Coffs & Clarence, March-April 2018

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In this edition

Cover Story: Sue Pieters-Hawke ...........................Page 3 Feature Story: Jacqui Lambie .......................Pages 5 & 6 Travel .............................................Pages 13, 14, 31 & 32 Seniors Week Festival feature.................Pages 15 -28 Puzzles ...................................................................Page 43

Contact us General Manager Geoff Crockett – 0413 988 333 geoff.crockett@news.com.au Editor Gail Forrer – 1300 880 265 gail.forrer@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Media Sales Executive Sue Germany – 0408 286 539 sue.germany@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Now online Get your news online at www.seniorsnews.com.au Advertising, editorial and distribution enquiries Phone: 1300 880 265 or (07) 5435 3200 Email: advertising@seniorsnewspaper.com.au or editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Location: 2 Newspaper Place, Maroochydore 4558 Website: www.seniorsnews.com.au Subscriptions Only $39.90 for one year (12 editions) including GST and postage anywhere in Australia. Please call our circulations services on 1300 361 604 and quote “Coffs & Clarence Seniors”.

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

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

Published by News Corp Australia.

Printed by News Corp Australia, Yandina.

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

Welcome

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018

Innovative ideas improve lifestyles FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK GAIL FORRER

Group editor Seniors Newspapers network

AN Australian first initiative could change the face of ageing and give world peace a nudge because as the designer said: “The answer is on your doorstep”.

This month Nursing Practitioner Mathui Bush claimed first prize in the Senior Living Innovation Challenge.

The challenge, thought to be an Australian first, initiated by QUT in partnership with Retirement Industry organisations, offered a first prize of $20,000 for a concept that aims to reframe ageing in Australia.

Mathui’s winning project was ‘One Good Street’.

Using a combination of simplicity, thoughtfulness and use of new

technology, he worked up a grassroots concept of meeting, sharing and caring with the people in your street (and perhaps even a few blocks away), that seeks to enhance and perhaps inform the whole idea of ‘staying in your own home’ for the older person.

The idea that the neighbourhood street is a community within a community is an old one.

It might begin with playing with neighbourhood kids, sharing a neighbourhood barbecue, gradually growing familiar enough to borrow a cup of milk, and then perhaps accepting an invite to milestone birthdays and so it goes on. In the best world, the street stays the same and people come and go, but the traditional sense of community survives.

However today, modern mobility and new work life balances, have changed a lot of those customs – but not all of them. Recently I moved and came home to

find a pot-plant and welcome note on my doorstep, it was warm introduction to my new abode.

This summer during searing weather, Mathiu told me his street introduced the air-con club, an initiative that saw neighbours with air-conditioning open up their homes to hot and bothered neighbours.

The ‘One Good Street’ model works as an online platform, where residents register what they’re doing in their street and are rewarded with accreditation.

These accreditations will show up in the street and then, perhaps throughout a whole suburb. Mathui said it creates a culture of participation, which tackles social isolation, a major issue for people over 65.

Physiotherapist Meg Lowry was runner-up with a concept focused on the practicalities of gaining fitness and reducing falls.

Certainly, another great idea for older people (for more on this story and videos, please visit seniorsnews.com.au).

This issue our cover story features Sue Pieters Hawke. Sue’s life took on another dimension when her mother, Hazel Hawke was diagnosed with Alzheimers.

At this point she began her journey into reframing the stereotypical treatment of dementia, since then she has expanded her advocacy into ageism in all forms.

She is not alone, The Australian Men’s Shed Association has acknowledged the issue of elder abuse and rather than turning a blind eye, is tackling this with a strategy of informal conversation (page 4).

We also have interesting feature articles on cannabis together with informative stories on well-being, living and travel. I trust you enjoy them all.

— Gail

Veteran actor keeps telling us our stories JOHN Howard, one of Australia’s most recognisable actors, is keeping his career at a high with a new movie now in production giving him time to return to the stage for a very modern play.

At 65 the silver Logie award winning actor has been in our lounge rooms and our theatres for 40 years. Think Seachange, All Saints, The Club, The Crucible, A Country Practice and Mad Max:

Fury Road just as a start – his passionate performances, commanding statue and cheeky spirit bringing delight to Australian audiences.

John currently leads a small cast of characters in Sorting Out Rachel which paints a confronting, and for some people, accurate picture of a three-generational tussle over money and lives.

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arguments, early inheritance demands, ignoring the needs of a child, accepting responsibility for our indigenous heritage, social enterprise and a whole lot more pours out from the play and into the consciousness of a both the young and the older audience members.

“His (David Williamson) ability has always been to observe we Australians extremely

accurately and to be able to write it very succinctly so we recognise our little hypocrisies as soon as we hear them,” John said.

“The conversations in this play are extremely familiar. I live with two teenagers; the door slamming is very familiar.

They have a sense of entitlement.

“I think he has nailed it. You can tell from the audience’s response.”

While the play has a

Sydney-centric focus, the issues it tackles and the humour that arises are transferable to most big cities and towns.

The addition of an unscripted Sydney cockroach scurrying across the stage, to delight of myself and others in the audience, was a perfect touch and handled magnificently by John. “I wasn’t going to compete with a cockroach,” John chuckled.

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The Actor John Howard.

Cover Story: Sue Pieters-Hawke

Monday, March 26, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

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Dementia advocate calls for elder rights & respect Abuse of elders is everyone’s problem ONCE referred to as the “accidental advocate”, Dementia Australia ambassador Sue Pieters-Hawke doesn’t miss a chance to talk about elder respect and against ageism.

The daughter of Hazel Hawke, who had Alzheimer’s disease, and the author of two books on her mother’s journey, Sue holds lead roles with government, private sector, consumer and advocacy groups that tap into her deep understanding of the many issues around dementia and ageing.

She also uses that experience to consult to and educate aged care industry members on re-framing dementia to reflect the rights and choices of people living with dementia.

Recently Sue used her role of ambassador for the 2018 National Elder Abuse Conference to contribute to improving the understanding of her peers of the links between dementia and elder abuse.

“It’s important to not make the mistake in thinking all older people are vulnerable to abuse or that all older people get dementia,” Sue said.

“A minority of them do.

But, age is a risk factor for various things which are risk factors for abuse.”

Being female is one risk factor and another is when age leads to social isolation.

The National Ageing Research Institute reports

at least five per cent, or 180,000, of older people in Australia are reported as sufferers of elder abuse and women are 2.5 times more likely to be victims.

Almost 67 per cent of that abuse is inflicted by their children.

“Other risks are different forms of disability, one of which is cognitive disability which is caused by dementia or other things.”

“Others are impaired mobility and increased dependency on other people.”

Sue wants the public to understand that dementia is a set of diseases, but people still have

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Age is a risk factor for various things which are risk factors for abuse. capacities as well as impairments.

“They need to be treated with dignity and respect as people with individual needs, wishes and preferences rather than stripped of personhood.”

Human rights are often what is forgotten in the dementia journey.

The right to dignity, safety, respect and personal choice are not always remembered by those around older people. “Violation of those human rights – anything which causes harm or damage to a person, whether it be

VOCAL ADVOCATE: Dementia awareness and positive ageing advocate, Sue Pieters-Hawke talks to Seniors News .

financial, social, sexual, physical, psychological, neglect – we see these as an abuse of a person’s right to be treated decently.”

She reiterates the importance of older people not waiting until it’s too late to get good advice and ensure written agreements containing

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specific requests are in place with their supporters.

“For a long time as an advocate for a greater understanding of dementia and greater support for people who care for and about them, we have been working to help people remove stigma and understand

dementia as a cognitive disablement of a chronic disease and to argue for the rights of people with any sort of impairment to be supported and protected.”

“That’s one of the reasons I work in the areas of positive ageing and anti-ageism.

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people with dementia are abused every day by our failures of care and understanding, by our lack of respect, by our stigmatised understanding, by the demonisation and isolation of people with dementia.

“People with dementia don’t have social structure to support their rights and that’s something that we are working and fighting for.”

The first steps she says to finding a solution to this problem is getting the public to better understand dementia and to maintain respect for a sufferer rather than be dismissive, and which may overlap elder abuse, but still needs to stand on its own.

“We need to unravel it and see what different ways it can occur and then what are the different things we can put in place.”

“If we don’t do anything about it, by the middle of this century there is going to be 500,000 elders in Australia who experience some form of abuse – and that’s pretty disturbing.”

She also reminds us that dismissing the issues with “that’s not me” isn’t a valid argument.

“If we don’t die young, we will get old and the issues around dementia and elder abuse will be part of our broader community and possibly our own lives as we age.”

“Combatting ageism and putting in place strategies that can protect our older community members against elder abuse can’t remain somebody else’s problem.

“A lot of these issues we can deal with. “We just need the will to do it.”

4 Seniors Coffs and Clarence

Elder Abuse: signals and signs

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018

Men supporting men to have talk Men’s Sheds Association hears elder abuse message Tracey Johnstone

THE Men’s Shed’s approach to informal conversations over a cuppa or a handyman project is helping the shed members open up about elder abuse concerns.

Across Australia there are 980 registered Men’s Sheds which provide a perfect platform for information on elder abuse awareness to be disseminated to what Australian Men’s Shed Association executive officer David Helmers describes as a “notoriously difficult demographic of Australia to reach”.

“Our primary objective is the prevention of poor health of men and social isolation,” Mr Helmers said.

“In doing that we have created a very comfortable space for men to talk to each other and some of these issues do come up quite regularly in the sheds.”

Those sheds support about 200,000 “shedders” with an average age of 72.

Many come from unskilled working backgrounds.

Shedders usually meet at least weekly.

Some sheds will be open three or four days a week, while others are open all seven days.

The sheds offer a conduit for a lot of organisations which can

offer knowledge and support on a variety of men’s health issues.

Reaching out to this demographic has a limited success rate when using electronic communication, Mr Helmers said.

The critical elements of a health message are often lost as many of the shedders are not regular users of email and the internet.

It’s the “shoulder to shoulder” conversation that works.

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We have created

a very comfortable space for men to talk to each other.

“When we create these environments, they will talk about problems,” Mr Helmers said.

“I have been working in Men’s Sheds for 10 years and some of the conversations I have heard – elder abuse and domestic violence – have been quite eye-opening.”

He hopes that through the Men’s Sheds which are appearing in aged care facilities and its other sheds, the association may be able to take a more obvious role in the elder abuse awareness campaign.

TALK ABOUT IT: Taking a stand against elder abuse.

“Many organisations have looked at how we have addressed a problem and come up with a very practical solution,” Mr Helmers said.

The old way of approaching a problem was to get a group of men together with a facilitator and say, “let’s

talk about it”, and then listen to the silence.

“Get the same 12 blokes, put them in a room, put an old lawn mower on the table with a bunch of tools and tell them to fix it,” Mr Helmers said.

“Give them a couple of hours and the results at the end of the day are

guaranteed that, one, the lawn mower still won’t work but, two, they will have formed friendships and talked about subjects they would never have spoken about.

“That’s where we can be a conduit for this conversation that needs to be had.”

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ELDER abuse can be defined as a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person.

Elder abuse can take various forms such as physical, psychological or emotional, sexual and financial abuse.

It can also be the result of intentional or unintentional neglect.

Psychological abuse: Someone threatening to hurt you or damage your belongings.

Being intimidated, humiliated or harassed.

Being threatened with eviction or moving to a nursing home.

Being stopped from seeing your family or friends or attending regular activities.

Being denied the right to make your own decisions. Being treated like a child.

Financial abuse: Your pension skimmed or money taken from your bank account. Your belongings sold without permission. Your money or property taken improperly through the misuse of an Enduring Power of Attorney.

Being forced to change your Will. Being denied access to, or control of your own funds.

Neglect: Not allowed to access the services you need. Not having your physical, medical or emotional needs met, Physical abuse, slapping, hitting, pushing, shaking, shoving or restraining.

If this is happening to you or someone you know, phone the helpline on 1800 628 221.

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Profile Story: Jacqui Lambie

Coffs and Clarence

Seniors 5

The makings of Lambie Ann Rickard

The woman who did it her way and took on Australia SHE jumps in boots first and then uses her gut instinct and relentless passion to make things work.

This is the thread throughout Jacqui Lambie’s recently released memoir, Rebel with A Cause, and it gives insight into the workings of an active and ferociously honest mind that at first bewildered and then amused the Australian political scene, and finally made it sit up and listen.

“Yes, I do tend to jump in,” Lambie said from her home in Burnie in Tasmania on the eve of the state election. “I wouldn’t advise everybody to do that though. I do it because I don’t have

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Lambie has never been the norm in Australian politics

Jacqui Lambie.

the Senate. We have a place there.”

Lambie has always stood out, even in childhood and adolescence. The no-nonsense

PHOTO: ED JONES PHOTOGRAPHY

working-class Tassie girl left school in Year 11 and joined the Australian Army at just 17. The Army wasn’t planned, just happened when she and a few girlfriends spotted an

Army recruitment van in the carpark of their local Centrelink. They made a girly pact to join up together but when Lambie had completed and signed her forms, she discovered

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The recruitment officer would not let her backdown and so as a naïve teenager she found herself in the Australian Army, at first in the

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certain skills and the only way for me is to jump in if I need to be there and work it out from there.”

Lambie has never been the norm in Australian politics. During her time in Parliament she was the most genuine but spontaneous voice in the Senate, something disquieting but refreshing and something she admits to easily.

“When I first got up there I was a wrecking ball,” she said. “But I changed things. Normal people like me belong in

transport corps and then in the military police. For the first few months during drills, exercise and parades she threw herself into hard work. Without knowing she was pregnant.

After that shock she then spent two years in the Army as un unmarried mother, and in typical Lambie form, had many a run in with Army hierarchy (throwing a punch at an officer) before she fell in love with a sergeant who fathered her second son, Dylan and treated her first son, Brentyn as his own.

Their relationship lasted five years.

It was on a military skills competition that Lambie suffered a horrendous back injury which eventually caused her to be discharged from the Army as unfit with spinal neuralgia.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) refused to believe the military skills competition was the cause of her back injury and declined to pay for her treatment. This led to a bitter 10-year battle with the DVA which left Lambie depressed, addicted to pharmaceuticals and alcohol, which finally led to an attempted suicide.

“Pharmaceuticals only cover the pain, they don’t get rid of it,” she said.

“They don’t help, they lead to other health ailments, and you can explode like a bomb. If you can avoid them, stay away. I went cold turkey off everything but that knocked my system around and I ended up with chronic fatigue.”

For a painful decade Lambie stumbled in a fog from doctor to hypnotherapist to psychiatrist to chiropractor, but never

6 Seniors Coffs and Clarence

Profile Story: Jacqui Lambie

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018

Bucking the trend FROM PAGE 5

found permanent relief.

She eventually took the DVA to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and was finally paid compensation.

It is this fighting and never-give-up spirit that eventually led to Lambie entering politics, mostly, she admits, with vengeance in her heart to get back at the DVA, but also with a determination to prevent others experiencing the bureaucratic-inflicted torment she was forced to survive.

“It was a long fight with DVA,” she said. “If they had done the right thing earlier on, we could have had this fixed within a couple of years.”

Lambie has been a tireless and effective campaigner for the things she passionately believes in, including the scourge of ice addiction which affected her son Brentyn (now rehabilitated.)

“When you’ve been through your own life experiences, you should use them as strengths and try and do everything you can,” she said. “The ice (scourge) is about kids. I am worried about

where they are going, worried about the new batch of kids aged about 25. There is not the discipline today that we had. When we came home from school we were told to take off our uniforms, go out and play until dinner and then after that we did our homework for half an hour. That was structure.”

Surprisingly, Lambie still has a soft spot for Clive Palmer who she says saved her after the Liberal Party had rejected her and she had used all her savings to run for the Senate in 2013. A phone call from him resulted in her joining (briefly) the Palmer United Party.

“He gave me a lot of opportunity, I will be grateful to him,” she said.

“But his advice is not always right. His way of dealing with things is different, he is used to throwing money out there, I don’t have that, I walk on integrity.”

Her shock resignation from the Senate late last year after discovering her Scottish born father had not renounced his citizenship and she too had become a victim of

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the dual citizenship saga, was just one more devastating blow in a life filled with traumatic setbacks.

Lambie’s memoir is not a political book, it is the story of her life as an ordinary working-class girl from Tasmania, her journey through the Army, her enforced medical retirement, her fight to get adequate treatment and compensation, her battles with addiction and depression, her struggles to raise two boys as a single mother, the slow rebuilding of her life, and finally, her roller-coaster ride as a politician.

Throughout the chapters in her book one thing is clear, Lambie has retained her spirt and sense of humour.

“I feel there is a fondness for me now around the country,” she said. “In the beginning I might not have had the right advisors. I had not worked for 13 years (before entering politics) and I was still taking some of the anger out on Veteran Affairs.”

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INSTEAD of retiring at 65, older Australians should be starting their own business, making money and contributing to the economy.

That’s the view of the outgoing chairman of the Sunshine Coast branch of Regional Development Australia, Tony Riddle, who believes that “retirement” is an obsolete notion.

Mr Riddle, an entrepreneur himself, said that stopping work at 60 or 65 and doing nothing for the rest of your life was not good for a person’s health, wealth or well-being, and catastrophic for the national economy.

He said not only was there no reason why older people could not be successful in business, many mature age entrepreneurs had already shown the way.

“KFC, Coca-Cola and McDonald’s were started by men aged over 50,” he said.

“Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals at 76.

Dame Judi Dench won an Oscar at 64.”

Mr Riddle said older people had many

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KFC, Coca-Cola and McDonald’s were started by men aged over 50. nothing to say you can’t become one in your later years.”

Mr Riddle said older Australians were living longer because they ate better, adopted healthier lifestyles, and benefited from advances in medical science.

“We’re staying fit and well, and the percentage of older people in our population is growing.

“So why do we continue to stop work at 60 or 65?

“And, more importantly, why does the community expect this of us?”

Mr Riddle is a founder of the Spark Bureau, a not-for-profit organisation that fosters innovation on the Sunshine Coast.

He said that this year the Spark Bureau would launch a range of activities and opportunities to make it easier for older Australians to remain employed, and to make a difference.

For more information, contact Tony Riddle via email tony@sancus.property or you can phone 0418 188 969.

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Mr Riddle said it was time society changed its view of older people.

“It makes no sense that we eliminate from the workforce fit, talented, intelligent men and women simply because they have reached at a certain age.”

Mr Riddle said he was not suggesting older people should remain in jobs they hated.

“I believe we should consider reaching the age of 60 or 65 as presenting an opportunity to do what we want,” he said.

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advantages when starting business ventures.

“The kids will probably have left home and started their own lives,” he said.

“We’ve often paid off the family home, built up a network of useful contacts, and developed experience, knowledge and wisdom.

“The only serious disadvantage I can see is societal perception that entrepreneurship is for wide-eyed, 20somethings.

“That is wrong – entrepreneurs are as diverse as the population, and there is

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Seniors 9

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Use of drugs on rise

More over-50s seeking help Alison Houston

THERE is a growing use and misuse of alcohol, cannabis and prescription drugs among Australia’s over-60s, according to the National Drug Strategy 2017-2026.

So, why are we using more and what, if any, are the consequences?

According to the NDS, “older people can be more susceptible to alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems as a result of difficulties with pain and medication management, isolation, poor health, significant life events and loss of independent living”.

Drug Arm Australia communications manager Alex Davis said an increasing number of

over-50s (particularly men) who had drunk moderately all their lives, were looking for help after finding their consumption increased markedly due to the loss of a partner, family moving, loneliness, retirement and other life changes or financial stresses and life traumas.

Alex said such increases remained hidden due to Australia’s ingrained culture of drinking.

This culture made us dismiss clues with phrases such as “he’s the life of the party”, or “just having a quiet one” until health and/or relationship difficulties became apparent.

According to the NDS Household Drug Survey, recent use of cannabis among over-40s is at the

Feature: Cannabis

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018

COSTS OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE

PROTEST, EDUCATE, CELEBRATE: Nimbin’s Mardi Grass, this year from May 4–6, has been protesting drug laws and aiming to educate people about the medicinal and recreational affects of cannabis since 1993.

PHOTO: VISITLISMORE.COM.AU

highest rate seen over the last 15 years, with the number of males over 60 who reported using illicit drugs in their lifetime rising from 25 per cent to 30 per cent from 2013 to 2016, and 18 per cent to 22 per cent for females.

About 85 per cent of people seeking help for alcohol or drugs had a co-occurring mental health issue such as anxiety or depression.

An AMA spokesman told Seniors that “as people get older, the impact of alcohol on their health is increased.

“Even small quantities of alcohol can increase the potential for harm, accidents, or falls,” the spokesman said.

“As people age, they should talk with their doctor about their alcohol consumption and be aware that alcohol must be consumed in moderation.”

Similarly, the AMA is concerned with the use of cannabis, particularly when smoked (potentially increasing the risks to heart and lungs), and even more so if combined with tobacco.

When asked about the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, particular for seniors with aches, pains and chronic diseases, the AMA spokesman said that while “care needs to be taken when prescribing cannabis... there are

❚ 17.1 per cent of Australians consume alcohol at levels that put them at risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury over their lifetime and 25.5 per cent drink at levels on a monthly basis that pose a risk in terms of short-term harms, such as injury ❚ 11.9 per cent of 50 to 59-year-olds drink at high-risk levels at least yearly (up from 9.1 per cent in 2013), while 5.8 per cent do so at least monthly ❚ Almost 250,000 Australians are estimated to have been the victims of an alcohol-related physical assault in 2015-16. Alcohol is associated with more than 5000 deaths and more than 150,000 hospitalisations every year ❚ Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Australia ❚ Cannabis use can impact health, including mental illness, respiratory illness and cognitive defects.

There is a correlation in young adults with psychosis ❚ 4.1 per cent of 50 to 59-year-olds and 4.5 per cent of people 60 and over use pharmaceutical drugs (opioids, benzodiazepines and other analgesics) for non-medical purposes. These can result in fatal and non-fatal overdose, memory lapses, impaired co-ordination and aggression ❚ The overall cost to Australian society of alcohol and other drug use in 2004-05 was about $55.2 billion, including costs to the health system, lost workplace productivity, road accidents ($3.1 billion) and crime ❚ Of this, tobacco accounted for $31.5 billion (56.2 per cent), alcohol $15.3 billion (27.3 per cent) and illegal drugs $8.2 billion (14.6 per cent) National Drug Strategy (NDS) 2017-2026 excessive barriers for people in need of treatment”.

“The process for prescribing medicinal cannabis is heavily laden with red tape and hard to navigate,” he said.

“If medicinal cannabis

has been prescribed, it is entirely appropriate that a patient be able to access a legal supply.”

Phone Drug Arm Australia for programs and counselling on 1300 656 800.

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Clarence Care + Support for Seniors Positive ageing in the Clarence Valley • Aged care • Home Care Packages • Short term Restorative Care • NDIS services • Shopping • Personal Care • Home from hospital support

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All the best for Seniors Week 2018.

As usual there is a wide range of interesting and exciting events occurring across the northern region. As an area where people come to retire I have noticed the large number of seniors groups that are here and are run by seniors.

I have had the pleasure of speaking at some of these groups. I notice the more active members take on supporting those who need assistance and that is why they invite services like ours to speak. Getting to know what is in your community if you do need support is very important.

The importance of socialising and being connected to your community is very important as well. I was at an ATM the other day and a gentleman seemed to be struggling to use the machine. I asked if he needed assistance and he explained to me how hard it was now that he had lost his wife who took charge of all the finances. He said even the dog was still pining as well.

So if you can go out this Seniors Week and try something new. Know the importance of being out in the community. Did you used to do something and now have stopped? Maybe go and try again. What about learning something new? My son just taught me how to download music and it is great to be able to get all my favourite music.

If needing help or think that joining a group for outings now and then please contact us about our groups in Maclean or Grafton. Otherwise go out and enjoy Seniors Week 2018 and don’t forget to smile it could start a friendship.

6687093ah

Feature: Cannabis

Monday, March 26, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Coffs and Clarence

Seniors 11

Pot-users’ pain relief Still hoops to jump through in long journey to legalisation Alison Houston

IT’S generally not about getting high. For the increasing number of over-50s using cannabis, it’s about relaxation and relief from pain, both mental and physical.

That’s according to the Hemp Embassy’s Michael Balderstone, himself a cannabis user for more than 40 years.

“I’m 69 and there are a lot of people from my generation who maybe smoked a bit of pot at university, but now they’ve got aches and pains and they’re tired of taking opiate-derived painkillers with all their side-effects,” Michael said.

“It allows you to be aware, be awake and be alive instead of doped up on opiates.”

About 500 people turned up over two days at a medical cannabis workshop held at the Hemp Embassy in Nimbin in late January.

Health complaints included children with

epilepsy, autism or brain tumours, young women with breast cancer, and a large number of over-60s with everything from chronic aches and pains to those who had gone through chemo and radiotherapy.

“Sometimes they come to us looking for cannabis as a last resort,” Michael said.

He said cannabis was also a “magic medicine” in terms of dealing with anxiety and depression and PTSD, and was known by the Tibetans as a sleeping medicine.

“It’s the best vegetable on the planet,” he said.

Unless you heat or cook cannabis, Michael said, THC’s psychotropic effects are not active, meaning cold extraction in alcohol or juicing of leaves doesn’t get you stoned, but has a far more subtle effect.

Michael said while Australian legalisation of medicinal marijuana was welcome, at the moment “there are so many hoops

NATURAL RELIEF: The Hemp Embassy’s Michael Balderstone believes we should all be able to grow the cannabis strain we require in our own backyards, rather than multinational pharmaceutical companies controlling our pain relief for profit.

PHOTO: JAY CRONAN

to jump through” that it is accessible to very few who truly needed it.

Doctors who believe in its positive effects are now sending patients to Nimbin to source their own cannabis if they cannot fulfil all the criteria

for prescription.

He said the fact that it appeared medicinal marijuana was to be licensed to big corporations was also a hurdle, in that not only would this take time but it was unlikely to be as pure

as that grown organically in outside conditions in Nimbin.

He believes the reason we are not allowed to grow marijuana in our own backyards, choosing the specific strain to best meet our needs, is simply

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the money involved in the pharmaceutical industry, and its fear of just how good the potential healing power of cannabis is.

“The biggest business on Earth is taking people’s pain away and the big pharmaceuticals want to control it... there’s too much profit in pain relief,” he said.

A migraine sufferer, who also had PTSD after boarding school experiences, Michael said he first used cannabis at 24. His migraines totally stopped.

He barely drinks alcohol and said there are many regular users who don’t drink at all.

“It’s sad for us that cannabis is bunched in with heavy and addictive drugs like ice – it’s just a dried herb. The whole thing has been demonised.”

But Michael has faith that in time that will all change, as it is starting to, and someday, maybe, anyone who wants or needs it will have a cannabis plant growing legally in their own backyard.

MORE ON P12

12 Seniors Coffs and Clarence

Feature: Cannabis

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018

Open talk is required

What is causing greatest harm to society?

Alison Houston

DESPITE legislation allowing specifically prescribed use of medicinal cannabis, its general usage remains illegal.

However, there is a growing push from a variety of areas, including the AMA, for a re-evaluation of the drug war and, in the AMA’s words, “a major change in funding priorities from policing and prosecution of substance users to interventions that avoid or reduce use, promote resilience and reduce societal harms”.

In its Harmful Substance Use, Dependence and Behavioural Addiction 2017 statement position, the AMA states that it believes: “That substance dependence and

behavioural addictions (SDBA) are serious health conditions...” and that those impacted should be “treated like other patients with serious illness”.

It suggests an open discussion of policies that effectively reduce consumption and harms related to drug use and drug control, and recognition of: “The probable benefits of shifting the focus from criminalisation and penalties for drug users to providing suitable health care and treatment for those who need it.”

It also pointedly calls on governments to “focus on those dependencies and addictions causing the greatest levels of harm to individuals and society, regardless of whether it is socially unpalatable. This includes alcohol”.

Decriminalisation would

not legalise drugs but would remove criminal sanctions for personal drug use, with the option of civil penalties such as fines or diversionary treatment programs.

Portugal, which decriminalised personal use in 2001, has experienced increases in the number of people accessing treatment, decreases in HIV transmission and reduction in drug-related deaths.

In Australia in 2010, 10.2 per cent of prisoners had a drug-defined crime as their most serious offence and 62 per cent of people arrested by police tested positive to illicit drugs.

In March 2017, former premiers Bob Carr and Jeff Kennett and former police commissioners released a reform blueprint Can Australia

CARE, NOT CRIME: Drug Policy Australia CEO Greg Chip believes current drug laws do more harm than good, demonising users rather than offering health care.

Respond to Drugs More Effectively and Safely? based on treating drug use as a health rather than a legal issue.

Drug Policy Australia CEO Greg Chipp said while his organisation didn’t advocate drug use, it did believe: “The current prohibitionist drug policies do more harm than good”, “demonised users” who were in fact our family and friends, and left people dying of overdoses in back alleys,” Mr Chipp said.

“We need policies that will look after them rather than putting them in harm’s way.”

Mr Chipp, aged 62, said his organisation received a lot of inquiries from older people seeking medical cannabis for relief from arthritis and other chronic pain.

“We need to open up access for cannabis – a plant that has been around for about 3000 years – and allow people to refer to it as what it is, a herb, and process it for

their own needs.”

He believes current reported usage levels would be an underestimate, with many people embarrassed to admit they either take or have taken cannabis due to the pervading notion of it being either evil or an alternative “hippy” behaviour.

He said marijuana use was a human rights issue, with people having the right to health and to moderate what happened to their own bodies.

One of the tragedies of the decades of cannabis prohibition (since 1930s America), he said, was that there had not been enough research into the many possible medical benefits of the cannabis plant.

As this edition of Seniors went to press, federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced that government had “taken a machete” to red tape which could allow patients to receive medicinal marijuana within days rather than months of a doctor having prescribed it.

The changes were expected to take effect in coming weeks, but it has been acknowledged that more still has to be done for doctors to write prescriptions in the first place.

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Coffs and Clarence

Monday, March 26, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 13

Travel

10

Great reasons to visit Melbourne in the autumn

Ann Rickard

MELBOURNE is famous for its unpredictable and crazy weather, but during the autumn months it seems to settle into a more consistent pattern.

The days can be warm and sunny, the nights cool enough to throw on a jacket.

Those hideous hot days have passed and the chill of winter is yet to arrive.

Autumn in Melbourne is marvellous. Here are 10 reasons why you should visit.

■ A FIX makes you know you are alive. While Paris, New York or London would be nice, Melbourne is within distance and budget and it definitely has a big city flavour.

All the city-life you want is there, from restaurants to theatre to museums and galleries, to shopping … it never stops.

■ THE autumn landscape in Melbourne is gorgeous and the transformation from parched and baked, to a haze of burnished reds, golds and yellows as the trees shed their leaves, is worth a visit alone.

A walk along tree-lined St Kilda Rd, or a stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens will make you wish autumn was a permanent season.

■ TRAMS. What’s not to love? They’re synonymous

SIMPLY STUNNING: Melbourne in autumn is beautiful.

with Melbourne, and the City Circle Tram is free. It’s a very Melbourne way to get around the CBD, and these free maroon and green trams look spiffy with their yellow and gold trimmings.

■ ACCOMMODATION in the heart of the city will have you within walking distance of everything Melbourne has to offer.

We love Double Tree by Hilton, opposite the historic Flinders St Station. Its location is perfect, then there are the warm chocolate chip cookies brandished at you on arrival, and the Sweet Dreams bedding and

Verbena and Lavender by Crabtree and Evelyn bathroom products.

■ ANY cuisine you want is available in the city from hundreds of bistros, cafes, restaurants and bars that exude style and city flair. We can never go past MoVida in Hosier Lane with its Spanish wines and the best croquettes outside Madrid.

Another favourite is Lucy Liu in Oliver Lane (you’ll have to search for it as it’s very hidden) where the Asian share plates will have you giddy for choice.

We swooned over the crispy pork buns with

:

spicy kimchi, and the tempura prawn betel leaves.

■ OKAY, more favourite foodie spots. Osteria in Little Bourke St, for its long bar and open kitchen where the chargrilled octopus swept us away.

Then there is Longsong, little sister to the wildly popular Longrain. We could barely take our eyes off the decor in the voluminous dining space, kept looking up to the bevy of glowing lanterns, a nod to Thailand’s floating lantern tradition.

■ THE National Gallery of Victoria, or NGV as it is fondly called, is at your

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doorstep. Until April 15, the speculator Triennial is showing, and entry is free.

Four floors of art, installations, sculpture and everything and anything technological is on display. Do not leave Melbourne without visiting. NGV is a quick 10-minute walk from Flinders St Station.

■ THE laneways; oh, the lanes. Melbourne has embraced lane culture like no other city and what were once dowdy back lanes used to service shops, business and workshops are now jam-packed, bustling lanes filled with shops,

bars, eateries, all against a backdrop of dazzling street art. Put on good walking shoes, pick up a laneway map from the friendly people at the information centre in Federation Square, set off on a self-guided tour and lose yourself in the giddy excitement of the iconic lanes.

■ SHOPPING. Myer and David Jones are still there in the Bourke St Mall as reassuring and reliable as ever. Enter their glittering spaces and everything you desire is yours for the buying. And when you tire of so much temptation, both department stores have stylish eateries.

Then there is Block Arcade, so glamorous and 19th century and heritage listed with its mosaic floors and glass canopy.

Wander, admire, love, and then go into Haigh’s Chocolates and let yourself loose.

■ IF YOU have time after your city-fix, all of Victoria is lovelier in the autumn.

Hire a car, take to the beaches and restaurants on the Mornington Peninsula or head to the Great Ocean Road, or enjoy a wine break in the Yarra Valley and then find out about the luxury retreats at Daylesford, or the historic charms of Bendigo.

Just go, before it gets too cold.

14 Seniors Coffs and Clarence

Travel

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018

Mouthwatering Melbourne

GO SEE Touring is pleased to announce a new, escorted tour to mouth-watering Melbourne, the food capital of Australia, in November.

Christine Perkin will be hosting the tour and taking you to her favourite restaurants and wineries in Melbourne including the Yarra Ranges and the Mornington Peninsula over eight delicious, decadent days.

You will experience Neil Perry’s Spice Temple for dinner at the Crown Casino, lunch at Shannon Bennet’s Jardin Tan in the stunning Royal Botanical Gardens, take a Le Cucina di Sandra cooking class and enjoy a Italian cooking and eating experience, the magnificent old world Windsor Hotel for

afternoon tea and the amazing Tram Car Restaurant and, not to forget, a visit to the Iconic Queen Victoria Market.

We will venture off to the picturesque Yarra Valley where you will experience quality food and wine and breathtaking scenery.

Then it’s a visit to the Yarra Chocolaterie for chocolate and ice cream tasting, and the beautiful Chandon winery with a tour and bubbles tasting.

We visit Yering Station for a fabulous modern French lunch, a wine tasting at historic Coombe Yarra Valley Estate, once owned by Dame Nellie Melba.

The beautiful seaside area of the Mornington Peninsula is next where you will experience

gourmet delights and boutique wineries.

We visit Montalto winery and olive grove for lunch, a wander through the sculpture garden, and breakfast and bubbles at the Woodman Estate.

We will experience Arthurs Seat gondola and fly over the state forest and take in the breathtaking views of the peninsula, then visit a Main Ridge Goat farm and dairy for a tasting and the Bass and Flinders Distillery for a quick tipple.

We will also enjoy a classic paddock to plate experience at the Linenderry Winery famed Linden Tree Restaurant for a delicious dinner with paired wines.

On our last day we will enjoy Cruden Farm, the

YARRA VALLEY: Enjoy a visit to Chandon Winery, Yering Station and the Melba Estate.

Chandon sparkling tasting.

much-loved home of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, for morning tea.

This tour promises to be a wonderful exploration of beautiful locations, wonderful restaurants and

wineries in Melbourne.

All of this including accommodation, return economy airfares from Brisbane, our own coach and coach captain, seven breakfasts,

one morning tea, one afternoon tea, three lunches, four dinners, all touring, meals admissions as per itinerary, for $3480 a person twin share.

The single supplement is $698.

If you would like to join Christine on her Mouth-watering Melbourne tour, phone 1300 551 997 or (07) 3868 4760 or email info@gooseetouring.com or go to www.gosee touring.com for more information and a detailed itinerary.

CLOSE TO NATURE: Snorkel with the minke whale.

Encounters with majestic whales TWO of Australia’s natural World Heritage sites, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, feature in a brand new package offered by Majestic Whales Encounters, which will see travellers swim with dwarf minke whales, snorkel on the famous reef, and stay in a luxurious rainforest treehouse.

Beginning on June 28, 2019, the package aims to coincide with dwarf minke whales’ annual migration to the waters known as the Ribbon Reefs, the only place in the world where you can swim with them.

Their inquisitive nature brings them close to boats, divers and snorkelers, often swimming just a metre

away as they playfully lift their heads out of the water to observe the boats, tail-slap the water and breach.

The adventure begins in Cairns, where travellers will transfer to the five-star Silky Oaks Lodge in the Daintree, their home for the next three nights.

Staying in private treehouses, guests can enjoy the sounds and sights of nature from their outdoor verandas.

A day tour of the beautiful Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation will take place the following day.

Guests will then transfer to Cairns and board the Spirit of Freedom for eight days of swimming with dwarf minke whales and

exploring the remote Ribbon Reefs, perfect for snorkeling and diving with their huge range of biodiversity, from the giant, fluorescent clam to the vividly red flame file shell.

A marine biologist will be onboard to share his knowledge.

The 10-night package begins on June 28, 2019, and is available from $7588 twin share, including a seven-night cruise, all main meals, all transfers, day tour to the Daintree, whale swims and Australian beer and wine with evening meals on the cruise.

Flights to Cairns are extra. Details phone 0405 594 253 or visit www.majesticwhale encounters.com.au.

Around the Bend Call Simes Bros Coaches now to join our Around the Bend Travel Club!

Day trips, musicals, extended tours and much more.

Call now 02 6621 5416 or visit our office Shop 8, Wyrallah Road Shopping Centre, East Lismore

6755689aa

Monday, March 26, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Coffs and Clarence

Seniors 15

16 Seniors Coffs and Clarence

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018

2018 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL

Events tailormade for you ❝ FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK GAIL FORRER

Group editor Seniors Newspapers network

AS YOU read through this special feature you will see a great show of entertainment, appreciation and services available, tailor-made for Seniors during the annual NSW Festival week.

Time flies when you are having a good time and the fact that NSW Seniors Week is celebrating its 60th year speaks for itself.

Besides a 60th birthday, NSW Seniors Festival also claims the title of largest festival for seniors in the Southern Hemisphere, reaching up to 500,000 seniors each year.

So friends, if you are over 60 years old, I encourage you to accept the NSW Seniors Festival open invitation to make new friends or get together with old ones at an array of local community events, many which are free or heavily discounted.

If you’re wondering who initiates this big event, the answer is the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) and they design it to celebrate the role seniors play and the contributions they make to the NSW community.

Besides a 60th birthday, NSW Seniors Festival also claims the title of largest festival for seniors in the Southern Hemisphere, reaching up to 500,000 seniors each year.

The festival is aligned to the policy objective of inclusive communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders over the age of 50 and people over 50 that have a lifelong disability.

Our calendar of events presents a huge range of local people who are supporting the festival week with the creation of their own unique event.

If you feel like trying something different, now’s the time, take a deep breath, browse the calendar and make your choice.

There’s no doubt you will be welcomed with open arms. May you have a fabulous time at the festival.

DISCLAIMER: Events are published from information available at the time, we do not take responsibility for changes to events, the times and venues.

SHARING AND CARING: A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Six meaningful and practical ways to help reduce loneliness for older people FOSTERING close connections within the community and maintaining social interaction, interests and activities is essential to the well-being of older Australians.

For families with older relatives at home or in aged care, there are various ways you can help reduce feelings of loneliness: ■ Family engagement: Grandchildren or young relatives can engage in regular conversation with their older relative to learn more about their life.

People are often amazed when they hear their parent’s story through

someone else’s eyes.

■ Revisit beloved music or films: Playing music your relative loved when they were younger, or some of their favourite films, can fuel feelings of nostalgia and familiarity that bring comfort.

Something as simple as this can greatly enhance the interaction with your relative.

■ Research community activities your relative can get involved in: Some residents enjoy interacting with children coming in from local communities on a regular basis to sing together in choirs or participate in creative projects together. If your

Thanks to Whiddon I’m still home At Whiddon, we provide personalised health, wellbeing and support services to help people stay living in their homes for longer.

PHOTO: KERRY WILSON

Making the most of every day.

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relative is living at home maybe they would enjoy volunteering for a local charity a few hours each week.

■ Encourage the use of technology: Being able to Skype with remote family or chat regularly on social media can greatly reduce feelings of loneliness. If your relative is unfamiliar with technology, take some time to teach them basic skills so they can communicate with family members whenever they desire.

■ Ensure transportation is available: Whether your relative lives at home or in an aged care home, it is important for them to still

have frequent access to their community. Whether that means taking them out for coffee or on a shopping trip, or seeing that they take advantage of transportation at their aged care home, regular trips can greatly enhance social interactions.

■ Introduce animals to their environment: From taking your dog when you next visit your relative to pet therapy programs in aged care homes, research has shown that spending time with animals can help to combat loneliness in older people More information: whiddon.com.au/yourlife.

Community Care

Coffs and Clarence

Monday, March 26, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 17

2018 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL

Calendar of events WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4

●On the Road - 65 Plus 10.30am-12.30pm Advice and safety tips to help people aged 65 or over to make safer choices when driving, riding walking or using a mobility scooter. This free two-hour workshop will teach you about changes to licensing rules and other matters that will help you safely stay on the roads for as long as possible. Topics covered include: how vision impairment and dementia can affects abilities as road users, developing safer driver habits, pedestrian safety, driver licensing at 75 and 85 years, mobility scooters.

Venue: Kempsey Macleay RSL Club, Kempsey Macleay RSL Club Kempsey, Kempsey Cost: Free. Bookings recommended Contact: Marilyn Breen on 6566 3282 ●Community Tour and Welcome Lunch 11am-1.30pm Join us for a free community tour and home style two-course lunch.

Meet our friendly residents and have our Village Manager answer all of your questions about seniors rental living.

Venue: Ingenia Gardens Coffs Harbour, 94 Taloumbi Road, Coffs

Harbour.

Cost: Free. Bookings essential Contact: Sandra Luke (Village Manager) on 6650 0982 ●Postcard Connections Exhibition 9.30am-4.30pm A specially curated collaborative exhibition featuring creative works from two diverse community groups; postcard artworks by dementia clients of local aged care facilities and respite care, and artworks

by Port Macquarie U3A textile artists together with objects from the Port Macquarie Museum’s heritage collections used as inspiration for the exhibition. This exhibition showcases the creativity and imagination of seniors in our community and demonstrates that creativity can take many shapes and forms, can be expressed in many ways and that age is no barrier to creativity. Be inspired and see for yourself that creativity does not rely on the constraints of memory but rather on the freedom of imagination. This exhibition has been supported by a NSW Seniors Festival Grant.

Venue: Port Macquarie Museum, 22 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie Cost: Free Contact: Debbie Sommers on 6583 1108

ALL TOGETHER: Sharing fun in the kitchen.

Seniors enjoy the benefits of aqua fitness classes.

●Dangerous Ideas for Seniors 2-4pm Join this panel of some of the top brains of U3A as they put their ideas out for lively thoughtful discussion on challenging, topical ideas including ‘the nanny state hinders society’ and ‘we have too much stuff’.

Comments and opinions from the floor will be invited after the panellists’ presentation.

Bring a friend.

Venue: Cavanbah Centre Rooms A&B (at rear of building), 191 Harbour

PHOTO: NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL

Drive, Coffs Harbour Cost: Free. Afternoon tea provided and bookings not required Contact: Lesley Meredith on 0410 083 502

THURSDAY. APRIL 5

●Elders and Seniors Karaoke 6-11pm Terry brings his karaoke fun to the Kempsey RSL every Thursday night!

Come sing your heart out and enjoy a night of fine dinging, great entertainment and lots of laughter.

Venue: Kempsey Macleay RSL, 1 York Lane, Kempsey Cost: Free Contact: Events co-ordinator Kempsey Macleay RSL on 6560 1111 ●Official Opening of Seniors Festival and Author Talk with Anna Featherstone 10.30-11.30am Anna Featherstone, author of Honey Farm Dreaming and co-author of Small Farm Success comes to Kempsey Library on Thursday, April 5 at 10.30am to discuss both

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books. Small Farm Success Australia is of interest to people already farming, as well as those thinking about a tree or career change. It covers a wealth of information from how to value-add produce to how to market it.

Farmers from across Australia and the Mid North Coast tell their stories within the book.

Venue: Kempsey Shire Library, 22 Tozer Street, West Kempsey Cost: Free. Bookings recommended Contact: Mary Williams on 6566 3210 ●Community Tour and Welcome Lunch 11am-1.30pm Join us for a free community tour and home style two-course lunch.

Venue: Ingenia Gardens Coffs Harbour, 94 Taloumbi Road, Coffs Harbour Cost: Free. Bookings essential Contact: Sandra Luke (Village Manager) on 6650 0982 ●Postcard Connections Exhibition 9.30am-4.30pm A specially curated collaborative exhibition

featuring creative works from two diverse community groups.

Venue: Port Macquarie Museum, 22 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie Cost: Free Contact: Debbie Sommers on 6583 1108

FRIDAY, APRIL 6

●Woolgoolga Croquet Club 8.30-11am We invite all to join us for croquet and morning tea on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 8.30am.

Coaching available or just a fun try of the game.

Venue: Woolgoolga Croquet Club, Ganderton Street (behind the Woolgoolga Library), Woolgoolga Cost: Free Contact: Jenny Burgess on 0407 940 294 ●Community Tour and Welcome Lunch 11am-1.30pm Join us for a free community tour and home style two-course lunch.

Venue: Ingenia Gardens Coffs Harbour, 94 Taloumbi Road, Coffs Harbour CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

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2018 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL FROM PAGE 17

Cost: Free. Bookings essential Contact: Sandra Luke (Village Manager) on 6650 0982 ●Postcard Connections Exhibition 9.30am-4.30pm A specially curated collaborative exhibition featuring creative works from two diverse community groups.

Venue: Port Macquarie Museum, 22 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie Cost: Free Contact: Debbie Sommers on 6583 1108 ●Art Therapy Workshop with Kim Staples 10am-noon Art therapy is an expressive therapy that uses art and creativity to help people cope with emotional, mental, physical and/or developmental needs and disorders.

Venue: Community Gateway, corner of Forth and Yaelwood Streets, Kempsey Cost: Free. Bookings recommended Contact: Richard Holloway on 6524 5009 ●Beginner Art Workshop with Kim Staples 1.30-3.30pm Kim has worked with people from many backgrounds including links to learning youth, the disabled and more recently, the mature community. She facilitates classes in a wide range of art disciplines. In her classes you will have a fun day experimenting in colour, mixed media and tapping into your artistic intuition. Bring a photo or image you would like to work with. No experience, but basic skills necessary.

Bookings essential. Limit of 10 participants.

Cost: Free. Bookings essential Venue: Community Gateway, corner of Yaelwood and Forth Streets, Kempsey Contact: Richard Holloway on 6524 5009

SATURDAY, APRIL 7

●Woolgoolga Croquet Club

ENJOYMENT: Line dancing is fun and fitness for all ages.

8.30-11am We invite all to join us for croquet and morning tea on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 0830.

Coaching available or just a fun try of the game.

Venue: Woolgoolga Croquet Club, Ganderton Street (behind the Woolgoolga Library), Woolgoolga Cost: Free Contact: Jenny Burgess on 0407 940 294 ●Postcard Connections Exhibition 9.30am-4.30pm A specially curated collaborative exhibition featuring creative works from two diverse community groups.

Venue: Port Macquarie Museum, 22 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie Cost: Free Contact: Debbie Sommers on 6583 1108

SUNDAY, APRIL 8

●Musical Morning in the Gardens 10am-noon Coffs Harbour City Orchestra presents a relaxed session in the

soundshell, amidst lush tropical surrounds of our wonderful Botanic Gardens. Enjoy popular classics and your favourite movie themes from the Orchestra and Bellingen Big Band. Bring a picnic blanket, rug, cushion or fold out chair so you can enjoy the music in comfort. In the event of significant rain the performance will have to be cancelled.

Venue: North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens, corner of Hardacre and Coffs Streets, Coffs Harbour Cost: Free. No bookings are required Contact: Pamela on 0401 022 951

MONDAY, APRIL 9

●Community Tour and Welcome Lunch 11am-1.30pm Join us for a free community tour and home style two-course lunch.

Venue: Ingenia Gardens Coffs Harbour, 94 Taloumbi Road, Coffs Harbour Cost: Free. Bookings

PHOTO: STEVE DEBENPORT

essential Contact: Sandra Luke (Village Manager) on 6650 0982 ●Postcard Connections Exhibition 9.30am-4.30pm A specially curated collaborative exhibition featuring creative works from two diverse community groups.

Venue: Port Macquarie Museum, 22 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie Cost: Free Contact: Debbie Sommers on 6583 1108 ●Yoga 11am-noon If you have ever felt it was a skill you would like to learn, now is the time.

You will require a yoga mat or similar (such as a towel). A cushion and a small blanket may also be help. Wear comfortable, loose clothing. This is a gentle yoga class via a DVD. Come along and give it a go.

Venue: Anglican Youth Centre, 25 Marsh Street, West Kempsey Cost: Free. Bookings recommended

Thanks to Whiddon I’m still home At Whiddon, we provide personalised health, wellbeing and support services to help people stay living in their homes for longer.

Making the most of every day.

Call 1300 738 388 or visit whiddon.com.au

Contact: Maree Taylor on 0428 317 121 ●Sensational Seniors Expo 9am-2pm Port Macquarie-Hastings Council invites you to visit 80 healthy, wealthy, wise and travel stalls. Discover an extensive range of seniors’ services and information under one roof.

Venue: Panthers Port Macquarie (Settlement City), Bay Street, Port Macquarie Cost: Free Contact: Julie Priest on 6581 8111 ●Guyra Seniors Aussie Extravaganza 10am-2pm The Guyra Seniors Aussie Extravaganza is an interactive entertainment day to celebrate our beautiful country and our local community. This year’s event will be bigger, brighter and better than ever with a multitude of entertainment options, the chance to win prizes, an Australian themed morning tea and hot lunch

and the opportunity to mingle with seniors and volunteers from around the district.

Venue: Guyra Community Hall, Dutton Parade, Guyra Cost: $10pp, includes subsidised hot lunch, morning tea and entertainment throughout the day. Bookings essential Contact: Sally Burey on 6770 7127 ●Canoeing 9am-noon Canoeing will continue as an ideal pastime for mature people to enjoy the beautiful Macleay waterways in good company not only on Mondays, but with a second class on Wednesdays. Please check with your doctor before undertaking canoeing (you can be over an hour away from medical help). You will need a canoe, buoyancy vest, paddle or paddles (depending on the boat).

Unfortunately, there is no perfect canoe for all purposes, so it is best to try before you buy and get good advice before purchasing.

Venue: Eden Street Boat Ramp, Eden Street, Kempsey Cost: Free. Bookings recommended Contact: Kevin Prescott & John Cruikshanks on 6566 0468 or 6562 4486 ●Balance N Bones 9-10am This program on DVD has been developed by U3A for mature aged participants at all levels of fitness. It includes warm up, balance, stretch, cool down and relaxation – all in 50 minutes!

Venue: Anglican Youth Centre, 25 Marsh Street, West Kempsey Cost: Free. Bookings recommended Contact: Robyn Forrest/Tien Officer on 6562 7180 or 6599 2017 ●Lark in the Park 10.30am-2pm ‘Lark in the Park’ at Bongil Bongil National Park Lets get outdoors and enjoy an old fashioned picnic! Focused CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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Monday, March 26, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 19

2018 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL FROM PAGE 18

especially in engaging more isolated seniors from nursing homes and retirement villages and local community seniors who have difficulty with transport. Co-ordinated by Avachat Seniors Group & Boambee East Community Centre. There is plenty of shade area and adequate wheel chair accessible toilets. We will have trained first aid people in attendance and provide sunscreen and insect repellent.

Venue: Bongil Bongil National Park, Pine Creek Road, Bonville Cost: Free Contact: Margaret Bridgman on 6658 7380 ●Spanish classes 1-3pm Continuing classes for students who have started Spanish language study. The textbook ELE Actual is used as well as other audio resources. A knowledge of Spanish pronunciation is required.

Students who have learnt Spanish elsewhere are very welcome.

Venue: Uniting Church Hall, Wide Street, West Kempsey Cost: Free. Bookings recommended Contact: Richard Mackay on 6562 5996 ●Cards, pegs and tiles 1-4pm Each afternoon class members can decide for themselves which of our games they wish to play.

So if you would like to participate and share a relaxing afternoon, you will be able to decide to play Cribbage, Canasta, Samba, Bolivia, 500, Hand and Foot or Rummy King. This often means on any afternoon, each table of four players will be playing a different game Venue: U3A, 46A Tozer Street, West Kempsey Cost: free. Bookings recommended Contact: Judy Nisbet 6562 5996 or Bob Birrer 04199 393 870 ●Reuse and Recycle Workshop 10.30am Coffs Central is hosting a series of ‘Better Together’ workshops as

UNITED FITNESS: Staying active builds body, brain and mental health. So do whatever you can, and what is fun.

part of Seniors Week.

Take on the challenge of ‘up cycling’ objects by repurposing them into something beautiful or practical for use around the home. Bring in old teakettles to turn into hand-painted flowerpots or photo frames to turn into wall art. Whatever the item you may have we will help you re-create it into something special.

Venue: Coffs Central Recharge Hub, Level One Cost: Free. Bookings are required on 5622 8900

TUESDAY, APRIL 10

●Community Tour and Welcome Lunch 11am-1.30pm Join us for a free community tour and home style two-course lunch.

Meet our friendly residents and have our Village Manager answer all of your questions about seniors rental living.

Venue: Ingenia Gardens Coffs Harbour, 94 Taloumbi Road, Coffs

Harbour Cost: Free. Bookings essential Contact: Sandra Luke (Village Manager) on 6650 0982 ●Postcard Connections Exhibition 9.30am-4.30pm Venue: Port Macquarie Museum, 22 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie Cost: Free Contact: Debbie Sommers on 6583 1108 ●Aboriginal Painting with Elwyn Toby 10am-2pm For Boorongen Djagun Aged Care residents and family.

Venue: Boorongen Djagun, 337-351 River Street, Greenhill Cost: Free Contact: Olivia Parker on 6566 3229 ●Tuesday Tappers 9-11am For fun, laughter and good company come to Sherwood Hall, Tuesday, 9-11am. No experience necessary, just a love to

dance. Fitness is a bonus.

Please wear comfortable clothes and don’t forget your water.

Venue: Sherwood Hall, 632 Sherwood Road, Sherwood Cost: Free. Bookings recommended Contact: Gloria Markovina on 6561 7340 ●Bridge 1.30-4.30pm Class Leader Margaret has been playing bridge for about 30 years, loves it and wants to teach others to play. She has never played at a club and has no wish to do so.

Margaret is purely a social player.

Venue: All Saints Catholic Parish Hall, corner of Kemp and March Streets, West Kempsey, Kempsey Cost: Free. Bookings recommended Contact: Margaret Corley on 6562 4330 ●Travel the World in a Cup of Tea 10.30am Coffs Central are

Why did I choose Whiddon?

Everyone feels like family • • • •

Award winning food 24 hour care Private rooms with ensuite bathrooms Lively social programs

Making the most of every day.

Call 1300 738 388 or visit whiddon.com.au

hosting Alison from Red Sparrow Tea. She will take you on a tea journey around the world where you will not only learn about different sorts of teas from around the world and their health benefits, you will get to try them as well. From traditional favourites like English breakfast all the way to ‘red tea’ from South America, experience old favourites and discover some new exotic blends as well.

Venue: Coffs Central Recharge Hub, Level One Cost: Free. Bookings are required on 5622 8900

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11

●Community Tour and Welcome Lunch 11am-1.30pm Join us for a free community tour and home style two-course lunch.

Venue: Ingenia Gardens Coffs Harbour, 94 Taloumbi Road, Coffs

Harbour Cost: Free. Bookings essential Contact: Sandra Luke (Village Manager) on 6650 0982 ●Postcard Connections Exhibition 9.30am-4.30pm Venue: Port Macquarie Museum, 22 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie Cost: Free.

Contact: Debbie Sommers on 6583 1108 ●Wyong District Museum & Historical Society 10am-noon Morning Tea At Alison Homestead - Delicious devonshire tea in a relaxing country atmosphere. View a selection of historical DVDs depicting the early days of Wyong and surrounds. From 11am, special guest speaker, local historian Phillip Morley, will chat about the history of the Homestead and the families who owned it.

Venue: 1 Cape Road, Wyong Cost: $5pp which includes a Museum tour after morning tea. Bookings essential Contact: 4352 1886 or email info@alison homestead.com.au ●Old Bar Health Expo 10am-1pm Health Expo Old Bar Men’s Shed is delighted to announce that in partnership with other parties it will be hosting a Health Expo in conjunction with Seniors Festival at Club Old Bar. The Expo will be opened by our local Federal Member Hon Dr David Gillespie MP at 10am.

Venue: Club Old Bar, 1 Belford Street, Old Bar Cost: Free Contact: John Macartney on 0427 787 296 ●Eat Well on a Budget 10.30am Coffs Central are hosting cooking demonstration aimed at helping seniors cook healthy, easy to prepare meals on a limited budget. Many seniors are unsure how to prepare nutritious meals that CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018

2018 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL supported by a NSW Seniors Festival Grant.

Venue: Port Macquarie Museum, 22 Clarence Street, Port Macquarie Cost: Free Contact: Debbie Sommers on 6583 1108

FROM PAGE 19

perhaps their loved ones once cooked. Chef Dave will give step-by-step instructions on how to create the most nutritious meals on a senior pension.

Venue: Coffs Central Recharge Hub Cost: Free. Bookings on 5622 8900 ●Healthy Cooking for Seniors 9.30-11am Venue: Woopi Community Gardens, Scarborough Street, Woolgoolga 12.30-2pm Venue: Coffs Community Gardens, 53 Combine Street, Coffs Harbour Cost: Both events are free. To book Woolgoolga, stickytickets.com.au/ 65851/healthy_cooking_ for_seniors.aspx. To book Coffs Harbour, stickytickets. com.au/66114/healthy_ cooking_for_seniors.aspx.

SUNDAY, APRIL 15

THURSDAY, APRIL 12

●Elders and Seniors Karaoke 6-11pm Terry brings his karaoke fun to the Kempsey RSL every Thursday night!

Come sing your heart out and enjoy a night of fine dinging, great entertainment and lots of laughter.

Venue: Kempsey Macleay RSL, 1 York Lane, Kempsey Cost: Free Contact: Kempsey Macleay RSL on 6560 1111 ●Celebrating our Elders 11am - 2.30pm Sit down exercise Have your say in Positive Ageing Strategy Join us in art therapy and add to our Tree of Life Share a wholesome lunch with mixed refreshments Hear the haunting sounds of bag pipes.

Venue: East Coast Accessibility Experts, Unit 12 Lot 5 Druitt Court, Coffs Harbour Cost: Free. Bookings essential Contact: Michelle or Alison on 6651 2143 ●A Dose of Good Cheer 9.30am-1pm

CELEBRATION TIME: It’s Festival Week.

An inter-generational event to provide a ‘dose of good cheer’services.

Venue: Macksville Ex-services Club, Cooper Street, Macksville Cost: Free. Bookings essential Contact: Coral Hutchinson - Nambucca Shire Council on 6568 0239 ●Flower Arranging 10.30am Coffs Central are hosting a floral class where you’ll have fun learning ways to create flower arrangements in a hands on way.

You’ll be elbow deep in flowers before you know it. We start with tips and tricks on arranging flowers.

We’ll talk colour and contrast along with how to build structure for your flower arrangements.

Venue: Coffs Central Recharge Hub, Level One. Cost: Free. Bookings on 5622 8900.

FRIDAY, APRIL 13

●Community Tour and

Welcome Lunch 11am-1.30pm Join us for a free community tour and home style two-course lunch.

Meet our friendly residents and have our Village Manager answer all of your questions about seniors rental living.

Venue: Ingenia Gardens Coffs Harbour, 94 Taloumbi Road, Coffs Harbour Cost: Free. Bookings essential Contact: Sandra Luke (Village Manager) on 6650 0982 ●Social Seniors Sports Day 9.30-11.30am Come and enjoy a social environment of sporting and recreational activities at the Tamworth Sports Dome with a game of Badminton, Table Tennis or Bocce.

Morning tea and refreshments will be available from the courtside cafe throughout the morning.

Venue: Tamworth Sports

PHOTO: MEDIAPHOTOS

Dome, 7 Jack Smyth Drive, Hillvue Cost: Free. bookings recommended Contact: Tamworth Sports Dome - Tamworth Sports Dome on 6762 2631 ●Seniors Rights Service Info Session 11am-noon Join our special guest from Seniors Rights Services and get to know all about legal, advocacy and education services available to you.

Venue: MidCoast Libraries - Harrington, Caledonia Street, Harrington Cost: Free Contact: Yasmine English MidCoast Libraries on 6556 1652 ●Connecting Seniors Online 10.30am Coffs Central are hosting a series of ‘Better Together’ Seniors Workshops as part of Seniors Week.

Venue: Coffs Central Recharge Hub, Level One Cost: Free. Bookings on 5622 8900

Thanks to Whiddon I’m still home At Whiddon, we provide personalised health, wellbeing and support services to help people stay living in their homes for longer.

Making the most of every day.

Call 1300 738 388 or visit whiddon.com.au

SATURDAY, APRIL 14

●Postcard Connections Exhibition 9.30am 4.30pm A specially curated collaborative exhibition featuring creative works from two diverse community groups; postcard artworks by dementia clients of local aged care facilities and respite care, and artworks

by Port Macquarie U3A textile artists together with objects from the Port Macquarie Museum’s heritage collections used as inspiration for the exhibition. This exhibition showcases the creativity and imagination of seniors in our community and demonstrates that creativity can take many shapes and forms, can be expressed in many ways and that age is no barrier to creativity. Be inspired and see for yourself that creativity does not rely on the constraints of memory but rather on the freedom of imagination. This exhibition has been

●Harbourside Markets 8am-2pm Harbourside Markets is an established local weekly makers and growers market situated alongside historic Coffs Harbour jetty.

Venue: Harbourside Markets, Jetty Foreshore, Coffs Harbour Cost: Offering free stalls to Seniors Contact: Kim Towner 0407 661 990 ●Growing Young Seniors Spectacular 8am-2pm Harbourside Markets will showcase energy, passion, freedom and creativity by offering free stalls to Seniors and Senior friendly clubs and community groups to showcase their passion, projects, products and produce. A great day for seniors to discover, get involved, get inspired and connect to their community. Along with our regular makers and growers stallholder markets this will be a great day out for the whole family. On-stage entertainment on the day will be tailored to appeal to and showcase seniors audience – Coffs Harbour Big Boogie Band, demonstrations and information from local seniors friendly clubs and community groups, Marian Grove Ukulele Group performance, live-to-air FM broadcast from the festival, free refreshments for Seniors served by local Girl Guides, free seniors yoga and movement classes Venue: Harbourside Markets, Jetty Foreshores, Coffs Harbour Cost: To book a free space in the Growing Young Seniors Showcase contact Kim Towner on 0407 661 990 or email kimtowner@gmail.com

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Monday, March 26, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 21

2018 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL

Clarence Care + Support says: Let’s do more together Assistance is provided to ensure you make right lifestyle choices CLARENCE Care + Support would like to wish everyone a happy 2018 Seniors Festival.

This is the time of the year when seniors receive all sorts of handy information. They look for services and events on offer to enhance their lives. Clarence Care + Support can do just that!

We are an independent and non-profit group that enables individuals and families to achieve a lifestyle of their choice.

Every individual that connects with Clarence Care + Support is looking for the assistance they need to enrich their lives.

The services we provide

will help you live and choose your lifestyle and remain living in your community.

We are here. We are here to listen to you and work together with you to create a care plan that suits you as an individual.

The theme of the 2018 Festival is Let’s Do More Together. Clarence Care + Support has been working as a tight knit team to help people across the northern NSW area since 1994.

Our services are provided by staff who will work to provide quality and caring individual supports whether in the home or in the community.

A SOCIAL LIFE: Clarence Care + Support is there to share your activities.

Our staff receive extensive training and education to ensure we have confident, experienced and

knowledgeable people to match with individual needs.

Clarence Care + Support is committed to

community development and quality services for the aged and people living with a disability. We are proud our service is

accredited for aged care service provision as well as a registered NDIS service provider. Phone: (02) 6645 0400.

SERVICES NSW SERVING YOU MON 9 – FRI 13 APRIL | 10:00AM – 2:00PM

Visit the Services NSW Information stand, where they will be issuing Seniors Cards and will assist you with Licence and general RMS enquiries. They will also be running small sessions on ‘how to navigate the Services NSW website’.

TELSTRA TECH SAVVY WORKSHOPS MON 9 – FRI 13 APRIL | 10:00AM | 12:00PM | 2:00PM

s r o i n e S 201 8

K E E W

A PR 3 1 Y A D I 9 – FR MONDAY FIND US ON

FACEBOOK

FREE

WI-FI

IL

Join Telstra for their FREE Tech Savvy Workshops daily this Seniors Festival! Sessions include intro to social media, photo sharing, smartphones, tablets, internet and much more…

Join in for one, two or all three sessions daily while you enjoy a FREE coffee from one of Grafton Shoppingworld’s many cafes! Bookings are essential through Telstra Grafton Shoppingworld on 6642 8488.

EXERCISE CLASSES + HEALTH ASSESSMENTS! MON 9 | WED 11 FRI 13 APRIL 10:00AM | 11:00AM Join Optimum Allied Health and Jetts Fitness for their FREE Exercise Classes + Health Assessment Sessions! Book in for one of these daily sessions to be held at Jetts Fitness where you will be reviewed by Exercise Physiologists. With small group sessions, bookings are essential, please call Optimum Allied Health on 1300 871 249.

FOOD | FASHION | HOME | SERVICES

OPEN 7 DAYS

www.graftonshoppingworld.com.au

22 Seniors Coffs and Clarence

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018

2018 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL

How do you see yourself living in the near future?

THE top of the list of getting older for dementia awareness campaigner Sue Pieters-Hawke is living life to the fullest extent and doing it, at least a little bit, outrageously.

“I hope to be able to

maintain capacities for independence, mobility and self-determination for as long as I can, access good medical care if and when I need it because ageing is a risk for different medical issues, remain active in society, in

❝

In recent years Sue has become very active in the positive ageing space...

RAISING AWARENESS: Dementia awareness campaigner Sue Pieters-Hawke.

PHOTO: TRACEY JOHNSTONE

friendships and my family and remain able to contribute,” Sue, 61, said.

“One of the awful things about ageism is it tends to shut people out of being part of things. I don’t like that idea.

“That’s one of the

reasons I am very active in the whole area of positive ageing and supporting campaigns against aged-based discrimination.

“Our older people have such a wealth of experience and care for

others and care for the community and things that they can contribute and want to contribute as they get age.

“The thought of being rendered invisible or not worthy or not capable is really disturbing.

“It is what happens around us every day.”

In recent years Sue has become very active in the positive ageing space, including working with the Benevolent Society on its ageism EveryAGE Counts campaign which will be launched later this year.

She cheekily threatens us with the idea of getting a mobility aid, painting it bright purple and with lots of sparkle.

“I know I will die at some point. I hope it isn’t too painful, to drawn out,” Sue said.

“We can’t say we wish it won’t happen, because it will, but with good social environments and medical care, ageing doesn’t have to be a terrible time.

“Some of that is personal responsibility like doing our best to remain active and do what we can to remain healthy.”

Your rights.

Your voice.

Seniors Rights Service provides free and confidential legal advice, aged care advocacy and rights-based community education.

Legal | Advocacy | Education Free and confidential

1800 424 079

www.seniors rights service.org.au

Is your Will up-to-date?

By planning ahead you can remain in control of critical life decisions.

Situations where you may want to update your Wil include:

• retirement • buying or selling a house • travelling overseas • marriage • separation or divorce • welcoming children or

grandchildren into your family

• a beneficiary or executor named in your Will has died.

With over 100 years of experience, NSW Trustee & Guardian can be appointed as your independent executor and attorney.

Seniors Rights Service Inc. ABN 98 052 960 862

NSW Trustee & Guardian

Specialist staff regularly hold Plan Ahead Days where you can make or update your Will, Power of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship documents.

Plan Ahead Days

• Ballina • Evans Head • Murwillumbah • Yamba • Tenterfield • Grafton • Coffs Harbour

• Casino • Byron Bay • Tweed Heads • Inverell • Glen Innes • Maclean

You can also book an appointment Monday - Friday in-branch: 6 Zadoc Street, Lismore

For further information, contact 1300 721 872 or start online at www.tag.nsw.gov.au * Fees and charges may apply, see website for details

Coffs and Clarence

Monday, March 26, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 23

2018 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL

It’s more than just the meal

MOW provides many services

❝

We have more than 80 meal choices to choose from, you can have a roast every day of the week.

CELEBRATING SENIORS: Visit Chill Out Cafe from April 9-13 from 9.30-11.30am, where there will be free devonshire tea and coffee available.

PHOTO: CREATISTA

9.30-11.30am for people over 60, giving over 65s the opportunity to sign up.

Coffs Meals on Wheels love to do special things for clients at different times of the year.

We send flowers for Mother’s Day, a small gift for Father’s Day, eggs at Easter, a horse in a sweep for Melbourne Cup. The Lions Club donates Christmas cakes, Girl

Guides make lovely cards, Coffs Cake Decorating gives beautifully decorated small cakes and Inner Wheel South Club has given gifts to more than 100 clients

every Christmas for 14-plus years. You can phone our office on (02) 6648 3600, email manager@ chmow.org.au or visit chmow.org.au.

ADVERTORIAL

Come Celebrate Seniors Week with Chill Out Café

Enjoy free a Devonshire tea for those 60 and over April 9th-13th 9.30-11.30 Chill Out Café is an initiative of Coffs Harbour Support Services in partnership with Coffs Coast Meals on Wheels with the aim of providing people with disabilities the opportunity to train and work in the Hospitality Industry. We provide quality affordable lunches and morning teas Monday to Friday. With an extensive menu there is something for everyone. Located In the community village just behind Coles you can dine alfresco style in our delightful undercover garden setting or inside with disabled access and facilities

Hours 9.30am Lunch 12noon Bookings Ph: 0423 000 505

Supported by

Call us about

RETAIL MEALS

our

Over 80 meal available to thechoices public aged un general der 65

Proudly not for Profit - Serving the people of the Coffs Coast Region

FREE DELIVERY OR PICK UP P

• Great choice of freshly made salads. Frozen & hot meals, desserts, soup. • Delivered daily or weekly by Volunteers who care.

If you’re not well or would just like a delicious and nutritious meal delivered to your door or even set out on your table ready for you to eat.

COFFS COAST MEALS ON WHEELS • PHONE 6648 3600 CHILL OUT CAFÉ • PHONE 0423 000 505 COMMUNITY VILLAGE, 22 EARL STREET, COFFS HARBOUR (behind Coles)

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brainwave from a lady who worked in aged care as well as with younger people with disabilities.

In 2004, she put both services together to make this wonderful cafe what it is today.

Coffs Meals on Wheels and Coffs Support Service went into partnership and now the cafe has more than 3600 members who come for a social outing in the lovely surroundings at the community village.

We will be celebrating Seniors Week from Monday-Friday, April 9-13 where Chill Out Cafe will have free devonshire tea/coffee from

6768440aa

COFFS Meals on Wheels has been going strong for the past 46 years, keeping up with all the changes that have come our way.

More than just a meal, we now recommend clients to My Aged Care where there is a lot of extra help in the home if needed.

Meals can be bought hot daily or in bulk, leaving you free to get out and about throughout the week.

We have more than 80 meal choices to choose from – you can have a roast every day of the week.

Meals on Wheels has introduced a retail line of meals – nutritionally prepared meals at your fingertips. Convenient, fast, affordable and portion-controlled meals are great for anyone with a busy schedule but who still wants to eat a sensible healthy diet.

Chill Out Cafe was a

24 Seniors Coffs and Clarence

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2018 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL

There’s a range of activities

COFFS Harbour’s Seniors Festival 2018 is an exciting collaboration of community organisations and groups putting on a variety of different events, workshops and other programs for seniors to celebrate and enjoy.

Coffs Harbour City Council is proud to support a program of events for seniors that will engage your mind, body, indulge your senses and provide a chance to make new friends or get together with old ones through a great series of free activities, workshops and events put on by your community.

Some of the free activities include: *Harbourside Markets Seniors Celebration on

Sunday, April 15 from 8am-2pm at the Harbourside Markets, Jetty Foreshores, Coffs Harbour.

This market will showcase energy, passion, freedom and creativity by offering free stalls to seniors and senior-friendly clubs and community groups to showcase their passion projects, products and produce.

A great day for seniors to discover, get involved, get inspired and connect to their community.

Along with our regular makers and growers stallholder markets this will be a great day out for the whole family.

Musical performances and on-stage

JOIN TOGETHER: Coffs Harbour City Council is proud to support a program of events for seniors that will engage your mind and activate your body while enjoying free activities, workshops and events.

entertainment on the day will be tailored to appeal to and showcase seniors audience: ★Coffs Harbour Big Boogie Band ★Demonstrations and information from local seniors friendly clubs and community groups

★Marian Grove Ukulele Group performance ★Live 2 Air FM broadcast from the festival ★Free refreshments for seniors served by local Girl Guides ★Free Seniors Yoga & Movement Classes *A Lark in the Park

Picnic on Monday, April 9 from 10am at the Bongil Bongil Picnic Area, Williams Road, Bonville.

Let’s get outdoors and celebrate senior’s festival with a good old fashioned picnic in the Bongil Bongil National Park.

Just a short scenic

drive from Coffs Harbour – enjoy a relaxed old fashioned ‘picnic’, live entertainment, competitions and games.

Lunch provided.

For more activities, events and workshops, visit coffsharbour.nsw. gov.au/seniorsweek.

Coffs and Clarence

Monday, March 26, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 25

2018 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL

UK ex-pats make global connection on trip to shops AN ENGLISH accent is an unmistakable trait in Australia, so when The Community Transport Company volunteer driver, Steven Jefford picked up Coffs Harbour resident Iris Walsh, there was an instant connection.

And rightly so, the pair are both from the same city, Watford, in the United Kingdom.

“The first thing I said to Iris was ‘I know that accent, where are you from?’ I couldn’t believe when she answered ‘Watford’,” Steve said.

“We talked for ages about the city and the

places we knew in common, I went home that night and rang my dad, who still lives there.

“I asked if he knew her, the phone went all quiet and he said you’re not going to believe it – I went to school with her.”

For Iris, whose been living in Australia for the past 50 years, it was a pleasant surprise to meet someone who she had so much in common with, while going about her normal community transport trips.

“It was so nice to talk to someone who knew about the places of my

childhood, it brought back memories of the people, of the buildings and shops, even the old teachers at the Parkgate School that Steve and I both attended,” Mrs Walsh said.

“I remember it was freezing in the UK, and when my husband and I arrived in Australia and it was summer, we had no summer clothes and it was raging hot. It was great to relive those little memories.”

Iris has been using The Community Transport Company’s services to access shopping, medical

WATFORD ALLIES: Community Transport Company volunteer driver Steven Jefford picking up Coffs Harbour resident Iris Walsh.

appointments and social outings for many years.

“I don’t know what I

would do without it, because I have no transport and I don’t drive

but next time I use it, I am definitely going to ask for the pommy driver.”

KERRY PIKE C.ex Woolgoolga

Thursday 5 April 3pm - 6pm $FREE

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Sunday 15 April 3pm - 5pm $FREE PURCHASE A MUG OF COFFEE OR TEA FOR THE PRICE OF A CUP*

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NSW Seniors Festival is the LARGEST FESTIVAL for seniors in the Southern Hemisphere.

NSW Seniors Festival is designed to thank, celebrate and recognise seniors for the role they play and the contributions they make to the NSW community. There is plenty of activities again this year over the C.ex Group of clubs.

Friday 6 April

Bernadette Fisher Entertainment Lounge 2PM | $FREE

Wednesday 11 April The Howie Brothers 2PM | $FREE

Thursay 12 April to Monday 16 April

Art Display & Competition

HALF PRICE

DURING SENIORS FESTIVAL ‘18 *PET’s Not Included

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SENIORS FIRST

AID AWARENESS C.ex Woolgoolga Wednesday 11 April 4pm | $FREE

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C.ex Coffs

Friday 13 April 2pm | $FREE

26 Seniors Coffs and Clarence

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018

2018 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL

Community

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 please ensure it is at least 180dpi or 500kb to 1mb in size and of faces, in a nice bright setting.

The deadline for the April issue is April 11.

Email editor@seniors newspaper.com.au

GRAFTON SENIOR CITIZENS

OUR next day bus trip is to Ballina on Friday, April 6 visiting the Thursday Plantation and historic Ballina Manor.

During Senior Citizens week, there will be an open day on Thursday, April 12, 9am-noon, when prospective new members can visit room at Grafton

Racecourse, to view activities and complete a membership application form, view craft, mahjong and other games in progress, as well as a craft display and small trading table. The eight-day tour to Mudgee area in September is full, but reserves will be noted.

While meetings, bus trips and special activities are well supported, regular weekly activities need more support. All inquiries and further information, available from publicity officer Sandra on 6642 7720.

CARTOON SYMPHONY

COME and enjoy a fabulous night on Saturday, April 7 at 6pm at The Bunker Cartoon Gallery, John Champion Way (off City Hill Drive) Coffs Harbour, showcasing the amazing

works by multi-talented Synaesthete artist Tanja Ackerman. Many of us share the experience of a special cartoon character, be it heroic, inspirational or comical.

They have the power to transport us back to that time of childhood and those wonderful memories.

This fundraising event will be something very different for everyone to enjoy and the magic of cartoon imagery and music together. Tickets are on sale now at: trybooking.com/351776 and $35 per person. All funds raised at this event are for carers in our community.

TELL YOUR STORY AND GET PUBLISHED THE fourth NSW Seniors Card Short Story Writing free-entry competition is open until June 1. Anyone

Hello from SCCA …

GET CREATIVE: The fourth NSW Seniors Card Short Story Writing competition is open for entries. The theme is ‘Positive Ageing’, so submit your non-fiction story now.

can enter by submitting online a non-fiction story of no more than 1000 words. The theme is ‘Positive Ageing’. The top 100 entries will be published in the Seniors Card Anthology, released

in October. For all details and to enter go to: fawnsw.org.auseniorscard-short-storycompetition. For any questions, phone Cate Plink 0458 375 256 or email scsscfawnsw@

gmail.com. There is a free writing workshop for anyone wanting help in preparing to write their competition story at NSW State Library on April 16 in the Macquarie Room from 10.30am-12.30pm.

Join Us

Online

“We rise by lifting others” (Robert Ingersoll) April is all about community at SCCA. Let’s make some magic... creative ageing magic that is!

Read past editions and more Seniors News on our website – embracing ageing.

You’re invited to our “Let’s make Magic” Open Day on Friday April 13th from 9am to 2pm. Please come along and enjoy Café specials, music from our Ukulele group, watch the PD Warriors and join in an open rehearsal of the Marian Grove Groovers choir.

From 11.30 to 2 pm we’ll be launching our first SCCA Radical Ageing Project “There’s No Age Limit on Purpose, Passion and Creativity” with a photo booth in the Marian Grove Recreation Hall.

Funded by Coffs Harbour City Council and NSW Seniors Festival, this project will become an exhibition celebrating the rich and diverse lives of our older people, aligning with the “Let’s Do More Together” theme of Seniors Festival 2018. Dress up, make some magic and have some fun!

Our community will also come together in April for the Annual Anzac Day Service, to honour and remember those who have and continue to serve.

Michelle

Sawtell Catholic Care of the Aged From the big picture to the smallest details,“we care”

www.scca.net.au Ph: 02 6653 1241 Ph: 02 6658 6133

Visit us at seniorsnews.com.au

CR115679AB-3

See you next month

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SCCA, it’s a great story.

Coffs and Clarence

Monday, March 26, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 27

2018 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL

Find what’s right for you

Electric Wheelchair or a Mobility Scooter?

INDEPENDENCE: The team at Aidacare will help you find the right mobility aid for your needs and preferences.

MOBILITY aids, including electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters, provide people with limited mobility greater access. While there are essential differences between types of mobility aids, what is ultimately right comes down to your needs and personal preferences.

Operation and manoeuvrability Electric wheelchairs are operated using a joystick mounted on the armrest, requiring less upper body mobility to control. Mobility scooters are operated using a tiller handle and will require both hands to steer and control.

Electric wheelchairs have a smaller turning circle than mobility scooters.

While there are small scooters with a tighter turning circle designed for use indoors, you will require more space between furniture to manoeuvre indoors.

Speed and distance Electric wheelchairs are limited to a maximum speed of 6km/h and will travel up to 30km on a single charge.

This can be affected by things such as the terrain and the weight of the user.

If distance is a concern, a mobility scooter may be a preferable option.

A robust mobility scooter can travel at speeds of up to 10km/h and distances of up to 50km on a single charge.

Again, while the maximum speed and distance depends on terrain, mobility scooters are designed to travel long distances outdoors.

Acceptance While the best mobility device for you is the one that provides the optimum level of independence and support, there can be a perception that some devices – and therefore users – are more ‘legitimate’ than others.

Unfortunately, generally the public may be more accommodating of someone in a wheelchair than in an electric scooter.

However, a mobility scooter may provide less stigma for someone who doesn’t want to be seen as a ‘wheelchair user’.

The team at Aidacare will help you find the right mobility aid. Info: showroom 2/177 Orlando Street, Coffs Harbour or 6651 5333. ADVERTORIAL

Facility reflects spiritual feelings IN 1989 Gary Morris and Val March, along with other health and welfare workers, called a public meeting to discuss the development of an Aboriginal aged care facility.

The idea for the design of the aged care facility came from the views and opinions held by the Elders.

For the Elders, the totems of fire, water, earth and sun were seen as having strong ties to traditional life.

To meet their needs, extensive consultation has taken place at a

grassroots level.

This has allowed an aged care facility to be developed that reflects the spiritual feelings connected with the traditions and customs of Aboriginal people.

Booroongen Djugun Aged Care is a unique residential facility located in Greenhill, Kempsey, on the Mid North Coast of NSW. The facility officially opened in early 1997 and offers high-care home, hostel and dementiaspecific secure beds.

Booroongen Djugun also provides in-home

care packages that are designed to meet the identified care needs, and each client is individually assessed to ensure all of their care needs are met.

Regular reviews are carried out to ensure that the changing care needs of the client are maintained.

Services offered include showering, personal hygiene, toileting, dressing and undressing, mobility, meal preparation, laundry, cleaning, minor yard maintenance and shopping.

The service can also act as an advocate for the client and/or carer.

Care plans covering craft activities and other community-focused activities ensure the client’s social and emotional support needs are met.

This company also supports people with a disability by arranging regular respite or short-term breaks for carers and families, providing care in the community, and responding to emergency situations or difficulties.

Respite services are

SUPPORT: Booroongen Djugun's aim is to provide all clients with the highest possible standard of aged care, by caring professionals.

aimed at developing clients’ social and independent living skills and giving “time out” to carers.

Priority is given to people with disabilities who have a single carer

or parent caring for them, are assisted by parents, spouses or carers who are elderly, or people who are at risk of having to leave the community and enter an aged care facility for care.

Are you comfortable living in your own home but require a little extra help?

Whether it’s getting back on your feet after an illness, an extra hand with day to day personal care or just a bit of help with garden or house maintenance, the team at NVC are to help.

NVC In-Home Support provides a range of practical, flexible services designed to keep you living independently in your own home for as long as possible.

NVC is an approved Home Care Package provider and currently has vacancies for Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 Home Care Packages.

Come along and meet new Podiatrist Brittany Pike, at our new Podiatry Clinic in the Boardwalk Arcade 25 Princess Street Macksville.

Phone: 02 6598 5000

www.nambuccavalleycare.com.au-home-care

6765973aa

We take the time to understand what is important to you, and what your exact needs are for you to feel comfortable and supported in your own home.

28 Seniors Coffs and Clarence

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018

2018 NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL

STYLISH DOWNSIZING: Bathers Beachside is designed to make the best use of its stunning outlook.

Downsize to upgrade your lifestyle on Brisbane’s coast REDUCING your living space to a luxury apartment and upgrading your lifestyle on Brisbane’s coast is a very attractive option.

There are many factors to consider when moving from your prized family home, but if you’re an empty-nester, downsizing into a smaller place is both sensible and economical.

Retirees looking to downsize to a modern apartment have the opportunity to re-evaluate their lifestyle.

Unsurprisingly, many opt for a quieter beachside life, lapping up the water views and brilliant sunshine it offers.

Acclaimed coastal property developer Traders in Purple caters to the over 50s.

It creates new, luxurious and modern seaside developments for those who are unwilling to compromise on quality.

With sweeping panoramic views of Moreton Bay, new developments like Bathers Beachside, and the recently completed Waters Edge and The Scarborough, offer unprecedented value for money for retirees.

These developments are at coastal havens of unparalleled beauty right

❝

villa or townhouse.

From July this year property owners will be able to take advantage of an attractive new government scheme which will allow retirees aged 65 and over to make a non-concessional contribution of $300,000 for a single and $600,000 for a couple, from the sale of their principal place of residence which they have lived in for 10 years or more, directly into superannuation.

Apartment living also provides greater security and convenience for those seeking a better quality of life.

at your doorstep, and although it feels like a holiday destination, the Brisbane CBD is still close by.

The vibrant bayside suburbs, which are just north of Brisbane city, are blessed with beautifully maintained parks and walking tracks, making this area appealing to potential buyers who are searching for peace and serenity.

The residences have open-plan living spaces and contemporary kitchens with high-quality appliances, ensuring a sleek modern feel that is both stylish and functional for over 50s.

Every fitting and finish is meticulously selected, from the stylish designer-appointed interiors to the premium custom cabinetry, so you don’t feel you have compromised in the slightest.

One of the key advantages of downsizing

Bathers Beachside with its beautiful finishes and generous spaces.

to an apartment is the freedom it affords retirees. It gives those who have left the workforce the choice to live in a place that celebrates a relaxed style of life, where maintenance is low and recreational facilities are in abundance.

Better yet, freehold apartments often come with a real sense of community without an expensive price tag that landed property in desired locations have.

Apartment living also provides greater security and convenience for those seeking a better quality of life. Think of it as

Bathers Beachside and its uninterrupted views of the Moreton Bay.

downsizing your space, but upgrading your lifestyle.

Forget mowing the lawns, taking out the garbage bins and worrying about the safety of your

household belongings if you take a holiday break.

The upkeep and ongoing costs of maintenance for vertical living are minimal compared to those required to run a house,

BATHERS BEACHSIDE LUXURY APARTMENTS

BATHERS Beachside is a super-high-end, luxury project consisting of 24 exclusive, large-scale apartments positioned directly on Suttons Beach at Margate.

The prestigious waterfront development, which occupies the iconic site of the old Waltzing Matilda Motel, is for those who expect only the best.

This superb spot, which has been referred to as the jewel on the Redcliffe Peninsula, will help you transition into retirement with ease. For more information about Traders in Purple developments, call 0477 432 432 or visit: tradersinpurple.com.

ADVERTORIAL

Monday, March 26, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Coffs and Clarence

Seniors 29

NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION & SELLING FAST! SECURE YOURS TODAY!

LIMITED EDITION LUXURY BEACHSIDE APARTMENTS WELCOME TO YOUR NEW LIFE. IT BEGINS HERE Bathers Beachside is the Peninsula’s newest and most prestigious waterfront development. Designed and developed by Traders in Purple with luxury living in mind, these exquisite residences deliver an unprecedented attention to detail and finishes second to none. Perfectly positioned in a premier waterfront enclave right by the beach on Margate Parade. Each apartment features three large bedrooms, two deluxe bathrooms, contemporary kitchen with Miele appliances as well as spacious living areas and large balconies that encapsulate the breathtaking never-to-be-built-out blue water Moreton Bay views.

A limited number of 3 bedroom apartments are available from $899,000. Don’t miss out! Move in Dec 2018 / Jan 2019.

CALL OUR SALES TEAM ON 0477 432 432 OR VISIT OUR DISPLAY CENTRE 10AM-4PM WED-SUN 113 LANDSBOROUGH AVENUE SCARBOROUGH OR REGISTER YOUR INTEREST ONLINE AT WWW.BATHERSBEACHSIDE.COM

30 Seniors Coffs and Clarence

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018

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Monday, March 26, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Travel

Coffs and Clarence

Seniors 31

Explore stately beauty of Bohemia in 2018 meadows, pine forests, fairytale castles and soaring rock towers of the Czech countryside.

Located in the northern edge of the Czech Republic, the inn-to-inn hike will see walkers trek through natural labyrinths of rock towers and visit medieval and gothic castles as well as historic farmhouses and quaint villages.

The trail also boasts tranquil lakes and meadows and offers walkers the chance to sample wines, herbal liqueur and beer, for which the republic is famed.

Walkers will see huge sandstone boulders, tall cliffs and mystical views, recently made famous by Britannia, which is a big hit in the UK. Along the way, guests will stay in friendly family-run hotels and a Baroque chateau, beautifully situated in the Bohemian mountains.

On Foot Holidays also recommends guests

CELEBRATION: Prague - Bohemia walk.

spend a few nights in Prague – recently named Europe’s most affordable capital city for a cultural experience – where they can explore some of the anniversary celebrations taking place in the beautiful historic city, including an international music festival, special

exhibits, a fringe festival, and see some of Prague’s most famous sites refurbished for the centenary.

The walk is easy to medium in difficulty, with four to seven hours of walking each day. Shorter options are also available and nights in Prague can

be added when booking.

The route can be walked from April to July, as well as in September and October.

Including six nights’ accommodation, all breakfasts, and all luggage transfers – meaning travellers simply carry a day pack – the

Bohemian Paradise walk costs from £510 per person, twin-share (about $A895 depending on exchange rates).

Payments can be made by via Earthport FX transfer, a system which offers Australians the convenience of paying for walks in Australian dollars at a local bank, saving transfer charges and credit card fees.

Rated one of Europe’s leading self-guided walking tour operators, On Foot Holidays offers 32 self-guided walking tours across Europe.

Accommodation and information packs are provided for all the routes and optional guides are available on select itineraries.

Walkers select their departure dates, luggage is transferred between inns each day and all routes are designed by locals and tested by staff from On Foot Holidays.

Visit www.onfoot holidays.co.uk.

THE KING OF TALKBACK RADIO JOHN LAWS ON 2HC AND 2GF With over sixty years of commercial broadcast experience, John Laws asks the hard questions – and cuts through the political spin. For unmissable news, information, entertainment and talkback, Australia relies on John Laws.

Don’t miss the host who calls it like he sees it.

Listen every weekday from 9am – midday.

Coffs Coast 100.5 FM | 639 AM www.radio639am.info

Clarence Valley 1206 AM | 103.9 FM www.radio2gf.com.au

CR114733AA

THIS is the year of festivities for the Czech Republic, with the landlocked, European country celebrating 100 years since the Republic of Czechoslovakia was formed and 25 years since Czechoslovakia peacefully split into the countries of Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The past 25 years have seen the former Communist country blossom into one of Europe’s most popular destinations, welcoming a record 16 million tourists in 2017.

Tourism is expected to rise further thanks to the country starring as the filming location for the epic TV drama, Britannia, now showing in Australia on Foxtel.

The year of celebrations is the perfect time to visit, and a six-night, self-guided Bohemian Paradise walking tour offered by On Foot Holidays provides an ideal way to explore the

32 Seniors Coffs and Clarence

Travel

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018

Magnificent journey goes back in time Museum’s drawcard is the dinosaur display

IT’S been millions of years since dinosaurs roamed the land.

Yet there is still activity in the place near one of the greatest concentrations of these creatures’ footprints on earth.

I am at the Age of Dinosaurs Museum, about 12km south of the Outback Queensland town of Winton.

There is a new sealed road leading in from the highway since my last visit. That was in 2015 during a road trip to Darwin.

Winton is close to the half-way point on the 3400km trip from Brisbane to Darwin – one state capital to the next.

I meet up with the museum’s operations manager, Trish Sloan, at the laboratory that is perched on top of the jump-up site – 1801ha of freehold land rising dramatically out of the landscape.

It is predominantly a 75m high mesa that forms a natural flat-top plateau 7km long and 2km wide, a wilderness area surrounded by steep cliffs, massive boulders and deep gorges.

Walking trails, stunning views, and an abundance of natural flora and fauna make it an outstanding destination in itself.

Trish tells me about the changes that have taken place at this facility in the past couple of years.

It’s a place that is dedicated to finding, cataloguing and restoring the incredible collection of bones and fossils found in the area.

As well as expansion of the museum/laboratory, the first steps have been taken in the construction of the $30 million stage 3 of the site.

David Elliott knew two things when he saw a funny bone in a paddock in 1999, the femur of a dinosaur.

Being a third-generation sheep and cattle farmer from the Winton area, he knew the soil.

And he knew he had found something big, in more ways than simply the size of the bones.

At present a visit to the museum includes tours of the information/display centre and the museum/restoration laboratory.

Stage 3 will see the construction of a working dinosaur museum facility with preparation laboratory, collection and type room facilities, classrooms, theatres and comprehensive displays.

A dinosaur canyon has been constructed, incorporating outdoor galleries and life-size bronze dinosaurs scattered throughout the gorge that sits below the site of the future building.

This is the biggest single step the project will take and it includes the development of comprehensive education programs, teacher

development courses, overseas study tours and scientific research programs.

“We have run out of room so we are expanding into the car park,’’ Trish says.

“It’s the start of evolving the laboratory a bit more. It will allow us to do heavier work.

“Once the bones are dug up, they need to consolidate it, put the bone into a hard case casting to keep it protected and ready for preparation.

“It’s a very slow process. The bones rule the lab, we don’t.’’

The museum is Australia’s largest fossil preparation facility and has operated since July 2006.

It provides an introduction to what we have been walking over for so long, a history of the area dating back 93 million years to when Winton was on the edge of a great inland sea and dinosaurs roamed freely.

The new display centres around a cast about 4m long taken from a site dig last year.

It includes nearly a full vertebrae of a dinosaur that the museum has named Judy.

“I believe this is the most complete in our collection, Trish says.

“Judy was uncovered in May-June.

“We went back in August and discovered the other shoulder bone, shin bones, femur and rib.”

ANCIENT TIMES: A modern adventure into the past.

The cast is 4m long and contains 9-10 vertebrae.

The next item Trish shows me, among the remains of a fossilised tree dating back 93 million years, assorted shellfish and fossilised plant life, is a meteor that came to earth in 2004.

“I was driving into Winton,’’ Trish recalls.

“And it lit up the night sky. There was an explosion, it went from bright to dull.

“I got into Winton and everyone asked if I’d seen it. I sure did.’’

Trish became affiliated with the museum by being part of the dig team.

Her passion and persistence has been rewarded, by carving out a career and establishing herself in Outback Queensland.

From coffee-maker to virtually running the show, she has found her direction in life.

Her enthusiasm for the sense of discovery has been matched by the encouragement from The Age of Dinosaurs Museum founder David Elliott to go on and become operations director at the

distinctive natural history landmark.

Trish started as a rock guide, telling people about the geology of the area but not dinosaurs.

That was at the Lark Quarry site, about 110km southwest of Winton.

Lark Quarry sprang to international prominence when a ringer from Cork Station found some unusual tracks embedded in rocks at Happy Valley Station.

The first imprint was not much bigger than a bird.

Yet the most exciting find was yet to come.

It was at Seymour Quarry and came about by accident while fossickers were looking for opals.

Instead they found the tracks of pre-historic mammals and dinosaurs.

Scientists followed the gullies and luckily found the stampede. A track wave of 3300 footprints.

Lark Quarry, site of the dinosaur stampede.

It is the most concentrated site of dinosaur footprints in the world.

There are many ideas on why so many and what caused the stampede at

PHOTO: ERLE LEVEY

Lark Quarry – a large predator dinosaur hunting smaller ones, a major climate event such as flooding, a volcano or a meteor shower?

The fact they were so incredibly well preserved seems to point to an event of nature such as flooding occurring at the same time as the stampede.

What they have done at the Age of Dinosaurs Museum is try to represent a life-size model of the dinosaurs involved in the stampede at Lark Quarry at a site much closer to town.

At the same time they are trying to recreate the environment as it may have been at the time.

In Outback Queensland’s main visitor season from April to September, there are about 26 employees on site at the museum and 14 are guides.

The museum runs volunteer programs such as Prep a Dino, a specific course that involves 10 days of training to see where they specialise. http://www.australian ageofdinosaurs.com/

It’s Good to Share

Submit your photos, stories, events and notices online.

Look for the ‘share your event or story’ box on our home page. Visit us at seniorsnews.com.au

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Erle Levey

Coffs and Clarence

Monday, March 26, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 33

Wellbeing

The power of real purpose TUNED UP FOR THE THIRD AGE PAUL McKEON IT WAS inspiring to watch the efforts of the athletes participating in the recent Winter Olympics and it will be equally inspiring to watch what dedicated young people can achieve at the Commonwealth Games next month.

Their spectacular achievements demonstrate the power of passion and commitment.

It’s amazing what we humans can achieve when we put our minds to it.

While most of us over 50s are unlikely to be competing in international sporting events, we can utilise the same powers of passion and commitment in our lives to make us happier, more satisfied people.

For many of us, our job, if we liked it, gave us a purpose and goals to strive for.

When we retire, our life changes and it’s common for lots of people to struggle finding a purpose, apart from just trying to enjoy themselves.

This can be a danger period because without a purpose in life, we can just drift along in a selfcentred existence that

isn’t very satisfying or challenging and often leads to boredom.

The key to a successful and satisfying retirement is to have a purpose in our lives and to be involved with our community and with life in general.

If you currently don’t have any real purpose in your life, it might be a good idea to spend some time thinking about what interests you and what you would like to do with the rest of your life.

Here are a few questions that might help you to get started: ★What is really important to me – what am I passionate about? ★What talents and skills do I have?

INSPIRING: Grace, skill and dedication shown at Winter Olympics. PHOTO: RICHARD HEATHCOTE

★Are these of value in my retirement years? ★What would make me a happier person? ★What creative talents do I have? ★What have I always wanted to do, but never got around to.

★Do I have a bucket list?

If not, why not make one.

We have published four books that can help you to really enjoy this next stage of your life.

They all contain contributions from a range of experts and have been

used by four major superannuation funds.

For more details please go to our website at www.retirementbooks. com.au There’s a money back guarantee if you’re not completely satisfied.

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According to the Clean Energy Council the average hours of sunlight a day across the year is 4.2 hours, so we will use this as the base to calculate the solar generation. Based on 4.2 hours a day, a 5kW system will generate 21kW of clean energy every day.

Now let’s say you self-consume 50%, or 11kW your total solar generation each day.

Based on today’s average electricity charges of 28c/kW, by cutting your reliance on the grid by 50%, you stand to make a saving of $3.08 each day. That might not seem much but over the course of a year that’s $1124 back in your pocket. Then there’s the other 50% of your solar production that you can export back to the grid. Based on today’s average solar feed in tariffs you’re looking at anywhere from 8 cents to 15 cents, 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 $1.32 cents per day, or a further $481 a year you’ll save in electricity costs. That’s a whopping total of $1605 per year in savings straight from the get go.

Now let’s say you want to finance your solar system. The cost of a good quality 5kW system will set you back approximately $6000 (less than a third of the cost just five years ago). Based on a 5-year payback, with a $0 deposit, you’re looking at monthly repayments of just over $100, or $1200.00 per annum. So right now, you’re in front, with immediate electricity savings delivered of $1605 per year and the system cost of $1200 on payback, you’re $405 in front. That’s a win.

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34 Seniors Coffs and Clarence

Benevolent Society’s dedicated volunteer

THE Benevolent Society is extremely lucky.

They have employees and volunteers who stay for decades.

Meet Bob Fergusson: For 16 years he has hopped on the bus from his home at Mirabooka in Little Bay and travels to The Benevolent Society.

He has been coming in to The Benevolent Society’s headquarters in Paddington every Thursday to help out wherever he is needed.

He comes in, waters the plants, and proceeds to have a chat with various members of staff.

He is extremely sociable and friendly.

He always remembers and cares about people’s lives. He bakes dampers and biscuits on Australia Day and often brings in chocolate.

It is this genuine interest and compassion for people which has kept Bob socially connected and engaged with society.

Sharp as ever, Bob turned 90 on March 19.

Bob was born in Moree, in the northwest of New South Wales. Moree sits atop an artesian bore and is known for its hot climate and mineral springs.

Bob’s father was a plumber, and his mother looked after him, his three brothers and two sisters.

As a schoolboy at Moree Public, Bob worked a couple of hours a day for Mr Dash, the chemist, delivering medications and equipment to Moree Public Hospital and the town’s two private hospitals.

“Mr Dash would have liked to take me on full time,” Bob said.

“But I didn’t have the qualifications.”

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Phone: 02 6651 1649 Office Address: Email: info@carexcell.com.au Shop 10, 1-3 Hi-Tech Dr, Toormina, NSW

We pay our respects to Elders past, present and future

Volunteering plays a pivotal part in helping Bob to stay connected to society, something many ageing Australians, are living without.

It gives him a sense of belonging and allows him to keep giving back to his community.

What prompted Bob to become a volunteer?

“One of the executives was running a program called Sonny’s Day in 2002. I heard about it and came and helped with different things for three years.”

Since then Bob has spent a day a week working for The Benevolent Society doing “whatever is available for me to do”.

Bob believes he’s lucky to be a volunteer.

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“It has given me a lot of pleasure, and it gives me a better outlook on life.

And I love meeting all the different people.”

The Benevolent Society asked Bob what he would like as a token of gratitude after his first 15 years of service.

“I told them I would like to climb the Harbour Bridge,” Bob said.

And his wish was granted.

He also had an evening function presided over by Dame Mary Bashir at Government House.

Small, with fair Scottish skin, Bob is a familiar sight in the corridors of The Benevolent Society’s Paddington office.

He knows everybody and they all know him.

He’s part of the place.

Proudly caring for local EldErs

Caring For Our Mob on Home Ground

“ Without a sense of caring there can be no sense of community”

www.carexcell.com.au

remained for 24 years.

“Bunnings bought them out,” Bob recalled.

Bob never married and he has no children of his own, but he is very close to his nieces and nephews and many other friends and relatives.

He retired at 67. A friend told him about The Benevolent Society’s retirement villages, and he found a place at Rotary Court in Alexandria, which housed 33 people.

When the facility closed down 10 years later, The Benevolent Society again did all they could to assist Bob in finding a new home at Mirabooka, their subsidised assisted living aged care facility in Sydney’s Little Bay, where Bob has lived for the past 14 years.

Community Care Services

We provide: Culturally Appropriate Care Respectful Service Local Staff

And he couldn’t afford to get them.

Instead, at 16, Bob took a job behind the counter of Mansours, the haberdashery empire, with 43 drapery shops around New South Wales.

He was there nine years.

He relocated to Sydney around the time of WWII where he has lived and worked since.

“I left Moree 67 years ago,” Bob said.

“My first job in Sydney was at Mark Foy’s, selling neckties and scarves. In that lovely building in Liverpool Street. I was there for five years.”

After working behind the counter at Nock and Kirby’s in George Street, Bob moved to Waverly, to Traversi and Jones’ hardware store, where he

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VITAL VOLUNTEER: Bon Fergusson has found social connection and fulfilment in giving to others.

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VOLUNTARY work is recognised as a valuable part of life in Australia. It contributes to community participation and the building of social connections.

In the General Social Survey (GSS), a volunteer was defined as someone who, in the previous 12 months, willingly gave unpaid help, in the form of time, service or skills, through an organisation or group. In 2014, 5.8 million people or 31 per cent of the Australian population aged 15 years and over, participated in voluntary work.

Over a 12 month period, voluntary work contributed 743 million hours to the community.

GEOGRAPHICAL COMPARISONS Patterns of volunteering differed by state and territory, and also by part of state.

Volunteering was more common among those living in parts of Australia outside the capital cities.

The volunteer rate was 30 per cent in the capital cities compared with 34 per cent in areas comprising the rest of state or territory.

WHO VOLUNTEERS? Women were more likely to volunteer than men (34 per cent compared with 29 per cent) Volunteering rates 35-44 years (39 per cent) and 65-74 years (35 per cent).

Info: www.abs.gov. au/ausstats.

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018

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Volunteer Facts and Figures

Wellbeing

Wellbeing

Monday, March 26, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Coffs and Clarence

What to expect from an adviser WHEN meeting a legal, accounting or financial adviser, seniors should be aware of how that adviser should act towards you and for you.

Chair of the Elder Law, Capacity and Succession Committee of the Law Society of NSW Darryl Browne recommends seniors use the following 11 tips to prepare themselves for meeting with an adviser to discuss their concerns, particularly if they are subject to elder abuse or think they may be in the future.

■ Booking an appointment Because you are the client, instructions will need to be taken from you and not your delegate.

The meeting can be arranged by the delegate, but the meeting must take place with you.

■ Sole participation You will generally be interviewed alone.

Sometimes a support person may be present but that person will need to be someone with no personal interest in the outcome of the service being considered. Any person who may have an interest will be excluded.

■ Allow sufficient time Sufficient time should be allocated by your adviser to ensure the service can be properly explained and your understanding carefully assessed.

■ An appropriate place The meeting should occur at a place where it is appropriate to discuss the relevant issues. This shouldn’t be a cafe, supermarket, newsagent, pharmacy or any other place which doesn’t offer a quiet and confidential space. It shouldn’t be a social occasion.

■ Quiet surroundings The environment in which the meeting is held must allow you to concentrate on the advice given. This may mean that young children, mobile phones and other distractions are removed.

■ Choose an independent adviser

You should choose your own adviser, otherwise you may not receive independent advice and the risk of financial abuse increases.

■ The right language Any conversation should occur in a language which both the adviser and you fully understand. If this isn’t possible, an independent and qualified interpreter should translate the conversation. A person who has an interest in the advice should not be the interpreter.

■ What is the intended outcome You should state the outcome which you want to achieve, and the

ELDER ABUSE: Check out these 11 tips to help prepare for meeting with an adviser to discuss your concerns.

reason for obtaining the service. This could be as simple as “I want to make a will because I’ve never made one”.

■ What is the transaction The adviser should explain the effect of the transaction or service involved and highlight the positive and negative features. There will usually be advice about alternatives which could

be available to you.

■ The adviser will probe understanding You should expect the adviser to discuss the relevant issues in a way which allows them to form an opinion about your understanding of the transaction or service.

The adviser should ‘test’ you to ensure it is being undertaken voluntarily.

The adviser will mostly

ask open questions which require you to provide information, rather than ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers. This approach can be challenging. It can be viewed as prying into personal or confidential issues. But it is an important part of the adviser’s role.

■ Take time to reflect It is often useful to reflect on advice. So,

PHOTO: YINYANG

unless there is a need for urgency, the adviser will allow you the opportunity to consider any documents and issues at your leisure.

Darryl Browne is an accredited specialist in wills and estates. He is the principal of BROWNE.Linkenbagh Legal Service in Leura NSW.

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Seniors 35

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36 Seniors Coffs and Clarence

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seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018

LIVING WITH PAIN

A new look at how to deal with back pain

Specialist shares points of pain management strategy WITH chronic back pain numbers among seniors increasing, pain specialist Associate Professor Malcom Hogg offers some sage advice on how to manage it, and if possible, prevent it.

“We know that chronic pain in general increases with age, and in particular, there is an increase in the frequency of musculoskeletal pain conditions,” the Royal Melbourne Hospital pain clinic head and Pain Australia board member, Dr Hogg said.

This is likely to happen because of accumulated injury or as earlier trauma progresses to arthritic degenerative changes, age-related changes to both bones and soft tissues where the spine changes shape and you lose height, and where people have difficulty in recovering from pain at a nerve level.

Management strategies Dr Hogg recommends that seniors ensure they have a broad, multi-dimensional assessment of their back pain.

“The assessment of back pain in older people is complex and needs to be done over several sessions in combination with a general practitioner, a physiotherapist and possibly some surgical

assessment,” Dr Hogg said.

Approaching it this way will help to gain a full understanding of it and exclude serious causes of the pain.

Other strategies are: ■ For common causes of back pain, improving posture and increasing activity such as walking, doing exercises to strengthen the muscles, and linking this in with weight loss.

■ Medications are another option.

Paracetamol or anti-inflammatory drugs can be used with caution as they may have side effects in an older person.

In some cases, low-dose opioids can be used. In other occasional cases nerve medications may be used.

■ Injections are used to target arthritis or nerve pressure, after a specialist has assessed the pain.

■ Surgery is used where there is clear compression on the nerves creating nerve-related pain, or if there is instability between the vertebrae.

“Even if people don’t have pain now, they should be actively managing muscle, joint and bone health,” Dr Hogg said.

To do that he recommends: ■ Take calcium and

BACK PAIN: Even if don’t have pain now, you should be actively managing muscle, joint and bone health. PHOTO: FLYMINT AGENCY

Vitamin D for bones.

■ Participate in low-grade exercise programs.

■ Be careful with lifting.

■ Pace activities.

“Back pain is so common as we age, we should be doing some preventative work,” Dr Hogg said.

If you are a public or private patient suffering from any of these conditions you can now access an assessment by a Specialist Pain Medicine Physician. The following procedures are available and may form part of your treatment plan.

• • • •

“The problem with managing pain once it is established in the back is none of our treatments are particularly good because the process leading to the pain is well advanced.

“We don’t have a fix once you have thin bones

NEUROPATHIC PAIN LUMBAR PAIN CERVICAL PAIN HEADACHE, CRPS OTHER TYPES OF PAIN

and fractured spine. We can’t repair that. What we can do is restore some function.”

Prevention The best choice is regular walking Dr Hogg said. While it might increase the risk of falls, Dr Hogg recommends

wearing appropriate shoes, staying on flat surfaces and walking carefully with a good posture.

“You walk to help your breathing and muscle tone around your spine, and that helps prevent back pain,” Dr Hogg said.

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Tracey Johnstone

Coffs and Clarence

Monday, March 26, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 37

Living

Release the endorphins and sing with harmony Forget about worries and enjoy the fellowship

THE ladies and gentlemen of the Coffs City Choir are back on song for the new year and looking for new members to join their active group of happy and healthier songsters.

There has been little time for chatting and relaxing since the choir restarted in early February.

❝

Cathy points out that some of the great benefits of singing are helping to removing anxiety and depression, gaining a feeling of self-worth ...

They have ahead of them regular bookings at the Woolgoolga and St Joseph’s nursing homes, along with annual bookings at other venues.

Choir president Cathy Ellem said the group of about 22 members were already brushing up on the old favourites and starting to work on some new

JOIN IN: The lively Coffs City Choir welcomes new members.

songs for their repertoire.

“We sing anything from the Beatles to Rodgers and Hammerstein, some classics and some sacred songs,” Cathy, 73, said.

“And we are trying to do some ABBA this year.”

The community choir meets once a week for about two hours and is led through the practice

session by their enthusiastic conductor Belinda Cochrane.

The four-part choir for men and women has a lot of fun.

“People who love singing often come along,” Cathy said.

“They can’t read music, but still really enjoy it.

“They do get to know

what they are singing.

“I find the choir is my lifeline. Some people have health issues, but they come along and forget about everything while they are there. It’s really important for the fellowship and friendship, as well as singing.”

Cathy said some of the great benefits of singing

are helping to removing anxiety and depression, gaining a feeling of selfworth and selfachievement, meeting new people, going out together, improving singing skills and breathing.

“When we bring joy to the people we visit in nursing homes and other

places, it’s so uplifting to us,” she said.

The Coffs City Choir is one of 30 NSW choirs to receive funding from the NSW Government under the Sing Your Age fund which urges seniors to discover the joy of singing.

To find out more on the choir, phone Cheryl Cooper on 0428 631 219.

38 Seniors Coffs and Clarence

Living

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018

Forget Me Not Choir This melodic group is intent on giving back to the community Tracey Johnstone

IT’S A beautiful idea: a choir for people with dementia receiving care within their own home and for their carers.

The Forget Me Not Choir, which is supported by the Clarence Valley Conservatorium, is a new initiative which has received NSW Government funding through the Sing Your Age program.

Instigated by two enthusiastic Grafton residents, conductor Leigh Robertson and pianist Jenny Worrell, the choir held their first weekly meeting at the start of February.

Leigh and Jenny start the sessions with some warm-ups and response songs that help everyone to relax.

“Then we start to sing,” Jenny said.

“We notice as soon as we start to sing, everyone starts to relax. From 10-11.30am we have the most fabulous time.

“We even ask the participants to suggest songs and they are in it.”

The group sing and play percussion instruments from 10-10.30am, then they have morning tea until 11am which gives the carers a chance to have social interaction and to talk among themselves.

After that they return to singing for another half hour.

❝

The group sing and play percussions instruments...

The first session had 18 participants.

Jenny said they can take up to 40.

“From the level of interest that is being shown, I wouldn’t be surprised if we had to offer a second session,” Jenny said.

Jenny and Leigh have worked together on choirs before. Jenny has also had the experience of

BEAUTIFUL MUSIC: Grafton’s Leigh Robertson and pianist Jenny Worrell hold the Forget Me Not Choir meetings every Tuesday at the Clarence Valley Conservatorium.

caring for her mother, who had dementia.

“It’s about giving something back to the community,” Jenny said.

“And there is a huge

need for it because in the nursing homes there are services offered like this, but not for people who are being cared for in their home.

“When we floated this idea, everyone said it was fantastic.

“We are hoping this is going to open up all sorts of things within Clarence

Valley.”

The Forget Me Not Choir meet at the Clarence Valley Conservatorium every Tuesday during school terms.

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Coffs and Clarence

Monday, March 26, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 39

Money

Are your annuities attractive enough?

Take time to check changes

WHEN it comes to the development of a robust framework for lifetime retirement income stream products, it seems there is still a fair way to go.

In everyday language, what we’re talking about here are annuities, products especially designed for retirees that deliver a guaranteed set income for life.

In the finance industry, they’re often being referred to as Comprehensive Income Products for Retirement – and there is a strong push being led by the Federal Government to make them a more attractive investment option.

Indeed, the Turnbull Government used its 2016-17 Budget to announce it plans to remove many of the tax and other legislative obstacles standing in the way of the development of better retirement income products.

On the surface that announcement was a step in the right direction, and since then retirement product providers have been working closely with the government to develop a preferred structure and rules that will encourage individuals into lifetime income products in retirement.

In January, the Department of Social Services released a position paper setting out proposed new social security means test rules for pooled lifetime retirement income stream products.

But it hasn’t drawn favourable reviews.

A follow-up report from the Actuaries Institute that reviewed the DSS paper has found the department lacking.

For one thing, it notes that the DSS has not recognised the obvious fact that retirees who

ANNUITIES: Do they offer you the best benefits?

(and future medium term) average balances at retirement are below $300,000,” the Actuaries Institute says.

There are other potential problems with the DSS position paper.

The DSS has suggested that 70 per cent of the purchase price of an annuity product be counted towards the age pension assets test, dropping to 35 per cent once the retiree has passed their life expectancy, as calculated at the time of purchasing the product.

But the Actuaries Institute believes that the income test will likely be used more often if annuity products are adopted widely, and 70 per cent of all pension payments from annuity products will be counted in the means testing of the pension.

It recommends changes to both the assets test and the income test to cater for the growing use of annuity products, which will help level the playing field with those choosing to stick with other conventional retirement products.

The lesson for retirees?

Make sure you watch the CIPRS space.

Tony Kaye is the editor of Eureka Report,which is owned by financial services group InvestSMART. www.investsmart.com.au

PHOTO: SHAPECHARGE

Shorten’s Surplus Franking Credits Policy Explained The Labor party has announced their latest policy proposal which abolishes the refund of surplus franking credits for investors and super funds. Not surprisingly the announcement generated significant backlash from all sectors.

we believe many aged pension recipients, as well as Industry and Retail super fund members, will also be affected.

Assume John has an Australian share portfolio of $250,000 which earns 5% in fully franked dividends, or Effective 1 July 2019, $12,500 in dividends investors and super funds plus $5,357 in franking will not be able to claim surplus franking credits - credits. If John had no other income, he would that is, where refundable be eligible for a refund of credits are greater than the $5,357. Under Labor’s tax payable. It has been argued the greatest impact proposal, John would not be able to claim the tax will be on self funded retirees, however, refund.

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Retirees no longer enjoy the high cash rates of the past which now barely keep up with inflation.

Therefore, any assistance to ensure retirement capital lasts longer can only benefit retirees and our economy as it means fewer retirees relying on the aged pension.

If you would like to ensure your investments continue to meet your income needs in retirement, call the team at Morgans on 02 6651 5700 to arrange on obligation free meeting.

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FINANCE TONY KAYE

invest in a lifestyle retirement income product (annuity) will generally lose access to some or all of their capital.

This carries a liquidity cost, because an annuity prevents individuals from accessing their funds as a lump sum.

The institute also notes that the modelled scenarios by the DSS assume that retirees draw down from account-based income streams at minimum drawdown rates.

But the reality is different, because those with lower assets, who are more likely to be impacted by means testing, actually tend to draw down at higher rates.

The list goes on.

The DSS analysis has made no allowance for the impacts of risk, with only central estimate outcomes being considered.

Most importantly, when the DSS total outcomes are considered, including bequests, the proposals result in a significant disincentive to lifetime retirement income streams.

For example, a single homeowner with $300,000 in superannuation and no other assessable assets will have their total outcome reduced by around $40,000, or six per cent of total outcome, under a lifetime annuity or group self-annuity product compared to an accountbased income stream.

The Actuaries Institute notes that the DSS proposals have a great adverse impact on those with lower means.

A single homeowner with $600,000 in superannuation and no other assessable assets has around the same outcome between an account-based income stream and a lifetime annuity compared to the six per cent detriment for the single homeowner with $300,000 in assets.

“This is particularly important for the future development of CIPRS considering the current

40 Seniors Coffs and Clarence

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018

Let’s Save

For the love of family and food GROWING up in the 1960s I was very lucky to have parents who were wonderfully innovative when it came to food.

My father was well before his time as he loved cooking and entertaining.

His barbecues were legendary among family and friends. Sometimes we would have up to 100 people at these shindigs; much to my mum’s horror.

Lamb on the spit was for special occasions. We used a manual spit which meant I spent many hours of my childhood turning the spit by hand, taking turns with my friend Beagle.

There are no memories of burns so it mustn’t have been too bad; just great memories.

Mum would make the salads and her special cheesecake, which she still cooks today.

We waited with our mouths watering as the dishes came out.

Dad liked to try new flavours and decided to try Indian cooking in the early ’80s.

He would spend days preparing the Indian feast, making butter chicken, vindaloo curry and naan bread plus many more dishes from scratch. It was very exciting to try new foods and I was always grateful that my parents opened my tastebuds to different cuisines and cultures.

Have a go at using Janice’s cheesecake recipe.

For more recipes, go to www.seniorsnews. com.au

JANICE’S BAKED CHEESE CAKE

Ingredients 250g packet plain sweet

HOME COOKING CHRISTINE PERKIN biscuits 125g butter, melted 3 x 250g packets cream cheese, softened 1 cup caster sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ cup of brandy Cinnamon sugar 4 eggs Fresh berries to serve Method Preheat oven to 160°C/140°C fan-forced.

Grease a 6cm-deep, 22cm round (base) spring-form cake pan.

Process biscuits until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Add butter.

Process until combined.

Press mixture over base and sides of pan, leaving

DELICIOUS: Janice’s baked cheesecake.

a 2cm gap from top.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Process cream cheese, sugar, brandy and vanilla until smooth.

Add eggs, one at a

time, processing until just combined.

Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 50 minutes to an hour or until just set and centre wobbles slightly.

Allow to cool in oven for two hours, with door ajar.

Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

Refrigerate overnight.

Serve with raspberries for a taste sensation.

Organising sugar, spice .... and everything nice IS YOUR pantry nicely organised or a little on the messy side? Is there some spice bottles, condiments or unused jars that are well past their use-by-date? Perhaps after the Christmas chaos and New Year celebrations, you haven’t had a chance to go through what you have buried in the clutter. Let’s get organised and give your pantry a new look with these helpful organisation ideas. ●Clean and clear Remove all items from your pantry and wipe down

all shelves and surfaces.

Make sure the pantry or cupboard space is completely dry. ●Sort and organise Sort through all the removed pantry items and divide into three groups.

Put aside any items you won’t use, haven’t used in a while and any out-of-date items. Start by binning those that are out-of-date and put aside the won’t use items for a drop site of non-perishables items for the less fortunate.

Those items that you haven’t used in a while are the main focus.

BE THRIFTY & THRIVE NICKY NORMAN ●Labels and storage You can group the remaining items together by using baskets or label your jars and containers.

Organise the pantry in a way that makes sense to you, such as spreads and sauces, cans and jars, condiments and spices, sugar and flour and pasta and rice.

Sugar, spice and everything nice-ly organised.

This can be a stylish and practical way to organise all of your pantry items. It’s important that simplicity is key. Try not to overcrowd the area to

ensure everything is easily found when needed. Keep items or baskets on a higher shelf if not required for everyday use and the items you use more

frequently, in an easy-to-reach position.

This creates a simple and effective way to a better stocked pantry. ●Get shopping Go shopping for any items that need replacing.

Move any already opened items into clear, glass storage containers wherever possible.

Add a label or remove the label from the item and include it with the product for future reference.

Be aware of what’s on hand so you’ll use what you have.

At the Aged Care Store we specialise in providing daily living aids to help you or your loved one stay independent for longer.

We carry the most popular and trusted brands in aged care living to ensure that you will find exactly what you are looking for.

Check out our: • Daily Living Aids - Here at the Aged Care Store we aim to make your life easier! Our Daily Living Aids make tasks like making a cup of tea easy again. Take a look at our kettle tipper and dignity mug! Just two products that could make your day better.

• Mobility Range we have a variety of options to make sure you can get out about and remain an active member within the community; • Patient Care Range if you are providing in-home care this range will make care at home just that little bit easier for you; • Orthotics Range to keep your feet comfortable; • Braces and Supports to ensure that you have no excuse to remain active. If you are suffering from Arthritis we also have a range of suitable supports to help ease some pain; • Exercise & Therapy Range to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Everyone should have the chance to remain independent in the comfort of their own home!

Live freely without worry with dependable aged care products

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(Excluding Bulky Items)

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Coffs and Clarence

Monday, March 26, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 41

What’s on THE JOURNEY WOMAN

AN EXCLUSIVE, multimedia exhibition by prize-winning artist Suzanne Archer is the latest feast for the senses being offered by Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery.

Showing now until May, this new show by one of Australia’s leading artists includes travel sketch-books, artist’s books, drawings, paintings, sculptures and installations developed from her most recent journeys to China. Guided tour with the artist: www. eventbrite.com.au. Entry is free.

Create your own artist journal workshop with Suzanne Archer: www.eventbrite. com.au/42976216019.

Tickets are $110 per person.

EVENING ARTISAN MARKET BY THE SEA

THE next Evening Artisan Market will be held on

Enjoy a special guided tour of artist’s exhibition

community organisations and regional marketeers get together to offer locals and visitors a range of fresh fruit and vegetables, plants, pre-loved goods, food, jams, pickles and preserves, hand-made jewellery, and all manner of other goodies.

Next market is 8.30am to around noon on April 7, Hickory Street, Dorrigo.

(02) 6657 1119.

REGIONAL GALLERY SHOW Suzanne Archer in her studio with one of her large-scale China paintings.

GLENREAGH COMMUNITY MARKETS

March 31 at the Jetty Foreshore, 4-9pm. Live DJ, face painting, jumping castle, sand picture painting, crafts, loads of food and great family atmosphere. At Marina Drive, The Jetty Foreshore.

For more information email: artisanmarkit@ yahoo.com or go to facebook.com/twilight

artisanmarketcoffs harbour.

AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR, HOLLY RINGLAND

AUSTRALIAN author Holly Ringland talks about her first novel, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart on April 5, 5.30-7.30pm at

Harry Bailey Memorial Library, corner of Coff and Duke Streets, Coffs Central.

DORRIGO COMMUNITY MARKETS

THE Dorrigo Community Market is a small country market where locals,

THE Glenreagh Community Markets are held on the first Saturday of every month in the School of Arts Hall and surrounding grounds from 8am-12.30pm.

Come and browse these friendly markets, heaps of bargains.

The next market will be on April 7 at School of Arts Hall, 62 Coramba Street, Glenreagh.

Phone (02) 6649 0867

or email jenalan5@ yahoo.com.au.

COFFS HARBOUR SHOW

THE Coffs Harbour Show is on Friday, April 27, and Saturday, April 28. The show includes cattle, fireworks, demolition derby, horses, exhibition hall, poultry, showgirl competition, wood chopping. Rides and sideshows, kids zone, face painting, farmyard animals, cake decorating, cats, reptile shows, 2.30pm grand parade and much more. Open Friday 10am-10pm and Saturday 9am-10pm (horses will still start 8am both days).

Gate prices: $15 adult 16yrs & over; $10 child 3-15yrs; $10 aged pensioner (must show card); $40 family ticket -2a2c (arriving together).

Coffs Harbour Showground, 123 Pacific Highway. Phone (02) 6651 1245 or email coffsshow@aim.com.

By arrangement with ORIGINTM Theatrical on behalf of Samuel French LTD Directed by Pat Slattery

Calendar Girls Tim Firth

CHATS Productions Presents

March 30, 31, April 4, 5, 6, 7 at 8pm March 31, April 1, 7, 8 at 2pm Ticket Prices:

Adult $25, Concession & Under 21 $20, Groups 10+ $20, Wednesday 4 April: All tix $20 All tix plus $2 booking fee

42 Seniors Coffs and Clarence

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018

To advertise, call 1300 136 181 or visit finda.com.au Trades & Services Removalists

BANANACOAST FURNITURE REMOVALS

• Fit new doors and handles • Relaminate old benchtops or replace with rolled edge tops • Add an extra cupboard or two

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Give your kitchen a facelift!

lic. No. R96832

Marc Bailey 0417 256 934

LOCAL & INTERSTATE MOVES

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Kitchens

Pre-packing service available Free quotes

Ph: 6651 1004

email: welmove@hotkey.net.au

Tip

Top up the Oil. Refill the engine oil a week or two before selling a car. That way, when the buyer inspects they’ll be able to tell you have looked after the vehicle.

Put us where we’re needed. Please put us in your Will.

If you were to witness a crisis today – a road accident, a house fire, a neighbour in difficulty or, further from home, a famine, earthquake or war – your first instinct would probably be to help.

Now you can put that instinct – so powerful, so human – at the heart of your Will by including a gift to Australian Red Cross.

For almost 100 years we have helped people in crisis – you can ensure we are still here to help for years to come.

For more information about including Red Cross in your Will, please fill out the attached form or call 1800 649 685, email bequests@redcross.org.au or speak to your solicitor.

!

PLEASE SEND THE COUPON TO:

Australian Red Cross, Bequest Team, PO Box 196, Carlton Sth VIC 3053 I am interested in leaving Red Cross a gift in my Will, please contact me for more information I have already left a gift in my Will to Red Cross Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss/Other

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

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Puzzles

Monday, March 26, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au

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

1

2

3

4

6

ACROSS 6 What is the medical name for the big toe? (6) 7 What type of angel is usually portrayed as a winged child? (6) 10 What are lederhosen traditionally made of? (7) 11 “Good-night, good-night! Parting is such sweet sorrow” was said to which Shakespearean character? (5) 12 What is Homer Simpson’s favourite beer? (4) 13 What word is applied to a badly mannered unsophisticated Australian? (5) 16 What did Miss Muffet eat with whey? (5) 17 What Arab ship has one or two triangular sails?

(4) 20 What word can be preceded by cold, lonely and purple? (5) 21 What creature is a southern African kreef? (7) 22 What sea lies between Greece and Turkey? (6) 23 What instrument was Louis Armstrong given to play when he was in the Coloured Waifs’ Home in New Orleans? (6)

5

7

8

9 10

11

12

13 14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

Coffs and Clarence

DOWN 1 Where, in 1874, did the US’s first zoo open? (12) 2 What is another name for lucerne? (7) 3 What Japanese dish has rice with seafood, vegetables etc rolled in seaweed? (5) 4 What sweet effervescent powder was formerly sold in a paper sachet with a liquorice straw? (7) 5 What painful muscular contraction affects playing athletes? (5) 8 Which band did Bob Geldof form in 1974? (8,4) 9 What creature has been the logo of the French company Lacoste since the 1930s? (9) 14 What is the monetary unit of Guatemala? (7) 15 What is mixed with linseed oil to make traditional putty? (7) 18 What surname did British singer and actor Elaine Bickerstaff adopt? (5) 19 What is a version of a printed book that can be read on a computer? (1-4)

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

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

2

3

4

8

5

6

7

9

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.

L L

11 12

17

18 20

19

able bach back backhoe backs bake bakes bale bales balk balks base bash bask beach beak beck belch black blah bleach bleak bloc block blocks bloke bock bolas bole bosh cable cables lobe lobs obeah sable scab SHOCKABLE slab slob

GK CROSSWORD

Across: 1. Loose change 8. Colours 9. Rages 10. Eddy 11. Economy 12. Ban 13. Plea 15. Else 17. Dud 19. Moocher 20. Bars 23. Stall 24. Vibrate 25. Derangement.

Down: 1. Lacked 2. Oiled 3. Emus 4. Hasten 5. Narrowed 6. Engross 7. Essays 12. Bachelor 14. Leopard 16. Amused 17. Driven 18. Assent 21. Agape 22. Able.

WORD GO ROUND

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 20 Very Good 29 Excellent 35+

Solution opposite

BLACKOUT

ALPHAGRAMS: kiLLS, LAPSED, MANuRES, NEuROSiS, OutSPOkEN.

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

QUICK CROSSWORD

DOUBLE CROSS

SUDOKU

5x5 E N D E D

S E

Down 1. Needed (6) 2. Lubricated (5) 3. Flightless birds (4) 4. Hurry (6) 5. Tapered (8) 6. Fascinate (7) 7. Literary works (6) 12. Unmarried man (8) 14. Spotted hunter (7) 16. Entertained (6) 17. Urged onward (6) 18. Agreement (6) 21. Wide open (5) 22. Competent (4)

Across: 6 Hallux, 7 Cherub, 10 Leather, 11 Romeo, 12 Duff, 13 Ocker, 16 Curds, 17 Dhow, 20 Heart, 21 Lobster, 22 Aegean, 23 Cornet.

Down: 1 Philadelphia, 2 Alfalfa, 3 Sushi, 4 Sherbet, 5 Cramp, 8 Boomtown Rats, 9 Crocodile, 14 Quetzal, 15 Whiting, 18 Paige, 19 E-book.

523

WORD GO ROUND

B

N

SOLUTIONS

25

K C

SKiLL PLEAdS SURNAME RESiNOUS SOUP TOKEN

E

Note: more than one solution may be possible.

24

Across 1. Coins (5,6) 8. Shades (7) 9. Rants (5) 10. Whirlpool (4) 11. Frugality (7) 12. Prohibit (3) 13. Appeal (4) 15. Otherwise (4) 17. Flop (3) 19. Scrounger (7) 20. Excludes (4) 23. Play for time (5) 24. Oscillate (7) 25. Madness (11)

D R

21

22 23

I

S

R E I G N

16

N

V

15

A N O D E

14

N

L I V E R

13

R

B L A S T

10

O L

3/3

23

SUDOKU

A H

Seniors 43

E d P U O E J d M S R M S H N

A R T N O U V E A U i A J A R

F A W S i R E A U C R G H L Q

S T A N d O F F S K U N G F U

J M B A F Z U A d E B O U N K

S T O P G O C P A R A L L E L

W H E Z d N V U Y T R i Q L L

V E R B O E S T E R d A L S O

d A Y U V Z R O R O B A B O W

S T R i C K E N R P L A i N T

Z R J L U E Q E O E S L X Q Q

W i N d E R U d O W d i E S T

F C d i M N U i S A i G M U i

d A M N N E V E R Y T H i N G

R L C G V L i T C S F T i K P

BLACKOUT

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

Solution opposite

DOUBLE CROSS

A S d R A T T A U N S N A O d E U R O Z V F d E A F A S U C K E U M A G N O J G H A L F N R U

S V S T H E A T O R R P B U i G C O N E K S E P U T O N A E R R O P A L L i A A L L i E L S O N L O T

d O E W d L i E S T

W d R i C A N M L d i N E E R N E V i E R A Y T G H i U N G

K T S T L G L

44 Seniors Coffs and Clarence

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, March 26, 2018