Gold Coast, September 2019 by seniors

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TERMS & CONDITIONS CONDITIONS *Price *Price isis per per person person Twin Share. Single Supplement Supplement applies. applies. Credit Credit card surcharges apply. Deposit Deposit of of AUD$500-$800 AUD$500-$800 per person is required to secure tour. tour. Tour Tour requires requires a minimum number number of of passengers passengers to to depart. depart. Prices Prices may ﬂuctuate if surcharges, fee, taxes or currency change. Prices current as at 25th July 2019. 20 January 2019. Go See Touring in conjunction with Norfolk Select Marketing ABN: 93 367 366 822 ATAS Accreditation A10619 Accr

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SEPTEMBER, 2019// SENIORS

INDEX 3 News - Choir signs for the future 4 Cover Story - Jack Charles 12 News - Dive into the Pet Porpoise Pool 16 Feature - Beautiful Brunswick Heads 18 Feature - Retire to Nambucca Heads 21 Wanderlust 33 Community group guide 35 What’s on 36 Money 39 Puzzles

Phil’s living well with dementia

Big life, big adventures Gail Forrer Seniors Group Editor ONE of my favourite childhood memories is a family trip to Jack Evans Pet Porpoise Pool — I’m thinking my parents took our family of five children a couple of times, but perhaps I loved it so much it just felt like that! If you haven’t yet flipped through this edition, you may wonder why I have pet porpoises on my mind... Well, check journalist Alison Houston’s story (page 12) with Toni Cameron reporting on the book Toni has just completed about her dad Jack Evans and her own adventures within this adventurous family Yes, everybody has a story – that’s one of the first things a young journalist learns. These thoughts passed through my mind as I read about the big life of this month’s cover personality, Jack Charles. What a hero to find a path through the enormous adversity he has faced – no wonder he was named Victoria’s Senior Australian of the Year (2016). We also follow up with Ricci Bartels – the lady who spoke up on national TV about the difficulties of older-age unemployment and the fact that Newstart has not risen in 25 years.

Have you ever thought of living with the family? Tracey Johnstone speaks to families who actually have, and in our regular two-page news feature she gives us a first-hand account of their experiences. In terms of travel, the man in charge of Seniors News online, Graeme Wilson, gets off the screen and into print with a story on the National Trust’s Great Walks of Qld. On the other hand, if you seriously want to stretch your horizons further, why not think about Armenia – check out our Wanderlust section for the story. Our Wellbeing section presents a number of accounts from people sharing authentic tales of finding their own way to live their best life – in this case I’m referring to Phil Hazell, who is tackling his dementia diagnosis his own way. What an inspiration.

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 “Gold Coast Seniors Newspaper”. The Seniors Newspaper is published monthly and distributed free in northern New South Wales and southeast Queensland. The Seniors newspaper stable includes Toowoomba, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Northern NSW, Coffs and Clarence and Central Coast publications. Published by News Corp Australia. Printed by News Corp Australia, Yandina. Opinions expressed by contributors to Seniors Newspapers are not necessarily those of the editor or the owner/publisher and publication of advertisements implies no endorsement by the owner/publisher.

Multi-generational cast by the sea

Tweed club calls for sponsors THIS Anti-Poverty Week October 13-19, the members of Twin Towns Day VIEW Club are calling on the local community to sponsor a disadvantaged Australian child through The Smith Family. Twin Towns Day VIEW Club sponsors seven children through The Smith Family to provide vital support for their education, but many more young Australians are in need of help. President Kathie, of the Twin Towns Day VIEW Club

said: “There are so many families out there struggling to pay the bills, and education essentials like school books and excursions can fall to the bottom of the pile. The latest data shows that there are 1.1 million children living in poverty in Australia right now – and our club is doing something about this huge problem that sadly affects so many. “Sponsoring a child through The Smith Family helps ease the burden,

providing a combination of financial support, personal support and access to a range of out-of-school learning and mentoring programs to help them get the most out of their education. “We’ve seen firsthand the difference this support makes. Each year, our members receive handwritten profiles from the students we support, detailing their progress at school and plans for the future.” Right now, there are

over 15,000 VIEW members across Australia who are fundraising and volunteering for The Smith Family to help as many disadvantaged children as possible thrive in their education so they can create better futures for themselves. Info about VIEW clubs, go to view.org.au or phone 1800 805 366. To sponsor a child through The Smith Family, go to thesmithfamily.com.au or phone 1800 633 622.

SUPPORT: You can sponsor children through your clubs. Photo: LSOphoto

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MILESTONE: Gold Coast City Choir is not a religious choir but rehearses at Mudgeeraba's Church of the Good Shepherd and welcomes new singers after its 50th anniversary performance with the Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra at HOTA on September 14.

Choir sings for the future Alison Houston GOLD Coast City Choir is marking its 50th anniversary with a nod to the future, performing the Queensland premiere of Symphonic Adiemus by famous contemporary Welsh composer Karl Jenkins. “We are really excited to be performing this together with the Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra in such a wonderful venue as HOTA,” said the choir’s events co-ordinator Julie Watson.

Jenkins’ piece, melding elements of classical, jazz and world music, made its world premiere in London just two years ago and Australian premiere last year. “Fifty years is such a wonderful milestone for any organisation, and it’s a real sign of the future for us to be singing something so new and exciting,” Julie said. The 70-strong mixed-voice choir features a cross-section of ages from their 30s to 80s, with the majority over-55s, and no auditions involved. “I think that’s a really

positive thing to have an organisation that can suit such a wide age range of people who are all actively engaged,” Julie said. “Our director Sue says she can teach anyone to sing; it just takes longer with some people than others.” Choir president Aileen Sinclair has been a member since 1996 and, with accompanist Marie Nicholson, who has played for the choir since the early ’90s, and vice-president Lawrie Yakimoff, is one of the longest-serving current members.

But many original singers, she said, were still loyal supporters from the audience. “It’s a wonderful choir; everyone cares about each other,” Aileen said. Joining “mostly because singing made me feel relaxed – it’s such a love”, she paid tribute to the talents of former long-time musical director Ruth Gurner as well as Sue Roberts, director since 2015. Both, she said, were “brilliant” in their respective focuses, with Ruth more classically inclined while Sue, also

the head of Performing Arts at Somerset College, had a more contemporary bent. “It’s totally, totally different to anything we’ve done before, but it’s so exciting to do things we never thought we could do …” Aileen said. “Sue has a wonderful way of coaxing us through and some of the sounds are amazing.” While the choir’s focus is currently its big performance on September 14, Aileen encouraged others interested in singing to come along from October

Spring Sale

as the choir begins rehearsing for Christmas concerts each Tuesday night from 7-9pm at Mudgeeraba’s Church of the Good Shepherd. “There is so much to be thankful for in music, ” Aileen said. Challenging yourself and learning new things, she said, “keeps you awake”. Symphonic Adiemus plays at HOTA at 7.30pm on Saturday, September 14 with Seniors’ tickets $30. Go to hota.com.au, goldcoastcitychoir.com or phone 07 5588 4000.

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Living with no excuses, Tracey Johnstone

TWO ARTISTS: Anh Do chatted with Australian actor Jack Charles while painting his portrait on an episode of Anh's Brush with Fame. Photo: ABC

THE stage is set, the lights are dimmed and the audience is anticipating an enlightening encounter with renowned Australian actor Jack Charles. He doesn’t disappoint. The Aboriginal elder, who has spent his life searching for his stolen identity, has offered a glimpse of his extraordinary life, revealing the lows and highs of his journey, in his book, Jack Charles: Born-again Blakfella. In this memoir, Charles is brutally honest about where the fault lies, while retaining his cheeky take on many encounters. Removed from his mother’s arms at four months under the White Australia Policy and taken to the Salvation Army’s Box Hill Boys Home, in 70-odd years Charles has done more damage and good in life than almost imaginable in his quest to answer the question of where he came from. “I was confounded by my heritage right from the get-go at the Box Hill Boys

Home,” he said. Charles was a bright student who learned to read and write, memorise and recite works, and mimic radio voices, which helped him develop his acting voice. He also experienced ongoing sexual abuse, like many of the other boys in the home. There was a brief moment when Charles thought he met one of his siblings, Artie, but the brothers put a stop to him finding out more. Denied the right to connect with “blood kin” and turfed out on the streets in his mid-teens, Charles gained work skills, both legal and illegal. “I believe that I was easily conned as a young fellow by my fellow comrades from the Box Hill Boys Home who were living around Auburn at the same time,” he said. “They were in a Salvation Army hostel.” He remembers his boss bailing him out of Turana reception centre to get him back to work, and putting him in a gentlemen’s residence in

Glenferrie. “So, I was mixing with the crowd from the home and many of them were already on a life of crime,” Charles said. “One of them convinced me to go with him and we robbed a supermarket in Hawthorne. That was my first crime. I was easily led; a young, impressionable child, not knowing anything. “They were my first and foremost siblings I thought,” he added. “I ran amok with them, while at the same time staying on this journey of discovering who I was.” Homelessness, burglaries and drugs became an integral part of his life. And so did acting. He has appeared in many plays and Australian movies including The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, Bedevil, Blackfellas and the international film Pan. But throughout all that, Charles still searched for his family connections. He was delighted to finally find out his mother was still alive and living in a humpie in a “blakfella camp” in NSW, and that

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SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2019

NEWS

no regrets he had several living siblings. “She was well respected and even called a sergeant,” he said. But, there was also a dark story around her that has stayed with him well after his mother died. Charles is unapologetic about the crimes he committed, leading to 22 incarcerations, and for his heroin addiction. “I have outed myself and admitted to my crimes,” he said. “I remember clearing up the police books and they did suggest: ‘Jack, I think you are admitting to too many more crimes than we envisaged. Instead of 700 we will charge you for 75. Is that okay?’.” Undertaking the *Marumali Program at Loddon Prison, near the completion of his last prison sentence in 2008, proved a final turning point for Charles. “Those weeks of undertaking that journey of discovering the missing link in our lives, the missing denied heritage, really got many of us at those sessions pretty

upset,” he said. “It was the catalyst that relit the burning embers of my life: my drugged up, grogged up, mucked up dreamings.” Some of his confronting story has already been shared through the film Bastardy and in the play

‘‘

I have outed myself and admitted to my crimes

Jack Charles vs The Crown. He used the play as a chance to apologise to all from whom he had stolen and who he had disappointed. Has he finally found himself? “I am pretty happy now,” Charles said. “Through the Koorie Heritage Trust and Link-Up, I have discovered who I am now. “I won’t be around forever so the idea was to write a memoir, my ideas and to share it with

Australians. “I am 76 this year and I have been leaving a number of legacies in one form or another. The book just tops it off. I do intend to write further insights, sharing the journey of jumping off the methadone for instance.” Now an Aboriginal elder, Victorian Senior of the Year and recipient of the Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement, Charles is using his “fine sense of com-artistry” to drive changes in the future of the younger generations as he enthusiastically continues his volunteer community leadership work. He’s still on stage, recently completing the last of the ABC’s Black Comedy series, and is booked for the Te Rehia Theatre play Black Ties. Charles plans to keep acting as long as he keeps getting asked. “I never audition; I am too far up myself to audition and I fear rejection. I am only a little fellow,” he said cheekily. Jack Charles: Born-again Blakfella is in bookshops now.

SELF-KNOWLEDGE: Jack Charles battled long and hard to find himself.

Photo: James Henry

A program of healing *WINANGALI Marumali has been working since 2000 to increase the quality of support available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander survivors of removal policies through delivery of its Marumali Program. The program is based on the unparalleled Marumali Journey of Healing Model

developed and delivered by Aunty Lorraine Peeters, a survivor of the removal policies herself. She suffered forcible removal from her family and institutionalised at the age four. The Program supports service providers to realise the widespread impact of forcible removal.

And to understand the potential paths for recovery, recognise the signs and symptoms of trauma associated with forcible removal in clients, families and others involved with their service and to avoid re-traumatising members of the Stolen Generations. Info: marumali.com.au.

NEWS

SEPTEMBER, 2019// SENIORS

Ricci Bartels raises her voice on unemployment

It’s been 25 years since a Newstart increase speak out came about by accident. Members of the Q&A audience were invited to submit questions for panel to consider but Ms Bartel’s was the first to be read out. The now 66-year-old asked: “What would you or how would you suggest people like me have a go to get a go?” “Put in a nutshell, it was the worst time of life. “The loss of dignity. The loss of friends because you can’t go out, you can’t socialise. “Not eating proper foods even though I suffer various ailments,” she said. The story was posted on the Seniors News Facebook page, prompting a deluge of responses from people who were in similar position. Ms Bartels believes an increase of $75 a week, which is what the Raise

Tracey Johnstone

LOUD AND CLEAR: Ricci Bartels speaks about her experience Newstart allowance.

SPEAKING out on national television about the devastating experience of being forced on to Newstart has been a surreal experience for senior Ricci Bartels. Ms Bartels was in the audience of the ABC television show Q&A where she spoke up about her experience of being caught in a downward spiral of unemployment and welfare, when all she really wanted to do was to get a job and pay her own way. It was particularly disconcerting for Ms Bartels, who had spent a good deal of her life employed in positions where it was her job to empower people. “All my life I have been a social justice activist,” Ms Bartels said. The opportunity to

the Rate campaign is calling for, is needed. “The other side of the campaign is to raise the rent subsidy,” she added. Even though Ms Bartels is now on an aged pension, she plans to continue actively supporting the work of Raise the Rate as she sees the current situation with Newstart as wrong. It’s now 25 years since Newstart, previously called the dole, was increased by the Federal Government. Dr Kirsty Nowlan, a Benevolent Society executive director and a leading voice in the Raise the Rate campaign, said Newstart had only been indexed. “It moves with the level of CPI but it doesn’t move at the level of wages,” she said. “It has declined relative to both the pension and minimum wage.”

Older workers and rights

OLDER workers can learn their work rights with a new online toolkit that details the rights of older workers and the economic benefits for hiring older workers. The Australian Human Rights Commission recently published the Multigenerational workforces: a guide to the rights of older workers under the Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth). The guide also provides information about the Act. It addresses a variety of workplace issues including what is age discrimination, when it is and isn’t unlawful to discriminate, what constitutes an offence, promotion of inclusion through recruitment, training and flexible work, and who to contact to discuss workplace issues and complaints. The guide may also assist employees and workers in understanding their rights under the Act. The guide can be downloaded from humanrights.gov.au/ olderworkers.

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SEPTEMBER, 2019// SENIORS

Focus on helping others A can-do attitude has meant big adventures for Danielle Gail Forrer WHAT does it take to win one of Australia’s most prestigious journalism awards? One person who can give you an answer is photo journalist Danielle Lancaster. Her video titled Healing Cambodia’s Wounds highlighting the role of the White-Robed Nuns after the devastation of the Pol Pot regime, was awarded the Nikon-Walkley Queensland Slide Show Award in 2013. In this short video, she portrays an aspect of healing and rebuilding that took place in Cambodia after the years of genocide (1975-1979) led by Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge government. During that time, between 1.5 to two million people lost their lives as the government sought to bring about a classless, communist society and in the process eliminated

intellectuals, city residents, ethnic Vietnamese, civil servants and religious leaders. In gentle and moving terms, the essay video documents the work of the Don Chee, the women left without husbands or sons, who shaved their heads, donned white and went to work sweeping temples and doing basic work to show a way out of the despair and into a better future. Danielle’s own Cambodian journey began in 1998 when she was on assignment as a photographer. The country’s social and economic wreckage made a huge impression on her and she arrived back in Australia with a vision of setting up schools for children. Today, after years of fundraising and negotiations, she counts the building of four schools among the things she was able to contribute to the betterment of this ravaged country.

Danielle Lancaster.

Photo: Sheryn Ellis

GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE: Danielle Lancaster with Cambodian school children. Perhaps it was Danielle’s start on a cattle and later wheat station in the Goondiwindi area that gave her the solid grounding she used to make her dreams a reality. “I think I was in a pack saddle at six days old,” Danielle laughs. (These days trucks or helicopters are used to muster cattle, but more than 50 years ago, when people had long days in the saddle, they took their supplies in the “pack saddle”). As with many station children, Danielle went off to boarding school, and although she doesn’t have a lot of fond memories of

the time, she does appreciate the high standard of education she received there. Indeed, she went on to train and work as a registered nurse specialising in the care of young children. However, all through her years of studying she continued her hobby which began on the station. Danielle’s mother was a keen amateur photographer and she had a daughter who watched her every move. “We used to get the “National Geographic” delivered and I couldn’t wait to run out and get it every month,” she

recalled. Danielle’s passion for photography and nursing aligned when she was employed as a Charge Nurse at Mackay Base Hospital. Management knew of her photographic experience and when she was offered the position of medical photographer, she accepted without hesitation. It was this experience which later landed her a job as a Courier-Mail photographer. Danielle took to it like a duck to water and covered every category of news, but her first work was as a sports photographer. “I was the first official female photographer to cover the Bathurst Hardie 1000,” she said. “I met

Dick Johnson there and he took me under his wing and gave me some great opportunities.” By the time Danielle hit Cambodia, her combined media and nursing experience had supplied her with the skills to help the local people move forward. Ultimately, she come up with funds, connections and support to build the first basic institutions of learning. “There were no schools left, or teachers, but I knew education was the only way forward for these people,” she said. So she went to work building the schools which today are self-sufficient. Now, aged 57,Danielle specialises in two areas: social documentation and tourism photo journalism. She also designs and leads tours nationally and overseas. Danielle’s video is on YouTube at: youtube.com/watch? v=uOWbzQE3ijY. Info: Danielle’s tours/photography, go to blue-dog.com.au/ or email info@blue-dog.com.au.

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SEPTEMBER, 2019// SENIORS

Joan spreads love with 1000 beanies Gold Coast babies benefit from knitting skills Alison Houston

HEAD AND HEART-WARMING: Victoria's Joan Fawcett has knitted 1000 beanies for babies at the Gold Coast University Hospital over the past four years.

ONE thousand baby beanies have been lovingly knitted for Gold Coast University Hospital over the past four years thanks to just one Victorian woman’s busy hands. Joan Fawcett, from the Geelong suburb of Belmont, said it took her about three hours to knit each beanie, generally while watching television at night. “I can’t just look at the TV and waste my time,” she said. Having learnt knitting from her mother, Joan recalls making mittens and balaclavas at school for the soldiers during World War II. Over the years, she

said, she had “knitted everything” for family and friends. But her current project began when her daughter Jane O’Shea, a midwife at Gold Coast University Hospital, asked: “What

‘‘

At 88 she considers herself to be “very lucky”. about my babies?” “That’s how it all started, and I just haven’t stopped,” Joan laughed. “It keeps me going; gives me purpose.” Joan has had letters of thanks from the hospital,

but said she was happy her daughter got the pleasure of giving the beanies to the newborns. At 88 she considers herself to be “very lucky”, despite losing her husband five years ago, having good friendship and church ties. As well as bringing beanies with her each winter while visiting family on the Coast, Joan asks anyone she knows who is making the trip north to carry some to avoid postage on top of yarn costs. It was Joan’s proud great nephew, Ed Paynter, who alerted Seniors Gold Coast about Joan’s milestone. “I think it’s pretty special and inspiring what she’s done,” Mr Paynter said.

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Oh baby, these ladies are crafty! Alison Houston

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CRAFT AND COMPANY: Ashmore's The Spotlight Ladies show off just some of the creations they have worked on for about a month to donate to Red Nose. week to take part. “I think all these girls would say they can’t sit down without doing something with their hands – knitting or crocheting,” Sandra said. “You get so much pleasure out of it … and for me, with my children grown up, this gives me a real purpose.” Some of the yarn for their charity work has been donated by Spotlight, with the ladies themselves, who Sandra says are “all hoarders with a yarn addiction”, supplying the rest.

Generally, the 15 or so ladies bring their own pieces to work on and just enjoy the company of other like-minded people, sharing patterns and experiences. “A lot of us have families living somewhere else, and we’re very supportive of each other,” Sandra said. The ladies also help out other shoppers who see their circle and ask advice on patterns, yarns, stitches and needles. Spotlight Ashmore craft and party manager Shannon Parker said she

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had been stunned as she set out the women’s charity work for display. “I was overwhelmed by what these beautiful ladies had done,” she said. “I definitely had a tear in my eye.” Shannon said the store planned a heavy focus on community engagement programs in the year ahead. Info: ask for Shannon in-store or bring your needles and yarn along any Tuesday from 10am-noon.

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IT’S usually not so much what they make as “the fellowship” which brings The Spotlight Ladies back to the Ashmore store each Tuesday. But once a year the group combine their creative skills for Red Nose (formerly SIDS and Kids). This year, over a month, they have knitted and crocheted almost 200 pieces for donation. That includes baby blankets, gloves, jackets and caps, as well as little octopus toys for premature babies. According to studies which show improved breathing and general health for premmies, the woolly tentacles remind them of being inside the womb, giving them something to hang on to and soothing them. Sandra Allen has been with the The Spotlight Ladies for about eight years, happy to travel from Burleigh Heads each

NEWS

SEPTEMBER, 2019// SENIORS

Dive into Pet Porpoise Pool Alison Houston

FAMILY LEGACY: Toni Cameron was the first female in Australia to work with dolphins and fondly remembers the heyday of her father Jack Evans' Pet Porpoise Pool, a tourism game-changer in the 1960s and '70s. Photo: Alison Houston

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PIONEER: The Pet Porpoise Pool, its fearless showman owner Jack Evans and his glamorous daughter Toni were often the subject of newspaper and magazine articles. Coast, he took up swimming and surf lifesaving, ultimately becoming an Australian champion and representing Queensland five times. “Dad rescued hundreds and hundreds of people over the years,” Toni said. “Even when he was young, he was convinced that every child should be able to swim, and he gave free swimming lessons on the Maroochy River.” He worked as a canecutter, on the roads, fishing, and hiring out “surfoplanes” (the first inflatable boogie boards) and shelters on the beach. Only after his death in 2002 did Toni discover her father had also fought in Jimmy Sharman’s iconic boxing rings, being known as “The Big Fisherman” or “The Big Lifesaver”. With so many American forces based on the Gold Coast during the war

years, Jack became convinced there was money to be made. He and Toni’s mother packed up some beach gear, arriving at Coolangatta Railway Station with just two pounds in their pockets and nowhere to stay. They spent the night sleeping on the surfoplanes under what is now the Uniting Church and started hiring out the gear at Kirra the next day, walking away with five pounds – riches. They found, however, that the area was also teeming with sharks, which were understandably bad for business, and so began Jack’s reputation for shark-hunting. “Whenever there was a shark attack they would call Dad,” Toni said. The public’s dual horror and fascination with sharks saw Jack put his catches on display at the

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and safety and what we know today about conservation, but it was a different time,” Toni said. Always community-minded, she said one of her father’s biggest fundraisers followed Darwin’s Cyclone Tracey. Magician Arthur Coghlan was dropped handcuffed into the shark tank and had to escape Houdini-style, while people threw coins into the pool to be donated to the cyclone victims. “Dad always had a new idea,” Toni said, shaking her head. The porpoise pool eventually led to bigger things for others, including Keith Williams’ Sea World, but Toni said she would always remember her dad as “a straight-out, honest, upfront guy”.

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fascinated by sharks, built a second pool for them at Snapper, before re-establishing at the mouth of the Tweed River in 1961. When the Boyd brothers fishermen brought him two dolphins, what would become known as “the world’s only comedy porpoise show at Jack Evans Pet Porpoise Pool and Aquarium” was born. “You never knew what was going to happen at our place,” said Toni, who was 16 at the time. “We lived on the premises and were with the animals – dolphins, seals, sharks – 24 hours a day.” She recalls honeymooners particularly making lasting memories by being dangled by one arm and tickled above the pool to see if they would fall. “So much of what dad did then you couldn’t do these days with health

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surf lifesaving sheds, to be viewed for the price of a silver coin donated to the local clubs. “The smell of putrid shark is one I’ll never forget,” Toni said. “Dad got very complacent with sharks, and he had some near-misses.” On one occasion, he and his mate didn’t realise that while they were towing a dead hooked shark to shore, a second shark had bitten into the first’s head and become snagged by the same hook. “It thrashed violently to get free (but) Dad, completely unaware of this new shark, put the resulting bumps down to the swell, until thrown into the water with the live shark,” Toni said. ■ The Heydays JACK Evans built ocean pools at Burleigh Heads (1953) and Snapper Rocks (1957) and, still

Jack Evans Boat Harbour at Tweed Heads honours the man.

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JACK Evans was arguably the Steve Irwin of his day. A full-on, larger-than-life entertainer who flirted with danger, people came to the Jack Evans Pet Porpoise Pool during the 1960s and ’70s as much to see him perform as the dolphins, seals and sharks he cared for. Daughter Toni (now Toni Cameron) was the first female in Australia to work with dolphins, and says “they were like family”. She is proud that today the Jack Evans Boat Harbour at Tweed Heads honours the man who made his mark on the Gold Coast in its early tourist days, and pays tribute herself by telling his story at local community groups. “Dad was a fantastic showman,” said Toni, who worked alongside him for 17 years. She recalls one afternoon when her father jumped over the side of the porpoise pool mid-performance to rescue a family of four from a nearby overturned boat, saying to a packed audience only: “My daughter will take over, I’ve got to go.” In huge waves, and with just a tyre to hang on to, he brought the family to safety. Having climbed back into the performance area, he asked Toni how the show had gone, only to be told: “We were all watching you!” ■ The Early Years THE eldest of five children, Toni’s father was born in Grafton and christened Stanford. Showing his character early, he decided at five that was no name for him and he was to be called Jack. Moving to the Sunshine

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2019

NEWS

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NEWS

SEPTEMBER, 2019// SENIORS

INTERGENERATIONAL STARS: The new Seachange series has been filmed around the Northern Rivers area including Brunswick Heads.

Photo: Vince Valitutti

Sea changes location to Tania Phillps IT’S TV history that 20 years ago headwriter and executive producer Deb Cox created a series about leaving the rat-race and moving to the Coast. The show was ABC smash hit Seachange – the story of lawyer Laura Gibson (Sigrid Thornton), on the brink of turning 40, who leaves Melbourne with her kids for a better life in a Coastal town after the breakup of her marriage. Twenty year’s later it is back on our screens changing both networks and filming location and

now Laura is looking down the barrel at 60, job loss, another failed marriage, dealing with parenting adult children, possible grandparenthood and in the midst of all that trying to find herself again. While the first series was filmed in Victoria for the ABC, this time around it will screen on Channel Nine/NBN and the filming, well that’s moved to the area that originally inspired both Cox’ move and her show – the Northern Rivers. For the past few months a crew has been hard at work filming at various locations around Far Northern NSW from Billinudgel to

Mullumbimby and Brunswick Heads while fans have been star spotting as far north as Kingscliff. For Executive Producer Fiona Eagger, and co-CEO of Every Cloud Productions with show originator Deb Cox, it was a chance to come North for the autumn and winter and enjoy some sunshine. It was also a chance to be part of one of her business partner’s most famous shows – not that they haven’t already got an impressive list of collaborations headed by the highly successful Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. “I’m in Sydney at the

moment and I have been in Melbourne – after being in the Northern Rivers for the past three months it’s a bit chilly,” she laughed as we chat on the phone a week out from the shows debut. “My son has been working on the crew and he went swimming last weekend up there.” However, she said filming in Northern Rivers seemed like the natural thing to do this time and not just for the better weather. “Seachange originally came about 20 years ago when Deb Cox was trying to have her own sea change to Byron Bay,” Fiona explained.

“She had hoped to film the original show on the Northern Rivers but 20 years ago it was too difficult. There wasn’t enough crew in the area, and it would have been expensive – more than the budget could have allowed. Plus the ABC’s studios were in Gordon Street in Melbourne and so the sets for the pub and other interiors were in the ABC.” So instead places like Barwon Heads became Pearl Bay in 1998 for the first three series. However Fiona said with “ScreenWorks (a regional film, television and digital media office supporting

the local screen industry) in the Northern Rivers and so many more creatives” here now Deb’s original dream could be fulfilled. In fact for many of the production staff, including Deb Cox who still lives in Byron, they didn’t even have to leave home to film. Eagger said there had been a lot of community support to help bring what is a multigenerational show to the screen. While this is the first time in Pearl Bay for Eagger there are plenty of old (and new faces) on and off screen including Sigrid Thornton who returns as Laura, along with Kerry Armstrong and

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2019

NEWS

John Howard with newcomers Kate Lister and Alex Tarrant. Photo: Jon Love

COMMUNITY TIES: Friends and family catch-up at the local.

Photo: Jon Love

Seachange cast members.

Northern Rivers Bob Howard as the Jelly’s and Kevin Harrington as the laconic and loveable Kevin Findlay. However this time around this is really about three Gibson women, who span three generations and a chance to explore turning sixty and looking to explore the next challenge while dealing with offspring who are still inter-dependent and frequently boomeranging to the family base, determined to thrash out the faults in their upbringing Eagger said. “When we were young we couldn’t wait to leave home but it’s not the same now.” She said Laura was

‘‘

a chance to explore turning sixty and looking to explore the next challenge while dealing with offspring turning sixty with adult children – a daughter (Miranda played this time by Brooke Satchwell) heading to 40 and a younger daughter (Stella who was only hinted at in the final episode of series three and now played by Ella Newton) turning 20. Eagger observed Laura’s journey was about parenting her now grown

children “working at that age and still being a mother and dealing with the idea of possibly being a grandmother as well”. And she’s no longer escaping the ratrace but the whole world, searching what she once had. She said just like the original series at it’s heart Seachange is also

about “community, about getting along in a small town despite different pollical views”. The new Seachange has a large multigenerational ensemble cast combining the old favourites with newcomers and it’s hoped that this will encourage a multigenerational viewing audience of old fans and new – something that isn’t as prevalent now as it was back when the show first began in 1998.

RIGHT: Sigrid Thornton with newcomer Dan Wylie.

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Brunswick Heads: the businesses right in town. Check out local Farmers Markets and the Brunswick Heads Market (first Saturday of the month). Stand-out activities in town are the relaxing and wildlife filled Brunswick River cruise from the boat harbour and shows of international acclaim at the beautifully restored Brunswick Picture House (we’re never too old to enjoy a Cheeky Cabaret!). Bruns is a great base to explore the coast and hinterland, including Crystal Castle, Byron Bay and the just-across-the-river Ocean Shores. Tours are available and the more adventurous can pick from kayaking, hot-air ballooning, whale watching and more. Brunswick Heads hosts several festivals: May’s Mullum2Bruns Paddle (ideal for first time and experienced paddlers), June’s Old & Gold (the town turns into a giant second-hand fair),

PARADISE FOUND: A Birds-eye view of beautiful Brunswick Heads. July’s Hot Rods and summer’s Festival of Fish & Chips (with woodchop events and a family carnival). Bruns is also a great base for August’s Byron

Writers Festival. Accommodation options abound. The three Reflections Holiday Parks each have river frontage, there are several top-quality motels and many options for holiday rentals, all within easy walking distance.

IT’S OUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Iconic NSW holiday locations Your back to nature getaway awaits at Brunswick Heads

“Brunswick Heads has so much to offer seniors,” says Ann Holland, 61, a regular visitor. “There are lovely walks and the choice of the surf beach or the calm Torakina river beach.” Ann enjoys spotting whales and marvels at the time she saw dolphins swimming in the river. A thoughtful visitor, Ann strives to share her patronage among the many cafés and restaurants. “I love the iconic Hotel Brunswick,” she says of

Photo: Casey Eveleigh

its Poinciana-shaded outdoor vibe. Margaret Schumacher, 67, ‘found’ Brunswick Heads when her son and daughter-in-law moved in a few years ago. “I was born to shop and love all the little speciality shops in Brunswick Heads,” she says. Like many visitors, Margaret has fallen in love with the town. “We’ve found our home away from home,” she says. In addition to sitting by the river and chatting with locals, Margaret and her husband enjoy exploring nearby places. “Every time we visit, our son finds somewhere new,” she says. Both Margaret and Ann find Brunswick Heads an ideal spot to meet family and friends. “We meet people from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast,” says

Margaret, who lives on NSW’s mid-north coast. Ann loved seeing a show at the beautifully restored Brunswick Picture House, and both have a cruise on the Brunswick River with Byron Bay Eco Cruises & Kayaks on their list of things to do for next visit. “Even after all these years, there are still things I haven’t done!,” says Ann, who clearly can’t wait for her next visit to Brunswick Heads.

CRUISING IN BRUNSWICK HEADS

Byron Bay Eco Cruises & Kayaks operates daily Eco Rainforest River Cruises on the beautiful Brunswick River in Brunswick Heads. This family run business is multi-award winning and was recently inducted into the Tourism Awards Hall of Fame.

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BRUNSWICK Heads has been adopted by many as their ideal place to holiday. With sea breezes moderating the heat of summer and warm clear days in winter, the climate is perfect no matter where you visit from. The town’s motto is Simple Pleasures and this is a place to enjoy whatever speaks of simplicity to you. The flat town is eminently walkable with easy access to the beach and fishing spots. There is no shortage of great cafés and a treasure-trove of independent, boutique-style shops. Whether you love new or vintage, prefer to window-shop or buy-up-big, you’ll find shopping here a joy. If you need some care or pampering, there is a pharmacy, medical centre, gym (including casual classes for seniors) and several beauty, massage, health and healing

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2019

FEATURE

simple pleasures in life

The Morning Cruise includes morning tea with local plunger coffee and delicious cakes and other selections. The Sunset Cruise includes a complimentary drink from the licensed bar and enjoyable Tapas platters featuring great local produce. Both cruises are perfect for seniors, clubs and bus groups. The boat, Jasmine, has a comfortable all-weather cabin, is very stable and can take up to 49 passengers. It also has 3 wildlife viewing decks and a toilet. The top viewing deck offers the best views in Brunswick Heads also recently re-named ‘Pearl Bay’ for the Sea change series. Jasmine is in the background of many scenes filmed around the harbour. Jasmine was renamed Stargazer for the

series and features in one of the upcoming episodes. Film crew set up their equipment and marquee on the roof and used the cabin area in the scene featuring Sigrid Thornton and John Howard. The scene involved getting Stargazer stuck on a sandbank and the dramas that followed. The Seachange team were fantastic to work with and the actors were very down to earth and friendly. The river, harbour and surrounds featured in many scenes. Look for the big blue and white boat with a roof viewing area moored next to the wharf that’s Jasmine aka Stargazer!

ENJOY THE BEST OF BRUNSWICK HEADS AT REFLECTIONS HOLIDAY PARKS

Boasting three fantastic holiday parks in Brunswick Heads, for your next caravanning and camping adventure, look no further than Reflections Holiday Parks. Reflections’ Brunswick Heads parks are in some of the Northern Rivers’ most pristine locations, all boasting amazing riverfront locations with idyllic outlooks. Whether you want a comfortable stay in a riverfront cabin or a back to basics camping trip, Reflections has you sorted.

SAVE ON YOUR NEXT STAY

Enjoy your stay by trying your luck at fishing or bring your kayak or boat or hire one from a local operator and make the most of the direct river access. If this feature isn’t enough to convince you to

start planning your next getaway in Brunswick Heads you may be tempted by the offer to get a $25 instant discount on your next booking when you join the new, and most importantly free, Reflections Rewards Club. To discover more or make a booking head, go to reflectionsholiday parks.com.au.

SEE A SHOW WHILST IN BRUNS

A peek into its program over the next few months and you will find everything from experimental cinema with a live music accompaniment, an 80’s weekend of film events and a Picture House Prom, along with a stunning live music program featuring flamenco and local choirs… through to the Cheeky, its signature

Photo: Michelle Begg

monthly circus-cabaret extravaganza, kids shows and world class comedy with Josh Thomas and Paul McDermott and Gatesy. And an exciting upcoming date - the very first Picture House Tea Dance, bringing back the best of the ‘Golden Years.’ If you are looking for something new and exciting to do on your next night out or if you are passing through town and want some wonderful memories to take home with you… do yourself a favour and visit the Brunswick Picture House. The magic is waiting for you. Go to brunswickpicture house.com.

day's bowling, visit the Brunswick Heads Bowling Club. Conveniently located just on the edge of town, the club has all the latest facilities you'd expect from a modern social and sporting club and function centre. The clubhouse is situated to enjoy picturesque vistas of excellent greens and natural bush setting. The Pacific Bistro offers delicious meals and light appetisers and is open for lunch & dinner daily. Why not try their famous $10 Bruns Bowlo lunches or treat yourself to one of their delicious a la carte selections. For more, go to brunswick bowlingclub.com.

BOWLS AND BOWLO LUNCH

With a quaint village charm, pristine beaches, fishing and boating, Brunswick Heads is a unique beachside holiday or lifestyle experience for any member of the family. If you enjoy the friendly social environment, fun and competition of a great

Be sure to visit the town, and pop into the Visitor Centre to pick up your town map, Accommodation and Eating-Out Guides and the famous ‘101 Things to Do in Brunswick Heads’ brochure. Go to brunswickheads.org.au.

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DROP A LINE: Enjoy your stay by trying your luck at fishing or bring your boat or hire one from a local operator and make the most of the direct river access. Photo: Luke Hedritch

Brunswick Picture House.

FEATURE

SEPTEMBER, 2019// SENIORS

RETIRE TO NAMBUCCA HEADS

WATER WONDERLAND: Nambucca Heads has plenty of fishing tackle shops to cater for the angler to take on a day on the water or drifting around the river estuary.

Relax in the natural area regional produce and cuisine. Nambucca Heads has many cycleways (ideal for scooters) and coastal board walks, bush walking through state forests, bird watching, jacks ridge downhill bike riding, skate parks, canoeing and kayaking in the many arms of the Nambucca River estuary. Nambucca Heads has grown over the years from a seaside village to a coastal town offering visitors and local a range of dining offerings from fresh-caught fish and hot chips to enjoy by the river to fine dining restaurant quality meals. The town of Nambucca Heads has a range of clubs and pubs that

provide ongoing entertainment and night life and a diverse range of shopping options with a cluster of women’s clothing shop outlets, sports stores and a range of homeware and furniture speciality offerings as you stroll around town. Nambucca Heads has plenty of fishing tackle shops to cater for the angler to take on a day on the water with your own craft or hire one and enjoy deep sea fishing or drifting around the river estuary for a great affordable holiday or a short weekend destination. Nambucca Heads has plenty to offer with accommodation ranging

from camp grounds and caravan parks, motels or holiday homes that will suit your romantic or family requirements, discover the magic and visit Nambucca Heads. Gumma Reserve Boultons Crossing is a primitive camp ground located east of the town of Macksville on the Mid North Coast of NSW. The reserve sits beside the Warrell Creek that runs behind Forsters beach north of Scotts Head and south of Nambucca Heads. Camp fees apply and the contractors who clean the reserve amenities will collect the fees $13 – one person per night, $17 – two people per night and $21 per night for families

up to four people. The camp ground has a limited number of sites. To contact the caretaker phone 0497 169 371.The camp ground has fresh water provided, solar lighting for the amenities and flushing toilets, allows for dogs on a leash at all times and small camp fires. The camping area is grassed and has trees to offer shade in the summer months, it is classed as a primitive camp ground due to its isolation. However Gumma reserve is only a short 10-minute drive to the town of Macksville that has all of the services that you may require from hotels, restaurants and cafes and essentials such

a fuel, chemists and medical services. Gumma Reserve is set in an endangered ecological environment and visitors are asked not to collect firewood from the surrounding area but to bring it with you or purchase fire wood prior to arriving you will notice signs on the 2WD access to the reserve. It’s also known for its peace and quiet and relaxing atmosphere, fishing for whiting or flathead or just enjoying a swim in the natural environment in a beautiful area camping by the river in a tent, caravan or camper. For more, go to nambucca.nsw.gov.au.

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NAMBUCCA Heads is one of the last remaining coastal towns on the mid North Coast where most of the year, besides the popular Christmas holiday period, you get to enjoy the local environment in an uncrowded beautiful coastline, winding river and rolling hills into the hinterland. Base yourself in Nambucca Heads with friendly people and a vibrant community enjoying enviable lifestyle setting the scene for a great holiday and experience the local community and surrounding towns and villages enjoying the local beaches, indigenous and mainstream culture, museums, galleries and

Gumma Reserve, Macksville

Fees Apply

0497169371 Item Code: MNCNSWI6 Gumma Reserve, Macksville, is a large grassed area beside a quiet creek with a boat ramp for water access. A good spot to unwind after a long day of driving, the site is pet friendly and has ﬂushing toilet facilities. 7038096aa

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2019

FEATURE

RETIRE TO NAMBUCCA HEADS

Your new home is waiting for you ARE you looking for a sea change? Have your children flown the coop? Is it time to downsize? Do you want to live a relaxed lifestyle? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions then you need to start putting your thoughts into action. Welcome to Nambucca Heads Village....The Perfect Lifestyle Community. Pick from the plan and be there to watch your new home arrive. Our well-situated over 55s lifestyle village is waiting for you to find your new home. Macksville, Nambucca Heads, Bowraville and Scotts Head, are all ideally located close to the park. Only 45 minutes from

NEW HOME: Your new over 55s lifestyle village home is waiting for you to move in.

Coffs Harbour and 60 minutes from Port Macquarie, you will find us midway between Sydney and Brisbane, just off the Pacific Highway on the Legendary Pacific Coast Touring Route. With the shopping plaza, cinema and medical centre all right next door, the river/ocean

across the road and clubs, pubs, restaurants and cafes all within walking distance, everything is available to ensure your comfort and wellbeing. If you prefer something a little more on the quiet side, there is no shortage of board walks for a stroll and even picture perfect

Located in Beautiful Macksville in the Nambucca Valley

views. Or there is an array of angling options to suit any keen fishermen. Facilities and services, barbecue area, pets allowed and waterfront. You can enjoy the lifestyle all year round! Why are you still procrastinating? We will help you every inch of the way until you are sitting on your veranda enjoying the sun, with your dog at your feet. Bliss! Located at 2207 Giinagay Way, Nambucca Heads. Contact us via phone on 02 6568 6647 or 02 6568 1850. Alternatively, email office@riverpark.com.au to ask any or all of those questions running through your head or go to nambuccavillage.com.au for more information.

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BRAND INSIGHTS

Brand New Luxury Coastal Retirement Living

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NEWS

SEPTEMBER, 2019// SENIORS

The big 3 milestone birthdays IT was a triple “0” occasion at Coolangatta Bowls Club recently, but not the emergency kind. The club celebrated three decade-marking member birthdays – Ros Gilligan turning 70, Trish Holgate 80 and, topping the table, lifetime member Edna Harrison 90. Although not born-and-bred here, the Twin Towns have become more than home to Edna since moving from country Victoria with husband Gordon in 1955. “I’ve done so many things in the past 90 years because I’ve had so many years to do them,” she laughed. While Gordon bought a fishing trawler and was president of the

fisherman’s association until he died at 63, Edna, a trained nurse, made her own reputation. She was the queen of fashion, children’s wear and underwear with her store Edna Harrison’s Fashions. “I love Coolangatta and the Tweed, and I’ve been involved in just about everything,” she said. That includes the Chamber of Commerce, Quota, volunteering and fundraising for the Tweed Hospital, hosting Rotary exchange students, and supporting local sporting clubs through her shop. On radio station 2MW’s Social Scenes program, Edna was the voice of what was going

on locally. Over the years, she also helped judge events including Banana Festival Queens and Miss Twin Towns, as well as the Lions Club Youth of the Year. Bowls has been part of Edna’s life for the past 17 years or so since selling the shop and, despite “breaking two legs in the last four years”, she still bowls socially every Wednesday and runs the raffles each Friday. “I’ve had a very active life, so bowling is a pleasure – just meeting the people is as important or more to me than the bowling …. that’s why I make the effort.” She said Coolangatta

Bowls Club was “a very friendly, caring and a very strong club”. Ladies Committee president Pam Bews said Edna, herself a former president, had “a particular passion for raising funds for the oncology ward” of the Tweed Hospital, with the club raising $7000 for the cause last year. Edna looks back fondly at her early days in the area when “high-rise” was two storeys and “you would go down the street and everyone knew everyone”. “Everyone seems to be so prosperous today”, she said, remembering how “you made do” happily with what you had far more in the past.

A TRIPLE TOAST: Edna Harrison, 90, Ros Gilligan, 70 and Trish Holgate, 80, celebrated with 30 Coolangatta Bowls members and friends, at the club's Feng Shui restaurant. However, she said philosophically, “you have to advance; you can’t stay living in the past”. Having given up nursing when she

married in 1954, Edna said the one thing she really missed was her volunteer work with cancer patients at the Tweed Hospital, which she did for 45 years.

Elvis seen in ceremony

LOVE ME TENDER: Marriage celebrant Dean Vegas, aka Elvis (right) and "Priscilla" (left) with newlyweds again Julie and Wally Rooney, celebrating 40 years of marriage by renewing their vows. Photo: Surfers Paradise Alliance us, who is 93, and he loved it too.” It was completely different to first time around, when they had a big traditional wedding with all the trimmings at

St Stephen’s in Coorparoo, Brisbane. Julie probably wouldn’t have been so impressed if Wally had shown up in a Hawaiian shirt to that one! The secret to a 40-year

marriage and wanting to do it again, Julie said was “working together and working things out together, hugging and holding hands – we still hold hands”.

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“Sticking together in the bad times makes for a strong relationship too,” she said. “Both Wally and I have supported each other in bad health issues (Wally

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THERE’S not too many weddings where the celebrant wears a white jumpsuit with rhinestones and his wife wears a wedding dress … But when you’re married by renowned Elvis tribute artist and marriage celebrant Dean Vegas, anything can happen. Julie and Wally Rooney were one of 42 couples who walked down the aisle to the iconic voice of Elvis Presley to renew their vows as part of Viva Surfers Paradise in July. “We were married 40 years ago this September and we are both big Elvis fans,” Julie said. They met at a YWCA youth group back in 1977. With their daughter also getting married this year, they decided perhaps it was time they renewed their own vows. “It was a terrific day,” Julie said. “We took my Dad with

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2019

Walking on the wild side

Take Queensland in your stride

PAGE 26

STUNNING: The Carnarvon Gorge is a feature of the Carnarvon Great Walk.

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SEPTEMBER, 2019// SENIORS

Stay and play in Waikiki 30 minutes and is rated “very easy” and suitable for non-hikers, although there are some stairs and tunnels. Rent an audio headset from the ticket booth, and you can have a guided tour as well. On Saturdays, there is a Farmers Market near the tunnel entrance. Just on the edge of Waikiki are Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium and Kapi’olani Regional Park. Head to the zoo to see komodo dragons and 905 different animals or the aquarium to view some of Hawaii’s beautiful sea life. It’s a half-hour drive, but you won’t want to miss the chance to see Pearl Harbour where an aerial attack in 1941 left thousands dead and hundreds wounded. Start at the Visitors’ Centre with a walk through the USS Arizona Memorial Museum. The USS Arizona Memorial has been closed since May 2018 for repair work but is expected to reopen later this year.

Kerry Heaney HOME to Hawaii’s rulers for centuries, Waikiki’s gently curved, reef-protected beach offers ample room to pull up a canoe but is more famous for surfboards today. Known as the birthplace of surfing, Waikiki has a rich history, great shopping and plenty of dining choices. With Diamond Head in the background, it’s famous surf break is dotted by regulars every morning. Visitors can hire their own board under the 2.7-metre-high bronze statue of Duke Kahanamoku (1890-1968). The Duke was Hawaii’s first Olympian who is credited with bringing Hawaii’s ancient sport of surfing to the world. From the beach, you can see Diamond Head, and if you are feeling energetic, it’s a great walk to the top. The 2.5km summit trail takes around

You’ll be amazed by the size of the guns on the 60,000-ton USS Battleship Missouri. Walk around the ship and see where the documents ending WWII were signed. Each location can take up to two hours to explore so allow plenty of time. Just remember, no bags are permitted inside the Pearl Harbour Historic Sites unless they are wallet-sized. Bag storage is available. The Bishop Museum is where you’ll find Hawaii’s most extensive collection of Hawaiian and Polynesian artefacts. It’s a fascinating look at the rich history of the islands. There’s much more to discover about Hawaiian royalty at Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the United States! Completed in 1882, this grand house looks as though the residents have just stepped out for a moment. Take a guided or self-led audio tour. Hawaii’s history from the 20th century is just as fascinating, and the

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for yourself. Pop into the Honolulu Cookie Company and taste before you buy their Hawaiian inspired cookie flavours. The signature pineapple-shaped biscuits are memorable. Where should you stay in Waikiki? It’s hotel central along this famous stretch of beach, so your options are many. The Royal Hawaiian, known as the Pink Palace, holds a highly coveted beach spot dotted with cabanas. The luxury hotel has heritage rooms dating filled with 1920s glamour. Almost next door is another luxe resort Moana Surfrider. Known

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Liljestrand House will take you back to the 1950s and Hawaii’s Tropical Modernism style. Designed for doctor and nurse Howard and Betty Liljestrand by Vladimir Ossipoff, It has the sort of cool vibe that makes you think of Dean Martin and Natalie Wood. This exceptionally well-preserved house is a treasure trove of memory prompters. The views from the secluded hillside block overlooking downtown Oahu are expansive. Guided tours are available. There’s one souvenir you must bring home from Honolulu, even if it is just

JOIN Magna Carta, a unique floating hotel, for the six-night journey from London. Bypassing the traffic, it meanders through past and present, stopping off at the historic cities, old-world villages and stately homes that line the Thames River. Departing from May to September 2020 from $11,595 per person. Book before November 30 for Fly Free Superdeal offer of a return economy airfare per person. Info: phone 1300 196 420 or go to aptouring.com.au/ travel-styles/b arge-cruising.

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4 DAYS

HAWAII RULES: Waikiki Beach known as the birthplace of surfing.

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EXPLORE Bamurru Plains, a region of natural beauty and unique biodiversity, on an airboat a 4x4 safari or walking safari. The region is on the edge of the Mary River floodplains just a short distance from the coast and the western boundary of the Kakadu National Park. classicsafaricompany .com.au/activity/ bamurru-plains.

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as the First Lady of Waikiki, it opened its doors in 1901 and offers beachfront views with a historic banyan tree courtyard. Just one block back from the beach, The Laylow, combines mid-century modern style with Hawaiian charm. . Fly with Hawaiian Airlines to Honolulu and your Hawaiian experience starts at the airport with miles of smiles and a taste of Hawaii menu designed by Executive Chef LeeAnne Wong. The writer travelled as a guest of Hawaiian Airlines. From thoughtfully crafted tours and their itineraries, videos and photos, to how-to guides and travel experts available 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

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BUNNIK has released four new small group 2020 tours. Combine the ancient wonders of Greece and Egypt with experiencing the old-fashioned hospitality in England, Scotland and Wales. Book now to secure your spot and saving of $500 per person. Info: bunniktours.com.au.

STEAMBOAT THROUGH AMERICA’S PACIFIC NORTHWEST

THE American Queen Steamboat Company is offering savings of up to US$1000 per couple on its eight-night cruise packages along North America’s historic Columbia River. The special offer is for departures in March, April May, October or November 2020 if booked by December 31. Info: phone 1800 507 777 or go to cruisetraveller.com.au.

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2019

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BRAND INSIGHTS TRAVEL to the national capital and experience Floriade, Australia’s premier festival of flowers and largest festival of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Coastal Variety Tours offers a 10-day Floriade Tour which begins on October 1. The tour will take you to Canberra via the magnificent Hunter Valley Gardens, the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains including the

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Canberra is full of beauty and adventure

SEPTEMBER, 2019// SENIORS

‘‘

There seems to be a spirit under the surface that would take a little time to appreciate.

ARMENIAN SUMMER: The rustic charm of an old church at Lake Sevan, Armenia

All Photos: Paul Coffey

Armenia and the end

Paul Coffey reports on his stay in Armenia – the last city to visit before the end of his tour through the Caucasus.

THE landscape has dried out as we travelled further south through Georgia, ie. away from the Caucasus mountains, and Armenia seems drier still. The land is more undulating with high hills scattered about, but only the valleys are the least bit green, although it is summer after all. Together with a slightly more basic housing stock here in the rural areas, the impression is that Armenia is poorer than Georgia. The GNI per head is not greatly less, however. Modern Armenia is a small landlocked country of only about 30,000km sq (less than half the size of Tasmania), with a population of about three million, similar to Georgia’s. The lack of a port of its own, and of any oil, are major disadvantages; we’re told that the main industries are tourism (which is still nascent), agriculture and surprisingly IT. Chess is taught in the schools. Earlier Armenian civilisations and populations covered far

greater areas even as they waxed and waned, primarily further to the south in eastern Anatolia, and to the west in northern Persia including the current-day Azerbaijan. There are only around 50,000 Armenians in Turkey today, down from well over one million prior to the Armenian Genocide, and very few in Azerbaijan other than in the Armenian-controlled, disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabach. The area that has become modern Armenia was variously controlled by Hellenistic kings, Persian satrapies, Muslim khanates, the Ottomans, and of course the Russians. Wars and treaties between empires over the centuries, and especially after WW1, left Armenia in its present reduced state, something over which Armenians are resentful. Armenia proudly lays claim to being the first Christian nation, a king having converted and declared the kingdom Christian in 301AD. The Roman (or Byzantine)

Dancing in the square, Armenia. Empire was declared Christian in 380AD, some time after Constantine converted in c.312AD. The Armenian Apostolic Church was an important vehicle for a sense of cultural identity under Muslim rule, and remains central to Armenian identity today. Armenian Churches are very spartan, with none of the rich icons and ageing frescoes that feature in Georgian churches. En route to the capital, Yerevan, we stop at the gorgeous Lake Sevan, one of the world’s largest high-altitude and freshwater lakes, c.70km long. At 1900m of

altitude, it freezes over from time to time. When we were there it was a brilliant greeny aquamarine colour, quite beautiful. Invariably, there’s a church involved. Our first glimpse of Yerevan is of armies of dull apartment blocks in the distance. Unfortunately the whole city turns out to lack colour: grey to dun-brown is the limit of the colour range, and there are almost no buildings that distinguish themselves. The better inner-city buildings have facades of local stone, which varies from a grey through to a range of browns, some

attractive as individual stones, including tones of orange and even rose among them. But on the larger scale, the whole is less than the sum of the parts. The very dry hills surrounding the city don’t add to the city’s visual appeal. It would be very different in the winter, with snow on the hills and mountains all around. However the city grows on us all, as people appear on the streets in the balmy, temperate evenings and nights. On the Friday night we are lucky to witness local people in their hundreds doing their traditional dancing to that marvellous high-pitched middle-Eastern flute music that I love, in a main square. The next night provides a free water music show in another square, again with hundreds present. The streets are alive in a very European way. In fact, despite another a very different script here, there is a European feel to the look of the people as well as the way of life. All seems familiar.

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2019

of the Caucasus tour

We had only one full day here; it’s a city that one could easily live in for a time. There seems to be a spirit under the surface that would take a little time to appreciate. I gave a visit to another carpet factory a miss and instead wandered the local streets nearby. They featured several depressing Soviet-era apartment blocks, of about 15 storeys: grey, drab and unornamented. They had bitumen surrounds except for a couple of tiny parklets. As so often in such countries, I thought: Where do the children play? The Genocide Museum was largely what was to be expected, in terrible detail. Such a contrast with the version I heard when in Turkey in 1981. The Museum has an emphasis on eye-witness accounts, as if to deliberately counter Turkey’s decades-long denial. Only 31 countries officially recognise the Genocide: Australia, the UK and the US do not, while Canada, France and Germany are among those

Lake Sevan in Armenia. who do. Politics usually determine countries’ positions on it. As to the eternal question of why, there’s a long and complex history, with periods of tolerance and periods of oppression of Armenians by the Ottoman Turks. My quick conclusion was that politics ultimately played the primary role, although that story is also a complex one. And on reflection, it probably is politics that triggers and/or sustains the worst examples of large-scale ethnic or religious massacres, not merely

the human flaws that underlie the frictions between peoples. To the south of Yerevan lies the famed Mt Ararat, situated in Turkey but very visible at 5,165 metres at the summit. The summer haze makes it difficult to see well, but I got a shot from the airport on leaving, with its cap of ice visible adjacent to a small cloud. We’ve felt safe and seen absolutely no cause for concern on this whole trip. We had only one warning here in Armenia at a tourist site to watch out for boys selling

Water Music show, Armenia candles that the church won’t allow to be lit (that’s a church monopoly of course!), but saw none. Hardly life-threatening! It’s striking how often we assume that places that we know little about are

dangerous. But it’s a very human trait – valuable for survival in the long run. On my last morning my plane leaves too early to have breakfast at the hotel, but while waiting for my airport transfer I was

spontaneously offered a tea and some dried fruits, which are ubiquitous here. They are plumper and less desiccated than our dried fruits and quite delicious. A simple thing but an enduring memory.

SEPTEMBER, 2019// SENIORS

There are views forever at Lake Wabby on Fraser Island.

‘‘

It’s just made me so proud to be a Queenslander now

LIQUID REFRESHMENT: Lisa Marshall takes a dip at the Zoe Falls on the Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island.

Photo: Contributed

The amazing Carnarvon Gorge amphitheatre.

next year to highlight the state’s offering. The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast Great Walks are suggested as ideal starting points. Each provides the option to extract yourself at points along the way and stay with accommodation providers rather than being committed to camping. “So you’ve got the ability to create your own version of the walk with different start and end points,” Luke said. “With other walks, the further inland you go the more remote you are, so you need to be fully self-sufficient.” While most walks offer multi-day experiences with set start/finish points, Lisa said there was always the option to do day walks. “At Hinchinbrook, it’s just like being in a dreamworld for a day,” she said. “Carnarvon Gorge and Fraser Island also have spectacular day walks.” Lisa said the aim was to get as many people as possible out on the walks, but it was crucial they were well prepared. Hikers needed to do their homework, pack the right gear and train properly.

“We will be encouraging them to take their time, stop at all the beautiful towns along the way, and be realistic about what they can achieve in the time they have available,” she said. Lisa has written an online e-guide on how to get trek-ready, covering everything you need to know when you’re actually out walking, plus a 16-week training guide (visit trekcoach.com.au). NTA (Queensland) CEO Jonathan Fisher said the National Trust had always been committed to conserving and celebrating natural heritage, and was proud to be partnering with the Queensland Government in promoting the Q10 Great Walks. “We are really about promoting active lifestyles and getting people to celebrate the diversity of Queensland’s stunning landscapes,” Mr Fisher said. Environment and Science Minister Leeanne Enoch said Queensland was unlike anywhere else. “All of these places are incredibly valuable to our state, and help provide unique environmental experiences to visitors,” Ms Enoch said.

Queensland invites the world to its Great Walks Graeme Wilson QUEENSLAND believes it has hiking trails to match the best on the planet and two energetic explorers have completed a 10-day adventure gathering proof to present to the world. The National Trust of Australia (Queensland) and Queensland Government have combined to launch the Q10 Great Walks and intrepid duo Luke Edwards and Lisa Marshall accepted the challenge to complete one walk a day for a combined 400km of hiking from Currumbin to Cooktown. The Q10 Challenge had the two Queensland adventurers zig-zagging 4000km across the state. Luke, a National Trust employee, devised the idea to tackle all 10 walks in just 10 days and Noosa Trek coach Lisa Marshall was happy to join him. Both set off thinking they already had a pretty good idea of what lay ahead, but what they discovered surpassed all expectations. “I haven’t lived in Queensland that long and it’s just made me so proud to be a Queenslander now and to

realise there’s so many amazing walks for us to do,” Lisa said. “There’s some beautiful trails out there and, among the many highlights for us, the standout was Hinchinbrook Island … the Thorsborne Trail is just stunning. And Carnarvon Gorge. And Fraser Island. Everything really.” In particular, the pair loved the community spirit associated with Carnarvon Gorge. “The locals really came together to make us welcome,” Lisa said. “They’re so proud of what’s out there and so they should be. It’s just beautiful.” Unlike South Africa-raised Lisa, Luke is a born and bred Queenslander but he too was stunned by what they saw. “The exciting part is you think you know Queensland but then you go a bit off track and it’s so diverse,” he said. “We didn’t leave the state and look what we saw. At Hinchinbrook, everywhere you go you’re like ‘what, wow how can that be?’.” Publicity surrounding the challenge threw a

STEP OUT: The 10 Great Walks, from south to north, are: . Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk . Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk . K’gari (Fraser Island) Great Walk . Carnarvon Great Walk . Mackay Highlands Great Walk . Whitsunday Great Walk . Whitsunday Ngaro Sea Trail (includes kayaks) . Thorsborne Trail, Hinchinbrook Island . Goldfield Trail, Wooroonooran National Park . Gamaay Dreaming Track, from Cooktown spotlight on what will be producing a range of Queensland has to offer, informative and 2020 is targeted to get documentary-style videos on more hikers heading out on each Great Walk to help one or more of the walks. people make informed Luke’s dream is for decisions on their choices,” hikers seeking bragging Luke said. rights to mention one of the Each Great Walk has its Queensland walks in the own static page on the same way they now talk of Department of Environment New Zealand’s Milford and Science website Track, Italy’s Dolomites or (parks.des.qld.gov.au) with Tasmania’s Three Capes maps and other vital Track. information, but the idea of “At the launch we said wethe videos is to bring those wanted to find a bragging pages to life. right to throw on the table “People will be able to see and we absolutely found the beauty of each walk but that,” he said. also understand what they Part of the purpose of need to do in order to the 10-day adventure was successfully complete to gather promotional them,” Luke said, adding material for next year’s that the walks are all push to get hikers out available now, with April to exploring Queensland. October the peak season. “We have a huge amount The team is also of great footage, lots of producing a documentary interviews we did with the about the trip and plans to rangers on the trails so we head out with a road show

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2019

Take a trip for our farmers IT’S the overnight bus trip to drought-stricken towns where two minutes in the shower will cost you $25. Palmers Coaches have got behind the We Care Road Trip by donating the coach and driver to help raise awareness and money for drought-stricken communities in NSW. The trip travels to Coonabarabran and leaves on the weekend of September 14 and 15. While it will spend up big in the Coonabarabran town – and several others, it will also keep as much water in the pipes as possible. Coonabarabran is one of the hardest-hit towns in the state and when organiser Anne-Marie Best took her first bus trip out there in September 2018, the town was on Level 6 water restrictions and shopkeepers were feeling the pinch. While residents are now on Level 4 restrictions – thanks to access to bore water, the conditions are largely the same – or even worse. “The situation is the same, and for some people it is worse, even

FOR THE FARMERS: The coach travels to Coonabarabran on the weekend of September 14 and 15 and there will be time to shop in town before returning. though their water restrictions have improved because they have put in some bores,” Ms Best said. “I am asking everyone who comes on the road trip to refrain from showering for this one night/morning, but, if they really need to have a shower they can buy a shower voucher from me

for $25 which will give them two minutes.” This important trip almost didn’t happen. Ms Best has spent months searching for a coach company to support the trip and it was only last week that It’s Easy Tours in Gosford came to her rescue. She announced the trip details on social media and has already

sold half the seats. Each ticket is a $100 donation to Need For Feed Disaster Relief which will help the Lions Club fund its hay runs. Money raised from the raffles on the bus will be given to Coonabarabran’s Rural Trader, which will distribute it to the farmers who need it most. “The community there

has kept asking when we are coming back, and we said we would come back. All of the shops opened for us on the Sunday and they are going to do that again. Last time we spent $16,000 there overnight,” Ms Best said. The coach will leave Newcastle on Saturday, September 14 and stop at Merriwa where One Day

Closer to Rain founder and Need For Feed Disaster Relief logistics coordinator Cassandra McLaren will meet them and chat about the drought. The next stop is at Dunedoo, which will he holding a town market. The bus load will enjoy a town meet and greet dinner in Coonabarabran on the Saturday evening and spend the night in the town. There will be three hours to shop in Coonabarabran on the Sunday morning before the coach departs at noon. There will be a stop at Coolah on the way back to Newcastle. This is the third We Care Road Trip Ms Best has organised and so far it has injected almost $44,000 into towns. “The purpose of this road trip is three-fold. Raise awareness and money to help our drought-stricken farmers; spend up big in the towns we visit and bolster their struggling economies; and show that we really do care by spreading our love and support,” she said. Info: needforfeed.org or palmerscoaches.com.au

Pack your bags and join us on an unforgettable tour

All our tours can be secured with a small deposit and an easy payment plan. Sumerland Camel Farm Wed 27th Nov Here we go from the Gold Coast to a Camel farm, you will go behind the scenes here and hand feed camels, learn all about the powerful immune proteins and anti-ageing ingredients that are found in camel milk. Taste delicious camel milk products before enjoying morning tea with fresh baked scones with camel milk fromage blanc and homemade jam with organic tea or coffee. Only few minutes away is the tiny town of Kalbar, experience good old fashion hospitality in the Kalbar hotel for lunch beofre heading home. Price includes return luxury coach transfer, guided camel farm tour, morning tea, lunch and refreshment pack. $80pp

For this tour we leave the Gold Coast early and head out towards Nobby stopping along the way for a cuppa and cake. Out next stop is Rudd’s Pub where we have lunch, whilst being entertained by the bush poet. Rudd’s Pub is the original home of Dad and Dave, folklore has it Steele Rudd sat in the Heritage Lounge writing his Dad and Dave stories. It is also home to a memorial for Sister Eliza Kenny, who pioneered the treatment of infant paralysis.

Join us as we travel the coast road to the fabulous Hunter Valley where we’ll spend three nights and three days exploring the area, before heading home via Port Macquarie with a one night stop at Coffs Harbour along the way. While in the Hunter Valley we’ll take in the scenery and the wonderful food and wine. There’s a behind-the-scenes tour of a winery, the chance to sample local cheeses and a visit to a popular chocolate shop. We’ll also take to the sky for an amazing helicopter ride that truly showcases the natural wonder of the Hunter. Sightseeing highlights of our time in the Hunter Valley include visits to Morpeth, Maitland Goal, and the Sister Mercy Convent where Caroline Chisholm grew up. There is dinner one night at Harrigan’s restaurant and a visit to the stunning Christmas Light Show at the Hunter Valley Gardens. When we leave the Hunter we’ll take our time heading home, dropping in to have a look at Port Macquarie and the Slim Dusty Museum, on the way to a night at Coffs Harbour. On our return the next day to the Gold Coast we let you have some free time in Byron Bay and a photo opportunity at the picturesque lighthouse. Price: $1590 twin or double, $1830 single. Includes return luxury coach transfers, four nights accommodation in a four-star hotel, breakfast each morning, lunch three days, dinner two nights, a helicopter ride, admission to the Goal, a winery tour - and a guest pack full of surprises.

Visit the local craft shop across the road that opens while we’re there before heading back to the Coast via Toowoomba. We stop by the Big Orange on the way back for those who like to stock up on fresh farm fruit and vegies from the Darling Downs. Price $80pp

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Day Tours - 21st & 28th September

Tour 1: 21st September - Carnival of Flowers with Parade. Enjoy a return luxury coach transfer to Toowoomba, a city park tour, morning tea provided. More tickets available. Price: $78pp Tour 2: 28th September -We set off on our journey towards the gorgeous Toowoomba for our fantastic getaway for the Carnival of Flowers! Meet new friends and like-minded garden lovers on our all inclusive guided tour. Leaving Burleigh at 6.30 am with convenient pick ups along the way. Highlights Include:• Picnic Point • Prize winning gardens • Parks • Morning Tea • Japanese Gardens Includes a 2 course Lunch at the historical Blue Mountains hotel with view that go forever Price: $80pp

Palmers Coaches – Gold Coast. Phone (07) 5522 0028 | www.palmerscoaches.com.au

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Hunter Valley Scenic Tour including Christmas Lights - 6th -10th November 2019

Palmer’s Coaches

Rudd’s Pub - 9th October

SEPTEMBER, 2019// SENIORS

‘‘

The week we spent in that picturesque place ... was one of the best weeks of my life.

HAWAII TRAVEL: Waikiki Beach paints an impressive picture, day or night.

Photos: Louise O’Mara

Aloha! It’s Hawaiian time Dom O’Mara I’M sitting on a busy flight on my way back home. I’ve just spent a week in Honolulu with my wife. I’m feeling the typical sort of tension a nervous flyer gets. The tension is compounded with the thought I’ll need to return to the mundane reality of life – work, bills, chores, anxiety. I aim to relieve myself of these thoughts. I think about more holidays. I think about having all the money in the world. I think about the beach. It’s relief that lasts only up until the point where I feel the plane lifting into the sky from under my feet. “Calm down, it’s 10 hours. You’ll be fine.” This apprehension hits me like a wave. Purely because it simply didn’t exist in the city of Honolulu. Opting to seek respite from a bitter Queensland winter, my better half and I use our mid-year break to visit the sunniest of the United States, more specifically the famous district of Waikiki. During the pre-trip planning, I was already looking on visiting the tourist hot-spot with cynicism. I imagined it to be a contrived place, where the only reason it was established was to fleece tourists of their

HAWAII TRAVEL: The Kualoa Ranch gives you a history of the island, and the history of famous film locations as well. money. The feeling didn’t go away during the nerve-inducing flight over. But then we arrived in the largely pleasant heat (and low-level humidity), and I realised Waikiki has a lot to offer. We kicked off our trip with a soak in Waikiki Beach. Many scoff at the lack of peace and quiet at popular beaches like this, but it was not only gorgeously scenic, but the water was calm and cool. It’s a waste of your time to dip your toes in. Go all the way. Taking a tour of the island of Oahu was the best way to view the more authentic side of Hawaiian culture. It certainly saved the two of us driving around in Waikiki’s sometimes treacherous traffic. We went with Go Hawaii Tours. Our tour

guide, Jay, took us to Diamond Head Lookout, Halona Blowhole, a peek at Hanauma Bay, Chinaman’s Hat, macadamia shop, fresh prawns at Fumi’s (get the garlic butter), snorkel at Haleiwa and a short stop Dole Plantation for their famous pineapple whip. July 4 may mean little to Australians, but it was easy to get caught up in patriotic fervour in the United States. We enjoyed a cruise with Dolphin Star, capturing the fun of the fireworks on America’s night of nights in style. The Kualoa Ranch is another must-do on any Hawaiian trip. It combines the thrill of touring the sites of major motion pictures with Hawaiian’s mountainous splendour. And in any weather, this tour was

special. We got sun, cloud and rain. And every step we took was a worthy one. Our all-day ranch tour started with lunch (get your energy up), then onto the Jungle Expedition Tour. Our guide sent on a bumpy ride through the hills, stopping to check out some of the native beauty of the region, and spotting scenes from Jurassic World and Kong: Skull Island as well. Next was the Taste of Kualoa Farm Tour, taking us into a secret garden filled with tropical plants, fruits and vegies. The nearby Moli’I Pond also welcomed some other Hollywood productions like 50 First Dates. And, just in case you’re wondering, yes you do get to sample some of the grub. Macadamias and pineapples have never tasted quite so

good. Our final tour of the day took us through more film and TV locations, and uncovered some World War II history as well. Productions like Pearl Harbour, Jurassic Park and Lost all made their homes in these beautiful surrounds. Historical accuracy aside, it’s easy to see why it’s such a desirable location. Amidst all the fun was some exceptional food. Whether it be formal dining or a casual snack here and there, the options outweigh anything at your nearest shopping centre. Across the week we spent there, my wife and I tried breakfast at The Street Breakfast, lunch at Mai Tai Bar (tasty fish) and a dinner at Roy’s Waikiki. The popular

Duke’s is better with a booking, but worth it. Aware that bar staff work for tips, we camped at the bar and made friends with the man doing the pouring. Generosity is a two-way street, and customer and staff went home happy, with bellies and pockets full respectively. Other treats included Kona coffee, Honolulu cookies, anything macadamia, plus Leonard’s Bakery for malasadas (check them out, you’ll thank me later). Hawaii makes a remarkable holiday destination. The week we spent in that picturesque place, surrounded by warm-hearted locals, was one of the best weeks of my life. All that remains now is the flight back home. That can’t be that bad, right?

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2019

Phil’s living well with dementia

Wellbeing

Difference between living life and prognosis Tracey Johnstone PACK your bags and get your affairs in order was the first bit of clinical advice early onset dementia patient Phil Hazell was told. Never mind the fact that he was already doing everything he could to live with the condition within his own environment. He also had to contend with finding a GP willing to take him on as a new patient. Four phone calls later he finally found one that was open to spending time with him. Mr Hazell was diagnosed with dementia in his mid-50s and kept working as an optical

OUT with the OLD

laboratory representative with the support of his Melbourne employer until he resigned three years later. “The real impact is I was diagnosed at 55 and now I am 60 and it’s only going to get worse to be perfectly honest,” Mr Hazell said. “I still have a bright outlook on life. I’m not a half glass full, but a full glass full.” He’s been doing a “s—tload” since stopping work. The frustrations of dealing with some people in the medical profession who seemed not to want Mr Hazell to continue living a full and engaged life has driven him to be proactive in profiling how

people with dementia can in its early stages, live well and outside of care through his advocacy work. “I’m not cactus yet,” he said. “If I don’t get it done quickly in the next five or 10 years, I won’t get anything done. It’s getting quite urgent.” Mr Hazell is an advocate for Dementia Australia, chair of the Dementia Australia Advisory Committee, and advocate for assistance dogs for dementia and participating in research trials. “In one of these I mentor people who have just been diagnosed with dementia so they can see it’s not the end of the

REALITIES: Dementia advocate Phil Hazell and his assistance dog Sarah. world,” he said. “I am a living example of living well with dementia.” “With dementia, it’s not all the time that you are living with it,” he added. “Sometimes it can one day out of a fortnight or a couple of days a week.” At home Mr Hazell is responsible for keeping his home tidy while his wife, Jan, is out at full-time work. He also does some cooking. When it comes to exercise, he says he is “slack”. “I should be doing it, absolutely.” He does get moving when he walks Sarah, his assistance dog. Sarah is with him

everywhere, flying around Australia as Mr Hazell takes his living well message to all states. The specially trained labrador even has her own boarding ticket which she carries to the check-in gate. If he gets lost when he out of the house or gets confused: “Sarah comes in very tight and cuddles me. That gives me the chance to sit down for 10 minutes and get my mind back as to where I am or what I should be doing.” Sarah finds Mr Hazell’s keys, phone and wallet before he leaves home each day. “Otherwise I would be wandering the

house trying to find all these items to get out of the house,” he said. “If I can’t find these items I literally can’t get out of the house.” And that is critical to Mr Hazell as he is on the move as much as he can for as long as he can. His advice to people with dementia and those caring for them is to contact the counsellors at Dementia Australia on 1800 100 500. “I was at my wit’s end and they listened to me, and when I got off the phone, I felt a lot better,” Mr Hazell added.

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WELLBEING

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Healing power of rolfing Sarah Pelham THERE is a wide range of symptoms that people simply accept as a part of aging, including changes in posture and spinal curvature, body aches and pains, reduced energy, and stress. However, research shows you can mitigate these symptoms with rolfing. It’s a form of manipulation therapy, named after its creator Dr Ida Rolf, that focuses on the connective tissues throughout the body. Dr Rolf created it based on her understanding of the body as a network of tissues, as opposed to individual parts. Over the years, research has supported the benefits of rolfing. Focusing on the network of tissues and how they connect throughout the body is what makes rolfing unique and more effective than other therapies. By using movement education, rolfing techniques usually have a long-term effect over body posture, alignment and functioning. These are different from massage techniques, that often provide relief for

muscle discomfort and focus more on relaxation. Rolfing can have healing power on not just your body, but also your mind as you feel better and think differently. Here are reasons you should consider rolfing. ■ Improve Your Spinal Health Spinal surgeon Dr Michael Wong asserts that one way to improve spinal health is to “consciously correct your posture.” Research has shown that rolfing can dramatically improve your posture and reduce the curvature of the spine. ■ Revitalize Energy Rolfing has been shown to increase energy because it allows you to conserve energy by using your muscles more efficiently ■ Restore Flexibility Similarly, the revitalisation of energy, the restoration of flexibility can have a significantly positive impact on your overall health. Sarah Pelham is the Beauty & Wellness Expert for Bookwell.com.au, an online platform for instant bookings for hair, nails, beauty & massage appointments.

Fast action saves her husband’s life A STROKE survivor has paid tribute to his wife for knowing the F.A.S.T signs of stroke and saving his life in the lead up to National Stroke Week (September 2-8). In 2015, Rocco Giandomenico, 82, was with his wife Cecilia, 78, in their kitchen when Cecilia noticed Rocco’s speech sounded strange and she couldn’t understand what he was saying. They had sat down to eat fresh watermelon from their garden when Rocco kept touching his forehead and slurring his words. Recognising the signs of a stroke, Cecilia rushed Rocco to the near-by local hospital – five minutes away. On seeing the seriousness of Rocco’s condition, health professionals quickly organised a transfer by ambulance to the larger Tamworth Hospital for treatment in the stroke ward. Here, Rocco was given a brain scan and

Rocco Giandomenico with his wife Cecilia. treated for stroke. Rocco said he would forever be grateful Cecilia knew the F.A.S.T signs of stroke and sought medical help quickly. “Cecilia is my love and my hero,” he said. “I would never have gone to the hospital without her taking action and next year we’ll celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary, with our children and 13 grandchildren.” Using the F.A.S.T test involves asking these simple questions: ■ Face Check their face. Has their mouth drooped? ■ Arms Can they lift both

F.A.S.T signs of stroke and saving his life in the lead up to National Stroke Week (September 2-8). arms? ■ Speech Is their speech slurred? Do they understand you? ■ Time is critical. If you see any of these signs call triple zero (000) straight away Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers and a leading cause of disability. It occurs when blood supply to the brain is disrupted, either by a blocked blood vessel or a leaking blood vessel. Treatments can stop this damage, but they must be delivered quickly. Stroke Foundation New South Wales State Manager Rhian Paton-Kelly applauded Cecilia on her quick

thinking. “Cecilia‘s quick action in recognising the signs of stroke and getting Rocco to hospital meant he reached treatment quickly and is able to live well after his stroke with his family,” Ms Paton-Kelly said. “The more people who know the F.A.S.T signs of stroke message and to call an ambulance at the first sign, the better. “Share this important message with your friends, family and colleagues this Stroke Week.” For more on National Stroke Week, go to strokefoundation.org.au.

Sobering tale: Check motivation for drinking health problems, such as heart disease and cancer, by getting sponsored by friends and family to abstain from alcohol. If staying away from alcohol is difficult, remind yourself that you are doing it primarily for yourself, but others will benefit. ■ Keep busy. Opening the wine bottle can often be the result of boredom or an easy way to de-stress. Try to take up activities that do not involve drinking, such as going to the movies, enrolling in painting classes or joining

book clubs. You could also think of preparing meals that do not naturally go with alcohol, such as Asian and other spicy food. ■ Identify your drinking triggers. Whether it is your way of winding down after a hectic day or a way to socialise, recognising what triggers you to drink will help you to avoid them and to stay away from alcohol. ■ Limit or avoid social situations with a big drinking scene. It is much easier to abstain from

No Gap Eye Surgery 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.

Dr Meon Lamont

are still socialising regularly, take along a non-alcoholic beer and put it in a stubby holder. That way, the stigma of not drinking will be taken away. ■ Put your personal spend on drinks towards another goal. Get yourself financially motivated by putting aside the money you would normally spend on alcohol. A few drinks here and there won’t put a dent in your wallet but spending on alcohol daily or weekly can add up quickly.

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pressure of having to drink. Being around people with the same goal can also improve your mental health, as you are not encountering social pressure to drink. You may also, as a group, seek sponsorship and donations to charities. ■ Choose alternatives for when you want to drink. When you would normally pop a bottle of champagne, opt for a different type of drink, such as sparkling mineral water or another alcohol-free drink. If you

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alcohol when you are not in the vicinity of other drinkers or where drinks are consistently flowing. Do not feel pressured to accept invitations to events with plenty of drinking. Instead, host a dinner party or encourage meet-ups at restaurants and cafes, instead of bars. ■ Surround yourself with sober friends. Join groups motivated to stay sober or get friends or family to also take a few weeks off alcohol with you. This will help you avoid the

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WE are risking our health by continuing to drink too much alcohol and too often. More than two standard drinks a day on a regular basis is high risk. One in five of us are at that level of consumption. Wesley Hospital’s Drug and Alcohol Program director Professor John Saunders has seven top tips on how to stop. ■ Identify your motivation to stay dry. Dry July allowed for plenty of opportunities to raise money for alcohol-related

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SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2019

WELLBEING

Generation experiment Old people’s home where the very young are welcome Tracey Johnstone QUALITY time spent in the company of some lively four-year-olds has opened up a whole new world for octogenarian and retirement village resident Maureen. Maureen is one of 11 residents, aged 78–95, who participated in a social experiment conducted and filmed by ABC studios’ Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds. In the experiment, residents were paired with preschoolers from the area, and over eight weeks they met in a specially prepared preschool space for four full days each week. The experiment sought to determine whether the inter-generational contact could improve the health and well-being of the older people, thus leading to happier and healthier lives. Maureen, 82, sees great potential in the relationships formed.

“The development in the people and the children in that short time was absolutely fantastic,” she said. “Some of them were very reticent in the beginning but they gradually warmed to it.” She felt an immediate connection when she met four-year-old Michaela. “She was the most delightful thing you would ever meet,” Maureen said. “She would rush across the room to me.” Maureen has two grandchildren who live close by but, because of busy lives, she doesn’t see as much of them as she would like. At the start of the experiment the usually upbeat Maureen was stressed trying to cope with significant health issues confronting both her and her husband. “This was the answer to my prayers,” she said. Even though her physical health problems continued during the

FRIENDS: Michaela and Maureen at the Anzac Village . filming, she said: “It psychologically lifted me out of myself.” Critically for Maureen, it was knowing she was wanted and loved during her time together with Michaela. While Maureen isn’t sure how much she taught Michaela, she certainly knows she gained significantly from their contact.

Mechanically-minded volunteers are needed WOULD you like to help maintain and demonstrate letterpress printing in a printing museum on the northern Gold Coast? The South Coast Restoration Society at Heritage Park at 193 Rifle Range Road, Pimpama on the Gold Coast, is looking for retired letterpress trades people, or people willing to help in their print museum. Heritage Park is a must for people interested in machines that played a major part in the economic development of Australia. One of the exhibits is the Print Museum where visitors can see demonstrations of machines used to produce newspapers and general printing in the 20th century. Of particular interest in the Print Museum is the Linotype. Prior to the invention of the Linotype, lines of type had to have individual letters picked out of a type case by hand - this was a slow tedious task, whereas a Linotype operator could set a

complete line of type as a single unit six times faster. As a result, newspapers grew in size and instead of small weekly newspapers they became large dailies. Printed matter was more affordable and

machines. We would welcome volunteers experienced in the operation of these machines to join Wayne and George in demonstrating the printing presses. Even if you are not printers and would like to

‘‘

Thomas Edison, called the Linotype the eighth wonder of the world.

resulted in people being better educated. Thomas Edison, called the Linotype the eighth wonder of the world. On hand to demonstrate these machines are Wayne Messell and George Finn. Both are qualified Linotype Mechanics, whose trade was to maintain ‘hot metal’ typesetting machines in daily newspapers and printing plants in the last century. We need printers or compositors, experienced in the use of Letterpress Platen and Flatbed

help in the museum, come along and have a chat. The Heritage Park is open to the public on the second Sunday of every month. In addition to the lntertype, there is also a operational Ludlow line caster, an Original Heidelberg Platen Press, a Jardine Platen Press, a Douglas compositor's saw. Together with these machines are a number of small table top hand operated platen presses. There are a number of other machines waiting to be restored.

“She was very patient with me as I couldn’t physically do a lot,” she said. “I felt the love was there and we clicked. Anything I needed, she was there for me. “I must have been a security for her. She’s from a one-parent family who has a mother who is fantastic.” The participants shared

Photo: Nigel Wright

a structured timetable that encouraged physical activity, social interaction, learning and happiness. Maureen and Michaela walked hand-in-hand, did relay races, made slime and cooked. “We had a great time,” Maureen said. Michaela has now effectively become part of Maureen’s family, as has her mother Debbie. The

new unlikely friends see each other every month, sometimes with Michaela’s grandmother joining in, and Debbie regularly shares family photos with Maureen. “I’ve got a new family,” Maureen said. “It’s made quite a bit of difference to my life. She said she no longer felt she was living locked up in the retirement village. Maureen has also become friends with one of the other women who participated in the experiment, who has taken to lobbying village management for an ongoing program. “There’s a heck of a lot of kids that don’t have grandparents in Australia, or they are living somewhere else, and they don’t have that association,” Maureen said. “I could just see the magic that came out of this.” Screening from Tuesday, August 27, at 8.30pm on ABC. If you miss the four-part series, it can be viewed via ABC iView.

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WELLBEING

SEPTEMBER, 2019// SENIORS

Solution needed to phone blackouts Tracey Johnstone I AM sitting with an old friend at her home in the ACT, sharing a hot cup of tea on a cold winter’s day, listening to a story about her neighbour who is over 90 years old. Let’s call him John. The widower lives alone in an old brick house which he shared with his wife for many, many years. Dementia has set in – rather badly it seems, but John won’t move out of the family home; at least not willingly. Last week he turned up at my sister’s front door, panicked. He, at least, remembers that my sister will always welcome him and is happy to help him out, when she is home. She has a list of contact numbers at hand for John’s family, because he is now often calling at

her door. This time though the lights have gone out in his house and it was a very cold, dark night. He didn’t know why they went out and didn’t know what to do to turn them back on. John said he reached for his landline phone to call for family help, but with the power out, it wasn’t working. He doesn’t own a mobile you see and is unlikely to understand how to use one due to his increasing dementia. His next reaction was to walk to my sister’s place on the cold night and ask for her help. Luckily she was home and able to find someone to help get the power back on and John back home safely. So, when the power goes out the NBN connection won’t work and so too the landline. If an elderly

‘‘

when the power goes out the NBN connection won’t work or landline.

PHONE DILEMMA: He reached for his landline phone to call for family help, but with the power out, it wasn't working Photo: SolStock Australian doesn’t own a mobile, can’t afford one, doesn’t know how to use it, can’t read the buttons and screen clearly enough

to use it, forgets to have it fully charged at all times, can’t use the landline to ring the mobile to find out where it has been left in

the house... it’s a big question and that needs answering now, but who is providing the solution? I am going to take this

up with my local Federal member and ask him to act on our behalf to push for a solution. What can you do?

Roll back the clock and start to rock in a four-week course

‘‘

The program is open to anyone and the cost to participate is $20 for the full four weeks.

BOWLS Australia has joined the Sports Australia Better Ageing Grant program by trying to encourage more older Australians to become more active. Its Roll Back the Clock initiative aims to boost physical activity rates through bowls, light exercise and education. Each four-week program has two sessions per week which incorporate activities lasting 30 minutes each and targeting both the body

and mind through bowls, functional training, fitness and wellness education, and socialisation. Each session is adapted for individuals, with benefits ranging from enabling participants to perform activities of daily life more easily, to withstanding injuries and providing a sense of accomplishment and achievement. Fitness gains from the program will include flexibility, muscular endurance and strength

and in some instances aerobic/cardiovascular exercise. The first week focuses on the importance of exercise, how to get going and the ingredients to a healthy life. The second week works on healthy brain meets healthy body, exercising it and learning to relax and mindfulness. In the third week, the focus is on supporting the body through movement with good posture and healthy pelvic floor.

Finally, in week four the session focuses on how to continue the good habits, have fun and the keys to success, and bowls games are introduced. The program is open to anyone and the cost to participate is $20 for the full four weeks. “In addition to the physical health benefits, engaging in physical activity and group sports for older Australians provides increasingly important opportunities

for socialisation, peer-support, and conversation that reduces the possibility for loneliness related physical and mental illnesses,” Bowls Australia Better Ageing program manager Michael Haarsma said. Roll Back The Clock is staged regularly at local bowls clubs around Australia. For more information, go to www.bowls.com.au/ roll-back-the-clock.

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SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2019

Community group guide

Community notes

TO ALLOW for readers’ requests for the publication of more news, please keep notices to (100 word max). To submit a photo, ensure it is 500kb to 1mb in size and of faces. Email editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au. Banora Point RETIRED? Looking to meet new people? We meet on the fourth Monday of each month at the South Tweed Sports Club at 10am. Cost $5. We are a mixed club and have interesting speakers, as well outing each month. Phone Ron or Annette on (07) 5523 4016. Burleigh Heads Ladies MYSTERY Tours are a perfect baffle to all human understanding. And yet, the members of the Burleigh Heads Ladies Probus Club found themselves embracing this mind boggling situation of a Mystery Tour, around the wider Gold Coast region, with loads of enthusiasm, laughter and adventure. We meet on the third Wednesday of the month at Burleigh Heads Surf Lifesaving Club. Morning tea is enjoyed at 10am, followed by a meeting at 10.30am, which includes an interesting speaker. Lunch can be ordered. A coach trip or social activity is held on the fourth Wednesday. Visitors welcome. Phone Helga on (07) 5520 2426 or Jennifer 0402 860 650. Burleigh Waters OUR monthly outing was a visit to Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens and lunch at Breakfast Creek Hotel. At our meeting General Manager Operations Brett Curtis told us about the Gold Coast Airport re-development plans and operations. Retired or semi-retired men are invited to join us at Club Meetings, 10am, on the third Monday of each

month at Burleigh Waters Community Centre, 131 Christine Ave, Burleigh Waters. Nominally a men’s club, but wives are very welcome to share the club’s fellowship, friendship and fun at all club meetings and outings. Phone Brian on 07 5520 6332 or Des 0434 873 626. Hastings Point/Tweed Coast THE next meeting of the will be held on September 17 at 10am at Tricare Retirement Community, 87 Tweed Coast Road, Hastings Point. The main speaker will be Rod Preston who has given many talks on cruise ships and to Probus and Rotary Clubs. His topic for this talk will be “Convicts, poms and the flash mob”. Visitors always welcome. Inquiries with Jean on (02) 6670 4072. Kirra Tugun OUR club turned out in numbers on a visit to St Bernards Hotel in a really outstanding venue on a glorious day lots of sunshine great views lots of happy chat good food and a visit from a couple of patient Puppies another happy memory to add to a the past will more plans to create many more retirees can talk to Rod on 0438 341 909.

HELENSVALE BRIDGE CLUB

DO YOU like to meet new people and play cards? We are seeking people who would like to join our small friendly club and welcome all levels of player. We are especially inviting non bridge players to our free beginners lessons. Bridge is a

WALK AND TALK: Burleigh Waters Probus club walking group at Burleigh Headland. mentally stimulating and enjoyable card game suitable for all ages. The club currently has a variety of people through many ages and playing skills. The HBC is located in Discovery Dr, Helensvale. For more, phone Hilda on 0415 612 667 or go to Helensvalebridgeclub.com or on Facebook.

TWEED COAST CFS/ME/FMS SUPPORT GROUP INC.

FIBROMYALGIA, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Information and Support Group meets on the first Friday of every month at 10.30am at the HACC Community Centre, cnr Heffron Street and Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads South. All welcome. Phone Bronwyn on (07) 5593 9319.

ROTARY MENTAL HEALTH SYMPOSIUM

MORE than 360 delegates from Queensland and other States and overseas attended the 9th annual Mental Health Symposium at Bond University on August 20. Organised by the Runaway Bay Rotary Club and Australian Rotary Health, a distinguished panel of speakers addressed many

of the problems now facing society, including youth suicide, major depression, indigenous health and healthcare worker wellness. Speakers at the symposium and interactive workshops included Professor Yin Paradies, an international authority on cross-cultural divides and author of more than 180 publications, Doctor Margaret Kay, medical director of Queensland Doctors’ Health Programme, Professor Chris Stapelberg, professor for Mental Health at Bond University and the Gold Coast University Hospital, Doctor Shahina Braganza, Senior Emergency Physician, and Tenzin Chodron, a Buddhist nun with many years of experience as a social worker, counsellor and group facilitator.

SOUTHPORT MILITARY HERITAGE MUSEUM

THE Military Heritage Museum is located in the Qld Naval Brigade Drill Hall at Owen Park, Mick Vievers Way, 201 Queen Street, Southport (next to the Southport Primary School). Free entry and parking. Phone Noel on 0437 732 575 and

organise a time and day during any week to visit.

SOLACE

SOLACE is an organisation for people grieving the loss of a partner. We meet every second and fourth Wednesday at 10.30am at Broadbeach Senior Citizens Centre, TE Peters Drive, Broadbeach. Phone Betty on (07) 5580 7034.

COOLANGATTA SENIORS

WELLBEING and activities for all. Pay just $8 to join the Coolangatta Seniors for access to over 35 different activities at low cost. All ages welcome! Looking to add exercise to your routine, try our yoga, tai chi, table tennis, indoor bowls, qi gong, aerobic exercise or dancing. Too many activities to mention them all so come see for yourself. Go to coolangatta seniors.com.au or visit us 2 Gerrard St, Coolangatta.

NATIONAL SERVICEMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA (QLD) INC

Gold Coast North NSAA (Qld) Inc, invites all Nashos and partners to their meetings held on the second Tuesday of

each even numbered month commencing at 9.30am followed by a social barbecue lunch, located within the Light Horse Museum adjacent to the Mudgeeraba Showground, 8 Worongary Road, Mudgeeraba. For inquiries, please contact either Brian Handke (president) on (07) 5630 8071 or Jeff Wootten (publicity officer) on 0413 548 615. Gold Coast South-Twin Towns OUR General Meetings are held bi-monthly at 10am (Qld time) at RSL Sub Branch Twin-Towns, Anzac Room, Tweed Heads. Our next AGM will be held on Friday, September 27. Veterans who served in any Forces of the Commonwealth “between” 1951-1972. Please show your support. Join us and rekindle the camaraderie you experienced during your Service. New members and visitors welcome to attend. Phone Tom Hughes (public officer) on (07) 5513 0665.

GOLD COAST CITY CHOIR

WE ARE celebrating 50 years by singing Karl Jenkins’ Symphonic Adiemus. Accompanied by Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra, it promises to

Win a double pass to see RIDE LIKE A GIRL at Event Cinemas on October 2 See the amazing true story ‘RIDE LIKE A GIRL’ at the Seniors Morning Tea and screening on Wednesday 2 October at BCC and Event Cinemas. As a little girl, Michelle Payne dreams of the impossible: winning the Melbourne Cup – horse-racing’s toughest two-mile race. starring Teresa Palmer, Sam Neill,

Sullivan Stapleton and directed by Rachel Griffiths. Book tickets at the box office or eventcinemas.com.au Thanks to Event Cinemas we have 5 double passes to give away to this exciting screening. To be in the draw just fill in our form online at seniorsnews.com.au/ competitions 6947124gk

PROBUS CLUBS

Visit seniorsnews.com.au/competitionterms for full competition terms and conditions.The Promoter is ARM Specialist Media Pty Ltd (‘the Promoter’) of 28 Maynes Road, Bowen Hills Queensland 4006.ABN 73 064 061 794. The competition commences on Monday, September 2, 2019 at 08:00am and closes on Friday September 20, 2019 at 11:59pm AEST. Competition drawn 2pm 23/09/19 at Cnr Mayne Rd and Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006.Winners announced in Seniors November Editions, 2019.Total prize value $200.00 (including GST). Entry is open to all permanent residents of Queensland, residing in the Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Toowoomba Seniors distribution areas and NSW in the Northern NSW, Central Coast and Coffs & Clarence Seniors distribution areas.Authorised under NSW Permit LTPM/19/04797

COMMUNITY

SEPTEMBER, 2019// SENIORS

MERRY MEMBERS: Kirra Tugun Probus club members celebrated Christmas in July, visiting St Bernards Hotel. be vibrant, uplifting and moving. See the Queensland premiere on September 14 from 7.30pm at HOTA, Home of the Arts, Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise. Tickets $28-38. Book online, go to hota.com.au or phone (07) 5588 4000.

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. Go to exitinternational.net or phone local co-ordinator Elaine on 0421 796 713.

LIONS CLUBS

Burleigh Heads WE ARE a community service club who meet on the third Tuesday of each month at the Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park Surf Club from 6.30pm for a meal and to discuss forthcoming fundraising events, philanthropy and social events over a drink. 100% of the fundraising income goes back into the community such as drought support, flood support, local children and families in need, CareFlight and other important causes. If you would like to find out more, phone Merv on 0478 681 300 or email burleighheadslionsclub @gmail.com.

TWEED CENTRE COMPANY

A MUSICAL meander through the war years - A Brown Slouch Hat. Devised, Written and

Directed by Doug Williams at the Tweed Heads Civic Centre on September 13 & 20 at 7.30pm and September 14, 15, 21 & 22 at 2pm. Adult: $18; Concession: $15; Child: $10; Table of 8: $13. Tickets available from Tweed & Murwillumbah Info Centres, online: go to tweedtheatre.com.au, phone on 1800 674 414 or at the door.

CANCER SUPPORT SISTERS INC

WE ARE holding a Pink luncheon and fashion parade on Thursday, October 3 at 11am at the Southport Bowls Club. The two course luncheon is $25pp. Everyone welcome. Money can be deposited into Westpac by September 27. Account Name: Cancer Support Sisters; BSB: 034610; Acc: 329706. Phone Fay on 0421 331 576 or Rhonda on 0401 584 997 once money has been paid into the account so you’re added to the list.

SURFERS PARADISE BRIDGE CLUB

FREE Bridge lessons for absolute beginners for four Saturday’s commencing on October 12 from 9am-11am, then continuing lessons every Saturday from 9am-11am. Lessons conducted by an ABF accredited teacher in a very friendly atmosphere. Morning tea provided and easy parking for all ability levels. Surfers Paradise Bridge Club, 1 Carrara St, Benowa. Phone

07 5597 0085 or email email@surfbdge.com.

ART EXHIBITION

INTERNATIONAL artist Heather Bell and art group will be holding an exhibition of artwork in various genres. It will run from September 23 to October 4 Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm at Kirra Hill Gallery. Located at the GC Community Centre on the hill behind the Iron Eagle. All artwork will be for sale. Don’t miss this opportunity to find a quality work of art in time for Christmas.

VIEW CLUBS

Burleigh Palm Beach THE next meeting of the Burleigh Palm Beach VIEW Club will be held on Tuesday, September 17 at 10.30am at Treetops Tavern, West Burleigh. VIEW Clubs, which stands for Voice, Interests and Education of Women, support the work of The Smith Family – a national charity that helps children in need with their education. Through our work with the charity, VIEW Club members are helping make life-changing differences to local children and their families. New members are always welcome at this friendly club. For further information, phone Ros on 0431 442 030. Coolangatta/Tweed OUR next luncheon will be held at the South Tweed Sports Club on Thursday, September 19. All ladies are very welcome to join our friendly ladies for coffee and chat 11-11.30am start. We meet on the

third Thursday of the month. Guest speaker this month will be Ingrid Steynberg who has very interesting tales of her time in Africa. Apologies/bookings phone Kay on (07) 5524 4089 on Monday prior to our luncheon. Oxenford/Coomera OUR meeting place is now Pimpama Hotel, 102 Pimpama Jacobs Well Road, Pimpama with a new time of 9.30am for 10am on Friday, September 20. Always meeting on the third Friday of the month and our social event is on the first Friday of the month. If you’re interested in meeting with a vibrant group of ladies phone the secretary Rose on 0412 435 483. Southport Day ON AUGUST 30, approximately 25 members of QC01 Zone VIEW Clubs participated in “Walk with VIEW” to raise money for Learning for Life Students of The Smith Family. Our next meeting will be on September 18. Our guest speaker will be Chez Rafter, environmental advocate and children’s book author. Theme for the day is Nautical. Our club meets on the third Wednesday of each month for a delicious luncheon at the picturesque Southport Yacht Club, Macarthur Parade, Main Beach overlooking the Broadwater. Time: 11.30am for noon. Each month there are interesting guest speakers or entertainers. This is a great way to

meet and make new friends. The first Friday of each month is social day when various ‘get togethers’ are organised. Phone Robin on (07) 5537 4593. Surfers Paradise OUR club supports the Smith Family plus 9 Learning for Life Students with their school needs. The Surfers Paradise VIEW Club holds their meetings and lunch on the second Tuesday of each month at the Southport Golf Club. Meeting at 11.30am for lunch at noon. Always with an interesting guest speaker. New members and visitors are most welcome. For an opportunity to meet new friends and join in our social activities and enjoyable outings, phone Nancy on (07) 5592 6730 or 0421 639 574. Twin Towns Evening WE Will be celebrating our 30th birthday on October 9, to be held at the Tweed Heads Bowls Club’s OPAL room. The theme will be “FIESTA” so glamour up in your brightest outfits. To mark this occasion, instead of our usual night time meeting, it will be a Luncheon. Thus enabling our sister Daytime Clubs to attend. For more information, phone Pat on (07) 5536 5227 or Trudy (07) 5524 1770 or Facebook page.

SIP N SUP CLUB – GOLD COAST

GOLD Coast Over Fifties – we meet each fortnight at a great restaurants around the Gold Coast. All men welcome for beer, wine and food. We critique restaurants, have guest speakers but most of all we have a lot of fun. Generally Thursday afternoons, however, some evening events. For more, phone Michel on 0412 757 535 or search for @sipnsupgc on Facebook.

ROBINA RED CROSS SOCIAL CLUB Robina Bowls Club welcomed 50 lawn bowlers from Tasmania on their annual sojourn to the Gold Coast. They enjoyed 12 days of lawn bowls at a number of clubs during their three-week stay.

WE ARE a new social club and we wish to invite ladies who would like to

join our happy group for friendship and social activities such as lunches, morning teas, craft and movie days. Phone Shirley on 0421 202 599 or Margaret on 0402 427 843.

GOLD COAST LINE DANCING

ALL classes are $7. Beginners class 11.40am-1pm every Friday; Improver class 1.15-3.15pm every Tuesday; Intermediate class 1.15-3.15pm every Friday. At the PCYC, 24 Cayuga St. Nerang. Next door to the Bowls Club. Phone 0410 505 740 or email pamseye@hotmail.com.

HILLVIEW AGED CARE OPEN DAY

WE WELCOME you to join us for a community Open Day at our Gold Coast aged care community, HillView Merrimac on Wednesday, October 2 from 9am-noon at 239 Gooding Dr, Merrimac. Register your interest on our website and go into the running to win prizes on the day. Go to hillviewcare.com. au/open-day.

FREE DIABETES CLINIC

ALLIED health students at Southern Cross University Health Clinic in Bilinga are putting the call out for people with diabetes to sign up to a free podiatry and exercise physiology clinic. The free foot examinations and physical exercise review on the Gold Coast for people with diabetes will be run by third-year podiatry and exercise physiology students, supervised by industry professionals. A limited number of free screenings will be available as part of the diabetes clinic on Tuesdays from 8am-11.30am on September 17 and 24 at Southern Cross University Health Clinic at Southern Cross Dr, Bilinga. To register, phone (07) 5589 3252 or email clinic@scu.edu.au.

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2019

Alison Houston

SPRING GARDENS

WE’VE not exactly had a cold winter, but you can enjoy the spring weather on a guided tour through some beautiful areas of the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens at Benowa this Wednesday, September 11. Find out about the diverse past and the living collections of this special 31 hectares with the Friends of the Gardens. It’s free. Meet at the Friends Centre at 10am. Phone Shelly on 0449 561 674. To find out more, go to friendsgcrbg.org.au.

ADDAMS FAMILY

GOLD Coast Little Theatre presents The Addams Family musical until September 28. Princess of darkness Wednesday Addams (Chloe Smith) has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet young man from a respectable family and the Addams are hosting a dinner for Wednesday’s ‘normal’ boyfriend and his parents. Director Jay Ahrens says he wanted to direct the musical “because of its high energy, fantastic score and iconic characters”. It’s at GCLT, 21A Scarborough St,

Southport. Tickets ($34 adults) go to gclt.com.au or phone 07 5532 2096.

What's on

SWELL

THIS year’s 17th annual SWELL Sculpture Festival runs along the Currumbin Beach from Friday, September 13-Sunday, September 22. For 10 days you can wander among the distinctive and thought-provoking works of Australian and international artists in one of the best settings in the world. Busy during the day? Enjoy guided twilight walks and artist talks. To find out more, phone 07 5525 0503 or go to swellsculpture.com.au.

BIG RED KIDNEY WALK

SHOW solidarity for people living with kidney disease and their families at the Big Red Kidney Walk in Pratten Park Broadbeach on Sunday, September 15. “Everyone” wears red and some really dress up for the occasion. Registration fees pay for the cost of staging the event, so you will be given a special fundraising page that is unique to you for your 1-3km walk. There’s a real buzz, including live music and entertainment, plus food vendors. You can

THEY'RE CREEPY: Gold Coast Little Theatre takes us back to our childhoods with The Addams Family musical in Southport until September 28. even bring your dog. For details go to bigredkidneywalk.org.au or phone 1800 454 363.

ORCHID SPRING SHOW

THE Gold Coast District Orchid Society will hold its 2019 Spring Show at the Albert Waterways Community Centre, Mermaid Waters, on Friday, September 20 (8am-4.30pm) and Saturday, September 21 (8am-3pm). This is a judged orchid and foliage show, with traders selling orchids, bromeliads, cactus, succulents and

accessories. There will be a members’ plant sale table and potting demonstrations. Cost is $4. Phone Lewis on 0408 686 725 or find them on Facebook.

funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. It’s on Saturday, September 21 from 10am-5.30pm.

PINK RIBBON CUP RACEDAY

Books by the Bridge is a world-wide author event, and the Gold Coast venue is the Ocean Room at Sea World Resort on Saturday, September 28. It will showcase 45 Australian authors and run from 11am-5pm. For the full list of authors and to book tickets ($32.74) go to booksbythebridge. com.

AUSTRALIA’S largest community fundraiser race day celebrates its 12th year at the Gold Coast Turf Club, Bundall. Gold coin donation only at the main gate for people wearing pink. Birkbecks Jewellers Pink Ribbon Cup Raceday is supported by the GCTC and raises

BOOKS BY THE BRIDGE

OKTOBERFEST

Oktoberfest on the Coast is launching this year on Saturday, October 5. It’s advertised as a multicultural festival that will allow you to experience traditional German culture in our very own backyard – well, the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre (2018 Commonwealth Games venue). Strictly for over-18s, it will celebrate the music, food, beers and most of all, the fun and games of Germany, including multiple stages and a strong-man competition.

Share the Good News If you’ve got big news, a heart-warming story or community event coming up, spread the word and share it online with Seniors!

Opening Doors to the Seniors Lifestyle

Visit seniorsnews.com.au today!

MONEY

SEPTEMBER, 2019// SENIORS

‘‘

IN BRIEF INHERITANCE GREED BLOCKED

FALSE TAX AGENTS

THE ATO warns taxpayers to keep an eye out for people posing as tax agents who are not registered with the Tax Practitioners Board. These preparers tend to promise refunds that sound too good to be true or provide discounted services much cheaper than legitimate registered tax agents. Unregistered preparers often use a taxpayer's personal login details to access their ATO Online account through myGov to lodge tax returns. Check your tax agent is registered at tpb.gov.au/ search- register, protect your myGov login details and password (you should not share these details with anyone, including your tax agent and know your tax affairs). To report an unregistered tax agent, go tpb.gov.au/complaints or ato.gov.au/tipoff.

It talks about how to deal with financial advice, what questions to ask

NEW BOOK: Author and financial industry expert of 40 years, Alan Kohler offer financial advice.

Photo: Phoebe Wynne

Look after your money

Tracey Johnstone INDUSTRY expert Alan Kohler says you don’t need to be an expert to manage your money well, but you do need to know how to choose trustworthy advisers and services. Now is as good a time as any to reassess, question and reassure yourself of your financial arrangements. “It’s your money, not someone else’s,” Kohler said. “Nobody else is going to look after it for you.” “You should absolutely assess your relationship with your current financial advisor,” Kohler added. “You should understand what you are paying them for and what they are doing for you, just like any

other service you buy.” In his new book, It’s Your Money, as one of Australia’s most trusted financial experts and a first-hand observer of the industry for more than 40 years, Kohler offers unique insights into and thorough analysis of the crisis in financial services. “What I am trying to do with the book is ensure people don’t get bamboozled by saying, ‘oh well, that’s what it costs’.” What he recommends is people question the value of the service being provided and if they don’t think it is valuable, then say so. “If they won’t negotiate their fee or talk to you about it, then go somewhere else,” he adds. Kohler’s book explains how the stage was set for financial industry

corruption, breaks down the Royal Commission’s findings and unpacks what it means for you. “I think the Royal Commission showed us that there are problems in the financial advice system,” he said. “Maybe some of them will be fixed up but fundamentally they won’t be fixed up because Kenneth Hayne, the Royal Commissioner, has decided not to deal with the fundamental conflict of interests that lie at the heart of the financial advice industry which is advisors may, or may not be, employed by the wealth managers who look after the money. That is the say the financial advisors may be a doctor whose employed by the drug company; you just don’t know.”

He shares his investing philosophy and offers advice on all aspects of financial planning, including appraising financial plans, growing your superannuation, and finding ethical investments. He gives you the knowledge and insight you need to invest sensibly to

protect and grow your money. “I’m not saying people should look after their own money,” Kohler said. “Most people need to have a financial advisor. “What this book will do is arm people with the knowledge that will put them in a stronger position in dealing with financial advisors. “It talks about how to deal with financial advice, what questions to ask and how to provide one. It also provides information and knowledge that gives you enough knowledge that you know broadly speaking what the financial advisor is doing so that you are able to talk to them with a level of knowledge that protects you.” Published by Blank Inc Books, RRP$34.99. 6916459av

THE Australian Banking Association’s CEO Anna Bligh has renewed her call for the Federal Government to establish a national online register of Power of Attorney (POA) orders, standardise laws and legislate a designated safe place to report elder financial abuse. A new campaign launched by the ABA, Stop Elder Financial Abuse, has been launched as new research reveals almost six in 10 Australians are worried that someone they know will be the victim of this insidious abuse. The campaign calls on governments across to act and establish POA laws which are the same across the country and protect people from this kind of abuse; a National Power of Attorney register to check if documents are legitimate and current; and somewhere to report abuse in each state that can investigate and act.

“Did you know we offer free Legal Education and Information sessions to community groups? Contact us to arrange a visit from one of lawyers.” 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

• Wills and Enduring Powers of Attorney • Probate • Will Disputes and Family Provision Claims

www.newwaylawyers.com.au •

(07) 3548 5868

SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2019

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36 Scarborough Street, Southport Phone: 5552 4200

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Antenna Services

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• Plastering • Painting • Small Tiling Jobs (qualified tiler) • Locks *Doors • Carpentry • Flat pack furniture • All handy man services NO JOB TO SMALL COMPETITIVE RATES

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smart-phone

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experience * Very reasonable $40 p/hour

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Patios Carports Verandahs Glass & Screen Enclosures

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Pest Control

Coastline Pest Control Give us a call before you renew your baiting system to compare the price!

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operating systems

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Jobs under $3,300 only

IOR TS SEN COUN DIS

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abn: 96 500 319538 Email: colinmckay57@gmail.com 6 Carine Crt nerang. Qld 4211

* At your home on your own

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Phone

Peter 0484 315 014

AVAILABLE SERVICES

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Painting and Small Plaster Repairs At A Genuine | Low Price! | Free Quotes!

Home Maintenance

Colin McKay Ph: 0479 162 695

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TRADESMAN PAINTER

Lawn & Garden Care Turf Laid, Trees Lopped, Pavers Laid & Reset, Rubbish Removed & Gutters Cleared Property Preparation ready for Sale Computer Help & Care

Computer & IT Services

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Painting & Decorating Services

Gold & Tweed Coasts

• We clean lounges both upholstery and leather. • We can bring your dirty tiles back to new. • If it's not steam cleaned its not clean.

0413 497 423

Garden Services

MOw Z LAwN

Gold class carpet cleaning provides a cleaner, fresher carpets which will be dry within hours.

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FOR FREE BROCHURE && QUOTE FOR FREE BROCHURE QUOTE

GREG ROSNER HANDS ON 0412 903 300

Carpet Cleaning Services

Jason OWNER OPERATOR

with Australia Fair, Coolangatta, Harbour Town, Paciﬁc Fair, The Pines, Surfers Paradise (Kings)

1800 441 663

for more info visit rslclubsouthport.com.au

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QBCC Lic# 22704

All Trades

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Member of the Master Builders for over 20 Years

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Specialising in Bathrooms & Renovation

Bookings essential for Friday and saturday evening

• The only company to supply and install our own stairlifts • For straight or curved staircases • Indoor and outdoor lifts • Free home assessment • Fast installation • Safe and reliable

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dinner - 5 nigHTs Wed -Thur - Sun 6pm till late Fri - Sat 5:30pm till late

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We would love to provide a worker for you.

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• Carpet Cleaners • Tilers - Pavers • Gutter Cleaning • Plumbers • Tree Lopping

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Home Services

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CLASSIFIEDS

SEPTEMBER, 2019// SENIORS

Health & Beauty

Plumbing Services

Health - Professional Practitioners

Water Leak Detections & Repairs Blocked Drains Cleared & Located Hot Water System Repairs & Installs Toilets, Taps & General Maintenance Gas Installations, Repairs & Updates

ervices Se

Opening Hours

Monday-Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm Saturday 8:00am to 11:30am

• Fa amily medical care • An ntenatal care Men’s health •M •W Women’s health •M Minor Procedures • Check-ups • Va accinations

Aged cAre • Asthma management • Diabetes management • Dive medicals • Pre-employment medicals • Skin checks • Pap smears

Sports, Fitness & Health

Yoga & Pilates for Over 50

Without removing the tiles Under HALF the COST and TME of RETILING (Bathroom Reno and Repair Specialists)

Mermaid Beach & Southport Activity with a chair starting soon under the heading Yoga and Pilates for Over 50

www.theleakking.com.au PAUL: 0424 178 870

0405 089 891

info@spiritdanceworld.com www.spiritdanceworld.com

Removalists

Bookings EssEntial

Removals & Storage

From

Credit Cards Welcome

Small, Medium & Large Trucks

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Time Starts At Your Door - 7 DAYS A WEEK

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Health - Professional Practitioners

Phone 07 3812 3553 04188 76395

1 Central Drive, Burleigh Heads Q 4220 Or 21 Quinns Hill Road West, Stapylton Q 4207 1800 644 524 www.newhavenfunerals.com.au Proudly 100% Locally Owned Since 1979*

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Celebrate their life

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If someone is requesting money to be transferred to an address or account prior to receiving the goods it may be fraudulent.

268 Ferry Road, SOUTHPORT 4215 (07) 5532 4168 | www.gcdentalcentre.com.au

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

Notices

NEED ED NEW DENTURE DENTURES?

Legal Notices

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CALL SOMEONE WHO CARES!

DENTURES DIRECT TO PUBLIC C Registered with the Dental Board of Australia & Australian Dental Prosthetist Assoc. Ltd.

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Shop 40/1 Mudgeeraba Rd Worongary Town Centre Suite 5/26-28 Commerce Dve Robina Village

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Cars

About us ...

Custom made aesthetically designed natural looking dentures that you can wear with a conﬁdent smile.

Cremation Services from $1,550

CARAVANS WANTED

Health & Beauty

• Family owned and operated local dental practice • Gentle female dentist with over 16 years experience • Dental hygienist / therapist for all the preventative needs and children’s dentistry • Dental prosthetist with onsite dental laboratory where we fabricate all our removable appliances and dentures

Freecall 1800 995 352 www.integrityfunerals.com.au

Caravans & Motor Homes

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• Free Funeral Pre-Planning Service • Proudly 100% Australian Family Owned • Multicultural, Traditional and Contemporary Burial and Cremation Services

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Finance, Insurance - General

LOCAL & INTERSTATE Est. 1972

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Meaningful | Personal | Affordable We’re With You Every Step of the Way...

Providing Professional And Personal Care, 24 Hours, 7 Days, All Areas. The Rufﬂes Family, A Part of the Queensland Community for over 120 years.

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Asbestos Disease Compensation Experts We can also assist with: > Wills & Estate planning > Estate disputes

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When a death occurs, few of us are well prepared. We all need assistance and support when suffering a time of loss. Rufﬂes funeral care professionals are dedicated to helping you tailor a funeral service that is both affordable and meaningful.

It makes sense to plan ahead... ask Integrity Funerals about preplanned funerals.

info@rufﬂesfunerals.com.au

Buy & Sell

Careful, friendly men Voted No 1 Bulletin Readers

Funeral Directors & Services

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Tributes

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Ho ow to ﬁnd us:

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SENIORS \\SEPTEMBER, 2019 1

ACROSS 1 Whose ashes were dumped in an East German river in 1970 by Russian agents? (5,6) 8 What are bundles of reaped cornstalks? (7) 9 Who (Andrew ___) played Manuel in Fawlty Towers? (5) 10 At 5600m, Mt Demavend is the highest peak of which country in the middle East? (4) 11 On which record label did Frank Sinatra record from 1953 to 1962? (7) 12 What is a small island in a river? (3) 13 What is a religious image typically painted on a small wooden panel in an Eastern Church? (4) 15 What is a former name of Thailand? (4) 17 What is a habitual or chronic drunkard? (3) 19 What type of beans are used for tinned baked beans? (7) 20 Hautbois is French for which musical instrument? (4) 23 The hickory tree produces what edible nuts? (5) 24 What are place names derived from the names of real or mythical people? (7) 25 Which ﬁctional horse began life as Darkie? (5,6)

11 12 13

15 17

18 20

22 23

DOWN 1 What make of car had models Somerset, Cambridge and Westminster? (6) 2 A libretto is the text of what? (5) 3 How many senses do we have? (4) 4 What type of creature makes up the largest class of the phylum Arthropoda? (6) 5 What bugle call is sounded at military funerals? (4,4) 6 What soft Italian cheese is used in making ravioli and gnocchi? (7) 7 Deposits of what dark, volcanic rock sometimes form columns? (6) 12 What snake is also called the great water boa? (8) 14 What type of pipe did Huckleberry Finn smoke? (7) 16 Who composed the piece nicknamed the “Minute Waltz” (6) 17 What is to run naked through a public place? (6) 18 Which river reaches the sea at Liverpool? (6) 21 In the southern US, what is a marshy tributary of a river? (5) 22 Which city was ﬁrst to reach a population of one people? (4)

31/8

QUICK CROSSWORD

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

5x5

ALPHAGRAMS

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

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

A E

11 12

18 20

QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 1. Superﬁcial 8. Retract 9. Adage 10. Poll 11. Nourish 12. Sod 13. Magi 15. Rage 17. Guy 19. Replete 20. Urge 23. Stout 24. Skilled 25. Experienced. Down: 1. Seraph 2. Petal 3. Roam 4. Intend 5. In a hurry 6. Leasing 7. Crèche 12. Sidestep 14. Approve 16. Crisis 17. Geyser 18. Wedded 21. Relic 22. Cite.

ALPHAGRAMS: INEPT, JILTED, KEEPING, LAMENTED, MUTILATES.

How many words of four letters or more can you make? Each letter must be used only once and all words must contain the centre letter. There is at least one nine-letter word. No words starting with a capital are allowed, no plurals ending in s unless the word is also a verb. TODAY: Good 20 Very Good 24 Excellent 28

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“TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS”

BRISBANE 460 GYMPIE ROAD, KEDRON PH: (07) 3359 2477 • A/H: 0421 047 286

SUDOKU

5x5 C E L T S

O R

Down 1. Angel (6) 2. Flower segment (5) 3. Wander (4) 4. Mean (6) 5. Pushed for time (2,1,5) 6. Renting (7) 7. Nursery (6) 12. Avoid (8) 14. Give permission (7) 16. Critical situation (6) 17. Natural hot spring (6) 18. Married (6) 21. Outdated object (5) 22. Quote (4)

WORD GO ROUND

P O

WORD GO ROUND

PEN IT JET LID PINE KEG METAL END STIMULATE

cert cooper cope coper copter core corer cote crept oreo pert poet poorer pore porter project PROJECTOR recto rector report repot repro retro rooter rope rote tope toper tore torero trooper trope

J T

R C

SOLUTIONS

Across 1. Cosmetic, skin-deep (11) 8. Recant (7) 9. Saying (5) 10. Survey (4) 11. Sustain (7) 12. Turf (3) 13. The three wise men (4) 15. Wrath (4) 17. Man (inf) (3) 19. Full, satisﬁed (7) 20. Impulse (4) 23. Portly (5) 24. Adept (7) 25. Practised (11)

Note: more than one solution may be possible.

22 23

I S L E T

P A I R S

S E R G E

GK CROSSWORD Across: 1 Adolf Hitler, 8 Sheaves, 9 Sachs, 10 Iran, 11 Capitol, 12 Ait, 13 Icon, 15 Siam, 17 Sot, 19 Haricot, 20 Oboe, 23 Pecan, 24 Eponyms, 25 Black Beauty. Down: 1 Austin, 2 Opera, 3 Five, 4 Insect, 5 Last post, 6 Ricotta, 7 Basalt, 12 Anaconda, 14 Corncob, 16 Chopin, 17 Streak, 18 Mersey, 21 Bayou, 22 Rome.

GOLD COAST 1A ASHMORE ROAD, BUNDALL PH: (07) 5526 8350 • A/H: 0404 101 743

www.consignacar.com.au ** Please note all stock advertised is in our Gold Coast dealership.

2011 Hyundai i40 active tourer $9,990 drive away

4 CYL AUTO, COMPLIANCE 04/2012, FULL SERVICE HISTORY, TOUCH SCREEN WITH BLUETOOTH, REVERSE CAMERA / DVD / CD PLAYER / 2 X USB / IPOD, LEATHER MULTIFUNCTION STEERING WHEEL WITH PADDLE SHIFT, TINT, HILL HOLDER, ELEC STABILITY & DAMPER / CORNER BRAKING / TRACTION AND CRUISE CONTROL, SPEED LIMITER, 11 X AIRBAGS.

2004 Mercedes-Benz e320 elegance $8,990 drive away

LUXURY ON A BUDGET, EXCELLENT SERVICE HISTORY, LEATHER TRIM, BLUETOOTH, ELEC SUNROOF, GPS, 2 ZONE CLIMATE CONTROL AIRCON, FRONT ELEC SEATS WITH MEMORY, SPEED LIMITER, CRUISE CONTROL, 10 X AIRBAGS, RAIN SENSOR WIPERS, 6 IN DASH CD STACKER, MULTI FUNCTION STEERING WHEEL & SCREEN, REMOTE CENTRAL LOCKING.

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SUDOKU

A L T E R

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

PUZZLES

GOLD COAST

SEPTEMBER, 2019// SENIORS

2019

WINNER Winner of 2019 LASA Retirement Village Manager of the Year

JESSICA MADDEN - De Paul Manor Estate!

A hands on approach with an openness and diligence in responding to the concerns of residents are just some of the qualities Jessica brings to her role. Jessica, the Operations Manager of De Paul Manor Estate, was presented with the award at the National Integrated Seniors Housing Conference on the Gold Coast in August 2019. LASA CEO Sean Rooney said Jessica embodied the high standards in customer service, sales and marketing, complaints and dispute resolution and robust operational management processes that the award celebrates. The LASA Retirement Village Manager of the Year Award aims to promote and recognise excellence across the diverse and dynamic fields of endeavour in the retirement living industry. Thanks also go to Mullins Lawyers for sponsoring this award. Jessica is well liked and respected by residents, staff and management alike. It is not unusual to one minute see her joining the residents for a morning coffee, attending an emergency call out, or climbing a ladder to hang decorations for yet another social occasion! Then she will be attending Board Meetings, hosting the monthly Manager s Forum, or helping to celebrate the monthly birthday and welcome morning teas.

Find d out why De Paul Manor Estate resident s say We love it!

Call us today to arrange an inspection! 1 Edmund Rice Drive, SOUTHPORT, Gold Coast, Qld 4215 Ph: 1300 7 732 2 306 or (07) 5582 7999 www.depaulmanorestate.com.au

SPACIOUS 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS AVAILABLE