Sunshine Coast, December 2018

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Tony Bonner ... on life, sobriety and the meaning of family

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DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Merry Christmas to you

INDEX 3 4 8 15 23 33 36 43

News – Share the joy of Christmas Cover Story – Tony Bonner Talk n Thoughts Community notes Wanderlust Wellbeing Living Puzzles

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New ways to check driving skills

39

Gail Forrer Seniors Group Editor IT’S seems such a long time ago when the mention of a whole year ahead felt like an eternity, but these days I know I’m not alone when I say that every Christmas seems to come around faster than the last one!

Just a couple of weeks ago, I was blessed with my second grandchild, a healthy little girl. I feel there is absolutely nothing that could be a better Christmas gift than the safe delivery of this little one.

But I will also be spending time with my other grandchild, five-year-old Maryam who has reached the age of pondering team activities.

“GG (stands for Grandma Gail), she says looking up at me with her big brown eyes: ‘What can we do today’?”

Fortunately, thanks to a number of community groups who answered our call-out for ideas, I have a list that will keep both of us busy. I hope it gives you some ideas too.

This year we have filled many pages sharing the latest news on activities for the mind and body.

On that line, I’m happy to say at age 61, I have completed nearly five years of part-time study and

gained a Masters of Arts in Literature (research). I now happily join a fast-growing list of people in my age group who have completed post-grad study. I’m one of those people that find study more natural that exercise! But I’m naming 2019 as my active body year – so watch out for plenty of physical exercise stories.

Christmas is time for friends, families and community. I’d like say Merry Christmas to our community of Seniors Newspaper readers, to our advertisers, to all those who contribute community notes and articles, to the great people who have let us interview and write stories about their lives and to my talented work colleagues.

Personally, I’m off to spend time with my three sisters and families and hope to catch up with my favourite Aunty Gem and cousins.

Best wishes, Gail

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 Brett Mauger – 07 5435 3203 brett.mauger@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 “Brisbane Seniors Newspaper”.

The Seniors Newspaper is published monthly and distributed free in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales.

The Seniors newspaper stable includes Toowoomba, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Northern NSW, Coffs and Clarence and Central Coast publications.

Published by News Corp Australia.

Printed by News Corp Australia, Yandina.

Opinions expressed by contributors to Seniors Newspapers are not necessarily those of the editor or the owner/publisher and publication of advertisements implies no endorsement by the owner/publisher.

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Support vital service by Christmas gift wrapping VOLUNTEERS can help bring Christmas cheer to the Sunshine Coast Cancer Council Queensland is calling on the Sunshine Coast’s finest gift wrappers to help bring an extra dose of Christmas cheer to the city by volunteering for the charity’s annual gift wrapping program.

Locals can volunteer to help wrap Christmas gifts at the Noosa Civic Shopping Centre from

December 1-5 or Bunnings Warehouse Maroochydore on December 8-9, and then from December 15 right up until Christmas Eve during respective trading hours.

Christmas shoppers can get their gifts wrapped for a donation per item, knowing their support will help make a positive difference in the season of giving.

All funds raised from the gift wrapping will

support Cancer Council Queensland’s vital work in cancer research, prevention programs and support services.

Cancer Council Queensland chief executive officer Chris McMillan encouraged locals to support the cause.

“Volunteer and give a different kind of gift this Christmas. Every dollar from every gift wrapped helps us support people

GOOD WORK: Volunteers can support Cancer Council fundraising efforts. diagnosed with cancer, and their friends and families,” Ms McMillan said.

More than 3360 people

are diagnosed with cancer on the Sunshine Coast each year.

To volunteer for a shift or

find out more, visit https://cancerqld.roster fy.co/register or phone the Sunshine Coast office on (07) 5451 6000.

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Share the joy of Christmas

QUEENSLAND Rail has rolled out the red carpet to welcome Santa Claus and his reindeer to Central station to support the launch of Queensland’s largest annual Christmas appeal in partnership with RizeUp. Queenslanders can support the appeal by dropping gifts into their local train station before Christmas Eve to help spread some festive joy to families impacted by domestic and family violence.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said gift collection points were now open at Central and Roma Street stations for customers to donate gifts.

“We’re seeking gifts for children as young as infant age, right through to teenagers and parents,” Mr Bailey said.

“People can drop off gifts right up until Christmas Eve, at which point hard-working volunteers and staff from RizeUp and Queensland Rail will work around the clock to pack and transport these generous gifts to families throughout the state.

“Gifts can also be donated at any attended southeast Queensland train station during station opening hours, which are available on Queensland Rail’s website.”

Mr Bailey said as part of this year’s efforts, Queensland Rail would also again assist with the transportation of boxes to communities across Queensland.

“Whether it’s the 1600km journey north to Cairns, the 1300km trip northwest to Longreach or

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Mr Bailey joined Queensland Rail’s executive general manager customer service and innovation Natalie Roach, RizeUp CEO Nicolle Edwards and RizeUp patrons Shelley Craft and Petero Civoniceva to welcome Santa and launch the event.

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COVER STORY

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Digging deep

Bonner’s life rates high on satisfaction, just not happiness

A BIG LIFE: Tony Bonner looks back at history and future dreams.

Photo: Tracey Johnstone

Tracey Johnstone TONY Bonner is sitting on a bench on the balcony of his beloved Manly Life Saving Club. In the background the ocean waves crash. A group of novice surfboard riders tentatively head out under the watchful eye of an instructor. The Norfolk Pines sway in the gentle breeze. Horns honk, running bare feet slap on the pathway below. All is seemingly very everyday.

For this internationally recognised actor, it’s his normal. It’s his safety zone. There, he is king of the club – immediate past-president for the fourth time, newly minted Life Member, grandson of the first club president, and still active patrol man. It’s where he comes every day he is at home.

More than 50 years of acting, directing, singing, dancing, coaching, teaching and mentoring isn’t enough. Bonner is still looking for happiness in his life.

He has travelled the world, worked alongside the likes of Kirk Douglas, Roger Moore, Tom

Selleck, Tony Curtis and Paul Hogan. He will also be forever remembered for stint as the helicopter pilot in the iconic Australian television series Skippy which went to air 50 years ago this year.

Some readers will remember when Cosmopolitan boldly launched its male centrefold series in 1972 with Burt Reynolds in America and then Bonner in Australia.

“I thought it was great and always have,” Bonner said.

Last year’s awarding of an Australian Medal remains one of his Bonner’s fondest life moments. He has received many peer awards, but to also be recognised publicly for his entertainment industry roles, along with his contribution to lifesaving and to several high-profile charities; there has been nothing more precious to him.

Bonners’s most recent work was as a feature actor in the Australian crime thriller film Landfall which is due in cinemas this month.

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COVER STORY

5

to get to Tony Bonner Unlike America, Bonner says there are less and less roles in Australia open to veteran actors.

“Once you hit 50 you kind of start to become invisible,” Bonner said. “ But for Bonner, he has two more films “in the air”, awarded writer and journalist Matthew Condon is working on Bonner’s biography and Katie Rae is painting his portrait for next year’s Archibald Prize.

Even with all that to Bonner’s credit, it just seems that still isn’t enough.

Bonner’s slight tilt of the head to the left and a gentle creasing of the brow introduces the intense side of the still

very handsome, single, 75-year-old.

That intensity is a product of his tempestuous life journey and its outcomes.

Bonner ran away from a violent home scene just after he had turned 14.

“I caught a daylight train to Melbourne, rented a little room in east Melbourne, and started,” Bonner said.

He battled alcoholism from the age of 14 through to 46.

“I danced with the devil back then,” Bonner added.

He put down the booze and the cigarettes, once and for all. His work improved. His relationships improved.

“It’s only been pluses,” he said.

Next year Bonner will proudly mark 30 years of staying dry.

“If there is such a thing as miracles in the life, and I believe there is, I am one,” he said.

About 14 years ago he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Bonner has since then mentored both men diagnosed with the disease and their partners about the experience, reminding them, “your life is more important that your erection”.

So, will he know when he has found his happiness?

“I don’t know; I’m sure there will be a feeling that

says to me, this is what you have missed all your life,” he said.

A slight lowering of the direct gaze. His tense shoulders ease ever so slightly. The corners of his mouth give way to a gentle, loving smile. The pall over Bonner’s life lifts as he talks about his family; his greatest personal pride.

Bonner’s continuing strong relationship with his ex-wife, Nola Clark, and enduring connection with his three daughters and their children are what he says have kept him alive.

Living long enough to become a greatgrandfather is absolutely

FROM LEFT: Tony Bonner was the first Australian centrefold for the Cosmopolitan magazine, published in 1972; young Tony (as flight ranger Jerry King) with Skippy the Bush Kangaroo; and Tony with actor Shawn Brack in Travis Bain’s new thriller movie Landfall, in cinemas from this month. at the top of Bonner’s list for the future.

“To even say that from someone who didn’t think he would get past the age of 20 because of the way I was living; for me to still be here at 75 and to think, holy crap, there is a distinct possibility you are going to be a greatgrandfather; to me it’s nearly incomprehensible,” he said.

Bonner started the day with a swim in the ocean at first light. By the end of the day he has turned his mind to hosting a

fundraising function at the surf club, before heading off to coach aspiring actors and continue his charity work for The Smith Family, Bravehearts, the Variety Club and the Wesley Mission suicide prevention program.

“It’s in my nature,” he said.

“I have been blessed to have been in a battle and knocked around a bit, and survived. I get great pleasure if I can be of assistance to someone; if I can put a hand out, then I am really blessed.”

6

NEWS

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Leading ladies of art Don’t miss this unique show at CoolArt gallery in Coolum

Gail Forrer TO celebrate his 20th year in the Sunshine Coast arts business sector, CoolArt Picture Framing Gallery director Joe McFeeters shows off his style with a bold collection of diverse artworks.

The show, TWELVE, brings together the innovative, edgy and sensitive art and hearts of the Sunshine Coast’s leading female art practitioners.

From three-dimensional sculptural pieces to explosive colours and vivid viewpoints, this show presents a group of contemporary artists who have long explored layers of physical, emotional and natural environments, presenting their interpretations back to us through thoughtful and at times provocative works.

The line-up of artists includes Pam Walpole, Amy Clark, Yanni Van Zijl, Glenise Clelland, Helena Jackson Lloyd, Kym

Barrett, Jan Williamson, Mandy McGuire, Rosie Lloyd Giblett, Dale Leach, Nicole Voevodin-Cash and Desley Rolph.

In this show, renowned Australian sculptor Nicole Voevodin-Cash reveals how she has engaged with the environment by scanning surfaces with a hand-held scanner.

“What I feel with my hand, you see,” she said.

Additionally, she has walked many miles carrying a billy can with a weighted pen over paper inside. She said that, like a finger, this process organically captured unique, kinetic movements and describes the outcome as beautiful and poetic.

She has said of her work: “I merge art, architecture and landscape in the production of my work and strive to develop a new way of thinking that ties ecological and green art, social and environmental practices into a new artwork ‘ism’ for the 21st

FROM LEFT: Rosie Lloyd-Giblett, Mandy McGuire, Helena Jackson Lloyd, Pam Walpole, Des Rolph, Joe McFeeters, Erin Harders, Jan Williamson, Glenise Clelland (seated), Kym Barrett, Yanni Van Zijl, Dale Leach (front), Nicole Voevodin-Cash. century”.

Artwork by awardwinning visual artist and author Glenise Clelland draws on personal insights and appreciation of coastlines and watersides which began with childhood holidays spent in Noosa, culminating in becoming a Noosa local some 22 years ago.

“But I first visited 71 years ago when my father would bring the

family to Noosa National Park,” she said.

Glenise retains vivid memories of the early Hastings Street and sees similarities between the now-famous street and Noosa North Shore Beach.

“I go to the beach a lot here and when I’m playing in mangroves or walking on the beach it’s like old Noosa, nothing has changed. The whales, the dolphins, the turtles, it’s

all here.”

In terms of the environment, Clelland’s big, colourful abstract art reflects the beauty of waterlily lakes to the melaleuca wetland, but as an accomplished figurative artist you will often find a human image within her work.

Photographer, sculptor and ceramic artist Yanni Van Zijl said she felt honoured to be among this diverse group of

artists with such prestigious histories.

In this show she is presenting threedimensional sculptural ceramics created from found objects – shards of old glass, rusty bits and pieces etc that she discovered on trips to the outback.

CoolArt Picture Framing Gallery, 5/43 Access Cres, Coolum Beach.

Phone 5471 7366.

SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

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NEWS

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

New method to monitor driving

Talk 'n' thoughts

Gail Forrer Group Editor

DRIVER SAFETY: New technology can help us identify the state of our capacity to keep driving.

‘‘

Sensors are also installed to measure the driver’s reaction times

FOR many people realising it’s time to let go of a driver’s license can be one of life’s greatest challenges.

Often the ability to drive has meant the freedom to travel when and where you like, no need to rely on other people or deal with public transport.

It’s recognition that your body and mind are still fine tuned enough to handle the roads without danger to yourself or others.

If you don’t come to terms with ageing (poorer eyesight, less hearing, perhaps some frailty or memory loss) and make your own choice to relinquish your licence, it may mean you have had to concede to the wishes

of people younger (perhaps ones that you may not even feel are wiser) than you and that can be difficult.

So it’s heartening to see that modern technology has been employed which can assist with the driving experience.

For instance a federally funded project has developed a new Virtual Reality Driving Simulator for Older Drivers targeting people between 70 and 80 years of age.

This project is now being trialled in the Inverell district of northern New South Wales and aims to check the driving skills of senior Australians and improve road safety.

Called Hector VR, it is touted as a groundbreaking innovation, to enable Australian seniors to live longer, better lives as they are supported to maintain their proficiency on the road.

It can also be used to test driving skills and

make the decision to keep driving or not.

Developed by aged care provider McLean Care in partnership with Deakin University’s School of Engineering, the trial uses emerging interactive virtual reality, linked with smart sensor technology.

The driving simulator is contained in the shell of a Holden Captiva vehicle, to increase the sense of reality for drivers.

“Sensors are also installed to measure the driver’s reaction times and heart rate to assess their responses to a variety of situations that can arise when driving,” Member for New England Barnaby Joyce told the National Seniors.

“In addition to helping older drivers maintain and test their skills, Hector VR is designed to help those with medical conditions, such as dementia and who can no longer drive, to re-live the driving experience.

“The virtual driving

scenarios are modelled on the township of Inverell, including important local buildings, major shopping centres, retail outlets and landmarks, to make the user’s experience as realistic as possible.

“The simulator includes differing road environments and realistic scenarios such as country driving and various levels of traffic.”

Development of the virtual reality driving simulator was funded through the government’s $34 million Dementia and Aged Care Services grants scheme, which is promoting innovation across the country. * The Federal Government funded $726,000 towards the project. * Info sourced from NationalSeniors: https://nationalseniors. com.au/news/latest/ high-tech-boost-to-road -safety-for-seniors .

SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

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NEWS

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Reflections

O’Brien’s life in historical context Tracey Johnstone

NEWS LEGEND: Kerry O'Brien, political journalist and author writes his own story.

I CAN remember growing into social and political awareness at the hands of journalist Kerry O’Brien.

He was at the dinner table with my parents and then myself for almost 30 years that Kerry reported for the ABC on This Day Tonight, Four Corners and 7.30.

Kerry’s recently released A Memoir sits on top of my pile of books that I have been quietly and carefully collecting over the last three months in preparation for a few weeks of summer holiday reading.

It’s a thick book, but my initial review of it indicates it is going to be well worth taking the time to read it as the veteran journalist takes me on a journey through his experiences of living and working during Australia’s social, political, media and cultural evolution from the 40s through to 2015.

Throughout his 50-year

career Kerry has borne witness to significant changes to it Australia’s political landscape and the processes in which is reported.

“We are certainly in a different era of journalism than the one I grew up in, in many ways,” Kerry said.

turned television into an instantaneous medium.

“The second thing is where print always saw itself, in my early years, as the superior news medium, these days it is scrambling to keep up and we are converging on each other,” Kerry said.

‘‘

The fundamentals of journalism are absolutely still the same, but the trappings have changed massively “The fundamentals of journalism are absolutely still the same, but the trappings have changed massively and the means of delivery have changed massively.”

When he started working in television in the 60s the newsroom waited three or four days for the film of major events to reach Australia.

The digital storm, as Kerry describes it, has

“It’s only a matter of time, and not far away before we are fundamentally using exactly the same means of delivery. In other words, we will be sharing common spaces and not just one space because there will be many means of delivery. I guess the days of hard copy newspapers are all but gone.”

These changes are

SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

NEWS

11

from an Australian reporter driving a reduction in journalism staff, but no decrease in the workload.

“That is having an impact on the quality of news,” Kerry said.

The other key change in journalism Kerry notes is the 24-hour news cycle which has impacted on political reporting.

“It’s this kind of blind desire to fill the digital space simply because it is there whether you have something worth reporting, something worth analysing, or not,” he said.

“So, we have wall-to-wall mountain of words that sometimes has something to offer, and often doesn’t.

“And we have politicians who feel compelled to be available when they are asked, no matter how frequently and regardless of whether they have got something to say, or not, because they worry that if they don’t fill the space, somebody on the other side of politics will fill it for them. The overall quality, I think, has plummeted in many ways.”

But Kerry remains a strong advocate for the

ABC arguing that now, more than ever, as the social and political landscape changes dramatically, Australia needs the public broadcasting service.

“Yet, here we are, watching the place being hit from one side to the other with a wall of hostility from the government, constant attacks from Rupert Murdoch who happens to own 70 per cent of the print output of the country as well as television influence and radio,” Kerry said.

“Although I know from personal experience the ABC has been an enormously resilient institution, you can’t simply assume that it can continue with its resilience and can continue just battle on regardless no matter what harpoons are being thrown at it.”

The young, carrot-top boy who spent his formative years in the small town of Brisbane and once dreamt of being a jackaroo, came to interview some of the world’s most influential decision-makers and to

drive hard Australia’s understanding of the political changes occurring around them.

His decision to chronicle his journey and that of his family,

including their Irish heritage, has been made possible by drawing on his published articles and spending countless hours reading transcripts and watching his interviews

which he rarely watched once recorded, and from going through his extensive collection of notebooks and diaries.

“I have been able to take the interviews and look at what John Howard was telling us in response to the questions, compare it with what we now know of those events like East Timor, Iraq, kids overboard, the boarding of the Tampa, gun control laws, the Wik Native Title judgement, the Stolen Generation reports, John Howard’s kind of obsession with the wars and the waterfront dispute, and I think new patterns emerge which I think might help in the next round of interpretation of that part of history,” Kerry said.

While former prime minister Paul Keating said in his 2015 Sydney Opera House interview with Kerry O’Brien, “anyone who is any good never wrote about themselves”, while discussing the motivation to chronicle his life, Kerry neatly side-steps this comment by claiming he believed Mr Keating was referring to politicians at the time, not

to someone like Kerry.

“The biggest motivator (for me) really was the realisation that simply the accident of the different places I worked in my 50-year journey through journalism, I had a ringside seat for many, many milestone moments in post-war history, not just within Australia, but globally,” he said.

“I was standing on the steps of Parliament House when Gough came out to make his famous utterance about Kerr’s cur.

“I then followed, for Four Corners, Whitlam through that campaign while a colleague, Alan Hogan, followed Malcolm Fraser. I have very vivid memories of that event and the election that followed.”

Kerry’s book encapsulates this and many other significant milestones and offers a fascinating personal insight, with a few cheeky side observations, while keeping true to the historical facts.

Published by Allen & Unwin, Kerry O’Brien, A Memoir is in bookshops now. RRP$44.99.

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NEWS

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

‘‘

Showcasing 2000-plus artists, musicians and presenters more than 400 acts, across 25 venues

WOODFORD MAGNETISM Bill Hauritz welcomes Bob Hawke to the stage in 2016.

Photo: Tessa Mapstone

Great times at Woodfordia Gail Forrer TIME IS nigh for the annual Woodford Folk Festival.

And the founder, the ever-optimistic, Bill Hauritz is feeling the annual return of butterflies in his stomach.

“It’s a nervous time,” he confesses.

He reels off a long list of serious things to complete including the undertaking of major earthworks, the upgrade of sewage, various final constructions and tight timelines. But a history of success gives him

confidence. “We always do it,” he says.

Woodford Folk Festival is the largest annual not-for-profit arts and music festival of its kind in Australia, showcasing 2000-plus artists, musicians and presenters in more than 400 acts, across 25 venues to an estimated aggregate attendance of 125,000 people.

The festival showcases the depth and diversity of Australia’s cultural, artistic and social expression with music, dance, cabaret, circus, comedy, workshops, debate, street theatre, films, forums, visual arts, an entire children’s

festival and many special presentations, including a spectacle Fire Event on New Year’s Day. Sixty-five-year-old Hauritz started the festival in 1987 at Maleny showgrounds, the festival grew quickly and in 1994 it was moved 20 kms away to 500 acres at Woodford – thus the name Woodfordia.

Along the way, the festival has faced all sorts of challenges including the nail-biting moment when the festival’s future rested on a court decision.

“The first year of the move to Woodford, we fought a court case and waited on the eve of the

festival to know whether we had the rights to host it,” Fortunately, for Woodfordia devotees it was a positive decision and despite the occasional set-back become the flourishing event it is today.

But for Bill Hauritz, every year there is one extra special moment that makes all the work more than just worth-while.

“At 11.30pm on New Year’s Eve, we ring the village bell and there is three minutes silence.

“Some people light candles, others just take stock of the moment, the year is about to change,

perhaps it’s time to remember or make a wish – but for everyone, it’s a gift, a special moment in time.”

Naturally over such a period and especially at the time of the festival, the weather is hot and often wet. But Hauritz and his band of workers have tackled the weather event with their usual practical way.

“A special material has been made to cover 70 metres of walkways and brings the temperature down about 7 or 8 degrees,” he said.

And finally with sealing of roadways complete, there will be no more choking dust storms from

dirt roads Unfortunately, Bob Hawke and his wife Blanche will not be there to feel the difference.

“They have come nine years in a row, he said.

“But this year – he’s not really up for it.”

But for all the famous people, it’s the multi-generations of ordinary folk who have a special appreciation of the festival.

■ Festival runs from December 27, 2018 to January 1, 2019.

■ https://woodfordfolk festiva l.com/tickets/ ■ Full story at seniorsnews.com.au

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NEWS

13

Inspired by community

Highly respected Gympie elder recognised in university award Ann Rickard AUNTY Lillian Burke, a highly respected elder and community leader from Gympie, thought she had reached her peak when she was named an Honorary Senior Fellow of University of the Sunshine Coast last month.

Not that she was looking for acknowledgement.

In the past decade she has worked with Aboriginal youth and volunteered with up to 100 advisory boards, committees and consultancy groups on a range of indigenous issues including Fraser Island’s Indigenous Advisory Committee.

“I don’t look at what I do, I just do it, for my people and the work and everything else,” she said.

“I don’t expect things like that. It was a very emotional day, it brought out emotions I didn’t know I had.

“I never take, I always just get out, do what I can.

I don’t expect anything back. But that day was fantastic, one I’ll never forget.”

Then came more good news for the elder who now lives in Gympie. She had been nominated for Australian of the Year.

“I can’t believe somebody nominated me,” she said.

“I don’t big-note myself.

I was so nervous, this is out of my comfort zone.

Just to be nominated and to know that people are thinking of me this way is hard to believe.”

Not hard to believe for those who know Aunty Lillian and have seen her work tirelessly over the years, always to help others.

Her inspiring work as a community leader has earned her several accolades, including a Volunteering Queensland Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Award.

The Honorary Senior Fellow of University of the

HONOURED: Professor Karen Nelson and Professor Gary Thomas congratulate Lillian Burke.

Photo: Contributed Sunshine Coast recognises the efforts of Aunty Lillian, president of Cooloola Aboriginal Service, to actively promote the benefits of further education to

Gympie’s indigenous community.

A descendant of the Butchulla people with links to Kabi Kabi people, Aunty Lillian experienced a childhood of extreme

disadvantage as part of the Stolen Generation.

She was born in Cherbourg, a small town 250km northwest of Brisbane, and has lived in Gympie since 1999.

USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said Aunty Lillian was a valued and greatly respected friend and supporter of USC’s Gympie campus.

“Aunty Lillian is a worthy recipient of the honorary award of Senior Fellow in recognition of her significant contribution to encouraging indigenous participation in higher education within the Gympie region,” he said.

“I want education for all,” Aunty Lillian said.

“Everybody should acknowledge the past, what happened to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people. Even now I wonder if I am making progress or just making a noise.

“But I can see there is a great big difference now with the community celebrating our significant days like Sorry Day, Reconciliation Day. “Now this nomination for Australian of Year is more than anybody can ever ask for, but it is still the same me. I appreciate all the support I have had.

“Not bad for a Cherbourg girl!”

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NEWS

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Enjoy a healthy love of reading

Shakespeare is great for brain READING Shakespeare acts like a ‘rocketbooster’ to the brain.

Tewantin’s U3A’s Reading Shakespeare Group already knows this.

They meet every Wednesday morning and read Shakespeare, aloud.

On our visit it was Romeo and Juliet and the 15 or so people in the group took to the readings with enthusiasm, playing the roles of everyone from Capulet to Juliet.

Robin Mouat leads the group and to share his enthusiasm for Shakespeare’s works makes the brain come a

tad more alive before anyone even starts reading.

Apparently, research has shown reading Shakespeare (and Wordsworth) are better than reading self-help books and give that ‘rocket boost’ to the brain.

According to academics it’s the challenging prose that sets off electrical activity in the brain.

They were able to study the brain activity using scanners while readers responded to each word.

They noticed how the brain lit up as the readers

A COMMON VOICE: Tewantin’s U3A’s Reading Shakespeare Group. encountered unusual words, surprising phrases or difficult sentence structure.

That’s very academic, but the people in the U3A group were more interested in being together and reading out loud.

They were having a very good time reading words written four centuries ago.

Group leader Robin asked the students how they first met Shakespeare: ■ Caroline: He was forced on me in school.

Then he came alive at uni and now here (at U3A). It is not compulsory to come here, or do any homework (unlike uni), and I love it.

■ Jill: We did Richard II at school. I fell in love with him.

■ Anna: Discovered him when I was just eight, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I remember making a diorama of the scene. Reading Shakespeare is such a simple activity here but gives us great pleasure.

■ Randall: Met him in eighth grade at school.

We read Julius Caesar and then had to stand up at assembly and give a talk.

■ Kathy: I went to an English country school.

We had a (Shakespeare) festival. Everyone had to perform.

■ Gill: Studied Shakespeare in secondary school and then uni. My mother was a great reader and when she cooked she would quote Shakespeare, especially when she mashed the potatoes.

■ Mia: Met

Photo: Contributed

Shakespeare at high school. Had an English teacher who made us get up on stage and take our place.

It seems it doesn’t matter how you met and fell in love with Shakespeare, there is always going to be that passion for his works … and you’ll see it in full flight at Tewantin’s U3A, among its many other varied classes.

For more, go to u3anoosa.com.

Extraordinary tales of the first fishing fleets DID you know one of the first things Captain Cook did after he steered the Endeavour into Botany Bay was to go fishing in a small wooden boat?

As many men are wont to do.

And he caught a lot of fish. He went out again the next day in his little boat and caught nothing.

These are the vagaries of fishing, brought alive by Sunshine Coast author Julian Pepperell in his new book Fishing for the Past.

“I’ve had a long interest in what it would be like to

be the first person to come into a bay or estuary on the Aussie coast,” he said.

“The first people to arrive here would have carried fishing gear. They would always go fishing to catch something to eat.

On the west coast it was William Dampier, and there were lots of French voyages in Tasmania. They all kept diaries. I read all of those in detail, journals of the officers and crews.

“We assume the waters were pristine and untouched but the

GONE FISHIN’: Sunshine Coast author Julian Pepperell.

Aboriginals had been fishing for 10,000 years, although a light touch of

fishing.”

With a background as a fish biologist and fisheries

scientist along with an unrelenting passion for knowledge of Australian coastal waters, Julian Pepperell has drawn out the earliest written and visual accounts of fishing around the Australian coast by the first Dutch, English and French explorers.

He wanted to know what fish these men caught, when they first cast their nets and lines on our shores. Were they struck by the abundance of the waters?

“Everyone has a picture

of an idyllic past and think fish just jumped into boats and on some of these early voyages they did catch a lot of fish,” Julian said.

The book is illustrated with a selection of contemporary paintings and drawings, including first drawings and paintings of Australian fish by Europeans and the earliest European depictions of Aboriginal fishing tools.

“It is fascinating to put yourself back in time,” Julian said.

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15

Community group guide

Community notes

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

SOCIAL BALLROOM DANCING AT POMONA

Every Tuesday evening from 7-9.30pm Pat and Norm Young organise a social evening at the Pomona Memorial School of Arts Hall, cost is $5, which includes supper. It is a very enjoyable evening as Pat and Norm provide New Vogue as well as Old Time Dancing.

Come and be a spectator, and see if you will enjoy it.

Everyone is welcome.

Phone (07) 5485 2007 for more information or come and visit.

SUNSHINE COAST CONCERT BAND

THE Sunshine Coast Concert Band directed by Ken Chadwick OAM will be performing in the Kawana hall Nanyima Street, Buddina behind the library on Saturday, December 8 at 2pm. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at

the door and include a home baked afternoon tea. Raffle prizes are available. Come along and enjoy an afternoon of top entertainment with a great variety of music and talented vocalists and featuring The Coastal Caring Clowns. All inquiries to Toni at sunshinecoaster49 @gmail.com. For all future events, go to sccb.org.au.

A CAPPELLA CHOIR CONCERT

“A PLACE FOR US” A Cappella Choir Concert Featuring: Good Vibrations [popular] and Chamber Choir [Classical] on Friday, December 7 at 7.30pm. Uniting Church Hall, Werin Street, Tewantin. Admission $12 conc. $10. Directed by Andrew Emmet. Email andrewjemmet @gmail.com or phone (07) 5474 1498.

PERMACULTURE

LADIES AT LUNCH: Buderim VIEW Club members had their November social outing at See Restaurant in Mooloolaba.

NOOSA

OUR monthly meetings are held at Cooroy Memorial Hall, 23 Maple Street, Cooroy on the third Thursday of each month.

Doors open at 6pm. A market takes place where we share surplus home grown produce and plants by giving, exchanging or selling. Entry is a $4 donation for non-members, $2 for members. The entry donation entitles you to supper. The meeting begins at 6.30pm and the night is complete with a “bring a plate” shared supper at 8pm. All welcome. At our

November meeting, keynote speaker Elisabeth Fekonia’s presentation will outline the beginnings and growth of our sister club Yandina Community Gardens. Our second speaker, Svenning Prytz’s presentation will be about Native Bees.

VIEW CLUBS

Buderim LAST Wednesday the Buderim VIEW Club held their last social event for the year. It was held at the fabulous See Restaurant in Mooloolaba.

Approximately 36 members attended and all of them thoroughly

enjoyed the luncheon.

Caloundra ‘LEARNING’ was the topic of choice at our recent dinner. Guest speaker Marion Allan has been the co-ordinator of The Smith Family’s Learning for Life Program on the Sunshine Coast for ten years. She leads a team of four workers who assist volunteers to tutor and mentor disadvantaged students in after-school Learning Clubs on the Sunshine Coast. The students relax and debrief over afternoon tea, form relationships and gradually overcome their fears, gaining

confidence to learn. When students are supported in this way, school attendance increases to 90 per cent and 81 per cent actually want to go to school and feel encouraged to complete homework. Some parents also become engaged by the program and whole families are changed and inspired by participation.

Phone Sue on 0403 504 408.

Glasshouse Country WE WILL have our Christmas party at 11am on Wednesday, December 5 at the Glasshouse Sports Club. It will be a fun day with skits, games, raffles and a buffet lunch.

Anyone who would like to join us or obtain more information, phone Lynda on (07) 5494 7875 or Trish on (07) 5493 0026.

AGLOW SUNSHINE COAST

WE ARE having a High Tea on Friday, December 7 at 9.30am at Flame Tree Baptist Church hall, 27 Coes Creek Road, Burnside. Entry $8. Phone CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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COMMUNITY

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Some of the Glasshouse Country VIEW Club ladies celebrate the Melbourne Cup in fine style.

Coolum Lioness Club secretary Heather Davis and president Jeanette Lawrie presented Edie Gaffney with the Lions Children Of Courage Award at Coolum State School.

Assistant secretary May Thomas of Caloundra Evening VIEW Club welcomes Marion Allan to the club.

FROM PAGE 15

Melva on (07) 5443 5752 or Dorothy (07) 5476 4190. Aglow is a world-wide, non-denominational Christian organisation with branches in over 170 nations on six continents.

AIR NOOSA BRANCH

RETIRED or About to Retire? Association of Independent Retirees (AIR Limited) Noosa Branch.

AIR is the peak national not-for-profit organisation working for the interests of self-funded and partially self-funded retirees or those about to retire. Next meeting is on Thursday, December 6 from 9.45am for 10am at the South Pacific Resort,

179 Weyba Road, Noosaville. Guest speaker: Leonie Barnes.

Topic: My Life of Living Dangerously. Cost: $10pp, Members $25pp, non-Members includes catered Christmas fare.

Visitors welcome. Phone (07) 5448 2985 or email airnoosasecretary@ gmail.com or facebook. com/AIRNoosa.

SUNSHINE COAST SCRABBLE CLUB

WE WELCOME new members. Meeting at 2pm Fridays at Nambour RSL. Phone Trevor on (07) 5445 7770 for more information.

HEADLANDBUDERIM CROQUET CLUB

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Phone (07) 5476 5527.

For other times phone (07) 5443 3339. Follow up coaching is available.

Caters for competitive and social play all year round. Offers gentle exercise with great mental stimuli plus it’s great fun.

We’re a very friendly club and would love to have you come along.

SUNSHINE COAST COMPUTER CLUB INC

OUR Club had two members celebrating their 90th birthdays days apart at the meeting at Caloundra on October 27.

90th birthdays are rather an event at clubs but having two members within days of each other is unusual. Over the years the range of assistance needed and given by the club has broadened from computers to include telephones, tablets and other smart devices. Now that shopping, banking, social networking etc are used by more people assistance on these is called for. Members are alerted to safe use of technology to avoid scams. Come as a visitor to a weekly club meeting at Buderim on a Thursday afternoon or Caloundra on a Saturday morning and have an introductory chat to our welcoming

members and see what goes on at meetings if you are looking for to help with your technology equipment. Further information can be given by an email reply to the above address or phone (07) 5492 1005 (please leave a message).

PLANT TREES VOLUNTEERS

WE ARE an environmental education and support organisation that encourages and educates people about planting trees. By planting trees we can all change our world for the better and improve air quality, provide natural habitats, increase rainfall and provide a secure and healthy world for our children to grow up in.

Our engaging Plant Trees Please flyers are in cafes and eateries throughout the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

We believe the flyers are having a positive effect on the issue of tree removal and planting.

From our long term observations, we estimate that over 15% more trees have been planted since the campaign was started and 30%-50% less tree have been removed.

We are looking for volunteers to help us distribute flyers into more locations throughout

Brisbane and southeast Queensland. This would be as simple as just to maintain the supply of flyers in their own local areas. We already have the flyers. If you are interested in being a part of this wonderful movement please email treesforourlife@gmail.com or go to our Facebook page Planttreesplease.org and send us a message.

MOOLOOLAH RIVERWATCH AND LANDCARE NURSERY

MRWL is having an Open Day on Wednesday, December 12. It will be open from 8am-4pm.

Throughout the day there will be tours throughout the nursery and Sunshine Coast Biocontrol Facility.

We are also offering workshops on planting trees/potting up natives/’recipes’ for potting mix/growing from cuttings. Anyone interested in registering for these workshops should phone (07) 5494 5074 or email MRWLoffice@gmail.com.

There will be 20 per cent discount on all plant stock on the day and a lucky door prize. At 2pm there will be visiting dignitaries and talks. We are happy to announce that we will be open to the public on Saturdays from 8.30am-12.30pm.

SUNSHINE 60 & BETTER GROUP INC.

SUNSHINE 60 & Better Group Inc. through the

Older People Action Program supports older people to develop and manage healthy aging programs in their own communities. The focus is on increasing people’s awareness of healthy lifestyle options, therefore decreasing social isolation and improving linkages with other service agencies.

Activities held at our hall on the end of the Nambour Railway Station.

Mah Jong, craft and social days. Guest speaker once a month, includes morning and afternoon tea. Phone (07) 5444 5833 or email admin@sun60.com.au.

ST PETER’S ANGLICAN CHURCH CHRISTMAS SERVICES

REV Tania Eichler welcome all to our Sunday, December 23 we have Holy Communion, 7-9am; Monday, December 24 (Christmas Eve), Carols at 11.30pm; Holy Communion, midnight Tuesday, December 25 (Christmas Day). Celebrate with us at Holy Communion and the Blessing of the Nativity Scene on Sunday, December 30 Holy Communion, 7-9am. Our 9.30am Wednesday Service finishes on December 19 and re-starts on Wednesday, February 6 St Peter’s Anglican Church is 1 Church St, Maroochydore or go to anglican maroochydore.org.au.

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SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

NEWS

17

Classical Corner WITH QUEENSLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

AN ORCHESTRA FOR EVERYONE WHETHER YOU COME...

To experience the big emotions of a symphony… To watch a great movie come to life…

To feel the room shake from that massive brass sound… To witness a world-class musician perform a breathtaking solo…

To experience the familiar… To try something new…

To relax… To be roused… To feel your spine tingle…

Whatever the reason, whoever you are Queensland Symphony Orchestra is an ORCHESTRA FOR EVERYONE In 2019 Queensland Symphony Orchestra will perform something for everyone. There will be mighty symphonies, intimate chamber music, captivating live movies, and much more. We will play music that spans the arc of history.

Whether you are new to orchestral music or have been part of our family for years, I am certain you will find much to look forward to.

Music Director Alondra de la Parra

Our set series packages allow you to enjoy ticket savings and the same great seat for every concert in the beautiful QPAC Concert Hall. The bigger the package, the more you will save.

In 2019 we offer the following set-series packages: Maestro Package Enjoy orchestral favourites by the greatest composers who ever lived, performed by the world’s finest soloists and the musicians of Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Choose from 10 or 12 evening concerts.

Morning Masterworks Package Delight in five rousing 90 minute concerts in a convenient Friday morning timeslot. Join us before each concert for a complimentary morning tea.

Fridays at 11am.

Choral Package Two spectacular concerts featuring a world class lineup of soloists and Brisbane’s best choirs. Saturdays at 7.30pm.

Music on Sundays Package Five concerts featuring a mix of shorter classical works, hosted by the irrepressible Guy Noble.

If you like your orchestral music fun and entertaining, these are the concerts for you. Sundays at 11.30am.

Chamber Players Package Get up close to the music-making in these intimate concerts, with music hand-picked by our musicians, held in our very own performance studio.

Sundays at 3pm.

We also offer the following flexible packages:

Choose-Your-Own Package Do you have a favourite soloist? Or prefer music by certain composers?

Or just have a busy schedule? Whatever your reason, you’re flexible! With ChooseYour-Own packages, select three or more concerts from our 2019 season and enjoy discounted tickets and subscriber benefits.

Phone (07) 3833 5044 Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm to request a copy of our brochure, or visit qso.com.au to find out more. << Renée Jones

18

NEWS

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

REIGNING ROYALS: British Royal family on the balcony during celebration of the Trooping the Colour in London.

hoto: Utrecht Robin/ABACAPRESS.COM

What’s behind our big love affair with the Royal family?

Alison Houston WHAT is it about “the Royals” which so intrigues us?

Why do we, as an independent country which prides itself on its own identity and its multicultural and non-class-based society, many of whom embrace the notion of a republic, seem so eager to follow every move that particularly Princes William and Harry and their wives make?

Could we be moving towards a new generation or regeneration of monarchists?

Popular culture expert, Dr Jess Carniel from the University of Southern Queensland, doesn’t think so.

“I think it would be

wrong to make an assumption about how we feel regarding a republic or monarchy based on our response to royal tours,” she said.

“It’s definitely more about celebrity these days. We know the Queen is technically our Head of State, but there is a disconnection – most people don’t really attach our government system to their thinking about these people.”

While the Royal fascination crosses the generations, Dr Carniel said the reasoning behind it does change.

For the younger generation it is simply about the chance of “a selfie” with a famous person.

“The Royals are more attractive, personable and accessible than many

celebrities because part of their modus operandi is to connect with local communities, unlike Hollywood stars, for instance, who you are more likely to see walking a red carpet.”

However, she said, there is also the historic fascination with the family, and for many over-55s that connection, whether back to the Queen and Queen Mother, fighting for Queen and Commonwealth, or simply to the Queen of Hearts, Princess Diana, is very real.

Princes William and Harry are very much their mother’s sons in their more relaxed and friendly approach, she said, and have now been adopted as “the people’s princes” just as their mother was once “the people’s

princess”.

“They are the type of young men you’d want as your son,” she said.

“They are positive role models for young people and probably a symbol of hope for all of us.”

And that element of romance shouldn’t be overlooked, from right back to the “fairytale wedding” of Prince Charles and Lady Di, to watching their grief-stricken boys grow to men, with very public romances and weddings.

“There is definitely that nostalgic attachment,” Dr Carniel said.

And while Harry in particular had enjoyed his “wild days”, both have matured into their public roles including taking the lead in mental health, the environment and helping returned service people.

Asked if she thought a referendum on a republic would bring different results to those almost 20 years ago in 1999, Dr Carniel said there was certainly a greater “distancing” of current generations from “Queen and Commonwealth”.

Past generations, she pointed out, grew up singing “God Save the Queen”, with a picture of the Queen in every classroom and on every stamp, and the Queen’s annual message an important part of Christmas formalities.

Today, our only concrete connection is the Queen’s profile on our money.

We see the Royals today more as “real people” even if they do have a rarified life, with the princes as likely to been seen at sporting

events in jeans and rolled up shirts as in their military regalia, being cheeky and joking around as making formal speeches.

Dr Carniel said she believed that marketing of the princes as “young and fresh” was a “very deliberate thing” on the part of Buckingham Palace, and pointed to television series such as The Crown giving us a different, more human perspective of the Queen as well.

“They are romantic figures, but they also embody many of the values we still hold dear,” she said.

And ultimately, unlike our ever-changing political figures and their spats, they really don’t impact our daily lives – and that’s got to be good.

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SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

NEWS

Did you know that living close to nature is good for your health?

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NEWS

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Amazing work is recognised THE founder of Celebrating Ageing, Dr Catherine Barrett has been named a finalist for one of the most pretigious awards of its kind Australia - the 2018 Human Rights medal After a long nursing career and with a goal to make older people visible, safe and receive the respect and dignity they deserve, Dr Barrett established Celebrate Ageing.

The organisation raises awareness through events, educational services and other programs to draw attention to issues such as elder abuse, sexual assault, dementia, ageism and the media, aged-care facilities and more.

Dr Barrett is also a national and international leader in the rights of older people. She has also worked extensively with the ageing LGBTI+ communities.

The Human Rights judging panel evaluates over 70 outstanding nominations from around the country to identify an impressive list of finalists.

"It is without a doubt

that these finalists, along with their supporters, peers and colleagues, have driven remarkable and lasting change to the lives of thousands of individuals of all backgrounds," said Commission President, Rosalind Croucher.

"Such achievements must be celebrated and acknowledged and what better way to do this than with the Human Rights Awards and of course, the highly coveted Human Rights Medal," she said.

Other finalists are: Antoinette Braybrook Armed with little more than a mobile phone, a laptop and a modest grant, Antoinette established Djirra (then called the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention Legal Service Victoria) in 2002.

She remains the CEO of the organisation and is the national convenor of the National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Forum – which she campaigned to establish.

Through her leadership and vision, Antoinette played a key role in the establishment of

HUMAN RIGHTS MEDAL FINALISTS (L to R) Dr Barri Phatarfod, Father Rod Bower, Antoinette Braybrook, (bottom left to right) The Hon Peter McClellan AM QC, Chrissie Foster and Catherine Barrett.

‘‘

Dr Barrett is a national and international leader in the rights of older people. culturally appropriate legal services and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families experiencing violence.

Dr Barri Phatarfod Dr Phatarfod founded Doctors 4 Refugees five years ago, with the goal of helping asylum seekers and refugees access quality medical care, both on and offshore.

Currently the membership is over 700 with more than 100 of these doctors including specialists actively reviewing the medical records and management of over 400 asylum seekers and refugees.

Dr Phatarfod and her group challenged the Australian Border Force

Act and its contentious Secrecy provisions, which were eventually removed.

Dr Phatarfod was last year recognised by Amnesty as one of Australia’s top human rights defenders.

Father Rod Bower The venerable Father Rod Bower is an Anglican priest and Rector of Gosford where he has served for 19 years and Archdeacon of the Central Coast.

The ambassador for the Refugee Council of Australia is also an advocate for a broad range of social justice issues, including marriage equality.

Despite attacks on himself and his parish, Father Bower has refused

to be silenced and is well-known for the thought-provoking signs outside his church that promote equality, justice and human rights for all.

The Hon Peter McClellan AM QC and Chrissie Foster Justice McClellan led the five-year Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

It was unprecedented in Australian history in terms of length, size or complexity and led to the Prime Minister’s National Apology to Victims and Survivors in October 2018. Justice McClellan demonstrated remarkable compassion and leadership in the conduct

of these hearings.

Chrissie Foster has long campaigned for justice for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. Two of Mrs Foster’s daughters were sexually abused by a Catholic priest - one has since passed away. With dignity, grace and strength, Mrs Foster and her family have publicly held institutions to account in the hope that history will not repeat itself.

■ The winner of the 2018 Human Rights Medal will be announced at the Human Rights Awards ceremony on Friday, December 14, in Sydney.

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• Dorrigo National Park/Rainforest Centre including the spectacular Skywalk • Christmas lunch with all the trimmings at the Anchors Wharf Café Urunga • Bowraville Folk Museum, Bowraville • Trial Bay Gaol at South West Rocks

Examples of what we can assist you with • Installation of Grab Rails • Ramps/Steps/Wedges • Handheld Showers • Keysafes • Light Globes/Smoke Detectors and Batteries • Locks and Door Handles • Appliance Repairs • Plumbing and Electrical • Gutter Cleaning • Flyscreens • Minor Carpentry • All reasonable requests involving your health and safety will be considered

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SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

NEWS

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DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Christmas reading tips

Holidays give time for reading with you and grandchildren CAN you imagine anything more pleasurable than being a part of your grandchild’s development of competent reading skills which will set them up for life?

These Christmas holidays could be a great time to start, making time each day for you and them to read together.

Whether you are a strong reader or not, Edith Cowan University’s senior lecturer in education Dr Margaret Merga said you can make a powerful difference to your grandchild’s life by encouraging them to make reading daily a part of their everyday life.

Grandparents may also find themselves learning better reading skills along the way which is not such a bad thing as all the generations are going online to get informed and educated, and to socialise.

“It’s never been as

important as it is now,” Dr Merga said.

“If you think about the amount of reading that is involved in our daily lives in terms of understanding forms that we read on the internet and internet banking; so many of the things we used to engage in face-to-face have moved into online reading materials.

“Where we might have got away with having no literacy when meeting the functional needs of day to day lives, we just can’t do that anymore.”

Dr Merga said children gain valuable vocabulary skills and confidence from reading, if they do it regularly.

“We know that when we are not engaging in regular reading, our literacy skills don’t stay the same; they start to move backwards,” Dr Merga said.

And if we can foster in them a love for reading, children will find the activity pleasurable.

How to do it

HOLIDAY FUN: These Christmas holidays could be a good time to start with helping your grandchild develop strong life-long reading skills.

Photo: katiko-dp

■ Share with them books that were your favourites, and tell them why you liked those books.

■ Ask them what sorts of books they like to read. If they find it hard to choose, give them guidance and recommendations about books they might like.

■ Share the books together. “We can read them independently, but we can also read aloud to each other,” Dr Merga

said.

■ It’s vital to encourage reading aloud to help your grandchildren develop their vocabulary skills.

■ If you are choosing books for them, aim for something a little bit

harder than they would choose, as a way to expose them to more complex word structures.

“It can also help them to get into ideas, words and concepts that are too advanced for them to

6370220ab

Tracey Johnstone

independently access but which can be incredibly enjoyable for both you and the grandchildren,” Dr Merga added.

After the holidays Dr Merga said don’t let the grandchildren stop regular reading at the end of the holidays; keep encouraging them to read every day.

Your reading skills ■ Not everyone is going to feel confident with reading out loud with their grandchildren, so Dr Merga suggests just having a go will be appreciated by the kids.

■ Try sharing with the grandchildren by listening and reading along to an audiobook together which can help both the child’s and grandparent’s literacy skills.

■ Get your grandchildren to read to you which gives them a special role and shows them the purpose of reading.

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SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

Cruise into new cultures And taste the difference

PAGES 32-33

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DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

A new winter cruise tour NORWAY and Iceland – two of the most popular destinations for Australians right now – are showcased in a new 2020 winter cruise tour combination package released by Cruise Express.

The 23-night combo tour, which includes 15 nights on land and six at sea, features Norway’s spectacular Northern Lights, a husky sleigh ride, a hotel made of ice, stunning fjords and snow-shrouded villages as well as the volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, glaciers and whales.

The journey begins with the 15-night ‘Northern Lights of Norway’ cruise tour which will see Australians fly on January 25, 2020, to Norway’s capital, Oslo, for a two-night stay and tour showcasing the city’s Viking heritage.

Guests depart Oslo by train to the renowned fjord country for overnight stays in Voss and Bergen.

A tour highlight is a journey on the panoramic Flam Railway – one of the world’s steepest and most picturesque train rides.

SPECTACULAR SHOW: The Northern Lights from Hurtigruten.

Rising over 860m, the track traverses a winter wonderland of snowy peaks, icy waterfalls, mighty rivers and whispering pine forests.

In contrast, a breathtaking cruise through two spectacular

fjords – Naeroyfjord and Aurlandsfjord – provides perspective of this stunning region from sea level.

The tour includes a guided walking tour along the colourful harbour-front of Bergen from where the

itinerary moves to sea for a six-night voyage aboard Hurtigruten’s 690-passenger ship, MS Kong Harald.

Named after the king of Norway, the ship serves as a passenger, freight, mail and car service for

Photo: Rjan Bertelsen

isolated Norwegian towns along the coast.

Magnificent fjords, mighty glaciers and snow-clad mountains are just some of the picture-postcard spectacles on show during the voyage.

Quaint towns like Trondheim and Alesund offer a chance to experience a different way of life high above the Arctic Circle.

After rounding the most northerly point in Europe, North Cape, the voyage ends in the remote town of Kirkenes where guest can stay in accommodation made of snow, see reindeer, join a thrilling husky sled ride and scour the dark, night skies for the swirling colours of the Northern Lights.

The Norway tour ends with a flight back to Oslo for a night before flying back to Australia.

Guests can add on Cruise Express’ eight-night adventure holiday in Iceland which includes return flights from Oslo to Reykjavik, accommodation and extensive touring taking in Iceland’s dramatic landscape of geysers, lava fields, fjords, thundering waterfalls and abundance of humpback and minke whales.

Phone Cruise Express on 1300 766 537 or go to cruiseexpress.com.au.

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SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

Snowy Mountain fishing Nige Webster THE NSW high country is a personal favourite of mine and I’ve spent years of my life fishing here. If you enjoy freshwater trout fishing then this is one of the premier places in the country to travel to.

Lakes Tantangara, Eucumbene and Jindabyne are regularly stocked with rainbow and brown trout and Atlantic salmon; they also support a self-sustaining population of brown trout.

The rivers that run into these lakes are all well known for fabulous fishing within season.

These rivers are closed to fishing during the spawn run of June to October, but the lakes are open year-round.

There is a lot of accommodation up here in the way of hotels, motels and caravan parks.

Mid-winter sees the area overrun with ski enthusiasts and expenses rise, so best times of year to travel here include September to May. I often stay in places

Fishing in Jindabyne.

SKILLED RELAXATION: Fishing on Lake Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains. like Jindabyne, Kalkite, Old Adaminaby, Providence Portal and the like. My favourite place to stay is Rydges Horizons in Jindabyne which has a beautiful view over the lake.

The easiest ways to

catch a trout in the lakes is to bait fish – scrub worms, mudeyes, yabbies, powerbait – off the banks or troll a lure behind a boat.

Two to 4kg rods with six to 10lb breaking strain lines will cover most

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bases.

There are many lures which will catch fish in the lakes: winged Tasmanian Devils, bibbed hardbodies that imitate trout and dive between one and three metres will work well.

Getting lures deeper

Photos: Destination NSW

beneath downriggers is also popular.

Trolling attractors with baits behind them is deadly when the weather is really good. Sight fishing the dams with a fly rod or casting streamer flies early, late in the day

or at night during summer are proven ways to catch trout on a fly rod.

The rivers are simply stunning and walking them with a fishing rod is a treat. Check regulations but most rivers are lure and fly only and closed at times.

Casting and retrieving lures across likely looking trout lies will always produce a few fish in these parts.

Small bibbed lures and spinners that run shallow are perfect to take on a day exploring the rivers.

Next month I will take you on a Darwin fishing trip.

Nige Webster works for AFN Fishing & Outdoors and presents and produces The Fishing Show on 7Mate.

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DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

‘‘

Drive toward the Southern Peninsulas and explore grand capes with towering spines

A MAGICAL WORLD: Beautiful view of Halong Bay, Vietnam, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Photo: Nikolay Tsuguliev

Live the travel dream This month we profile destinations and experiences 40 to 36 as we count down the 2018 list of the World’s Best Journeys which we hope will inspire you to live life to the full.

THE top 50 bucket list has been selected by Flight Network and over 500 top travel journalists, agencies, bloggers and editors.

There are travel experiences to suit different styles and budgets.

DRIVE THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY

❚ CRUISING along the Wild Atlantic Way on Ireland’s west coast harmoniously connects rugged landscapes with unique people, many of who still speak Irish Gaelic.

Skirting around the coastline, expansive views and traditional villages captivate drivers along the route from the Northern Headlands down to the Havan Coast.

The road opens up as you steer toward the Surf Coast and the wildness of the seaboard captivates with red-gold beaches.

Continue driving south towards the Bay Coast to discover crystal coves and islands perfect for swimming, kayaking, and kiteboarding. Ride to Cliff Coast and immerse yourself Ireland’s music

capital, spending the day listening to live bands in local pubs.

Drive toward the magnificent Southern Peninsulas and explore grand capes with towering spines extending far out in the ocean before stopping for an overnight stay on the Haven Coast to dine on artisan fare.

Getting there: Choose a small but sturdy rental vehicle when arriving at the airport. All of the major airports in the country whether it be Dublin, Shannon or Cork will get you close to the Wild Atlantic Way, but the closest is Shannon Airport with accessible road links to a number of counties along road and is less than an hour from the Cliffs of Moher. For drivers who decide to start their tour at its southernmost point, Cork Airport is just a 20 mile trip.

CRUISE THE MEKONG RIVER

❚ THE Mekong River is one of the most fascinating on the planet. It starts in the Tibetan plateau and snake its way through China, Myanmar, Laos,

Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It has been an important medium for transporting people and goods for thousands of years and today is an important international trade route.

Cruise from the very end of the river north through Vietnam’s Mekong Delta area up into Cambodia’s capital city, where it meets that Tonle Sap and travels through the Cambodian countryside. The scenery is unmatchable and the journey unforgettable.

Travellers will transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho Port to board an incredible teak ship that has been specifically built to cruise the Mekong River.

Visit local artisan villages, the Gao Giong bird sanctuary, a beautiful Taoist temple and Koh Okhna Tey, otherwise known as silk island.

Explore Con Phuoc Island, Koh Trong Island and Phnom Penh, visiting the National Museum, Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, and the Killing Fields and Genocide museum. The journey ends in Siem

Reap staring at the famous Angkor Wat monuments.

Getting there: Fly into Tân Son Nhât International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is the departing airport.

TAKE THE ROAD TO HANA DRIVE

❚ NAVIGATING curves near crashing waves of the Pacific and stopping for tide pool swims beneath waterfalls attracts drivers to a single stretch of Hawaiian coastline.

Unrivaled as the top attraction on the lush island of Maui, the Road to Hana drive winds along the 52-mile stretch of coastline from Pa’ia town to the community of Hana.

If you’re able to lease a convertible, you’ll have panoramic views of the surf and scenery.

Drive from the town of Kahului in central Maui and head towards Hana through the surf town Pa’ia on Maui’s north shore. Tour Maliko Bay before heading to Twin Falls to cool off in one of its natural pools and

waterfalls. Drive up to Honomanu Bay Lookout and stop for a walk on the beach before steering towards the Keanae Peninsula lined with vibrant hibiscus and jagged lava rocks.

Reaching the Koolau Forest Reserve, park the car and explore Wai anapanapa State Park where tide pools turn red several times a year due to the arrival of shrimp.

Follow the signs to Wailua Falls and awe at the waterfalls cascading over the mountains before ending the drive with a stop Waimoku Falls to gaze up at its magnificent 400 foot waterfall.

Getting there: Kahului Airport is east of the Kahului CDP on the island of Maui and is the main airport servicing Maui.

You can also fly into Honolulu International Airport on Oahu before commuting to Maui on a brief, 30-minute flight.

Major car rental companies are at the airport or you can take a taxi or shuttle bus and lease a cruising vehicle like a convertible. There is also daily ferry service to

27

SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

Black sand beach,Waianapanapa State Park. Maui, Hawaii.

The epic Irish Landscape and seascape along Ireland’s The Wild Atlantic Way. Champ, down on the valley floor and walk along the crystal stream.

Returning to Chamonix, be sure to take a ride on the city’s world-class cable car and get a bird’s eye view of the Mont Blanc massif.

Getting there: You can hike alone or benefit from a mountain guide’s experience. Several guide companies are available when you arrive in Chamonix. The most direct way is to fly into Geneva Cointrin International Airport.

Once there, you can take an airport transport to Chamonix or hire a car.

Another option is to take the Eurostar or TGV train from Paris or Lyon and connect on local train onto Saint Gervais Les Bains where you can pick up the Mont Blanc Express Train into Chamonix.

Long Son Pagoda, Nha Trang, Vietnam. and from the nearby island of Lanai.

HIKE THE TOUR DU MONT BLANC

❚ REACHING a cumulative 10,000m of descent and ascent, the Tour de Mont Blanc’s 170km hike is a trekker’s dream with plenty of hotels and mountain huts along the way for taking in the

landscape to its fullest with very little gear.

Set out in Chamonix, France, for an 11-day hike towards Les Houches to photo chamois, deer, and eagles during the excursion. Continue ascending to Les Contamines and take in the mountain resort vibe and renowned cuisine.

Hike onward to Les

Photo: AND-ONE

Chapieux, a small hamlet on the tour inhabited by shepherds and their flocks. Refuge Elisabetta is next on the route providing a comfortable overnight stay for walkers.

Trek to the resort of Courmayeur and take a ride on the SkyWay Monte Bianco cable car and peer at peaks of the Matterhorn and Monte

Rosa. Spend some time at La Vachey, the seasonal inn and restaurant, before hiking to La Fouly to scale winding trails of its mountain peaks.

Walk to Champex and take in the culture of the Swiss village. Hike to Trient and take a detour to explore Trent Glacier before continuing to Tre le

MOTORCYCLE FROM HO CHI MINH TO HANOI

❚ TRAVEL from Vietnam’s coast to the highlands with the wind blowing in your face and your heart pumping with excitement the entire way. There is no better way to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi than on a motorcycle, zooming past some incredible scenery.

This 2770km ride is equal parts of beach and

Photo: 7Michael

Photo: upthebanner

mountain, giving travellers the chance to be totally immersed in the beauty of Vietnam.

The ride is an unforgettable. Weave through highlands, mountains and along coast lines, gazing at magnificent undeveloped beaches, stopping in lonely villages and visiting cultural sites like the Ninh Hoa Salt Fields, Imperial City in Hue, and Vinh Moc Tunnels.

Spend time exploring cities, lazing on beaches and sampling regional Vietnamese cuisine. Snap photos of beautiful French colonial architecture, pristine beaches, and the Long Son Pagoda.

Wander around Hoi An’s old town, explore the Tràng An Scenic Complex and ride the Vinpearl Cable Car. Visit must-sees and find hidden gems, but most importantly, enjoy the ride!

Getting there: Fly into Tân Son Nhât International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Check the dates of the 6-day Vietnamese New year before booking your flights to try to avoid motorcycling from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi at this time. The roads will be congested with locals much more dangerous to be on.

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DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Right way to the out back Ann Rickard EVER since he was eight years old, Alan ‘Smithy’ Smith has known the Australian outback is unique to the world.

Way ahead of his time, he held a deep love for the outback and would spend days wandering into the bush from his home in Blackall, Central West Queensland.

“As a child whenever we had visitors, I would take them out to some amazing places,” he said.

“Sometimes the visitors were blown away with the simple things, the bush, the petrified wood, the stories about what the families had done in developing the land, the pioneer shearers.

“My family owned a soft drink factory for 34 years in Blackall.

“I was always engaged in different parts of the community and there was an amazing mix of characters in the community. Lots of stories to tell.”

By the time he was 21, Smithy knew he had to share his love of the bush and his prodigious knowledge with others and start a small tour company. That was 30 years ago in 1988 before our outback had much of a profile.

“There were not the visitors that there are now,” he said.

“I started with a billy

‘‘

Visitors were blown away with the simple things, the bush, the petrified wood, the stories...

BORN IN THE BUSH: Alan ‘Smithy’ Smith was a natural to lead outback tours. made from a three-litre juice tin, a camp oven, a troop carrier, photocopied brochures and an answering machine. I traded in my little 4WD and convinced the bank to lend me $28,000.”

That was the beginning of Outback Aussie Tours.

Surviving in a remote area was tough but Smithy had the confidence, in-depth knowledge and as many stories as there are stars in the sky.

“Looking back, I realised I pushed (tour

guests) them too hard, I was so eager to share,” he said.

“I had no idea what the market could bear. Some of the people did not care for a swag or to be driven all over the place.

“I learnt and developed smaller packages, one was to drive to Longreach, collect wood on the way, light a fire, boil a billy, give them a cup of tea while I mixed the damper, throw the damper in the camp oven, take people to look for petrified wood, come

back and have tea and damper. That worked well.”

Now Smithy, with his wife Sue, runs short break packages from Longreach, Charleville and Brisbane to iconic destinations including Winton, Birdsville, Corner Country, Gulf Savannah and Cape York and the Torres Strait.

“Now it is a lot of fun, but I worked hard in the beginning, juggled three jobs, a cleaning business,

packing supermarket shelves,” Smithy said.

“I had to survive and buy new equipment. Then the grey nomad market started coming. Then the Midlander train twice a week.

“In those early days, the Hall of Fame had just opened in Longreach, I would get down to the train, pull on my jacket and big hat, walk through the train with brochures doing promotion.

“I bought my own little mini bus and doubled my

fleet.”

Three decades later, with the outback now a major tourism destination, Smithy can say he was one of the pioneer tourism operations. He has many return guests and made countless friends.

“A lot of American tourists have stayed in touch,” he said.

“A lot of the traditional grey nomad market, who are finished with driving, will take the train or fly here, do the tours.

“One of our guests is on her fifth tour, the same one every year. She loves it. We have fantastic encounters with wildlife, but it is the stories the people love the most and meeting the people who live here. We look after seniors, we don’t have early starts. 8am is a good time.”

To find out more, go to outbackaussietours. com.au.

Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show IMAGINE a coach tour that combines the history and culture of Melbourne with the spectacular scenic beauty of the Dandenong Ranges and the Great Ocean Road.

This is Coastal Variety Tours 13-day trip to the

Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show which departs March 24, 2019 including home pick-ups from the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Gold Coast.

This tour will take you via the Pacific Highway to

Coffs Harbour, Sydney and Albury, arriving at Melbourne for the Southern Hemispheres largest and most loved horticultural event the International flower and garden show.

Your Melbourne tour is

not complete without experiencing the beautiful mountain scenery while travelling aboard the Puffing Billy Stream Train and the spectacular Great Ocean Road.

From the ocean to the famous mining region of

TRAVEL CLUB 2018

Ballarat where you will be transported back in time with a tour of Sovereign Hill.

Another tour highlight is a paddle steamer Boat Cruise on the Murray River at Euhuca.

You’re gonna love it!

■ There’s more to this tour than is written here and it’s a journey well worth discovering for yourself.

Phone Coastal Variety Tours for a full itinerary today on (07) 3343 6722.

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GREAT OCEAN ROAD, MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER SHOW, DANDENONGS, DAYLESFORD, BALLARAT, ECHUCA. $ 2650 13 Days Sun. 24th March - Fri. 5th April, 2019. (inc.GST) $2650 (EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT $150 • Book & pay deposit by 1st Jan. 2019) $2650 Fare includes: Motels, all Breakfasts & Dinners, all admissions & touring, Great Ocean Road, International Flower Show, Dandenong Puffing Billy Steam train, Victoria Markets, Crown Entertainment Complex, Daylesford Historic Town, Ballarat, Sovereign Hill, Echuca Paddlesteamer Boat Cruise, Port of Echuca, Cowra Info Centre, Bathurst, Mudgee, plus more.

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SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

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On the night of 31 May 1942, 3 Japanese This amazing tour takes in the complete circuit midget submarines entered Sydney harbour Including Hobart, Port Arthur, Queenstown, On this fascinating tour we cruise the Gordon River Cruise , Cradle Mtn, Dove Lake, Stanley, Devonport, Cataract Gorge, Launceston Harbour and visit the attack locations Tamar Valley, Legerwood, St Helens, Coles Bay, plus much more !!! 5 Days from $1790 including 1 way flights to SYD. Freycinet NP & Richmond. 11 Days from $3490.

TALENTED: Country singer, comedian and instrumentalist Lindsay Waddington.

A wholesome country tour Tracey Johnstone COUNTRY musician and comedian Lindsay Waddington is leading a group on a wonderful adventure to Norfolk Island for the Go See Touring’s 2019 A Little Bit Country tour.

He’s going to have a busy time between performing in three shows with the six other Go See Touring hosts and ensuring his group members are having a fantastic family time during the island visit from July 26 to August 2.

The celebrity host will entertain guests with his country-rock instrumental and singing talents. He’s also a comedian and quick to share a cheeky joke to brighten anyone’s day.

Alongside Lindsay for

the concerts will be singer Graeme Hugo and yodeller Wayne Horsburg, rocker Lucky Starr, crooner Fortunato Isgro and singers Rodney Vincent and Geoff James.

“There will be a lot of singing, a lot of partying and a lot of fun stories,” Lindsay said.

On the nights when there is no show there will be time to sit back, relax and enjoy the laid-back music sessions. “If there are stories to share, a poem to be told, it will be just like a big family get-together – that’s what we want,” he added.

The cost for the tour to Norfolk Island, which has a stunning backdrop to its interesting history, includes a convict settlement tour, a murder mystery dinner, a night as a convict, airfares, accommodation, meals

and much more.

Lindsay’s group already has several bookings locked in, but there is room for more.

“It’s going to be a real family environment for people who just want to have a good time, go sightseeing, learn about Norfolk Island and enjoy being with other people,” Lindsay said.

“We have a few things up our sleeve, a few little fun things that will happen. I’m a bit a practical joker,” he offered. But to find out what Lindsay’s alluding to, you will have to join the tour to find out more.

For full tour information and costs, go to goseetouring.com or phone (07) 3868 4760.

To check out his music, visit https://itunes.apple. com/au/album/ nullarbor/1433935034.

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CoWboys / Caves

This unique tour visits Cowboys at Texas Longhorn Ranch, Historical Charters Towers, Caves at the incredible Undara Lava Tubes and Castle Ruins of Paronella Park. 8 Days from $1390* Plus Pension Rail Fare when travelling by QR Rail*

Join us on the Iconic Ghan Gold Class Adelaide to Darwin and experience the vast Australian Outback in Style and comfort. $3490.

uluru – Field oF liGhTs

Welcome to our special Uluru and Alice Springs tour. The Field of Light is a global phenomenon created by internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro which comes to life under a sky brilliant with stars. 7 Days from $3690.

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The majesTiC river murray

It’s by far the largest river in Australia.

It begins as a small stream in the Australian Alps and 2520 river kilometres later it empties into the Southern Ocean near Goolwa in South Australia. 10 Days from $3495.

yamba & byron bay shorT break

Join us on the wonderful 4 Day tour to Yamba, Byron Bay, Clarence River Cruise, Maclean, Evans Head, Angourie, plus much more. All inclusive with accomm & meals.

Departing Brisbane 3rd March from $699.

With an increasing amount of leisurely time comes the ability to truly enjoy the luxury of travel, and we’re here to make sure you receive the best experience available.

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DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

A place to find your music Phil Hawkes AT the tender age of eight, I had definite ambitions to be a conductor.

The man who sold tickets on our local bus seemed to have a pretty exciting job; he was even allowed to stand on the back step and keep all the schoolkids from falling out. The bus had no doors.

My mother discouraged this worthy ambition and instead filled our house with remarkable music during every waking hour... Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Strauss and even Wagner, who escaped constantly from their bulky albums of 78s, played on a machine which always seemed to need new needles.

Replacing them and listening for scratches became my job, helping to introduce me to the idea of “conducting” by waving arms in time with the music.

Fast forward to 2018: I recall a lifetime of vicarious pleasure going to concerts, mentally conducting orchestras large and small in Australia and various places around the world.

It can be very frustrating, not being able to leap onto the podium and take over from the likes of Sir Colin Davis or Daniel Barenboim.

Wonder of wonders, some of these famous maestros are able to conduct a symphony without a score at all. How cool is that?

At last my chance came.

On a recent trip to Leipzig in Germany, arguably the most musically satisfying city in the world where the famous Gewandhaus Orchestra reigns supreme, I found a sort of conducting nirvana. Not in a large concert hall (although that could be my

The Christmas markets.

MUSIC KEY TO CITY: Leipzig University grounds. next step in a future life) but at the Mendelssohn House, a beautifully restored apartment in a villa where Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and his family lived.

Apart from carefully curated memorabilia and other exhibits over three floors, a special room has been dedicated to visitors who can conduct the orchestra in virtual performances of Mendelssohn’s music.

There’s a stand with a lighted podium which has a tablet replacing the paper score; you can select from a wide range of his compositions, pick up the baton, press “go” and you’re off.

The musicians follow your desired tempo and dynamics... although it might be more accurate to say that you follow them!

The technology is simple, yet amazingly effective. Each section of

Photos: Phil Hawkes

The story of Schumann House.

You can have personal experiences of piano teaching.

the orchestra has its own vertical speaker so that you conduct by bringing in the various parts as the score dictates.

Ignoring the restless queue of would-be conductors waiting for their turn, I manage to hold the musicians together with deft baton flourishes and facial contortions that would have frightened my good

mother, were she still with us.

Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream and his beautiful violin concerto have never sounded better, modestly speaking.

Leipzig takes its music seriously. On another day we visit the Schumann House for a rather different experience.

The building now

houses a school where the children study music from an early age, one of the reasons why Germany is a world leader in instrumental and vocal education.

There’s a treat in store for visitors: by prior arrangement you can enjoy a private recital by renowned American-born mezzo soprano Frances Falling and pianist Anja

Museum visits are a tour highlight.

Kleinmichel performing not only Robert Schumann lieder, but songs by Clara Schumann as well.

In fact, Clara was a pianist and composer famous all over Europe – 2019 has been designated as Clara Schumann Year, with many special events.

Music is the key to Leipzig and when you include a Gewandhaus Orchestra performance in their impressive concert hall, an evening at the Leipzig Opera listening to Wagner, and a Sunday Mass at the historic St Thomas Church where JS Bach was music director for 27 years, what else is there to enjoy?

Perhaps a melodic nightcap at the classy Fuerstenhof Hotel or an evening of jazz at one of the city’s lively jazz cellars to round off your trip on a major key.

31

SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

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DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Tasmania in the summer of bubbles, music and the arts

RELAX: The Falls Music and Arts Festival is held from December 29-Jaunary 1 each year on a beautiful farm nestled on the Tasmanian east coast near Maria Island and Hell Fire Bluff at Marion Bay.

Tasmania has a wide selection of wines for visitors to taste during their summer visit.

With over 70 stallholders, the festival event features exclusive collaborations and free family activities.

More information at thetasteoftasmania. com.au.

Falls Music and Arts Festival, Marion Bay – December 29-January 1, 2019 The 26th annual festival line up includes international acts Chvrches, Anderson Paak & The Free Nationals, Toto and Dizzee Rascal, and home-grown heroes Vance

tickets at the website fallsfestival.com.

Hobart International Tennis, Hobart – January 6-12, 2019 This is Tasmania’s premier international women’s sporting event and a lead in tournament for players to fine-tune their preparations ahead of Melbourne’s Australian Open.

Having hosted some of

Do you want to know how to store your fruit and vegetables in your fridge, so that they stay fresh for more than two weeks?

Joy, Flight Facilities and Amy Shark.

Head along to The Village, a family-friendly space with circus shows, kid’s comedians, face painting, yoga sessions, treasure hunts and more.

The beach is a short stroll away and there are plenty of food and drink options to keep the foodies entertained too.

More information and

the biggest names in tennis like Serena Williams, Dinara Safina and Australian number one Sam Stosur, the tournament promises top on court action as well as premium food trucks with fantastic local fare, a beer garden and the chance to win a meet and greet with the women’s singles champion post-match.

More information at hobartinternational. com.au.

Cygnet Folk Festival, Cygnet – January 11-13, 2019 Into folk music? Head to the 37th annual Cygnet Folk Festival to enjoy more than 100 acts in the picturesque town of Cygnet, an hour south of Hobart in the Huon Valley.

This is Tasmania’s leading celebration of folk and world music, dance, poetry, performance art, food and culture and is highly regarded by musicians and festival-goers from all over Australia and overseas.

The competition to get on stage is fierce and the punters are the beneficiaries.

In 2019 enjoy musical performances as well as workshops, dances and market stalls.

Tickets at cygnet folkfestival.org/tickets.

Mona Foma Launceston – January 13-20, 2019 Mona Foma is back for another year of mayhem, this time based in Launceston.

Mona’s summer festival will welcome artists from Australia and overseas such as Courtney Barnett, Neneh Cherry and Underworld, who will perform alongside a program of arts trails, morning meditations and of course, the famous onesie party.

Australian artist and designer Adele Varcoe has teamed up with Finnish clothing label Self-Assembly to create over 2000 DIY onesies (no sewing machines required) for the event.

Tickets at monafoma.net.au.

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SOME of the best food, wine, visual and sensory entertainment is on offer in Tasmania during this summer.

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Hobart: December 26, 2018-January 1, 2019 The fleet blow into Hobart from December 27, weather permitting.

Be at the Hobart Race Village at Constitution Dock to welcome the salt-laden sailors as they cross the line after travelling 628 nautical miles from Sydney.

Wander the docks after the race and listen to the fascinating race stories – watch and listen on as the yachties debrief and recall tales (tall and otherwise) of the open ocean.

More information at rolexsydneyhobart.com.

Taste of Tasmania, Hobart – December 28-January 3, 2019 Celebrate the way Tasmania eats, drinks and socialises at the 30th annual festival.

What began as a small waterfront festival within easy reach of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race finish line to feed and entertain the sailors has morphed into the largest food festival in Australia.

This year there is a curated culinary kitchen program featuring the best food talent in Tasmania presenting workshops, masterclasses and tastings, as well as more than 100 stallholders open from 11am-11pm daily and a vibrant program of live music across four stages.

Entry is free (except for the ticketed New Year’s Eve party) and tickets to the events are selling fast.

On returning from a threeweek Christmas holiday, all my vegetables were as I left them in these bags in the fridge – fresh and ready to eat. I have been Roslyn Roberts using these amazing bags Hammond Village for more than two years and Coombabah, QLD they are still going strong.

Bags are washable and reusable and can be kept anywhere in the fridge - on shelves, in the fridge door and the crisper. To purchase immediately visit www.superfreshbags.com.au or call

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The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is a 628 nautical mile race described as one of the most gruelling ocean races.

SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

33

Staring down the demon of dementia

Wellbeing

Sufferer shares ways to fight back at disease Alison Houston “SOME days the devil whispers, ‘You are not strong enough to withstand the storm’ … and some days I get up and say, ‘Today, I am the storm’.”

The closing words to Sarah Ashton’s presentation on the lived experience of dementia earned her a standing ovation at the 10th International Arts and Health Conference last month.

Sarah, from Port Macquarie, was one of several speakers with the courage to share their mental health struggles to help others better understand their condition.

None sought or engendered pity, instead displaying their incredible inner strength to not just cope and reclaim control of their lives but actively work to help others.

“My life got turned upside down the moment I got this diagnosis,” Sarah acknowledged.

But she has discovered ways to manage what she calls “the everyday frustrations”.

REALITY CHECK: Sarah Ashton speaks about her daily life.

All her bills, for example, are on auto payment.

She has diaries everywhere detailing her appointments and what she needs to do.

She has clocks and calendars everywhere “in case I want to check what day I think it is today”.

‘‘

My life got turned upside down the moment I got this diagnosis.

She keeps busy socialising, as a member of various groups, doing advocacy work including Joining the Dots for Dementia, taking part in research, doing art and craft, listening to music and caring for her pets and her garden.

She recently won the Impromptu section of her Toastmasters

International area speaking competition and will compete at the district competition.

Looking after her diet, walking or exercising every day, engaging in intellectual exercises such as puzzles, brain training, games and reading were also important.

Legal paperwork, she urged, must be put in order as soon as you receive a diagnosis, so you are still considered legally competent to truly know your wishes.

That includes a professionally written will, advanced care directive and power of attorney, all with “meat and bite” as to where you want to live and what is to happen to the assets if your home has to be sold if you need a higher-level of care.

But she admitted the challenge of dealing with aspects of dementia was exhausting.

More information on Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is online at www.dementia.org.au or phone the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.

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WELLBEING

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Lifting the droopy lid

There are solutions for problem Tracey Johnstone

PROBLEM: Have an examination to check your eyelids.

Photo: ElFlacodelNorte

HAVE you ever wondered why you have dropping skin about your eyes and if you can do anything about it? Ophthalmologist Dr Elizabeth Livingstone has some advice to help you find a solution.

Droopy eyelids are a condition where ageing skin comes down over the eye, which may obstruct a person’s vision.

This often occurs at the corner of an eye which will impact more on your side vision than your direct vision and which can have a significant impact on your vision, including when driving.

Dr Livingstone, who works with elderly patients in her Livingstone Clinics at the Gold Coast and Sydney, says some of the reasons for droopy eyelids are: ■ As we age the skin

above the eye can becomes less elastic and stretches. The skin can then rest on your eyelashes, making them feel heavy ■ Having a lot of fat tissue under the skin ■ Some medical conditions including thyroid disease, and those that cause fluid retention ■ Atrophy, or allergies, which causes lots of swelling of the eyelids early in life ■ Senile ptosis, which is where the ageing muscle in the top lid stretches, causing the eyelid to not open properly ■ Genetic disposition Surgery is an option for dealing with droopy eyelids, but Dr Livingstone cautions against having it before you have an essential eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

“We need to make sure

your eyesight is good,” Dr Livingstone said.

“You may need a field examination done.

“Ideally you would get a referral from your GP or optometrist for an ophthalmologist.”

If you object to the way your eyelids look, cosmetic, plastic, ENT and ophthalmologist surgeons can rectify the condition.

However the cost of this surgery isn’t covered by Medicare and can be expensive and difficult.

“The satisfaction of the patient is a lot harder to achieve because they are more younger and more critical,” Dr Livingstone explained.

“They are not getting it just for the eyelids, they are looking at it from every point of their face, from all directions, and tend to notice differences after the surgery more than before.”

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HEALTH ADVICE: Here’s a few tips for managing cramps, and some background as to why they may occur.

Photo: Jovanmandic

CRAMPS are fairly common among older Australians – almost 50 per cent of us suffer the often incredibly painful spasming of the muscles.

They are an involuntary and painful contraction of a skeletal muscle which can last for anywhere between seconds and a few minutes.

What causes them is still a mystery says Professor Alan Hayes, Assistant Dean of the Western Centre for Health Research and Medicine at Victoria University and

Deputy Director of the Australian Institute for Muscoskeltal Science.

“The common theory is they are neurological in nature,” he said.

“Our muscles get activated by neurons in the spinal cord, called alcomon neurons, and it seems they over-fire more than they should.”

Cramps tend to occur at night and mostly affect the calf area.

“Cramps in general tend to affect the lower extremities,” Prof Hayes added.

Sitting for long periods with your knee bent can also bring on a cramp.

Top tips: ■ During the day stretch the leg muscles out is one way to get relief from a cramp and help avoid cramps occurring in the first place ■ Pre-stretch your calf muscles before you go to bed. Try this stretch – keep your feet flat on the floor, then carefully lean forward and touch a wall ■ Keep well hydrated, particularly during the hotter months

SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

WELLBEING

Medical checks 24/7 Professionals on-hand to deal with emergency situations BRAND INSIGHTS “DON’T self-monitor a medical alert device. Just DON’T do it.” Paul Joseph, the heart and soul behind Emergency Medical Services Pty Ltd, is emphatic on this point.

His company supplies the safeTwear medical alert device but more importantly also provide 24/7 monitoring for them.

“I’ve heard so many horror stories over the years from customers who come to us because self-monitoring went horribly, horribly wrong,” he said.

“Having a family member or friend responsible for the medical alerts is a terrible idea. It puts enormous pressure on them to be by their phone and available to take the call.

“Imagine the guilt you would carry if you missed a call from your loved one that resulted in injury or worse, death! I would never want to put that

kind of pressure onto the people I love.

“As well as that, often the person wearing the medical alert device won’t push the button because they don’t want to be a nuisance.

“Having a professional, independent, specialist response centre with experienced responders manage the emergencies is far better than relying on friends and family.

“Our response team are trained professionals who deal with medical emergencies every day.

They are calm, fast acting, and know the right information to collect to ensure the ambulance has everything they need, including the customers exact location and full medical history on screen brcause in an emergency situation, every second and the small details count.”

Paul’s extensive experience in this medical alert and the home security industry has equipped him well to put

35

Wellbeing

‘‘

The response team are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week...

— Paul Joseph

otherwise. The response team are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

“We actually call it the ‘Danger of Self-Monitoring’ because to us, it really is that serious. Friends and family will often panic in these situations and fail to collect the relevant information the ambulance will need. Just don’t do it, I can’t stress it enough.”

“With the holiday CALM AND CARING: Our response team are trained professionals who deal with season approaching we medical emergencies everyday. have some excellent deals for seniors which together this service that members is almost as their phone 24/7... include the medical alert is literally saving lives. bad as an actual “Each month we deal device and in certain “We also save grey emergency, especially if with thousands of false cases a lifetime of hairs!,” he said. they miss the call for any alarms and every alarm is monitoring.”

“The stress of false reason ... typically a treated as an emergency alarms on family person isn’t connected to until we can determine Info: 1300 699 159 .

Be part of a growing number of Sunshine Coast listeners tuning their radio to

You can support the station by becoming a Sunshine FM subscriber.

Please call one of our friendly volunteers.

5450 1049 or visit our website

6624514aa

www.sunshinefm.com.au

36

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Living Tracey Johnstone WE HAVE reached out to some of the many clubs that contribute their monthly news to Seniors News to share their great ideas for grandkid and great-grandkid holiday activity ideas.

PROBUS CLUB OF BURLEIGH WATERS

Grandchildren can use their imagination to create some wonders, such as: ■ Christmas bells from egg cartons – cut out the raised bell-shaped parts.

■ Christmas pom pom balls using polystyrene balls, wire and art flowers, bows and ribbons.

■ Decorate pine cones using spray paint and glitter.

■ Lanterns – make from coloured paper.

■ Christmas decorations – create stars and other shapes from coloured cardboard.

■ Cooking is so much fun – gingerbread people, Christmas trees, chocolate fudge squares, chocolate or apricot balls, muesli bar squares (these can all be made in a

Ideas for busy kids microwave).

■ Make your own gifts such as lavender-filled pillows about 8cm square, plus allowance for seam.

■ Also, make ribbons and bows for dressing up other gifts.

■ Christmas table – make napkins and design your own centrepiece.

■ Christmas bon bons – use toilet roll, paper towel centres, coloured paper and ribbon.

HERVEY BAY VIEW CLUB

For grandparents to share some activity with the grandchildren, all it takes is a bit of imagination and simple everyday items.

To start, all you need is some white cardboard, scissors, glue, pencil, coloured texta pens, old Christmas cards and you are under way.

Let the kids use their own imagination and ideas.

If able, let them cut out pictures from the old cards and glue onto the blank cardboard cards, use their own words and writing to and from inside the card and enjoy their

CRAFTWORKERS: Bev Cornwell, Edna Down, Heather Ramm, Lyn Smith, Glenda Reinke, Robyn Busk and Mary Pape from the Hervey Bay VIEW Club Committee. display of pride at having made the card themselves.

Decorations for the Christmas tree can be made the same way... bells and more from silver or gold paper.

U3A TWIN TOWNS, TUGUN ■ Creating a cubby from cardboard boxes.

■ Make a Christmas tree from a tree branch, painting it white and hanging it with decorations made by the kids.

■ Cook coconut ice or fudge and make little boxes to hold it – give it as a gift.

■ Go on a walk and get the children to draw what they saw while out, and

accompany it with a short description.

■ Make a book out of folded A4 paper and write a sentence or two on each page with an accompanying drawing.

■ Make up bubble mixture and have fun blowing bubbles.

■ Make a kite with lots of colours and streamers and fly it.

■ Press some flowers.

■ Create a diorama, which is a fun way to build an exciting scene in a small space.

GLASSHOUSE COUNTRY VIEW CLUB

View clubs struggle each year to make enough library bags for the Smith Family’s Learning for Life

DIVE INTO FUN...

students who are unable to make their own.

These are easy enough for grandparents to teach their grandchildren how to make; all you need is some bright and interesting (for young ones) material.

Doing this activity can help the grandkids feel that they are helping those in less fortunate circumstances.

For more information on what sizes for the bags, phone Janet on 0448 845 303 or Gillian on (07) 5496 9474.

PROBUS CLUB OF COFFS CITY

Some great activites seniors can share with youngsters include: ■ Cooking.

■ Puzzles.

■ Memory games.

■ Reading children’s stories.

■ Charades.

GRAFTON SENIOR CITIZENS

Our grandmothers suggest: ■ At home – cooking, especially pikelets; French knitting; colouring-in; making Christmas

at Palm Lake Resort Cooroy-Noosa

decorations and cards; making pasta necklaces, button pictures and wooden spoon dolls.

■ Out of the home – join in the local shopping centre activities including painting of plaster moulds, magic sand and tie-dyeing; check out the activities at the local library.

TOOWOOMBA MEN’S SHED

■ Spend time with the grandkids as they cycle around the local park.

■ Get them to take you to a local historical site and ask them to guide you around the site and tell you all about it.

■ Visit your nearest library.

■ Make cards from pieces of paper, cardboard, stamps and anything else you have stored in your craft room or box.

■ Visit the local museum and National Trust locations to see their current exhibitions.

■ Show the grandkids how to fix little things around the house like pumping up bike tyres.

SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

LIVING

37

Clarifying TV audio for those with hearing loss BRAND INSIGHTS

HAPPY HEARING: The TV Voice Pro system is guaranteed to connect in under two minutes to any TV in Australia.

HEARING Specialists have developed a new wireless headset specifically for those with hearing loss to clarify television audio.

The headset was developed following extensive hearing assessments of over 1000 people with hearing loss who struggle to hear the TV clearly.

Hearing specialist Don Hudson says the TV Voice Pro headset will deliver better clarity for TV audio than even the world’s best hearing aids.

This comes down to the fact that the original audio for TV is often highly inconsistent.

“The clarity of the TV audio itself is often highly variable, as many channels differ dramatically in the clarity of the dialogue, and the volume is often changing

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too. We know as hearing specialists that hearing aids find it hard to correct this problem, as the originating problem is how the audio has been mixed for each TV program.”

The new wireless TV Voice Pro headset overcomes this problem by altering the original TV audio.

The adjustment to the TV audio puts a deliberate focus on speech frequencies to clarify TV dialogue for the user.

“The TV Voice Pro headset automatically recalibrates the TV audio to focus on speech frequencies, so the user can hear the dialogue clearly. With adequate volume control function, it will work to clarify TV audio for those with any level of hearing loss.”

The wireless TV Voice Pro headset weighs just 70 grams and allows wearers to listen to

television at their own preferred volume without affecting the audio volume for others in the room.

It uses RF transmission to allow wireless use from anywhere in the house, up to 20 metres.

The TV Voice Pro system is guaranteed to connect in under two minutes to any TV in Australia.

It is a rechargeable device and no batteries are required.

The purchase price is $349. TV Voice Pro comes with a 30-day money back guarantee.

To order, phone 1300 300 446 or order online, go to TvVoicePro.com.au.

TV Voice pro is currently offering free express courier deliver for all pre-Christmas orders.

38

LIVING

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

ATTACKING LONELINESS: It’s important to say something to someone, every day.

Overcoming loneliness Tracey Johnstone IT’S a simple question, but just how many of us fear reaching out this way as we confront being lonely while life swirls around us during the Christmas period.

Wanting to connect with other people at this time isn’t a weakness, says Australian Coalition to End Loneliness scientific chair and Swinburne University of Technology lecturer and clinical psychologist Dr Michelle

Lim – it’s a fundamental need.

“I think a lot of people are reluctant to ask because they think something is wrong with them,” she said.

“In fact, there is nothing wrong with them.

Wanting company at Christmas is a really normal thing.”

There are several ways you can avoid loneliness: ■ Get involved with local council services and community events being held during the holiday period.

■ Join in with your local church’s activities.

■ Ask the members of your interest groups if they have an activity that you can join in with.

■ Don’t be shy to let people know you want to be included in activities.

Tell your friends, family and neighbours.

“We know from our research that we are poorly connected to neighbours, but they can be a really good resource for support,” Dr Lim said.

When someone says no when you ask to join in,

consider whether it may not be convenient or it’s too short notice or whether you can schedule with them to join in at another time.

“It’s not necessarily a rejection,” Dr Lim said.

If you can’t find someone within your network who can help you manage your loneliness, look outside for others who can step in Dr Lim recommends.

One 24/7 organisation you can contact for phone, online chat and video counselling support

is www.ontheline.org.au.

It’s important to say something to someone, every day, at a library or shop or anywhere else within your community. Try to start a conversation with a person you don’t know. Look at them while you talk; smile; show positive body language; try to make eye contact.

This way you ensure you don’t lose the confidence to reach out.

“Even if it’s a superficial conversation, it can actually build into a more meaningful conversation

over time,” Dr Lim said.

Your pet can also be a great help in reducing your feeling of isolation.

Talking to your cat or dog is a good start.

Another is regularly taking your dog for a walk in the park where you can meet and talk to other dog owners.

And, if you know a business that is hosting members of your community for Christmas, you could suggest it takes bookings from single people and then groups them together.

The Forum For Your Two Cents Join our exclusive online community, where you’ll find other seniors ready to socialise and share. Seniors online - connecting you to an exciting retirement.

Like us on Facebook!

Visit facebook.com/seniorsnews

SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

39

How much retirement money is enough?

There are various opinions to consider

Tony Kaye THERE’S an old joke that if you ask three economists for their views on the economy, you’ll get four answers.

To an extent, the same variance in views appears to be the case when it comes to answering the question: how much money does one need to live a comfortable retirement?

Or more to the point, do most Australians have enough funds to last them through their life?

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia calculates that to have a ‘comfortable’ retirement, single people will need $545,000 in retirement savings, and couples will need $640,000.

Such balances would generate $42,950 per annum for a single, and $60,604 for couples, according to ASFA, which assumes the retirees own their own home outright and are relatively healthy.

Yet, how much is needed to be comfortable in retirement does depend on who you ask.

MONEY ADVICE: How much money does one need to live a comfortable retirement?

A new study by the public policy think tank Grattan Institute suggests that the conventional wisdom that Australians don’t save enough for retirement is wrong, and that the vast majority of current and future retirees are likely to be financially comfortable.

Grattan says its modelling shows that, even after allowing for inflation, most workers can expect a retirement income of at least 91 per cent of their pre-retirement income.

Furthermore, it says

that through a combination of the Age Pension and their compulsory superannuation savings, many low-income earners will actually get a pay rise when they retire.

“Australians tend to spend less after they retire, and even less into old age,” according to the study’s authors, John Daley and Brendan Coates.

“Their medical costs increase, but are largely covered by the taxpayer.

“Many retirees are net savers, and current

retirees often leave a legacy almost as large as their nest egg on the day they retired.”

They note that loosening the Age Pension assets test could boost retirement incomes for around 20 per cent of retirees, rising to more than 70 per cent of retirees in the future.

This would also deal with anomalies in the system, where some people who save $100 while working increase their total retirement income by less than $100 in real terms.

Photo: Arisara_Tongdonnoi

But the institute has hit a raw nerve with Industry Super Australia (ISA), the umbrella organisation for industry superannuation funds, in suggesting that the legislated plan to increase compulsory superannuation contributions from 9.5 per cent to 12 per cent should be scrapped.

Grattan said because it believes most Australians will be comfortable in retirement, there is no need to boost retirement incomes.

In addition, it states that superannuation tax

Money

breaks and age-based tax breaks should be reduced to ensure the retirement incomes system does not become an excessive burden on future budgets and endanger funding for aged care and health.

However, the ISA says Grattan’s modelling showing the current 9.5 per cent Superannuation Guarantee levy will deliver adequate incomes for future retirees is “deeply flawed”.

ISA says the research’s flaws include assuming that everyone can top up their super with extra voluntary contributions; that workers have a continuous, uninterrupted 37-year working life and contributions; and that living standards in retirement shouldn’t keep pace with the rest of the community.

Ultimately, most Australians will want to have created a sizeable nest egg for their retirement to ensure they can have a reasonably comfortable lifestyle.

But how much we should have saved for retirement depends on who you ask.

With average life expectancies continuing to rise, one thing is indisputable: the professional number crunchers will need to keep revising up their estimates as many of us have longer lives.

Tony Kaye is the editor of listed financial services group InvestSMART and Eureka Report.

Will you be hit by franking credit changes?

THERE has been significant attention recently regarding the Labor Party’s proposed changes to franking credits received from Australian company dividends.

The largest group of Australians who could be impacted by changes to franking credit refunds are members of large super funds, according to a survey by the Financial Services Council (FSC).

The survey, which looked at 14 retail super funds, found that many super fund members with low balances benefit from refunds.

Refunds of franking credits mean an investor in shares pays the same overall tax as an investor into other assets

including bonds, term deposits, property and infrastructure.

In a submission to the House of Representatives Economics Committee, the FSC expressed its support for refunds of franking credits, expressing fear that restricting refunds would impose a potential tax penalty on some low-income earners, retirees and super funds if they invest in shares.

“The FSC considers that franking credit refunds should continue.

They provide substantial support to the retirement savings of millions of Australians – including many with fairly modest savings,” CEO Sally Loane said.

“Constant tinkering with the rules on retirement savings and superannuation, and hitting retirees hardest, will only erode confidence in the system, leaving more Australians reliant on the age pension.”

In its submission, the FSC said franking credit refunds benefited up to 2.6 million members of large super funds in 2015-16 and up to 3.5 million members in 2014-15.

Returns from funds surveyed increase 0.26 to 0.3 per cent due to franking credit returns per year. The FSC noted this increase over a working life of 0.3 of a percentage point would increase retirement savings for a

typical full-time worker by about $55,000, based on Productivity Commission methodology.

There were 66,000 retiree accounts in the surveyed funds; if the retirees received the benefit of the refunds then the average benefit per retiree was $850 per year.

According to the study, refunds also provide a significant benefit to small APRA-regulated funds, of many thousands of dollars per year on average, increasing average returns by up to 4.2 per cent per year.

The FSC says, in addition, more than $100 billion invested in managed funds outside of super receive significant

benefits from refunds.

Ms Loane said the FSC supports a moratorium on adverse changes to the superannuation system, including changes to franking credit refunds.

The discussions and lobbying about these proposed changes are in process and many financial associations are opposing them.

For more information, contact Mark Digby at Maher Digby Securities Pty Ltd - Financial Advisers – AFSL No. 230559 (see advertisement Page 3).

Phone: (07) 5441 1266 or visit our website www.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.

CLASSIFIEDS

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Tributes

Health & Beauty

Funeral Directors & Services

Health - Professional Practitioners

Motoring

Health - Professional Practitioners

Cars

Dentures? Seriously?

You deserve better.

Book your FREE Implant Consultation.

62 Simpson St., Beerwah Ph: 5494 0964 238-240 Parkland Blvd (next to Aldi), Little Mountain Ph: 5437 2147 Book Online: www.toothkind.com.au

BEWARE OF SCAMS

Buyers and sellers should be cautious of possible scams when buying or selling a vehicle.

Buyers should be cautious when dealing with car sellers that are overseas and should always arrange to view the vehicle prior to the transfer of any money.

Be wary if the number in the ad is disconnected.

If the buyer/seller says the number is disconnected because they are overseas, ask for a landline phone number at their current location as well as a mobile phone number.

All contact details of the person buying or selling the car should be verified to ensure they are genuine.

More information is available at scamwatch.gov.au Dr Tom Wilkinson

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SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

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Trades & Services

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Painting & Decorating Services

Phone Chris on: 5477 7 0516 Mob Mob. 0457 819 191 www.homegardenhelp.com.au 6814380aa

Lifestyle Patios - Sunshine Coast

Gas Services

Adam Electrical

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CALL US FOR AN OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE!

Pty Ltd

Sunshine Coast owned LOCAL. SIMPLE. BETTER

Domestic Commercial Industrial All Installations & Maintenance ●

10% Pensioner Discount Call us for friendly service & free advice mobile: 0408 023 365

●

Delivering LPG for Home & Business Sunshine Coast, Hinterland & Mary Valley since 1990

Lic No 68511

Free Delivery 5% Seniors Discount

54468777

www.hotgas.com.au

Obligation Free Quote & Design Consultation

5437 3804 - 0427 461 486

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finda Fabulous Selection Online Too. If you don’t find it here, you’ll find more items for sale online. Visit www.finda.com.au

Sunshine Coast

www.lifestylepatios.com | QBCC License No. 1090378

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Sunshine Coast

For all your building needs!

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THE RENOVATION SPECIALISTS

Ph 5476 6072 – 0419 864 877 www.qldbuildingsolutions.com.au “Our desire is to help turn your DREAM PROJECT into REALITY!”

We Design, Supply & Style As part of our Unique Service

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B

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Web: www.caravanandrvworks.com.au Email: admin@caravanandrvworks.com.au

5476 5338

Fun Tours FOR OveR 50’s

*FEBRUARY*

All Trades

Servicing the Community Over $400,000 in community donations each year!

Memorial Ave, Tewantin noosarsl.com.au

Home Improvement & Renovation

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Caravan Repairs

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All Services

42

WHAT’S ON

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Trades & Services Painting & Decorating Services

seltoneDECORATING Wallpaper & Painting Specialists ABN 20 389 602 852

Qualified Tradesman

Tony 0474 301 172

34 Michael Street, Golden Beach Sunshine Coast Only work valued at $3300 or less

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30 years experience

PHONE

Plumbing Services

fixmeplumbing@gmail.com www.fixmeplumbing.com.au www.facebook.com/FIXMEPLUMBING

Call Fraser 0434-685-009 07 5456-4603

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• No call out Fee • Pensioners Discount • Hot Water Systems • Taps & Toilets • Water Filters • Gasfitting • Maintenance Work • Water Leaks & Detection • Blocked drains - cleared fast with high pressure jetter & camera inspection.

QBCC 15049318

Pressure Cleaning

PRESSURE CLEANING For all domestic & commercial ~Free Quotes / Seniors Discounts~ Rob Marsh

BLAST ABOUT

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✦ Water Pressure Cleaning ✦ Pool Areas ✦ Driveways ✦ ✦ Roofs ✦ House Wash ✦ Shade Sails ✦ Pathways ✦

rob@blastabout.com.au

0410 501 777

Skylights & Vents

SKYLIGHTS Round, Square & Rectangular PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN MADE & OWNED SOLAR WHIZ (Solar Powered Roof Ventilator) SOLAR LIGHT WHIZ (Solar Skylights) QBCC Licence # 709235

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10% Senior discount *conditions apply

Energy Efficiency, Hail Protection & Up to 60% LESS HEAT than other skylights

Office: 07 3391 3422 Mobile: 0451 062 607 sales@sunshineskylights.com.au www.sunshineskylights.com.au

Upholstery

Undercover Upholstery Lounge-commercial Antique restoration Marine interior and exterior Pontoon fenders custom made

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Over 30 years experience in the upholstery industry we do it all.

Servicing Sunshine Coast | 0408 150 112 www.undercoverupholstery.com.au | e: underupholstery@bigpond.com 2/15 Armitage Street (behind cinema)

Sorting Your Study?

Advertise for FREE* www.finda.com.au *Excludes business advertisers. Conditions apply.

MERRY MUSIC: Tracey and Libby with (centre) conductor Kim Kirkman and friends will perform at the Caloundra Chorale Christmas concert.

CALOUNDRA CHORALE AND THEATRE COMPANY

THE group will proudly present their 2018 Noel Festival Christmas Concert, featuring the award-winning Caloundra Chorale and conducted by the very accomplished Kim Kirkman.

Come and be imbued with the spirit of Christmas as you listen to traditional carols, some fun swing numbers and other beautifully moving songs telling the Christmas story. And to top it off you can make some unique Christmas purchases from our Christmas market.

Performances: Friday, December 7, at 7pm; Saturday, December 8, at 2pm; Sunday, December 9, at 2pm. CCTC Theatre, 3 Piringa St, Wurtulla. Tickets: adults $22; concession $20; groups, members and FOC $18; children $10.

Supper/afternoon tea included. For bookings, phone 07 5491 4937.

Tickets sell quickly so book early.

BUDERIM COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CAROLS

THE Buderim Village Park will come alive with festive spirit at the Buderim Community Carols, set for Sunday, December 9. With pre-show entertainment from 6pm for a 6.30pm start, along with a special appearance by Santa Claus, locals and visitors are invited to join the popular annual event, hosted again this year by the BWMCA and Buderim Bendigo Community Bank. In the event of severe weather, the show will go on, simply moving into the Buderim War Memorial Hall next to the park.

Entry to the Buderim Community Carols at the Buderim Village Park is by gold coin donation. To keep up to date with weather conditions in the lead-up to the event, stay tuned to

104.9 Sunshine FM and the BWMCA Facebook page.

HERITAGE CHRISTMAS GIFT AND ANTIQUE COLLECTABLE FAIR

SUNSHINE Coast will host the inaugural Heritage Christmas Gift and Antique Collectable Fair. The venue will become an old-style department store. Sellers from Queensland and New South Wales will gather with thousands of unique items.

These items from the past offer an opportunity to choose a lifetime Christmas gift. On offer will be a range of heritage, retro and decor items. Buyers can add to their collection or start off in this fast-growing hobby. You could find unique items for your home decor or to give as a lasting Christmas gift. Held at Lake Kawana Community Centre, Bokarina, from 10am-3pm on Saturday, December 9. Cost $5 and children under 14 years enter free. Contact Aussie Antiques Fairs on 0427 465 407.

FABULOUS FOODIE FARE

HEAD along to Eumundi Markets on December 7 from 8am-5pm for an evening of fabulous and flavour-filled fare as we bring you delectable food from around the globe on Friday, December 7 and 14, from 5-9pm. Grab your food-loving friends and head on over to Eumundi for the very best in street food, while being entertained with free live music by Joel Wiggins. Keep an eye out for Santa, who will be arriving on the Eumundi Fire Truck at approximately 5.30pm.

NOOSA CHORALE CHRISTMAS WASSAIL ’TIS the season to be jolly so book now to sing along with Noosa’s own community choir, Noosa Chorale, at the group’s annual and much-loved Christmas

Wassail! Noosa Chorale presents something special for its 11th anniversary Christmas Wassail, promising a birthday extravaganza with a feast of carols and glorious music. Joy is the theme for this year’s extravaganza of carols and glorious music, highlighted by Beethoven’s inspirational Ode to Joy. This is the choir’s 11th annual Wassail. It’s eagerly anticipated and a packed theatre is expected again this year. Duration of two hours, 20 minutes with two intermissions. December 14 and 15 at 7pm. Buy tickets from $35 at The J, Noosa Heads. Phone 07 5329 6560 or go to thej.com.au.

POMONA NIGHT OF LIGHTS

FESTIVE celebration Laser Show Spectacular with Coruno Laser Productions is a free event and being held on Thursday, December 13, from 5.45-8pm at Stan Topper Park, Pomona. The event includes: community carol singing, Santa visit, raffles, music, food, coffee, ice cream and more.

SOUND FEAST

JOIN the buzz at the Coast’s hottest community concert event. Sound Feast.

Featuring awesome touring bands and the best local acts, this monthly five-hour concert extravaganza kicks off with an open mic section from 6-7.30pm, all ages, sign-on from 5.30pm.

Featured acts and headline bands are on from 7.30-11pm. And the best bit – it’s free. December 21 from 6-11pm. Refreshments available. No unaccompanied minors please. Come enjoy these terrific acts live at Noosa’s premier concert venue. Free. Organiser: Jay Bishoff. Please email: jaybishoff@gmail.com. Venue The J, Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads. Phone (07) 5329 6560 or go to thej.com.au for more.

MARCOOLA MARKET

FRIDAY Evening Twilight Market from 4-8pm and Saturday farmers’ market from 8am-noon. The markets are a great way to celebrate fresh food, music and good times. This is a free event. At 10 Lorraine Ave, Marcoola.

Phone 0497 974 568.

EUMUNDI MARKET MUSIC

‘FOOT-stompin’ folkinfused blues and roots multi-instrumentalist Dan Horne joins us on main stage from 9am on Saturday, December 8. Dan is a must-see ‘one-man’ style act featuring a mesmerising blend of foot drums, harmonica and multiple guitars.

Find Andrea Kirwin at the Food Hub on Second Terrace as she entertains market visitors. Have a great time at the original Eumundi Markets.

GRANDCHILDREN AND THE BIG WEDGIE

THE Big Wedgie, the world’s tallest and most extreme standalone inflatable waterslide – we even have the world record to prove it! At a whopping 18.2m tall and 82m long, The Big Wedgie is not for the faint-hearted and is definitely a thrill ride. With a massive 55 degree drop, you are sure to have a blast rocketing down the steep slope being soaked in water. The Big Wedgie is also a four-lane racer, so it can be enjoyed by families and friends at the same time. The Just Right Wedgie is not quite as extreme as The Big Wedgie but still loads of fun.

The Little Wedgie is the smallest wedgie of them all.

A mini version of The Big Wedgie, it’s a three-lane racer perfect for young ones. Open from December 8 to January 28, 9am-5pm.

Contact Sunshine Coast Stadium today. Phone (07) 5437 7666.

SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

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

1

2

3

4

5

Across 1 In Russia, what is a grandmother called? (8) 7/8 Whose 1956 album was the first to sell over one million copies? (5,9) 9 Which television broadcasting system is used in most of Europe? (3) 10 What is the resting place of a wild animal? (4) 11 In croquet, with what does a player strike a ball? (6) 13 What is the upward projecting part at the front of a horse saddle? (6) 14 Crossing the Pacific in 1520, Magellan lost more than 80 per cent of his crew to what? (6) 17 Which jungle dweller had a monkey friend named N’kima? (6) 18 What is a protective crust over a healing wound? (4) 20 In billiards, with what does a player strike a ball? (3) 22 What is a skilful teller of anecdotes called? (9) 23 What colour comes from Urdu for “dust-coloured”? (5) 24 Which sea lies between the West Indies and the Azores? (8)

6

7 8 9 11

10 12 13

14

15

16 17

18

19

21

20 22 23

PUZZLES

43

Down 1 In the Bible, which tower was built in an attempt to reach heaven? (5) 2 Detective Hercule Poirot came from which country? (7) 3 What strong, lockable cabinet protects valuables? (4) 4 Aviator Amelia Earhart was born in which US state? (6) 5 What is an underground vault beneath a church? (5) 6 Which branch of medical science is concerned with muscles? (7) 7 Socrates died by drinking what? (7) 12 From 2000 to 2004, Michael Schumacher won five consecutive world drivers’ titles with which team? (7) 13 What might you eat on Shrove Tuesday? (7) 15 Which weapons of war had their origins in China over 2000 years ago? (7) 16 What board covers the ends of rafters? (6) 17 “I Don’t Want a Lover” was the 1986 debut single for which Scottish band? (5) 19 From Spanish, what is a small donkey used as a pack animal? (5) 21 What word for “sausage” originated in Australia in the 1940s? (4)

1/12

24

SUDOKU

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

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

2

3

4

6

5

7 8

9

5x5

ALPHAGRAMS

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

Solve the anagrams. Each solution is a one-word anagram of the letters beside it, and the five solutions are sequential.

For example, if the fiveletter solution starts with J, the six-letter solution starts with K, and so on.

P

10

A

11 12

D

13

O

14

17

18

T E

16

N S

E

15

LEASE HOT FUR NOUGHTS TEACHERS SUNLIT SEA

R D

Note: more than one solution may be possible.

19 20

SOLUTIONS about auto BATHHOUSE bathos boast boat boats bosh both bout ethos hoes hose host hots house oast oath obeah obtuse oust sabot shoe shot shote shout south stoa those thou toes tosh

21

G

22

WORD GO ROUND

E N T R Y

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

Solution opposite

BLACKOUT

ALPHAGRAMS: EASEL, FOURTH, GUNSHOT, HECTARES, INSULATES. QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 6. Lateral 7. Defer 9. Mad 10. On the road 12. Hardhearted 15.

Acclimatise 17. Boorishly 19. Cap 21. Bares 22. Cadaver.

Down: 1. Carat 2. Few 3. Gain 4. Terrorise 5. Relaxed 8. Threat 11. Tall order 13. Demise 14. Scholar 16. Valet 18. Loan 20. Hay.

DOUBLE CROSS

D O S E D

A H

A G A T E

601

How many words of four letters or more can you make? Each letter must be used only once and all words must contain the centre letter. There is at least one nine-letter word.

No words starting with a capital are allowed, no plurals ending in s unless the word is also a verb.

TODAY: Good 16 Very Good 22 Excellent 26

P R O N E

O

WORD GO ROUND

U B

SUDOKU

5x5

S A T E S

T S

E H

Down 1. Gold measurement (5) 2. Not many (3) 3. Profit (4) 4. Intimidate (9) 5. Unstressed (7) 8. Menace (6) 11. Formidable task (4,5) 13. Death (6) 14. Academic (7) 16. Manservant (5) 18. Advance (4) 20. Mown grass (3)

GK CROSSWORD Across: 1 Babushka. 7/8 Harry Belafonte. 9 PAL. 10 Lair. 11 Mallet. 13 Pommel. 14 Scurvy. 17 Tarzan. 18 Scab. 20 Cue. 22 Raconteur. 23 Khaki. 24 Sargasso.

Down: 1 Babel. 2 Belgium. 3 Safe. 4 Kansas. 5 Crypt. 6 Myology. 7 Hemlock.

12 Ferrari. 13 Pancake. 15 Rockets. 16 Fascia. 17 Texas. 19 Burro. 21 Snag.

Across 6. Sideways (7) 7. Postpone (5) 9. Demented (3) 10. Travelling (2,3,4) 12. Uncaring (11) 15. Adjust to a new environment (11) 17. Roughly, crudely (9) 19. Limit (3) 21. Reveals (5) 22. Body (7)

F T A I G A H R F H O B E Y S

J O C L V R P E X O P O M I J

G O B L E T T G R I S T L E C

A K K E J I O I L N E C S L G

S W A G A S I M O N M H I D E

S A A A O A B E O E P E I E R

F S A L O N L N A B C D O D O

X F B Q B E Q G P E C J I E W

N I T P I C K O F A R I S E N

D N P O L H E R F T Y M C X F

S H A M Z P A S T D B P I T O

O A T P K L P O K K P R L R M

V B L Y L A V A F N E E D E D

D I C I W Y G K S E U S W M L

V T H I R S T B T E N S U E U

BLACKOUT

Work out which squares need to be deleted to reveal a completed crossword.

Solution opposite

DOUBLE CROSS

R E G I R I N O S B O T C E L Y I E L S

G A S N T O O W A S I N A B A A T P O I L L E G A L G E O B I C A R T I S A N I K E M E N O A N B E A T R I M H E D I O S D E D E X E O W N

S H A B I A M P L P L A Y A V S O A K T K N E E P R E S I D T R E M D

E N S U E T H I R S T

Want Cash For Christmas?

Buying Now

Mike Cornish & B Bryan H Hunsberger b will ill be b traveling li to Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Maryborough and Hervey Bay areas from Monday, December 10 for 5 days only and are wanting to buy your unwanted items as pictured and listed below. Please visit us at one of the venues shown at the bottom of the page for an on the spot appraisal. If you live outside the area or have too many items to bring in phone Bryan on 0401 379 401 NOW to arrange a time for the buyers to visit at your home. Fully licensed Antique, Numismatic and Precious Metal buyers with over 35 years industry experience.

Mike

These events are often compared to the ‘Antiques Roadshow’ on TV. Don’t miss this opportunity!

Gold Coins

Gold Jewellery

• Australian $200 Gold Coins • Sovereigns • Half Sovereigns • World proof coins and sets • Commemorative Coins • All other world Gold Coins • Gold coins: mounted, holed or worn • Gold medals & Fobs

• Gold Chains • Gold Bracelets • Gold Necklaces • Worn & Broken Gold Jewellery • Gold Rings • Bullion Bars • Nuggets & Alluvial Gold • Gold Earrings

• Australia dated before 1965 -Crowns, Florins, Shillings, Sixpences, Threepences • 1966 50 Cent Rounds • South Africa, USA & Canada dated before 1965 • NZ, Great Britain & Fiji dated before 1947 • New Guinea shillings • Misc Silver Coins • All other world silver coins

Jewellery • Rings, Brooches s • Pendants, Soverreign Cases • Watch Chains, Lo ockets • Gold Cuff Links • Bracelets & Ban ngles • Any Asian Gold

Banknotes (Australian & World)

Silver

Silver Coins

Bryan

• Sterling items only • Tea Sets, Cutlery • Trays & Baskets • Cigarette & Card Cases • Trophy Cups • Jugs & Mugs • No EPNS or EP or A1 (If you’re ’ unsure we’re happy to advise you)

• World Notes • Uncirculated Decimal • All Pre-Decimal • Error & Misprint Notess • Private & Trading Ban nk Issues • Specimen & Cancelled d Notes • War Related Issues • Star Notes

Watches

Military Medals

• All Rolex Watches (including Submariner, Oyster, GMT, Daydate, and Datejust) • All Omega Watches (including Seamaster & Constellation) • All Tudor, Breitling and other high-end Watches • Mechanical (automatic & wind up) Watches • Gold & Silver Pocket Watches • Military Pocket Watches • No Quartz/Battery Watches

• Australian Military Meda als • World Military Medals • Orders & Decorations • Stars & Crosses • Bravery • Long Service Medals • Groups & Accumulations •Collections

World & Australian Coins • World coins prior to 1950 0 n • Collection & Accumulation • Error & Mis-strikes • Proof sets & Singles • Trade Tokens • Discount & Special Purpose ose Tokens

Monday 10 December

CASH PAID

No need to sort or clean coins, we can sort them quickly

CALOUNDRA 8:30am to 10:30am Caloundra RSL 19 West Terrace

Tuesday 11 December

KAWANA 11am to 1pm Club Kawana 476 Nicklin Way

MAROOCHYDORE 8:30am to 10:30am Maroochydore RSL Memorial Ave NAMBOUR 11am to 1pm Nambour RSL 14 Matthew Street

BUDERIM 1:30pm to 3:30pm Buderim Tavern 81 Burnett Street

PACIFIC PARADISE 1:30pm to 3:30pm Pacific Paradise Bowls Club 13 Menzies Drive

HOME VISITS SUNNY COAST AREA 3:30pm to 6pm Phone 0401 379 401 For a home visit

HOME VISITS SUNNY COAST AREA 3:30pm to 6pm Phone 0401 379 401 For a home visit

Wednesday 12 December NOOSA HEADS 8:30am to 11am The J Noosa 60 Noosa Drive TEWANTIN 11:30am to 2pm Tewantin Noosa RSL (CWA Hall) 1 Memorial Ave HOME VISITS NOOSA AREA 2pm to 6pm Phone 0401 379 401 For a home visit

Thursday 13 December GYMPIE 8:30am to 10:30am Gympie RSL 217 Mary Street

HOME VISITS GYMPIE AREA 10:30pm to 11:30am Phone 0401 379 401 For a home visit MARYBOROUGH 1pm to 3pm Maryborough RSL 163-175 Lennox Street HOME VISITS MARYBOROUGH AREA 3:30pm to 5pm Phone 0401 379 401 For a home visit

Friday 14 December HERVEY BAY 9:30am to 11:30am Hervey Bay RSL 11 Torquay Road PIALBA 12pm to 2pm Bay Central Tavern 155 Boat Harbour Drive HOME VISITS HERVEY BAY AREA 2pm to 6pm Phone 0401 379 401 For a home visit

If you have any questions or would like a home visit ring Bryan on 0401 379 401

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