Sunshine Coast, January 2020

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New directions in aged care for LGBTIQ community SENIORS OF THE YEAR

Catch up with pop star Marty Rhone and his massive chart-topping country hits

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Meet the people and find out why they were recognised in annual honours HAPPY NEW YEAR

Best wishes to our readers for 2020

NEWS

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JANUARY, 2020//

INDEX 4 12 14 17 19 27 31 35

Cover story: Marty Rhone Feature: Australian Seniors of the Year Community Group Guide What’s On Wanderlust Wellbeing Money Puzzles

19 Armchair travel throughout Wanderlust pages.

27

Here’s to happiness Gail Forrer Seniors Group Editor HAPPY New Year, friends.

Welcome to our first 2020 edition, which is packed with national and local stories, ideas and pictures that I’m sure will lead to great conversations.

Our journos, Tracey Johnstone and Alison Houston, have produced interesting features, including the creatively reborn Marty Rhone and our annual feature on each state’s Senior Australian of the Year nominee; and, finally, the changing face of the country’s nursing homes.

The commonality in these topics is their aim to push boundaries to provide conditions for us to live happier, healthier, more meaningful lives.

Happiness means different things to different people and this week I came across some quotes that prove the point. A blog I follow, “Brain Pickings’’ by Maria Popova, noted David

Bowie’s answer to what made him happy, “Reading’’ was his simple answer. International anthropologist and chimpanzee researcher Dr Jane Goodall said: “Sitting by myself in the forest in Gombe National Park watching one of the chimpanzee mothers with her family.’’

For me, it was the answer from French novelist Proust that deeply resonated.

“To live in contact with those I love, with the beauties of nature, with a quantity of books and music, and to have, within easy distance, a French theatre.”

As we go into the new year, I recognise the amazing work of our firies and the suffering of those who have lost homes.

Here’s wishing you loads of happiness for 2020.

SENIORS

CONTACT US General Manager Geoff Crockett – 07 5430 1006 geoff.crockett@news.com.au Editor Gail Forrer – 07 5435 3203 gail.forrer@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Media Sales Executive 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.

Indoor triathlon is a growing fitness trend.

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

The country’s peak membership organisation for older Australians has given its wish list to the

Federal Government via its submission for next year’s Federal Budget.

Among the other items listed in the submission are: – Increased rental assistance for pensioners.

– Lower deeming and taper rates on the age pension.

– An adult dental benefit scheme.

– A scheme for older Australians to invest in green energy infrastructure.

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

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

Despite the recent announcement for extra aged care funding, National

Seniors continues to call for an end to the home care package waiting list, a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

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

“Last year 16,000 people died waiting for a home care

package and more than 13,000 were placed into an aged care facility when they wanted to remain in their homes,” he said.

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

Mr Henschke also said it was time the Government took politics out of the age pension, calling for an independent tribunal to set the amount paid.

LOBBYING: National Seniors has a federal wish list.

Picture: File

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NEWS 03

Volunteer group fights for survival Tracey Johnstone SUNSHINE 60 & Better is facing closure if it can’t find sufficient funds and skilled volunteers to run the community organisation.

President Sharon Macdonald said it had only a month or so before the 25year-old organisation would have to consider shutting down.

The group, based at the council-owned Kawana Community Centre, aims to get older people out of their homes and interacting with others and participating in activities that keep their mind and body healthy.

“We value what we are doing as we are keeping them out of nursing homes,” Mrs Macdonald said.

“We care about our members and we help them socially if we can with whatever problem they have.

“We had a case worker, but we had to let her go because of the funding. If somebody still needs us to go to their home and talk with them, one of our volunteers will go to them and we will bring them into our community to do our programs.”

But, through a series of financial decisions previously made, the notfor-profit group has its back

STRUGGLE: Sunshine 60 & Better president Sharon Macdonald. Picture: Contributed

to the wall. Consequently, in March last year, the Department of Communities funding support was stopped.

Since Mrs Macdonald stepped up to lead the group at last August’s annual general meeting, she has had to reduce the paid staff from three to one part-time manager.

When you consider the many activities Sunshine 60 & Better organises from Caloundra through to Nambour and Noosaville, the workload for that manager is huge.

On offer for members are cards, singing, moving to music, tai chi, exercise, mahjong, crafts, arts and bus trips. Its activities centres are at Kawana, Caloundra Uniting Church, Coolum Lions Hall, Nambour’s railway station hall, and Noosaville Community

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Centre. Each is run by the members, who choose what activities to offer and when they are run. There is a cost of $3 to $5 for participation in an activity, plus a $15 annual membership fee.

The group’s attempt at running an op shop as a revenue earner has ended up costing it money. The shop is now due to be closed.

“The other reason we really couldn’t get it going is we didn’t have enough volunteers to run the shop,” Mrs Macdonald said.

Closing the group will mean letting down close to 500 members.

“We are absolutely fighting to keep the group going, because not only will we displace our members, we rent (Kawana) out to other people such as the playgroup and the prayer group,” Mrs Macdonald said.

The group also runs the Kawana Forest Meeting Place for the council, whereby it earns an income from rentals.

“We have no idea where we are going to get the funding,” Mrs Macdonald said. “We really want to become self-sufficient and not have to rely on anyone.”

Staying positive was how Mrs Macdonald and her board were approaching their problems.

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SENIORS

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

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

Picture: Contributed

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

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

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

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

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

their way onto prestigious festival line-ups.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Together they created We

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SENIORS

COVER STORY

\\JANUARY, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

their abilities and what they have achieved.

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

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

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

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

Picture: Contributed

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

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

Marty supported the

Rolling Stones at 17.

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

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

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

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

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Coast retiree women’s group gaining popularity Founder puts in hard yards to create ties that fill a void

‘‘

When you have achieved so much in life in the corporate area, that’s where the difficulty comes in trying to find yourself in retirement.

Tracey Johnstone THE NEW Sunshine Coast Retiree Women’s Group is gaining momentum with the help of its energetic founder Celena Ross.

The group was formed when Mrs Ross, 64, was forced into retirement four years ago and left feeling like she was in no-man’s land as she took on part-time caring of her grandchildren and then full-time caring of her mother.

Mrs Ross, who founded the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network, felt she had reached a point where, after spending so many years giving willingly to her family, she lacked identity in the business community.

“It was a struggle and I thought other women are having this struggle about who they are without their business card,” she said.

“When you have achieved so much in life in the corporate area, that’s where the difficulty comes in trying to find yourself in retirement.”

She contacted several clubs to find a like-minded tribe but soon found what she really was looking for was female Baby Boomers

MAKING A MARK: Sunshine Coast Retiree Women's Group founder Celena Ross has big plans for 2020 as she strives to build connections among like-minded members.

Picture: Contributed

who lived nearby and could become future friends.

Her online blog, Retiree Matters, which she had run for a few years, gave her an outlet to discuss a range of retirement issues that were impacting on her and those

around her.

But Mrs Ross is a person of action. When she couldn’t find social connection answers in the Coast community, the only thing she could do was create an answer.

So, about a year ago Mrs Ross set up the Sunshine Coast Retiree Women’s Group.

“I established it with a very firm vision,” she said.

She sees the group as like-minded, similar-aged,

caring and supportive women who want to establish new friends.

The “vibrant” group is for women aged in their 50s and 60s who are semiretired, transitioning to retirement or recently retired, but not retired from life. They meet over a monthly lunch with stimulating speakers and a monthly morning tea.

During the month, Mrs Ross also organises workshops discussing mental health and financial wellbeing, along with taste testers, makeup and more.

At all functions, Mrs Ross asks the women to put down their bags, then stand not sit, so they are forced to mingle.

“Once you sit, you are stuck,” she said.

Mrs Ross has also set up a Meet Your Neighbour for the SCRWG members.

“The women are organising their own (meetup) within a suburb boundary area.”

Anyone who is in the SCRWG and who lives within

an agreed boundary organises to meet up and get to know other group members who live in their local area.

“It goes back to that concept of me wanting to look for friends who live within about a 15-minute drive, because you can go to a big lunch and walk away from it without making a connection,” Mrs Ross said.

So far, the 400-member SCRWG communicates through a closed Facebook group page that allows Mrs Ross to manage membership.

But the time has come for the not-for-profit group to become incorporated. With that comes the need for an official structure to ensure sustainability of the group, but also opportunities for grants.

Mrs Ross plans to get working on the change in status during the early part of this year. In the meantime, to connect with the group, Mrs Ross said interested members needed to be on Facebook.

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Preparing for older age Council puts seniors planning on agenda

‘‘

Twenty-one per cent of Noosa residents are aged over 65 ... so, it’s important to consider our older residents in all the aspects of our planning, policy and infrastructure decisions

Tracey Johnstone NOOSA Mayor Tony Wellington acknowledges people aged over 65 make up a significant proportion of Noosa’s population and with that comes a range of issues that the council needs to manage.

As a 64-year-old he is acutely aware of the importance of the council supporting this cohort.

Cr Wellington has the personal experience in dealing with aged care with his mother spending her last years in a high-care facility while his father, who is in his 90s, continues to live independently at home.

Seniors News spoke to Cr Wellington about how the council was managing the issue and what its plans are for supporting its growing seniors population.

“Twenty-one per cent of Noosa residents are aged over 65,” Cr Wellington said.

“That number is higher than in any other part of Queensland.

“So, it’s important to consider our older residents in all the aspects of our planning, policy and infrastructure decisions.”

Noosa Council is developing an updated planning scheme to deal with the shire’s growth over the next 20 years.

Named the Noosa Plan, it is due to be published in

PLANNING AHEAD: Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington says planning is place for an ageing population.

Picture: Contributed

March. The plan recognises there will be an increasing demand for suitable housing.

“The new plan supports secondary dwellings, or granny flats,” Cr Wellington said.

“It tries to encourage smaller dwelling units which are going to be more favourable to an older demographic.

“It identifies a new site for

A VALENTINE’S NIGHT AT THE

residential care as we have done a housing needs analysis to determine what we need in the future in terms of our ageing population.

“And we are protecting the existing aged care and residential care facilities into the future.”

Cr Wellington said there was already a good choice of aged care housing options in Noosa.

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“Obviously there is going to be an increasing need for care for people with dementia and that is one of the things we are discussing at the moment with various care providers who are hopefully looking at developing some high-need facilities that are cutting edge in their approach,” he said.

Cr Wellington said the council was already

supporting a range of clubs and community groups which helped ensure Noosa residents remain physically and mentally healthy.

“I think last year we channelled about $800,000 into community organisations in our shire,” he said.

“That includes service clubs, men’s and women’s sheds, bridge and geniality clubs, and U3A.” This is in addition to the council’s infrastructure such as the Noosa Aquatic and Noosa Leisure centres which play host to a variety of senior-specific activities.

The libraries, in addition to their in-house senior events, have an outreach service that involves volunteers delivering books to those seniors who cannot attend a shire library.

Makerspace in the libraries is another initiative Cr Wellington identified.

He said it was helping seniors to become more technologically engaged through learning to use 3D printers and hi-tech sewing machines.

“There is a wide range of activities that are run through community organisations that we

support,” he said.

The door-to-door council cab service is another senior support initiative.

Cr Wellington admitted an increase in the demand for services that support people ageing in their own homes would put pressure on the council.

“We are running Noosa Community Support which requires a higher level of funding from government,” he said.

“It offers respite care for carers and it has a lot of inhome support including cleaning, home maintenance and transport for shopping and doctor visits.

“It’s a fantastic service and quite unique I believe.”

Despite the increased demand, funding for all these services still sits comfortably within the council budget, Cr Wellington said.

“We see it as a normal course of business to provide for the ageing population given the demographic of our community” he said.

The council is due to launch a new website soon and Mr Wellington assured shire seniors would have their own web page.

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Council seeks balance Tracey Johnstone THE Sunshine Coast Council faces the challenge of building community infrastructure and attitudes that balance the needs of both its burgeoning senior and younger cohorts.

The desirable living choices available on the Coast have resulted in it having the largest concentration of older people in Australia.

Of the almost 319,000 residents, about 20 per cent are aged over 65.

On the other side of the demographic puzzle is the large number of younger people who are staying on the Coast or moving here as more employment opportunities open.

The current unemployment rate in the council area is down from more than 10 per cent to 5.8 per cent.

“It’s an interesting challenge, but it’s a challenge I would rather have than not because it wasn’t that long ago that the younger people were leaving the Coast in droves because they didn’t have any real employment prospects,” Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said.

It’s projected the Coast’s population will grow by about 8000 annually, reaching 500,000 people by 2041.

What once was a regional centre is heading quickly towards becoming a regional city.

“We continue to see the arrival of many retirees who are people who would be considered very healthy and active,” Cr Jamieson said. “(The) council has a range of healthy Sunshine Coast seniors’ programs that provide free or low-cost health and physical activity options.

“That engagement with the community and the partnerships with health and research organisations augurs well for us, hopefully maximising the benefit of very experienced people living on the Coast who are able to provide support, ideas and mentoring.”

In the middle, and responsible for balancing the needs and desires of the community, is the council.

In late November the

BLAST FROM THE PAST: Looking north along Currie St in Nambour from the corner of Bury St, circa 1915. In the foreground is the Bury St intersection, with the two-storey ES&A Bank in the middle distance, on the eastern side of Currie St. Two horsemen ride past the building that originally housed the Chronicle office.

Picture: Contributed

Twin icons of early days a moving story

LOOKING AHEAD: Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson is planning for the future, aiming to cater to the region’s high percentage of seniors.

Picture: Contributed

council released its Community Strategy 20192041, which seeks to find a balance between the needs and wants of the young and the older community members.

The key ideas that flow through the strategy are: healthier, more active; better connections; environmentally sustainable; more creative and more innovative.

The strategy relies heavily on, among other things, the concept of inclusion.

It states “ … encourage inclusive, socially cohesive and resilient communities to provide equitable access to basic services and social and economic opportunities”.

It was developed in consultation with a wide variety of groups, including the Healthy Ageing Partnership and Sunshine 60 & Better.

Seniors are not identified separately in the strategy

‘‘

It helps build a strong community, one that we like to think is healthy, smart and creative but the opportunities for them to thrive and survive well are woven throughout it.

This applies also for the Coast’s ageing indigenous population, the Kabi Kabi and the Jinibara peoples.

The “very young” 60year-old Mayor said he could see a time when what is being put in place by the council now would be integral to his wellbeing.

For now, Cr Jamieson has

his sights set on staying well and engaged.

“I consider myself young at heart, young in mind and I want to maintain that, so having a reasonable amount of exercise and engaging in stimulating the mind is very important, as well as having the right diet and moderating the intake of all things,” he said.

“As I look to the future, the next 20-odd years, no doubt I will be utilising some of those services as well.”

Cr Jamieson said the Coast’s volunteering program was “highly regarded” and he is eager for it to be bolstered by more seniors helping to develop the region by voluntarily contributing their skills and knowledge to the younger members of the community.

“It helps build a strong community, one that we like to think is healthy, smart and creative,” he said.

NAMBOUR CHRONICLE THE Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser was first published in 1903.

For 80 years, the newspaper reported local, national and international news, social and sporting events, business activities, and local opinions and notices.

The newspaper included many photos and advertisements and provides a glimpse into the past of the area now known as the Sunshine Coast.

Sunshine Coast Libraries digitised the Nambour Chronicle and it is now available electronically. The 1903–1958 editions are available online at the Digital Nambour Chronicle or via the National Library of Australia’s Trove.

The 1903-1983 editions can be viewed at the Heritage Library at Nambour.

The Nambour Chronicle was the first Australian newspaper to be digitised. It was a shared project of the Maroochy and Caloundra libraries, in partnership with the State Library of Queensland, Micrographic Applications and the Sunshine Coast Daily.

The project won the John Oxley Library Award and the National Trust Queensland Silver Heritage Award in 2008.

SHAY LOCOMOTIVE THE Shay locomotive is one of the most significant objects in council’s heritage collection.

In 1908, the Moreton Central Sugar Mill bought a

Shay-geared locomotive built by Lima Locomotive Works in Ohio.

This locomotive was named Dulong and was used on the steep tramline from Nambour to Dulong.

Maroochy Shire Council purchased the tramline and the Dulong in 1914, extending the line to Mapleton. A second Shay locomotive, the Mapleton, was acquired in 1914.

The Mapleton Tramway operated for 29 years, transporting timber, fruit, milk, general goods, livestock, sugar cane, parcels and passengers. The tramway stopped operating in 1944 after it became financially unviable as roads and cars improved.

The Moreton Central Sugar Mill bought the locomotives, rolling stock and track in 1945. In 1948, the two locomotives were rebuilt into one and simply became known as Shay. The Shay was retired by the mill in 1960.

The council took ownership of the Shay in 2003 and it is now at the Nambour Museum.

Museum volunteers continue to preserve the locomotive, with highlights of their work including fitting a new smoke box and new cabin sides.

The Sunshine Coast Cultural Heritage Levy funds the materials for the preservation, with museum volunteers providing the labour. View the Shay locomotive at the museum on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.

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Award shines spotlight on inspirational eight Disability advocate fights inequality Climate issues close to artist’s heart

RIGHTING WRONGS: Sue Salthouse

65 who have significant disabilities.

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

“With an ageing

Picture: Contributed

demographic, our numbers will grow. In 2020 as a finalist for Senior Australian of the Year I will be urging governments to take a closer look at understanding the intersection of disability and ageing.”

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

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

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

“There are so many issues in communities, including climate change, which is changing the face of the environment. You can see it happening in front of you. I would love to have a round table with people who are

GREEN THEME: Artist Banduk Marika.

caring enough to talk about what possibilities we have and what measures we have that will delay the environmental changes.

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

Picture: Contributed

rubbish, cleaning up your creeks and digging up debris – volunteers working together. I am also working on a healing centre here; working on natural healing without going to doctors for hard drugs.”

Digging in for land-care awareness

Champion of protecting our planet

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

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

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

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

SUE Lennox, NSW, 67 Sue is an environmental educator and social enterprise founder.

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

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

OzGREEN has developed sustainability programs in 1600 locations across

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

Picture: Contributed

“My wish is to promote land care to both regional and urban Australia,” Graeme said. “Either join an existing group, form a group

of your own or, if you live in a city, adopt a group. I am a Dr Who fan and consider land care is like the Tardis – bigger on the inside!”

Australia, India, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Pakistan.

“The threat of global sustainability challenges like climate change call on us to redesign our society in a

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short time. If everyone lived like we do, we would need five planets. At a global scale we are living at 1.7 planets beyond the carrying capacity of our Earth.

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

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

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

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

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SUE Salthouse, ACT, 70 DISABILITIES advocate Sue Salthouse found herself in a wheelchair after a horseriding accident at age 45.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Receiving a grant to research incontinence – a common consequence in men after prostate cancer treatment – he designed a

CULTURAL CRUSADE: Men’s health activist Peter Dornan.

Picture: Contributed

successful program to treat the condition and published a book used by Australian prostate cancer support

groups.

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

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

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

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

Making inroads in curbing fatalities for drivers DR Raymond Shuey (APM), vic, 74.

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

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

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

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SAFETY: Raymond Shuey.

inspiration for others.

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

“My work, life experience and knowledge identify road

trauma as predictable and preventable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I plan to keep doing what

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

Picture: Contributed

I am doing now and keeping happy, going to the gym and

keeping involved with my clubs.”

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

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

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

EMINENT: Professor John Newnham (AM).

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

“This program requires the education of our everchanging pregnant population and their

Picture: Contributed

families, and our everchanging workforce.

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

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Community notes 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.

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.

If you are a bit concerned, come along as a spectator and see whether you will enjoy it. Everyone is welcome. Phone 0407 456 939 for more information, or come and visit. Our next dance evening will be on Tuesday, January 14.

U3A SUNSHINE COAST COME along to our Open Day 2020 on Saturday, January 11, from 9am-noon.

Free parking at the Universi-

ty of the Sunshine Coast Innovation Centre.

Meet the tutors, check out some of the 136 courses currently on offer and enjoy the entertainment, from ukulele players to tai chi.

Renew your annual membership for only $40 to join our 2300-strong community.

Actively promote your wellbeing via meeting new people, making new friends, getting the mind and body working in new ways.

To enrol online, go to u3asunshine.org.au/www/ membership-and-classes/ or stroll down to our U3A offices in B block where friendly office volunteers will help you to join, enrol in courses, or sign up as a volunteer, a lecturer or a tutor.

BEGINNERS

CHEERS!: Thirty-eight members of the Tewantin Noosa Probus Club enjoyed this year's Christmas lunch, which was held at the Boathouse Bar and Bistro.

Picture: Contributed

LINEDANCING COME along to the Woombye Hall on Mondays from 9am and at North Shore Community Centre, Mudjimba, on Mondays from 7pm and Wednesdays from 9am.

Also, Thursdays from 9am at Yandina School of Arts Hall.

Keep your mind active and body fit with dance. Fun, fit-

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SOCIAL BALLROOM DANCING AT POMONA

ness, friendship and great music are on offer. For more information, phone Barbara on 0407 733 280.

PROBUS CLUBS Caloundra 86 THE last function for the year was the Christmas party held at the Pelican Waters Golf Club where members and partners enjoyed a festive meal. Attendees were asked to dress up for the occasion in Christmas attire, with Trish Green as an angel being the winner of the Best Dressed award.

The club has various activities during the month and is an active, fun-loving mixed group of retired and semi-retired seniors who would welcome new members to join them.

Come along to the first general meeting for 2020 by contacting membership officers Dorothy and Bell on 07 5492 6721.

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 donation of $5 covers morning tea.

Our next meeting will be on Monday, January 20, as the fourth Monday is the Australia Day public holiday.

The guest speaker will be Geoff Salmon, who will show a short film on the manufacture of float glass and ex-

plain his involvement with the process.

For further information, phone Geoff Bailue on 0418 145 034.

QUOTA INTERNATIONAL COOLUM BEACH WE are a group of motivated women from all walks of life who are interested in helping others in the community.

We also participate in fundraising projects, craft mornings, book club, coffee mornings and have a busy social calendar.

We meet at the Meals on Wheels rooms at 17 Santa Monica Ave, Coolum, on the second Tuesday of the month at 2pm (excluding January and December when we are in recess). If you are interested in joining this friendly and caring group phone Sandra on 0427 889 750.

NAMBOUR GARDEN CLUB We offer friendship through gardening and meet on the first Monday of each month, (second Monday if the first is a public holiday) with no meetings in December or January. Venue: Uniting Church Hall, Nambour (free parking, Donaldson St entrance). Meetings include: guest speakers, plant and cuttings sales, competition tables, raffles and lucky door prize. Members also enjoy bus tours, garden rambles and workshops. Arrive at 8.30am for meet-and-greet over a cup of coffee/tea.

Meeting starts 10am. Phone Karel on 0490 415 067 for further information.

VIEW CLUBS

Glasshouse Country WE FINISHED 2019 with a Christmas party and also celebrated member Dulcie’s 90th birthday. Our January lunch meeting will also be our AGM, which will be held at 11am on January 15. Anyone interested in joining us would be most welcome and for more information about our club please speak to Trish on 07 5493 0026 or Janet on 0448 845 303, VIEW clubs raise money for The Smith Family and the Learning for Life program.

More information on VIEW clubs can be found at view.org.au.

AIR NOOSA RETIRED or about to retire?

AIR is the peak national notfor-profit organisation working for the interests of selffunded and partially selffunded retirees or those about to retire.

Next meeting: Investment Discussion Group on Thursday, January 16, from 8.45am for 9am at The Uniting Church, Grasstree Crt, Sunrise Beach. Join us for a general discussion on the economic climate and investment trends. We seek a fair outcome for retirees.

Cost is $6 members, $10 non-members, and includes morning tea. Visitors very welcome. For information phone 0478 479 049 or email airnoosacommunications@gmail.com.

ARTWORK INSPIRED

BY GIFT OF GIVING A GIFT of indigenousinspired artwork is at the centre of a touching role reversal involving two of the Sunshine Coast’s most genTo page 16 SESE01Z01MA - V1

Jack e Howe Jackie owe Pavilion Pav on - it’ll t be legendary! egen a y With a 25 metre, heated, semi-covered magnesium pool and spa, two-lane bowling green, well-appointed gym, hall and covered alfresco, the Jackie Howe Pavilion may become as renowned as its name-sake!

And there’s more; the interim clubhouse, Diamantina, will be repurposed to include a cinema, arts and craft room, library, hairdressing/wellness salon and, eventually, a men’s shed. That’s right, they are going to have two clubhouses, which means that the main one will always be available for all the residents’ enjoyment while the other one is booked out for private functions.

Both clubhouses will be completed and launched by early December 2020.

Recent population growth figures highlight the major opportunity at Affinity Sheep Station Creek for downsizers, retirees and over 50s looking to invest in a secure future. According to the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, the Moreton Bay council area is expected to be home to an additional 217,700 people, requiring more than 88,000 new dwellings to be built, by 2041.

“Affinity Sheep Station Creek is in the heart of a growth area yet to experience its biggest upside. The new community represents a real opportunity for over 50s to secure their future in a brand-new home, with supporting social infrastructure in place, in a region set to experience a huge spike in demand for housing in the future,” Affinity Sales Manager Melody Lucas said.

Pricing for the stage 2 homes in the burgeoning estate have also been revealed, and these start from $411,000 for a 2-bedroom + study home. Stage 2a release encompasses 27 land lots, including 2 prime blocks which back onto the gully; Stage 2b, comprising six prime blocks along Sheep Station Creek, will be released later in the year.

As of right now only two lots remain in Stage 1, so time is running out to secure a brand-new home in this tranquil community for under $400,000. Affinity is offering purchasers a $3,000 credit against their future home’s upgrades for the remaining stock in stage 1 and discounted Weekly Site Fees, so buyers need to be quick.

70 Amy Street MORAYFIELD www.affinitylifestyle.com.au

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BRIGHT IDEA: Kelly Hansen presents her artwork to Dr Rustum and Helen Sethna, who provided a bursary to the USC student.

Pictures: Contributed From page 14

erous philanthropists and an appreciative USC social work student.

Indigenous USC student Kelly Hansen from Gympie created the art piece for Dr Rustum Sethna and his wife, Helen, as an act of giving back after receiving a $2000 bursary donated by the couple.

“Meeting the Sethnas, I discovered they were heavily involved in the arts and that gave me the

inspiration for my gift,” said Ms Hansen, who is about to enter her final year of study.

“I’ve never been trained as an artist but painting is something I have enjoyed doing all my life as a way of expressing myself.”

The Sethnas have generously supported USC’s academic programs and art gallery for more than a decade and in 2017 were honoured with Honorary Senior Fellowships for their contributions. They are also active in many community

organisations, including the Caloundra Regional Gallery and Events Centre Caloundra.

The $2000 Dr Rustum Sethna Social Work Bursary is presented each year to a full-time undergraduate student enrolled in social work.

“Dr Sethna has said their donations to USC and other groups are their way of giving back to the arts and learning, so this is my way of doing something similar for them,” Ms Hansen said.

Probus Club of Caloundra 86 member Trish Green, winner of the Best Dressed Christmas attire at the club’s Christmas party.

Hear Aussie spirit in full voice Talented tenors to tour with brilliant new show THE Australian Tenors are touring the nation in 2020 with their show The Spirit of Australia, which has been described as an absolutely stunning program.

The Australian Tenors’ versatility spans all genres of the classical tenor repertoire.

The Australian Tenors are sensational voices but also inject their performances with romance, excitement, warmth and humour. The concert encapsulates the spirit, the beauty and vocal demand of truly authentic tenor voices.

Audiences will be thrilled by the classical arias from the popular operas such as the tenor trademark Nessun

Dorma, Verdi’s Anvil Chorus and songs from hit musical productions including West Side Story’s Somewhere and Neapolitan favourites Funiculi Funicula. They also deliver a stirring rendition of The Hallelujah Chorus.

Beautiful duets are also a part of the program.

The Australian Tenors are: Murray Mayday, Lorenzo Rositano, Gaetano Bonfante, Martin Buckingham and Blake Fischer. They are backed by The Southern Cross Orchestra under the direction of musical director Joseph Macri, Opera Australia soprano Giuseppina Grech and The Gold Coast Choir.

The Australian Tenors will

perform at Redland Performing Arts Centre on Thursday, March 26, at 7pm.

For bookings phone 3829 8131 or go to rpac.com.au.

Tickets: adults $85, snrs/ pens: $79, groups 8+ $76pp.

Booking fees: $4.30 by phone & $5 online per transaction.

They will also perform at Twin Towns Services Club on March 28 at 8pm. For bookings, phone 5536 2277 or go to twintowns.com.au.

All tickets are $55. They will also perform at The Events Centre Caloundra on March 29 at 2pm. For bookings, phone 5491 4240 or go to theeventscentre.com.au.

Tickets are $85; conc: $79; groups 10+: $76.

STARS: The Australian Tenors will tour in 2020.

Picture: Contributed

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UNITE INSPIRE PAINT

on February 9. Doors open 1pm; show starts 2pm. Ingrid James has joined forces withinternationally acclaimed Czech guitarist Libor Smoldas, Jakub Zomer (hammond organ/voice) and drummer Sacha Kloostra.

They will present a fun program of swing, blues and bossa novas, all set to the rich grooves and sounds of hammond organ, guitar, voice and drums. Tickets: $25; seniors $22. Go to ticketebo.com.au/jazzblues-collective.

CALOUNDRA Arts Centre Association Friday Art Group Unite Inspire Paint 2020 exhibition and sale of fine art is on in January. There will be quality artworks by Caloundra and proximate local artists, including inspiring creations in watercolour, oil, acrylic, pastel and mixed media from traditional to contemporary, to semiabstract, and a smattering of the challenging modern genre. Open at Caloundra Arts Centre Association (CACA), 5 North St, Caloundra, from January 4-7 from 9.30am-3.30pm and January 8 from 9.30am12pm. Entry is gold coin. For details see caloundraartsand crafts.org.au.

U3A OPEN DAY

THROUGH A GLASS ONION

GINGER FLOWER & FOOD FESTIVAL ON from January 17-19, the 24th Ginger Flower and Food Festival promises to delight the senses with food, flowers and entertainment celebrating the best of the Coast. The Ginger Factory will burst with colour and flavours, showcasing an exquisite range of ornamental gingers and

VARIETY AND COLOUR: The Proms Spectacular at Caloundra Events Centre on February 16 at 2pm is a salute to the famous BBC Proms Concerts of London's Royal Albert Hall. It will be filled with top-class musical talent (See listing below).

heliconias. Presenters Soil to Supper’s Cath Manuel and horticulturalist Paul Plant will share their words of wisdom during the garden talks. The free festival will have an exciting line-up of chefs, including Matt Golinski, Lisa Maher from Makepeace Island and Dylan Campbell. Go to gingerfactory.com.au/ ginger-flower-food-festival.

or a four-for-$40 ticket (four people, any age, any size).

Children are encouraged to dress as their favourite storybook character, and join in audience participation segments to win prizes.

There’s free popcorn for kids under 10. The shows are on 2pm on January 11, 3pm on the 12th, 3pm on the 18th and 11am on the 19th. Phone 07 5472 8200.

THE MOTHS WON’T FLUTTER

AUSTRALIA DAY PARADE, BUDERIM

TAKE your grandkids to the Yandina School of Arts Hall, at Farrell and Stevens Streets, Yandina, for the Indee’s summer pantomimes Hansel & Gretel and The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party (Alice in Wonderland). The show is packed with colourful costumes, laughter and music. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 children

ON January 26 from 911.30am, the main street of Buderim is lined with thousands of locals and visitors to watch the military vehicles and marchers, Lighthorse brigades, bands, vintage cars, clowns, sporting clubs and a host of other local organisations as they march down to the Buderim Mountain State

School oval. The Buderim Men’s Shed organises oval activities for parade participants to set up displays after the parade.

AN AFTERNOON AT THE PROMS THE February 16 spectacular salutes the famous BBC Proms Concerts of London’s Royal Albert Hall, including well-known favourites Rule Britannia, Jerusalem, Radetzky March and Elgar’s Land of Hope and Glory.

Acclaimed violinist Ian Cooper, opera stars, prima ballerinas, pipe band and the Blue Danube Orchestra will

evoke the sheer exuberance of An Afternoon at The Proms Spectacular. Bring your flags. Bring your noisemakers and come join the fun and frivolity. Starts at 2pm. Go to theevents centre.com.au/product/anafternoon-at-the-proms-amusical-spectacular.

INGRID JAMES & THE BOYS FROM PRAGUE THE Jazz & Blues Collective presents the last performance in the Queensland leg of the Ingrid James + The Boys from Prague tour at Maroochydore’s Old Soul Lounge Bar

THE Sunshine Coast U3A has an open day on January 11, 9am-12pm, at the University of the Sunshine Coast Innovation Centre. Meet the tutors and check out some of the 136 courses currently on offer. U3A actively promotes wellbeing through meeting new people, making new friends and getting the mind and body working in new ways.

Annual membership can be renewed on the day; cost $40, or visit the U3A office in Block B at the university.

There is free parking on site.

Go to u3asunshine.org.au/ www/membership-andclasses.

DRAWING (COAST) LINES DISPLAY HELENA Jackson-Lloyd presents a series of largescale drawings exploring the rhythms, cycles and patterns of natural life evident in the coastal zone. It’s at Maroochy Library, 44 Sixth Ave, Cotton Tree, until February 1. The free exhibition is open Monday to Saturday from 9am.

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JOHN Waters is bringing his tribute to John Lennon to The J Theatre at Noosa for two shows at 3pm and 8pm on January 11. Created and performed by the veteran Australian actor/musician and singer/pianist Stewart D’Arrietta, Lennon: Through a Glass Onion is part concert and part biography and reveals the essence of the life and astonishing talent of one of the most admired icons of the past century with a story and 31 songs.

Tickets: $55. Go to thej.com.au or phone 07 5329 6560.

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WILLS, DECEASED ESTATES AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY LAWYERS FOR 40 YEARS Geoff Lyons Memorial Wall and Ashes Scattering Coast Guard Caloundra’s Memorial Wall on Caloundra Headland, offers relatives and friends of those commemorated there, with an opportunity for peaceful reflection.We are committed to maintaining the Wall, forever.We also offer ashes scatterings at sea or in the Passage.

All enquiries welcome.

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(Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws majoring in Wills & Estates) • Wills (simple & complex) • Powers of Attorney • Estate Administration • Claims on Estates • Elder Law issues

Cnr. Centaur Street & Omrah Ave, Caloundra Qld 4551 P: (07) 5491 2422

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Magnificent Mykonos

Go Greek at a sunkissed isle where the senses can feast PAGES 22-23

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

Adult: $2198 Single Supplement: $483

Adult: $4726 Single Supplement: $1176

Adult: $5795 Single Supplement: $1129

Adult: $5768 Single Supplement: $1380

Adult: $2798 Single Supplement: $755

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Departs: 18/06/20

Departs: 8/07/20

7 Day Carnarvon Gorge Explorer

Departs: 05/03/20

SPECIALISING IN SENIOR’S TRAVEL

Departs: 29/04/20

14 Day Birdsvillle & Lawn Hill Gorge

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Departs: 13/07/20

FULLY ACCOMMODATED TOURS

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEAL OF APPROVAL AMID ICELANDIC WILDERNESS

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

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

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

SENIORS

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

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

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

Picture: Contributed

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

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

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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

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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

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

Tips help clear you for takeoff EXPERIENCE the beauty and freedom of our great landscape – for young and old alike.

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

Be it part-time, full-time or periodic, becoming a nomad will allow you to, hopefully, experience one of the greatest new adventures of your life.

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

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

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It was written for nomads but has lots of information for campers of all ages. written in a down-to-earth manner, the book is billed as a great asset in preparation for what you are about to embark on, whether it’s your first trip or your 100th.

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

while on the road.

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

The Grey Nomad’s Ultimate Guide To Australia,

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

New eNglAND HistORicAl tRAil

*4 Days* – Depart Brisbane. Enjoy Historical Armidale, Glen Innes and Tenterfield, Booloominbah & Saumarez Historical Homesteads, Standing Stones*, *Lunch at Abby of the Roses Manor 4 Days - $799 *PP Twin Share, Single add $195 *Departure Dates 2020: 25th March*

tuRtle HAtcHiNg Of MON RePOs

4 Days – Depart Brisbane to see the Turtle hatchlings at Mon Repos.

Mon Repos is a very special place; it supports the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the eastern coast. Here we can learn about the Mon Repos Turtles and their colourful history. Then enjoy a Burnett River Cruise, Visit a Bundaberg Bundy Rum Distillery and gorgeous Tin Can Bay. 4 Days - $799*, *PP Twin Share, Single $195 Departing: 4th March

Departure Dates: 1st April 2020

YAMBA & BYRON BAY

4 Days – Depart Brisbane. Enjoy lunches overlooking beautiful oceans, colourful fishing trawlers and pelicans, also Clarence River Cruise. Picturesque Villages and Maclean, known as the Scottish Town of Australia. 4 Days - $699*, *PP Twin Share, Single $195 Departing: 27th February

Herberton > undara lava tubes > georgetown > forsayth > cobbold gorge croydon > karumba > cloncurry > Mt isa > Richmond > charters towers

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. from $2,940 13 Days including Return QLD Pension Rail Fare Economy Seat, Upgrade to Deluxe Rail Bed $3,290 *Departure Dates 2020: 16th May, 13th June.

clAssic sOutHeRN OutBAck PuBs AND cuNNAMullA

*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, *Departure Dates 2020: 1st April*

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 $1,840.

QLD Pension Deluxe Rail Bed $2,190. Seniors Card Deluxe Rail Bed $2,480 *Departure Dates 2020: 28th April 25th July; 19th Sep*

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

Picture: Contributed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lap up the luxury in the stylish accommodation.

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

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

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

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

Picture: Contributed

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

Picture: Contributed

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

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

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

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

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

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

Picture: Contributed

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

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

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

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

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

9. Sensational sunsets It’s little wonder guests flock to the water’s edge to experience the stunning sunsets, and the Myconian Avaton enjoys a prime SESE01Z01MA - V1

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

Picture: Contributed

‘‘

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

position.

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

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

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

Source: myconiancollection.com

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

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

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

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GET OUT AND EXPLORE

10 reasons to love Lake Macquarie HOME to the largest coastal saltwater lake in the southern hemisphere and with more than 30 kilometres of pristine coastline, Lake Macquarie is one of the east coast’s hidden treasures.

Just 90 minutes north of Sydney, it offers something for everyone, whether you’re an outdoorsy type, history buff or simply seeking relaxation.

And with the new year here, what better reason to

get out and explore?

Ten reasons to put Lake Macquarie at the top of your 2020 holiday list are:

1. LAKE MACQUARIE SAND ISLANDS

Lake Macquarie’s sand islands are a firm favourite with the locals and it’s easy to see why. With pristine white sand and turquoise water, you can explore by boat or choose to swim.

2. CAVES BEACH

Iconic Caves Beach, with its extensive network of sea

caves and rock pools, is ideal for low-tide exploration.

Crawl through tight holes, hang out in shady caves or sun yourself on the beach’s sandy shores.

3. SPEERS POINT PARK

The kids won’t want to leave award-winning Speers Point Park, often referred to as Australia’s best play space because of its fantastic flying fox, water-play zones, bike paths and climbing frames.

4. MAC

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25/6/20 – 30/6/20

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Museum of Art and Culture (MAC) is home to an impressive collection of travelling and permanent exhibitions. After undergoing a $2.3 million transformation this year, MAC is a cultural hotspot.

TWEED RIVER CRUISE BYRON BAY / LIGHTHOUSE TWIN TOWNS SHOW (TBA) MURWILLUMBAH / MT WARNING | YAMBA /ILUKA MT TAMBORINE TROPICAL FRUIT WORLD

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PERFECT PLAYGROUND: Lake Macquarie's sand islands are a firm favourite with the locals and it's easy to see why.

Picture: Contributed

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The Watagan Mountains are well known, but many visitors are unaware of the stunning Gap Creek Falls hidden in the rainforest.

These striking falls are accessible for keen hikers via the spectacular Gap Creek Falls Trail.

6. BELMONT BATHS

Belmont Baths is the perfect spot for lazy laps or a swim during a sunny weekend.

The baths boast a new jetty, a netted swimming area, a new amenities block and change rooms.

7. CREATIVE LAKE

Creative LAKE sculpture trail contains several unique artworks including a bronze sky pig, a young monk, a dinghy and a granite hibiscus. Each of the artworks can be discovered in popular foreshores.

8. REDHEAD BEACH

Redhead Beach is renowned for its red, rocky headland, iconic shark tower and timber boardwalk. This

pretty beach features Cargo Espresso Bar.

9. FLOAT YOUR BOAT Every June, dozens of boats light up the night skies and calm waters of Lake Macquarie during Float Your Boat – an event where boat owners are encouraged to decorate their vessels in lights and take part in a parade around the lake.

10. WARNERS BAY

Walk or cycle the 9km Warner’s Bay foreshore shared pathway, or take it easy and roll up for a lazy lunch at one of The Esplanade’s many cafes.

For more details see visitlakemac.com.au.

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A delicious picnic treat from Great Keppel Island Hideaway.

‘‘

This is like the seaside you used to know before coastal developments meant high-rises

BEACHFRONT BLISS: The oversized Yeppoon Lagoon is loved by locals and visitors.

Pictures: Contributed

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

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

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

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

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

I took a 30-minute drive from Rockhampton City to V1 - SESE01Z01MA

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

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

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

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

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

a meal at award-winning restaurant The Waterline.

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

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

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

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

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

Find out more from capricornholidays.com.au.

Call our friendly, experienced team to book your next cruise or touring holiday or to join one of Go See Touring’s special group departures.

1300 551 997 | (07) 5513 1086 E: info@goseetouring.com www.goseetouring.com

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CHRISTMAS IN JULY NORFOLK ISLAND From

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Want to enjoy the festive season twice this year? Spend a week on Norfolk Island with its stunning scenery, sandy beaches and jagged cliffs. There is so much to see and do – and all at your own pace. We’ve included some great accommodation options, a hire car so you can explore, some fabulous tours that you won’t want to miss, plus plenty more to do on the Island. Enjoy a festive delicious Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings, fun trivia and Carols at Paradise Hotel & Resort. Chase away those winter blues and have some fun. Call us now to secure your accommodation.

per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single supplement From $495

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per person Twin Share Ex BNE

$2,995* Single supplement $340

18 - 25 JULY 2020

Join Fortunato Isgro or Lindsay (Waddo) Waddington for a fantastic week on Norfolk Island of Songs and laughter! A Little Bit Country on Norfolk Island 2020 sees a great line-up of performers taking to the stage.

Graeme Hugo, Fortunato Isgro, Wayne Horsburgh and Lindsay (Waddo) Waddington will all perform at 3 big shows during the week. Plus plenty of time for you to enjoy beautiful Norfolk Island with its colourful history, lush greenery, stunning scenery and friendly locals. Enjoy delicious cuisine, tours, time to shop and explore and plenty of laughs along the way. Call us for more information!

20 - 27 JULY 2020 SENSATIONAL SINGAPORE Join us when we visit the bi-annual world premier tropical garden WITH SINGAPORE GARDEN FESTIVAL and flower show - the 2020 Singapore Garden Festival. The festival showcases colourful and exciting garden designs with exquisite floral displays from over 50 designers and 19 countries.

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$4,745*

per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single supplement $1,380

During the tour you’ll also visit the Botanic Gardens, National Orchid Gardens, have breakfast at the zoo, high tea at the iconic Raffles Hotel, visit the National Museum plus experience the exciting sights and sounds of Sentosa Island. Leisure time to explore further afield, shop ‘til you drop or lay by the pool. We’d love to have you with us when we travel to this beautiful multicultural city and its fabulous gardens. Space is limited.

BELLA ITALIA HOSTED BY FORTUNATO ISGRO From

Per person Twin Share

BNE, Single $995 $10,950* exsupplement

MAGICAL COOK ISLANDS HOSTED BY LYNNE & GRAEME HUGO

From

– The writer visited as a guest of Capricorn Enterprise.

Go See Touring invites players & spectators to join us on Norfolk Island in June 2020 for the 6th Convict’s Cup Social Croquet event.

This is a social golf croquet doubles event and it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an expert - it’s all about having fun. You’ll play on the oldest sporting pitch in the Southern hemisphere that is still in use. With stunning Norfolk Island as the backdrop to this week of friendly competition, there will be sightseeing, lots of fun and laughter! We hope you can join us!

$3,995*

Per person Twin Share ex BNE, Single Supplement $980

15 SEPTEMBER - 06 OCTOBER 2020

You are invited to join entertainer Fortunato on his much-anticipated ‘Bella Italia’ tour, where you will experience 22 days of incredible history, culture, food and scenic landscapes within central and southern Italy all whilst enjoying wonderful entertainment from your renowned host. Fortunato is particularly excited to also take you to Sicily and the Aeolian Islands where his family originates, to bring you an authentic experience that you will never forget.

You don’t want to miss out on this stress-free holiday with Fortunato and his family. Contact us for more fabulous details.

30 OCTOBER - 07 NOVEMBER 2020

You are invited to join entertainer Graeme Hugo & Lynne for a trip of a lifetime to the beautiful Cook Islands.

Experience the authentic colourful local culture, swim in crystal clear tropical waters, enjoy delicious local cuisine, informative and scenic tours. Located just 6 hours from Australia, we hope you can join us on this trip to paradise.

Please call us to secure your place or for more details.

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 31st October 2019. Go See Touring in conjunction with Norfolk Select Marketing ABN: 93 367 366 822 ATAS Accreditation A10619

7099112aa

Wind down in low-key style

Eye-catching art abounds at Emu Park.

MY AGED CARE EXPO 2020 You are invited to participate in the inaugural, My Aged Care Expo (MACE); the first of six Aged Care Expos touring regional Queensland in 2020.

EXPO DOOR PRIZE

My Aged Care Expo will be launched at the Maroochy Function Centre February 13, 2020, 9am – 2:30pm. Admission is free.

Registered attendees will go into the draw for a 7-night island holiday for two. There will also be ON THE SPOT prizes on 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

TO REGISTER FOR THIS FREE EVENT SEE www.myagedcareexpo.com.au

Would you like to be an exhibitor?

In addition to Maroochydore, My Aged Care Expo will visit five other regional locations including: Hervey Bay – 27 March Rockhampton – 29 May Mackay – 26 June Townsville and Toowoomba (Dates TBA) My Aged Care Expo 2020 has partnered with key players in the sector including the Over 50s Magazine and the Commonwealth

Bank to ensure regional residents can access a wide range of information, products and services. If you’d like to partner with MACE, there are several sponsorship opportunities still available at the regional Expos.

Please contact Kylie McIntosh on 0422 406 840 to discuss or visit www.myagedcareexpo.com.au to take advantage of these terrific branding opportunities and a unique chance to expose your products or services to a large, invested audience who live and work in your region.

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Tri something new for fitness with events putting participation first

Joint focus is on well beings Pilot study programs have whole-body approach ENHANCING the health and wellbeing of Brisbane seniors is the aim of an innovative pilot study by aged care provider Jubilee Community Care.

Jubilee, a not-for-profit in-home care provider at Indooroopilly, has partnered with universities and small businesses to create the Stay Connected Project, which starts in February.

Participants are being sought for the project, which will incorporate free activity and information programs on cooking and nutrition, exercise, mindfulness and driver awareness training.

The Stay Connected pilot study is being funded by the Federal Government’s Department of Health. Its activities include: 1. Cooking for One or Two – presented by Food Solutions: Dietitians will provide lessons in basic cooking, nutrition and healthy ageing in a positive social environment. There will be nutritious cooking demonstrations and you get to share meals with other participants. Once a week for six weeks.

2. Body Moves – presented by BodyTrack Exercise Physiology: Get moving under the expert guidance of an exercise physiologist. This program targets functional strength, V1 - SESE01Z01MA

falls prevention and social interaction, which helps to maintain independence and improve quality of life. The eight-week program includes an initial assessment and one 30minute session a week.

Participants require clearance from their doctor.

3. Mindful Connections: Develop life skills for meaningful relationships and wellbeing – presented by Conscious Beginnings: This training and coaching aims to empower and support older people to reduce their isolation and improve their wellbeing, resilience, mental health and self-care. Scientific studies suggest that mindfulness can ease physical and psychological issues that the elderly experience. The program will run once a week for eight weeks.

Participants will need a letter from their doctor to participate. They also will need access to the internet but only basic computer knowledge is required.

4. Safer Driver Situation Awareness Training – presented by University of the Sunshine Coast: This program will provide participants with classroom and online training to help drivers identify and skilfully

react to potential road hazards. This includes an online program over three months, so access to the internet is needed but only basic computer knowledge is required.

Jubilee Community Care director Shaun Riley said the project would become the basis of a study by the University of Queensland.

“The university’s Institute for Social Science Research will gather data, evaluate and publish the findings of the benefits of older people attending the innovative activities contained in the Stay Connected Project,” Mr Riley said.

“To be able to deliver holistic support for seniors in our community as well as have the success of the programs measured by the university will provide invaluable information on how to best enhance care and support to those who want to live independently in their own homes in their later years.”

The programs will run from February to June at various venues. All are open to seniors with good general health and who are socially active.

Participants can register for one or multiple programs by phoning 07 3871 3220 or emailing events@jccagedcare.org.au.

people from triathlons, such as open-water swimming and riding on roads,” Ms Pringle said.

The only equipment required is your swimmers, goggles, gym clothes and shoes. You do need a buddy to help you keep track of the time and record of what you achieve in each discipline and then tally up your achievements.

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

Tri20 involves a threeminute swim, 10 minutes on a stationary bike and seven minutes on a treadmill.

The next level is Tri40 which involves swimming for 6, cycling for 20 and treadmill for 14 minutes.

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

disciplines are done at your pace.

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

“With the swimming, you can do any stroke; you can dog paddle, you can walk it, if you like. It’s not about being proficient as a swimmer. It’s just about completing three disciplines, back to back, to complete a triathlon.”

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

It might be because of the variety of activities or it might be your need to constantly improve your fitness; either way, indoor triathlon was about participation, Ms Pringle said. The program is being run as a pilot program for the next few months as new event venues are identified and brought online. For details, go to trix3.com.au.

CHALLENGING: Indoor triathlon participant Ugo Crupi tests himself as part of the new format designed mainly for newcomers to the sport.

Picture: Contributed

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WORK IT OUT: The Stay Connected Project combines exercise-related programs with mindful and self-care topics to improve seniors’ overall health.

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

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

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

It’s not a race. Rather, it’s a participation event that is held at venues that have a pool and an appropriately equipped gym, Triathlon Australia communications and project manager Lisa Pringle said.

“It’s aimed at people who haven’t done a triathlon before, and limiting the barriers that we know deter

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FEATURE

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SENIORS

Aged care’s challenge to Alison Houston DO PEOPLE who identify as LGBTIQ* need or want their own distinct aged care?

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

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

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

Because how does someone who has spent the greater part of their life being vilified, forced to hide part of who they are, facing possible jail or electric shock “cure/conversion treatments” for their sexuality, find a community they trust in which to grow old?

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

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

LOVE, LIFE AND DEMENTIA: A

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

Picture: Courtesy of Anne Tudor

PERSONAL ACCOUNT It can be as simple, Anne Tudor explained, as feeling comfortable to hug, kiss or hold hands with a loved one – things heterosexual couples take for granted.

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

The couple have traced Edie’s dementia journey in film, and have followed her into residential care showing the pain of

separation in the recently released film Mr Velvet Ears.

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

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

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

care.

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

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

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

aren’t enough of those out there.”

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

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

This is the couple’s fourth film, with Anne and Edie previously celebrating their 33rd anniversary, including their recommitment ceremony on September 2017, in a film called The

Circle of Love for the Victorian Seniors Festival.

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

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

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

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

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break diversity barriers we love.”

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

“It was the last piece in the fabric of our life – getting married was something we had talked about for years and it was acceptance of a changed reality and a moment in history,” Anne said.

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

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

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

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

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

“We felt totally embraced and accepted for who we are,” Anne said, despite the

‘‘

We felt totally embraced and accepted for who we are. home not being specifically for LGBTIQ residents.

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

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

Ensuring those attitudes are also passed on to other residents is another matter, with a government report finding LGBTIQ residents have been bullied and physically abused by fellow residents.

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

She said while ultimately we need all services to be LGBTIQ-friendly, it will take a lot to overcome old fears and cultural stereotypes, or partial acceptance that “it’s

OK to be gay, but not that gay”.

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

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

For other LGBTIQ Seniors films go to https:// alicesgarage.net.

Find more on LGBTIQ health at https://lgbtihealth.org.au/, on dementia at www.dementia. org.au, on Arcare Parkwood at https://arcare.com.au/ parkwood/ or, if this has raised issues for you, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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

Pictures: Contributed

HELP AT HAND As part of the implementation of the LGBTI Strategy, the Federal Government, in partnership with various LGBTI advocacy and support agencies, has compiled a collection of LGBTI-specific ageing and aged care resources for the LGBTI community, their loved ones, carers and aged care service providers.

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

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

Embrace the Internet!

It’s time to jump on the social media bandwagon! Let Seniors ease you into the exciting world of online. Get every news story - big or small, the latest exclusive offers, plus a whole heap more when you connect with Seniors on social media.

Visit facebook.com/seniorsnews or seniorsnews.com.au

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Planning is best medicine How to avoid coming up short while you’re away EVERYONE expects to enjoy their holidays during the festive season, but sometimes expectations don’t go according to plan, especially when daily medication routines are interrupted.

That’s why it’s important to plan and take steps to ensure that medication problems don’t get in the way of enjoying this important time of the year.

According to medication management expert Gerard Stevens (AM), there are a few simple steps that people can take to plan for a great holiday without the distress of medication problems.

“Safe medications make safe holidays,” Mr Stevens said.

He is also a leading pharmacist and founder of Australia’s world-leading medication systems company Webstercare.

“Summer is here and a lot of us travel to see relatives for Christmas and the new year,’’ he said.

“But what happens if you run out of your medications or lose them?

“If you’re on medications, especially life-saving ones – as many of us are – it can be a hassle and worry, especially if you are a long

RESEARCH CRACKS HIGHER FRACTURE RISK IN WOMEN A NOVEL way of analysing scans from bone-density machines has revealed that more than half of older women have advanced blood vessel disease, putting them at an increased risk of suffering a bone fracture.

Bone-density scans are already widely used to identify people with osteoporosis (low bone mineral density), which can lead to fractures.

Now researchers at Perth’s Edith Cowan University (ECU) have found that while about one in 10 of the women in the study had osteoporosis, more than half of them also had a build-up of calcium in the aorta, increasing their risk of

TAKE STOCK: It’s easy to ensure that medication problems don’t get in the way of enjoying your travels.

Picture: Elise Amendola

way from home.

“It can be critical that you don’t miss a dose.

“Being able to explain exactly what you take and what dose can be an issue.

“Who remembers all this information?”

To help minimise the chance of medication misadventure while away from home and give peace of mind to the whole family, Mr Stevens offered the following tips: 1. Get a pack made up with medications for the

duration of your trip.

It is a good idea to get a medication pack made up by your local pharmacist. This will ensure you have enough medication for the duration of the trip and remind you to take your recommended doses.

The most widely used pack in Australia is the Webster-pak, which was invented by Mr Stevens more than 35 years ago.

It sets out all the tablets and capsules that need to be taken at each particular time

of the day, for each day of the week.

This makes it easy to manage medication.

The pharmacist takes the doctor’s prescriptions and dispenses the medication into a blister pack.

It is also possible to use a smaller version, called the Webster-pak Interim, which is a disposable medication pack that can accommodate drugs for four days – very handy for short trips!

2. Carry a medication profile with you.

fracture regardless of bone mineral density.

It’s estimated about 1.2 million Australians have osteoporosis, with women being at greater risk than men. Fractures in the elderly cost Australia more than $3 billion each year. ECU researchers examined the scans of more than 1000 older Australian women.

The scans were taken in the late 1990s, collected during bone-density testing

by UWA/ECU adjunct Professor Richard Prince.

They found these scans also reveal the presence of calcium in the abdominal aorta, the major artery between the heart and the abdomen, which is associated with an increased bone fracture risk.

The work builds on

previous research that found that aortic calcification is associated with an increased risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.

Lead researcher, Associate Professor Josh Lewis from ECU’s School of Medical and Health Sciences, said his team had found advanced calcification in the aortas of just over half of the women’s scans.

“These women had a 40 per cent greater risk of suffering any fracture in the next 10 years following their scan, independent of their bone mineral density,” Prof Lewis said.

“If we can give people early warning that they are at an increased risk of falls and fracture, we can help them to make diet and other lifestyle changes that can

lower their future risk of a range of chronic age-related diseases.’’

SCREENING ADVANCES EARLY PARKINSON’S DETECTION SCREENING technology to catch Parkinson’s disease in its earliest stages could be available within three years, following an agreement between RMIT University and start-up company Jesse Medical.

The pioneering technology analyses the results of specialised drawing and writing tasks to differentiate between people with and without the condition.

The test involves the completion of seven dexterity tasks on a drawing

Many of us are on lifesaving medications, so running short a long way from home can be a great concern. It may even be critical that you don’t miss a dose.

Being able to remember and explain exactly what you take and what dose can be difficult, especially when you take multiple medications.

“Around one in five people aged 70 or older is on four or more medications, which they truly need. It can be difficult to remember all of the names and correct dosages,” Mr Stevens said.

“So taking a list with you can be very useful.”

One solution is Webstercare’s PocketProfile Card. It contains a person’s entire medication profile, including images of medications, and folds down to the size of a credit card, so it’s easy to keep in your purse or wallet.

“In an age where things are increasingly digital, users of the PocketProfile don’t need the latest gadgets, apps and electronic devices – it won’t run out of charge and it won’t shut down,” Mr Stevens said.

The PocketProfile also contains the person’s home pharmacy name and phone number, enabling a pharmacist at a holiday destination to simply ring the home pharmacy to confirm the medications that were prescribed before issuing emergency

replacements to last the remainder of the trip.

“It is particularly helpful in emergency situations,’’ Mr Stevens said.

“Medical staff can immediately see a patient’s medications and any other medical concerns, including ‘in case of emergency’ contact details.”

3. If going overseas, check your medication is legal.

Some medications that are legal in Australia may be prohibited overseas. Check with the Australian embassies in the countries you intend visiting. Make sure you take enough regular medication with you to last the entire trip as some drugs may not be available overseas.

“If you are travelling with prescribed medicine, specialised medication packs like Webster-paks help provide assurance that they are yours and have been legally prescribed,’’ Mr Stevens said.

“Otherwise, make sure they stay in the box with your name and pharmacy sticker on it to prove they are yours.

“If you take a large amount of medication with you, it’s wise to get a letter from your doctor stating why this is necessary.”

4. If in doubt, speak to your pharmacist.

“Your local pharmacist is a wealth of knowledge and information,’’ Mr Stevens said.

tablet, including simple writing, writing with memory load and drawing a spiral by joining dots.

The data is transmitted over the cloud, and customised software records the results of the tasks and analyses them in real time.

The software is readily compatible with existing technologies, so the only equipment needed to run the screening test is a pen, paper and drawing tablet.

The new tool can spot the disease when there are no obvious symptoms.

care would help hold the aged care sector to account, the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA) says.

The Alliance raised the issue at an Aged Care Royal Commission public consultation forum in Newcastle in late November this year.

“The current system places undue focus on internal complaint mechanisms,” said ALA spokeswoman Catherine Henry, a Newcastle lawyer.

The ALA recommends that the tribunal’s function should include: the hearing of complaints with powers to issue fines; the power to cancel accreditation; the ability to publicly reprimand providers; and the power to order monetary compensation.

LAWYERS CALL FOR TRIBUNAL ON AGED CARE COMPLAINTS THE introduction of an independent tribunal to hear complaints of substandard

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Taste of things to come DEMENTIA Australia’s Centre for Dementia Learning has launched a workshop aimed at educating aged care professionals on how they can provide a better dining experience for people living with dementia.

Acting CEO Dementia Australia Anthony Boffa said that, for all of us, our experiences with food and mealtimes were anchor points throughout each day.

“The tastes, aromas, environment and social connections we get to enjoy in our everyday activities should be just as positive

and engaging for people living with dementia in an aged care home,” Mr Boffa said. “Dining is a sensory experience that should be celebrated and enjoyed at every stage of life; dementia does not change the desire for an enjoyable meal.”

The workshop, “A day in the life – mealtime experience”, enables aged care professionals to experience mealtimes through the eyes of a person living with dementia thanks to a virtual-reality (VR) element.

Poor nutrition is a major health problem for many

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Dementia Australia is running a new workshop to help aged carers provide a better dining experience for people with dementia.

Picture: Contributed

older people, especially those living with dementia.

According to a 2015 Dementia Australia discussion paper on nutrition, poor nutritional intake and a lack of fluids can contribute to the development of delirium in people with dementia, which can lead to rapid declines in mental state and changes in behaviour.

“Unfortunately, because nutrition is a health concern for people living with dementia, it is crucial to educate aged care employees on how they can create an environment that facilitates eating not only for enjoyment but also for better health,” Mr Boffa said.

“This reinforces Dementia Australia’s call for the need for mandatory, dementia-

specific training for the aged care workforce as we know a more-informed and trained workforce will result in improved health and care experiences for people living with dementia in residential aged care.”

The VR technology used in the workshop was developed by Dementia Australia with Deakin University. Co-director of

31

Deakin University’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute, Professor Kon Mouzakis, said the workshop was an example of how VR technology could be used to foster empathy and understanding.

“As the user experiences the impact of distractions like pagers buzzing, the clutter of crockery and competing conversations going on around them it can provide a valuable learning opportunity,” Prof Mouzakis said.

“We want to help all people who work in aged care to understand how all this activity combined presents for a person living with dementia, who will be trying to process what’s going on around them whilst at the same time wanting to enjoy their meal.”

“A day in the life – mealtime experience” is one of a comprehensive suite of education programs offered

by Dementia Australia’s Centre for Dementia Learning to all aged care providers across Australia.

The centre offers both accredited and nonaccredited courses delivered face-to-face nationally,

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MONEY

Money THE Reserve Bank of Australia cut Australia’s cash rate in October 2019 to a historic low of 0.75 per cent, with many pundits predicting further interest rate cuts to come.

Interest rates in other parts of the world, such as European nations and Japan, have been at ultralow levels for many years and have not helped these economies with their growth.

Raising and lowering interest rates – the price of money – is popularly believed to stimulate or slow an economy and, in the short term, this is almost certainly true.

In the longer term, however, a continual bias toward stimulating the economy in this manner often has produced the reverse effect in that imbalances and bubbles are eventually fostered and the economic growth temporarily created proves

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SENIORS

Don’t bank on cuts unsustainable.

Lower interest rates clearly reduce mortgage repayments and, if consumers spend these interest savings, it will give the economy a short-term boost.

The more important aspect of lowering interest rates is to greatly encourage the corporate sector to borrow more with the aim of expanding their enterprises by building new productive facilities – like new mines or factories – as this results in more jobs and sustained wealth creation in the longer term.

However, extremely low interest rates can actually act counter to the intentions of what many central banks – including the RBA – hope to achieve.

There are many unintended consequences of lower interest rates, which we have seen play out in Europe and Japan and are now seeing in Australia:

1. Consumers who are borrowing are rewarded, while long-term savers are penalised.

By lowering interest rates, the RBA is making it cheaper for consumers to borrow and encouraging them to spend.

Meanwhile, the same low rates are effectively penalising those who have saved all their lives in the hope of living in retirement off the interest earned from their savings.

Savers have been driven to look beyond the safe options of bank accounts and term deposits, which are offering very low returns.

As of October 2019, oneyear term deposit rates were at 1.6 per cent.

2. Lower interest rates do not appear to be leading many companies to expand their productive capacity, but are instead boosting asset prices.

Companies may borrow more because the cost of

borrowing is lower, but instead of investing in new assets such as factories and innovation – which will spur long-term economic growth because of the extra jobs created – many are using these borrowed funds to buy back existing assets, which only creates a debt for later.

3. Extremely low interest rates do not necessarily lead to higher inflation or a healthier state of affairs in the corporate sector.

By artificially controlling the price of money or the interest rate, funding is not necessarily scarce and companies or entrepreneurs can set up in competition with well-funded companies without having a sensible or economic business model.

While innovative competition deserves success, businesses that cannot make money and pay interest and repay debt can sustain themselves when they would often naturally

fail.

It is usual that when money growth exceeds output growth then there will be inflation.

This has been true but, importantly, the inflation has been concentrated in asset prices and not in goods and services prices that are measured by the consumer price index (CPI).

Interest rate cuts have increased money and credit but nearly all of the inflation we have seen has been asset-price inflation while economic growth continues to trend down.

So the investor and retiree is left to manage income and portfolio growth within this global monetary policy trend of downward interest rates.

The best strategy is to consult your financial adviser to invest wisely during these challenging times. * For more information

contact Mark Digby at Maher Digby Securities Pty Ltd – Financial Advisers – AFSL No. 230559 (see advertisement on Page 3). Phone 07 5441 1266 or visit maherdigby.com.au.

This document was prepared without taking into account any person’s particular objectives, financial situation or needs.

It is not guaranteed as accurate or complete and should not be relied upon as such. Maher Digby Securities does not accept any responsibility for the opinions, comments, forward-looking statements and analysis contained in this document, all of which are intended to be of a general nature. Investors should, before acting on this information, consider the appropriateness of this information having regard to their personal objectives, financial situation or needs.

We recommend consulting a financial adviser.

New laws aim to pave way for owners to be reunited with cash THE Federal Government will reunite Australians with their lost and forgotten super by introducing legislation to facilitate the exit of eligible rollover funds (ERFs) from the industry by June 30, 2021.

In addition, the Morrison Government will allow the Australian Taxation Office to reunite amounts it receives from ERFs with their rightful owners sooner.

These changes are another step forward in addressing the issue of unnecessary duplicate accounts in the superannuation system, lowering fees and charges, and are consistent with the Productivity Commission’s recommendation, in its report Superannuation: Assessing Efficiency and Competitiveness, that ERFs be wound up within three years.

While ERFs are subject to the Government’s Protecting Your Super reforms, which require them to transfer inactive lowbalance accounts to the tax office, they are unable to voluntarily transfer other amounts to the ATO, which restricts their ability to exit the market.

Legislation will therefore be introduced into Parliament early next year to permit ERF trustees to voluntarily transfer any amount to the tax office.

The legislation will also require them to transfer all accounts below $6000 by June 30 this year and to transfer any remaining accounts still residing in an ERF to the ATO by the same date next year.

This measure will build upon the success of the Government’s Protecting Your Super reforms, which have resulted in the ATO proactively reuniting more than 2.13 million accounts, worth about $2.79 billion, with their rightful owners, around a month after their introduction.

This includes about 1.54 million accounts, worth more than $2.40 billion, that have been transferred into individuals’ active super accounts and just over 595,000 accounts, worth $303 million, paid into individuals’ bank accounts – a power that only the tax office has.

The tax office’s datamatching program has generated results far exceeding those previously

MONEY TRAIL: it will soon be easier to track down lost and forgotten super funds.

achieved by ERFs, which house millions of inactive and forgotten

superannuation accounts.

By reuniting these longlost accounts with their

rightful owners, members will be able to enjoy higher account balances and will no

Picture: Contributed

longer be paying multiple sets of fees that erode their benefits.

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35

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

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

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

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

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

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

Many people want to ensure they are not contributing to anything that damages the planet. More than half of all investments in Australia are now being made responsibly and ethically according to the responsible investment association of Australasia.

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

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

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

How will these V1 - SESE01Z01MA

preferences impact on your investment performance?

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

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

‘‘

Being more responsible involves a lot of research.

While the E in ESG may be your No. 1 concern, you may want to take into account a broader set of criteria when making decisions about your money and get to know what the S and the G stand for.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

VALUE JUDGEMENT: Work out what’s important to you and do your research to find out whether your super fund or other investment aligns with your principles.

Picture: Contributed

published their scorecard.

3. Start with super.

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

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

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

Again, it pays to know what matters most to you and then you can find an

option that aligns with your values.

ago. This makes their performance hard to assess.

4. Don’t forget the eggs rule.

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

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

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

Climate-themed funds also haven’t been around for a long time, with many having only launched several years

5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

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

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

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

– Dianne Chapman, of Jade Financial Group, is an authorised representative of AMP Financial Planning Pty Ltd, ABN 89 051 208 327, AFS Licence No. 232706.

Any advice given is general only and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of this, before acting on any advice, you should consult a financial planner to consider how appropriate the advice is to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

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