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FROM DENIM AND LACE TO GRACELAND IN 50 YEARS

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Best wishes to our readers for 2020

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INDEX 4 6 8 10 15 21 25 27

Cover Story: Marty Rhone Nominate a Senior Feature: Australian Seniors of the Year Community Group Guide Wanderlust Wellbeing Money Puzzles

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benefit, please email me.

Gail Forrer Seniors Group Editor OUR first edition this year reaches the streets as Australians reel from the devastation of bushfires.

For most of us the fires, which continue as I write, will forever change the way we see and live our lives.

Beachside and country townships have been razed to the ground, leaving an unimaginable emotional and financial toll.

The only glimpse of optimism comes from the heroic work of firefighters.

I trust that our leaders will show as much gumption as these average Aussies when it comes to creating the policies we will need to cope in a post-bushfire world.

For our part, in the coming months we look forward to publishing travel stories that may help areas where tourism has been badly affected by fires. If you know anywhere that can

Meanwhile, our journalists have prepared some excellent features for you. They include a nation-wide list of Australian Senior of the Year nominees together with the incredible work they contribute to our society.

Alison Houston has spoken to a couple who finally have peace of mind as their lives change in older age and the positive ramifications this will have for many other people.

Australians have experienced an uneasy start to the year.

Neverthless, as we enter a new decade here’s wishing you loads of happiness, joy and resilience as we move ahead in 2020.

SENIORS

CONTACT US General Manager Geoff Crockett – 07 5430 1006 geoff.crockett@news.com.au Editor Gail Forrer – 07 5435 3203 gail.forrer@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Media Sales Executive Mark Smith - 07 3327 3327 mark.smith@newsregionalmedia.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 “Toowoomba 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.

NSW Seniors Local Achievement Awards winners at the 2019 Tweed Seniors Festival.

Expert to talk on dementia DEMENTIA Australia will be hosting internationally renowned dementia expert, Professor Dawn Brooker, for an Australian masterclass tour on person-centred care this March.

Prof Brooker, director of the University of Worcester Association for Dementia Studies UK, will embark on the tour following her keynote presentation at the Dementia Australia National Symposium 2020 – Dementia Care is Quality Care, to be held in Sydney on March 24.

Dementia Australia’s Centre for Dementia Learning director Dr David Sykes said the masterclasses were unmissable for management and healthcare professionals responsible for the implementation of the new Aged Care Quality Standards.

“Prof Brooker has spent the past 40 years working to transform the lives of people living with dementia and her research focus has been

dedicated to inspiring the concept of positive dementia care,” Dr Sykes said.

“If your agency is either about to or currently driving a major change agenda, if you have an implementer role, will be overseeing service delivery or are developing processes for your facility, attending the masterclass will set you up for success.”

Each masterclass will be limited to an intimate group to ensure an interactive environment and opportunity for meaningful dialogue and better access to Prof Brooker for scenariobased questions.

Prof Brooker, recipient of the UK’s National Dementia Care Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, said she was looking forward to bringing her masterclass to Australia.

For masterclass dates and more information on the symposium, visit dementia2020.org.au/.

Groups urged to apply for piece of council’s fresh funding pie A NEW round of financial assistance for local not-forprofit community groups and organisations in the Tweed is open for applications through Tweed Shire Council’s Community Sponsorship Policy.

A total of $39,978 is available to provide a boost for groups offering activities and projects that BENEFICIARY: The Murwillumbah Community Garden. benefit the health and wellbeing of Tweed Shire residents. community and the precinct in Murwillumbah,” The Murwillumbah financial support we Ms Unwin said.

Community Garden was received to reach our The council provides a one of the recipients of goals,” she said. range of support and financial assistance from Established in late 2016, resources, both financial Tweed Shire Council’s the group has had to and in-kind, to local 2018/2019 funding round, overcome significant community groups and which has helped it grow hurdles such as waste organisations. The (literally) from good to removal and clearing successful recipients for great. exotic species but has now the 2018/2019 were: Secretary Jenny Unwin gone from strength to 1. Tweed Valley Rural said the funds had paid for strength. and Community plantings, small tools and “We are really proud of Advancement Co-Op, equipment, piping, our commitment to which received $10,000 tapware, and garden beds offering sound for the Murwillumbah for demonstration and environmental and Community Garden workshop purposes. ecological outcomes project.

“We’re all so energised throughout the planning 2. Victory House by what can be achieved and development of the Rehabilitation Program, with our small team of garden to provide a safe, which received $5000. volunteers, from the peaceful and educational 3. Support for New

Picture: Contributed

Mums Inc received $5000.

4. Public Act Theatre Company received $2600 for the Murwillumbah Mixed Ability Theatre Group.

5. Cabarita Youth Service received $7000 for its Community Connections Program.

Applications close on January 22 and the application form is available on the council’s website at tweed.nsw.gov .au/GrantsAndFunding.

For more information, phone the council’s project officer — Capacity Building, Shannon Rees, on (02) 6670 2591.

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Gallery draws strength from ‘friends with benefits’ offer IF YOU’VE been told money can’t buy friendship then think again because the Lismore Regional Gallery is selling membership to “Friends of the Gallery”.

It allows people to treat themselves or someone else with the gift of friendship.

“Now I feel involved with the gallery, and I’ve connected with a lot of great people,” one new member said.

Membership benefits include monthly morning teas with artists’ talks, discounted drinks at the bar at gallery exhibition openings, discounts on merchandise, and trips to other galleries.

Through fundraising, the Friends have recently paid for the gallery’s AUSLAN interpreting and bought a Will Ashton painting, Landscape at Bangalow, and a Hannah Cabinet drawer for the gallery’s permanent collection.

President Ron Dowell said members came from all over the Northern Rivers.

“I want to make the Friends feel special,” Mr Dowell said.

“I have spearheaded exclusive Friends events such as the Archibald Prize preview.’’

Another exclusive Friends event was a Christmas gathering in the Gallery Event Space on December 5.

You will find the Friends membership form at the gallery’s front desk, the Friends Facebook page, or by emailing

lrgfriends@gmail.com.

Prices are: individual membership: one year $40, or $20 (concession); three years $100, or $50 (concession).

“Don’t miss out on the benefits of being a Friend,’’ Mr Dowell said.

CURRENT SHOW AND PROJECT The current exhibition and project is The Wonders of the Hannah Cabinet, which will be open every Wednesday at 10.30am and on the fourth Sunday of the month at 11am.

It is by master craftsman Geoff Hannah and his talented students: Paul Armour, Barbara Riordan, Rick Stewart, Gary ShallalaHudson, Brian Henry, Francesco Stassi and Greg Foster.

GEOFF HANNAH (OAM) Geoff was born and raised in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales.

He started his own furniture business in 1973.

On receiving a Churchill Fellowship in 1980 he travelled to France and England and studied furniture at the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre in Paris and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Apart from being a gifted master craftsman, Geoff is a renowned teacher of his craft, having taught aspiring woodworkers from Longreach to Launceston and Muckadilla to Perth ...

SUPPORT: Lismore Gallery offers Friends of the Gallery membership.

not forgetting that he continues to conduct classes in Lismore.

Geoff was made an Honorary Fellow of Southern Cross University in 2009 and in 2018 he was awarded the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the visual arts through the production of furniture and marquetry.

cabinet, visitations increased by 44 per cent.

David MacLaren, the artistic director, said: “The Hannah Cabinet should remain in Australia and be placed in a national public gallery or institution, under

Picture: Contributed

expert care, to thrill Australians and visitors to this country for decades, if not centuries to come.’’

BRINGING THE CABINET HOME The aim of this project is to

raise $1 million over the next 22 months to purchase the Hannah Cabinet to become part of the permanent collection of the Lismore Regional Gallery.

This unique opportunity will be a first for regional Australia.

Never before has an iconic work of art, which has been independently valued at $1 million, been housed in the town where it was created by a local renowned master craftsman.

To progress the fundraising program, a Hannah Cabinet Acquisition Team has been established, led by locals Gaela Hurford and Brian Henry, and while the gallery is seeking local support it will also be focusing on personal approaches to philanthropic individuals, organisations and foundations.

THE HANNAH CABINET Geoff Hannah worked on the cabinet for six and a half years.

The cabinet is made in the traditional European style and consists of 34 types of solid timbers and veneers, four kinds of rare shells and 17 varieties of precious and semi-precious stones, with the main frame being mahogany and the columns ebony.

When Bungendore Wood Works Gallery near Canberra recently displayed the

Master craftsman Geoff Hannah and his much-admired cabinet.

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Mid ‘70s pop Marty Rhone finds it all a bit surreal Alison Houston

SHOWBIZ VETERAN: Marty Rhone had top-10 hits in 1975 and '77 with Denim and Lace and Mean Pair of Jeans.

Picture: Contributed

IF YOU or your kids were growing up in the mid1970s, you will remember the name Marty Rhone.

But no one, least of all Marty, could have foreseen you would be hearing so much about him in 2020.

The voice of pop charttoppers Denim and Lace (1975) and Mean Pair of Jeans (1977) has just notched three No.1s on the Australian Country Music charts, released his first album in decades and is about to tour.

His acting career, which in the ’70s included Number 96 and Class of ’75, has also taken off again.

Since 2016 he has had a string of guest roles on popular Australian and American TV series, and has completed a number of short films that are making

their way onto prestigious festival line-ups.

“It’s quite surreal, and in the case of the music, completely unexpected,” Marty said.

Inspired by Jackie Weaver’s award-winning success in 2010’s Animal Kingdom, followed by Silver Linings Playbook, Marty had decided that it was now or never to get serious about his acting.

“I was blown away by her performance,” he said of the actor, with whom he worked in an ensemble with John Waters and Rowena Wallace in his early 20s.

“We are the same age and grew up together – as a matter of fact I had a crush on her as a teenager … so seeing Animal Kingdom was the real catalyst.”

In early 2017, just as Marty was heading to the US to further his acting career, Johnny Young and John St

Peeters approached him with the song Graceland on the Line to mark the 40th anniversary of Elvis’s death.

An Elvis fan since he was eight, Marty loved the song as soon as he heard it and, 40 years on from his last single, Marty Rhone had a new worldwide release.

It hit No.1 on the world independent country music and Australian charts and caught the ear of renowned US producer David J Holman, who offered him a record deal with Cactus Studios.

The only catch was he had to write or co-write some of the songs.

“I hadn’t written in decades, let alone written a country song,” Marty said, so he called in more familiar names, Garth Porter (Sherbet) and country stars Rod McCormack and Gina Jeffreys.

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star back in the spotlight ‘‘ Things go in circles and you just have to hope things keep turning

Had a Good Thing Going and Jealous of the Sky respectively, both of which topped the Australian Country Music Single Charts.

The album Jealous of the Sky was released early last month.

“Things go in circles in this industry, and you just have to hope things keep turning,” Marty said of his renewed success, although he admits it does get harder as you get older.

“It’s very challenging for people in their ‘senior years’ to make yourself relevant to the world at large.

Marty Rhone as the prison priest in the Seth Rogen-produced TV series Preacher.

“There are so many instances of people wanting to write you off.

“You are fighting a system that believes you have a useby date.”

He believes everyone, regardless of age, should be defined by who they are,

their abilities and what they have achieved.

“If you keep focusing on someone’s age, as we do in Australia, you are putting a time limit on them.”

And while it is perhaps a little more physically challenging to keep up the

pace required, Marty said he had kept in good shape and never been afraid of hard work.

“I wasn’t an overnight success,” he said of his seeming catapult to fame when Denim and Lace was released simultaneously,

Picture: Contributed

showing on Reg Grundy’s hit Class of ’75 and Molly Meldrum’s Countdown.

“I had already been around quite a few years and released a number of songs that didn’t set the world on fire.”

Marty supported the

Rolling Stones at 17.

Also on his resume are appearances with John Denver, Christopher Cross and the Bee Gees, as well as four years on London’s West End stage with Yul Brynner in The King and I from 1979.

But his first song on TV was Cliff Richard’s Bachelor Boy at just 13, and it is Sir Cliff and I, featuring a combination of his own and Cliff Richard’s best music, that Marty is touring Australian capitals with in May-July, including Sydney’s State Theatre on May 22 and Brisbane’s QPAC on May 28.

It has been eight years since his last tour, and staged by the people behind the mega-production Elvis: King of the World, he said the coming one would be the most spectacular he had ever done.

For more, go to martyrhonemusic.com and for a Countdown flashback, head to https://www.you tube.com/watch? v=BagIaF6HFeg.

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Nominate a senior in your life who deserves pat on the back

WORK HONOURED: NSW Seniors Local Achievement Award winners at the 2019 Tweed Seniors Festival.

ceremony, which will include entertainment, light refreshments and an opportunity to enjoy a fun morning celebrating with your community.

Download a nomination form or register your attendance for the opening ceremony at

www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/ SeniorsFestival.

State Member for Tweed Geoff Provest said the theme of this year’s festival was Love to Celebrate and there were plenty of ways to have fun in the Tweed with a range of events to suit every interest.

“The NSW Seniors Festival brings people together, encourages seniors to try something new and fosters a great community spirit,” Mr Provest said.

State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said the Tweed Seniors Festival was a great

opportunity for local seniors to participate in the community and live active, healthy and social lives.

“The festival will give seniors the opportunity to get involved in exciting activities with friends and family, meet others, and share their insights and experiences,” Ms Saffin said.

The NSW Seniors Festival runs from Wednesday, February 12, to Sunday, February 23, and the Tweed will once again be hosting a full program of events for seniors to be involved in.

The council’s Community and Cultural Services acting manager Joanne Watters said it was all about creating a fun opportunity for seniors to participate in community events.

“Events will be open to all seniors, and will focus on and celebrate the valuable

contribution seniors have made, and continue to make, to the life of our community,” Ms Watters said.

“The 12 days of festivities will include activities such as morning teas, concerts, social get-togethers or special film screenings, leisure, health activities, demonstrations, tours, exhibitions, classes and activities.’’

The program will be available on the council’s website and locations across the Tweed.

Keep an eye on the Tweed Link in your local free newspaper for information about the Tweed Shire Seniors Festival program.

You can also subscribe to receive the Tweed Link free in your inbox each week. Go to tweed.nsw.gov.au/ subscribe.

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DO YOU know a senior who deserves recognition for the great work they do in the community?

Nominations are now open for the NSW Seniors Local Achievement Awards, which are run as part of the 2020 NSW Seniors Festival.

The awards provide an opportunity for local MPs and the community to recognise the seniors who help make their community a diverse, active and inspiring place to live.

Nominations must be received by January 18 and the presentation to successful nominees will be made at the Seniors Festival opening ceremony on Wednesday, February 12, at 10am at the Tweed Heads Civic and Cultural Centre auditorium.

Everyone is welcome to attend the opening

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Seniors have 2020 vision INCREASED medical rebates, an independent tribunal to set the age pension, an end to the waiting list for home care packages and bringing politicians’ super in line with the rest of the community top the list for what National Seniors Australia wants in the new year.

The country’s peak membership organisation for older Australians has given its wish list to the government via its submission for next year’s Federal Budget.

Among the other items listed in the submission are: - Increased rental assistance for pensioners - Lower deeming and taper rates on the Age Pension - An adult dental benefit scheme - A scheme for older Australians to invest in green energy infrastructure.

National Seniors Australia chief advocate Ian Henschke said the rising cost of health care, especially the cost of seeing a specialist, was the primary concern among members.

“On average a patient will be $84 out of pocket when they see a specialist, compared to around $38 for a visit to the GP,” Mr Henschke said.

“Older Australians by far spend the largest proportion of household income on

medical expenses.”

Despite the announcement last week for extra aged care funding, National Seniors continues to call for an end to the home care package waiting list, a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Mr Henschke said the $496 million announced last week for extra home care packages was barely a fifth of the $2.5 billion identified in the Royal Commission to fix the problem.

“Successive governments on both sides have been balancing the budget on the backs of pensioners,” he said.

“The deeming and taper rates are too high while savings returns for pensioner are too low.

“Governments use the deeming and taper rates to get their hands in pensioners’ pockets and a pension rate set independently would put an end to the politics of the pension.”

National Seniors also

‘‘

Older Australians by far spend the largest proportion of household income on medical expenses.

“Last year 16,000 people died waiting for a home care package and more than 13,000 were placed into an aged care facility when they wanted to remain in their homes,” he said.

“We know what the figure is to fix it and yet the government is still well short of the mark.”

Mr Henschke also said it was time the government took the politics out of the pension with an independent tribunal setting the Age Pension.

believes the politicians’ superannuation guarantee (SG) rate should be brought into line with that of ordinary workers in the interest of fairness.

MPs and Senators receive a SG rate of 15.4 per cent, while ordinary workers receive a SG rate of 9.5 per cent.

National Seniors Australia said in its submission: “At a time when politicians are calling for spending restraint and for further delays in increasing the SG to 12 per

NEW PATHS: National Seniors is proposing an innovative scheme which would deliver returns for older Australians while at the same time funding green energy infrastructure.

Picture: Contributed

cent, it would be symbolic if politicians moved to align their own entitlements with the current SG.” Finally, National Seniors is proposing an innovative scheme providing returns for older Australians while at the same time funding green

energy infrastructure.

The Snowy Hydro Green Bonds Scheme would give older Australians the opportunity to invest safely in Snowy Hydro 2.0, contributing to future energy security and lower energy prices.

“It’s win-win for investors, the government and the environment,” Mr Henschke said.

The 15-page document has been handed to the government in time for consideration ahead of next May’s budget.

Government’s response to aged care just scratching the surface NATIONAL Seniors Australia, the country’s peak membership body for older Australians, says the government’s response to the Royal Commission is just not sufficient.

We want a government to lead, not drip feed.

Much more is needed to urgently address a waiting list in which people are dying.

While welcoming the prioritisation of higher needs home care packages, National Seniors chief advocate Ian Henschke says it does nowhere near enough to deal with the more than 100,000 older Australians waiting for a package which meet their needs.

“The government’s

response to fund an extra 10,000 places is less than the number of people who died last year waiting for a package,” Mr Henschke said.

“The Royal Commission into Aged Care was told that 16,000 people died in one year waiting for a package and the government’s funding announcement barely addresses 10 per cent of the current waiting list.”

Earlier this year, Fiona Buffinton, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health, told the Royal Commission that $2 billion to $2.5 billion was needed to fix the problem.

“By the admission of the government’s own health department, today’s funding announcement of $496 million for the packages is

MORE NEEDED: National Seniors welcomes extra money to train aged care workers to deal with patients or residents with dementia but would like to know how many workers that amount will train.

Picture: Contributed

only a quarter at best, of what is needed to fix this tragic mess, in which older

Australian are dying,” Mr Henschke said.

“Not only are they dying,

but last year 13,000 older Australians were placed into residential aged care against their wishes, because there were not enough home care packages available.”

National Seniors welcomes extra money to train aged care workers to deal with patients or residents with dementia.

However the group would like to know how many workers that amount will train.

“The Royal Commission identified this as a major issue leading to the abuse of dementia suffering residents in aged care,” said Mr Henschke.

“However, the government’s own figures show that there are at least 360,000 aged care workers

in the sector,” he said.

“So what we would like to know is just how many of those workers will be trained by $10 million worth of funding?”

In its pre-budget submission, to be presented to the government this week, National Seniors has proposed a training program for mature workers to be retrained in aged care to address both the shortage of qualified workers in the sector, as well as the growing number of over-55s currently on Newstart because they cannot get work.

“This innovative solution would solve the two biggest issues that older Australians face as we go into 2020,” Mr Henschke said.

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Community group guide

Community notes

VIEW CLUBS VIEW stands for Voice, Interests and Education of Women Coolangatta Tweed WE ARE proud to announce that they will be holding a celebration of International Women’s Day 2020 at the South Tweed Sports Club on Monday, March 9, commencing at 10am (DST) for morning tea.

An excellent program of influential and inspiring women is guaranteed and will include: Linda Robertson, stem cell therapist who is studying the potential of stem cells for the treatment of incurable neurological diseases; Natalie Trengrove, a veteran of children’s theatre, actor, director and writer with the Tweed Theatre Company since its inception; and a Learning for Life student currently receiving sponsorship through VIEW Clubs of Australia.

The event will be compered by Maggie-Anne Leybourne of BAM Corporate Events, a highly regarded events organiser and dedicated supporter of VIEW clubs.

Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the program and a trading table will be available. Cost is $16.

Bookings can be made up to March 2 and further information is available by phoning Janice Monk on (07) 5524 5707.

Coolangatta Tweed VIEW Club looks forward to welcoming women from all walks of life to this very important event.

Bookings are being taken now.

TWIN TOWNS &

BRIGHT BEGINNINGS: A group of KIrra-Tugun Probus Club members welcome in the new year.

DISTRICT GARDEN CLUB WE recently entered their 2019 Christmas tree into the annual Quota Christmas tree competition held by the Tweed Heads Quota group, with all proceeds going to the emergency volunteer firefighters.

The event was a great success and doubly good as we won first prize in the community section.

We will next meet on February 10 at 10am (NSW time).

Doors open at 8.30.

Benching will be accepted until 9.15am. Remember to wear your badge. Trading, cutting and seed tables will commence selling at

8.45am.

Morning tea (bring a mug), raffles, library, newsletter will be available at the meeting. Guest speaker will be Colin Johnson from Earthlife, who is a great speaker.

SOUTH TWEED SPORTS CLUB 500 AND EUCHRE CARD CLUB We play 500 on Wednesday, January 15 at 1.30pm.

Euchre is played on Thursdays from January 16 at 1.30pm.

Please come along and join our very happy club.

Contact Carole on (07) 5523 3538 or; Jan on 0409 550 538 for details.

SENIORS

PROBUS CLUBS Kirra-Tugun A group of mature-age Gold Coasters who enjoy many activities, including trivia, cards, dining, cycling or just making friends.

We meet on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Currumbin RSL Club at 9.45am for 10am.

Lots of interesting speakers.

For more details, phone Rod on 0438341909.

STAYING ACTIVE AT THE BISC Do you want to be more active, meet new people and get fit in 2020?

Exercise improves strength and flexibility, can

help prevent common heartrelated diseases and helps maintain a sharp mind.

The Ballina Indoor Sports Centre is targeting people who might be returning to exercise for a new, lowimpact, non-competitive, social sports schedule.

The social sport schedule includes walking netball, lifeball, walking football, pickleball and badminton.

Never heard of these sports before?

Then be sure to contact the staff at the Ballina Indoor Sports Centre. The BISC is open throughout January 2020: Mondays to Thursdays 8.30am to 8.30pm; Fridays 8.30am to 5pm; Saturdays and Sundays

Picture: Contributed

8.30am to 4.30pm.

For more information on these new sports initiatives phone (02) 6681 0599 or follow the BISC on Facebook @BISC2478.

FEDERAL EXCHANGE Our Summer Federal Exchange is on Saturday, February 1, at 10am at Federal Park Playground.

This is an all-weather, allages, family-friendly, cashfree community event.

Bring along any garden fruit, vegies, herbs, cuttings, seeds, eggs, bulbs etc to swap and share. See our FB group The Federal Exchange for details or email thefederalexchange@gmail. com.

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!

Visit seniorsnews.com.au today!

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How to help victims restock essentials SO many people have reached out to us, asking how they can lend a hand to people in bushfire-affected areas, as well as to our volunteers.

There are a number of ways you can help. The best one is to donate money. This allows people to buy the things they need, and it supports local businesses that have been impacted.

We know many people want to donate physical items such as food and clothing but these take up much-needed community space.

DONATIONS Funds supporting bushfire victims include: • Australian Red Cross Disaster Recovery and Relief • Salvation Army Disaster Appeal • St Vincent de Paul Society Bushfire Appeal (NSW)

SUPPORT FOR FIREYS MANY people are choosing to show support to our volunteers. While brigades are provided with equipment to protect the community, donations assist them deliver additional services to the community.

• NSW RFS Donations Page. Make an online donation to the NSW RFS Trust Fund or a participating brigade.

OTHER OPTIONS THERE’S a wide range of community groups that are providing support to fireaffected areas, including Blazeaid and the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital.

The NSW RFS acknowledges the support of many kind organisations, as well as community groups, schools and individuals, who have contributed to support the work of volunteers across

NSW. There are too many to acknowledge individually but we would like to recognise a few for their generosity.

Donate at northern NSW Vinnies shops to help fire victims.

Following the destruction of 45 homes in northern NSW this week, Vinnies has confirmed that all monetary donations made in local stores will be directed to the bushfire relief effort.

“We invite people to donate in any of our Vinnies shops across northeast and northwest NSW or over the phone on 13 18 12,” said Jack de Groot, CEO of the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW. “In Casino, our members are on hand to help on 6662 4674 and at the Vinnies Shop on Canterbury Street.

We’re able to provide you with vouchers, link you up with services, and provide a

shoulder to lean on.’’

Salvation Army teams have been activated at multiple locations.

“Our teams are providing meals to evacuees and frontline responders, and will continue to provide whatever support is needed as the situation develops,” said Major Topher Holland, general manager Strategic Emergency and Disaster Management.

Your generous donation means that we can deliver crucial support right when it’s needed, and that we can stay as long as it takes to help local communities

make a full recovery.

Go to https://www .salvationarmy.org.au/ donate/make-a-donation/ donate-online/? appeal=disasterappeal.

WORLD WILDLIFE FUND WWF Australia is raising money to help restore homes for the koalas when the fires have cleared.

Almost four million hectares have already burnt in NSW. And while trees burn, our wildlife also suffers. It’s been estimated that half a billion animals have been killed just

in NSW. This includes thousands of koalas and other iconic species such as kangaroos, wallabies, kookaburras, cockatoos and honeyeaters burnt alive, and many thousands more injured and homeless You can help WWF Australia deliver emergency funds to care for our injured wildlife, and when the fires clear, help restore the forest homes our koalas and other animals have lost.

To make a contribution, visit https://www.wwf .org.au/get-involved/ bushfire-emergency#gs .qzoo2p.

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Award shines spotlight on inspirational eight Disability advocate fights inequality Climate issues close to artist’s heart SUE Salthouse, ACT, 70 DISABILITIES advocate Sue Salthouse found herself in a wheelchair after a horseriding accident at age 45.

She experienced first-hand the systemic inequality facing people with disabilities.

Sue began advocating for disabled people’s rights to accessible housing, economic security and the chance to contribute to society.

She now runs a consultancy company specialising in disability rights advocacy and works in the disability sector.

“As a 70-year-old paraplegic woman, my award highlights a need for awareness about disability and ageing,’’ she said. “There are now nearly two million Australians over the age of 65 who have significant disabilities.

“Those of us who have had our disabilities in younger years will be joined by our friends who acquire disabilities as the years pass.

“With an ageing demographic, our numbers

RIGHTING WRONGS: Sue Salthouse

will grow. In 2020 as a finalist for Senior Australian of the Year I will be urging governments to take a closer

Picture: Contributed

look at understanding the intersection of disability and ageing.”

Digging in for land-care awareness DR Graeme Stevenson, TAS, 74 A LANDCARE activist and longstanding volunteer for Landcare Tasmania, Graeme has been promoting healthy soils in Tasmania for more than 30 years.

He has initiated and managed projects along the coastline, including willow removal, riverside fencing and managing soil slippage.

Graeme works with farmers as a soil assessor and agronomy consultant and has written a number of books showcasing his expertise.

He also presents his soil knowledge to schoolchildren as an alter ego, known as Dr Spluttergrunt.

“My wish is to promote land care to both regional and urban Australia,” Graeme said. “Either join an existing group, form a group of your own or, if you live in a city, adopt a group. I am a Dr Who fan and consider land care is like the Tardis – bigger on the inside!”

DOWN TO EARTH: Dr Graeme Stevenson is a strong supporter of the importance of looking after the land.

Picture: Contributed

BANDUK Marika (AO), NT, 65 ARTIST, cultural activist and environmental adviser, Marika is known for her exquisite prints of ancestral creation stories on lino, her original medium of choice.

Banduk and her sisters are among the first Yolngu women whose male relatives have encouraged them to paint ancestral creation stories.

Marika is also a cultural activist and environmental adviser and has appeared as a speaker at national and international conferences.

“There are so many issues in communities, including climate change, which is changing the face of the environment. You can see it happening in front of you. I would love to have a round table with people who are caring enough to talk about what possibilities we have and what measures we have that will delay the environmental changes.

“What about having an emu parade around your community, picking up

GREEN THEME: Artist Banduk Marika.

rubbish, cleaning up your creeks and digging up debris – volunteers working together. I am also working

Picture: Contributed

on a healing centre here; working on natural healing without going to doctors for hard drugs.”

Champion of protecting our planet SUE Lennox, NSW, 67 Sue is an environmental educator and social enterprise founder.

As a teacher, she was concerned about young people’s anxiety and despair about the future of the planet.

She co-founded the award-winning social enterprise OzGREEN (Global Rivers Environmental Education Network Australia Inc), which teaches young people how to take positive environmental action through education, participatory leadership and community development.

OzGREEN has developed sustainability programs in 1600 locations across Australia, India, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Pakistan.

“The threat of global sustainability challenges like climate change call on us to redesign our society in a short time. If everyone lived like we do, we would need five planets. At a global scale

ACTION CALL: Sue Lennox

we are living at 1.7 planets beyond the carrying capacity of our Earth.

“We all have a role in creating a world where we are living in harmony with each other and the Earth.

We need to change our way of living, switch to renewables and reduce our

carbon footprint.

“We need to be prepared for the increasingly severe impacts of climate change, as witnessed with the massive fires near my home on the NSW north coast.

“We need to equip our youth with skills to innovate new ways of living.’’

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motivated by selfless service to communities Tackling men’s unhealthy mindset PETER Dornan (AM), QLD, 76 Following a prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, and after experiencing depression, incontinence and other side effects, sports medicine physiotherapist Peter Dornan (AM) put an ad in a newspaper, inviting fellow patients to meet.

Since then, he has supported men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Peter’s commitment to helping men share experiences and seek support has helped create a culture change in the treatment management for men with the disease.

Receiving a grant to research incontinence – a common consequence in men after prostate cancer treatment – he designed a successful program to treat the condition and published a book used by Australian prostate cancer support groups.

“My central quest is to change male culture in relation to their health’” he

CULTURAL CRUSADE: Men’s health activist Peter Dornan.Picture: Contributed

said.

“I want to remove their mantle of machoism. Part of the answer can be found by realising, historically, going back 200,000 years to the hunter-gathers, the first homosapiens, society needs have dictated men fulfil three main roles: the three Ps – that is, provider, protector and procreator.

“We delegated our women to look after our health. So, are men held captive by their manhood, isolated from emotion, vulnerability and their greater humanity?

In reality, these emotions have become unnaturally suppressed. We have to change now – to cut through the nonsense.’’

Sylvia always willing to answer call SYLVIA McMillan, SA, 90 Sylvia McMillan has dedicated her life to being of service to her community.

The 90-year-old has been a force of good to everyone around her and shows no signs of stopping.

She is still the chairwoman for her local branch of Legacy, the organisation that provides services to families of deceased defence force members.

In between her volunteer activities, she regularly attends the gym and does water aerobics with a group at the local Parks Community Centre.

“I want people to get involved, to share the enjoyment of doing things for other people, to help other people,” Sylvia said.

“I plan to keep doing what I am doing now and keeping happy, going to the gym and keeping involved with my clubs.”

DYNAMO: Sylvia McMillan has dedicated many years to her community, including her local Legacy branch.

Picture: Contributed

Making inroads in curbing fatalities for drivers

Obstetrics work a world benchmark

DR Raymond Shuey (APM), vic, 74.

A former police officer and assistant commissioner for traffic and operations, Ray’s signature achievement during his career was Project Beacon, which trains police in operational safety when responding to mental health and critical incidents.

With road safety partners, Ray developed initiatives to increase enforcement and education programs, resulting in a massive reduction in the Victorian road toll.

He contributed to WHO good-practice literature and has authored many road safety publications, providing knowledge and inspiration for others.

“The consequences of road trauma on the community, nationally and personally, are horrendous.

“My work, life experience and knowledge identify road trauma as predictable and preventable.

“Since nomination, I have

PROFESSOR John Newnham (AM), WA, 67 A professor of obstetrics, John has been instrumental in making Western Australia an international hotspot for research and clinical excellence in pregnancy and life before birth.

He founded and led the pioneering Raine Study, the world’s first and most enduring pregnancy-focused lifetime cohort project.

John has been described by the world’s leading scientific journal as an intellectual leader of modern obstetrics who has changed the practice of medicine and the lives of women and infants.

“I will use (this award) to my very best,’’ John said.

“This program requires the education of our everchanging pregnant population and their families, and our everchanging workforce.

“We have much work left to do, but this award will be wonderful in helping us to achieve our goal.”

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SAFETY: Raymond Shuey.

assisted Rotary to develop learner-driver symposia to reduce P-plate trauma and have been co-opted to road safety advisory and editorial boards.

My 2020 award provides an authoritative voice, making a significant difference in saving lives.

“My contributions include keynote presentations, research, peer reviews and donation services motivating others in a paradigm change towards driver attitudes and behaviours, to achieve a ‘culture’ of safety and respect on our roads.”

EMINENT: Professor John Newnham (AM).

Picture: Contributed

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Koala Beach Estate celebrates 25 years THE Koala Beach Estate is widely recognised as a great place to live and an ecological success Council held a community event recently to celebrate 25 years of Koala Beach Estate in Pottsville with over 50 residents in attendance.

The detailed development planning and initial koala monitoring for Koala Beach Estate commenced in 1994 and the estate is widely recognised as a great place to live and an ecological success.

Residents who have been in the estate since the beginning, new residents, families and kids attended the event to find out more about: • Flora and fauna, habitat restoration and monitoring projects and plans for the koala holding enclosure.

• Information on compliance of companion animals and control of pest animals in the estate from the newly appointed Coastal

Ranger.

• A review of the income and expenditure for Koala Beach Estate special rate for the past 10 years from Tweed Shire Council’s Finance Manager.

Council’s Director Sustainable Communities and Environment, Tracey Stinson said it was great to see a gathering of neighbours come together for a common cause.

“The Koala Beach estate community are passionate about protecting threatened species in the estate and it was wonderful to see residents come out and show their interest in being involved in further protection of the estate going forward. There were many questions, ideas and suggestions discussed about how to improve the program of environmental protection and it’ll be great to reestablish the residents’ committee to oversee this in 2020. “We all want to

ensure the estate remains a sanctuary for wildlife, and managing the prohibition of dogs and cats is one way we are doing this, along with monitoring programs, and pest and habitat management,” she said.

The development includes over 270 hectares of bushland reserved for nature conservation and is home to at least 24 threatened species and ecological communities.

From the outset, Koala Beach was designed to ensure that wildlife and habitats within and around the estate continue to thrive into the future, alongside the residential development.

Council’s Senior Program Leader – Biodiversity, Scott Hetherington said Koala Beach is a highly significant area for the protection of wildlife, both common and threatened species alike.

“With more than 130 bird species recorded, it’s one of the top five hotspots in the

Tweed,” Mr Hetherington said.

“The bushland reserves are a unique and valuable asset, providing habitat for many threatened plants, animals and communities.

They are also a critical link between the reserves to the south and to the north,” he said.

A report will be provided to Council in February to recommend that expressions of interest for representatives on the Koala Beach Wildlife and Habitat Management Committee are called for.

If you are a resident of Koala Beach estate and want to join the e-newsletter mailing list and find out about opportunities to join the committee please email TSC@tweed.nsw.gov.au and use ‘Koala Beach Committee’ in the subject line or for more information about Koala Beach estate, go to tweed.nsw.gov.au/ koalabeach.

FER0841 01/20

GROUP EXERCISE 65s AND OVER

TOP PLACE: Kooee Koala was at the community event to celebrate 25 years of Koala Beach Estate in Pottsville.

Feros Care has a suite of group exercise programs specially designed for over 65s available on the Far North Coast.

These programs are government-funded, and promise to have you feeling healthier, more active and better connected.

Each program is run by our experienced physiotherapists and exercise physiologists over a series of weeks. Classes are safe and suitable for people of all levels of mobility and fitness.

FER0813 01/20

Call 1300 763 583 to register your interest today Visit feroscare.com.au/group-exercise

Aged Care • Disability Support • Technology

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Magnificent Mykonos

Go Greek at a sunkissed isle where the senses can feast PAGES 18-19

YARRA VALLEY & DANDENONG RANGES TOUR From

$3,050*

20 - 26 APRIL 2020 Less than an hour from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are the perfect destination to enjoy delicious food and wine and beautiful scenery. Enjoy this unpack once getaway in a truly wonderful region of Australia!

*per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single Supplement $405

Call our friendly, experienced team to book your next touring holiday or to join one of our Uplift Tours special group departures.

1300 484 510 (07) 5513 1086

E: groups@uplifttours.com www.uplifttoursandtravel.com

Service is our Strength.

Travel is our Passion.

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SAMOA BOWLS CARNIVAL

From

$3,259*

*per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single Supplement $695

29 MAY - 06 JUNE 2020 Join former Australian Lawn Bowls coach and Commonwealth Champion, Cameron Curtis on this incredible fully hosted tour, representing outstanding value for money that will provide you with amazing opportunities to bowl, meet the locals, see the very best sights and rejuvenate Learn from the very best on the sport with your amazing tour host, as you immerse yourself in your local surrounds. The waterfalls are breathtaking, the caves are evocative, the cuisine is to-die-for and the people are fascinating. Join Cameron, as we explore this treasured island of the South Pacific for our first ever Samoan Bowls Carnival!

TERMS & CONDITIONS *Price is per person twin share. Single Supplement applies.

Credit card surcharges apply. Deposit of AUD $500-$800 per person is required to secure tour. Tour requires a minimum number of passengers to depart. Prices may fluctuate if surcharges, fee, taxes or currency change. Prices current as at 2nd December 2019 Uplift Tours and Travel in conjunction with Norfolk Select Marketing ABN: 93 367 366 822 ATAS Accreditations A10619

COOK ISLANDS PACIFIC PARADISE TOUR From

$3,559*

*per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single Supplement $775

YULEFEST IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS From

$2,779*

*per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single Supplement $360

HAWAII 50TH ANNUAL UKULELE FESTIVAL From

$5,414*

*per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single Supplement $1,995

12 - 20 JUNE 2020 Discover this untouched beauty, culture and charm of the Cook Island... matched only by the friendliness of her people. This fully inclusive escorted tour specially designed for the mature traveller offers exceptional value for money with the most authentic experiences available in the magical Cooks!

06 - 10 JULY 2020 Join us on this 5-day Yulefest short break exploring the very best of this iconic region.

This World Heritage Listed area offers some of the most unique scenery and culture attractions in NSW. Enjoy a very special Yulefest dinner, with an atmosphere of Christmas! Relax and enjoy all this iconic Australian Wilderness has on offer.

13 - 23 JULY 2020 The Hawaii Ukulele Festival this year celebrates 50 years and is the largest ukulele festival of its kind in the world.

We will experience all the festivities and immerse yourself in a little Oahu sightseeing also. So, come and join us ion this Ukulele Festival where the magic is in the music and the love that we share...

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Guide will give you tips before you take off EXPERIENCE the beauty and freedom of our great landscape – for young and old alike.

Whether you are staying in a caravan, motorhome, camper van, camper trailer, fifth-wheeler or a tent, this book covers it all.

Be it part-time, full-time or periodic, becoming a nomad will allow you to,

HIT THE ROAD: The Grey Nomad's Ultimate Guide to Australia covers a great deal of ground in terms of making the most of your adventure. Picture: Contributed

IN BRIEF NEWCOMER CHARTING COURSE FOR KEY REGIONS Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) has welcomed Vasco da Gama into Sydney as she began her first Australasian season.

The ship’s inaugural season coincides with CMV’s 10th anniversary this year and marks the cruise line’s largest Australasian deployment yet. Vasco da Gama has a 1220-guest capacity and will home port in Adelaide and Fremantle, also cruising from London (Tilbury), Auckland and Singapore in addition to Sydney. The ship offers two pools, the well-equipped Jade Wellness Centre and Spa, a two-tiered theatre, and five inviting bars and lounges. Six dining venues feature cuisine from around the world, and the Chef’s Table provides a degustation menu plus an insight into the workings of the galley.

During Vasco da Gama’s first Australasian season, the cruise line will champion domestic tourism by making key regions such as Tasmania, the northwest of Australia and the Yorke

hopefully, experience one of the greatest new adventures of your life.

The Grey Nomad’s Ultimate Guide to Australia was written specifically with the grey nomad in mind.

However, it has lots of useful information for campers of all ages.

Carefully researched and written in a down-to-earth manner, the book is billed as a great asset in preparation for what you are about to embark on, whether it’s your first trip or your 100th.

The idea is to assist in saving you considerable time, money and effort both in the pre-planning and while on the road.

Peninsula (South Australia) more accessible and more affordable. In the ship’s 2020-21 season, CMV will make compelling domestic destinations even more accessible to Australians, visiting ports of call that are new to the cruise line, such as Darwin, Geelong and Port Arthur. Info: cmvaustralia.com.

villages of Gasadalur, Vestmanna, Kirkjubour and Gjogv. This allows you to explore all corners of this beautiful collection of islands, taking in the epic coastline, magnificent sea cliffs and colourful scenery.

Info: https://www.odyssey traveller.com/tours/faroeislands-tour/.

SEAL OF APPROVAL AMID ICELANDIC WILDERNESS

HUE BEAUTY! CATCH JAPAN’S COLOURFUL SHOW In 2020 a new cruise tour will enable more Australians to immerse themselves in the rich traditions, colourful customs and inspiring icons that make Japan one of the world’s most vibrant and captivating destinations.

Hosted by Cruise Express, the 19-night Autumn Colours of Japan itinerary in November 2020 will enable guests to join tea ceremonies, learn to make sushi, watch sumo wrestling, meet authentic geishas, ride bullet trains, view iconic Mt Fuji and visit lavish palaces – all backdropped by the colourful hues of autumn.

Departing Australia on November 2, 2020, the escorted tour begins with an eight-night land itinerary

The book also has helpful advice on: saving money and financial tips for the thrifty; industry super funds and self-managed super funds (SMSFs); redesigning your life; health and exercise; eating and cooking while on the road; meeting new friends; grey nomadding and Centrelink; insurance; and dealing with all the issues and obstacles you might face along the way.

The Grey Nomad’s Ultimate Guide To Australia,

by Xavier Waterkeyn (New Holland Publishers, RRP $32.99), is available from all good bookshops or go to newhollandpublishers.com.

NEW ADDITION: Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Vasco da Gama.

starting in Tokyo. Back in Tokyo, guests board Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess for a nine-night, round-trip cruise to five Japanese ports. Including return flights from Australia, the Autumn Colours of Japan cruise tour is available from $9790 a person, twinshare – a saving of $200 a person if booked by January 14. Info: www.cruiseexpress.com.au.

FAROE ISLANDS SURPRISE Explore the Faroe Islands on Odyssey Traveller’s fully escorted, small-group tour designed for mature travellers. The tour gives you the chance to visit some of the islands’ most stunning sights and to explore the capital, Torshavn, while discovering the interesting history of the Faroes and the unique culture. Only a short

Picture: Contributed

flight from Scotland, the Faroes are off most standard travellers’ radars. Yet, for the tourists who do find their way there, the Faroe Islands offer breathtaking natural landscapes, rugged terrain, verdant green pastures and jaw-dropping cliffs and waterfalls to explore. During the four-day tour, guests will be based in Torshavn and travel to parts of the archipelago including the

Odyssey Traveller’s Iceland cultural and wilderness small-group tour is a 16-day circumnavigation of the fascinating island and is designed for mature-age or senior travellers. During the tour, experience Iceland’s spectacular landscapes filled with glaciers, geysers and waterfalls, as you cruise among arctic icebergs. at great destinations such as Vatnajokull National Park, At Illugastadir, spot seals from the coast. The escorted guided tours offer fresh insights into the history of Iceland. Odyssey’s adventure tours to Iceland are suitable for most fitness levels. Info: https://www .odysseytraveller.com/ tours/faroe-islands-tour/.

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‘‘

Guests relax, recharge and rejuvenate.

SPOIL YOURSELF: The Plush Deluxe room at The Hideaway Cabarita Beach is more like a bohemian boudoir.

Pictures: Shirley Sinclair

Camping was never so good Shirley Sinclair THE wow factor hits the moment we hear that familiar unzipping sound, then peel back the wide cream flaps and step inside.

This is certainly not the camping I know. This is luxe glamping.

We have arrived at The Hideaway Cabarita Beach.

Our Plush Deluxe room (it could never be classified as a “tent”) is more like a bohemian boudoir.

And there’s more space than most hotel rooms we’ve stayed in. A quick glance reveals a king-size bed, bamboo/rattan/cane styling in occasional furniture pieces and a huge funky circular floor rug.

We try to take it all in: the comfy pillows, designer cushions, lounge, director’s chairs with casual table, lamps on bedside tables, mini-fridge with glass bottle of water, and towel rack with fluffy towels.

Outside on the grassy front lawn is a rustic scene we’ve already earmarked for sunset drinks: two squatter chairs beside a sturdy beach

umbrella and “stump” table.

We found everything laid out before us on a guided tour of the pet-free and smoke-free resort.

There’s not even a set of keys to lose: just walk away (an on-site manager keeps an eye on things during the day and a security guard patrols the resort at night for your peace of mind).

And if you’re staying longer than three nights, the room will be serviced every fourth day.

New owners Cath and Adam Smith, born-and-bred Tweed region locals, wanted to create something special they could be proud of that was in keeping with the casual beachside lifestyle and draw people from all over Australia – if not the world – for a no-fuss, restful holiday or mini-break.

The Hideaway Cabarita Beach idea is all about helping guests relax, recharge and rejuvenate.

It’s small-scale: capped by the owners at 23 rooms, catering for a maximum of 58 guests on the 4000sq m (one-acre) site.

The rooms come in three

sizes: the 6m Plush Deluxe includes a king-size bed; the 6m Bigger/Family Suites have a queen-size bed and a single bed either side; and the 5m Classic has a queensize bed (the mattresses are made by the company that produces the much-lauded Koala beds – firm but oh-so comfortable, and quality linen is supplied).

They offer everything to love about camping (fresh air, sounds of nature, open spaces, night skies, relaxed living and the novelty of sleeping under canvas) but

minimise everything to hate about camping (too uncomfortable, too noisy, too many people, no privacy, too far away from the action, too dirty, too much equipment to pack and lug in then repack and take home).

In fact, The Hideaway is more like a hotel in the great outdoors than an old-style campground, in an idyllic beachside community.

There’s plenty of living space within and surrounding the bell structures, which are akin to

The view from Cabarita Beach Surf Life Saving Club’s veranda.

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traditional Himalayan and Mongolian homes and feel like you’re sleeping under a circus Big Top. The waterproof cotton canvas is highly soundproof.

Repurposed shipping containers have created a reception area, wellmaintained toilets and toilet/ showers and laundry, as well as a barbecue/bar area and a kitchen/dining/chill-out zone with children’s play area. The communal areas – especially the long dining tables, lounge, barbecue, fire pit and picnic tables – as

well as twinkling lights overhead all add to the fun holiday atmosphere.

The owners encourage guests to “enjoy Cabarita” and all the restaurants, cafes and businesses providing meals, snacks, drinks, takeaways and supplies.

What else could you want for a hassle-free break in your own little sanctuary, but still with the joys only camping can offer?

— The writer was a guest of The Hideaway Cabarita Beach.

Norries Headland captures stunning 360-degree views.

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Add magical Mykonos to bucket list Make 2020 the year to enjoy everything on offer FROM its whitewashed buildings, cobbled streets, world-famous sunsets, delicious seafood and lively local tavernas, not to mention luxurious boutique accommodation, glamorous beach clubs and genuine Greek hospitality – there’s a raft of reasons to tick Mykonos – and the Myconian Collection – off your travel bucket list in 2020.

Here are 10 reasons why you should treat yourself to a taste of Mykonos: 1. Getting there is easy Thanks to new direct flights from Sydney to Mykonos (via Doha) with Qatar Airways, Australian travellers can now start their Greek getaway in record time. Trade the Australian winter for a gorgeous Greek summer between June and August; or visit during May or September to “live like a local” and avoid the crowds.

2. Food, glorious (Greek) food Food is a serious business at the Myconian Collection Hotels & Resorts. Blending the skills of internationally trained executive chefs with fresh ingredients sourced exclusively for the hotels

through time-honoured ties with farmers and fishermen nurtured by the hotel group’s founding family, the Daktylides.

The farm-to-table philosophy is alive and well in Mykonos. The Myconian Collection chefs are committed to encouraging guests to experience authentic Mykonos through its cuisine, including lamb and pork hand-reared on Daktylides family land, locally-grown herbs and vegetables, and the island’s best octopus, caught just for the Myconian Collection by one of the island’s most iconic fisherman.

There are more than a dozen distinctive restaurants across the Myconian Collection portfolio of boutique hotels, many boasting spectacular ocean views. Must-visit restaurants for your 2020 bucket list include: Cabbanes at the Myconian Villa Collection; Panorama at Myconian Avaton; and Pavilion - Relais & Chateaux at the Myconian Utopia.

3. Explore ancient history Offering a fascinating contrast to Mykonos’s

Lap up the luxury in the stylish accommodation.

cosmopolitan vibe, the nearby island of Delos – feted as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis – was once at the heart of ancient Greek life as a hub for religious pilgrims, trade and multiculturalism.

These days, Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to intriguing ruins that are a must-see when staying on Mykonos.

Myconian Collection guests can join a day trip to Delos aboard a private yacht to explore the island’s statues, preserved houses and temples – all with the expert insights of an experienced tour guide.

4. Experience laidback luxury Mykonos has become a magnet for cosmopolitan travellers who flock to enjoy the island’s unique brand of laidback luxury. Having evolved from its “partyisland” past, today Mykonos attracts couples, families and groups of friends lured by the island’s blissful beaches, crystal-clear waters, stunning sunsets, unique Greek hospitality, delectable dining and new breed of boutique hotel accommodation – such as

Picture: Contributed

BETTER BY DESIGN: Boutique hotels for those who like to be closer to the action include Myconian Kyma, a member of Design Hotels.

Picture: Contributed

the gorgeous guest-house style villas at the Myconian Villa Collection.

5. Hit the beach From a privileged position above Elia Beach on the southern coastline of worldfamous Mykonos reside five Myconian Collection properties: Myconian Utopia Resort Relais & Châteaux; Myconian Avaton Resort a member of Design Hotels; Myconian Villa Collection, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Legend Collection; Myconian Imperial Resort and Royal Myconian Resort, both eminent members of the Leading Hotels of the World.

Guests can enjoy access to a pristine, private stretch of beach complete with bar service for snacks and creative cocktails – all served to your sunbed.

6. Join the jet-set South of Elia Beach live like the rich and famous on Mykonos’s stunning south coast, home to a chic, cosmopolitan crowd, luxury yachts galore, fabulous fivestar dining and perfect people-watching on the famous beaches of Psarou and Scorpios.

Stay at the Myconian Ambassador Relais & Châteaux for panoramic views and easy access to the best-known beaches.

Myconian Kyma offers picture-postcard views of the alluring crystal-clear water.

Picture: Contributed

7. Get lost in the laneways of Mykonos Town The labyrinth-like cobbled streets of Mykonos Town are made for getting lost.

Designed to be chaotic in order to confuse pillaging pirates, it’s easy to lose a day or two meandering through boutiques, discovering tiny churches, lingering at local cafes, dining at traditional tavernas, exploring Little Venice, and watching the fishing boats come and go at Alefkandra harbour.

Boutique hotels for those who like to be closer to the action include: Myconian Kyma, a member of Design Hotels; Myconian Naia Luxury Suites, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, LXV Collection and the Myconian Korali Relais & Châteaux.

8. Genuine Greek hospitality Authentic Greek hospitality is at the heart of the Myconian Collection, where guests are often personally welcomed by members of the founding Daktylides family in a tradition which began with the family’s first hotel back in 1979.

Staff at the Myconian Collection’s nine boutique properties provide warm, discreet, attentive service and take the time to discover your preferences and personal experiences.

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Having evolved from its “party-island” past, today Mykonos attracts couples, families and groups of friends looking for the holiday of a lifetime .

Picture: Contributed

‘‘

The labyrinth-like cobbled streets of Mykonos Town are made for getting lost.

position.

The hotel’s two-tier infinity pool lights up when the sun goes down, creating

an alluring ambience for sharing post-sunset cocktails and canapes in serious style.

10. Serious specials – save now on 2020 stays Book your Mykonos getaway to stay between May and October 2020 to enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast, one complimentary Thalassotherapy spa treatment per person per stay, complimentary shared transfers and free wi-fi.

Source: myconiancollection.com

Imagine yourself lying back and relaxing in the shade with a cold drink and a good book on a Myconian outdoor lounge.

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You’ll never go hungry with the wide variety of quality food available in the boutique hotels throughout Mykonos.

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Mykonos has become a magnet for cosmopolitan travellers who flock to enjoy the island’s unique brand of laidback luxury.hotels.

Picture: Contributed

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This is like the seaside you used to know before coastal developments meant high-rises BEACHFRONT BLISS: The oversized Yeppoon Lagoon is loved by locals and visitors.

Pictures: Contributed

Keppel’s an island paradise Wind down in low-key style Kerry Heaney IT LOOKS like a swim-up infinity pool at a luxury resort, but there’s no entry fee and everyone is welcome to swim, barbecue or relax under the tropical foliage.

On the beachfront in the foreshore precinct, the oversized Yeppoon Lagoon is loved by locals and has visitors sideswiped by its style. I’ll take a lounger overlooking the Keppel Islands here any day.

Battered by Cyclone Marcia in 2015 and bushfires in 2018, Yeppoon has bounced back, capitalising on the area’s natural beauty.

There’s gourmet dining, a range of water-view accommodation and play parks that invite family picnics followed by beach cricket.

This is like the seaside you used to know before coastal centres meant high-rise developments that block the sun on the sand, and more time in traffic jams than surfing. It is the sort of place where relaxation comes with a proper intake of a sea breeze.

I took a 30-minute drive from Rockhampton City to

Yeppoon,stopping at Emu Park to see the awardwinning Centenary of Anzac Memorial Walk. It tells moving stories about Gallipoli, the Anzac legend, the Somme and other extraordinary war campaigns, highlighted by silhouettes of soldiers and horses overlooking the shoreline.

Public art is a constant throughout Emu Park and Yeppoon, so look out for street art in carparks, laneways, surf lifesaving clubs and roadside walls.

Wreck Point Lookout is another scenic stop, providing 380-degree views of Keppel Bay and the Capricorn Coast and a walking trail down to the rocky point.

There are more headland views at Rosslyn Bay Resort, which overlooks Kemp Beach. Surrounded by harbour, hinterland and headland, the resort is also home to Beaches Restaurant, which serves owner Ross O’Reilly’s locally grown organic produce from the High Valley Dawn permaculture farm.

Before you jump on the ferry to Great Keppel Island at Keppel Bay Marina, enjoy

a meal at award-winning restaurant The Waterline.

The beef here comes from the owner’s central Queensland cattle properties. For breakfast try the Cowboys Benedict with Banana Station rib fillet, smoked belly bacon and a poached egg with blackbean tomato salsa. Now that will set you up for the day!

If you are wearing shoes, you are definitely overdressed at Great Keppel Island Hideaway. Even thongs are optional at this low-key island paradise. It doesn’t have and doesn’t need a pool or spa because you’ll be spending your time on the beach or in the water.

Instead, I hitched a boat ride to an isolated beach on a tropical island.

Floating in the crystalclear water watching the clouds float by, it is easy to imagine life as Robinson Crusoe on Great Keppel Island.

A joy flight with Rockhampton Helicopters will show you the island, and the coastline has many more beautiful spots to explore.

Find out more from capricornholidays.com.au.

– The writer visited as a guest of Capricorn Enterprise.

A delicious picnic treat from Great Keppel Island Hideaway.

Eye-catching art abounds at Emu Park.

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‘‘ Tri something

Swim, cycle and walk or run at your own pace.

Tracey Johnstone

IF YOU thought doing a triathlon was completely outside your skills and fitness level, then think again as indoor triathlon takes off in Australia.

It’s an initiative of Triathlon Australia, which wants people to find their 30 minutes, or more, of exercise by participating in innovative all-generations activity that is actually a lot of fun and very social.

You get to swim, cycle and walk or run at your own pace. Simple!

It’s not a race. Rather, it’s a participation event that is held at venues that have both a pool and an appropriately equipped

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new for fitness

gym, says Triathlon Australia ‘s communications and project manager Lisa Pringle.

“It’s aimed at people who haven’t done a triathlon before, and limiting the barriers that we know deter people from triathlons, such as open-water swimming and riding on roads,” Ms Pringle said.

The only equipment required is your swimmers, goggles and gym clothes and shoes.

You do need a buddy to help you keep track of the time and a record of what you achieve in each discipline and then tally up your achievements.

There are three levels to choose from and each includes three disciplines.

Tri20 involves a three-

minute swim, 10 minutes on a stationary bike and seven minutes on a treadmill.

The next level is Tri40, which involves swimming for six, cycling for 20 and treadmill for 14 minutes.

The keen participants can go for Tri60, which has swimming for 10, cycling for 30 and the treadmill for 20 minutes.

Whichever level you choose, all the disciplines are done at your pace.

“On the treadmill you can walk or run,” Ms Pringle said.

“With the swimming, you can do any stroke; you can dog paddle, you can walk it, if you like.

“It’s not about being proficient as a swimmer, it’s just about completing three disciplines, back to back, to complete a triathlon.”

GIVING IT A TRY: Indoor Triathlon participants Kathryn Williamson and Ugo Crupi.

Entry to an event costs $35, which includes a certificate of participation, T-shirt and swim cap.

It might be because of the variety of activities or it might be your need to

constantly improve your fitness by trying harder each time to head out the door.

Either way, indoor triathlon is about participation, Ms Pringle says.

Picture: Contributed

The program is being run as a pilot for a few months as new event venues are identified and brought online across Australia and in New Zealand. For details, visit trix3.com.au.

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Aged care’s challenge to

CELEBRATING LOVE: Edie Mayhew and Anne Tudor celebrate 33 years together with family and friends in a recommitment ceremony in September 2017, before marrying at their first chance when it became legal in January 2018.

Picture: Courtesy of Anne Tudor

Women share their search for right home

Alison Houston DO PEOPLE who identify as LGBTIQ* need or want their own distinct aged care?

It seemed a reasonable question when the press release arrived late last year announcing Arcare had opened Queensland’s first aged care home for LGBTIQ clients at Parkwood on the Gold Coast.

But research and talking to people affected makes the answer clear – they deserve that choice.

The first clue should have been that the press release hailed the opening as occurring less than 30 years after Queensland decriminalised homosexuality.

Because how does someone who has spent the greater part of their life being vilified, forced to hide part of who they are, facing possible jail or electric shock “cure/conversion

treatments” for their sexuality, find a community they trust in which to grow old?

How can they be themselves without fear, form friendships and have confidence that they or their loved one are receiving quality health care as they age?

The Federal Government has recognised in its LGBTIQ Inclusion and Awareness in Aged Care report that to understand people’s current experiences, including reticence to disclose sexuality or to enter aged care, and higher levels of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation, we have to understand their past.

LOVE, LIFE AND DEMENTIA: A PERSONAL ACCOUNT It can be as simple, Anne Tudor explained, as feeling comfortable to hug, kiss or hold hands with a loved one – things heterosexual

couples take for granted.

It doesn’t seem much to ask, especially given the heartbreaking position in which Anne has found herself and partner Edie Mayhew.

The couple have traced Edie’s dementia journey in film, and have followed her into residential care showing the pain of separation in the recently released film Mr Velvet Ears.

The title is a reference to Edie’s much-loved care dog, through whose eyes the transition is depicted.

“I miss her brain, her mind, her conversation; I miss her strength,” Anne said of Edie, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2010 at age 59.

She describes the film as “very raw and honest”, filmed on the day of the move, the day before and again three months after Edie went into residential care.

“We have always been

motivated to educate people around dementia, and to encourage people to open their hearts and not be frightened of it, although it is a terrible disease,” Anne said.

“The person you love is still there, but in a changed way.

“We had eight years living together after Edie’s diagnosis, and our lives haven’t finished yet, so it’s about presenting a positive message because there aren’t enough of those out there.”

She hopes the film opens discussions about aspects of dementia care for the LGBTIQ community and the community in general.

“Ours is a beautiful story and we are really lucky to have had such a wonderful relationship,” Anne said.

This is the couple’s fourth film, with Anne and Edie previously celebrating their 33rd anniversary, including their recommitment

ceremony on September 2017, in a film called The Circle of Love for the Victorian Seniors Festival.

“When we got together 33 years ago we kept it pretty quiet,” Anne said of the ceremony.

“It was a very different world back then – you didn’t tell people you were lesbian.

“We were in love – but we’ve never formally celebrated our love with family and friends because we didn’t feel it was OK to do so.

“Now that time is running out for us we want to celebrate with the people we love.”

When two months later Australia voted yes to marriage equality, the pair decided to marry on the first day possible – January 9, 2018.

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break diversity barriers ‘‘

We felt totally embraced and accepted for who we are.

changed reality and a moment in history,” Anne said.

“And to me it was a statement – it didn’t legitimise our relationship, we didn’t need that, but it gives us a legal status so I can’t be overlooked in Edie’s care.

“Those that have had access to marriage for ever don’t appreciate its meaning for people who have had a lifetime together and shared their love but not been able to declare it publicly or have the legal rights associated with it.”

THE SEARCH FOR INCLUSIVE CARE Things have changed a lot for Anne and Edie since then, and in September 2018 Anne said it became clear she couldn’t cope alone with Edie’s care anymore.

She had a lot of questions in her search to find the best residential care, including LGBTIQ training for staff.

Ultimately they decided on Mercy Place, where the CEO told Anne at the inspection: “I’d like you to treat this as your home too.’’

“We felt totally embraced and accepted for who we are,” Anne said, despite the home not being specifically for LGBTIQ residents.

Aged care and nursing home staff everywhere should now all have LGBTIQ training, and can work towards achieving a Silver Rainbow tick.

But Anne said more education and attitudinal change was needed to ensure that workers, from the CEO to the nursing, kitchen, garden, cleaning and admin staff, put into practice those policies of acceptance.

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The crowd ready for the film to begin, with a shot of Mr Velvet Ears himself, Melvin, with Edie and Anne.

Picture: Contributed

have been bullied and physically abused by fellow residents.

CHANGING ATTITUDES Dr Catherine Barrett, who has worked on the films with Anne and Edie, was a finalist for the 2018 Human Rights Medal for her work advocating for older Australians, including the LGBTIQ community and people with dementia.

She said while ultimately we need all services to be LGBTIQ-friendly, it will take a lot to overcome old fears and cultural stereotypes, or partial acceptance that “it’s OK to be gay, but not that gay”.

For that reason, she said, having the option of a specific LGBTIQ service such as that at Parkwood, as well as inclusivity and acceptance within mainstream aged care, were both equally important.

The Mr Velvet Ears trailer, full film and resources, and the couple’s other films, are available at www.museumoflove

Edie at her best to enjoy the world premiere of Mr Velvet Ears in Ballarat with Anne.

.com.au/pulse.html. For other LGBTIQ Seniors films go to https:// alicesgarage.net.

Find more on LGBTIQ health at https:// lgbtihealth.org.au/, on dementia at www.dementia.org.au, on Arcare Parkwood at https://

arcare.com.au/parkwood/ or, if this has raised issues for you, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.

HELP AT HAND As part of the implementation of the LGBTI Strategy, the Federal Government, in partnership

with various LGBTI advocacy and support agencies, has compiled a collection of LGBTI-specific ageing and aged care resources for the LGBTI community, their loved ones, carers and aged care service providers.

For helpful tips about looking for aged care that

Picture: Contributed

caters to the LGBTIQ community, go to https:// agedcare.health .gov.au/ support-services/my-agedcare/lgbti-ageing-and-agedcare-resources. * LGBTIQ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer or Questioning.

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Generations connected Students, seniors click thanks to digital literacy trial success Tracey Johnstone THE Office of eSafety is reaching out to high school students to assist in increasing digital literacy for older Australians and building intergenerational relationships.

The Be Connected Young Mentors Program has just finished being trialled across Australia. The official launch of the free program is set for late March.

For eSafety project manager Jill McNaught, being connected doesn’t just mean helping seniors to go online and do it safely. It is also about benefiting student skills in leadership and community connection, and “breaking down the stereotypes on both sides of the generational gap”.

The Young Mentors program is based on research that indicated seniors want one-on-one support with learning based on what the seniors identify they want to learn rather than what is prescribed through a structured learning process.

“The young mentors meet the seniors where they are at in their learning journey and work from there,” Ms McNaught said.

The student mentors are given three hours of training,

which covers mentoring skills, how to mentor an older person, the barriers that may need to be overcome, the safety and boundaries of the relationship, the benefits of mentoring for both cohorts and learning about the Be Connected learning resources.

Most of the pilot groups ran four to six weeks of mentoring sessions.

Pilot project member

‘‘

The kids were enthralled with talking to the seniors about life.

Manly (NSW) Computer Pals chose to partner with 20 Year 9 students from several northern beaches schools that were involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

“For the Bronze Award they need to complete 13 weeks of community service,” Ms McNaught said.

The students received three hours of training and then did 10 weeks of mentoring.

President Judy Elias said the club ran its pilot in its clubroom. The students

NET PROFITS: Manly (NSW) Computer Pals members with northern beaches students who took part in the Be Connected trial program helping older Australians to improve their digital literacy.

Picture: Contributed

were then paired by Manly Computer Pals with 20 seniors who brought in their own android or Apple devices and met the mentors for one-hour sessions to address their individual needs.

“Their questions were whatever they had difficulty with on their own devices,” Ms Elias said.

“The Year 9 students tried very hard to answer those questions.

“If they couldn’t answer them, the students would do some research and answer the questions the following week.

“The seniors benefited because they learnt on the job from kids that use their devices all the time, so they

felt as though they were in today’s world.”

Ms Elias said both the seniors and the students enjoyed working on the project.

“The kids were enthralled with talking to the seniors about life skills generally, not just digital skills,” she said.

“Socially, it was amazing.’’

She also noticed new

connections being made between the participating seniors.

As a result of the success of the pilot project, the club plans to offer the course for more seniors in April.

For more information or to register an organisation’s interest in participating, go to esafety.gov.au/seniors/ be-connected-youngmentors.

PAWS project focuses on pet topic as new way to provide care Tracey Johnstone A UNIQUE Commonwealth Home Support Program, offering pet assistance and social inclusion in-home care, is being trialled in Canberra by Northside Community Services.

Funded under the CHSP’s Innovation Funding with a grant of $168,000, the inhome support Pet Assistance and Wellbeing (PAWS) program uses pets, volunteers and people over 65 to create community connections.

The beneficiaries of the program won’t only be the pets, says NCS chief executive officer Kate Cvetanovski. She believes both the volunteers, who

are often over 65, and the client will greatly benefit from the connection.

“There is a ripple effect of engaging this way,” Ms Cvetanovski said.

“What we want to do is start a very free-flowing conversation, which is safe and around a pet, that may turn to more serious things so that an individual has the trust and rapport with a person they have got to know to say, ‘Things aren’t going well and I need a bit of help here’.

“That way services and support haven’t been thrust upon them. They have made the decision to test it out with a volunteer who is not being paid to provide that service.”

Ms Cvetanovski said pets

FURRY FRIEND: PAWS volunteer Darcy Whitmore with Tamber the poodle and proud owner Gabrielle Hindley.

Picture: Contributed

were a great conversation starter. “It allows people to perhaps not focus on the things that aren’t going well in their lives, or their health,” she said.

“It gets them to focus on a furry member of the family that is much loved.

“It’s a great way to focus

on the strengths within the household for that person rather than the decline of their wellbeing. I think it’s one of the best examples of strength-based approach to delivering really good aged care.”

The PAWS volunteers will visit clients who have any

kind of pet and help with feeding, walking, interacting and playing with the pet, and provide support and care for a pet during times when a client is unwell or is hospitalised. They will also encourage clients to connect with community interest groups.

“We will also have events for people and their pets to attend that are fun and outside the home, to connect them to the community,” Ms Cvetanovski said.

During the home visits, volunteers will also be able to monitor the wellbeing of the client and advise Northside of any issues that may need to be addressed through another service.

“Creating a friendship

over the pet is a great way to open a door to more robust discussion,” Ms Cvetanovski said.

“People will look after their pet a lot better than themselves.

“Or there are times when they are unwell and refuse to go to hospital because there is no one there to look after their pet.

“Some people can’t get out and about and don’t have any social connection, but being able to connect with someone else on a human level is really important and using the pet as currency can make it an enjoyable experience and on the terms of the person needing assistance.”

Northside will complete the pilot program in June.

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Invest responsibly

Money

Make a statement with choices that reflect personal principles Dianne Chapman CLIMATE change is a hot topic and many Australians are now considering what they can do to help the environment.

Every little bit counts and for those wanting to take action on the environment, money is a powerful language that can be a force for good.

For some people, making changes to their finances to be in line with their environmental values is a great step to take.

Whether it’s through superannuation, investment or savings, more and more people are reviewing their financial arrangements to ensure their funds are put to work in a way that does no harm and, ideally, leaves the world in a better place.

Responsible investment is a process that takes into account environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into the investment process of research, analysis, selection and monitoring of investments.

It has become a major part of the investment landscape across Australia as attitudes change.

Many people want to ensure they are not contributing to anything that

damages the planet. More than half of all investments in Australia are now being made responsibly and ethically according to the responsible investment association of Australasia.

So if you’re wondering how you can make your finances sustainable, here are some of my most important tips: 1. Understand what matters to you.

Everyone’s values are different so you need to first work out what’s most important to you. Do you feel strongly about not investing in fossil fuels?

Are you interested in discovering cutting-edge solutions for climate change or is improving energy efficiency a greater priority for you?

How will these preferences impact on your investment performance?

From here you can identify the areas where you don’t want to invest or, conversely, where you’d rather put your money to make a positive impact.

2. Do your research and get to know the ESG principles.

While the E in ESG may be your No. 1 concern, you may want to take into account a

WILLS WEEK 9-13 MARCH 2020

broader set of criteria when making decisions about your money and get to know what the S and the G stand for.

Each investment manager has its own investment policy when it comes to ESG investing. For instance, some may apply a “negative screening” or “exclusion” policy, meaning that they steer clear of certain sectors (e.g. fossil fuels).

Be mindful of exclusion policies as they may lead to increased volatility in your portfolio.

A chat with an adviser on the implications of this approach is recommended.

Climate-change investing tends to be a form of positive screening. In other words, actively choosing to invest in companies that are making a difference (e.g. renewable energy).

RIAA is a good resource to use when you’re starting on this journey as it details the investment strategies of ethical and sustainable funds.

Many super funds or investment managers also now have information about sustainability and ESG on their websites.

Look to see whether they have signed the United Nations-backed Principles of Responsible Investing and

whether they have published their scorecard.

3. Start with super.

Do you know where your super is invested? Does it offer a Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) option?

Make sure you read all the information provided by your super fund about the particular sectors, businesses and/or investment activities that are considered for investment.

It’s worthwhile knowing that some people believe many SRI options don’t go far enough.

Again, it pays to know what matters most to you and then you can find an option that aligns with your values.

4. Don’t forget the eggs rule.

One of the key principles of good investing is diversification – not putting all your eggs in one basket.

Diversification is key to any investment strategy. It spreads risks and ensures you are not exposed to any single investment or asset class.

So consider the risks of crafting a portfolio that’s too narrow and concentrated.

Climate-themed funds also haven’t been around for a

long time, with many having only launched several years ago. This makes their performance hard to assess.

5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Being a more responsible investor involves a lot of research, and working out exactly how far you want your investment decisions to reflect your sustainable and ethical concerns can be a minefield (pun intended).

For example, you might not want to invest in coal companies, metallurgical coalminers and mining companies, but what about transport companies that freight coal, coal seam gas, oil and conventional gas,

electricity generators, or diversified energy generators that may have large investments in renewables as well as coal?

– Dianne Chapman, 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.

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ACROSS 5 The black species of what is Africa’s largest poisonous snake? (5) 8 “Hennessy Tennessy tootles the flute...” Who is the bandleader? (8) 9 What name was given to August 15, 1945? (1,1,3) 10 Near which Scottish town did William Wallace rout the English in 1297? (8) 11 Which Spanish hero captured Valencia in 1094? (2,3) 14/16 What nickname was given to a German World War I gun that could propel a 950kg shell 14km? (3,6) 17 Aphrodite loved which beautiful youth? (6) 18/20 What did modern composer- pianist André Tchaikowsky (1935-1982) bequeath to the Royal Shakespeare Company for use on stage? (3,5) 24 In a poem, what type of spoon was used to eat mince and slices of quince? (8) 25 Become less intense (5) 26 What is “on the tip of the toes” in ballet? (2,6) 27 Which chemical element has the symbol B? (5)

26

DOWN 1 Which American sect features in the 1985 film Witness?

(5) 2 What name is preferred by those called Eskimo? (5) 3 According to a song, what shouldn’t you do at a crocodile? (5) 4 Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital of which sultanate?

(6) 6 Who sang “Toot, Toot, Tootsie” in the 1921 stage musical Bombo? (2,6) 7 What is the capital of Brazil? (8) 12 What is a game of hiding and suddenly reappearing, played with a young child? (8) 13 What type of dagger is short with a tapering blade? (8) 14 An expression of contempt or disagreement (3) 15 What killed over 2000 people in Bhopal, India, in 1984?

(3) 19 What large spiny-crested lizard is common from Mexico to Brazil? (6) 21 What is a thespian? (5) 22 What dark wood is used for piano keys? (5) 23 What is the rim holding a watch-face glass? (5)

27 11/1

27

SUDOKU

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

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

2

3

4

DOUBLECROSS 5

6

7

8

Find a finished crossword by deleting one of the two letters in each divided square.

9

10

11

12

13

14 15

19

16

20

17

21

18

22

23

Down 1. Modern (2-2-4) 2. Winner (6) 3. Agitate (4) 4. Foretells (8) 5. Strongly motivated (6) 6. Dice (4) 11. Scorn (8) 13. Latterly (8) 16. Ditch (6) 18. Real (6) 20. Pealed (4) 22. Extended (4)

Across 7. Faction (8,5) 8. Exhausted (colloq) (3-5) 9. Opinion (4) 10. Excluded (6) 12. Middle (6) 14. Consume (3) 15. Chain (6) 17. Posture (6) 19. Impulse (4) 21. Greeting (8) 23. Inexplicable (13)

SOLUTIONS

5x5 T I M E S

S T A R S

ALPHAGRAMS: LOYAL, MANORS, NOTICES, OPULENCE, PARABOLIC. GK CROSSWORD Across: 5 Mamba, 8 McNamara, 9 VJ Day, 10 Stirling, 11 El Cid, 14/16 Big Bertha, 17 Adonis, 18/20 His skull, 24 Runcible, 25 Abate, 26 En pointe, 27 Boron.

Down: 1 Amish, 2 Inuit, 3 Smile, 4 Brunei, 6 Al Jolson, 7 Brasilia, 12 Peekaboo, 13 Stiletto, 14 Bah, 15 Gas, 19 Iguana, 21 Actor, 22 Ebony, 23 Bezel.

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.

ALLOY RANSOM SECTION OPEN CLUE BOIL A CARP

5x5 P

DOUBLECROSS

QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 7. Splinter group 8. Dog-tired 9. View 10. Barred 12. Centre 14. Eat 15.

Fetter 17. Stance 19. Urge 21. Saluting 23. Unaccountable.

Down: 1. Up-to-date 2. Victor 3. Stir 4. Predicts 5. Driven 6. Cube 11. Derision 13. Recently 16. Trench 18. Actual 20. Rang 22. Long.

C

T B

R N

T

Note: more than one solution may be possible.

M V

R

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

R S

All puzzles © The Puzzle Company

TODAY: Good 15 Very Good 18 Excellent 22

tapa tape taped

L

A B O V E

A

E A

P U R E R

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

S C A N T

WORD GO ROUND

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