Seniors Wide Bay, March 2020

March, 2020

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TRAVEL Revealed: Tasmanian cultural adventures, unique Irish accommodation and fun in the Tweed Valley.

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WELLBEING Watch it! How to keep your eyes in good health.

Dangers of alcohol and pills.

LIVING Foretold, forewarned The latest scams that are targeting you.

2000: Kevin Coombs carries the torch at the opening of Sydney’s Paralympic Games

KEVIN COOMBS OAM

Still throwing goals for indigenous Australians. The first indigenous athlete to represent Australia in Paralympic or Olympic games talks about his journey as a sportsman, political influencer and hopes for the future.

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NEWS

2 INDEX 04 05 08 10-11 13 19 22 24

Feature – David Williamson What’s On Community Notes Cover Story – Kevin Coombs Wanderlust Wellbeing Living Money

05 Make a date with festive fun that shows off coast.

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MARCH, 2020//

Treasures in spotlight Geoff Crockett Seniors Guest Editor Welcome to the March editions of Seniors News.

Our intrepid editor Gail Forrer is off on a month’s leave, which means I have the chance to guest edit for a few weeks and try not to break anything while she’s gone.

Luckily for me our writers have been busy and there are plenty of great stories to share.

Tracey Johnstone had the opportunity to chat to Kevin Coombes (AO) about his remarkable journey through life and his ongoing passion for education and reconciliation between Australia’s first people and the broader community.

She also caught up with national treasure, playwright David Williamson (AO), who has announced he is retiring from the theatre after 50 years to spend more time with his family, including five children and 14 grandchildren.

His is an amazing story

of dedication to his craft, and his body of work will live on forever.

On the travel front, Erle Levey spent time in Hobart and came back with some great tips for anyone else looking to visit the city in the future, and intrepid traveller Shirley Sinclair shines a spotlight on the wonders of theTweed Valley region in Northern New South Wales.

If you’re looking for ways to connect with your fellow seniors in the region, be sure to turn to our community notes pages where you’ll find a wide array of groups and activities planned for the month ahead where anyone is welcome to come along.

Also, check out the Wellbeing, Living and Money sections this month for great tips on topics including eye health, boosting your superannuation and how to avoid scammers.

I hope you enjoy this month’s read.

Geoff

SENIORS

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 Melissa Wilkie – 07 30119237 melissa.wilke@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 361 604 and quote “Wide Bay Seniors Newspaper”.

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

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

Published by News Corp Australia Printed by News Corp Australia, Yandina.

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

Responsibility for election material in this paper is taken by Gail Forrer, cnr Mayne Road & Campbell Street, Bowen Hills, QLD 4006.

Community service chalks up half-century of care.

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NEWS

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Beach access first of its kind Project a path to true inclusion for disabled

U-BEAUT IDEA: CQUniversity physiotherapy lecturer Sasha Job (left) and physiotherapy student Rebecca Hartnett promote the U-Beach access project planned for Bundaberg.

BUNDABERG residents living with a disability or mobility restrictions may soon be able to access local beaches and enhance their lives through movement, thanks to the work of the Universal Beach Access Hub (U-Beach).

U-Beach is a project driven by CQUniversity in collaboration with Bundaberg Regional Council, Surf Lifesaving Queensland, Community Lifestyle Support, Rotary Bundaberg Region, as well as local education providers and sporting clubs.

The hub is aiming to provide specialised help including access paths, sand and floating wheelchairs to the region’s beach locations: Nielsons, Elliott Heads and Moore Park.

CQUniversity physiotherapy lecturer Sasha Job said U-Beach aimed to break down the participation and social challenges associated with beach access and provide physical activity opportunities for everyone.

“Through innovative, inclusive and supportive strategies, such as U-Beach, we are able to provide beach accessibility and support flexible options for physical activity that meet the needs of diverse lifestyles, abilities and interests,” she said.

Ms Job said it was expected that beach access would be free; however, costs for organised events, such as sporting competitions, may be incurred.

“Collaborators are

working hard to secure much-needed funding and finalise operational plans and agreements so the project can start making a difference to people’s lives, in the most cost-effective way possible,” she said.

“Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey this week announced his commitment to a disability inclusion plan for the region, which will see funds allocated to the UBeach project in the next council budget.”

Ms Job said she was humbled and excited by the project because it was a sign that the tide was starting to turn.

“It will be an honour to welcome all individuals to our beautiful beaches and to witness the pure joy on their faces,’’ she said.

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NEWS

MARCH, 2020//

SENIORS

Masterful playwright is signing off Williamson takes curtain call on high Tracey Johnstone FOR 50 years playwright David Williamson (AO) has had his hand on the pulse of Australian society, crafting a plethora of memorable creative memories.

Remember Don’s Party?

What about The Removalists, The Club, the film Gallipoli or the Phar Lap screenplay?

Even now he has a burst of plays happening, including Family Values, playing in Sydney.

In celebration of Williamson’s 50 years in Australian theatre, a revival of the hit 1987 play Emerald City is jointly being produced by the Melbourne Theatre Company and Queensland Theatre.

At another Sydney venue is his latest work, Crunch Time, which is on until early April, when it moves north to its Queensland premiere in Noosa in mid-April.

But now the writing pen lies dormant on his desk. No more plays. No more films.

No more television miniseries.

The time has come for Williamson, 78, to pack away his shingle and travel a different journey.

There is still plenty of Australian life that he could showcase, but Williamson is

adamant it won’t happen through his pen.

Since 1970 Williamson has pursued his dream to introduce to audiences his flawed characters through his stories, which, as former Ensemble Theatre artistic director Sandra Bates writes, can through their actions achieve his dream of “ … a desire for a better society, a more tolerant society …”

As one lanky leg crosses over the other, Williamson relaxes in a Sydney coffee shop at the base of the tower that houses his second home, and says: “Thankfully there is a whole generation of new writers who are tackling these issues. They can take it on.

“I care about the future of the world, but I will have to leave it to others.’’

His first-performed play was The Coming of Stork in 1970 at La Mama in Melbourne.

The journey to that point was convoluted. In his early teens Williamson’s father, who for 47 years worked in a job he hated, told the young fellow he should make sure he worked in something he really wanted to do.

Williamson’s mechanical engineering degree at Monash University certainly didn’t captivate him. But what did catch his interest

was writing the “pretty rough” engineering and university student reviews.

He went back to university for another stint, this time doing a psychology degree.

“I could have gone down that career path and quite happily been a social psychology researcher, but at the same time my writing took off,” Williamson said.

His final year of studying social psychology prepared him for taking his keen interest in human behaviour and turning it into a valuable tool in his creative future.

“I couldn’t have cared less why a car worked; I was much more interested in how a human worked,” he said.

Williamson became hooked on theatre. He took himself to see many different plays and found himself completely enfolded in drama.

And as they say, the rest is history.

His last work, the play Crunch Time, has just had its Sydney premiere at the Griffin Theatre, where his first play was performed all those years ago.

Crunch Time is due to have its Queensland premiere in Noosa in midApril.

In this play Williamson has

Williamson with The Advertiser journalist Stan James and TV presenter Jan Beasley in December 1992.

Picture: Contributed

COASTING IN COMFORT: Retiring Australian playwright David Williamson relaxing at his Sunshine Beach home with his wife, Kristin.

Picture: Paul Smith

created Steve, a typical Aussie bloke with a not so unusual dilemma. He’s just retired, handing over the reins of his business to one son. Is this a sign of favouritism? Could this action drive deeper the sense of sibling rivalry between his two sons?

His other son hasn’t spoken to Steve for almost eight years.

What follows is rivalry, illness, a father’s dream, the chance to repair broken relationships, and jealousy.

“These issues do come to mind when you get older,” said Williamson, who looked closely at what is happening to the people around him.

“It’s about family and a father who is approaching death. This family, driven apart by sibling rivalry, comes from observing friends. Luckily there’s been

no such thing in our family, at least to date,” he adds with something of a smile.

“It’s a stressful business but one I have loved being in. Writing, getting the script right, and then right through to opening night. I could do without that.

“It’s been thoroughly enjoyable. I have had 50 terrific years in the theatre.

All the plays that I wanted to have done have been done and usually done very well so it’s been a dream run.”

The three plays being performed now are all booking well so “getting out now while people are still coming” seems to be a good idea to Williamson.

That quiet smile returns when he continues: “I don’t want to be wandering around at 98 wondering why there is no one in the theatre.’’

So, what will he do? Well, he says there are plenty of things to do to fill in his retirement. There are five children and 14 grandchildren to keep him and his wife, Kristin, busy.

Williamson will continue to split his time between the family home at Sunshine Beach on the Sunshine Coast and the apartment in Sydney, which is close to two of his children.

Then there is lots of reading to catch up on and enjoying watching other people’s work on the stage and in film. A memoir, perhaps? It’s a strong possibility.

On summing up his incredible 50 years in Australian theatre, Williamson casts his mind to Albert Facey’s book A Fortunate Life. “I can say I have had a fortunate life.”

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What’s on

POPPING GOOD TIME: The Relish Food & Wine Festival has something for everyone. Save the date on Saturday, June 6, at the Mary River Parklands, Wharf Street, Maryborough.

Seniors News

AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST MORNING TEA DON’T be late for this important date!

Follow Alice down the rabbit hole to join the Cancer Council Queensland Fraser Coast Fundraising Group for their Mad Hatter’s Tea Party on Tuesday, April 7, at the Hervey Bay RSL. Doors open at 9.30am for a 10am start.

A scrumptious morning tea awaits as well as prizes for best or whackiest outfit or hat, lucky door, entertainment, raffles and more.

Tickets $22, available from Hervey Bay RSL or phone Robyn on 0439 022 408.

BAYBREAK MULTISPORT FESTIVAL THIS year Bay Break is a run, walk and triathlon event held in the Urangan Pier Precinct on Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29.

Participants can enter a single event or multiple events. The Bay Break multisports event is run by local volunteers with the objective of providing an event that supports locals participating in sport and healthy activities.

One aim is to attract visitors to the region to stay and enjoy the beautiful surroundings where local businesses will benefit from this event through this V1 - SEWE01Z01MA

attraction of visitors to the area and any profits will be distributed to nominated local charities. For more, go to herveybaybreak.com.au/.

AUTHOR TALK WITH Mary Garden, Cynthia Terelst and Ken Hall.

Mary Garden, author of the new book Sundowner of the Skies: The Story of Oscar Garden, the Forgotten Aviator, talks about her father, a “gloriously flawed adventurer’’, and his extraordinary but troubled life.

The youngest pilot to fly solo from England to Australia, he joined the ranks of Bert Hinkler and Charles Kingsford Smith, yet until now, his story has not been told.

In The Cat’s Out of the Bag, Cynthia Terelst has chosen to explore the themes of trust and second chances in her first published novel, a love story about lost cats and road trips.

The ever-colourful Ken Hall, who is well known for his warts-and-all memoir What Next You Bastard, has turned his hand to local history, and will be launching his latest offering, First Hervey Bay Hospital From Start to its Closure.

This free event will include morning tea.

On Saturday, April 4, at the Hervey Bay Library, 161 Old Maryborough Road, Hervey Bay, from 10amnoon.

Bookings are essential, on 07 4197 4220.

RELISH FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL THIS annual festival will return with delicious events, great food, local wine and live music. Stayed tuned closer to the date for a program that will showcase the very best the Fraser Coast has to offer – whether you’re looking to wine and dine, wander the heritage streetscapes tasting what’s on offer or groove to some soulful tunes, Relish Food & Wine Festival has something for you. Mary River Parklands, Wharf Street, Maryborough, on Saturday, June 6, from 10am-5pm. For more, email events@fcte.com.au.

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RIVER HEADS ROCKS BOOMERS Unite – Enjoy music and camping at this inaugural weekend hosted

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Get ready to rock on to the sounds of The Northern Lights from the NT with the soulful Miz Bully and The Rolling Stones Experience, which is the headline act on the Saturday night.

Two nights of entertainment and camping are included in your ticket price. There will also be a bush poetry competition and singalong around the camp fire, with catering available. Limited tickets.

Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28, at the Fraser Coast RV Park, 54 Bengtson Road, River Heads. Phone 07 4125 7119, email frasercoastrvpark@ gmail.com or go to riverheads rocks.com.au.

Contact us today on 1800 465 500 *Terms and Conditions Apply. Limited to 3 applicants at one time.

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NEWS

MARCH, 2020//

SENIORS

Village to generate job boon CONSTRUCTION is under way on a new multimilliondollar retirement village project set to transform seniors’ living on the Fraser Coast.

Village design experts from Ozcare and Woollam Constructions have unveiled the state-of-the art design features as stage one of the six-stage Reflections on the Bay Retirement Village starts to take shape at Kawungan in Hervey Bay. More than 200 jobs will be delivered during the first stage of the project to build 132 architecturally designed two and three-bedroom duplexes and townhouses.

This village will be

conveniently situated next to Ozcare’s award-winning aged care facility, which opened in 2017.

The resort-style retirement village and colocated aged care facility are on a 6.91-hectare parcel of land in Richard Charles Drive at Kawungan, providing easy access to the Hervey Bay seaside.

Ozcare group manager construction and property Russell Young said the village would give retirees access to a new level of care while enjoying freedom and safety in their own home. “ … we conducted extensive research into exactly what they were

SOS

BREAKING NEW GROUND: Woollam Constructions director and chairman George Bogiatzis and Ozcare group manager of construction and property Russell Young at the Reflections on the Bay Retirement Village site.

Picture: Cody Fox

looking for in retirement, which is retiring with purpose,” Mr Young said.

“Age is no longer a number and while some retirees may be aged in the 80s and 90s, they are telling us they still feel like they are aged in the 70s. These retirees are looking to stay active and well-connected to the communities in which they live.” Mr Young said the

village’s features would include: • Clubhouse with swimming pool.

• Coffee shop.

• Wellness centre with massage treatment rooms.

• Putting green.

• Caravan storage.

• Landscaped gardens.

• Alfresco areas.

• Digital concierge for security and social

connectivity.

• Priority access to Ozcare’s Aged Care Facility and Home Support Service, including meals and housekeeping.

The new village will also be close to Stockland shops and medical suites.

Woollam Constructions director and chairman George Bogiatzis said the company was thrilled to see

the development break ground and the economic flow-on it would have for the region.

“This is not only a gamechanger for seniors’ living in the Fraser Coast, but there will be tangible benefits to the community as a whole with more than 200 jobs on site from 50 trades and contract partners,” Mr Bogiatzis said.

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COMMUNITY

MARCH, 2020//

SENIORS

Community notes

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

VIEW CLUBS Hervey Bay IT HAS been the tradition of the Hervey Bay VIEW Club for many years to incorporate a Thanksgiving Service into the first social of the year and this year was no exception.

The beautiful 110-year-old restored Methodist church in the grounds of the Hervey Bay Historical Museum is a fitting venue as the ladies from three VIEW clubs sing hymns, pray, have readings from the Bible and remember members and friends who are no longer with us.

This lovely spiritual devotion puts our club in good stead as we strive for another successful year with the main focus of helping The Smith Family financially with its support of disadvantaged children across Australia.

The service was followed by a scrumptious morning tea enjoyed by all.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SUPPORT GROUP THE Hervey Bay and Maryborough Multiple Sclerosis Support Group meet on the first Friday of each month on the deck at the Hervey Bay RSL at 10am for a coffee and a chat.

Our meeting numbers continue to grow as sadly more newly diagnosed MS people join our group to listen, share and relate their own personal journeys with MS. We have a regular occupational therapist attend our meetings and he is very popular, able to help and answer questions put to him by sometimes frustrated MS clients.

Anyone is welcome to attend, whether they have MS or know of someone

who does. For more information, phone Bev on 07 4128 2692 or email bev_cornwell11 @outlook.com.

HERVEY BAY OLD SALTS ASSOCIATION INC. WE MEET to promote social contact and support among members, with monthly meetings and frequent bus trips/outings/get-togethers at places of interest.

Membership is open to all members of any waterborne service, military or civilian, retired or serving.

Meetings are held on the first Sunday at the Hervey Bay RSL and Memorial Club at 10.30am for 11am.

Our club supports RSL & Legacy.

Our motto is: Unity within the Community. Waterborne Service, Military or Civilian.

For more information contact president Roger Widdowson on 0417 074 274 or go to herveybayoldsalts.org/.

HYMNS FOR HIM OUR annual Hymns for HIM will be held this year on Sunday, March 29, from 3.30pm at Tinana Christian Church, 115 Gympie Road, Tinana, followed by afternoon tea.

Come and sing with the Salvation Army bands and enjoy the Maryborough Choral Society and the TCC Choir as they sing to us.

REMEMBERING CLOUDLAND BALLROOM DO YOU have fond memories of days or nights at Cloudland?

Were you a youth of the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s or early ‘80s who grew up in southeast Queensland?

We are celebrating the

GIVING THANKS: The Hervey Bay VIEW Club was joined by members of the Fraser Coast VIEW Club and the inaugural Maryborough VIEW Club for their Thanksgiving Service.

memory of Cloudland Ballroom through the eyes of those who went there, by creating a montage of filmed interviews with members of the public willing to share their thoughts of what Cloudland meant to them.

The completed montage will be forwarded to the Queensland State library archives for historical reference and screened preshow at the premiere of Cloudland the Musical at the Brolga Theatre on Saturday, May 30.

Members of the public are invited to attend our filming days for the Wide Bay region at: Bundaberg Neighbourhood Centre, 111 Targo Rd – Monday, May 11, between 10am and 1pm.

Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre, 22 Charles St – Wednesday, May 13, between 9am and noon.

Maryborough Neighbourhood Centre, 25 Ellena St – Wednesday, May 13, between 2pm and 4pm.

This is a free community event open to anyone.

Interviews will be conducted individually, in the privacy of a closed space on a firstcome, first-served basis.

Go to facebook.com/ cloudlandthemusical for more information.

SUPPORT SERVICE FOR SENIORS THE Seniors Legal and Support Service is a community service providing free legal advice

and support for seniors 60 years and over who are experiencing or at risk of elder abuse, mistreatment or financial exploitation.

The service can provide information, advice and support including: shortterm counselling/advocacy; information on your legal rights; advice on enduring power of attorney documents; referrals to other support, legal and consumer services; community education.

For further information, phone 07 4124 6863 or call into the office at Shop 6, 16 Torquay Road, Hervey Bay (opposite RSL), Monday to Friday between 9am and 4.30pm.

QUOTA INTERNATIONAL OF MARYBOROUGH INC. WE WILL be hosting our annual Monster Pre- Easter Tombola on Saturday, March 28, at the Pensioners Hall, Adelaide Street, Maryborough.

Doors will open at 12.30pm for a 1pm start.

There will be loads of prizes, many with an Easter theme.

Entry is free and free afternoon tea will be provided.

Chips and drinks available to purchase.

So get together with a group of your family and friends and come along for an afternoon of fun.

Proceeds from the afternoon will be donated to BlazeAid and also benefit local charities.

EATSTER STREET 2020 ENJOY family-friendly entertainment, miniature train rides and the replica steam train, Mary Ann, plus hot food and cold drinks for a family day out.

Hosted by Maryborough CBD Street Party on Saturday, April 4, from 29.30pm at the Portside Precinct, Wharf Street, Maryborough.

For more information, phone 0432 681 440 or email maryboroughstreet party@outlook.com.

SHARE A STITCH OR TWO MAKE members of the Darling Downs Textile Art Group feel welcome over a cuppa and chat.

Bring an artwork to share in the discussion on Wednesday, April 8, from 11am-1pm.

The event is being held in conjunction with the exhibition Mulga Bills Bicycle. Free at the Gympie Regional Gallery, 39 Nash St, Gympie.

For more, phone 07 5481 0733 or go to gympie.qld.gov.au/gallery.

MARYBOROUGH MARKETS EVERY Thursday, Maryborough’s city centre undergoes an amazing transformation into a colourful outdoor heritage bazaar.

Wander around more than 120 stalls with an amazing array of farm-fresh

i

produce and unique wares.

See original handmade craft, homemade treats, artwork, jewellery, clothes, accessories, natural beauty products and gorgeous cut flowers.

Meet a cast of characters in historical dress, including the town crier, and hear the firing of the historic time cannon at 1pm.

Soak up the atmosphere of music and entertainers.

Enjoy hot-food stalls, relax at an inner-city cafe or find wonderful condiments and gourmet pantry items to take home.

Make a day of it in the city and join a guided heritage walk tour from outside the City Hall at 9am or ride on a replica steam engine through nearby Queens Park, City Hall Green, and Adelaide and Ellena streets.

For more information, go to frasercoastevents.com.au, email markets@fcte.com.au or phone 07 4196 9630.

The next market days for this month are Thursday, March 19 and 26.

GOOMERI SHOW THE Goomeri Show is a fun event for all ages.

There will be animals, displays and live entertainment.

Held on Saturday, March 21, at 46 Moore Street, Goomeri.

For more information, phone Trish from the Goomeri Show Society on 0419 720 407 or go to Goomerigoomerishow.com. au/.

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10

FEATURE

MARCH, 2020//

SENIORS

Unwavering Work for indigenous causes inspires Tracey Johnstone

VOICE FOR CHANGE: Kevin Coombs (OAM) has been speaking up for the rights of disabled Aboriginal people since the early 1980s.

Picture: Contributed

WHEN a journalist described indigenous paraplegic Kevin Coombs’s childhood accident as fortunate, the initial reaction was a fiery slapdown, but then he started to look back.

The Wotjobaluk elder’s voice for indigenous recognition wouldn’t have been sought out.

“The late Charlie Perkins wanted a disabled bloke who could talk a bit,” Uncle Kevin said. “He said, ‘I understand there is a bloke in Melbourne by the name of Kevin Coombs; I want him’.

This was when he was secretary of Aboriginal Affairs in Canberra.”

Uncle Kevin was appointed in 1981 as the Aboriginal representative on a committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons.

There were 14 people on the committee, all representing different groups. As a result of that working group Uncle Kevin said: “I wanted to get the message through to Aboriginal people what they were entitled to, including grants (under the disability scheme).’’

Speaking to the then minister for health in Victoria, Bill Borthwick, Uncle Kevin also articulated the need for Aboriginal people to be involved in decision-making around the wellbeing of the Aboriginal communities.

Mr Borthwick

subsequently opened the door for Uncle Kevin to move from the Department of Aboriginal Affairs to the Department of Health.

“I was there for 21 years,” he said. “My job was to get hospitals, where there was a lot of Aboriginal people coming in, to have a liaison person working there. We started off with eight for the whole of Victoria.”

For his family He might not have been in the Pink Pussycat pub in Melbourne that night more than 50 years ago when he saw and fell in love at first sight with his wife, Linda.

They had two daughters – one is a magistrate and the other a vocal advocate for a Victorian Treaty.

The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria held its first meeting last December.

The assembly will decide, alongside the Victorian Government, the ground rules for the treaty negotiations.

“I support it,” Uncle Kevin said. “It’s not about me, it’s for our kids and grandkids.

“I would like to see a treaty here in Victoria. I would like to see being recognised by the federal government in the Constitution.”

Will anything change?

As to a change at the federal level within his lifetime and actionable outcomes from Closing the Gap, Uncle Kevin doesn’t think anything will happen unless there is a “radical PM”.

The Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt (AM) announced on February 6 that the Government “is committed to recognising indigenous Australians in the Constitution and will hold a referendum should a consensus be reached, and should it be likely to succeed”. Previously he had signalled wanting a national vote by mid-2021.

Only a few days later, on February 12, at the tabling to Parliament of the 12th Closing the Gap Report, Prime Minister Scott Morrison signalled his unwillingness to lock in a specific time commitment, saying: “I am not going to allow any timetables to prevent the successful achievement of this result.’’

So, where does that leave indigenous Australians?

On May 26, 2017, The Uluru Statement from the Heart was made. Turning to the Federal Government, it stated: “We call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution.’’

While the conversation continues at the federal level, alongside Victoria, which is recognised as the leader in the charge forward to reconciliation, Queensland and the Northern Territory are pressing ahead on their journey towards reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Share the Good News

If you’ve got big news, a heart-warming story or community event coming up, spread the word and share it online with Seniors!

Visit seniorsnews.com.au today!

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voice of Kevin Coombs ‘‘

I wanted to get the message through about what Aboriginal people were entitled to.

As for the other states, there appear to be mixed commitments to turning the conversation around statebased treaties into action.

“One treaty for the state?”

Uncle Kevin said. “It won’t change me, but it will be good for my grandkids and great-grandkids.”

Sporting chance At 18 the wheelchair basketball athlete headed to Rome to compete in his first Paralympic Games.

Uncle Kevin was representing Australia, but had to travel on an honorary British passport.

“We weren’t recognised as we didn’t get our rights until 1967; it’s not that long ago.”

It was not until 1973 that Gough Whitlam’s Labor government actively assumed responsibility for Aboriginal affairs.

Uncle Kevin remembers missing the 1964 Games as he was “chasing women” at the time, but then went on to compete for Australia in the 1968, 1972, 1980 and 1984 Paralympic Games, the Commonwealth Games in New Zealand in 1974 and at two world championships.

Hopeful future The body is weary, but

PROUD MOMENT: Wheelchair basketballer Kevin Coombs at the opening ceremony of the 1960 Paralympic Games.

the mind is sharp.

At age 79, Uncle Kevin hasn’t quite retired. He’s left behind his 17-year role as an elder with the Koori courts, but he remains on the Melbourne University Murumbarak Committee, which supports Aboriginal

students, the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health committee, and at the Broadmeadows TAFE where he brings a voice of reason and understanding as an elder, watching over the indigenous students.

“You get to see kids go

through and come out successful,” he said.

Changing the way older non-indigenous Australians see the First Peoples is something Uncle Kevin thinks can be achieved through knowledge.

As Mr Morrison said in his

Closing the Gap speech to Parliament in February: “We must see the gap we wish to close not from our viewpoints, but from the viewpoint of indigenous Australians before we can hope to close it and make a real difference.’’

Picture: Contributed

Uncle Kevin believes that by sitting down and talking to Aboriginal people, seniors can help to lead a change in the Closing the Gap conversation in Australia.

“Talking is a wonderful thing,” he enthused. “You get to know people better.”

Embrace the Internet!

It’s time to jump on the social media bandwagon! Let Seniors ease you into the exciting world of online. Get every news story - big or small, the latest exclusive offers, plus a whole heap more when you connect with Seniors on social media.

Visit facebook.com/seniorsnews or seniorsnews.com.au

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Advance Care Planning Week 23–27 March 2020 Learn about advance care planning (ACP) and empower yourself to make your future health care wishes known.

Advance care planning is the process of thinking about and communicating your preferences for future health care. Advance care plans are used in a situation where you are unable to speak for yourself, for example, if you are ill or injured.

What do you do now?

Discuss your wishes, values, beliefs and health care preferences with your family, friends and health care providers.

Make choices about your future health care and quality-of-life.

Download advance care planning documents from mycaremychoices.com.au and document your choices. Your GP or family/friends can assist you.

Send copies of your completed documents to the Office of ACP: • Email: acp@health.qld.gov.au • Fax: 1300 008 227 • Post: PO Box 2274, Runcorn Qld 4113 Contact the Office of ACP for more information or support on 1300 007 227. * You can also upload your ACP documents to your My Health Record.

The Office of Advance Care Planning – Queensland Health, provides a free and confidential service to all Queenslanders.

• The Office of ACP receives and reviews completed ACP documents from all care environments in Queensland.

• Effective documents are uploaded to the Queensland Health electronic medical record and accessed by doctors when needed.

Empower yourself to plan for your future health care.

mycaremychoices.com.au

OACP

Office of Advance Care Planning

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Good times shore thing Discover cultural mix making Hobart such a buoyant hub PAGES 16 AND 17 YARRA VALLEY & DANDENONG RANGES TOUR From

$3,050*

20 - 26 APRIL 2020 Less than an hour from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are the perfect destination to enjoy delicious food and wine and beautiful scenery. Enjoy this unpack once getaway in a truly wonderful region of Australia!

*per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single Supplement $405

Call our friendly, experienced team to book your next touring holiday or to join one of our Uplift Tours special group departures.

1300 484 510 (07) 5513 1086

E: groups@uplifttours.com www.uplifttoursandtravel.com

Service is our Strength.

Travel is our Passion.

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SAMOA BOWLS CARNIVAL

From

$3,259*

*per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single Supplement $695

29 MAY - 06 JUNE 2020 Join former Australian Lawn Bowls coach and Commonwealth Champion, Cameron Curtis on this incredible fully hosted tour, representing outstanding value for money that will provide you with amazing opportunities to bowl, meet the locals, see the very best sights and rejuvenate Learn from the very best on the sport with your amazing tour host, as you immerse yourself in your local surrounds. The waterfalls are breathtaking, the caves are evocative, the cuisine is to-die-for and the people are fascinating. Join Cameron, as we explore this treasured island of the South Pacific for our first ever Samoan Bowls Carnival!

TERMS & CONDITIONS *Price is per person twin share. Single Supplement applies.

Credit card surcharges apply. Deposit of AUD $500-$800 per person is required to secure tour. Tour requires a minimum number of passengers to depart. Prices may fluctuate if surcharges, fee, taxes or currency change. Prices current as at 2nd December 2019 Uplift Tours and Travel in conjunction with Norfolk Select Marketing ABN: 93 367 366 822 ATAS Accreditations A10619

COOK ISLANDS PACIFIC PARADISE TOUR From

$3,559*

*per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single Supplement $775

YULEFEST IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS From

$2,779*

*per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single Supplement $360

HAWAII 50TH ANNUAL UKULELE FESTIVAL From

$5,414*

*per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single Supplement $1,995

12 - 20 JUNE 2020 Discover this untouched beauty, culture and charm of the Cook Island... matched only by the friendliness of her people. This fully inclusive escorted tour specially designed for the mature traveller offers exceptional value for money with the most authentic experiences available in the magical Cooks!

06 - 10 JULY 2020 Join us on this 5-day Yulefest short break exploring the very best of this iconic region.

This World Heritage Listed area offers some of the most unique scenery and culture attractions in NSW. Enjoy a very special Yulefest dinner, with an atmosphere of Christmas! Relax and enjoy all this iconic Australian Wilderness has on offer.

13 - 23 JULY 2020 The Hawaii Ukulele Festival this year celebrates 50 years and is the largest ukulele festival of its kind in the world.

We will experience all the festivities and immerse yourself in a little Oahu sightseeing also. So, come and join us ion this Ukulele Festival where the magic is in the music and the love that we share...

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‘‘

This very Australian getaway has all the creature comforts you need to unwind.

There’s plenty to admire on the Zodiac Trail.

FEEL THE SERENITY: Tweed Valley has much to offer. Pictures: Shirley Sinclair

Get away to the Tweed Valley Shirley Sinclair IT IS so quiet. Quiet as only the Australian bush can be.

The unmistakable laugh of far-off kookaburras breaks the prolonged silence.

Then a whipbird. Quickly, tranquillity returns, leaving only the slight rustling of leaves around us.

From our comfy chairs on the undercover veranda, the break in the eucalypts reveals a herd of dairy cows on their morning graze and a smattering of farmhouses amid grand sprawling trees below, climbing past cleared grasslands and forests to the prized vista: the summit of Wollumbin Mount Warning.

This is what we’ve been waiting for. Our arrival the previous afternoon in this rainforest canopy had been met with cloud cover and a smoky haze from distant bushfires over the border in Queensland.

But the morning breeze has cleared the air and uncovered the reason behind the name of our villa: Mountain View.

But we’re certainly not roughing it in the bush.

We’re sampling the hospitality of Mistere Spa and Retreat, Urliup, in

The undercover veranda at the aptly named Mountain View villa.

northern NSW – three spacious, luxury selfcontained villas that offer the privacy and downtime we’ve been craving.

This very Australian getaway (pronounced, aptly, like “mist” and air”) has all the creature comforts you need to unwind – from the soft sophistication of the modern four-poster bed, electric fireplace and airconditioning to the bespoke timber coffee table and warm embrace of the spa bath.

This is how to get away from it all … without being away from it all.

The “secret” retreat in the stunning Tweed Valley is hidden amid 52ha of idyllic,

Soak up the lushness from the Waterfall View villa’s spa bath.

The beautifully appointed Mountain View villa.

pristine rainforest. Yet Murwillumbah is only 10 minutes (8km) away, down and around our mountain road, then a few bends further on to the west.

Cabarita Beach – where we came from yesterday – lies only half an hour east.

A flatscreen TV, Wi-Fi and great mobile phone coverage are waiting for you – if you can’t do without them.

So are boutique shopping and restaurants in Murwillumbah (and I highly recommend Bacaro

Restaurant Bar for authentic Italian). And you could spend hours playing board games and chess or reading a host of books and tourism information.

It’s so much nicer putting down the remote control, leaving the phone in the handbag and tuning in to the wildlife, which can range from “growling” male koalas looking for mates to mountain brushtail possums to shy wallabies, cheeky goannas and water dragons, plus birdlife including owls on lamp posts, exotic parrots and tiny kingfishers.

The Urliup villas – Mountain View, Fountain View and Waterfall View – previously were known as

Wychwood but were totally cosmetically renovated to officially open on Remembrance Day (November 11) in 2017.

While Fountain View and Waterfall View sit by the perch-filled dam, Mountain View has a beautiful outlook to Wollumbin Mt Warning.

After breakfast, we decide to take a stroll on the Zodiac Trail to find our Year of the Water Tiger. It’s one of two pleasant walks that are filled with sculptures and oddities, flowering plants and massive trees.

We take our time reconnecting with nature – and each other. And in less than 24 hours, I’m ready to face the real world again.

AT A GLANCE: What: Regal Retreats’ Mistere Spa and Retreat.

Where: 1110 Urliup Rd, Urliup, NSW. The villas can be occupied by one couple for the ultimate in privacy or by groups and families.

Breakfast baskets and barbecue packs are available to buy before check-in.

Regal Retreats prides itself on unique Australian accommodation.

Info: Visit www.mistere spaandretreat.com or call 0411 052 759 to book.

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Irish luxury through the roof IF it’s luxury you’re after, there are plenty of topnotch hotels across Northern Ireland. If it’s something amazing, unusual or even eccentric, here are seven self-catering options that will fit the bill.

1. Twilight Bunkhouse, Carnlough, County Antrim Cosy indie coffee shop downstairs, comfy getaway upstairs, with views over Carnlough Harbour – or the Braavos Canal for Game of Thrones fans (the harbour was a film location for the HBO blockbuster). The two six-person dorms and two four-person private rooms come complete with kitchen, guest lounge and access to a courtyard.

2. Finn Lough Bubble Domes, County Fermanagh A cosy little bubble to call home deep in the forest of a lakeland resort. These polished, airy and 360degree glass-dome suites, with complimentary Wi-Fi, flatscreens and tea- and coffee-making facilities, mean you can stargaze the night sky on comfy seats or recline on the four-poster bed.

3. Aurora, Bushmills,

CLEAR FAVOURITE: The Finn Lough Bubble Domes lie deep in the forest of a lakeland resort.

County Antrim Hewn from Canadian cedar, this pair of deluxe log cabins comes complete with

supersized beds, wood burners, outdoor hot tubs and private verandas. Just 1.6km from the world-

famous Giant’s Causeway, there are myriad attractions to explore nearby.

4. Quarry Hill Church,

Picture: Contributed

Strangford County Down A unique opportunity to stay in a stunning converted Presbyterian church built in

1846. The spectacular fivebedroom property is at the entrance to the picturesque village of Strangford, overlooking Castleward Bay. 5. Blackrock Beach House, Portrush, County Antrim This superlative holiday home overlooks a Blue Flag beach in the seaside resort of Portrush. The best local bars and fine-dining restaurants are no further than a pleasant stroll along the promenade. This is the perfect base for exploring the Causeway Coastal Route.

6. Waterfall Caves, Limavady, County Londonderry A perfect getaway for a weekend in the outdoors, this quirky subterranean setup lies at the foot of Binevenagh Mountain. The luxury caves sleep up to four.

7. Further Space, Glenarm Castle, County Antrim A distinctive comfort zone in the grounds of a 17th-century castle, these stylish glamping pods are set on a spectacular hilltop site with breathtaking views.

Info: ireland.com.

Train of thought is taking off BRAND INSIGHTS WHEN Simon Mitchell came home one day and casually mentioned to his partner of 10 years that he bought a train, he got the rise of the eyebrows that he expected from Danielle Smith.

After all, she knew her partner had been a keen railway modeller for years.

When he mentioned that the scale of the train was actually 12” to the foot, he finally got the reaction he was looking for!

It turns out Mitchell, a retired accountant, had bought seven ex-Southern Aurora sleeping carriages from the liquidators of the Australian Railway Historical Society (ACT).

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currently form part of the Southern Aurora fleet at the NSW Rail Transport Museum, Thirlmere, and have gone on a number of rail tours over the past nine months. For at least two of these carriages, it was their first passenger-carrying service since 1994.

Mitchell and Smith have also restored a further twinette carriage at the now-reopened Canberra Rail Museum, and two Roomette carriages at Goulburn Locomotive Roundhouse.

As a team they have gone on to buy 14 carriages, to be returned to operation.

The carriages have been kept in as original condition as possible. Mitchell said: “We’re amazed that the original vinyl wallpaper has survived since 1962. We’ve really grown to appreciate the mid-century vintage appeal of these carriages.’’

The pair’s passion comes

through when they talk about the rail heritage community. “We have had tremendous support from the community, who really want to see the return of this icon of Australian rail travel,” Mitchell said.

Trading as Vintage Rail Journeys, Mitchell and Smith recently released two exciting rail tours allowing you to travel for five days and four nights, sleeping and dining on the train and covering 1500km around rural and regional NSW. “We really wanted our guests to see everything possible, so we only travel during daylight hours,’’ Mitchell said. “We stable the train at night at rail stations, and it is quite a challenge finding somewhere to park up a 400m-long, shiny stainless-steel train.

“Our guests tell us they want to get out of the city and into the bush, so we

have developed a northern loop (Golden West Rail Tour) and a southern loop (Riverina Rail Tour).’’

Both tours start at the iconic Sydney Central railway station. The Golden West Rail Tour goes north to the Hawkesbury River, the Hunter Valley, Orange and the Blue Mountains and then back to Sydney. The Riverina Rail Tour goes south, along the Illawarra line, up the escarpment to Moss Vale and on to Goulburn. Time is spent in Griffith, Temora (featuring Warbirds Downunder 2020) and the Blue Mountains before returning to Sydney.

Mitchell and Smith have sourced caterers from the areas the train will travel through. They have engaged a wine consultant who will travel on the train and assist guests with tastings.

The response from the travelling public has

MOVING EXPERIENCE: Simon Mitchell aboard one of the trains in his Vintage Rail business.

Picture: Contributed

reflected the desire to visit the bush, with the first Golden West Rail Tour, on April 1-5, being sold out.

Tickets for the Golden

West Rail Tour on September 9-13 and Riverina Rail Tour on October 14-18 are on sale now. www. vintage railjourneys .com.au.

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Warming to hip Hobart’s culture club

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ECLECTIC MIX: The panoramic view of thriving Hobart from Mount Nelson.

Pictures: Erle Levey

Art, music add to southern belle’s core appeal Erle Levey THERE’S more to Tasmania than apples, wine and seafood. The island state to the south of the Australian mainland is full of cultural surprises, whether it be art, music or architecture.

And as well as the worldfamous Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race, there is another link to an even greater journey … a link to man’s landing on the moon.

It’s something I quickly discovered after an earlymorning mystery flight from Brisbane in late November.

Just pack a jumper, walking shoes and an iPhone, I was told. No need for a passport.

That narrowed the destination down to Victoria, South Australia or Tasmania. Arriving at Gate 38, departures were either Melbourne or Hobart.

Hobart it was.

In a little more than two hours we were off the east coast of this southernmost part of Australia and starting the approach to Hobart International Airport.

Even though it’s virtually the start of summer there is a chill in the air on leaving the terminal. And I’m glad there is a woollen beanie to pull on. After all, next landfall is Antarctica.

Everything feels fresh.

Friendly. After the novel greeting of life-size replicas of the native wildlife at the luggage collection area in the airport terminal, the drive into Hobart is mostly through bushland or rolling farming country.

The approach to the Derwent River Bridge opens up the beautiful view of the city on both sides of the glacial-formed river and deep harbour. The backdrop is the majestic Mount Wellington, known as kunanyi by the first people, the Muwinina. Hobart is easy

to love. And to get around in. It’s such a walkable city for the most part.

You only need a car for day trips to such locations as the wineries of the Coal Valley, historic Port Arthur Convict Settlement, the wooden boats centre in the Huon Valley or to the summit of Mount Wellington.

There is the magnificent Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) to explore, the coastline of Bruny Island and so many walks.

You don’t expect it to snow on the first night in summer. You don’t expect to stumble upon an art exhibition opening on your way to dinner.

You don’t expect to experience the strings section of a symphony

orchestra playing to a packed house at a brewery.

There’s a lot to Hobart you don’t expect … and that’s part of its charm.

Hobart is easy to love … even when the weather turns cold and grey.

To see the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra at Hobart Brewing’s Red Shed at Mac Point was something to warm the soul. It was simply an 800m walk from the Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel, near Victoria Dock.

Despite the soft rain and chill wind the atmosphere was warm at the brewery.

Flannelette shirts and Blundstone boots were the order of the night as the sold-out crowd readily warmed to the unusual blending of an exceptional orchestra in such an industrial setting.

Pot-belly stoves inside, open fires in the courtyard and the talk from the bar area added to the sense of occasion.

The TSO is based right in the heart of Hobart. It is widely travelled throughout Australia and the most played on ABC Classic FM. Tonight the strings section will be playing everything from Elgar to Lady Gaga.

On Saturday night is another sold-out event with the orchestra’s brass section performing at St David’s Anglican Cathedral, about another 800m up the hill in Murray Street.

The TSO reaches a broad cross-section of listeners with free outdoor concerts in Hobart and Launceston, and performs in regional Tasmania, schools and community centres as well as these events that started three years ago to reach out to new audiences.

As marketing director Sam Cairnduff says, they are looking at different ways to take music out there.

“We are going through our most successful period in 71 years. While subscriptions around the country are challenging, ours are going up year on year.

“We are pretty much getting right around the state, and around Australia.

“A specialty is Australian composers. We have recorded more than any other orchestra.

“We have championed a lot of composers. Our

The Cascades Female Factory, a former Australian workhouse for female convicts.

Australian conductors’ workshop is a pipeline for aspiring conductors to build skills.’’

Tasmania’s food and wine are celebrated for their quality, especially its seafood. And there are so many good places to eat in the city.

Walking back from the brewery, we stop at the Drunken Admiral, right on Victoria Dock.

I had wondered about it, being in such a convenient position. Would it be a tourist place? Friends had all talked about it, including those who had lived in Hobart. Yet fears of it being impersonal were quickly dismissed as soon as we walked through the door.

It was a step back in time … to the inside of an old sailing ship with bowsprits, figureheads, heavy timber tables, all sorts of nautical bits and pieces such as

Tasmania Symphony Orchestra Strings at the Red Shed, Hobart Brewing Company.

shackles, ropes and chains, old sails, and gimballed navigation lights.

Everywhere you looked was like being in an antiques shop.

It was busy … and despite it being a cold night the welcoming was warm. We were happy to sit up at the bar and grab a drink while ordering.

The rum barrel behind the bar reminded you of what it must have been like in the time of sail.

Bruny Island oysters are arguably the best you will taste, then there’s the scallops, the seafood chowder, crusty bread … and a Tasmanian red.

To finish we walked around the waterfront to the floating Van Diemens Land Creamery.

The city fronts the River Derwent, so it has not just a nautical past but it is still part of its seafaring culture.

Constitution Dock, famous for the finish of the SydneyHobart Yacht Race, is also home to sailing ships from Tasmania’s past.

The sailing vessel May Queen, Australia’s oldest sail trading vessel, is one of only a handful of wooden vessels of her era still afloat in the world.

Westward is a fishing vessel that was converted to a racing yacht and claimed handicap victories in the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Races of both 1947 and 1948.

Recently, the SydneyHobart pioneer Mistral II has joined the fleet, in preparation for a major restoration to take several years.

Being able to virtually walk everywhere in Hobart adds to the intimacy of the city. Such as enjoying the Salamanca Markets of a Saturday morning, on the western side of the

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It’s well worth the walk up to Battery Point for the stunning surrounds and gorgeous views.

‘‘

There’s a lot to Hobart you don’t expect … and that’s part of its charm.

The Jackman and McRoss Bakery is a Battery Point highlight – one of the rewards for visiting the area.

waterfront. And then to walk up to Battery Point and places such as Jackman and McRoss Bakery, or on to the Shipwright’s Arms Hotel for a counter meal, particularly of a Thursday for the jazz night.

Shippies, as it is known, was established in 1846 and remains a traditional oldschool pub complete with nautical mementos and pictures to celebrate its history. Yet Hobart also has a host of interesting places within easy reach, whether it be by car, tour or ferry.

Mt Wellington, the dramatic backdrop to the city, is 1270 metres high, and climbed in 1798 by surgeon and explorer George Bass.

You can drive up, walk up or take a bike tour. Yet the weather can change quickly … from sunshine to cloud and scotch mist in minutes.

But the view is enormous.

Stop at the convict

women’s factory in South Hobart to get a glimpse of the harsh conditions the prisoners found themselves in during the 1800s.

Catch the ferry out to MONA, a remarkable art gallery cut into the sandstone cliffs and privately funded by Tasmanian David Walsh.

Allow time to discover what’s there as there is a remarkable backstory about how it came about.

Although it is not publicly funded it has earned such a name that virtually everyone who goes to Hobart probably experiences it …

400,000 visitors a year.

Set in the grounds of Moorilla Winery, the oldest in Tasmania, and on the banks of the Derwent, MONA has made a giant difference to the Tasmanian economy. Art and wine … both need even temperatures and controlled

light to preserve them at their best. MONA was built in 2011 with the philosophy that arts and culture should always be accessible.

A bit further out is Richmond in the Coal Valley, the perfect place to wander through the wineries, try the food and sketch the secondmost photographed bridge in Australia.

Standing among the rows of grapevines at Frogmore Creek Winery, the shape of the Mount Pleasant radio telescope provides a juxtaposition. Something from the future in such an old landscape.

Now run by the University of Tasmania, it had been part of the deep-space research program of the 1960s.

It had been the Orroral Valley radio telescope to the south of Canberra and was the first deep-space tracking station. That was before

nearby Honeysuckle Creek and then Parkes, in the central west of New South Wales, became forever etched in history as the sites to relay the first televised pictures of the moon landing … the “one step for man, one giant step for mankind’’.

Between mountain and sea, Australia’s southernmost state capital is wrapped up in history, culture, adventure and the natural environment. Hobart is timeless. Such clean air, good food and interesting landscapes.

Even the story of Tasmania is somewhat of an adventure. The first reported sighting of Tasmania by a European was on November 24, 1642, by the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who named the island Anthoonij van Diemenslandt, later shortened to Van Diemen’s Land.

The square-rigged sailing ship Yukon at Franklin in the Huon Valley.

The 1846-built Shipwright's Arms Hotel at Battery Point.

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Perth’s worth easy to savour IN BRIEF ENJOY all-inclusive Perth touring at its best, featuring the Margaret River, Pinnacles Desert, Swan River lunch cruise, Fremantle, special lunches, a magnificent cruise and more.

The Discover Australia tour spans six days in Perth, with flights, Western Australia luxury touring, the cruise, accommodation, breakfast daily, other meals and personalised transfers included.

Admire the remarkable moonscape of the Pinnacles Desert, the world-famous Margaret River region, the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere, Busselton jetty and the bohemian port town of Fremantle and enjoy a special lunch cruise down the iconic Swan River.

Discover Australia’s packages are wonderful for senior and solo travellers and those with some mobility limitations.

The package costs $1532 per person, twin share.

Info: www.discover australia.com.au or phone 1800 519 678.

MEXICAN FEAST HAS SCENIC ‘SIDE DISHES’ EXPERIENCE Mexico’s distinctive cuisine while travelling through Oaxaca, Puebla, Huatulco and Mexico City.

Meander through Oaxaca’s aromatic markets, take to the streets of Puebla to sample the city’s local specialties, indulge in fresh seafood on the beach and take to the streets of Mexico City on a taco crawl to experience a culinary heritage that goes back thousands of years.

If you’re after cultural richness, authentic experiences and flavoursome food that’s tinged with fiesta, this Real Food Adventure is for you.

In Oaxaca you’ll enter the heart of pre-Hispanic cuisine – taste chillies, chocolate, mezcal and the surprisingly delicious chapulines (grasshoppers).

Take a guided “taco crawl’’ through Mexico City’s bustling markets.

A Pacific Ocean boating expedition followed by a

The beautiful Margaret River area has so much to offer, with local wine a favourite.

CAPITAL IDEA: Perth is the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding region.

coastal cuisine master class on one of Mexico’s stunning beaches is the perfect way to wrap up your culinary adventure.

While Intrepid Travel tries to cater for specific dietary requirements, some meals and food activities are set in advance and may be difficult to adjust. If you have dietary requirements, contact your agent at the time of booking for information on how this may impact on your ability to take part in included activities and meals.

You will be covering a fair amount of ground on this trip, so be prepared for some driving. Mexico is a big country, however there’s only one very long bus trip (about nine hours) from Oaxaca to Huatulco.

The price for the nine-day trip is $2230 per adult, twin share.

Info: www.intrepidtravel. com.au or phone 1300 574 321.

US ROAD TRIP: SEE BEST OF THE WEST SKYSCRAPERS, sequoias and impossibly big skies await you in the US West.

This 15-day tour through the urban and natural wonders of California, Arizona and Nevada is perfect for travellers who want to inject a little downtown energy into their out-of-town escapes.

In the cities, you’ll traverse the concrete jungle by day with an expert CEO (chief experience officer)

Pictures: Contributed

Revel in the fresh Welsh air on a picturesque walking track.

Picture: Contributed

Up-market shopping on Rodeo Drive is an LA highlight.

and overnight in hotels and hostels.

You’ll marvel at the Grand Canyon and the giant sequoias of Yosemite before diving into a barbecue dinner and camping.

Highlights are stargazing in Los Angeles, marvelling at a Grand Canyon sunset, opting to spend a night in dramatic Monument Valley, taking a chance in Las Vegas, camping under the stars and hiking in Yosemite.

Included are accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Info: www.statravel.com.

au/tours-on-sale.htm or phone 1300 735 277.

to St Davids in the south.

Travel through rolling hills, rocky mountain passes and along the magical coastline.

The tour, rated moderate to challenging, encompasses a range of natural and cultural wonders.

Throughout the experience you will be listening to stories of local

history and culture from local guides, with the chance to explore some of the hidden gems of Wales.

You will walk to see the limestone and dolomite cliffs at Great Orme’s Head and visit the walled town of Conwy (where you can see “the Smallest House in Great Britain”). Along the way, you’ll see castles, including Castell Dolbadarn and Castell Coch. There is also the chance to enter Carreg Cennen castle, perched on a limestone outcrop.

The departure point is in Manchester and from there you travel to the small town of Penrhyn Bay on the northern coast of Wales.

Towards the end of the trip there is the opportunity to explore Cardiff with a guided day tour before finishing in London.

The price is from $US5310 ($8116) twin share and the tour runs from August 8–20.

This trip is paired with Odyssey’s Walking Tour of Ireland and the Lake District, offered to the active mature walker. The number of participants in this tour will be 12 or fewer, with the addition of an Odyssey program leader.

Info: www.odyssey traveller.com/tours/walkingwales or phone 1300 888 225.

SPECTACULAR WALK IN WALES AWAITS THE Exploring Wales on Foot tour is a small-group walking tour designed for mature travellers.

On this 11-night tour, travel by coach across the length of Wales with the chance to walk up to 15km a day. The paths selected will take you through some of the most spectacular scenery in the country.

The tour takes you from Betwys-y-Coed in the north

San Francisco's iconic Golden Gate Bridge is admired by thousands of tourists every year.

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Look health in the eye LONG-TERM vision disorders affected 93 per cent of people aged 55 and older in 2017-18, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s Eye Health Web Report.

Of course, there are many eye conditions that affect people at various stages of life and these often depend on genetic, congenital and lifestyle factors.

According to Daniel Cornelius from Clearly.com.au, the most common to impact ageing Australians are: • Presbyopia, or “the ageing eye’’, the effects of which we will all experience from the age of about 40 as a normal part of growing older. This condition affects the ability of the eye to change focus from far to near. The onset may vary slightly depending on the lifestyle and environment where people grow up and spend most of their time before the age of 40.

• Cataracts: Just like presbyopia, developing

cataracts is a normal part of ageing and is not always classified as an eye disease.

Cataracts occur when the crystalline lens of the eye starts to lose its transparency.This condition is dealt with by extraction of the opacified crystalline lens of the eye and replacing it with a clear artificial lens.

• Glaucoma – a condition whereby the optic nerve of the eye progressively becomes damaged. This is often associated with high pressure in the eye. The loss of vision typically occurs in the peripheral sight and often goes undetected. In most cases, this condition can be treated successfully.

Unfortunately, glaucoma remains one of the major causes of blindness in the world. This is because the condition has no or very few symptoms in the initial stages and it is probably the most under-diagnosed of serious eye diseases.

• Age-related macular degeneration: This is among the major causes of

19

Wellbeing

EYE-CARE TIPS

BE WATCHFUL: Glaucoma is a silent disease that develops slowly, experts say.

blindness in Australia. It typically affects central vision. There are two types of age-related macular degeneration: dry and wet.

Dry macular degeneration typically progresses very slowly and does not often

result in legal blindness.

Unfortunately, there are currently no treatments for this condition.

• Diabetic retinal disease: There has been a dramatic increase in type 2 diabetes among the ageing

population of the world, leading to a radical increase in diabetic retinopathy. The risk of developing these retinal complications greatly increase with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

• Visit your optometrist at least yearly.

• Consult your optometrist as soon as you notice a difference in your vision.

• Have the right ‘tool’ for the task. In today’s visually demanding world, it makes sense to optimise your vision for specific tasks.

• Consider contact lenses as an alternative to wearing your prescription glasses.

• Maintain A healthy weight: exercise and diet help prevent diabetes and high blood pressure.

Managing the risk for related eye disease requires a multidisciplinary approach, with regular screening for retinal disease recommended.

Dementia and drinking link is targeted CLARIFYING the relationship between alcohol use and dementia is just one of 19 new projects that will share in $1.5 million in grants to conduct groundbreaking dementia research.

Dr Louise Mewton from UNSW Sydney’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) was awarded a $75,000 Dementia Australia Research Foundation Pilot Grant, sponsored by the Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration, and

will use the funding to clarify the relationship between low to moderate alcohol use and the risk of dementia.

“This world-first study combines innovative, stateof the-art research methods to address two of the largest contributors to the global disease burden: dementia and alcohol use,” she said.

“To date, the relationships between these two key causes of death and disability have been underresearched and overlooked.

It is critical that we have a better understanding of how alcohol use is related to agerelated diseases such as dementia.

“This research will uncover innovative avenues for dementia prevention through the development of age-appropriate, evidencebased recommendations on the number of standard drinks per week associated with minimal dementia risk.”

The chair of the Dementia Australia Research

Foundation, Professor Graeme Samuel (AC), said the grants provided support to early and mid-career researchers who wanted to make a difference in the field of dementia.

“This next generation of talented researchers will be among those tackling some of the biggest challenges in this field. These grants provide vital insights into reducing dementia risk, improving accurate and timely diagnoses and

establishing treatment and care options for people who live with dementia,” he said.

“With the number of people living with dementia expected to increase to almost 1.1 million by 2058, research into dementia is now more urgent than ever.

“Further, the broad range of projects supported, including nanotechnology, hip-fracture prevention, enhancing cognition with exercise and personalising care through music, reflect

CRUCIAL LINK: New research is looking into how alcohol use relates to dementia.

Picture: Contributed

the increased diversity and quality of research in the dementia space across Australia.’’

Eye Care with Care

Dr Isabel McLean M.B.B.S. (Melb), F.R.A.N.Z.C.O Ophthalmologist (Eye Surgeon)

(07) 4153 4490 302 Bourbong Street ~ Bundaberg

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WELLBEING

MARCH, 2020// SENIORS

Bowls-mad pair on a roll

Living

Deep and everlasting love keeps John and Val together for 65 years A DANCE brought them together, bowls drew them to Hervey Bay, and a deep and abiding love has kept them together for 65 years.

John and Val (Valma) D’Arcy grew up in Melbourne, where they first met at a local dance. But it was three years before the couple went on their first date, and another three until they were married in St Monica’s Church, Footscray, on March 5, 1955.

Twelve months after they put a deposit on a small home in Sunshine, Victoria, Marita, the first of their four children, was born. Over the next eight years their family grew to include twins Robyn and Garry, followed by son David.

John, 90, and Val, 86, are avid bowlers, and Val has enjoyed a successful career in the game, with countless titles to her name, including being crowned Victorian champion. In 1987, while on

The D'Arcys mark their milestone at New Horizons.

PERFECT MATCH: Bowls identities John and Val D'Arcy have celebrated 65 years of marriage.

a caravanning holiday in Queensland, it was a fortuitous bowls game, The Ten Thousand Tournament at the Sunshine Coast, that introduced them to Hervey Bay. “Little did we know what

a turning point in our lives that would be,” John said.

It was a winning decision for the D’Arcys in more ways than one. During their stay, a business opportunity presented itself through the tournament’s sponsor,

Urimbirra Village.

Val recalls there was an animal sanctuary attached to Urimbirra and an adjoining piece of land was available.

“It was ideal for a plant nursery and we decided to put down roots in Hervey

Bay and start our own business (Possum Paradise),” she said.

A decade later they sold the Boundary Road business and relished the freedom to play their beloved bowls.

The couple have been active members of Hervey Bay Bowls Club for more than 30 years, during which John was president for two years and Val notched up six A-grade singles titles. Val continues to play.

Since making New Horizons Villas their home last April they’ve declared it their best move ever.

The D’Arcys are now proud “grandies’’, with five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

They are still devoted to each other and if you ask them the secret to a long and happy marriage, the first word that comes to their lips is “respect”.

It only takes one look to see that the girl who bowled over John D’Arcy at that dance cares for him as tenderly now as she did 65 years ago, and in turn he credits her with the success of their rich and fulfilling life together.

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50 years’ service to seniors GEOFF CROCKETT

PROUD MILESTONE: Celebrating Suncare Community Services’ 50 years of operation are Suncare members Mario Pennisi, Russell Mason, Lyndon Davis and Sara Walker.

STAFF, customers, volunteers and local dignitaries turned out in force to mark the beginning of celebrations as Suncare Community Services celebrates its 50th year.

CEO Russell Mason told a crowd of about 150 people the event was a chance to say thank you to those who had worked hard to build the service from its beginnings as Meals on Wheels Maroochydore in 1970 to today’s organisation with more than 350 employees and 3000 customers.

Mr Mason paid tribute to the founders of the organisation and the dedicated staff who delivered every day on the vision of “making people’s lives better”.

He also launched a commemorative book that honours the 50-year history of the organisation by sharing stories of customers

A crowd of about 150 turned out to help Suncare launch its 50th anniversary celebrations at Maroochydore.

who have been involved in the journey.

Mr Mason said Suncare would continue to grow in 2020 and look for innovative ways to provide the best service possible to its customers, making the most of digital innovation along the way.

State Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson officially launched the celebrations, praising those present for taking the lofty aspiration of looking after people in the community and actually

caring enough to find ways to make it happen every day.

Suncare Community Services has grown from its Maroochydore beginnings to now offer a wide range of personal in-home services along with community centre-based activities for seniors at the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay and North Lakes.

For more information about the commemorative book or Suncare, visit suncare.org.au.

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LIVING

MARCH, 2020//

Author tackles grief with all her heart Melissa Seiler WHEN author Jacqueline Henry first told a friend she had an idea to write a book about grief, she was met with a little scepticism.

“She said, ‘Oh, that sounds a bit dark’– which is why you shouldn’t tell people your ideas!’,” Ms Henry said.

“But it’s not. For me it’s about accepting grief, and grief is the price of love.’’

The Whole Heart tells the endearing tale of a little girl who has lost her grandfather, and seeks help from a man at a repair shop to “fix’’ her heart.

That moment of bravery

unfolds into a journey exploring the very nature of the human heart, and its different meanings to people riding the rollercoaster of emotions that are grief and heartbreak – and the wish to feel “whole’’ again.

Queenslander Ms Henry had spent the best part of 25 years working to realise her long-held dream of being an author.

After originally completing a degree in sociology, she started writing articles and stories in the 1980s, turning her attention to children’s picture books and junior school readers when she had her three sons in the 1990s.

Do you feel your rights are being respected?

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

Are any of the following scenarios happening to you?

SENIORS

FAMILY AFFAIR: Author Jacqueline Henry with her mother, Agnes Hough, at the launch of Ms Henry's book, The Whole Heart.

“I got rejection letter after rejection letter, and that’s when I thought, I’m taking myself back to uni,” she said.

A postgraduate Diploma in Journalism led to a job writing for a community newspaper – where her determination grew stronger.

“Everyone I met was doing something amazing … they were artists, or releasing their first book or album, or they were 80 and running for the environment,” Ms Henry said.

“I thought, well what am I doing? So I started writing.”

• Being told that you can’t make any decisions for yourself because you have had a diagnosis of dementia.

• Being pressured into entering a nursing home when you’re not ready.

• Being frightened to voice your needs/concerns.

• Carers or family members borrowing money and not paying you back.

• Adult children moving in with you and refusing to pay rent.

The Seniors Legal and Support Service offers a FREE service for people over 60 whose rights are being compromised.

6998812am

22

The light-bulb moment for The Whole Heart came on a seemingly ordinary journey four years ago.

“My son and I play this game ‘what trade is that truck?’,” Ms Henry recalled.

“I was driving along and I was behind this truck. It was old and it had the extension cords, a generator and power tools, things dangling off it … and I was thinking, I bet this is an old guy, I bet he could fix anything except a broken heart.

“By the time I’d reached my destination, I had the whole concept in my head.”

As for the very personal subject of grief, Ms Henry said it was something she by no means claimed to be an expert on.

“When you tell people you’re writing a book about grief, they tell you their story. My observation is, everybody experiences it so differently.

“I know people say they’re afraid of making others cry – but I don’t think you can. If you bring up someone they’ve lost and then they cry, it’s because they’re remembering them.

It’s a complicated thing.

“You can lose someone in different ways – they could

move away, they could leave you, they could die, they could get dementia. As someone said to me the other day, they could be there, but they’re not the person you’ve spent your whole life with.”

Launching the book recently, surrounded by family and friends, Ms Henry thanked her now grown-up sons Tom, Will and Harry Husson, and her mother, Agnes Hough, 85, for their “love and light” during the long journey to publication.

But perhaps the biggest fan of her book is her threeyear-old granddaughter.

“Over Christmas, I read it

The Whole Heart, the debut work by Jacqueline Henry, explores the different ways in which people are affected by grief.

to her every day, and she loves it. She points to the new heart and says, ‘That’s my heart, Ma, I love that heart’.

“When I wrote the book, my dream for it was that someone might hold it against their heart and it might give them a little bit of comfort, thinking ‘Yes, I would rather remember’.”

The book is available for purchase at thewholeheart .com.au.

6/16 Torquay Road, Pialba | 07 4124 6863 SEWE01Z01MA - V1

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Give web fraudsters the flick CYBERSECURITY is a real threat to everyone, from millennials who are afflicted with ‘‘optimism bias’’, through to seniors who lack general cybersecurity knowledge.

According to the ACCC, scammers cost Australians half a billion dollars in 2018, via various schemes including internet-enabled theft, fraud, and exploitation, so it is important for those who didn’t grow up with technology to protect themselves from some of the most common types of online fraud.

Nick FitzGerald, senior research fellow at ESET, said: “Optimism bias, loneliness, and deteriorating cognitive abilities are key leverage points that scammers use to target their victims. By understanding the potential risks and identifying the signs, those who grew up without technology can better protect themselves in 2020.”

Cybersecurity experts at ESET have outlined some tips to keep all internet users, including seniors, safe

from common types of online scams.

1. Be sceptical Never assume that a stranger online is a trustworthy person. Always consider the possibility that any unexpected message may be a scam attempt, noting anything unusual about the message or sender. Additionally, caution should still be exercised if the message comes (or seems to come) from someone well known via email, instant messaging apps or social media. If in doubt, throw it out.

2. Don’t click It’s important to never automatically assume that any material received out of the blue is authentic, no matter how official it looks.

One of the most pervasive online cons, phishing, usually begins with an unsolicited email or social media message in which the fraudster impersonates a trusted entity using social engineering techniques, and attempts to persuade the victim to hand over sensitive data, such as credit card details or login credentials.

3. Say no to ‘freebies’

Fraudsters have also been known to send emails congratulating people on their “win’’ in a lottery or sweepstake that they never entered, or as the apparent only remaining relative of a y wealthy person who is genuinely deceased.

Asking for personal details, requesting small payments and instilling a sense of urgency are all signs of a scam.

4. Never wire money to strangers Some $60.5 million was lost by Australians in 2018 to dating and romance fraud.

Victims are tricked into sending money or personal information to a false admirer, making lonely seniors particularly susceptible.

5. Hang up Tech support fraud is a common technique where the con artist advises potential victims that their computers have been compromised by malware.

Never give remote access to a device unless you called a help desk directly, even if the caller claims to represent a reputable vendor or your ISP.

STAY ALERT: Scammers could be lurking behind your next email, so be aware of the signs and never give out your personal details.

Picture: Contributed

Mortgage woes put squeeze on seniors

DEBT DURESS: Many seniors struggling to meet their home loan repayments, particularly women, are also battling mental health problems.

Picture: Contributed

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IT’S tough on young people paying off housing debt, but older mortgagees have it nailed, right?

Maybe not.

At a time when seniors are expected to be downsizing and moving away from the worries of high debt, many are joining their children buying into the so-called great Australian dream.

Incredibly, real mortgage debt of the over 55s jumped 600 per cent between 1987 and 2015.

National Seniors Australia says research has found that while house prices tripled and debt levels increased, income or the means to pay the debt lagged.

The Australian Housing and Urban Research

Institute (AHURI) research found the ratio of average mortgage debt to income for over 55s tripled from 71 per cent to 211 in the 28 years to 2015.

Facing repayment difficulties, older mortgagees report lower mental health and high psychological distress than older outright owners.

Women generally have lower levels of mental health and higher levels of psychological distress than male mortgagees.

Their personal wellbeing is also more sensitive to their personal circumstances.

Women have longer life expectancies than men, are more likely to experience career interruptions and are less inclined than men to

remarry following a marital breakdown.

Older female mortgagees face multiple challenges.

There is a perceived need to carefully design policies and programs that provide adequate support for women at risk of housing insecurity and poverty in old age.

Another sobering prediction is that Demand for Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) is projected to rise by 60 per cent, from 414,000 in 2016 to 664,000 in 2031.

The unmet demand for public housing from private renters aged 55 or over is expected to rise by 78 per cent – from 200,000 to 440,000 households – between 2016 and 2031.

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MONEY

Money GENEROUS Australian seniors are being taken advantage of to the tune of thousands by overseas online scammers and con artists.

These scammers are taking seniors for a ride and no one is stopping them.

Michael Jones, online security expert from Aussie Watch Dogs, said Aussie seniors were particularly vulnerable due to their generous natures and relative naivety online.

“Younger Australians are more likely to do a little bit of research before hitting the donate button. They’re also much better at picking up on seemingly obvious scams,” Mr Jones said.

“This problem exists because a lot of people don’t have time to help their grandparents and parents with their computers.

“Another major issue is that sometimes seniors feel embarrassed about being

MARCH, 2020//

Cost of generous natures ripped off, and don’t want to tell anyone. This can be fixed by educating our seniors around how to spot dodgy offers and fake donation campaigns.”

“This ends up creating a perfect storm where the scammers can target Aussie seniors with impunity, they actually have call centres set up overseas specifically to target our elderly.”

Mr Jones gave these tips to stay safe online: • Check the spelling of any emails received. Would a bank or a large charity send you an email with terrible spelling? The answer is no.

• Look at the quality of the website or Instagram or Facebook post. Again, this sounds simple but it’s amazing how many people miss it. A sure sign of an online scam is a poorly worded website or offer.

• If in doubt, leave it out: before you buy anything, seek another opinion.

LOOK CLOSELY: Don’t accept all online approaches at face value.

Coronavirus: ‘Black swan’ is no reason to hit panic button Paul Clitheroe IN the world of investing, a “black swan’’ is an unpredictable event with the potential for serious consequences. Right now, some commentators are saying the outbreak of coronavirus in China is a black swan.

Without doubt, the spread of coronavirus has been astounding.

First identified in December 2019, the number of cases has risen to more than 20,000 as I write in early February. Very sadly, hundreds of people have succumbed to the virus.

While comparisons have been made with the SARS outbreak of 2003, the impact of coronavirus is quite different. It has spread more rapidly, though thankfully, with fewer fatalities.

In our highly interconnected global economy, investors don’t have to hold overseas assets

SENIORS

to feel the financial impact of coronavirus.

China is by far Australia’s biggest trading partner, accounting for one-quarter of our global trade.

China also buys close to 25 per cent of our coal exports, and is our No. 1 source of tourists.

In addition, 150,000 of Australia’s 400,000 overseas students hail from China.

So it’s not hard to see how the outbreak of coronavirus can impact on Australia’s economy as well as listed companies across a variety of industries.

Despite some jitters, the Aussie sharemarket has held relatively steady since the start of 2020.

That said, many investors may be uncertain about how they should respond.

My first thoughts are to take care of your health.

That means following government health directives and adopting sensible precautions if you’re travelling.

Coronavirus is a “black swan’’ of the investment world.

In terms of your investment portfolio, I’m not convinced that you need to take any steps at all – provided your investments are framed with your longterm needs, personal goals and tolerance for risk in mind.

Let me stress, I am not discounting the tragic loss of life – nor the suffering of those who have contracted the virus.

And I certainly don’t have

a crystal ball that shows just how far coronavirus may spread.

What I do know is that mankind has faced unprecedented health crises in the past – everything from SARS, MERS, swine flu and Ebola.

For the victims and their families, the human toll has been dreadful.

But for economies and sharemarkets, the recovery process has often been swift once the outbreak has been contained.

The upshot is that a black swan shouldn’t derail your long-term investment plans – as long as you have ticked all the boxes for low-cost investments that you’re comfortable with and which have the potential to help you achieve personal goals.

– Paul Clitheroe is chairman of InvestSMART, chairman of the Australian Government Financial Literacy Board and chief commentator for Money Magazine.

Take the ‘crisis’ out of your healthcare by stating choices SEVENTY-YEAR-OLD Robert enjoys his active life, despite having severe emphysema.

Recently Robert’s daughter, Melanie, found her father on the floor of his apartment, blue and only semi-conscious.

Melanie rang the emergency telephone number, 000.

During the ambulance ride to the hospital, she was panicking because she did not have any of her father’s paperwork and was not sure what to do.

Fortunately for Melanie and the hospital medical professionals, Robert had documented his healthcare wishes in an advance care plan.

The doctors quickly accessed Robert’s Statement of Choices through his hospital electronic medical record and read he wanted all reasonable measures tried to restore him to his active life.

Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a process of communicating your wishes, values, beliefs and future healthcare preferences with your family, friends and healthcare providers.

Planning ahead in this crucial manner assists those close to you make healthcare decisions on your behalf, if you are unable to, helping to ensure your wishes are respected.

During Advance Care Planning Week, which runs from March 23-27, learn how ACP can empower you to make your future healthcare wishes known.

The Office of Advance Care Planning – Queensland Health, provides a valuable free and confidential service for all Queenslanders.

For more information, simply visit the website – mycaremy-choices.com .au – or phone 1300 007 227.

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PUZZLES

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ACROSS 1 Which drug took its name from the Greek god of dreams? (8) 7 What were Carl Perkins’s blue shoes made of? (5) 8 In the Bond film Goldeneye, which dame played M? (4,5) 9 Ja is a South African exclamation for what? (3) 10 In Australian slang, what is a fraudulent or dishonest act? (4) 11 What is a group of lines forming a unit of a poem? (6) 13 Which character in Only Fools and Horses was played

by John Challis? (6) 14 Which US state has towns called Livengood, Wiseman and Ruby? (6) 17 Which country was known as British Honduras until 1973? (6) 18 If you nictitate at someone, what do you do? (4) 20 Which river flows through Wales to England, where it joins the Severn? (3) 22 Bee Gees Maurice and Robin Gibb were born on which island? (4,2,3) 23 Which synthetic textile fabric is made from cellulose?

(5) 24 What animal is painted on Qantas aircraft? (8)

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SUDOKU

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

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

2

3

4

14/3

DOUBLECROSS

5

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8 9

DOWN 1 Which military officer ranks immediately below a lieutenant colonel? (5) 2 What name for the Soviet Union’s troops was dropped in 1946? (3,4) 3 Speakers’ Corner is in which London Park? (4) 4 At what age does one become an nonagenerian? (6) 5 Mau Maus tried to end British rule in which country? (5) 6 In The Merchant of Venice, who is Shylock’s daughter?

(7) 7 In English, what is the only one-word anagram of the word English? (7) 12 In medieval Europe, what was a peasant personally bound to his lord? (7) 13 What is a beer factory? (7) 15 Before playing Tarzan in films, what did Johnny Weissmuller gain fame as? (7) 16 What deciduous shrub with funnel-like flowers tolerates dry conditions? (6) 17 Who (___ Reid) starred in the 1968 film The Killing of Sister George? (5) 19 What form of Japanese fencing involves bamboo swords? (5) 21 What is the monetary unit of Vietnam? (4)

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

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Down 1. Shortens, reduces (8) 2. Squander (5) 4. Make an offer (3) 5. Deserving scorn (12) 6. Determination (7) 7. Pronounces (4) 8. Return (12) 12. Stir violently (5) 13. Castle (8) 15. Extremist (7) 19. Banish (5) 20. Defeat (4) 22. Crazed (3)

Across 1. Hood (4) 3. Disguises (8) 9. Deceive (7) 10. Unpleasant (5) 11. Without warning (12) 14. Mythical woodland creature (3) 16. Fit out (5) 17. Self-esteem (3) 18. Stubborn, unyielding (12) 21. Frequently (5) 22. Feeling of discomfort or unease (7) 23. Follows, comes after (8) 24. Church seats (4) SOLUTIONS

5x5 P E S K Y

ALPHAGRAMS: GAPED, HASTEN, INFESTS, JINGOIST, KITTENISH. GK CROSSWORD Across: 1 Morphine, 7 Suede, 8 Judi Dench, 9 Yes, 10 Rort, 11 Stanza, 13 Boycie, 14 Alaska, 17 Belize, 18 Wink, 20 Wye, 22 Isle of Man, 23 Rayon, 24 Kangaroo.

Down: 1 Major, 2 Red Army, 3 Hyde, 4 Ninety, 5 Kenya, 6 Jessica, 7 Shingle, 12 Villein, 13 Brewery, 15 Swimmer, 16 Azalea, 17 Beryl, 19 Kendo, 21 Dong.

QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 1. Cowl 3. Obscures 9. Mislead 10. Nasty 11. Unexpectedly 14. Elf 16.

Equip 17. Ego 18. Intransigent 21. Often 22. Malaise 23. Succeeds 24. Pews.

Down: 1. Commutes 2. Waste 4. Bid 5. Contemptible 6. Resolve 7. Says 8.

Reappearance 12. Churn 13. Fortress 15. Fanatic 19. Exile 20. Loss 22. Mad.

E

I D E A S

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S R

TODAY: Good 19 Very Good 28 Excellent 33

R I D E S

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

T R I P E

WORD GO ROUND

V1 - SEWE01Z01MA

S P A S M

DOUBLECROSS

SUDOKU

ALPHAGRAMS 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.

PAGED HE TANS FITNESS INTO JIGS THIN KITES

5x5 S

R R

A

D D

P M

P

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

Note: more than one solution may be possible.

S A

S

Y

All puzzles © The Puzzle Company

slew slews slow slower slows sower sows spew spews sweep sweeps swop swops swore weep weeps wees were wore worse

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SEWE01Z01MA - V1