Seniors Gold Coast February 2020

FREE

www.seniorsnews.com.au

vfacebook.com/seniorsnews

4 1300 880 265

7082190aa

February, 2020

Call 1300 917 733 to order yours today!

SCOOTERLAND

6942821an

MOBILITY

SALES * SERVICE RVICE * REPAIR * HIRE

07 5539 2141

scooterland.com.au

FEATURE

OUR WAR Their story and one BRIDES lady who is looking

A MAN WITH MUCH TO GIVE

for fellow travellers.

FEATURE

NEW TRANSPORT Will this vehicle make your journey easier?

FINANCE

REG RICHARDSON, AUSTRALIAN PHILANTHROPIST

PERSONAL REGULATION Find the best way to get organised.

1300 551 997 | (07) 5513 1086 • E: info@goseetouring.com www.goseetouring.com

NORFOLK ISLAND CROQUET

CHRISTMAS IN JULY NORFOLK ISLAND

NORFOLK ISLAND A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY ESCORTED EX BRISBANE

SENSATIONAL SINGAPORE WITH SINGAPORE GARDEN FESTIvAL ESCORTED EX BRISBANE

BELLA ITALIA HOSTED BY FORTUNATO ISGRO

MAGICAL COOK ISLANDS HOSTED BY GRAEME AND LYNNE HUGO

From

From

From

From

From

From

$2,325* per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single supplement From $570

20 - 27 JUNE 2020

Call our friendly, experienced team to book your next cruise or touring holiday or to join one of Go See Touring’s special group departures.

Go See Touring invites players & spectators to join us on Norfolk Island in June 2020 for the 6th Convict’s Cup Social Croquet event. This is a social golf croquet doubles event and it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an expert - it’s all about having fun. You’ll play on the oldest sporting pitch in the Southern hemisphere that is still in use. With stunning Norfolk Island as the backdrop to this week of friendly competition, there will be sightseeing, lots of fun and laughter! We hope you can join us!

$2,095*

$2,995*

$4,745*

$10,950*

$3,995*

per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single supplement From $495

per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single supplement $340

per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single supplement $1,380

Per person Twin Share ex BNE Single supplement $995

Per person Twin Share ex BNE Single Supplement $980

11 - 18 JULY 2020

18 - 25 JULY 2020

20 - 27 JULY 2020

15 SEPTEMBER - 06 OCTOBER 2020

30 OCTOBER - 07 NOvEMBER 2020

Want to enjoy the festive season twice this year? Spend a week on Norfolk Island with its stunning scenery, sandy beaches and jagged cliffs. There is so much to see and do – and all at your own pace. We’ve included some great accommodation options, a hire car so you can explore, some fabulous tours that you won’t want to miss, plus plenty more to do on the Island. Enjoy a festive delicious Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings, fun trivia and Carols at Paradise Hotel & Resort. Chase away those winter blues and have some fun. Call us now to secure your accommodation.

Join Fortunato Isgro or Lindsay (Waddo) Waddington for a fantastic week on Norfolk Island of Songs and laughter!

A Little Bit Country on Norfolk Island 2020 sees a great line-up of performers taking to the stage. Graeme Hugo, Fortunato Isgro, Wayne Horsburgh and Lindsay (Waddo) Waddington will all perform at 3 big shows during the week. Plus plenty of time for you to enjoy beautiful Norfolk Island with its colourful history, lush greenery, stunning scenery and friendly locals. Enjoy delicious cuisine, tours, time to shop and explore and plenty of laughs along the way. Call us for more information!

Join us when we visit the bi-annual world premier tropical garden and flower show - the 2020 Singapore Garden Festival. The festival showcases colourful and exciting garden designs with exquisite floral displays from over 50 designers and 19 countries. During the tour you’ll also visit the Botanic Gardens, National Orchid Gardens, have breakfast at the zoo, high tea at the iconic Raffles Hotel, visit the National Museum plus experience the exciting sights and sounds of Sentosa Island. Leisure time to explore further afield, shop ‘til you drop or lay by the pool. We’d love to have you with us when we travel to this beautiful multi-cultural city and its fabulous gardens. Space is limited.

You are invited to join entertainer Fortunato on his muchanticipated ‘Bella Italia’ tour, where you will experience 22 days of incredible history, culture, food and scenic landscapes within central and southern Italy all whilst enjoying wonderful entertainment from your renowned host. Fortunato is particularly excited to also take you to Sicily and the Aeolian Islands where his family originates, to bring you an authentic experience that you will never forget.

You don’t want to miss out on this stress-free holiday with Fortunato and his family. Contact us for more fabulous details.

You are invited to join entertainer Graeme and Lynne Hugo, for a trip of a lifetime to the beautiful Cook Islands. Experience the authentic colourful local culture, swim in crystal clear tropical waters, enjoy delicious local cuisine, informative and scenic tours.

Located just 6 hours from Australia, we hope you can join us on this trip to paradise. Please call us to secure your place or for more details.

TERMS & CONDITIONS *Price is per person Twin Share. Single Supplement applies. Credit card surcharges apply. Deposit of AUD $500-$800 per person is required to secure tour. Tour requires a minimum number of passengers to depart. Prices may fluctuate if surcharges, fee, taxes or currency change. Prices current as at 16th January 2020. Go See Touring in conjunction with Norfolk Select Marketing ABN: 93 367 366 822 ATAS Accreditation A10619 7093241be V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

WELCOME

2

FEBRUARY, 2020//

INDEX 4 16 20 26 32 34 38 39

Time for a new ride?

Cover story: Reg Richardson Community Group Guide Wanderlust Wellbeing Feature: War Brides Money Book reviews Puzzles

Gail Forrer Seniors Group Editor Greetings friends.

If you are looking for some good news this month, then go no further, you have found it.

Senior News journalists Tracey Johnstone and Alison Houston have gone to town to locate and write some uplifting and interesting stories.

For instance, our cover personality Reg Richardson.

This is not a name that usually makes the headlines, but here he is sharing the fruits of his own success with those in need and successfully encouraging his friends to do the same. Locally, Alison highlighted people who are also giving in meaningful ways, in particular BlazeAid. If you are meant to be together - then love will find its own way, as it did in the case of of two Gold Coast - read on for a heart-warming story.

This month our doublepage spread features war

8 Surprise - We’re getting married.

38

SENIORS

CONTACT US General Manager Geoff Crockett – 07 5430 1006 geoff.crockett@news.com.au Editor Gail Forrer – 07 5435 3203 gail.forrer@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Media Sales Executive Tracy O’Connor – 0438 478 204 tracy.oconnor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Online Get your news online at www.seniorsnews.com.au Advertising, editorial and distribution enquiries Phone: 1300 880 265 or (07) 5435 3200 Email: advertising@seniorsnewspaper.com.au or editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Location: 2 Newspaper Place, Maroochydore 4558 Website: www.seniorsnews.com.au Subscriptions Only $39.90 for one year (12 editions) including GST and postage anywhere in Australia. Please call our circulations services on 1300 361 604 and quote “Sunshine Coast Seniors Newspaper”.

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

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

Published by News Corp Australia. Printed by News Corp Australia, Yandina.

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

brides. Tracey Johnstone spoke to 96-year-old Jackie McLaughlin, who was one of the 70,000 women who left Britain in the 1940s bound for Canada or Australia.

Today, she is looking for any of the women left or their family, who she can chat with about their life journey.

We also give you a heads-up with a story on the changing nature of public transport. A new company is stepping into Australia with a transport system that intends to offer a flexible and practical alternative to our traditional transport - such as the big council buses that run only at certain times, and certain places, regardless of passenger numbers.

So here’s to more change in 2020 and may it all improve our lives.

Book highlights indigenous trackers’ role.

Doctor a shining light MINISTER for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck has paid tribute to the 2020 Senior Australian of the Year.

Professor John Newnham (AM), of Western Australia, was honoured by Prime Minister Scott Morrison during a ceremony at the National Arboretum in Canberra.

The award is presented to an Australian over 65 years of age who continues to achieve and contribute to the

community. Prof Newnham is recognised as a world authority in preventing preterm birth. He has been described as “an intellectual leader of modern obstetrics who has changed the practice of medicine and the lives of women and infants”.

“Prof Newnham’s ongoing achievements serve as an example to all Australians,” Mr Colbeck said.

Mr Colbeck also congratulated the other state

and territory finalists for their endeavours. The finalists were: • New South Wales – founder of OzGREEN, Sue Lennox, teaches people to become “citizen scientists’’ and to take action to improve the health of the waterways.

• South Australia – 90-yearold Sylvia McMillan has been an unstoppable community volunteer for more than 50 years after becoming treasurer of her local Legacy club in the late 1960s.

WiLL SPeciaL

• Queensland – Peter Dornan (AM) helps men with prostate cancer share experiences and seek support.

He designed a program to treat incontinence after prostate cancer treatment.

• Victoria – Dr Raymond Sheuy (APM), a former Victorian police officer and assistant commissioner for traffic and operations, is a consultant on road safety and operational safety in Australia and worldwide.

2020 Senior Australian of the Year winner Professor John Newnham.

AUSTRALIAN GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS

i a austtral n enors the

2020 Senior Australian of the Year winner Professor John Newnham.

PURcHaSe a STaNDaRD WiLL FOR:

$198.00 including GST aND ReceiVe a FRee eNDURiNG POWeR OF aTTORNeY

with the

southern cross orchestra

Guest soprano Giuseppina Grech the Gold coast 30 piece choir

tWiN toWNs sErViCEs CluB sat 28th MarCH 2020 | 8pm sHoW

7066286ai

spirit of australia tour 7054161ab

07 5503 0233 Suite 1, 66 Marine Parade Southport QLD 4215 www.brucelegal.com.au

BooKiNGs: 07 5536 2277 | oNliNE: WWW.tWiNtoWNs.CoM.au | all tiCKEts: $55 SEGE01Z01MA - V1

SENIORS

NEWS

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

3

Helping hands reach out Volunteer groups invite public to support major park event to aid blaze victims, farmers and firies Alison Houston IF you are feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to help the fire recovery effort without big dollars behind you, Country Paradise Parklands and three Gold Coast Men’s Sheds have come up with an answer.

On Saturday, February 8, a BlazeAid fundraiser will be held in the Nerang parklands from 4-9pm and it is hoped a couple of thousand people will attend.

“It’s completely by the community for the community,” Nerang Men’s Shed president Paul Lannen said.

“Everyone needs a bit of a morale boost at the moment and this is a great way to help out some of the people most affected by the fires at the same time.”

BlazeAid is a volunteerbased, wholly Australian charity organisation that works with farmers after natural disasters such as fire, cyclone and floods.

It was started by Kilmore East farmers Kevin and Rhonda Butler after Black Saturday in February 2009.

They realised how important co-ordinated volunteer help could be after family and friends helped them rebuild their fences to secure their 1500 sheep in less than a week.

It’s a task that would have taken them months alone, and added to their losses – and an experience repeated throughout devastated farming communities regardless of the stock or crops.

Since then, thousands of long- and short-term BlazeAid volunteers from across Australia and the

world have set up camps and worked alongside rural families rebuilding fences and other structures damaged or destroyed in disaster-affected areas.

As well as the practical help – with more than 14,000 volunteers giving about 102,000 days helping 3870 properties to 2016 – BlazeAid says what they do also lifts the spirits of hardhit communities.

There is even a special Grey Nomads BlazeAid Facebook page, allowing those with spare time on their hands while travelling to help out.

Paul said his original concept of a simple barbecue fundraiser for the cause ballooned as soon as the idea was raised, with everyone wanting to play a part, including the Vietnam Veterans and Labrador Men’s Sheds and Nerang’s

River Glen

PITCHING IN: BlazeAid's volunteers, many of whom are retirees, work with farmers after natural disasters such as fire to rebuild key structures.

Picture: Courtesy Phil Mallet

Sheilas Shed. The plan is for music and other entertainment, food vans, a sausage sizzle, children’s activities, cake, plant, craft and other market stands, visiting emergency vehicles and more.

Donations are still being

sought for a giant auction, as well as raffle prizes.

Parking will be by gold coin donation to a local bushfire brigade.

“Every cent will go to aid victims of the fires, the firies and farmers,” Paul said.

To find out more about

BlazeAid or how to become a volunteer go to https:// blazeaid.com.au/ or phone 0418 530 471.

For details on the parklands fundraiser or to offer donations of goods or services, phone Paul on 0447 667 606.

Shop 5, Riviera Plaza Cnr Campbell & Panitz Street Bundall, QLD, 4217

Haven

07 5661 4432 adaptiveequipment.com.au

Mon To Fri 9am to 5pm SAT

9am to 12PM

FEBRUARY SPECIALS

Where h the living is easy Homes are selling quickly! k

Promo Expires 29 Feb 2020

Only 5kg

$99

NOW

$269 Euro X-Fold Wheeled Walker

6” Wheeled Walker

NOW

$550 Aspire Carbon Fibre Walker

Great for the shops, 16km travel

Only 9.5kg NOW

NOW

$99

$349 Houses Selling from

$149,000

17km Travel with suspension

Located within walking distance to shops, transport and town amenities, River Glen offers its residents: • Visiting doctor • Day tours • Social functions • Workshop • Craft area • Gym

• Pets ok • BBQ area • 2 pools • Visiting hairdresser • Village bus • Mail delivery

NOW

$1,799

• Library • 2 club houses & recreational room • Indoor bowls area... and much more

CTM HS-328 Village Scooter

For an appointment to view our homes in a relaxed & informal environment,

V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

7103955aa

Phone Andrea: 1800 656 025 | 07 3805 2155

30 Beutel Street, Waterford West, QLD Email: sales@riverglenhaven.com.au Web: www.riverglenhaven.com.au

Lightweight Shower Stool Removable Arms & Backrest

Transit Wheelchair

Gold Coast Family Owned & Operated

Full Suspension & 4 Pole Motor NOW

$3,100 CTM HS-520 Mid Size Scooter

NOW

$1,499 CTM HS-295 Boot Shooter FULL Suspension 2 x 12v 75AH Batteries 13” Wheels & Captains Seat NOW

$4,100 CTM HS-898 Heavy Duty Scooter

NOW

NOW

$5,250

$4,250

+ CTM HS-520 AND CTM HS-118 Combo

+

CTM HS-898 AND CTM HS-118 Combo

7124480as

NOW

4

FEATURE

FEBRUARY, 2020//

SENIORS

Pockets as deep as Reg’s big heart TRACEY JOHNSTONE

WHEN it comes to choosing a philanthropic project, Reg Richardson (AM) looks to his “emotional quotient” to gauge what is the right one to support.

It’s that instinct for what will and what won’t work that has led the 80-year-old to drive the establishment of outstanding organisations across a wide spectrum from indigenous health and melanoma research to the arts.

Putting his hand in his pocket is his inclination. It’s been an approach he’s taken since his early business days.

He was reared in what he describes as modest circumstances, growing up in Sydney’s Darlinghurst with his grandmother.

Coaxing millions from the nation’s wealthy to benefit our most in need “I have seen social issues as a pretty personal thing,” he said. “If you are competent enough to do something about it, I believe you should, and do in my case.”

His business background was centred around service industries where “you deliver a service, whatever it happens to be, efficiently, on time and at the lowest cost possible”.

Since retiring, Reg has turned his hand to finding financial answers to vexing projects, coaxing millions of dollars from rich Australians.

“I am good at asking people for money, particularly if they

are wealthy,” he said. “As you go through life you do happen to know people who surprisingly have made a fair bit of money and unsurprisingly are quite willing to give some away.”

Take for example Greg and

I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT WHATEVER I DO. Kay Poche. All right, there is the exception here: Greg is Reg’s oldest and closest friend. Greg sold Star Track Express for $750 million.

“I asked him what he was going to do with all that,” Reg

said. “He said he was going to give a lot of it away. He also replied, ‘I have seen what you have done over the years, so I am going to get you to do it’.”

With Greg suffering several stokes which inhibited his walking and talking, the task of finding suitable projects was handed over to Reg. A casual introduction by a mate to melanoma surgeon Associate Professor John Stretch, who was eagerly seeking funding for melanoma research, led Reg to ask Greg for $10 million.

“He just said ‘yep’ like that, so I thought, ‘I can get more out of him’,” Reg said. Three

months later he went back to Greg with a proposal for $30 million to build a centre for melanoma specialists.

“Greg provided the dough, I provided the energy to get it all going because that’s who I am, and John provided the

medical advice,” Reg said.

The end result: 10 years down the track and $40 million later, Reg has retired as board chairman for Melanoma Institute of Australia and the Mater Hospital owns the asset, used for critical world-

FER0892 11/19

NEED A BOOST TO GET YOU BACK TO YOUR BEST?

PASSION PROJECTS: Reg Richardson at home with his art and rugby colours.

A short-term program delivering long term results

Life doesn’t always run smoothly – sometimes it throws you a curve ball.

A sudden illness or fall can rock your confidence and as we get older we don’t always bounce back like we once did!

If you have no plans to slow down, eight weeks with a team of allied health professionals can have you back on your feet.

Our eight-week Short Term Restorative Care program is individually tailored and designed to help people over 65 regain their strength, vitality and independence.

Whether your’e recovering from illness, injury, carer fatigue, depression, general decline or mental wellbeing issues our team will provide a range of multidisciplinary services to get you back to your best!

This is a Government subsidised program.*

To learn more

Call 1300 763 583 feroscare.com.au

Aged care • Disability Support • Technology * Terms and conditions apply and subject to an ACAT assessment.

SEGE01Z01MA - V1

SENIORS

FEATURE

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

5

IT’S THERE FOREVER AND ONE DAY THERE WILL BE A CURE FOR MELANOMA. establishment of the Poche Indigenous Health Network.

Its focus is on closing the gap in life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders through healthy teeth, hearts and children.

“I told each university the money had to be invested at a rate of 9 per cent (the rates were 15 per cent at the time) in perpetuity and the capital to remain untouched for them to invest wisely so that they increased the $10 million to a higher figure.

“In most cases it’s sitting at around 12 and they live on the $900,000 (interest) annually, then go out to get more dough.”

recognised melanoma research and treatment.

“It’s there forever and one day there will be a cure for melanoma,” he said.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Reg went back to Greg and suggested they have a

V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

“crack at indigenous health”.

“I said (to Greg), ‘If we were Aboriginal, we’d be dead’.” Greg agreed that was a compelling reason.

Through Reg, five major universities each received $10 million, which led to the

His passion runs deep Reg’s attachment to the arts started when he was 28.

An artist friend, who ultimately became an art critic for a Sydney newspaper, opened Reg’s eyes to this world.

Reg attended many art openings and read all his friend had to write.

Reg Richardson and Shaun Ewen pictured at Reg's home in Mosman.

“I then started to buy my own works, including eight of my friend’s,” Reg said. From there his collection grew and hasn’t stopped growing.

“One was Tracey Moffatt, an Aboriginal photographer. I have the most of any person in the world, I am told.”

By the time Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art opened, Reg was recognised as an art collector and was asked to be the president of its fundraising foundation.

“I don’t do the openings now,” he said. “I see every show but go privately.”

Healthy mind and body

Keeping up with his philanthropic responsibilities means also keeping fit. The trim Reg walks every day as fast he can, but on the flat. The hills around his Mosman home are just too hard, he admits.

He says playing golf is definitely out, but spending his free time advising the local Mosman Art Gallery is in.

“I would like to do smaller things that make a bigger impact,” he said.

The rewards for Reg are difficult to articulate. The straight-talking, switched-on man with a raucous laugh draws breath when asked

Pictures: Attila Szilvasi

what continues to drive him.

Like Greg, the big-hearted man is quietly modest about his contributions.

Red and green forever Reg might not have sporting talent, but that hasn’t stopped him from following the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Red and green glasses, rabbits on the side table, a red and green miniature scarf around the neck of a favourite sculpture.

He wears his passion on his sleeve.

“I am passionate about whatever I do,” Reg said.

6

NEWS

FEBRUARY, 2020//

SENIORS

‘‘

There’s a lot of pleasure in telling people about the history.

PROUD HISTORY: Southport Military Museum's Noel Wright beside a mannequin of a forgotten Queensland hero, World War I fighter ace Roderick Stanley Dallas.

Picture: Contributed

Museum’s awareness mission Alison Houston SOUTHPORT Military Museum is built and run on the passion of a small but dedicated group of volunteers.

As of this month they are opening the museum’s doors twice as often to share their knowledge free from 9am-midday on the first Sunday of every month.

Groups of six to 20 people can also book any day of the week.

The museum is housed in

the heritage-listed Queensland Naval Brigade Drill Hall and is furnished with an impressive collection of pieces from sponsors and families who have donated heirlooms.

“I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved,” said secretary/treasurer Noel “Shiner” Wright.

There are three major displays – Our Forgotten Anzacs (including a number of Queensland heroes), General John Monash and the Allied Commanders, and a miniature plane display

comprising about 100 war planes used in the two world wars. The latter was the culmination of 50 years’ work and donated by the Warner family of Elanora.

You will hear stories of bravery and see everything from World War I to Vietnam defence force and nursing uniforms, medals, photos and newspaper clippings to swords, guns, trumpets and bugles.

Noel joined the navy in 1966 and served for 49 years (25 full time), including three tours of Vietnam in

logistics support aboard HMAS Sydney, and one tour aboard HMAS Vampire as escort destroyer for HMAS Sydney.

“The military has been my whole life, so I am very passionate about it and there’s a lot of pleasure in telling people about the history and what went on,” Noel said.

The museum building itself, which moved to Owen Park next to Southport Primary School in 1995, began life in Lawson St. Queensland Open House

describes it as “a rare remaining example of an intact 19th-century drill hall”, designed after Queensland separated from NSW. It was built by Coomera’s John Fortune in 1890 for the Queensland Defence Force’s Moreton Regiment and cost £335.

From World War I to the end of World War II, it served as a light anti-aircraft battery before being used by a number of community groups, including Southport Surf Lifesaving Club from 1931, was donated to council

and used by the Queensland Naval Brigade. With the museum’s rent having trebled over the past year, Noel said donations were welcome.

Fellow military enthusiasts – you don’t have to have served – interested in being part of the Queensland Naval Brigade Historical Association Southport or just organising a tour can contact Noel on 0437 732 575, or call in on the first Sunday of each month (long weekends and Father’s Day closed).

SEGE01Z01MA - V1

!

T R E L A L MEDICA

reddot award

DE

stralia w Au

Covera

ge

L L FA N O I T C TE

e id

S E V A S LIVES

safeTwear

Pendant The world's smallest - Smartest fall detection & Medical pendant

ee ligation fr b O r u o y y Book ation toda r t s n o m e D

59 1 9 9 6 0 130 urs - 7 days

A detected fall automatically connects to 24/7 response & monitoring centre

Australia's first ever provider of mobile, go anywhere personal medical devices.

Now in 4G with voice instruction. So easy to use!

24 ho

Automatic fall detection

24/7 response & monitoring

2 way voice communication

We are more than just a call centre, we’re a support network available at all times…

Medical alert button

Stay connected Anywhere / Any place / Any time No lock in contracts Prepaid packages available, for a lifetime of monitoring, at one low cost…

No longer be restricted to "at home" use, safeTwear goes with you - Everywhere - GPS/Satellite Tracking Technology so smart, yet simple to use

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Limited Seniors Only Offer! lusive

r! e f f O l a i Spec xc

e

Phone : 1300 699 159 Email : care@emsas.com.au Web : www.emsas.com.au.

YOU'LL NEVER BE ALONE

You, your family & friends can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with wearing your safeTwear pendant. Plus the added advantage & benefit of being connected within seconds to our professional response/monitoring centre, who will immediately get you the Help you need

e

Australia wide coverage

lusive

Traditional button push for Help as well as fall detection

xc

Speak & hear directly through the pendant

V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

communication design winner

Over 65? Call 1300 699 159

You may qualify for a Free safeTwear pendant & KeySafe.

Valued at over $500 While stock lasts.

8

NEWS

FEBRUARY, 2020//

SENIORS

Married at second sight Alison Houston WHO says romance is only for the young or that there is no such thing as kismet?

Paul and Lorraine Lannen (nee Wilson) used their joint 70th birthday party in December as cover for their surprise wedding.

“It was absolutely superb,” said a still-chuffed Paul.

Lorraine agreed that they hadn’t wanted a formal church or registry office wedding.

“It was just what we wanted – just like a big party with all our friends,” she said. It is a party that, on Lorraine’s suggestion, also raised $700 for Rotary’s Water for the West.

“At our age and having been together for 14 years, we’ve got a home we love and everything we need, so we asked people to donate instead of buying us birthday presents,” Paul said. It’s an action in keeping

with the couple’s values and the joy they get from helping others.

Both volunteer for Rosies street outreach, Paul is a mainstay of the Nerang Men’s Shed, and former midwife Lorraine took a year’s long-service leave to work with indigenous communities in Katherine and Alice Springs before retiring.

But it was only after Paul had welcomed everyone to the party that the “forgetful” septuagenarian remembered to let them know they were also there for a wedding, and introduced them to the wedding celebrant.

“I think half of them cheered and half cried,” Paul said.

The wedding had been a long time coming in more ways than one. Paul had asked Lorraine to marry him about eight years ago at the Eiffel Tower and, despite the romantic Paris setting, was

told not to be silly and that they didn’t need a wedding.

“Then she finished up asking me!” Paul said.

And all it took was an electrocution as the catalyst.

Late last year, Paul received third-degree burns to his hands after an accident at home and was lucky to be alive thanks to Lorraine’s quick thinking in turning off the electricity.

Shaken, Lorraine decided that perhaps it was time to get married. But that is the sequel to this story, which actually began back when the pair were just teens.

“She was my first girlfriend at 16,” Paul said.

Lorraine was from Kyogle and Paul from Casino, and when he joined the air force and went to Vietnam, they lost touch, falling in love and marrying other people.

Lorraine’s first husband had sadly died of cancer and Paul had separated from his wife when, as a pool builder, he met a client who had

SURPRISE WEDDING: Paul and Lorraine Lannen exchange vows at their joint 70th birthday party, to the amazement of family and friends.

Picture: Karl Ready

grown up in Kyogle and happened to still be friends with Lorraine.

After he mentioned his first girlfriend, she quickly

HOME CARE LOCAL SERVICE

GOLD COAST

rang Lorraine to let her know, then called Paul in from the pool, saying only “there’s someone on the phone for you”. Little

wonder this couple likes surprises, because 17 years later they tied the knot, never having taken their second chance for granted.

We believe lives are for living Carinity Home Care helps seniors across Queensland live full and independent lives in the comfort of their own homes and local communities, every day.

We offer a full range of services from basic support to keep you healthy and safe at home, assisting with personal and nursing care, and getting you out and about.

Our locally-based teams make it a priority to really listen and understand your individual needs and interests, and work with you to develop a tailored solution.

Whatever you want to get out of life, we’ll work with you to make it happen.

Call us today on 1300 109 109 or email homecare@carinity.org.au Visit CarinityHomeCare.org.au HC013-1119 SEGE01Z01MA - V1

A private, lakeside Gold Coast lifestyle

Lakeside Village is conveniently located in a quiet area of Mermaid Waters on the Gold Coast, within easy reach of the beach, shops and entertainment Experience the freedom of not having to take care of home maintenance and gardening, or worry about your home when you’re away. At Lakeside Village your home is safe and secure. With well maintained community areas, including a community centre and pool, you are free to enjoy the best years of your life.

CALL 07 3155 2148 TO BOOK A TOUR

Enjoy affordable living in fully self-contained, one or two bedroom brick and tile units with access to carport facilities and single lock-up garages. At Lakeside Village each unit is refurbished to a quality standard to give you a wonderful retirement lifestyle.

Welcoming and friendly community Affordable, self-contained, fully refurbished units Close to shops, transport and health services Within easy reach of Pacific Fair Shopping Centre Safe and secure Easy access to Blue Care Help at Home services

*Price current at time of print.

1-3 Aquila Ct, Mermaid Waters V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

HOMES AVAILABLE FROM $195,000*

www.easylivingretirementvillages.com.au

10

FEBRUARY, 2020//

SEASIDE SOUNDS

What’s on

The final two weekends of Seaside Sounds Kirra feature free live music on Kirra foreshore. Pack your blanket for a food truck picnic (or BYO) and enjoy Hayley Grace & the Bay Collective plus Salt and Steel on Saturday, February 8, and SameTime plus Steve Cousins on February 15. The music runs 4-7pm at Roughton Park, Musgrave St. This is an alcohol-free event and there are activities for the grandkids.

PALMY SUNDAY FUNDAYS Sunday, February 9, is the last of the series of five free concerts at Palm Beach Pirate Park and features Steve Cousins and The Lyrical. This is a Gold Coast City Council-organised event brought to you by Cr Daphne McDonald, and like Seaside Sounds runs from 47pm. Phone 0424 816 028.

TUGUN THEATRE’S AURELIA

MYSTERY: Rehearsals are well under way for Tugun Theatre Company's first production of 2020, psychological drama Aurelia, from February 13-29.

Picture: TTC Facebook

Tugun Theatre Company is bringing the mysterious Aurelia, by Robert Thomas, to the stage from February 13-29 (including matinees).

Starring Gai Byrne as Aurelia

and Rianna Hartney-Smith as Isobel, it’s the story of Aurelia’s return to England without her husband and the infatuation that develops between her and his childhood sweetheart Isabel. Go to www.tuguntheatre.org/ or phone 0415 996 929.

NIGHT AT THE PROMS A Valentine’s Night at the Proms Spectacular on Friday, February 14, salutes the famous BBC Proms Concerts of London’s Royal Albert Hall, including favourites Rule Britannia, Jerusalem, Radetzky March and Elgar’s Land of Hope and Glory. It’s at HOTA, with adult tickets $79. Go to https:// hota.com.au/.

NRL ALL STARS The best of the NRL’s indigenous and Maori players are going head-tohead for the ultimate cultural showdown at the Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday, February 22. Be part of the noise and excitement of the match, as well as the players’ traditional pre-game war cry and Haka. Tickets (adults $25) from Ticketek or phone 5656 5500 for information.

SENIORS

SECRET BROADWAY The first star of this HOTA series hosted by Lance Horne on Saturday, February 22, will be Shoshona Bean. In the first Secret Broadway evening, it’s “curtain up’’ to celebrate the opening numbers of Broadway in all their glory.

Cost is from $45. Go to https://hota.com.au/.

SENIORS EXPO Gold Coast Seniors Health and Lifestyle Expo is at Albert Waterways Community Centre, Broadbeach Waters, from 9am-1pm on Thursday, February 27. There’s free information about health, lifestyle, retirement options and travel, and free hearing and eyesight checks. Go to www.gcseniorsexpos.com .au or phone 0409 277 430.

MOTHER Noni Hazlehurst reprises her award-winning one-woman show, Mother, at HOTA from February 27-29. Written specifically for her, it is the story of Christie, a homeless woman in a world detached, unforgiving and destructive.

Adults are $48 and pensioners/seniors $42. Go to https://hota.com.au/.

NEW HOMES FOR SALE CALL FOR PLANS & PRiCES

NAMBUCCA HEADS VILLAGE & TOURIST PARK 2207 Giinagay Way, Nambucca Heads NSW 2447

LONG TERM POWERED SITES $200 P/W

T: (02) 6568 6647

7063725ab

SEGE01Z01MA - V1

Buying Now Mike Cornish & Bryan Hunsberger will be traveling throughout the Gold Coast area for 4 days mid-February and 4 days in mid-March only. We are wanting to buy your unwanted items as pictured and listed below.

Please visit us at one of the venues shown at the bottom of the page for an on the spot appraisal. If you live outside the area or have too many items to bring in phone Bryan on 0401 379 401 to arrange a time for us to visit at your home.

Fully licensed Antique, Numismatic and Precious Metal buyers with over 35 years industry experience.

These events are often compared to the ‘Antiques Roadshow’ on TV. Don’t miss this opportunity!

Gold Jewellery

Gold Coins

• Gold Chains • Gold Bracelets • Gold Necklaces • Worn & Broken Gold Jewellery • Gold Rings • Bullion Bars rs • Nuggets & Alluvial Gold • Gold Earrings

• Australian $200 Gold Coins • Sovereigns • Half Sovereigns • World proof coins and setss • Commemorative Coins • All other world Gold Coins • Gold coins: mounted, holed or worn • Gold medals & Fobs

Watches

Silver Coins

Banknotes (Australian & World)

• Australian - Crowns, Florins ins, Shillings, Shilli Six Pences, Three T Pences, 1966 50 Cent Rounds s • South Africa a, USA & Canada • NZ, Great Brritain & Fiji • New Guinea Shillings • Misc Silver Coins • All Other World Silver Coins

• Decimal World Notes • Predecimal World Notes • Error and Misprints • Private and trading bank notes • Specimen and cancelled notes • Star Notes • All world notes

• All Rolex Watches (including Submariner, Oyster, GMT, Daydate, and Datejust) • All Omega Watches (including Seamaster & Constellation) • Tudor, Breitling and all Watches • Mechanical (automatic & wind up) Watches • Gold & Silver Pocket Watches • Military Pocket Watches • No Quartz/Battery Watches

World & Australian Coins • All world coins • Collection & Accumulation • Error & Mis-strikes • Proof sets & Singles • Trade Tokens • Discount & Special Purpose Token ns

Military Medals

Silver

Jewellery

• Sterling items only • Tea Sets, Cutlery • Trays & Baskets • Cigarette & Card Cases • Trophy Cups • Jugs & Mu ugs • No EPNS or EP or A1

• Austtralian Military Medals • Worlld Military Medals • Orders & Decorations • Stars & Crosses • Bravery • Long Service Medals • Groups & Accumulations • Collections

(If you’re unsure we’re happy to advise you)

• Rings, Brooches, Pearls • Pendants, Sovereign Cases • Watch Chains, Lockets • Gold Cuff Links • Bracelets & Bangles • Necklaces and all broken jewellery

Are you no longer collecting? Do they sit in a draw or cupboard? Are the family not interrested?

Are you worried about security? Are you downsizing or moving? Would the money be of more use e to you?

SOUTHPORT 8:00am – 11:00am Southport Sharks Cnr Musgrave & Olsen Ave RUNAWAY BAY 11:30am – 2:00pm Runaway Bay Tavern 10-12 Lae Drive HOME VISITS GOLD COAST AREA 2:00pm – 5:00pm Phone 0401 379 401 For a home visit

V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

Tuesday, February 18

Wednesday, February 19

Thursday, February 20

NERANG 10:00am – 12:30pm Nerang RSL 69 Nerang Street

BROADBEACH 8:30am – 11:00am Broadbeach Bowls Club 169 Surf Parade

HELENSVALE 8:30am – 11:00am Club Helensvale 20-28 Discovery Drive

BENOWA 11:30am – 2:00pm Benowa Tavern 117 Ashmore Road

UPPER COOMERA 11:30am – 2:00pm Coomera Tavern 2 City Centre Drive

HOME VISITS GOLD COAST AREA 2:00pm – 5:00pm Phone 0401 379 401 For a home visit

HOME VISITS GOLD COAST AREA 2:00pm – 5:00pm Phone 0401 379 401 For a home visit

SOUTHPORT 1:00pm – 3:00pm RSL Club Southport 36 Scarborough Street HOME VISITS GOLD COAST AREA 8:00am – 9:30am & 3:00pm – 5:00pm Phone 0401 379 401 For a home visit

Monday, March 9 TWEED HEADS 9:00am – 11:30am (QLD time) Twin Towns Services Club 2 Wharf Street CURRUMBIN 12:00pm – 2:30pm Currumbin RSL 165 Duringan Street HOME VISITS GOLD COAST AREA 2:30pm – 5:00pm Phone 0401 379 401 For a home visit

Tuesday, March 10 PALM BEACH 10:30am - 1:00pm Palm Beach Surf Club 117 Jefferson Lane BROADBEACH 1:30pm until 4:00pm Kurrawa Surf Club Beachside, Old Burleigh Road HOME VISITS GOLD COAST AREA 8:00am until 10:00am & 4:00pm until 5:00pm Phone 0401 379 401 For a home visit

Wednesday, March 11 ROBINA 9:00am – 11:30am Robina Community Centre 196 Robina Town Centre Drive BURLEIGH HEADS 12:00pm – 2:30pm Club Burleigh 1640 Gold Coast Hwy HOME VISITS GOLD COAST AREA 2:30pm – 5:00pm Phone 0401 379 401 For a home visit

Thursday, March 12 SOUTHPORT 8:00am – 11:00am Southport Sharks Cnr Musgrave & Olsen Ave NERANG 11:30am – 2:00pm Nerang RSL 69 Nerang Street HOME VISITS GOLD COAST AREA 2:00pm – 5:00pm Phone 0401 379 401 For a home visit

7110565aa

Monday, February 17

12

NEWS

FEBRUARY, 2020//

SENIORS

Little beauty Oldest theatre group is turning 70 Alison Houston

YEE-HA!: Becky Morgan and Francesca Spear having fun in Gold Coast Little Theatre's first production of the year, Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls.

Picture: GCLT

GOLD Coast Little Theatre is a treasure that everyone should know about as it celebrates its 70th year, according to life member Julanne Shearer.

“I think people who haven’t been yet would be very pleasantly surprised if they went along and saw the high standard of production,” Julanne said.

The Gold Coast’s oldest community theatre, it started from humble beginnings as The south coast Little Theatre in 1950, becoming Gold Coast Little Theatre in 1969.

Fortunate to have bought its current 21 Scarborough St land for £1140 and been donated the land next door, GCLT called two military huts stacked on top of each other home from 1970 to 1983.

Those huts remain but today the lower level houses costumes and props, with the upper level forming rehearsal space.

Doors to the new $322,000 purpose-built theatre opened in July 1983 thanks to GCLT’s own fundraising and a Queensland Government capital grant.

And the first play to be performed was The Crucible, fittingly directed by Julanne, who wrote the grant application and was involved in planning the 150-seat raked theatre.

“That was a great moment,” Julanne said of the opening.

“The theatre itself is wonderful to work in, very intimate, and every seat in the house is a good seat, so it’s a real asset to the Gold Coast.”

Julanne joined GCLT back in 1976, having been

involved in theatre in country Queensland since she was 16.

She has now directed about 20 GCLT productions, including 11 musicals, acted in another 11 and worked backstage on many more.

“It’s a very important cultural activity for anyone to be involved in and has a great capacity to improve people’s lives,” Julanne said of being a theatre group member.

“It gives people confidence, makes them feel part of a community and taps into creative aspects and aspirations.”

While 70th anniversary celebrations have yet to be finalised, Julanne said February’s Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls was “a great way to start the year”.

It’s the tale of two unlikely friends in 1960s Outback Queensland, brought together by their passion for

Come & See Our Place

Saturday 29 February 10am - 1pm

We love it here and so will you!

The Gardens on Lindfield 101 Lindfield Road, Helensvale

Leap into your retirement on Saturday 29 February by visiting one or more of our unique villages across Queensland. Discover what over 55s village life is like, explore the communities, ask all your questions and meet the people who could one day be your neighbours.

Brisbane

Enjoy food, entertainment and much more at our fantastic Open Day.

For more details call 1800 550 550 or visit retireinqld.com.au

Gold Coast

Keperra Sanctuary 998 Samford Road, Keperra

Sunshine Coast Allora Gardens 22 Allora Drive, Maroochydore Bellflower Retirement Resort 118 Bellflower Road, Sippy Downs Buderim Gardens 405 Mooloolaba Road, Buderim Hibiscus Chancellor Park 52 University Way, Sippy Downs Hibiscus Nambour 55 Carter Road, Nambour Hibiscus Noosa Outlook 71 St Andrews Drive, Tewantin

Bundaberg The Lakes 21 Walters Street, Bundaberg North

Mackay Eaglemount Resort 12 Harveys Road, Mackay

*Information about the services and facilities provided in the village is correct at the time of printing but may change as the needs of residents change. Photographs are for illustrative purposes. Prices correct at time of printing but subject to change. January 2020. Published by Lendlease RL Realty (QLD) Pty Ltd ABN 25 138 535 814.

SEGE01Z01MA - V1

SENIORS

NEWS

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

13

to notch up big milestone ‘‘

It’s a very important cultural activity for anyone to be involved in.

Julanne Shearer country and western, and features the music of Patsy Cline and Hank Williams, with a live band.

It will be followed from April 18-May 9 by highenergy 1960s rock’n’roll comedy Bye Bye Birdie.

Julanne said GCLT produced six shows each year and tried to ensure broad appeal, including musicals, comedy and drama.

Other shows on this year’s schedule are the OneAct Play Festival, Metamorphoses, No Sex Please: We’re British and Green Day’s American Idiot.

Playgoers wanting an insight into productions are invited to Drinks with the Director, traditionally on the Tuesday before opening night.

While GCLT does have a strong membership of about 100 and a loyal following, Julanne said they were always keen to attract new audiences as well as new players and contributors.

“There are lots of different roles to play – on stage, directing, backstage, front of house, in the bar and kitchen,” Julanne said.

As for her favourite show, Julanne said there were too

KEY ROLES: Life member Julanne Shearer with her husband, Bruce, who, like Leo Mevissen, right, is also a life member and past president. Note the posters for upcoming shows behind them.

Picture: Contributed

many to choose from, although High Society and Camelot definitely ranked highly, as musicals do with audiences generally.

While competition may have become tougher since the 1950s, particularly recently with the opening of the refurbished HOTA, Julanne said GCLT was definitely able to punch above its weight.

And although the majority of members are seniors, she believes the future looks bright, with more new blood

Heart

of all ages continually finding its way to them.

For details on GCLT, productions, including Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls until February 22 (adult $30), and membership ($20), go to https:// gclt.com.au/, email mailbox@gclt.com.au, or phone 5532 2096 from two weeks before productions.

THEATRE HIGHLIGHTS AT A GLANCE – Started from humble beginnings as The South

Coast Little Theatre in 1950, becoming Gold Coast Little Theatre in 1969.

– Fortunate to have bought its current land for £1140 and been donated the land next door, GCLT called two military huts stacked on top of each other home from 1970-83.

– Doors to the new $322,000 purpose-built theatre opened in July 1983 thanks to GCLT’s own fundraising and a state government capital grant.

– The first play to be

performed was the Crucible, fittingly directed by Julanne Shearer, who wrote the grant application and was involved in planning the 150seat raked theatre. Julanne is a life member and a past president.

– GCLT has built up a loyal following of about 100 members.

– GCLT scored several Gold Palm Theatre Awards in 2018. These were for: Best Set Design, Barmaids, Michael Sutton; Best Actor in a Supporting

Get a free full hearing assessment Search Bupa Hearing for your closest store

Role in a Community Theatre Play, Run For Your Wife, Bob Allen; Best actor in a Leading Role in a Community Theatre Play, Barmaids, Kate McNair.

WHAT’S COMING UP THIS SEASON This special, 70th anniversary season will include: – Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls BYE Bye Birdie One-Act Play Festival No Sex Please: We’re British American Idiot.

at $99 s d e u l a V ember m n o n for upa 9 for B 4 $ d n a ers memb

1800 815 317

*Offer available at all Queensland Bupa Hearing stores. Full Hearing Assessment usually valued at $99 for non-Bupa members and $49 for Bupa members. Appointment availability may vary from store to store. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or offer, except for private health insurance benefits (if applicable). Health insurance benefits subject to level of cover and yearly limits.

Contact your health insurer for details. Offer available until 31 March 2020 (inclusive). Hearing ABN 24 126 819 154

V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

14

FEATURE

FEBRUARY, 2020//

SENIORS

He’s true blue but green I’M DEVASTATED FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST IT IS hard even for the man EVERYTHING, BUT I’M EVEN behind some of Australia’s MORE DEVASTATED THAT most iconic songs to write something happy or uplifting WE HAVE LOST ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF OUR KOALAS. in the face of Australia’s Alison Houston

JOHN WILLIAMSON

Touring Turning 75 and celebrating 50 years since Old Man Emu brought him to prominence, John said he was not retiring but his Winding Back tour would be a final big year on the road.

“I’m not ready to retire …

I’ll do that if I start forgetting the words on stage … but right now I think I’m performing better than I ever have,” he said.

He still plans to play festivals but is ready to take a step back from the constant touring which has seen him visit venues like Tweed Heads’ Twin Towns almost annually for decades.

With more than 500 songs to his name, a twohour playlist isn’t easy to choose but John said there were some songs, like Cootamundra Wattle, that audiences wouldn’t let him leave the stage without singing.

“I will be polishing up some of the old songs, and there will be some surprises,” he said.

While the creator of some of the country’s unofficial anthems is still writing, for example about the spectre of a bushfire approaching and the Christchurch massacre, he said more sadness was not what audiences needed at the moment.

Total Foot Care Cut & file nails, reduce dry skin, callus &

$35

Call: 07 5546 2537 or 0429 700 881 Servicing Southern Brisbane and Northern Gold Coast areas

Insured, Registered and Qualified (Cert.IV in Allied Health Assistance - HLT42507).

Plus 15 years experience in the field.

global recognition at last of climate change as a reality and some of the world’s biggest companies turning away from using fossil fuels.

But he said this was one situation where the old Aussie adage of “she’ll be right” simply wasn’t enough.

Themes that Endure John said writing about the ordinary and “telling it like it is” was what connected with audiences

and made his music so enduring.

“When you’re writing about the bush, a lot of those things don’t change that much – with farming there’s always battlers, there’s always highs and lows – the enduring character of Australia is the battler,” John said.

“And it’s pretty obvious I don’t back off from being honest about Australian life.”

The words of Rip Rip

Woodchip are as relevant today as they were when the song was released in 1989: “What am I gonna do – what about the future?

Gotta draw the line without delay Why shouldn’t I get emotional – the bush is sacred Ancient life will fade away”.

His attitudes have not mellowed with age.

In 2017, he wrote Pigs on

• Free/GAP free consultations • Pensioner discounts • Dentures for all budgets • New full & partial dentures • Emergency repairs • Same day relines • Veterans Affairs provider • All Health Funds recognised • DentiCare Payment Plans available 7017906ab

Kerri’s Mobile Foot & Hand Care

That’s not to say he doesn’t have people crying to True Blue and Three Sons, but he said it was a case of balancing the tears and laughter, both of which were an expression of relief for people.

“Music is always good because it’s such a positive, uplifting thing,” he said.

Despite admitting it was hard to write a happy song at the moment, John said there were positive signs in

Paul Franco DENTURE CLINIC

“A Friendly In Home Service At No Extra Cost”

corns + a relaxing foot & lower leg massage.

Hand & Foot Care Packages available A range of Products for sale Specialising in Seniors Care

CHANGE OF PACE: Celebrating 50 years since the release of Old Man Emu, John Williamson has decided it's a good time to start winding back his performing schedule.

Picture: Contributed

Ph: 55706556

Shop 5 / 1 Naranga Avenue, Broadbeach Waters paulfrancodentures.com.au

6950212am

bushfire disaster.

Instead, as John Williamson prepares for his Winding Back tour, he has penned a letter to the Prime Minister calling for a national day of mourning.

“I’m devastated for the people who have lost everything, but I’m even more devastated that we have lost about 30 per cent of our koalas and other wildlife … I think that’s worthy of a day of mourning,” the long-time conservationist said.

“What would Africa be without its elephants, its lions and giraffes? …. Our wildlife is what makes Australia Australia.”

More than a billion creatures are believed to have been killed in the bushfires and scientists have warned entire species may be lost.

As part of the big Australia Day Live concert with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Opera House forecourt, John planned to dedicate True Blue to the firefighters and people who have lost lives, loved ones and property, and Old Man Emu to the wildlife lost.

Following on from the Tamworth Country Music Festival, it’s a big start to a packed calendar year of touring that will take him from one end of the country to the other.

John Williamson has had a stellar career with music that captures the nation’s spirit.

Picture: Contributed SEGE01Z01MA - V1

SENIORS

FEATURE

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

15

at heart

AUSSIE ICON: Veteran entertainer John Williamson's music is as iconic to Australia as the wildlife, the Outback and the farmers he sings about.

Picture: Contributed

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Williamson’s Winding Back tour will include a visit to Twin Towns, where he has been a popular regular performer, on March 6 and 7.

Picture: Andrew Pattinson/Vampp Photography

the River to voice his concerns about the toll of illegal irrigation in the Murray-Darling, while Love is the Word dealt with the same-sex marriage debate and the rise of nationalism.

“It just seems the world has gone a bit crazy, and the only thing that’s going to make a difference is caring for one another,” he said at the time.

He is looking forward to spending more time there, eating the plants he grows before the birds and bats get to them, making his chilli oil (which is “to die for”), perhaps some art, and planting as many koalafriendly trees as he can.

His interest in koalas, which saw him quietly donate $2000 to the Koala Hospital Port Macquarie

True Blue While using Sydney as a base, John said he constantly dreamt of getting back to his Queensland hinterland home at Springbrook, where he ultimately wants his ashes to be scattered.

“I sit and watch the sun go down there every night I’m there and I pinch myself …

I’m in paradise,” he said.

when the bushfire crisis began in November, is nothing new.

In 1986 he donated $300,000 in royalties from Goodbye Blinky Bill and audience collections to the hospital, which opened a John Williamson wing and made him a patron.

It’s just one of his “True Blue Causes”, which also include Variety – the

Children’s Charity, Life Education, Bush Heritage Australia, Wildlife Warriors, WIRES, Protect Our Coral Sea, Save the Bilby, and Landcare, while last December’s Hay Mate fundraiser with John Farnham raised $4.3 million for farmers.

It is arguably because John Williamson is himself “true blue” that his songs

139 Minjungbal Drive Tweed Heads South Phone (07) 5523 3431

Mr Property Services Noble Lakeside Park - Kingscliff

Call Kelvin 0423 028 468 V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

$269,000

North Star Resort - Hastings Point

Call Kelvin 0423 028 468

$229,000

have so accurately captured Australia and its people.

The Winding Back tour includes Twin Towns on March 6 and 7, Wyong on March 19, Port Macquarie on September 4, Toowoomba on October 17 and Caloundra on October 25.

For the full list of concerts go to https:// johnwilliamson.com.au/ tour/ .

Tweed Broadwater - Tweed Heads St.

Call Kelvin 0423 028 468

$279,000

Palm Lake Resort - Banora

Call Kelvin 0423 028 468

$339,000

16

NEWS

FEBRUARY, 2020//

SENIORS

Community notes

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

GOLD COAST LINE DANCING All classes are $7. Beginner class 11.40AM-1pm every Friday. Improver class 1.153.15pm every Tuesday.

Intermediate class 1.05-3pm every Friday at PCYC, 24 Cayuga Street. Nerang.

Phone 0410 505 740, email pamseye@hotmail.com.

NATIONAL SERVICEMEN’S ASSN

SCHOOL REUNION

THE Gold Coast North Branch of the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia invites all NASHOs to their AGM to be held on February 18 at 9.30am in the Mudgeeraba Show Hall, Mudgeeraba Road, Mudgeeraba. After the meeting, a free picnic lunch will be served. All welcome.

Inquiries to secretary Roy on 0488 234 036, or president Brian on 07 5630 8071.

GOLD COAST BRIDGE CLUB JOIN us for a game at Gold

Coast Bridge Club, 2883 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise. Phone 07 5538 2905 for more information on the six day sessions weekly and two night sessions. Special competitions are held throughout the year.

Beginners’ lessons run until BETTER TOGETHER: Burleigh Heads Ladies Probus Club members enjoy the healing force of friendships at the Burleigh September. Go to Heads Surf Club.

Picture: Contributed goldcoastbridgeclub.com.

STATE Commercial High School: Former students who attended this Brisbane high school, which closed in 1962, are invited to celebrate their 29th reunion lunch at Easts Leagues Club, Coorparoo, Brisbane, on Tuesday, March 10. Phone Tricia Dakin on 07 3376 7724 or email twdakin@ bigpond.net.au.

guest speakers but most of all we have a lot of fun.

Generally Thursday afternoons, but some evening events. Gain more information on Facebook and search for @sipnsupgc and/ or phone Michel on 0412 757 535 or michel_44@bigpond.com.

HELP AND HEALING

INVITATION to an information lecture on help WE MEET each fortnight at a and healing on the spiritual great restaurant around the path through the teaching of Gold Coast. All men welcome Bruno Groening at the Tugun for beer, wine and food. We Village Community Centre, critique restaurants and have 414 Coolangatta Rd, Tugun, on Sunday, February 16, at

SIP ‘N’ SUP CLUB

Relaxed living at Lewani Palms

12.30pm for about 90 minutes. No fee, donation appreciated.

PICKLEBALL FOR SENIORS Pickleball for 50s plus, two courts, $5 a session.

Everything provided. Only 12 places per session. Minimum of four people or session will be cancelled. Arrive at 7.20am to warm up, start at 7.30pm. Fun, social, active way to meet people. We will teach you how to play in a supportive environment.

Social play for others not needing a lesson. Ideal sport for seniors as it is easy to play. Every Thursday at Gold Coast North Pickleball, Gambamora Park, Riversdale Rd, Oxenford. For more phone 0403 507 780 or email goldcoastnorth pickleball@gmail.com.

BLUE CARE GRIEF AND WE ARE holding a mini LOSS PROGRAM seminar on Saturday, HAVE you experienced the loss of a loved one? Blue Care offers a free structured program of two hours a week over eight weeks within a safe and secure small-group setting. The aim of the program is to provide information on the grieving process, offer practical advice, provide emotional and social support in a group setting and provide effective coping skills. Times and dates for February-March: Coomera – Tuesdays from 9.30-11.30am (Group 1): February 4 to March 24.

Elanora – Mondays from 9.30-11.30am (Group 1): February 3 to March 21.

Phone 07 5525 5439.

GOLD COAST FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY INC

February 29, at Nerang Bicentennial Centre, presented by noted genealogy speaker Kerry Farmer. The first topic will be “In Trouble in Scotland” – learn how research Scots who fell on hard times. The second topic is “Big Brother is Watching” – explore the variety of Australian records that can be found in national, state and local government archives. Registration is essential, go to goldcoastfhs.org.au.

END-OF-LIFE CHOICES EXIT International is a voluntary euthanasia group that meets quarterly.

Meetings are held at the Robina Community Centre.

Attendees must be Exit members. Next meting will

AIRPORT & CRUISE

TRANSFERS

Enjoy the over 50’s lifestyle with freedom, community spirit and security at Lewani Palms Resort, Ormeau.

• Croquet Green • Swimming Pool • Lap Pool • Lagoon Reserve

10% DISCOUNT*

• Free Caravan and Boat Storage • Daily Public Bus Service • Pet Friendly

ON DOOR TO DOOR BRISBANE & GOLD COAST TRANSFERS BY QUOTING “SENIORSGC” “SENIORS”

Book Online

No Council Rates No Body Corporate No Stamp Duty No Exit Fees Sales Office 26 Goldmine Rd, Ormeau Open 6 Days 10am – 3pm Sun – Fri

1300 266 946

*Conditions apply, see website for details. Not valid with any other offer.

6908483al

Free call 1800 467 500 www.lewanipalms.com.au

Phone

www.cxn.com.au

6931942ae

• Gated and Private Roads • Recreation Club • Sports Hall • Bowling Green

GOLD COAST | BRISBANE | SUNSHINE COAST | TOOWOOMBA HERVEY BAY | CAIRNS | SYDNEY | MELBOURNE | FIJI SEGE01Z01MA - V1

COMMUNITY NEWS

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

be on February 13. See www.exitinternational.net or phone local co-ordinator Catherine on 0435 228 443.

U3A BROADBEACH THE University of the Third Age welcomes new members who are over 50 and looking to continue their learning in a fun and social group setting. Take a look at our website, U3ABroad beach.com, to get a flavour of our broad range of courses, activities and excursions, and advice on how to join us. Our activities are centred on Merrimac State High School and opportunities include ukulele, languages, history and memoirs, mah jong, yoga, art, choral singing, card playing, walking, armchair travel, discussion group, lunches and excursions.

VIEW CLUBS î Coolangatta Tweed OUR first luncheon for 2020 is our AGM on February 20 and will be held at the South Tweed Sports Club at 11am for an 11.30am start (DST).

We meet on the third Thursday of the month. All ladies are welcome to come and enjoy friendship, interesting guest speakers and social outings. Bookings /apologies phone Elaine on 07 5524 4461 Monday before our luncheon.

Our next function at the same venue is International Women’s Day on Monday, March 9. For more information and bookings phone Janice on 07 5524 5707.

We are looking forward to once again staging a memorable celebration of International Women’s Day at the South Tweed Sports Club, Minjungbal Drive, South Tweed Heads. This event will be held on Monday, March 9, at 10am (DST) for morning tea. The

inspiring speakers will be: Linda Robertson, a stem cell therapist studying the potential of stem cells for the treatment of incurable neurological diseases; and Natalie Trengrove, a veteran of children’s theatre who has been an actor, director and writer with the Tweed Theatre Company since its inception. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the program and a trading table will be open. Cost is $16 and for bookings phone secretary Janice on 07 5524 5707 before March 2. î Twin Towns Day WE WILL meet on Thursday, March 5, for our monthly luncheon at the South Tweed Sports Club at 10.30am for 11am (DST) for a scrumptious lunch. Guest speakers are a specialty of the club. Coming up is the all-important International Women’s Day on Monday, March 9. Annual fees are now due and it is the perfect time to come and check us out as a prelude to joining, thereby helping The POPULAR PASTIME: Grandmother Margaret Day (left) plays with her grandson Anthony Day, while Elizabeth Affleck teams up with her mother Noni Affleck at Gold Coast Bridge Club.

Picture: Contributed Smith Family. Bookings are essential. Phone Kathie on 0407 709 629 or Freda on please call Ros on Brian Hallam for his service to CITIZENS ASSN. INC. please contact either Gaye on 07 55 241 357.

0431442030. the club.

WE WELCOME all over 50s to 0419 772841 or Pamia on Retired or semi-retired our activities, which include: 0439 718674, or go to î Burleigh Palm Beach PROBUS CLUBS men are invited to join us at line dancing; new vogue southportseniorcitizens The first meeting of the î Burleigh Heads Ladies club meetings at 10am on the dancing; Scottish; square and .com.

Burleigh Palm Beach VIEW WE MEET on the third third Monday of each month tap dancing; tai chi and light Club for 2020 will be held on Wednesday of the month at at Burleigh Waters exercise.

TWIN TOWNS Tuesday, February 18, at Burleigh Heads Surf Community Centre, 131 For all activity times go to GARDEN CLUB 10am at Treetops Tavern, Lifesaving Club. Morning tea Christine Ave. Burleigh southportseniorcitizens or TWIN Towns & District West Burleigh. This is also the is enjoyed at 10am, followed Waters. Phone Brian on 07 phone Annette on 07 5537 Garden Club will meet on AGM and a new committee by a 10.30 meeting, which 5520 6332 or Des on 0434 1377.

March 9 at 10am (NSW time). will be elected. VIEW (which includes an interesting 873626.

Membership is $8 a year, Doors open at 8 .30. stands for Voice, Interests speaker. with each activity costing a Benching will be accepted and Education of Women) î Varsity Lakes low $3. until 9.15am. clubs support the work of î Burleigh Waters OUR club finished a great We celebrate Christmas Remember to wear your The Smith Family – a national CLUB members enjoyed their year of activities with a well- twice a year and organise badge. Trading, cutting and charity that helps children in Christmas dinner at attended Christmas lunch at other social functions seed tables will start selling at need with their education.

Currumbin RSL, with Rod Palmer Golf Club. Members throughout the year.

8.45. Morning tea (bring a Through our work with the Preston giving an interesting dressed up for Christmas and Our club motto is “finding mug), raffles, library, charity, VIEW club members “Postcard’’ presentation. we had a three-piece band friends, fun and fitness”. newsletter will be available at are helping to make lifeAt our meeting Sue White and singer Anyone who You can find us at 2 the meeting. changing differences to local spoke to us on the support would like to be part of our Whitby Street, Southport.

Guest speaker will be children and their families. for Sun Bears in Borneo; and Club can contact Geoff on We also have a beginner Wayne Lyons. with the topic New members are always PP Barry Smith and president 0409 637 066. line-dance class on “Subtropical gardens – welcome at this friendly club. Des Wicks presented a Wednesday evenings from foliage, shapes, colours and For further information, special “Rock’’ Award to PP SOUTHPORT SENIOR 6.30-8.30. For more details textures’’.

FUNERAL SERVICE

A PRIVATE CREMATION $2310 includes GST

Pre-Paid Plan Available - No Administration Fees Locally owned by Ben & Emma Little Servicing The Gold Coast to Ballina 24 hour essential service

V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

Why pay too muchh?

Price from $5,350 includes: 7022970ab

✓ Loved one taken into our care 24 hours, 7 days ✓ All required mortuary attention and preservation ✓ Completion of all application and registration forms ✓ Doctor's cremation certificates ✓ Environmentally friendly cardboard coffin ✓ Private transport to crematorium and cremation fee ✓ Death registration and official BDM death certificate ✓ Return of ashes to loved one's family or friends

Call - 1300 678 443

17

• Transfer of deceased • Celebrant / Minister • Memorial book • Quality coffin • Cremation • Floral Tribute • Chapel service • Doctors certificate • Death Certificatee

For a loving farewell .... not an expensive one

Phone 1300 311 747 - 24hrs / 7 Days All areas Brisbane & GC | www.cremationsonly.com.au

7049207ae

SENIORS

18

NEWS

FEBRUARY, 2020//

SENIORS

PNG project boosts diets Volunteer horticulturist helps villages eat healthily Tracey Johnstone AT THE midway point of the Rotary-backed Alleviation of Malnutrition project in Papua New Guinea, volunteer project leader Russell Stephenson is seeing valuable changes in the communities he is working with.

The 75-year-old retired horticulturist and Rotary Club of Nambour member, devised an awareness program as a result of several visits revealing a state of dire malnutrition throughout PNG. Working under the umbrella of Rotary’s Food Plant Solutions project which promotes the cultivation of traditional plants, Dr Stephenson is trying to get the message out to remote communities in the Western Provinces that people, particularly babies, need a range of nutrients to grow properly.

“Almost 45 per cent of the young children are stunted and about 15 per cent wasted,” he said.

“It’s caused by inadequate diet; it’s very simple.”

He has taken the theory behind Food Plant Solutions, consulted colleagues in PNG and adapted it to work in the field.

For 18 months Dr Stephenson has flown into isolated communities of the North Fly District where some of the poorest people in the world live on an average income of $10 a year.

Hehas based himself at the Evangelical Church’s Mougulu Mission, but often happily stays in surrounding villages.

“It’s not a dangerous place which can’t be said for a lot of the rest of PNG,” he said.

“There are no government services there, no shops, no police, nothing.”

But there are about 35,000 people living in the district he is trying to reach. with the help of interpreters. Dr Stephenson

JUNGLE BREAK: Russell Stephenson in the Western District taking a break from his vital malnutrition education volunteer work.

initially ran a two-week Train the Trainer program covering nutrition, health and hygiene, family planning and breastfeeding. The focus was on babies and young children growing strong, healthy and smart.

“We called for volunteers and I expected we would get about 25 or 30 and mostly women,” he said.

“I got 60 and the majority were young men.

“We spent a week going over the theory that I wanted them to teach in their villages and then another week practising preparing and teaching a lesson. I also prepared a manual for them to work from.”

Dr Stephenson got them to focus on the use of local foods, since imported food was not sustainable and far too expensive.

“They have to make the most of what they have already got,” he said.

After that course, 15 teams of instructors went out to the villages where they taught 41 courses to 8600 villagers which

Graduates of the Train the Trainer program..

represented over 2000 families or nearly half the families in the district.

“I was pretty pleased with that,” Dr Stephenson said.

Since then he has delivered nutrition workshops to villages, set up demonstration food gardens and planted crops.

“The main nutritional problem there is lack of

energy as their main food, cooking banana, is a very weak energy food. They are pretty tasteless to my palate, but they love it,” he said “They also eat lots and lots of green leaves from the bush which are particularly nutritious. But there is no protein in their diet,” he added.

“There is no meat in the diet even though there are pigs running around everywhere. The problem is those pigs signify wealth and celebration.”

Dr Stephenson is teaching the communities about eating high-energy corn and coconuts, along with nuts.

Last December Dr Stephenson ran a practical

food preparation workshop for the women’s fellowship to help them drive improving the diet of their young children which often start their life chewing on hard, dry cooking banana.

The three-year project, with month-long visits each quarter, will have Dr Stephenson head back this month.

SEGE01Z01MA - V1

SENIORS

ESCAPE

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

19

Beguiled by great Dane Copenhagen’s cultural riches a fascinating step back in time PAGES 28 AND 29

TRAVEL CLUB 2020

SENIOR COACH TOURS Home Pickup and Return

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER GARDEN SHOW GREAT OCEAN ROAD, DANDENONGS, BALLARAT, BENDIGO, ECHUCA, LAKES ENTRANCE, EDEN, BEGA, GRAND PACIFIC DRIVE - N.S.W STH COAST 13 Days: 20th March-1st April 2020.

$2,700 Fare Includes: Motels, ALL Breakfasts and Dinners, ALL Admissions and touring, Great Ocean Road, International Flower & Garden Show, Dandenong Puffing Billy Steam train, Victoria Markets, Crown Entertainment Complex, Daylesford Historic Town, Ballarat, Sovereign Hill, Bendigo, Echuca Murray River Paddlesteamer Morning Tea Cruise, Bega Cheese Heritage Factory, Eden Killer Whale Museum, Lakes Entrance Tour. $

2,700

(inc. GST)

Coastal Variety Tours p/L V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

ESTABLISHED 1982

MUDGEE - LIGHTING RIDGE

DUBBO ZOO, BATHURST, WARRUMBUNGLES, GOONDIWINDI, WARWICK

9 Days. 9th - 17th May 2020

$1,999 Fare Includes: Motels - Parklands Resort Mudgee 3 nights, Lightning Ridge 2 Nights, Armidale, Goondiwindi, Coonabarabran.

All Dinners and Breakfast, 3 - Lunches, All Admissions: Taronga Western Plains Open range Zoo, Lightning Ridge Walk-in Mine, Chambers of the Black Hand, Mudgee Wineries and guided tour of Historical Mine, Bathurst Abercrombie House, $ 999 1,9 Mount Panorama, Warwick Glengallen Homestead and Heritage Centre.

GST) (inc. G

CAIRNS & TROPICAL NTH QLD TOUR

WHITSUNDAyS,PORT DOUGLAS,KURANDA,DAINTREE,MAGNETIC ISLAND

13 Days 17th - 20th July 2020

Home Pickup & Return: Sunshine Coast, Caboolture, Redcliffe Brisbane, Redlands, Ipswich, Gold Coast Area

Please Phone Coastal Variety Tours 3343 6722 for Free Tour Brochure

$

2,700

(inc. GST)

7047965az

20

ESCAPE

FEBRUARY, 2020//

FAMILY TIES: Ken and Lorraine Martin with grandchildren Hamish and Phillipa at Cairns Aquarium.

SENIORS

Picture: Contributed

Getaways grand for bonding For the past nine years, grandparents Lorraine and Ken Martin have “hit the road’’ in their caravan, making the annual journey from Sydney to Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut, where they meet their eldest grandchildren for some holiday fun and quality one-on-one time.

Keen ‘’gramper’’ Lorraine said the opportunity to go caravanning and camping with her grandchildren – Hamish, 14 and Phillipa, 11 – allowed them to share experiences, build relationships and create memories for life.

“Holidaying together gives us an opportunity to have that extra bonding experience with the children – it’s a very special time, and we’ve got to know them even better,” Ms Martin said.

“We think as they get older, they’ll have special childhood memories of coming up here and spending time with us.”

Ms Martin said the annual trip to Cairns gave the kids the opportunity to have new adventures, meet new people and get outside their comfort zone, but it also gave their parents the

chance to reconnect – a luxury for many busy working families.

“It’s a really nice break for their parents, too – when our daughter and her husband celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last year, they thought it was pretty amazing that the kids were up here enjoying themselves and having a wonderful time while they were able to go out and celebrate together,” she said.

The Martins know that with teen and tween grandchildren these kinds of holidays won’t last forever, but

for now they’re enjoying every moment.

“We’re lucky to have such close relationships with our grandchildren, even as they’re getting older,” Ms Martin said.

“And they still love the holidays just as much as we do – the first thing they said to their parents when they got back to Sydney last time was, ‘Can we go again next year?’, so we’re gearing up for the next adventure.”

The Martins ready to explore the Great Barrier Reef with Hamish and Phillipa.

Picture: Contributed

Join us on a memorable coach tour where you will enjoy out back dining at its absolute finest

Thallon’s Grazing at the Waterhole 4 - 7 September 2020 “Grazing at the Watering Hole” is a unique long-table dining experience in outback town of Thallon, South-Western Queensland, also visiting Goondiwindi Cotton. Warwick Brewery, Miles Historical Village.

Travel in Style and comfort.

Duration: 4 Days | From AUD

7127041aa

THE post-Christmas and New Year period is often marked by parents returning to work while their kids join holiday care, but for many Australian families this time of year brings “skip a generation” holidays – and the benefits go far beyond free childcare.

While not a new concept, families are finding grandparent-grandchild holidays are increasingly beneficial to modern family life, with research suggesting these kinds of experiences shape healthy, resilient and wellrounded kids.

$1,359.00

Palmers Coaches – Gold Coast.

Phone (07) 5522 0028 | www.palmerscoaches.com.au

Pictures are supplied by Chloe Turvey SEGE01Z01MA - V1

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

ESCAPE

21

s w ave Apr hen b $100 P il D ook P epA ing rtu re

eXPerienCe lonGreaCh & Winton

HIGH LIFE: Explore the lesser-known north-eastern part of India on the back of a motorbike with Nomadic Knights. The Roof of India tour takes in some of the highest roads in the world.

Picture: Contributed

Riding high on ‘roof’ of India RIDE along the roof of India on a breathtaking Himalayan motorbike tour.

Adrenaline junkies can open throttle on “the roof of the world’’ on a motorbike tour that offers breathtaking views of the Indian Himalayas and the world’s most hair-raising roads.

Nomadic Knights is offering a $US500 discount on its July 2020 Roof of India tour if booked by February 15.

The journey will see travellers ride Royal Enfield motorbikes along some of the highest roads in the world.

The 14-night Roof of India ride begins on July 11 and is available for $US4480 for riders, including the $US500 discount if booked by the requisite date.

Use the code JULYROI500 when booking.

Includes accommodation, bike hire, breakfasts, dinners and mechanical and logistical support. Flights to India are extra. Info: www.nomadicknights.com.

LOCK IN A NEW LOOK AT NIAGARA FALLS How do cruise ships continue their journey from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, or

vice versa, when the great Niagara Falls deny a safe way through?

The solution? The Welland Canal. The canal connects Lake Ontario and Lake Erie through a complex system of eight locks that allow ships to traverse up and down the Niagara escarpment.

To put it simply for those who aren’t cruise enthusiasts, a lock is basically an elevator for ships.

A ship will enter a lock gate and it will close the ship in, becoming watertight.

Then water is either drained from the chamber to travel downriver or poured into the chamber to travel upriver.

Cruising through the Welland Canal is not only essential to a Great Lakes cruise, it is an entertaining journey as guests pass through each lock.

One of Cruise Traveller’s small-ship partners, Victory Cruise Lines, has just released a new cruise program to the Great Lakes, where guests will be able to enjoy Niagara Falls and the great North American lakes as well as Welland Canal.

Info: www.cruisetraveller

There’s plenty of fascinating things to see and do in the heart of Qld. Visit the Qantas museum and Stockmans Hall of Fame or Winton — the birthplace of Waltzing Matilda and it’s Age of Dinosaurs Museum. 7 days from $1,390 including return QLD Pension Rail Fare return in Economy Seat. Upgrade to Sleeper Cabin $1,870 Departing Monthly April to Oct

aWesome foursome Gulflander adventure

Travel the Gulf Country of northern Qld aboard the legendary Gulf & Savannahlander Trains. Visit the Atherton Tablelands, Georgetown, Cobbold Gorge, Finnegans Rest & Mt Surprise and traveling back to Cairns on the through lush tropical rainforest aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway. 10 days from $2,490 including return QLD Pension Rail Fare in Economy Seat.

Upgrade to Deluxe Rail Bed $2,890 Departure Monthly April to Oct

Dis sa cou ve nte $30 D A 0 PP irf Are s

eCCentriC liGhtninG ridGe

The most unique mining town in Australia, Lighting Ridge boasts with over 100yrs of opal mining history. Fossick for your own treasure on lands that 100mil years ago dinosaurs roamed. Visit Museums, Mines and Caves and even an artesian pool!

5 days from $1,460 Departing 13th May 2020

total tasmania

Tasmania, “the Island of Inspiration” is an island of dramatic coastlines, quaint villages, convict-built heritage and magnificent food and wine. Incl Hobart, Port Arthur, Derwent Bridge, Tamar Valley, Beauty Point, Cradle Mt & Gordon River Cruise. 11 days, $3,490. return airfares $3,925 Departure Dates: 1st April 2020

.com.au/great-lakes-granddiscovery.

SOUTHERN GREECE WALKING TOUR On Foot Holidays has a new self-guided walk for 2020, with travellers exploring the remote mountain villages of the Peloponnese in southern Greece.

The six-night route is the newest of the operator’s 32 inn-to-inn walks throughout Europe, which aim to immerse travellers in a destination as they enjoy “the art of slow travel’’.

The walk begins in the stonemasons’ village of Lagadia, and highlights of the journey include beautiful fir forests, panoramic mountain views, working monasteries, jewellers’ workshops, watermills and the pretty village of Elati in its forest clearing.

The final day of the selfguided tour will see guests journey into the wooded Lousios Gorge.

Including six nights’ accommodation, all breakfasts, four picnic lunches and all luggage transfers, the walk costs from £720 a person, twinshare (about $A1380). Info: www.onfootholidays co.uk.

disCover CooktoWn

Discover Cooktown on the fantastic tour including Cairns, Port Douglas, Daintree River, Mossman Gorge, 2 Nights in Cooktown, Endevour River Cruise and much more !!! *6 days tour only $1,490PP T/S *Single / Sole Use add $420 *8 Days with Return Rail Fare QLD Pension Economy Seat $1540 QLD Pension Rail Bed $1890 Seniors Card Economy Seat $1725 Seniors Card Deluxe Rail Bed $2160

Departure Dates 2020: 3rd July, 1st Sep.

ChillaGo Caves, Cairns and Port douGlas

Depart Brisbane for Cairns Welcome. Visit Historical Herberton Historical Village presenting the story of Australia’s pioneering past. Then Mossman Gorge and Daintree River Cruise. Visit spectacular Chillagoe Caves, Cairns Botanic Gardens and Cairns Aquarium. *6 days tour only $1390 *Single / Sole Use add $290 *8 Days with Return Rail Fare QLD Pension Economy Seat $1440 QLD Pension Deluxe Rail Bed $1790 Seniors Card Deluxe Rail Bed $2060 Departure Dates: 10th July Ph: 07 5510 8958

“the real” outbaCk sPeCtaCular dinner With dinos and lark Quarry

Longreach the geographical heart of Queensland. Depart Brisbane on the Spirit of the Outback. Welcome BBQ in Longreach, QANTAS Museum, Stockmans Hall of Fame, Thompson River Cruise, Campfire Dinner and Show. Winton, Age of Dinosaurs, Waltzing Matilda Center, 3 Sister and Lark quarry Dino Stampede. *5 days tour only $1690 *PP T/S - Sole Use Room add $320 *7 Days with Return Rail *QLD Pension Economy Seat $1740 *QLD Pension 1st Class Cabin $2170 *Seniors Card 1st Class Cabin $2410 Departure Dates: 4 July, 12 Sep

herberton > undara lava tubes > Georgetown > forsayth > Cobbold Gorge Croydon > karumba > Cloncurry > mt isa > richmond > Charters towers

best of the north West & mt isa

Ever wanted to experience the Best of North West Outback Queensland but never could manage to get there? Well now is your chance. Visit Herberton Historical Village, Undara Lava Tubes, Georgetown, 190 million year old Cobbold Gorge, Quirky Croydon, Remote Karumba, Cloncurry, Mt Isa and its Mines, Richmond’s Dinosaurs & Charters Towers. *11 Days Tour Only $2890 *Single / Sole Use add $290 *13 days with return rail fare Qld Pension economy seat $2940 QLD Pension Deluxe Rail Bed $3290 Seniors Card Deluxe Rail Bed $3560 *Departure Dates 2020: 13th June.

wh sa en ve $ Dep booki 100 PP Art ng ure Apr il

ClassiC southern outbaCk Pubs and Cunnamulla

*8 Days* - *Classic Outback Pubs – if only the walls could talk! *Discover the pubs where Australian folklore characters came to life including “Dad & Dave” Rudd’s Pub, Stanthorpe, QLD oldest 1864 Nindigully Pub, 1866 Club Boutique Hotel, Cunnamulla Fella Centre, Charleville Cosmos Observatory & Historic Corones Hotel, Mitchell Great Artisan Hot Water Pools, Big Rig Night Show Roma, Dalby. *8 days $2,180*PP Twin Share, Single add $420, *Departure Dates 2020: 1st April*

iConiC Pubs of north Queensland

*10 Days* -Depart Brisbane to Cairns on the Spirit of QLD Train – See spectacular scenic destinations whilst visiting well known and historic pubs including the 1878 Court House Hotel, Port Douglas, highest pub in QLD Ravenshoe Hotel, the Iconic *“Pub with no Beer”* Ingham, 1901 Great Northern Hotel, Townsville, Charters Towers 1865 Eureka Hotel *10 days with Return Rail Fare. QLD Pension Economy Seat $2,040.

QLD Pension Deluxe Rail Bed $2,370. Seniors Card Deluxe Rail Bed $2,580 *Departure Dates 2020: 28th April 25th July; 19th Sep*

ContaCt us for a free BroChure Visit www.greatvalueholidays.com.au

or phone 1300 722 661 Terms and conditions apply: See website for details.

V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

sav oct when e $10 obe boo 0 PP r De kin pAr g tur e

Our Industry Partner:

7050938am

SENIORS

22

ESCAPE

FEBRUARY, 2020//

Discover the wonders of Copenhagen

SENIORS

PRETTY AS A PICTURE: The Marble Church and fountain in Amalienborg Palace and Gardens.

Pictures: Shirley Sinclair

More to this beautiful city than glimpsed tree Shirley Sinclair THE Hop On, Hop Off Boat guide tells us we are coming up to the most photographed tree in Denmark.

Tree?

OK. There are so many highlights on a canal tour around Copenhagen, this must be an impressive tree if it’s important enough to point out.

Along with the other passengers, we ready our smartphones and cameras for the big moment.

Then the penny drops.

As the canal boats come out of the tunnel under the bridge, Our Saviour Church’s distinctive “corkscrew” tower comes into view.

We only have about 30 seconds before the boat moves on.

But many people miss the momentary shot, capturing the tree just above the canal instead.

It’s so commonplace that the tree has its own Facebook page: Missedthegoldenchurch.

Look it up. We all laughed and laughed.

The good news is that you can get off the boat at the Christianshavn stop and

have a much closer look at this elegant baroque church with a black and gold helix (corkscrew) spire that reaches 90m and the external anticlockwise winding staircase that can be climbed to the top for 360degree views over central Copenhagen.

You will also marvel at the melodies played by the bells of its carillon – the largest in northern Europe – which plays hourly from 8am to midnight.

Nearby at the same boat stop is Christiania: a quirky “Freetown” that boasts colourful houses and sculptures, creative artists and an alternative hippy society – the equivalent of our Nimbin but on a smaller scale.

In 1971, a group of hippy squatters broke down the barricades to the abandoned military base and Christiania was born.

Hundreds of curious visitors daily now pass through the defined entrances to this antiestablishment commune that houses up to 1000 people on 7.7 hectares.

While the community governs itself with its own rules that are independent

of the Danish government, it has still had its run-ins with police, mostly due to its reputation as an area for cannabis trade, especially in the so-called Green Light District’s Pusher Street.

Many residents are actively campaigning to rid Christiania of drugs but on the day we visited last July, stalls were still in operation and we abided by a sign warning visitors that no photos are allowed inside Christiania, due to the possible sale of drugs and paraphernalia that might be captured.

But there is much more to this bohemian area than meets any disapproving eye.

Christiania hosts regular concerts on stage and in various venues that attract jazz, blues and contemporary music lovers from far and wide as well as those wanting to join in impromptu jam sessions.

Skaters from around the world make a beeline for the ALIS Wonderland skate park with its wooden bowl that also hosts contests and demonstrations, as well as graffitied half-pipes and other equipment to test skills.

Plenty of cafe seats are

An intricate 20th-century artwork in the Tapestry Room.

available for a quick caffeine hit, and visitors have an array of breakfast/brunch/ lunch takeaway choices including tasty organic vegan and vegetarian offerings, hamburgers, Thaiinspired dishes as well as Sunshine Bakery pastries.

Or simply get away from the crowds and relax by the canal, surrounded by trees and good vibes.

To learn more about this fascinating place, Christiania guided tours are held at 1 and 3pm daily.

But there’s certainly plenty more to explore in this city, which is home to Australia’s homegrown Princess Mary and her husband Frederik, the Crown Prince of Denmark.

We found even a 48-hour Hop on Hop Off Boat ticket wasn’t enough time to quench our curiosity for this enticing capital but the routes do help visitors explore the well-defined

Colourful Christiania, a “Freetown’’ founded by squatters..

neighbourhoods and their distinct vibes.

One of our favourite spots for a drink overwater on the canal happened to be at this same stop, at Christianshavns Badudlejning and Cafe.

Apparently the watering hole has been welcoming guests since 1898 and it’s also right opposite our favourite bakery and cafe:

Lagkagehuset, where we couldn’t resist a coffee and cinnamon roll (kanel snegle) daily.

Another boat tour guide tells us that while thousands of visitors to Copenhagen all want to see the Little Mermaid at Stop D, the relatively small sculpture also regularly makes Europe’s Most Disappointing Attractions List, alongside

Colourful Nyhavn of tourist brochure fame.

Rosenborg Castle and the King's Garden.

SEGE01Z01MA - V1

SENIORS

ESCAPE

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

‘‘

It’s so commonplace that the tree has its own Facebook page: Missedthegoldenchurch. other statues such as Brussels’ Mannikin Pis. It’s still fun to tick it off the bucket list but try to pick your time (early morning or late afternoon) or you’ll be jostling for a picture with busloads of other tourists.

While here, stroll along the top of the ramparts of one of the best-preserved forts in Europe at the Citadel (Kastellet), which forms the shape of a star or pentagon with bastions at its corners.

The historic site, built in the 17th century to guard the approach to the harbour, these days is mostly a public park that attracts joggers and walkers around its large parade ground, barracks and various other buildings including the Citadel Church and a windmill.

Christiansborg Palace (Departure Point A at Ved Stranden) is where we spent the better part of two hours, wandering the opulent, V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

800-year-old seat of power.

While visitors can choose to inspect The Royal Stables, The Royal Kitchen, Christiansborg Palace Chapel and the ruins under the palace, we devoted our time to The Royal Reception Rooms and The Great Hall with its 1100 years of Danish history laid out in tapestries.

Queen Margrethe II carries out her official duties in these rooms: receiving guests, signing acts of Parliament into law, hosting banquets and gala dinners for state visits and other occasions.

It’s an insight into a whole new world – one of parquetry floors, crystal chandeliers, and black-andgold colour schemes, magnificent antique sideboards and priceless ceramics and paintings.

Among the friezes is one 35m long by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen, done in

1812, of Alexandra the Great entering Babylon after his conquest of Persia. The Plate Room highlights the Flora Danica setting featuring lifesize plants in the botanical artwork (being porcelain, the plates are only used to serve dessert despite being a complete dinner set, because other courses are usually served on silver plates).

The royal dining hall, where royal banquets were once a daily ritual for the court, is dominated by the massive oval mahogany table, able to seat 52 guests, but which is now seldom used.

The eye-catching Tapestry Room is a pleasant surprise of history through colourful embroidery, with faces of The Beatles and Donald Duck, the Second World War and Berlin Wall among some of the 20thcentury inclusions.

The Throne Room is another must-see for its gold and embossed burgundy thrones, Greek marble pilasters, with a ceiling painting by Danish artist Kraesten Iversen and walls clad in silk hangings of Danish coat of arms with three lions and nine hearts from Lyon in France.

The king’s throne features two golden lions and the queen’s throne has two gilded mythical creatures called griffons.

The thrones – historic relics from the time of absolute monarchy (1660 to 1848) – were nearly lost when the palace burned to the ground in 1884, but are not used by the Queen, who ascended to the throne the day after her father died in 1972.

Take along an audio guide to explore on your own or join a guided tour of the palace.

The Ofelia Plads Departure Point (or if we just turned left and walked from our Wakeup Copenhagen Borgergade hotel) is closest for Amalienborg Palace and Gardens and the spectacular Marble Church (Frederik’s Church) or further on to the beautiful Rosenborg Castle and The King’s Garden (which is home to the statue of Little Mermaid author and revered Dane Hans Christian Andersen).

But Copenhagen’s bestknown attraction is Nyhavn (Departure Point B) – with its colourful 17th-century waterfront buildings that have been reimagined as restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels and specialty shops.

As a tourist mecca, Nyhavn is simply a fun place to be at any time of year.

We happened to visit during the Copenhagen Jazz Festival, which offers free and ticketed events throughout the cities at various venues including the little park surrounding Memorial Anchor at Nyhavn, where we spent a couple of hours listening to a hardworking trio play popular music hits from artists including our own Crowded House.

Pull up a chair and gaze out over the passing parade of people and boats (including historic wooden ships) while downing a Carlsberg or two.

But be warned: Copenhagen isn’t cheap by Aussie standards and an extended time here will cost you.

We lapped up the twilight on our first night, paying just under $200 (915 Danish kroner) for a three-course meal for two.

Our choices from a set menu led us to half-lobster entrees, main meals of eyefillet steak wrapped in bacon with hollandaise sauce and potatoes, and grilled salmon pasta with tomato, mushroom and basil, with crème brulees for dessert.

With drinks (half-bottle of white Chilean wine and two schooners of Jacobson brown ale), the bill was worth it just once for the happy atmosphere and waterside panoramas begging to be photographed.

For something a little more reasonable, cross the Inderhavnsbroen – a bridge that opened in 2016 connecting Nyhavn on the west side of the river to Christianshavn on the east – for a choice of bars and street food vendors including Gasoline Grill, Pasta Station, Sweet Treat and Fish & Chips in the Broens Skotebane food court, where it’s easy to strike up conversations with visitors from all over the globe at the picnic table seating.

Other major attractions you will want to linger longer at on the boat tours are Tivoli Gardens (for its flowers, restaurants, rollercoasters and concerts), the Opera House, and the impressive waterfront Black Diamond extension to the Royal Danish Library (so nicknamed because of the polished black-granite cladding and irregular angles of the building).

23

Copenhagen viewed from the water gives another perspective of the city’s charms.

The eye-catching Our Saviour's Church has a distinctive “corkscrew” tower.

Four full days weren’t enough to conquer one of Europe’s oldest cities, established as a 10thcentury Viking fishing settlement.

If you can avoid that tree near Our Saviour Church and any pricey tourist traps, you’ll find the city really can be like the song from my childhood: Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen Friendly old girl of a town ‘Neath her tavern light On this merry night Let us clink and drink one down To wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen Salty old queen of the sea Once I sailed away But I’m home today Singing Copenhagen, wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen for me.

DISCOVER IT COPENHAGEN Canal Tours Copenhagen, which operates open and covered boats, has been plying the Copenhagen harbour and canals since 1904.

The Hop On Hop Off routes allow travellers to see old and new architecture and historic points of interest, with commentary by experienced guides.

If you buy the Best Offer ticket, you can use the bus and the boat for different perspectives and sights on land and water.

CONTACT Go to stromma.com/ copenhagen.

ACCOMMODATION Wakeup Copenhagen Borgergade, 9 Borgergade, Copenhagen.

Call (45) 44 800 000.

24

ESCAPE

FEBRUARY, 2020//

SENIORS

Clifford's Honey Farm goodies.

Picture: Contributed

‘‘

Food on KI is artisan, seasonal and boutique, bringing joy to food lovers.

SENSUAL FEAST: Savour a sunset dining experience that only Kangaroo Island can serve up.

Picture: Contributed

Watching Seal Bay residents frolic is a highlight.

Join island’s wave of support Kerry Heaney IN JANUARY fires ravaged the picturesque western wilderness of Kangaroo Island, covering our television screens with heart-wrenching images of destruction.

More than 30 per cent of the 4416 square kilometre island was affected, but there is still much to see and do on what is Australia’s third-largest island (and that includes Tasmania).

While there is a long road ahead for the island’s recovery, getting visitors back onto KI, as the locals call Kangaroo Island, will help rebuild the economy as tourism and agriculture are the primary industries.

Kingscote local Craig Wickham, who operates Exceptional Kangaroo Island’s wildlife and food tours, says he is optimistic about the island’s ability to recover from the bushfires, particularly if there is good rain.

“Nature is resilient, and the animals have learned how to bounce back from fires over millions of years.

Once we get some rain, things will start to green up pretty quickly,” Craig said.

Where can you visit, and

Excite your taste buds at Kangaroo Island Spirits.

what can you see? Work is under way to restore access for visitors to fire-affected areas of the island, including Flinders Chase National Park, home to the iconic Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, where the Visitor Information Centre and cafe were sadly destroyed.

Iconic attractions such as Seal Bay Conservation Park, where a colony of endangered sea lions frolics on the beach, the interactive birds of prey experiences at Raptor Domain and the KI Wildlife Park, where more than 150 species of native animals live, are all open as usual.

Cape Willoughby lighthouse on the eastern point of Kangaroo Island was

Picture: Contributed

built in 1852. There are daily tours and self-guided walking trails that give insights into life as a lighthouse keeper.

Food on KI is artisan, seasonal and boutique, all words that bring joy to a food lover’s heart.

The island’s first hatted restaurant, Sunset Food and Wine, focuses on South Australia’s seasonal best.

Cactus Kangaroo Island is a newish cafe at Kingscote where you’ll stop for a coffee hit and find it hard to resist the freshly baked sweets.

Visit wineries in Kingscote, Cygnet River and on the Dudley Peninsula, where the clifftop Dudley Cellar Door sells awardwinning locally grown and produced wines.

Emu Bay Lavender is not only a stop for lavender products, lavender scones and ice cream, it’s also close to a favourite swimming spot for locals.

At American River, The Oyster Farm Shop farmgate sells marron, abalone, King George whiting and freshly plucked Pacific and Angasi oysters.

Drop into Kangaroo Island Spirits and taste its premium gin and vodka.

Mark Norek walks around KI guiding visitors on Life’s An Adventure walking tours.

“It does not take long for fire-affected areas to regenerate, sometimes only three to six months, and it is amazing to walk through,” Mark says.

One of KI’s significant losses in the fires was Southern Ocean Lodge.

Owners James and Hayley Baillie had an architect on the site within days and are committed to rebuilding their vision echoing the resilience of the Kangaroo Island community that has recovered from severe bushfires in the past.

Locals say a helping hand is always welcome and it’s a bonus when all you have to do is visit.

How do you get to

A visit to the Oyster Farm Shop is a must.

Kangaroo Island?

Take your car to Kangaroo Island via a ferry with Sealink or KI Connect, or fly with QantasLink or Rex direct from Melbourne or Adelaide into Kingscote.

Picture: Contributed

Donate to help the recovery. You can also help recovery efforts by donating to the KI Mayoral Relief and Recovery Bushfire Fund, SA Country Fire Service or KI Wildlife Network.

SEGE01Z01MA - V1

SENIORS

ESCAPE

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

25

Refuge high in the Pyrenees A place to rest on the trail.

‘‘

Life’s real or imagined problems simply fade away...

HIGH LIFE IN THE PYRENEES: The temptation is to just stand and stare in silent awe at the magnificence of the stunning mountains.

Pictures: Graeme Wilson

An ideal picnic spot beside one of the many waterfalls.

Graeme Wilson AS I stood and gazed in awe at the legendary Pyrenees soaring into the sky directly ahead, the soulful words of Marvin Gaye began playing in my mind.

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.

A year ago I tentatively dipped my toe into the water with my first overnight hike (NZ’s spectacular Kepler Track) and from there my partner and I decided there was only one way to go – onwards and upwards.

So fast-forward to central Spain’s World Heritagelisted Ordesa National Park and the latest challenge – a picturesque five-hour hike along the Ordesa Valley and up the Pyrenees to a height of 2195m and our evening accommodation at the 80bunk Refugio Goriz.

For many the refuge serves as base camp for the more challenging climb to the 3355m summit of Spain’s third-highest peak, Monte Perdido, but for us it was the perfect challenge in itself.

It’s hard to describe the V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

Terraced waterfalls tumble serenely down to the floor of the Ordesa Valley.

scale of the Pyrenees. You actually have to be standing there yourself, looking up at the towering wall of rock, to fully appreciate their enormity.

Hopefully the accompanying photographs give at least some idea of their ability to make mere mortals feel somewhat insignificant.

The walk to Goriz gives ample opportunity to stand and stare in amazement and we found ourselves stopping

regularly and doing just that.

Breathtaking.

The route is dotted with waterfalls and we timed our departure to ensure there was no great rush to reach the night’s lodgings. There’s too much beauty on offer to be in a hurry.

The refuge is comfortable, but its facilities aren’t quite Hilton or Hyatt, so much of the relaxation instead comes via nature’s own serene beauty.

Life’s real or imagined

problems simply fade away as you sit in silence, looking and listening to the water tumbling over well-worn rocks to the valley below.

Yes, I could definitely get used to this hiking life.

Next stop, the French Pyrenees.

Getting there: The beautiful village of Torla is a 9km drive from the carpark at the Goriz walk’s departure point in the national park.

Torla is a four-hour drive northwest of Barcelona.

The Refugio Goriz is situated at a height of 2195m and attracts keen hikers from all over the world.

26

ESCAPE

Wellbeing AUSTRALIAN researchers have identified 107 genes that increase a person’s risk of developing the eye disease glaucoma, and developed a genetic test to detect those at risk of going blind from it.

The research, led by QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and Flinders University, has just been published in the journal Nature Genetics.

The researchers now want 20,000 people to sign up to their Genetics of Glaucoma Study so they can find more genes involved in the disease.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases that are characterised by progressive damage and degeneration of the optic nerve, causing gradual loss of vision. It is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and is predicted to affect 76 million people by 2020.

Although there is no cure for glaucoma, treatment can reliably slow or halt the rate

FEBRUARY, 2020//

SENIORS

Gene test for glaucoma risk of disease progression in most cases. Up to 50 per cent of people with the disease do not know they have it.

Lead researcher and the head of QIMR Berghofer’s Statistical Genetics Group, Associate Professor Stuart MacGregor, said identifying the new genes had allowed the researchers to develop a glaucoma polygenic risk score (PRS) that can predict who is likely to get the eye disease.

“Glaucoma is a genetic disease and the best way to prevent the loss of sight from glaucoma is through early detection and treatment,” Associate Professor MacGregor said.

“Our study found that by analysing DNA collected from saliva or blood, we could determine how likely a person was to develop the disease and who should be offered early treatment and/ or monitoring.

“Importantly, unlike existing eye health checks

SEE HERE: Prevent glaucoma through early detection.

that are based on eye pressure or optic nerve damage, the genetic test can be done before damage begins so regular screening can be put in place.

“Having a high risk score

doesn’t mean you will definitely get glaucoma, but knowing you could be at future risk allows people to take the necessary precautions.”

Clinical lead researcher

Picture: Contributed

and chair and academic head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Flinders University, Professor Jamie Craig, said the study results provided hope that mass screening for glaucoma

could be offered in the future.

“There are Australians who, if they’d had appropriate treatment a few years earlier, wouldn’t have gone blind,” said Professor Craig, who is also a consultant ophthalmologist.

“One in 30 Australians has glaucoma, but most people only find out they have it when they go to the optometrist because they are losing vision, or for a general eye check.’’

The researchers are now hoping to recruit 20,000 people with a personal or family history of the disease to join their Genetics of Glaucoma Study so that they can identify more genes that play a role in the condition.

People interested in taking part in the research can visit the Genetics of Glaucoma study website www.qimrberghofer.edu.au /genetics-of-glaucoma, phone (07) 3845 3981 or email Glaucoma_Genetics @qimrberghofer.edu.au.

Embrace the Internet!

It’s time to jump on the social media bandwagon!

Let Seniors ease you into the exciting world of online. Get every news story - big or small, the latest exclusive offers, plus a whole heap more when you connect with Seniors on social media.

Opening Doors to the Seniors Lifestyle

Visit facebook.com/seniorsnews or seniorsnews.com.au

SEGE01Z01MA - V1

SENIORS

WELLBEING

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

27

Make a start towards fit and fabulous Baby boomers leading the charge in fitness Tracey Johnstone THE messages from the health and fitness sectors about getting moving and staying active for a much better quality of life is getting through to baby boomers.

And there is an increasing number of accredited physical trainers qualified in working with seniors.

Fitness Australiacommissioned research has revealed baby boomers are doing far more physical activity over a year than any of the younger generations.

Fitness Australia spokeswoman Chantal Brodrick said at the top of the list of activities were walking and gardening.

“From the research, we are also seeing they are doing group fitness classes and strength training,” she said.

“We know that strength training can really help osteoporosis; it helps strengthen our bones.”

Ms Brodrick said baby boomers had come to understand the importance of moving more often to help prevent chronic health conditions and alleviate existing health issues.

“As soon as you start being active, you feel better for doing it,“ Ms Brodrick said.

Jo Hill, 73, and her husband Philip, 70, wanted to stay fit as they aged.

Jo has been active all her life, particularly as she managed the physical requirements of her severely disabled son.

“I am exercising three times a week,” Jo said. She does a cycling class, walking, rowing and free weights.

Since her husband retired five years ago, he has joined Jo in the gym, but he does the exercises that suit him.

“We will keep doing this as long as we can,” Jo said.

“We won’t stop until we have to; it’s just part of our life.

“We feel so much better.

“We have compared

ourselves to friends of the same age that walk far too slowly for us.

“It’s a mindset as you get older that people think older. We try not to do that.”

Before you start a fitness activity or introduce strength training to your activities, Ms Brodrick says it’s vital you seek guidance from a qualified trainer.

The best place to find a registered trainer who is working near you and is qualified to work with older adults is to go to Find a Personal Trainer on fitnessaustralia.com.au.

“This is important because you need to know you are in safe hands,” Ms Brodrick said.

“You need to know that if you are starting an exercise routine that you are working with someone who understands your body and goals, and why it is that you want to become more active.”

For those baby boomers who haven’t got moving yet, Ms Brodrick has some motivational tips:

Saturday 14 March 2020 Ambrose Brown Park, Pottsville to

Lions Park, Cabarita (7km) $30 Salt SLSC, Casuarina (15km) $50 Family Park, Fingal Head (24km) $60 (includes cap, medal, fruit & water stations & first aid support)

fundraising for the Rescue Helicopter Service

V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

STRENGTH AND WISDOM: Exercise physiologist Chantal Brodrick with senior client Jo Hill.

Picture: Mark Stanley

• If you plan your activity with friends, you are less likely to give it up and maybe they won’t either, since both of you will be relying on each other for motivation and company.

• It will be much more fun if you do an activity you really enjoy. It’s likely to feel less like a chore.

• Find a trainer so both of you can work on a program

and towards your goals.

• If you are worried about the cost of a trainer, look for ones that offer small-group training or gym classes.

• Know why you want and need to get moving. Is it health, maintaining independence, to meet new people, try something new or a mix of all of the above?

• Check with your GP on what activities you are

capable of doing safely.

• It’s important to start at a manageable level and gradually build up.

• Doing activities that require you to move in all directions – such as yoga, dance, tai chi and even simple at-home moves like single-leg balancing – help hone your balance, in turn reducing the risk of falls and fractures.

28

WELLBEING

FEBRUARY, 2020//

SENIORS

Benefits of grandsitting Grandparents talk about relationships with grandchildren Tracey Johnstone FIVE days a week Margot Bain happily has her hands full, looking after her four very young grandchildren, taking them to the park, beach or just sitting reading to them.

After missing out on spending a lot of time in her younger years in the company of her busy mother, Margot is determined to ensure she gives the best of her time and love to her grandchildren as she did to her four daughters.

Actively engaging with the children gives Margot a great sense of connection to them and to her daughters.

A recent German observation research project, published in BMJ Open, found Margot’s type of interaction with her grandchildren helps to

THE

reduce social isolation and loneliness in seniors.

The researchers observed 3949 grandparents. Those who didn’t have an active caring role had higher average loneliness scores and were in regular contact with fewer people important to them.

In Australia, about 40 per cent of children under the age of three are cared for by grandparents on a weekly basis, the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIF) reports.

“It’s enhancing my social network,” Margot says.

The researchers found caring for grandchildren could also expand the social circle of grandparents, allowing them opportunities to establish relationships with other parents or grandparents.

Margot says she chats to old friends through Facebook, sharing among

them grandchildren photos and stories, and she plans meet-ups at the local park with other grandparents.

When her daughters were growing up, Margot met a lot of new friends through her local playgroup.

Once her grandchildren are old enough, she looks forward to repeating this experience through the playgroup and then school near her northern Sydney home.

Margot knows while the children are young, she needs to be available almost full time. But, after six hours each day, “It’s enough for me as I get so tired after that”, Margot, 60, admits.

She promises herself Sunday off and fits in singing with the Big Sing choir and creating stunning painted ceramics.

Grandparent caring often doesn’t stop once a grandchild starts school.

The AIFS reports the most common type of nonparental care for children under 13 years is grandparents (18.6 per cent) followed by before - and after-school care (14.8 per cent).

As far as Ivanka Boyd, who is still working full time, is concerned, it will go on until her two grandsons have finished their schooling.

Since the boys were born, Ivanka has religiously been looking after them every second weekend.

“I cook them healthy food,” Ivanka said. “I am not a lolly and soft-drink grandma. I am the health food and culture grandma.

“I have given them what is lacking at home – lots of special love and attention, good food and culture.

“I take them out, whether they like it or not, to museums and art galleries

GRAND CARING: Margot Bain (Nonna Gogo) with daughters and grandkids Annie, Henry, Matteo, Holly and Toto.

and teach them general knowledge.”

Now the boys are in their mid-teens she is enjoying their company over restaurant meals.

Ivanka also attends some of their sporting matches where she actively talks to other grandparents and parents.

“I have the personality where I will interact with a telegraph pole, if necessary,” she admits.

The researchers suggest that by providing grandchild care, grandparents may boost their self-esteem and may develop positive relationships with their children and grandchildren.

They also suggest that this positive impact might wear off if grandparents are called on too often to step in and care for a grandchild, especially if this interferes with other aspects of their lives.

Great

RECLINER

SALE BUY ONE RECLINER

GET THE SECOND

HALF PRICE! * PRESENT THIS AD TO RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL 5% DISCOUNT Aspley

MacGregor

Morayfield Super

* Terms & Conditions apply. Please see instore for details.

FURNITURE GALLERY

7001100be

Jindalee Home

Gold Homemaker City 531 Kessels Rd Centre Goggs Rd Coast Corner of Zillmere & MacGregor 312-344 Morayfield Jindalee QLD 4074 94 Upton Street, Bundall QLD 4217 Gympie Rd Aspley QLD 4109 Rd Morayfield Ph 07 3376 8002 QLD 4034 Ph 07 3161 5580 QLD 4506 Ph 07 5592Ph3512 07 3263 4169 Ph 07 5353 9156 Visit us online www.La-Z-Boy.com.au

SEGE01Z01MA - V1

SENIORS

WELLBEING

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

29

Free entry at 2020 expo Health and lifestyle show has a wealth of seniors’ information BRAND INSIGHTS THE Gold Coast Seniors Health & Lifestyle Expo will be held at the Albert Waterways Community Centre (next to the library) on February 27 from 9am to 1pm. Find it all in one location and on the same day, and enjoy free entry and a free sausage sizzle.

Would you like free information and education for seniors about health and lifestyle? Learn about retirement living options, inhome care, seniors’ travel, insurance, financial planning and investing.

Free hearing and eyesight checks will also be offered, as will mobility aids and information about Centrelink, City of Gold Coast and more.

4CRB will be there broadcasting and taking

registrations for its on-air auction of a motorised scooter from Summit Mobility Scooters.

With more than 80 exhibitors, including residential aged care providers, travel agents specialising in seniors’ offerings, vision aid suppliers, funeral services and in-home care providers, there will be plenty on offer.

All exhibitors with products and services relevant to seniors are invited to participate in our 2020 expos at Palm Beach, Twin Towns, Runaway Bay and Southport.

Details can be obtained from our website, at gceniorsexpos.com.au.

If you require any further information please contact the event organiser, Warren Elwell, at warren.elwell @bigpond.com or phone 0409 277 430.

INFORMATIVE: Find all the answers on many topics at one location on the same day, with free entry and a free sausage sizzle, at the expo on February 27 from 9am-1pm.

Picture: Contributed

l o to the tas l e h y Sa me cooked, delive te of ho

red

Phone 1300 112 112

www.gourmetmeals.com.au Select from our delicious and nutritious menu

Delivered to your door

Heat and enjoy

fo r e

Available options: ✓ Gluten-free ✓ Dairy-free ✓ Reduced fat

Per f lici e ct o

as y , de

us m

e al s

Free Introd uctory M for Fir eal Ofer st Time Customers!

7095218aa

V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

NoNocontracts. deliveryfee. fee.Delivery Deliveryareas areasserviced servicedonce oncea aweek, week,ononthe thesame sameday dayevery everyweek. week. contracts.Minimum Minimum$49 $49order orderplus plus$7.50 $7 delivery Available at selected independent stores, see website for locations. Pick up: Mon-Fri 46/215 Brisbane Rd Labrador.

30

WELLBEING

FEBRUARY, 2020//

SENIORS

Journey to demon-free life CONTRIBUTED

Placing a red rose on the cross at the Long Tan Cross Memorial.

Picture: Contributed

remembrance services, I would say to them: “Di and I will visit Burma Railway and Hellfire Pass one day.’’

Sadly, in 2012 Elliott passed away and in 2013, while watching the Anzac Day service broadcast from Hellfire Pass, Di said we should honour the promise to go and suggested that it may help me to include Vietnam in the trip.

So, we extended our trip to cover Vietnam, Burma Railway and Hellfire Pass, a journey that turned out to be a lifechanging experience.

Our voyage began in 2014 and while on a train trip from Da Nang to Hue my wife had to deliver a baby girl on the carriage floor.

Di needed something to tie off the “cord”, so I provided some pink ribbon off my suitcase. It was a remarkable moment and symbolic to “new beginnings”.

Two weeks later we attended the Long Tan Cross Memorial, where the young Vietnamese guide opened the boot of his car and gave us a fresh red rose to place on the cross. On Anzac Day we attended the service in Hellfire Pass, where I met Harold Mills, who was a prisoner there.

These three events made me contemplate forgiveness, respect and new beginnings. I thought about the greatgrandparents of the newborn who is no longer my enemy

No Gap Eye Surgery

and respect and did not display any malice towards the people who invaded his country. And our friend Harold: hearing his story helped me to realise that I have never really had it tough compared with himself,

Kemble and Elliot, soldiers who lost their freedom.

Di and I returned home with a new depth of gratitude for life. And I am finally free of past demons and have a new attitude and respect towards Vietnam.

GLENDALE GRANNY CABINS

• Independence • Security • Peace of Mind THE IDEAL SITUATION Providing privacy and Independence, with the security of proximity to family. Glendale Granny Cabins provide comfortable, self-contained accommodation for elderly relatives on the same site as the family home.

• Over 4000 satisfied Glendale owners • 7 year structural warranty • Over 25 years experience • Undisputed industry leader

Dr Emanuel Svoboda

Servicing the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers 6 Scott Street, Coolangatta Qld 4225

(07) 5506 6777

soldier on the opposing force.

Today he is a human being just like me.

A farmer who lost his village and livelihood during the terrible war. Then there was our young Vietnamese guide, who treated us with equality

OBLIGATION FREE SITE INSPECTIONS AND DESIGN ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE 6908492ab

At The Eye Care Clinic, our eye surgeons and specialists care enough to see you as people, not just as someone with a problem. Dr. Svoboda and Dr. Lamont personally see you all the way through your procedure - right from the first visit till they are totally satisfied all is well.

Nor does this high level of care mean that you are charged an arm and a leg. We actively work to keep the costs as low as possible, and provide services including age related macular degeneration, cataract surgery, glaucoma, lid tumours, diabetic eye disease, iritis, laser surgery, dry eyes and lid malpositions. Those who are insured also enjoy the cost saving benefit of our No Gap Policy.

What’s more, there’s no need to travel out of the local area for the actual surgery as our surgeons operate in Tweed Heads.

When you want someone that takes a sight better care of both you and your health, ask for The Eye Care Clinic. You’ll see we really do care.

EMOTIONAL TIME: On Anzac Day attending the service in Hellfire Pass, where Brian met Harold Mills, who was a prisoner there.

Picture: Contributed

Dr Meon Lamont

Dickson Rd., Caboolture 4510 FREECALL 1800 801 710

Please send me more information on Glendale Granny Cabins Mr/Mrs/Miss .............................................................................

Address .................................................................................... .............................................................. P/C.............................

Phone .......................................................................................

6843693ab

MY NAME is Brian and I am writing this article to tell of three amazing events my wife and I shared during a trip to South-East Asia.

It was one of the most healing journeys of my life and brought about closure for me regarding my tour of duty to South Vietnam.

In 1965 I was conscripted for national service into the Royal Australian Army. I was deferred from the first intake to complete an apprenticeship and drafted in the third intake on April 20, 1966. This was the Tuesday straight after I had just finished my apprenticeship on the Friday before (I never worked one day in that trade).

After eight months of army training, I was deployed to South Vietnam in January 1967 and returned home in late December 1967. I failed to complete my 12-month tour due to a severe alcohol problem fuelled by resentment towards the Australian government and the country of South Vietnam for perceived loss of my trade.

After being trapped in a downward spiral for some years, I found recovery and support but still clung to disdain for Vietnam in the belief that this country was the direct or indirect cause of most of my life’s problems.

I married my wife, Diane, in 1992. Di had a nursing career as a midwife, mental health nurse and a remote-area nurse. We lived in Forster Tuncurry in NSW and at an Anzac Day service in 1996, I met two WWII veterans, Kemble and Elliott, who were prisoners on the infamous Burma Railway and were interned in Hellfire Pass.

In 1998, these two friends talked me into joining Legacy to assist families of deceased veterans. Every year since, at

SEGE01Z01MA - V1

SENIORS

REAL ESTATE

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

31

Living

ON BOARD WITH CHANGE: On-demand bus collection points can be transport hubs or personal locations.

Picture: Contributed

On-demand bus hailed as next level of service TRACEY JOHNSTONE IN the US’s Arlington, where there is a population of 400,000, their fixed bus service has been fully replaced by an on-demand system.

And now Australia is preparing for similar changes in regulated public transport as on-demand transport technology provider Via moves into Australia.

Via, an international company, has its product in 20 countries.

In Australia it’s already being used in Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Adelaide and northern and northwest Sydney.

Rigid transport routes will disappear and dynamic routes that improve the efficiency of a public bus system are the future.

V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

Via’s Andy Ambrosius said many of Australia’s elderly were serviced by community transport.

“They don’t really use any form of technology,” Mr Ambrosius said. “There is very little flexibility. Via has engaged with dozens of community transport providers who are keen to organise their operation and provide new service offerings.”

Will there be fewer scheduled bus services in some areas?

Via spokesman Zack Wasserman said: “I think it’s already an established pattern.

“In places where fixedschedule bus services are inefficient because there isn’t a lot of passenger uptake, we are seeing agencies choosing to retire those routes and replace them with on-demand service that is more efficient in terms

PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO REQUEST A RIDE EXACTLY WHEN THEY WANT ONE RATHER THAN SCHEDULING THAT RIDE IN ADVANCE. of vehicle utilisation and provides a better quality of service for the people who demand that service.”

Currently being used are small buses or vans, but the Via technology is “vehicle agnostic”, Mr Wasserman says.

“People are able to request a ride exactly when they want one rather than scheduling that ride in advance,” Mr Wasserman said.

“What that means is you take out your smartphone, download the app, then you

say where you are and where you want to go. The vehicle is dispatched and picks you up.

“It takes you to your destination and makes short stops along the way to pick up and drop off other people.”

It sounds a bit like a mashup of Uber and the regular bus service. The difference is its on-demand, with a much greater saving to users.

Collection points can be transport hubs or personal locations.

It really is the next generation of public transport.

Take Cooee Busways in Sydney. They are a Via partner contracted by Transport NSW to transport locals within the service area to Rouse Hill and Tallawong metro stations and for those wanting to connect with trains travelling to Bella Vista, Norwest, and the Hills Showground metro stations.

It’s a “first/last mile’’ service – instead of driving their car to a transport hub, school or nonemergency medical location, travellers hail the on-demand service to travel directly to that destination.

Because the service is ondemand, it replaces the fixedrun public bus, which may be moving through the suburbs when there is no demand at that time for that service.

The Via app is able to be configured to suit the needs of the transport partner.

For example, it can have the option of taking ride requests from people who don’t use smartphones.

Instead, they can phone a call centre to make a booking.

Disability and mobility equipment requirements can be noted in a user’s profile so that each time they make a booking, that physical

requirement is built into the booking.

On Sydney’s northern beaches, Keolis Downer has been trialling the technology using multi-person vehicles.

It was introduced when BLine was launched and operates between Palm Beach and North Narrabeen, connecting customers directly from their homes to Pittwater’s three B-Line hubs, at Mona Vale, Warriewood and Narrabeen.

Coffs Harbour’s Woopi Connect trial on-demand service works across two zones, Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm.

It picks travellers up at or near their home sand takes them to any destination within the zone or into the second zone.

The Concession cost is between $2.10 and $3.30.

32

FEATURE

FEBRUARY, 2020//

War bride reaches out to others

SENIORS

LOOKING BACK: Jackie McLaughlin was a war bride who came to Australia from England in 1946.

Picture: Tracey Johnstone

TRACEY JOHNSTONE JACKIE McLaughlin wonders if there are still women like her who came to Australia by ship at the end of World War II. They were the war brides.

About 70,000 of these women left Britain in the 1940s bound for Canada or America.

Some of them came to Australia.

“I never kept in contact with any of them,” Jackie says sadly.

But now, at age 96, and as she peruses the regular Veteran Affairs magazine, Jackie has started to wonder if there are any of those women left, or their family members, who she can chat with about their life journey.

The spritely Englishwoman lives in the forest just west of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

She’s buried her husband of 64 years and her only child, but Jackie still has the company of her second husband, 80-yearold Colin.

The memories of her time during World War II and how she came to live in Australia are still vivid and heart-wrenching.

It was a sheet wiped clean, Jackie declares, when she landed in Australia with no idea nor worry of what the future held.

Christened Daphne, she ran away from her country home in Surrey and travelled solo to London to sign up for the air force at age 17 and a half. The war had started two years before.

She had listened to her brother talk about his “exciting” time in the air force as the bored young lady reflected on her future.

“It was either go into one of the forces or the land army or be called up for a munitions factory, and I wasn’t an indoor girl.

“That’s the sole reason I signed up and I am so glad I did.”

Her mother threw he hands up in horror, but her father said, ‘You really want to do this, don’t you?’. I said, ‘Yes I do’,” Jackie says. “He then said, ‘This will be the making you, my girl’.

“I didn’t live up to the ladylike name of Daphne at all.”

After the first week in training camp, her fellow trainees decided they needed to find a

Jackie McLaughlin when she entered the air force at age 18.

Picture: Contributed

less ladylike name for the tomboy.

“They came up with Jackie, and it stuck.”

Unfortunately, Jackie says, she spent most of the war working in an office.

It took five months from first setting eyes on each other after an “inane” meeting outside the local pub at Bridlington in Yorkshire in 1944 to walking down the aisle for Jackie with her first husband, Doug, an Australian air force navigator and bomb-aimer.

She was 20 and he was 21.

Soon after the war ended, Doug returned to Australia while Jackie stayed in England until May 1946.

She then joined 360 English women and children on board the former hospital ship Atlantis.

Some of the women had been visiting England when the war broke out, others had married Australian personnel.

“One or two of them were going for the trip only and they weren’t going to stay here, even though they were married to an Australian,” Jackie recalls.

The ship first stopped in Fremantle before docking in Melbourne on June 29.

From there she travelled by train to Sydney and on to Brisbane, where Doug was waiting to start their life together in the city.

Jackie remembers on the voyage meeting Una and her two-year-old son.

Una hadn’t heard from her husband for quite some time.

When they got to Sydney, Jackie accompanied Una to the

army office where she was informed the address the husband had provided to the army was a vacant block.

Una and her son, left with nothing to live on in Sydney, soon stowed away in a lifeboat on a ship heading for England.

They were discovered after only a few days and after she shared her story, the passengers gathered enough money to pay their fare.

Jackie’s other poignant memory of the voyage to Australia is of a very young boy who became sick and died during the voyage.

“We were two or three days out from Fremantle and the funeral came,” Jackie says.

“They stopped the boat and we all stood on the deck.”

As the swaddled body was lowered over the side, his mother was in shock.

“She was torn to pieces and said as soon as she hit land she would go straight back to Australia as her husband will say she had killed her little boy.

“They got in touch with her husband (in Sydney) and they flew him to Perth and he was on the dock at Fremantle.

“He came on board. She was shell-shocked, not knowing what to say or do. He just walked up and put his arms around her.”

She looks back now with some sadness, but also a lot of joy of the life she came to live in Australia.

Before she left England, Jackie bumped into an old

school friend who was to marry an Australian from Goondiwindi. The fare was being paid for by the Australian government as long as she was married within three months. Both were excited they would be living near each other. “Just imagine, in England you walk from this place to that,” Jackie says.

The two girls looked at a map of Queensland and got the tape measure out to work out the distance between Brisbane and Goondiwindi.

“We thought, ‘That’s not that far away, we can have afternoon tea together’,” Jackie adds with peals of laughter.

Jackie’s not been back to England: “It’s too cold,” she says.

SEGE01Z01MA - V1

SENIORS

FEATURE

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

33

Jackie McLaughlin with Cathy Meyer from Caloundra Family History Group and (above) an image of the ship Atlantis on which Jackie travelled to Australia.

Picture: Tracey Johnstone

Logistical woes kept tide of women at bay after free passage rule IN 1941 the Australian government gave free passage to wives, widows and children of Australian servicemen to come to Australia during World War II. However, according to the Australian War Memorial, the risks involved in travelling during the war meant most women waited until 1944 or later to leave their homeland.

The desire for passage to Australia at the end of the war resulted in logistical problems and it was sometimes years before a berth on a ship became available.

Converted troopships, V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

ordinary passenger ships and even cargo ships were used to transport women and children to Australia.

Fiancees were disadvantaged as priority for travel was given to married women.

Before 1946, transport via ship was not available from Western Australia to the eastern states for war brides.

Mothers, babies and children had to travel via the train that crossed between Perth and Melbourne, earning the train the nickname “the Perth Perambulator”.

Representatives of the

Australian Red Cross travelled on the train to support the mothers.

At various stops along the way, local residents provided mothers and babies with meals and refreshments, sometimes in their own homes.

World War I Marriages More than 13,000 Australian soldiers married while serving overseas during World War I. After the war, 5626 members of the Australian Imperial Force returned to Australia with English brides.

Many of these couples met

while the soldiers were hospitalised in England.

Australians also had opportunities to meet British, French and Belgian women in France while in billets or medical facilities, during leave, or even in the camps.

Australian soldiers were popular with British girls, although not everyone approved of liaisons. Reports of bigamy led to pressure for Australian headquarters to provide potential marriage candidates with certificates stating that men were not already married.

Weddings usually had to be

planned around leave and were often rushed and lacked the usual lengthy engagement.

This haste was compounded in 1919 when the Australian government made an offer of free passage to wives of Australian soldiers whose marriages occurred before September 1, 1919.

Rationing of food, clothing and petrol in the United Kingdom were additional constraints. Planning a traditional wedding required considerable resourcefulness.

During the early part of the war, a serviceman could only take his bride home to

Australia if he paid for the journey.

The large number of passengers resulting from the offer of free passage in 1919 caused enormous logistical problems and resulted in “bride ships” sailing to Australia in 1919 and 1920.

Soldiers usually accompanied their wives and children, although men and women were housed separately on the ships.

As there had been a dearth of “marriageable’’ men in Australia during the war years, overseas war brides were not always welcomed on arrival.

SHARES

Money

MONEYSMART.GOV.AU NO ONE wants to think about death, but it’s important to decide what will happen to your assets when you die.

Find out how you can give instructions to your family about your legal and medical preferences should you fall ill or lose the capacity to make those decisions yourself.

The issues to consider are: estate plans; wills; testamentary trusts; powers of attorney; your legal and financial housekeeping; and estate plans.

Estate plans: An estate plan includes your will as well as any other directions on how you want your assets distributed after your death. It includes documents that govern how you will be cared for, medically and financially, if you become unable to make your own decisions in the future.

You must be over 18 and mentally competent when you draw up the legal agreements that form your estate plan. Key documents might include: a will, superannuation death nominations; testamentary trust; powers of attorney, power of guardianship, and anticipatory direction.

If you have made a binding nomination in your super or insurance policies, the beneficiaries named in those policies will override anyone mentioned in your will. If you have a family trust, the trust continues and its assets will also be distributed according to the trust deed, no matter what is written in your will.

Wills: A will takes effect when you die. It can cover things like how your assets will be shared, who will look after your

FEBRUARY, 2020//

SENIORS

Estate planning ensures your wishes carried out children if they are still young, what trusts you want established, how much money you’d like donated to charities and even instructions about your funeral.

Your will can be written and updated by private trustees and solicitors, who usually charge a fee. Some Public Trustees will not charge to prepare or update your will if you nominate them to be the executor of your will. Other Public Trustees may only exempt you from charges if you are a pensioner or aged over 60.

If you die intestate or your will is invalid, an administrator appointed by the court pays your bills and taxes from your assets, then distributes the remainder, based on a predetermined formula, which may not be how you intended your assets to be distributed.

If you die intestate and don’t have any living relatives, your estate is paid to the state government.

Testamentary trusts: A testamentary trust is a trust set out in your will that only takes effect when you die.

Testamentary trusts are usually set up to protect assets. Here are some reasons why you would create one: A. The beneficiaries are minors (under 18-21 years old).

B. The beneficiaries have diminished mental capacity.

C. You do not trust the beneficiaries to use their inheritance wisely.

D. You do not want family assets split as part of a divorce settlement.

E. You do not want family assets to become part of bankruptcy proceedings.

A trust will be administered

by a trustee who is usually appointed in the will. A trustee must look after the assets for the benefit of the beneficiaries until the trust expires.

Powers of attorney: Appointing someone as your power of attorney gives them the legal authority to look after your affairs on your behalf. Powers of attorney depend on which state or territory you are in: they can refer to just financial powers, or they might include broader guardianship powers. You will need to check with your local

Public Trustee.

The different types of power of attorney are: A. General power of attorney is where you appoint someone to make financial and legal decisions for you, usually for a specified period of time, for example if you’re overseas and unable to manage your legal affairs at home. This person’s appointment becomes invalid if you lose the capacity to make decisions for yourself.

B. Enduring power of attorney is where you appoint

a person to make financial and legal decisions for you if you lose the capacity to make your own decisions.

C. Medical power of attorney can make only medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself.

You can prepare a few other documents to help your legal appointees and family as you grow older, including an enduring power of guardianship that gives a person the right to choose where you live and make

decisions about your medical care and other lifestyle choices, if you lose the capacity to make your own decisions. Anticipatory direction records your wishes about medical treatment in the future, in case you become unable to express those wishes yourself.

An advance healthcare directive (or living will) documents note how you would like your body to be dealt with if you lose the capacity to make those decisions yourself.

New Way Lawyers is a law firm with a difference. We are Australia’s First Non Profit Law Firm. As a non profit law firm we are not motivated by profit or financial gain because there are no shareholders or partners in our organisation. This means that our fees for services are more affordable because unlike other law firms, the purpose of our fees is to cover costs, not to generate profit. We practice exclusively in the emotional areas of estate law and family law.

• Separation and Divorce • Parenting Matters • Property Settlement • Child Support • Wills • Powers of Attorney • Will Disputes and Family Provision Claims • Probate • Letters of Administration • Superannuation Disputes www.newwaylawyers.com.au • (07)

3548 5868

6916459bu

34

SEGE01Z01MA - V1

SENIORS

MONEY

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

35

Retirees’ fears over savings TWO-THIRDS of retirees who have been retired five years expect to spend their savings over the next 20 years.

The latest research from National Seniors Australia surveyed levels and causes of worry among Australian retirees. The survey found that most older Australians (53 per cent) are worried about outliving their savings, with women (59 per cent) more worried than men (47 per cent).

People without any super reported the highest levels of worry, with 23 per cent worrying frequently. Many of these people are likely to be on the full age pension, with one in three worried about outliving their savings.

National Seniors CEO Professor John McCallum said these findings illustrated the extent of the worry felt by older Australians about their financial security.

“Australia has one of the best pension systems in the

world, yet Australian retirees are still showing high levels of worry that they will outlive their savings,” Professor McCallum said.

“This shows a need for better advice and education to help older Australians manage their savings so they can have the confidence to spend their money and enjoy retirement.”

Why are women more worried than men?

Not only are retired women more worried than men, they are also more likely to be relying on the age pension as their main source of income. Women are also more likely to have less than $500,000 in retirement savings, which is below the ASFA comfortable standards. Divorced women are among the most worried about their financial situation in retirement.

Challenger’s Chairman of Retirement Income Jeremy Cooper said disparities in earnings and working patterns had disadvantaged

women and their potential to accumulate wealth over their lifetimes.

“Super not only provides a reliable source of income, but also reduces worry for older Australians. On average, women live three years longer than men, but our super system doesn’t cater for this difference in longevity,’’ Mr Cooper said.

“What this and other National Seniors research clearly highlights is that people treat the age pension and their own savings differently. They fear running out of their own money, even though the safety net of the age pension will be there for them. This sends a strong signal that people worry about being solely reliant on the age pension.

“It’s therefore important that super funds explore ways of providing more lifetime income to their members.”

The research also found that having a reliable source

of income that would last for life is a key factor for worrying less, with those people with a defined benefit pension or a lifetime annuity reporting the lowest levels of worry. This is consistent with previous NSA research that found 84 per cent of retirees said regular and constant income in retirement was very important to them.

About the report: The latest National Seniors Australia report Retirement Income Worry: Who Worries and Why? is one of the largest comprehensive surveys of older Australians. The study surveyed 3584 Australians aged over 50 on their behaviour and views across a range of topics including lifestyle, health and wellbeing. The research is a joint partnership between National Seniors Australia, a peak body for older Australians, and Challenger Limited.

The full report is available

FINANCIAL FITNESS: Super levels are a concern.

at nationalseniors.com.au/ RetirementIncomeWorry.

About National Seniors Australia: National Seniors is the leading independent

Picture: Contributed

advocacy group for older Australians. It has more than 200,000 members, customers and supporters.

It fights for a fair go for seniors on many issues.

Diversify to add security Spread your investments to minimise risk and make your income stream last as long as you do OUTSIDE super, there is a bewildering number of investments on offer. You need to find a mix of investments that will fit your needs.

Security should be at the top of your mind. You will have greater security if you diversify your investments.

You might need your money to last for 20 years or more so it’s good to have investments that will at least keep pace with inflation. You may also need a reliable, long-term income stream.

Consider: 1. Diversifying your retirement investments.

2. Capital growth investments.

3. Interest-bearing accounts and term deposits.

4. Managed funds.

Diversifying your retirement investments.

A key rule to investing in retirement is to diversify.

This is even more important V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

for retirees - if you lose money it will be hard to replace.

Some retirees have been devastated because they put all their money in one investment. They lost their life savings when that company went bankrupt, had a run of bad luck or the promoter turned out to be a crook. See diversification for more details.

Capital growth investments Capital growth investments, such as property and shares, are good if you want to invest your money for the long term (more than seven years). These investments will generally increase in value over time.

Of course, they can also fall in value from time to time, as the global financial crisis showed. Growth investments will hopefully also pay dividends. You can

use these as income, or reinvest them for further growth.

Shares and property may be purchased directly. An easier way is to invest in managed funds that own shares or property.

Shares A strong portfolio of blue chip shares can deliver good returns. They are more flexible investments than property as they can be bought and sold in small parcels.

Owning shares also has tax benefits. However, share markets are volatile. The value of a share can drop dramatically in a few hours and companies can go broke overnight. This can be daunting for new or nervous investors.

The Australian Securities Exchange and the Australian Investors Association offer investing courses. Seek financial advice before

investing.

Investment properties Many people invest in residential property to boost their wealth. You can take advantage of capital gains and there are tax benefits arising from negative gearing and depreciation allowances, especially if you are in the higher tax brackets.

However, people in retirement generally will not buy an investment property as their main investment.

It is poor diversification.

You could lose seriously if property prices fall in that area, if the property is vacant or if tenants don’t pay their rent.

If you need money you can’t sell part of a property, and you can’t sell it quickly at a top price. See property for more information.

Interest-bearing accounts and term deposits

These accounts are a good way to earn money for daily living expenses and emergencies.

There are no entry and exit fees and your cash is easily accessible. You are sure of getting your money back, plus any interest.

However, you will have to pay fees if you want to get out of a term deposit early.

However, there are no capital gains or tax benefits and the interest you earn may not be enough to keep up with inflation.

Interest-bearing savings accounts and term deposits will generally earn you less money in the long term than property or shares.

You should spend some time researching online savings, transaction and term deposit accounts to compare different products.

Managed funds If you are interested in a diversified mix of

investments but aren’t sure where to start, or would rather leave the hard work to experienced people, you may want to consider investing in managed funds.

There are many types of funds, fee structures and investment managers.

Do your research before you dive in.

Retirees need to be careful about mortgage funds and property funds.

Although these have been successful in the past, many people have recently burnt their fingers.

See managed funds for more information.

Think carefully about your investment strategy as it will affect the income you receive in retirement.

Reduce risk by spreading your money in different types of investments.

Consider getting financial advice before you start investing.

36

CLASSIFIEDS

FEBRUARY, 2020//

SENIORS

Call or place an ad online 13 11 13 or buysearchsell.com.au

Welcome to Australia’s leading network of trusted local classifieds

Trades & Services Computer & IT Services

Home Maintenance

COMPUTER HELP

ExpEriEncEd Handyman/carpEntEr

0402 990 277 Only work valued at $3300 or less

smart-phone

BEST VALUE HANDYMAN ON THE COAST

Join THe Hemp revoluTion!

Friendly STaFF. menTion THiS ad For 10% oFF

operating systems * Senior with many years experience * Very reasonable $40 p/hour

Humble Hemp - 3/14 Bay St, Tweed Heads 07 5599 4659 (directly behind Food Smith café) @humblehemp

PHONE Gabriel on

NO Fees. Over 80 Currencies.

0429 176 909

with Australia Fair, Coolangatta, Harbour Town, Pacific Fair, The Pines, Surfers Paradise (Kings)

Phone Number: 1300 392 426 crowncurrency.com.au

6856573aa

Bathrooms

BUDGET BATHROOMS & RENOVATIONS Seal tight waterproofing Stephen Robinson QBCC Bld Lic. No. 52389 Trading As

SPECIALISTS FOR THE DISABLED INCLUDING WALK-IN SHOWERS, BATH TO SHOWER CONVERSIONS, HAND-HELD SHOWERS, GRAB RAILS, LEAKING SHOWER REPAIRS RENOVATIONS - PLUMBING - TILING - WATERPROOFING budgetbathrooms@hotmail.com

0412 752 264

7116972aa

PR McKenzie Construction Specialising in Bathrooms & Renovation

Patios & Decks

Member of the Master Builders for over 21 Years

Call Peter 0418 742 864 QBCC Lic# 22704

7064878ab

Give us a call before you renew your baiting system to compare the price!

Ph: 1800 808 445

WE SPECIALIZE IN TERMITES & UTILISE THE LATEST THERMAL CAMERA TECHNOLOGY FOR ANY RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL SERVICE

GREG ROSNER HANDS ON 0412 903 300

• Carpenters • Rubbish Removal • Electricians • Cabinet Makers • Handymen

MOw Z LAwN Gold & Tweed Coasts

• Carpet Cleaners • Tilers - Pavers • Gutter Cleaning • Plumbers • Tree Lopping

• Window Cleaners • Pergolas • Painters • Plasterers • Water Blasting

All these services plus more from our experienced over 45 service providers

We would love to provide a worker for you.

Lawn & Garden Care Turf Laid, Trees Lopped, Pavers Laid & Reset, Rubbish Removed & Gutters Cleared Property Preparation ready for Sale Computer Help & Care

Home Maintenance

Cannot perform building work valued at more than $3300.

LAWN & GARDEN CARE

MAINTENANCE CALL RICK – 0408 696 013 SHARON 0418 685 602 Glass & Aluminium, Pool Fencing, Decks, Pergolas, Carpentry Work

We don’t just mow, we care!

NSW LIC 41806 SMALL JOBS WELCOME

Ph: 0479 162 695

abn: 96 500 319538 Email: colinmckay57@gmail.com cmmckayhandymanservice.com.au

7065254aa

AVAILABLE SERVICES • Plastering • Painting • Small Tiling Jobs (qualified tiler) • Locks *Doors • Carpentry • Flat pack furniture • All handy man services NO JOB TO SMALL COMPETITIVE RATES Qualified tiler and building supervisor. Former site foreman and safety officer. Reliable work.

Removals & Storage

ALL SUBURBS

Removals & Storage

Careful, friendly men Voted No 1 Bulletin Readers From

110 99

$

Credit Cards Welcome

p.h.

Phone

Jobs under $3,300 only

Looking for car parts?

Small, Medium & Large Trucks

First 10 Boxes FREE

Time Starts At Your Door - 7 DAYS A WEEK

55•782•500

www.goldcoastremovalists.com

Skylights & Vents

10% Senior discount *conditions apply

Painting and Small Plaster Repairs At A Genuine | Low Price! | Free Quotes!

Peter 0484 315 014

Seniors & Pensioners Discounts Apply LOCAL & INTERSTATE

Est. 1972

FREE BOXES

TRADESMAN PAINTER

ALL AREAS

Colin McKay

TERMITES • COCKROACHES • ANTS SPIDERS • RATS • MICE

*Mention this ad and get $10 OFF

Painting & Decorating Services

ARNOLD PROPERTY

Handyman Service

Pest Control

CALL US ON 5502 2297 Honest, reliable service at very competitive rates

Garden & Outdoor General

C & M McKay

Exspan P/L BLN QBCC 1131531

Coastline Pest Control

Home Services General

TWEED - BANORA - POTTSVILLE

Builders

spanline.com.au

0418 320 015

6965421aa

Chirnside Park • Forest Hill Chase Know (Westfield) • Northland • Parkmore

Free Quote Interest Free Available

3804 3834

Friendly Prompt Service

(no call out fee - no fix no fee)

Patios Carports Verandahs Glass & Screen Enclosures

IOR TS SEN COUN DIS

Gold CoaSTS only dediCaTed Hemp STore Hemp produCTS: pain relieF BalmS and oilS, Skin Care, Hemp FoodS, CloTHinG, BaGS and aCCeSSorieS

• General Household Repairs • Decks, Fence Repairs • Bathroom & Kitchen Specialist • Roof Leaks, Guttering, Downpipe Repairs & Replacement • Slinks: Tap Leaks And Dishwasher Jobs under • Tiling, Plastering & Painting $3300 • All Trades (except electrical)

6654221ab

Hemp STore Tweed/Gold CoaST

7067195aa

* Windows, Android or Apple

7068804aa

All Trades

7080076ab

7064876aa

computer, tablet or

6863860aa

Trades & Services

6971172ag

* At your home on your own

SKYLIGHTS Round, Square & Rectangular PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN MADE & OWNED SOLAR WHIZ (Solar Powered Roof Ventilator) SOLAR LIGHT WHIZ (Solar Skylights) QBCC Licence # 709235

Energy Efficiency, Hail Protection & Up to 60% LESS HEAT than other skylights

Office: 07 5598 2737

sales@sunshineskylights.com.au www.sunshineskylights.com.au

7000407ad

* Problem solving or tuition

7063649ab

with fix-it skills for most jobs SERVICING CENTRAL/NORTH GOLD COAST $55 PER HOUR. MINIMUM 1 HOUR NO JOB TOO SMALL. NO CALL OUT FEE POLICE CHECKED

6987075aa

Trades & Services

Pergolas Decks & Patios

Call 13 11 13 SEGE01Z01MA - V1

SENIORS

CLASSIFIEDS

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

37

Lifestyle & Entertainment Alternative Therapies

Helping your health concerns

Regain the freedom of your home

13 11 35 mytributes.com.au

• The only company to supply and install our own stairlifts

For free consultation or visit.

Call John 0416 351 126

• For straight or curved staircases • Free home assessment • Fast installation • Safe and reliable

Entertainment Services

Tributes Funeral Directors & Services

FREEPHONE

7061074aa

1800 870 619

FOR FREE BROCHURE FOR FREE BROCHURE & QUOTE &

Catch The:G virtually to our doorstep! Only 180m walk

Mermaid Beach & Southport Activity with a chair starting soon under the heading Yoga and Pilates for Over 50

0405 089 891

info@spiritdanceworld.com www.spiritdanceworld.com

for more info visit rslclubsouthport.com.au

Bookings EssEntial

Health - Professional Practitioners Same Day Appointments Walk-Ins Welcome

Monday-Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm Saturday 8:00am to 11:30am

Aged cAre • Asthma management • Diabetes management • Dive medicals • Pre-employment medicals • Skin checks • Pap smears

7062433ab

Opening Hours

Se ervices • Fa amily medical care • An ntenatal care Men’s health •M •W Women’s health Minor Procedures •M • Check-ups accinations • Va

How to find us: Ho

Basement level of Australia Fair Shopping Centre, on Broadwater side Access via Marine Parade drop off bay Access vic lift C “Level B” *Bulk billing available, conditions apply Shop B002 40 Marine Parade Southport

Ph: 5532 3466

ON-LINE APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE www.australiafairmc.com.au

NEED ED NEW DENTURE DENTURES?

Motoring Caravans & Motor Homes

CARAVANS WANTED All caravans wanted We come to you All areas, Cash today!

Phone 07 3812 3553 04188 76395

6700988aa

• Implant Dentures Now Open • Health Funds & DVA rongary at Worongary • Precision Dentures & Robina • Same Day Repairs & Relines

DENTURES DIRECT TO PUBLIC C Registered with the Dental Board of Australia & Australian Dental Prosthetist Assoc. Ltd.

NO COMPROMISE ON QUALITY

CALL NOW 5525 2899

nobledenturedesign.com.au

Shop 40/1 Mudgeeraba Rd Worongary Town Centre Suite 5/26-28 Commerce Dve Robina Village

Dining table had its day?

Sell your unwanted furniture at Buy Search Sell.

Call 13 11 13 V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

Call for a complimentary funeral pre planning booklet 1800 644 524 www.newhavenfunerals.com.au 1 Central Drive, Burleigh Heads Q 4220 Or 21 Quinns Hill Road West, Stapylton Q 4207

• Free Funeral Pre-Planning Service • Proudly 100% Australian Family Owned • Multicultural, Traditional and Contemporary Burial and Cremation Services

Proudly 100% Locally Owned Since 1979*

Cremation Services from $1,600

Professional, Dignified and Compassionate Care

info@rufflesfunerals.com.au

1300 512 287

www.rufflesfunerals.com.au

Providing Professional And Personal Care, 24 Hours, 7 Days, All Areas.

The Ruffles Family, A Part of the Queensland Community for over 120 years.

Helping Celebrate a Lifetime’s Journey Free no-obligation pre-planning of funerals and prepaid funeral quotations. Call today.

Freecall 1800 995 352 www.integrityfunerals.com.au

Reflect upon their life 13 11 35 mytributes.com.au

Cars For Sale

CALL SOMEONE WHO CARES!

Custom made aesthetically designed natural looking dentures that you can wear with a confident smile.

6968851ad

Yoga & Pilates for Over 50 7058616aa

Great food - Great prices 180 Pokies & Jackpot Links | Cash Bingo Every Day FREE Courtesy Bus | Kids Zone FREE Entertainment - Fri to Mon Daily Raffles SENIORS DAY EVERY MONDAY FROM 11AM - 2PM

Meaningful | Personal | Affordable We’re With You Every Step of the Way...

Sporting & Fitness

36 Scarborough Street, Southport Phone: 5552 4200

Personalised Funerals Respectful and Dignified

Fraud is the real deal If someone is requesting money to be transferred to an address or account prior to receiving the goods it may be fraudulent.

Don’t be a wally, exercise caution before you respond to a request. Always verify the authenticity of persons requesting your credit card or bank details prior to making any transfers. For more info from the experts visit buysearchsell.com.au/staysafe

Keep the beautiful memories alive mytributes.com.au 13 11 35

7064826aa

• Indoor and outdoor lifts 7066250ad

7063740ab

Maid of Sker Centre Sunday 8am - 12noon - next to Lavelle St Famers Market Nerang St, Nerang

7062236aa

Discover the secrets of herbal remeDies

Home Care / Help

38

REVIEWS

FEBRUARY, 2020//

Indigenous heroes’ stories celebrated THERE are few Aboriginal icons in White Australia history.

From the explorer to the pioneer, the swagman to the drover’s wife, with a few bushrangers for good measure, Europeans play all the leading roles.

A rare exception is the redoubtable tracker. With skills passed down over millennia, trackers could trace the movements of people across vast swathes of country.

Celebrated as saviours of lost children and disoriented adults, and finders of missing livestock, they were also cursed by robbers on the run. Trackers live in the collective memory as one of the few examples of Aboriginal people’s skills being sought after in colonial society.

In NSW alone, more than a thousand Aboriginal men and a smaller number of women toiled for authorities across the state after 1862.

This book tells the often unlikely stories of trackers including Billy Bogan, Jimmy Governor, Tommy Gordon, Frank Williams and Alec Riley. Through his work on native title claims, historian Michael Bennett realised that the role of trackers – and how they moved between two worlds – has been largely unacknowledged.

His important book reveals that their work grew out of traditional society and was sustained by the vast family networks that endure

Austen is moving with times

Doggone insightful look at life

to this day. Pathfinders brings the skilled and diverse work of trackers not only to the forefront of law enforcement history but to the general shared histories of black and white Australia.

Professor John Maynard said the book charted an important though largely

overlooked area of the country’s history.

“Aboriginal trackers hold a mythical yet obscure presence in the history of the continent. Bennett weaves back into the nation’s historical narrative these Aboriginal heroes and heroines,’’ he said.

Professor Maynard is a Worimi Aboriginal man from the Port Stephens region of NSW. He is a director at the Wollotuka Institute of Aboriginal Studies at the University of Newcastle and chair of indigenous history.

RRP $34.99.

SENIORS

ALREADY an international bestseller, Hans-Olav Thyvold’s Good Dogs Don’t Make it to the South Pole has now been translated into English.

It’s been touted as the wisest, funniest and most inspiring book on ageing and friendship written by a dog you’ll ever read.

The best thing you can aspire to in this world is company.

Whether it’s for pleasure or pain, a crowning or an execution: everything is better with company.

The major, a World War II veteran, breathes his last.

Watching over him are his wife and his faithful companion, Tassen, the story’s narrator, who is, by his own admission, a couch potato and a one-man dog.

“You might say it all went to hell with Mrs Thorkildsen, but you know what? It could have been worse, because Mrs Thorkildsen had me to keep her company.

“And I had her. That’s what we had in common, her and me, what bound us together. We were company.’’

TIME Traveller’s Wife meets Persuasion in this charming story of love, friendship and passion – Jane Austen timetravels to the modern day and learns that the search for true love is never simple.

Jane in Love is the debut novel from screenwriter and filmmaker Rachel Givney.

After reading Emma as a teenager, Givney became fascinated by Jane Austen.

She was shocked to find that the woman who had written such beautiful love stories had never found love herself and that this seemed to be the case for many other female writers. This later became the inspiration for Jane in Love.

When 28-year-old Jane Austen enlists the help of a matchmaker, she gets a lot more than she bargained for.

Jane accidentally timetravels to modern-day England and finds herself on the set of an adaptation of Northanger Abbey.

Jane is thrilled to learn she has become a famous author and is determined to return to her own time to fulfil her destiny, until she meets siblings Sofia and Fred Wentworth.

RRP $32.99

Published by Allen & Unwin. RRP $29.99.

Books bind women in journey of discovery MEET Ros from Sydney, Adele from Adelaide, Judy from Mandurah and Simone from Hobart, who are connected by books and as they discover, also by life.

A Month of Sundays brings together these four very different women who for 10 years are now the remaining members of an online book club.

All of them are in their 60s. They are meeting for the first time in person.

Their time together helps them to peel back by layers

the weaknesses and strengths of each of them.

As they spend a month in a house in the Southern Highlands of NSW relaxing, talking and discovering each other through a selection of books, relationships break and heal, are discovered and cemented.

There’s no time to settle into complacency as the reader joins the women for their “holiday’’.

Byrski cleverly builds up and breaks down the reader’s perception of each

character. It’s easy to connect with each of the women. Ros is angular and gutsy, Adele is simply complicated, Judy has a future she needs help to find and gentle Simone is a surprise.

A Month of Sundays is the type of novel you have to force yourself to put down, at least for a night. It’s an enjoyable and relatable read.

It’s Australian author Liz Byrski’s 10th novel. She is a writer and broadcaster with more than 40 years’

experience in the British and Australian media. In the ’90s Byrski was a broadcaster and executive producer with ABC Radio in Perth and later an adviser to a West Australian Government minister.

She now lectures in professional and creative writing at Curtin University of Technology in Perth, and has a PhD in writing with a focus on feminist popular fiction.

Published by Pan Macmillan. RRP $32.99 SEGE01Z01MA - V2

PUZZLES

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

JIGGERED

3/8

The challenge is to rearrange a crossword which has been broken into 25 sections. One letter has been given to get you started. Work out which 3x3 square fits in with that letter and write in the letters.

You can also shade the black squares if you find it helpful.

After completing the first 3x3 area, work out which square joins on to it, and continue until you have made a complete crossword.

A N O N I N G

B R E L A E R

A U G K S K I

P E R A D E D

R U L M

T O O A P I T

G I A S C I

P

I C U M M A N G A M P W O N

D E S O E N O D

A A R F

T R O P X

R O E D D E

N P E C E

W R I K E M H

F T E D T C

T E D E E R I N

M E N E R T

T W W I N A N E N F S E

A D O E C R

M B A N T

I E N D

R M G S

Across 1. Seem (6) 5. Fixate on something (6) 9. Piled (6) 10. Occur unexpectedly (4,2) 11. Naked (4) 12. Slaughter (8) 14. Logic (6) 16. Unsullied (6) 19. Abyss (8) 21. Ran away (4) 22. Innate (6) 23. Physician (6) 24. Break away (6) 25. Stop doing something (6)

1

Down 2. Introduction (7) 3. Put into words (7) 4. Basics (9) 6. Hurtful remarks (5) 7. Assumes (7) 8. Highest (7) 13. Triumphed (9) 14. Rebounds (7) 15. Harsh, biting (7) 17. Has an influence on (7) 18. Shakes (7) 20. Rectify (5)

2

3

4

5

9

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

10

11

12

14

13

15

19

16

20

22

23

Can you complete these four words, using the same three-letter sequence in each?

24

25

SUDOKU

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

F U S S E D Q C A T A R A C T

A N N U H G N I R I M O V O D

T Z E S T Y Z S C O O T E R D

E I P H O J G F E K E K H G A

S P R I G O O W D M B A S I C

O D E W E E S K H L A Q Y H R

R I F L E B H A V E B E I M E

E M I N H K E G I B P Q J N T

A Z N E R I O T A Y A M U S E

L M E B U W O D L L R T N P N

M I D P O I N T R C A N C A N

T N V T V S E J P O K Y T A Y

R A D I A N C E S K E N U R E

V N O W L V K Y A L E O R L P

C E N T X E S C O R T T E N D

BLACKOUT

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

Solution opposite

All puzzles ©

The Puzzle Company

D P

PRAMS, QUOTeR, ReGALIA, SMOULDeR, TOLeRANCe.

ALPHAGRAMS JIGGERED

I M P U G N

F S U N Z I P S E R S U S H I E T G D Y G O C S A R C E D T O A M O E B R T A A E S C O R G I T C

TRIO: keL

Across: 1. Appear 5. Obsess 9. Heaped 10. Crop up 11. Bare 12. Massacre 14. Reason 16. Chaste 19. Crevasse 21. Fled 22.

Inbred 23. Doctor 24. Secede 25. Desist.

Down: 2. Preface 3. express 4. Rudiments 6. Barbs 7. expects 8. Supreme 13. Succeeded 14. Recoils 15. Acerbic 17. Affects 18. Tremors 20. Amend.

QUICK CROSSWORD

E

TODAY: Good 16 Very Good 22 Excellent 27

T W A N E F S F T E D T C A N O N I N G E E R S T R O E D

R

18

21

I D E R E A I E F I N L E E K I S H O A T V I A E A P A M J U S R E T E

L M R C I N A N E E D D N P I T O V A L W I N E N E C K S T E C L O C R R A K E E T N N N C T U R E A R N N E D

How many words of four letters or more can you make? Each letter must be used only

17

TRIO

SUDOKU

A N

8

ReARRANGe reran

RAMPS TORQUE Solve the anagrams. Each solution is a one-word anagram ALGERIA of the letters beside it, and the five solutions are sequential. For OLD SERUM example, if the five-letter solution NO TREACLE

WORD GO ROUND

7

T O O T N A P R O I T X N G I I A S C E N I R A D O P A E M D C R A M I A C I A R A N F W O N T E D R E E M R I N G S

I

ALPHAGRAMS

V1 - SEGE01Z01MA

6

E E R S T

U

SOLUTIONS BLACKOUT

I I

QUICK CROSSWORD

39

W R M I K E B A H T M B R E W I L A N E R E D E S P E E O N O D D E N R P E C U L M E A U G M E E K S K I R T

SENIORS

Spacious Apartments Enquire today about our 2 and 3 bedroom apartment waitlists.

Priced from $370,000 to $515,000

De Paul Villa - Vincentian House

Sheltered Outdoor Courtyard Angelus House

The De Paul Community ~ Living, Caring, Belonging Enquire today with our friendly staff about your own or a loved ones retirement journey at De Paul.

1 Edmund Rice Drive, SOUTHPORT, Gold Coast, Qld 4215 Ph:(07) 5582 7999 www.depaulmanorestate.com.au 27 Edmund Rice Drive, SOUTHPORT, Gold Coast, Qld 4215 Ph:(07) 5582 7250 www.depaulvilla.com.au SEGE01Z01MA - V1