Wide Bay, January 2020 by seniors

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NEW YEAR NEW RE-LEASE OF LIFE

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New directions in aged care for LGBTIQ community

FROM DENIM AND LACE TO GRACELAND IN 50 YEARS

SENIORS OF THE YEAR

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

Best wishes to our readers for 2020

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

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Cover story: Marty Rhone Community Note Guide Feature: Senior Australians of the Year Travel: Wanderlust Wellbeing Money Book reviews Puzzles

14 The many ways to enjoy Mykonos.

Here’s to resilience Gail Forrer Seniors Group Editor OUR first edition this year reaches the streets as Australians reel from the devastation of bushfires. For most of us the fires, which continue as I write, will forever change the way we see and live our lives. Beachside and country townships have been razed to the ground, leaving an unimaginable emotional and financial toll. The only glimpse of optimism comes from the heroic work of firefighters. I trust that our leaders will show as much gumption as these average Aussies when it comes to creating the policies we will need to cope in a post-bushfire world.

Please email me if you have suggestions for particular areas. In this issue our journos have produced some great features for you, including Senior Australians of the Year and how nursing homes are pushing boundaries. This year, I quote the French novelist Marcel Proust, who made this new year wish: “To live in contact with those I love, with the beauties of nature, with a quantity of books and music, and to have, within easy distance, a French theatre.” Australians have experienced an uneasy start to the year. Neverthless, as we enter a new decade, here’s wishing you loads of happiness, joy and resilience for 2020.

For our part, in the coming months we look forward to publishing travel stories that may help areas where tourism has been badly affected by fires.

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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 Mark Smith – 07 3327 3327 mark.smith@newsregionalmedia.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 361604 and quote “Brisbane Seniors Newspaper”. The Seniors Newspaper is published monthly and distributed free in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales. The Seniors newspaper stable includes Toowoomba, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Northern NSW, Coffs and Clarence and Central Coast publications. Published by News Corp Australia. Printed by News Corp Australia, Yandina. Opinions expressed by contributors to Seniors Newspapers are not necessarily those of the editor or the owner/publisher and publication of advertisements implies no endorsement by the owner/ publisher.

Indoor triathletes Kathryn Williamson and Ugo Crupi.

Tenors add Aussie spice to musical smorgasbord their popular classical opera arias such as the tenor trademark, Puccini’s Nessun Dorma, and Verdi’s Anvil Chorus. The Australian Tenors also delight with songs from hit musicals, such as West Side Story’s Somewhere as well as Neapolitan favourite Funiculi Funicula. They also deliver a stirring rendition of the Hallelujah chorus. Beautiful duets are also a part of the program, including Phantom Of The

Opera and Friends For Life. A performance from world-renowned tenors is never complete without Waltzing Matilda, Australia My Country and I Am Australian, among other favourites. The Australian Tenors are: Murray Mayday, Lorenzo Rositano, Gaetano Bonfante, Martin Buckingham and Blake Fischer, backed by The Southern Cross Orchestra under the direction of musical director and

conductor Joseph Macri. See the tenors at the Redland Performing Arts Centre on Thursday, March 26, at 7pm. Bookings: 07 3829 8131 or go to rpac.com.au. Tickets: $85/ $79. Booking fees: $4.30 by phone and $5 online per transaction. The tenors will also be at Twin Towns Services Club on March 28, at 8pm and The Events Centre, Caloundra, on March 29, at 2pm. For details see tenors.com.au.

STARS: The Australian Tenors are heading to town to perform their world-renowned show. Picture: Contributed

New year, lower PLS interest rate

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THE Australian Tenors are touring the nation in 2020 with The Spirit of Australia, which has been billed as “an absolutely stunning program’’. The Australian Tenors’ versatility spans all genres of the classical tenor repertoire. Featuring five of the best tenor voices in the nation, the group brings romance, excitement, warmth and humour to its performances. Audiences are thrilled by

THE interest rate on the Pension Loans Scheme changed on January 1, down from 5.25% per annum to 4.5%. For those people with a PLS loan, no action is required. The new rate is applied to the loan from January 1. All new applications will have the new rate applied. To check which rate applies to your loan, use your Centrelink online account through my.gov.au. Sign in, select Manage Payments in the menu then select the Pension Loans Scheme Overview service. The new rate will display when either a loan payment has been made or interest gets added to your loan. For more information, go to humanservices .gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/pension -loans-scheme.

DOWN: The interest rate on the Pension Loans Scheme changed on January 1, down from 5.25% per annum to 4.5%. Picture: Contributed

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Bob has QAS covered – at 96 Tracey Johnstone HE may be Australia’s oldest debut author at 96, but that hasn’t stopped Bob McDermant writing about how the post-war, rag-tag Queensland Ambulance Service became the best in the world. Bob’s book The Ambo recounts the journey of Bob and his fellow ambulance officer Arthur Deoberitz who in 1947 set about turning around the “antiquated” Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade to bring its treatment in line with modern medicine. “When I came back from the army, the ambulance service had been running for about 50-odd years and they had no change in their syllabus,” Bob said. “They had been taught to put a bandage and pad on a wound or spread a fracture and drive them (patients) to hospital; that was it.” Adding to this, there was

no training for the “ambos”. After 10 years of working to gain permission to change the syllabus and introduce training, Bob and Arthur started at the bottom, gradually changing the face of the service. Bob ultimately became the QAS training officer. “With all the work we put into it, I had to believe it was going somewhere,” Bob said. “We now have the best ambulance service in the world. “To me, they went from nothing to the best.’’ Up until now, no one had captured the history of the QAS. It took Bob more than 12 months to have The Ambo ready for publication. “I am at a stage where I am legally blind. I couldn’t write, my hearing is gone, so it wasn’t all that easy.” With the help of Robin Storey, who leads biography-writing classes at Sunshine Coast’s Seasons venue at Caloundra, they started with one chapter, to

test out the writing process. Bob’s only child, Greg McDermant, had already collected information from Bob about names and places. Robin taped the stories, typed them up and then read them back to Bob. “Greg sorted out the mistakes and we gradually did it, chapter by chapter,” Bob said. “Robin did a terrific job. It was a tricky thing to move out of the real life and into the ambulance world and expect to know all the terminology.’’ While Robin took on the labour-intensive recording and writing, and negotiating with the publishers, Bob proudly notes that Greg was responsible for the design of the book cover. Bob encourages other seniors to document their experiences, but not without professional help. He’s already encouraged a former banker, who lives in Bob’s village, to write his memoir. QAS Commissioner Russell Bowles said Bob’s

‘‘

They went from nothing to the best. book meant a great deal to the ambulance service. “Once you lose history you can never get it back, so to capture this is just so great,” Mr Bowles said. “A lot of people think that the ambulance service was always like it is today, but in the book you see the struggles that Bob went through to put the foundation stones in place for us to have the great ambulance service that we have today.” The Ambo is available through Amazon, Booktopia, Angus and Robertson, Fishpond, and Barnes and Noble.

WRITE AT HOME: Debut author Bob McDermant and his son Greg, who helped his father prepare The Ambo for publication. Picture: Contributed

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

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

IF YOU or your kids were growing up in the mid1970s, you will remember the name Marty Rhone. But no one, least of all Marty, could have foreseen you would be hearing so much about him in 2020. The voice of pop charttoppers Denim and Lace (1975) and Mean Pair of Jeans (1977) has just notched three No.1s on the Australian Country Music charts, released his first album in decades and is about to tour. His acting career, which in the ’70s included Number 96 and Class of ’75, has also taken off again. Since 2016 he has had a string of guest roles on popular Australian and American TV series, and has completed a number of short films that are making

their way onto prestigious festival line-ups. “It’s quite surreal, and in the case of the music, completely unexpected,” Marty said. Inspired by Jackie Weaver’s award-winning success in 2010’s Animal Kingdom, followed by Silver Linings Playbook, Marty had decided that it was now or never to get serious about his acting. “I was blown away by her performance,” he said of the actor, with whom he worked in an ensemble with John Waters and Rowena Wallace in his early 20s. “We are the same age and grew up together – as a matter of fact I had a crush on her as a teenager … so seeing Animal Kingdom was the real catalyst.” In early 2017, just as Marty was heading to the US to further his acting career, Johnny Young and John St

Peeters approached him with the song Graceland on the Line to mark the 40th anniversary of Elvis’s death. An Elvis fan since he was eight, Marty loved the song as soon as he heard it and, 40 years on from his last single, Marty Rhone had a new worldwide release. It hit No.1 on the world independent country music and Australian charts and caught the ear of renowned US producer David J Holman, who offered him a record deal with Cactus Studios. The only catch was he had to write or co-write some of the songs. “I hadn’t written in decades, let alone written a country song,” Marty said, so he called in more familiar names, Garth Porter (Sherbet) and country stars Rod McCormack and Gina Jeffreys. Together they created We

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

Had a Good Thing Going and Jealous of the Sky respectively, both of which topped the Australian Country Music Single Charts. The album Jealous of the Sky was released early last month. “Things go in circles in this industry, and you just have to hope things keep turning,” Marty said of his renewed success, although he admits it does get harder as you get older. “It’s very challenging for people in their ‘senior years’ to make yourself relevant to the world at large.

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

“There are so many instances of people wanting to write you off. “You are fighting a system that believes you have a useby date.” He believes everyone, regardless of age, should be defined by who they are,

their abilities and what they have achieved. “If you keep focusing on someone’s age, as we do in Australia, you are putting a time limit on them.” And while it is perhaps a little more physically challenging to keep up the

pace required, Marty said he had kept in good shape and never been afraid of hard work. “I wasn’t an overnight success,” he said of his seeming catapult to fame when Denim and Lace was released simultaneously,

Picture: Contributed

showing on Reg Grundy’s hit Class of ’75 and Molly Meldrum’s Countdown. “I had already been around quite a few years and released a number of songs that didn’t set the world on fire.” Marty supported the

Rolling Stones at 17. Also on his resume are appearances with John Denver, Christopher Cross and the Bee Gees, as well as four years on London’s West End stage with Yul Brynner in The King and I from 1979. But his first song on TV was Cliff Richard’s Bachelor Boy at just 13, and it is Sir Cliff and I, featuring a combination of his own and Cliff Richard’s best music, that Marty is touring Australian capitals with in May-July, including Sydney’s State Theatre on May 22 and Brisbane’s QPAC on May 28. It has been eight years since his last tour, and staged by the people behind the mega-production Elvis: King of the World, he said the coming one would be the most spectacular he had ever done. For more, go to martyrhonemusic.com and for a Countdown flashback, head to https://www.you tube.com/watch? v=BagIaF6HFeg.

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Community group guide VIEW CLUBS Hervey Bay The Hervey Bay VIEW Club (Voice, Interests and Education of Women) meetings and luncheon are always the second Monday of each month at the clubhouse, Tooth Street, Pialba, from 10.30am and usually include a guest speaker. Monthly socials are on the fourth Monday at various venues from 9.30am. We finished 2019 with a very casual meeting and lots of raffles and fun with a Secret Santa. Also, we acknowledged that we had a very successful year, welcoming new members who joined our VIEW family, and thanking many who have been forthcoming with offers of help when needed. Our jovial, fun-loving Celie Peach dressed accordingly as Santa’s elf to help deliver the presents. Our December meeting was followed by a lovely summer Christmas luncheon. New ladies are always welcome. Phone Bev

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Community notes

on (07) 4128 2692.

SKIN CANCER INFORMATION Have you been suffering from skin cancers and sundamaged skin for years? Are you tired of having skin cancers frequently removed but continue to get them in the same area? Come along to a free information session and find out how advances in skin cancer treatments could help you. It’s on Tuesday, February 4, from 9.30am at the Gympie Civic Centre, 32 Mellor Street, Gympie. Register now as places are strictly limited. Phone 1800 314 430 or go to genesiscare .com/skineventqld.

U3A HERVEY BAY This year is the 30th anniversary of the University of the Third Age Hervey Bay. It is a voluntary and not-forprofit organisation. We meet in the University of the Sunshine Coast, Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay. Tutors, who are all

ON THE SAME PAGE: Enjoying their Christmas celebrations are U3A Hervey Bay creative writing group members (from left) Judy Kenefick, Anne Claydon and Dawn Billingham. Picture: Contributed

volunteers, teach a wide range of subjects, including creative writing, art, philosophy, Australian and aviation history, and languages such as French, German and Spanish. Other activities are book and movie clubs, mah jong games, croquet, Scrabble and trivia. No qualifications are required so if you would like to run a new course, please contact the U3A president or a committee member. Our website is u3aherveybay.net or phone 04313 66 264. A full list of activities is available on our website along with dates and times. An information stall will be at Stockland Hervey Bay on Thursdays, January 23 and 30, from 9am until 3pm. Sign-on day is at the RSL at Hervey Bay on Tuesday, February 4, from 10am until noon.

Financial Protection Service can help you with independent information and advice; retirement planning including superannuation, reverse mortgages, credit and loans in retirement; wills and advance care planning; aged care services; assets and income tests for accessing the pension; and debt issues including budgeting. Visit the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre

Seniors’ Legal Service, 16 Torquay Road, Pialba, or phone (07) 4124 6863.

SENIORS IN FOCUS Seniors in Focus is a Fraser Coast Council program funded by the Queensland Department of Communities to support and encourage all local seniors to live productive, enjoyable lives, be independent and make informed choices for their own wellbeing.

Seniors in Focus, which also offers music and drama groups, is based at the Urangan Community Centre, Elizabeth Street, Urangan. Please call (07) 4194 2441 for further information. *WE welcome your articles. Please send your community notes and picturures to Seniors.Editor@seniorsnews paper.com.au.

FINANCIAL ADVICE

Hervey Bay VIEW Club’s Celie Peach and Lyn Bourke add a festive touch to the last meeting for 2019.

If you are facing major life events involving financial decisions, are being confronted with new financial information or need help with your financial situation, the Seniors

Hervey Bay VIEW Club's assistant treasurer Glenda Reinke and treasurer Edna Down at their end-ofyear get-together.

Lavish celebration of popular Proms style AN AFTERNOON at the Proms Spectacular 2020 salutes the famous BBC Proms concerts of London’s Royal Albert Hall. It includes favourites such as Rule Britannia, Jerusalem, Radetzky March and Elgar’s Land of Hope and Glory. Join Australia’s most acclaimed international violinist, Ian Cooper, with opera stars, prima ballerinas, a pipe band

and the Blue Danube Orchestra to evoke the sheer exuberance of An Afternoon At The Proms Spectacular 2020. Enjoy selections from the greatest love songs of all time, including the romantic movie themes and medleys from South Pacific, beautiful Mario Lanza love songs, as well as classics Love is A Many Splendid Thing and Someday My

Prince Will Come. With their tribute to the magnificent Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the orchestra is joined by The City of Brisbane Pipe Band performing Amazing Grace, Highland Cathedral and Scotland the Brave among other favourites. Enjoy the ballet’s performance of Waltz of the Flowers from the Nutcracker Suite.

Bring your flags and noisemakers and come join the fun and frivolity of An Afternoon at the Proms Spectacular 2020. The show is coming to the Events Centre Caloundra on Sunday, February 16, at 2pm. To book, phone (07) 5491 4240 or go to theeventscentre .com .au. Tickets: are $85, with concessions $79 and groups of 10 or more $76.

ROUSING: An Afternoon at the Proms.

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GUY MCLEAN SPECTACULAR SEAFRONT Oval on the Fraser Coast will be the main arena for the Guy McLean Spectacular, a family-friendly event. It will be on Saturday, January 18, from 4-8.30pm. Internationally renowned Australian horseman and entertainer Guy McLean is a rare combination of young horse educator and finished horse master. Guy is a proud Queenslander who has taken Australia to the world through his horsemanship, bush poetry and doublehanded stock-whip mastery to show what his country is about, all with his four Australian-bred horses by his side. Bring your own chair and enjoy the spectacular, which is known for being inspiring, educational and above all entertaining for both young and old and for both the horse enthusiast and the uninitiated alike. An experience not to be missed. Bring your picnic rug or chair to the event. Live entertainment will be on offer before the main show with Guy McLean. Email events@fcte.com.au or

JANUARY, 2020// phone (07) 4196 9600 for more information and ticket prices.

AUSTRALIA DAY AT CHILDERS ON SUNDAY, January 26, from 7-11am. Free entry to pool, gold-coin donation for sausage sizzle barbecue. The venue for the festivities is the ISIS War Memorial Swimming Pool, 77 Churchill St, Childers. Join us in celebrating Australia Day with the Childers Australia Day Citizen Awards, which will be presented at 10.30am. Nominations can be left at Isis Hardware, Childers Hardware and the local Neighbourhood Centre. For more information, phone Donna on (07) 4126 1700.

QMUNITY GAYS’ PICNIC QMUNITY Gays have a social gathering on the last Sunday of the month for our LGBT+ Qmunity and Friends to catch up and be part of our special day to enjoy a picnic in the park with friends, new and old, for fun activities and friendly conversation. The picnic is on every fourth Sunday of the month, even if it is raining, hailing or

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putting on rainbows! The barbecue involves a sausage sizzle for $2. BYO chair and BBQ/picnic food and drinks, alcoholic beverages and nibbles to share. Queens Park, 1 Walker Street, Maryborough. Look for the Rainbow flags - riverside. The Walker Street carpark is located between Maryborough Sailing Club and Rowing Club, bottom of Walker Street. To get in touch, email hello@qmunity.info.

ARTS AND CRAFT MARKET EVERY third Wednesday of the month from 9am at the Boat Club, Buccaneer Dr, Urangan. Hosting local arts and craft stall holders. Entry is free and visitors are welcome. Come on down, grab a coffee, brekkie/lunch and have a browse. Email: info@boatclub.com.au or phone (07) 4128 9643 for more.

WETSIDE LIGHT SHOW SPECTACULAR NOW showing every Saturday night at 7 during their operational season, which started in September

ON SHOW: Tricks of the trade from horse whisperer Guy McLean.

and runs until the first Saturday in May. Why not make an evening of it and have dinner (fish and chips and Italian restaurant on site) while you’re there. Bring your own camper

chairs for the main deck with large fig tree. No alcohol or glass is allowed in the WetSide (facility) and the show is visual only. No one can enter the water during the show.

Picture: Contributed

This free family event is at the corner of Main Street and The Esplanade, Pialba. Phone 0406 451 472 or go to frasercoast.qld.gov.au/ wetside/ for more information.

Make a wise move to your new home in 2020. A new year brings new beginnings. Argyle Gardens Bundaberg Serviced Apartments are located centrally within the village. Each apartment features a well appointed kitchenette and rear patio and is set around a beautifully landscaped garden area. Close to major shopping, medical and transport services. Our residents also enjoy: Extra in-house services available Nutritious meals prepared daily Cleaning and linen service 24/7 emergency response Easy access to Blue Care Help at Home services

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SENIORSNEWS.COM.AU MONDAY JANUARY 13 2020

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Loneliness in the spotlight at care group WITH one in four Australians struggling with loneliness, and seniors in particular facing a tough time, aged care organisation Feros has launched a Be Someone For Someone program to tackle the issue head on. The Be Someone For Someone program has been designed to help people to: 1. Learn about loneliness, what triggers it and the impact it has when left unaddressed. 2. Seek and offer support. 3. Hear stories from people who have found ways to tackle loneliness. Feros assists more than 55,000 people each year, along with their supporters and families. Feros says research shows that loneliness is a growing killer (the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day) and that’s why it wants to raise awareness of the impacts of

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT LONELINESS IS A GROWING KILLER - THE EQUIVALENT OF SMOKING 15 CIGARETTES A DAY...

loneliness – with government, organisations and communities – and build partnerships with them to tackle the issue together. The business has set itself a mission to: 1. Develop, fund and support programs, tools, resources and comfortable environments that will help people build meaningful connections and sustainable relationships. 2. Lead the way in raising awareness of the triggers and impacts of loneliness in our community. 3. Help people re-engage their innate skills of sharing,

connecting and taking care of each other. 4. Lobby for policy, social and service reform to tackle loneliness systemically. For members of the public wondering how they can make a difference, there are several options. The simplest way is to join with the Feros staff and volunteers who are pledging to share their time with someone who needs company. It may be a seat at the lunch table, or a video call – it’s the company that counts. The idea is simple – be someone for someone and give them something to look forward to. Feros offers a thorough list of ways in which you can reach out to someone who is lonely, and advice about how you can find help if you’re affected yourself. For more information go to feroscare.com.au.

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Award shines spotlight on inspirational eight Disability advocate fights inequality Climate issues close to artist’s heart SUE Salthouse, ACT, 70 DISABILITIES advocate Sue Salthouse found herself in a wheelchair after a horseriding accident at age 45. She experienced first-hand the systemic inequality facing people with disabilities. Sue began advocating for disabled people’s rights to accessible housing, economic security and the chance to contribute to society. She now runs a consultancy company specialising in disability rights advocacy and works in the disability sector. “As a 70-year-old paraplegic woman, my award highlights a need for awareness about disability and ageing,’’ she said. “There are now nearly two million Australians over the age of

RIGHTING WRONGS: Sue Salthouse

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

Picture: Contributed

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

BANDUK Marika (AO), NT, 65 ARTIST, cultural activist and environmental adviser, Marika is known for her exquisite prints of ancestral creation stories on lino, her original medium of choice. Banduk and her sisters are among the first Yolngu women whose male relatives have encouraged them to paint ancestral creation stories. Marika is also a cultural activist and environmental adviser and has appeared as a speaker at national and international conferences. “There are so many issues in communities, including climate change, which is changing the face of the environment. You can see it happening in front of you. I would love to have a round table with people who are

GREEN THEME: Artist Banduk Marika.

caring enough to talk about what possibilities we have and what measures we have that will delay the environmental changes. “What about having an emu parade around your community, picking up

Picture: Contributed

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

Digging in for land-care awareness

Champion of protecting our planet

DR Graeme Stevenson, TAS, 74 A LANDCARE activist and longstanding volunteer for Landcare Tasmania, Graeme has been promoting healthy soils in Tasmania for more than 30 years. He has initiated and managed projects along the coastline, including willow removal, riverside fencing and managing soil slippage. Graeme works with farmers as a soil assessor and agronomy consultant and has written a number of books showcasing his expertise. He also presents his soil knowledge to schoolchildren as an alter ego, known as Dr Spluttergrunt.

SUE Lennox, NSW, 67 Sue is an environmental educator and social enterprise founder. As a teacher, she was concerned about young people’s anxiety and despair about the future of the planet. She co-founded the award-winning social enterprise OzGREEN (Global Rivers Environmental Education Network Australia Inc), which teaches young people how to take positive environmental action through education, participatory leadership and community development. OzGREEN has developed sustainability programs in 1600 locations across

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

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

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

ACTION CALL: Sue Lennox

Australia, India, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Pakistan. “The threat of global sustainability challenges like climate change call on us to redesign our society in a

short time. If everyone lived like we do, we would need five planets. At a global scale we are living at 1.7 planets beyond the carrying capacity of our Earth. “We all have a role in creating a world where we are living in harmony with each other and the Earth. We need to change our way of living, switch to renewables and reduce our carbon footprint. “We need to be prepared for the increasingly severe impacts of climate change, as witnessed with the massive fires near my home on the NSW north coast. “We need to equip our youth with skills to innovate new ways of living.’’

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motivated by selfless service to communities Tackling men’s unhealthy mindset

CULTURAL CRUSADE: Men’s health activist Peter Dornan. Picture: Contributed

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

A VALENTINES

AFTERNOON AT THE

SAFETY: Raymond Shuey.

inspiration for others. “The consequences of road trauma on the community, nationally and personally, are horrendous. “My work, life experience and knowledge identify road

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

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

trauma as predictable and preventable. “Since nomination, I have assisted Rotary to develop learner-driver symposia to reduce P-plate trauma and have been co-opted to road safety advisory and editorial boards. My 2020 award provides an authoritative voice, making a significant difference in saving lives. “My contributions include keynote presentations, research, peer reviews and donation services motivating others in a paradigm change towards driver attitudes and behaviours, to achieve a ‘culture’ of safety and respect on our roads.”

PROFESSOR John Newnham (AM), WA, 67 A professor of obstetrics, John has been instrumental in making Western Australia an international hotspot for research and clinical excellence in pregnancy and life before birth. He founded and led the pioneering Raine Study, the world’s first and most enduring pregnancy-focused lifetime cohort project. John has been described by the world’s leading scientific journal as an intellectual leader of modern obstetrics who has changed the practice of medicine and the lives of women and infants.

EMINENT: Professor John Newnham (AM).

“I will use (this award) to my very best,’’ John said. “This program requires the education of our everchanging pregnant population and their

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Do you feel your rights are being respected?

Are any of the following scenarios happening to you? THE BLUE DANUBE

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

A MUSICAL SPECTACULAR

Are your family members supportive, or do they create stress in your life?

IAN

Picture: Contributed

A U S T R A L I A N G L O B A L E N T E R TA I N M E N T P R E S E N T S

PROMS

COOPER

keeping involved with my clubs.”

Obstetrics work a world benchmark

Making inroads in curbing fatalities for drivers DR Raymond Shuey (APM), vic, 74. A former police officer and assistant commissioner for traffic and operations, Ray’s signature achievement during his career was Project Beacon, which trains police in operational safety when responding to mental health and critical incidents. With road safety partners, Ray developed initiatives to increase enforcement and education programs, resulting in a massive reduction in the Victorian road toll. He contributed to WHO good-practice literature and has authored many road safety publications, providing knowledge and

SYLVIA McMillan, SA, 90 Sylvia McMillan has dedicated her life to being of service to her community. The 90-year-old has been a force of good to everyone around her and shows no signs of stopping. She is still the chairwoman for her local branch of Legacy, the organisation that provides services to families of deceased defence force members. In between her volunteer activities, she regularly attends the gym and does water aerobics with a group at the local Parks Community Centre. “I want people to get involved, to share the enjoyment of doing things for other people, to help other people,” Sylvia said. “I plan to keep doing what

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• 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.

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PETER Dornan (AM), QLD, 76 Following a prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, and after experiencing depression, incontinence and other side effects, sports medicine physiotherapist Peter Dornan (AM) put an ad in a newspaper, inviting fellow patients to meet. Since then, he has supported men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Peter’s commitment to helping men share experiences and seek support has helped create a culture change in the treatment management for men with the disease. Receiving a grant to research incontinence – a common consequence in men after prostate cancer treatment – he designed a

Sylvia always willing to answer call

groups. “My central quest is to change male culture in relation to their health’” he said. “I want to remove their mantle of machoism. Part of the answer can be found by realising, historically, going back 200,000 years to the hunter-gathers, the first homosapiens, society needs have dictated men fulfil three main roles: the three Ps – that is, provider, protector and procreator. “We delegated our women to look after our health. So, are men held captive by their manhood, isolated from emotion, vulnerability and their greater humanity? In reality, these emotions have become unnaturally suppressed. We have to change now – to cut through the nonsense.’’

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‘Wholistic approach is key to good health in ageing’ Tracey Johnstone GERIATRICIAN Peter Lipski wants Australians to understand normal ageing doesn’t mean declining health. Earlier this year Dr Lipski published his book, Your Elderly Parents Failing Health, Is it Ageing Or a Treatable Condition? Dr Lipski said he wrote the “handbook” for everybody, from family members and carers through to professionals working with older Australians. “The main reason I wrote this book is there are huge myths and negative stereotypes about getting older, and that ageing is a myth and not science,” he said. “I have seen many distressed relatives who are desperate for information and help but they are fobbed off by hospitals or doctors who say, ‘given her age’ or ‘taking into account her age’. There is no science behind the mythology.” Dr Lipski argues it’s an attitude that is

WRITE IDEA: Peter Lipski airs his views on ageing.

perpetuated by the medical profession and the general public. Just because someone is, for example,

80, it doesn’t mean it’s acceptable for that person to be sick, he said. “With good wholistic

Picture: Supplied

medical care, frail, older people can have fantastic, dramatic improvements in their health because they

have multiple medical conditions,” he said. “If you treat each of them, they rapidly improve. This results in really good outcomes and a massive cost benefit to government.” In his book Dr Lipski discusses the advent of single organ doctors which he said has significantly added to the complexity and costs of the medical treatment system, particularly for older people. I propose we get rid of medical specialists,” Dr Lipski said, adding older people should find a geriatrician or GP and demand wholistic care. The 37-year veteran of geriatric medicine said he took on this project because no one else has done it. “I have practised clinical medicine, looking after frail older people who need a comprehensive review who have got multiple medical issues,” he said. “We are trying to keep them well and at home, that’s what they want. It’s incredibly powerful, simple to read. The most unique feature is

it’s completely evidenced based. Every chapter is based on scientific refereed published journals, presentations and scientific meetings. It’s not a textbook, it’s a handbook.” Included in the book are discussions on frailty and elderly and what that means, the warning signs of deteriorating health, memory loss and acute confusion, malnutrition, falls and balance, impaired older drivers, incorrect measurement of blood pressure, adverse drug reactions, the “tissue syndrome”, perioperative management and more. “It’s powerful, punchy and very evidence based,” Dr Lipski said. “My motivation is to promote good health and better care for the elderly.” Dr Lipski said he has been amazed his book hasn’t been taken up by more people. He sent it to the Royal Commission but reports there was “zero interest”. The book is available online from Amazon and from bookshops.

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Seniors have 2020 vision INCREASED medical rebates, an independent tribunal to set the age pension, an end to the waiting list for home care packages and bringing politicians’ super in line with the rest of the community top the list for what National Seniors Australia wants in the new year. The country’s peak membership organisation for older Australians has given its wish list to the government via its submission for next year’s Federal Budget. Among the other items listed in the submission are: - Increased rental assistance for pensioners - Lower deeming and taper rates on the Age Pension - An adult dental benefit scheme - A scheme for older Australians to invest in green energy infrastructure. National Seniors Australia chief advocate Ian Henschke said the rising cost of health care, especially the cost of seeing a specialist, was the primary concern among members. “On average a patient will be $84 out of pocket when they see a specialist, compared to around $38 for a visit to the GP,” Mr Henschke said. “Older Australians by far spend the largest proportion of household income on

medical expenses.” Despite the announcement last week for extra aged care funding, National Seniors continues to call for an end to the home care package waiting list, a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Mr Henschke said the $496 million announced last week for extra home care packages was barely a fifth of the $2.5 billion identified in the Royal Commission to fix the problem.

“Successive governments on both sides have been balancing the budget on the backs of pensioners,” he said. “The deeming and taper rates are too high while savings returns for pensioner are too low. “Governments use the deeming and taper rates to get their hands in pensioners’ pockets and a pension rate set independently would put an end to the politics of the pension.” National Seniors also

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Older Australians by far spend the largest proportion of household income on medical expenses. “Last year 16,000 people died waiting for a home care package and more than 13,000 were placed into an aged care facility when they wanted to remain in their homes,” he said. “We know what the figure is to fix it and yet the government is still well short of the mark.” Mr Henschke also said it was time the government took the politics out of the pension with an independent tribunal setting the Age Pension.

believes the politicians’ superannuation guarantee (SG) rate should be brought into line with that of ordinary workers in the interest of fairness. MPs and Senators receive a SG rate of 15.4 per cent, while ordinary workers receive a SG rate of 9.5 per cent. National Seniors Australia said in its submission: “At a time when politicians are calling for spending restraint and for further delays in increasing the SG to 12 per

NEW PATHS: National Seniors is proposing an innovative scheme which would deliver returns for older Australians while at the same time funding green energy infrastructure. Picture: Contributed

cent, it would be symbolic if politicians moved to align their own entitlements with the current SG.” Finally, National Seniors is proposing an innovative scheme providing returns for older Australians while at the same time funding green

energy infrastructure. The Snowy Hydro Green Bonds Scheme would give older Australians the opportunity to invest safely in Snowy Hydro 2.0, contributing to future energy security and lower energy prices.

“It’s win-win for investors, the government and the environment,” Mr Henschke said. The 15-page document has been handed to the government in time for consideration ahead of next May’s budget.

Government’s response to aged care just scratching the surface NATIONAL Seniors Australia, the country’s peak membership body for older Australians, says the government’s response to the Royal Commission is just not sufficient. We want a government to lead, not drip feed. Much more is needed to urgently address a waiting list in which people are dying. While welcoming the prioritisation of higher needs home care packages, National Seniors chief advocate Ian Henschke says it does nowhere near enough to deal with the more than 100,000 older Australians waiting for a package which meet their needs. “The government’s V1 - SEWE01Z01MA

response to fund an extra 10,000 places is less than the number of people who died last year waiting for a package,” Mr Henschke said. “The Royal Commission into Aged Care was told that 16,000 people died in one year waiting for a package and the government’s funding announcement barely addresses 10 per cent of the current waiting list.” Earlier this year, Fiona Buffinton, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health, told the Royal Commission that $2 billion to $2.5 billion was needed to fix the problem. “By the admission of the government’s own health department, today’s funding announcement of $496 million for the packages is

MORE NEEDED: National Seniors welcomes extra money to train aged care workers to deal with patients or residents with dementia but would like to know how many workers that amount will train. Picture: Contributed

only a quarter at best, of what is needed to fix this tragic mess, in which older

Australian are dying,” Mr Henschke said. “Not only are they dying,

but last year 13,000 older Australians were placed into residential aged care against their wishes, because there were not enough home care packages available.” National Seniors welcomes extra money to train aged care workers to deal with patients or residents with dementia. However the group would like to know how many workers that amount will train. “The Royal Commission identified this as a major issue leading to the abuse of dementia suffering residents in aged care,” said Mr Henschke. “However, the government’s own figures show that there are at least 360,000 aged care workers

in the sector,” he said. “So what we would like to know is just how many of those workers will be trained by $10 million worth of funding?” In its pre-budget submission, to be presented to the government this week, National Seniors has proposed a training program for mature workers to be retrained in aged care to address both the shortage of qualified workers in the sector, as well as the growing number of over-55s currently on Newstart because they cannot get work. “This innovative solution would solve the two biggest issues that older Australians face as we go into 2020,” Mr Henschke said.

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Magnificent Mykonos Go Greek at a sun-kissed isle where the senses can feast PAGES 18-19

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Camping was never so good Shirley Sinclair THE wow factor hits the moment we hear that familiar unzipping sound, then peel back the wide cream flaps and step inside. This is certainly not the camping I know. This is luxe glamping. We have arrived at The Hideaway Cabarita Beach. Our Plush Deluxe room (it could never be classified as a “tent”) is more like a bohemian boudoir. And there’s more space than most hotel rooms we’ve stayed in. A quick glance reveals a king-size bed, bamboo/ rattan/cane styling in occasional furniture pieces and a huge funky circular floor rug. We try to take it all in: the comfy pillows, designer cushions, lounge, director’s chairs with casual table, lamps on bedside tables, mini-fridge with glass bottle of water, and towel rack with fluffy towels. Outside on the grassy front lawn is a rustic scene

IN BRIEF NEWCOMER CHARTING COURSE FOR KEY REGIONS Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) has welcomed Vasco da Gama into Sydney as she began her first Australasian season. The ship’s inaugural season coincides with CMV’s 10th anniversary this year and marks the cruise line’s largest Australasian deployment yet. Vasco da Gama has a 1220-guest capacity and will home port in Adelaide and Fremantle, also cruising from London (Tilbury), Auckland and Singapore in addition to Sydney. The ship offers two pools, the well-equipped Jade Wellness Centre and Spa, a two-tiered theatre, and five inviting bars and lounges. Six dining venues feature cuisine from around the world, and the Chef’s Table provides a degustation menu plus an insight into the workings of the galley. During Vasco da Gama’s first Australasian season, the cruise line will champion domestic tourism by making key regions such as Tasmania, the northwest of Australia and the Yorke V1 - SEWE01Z01MA

SPOIL YOURSELF: The Plush Deluxe room at The Hideaway Cabarita Beach is more like a bohemian boudoir. Pictures: Shirley Sinclair

we’ve already earmarked for sunset drinks: two squatter chairs beside a sturdy beach umbrella and “stump” table. We found everything laid out before us on a guided tour of the pet-free and smoke-free resort. There’s not even a set of keys to lose: just walk away (an on-site manager keeps an eye on things during the day and a security guard patrols the resort at night for

your peace of mind). And if you’re staying longer than three nights, the room will be serviced every fourth day. New owners Cath and Adam Smith, born-and-bred Tweed region locals, wanted to create something special they could be proud of that was in keeping with the casual beachside lifestyle and draw people from all over Australia – if not the

world – for a no-fuss, restful holiday or mini-break. The Hideaway Cabarita Beach idea is all about helping guests relax, recharge and rejuvenate. It’s small-scale: capped by the owners at 23 rooms, catering for a maximum of 58 guests on the 4000sq m (one-acre) site. The rooms come in three sizes: the 6m Plush Deluxe includes a king-size bed; the

6m Bigger/Family Suites have a queen-size bed and a single bed either side; and the 5m Classic has a queensize bed (the mattresses are made by the company that produces the much-lauded Koala beds – firm but oh-so comfortable, and quality linen is supplied). They offer everything to love about camping (fresh air, sounds of nature, open spaces, night skies, relaxed living and the novelty of sleeping under canvas) but minimise everything to hate about camping (too uncomfortable, too noisy, too many people, no privacy, too far away from the action, too dirty, too much equipment to pack and lug in then repack and take home). In fact, The Hideaway is more like a hotel in the great outdoors than an old-style campground, in an idyllic beachside community. There’s plenty of living space within and surrounding the bell structures, which are akin to traditional Himalayan and

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

— The writer was a guest of The Hideaway Cabarita Beach. villages of Gasadalur, Vestmanna, Kirkjubour and Gjogv. This allows you to explore all corners of this beautiful collection of islands, taking in the epic coastline, magnificent sea cliffs and colourful scenery. Info: https://www.odyssey traveller.com/tours/faroeislands-tour/.

SEAL OF APPROVAL AMID ICELANDIC WILDERNESS

HUE BEAUTY! CATCH JAPAN’S COLOURFUL SHOW In 2020 a new cruise tour will enable more Australians to immerse themselves in the rich traditions, colourful customs and inspiring icons that make Japan one of the world’s most vibrant and captivating destinations. Hosted by Cruise Express, the 19-night Autumn Colours of Japan itinerary in November 2020 will enable guests to join tea ceremonies, learn to make sushi, watch sumo wrestling, meet authentic geishas, ride bullet trains, view iconic Mt Fuji and visit lavish palaces – all backdropped by the colourful hues of autumn. Departing Australia on November 2, 2020, the escorted tour begins with an eight-night land itinerary

Mongolian homes and feel like you’re sleeping under a circus Big Top. The waterproof cotton canvas is highly soundproof. Repurposed shipping containers have created a reception area, wellmaintained toilets and toilet/ showers and laundry, as well as a barbecue/bar area and a kitchen/dining/chill-out zone with children’s play area. The communal areas – especially the long dining tables, lounge, barbecue, fire pit and picnic tables – as well as twinkling lights overhead all add to the fun holiday atmosphere. The owners encourage guests to “enjoy Cabarita” and all the restaurants, cafes and businesses providing meals, snacks, drinks, takeaways and supplies. What else could you want for a hassle-free break in your own little sanctuary, but still with the joys only camping can offer?

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

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

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

Picture: Contributed

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

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

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SENIORS

Guide will give you tips before you take off

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It was written for nomads but has lots of information for campers of all ages. a great asset in preparation for what you are about to embark on, whether it’s your first trip or your 100th. The idea is to assist in saving you considerable time, money and effort both in the pre-planning and while on the road. The book also has helpful advice on: saving money and

financial tips for the thrifty; industry super funds and self-managed super funds (SMSFs); redesigning your life; health and exercise; eating and cooking while on the road; meeting new friends; grey nomadding and Centrelink; insurance; and dealing with all the issues and obstacles you might face along the way. The Grey Nomad’s Ultimate Guide To Australia, by Xavier Waterkeyn (New Holland Publishers, RRP $32.99), is available from all good bookshops or go to newhollandpublishers.com. HIT THE ROAD: The Grey Nomad's Ultimate Guide to Australia covers a great deal of ground in terms of making the most of your adventure. Picture: Contributed

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EXPERIENCE the beauty and freedom of our great landscape – for young and old alike. Whether you are staying in a caravan, motorhome, camper van, camper trailer, fifth-wheeler or a tent, this book covers it all. Be it part-time, full-time or periodic, becoming a nomad will allow you to, hopefully, experience one of the greatest new adventures of your life. The Grey Nomad’s Ultimate Guide to Australia was written specifically with the grey nomad in mind. However, it has lots of useful information for campers of all ages. Carefully researched and written in a down-to-earth manner, the book is billed as

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Add magical Mykonos to bucket list Make 2020 the year to enjoy everything on offer FROM its whitewashed buildings, cobbled streets, world-famous sunsets, delicious seafood and lively local tavernas, not to mention luxurious boutique accommodation, glamorous beach clubs and genuine Greek hospitality – there’s a raft of reasons to tick Mykonos – and the Myconian Collection – off your travel bucket list in 2020. Here are 10 reasons why you should treat yourself to a taste of Mykonos: 1. Getting there is easy Thanks to new direct flights from Sydney to Mykonos (via Doha) with Qatar Airways, Australian travellers can now start their Greek getaway in record time. Trade the Australian winter for a gorgeous Greek summer between June and August; or visit during May or September to “live like a local” and avoid the crowds. 2. Food, glorious (Greek) food Food is a serious business at the Myconian Collection Hotels & Resorts. Blending the skills of internationally trained executive chefs with fresh ingredients sourced exclusively for the hotels

through time-honoured ties with farmers and fishermen nurtured by the hotel group’s founding family, the Daktylides. The farm-to-table philosophy is alive and well in Mykonos. The Myconian Collection chefs are committed to encouraging guests to experience authentic Mykonos through its cuisine, including lamb and pork hand-reared on Daktylides family land, locally-grown herbs and vegetables, and the island’s best octopus, caught just for the Myconian Collection by one of the island’s most iconic fisherman. There are more than a dozen distinctive restaurants across the Myconian Collection portfolio of boutique hotels, many boasting spectacular ocean views. Must-visit restaurants for your 2020 bucket list include: Cabbanes at the Myconian Villa Collection; Panorama at Myconian Avaton; and Pavilion - Relais & Chateaux at the Myconian Utopia. 3. Explore ancient history Offering a fascinating contrast to Mykonos’s

Lap up the luxury in the stylish accommodation.

cosmopolitan vibe, the nearby island of Delos – feted as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis – was once at the heart of ancient Greek life as a hub for religious pilgrims, trade and multiculturalism. These days, Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to intriguing ruins that are a must-see when staying on Mykonos. Myconian Collection guests can join a day trip to Delos aboard a private yacht to explore the island’s statues, preserved houses and temples – all with the expert insights of an experienced tour guide. 4. Experience laidback luxury Mykonos has become a magnet for cosmopolitan travellers who flock to enjoy the island’s unique brand of laidback luxury. Having evolved from its “partyisland” past, today Mykonos attracts couples, families and groups of friends lured by the island’s blissful beaches, crystal-clear waters, stunning sunsets, unique Greek hospitality, delectable dining and new breed of boutique hotel accommodation – such as

Picture: Contributed

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

the gorgeous guest-house style villas at the Myconian Villa Collection. 5. Hit the beach From a privileged position above Elia Beach on the southern coastline of worldfamous Mykonos reside five Myconian Collection properties: Myconian Utopia Resort Relais & Châteaux; Myconian Avaton Resort a member of Design Hotels; Myconian Villa Collection, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Legend Collection; Myconian Imperial Resort and Royal Myconian Resort, both eminent members of the Leading Hotels of the World. Guests can enjoy access to a pristine, private stretch of beach complete with bar service for snacks and creative cocktails – all served to your sunbed. 6. Join the jet-set South of Elia Beach live like the rich and famous on Mykonos’s stunning south coast, home to a chic, cosmopolitan crowd, luxury yachts galore, fabulous fivestar dining and perfect people-watching on the famous beaches of Psarou and Scorpios. Stay at the Myconian Ambassador Relais & Châteaux for panoramic views and easy access to the best-known beaches.

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

7. Get lost in the laneways of Mykonos Town The labyrinth-like cobbled streets of Mykonos Town are made for getting lost. Designed to be chaotic in order to confuse pillaging pirates, it’s easy to lose a day or two meandering through boutiques, discovering tiny churches, lingering at local cafes, dining at traditional tavernas, exploring Little Venice, and watching the fishing boats come and go at Alefkandra harbour. Boutique hotels for those who like to be closer to the action include: Myconian Kyma, a member of Design Hotels; Myconian Naia Luxury Suites, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, LXV Collection and the Myconian Korali Relais & Châteaux.

8. Genuine Greek hospitality Authentic Greek hospitality is at the heart of the Myconian Collection, where guests are often personally welcomed by members of the founding Daktylides family in a tradition which began with the family’s first hotel back in 1979. Staff at the Myconian Collection’s nine boutique properties provide warm, discreet, attentive service and take the time to discover your preferences and personal experiences. 9. Sensational sunsets It’s little wonder guests flock to the water’s edge to experience the stunning sunsets, and the Myconian Avaton enjoys a prime SEWE01Z01MA - V1

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

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

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

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

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

Imagine yourself lying back and relaxing in the shade with a cold drink and a good book on a Myconian outdoor lounge. Picture: Contributed V1 - SEWE01Z01MA

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

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

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This is like the seaside you used to know before coastal developments meant high-rises BEACHFRONT BLISS: The oversized Yeppoon Lagoon is loved by locals and visitors.

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Keppel’s an island paradise Wind down in low-key style Kerry Heaney IT LOOKS like a swim-up infinity pool at a luxury resort, but there’s no entry fee and everyone is welcome to swim, barbecue or relax under the tropical foliage. On the beachfront in the foreshore precinct, the oversized Yeppoon Lagoon is loved by locals and has visitors sideswiped by its style. I’ll take a lounger overlooking the Keppel Islands here any day. Battered by Cyclone Marcia in 2015 and bushfires in 2018, Yeppoon has bounced back, capitalising on the area’s natural beauty. There’s gourmet dining, a range of water-view accommodation and play parks that invite family picnics followed by beach cricket. This is like the seaside you used to know before coastal centres meant high-rise developments that block the sun on the sand, and more time in traffic jams than surfing. It is the sort of place where relaxation comes with a proper intake of a sea breeze. I took a 30-minute drive from Rockhampton City to

Yeppoon,stopping at Emu Park to see the awardwinning Centenary of Anzac Memorial Walk. It tells moving stories about Gallipoli, the Anzac legend, the Somme and other extraordinary war campaigns, highlighted by silhouettes of soldiers and horses overlooking the shoreline. Public art is a constant throughout Emu Park and Yeppoon, so look out for street art in carparks, laneways, surf lifesaving clubs and roadside walls. Wreck Point Lookout is another scenic stop, providing 380-degree views of Keppel Bay and the Capricorn Coast and a walking trail down to the rocky point. There are more headland views at Rosslyn Bay Resort, which overlooks Kemp Beach. Surrounded by harbour, hinterland and headland, the resort is also home to Beaches Restaurant, which serves owner Ross O’Reilly’s locally grown organic produce from the High Valley Dawn permaculture farm. Before you jump on the ferry to Great Keppel Island at Keppel Bay Marina, enjoy

a meal at award-winning restaurant The Waterline. The beef here comes from the owner’s central Queensland cattle properties. For breakfast try the Cowboys Benedict with Banana Station rib fillet, smoked belly bacon and a poached egg with blackbean tomato salsa. Now that will set you up for the day! If you are wearing shoes, you are definitely overdressed at Great Keppel Island Hideaway. Even thongs are optional at this low-key island paradise. It doesn’t have and doesn’t need a pool or spa because you’ll be spending your time on the beach or in the water. Instead, I hitched a boat ride to an isolated beach on a tropical island. Floating in the crystalclear water watching the clouds float by, it is easy to imagine life as Robinson Crusoe on Great Keppel Island. A joy flight with Rockhampton Helicopters will show you the island, and the coastline has many more beautiful spots to explore. Find out more from capricornholidays.com.au. – The writer visited as a guest of Capricorn Enterprise.

A delicious picnic treat from Great Keppel Island Hideaway.

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10 reasons to love Lake Macquarie HOME to the largest coastal saltwater lake in the southern hemisphere and with more than 30 kilometres of pristine coastline, Lake Macquarie is one of the east coast’s hidden treasures. Just 90 minutes north of Sydney, it offers something for everyone, whether you’re an outdoorsy type, history buff or simply seeking relaxation. And with the new year here, what better reason to get out and explore? Twenty reasons to put Lake Macquarie at the top of your 2020 holiday list are:

1. LAKE MACQUARIE SAND ISLANDS

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

2. CAVES BEACH

Iconic Caves Beach, with its extensive network of sea caves and rock pools, is ideal for low-tide exploration. Crawl through tight holes, hang out in shady caves or sun yourself on the beach’s sandy shores.

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

4. MAC

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

5. GAP CREEK FALLS, WATAGAN MOUNTAINS

The Watagan Mountains are well known, but many visitors are unaware of the stunning Gap Creek Falls hidden in the rainforest. These striking falls are accessible for keen hikers via the spectacular Gap Creek Falls Trail.

6. BELMONT BATHS

Belmont Baths is the perfect spot for lazy laps or a swim during a sunny weekend. The baths boast a new jetty, a netted swimming area, a

new amenities block and change rooms.

7. CREATIVE LAKE

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

8. REDHEAD BEACH

Redhead Beach is renowned for its red, rocky headland, iconic shark tower and timber boardwalk. This pretty beach features Cargo Espresso Bar.

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

10. WARNERS BAY

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

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

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Swim, cycle and walk or run at your own pace.

GIVING IT A GO: Indoor triathlon participants Kathryn Williamson and Ugo Crupi go through their paces.

Picture: Contributed

Tri something new for fitness Tracey Johnstone IF YOU thought doing a triathlon was completely outside your skills and fitness level, then think again as indoor triathlon takes off in Australia. It’s an initiative of Triathlon Australia, which wants people to find their 30 minutes, or more, of exercise by participating in innovative all-generations activity that is actually a lot of fun and very social. You get to swim, cycle and walk or run at your own pace. Simple! It’s not a race. Rather, it’s a participation event that is held at venues that have both a pool and an appropriately equipped gym, says Triathlon Australia ‘s communications and project manager Lisa Pringle. “It’s aimed at people who haven’t done a triathlon before, and limiting the barriers that we know deter people from triathlons, such as open-water swimming and riding on roads,” Ms Pringle said.

The only equipment required is your swimmers, goggles and gym clothes and shoes. You do need a buddy to help you keep track of the time and a record of what you achieve in each discipline and then tally up your achievements. There are three levels to choose from and each includes three disciplines. Tri20 involves a threeminute swim, 10 minutes on a stationary bike and seven minutes on a treadmill. The next level is Tri40, which involves swimming for six, cycling for 20 and treadmill for 14 minutes. The keen participants can go for Tri60, which has swimming for 10, cycling for 30 and the treadmill for 20 minutes. Whichever level you choose, all the disciplines are done at your pace. “On the treadmill you can walk or run,” Ms Pringle said. “With the swimming, you can do any stroke; you can dog paddle, you can walk it, if you like. “It’s not about being proficient as a swimmer, it’s

GIVING IT A TRY: Indoor Triathlon participants Kathryn Williamson and Ugo Crupi.

just about completing three disciplines, back to back, to complete a triathlon.” Entry to an event costs $35, which includes a certificate of participation,

T-shirt and swim cap. It might be because of the variety of activities or it might be your need to constantly improve your fitness by trying harder each

time to head out the door. Either way, indoor triathlon is about participation, Ms Pringle says. The program is being run

Picture: Contributed

as a pilot for a few months as new event venues are identified and brought online across Australia and in New Zealand. For details, visit trix3.com.au. SEWE01Z01MA - V1

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Lap up carefree lifestyle Park yourself in village where everything is within easy reach BRAND INSIGHTS ARE you looking for a sea change? Have your children flown the coop? Is it time to downsize? Do you want to live a relaxed lifestyle? If you answered yes to any of those questions then you need to start putting your thoughts into action. Pick from the plan and be there to watch your new home arrive. Our well-situated over55s Lifestyle Village is waiting for you to find your new home. Popular destinations Macksville, Nambucca Heads, Bowraville and Scotts Head are all ideally located close to the park. Only 45 minutes from Coffs Harbour and 60 minutes from Port Macquarie, you will find us midway between Sydney

and Brisbane, just off the Pacific Highway on the legendary Pacific Coast touring route. With the shopping plaza, cinema and medical centre all right next door, the river/ ocean across the road and clubs, pubs, restaurants and cafes all within walking distance, there is nothing lacking to ensure your comfort and wellbeing. You can start by contacting us either by phone on (02) 6568 6647 or (02) 6568 1850 or emailing office@riverpark .com.au to ask any or all of those questions you have. We will help you every inch of the way until you are sitting on your veranda enjoying the sun with your dog at your feet. Nambucca River Tourist Park is at 143 Nursery Road, Macksville.

EASY LIVING: Nambucca River Tourist Park is conveniently close to key amenities.

Living

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GROUP EXERCISE 65s AND OVER Feros Care has a suite of group exercise programs specially designed for over 65s available in the Wide Bay region.

These programs are government-funded, and promise to have you feeling healthier, more active and better connected. Each program is run by our experienced physiotherapists and exercise physiologists over a series of weeks. Classes are safe and suitable for people of all levels of mobility and ﬁtness.

Visit feroscare.com.au/group-exercise

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FER0841 01/20

Call 1300 763 583 to register your interest today

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Aged care’s challenge to

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

Women share their search for right home

Alison Houston DO PEOPLE who identify as LGBTIQ* need or want their own distinct aged care? It seemed a reasonable question when the press release arrived late last year announcing Arcare had opened Queensland’s first aged care home for LGBTIQ clients at Parkwood on the Gold Coast. But research and talking to people affected makes the answer clear – they deserve that choice. The first clue should have been that the press release hailed the opening as occurring less than 30 years after Queensland decriminalised homosexuality. Because how does someone who has spent the greater part of their life being vilified, forced to hide part of who they are, facing possible jail or electric shock “cure/conversion

treatments” for their sexuality, find a community they trust in which to grow old? How can they be themselves without fear, form friendships and have confidence that they or their loved one are receiving quality health care as they age? The Federal Government has recognised in its LGBTIQ Inclusion and Awareness in Aged Care report that to understand people’s current experiences, including reticence to disclose sexuality or to enter aged care, and higher levels of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation, we have to understand their past.

LOVE, LIFE AND DEMENTIA: A PERSONAL ACCOUNT It can be as simple, Anne Tudor explained, as feeling comfortable to hug, kiss or hold hands with a loved one – things heterosexual

couples take for granted. It doesn’t seem much to ask, especially given the heartbreaking position in which Anne has found herself and partner Edie Mayhew. The couple have traced Edie’s dementia journey in film, and have followed her into residential care showing the pain of separation in the recently released film Mr Velvet Ears. The title is a reference to Edie’s much-loved care dog, through whose eyes the transition is depicted. “I miss her brain, her mind, her conversation; I miss her strength,” Anne said of Edie, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2010 at age 59. She describes the film as “very raw and honest”, filmed on the day of the move, the day before and again three months after Edie went into residential care. “We have always been

motivated to educate people around dementia, and to encourage people to open their hearts and not be frightened of it, although it is a terrible disease,” Anne said. “The person you love is still there, but in a changed way. “We had eight years living together after Edie’s diagnosis, and our lives haven’t finished yet, so it’s about presenting a positive message because there aren’t enough of those out there.” She hopes the film opens discussions about aspects of dementia care for the LGBTIQ community and the community in general. “Ours is a beautiful story and we are really lucky to have had such a wonderful relationship,” Anne said. This is the couple’s fourth film, with Anne and Edie previously celebrating their 33rd anniversary, including their recommitment

ceremony on September 2017, in a film called The Circle of Love for the Victorian Seniors Festival. “When we got together 33 years ago we kept it pretty quiet,” Anne said of the ceremony. “It was a very different world back then – you didn’t tell people you were lesbian. “We were in love – but we’ve never formally celebrated our love with family and friends because we didn’t feel it was OK to do so. “Now that time is running out for us we want to celebrate with the people we love.” When two months later Australia voted yes to marriage equality, the pair decided to marry on the first day possible – January 9, 2018. “It was the last piece in the fabric of our life – getting married was something we had talked about for years and it was acceptance of a SEWE01Z01MA - V1

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break diversity barriers ‘‘

We felt totally embraced and accepted for who we are.

changed reality and a moment in history,” Anne said. “And to me it was a statement – it didn’t legitimise our relationship, we didn’t need that, but it gives us a legal status so I can’t be overlooked in Edie’s care. “Those that have had access to marriage for ever don’t appreciate its meaning for people who have had a lifetime together and shared their love but not been able to declare it publicly or have the legal rights associated with it.”

THE SEARCH FOR INCLUSIVE CARE Things have changed a lot for Anne and Edie since then, and in September 2018 Anne said it became clear she couldn’t cope alone with Edie’s care anymore. She had a lot of questions in her search to find the best residential care, including LGBTIQ training for staff. Ultimately they decided on Mercy Place, where the CEO told Anne at the inspection: “I’d like you to treat this as your home too.’’ “We felt totally embraced and accepted for who we are,” Anne said, despite the home not being specifically for LGBTIQ residents. Aged care and nursing home staff everywhere should now all have LGBTIQ training, and can work towards achieving a Silver Rainbow tick. But Anne said more education and attitudinal change was needed to ensure that workers, from the CEO to the nursing, kitchen, garden, cleaning and admin staff, put into practice those policies of acceptance. Ensuring those attitudes are also passed on to other residents is another matter, with a government report finding LGBTIQ residents V1 - SEWE01Z01MA

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

Picture: Contributed

have been bullied and physically abused by fellow residents.

CHANGING ATTITUDES Dr Catherine Barrett, who has worked on the films with Anne and Edie, was a finalist for the 2018 Human Rights Medal for her work advocating for older Australians, including the LGBTIQ community and people with dementia. She said while ultimately we need all services to be LGBTIQ-friendly, it will take a lot to overcome old fears and cultural stereotypes, or partial acceptance that “it’s OK to be gay, but not that gay”. For that reason, she said, having the option of a specific LGBTIQ service such as that at Parkwood, as well as inclusivity and acceptance within mainstream aged care, were both equally important. The Mr Velvet Ears trailer, full film and resources, and the couple’s other films, are available at www.museumoflove

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

.com.au/pulse.html. For other LGBTIQ Seniors films go to https:// alicesgarage.net. Find more on LGBTIQ health at https:// lgbtihealth.org.au/, on dementia at www.dementia.org.au, on Arcare Parkwood at https://

arcare.com.au/parkwood/ or, if this has raised issues for you, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.

HELP AT HAND As part of the implementation of the LGBTI Strategy, the Federal Government, in partnership

with various LGBTI advocacy and support agencies, has compiled a collection of LGBTI-specific ageing and aged care resources for the LGBTI community, their loved ones, carers and aged care service providers. For helpful tips about looking for aged care that

Picture: Contributed

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

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Live life at your own pace Villages in perfect position to ensure all your needs are met BRAND INSIGHTS FRASER Shores features two villages within this subtropical wonderland, offering a variety of awardwinning, freestanding homes that have been specifically designed for retirement living. You can choose from a wide selection of spacious brick-and-tile, two and three-bedroom homes. All homes are built at ground level for easy access and feature spacious modern kitchens, bedrooms and living areas. Each home is equipped with an emergency call system, which is monitored on site 24 hours a day by trained staff with first aid certification. The homes are surrounded by amazing resort-style facilities, where

residents have unlimited use of the full-size bowling green, swimming pool, community centre, licensed bar, fitness hub, craft and computer room, outdoor barbecue areas, libraries and much more. A 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 make new friends and be part of a welcoming, safe and supportive community of like-minded people. Community lawns and gardens are beautifully maintained, so you can get on with doing what you enjoy most. Everything you’ll ever need is within easy reach.

FEEL FREE: Onsite recreational vehicle and boat storage at Fraser Shores makes it easy to travel.

Fraser Shores conveniently adjoins a commercial and professional centre housing medical specialists, a general medical practice and a wide variety of shops and

services. The region’s stateof-the-art St Stephen’s Hospital is just down the road. In addition, onsite recreational vehicle, caravan

and boat storage gives you the freedom to plan your travels with ease, including when you want to chase fun, sun and adventure with the grey nomad brigade.

Picture: Contributed

For more information phone (07) 4148 7111, visit Fraser Shores Retirement Villages, 58 and 100 Nissen Street, Hervey Bay, or go to frasershores.com.au.

Connecting generations ‘‘

Tracey Johnstone THE Office of eSafety is reaching out to high school students to assist in increasing digital literacy for older Australians and building intergenerational relationships. The Be Connected Young Mentors Program has just finished being trialled across Australia. The official launch of the free program is set for late March. For eSafety project manager Jill McNaught, being connected doesn’t just mean helping seniors to go online and do it safely. It is also about benefiting student skills in leadership and community connection, and “breaking down the stereotypes on both sides of the generational gap”. The Young Mentors program is based on research that indicated seniors want one-on-one support with learning based on what the seniors identify they want to learn rather than what is prescribed through a structured learning process.

The kids were enthralled with talking to the seniors about life.

NET PROFITS: Manly (NSW) Computer Pals members with northern beaches students who took part in the Be Connected trial program helping older Australians to improve their digital literacy. Picture: Contributed

“The young mentors meet the seniors where they are at in their learning journey and work from there,” Ms McNaught said. The student mentors are given three hours of training, which covers mentoring skills, how to mentor an

older person, the barriers that may need to be overcome, the safety and boundaries of the relationship, the benefits of mentoring for both cohorts and learning about the Be Connected learning resources.

Most of the pilot groups ran four to six weeks of mentoring sessions. Pilot project member Manly (NSW) Computer Pals chose to partner with 20 Year 9 students from several northern beaches schools that were involved in the

Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. “For the Bronze Award they need to complete 13 weeks of community service,” Ms McNaught said. The students received three hours of training and then did 10 weeks of mentoring. President Judy Elias said the club ran its pilot in its clubroom. The students were then paired by Manly Computer Pals with 20 seniors who brought in their own android or Apple devices and met the mentors for one-hour sessions to address their individual needs. “Their questions were whatever they had difficulty with on their own devices,” Ms Elias said. “Students tried very hard to answer those questions.

“If they couldn’t answer them, the students would do some research and answer the questions the following week. “The seniors benefited because they learnt on the job from kids that use their devices all the time, so they felt as though they were in today’s world.” Ms Elias said both the seniors and the students enjoyed the project. “The kids were enthralled with talking to the seniors about life skills generally, not just digital skills,” she said. “Socially, it was amazing. There was some talk of keeping up relationships after the course.” She also noticed new connections being made between the participating seniors. As a result of the success of the pilot project, the club plans to offer the course for more seniors in April. For more information or to register an organisation’s interest in participating, go to esafety.gov.au/seniors/ be-connected-youngmentors. SEWE01Z01MA - V1

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Invest responsibly

Make a statement with choices that reflect personal principles Dianne Chapman CLIMATE change is a hot topic and many Australians are now considering what they can do to help the environment. Every little bit counts and for those wanting to take action on the environment, money is a powerful language that can be a force for good. For some people, making changes to their finances to be in line with their environmental values is a great step to take. Whether it’s through superannuation, investment or savings, more and more people are reviewing their financial arrangements to ensure their funds are put to work in a way that does no harm and, ideally, leaves the world in a better place. Responsible investment is a process that takes into account environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into the investment process of research, analysis, selection and monitoring of investments. It has become a major part of the investment landscape across Australia as attitudes change. Many people want to ensure they are not contributing to anything that damages the planet. More than half of all investments in Australia are now being made responsibly and ethically according to the responsible investment association of Australasia. So if you’re wondering how you can make your finances sustainable, here are some of my most important tips: 1. Understand what matters to you. Everyone’s values are different so you need to first work out what’s most important to you. Do you feel strongly about not investing in fossil fuels? Are you interested in discovering cutting-edge solutions for climate change or is improving energy efficiency a greater priority for you? How will these V1 - SEWE01Z01MA

preferences impact on your investment performance? From here you can identify the areas where you don’t want to invest or, conversely, where you’d rather put your money to make a positive impact. 2. Do your research and get to know the ESG principles.

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Being more responsible involves a lot of research. While the E in ESG may be your No. 1 concern, you may want to take into account a broader set of criteria when making decisions about your money and get to know what the S and the G stand for. Each investment manager has its own investment policy when it comes to ESG investing. For instance, some may apply a “negative screening” or “exclusion” policy, meaning that they steer clear of certain sectors (e.g. fossil fuels). Be mindful of exclusion policies as they may lead to increased volatility in your portfolio. A chat with an adviser on the implications of this approach is recommended. Climate-change investing tends to be a form of positive screening. In other words, actively choosing to invest in companies that are making a difference (e.g. renewable energy). RIAA is a good resource to use when you’re starting on this journey as it details the investment strategies of ethical and sustainable funds. Many super funds or investment managers also now have information about sustainability and ESG on their websites. Look to see whether they have signed the United Nations-backed Principles of Responsible Investing and whether they have

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

published their scorecard. 3. Start with super. Do you know where your super is invested? Does it offer a Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) option? Make sure you read all the information provided by your super fund about the particular sectors, businesses and/or investment activities that are considered for investment. It’s worthwhile knowing that some people believe many SRI options don’t go far enough. Again, it pays to know what matters most to you and then you can find an

option that aligns with your values.

ago. This makes their performance hard to assess.

4. Don’t forget the eggs rule. One of the key principles of good investing is diversification – not putting all your eggs in one basket. Diversification is key to any investment strategy. It spreads risks and ensures you are not exposed to any single investment or asset class. So consider the risks of crafting a portfolio that’s too narrow and concentrated. Climate-themed funds also haven’t been around for a long time, with many having only launched several years

5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Being a more responsible investor involves a lot of research, and working out exactly how far you want your investment decisions to reflect your sustainable and ethical concerns can be a minefield (pun intended). For example, you might not want to invest in coal companies, metallurgical coalminers and mining companies, but what about transport companies that freight coal, coal seam gas, oil and conventional gas, electricity generators, or

diversified energy generators that may have large investments in renewables as well as coal? – Dianne Chapman, of Jade Financial Group, is an authorised representative of AMP Financial Planning Pty Ltd, ABN 89 051 208 327, AFS Licence No. 232706. Any advice given is general only and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of this, before acting on any advice, you should consult a financial planner to consider how appropriate the advice is to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

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Don’t bank on cuts THE Reserve Bank of Australia cut Australia’s cash rate in October 2019 to a historic low of 0.75 per cent, with many pundits predicting further interest rate cuts to come. Interest rates in other parts of the world, such as European nations and Japan, have been at ultralow levels for many years and have not helped these economies with their growth. Raising and lowering interest rates – the price of money – is popularly believed to stimulate or slow an economy and, in the short term, this is almost certainly true. In the longer term, however, a continual bias toward stimulating the economy in this manner often has produced the reverse effect in that imbalances and bubbles are eventually fostered and the economic growth temporarily created proves

unsustainable. Lower interest rates clearly reduce mortgage repayments and, if consumers spend these interest savings, it will give the economy a short-term boost. The more important aspect of lowering interest rates is to greatly encourage the corporate sector to borrow more with the aim of expanding their enterprises by building new productive facilities – like new mines or factories – as this results in more jobs and sustained wealth creation in the longer term. However, extremely low interest rates can actually act counter to the intentions of what many central banks – including the RBA – hope to achieve. There are many unintended consequences of lower interest rates, which we have seen play out in Europe and Japan and are now seeing in Australia:

1. Consumers who are borrowing are rewarded, while long-term savers are penalised. By lowering interest rates, the RBA is making it cheaper for consumers to borrow and encouraging them to spend. Meanwhile, the same low rates are effectively penalising those who have saved all their lives in the hope of living in retirement off the interest earned from their savings. Savers have been driven to look beyond the safe options of bank accounts and term deposits, which are offering very low returns. As of October 2019, oneyear term deposit rates were at 1.6 per cent. 2. Lower interest rates do not appear to be leading many companies to expand their productive capacity, but are instead boosting asset prices. Companies may borrow more because the cost of

borrowing is lower, but instead of investing in new assets such as factories and innovation – which will spur long-term economic growth because of the extra jobs created – many are using these borrowed funds to buy back existing assets, which only creates a debt for later. 3. Extremely low interest rates do not necessarily lead to higher inflation or a healthier state of affairs in the corporate sector. By artificially controlling the price of money or the interest rate, funding is not necessarily scarce and companies or entrepreneurs can set up in competition with well-funded companies without having a sensible or economic business model. While innovative competition deserves success, businesses that cannot make money and pay interest and repay debt can sustain themselves when they would often naturally

fail. It is usual that when money growth exceeds output growth then there will be inflation. This has been true but, importantly, the inflation has been concentrated in asset prices and not in goods and services prices that are measured by the consumer price index (CPI). Interest rate cuts have increased money and credit but nearly all of the inflation we have seen has been asset-price inflation while economic growth continues to trend down. So the investor and retiree is left to manage income and portfolio growth within this global monetary policy trend of downward interest rates. The best strategy is to consult your financial adviser to invest wisely during these challenging times. * For more information

contact Mark Digby at Maher Digby Securities Pty Ltd – Financial Advisers – AFSL No. 230559 (see advertisement on Page 3). Phone 07 5441 1266 or visit maherdigby.com.au. This document was prepared without taking into account any person’s particular objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not guaranteed as accurate or complete and should not be relied upon as such. Maher Digby Securities does not accept any responsibility for the opinions, comments, forward-looking statements and analysis contained in this document, all of which are intended to be of a general nature. Investors should, before acting on this information, consider the appropriateness of this information having regard to their personal objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend consulting a financial adviser.

New laws aim to pave way for owners to be reunited with cash THE Federal Government will reunite Australians with their lost and forgotten super by introducing legislation to facilitate the exit of eligible rollover funds (ERFs) from the industry by June 30, 2021. In addition, the Morrison Government will allow the Australian Taxation Office to reunite amounts it receives from ERFs with their rightful owners sooner. These changes are another step forward in addressing the issue of unnecessary duplicate accounts in the superannuation system, lowering fees and charges, and are consistent with the Productivity Commission’s recommendation, in its report Superannuation: Assessing Efficiency and Competitiveness, that ERFs be wound up within three years. While ERFs are subject to the Government’s Protecting Your Super reforms, which require them to transfer inactive lowbalance accounts to the tax office, they are unable to voluntarily transfer other amounts to the ATO, which restricts their ability to exit the market.

Legislation will therefore be introduced into Parliament early next year to permit ERF trustees to voluntarily transfer any amount to the tax office. The legislation will also require them to transfer all accounts below $6000 by June 30 this year and to transfer any remaining accounts still residing in an ERF to the ATO by the same date next year. This measure will build upon the success of the Government’s Protecting Your Super reforms, which have resulted in the ATO proactively reuniting more than 2.13 million accounts, worth about $2.79 billion, with their rightful owners, around a month after their introduction. This includes about 1.54 million accounts, worth more than $2.40 billion, that have been transferred into individuals’ active super accounts and just over 595,000 accounts, worth $303 million, paid into individuals’ bank accounts – a power that only the tax office has. The tax office’s datamatching program has generated results far exceeding those previously

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

achieved by ERFs, which house millions of inactive and forgotten

superannuation accounts. By reuniting these longlost accounts with their

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

Picture: Contributed

longer be paying multiple sets of fees that erode their benefits. SEWE01Z01MA - V1

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CLASSIFIEDS

\\JANUARY, 2020

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REVIEWS

JANUARY, 2020//

Turning 70 inspires an uplifting insight AS THEY turned 70, Jane Giddan and Ellen Cole, the authors of 70Candles! Women Thriving in Their 8th Decade, set out to investigate how women their age and older were living their lives. They sought role models for themselves and messages for the droves of baby boomers on their heels. They were curious about the challenges and joys of their peers, their work and retirement status, living arrangements, family and social connections, and more. These septuagenarians knew they were not like their own grandmothers, who sat in rocking chairs knitting. But what is the new normal? This book, informative and inspirational, describes what they found in their reading, their ongoing 70Candles.com blog, and 70Candles! conversation groups held in various parts of the US. Although they have taken somewhat different paths, the authors agree that turning 70 and entering their eighth decade has, indeed, been a momentous development. “Welcome to old age”. They and their peers have found this new era exciting, sometimes scary, but full of opportunity. As developmental psychologists speak of life’s stages and phases and rites of passage, the purpose of this book is the recognition that 70 is something important, part of an intriguing new stage of life, not just a birthday like any other. In a wider sense, 70Candles! is aimed at all women approaching 70 and in their 70s and those interested in this journey – whether that be men,

SENIORS

‘Smarter’ exercise plan for mature types just what the doc ordered YOUR body is getting older, those stairs are looking steeper, and your bones are cracking louder. Like it or not, it’s an unavoidable fact – your body is ageing. But that doesn’t have to impact on your fitness level. If you exercise smarter, you can remain youthful, energetic and strong. So says academic orthopedic surgeon and internationally recognised authority on active ageing and mobility, Dr Vonda Wright. She has created a unique medical program designed to target the fitness and performance needs of mature athletes. In Fitness After 40, Dr Wright reveals how anyone can use flexibility, aerobic exercise and strength

training to maximise the benefits of their fitness regimen. Learn how to: • Understand your body, and exercise in a new way. • Maximise your fitness while minimising injury. • Gain flexibility. • Improve balance. — Published by AMACOM, RRP $29.50

Keep plants undead GARDENING For The Zombie Apocalypse is an irreverent, straightforward and useful book that shows even complete beginners how to grow enough of their own food to survive when Armageddon arrives and imports collapse. Or even if they don’t. A grow-your-own guide for the generation who’d rather eat compost than watch Gardeners’ World, it tells you how to sow and grow 20 key crops, whether you have

two pots, a patio or a whole backyard. It takes you through what seeds, tools and other kit you’ll need, teaches you how to plan and plant for maximum nutrition, and suggests gardening projects to get under way while civilisation still stands, from growing dinner in a dustbin to a juice bar on a balcony. And that’s all while sticking a garden fork in the eye of the undead. — HarperCollins, RRP $33.25.

NEW CHAPTER OF LIFE: Aiming to inspire and inform, 70Candles! canvasses the lifestyles of septuagenarian women in various parts of the US. Picture: Contributed

women, family and friends alike. As a bonus, book group discussion questions are now included in the printed book as

well as in the Kindle and Nook versions. Members of the public can find the book, produced by

Taos Institute Publishers, at: http://www.taosinstitute.net/70candles, RRP $18.99.

Making sense of care factors WEAVING together reallife stories with the essential information needed to make the best care decisions, The Eldercare Consultant sets out to help you: • Spot warning signs of physical and mental decline. • Recognise when a loved one needs assistance. • Determine the level of care needed. • Evaluate the options –

family caregiver, home health care, palliative care, senior housing – and select the right one. • Discuss the issue with your loved one. Author and aged care expert Becky Feola knows first-hand that caring for someone who is no longer in complete control is hard. — Published by HarperCollins, RRP $34.99 SEWE01Z01MA - V1

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PUZZLES

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8 9 10 11 12

17 18

24 25

ACROSS 5 The black species of what is Africa’s largest poisonous snake? (5) 8 “Hennessy Tennessy tootles the ﬂute...” Who is the bandleader? (8) 9 What name was given to August 15, 1945? (1,1,3) 10 Near which Scottish town did William Wallace rout the English in 1297? (8) 11 Which Spanish hero captured Valencia in 1094? (2,3) 14/16 What nickname was given to a German World War I gun that could propel a 950kg shell 14km? (3,6) 17 Aphrodite loved which beautiful youth? (6) 18/20 What did modern composer- pianist André Tchaikowsky (1935-1982) bequeath to the Royal Shakespeare Company for use on stage? (3,5) 24 In a poem, what type of spoon was used to eat mince and slices of quince? (8) 25 Become less intense (5) 26 What is “on the tip of the toes” in ballet? (2,6) 27 Which chemical element has the symbol B? (5)

DOWN 1 Which American sect features in the 1985 ﬁlm Witness? (5) 2 What name is preferred by those called Eskimo? (5) 3 According to a song, what shouldn’t you do at a crocodile? (5) 4 Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital of which sultanate? (6) 6 Who sang “Toot, Toot, Tootsie” in the 1921 stage musical Bombo? (2,6) 7 What is the capital of Brazil? (8) 12 What is a game of hiding and suddenly reappearing, played with a young child? (8) 13 What type of dagger is short with a tapering blade? (8) 14 An expression of contempt or disagreement (3) 15 What killed over 2000 people in Bhopal, India, in 1984? (3) 19 What large spiny-crested lizard is common from Mexico to Brazil? (6) 21 What is a thespian? (5) 22 What dark wood is used for piano keys? (5) 23 What is the rim holding a watch-face glass? (5)

31 11/1

SUDOKU

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

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

DOUBLECROSS 5

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

14 15

Down 1. Modern (2-2-4) 2. Winner (6) 3. Agitate (4) 4. Foretells (8) 5. Strongly motivated (6) 6. Dice (4) 11. Scorn (8) 13. Latterly (8) 16. Ditch (6) 18. Real (6) 20. Pealed (4) 22. Extended (4)

Across 7. Faction (8,5) 8. Exhausted (colloq) (3-5) 9. Opinion (4) 10. Excluded (6) 12. Middle (6) 14. Consume (3) 15. Chain (6) 17. Posture (6) 19. Impulse (4) 21. Greeting (8) 23. Inexplicable (13)

SOLUTIONS

5x5 T I M E S

S T A R S

ALPHAGRAMS: LOYAL, MANORS, NOTICES, OPULENCE, PARABOLIC. GK CROSSWORD Across: 5 Mamba, 8 McNamara, 9 VJ Day, 10 Stirling, 11 El Cid, 14/16 Big Bertha, 17 Adonis, 18/20 His skull, 24 Runcible, 25 Abate, 26 En pointe, 27 Boron. Down: 1 Amish, 2 Inuit, 3 Smile, 4 Brunei, 6 Al Jolson, 7 Brasilia, 12 Peekaboo, 13 Stiletto, 14 Bah, 15 Gas, 19 Iguana, 21 Actor, 22 Ebony, 23 Bezel.

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

ALLOY RANSOM SECTION OPEN CLUE BOIL A CARP

5x5 P

DOUBLECROSS

QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 7. Splinter group 8. Dog-tired 9. View 10. Barred 12. Centre 14. Eat 15. Fetter 17. Stance 19. Urge 21. Saluting 23. Unaccountable. Down: 1. Up-to-date 2. Victor 3. Stir 4. Predicts 5. Driven 6. Cube 11. Derision 13. Recently 16. Trench 18. Actual 20. Rang 22. Long.

T B

R N

Note: more than one solution may be possible.

M V

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

R S

TODAY: Good 15 Very Good 18 Excellent 22

tapa tape taped

A B O V E

E A

P U R E R

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

S C A N T

WORD GO ROUND

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ALPHAGRAMS

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