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AUGUST, 2019// SENIORS
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News – Food writer tribute News – Revved up for 100th Cover story - Byran Brown News – For the love of a child Feature – 2019 Qld Seniors Week Community group guide What’s on Wanderlust Wellbeing Living Money Puzzles
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2019 Qld Seniors Week feature
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Gail Forrer Seniors Group Editor THE highlight of this month’s edition is our Seniors Week lift-out. Thanks to friends, readers, advertisers and colleagues who have supported the production of our special feature, which includes a Calendar of Events detailing the enormous range of activities, concerts and performances available during Seniors Week, together with interesting articles ranging from accommodation to travel. Seniors Week is supported by the Queensland Government through its distribution of grants for activities that encourage us to extend ourselves and our world by trying out something new and beneficial. I thought my friend Matt Eliott expressed it well when he wrote on his Instagram account: “At the tender age of 63, I can say one of the biggest traps of growing older is a narrowing of one’s world. I see it already in the people of my age in my life: seeking out fewer new experiences or new people, cultivating an increased need for familiarity.” I think new experiences can be anything from checking out a new
book, joining a choir or becoming accomplished in the ancient art of tai chi – and in Seniors Week there is an abundance of opportunities – just look inside our feature. This month we lead with Aussie actor Bryan Brown’s new movie and an interview where he expresses his delight at making a film specially for we older folk. Further on, there’s the courageous story of Shelley Argent and the motivation that transformed her life from a suburban mum to an activist. In our Wanderlust section, our regular travel correspondents John and Yvonne Gardiner share their colourful travels in Norway, while fellow world explorer Paul Coffey gives a taste of the unusual with a story and photos showcasing the capital of Azerbaijan.
CONTACT US General Manager Geoff Crockett – 07 5430 1006 geoff.crockett@news.com.au Editor Gail Forrer – 07 5435 3203 gail.forrer@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Media Sales Executive Brett Mauger – 07 3623 1657 brett.mauger@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Online Get your news online at www.seniorsnews.com.au Advertising, editorial and distribution enquiries Phone: 1300 880 265 or (07) 5435 3200 Email: advertising@seniorsnewspaper.com.au or editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Location: 2 Newspaper Place, Maroochydore 4558 Website: www.seniorsnews.com.au Subscriptions Only $39.90 for one year (12 editions) including GST and postage anywhere in Australia. Please call our circulations services on 1300 361 604 and quote “Wide Bay Seniors Newspaper”. The Seniors Newspaper is published monthly and distributed free in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales. The Seniors newspaper stable includes Toowoomba, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Northern NSW, Coffs and Clarence and Central Coast publications. Published by News Corp Australia Printed by News Corp Australia, Yandina. Opinions expressed by contributors to Seniors Newspapers are not necessarily those of the editor or the owner/publisher and publication of advertisements implies no endorsement by the owner/publisher.
Living with unique ageing issues
Tribute to a great Aussie food writer LEGENDARY Australian food writer Margaret Fulton passed away last month aged 94. “At the news of her death, many noted her long career and her influence on cookery and eating habits in Australia. With a professional life spanning well over 60 years, Fulton successfully managed that career and her image in the media over this period, being a role model for generations of Australian food writers. With 1.5 million copies
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According to her memoir, she originally dreamt of being a showgirl.
of her eponymous cookbook sold, Fulton achieved significant public recognition for her work. In 1983, she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia. In 1997, she was inducted into the World Food Media Awards Hall of Fame and named as one of the National Trust’s original 100 Living Australian National Treasures. Even more than that, though, she was trusted. Margaret Fulton, indeed, built her career on the provision of sound, trustworthy cookery advice. And she knew it. In 1980, reflecting on her career, she recognised that her brand was built on reliability rather than novelty or extravagance: stating: “I believe my reputation is built on the fact that people can rely on me. Unlike other cookery people, “I believe I’m doing the right thing by not being flamboyant. I know
that’s the success of my business”. According to her memoir, she originally dreamt of being a showgirl, but Fulton began her career in World War II on a public stage of a different kind – as a cookery demonstrator with the Australian Gas Light Company. She gained valuable experience in retail – selling pressure cookers, and running the kitchen and homewares section of David Jones – before joining then-popular Woman magazine as a food writer in 1954. At this time, she was also completing a professional cookery course at the East Sydney Technical College, largely based on classical French cookery, she learnt recipes and techniques which stood her in good stead throughout her later career. In 1955, Fulton joined the J. Walter Thompson
advertising agency, managing a number of food accounts and, when television broadcasting started in 1956, began working on television commercials for such major food brands as Kelloggs and Kraft. Fulton learnt much from this advertising experience. Although she was to appear in major television campaigns for ingredients and appliances, and publicise named products in cookbooks such as The Margaret Fulton Crock-pot Cookbook (1976), she was able to maintain her credibility. In 1960, Margaret Fulton commenced a 20 year association with Woman’s Day as first a writer, and then its cookery editor. It was in this role that she was especially influential in exposing her readers to both new trends in ingredients and food preparation, as well as to
THANKS: Vale Margaret Fulton, mother of Australian cookbooks. reliable methods of reproducing traditional dishes. Fulton was able to translate and popularise the dishes of post-war and other migrants to Australia, featuring Italian, Greek, Yugoslavian and other cuisines in her food pages. The Margaret Fulton Cookbook was published in 1968. Unexpectedly selling out its then record first print run of 100,000 copies, it went to a second printing the next year, and many more after that. This book features
step-by-step illustrated guides to not only how to cook the so-called “Continental” and “Oriental” dishes that have now become our nightly fare, but also how to eat them. There were, for instance, photographs of how to twirl spaghetti on a fork and illustrations of how to use chopsticks. In the late 1970s, Fulton joined New Idea magazine as its cookery writer.” Extract from ‘The Conversation’ - author: Prof. Donna Lee Brien
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Revved up for 100th
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Birthday celebrated in a bright red sports car
CRUISING CENTENARIAN: John Cole and Lorna Craney visiting Arthur Timms Lookout in a sports car. a sulky as a young child. Horse-drawn carriages were a common form of transport when Lorna was born in the bush near Wagga Wagga in New South Wales on July 11, 1919. She lived through the Great Depression, raised by her father and grandfather before moving into a convent until she was 10. As a teenager Lorna moved to Brisbane where she met her future husband James Craney, a Mt Morgan boy. Together Lorna and James had two children and until the 1970s lived in Brisbane, where Lorna worked at the airport during the war years.
Lorna Craney and daughter Karen Holland enjoy birthday cake. Lorna, who has six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, has lived in Mt Morgan for 32 years and moved to Carinity Summit Cottages five years ago. Mt Morgan and Rockhampton businesses
helped Lorna celebrate her 100th birthday in style. She had her hair and make-up done by Mane Street Hair Studio while John Cole, as well driving Lorna around in his Corvette, provided free
music and karaoke for her birthday party through his entertainment business Coley-oke. Lorna’s birthday sports car ride and pampering is one of a number of purposeful living experiences being arranged for Summit Cottages residents by Carinity staff. “We ask each resident what their one extra special wish is and we’re helping to make those wishes come true. Lorna wanted to go for a drive around town because she hadn’t been in a car since she moved to Summit Cottages,” Carinity Summit Cottages Activities Officer Leeann Rolfe says. “Some residents say they would like to attend a
Photos: Contributed
Central Queensland Capras rugby league game in Rockhampton, one wants to play a round of golf and others want to go to the horse races. A few, like Lorna, just want to go for a drive around Mt Morgan to see how the town has changed.” Summit Cottages Residential Manager Margaret Eather says Carinity’s residential aged care staff look forward to making residents happy. “At Carinity we believe that everyone has the right to live the life they love. Assisting our residents to live a life with purpose and sharing special life experiences with them is what we love to do,” Margaret says.
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TURNING 100 years old usually means a quiet party enjoying a birthday cake while reading a letter from the Queen. However, for her 100th birthday Lorna Craney decided to live life in the fast lane. On the day she celebrated one century, Lorna fulfilled her dream of cruising around Mt Morgan in a sports car. Lorna, who lives at the Carinity Summit Cottages aged care community, became a member of the very exclusive “100 Club” on 11 July. Reaching 100 years means Lorna is one of only 4,250 centenarians in Australia. She celebrated the special milestone by seeing the sights of Mt Morgan as a passenger in a classic 1969 hot-red coloured Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible sports car. Vehicle owner and Carinity Summit Cottages volunteer John Cole drove Lorna around the streets of her town, as well as Arthur Timms Lookout and Mt Morgan Dam. “It doesn’t matter where it is, I’m lucky to be wherever he takes me. He’s a very good driver,” Lorna said. “Since it’s been raining a lot these last few weeks it’s brought a lot of greenery back to the town. “It’s been a wonderful morning, the nicest I’ve had for a long time.” For Lorna, enjoying the pleasure ride in an iconic high-performance vehicle was about as far away as you can get from riding in
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Brown puts
Palm Beach is easy to relate to Tracey Johnstone
PALM BEACH: A good start to long weekend party.
Photo: Elise Lockwood
WELCOME! “Come on in and join the party,” says Bryan Brown. The backdrop is a glorious Sydney summer day of sparkling blue water and crystal clear skies. The lunch table is piled high with a sumptuous feast. The guests are arriving to celebrate a significant birthday. They’re boisterous, full of energy and excitement at being reunited after a long time apart. While you’re not actually seated at the table, but rather sitting in a cinema, you feel as though you are in fact there in person as the 11 guests gather round the table, anticipating a weekend of shared memories and new connections.
“I made it for you,” Brown, 72, said of his role as the co-producer. “It was made like, let’s put a movie out there that my age group can relate to.” While his wife Rachel Ward was the director, Brown said she had no choice in casting him in the lead role. “I own the movie. I asked her to direct it,” he laughed. Let me introduce you to the Palm Beach guests. There’s Frank, played by Brown. The quintessential Australian actor is the linchpin of the movie. He’s retired, depressed and living a complicated life. “That’s what we are facing out there,” Brown said. “People who are retired or sell their business and they have been active all their lives. It’s like: ‘What will I do? I’m lost. I have no purpose’.” His wife of 30 years, Charlotte (Greta Scacchi), is trying to deal with menopause. Friend and musician Billy (Richard E Grant) is struggling with a life of professional failure, while
his actress wife Eva (Heather Mitchell) is now only being offered grandmother roles. Another friend, journalist Leo (Sam Neill), has health problems and his wife Bridget (Jacqueline McKenzie) is trying to work out if Leo is planning on leaving her and her daughter Caitlyn (Frances Berry). Frank and Charlotte are two different characters. Their daughter Ella (Matilda Brown) is a successful doctor, while son Dan (Charlie Vickers) is struggling to find his way in life and isn’t being helped by Frank’s high expectations on what that way should be. Joining them is Holly (Claire Van Der Boom), the daughter of their old band’s singer Roxy. The buddying young singer is also struggling to find her way and has brought along a surprising new playmate, sheep farmer Doug (Aaron Jeffery). The three-day party has all the hallmarks of a fabulously relaxed, liquid, long weekend – until the veneer is scratched. Deep
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COVER STORY
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on seniors hat for role secrets emerge that drive the friendships, and partners, away from each other. So many of the conversations in Palm Beach resonate with me as a viewer. Each of the characters are realistic, their stories drawing out the challenges of changing times and dealing with ageing. Think back to when you have attended a reunion of old friends. How often has the conversation delved deep into the past and at other times skirted the realities of your shared experiences? “I had gone through a period of anxiety and seen a psychologist about it as I didn’t know what the hell was happening to me,” said Brown, who was roughly 65 at the time of such a reunion. “It was during that period leading up to a Christmas that I had together with some other men. “One had lost his job and one had sold his business. “Of those characters, none necessarily reflect
ENSEMBLE EFFORT: A scene from Australian movie Palm Beach. things that I might be dealing with now, but I can recognise in those characters there... “Take Richard Grant’s character – a musician at his age, they’re all going to the young guys for music, he’s doing diaper ads. “You know, I have
mates that are older actors that would love to be acting, but there aren’t roles for them.” Brown said his children totally understood the issues the older actors reveal in Palm Beach. Two of them were involved in the movie – actress Matilda, who he
has worked with several times previously, and graphic artist Joe. “They have always mixed with older people,” he said. “They have seen relationships break up; they understand how painful they are and how real they are.”
Photo: Elise Lockwood
When Brown turned 70, Matilda observed in her father that age was just a number – it’s more about how you live your life. He’s now a grandfather to Matilda’s nine-week-old son Zan. “I’m handling it pretty good,” the veteran actor said.
“I am still doing things and still looking for things to do, and people are silly enough to still ask me to do things.” Brown’s next acting project is the second series of Bloom for Stan. He’d like to do more movies around seniors as he sees many more stories to be told. As he heads out to go surfing, walking, doing thrice-weekly pilates classes, and belatedly wearing a sun hat, he says: “I am not aware that I am getting older. Except when I watch Palm Beach and realise that I am”. Brown said he had never let age determine what he did. “We have got to find a way to step around that as a generation,” he said. The movie beautifully raises contemporary seniors issues as relationships are tested, dissolved and somehow reunited. “It’s a story about us getting through things and that there is plenty of life in front of us to enjoy,” Brown said. Palm Beach is in cinemas this month.
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For the love of a child Why Shelley Argent became an activist Gail Forrer “THERE are times parents should stand behind their child, other times they should stand beside them, but this was my time to stand in front of James and fight for his right to be seen as an equal.” These were the words that sent Shelley Argent into battle to ensure her son James, who came out as gay in 1995, would have the same rights, the same opportunities, the same protection as everyone else in Australia. As co-author Leanne Edmistone wrote in the foreword to Shelley’s life story titled Just a Mum: “She was just a mum who wanted both her sons – one gay and one straight – to be treated equally by the law and society.” The book recounts Shelley’s life, from her childhood spent in a poor, dysfunctional 1950s Brisbane family to the woman who went on to disrupt the highest echelons of Australia’s social and political establishments. Last month, Shelley and Leanne’s family, friends and fans gathered at Brisbane’s Avid Book Store for the book launch. For those not familiar with Shelley’s personality, there was a short introduction written in point form with white chalk on a large blackboard. It read: “Always has an open house; Ring any time; Love a coffee and a chat; Pretty good cook.’’ At the launch, Shelley’s engaging personality gave an insight into her warm
heart, enormous love for family and her innate traits of stubbornness and determination that supplied her with the courage to walk the talk of equality, confront discrimination, lobby politicians and march as the sole mum among the LGBTQ+ community. But Shelley did not just ask wider society to respect the rights of her son, she expected the same from family and friends and she relates that all but one were able to do so. “There was only person who didn’t agree with me.” For Shelley that was a deal-breaker that ended their long relationship. Not withstanding her unwillingness to compromise on this issue, Shelley understood that acceptance can take time. Referring to situations when children announce their coming out, she wrote: “After the initial shock, parents will often go through the five stages of grief – denial, anger, bargaining, depression and, hopefully, eventually, acceptance. “Just as it takes our children time to accept their sexuality, so too will it take parents. “There is a lot of someone or something to blame. “Did we smother him/her. Did we spoil him/her? Did we spend enough time with them as children? Is it my fault? Is God punishing me? “The only truth is that a child is born as they are – not groomed, encouraged or turned gay.” Just a Mum also includes her long, happy
UNBREAKABLE BOND: Long-time gay rights advocate Shelley Argent and her son James. marriage and partnership with Don, dealing with sexual abuse endured by her son and the joy of academic achievement. Shelley studied Social Sciences at QUT and graduated in 1997 as a mature-age student, a path that enhanced her understanding and ability to challenge the system. Nevertheless, Shelley said one unlikely thing she was able to use to her advantage was her conservative, middleclass suburban housewife appearance. “It reassured so many parents, who were expecting to be greeted by a cheesecloth and silver bells type personality,’’ she said. One father she had arranged to meet actually walked past her, thinking he would be meeting “a woman with shaved head,
Shelley Argent OAM. big boots and a razor blade in her ears”. Another point she noted was that her gay son, who at 28 became the Queensland Police
Photo: Russell Shakespeare
Service’s youngest sergeant, had fewer rights than the people he locked up. The only legal right he held in Queensland was to
Photo: David Kelly
be gay without fear of arrest. “It was a discrepancy I often highlighted during my lobbying,” she wrote. Shelley’s journey as a campaigner for equal rights resulted in her receiving an OAM in 2006 and took her to places and people she could have never imagined in her Brisbane childhood. She was a regular visitor to Canberra’s politicians and enjoyed marching in the Mardi Gras. But ultimately, her work has been rewarded with state and federal policy legislative reform, culminating in marriage equality in 2017. To obtain a copy of Just a Mum, go to the website shelleyargent.com/or facebook.com/ JustAMumShelleyArgent
Know your working rights
MATURE-AGE EMPLOYMENT: A new fact sheet is available for older workers.
THE Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research released a new fact sheet on legal protections for mature workers in Australia, outlining national and state laws that protect mature workers from discrimination and uphold their right to seek flexible work arrangements. It also addresses the way workplace health and safety laws can be uniquely relevant to older Australians. “Older Australians are a vital part of the workforce and economy,” said
Marian Baird, CEPAR chief investigator and Professor of Gender and Employment Relations at the University of Sydney Business School. “Almost 20 per cent of Australian workers are over the age of 55 and, as the population ages, this proportion will continue to rise. “The Australian Human Rights Commission reports that 35 per cent of Australians aged between 55 and 64 have experienced ageism. “Ageism and rigid work arrangements that don’t
enable flexibility are two major barriers to older people remaining in, or re-entering, the workforce,” she said. “Policymakers have recognised that mature workers need special protections, particularly with respect to discrimination, flexible work, and health and safety, but more needs to be done in practice.” A fact sheet, released by CEPAR,available to download free of charge at cepar.edu.au/ fact-sheets.
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The Best Quality Assisted Living in the Wide Bay SYDNEY SPECTACULAR: The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will be performing at the ANZ Stadium for four shows only in October.
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Royal Tattoo is certain to wow crowds THE brooding, magnificent castle is an unbeatable backdrop to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. A 1:1 scale Edinburgh Castle has been built to stage the 2019 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo spectacular. The replica castle is a massive 29m high and 80m across, complete with the figures of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce standing guard over proceedings. History of the tattoo The tattoo has a proud history beginning in 1950 as part of the Edinburgh International Festival; an event that was created, first and foremost, to
support the services and arts charities. Today it plays a central role in the Edinburgh summer festivals and each year runs for 25 shows during August. About 220,000 people attend the show live each year with a further 100-300 million viewing it on television globally. The tattoo has only left Edinburgh Castle four times. The show is 90 minutes of breath-taking performances from the pipes and drums of the Scottish regiments and military and civilian performers from elsewhere in the UK and
around the world. The cast involves up to 1400 performers. With its unique blend of music, ceremony, entertainment and theatre the tattoo is a vivid and intensely emotional display. Four shows only – from Thursday, October 17, to Saturday, October 19 – held at ANZ Stadium, Sydney. Booking inquiries: phone 13 28 49, visit any Ticketek outlet or go to edinburghtattoo sydney.com.au/tickets. Bookings for groups of 20 or more, phone 1300 364 001.
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NEW research has found that common accessories typically used by older Australians to improve comfort in cars may increase the chance of injury during a crash. Researchers at the Transurban Road Safety Centre at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) conducted more than 130 crash test simulations using a wide range of car seat accessories and found that some types of accessories may pose health risks.
These accessories include items that some drivers use to sit on, or place between their back and the seat, such as seat base cushions, seat back cushions, back support or head-rest cushions. "Around a quarter of older drivers use an aftermarket accessory to improve their comfort. But these products often have not been tested for safety," said Associate Professor Julie Brown, the Joint Director of the Transurban Road Safety
Centre at NeuRA. "The results show accessories that change the geometry of a seatbelt or the posture of a driver could increase the chance of these chest injuries in a crash," said Associate Professor Brown. The centre’s researchers are now taking their findings to clinicians, motor vehicle safety experts and older driver groups to develop a set of safety recommendations about how to use these accessories in cars.
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Staying in the workforce IN THE second part of this special series of staying in the workforce, we look at how to reverse attitudes. Re-framing the attitudes of mature-aged workers to recognise their value in the workplace is part of the change process. Stereotypes around older workers exist, but if they accept those stereotypes they limit themselves before even trying to adopt new skills. “I advise people to catch themselves if they are saying ‘I’m too old to do that’ or anything like that,” Curtin University’s Dr Petery said. “I would say ‘why are you too old? Who says that you are too old to do that?’ ” While the ability for abstract reasoning declines with age, the opportunities for mature-aged workers exist in jobs where employers are looking for the advantage of crystallised intelligence, gained from experience and wisdom, which increases with age. “We know that if you have work that is cognitively challenging and engaging, that it can be protective of your cognitive abilities as you progress into old age, and can improve your cognitive abilities into old age,” Dr Petery said. Changing attitudes also involves willingly engaging in reverse mentoring which can help to reduce workplace bias. “We have five generations in the workforce,” maturious.com.au’s David Tarr said. “We should be thinking around the benefits of generational diversity and how we get synergies between
Job loss
We can learn and change Graeme Wilson MENTORING: Recognising you need mentoring is a good place to start. Photo: damircudic different age cohorts that enable that skill transfer to be shared from a younger person to an older person and from them to a younger cohort.” Edith Cowan’s Business School lecturer Dr Julie Nyanjom recommends mature-aged workers approach their workplace with an open mind about being mentored by a younger worker. “Realise mentoring is a co-learning experience,” she said. “Both the mentor and mentee have something to bring to the table which means while you may need mentoring, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have the knowledge about something else more than what you are mentoring on.” Recognising you need mentoring and your younger colleague has the knowledge you need is a good place to start. This is particularly important when you have been out of the workforce for a while. “When you enter a relationship like that, you will find there are fair exchanges between you so that they are able to lean on some of your experiences and you are able to lean on some of theirs,” Dr Nyanjom added.
“As you have those interactions where you are working together to solve problems and working towards a common goal, sharing the rewards and benefits that are achieved, it’s a proven way of reducing any type of bias,” Dr Petery said. An organisation has a role in establishing an enabling environment for reverse mentoring to work successfully. “Practically every organisation has a mentoring program, whether it is written or not,” Dr Nyanjom said. “However, you find most of those mentoring programs have a traditional mentoring approach which explicitly or implicitly indicates that mentors will be older and more experienced. “As long as they have that written into their policies and procedures, or into their organisational culture, you will find, regardless of what the mature age worker comes with into the organisation, it will be challenging for them to get into a mentoring relationship with younger people.” Where the culture moves from not being about age but about experience, older workers will benefit greatly and so will the organisations.
REDUNDANCIES are a fact of life in the modern workplace, and it appears the best way to guard against the shock of losing a job is to actually plan ahead for the possibility. Careers-focused business OnTalent assists Australians with the transition from redundancy, and the key message from Deborah Wilson, General Manager – Careers, Leadership Development & Consulting, is that everyone should be prepared for the possibility.
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It’s important to always be on the front foot around your career... “I don’t think any organisation is exempt from it, so it’s all about that preparedness,” Deborah said. “Nothing prepares you for the shock you get when it’s you, but the impact isn’t as great if you are already set up to identify and seize new opportunities as they arise “We do have to focus on the job we have now, but we also have to be thinking about what’s next if this doesn’t work out.” While being on the receiving end of redundancy can be
confronting, Deborah said her 30-plus years in the careers field had shown her it was often the catalyst for positive life change. “I believe you shouldn’t actually want to stay in a job forever,” she said. “You do need to move, you need new experiences and learnings.”
She said the importance of staying on top of industry trends applied to all workers, regardless of age. “We’re living longer so therefore we’re going to have to work longer to provide for ourselves and have purpose.” Deborah said her best advice to anyone wanting
Skills check-up aims to help keep older Australians on the job ON December 4, 2018, the Coalition Government announced it was increasing support for older Australians to upskill or transition into new careers through the Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers Program. The Government committed to investing $17.4 million over four years into the Skills Checkpoint Program to provide up to 20,000 eligible Australians aged 45-70 with advice and guidance on transitioning into new career
opportunities. The program targets those currently employed who may be at risk of unemployment, or those recently unemployed, and not registered for assistance through an employment services program. Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education, Senator Michaelia Cash, said the program supports older Australians in need of a hand to stay in work or looking for new opportunities.
The BUSY Group Ltd will deliver the program in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. VERTO Ltd will run the program in New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory. Jobs and Industrial Relations Minister Kelly O’Dwyer MP, said older Australians will also be able to access up to $2200 (GST inclusive) to undertake training opportunities identified
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funding to ensure that older Australians have access to upskilling and reskilling through the Skills Checkpoint. “The Skills and Training Incentive will offer
matched funding to ensure that older Australians have access to upskilling and reskilling opportunities to enable them to remain in the workforce,” the minister said. “The $19.3 million Skills and Training Incentive will provide funding for up to 3,600 places per year. “It will provide vital funding to assist older Australians to proactively take control of their careers so that they can stay in workforce for as long as they choose.”
The participant or their current employer must match the Government’s contribution, ensuring a joint investment in the skills development of older Australians. More information about the Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers is available online via http://www.education. gov.au/skillscheck pointprogram. Information on the Skills and Training Incentive is available via http://www.jobs.gov.au /skills-and-training -incentive.
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WORKING HARD: Job security is good, but being prepared for the future is even better. Photo: RgStudio
COMBINED ROLES: The mentor and mentee have something to bring to the table. Photo: samotrebizan
Snapshot of Aussies in the workforce
to guard against being a logical candidate for redundancy was to focus on keeping their job skills current. “You’ve got to invest in yourself,” she said. “It’s important to always be on the front foot around your career and career development.” For those who did find
themselves unexpectedly looking for new employment, Deborah said it was important not to buy into any perception that once you’ve hit 50 you’re no longer valuable in the workforce. “People say to me ‘but I’m over 50’ and I say ‘well, big deal’. So what,” she said.
“We had a lady in her early 70s who was made redundant and she got another job within a couple of months.” Deborah does not believe there is bias from employers against older workers or any growing trend towards them being made redundant. “I think it depends on
your skills and your attitude,” she said. If facing a transition after redundancy, Deborah said it was important to take whatever help was on offer from businesses like OnTalent. “Most people come in with their shoulders down a bit but leave with a far better outlook.”
AUSTRALIANS are increasingly working to older ages. ■ In 2016, one in eight older people were engaged in employment, education or training.* ■ By January 2018, Australians aged 65 and over had a workforce participation rate of 13% (17% for men and 10% for women), compared with 8% in 2006 (12% for men and 4% for women).* ■ The rate is likely to continue to increase as the retirement intentions of Australians change.* ■ In 2004-05, just 8% of Australians aged 45 and over intended to work until age 70, compared with 20% in 2016-17.* ■ In 2016-17, the average intended retirement age was 65 (66 for men and 64 for women), with just under 1 in 4 (22%) men aged 45 and over intending to work beyond 70.* AHRI and Australian Human Rights Commission Employing Older Workers (2018) reported: ■ Flexible work is the
Government Skills and Training Incentive support THE Skills Checkpoint Program is directly linked to the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Skills and Training Incentive (the Incentive). The Incentive is available until December 31, 2020 for up to 3600 participants per year. The Incentive will provide eligible participants with up to $2200 (GST inclusive) to fund suitable training (accredited or non-accredited). The government
contribution must be matched by either the participant or their employer. To be eligible for the Incentive, individuals must have completed a Skills Checkpoint assessment that identified training linked to their current job (e.g. upgrading skills), a future job opportunity, or an industry, occupation or skill in demand. ■ Frequently Asked Questions? How can I access Skills Checkpoint?
You should contact the Skills Checkpoint provider in your state or territory to discuss your eligibility and to complete the application process. ■ Am I eligible for Skills Checkpoint? Eligible individuals are those who are: aged 45 to 70; an Australian citizen or permanent resident employed and at risk of entering the income support system, or recently unemployed (within three months) and not registered for assistance through an
Australian Government employment services program (e.g. jobactive, Disability Employment Service, Community Development Program). ■ What does a Skills Checkpoint assessment involve? Participants undertake individually tailored assessments of their skill levels. Skills Checkpoint providers then develop a Career Plan to assist participants to identify: gaps in their skills if they want to transition to
a new career or undertake a new role in their current occupation; or skills they could develop or enhance to increase their capacity to perform in their role. Where relevant, the Career Plan may also provide advice on potential new industries or roles where there may be job opportunities, and recommendations and information on appropriate training. Your Skills Checkpoint provider can provide you with more information on
top reason respondents cite that would encourage them to remain in the workforce. ■ Flexible working hours is the most common tool organisations use to retain older workers (76%). ■ More than half (56%) of the survey respondent organisations don’t have a transition-to-retirement strategy in place. ■ Respondents indicated the main advantages of recruiting older workers are the experience they bring (76%) and the professional knowledge they have acquired (68%). ■ Fewer 2018 respondents than 2014 reported their organisation ensures job advertising content attracts a full range of ages, and date of birth details are excluded from application forms. ■ Common recruitment practices for attracting older workers involve flexible work arrangements. * Source: ABS
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Skills Checkpoint providers then develop a Career Plan. what a Skills Checkpoint assessment involves and how it can assist you. For more info: education.gov.au/skills -checkpoint-olderworkers-program
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C E L E B R AT E S E N IO R S W E E K 2 019 ■ Calendar of events
■ Community living choices ■ Travel ■ Living your best life
Volunteers, keeping our community connected. 1800 786 227 suncare.org.au
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FEATURE
AUGUST, 2019// SENIORS
QUEENSLAND SENIORS WEEK 2019
Enjoy your Seniors Week
Take advantage of many activities and try something new Tracey Johnstone IT’S time to celebrate everything that is great about being a Queensland senior. This year’s unique nine-day Queensland Seniors Week opens the door for all of us to promote positive community attitudes within our seniors communities and in the
broarder community. We can all do our bit towards positive ageing, increasing community participation and enhancing our community connections during August 17-25, and beyond. In this year’s Seniors News feature you can discover all that there is on offer in your region. Why not set a target of doing one Seniors Week
activity each day of this year’s annual celebration? Learn, experience, enjoy and celebrate all things senior. Grab a friend and take them with you as you discover a whole new world of multicultural, intergenerational and lifestyle activities, events, recreation, sport, art, craft, history and future. Visit your local library, join a new recreation
group, learn a new craft skill or attend a show. The list is endless. The only limitation is you. Keep an eye out and an ear open to opportunities for longer-term connections with interesting groups and activities. The week is a great chance to experience something new and to continue to enjoy that experience well beyond
Seniors Week. The signature event this year is the Centenarian Portrait Project by Teenagers which is a unique arts initiative that provides a platform to develop intergenerational friendships, connections and understanding. To find out about events outside your region, go to qldseniorsweek.org.au or phone 1300 738 348.
OK, now it’s YOUR turn to party.
Celebrations for 50 years of sharing and caring WHEN the clock ticks over to 2020, the team at Suncare Community Services will start to celebrate in earnest as their organisation hits its 50th year since the doors first opened in 1970. Today, Suncare offers a wide range of in-home care services to older community members from Rockhampton to South Brisbane with a locally based team of about 370. Suncare CEO Russell Mason said that as a business, achieving the 50-year mark was something: “We are proud of and something we believe our customers can celebrate with us.” “It was humble beginnings in our Sunshine Coast office in 1970. “We had a small team of volunteers who would go out and help the community by delivering meals,” Mr Mason said. “From there we expanded into other home care services due to the need in the community, and this need continues to grow today.” Including its staff, Suncare now has more than 200 volunteers in a range of roles, in particular the Community Visitors Scheme.
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The Gin Gin Expo coincides with Queensland Seniors Week.
COMMUNITY CARE: Dedicated Suncare Volunteers partner with Suncare customers. This relatively new program matches volunteers with Suncare customers, so they can spend time together in a variety of ways - from working on a hobby together, reading, listening to music, walking or just having a chat. “Our volunteers spend time with people who are in danger of becoming
socially isolated. Their visits are a great way to keep people connected to the local community. “People are keen to share their talents and we are always on the lookout for more volunteers to help”. Mr Mason said that the benefits to individuals of being able to live in their own home and retain their
community connections are significant. There is considerable demand for the kind of assistance that allows senior Australians to remain living in their own homes with all levels of government invested in providing support to both businesses and community groups. He said Suncare strived
Photo: Contributed
to offer services that not only made living at home longer possible, but also helped people to remain connected to their community and avoid social isolation. On Thursday, August 15, Suncare will have an information booth at the Gin Gin Seniors Expo. The Gin Gin Expo
coincides with Queensland Seniors Week and will be held at the Gin Gin RSL Hall, 39 Milden St, from 9.30am-1pm. Suncare offers a wide range of services which can be accessed through having a Home Care Package or privately. Services include meals, transport, housekeeping, personal care, home and garden maintenance, cottage respite, daily contact and support, social events and activities, in-home respite and community respite. It can also offer short-term restorative care. With a new office opening in Hervey Bay soon, there will be plenty to celebrate next year. Phone 1800 786 227 or go to suncare.org.au.
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QUEENSLAND SENIORS WEEK 2019 CALENDAR OF EVENTS SENIORS Week provides the opportunity for older Queenslanders to explore programs and services, events and activities, connect with people of all ages and backgrounds, to celebrate the many contributions older people make in their communities. Take a look at our Calendar of Events across your region from August 17-25. PRE-SENIORS WEEK
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14
■ Vintage Film Penny Serenade 10am-noon In this classic, heart-wrenching melodrama, Roger Adams (Cary Grant) and Julie (Irene Dunne) are married and deeply in love. Their dreams of starting a family are tragically put on hold when Julie suffers a miscarriage that leaves her unable to carry another child. Determined not to let this prevent their parenthood, the couple adopts a little girl, Trina. However, when Roger’s newspaper folds, they are forced to convince the court that they are fit to keep her. They succeed in this battle, but tragedy soon strikes again, and Adam and Julie must re-examine themselves and their love for each other - in order to fight for their marriage. Venue: Hervey Bay Library, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings required on 07 4197 4220.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15
■ 2019 Gin Gin Seniors Expo 9.30am-1pm Stalls and displays from service providers and community groups. Enjoy various stalls and displays from service providers and local community groups. Raffle and lucky door prizes on the day. Grab a cuppa and enjoy
free morning tea and lunch with friends. Venue: Gin Gin RSL Hall, 39 Milden St, Gin Gin. Cost: Free ■ Digi Help Drop in Sessions 1pm-3pm Have you got a new or old device and have a simple question you want answered? Hervey Bay Library now has Digi Help Drop In sessions from 1pm-3pm on Thursdays in the Creative Space. These are short personal sessions of no longer than 10 minutes, to assist you to trouble shoot access to things like emails and social media sites. Please be ready with your password and email address. Software installations and hardware fixes will not be included. No bookings required. Venue: Hervey Bay Library, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay. Cost: Free ■ The Baycrest Ball 1pm-3pm Join the residents of Baycrest at their Annual Ball. Get dressed up and join us. Dance with the members from Mansong. Prizes including Belle and Beau of the ball. Venue: Baycrest RSL Care, 99 Doolong Rd, Kawungan. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings required on 07 4194 2441.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16
■ Open Day Hervey Sixty & Better 9am-12.30pm If you are 50 plus, come and join us. You are warmly invited to join our organisation and participate in any or all activity groups to help foster a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. Venue: Hervey Bay Sixty & Better, 459 Boat Harbour Dr, Torquay. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings required on 07 4194 2441. ■ Scrabble 9.30am-11.30am
FUN AND FITNESS: Get active during Queensland Seniors Week 2019. The free weekly scrabble get-together is organised by U3A Hervey Bay. Everyone and all levels of expertise are welcome to join in. Venue: Hervey Bay Library, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay. Cost: Free ■ Meditation with Annemarie De Seriere 9.30am-10.30am Raja Yoga Meditation presented by Annemarie De Seriere, member of Brahma Kumaris, a global not for profit spiritual community offering free meditation programs. Help reclaim your inner power, take control of your own life, live more happily, calmly and productively. Chair based meditation with no need for special postures, mantras or clothing. Venue: Hervey Bay Library, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings required on 07 4197 4220 ■ Lunchtime Wildlife Talk
- Wildlife Rescue and Care noon-1.30pm Presented by Wildlife Rescue Fraser Coast. Venue: Hervey Bay Library, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings required on 07 4197 4220. SENIORS WEEK
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17
■ Thinking about Makin' Whoopee 7pm-9pm Makin’ Whoopee are a fun loving, friendly and highly skilled set of 30 plus lady performers. The debut performance was well received by 500 members of our local community at the Brolga Theatre in November 2017.With songs from ABBA to Aretha Franklin, from show tunes to soul music and everything in between. Makin’ Whoopeewill take you on a musical journey of song, laughter and audience
participation. Venue: Brolga Theatre, Lennox St, Maryborough. Cost: $22 Contact: Bookings required, go to ourfrasercoast.com.au /Events/or in person at Halcro Community Centre.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 18
■ 5th Annual Duckpond Dash 8.30am-11.30am Registration from 8.30am with the official proceedings commencing at 9am- 11.30am. Take on friends and family in this all abilities novelty walk for seniors! Games, entertainment and complimentary Devonshire Tea. All welcome- you can walk, waddle, dash or skip your way around the duckponds. Wheelchair accessible. A prize will also be awarded to the Best Dressed Duck! Venue: Lake Alford, 215 Bruce Hwy, Gympie. Cost: Gold Coin Donation Contact: Bookings required phone
Photo: FatCamera
1300 307 800.
MONDAY, AUGUST 19
■ Mayoral Heritage Morning Tea 9am- 12.30pm Mayoral Morning Tea is annual tradition whereby the sitting Mayor and Councillors provide table service to our Senior community and thanks them for their contributions and accomplishments that have helped evolved our town from the past to the present day. Wheelchair accessible. Venue: Brolga Theatre, Lennox St, Maryborough. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings required by Wednesday, August 14 on 07 4123 1554. ■ Heritage Chat 9am-11am Heritage talks in U3A rooms followed by singing and morning tea. Venue: Bundaberg Library, 49 Woondooma St, Bundaberg. Cost: Free CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
We all know there's no place like home. 1800 786 227 suncare.org.au
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QUEENSLAND SENIORS WEEK 2019 FROM PAGE 15
bundaberg.com.au or phone 07 4130 4100. Cost: Free ■ Tapas for Seniors 6pm-8pm A Spanish cooking class and demonstration held for seniors including people from a multicultural background. A Spanish Chef will be showing seniors how to prepare, cook and serve a variety of Spanish Tapas plates during a 2-hour demonstration. This is seen as an event that will bring seniors and multicultural people together in the one place. Wheelchair accessible. Venue: Bundaberg Neighbourhood Centre, 111 Targo St, Bundaberg South. Cost: $10 Contact: Bookings required by Friday, August 16 on 07 4153 1614.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 20
■ Annual Seniors Concert and Morning Tea 10am- 11.30am Doors open from 10am for musical entertainment with the official program commencing at 10.30am-11:30am on Tuesday 20 August. The event will include delicious morning tea, further entertainment and the announcement of the 2019 Senior Citizen of the Year Awards. Gold coin donation entry with all proceeds going to the Gympie Community Bus. Wheelchair accessible. Venue: The Gympie Civic Centre, 32 Mellor St, Gympie. Cost: Gold Coin Donation. Contact: Bookings required by Tuesday, August 13 on 1300 307 800. ■ Bloom Free Hearing Health Checks 11.30am-4pm bloom hearing specialists Gympie are holding free hearing health checks during Seniors Week. We encourage you to join us at The Gunabul Golf Club, Gympie and take part in our free hearing health check event. We will be providing hearing screenings and discussing all things hearing health! Our fabulous team will be able to answer any questions your may have and showcase some great new hearing technology available in our clinics. Wheelchair accessible. Venue: Gunabul Golf Club Gympie, 9 Power Rd, Southside Gympie. Cost: Free ■ Connecting Communities 10am-12.30pm Connecting Communities is an activity that is planned so that it may support older people from Bauple, Gundiah, Tiaro, Mungar, Antigua and Yengarie to positively connect with their families, friends and social networks in adjoining regional townships during the week of celebrations.
SHARING IS CARING: Celebrate Queensland Seniors Week 2019. Wheelchair accessible. Venue: Tiaro Memorial Hall, Cnr Mayne St & Forgan Tce, Tiaro. Cost: $5 Contact: Bookings required by Tuesday, August 13 on 07 4123 1554. ■ Happy Days 1pm-4pm Happy Days Seniors Week Concert. Come along to our choreographed performance of memorable tunes, toe tapping enjoyment and plenty of laughs with performances by "The Happy Pensioners" and other guest artists. A delicious catered afternoon tea by Alowishus Delicious Maryborough will be provided. We will also have lucky door prizes and the traditional big raffle. You are going to love this one. Last year was a real winner with record numbers attending and yes its free entry! The Maryborough and District Committee on the Ageing. Wheelchair accessible and hearing loop available. Venue: Senior Citizens Centre, 333 Alice St, Maryborough. Contact: Bookings
required by Tuesday, August 13 on 07 4123 1554. Cost: Free ■ Seniors Expo 8.30am-12.30pm Enjoy a morning of stalls, entertainment and raffles. Venue: Bundaberg Multiplex Centre, 1 Civic St, Bundaberg West. Cost: $3
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21
■ Masquerade Party 2.30pm-4pm Come and join us for a Masquerade Party as we celebrate Seniors Week in disguise. Wheelchair accessible. Venue: Ozcare Hervey Bay, Ground Floor Recreation Room, 35 Davis Drive, Kawungan. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings required by Monday, August 12 on 07 4194 3300. ■ Seniors Unite 9am-4.30pm During Seniors Week celebrations we are committed to ensuring all of our well aged residents are recognised and have equal opportunity to participate. Seniors Unite is a whole day activity, including morning tea, 3
course Buffet lunch and a social game of lawn bowls. Buses shall travel from Maryborough to Poona for morning tea. Then travel from Poona to Boonooroo for lunch and bowls. One (1) bus shall then transport passengers back to Poona, and the other return to Maryborough. Wheelchair accessible. Venue: Poona Community Centre, 7 Snapper Dr, Poona. Cost: $25 Contact: Bookings required by Tuesday, August 13 on 07 4123 1554. ■ Navigating the Aged Care Maze 9.30am- 12.30pm Navigating the Aged Care System can be confusing and it’s important to get the right information. Do you want to know more about the aged care system? Are you seen as a trusted source for information? Do you belong to a community group? Join us for an information session where you will learn about the aged care system to share with people in your networks or with other groups in the community Venue: Bundaberg and District Neighbourhood
Photo: Cecilie_Arcurs
Centre, 111 Targo St, Bundaberg South. Cost: Free Contact: If you have any questions, phone Paul on 07 3316 2913. Bookings required, go to agedcaremaze. eventbrite.com.au or phone 07 3316 2999. ■ Finding Your Feet // Free Community Movie 10am-noon Celebrate Queensland Seniors Week 2019 at the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre. This event is funded by the Queensland Government and supported by COTA Queensland. ‘Lady’ Sandra Abbott finds the courage to reinvent herself after she flees a broken marriage to stay with her bohemian sister in London. Featuring an acclaimed British cast led by Imeld Staunton, Celia Imrie, Timothy Spall and Joanna Lumley, Finding Your Feet is a hilarious and heartwarming comedy proving it’s never too late to start again. Wheelchair accessible and hearing loop available Venue: Moncrieff Entertainment Centre, 177 Bourbong St, Bundaberg Central. Contact: To book, go to moncrieff-
THURSDAY, 22 AUGUST 2019
■ Be Connected - Your Guide to Getting 9.30am-11am Be Connected is an Australia wide initiative empowering all Australians to thrive in a digital world. We have online learning resources as well as a Network of community partners - the Be Connected Network who offer in-person support so you can develop your digital skills and confidence. Venue: Hervey Bay Library, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay. Contact: Bookings required on 07 4197 4220. Cost: Free ■ Open Day 10am-2pm Join the Australian Pension Superannuants League for an open day. APSL is a community based organisation for over 40’s, focusing on social and sporting tuition, such as Table Tennis, Art, Mah Jong, Meditation, Card and Board games plus computer tuition. Venue: APSL Hall, 61 Hunter St, Pialba. Cost: Free ■ Digi Help Drop in CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
We're here to offer support and a helping hand. 1800 786 227 suncare.org.au
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QUEENSLAND SENIORS WEEK 2019 FROM PAGE 16 Sessions 1pm-3pm Have you got a new or old device and have a simple question you want answered? Hervey Bay Library now has Digi Help Drop In sessions from 1- 3pm on Thursdays in the Creative Space. These are short personal sessions of no longer than 10 minutes, to assist you to trouble shoot access to things like emails and social media sites. Please be ready with your password and email address. Software installations and hardware fixes will not be included. No bookings required. Venue: Hervey Bay Library, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings required on 07 4197 4220. ■ Mini Expo 19 9am-12.30pm A collaboration of local regional organisations to display services which support the needs of our ageing community. This initiative will enable older Maryborough and district residents to participate in and explore regional programs and services at a centrally located facility. Our Mini Expo will attract agencies which have a focus on the health and wellbeing of our ageing community. Organisations such as U3A, Senior Citizens, and MaDCOTA Inc will have a presence and this will create opportunities for our older residents to continue to participate in activities outside of Seniors Week celebrations. Services such as Australian Hearing, Wide Bay Health & Hospital System and local doctor practices are encouraged to attend to promote mobile services to outer remote townships. Wheelchair accessible and hearing loop available. The Maryborough and District Committee on the Ageing. Venue: Senior Citizens Centre, 333 Alice St, Maryborough. Cost: Free
Bay. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings required on 07 4197 4220. ■ Mansong Dance Night 6pm-8pm Dance with Mansong Includes light supper. Book at Halcro Street Community Centre. Tickets will also be available at the door. Venue: Pialba Memorial Hall, 5 Main St, Pialba. Cost: $10
EXTRA ACTIVITIES: MONDAY, AUGUST 26
TECH SAVVY SENIORS: Explore options in Queensland Seniors Week 2019.
Photo: KatarzynaBialasiewicz
Contact: For more information phone 07 4123 1554. ■ Guided Zoo Free Tour 9am-10am This compact menagerie at a public park features exhibits with dingos, lizards, birds & more. Venue: Alexandra Park Zoo, Quay St, Bundaberg West. Cost: Free ■ Free Tai Chi in the Park 10am-11am Join us for a Tai Chi class where we will embrace the mind, body and spirit. Tai Chi originated in ancient China and is one of the most effective exercises for health of mind and body. Wear loose comfortable clothing and flat shoes suitable for exercise and bring water with you. Venue: Alexandra Park, Quay St, Bundaberg West. Cost: Free ■ 60 and Better Bundaberg 25 Birthday Celebration 10.30am-2pm Bringing members and the public together to celebrate the achievements of the 60 and better program over
Luncheon!This is an opportunity to dress up and mingle with the residents of Ingenia Gardens Bundaberg, try a delicious Mediterranean luncheon, dress up, take part in a blind auction and discover what life at Ingenia Gardens Bundaberg can be like. Wheelchair accessible Venue: Ingenia Gardens Bundaberg, 55 Jefferis St, Bundaberg North. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings required by Monday, August 19 on 07 4151 8500.
25 years. Wheelchair accessible. Venue: Burnett Bowls Club, CNR George and Mulgrave Sts, Bundaberg. Cost: $15 pp. Contact: Bookings required by Thursday, August 8 on 07 4132 8224.
FRIDAY, 23 AUGUST 2019
■ Scrabble 9.30am-11.30am The free weekly scrabble get-together is organised by U3A Hervey Bay. Everyone and all levels of expertise are welcome to join in. Venue: Hervey Bay Library, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay. Cost: Free Contact: Bookings required on 07 4197 4220. ■ Hinkler Hall of Aviation 9am-3pm Come and be amazed by the awe inspiring, dynamic and unique structure of soaring glass and steel made in the shape of an aircraft wing. Set in the lush Bundaberg Botanic Gardens, the Hinkler Hall of Aviation brings to life the
adventures and achievements of Australia's famous pioneer solo aviator Bert Hinkler. Venue: Hinkler Hall of Aviation, Mount Perry Rd & Young St, Bundaberg North. Cost: $0-41. **Free tour for first 50 patrons. ■ Steam Train Rides 10am-12.30pm All aboard! Come along and enjoy a FREE steam train ride at the Botanic Gardens. The platform is located next to the Coffee Shop and Rose Garden and is easily accessible from the Mt Perry Road entrance to the gardens. The ride takes about 10 minutes so there is never too long to wait for the next train to come. The train travels adjacent to the wetland area through bush, parkland and even the railway workshop. Venue: Bundaberg Botanic Gardens, 6 Mount Perry Rd, Bundaberg. Cost: Free ■ Ingenia Gardens Bundaberg Mediterranean Luncheon noon-2pm Join the residents at Ingenia Gardens for a Mediterranean
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24
■ Graffiti Grannies 9.30am-11.30am Learn to knit or crochet. Perhaps you already know how. Everyone is welcome to join in the Graffiti Granny 2019 projectsknitting/crocheting squares for a giant Christmas tree, the ocean themed post covers for Pialba Place Shopping Centre and the annual Christmas Display. Venue: Hervey Bay Library, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey
■ Open Evening at the Fraser Coast Toastmasters 6.45pm-9pm Join us for an evening to find out more about what happens at a Toastmasters Group and the art of public speaking. Venue: Hervey Bay Bridge Club, 17 Cypress St, Torquay. Cost: Free
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30
■ Hervey Bay & District Senior Citizen Club Inc. Open Day 9am-4pm Demonstrations of some of our daily activities, chance to learn new skills and try different activities. Sausage sizzle, cool drinks, tea/coffee and snacks and raffle available to purchase on the day. Venue: Hervey Bay & District Senior Citizens Club, 28 Totness St, Torquay. Contact: Bookings required on 07 4194 2441. Cost: Free ■ Scrabble 9.30am- 11.30am The free weekly scrabble get-together is organised by U3A Hervey Bay. Everyone and all levels of expertise are welcome to join in. Venue: Hervey Bay Library, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay. Cost: Free Disclaimer: Dates and times are printed as given to us. No responsibility is taken for accuracy of this information.
Suncare, your choice for Home Care Packages 1800 786 227 suncare.org.au
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HOME 46 FS2
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HOME 129 FS2
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CALL TODAY
07 4148 7111 HOME 162 FS1
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Our quality award-winning two and three bedroom homes allow you to entertain family and friends while having the time to pursue your hobbies and interests with a year round social calendar. Fraser Shores has everything you need for a wonderful lifestyle. Centrally located with easy access to shopping, the bay, beaches, boat harbour, sporting clubs and state of the art health precinct.
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CALL 07 4148 7111 Visit 58 & 100 Nissen Street, Hervey Bay Email info@frasershores.com.au www.frasershores.com.au
SENIORS \\AUGUST, 2019
FEATURE
HERVEY BAY’S ULTIMATE RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE
at Fraser Shores Retirement Villages
At Fraser Shores Retirement Villages, you will feel right at home in affordable, spacious and beautifully appointed twoand three-bedroom homes surrounded by amazing resort style facilities. Fraser Shores Retirement Villages embody quality, five-star living with great value for money. Beautifully appointed, award winning, quality brick and tile homes, nestled within landscaped communities. Low maintenance living leaves you with less chores to do and more time to experience all that Fraser Shores has to offer. Residents have unlimited use of the full-sized bowling green, swimming pool, community centre, licensed bar, fitness centre, craft and computer room, outdoor barbecue areas, libraries and so much more. A wellorganised residents’ committee arranges functions and social activities such as outdoor and
indoor bowls, pool and billiards, movie nights, tai chi, line dancing, yoga, arts and crafts, exercise and computer classes. You will have the opportunity to meet new friends and be part of a welcoming, safe and supportive community of like-minded people. Fraser Shores is located within a major health services precinct, just minutes from retail, dining, entertainment and vital health services. Everything you’ll ever need is within easy reach. Onsite RV, caravan and boat storage gives you the freedom to plan your travels with ease when you choose. Enjoy the freedom of not having to maintain your own home. Community lawns and gardens are beautifully maintained, so you can get on with doing what you enjoy most. Residents at Fraser Shores can also access a range of Blue Care community services, offering individually tailored support and care for peace of mind if and when you need it.
Affordable, quality homes available T WO BEDRO OM HOMES Modern free standing homes have the style and comfort you need for a great lifestyle. Two spacious bedrooms, bathroom, modern kitchen with ample storage space, laundry, garage and rear patio overlooking beautifully landscaped gardens.
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CALL 07 4148 7111 www.frasershores.com.au
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Discover
a new way to retire
at Argyle Gardens Bundaberg
Argyle Gardens Bundaberg offers spacious quality homes and beautifully landscaped resort style facilities, centrally located in Twyford Street and just a short walk to Stockland Shopping Centre. It’s a wonderful affordable lifestyle close to everything you’ll ever need. When you choose to live in a retirement village, you want to feel safe and secure in a friendly and caring community where you have the freedom to enjoy the things that truly matter to you. You want to find that perfect place to call home. The village itself has fantastic resort style facilities that are designed as an extension of your own personal living space
where you and your visiting friends and family can relax, socialise and enjoy a peaceful or active lifestyle. Just minutes from one of Bundaberg’s biggest retail hubs, sporting clubs and city centre, at Argyle Gardens, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping and entertainment with low maintenance living, friendly neighbours and a sought after lifestyle. The village is located in the suburb of Avoca in Bundaberg, approximately 370 kilometres north of Brisbane. A well organised residents’ committee is actively involved in arranging functions and social activities, such as community BBQs, indoor bowls, Chi-Kung classes, line dancing classes, arts and crafts, gardening groups, exercise classes, pool and billiards, and much more.
Affordable, quality homes available Independent Living Units Quality one, two and three bedroom freestanding homes designed for a low maintenance lifestyle. Spacious openplan living with private alfresco areas and landscaped gardens. • Spacious bedrooms and living areas • Large modern kitchens with ample storage • Air-conditioning in living area • 24-hour emergency call system • Security screens • Ceiling fans
Serviced Apartments Serviced apartments are chosen by residents who want to maintain living independently while receiving support through in home services, such as cleaning, laundry, meals and Blue Care community services. Located centrally within the village, each apartment features a well appointed kitchenette and rear patio and is set around a beautifully landscaped garden area.
Well maintained facilities • • • • •
The best way to really get a feel for our village is to come in and see it for yourself.
Argye Gardens Bundaberg Visit 90 Twyford Street, Avoca Email info@ArgyleGardensBundaberg.com.au www.ArgyleGardensBundaberg.com.au
Community Centre Indoor bowls and billiards Swimming pool and spa Auditorium for concerts and events Craft and hobby room
• Barbecue and outdoor area • Hair salon with full-time hairdresser • Caravan and boat storage • Pet friendly
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ONLY AVAILABLE UNTIL
SEPTEMBER 2019
BE QUICK AS ONLY 4 REMAIN
*Applies only to select units, full T&Cs available at www.ArgyleGardensBundaberg.com.au
Retirement living is easy at Argyle Gardens Bundaberg
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Feel right at home in our vibrant community with affordable, spacious and newly refurbished homes. Surrounded by resort style facilities and picturesque garden settings. Just minutes from one of Bundaberg’s biggest retail hubs, sporting clubs and city centre, at Argyle Gardens you are spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping and entertainment with low maintenance living and a sought after lifestyle.
CALL 07 4191 9115 Visit 90 Twyford Street, Avoca Email info@ArgyleGardensBundaberg.com.au www.ArgyleGardensBundaberg.com.au
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Community group guide TO ALLOW for readers’ requests for the publication of more neighbourhood news, please keep notices short and to the point (100 word maximum). If you would like to submit a photo ensure it is at least 180dpi or 500kb to 1mb in size and of faces, in a nice bright setting. Email editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au.
VIEW CLUBS
Fraser Coast JOINING our VIEW Club is the perfect opportunity to meet regularly with other like-minded women, establish new friendships and help children in need. Our role in the community is underpinned by our support of The Smith Family - a national charity that helps children in need with their education. Through our work with the charity we are helping make life-changing differences to local children and their families. In addition to their ongoing support of The Smith Family, VIEW hosts social events, including fashion parades, bus trips, fun lunches and morning teas and always have an interesting guest speaker each month at meetings. Anyone interested in becoming a member can phone Ros on 07 4128 0993 or go to view.org.au for further information. Hervey Bay OUR meetings and luncheon are always the second Monday of each month at the Club House, Tooth Street, Pialba from 10.30am and usually includes a Guest Speaker. Monthly socials are on the forth Monday at various venues from 9.30am. Our guest July speaker,
Verneice, from Uniting Care spoke on the effects gambling has on many people’s lives with five million dollars put through the poker machines in Hervey Bay each month, just staggering. We are extremely grateful to Fraser Shores 2 for their very generous sponsorship of a ‘High Tea’ at Arkarra Tea Gardens with all proceeds to our club and what a wonderful and successful day for the 103 who attended. Our club continues to grow as more ladies join for the friendship and fun times that our club offers. The monthly Trading Table is always popular as members peruse the plants, books and many nick-nacks that are on display, a great fund raiser for our three Smith Family ‘Learning for Life’ students. New or interested ladies are always welcome to join our very friendly club. For more, phone Bev 07 4128 2692.
PROBUS CLUBS
Fraser Coast-Hervey Bay Combined WE RECENTLY had a sausage sizzle on the beach-front. We had guests from Hervey Bay Mixed Probus and Maryborough Combined
SPECIAL COUPLE: Vic and Esme Fay recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Esme has been a member of VIEW for 38 years and joined the Hervey Bay VIEW Club after transferring from Forster in NSW and has held numerous View club positions. Probus. The day was perfect and enjoyed the winter sunshine and the magnificent sparkling blue water. Our club meets on the third Tuesday of the month at the Boat Club, Urangan at 10am. Guests are always welcome. Phone 07 4183 7017 for more information. Gympie CLUB President, Richard Haussmann welcomed 72 members plus visitors to the July meeting. A new member, Carolyn Wright was inducted and welcomed by all present. A quick meeting then followed, and we saw the unveiling of the Club’s new projector and screen. The equipment was purchased with grant money received from Gambling Community CONTINUED ON PAGE 23
Dulcie Wessling, from Gympie National Seniors, with vice-president Val Harris.
Vi Brennan, from Gympie National Seniors, thanks Ruth Polley for her informative talk and slide show. Photos: Contributed
Fraser Coast-Hervey Bay Combined members enjoyed a beach-front.sausage sizzle.
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QUEENSLAND SENIORS WEEK 2019 FROM PAGE 22 Benefit Fund. Janice Martin presented a short slide show of her recent trip to Europe, which had images of Jan in Switzerland and Paris as well as Ireland and England. Pam Carlson showed a presentation of the recent very successful Probus tour to Cook Islands. Twenty members from Gympie and Wide Bay Clubs travelled to the islands and all returned with happy memories. Our guest speaker was Lindsay Hutton. While Lindsay was living in Riverland SA, he discovered a love for the water, for boats and for people. He was the original skipper of P.S. Murray Princess, the largest inland vessel in the Southern
Ann Gauld, and president Gina Taylor, from Fraser Coast-Hervey Bay Combined Probus Club. Hemisphere. Lindsay is now involved with Spirit Australia Cruises and enlightened us of the many and varied river and lake cruises available. Cruises on the Murray River, Hawkesbury River and even Brisbane River as well as other waters
Secretary Ros Kitchen and president Lainey Sanders together with students from the Albert State Primary School in Maryborough where Fraser Coast VIEW Club presented the school with books for their library.
What's on LEGENDS AND THE LOCALS
ONE night only with Troy Cassar-Daley, featuring Gympie locals. In 2019, Troy Cassar-Daley will collaborate and rehearse with talented Queenslanders, putting on an awe-inspiring night of entertainment, showcasing the talents of the locals and celebrating the hits of the Legend! Legend and the Locals is a unique concept bringing Australian music legends together with regional Queensland locals. Troy will be supported by QLD country artist Brad Butcher, winner of the Golden Guitar for Best New Talent in 2018. Legend & the Locals is a Hey There Happiness initiative, presented by Keppel Coast Arts, and is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland,
them by taking around a hat. Vi Brennan thanked Ruth for coming and it was decided that the group may like to go and visit the farm to see further the work that they do. Raffles were won by Kath Batt and Bevan Cross while lucky door prizes were won by Dawn Treeby and Jenny Murray. A beautiful Christmas in July lunch was served by the ladies of the bowls club. It was a great morning.
The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal with thanks to the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, Southern Cross Austereo and Stage & Audio. On August 21 from 8pm at Gympie Civic Centre, 32/34 Mellor Street Gympie. Tickets: Adult $25; Concession - $18; Child (3-16 yrs); $18; Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Children) - $75. For more, phone 1300 307 800 or go to qtix.com.au/.
2019 FRASER COAST EXPO
THIS is the region’s largest and most successful event of its kind. Over 150 local and regional businesses will display the latest home and outdoor products, caravans, camper trailers, boats, 4x4’s and more. With a great line up of daily entertainment and massive prizes to win, you will not want to miss this event. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to compare products and chat with industry experts. Maryborough Showgrounds and Equestrian Park, Bruce Highway, Maryborough. Friday, August 16 to Sunday, August 18.
QUOTA
NEW BEGINNINGS: Carolyn Wright is inducted into the club by Probus Gympie president, Richard Hausmann. Photos: Contributed feature boat travel during the day and hotel or motel accommodation at night. After the meeting we had a most enjoyable Christmas in July celebration at Gunabul Homestead. As we would expect, we had a visit from Santa, who was in a very jovial mood since he has had a good spell from his December duties. The Probus essentials of Fun, Fellowship and Friendship were all well and truly to the fore during the day.
NATIONAL SENIORS Gympie
Ticket Information: Adults: $12 and Seniors Card: $10. For more go to, fraser coastexpo. com.au/.
KINGAROY BACON FEST
ALL things bacon will be celebrated at the second annual BaconFest in Kingaroy from August 23-25. While the festival celebrates everything porcine, it also supports local producers and raises funds for drought-affected farmers. More than 8000 visitors chomped their way through a variety of bacon products last year and organisers are preparing for even bigger crowds this year. The festival kicks off with a Wine and Swine cocktail event on the Friday evening, followed the next morning by a cycling and running event, Rasher’s Rush. There will be bacon eating competitions, a Miss BaconFest pin-up pageant, a two-day bacon themed food market and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chef, Adrian Richardson the host of television cooking show Secret Meat Business.
OVER fifty members enjoyed the July meeting at the Bowls Club. As our president was sick, vice-president Val Harris chaired the meeting. It was a special month for three of their members who all turned eighty years of age in July. These members were Kath Batt, Jan Treasure and Val Harris. All three members were presented with O.B.E’s (Over Blooming Eighty) certificates. Guest speaker for the morning was Ruth Polley from Hope Reins. She spoke and showed slides of the work that is being carried
out at Hope Reins. Their theme is "Healing Horses Helping Hurting Humans". She spoke of how they rescue horses in need and offer them a safe and loving home. But what they do goes much further than that….They also use the horses to work with people from all backgrounds and walks of life to make them feel whole again, as well as loved, connected, worthwhile and accepted. As their work is a not-for-profit organisation a donation was given to
QUOTA International of Maryborough Invites you to our Annual Cancer Luncheon at Carriers Arms Hotel, Colonial Room on Tuesday, August 13. Doors open 10.30am. Guest Speaker is Greg Beard, Manager of Mater Hospital Fund Raising Foundation. Entertainment by The Tip Top Strummers Ukulele Group and Mini Tombola. Lunch around noon. Hope you can join us. Cost $27. All pre-paid Bookings to be made at Anne’s Irresistible Lingerie, Kent St Maryborough, prior to Friday, August 9. No allocated seating. This luncheon will be Pink Ribbon themed with all profits to Maryborough Fund Raising Group of Cancer Council Queensland.
For more, go to kingaroy baconfest.com.au.
MORNING MUSIC BOX
THE Gympie Regional Council Venue and Events team continues to attract exciting new shows and events to the region in a never-before-seen list of acclaimed music, comedy and theatre performances. Aimed at Seniors, The Morning Music Box series features a diverse mix of performing talent from across Australia. Tickets to all Morning Music Box shows are priced at $15 and include complimentary morning tea and refreshments. Doors open 9.30am and the shows start at 11am. Tickets to all events can be purchased online, go to qtix.com.au/, phone 136 246 or drop into the Gympie Civic Centre Box Office, open from Tuesday-Friday, 9am till 1pm at 32 Mellor Street, Gympie.
LEE KERNAGHAN – BACKROAD NATION TOUR LEE is kicking off the year in a big way announcing his most
ONE NIGHT ONLY: Legend and the Locals headline act Troy Cassar-Daley performs on August 21 in Gympie. extensive tour to date and an epic new album, 'Backroad Nation'. Lee says his Backroad Nation tour is set to cover a lot of country over the coming year with concert events planned Australia wide. The extensive run includes 45 shows that go on sale today and coincide with the release of the first radio single, 'Wheels'.The new song from the forthcoming Backroad Nation album features the
accompanying music video that was filmed on location in outback Northern Territory. Dates: Thursday, August 22 from 7pm at Brolga Theatre and Convention Centre, Maryborough. Friday, August 23 from 7pm at the Moncrieff Entertainment GCentre, 177 Bourbong St, Bundaberg. Thursday, September 5 from 7pm at the Kingaroy Town Hall, Kingaroy. Go to leekernaghan.com/.
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Hearing Aid alternatives to take off HEARING specialists have released new TV Voice clarifying earphones, which have outperformed the world’s best hearing aids in delivering clearer TV speech and dialogue. Hearing specialist Don Hudson said the new TV Voice Pro Air earphones were developed based upon over 1000 hearing test results of those with hearing loss, and proven TV listening difficulty. “Hearing TV dialogue clearly is a significant problem for those with hearing loss,” Don said. “The clarity of the TV audio itself is highly variable, as many channels differ dramatically in intelligibility, and the
volume is often changing between programs and advertisements too. “Hearing aids find it hard to correct this problem, as the originating problem is how the audio has been mixed for each TV program.” The new wireless TV Voice Pro Air earphones overcomes this problem by altering the original TV audio. The TV audio is recalibrated to a speech enhanced frequency response, with particular adjustments to high frequency consonants, such as ‘s’, ‘f’, ‘th’, ‘p’, to clarify TV dialogue. Audiologist Suzanne Porter said hearing aid clientele are always
searching for better clarity, with up to 60 per cent of those with hearing aids reporting ongoing difficulties hearing speech and dialogue. “Although the overall benefits of hearing aids are very good, often clientele still report difficulties in certain situations, such as difficulty hearing the TV dialogue, or trouble hearing on their mobile phone,” Suzanne said. “For TV, hearing aid wearers said they were often missing the punch-line on their favourite TV programs, and fed up not hearing TV dialogue clearly, spoiling their overall enjoyment.” The new TV Voice Pro
EASY LISTENING: The new wireless TV Voice Pro Air earphones overcomes hearing problems by altering the original TV audio. Air System utilises the most beneficial audio clarity setting based on feedback from customers. The product was also tested with hearing aid clientele at a busy audiology practice, with overwhelming feedback of improved clarity for TV listening over their current hearing aids. The TV Voice Pro Air system has a specialised volume range up to 110dB – adequate volume for
those with any level of hearing loss, from mild to severe. It works with any TV, new or old, and the earphones operate wirelessly up to 10 metres from the television. The audio and volume of the TV for others in the room is not affected. The TV Voice Pro Air system connects in under two minutes to any TV in Australia. The earphones are
rechargeable and no batteries are required. The purchase price is $349. TV Voice Pro Air comes with a 30-day money back guarantee. To order, phone 1300 300 446 or order online, go to TvVoicePro.com.au. TV Voice Pro is currently offering free express courier delivery for a limited time.
Home Care Package Provider Carers Link Home Care Package Program provides security and support for people wanting to stay at home with access to a range of ongoing personal, support and clinical services. As a recipient, you’re not limited to a basic list of services, and as an approved provider, we can work with you to select services that best meet your individual care needs and goals. At Carers Link, we understand how important your Package funding is to your overall quality of life. Which is why we offer:
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
A FREE CONSULTATION NO HIDDEN FEES NO WAIT LIST 24/7 SUPPORT
Throughout the entire process we offer personalised contact and case management from our dedicated Aged Care Advisor, who not only works with you, but also with your family and network, to support the whole family journey in aged care. You will also have access to our Memory Support Program unique to Carers Link to improve memory function.
p. (07) 3901 1165 e. info@carerslink.com.au carerslink.com.au
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QUEENSLAND SENIORS WEEK 2019
Care services to suit you Vinnies’ services open to all
MAKING the first steps into the world of aged care is not always an easy journey, particularly when seniors and their families are faced with so many choices of providers and care types. With facilities and services in Brisbane, Toowoomba, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Gympie, St Vincent’s Care Services is a leading provider of retirement living, in-home community living and residential aged care services. Whether you’re looking to downsize, need some help around the home, or require around the clock care, St Vincent’s Care Services provides a holistic and tailored approach to retirement and aged care services to suit the needs of you or your loved one. Many seniors who are
QUALITY SERVOCES: St Vincent's Care Services provides a range of support and care options. now ‘empty nesters’ often find the maintenance and upkeep of the family home becoming a challenge. Sometimes, just making adjustments to your lifestyle such as downsizing to a smaller home, and having someone else take care
of maintenance can have a huge positive impact on your health and wellbeing. St Vincent’s Care Services Independent Living communities offer contemporary and private units with the convenience and comfort
of a managed village lifestyle. St Vincent’s Care Services Community Living is the perfect solution for seniors who are able to live in their own home or in an Independent Living community, but who would
benefit from some assistance. Whether it’s help with the cleaning or weekly grocery shop, transport to and from appointments or social activities, or nursing care to help manage health conditions, your
Community Living Co-ordinator will work with you to develop a plan to suit your needs and lifestyle. When additional support is required, St Vincent’s Care Services Residential Living provides around-the-clock holistic aged care for a range of needs. Residents’ expert clinical care and comfortable welcoming accommodation is complemented by professional hotel services, extensive leisure and lifestyle activities and amenities, and compassionate pastoral care support. St Vincent’s Care Services staff focus on enhancing and celebrating each resident’s lifestyle and enriching their quality of life, and delivering services and care that is tailored to each resident’s needs and preferences.
For more information, go to svcs.org.au or phone 1800 778 767.
The very best in support services and care, where we make you the priority. At St Vincent’s Care Services, we provide the best balance of independence and support, with tailored options to suit your needs. We understand the importance of lifestyle and community, which is why our aged care services encompass personal and clinical care, diverse leisure programs and support for emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Our services are tailored to meet your individual needs and are delivered with compassion, justice, integrity and excellence. We specialise in: • Residential Living at Arundel, Bardon, Boondall, Carseldine, Gympie, Kangaroo Point, Maroochydore, Mitchelton, Southport and Toowoomba. • Independent Living at Bardon, Boondall, Carseldine, Enoggera, Mitchelton and Southport. • Community Living within various communities in south-east Queensland. Please contact St Vincent’s Care Services today to arrange a tour or have a confidential discussion about your needs:
J2920 0719
Phone: 1800 778 767 Email: svcs.info@svha.org.au or visit our website: www.svcs.org.au
FEATURE
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Barrel barbie champs add some flavour MATES Neil Dransfield and Adrian Blomfield entered their first barbecue cooking competition because it was cheaper to attend the event as a contestant than to pay the general admission fee. As the day of that first competition at Port Macquarie drew near, they decided to start thinking about what they would cook and do some preparation. That preparation certainly paid off as the pair walked away from the Australian Barbecue Wars, the biggest barbecue cooking competition in Australia, with first prize and truly hooked on the craze that has taken America by
storm and spread rapidly throughout Australia. Neil, 58, from Mansfield and Adrian, 55, from Springfield, Brisbane, known among barbecue cooks by their team name Double Barrel BBQ, now compete in up to 12 barbecue cooking competitions a year, travelling far and wide across the country as well as overseas. “We had heard about it (the barbecue cook-off craze) and we saw a video of it on YouTube featuring one of the founders of the Australian Barbecue Alliance,” Mr Dransfield said. “We thought it looked like a lot of fun, so we went to the competition in Port Macquarie, which is
the biggest one run outside of America. “It got a little harder after that first win. And we aren’t competing in as many events this year, maybe just six or seven because it does involve a lot of travel.” Double Barrel BBQ has managed to rack up an impressive number of wins in the five years they have been competing, and they plan to give the competition a good run for its money when they take part in the cook-off at the Kingaroy BaconFest from August 23-25. Mr Dransfield said pork ribs were his favourite cut of pork to barbecue and he hoped that would be a category during the BaconFest event.
Do you feel your rights are being respected? Are your family members supportive, or do they create stress in your life? Are any of the following scenarios happening to you? • • • • •
Being told that you can’t make any decisions for yourself because you have had a diagnosis of dementia. Being pressured into entering a nursing home when you’re not ready. Being frightened to voice your needs/concerns. Carers or family members borrowing money and not paying you back. Adult children moving in with you and refusing to pay rent.
The Seniors Legal and Support Service offers a FREE service providing legal and social support to older people whose rights are being compromised.
WINNERS ARE GRINNERS: Double Barrel BBQ’s Neil Dransfield and Adrian Blomfield. More than 30 competitors have already signed up for the SunPork Smoke-Off barbecue competition at BaconFest. Cooking starts at 5pm on August 24 and goes through the night non-stop with blind tastings by judges who will be rating each dish on appearance, texture and flavour. All things bacon will be celebrated at the second annual BaconFest in
Kingaroy from August 23-25. While the festival celebrates everything porcine, it also supports local producers and raises funds for drought-affected farmers. The festival kicks off with a Wine and Swine cocktail event on Friday evening, followed the next morning by a cycling and running event, Rasher’s Rush.
There will be baconeating competitions, a Miss BaconFest pin-up pageant, a two-day bacon-themed food market and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chef Adrian Richardson, host of popular television cooking show Secret Meat Business. Go to kingaroybacon fest.com.au.
FINANCIAL PROTECTION SERVICES 4124 6863 Smart decisions for later in life A free opportunity to talk to someone about making financial decisions to help you stay financially safe.
Referrals to free independent financial information and advice services. We do not offer financial advice, or refer to individual financial advisors.
Torquay Road, 0 6/16 Pialba, Qld 4655
% 07 4124 6863
% admin.slass@bigpond.com
7020093aa
The FPS is a FREE service funded by the Queensland Government and delivered by the Seniors Legal and Support Service, Fraser Coast. Contact us for further information: 4124 6863
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Beauty by design The tourist hot-spot you’ve never heard of
PAGE 26
The Forum For Your Two Cents Join our exclusive online community, where you’ll find other seniors ready to socialise and share. Seniors online - connecting you to an exciting retirement.
Like us on Facebook! Visit facebook.com/seniorsnews
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AUGUST, 2019// SENIORS
‘‘
one of the best places on earth to see the enchanting aurora borealis.
GLORIOUS NORWAY: A panoramic view of Tromso from Mt Storsteinen.
Photos: Yvonne Gardiner
Gateway to the Arctic
This month explorers John and Yvonne Gardiner share their wonderful experiences as they discover ‘The Gateway to the Arctic’
OUR trip to Norway began in the north, at Tromso, one of the best places on earth to see the enchanting aurora borealis. Tromso lies 350 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle and is the largest city in northern Norway. The first night of searching for the elusive northern lights was the best, with shimmers of green in the late-night sky and a surprising encounter with the multi-coloured aurora from the bus on the way back to town. Despite the climatic challenges, human settlement in the Tromso area dates back thousands of years, although the city itself was founded only about 200 years ago. Tromso soon became the centre for animal trapping in the region, and in the early 1900s it was the starting point for expeditions to the Arctic – hence its nickname, Gateway to the Arctic. Apart from the phenomenal northern lights, Tromso is
The captivating Viking Ship Museum in Oslo. renowned as an adventure capital where thrill-seekers can speed up their sightseeing on an RIB (rigid inflatable boat) along a deserted fjord or
take teams of panting sled dogs for a run. A less strenuous pursuit was an overnight stay on the Lyngen Peninsula northeast of
Tromso in a “lavvo”, a glass-top teepee that allows a wide view of the night sky. These cosy cabins are equipped with wood
heaters for maximum comfort. Each day offers a rich variety of “wow” experiences. Definitely an experience
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A street scene in the Norwegian capital, Oslo.
On the way to Flam along the Sognefjord waterway.
The Flåm Line is a 20.2km-long railway track.
The National Theatre stages world class performances.
is an adventure capital
not to miss is the cable car up Mt Storsteinen, which reveals a dazzling panorama of snow-topped mountains, the shimmering sea and an astounding vista. When we arrived back at the hotel, quite literally chilled, the hot tub and sauna revived much-travelled bodies. Norway’s attractions are many, with its spectacular scenery, a chance to see the northern lights, fascinating Viking history, and a diverse and entrancing mix of people. The capital Oslo was next on our itinerary, a city bursting with beauty and culture. Oslo was named European Green Capital 2019 for its dedication to conserving natural areas and reducing pollution. Tram 19 took us to the National Theatre at the centre of Oslo’s tourist trail. There’s no shortage of museums to explore. Most mesmerising of all was the Viking Ship Museum housing the remains of three boats. Seeing the best-preserved Viking
The Vigeland sculpture park in Oslo. boat in the world was a show-stopper. An intricately carved wooden cart, farm implements, textiles and sledges were all buried in the boat with their
high-status owner in the ninth century. Oslo’s Historical Museum hosts eclectic displays on the peoples of the Arctic region, some Egyptian mummies,
American Indians and the Middle Ages. Vigeland, aka the Sculpture Park, came highly recommended. Apparently it attracts millions of tourists a year.
While a beautiful space for ambling and appreciating the splendid autumn colours, I felt that the hundreds of sculptures modelled on naked people were
underwhelming. Next day we caught the train to Bergen, a trip lasting seven hours and the most scenic of all as it passed raging rivers, dinky timber houses, massive pine forests and snow-clad mountains. For a spectacular two-hour cruise up the Sognefjord waterway flanked by steep mountains and frequent waterfalls, we boarded a ferry at Gudwangen. Overnight we stayed in the delightful village of Flam (pronounced Flom). Never having experienced the supreme comfort of a room with a heated floor while the snow fell outside, we soaked up Norwegian hospitality and feasted on reindeer burgers. In the morning, the historical railway from Flam to Myrdal chugged for an hour through snow-white valleys and wonderful mountain scenery. It felt like being in a life-size train set, everything so ordered and tidy, including the uniformed railwaymen. It was a great experience.
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Baku’s stunning buildings Paul Coffey I’M IN Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, on the Caspian Sea, north of Iran, at the start of a two-week tour with Peregrine Adventures through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. It’s my first step in a longish Europe trip; in a few weeks my wife Anne and I will meet up in Prague. I’m stunned by Baku. I knew it had some interesting architecture, but I didn’t expect the innovation that I’ve seen. Even the drive in from the airport was a joy: truly amazing buildings and wonderful urban design. In the city proper there is a mix of architectural styles; some Islamic motifs, neo-classical columns, early 20th century mansions that fuse neo-Gothic and neo-Baroque elements, and timber balconies that jut out from the building facades. Many apartment buildings even have interesting design elements that provide variety instead of dreary
CONTRASTS: The architecture in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan is a magnificent juxtaposition to the ancient city.
Photos: Paul Coffey
sameness. The bridges have elegant balustrading, the roadside landscaping is careful and formal-ish, the street lights and some poster columns and borrowed direct from Paris; together with the street trees and some wide boulevards, there’s a distinct Parisian feel. But there are also delightful news stands or Kiosk Press that I saw in
Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
Marriage of old and new in Baku,
Istanbul decades ago (the word ‘kiosk’ is a Turkish word). Even the service stations are designed with some flair. There’s no sign of brutalist Soviet architecture here. Just as importantly signage is muted: no huge billboards along roadsides, no large neon signs or giant screens, and no big arches at the McDonald’s – it’s like
Noosa’s design principles but on a much larger scale. And there’s no litter. The city is clean, but not sterile. Clever up-lighting on the city’s old buildings at night is exquisite. And it has an old city too. It’s a delightful walled enclave with some historical buildings, lots of little winding alleyways, some cobblestoned
streets and plenty of touristy cafes and restaurants. Yes, there’s been a lot of renovation, which is ongoing, but old cities are just great. No doubt a great deal of renovation has been necessary after the 70-year period of Soviet overlordship from 1920 until Azerbaijan independence in 1991. And it’s not crowded;
you can quickly find yourself alone, and there’s a gentle, casual feel to the tourism game. I love it! Odd fact: Baku is 28 metres below sea level, the lowest-lying capital city in the world. My driver from the airport seemed to consider the 120km per hour speed limit inadequate for getting from A to B, and many others thought likewise. Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia form the sub-region known as the South Caucasus, that is south of the Caucasus mountain range, which runs east-west between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. North of here is Russia. To the south are Turkey and Iran. There are a multitude of different ethnic groups, and languages, and therefore a great deal of historical tensions and conflicts within the Caucasus. It’s been sandwiched between Persian and Byzantine (and earlier, Roman) empires; and fought over by Ottoman, Persian and Russian empires.
The cobblestone streets of Baku.
The Baku buildings are eye-catching.
A traditional street wedding.
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SENIORS \\AUGUST, 2019
The stars in a NZ dark sky New home of astronomy
there is no better place for a home of astronomy. About the Dark Sky Experience This fully guided, state-of-the-art 45-minute experience is a world-first and has been designed to be truly of the place, reflecting some of the important research undertaken by the University of Canterbury at the Mt John Observatory as well as tatai aroraki (Maori astronomy). To ensure the Dark Sky Experience is authentic, Dark Sky Project worked with local tribal groups, leading Maori astronomy expert Professor Rangi Matamua and the University of Canterbury to bring to life the stories of the universe. Te Whare Tatai Part of the new experience is based around the concept of a Te Whare Tatai – a school dedicated to teaching Maori knowledge about the cosmos: the stars, planets, galaxies, sun, moon and everything that adorns the sky. The students of these schools learned about
STARGAZING: Dark Sky Project Centre is opened by New Zealand Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy and Maori elders. Photo: Dark Sky Project creation, the connection between the earth, sky and sea, and how to interpret signs in the sky which could predict the year’s bounty of food, forecast the weather, and even gauge when accidents or death might fall upon members of their communities.
Family agrees: it’s your turn
Maori used the sky as a roadmap and calendar, not only to mark place and understand where they were, but also to mark time and seasonality so they knew when the fish were running, when the birds were big and fat, and when the soil was fertile and ready for
E: info@goseetouring.com www.goseetouring.com
Cook Island ExplorEr - nEw tour
Cook Islands From
$3,995*
per person share twin ex Brisbane.
From
$3,695
*
* per person twin share Ex BnE, single supplement $770
per person twin share Ex BnE, single supplement $890
From
extend their trips in Australia and to overseas destinations a few times a year can be put in place. Their friends have recommended trying some short, small group tours with companies like Peregrine Adventures. Taking extended holidays isn’t in the plan as they still want to be involved in the lives of their six grandchildren. “We still look after two of the little ones every Wednesday,” Evelyn said.
$4,125* EnglIsh Blossom tour Is Fully EsCortEd Ex BrIsBanE From
$6,495*
per person twin share
Islands. Includes return flights, 6 nights Edgewater Resort, 1-night Sydney, Daily tours, Daily Breakfast & Dinner and 3 lunches. Spaces are strictly limited.
$2,085
*
28 aprIl – 2 may 2020
Join celebrity host, Jenny Liu, one of Australia’s premier Sopranos, on this wonderful tour to Singapore. Jenny is an award-winning Opera and Musical Theatre performer, best known for her roles in The King and I and The Marriage of Figaro: “When her cut-glass cords echoed around that supersonic theatre no one dared to breathe lest they break the magic spell.” You will delight in her 3 special recitals as well as exploring all the must-see attractions of this amazing City. Singapore is a melting pot of culture with fabulous shopping, delicious food, and a fascinating history.
13 - 25 may 2020 Highlights include Great Dixter House, Sissinghurst Castle, Leeds Castle, Canterbury, Bath, Cotswolds, Abbey House Malmesbury & much more! Includes return airfares, 10 nights quality hotels, 10 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 6 dinners, all touring & entry fees.
norFolk Island pétanquE From
entertaining & cultural tour to the magical Cook
Join us on this escorted Tassie Croquet Devils 9 day tour and visit beautiful Tasmania where you can indulge in history, visit stunning wilderness areas and enjoy some delicious food and wines. Combine the fun and friendship of hitting through the hoops with some wonderful touring when we travel to Tasmania in 2020. Why not join the fun!
sIngaporE rECItIal wIth JEnny lIu
They’re busy paying their mortgages and trying to make a decent living for themselves, but they aren’t particularly worried about their future and passing on an inheritance. I don’t think that it’s even entered their heads, to be honest.” The Scottish-born couple have travelled most of their adult life. It’s only now, with Allan retiring last month and Evelyn retiring five years ago, that their plans to
1 - 9 novEmBEr 2019 Join Country Music celebrity Graeme Hugo for an
14 – 22 marCh 2020
tassIE CroquEt dEvIls tour
SENIOR TRAVEL: Retirees Allan and Evelyn Mollins at the airport, ready to take off on their next overseas adventure.
perspective, as well as the wonder of some of our most recent discoveries. The goals of the reserve are to promote star-gazing and astrotourism, as well as to protect the astronomical research at the University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory.
1300 551 997 | (07) 5513 1086
Tracey Johnstone THERE will be no inheritance left by the time Evelyn Mollins and her husband Allan have finished their travels. The Queensland couple are part of a growing trend of Australians aged 65 and over who are spending their hard-earned money on holiday experiences. “My husband and I have worked hard for our whole lives,” the 65-year-old former bank officer said. “We have helped the kids along the way to get into their own homes. “I just feel it’s pretty much our time now.” Their three children are OK with this approach. “They are desperate for us to do what we want to do,” Evelyn said. She has talked to a lot of people of a similar age who are worrying about leaving some money for their children. “But they aren’t living their life,” she said. “None of my kids are thinking along those lines.
planting. and their seasonal way of life. The paid interactive experience provides the opportunity for multi-sensory interactions to help visitors to understand the scale of the universe, the wonder of its creation from both a scientific and cultural
per person twin share Ex BnE, single supplement $470
9 – 16 may 2020
Join us for Pétanque under the pines! We’ll play, we’ll dine, we’ll tour and we’ll make new friends when we spend the week on Norfolk. This beautiful island only a couple of hours flying time from Sydney or Brisbane offers relaxation, culture, indulgence and history and in May 2020 will also ring once again with the sound of Pétanque boules. We’ll play on a beautiful private clifftop property, plus plenty of time to enjoy the best that Norfolk has to offer. Book now to secure your spot!
ask about the noumea tour in november.
Coming very soon our exciting launch of more 2020 touring.
TERMS & CONDITIONS *Price is per person Twin Share. Single Supplement applies. Credit card surcharges apply. Deposit of AUD $500-$800 per person is required to secure tour. Tour requires a minimum number of passengers to depart. Prices may fluctuate if surcharges, fee, taxes or currency change. Prices current as at 24 July 2019. Go See Touring in conjunction with Norfolk Select Marketing ABN: 93 367 366 822 ATAS Accreditation A10619
6885061bc
DISCOVERING the wonders and beauty of the dark sky is also helping to uncover understanding of ancient Maori culture in New Zealand. A new home of astronomy and astro tourism has opened in Takapo (on Lake Tekapo), offering the world’s first indoor, multimedia experience combining Maori astronomy and science. Dark Sky Project, formerly Earth & Sky, has opened the doors to its new 1140sq m building on the Takapo lakefront. The centre includes the Dark Sky Diner offering spectacular lake and mountain views, and a range of day and night dining options It will be the departure point for the astro-tourism business’s outdoor, evening stargazing experiences. With Takapo in the middle of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve – the largest dark sky reserve in the world and the first to receive gold status –
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AUGUST, 2019// SENIORS
10 Bangkok to-do highlights Kerry Heaney WITH new budget flights from Brisbane to Bangkok, a holiday in one of Asia’s most exciting cities just got a whole lot more achievable. AirAsia, recently named Skytrax World’s Best Low-Cost Airline for the 11th year, has fares from Brisbane to Bangkok starting at just $199. Their four weekly flights bring the bustling street markets, thriving nightlife and iconic temples of Thailand’s capital city within easy reach. Here are 10 Bangkok highlights you shouldn’t miss. Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) Standing more than 80 metres tall, Thailand’s most photographed temple on the bank of the Chao Phra River is also one of the country’s most revered. You can climb the steep stairs to the first level and marvel at the ingenious decoration created from pottery shards. Bangkok Flower Market Open all day, every day, this market is filled with
beautiful local blooms and exquisite, handmade Phuang Malai garlands. You’ll see orchids, lotus, jasmine, chrysanthemum, gerbera, and lilies. Most of the flowers are grown in the provinces nearest to Bangkok. Sook Siam The ground level of the ICON Siam building has been turned into a food and craft market with stalls from Thailand’s 77 provinces. It’s filled with food, flowers and produce and makes a fascinating wander. You can see traditional foods being made and try them too. Best of all, the whole market is air-conditioned, so if you can’t make an open market, this will give you a taste. River Cruise The easiest way to see both the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), ICON Siam and the Bangkok Flower Market is to take a ride on a Hop on Chao Phraya Hop-On Hop-Off Boat. Cruising the river is a fast and refreshing way to travel to the sights. An all-day, all-night pass costs just 300 baht
FLOWER POWER: Bangkok markets are full of colour.
Wat Mahathat, Ayutthaya Historical Park.
(around $14 AUS). Yaowarat Road Chinatown It all happens after sunset at Chinatown when the footpath becomes a kitchen and dining area lined with stalls. The cuisines are varied, and the queues are long, so go early and hungry. Look for stalls with a round red Michelin star sticker to find the most flavoursome treats. Jim Thompson House Museum Go to see the Bangkok home and Asian art collection of the late James H.W. Thompson (aka the Thai Silk King), but you’ll also be amazed
and definitely easier for some than others. The downside is exiting through three levels of a duty-free shopping mall, and there is no escape. Ayutthaya Historical Park This day trip from Bangkok to discover the UNESCO’s listed temple ruins and historical sites that were once Thailand’s capital city. Ayutthaya Historical Park includes Wat Phra Ram and Wat Mahathat. The Royal Palace, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wiharn Phra Mongkol Bophit also can be found here. Staying there Stay at Shama
by the lush tropical garden. Expect to be tempted by the beautiful silk products in the adjoining store and dine in the onsite restaurant and enjoy delicious food. Thai Bus Food Tour Thailand’s first double-decker bus food tour will serve you a delicious traditional Thai style afternoon tea. You’ll also see the city sights in air-conditioned comfort. Mahanakhon Skywalk See Bangkok’s skyline from Thailand’s highest outdoor glass floor observation area on the 78th floor. It’s a lot of fun to dare yourself to step down onto the glass floor
SOLOS FRENCH RIVER CRUISES
ASTRONOMERS JOIN SOLAR ECLIPSE CRUISE
VOLUNTEERING
ENHANCE your next Queensland holiday in the Southern Great Barrier Reef and get hands-on with volunteerism. Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary is 28 minutes from Rockhampton and 15 minutes from Yeppoon. It lies an animal sanctuary with countless beautiful things to discover. You can cuddle a koala, hold a crocodile, snake or lizard, play with birds, interact with cheeky
The writer travelled as a guest of Tourism Authority of Thailand and AirAsia. tours.com.
TRAVEL BRIEFS
NASA astronomer Dr Michelle Thaller and engineer Dr Andrew Booth as guests for the Aurora Expeditions Solar Eclipse in Antarctica voyage in December 2021. Guests will be part of a once-ina-lifetime event as the full eclipse will only be visible from Antarctica in the early hours of December 4. The 22-day voyage departs Ushuaia, Argentina on November 24, 2021 and includes visits to the South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Peninsula, Elephant Island, South Georgia and the Falklands-Malvinas. Info: phone 1800 637 688.
Lakeview Asoke is a 10-minute walk to fast public transport at Asoke BTS Station and Sukhumvit MRT Station. Their shuttle bus makes the trip even easier. The spacious units all have a fully equipped kitchen, large flat-screen television with a separate lounge area and an ensuite bathroom. With a pool, fitness centre and children’s playroom, it is perfect for couples, families or intergenerational holidays.
SOLO-friendly river cruise line Riviera Travel, has 11 no-singlesupplement cruises in 2020 including the seven-night cruise departing March 31, 2020, aboard the Jane Austen, round-trip from Paris to one of France’s most historic and picturesque regions, Normandy. The solo fares are available from A$3909, including nine guided excursions, onboard meals and Wi-Fi. Single travellers enjoy a cabin to themselves. Info: rivieratravel.com.au. PANORAMA: The exclusive pontoon built for viewing the coral formations around Queensland’s Heart Island.
Photo: Salty Wings
monkeys and hand feed kangaroos. Your duties will include animal food preparation, wildlife presentations, and handing and cleaning. Info: capricorn holidays.com.au.
SYDNEY HARBOUR 2020 OPERA
VERDI’S popular La Traviata will be performed on the Sydney Harbour stage in March and April 2020. Tickets are on sale now. Info: opera.org.au.
WENDY WU TOURS SPECIALS
SAVE up to $600 per person on your choice of over 50 tours across China, Vietnam and Southeast Asia, India and Japan. Majestic Yangtze save up to $600 per person on the 14-day tour which explores China's glorious past, fascinating present and bright future; Vietnam Explorer - save up to $500 per person on the 13-day tour which explores the best parts of Vietnam; A Week in Japan saving up
to $300 per person; Golden Triangle saving up to $400 per person. Info: wendywutours.com.au or phone 1300 727 998.
WINE WEEKEND IN TASSIE
THE annual Great Eastern Wine Weekend returns September 6-8. 2019. It will showcase the best food and wines of Tasmania’s east coast. Info: freycinetlodge. com.au/WineWeekend.
BIKE BHUTAN
BHUTAN is one of the last great Himalayan Kingdoms and one of the most exciting ways to explore the wide-open valleys and snow-capped peaks of Bhutan is on the back of a Royal Enfield 500cc Classic motorcycle. Extreme Bike Tours has shaved $US1000 off rates for its 15-day Bhutan adventure tour in 2020 and is also offering a further 10 per cent discount for riders who book in a group of four or more. Info: extremebike
EXCLUSIVE HEART ISLAND TOURS
THE intricacies of the Heart Island coral formation can now be seen up close. It’s a 30-minute helicopter flight over the Whitsunday Islands and Whitehaven Beach before approaching the Great Barrier Reef. Guests then board a futuristic glass-bottom boat before making the short journey to the Heart Reef. The cost is $999 per person and includes a return helicopter flight, tour of Heart Reef, snorkelling equipment and light catering. Info: hamiltonisland.com.au.
SENIORS \\AUGUST, 2019
33
The new shingles vaccine is available
SHINGLES, also called hepes zoster, is a common but lesser known preventable disease which can severely affect older Australians. The older you are if you get shingles, the higher your risk of being seriously affected. Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of getting shingles later in life. About one in three people who have not been immunised against chickenpox or shingles will get shingles at some time. The Department of Health advises shingles, which is caused by a reactivation of the chickenpox virus, causes a painful localised blistering rash on any part of the skin. Most elderly people have had chickenpox as children, or as parents of children, before the development of chickenpox vaccine. Hence they are at risk of reactivation of the virus to form shingles. It’s described as a
Wellbeing
DENTAL HEALTH: Follow these easy tips to stay on top of your keep your teeth healthy. Photo: Alliance
How’s your teeth?
BETTER HEALTH: Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of getting shingles later in life. Photo: fstop123 serious disease because it can cause severe nerve pain that can last for months and even years. This has a great impact on quality of life. Shingles in its early stage is contagious and so also has implications for carers. It can also lead to: ■ Serious eye problems,
including blindness ■ Pneumonia ■ Hearing problems ■ Swelling of the brain ■ Or worse, death Shingles immunisation development is relatively recent and is currently recommended for free under the National Immunisation Program for adults aged 70 years to 79 years.
It is also recommended for people aged 60 to 69 years, 80 years and older, and for those aged 50 or over who live in the same household as someone who has a weakened immune system. For more information about shingles, go to beta.health.gov.au/health - topics/shingles-herpeszoster.
WE NEED to twice daily brush, once daily floss, eat healthy and regular visit our dentist to maintain good dental health. Food, glorious food Our eating habits play a major role in tooth decay which is a diet related disease. What to do? Eat three regular meal times a day rather than snacking and grazing, and limit sugary treats to be part of a meal rather than as a snack. Get drinking, water that is Tap water in most areas of Australia contains fluoride, one of the easiest and most beneficial ways to help prevent tooth decay. Regularly sip it
throughout the day, including with and right after meals. Chew on this? Chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after eating can prompt your mouth to produce more saliva, which helps neutralise decay-causing acid attacks. Brushing Brush for at least two minutes in the morning and at night. Too much pressure when brushing can damage your gums and tooth enamel. Which toothpaste? Choose one that contains fluoride. Fluoride can also help remineralise (heal or reverse) early decay. Info: ada.org.au.
See the world and be seen with the stylish ATTO TRAVEL in style and dignity with the ATTO. The ATTO is the smartest high-performance mobility scooter on the market. The ATTO mobility scooter is beautifully designed, engineered and manufactured using aviation grade aluminium and plastics. The result is a light and reliable scooter, flexible
and stylish. Venture anywhere you wish with ease: by car, coach, train, aeroplane or cruise ship or yacht. Simple! The compact design enables it to be placed in all vehicles and is extremely convenient for those who previously struggled for space. Features include a built in USB charging port, deck storage and adjustable seat height. Don’t put up with having
Do you feel your rights are being respected? Are your family members supportive, or do they create stress in your life? Are any of the following scenarios happening to you?
‘‘
Venture anywhere you wish with ease: by car, coach, train, aeroplane or cruise ship or yacht. Simple! to walk long distances. The ATTO has a mere three-hour charge from its 48 volt lithium battery allowing you to travel up to 16km (about 2-3 days worth of travel). There are some of the
testimonials from our valued and satisfied customers as can be seen on Moving Life website: Jeremy: “Totally revolutionised my life! Without sounding like a
cliche, I feel like my ‘Moving Life’ has literally started again! Great machine, easy to use, sturdy and worth every penny!” Harold: “I am delighted with it. Been to Cyprus with the ATTO for seven weeks. I rode the ATTO from the boot of the car right through the airport, immigration, right up to the aircraft where it was folded and put in the hold. Wonderful! Easy!” Mrs Maria Stableford
enjoyed her trip to Disney World with her ATTO. “I had an awesome time travelling around the magic kingdom and universal studios on my ATTO. A trip made possible by the ATTO and its super folding and pull along functions.” Get back your freedom with the ATTO! Distributed in Australia by Drive & Carry Pty Ltd. Go to driveandcarry.com.au or phone 1300 917 733.
• Being told that you can’t make any decisions for yourself because you have had a diagnosis of dementia. • Being pressured into entering a nursing home when you’re not ready. • Being frightened to voice your needs/concerns. • Carers or family members borrowing money and not paying you back. • Adult children moving in with you and refusing to pay rent.
The Seniors Legal and Support Service offers a FREE service for people over 60 whose rights are being compromised.
6/16 Torquay Road, Pialba | 07 4124 6863
6972974aa
BRAND INSIGHTS
COMPACT DESIGN: The ATTO has a mere three-hour charge from its 48 volt lithium battery, allowing you to travel up to 16km.
34
WELLBEING
AUGUST, 2019// SENIORS
Your wish, their command An opportunity to fulfil the last wishes of terminally ill people A DEDICATED ambulance will grant Queenslanders dying wishes. Ambulance Wish Queensland will allow terminally ill Queenslanders to achieve wishes they would otherwise be unable to achieve. “Fulfilling the final wishes of people can be challenging as you could be transporting someone who can’t walk, or sit in a chair, or who might require continuous oxygen or other medical appliances and support,” Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said. “With the Ambulance Wish Queensland program medically trained volunteers, adapted ambulances, and necessary equipment will transport people to fulfil their wish successfully and safely. “I know Palliative Care Queensland has more donation and support opportunities, including decommissioned vehicles, parking, vehicle maintenance, electronic stretchers, marketing and promotion.”
“We are the first to bring it to Australia, after a member of the community on the Gold Coast was inspired and approached us about the idea,” Palliative Care Queensland CEO Shyla Mills said.
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The program is currently recruiting and training volunteers The program is currently recruiting and training volunteers and seeking support from donors, sponsors and partners to enable wishes to be fulfilled from later this year. Requests for wishes will officially open on December 1. “Every Queenslander is touched by loss, dying and grief at one point in their life,” Ms Mills said. “This new program will enable us to reach more people and help
GIVING: Trained Ambulance Wish Queensland officers will be able to fulfil the final dying wishes of patients. Queenslanders living with a terminal illness fulfil their final wishes.” The Queensland Government has
contributed a de-commissioned ambulance and initial funding of $50,000 along with $506,000 from PCQ.
■ For more information on how to support PCQ’s Ambulance Wish Queensland program, phone PCQ on
3145 0329, visit the website ambulance wishqld.or.au or email hello@ambulance wishqld.org.au.
If you are looking for a quiet eating experience... Kerry Heaney HOW did restaurants and cafes get so noisy that you can’t even hear your dining companion? With one in six Australians experiencing hearing loss, loud background noise while dining leads to a less enjoyable dining experience for many people. General Manager for Food Strategy Chris Green said noise is a consideration in the brief for some of the restaurants and cafes they design. “Most clients want that soothing ambience, but some actually want the hustle that comes from clatter and chatter,” she said. While some background clatter is welcoming, the current industrial warehouse styling trend which features mostly hard surfaces amplifies sounds around diners. “Sound bounces so hard surfaces such as concrete floors, hard chairs and hollow ceilings increase it,” Chris said.
LESS DINING NOISE: Noise can be alleviated with carpet flooring. “Adding soft furnishing will absorb sound to reduce the din and echo, which is a simple, stylish way to address the issue. “We suggest dense fabric wall hangings, soft floor coverings, curtains, upholstered seating,
tablecloth and cushions.” Restaurants also need to consider sounds from adjoining businesses or road noise which all adds to the din in a restaurant. Chris said that can be blocked with design and infrastructure such as soundproof walls or
double glazing. “If you’ve ever been into a Cafe 63 in Brisbane, you’ll notice it has a calm and quiet atmosphere,” Chris said. “This is because of the green imitation grass carpet throughout the cafe. It has maximum
noise absorption qualities and has become a signature part of their brand and design. “It’s not everyone’s cup of tea for decor, but it has the maximum effect.” How can you find a quiet restaurant for a pleasant dining
experience? Try researching your venue on SoundPrint. It’s an app that allows users to measure sound and then share that in a rating on the app to help others find a quiet spot to eat. Choose your dining location carefully. Some places are always going to be noisy because of their high ceilings, exposed brick walls, concrete or tiled floors, which just bounce the sound around. No soft furnishings (table cloths, upholstered chairs, curtains, cushions) to soak up the racket mean it is going to be a noisy place. You also can dine early before the crowds and ask for a quiet table or in an area off to the side, outside or away from overhead speakers. If it is too loud, complain about the sound levels and ask management to turn the music down. The best solution is to vote with your feet and frequent dining spots where the noise suits your comfort level and enjoy your meal in comfort.
SENIORS \\AUGUST, 2019
35
Tips for a top night’s sleep
Living
Meredith Yardley IF YOU don’t sleep well, you may be sabotaging yourself without even knowing it. Good quality sleep is essential for your health. If you don’t sleep too well, here are some tips that have been proven to aid the most important 6–7 hours of your day. Preparing your space ■ Unless you are bedridden, get rid of as much technology from your bedroom as you can. These items can release electromagnetic frequencies that disrupt your sleep patterns. ■ Keep your bedroom cool and dark to help you maximise your natural sleep rhythms. ■ Let your body know you are getting ready to retire by dimming the lights a couple of hours before going to bed. Preparing your body ■ Eat at least three hours before retiring, so your body focuses on relaxing, not digesting. ■ Do ‘bed readying’ activities, such as cleaning your teeth, a couple of hours before retiring. That way you don’t wake yourself up again to clean your teeth or stack the dishwasher. ■ A bath with lavender oil is a nice way to relax. Or you can lie on the floor (if you can get there) and stretch your legs up the wall – a sure-fire relaxation technique. ■ Avoid caffeine (including black tea) or alcohol close to bedtime as they can keep you awake. ■ Put away your devices (phone, tablet) two hours before retiring. The blue backlight can upset your body’s melatonin release, needed to sleep. Preparing your mind ■ Write down anything you might stress over – it can wait until tomorrow. ■ If you can’t turn off your mind, think of random items by going through the alphabet, eg, A for antelope, B for boots, C for car.
AGEING WELL: Australia’s CALD community members face common and unique challenges as they age.
Photo: xavierarnau
Ageing issues unique
Tracey Johnstone MIGRANTS from non-English speaking backgrounds now make up between 30 and 35 per cent of Australians aged 65 and over. That’s a significant number of people whose ageing issues are both common and unique. For many, not having role models around them as they grow older in Australia presents one of the most complex problems explains chair of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), Mary Patetsos. “Some of them have been here for the majority of their life,” Ms Patetsos said. Migrants have been arriving into Australia
since the turn of the century; many of them came from Afghanistan, eastern and southern Europe, filling jobs in major infrastructure projects like the Snowy Mountains scheme, the Sydney Opera House and railways. “They have often arrived as very young children or 10 or 20-year-olds,” Ms Patetsos added. “They grow up, study, go to work, raise families and then find themselves at 84 or 86 ageing in a country they have migrated to. “They aren’t growing in the village or town or place that they have seen other people growing old in. They are really making their way in a new place.” Where these ageing Australians find they are suffering with dementia or
they aren’t regularly using English in their everyday activities, regressing back to their mother tongue restricts their ability to deal with the range of ageing issues and community services. This is where Aged Care providers have a critical role in overcoming language barriers. Some CALD communities are of such size that they have been able to establish ethno-specific Aged Care facilities, but there is much more support required for migrants living outside of the catchment area of these facilities. FECCA are working to increase the profile of these ageing Australians. “Once you need support, you need to know the system can look
after you so we need to ensure that providers understand that responsibility, that they understand the need to communicate, use translators and interpreted materials and perhaps employ bilingual staff,” Ms Patetsos said. She has noticed some facilities have actively sought the employment of staff fluent in the language prevalent within their clients. Others have encouraged existing staff to learn basic words to help them communicate with their CALD clients. Diversity in the Aged Care workforce is another initiative being rolled out by some providers. “Not all of it is a burden,” Ms Patetsos said. She argues that bringing diversity to the
Aged Care living space can benefit non-CALD residents. She also sees that the well-travelled Baby Boomers will be looking for more interesting experiences as they age. “There are some wonderful examples where Greek or Italian or Italy food, depending on dietary needs, has been introduced into nursing homes and playing some easy games like Bocce and music; it can be fun for all residents,” she added. “Multiculturalism is an advantage for all of us as it makes our life more interesting. If we take it that way it will be less of burden and more of a joy. “We also need to make sure consumers know their rights and are able to access My Aged Care.”
You can feel safe and stay independent with this medical device BRAND INSIGHTS “LOSS of independence can be debilitating for seniors who have spent their entire lives living independently, working jobs and raising families and making decisions,”
Paul Joseph from Emergency Medical Services Pty Ltd, providers of the safeTwear medical alert system, said. “We understand the natural effects of ageing can sometimes make independent living harder. Difficulties with
mobility, the risk of accidents and falls and issues such as isolation and loneliness are just some of the contributors.” This is a core reason behind the decision to combine the safeTwear system with the safeTcare 24/7
response and monitoring centre – ensuring help is always available. The peace of mind for not only the client but their families and friends is immeasurable, not to mention the benefits of having regained independence, including: ■ Feel like an
individual: The ability to make choices has a big impact on self-esteem. ■ Maintain balance and strength: Retaining balance and strength is a huge determining factor in someone’s ability to stay independent and active. ■ Sense of purpose:
Loss of independence can be isolating. Seniors who are isolated often develop feelings of hopelessness and depression. If you would like to arrange a free demonstration, phone 1300 699 159.
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LIVING
AUGUST, 2019// SENIORS
Could not be happier
Villas tick all the boxes BRAND INSIGHTS JOHN and Val D’Arcy are originally from Melbourne. In 1987, they were holidaying in their caravan heading to Queensland. Both were keen bowlers and when they visited the Sunshine Coast they played bowls at Caloundra Bowls Club. There was a notice at the club advertising a bowls tournament: “The Ten Thousand Tournament”. This was in Hervey Bay involving Pialba, Urangan and Hervey Bay bowls clubs. John and Val decided to pack up the caravan and travel to Hervey Bay to play in the tournament. They did very well winning prizes and enjoying the friendship within the Hervey Bay bowls community. They also got to know the sponsors of the bowls tournament, Urimbirra Retirement Village. During their stay in Hervey Bay, a business opportunity presented itself thanks to the sponsors of the bowls tournament. There was an animal sanctuary attached to
Urimbirra Retirement Village and an adjoining piece of land was available. The couple thought it was ideal for a plant nursery. They decided to stay in Hervey Bay and commenced their nursery business. They named it Possum Paradise as it was next door to the animal sanctuary. In 1989 the land was required for further development and John and Val decided to move their nursery Possum Paradise to a new location. They found a small business growing and selling palms on Boundary Road, Urangan. There was a small house on the property and they moved into the house and Possum Paradise nursery commenced business on Boundary Road. They are pleased that Possum Paradise nursery still operates at this address. John and Val owned and ran Possum Paradise for more than 10 years and when they found the time, they played bowls at
HAPPY DAYS: John and Val D'Arcy relaxing at New Horizon Villas. Hervey Bay Bowls Club. In 2000, when both were well into their retirement years, they decided to sell the nursery. Their new home was a unit in Scarness, close to the Esplanade and overlooking the Hervey Bay Bowls Club. They enjoyed their retirement years playing bowls and they have now been members of the club for more than 30 years. During that time, John
held the position of president for two years. Val enjoyed a long career playing bowls and she has won the A-grade singles title on six occasions. She still continues to play bowls and she participates in bowling tournaments. John and Val enjoyed living in their unit but after 20 years, the stairs were getting too much for John and they both wanted an
easier lifestyle. It was time to move. They had seen an advertisement for New Horizons Villas and decided to have a look. They could not believe everything that was available, so they decided to register for the two-week free trial stay. All meals are provided. There’s no cooking or washing up and there are many activities to enjoy and make new friends.
Photo: Joy Butler
There is also a weekly linen service. The on site managers Noel and Maureen made them feel right at home. Nothing was too much trouble. John and Val moved into New Horizons Villas in April and they love their new lifestyle. Do not wait too long, organise your inspection today. You will not be disappointed. Phone 1800 465 500.
Enjoy your coffee with no side-effects at all
DRINK UP: Enjoying a coffee a day is still OK.
Photo: SeventyFour
RESEARCHERS have found that our daily dose of coffee doesn’t change a person’s risk of being diagnosed with, or dying from, cancer. That’s good news for about 46 per cent of the Australian population that enjoy drinking coffee. The research by QIMR Berghofer which is published in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that there is no relationship between how many cups of coffee a person had a day and if they developed any particular cancers. So, for seniors, having an extra coffee each day won’t make a difference to your cancer risk but drinking a lot of coffee can have other health
impacts. Its potential anti-cancer effect however hasn’t been established. QIMR Berghofer lead researcher Jue-Sheng Ong said the study also looked at some common individual cancers such as breast, ovarian, lung and prostate cancers and found drinking coffee did not increase or decrease their incidence. “There was some inconclusive evidence about colorectal cancer, where those who reported drinking a lot of coffee had a slightly lower risk of developing cancer, but conversely examination of data from those people with a higher genetic predisposition to drink more coffee seemed to
indicate a greater risk of developing the disease,” Mr Ong said. “The disparity in those findings would suggest more research is needed to clarify if there is any relationship between colorectal cancer and coffee.” QIMR Berghofer’s Statistical Genetics Group Associate Professor Stuart MacGregor said the study had implications for public health messaging around the world. “The health benefits of coffee have been argued for a long time, but this research shows simply changing your coffee consumption isn’t an effective way of protecting yourself from cancer,” Prof MacGregor said.
SENIORS \\AUGUST, 2019
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What is deeming ...and why care? Dianne Charman RECENTLY there has been a lot of chatter around deeming rates and changes made for part-pensioners. Deeming is the method that Centrelink and the Department of Veterans Affairs use to calculate the income from your financial assets when determining your entitlements for the Age Pension (as well as other benefits such as Disability Support Pension and Newstart Allowance) under a means test. Deeming assumes that financial investments are earning a set rate of income, regardless of the amount they are actually earning. There are two components of means testing – an asset test and an income test. Centrelink calculates your Age Pension on the test that generates the lowest eligible pension amount. For seniors with financial assets who are assessed under the income test, the change in deeming rates is welcome given the current low interest rate environment. The government has cut
the deeming rate for large investments from 3.25 per cent to three per cent, and for smaller ones from 1.75 per cent all the way down to one per cent. Individuals may earn up to $174 per fortnight, couples up to $308 before their pension entitlements are impacted by the income test. Income in excess of these amounts reduces pension entitlements by $0.50 for every dollar assessed for income test purposes. The changes mean that couples whose income is assessed using deeming may receive up to $1053 extra year, while singles could receive up to $804 extra a year. While the payments will be backdated to July 1, 2019 the payment adjustments will be processed from the end of September 2019. So, what should I be doing? Embrace technology My biggest tip is to become friends with the MyGov portal. Learning how to navigate the website will pre-empt the need for long, frustrating calls and time spent waiting on hold to Centrelink. Embracing new technology might seem a
little overwhelming at first but it’s definitely worth it in the long run. Regular reviews Regular maintenance and keeping your Centrelink details up to date will pay off, both in terms of your finances and your valuable time. I helped clients last year update investment values during the share market downturn. Doing so resulted in a back payment of $517 and an increase in pension entitlement of $42 per fortnight per person or $2184. Don’t overvalue your home contents When adding your home contents remember this is not the insured amount but the ‘fire sale’ value. Think about if you were to put all your possessions in a garage sale, what would you receive? I’ve seen cases where home and contents are valued at $60,000 and when you think about the fire sale value it’s really nowhere near this amount. Check your super / income Your superannuation/ income stream provider updates Centrelink with your balances in March and September each year.
MONEY ADVICE: Understand deeming and how it works. If you see a change in your pension payment around then check the latest balances on MyGov as this might explain the adjustment and save you another Centrelink phone call. Finally, here are a few things you can update / do yourself online: ■ Upload bank statements, rental agreements, superannuation and income stream information ■ Upload receipt details for assets purchases
such as your new car, trailer, caravan, motorcycle etc ■ Update your income ■ Change your bank account details ■ Update your personal details, such as change of address, phone numbers, email ■ Lodge your application for Age Pension, Carer’s Allowance or Pension ■ Manage appointments with Centrelink ■ Change your nominee arrangements ■ View your payments history and next payment
Money
Photo: Wavebreakmedia
details ■ Submit complaints or provide feedback Dianne Charman, of Jade Financial Group, is an authorised representative of AMP Financial Planning Pty Ltd. Any advice given is general only and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consult a financial planner to consider how appropriate the advice is to your objectives, financial situation and needs.
Superannuation catch-up provisions explained FINANCE commentator Andrew Heaven, AMP financial planner at WealthPartners Financial Solutions, addresses how superannuation “catch up” provisions, that came into effect from July 1, will work. His example is a person aged 55 and with a super balance of $405,000. He earns $100,000 a year and receives the 9.5 per cent employer superannuation contributions. Since July 1, 2018, individuals with a total superannuation balance of less than $500,000 are able to carry forward their unused Concessional Contribution (CC) cap for up to five years. The total superannuation balance is calculated by adding together all the amounts you have in the accumulation phase and pension phase of your super at June 30 of each
financial year. The CC cap refers to the limit on the concessional superannuation contributions you can make in a financial year. This includes salary sacrifice and compulsory employer contributions, as well as any personal contributions which you may claim as a tax deduction in your tax return. The cap for the 2018–2019 tax year is $25,000. Amounts of unused CCs arise when you have not fully used your CC cap in a tax year. Individuals will be able to utilise their unused CC cap on a rolling basis for a period of five years. Amounts that have not been utilised after five years will expire. If you earn $100,000 and receive 9.5% Employer Superannuation Guarantee Contributions (SGC), you receive $9500 of CCs.
MONEY ADVICE: Learn more about the new rule around superannuation contributions. Photo: Squaredpixels Assuming you make no additional concessional contributions in this financial year, you will be eligible to carry forward $15,500 of unused CC cap into future financial years from the 2018-19 tax year. Assuming your income
doesn’t increase and you made no additional concessional contributions this financial year, nor in the 2019-20 tax year, in the 2021-22 financial year, you would be able to personally contribute a tax-deductible
contribution $46,500 which represent three years of the unused CC cap of $15,500 a year. Under the rules for carry-forward contributions, your total superannuation balance is determined on your June 30 closing balance
in the financial year prior to the start of the financial year in which you wish to make the additional concessional contributions. For example, if you wanted to make a carry-forward concessional contribution in the 2019-2020 financial year, your total superannuation balance must be under $500,000 on June 30. To be eligible to contribute to superannuation you will need to be either under age 65 or satisfy the work test of 40 hours in a three-day period in the tax year prior to making a contribution if older than 65 up to age 75. The Coach is published on wealthpartners.net.au. Any general advice in this story doesn’t take account of personal objectives, financial situation and needs.
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AUGUST, 2019// SENIORS
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SENIORS \\AUGUST, 2019
G E N E R A L K N O W L E D G E
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Across 1 Who was the first to win a world motor racing championship driving his own make of car? (4,7) 8 What waxy fatty substance (___ acid) is used in candles, cosmetics and shaving soaps? (7) 9 Which domesticated relation of the camel is common in many South American countries? (5) 10 What direction is 180 degrees from west? (4) 11 “I felt the knife in my hand, and she laughed no more.” Who is Tom Jones singing about? (7) 12 What is a signal for an actor or performer to begin? (3) 13 Until 1917, what was an emperor of Russia? (4) 15 What do ichthyologists study? (4) 17 What is a Scottish word for “give”? (3) 19 What is a deficiency of red cells in the blood? (7) 20 What is the capital of Norway? (4) 23 What device controls the passage of fluid through a pipe? (5) 24 Colloquially, what is a submissive person whom others habitually treat badly? (7) 25 What was Aleksei Leonov the first to do? (4,2,5)
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PUZZLES
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Down 1 What was a professional clown at courts during the Middle Ages? (6) 2 Rooks and knights are pieces in what game? (5) 3 What is a small knot or lump in yarn or cloth? (4) 4 What is a covered arched passageway? (6) 5 What is the time taken for the radioactivity of a substance to fall to half its original value? (4-4) 6 What disease is also called rubeola? (7) 7 What is a ballroom dance with a Latin American rhythm? (3-3) 12 Who was leader of the Roundheads in the English Civil War? (8) 14 According to Aristotle, one what does not make a spring? (7) 16 Which republic on the Baltic Sea voted in 1990 to leave the Soviet Union? (6) 17 Ben Kingsley won an Oscar for which 1982 film? (6) 18 What is an operational flight made by a military aircraft? (6) 21 Which country was last to see the year 2000 arrive? (5) 22 What do leguminous plants have? (4)
10/8
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SUDOKU
Fill the grid so every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.
QUICK CROSSWORD 1
2
3
4
6
5
7 8
9
5x5
ALPHAGRAMS
Insert the missing letters to make ten words — five reading across the grid and five reading down.
Solve the anagrams. Each solution is a one-word anagram of the letters beside it, and the five solutions are sequential. For example, if the fiveletter solution starts with J, the six-letter solution starts with K, and so on.
S
10
L
11 12
13
O N
15
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18
S
HARMS HOT GUN TEDIOUS SPORADIC AT INQUEST
E
P
16
R N
R
14
E
S
Note: more than one solution may be possible.
19 20
SOLUTIONS
delve develop dole eleven elope eloped envelop envelope ENVELOPED lend leone levee lode lone lope loped love loved needle novel olden peel peeled pled plod pole poled veld vole
21
N
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WORD GO ROUND
E N T E R
R E S T S
QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 6. Make way 7. Tarry 9. Box 10. Smooching 12. Considerate 15. Encouraging 17. Ferocious 19. Oar 21. Demur 22. Adjusts. Down: 1. Havoc 2. Pen 3. Warm 4. Gathering 5. Trinity 8. Top dog 11. Monologue 13. Strain 14. Entered 16. Earth 18. Undo 20. Buy.
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 14 Very Good 19 Excellent 25
DOUBLE CROSS Find a finished crossword by deleting one of the two letters in each divided square. Solution opposite
BLACKOUT
ALPHAGRAMS: MARSH, NOUGHT, OUTSIDE, PICADORS, QUAINTEST.
P E
N O O S E
E N
WORD GO ROUND
A L O N E
L
SUDOKU
5x5
S C R I P
O D
V E
Down 1. Ruination (5) 2. Cage (3) 3. Tepid (4) 4. Congregation (9) 5. Holy trio (7) 8. Person in charge (colloq) (3,3) 11. Soliloquy (9) 13. Stress (6) 14. Went in (7) 16. Soil (5) 18. Loosen (4) 20. Purchase (3)
GK CROSSWORD Across: 1 Jack Brabham, 8 Stearic, 9 Llama, 10 East, 11 Delilah, 12 Cue, 13 Tsar, 15 Fish, 17 Gie, 19 Anaemia, 20 Oslo, 23 Valve, 24 Doormat, 25 Walk in space. Down: 1 Jester, 2 Chess, 3 Burl, 4 Arcade, 5 Half-life, 6 Measles, 7 Cha-cha, 12 Cromwell, 14 Swallow, 16 Latvia, 17 Gandhi, 18 Sortie, 21 Samoa, 22 Pods.
Across 6. Move aside! (4,3) 7. Delay (5) 9. Carton (3) 10. Kissing (9) 12. Thoughtful (11) 15. Supportive (11) 17. Fierce (9) 19. Paddle (3) 21. Object (5) 22. Alters (7)
X N G M G F G S J B U G K J S
C E R A M I S T J A L E V E L
X W Y L X E N Y U R N R J W P
T I N D E R Z L A B O U R E R
Y S G E D C O I D I H N U L F
C H A M P E R S Q C U D D L E
E W T E B V N T W A A V K E Z
E M P R E S S I E N Q U I R E
B O H B J M C O C F N P Q C P
E N I G M A R L O D E S T A R
V O Y A O L F D L I D T T N L
E X E M P L A R Q S E R M O N
G I X E I F Y O A B L O L I H
E D I T O R G P L A N K I N G
A E S E D Y Q E M R Y E R T G
BLACKOUT
Work out which squares need to be deleted to reveal a completed crossword. Solution opposite
DOUBLE CROSS
C T C N E W I S H R N A M A L D E M E M E P F I E R C E S R S T Y L I S T A B A R B I C A L O U G E R U N D V R D J E W E L L E L R E
E E M O N O P I R G A E M S M A L S O L D E O N D I Q E U P S T I T R A N E R
E E X I D E E I M E T E P O L F R Y A R O P E L S B A R E N R O K E M I O I N T N G
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