Show. Visit this show on Botanica’s 10-day tour which departs on May 21. Tour price is from $9995 per person, twin share. ❚ Chaumont Garden Festival, Loire Valley, France – set in magnificent castle grounds, see superb displays created by teams of artists, landscape architects and designers. Visit this show on Botanica’s 13-day Loire Valley, Dordogne and Bordeaux Chateaux gardens tour which departs on May 25. Tour price is from $13,995 per person, twin share. ❚ Bohinj Wildflower Festival, Bohinj, Croatia – travel into the hills of Slovenia to see the majestic wildflowers of the region at the Bohinj Wildflower Festival.

BOTANICA BEAUTY: Keukenhof Garden, Amsterdam.

Libourne River and bridge.

Marqueyssac Garden, France.

Dublin Flower Show.

Keukenhof Garden and Lake, Amsterdam.

Chelsea Flower Show.

Visit this show on Botanica’s 14-day Spring Wildflowers of the Italian Lakes, Slovenia and Croatian Islands Cruise which departs May 25. Tour price is from $11,995 per person, twin share. ❚ Art & Gardens in France – hosted by Brian Healey, you will travel from

where you will be accompanied by Brian and visit special art inclusions, including a tour of the famous Beaux Arts Gallery in Bordeaux, a visit to Le-Temple-sur-Lot garden where Monet painted his Les Nymphaea’s series, enjoy lectures aboard as well as opportunities for

Cannes to Bordeaux where you can participate in art classes along the way. All materials will be provided as well as tuition from Brian which is suitable for beginners and experienced water colour artists. Continue onto the Bordeaux river cruise

painting and tuition. The 14-day tour departs on May 24. Tour price is from $13,595 per person, twin share, and $16,995 for solo travellers. For more information, go to botanica.travel, phone 1300 305 202 or talk to your local travel agent.

Floriade adopts pop theme RETRO inspired flowerbeds will part of the annual colourful spring Floriade festival to be held in Canberra from September 15-October 14. Marilyn Monroe and Michael Jackson will star alongside the likes of Grug and Where’s Wally, the Rubik’s Cube and even Ken Done, as visitors go on a trip down memory lane through the pop culture. Floriade each year focuses on exciting, diverse and innovative programs.

This year will be no different with a line-up that is nothing short of blooming wonderful. Visitors will be treated to an exciting array of flowerbeds showcasing some of the 20th Century’s most iconic figures in music, film, literature and social media. Food, glorious food to tantalise the tastebuds with produce from Canberra and the surrounding region will have visitors coming back for more than one visit.

During school holidays, there will be lots of activities for the grandkids. Imagine enjoying your visit on a Sunday afternoon, picnicking at Jazz in the Park with special guests including the uber-talented Emma Pask. For the aspiring or avid green thumbs there are many workshops at The Greenhouse interactive venue. The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. NightFest, Floriade’s

ticketed after-dark experience, returns for five nights from September 26 until September 30. Commonwealth Park will come to life after dark with illuminated flowerbeds, a line-up of local and drink food stalls, nightly entertainment and dazzling lighting installations making NightFest an absolute must in 2018. On the Wednesday night, Stage 88 transforms into an open-air cinema, while

SPRING TRAVEL: Canberra’s Floriade will burst to life this month. Photo: Floriade Australia Thursday and Friday nights see musicians hit the stage as the music flows through the flowerbeds including Caiti Baker, Bowie Unzipped featuring Jeff Duff and Kate

Miller-Heidke. Saturday night will be time to don the dance shoes for Party NightFest. For more, go to floriadeaustralia.com.

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2018

Living

FRIENDLY NEIGHBOURS: As we get older and friends become more scarce, making new ones can be challenging but not if you're a resident at Grafton by Gateway Lifestyle.

Photo: Contributed

Make great friends and influence new people IF YOU’RE one of those over 50s who has found over the years that your group of friends has steadily declined, you’re not alone. As we get older and friends become more scarce, making new ones can be challenging. Triggering a friendship requires some kind of commonality. You have to keep putting yourself out there – volunteer, join community groups, attend

places of worship or take a class. It’s not easy for seniors to make new friends but it’s not easy for anyone when we live in a world where eye contact is rare and we’re mostly connecting via social media or employment. And what happens after you retire and don’t have colleagues around every day? Mark Smith, a resident at Grafton by Gateway Lifestyle since late last

year, says he found it easier to make new friends after moving into a community of like-minded individuals. “My social life has uplifted since moving in here,” Mr Smith said. “I have friendly neighbours around me, we have a barbecue every Sunday and I go along to the weekly bingo.” “I couldn’t be happier.” Mr Smith was downsizing from a larger family home and explored

the different village options in Yamba and Grafton. Ultimately, he preferred the style of the community at Grafton by Gateway Lifestyle. “I’d certainly recommend Gateway Lifestyle, and this community in particular, to others,” he said. Set in the beautiful Clarence Valley, Grafton is rich in history and world famous for its annual Jacaranda Festival.

Gateway Lifestyle CEO Trent Ottawa said the community has a range of facilities to complement its easy-going atmosphere, but often the biggest drawcards are the homes themselves and the financial freedom that the land lease model offers. “Gateway Lifestyle charges no entry or exit fees, allowing residents to purchase a home at a lower price than traditional housing

options in this area,” Mr Ottawa said. “With a limited number of new, purpose-built homes available right now, this is a great time to be downsizing into a low-maintenance lifestyle.” Chris Ryder would love to hear from anyone interested in coming by for an inspection. Phone him on 0428 120 086 or visit gatewaylifestyle.com.au for more information.

NEWS

SEPTEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

GET THERE SAFELY: Taking a moment to learn about being a safer driver can help seniors stay in their cars for longer.

Top driving tips for seniors

EVEN though you have probably been driving for countless years, taking a moment to learn what you could do to be a safer driver could save a life – and that life could be yours. University of the Sunshine Coast senior research fellow Dr Bridie Scott-Parker offers some top tips for better driving. Drivers: ■ Keep your distance by staying at least four seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. “It gives us time to stop if

the person in front suddenly stops and it gives you extra space to stop if there is someone right behind your car,” Dr Scott-Parker said. ■ Retain the four-second gap even when you are driving around town. ■ Recognise and be aware of road hazards, such as roundabouts, weather conditions, a variety of road users such as motorcycles or trucks, and the rules around merging, overtaking and tailgating. ■ Always look behind before you reverse. ■ If you struggle to see behind your car when

reversing or when you are changing lanes, find out what you can do to modify your car so you can see clearly, such as bigger mirrors. ■ Be conspicuous by ensuring your driving lights are on when driving at night. Just because your dashboard automatically lights up when you start your car doesn’t mean your headlights have come on as well. ■ If you have cataracts, don’t drive at night as headlights can make it difficult to see. ■ Take the time to plan your day carefully so you

aren’t feeling pressured to speed to get to an appointment. Also plan for roadwork delays and traffic, and slow down. ■ Stay up to date on the road rules. ■ Ask yourself – do you need to drive or could you catch a bus or car pool. Pedestrians: If you prefer to walk somewhere you still need to know the road rules. “Look left and right before you cross the road,” Dr Scott-Parker said. “If you are a pedestrian, never cross the road until you have made contact with the driver, such as

eye contact, smiling or a little wave. Don’t assume because the driver has looked at you that they have actually seen you. “Their brain might be on something completely different. Keep looking left and right as you are crossing the road and when you get to the other side, hopefully the driver is there waiting for you. “Again, give a little smile, a little wave and have that eye contact.” When walking at dusk or at night, wear a reflective vest or top so drivers can see you. Passengers: Seniors should delegate some

co-driving tasks to their passengers. “It’s not nagging, it’s co-driving,” Dr Scott-Parker said. “Look left and right if the car is pulling up to a stop sign. Don’t just let the driver be responsible, they might miss something. “It can be a little tricky though if you have a husband who for 50 years has ignored everything you have said and doesn’t want you to contribute. “That’s when our wonderful ladies can say, ‘I’m not nagging. Dr Bridie said I am co-driving’.”

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The more we age, the more we save

Money

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The median retired couple’s expenditure falls by more than one-third (36.7 per cent) as they move from early retirement (age 65-69) and into older age...

Tony Kaye MOVING from employment into retirement is one of the most stressful financial stages in life, but it may be surprising to learn that the older we get the more we tend to save. That’s one of the findings from actuarial services provider Milliman in a new report, which suggests that retirees’ age is just as strong an indicator of behaviour as income levels. It casts doubt on common benchmarks, such as using a percentage of one’s final salary as a retirement savings target, which makes little allowance for lifestyle changes. Of course, some of us will spend more in retirement and others less. Some will run out of superannuation money and need to rely on the Age Pension. Yet, the Milliman Retirement Expectations and Spending Profiles (ESP) report shows that the median retired couple’s expenditure falls by more than one-third (36.7 per cent) as they move from early retirement (age 65-69) and into older age (85 years and beyond). Interestingly, this new analysis includes the latest census income data and shows that poor, middle-income and high-income retirees all show similar declines in expenditure throughout retirement. The research tracks personal income (using census data) against expenditure (using the Milliman Retirement ESP) for low-income retirees (annual income below $33,800). While expenditure briefly peaks above income just before retirement in their early 60s, it quickly tapers off into older age. These low-income earners actually earn their highest lifetime incomes through retirement, earning more as they age. This is largely due to the support of the government Age Pension. Middle-income retirees (annual income between

RETIREMENT SAVING: The older we get, the more we tend to save. $33,800 and $91,000) also show similar declining expenditure (although their expenditure never exceeds income). Their peak spending – as a proportion of their income – is reached in their late 60s. At this point, average incomes are sitting at around $54,000, and spending is at a little over $30,000. Similarly, high-income earners (annual income above $91,000) are also saving money into retirement. Their spending drops from a peak figure of around $80,000 a year at about age 50, to around $65,000 in the late 60s, to around $38,000 once they hit age 85. The Milliman research shows that while wealthier retirees spend more in absolute terms, all three groups are saving money in retirement to greater and lesser degrees. The Milliman Retirement ESP provides the most accurate possible picture of retiree behaviour by tracking changes in the real-world expenditure of more than 300,000 older Australians. It shows that the average proportion of income spent on housing, food, energy, leisure, goods and services, travel and insurance either declines slightly, or remains the same, regardless of income levels, through retirement. Only expenditure on

healthcare increases. Travel is the biggest loser as we age and lose mobility, falling from about eight per cent of spending to below four per cent. Yet, while overall spending declines, there are still significant variations between the lowest and highest earners in terms of how money is spent. There are also important expenditure trends under way, with home ownership levels declining in Sydney and Melbourne while energy prices are escalating quickly. Milliman consultant Jeff Gebler said although energy represents a small proportion of overall household expenditure, the amount spent is significantly correlated to income levels: higher income households have more expensive (and energy-consuming) lifestyles. Energy expenditure increases until about age 65 and then stabilises before rising from age 80 (this may be because elderly Australians spend more time at home and want to feel more comfortable rather than moving into aged care accommodation). All this data is interesting, but it has some practical implications as well. For one thing, superannuation funds and other financial product groups should be using it to design products to better meet the long-term

Photo: Wavebreakmedia

income needs of retirees. Tony Kaye is the Editor of Eureka Report, which is

owned by listed financial services group InvestSMART. www.investsmart.com.au.

Do you have all of your eggs in one basket? By spreading your savings across different types of investments, you not only reduce the risk of your portfolio losing money, you also increase the chance that it will make money. Of course no matter what asset allocation you choose, there’s no way to eliminate risk entirely.

another could be outperforming – if you had all your money in just one asset class you could be missing out on potential returns from other sectors.

The right mix of assets will vary from person to person, depending on their individual needs and circumstances. In practice however, with many investors exposed to We often speak to investors property through their own who do just this (hold home, the asset allocation all of their wealth in one decision comes down to asset class) whether that how much to invest in be directly held property shares, and how much to or Australian shares. As an invest in fixed interest A dilemma every investor example, someone who only and/or cash. faces is that it is very held property in Sydney difficult to predict future would likely have seen their To discuss whether your performances of each type investments devalue by current investment of investment (property, around 5% over the past positioning can be Australian shares, 12 months, while missing improved, please call the international shares or fixed out on 12% gains for team at Morgans on interest). When one type of Australian shares over the 02 6651 5700 to arrange on asset is underperforming, same period. obligation free meeting.

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MONEY

SEPTEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Who looks after super when I can’t? Monica Rule THE two most common questions I am asked by my Self Managed Superannuation Fund clients is who can manage their SMSF when they are unable to, and what they can do to make sure their superannuation goes to the right people when they die. Normally, these clients are members of a single-member SMSF or a husband and wife in a two-member SMSF. This means they are the main decision-makers. Under the superannuation law, an SMSF is a private superannuation fund where all members are individual trustees or directors of the corporate trustee. This means if a member is unable to manage their SMSF, they can no longer act as a trustee or director of a corporate trustee – the SMSF will not comply with the legal

structure under the law. Although the law allows six months for an SMSF to restructure, someone still needs to make decisions during this period. So what options are there for an SMSF member if they can no longer manage their fund because of mental incapacity or death? One option is an Enduring Power of Attorney. An EPoA is a legal document that allows a member to give a trusted person authority to make decisions for their SMSF. In the event a member is unable to act as a trustee or a director, their attorney can act in their place. The attorney assumes the duties, responsibilities and obligations of an SMSF trustee in their personal capacity. This means the attorney will be subject to civil and criminal penalties for any contravention of the

superannuation law. However if there is no EPoA in place prior to a member losing their mental capacity, then the only option is for someone to approach the Civil and Administrative Tribunal for either an administrator or a financial manager to be appointed. This may be a time-consuming and stressful process for loved ones to have to go through. SMSF members should also consider putting in place a binding death benefit nomination. A BDBN is a legal document that requires the remaining SMSF trustee to pay the deceased member’s superannuation to the person nominated by the deceased. Without a BDBN, a member cannot be certain their super will go to the people they intend. The government proposal to increase the maximum number of SMSF members from four to six may assist with

SUPER ADVICE: Act now to protect your SMSF. some of these issues. It means there will be other members in the SMSF who can hold an EPoA for an incapacitated member. However with more people making decisions for an SMSF, it may create greater risk. There is also the potential for children to use their numbers to outvote their parents.

SMSFs with larger numbers of members will need to have a trust deed with solid dispute resolution mechanism to resolve conflict among members. If SMSF members no longer wish to manage their fund, they could consider converting their SMSF to a Small Australian Prudential

Photo: kerriekerr

Regulation Fund, where a professional licensed trustee is responsible for managing the fund. There is also the option for members to roll their super into a retail or industry super fund prior to winding up their SMSF. For more SMSF information from Monica Rule, go to www. monicarule.com.au.

SmartMoney talk finance matters for women THE #MeToo movement has highlighted issues of sexual harassment, but women face another challenge: the struggle for financial independence. Money regulator ASIC recently released some disturbing findings. Two out of five women find money decisions stressful and overwhelming. More than eight out of ten women aged under 35 don’t have a grasp of basic investment concepts, and women are still retiring with, on average, half the superannuation of men ($230,000 v $454,000). The irony is that

research continually shows women often make better investors than men, especially when it comes to researching options and taking a conservative rather than overly optimistic approach. However, women face serious challenges that can hold back their financial growth including the gender pay gap, and the greater likelihood of taking time out of the workforce to be carers either for children or ageing relatives. On top of this, ASIC says women often focus on the everyday needs of their families and so tend to view money as a short term rather than longer

WEdnEsday 17th OctObEr

term issue. To help women focus on their financial well-being, the MoneySmart website has launched a series of Women Talk Money videos. They feature Australian women sharing personal stories about money – an initiative designed to kick-start conversations around money matters and encourage women to make better financial decisions. That’s a good thing. The more we talk about our financial experiences, the more money management becomes a normal part of everyday life. MoneySmart also offers links to a range of free money tools including a budget planner

WISE WOMEN: Women still face the struggle for financial independence. Photo: Bojan89

and parental leave calculator. There’s no doubt that reforms around the gender pay gap could help women enjoy a more level financial playing field. Removing the $450 per month Superannuation Guarantee threshold, which sees many

part-time and casual workers – both men and women, denied employer-paid super contributions, could also have a significant impact on women’s financial health. However, these are things we can’t control in our everyday lives. What we can take charge of is the way we approach money. Something as simple as take an active interest in our financial well-being – and sharing ideas in open conversations can be the start of important change. For the record, encouraging women to achieve financial independence is something that should

start from an early age. US studies highlight the way that gender bias can kick in during childhood. Parents are often more likely to discuss money matters with boys rather than girls, or reward sons more than daughters for being good with money. Having relaxed discussions around money with our daughters can instil a sense of confidence that they can, and should, take control of their personal finances. Paul Clitheroe is Chairman of InvestSMART, Chairman of the Australian Government Financial Literacy Board and chief commentator for Money Magazine.

Win Tickets to A Special Screening Thanks to Event Cinemas, we’re giving away 10 double passes for readers to attend the Seniors Morning Tea and Screening of the new film ‘First Man’ from 10am on Wednesday 17th October.^

On the heels of their six-time Academy Award®-winning smash, La La Land, Oscar®-winning director Damien Chazelle and star Ryan Gosling reteam for Universal Pictures’ First Man, the riveting story of NASA’s mission to land a man on the moon, focusing on Neil Armstrong and the years 1961-1969. A visceral, first-person account, based on the book by James R. Hansen, the Tickets $10* for Cinebuzz for Seniors Members. movie will explore the sacrifices and the cost—on Armstrong and on the nation—of one of the most dangerous missions in history. Sign up to be a member for free online at

eventcinemas.com.au Tickets for this screening on sale now!

Enter online at seniorsnews.com.au/competitions

*Online booking fees apply. ^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 03/09/18-28/09/18. Competition drawn 10am 01/10/18 at Cnr Mayne Rd and Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Winners announced in Seniors November Editions 2018. Total prize value $200.00 (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. NSW Permit Number LTPM/18/03133

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Paul Clitheroe

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2018

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You of course want to get your car looking its best inside and out before a potential sale. One tip you might have forgotten: ensure that your radiator and windscreen washer reservoir are topped up.

This tip brought to you by www.finda.com.au

SELF Managed Super Fund expert Monica Rule has published seventh edition of her handbook which uses simple language to guide readers through the complexity of SMSFs. The Self Managed Super Handbook – Superannuation law for Self Managed Superannuation Funds in plain English comes out of Monica’s work in the finance industry, firstly after 17 years working in superannuation with the Australian Taxation Office, and then from last five years running her own SMSF consultancy and education business. She is well-known in the superannuation industry as an established author. As a columnist Monica regularly publishes articles on superannuation for SMSFs in newspapers and magazines. “SMSFs can be an effective investment vehicle for people that want to be involved in closely managing their superannuation savings; or for people who are passionate and knowledgeable about certain investments,” Monica said. “But, an SMSF isn’t for everyone. “To accumulate wealth in an SMSF, you need to have a large amount of money. “Without it the investment income generated in an SMSF will not be enough to pay for its annual fees such as preparation of tax returns by accountants and audits conducted by

MONEY MATTERS: Self Managed Super Fund expert Monica Rules's 7th edition of her SMSF handbook is out now.

‘‘

To accumulate wealth in an SMSF, you need to have a large amount of money. — Monica Rule

SMSF auditors. The fees are normally around $1000 to $2000.” The handbook explains all aspects of the superannuation law, the major superannuation changes that took effect from July 1, 2017, and the 2018 Federal Budget proposals. It explains what trustees and members can and can’t do, and covers - SMSF structures, trustees, residency,

operating a business, acquiring assets, lending, borrowing, auditors, contributions, benefits, administration, enforcement, tax deductions and tax payable. The seventh edition of Monica Rule’s The Self Managed Super Handbook is available for $64.95 from www.monicarule.com.au.

The Bloke-a-saurus: Great yarns, helping a good cause PUT your hand in your pocket for a great yarn and help raise funds for the Gotcha 4 Life Foundation work in training male crisis counsellors. Gus and Steve Worland’s The Bloke-a-saurus is full of jokes for blokes, fair dinkum funnies and true blue Aussie wisdom. Knockabout brothers Gus and Steve know a good joke when they hear one, and this smorgasbord of their favourite gags and yarns

will keep the men in your life giggling all the way to the dunny and back. Chocked full of the Worland brothers’ best jokes about being a dad, a son, a mate, a husband and much, much more, this collection gives you their funniest thigh-slappers, from one-liners and wait-for-its to shaggy dog stories, knock knocks, lightbulb jokes, Aussie rhyming slang, the longest and shortest joke in the world and of course, their most time-honoured dad jokes.

Through laughter and a tipping of the hat to the important things in life, The Bloke-a-Saurus also presents the wisdom of the ages with advice from the masters that helps grow boys into men, and stories that remind us that while we're all laughing, some blokes are doing it tougher than others. Published by Simon & Schuster, The Bloke-a-Saurus is available in bookshops. RRP $32.99.

NEWS

SEPTEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Super spring tips from our local gardeners

Thanks to our passionate local gardeners, this month we share just a few of their top spring planting tips... GWEN BARNES, 66, TWEED HEADS

SPRINGTIME for roses means feeding, says Gwen. She recommends before you start that you remove all the mulch you put on in winter to protect the plants. Gwen says if you leave it on they could end up with root rot or with little nasties crawling around that you don’t want. Then create air flow around the base of the plants. If you find your roses

have developed scale, spray them with eco oil. This is the time when roses are on their way to fabulous blooming and need lots of nutritional

GRAHAM RUSHTON, 75, BUNDABERG

IT’S time to compost to boost the efficiency of the garden, before starting your spring planting. Graham’s compost has leaves from trees in his garden, dead headed flowers and any other plants around the garden that need to be recycled. To make it Graham uses his lawnmower. He

spreads everything out on a small patch of grass and then uses the lawnmower to cut it up to make the compost. Because he has chickens he also adds

KAY NESBITT, 71, GOLD COAST

KAY’S succulents are her passion. They are easy to grow, fairly hardy and produce glorious colours. At the start of spring, the first job for her is trim the plants. She then has a very close look at all her plants, moving those that will benefit more from the summer sun and moving others than can sit happily in the shadier areas.

Some of her plants will be moved into a new pot and given a boost with a half succulent and half potting mix refresher, or

PAT ROSER, 87, COFFS HARBOUR

IT’S time to prepare the ground for spring annuals – primulas, marigolds and pansies, Pat says. She digs quickly over the soil, digging in the mulch that has been sitting there during winter. Then Pat gets the fertiliser ready for when she starts planting. Pat will pop in the fertiliser and the garden

compost she has been making before putting in the plants.

things to get them on their way. A good general all-purpose feed will keep them happy. Gwen says give them some Epsom Salts and a little bone meal mixed up in about a quarter of a cup. Doing this may well boost them. Gwen encourages seniors to enjoy the spring and look forward to awesome blooms. Her’s will be on display at the Annual Flower & Garden Show on September 29. some of the soil from their yard. Graham also adds good quality potting mix and Rooster Booster. He spreads this over the vegetable garden and around the flowers. If you live in an apartment, he suggests you hand cut your dead headed flowers, add potting mix and very little Rooster Booster as it is quite strong – maybe 10-12 pellets. she uses that mix to top up her pots and garden plants. Kay will cut a few pieces off some of her succulents, wash off the soil and put them in a vase that is about half full of water, where they can sit inside her house as a beautiful display for several months. In later months, she will replant those cuttings in her garden. She also swaps cuttings with like-minded friends. Once that is done, Pat will put on a layer of lucerne just to protect the plants. For the fertiliser Pat uses dynamic lifter, but during summer she uses Osmocote granules or Seasol. Living in a retirement village, her gardens are on display for the residents and they have open days and a Coffs Harbour gardening competition.

ROBERT JANETZKI, 72, TOOWOOMBA

JUST in time for the Toowoomba Garden Festival which runs from September 21-30, Robert recommends for bromeliad enthusiasts the following spring tips. Start with removing all dead leaves, particularly from the vase as the debris can rot the plant if it’s not flushed out. Next is to fertilise with

a slow release product with no copper in it, an organic fertiliser or a seaweed like Seasol or Organic Extra.

CHRIS O’DEMPSEY, 73, SUNSHINE COAST

WHILE Chris’ various orchid plants will flower at most times of the year, spring is when they are at their most magnificent. To prepare them for his annual open garden and to keep them in good health for the hot months ahead, Chris is busy nurturing his prized plants. He targets the warmer part of the day to spray the all each plant with a

mild fertiliser diluted into about two or more litres water. It is made up of 15ml of

JEAN TYLER, 77, CENTRAL COAST

JEAN says it’s time for her gloriously colourful selection of pansies, violas and impatients, with winter greens among them, in the hanging and ground-level pots, to be refreshed. She firstly removes the plants as they end their winter blooming. Then Jean takes out about a quarter of the soil and puts it in the

garden, replacing it with fresh potting mix and everlasting fertiliser. Once planted up, she waters the pots with Seasol. Jean is planting

BERENICE CORVI, 86, BRISBANE

EVEN after 54 years of sharing her gardening skills to her fellow Mitchelton and Districts Garden Club members, Berenice still looks for something special for each month’s meeting. Berenice plans for spring to have ready some bulbous flowers. She starts with testing the soil to ensure the acid in the garden reads no less than 6.5, and then she uses her old lawn

composted clippings to mulch around the plants to protect against evaporation. Her trick to help fast track the growth of her spring seedlings is to hold them in a little hole and then water them in with

A good check for disease such as scale or mealybug is worthwhile doing. The pups, or new growth, can then be removed from the mother. But, before they are planted in pots or in the garden, Robert recommends letting them sit somewhere dry for 24 hours to help avoid disease or rot getting into the root of the pup. Carbaryl, a teaspoon of trace element, four or five teaspoons of orchid bloom booster and orchid fertiliser, when then needs stirring. On Australia’s east coast, Chris said the easiest orchid to start growing in spring, indoor or outdoor, are the soft cane dendrobiums which have a beautiful perfume, and in protected areas of the garden, the phalaenopsis which can flower for up to three months. snapdragon and marigold seeds which she has stored during the winter in an envelope and kept in a kitchen draw, plus geranium cuttings, verbena and petunia plants. Jean tries to use small plants so she can get lots of them in a pot, leaving room to add in each pot a few summer edibles plants such as frilly lettuce and Chinese greens. Seasol. Berenice’s other clever spring tip is to put a clay pot on top of each planting and spread mulch around the pot’s edge. They are left like that for a few days. Then for about five days she takes the pots off each morning, so the plants get some sun, before replacing them at night. Finally, if the sun is very strong, Berenice places garden cuttings around the edge of each planting to create some shade.

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2018

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

7 8 9 10

11 12

19 20

Across 1 Which team ball game is played using longhandled sticks strung with a netted pouch? (8) 7 In Judaism, what is a period of seven days’ formal mourning for the dead? (5) 8 What expression of surprise began as “God blind me”? (3,6) 9 Otitis aﬀects the what? (3) 10 What is the burrow of a badger? (4) 11 A person who is excessively concerned with minor detail might be called a what? (6) 13 Whose statement before the 1991 Gulf War repopularised the catchphrase “The mother of all...”? (6,7) 15/16 Who was the only non-elected US president? (6,4) 18 Distilled from wood or coal, what is used to waterproof canvas? (3) 20 In which ship did James Cook sail to Tahiti to observe 1769’s transit of Venus? (9) 21 Kathmandu is the capital of which country? (5) 22 What are words that mean the same as another word in the same language? (8)

PUZZLES

Down 1 Who (George ___) created the epic Star Wars? (5) 2 Which arteries supply blood to the head and neck? (7) 3 What is the capital of Norway? (4) 4 Which film had Cliff Richard driving a doubledecker London bus around Europe? (6,7) 5 What hammered metal pin holds plates of metal together? (5) 6 Who built a defensive wall across northern England? (7) 7 What is the junction between two nerve cells? (7) 12 Which archangel revealed the Koran to the Prophet Muhammad? (7) 13 Which navigation instrument superseded the astrolabe? (7) 14 Which branch of biology is concerned with organisms and their environment? (7) 15 What lined chart has x and y axes? (5) 17 What are you playing if you are trying for a double top? (5) 19 What is the lower part of an interior wall decorated differently from the upper part? (4)

22/9

SUDOKU

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

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

5x5

ALPHAGRAMS

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

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

A A

P O

E E

K 20

Note: more than one solution may be possible.

PAPAL BE LORD CAN COIL BORDELLO IDEAL TRIO

SOLUTIONS

A M P L E

M E L E E

P R E S S

Across: 1. Gulf 8. Alteration 9. Pentacle 10. Exit 12. At odds 14. Enigma 15. Prompt 17. Mighty 18. Adze 19. Infantry 21. Impenitent 22. Sell. Down: 2. Unlettered 3. Fast 4. Stacks 5. Grieve 6. Steeping 7. Knot 11. Immaterial 13. Dampened 16. Trivia 17. Miffed 18. Aria 20. Nuts.

QUICK CROSSWORD

ALPHAGRAMS: APPAL, BOLDER, CONICAL, DOORBELL, EDITORIAL.

O C

How many words of four letters or more can you make? Each letter must be used only once and all words must contain the centre letter. There is at least one nine-letter word. No words starting with a capital are allowed, no plurals ending in s unless the word is also a verb. TODAY: Good 17 Very Good 23 Excellent 29

C A P O N

581

O F

SUDOKU

5x5

S T A R K

WORD GO ROUND

GK CROSSWORD

D A

R W

Down 2. Illiterate (10) 3. Swift (4) 4. Piles (6) 5. Mourn (6) 6. Soaking (8) 7. Tangle (4) 11. Irrelevant (10) 13. Moistened (8) 16. Unimportant details (6) 17. Annoyed (6) 18. Opera song (4) 20. Headbutts (colloq) (4)

Across: 1 Lacrosse. 7 Shiva. 8 Cor blimey. 9 Ear. 10 Sett. 11 Pedant. 13 Saddam Hussein. 15/16 Gerald Ford. 18 Tar. 20 Endeavour. 21 Nepal. 22 Synonyms. Down: 1 Lucas. 2 Carotid. 3 Oslo. 4 Summer Holiday. 5 Rivet. 6 Hadrian. 7 Synapse. 12 Gabriel. 13 Sextant. 14 Ecology. 15 Graph. 17 Darts. 19 Dado.

Across 1. Chasm (4) 8. Modiﬁcation (10) 9. Five-sided star (8) 10. Depart (4) 12. In disagreement (2,4) 14. Mystery (6) 15. Punctual (6) 17. Powerful (6) 18. Axe-like tool (4) 19. Soldiers (8) 21. Not regretful (10) 22. Vend (4)

WORD GO ROUND

actor afoot cart coat coot craft croft daft dart doctor draft drat fact factor foot fort frat octad raft root rota taco taro toad torc toward trad trod trow waft wart WOODCRAFT wort

AUSTRALIAN OWNED

COFFS & CLARENCE

SEPTEMBER, 2018// SENIORS