Seniors News Sunshine Coast February 2020 by seniors

February, 2020

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REG RICHARDSON, AUSTRALIAN PHILANTHROPIST

OUR WAR BRIDES

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FEBRUARY, 2020//

INDEX 4 16 21 28 32 34 38 39

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

Gail Forrer Seniors Group Editor

6 Rotary volunteer on PNG health mission.

Greetings friends. If you are looking for some good news this month, then go no further, you have found it. Senior News journalists Tracey Johnstone and Kerry Heaney have gone to town to locate and write some uplifting and interesting stories. For instance, our cover personality Reg Richardson. This is not a name that usually makes the headlines, but here he is sharing the fruits of his own success with those in need and successfully encouraging his friends to do the same. He has certainly made big things happen and Australia is a better place for it. This month our doublepage spread features war brides. Tracey Johnstone spoke to 96-year-old Jackie McLaughlin, who was one of the 70,000 women who left Britain in the 1940s bound for Canada or Australia.

Today, she is looking for any of the women left or their family, who she can chat with about their life journey. We also give you a heads-up with a story on the changing nature of public transport. A new company is stepping into Australia with a transport system that intends to offer a flexible and practical alternative to our traditional type of transport such as the big council buses that run only at certain times, and certain places, regardless of passenger numbers. After the introduction of Uber, Lime scooters and electric bikes, I think we are getting used to additional forms of transport, so I’m looking forward to seeing how this latest enterprise works for us. Enjoy the read.

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CONTACT US General Manager Geoff Crockett – 07 5430 1006 geoff.crockett@news.com.au Editor Gail Forrer – 07 5435 3203 gail.forrer@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Media Sales Executive Tracy O’Connor – 0438 478 204 tracy.oconnor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Online Get your news online at www.seniorsnews.com.au Advertising, editorial and distribution enquiries Phone: 1300 880 265 or (07) 5435 3200 Email: advertising@seniorsnewspaper.com.au or editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Location: 2 Newspaper Place, Maroochydore 4558 Website: www.seniorsnews.com.au Subscriptions Only $39.90 for one year (12 editions) including GST and postage anywhere in Australia. Please call our circulations services on 1300 361 604 and quote “Sunshine Coast Seniors Newspaper”. The Seniors Newspaper is published monthly and distributed free in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales. The Seniors newspaper stable includes Toowoomba, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Northern NSW, Coffs and Clarence and Central Coast publications. Published by News Corp Australia. Printed by News Corp Australia, Yandina. Opinions expressed by contributors to Seniors Newspapers are not necessarily those of the editor or the owner/publisher and publication of advertisements implies no endorsement by the owner/publisher.

Book highlights indigenous trackers’ role.

Tap into online convenience with free guidance Tracey Johnstone BECOME confident or more savvy online and when using technology after attending one of these free Coast library myTech sessions. Registration for all February sessions is essential. Phone 5475 8989 or visit library.sunshine coast.qld.gov.au. Gumtree and eBay LEARN how to buy and sell online. Search for bargains and sell unwanted items as you step through the basics of trading on

eBay and Gumtree. Sessions: Coolum – 5th, 23.30pm; Kawana – 17th, 10 – 11.30am. Online grocery shopping Discover how to save time, money and energy by doing your grocery shopping online. Learn how to sign up and navigate major store websites such as Woolworths and Coles. Bring a charged phone, tablet or laptop to participate. Nambour – 18th, 10–11.30am; Coolum – 19th, 2-3.30pm. Digital storage

Heart

With the digital files piling up, it is becoming more important to store your precious photos, videos, paperwork and various other data in a safe and accessible location. Learn about digital storage and back-up options including clouds and hard drives. Kawana – 3rd, 10-11.30am; Nambour – 6th, 10-11.30am; Caloundra – 20th, 10-11.30am; Beerwah – 28th, 2.30-4pm. Managing passwords Learn to manage your passwords. Get tips on creating memorable passwords and learn

how to retrieve those that have been forgotten. Find out more about apps available to help store and secure your secret codes for easy use. Coolum – 12th, 2-3.30pm; Maleny – 13th, 10-11.30am; Maroochydore – 9-10.30am; Kawana – March 2nd, 10-11.30am. Using email Join library staff in a group session to discover the basic skills every beginner needs to start using email. Laptops will be provided for participants to use during this session.

Caloundra – 18th, 10-11.30am; Maroochydore – 20th, 9-10.30am. Social networking Join library staff in a group session and learn how to stay safe while networking online. Get tips on using various social meet-up and dating websites that are available free. Learn how to recognise scammers and stay safe so you can enjoy the benefits of the digital age. Caloundra – 4th, 10-11.30am; Maleny – 14th, 10-11.30am; Nambour – 27th, 10-11.30am.

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Library sessions steer you in right direction TRACEY JOHNSTONE

SUNSHINE Coast libraries are offering a range of free learning sessions to improve your skills and knowledge, live a healthier life or encourage you to get out and about. Registrations are essential for all February sessions. Phone 5475 8989 or visit library.sunshinecoast.qld .gov.au. Topics include: Safeguard your future Join legal professionals from Suncoast Community Legal for an informative session on how to protect your interests, whether you’re writing a will, appointing a Power of Attorney or just getting your affairs in order. Dates and times are:

Maleny – February 3, 23.30pm; Nambour – February 5, 10-11.30am; Caloundra – February 14, 1011.30am; Kawana – February 20, 10-11.30am; Coolum – February 25, 10-11.30am; and Beerwah – February 26, 10-11.30am. Safe driving guide RACQ offers the Years Ahead program to assist older motorists to drive safely for longer by being aware of their capabilities. Dates and times are: Coolum – Feburary 10, 1011.30am; Maroochydore – Feburary 17, 10.30am-12pm; Kawana – Feburary 24, 12.30pm; Nambour – Feburary 26, 10-11.30am. Career counselling Discover ways to identify your strengths, skills and purpose to make confident

decisions about your career. Meera Miller from BUZZ Career Counselling will provide useful tools and interactive activities that will help you. Sessions: Cooroy - February 4, 10-11.30am; Noosaville - February 12, 1011.30am. Solo travel help Do you want to explore abroad but lack fellow travellers? Solo travel offers an exciting social experience with the chance to meet locals and other travellers. Sessions: Maleny – February 7, 10-11.30am; Maroochydore – February 11, 10.30am-12pm; Beerwah – February 13, 10-11.30am; Nambour – February 20, 10-11.30am; Coolum – February 22, 10-11.30am; Kawana – February 27, 56.30pm.

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SENIORS

Pockets as deep as Reg’s big heart TRACEY JOHNSTONE

WHEN it comes to choosing a philanthropic project, Reg Richardson (AM) looks to his “emotional quotient” to gauge what is the right one to support. It’s that instinct for what will and what won’t work that has led the 80-year-old to drive the establishment of outstanding organisations across a wide spectrum from indigenous health and melanoma research to the arts. Putting his hand in his pocket is his inclination. It’s been an approach he’s taken since his early business days. He was reared in what he describes as modest circumstances, growing up in Sydney’s Darlinghurst with his

Coaxing millions from the nation’s wealthy to benefit our most in need grandmother. “I have seen social issues as a pretty personal thing,” he said. “If you are competent enough to do something about it, I believe you should, and do in my case.” His business background was centred around service industries where “you deliver a service, whatever it happens to be, efficiently, on time and at the lowest cost possible”. Since retiring, Reg has turned his hand to finding financial answers to vexing projects, coaxing millions of dollars from rich Australians. “I am good at asking people

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

I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT WHATEVER I DO. away.” Take for example Greg and Kay Poche. All right, there is the exception here: Greg is Reg’s oldest and closest friend. Greg sold Star Track Express for $750 million. “I asked him what he was

going to do with all that,” Reg said. “He said he was going to give a lot of it away. He also replied, ‘I have seen what you have done over the years, so I am going to get you to do it’.” With Greg suffering several stokes which inhibited his walking and talking, the task of finding suitable projects was handed over to Reg. A casual introduction by a mate to melanoma surgeon Associate Professor John Stretch, who was eagerly seeking funding for melanoma research, led Reg to ask Greg for $10 million. “He just said ‘yep’ like that, so I thought, ‘I can get more

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

out of him’,” Reg said. Three months later he went back to Greg with a proposal for $30 million to build a centre for melanoma specialists. “Greg provided the dough, I provided the energy to get it all going because that’s who I

am, and John provided the medical advice,” Reg said. The end result: 10 years down the track and $40 million later, Reg has retired as board chairman for Melanoma Institute of Australia and the Mater Hospital owns the

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SENIORS

COVER STORY

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

IT’S THERE FOREVER AND ONE DAY THERE WILL BE A CURE FOR MELANOMA. $10 million, which led to the establishment of the Poche Indigenous Health Network. Its focus is on closing the gap in life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders through healthy teeth, hearts and children. “I told each university the money had to be invested at a rate of 9 per cent (the rates were 15 per cent at the time) in perpetuity and the capital to remain untouched for them to invest wisely so that they increased the $10 million to a higher figure. “In most cases it’s sitting at around 12 and they live on the $900,000 (interest) annually, then go out to get more dough.”

asset, used for critical worldrecognised melanoma research and treatment. “It’s there forever and one day there will be a cure for melanoma,” he said. Not one to rest on his laurels, Reg went back to Greg

and suggested they have a “crack at indigenous health”. “I said (to Greg), ‘If we were Aboriginal, we’d be dead’.” Greg agreed that was a compelling reason. Through Reg, five major universities each received

His passion runs deep Reg’s attachment to the arts started when he was 28. An artist friend, who ultimately became an art critic for a Sydney newspaper, opened Reg’s eyes to this world. Reg attended many art openings and read all his friend had to write.

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

“I then started to buy my own works, including eight of my friend’s,” Reg said. From there his collection grew and hasn’t stopped growing. “One was Tracey Moffatt, an Aboriginal photographer. I have the most of any person in the world, I am told.” By the time Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art opened, Reg was recognised as an art collector and was asked to be the president of its fundraising foundation. “I don’t do the openings now,” he said. “I see every show but go privately.” Healthy mind and body

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Keeping up with his philanthropic responsibilities means also keeping fit. The trim Reg walks every day as fast he can, but on the flat. The hills around his Mosman home are just too hard, he admits. He says playing golf is definitely out, but spending his free time advising the local Mosman Art Gallery is in. “I would like to do smaller things that make a bigger impact,” he said. The rewards for Reg are difficult to articulate. The straight-talking, switched-on man with a raucous laugh draws breath when asked

Pictures: Attila Szilvasi

what continues to drive him. Like Greg, the big-hearted man is quietly modest about his contributions. Red and green forever Reg might not have sporting talent, but that hasn’t stopped him from following the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Red and green glasses, rabbits on the side table, a red and green miniature scarf around the neck of a favourite sculpture. He wears his passion on his sleeve. “I am passionate about whatever I do,” Reg said.

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SENIORS

PNG project boosts diets Volunteer horticulturist helps villages eat healthily Tracey Johnstone AT THE midway point of the Rotary-backed Alleviation of Malnutrition project in Papua New Guinea, volunteer project leader Russell Stephenson is seeing valuable changes in the communities he is working with. The 75-year-old retired horticulturist and Rotary Club of Nambour member, devised an awareness program as a result of several visits revealing a state of dire malnutrition throughout PNG. Working under the umbrella of Rotary’s Food Plant Solutions project which promotes the cultivation of traditional plants, Dr Stephenson is trying to get the message out to remote communities in the Western Provinces that people, particularly babies, need a range of nutrients to grow properly. “Almost 45 per cent of the young children are stunted and about 15 per cent wasted,” he said. “It’s caused by inadequate diet; it’s very simple.” He has taken the theory behind Food Plant Solutions, consulted colleagues in PNG and adapted it to work in the field. For 18 months Dr Stephenson has flown into isolated communities of the North Fly District where

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

some of the poorest people in the world live on an average income of $10 a year. Hehas based himself at the Evangelical Church’s Mougulu Mission, but often happily stays in surrounding villages. “It’s not a dangerous place which can’t be said for a lot of the rest of PNG,” he said. “There are no government services there, no shops, no police, nothing.” But there are about 35,000 people living in the district he is trying to reach.

Graduates of the Train the Trainer program..

with the help of interpreters. Dr Stephenson initially ran a two-week Train the Trainer program covering nutrition, health and hygiene, family planning

and breastfeeding. The focus was on babies and young children growing strong, healthy and smart. “We called for volunteers and I expected we would get

about 25 or 30 and mostly women,” he said. “I got 60 and the majority were young men. “We spent a week going over the theory that I wanted them to teach in their villages and then another week practising preparing and teaching a lesson. I also prepared a manual for them to work from.” Dr Stephenson got them to focus on the use of local foods, since imported food was not sustainable and far too expensive. “They have to make the most of what they have

already got,” he said. After that course, 15 teams of instructors went out to the villages where they taught 41 courses to 8600 villagers which represented over 2000 families or nearly half the families in the district. “I was pretty pleased with that,” Dr Stephenson said. Since then he has delivered nutrition workshops to villages, set up demonstration food gardens and planted crops. “The main nutritional problem there is lack of energy as their main food, cooking banana, is a very weak energy food. They are pretty tasteless to my palate, but they love it,” he said “They also eat lots and lots of green leaves from the bush which are particularly nutritious. But there is no protein in their diet,” he added. “There is no meat in the diet even though there are pigs running around everywhere. The problem is those pigs signify wealth and celebration.” Dr Stephenson is teaching the communities about eating high-energy corn and coconuts, along with nuts. Last December Dr Stephenson ran a practical food preparation workshop for the women’s fellowship to help them drive improving the diet of their young children which often start their life chewing on hard, dry cooking banana. The three-year project, with month-long visits each quarter, will have Dr Stephenson head back this month.

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Network offers support Free meet-and-greet function launches new OWN branch Tracey Johnstone THE Coast is about to get its own branch of the national Older Women’s Network when the inaugural meeting of the Maroochydore Branch is held on February 26. Queensland OWN president Lee Hodgson is putting out the call to women aged 40 from all areas of the Coast to attend the branch’s free meet-andgreet function with morning tea at the Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre in Cotton Tree from 10.30am. Attendees will get to hear about what OWN is about and what this new group can do for the Coast community. It will be a great opportunity for like-minded women to connect through this social get-together and to identify what are the

needs of older women across the Coast. “It’s important to have these organisations for women, especially those that are on their own,” Mrs Hodgson said. “We promote healthy ageing, encourage life enrichment, provide support and companionship, develop help for women that need it and promote intergenerational connections,” she added. “We give the members lots of information on healthy ageing and on mental health, and direct them to places that can help them if they are suffering these problems.” Across Australia OWN branches are involved in social interactions, common interest outings and hear from guest speakers on subjects of particular interest to the branch. Some

REACHING OUT: Older Women's Network Queensland president Lee Hodgson.

branches meet weekly while others may meet monthly. Each branch determines what they want to get out of the meetings and what activities suit their interests. The not-for-profit organisation is committed to

promoting the rights and dignity of older women. Through the national office, it advocates and lobbies for legislative reforms on issues affecting these women. “We are involved in trying to get affordable housing for

the older generation,” Mrs Hodgson added. The cost of the OWN annual membership is $5 per year which includes a regular newsletter. There is also a cost of about $5 each per branch meeting to cover the

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cost of morning tea and venue hire. For more information and to advise attendance, phone Leonie Swainston on (07) 3358 2301 (TuesdayThursday) or Lee Hodgson on 0429 831 414.

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Laguna Estate - a lifestyle choice

Is ‘grandma’s ghetto’ your idea of a retirement village? If so, stop right there! There is nothing further from the truth. In the past, most residents entered these villages aged in their seventies as part of a move to downsize, decrease maintenance responsibilities, experience a greater sense of safety and security, or for health and lifestyle reasons. Today, younger retirees from age 55 are seeing the beneﬁts of relocating to a retirement village, with the emphasis on lifestyle and making the move a liberating experience. To those who say that they are not ready for such a move, many of the residents at Laguna Estate say that they wish they had made the decision earlier. It has given them the freedom to travel, visit family or just pursue new hobbies without any of the worries they previously had with the upkeep and security issues of their previous home. Combining outstanding resort facilities with stylish homes in a fully landscaped environment, this village strikes the perfect balance between privacy and independence whilst encouraging a vibrant and rewarding community in which to live. There are spacious villas and serviced apartments from which to choose, all in a quiet, peaceful location yet

so close to all the vibrant action of Noosa. The range of facilities is cleverly geared towards anyone over the age of 55, whether you are physically active or prefer a quieter lifestyle - and the grandchildren are welcome here. so what will sell you on your decision to make Laguna Estate your home? It is a combination of many things – particularly the smart community facilities and the activities which cater for all lifestyles, but also the quality finish of both the new and the refurbished villas, the resort-style feel, the professional and hugely cheerful staff and the low monthly fees. At some time in the future you may need living assistance but this too is catered for at Laguna Estate with assisted care apartments available. Three meals a day, cleaning, weekly towel & linen changes and 24 hour on-call emergency staff are all part of the service. Laguna Estate is a class act – phone 1800 012 049 for lots more information and an appointment to view this special retirement estate at 21 Lake Weyba Drive, Noosaville. You could soon be making the best choice of your life! 7101434aa

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Pascal’s head is still in the clouds AT AGE of 78, former astronaut tracker and Cold War defender, Pascal Lunsford, is still looking skywards . In the 1960s, he radartracked astronauts on the Mercury and Gemini missions which led to the moon landing, and he serviced weapons control systems on aircraft waiting to intercept Russian bombers that might fly over Canada to invade the USA. His dream of becoming a pilot was put on hold for another half a century, until recently, when his son began flight lessons. Pascal not only followed his son into the cockpit to gain his recreational pilot’s licence. He has also enrolled in CQUniversity’s Bachelor of Aviation (Flight Operations) – based at Bundaberg Campus - with a goal to become a commercial pilot. Currently, he is complet-

ing the second year of his degree and acknowledges that time might catch up with him, but he’s determined to stay healthy and perhaps spend a few years flying freight aircraft. “I’ve had a dream of flying since I was a kid – I could draw just about every aircraft there was - but my family did not have the money for me to pursue it,” Pascal says. Instead, he joined the US Air Force to specialise on radar and weapons systems, from bases including Washington State and Hawaii. At one point, he worked on an F106 Delta Dart, which was the fastest plane in the world at the time. Then came a stint with a private contractor, maintaining heavy ground radar for the Navy in Hawaii. In the 1970s, Pascal formed an affinity with Australia, married an Aussie woman and moved Down Under for a new phase of his life.

He spent two decades as a dialysis machine technician, working across NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory, before taking a contract in the same field in Guam. “When I retired, I was determined not to get bored, and to keep my brain working, so the CQUniversity course has been fantastic, especially since I’ve been helping to promote the course to schoolkids,” Pascal says. “Instead of talking to people in an old people’s home, I’m out talking to young people who have a lot of get up and go and they kind of drag you along with them. “Current Aviation students are lucky to have access to courses like this. I would have loved to have this opportunity to study earlier in my life.” Pascal is now looking forward to boosting his flying hours as he gets deeper into his CQUniversity program next year.

LIFELONG LEARNER: Former astronaut tracker and Cold War defender Pascal Lunsford.

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Generosity is rewarded with honour Tracey Johnstone SUNSHINE Coast’s Jocelyn Walker has been honored by of the University of the Sunshine Coast’s with the award of the Chancellor’s Stole - the pinnacle of acknowledgements that recognises her contribution to this and many other organisations on the Coast. Seniors News recently spoke to Jocelyn about her philanthropic work with the university, RACQ LifeFlight, Sunny Kids, Steps Charity, Montrose Access and Sunshine Coast Oriana Choir. ENRICHING LIVES: Coast philanthropist Jocelyn Walker;

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?

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When my late husband and I built the 24-hour service stations on the Bruce Highway, the Coast community really supported us. I guess that’s where the philanthropy came from. Vic wanted to give back to the community and thank them for how they supported us. Eighty per cent of the people who walked through our door were local. My husband was also very keen to support youth in different areas. I followed that line of thought as well. *Why support the university? (She has been on the university’s Foundation Board for 24 years.) I like to support the students to pursue their goals and careers. We have a scholarship in memory of my late husband and which we annually give to a student to give them a great start to their university life.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE A CAUSE? It starts off being random. You go to something you have a keen interest in such as LifeFlight. The mere fact they are saving lives everyday within our region,

Philanthropy was a solution to paying back community support ihas made it become very much a passion of mine. A year ago, I took on the position of chair of the LifeFlight regional advisory committee on the Coast. Now I can play a more intimate role in it. Montrose Access supports children and young adults with physical disabilities, neuro-muscular conditions, development delay and autism. I support them quite substantially. Steps Charity is one of the organisations I am enormously proud of. The rewards are what takes you there. I think, the more you see something grow, the more enthusiasm you seem to get.

YOUR GREATEST PASSION? I grew up in a musical family. Most of them were singers. When I discovered the Oriana Choir at the first concert I went to, I decided I really want to help them. Each year I get more passionate about the choir. The more they grow, the more I love them. If you ask me what gives me the most pleasure, it’s the choir. But if you ask me to name a charity, it’s

I WE HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP IN MEMORY OF MY LATE HUSBAND AND WE ANNUALLY GIVE TO A STUDENT TO GIVE THEM A GREAT START TO THEIR UNIVERSITY LIFE.

LifeFlight. The university is top of my tree.

WHAT IS YOUR AGE? I don’t have it printed in any media. Particularly because I am boards, some people sometimes think, ‘oh well, why aren’t there younger people on there?’. I think everybody achieves on their own merit and not their age.

HOW MUCH TIME DOES THIS WORK TAKE? Phew, I would like to show you my diary. I will sometimes have three of four appointments a day, and then go a week and not have any. I spend about 15 to 20 hours a week on them. The very best outcome is to meet with someone and explain to them (the project). The faceto-face is the absolute pinnacle of getting a good response. I can’t say I really enjoy it. I find it a challenge. I try to go about it in the best way I can, but it does take a lot of time.

HOW DO YOU KEEP WELL?

I walk for an hour every morning and I try to eat well. I travel a lot up to a month or six weeks each time. (The work) doesn’t interrupt my travel, but I can work remotely. I also have a lot of family close by and they come first.

HOW LONG WILL YOU KEEP DOING THIS? Financially I will support them while I am on this earth. I would like to think my two children will continue with some or all of them. Certainly, with the university scholarship, they will continue with that . I am certain it will be renamed to the Vic and Jocelyn Walker Memorial Scholarship.

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Journey to demon-free life CONTRIBUTED

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

emotional time: On Anzac Day attending the service in Hellfire Pass, where Brian met Harold Mills, who was a prisoner there. Picture: Contributed

Kemble and Elliott, who were prisoners on the infamous Burma Railway and were interned in Hellfire Pass. In 1998, these two friends talked me into joining Legacy to assist families of deceased

veterans. Every year since, at remembrance services, I would say to them: “Di and I will visit Burma Railway and Hellfire Pass one day.’’ Sadly, in 2012 Elliott passed away and in 2013, while

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MY NAME is Brian and I am writing this article to tell of three amazing events my wife and I shared during a trip to South-East Asia. It was one of the most healing journeys of my life and brought about closure for me regarding my tour of duty to South Vietnam. In 1965 I was conscripted for national service into the Royal Australian Army. I was deferred from the first intake to complete an apprenticeship and drafted in the third intake on April 20, 1966. This was the Tuesday straight after I had just finished my apprenticeship on the Friday before (I never worked one day in that trade). After eight months of army training, I was deployed to South Vietnam in January 1967 and returned home in late December 1967. I failed to complete my 12-month tour due to a severe alcohol problem fuelled by resentment towards the Australian government and the country of South Vietnam for perceived loss of my trade. After being trapped in a downward spiral for some years, I found recovery and support but still clung to disdain for Vietnam in the belief that this country was the direct or indirect cause of most of my life’s problems. I married my wife, Diane, in 1992. Di had a nursing career as a midwife, mental health nurse and a remote-area nurse. We lived in Forster Tuncurry in NSW and at an Anzac Day service in 1996, I met two WWII veterans,

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watching the Anzac Day service broadcast from Hellfire Pass, Di said we should honour the promise to go and suggested that it may help me to include Vietnam in the trip. So, we extended our trip to

cover Vietnam, Burma Railway and Hellfire Pass, a journey that turned out to be a lifechanging experience. Our voyage began in 2014 and while on a train trip from Da Nang to Hue my wife had to deliver a baby girl on the carriage floor. Di needed something to tie off the “cord”, so I provided some pink ribbon off my suitcase. It was a remarkable moment and symbolic to “new beginnings”. Two weeks later we attended the Long Tan Cross Memorial, where the young Vietnamese guide opened the boot of his car and gave us a fresh red rose to place on the cross. On Anzac Day we attended the service in Hellfire Pass, where I met Harold Mills, who was a prisoner there. These three events made me contemplate forgiveness, respect and new beginnings. I

thought about the greatgrandparents of the newborn who is no longer my enemy soldier on the opposing force. Today he is a human being just like me. A farmer who lost his village and livelihood during the terrible war. Then there was our young Vietnamese guide, who treated us with equality and respect and did not display any malice towards the people who invaded his country. And our friend Harold: hearing his story helped me to realise that I have never really had it tough compared with himself, Kemble and Elliot, soldiers who lost their freedom. Di and I returned home with a new depth of gratitude for life. And I am finally free of past demons and have a new attitude and respect towards Vietnam.

Take note: There is an interest rate change for the pension loans scheme THE interest rate on the Pension Loans Scheme changed on January 1, down from 5.25% per annum to 4.5%. For those people with a PLS loan no action is required. The new rate is applied to the loan from January 1. All new applications will have the new rate applied. To check which rate applies to your loan, use your Centrelink online account through my.gov.au. Sign in, select Manage Payments in the menu then select the Pension Loans Scheme Overview service. The new rate will display when either a loan payment has been made or interest gets added to your loan. Info: humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/ pension-loans-scheme.

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

NOOSA LIFE ART CIRCLE WE meet in the hall of the Uniting Church in Tewantin (corner Poinciana and Werin Sts) on Tuesdays from 9am12.30pm to draw/paint a live model, in any preferred medium. The cost is $25 annual membership/ insurance and then $20 per session to cover the hall rental, use of easels, the model – can be male or female- tea/coffee and very nice biscuits. The members are extremely friendly and helpful to new and budding artists, and are in no way judgmental. There are currently a few places available for new members. Anyone wanting to join should phone Malcolm on 0468 305 500 or Giuliana on 0422 079 612 .

meetings on the second Friday each month, 1.30pm for a 2pm start. Our motto is Friendship through Gardening. Our February 14 meeting features Narelle Roberts, from SCRC, who will be discussing the new regulations around verge gardens, with plenty of time for questions. The meeting also includes the usual features of flower/ foliage and photography competitions, plant sales, free seeds, a lucky door prize and numerous raffles prizes, and of course a delicious afternoon tea at the conclusion of the meeting. Parking can be a problem so please come early and enjoy a chat. For further info, go to buderimgardenclub.com or phone president John Lyon on 0448 714 561.

CALOUNDRA SENIOR CITIZENS’ CLUB

AN AFTERNOON OF BEAUTIFUL MUSIC

FOR people over 50 we have a variety of activities. On Mondays: tai chi exercises, Bolivia, 500, Whist, indoor bowls. Tuesdays: tai chi, Latin dancing. Phone Maribel on (07) 549 22805 for details. Wednesdays: Cuppa, music show, Mahjong, 500, Hoy, indoor bowls. Thursdays: tai chi exercises. The club opened this year on Monday, January 20 at the Uniting Church hall, 56c Queen St. For a copy of times and costs phone 07 5438 1403 or email raymoni@optusnet .com.au.

STARRING Hot Ginger, The Sunshine Statesmen Barbershop Chorus and A Great Ukulele Band. The concert is at 2pm on Saturday, February 22. Tickets only $15, children half price. After the concert an enjoyable afternoon tea will be provided. This “afternoon of beautiful music’’ will be in St Peter’s Anglican Church, corner of Church St and Beach Rd, Maroochydore, with all money raised going towards the new Multi Purpose Community Hall. To book, phone or text Daphne on 0414 911 496.

BUDERIM GARDEN CLUB WE ARE a vibrant community organisation based at Buderim Memorial Hall. We hold general

SCHOOL REUNION STATE Commercial High School: Former students who attended this Brisbane high school, which closed in

SENIORS

Community notes

CHEERS TO FRIENDSHIP: Caloundra Evening VIEW Club members Janette Clarke, Sandra Louwrens, Doreen Calvert, Susan Carter, Joan Connor and Dianna Sutton raise a glass to celebrate Christmas. Picture: Contributed

1962, are invited to celebrate their 29th reunion lunch at Easts Leagues Club, Coorparoo, Brisbane, on Tuesday, March 10. Phone Tricia Dakin on 07 3376 7724 or email twdakin@bigpond.net.au for further details.

SOUTHSIDE BLIND & LOW-VISION SUPPORT GROUP IF YOU are blind or have low vision and live on the southside of Brisbane, come along to our group, who meet in the Community Meeting Room in the Brisbane City Council Library in Westfield Garden City Shopping Centre. We gather about 9.30am and disperse at 11.30am on the second Tuesday of each month. We chat about what we did in the previous month and any problems we may have had and how we can help them. We usually have a guest speaker but if we don’t we tell jokes and have quizzes to inspire us. Carers and

family are most welcome to attend. Morning tea is severed about 10.15am. Phone Peter on (07) 3345 7421 for more information.

HEADLAND-BUDERIM CROQUET CLUB CROQUET: Come and try this unique sport, offering great exercise for mind and body. Club location, Syd Lingard Drive Buderim (opposite cricket fields). See Headland-Buderim Croquet Club Facebook for more details or phone Helen on 0429 433 339.

PROBUS CLUBS î Buderim East AT THE January meeting of the Buderim East Probus Club, members celebrated the 35th anniversary of the club. The club began as a men’s club with 18 foundation members. Bob Martin, a Rotarian with the Mooloolaba Rotary Club, called a meeting for those interested in belonging to

Probus and so began this vibrant and enthusiastic club. It is now a mixed club with close to 100 members and meets monthly at the Waterfront Hotel, David Low Way, Diddillibah, on the second Tuesday at 10am. A special morning tea with celebratory cake was enjoyed to mark the occasion. The guest speaker for the meeting was Norm Thursby from the Buderim Men’s Shed. His presentation was most informative, interesting and entertaining. The club’s social director has been very busy organising the next major outing – a visit to the Port of Brisbane. This will take place in February and members are eagerly looking forward to it. If anyone would like further information about the Buderim East Probus Club, phone Brian Salter on 0427 206 035. î Caloundra 86 OUR year has begun with the first meeting in January

as well as a club lunch afterwards at the Pelican Waters Tavern, plus our monthly activities. Our first day outing will be to the Life Flight at Maroochydore. The club is an active, fun-loving mixed group of retired and semi-retired seniors who would welcome new members to join them. We have a range of activities on offer throughout the month. To come along to the general meeting. Contact membership officers Dorothy and Bill on (07) 5492 6721. î Tewantin Noosa OUR club is all about fun and friendship for retirees. There are weekly outings such as coffee mornings, lunches, dinners and visits to places of interest. Something to please everyone and every budget. Meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each month at 9.45am at the Tewantin Noosa RSL. Visitors are welcome. A CONTINUED PAGE 18

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FEBRUARY, 2020//

FROM PAGE 16

information.

donation of $5 covers morning tea. Our next meeting will be on Monday, February 23. The Annual General Meeting will be held immediately after this meeting. For further information, phone Geoff Bailue on 0418 145 034.

BUDDINA COAST CARE

CONTRACT BRIDGE LOOKING for bridge players who would be interested in playing social bridge in the Yandina/Nambour area. If you no longer play at a club it is an opportunity to play again. Please contact Patrick via email at berpat@bigpond.com or phone (07) 5472 7287.

TAOIST TAI CHI GROUP A LOCAL branch of a notfor-profit tai chi group is offering complimentary “tryit’’ classes in Taoist Tai Chi to celebrate their 50th anniversary. They will be joining a dozen other branches of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of Australia to offer 50 open classes in 50 iconic locations around Australia during 2020. The complimentary try-it classes will be offered on Thursday, January 30, from 8-9.45am at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve (overlooking Glasshouse Mountains). Meet in picnic area.

SOCIAL BALLROOM DANCING, POMONA EVERY Tuesday evening from 7-9.30pm Pat and Norm Young organise a social evening at the Pomona Memorial School of Arts Hall - cost is $4, which includes supper. It is a very enjoyable evening as Pat and Norm provide New Vogue as well as Old Time Dancing. Come and be a spectator and see if you enjoy it. Everyone is welcome. Phone 0407 456 939 for more

JOIN us under the shade of the casuarina trees anytime between 8-10am for our dune care activities (planting natives and removing weeds) on Tuesday, February 11, at Beach Access 201 on Pacific Blvd, Buddina. All provisions, tools, plants, conversation and morning tea are provided. Buddina Coast Care is a small community volunteer group and new volunteers and visitors are welcome. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month. Follow us on Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ Buddinacoastcare/.

LOOKING BACK + STRAIGHT AHEAD TOUR THE Jazz & Blues Collective is proud to present the last performance in the Queensland leg of the Australian tour of Ingrid James + The Boys from Prague. Ingrid James, an award-winning jazz vocalist from Queensland, known for “moving gracefully between traditional jazz and soulful blues with a powerful, yet sultry vocal resonance”, is joining forces with musical colleagues from Prague, internationally acclaimed Czech guitarist Libor Smoldas, “one of the fastestrising talents on the Prague jazz scene” (The Prague Post), Jakub Zomer (hammond organ/voice), known for his “roaring organ solos” (Downbeat Magazine); and from Queensland, celebrated drummer Sacha Kloostra. Together they will present a fun program of cool and hip swing, blues and Bossanovas, all set to the rich grooves and sounds of hammond organ, guitar,

AN AFTERNOON AT THE

voice and drums. Sunday, February 9, at the Old Soul Lounge Bar. Doors open at 1pm. Show from 2-4.30pm. Tickets $25; seniors $22. Inquiries to 0417 633 734. Click here to book: ticketebo.com.au/ jazz-blues-collective/ or bank lodgement: Suncorp J&BC BSB: 484-799 Acc: 60-734867-3 (Your tickets will be waiting for you at the door).

CROQUET How about starting the new year with a new interest like croquet. It is an excellent game for fitness (you can walk 4km during a 45minute game). It is good exercise and helps coordination Age is not a problem: we have juniors and players in their 90s. Play is on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9am till noon. The club is next to the Nambour Bowls Club. The first four visits are free, and tuition, mallets and balls are included. You only need to wear soft-soled shoes, and morning tea is provided. We are a very social group so come along and have a go. We also play Mahjong on Monday morning from 9 till noon. Cost is $4 and morning tea is included. If you have never played we are happy to teach you. It’s a great fun game. For information, email Patrick at berpat@bigpond.com or phone 07 5472 7287.

BOOKFEST POMONA COOROY-Pomona Lions are holding their next Bookfest at the Lion’s Den, Mountain Street, Pomona, on Friday, February 7, and Saturday, February 8. Open 8am-2pm both days. Thousands of good books of all kinds on sale. For information, phone 07 5485 3236.

BEGINNERS’

AustrAliAn GlobAl entertAinment presents

A musicAl spEcTAculAR iAN

cOOpER

SENIORS

THE BluE dANuBE

ORcHEsTRA

MILESTONE: Buderim VIEW club members enjoy their 26th anniversary celebrations at Buderim Tavern. Picture: Contributed

LINEDANCING COME along to Woombye Hall on Mondays at 9am and at North Shore Community Centre, Mudjimba, on Mondays at 7pm and Wednesdays at 9am. Also Thursdays 9am at Yandina School of Arts Hall. Keep your mind active and body fit with dance. Fun, fitness, friendship and great music. Phone Barbara on 0407 733 280 for more information.

said at the completion of the course, beginners are skilled enough to join supervised play. Beginners or those taking the course as a refresher can also choose from several levels of play. Details on the club website, go to suncoastbridge .com.au, phone Alison on 0412 690 781 7574 or email alison.dawson@yahoo.com. au.

SUNSHINE COAST BRIDGE CLUB

CALOUNDRA CHORALE AND THEATRE COMPANY

THE next series of beginners’ classes start on Monday, March 2, at 9am11.45am. Exercise your mind by participating in a 10-week course at the club rooms at the northern end of the Elizabeth Daniels Sports Complex on Syd Lingard Drive, Buderim. Cost $40. Staying mentally alert and relevant is just one aspect of learning and playing bridge. Friendship and the social interaction that rises from a shared interest is also part and parcel of the game. Instructor Alison Dawson

2020 is our 50th anniversary year. The first concert is a Variety Concert on February 29. The program will feature Amber Trio (Anne Bowyer, Pam Handley and Beryl Meyers) augmented on stage by Sarah Sullivan, Colin Butcher, Tracey Stoddart and duo pianists Dominic Retschlag and Neil Booth, who will also host the event. All these people have been prominent in the activities of the Chorale over the past 50 years. Early bookings

recommended! Saturday, February 29, at 2pm and 7pm. Two performances only, at the CCTC Theatre 3 Piringa St, Wurtulla. Adults $30 concession, $27 groups/ members/FOC $25. Bookings on 0490 329 912.

GRIEF AND LOSS PROGRAM HAVE you experienced the loss of a loved one? The next Blue Care Grief and Loss Program starts on Tuesday, February 25, at the Buderim Uniting Church Hall, cnr King St and Gloucester Road. This is a free program and each session will run from 10amnoon for eight weeks. For further information or to register, phone (07) 5479 3178 or email aaugustine5 @bigpond.com.

AGLOW INTERNATIONAL AGLOW – Sunshine Coast will meet on Friday, February 14, at 9.30am at Flame Tree Baptist Church hall, 27 Coes Creek Road, Burnside. Entry $8 includes morning tea. Come along

AUSTRALIAN GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS

THE AusTRAliAN TENORs

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spEcTAculAR

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SENIORS

and enjoy worship and an inspirational message. Women and men are all welcome. Come along and bring a friend. For more information, phone Jacinta on 0411 454 662 or Dorothy on 5476 4190. Aglow is a worldwide nondenominational Christian organisation.

SUNSHINE COAST CONCERT BAND PRESENTING Broadway at its Best on Sunday, February 23, at 2pm in the Kawana Community Hall, Nanyima St, Buddina. An afternoon of top entertainment with a great variety of music and talented vocalists. Tickets $15, available at the door, include afternoon tea and raffle prizes will be offered. Tickets can be prepurchased by phoning or texting on 0417 649 686. All proceeds go to local charities. For all future events with the Sunshine Coast Concert Band visit sccb.org.au.

CICADA QUEENSLAND CICADA stands for Cochlear Implant Club and Advisory Association and is a volunteer organisation helping hearing-impaired people back to the world of sound following Cochlear implantation or just considering a Cochlear mplant. If you or a friend/ family member are struggling to hear with hearing aids and are considering a Cochlear implant and would like to talk to someone who has had the journey, please contact Penny via email pennyphillips1@bigpond.co m or SMS on 0421 328 909. Meet-ups start on Tuesday, January 28 (and every last Tuesday of the month), at Sunshine Castle Cafe Bli Bli starting at 10am through to 12pm. Just come along for a

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COMMUNITY NEWS

\\FEBRUARY, 2020 cuppa and a chat with those who truly understand and can tell you about their journeys. All welcome.

CALOUNDRA FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH OUR next General Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 20, at 1.30pm and guest speaker will be a regular, Ann Knight, on a very topical subject, “My Rollercoaster ride with Genealogy and DNA“. Whether you are a beginner or have been researching your descendants for years, there is always something to learn and be amazed by the knowledge of the monthly guest speakers and the group outings to local museums and libraries. Our rooms are open on Thursdays and Saturdays at 9am-12.30pm for people who want to use our resources (library, computers and onsite expert advice). Our membership is growing and we welcome new members and visitors. Our address, opening times and further details are available on our website, caloundrafamilyhistory.org .au, email us on hello@caloundrafamilyhisto ry.org.au or phone Cathy Meyer on 0411 88 1745.

GOOD VIBRATIONS A CAPPELLA CHOIR WE ARE seeking new singers. Singing mostly “popular” songs in four-part harmony. We sing on Monday evenings in Cooroy, starting again in midFebruary. Email Andrew at andrewjemmet@gmail.com or phone (07) 5474 1498 for more information.

NATIONAL SENIORS

î Sunnybank A BIG welcome back and a happy 2020 to all our members and friends. Our committee is already planning speakers and

activities for our general meetings, with the annual fashion parade set for February, and a masters weightlifter, a speaker in March. The branch will also celebrate 30 years in March with the sharing of a birthday cake. Bus trips for March and May are confirmed, and friends are invited to join us if room permits. Our monthly general meetings are held at Newnham Hotel on the fourth Monday at 10.30am with morning tea beforehand. For more branch information phone Di on (07) 3349 3462 or Bev on (07) 3341 4170.

VIEW CLUBS Raising money for The Smith Family and Learning for Life Program at their functions. More information on VIEW clubs can be found on view.org.au. î Buderim OUR club recently celebrated its 26th anniversary. It was a very successful event, with the theme Ladies in Black. Members were entertained listening to Kim Kirkman, a harpist and singer. The club always has interesting guest speakers and this one was no exception, with his humour as well as being an excellent musician. Our next lunch and meeting is on Wednesday, February 5, at 11am for 11.30am at Buderim Tavern. Cost: $28. RSVP: Pat Cooney on (07) 5445 6329 or email wockagrandy@optusnet.co m.au by February 2. î Caloundra Evening CHRISTMAS dinner was full of good cheer. We celebrated in style at the Caloundra Power Boat Club. Pre-dinner drinks and canapes were served in the Dolphins Room overlooking picturesque Pumicestone Passage. Members joined in

MILESTONE: Buderim East Probus members celebrated the club’s 35th anniversary in January. Picture: Contributed

the spirit by wearing Christmas fashions and quirky accessories. The ladies enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner with all the trimmings before celebrating on the dance floor to the music provided by Billy Guy. The VIEW club raises funds to sponsor disadvantaged students on the Sunshine Coast and mentors young people at After-School Learning Clubs, managed by The Smith Family. Phone Sue on 0403 504 408 for more information. î Glasshouse Country WE ARE having an outing to Peachester Cafe on February 5 and meet at the cafe at 10am. Our lunch meeting will be on February 19, which will also be a social day, and will meet at Glasshouse Sports Club at 11am. Phone Trish on (07) 5493 0026 or Janet on 0448 845 303.

Club on Monday, February 3. If you don’t win a prize in the raffle, you’ll certainly win new friends, who are happy to share their gardening expertise. As a special treat, our February meeting features guest speaker Dr Dale Dixon. Dale will share tips on plant choice and care for the challenging drought conditions so familiar nowadays. Apart from his extensive horticultural knowledge, Dale comes with an impressive CV, including curator manager of the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens. Location: Uniting Church, Nambour, entry and free parking via Donaldson St. Arrive at 8.30am for a cuppa and chat, buy your raffle tickets, check out the library, and select from the beautiful plants on the sales table. Phone Karel on 0404 109 042.

NAMBOUR GARDEN CLUB

FREE TYPE 2 DIABETES INFO

TREAT yourself to a great morning at Nambour Garden

THE SCHHS Community Health provides free

workshops to people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes. Family members and carers are also welcome. The workshops are delivered from 9am-1pm on the following dates: Feb 13, Caloundra; Feb 20, Maroochydore; and Feb 27, Gympie. Bookings essential. Phone (07) 5479 9670 or email SCT2D Education@ health.qld.gov.au.

SQUARE DANCING CLASSES Square dancing is a fun activity that keeps us fit. Suncoasters Square Dance Club is at 260 Dixon Road, Buderim. Tuesday, February 18, at 7pm is the time for new dancers to come and start this great new activity. Please come along and maybe bring a friend.

FREE 4 SALE CLASSIFIEDS Shower chair, adjustable height, side handles, nonslip, drainage, clean, VGC. $50. Ph 0407 359 111. Marcoola.

Your first choice for Home Care Packages We all know there’s no place like home. We can help you to stay in your own home, connected to your community and in control of your lifestyle. With a Home Care Package you’re in the driving seat, we’re just here to offer support and a helping hand. Already have a Home Care Package? If you’re looking to change providers, we can walk you through the process. We’ll make it as easy as possible and ensure your services continue through the transition. Just give one of our friendly customer service team a call.

Making people’s lives better for fifty years

1800 786 227 suncare.org.au SESE01Z01MA - V1

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

Freecall: 1800 072 535 DOWN UNDER COACH TOURS Ph: 07 4123 1733

14 Day Ballarat Begonia Festival

6 Day Waterfall Way Easter 14 Day Bright Autumn Festival, 15 Day Corner Country, Lake Escape Silo Art Trail & Great Ocean Road Eyre & Birdsville Explorer Departs: 09/04/20

• 2 Nights Ballarat • 3 Nights Melbourne • Dubbo Zoo • Puﬃng Billy Steam & Cuisine Lunch • Ballarat Begonia Festival & Grand Parade • Old Gippstown • Gippsland Lake Cruise • Omeo & Great Alpine Road

• 4 Nights Coﬀs Harbour • Waterfall Way Sightseeing • Dorrigo Rainforest Centre & Skywalk • Trail Bay Gaol, South West Rocks • Bowraville Folk Museum • Harbourside Markets • Butterﬂy House • Clog Barn

• 3 Nights Albury • Bright Autumn Festival • Benalla Wall Art • Heartbeat of the Murray Laser Show • Silo Art Trail • Grampians Sightseeing • Great Ocean Road & Twelve Apostles • National Wool Musuem, Geelong

• 2 Nights Innamincka & Marree • Cameron Corner • Depot Glen & Pooles Grave • Millparinka • Trilby Station • Burke & Wills Dig Tree • Lake Eyre Sightseeing • Birdsville Pub

• 2 Nights Adels Grove & Longreach • Birdsville Pub • Charleville Bilby Experience • Outback @ Isa Centre • Lawn Hill Gorge • John Flynn Museum, Cloncurry • Stockman’s Hall of Fame • Thomson River Cruise & Dinner

• 3 Nights Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge • Blackwater International Coal Mining Centre • Fairbairn Dam • 2.5 Days Carnarvon Gorge Exploring • Arcadia Valley Escape • Big Rig Roma

Adult: $4998 Single Supplement: $1423

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Departs: 18/06/20

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7 Day Carnarvon Gorge Explorer

Departs: 05/03/20

SPECIALISING IN SENIOR’S TRAVEL

Departs: 29/04/20

14 Day Birdsvillle & Lawn Hill Gorge

COMPLIMENTARY DOOR TO DOOR SERVICE (Area Conditions Apply)

Departs: 13/07/20

FULLY ACCOMMODATED TOURS

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SENIORS

Hit the roof with ride on top IN BRIEF

RIDE along the roof of India on a breathtaking Himalayan motorbike tour. Adrenaline junkies can open throttle on the roof of the world on a motorbike tour that offers breathtaking views of the Indian Himalayas and the world’s most hair-raising roads. Nomadic Knights is offering a $US500 discount on its Roof of India tour in July if booked by February 15. The journey will see travellers ride Royal Enfield motorbikes along some of the highest roads in the world. The 14-night Roof of India ride begins on July 11 and is available for $US4480 for riders, including the $US500 discount if booked by February 15. Use the code JULYROI500 when booking. Includes accommodation, bike hire, breakfasts, dinners and mechanical and logistical support.

CRUISING: A chance to relax and explore.

Flights to India are extra. Info: www.nomadicknights.com.

LOCK IN A NEW LOOK AT NIAGARA FALLS How do cruise ships continue their journey from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, or vice versa, when the great Niagara Falls deny a safe way through? The solution? The Welland Canal. The canal connects Lake Ontario and Lake Erie through a complex system of eight locks. To put it simply for those who aren’t cruise

ADRENALINE HITS: Explore the lesser known northeastern part of India on the back of a motorbike with Nomadic Knights

enthusiasts, a lock is basically an elevator for ships. A ship will enter a lock gate and it will close the ship in, becoming watertight.

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

Welland Canal is not only essential to a Great Lakes cruise, it is an entertaining journey as guests pass through each lock. One of Cruise Traveller’s

small-ship partners, Victory Cruise Lines, has just released a new cruise program to the Great Lakes, where guests will be able to enjoy Niagara Falls and the

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of the world great North American lakes as well as Welland Canal. Info: www.cruisetraveller .com.au/great-lakes-granddiscovery.

SOUTHERN GREECE WALKING TOUR On Foot Holidays has announced a new selfguided walk for 2020. Travellers will explore the remote mountain villages and natural beauty of the Peloponnese in southern Greece. The six-night route is the newest of the operator’s 32 inn-to-inn walks throughout Europe, which aim to immerse travellers in a destination as they enjoy “the art of slow travel’’. The walk begins in the stonemasons’ village of Lagadia, and highlights of the journey include beautiful fir forests, panoramic mountain views, working monasteries, jewellers’ workshops, watermills and the remote and pretty village of Elati in its forest

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

eXPerienCe lonGreaCh & Winton

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

Departing Monthly April to Oct

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

aWesome foursome Gulflander adventure

Travel the Gulf Country of northern Qld aboard the legendary Gulf & Savannahlander Trains. Visit the Atherton Tablelands, Georgetown, Cobbold Gorge, Finnegans Rest & Mt Surprise and traveling back to Cairns on the through lush tropical rainforest aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway. 10 days from $2,490 including return QLD Pension Rail Fare in Economy Seat. Upgrade to Deluxe Rail Bed $2,890

Departure Monthly April to Oct

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

ADVENTURES: Consider a world view from motorbike or on foot.

clearing. Including six nights’ accommodation, all breakfasts, four picnic lunches and all luggage

transfers, the walk costs from £720 a person, twinshare (about $A1382). Info: www.onfootholidays co.uk.

eCCentriC liGhtninG ridGe

The most unique mining town in Australia, Lighting Ridge boasts with over 100yrs of opal mining history. Fossick for your own treasure on lands that 100mil years ago dinosaurs roamed. Visit Museums, Mines and Caves and even an artesian pool! 5 days from $1,460 Departing 13th May 2020

total tasmania

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

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

1300 484 510 or (07) 5513 1086 E: groups@uplifttours.com I www.uplifttoursandtravel.com

Innovative. Inspiring. Unique.

Service is our Strength. Travel is our Passion.

disCover CooktoWn

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

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

ChillaGo Caves, Cairns and Port douGlas

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

From

$3,259*

*per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single Supplement $695

COOK ISLANDS PACIFIC PARADISE TOUR From

$3,559*

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

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

12 - 20 JUNE 2020

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

*per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single Supplement $775

YULEFEST IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS From

$2,779* *per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single Supplement $360

Departure Dates: 4 July, 12 Sep

06 - 10 JULY 2020

$5,414*

From

$3,495*

*per person Twin Share or Single Supplement Ex SYD

ClassiC southern outbaCk Pubs and Cunnamulla

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

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

9 - 13 SEPTEMBER 2020

*Departure Dates 2020: 1st April*

This fascinating tour takes you down a private railway, along goods only railway lines and railway branches that are normally closed, all whilst showcasing the best of regional NSW. Relive the heyday of long-distance travel with restored ex-Southern Aurora sleeping carriages on a vintage train called the “Aurora Australis”. Savour local produce and wines, enjoy sightseeing and visit some spectacular gardens, view delightful scenery and relax onboard.

iConiC Pubs of north Queensland

*10 Days* -Depart Brisbane to Cairns on the Spirit of QLD Train – See spectacular scenic destinations whilst visiting well known and historic pubs including the 1878 Court House Hotel, Port Douglas, highest pub in QLD Ravenshoe Hotel, the Iconic *“Pub with no Beer”* Ingham, 1901 Great Northern Hotel, Townsville, Charters Towers 1865 Eureka Hotel *10 days with Return Rail Fare. QLD Pension Economy Seat $2,040. QLD Pension Deluxe Rail Bed $2,370. Seniors Card Deluxe Rail Bed $2,580 *Departure Dates 2020: 28th April 25th July; 19th Sep*

TERMS & CONDITIONS *Price is per person twin share. Single Supplement applies. Credit card surcharges apply. Deposit of AUD $500-$800 per person is required to secure tour. Tour requires a minimum number of passengers to depart. Prices may ﬂuctuate if surcharges, fee, taxes or currency change. Prices current as at 20th January 2020 Uplift Tours and Travel in conjunction with Norfolk Select Marketing ABN: 93 367 366 822 ATAS Accreditations A10619 7099112az

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*Departure Dates 2020: 13th June.

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

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

GOLDEN WEST RAIL TOUR

best of the north West & mt isa

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

Join us on this 5-day Yulefest short break exploring the very best of this iconic region. This World Heritage Listed area oﬀers some of the most unique scenery and culture attractions in NSW. Enjoy a very special Yulefest dinner, with an atmosphere of Christmas! Relax and enjoy all this iconic Australian Wilderness has on oﬀer.

HAWAII 50TH ANNUAL 13 - 23 JULY 2020 The Hawaii Ukulele Festival this year celebrates 50 years and is the largest UKULELE FESTIVAL From

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

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Discover the wonders of Copenhagen

SENIORS

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

More to this beautiful city than glimpsed tree Shirley Sinclair THE Hop On, Hop Off Boat guide tells us we are coming up to the most photographed tree in Denmark. Tree? OK. There are so many highlights on a canal tour around Copenhagen, this must be an impressive tree if it’s important enough to point out. Along with the other passengers, we ready our smartphones and cameras for the big moment. Then the penny drops. As the canal boats come out of the tunnel under the bridge, Our Saviour Church’s distinctive “corkscrew” tower comes into view. We only have about 30 seconds before the boat moves on. But many people miss the momentary shot, capturing the tree just above the canal instead. It’s so commonplace that the tree has its own Facebook page: Missedthegoldenchurch. Look it up. We all laughed and laughed. The good news is that you can get off the boat at the Christianshavn stop and

have a much closer look at this elegant baroque church with a black and gold helix (corkscrew) spire that reaches 90m and the external anticlockwise winding staircase that can be climbed to the top for 360degree views over central Copenhagen. You will also marvel at the melodies played by the bells of its carillon – the largest in northern Europe – which plays hourly from 8am to midnight. Nearby at the same boat stop is Christiania: a quirky “Freetown” that boasts colourful houses and sculptures, creative artists and an alternative hippy society – the equivalent of our Nimbin but on a smaller scale. In 1971, a group of hippy squatters broke down the barricades to the abandoned military base and Christiania was born. Hundreds of curious visitors daily now pass through the defined entrances to this antiestablishment commune that houses up to 1000 people on 7.7 hectares. While the community governs itself with its own rules that are independent

of the Danish government, it has still had its run-ins with police, mostly due to its reputation as an area for cannabis trade, especially in the so-called Green Light District’s Pusher Street. Many residents are actively campaigning to rid Christiania of drugs but on the day we visited last July, stalls were still in operation and we abided by a sign warning visitors that no photos are allowed inside Christiania, due to the possible sale of drugs and paraphernalia that might be captured. But there is much more to this bohemian area than meets any disapproving eye. Christiania hosts regular concerts on stage and in various venues that attract jazz, blues and contemporary music lovers from far and wide as well as those wanting to join in impromptu jam sessions. Skaters from around the world make a beeline for the ALIS Wonderland skate park with its wooden bowl that also hosts contests and demonstrations, as well as graffitied half-pipes and other equipment to test skills. Plenty of cafe seats are

A 20th-century tapestry in the Tapestry Room.

available for a quick caffeine hit, and visitors have an array of breakfast/brunch/ lunch takeaway choices including tasty organic vegan and vegetarian offerings, hamburgers, Thaiinspired dishes as well as Sunshine Bakery pastries. Or simply get away from the crowds and relax by the canal, surrounded by trees and good vibes. To learn more about this fascinating place, Christiania guided tours are held at 1 and 3pm daily. But there’s certainly plenty more to explore in this city, which is home to Australia’s homegrown Princess Mary and her husband Frederik, the Crown Prince of Denmark. We found even a 48-hour Hop on Hop Off Boat ticket wasn’t enough time to quench our curiosity for this enticing capital but the routes do help visitors explore the well-defined

Colourful Christiania.

neighbourhoods and their distinct vibes. One of our favourite spots for a drink overwater on the canal happened to be at this same stop, at Chriastianshavns Badudlejning and Cafe. Apparently the watering hole has been welcoming guests since 1898 and it’s also right opposite our favourite bakery and cafe:

Lagkagehuset, where we couldn’t resist a coffee and cinnamon roll (kanel snegle) daily. Another boat tour guide tells us that while thousands of visitors to Copenhagen all want to see the Little Mermaid at Stop D, the relatively small sculpture also regularly makes Europe’s Most Disappointing Attractions List, alongside

Colourful Nyhavn of tourist brochure fame.

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It’s so commonplace that the tree has its own Facebook page: Missedthegoldenchurch. other statues such as Brussels’ Mannikin Pis. It’s still fun to tick it off the bucket list but try to pick your time (early morning or late afternoon) or you’ll be jostling for a picture with busloads of other tourists. While here, stroll along the top of the ramparts of one of the best-preserved forts in Europe at the Citadel (Kastellet), which forms the shape of a star or pentagon with bastions at its corners. The historic site, built in the 17th century to guard the approach to the harbour, these days is mostly a public park that attracts joggers and walkers around its large parade ground, barracks and various other buildings including the Citadel Church and a windmill. Christiansborg Palace (Departure Point A at Ved Stranden) is where we spent the better part of two hours, wandering the opulent, V1 - SESE01Z01MA

800-year-old seat of power. While visitors can choose to inspect The Royal Stables, The Royal Kitchen, Christiansborg Palace Chapel and the ruins under the palace, we devoted our time to The Royal Reception Rooms and The Great Hall with its 1100 years of Danish history laid out in tapestries. Queen Margrethe II carries out her official duties in these rooms: receiving guests, signing acts of Parliament into law, hosting banquets and gala dinners for state visits and other occasions. It’s an insight into a whole new world – one of parquetry floors, crystal chandeliers, and black-andgold colour schemes, magnificent antique sideboards and priceless ceramics and paintings. Among the friezes is one 35m long by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen, done in

1812, of Alexandra the Great entering Babylon after his conquest of Persia. The Plate Room highlights the Flora Danica setting featuring lifesize plants in the botanical artwork (being porcelain, the plates are only used to serve dessert despite being a complete dinner set, because other courses are usually served on silver plates). The royal dining hall, where royal banquets were once a daily ritual for the court, is dominated by the massive oval mahogany table, able to seat 52 guests, but which is now seldom used. The eye-catching Tapestry Room is a pleasant surprise of history through colourful embroidery, with faces of The Beatles and Donald Duck, the Second World War and Berlin Wall among some of the 20thcentury inclusions. The Throne Room is another must-see for its gold and embossed burgundy thrones, Greek marble pilasters, with a ceiling painting by Danish artist Kraesten Iversen and walls clad in silk hangings of Danish coat of arms with three lions and nine hearts from Lyon in France. The king’s throne features two golden lions and the queen’s throne has two gilded mythical creatures called griffons. The thrones – historic relics from the time of absolute monarchy (1660 to 1848) – were nearly lost when the palace burned to the ground in 1884, but are not used by the Queen, who ascended to the throne the day after her father died in 1972. Take along an audio guide to explore on your own or join a guided tour of the palace. The Ofelia Plads Departure Point (or if we just turned left and walked from our Wakeup Copenhagen Borgergade hotel) is closest for Amalienborg Palace and Gardens and the spectacular Marble Church (Frederik’s Church) or further on to the beautiful Rosenborg Castle and The King’s Garden (which is home to the statue of Little Mermaid author and revered Dane Hans Christian Andersen). But Copenhagen’s bestknown attraction is Nyhavn (Departure Point B) – with its colourful 17th-century waterfront buildings that have been reimagined as restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels and specialty shops.

As a tourist mecca, Nyhavn is simply a fun place to be at any time of year. We happened to visit during the Copenhargen Jazz Festival, which offers free and ticketed events throughout the cities at various venues including the little park surrounding Memorial Anchor at Nyhavn, where we spent a couple of hours listening to a hardworking trio play popular music hits from artists including our own Crowded House. Pull up a chair and gaze out over the passing parade of people and boats (including historic wooden ships) while downing a Carlsberg or two. But be warned: Copenhagen isn’t cheap by Aussie standards and an extended time here will cost you. We lapped up the twilight on our first night, paying just under $200 (915 Danish krone) for a three-course meal for two. Our choices from a set menu led us to half-lobster entrees, main meals of eyefillet steak wrapped in bacon with hollandaise sauce and potatoes, and grilled salmon pasta with tomato, mushroom and basil, with crème brulees for dessert. With drinks (half-bottle of white Chilean wine and two schooners of Jacobson brown ale), the bill was worth it just once for the happy atmosphere and waterside panoramas begging to be photographed. For something a little more reasonable, cross the Inderhavnsbroen – a bridge that opened in 2016 connecting Nyhavn on the west side of the river to Christianshavn on the east – for a choice of bars and street food vendors including Gasoline Grill, Pasta Station, Sweet Treat and Fish & Chips in the Broens Skotebane food court, where it’s easy to strike up conversations with visitors from all over the globe at the picnic table seating. Other major attractions you will want to linger longer at on the boat tours are Tivoli Gardens (for its flowers, restaurants, rollercoasters and concerts), the Opera House, and the impressive waterfront Black Diamond extension to the Royal Danish Library (so nicknamed because of the polished black-granite cladding and irregular angles of the building).

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

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

Four full days weren’t enough to conquer one of Europe’s oldest cities, established as a 10thcentury Viking fishing settlement. If you can avoid that tree near Our Saviour Church and any pricey tourist traps, you’ll find the city really can be like the song from my childhood: Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen Friendly old girl of a town ‘Neath her tavern light On this merry night Let us clink and drink one down To wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen Salty old queen of the sea Once I sailed away But I’m home today Singing Copenhagen, wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen for me.

DISCOVER IT COPENHAGEN Canal Tours Copenhagen, which operates open and covered boats, has been plying the Copenhagen harbour and canals since 1904. The Hop On Hop Off routes allow travellers to see old and new architecture and historic points of interest, with commentary by experienced guides. If you buy the Best Offer ticket, you can use the bus and the boat for different perspectives and sights on land and water. CONTACT Go to stromma.com/ copenhagen. ACCOMMODATION Wakeup Copenhagen Borgergade, 9 Borgergade, Copenhagen. Call (45) 44 800 000.

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

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

Picture: Contributed

Watching Seal Bay residents frolic is a highlight.

Join island’s wave of support Kerry Heaney IN JANUARY fires ravaged the picturesque western wilderness of Kangaroo Island, covering our television screens with heart-wrenching images of destruction. More than 30 per cent of the 4416 square kilometre island was affected, but there is still much to see and do on what is Australia’s third-largest island (and that includes Tasmania). While there is a long road ahead for the island’s recovery, getting visitors back onto KI, as the locals call Kangaroo Island, will help rebuild the economy as tourism and agriculture are the primary industries. Kingscote local Craig Wickham, who operates Exceptional Kangaroo Island’s wildlife and food tours, says he is optimistic about the island’s ability to recover from the bushfires, particularly if there is good rain.

“Nature is resilient, and the animals have learned how to bounce back from fires over millions of years. Once we get some rain, things will start to green up pretty quickly,” Craig said. Where can you visit, and what can you see? Work is under way to restore access for visitors to fire-affected areas of the island, including Flinders Chase National Park, home to the iconic Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch, where the Visitor Information Centre and cafe were sadly destroyed. Iconic attractions such as Seal Bay Conservation Park, where a colony of endangered sea lions frolics on the beach, the interactive birds of prey experiences at Raptor Domain and the KI Wildlife Park, where more than 150 species of native animals live, are all open as usual. Cape Willoughby lighthouse on the eastern point of Kangaroo Island was built in 1852.

TRAVEL CLUB 2020

There are daily tours and self-guided walking trails that give insights into life as a lighthouse keeper. Food on KI is artisan, seasonal and boutique, all words that bring joy to a food lover’s heart. The island’s first hatted restaurant, Sunset Food and Wine, focuses on South Australia’s seasonal best. Cactus Kangaroo Island is a newish cafe at Kingscote where you’ll stop for a coffee hit and find it hard to resist the freshly baked sweets. Visit wineries in Kingscote, Cygnet River and on the Dudley Peninsula, where the clifftop Dudley Cellar Door sells awardwinning locally grown and produced wines. Emu Bay Lavender is not only a stop for lavender products, lavender scones and ice cream, it’s also close to a favourite swimming spot for locals. At American River, The Oyster Farm Shop farmgate sells marron, abalone, King George whiting and freshly

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

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plucked Pacific and Angasi oysters. Drop into Kangaroo Island Spirits and taste its premium gin and vodka. Mark Norek walks around KI guiding visitors on Life’s An Adventure walking tours. “It does not take long for fire-affected areas to regenerate, sometimes only three to six months, and it is amazing to walk through,” Mark says. One of KI’s significant losses in the fires was Southern Ocean Lodge. Owners James and Hayley Baillie had an architect on the site within days and are committed to rebuilding their vision echoing the resilience of the Kangaroo Island community that has recovered from severe bushfires in the past. Locals say a helping hand is always welcome and it’s a bonus when all you have to do is visit. How do you get to Kangaroo Island? Take your car to

A visit to the Oyster Farm Shop is a must.

Kangaroo Island via a ferry with Sealink or KI Connect, or fly with QantasLink or Rex direct from Melbourne or Adelaide into Kingscote. Donate to help the

Picture: Contributed

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

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MY AGED CARE EXPO 2020 FREE ADMISSION

Where: Maroochy RSL Function Centre When: February 13, 2020 Time: 9am – 3pm Additional on-the-spot-prizes throughout the day! My Aged Care Expo is for individuals keen to explore retirement and aged care living solutions and services throughout regional Queensland. Attendees will be treated to more than 60 exhibitors from Over 55s sectors including: • • • • • • •

Finance and banking Travel Allied Health Insurance Fitness and well-being Mobility services Retirement/Aged care facilities

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Experts will present throughout the day on a range of contemporary topics covering everything from Navigating Aged Care; Elder Abuse Prevention and Financing Aged Care. For more information visit us at www.myagedcareexpo.com.au A big thank you to our sponsors! V1 - SESE01Z01MA

WELLBEING

Wellbeing

FEBRUARY, 2020//

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Class setting makes exercise a better fit

Tracey Johnstone JOAN and Tony Page are the poster people for the new Exercise Right for Active Ageing fitness program being run in Noosa by Erica Poxleitner. Tony, 87, has come out of bowel cancer scares, twice. The experience of fighting the disease and after several operations and many, many months of recovery, he’s found a new lease of life through this innovative program. “It’s subsidised group sessions for anyone over 65,” exercise physiologist Erica Poxleitner said. “This grant gives them one session per week for $8.” The participants are assessed over 12 sessions, which are completed within a 16-week period. Some clients take up the option of one-on-one sessions to help them start building their confidence and understanding of the exercises, while others join in the small-group sessions, which can help with those seniors who are living alone to do some exercise in company. “It’s a nice way for people of that age and older who might be sedentary into an active lifestyle,” Erica said. “Some of them have never done any kind of muscle-strengthening exercise.” Joan and Tony previously fitted in golf, swimming and stretching exercises when not running their seven-daya-week art gallery. Since their retirement, Tony’s ill health has taken its toll on both of them. Joan has also had to contend with a hip replacement, which she found limited her ability to get up out of low chairs and off toilet seats. “I believe I can improve this with exercise,” Joan said. Tony has taken to the program with great enthusiasm as he looks to improve his quality of life.

GREAT MATES: Tony Page exercises with the moral support of his friendly therapy dog Wally.

WE ARE THRILLED TO BE PART OF THE PROGRAM AND HAVE ALREADY MODIFIED OUR LIFESTYLE IN ORDER TO EXERCISE MORE. JOAN PAGE

“He wants to be fit and well and is looking forward to reaching 100 years old,” Joan, 78, said. “We are thrilled to be part of the program and have already modified our lifestyle in order to exercise more.” The couple are now both active every day, either in the gym, walking or pool swimming. “We have set ourselves up in the living room and

have quite a few props,” Joan said. “We do it together; I make sure Tony does it and he makes sure I do it. “We do it properly and check each other. “I have more energy, more enthusiasm now.” Gyms, Erica said, often couldn’t manage specialised programs. The advantage, she says, of seniors working with an exercise physiologist is they can help with fundamental exercises that improve key areas such as balance and basic fitness. “A lot of exercise is really good for mental health as well,” Erica said. “It’s a way for people of this age to socialise and form new connections. “Some of them are carers

Picture: Contributed

with partners who have dementia. It’s a chance to maintain connections and find motivation from others.” Next year Erica, through both her Noosa and Maroochydore EP Clinic venues, is planning to tie together the Exercise Right for Active Ageing program with the Queensland Government’s My Health for Life to provide a whole-oflife approach. She will also be the sole provider on the Coast of the Lungs in Action maintenance program. Tony Page enjoying the Exercise Right for Active Ageing program with exercise physiologist Erica Poxleitner. Picture: Contributed

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Benefits of grandsitting Grandparents talk about why and how they become carers

IN AUSTRALIA, ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF THREE ARE CARED FOR BY GRANDPARENTS ON A WEEKLY BASIS.

Tracey Johnstone FIVE days a week Margot Bain happily has her hands full, looking after her four very young grandchildren, taking them to the park, beach or just sitting reading to them. After missing out on spending a lot of time in her younger years in the company of her busy mother, Margot is determined to ensure she gives the best of her time and love to her grandchildren as she did to her four daughters. Actively engaging with the children gives Margot a great sense of connection to them and to her daughters. A recent German observation research project, published in BMJ Open, found Margot’s type of interaction with her grandchildren helps to reduce social isolation and loneliness in seniors. The researchers observed 3949 grandparents. Those who didn’t have an active caring role had higher average loneliness scores and were in regular contact with fewer people important to them. In Australia, about 40 per cent of children under the age of three are cared for by grandparents on a weekly basis, the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIF) reports.

THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF FAMILY STUDIES

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

“It’s enhancing my social network,” Margot says. The researchers found caring for grandchildren could also expand the social circle of grandparents, allowing them opportunities to establish relationships with other parents or grandparents. Margot says she chats to old friends through Facebook, sharing among them grandchildren photos and stories, and she plans

meet-ups at the local park with other grandparents. When her daughters were growing up, Margot met a lot of new friends through her local playgroup. Once her grandchildren are old enough, she looks forward to repeating this experience through the playgroup and then school near her northern Sydney home. Margot knows while the children are young, she

needs to be available almost full time. But, after six hours each day, “It’s enough for me as I get so tired after that”, Margot, 60, admits. She promises herself Sunday off and fits in singing with the Big Sing choir and creating stunning painted ceramics. Grandparent caring often doesn’t stop once a grandchild starts school. The AIFS reports the most common type of non-

parental care for children under 13 years is grandparents (18.6 per cent) followed by before - and after-school care (14.8 per cent). As far as Ivanka Boyd, who is still working full time, is concerned, it will go on until her two grandsons have finished their schooling. Since the boys were born, Ivanka has religiously been looking after them every

second weekend. “I cook them healthy food,” Ivanka said. “I am not a lolly and soft-drink grandma. I am the health food and culture grandma. “I have given them what is lacking at home – lots of special love and attention, good food and culture. “I take them out, whether they like it or not, to museums and art galleries and teach them general knowledge.” Now the boys are in their mid-teens she is enjoying their company over restaurant meals. Ivanka also attends some of their sporting matches where she actively talks to other grandparents and parents. “I have the personality where I will interact with a telegraph pole, if necessary,” she admits. The researchers suggest that by providing grandchild care, grandparents may boost their self-esteem and may develop positive relationships with their children and grandchildren. They also suggest that this positive impact might wear off if grandparents are called on too often to step in and care for a grandchild, especially if this interferes with other aspects of their lives.

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Bryce and Phoenix with their grandmother, Ivanka Boyd. V1 - SESE01Z01MA

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LIVING

FEBRUARY, 2020//

SENIORS

Living

App puts focus on health CONTRIBUTED LEADING Victorian not-forprofit aged care provider Benetas has launched an online resource for older Australians to screen their physical resilience and act to stay independent for longer. The Positive Ageing Tool, commonly referred to as PAT, has been developed on the back of governmentfunded research by Benetas in 2018 in conjunction with Monash University. Two years in the making, the tool means older Australians can be in a far better position to detect and address early signs of frailty before a serious health

RECREATION: Benetas provides a new online tool to support older Australians stay active.

decline. Benetas general manager of quality, outcomes and research, Catherine Joyce, said this was a much-needed tool with one-in-two Australians over the age of 60 who live in their own home being at risk of a relatively minor health issue triggering serious decline. “Once that happens, for many there’s no going back,” Dr Joyce said. “If someone has low physical resilience, a small incident like a fall or virus could be the tipping point that means they’ll no longer be able to live independently in the community. “We all know someone

who has been managing fine, and then an incident which might be minor for other people tips them over into being in need of high care and residential support. “This is about getting in early and helping to avoid exactly that.” The $1.2 million dollar Federal Government research grant from the Department of Health was designed to inform preemptive ways in Australia for older people to better maintain their physical resilience and curb the impact of frailty in the

community. With five simple questions, PAT offers older Australians an evidencebased, user-designed health assessment for people as early as 60 to monitor their physical resilience, and couples this with expert resources to support people. “We recommend that people complete the quick assessment every six months,” Dr Joyce said. “They seem like simple questions to answer, but collectively, they’re proven to be strong early indicators for risk of serious health

decline. “Importantly, there are many steps that we can take to stay healthy and resilient whether we’re 60 or going on 90.” Benetas CEO Sandra Hills said health promotion and early intervention was exactly where aged care needed to be headed. “The traditional aged care services from residential care, home care, clinical and allied health services, are all incredibly important, but if we’re going to meet an ageing population, we really need to be at the forefront

Picture: Contributed

of early intervention,” Ms Hills said. “This is about ensuring that people and their families have the information they need well in advance of their health declining. “Whether you’re 65 and going for runs, or 75 and facing prescription changes, we need people to be monitoring their health, taking proactive steps and not wait until it’s too late.” PAT also hosts a suite of practical resources including nutritional recipes and support services.

Ageing of Australia’s population brings challenges for society IN 2005, Japan had the highest median age of all countries in the world, while Australia’s population was only moderately aged. About 50 years ago the demographic situation was quite different, with the median age of Australia’s population being seven

years older than Japan’s. The ageing of the population is a major issue for Australian policy makers, particularly in regard to the long-term implications for reduced economic growth and the increasing demand for age pensions, and health and aged care services.

As the population ages, growth in the number of people of working age will slow, while the proportion of people of retirement age will increase. Sustained population ageing also leads to slowing or negative population growth.

In addition to the decrease in the labour supply, the demand side of the economy may be affected through shrinking markets for goods and services. In 2005, Japan’s population was ranked the oldest in the world, with half

the people aged over 42.9 years. In comparison, Australia’s median age is not projected to reach this level until 2032. Japan’s population is projected to decline by 21 per cent between 2005 and 2050 (from 128 million to 101 million); Australia’s is

projected to increase by 38 per cent from 20 million to 28 million people. Fifty years ago the demographic situation of these countries was the reverse, with Australia’s median age at 30.1 years and Japan’s sitting at 23.7 years.

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

Picture: Contributed

On-demand bus hailed as next level of service TRACEY JOHNSTONE IN the US’s Arlington, where there is a population of 400,000, their fixed bus service has been fully replaced by an on-demand system. And now Australia is preparing for similar changes in regulated public transport as on-demand transport technology provider Via moves into Australia. Via, an international company, has its product in 20 countries. In Australia it’s already being used in Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Adelaide and northern and northwest Sydney. Rigid transport routes will disappear and dynamic routes that improve the efficiency of a public bus system are the future. V1 - SESE01Z01MA

Via’s Andy Ambrosius said many of Australia’s elderly were serviced by community transport. “They don’t really use any form of technology,” Mr Ambrosius said. “There is very little flexibility. Via has engaged with dozens of community transport providers who are keen to organise their operation and provide new service offerings.” Will there be fewer scheduled bus services in some areas? Via spokesman Zack Wasserman said: “I think it’s already an established pattern. “In places where fixedschedule bus services are inefficient because there isn’t a lot of passenger uptake, we are seeing agencies choosing to retire those routes and replace them with on-demand service that is more efficient in terms

PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO REQUEST A RIDE EXACTLY WHEN THEY WANT ONE RATHER THAN SCHEDULING THAT RIDE IN ADVANCE. of vehicle utilisation and provides a better quality of service for the people who demand that service.” Currently being used are small buses or vans, but the Via technology is “vehicle agnostic”, Mr Wasserman says. “People are able to request a ride exactly when they want one rather than scheduling that ride in advance,” Mr Wasserman said. “What that means is you take out your smartphone, download the app, then you

say where you are and where you want to go. The vehicle is dispatched and picks you up. “It takes you to your destination and makes short stops along the way to pick up and drop off other people.” It sounds a bit like a mashup of Uber and the regular bus service. The difference is its on-demand, with a much greater saving to users. Collection points can be transport hubs or personal locations. It really is the next generation of public transport. Take Cooee Busways in Sydney. They are a Via partner contracted by Transport NSW to transport locals within the service area to Rouse Hill and Tallawong metro stations and for those wanting to connect with trains travelling to Bella Vista, Norwest, and the Hills Showground metro stations.

It’s a “first/last mile’’ service – instead of driving their car to a transport hub, school or nonemergency medical location, travellers hail the on-demand service to travel directly to that destination. Because the service is ondemand, it replaces the fixedrun public bus, which may be moving through the suburbs when there is no demand at that time for that service. The Via app is able to be configured to suit the needs of the transport partner. For example, it can have the option of taking ride requests from people who don’t use smartphones. Instead, they can phone a call centre to make a booking. Disability and mobility equipment requirements can be noted in a user’s profile so that each time they make a booking, that physical

requirement is built into the booking. On Sydney’s northern beaches, Keolis Downer has been trialling the technology using multi-person vehicles. It was introduced when BLine was launched and operates between Palm Beach and North Narrabeen, connecting customers directly from their homes to Pittwater’s three B-Line hubs, at Mona Vale, Warriewood and Narrabeen. Coffs Harbour’s Woopi Connect trial on-demand service works across two zones, Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm. It picks travellers up at or near their home sand takes them to any destination within the zone or into the second zone. The Concession cost is between $2.10 and $3.30.

FEATURE

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War bride reaches out to others

SENIORS

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

TRACEY JOHNSTONE JACKIE McLaughlin wonders if there are still women like her who came to Australia by ship at the end of World War II. They were the war brides. About 70,000 of these women left Britain in the 1940s bound for Canada or America. Some of them came to Australia. “I never kept in contact with any of them,” Jackie says sadly. But now, at age 96, and as she peruses the regular Veteran Affairs magazine, Jackie has started to wonder if there are any of those women left, or their family members, who she can chat with about their life journey. The spritely Englishwoman lives in the forest just west of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. She’s buried her husband of 64 years and her only child, but Jackie still has the company of her second husband, 80-yearold Colin. The memories of her time during World War II and how she came to live in Australia are still vivid and heart-wrenching. It was a sheet wiped clean, Jackie declares, when she landed in Australia with no idea nor worry of what the future held. Christened Daphne, she ran away from her country home in Surrey and travelled solo to London to sign up for the air force at age 17 and a half. The war had started two years before. She had listened to her brother talk about his “exciting” time in the air force. “It was either go into one of the forces or the land army or be called up for a munitions factory, and I wasn’t an indoor girl. “That’s the sole reason I signed up and I am so glad I did.” Her mother threw he hands up in horror, but her father said, ‘You really want to do this, don’t you?’. I said, ‘Yes I do’,” Jackie says. “He then said, ‘This will be the making you, my girl’. “I didn’t live up to the ladylike name of Daphne at all.” After the first week in training camp, her fellow trainees decided they needed to find a less ladylike name for the tomboy. “They came up with Jackie, and it stuck.”

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

Unfortunately, Jackie says, she spent most of the war working in an office. It took five months from first setting eyes on each other after an “inane” meeting outside the local pub at Bridlington in Yorkshire in 1944 to walking down the aisle for Jackie with her first husband, Doug, an Australian air force navigator and bomb-aimer. She was 20 and he was 21.

Soon after the war ended, Doug returned to Australia while Jackie stayed in England until May 1946. She then joined 360 English women and children on board the former hospital ship Atlantis. “One or two of them were going for the trip only and they weren’t going to stay here, even though they were married to an Australian,” Jackie recalls. The ship first stopped in

Fremantle before docking in Melbourne on June 29. From there she travelled by train to Sydney and on to Brisbane, where Doug was waiting to start their life together in the city. Jackie remembers on the voyage meeting Una and her two-year-old son. Una hadn’t heard from her husband for quite some time. When they got to Sydney, Jackie accompanied Una to the

army office where she was informed the address the husband had provided to the army was a vacant block. Una and her son, left with nothing to live on in Sydney, soon stowed away in a lifeboat on a ship heading for England. They were discovered after only a few days and after she shared her story, the passengers gathered enough money to pay their fare. Jackie’s other

poignant memory of the voyage to Australia is of a very young boy who became sick and died during the voyage. “We were two or three days out from Fremantle and the funeral came,” Jackie says. “They stopped the boat and we all stood on the deck.” As the swaddled body was lowered over the side, his mother was in shock. “She was torn to pieces and SESE01Z01MA - V4

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said as soon as she hit land she would go straight back to Australia as her husband will say she had killed her little boy. “They got in touch with her husband (in Sydney) and they flew him to Perth and he was on the dock at Fremantle. “He came on board. She was shell-shocked, not knowing what to say or do. He just walked up and put his arms around her.” She looks back now with V1 - SESE01Z01MA

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some sadness, but also a lot of joy, at the life she came to live in Australia. Before she left England, Jackie bumped into an old school friend who was to marry an Australian from Goondiwindi. The fare was being paid for by the Australian government as long as she was married within three months. Both were excited they would be living near each other. “Just imagine, in England you

walk from this place to that,” Jackie says. The two girls looked at a map of Queensland and got the tape measure out to work out the distance between Brisbane and Goondiwindi. “We thought, ‘That’s not that far away, we can have afternoon tea together’,” Jackie adds with peals of laughter. Jackie’s not been back to England: “It’s too cold,” she says.

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

MONEY

Money

MONEYSMART.GOV.AU NO ONE wants to think about death, but it’s important to decide what will happen to your assets when you die. Find out how you can give instructions to your family about your legal and medical preferences should you fall ill or lose the capacity to make those decisions yourself. The issues to consider are: estate plans; wills; testamentary trusts; powers of attorney; your legal and financial housekeeping; and estate plans. Estate plans: An estate plan includes your will as well as any other directions on how you want your assets distributed after your death. It includes documents that govern how you will be cared for, medically and financially, if you become unable to make your own decisions in the future. You must be over 18 and mentally competent when you

FEBRUARY, 2020//

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Estate planning ensures your wishes carried out draw up the legal agreements that form your estate plan. Key documents might include: a will, superannuation death nominations; testamentary trust; powers of attorney, power of guardianship, and anticipatory direction. If you have made a binding nomination in your super or insurance policies, the beneficiaries named in those policies will override anyone mentioned in your will. If you have a family trust, the trust continues and its assets will also be distributed according to the trust deed, no matter what is written in your will. Wills: A will takes effect when you die. It can cover things like how your assets will be shared, who will look after your children if they are still young, what trusts you want established, how much money you’d like donated to charities and even instructions about

your funeral. Your will can be written and updated by private trustees and solicitors, who usually charge a fee. Some Public Trustees will not charge to prepare or update your will if you nominate them to be the executor of your will. Other Public Trustees may only exempt you from charges if you are a pensioner or aged over 60. If you die intestate or your will is invalid, an administrator appointed by the court pays your bills and taxes from your assets, then distributes the remainder, based on a predetermined formula, which may not be how you intended your assets to be distributed. If you die intestate and don’t have any living relatives, your estate is paid to the state government. Testamentary trusts: A testamentary trust is a trust set out in your will that

only takes effect when you die. Testamentary trusts are usually set up to protect assets. Here are some reasons why you would create one: A. The beneficiaries are minors (under 18-21 years old). B. The beneficiaries have diminished mental capacity. C. You do not trust the beneficiaries to use their inheritance wisely. D. You do not want family assets split as part of a divorce settlement. E. You do not want family assets to become part of bankruptcy proceedings. A trust will be administered by a trustee who is usually appointed in the will. A trustee must look after the assets for the benefit of the beneficiaries until the trust expires. Powers of attorney: Appointing someone as your power of attorney gives them the legal authority to look after your affairs on your

behalf. Powers of attorney depend on which state or territory you are in: they can refer to just financial powers, or they might include broader guardianship powers. You will need to check with your local Public Trustee. The different types of power of attorney are: A. General power of attorney is where you appoint someone to make financial and legal decisions for you, usually for a specified period of time, for example if you’re overseas and unable to manage your legal affairs at home. This person’s appointment becomes invalid if you lose the capacity to make decisions for yourself. B. Enduring power of attorney is where you appoint a person to make financial and legal decisions for you if you lose the capacity to make your own decisions. C. Medical power of

attorney can make only medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself. You can prepare a few other documents to help your legal appointees and family as you grow older, including an enduring power of guardianship that gives a person the right to choose where you live and make decisions about your medical care and other lifestyle choices, if you lose the capacity to make your own decisions. Anticipatory direction records your wishes about medical treatment in the future, in case you become unable to express those wishes yourself. An advance healthcare directive (or living will) documents note how you would like your body to be dealt with if you lose the capacity to make those decisions yourself.

Reverse mortgage pros, cons EVER wondered about how a reverse mortgage works? A reverse mortgage is a type of loan that allows you to borrow money using the equity in your home as security. The loan can be taken as a lump sum, a regular income stream, a line of credit or a combination of these options. Interest is charged like any other loan, except you don’t have to make repayments while you live in your home – the interest compounds over time and is added to your loan balance. You remain the owner of your house and can stay in it for as long as you want. You must repay the loan in full (including interest and fees) when you sell or move out of your home or, in most cases, if you move into aged care, or die. While no income is required to qualify, credit providers are required by law to lend you money responsibly, so not everyone will be able to obtain this

type of loan. The risks of a reverse mortgage An ASIC review of reverse-mortgage lending in Australia found that borrowers can struggle to recognise the long-term risks of their loan. By taking out a reverse mortgage, you could face financial difficulty later in life, because: 1. Interest rates and ongoing fees are generally higher than the average home loan. 2. Your debt will increase as interest rates rise on your loan. 3. The effect of compound interest means your debt can increase quickly. 4. If the value of your home does not rise, or it falls in value, you will have less money for your future needs, like aged care or medical treatment. 5. The loan may affect your pension eligibility. 6. If you have a fixed-

interest rate loan then the costs to break your agreement can be very high. Also keep in mind that if you are the sole owner of the property and someone lives with you, that person may not be able to stay when you move out or die (in some circumstances). Reverse mortgage income stream You may come across companies that offer you an income stream in return for the capital growth on your home (a property option). While the cashflow may look attractive now, the income you receive will probably be much lower than the capital appreciation of your home, which you are forgoing. These types of offers are unlikely to be covered by credit or financial services laws, meaning you will not have access to important consumer protections, such as free external dispute resolution. So make sure you research all your options

before committing. How much can you borrow with a reverse mortgage? The older you are, the more you can borrow. Different lenders may have different policies about how much they will let you borrow. As a general guide, if you are 60, the maximum amount you can borrow is likely to be 15-20 per cent of the value of your home. You can usually add 1 per cent for each year older than 60. That means if you are 70, the maximum amount you could borrow would be about 25 to 30 per cent. The minimum amount you can borrow may depend on the provider; it could be as low as $10,000. Keep in mind that if you borrow the maximum amount now, you may not have access to any more money later. How much will a reverse mortgage cost? The cost of the loan depends on the interest rate and fees. The main issue is

that as the interest compounds, the debt will grow rapidly. Negative equity protection On September 18, 2012, the government introduced statutory “negative equity protection’’ on all new reverse-mortgage contracts. This means you cannot end up owing the lender more than your home is worth (the market value or equity). When the loan contract ends and your home is sold, the lender will receive the proceeds of the sale and you cannot be held liable for any debt in excess of this (except in certain circumstances such as fraud or misrepresentation). Of course, where your home sells for more than the amount owed to the lender, you or your estate will receive the extra funds. If you entered into a reverse mortgage before September 18, 2012, check your contract to see if you are protected in

circumstances where your loan balance ends up being more than the value of your property. Questions to ask the reverse-mortgage provider Before you sign on the dotted line, check the following. 1. Reverse mortgage information statement Do you understand how a reverse mortgage works? Your credit provider or credit assistance provider (such as a broker) must give you a reverse mortgage information statement. The information statement includes: 1. Details about how a reverse mortgage works. 2. How costs are calculated. 3. What to consider before taking out a reverse mortgage. 4. Useful contacts for more information. 5. Reverse-mortgage projections. (Asic: SmartMoney site) SESE01Z01MA - V1

SENIORS

MONEY

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

Retirees’ fears over savings TWO-THIRDS of retirees who have been retired five years expect to spend their savings over the next 20 years. The latest research from National Seniors Australia surveyed levels and causes of worry among Australian retirees. The survey found that most older Australians (53 per cent) are worried about outliving their savings, with women (59 per cent) more worried than men (47 per cent). People without any super reported the highest levels of worry, with 23 per cent worrying frequently. Many of these people are likely to be on the full age pension, with one in three worried about outliving their savings. National Seniors CEO Professor John McCallum said these findings illustrated the extent of the worry felt by older Australians about their financial security. “Australia has one of the best pension systems in the

world, yet Australian retirees are still showing high levels of worry that they will outlive their savings,” Professor McCallum said. “This shows a need for better advice and education to help older Australians manage their savings so they can have the confidence to spend their money and enjoy retirement.” Why are women more worried than men? Not only are retired women more worried than men, they are also more likely to be relying on the age pension as their main source of income. Women are also more likely to have less than $500,000 in retirement savings, which is below the ASFA comfortable standards. Divorced women are among the most worried about their financial situation in retirement. Challenger’s Chairman of Retirement Income Jeremy Cooper said disparities in earnings and working patterns had disadvantaged

women and their potential to accumulate wealth over their lifetimes. “Super not only provides a reliable source of income, but also reduces worry for older Australians. On average, women live three years longer than men, but our super system doesn’t cater for this difference in longevity,’’ Mr Cooper said. “What this and other National Seniors research clearly highlights is that people treat the age pension and their own savings differently. They fear running out of their own money, even though the safety net of the age pension will be there for them. This sends a strong signal that people worry about being solely reliant on the age pension. “It’s therefore important that super funds explore ways of providing more lifetime income to their members.” The research also found that having a reliable source

of income that would last for life is a key factor for worrying less, with those people with a defined benefit pension or a lifetime annuity reporting the lowest levels of worry. This is consistent with previous NSA research that found 84 per cent of retirees said regular and constant income in retirement was very important to them. About the report: The latest National Seniors Australia report Retirement Income Worry: Who Worries and Why? is one of the largest comprehensive surveys of older Australians. The study surveyed 3584 Australians aged over 50 on their behaviour and views across a range of topics including lifestyle, health and wellbeing. The research is a joint partnership between National Seniors Australia, a peak body for older Australians, and Challenger Limited. The full report is available

FINANCIAL FITNESS: Super levels are a concern.

at nationalseniors.com.au/ RetirementIncomeWorry. About National Seniors Australia: National Seniors is the leading independent

Picture: Contributed

advocacy group for older Australians. It has more than 200,000 members, customers and supporters. It fights for a fair go for seniors on many issues.

Diversify to add security Spread your investments to minimise risk and make your income stream last as long as you do OUTSIDE super, there is a bewildering number of investments on offer. You need to find a mix of investments that will fit your needs. Security should be at the top of your mind. You will have greater security if you diversify your investments. You might need your money to last for 20 years or more so it’s good to have investments that will at least keep pace with inflation. You may also need a reliable, long-term income stream. Consider: 1. Diversifying your retirement investments. 2. Capital growth investments. 3. Interest-bearing accounts and term deposits. 4. Managed funds. Diversifying your retirement investments. A key rule to investing in retirement is to diversify. This is even more important V1 - SESE01Z01MA

for retirees - if you lose money it will be hard to replace. Some retirees have been devastated because they put all their money in one investment. They lost their life savings when that company went bankrupt, had a run of bad luck or the promoter turned out to be a crook. See diversification for more details. Capital growth investments Capital growth investments, such as property and shares, are good if you want to invest your money for the long term (more than seven years). These investments will generally increase in value over time. Of course, they can also fall in value from time to time, as the global financial crisis showed. Growth investments will hopefully also pay dividends. You can

use these as income, or reinvest them for further growth. Shares and property may be purchased directly. An easier way is to invest in managed funds that own shares or property. Shares A strong portfolio of blue chip shares can deliver good returns. They are more flexible investments than property as they can be bought and sold in small parcels. Owning shares also has tax benefits. However, share markets are volatile. The value of a share can drop dramatically in a few hours and companies can go broke overnight. This can be daunting for new or nervous investors. The Australian Securities Exchange and the Australian Investors Association offer investing courses. Seek financial advice before

investing. Investment properties Many people invest in residential property to boost their wealth. You can take advantage of capital gains and there are tax benefits arising from negative gearing and depreciation allowances, especially if you are in the higher tax brackets. However, people in retirement generally will not buy an investment property as their main investment. It is poor diversification. You could lose seriously if property prices fall in that area, if the property is vacant or if tenants don’t pay their rent. If you need money you can’t sell part of a property, and you can’t sell it quickly at a top price. See property for more information. Interest-bearing accounts and term deposits

These accounts are a good way to earn money for daily living expenses and emergencies. There are no entry and exit fees and your cash is easily accessible. You are sure of getting your money back, plus any interest. However, you will have to pay fees if you want to get out of a term deposit early. However, there are no capital gains or tax benefits and the interest you earn may not be enough to keep up with inflation. Interest-bearing savings accounts and term deposits will generally earn you less money in the long term than property or shares. You should spend some time researching online savings, transaction and term deposit accounts to compare different products. Managed funds If you are interested in a diversified mix of

investments but aren’t sure where to start, or would rather leave the hard work to experienced people, you may want to consider investing in managed funds. There are many types of funds, fee structures and investment managers. Do your research before you dive in. Retirees need to be careful about mortgage funds and property funds. Although these have been successful in the past, many people have recently burnt their fingers. See managed funds for more information. Think carefully about your investment strategy as it will affect the income you receive in retirement. Reduce risk by spreading your money in different types of investments. Consider getting financial advice before you start investing.

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REVIEWS

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Indigenous heroes’ stories celebrated THERE are few Aboriginal icons in White Australia history. From the explorer to the pioneer, the swagman to the drover’s wife, with a few bushrangers for good measure, Europeans play all the leading roles. A rare exception is the redoubtable tracker. With skills passed down over millennia, trackers could trace the movements of people across vast swathes of country. Celebrated as saviours of lost children and disoriented adults, and finders of missing livestock, they were also cursed by robbers on the run. Trackers live in the collective memory as one of the few examples of Aboriginal people’s skills being sought after in colonial society. In NSW alone, more than a thousand Aboriginal men and a smaller number of women toiled for authorities across the state after 1862. This book tells the often unlikely stories of trackers including Billy Bogan, Jimmy Governor, Tommy Gordon, Frank Williams and Alec Riley. Through his work on native title claims, historian Michael Bennett realised that the role of trackers – and how they moved between two worlds – has been largely unacknowledged. His important book reveals that their work grew out of traditional society and was sustained by the vast family networks that endure

Austen is moving with times

Doggone insightful look at life

to this day. Pathfinders brings the skilled and diverse work of trackers not only to the forefront of law enforcement history but to the general shared histories of black and white Australia. Professor John Maynard said the book charted an important though largely

overlooked area of the country’s history. “Aboriginal trackers hold a mythical yet obscure presence in the history of the continent. Bennett weaves back into the nation’s historical narrative these Aboriginal heroes and heroines,’’ he said.

Professor Maynard is a Worimi Aboriginal man from the Port Stephens region of NSW. He is a director at the Wollotuka Institute of Aboriginal Studies at the University of Newcastle and chair of indigenous history. RRP $34.99.

SENIORS

ALREADY an international bestseller, Hans-Olav Thyvold’s Good Dogs Don’t Make it to the South Pole has now been translated into English. It’s been touted as the wisest, funniest and most inspiring book on ageing and friendship written by a dog you’ll ever read. The best thing you can aspire to in this world is company. Whether it’s for pleasure or pain, a crowning or an execution: everything is better with company. The major, a World War II veteran, breathes his last. Watching over him are his wife and his faithful companion, Tassen, the story’s narrator, who is, by his own admission, a couch potato and a one-man dog. “You might say it all went to hell with Mrs Thorkildsen, but you know what? It could have been worse, because Mrs Thorkildsen had me to keep her company. “And I had her. That’s what we had in common, her and me, what bound us together. We were company.’’

TIME Traveller’s Wife meets Persuasion in this charming story of love, friendship and passion – Jane Austen timetravels to the modern day and learns that the search for true love is never simple. Jane in Love is the debut novel from screenwriter and filmmaker Rachel Givney. After reading Emma as a teenager, Givney became fascinated by Jane Austen. She was shocked to find that the woman who had written such beautiful love stories had never found love herself and that this seemed to be the case for many other female writers. This later became the inspiration for Jane in Love. When 28-year-old Jane Austen enlists the help of a matchmaker, she gets a lot more than she bargained for. Jane accidentally timetravels to modern-day England and finds herself on the set of an adaptation of Northanger Abbey. Jane is thrilled to learn she has become a famous author and is determined to return to her own time to fulfil her destiny, until she meets siblings Sofia and Fred Wentworth. RRP $32.99

Published by Allen & Unwin. RRP $29.99.

Books bind women in journey of discovery MEET Ros from Sydney, Adele from Adelaide, Judy from Mandurah and Simone from Hobart, who are connected by books and as they discover, also by life. A Month of Sundays brings together these four very different women who for 10 years are now the remaining members of an online book club. All of them are in their 60s. They are meeting for the first time in person. Their time together helps them to peel back by layers

the weaknesses and strengths of each of them. As they spend a month in a house in the Southern Highlands of NSW relaxing, talking and discovering each other through a selection of books, relationships break and heal, are discovered and cemented. There’s no time to settle into complacency as the reader joins the women for their “holiday’’. Byrski cleverly builds up and breaks down the reader’s perception of each

character. It’s easy to connect with each of the women. Ros is angular and gutsy, Adele is simply complicated, Judy has a future she needs help to find and gentle Simone is a surprise. A Month of Sundays is the type of novel you have to force yourself to put down, at least for a night. It’s an enjoyable and relatable read. It’s Australian author Liz Byrski’s 10th novel. She is a writer and broadcaster with more than 40 years’

experience in the British and Australian media. In the ’90s Byrski was a broadcaster and executive producer with ABC Radio in Perth and later an adviser to a West Australian Government minister. She now lectures in professional and creative writing at Curtin University of Technology in Perth, and has a PhD in writing with a focus on feminist popular fiction. Published by Pan Macmillan. RRP $32.99 SESE01Z01MA - V1

SENIORS

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

PUZZLES

\\FEBRUARY, 2020

Across 1 Which ocean earned its name by giving explorer Magellan a calm crossing? (7) 4 What is a trimmed tree trunk tossed in Highland games? (5) 7 Which city was formerly named Christiania, then Kristiania? (4) 8 Which world heavyweight champion boxer successfully defended his title 25 times? (3,5) 10 What words from Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew are the title of a 1948 Cole Porter musical? (4,2,4) 12 Whose 1969 drowning (__ __ Kopechne) led to senator Ted Kennedy appearing in court? (4,2) 13 What does the German word Panzer mean? (6) 15 Which ﬁlm by Wallace and Gromit’s creator is set on a 1950s farm? (7,3) 18 Who reigned over France for 72 of his almost 77 years? (5,1,1,1) 19 Which river is closest to Shakespeare’s birthplace? (4) 20 Large earthenware beer mug (5) 21 What is the capital of Uganda? (7)

8 9

10 11 12

13 14 15

17 18

Down 1 What word for cheap wine originated in Australia, probably a corruption of the word blanc? (5) 2 What is the most common manifestation of the herpes virus? (4,4) 3 What prevent an aircraft’s wheels from moving when parked? (6) 4 What describes the abrupt complete cessation of the use of an addictive drug? (4,6) 5 Which snooker ball scores five points? (4) 6 What is a stealer of livestock called? (7) 9 Who was the first British woman to be granted a ground aeroplane engineer’s licence? (3,7) 11 What is the capital of Liberia? (8) 12 Hit and span, ringtaw and moshie are variations of what game? (7) 14 Who (Jacob __) manufactured the first electric razors? (6) 16 What is a person skilled in ninjutsu called? (5) 17 What word is applied to a courier of illegal drugs? (4)

39 1/2

SUDOKU

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

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

DOUBLECROSS

8 9

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

12 13

20 21

Down 1. Personiﬁed (8) 2. Reveals, makes visible (5) 4. Moose (3) 5. Echoed (12) 6. Relating to wedlock (7) 7. Sketched (4) 8. Miser (5,7) 12. Unit of geological time (5) 13. Forgave (8) 15. Give off (7) 19. Subject (5) 20. As a result (4) 22. Tin (3)

Across 1. Recedes (4) 3. Thickly covered with dirt (8) 9. Frenzied, out of control (7) 10. Edge (5) 11. Break apart (12) 14. Look at (3) 16. Lying face down (5) 17. Meadow (3) 18. Timid (5-7) 21. Moor (5) 22. Devalue (7) 23. Cursing (8) 24. Move quickly (4)

SOLUTIONS

5x5 T A S T Y

ALPHAGRAMS: KILLS, LAPSED, MANURES, NEUROSIS, OUTSPOKEN. GK CROSSWORD Across: 1 Paciﬁc, 4 Caber, 7 Oslo, 8 Joe Louis, 10 Kiss Me Kate, 12 Mary Jo, 13 Armour, 15 Chicken Run, 18 Louis XIV, 19 Avon, 20 Stein, 21 Kampala. Down: 1 Plonk, 2 Cold sore, 3 Chocks, 4 Cold turkey, 5 Blue, 6 Rustler, 9 Amy Johnson, 11 Monrovia, 12 Marbles, 14 Schick, 16 Ninja, 17 Mule. QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 1. Ebbs 3. Begrimed 9. Berserk 10. Verge 11. Disintegrate 14. Eye 16. Prone 17. Lea 18. Faint-hearted 21. Heath 22. Cheapen 23. Swearing 24. Scud. Down: 1. Embodied 2. Bares 4. Elk 5. Reverberated 6. Marital 7. Drew 8. Penny pincher 12. Epoch 13. Pardoned 15. Emanate 19. Topic 20. Thus 22. Can.

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

SKILL PLEADS SURNAME RESINOUS SOUP TOKEN

5x5 C

R P

R C

R S

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

Note: more than one solution may be possible.

S N

TODAY: Good 12 Very Good 15 Excellent 18

perv prove proves revs rive rives rove roves spiv verso vies viper visor

A R E N A

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.

R E C U R

V1How - SESE01Z01MA many words

E M

A P A R T

WORD GO ROUND

C O M B S

DOUBLECROSS

SUDOKU

ALPHAGRAMS

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