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Seniors Northern NSW May, 2017
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2 Seniors Northern NSW
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 22, 2017
In this edition
Feature: Christine Danton...............................Pages 4&5 Grey Nomads feature...............................Pages 11-18 Travel................................................................Pages 19-23 Wellbeing .......................................................Pages 23-25 Puzzles.........................................................Page 26
Contact us Editor: Gail Forrer; gail.forrer@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Media Sales Manager: Kristie Waite kristie.waite@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Now online Get your news online at www.seniorsnews.com.au Advertising, editorial and distribution enquiries Phone: 1300 880 265 or (07) 5435 3200 Email: advertising@seniorsnewspaper.com.au or editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Location: 2 Newspaper Place, Maroochydore 4558 Website: www.seniorsnews.com.au Subscriptions Only $39.90 for one year (12 editions) including GST and postage anywhere in Australia. Please call our circulations services on 1300 361 604 and quote “Northern NSW Seniors Newspaper”. The Seniors Newspaper is published monthly and distributed free in northern New South Wales and south-east Queensland.
The Seniors newspaper stable includes Toowoomba, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Northern NSW, Coffs and Clarence and Central Coast publications. Published by News Corp Australia. Printed by News Corp Australia, Yandina.
Opinions expressed by contributors to Seniors Newspapers are not necessarily those of the editor or the owner/publisher and publication of advertisements implies no endorsement by the owner/publisher.
Disrupt the rules and do it your way Disruptors welcome! This month our theme focuses on “Age Disruptors” – people who have, in one way or another challenged traditional perceptions of ageing. I use the word “Disruptor” in the modern sense, as a noun with positive connotations. Wizard entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson loves nothing more than a “disruptor” that is, a person who (often) through inventive means, challenges conventions. Indeed his Virgin website virgin.com.au has a dedicated page to Virgin Disruptors and explains it as: “Virgin Disruptors – People Creating Change. Virgin is all about inspiration, innovation and creating tangible change across business and the world.” In this edition of Seniors, a Disruptor, is personified by our cover personality, Christine Danton. This 72-year-old is all about “disrupting”
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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK GAIL FORRER
Group editor Seniors Newspapers network
tbeliefs associated with ther older body. She presents onstage performances, when there are questions over any performance by a woman of a certain age, let alone one with body exposure. But there you go, and rather than keeping quiet about it, Christine has taken up motivational speaking to spread the word about what is and what isn’t inappropriate ageing. Last month, we featured the Eatons, a couple of academics in their 80s, who have written a book putting forth the idea of a new middle age. Seventy-five, they say is middle age and old age about 20/30 years on. They back up their premise, with plenty of
longevity statistics. In a sense they, too are disruptors as they challenge the traditional idea that 50 year old is way past middle age. This Chair Rocks: A MANIFESTO AGAINST AGEISM by American author, Ashton Applewhite is another book that disputes conventional thinking. Applewhite writes: “The myth that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, plays out punishingly in many arenas. Beliefs that older workers are not worth training because they are slow learners and computer-illiterate are stubbornly persistent, despite high marks from employers on both performance and skills (p.67), “Abundant data show that older workers are dependable, punctual, committed to quality, exhibit good judgment, have low absenteeism and accident rates, and are the most engaged of
all workers when offered the chance to grow and advance on the job. Yet, because of ageism, employers constantly use age as a liability and set workers with decades of productive years ahead adrift.” (p.172). How our generation ages is very different to other generations, yet often we are stuck with the same beliefs, prejudices, stereotypes that result in ageism. An example of a brand new phenomenon is the “Grey Nomad” the retired generation who have departed from a quite life at home to seek out adventure, new knowledge and friendships on the road. The “Grey Nomad’ is all about a curious spirit and of course the know-how to stay on the road. I hope the profile, news and views in this edition, blow a fresh breath of air and disrupts the dust of ageism. — Cheers Gail
Free workshop for older road users THE Road Safety of Older Road Users program has been developed in response to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which state that people aged 65 and over constitute Australia’s fastest-growing age group. Seniors are invited to attend these free workshops which offer advice and safety tips to help people aged 65 or over make safer choices when driving, riding, walking or using a mobility scooter.
The free workshops are there to offer relevant information to help those who may be experiencing changes to mobility or helping a family member plan for the future. The topics to be covered include: ■ How vision impairment and dementia can affect our abilities as road users. ■ Developing safer driving habits. ■ Pedestrian safety. ■ Driver licensing at 75 and 85 years. ■ Mobility scooters.
Workshops will be at: ★Mullumbimby – Tuesday, May 23, 3–5pm. ★Casino – Friday, May 26, 2.30–4.30pm. ★Goonellabah – Tuesday, May 30, 3–5pm. ★Woodburn – Friday, June 2, 10am–12pm. ★Lismore –Tuesday, June 6, 3–5pm. For further information and to book, phone 6622 1903 or email: info@acecolleges.edu. auHelping. Helping older road users stay safe and independent.
Northern NSW
Monday, May 22, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 3
Heritage fans record the changes at Lennox Head Yvonne Gardiner
A SMALL group of volunteers on the Lennox Head Heritage Committee is working to preserve the history of the village and to document changes over the years. LHHC convenor Robyn Hargrave says the name Lennox Head was given to the village for the first time with the Lennox Head estate land auction in December 1922. “Prior to that, only the headland bore the name, with Seven Mile Beach applied to areas north, including the small collection of shops and fishing cottages,” she said. “So, although there is a great deal of earlier natural and Aboriginal history of the area, our actual village can be dated from 1922. “In such a short time, much has happened. Fortunately, in our village and surrounds, many early residents and their
Kiosk at Lake Ainsworth in the 1950s. PHOTO: LENNOX HEAD HERITAGE COMMITTEE
families have memories and photographs which the LHHC has carefully catalogued and shared on our website. “We have published books which are available at Lennox Bookmark, 2/66 Ballina St, and Ballina Visitor Information Centre, and plan more to commemorate our special town.” The committee is looking for volunteers who are willing to go into the community and interview seniors. “People who have lived in the village for a long
seniors
time, some of whom are in their 90s – identifying these people and recording their memories is probably one of the most urgent aspects of what we do,” Robyn said. “Locating people, their memories and photographs is fascinating and rewarding, linking people and places of the past with today and recording the changes along the way. “This takes time and dedication. “We need people interested in history, obviously, methodical sort
SEA CHANGES: Lennox Head Heritage Committee convenor Robyn Hargrave and member Malcolm Milner record the changes in their seaside village. PHOTO: YVONNE GARDINER
of people. If they can use a computer, that’s a bonus. “We’ve got data that
needs indexing digitally. “Any skill that they might have, we can find a role for them.
“Anyone who has a particular focus is welcome. They might have a fire in their belly about pine trees, for example.” LHHC member Malcolm Milner said a lot of work needed to be done in collecting photos, indexing them and putting them into archival albums. “Lennox is changing all the time so part of our role is that we keep a record with photographs,” he said. “Heritage is current stuff, not just old stuff.” LHHC has planned projects requiring a variety of skills and encourages those with an interest in Lennox Head and its growth from a sleepy fishing hamlet to today’s charming and busy town to email Robyn at harg1rob@gmail.com or phone 0412 660 994. The group meets monthly in the Heritage Room, Lennox Head Library.
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4 Seniors Northern NSW
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 22, 2017
Bending the glass
CHRISTINE Danton is bending over backwards to convince us that ageing, just ain’t ageing – not the way it used to be anyway. At 72 years’ young, Christine’s voice and viewpoints are stable and convincing. She stands firm as she challenges traditional thinking, but she ‘bends it like Beckham’ when she shows us why we should believe her. Yet the truth is, when it comes to bending, Beckham wouldn’t come close to this amazing lady who has spent a lifetime performing as a contortionist and now into her seventh decade, has no intention of stopping. Right now, the native South Australian who lives on 90 acres, by a lake and entertains regularly in the ‘The Spud Shed Barn Theatre’ on her property, is in America following an invitation to appear on a major television station. The appearance is just one of the engagements that have acknowledged Christine’s unique skills
72-year-old stretches her spine to extend an extraordinary timeline and in particular their longevity. Christine sees it as a chance to break the glass ceiling of ageist attitudes. Christine describes her amazing ability to fold into two, to master seemingly impossible physical positions as rather like doing yoga, a matter of training, and a refusal to stop doing what she loves. “The same as yoga,” she said. “You have to concentrate and focus on a pose.” It is obvious that mind control has its part to play, as it harmonises with this incredibly elastic body. A human body that can stretch, unlock, roll and unroll in half with grace and suppleness borders on the freaky. But Christine is far from an outlandish circus act. She describes herself as an artist performing a
skilled craft that requires enormous dedication and training. When Christine developed her techniques, there were no schools teaching circus skills and contortionists were rare. “I was the only one in Australia for many years,” she said. Without a mentor, she went onto develop her own original material. “I was driven to create,” she said. She believes her natural gift may have been inherited from her mother, who ensured her children never missed a circus, and particularly enjoyed the acrobatic and trapeze acts. When Christine was about 4 and her sister Jo 2, she recalls her mother taking them into the backyard and showing them how to back bend with their hands on the floor, behind them – like a bridge. “That was the moment,
HOW DOES SHE DO IT! Christine Danton doing the splits.
I understood that I knew that’s what I was going to do,” she said. “And I never wavered.” While there were no acrobatic lessons in the 1950s, there were dance classes and by 1956, at 13-years-old, her natural ability had gained her a two-year contract as a Channel 7 television dancer in the regular Tonight shows.
After that, at 17-years-old she made her way to Sydney and launched herself at the circus. “It was a way to hone in and perfect the act,” she said. With this experience behind her, she went onto perform in cabaret shows in Asia and Europe. She said she never expected to be performing
at this stage of her life, but in a way she had no choice. She said she went to retire in her mid-50s, but felt like a blob, and went back to her training. These days Christine says she has adapted to her own body constraints with a training regime that includes three sessions a week, together with swimming.
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Gail Forrer
Monday, May 22, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
ceiling of ageism
Christine Danton bending over backwards.
And that’s the key to her philosophy. “Don’t give up – adapt,” she recommends. “Things do start to deteriorate,” she admits. “Age can bring body issues and we need to adapt to new issues.” ■ Besides her performances in the “The Spud Shed – Barn Theatre,” Christine plays
contract bridge and is a keen photographer. She is also an in-demand motivational speaker and works under the business name – Bending the Rules. Contact details: email: cdanton@chariot.net.au and facebook www.facebook.com/ christine.danton.35.
Christine Danton showing her amazing flexibility.
Northern NSW
Seniors 5
6 Seniors Northern NSW
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 22, 2017
Flood-hit areas drawing comfort from art project Yvonne Gardiner
ART is one way the people of the Northern Rivers are recovering from devastating floods. Papermaker and screen printer Heather Matthew, of Pottsville, took part in the It Takes a Town community art project in Murwillumbah on April 30, inviting people to draw their own artistic contribution onto a white tablecloth. “I really wanted to do something to respond to the floods,” Heather said. “It was a great community bonding experience.” Heather’s own studio at South Murwillumbah was flood-damaged. “We’d probably been in there for five years,” she said. “There were two other artists in there – they’ve now left. “My daughter and four-year-old granddaughter live upstairs. “My daughter saved my screen prints. I lost all my photographic equipment.
Heather Matthew’s studio in South Murwillumbah after the devastating floods went through it.
HOLDING IT TOGETHER: Papermaker Heather Matthew holds up works of art created in the aftermath of the March floods. PHOTO: YVONNE GARDINER
“There’s enough to start again.” Heather had no flood or contents insurance for the studio. “No one was prepared for the reality of this flood,” she said. “We got a text at 2am on Friday (March 31) to evacuate, but my daughter had left about 7.30 on the Thursday night.
Saturday, April 1. “When I walked into the studio I was just shell-shocked, just walking around and around in circles,” she said. “People were pouring in saying ‘what can we do to help?’ ” The clean-up took four to five days. “I eventually have to
“The water was already up to my daughter’s chest on the ground floor. We could have lost so much if she hadn’t put stuff up.” Heather said she lost “peripheral” items such as paint and furniture, plus the motors on her papermaking equipment were damaged. The first she saw of the flood damage was on
relocate,’ Heather said. “I would be hesitant to put good equipment back in there.” Arts Northern Rivers has partnered with Common Ground Byron Bay to support a crowdfunding campaign to support artists affected by the floods. The goal is to reach $10,000 in donations and
distribute the funds to artists or creative businesses that lost essential materials or equipment. Applications are open for up to $500 for individual artists and up to $1000 for sole traders or small creative businesses. Visit artsnorthern rivers.com.au for details.
Monday, May 22, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
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8 Seniors Northern NSW
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 22, 2017
All Things Legal
A family day at Lismore gardens
Appointing guArdiAns for your children in your will who will look After your children if both pArents die?
What is a legal guardian? A legal guardian is an adult designated to care for minor child in event both parents die before that child reaches adulthood. A legal guardian takes over the duties as the child’s parents until the child turns 18 years of age, which includes the ability to make decisions on: • Day-to-day care and control of the children; • Making decisions about the children’s upbringing (including where they live and go to school), education, health and welfare; • Usually a guardian will also be one of the trustees for the property and money parents have left for their children in their Estate. Such assets will be held by the trustees until the child/ children reach an age that their parent/s decided is appropriate for the child/children to deal with the money themselves, without supervision; and • They will also have a profound influence on the moral, philosophical and religious beliefs of the child/children, which will vary with age. How to appoint guardians To appoint a legal guardian for a minor child, a parent must name the person (or persons) as the chosen guardian in their will. It is sensible to approach the intended guardian/s before the parent makes their will to ask the intended guardian if he or she is willing and able to take on the responsibility. Parents may also wish to provide for alternative guardians to step in if their first choice is unable or unwilling to take on the role at the time of their death. Although you would assume this issue would be a prerequisite for any proper will involving parents and young children, sadly it is often overlooked by inexperienced legal practitioners or by people attempting to do their own wills using DIY 'will kits'. Any parent or parents who have young children or a child with a disability needs to appoint guardians! How do I choose the right person as a guardian? No-one is going to love a child like their parents. No-one is going to raise a child exactly the way their parents would. Deciding who will raise their child in their absence is one the toughest decisions parents can face. Many parents say the first step is to admit that no-one is good enough. Once they get past that, they can sit down and talk over the pros and cons of each person they are considering to be the guardian of their children. Here are a few things to think about while going through this process: 1. The location of the guardian. Do they live in the same area, so that the children can continue to see their friends, go to the same schools, play in the same sporting teams etc? If the guardian lives in another area, the upheaval of the children with changing schools, making new friends, changing sports etc, when they are grieving the loss of their parents may have an even bigger and lasting effect on them.
2. Does the guardian have similar moral values, child raising philosophies and religious beliefs as you? 3. The age of the children. If they are teenagers, perhaps they could be consulted about who they would want to look after them. 4. Who is most able to take on the responsibility of a caring for a child — emotionally, financially, physically? Whilst Grandparents love having their grandchildren around, if they are elderly, having the grandchildren on a permanent basis may be very tiring and difficult. Generational age gaps can be difficult to overcome. Grandparents are generally at a stage of their lives where they are planning for retirement, planning that “trip of a life time”, and enjoying the slower, quieter and financially comfortable time of their lives. Taking on the role of full time guardian for their grandchildren may be too onerous for them but their sense of obligation may weigh heavily on them. If the person is single with no children, becoming the guardian of young children may not fit in with their life plan and may hinder their chances of entering into a long term relationship with someone. If that person is going through or has a history of relationship/marital difficulties, having the responsibility of raising more children may cause their relationship to irrevocably break down and then cause more upheaval for the children. 5. Does the person you are considering have other children? If so, would your child fit in or get lost in the shuffle? Will their house accommodate the extra children, or will they need to renovate, extend and/or move? If they already have children, will extra children mean that they will need to upgrade their vehicle to a bigger vehicle? Do the children currently undertake sporting or extra curricula activities which are expensive, or time consuming, and would be too much of a burden on the guardian/s? Once parents have narrowed the list to a few key people, they should talk to the intended guardian/s about how they would feel about being named guardian of their child/children. Perhaps one person will express a clear desire to play this role, or a person they were considering may not be willing to take on the responsibility. These conversations may reveal feelings and attitudes that will help parents make their final decision. Guardianship can be flexible over time. If a person really wants their parents to be the guardian of their children now but fear that they will grow too old to handle the job, they can specify that they be designated guardians for a set period of time (until your child is 10, for example), after which responsibility passes to a sibling or friend. A switch like this can be difficult on children though, so people need to carefully consider the ramifications. The person selected as guardian may have a huge task ahead. They would have to meet the child's emotional and physical needs and raise that child to be a competent and fulfilled adult. How will a guardian access funds for a child’s welfare? There is generally a standard clause in a person’s will that gives the trustee the power to advance income and capital for the maintenance, support, education and benefit of a child. In Queensland, this provision is also contained in the relevant legislation. Once the child has reached a certain age the trustee may decide to pay funds directly to the child. Until this time, the trustee will usually make payments to the child’s guardian, or directly to the provider of the goods or services. It is usually our recommendation that the role of guardian and trustee be completely separate to avoid any issues of possible financial conflict. Parents may consider it appropriate to make provision beyond that outlined above. Other financial assistance that can be provided to guardians may include: • Lump sum gift of money to the guardian to extend their home or buy a car to help in comfortably accommodating their children; or • The ability for the guardian to reside with the children in the family home rent-free; or • One-off or regular payments for acting as the guardian of the child/children. Parents may include in the Estate Plan a Memorandum of Wishes which outlines of any specific factors parents want the guardian to consider in the raising of their children. Changing your guardians In some circumstances it may become necessary to change the appointed guardian, for example, if: • One of the intended guardians dies; • The intended guardians have separated or divorced; • The intended guardians have left the country or had some other major life change; or • The intended guardians are no longer able, willing or suitable to take on the responsibility. Choosing a guardian is probably one of the most difficult tasks for parents. It is hard for any parent to imagine anyone else parenting their own child. But it is also one of the most important things a parent can do to ensure their child's future well-being and that their child is looked after by the person that THEY consider to be most suitable for the job. Failing to appoint appointing a guardian can have devastating effects on both the child and the surviving family. It is important to take steps to have your wills done and make sure they properly address this vital issue. For further information on appointing a guardian for your child in your will please telephone our Wills & Estate Department Manager, Donna Tolley on 07 5506 8241 to book for free 30 minutes appointment to come in an discuss your Estate Planning with one of our dedicated Estate Planning lawyers.
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Who you would entrust the care of your children to if something unexpected happened to you as a parent? It can be a very difficult decision to make. Wills & Estates Department Manager Donna Tolley discusses some of the issues. As a parent of young children, many people often think about who would care for and raise their children should they (and their spouse/partner) die before the child/children turn 18. As this thought stirs up a lot of emotions and sometimes conflict between parents, we find a lot of people simply push the thought aside, put it in the “too hard basket” and don’t bother to have a will prepared. They can’t bear to think about that daunting possibility nor can they agree on the very difficult decision as to who should be appointed. As parents, we vow to take care of our children until they have reached adulthood and, in most cases, beyond. Part of this process should include planning for the unthinkable and what would happen if you are no longer alive to fulfil this promise. Having children adds an extremely important dimension to Estate Planning and consideration needs to be given to who will look after your children and become their legal guardian/s if a child’s legal parents die or are incapacitated. Appointing a guardian of young children in a will or in an Enduring Power of Attorney is a very personal decision and one which may help avoid disputes between family members if the unexpected happens. Upon death, grief and feelings of entitlement and/or obligation may arise amongst family members and close friends when parents of young children die. This can make an already devastating situation even worse for children if no guardian has been appointed and family members start fighting over who are going to “have” the young children. If no guardian has been appointed and family members argue about who will raise the children, the matter could end up before the Family Court so that a decision can be made. This can be a very costly exercise, both emotionally and financially. By parents making their wishes clear in their will, it removes any doubt on the issue and alleviates the possibility of disputes arising. We find that many people assume their mother or sister will automatically receive custody of their child, but they are mistaken. If parents have not made arrangements for such an emergency, their child is likely to be placed with a new family by the Courts on the advice of social workers, who will ultimately appoint the guardian. This can be an extremely disruptive process for a child even if the new family are grandparents or other relatives. This situation can be avoided if a parent appoints a legal guardian for their child in their will.
LISMORE Rainforest Botanic Gardens will take part in an open day of gardens from across Australia and New Zealand on May 28. “Friends” president Marie Matthews said Lismore was also working with Northern Rivers Science Hub, which was about connecting science with the arts and the environment. “So we are including some items with a scientific focus,” Marie said. “Their theme for the day is ‘conserving native plants – our lives depend on it’. “As part of a children’s education program, we want to set up a play area for children and we are building a Cool Cubby, using where possible recycled materials and setting it up to be environmentally friendly. “We will have an official launching of the Cool Cubby program outside the visitors centre at 9.45am on the open day.”
Children are invited to bring morning tea to the gardens, and their teddy bears. “One of our teachers will read them a story relating to the cubby and involve them in games and other activities,” Marie said. “There will be picnic rugs and little tables and chairs which the kids can use. “We will have a local plant artist, Tim Roberts, there all morning to encourage the children to make their own art – and his own beautiful artwork will be available to purchase. “We will have an electronic microscope set up so children and adults can look at plants and insects greatly enlarged.” Native plants grown in the gardens’ nursery will be for sale, and visitors will be able to pot up their own plants and take them home. “Elsewhere in the gardens there will be a special guided walk of the Useful Plants Garden,
learning the many uses of the plants found there by the local indigenous people, by early settlers, by the bush food industry and for the development of medicinal drugs,” Marie said. “At 10.30am there is a really interesting talk about native bees given by Peter Swain. “And his associate Don Woodley will give a demonstration about making your own native beehive immediately after Peter’s talk. “Our volunteers will be around to give advice about growing native plants in this area, and there is a selection of books about rainforest and local groundcovers in the visitors centre.” Open day at Lismore Botanic Gardens is Sunday, May 28, from 9.30am–12pm. The gardens are on Wyrallah Rd about 3km from the CBD. For details contact secretary@friendslrbg. com.au or phone 0415 960 284.
BACK IN BLOOM: Cyclamen are beautiful flowers with a light scent and make a long-lasting display of colour indoors.
Nostalgic trip down plant lane Nuts About Plants with Phil
I STARTED work at my local nursery at 18 years old. It was total bliss to be surrounded by plants and flowers all day. Ever since I’ve been toiling away planting, potting, growing and loving every minute of it. I have my own nursery now and I’ve been revelling in plants for more than 20 years. I’ve seen my share of plant crazes and fads come and go. It is exciting to see the cycle, like what makes it into this year’s ‘it list’ and what doesn’t. There are many plants that deserve a revival, here are a just a few of the ‘new’ bees knees: ★Marigolds THESE bursts of colour add a cheerful pop to any
garden. Their special scent naturally keeps pests away and is part of the nostalgia, remember that first marigold you grew with that distinct aromatic foliage and flower? Plant now to enjoy blooms right through winter. ★Cyclamen BACK on the ‘it list’, beautiful flowers are lightly scented and make a long-lasting display of colour indoors. You might remember grandma having one on the kitchen table and she would compulsively put it out on the patio at night. You didn’t know it then but cyclamen love the cold and putting them outside over night would prolong their flowering for weeks and weeks!
★Spaghetti cactus RECENTLY you will find this plant all over Pinterest. Yes... succulent/cacti plants are back and not going anywhere. Long trailing stems which look just like long strands of green spaghetti, perfect for hanging baskets. Another grandma special plant which would have been tucked into the green house or hanging off the verandah in pride of place, perhaps in a macramé hanger. Of course, when you’re nuts about plants you can’t stop at just a few. Don’t forget to use Peat80 potting mix, which is packed with fertiliser to last 12 months so you can sit back and watch your plants take off.
Northern NSW
Monday, May 22, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 9
Money
Know the risk and returns AS INVESTORS, we all want to earn high returns. However, big gains go hand in hand with increased risk – something that’s especially important for the thousands of Australians who hold their retirement savings in a self-managed super fund (SMSF). A recent report by AMP Capital found SMSF trustees expect their super to earn an average return of 10.9% this year. Yet only one in five SMSFs have made changes to their portfolio to achieve this result. In fact, 55% of SMSFs have switched to lower risk investments out of concerns about market volatility. With these findings in mind, it’s worth looking at the two main types of investments to see how
THINK MONEY PAUL CLITHEROE returns are impacted by risk. Income assets, also known as conservative investments, include cash-based investments like term deposits, which provide income on a regular basis. The drawback is that the return on cash is typically low because there’s less risk of losing your money. Right now for example, you’d be lucky to earn 3% on a term deposit. That’s not to say income assets aren’t worth having. What you need to consider is how much of your money you should
invest in low risk/low return investments. Growth assets on the other hand, include property, shares, both international and Australian, and units in a managed fund that invests in these assets. The appeal of growth
investments is that they offer ongoing income in the form of rent, dividends and distributions (in the case of managed funds) but they also offer capital growth plus some tax breaks. As a guide to potential returns, Australian shares
have delivered gains of 17.24% over the past 12 months – far eclipsing cash investments. The downside to growth investments is increased risk. Capital gains are by no means guaranteed. It’s very rewarding to see the value of your
growth assets climb. But you need to be able to withstand a fall in the value of your investment. The appropriate mix of conservative and growth assets will vary from person to person. However, for SMSFs, especially those in the accumulation stage, having a high concentration of low-risk assets could see you struggle to reach your retirement goals. The key is to find the blend of risk and return that you’re comfortable with. Paul Clitheroe is a founding director of financial planning firm ipac, Chairman of the Australian Government Financial Literacy Board and chief commentator for Money Magazine.
Myths are simple and all too easy to believe LAST month we started our new series aimed at providing practical legal information and pointers for individuals who are facing the difficult situation of separation, divorce and property settlement. This month we continue with the second instalment and consider another myth. that we often hear when assisting individuals with these complex matters. Another myth that we often hear when we first meet with a client is that each person should be
EVERYDAY MATTERS CAROLYN DEVRIES CEO of New Way Lawyers
placed in the same financial position at the end of the relationship as they were at the start, and should therefore take out the same assets and liabilities that they brought into the relationship. This myth is attractive because of its simplicity, however, separation,
divorce and property settlement is rarely this simple. Over the course of a relationship, particularly long relationships, the initial assets that were brought into the relationship may be sold for a profit or loss, with the sale proceeds applied to purchase new assets. Additionally, original debts and loans may have been paid out or paid down or alternatively increased and new debts and loans may have been incurred. In fact, there are many things that can
occur during a relationship that may result in a change in the make-up of the original assets and liabilities. While there is no rule that each person takes out the same assets and liabilities as they brought into the relationship, there is a recognised legal principle that considers the contributions that each party has made to the assets and liabilities and the relationship generally. These contributions include initial contributions,
contributions during the relationship and contributions following separation. The contributions may take the form of financial contributions but they can also take the form of non-financial contributions which include contributions in the role of homemaker and parent. ■ Practical pointer: In the event of separation, it is useful to have evidence of any contributions that you have made to the assets and liabilities of the relationship and the
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relationship generally. The evidence required will depend on the type of contribution. For example, in a situation where an individual has received an inheritance from a family member and used this inheritance to pay down the mortgage over the family home the evidence to support this contribution would be a copy of the will showing details of the inheritance and a copy of the bank statement showing the deposit of the funds from the inheritance into the mortgage account.
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10 Seniors Northern NSW
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 22, 2017
What’s on ■ May 20–30: NCMC Casino Beef Week is one of the Northern Rivers’ biggest events, taking place every year in the last week of May in Casino. It is celebrating its 35th anniversary with more than 100 events. The Step Back in Time-themed Beef Week will host cattle competitions, busking and dress-up competitions, art exhibitions and more. www.casinobeefweek. com.au. ■ May 25–30: THE Murwillumbah Art Trail is an exhibition of contemporary art that showcases artists of the Tweed Valley and surrounds. During a six-day period, the town and shops become the gallery and visitors are invited to follow the exhibition trail. This year’s theme of Past, Present, Future invites artists to respond to the theme in relation to the region. www.themurwillumbahart trail.com. ■ May 26–June 11: THE brilliance of playwright David Williamson will be on show when the Murwillumbah Theatre
HOW TO SUBMIT NOTICES
TO ALLOW for readers’ requests for the publication of more neighbourhood news, please keep notices short and to the point (100 word maximum). The deadline for the next issue is June 7. Email Nicky or Chris at communitynotes@ seniorsnewspaper.com.au
U3A ■ TWEED COAST
COME along and Let Us Entertain You, Let Us Make You Smile for our concert on June 2 at 2pm. You will be amazed at the talent of our members as they sing, play and dance for you and the activities aim to stimulate the mind, exercise the body and bring out your creative side. This month we include a delicious Devonshire tea and welcome a $2 donation. Be at the Uniting Church Hall 24A Kingscliff St. Inquiries to Lorraine on 0457 936 202 or tweedcoast.u3anet.org. au/wp.
■ TWIN TOWNS
WE will hold a Biggest Morning Tea on May 26 at
JOURNALIST YVONNE GARDINER
yvonne.gardiner@apn.com.au
Company presents his classic comedy, Travelling North. This is a heart-warming story about a twilight love affair between Frank and Frances. Travelling North will be staged at the Murwillumbah Civic Centre on May 26 and 27 and June 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 7.30pm. Tickets are $20, available online at murwillumbahtheatre company.com. Details, phone Lesley on 02 6672 6753. ■ May 28: LISMORE Rainforest Botanic Gardens, 313 Wyrallah Rd, East Lismore, hosts an open day from 9.30am–12pm. Hear about the Cool Cubby science project, learn about plants, people and our ecosystem. Great selection of local native plants for sale. Take a self-guided walk or follow the guide through the
TIME TO CELEBRATE: Brenda Armfield in her green Mini Moke during Beef Week’s street parade last year.
Useful Plants Garden. Card and book sales, coffee van, cake stall and great gardening advice. Free event. Details 0415 960 284. ■ May 28: NIMBIN Markets are on every fourth and fifth Sundays with a huge variety of craft stalls and local produce. Each market has a unique vibe depending on who is performing. A big line-up of live performances at every market. Come along for the great food, great music and great community, from 8am–3pm. Free event at Nimbin Community
Centre, Cullen St. Details 0458 506 000 or www. markets.nimbin.nsw.au. ■ May 28: FAIRWAY sessions at Murwillumbah Golf Club, 233 Byangum Rd, Murwillumbah, from 1–4pm. Great live music with entertaining four-piece band plus guest musicians and singers. Hot Wok and Grill is open for lunch from 11.30am. Free event. Details Bob Green 0418 260 866 or email robverde@outlook. com.au. ■ June 3: THE Highwaymen were a music sensation. You just don’t get any bigger names in
the music business than Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. With their hundreds of hit songs, it is no wonder they still have such a huge following of fans in Australia. Canadian-born international performer Dail Platz, along with talented Australian performer Brent Lillie, has recreated the magic that is The Highwaymen. Cost: $39. Show runs from 6–11pm at Ballina RSL Bowling Club. Details Vicki Veitch on 02 6681 9500. ■ June 10: FRIENDS of Libraries Byron Shire are holding a book fair in Byron Bay in the June long weekend. This is an annual event that raises funds to support shire libraries. More than 10,000 books, magazines, CDs and DVDs will be on sale for ridiculously low prices. Books cater for every interest – fiction, non-fiction, children’s, young adults, collectors. The book fair is at Byron Bay Surf Club, Bay St, Byron Bay, from 9am–5pm. Email: byronbayfol@gmail.com.
Community 4 Boyd St, Tugun, to raise funds for Cure for Cancer. All welcome. For information, phone 07 5534 7333 or 0405 445 164.
COOLANGATTA SENIOR CITIZENS CENTRE FOR ‘50 & OVER SENIORS’
WE WELCOME all Gold Coast and Tweed area residents and visitors. The centre has a large range of activities including bingo, dancing, computer lessons, cards, choir, indoor bowls, craft, light exercises, bus trips, free monthly concerts and more. Our next free monthly concert will be on Monday, May 29, at 1pm featuring Suzie, Jay and Joe Ace. Inquiries to 07 5536 4050.
LINE DANCING FOR BEGINNERS
FREE lessons for novice beginners. Learn to line dance for fun, relaxation and exercise. All ages, don't need a partner.
Monday and Wednesdays: 9.30am beginners; 10.30am early intermediate; 11.15am intermediate; at Parkwood/Arundel community centre. Fridays 9.30am, Pottsville Community Hall. Also available for functions, corporate/ private, parties and demos. Contact: Dallas Line dancers on 0403 225 313.
THE FEDERAL EXCHANGE AUTUMN CROP SWAP
THE Crop Swap will be held on Saturday, May 27. Meeting at 10am for exchange at 10.30am, Federal Park, opposite Doma Cafe, Federal, NSW. Bring your surplus autumn harvest of veggies, fruit, seeds, cuttings, eggs, compost, worms and any other garden creations to swap with like-minded locals at this all ages, sustainable,cash free event. Contact Dominique on 6688 4619. facebook.com/groups/
thefederalexchange/
TWIN TOWNS EVENING VIEW CLUB
THE club’s Easter meeting drew some great Easter bonnets from the ladies. Winning the evening were Patsy Howie and Joan Hogan. Our meetings are held at 6.30pm on the second Wednesday of each month at the Tweed Heads Bowls Club. New members are most welcome to come and enjoy a delightful meal and friendship while helping disadvantaged Australian children. For guest and apologies call Trudy on 07 5524 1770 by 1 pm on the Monday prior.
A.O.O.B TWIN TOWNS BRANCH
OUR monthly meetings are held on the first Friday of each month from 2pm in the Secret Garden Room at South Tweed Sports Club, Tweed Heads South. We are a not-for-profit
organisation raising money for local children's charities, palliative care, West Mead Children's Hospital and many more. New members are welcome to attend. Call Twenette on 07 5523 2939.
TWEED HOSPITAL AUXILIARY
WE WILL hold the annual fashion parade on Friday, May 26, at the Twin Towns Function Centre (Masonic Centre) 8 Boyd St, Tweed Heads. Doors open at 9.30am for 10am start. Morning tea is included in admission of $20 a person. Many local fashion houses will be showing fashions. T Tickets are available at Tweed Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop. Pre-purchase your tickets as seating is limited. Lucky door prizes and the raffle will be drawn on the day. All funds raised will go to purchasing necessary equipment for the Tweed Hospital.
■ June 17: ATTRACTING more than 6000 visitors last year, the Lismore Aviation Expo is back in 2017 for an even bigger and better celebration of all things that fly, drive and ride. The Lismore Aviation Expo will include aircraft, classic car and motorcycle displays, trade stands, joy flights, market stalls, children’s entertainment and food stalls. Lismore Aviation Centre, 9am–4pm. Adult $5, under-16s enter free. Details 1300 878 387. ■ June 25: THE Friendship Festival pays tribute to Lismore’s “friendship relationship” with Conegliano in the Veneto of northern Italy with a marketplace festival in Spinks Park to celebrate the contribution made by Italian settlers to the district in the past 100 years. Held on the day after Lismore’s iconic Lantern Parade, the Piazza in the Park, from 10am–3pm, features a spectacular variety of musical entertainment from choirs to accordions, fabulous Italian cuisine, food stalls and more. Phone 0428 216 079.
PROBUS CLUBS ■ KINGSCLIFF MIXED
OUR club holds monthly meetings at the Kingscliff Beach and Bowls Club on the first Wednesday of each month at 10am and outings on the third Wednesday of the month.
■ BANORA POINT
NEW to the Tweed area, retired or semi retired or want to make new friends? Banora Point Probus Club meets on the fourth Monday of each month at South Tweed Sports Club at 10am. We are a mixed club. We have interesting speakers and an outing each month. The speaker for May is a representative from Fair Trading. Call Colin on 07 5590 7454 or Norma on 07 5590 5919.
TWEED AREA COMPUTER TUITION
NEW classes for 2017 include Drop Box Friday at 9.30am ,Windows 10 Monday at 11.30am and learn your way around your computer with friendly tutors who volunteer their time. Call 07 5524 921 or www.tact.org.au.
Monday, May 22, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
advertising feature
Northern NSW
Seniors 11
12 Seniors Northern NSW
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 22, 2017
GREY NOMADS
Be curious and explore life far off the well-beaten path Hello travellers, This year’s edition of our dedicated Grey Nomads feature is jam-packed full of colourful stories that will surely inspire you to veer off the beaten path to a special camping site, travel solo or get up close and personal in Australia’s wildlife parks. A huge factor in a successful trip is precise planning and preparation. As the old saying goes: "Foretold forewarned " and this certainly applies to caravanning. Caravan towing
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK GAIL FORRER
Group editor Seniors Newspapers network
courses rate just as highly as ensuring your home security and packing sufficient camping materials. For instance, RV parking can be a nightmare, and towing requires plenty of skills. If you are not sure, or are feeling a little daunted, it’s a good idea to learn the tricks of the trade before
starting the trip. There are a number of driving school lessons available including RACQ’s popular Caravan and Trailer Towing Workshop, which will equip you with the knowledge and skills to safely tow a caravan, horse float, goods trailer or whatever other type of recreational trailer you plan on towing. In this edition, we talk about reverse parking and the best way to achieve a painless and perfect park. I trust you enjoy the read and perhaps try a night out with the big animals! Happy trails to you, Gail
10 best things to take on the road Christine Perkin
■ 1. CAMPS AUSTRALIA WIDE 9
ke a COOL OFF: Ta refreshing dip.
Must-have Camps Australia Manual is probably the most useful item you will buy for your trip, which includes maps for all over Australia and it is always safe to have hard copies of maps just in case
BE AMAZED VISIT THE CHARLEVILLE COSMOS CENTRE & OBSERVATORY WHERE THE STARS SHINE
Astronomy by day Meteorites displays
you can’t get a signal for your phone or GPS. You can use the map as a way of mapping your trip as well so you know where you have been and where you want to go. A GPS is also a necessity to help get where you want to go. Go www.campsaustraliawide.com for details.
■ 2. JOURNAL
Writing where you have been and what you did is a great way to keep track of your trip. When you move to a different location you don’t always remember where and what you have experienced. Great way to reminisce down the track with your journal.
■ 3. CAMERA
If you have a phone with good quality pics or a camera for the higher resolution pics, either is a must.
■ 4. MULTI-FUNCTION CHARGERS
■ 6. WASHING BUCKET
You can buy a cheap white bucket with a lid make sure the lid is tight and fill halfway with water a bit of washing powder and fill with clothes so they can move around and when you are on the road let the motion of the road do the work for you. When you stop, drain and rinse and dry as per normal. Clothes horse is a handy clothes line.
■ 7. BBQ
Either a wood or gas lidded BBQ can be very handy to cook a roast, veggies etc., outside the van/RV.
■ 8. BIKE
Bikes are a great way to see small towns and take a bike tour. If you are in a RV you can be limited to travel once you set up your camp and you need something down the shops that are a few kms away hop on a bike and do a bit of exercise at the same time. Saves having to pack up.
■ 9. SATELLITE TV SYSTEM
Let’s face it, you need a charger for everything these days, from your phone to laptop to tablet and kindle to list a few. If you have a multi-charging station you can charge multiple items at once and not have to run around trying to find the right charger. Save space and time.
For the TV watcher, the Satellite TV is a fantastic addition to your trip. You can watch good quality tele out in the middle of nowhere. Sat Plus call 07 5443 5517 or 07 5443 5513 or email info@satplus.com.au
■ 5. FIRST AID KIT
■ 10. SPARE SET OF KEYS
Vital to have one of these as you can’t always be in the right place at the right time. If you wear hearing aids, it’s good idea to take a little emergency kit with extra batteries and tubes and don’t forget your drying kit.
Very important to have spare keys. If you lose them out in the middle of nowhere you would be in big trouble. Not always easy to get replacement, and when you do, you will probably have to wait for the keys to arrive, which can be costly.
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BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
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Northern NSW
Monday, May 22, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 13
GREY NOMADS
Follow the spa trail
and relax
LUXURIATE your way across Australia as you enjoy relaxing, recuperating or repairing your tired body in mineral and artesian baths. Spa Trekking is the latest travel fad that really should have taken off a long time ago. Imagine arriving into town, loaded down with travel aches and pains, and being able to slide into a natural experience that will probably have you purring with relief by the end of a session. Whether it’s the soothing minerals or the outback surrounds that draws people in, hot springs and mineral baths seem to be the ultimate source of relaxation. Geothermal and natural mineral waters are believed to have effective physical and mental benefits. They are used in many locations around the world for therapeutic reasons as users enjoy the natural healing process of soaking in a pure experience which contains various concentrations of minerals. Visiting these spas is becoming a popular tourist activity for people wanting authentic health and lifestyle experiences based around geothermal and natural mineral water resources and which may include such services as saunas, mud baths, hydrotherapy and massage.
Armed with Steve Lambert’s Great Thermal Way, grey nomads can spend their travel time moving from one spa to another; such as – ■ Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs in Tasmania, ■ Francois Peron National Park Homestead near Monkey Mia, West Australia, and ■ El Questro in Kununurra in the heart of the Kimberleys, ■ Innot Hot Springs in Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands, ■ Peninsular Hot Springs on Mornington Peninsular in Victoria, ■ NSW’s Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre, Hot Springs Pools & Units, and Gwydir Carapark Motel & Thermal Pools, ■ North of Moree at Boomi’s Co-Op Hot Artesian Spa Pool & Caravan Park, ■ Lightning Ridge’s Bore Baths in western NSW. “There are 50 currently identified hot springs, bore baths and natural springs in Australia,” Mr Lambert writes. “They are detailed in this revised new edition which also includes updated and new material. “This includes information pertaining to the early pioneers and the drilling methods they used to tap this great resource.” Mr Lambert’s book is available online through www.greatthermalway.com.
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A trip to the Ridge would not be complete without a visit to the free Artesian Bore Baths. At the end of a hard day fossicking and exploring allow the water to soothe your aches while you gaze at the starry night sky.
14 Seniors Northern NSW
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 22, 2017
GREY NOMADS Tracey Johnstone
HEADING out on the Australian road as a single woman, towing a caravan for the first time and with a heavy heart after the recent death of her husband, Betty Quinn has proven she has the drive to continue living a full life. She travelled 19,756km around Australia in convoy with three couples, with an average age of about 70, taking just under five months to discover that outback Australia is “simply gorgeous”. “Why would you want to go anywhere else when you have Australia,” Betty said. During June to October they travelled from the Sunshine Coast across western Queensland and into Northern Territory, along the West Australian coast and then across South Australia, into Victoria before heading back up the East Coast to Queensland. She fell in love with West Australia’s coastline and Broome in particular, the Bungle Bungles, and her must-see recommendation of Katherine Gorge. Fiercely independent, 68-year-old Betty took to the challenge of the road trip with great delight and a little bit of cheek. “They generally put me in the middle of the pack; they didn’t trust me at the end in case I picked up a stray along the way,” Betty said with a smile. “I did get to lead a few times, once when we went into the Northern Territory.” The whole idea of the trip happened almost by accident. Her brother Randall was chatting about how he, his wife, and two other couples were planning another caravanning trip around Australia. “I just said, ‘can I come’ and he said if I bought myself a caravan and a decent car to pull it, I could come along,” Betty said. Being determined and self-sufficient character, Betty didn’t delay in putting a plan into action. She found the car first, choosing a second-hand diesel, automatic 4WD Hyundai ix35. Then it was time for finding a 14-foot, pop-top caravan with single beds, which is what her brother recommended. “I was researching on Gumtree for a while, but then one of the guys travelling with us saw a caravan on the side of the road down near his place,” Betty said. “Next morning my brother, sister-in-law, daughter and I jumped in the car and went to check it out. “I made an offer on the spot.” Preparing for the big journey involved doing several short trips away in the company of her brother, and then with her daughter Stacey. She didn’t take any driving lessons, preferring to learn along the way, except for reversing. “One of the guys would park it for me. “But for hooking up and unhooking, putting the annex out and putting it away, I did that by myself.”
A single girl’s tale of outback adventure
heavily on the app Wiki Camps to find free camp sites which Betty said she would recommend to anyone doing a caravanning trip. The trip proved a happy experience and an Enjoying the magnific affordable ent view over Lake Arg yle, near Kununurra, West one. She Australia. spent about PHOTO: BETTY QUINN $45,000 on the car and caravan, and a s at e of the working vehicle then another Betty Quinn beside on Australia. $2500 for the mine in Dampier, West PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED diesel. With free camping at Adjusting to living in a confined space faithful friend, Amber, which meant that several places she saved a lot so her was relatively easy for Betty as she had when it came time to visiting national accommodation and food costs came spent the previous eight years living on a parks, she would leave her poodle with down to under $8000. power boat with her husband. one of the couples who would visit the Back home, Betty has her caravan “One thing about living on the boat park on another day. safely parked in a free caravan parking and living in a caravan, you know when “That was the only drawback from area within her retirement village while you use something, you put it away; you travelling with a pet,” she said. she plans her next adventure. can’t leave stuff lying around,” she said. While her brother and his friends “I would love to do the trip again, but At her side throughout the trip was her planned the trip, on the road they relied take a shorter time,” Betty said.
Now here’s a little caravanning secret worth sharing WIKICAMPS is a camping and caravanning companion you don’t leave home without, even if you are only planning on a weekend away. It’s a free app for smart phones, tablets or Windows computers. The app information states it has the largest and most up-to-date database of camp grounds, caravan
parks, backpacker hostels, day use area, points of interest, information centres, public dump points and more. The database is kept up-to-date by users so you can contribute to its knowledge as you travel the length and breadth of Australia. It also works offline which is great if you are somewhere that doesn’t have
a wi-fi signal. To start using the app, download its content to your device before you go away so you have it with you right from the start of your happy travels. To find the app, go to www.wikicamps.com.au.
Northern NSW
Monday, May 22, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 15
GREY NOMADS
10 best camp spots in Australia Compiled by Christine Perkin
HERE are a few of my picks of great stays around Australia.
BAY OF FIRES TASMANIA
BAY of Fires is one of the most beautiful low-cost camping spots locations in Tasmania. Tasmanians have flocked to the Bay of Fires over Christmas, Easter, long weekends and on school holidays to soak up the beauty of the area, including the white sand and azure sea. St Helens is only a short drive away, where you can buy food, petrol and showers at council-operated facilities. Please remember that dogs are not allowed in national parks and most reserves. Details go to www.parks.tas.gov.au
MYRTLE PARK TARGA – TASMANIA
A VERY pretty camping area that is set alongside the St Patricks River, which boasts to have trout and platypus. They offer unpowered sites and good amenities, and the area is suitable for large caravans, motorhomes and big rigs. Located in the small town of Targa, halfway between Launceston and Scottsdale on the Tasman Hwy (A3). Bookings are recommended for those wanting to reserve a site with a fireplace. Free hot showers, free electric barbecue. Phone: 03 6399 3368. Cost from $10 per person per night. Located at 38250 Tasman Hwy, Targa TAS 7259.
WANGI FALLS CAMPGROUND – LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK-NORTHERN TERRITORY
NOT a free camp but very cheap fees. Wangi Falls Campground is one of six campgrounds located within the Litchfield National Park. Non-powered caravan camping sites are only available at Wangi Falls. 4WD camping areas (dry season only) are at Tjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek), Surprise Creek Falls and downstream from Florence Falls. Walk-in camping sites are available along Walker Creek (dry season only). Camping fee per night: Adults: $6.60. Bookings are essential. Generators are not permitted in Litchfield National Park. Swim only where recommended, observe warning signs. Pets are not permitted. Check access by calling 08 8976 0282 and go to www.nt.gov.au/leisure/parks-reserves for details.
DALY WATERS PUB – NORTHERN TERRITORY
THIS is a must-stop Outback Pub. A lot of fun in the middle of nowhere. The beef ‘n’ barra barbie every night between April and October is to die for. It is so popular that you need to book. Free entertainment nightly. Accommodation available. Powered camping sites with prices starting from $16 per person per night. Located Stuart St, Daly Waters,
Northern Territory. If you are travelling south from Darwin approximately 600kms. Turn right off the Stuart Highway 3kms to the pub. Travelling north from Alice Springs approximately 900kms. Turn left off the Stuart Highway. Phone: 08 8975 9927, email dalywaterspub@bigpond.com or go to www.dalywaterspub.com
BITTER SPRINGS ELSEY NATIONAL PARK – NORTHERN TERRITORY
THE beauty of these springs will surprise you. Discovered by surveyors for the overland telegraph line in the latter part of the 19th Century, the Bitter Springs are located two kilometres from Mataranka in the Katherine region. Set amongst palms and tropical woodlands in the Elsey National Park, these spring-fed thermal pools are an ideal place to relax and unwind. Non-powered campsites are available at Jalmurark Campground. Phone: 08 8975 4560. There are also privately run campgrounds near the park. Located Martin Road, Mataranka.
BERRY SHOWGROUND CAMPSITE BERRY – NSW
BERRY is lucky to have one of the best showgrounds in New South Wales. With its superb well-maintained lawns, shady areas and many historic buildings on site, it is a fantastic place for alia. Broome, Western Austr tent, trailer or caravan SCENIC: Roebuck Bay, camping. Pet friendly. The railway station is immediately behind the Showground so you can catch the train Heritage Fraser Island. The Pacific Ocean up to Sydney for the day. is on the eastern side and the Great Located at 35 Alexandra Street, Berry Sandy Strait is on the western side. NSW 2535 Phone 0427 605 200. Inskip Point Camping Ground is a nature-based recreational area. INSKIP POINT CAMPING All Inskip Point Camping Grounds GROUND – RAINBOW BEACH SE require valid camping permits. You can QUEENSLAND obtain these permits by: booking Online ENJOY the beauty of Inskip Point www.nprsr.qld.gov.au or by calling Camping Ground which is located 13 74 68 or by booking in person at opposite the southern tip of World number of locations in Rainbow Beach.
ROEBUCK BAY BROOME – WESTERN AUSTRALIA
ROEBUCK Bay Caravan Park enjoys an idyllic location with uninterrupted views over Roebuck Bay. Roebuck Bay Caravan Park is not what you would call a low-cost park with fees for a small powered site starting around $36, but it is the most popular park in Broome and is located right on Town Beach, Roebuck Bay. Broome is Western Australia’s secret getaway – right on the Indian Ocean’s doorstep and the gateway to Australia’s last frontier of pristine wilderness – the Kimberley. Contact details 08 9192 1366.
PALM COVE HOLIDAY PARK – NORTH QUEENSLAND
ONLY metres from the beach in a beautiful location with state-of-the-art facilities to make your stay all the more enjoyable. Pet friendly. Reasonably priced at $29 without power a night with specials available. Located at 149 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove QLD. For details contact 07 4055 3824 or email info@palmcovehp.com.au.
GENOA CAMPGROUND – VICTORIA
Genoa Rest Area is located at the bank of Genoa River with site suitable to caravans, motorhomes, and big rigs. The area is large and grassy with accessible amenities and has lots of large trees for shade. Genoa River is 14km West of the Victoria/NSW border on the Princes highway. The Genoa Campground is located on the old Princes Highway (4 Park Road) just North of the Genoa River bridge. There is no charge for the use of this facility, however, donations are requested to upkeep the area.
THE PUB WITH NO Did you know the “Cosmopolitan” Hotel, Which locals refused to pass Is now a noted landmark, For every creed and class For the pub one day ran out of beer, A bloke wrote of it’s fate another bloke made it a song, Its known world wide now mate.
BEER * Under new management
* Wide range of tap beer and craft beer
* Great food with generous portions
* Pizzas available at any time of the day (great for campers with a late arrival, you can always grab something to eat) * Great collection of Slim Dusty & Gordon Parsons memorabilia * Campsite just across the road with a BBQ, amenities, and access to our gas heated showers * Our accommodation consists of 9 rooms and can sleep 33 people. Standard rooms as well as bunk rooms starting from $25/night * Popular spot for camping groups and motorbike groups. * Great local trails for bike riders and horse riders 6584868aa
www.pubwithnobeer.com
4 Taylors Arm Rd, Taylors Arm NSW 2447 (02) 6564 2100 • info@pubwithnobeer.com
16 Seniors Northern NSW
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 22, 2017
GREY NOMADS
‘Bucket list’ glamping destinations not to be missed Highlights: The deluxe teepee have a timber and canvas construction, built within the natural bushland without major clearings, giving a privacy and a close connection with the peaceful surroundings. Teepees include a sofa bed, towels, bedding, wood fired heater, balcony and outdoor furniture, shared shower and outdoor two person bath. This Tasmanian glamping experience combines comfort and nature at a low price. Cost: From $100 per night or less for long stay. www.huonbushretreats.com
Compiled by Nicky Norman
Paperbark Camp, Jervis Bay, New South Wales.
Rare bush camp site locations BUSH Heritage Australia has opened a range of protected reserves that are perfect to experience nature in its purest form. Here are some locations: NEW SOUTH WALES ★Naree Station – guided tour, September 8–10. Must be booked in advance. Spend a long weekend travelling through Naree’s 14,400ha patchwork of woodlands, grasslands and ephemeral wetlands Two nights, Base camp with day tours. Vehicles: AWD/4WD. Cost: $220/adult. QUEENSLAND ★Carnarvon Station Reserve – camping (May–September). The reserve features rugged sandstone hills, narrow valley floors and high escarpments. It’s located about 900km west of Brisbane. TASMANIA ★Liffey Valley Reserves – day trip (self guided). The Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage wilderness 130ha reserves is a wonderful area to walk in. VICTORIA ★JC Griffin Nature Reserve – uided visits, September 16 or October 15. Some of the trees in this reserve are thought to be more than 300 years old. It’s a haven for bushland birds, reptiles and mammals Booking/more info: Contact Bush Heritage’s Katrina Blake on (03) 8610 9124.
LOVE nature but also love a few creature comforts?... then glamour camping, or “glamping” as it is better known, might be perfect for you. It allows you to commune with nature in the comfort of a luxurious tent and experience Australia’s nature in glorious, eco-friendly style. You get the simplicity of the great outdoors combined with the opulence of fresh linen, private bathrooms, spa treatments and gourmet meals prepared for you. Here are some of the top glamping locations throughout the country.
ROOM WITH A VIEW: Ro
NIGHTFALL WILDERNESS CAMP, QLD
Where: 45 minutes from the Gold Coast, beside the crystal-clear tumbling headwaters of Christmas Creek and Queensland’s ancient Lamington National Park rainforests. Highlights: Redefining luxury through architect-inspired, hand-built, permanent safari tents, sumptuous fire-cooked cuisine, secluded wilderness, rotating in-tent fireplace, vintage baths, rain-head showers and more. Only three guests tents ensure privacy and delicately positioned to minimise impact on the camp's sensitive Australian wilderness surrounds. Cost: Tents from $445. www.nightfall.com.au
LONGITUDE 131°, NT
Where: Overlooking Uluru (Ayers Rock) is located in the Red Centre of Australia. Highlights: Luxurious air-conditioned tents welcome private views of Uluru – Australia’s best-known natural icon – and comprise of king or twin beds, lounge, spacious bathroom and balcony with daybed and fireplace. Other features include complimentary in-suite bar, music system, wireless internet, climate control, premium amenities, bathrobes, safe, telephone and twice daily housekeeping. Cost: Luxury tent from $1350 per person per night inclusive (min. two night stay). www.longitude131.com.au
Seniors News
ar and Snore, Sydney.
IKARA SAFARI CAMP, SA
ROAR AND SNORE, NSW
Where: Taronga Zoo, Mosman, Sydney. Highlights: Taronga Zoo Sydney’s ultimate sleepover experience. Enjoy refreshments and nibbles at the zoo's harbourside campsite, followed by an opportunity to get up close with some of the zoo’s friendliest creatures with a 1.5 hour night safari. Camp in safari style tents in the heart of Taronga Zoo and wake up to spectacular views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, with a continental breakfast in the morning. Cost: Roar and Snore accommodation is from $300 per person per night. www.taronga.org.au
Where: Wilpena Pound Resort, Ikara Flinders Ranges National Park, 429km north of Adelaide. Highlights: Fifteen luxury safari tents. Two-person Ikara safari tents are suitable for singles or couples wanting a luxury “glamping” getaway. Each tent has a modern ensuite bathroom, a luxe king-size bed, reverse cycle air-conditioning and its own private deck and fire pit. The two family safari tents sleep up to four people and have all the luxuries of the couples’ tents with an annex added for the extra people. Costs: Tents from $320 a night, including breakfast. www.ikarasafaricamp.com.au
PEBBLE POINT, VIC
KARIJINI ECO RETREAT, WA
Where: Three kilometres from the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, about 2.5 hours from Melbourne. Highlights: An exclusive bush retreat nestled behind the cliff tops and rock formations of the world famous Twelve Apostles. Six spacious luxury tents with luxurious king-size beds with a natural latex mattress and all your linen and towels supplied and spacious ensuite bathrooms. Also a shared BBQ, tea and coffee facilities, camp kitchen with fridge and offering a range of recreational opportunities and natural experiences. Cost: From $145 per night. www.pebblepoint.com.au
HUON BUSH RETREAT, TAS
Where: Ranelagh, Huon Valley. About 50 minutes south of Hobart.
Where: Karijini National Park, in the nature-based destination of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Highlights: Stay in one of the eco tents for a comfortable and natural glamping experience within the national park. These tents are semi-permanent structures that incorporate ecologically sustainable principles and can easily be erected and dismantled in remote areas with little impact to the natural environment using recycled materials wherever possible. Each tent has its own private ensuite bathroom, front and rear deck, spacious stylish interiors, king-size bed or two single beds, and quality bedding and linen. Cost: From $315 including breakfast. www.karijiniecoretreat.com.au
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Northern NSW
Monday, May 22, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 17
GREY NOMADS
CARAVANNING: Master the art of reverse parking before you head off on holiday.
10 things to know
before setting off in your RV 3. KNOW THE FEATURES
Compiled by Nicky Norman
What is an RV? RV STANDS for Recreational Vehicle and is basically a home on wheels. They can also be referred to as motorhomes or camper vans. The main features on-board are a kitchen, a bathroom, beds and TV, some even have a washing machine. An RV is different from a caravan because it is a self-driving vehicle and has an engine, steering wheel and a driver’s seat, whereas a caravan is towed behind another vehicle.
1. RV OR A CARAVAN
BUYING an RV can be an excellent investment and a great way to have the flexibility to travel without depending on hotel reservations and airports. You can cook for yourself, keep all your clothes hanging in a closet rather than in a suitcase, and generally make yourself at home. In some cases, people live in their motorhome, meaning no mortgage or rent to pay. For the most part though, RVs are used as vacation homes.
2. SIZE AND TYPE
THERE are a wide range of RV’s available to buy or rent, so it is important that you have some idea of your needs. Keep in mind your required levels of comfort, privacy, security, where you want to travel and what is within your budget.
WHEN you have your RV, be sure to pay particular attention to all the features. Ensure that everything is in a proper working order and good condition if not new and that all the safety features are present within the vehicle.
4. INSURANCE OPTIONS
INSURANCE coverage is always a good idea because you never know when you may need it. Just like your car or home, it’s important to have the peace of mind.
5. DRIVING YOUR RV
BEFORE you head out on the open road, get to know your vehicle by practising a few manoeuvres around the car park. First-timers often struggle with reversing and parking and it will also take some time to get used to driving the vehicle itself. Giving it a test drive will also allow you to test out the features and ensure that you are a confident driver.
6. PACKING YOUR RV
YOU can pack light and leave the extra space for items on the go or be fully prepared with everything planned out to the last detail and stocked up ready for long distances.
7. BOOK CAMPING GROUNDS IN ADVANCE PLAN ahead and get to know the best
camp grounds in the areas you are wishing to stay. By booking in advance you will be guaranteed a place to stay for the night and you will get the pick of RV sites. When you leave the camp site, make sure you have your aerial down, hatch closed and windows up.
8. ENSURE THE SECURITY OF YOUR LOAD
BEFORE you head off, make sure everything is put away in cabinets and cupboards, to prevent them flying around while you are driving. Ensuring the weight of your load is distributed evenly, will also aid with wind resistance and make your journey a smoother one.
9. REGISTER WITH CMCA
WITH over 66,000 members, Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australa is the largest RV Club in the southern hemisphere. As a CMCA member, not only will you have access to numerous benefits but the security of travelling Australia, knowing you are never alone. www.cmca.net.au/.
10. THINGS YOU CAN DO
YOU will have a lot of free time, so make sure you keep busy with crosswords, playing cards, board games, reading, music and creative activities like painting, knitting and sewing.
Reverse parking your van REVERSE parking your caravan for the first time, particularly when one or more people are watching, has to be one of the most stressful experiences in your life. Luckily RACQ has the following top tips to help you look like a professional, once you have mastered these tips. ■ Spend time getting familiar with the basics of reversing a caravan before you set out on a trip. ■ Get yourself a person to help guide you into the parking area. ■ Find a large space, such as an empty car park, and try reversing the caravan into one of the spaces. This will help you to get a handle on which direction to turn the steering wheel. ■ Remember – when reversing a caravan is that to move right you need to turn the steering wheel to the left and vice versa. ■ Before reversing into a site, take a moment to look around the area for low branches or other debris that could get in the way. ■ One of the easiest ways to swing the caravan into a site is to ensure that the site is on the right-hand side of the car. ■ If you are not feeling confident and don’t have a fellow traveller to give you directions, you could try asking another caravanner for assistance. ■ Reversing cameras are a great help when reversing; we use them every day in cars so why not with your caravan?
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18 Seniors Northern NSW
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 22, 2017
GREY NOMADS
Get animal WOW factor into your next holiday
WHEN you head out to have fun on the road, have you ever thought about pitching your tent close to where you can drop in on some of Australia’s fantastic animal encounter parks? Right around Australia there are some amazing animals to meet in venues that are well-known and others that are luckily still not on the main tourism radar. So, let’s pack the tent, the caravan or camper home and get discovering just a few of the many animal encounters on offer. Sleep with a lion tonight in Canberra ■ Jamala Wildlife Lodge is on Lady Denman Drive in Canberra. ■ Park your caravan outside and indulge yourselves for just one night, at least. ■ The park boasts the most dangerous and endangered wildlife and aquarium experiences. ■ There is a choice of three accommodation venues, with the cost including exclusive park tours, all food and night-time drinks. ■ The rooms are quite snazzy with each featuring African themes and many have wildlife sleeping with you, albeit on the
other side of some safety glass. ■ Get in early to enjoy amazing encounters with red pandas, white lions, owls, sharks, tigers, otters, giraffe, tree kangaroos, meerkats, sunbears and cheetahs. Roar ‘n Snore in Melbourne ■ Melbourne Zoo is located in the heart of Melbourne. ■ It offers guests, between September and May, the chance to stay overnight within its grounds with camping equipment provided; you just need to bring a sleeping bag and pillow. ■ Dinner is in the historic Elephant Exhibit. ■ Once dinner is done, guests get to wander around the zoo, enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the nocturnal creatures before bedding down for the night. ■ In the morning, the local residents will wake you for breakfast and a full day of amazing up-close animal encounters. ■ The cost includes camping equipment, meals and Zoo day ticket. Have a wild night out in Sydney ■ Walkabout Wildlife Park is located just north of Sydney on Darkinjung Road at Calga. ■ There are various accommodation
choices on site; bush survival with no creature comforts and lots of bush survival skills to be learnt, evening and morning ranger-led animal encounters and eco-cabin luxury so you can wake up with the animals, a ranger-led tour with comfortable camping, including just a few luxuries, or chose grown-up cottage accommodation with comforts and bush outlook. ■ The park has many different types of animals in its bushland setting: koalas, dingoes, Tasmanian devil, python, emus, wallaroos, skinks, turtles and many more. Mingle with the Meerkats in South Australia ■ Monarto Zoo is located on the Old Princes Highway in Monarto. ■ The park is over 1000 hectares zoological park and natural wilderness sanctuary. ■ It also has a centre for conservation and enjoyment of wildlife and nature. ■ The park boasts 500 animals and 50 species of exotic and native mammals, birds and reptiles and plays a major role nationally and internationally in rare breeding and endangered species programs. ■ Visitors can book in to sleep under
the stars in your tent, caravan or sleeping bag on special dates during the year. Volunteer in Northern Territory ■ Nina’s Ark Wildlife Sanctuary is an outback wildlife sanctuary located near Litchfield National Park. ■ Access to the private park and veterinary clinic is limited to April through December. ■ Tours, which are not self-drive, are available once booked. ■ It’s a refuge for orphaned or injured native animals. ■ The volunteers come from all over the globe to work with orphaned and injured wildlife. ■ The park is host to many animal species, including brush tailed possum, wallaby, wallaroo, black footed tree rat, bandicoot, northern quoll, partridge pigeon, brumbies, cockatoos, curlew and black-necked stork. ■ Basic, clean accommodation for a maximum of two nights is available on site with the $150 per night fee, including pick up from the entrance, three meals both days and torch. ■ At night guests join in a BBQ by the camp fire and feed some of the animals.
SAVINGS - SPENDINGS PLANNING This June, Seniors Newspaper, updates, enlightens and inspires your money senses. You will find tips on how to save in the home, on holiday, entertainment and health. We also feature practical information on the big changes to Aged Care packages and Superannuation. Be prepared to pull on your purse strings and climb up the money ladder as you read our informative June edition.
Pick up your free copy of the June edition at your local stockist or read online at seniorsnews.com.au
6513898ae
Tracey Johnstone
Northern NSW
Monday, May 22, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 19
Travel Atlantis experiences that enthral visitorsai in Dub
ANN RICKARD checked into the sprawling high-tech hotel, Atlantis the Palm in Dubai, and found everything from fun to fine dining, to shopping, culture, exploration, even education.
1. THE LOBBY
TALK about a grand entrance. The lobby is the first glimpse of this Atlantean-themed destination, with eight imposing columns giving the impression of fish scales. Then there is the 60m wall of windows with an infinity view over blue waters of The Palm. In the centre a 9.75-metre high blown-glass sculpture surrounded by a reflection pool brings the essence of the ocean to life.
2. UNDERWATER SUITES
FLOOR-to-ceiling views from the master bedroom into an aquarium create an illusion of being beneath the sea. Sleep with the sea creatures swimming all around you.
3. THE ROYAL POOL
IT PROVIDES the best view towards the cityscape of Dubai as well as first class view of The Palm. Refreshments are available all day around the pool and at The Edge
Atlantis, The Palm, the spa and one of the underwater suites.
and The Shore food outlets.
4. SHUIQI SPA & FITNESS
ENTER the expansive spa and be greeted by a water wall, then be guided along a streaming water pathway to one of 27 treatment rooms. The treatment menu is as extensive as it is exciting, with offerings ranging from spa journeys to body therapies, as well as full salon services for his and hers beautifying sessions.
5. AQUAVENTURE WATERPARK
YOUR inner child will thank you for taking him to these 42 acres of joyful water experiences. Get on the river ride action with its cascades, tidal waves and rapids, then dare to take to the Tower of Poseidon reaching 40m into the sky. (Heart-stopping, be warned.)
6. THE LOST CHAMBERS AQUARIUM
DISCOVER the mazes of underground tunnels and passageways of The Lost Chambers, bringing them into close contact with the myth and the advanced inventions of the ancient
PHOTOS: PAUL THUYSBAERT
Atlanteans.
7. ULTIMATE SNORKEL IN THE AMBASSADOR LAGOON
SWIM with 65,000 marine animals, including sharks, fish and many species of rays, in this underwater exhibit. This habitat focuses on marine life found in the local waters of the Arabian Gulf. Watch the sea life and learn about fish species and ocean preservation.
8. DINING AT GORDON RAMSAY’S BREAD STREET
KITCHEN & BAR
AN OUTPOST of his London establishment with a British European menu. An eclectic environment from day through night, the bar at Bread Street Kitchen with its imaginative mixologists is an integral part of the space.
9. KALEIDOSCOPE, THE ULTIMATE BUFFET EXPERIENCE
INTERNATIONAL at its best. European Mediterranean cuisine are complemented by cuisines of Northern
Africa, India and the Levant region. Whether to have breakfast, lunch or dinner will be the only problem.
10. SHOPPING THE AVENUES
A Luxuriously colourful marketplace. Browse some of the world’s most sought-after brands in high-end boutiques from Rodeo Drive to Tiffany & Co, and Porsche Design. What are you waiting for? Get there. Visit: www.atlantisthepalm.com.
20 Seniors Northern NSW
travel
How to make a dream holiday a super reality Cruise Traveller
CLOSE your eyes and imagine slipping gently along, skippering your own boat on the Canal du Midi in southern France, exploring the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pause along the way to taste the local food, savour the wines, visit medieval villages and take in the glorious scenery.
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 22, 2017
QUIET BEAUTY: Gliding by the Penichette ruins in Ireland.
Now open eyes and start to plan, making your dream holiday a reality. Australian company Cruise Traveller is offering the answer for a perfect boating holiday. “Locaboat is suitable for all adult ages, and the leisurely pace of the whole product makes it a very relaxing experience,” managing director Craig Bowen said. “If you have even basic
boating experience it will be easy, however even as a first-timer the operational side of the vessel is extremely simple. “The instructions made available by the departure base are excellent, and the written information provided is comprehensive. “I’m in my late 50s and I found the experience not only straight-forward, but
one of the most enjoyable, relaxed and great value holiday experiences I have had.” Locaboat is a long-established French company that owns a fleet of 380 top-quality Penichettes and canal boats. It offers 200 different cruises to enjoy in 24 regions across Europe. You don’t need a licence to steer these fully equipped and certified craft around and through canals and waterways. All equipment, crockery, cutlery, bed-linen and towels are supplied, along with gas bottle and a captain’s handbook. “You’ll receive boat handling instructions and orientation on the departure day to make sure you understand essential cruising rules, which are pretty simple,” Mr Bowen said. In case you are concerned, technical assistance is available every day. You can hire a Locaboat from 642 Euro per person twin share for seven days. That price is based on a Penichette P935W in France, ideal for a couple. Larger Penichettes are available for bigger groups with a P1107W from only 243 Euro per person for
seven days, based on six people. There are multiple departure dates and bases to choose from. “The itinerary is up to you. You’re the skipper,” Mr Bowen said. “The Canal du Midi is a prime prospect; it’s near the heart of the Camargue, an amazing region on France’s Mediterranean coast, famous for its wildlife, white horses, black bulls and pink flamingos. “The Canal du Midi is also close to the Etang de Thau and its fantastic oyster beds.” Every part of the journey is exceptional such as the area around Carcassonne with its towers and battlements complete with fortified towns of white stone and historic villages like Trèbes and Puicheric. Medieval villages, Roman churches, abbeys and isolated monasteries; all of them can be visited from the self-drive canal boat. Across France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland your self-drive boating holiday will be punctuated by beautiful landscapes and charming towns, castles, wine cellars and historical sights.
In France, options include Midi and Camargue, the Southwest, the Lot Valley, Brittany, the Ardennes and Alsace-Lorraine, Burgundy and Saône, the Loire and Nivernais. In Germany, Müritz and Mecklenburg beckon, or Brandenburg and Berlin. Another choice is the Netherlands where you can cruise either north or south Holland. Cruise Italy’s Venetian Lagoon where the great renaissance maritime city of Venice crowns this enclosed bay of the Adriatic Sea in northern Italy. Poland’s Masurian Lakes offers countless lakes dot verdant, undulating landscapes, embellished by villages, tracts of forest and thriving farms. Green Ireland’s Shannon-Erne Waterway with its 16 automatic locks, provides a delightful latticework of rivers, canals, lakes, islands and villages where visitors should pause for at least one pint of Guinness. For information on all the self-drive boating holidays, go to cruisetraveller.com.au or call 1800 507 777.
Please callDetails for full of details PTO for all of all upcoming tours upcoming tours.
Travel in style aboard Simes Bros Luxury Coaches.
P: (02) 6621 5416 F: (02) 6622 2225 E: admin@sbcoaches.com.au
www.simesbros.com.au Floating along in Port de Plaisance. 6482583aa
PHOTO: ERICH SPIEGELHALTER
travel
Monday, May 22, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
Northern NSW
The luxury of slow train Ann Rickard
TRAVELLING to the US in the future? You might be put off by their domestic flight system and in light of the recent United Airlines kerfuffle, Rail Plus has reinforced the benefits of rail travel in the US. Commercial director Ingrid Kocijan says it is well-known that train travel is much less stressful than air travel, with bonus factors including the luxury of space, comfortable seats with legroom and no set baggage limits adding to the stress-free experience. “Apart from not having to endure long queues or waiting time at check-in and baggage claim, and being able to go from city centre to city centre without additional transportation costs and journey time, travellers can also take comfort in knowing that there is absolutely no chance of seat overbooking on
trains,” Kocijan said. “Peak travel times would usually see an increase in capacity via additional carriages on selected trains; otherwise passengers would be informed straight away of seat availability and alternatives when making their seat reservations. “Also, the level of care and customer service provided on board the trains, at the service counter or on the phone is of a high standard.” While best suited to travellers with the luxury of time, train travel is also an undeniably great way for visitors to see the vast and varied landscape of the USA during a relaxed journey, something that more Australian and New Zealand travellers are appreciating. Rail Plus recorded a 36% year-on-year increase in Australian and New Zealand travellers exploring the US by rail last year. The most popular point-to-point destinations
and journeys being booked include: ■ New York City – Washington DC – 3 hours. ■ New York City – Boston – 4 hours and 30 minutes. ■ Seattle – Vancouver – 4 hours. ■ Los Angeles – Grand Canyon – 12 hours. ■ Universal Studios: Miami – Orlando, 7 hours and 18 minutes. ■ Disneyland: Los Angeles to Anaheim – 39 minutes. “While point-to-point tickets have proven more popular among travellers who prefer to spend more time in fewer destinations during their short visits averaging two weeks, Amtrak passes remain popular among travellers planning to hop around the country on longer visits of up to 45 days.” Travellers deciding to see the USA by train can equip themselves with some useful tips and considerations suggested by the experts at Rail Plus to help with their itineraries and bookings.
ON TRACK: Consider taking the train when travelling in the USA.
Seniors 21
PHOTO: AMTRAK
WE aRE dREaM MakER TRaVEl aUsTRalIa’s FUllY EsCORTEd GROUP TOUR EXPERTs
With 20+ years’ experience creating escorted tours and small group departures all around the world, Hilary and the Dream Maker team are ready to create your dream holiday. Our escorted tours offer a great option for travellers looking for an organised, social travel option, with plenty of inclusions, to unforgettable locations.
Canada alaska 2018 Group Tour departs: 22 May 2018
$11,998 per person twin share (Upgrades available) 25 Days Fully Escorted Tour
• Fly FREE with Qantas Airways • Tour & Stay Fairmont Luxury Resorts of the Rockies • Rail from Banff to Vancouver with Rocky Mountaineer • Cruise to Alaska On Board Celebrity Infinity for 7 nights • Tour will be Escorted by Fiona Ayers from Dream Maker Travel and she will be "Professionally Photographing" your Dream Holiday and Capturing all your Holiday Highlights on a included DVD BOOk now and Receive a "Professional dREaM Photo Book" from Fiona (valued at $399 per couple).
* Prices based on twin share per person. Upgrades and single supplement pricing available. All prices subject to availability at time of booking.
6543373ab
A: Corner Creek & Pine Mountain Road, Mt Gravatt East, QLD 4122 P: 07 3343 5422 M: 0414 445 279 W: www.dreammakertravel.com.au
22 Seniors Northern NSW
travel
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 22, 2017
Tripaway Cruise & Travel
CANADA & ALASKA
2018 PREVIEW OUT NOW
Tripaway Cruise & Travel
1300 737 544
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Northern NSW
Monday, May 22, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 23
Wellbeing How to prepare your own retirement plan A SUCCESSFUL retirement is about more than just organising your money. If you don’t manage the lifestyle challenges that retirement brings, you might be financially secure, but you may not be having much fun. The secret to a happy and satisfying retirement is to appreciate that you’re not retiring from work – you’re retiring to the next stage of your life. This next stage of your life is a blank page and you have dozens of opportunities that could fill this space.
TUNED UP FOR THE THIRD AGE PAUL McKEON Now is the time when you can do some or all of the things you wanted to do, but had to postpone due to work or family commitments. Just relaxing and doing very little is fine for the first few months after leaving work. You probably need time to recharge the batteries. However, if doing very little and just “going
with the flow” becomes the norm, you’re heading towards boredom, ill health and unhappiness. If you want to have a happy and successful full or part time retirement, you need to be active and fully involved with life. This rarely happens just by magic. Like most things worth having, you have to work at it. If you don’t plan for your future happiness and well- being, no one else will do it for you.
★What do you want to do with the next 20 years?
★Where do you want to travel?
★Will you be healthy enough to enjoy these freedom years?
★Will you have enough money to be financially secure?
★Do you plan to do some volunteering?
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Like most things worth having, you have to work at it. ★How will you and your partner handle being together 24/7? ★Where are you going to live?
These are just a few of the questions that most retired people have to manage. Ignoring them won’t make the major challenges and
opportunities go away. Because so many people have told me that it’s hard to prepare a retirement plan, I decided to use my own experience to make the whole process a lot easier. The result is a retirement planning work book that guides you through the major issues that most people need to consider as they approach the next stage of their life. Find details about ‘Your Retirement Lifestyle Plan’ via the website: mylifechange.com.au
Palliative volunteers add quality to life Tracey Johnstone
WHEN the time comes for a person’s life to approach its end, Jane Harriss is there voluntarily supporting people who have a life-limiting disease or condition. She gives them the support they need to ease their journey, not as a carer but as a palliative care volunteer. “I see my role just to support the person, just to be there for them, or for their family,” Jane said.
“We are not trained counsellors; we are just friendly ears. My role is very different.” There are about 140 volunteers in the ACT with most of them retirees. Palliative care volunteers need good communication skills, to be non-judgemental and, importantly, build quickly a rapport with clients. “You don’t need medical skills because you are surrounded by people who’ve got all of that,” Jane said.
Her 27 years of working in the Federal Government as a media manager and then three years as an aged care advocate have given her a good deal of the skills she uses in this role. Jane also received, through Palliative Care ACT, role-specific training in palliative care issues and self-care. Having empathy for a client’s situation is another key skill for this role. “You might be meeting
people and then losing those people very quickly,” she said. Jane’s choice of retirement volunteering came after a losing her mother to ovarian cancer then starting a charity, Ovcan to support women diagnosed with this disease. PALLIATIVE CARE: Jane Harriss at the John Flynn House at St Andrews Village, ACT, where she once supported a patient. PHOTO: TRACEY JOHNSTONE
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24 Seniors Northern NSW
wellbeing
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 22, 2017
Awareness key to rare disease Yvonne Gardiner
TWEED Shire resident Mark Bousen noticed a few years ago he had extreme weakness in his arms and legs. Sometimes he couldn’t lift a three-litre bottle of milk. Mark, 70, was worried by these symptoms, being a teetotaler, non-smoker and regular walker. “I’d been treated for two years and I was told it was in my head,” he said. Three years ago, he found he was suffering from a rare disease, myositis. “When I got this, I was lucky to be able to walk 100 metres,” he said. “The biggest issue I had was coming to grips with it. I put on 25kg. “I realised 18 months ago that I was responsible for getting myself well. “ Losing weight was a huge thing, not only physically but emotionally. “I’ve lost those 25kg and now weigh 103kg. It
took a while to get the distressing symptoms under control with medication. “The biggest effect was on my weakness – I can now lift 12–15kg,” Mark said. “One of the other things you lose is your balance.” This is a complaint which usually afflicts people aged over 50. It’s Myositis Month in May. Myositis is one of 80 auto-immune diseases which affect 10% of the Australia/New Zealand population. Myositis Australian Association spokeswoman Anita Chalmers said more awareness would bring earlier and more accurate diagnosis and appropriate exercise advice. “This month-long observance recognises the need for more research and understanding of myositis, a group of rare, incurable muscle diseases, in the hope of faster diagnoses,
MEN’S HEALTH: Valuable health tips for men who are in their 50s and want to live a happier and healthier life. PHOTO: AJR_IMAGES
Over 50s can live longer and healthier
AWARENESS MONTH: Mark Bousen makes progress in his fight against the rare disease, Myositis. PHOTO: YVONNE GARDINER
better treatments, and ultimately a cure,” she said. Mark joined MAA recently and looks forward to his first “social gathering” with the group. “It’s sharing with other people and hearing how they cope physically and
emotionally,” he said. “We moved to Tweed Heads about four years ago because we love the area – the natural beauty and the lifestyle,” he said. For information, visit www.myositis.org.au.
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LIFE at 50 is probably still in full speed ahead, but that’s no reason for any man to ignore the state of his health. In fact, it’s a very good time to take stock and review where he is at and what he needs to do to ensure the ageing path is smooth, happy and healthy. The Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute men’s health group Foundation 49 has put together a to do list of health checks for men who are into their 50th year. First up is, if you don’t have a GP, find one that you feel comfortable with discussing openly your health issues. Those issues may be physical strength, energy, sex drive and sense of masculinity. Set yourself a target of meeting with your GP at least once a year; maybe use your birthday as the date you make your annual appointment. Next up is using the following 50s health check when meeting with your GP:
■ Weight and waist measurement. ■ Blood pressure. ■ Cholesterol and glucose levels. ■ Eye checks. ■ Bowel cancer screening. ■ Tetanus booster every 10 years. ■ Blood test for kidney and liver function. ■ Mental health – talk about any issues or concerns with your GP or a counsellor. ■ Hearing check. ■ Sexually transmitted diseases. There is the ongoing Foundation 49 DIY Tips for over 50 and over – ■ Keep fit by exercising at least three times each week for 30 minutes – try a brisk walk or try cycling. ■ Time Out – enjoy your friends and family. ■ Drink moderately; are you having at least three-alcohol free days each week? ■ Laugh lots and loud. ■ Talk about any problems or concerns you may have with your friends or family or talk to a GP or counsellor. In our next edition, we will take a look at: Your 60s.
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Monday, May 22, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
Northern NSW
Seniors 25
Clubs give boost to Salvos appeal 500 people fleeing abuse. The Salvation Army’s Gold Coast and Northern Rivers fundraising and public relations manager Rowan Johnstone says despite Australia being a wealthy country, the demand on services was greater than ever. “People’s lives can change so quickly. We are seeing all kinds of people who haven’t needed our help before,” he said. “Some families are living off less than $17 a day after they have paid
their rent. You can only imagine how much of a struggle that is. “Many families are having trouble paying for basic necessities like electricity, gas and food.” Tweed Clubs Association has contributed $5000 to the appeal. To volunteer for the Red Shield Doorknock weekend or to donate, phone 13 SALVOS (137 258) or register online at salvos.org.au/ volunteer. You can also donate at any Westpac.
Fostering a love of pets Yvonne Gardiner
FOSTER carers are a “must-have” for the Northern Rivers Animal Services to do its work successfully. The group is specifically in need of those wanting to foster the many cats that go through its adoption process. NRAS president Jo Parker said all food and veterinary costs were met by the group and its volunteers were always available to offer advice and assistance. “Foster carers are a vital part of the NRAS organisation, to provide socialisation, love and care before animals are adopted,” she said. “One lady has seven cats of her own and at one point had seven of ours. Without her, we’d be in trouble. “All animals in NRAS’ care are flea and worm-treated, vet-
ANIMAL SERVICES: Dog co-ordinator Trish Giltinan makes Sawyer and Blossy feel welcome. PHOTO: YVONNE GARDINER
checked, microchipped, vaccinated and desexed prior to being adopted.” Jo explained why NRAS charged an “adoption fee”. “For these services alone, you could be looking at a cost upward of $450. Besides, a puppy or kitten will require two or more vaccinations and that is before considering the bill for bedding and food,” she said.
“NRAS is a completely self-funded, not-for-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers and, while it has some amazing vet partners in the area that provide a charitable discount on these services, they still need to be paid for.” NRAS secretary Vicki Kelly said the group formed in 2001 and bought the old council pound a couple of years ago. “We have about 40 animal carers, 12 office workers and about 20 op shop workers,” Vicki said. Dogs and cats come mainly from the Ballina Shire Council’s new animal shelter next door. NRAS holds regular “adoption days” for families looking for a dog or cat. To find out about becoming a foster carer or adopting a pet, visit: www.northernrivers animalservice.com.
TAP TO DONATE: Paul Prout, Guy Diven, Gordon Rhodes, Lindsay Howard-Smith, Ross O'Leary, Phil Kelly, Gerard Robinson and Lynne Deons with the new Salvos donation machine at Tweed Bowls Club. PHOTO: SCOTT POWICK
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26 Seniors Northern NSW G E N E R A L K N O W L E D G E
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Down 1 Which British car maker was acquired by General Motors in 1925? (8) 2 Which king of Wessex is credited with the foundation of the English navy? (6) 3 What is improvised jazz singing, using the voice in imitation of an instrument? (4) 4 Which Japanese admiral planned the attack on Pearl Harbour? (8) 5 What is the capital of Canada? (6) 6 Where was the potato first cultivated, about 4,500 years ago? (4) 11 The importation of what wood in the 1720s led to a revival of carving on English furniture? (8) 13 Which fat ginger comic strip cat made his debut in 1978? (8) 15 What describes the volume by which a liquid container falls short of being full? (6) 17 Which great American inventor (Thomas __) did not learn to talk until he was almost four? (6) 19 In Egyptian mythology, who is the goddess of fertility and motherhood? (4) 21 Which colourful gemstone is mined in Australia? (4)
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SUDOKU
Fill the grid so every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.
QUICK CROSSWORD 1
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ALPHAGRAMS
Insert the missing letters to make ten words — five reading across the grid and five reading down.
Solve the anagrams. Each solution is a one-word anagram of the letters beside it, and the five solutions are sequential. For example, if the fiveletter solution starts with J, the six-letter solution starts with K, and so on.
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anew await aware interwar newt RAINWATER rainwear tawa tawnier tinware twin twine twiner wain wait waiter wane want wanter ware warier warn warner warrant warren wart water wean wear weir went weta wine winter wire wirer wren wrier writ write writer
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Across: 1. Warp 8. Appraising 9. Flatters 10. Cage 12. Deputy 14. Shiver 15. Fasted 17. Assume 18. Dear 19. Lacerate 21. Throughout 22. Awry. Down: 2. Adulterate 3. Pant 4. Speedy 5. Pauses 6. Psychics 7. Ogle 11. Grey matter 13. Ulterior 16. Deluge 17. Anchor 18. Data 20. Rota.
ALPHAGRAMS: ATTIC, BEAMED, CAPSULE, DELICACY, EARTHLING.
BLACKOUT
QUICK CROSSWORD
Solution opposite
A I D E D
Find a finished crossword by deleting one of the two letters in each divided square.
E V O K E
How many words of four letters or more can you make? Each letter must be used only once and all words must contain the centre letter. There is at least one nine-letter word. No words starting with a capital are allowed, no plurals ending in s unless the word is also a verb. TODAY: Good 20 Very Good 27 Excellent 35
DOUBLE CROSS
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Down 2. Dilute (10) 3. Gasp (4) 4. Quick (6) 5. Hesitates (6) 6. Mediums (8) 7. Look lecherously (4) 11. Brain power (colloq) (4,6) 13. Hidden, not apparent (8) 16. Downpour (6) 17. Hold in place (6) 18. Information (4) 20. Duty list (4)
Across: 7 Paul McCartney, 8 Ex gratia, 9 Arum, 10 Tandem, 12 Orange, 14 Slough, 16 O Henry, 18 Jill, 20 Gloxinia, 22 Virginia Woolf. Down: 1 Vauxhall, 2 Alfred, 3 Scat, 4 Yamamoto, 5 Ottawa, 6 Peru, 11 Mahogany, 13 Garfield, 15 Ullage, 17 Edison, 19 Isis, 21 Opal.
A T
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Across 1. Bend (4) 8. Valuing (10) 9. Praises insincerely (8) 10. Confine (4) 12. Assistant (6) 14. Tremble (6) 15. Went without food (6) 17. Suppose (6) 18. Costly (4) 19. Cut deeply (8) 21. From start to finish (10) 22. Amiss (4)
A S G P X L H H K S V S P C H
L E G A L I S E G Y E L L O W
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U M A J K E Q G T T F R C B Y
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F R R D B U Z M S E D F Q L Q
F A V O U R E D Q F L O O D S
B C X U Q R F R Y U W U G E U
D E G R E E K O R G A N I S T
S D C S O D E P Z E H D Q T F
BLACKOUT
Work out which squares need to be deleted to reveal a completed crossword. Solution opposite
DOUBLE CROSS
L E I S E R M O N G B S P A L O M I N L D G L I B Y A N S I H E S S I A N O S Y L L A B L E I U S L A T E R L U N C O L D N E S W E D
R A E M B R C L O O D R O D E M U S G U M B P E R E D O P R O F O T S E L T D
F D A C E D V G O U R S U E R R E D E D R O P R F U G E L A O U N D O I D E S T S T
Northern NSW
Monday, May 22, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au
To advertise, call 1300 136 181 or visit finda.com.au
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More information is available at scamwatch.gov.au
Go On and Offline. You’ll get better results when you post an ad in print and online. That’s a huge increase in exposure driving more local buyers to you.
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Be wary if the number in the ad is disconnected. If the buyer/seller says the number is disconnected because they are overseas, ask for a landline phone number at their current location as well as a mobile phone number. All contact details of the person buying or selling the car should be verified to ensure they are genuine.
Stick to Your Guns. Don’t drop your prices too early! If at the start of the day someone tries to haggle you down to a low a price, hold out a little while. Let them know that it is too early to start reducing prices. If they are really keen they’ll be back later... or they’ll pay you what you want then and there.
Seniors 27
AUSTRALIAN’S use around six billion plastic bags per year, 3.3 billion of which are supermarket plastic bags. Managing director of Clean Up Australia, Terrie-Ann Johnson said 80 million plastic bags end up in Australia’s litter stream. “Think about the poor animal in the marine environment that chokes or starves because it’s got a gutful of non-nutritious material, it’s a horrible, horrible death” she said. The biggest problem with plastic bags is that they do not readily break down in the environment, with estimates for the time it takes them to decompose ranging from 20 to 1000 years.
Currently, ACT, NT, Tasmania and SA have bans in place and Queensland will join them from July 2018. NSW, Victoria and WA are currently not committed to the ban. Single-use plastic bags have been used in Australia for 40 years, so it’s time to ban the bag or in the meantime, use an alternative. ■ What can we do: ★Try and take the plastic bags or paper bags you have, back to the supermarket to reuse. ★Not all your fruit and vegetables need a plastic bag, they can go straight into the trolley. ★Some retailers save cardboard boxes, so use these to pack your groceries. ★Some major supermarkets have calico or “green” bags available for sale at a very small price. These bags can be kept in the car and used every time you shop.
★Bio-degradable bags. These bags are usually made from plastic and break down into small pieces. Those small pieces become microplastics. The best alternative is bags made with oxo-biodegradable plastic. Using plastic shopping bags to line our garbage bins means that they still end up into landfill. ■ What do we use: ★Newspaper: Most bins are tall and cube shape, so a newspaper can easily be folded, origami style, into the bin to line the bottom and the sides. ★Nothing: the only things that should be going into your bins is waste that cannot be recycled, composted, or reused somewhere else. These methods may not suit everyone but so long as you can reduce the use, you are helping our environment.
Top tips for an efficient kitchen AUTUMN is well and truly here so we start thinking of warm, comfort foods. Soup comes to mind as well as casseroles. One-pot meals save a great deal of time and effort. Don’t forget the slow cooker as it is always a great way to cook and save time, just put it on and forget. Be creative – add and remove ingredients if they are not to your liking. If you like mushrooms and don’t like eggplant swap them as both are high in moisture – the recipe should stay the same. Herbs and spices are a
CHEAP EATS, NO TRUFFLES CHRISTINE PERKINS great way to jazz up a one-pot meal. If you have a few in store like mixed herbs, thyme, sage, rosemary, dried chilli, cumin, ground coriander seed or curry powder you can enhance the flavour of a basic meal and make it special with little effort. Don’t forget to taste and season.
It’s good to look in the cupboard and get ideas from what you already have instead of buying more ingredients. Writing a list of what is in your cupboard is a great way to save money. We tend to forget and go and buy the same items then get home and find there are already three bags of carrots. When that happens, you can always make carrot soup. Seriously, if you have a list of what’s in your cupboard and pantry you will be less likely to double up. Think before you shop and be creative.
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28 Seniors Northern NSW
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 22, 2017
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