Wide Bay, December 2018

December, 2018

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Tony Bonner ... on life, sobriety and the meaning of family

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INDEX 3 Games bring in best of Masters 4 Cover Story - Tony Bonner 8 Talk n Thoughts 9 Community group guide 12 Wellbeing 16 Wanderlust 24 Money 27 Puzzles

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New ways to check driving skills

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DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Merry Christmas to you Gail Forrer Seniors Group Editor IT seems such a long time ago when the mention of a whole year ahead felt like an eternity, but these days I know I’m not alone when I say that every Christmas seems to come around faster than the last one!

Just a couple of weeks ago, I was blessed with my second grandchild, a healthy little girl.

I feel there is absolutely nothing that could be a better Christmas gift than the safe delivery of this little one.

But I will also be spending time with my other grandchild, five-year-old Maryam who has reached the age of pondering team activities.

“GG (stands for Grandma Gail), she says looking up at me with her big brown eyes: ‘What can we do today’?”

Fortunately, thanks to a number of community groups who answered our call-out for ideas, I have a list that will keep both of us busy. I hope it gives you some ideas too.

This year we have filled many pages sharing the latest news on activities for the mind and body.

On that line, I’m happy to say at age 61, I have completed nearly five years

CONTACT US

of part-time study and gained a Masters of Arts in Literature (research). I now happily join a fast-growing list of people in my age group who have completed post-grad study.

I’m one of those people that find study more natural that exercise! But I’m naming 2019 as my active body year – so watch out for plenty of physical exercise stories.

Christmas is time for friends, families and community.

I’d like say Merry Christmas to our community of loyal readers, to our advertisers, to all those who contribute community notes and articles, to the great people who have let us interview and write stories about their lives and to my talented work colleagues.

I look forward to meeting up with you in our January 2019 edition.

Best wishes Gail

General Manager Geoff Crockett – 07 5430 1006 geoff.crockett@news.com.au Editor Gail Forrer – 07 5435 3203 gail.forrer@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Media Sales Executive Brett Mauger – 07 3623 1657 brett.mauger@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Online Get your news online at www.seniorsnews.com.au Advertising, editorial and distribution enquiries Phone: 1300 880 265 or (07) 5435 3200 Email: advertising@seniorsnewspaper.com.au or editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Location: 2 Newspaper Place, Maroochydore 4558 Website: www.seniorsnews.com.au Subscriptions Only $39.90 for one year (12 editions) including GST and postage anywhere in Australia. Please call our circulations services on 1300 361 604 and quote “Wide Bay Seniors Newspaper”.

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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.

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SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

NEWS

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Games bring in best of Masters Good sports means being defined by ability not age FOUR nonagenarians with a combined age of 365 set a Pan Pacific Masters Games 50m freestyle relay record of 5:18:54 at the 11th biennial Pan Pacific Masters Games on the Gold Coast last month.

It’s just one of the memorable moments from a Games which organisers have rated the biggest and most successful in the Pan Pac’s 20-year history.

The numbers are impressive, with about 16,000 people from 40 countries taking part in 42 sports at 45 venues over 10 days.

But it’s the stories that really stood out, like Gold Coaster Don Robertson (93) who swam his way through 10 events, including teaming up with the Sunshine Coast’s Patricia Wornall (91), fellow 91-year-old Marion Beulke, from Victoria, and 90-year-old China Johnson to set their 360-399 division record and of course take gold.

After the race, Patricia was already looking to their return in two years time.

“We’re actually getting

younger every day,” Patricia enthused.

“It feels terrific.”

New South Wales athlete Heather Lee, who turned 92 at the Games was another talking point, breaking the world record in the 10km road race walk on the final day of competition, clocking 84 minutes 21 seconds for the women’s 90-years and over.

“I love coming here to compete at the Pan Pacific Masters Games because I’m not defined by my age – I am just one of the competitors regardless of being 91,” she said.

It completed a golden hat-trick for Heather, adding to wins in the 5000m and 3000m walks, and she was congratulated by Games ambassador and athletics legend Glynis NunnCearns, 57.

The oldest competitor at the Games was 93-year-old Redlands indoor rower Vince Home, accompanied by his 87-year-old wife of 68 years and fellow indoor rower Beryl.

Both won gold in their age-groups and said they had been playing sport all their lives.

“Sport has always been

WINNING FEELING: Don Robertson, China Johnson, Patricia Wornall and Marion Beulke, with a combined age of 365, won gold in their 50m freestyle relay.

Photos: PAN PACIFIC MASTERS GAME

Oldest Games competitor 93-year-old Redlands indoor rower Vince Home, and his 87-year-old wife of 68 years and fellow indoor rower Beryl, say being active has kept them young. a part of our family – our eldest son played baseball for Australia for over 10 years, our other son plays cricket and does rowing, and our daughter is the CEO of Softball Queensland,” Beryl said.

The couple, introduced to indoor rowing six years ago, both believe the sport has kept them young.

“It’s not about chasing records but giving it a go,” Beryl said.

“We’ve met such nice

people here and we watch them all compete too.”

But perhaps 54-year-old fitness challenger Cherise Walmsley’s comments about her event best summed up the spirit of the Games.

“You cheer on the

person coming first all the way to last. Every achievement is different but all get the same celebration.”

So, if you want to be part of the action, you have two years to pick your sport and get active.

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He and his wife live in a comfortable cabin away from the tourists. The town has just awarded him “Citizen of the Year.” But Nels has to leave his quiet mountain life when his son is murdered by a powerful drug lord.

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COVER STORY

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Digging deep

Bonner’s life rates high on satisfaction, just not happiness

A BIG LIFE: Tony Bonner looks back at history and future dreams.

JOHN WOOD

I

Photo: Tracey Johnstone

BENITA COLLINGS

I

Tracey Johnstone TONY Bonner is sitting on a bench on the balcony of his beloved Manly Life Saving Club. In the background the ocean waves crash. A group of novice surfboard riders tentatively head out under the watchful eye of an instructor. The Norfolk Pines sway in the gentle breeze. Horns honk, running bare feet slap on the pathway below. All is seemingly very everyday.

For this internationally recognised actor, it’s his normal. It’s his safety zone. There, he is king of the club – immediate past-president for the fourth time, newly minted Life Member, grandson of the first club president, and still active patrol man. It’s where he comes every day he is at home.

More than 50 years of acting, directing, singing, dancing, coaching, teaching and mentoring isn’t enough. Bonner is still looking for happiness in his life.

He has travelled the world, worked alongside the likes of Kirk Douglas, Roger Moore, Tom

Selleck, Tony Curtis and Paul Hogan. He will also be forever remembered for stint as the helicopter pilot in the iconic Australian television series Skippy which went to air 50 years ago this year.

Some readers will remember when Cosmopolitan boldly launched its male centrefold series in 1972 with Burt Reynolds in America and then Bonner in Australia.

“I thought it was great and always have,” Bonner said.

Last year’s awarding of an Australian Medal remains one of his Bonner’s fondest life moments. He has received many peer awards, but to also be recognised publicly for his entertainment industry roles, along with his contribution to lifesaving and to several high-profile charities; there has been nothing more precious to him.

Bonner’s most recent work was as a feature actor in the Australian crime thriller film Landfall which is due in cinemas this month.

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COVER STORY

5

to get to Tony Bonner Unlike America, Bonner says there are less and less roles in Australia open to veteran actors.

“Once you hit 50 you kind of start to become invisible,” Bonner said. “ But for Bonner, he has two more films “in the air”, awarded writer and journalist Matthew Condon is working on Bonner’s biography and Katie Rae is painting his portrait for next year’s Archibald Prize.

Even with all that to Bonner’s credit, it just seems that still isn’t enough.

Bonner’s slight tilt of the head to the left and a gentle creasing of the brow introduces the intense side of the still

very handsome, single, 75-year-old.

That intensity is a product of his tempestuous life journey and its outcomes.

Bonner ran away from a violent home scene just after he had turned 14.

“I caught a daylight train to Melbourne, rented a little room in east Melbourne, and started,” Bonner said.

He battled alcoholism from the age of 14 through to 46.

“I danced with the devil back then,” Bonner added.

He put down the booze and the cigarettes, once and for all. His work improved. His relationships improved.

“It’s only been pluses,” he said.

Next year Bonner will proudly mark 30 years of staying dry.

“If there is such a thing as miracles in the life, and I believe there is, I am one,” he said.

About 14 years ago he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Bonner has since then mentored both men diagnosed with the disease and their partners about the experience, reminding them, “your life is more important that your erection”.

So, will he know when he has found his happiness?

“I don’t know; I’m sure there will be a feeling that

says to me, this is what you have missed all your life,” he said.

A slight lowering of the direct gaze. His tense shoulders ease ever so slightly. The corners of his mouth give way to a gentle, loving smile. The pall over Bonner’s life lifts as he talks about his family; his greatest personal pride.

Bonner’s continuing strong relationship with his ex-wife, Nola Clark, and enduring connection with his three daughters and their children are what he says have kept him alive.

Living long enough to become a greatgrandfather is absolutely

FROM LEFT: Tony Bonner was the first Australian centrefold for the Cosmopolitan magazine, published in 1972; young Tony (as flight ranger Jerry King) with Skippy the Bush Kangaroo; and Tony with actor Shawn Brack in Travis Bain’s new thriller movie Landfall, in cinemas from this month. at the top of Bonner’s list for the future.

“To even say that from someone who didn’t think he would get past the age of 20 because of the way I was living; for me to still be here at 75 and to think, holy crap, there is a distinct possibility you are going to be a greatgrandfather; to me it’s nearly incomprehensible,” he said.

Bonner started the day with a swim in the ocean at first light. By the end of the day he has turned his mind to hosting a

fundraising function at the surf club, before heading off to coach aspiring actors and continue his charity work for The Smith Family, Bravehearts, the Variety Club and the Wesley Mission suicide prevention program.

“It’s in my nature,” he said.

“I have been blessed to have been in a battle and knocked around a bit, and survived. I get great pleasure if I can be of assistance to someone; if I can put a hand out, then I am really blessed.”

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NEWS

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Reflections from an Australian reporter

O’Brien’s life in historical context Tracey Johnstone

I CAN remember growing into social and political awareness at the hands of journalist Kerry O’Brien.

He was at the dinner table with my parents and then myself for almost 30 years that Kerry reported for the ABC on This Day Tonight, Four Corners and 7.30.

Kerry’s recently released A Memoir sits on top of my pile of books that I have been quietly and carefully collecting over the last three months in preparation for a few weeks of summer holiday reading.

It’s a thick book, but my initial review of it indicates it is going to be well worth taking the time to read it as the veteran journalist takes me on a journey through his experiences of living and working during Australia’s social, political, media and cultural evolution from the 40s through to 2015.

Throughout his 50-year career, Kerry has borne witness to significant changes to it Australia’s political landscape and the processes in which is reported.

“We are certainly in a different era of journalism than the one I grew up in, in many ways,” Kerry said.

“The fundamentals of journalism are absolutely still the same, but the trappings have changed massively and the means of delivery have changed massively.”

When he started working in television in the ’60s the newsroom waited three or four days for the film of major events to reach Australia.

The digital storm, as Kerry describes it, has turned television into an instantaneous medium.

“The second thing is where print always saw itself, in my early years, as the superior news medium, these days it is scrambling to keep up and we are converging on each other,” Kerry said.

“It’s only a matter of time, and not far away

NEWS LEGEND: Kerry O’Brien, political journalist and author, has written his own story (inset). before we are fundamentally using exactly the same means of delivery.

“In other words, we will be sharing common spaces and not just one space because there will be many means of delivery.

“I guess the days of hard copy newspapers are all but gone.”

These changes are driving a reduction in journalism staff, but no decrease in the workload.

“That is having an impact on the quality of news,” Kerry said.

The other key change in journalism Kerry notes is the 24-hour news cycle which has impacted on political reporting.

“It’s this kind of blind desire to fill the digital space simply because it is there whether you have something worth

reporting, something worth analysing, or not,” he said.

“So, we have wall-to-wall mountain of words that sometimes has something to offer, and often doesn’t.

“And we have politicians who feel compelled to be available when they are asked, no matter how frequently and regardless of whether they have got something to say, or not, because they worry that if they don’t fill the space, somebody on the other side of politics will fill it for them.

“The overall quality, I think, has plummeted in many ways.”

But Kerry remains a strong advocate for the ABC arguing that now, more than ever, as the social and political landscape changes

dramatically, Australia needs the public broadcasting service.

“Yet, here we are, watching the place being hit from one side to the other with a wall of hostility from the government, constant attacks from Rupert Murdoch who happens to own 70 per cent of the print output of the country as well as television influence and radio,” Kerry said.

“Although I know from personal experience the ABC has been an enormously resilient institution, you can’t simply assume that it can continue with its resilience and can continue just battle on regardless no matter what harpoons are being thrown at it.”

The young, carrot-top boy who spent his

formative years in the small town of Brisbane and once dreamt of being a jackaroo, came to interview some of the world’s most influential decision-makers and to drive hard Australia’s understanding of the political changes occurring around them.

His decision to chronicle his journey and that of his family, including their Irish heritage, has been made possible by drawing on his published articles and spending countless hours reading transcripts and

watching his interviews which he rarely watched once recorded, and from going through his extensive collection of notebooks and diaries.

“I have been able to take the interviews and look at what John Howard was telling us in response to the questions, compare it with what we now know of those events like East Timor, Iraq, kids overboard, the boarding of the Tampa, gun control laws, the Wik Native Title judgement, the Stolen Generation reports, John Howard’s kind of obsession with the wars and the waterfront dispute, and I think new patterns emerge which I think might help in the next round of interpretation of that part of history,” Kerry said.

While former prime minister Paul Keating said in his 2015 Sydney Opera House interview with Kerry O’Brien, “anyone who is any good never wrote about themselves”, while discussing the motivation to chronicle his life, Kerry neatly side-steps this comment by claiming he believed Mr Keating was referring to politicians at the time, not to someone like Kerry.

“The biggest motivator (for me) really was the realisation that simply the accident of the different places I worked in my 50-year journey through journalism, I had a ringside seat for many, many milestone moments in post-war history, not just within Australia, but globally,” he said.

“I was standing on the steps of Parliament House when Gough came out to make his famous utterance about Kerr’s cur.

“I then followed, for Four Corners, Whitlam through that campaign while a colleague, Alan Hogan, followed Malcolm Fraser.

“I have very vivid memories of that event and the election that followed.”

Kerry’s book encapsulates this and many other significant milestones and offers a fascinating personal insight, with a few cheeky side observations, while keeping true to the historical facts.

Published by Allen & Unwin, Kerry O’Brien, A Memoir is in bookshops now. RRP$44.99.

SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

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DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

New method to monitor driving

Talk 'n' thoughts

Gail Forrer Group Editor

DRIVER SAFETY: New technology can help us identify the state of our capacity to keep driving.

‘‘

Sensors are also installed to measure the driver’s reaction times

FOR many people realising it’s time to let go of a driver’s license can be one of life’s greatest challenges.

Often the ability to drive has meant the freedom to travel when and where you like, no need to rely on other people or deal with public transport.

It’s recognition that your body and mind are still fine tuned enough to handle the roads without danger to yourself or others.

If you don’t come to terms with ageing (poorer eyesight, less hearing, perhaps some frailty or memory loss) and make your own choice to relinquish your licence, it may mean you have had to concede to the wishes

of people younger (perhaps ones that you may not even feel are wiser) than you and that can be difficult.

So it’s heartening to see that modern technology has been employed which can assist with the driving experience.

For instance a federally funded project has developed a new Virtual Reality Driving Simulator for Older Drivers targeting people between 70 and 80 years of age.

This project is now being trialled in the Inverell district of northern New South Wales and aims to check the driving skills of senior Australians and improve road safety.

Called Hector VR, it is touted as a groundbreaking innovation, to enable Australian seniors to live longer, better lives as they are supported to maintain their proficiency on the road.

It can also be used to test driving skills and

make the decision to keep driving or not.

Developed by aged care provider McLean Care in partnership with Deakin University’s School of Engineering, the trial uses emerging interactive virtual reality, linked with smart sensor technology.

The driving simulator is contained in the shell of a Holden Captiva vehicle, to increase the sense of reality for drivers.

“Sensors are also installed to measure the driver’s reaction times and heart rate to assess their responses to a variety of situations that can arise when driving,” Member for New England Barnaby Joyce told the National Seniors.

“In addition to helping older drivers maintain and test their skills, Hector VR is designed to help those with medical conditions, such as dementia and who can no longer drive, to re-live the driving experience.

“The virtual driving

scenarios are modelled on the township of Inverell, including important local buildings, major shopping centres, retail outlets and landmarks, to make the user’s experience as realistic as possible.

“The simulator includes differing road environments and realistic scenarios such as country driving and various levels of traffic.”

Development of the virtual reality driving simulator was funded through the government’s $34 million Dementia and Aged Care Services grants scheme, which is promoting innovation across the country. * The Federal Government funded $726,000 towards the project. * Info sourced from NationalSeniors: https://nationalseniors. com.au/news/latest/ high-tech-boost-to-road -safety-for-seniors

MS volunteer enthusiasm brings honesty to table Tracey Johnstone BEV Cornwell won’t let her disability define her.

Instead, she uses it to keep herself energised and engaged in helping those around her also suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS).

Bev was diagnosed with MS in 1994. She was 48.

“I was still able to work and kept working until 1999 in the aged care industry,” she said.

“There was a stage there when I retired from aged care that I wasn’t sure if I was holding their resident up or they were holding me up.”

With close to 40 people in Queensland’s Hervey Bay and Maryborough region suffering with the disease, her monthly Hervey Bay and Maryborough Multiple Sclerosis Support Group, which she organises, is a vital way to connect and support these people.

Since the group first met in the early ’90s it has followed a relaxed structure. No subject is off the table.

“Each time, we go around the table and ask how everyone is going,” Bev said.

“We discuss bowels and bladder, and all those things that affect all of us.”

“It’s great therapy. We just get together for a coffee and a chat.”

From time to time they have people drop in to add to the conversation.

“We had a chap who is involved in hearing. He wanted to come along because he was diagnosed with MS. He wanted to tell his story and say that for a very small amount of people MS affects their hearing,” she said.

“I am getting more people wanting to come along, like the man with the hearing. The people who massage my feet have asked to come along and address our meeting.”

She also has a strong connection with the MS Queensland regional

co-ordinator.

And, if someone can’t get the meeting, Bev is on the job of finding a solution.

“There was a little lady over at Burrum Heads who contacted me,” Bev said.

“She had MS and didn’t have a way of getting to our meeting.”

A phone call by Bev to the local Progress Association ended with a volunteer driver to provide transport each month to the Hervey Bay RSL where the job meet.

Bev is also keenly tapping into the internet and joining in webinars to seek knowledge from people across the state about MS issues.

Even though the 72-year-old is now in a wheelchair full-time her fantastic enthusiasm to engage with the community, keeps growing as her range of physical movement diminishes.

“I still feel I can do things,” Bev said.

“I am in a wheelchair and my legs don’t work, and my husband might differ but my brain still works,” she added with a chuckle.

HEART OF GOLD: Enthusiastic volunteer Hervey Bay and Maryborough Multiple Sclerosis Support Group organiser, Bev Cornwell.

SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

9

Community group guide

at Shop 6, 16 Torquay Road, Hervey Bay (opp RSL) – Monday to Friday 9am4.30pm.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

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

GYMPIE NATIONAL SENIORS

LAST month nearly 30 National Seniors joined a Roundabout tours coach to explore three local produce places. After leaving Gympie the first stop was at Camelot Dairies at Scrubby Creek.

After enjoying morning tea prepared by Cathy, they listened to an interesting talk by Melanie about the running of the camel dairy.

They enjoyed feeding the camels their watermelon and rockmelon skins as well as giving them a pat.

They were introduced to the camels by their names and was amazed to see Wayne cuddle and pat the camels. The favourite camel was baby Eli who was only six weeks old.

Wayne gave it an extra cuddle.

After leaving “Camelot Dairies” it was on to “Bunya Grove Produce” at Amamoor. Bunya Grove nurtures the earth,

regenerates and enriches the soil to produce nutrient-rich food in a harmonious and diverse environment where all creatures prosper in a farming for the future program.

They have chickens for eggs and meat, ducks for eggs, pigs for pork, pastured beef and persimmons.

It was interesting to see the chickens in their caravans which are moved around the farm to fertilise the farm naturally with the chicken poo.

Some people bought eggs. A picnic lunch at Amama Park was the next stop before travelling to Cooloola Berries for an afternoon visit and taste of their wonderful tasty fare. Even though the strawberries were finished early because of the hail storm damage, it was still a lovely place to visit and enjoy some tasty treats.

It was home to Gympie

Community notes

BOOK TALK: Hervey Bay VIEW Club president Heather Ramm with guest speaker Yolande Bromet. with everyone very happy after a wonderful day enjoying and seeing some of the local produce that we have around Gympie.

FREE 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: Short term 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 the service on (07) 4124 6863 or call into their office situated

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. This meeting will be our last for the year and a relaxed morning with discussion and plans for next year. We will have Kallum (physiotherapist) and Jess, a massage therapist attending to talk and give advice on problems that arise for people with MS. We will then stay on for a Christmas lunch off the RSL menu. Phone Bev on (07) 4128 2692 or email bev_cornwell11 @outlook.com for more information.

VIEW CLUBS

(Voice, Interest, and Education of Woman) Hervey Bay OUR Meetings and luncheon are always the second Monday of each month at the Club House, Tooth Street, Pialba from 10.30am and usually includes a guest speaker.

Monthly socials are on the fourth Monday at various

venues from 9.30am.

Monday, December 10 was our last meeting for the year and we are pleased and reassured that all committee positions for 2019 at this stage have been filled. As the saying goes... no committee no club and it has been very rewarding that our numbers have increased during the year, a sign of a healthy club.

Our guest speaker for November was Yolande Bromet who related her interesting story as an exchange student in Japan with a host family and how she mastered the language and taught our ladies how to count to ten with simple hand gestures. Itchy, knee, sun, she, go, rocku, nana, hachi, que, dew. The monthly trading table continues to be as popular as ever continually raising funds for our two young ‘Learning for Life Students’. New or interested ladies are always welcome to join our fun and friendly club.

Phone Mary on (07) 4128 3908.

NEWS

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Staring down the demon of dementia

The Best Quality Assisted Living in the Wide Bay

Sarah shares her secret on organising her life Alison Houston

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EYE OF THE STORM: Sarah Ashton earned a standing ovation.

Photo: Nadine Fisher day I think it is today”.

She keeps busy socialising, as a member of various groups, doing advocacy work including Joining the Dots for Dementia, taking part in research, doing art and craft, listening to music and caring for her pets and her garden.

She recently won the Impromptu section of her Toastmasters International area speaking competition and will compete at the District competition next March.

Looking after your diet, walking or exercising every day, engaging in intellectual exercises such as puzzles, brain training, games and reading were also important.

Legal paperwork, she urged, must be put in order as soon as you receive a diagnosis, so you are still considered legally competent to truly know your wishes.

That included a professionally written will,

advanced care directive and power of attorney, all with “meat and bite” as to where you want to live, and what is to happen to the assets if your home has to be sold if you need higher level care.

But she admitted the challenge of dealing with aspects of dementia and “pretending to be a functional adult” was exhausting.

She described dementia as a process of loss; “your brain being torn apart from your body and mind” and warned what was once seen as an older person’s affliction, was now striking all ages, even a young mother.

“No one is immune,” she said.

Still, she said, she has hope because “hope opens people’s eyes”.

For information on Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia go to dementia.org.au or phone the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.

6765403af

“SOME days the Devil whispers, ‘You are not strong enough to withstand the storm’ ... and some days I get up and say, ‘Today, I am the storm’.”

The closing words to Sarah Ashton’s presentation on the lived experience of dementia earned her a standing ovation at the 10th International Arts and Health Conference last month.

Sarah, from Port Macquarie, was one of several speakers with the courage to share their mental health struggles to help others better understand their condition.

None sought or engendered pity, instead displaying their incredible inner strength to not just cope and reclaim control of their own lives but actively work to help others.

“My life got turned upside down the moment I got this diagnosis,” Sarah acknowledged.

But she has discovered ways to manage what she calls “the everyday frustrations”.

All her bills, for example are on auto payment.

She has diaries everywhere detailing her appointments and what she needs to do.

She has clocks and calendars everywhere “in case I want to check what

6590189ae

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SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

NEWS

11

‘‘

meet old friends and make new ones...

OVERWHELMING RESPONSE: Queensland Veterans Cricket vice-president and Gold Coaster Rod Rice goes for a big hit, which is exactly what the sport has become.

Veteran’s cricket hits high IS THERE life after cricket?

A lot of die-hard fans are finding there is, and it’s called Veterans Cricket.

Queensland Veterans Cricket vice-president Rod Rice said the sport was growing at an unbelievable rate despite only being in its infancy here, having started with an over-60s challenge in 2008.

Just 10 years later, there’s a growing calendar of events across three age-groups and two divisions – over-50s, over-60s and over-70s –

not just in Queensland but around the country and the world.

There’s now about 400 players across 31 teams in South-East Queensland alone, including Gold Coast, Redlands/ Logan, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay, Toowoomba, Ipswich and Lockyer Valley.

The first over-50s World Cup, featuring eight countries, was just completed in Sydney, with over-60s and over-70s titles played earlier in Penrith and the Sunshine Coast respectively, an over-70s team recently touring England and an over-60s team heading to

New Zealand in April next year. So what’s the attraction?

“I’d liken it to the Men’s Sheds – it’s a social outing for like-minded people,” Rod said.

“People still love their cricket and want to be involved in some way.

“Here they get to play and talk cricket, sometimes with people they played 20-30 years ago.”

Among famous faces in the fraternity are former Queensland opener Mark Gaskell, 62, and Aussie Test bowler (1974-1980) Geoff Dymock, 73, who was famously only the third player ever to dismiss all 11 opposition

players in a Test match.

But you don’t have to have been that calibre to be involved, with some participants not having played for decades due to family and/or work commitments, but keen to see what their skills are.

Rod played for about 20 years for Beenleigh-Logan, and has been coaching Junior representative cricket, but became involved in Veterans Cricket seven years ago after hearing former Gympie schoolboy cricket mate (circa 1967), Kerry Emery, on the radio.

Kerry, from the Sunshine Coast, is now president of Veterans

Premier welcomes the new centenarians WELCOME to the club.

That was the message from Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk as she inducted 30 new members into the 100+ club at a special Christmas celebration at Parliament House.

The Premier said the latest acquisitions added to the rich fabric of living history of the 100+ club.

“There is so much life experience, so many stories, so much history,” she said.

“They’ve lived through and seen so many changes in Queensland,

CELEBRATIONS: Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with a member of the 100+ club. for starters our population was around 700,000 when they were born, today it’s five million.”

Those stories include

100+ club inductees Alfreda McDonald and Albert Lindsay Boyd.

Ms McDonald helped the war cause after

learning morse code through the walls of the floristry shop where she worked, while Mr Boyd was on the frontlines when Darwin was attacked.

However, the Premier would be amiss if she didn’t reserve special praise for the club’s longest serving member, ‘Queen of Queensland’, Mabel Crosby who celebrated her 109th birthday in September.

The Premier said the 100+ club embodied what it meant to be a Queenslander.

Cricket Australia and a big believer in the importance of promoting sport and exercise throughout life, especially as we live longer.

“I’ve got two replacement knees and that hinders me a little,” Rod admitted.

“We’ve got a lot of people with knee and shoulder replacements – probably about 80% have some ailment.

“It’s very different as a veteran in the field, because you can’t run like you used to or throw hard from the boundary, but it’s still competitive.

“If you want to do something social that you’ve always loved, meet

old friends and make new ones, it’s ideal.”

Rod is currently organising a mixed team of predominantly over-60s to tour from Brisbane to Cairns next May, playing Country sides including Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Townsville and Mackay to help get the sport more established in rural areas, as well as playing in a Great Barrier Reef Masters in Cairns.

Membership is just $50 per year, with match fees paid on the day.

Phone Rod on 0409 287 931 or go to qvcricket.co.

Do you want to know how to store your fruit and vegetables in your fridge, so that they stay fresh for more than two weeks?

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Super Fresh Bags on 02 9631 0143.

12

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Wellbeing Tracey Johnstone WE HAVE reached out to some of the many clubs that contribute their monthly news to Seniors News to share their great ideas for grandkid and great-grandkid holiday activity ideas.

PROBUS CLUB OF BURLEIGH WATERS

Grandchildren can use their imagination to create some wonders, such as: ■ Christmas bells from egg cartons – cut out the raised bell-shaped parts.

■ Christmas pom pom balls using polystyrene balls, wire and art flowers, bows and ribbons.

■ Decorate pine cones using spray paint and glitter.

■ Lanterns – make from coloured paper.

■ Christmas decorations – create stars and other shapes from coloured cardboard.

■ Cooking is so much fun – gingerbread people, Christmas trees, chocolate fudge squares, chocolate or apricot balls, muesli bar squares (these can all be made in a microwave).

■ Make your own gifts such as lavender-filled pillows about 8cm square, plus allowance for seam.

■ Also, make ribbons and bows for dressing up other gifts.

■ Christmas table – make napkins and design your own centrepiece.

■ Christmas bon bons –

Ideas for busy kids use toilet roll, paper towel centres, coloured paper and ribbon.

HERVEY BAY VIEW CLUB

For grandparents to share some activity with the grandchildren, all it takes is a bit of imagination and simple everyday items.

To start, all you need is some white cardboard, scissors, glue, pencil, coloured texta pens, old Christmas cards and you are under way.

Let the kids use their own imagination and ideas.

If able, let them cut out pictures from the old cards and glue onto the blank cardboard cards, use their own words and writing to and from inside the card and enjoy their display of pride at having made the card themselves.

Decorations for the Christmas tree can be made the same way... bells and more from silver or gold paper.

U3A TWIN TOWNS, TUGUN

■ Creating a cubby from cardboard boxes.

■ Make a Christmas tree from a tree branch, painting it white and hanging it with decorations made by the kids.

■ Cook coconut ice or fudge and make little boxes to hold it – give it as a gift.

■ Go on a walk and get

CRAFTWORKERS: Bev Cornwell, Edna Down, Heather Ramm, Lyn Smith, Glenda Reinke, Robyn Busk and Mary Pape from the Hervey Bay VIEW Club Committee. the children to draw what they saw while out, and accompany it with a short description.

■ Make a book out of folded A4 paper and write a sentence or two on each page with an accompanying drawing.

■ Make up bubble mixture and have fun blowing bubbles.

■ Make a kite with lots of colours and streamers and fly it.

■ Press some flowers.

■ Create a diorama, which is a fun way to build an exciting scene in a small space.

Family’s Learning for Life students who are unable to make their own.

These are easy enough for grandparents to teach their grandchildren how to make; all you need is some bright and interesting (for young ones) material.

Doing this activity can help the grandkids feel that they are helping those in less fortunate circumstances.

For more information on what sizes for the bags, phone Janet on 0448 845 303 or Gillian on (07) 5496 9474.

GLASSHOUSE COUNTRY VIEW CLUB

PROBUS CLUB OF COFFS CITY

View clubs struggle each year to make enough library bags for the Smith

Some great activites seniors can share with youngsters include: ■ Cooking.

■ Puzzles.

■ Memory games.

■ Reading children’s stories.

■ Charades.

GRAFTON SENIOR CITIZENS

Our grandmothers suggest: ■ At home – cooking, especially pikelets; French knitting; colouring-in; making Christmas decorations and cards; making pasta necklaces, button pictures and wooden spoon dolls.

■ Out of the home – join in the local shopping centre activities including painting of plaster moulds, magic sand and tie-dyeing; check out the activities at the local library.

TOOWOOMBA MEN’S SHED

■ Spend time with the grandkids as they cycle around the local park.

■ Get them to take you to a local historical site and ask them to guide you around the site and tell you all about it.

■ Visit your nearest library.

■ Make cards from pieces of paper, cardboard, stamps and anything else you have stored in your craft room or box.

■ Visit the local museum and National Trust locations to see their current exhibitions.

■ Show the grandkids how to fix little things around the house like pumping up bike tyres.

Helping all older Australians retain their independence BRAND INSIGHTS HEALTH data shows that falls are now one of the leading causes of hospital admissions for Australians aged 65 and older, and with more Aussies living in their own homes longer, 60 per cent of all falls now occur at home.

AbiBird has been developed in Australia to support people who want to retain their independence as they age.

The AbiBird sensor is placed in the home of your older loved-one and tracks daily activity in their home.

The sensor then shares this information on the smartphone of a carer or family member.

If activity stops, or is unusual, AbiBird sends an alert to the AbiBird app on your smartphone.

A quick glance at your smartphone can let you know whether your loved one is OK, or if they may need attention.

A key difference between AbiBird and other products is that AbiBird is not a wearable device and does not need an internet or telephone connection.

AbiBird has also been designed to maintain privacy, there is no camera or audio

recording.

One or two AbiBird sensors is enough for a typical home and AbiBird can be installed in less than a few minutes.

You simply turn it on, download the free AbiBird app and confirm or change the settings.

Replacing the batteries once a year when alerted is the only maintenance required.

The AbiBird solution is available for a free one month trial and thereafter it is only $20 per month.

There are no installation fee or lock-in contracts.

Go to abibird.com.au, or phone 1300 132 121.

HELPING HAND: The AbiBird sensor is placed in the home of your older loved one and tracks daily activity in their home.

Photo: Christian Quinlan

SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

WELLBEING

13

CALM AND CARING: Our response staff are trained professionals who deal with medical emergencies every day

Emergency medical help 24/7 BRAND INSIGHTS “DON’T self-monitor a medical alert device. Just DON’T do it.”

Paul Joseph, the heart and soul behind Emergency Medical Services Pty Ltd, is emphatic on this point.

His company supply the safeTwear medical alert device but more importantly also provide 24/7 monitoring for them.

“I’ve heard so many horror stories over the years from customers who come to us because self-monitoring went

horribly, horribly wrong,” Paul said.

“Having a family member or friend responsible for the medical alerts is a terrible idea. It puts enormous pressure on them to be by their phone and available to take the call.

“Imagine the guilt you would carry if you missed a call from your loved one that resulted in injury or worse, death! I would never want to put that kind of pressure onto the people I love.

“As well as that, often the person wearing the medical alert device won’t

push the button because they don’t want to be a nuisance.

“Having a professional, independent, specialist response centre with experienced responders manage the emergencies is far better than relying on friends and family.

“Our response team are trained professionals who deal with medical emergencies every day.

“They are calm, fast acting, and know the right information to collect to ensure the ambulance has everything they need, including the customers exact location and full

medical history on screen.

“Because in an emergency situation, every second and the small details count.”

Paul’s extensive experience in this medical alert and the home security industry has equipped him well to put together this service offering that is literally saving lives.

“We also save grey hairs,” he said.

“The stress of false alarms on family members is almost as bad as an actual emergency, especially if they miss the call for any

reason.

“They might be showering, at the movies, deep asleep or in a work meeting, typically a person isn’t connected to their phone 24/7 despite the fact it feels like we are!

“Each month we deal with thousands of false alarms and every alarm is treated as an emergency until we can determine otherwise.

“The response team are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

“We actually call it the ‘Danger of Self-

Monitoring’ because to us, it really is that serious.

“Friends and family will often panic in these situations and fail to collect the relevant information the ambulance will need.

“Just don’t do it, I can’t stress it enough.

“With the holiday season approaching we have some excellent deals for seniors which include the medical alert device and in certain cases a lifetime of monitoring. Call us today for more information 1300 699 159.”

Clarifying TV audio for those with hearing loss BRAND INSIGHTS

The TV Voice Pro system is guaranteed to connect in under two minutes to any TV in Australia.

HEARING Specialists have developed a new wireless headset specifically for those with hearing loss to clarify television audio.

The headset was developed following extensive hearing assessments of over 1000 people with hearing loss who struggle to hear the TV clearly.

Hearing specialist Don Hudson says the TV Voice Pro headset will deliver better clarity for TV audio than even the world’s best hearing aids.

This comes down to the fact that the original audio

for TV is often highly inconsistent.

“The clarity of the TV audio itself is often highly variable, as many channels differ dramatically in the clarity of the dialogue, and the volume is often changing too. We know as hearing specialists that hearing aids find it hard to correct this problem, as the originating problem is how the audio has been mixed for each TV program.”

The new wireless TV Voice Pro headset overcomes this problem by altering the original TV audio.

The adjustment to the TV audio puts a deliberate

focus on speech frequencies to clarify TV dialogue for the user.

“The TV Voice Pro headset automatically recalibrates the TV audio to focus on speech frequencies, so the user can hear the dialogue clearly. With adequate volume control function, it will work to clarify TV audio for those with any level of hearing loss.”

The wireless TV Voice Pro headset weighs just 70 grams and allows wearers to listen to television at their own preferred volume without affecting the audio volume for others in the room.

It uses RF transmission to allow wireless use from anywhere in the house, up to 20 metres.

The TV Voice Pro system is guaranteed to connect in under two minutes to any TV in Australia. It is a rechargeable device and no batteries are required.

The purchase price is $349. TV Voice Pro comes with a 30-day money back guarantee.

Phone 1300 300 446 or order online at TvVoicePro.com.au.

TV Voice pro is currently offering free express courier deliver for all pre-Christmas orders.

14

WELLBEING

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

C R E G N O R T S

Y T I N OMMU

s i e c i o h c the

easy

Argyle Gardens is the ideal lifestyle where you can step up and enjoy the best retirement location in Bundaberg.

Amazing recreational facilities

To experience the easy living lifestyle take a personalised tour.

Close to shops, transport and health services

CALL LEO 07 4191 9115 TO INSPECT OUR HOMES

Visit 90 Twyford Street, Avoca Email info@ArgyleGardensBundaberg.com.au www.ArgyleGardensBundaberg.com.au

Year round social activities Spacious aordable modern apartments 24/7 emergency response Easy access to Blue Care Help at Home Pet friendly

SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

WELLBEING

E C I O H C E S A WI g n i v i l fo r

easy

Fraser Shores is the ideal lifestyle where you can step up and enjoy the best resort style living in Hervey Bay. To experience the easy living lifestyle take a personalised tour.

CALL DONNA OR GRANT 07 4148 7111 TO INSPECT OUR HOMES

Visit 58 & 100 Nissen Street, Hervey Bay Email info@frasershores.com.au www.frasershores.com.au

Welcoming, friendly and safe community Amazing resort style facilities Monthly social activity schedule Close to shops, transport and health services

On site caravan and boat storage Pet friendly Easy access to Blue Care Help at Home

15

16

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Cruise into new cultures And taste the difference

PAGES 18-19

Better Than Bingo!

Got a hankering for a new hobby? Discover everything you desire with Seniors online. There’s exclusive travel offers, the stories that matter to you, big win competitions, plus every exciting event happening near you! Seniors – redefining an exciting retirement!

Join us at seniorsnews.com.au

17

SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

This tour is for the family Everyone is welcome on this fun adventure Tracey Johnstone COUNTRY musician and comedian Lindsay Waddington is leading a group on a wonderful adventure to Norfolk Island for the Go See Touring’s 2019 A Little Bit Country tour.

He’s going to have a busy time between performing in three shows with the six other Go See Touring hosts and ensuring his group members are having a fantastic family time during the island visit from July 26 to August 2.

The celebrity host will be entertaining guests with his country rock instrumental and singing talents.

He’s also a comedian; quick to share a cheeky joke to brighten up anyone’s day.

Alongside Lindsay for the concerts will be singer Graeme Hugo and yodeler Wayne Horsburg, rocker Lucky Starr, crooner Fortunato Isgro, singers

Rodney Vincent and Geoff James.

“There will be a lot singing, a lot of partying and a lot of fun stories,” Lindsay said.

On the nights when there is no show there will be time to sit back, relax and enjoy the laid back music sessions.

“If there are stories to share, a poem to be told; it will be just like a big family get-together, that’s what we want,” he added.

The cost for the tour to Norfolk Island, which has a stunning backdrop to its interesting history, includes a convict settlement tour, a murder mystery dinner, a night as a convict, airfares, accommodation, meals and much more.

Lindsay’s group already has several bookings locked in, but there is room for more.

“It’s going to be a real family environment for people who just want to have a good time, go sight-seeing, learn about Norfolk Island and enjoy

TALENTED: Country singer, comedian and instrumentalist Lindsay Waddington. being with other people,” Lindsay said.

“We have a few things up our sleeve, a few little fun things that will

happen; I’m a bit a practical joker,” he offered.

But, as to what Lindsay’s alluding to

means you will have to join the tour to find out more.

For full tour information and costs, go to

A new winter cruise tour idea NORWAY and Iceland – two of the most popular destinations for Australians right now – are showcased in a new 2020 winter cruise tour combination package released by Cruise Express.

The 23-night combo tour, which includes 15 nights on land and six at sea, features Norway’s spectacular Northern Lights, a husky sleigh ride, a hotel made of ice, stunning fjords and snow-shrouded villages as well as the volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, glaciers and whales.

The journey begins with the 15-night ‘Northern Lights of Norway’ cruise tour which will see Australians fly on January 25, 2020, to Norway’s capital, Oslo, for a two-night stay and tour showcasing the city’s Viking heritage.

Guests depart Oslo by train to the renowned fjord country for overnight stays in Voss and Bergen.

A tour highlight is a journey on the panoramic Flam Railway – one of the world’s steepest and most picturesque train rides.

Rising over 860m, the track traverses a winter wonderland of snowy peaks, icy waterfalls,

goseetouring.com or phone (07) 3868 4760. iTunes link: itunes. apple.com/au/album/ nullarbor/ 1433935034.

Call our frie endly, expe erienced team to book your next crui uise or touring ho oliday or to join one of Go See ee Touring’s special gro roup departures.

1300 551 997 goseetouring.c com 2 - 9 MARCH 2019

SINGAPORE SHOWCASE

HOSTED BY GRAEME HUGO, RODNEY VINCENT & FORTUNATO ISGRO

$3,999

SPECTACULAR SHOW: The orthern Lights from Hurtigruten.

Photo: Rjan Bertelsen mighty rivers and whispering pine forests.

In contrast, a breathtaking cruise through two spectacular fjords – Naeroyfjord and Aurlandsfjord – provides perspective of this stunning region from sea level.

The tour includes a guided walking tour along the colourful harbour-front of Bergen from where the itinerary moves to sea for a six-night voyage aboard Hurtigruten’s 690-passenger ship, MS Kong Harald.

Named after the king of Norway, the ship serves as a passenger, freight, mail and car service for isolated Norwegian towns along the coast.

Magnificent fjords, mighty glaciers and snow-clad mountains are just some of the picture-postcard

spectacles on show during the voyage.

Quaint towns like Trondheim and Alesund offer a chance to experience a different way of life high above the Arctic Circle.

After rounding the most northerly point in Europe, North Cape, the voyage ends in the remote town of Kirkenes where guest can stay in accommodation made of snow, see reindeer, join a thrilling husky sled ride and scour the dark, night skies for the swirling colours of the Northern Lights.

The Norway tour ends with a flight back to Oslo for a night before flying back to Australia.

Phone Cruise Express on 1300 766 537 or go to cruiseexpress.com.au.

per person Twin Share ex BNE, MEL, SYD, ADL & PER, Single supplement $1,000

7 Nights 4 accom, cooked breakfast daily, 1 lunch + 5 dinners, all touring and entrance fees, Singapore Zoo, Gardens By the Bay, National Orchid Gardens, High Tea at Raffles, Changi Tour, Sentosa. PLUS 2 x Fabulous Concerts - Singapore Showcase 2019

ENGLISH BLOSSOMS

INCLUDING THE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

$5,445

per persson Twin Share Ex BNE NE or SYD Sing ngle suppliment $1,000

SOCIAL CHESS CHALLENGE

5 - 12 JULY 2019

7 nights accom, experience the beauty of this Island paradise and the opportunity to compete in this friendly competition. Lots to see & do, stunning scenery, sandy beaches and jagg gged cliffs. Rich in history and culture. Inc. Haalf Day Orien entation Tour, Welcome dinner, Breeakfast bu ushwalk, lk, some dinners and Chess Tourn rn nam ment Registration

NORFOLK ISLAND

From

$2,085

per person Twin Share Ex BNE & SYD Single suppliment $435

A TASTE OF SINGAPORE SINGAPORE SI FOOD FESTIVAL

$3,999

* per per erson Twin Share Ex BNE NE, SYD, MEL. a sup ppliment $1,000

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

19 - 26 JULY 2019

7 Nights Park Hotel Clarke Quay, y, cooked breakfast daily, 3 x Lunches, 4 x Din Dinnerrs, fully escorted by a Go Seee Touring Escortt, t Singapore Botanic Gardens, High h Tea Fullerto ton Ho Hotel, Food Walking Tour, cookking Clas ass, Hawker er Centres, Gardens by the Baay, Skywalk, Supertree Show

20 - 27 JULY 2019 7 Nights accommodation, 8 Days Car Hire, Half Day Orientation Tour, Choice of Half Day Scenic Tour, Breakfast Bush Walk, Island Fish Fry, 2 x Feature Dinners with Entertainment, PLUS Full Christmas Dinner with Entertainment

NORFOLK ISLAND From

$1,855

13-25 MAY 2019

dge Wells, 3 Nights Che heltenham, 3 Nights Tunbrid 1 Night Oxford, 3 Nights London, 10 Br Breakfasts / 2 Lunches / 6 Dinnerrs, Great Dixter Ho ousse, Sissinghurst, Castle, Leed ds Castle, Can nterbury ry Cathedral, Bath, Sudely Casstle, Abb bey House Malmesbury ryy,HidcoteManor,Cottswolds,Blenheim Palace, RHS Wisley, Chelsea Flow wer Show.

per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single suppliment $470

WELCOME TO SR SRI LANKA ESCO ORTED TOUR

$4,17 75

* per person Twin Share Ex BNE, SYD, MEL. Single suppliment $1,150

26 NOV - 10 DEC 2019

Joiin us for 13 nights 3* and 4* accom, dai aily breakfast and dinner, fully escorteed byy a Go See touring escort. Negombo Fish Markets, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Si Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple le, Jeep Safari in National Parks, Matale Spi pice Gardens, Madu River Cruise & more

TERMS & CONDITIONS *Price is per person Twin Share fully in nclusive. Single Supplement applies. Credit card sur urcharges apply. Deposit of AUD$500-$800 per person is required to secure tour. Tour requires a minimum number n of passengers to depart. Prices may fl fluctuate if surcharges, fee, taxes or currency change. Prices current as at 26 November 2018. Go SeeTouring Pty Ltd T/A Go See Touring Member of Helloworld ABN N: 72 122 522 276 ATAS Accreditation A11320

18

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

‘‘

Drive toward the Southern Peninsulas and explore grand capes with towering spines

A MAGICAL WORLD: Beautiful view of Halong Bay, Vietnam, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Photo: Nikolay Tsuguliev

Live the travel dream This month we profile destinations and experiences 40 to 36 as we count down the 2018 list of the World’s Best Journeys which we hope will inspire you to live life to the full.

THE top 50 bucket list has been selected by Flight Network and over 500 top travel journalists, agencies, bloggers and editors.

There are travel experiences to suit different styles and budgets.

DRIVE THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY

❚ CRUISING along the Wild Atlantic Way on Ireland’s west coast harmoniously connects rugged landscapes with unique people, many of who still speak Irish Gaelic.

Skirting around the coastline, expansive views and traditional villages captivate drivers along the route from the Northern Headlands down to the Havan Coast.

The road opens up as you steer toward the Surf Coast and the wildness of the seaboard captivates with red-gold beaches.

Continue driving south towards the Bay Coast to discover crystal coves and islands perfect for swimming, kayaking, and kiteboarding. Ride to Cliff Coast and immerse yourself Ireland’s music

capital, spending the day listening to live bands in local pubs.

Drive toward the magnificent Southern Peninsulas and explore grand capes with towering spines extending far out in the ocean before stopping for an overnight stay on the Haven Coast to dine on artisan fare.

Getting there: Choose a small but sturdy rental vehicle when arriving at the airport. All of the major airports in the country whether it be Dublin, Shannon or Cork will get you close to the Wild Atlantic Way, but the closest is Shannon Airport with accessible road links to a number of counties along road and is less than an hour from the Cliffs of Moher. For drivers who decide to start their tour at its southernmost point, Cork Airport is just a 20 mile trip.

CRUISE THE MEKONG RIVER

❚ THE Mekong River is one of the most fascinating on the planet. It starts in the Tibetan plateau and snake its way through China, Myanmar, Laos,

Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It has been an important medium for transporting people and goods for thousands of years and today is an important international trade route.

Cruise from the very end of the river north through Vietnam’s Mekong Delta area up into Cambodia’s capital city, where it meets that Tonle Sap and travels through the Cambodian countryside. The scenery is unmatchable and the journey unforgettable.

Travellers will transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho Port to board an incredible teak ship that has been specifically built to cruise the Mekong River.

Visit local artisan villages, the Gao Giong bird sanctuary, a beautiful Taoist temple and Koh Okhna Tey, otherwise known as silk island.

Explore Con Phuoc Island, Koh Trong Island and Phnom Penh, visiting the National Museum, Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, and the Killing Fields and Genocide museum. The journey ends in Siem

Reap staring at the famous Angkor Wat monuments.

Getting there: Fly into Tân Son Nhât International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is the departing airport.

TAKE THE ROAD TO HANA DRIVE

❚ NAVIGATING curves near crashing waves of the Pacific and stopping for tide pool swims beneath waterfalls attracts drivers to a single stretch of Hawaiian coastline.

Unrivaled as the top attraction on the lush island of Maui, the Road to Hana drive winds along the 52-mile stretch of coastline from Pa’ia town to the community of Hana.

If you’re able to lease a convertible, you’ll have panoramic views of the surf and scenery.

Drive from the town of Kahului in central Maui and head towards Hana through the surf town Pa’ia on Maui’s north shore. Tour Maliko Bay before heading to Twin Falls to cool off in one of its natural pools and

waterfalls. Drive up to Honomanu Bay Lookout and stop for a walk on the beach before steering towards the Keanae Peninsula lined with vibrant hibiscus and jagged lava rocks.

Reaching the Koolau Forest Reserve, park the car and explore Wai anapanapa State Park where tide pools turn red several times a year due to the arrival of shrimp.

Follow the signs to Wailua Falls and awe at the waterfalls cascading over the mountains before ending the drive with a stop Waimoku Falls to gaze up at its magnificent 400 foot waterfall.

Getting there: Kahului Airport is east of the Kahului CDP on the island of Maui and is the main airport servicing Maui.

You can also fly into Honolulu International Airport on Oahu before commuting to Maui on a brief, 30-minute flight.

Major car rental companies are at the airport or you can take a taxi or shuttle bus and lease a cruising vehicle like a convertible. There is also daily ferry service to

19

SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

Black sand beach,Waianapanapa State Park. Maui, Hawaii.

The epic Irish Landscape and seascape along Ireland’s The Wild Atlantic Way. Champ, down on the valley floor and walk along the crystal stream.

Returning to Chamonix, be sure to take a ride on the city’s world-class cable car and get a bird’s eye view of the Mont Blanc massif.

Getting there: You can hike alone or benefit from a mountain guide’s experience. Several guide companies are available when you arrive in Chamonix. The most direct way is to fly into Geneva Cointrin International Airport.

Once there, you can take an airport transport to Chamonix or hire a car.

Another option is to take the Eurostar or TGV train from Paris or Lyon and connect on local train onto Saint Gervais Les Bains where you can pick up the Mont Blanc Express Train into Chamonix.

Long Son Pagoda, Nha Trang, Vietnam. and from the nearby island of Lanai.

HIKE THE TOUR DU MONT BLANC

❚ REACHING a cumulative 10,000m of descent and ascent, the Tour de Mont Blanc’s 170km hike is a trekker’s dream with plenty of hotels and mountain huts along the way for taking in the

landscape to its fullest with very little gear.

Set out in Chamonix, France, for an 11-day hike towards Les Houches to photo chamois, deer, and eagles during the excursion. Continue ascending to Les Contamines and take in the mountain resort vibe and renowned cuisine.

Hike onward to Les

Photo: AND-ONE

Chapieux, a small hamlet on the tour inhabited by shepherds and their flocks. Refuge Elisabetta is next on the route providing a comfortable overnight stay for walkers.

Trek to the resort of Courmayeur and take a ride on the SkyWay Monte Bianco cable car and peer at peaks of the Matterhorn and Monte

Rosa. Spend some time at La Vachey, the seasonal inn and restaurant, before hiking to La Fouly to scale winding trails of its mountain peaks.

Walk to Champex and take in the culture of the Swiss village. Hike to Trient and take a detour to explore Trent Glacier before continuing to Tre le

MOTORCYCLE FROM HO CHI MINH TO HANOI

❚ TRAVEL from Vietnam’s coast to the highlands with the wind blowing in your face and your heart pumping with excitement the entire way. There is no better way to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi than on a motorcycle, zooming past some incredible scenery.

This 2770km ride is equal parts of beach and

Photo: 7Michael

Photo: upthebanner

mountain, giving travellers the chance to be totally immersed in the beauty of Vietnam.

The ride is an unforgettable. Weave through highlands, mountains and along coast lines, gazing at magnificent undeveloped beaches, stopping in lonely villages and visiting cultural sites like the Ninh Hoa Salt Fields, Imperial City in Hue, and Vinh Moc Tunnels.

Spend time exploring cities, lazing on beaches and sampling regional Vietnamese cuisine. Snap photos of beautiful French colonial architecture, pristine beaches, and the Long Son Pagoda.

Wander around Hoi An’s old town, explore the Tràng An Scenic Complex and ride the Vinpearl Cable Car. Visit must-sees and find hidden gems, but most importantly, enjoy the ride!

Getting there: Fly into Tân Son Nhât International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Check the dates of the 6-day Vietnamese New year before booking your flights to try to avoid motorcycling from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi at this time. The roads will be congested with locals much more dangerous to be on.

20

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Tasmania in the summer of bubbles, music and the arts

SOME of the best food, wine, visual and sensory entertainment is on offer in Tasmania during this summer.

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Hobart: December 26, 2018-January 1, 2019 The fleet blow into Hobart from December 27, weather permitting.

Be at the Hobart Race Village at Constitution Dock to welcome the salt-laden sailors as they cross the line after travelling 628 nautical miles from Sydney.

Wander the docks after the race and listen to the fascinating race stories – watch and listen on as the yachties debrief and recall tales (tall and otherwise) of the open ocean.

More information at rolexsydneyhobart.com.

Taste of Tasmania, Hobart – December 28-January 3, 2019 Celebrate the way Tasmania eats, drinks and socialises at the 30th annual festival.

What began as a small waterfront festival within easy reach of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race finish line to feed and entertain the sailors has morphed into the largest food festival in Australia.

This year there is a curated culinary kitchen program featuring the best food talent in Tasmania presenting workshops, masterclasses and tastings, as well as more than 100 stallholders open from 11am-11pm daily and a vibrant program of live music across four stages.

Entry is free (except for the ticketed New Year’s Eve party) and tickets to the events are selling fast.

RELAX: The Falls Music and Arts Festival is held from December 29-Jaunary 1 each year on a beautiful farm nestled on the Tasmanian east coast near Maria Island and Hell Fire Bluff at Marion Bay.

Tasmania has a wide selection of wines for visitors to taste during their summer visit.

With over 70 stallholders, the festival event features exclusive collaborations and free family activities.

More information at thetasteoftasmania. com.au.

Falls Music and Arts Festival, Marion Bay – December 29-January 1, 2019 The 26th annual festival line up includes international acts Chvrches, Anderson Paak & The Free Nationals, Toto and Dizzee Rascal, and home-grown heroes Vance

tickets at the website fallsfestival.com.

Hobart International Tennis, Hobart – January 6-12, 2019 This is Tasmania’s premier international women’s sporting event and a lead in tournament for players to fine-tune their preparations ahead of Melbourne’s Australian Open.

Having hosted some of

Joy, Flight Facilities and Amy Shark.

Head along to The Village, a family-friendly space with circus shows, kid’s comedians, face painting, yoga sessions, treasure hunts and more.

The beach is a short stroll away and there are plenty of food and drink options to keep the foodies entertained too.

More information and

The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is a 628 nautical mile race described as one of the most gruelling ocean races.

the biggest names in tennis like Serena Williams, Dinara Safina and Australian number one Sam Stosur, the tournament promises top on court action as well as premium food trucks with fantastic local fare, a beer garden and the chance to win a meet and greet with the women’s singles champion post-match.

More information at hobartinternational. com.au.

Cygnet Folk Festival, Cygnet – January 11-13, 2019 Into folk music? Head to the 37th annual Cygnet Folk Festival to enjoy more than 100 acts in the picturesque town of Cygnet, an hour south of Hobart in the Huon Valley.

This is Tasmania’s leading celebration of folk and world music, dance, poetry, performance art, food and culture and is highly regarded by musicians and festival-goers from all over Australia and overseas.

The competition to get on stage is fierce and the punters are the beneficiaries.

In 2019 enjoy musical performances as well as workshops, dances and market stalls.

Tickets at cygnet folkfestival.org/tickets.

Mona Foma Launceston – January 13-20, 2019 Mona Foma is back for another year of mayhem, this time based in Launceston.

Mona’s summer festival will welcome artists from Australia and overseas such as Courtney Barnett, Neneh Cherry and Underworld, who will perform alongside a program of arts trails, morning meditations and of course, the famous onesie party.

Australian artist and designer Adele Varcoe has teamed up with Finnish clothing label Self-Assembly to create over 2000 DIY onesies (no sewing machines required) for the event.

Tickets at monafoma.net.au.

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SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

Snowy Mountain fishing Nige Webster THE NSW high country is a personal favourite of mine and I’ve spent years of my life fishing here. If you enjoy freshwater trout fishing then this is one of the premier places in the country to travel to.

Lakes Tantangara, Eucumbene and Jindabyne are regularly stocked with rainbow and brown trout and Atlantic salmon; they also support a self-sustaining population of brown trout.

The rivers that run into these lakes are all well known for fabulous fishing within season.

These rivers are closed to fishing during the spawn run of June to October, but the lakes are open year-round.

There is a lot of accommodation up here in the way of hotels, motels and caravan parks.

Mid-winter sees the area overrun with ski enthusiasts and expenses rise, so best times of year to travel here include September to May. I often stay in places

Fishing in Jindabyne.

SKILLED RELAXATION: Fishing on Lake Jindabyne, Snowy Mountains. like Jindabyne, Kalkite, Old Adaminaby, Providence Portal and the like. My favourite place to stay is Rydges Horizons in Jindabyne which has a beautiful view over the lake.

The easiest ways to

catch a trout in the lakes is to bait fish – scrub worms, mudeyes, yabbies, powerbait – off the banks or troll a lure behind a boat.

Two to 4kg rods with six to 10lb breaking strain lines will cover most

bases.

There are many lures which will catch fish in the lakes: winged Tasmanian Devils, bibbed hardbodies that imitate trout and dive between one and three metres will work well.

Getting lures deeper

Photos: Destination NSW

beneath downriggers is also popular.

Trolling attractors with baits behind them is deadly when the weather is really good. Sight fishing the dams with a fly rod or casting streamer flies early, late in the day

or at night during summer are proven ways to catch trout on a fly rod.

The rivers are simply stunning and walking them with a fishing rod is a treat. Check regulations but most rivers are lure and fly only and closed at times.

Casting and retrieving lures across likely looking trout lies will always produce a few fish in these parts.

Small bibbed lures and spinners that run shallow are perfect to take on a day exploring the rivers.

Next month I will take you on a Darwin fishing trip.

Nige Webster works for AFN Fishing & Outdoors and presents and produces The Fishing Show on 7Mate.

22

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

WE’RE HOME: Alan and Sue Smith.

Photos: Contributed

Right way to the Outback Ann Rickard EVER since he was eight years old, Alan ‘Smithy’ Smith has known the Australian outback is unique to the world.

Way ahead of his time, he held a deep love for the outback and would spend days wandering into the bush from his home in Blackall, Central West Queensland.

“As a child whenever we had visitors, I would take them out to some amazing places,” he said.

“Sometimes the visitors were blown away with the simple things, the bush, the petrified wood, the stories about what the families had done in developing the land, the pioneer shearers.

“My family owned a soft drink factory for 34 years in Blackall.

“I was always engaged in different parts of the community and there was an amazing mix of characters in the community. Lots of stories to tell.”

By the time he was 21, Smithy knew he had to share his love of the bush

and his prodigious knowledge with others and start a small tour company. That was 30 years ago in 1988 before our outback had much of a profile.

“There were not the visitors that there are now,” he said.

“I started with a billy made from a three-litre juice tin, a camp oven, a troop carrier, photocopied brochures and an answering machine. I traded in my little 4WD and convinced the bank to lend me $28,000.”

That was the beginning of Outback Aussie Tours.

Surviving in a remote marginal area was tough but Smithy had the confidence, in-depth knowledge and as many stories as there are stars in the sky.

“Looking back, I realised I pushed (tour guests) them too hard, I was so eager to share,” he said.

“I had no idea what the market could bear.

“Some of the people did not care for a swag or to be driven all over the place.

“I learnt and developed

smaller packages, one was to drive to Longreach, collect wood on the way, light a fire, boil a billy, give them a cup of tea while I mixed the damper, throw the damper in the camp oven, take people to look for petrified wood, come back and have tea and damper.

“That worked well.”

Now Smithy, with his wife Sue, runs short break packages from Longreach, Charleville and Brisbane to iconic destinations including Winton, Birdsville, Corner Country, Gulf Savannah and Cape York and the Torres Strait.

“Now it is a lot of fun, but I worked hard in the beginning, juggled three jobs, a cleaning business, packing supermarket shelves,” Smithy said.

“I had to survive and buy new equipment. Then the grey nomad market started coming. Then the Midlander train twice a week.

“In those early days, the Hall of Fame had just opened in Longreach, I would get down to the train, pull on my jacket

and big hat, walk through the train with brochures doing promotion.

“I bought my own little mini bus and doubled my fleet.”

Three decades later, with the outback now a major tourism destination, Smithy can say he was one of the pioneer tourism operations.

He has many return guests and made countless friends.

“A lot of American tourists have stayed in touch,” he said.

“A lot of the traditional grey nomad market, who are finished with driving, will take the train or fly here, do the tours.

“One of our guests is on her fifth tour, the same one every year. She loves it.

“We have fantastic encounters with wildlife, but it is the stories the people love the most and meeting the people who live here.

“We look after seniors, we don’t have early starts.

8am is a good time.”

To find out more, go to outbackaussietours. com.au.

Alan ‘Smithy’ Smith was a natural to lead outback tours.

23

SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

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DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS

Money

Multiple opinions surround a comfortable living

Tony Kaye THERE’S an old joke that if you ask three economists for their views on the economy, you are likely to get at least four answers.

To an extent, the same variance in views appears to be the case when it comes to answering the question: how much money does one need to live a comfortable retirement?

Or more to the point, do most Australians have enough funds to last them

How much retirement money is enough? through their life?

The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia calculates that to have a ‘comfortable’ retirement, single people will need $545,000 in retirement savings, and couples will need $640,000.

Such balances would generate $42,950 per annum for a single, and $60,604 for couples, according to ASFA, which assumes the retirees own their own home outright and are relatively healthy.

Yet, how much is needed to be comfortable in retirement does depend on who you ask.

A new study by the public policy think tank Grattan Institute suggests that the conventional wisdom that Australians don’t save enough for retirement is wrong, and that the vast majority of current and future retirees are likely to be financially comfortable.

Grattan says its modelling shows that,

even after allowing for inflation, most workers can expect a retirement income of at least 91 per cent of their pre-retirement income.

Furthermore, it says that through a combination of the Age Pension and their compulsory superannuation savings, many low-income earners will actually get a pay rise when they retire.

“Australians tend to spend less after they retire, and even less into old age,” according to the study’s authors, John Daley and Brendan Coates.

“Their medical costs increase, but are largely covered by the taxpayer.

“Many retirees are net savers, and current retirees often leave a legacy almost as large as their nest egg on the day they retired.”

They note that loosening the Age Pension assets test could boost retirement incomes for around 20 per cent of

‘‘

Australians tend to spend less after they retire, and even less into old age. retirees, rising to more than 70 per cent of retirees in the future.

This would also deal with anomalies in the system, where some people who save $100 while working increase their total retirement income by less than $100 in real terms.

But the institute has hit a raw nerve with Industry Super Australia (ISA), the umbrella organisation for industry superannuation funds, in suggesting that the legislated plan to increase compulsory superannuation contributions from 9.5 per cent to 12 per cent should be scrapped.

Grattan said because it believes most Australians will be comfortable in

retirement, there is no need to boost retirement incomes across the board.

In addition, it states that superannuation tax breaks and age-based tax breaks should be reduced to ensure the retirement incomes system does not become an excessive burden on future budgets and endanger funding for aged care and health.

However, the ISA says Grattan’s modelling showing the current 9.5 per cent Superannuation Guarantee levy will deliver adequate incomes for future retirees is “deeply flawed”.

ISA says the research’s flaws include assuming that everyone can top up

their super with extra voluntary contributions; that workers have a continuous, uninterrupted 37-year working life and contributions; and that living standards in retirement shouldn’t keep pace with the rest of the community.

Ultimately, most Australians will want to have created a sizeable nest egg for their retirement to ensure they can have a reasonably comfortable lifestyle.

But how much we should have saved for retirement depends on who you ask.

With average life expectancies continuing to rise, one thing is indisputable: the professional number crunchers will need to keep revising up their estimates as many of us have longer lives.

Tony Kaye is the editor of listed financial services group InvestSMART and Eureka Report.

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SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

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DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS Child: $1. Door Sales Only. Additional fees may apply.

What's on

2018 STROUD HOMES NYE FAMILY FIREWORKS

SEE the New Year in at the 2018 Stroud Homes NYE Family Fireworks.

This free, fun-filled family event will be celebrated in Bundaberg’s Central Business District, and features a family fireworks display that will emanate from the Burnett River.

Market stalls, food vendors, kids’ amusement rides and face painting will add to the party atmosphere from 5pm. The 2018 Stroud Homes NYE Family Fireworks will be held in Anzac Park, 21A Quay Street, Bundaberg from 5-8.45pm on Monday, December 31. Free community event. Phone 1300 883 699.

CHRISTMAS FULL MOON DRUMMING WITH UNITY DRUMMERS

JOIN Unity Drummers Inc for their last Full Moon Drumming Circle for the year. Dress up your drum, wear your Christmas colours and join in the atmosphere. Donations appreciated for the Salvation Army. Book a drum, phone Cynthia on 0431 933 817. On Sunday, December 23 from 6.45-7.30pm at The Esplanade, Bargara (Opposite Kacys).

2018 IWC CHRISTMAS PLAY & LEARN SESSIONS

FREE Christmas arts and crafts, plus storytelling, sessions for primary school-age children and their parents/carers. Running over three days on December 18, 19 and 20 from 10am-noon.

Everyone welcome. No need to book. Just come along.

Children must be accompanied by their parent or carer for the duration of the event. On Tuesday, December 18 – 10am-noon, Wednesday, December 19 – 10amnoon, Thursday, December 20 – 10amnoon. IWC Health & Wellbeing Centre, 184 Barolin Street, Bundaberg. Phone 1300 492 492.

2018 BETHLEHEM LIVE

ARE you looking for an interactive, inspirational and impacting event just days before Christmas?

Come and have a sneak peek at Bethlehem Live and be amazed at the atmosphere as you embark on an historical walk through the

2018 CHILDERS COOK & EAT WORKSHOP WITH ROUSHINI

HAVE A BLAST: The 2018 Stroud Homes NYE Family Fireworks will be held in Anzac Park, 21A Quay Street, Bundaberg, 5-8.45pm on Monday, December 31. This is a free, fun-filled family event.

Photo: Kylie Paisley marketplace of Bethlehem as it was 2000 years ago.

Hosted by SU QLD and the Combined Churches of Bundaberg, this unique event includes live entertainment, re-enactments of the nativity scene, acting stalls, food and drink stalls, children’s activities, animals to pat and feed and much more.

Bethlehem Live 6-9pm each night. Tuesday, December 18, Wednesday, December 19, Thursday, December 20 and Friday, December 21 at the Bundaberg Central State School, Barolin and Crofton Streets, Bundaberg.

Phone 0414 983 353 for more details.

NYE 2018 GIN GIN BIG BASH

2018 will see the Gin Gin community celebrate New Year’s Eve like never before! The local Gin Gin Sporting Community welcomes all residents and visitors from near and far to join with us in one massive family friendly celebration.

Visitors can look forward to a range of family fun activities including rides, games and face painting. The night will also feature awesome live music including performances from the Spargo Brothers.

And with a fully licensed (and fully stocked) bar on-site, along with barbecue, food trucks and

sweet stalls, no one will go hungry.

Two firework displays absolutely bursting with new and exciting products exclusive to and provided by @MrFireworks International. With a family viewing time and a midnight big bang to welcome the start of 2019. We invite residents and visitors from near and far to join us for this massive celebration of the year that was! All funds raised will go the Gin Gin Sporting Grounds Group. Gin Gin Football Grounds, Rangeview Road, Gin Gin, Bundaberg Region Monday, December 31, 5pm-1am.

All Ages. Ticket information: Adult: $5,

HOLIDAY presentation for kids with Bollywood and active games followed by cook and eat from 10am-noon on Monday, January 21 and Tuesday, January 22.

Cook and Eat workshop for adults on Monday, January 21 evening from 6-8pm. Please contact the Childers Neighbourhood Centre to RSVP & secure your spot. Isis Cultural Centre, Churchill Street, Childers. Email cnc@bundaberg .qld.gov.au or phone (07) 4130 4690.

MARYBOROUGH COMMUNITY DANCE

FOUR hours of dancing and entertainment – 8pm-midnight on the first Saturday of the month.

Anglican Hall, Clarendon Street, Maryborough.

Phone 07 5460 5600.

STORM BOY – FILM FUNDRAISER ST JOHN’S Lutheran

Primary School invites you to a special premiere screening of Storm Boy. Storm Boy has grown up to be Michael Kingley, a successful retired businessman and grandfather. When Kingley starts to see images from his past that he can’t explain, he is forced to remember his long-forgotten childhood, growing up on an isolated coastline with his father.

He recounts to his granddaughter the story of how, as a boy, he rescued and raised an extraordinary orphaned pelican, Mr Percival. Their remarkable adventures and very special bond has a profound effect on all their lives. On Friday, February 8, light refreshments from 6pm for a 6.30pm screening at Moncrieff Entertainment Centre, 177 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg. Adult: All tickets: $15, Family: 2 Adult + 2 Child $50.

Proceeds support St John’s Lutheran Primary School – Year 6 Canberra Trip. Phone (07) 4130 4100.

AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS

CELEBRATE at Bundaberg Regional Council’s official Australia Day celebrations, hosted

by Community Lifestyle Support! It doesn’t get much more Aussie than this.

Australiana-themed activities, water activities with lifeguard supervision and for a small fee you can book to use the popular Bucca Retreat water slide. Kick back with live music and roving entertainment along with a Community Volleyball Challenge with a $1000 cash prize. Come along and meet Paw Patrol – they’ll be performing two shows! Free courtesy bus operating from Bundaberg. On Saturday, January 26, 9.30am-5pm at Bucca Retreat, Kleidons Road, Bucca.

Gold coin donation. Phone 0488 197 400.

Big stars in big laughs for the senior moments

SERIOUSLY SILLY: The cast of Senior Moments get into the Christmas spirit ahead of a busy touring schedule for their comedy revue.

OPEN up the wallet and do yourself a favour this Christmas by giving the gift of laughter.

The cast and crew of the hilarious comedy revue Senior Moments have announced they’ll be at it again from February 2019 with a 17 show tour across Australia.

Actors John Wood, Max Gillies, Benita Collings, Kim Lewis and Russell Newman will be joined by Midday Show maestro Geoff Harvey on piano as

they share hilarious stories of growing old.

Senior Moments is described as a “deliciously funny and fresh collection of comic senior moments, scenes and songs, with hilarious sketches and wonderfully witty songs performed by some legendary show business seniors”.

“It’s a seriously silly show for otherwise sensible seniors.”

The 90 minute show will tour theatres is Adelaide,

Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart and Canberra, and regionally on the Gold Coast (February 27 to March 2), Newcastle, Wollongong, Caloundra, Port Macquarie (March 15-16), Wyong (February 2) and more.

Tickets start at $55 and are on sale now, go to seniormoments show.com.au for more information.

SENIORS \\DECEMBER, 2018

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

1

2

3

7

4

5

6

8 9

10 11 12

13 14 15

16

17 18

Across 1 Who (Guy ____) was recruited as a spy while at Cambridge University? (7) 4 What abdominal pain commonly distresses babies? (5) 7 What former measure of land equals a quarter of an acre? (4) 8 In which English county are the Poldark novels set? (8) 10 Which is the only group to write and produce six consecutive number one singles in the US? (3,3,4) 12 What glazed cotton fabric is used for curtains? (6) 13 What did British Honduras change its name to? (6) 15 Which Germanic musical instrument resembles a bugle with valves? (10) 18 Soft black sticks of what are used in drawing? (8) 19 France is part of which ancient region of Europe? (4) 20 Which city is the chief port and commercial centre of the United Arab Emirates? (5) 21 What is a metal support for logs in a fireplace? (7)

PUZZLES

27

Down 1 What type of hat did TV’s Frank Spencer favour? (5) 2 What was Zimbabwe formerly called? (8) 3 What dead animal might be kept in a bathroom? (6) 4 Which fairytale was first recorded by the Greek historian Strabo in the first century BC? (10) 5 What open watercourse conveys water to a mill? (4) 6 What scented water is named after a German city? (7) 9 Which Italian (Bernardo ___) directed the films Last Tango in Paris and The Last Emperor? (10) 11 What creature in Greek mythology had the head of a bull and the body of a man? (8) 12 “If you’re fond of sand dunes and salty air” begins a Patti Page song about which part of Massachusetts? (4,3) 14 Which large lizard has a species that regularly ventures into the sea? (6) 16 What are toothbrush bristles usually made of? (5) 17 Which siblings (Charles and Mary ___) wrote Tales from Shakespeare in 1807? (4)

15/12

19

20

21

SUDOKU

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

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

5x5

ALPHAGRAMS

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

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

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

B

11

O I

12

13

14

15

16

18

19

H

A

H P

17

N S

BLEAT NEURAL MOVED IT SWEATIER PHONEY LOX

N

T

R

S

Note: more than one solution may be possible.

20

SOLUTIONS 21

clop clot clout cloy colt copy corrupt CORRUPTLY coup court courtly coypu crop croup croupy lorry lory lour lout outcry plot ploy poly port portly poult poultry pour pout pouty ropy rort rout tolu torc torr tour troy typo tyro your

22

N E S T S

Solution opposite

BLACKOUT

ALPHAGRAMS: TABLE, UNREAL, VOMITED, WEARIEST, XYLOPHONE. QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 1. Abut 8. Inexorable 9. Deceased 10. Lack 12. Morphs 14. Spying 15. Status 17. Fidget 18. Edge 19. Epithets 21. Concerning 22. Each.

Down: 2. Barefooted 3. Tire 4. Feasts 5. Hordes 6. Parleyed 7. Peak 11.

Concentric 13. Patience 16. Spears 17. Frigid 18. Etch 20. Huge.

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

W H I N E

DOUBLE CROSS

O T H E R

R T

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

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

TODAY: Good 20 Very Good 28 Excellent 34

L I P P Y

605

WORD GO ROUND

U R

SUDOKU

5x5

B L A S T

O

GK CROSSWORD Across: 1 Burgess. 4 Colic. 7 Rood. 8 Cornwall. 10 The Bee Gees. 12 Chintz.

13 Belize. 15 Flugelhorn. 18 Charcoal. 19 Gaul. 20 Dubai. 21 Andiron.

Down: 1 Beret. 2 Rhodesia. 3 Sponge. 4 Cinderella. 5 Leat. 6 Cologne. 9 Bertolucci. 11 Minotaur. 12 Cape Cod. 14 Iguana. 16 Nylon. 17 Lamb.

P Y

C L

Down 2. Unshod (10) 3. Fatigue (4) 4. Banquets (6) 5. Multitudes (6) 6. Discussed (8) 7. Summit (4) 11. Having a common centre (10) 13. Forbearance (8) 16. Impales (6) 17. Icy (6) 18. Carve (4) 20. Immense (4)

WORD GO ROUND

Across 1. Share a boundary (4) 8. Remorseless (10) 9. Dead (8) 10. Deficiency (4) 12. Transforms (6) 14. Snooping (6) 15. Standing (6) 17. Move restlessly (6) 18. Margin (4) 19. Curses (8) 21. Worrying (10) 22. Every one or thing (4)

Y H M E Z R K W D A J G B D J

R E A D E R S H I P S A D D S

S M Z I O E H E S A P T Y E N

K P A S S I O N K C L E A V E

T D I O U N M Y D H X W Y I T

C H A N C E H I K E B A N A J

U E A W Y D Z R G H Y Y J T Z

G A I T Z I S K Y Q U J L I P

H D F A S S I E I R C A S O L

T H S N O R E D Z E A S I N G

Z S C G I I W Z S M U P D P R

C A R E E N V S M I L I N G L

D H T N R G O O N N J R Z O J

M I N T U E I L I D T I B E X

L B P A I D O E K W R N P S B

BLACKOUT

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

Solution opposite

DOUBLE CROSS

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

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

I N B E S X E D O L E I D M I B N T

28

WIDE BAY

DECEMBER, 2018// SENIORS