May, 2020
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How Gerry Zwart lived through a world at war WELLBEING
SHOPPING, EATING AND EXERCISE DURING VIRUS CRISIS
TOP TIPS TO PUT THE BITE ON ISO BLUES OUR GUIDE TO HEALTHY HIBERNATION
HISTORY Stephen Fleay dubbed ‘The Lizard King’ with his robe of lizards – remembers growing up at his father’s Tallebudgera Wildlife Park opened in 1952.
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Feature: Cricket pioneer Patsy Fayne Community Notes Feature: An extraordinary life – Gerry Zwart Wanderlust Shopping in COVID-19 times Holding on to super Book reviews Puzzles
06 Catch up with the latest from community groups.
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Finding a happy place Gail Forrer Seniors Group Editor A GLANCE at the gorgeous blue autumn skies is a beautiful reminder that nature beats on at its own rhythm regardless of how out of sync we may feel. This wonderful sky brings on a feeling that in Danish might be referred to as “hygge’’ (pronounced hoo-ga). In 2016, Meik Wiking wrote The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living (The Happiness Institute series). Now, I do like Scandi interiors, fashion and crime movies, and I know the Danish lifestyle came in at No. 1 in The Happiest People in the World Index – so I thought in these troubled times, this philosophy might give us a sense of comfort and wellbeing – a hygge experience. Wiking says hygge is all about gratitude and savouring the simple pleasures in life. I hope our stories give you that. For instance, Patsy Fayne
(pages 4 & 5) displayed such a daring spirit in her sport – you have to love that. Among the changes this new world has brought us is telehealth so we are pleased to share the news of a collaboration between various health services that has opened a clinic in Ballina. I’m sure it will make life easier for many in the area. These days there’s extra time to dream and plan, so we have included a double-page Australian road trip feature. Wiking attributed Danes’ happiness to their ability to decouple wealth and wellbeing. “We focus on the small things that really matter,” he said. During this period, I hope Seniors News assists you to do just that.
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CONTACT US General Manager Geoff Crockett – 07 5430 1006 geoff.crockett@news.com.au Editor Gail Forrer – 07 5435 3203 gail.forrer@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Media Sales Executive Sue Germany – 02 6650 2922 sue.germany@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Online Get your news online at www.seniorsnews.com.au Advertising, editorial and distribution inquiries 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 361604 and quote “Brisbane Seniors Newspaper”. The Seniors Newspaper is published monthly and distributed free in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales. The Seniors newspaper stable includes Toowoomba, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Northern NSW, Coffs and Clarence and Central Coast publications. Published by News Corp Australia. Printed by News Corp Australia, Yandina. Opinions expressed by contributors to Seniors Newspapers are not necessarily those of the editor or the owner/publisher and publication of advertisements implies no endorsement by the owner/publisher.
Help to plan a road trip to great southern lands.
Cafe rises to corona challenge Affordable fare satisfies needs THE Brett Street CAFE (Community Access For Everyone) team is cooking and providing up to 150 meals a week to at-risk people during these trying times, confirming the cafe’s mantra of being good for people and good for the community. The social enterprise cafe is in the newly upgraded Tweed Heads Civic and Cultural Centre plaza complex. From April 20, subsidised meals have been available to eligible people under the My Aged Care Meal Services and National Disability Insurance Scheme, and regular
customers can also buy the meals at an affordable price for themselves, their family or elderly friends. Tweed Shire Council Community Services coordinator Joanne Watters said providing this kind of service was vital for the community at present as people were either isolated, had limited access to food and supplies or were unable to shop. “Brett Street CAFE is still open for regular business but has reduced its operating hours due to COVID-19 restrictions so we now have the capacity and infrastructure to expand and
FRESH MISSION: Brett Street CAFE supervisor Allan Gibson and his staff are providing nutritious, subsidised meals for eligible people during COVID-19 restrictions.
offer an alternative service to meet a high demand during this crisis,” Ms Watters said. “Customers can order on the phone, at the cafe or
through our website, and there will be options for payment and pick-up. “We are also looking at delivery and collection from drop-off points.”
Opening hours are 8.3011.30am Monday to Thursday. To view the Community Meals to Go menu, and to learn about ways to order
and options for pick-up and delivery, go to brettstreet cafe.com.au. To find out about other community services, see tweed.nsw. gov.au/CommunityServices. SENE01Z01MA - V1
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New support services for local carers anyone caring for a family member or friend who is living with a disability, a long-term medical condition, mental illness, alcohol or drug dependency, or someone who is frail due to age. Anyone can become a carer at any time – through the birth of a child who may have a disability, as a result of a loved-one’s accident or illness, if someone close to you has a long-term health condition or an addiction, and sometimes because the people we love simply get older. Whatever your circumstance, Carer Gateway is a great free resource for all carers. Research shows older
carers face challenges to their health and wellbeing and may be more vulnerable to social isolation as a result of their caring role. Getting help early can make a big difference to a carer’s life, reducing stress and improving wellbeing. Carer Gateway is focused on accessing support early to ensure carers receive the services they need. Carer Gateway provides practical information and advice and connects carers with local services in their area. Carers can access these services by calling 1800 422 737 or going to carergateway.gov.au. Carers NSW is the dedicated Carer Gateway
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directed to the Carer Gateway Service Provider in your region who will help identify the support best suited to your needs. Carer Gateway is funded by the Australian Government, which is investing $550 million in
support services for carers across the country. Some service delivery is currently impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with limitations on face-to-face contact, but phone-based and online carer support is available.
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IF YOU are caring for a family member or friend, or someone you know is, there are new support services available through Carer Gateway. There are 2.65 million carers in Australia and 25 per cent are aged 65 and over. Many more of these are people caring for someone 65 and older. Carers can now access greater support with the introduction of the new Carer Gateway service. New services include carer support planning, counselling, peer support, carer-directed support packages, and emergency respite services. These services are free for
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SENIORS
Bowled over Humble ex-Aussie rep guides rookies Tracey Johnstone
GROUND-BREAKER: Ex-cricketer Patsy Fayne broke gender barriers in the 1970s when she represented Australia in England. Now she’s passing on her skills to Noosa players.
WITH the summer of cricket over, the women’s team at Noosa have kicked up their heels to celebrate their friendship with mentor Patsy Fayne. The Tewantin Noosa (Qld) Cricket Club team has just played its second year of the eight-team Coast competition with Patsy’s strong support. She gently led the lively group out of the first-year blues and through a second season, with plans for the next campaign already on the table. At first glance, the 72year-old may have seemed an unlikely mentor for this fledgling, youthful team – until Patsy’s cricketing heritage was revealed. Patsy was a member of the first Australian women’s team to compete at Lord’s.
This was the first time women had competed at the famed venue. And bowler Patsy was also the first to take an Australian women’s wicket at Lord’s. Sadly, that year England trounced Australia. Patsy started playing backyard cricket as a child. Her older brother – who was bigger and stronger than her – owned the bat but he needed a bowler. “He took his little sister (Patsy) and bashed her up,” Patsy reminisces. “I used to practise at One Tree or one stump just to get my brother out. I didn’t plan to play for Australia.” Once at university, Patsy rediscovered her love for cricket, playing for her tertiary institution, then for NSW and then Australia. But by 1976 Patsy decided to give up cricket. She was broke. Everything she did had to be paid out of
her own pocket. Then in 2018 a news piece in the local paper caught Patsy’s eye and she showed the story to her proud husband, Michael. “I hadn’t been around cricket for 40 years, but then I thought maybe I can just go visit them and see if I can help, just while they get started,” Patsy said. “A week or two. Teach them to run between wickets. Just the basics of the game.” When Patsy walked into the come-and-try day for the newly formed Tewantin Noosa Cricket Club women’s team, no one there had any idea who this sprightly older woman was and why she had turned up. “I told them I had played a bit of cricket and I was happy to help out as I lived in the area,” the understated Patsy said. One of the women trying
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by history-making mentor ‘‘ The impact Patsy has had from the getgo has been incredible.
out on the first day mentioned her aunt was Miriam Knee, the captain of the Australian women’s team that competed at Lord’s in 1976. Patsy piped up: “She was my captain.’’ The team’s co-founder and now captain Paula McKie said when she found out about Patsy’s history, “it was like a celebrity coming in”. Patsy has consciously stayed in the background as much as possible, allowing the women to manage the team’s development. Paula said Patsy had attended the training and
PITCHING IN: Patsy with Noosa team members Kirsty Patten, Trina Feuerherdt and captain Paula McKie. The side has been inspired by Patsy’s expert input.
meetings and helped iron out some of the intricacies of a women’s cricket team. “Her contribution has been huge,” Paula said. Fellow team member Trina Feuerherdt said: “The
impact Patsy has had from the get-go has been incredible. “What she has brought with her to the girls has been empowering. To think this woman played for Australia
and she wants to come and help us. For me, that was huge.” Both Paula and Trina acknowledged the team probably wouldn’t have made it through to the
second season without Patsy’s unwavering belief in their abilities and her willingness to share both her cricket knowledge and life experiences. “We want to make her proud of us,” Paula said. Just not cricket “They wouldn’t be allowed to print a photo like that now,” Patsy said of the above front-page story, which ran in a Sydney newspaper in 1976. “That was our first time at Lord’s. We were just practising. They took photos of people
playing cricket, but that’s what hit the paper. They broke into our changeroom – ran in, took a photo and ran out.” Patsy remembers being almost shouldered as the photographer burst in. “If I was smarter, I would have shouldered them back,” she said. “I think we were so desperate for publicity that we just appreciated the publicity. But it was the wrong publicity we were getting. I felt violated, a little bit really; how dare they?”
Where carers can reach out for support carergateway.gov.au
1800 422 737 Monday–Friday 8am–5pm
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Community notes
Community group guide TO ALLOW for readers’ requests for the publication of more neighbourhood news, please keep notices short (100-word max). If you would like to submit a photo, ensure it is at least 180dpi or 500kb to 1mb in size and of faces. Email editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au. WITH the coronavirus preventing clubs from meeting, we welcome any submission that promotes your club’s aims, history and achievements. Member profiles and photos are also most welcome. Please email your submissions to editor@seniors newspaper.com.au.
is not allowed under the current COVID-19 restrictions. Ballina Shire Council will continue to take all necessary precautions to keep the community and staff safe during this crisis. For more information about the council’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, go to ballina.nsw.gov.au or phone 1300 864 444.
TWO LOOKOUT CARPARKS CLOSE
PROBUS CLUBS
IN CONSULTATION with the Richmond Police District, Ballina Shire Council has closed the Pat Morton (Lennox Point) and Lighthouse Beach carparks until further notice. Recent monitoring by the NSW Police has identified these two locations as problem areas that are attracting people from outside the Ballina Shire who are not adhering to the current NSW COVID-19 Public Health Order. These two carparks are primarily used as lookout points, and the council is hopeful these closures will not impact local residents doing the right thing. Ballina Shire Council would like to reassure the local community that access to local beaches, pathways and other carparks will remain open to support community members wanting to stay active during this challenging time. Residents using the beach to exercise (walk, swim, surf, run or fish) can continue as long as they comply with social distancing requirements. We remind residents that other typical beach activities, such as sunbaking, are not permitted. Potential Ballina Shire visitors are also reminded that non-essential travel, including holiday visitation,
Kirra-Tugun ON A glorious morning before the coronavirus restrictions were introduced, members travelled to Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club where we joined some visitors and enjoyed a hearty breakfast. We were instructed by some patient volunteers, with bowls kindly provided. One of our next events will be shuffleboard and I am sure the same competitive attitude will prevail. For more information about the club, contact Rod on 0438 341 909. South Pacific REPRESENTING more than 113,000 members across more than 1500 clubs, Australia’s leader in
BREAKFAST AND BOWLS: Kirra-Tugun Probus Club’s pre-coronavirus isolation events included travelling to Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club to play barefoot bowls and enjoy breakfast with friends.
connecting retirees and semi-retirees, Probus South Pacific, is advocating for Australians to reach out to retired neighbours, friends and family to support them in staying socially connected. Physical distancing regulations are seeing many older Australians avoid their usual activities and social routine, so Probus South Pacific has identified the most effective ways to help those most in need of social interaction stay healthy, happy and connected. Probus South Pacific CEO Silvana Martignago said reaching out was the most important step in supporting our older Australians. “We’re calling on all Australians to pick up the phone and reach out to someone who might need some company during this difficult time,” said Ms Martignago. “A phone call can change someone’s day,
especially when so many Australians are stuck inside on their own each day, and once you make that connection to someone, you can identify other ways to stay engaged and a schedule you can stick to.’’ Probus South Pacific believes old-school communication channels, such as phone calls, are the best ways to reach retirees and show they are valued and cared for. For those who have embraced digital technology, Probus South Pacific recommends communicating through video calls and texting, as well as encouraging retirees to engage in more innovative activities such as sharing photo albums, online book clubs and digital games. Probus South Pacific has recently launched a coronavirus survival guide and weekly e-Newsletters
offering the best advice to help members stay safe and healthy during self-isolation. To keep members engaged, the organisation has also rolled out several creative initiatives, such as photography competitions, online games, crafting tips, and a telephone tree to ensure each member receives a phone call each week. Probus South Pacific is a non-political, non-sectarian organisation helping retirees or soon-to-be retirees to find friendship, fellowship and fun through social interaction and activities with other retirees. If you need help to combat isolation, or someone you know does, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 244 636.
COMMUNITY VISITORS SCHEME THE Community Visitors Scheme is an empowering free service that connects volunteer visitors to senior citizens living in their own homes and in residential care. If you are a senior citizen who feels isolated and would like to connect to someone via letter writing, telephone, email or video chat, call Northern Rivers Community Gateway on 02 6621 7397.
NSW GOVT SUPPORT DURING COVID-19
The Lighthouse Beach carpark is closed but Ballina Shire Council would like to reassure the local community that access to local beaches, pathways and other carparks will remain open to support residents wanting to stay active during this challenging time.
WE ARE committed to helping seniors, people with disability and their families and carers stay safe and well during the COVID-19 pandemic. People with a
disability who need help because of COVID-19 can contact the Disability Information Helpline on 1800 643 787. It’s available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm (AEST) and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 7pm (AEST). It’s not available on national public holidays. You can also call Service NSW 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 13 77 88 for information about COVID19.
VIDEO CONFERENCE SERVICE FOR WILLS NSW Trustee & Guardian, the state’s largest willmaker, is offering video conference appointments for people to make a will during COVID-19 stay-athome restrictions. “Through video conference appointments, people can stay home, reduce physical interactions and still complete this critical document,” chief executive officer Adam Dent said. As more Australians look to make or update their will amid coronavirus concerns, a temporary regulation has been made under the Electronic Transactions Act in NSW to allow certain legal documents to be witnessed using video conference technology. Since launching, NSW Trustee & Guardian has seen a significant demand for the video conference service. For more information about the video conference service or appointments at one of NSW Trustee & Guardian’s nine branch locations, go to tag.nsw.gov.au. SENE01Z01MA - V2
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NEWS
MAY, 2020//
SENIORS
Chopper chalks up milestone Service flies 10,000th mission THE Lismore-based Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter has recently surpassed a significant milestone by flying its 10,000th mission. “The mission was a tasking to perform a patient transfer between two hospitals in our region,’’ said CEO Richard Jones (OAM). The region’s first Westpac rescue helicopter was launched in Ballina in December 1982 thanks to the vision of local individuals and organisations such as Elton Cummings, Graham Smith, John Bradfield and Surf Life Saving Far North Coast. It is thanks to a proud and passionate community
that it has continually evolved and improved for 38 years. In partnership with NSW Ambulance, the local service now completes an average of more than 400 missions each year from Lismore Airport. It operates 24-7 with a NSW Ambulance critical care paramedic and NSW Health doctor providing advanced medical care on every rescue. Along with Tamworth and Belmont, the Lismore base is one of three operations providing an integrated helicopter emergency medical service throughout northern NSW and flying on
IN GOOD HANDS: The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter has now completed 10,000 missions. Launched in Ballina in December 1982, it responds to search-and-rescue demands, pre-hospital emergencies and inter-hospital transfers.
average more than 1500 missions a year. These include search and rescue, pre-hospital emergencies and inter-hospital transfers. Mr Jones credits the medical component of the service as one of the most significant developments in 38 years. “The diagnostic and
medical equipment inside the helicopter, along with the incredible paramedics and doctors, means the care provided is world class. Ultimately, that’s helping to save lives,” he said. “Right from the start, communities of the Far North Coast, New England and Mid North Coast have
passionately supported the need for a rescue helicopter. “This milestone is a chance to acknowledge everyone, including former figure heads of fundraising committees and boards: Wal Gillam, Bruce Duncan, Michael Byrne, Harold Fredricks and Warren Tozer; CEOs Perry Wells and Kris
Beavis; patron of the service Ken Jolley; former board and fundraising committee members; former volunteers including Mary and Emily Betteridge; along with all former staff who have been associated with this region’s helicopter services throughout the past 38 years.”
Gallery’s creativity draws all ages together for home activities NORTHERN Rivers Community Gallery is sharing free online programs that encourage the whole community to be creative while at home. “In response to being required to close our doors, we have adapted our programs to provide free resources to our community. We hope it will foster continued creativity at home,” acting gallery coordinator Melitta Firth said. Bright Sparks @ Home free weekly creative activities have been adapted as online resources and inspiration for teachers and parents. Emailed directly to your inbox, each activity sheet is a resource for creative online schooling and includes step-by-step instructions and tips for parents and teachers to help guide children through the activity. Developed by professional educators, for students aged between eight and 15, activities have been adapted from NRCG’s school engagement
programs and explore artmaking, art appreciation and creative writing based on two broad themes: arts and literacy, and art and environment. “We have also adapted our Bold Sparks Lifelong Learning Program, which is a monthly visual arts program for people in aged care facilities,’’ Ms Firth said. “These sessions can’t currently run at the gallery, so instead we will be sharing free fortnightly activities to support aged care providers and other residents who are interested to do the activities at home.’’ Each two-hour session explores different themes, art materials and approaches through fun, hands-on activities and includes instructions, photos and discussion questions, and links to support staff to guide activities. Visit the NRCG website and follow the links to Creative Learning – Online Learning to sign up and start receiving your free art activities. “Stay tuned for our other
CREATIVE LEARNING: NRCG will email an activity sheet for creative online schooling and includes step-by-step instructions and tips for grandparents and parents to help guide children through the activity.
exciting programs,’’ Ms Firth said. “The gallery will be celebrating selected athome creations through
Ap[art] on our social media platforms. Physically we are apart but collectively we can express our individual
experiences through art – Ap[art].’’ For more information, go to nrcgballina.com.au or
phone 02 6681 0530. The gallery is temporarily closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. SENE01Z01MA - V1
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FEATURE
MAY, 2020//
SENIORS
Born to love the wildlife Son of famed Gold Coast naturalist gives insight into amazing animal adventures Alison Houston
FASCINATING FIND: In 1952, a young Stephen made his own discovery at the new Fleay's Fauna Reserve – a giant earthworm – while out at work with the bulldozer driver.
Stephen with Vicky the dingo during a dingo chorus.
A very young Stephen with a koala back at Badger Creek, Victoria, circa 1945, before the family’s move north.
Stephen was crowned The Lizard King for this photo with his robe of lizards. The picture was taken by his dad, David Fleay, and published in the Brisbane Telegraph.
A Kodachrome view, from the Fleay family house, taking in the reserve and Tallebudgera Creek.
GENERATIONS of kids have visited the David Fleay Wildlife Park at Tallebudgera, but only two grew up there: David and Sigrid Fleay’s son Stephen and his sister, Rosemary. Stephen, now retired and living in Portugal after a national and international career in TV and radio journalism, took time to look back on those days for Seniors News. When Fleay’s Fauna Reserve, as it was first known, began in 1952, he said, the entrance fee was two shillings for adults and sixpence for children. “Rosemary, my sister, was working all week back then helping out, collecting entrance fees, cleaning cages and feeding the animals, birds and reptiles. “One of my jobs (at 10) was to pick grass for the collection of guinea pigs.” Stephen recalls picking bearded lizards off trees on the way back from Burleigh Heads State School for the fauna reserve’s collection. “My father took a photograph of me covered with these critters, which was published in the Brisbane Telegraph newspaper,” he said of becoming labelled ‘The Lizard King’. Stephen was also often called on to do a “howling start-up” with the family of dingoes, resulting in a dingo chorus that “could be heard all the way to the town of West Burleigh”, 2.2km away. He even made his own scientific discovery, a giant earthworm, as he rode along with the bulldozer driver “inspecting what subterranean creatures would be disturbed by the excavations” for the park’s new carpark. “My father was quite excited as he had never seen or known about this species,” Stephen said.
By the time he made the move to Queensland, Stephen’s father had already chalked up many feats, including in 1933 taking an iconic photo and film of Benjamin, the last captive thylacine in Tasmania. At Melbourne Zoo, he started an Australian section and succeeded in the first captive breeding of emus and koalas, as well as other birds and marsupials. Most famously, in 1943 he bred the first platypus in captivity at Victoria’s Healesville Sanctuary, where he was the first director from 1939-47 and consultant until 1951. “This made international good news in the midst of World War II,” Stephen said. His father’s first book in 1944, We Breed the Platypus, was “studied by a then young British teenage naturalist, David Attenborough”. “Sir David wrote to me here in Portugal stating how this book had been an influence on his early life with natural history,” Stephen said. With his father wanting to carry out his own natural history research, the family made the move north to what was then called Queensland’s South Coast, not renamed the Gold Coast until 1958. Stephen recalls how hard it was to leave their Victorian home, Piccaninny Cottage, set in bushland at Badger Creek, where they had their own private collection of animals, birds and reptiles, including Rosemary’s pet, Keith the wombat. He said one of the first Queensland properties the family considered was Paradise Island, “which was available for around £7000 – yes, the entire island!” However, it was deemed unsuitable due to being too low-set, and eventually they were shown the 80-acre (32-hectare) Tallebudgera site, which had just been
sold but which the purchasers were convinced to part with at a profit. Stephen said the most complex part of the building process, including cages and gates, was the platypus enclosure, known as ‘The Platypussary’. It had “a special pool and sleeping compartments for these delicate part-aquatic animals” to make the surrounds as close to nature as possible in a philosophy that was well ahead of its time. David is quoted as saying: “We’re not in the job of sacrificing animals for the sake of showing them and I don’t have a lot of time for many modern zoos.’’ It is noteworthy that no one other than David Fleay successfully bred and reared a platypus until Healesville Sanctuary in 1999, and Fleay’s remains the only park on the Gold Coast where you can see platypus. Rosemary FleayThomson’s 2007 book Animals First, tracing her father’s trailblazing journey, is available online and Stephen’s YouTube channel, Favenchi, includes a number of videos on the subject. To ensure Fleay’s survived, David and Sigrid Fleay sold the land in the early 1980s to the State Government for a nominal amount, and it became heritage listed in 2001. While it remains a wildlife park, based around seeing animals including koalas, cassowaries and other birds, crocodiles and more in their natural habitat, there are Creatures of the Night and free-flight shows. You can become a Friend of Fleay’s for just $10, and $5 annual registration, make a donation, or volunteer at www.fleayswildlife.com.au/. Entry to the park (currently closed) costs $24.70 adults, $11.20 children over 4, and $16.30 pensioners, Phone (07) 5669 2051. SENE01Z01MA - V1
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Courage in Dutch migrant honoured for family’s heroics in Tracey Johnstone
BRAVERY HONOURED: Gerry Zwart (OAM), 90, with the medal he accepted from Israel, on his parents’ behalf, after a woman his family saved tracked him down 75 years later.
The Righteous Among The Nations medal given posthumously to the Zwart family by Israel for providing a safe house for Jews.
Gerry Zwart's father, Marinus.
THIS is Gerry Zwart’s story. His parents received a prestigious award, but it really belongs to the whole family who willingly harboured Jewish children and dozens of resistance fighters. It’s been a long time since World War II, but the defining moments of Gerry’s youth remain crystal clear. The youngest of 12 children, Gerry was just 11 when the war started for the Netherlands, and his family’s world turned on its end. As the 90-year-old sits in his cosy loungeroom at a retirement village in Nambour accompanied by his doting wife, Valerie, Gerry shares a haunting picture of how the war impacted on all the family, who became accidental heroes by turning their home into a “safe house’’ for
people hiding from the Nazis. As the weather cooled, many of the Zwart family of 12 were relaxing inside their small house in the Dutch village of Blaricum, listening to the radio.
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The people were taken to a concentration camp. Of the three, only one made it back. “I remember the first day of the war: it was May 10, 1940,” Gerry said. “All of a sudden we heard on the radio that the Germans had invaded.” Nobody expected this news. Before then the Germans had come as far as France. But on that fatal May date the German army invaded Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Gerry said the family’s first response was to head to a neighbour’s cellar. Only a week later the Dutch army capitulated and the German occupation forces arrived in town taking over public buildings and schools. Initially life didn’t change too much, Gerry said. The children went about their normal activities. But when the general army was joined by the SS, that’s when things did change. Gerry, who was the
youngest of the Zwart children, learnt very quickly to keep quiet when confronted by the Nazis. “When the SS came, you had to make sure you didn’t say the wrong thing,” he said. He watched as the SS rounded up any local men and women aged from 16 to 45 to move them by train to Germany to work in the factories. His artist father missed the cut; he was too old. His mother was also left alone. Gerry remembers the Jews within the Blaricum community were hardly noticeable until early 1941, when the word came through that the Germans had started rounding them up in Amsterdam. With that news, Gerry’s sisters came home from school and asked his parents if two of their Jewish friends, both named Bela, could hide in the house, which was already home to eight of the Zwart family. His parents readily agreed. In the next village his much older brother Hank had also taken in a whole Jewish family. Soon after, “as things got tougher”, Gerry said his brothers built several hiding places in the Zwart house, in the roof, under the floor and behind false walls. They also started keeping the doors to outside locked at all times. His mother, Maria, also told everyone to use a particular knock when they came to the front door. If the knock was different, it meant there was a German
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fighting evil hiding Jews from murderous Nazi invaders soldier outside. Gerry was 13 when he watched Hitler youth, with rifles slung over their shoulders, raid a home nearby where they found an illicit radio. The family was arrested. Gerry remembers the young soldiers walking away from the house laughing. “Next thing you know, they threw a hand grenade on the thatched roof and the house burnt down completely,” Gerry said. “The people were taken away to a concentration camp. Of the three, only one made it back.” The Blaricum villagers stayed strong and together, and silent about what the Zwarts were doing. Gerry’s sisters brought their schoolwork home so the two Belas could keep up their study. The teachers were not told, nor did they share their suspicions. Early morning was when the village was cut off and raids occurred. The villagers quickly passed the news to the Zwarts, who hid the two Belas. About six months before the war ended, while Gerry was visiting one of his brothers, there was a raid. His brother hid in the ceiling but sent Gerry to see what was happening. Out on the street a German soldier called him over. “I said, ‘I’m not 16 yet, I’m only 15’. He said, ‘You look old enough’,” Gerry said. He was sent down the road, past other soldiers, to the assembly place with 30 other boys. They were
marched off to the next village, where the boys were locked in the schoolyard. “It came to dinnertime and half the Germans went off for a dinner break. It was winter and dark. We knew the area very well. “I said to my mate, ‘When we get the chance we can leap over the fence and go into the apple orchard’. “When half the staff were gone, we jumped the fence and ran. I never ran so fast in my life. “The Germans were yelling for us to come back and then they started shooting. You could hear the bullets hitting the trees around you.” Gerry figured the Germans didn’t know where he lived so he headed for home. If Gerry hadn’t escaped, he knew he would have ended up working in a Germany factory. Between the raids, village life continued almost normally. There was no electricity, gas or fuel for stoves, so improvisation was a must. Food, when available, was rationed. “There was one stage where you couldn’t buy food,” Gerry said. “You walked around with a pocket full of money, but it wasn’t worth a cracker.” Valuables became currency for food. When the war ended in 1945, the two Belas finally emerged as the 16-year-old Gerry joined the villagers dancing in the streets. By his early 20s, Gerry said he had “had enough of Europe” and wanted to get
out. He headed to Australia, following one of his brothers, met his wife and settled into a rural working life. It was only recently that one of the girls, Bela van Praag, who now lives in Israel, decided the Zwart family should be honoured. After an extensive search through Holland, she and her son Lex turned to Facebook to track down Gerry in Australia. It was the secretary of the Horticultural Media Association of Queensland, of which Gerry and Valerie are life members, who saw the post and then helped Bela to make contact with Gerry. “One day the telephone rang,” Valerie said. When she cautiously answered, the male voice at the other said, “Please don’t hang up. This is Israel calling.‘’ Lex went on to explain his story and how the then 92year-old Bela had nagged him to find the Zwart family. Seventy-eight years later, Gerry last year accepted Israel’s posthumous gift of the Righteous Among The Nations award on behalf of his parents, Marinus and Maria Josepha Zwart. It is Israel’s highest honour, which pays tribute to non-Jews who risked their lives to help Jewish people during the Holocaust when six million lives were lost. Gerry acknowledges it is an award for his whole family, who in their various ways were all champions of protecting and saving many lives.
Gerry and his older Zwart siblings in the garden at home in the Netherlands.
Bela van Praag tracked Gerry.
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The Righteous Among The Nations declaration.
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Scenic spell on wheels mapped out
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OLD-WORLD CHARM: Hahndorf is a pretty town in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Picture: SATC/Michael Waterhouse
Hit the road to help ravaged towns rebuild Vicki Fletcher AFTER the fires, floods and storms at the start of the year, Tourism Australia’s campaign to Holiday Here This Year had us all filling our calendars with good oldfashioned Aussie road trips. Now all those plans are on hold, we’ve unfolded the map and are instead busy marking tiny towns with the best bakeries and lookouts from which to watch the sunrise, and calculating the most scenic route from A to B. We’ve enlisted the help of our Flight Centre Australia travel experts, seeking tips about which areas affected by the fires and floods to visit... when we’re all free to travel again, of course. Remember to keep an eye on national initiatives like Roadtrip For Good, which has pulled together a host of places to eat, drink and visit in fire-affected areas. For now, stay home and stay safe. We’ll be travelling again soon. NSW SOUTH COAST All the regions that were hit by fires rely on the tourist trade and the South Coast of NSW is no different. It is flanked by the Great Dividing Range on one side and ocean on the other. The fires burned through a lot of bushland, including national parks and state forests, cutting many communities off for days. Now the roads are open again, there are many hidden towns and coves to explore on a trip south through the Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla area. Ulladulla local and Flight Centre Ulladulla team leader Janice O’Neill is passionate about getting people back into the area. From Sydney
Just over three hours’ drive south, the hilltop town of Milton is a charming introduction to the picturesque region. Janice suggests stopping at Pilgrims, a delicious vegetarian cafe, and wholefoods store, or the Milton Farm Shop for local produce and specialties. There are also some great boutiques to check out, including Spaces 2538 and AKWA Surf. In Ulladulla, Janice suggests dining at Native Cafe overlooking the harbour, Rapt Bratz to pick up cool kidswear, Sol Sisters Artisan Collective for clothes, homewares and jewellery, plus Dwell 35 South and Coyote Boutique. Don’t miss Cupitt’s Estate, a winery-cum-brewery-cumfromagerie on the edge of town, which Janice recommends for a long lunch. In Burrill Lake, you can’t go past The Fish Shop for fish and chips, and Holiday Haven at Burrill Lake hosts live music by the lake each Saturday during summer. BATEMANS BAY TO EDEN Once you hit Batemans Bay you’re in the real heart of the South Coast. Nicole suggests stopping in for a spot of shopping at local boutiques Forever Fashion, Brooke’s Place, Sirens, Journey Style and Homewares, and many more. The Princes Highway south from Batemans Bay all the way to Eden winds through many quaint towns, making up a huge stretch of coastline that’s been affected by the fires. Worthwhile stops along this route include: Mogo, a tiny town with a main street lined with boutique stores and cafes, plus the award-winning
Mogo Zoo, which supports a range of endangered animal species. Bega, famous for its cheese brand, is another regional hub worth stopping at for the Bega Cheese Heritage Centre and the Bega Valley Regional Gallery, home to one of Australia’s richest portraiture awards. BLUE MOUNTAINS, NSW From Sydney, head northwest through Richmond to the Bells Line of Road, which will take you on a loop of the Blue Mountains. While it’s possible to do some of these spots in a day, a long weekend will really allow you to make the most of the mountains’ beautiful towns and grand valleys. The first half of the journey takes you along one ridge line through Bilpin, Mount Wilson and along to Lithgow. From Lithgow you loop back east along a more southern ridge line. You can also take the train from Sydney all the way to Mount Victoria. Buses are currently replacing trains between Mount Victoria, Lithgow and Bathurst due to fire damage on the tracks. Where to stop: Bilpin to Lithgow Bilpin is known for its orchards, and while there won’t be as much fruit to pick this year given the damage to trees, you can still feast on a famous apple pie from the Bilpin Fruit Bowl, drink cider from Hillbilly Cider or Bilpin Cider Co, and buy local products like apple cider vinegar at Wirraninna Ridge. Just past Bilpin you’ll find Blue Mountains Glow Worm Tours at Berambang. In Lithgow, dive into the region’s history at Esbank House and Museum and the Lithgow State Mine
Museum. For a dose of nature, head to Hassans Walls Lookout, the highest in the Blue Mountains, easily accessible just a few minutes’ drive from Lithgow. Where to stop: Lithgow to Leura The first stop is Mount Victoria, a historical centre in the mountains, with the historical society museum. In Blackheath, book in for a meal at the one-hatted Fumo, serving up modern Japanese. In Katoomba, you can’t miss the iconic Three Sisters, or a day at Scenic World exploring the beautiful bushland via the Scenic Railway, Skyway or Walkway. For bushwalking, head to Wentworth Falls, which escaped the blazes and where so many trails remain open. Always check local council and national park websites for the latest closures. GIPPSLAND, VICTORIA The vast Gippsland region, east of Melbourne, is a rich farming area home to dairies, wineries and hundreds of small producers – the kind of businesses that rely heavily on tourist traffic and local visitors. On a road trip from Melbourne you can head north to the Alpine High
Grand Ridge Road, in the vast Gippsland area of Victoria. Picture: Josie Withers/Visit Victoria
Country and Snowy River Country regions, or east to the Gippsland Lakes Region and the Coastal Wilderness Region. Things to do in Northern Victoria: Visit King Valley at Whitfield, home to a range of wineries and breweries such as La Cantina Winery, King River Brewery, Dal Zotto Wines and more. Stop off to pick up goods from local producers around Milawa, such as the Milawa Cheese Factory and Milawa Mustards, and head further north for the Tolpuddle Goat Cheese Farm in Tarrawingee. Head to Bright for country hospitality and a range of boutiques, breweries, coffee roasters and cafes, including Bright Brewery, Sixpence Coffee, and Gingerbaker. Beechworth, further north, is a quintessential
country town with gorgeous architecture, museums, mountain biking and bushwalking. Things to do in Eastern Victoria: Make your first stop in Paynesville, home to plenty of eateries such as Bullant Brewery and The Old Pub Paynesville. From here you can head to 90 Mile Beach or Raymond Island – home to the Koala Trail. The Lakes region is home to a network of lakes and lagoons, and to wildlife including lake dolphins and pelicans. The Mitchell River Silt Jetties are also a highlight, being the longest silt jetties in the world. ADELAIDE HILLS, SOUTH AUSTRALIA A stone’s throw from South Australia’s capital, the Adelaide Hills offer the perfect day or weekend trip SENE01Z01MA - V1
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It’s about getting out and supporting the community as much as we can. There is so much to see and do.
out of the city. Alyx Cauchi, team leader of Flight Centre Mount Barker in the Adelaide Hills, says there is plenty to see and do. “There are so many wineries still open. New Era Vineyards in Woodside is open, though it was almost destroyed, and next door, Bird in Hand was hardly touched. Shaw + Smith is also great – there are heaps (of wineries) open and they need your business,” Alyx says. The region is also known for its food, so why not turn your mini break into an epicurean adventure. Be sure to check out: The Adelaide Hills Wine Region Facebook page has updates on wineries as well as events, such as the annual Crush Festival in January. Cleland Wildlife Park, home to rescued native animals, is great for families. “The park wasn’t affected V1 - SENE01Z01MA
by the fires, but the vet and keepers have been doing amazing work helping with emergency wildlife cases from the fires,” Alyx says. Big Rocking Horse in Gumerancha is also worth a visit with kids, as is Melba’s Chocolates in Woodside for a sweet treat. “It’s about getting out and supporting the community as much as we can. There is so much to see and do, and the Adelaide Hills will welcome you with open arms,” Alyx says. KANGAROO ISLAND, SOUTH AUSTRALIA Long lauded for its natural beauty and unique and varied wildlife, Kangaroo Island is the gem in South Australia’s crown of tourist hotspots. The fires here were devastating, particularly in the southwest, affecting much of the island’s unique wildlife. However, Sameer
Roopawalla, Flight Centre South Australia Kangaroo Island expert, says the fires affected less than half of the island’s total area, which means there is plenty that remains open for business. From Adelaide, it’s just over 90 minutes’ drive south to Cape Jervis. From here you can hop aboard the Kangaroo Island car and passenger ferry. What to do on a day trip: Upon arrival at the island you’ll land in Penneshaw, a quaint village filled with charming pubs and restaurants. For a day trip, Sameer recommends exploring the most eastern part of the island. In Penneshaw, visit the Maritime and Folk Museum and see the little penguin colony, best viewed at sundown. Head east along the coast for wine tasting at Dudley Wines. Further east you’ll find Cape Willoughby Lighthouse, South Australia’s first lighthouse. There are guided tours of the lightstation, bushwalks for all levels of fitness, and whale watching between May and October. For more great Australian road trips, check out self-drive holidays: go to flightcentre.com.au.
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Scenic views of the Jamison Valley and Blue Mountains National Park from Wentworth Falls, NSW.
A soothing ocean vista is the perfect accompaniment to a relaxing break savouring the local wine and produce at Kangaroo Island. Picture: Narelle Bouveng
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Essential role of end-of-life support highlighted Wellbeing AUSTRALIA is pulling out all stops to try to prevent any further surge in coronavirus cases, while also preparing for the possibility that these efforts may not be successful. As part of that
preparation, decisions are being made about ensuring the appropriate health professionals are available where needed most. Palliative care is an essential component of the frontline response as the number of Australians dying from COVID-19 continues. Palliative care can help
manage severe shortness of breath, other physical symptoms and distress, and provides personal support for people who are seriously ill or dying, and their families. It can assist in prevention and reduction of clinical problems in the community and residential aged care, and help to ensure that
vulnerable people avoid unnecessary emergency department presentations and hospitalisation. The president of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC), Prof Christoph Ostgathe, has pointed out that during the disordered emergence of this pandemic, many people may not have considered
why palliative care is an essential service. However, he warns, palliative care is key. In a recent EAPC statement, he wrote: “During this crisis, in palliative care we need to step up and ensure that we are proactive; that we fully utilise our well-honed skills and competencies and prove that we are an
Ensuring dignity in final days Palliative care a team approach PALLIATIVE care is personand family-centred care provided for a person with an active, progressive, advanced disease, who has little or no prospect of being cured and who is expected to die. The primary goal is to optimise the quality of their life. End-of-life care is provided in the last few weeks of life, when a patient with a life-limiting illness is rapidly approaching death. The needs of patients and their carers are higher at this time. This phase of palliative care is recognised as one in which increased services and support are essential to ensure quality, co-ordinated care from the healthcare team is being delivered.
This takes into account the terminal phase, or when the patient is recognised as imminently dying, death and extends to bereavement care. Palliative care helps people live as fully and as comfortably as possible when living with a lifelimiting or terminal illness. Palliative care identifies and treats symptoms, which may be physical, emotional, spiritual or social. Because palliative care is based on individual needs, the services offered will differ but may include: • Relief of pain and other symptoms, such as vomiting and shortness of breath. • Resources such as equipment needed to aid care at home.
COMFORTING: Palliative care needs change as the final stage of life unfolds, but the constant focus of healthcare professionals and others is on easing symptoms.
• Assistance for families to come together to talk about sensitive issues. • Links to other services such as home help and financial support. • Support for people to meet cultural obligations. • Support for emotional, social and spiritual concerns. • Counselling and grief
support. • Referrals to respite care services. Who is palliative care for? Palliative care is for people of any age who have been told they have a serious illness that cannot be cured. Such care helps people who have illnesses
like cancer, motor neurone disease or end-stage kidney or lung disease to manage symptoms and improve their quality of life. For some people, palliative care may be beneficial from the time of diagnosis with a serious lifelimiting illness. This care can be given
important part of our hospitals’ and our services’ crisis plans. “We need to make it clear that in a pandemic like this, palliative care is not a luxury, it is a human right!” – Extract from Palliative Care Australia. For more information, visit palliativecare.org.au/ covid-19-updates.
alongside the treatments provided by other doctors. Who is in the palliative care team? Palliative care can be provided by a wide range of people, including your GP, aged care worker, cardiologist and any other healthcare provider, as well as family and other carers. They are supported by specialist palliative care services if symptoms become difficult to manage. Where is palliative care provided? Palliative care is provided where the person and their family want, where possible. This may include at home, in hospital, in a hospice or in a residential aged care facility. Many people indicate a preference to die at home, and making this possible often depends on several factors: • The nature of the illness and amount of care the person needs. • How much support is available from the person’s family and community. • Whether the person has someone at home who can provide physical care and support. For more information, contact the palliative care peak body in your state. Go to https://palliativecare .org.au/what-is-palliativecare.
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Fee-free GP clinic in Ballina BRAND INSIGHTS IN RESPONSE to COVID-19, Cape Byron Medical Centre is offering telehealth services for General Practice, Allied Health and Specialists, wherever possible. GP appointments, as well as physio, dietetics and many specialist appointments, are available to all patients, ensuring the exceptional care offered by all Cape Byron Medical practitioners continues during COVID-19. To assist all local GP practices, as well as local hospitals, Cape Byron Medical Centre, in collaboration with the Australian Government
Department of Health and North Coast Primary Health Network (NCPHN), has established the Ballina Respiratory Clinic at the Cherry Street Sports Club. The fee-free, GP-led respiratory clinic is part of the Federal Government’s $2.4 billion health package in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. NCPHN CEO Julie Sturgess said the clinic was a great example of local collaboration to support the health and wellbeing of the whole community. The clinic will assess people with respiratory symptoms and, where appropriate, undertake testing to diagnose respiratory cases,
LOCAL SUPPORT: Cape Byron Medical Centre, in collaboration with the Federal Health Department and the North Coast Primary Health Network, has established the Ballina Respiratory Clinic at the Cherry Street Sports Club.
including COVID-19, influenza and pneumonia. Results will be available within one day. “The clinic will provide the opportunity for people to undergo assessment and testing in a safe environment, close to home, and will protect our most vulnerable community members,” Ms Sturgess said. “Importantly, it will support local healthcare services, taking the pressure off hospitals and general
practices by providing dedicated treatment to people with mild-tomoderate symptoms of fever or sore throat, cough, fatigue or shortness of breath.’’ Dr Tonya Coren, principal GP of Cape Byron Medical Centre, is leading the clinical team co-ordinating the respiratory clinic, which has been established with the highest standards of infection prevention and control and quality
assurance. It has private access through a purposebuilt section off the back deck of Cherry Street Sports Club. Federal Regional Health Minister Mark Coulton said the Ballina clinic would help take the pressure off local hospitals and general practices by providing dedicated treatment to people with mild-tomoderate respiratory symptoms. “The clinic is part of a
range of measures the Australian Government is putting in place, including additional practice incentives and the expansion of telehealth, to enable the rural medical workforce to continue to care for regional Australians through this crisis,” he said. To book, go to health.gov .au or capebyronmedical .com.au/ballinarc or phone 02 6685 6326. BRC is open Monday to Friday from 9am–5pm.
Cape Byron Medical Centre – all your health needs in one place •
General Practice
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Preventative health assessments
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Skin Cancer Clinic
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Aged health care – facility and home visits
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Physiotherapy
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Addiction medicine
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Psychology
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Indigenous health
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Psychiatry
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Veteran’s health care
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Cardiology
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Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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Orthopedic Surgery
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Weight-Loss Surgery
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Colorectal Surgery
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Telehealth available
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Dietetics/Nutrition
Level 1, 6 Marvell St, Byron Bay. P. 02 6685 6326 info@capebyronmedical.com.au capebyronmedical.com.au V1 - SENE01Z01MA
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Cape Byron Medical Centre provides a comprehensive suite of primary healthcare services and sub-specialties.
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Take shopping to heart
Planning can protect your health while saving money GOING out for groceries? Here’s how to keep your weekly shop cheap and healthy. A trip to the supermarket is one of the few reasons we’re leaving the house these days – and for households on a tight budget, there are ways to stock up that won’t hurt your heart or hip pocket. The Heart Foundation is reminding Australians that heart-healthy eating doesn’t have to be expensive, and urging shoppers to stay safe as the health and economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis are felt around the country. Heart Foundation director of health strategy Julie Anne Mitchell says a healthy diet is a key ingredient for protecting your heart throughout this pandemic and beyond. “There are some tips you can follow when doing your weekly shop to choose heart-healthy foods that will save money and avoid wasting food,’’ Ms Mitchell said. “Frozen vegetables, brown rice, chickpeas and tinned fish are just a few staples you can keep on hand for healthy and budget-friendly meals at home (see list below).
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BENEFITS IN STORE: By shopping when it’s quiet, sticking to a budget and choosing the right groceries, you can curb your health risks, save money and have a healthier lifestyle during the COVID-19 restrictions. Picture: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images
“It’s also essential to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 infection when you go to your local supermarket or grocery store to grab provisions. “Australians who are selfisolating or in quarantine are also advised to look out for healthier options when doing their grocery shopping online.” Keep your pantry healthy on a budget • To keep your pantry well stocked without breaking
the bank, follow this action plan: • Make a grocery list and stick to it. Check what you already have in your fridge and pantry and only buy what you know you will use, to avoid wasting food. • Eat the rainbow: One of the best ways to stay healthy is to fill up on plenty of fruit and vegetables. The more colourful the mix the better. Frozen or canned vegetables and fruits are good alternatives when
fresh produce is hard to buy or too expensive, and they keep for longer. If you are buying canned versions, try to choose the “no added salt’’ or “low salt’’ versions. Pick fruits canned in juice, not syrup. • Mix it up. Buy more plant-based sources of protein, in line with the Heart Foundation’s updated dietary advice. Tinned or dried beans, lentils and chickpeas are cheaper and are healthy options for your
pantry, or try tofu to keep in the fridge. Eggs or canned fish (such as tuna) are also cheaper and easy to prepare. • Use cheaper cuts. Look for less-expensive cuts of meat to use in stews, soups and casseroles. Cut off visible fat before cooking. • Go for wholegrains. Brown rice, wholegrain pasta and rolled oats are budget-friendly staples for healthy cooking. Swap white bread for a wholegrain loaf
and freeze some of it. • Snack smart. Go for a handful of unsalted nuts or a small plate of cut-up fruit to curb afternoon cravings. You could also buy popping corn and make popcorn. It’s best to either have it plain (no added salt or butter) or flavour with other herbs and spices. • Healthy hydration: Skip the aisle of sugary soft drinks and energy drinks and make water the drink of choice. It’s healthy, hydrating and free. Stay safe while shopping • Good timing: Buy groceries only when you need to and try to shop at quieter times to avoid crowds. Organise your list by areas of the store to limit the time you spend there. • Go the distance: Avoid close contact with other shoppers (keep at least 1.5 metres apart), and only touch items you are going to purchase. • Hand hygiene: Wash your hands with soap and water before going into the store and take along alcoholbased hand sanitiser. If possible, disinfect your shopping trolley with wipes. • Contain coughs: Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue and dispose of tissues properly. • Cards not cash: Use tap and pay if possible, to avoid handling cash. • Keep it clean: Clean and sanitise frequently used objects such as your keys.
Funding for seniors’ monitoring systems
Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Senator Richard Colbeck. Picture: File
THE Federal Government is helping more senior Australians access personal monitoring technology during self-isolation. At the push of a button or via automated technology, the monitoring systems send an alert to a staffed centre or family member in an emergency. Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck said Commonwealth Home Support Programme service providers were being given additional flexibility to fund monitoring services. This will include
monitoring subscriptions for one year. Older Australians in receipt of home care packages will also be able to access the technology. “These personal monitoring systems allow a person to seek help even when they can’t use a phone,” Mr Colbeck said. “They can provide peace of mind and a sense of security to vulnerable senior people and their families and carers during self-isolation. “Even though the number of new cases of COVID-19 in Australia has dropped to lower levels, this pandemic
is far from over. “Ensuring vulnerable people can get help when they need it is a top priority during this difficult time.” Service providers will be able to choose from a range of monitoring and alert services available on the market, many of which have indicated an ability to expand their operations during the COVID-19 crisis. Minister Colbeck has also indicated that the Federal Government would continue to contribute to the South Australian Government’s Personal Alarm Rebate Scheme, which is already
available to support older Australians living in South Australia. The Morrison Government has also announced welfare checks for people who have suspended their home support packages, and a $10 million funding injection for the Community Visitors Scheme for aged care. In addition, senior Australians, their families and carers can now call a dedicated free call support line aimed at supporting the mental health of those impacted by COVID-19, 1800 171 866. SENE01Z01MA - V1
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Witnessing rule sign of times NEW South Wales is the first state in Australia to enable the electronic witnessing of documents in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The Electronic Transactions Amendment (COVID-19 Witnessing of Documents) Regulation 2020 (NSW) was published on April 22 and will be in force up to six months from that date. The regulation was made under S17 of the Electronic Transactions Act 2000 (NSW), the provision itself having recently been introduced by the COVID-19 Legislation Amendment (Emergency Measures) Act 2020 (NSW). The regulation includes provisions that allow a person to witness a document by “audio visual link”, easing the unique circumstances brought about by the social distancing restrictions imposed on NSW in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The regulation defines audio visual link as “technology that enables continuous and contemporaneous audio and visual communication between persons at different places, including video conferencing’’. This includes video conferencing using popular software such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, WhatsApp and FaceTime. What documents can be witnessed in this way? The documents that can be witnessed using such technology are: wills, general and enduring powers of attorney, deeds or other agreements, enduring guardianship appointments, affidavits (including an annexure or exhibit to the affidavits) and statutory declarations (Regulation Sch 1, cl 1). What is the witnessing process? The process for witnessing the signing of a document by “audio visual
MARK OF CHANGE: Legal documents can now be witnessed electronically.
link” is: • Observe the person being the signatory sign the document in real time. • Confirm that the signature was witnessed by signing that document or a copy of that document. • Endorse the document, or a copy of it, with a
statement: • Specify the method used to witness the signature of the signatory. • Confirm that the document was witnessed in accordance with the regulation. By way of example, this endorsement could read: “I
Picture: iStock
witnessed the signing of this document in real time by way of WhatsApp video call with the signatory in accordance with the Electronic Transactions Regulation 2017 (NSW).’’ At all times, the individual witnessing the document must be reasonably satisfied
that the document the witness signs is the same document, or a copy of the document signed by the signatory (Regulation, Sch 1, cl 2(2)(c)). What if I need something else witnessed? The amendments to the regulation are unclear as to whether they apply to those documents that fall outside the definition of “documents”. If the signature of a document is required under an act or another law to be witnessed, the signature may be witnessed by audio visual link. Arrangements in relation to witnessing signatures and the attestation of documents may be performed by audio visual link. Unlike subclause 1(b), subclause 1(a) is straightforward in that it allows signatures on the defined documents to be witnessed via audio visual link.
Embrace the Internet! It’s time to jump on the social media bandwagon! Let Seniors ease you into the exciting world of online. Get every news story - big or small, the latest exclusive offers, plus a whole heap more when you connect with Seniors on social media.
Opening Doors to the Seniors Lifestyle
Visit facebook.com/seniorsnews or seniorsnews.com.au
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ESCAPE
Money Dianne Charman AS WE begin to see the financial effects of the global pandemic, many Australians may be wondering how the changes in the stockmarket affect their super. Most people will have at least part of their superannuation savings invested through the stockmarket, which means its ebbs and flows do affect you. Anything from natural disaster, terror attacks such as 9/11 or pandemics like we are currently seeing will have an economic impact, which can, in turn, result in changes on the stockmarket. However, it can be difficult to anticipate the gravity or longevity of the impact. For example, a localised illness in one suburb, or even
MAY, 2020//
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Minimising hit to super ‘‘
in one city, would not necessarily have an impact on global markets, but with a spread such as COVID-19, we may see a broader financial impact. The ways and degree to which fluctuations in the stockmarket affect your super will depend on your asset allocation. Those with an aggressive allocation are more likely to be impacted more heavily than those who have a safer allocation. For example, during a boom period, an aggressive asset allocation, meaning that your super is invested in a mix of stocks for maximum return, would provide greater growth (or increased valuation) of your assets than if your super was invested in conservative options, which are safer, but usually give smaller returns. Is my super safe? Remember that investing is
The ways and degree to which fluctuations in the market affect your super depend on asset allocation.
a long-term game, and investing through your super is no different from actively investing through managed funds or individual investments. Market crashes and corrections are a fact of life. Whenever you invest, you need to ensure your risk profile is aligned with both your needs and your goals. It’s a good idea to seek professional advice to ensure your asset allocation enables you to meet your retirement goals but also keeps your risk at a level you
are comfortable with. Don’t make any big financial decisions in the coming months without thinking through the implications. I’m still worried… In the coming days, weeks and months, it’s important not to make any big financial decisions based on emotion without seriously thinking through the implications. If you’re still worried about how the stockmarket is affecting your super, the first thing you need to do is write down why you are
worried. Whatever reasons you wrote down, it’s likely the core issue is that you’re worried about your balance going down. If you aren’t retiring for 10 or 20 years, there is time to wait for recovery, so fewer reasons to worry right now. We invest for the long term and markets recover. It’s a waiting game as to when the market will pick back up and you have time on your side with this one. As you move closer to retirement, you should be speaking to a financial adviser regularly. Especially in the five years directly before you make the change. Over this time, you will most likely slowly reduce your growth assets allocation and build up your defensive assets. The current financial climate is a timely reminder of the incredible importance
of actively managing your super, with the help of a financial professional. Your super is not something that should be left in the bottom drawer to look at later, it’s the nest egg of your retirement. Now is the time to seek more advice, get a better understanding of the stockmarket, and learn more about your super so you understand more what the ebbs and flows of the market mean to you and your situation. – Dianne Charman, of Jade Financial Group, is an authorised representative of AMP Financial Planning Pty Ltd, ABN 89 051 208 327, AFS licence No. 232706. Any advice given is general only and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of this, before acting on any advice, you should consult a financial planner to consider how appropriate the advice is to your objectives, financial situation and needs.
Demand for legal reviews spreads in wake of lockdown A LAWYER is urging Australians to act now to protect their personal and business assets and affairs as the COVID-19 environment presents unprecedented challenges to validly executing legal documents. Melbourne-based Rigby Cooke partner and wills and estates specialist Rachael Grabovic said the uncertain climate had triggered a rush of inquiries to review all kinds of legal documents, but power of attorney was at the top of the list given stringent execution requirements. “Powers of attorney documents are the most difficult to execute, even under normal circumstances, and moving into this new environment it’s becoming increasingly challenging,” Ms Grabovic said. “For these documents, they must be signed not only by the principal and a regular witness, but also by an additional ‘qualified witness’ as set out by legislation. “Qualified witnesses include lawyers, judges, notaries public, justices of the peace, medical
practitioners and a police officer above the rank of sergeant – and access to these people is reducing by the day. “With people working from home, medical practitioners moving to remote or telehealth models and police officers facing competing priorities, we are encouraging our clients to act now before these qualified witnesses are in even higher demand. “Add to this the constantly evolving socialdistancing policies which further complicate the process, with gatherings now limited to two persons at a time.” Ms Grabovic warned there was no “middle ground’’ for power of attorney documents. “Unless the document is executed correctly, it’s invalid,’’ she said. “If it’s invalid you can’t act on it, and the only recourse you have is the Civil and Administrative Tribunal. “And as you can imagine, these tribunals are not holding face-to-face hearings – they are prioritising urgent hearings and conducting these over
WISH LIST: Many people are updating their legal affairs during the coronavirus lockdown.
the phone.” Ms Grabovic said her firm was also fielding a flurry of inquiries about updating wills, and from people looking to secure their personal and business assets.
“Wills are proving less of a problem in this environment because the law does provide for informally executed documents,” Ms Grabovic said.
“However, it doesn’t mean we can be complacent. “We’ve dealt with a number of informally executed wills in the past and have been able to
successfully obtain probate or letters of administration with the will annexed. “This itself is not a simple process; therefore, it is always preferred that a will is validly executed.’’
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REVIEWS
MAY, 2020//
Daredevil heiress a wartime lifesaver THE heroism of a daredevil Brisbane heiress who saved a former Russian president from Stalin and the Nazis is the rollicking tale shared by Australian biographer Susanna de Vries (pictured) in her latest book. Destined to be 83-yearold de Vries’ last book about Australian women, the colourful story of Nell Tritton is her swansong, she says. She stumbled across the story while valuing paintings at Nell’s childhood home, Elderslie, now at Pullenvale. Nell, an heiress to the Brisbane Tritton furniture fortune, married ex-Russian prime minister Alexander Kerensky in 1939. In 1940. She courageously saved him from Stalin and the Nazis using her champion rally car driver skills during a harrowing journey on a cross-country escape. “Nell lived an amazing life in Paris,” de Vries says. “She was in danger of assassination by Stalin, along with Kerensky, but died on April 11, 1946, aged 49 in Brisbane. She is buried at Dutton Park Cemetery in South Brisbane.” Nell drove the couple away from Paris as the Germans invaded, with Kerensky on Stalin’s hit list. They eventually reached safety in the US, but with Nell’s life shortened by kidney failure aggravated by poor drinking water on their journey, they returned to Brisbane and Elderslie in 1945. Tragically, Nell’s kidney
Diagnosis rips apart family ties
Poignant journey surprises
damage started in childhood after drinking water from the lead-lined tank at their previous home. In 1946, as Nell lay dying tended by her mother at Elderslie, Kerensky would stalk the verandas with a revolver to protect himself and Nell from Stalin’s
assassins. “After Nell’s death, Kerensky spent eight more months at Elderslie as he could not get a passage back to America,” de Vries says. Kerensky eventually returned to the US and was made a professor of Russian history at Stamford
University. He died in New York in 1970. Nell, The Australian Heiress who Saved her Husband from Stalin & the Nazis will be available from Amazon, Book Depository and Kobo. Published by Pirgos Press, the illustrated book retails for $34.95.
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IF you think Lisa Ireland’s novel The Secret Life of Shirley Sullivan is a bit banal, keep reading; deep into the entertaining read are surprises. The Australian author has based her book both on a newspaper story about an elderly couple running away from a nursing home and on a collection of letters written between her parents, and their photos. The story swings between the couple’s life during the 1960s and the present, when Shirley walks her husband, Frank, out of his aged care home. They embark on an adventure down memory lane and back to their marital home in Victoria. Along the way she encounters the challenges of looking after a person with dementia; the humour and the sadness. Shirley’s use of technology, her skilful management of relationships, and her deep love of Frank and her friend Rita, turn the adventure on its head several times.
WHAT do you do when you’re told you have terminal cancer at 50? Ruby has always been the generous mediator among her friends, family and colleagues, which is why they have all turned up to celebrate her 50th birthday. But after a few too many glasses of champers, Ruby’s speech doesn’t exactly go to plan. Instead of delivering the witty and warm words her guests are expecting, Ruby reveals what she really thinks of every one of them. She also accuses her husband, Harry, of having an affair. Saving the best till last, Ruby lambasts her mother for playing her three daughters against each other. It’s blisteringly brutal. The birthday girl concludes with the throwaway comment that she has terminal cancer. Courageous? Or ruthlessly selfish? She has cashed in her life savings and plans on taking her two sisters cruising into the sunset for a dose of husband replacement therapy. – HRT: Husband Replacement Therapy, by Kathy Lette. Vantage, RRP $32.99
– Published by Penguin. RRP $32.99. Also available in eBook and audio.
Insight into lingering price of injustice DURING the Great War, law was used in everyday life as a tool to discriminate, oppress, censor and deprive many Australians of property, liberty and basic human rights. A nation often amends its laws during war, not least to regulate life at home. Yet few historians have considered the impact of the law on Australians during World War I. In this original book, Catherine Bond breathes life into the laws that were
central to the way people were managed in Australia from 1914–18. Engaging and revelatory, Law in War holds those who wrote the laws to account, exposing the sheer breadth and impact of this wartime legal regimen, the injustices of which linger to this day. More than anything, it illuminates how ordinary people were caught up in – and sometimes destroyed by – these laws created in the name of victory. “Law in War gives us
insights into the law and Australia’s Great War that Charles Bean declined to publish ninety-odd years ago,’’ Professor Peter Stanley said. “Pioneering, full of wonderful life and energy, the result has been worth waiting for.” An associate professor at UNSW Sydney, Catherine Bond researches in intellectual property law, specifically copyright history; the relationship between law and war in Australia; and Australian
legal history. She has published widely in leading Australian and international law journals on topics ranging from Crown copyright to plain packaging of tobacco products, to the introduction of a patent system in the Game of Thrones world of Westeros. Her first book, Anzac: The Landing, The Legend, The Law, was published in 2016. – Law in War by Catherine Bond. New South Publishing. RRP $34.99. SENE01Z01MA - V1
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Across 1 Who was voted No.1 pin-up by US soldiers in WWII? (5,6) 8 Where was the 1963 Great Train Robbery train travelling from? (7) 9 Niamey is the capital of which western African country? (5) 10 What type of kiln dries hops? (4) 11 What is the supreme goal of Buddhism? (7) 12 What word can describe an illness, an insect and a listening device? (3) 13 What is the lower part of an interior wall when distinct from above? (4) 15 What might be added to a drink of spirits? (4) 17 What precedes names on American warships? (1,1,1) 19 What horned animal often appears on coats of arms? (7) 20 The Quechua-speaking people of the Andes are descendants of which people? (4) 23 What is a Japanese radish with a long durable root? (5) 24 Which murdering doctor was the first criminal nabbed by shore to ship radio? (7) 25 Whose mountain retreat was at Berchtesgaden? (5,6)
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23 9/5
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SUDOKU
Fill the grid so every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.
QUICK CROSSWORD 1
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Find a finished crossword by deleting one of the two letters in each divided square.
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Across 1. Perform or speak without preparation (11) 8. Accolade (7) 9. Serf (5) 10. Location (4) 11. Regarding, in connection with (7) 12. Method (3) 13. Naked (4) 15. Require (4) 17. Speck (3) 19. Rotate (7) 20. Agitate (4) 23. Refuse (5) 24. Keep apart (7) 25. Misleading clues (3,8) SOLUTIONS
5x5 R E N A L
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ALPHAGRAMS: SHOES, TABLET, UNSEALS, VINTAGER, WATERMARK. GK CROSSWORD Across: 1 Betty Grable, 8 Glasgow, 9 Niger, 10 Oast, 11 Nirvana, 12 Bug, 13 Dado, 15 Soda, 17 USS, 19 Unicorn, 20 Inca, 23 Mooli, 24 Crippen, 25 Adolf Hitler. Down: 1 Big top, 2 Toads, 3 Yogi, 4 Rowing, 5 Ben Cross, 6 England, 7 Murray, 12 Borodino, 14 Arizona, 16 Nutmeg, 17 Unicef, 18 Wagner, 21 Nepal, 22 Mini. QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 1. Extemporise 8. Plaudit 9. Helot 10. Site 11. Apropos 12. Way 13. Bare 15. Need 17. Dot 19. Revolve 20. Stir 23. Waste 24. Isolate 25. Red herrings. Down: 1. Expose 2. Trait 3. Mode 4. Outlay 5. Inherent 6. Ellipse 7. Detest 12. Well-read 14. Adviser 16. Brewer 17. Derive 18. Greens 21. Train 22. Pour.
SUDOKU
ALPHAGRAMS Solve the anagrams. Each solution is a one-word anagram of the letters beside it, and the five solutions are sequential. For example, if the five-letter solution starts with J, the six-letter solution starts with K, and so on.
HOSES BATTLE SENSUAL AVERTING A WARM TREK
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Insert the missing letters to make ten words — five reading across the grid and five reading down.
Note: more than one solution may be possible.
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All puzzles © The Puzzle Company
TODAY: Good 13 Very Good 19 Excellent 23
ragtag rata rate ravage rave tare tear
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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
Down 1. Reveal (6) 2. Characteristic (5) 3. Style (4) 4. Expenditure (6) 5. Inborn (8) 6. Oval (7) 7. Loathe (6) 12. Educated (4-4) 14. Counsellor (7) 16. Beer maker (6) 17. Stem from (6) 18. Vegetables (6) 21. Locomotive (5) 22. Rain heavily (4)
Enjoy maintenance free living at Oak Tree From lawn care to household repairs, Oak Tree takes
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care of all village maintenance, leaving you with less
For anyone who has been weighing up retirement
to worry about during isolation.
options, they’re finding that now is the time to take
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action and secure their future, and we’ve seen a steady
With all the maintenance taken care of, our residents
rate of enquiries since the pandemic spread. The secure,
don’t have to worry about relying on younger family
community nature of our retirement villages is providing
members to look after the garden, fix things around
a welcome reprieve for residents.
the house or check on their welfare. This is particularly
Oak Tree Retirement Villages are committed to
comforting in the current environment, where family members are being advised to keep their distance from older relatives right now. We take care of all that for you, so you won’t have to go without or do it for yourself. There’s genuine comfort seeing the maintenance personnel arrive, knowing that things are just getting done, and our residents can simply focus on what’s most important. At Oak Tree, it’s also reassuring to know that you can still have your own personal space, but that help from
continuing our high-service standards for current and future residents, whilst also keeping our extended community safe. Our Village Managers are available to talk you through any questions or queries you have during this time and are hosting virtual property tours, private inspections and phone/video call meetings with interested buyers. Speak to our friendly team today, about the best solution for you.
To learn more about Oak Tree Retirement Villages
the village manager or a caring neighbour is never far
or for a personal tour call 1300 367 155 or visit
away in times of need.
www.oaktreegroup.com.au
17 Mackellar Place, Goonellabah Call 1300 367 155
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