Toowoomba & Darling Downs, February 2017

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Talking about love and the real deal

AH, THE age of generational disruption.

The world of post-55year-old is not the world we were told it would be.

Who would have thought that love would ever be so inclusive, so real and so rich, so multi-coloured?

Most of us, raised by conventional thinking post-WW2 parents, had little idea that waves of women’s liberation movements would take us on a ride into workplace and educational places our mothers could only have dreamed of, that

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK GAIL FORRER

Group editor Seniors Newspapers network

traditional teachings of religious institutions would be questioned and more than often abandoned by many of us, that we would be the first generation to use contraception in the form of the pill and grapple with its consequences.

Many of our generation were at the start of the

lightening fast ride into social, cultural and educational changes and along with these advances, there has been a wider acknowledgement of various human identities and relationships.

Once, unmarried mothers were destined to adopt, there wasn’t any choice.

People who suffered from dyslexia were thought to be of low intelligence, we didn’t know better.

Myths abounded that placed left-handed people on the wrong side of

godliness. There was absolute belief in the righteousness of religious orders. Let’s face it there was a lot of unfounded and ridiculous beliefs.

Because, as I have said before, I am a glass halffull sort of person, I have ensured this issue is full of love, without bias or prejudice. Indeed, where now and again you can perhaps reflect and think – “Yes, good idea”, or “I feel like that too”.

There’s enough bad feeling in the world, I trust this month, in this publication, there’s a little bit of love for everyone.

Simple tips to learn the happy dance HAPPY thoughts lead to a healthy body is a belief that has been around for some time, but now there is a team of researchers wanting to prove it.

The Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has shared some

simple ideas to bring in the positive.

■ Wake up a bit earlier in the morning and enjoy the beauty of the sun rising.

■ Listen to your favourite tune or album.

■ Put on some sunglasses, walk outside and smile at the world.

■ Plan to do something, do it and then congratulate yourself for getting it done.

■ Spend time with people who make you feel good.

■ Spend some time with your pet.

■ Hug someone you love.

■ Sleep an extra hour.

■ Go for a walk.

■ Keep smiling, even when no one is looking.

While testing out the above suggestions, it might be a good idea to avoid commuting, queueing and sorting out your finances.

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Monday, February 13, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 3

When David sang ‘My Funny Valentine’ Forty-five years of marriage and a new play coming right up DAVID Williamson is 75 this month. He’s at the age when he could be putting up his feet at his ocean front home at Sunshine Beach and enjoying the fruits of a career spanning nearly 50 years as Australia’s lauded, and leading, international playwright.

He certainly has enough grandchildren to play with.

He and his author/ journalist wife Kristin have just come home from California where they welcomed their 12th into the world.

But, no, David is busier than he has ever been.

He is currently adapting Rupert, his 2013 play about Rupert Murdoch, for US cable television. It is a six part miniseries and he has finished part one.

He has a Hollywood movie in development but wants to keep it under wraps for now.

His new play Odd Man Out opened in Sydney last month and Noosa Long Weekend festival director, Ian Mackellar, is bringing it to Noosa in March.

“I’ve had a very lucky life,” he told Seniors when we called to wish him a happy 75th.

“I’m one of those rare playwrights who gets just about every play he writes produced” David went to high school in Bairnsdale, Victoria, and attributes his career path to a teacher, Alan McLeod.

“He brought Shakespeare to life for me. The basic human emotions of love, hate, revenge, ambition, all of these things are

timeless,” he said.

“He steered me to being a playwright by making drama seem interesting, relevant and a real exploration of human nature which it is.

The work hasn’t ceased and, fortunately, audiences are still coming in numbers.”

David described how he and Kristin met during rehearsals for The

Removalist at La Mama Theatre in Melbourne.

“I was looking for a replacement lead actor and suddenly this gorgeous woman turned up. The problem was we were both married to other people at the time.

“We’ve been together 45 years and I’ve just dropped her off in Hastings St to have lunch

and go shopping with two of the grandkids.

Something must have been right about it.”

David believes romance is “important” in your life.

“Kristin would feel very bereft if I didn’t find some good red roses on Valentine’s Day. “It’s been a bit of a scramble sometimes but

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Now in its 6th year, the Felton Food Festival is back and bigger and more delicious than ever before! Held annually, the Festival is a showcase of everything that the Felton Valley is famous for. While the food and produce markets are the biggest drawcard for visitors, there will be plenty of other activities to take part in over the weekend including the new Twilight Dinner with celebrity guests and the Farm Tours on Saturday, 25 March.

Sunday, 26 March is the traditional one day festival day where scores of visitors arrive to sample the fresh produce from the wide range of market stalls, take crop tours, meet local farmers, watch cooking demonstrations, learn about the paddock to plate process, enjoy live entertainment and relax in the country atmosphere.

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I’ve always managed it.

It’s part of our calendar and I try and take her out for a nice dinner.”

The interview ended just as Kristin arrived home. I mentioned Valentine’s Day and she recalled how she and David were in a Chinese restaurant in Umina, on the NSW coast.

“There was an electric organ and David started playing and singing My Funny Valentine.

“Our teenage children were mortified but the restaurant people applauded.

“Our friend, actor John Bell, who was with us, was astonished. He hadn’t seen the exhibitionist side of the quiet playwright before that night.”

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

The Sunday is perfect for meeting the local stall holders who showcase the diverse and delicious end-products using produce that is grown in the Felton Valley. Felton farmers produce a wide variety of crops including sorghum, corn, wheat, barley, chickpeas, mungbeans, sunflowers, lettuce, cabbages, beetroot, celery and onions. The district is also a significant producer of beef, lamb, pork, poultry, dairy and eggs.

This year, the festival will showcase a range of special guests including Costa Georgiadis, Alison Alexander, Alastair McLeod, Jerry Coleby-Williams, George the Farmer, and country singer Brendon Walmsley.

For more information on the Felton Food Festival, check out www.feltonfoodfestival. org.au

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Jim Fagan

ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL: David and Kristin Williamson with grandchildren in Sydney last Christmas.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

4 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

It’s your choice Old school rules expanded to let you live your life your way WHEN IT comes to relationships, old school rules may still apply, but so do a range of new ones. It used to be that relationships had certain rules: male and female relationships were the norm, the male made the first move, you were engaged for a certain amount of time, marriage and children followed.

Pretty soon you were celebrating your 50th wedding anniversary.

But times have changed says social commentator Bernard Salt.

“Back in the 60s it was mum, dad and the kids and that was pretty much it,” he said.

“Over the past 20 years we’ve seen the emergence of a range of different relationships and lifestyle options, for example the gay culture is now celebrated.”

Relationships that were once taboo – older women and younger men, gay and lesbian partnerships,

living together and not making it official, and even choosing not to have a relationship – are now more commonplace.

❝

... older women and younger men, gay partnerships, living together and not making it official are now more commonplace.

Increasing awareness of other people’s lifestyles or preferences, perhaps through greater connection on social media, is behind our change of attitude, believes psychotherapist and relationship counsellor Shirley Hughes of Life Makeovers.

Feminism, as well as the Age of Aquarius, also saw a loosening up of old

HAVING A GOOD RELATIONSHIP ❚ Remember that, even though you are a couple, it’s healthy to have different interests or even opinions.

You don’t have to agree on everything, even if you agree to disagree. ❚ It doesn’t hurt anyone to say sorry, or to be the person who ends an argument by making a compromise. ❚ That said, it’s important to know what needs you consider “essential” in a partnership and expect your significant other to honour those needs. You also need to maintain healthy boundaries. ❚ It’s never too late to begin discussing old issues that are still bothering you, as well as the new ones that will inevitably come up. ❚ It’s true that you should never go to bed angry with your partner. Ask yourself, will this matter in five years’ time?

MARRIAGE OVER THE YEARS POSITIVE CHANGE: Relationships like that of Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart are now no longer considered taboo.

PHOTO: FRAZER HARRISON

rules, she said.

Then there were television shows like Sex and the City, where sex before marriage and sexual freedom of women was considered completely acceptable.

Men, too, can “play the field” without it being thought immoral, except in strict religious terms.

The frenzy that surrounded Demi Moore’s marriage to Ashton Kutcher, not forgetting the widely reported liaisons of stars such as Madonna, Mariah Carey and Sandra

Bullock with men younger than themselves, also changed attitudes.

Recognition that loneliness is not tied to relationship status means more people also feel comfortable with living alone.

Says Eric Klinenberg, the author of Going Solo, a book about living alone: “People who live alone do get lonely.

“But so do people in marriages.”

The old adage “each to their own” is the rule of thumb today.

• •

•

❚ According to the Bible, King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines — and men have taken multiple wives in cultures throughout the world, including China, Africa, and among American Mormons in the 19th century. Polygamy is still common across much of the Muslim world. ❚ The first recorded evidence of marriage contracts and ceremonies dates to 4000 years ago, in Mesopotamia, where marriage served as a means of preserving power. In ancient Rome, marriage was a civil affair governed by imperial law. ❚ In 1215, marriage was declared one of the church’s seven sacraments, but it was only in the 16th century that the church decreed that weddings be performed in public, by a priest. ❚ Thanks to feminism, marriage law had become gender-neutral in Western democracy by the 1970s.

At the same time, the rise of effective contraception fundamentally transformed marriage. Couples could choose how many children to have, and even to have no children at all. If they were unhappy with each other, they could divorce. ❚ Marriage is now seen to be more about love and that has opened the door to gays and lesbians claiming a right to be married, too.

• • • • • •

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Suni Golightly

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, February 13, 2017

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Monday, February 13, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 5

The power of flowers to say love Alison Houston

BUNCHES OF LOVE: Florist Lyn Curcuruto, of Southernden’s Florist, says there isn’t any reason to just say ‘I love you’ with flowers on one day of the year.

PRICELESS Southerden’s has small gifts from as little as $3, while some clients will spend “whatever it takes” for the look or effect they want in floral arrangements, spending well into the thousands.

But for a truly priceless message, we couldn’t go past one of Lyn’s most memorable Valentine’s arrangements – a girl who sent her partner a single red rose with a pregnancy test recording a positive result!

Call Southerden’s Florist on 4638 3622.

WITH Valentine’s Day approaching fast, seniors could teach young people a thing or two about romance, according to longtime florist Lyn Curcuruto, of Southernden’s Florist.

“Chivalry should never die, and I don’t think it does,” Lyn laughed.

While Southerden’s is a family run business, started by Alwyn and Margaret Southerden on their flower farm in 1974, their niece Lyn (formerly Palmer) has been arranging flowers since 1977 – “just a few years”.

Lyn started in the business at 16, became a partner in her 20s, took over the business in partnership with her husband Philip when her

aunt retired in 1994, and moved to Northpoint Shopping Centre in 2013.

But while much has changed over the years, and flowers are not given as often as they once were, Lyn said they hadn’t lost any of their appeal.

“Sometimes the more mature person has a greater appreciation for the flowers, perhaps due to greater knowledge of the varieties and the skill involved in both growing and arranging them.”

But for her, the key is “people are paying us to convey their emotions through flowers”.

“If people place a special order, we really think about those people and how to make this something special for them,” Lyn said.

She urged people to

talk to their florist, whether in person or by phone, to ensure they get what they really want from a skilled and experienced florist, Her only other issue is that people shouldn’t just show their love on a single day.

“You can give a red rose any time of any day and it will be special,” she said.

While there isn’t any “right” flower or arrangement to give for Valentine’s Day, the traditional single red rose or bunch of roses is always a winner, while the newer neon chrysanthemums have attracted attention.

“It’s the gift of giving, and you don’t have to spend a lot to give, and to give someone a smile,” Lyn said.

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Pauline sews up the globe Alison Houston

PAULINE Rogers reckons she and husband Rob could go to just about any town in Australia and have someone to share a cup of tea with them.

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It is quilting that has taken the 63-year-old Toowoomba woman not just around Australia but around the world.

And it’s only going to get bigger, with plans under way for two studios at her

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surprised and overjoyed that what began as a hobby has turned into such a success.

“It’s taken us by storm,” she said.

Pauline took up quilting as simply “something to do with her time” more than 30 years ago.

With no sewing background, she began quilting with needle and thread. Having borrowed a sewing machine, she decided she needed to buy her own and, before she knew it, she was being asked to teach.

Queensland Arts Council saw some of her students’ work and asked her to take her classes to the Outback, which she did for about six years in the 1980s, travelling to isolated spots such as Longreach and Mt Isa. She has since been a featured tutor at the Australasian Quilting Symposiums and the Stitches and Craft Shows.

She and Rob ran a shop in Toowoomba for 20 years from 1996 on the site of what is now Northpoint Shopping Centre. When the shop was bought, Pauline

TRINETTE wALMSLEY

QUILTING JOURNEY: Pauline Rogers has taken her unique quilting methods, her new book and self-designed tools to the world.

thought she’d retired.

Little did she know she would be travelling the country for the next eight years, teaching quilting, writing a book on her self-designed Quilt as You Go method and inventing tools for the hobby.

She featured at 39 events last year nationwide, as well as tutoring in Bali.

She has just returned from the United States, visiting Houston and Los Angeles, introducing Americans to her initiatives – and it seems they love it, with plans under way for Pauline to wholesale her goods overseas.

“Quilting is massive over there. It’s a lifestyle.

People through the generations have sat on their grandmother’s knee and learnt quilting,” Pauline said.

The hobby is growing in Australia, with Pauline now teaching her second generation of quilters.

“Women really get lost in it,” she said.

“It’s the best therapy.”

You can find out more about quilting and Pauline’s innovative methods at Toowoomba’s second annual Craft Alive from 9am–4pm on February 10–12 at the Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre.

Phone Pauline’s Quilters World on 4696 9825 or go to www.pqw.com.au.

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Seniors 9

Cab trial for over-60s The $2 taxi test has been well received and will be extended Alison Houston

COUNCIL Cabs is a trial service that Toowoomba’s over-60s and people with disabilities have taken to their hearts over the past year.

The service offers eligible seniors and disabled people a $2 each-way shared taxi service to their local shopping centre once a week.

“Some people use it to do their shopping, others as a social outing,” Community Development’s Darryl Bates said.

“For a lot of people it has made them feel more independent in that they can go out themselves without always depending on family or friends to take them.”

The good news is that the trial has been extended until June 29, when it will be reviewed to ensure the community’s needs are still being met.

“The service has been extremely well received

and currently we have around 300 registered users. Some people use the service once a week and others once a month, but together it adds up to around 200 return trips (250 passengers) per month,” Mr Bates said.

The service, which picks up at approximately 9am, has also improved, originally offering only a four-hour return window, but now offering a choice of return trips at 11am or 1pm.

❝

Currently we have around 300 registered users.

It adds up to around 200 return trips.

Taxis run on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, depending where you live, with the service covering a huge area including Toowoomba, Crows Nest, Highfields, Oakey,

FREEDOM: The Council Cabs service does more than allow people to do their shopping once a week, it gives a feeling of independence and for many becomes a social outing.

Pittsworth and Cambooya.

It is open to those with an eligible concession or pension card.

Just call 1300 811 394 before 12pm on the day before your trip.

The taxi driver will

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Seniors 11

Travel

Travel to new worlds

Ann Rickard takes us out of Australia and into great, new spaces LET’S face it, those in the gay community seem to have far more fun than the rest of us, so it makes sense to follow their instincts and holiday where they do.

Check out these ten gay destinations from around the world and around the country.

SAN FRANCISCO, U.S.A.

The Big Daddy of all the gay cities, the place where it all came out in the 1960s and gay pride spread its tentacles all over the world.

With its Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Lombard St and those cute cable cars, exploring San Francisco Lic No TAG 1446

is a treat, especially when there is a restaurant, café or bar always a few footsteps away.

MYKONOS, GREEK ISLANDS

If San Francisco is King of the gay destinations then Mykonos must be the Queen. The entire Greek Island is gay – from the seafront tavernas at Super Paradise Beach to the myriad clubs and bars hidden in the maze of cobbled streets in Mykonos town.

SITGES, SPAIN

This small fishing village with its sunny beaches and quaint old town was

home to a sprinkling of fishermen and their families in the 1960s, until the gay crowd discovered its laid-back charm and arrived in droves.

The clubs, gyms and saunas quickly popped up and now Sitges is famous the world over for its vivacious gay nightlife and colourful festivals.

It’s a perfect European summer destination for all of us.

all over the world. A sweep of sandy beach fringed with over-sand taverns buzzes with gay women hanging out, having fun.

How Lesbos will recover from the massive influx of refugees in the past couple of years won’t be known for some time.

It is cheaper than most Greek islands.

SKALA ERRESSOS – GREEK ISLAND OF LESBOS

Super gay-friendly city, Sydney pulses during the biggest annual gay party in the country each February/March. We all know about Mardi Gras but how many of us have made the pilgrimage to

This small seaside village on the south-west of the Greek island attracts lesbians from

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12 September 2017

12 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

travel

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, February 13, 2017

PICTURE PERFECT: A scenic picture view of the famous Amalfi Coast with beautiful Gulf of Salerno, Campania, Italy.

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Dazzle your senses with Italian class

The stunning sights and sounds of this diverse land and culture will remain with you forever Ann Rickard

ITALY is one of the countries on the bucket list of so many travellers – even though it has suffered a number of heartbreaking disasters lately.

But intrepid seniors do not let a potential calamity of nature turn them off their travel plans, do they?

Everyone should see Italy just once if it is possible within time and budget restraints.

The first time you visit Rome and set eyes on the Colosseum will be embedded in your memory forever.

The same goes for St Peter’s.

Even if the Trevi Fountain is packed with tourists, and it will be, you will find it hard to snap a

selfie without a dozen others in the background, and you will. It won’t take away from the spine-tingly thrill that you are there, right there at this world famous landmark.

The first time I entered the Plazza del Campo, the historic centre of Siena, in Tuscany, I experienced a feeling of mouth slack.

My jaw dropped considerably, not quite to the ground as many a colourful writer would embellish, but it definitely did drop as I took in the sight of arguably Europe’s most renowned medieval square.

The breathtaking architecture of the shell-shaped piazza, the soaring Torre del Mangia, that slender tower rising from the square, the Fonta Gaia, the fountain

that first brought water to the square, halted me on the spot.

Our Siena visit was just days before the famous Palio di Siena, the bare-back horse race around the periphery of the piazza where thousands of people cram into every centimetre of space on the ground and hang off balconies to watch and cheer.

There was much ceremony during our pre-Palio visit and celebrations with groups of young men draped in brilliant colours, carrying flags, beating drums.

There are the hundreds of charming small villages and pretty seaside towns in Italy waiting for exploration. Best you plan and stay as long as time and money will permit.

travel

Monday, February 13, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Seniors 13

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14 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

travel

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, February 13, 2017

Regional city culture Bendigo has preserved history and moved with the modern Phil Hawkes

BENDIGO, Victoria. Best known for its 19th Century Gold Rush history, its Chinese Museum and unique Bendigo Pottery.

And maybe the famous Shamrock Hotel with its wide verandas peering down on the main street delightfully called “Pall Mall”… the early colonial settlers certainly had a sense of humour. Irish, no doubt.

But what of today’s Bendigo? We decided to find out for ourselves, so after driving less than two hours from Melbourne we’re sauntering along Pall Mall observing the rejuvenated heritage listed buildings as well as a smattering of more recent architecture, and lots of green space.

Surprisingly, some trendy boutiques and streetside cafés as well.

First impressions are important, and it seems to be a relaxed visitorfriendly place.

So far so good. Next we

check in at a new hotel, the Schaller Studio not far away (in fact next to the hospital) and are immediately struck by the artwork and sculptures dominating the entire building, including all the guest rooms. It’s like walking into a gallery of modern art, plus a studio section in the lobby where guests (and their children) can use the provided art materials and even attend art classes.

Mark Schaller, after whom the hotel is named, is a contemporary Victorian artist well known as one of the founders of the expressionist group, Roar Studios.

Schaller says: “Bendigo is really romantic…the vibrant art centre for regional Victoria… (growing) into a unique destination for art lovers around the world”.

The Bendigo Art Gallery is proof of this. With its long history dating back to 1887 and modern, well-lit extensions, it’s arguably Australia’s finest gallery

RICH TRADITIONS: Ulumbarra Arts Centre in the old gaol.

outside a capital city.

Another example of an arts-related project embraced by the community is the Ulumbarra Theatre complex. Built in and around the bones of the 1860s Sandhurst Prison, this is as attractive an arts venue as we’ve found anywhere. There’s a busy program of theatre, film, music and other events and especially

educational activities, as the high school is an integral part of the complex.

The Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation played an important role during the building of Ulumbarra and the opening of the theatre.

The name means Gather Together or Meeting Place, as the hill on which it stands was a

significant meeting place long before a gaol was constructed there.

Next we turn our attention to the city’s culinary offerings. It’s not difficult to find wine bars and restaurants mirroring the Melbourne scene in miniature… but here the emphasis is predictably on locally-sourced food and wine.

We have pitstops at places like Wine Bank, Mr

Beebe’s and Rocks on Rosalind, sampling wines and tasting plates. All very delicious, convivial and relaxing… no city hustling here.

There’s a spirit about these places which makes “tree change” start to sound like a good idea.

■ artserieshotels.com.au ■ Phil Hawkes was hosted

by Art Series Hotels – The Schaller Studio.

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Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Monday, February 13, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 15

Wellbeing Alison Houston

THEY say it takes a village to raise a child but these days, increasingly, it takes grandparents with big hearts.

They take over the care of their grandchildren, often in the most difficult of circumstances, with little thanks, funding or support.

That’s something May Benstead, the convener of Toowoomba’s Grandparents and Carers Raising Children, wants to see changed, with greater legal recognition for the growing number of grandparents raising children, greater funding and uniform laws nationwide.

She has cared for three grandchildren and still has full-time care of her nine-year-old grandson due to her daughter’s mental and physical health problems.

“She couldn’t cope and she put her hand up and said ‘Mum, help me’. I have a lot of respect for her for that,” Mrs Benstead said.

She says caring for grandchildren is an emotional rollercoaster.

Often the children come into their care because their parents have mental health issues, are abusing drugs or alcohol, or there is domestic violence.

Sometimes it is due to physical health problems or the death of the parents.

In all cases the children are emotionally scarred, often don’t fully understand why they aren’t with mum and dad,

Benstead said, they also lost their social circle, because they don’t have the same time to devote to hobbies or people their own age.

That’s where her support group, which meets fortnightly, comes into its own.

“Getting the right help is what I struggled with,” Mrs Benstead said.

“It can be isolating and it’s such a relief to be able

❝

there were at least 200 grandparents in Toowoomba and 50,000 Australia-wide with permanent care of their grandchildren. and often act out.

Then there are the parents themselves, the children of the grandparents, some of whom blame the grandparents for losing their children and emotionally or physically abuse them.

Grandparents also face economic problems, with many who may have retired, having to return to work.

In many cases, Mrs

to talk to someone older who understands what you are going through.

“I’ve had grandparents come to me and cry for four hours – they are just so frustrated and sad and they think they are the only ones going through this.”

Sadly, this is far from the truth. There are 40 permanent members of the Toowoomba support group and many others who simply ring for

support.

In fact, Mrs Benstead fields calls from across the country and said there were at least 200 grandparents in Toowoomba and 50,000 Australia-wide with permanent care of their grandchildren.

“I’m not a counsellor, I can’t give advice.

I’m just a grandma. But I can listen and give support and I know what services and funding are available,” Mrs Benstead said.

She told how the group had worked in shifts offering feeding, cleaning and shopping to a grandmother taking on care of a newborn and helped with emergency food, clothes and toys for grandparents in Oakey who unexpectedly took on the care of four children.

If you need support, call Mrs Benstead on 0439 717 586, or contact Supporting Queensland Grandparents on 1300 135 500 for information and/or referrals on parenting, legal, financial, social and leisure activities, family conflict, health and child care.

Linking seniors with community information across Queensland 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday www.seniorsenquiryline.com.au

6056477aa

Giving their all to aid grandkids

GENERATIONAL JOY: My Time Grandparents Toowoomba convenor May Benstead with grandson Harley Wright.

PHOTO: KEVIN FARMER

Submit your photos, stories, events and notices online. Look for the ‘share your event or story’ box on our home page. Visit us at seniorsnews.com.au

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It’s Good to Share

16 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

wellbeing

Retirement is a big part of life: think about it

Staying together for longer

RETIREMENT is different for everyone but few of us put enough thought into what we hope to get from it.

That’s according to clinical psychologist Dr Bob Knight, himself retired – to a point.

He officially retired from the University of Southern California but is now Professor of Psychology and Counselling at USQ and runs a part-time practice focused on older adults at Houston House.

“I grew up in cities the size of Toowoomba and even smaller, so it felt a bit like coming home,” Dr Knight said of his move from Los Angeles 18 months ago.

He said under the right conditions – when retirement is voluntary, you have good health and “enough money (not necessarily a lot)” – life satisfaction generally goes up after retirement.

Too often it is seen as “a later-life stressor” but that is not necessarily true unless you are forced into retirement by either your employer or poor health.

There can be a sense of loss and depression if you haven’t got the work-life balance right and work has become your identity.

It can also take couples a while to adjust to retirement, of one or both.

Suddenly they are thrown together far more than before, without the

PET SUPPORT: PAPA president Jan Phillips with her dogs Kirsty and Mintie. PHOTO: DI JOHNSTONE

KEEPING older Australians and their pets together is the goal of the national lobby group, Pets and Positive Ageing which is the first of its kind.

The voluntary organisation is a specialised advocacy group which is helping to find ways for domestic pets to stay with their elderly owners at home or in retirement villages, in hostels, at independent living units and in low care areas of nursing.

President Jan Phillips said the organisation realised from very early days that pets and ageing was a national issue.

Since 2012 it has confronted and challenged the issues surrounding when older

Australians need to move to supported accommodation and the vexing problem of what to do with their pets which can at times stop people from making the choice of moving to more suitable accommodation.

Ms Phillips said PAPA is continually engaging with several animal welfare and in-home pet support programs across Australia.

Its community consultations have led PAPA to offer, “practical initiatives such as promotion of support services in other states, holding public forums on key issues, talking to key senior groups and service providers, and mentoring community organisations looking to emulate the PAPA

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, February 13, 2017

programs,” Ms Phillips said.

The group’s newest campaign is focused on pet support becoming one of the standard services offered to home and community Care clients within home care packages.

Other PAPA projects on the table for 2017 are developing advice on end-of-life for pets, promoting the use of emergency or home alone contact cards, and opening discussions on taking dogs into public places and onto public transport.

For more information on the group, go to www.petsandpositive ageing.com.

This is the first story in a series on Pets and Positive Ageing.

❝

The secret to success is to continue to have some things you do on your own as well as things you do together.

— Dr Bob Knight

MAKE IT GREAT: Clinical psychologist Dr Bob Knight says we should think and talk about life after work much earlier than we do.

structure of a work day.

“The secret to success is to continue to have some things you do on your own as well as things you do together,” Dr Knight said.

However Dr Knight wished we did more as a society to prepare for retirement, which these days can last almost as long as our careers, which we spend years working towards.

“The education system should be teaching people a lifetime perspective and introducing students to healthy, active over-60s as role models,” he said.

They need to be thinking in lifetime terms, not just what jobs they want to have but life beyond that.”

So here are a few of Dr Knight’s tips for a happy retirement:

■ Plan ahead – think about what you enjoy in life, what you would like to do if you weren’t working and make it part of your life even before you retire.

■ If you have a choice, think about phasing out work rather than just going cold turkey. People who do volunteer work also report greater life satisfaction.

■ As a couple, talk about how you want to arrange your time together and apart post-retirement.

It’s not good for either person to be totally dependent on being together all the time.

■ Discuss what it will be like not having a work structure and what you want to do with that time.

■ If you are considering moving to be closer to the children/grandchildren or to a favourite holiday spot, try before you buy. Often living somewhere full-time can be very different to visiting.

It’s all about pre-planning what can be the best time of your life.

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Monday, February 13, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

What’s on Alison’s 10 good-time tips

It’s on Thursday, February 23, from 8pm.

Cost is $59.50 for adults.

Phone 1300 655 299 or go to www.empiretheatre. com.au.

6. THE EVERLY BROTHERS AND BUDDY HOLLY

JOURNALIST ALISON HOUSTON

1. USQ VISUAL ART

HOW creative are the USQ visual art staff?

Untold Stories, exhibited from February 14 – March 8 at USQ Arts Gallery, West St, reveals all. They work across printmaking, ceramics, painting, drawing and sculpture.

Phone 4631 1111 for details.

2. TOOWOOMBA CITY LIBRARY

AUSSIE ROCK ICONS: Brian Cadd and Glenn Shorrock will play at the Empire Theatre in March.

3. SEED TO FEED

LOVE your books and a good bargain?

Head to the Friends of the Toowoomba City Library book sale this Friday, February 17, from 9am–4pm and Saturday, February 18, from 9am–2pm.

and Cultural Centre.

Aimed at beginners, subjects include learning how to grow your own fruit and vegetables in backyard gardens, patches and pots.

Cost is $5. Phone 131 872 or go to www.tr.qld.gov.au/change.

IF YOU need to reconnect with your garden, enjoy Seed to Feed, a half-day workshop by local horticulturist Brian Sams on Saturday, February 18, from 9am–noon at Millmerran Community

Have a Go at Cobb & Co Museum festival IT’S the only event of its kind in Australia, bringing together artisans of all descriptions to ply their trades and crafts and, best of all, let you try your hand at them.

The Cobb & Co Museum’s annual Have a Go Festival is on over one jam-packed day this year, running from 9am–9pm on Saturday, February 25.

You can watch demonstrations by award-winning artisans, take part in free

HAT-ITUDE: Millinery is one of the most popular mini workshops at the festival.

activities, learn a new skill at the mini workshops and enjoy all the museum itself has to offer – including the cafe.

You’ll even get a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes.

At night, you can try a drop or two of boutique wines, beers or mead.

Your $15 adult festival admission allows you to enjoy Step Up and Have a Go activities such as crochet, damper making, lace making and paper crafting, weaving, relief printing, silk painting, making rustic furniture, whip cracking, beekeeping and wheelwrighting.

Book at www.cobbandco.qm. qld.gov.au or phone 4659 4900.

4. SUMMER TUNES

NEWTOWN Park will echo with the sound of Summer Tunes on Sunday, February 19.

One of Toowoomba’s premier parks, it covers an area of 12ha (30 acres).

The concert is in the rose garden from noon–3pm and will feature the Broxburn Music Club of Pittsworth.

5. FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS

OH WHAT a night!

That’s what you’ll be saying after seeing this tribute production to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons at the Empire Theatre.

IT BECAME known as the day the music died when Buddy Holly’s plane crashed in 1959.

But Scot Robin breathes new life into the legend’s music in The Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly at the Empire Theatre on Friday, March 3, from 8pm.

Tickets are $66.90 for adults. Phone 1300 655 299 or go to www.empiretheatre. com.au.

7. GLENN SHORROCK AND BRIAN CADD

ICONS of Australian rock music and long-time mates Glenn Shorrock and Brian Cadd have reunited for a tour featuring Axiom members Chris Stockley and drummer Doug Lavery, and legendary singer/guitarists Sam See and Glyn Mason.

From songs of the 1960s to the artists’ newest albums, take a musical journey across five decades on Saturday, March 4, from 8–10pm at the Empire Theatre.

Phone 1300 655 299 or go to www.empire theatre.com.au.

Seniors 17

8. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

MARCH 8 is International Women’s Day and USQ Shine is holding its annual high tea to celebrate from 2pm in the USQ Refectory.

This year’s special guest speaker is USQ alumna and Energy Skills Australia chief executive officer Penelope Twemlow.

Cost is $30–$35.

Funds raised will go towards female student bursaries.

Book your ticket at www.usq.edu.au/shine.

9. BE BOLD FOR CHANGE

ALSO celebrating International Women’s Day’s theme of “Be Bold for Change” is East Creek Community Centre.

Enjoy an excellent morning tea, guest speaker and raffles at the centre from 10am–noon.

Book if possible for catering purposes at info@eastcreek.com.au or phone 4639 2755.

10. SHAKESPEARE’S AS YOU LIKE IT

HOW DO you like your Shakespeare?

The USQ Shakespeare Festival this year presents the classic comedy As You Like It on Thursday, March 9, and Fridays and Saturdays until March 18 at the USQ Arts Theatre.

The show features USQ’s third-year theatre students, guest directed

by Matthew Emond.

Adults are $25. Phone 4631 1111.

A GREAT SENIOR’S SPECIAL

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Highfields Pioneer Village See what life was like wander through restored buildings, vintage vehicles & farm machinery.

20 acres of picturesque grounds 60 buildings, pleasant surroundings & picnic facilities.

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A big fabulous cooked breakfast will set you up for a big day, every day!

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18 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, February 13, 2017

Community HOW TO SUBMIT NOTICES

TO ALLOW for readers’ requests for the publication of more neighbourhood news, please keep notices short and to the point (100 word maximum).

If you would like to submit a photo please ensure it is at least 180dpi with faces in a nice and bright setting.

The deadline for the March issue is February 28. Email Nicky or Chris at communitynotes@ seniorsnewspaper .com.au

NATIONAL SENIORS AUSTRALIA GARDEN CITY – TOOWOOMBA BRANCH

OUR next meeting will be held on Monday, February 20, at Drayton Bowls Club, cnr Gipps and Ball st, with morning tea at 9.30am. Visitors welcome. Cost is $7.

In response to current concerns we have invited local snake catcher Dave Wiedman to bring us up to date on how to respond to creepy crawleys in our neighbourhood.

Our first day trip for 2017 will be on Tuesday, February 28, when we travel to Kalbar, in the Scenic Rim’s Fassifern Valley, to visit the magnificently restored Wiss Emporium to experience a fully functioning store from yesteryear and learn some of its history.

Lunch will be in the 101year-old butter factory at Boonah together with memories of the heyday of dairying in this beautiful and fertile valley.

For further information,

WELLNESS CLINICS: Mobile women’s health nurse Kathryn Anning will visit a number of locations throughout the community.

phone Hazel on 4634 4519.

CARDS WITH FRIENDS

TOOWOOMBA Croquet Club welcomes players to their regular card afternoon. Make up a table of friends to play every 1st Thursday of the month at the club premises, at Lindsay Street, 12.30–3.30pm.

Afternoon tea is provided, admission $6.

Contact: Marjorie on 4636 7858.

CAR BOOT SALE

THE Combined Mission Committee of St Stephen's and Middle Ridge Uniting Church will

hold a at 265 Stenner St on Saturday, March 18, from 7am–noon, rain hail or shine.

Come and buy some goodies or have your own site for $15.

Inquiries: Sandra on 4636 9814.

WOMENS HEALTH SERVICES

DARLING Downs Hospital and Health Service mobile women’s health nurse Kathryn Anning will visit a variety of locations to conduct free Well Women’s clinics throughout February.

Ms Anning provides a range of services including pap smears, breast awareness and

sexual health testing as well as advice for issues such as continence, menopause, contraception and general wellbeing.

Upcoming clinics will be held at the following locations: ■ Esk Hospital: February 13, 9am–3pm. Contact 5424 4600 for enquiries and bookings.

■ Oakey Hospital: February 14, 9am–3pm.

Contact Oakey Hospital on 4691 4888.

■ Gatton Community Health Service: February 15, 9am–3pm. Contact Gatton Hospital on 5468 4185.

■ Crows Nest: Community Health Room, 8 Grace St (old Hospital entry),

February 20. Contact 4616 6809 for appointments.

■ Pittsworth, Allied Health Rooms, Beauaraba Living: February 22, 9am–3pm.

Phone Beauaraba Living on 4619 8422.

■ Killarney and District Aged Care Facility: February 23 from 10am–3pm. Contact 4664 1488.

■ Toogoolawah Clinic: Our House 27 Gardner Ct, Toogoolawah, February 27 from 10am–3pm.

Contact Esk Hospital on 5424 4600.

■ Allora, Southern Cross Care: 29 Darling St, Allora. February 28, 9am–3pm.

Phone Southern Cross Care on 4666 3171.

HIGHFIELDS GETS THE LOW-DOWN ON PROSTATE CANCER

PROSTATE specialist nurse Joanne Hiscock discussed the number one men’s cancer – prostate cancer, with members of the Highfields Probus Club at the February meeting.

Joanne gave a comprehensive talk about the disease, the various forms of its severity and treatment options for men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

As a prostate specialist nurse, Joanne works from both the base hospital and St Andrew’s Hospital in Toowoomba.

The service she offers is part of a national program to help men and their families get reliable information about their diagnoses and treatment plans.

Joanne said she found assisting men with access to services in the hospital and community, both during and after treatment, assisted them and their families in coping with their disease.

With more than 18,000 males diagnosed with new cases of prostate cancer in 2016 and 3300-plus estimated deaths in 2016, prostate cancer patients need support from groups such as the Prostate Cancer Support Group in their area and the prostate specialist nurse program as treatment can give sufferers a 94% chance of surviving five years or more.

Joanne Hiscock can be contacted via email at joanne.hiscock@health .qld.gov.au or hiscockj@sath.org.au.

Come On Let’s Do The Google This March Tune in, turn on and tap into next month’s technology edition.

This March, we’re sharing dozens of user-friendly tips to start or further your use of computers, cameras or phones.

There’s so much available to enhance our lives, from new communication techniques to medical devices and very clever cameras.

Pick up your free copy of the March edition at your local stockist or read online at seniorsnews.com.au News + LifestyLe + HeaLtH + traveL + fiNaNce + eNtertaiNmeNt

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Get savvy and join the tech talk this March in Seniors Newspapers.

Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Monday, February 13, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 19

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20 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, February 13, 2017

Live and

Handmade with love MAKING your own candles is very easy and can be tailor-made to individual preferences.

What you will need: ■ Wax ■ A jar or mould ■ Wick ■ Fragrance/ essential oil ■ Coloured dye Method: 1. Melt the wax, add the essential oil and then the dye and mix.

2. Glue wick to the base of the jar or mould and use a wick bar to centre.

3. Pour melted wax into jar, allocating enough wick to be trimmed.

4. When the wax has cooled, trim the wick.

butter, softened at room temperature ■ 1/2 cup (100g) sugar ■ 2/3 cup (150ml) milk, room temperature ■ 1/4 cup (30g) powdered sugar ■ 1 cup (235ml) water Method: 1. Bring a pot of water to just below a boil.

2. Cream the cocoa powder and butter in a bowl, then add it to the pot.

3. Sift the powdered sugar into the pot, then add the milk.

4. Stir the mixture until smooth, then pour it into a mould of choice.

5. Let the chocolate harden, then pop it out and enjoy.

Love don’t cost a thing... ...OR does it? Is Valentine’s Day just another day of the year or a special day to spoil your loved one? The most popular gifts usually BE THRIFTY AND THRIVE purchased are flowers, NICKY NORMAN chocolates, pamper products, alcohol, jewellery, candles and appreciate and use the lingerie. We should all items. Some suggestions keep the fire burning in can be pamper products, our relationship without alcohol, favourite using a “Day” as the main cheeses and sweets. reason to indulge but if ★TAKE A DRIVE you would like to show GRAB a picnic basket your appreciation for your filled with goodies and a one and only, here are blanket or fold-up chairs some less expensive and and drive to a special more personal ideas for location. Switch off from any day of the year. the world and wine and ★DANCE CLASS dine at a local park or THERE are local scenic lookout and enjoy classes available to learn your day together. how to salsa, samba or ★COOKING CLASS tango to name a few.

LOOK at what cooking Ignite some passion and schools or restaurants fun and reconnect with have to offer in your area your partner, this could and cook a meal be a new experience. together. This then gives Some restaurants have you the opportunity to sit free learn to dance back and appreciate your classes available too. creation and each other, ★LOVE PACK over a drink and a chat.

MAKE a list of some of ★GET ACTIVE your partner’s favourite It’s important to stay things and put together a healthy and exercise, so love pack that not only why not do it together? shows that you know Go for an early morning what they like but you bike ride, swim or take a know that they will walk at sunset.

★CHOCOLATES

MAKING your own chocolates is a delicious and simple treat: Ingredients: ■ 2 cups (220g) cocoa powder ■ 3/4 cup (170g)

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

The way to bake a Persian Love Cake

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

6067800aa

National Aged Care Information www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au

LOVE: Show it with a little extra care and attention.

Servings 16 people, prep time 15 minutes, cook 60 minutes.

Ingredients 3 cups almond meal, blanched; 1/2 cup desiccated coconut; 1 & 1/2 cups coconut sugar; 1/2 cup (120g) butter, softened; 1 tsp salt; 2 large eggs, lightly beaten; 1 cup sheep’s

Seniors News

milk yogurt; 4 tsp ground nutmeg; 1 tsp ground cardamom; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 cup pistachios, roughly chopped; 1 cup creme fraiche, thick cream or yogurt for serving.

Instructions You will need a 23-25cm springform cake tin for this recipe.

Preheat oven to 160C (fan-forced), butter a 23-25cm springform cake tin and line the base and sides with baking paper, in a large bowl combine the almond meal, desiccated coconut, coconut sugar, butter and salt and mix until it resembles breadcrumbs. Spoon half

of the mixture into the cake tin and gently press it evenly over the base.

Add the eggs, yogurt and spices to the almond mixture and beat until well combined. Pour over the base and smooth the top. Bake the cake for 60 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Add cream/yogurt to serve.

If you like what you’re reading, why not advertise here?

We’d love to share your stories and promote your business to readers just like you. This is the perfect opportunity to share what your business has to offer to those who are most interested. Don’t miss your chance to reach our readers!

Embracing Ageing

To find out more about advertising in Seniors Toowoomba and online, call media sales consultant Mark Sojourner on 1300 880 265 or get in touch at mark.sojourner@seniorsnewspaper.com.au

BOOK THIS SPACE!

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★CANDLES

Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Monday, February 13, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

let’s save

POWERED BY

Creating with love

Visit www.amalpest.com.au V l est com au or call 13 19 61

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HOME COOKING CHRISTINE PERKIN way to impress, always a delight and not too heavy.

Finish with a good coffee and some beautiful home-made chocolates.

PRAWN COCKTAILS

■ 12 fresh cooked prawns ■ Iceberg lettuce ■ 1 mango sliced – optional ■ 1 avocado sliced – optional ■ Lemon juice Cocktail sauce Make your own with 1 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons tomato sauce and 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce.

Just mix ingredients together and taste then adjust accordingly.

Slice lettuce and place in serving dish add prawns, layer mango and avocado and squeeze lemon juice over salad then drizzle with dressing and serve.

OVEN-BAKED CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM RISOTTO

■ 50g unsalted butter ■ 1 large onion, finely chopped ■ 500g chicken mince ■ 2 cups (440g) arborio rice ■ 1 cup white wine ■ 1L liquid chicken stock

SILKY SMOOTH: Delicious Toblerone mousse.

■ 1/2 cup (50g) grated parmesan, plus extra to serve ■ 100g sliced mushrooms ■ Few sprigs of thyme ■ 3 slices chopped bacon ■ 1 cup rocket leaves ■ Olive oil, to drizzle ■ Salt and pepper to season Step 1 Preheat oven to 170°C and place a five-litre ovenproof dish in to heat.

Step 2 Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat, add onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft.

Add bacon, brown then add chicken and cook for 2–3 minutes.

Add mushrooms and cook until starts to colour, then add the rice and cook, stirring for one minute.

Add wine and stock and bring to boil, then add thyme. Pour everything into the preheated dish.

Cover tightly with a lid or foil and place in the oven for 15 minutes.

Remove and give everything a good stir, then cover again and return to the oven for a further 15 minutes.

Love Baking?

By this time all liquid should have been absorbed. If not, return to the oven uncovered for a further five minutes.

Step 3 Remove and add parmesan, rocket and basil, and season with salt and pepper.

Sprinkle with extra parmesan and drizzle with olive oil.

Are you raising Grandchildren?

Do you need information?

Call us!

TOBLERONE MOUSSE

■ 2 x 110g Toblerone chocolate (or milk chocolate if you prefer) melted ■ 2 cups of beaten cream ■ 2 eggs separated Melt chocolate, cool slightly, add egg yolks one at a time and mix, then add cream.

Beat egg whites until stiff then fold though chocolate mix.

Grab a piping bag or plastic bag and cut corner off so you can pipe into glasses.

Chill overnight.

Garnish with a raspberry or flaked chocolate.

1300 135 500

Also ask about Time for Grandparents, a program providing time out for eligible grandparents, activities for grandchildren, grandfamily camps and support with school camps.

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THE ABILITY to cook is a lovable trait in a person, whether it’s home-made pasta or just making a really yummy piece of cheese on toast.

There is quite simply no restaurant in the world that will light you up in the eyes of a significant other in the same way as a meal you’ve prepared yourself.

With this in mind, I have put together a few ideas for a fail-safe homespun romantic meal!

The “home made is always better” rule applies to most things in our romantic lives.

I have designed a menu that will be truly special and simple with minimal time in the kitchen.

The first thing to do is set the mood.

Buy some nice wine or special drink, nip out into the garden and pick some fresh flowers or foliage, light the candles and turn on some soft music.

Now get out your best glassware and crockery and set the table.

You’re ready.

Simple Prawn Cocktails are easy and can be made ahead of time. I like to use a glass for serving this dish or you can use a small bowl.

Oven-baked Chicken and Mushroom Risotto is easy as it can cook while you’re having your entrée, just ensure all your preparation is done beforehand.

If you have room for dessert, Toblerone Mousse is such an easy

Seniors 21

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180 pages of the same cherished Australian recipes, with many of the original homely hints, methods and comments.

These ‘collector edition’ copies are available from The Chronicle front counter or phone 4690 9467 to arrange postal delivery.

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22 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, February 13, 2017

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puzzles

Monday, February 13, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au 1

2

3

4

5

6

Across 5/8 Who said “Money can’t buy you happiness but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery”?

(5,8) 9 Used in computing, what number system has a base of 8? (5) 10 Using linseed oil, pigments, rosin and pine flour, what did Frederick Walton invent in 1860? (8) 11 What is the capital of Belarus? (5) 14 What drilling tool is held in a brace? (3) 16 Which short-lived republic broke away from Nigeria 1967 to 1970? (6) 17 What is anti-aircraft fire also called? (3-3) 18 What is the abbreviation for trinitrotoluene?

(1,1,1) 20 Formed in 1791, what was the Berlin SingAkademie? (5) 24 In what ornamental needlework are pieces of fabric attached to another? (8) 25 What is a promontory more commonly called?

(5) 26 What is used for sharpening a writing quill? (8) 27 Which Chicago tower was the world’s tallest building from 1973 to 1996? (5)

7

8 9 10 11 12

13

14

15

16

17 18

19

20

21

22

23

24 25 26 27

SUDOKU

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

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8 9

10

Down 1 What is a young salmon? (5) 2 What, striking on steel, produced an igniting spark in early guns? (5) 3 Which orchestral instrument is tuned an octave above the cello? (5) 4 Which lively 1960s dance shares a name with a Central-African people? (6) 6 What Japanese form of pinball is enjoyed in noisy parlours there? (8) 7 What bag is carried on a soldier’s or hiker’s back?

(8) 12/13 Who won a Bafta in 1990 for her role in the film Dangerous Liaisons? (8,8) 14 What type of creature is a serotine? (3) 15 What is to make an intricate type of looped cotton lace using a hand shuttle? (3) 19 Which Scottish mathematician (John ___) invented logarithms? (6) 21 What is the flat bladelike projection at the end of the arm of an anchor? (5) 22 Reaching a length of 18m or more, what is the world’s largest invertebrate? (5) 23 How many eclipses, lunar and solar, are possible in a single year? (5)

ALPHAGRAMS

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

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

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

13 16

A

17

18

22

GK CROSSWORD

S E N D S

Across: 1. Aura 3. Lynchpin 9. Recants 10. Noise 11. Supernatural 14.

Opt 16. Aloft 17. Eye 18. Police states 21. Among 22. Odorous 23. Badlyoff 24. Thus.

Down: 1. Abrasion 2. Recap 4. Yes 5. Consultation 6. Primate 7. Need 8.

Increasingly 12. Arose 13. Persists 15. Twofold 19. Tooth 20. Daub 22.

Oaf.

BLACKOUT

ALPHAGRAMS: HATED, IGNORE, JOSTLED, KANGAROO, LIBERATES.

Solution opposite

QUICK CROSSWORD

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

T H R E W

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

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

TODAY: Good 23 Very Good 31 Excellent 39

DOUBLE CROSS

SUDOKU

5x5 A T O N E

H L

Down 1. Scratch (8) 2. Review (5) 4. Affirmative (3) 5. Conference (12) 6. Ape (7) 7. Require (4) 8. More and more (12) 12. Got up (5) 13. Perseveres (8) 15. Doubly (7) 19. Molar (5) 20. Smear (4) 22. Lout (3)

Across: 5/8 Spike Milligan, 9 Octal, 10 Linoleum, 11 Minsk, 14 Bit, 16 Biafra, 17 Ack-ack, 18 TNT, 20 Choir, 24 Appliqué, 25 Bluff, 26 Penknife, 27 Sears.

Down: 1 Smolt, 2 Flint, 3 Viola, 4 Watusi, 6 Pachinko, 7 Knapsack, 12/13 Michelle Pfeiffer, 14 Bat, 15 Tat, 19 Napier, 21 Fluke, 22 Squid, 23 Seven.

411

24

WORD GO ROUND

D

S

SOLUTIONS

WORD GO ROUND

C U

E

acid acidly acrid acridly arid aridly auld card cardy chad chard child clad crud curd curdy daily dairy dial diarchy diary dray drily dual ducal duchy duly dural hard hardily hardly hardy hydra HYDRAULIC hydric idly idyl lady laid laird lard lardy laud lucid lurid raid yard

A R

I Y

DEATH REGION OLD JETS OAK ORGAN BLEARIEST

Note: more than one solution may be possible.

23

Across 1. Atmosphere (4) 3. Person vital to an operation (8) 9. Retracts (7) 10. Sound (5) 11. Paranormal (12) 14. Choose (3) 16. In the air (5) 17. Look at (3) 18. Totalitarian regimes (6,6) 21. In the midst of (5) 22. Strong-smelling (7) 23. In financial trouble (5-3) 24. As a result (4)

N E

S

20 21

O I

19

S H

L I C I T

15

A I

12

14

4/2

5x5

F 11

Seniors 23

F L A P S

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

Toowoomba & Darling Downs

I D E A L I S T R S P I D E R

N I R H E M I P Y I E L E R E

D R A U G H T S K H E A T E D

U E S R I N U J Y O R A R N Q

S T E M S R A C O U S T I C S

T K K Q L H T A G E S I M W T

R E P L A C E E A U S T E R E

I C O H T X Y V V F P P N D T

O A T M E A L G C H E E T A H

U U P I Y B I T O J C E C W O

S N O W S T O R M C T E A M S

N Z U A C J N D P N A P O Y C

S C R E A M K C O N C E R T O

A S R Y M V U N S C L V T C P

T H I R S T P B E V E R A G E

BLACKOUT

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

Solution opposite

DOUBLE CROSS

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

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

S C U R E C A M N C P O N A C E O R T C O

B S E V L E R T A G P E A T H R I R M S T

24 Seniors Toowoomba & Darling Downs

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, February 13, 2017

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