Toowoomba & Darling Downs, December 2017

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In this edition

Cover Story: Bruce Robertson...............................Page 3 Feature: Kaz Cooke .................................................Page 4 Travel ...............................................................Pages 15-18 Wellbeing.........................................................Pages 20-21 Money......................................................................Page 25 Puzzles.....................................................................Page 31

Contact us Editor Gail Forrer gail.forrer@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Media Sales Consultant Brett Mauger Brett.Mauger@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Now online Get your news online at www.seniorsnews.com.au Advertising, editorial and distribution enquiries Phone: 1300 880 265 or (07) 5435 3200 Email: advertising@seniorsnewspaper.com.au or editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Location: 2 Newspaper Place, Maroochydore 4558 Website: www.seniorsnews.com.au Subscriptions Only $39.90 for one year (12 editions) including GST and postage anywhere in Australia. Please call our circulations services on 1300 361 604 and quote “Toowoomba Seniors Newspaper”.

The Seniors Newspaper is published monthly and distributed free in south-east 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.

Welcome

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, December 11, 2017

Welcome summer, goodbye to 2017 MERRY Christmas friends, In our last edition for 2017, I have endeavoured, through various profiles and feature stories, to include a snapshot of various demographics in our brilliant Seniors community.

To welcome in summer and portray what is perhaps the quintessential Australian story, we feature 87-year-old Bruce Robertson, the man believed to be Australia’s oldest, active lifesaver. In a spirit of renewal, he praises the younger generation: “In my generation, the thumb was down on you. Today, people are out to make the best of everything and that applies to young people. I admire them enormously.” Go Bruce – love your attitude.

The gorgeous Anna Abbot in her 70s speaks honestly about retirement.

Yes, she loves and appreciates the life she has, but still there are a few things…. Retirement

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK GAIL FORRER

Group editor Seniors Newspapers network

has many connotations, I haven’t been there yet, but retirement seems to run in cycles ranging from initial euphoria to some sadness in saying goodbye to the working habits of old.

Nevertheless, whatever stage, it’s about coming to terms with, and in turn comfortably establishing your identity at a stage of life. Part of that comes with realising you are not alone in your feelings and if you can have a “Yes, that’s me-too moment” – then, thank you Anna for sharing.

In this edition, we speak with Kaz Cooke about her latest book, based on an Australian stage actor, who certainly lived beyond the norms of the time. I think that most post-55-year-old people

❝

I hope the last 12 months of Seniors News has provided you with supportive stories.

have something in common with this character, which is, navigating a new stage of life without a generation of role models. Our older age is so much different to that of our parents, with a new set of challenges and advantages, we too must navigate a fresh path forward. In saying that, I think the words of Kaz Cooke’s bring it all back to earth: “I’d be more worried about not laughing than laughter lines.”

The diversity of our Seniors community is further expressed with the wonderful story of Stuart and Robin Cumming, a long-term married, professional couple, who,

ready to hit their 60s decided they had had enough of big city stress and would leave for the country. However, it was the stress not the work, they were avoiding. So, not content to sit back in their rocking chairs, they have happily set up a life of fulfilment with the type of business interests conducive to a joyful rather than stressful lifestyle.

I have had a good start to Christmas family get-togethers with my aunty and cousins and it’s set me up for all the ones to come with my much-loved family and friends.

I hope the last 12 months of Seniors News has provided you with supportive stories, helpful information and a good deal of entertainment. I also hope that our stories on grandparent’s rights, age discrimination in the workplace and housing issues has also provided you with deeper insights into our society.

Enjoy, Gail

Throwing lights on the fight against Ice on the Darling Downs CHRISTMAS lights and the anti-ice campaign are not two concepts you naturally put together. The Australian Anti-Ice Campaign is thinking ‘out of the box’ in showing its community dedication and reflecting its need to raise funds to make a difference in the fight against Ice on the Darling Downs.

As part of its fundraising, it has teamed up with Stonestreet Coaches to offer the three-hour Christmas Lights Bus Tour of Toowoomba’s best and brightest displays, as well as a stop at the famous Christmas Wonderland in Queens Park.

Tours will start at 6pm at the Neil St interchange,

with four dates remaining: Thursdays, December 14 and 21 and Fridays, December 15 and 22.

Tickets are $25 and will go towards running anti-Ice programs.

“Education and awareness is vital to reducing the Ice epidemic,” campaign area co-ordinator Nathanial Leigh said.

The Australian Anti Ice Campaign is a not-for-profit organisation that educates the community through in-school education – including talks by trained ex-addicts at least 12-18 months clean – community forums, brief and early interventions, family support groups and dual diagnosis training

programs.

Nathanial said having people who had experienced Ice, “sharing their message and their story” with students was a far more powerful way to connect and drive home the message of its dangers with this at-risk group than parents or teachers lecturing them.

Community forums will

take a similar form, helping parents, grandparents and the community to understand the dangers of this drug and how to help a loved one who is using.

Details and to book Christmas Lights tickets (under services, events) go to http://www. australianantiicecampaign .org.au or call 4646 2571.

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Cover Story: Bruce Robertson

Monday, December 11, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Seniors 3

Lifesaver for 75 years A LIFETIME of public service rests well on the broad shoulders of Australia’s oldest active patrolling lifesaver, 87-year-old Bruce Robertson.

The summer patrols have started and Bruce is again on the beach with his patrol members.

He no longer has his driver’s licence, so he catches the bus from his inner-city home to Bilgola, faithfully turning up once a month ready to do his duty alongside his younger lifesaver mates.

Bruce started his extraordinary volunteer lifesaving journey when he was just 12.

His father was away at war and Bruce had a Saturday morning job at Swain’s in Sydney city, the same place as actor Rod Taylor.

“He and I became good mates. He was very keen to join the surf lifesaving movement so we both went down to Mona Vale,” Bruce said.

So in 1942 Bruce and Rod joined Mona Vale club, where they both gained their Bronze.

“There was only one person over 18 at the club then and that was the president, George Wray,” Bruce said.

“They didn’t ask our age because there was nobody else.”

The war had taken all the older members away.

Bruce and Rod remained firm friends until Rod drifted off into the pursuit of his art at East Sydney Tech College and

films, while Bruce remained in school.

“Rod was almost two years older than me,” Bruce said. “He was also very successful with the ladies,” he added with a chuckle.

Bruce started as a rower for the club’s surf boat crew.

Mona Vale had won the national championship in 1939 and was hoping to return to that glory.

So, at 12, Bruce was co-opted as a member and helped row an enormous surf boat.

He remembers rowing in the 1954 surf carnival at Bondi Beach which the Queen attended.

“It was an enormous surf, but it was a fantastic day,” Bruce recounts.

He also has fond memories of his rowing mates, some 15 or 16 of them, sleeping on gym mats in the clubhouse.

“We would go down to the club for the weekend.”

It wasn’t until 1950 that Bruce moved to Bilgola to join some of his friends.

After school finished, Bruce attended Duntroon where he graduated as a lieutenant.

He spent two years in the army before the ambitious young man left to join the corporate world in building materials.

Throughout this time and in the ensuing years his volunteer lifesaving commitment never wavered.

While he may have retired from paid work at 60, that was the only retiring he did.

He next took on the chairman role at Taronga

ACTIVE AGEING: Bruce Robertson (second from left) with members of his Bilgola Surf Life Saving Club patrol group.

PHOTO: BILGOLA SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB

Zoo, then the deputy chair of the Botanic Gardens and then on to Keep Australia Beautiful – all while continuing to play golden oldies rugby union for the Gordon club, where he was vice-president, and keeping up his volunteer lifesaving role at Bilgola Beach.

“I’m not keen to get into anything competitive these days (but) I will still walk the beach,” Bruce said.

His patrol group is on duty once a month for four hours.

If there is a crisis, Bruce said he now let his younger patrol members deal with it.

“I find there is a lot of respect by younger people today,” Bruce said of his fellow patrol members.

“I think the younger generation are to be admired. They have not

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Tech Savvy Seniors

Christmas time is busy for shoppers so we’re trialling 1 hour free centre parking on Margaret Street between Ruthven Street and Neil Street from 4 December. This will help to turn over the parking spaces quicker and leave room for shoppers. Need more time?

Not a problem, we have longer term and off street parking available.

Visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/carparking for more info or to view maps.

Toowoomba City Library offers fee Tech Savvy Seniors training sessions to teach older people how to use technologies and help with navigating the digital world.

Seniors can participate in 19 different training modules covering a range of topics including intro to the internet and email, online shopping, banking, cyber safety and social media. For more info, call 4688 6670 or visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/library

Summer Storm Season

Release your Christmas cheer! The region is coming alive with the Christmas spirit and there are events for the entire family.

Check out what’s on in your town at www.tr.qld.gov.au/christmasevents

Looking for something to do or planning an event? Check out the events register to see what’s on in the region and advertise your event for free! Go to www.tr.qld.gov.au/events

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Bilgola Surf Life Saving Club.

“I am not going to give it up. I love the club.

“I feel that I have to give something back to society, as society has been very good to me.

“Surf lifesaving is one of those ways I can give something back.

“I am enjoying living in this society. I don’t want to stop.”

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happened and so many changes have been made.

“Really, I should be the one trying to get as much as I can from them.”

As Bruce gazes fondly over what has been his second home for all his adult life, his greatest joy is watching how his home club has progressed.

“I can remember digging into the stone to build it,” Bruce said of

Prepare your home for the storm season by clearing gutters, trimming low-lying branches and securing items outside.

Be prepared before a storm strikes. Visit www.getready.qld.gov.au to find out more.

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had the thumb put on them.

“In my generation, the thumb was down on you.

“Today, people are out to make the best of everything and that applies to young people.

“I admire them enormously. Now I am quite happy to sit and watch, to see what people do.

“So much has

It’s going to be a long hot summer and your garden is going to feel it! All of our waste facilities in the Toowoomba Region have free mulch available for collection. Adding mulch not only reduces moisture loss but adds nutrients to the soil. For a list of waste facilities where you can get your free mulch, call 131 872 or visit www.tr.qld.gov.au

For bookings for all events call 131 872 or visit www.tr.qld.gov.au

‘Tis the Season

Waste Infrastructure Plan

We’re tackling the ‘War on Waste’ head on.

Our Waste Infrastructure Plan has now been adopted and over the coming years we’ll be performing a range of upgrades to waste facilities across the region. We want to decrease the amount of waste that we send to landfill and we’ll need your help. To find out more about the plan, visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/wip

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4 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Feature: Kaz Cooke

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, December 11, 2017

Ada takes a final bow Alison Houston

KAZ Cooke reckons she’d like to be “a fully vaccinated time-traveller”.

The 54-year-old author, best known for her advice books for modern girls and women, such as Up the Duff and Girl Stuff, has just released her new book Ada and, although it still mixes fact and humour, it’s a complete switch from what we have come to expect.

In it, Kaz travels back to the 1890s through the true-life character of Ada Delroy, who escaped the humblest of beginnings in a mill town in Lancashire to become an acclaimed dancer, comic and singer, with her own vaudeville style troupe which toured Australia and the world.

That would be quite an accomplishment even now, but how much more so for a woman over 120 years ago?

Kaz first “met” Ada in an old theatre scrapbook while doing a fellowship on a completely different

Kaz Cooke's book Ada.

subject at the State Library of Victoria.

“I came across a photo of this woman that completely arrested me.

There was something really feisty and modern about her,” Kaz said.

Unlike most photos of women in the day, Ada’s hair was not scraped back into a severe bun, as she stood or sat, straight backed, looking morosely directly into the camera.

Instead, Ada’s hair was out and curled, escaping from a huge feathered and bowed hat, and she was

bejewelled in a thick necklace, two butterfly brooches, and another spelling out her name in diamantes, as she looked into the distance with a secret smile playing around her mouth.

Kaz soon discovered there was a huge body of information about this woman and the exploits of herself and her troupe, and became “transfixed by her story”.

Thus began two years of research and another of writing to give this incredible woman a voice.

“She wasn’t an angel.

There was definitely a naughtiness to her – her whole act was stolen,” Kaz said. “But there was so much life in her and I wanted her to be able to tell her own story.”

The book begins in 1911, with Ada in reduced circumstances, suffering tuberculosis, dependent on morphine, and being assessed to live out her last days in a charity cottage for those in the theatre profession.

THOSE WERE THE DAYS: The Ada Delroy Company.

“Dying is a bit like being poor,” Ada says. “You don’t get much in the way of choices.”

It’s a hard end for someone who once danced for the Maharajah, was friends with Houdini, brought the first films to many Australian country towns and was the first female to ride a bike through those same towns, causing men to literally fall off their horses.

There are gaps in Ada’s story, including a baby mysteriously left in Adelaide, but Kaz said didn’t have to add any drama herself to this funny, poignant and dramatic tale which includes carriages hurtling

PHOTO COURTESY THE ADVERTISER, 2

off cliffs and a train catching fire.

Asked her secret, Kaz said she reckoned no one else could be bothered doing all the work and research involved! Her consultants include professors and hospital heads of departments, but their expertise is complemented by parental anecdotes, and her cartoons, keeping the books friendly, practical, and non-judgemental. Kaz said it was a balance that ensured people knew they could trust the medical, nutritional and other important health advice, while also relaxing enough to have a laugh when appropriate.

While her books have,

to an extent, traced Kaz’s own development, from 1994’s Real Gorgeous, looking at body image, to pregnancy, with Up the Duff, and then her child-rearing and teen books, Kaz said she’s not quite ready to write an advice book for the over-50s.

“I’m a bit worried my next book after that would be ‘How to Cark It’, so I really don’t want to rush that!” she laughed.

She also admits she knows she’d probably have to take a bit of her own advice and do more exercise. Not that she’s worried about getting old, saying “I’d rather worry about not laughing, more than laugh lines”.

Monday, December 11, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Personalities: Jimmy Barnes

Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Jimmy grapples with his demons Yvonne Gardiner

THE pain of a povertystricken childhood marred by violence is hard for anyone to shake off.

Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes tried for many years, numbing his anguish with an abundance of alcohol, drugs and wild behaviour.

In recent times, he has beaten his “demons” by writing about his life in a two-volume autobiography, laying bare the disappointments, drug-taking, violence, shame and desperation of a man frequently “out of control”.

Working Class Man is the second volume, released last month. At the start of this book, 17-year-old Jimmy leaves his childhood home in Elizabeth, Adelaide, with his new band, Cold Chisel.

Despite all the charttopping records in the years that followed, both with the band and solo, the fame, adulation and

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Telling his shocking story helps Barnes to heal good fortune, Jimmy’s “demons” stuck relentlessly by his side.

For him, writing his autobiography was part of the healing process.

“It allowed me to put some of those demons in their place at last,” he said.

“The sooner I open up and let this poison out, the better things will be.

“It’s taken 60 years and I’m still afraid, but I have to put some things back on track before it’s too late.”

Jimmy felt an overwhelming need to “get over” his painful childhood experiences to benefit his family, especially his grandchildren.

“If I didn’t, they would have to struggle with demons that I had brought from my childhood into theirs,” he said.

“If you want to change the way you feel about yourself, especially when

you feel as bad as I did about myself, then you have to do things that you are proud of.

“Singing gave me a sense of being worth something.

“I used to go to church so I could sing in the choir.”

His first best-selling book, Working Class Boy, is a harrowing story of a Scottish migrant boy from Glasgow, growing up with his parents, Jim and Dorothy Swan, and five siblings in an impoverished and violent household.

It was a tough tale to tell. Drunkenness, child abuse, fighting and the shame of his deprived circumstances come into play.

His alcoholic, abusive father was not a good role model.

“He’d send me to neighbours to borrow money,” Jimmy said.

“I swore I would never

be like my parents.”

Jimmy’s affection for his mother, Dot – who gave birth to five children before the age of 21 – is all too obvious from his writings.

“My mum was a tough woman,” he said.

“I can only guess what her life was like. Her life was atrocious. “(My father’s) problems got worse and she was 2000 miles from support.

“The safest I’ve ever felt was when she held me in her arms.”

Dot died in September 2016, before Jimmy’s first book was published.

“I’m glad she didn’t have to read (the autobiography), because she lived it,” Jimmy said.

“She wouldn’t have liked to think that she’s damaged us.”

The damage, the demons Jimmy speaks of, has taken its toll.

“It’s been a lifetime battle to get over it,” he

BACK ON TRACK: Jimmy travels the country promoting his second book, his long-lasting "road to ruin".

said.

“I’ve had a lot of therapy for years.”

The love and support from his “darling” wife Jane, children and grandchildren have helped. In his battle against alcoholism and drug addiction, Jimmy has had times of clarity.

“Love, peace and quiet was all I really wanted,” he said.

The Barnes family spent some time in France after a financial collapse. Even there, Jimmy was still “troubled”. His adult life has been a rollercoaster ride of career successes and disappointments, of riotous behaviour and self-destructive tendencies. Many of his records have topped the charts and his fans adore him no matter what.

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Local Story

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, December 11, 2017

Needs multiply during the Christmas period Alison Houston

PENSIONERS, domestic violence victims and families are all seeking more help than ever from Toowoomba region charities as we approach Christmas.

This year Lifeline and the Salvos are joining forces, with the Salvos concentrating on toys and Lifeline on food and hampers to ensure people can enjoy a happy Christmas.

Lifeline is expecting to help 700-800 families (up from 675 last year), with 250 people already booked in for help by late November as part of the Loads of Love Appeal, which aims to collect and distribute 10,000kg of non-perishable food and personal items to people across southeast Queensland.

The Salvos’ Bernadette Tranter said while requests for help grew over Christmas, as already cash-strapped

families “struggle with the expectation of making Christmas special for their families”, need was also growing throughout each year, with more families needing help with basic essentials, such as food, clothing and housing.

That’s a pattern Nat Spary, from Base Services, is also seeing at the Basement Kitchen, where they feed 60-80 people every day from 11am-12.30pm, provide blankets and clothes for the homeless, as well as backpack beds, basic food and Christmas hampers.

He said requests for assistance were up 60-70%.

The Salvos hope to help 200 families with toys through their Toy Appeal this Christmas, while other families will receive help through the Adopt-a-Family program.

But it’s not just families in need, with Bernadette saying a large portion of those seeking help were

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HELPING OTHERS: Toowoomba Hospital Foundation chief executive Alison Kennedy (left) and Annie White from Parisienne Patisserie get ready for Toowoomba’s Neighbourhood Christmas Luncheon.

PHOTO: KEVIN FARMER

pensioners, often embarrassed to ask their children for help.

“The rising costs of living – such as electricity, water, prescription medication and groceries – make it financially stressful,” she said.

“Many are struggling to make ends meet and they often sacrifice from their food budget to pay their

bills.”

Others have taken on the additional care of grandchildren, due to split families, and are fighting to look after them on a pension. Bernadette, Derek and Nat all identified domestic violence victims – particularly women in their 40s and 50s – as another growing area of need. ❚ Lifeline’s Loads of Love Appeal runs until December 21, with parcels going out between December 11 and 22.

Bags can be collected, filled and dropped off at Toowoomba’s Grand Central Shopping Centre, Heritage or Lifeline branches. ❚ Donations of non-perishable items and supermarket gift cards (particularly helpful for families with special dietary needs) can also be left at Lifeline shops, or donate online at www.lifelinedarlingdowns. org.au. Donations are tax deductible. ❚ The Salvos also welcome donations at the

CHRISTMAS LUNCHES

❚ Frances Holmes’ famous Christmas lunch at St Luke’s hall hits its 14th year, with up to 80 people expected to join the party from 11.30am-1pm.

Anyone disadvantaged or lonely is welcome to enjoy roast chicken and all the trimmings, as well as pavlova dessert. As always her message is: “if you are on your own, or life’s been tough, you are welcome to come and join us”. Phone 0408 070 300 for catering purposes by December 21 but, Frances, says no one has ever been turned away. ❚ Toowoomba Hospital Foundation, supported by Metro Church, is also running its second Neighbourhood Christmas at St Joseph’s College hall, featuring a two-course meal catered by Parisienne Patisserie, gifts and activities for children and a visit from Santa. Up to 200 people are expected. There’s even transport available, but you do need to be referred by a community group.

Go to www.toowoombahospitalfoundation.org.au or phone 4616 6166 to find out more. corner West Street and Anzac Avenue, Toowoomba. New, unwrapped toys can also be donated here or left at the Kmart Wishing Tree.

To donate to Adopt-a-Family, phone 0409 159 700. The Salvos are also fundraising by gift-wrapping at Grand Central, so get your

wrapping done, or join the wrapping roster by phoning 4632 7206. ❚ Base Services is also calling for donations of non-perishable goods and toiletries, or cash donations which are tax deductible. Drop donations at 10 Neil Street, Toowoomba, or go to www.baseservices. com.au.

Win A Signed Copy of Jimmy Barnes “Working Class Man” Book In the hugely anticipated second volume of his memoirs, Jimmy picks up the story of his life as he leaves Adelaide in the back of an old truck with a then unknown band called Cold Chisel. Working Class Man is the book Australia has been waiting for. Jimmy Barnes lays his life bare.

To coincide with our interview with Jimmy Barnes, Seniors is Giving you the change to win 1 of 3 signed copies of “Working Class Man” To be in the running, simply email communitynotes@seniorsnewspaper.com.au. Make sure you tell us your name (first and last), contact number, email, postal address and Seniors Newspapers region, then answer this question “What is your favourite Jimmy Barnes Song and why?” Or visit seniorsnews.com.au/competitions to enter online. Good luck!

Visit seniorsnews.com.au/competitionterms for full competition terms and conditions. Promoter is ARM Specialist Media Pty Ltd of 2 Newspaper Place, Maroochydore Qld 4558.

Promotional period 4/12/17-29/12/17. Competition drawn 11am 10/01/18 at Cnr Mayne Rd and Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Winners announced in Seniors February 2017.

Total prize value $150 (including GST). Entry is open to all permanent residents of Queensland.

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Monday, December 11, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Toowoomba & Darling Downs

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seniorsnews.com.au Monday, December 11, 2017

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Monday, December 11, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Life Changes

Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Seniors 9

How to find the good life Tracey Johnstone

‘UNRETIREES’ Stuart and Robin Cumming have left behind much of their old inner-city life to move to another state where the living is easier, the outlook healthy and enjoying work into older age a reality.

The couple moved in February to Silver Creek on the green rolling plains below the Victorian Alps, settling into a 10ha bushland property only 4km from the historic gold rush town of Beechworth.

Frenetic Sydney with its push-me, pull-me attitude made them start to feel claustrophobic, which they decided simply wasn’t an attractive scene for the soon-to-be 60-year-old business couple.

They had lived in the same eastern suburbs home for 29 years with their daughter Catherine, but over time Stuart said the people around them were getting too aggressive.

“Everything was money.

It was unpleasant,” Stuart said.

“We had been stressed at work for a long time and I think it was getting too

hard,” Robin said.

“Trying to keep up a standard of living in the city just didn’t appeal anymore.”

By late last year, Stuart’s family boutique catalogue agency was winding down as the advertising market changed, which meant both he and Robin, who was the finance manager, were forced to look at their working futures and retirement.

A previous financial interest in the Indigo Vineyard at Beechworth and a close friendship with its general manager helped Robin and Stuart make the relocation choice to a very different climate and home.

“It’s free-range retirement down here – we’re not requiring the mobility scooters yet,” Stuart chuckled.

“The neighbours are mainly escapees from Melbourne because it is only three hours away.

“Beechworth is also a growing town with good health facilities.”

To kickstart their new semi-retirement future, they formed Silver Creek Marketing.

Utilising Stuart’s consumer marketing and strategic planning skills along with Robin’s accounting and administration experience, the couple is using this platform to move forward, with a variation on their past work life and with tweaking courtesy of their new home.

“There are even more options on the menu in that direction, albeit requiring trips to Sydney and maybe even Melbourne as that fertile retail marketing market opens up,” Stuart said.

The couple also “inherited” three goats, some hens and about 300 protea and leucadendron trees.

And now three alpacas, which was the idea of daughter Catherine, 29, who is very supportive of her parents’ new home which she visits from Sydney whenever she can.

It’s been a quick learning process for Robin and Stuart about living on a property habituated by waratahs and proteas, figuring out what to do with the trees the previous owner planted.

Selling the flowers into the local florist shop is the first move.

Stuart’s other work interests include keeping his hand in at the old firm, Cumming Agency & Studios, working as a consultant and working with a private school in Sydney and another in northern New South Wales on developing understandable and deliverable strategic plans.

And last month he was appointed to the Beechworth Community Bank/Bendigo Bank board to assist with strategic marketing.

“I see this as a good entree to developing a network down here,” Stuart said.

Robin is enjoying the break from full-time work.

Instead she is supporting Stuart in his projects and looking into how to improve the flower growing business, which she sees becoming a lucrative side business.

“What is retirement? I am working harder than I ever had as I have all these projects on,” Stuart said.

“If retirement means

NEW FOCUS: Revived and relaxed and with a whole exciting world in front of them, ‘unretirees’ Stuart and Robin Cumming.

non-paid activity, then we are certainly not retired. It helps us to be paid.”

“We are keen to keep the connection of work,” Robin said.

“Stuart particularly enjoys the intellectual stimulation of his various projects.

“We are keen to keep it going, just not at the same intensity.

“The fact that the

responsibility is just us and not a number of other people that we are employing, it’s a very big relief.

“We are very much in control of our destiny and nobody else’s. Stuart and I can go any direction we like, which is exciting and a little bit scary.

“We see it as a new direction, a new lease on life,” Robin added.

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10 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, December 11, 2017

Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Monday, December 11, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Talk ‘n’ thoughts

Seniors 11

Share your thoughts

Email editor@seniors newspaper.com.au or go online to www.seniorsnews .com.au

Hurdles, highjumps and solutions

Speaking up for the truth THE talk is all about our generation.

Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Bill Cosby, Rolf Harris, Don Burke – they are all seniors.

If anyone ever questioned why women’s liberation had to happen – then right here, right now, on the media’s front pages, you will find the answers.

To vindicate his actions, movie producer Harvey Weinstein flashed on a singular truth when he said: “I came of age in the ’60s and ’70s, when all the rules about behaviour and workplace were different. That was the culture then. I have since learned it’s not excuse, in the office – or out of it. To anyone.”

Yes, the 1960s and

❝

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK GAIL FORRER

Group editor Seniors Newspapers network

’70s, the age many of us grew up in, was transition time, the first wave of women’s liberation saw changes such as women able to keep working in banks after they were married and, in various areas, wage equalisation.

In terms of government legislation, women were starting to gain liberation from a stultifying culture of gender inequity.

But socially, well that’s another story and I think it’s here that Weinstein, sadly, tells the truth. The

up against the essence of the women’s liberation movement that started in the 1960s.

At its heart, women’s liberation was always about having the female voice heard, considered and owning an appropriately influential place in society.

In 2017, we have a watershed moment when this is spectacularly happening. In some ways, I see it rather like the process of Truth and Reconciliation commissions undertaken by various nations, as a process of healing after undergoing dreadful atrocities. Right now, we are at the face of truth, I trust that after this, the next step will be an honest reconciliation.

Some men saw women’s liberation as another green flag to express their power.

Hopefully the next step will be an honest reconciliation.

rules of the ’60s and ’70s about behaviour and workplace were different.

While women saw the loosening of societal moors as liberating for their own spirit, some men saw women’s

liberation as another green flag to express their power. In those times, women were indeed taking on more public roles, but men were still the boss. In some ways, nearly 50 years on, things haven’t

changed, men still dominate the highest realms of government, business and religious institutions.

What has occurred in the last months of 2017, is a clash of cultures. The truth that many men in power believed that the society of 1960s and ’70s allowed them to abuse women and their belief was so strong, they were unable to move into a new world of respect wedged

HAVE YOUR SAY: Email editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au or go online to www.seniorsnews.com.au.

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12 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Neighbourhood News

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, December 11, 2017

Community 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 please ensure it is at least 180dpi or 500kb to 1mb in size and of faces, in a nice bright setting.

The deadline for the January issue December 18. Email Nicky or Chris: communitynotes@ seniors newspaper.com.au.

NORTH STREET CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL

NATIONAL SENIORS AUSTRALIA – WARWICK BRANCH

CHRISTMAS DOWN UNDER: Senior Volunteers from Warwick’s Christian Churches offer a friendly, fun way for all ages to celebrate a Christian Christmas.

sure you come along to celebrate the spirit of Christmas with family and friends. This year’s line-up included stage entertainment, a ham

wheel, food stalls galore and plenty more. With entertainment that will include performances by Dance Force, Kate Brimblecombe, the

TI PL C A B K T O E I O N K T N S UM O A W L A TO M N SE O D C ST D U R S IA E YO O MO L U D N R SP O D O U T! T

CHRISTMAS will come early to Gatton when the annual Christmas Carnival hits North Street once again. Mark Friday, December 15 on your calendar now and make

Lights and Decoration Competition will be officially announced on the night, along with the Gatton Christmas Carnival Colouring Competition.

Top the night off with the final Town Proud draw at 8.15pm and it’s sure to be an evening not to miss!

Visit www.luvyalockyer. com.au or phone 5466 3426 for details.

Starlite Dancers, Move and Groove dance group and, for the first time a fire twirler. There will be wrist bands for unlimited rides up for grabs for only

$5 and of course Santa will arrive at 5.30pm and be on stage at 8.25pm, which is sure to be a thrill for the youngsters.

Winners of the Christmas

WE WILL be holding General Meetings at new time of 11.15am on the second Monday of every month (except January).

Next meeting is on February 12, 2018 at our new venue at the Condamine Sports Club in the front room. Lunch is available after meeting at your own expense. Level access is available from parking area behind the club. Next coach trip is on Tuesday, February 13 to a CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

BUY A CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS THAT REALLY HITS THE MARK! With only a limited amount of tickets available you do not want to miss out on two of the best nights you will have for a long time!

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Monday, December 11, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Neighbourhood News

Toowoomba & Darling Downs

FROM PAGE 12

tramway museum and a deer farm. Bookings open at Suncorp Warwick on January 16, 2018. Phone president Carmel on 4661 3136 for details.

TOOWOOMBA NATIONAL SENIORS

OUR branch meets the first Thursday of each month at All Seasons Function Centre, corner of North and Tor Streets, Wilsonton at 9.30am. We have guest speakers or entertainers on the day.

Our bus trips each month on the third Thursday.

These will commence in February.

In January, we are having a Summer Luncheon on the January 18 at 10.30am. Bring your singing voices along.

Details phone Desma on 4613 6750 or Yvonne 4638 5252.

CAROLS IN THE CHAPEL

THE Scots-PGC College and Warwick Uniting Church invite you to a programme of readings and carols to foster a meditative approach to the Celebration of Christmas at the Scots – PGC Chapel, Oxenham Street, Warwick, Thursday, December 21 at 7.30pm

DELIVERING THE BEST: Mark Mingay and Hugh Jensen delivering hams for Westridge Meats (car is stationary).,

and supper will follow in chapel hall. Details phone 0417 720 152.

CHRISTMAS DOWN UNDER

SENIOR Volunteers from Warwick’s Christian Churches offer a friendly, fun way for all ages to celebrate a Christian Christmas.

Free activities include craft, colouring, stamping, face painting, story-telling with interactive figurines, puppet shows with song using the theme: Follow the GPS Star to find God’s Path to our Saviour – Jesus... the reason for the season.

Suitable for toddlers to teens. Immediate free family photographs

offered by the nativity scene. Schedule of region’s Christmas services available. Phone Sue 0427 962 281 or email sue.nalder@gmail.com.

Location Palmerin Street, Warwick, near Rose City entry from Monday, December 18 to Friday, December 22 from 10am-1pm.

THE HAM RUN

MARK Mingay, long time Toowoomba resident and former pig farmer from Griffith, NSW is preparing to do some serious driving all over southeast Queensland this December, and a huge part of the reason lies with his little two-year-old mate Hugh.

Hugh Jensen is one of

Seniors 13

467 people in the world who has been diagnosed with a microdeletion of the sixth chromosome. An extremely rare gene disorder which in their search for answers sent his desperate parents to the brink of sanity.

Gratefully, thanks to the amazing work of the Children’s Medical Research Institute, the Jensen’s were able to finally get some answers.

These answers unlocked an entire world of possibility for Hugh and many of the unknowns in his future, became manageable and exciting, instead of scary for him and his family.

Luke and Michelle Jensen, the young new Toowoomba business owners of Westridge and The Ridge Meats, feel indebted to the Institute and are determined to give back. Westridge Meats has been twice awarded the acclaimed title of Australia’s Best Ham and this Christmas, they plan to sell and deliver their award-winning hams all over southeast Queensland. $5 from each ham sold this Christmas will go to the Jeans for Genes initiative.

Hams can be purchased via www.thehamrun. com.au or ordered in store at Westridge and The Ridge Meats.

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14 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, December 11, 2017

Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Monday, December 11, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 15

Travel

10 top travel wardrobe items Ann Rickard

WE’VE all done it – over-packed. A heavy suitcase loaded with clothes, most of which will not be worn, is a curse to all travellers, especially the senior.

Travel author Ann Rickard spoke to Lee Watt, of Brisbane’s Soubret Pink boutique, who can help women construct 20 different looks from just 10 pieces. The secret lies in being disciplined and the benefits are stress-free travel.

1. Stick to the numbers: two pairs of pants, six tops, one of them doubling as a lightweight cardigan/jacket. That’s it. Oh, shoes... of

course, they don’t come into the 10 items, but you’ll need three pairs.

And scarves, three of them.

2. The pants or jeans should be black or navy to create a basic background.

Comfort is essential.

Mac Jay make a good pull-on jean without any hardware at the front that will accentuate the tummy. They are stretchy, don’t cut you in half and come in sizes 8 through 20. They are even comfortable to wear on a long-haul flight. A straight-leg jean is best. It can be worn as casual during the day and dressed-up for evening wear. Basic black pants will go with

everything.

3. Six tops are all you need. Some can be plain, others must have black or navy in them.

Mela Purdie and Verge make beautiful and flattering tops suitable for the mature woman.

Every top must co-ordinate with the jeans or pants.

4. Three scarves will help bring the outfits together or make them look different. Perhaps a plain white or black scarf and one with some navy or black in it.

The scarves will double as wraps to keep you warm or work as an accessory when tied different ways.

5. Three pairs of shoes.

A walking shoe, a good

casual shoe for day wear and a pair for evening.

That’s it. No more.

6. Two bags. A small evening bag, one travelling bag. Baggallini do a good travel bag designed by two American flight attendants. It has zips and pockets for passports and documents, and it also has room for your laptop.

7. Four items of costume jewellery (plus earrings). Never take good jewellery when travelling. Lee suggests two short and two long necklaces, and if you have one in gold and one with pearls you can put them together for a double look.

8. One of the tops that doubles as a cardigan.

If you are going to a very cold country in winter, you can still work with just these basic pieces, but you will need a good warm coat, a hat, gloves and boots.

You wear your outers and just peel off when inside to the basic pieces. You don’t need heavy jumpers and cardigans.

9. Choose items in fabrics that don’t wrinkle or need ironing and can be rolled for packing. The ten items chosen will all fit into a small 7kg carry-on case and leave room for toiletries. If you stick to the ten items rule you can make the different

outfits show variety and style and they will do you for a three-week holiday.

10. We all make mistakes and throw in something extra. It takes discipline to stick to the ten items, so when packing, no drinking wine.

Feedback on this approach has been excellent. One woman who disciplined herself to stick to the 10, wrote: “It was so liberating, so easy to pack and go every morning. I didn’t need to think of what to put together each day. I went to top class restaurants, hiked in the jungle, slept in hammocks and stayed at Raffles, all with just those pieces...”.

16 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Travel

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, December 11, 2017

Paris turns it on with a hot summer evening SNAPSHOTS OF LIFE ANN RICKARD ann.rickard@apn.com.au

WE’D already been spoilt beyond our expectations.

On board luxury hotel barge, Panache, operated

by European Waterways, we had sailed from Paris out from the Seine along the Canal du Nord to the River Oise, and had a week of outstanding experiences both on board and on shore.

We had been fed multi-course gourmet meals featuring exquisite local produce, we had indulged in French Martinis from the open bar at 11am, sipped exquisite wines from some of the most renowned regions in France at both lunch and dinner, and been introduced to a variety of delicious cheeses and given a little bit of their fascinating history.

We had visited Monet’s Gardens in Giverny, walked in Van Gogh’s steps in Auvers-sur-Oise where the great artist spent 70 days before his death, and where he painted prolifically. Still there was more. We had trawled the opulent Chateau del Malmaison near Paris where Josephine spent much of Napoleon’s money while he was away fighting the Egyptian campaign.

On our last night after a week of gentle, slow barging through the fertile and forested region north of Paris, we were ready to say a sad goodbye to the

captain and crew of Panache and go on our way. We glided slowly into Paris past the futuristic La Défense business district with its glass architecture, and then right into the heart of Paris and all its glorious buildings, its famous landmarks and monuments and its handsome bridges. We had all rushed with cameras as we past Notre Dame peeking at us above the trees, and again as we came close to the Pont de Grenelle where a replica Statue of Liberty stood, quite imposing despite its smaller scale.

Our itinerary included a final dinner in Paris on board on this last night.

But first, a slow shuffle up and down the Seine.

It was a hot summer’s Friday night. It seemed as though all of Paris had come out into the streets to celebrate the beginning of the weekend. As we

❝

We had visited Monet’s Gardens in Giverny, walked in Van Gogh’s steps... cruised ever so slowly along the Seine (feeling pretty smug I can tell you) we were delighted to see hundreds of people lining the river banks. They were sitting on walls and hanging over bridges, some were in nearby in parks, others in river-side restaurants. Almost everyone had a bottle of wine within hand-reach.

Then there was the dancing - proper dancing in the old-fashioned way – at intervals all along the

riverside. All that was required was an accordion or a music player and off they took to tango, waltz, foxtrot right on the riverside in the open air.

We tied up at dusk beneath the Eiffel Tower and sat at one with Paris as night came in and the lights on the tower began to twinkle. Could it get any better? Actually, yes. Our chef Olie had prepared a five-course banquet, and the crew brought out course after course with yet more sublime wines and then champagne, and we let the hot Paris night have its way with us.

A private boat in front of us was the stage for a swish party. We watched elegant women in short skirts climbed on board with attractive young men, and then we watched them dance on the upper deck, and then we ate more food and drank more champagne and looked up to the twinkling Eiffel Tower and felt all our travel dreams had been packaged into this one special night. European Waterways has 17 vessels in nine countries with a wide variety of themed luxury barge cruises from walking, biking, food, wine, family tours.

Accommodation is spacious enough with private bathrooms, the service is exceptional (usually five crew to eight passengers), the food is local and spectacular, wines are carefully matched, the bar is always open, and shore excursions are emmersive. Prices are all-inclusive.

More at: europeanwaterways. com.au.

THE PROFESSIONALS: The crew of our luxury barge, Panache.

The stunningly beautiful Paris at night.

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Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Monday, December 11, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 17

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18 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Travel

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, December 11, 2017

Classic Straddie will never disappoint you Shirley Sinclair

JUST like that Golden Breed t-shirt from the 1970s that was so cool and comfortable to wear, Stradbroke Island is a classic.

It’s the family beach holiday idea that can be pulled out of the cupboard at a moment’s notice and everyone will be happy with the choice.

That’s because Straddie, as it is affectionately known, never wears out its appeal for the surfer, the foodie, the nature lover, the beachcomber and even the “lazy bones” who simply enjoys relaxing and taking in the spectacular scenery.

And what you see is what you get, year after year.

Sitting on Brisbane’s doorstep, just a 45 minute vehicular ferry ride across Moreton Bay from Cleveland, the great majority of Straddie’s 27,530ha has barely changed over the decades and has always remained true to itself.

Locals and visitors have vehemently resisted the idea of a costly bridge link to Brisbane, so the world’s second-largest sand island hasn’t been loved to death.

To the casual observer, Straddie remains largely undiscovered.

The wide variety of accommodation isn’t dominated by hotels and resorts, but rather by house and apartment rentals (even original beach shacks) and camping and cabin facilities (including glamping tents at Adder

Rock Campground).

Long beach walks on sandy stretches of pristine beach and over weathered rock pools barely encounter a soul on weekdays.

The bush, ocean and suburban townships (Dunwich, Amity Point and Point Lookout) still teem with birds and wildlife all-year round.

The clear, pristine waters are naturally refreshing for humans and a favourite haunt for frolicking humpbacks during the annual whale migration from late May to early November.

Classic Straddie is the 20 minute drive from Dunwich to Point Lookout and pulling up at the surf club carpark for that first panorama of 32km Main Beach.

It’s pinpointing the perfect patch of sand to park the 4WD, setting up the gazebo for shade under a cloudless sky and settling in for a day of unadulterated bliss with no one else within cooee of you. It’s battling ferocious shore dumps to get out the back amid the turtles, colourful fish and dolphins while waiting for a 6-8ft beauty to catch back into shore.

Classic Straddie is hotfooting it across golden sand to bodysurf Cylinder Beach, followed by fish and chips or a cold seafood lunch straight off the trawler.

It’s the 7km drive inland from Dunwich to Brown Lake for a lazy, wet loll before a picnic at Amity Point.

Classic Straddie is a cold ale under a huge outdoor umbrella in the

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL: Straddie is blessed with over half a dozen stunning beaches.

Stradbroke Island is stunning holiday location.

Straddie is home to land mammals including wallabies, kangaroos, echidnas, koalas and bandicoots. Reptiles include turtles, tortoise and lizards. Plus amazing birdlife!

Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel beer garden, overlooking the water.

It’s the cheeky male kookaburra perching himself on a patio railing,

hoping for a free dinner, and playing fetch with your dog on Home Beach.

Classic Straddie is taking the North Gorge Walk and encountering a

family of kangaroos on dusk, or waiting for turtles in the washing-machine-like gorge to come up for air, or the camera-shy echidna concentrating on an ant dinner under a fallen log.

It’s taking a seat on the vehicular ferry deck outside the cafe, drinking in the Moreton Bay views

and reflecting on another great weekend away that you should do more often.

So what if you wear Old Guys Rule t-shirt these days?

Just like Straddie, you’re still a classic.

For more information about Stradbroke Island go to the website stradbrokeisland.com.

Giving the gift of music THE perfect Christmas gift idea. “An Afternoon at the Proms – A Musical Spectacular” Australia’s most acclaimed international violinist Ian Cooper is joined by opera stars, prima ballerinas, Australia’s popular Pipe Band and the Blue Danube Orchestra to evoke the sheer exuberance of “An Afternoon at the Proms – A Musical Spectacular”.

Voted “Best Production Show” in Australia, this stunning spectacular

salutes the famous BBC Proms Concerts of London’s Royal Albert Hall, performing all the well-known favourites including Rule Britannia, Radetzky March and Elgar’s Land of Hope and Glory.

Enjoy selections from The Sound of Music, The Merry Widow, Verdi’s Rigoletto, “The Waltz King” Johann Strauss plus Can-Can and Tango dancers. It also includes haunting renditions of Irish favourites, the romance and emotion of

the Hungarian Gypsy Orchestras and the Pipers’ tribute to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

This musical and visual spectacular is set to raise the roof! Join us at the Empire Theatre on March 3 at 2pm for “An Afternoon at the Proms - A Musical Spectacular”. To book call 1300 655 299 or go to www.empiretheatre. com.au.

Winner of 5 Golden Fiddle Awards, 2 Mo Awards, 4 Ace Awards, 1 Platinum Aria Award.

SHEER JOY: Empire Theatre presents - An Afternoon at the Proms - A Musical Spectacular.

Entertainment

Monday, December 11, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Seniors 19

What’s on

Christmas across the region Alison Houston

THERE’S been a huge number of festive events in the Toowoomba region, but here’s a few to still look forward to: ★CECIL PLAINS Carols by Candlelight run by Cecil Plains Progress, Tourism and Recreation Association on Wednesday, December 13, at the Memorial Hall, Geraghty Street. Sausage sizzle from 5.30pm, carols from 7pm, Santa will visit. ★GOOMBUNGEE Community Carols is on Wednesday, December 13 from 6pm at Rosalie Gallery Courtyard with carols starting at 7pm. ★GOWRIE JUNCTION has a movie and Santa visit on Saturday, December 16, from 5-9pm at Gowrie Junction Community Hall.

Santa arrives at 6.30pm

for a photo shoot and there will be drinks, a sausage sizzle, popcorn and the family movie from 7.30pm. ★PITTSWORTH Christmas in the Park is on Tuesday, December 19, starting at 5pm at Park Street, Pittsworth. Santa Claus is arriving by sleigh and there will be free children’s rides, fireworks, as well as a barbecue and presentation to the Christmas light competition winners. ★MILLMERRAN Combined Churches Christmas Carols are on Wednesday, December 20 at Millmerran Hospital Grounds, with action from 6pm including a sausage sizzle, sweet treats and Santa, with carols from 7pm featuring Brendon Walmsley and Soul Connection.

★CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND Now in its 15th year, Christmas Wonderland runs until December 24 at Queens Park (entry via Lindsay and Campbell Streets). As well as all the magical themed Christmas decorations, there is roving entertainment, a barbecue and free ice cream for the kids. Entry is gold coin donation. Go to www.christmas wonderland.com.au. ★CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL At Middle Ridge Uniting Church continues until December 15, with a forest of decorated and themed trees, as well as gifts and refreshments.

Doors are open 9am-9pm, with entertainment by local artists, choirs and bands at 10.30am and 7.30pm, and a Rotary Club barbecue from

5-7.30pm. Entry is by gold coin donation. Go to www.mr.unitingchurch. org.au/tctf. ★FAMILY MUSIC LEGENDS X-Factor finalist Audio Vixen pays tribute to family music legends at City Golf Club Toowoomba from 7pm on Friday, December 22. Hailed as having the harmonies that only siblings can produce, the group will play music from The Bee Gees, Everly Bros, Beach Boys, The Carpenters, Andrew Sisters and, of course, The Jacksons. Phone 4636 9000 or go to citygolf.com.au. ★NEW YEAR’S BUSH DANCE Enjoy going a little – or a lot – country at the New Year’s Bush Dance at Jondaryan Woolshed.

There will be live music all night, a buffet, open bar and late-night burger bar,

and you can stay on-site if you want to. Book at 4692 2229. ★NEW YEAR’S SPEED For those who like to hurtle into the new year, there’s the New Year’s Speed family night from 6-10pm at Toowoomba Speedway, 100 Wirths Road, Charlton. There will be fireworks, freestyle motocross and a demo derby, plus the Super Sedan Summer Slam.

Main gate opens 3pm and it’s $20 for pensioners. ★QUEEN’S PARK NEW YEAR Everyone’s got the chance to see out the old year with a dose of fun at Toowoomba Regional Council’s celebrations at Frog’s Hollow, Queen’s Park, from 3.30pm on Sunday, December 31.

Entry is free and there will be free rides for the kids/grandkids as well as

CELEBRATE: Toowoomba’s Christmas Tree Festival.

a petting zoo, food stalls, roving entertainment from 4.30pm, circus fun, cheerleaders and disco dancing. Even Batman is coming, arriving a bit after 5pm, and of course there’s the fireworks, happening at the early time of 7.45pm so everyone can enjoy them.

AN

AFTERNOON AT THE

the empire theatre A MUSICAL SPECTACULAR IAN

COOPER

Sat 3rd March 2018

THE BLUE DANUBE

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ORCHESTRA

Bookings: 1300 655 299

New Year’s Eve

Online: www.empiretheatre.com.au TICKETS: $85 | CONC: $79 GROUPS 10 +: $75

Opera Singers - Prima Ballerinas Australian Champion Pipe Band

evoke the sheer exuberance of THE PROMS in concert

Rule Britannia, Land of Hope & Glory, The Can-Can and many more

5 Golden Fiddle awards | 2 MO Awards 4 ACE Awards | 1 platinum ARIA award THE PROMS - A Musical Spectacular

Conductor: Patrick Pickett

Australia Day Celebrations Friday, January 26th, 2018 Highfields Pioneer Village

A great Family Fun Day! Gold Coin Donation per person

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20 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, December 11, 2017

Wellbeing

Swimming great for health Tracey Johnstone

WHETHER you move to win or move to stay well, swimming is one of the best choices you can make to live a happy, healthy life. While you are digging in the back of your cupboard for your togs and towel, take a look at why swimming is rated so highly by health professionals such as accredited exercise physiologist Carly Ryan.

WHAT’S SO GOOD ABOUT IT?

“It’s a brilliant form of exercise,” Carly said. “You get all the benefits of any other kind of physical exercise – cardiovascular, heart health, flexibility, weight management and improved mental health.

“Because the water has

resistance, it is really good for muscle strength.

“It’s a brilliant, all-round activity that is going to give you lots and lots of health benefits.

“And if you have joint problems, the water really supports you. The water helps you to reduce the pain and you can do a lot more activity in it than you can do on the land.”

Other advantages of swimming are it’s accessible to all ages, affordable, and you can start with just a pair of swimmers and a towel.

or swimming pool, getting more focused with aqua aerobics classes, joining an ocean swimming group, doing pool group lap training or even taking up masters swimming competition.

Some pool managers offer pool-based tai chi and yoga, walking, dance classes and even pole dancing, just to mix up the fun of swimming exercise.

In the ocean, in addition to lap swimming, you can also try swinging your arms and legs, doing squats and calf raises.

MIXING IT UP

POOL SWIMMING

Any form of exercise in the water is going to be good, whether you are swimming in a pool or the ocean. You can choose your approach by enjoying a solo lap or two, joining in a social group at your local beach

To find a pool nearby, contact your local council or go to www.swimming. org.au/Swim-Finder.aspx.

If you are swimming in a home or retirement village pool and you are not sure of your fitness, consider

wearing a lifejacket or accredited flotation device while in the water.

IN THE OCEAN

Before heading out for an ocean swim, take some advice from Surf Lifesaving Australia: ■ Always swim between the red and yellow flags ■ Read the safety signs ■ Ask a lifeguard for safety advice ■ Swim with a friend ■ Stay calm and attract attention if you need help ■ If in doubt, don’t go out

about what is most likely to benefit you.

It’s also worth asking the staff or exercise specialist at the pool how to use these exercise aids.

Starting in a class is another good way to get

moving and to learn how to use the aids.

AM I TOO OLD TO LEARN?

You are never too old to learn. “Everyone can do it,” Carly said.

TRAINING AIDS

There are many to choose from and you can spend a lot or a little, but before you invest in a kickboard, flippers or resistance equipment, ask your pool supervisor, exercise physiologist, physiotherapist or GP

WATER ACTIVE: Swimming is a brilliant form of exercise for seniors, and it’s never too late to learn.

PHOTO: RUSLANDASHINSKY

Knitters pitch in to create lifesaving sculpture

INSPIRATIONAL: Bouganvillea Retirement Village resident Nancy Kimber with family friend and Sculpture by the Sea artist Linton Meagher.

PHOTO: TRACEY JOHNSTONE

THE women of Sydney’s Bougainvillea Retirement Village are honoured to have been part of the scores of knitters who contributed to the sculpture Look Out For Me. The 4.5m high sculpture stood proudly on Tamarama Beach as part of this year’s Sculpture by the Sea. The high red watch tower was encased in 500 knitted surf lifesaving red and yellow flags, many of which carried the name of the knitter and a beach that has a meaning to them.

Group co-ordinator Gill

Stemp, 81, and her craft room friends, Cathy Andrews, 85, Gladys Benjamin, 95 and Shirley Cowell, 89, put their knitting skills to work to produce about 20 flags each which adorned the structure conceived by sculptor Linton Meagher.

“Quite an honour” and “something different” was this group’s reaction to Linton’s request for help.

It’s not something any of them had done before, nor did they expect to ever have the chance to contribute to anything like the acclaimed Sculpture by the Sea.

Village resident Nancy Kimber, at 102 years old, introduced Linton to the craft group.

Linton, who is a neuropsychiatrist with a particular interest in Parkinson’s, was inspired by working with elderly people and by his respect for his grandfather Harry Mills, who died recently at 102.

“I realised there was a very strong need for connection and the elderly are very keen to be engaged, to be part of the community,” Linton said.

Linton was supported by three groups to knit

flags. There was the group from Bougainvillea, another from his grandfather’s Crowley Retirement Village in Ballina and the third from east Sydney’s Beehive Industries which is a social enterprise supporting seniors and persons with disability.

“What impressed me was the hard-working nature of the people who were keen to pitch in and deliver without too much fuss or draw attention to themselves; very different to working with the younger generation,” he said.

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Wellbeing

Monday, December 11, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Seniors 21

Coping with grief DOWNSIZING this Christmas Are you interested in

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REMEMBERING: Burstows Funeral Care co-director Don Burstow said it’s important at Christmas to acknowledge the people we have lost and the significant part they played in our lives.

PHOTO: HELEN KILPATRICK

❝

Sometimes grief comes to us in waves, then we might feel we can enjoy a few laughs – and then it hits us that that’s inappropriate. It’s not. mentioning the person who has died for fear of causing unhappiness.

Sadness, he said, was entirely appropriate and we shouldn’t be afraid of tears or “ruining the occasion” by expressing our feelings.

“The only way beyond grief is through it,” he said, and that was likely to involve tears, reflection, even anger, as well as gratitude for that person’s life.

“Through embracing sadness comes the healing we need,” Don said.

For many it can be like

gold to hear that person’s name, acknowledgement that they existed and were an important part of our lives.

They don’t want that person to be forgotten.

One way to do this is to remember that person in a significant way, such as having a photo and a lit candle on the table at Christmas.

Some may want to visit the grave or a special shared place, have some quiet time away from the festive atmosphere, wear or display a keepsake or special Christmas decoration to remember

that person, or set aside time at the table to talk about the person you are missing.

However, just as important as not feeling the expectation to put on a cheery front when you are not feeling that way is not feeling guilty about enjoying yourself, because life does go on and “there can be celebration even in the midst of sadness”.

Don suggested family and friends follow the grieving person’s lead.

“Grief and sadness are part of the human experience,” he said.

“It’s something we never entirely get over; we just reconcile it into our life experience.

“There’s no magic timeline, but it is possible to live and love again, to find fulfilment and joy in life again.”

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IT’S OK to laugh or cry on Christmas Day, or both, as you remember someone you have lost this year or in the past.

That’s the word from Don Burstow, who, as a fourth-generation funeral director with brother Trevor, has 36 years in the funeral business and understands just how difficult this time can be.

He said because Christmas revolved so much around family and friends, loss and the fact that circle was no longer complete became even more apparent, and it was important to recognise and communicate feelings of sadness rather than trying to hide them.

“We are a society that is focused on the pursuit of happiness and pleasure, but for those really hurting deeply it’s important to feel safe to express that grief,” he said.

“Sometimes grief comes to us in waves, then we might feel we can enjoy a few laughs – and then it hits us that that’s inappropriate. It’s not.

“Laughing and crying are both very healthy signs. It’s inhibition of emotion which is dangerous.”

Don encouraged people who had experienced a loss to “be gentle with themselves”, and for family and friends to listen rather than trying to, with the best intentions, “jolly” that person out of their feelings or avoid

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seniorsnews.com.au Monday, December 11, 2017

Living

Deb draws on her passion for arts Alison Houston

ARTIST Deb Gilmartin has seen the McGregor Summer School from both sides – as student and teacher – and delights in both roles.

As the school marks its 50th Summer Arts Retreat this January 7-13, Deb is back for her seventh year as a drawing tutor.

But teaching hasn’t stopped her taking classes herself, learning skills in printmaking, oils, and even drawing, being inspired by the ideas and techniques of others.

“It’s a great community,” Deb said.

“There’s a sense that we’re all in it together.

Sometimes people do get disappointed with what they’ve done, but everyone rallies around – it’s a real team.

“I’d say it’s fun with a good solid learning base.”

Extracurricular events add to the community feeling, from concerts at night to other tutors and

artists giving talks, so participants get to meet “a lot of artists from all walks of life”.

“Being able to be creative, it’s a good ‘me time’ exercise,” Deb said.

She’s also full of fresh ideas and enthusiasm after three weeks as a student at a summer school at the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art in London, where participants complete one week of tuition and two weeks one-on-one in the studio with an artist.

Teaching regularly at Murray’s Art & Framing in Toowoomba, Deb said spending time as a student kept you grounded as an artist and there was always more to learn.

Mainly teaching beginners’ drawing at the McGregor schools and helping students “learn how to see”, Deb said, as a trained biologist and entomologist, form and detail were well ingrained in her, but she was now

experimenting in more abstract work, including finding a passion for patterns and ceramics.

And she’s taking her students with her, this year teaching an intermediate class called Taking a Line for a Hop, Skip and a Jump and pushing participants to use their artistic sense to see beyond the strict realism of a photo, for instance, and instead distort it or tear it up and see the image as something new.

Students will also work together on a giant portrait, do life drawing, experiment with textures and discover how different materials can be used, from sticks to charcoal and fingers, to pen and wash.

Basically, she said, her passion was for drawing, and for drawing as an art in itself.

Deb said students were primarily 40-plus, many rediscovering their art after years on the

FUN AND LEARNING: Deb Gilmartin (left) with a student at a past McGregor Summer Arts Retreat, which she says is “a great community”.

sidelines when work and family took priority, while others were painters who had recognised their drawing needed work.

Essentially, they come in all levels of experience.

Some students may be “newbies”, but many participants return to the

schools again and again, some to revisit a tutor they love, others to experience different techniques within the same genre, and still others trying their hand at something new.

While there is a huge range of classes on offer

at this year’s McGregor Summer Arts Retreat, from basketmaking to advanced oil painting and calligraphy to jewellery and boot-making, many are already booked up.

More details at artsworx.usq.edu.au or phone 4631 1111.

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Showcasing stunning views over Lake Kawana, Curve is a 55-apartment development of one, two and three bedroom luxury apartments.

Focused on a premium lifestyle where the living is easy and the future is shiny and bright, Curve has been customdesigned to seamlessly reflect and embody casual chic of the highest calibre.

Its prized north-facing aspect ensures the interiors are flooded with sunlight and the apartments benefit from excellent cross-ventilation – everything has been thought of and incorporated to maximise comfort. It is as functional

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If you are seeking a lifestyle change where you can access everything you could need or desire, Curve is coming – and you can invest today.

Monday, December 11, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

NOW IS THE TIME TO DISCOVER A LIFE BEYOND DREAMS...

Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Seniors 23

LIMITED EDITION LUXURY BEACHSIDE APARTMENTS

WELCOME TO YOUR NEW LIFE. IT BEGINS HERE...

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24 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

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seniorsnews.com.au Monday, December 11, 2017

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Monday, December 11, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 25

Money

Downsizing costs and issues

FINANCE TONY KAYE We warmly welcome to the Seniors editorial team the very experienced finance writer Tony Kaye, who is the editor of Eureka Report and has spent more than 30 years working as a financial editor, journalist and commentator.

AUSTRALIA’S property market could get an unexpected volume boost from mid-next year when the Federal Government’s new home downsizing program, announced in the last budget, is due to come into effect.

That’s assuming the legislation passes and that a sizeable number of eligible Australians take up the option of selling their principal place of

residence to buy a smaller home, with a view to injecting more money into their superannuation.

Some may already be planning out their house sale. But doing so, without proper advice, could be a really bad financial move.

Firstly, here’s what the government announced in the May budget as part of a series of initiatives aimed at freeing up housing stock across the country for upsizers and younger families.

From July 1, 2018, individuals aged 65 or over will be able to sell their principal place of residence if it has been held for a minimum of 10 years, and deposit up to $300,000 of the proceeds into their superannuation account.

Couples will be able to deposit up to $600,000.

The existing restrictions on voluntary contributions for people aged 65 and

older, including the work test for those aged between 65 and 74 years old, and the ban on super contributions for those aged 75 and over, will not apply. Neither will the restrictions on making further non-concessional contributions for people with account balances above $1.6 million.

On the surface, the policy could be regarded as a win-win for retirees and those seeking out a home.

However, before heading down the pathway to downsizing your home, it’s very important to tally up both the raw costs and the potential risks.

Depending on your circumstances, including where you live and where you intend to buy, and your total assets position, selling up and buying another property could become a decision you’ll later regret. As well as the substantial costs assoc-

iated with selling and buying a property, home downsizing will result in many individuals or couples losing part or all of their existing or future age pension entitlements.

THE RAW COSTS OF MOVING

Moving home is never cheap, but there’s a stark difference in selling and buying costs based on location, and what you sell and buy. I’ve calculated the median costs of moving home in each of Australia’s eight capital cities, taking into account the general costs incurred when selling and buying.

Canberra is Australia’s cheapest downsizing capital for pensioners, with a median changeover cost of $23,497. That’s because all pensioners pay virtually no stamp duty on property purchases in the Australian Capital Territory. Victoria has a full

or partial stamp duty concession scheme for eligible pensioners, provided the value of a property does not exceed certain levels. Under those price thresholds, no stamp duty is payable.

Darwin is the only other capital city to apply a pensioner stamp duty discount, taking $10,000 off the governing rate.

No surprises that Sydney is the most expensive downsizing capital, with a median changeover cost of $59,416, followed by Melbourne with a median changeover cost of $45,961 (based on a partial stamp duty concession).

The median prices for houses and units in all the major cities are based on recent CoreLogic data, and calculations assume most will sell a larger house to buy a smaller unit. That’s what downsizing is about.

What is the impact of gifts on the age pension?

Andrew Heaven

Wealth Partners

Q: I am applying for the age pension and the Income and Assets form (SA369) is asking about gifts. I assisted my son four years ago to buy a house by contributing $100,000 to his deposit as a gift. What are the consequences for my age pension? If this gift is counted as an asset, will it mean we do not receive the age pension?

A: In applying for the age pension, Centrelink

applies an assets and income test to determine your entitlement to a pension benefit. Broadly speaking, whichever test delivers the lower pension benefit is the test that will apply. There are limits as to how much an age pension applicant can gift in order to reduce the amount of assets they own to increase their pension entitlement.

You are entitled to gift up to $10,000 a year or $30,000 over a five-year period. The same limits

apply as a single person or as a couple.

If you exceed the limits, the amount in excess of the limit is considered a deprived asset and the excess amount counts as an asset for five years from the time you made the gift.

Even though you are applying for the age pension now, as you gifted your son the $100,000 four years ago, the $90,000 which exceeds the limit will count as a deprived asset and

therefore count for assets test purposes and be deemed under the income test. However next year, once the five years have expired from the date of gifting, it will no longer be counted. Under the assets test, all your assets excluding the family home are counted at current market value.

The asset test reduces your age pension by $3 per fortnight for each $1000 that the assessed value of your assets exceeds the threshold.

The current cut-off point to receiving a part age pension for a couple who own their home is assessable assets less than $830,000 ($552,000 for a single). For a nonhomeowner couple, the threshold will be $1,033,000 ($755,000 for a single). If the $90,000 that is still being assessed (as a result of the $100,000 gift to your son) will exclude you from receiving the age pension, there is a range of options available to reduce your

However, depending on which suburbs you are buying and selling in, the costs of downsizing may be much higher.

Total costs take into account the general costs of selling and buying, including fees, commissions and stamp duty.

I’ve applied a standard real estate agent commission of 2.5 per cent and $5000 for marketing. These costs can vary considerably.

I’ve also applied a standard conveyancing cost of $1000 for both selling and buying. Again, this cost will vary.

Typically, there are additional costs – mainly with selling a house – such as for pre-sale repairs and maintenance, and sometimes for staging furniture.

These can easily add thousands to the cost.

More online at seniorsnews.com.au.

assessed assets. You could consider renovating or upgrading the family home as the family home is assets test exempt; spend money on a holiday; purchase a funeral bond up to $12,500 per person or pre-pay your funeral and cemetery plot. Or, wait for the five years from the date of gifting to expire and then reapply for the age pension.

Any general advice in this story doesn’t take account of your personal objectives, financial situation and needs.

Wills Estate Planning Enduring Powers of Attorney Expert Legal Advice WITH THE PERSONAL TOUCH Looking for legal assistance? Turn to James Madden of Madden & Co, Solicitors of Toowoomba.

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26 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Feature Story: Anna Abbott

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, December 11, 2017

Certain things we miss

A candid interview about the other side of retirement Ann Rickard

YOU can’t miss Anna Abbott.

With a smile almost as wide as the enormous hats she favours, and with faultless make-up and a sense of extravagant style that turns heads, she makes a grand entrance.

Now retired after and long and fulfilling career, Anna spends her days and nights with mixed and myriad activities that would leave most retirees exhausted.

She studies language (she is already fluent in French, is learning Italian) and attends Shakespeare reading classes.

She is at every theatre and museum opening, loves a party, delights in a festival and relishes a book launch.

She enjoys a classical music soiree, and hosts dinner parties and functions at her Noosa home.

She founded Les Belles, a group of like-minded local women who get together once a

week to speak only in French throughout a fun and learning afternoon (and over a glass of French bubbles).

She coaches students in English at the local language school, never misses a social event, lunches at lot, and is constantly making plans for her next overseas trip.

All this, and yet Anna says she does not quite feel complete.

It is the dreaded Relevance Deprivation Syndrome to blame.

This condition strikes men and women who have had long and rewarding careers with all the trappings that go with it: power, money, perks, influence.

In Anna’s case it is decades of working first as a lawyer and then as head-principal of a prestigious girls college in NSW. “I used to love being able to solve problems for people and make a difference to their lives,” she said of her role as principal.

MY STORY: The talented and determined Anna Abbott.

“Every day someone would come to me weeping over something. I was Mrs Fixit. I had 100 staff. I miss that.”

Relevance Deprivation Syndrome is not a derogatory expression and it is a very real

condition.

It strikes ex-politicians in particular – look no further than Tony Abbott for proof – but it also affects people who have worked hard for years to achieve promotions and goals, and who have

invested all their working lives in their professional roles.

In her position as school principal, Anna also helped young women in countless ways, from teaching them table etiquette to giving them

career advice, but mostly by just being herself and presenting as a powerful role model.

“I miss being multi-faceted, giving academic and moral guidance, attending conferences,” Anna said.

“Despite all the things I do now I still miss it. I miss the large salary, the car, the benefits.”

Anna is being honest in expressing feelings many like her have experienced upon retiring, yet have kept them to themselves.

Generally, work makes us feel relevant and when we stop it is difficult to wake each morning and wonder what we are going to do to make the day rewarding.

“It is hard to be an older woman in Australia,” Anna said.

“Age is not revered like it is in other countries.”

There is probably no cure for Relevance Deprivation Syndrome, other than to let time take care of it, and Anna with her quick intelligence and deep insight knows this.

She just has to wait it out, and have a rollicking good time until it passes.

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Monday, December 11, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Reviews

It could be The Place

Age well as you enter new age

GERONTOLOGIST Dr Drew Dwyer is known internationally as one of the most inspiring, knowledgeable and engaging gerontologists in the aged care industry.

Ageing in the New Age – A Survival Guide for Baby Boomers is his newly released book which focuses on the Baby Boomer generation, breaking many of the stigmas and myths around ageing and encouraging

them to wind back the clock and own the later years of their lives. The book provides a wealth of information for Boomers wanting to develop a pathway to a happy and healthy retirement.

It’s also a great resource for family or friends who may be struggling to have the tough conversations necessary with older parents or loved ones. Dr Dwyer wants to empower

John Clarke’s Tinkerings

THIS is the story of the actor and humorist’s life including the fan letter he sent to All Black Terry Lineen when he was ten, a golf instruction manual unlike any other, Anna Karenina in forty-three

words, and the moving essays he wrote after the deaths of his parents.

Tinkering is full of surprises, and includes all kinds of puzzles and propositions. Each one has different rules but

Boomers to own every stage of their later years, encouraging them to spend the kid’s inheritance and to “plan early for the end”. It pulls back the curtain on all the taboo topics such as sex, dementia, incontinence and death. In conjunction with the launch of this book, Dr Drew is embarking on a series of laugh-out-loud, adults only shows. Details go to www.dr-drew.com.

together they reveal the different facets of John Clarke’s comic genius.

Tinkering also includes previously unpublished material including .

Text Publishing, RRP $34.99.

CLAIRE Thorne has until Christmas Eve to turn around what may be a complete disaster for her friend. She never expected to be heading home for Christmas in Bindallarah, the small country town she left behind 13 years ago and spends every day trying to forget. But then again she never expected fate to bring Scotty, her oldest friend and first love back into her life. Or for Scotty to tell her that he’s about to get married. And will she be brave enough to question her own heart and the choices she’s made along the way?

Penguin Random House, RRP $32.99.

WHETHER it’s euphoria or serenity, awe or enlightenment, Lonely Planet’s The Place To Be hardback presents hundreds of places around the world to experience a particular emotion.

Each of the 12 chapters explores a single feeling, with destinations ranging from wild and natural spaces, to modern and ancient cities.

Plus, the travel writers explain when to go and how to get there.

With 20 places and experiences for each emotion and state of mind, The Place to Be features 240 travel destinations around the world.

Lonely Planet, RRP $39.99.

Seniors 27

Murder Collection SETTLE in for a great Christmas with this book of murder mysteries to entertain you during the coming summer month.

On Christmas Eve, while the world sleeps, snow falls gently from the sky, presents await under the tree ... and murder is afoot. In this collection of ten classic murder mysteries from the best crime writers in history, death and mayhem takes many festive forms, from the inventive to the unexpected. Join authors Ian Rankin, Ellie Peters, John Dickson Carr, Val McDermid, Margery Allingham and more, as they take us from a Santa Claus with a grudge to missing diamonds spirited away by a mysterious visitor. Allen & Unwin, RRP$19.99.

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28 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, December 11, 2017

Let’s save

Who do you call...

Seniors Card 137 468 or 1800 175 500 (free call outside Brisbane) Centrelink: Retirement 132 300 Disability, Sickness & Carers 132 717 Employment Services 132 850

Go on treat yourself

Seniors Enquiry Line 1300 135 500 Department of Veteran Affairs 133 254 or 1800 555 254 (Regional) National Information Centre on Retirement Investments (NICRI) 1800 020 110

1800 200 422

www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au

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National Aged Care Information HOME COOKING CHRISTINE PERKIN IT’S that time of year again, it sure does come around fast. You may be home alone this Christmas or your family may have gone on holidays and it can be very lonely for those left at home. So I thought it might be nice to have a Christmas lunch menu for 1 or 2 people. This way you can be a bit more extravagant if you don’t have feed a whole table of people.

You can start off with smoked salmon blinis then a lovely seafood platter and dessert.

Why not buy a ½ a dozen oysters, ½ kilo of prawns, a Moreton Bay bug (cut it in half) a piece of hot smoked salmon or smoked salmon, scallops, crab and have a seafood feast. Don’t forget a nice tossed salad, some beautiful cheese, mango and strawberries and fresh bread.

Take your time and enjoy. You will also need a nice bottle of bubbly or chilled sauvignon blanc or a few beers, they go beautifully with seafood.

If you’re not a fan of seafood make a platter with cold chicken and sliced roast beef or pork with salad, mango and bread. This is also a nice meal.

A far as dessert goes, a small plum pudding from the supermarket or local

DELISH: A lovely start to lunch are these salmon blinis.

market and have all the trimmings or make a special Eton mess with meringue, ice-cream with mango. Go on, treat yourself it’s Christmas.

SMOKED SALMON BLINI’S

You will need ■ A few slices of smoked salmon ■ Blinis (these are mini

pikelets, don’t make them too sweet if you make your own) ■ Creme fraiche ■ A little bit of dill or finely sliced chives Spread creme fraiche on pikelets, place smoked salmon on top, sprinkle a bit of dill or chives and the’re done. Serve with a nice glass of bubbly.

For more recipes go to www.seniorsnews.com.au

It’s time to shop with app-titude Linking seniors with community information across Queensland 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

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DOWNLOAD a free shopping app to your iPhone or android so you can sit back and shop while enjoying a coffee or early Christmas cocktail.

Most apps now are a mobile version of your desired store or company and it’s just as easy to use as the website itself.

Here are just some of the popular apps to help with your gift shopping and avoid the long checkout

queues.

■ Amazon Mobile THE app syncs with the website, so your shopping and wish lists are transferred automatically.

The best part? Take a picture of a product with your phone’s camera and the nifty Amazon remembers feature will identify that product and find it online.

■ Groupon THIS shopping app is lots of fun to use and can save you a bunch of money.

Groupon uses group purchasing to help users get a price break on everything from teeth whitening to helicopter tours. Daily local deals

SHOP EASY: Most apps now are a mobile version of your desired store and it's just as easy to use as the website itself.

consist of restaurants, beauty, travel, ticket vouchers, shopping vouchers, hotels, and a whole lot more, in cities across the world.

■ Ozsale OZSALE is a leading members-only online shopping club offering

savings of up to 80% off.

A virtual doorway to designer fashion, every day hosting sales for the World’s top fashion brands for ladies, men and children, accessories, beauty and home. With Ozsale, the best brands are always on sale.

Event Cinemas Movie Gift Card Giveaway THE BEST GIFT IS LOVE, ACTUALLY (But a gift card’s a close second)

Thanks to Event Cinemas, we are giving away $50 Event Cinemas Movie Gift Cards - the perfect Christmas Gift!

To be in the running, simply email communitynotes@seniorsnewspaper.com.au.

Make sure you tell us your name (first and last), contact number, email, postal address and Seniors Newspapers region, then answer this question What movie are you most excited for in 2018? Or visit seniorsnews.com.au/competitions to enter online. Good luck!

Buy yours today at the box office or at eventcinemas.com.au

Wellbeing + Travel + living + Money

Visit seniorsnews.com.au/competitionterms for full competition terms and conditions. Promoter is ARM Specialist Media Pty Ltd of 2 Newspaper Place, Maroochydore Qld 4558.

Promotional period 04/12/17 - 22-12/17. Competition drawn 9am 03/01/17 at Cnr Mayne Rd and Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Winners announced in Seniors February Editions 2017. Total prize value $200.00 (including GST). Entry is open to all permanent residents of Queensland, residing in the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Toowoomba Seniors distribution areas.

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Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Monday, December 11, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

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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.

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Briese Lawyers is a dynamic firm based in Toowoomba offering a wealth of legal experience to its valued clients.

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.

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30 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, December 11, 2017

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Puzzles

Monday, December 11, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

JIGGERED

4/12

The challenge is to rearrange a crossword which has been broken into 25 sections. One letter has been given to get you started. Work out which 3x3 square fits in with that letter and write in the letters.

You can also shade the black squares if you find it helpful.

After completing the first 3x3 area, work out which square joins on to it, and continue until you have made a complete crossword.

R E W N D

A Z E L D A N I

F

I D N A M

A T A S A

O M

A R E N T R O

S E D N E N G

E R T P U H R

U E N S L U

M I O W N L E

E N T E O N D

S

C P A D T

S C G E M

G

S N

I

N A L I A E W

E P S D T R A

A N L C P L E

C O N E D

U M

A E R D N T

R E E A L G A

I E S P R H

A S O C R A V

A L S S K

I

G U R

N C

B

I

I

S

R L

Toowoomba & Darling Downs

QUICK CRoSSwoRD

Across 6. Ample (6) 7. Angel (6) 10. Relapse (7) 11. Automaton (5) 12. Ritual (4) 13. Change (5) 16. Source (5) 17. Short note (4) 20. Perfect (5) 21. Incapacitated (4,3) 22. Avaricious (6) 23. Stinging insect (6)

Down 1. Tragic (12) 2. Fails to remember (7) 3. Leers (5) 4. Mapped (7) 5. Clan (5) 8. Mental struggle (6,2,4) 9. To no purpose (9) 14. Romantic songs (7) 15. Most direct route (7) 18. Delirium (5) 19. Aviator (5)

TRIO

1

2

3

Seniors 31

4

6

5

7

8

9 10

11

12

13 14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

Can you complete these four words, using the same three-letter sequence in each?

SUDOKU

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

The gift of a 1 or 2 year subscription means the inspirational women in your life won’t miss the treasures within Ruth’s quarterly issues, and it will be posted direct to their PO Box or letterbox, before it’s even available at a newsagency.

All new subscribers receive a pack of Tuckeroo roasted and ground wattle seeds along with a recipe for beautiful wattle seed shortbread*.

1 year subscription 4 issues value $27.80 2 year subscription 8 issues value $55.60 Available in Newsagents all over QLD, NSW, ACT. media.com.au Enquiries: call 07 4690 9310 or ruth.subscribe@newsregionalm

WORD GO ROUND

ALPHAGRAMS

magazine: The Perfect Christmas Gift for the inspiring women in your life.

APPAL, BRAVED, CAPSTAN, DRAINAGE, EMIGRANTS.

Good 14 Very Good 19 Excellent 23+

E E L A N T E N D U N S U R T U R R E

TRIO: CLE

Y N

R O

498

M N

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

TODAY

E

PAPAL ADVERB CATNAPS GARDENIA STREAMING

A S O N A L C I A W R A V E R C O N E W E N D D G A Z E I G L D U R A N I S C O M P A N C I D T A A E T R D A S A N T

E O

T J

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, e.g. he burns with anger.

SUDOKU

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

woRD Go RoUND

QUICK CROSSWORD

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

Across: 6. Enough 7. Cherub 10. Regress 11. Robot 12. Rite 13. Alter 16. Cause 17. Memo 20. Ideal 21. Laid low 22. Greedy 23. Hornet.

Down: 1. Heartrending 2. Forgets 3. Ogles 4. Charted 5. Tribe 8. Battle of wits 9. Uselessly 14. Ballads 15. Beeline 18. Fever 19. Pilot.

alpHaGRaMS

emote enemy enjoy ENJOYMENT etymon jennet joey meet mete money monte mote neem neon neoteny none nonet note omen teem teen teeny tenon tome tone tonne yeomen

F

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