Wide Bay, November 2017

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Seniors

November, 2017

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2 Seniors Wide Bay

In this edition

Feature Story: Marian Keyes .................................Page 4 Travel & Cruising feature ...............................Pages 11-16 Wellbeing .........................................................Pages 17-18 Puzzles ....................................................................Page 23

Contact us Editor Gail Forrer gail.forrer@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Media Sales Manager Kristie Waite kristie.waite@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Now online Get your news online at www.seniorsnews.com.au Advertising, editorial and distribution enquiries Phone: 1300 880 265 or (07) 5435 3200 Email: advertising@seniorsnewspaper.com.au or editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Location: 2 Newspaper Place, Maroochydore 4558 Website: www.seniorsnews.com.au Subscriptions Only $39.90 for one year (12 editions) including GST and postage anywhere in Australia. Please call our circulations services on 1300 361 604 and quote “Wide Bay Seniors Newspaper”.

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

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

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

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

Responsibility for election material in this newspaper is taken

by Gail Forrer of 2 Newspaper Place, Maroochydore.

Welcome

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, November 20, 2017

So many ways so many days

WELCOME to our November edition.

This month our pages are jam-packed with super personalities, starting with the awesome Rhonda Burchmore, whose long legs are still scrapping the stage ceilings around Australia. When you have people dancing like Rhonda, singing like Rhonda and showing up like Rhonda, then you have to believe that age really is just a number.

While Rhonda is dancing, internationally acclaimed author Marian Keyes is writing about her view from life now that she is in her 50s. The same as her books, Marian is open, honest and insightful. This glass-half-full person has faced a lot in her life, including alcoholism (she has been sober for 24 years) and depression, which she has also overcome, no doubt, along with her natural literary ability, it is these

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK GAIL FORRER Group editor Seniors Newspapers network

experiences that allow her to look into the lives of others, identify the nuances, differences and idiosyncrasies and weave them into hugely appealing stories. In this interview, Keyes is upfront about what she sees as the real agenda for older people – hope you enjoy the read on page 4.

That marvellous movie The Marigold Hotel captured the colourful picture of retirees who, for a myriad of reasons, have chosen to retire overseas. In this edition, our journalists speak to people who are both working or retiring overseas and through

their conversations reveal the motivation behind their choices. Not so long ago, this sort of retirement would seem a far-fetched thought for most of the population, but these days fast communication such as internet, has indeed turned the world into a

❝

These days fast communication such as internet, has indeed turned the world into a global village global village, where next door neighbours could not only be around the corner, but across the ocean.

Certainly, the vast majority

of people who are presently retired or planning to be in the near future, are looking at a world full of options that were not available to our parents.

One lady who had recognised the changed circumstances of contemporary ageing is Queensland’s 62-year-old Marlene Rutherford.

After a lifetime working as a professional in the wellness industry, she has created a retreat where people can consciously examine ageing.

Through workshops and guidance, she makes it possible to recognise alternative routes on the ageing journey.

There’s plenty of more reading on all sorts of topics, I hope you can take your time and enjoy the stories.

Cheers Gail

Tips for caravanning with your partner

KEEPING CALM: Caravanning can be most enjoyable if you have some tools to help you through the challenging times on the road.

PHOTO: RACHEL VERCOE

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TRAVELLING with your partner can be a great experience or it can cause domestic friction as you both spend a lot of time together in small spaces.

Here are eight tips that should help make your next caravanning trip more fun.

1. Expectations: Set the expectations of your travelling adventure together before you go.

Communicating your feelings will ensure that those expectations have the best chance of being met.

2. Planning: The ‘dreaming and scheming’ phase of an adventure is almost as fun as the real thing, so plan your trip together.

Read books, pour over maps and talk to seasoned caravanners.

3. Space: Caravanning together doesn’t mean you must be prepared for constant companionship. Decide together how much time you would like to spend apart during your trip.

4. Sociability: You’ll have the chance to befriend new people on the road, so decide whether you are

TUNED UP FOR THE THIRD AGE PAUL McKEON

❝

Camping can be as romantic as you choose to make it. Take time to soak up spectacular sunsets, sleep under the stars. Spend time talking and sharing. seeking exclusive time together, or a broader social experience.

5. Patience: Life on the road brings your partner’s idiosyncrasies into high relief. Does your partner need to pack a suitcase and a snakebite kit for a

short walk? Patience and tolerance of your partner’s quirks will be more important than ever.

6. Respite: Take a holiday from your holiday occasionally. Long journeys are challenging, and it’s important to take weekends or days off. Plan something completely different on your time off.

7. Romance: Camping can be as romantic as you choose to make it.

Take time to soak up spectacular sunsets, sleep under the stars.

Spend time talking and sharing.

8. Humour: Don’t forget to pack your sense of humour! You’ll make mistakes, plans will go awry, you’ll get frustrated with each another, so a sense of humour is essential.

These tips come from people who know a lot about caravanning, the Caravan, RV & Accommodation Industry of Australia. You’ll find lots more useful information and advice in a huge range of articles on our website at www.retirement books.com.au.

Monday, November 20, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Cover Story: Rhonda Burchmore

Wide Bay

Seniors 3

Rhonda, still ABBAsolutely fabulous at 57

Delightful entertainer talks about staying young Ann Rickard

THOSE flawless long legs were a gift from God, but everything else about legendary entertainer Rhonda Burchmore is a case of hard work and balanced living.

Touring Australia with her ABBA-Solutely Fabulous show alongside co-star Lara Mulcahy, Rhonda is a picture of health and vitality that belies her 57-year age.

“I started clocking off how old I was when I got to 30,” she laughed. “It is how you age and feel that works.”

Rhonda, who has a long and enduring career including stage, cabaret and television work, says a lifetime working with young people has kept her youthful, as well as spending as much time as she can with her young daughter.

“My daughter keeps me on my toes. I love hanging out with her, and I love working professionally with young people in the band,” she said.

“Some of the band members are so young I have had to introduce them to ABBA.” The ABBA-Solutely Fabulous show is not a tribute show, rather a fun party showcasing all the iconic ABBA songs along with plenty of humour and a storyline.

It requires Rhonda to slither into a skintight gold jumpsuit that leaves nowhere to hide.

“I can’t have fish and chips

before I get into that suit,” she laughed. “I don’t know what (ABBA) were thinking in the ’70s with those jumpsuits, but doing the show is a joyful thing for me now.”

At 182cm tall, Rhonda is long and sleek, a delightful contrast to her ABBA-Solutely Fabulous co-star Lara Mulcahy, a small bundle of Rubenesque curves.

“We are like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito,” Rhonda said.

“We don’t care. We are a certain age and proud to get into our Lyrca and spread the old girl-power message. Lara is very voluptuous and as short as I am tall.

“I think that is part of the joy we bring – the message that you can be fabulous at any age, get out and have a good time. We have the audiences up singing and dancing.”

Obviously, the high-energy performance requires a good level of fitness, which Rhonda works into her daily routine.

“I have two standard poodles I walk every day,” she said. “I don’t ever sit idle too long. I am not one of those ladies who does lunch – not that there is anything wrong with that, it is just not me.

“I am much better creating a project or running around. The only time I sit down is for dinner, or a movie or a bit of telly at night. I’m active all the time. I pine for those times when I can

strip off all the make-up and the bling and go for long walks. It revitalises me.”

Even though Rhonda appears to live a life of showbiz glamour, entertaining and attending parties, she emphasises the need to keep mind as well as body at peak performance as you age.

“I am like everyone else, I go through bad times.

Everyone experiences loss and sadness, but you can’t dwell. Sometimes I could roll up in a big ball and die and dwell in sadness.

“That is one of the reasons I am doing the (ABBA-Solutely Fabulous) show. It is my outlet to go out and entertain, to enjoy life.

“People ask me when I will retire and I say retirement is not a word in my vocabulary. I will not stop, there is no reason.”

As for those famous long legs, Rhonda laughs off rumours they are insured for a million dollars.

“They are not,” she said.

“That’s a myth. What use is a pair of legs if everything else falls apart?”

Rhonda Burchmore and Lara Mulcahy and their show are currently in Queensland. More details online at www.rhonda burchmore.com.

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GOLDEN GIRL: Rhonda, who has a long and enduring career including stage, cabaret and television work, says a lifetime working with young people has kept her youthful, as well as spending as much time as she can with her young daughter.

PHOTO: JOHN MCRAE

4 Seniors Wide Bay

Feature Story: Marian Keyes

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, November 20, 2017

Marian Keyes tackles big issues with humour

Happiness, sadness, divorce, kids, parents, finding love...

Alison Houston

BEST-SELLING author Marian Keyes has never been afraid to tackle life and its issues head-on.

And while her protagonists may be slightly older, that is just as true in her latest novel The Break.

“When I started writing at 30, I was writing about people in their 20s. Now I’m in my 50s, I’m writing about people in their 40s because, of course, as I get older my concerns are going to change entirely – the way I view things and the things that are affecting the people around me,” Marian said.

She hinted that menopause, with its associated anxiety, sleeplessness and questioning of life for many, would play a part in her forthcoming novel.

“The whole issue of menopause has not been written about to my satisfaction. It’s infuriating that these women are not treated with any compassion,” she said.

“I want to write about that honestly so people say ‘oh, thank God, it’s not just me!’.”

The Break deals with a couple in their 40s who are facing their own mortality, fading love and attempting to rediscover themselves as individuals.

After 22 years of her own marriage, Marian said she believed change was inevitable, but keeping the lines of communication open was the key to remaining happy together.

“I think if you’re with any person for any length of time, you are going to live through serial relationships. That crazy love of the early days isn’t sustainable.

“But you’ve got to keep making sure you’re on the same page, or at least communicating.

“It’s easy to get lazy in a relationship and just think the other person will always be there.

“You have to keep connected with who you are, and who they are, and what your unique bond is.”

In The Break, Amy is gobsmacked when her husband of 18 years, Hugh, who has been grieving the loss of his father and a close friend,

announces he needs six months to go off alone and “find himself” – and he doesn’t rule out sexual encounters.

Marian admits it was hard work to write so that Hugh remained a likeable and sympathetic character to readers, and show that Amy was not without her flaws.

“I was so bored of reading about mid-life crises where the man was painted as a complete ***hole, without any sort of sympathetic features and the woman was some sort of sappy martyr,” Marian said.

She wanted to create a realistic portrait of life in those years when you become “almost viscerally aware of your own mortality”.

She also wanted to challenge the idea that “people of a certain age no longer have sex”.

“It annoys me that especially for women, people believe when they get to a certain age that they are just sexless – that’s codswallop!” she said.

While she admits some people are quite happy for that area of their lives to diminish, for those who are still excited by the idea of being found sexually attractive “why shouldn’t they?

And no-one, especially young people, has any right to pass judgment”.

Marian said while she had always found it “mortifying” to write sex scenes, it was no more difficult for older characters, and she wanted to ensure they could enjoy “properly raunchy sex” too.

“I was very much making a statement,” she said.

In The Break, Amy discovers that she has lost herself in her marriage and family, something Marian said happens all too often.

“Especially now for ‘the sandwich generation’ – people who have the worry of elderly parents with illness as well as the demands of children.

WE’RE A LOT ALIKE: Marian Keyes has just completed a promotional tour for her 13th book The Break, but says Australians have ‘got her’ from the start because, like the Irish, we don’t take ourselves too seriously.

“Life is hard, work is hard and money is short and often it’s easy for women to come last.”

As is characteristic of Marian’s novels, Amy and Hugh do not operate in a vacuum, but are surrounded by family … however dysfunctional.

That includes Amy’s father who has dementia, something Marian has personal experience of.

“Dad has Alzheimer’s and the hardest part was when it began,” she said.

“It’s really frightening when you realise it’s happening.

“My family’s response was to go into denial, but now that it’s full blown, it’s become normalised – he’s still Dad.” Again, Marian hopes that by dealing directly with the subject, it may open conversations about not just those experiencing the disease but their carers, and their need for greater government support.

“It’s ridiculous that spouses and kids are just expected to be able to take care of these people,” she said, hailing her mother as a superwoman.

“It’s awfully hard work.

It’s like child care in reverse, but it’s different because they can be really obstreperous, and of course they are fully grown.”

Marian has always spoken openly about her own battles with depression and alcohol and proudly states she has been sober for nearly 24 years.

She said while she felt alcoholism was “just very much a part of my story”, something she understood was an illness, not of her choosing and would not be be shamed for, when she was hit by depression hit, she did feel ashamed.

It brought her to the lowest of lows, terrified of the world and spending hours each day considering how she would kill herself.

“Society is very quick to blame the person with depression, as if they caused it themselves, or it’s just self-pity.

“But this is something you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy…”

She said it took her a long time to realise that depression too was a disease and that how she was feeling was not her fault.

“Even with cancer, people talk about people’s ‘battle with cancer’, and if they die, it’s as if they didn’t battle hard enough.

It makes me so angry that the onus is being put on the sufferer – not only are they ill, but they are responsible for their own cure.”

As a result of her illness, it’s been 11 years since Marian was last in Australia, but she said “from the word go, from my first book, people in Australia understood, they ‘got it’.”

She believes this is due to the similarities between the Australian and Irish personalities.

“We don’t take ourselves too seriously,” she said.

“Humour is important to us and we have the ability to laugh at ourselves and at misfortune.”

And that, of course, is a characteristic of Marian’s books, that even, or perhaps especially, dealing with the darkest subjects, there is always humour not too far away.

If you are battling depression, call Lifeline 13 11 14 24-hours a day.

6 Seniors Wide Bay

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, November 20, 2017

Community THE Wide Bay Coast Seniors would like to offer local clubs and community groups the opportunity to submit notices of your neighbourhood news. If you would also like to submit a photo please ensure it is at least 180dpi or 500kb to 1mb in size and of faces, in a nice bright setting. The deadline for the December issue is December 5.

You can email your notices to Nicky or Chris at communitynotes@ seniorsnewspaper. com.au.

MIXED PROBUS HERVEY BAY CITY INC.

NOVEMBER marks the last meeting for the 2017 year, which will be held in the Masonic Hall, in Watson St on Thursday, November 23 at 9.15am.

Please note in your diaries that the January meeting will be held at the boat club on Thursday, January 25 at 9.30am. Please note a later starting time.

For further information call Judith on 0458 008 087.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

THE Hervey Bay and Maryborough Multiple Sclerosis Support Group meet on the first Friday of each month on the deck at the Hervey Bay RSL at 10am for a coffee and a chat. Our meetings vary in attendance depending on individual circumstances and MS health problems but several of our group have become grey nomads this last year with one couple venturing on a caravanning trip across the Nullarbor Plain to check out Western Australia, good for them.

We will have a special meeting on Wednesday, November 15 when two of our regional services co-ordinators will visit to catch up with us all for a general chat. Amanda is our RSC, whereas Tasman has been elevated to a higher position. These

Earlybird tickets are only on sale until December 31. Details go to: www.agnesbluesand roots.com.au.

GATAKERS ART SPACE

Hervey Bay VIEW Club guest speaker deputy mayor George Seymour (right), addressing the club on poverty in our society today and its effects on our youth and the homeless.

DAY OF DISCOVERY: Hervey Bay VIEW Club ladies photographed standing under the tail skeleton of a large whale while enjoying the Discovery Sphere at the Regional Gallery.

impromptu meetings are beneficial and keep us informed and up to date with the happenings within MS Queensland and Australia. We are always welcoming of anyone with MS and newly diagnosed are most welcome to sit in on a meeting to discuss their own situation and ask questions. For more details contact Bev on 4128 2692 or email bev_cornwell@hotmail. com.

HERVEY BAY VIEW CLUB

THE Hervey Bay VIEW Club (Voice, Interests and Education of Women) meetings and luncheon are always the second Monday of each month at the club house, Tooth St, Pialba from 10.30am and usually includes a guest speaker. Monthly socials are on the fourth Monday at various venues from 9.30am. Our special guest speaker for October was deputy mayor George Seymour who spoke widely on Anti-Poverty Week, which fell during October, dealing with the homelessness of the young, youth unemployment, and the damaging and detrimental effect poker machines and gambling have on today’s families and society in general.

November’s social was a

visit to the Regional Gallery but unfortunately we chose the day they were remounting new paintings. We all enjoyed an interesting journey through the Discovery Sphere highlighting many local attractions, the wreck and history of the Maheno on Fraser Island and our wonderful marine life. New or interested ladies are always welcome to join our friendly group.

For more details contact Kerry on 0409 479 152 or email herveybay.viewclub95@ gmail.com.

PCYC CHRISTMAS MARKET

THE Bundaberg PCYC will hold a Christmas Market on Sunday, December 10 at the PCYC, 1 Civic Ave. The market will run from 8am with the canteen open from 7.30am for breakfast, with bacon and egg rolls, toasted sandwiches and a sausage sizzle on offer, as well as hot and cold drinks. For a relaxing morning out, come along and browse the stalls and buy that gift for someone special. You will be sure to find something for everyone. To book a site or for more information call Irene on 0437 645 941 or email irene.petretic@pcyc. org.au.

BARGARA OVER 50’S SOCIAL CLUB

WE ARE holding a cent sale and hoy on Saturday, December 9. Doors open at 12.30pm for 1.30 start.

Good prizes and afternoon tea. Bargara Cultural Centre, cnr of Hughes and Watson Rds, Bargara. For details call Sandy on 0414 397 267 or Thelma on 0403 639 733.

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: ■ 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.

Call the service on 4124 6863 or call into their office at Shop 6, 16 Torquay Rd, Hervey Bay (opp RSL) – Monday to Friday 9am–3pm.

RED CROSS

WE ARE a not-for-profit

organisation that supports older Australians to live more comfortably and independently in their own homes. We provide community programs in your area that assists their wellbeing.

■ Telecross Telecross provides daily wellbeing checks for people living alone and at risk of falls or sudden illness. Volunteers phone participants seven days a week, 365 days a year to see if they are OK. ■ Telechat Telechat provides a weekly social phone call to people living alone that need some friendship and companionship.

Volunteers call the same participants for 20–30 minutes each week.

■ Visiting (Community Visitors Scheme) Volunteers visit on a fortnightly basis to provide social support such as chatting, playing games, reading and in some cases, going on outings.

For further inquiries or to contact Red Cross, call 1300 885 698.

AGNES BLUES, ROOTS & ROCK FESTIVAL

THE time is right to go online and grab your Earlybird Tickets for the 2018 Agnes Blues, Roots & Rock Festival. The festival organisers have just released the inclusion of an international blues artist in the line-up, Eugene Hideaway Bridges.

PRESENTING an Acoustic Guitar Spectacular.

Winner of the international 2016 Guitar Masters fingerstyle competition East Frisian guitarist Soenke Meinen embarks on his first Australian tour as part of the 2017 Acoustic Guitar Spectacular. With Bruce Mathiske, arguably the finest all-round guitarist Australia has produced (The Australian) and Michael Fix, one of Australia’s Top 25 Guitarists of All Time.

Pre-order a cheese platter for two for $20, call 4190 5723 to order.

Payment can be made at the event. Located at 311 Kent St, Maryborough.

Call 4190 5723 or go www.ourfrasercoast.com. au/gatakers-artspace.

OLD BAGS LUNCH

COME along to an afternoon of frivolous fun with a fundraising focus.

Your ticket price includes a delicious two-course lunch, tea and coffee. A bar will also be operating on the day.

You are asked to bring along an old or new handbag to donate and during the course of the lunch guests will have an opportunity to ‘swap’ handbags. There will also be displays from local businesses and a continuous raffle.

All proceeds from the lunch will be donated to a local worthy charity.

Venue Bundaberg Multiplex Centre (stage two), 1 Civic Ave, Bundaberg on Saturday, December 2 from 12–3pm, Admission: $45 includes two-course lunch, tea and coffee.

Call 4130 4264 or 0438 474 816 or email kim.ovens@bundaberg. qld.gov.au.

Call for elder abuse support group members WIDE Bay residents Maggie and David Sheehan are looking for people within the region who are interested in joining them in an elder abuse support group.

With their recent experience still raw, but with a determination to make a difference within their community, the couple who are in their 70s want to reach out to

other elder abuse victims and give them access to a supportive group where experiences and support information can be shared.

“We feel that there

must be other seniors in similar situations which can be intimidating and frightening, and which they are afraid to speak out about,” Maggie said.

For more information,

please call Maggie on 4129 0542.

What is elder abuse?

To learn more about what it is, the Seniors Legal and Support Service will be hosting a

free session on Wednesday, December 6 in the meeting room at the Hervey Bay Library from 10am–12pm.

For more information, call Toni on 4124 6863.

Wide Bay

Monday, November 20, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

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8 Seniors Wide Bay

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, November 20, 2017

What’s on

CRAFT FAIR

HERVEY Bay Crafters Christmas Craft Fair is being held on Saturday and Sunday, November 25&26 from 9.30am– 3pm at the Hervey Bay RSL, Torquay Rd, Pialba.

Stalls of 100 per cent hand-crafted goods. No used or sell-on items.

Every craft from A–Z, even reindeer food. Raffle supporting Meals on Wheels Fraser Community.

Meals, drinks and snacks always available at the RSL. Call 4124 7241 or email dillyau@live.com.

Are you raising Grandchildren?

Do you need information?

Call us!

1300 135 500

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

6243975ac

CHILDERS COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

www.grandparentsqld.com.au

CELEBRATE the festive season with a roast lunch, delicious dessert, tea and coffee. Enjoy the music, join in raffles and meet new friends. Isis Club, Childers on Wednesday, December 13. Doors open at 10.30am for 11am start of cent sale. Cost $16 main meal and dessert.

6–9pm. Call Beth Scott on 0419 667 530 or email beth-scott@bigpond.com.

GIN GIN SANTA FAIR

JOLLY TIME: The festive season is upon us, so let’s celebrate.

Call Debra Murphy on 4130 4690 or email cnc@bundaberg.qld. gov.au.

PAGEANT OF LIGHTS FESTIVAL

DISCOVER the region’s Christmas spirit by taking part in Bundaberg Regional Council’s annual Pageant of Lights with a variety of performances on the CBD Pavilion Stage.

Bourbong St, Bundaberg Central on Thursday, December 7 from 6–9pm. Call council on 1300 883 699.

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT BARGARA

IT IS a joy-filled occasion, where the family can bring a blanket and relax while being entertained under the canopy of our beautiful summer night sky. This event will includes live entertainment, interactive community singing and more. Gates open at 5.30 for a 6pm start at Coral Coast Christian Church, 596 Windermere Rd, Bargara. Saturday, December 16 from

BRINGING back a much-loved event of the past being the Gin Gin Santa Fair. There will be fairground rides, sideshow alley, pony and camel rides, entertainment, stalls, community groups and more. Gin Gin Showgrounds, King St on Saturday, December 9 from 3pm. Cost adults $2, children (3–13 years) $1, family $5. Call Wendi Guy on 0404 360 174 or email ginginsantafair@yahoo. com.

TIN CAN BAY COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CAROLS

ON SUNDAY, December 10 presented by the Tin Can Bay Community Church.

Christmas Carols in the Park behind the RSL. Carols start 6pm.

Glow sticks and battery candles for sale.

Conscious Ageing

Monday, November 20, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Wide Bay

Seniors 9

The Best Quality Assisted Living in the Wide Bay FREE TRIAL STAY

Pathways to new age Gail Forrer

HOW do you feel about getting older? Good, bad, indifferent.

For 62-year-old Marlene Rutherford, the time arrived to examine her own feelings about ageing after seeing her father end up in a nursing home and knowing he had never wanted to be in one.

Marlene, a mother of four and grandmother of five, started her career as a psychiatric nurse, going on to gain a post-graduate qualification. She furthered her career in health with courses in alternative medicine including qualifications in reflexology.

Her background in wellness has provided a solid foundation to begin a conscious examination of ageing. Right from the start she became aware of certain repetitive phrases.

“I noticed I kept hearing comments like, ‘It’s a bugger getting old’,” she said.

“Of course, we get old and things don’t work the same as they use to – but there are other things we can do.”

The key, she thought, to

❝

The key, she thought, to finding the things we can do, was in having an awareness of what was possible and that meant finding out who you wanted to be, identifying your beliefs about death and dying and learning how to construct a new path.

finding the things we can do, was in gaining an understanding of what was possible and that meant finding out who you wanted to be, identifying your beliefs about death and learning how to construct a new path.

“We are pioneers of this new age and our wisdom is so needed, let’s not tuck ourselves away to age quietly, let’s bring

ourselves fully into the light as elders and manifest our greatness to help shape family, community and society,” she said.

To that end, Marlene has created her Ageing Consciously, Step up as an Elder in your Community weekend retreats.

Within the retreat, exercises explore the areas of work, creativity, spirituality, and community. How to find your own “conscious ageing rhythm” and how to look afresh to recreate yourself.

Additionally, Marlene said she delved into questions such as: ■ If I need help as I age what is my vision for how I want to approach this spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically?

■ What facilitates compassionate and mindful discussions about our own end of life plans as well as for those we love?

Retreats are held in comfortable accommodation in Brisbane and the Gold Coast hinterland.

For more, go to joyfulawakenings.com.au.

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CONSCIOUS AGEING: Marlene Rutherford helps find a unique path.

10 Seniors Wide Bay

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, November 20, 2017

Talk’n’thoughts Hurdles, highjumps and solutions

What are you doing later on?

LOOKS like it’s time to start some Olympic-style training.

I say that because it appears this generation of older adults is facing a long run into the future.

Last month, I presented a small selection of scientific advances made in the longevity industry.

From all accounts, ongoing discoveries in this area are well on the way to providing us with extra years.

This month, the Australian Bureau of Statistics shared more information relating to the subject of longevity.

The report noted: “In the past 125 years to 2015, life expectancy in Australia increased by 33.2 years for males and 33.7 years for females.”

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK GAIL FORRER

Group editor Seniors Newspapers network

Which poses the question: How will we occupy these extra years?

There’s no point looking to our parents for an example.

The generation before us basically followed a path of retiring at 65 years old and not living much longer after that.

Not so these days.

Our job is to not only live for a couple of more decades, but also to provide ways and means to do it with dignity, self-respect and joy.

However, if we don’t have the superannuation funds to match, it’s time to seek out other options.

In this edition we have published a couple of lifestyle scenarios chosen by people in their 60s.

One option is to keep working and never, ever quit.

Another alternative is to live in a cheaper country and, according to the people we have interviewed, this expat lifestyle holds a lot advantages.

However, both of these options – a lifelong working life and overseas living – also require society to acknowledge, accept and incorporate corresponding legislation in terms of visas and taxations to fit the

changing circumstances.

This includes the serious issue of age discrimination in the workplace. As more older adults seek employment, so do claims of discrimination rise.

One of my job-seeking friends tells me that on numerous occasions, after emailing her resume to a prospective employer (where her age is not mentioned), she obtains a face-to-face interview, where her age (57) is obvious, and she never hears back.

Of course, that’s only one story, but from what I hear, it is indicative of what many older people experience.

Certainly, research completed by the Benevolent Society

provides definite evidence of ageism, but also ways it can be addressed.

Additionally, Human Rights and Age Discrimination Commissioner Dr Kay Patterson has made workplace age discrimination a priority.

Recently, parliament decided against major changes to the rules and regulations governing people overseas receiving pensions.

However, from January 1, 2018, there are changes to the Pension Supplement for people who live overseas or travel outside Australia for more than six weeks.

Share housing, intergenerational living and the tiny homes movements add another

dimension to the changing lifestyle of the older Australian.

Again, we need government to see the value of supporting these kinds of alternative housing.

Finally, our story with Marlene Rutherford and her workshops on consciously ageing is, again, something that is totally unique but I believe necessary as we address a new world order.

As American social anthropologist and author Mary Bateson Clark advises – do not juggle all the things you have to do in life, instead put some thought in and compose rather than juggle.

Indeed, time to start training for the new years ahead.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Email editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au or go online to www.seniorsnews.com.au.

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Wide Bay

Monday, November 20, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Seniors 11

Travel

INSIDE: CRUISING SPECIAL

Why take a tour with a guide?

ADVANTAGES

■ Local knowledge UNLESS you are a fanatic about research before you travel, you will probably miss many a highlight and relevant information. A local guide will take you to all the important sites and ensure you don’t miss anything.

■ Safety SOME countries and

destinations should never be considered without a tour guide, on safari for example (you preferably want one with a stun-gun), or in India where just leaving your hotel is a journey into chaos. A tour guide will not let you venture into dangerous parts of any town or city either, and this is a big one for seniors’ safety.

■ Jumping the queue A GOOD tour guide will have access to pre-booked tickets that you, as a free-spirited traveller, will not. This is especially welcome at crowded and popular museums, cathedrals or sites where the queues extend for several kilometres. Skipping the queues is a big advantage for seniors.

■ Saving time

ALL travellers have experienced the frustration of wasting time looking for that famous landmark, site, icon. Many an argument has sprung between couples over a map and a confused expression. A guide will get you there effortlessly and take all the responsibility. A guide will also know places or sites to avoid during rush times, saving you hours of frustration.

■ No driving DRIVING in foreign countries on the other side of the road is stressful for everyone, let alone the nervous senior.

Anyone who has driven in Rome or navigated the multiple lanes around the Arc de Triomphe will tell you horror stories. A guide and driver will move you

smoothly through even the most frenzied city and get you as close as possible to the destination.

DISADVANTAGES

■ Too much structure A STRUCTURED tour means you are locked in.

You will not be able to visit that delightful trattoria, bistro or patisserie you passed on your way to a famous landmark, no chance of going back to discover those tempting markets you passed on the bus – you have an itinerary to stick to. You will never know what you have missed.

■ Other people GROUPS mean there will always be someone annoying (never you, of course). It is impossible to love everyone in a group and there will be

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■ Way too much to do MANY tours have their guests up at dawn and into a big bus to complete a busy full day’s itinerary before a hotel dinner (again structured) and then bed. Too much travel means you won’t remember half of what you see or do, will not be able to take your time and soak up the atmosphere, let alone immerse yourself in the culture and get to know the locals.

Ann hosts groups of eight on her Provence tours, with a large house as a base from where she does day trips, allowing for plenty of free time around the pool with a glass of French wine and flexibility for shopping.

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occasions when you must grit your teeth and bite your tongue or end up in an argument.

■ Trapped into buying IN POORER countries you will often find your tour guide taking you to his brother’s carpet shop or his cousin’s souvenir store where you will be stuck and hassled to buy something you don’t want.

■ Too much information WHILE tour guides will give you inside knowledge about that fresco in a cathedral or the carvings on a temple, they can often be too long-winded for most travellers, who want only the minimum information. Trying to pay attention to every small fact and historic date is difficult… especially for the senior who finds standing in one spot

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She has also been on many a trip herself where tour guides have hosted her. She gives us some of the advantages and disadvantages for seniors when it comes to holidaying independently or with a tour group.

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12 Seniors Wide Bay

Travel

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, November 20, 2017

CRUISING

Insure for a good time International medical care can be a very expensive cost

reported.

The researchers found 70 per cent of these cruise travellers were exposing themselves to significant risk because they believed there was less chance of losing their luggage than on a flight, or that their voyage would be cancelled or delayed.

Other key findings of the survey of cruise travellers were: ■ 37 per cent of those aged 65 and over bought travel insurance policies that might not adequately cover them.

■ 65 year olds and over had a better than average understanding of travel insurance, but a large proportion thought it covered cruises as standard, leading to under-insurance or non-insurance.

■ More than a third of them believed travel insurance was less important for cruises than

CRUISING: Many cruise travellers mistakenly believe Medicare or their private health insurer will cover any medical expenses.

other overseas holidays because cruise ships have doctor to treat passengers if they get sick.

Understand Insurance spokesman Campbell Fuller said: “Unfortunately, 53 per cent of cruise ship passengers and cruise intenders in the next two years believe they can rely

We’ve Gone

Social!

on medical care on board their ship, and that if they fall critically ill the Australian Government will pay for their care and their evacuation back home.

“That is not the case.

Medical treatment, hospital stays and medical evacuations back home can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“Too often, Australia’s consular officials in foreign ports have to help ill or injured passengers who are either not insured or have not bought the right insurance cover.

“When cruise passengers book a trip, they should make sure they buy travel insurance that covers them for their cruise, and for all

destinations they intend to go.

“Travellers who have pre-existing medical conditions should also let their insurer know beforehand.”

Did you know: ■ A day in an international hospital can cost $10,000 and payment is often required prior to admission.

Join the conversation on Facebook.

Visit us at seniorsnews.com.au 6708267aa

BY 2020, close to two million Australians will be packing for a cruise, but they won’t necessarily have the correct travel insurance. Recent research proves almost half of those holiday makers won’t be taking out travel insurance or won’t take out the correct type to cover them when on a cruise ship and at their destinations.

Also revealed was that during the time on board, many travellers mistakenly believe Medicare or their private health insurer will cover any medical expenses.

“Nearly a third incorrectly assumed the Federal Government would pay if they needed to be medically evacuated from a cruise ship,” the Quantum Market Research’s Understand Insurance and smartraveller.gov.au survey researchers

Travel

Monday, November 20, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Wide Bay

Seniors 13

CRUISING

Set sail with Rembrandt and see the glory of the Arctic Cruise the Arctic on the classic topsail schooner, Rembrandt

2018 TOURS

“The spectacular Arctic light show is on an 11-year cycle and we’re about to close this cycle for another decade, so it could be the best chance for many of us to witness this incredible natural phenomenon.”

Whilst wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, it is expected to see polar bears as we sail around Spitsbergen, for here there are 3000 polar bears, the biggest concentration in the world, in fact there are more bears than people here. We also expect to see walrus, icebergs, glaciers, seals, muskox, reindeer, orcas, belugas, birdlife and whales, as well experiencing Inuit culture.

Prior to the 18-day Arctic cruise, we visit Oslo, Flam, Bergen with fjord

Icebergs are stunning to see.

Polar Bears are abundant in Spitsbergen.

MAGNIFICENT: Rembrandt van Rijn sets sail from Svalbard en route to Greenland over 18 days, with plenty of time to absorb the splendour of the Arctic at the best time of year.

train and boat tours, then Longyearbyen, Ittoqqortoormiit and Constable Pynt.

The Rembrandt van Rijn cruise is just part of the

29-day Arctic itinerary that Quest Tours has put together. The tour departs Sydney on July 21, 2018 flying to Oslo.

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Read past editions and more Seniors News on our website – embracing ageing.

Visit www.seniorsnews.com.au

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AN ARCTIC cruise is the best way to relive the glory days of exploration and discovery under sail aboard a classic gaff-rigged, three-masted, topsail schooner through Quest Tours. In July next year, the magnificent 56m, 33-berth Rembrandt van Rijn sets sail from Svalbard en route to Greenland over 18 days, with plenty of time to absorb the splendour of the Arctic at the best time of year.

“Our voyage is timed to experience the best of the Arctic, polar bears on Svalbard, hopefully the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) plus the option to experience sled dog mushing on an Icelandic glacier,” tour leader and award-winning photographer, Ron Hunter of Quest Tours said.

14 Seniors Wide Bay

Travel

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, November 20, 2017

CRUISING

Cruise with a difference

These are special trips that focus on exotic and cultural

Romania tour has a number of departures in June and September 2018 and includes a visit to Transfagarasan Rd, dubbed ‘the greatest road in the world’ by Top Gear.

In response to holidaymakers’ desire to get away from the masses, Peregrine’s small-group trips are now even more intimate, with 20 new small ship cruising charters added to the 2018 calendar.

The inaugural charters will include eight-day cruises from Lisbon to Malaga, around Iceland’s Wild West Coast, Croatia’s Central Coast and the Hidden Gems of Greece.

Cruises run from May to October and are priced from $2735* per person twin share.

Peregrine’s Limited Edition range for 2018 includes an 18-day tour of the UNESCO-recognised Fes Festival of World

ANCIENT DISCOVERIES: Moors and Christians Festival Alhambra palace.

Sacred Music in Morocco, priced from $3215* per person twin share.

Peregrine will become the first operator offering a dedicated tour experience when the music festival gets under way in May next year.

Other highlights include 6706692ac

PEREGRINE Adventures has released its latest European brochure, with the introduction of brand new destinations and new small ship cruising charters among the highlights of the 2018 program.

The new brochure offers unique European itineraries from the Moors to Transylvania and Central Europe to the Canary Islands, and incorporates iconic cultural events in Scotland and Morocco.

The Australian-owned travel company has earmarked Romania as the next European hot spot, with a brand new itinerary taking in Bran Castle in Brasov, the pristine forests outside Viscri, and offering the chance to stay in an 18th-century guesthouse owned by a real-life Count.

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the14-day Scottish Highland Games tour, which is regularly attended by the Royal family and priced from $5995* per person twin share.

Also the 12-day Moors and Christians Festival in Spain, which offers the

chance to take part in parades, battle reconstructions and military marches, from $6560* per person twin share.

Train buffs will enjoy the 10-day Alpine Railway Journey, which lets travellers experience the

romance of the railway through Italy, Switzerland and Germany, priced from $5530* a person twin share.

Meanwhile, Peregrine Adventures will continue to offer its 11-day Greek Island Odyssey, a staple of the annual European line-up, starting from $5770* a person twin share.

“Europe has always been a hot destination for the Peregrine traveller and now we have incorporated unique historical experiences and festivals into our new trips to cater for specific interests,” Peregrine Adventures general manager Robyn Nixon said.

“In 2018 we have also lowered the group size on our trips from 16 to just 12 people, which allows us to create special, intimate moments with local people.”

For more about the tours on offer, visit peregrineadventures. com. *conditions apply

A dental kit to fit into your travel packing

WHAT’S in the first aid kit? We all love to travel and explore with family or friends.

Despite many hours of careful planning and preparation, things can and do go wrong. So a well-equipped first aid kit is a wise investment.

The most frustrating and unexpected problems which occur are usually tooth related.

A dental check-up before leaving is a good idea, but even though everything looks OK dental problems can still occur while away.

Currently available first aid kits only deal with a range of medical problems lacking any effective means of dealing with dental problems (apart from pain-killers).

Dental problems won’t kill you but how annoying if a tooth or filling breaks away leaving a sharp, jagged edge and there is always the possibility of toothache.

How many holidays are ruined by dental problems?

Blu Tack and chewing gum don’t work so how

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long can you survive on pain-killers?

These problems occur without warning, anywhere, anytime.

Skilled help may not be that easy to find wherever you are. Can you imagine trying to find a dentist for you or your family “out of hours”, away from home or unable to speak the language?

Why isn’t a first aid kit for dental emergencies available?

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Travel

Monday, November 20, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Wide Bay

Seniors 15

CRUISING

Check out the pluses of a cruise Get a taste for the cruising life with a sampler experience HAVEN’T been cruising before, but always wanted to try it out?

Why not try a sampler cruise?

This is a great idea for anyone who really isn’t sure what cruising is all about and whether it’s for them.

Royal Caribbean has a three-day cruise which starts from and finishes in Sydney.

The Sampler Cruise on one of four of the Royal Caribbean cruise ships departs Sydney at 7pm on day one and returns at

❝

You can duty-free shop, get active with rock climbing or... try your luck in the casino, visit the spa and fitness centre, dance, drink and eat to your heart’s content.

6am on day four.

There are various departure dates in February and March 2018.

The price includes all shipboard meals in a huge variety of restaurants, other than in the speciality restaurants, and most of the onboard entertainment and port charges.

Prices vary across the four types of cabins across 16 decks – inside, outside, balcony and suite – which cater for up to 4905 passengers.

There are 1500 staff to look after every aspect of your new experience, or short break.

You can duty-free shop,

TASTE OF CRUISING: Get a taste for the cruising life on Ovation of the Seas, a new Royal Caribbean ship that first sailed in 2016.

get active with rock climbing or on the surf simulator, watch an outdoor movie, swim indoors or outdoors, try your luck in the casino, visit the spa and fitness centre, dance, drink and eat to your heart’s content.

Or just relax the days and nights away.

To book a voyage, contact your preferred travel agent for more information, prices and booking conditions or go online to www.royal caribbean.com.

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16 Seniors Wide Bay

Travel

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, November 20, 2017

CRUISING

Learn the ways of cruising CRUISING is a special universe in the galaxy of travel.

Boarding a ship on holiday is like moving to a foreign village, with strange customs to be learned, new rules to be observed and a cast of hundreds, sometimes thousands, of strangers to share your days.

Prepare for the journey with these handy survival tips.

■ If you’ve already booked a berth aboard something called Crystal Serenity, or Carnival Ecstasy, or Enchantment of the Seas, you’ve probably twigged that cruise companies love extravagant language. The industry comes with its own flowery prose designed to dazzle prospective passengers. Hence even the most basic windowless cabins are billed as staterooms, as if a minor royal might have stayed there just before you, and butlers, let’s be frank, are often little more than glorified room

CRUISE SHIP: P&O's Pacific Jewel anchors off Mooloolaba on a beautiful and perfect winter's day.

PHOTO: JOHN MCCUTCHEON

attendants. As with so much in life it’s actions, not words, that matter.

As long as your butler

Touring Travel & Cruise Specialists

brings Champagne to your cabin on command, let them call themselves whatever they like.

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.

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CHIANG MAI ELEPHANT’S CUP SOCIAL CROQUET

7 Nights in Chiang Mai - Social croquet, shopping, dining, touring and front seats for the Chiang Mai Flower Festival.

ESCORTED TOUR

2-10 FEB 2018 - EX BNE FROM

$2,999

Lots of fun

per person Twin Share ex BNE, SYD, MEL Single supplement from $260

CUBA & THE REVOLUTIO ON TOUR ESCORTED TOUR

DEPARTS:

10 FEB 18, 15 APR 18, 14 OCT O 18, 02 DEC 18 FROM

$3,215

per per erson Twin Share Land d only, Single sup upplement $625

OUTBACK SONG & DANCE HOSTED BY RODNEY VINCENT

20 - 30 MARCH 2018 FROM

$5,250

per person Twin Share ex BNE, Single supplement $990

Tour the outback with your host Rodney Vincent for a luxury coach tour visiting West Macdonnell Ranges, Co oo ober Pedy, Flinders Ranges, PLUS thee magica cal Uluru Field of Lights and much ch h more in nclu luding two fabulous shows with John n O’Dae aand Dave Prior.

FOUNDATION DAY N NORFOLK ISLAND 0M MAR 2018 3 - 10

$975 5

perr person LAND ONLY

LITTLE BIT COUNTRY

28 JULY - 4 AUGUST 2018 per person Twin Share Ex BNE, Single supplement $400

GO SEE ALASKA

CO CONNOISSEUR LAND & CRUIS UISE PACKAGE

27 AUG UGUST - 09 SEPT 2018

$8,35 50

7 Nights Acco om, Half Day Orien entation TTour, Foundation Dayy Picnic, Island Fish ish Frry, Dinner at two of Norfolk’’s great hotels, PL PLU LLUS choose 2 half day tours: Behiind the Heedges To Tour, Island Culture Tour, Con nvict SSettlement TTour, Greenfingers Tour

7 Nights Norfolk Island – flights, accommodation fabulous touring and meals. PLUS Two big “Little Bit Country” shows with your host plus Lucky Starr, Rodney Vincent and Graeme Hugo.

HOSTED BY FORTUNATO ISGRO

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Hotel style acco om, Breakfast Dailily, 2 x Dinners, 2 x Lunch hes, Touring Old H Havana in a classic car, Forest of Havana, Mon nteesinos Tobacco Farm, Palenqu ue de los Ciimarron ones, Cienfuegos & Bay of Pigss, Trinid dad La Canchanchara Pub, Ancon Beach.

per person Twin Share ex BNE & SYD, Single supplement $4,069

Return economy airfares, 1 Night Anch chorage, 2 Nights Denali Princess, Wiildernesss Lodge, 2 Nights Mt McKinley Princess W Wilderness i Lodge, 7 Night Cruise from Witti ittier to Vancouver, Glass-domed Wil Wilderness, Rail from Denali to Wittier, Brreakfast daily.

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 21 October 2017. Go SeeTouring Pty Ltd T/A Go G See Touring Member of Helloworld ABN: 72 122 522 276 ATAS Accreditation A11320

■ There are few areas of 21st century life where dress standards still matter as much as they do on a ship.

Several operators have loosened their bow ties and ditched formal nights in a late acknowledgement that hardly anyone these days gets about in tuxedos and organza gowns. But it’s still a minefield navigating the spectrum of dress codes from daywear and cocktail to informal, smart casual, elegant casual or “stylish separates”.

This is a parallel universe where denim is, bizarrely, banned after 6pm on many ships.

Always check company websites for detailed fashion tips, or risk social death at sea.

■ Even on the surest ship and calmest oceans, having the ground shift constantly beneath the feet can make novice cruisers queasy.

Pills and patches help ease the upset; some cruisers swear by ginger, others by bananas. Allow a day or two for the middle ear to settle and the sea legs to kick in, except if you’re heading to Antarctica.

As always with travel, the most amazing destinations are the hardest to reach and expeditioners must brave 48 hours of the wild Drake Passage crossing before feasting their (slightly bleary) eyes on the White Continent.

■ For those who really can’t stomach being at sea, there’s always river cruising. It offers all the fun of being afloat and none of the nausea.

■ Dining at sea is a series of never-ending indulgences, a place where it’s possible to fill your face from 5am breakfast buffets to midnight feasts via detours to pizza stands, burger bars and 24/7 room service.

Celebrity-chef restaurants are all the rage right now and, while you’ve got more chance of spotting a mermaid than you have of seeing Thomas Keller or Luke Mangan manning the stoves, you can expect their branded menus to be a cut above the ordinary.

■ It is not humanly possible to take part in every activity offered on board. All major cruise lines offer dozens of diversions for on-board entertainment. Cunard ships, for example, offer almost 100 daily events, ranging from watercolour classes and bridge tournaments to film screenings and Latin dance, to keep passengers busy during long stints afloat on round-the-world and transatlantic sailings.

Due to the sheer availability of options, you will do things at sea that you never imagined yourself doing on land.

It might be wailing through late-night karaoke in the nightclub, catching

a “Broadway-style” show or a craps class in the casino. Don’t hold back.

Just go with the flow.

■ No matter how grand a ship’s claims of connectivity at sea, and no matter how “state of the art” their latest technology might be, outside major ports the on-board Wi-Fi will often be woeful. Brace yourself for late ’90s-era connectivity as websites fail to load, emails abort and disappear middelivery and Facebook remains a distant dream.

The only thing you can do to cover yourself is make sure internet access is included in your ticket price. At least that way you won’t be charged for all those hours spent staring at the spinning wheel of despair.

■ Cruising holidays can leave you looking years younger. Partly this is due to the stress-free lifestyle and invigorating sea air, but often it’s the result of shrewd investments at the on-board spa. With everything from teeth whitening to skin peels and Botox now on offer, it’s the ideal opportunity for a makeover.

■ Of all the many compelling reasons why cruising holidays now lure more than a million Australians to explore the world’s seas and rivers each year, they usually have less to do with ice cream flavours and craft classes than with the rare pleasures of seeing our world from the water.

Monday, November 20, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Wellbeing

Wide Bay

Seniors 17

STAY AT HOME

NDIS holds the key to living well Advertorial

BUILDING independence, a crucial part of wellbeing, is a key advantage of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which went live for eligible customers in Bundaberg in September.

Blue Care Fraser Coast general manager Amanda Farrar said the government scheme was designed to fund people with a disability to have the reasonable and necessary requirements to live an ordinary life and empower them to manage their own support.

“It’s an opportunity for people to become more active and participate more in their local

community,” Ms Farrar said.

“In your NDIS plan, you can do things like have support to build a network with local community groups and develop social skills.”

Blue Care provides that support for people with a disability to engage in community activities.

“It’s also our role to support people to strengthen their independence, which is another thing the NDIS is all about,” she said.

“Independence gives people self-worth, and without self-worth, wellness is affected.”

Blue Care is available to support Queenslanders with a disability through

every aspect of the transition to the NDIS, including identifying goals, planning for their NDIS meeting and engaging support services.

The not-for-profit organisation is in the process of helping more than 100 people do just that in Bundaberg, where the NDIS went live on September 1.

The Fraser Coast and North Burnett regions will go live in July next year, but Blue Care will begin working with people in those regions from January. NDIS planning workshops are expected to be held in Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Biggenden, Gayndah, Eidsvold and Mundubbera in the

CARING SUPPORT: Blue Care’s Jack and Sharon.

coming months.

Ms Farrar encourages anyone who is interested in the NDIS to “really look at what it is that they need to have the lifestyle they would like,” which means considering their goals and the supports they need to achieve those goals.

She said people usually began by seeking to retain

PHOTO: MATTHEW GIANOULIS

the services they already had, but with Blue Care’s encouragement soon became more proactive, wanting to try and do different things that weren’t previously funded.

Goals might include finding a hobby, living independently, finding work, getting out and developing social skills.

“In other areas we’ve

had team members assist a person to develop their interests in areas they wouldn’t have been able to before, that align with the criteria of reasonable and necessary supports by the NDIS.” For more about support available through Blue Care, visit www.bluecare. org.au/disability or call 1300 778 081.

It’s your life and no matter what you want to achieve, Blue Care can offer the support you need, when you need it. Whether you’d like to find an activity you love, get extra help at home, or access nursing and a wide range of therapies – we’re here for you. As a registered NDIS provider, Blue Care can help you make the most of this new scheme, so you can live life your way.

Talk to us today on 1300 77 80 81 or find out more at bluecare.org.au/disability

Live life your way.

18 Seniors Wide Bay

Wellbeing

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, November 20, 2017

STAY AT HOME

10 helpful carer tips A loving husband shares what he learnt as his wife’s carer Tracey Johnstone

FOR seven years Queensland resident James McCutcheon has cared for his wife of 61 years, learning many valuable lessons along the way about the carer role and Alzheimer’s.

“I took it on as a natural thing,” the 86-year-old said.

“I loved the woman so I decided to care for her until I couldn’t any longer.”

His wife Beverley was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s after two years of James struggling with the gradual changes in her.

In March he finally moved her into a high-care facility.

James shares his 11 hard-learnt tips from his experience of caring for Beverley.

1. Get a good GP

“The first one I had was terrible and didn’t recognise the fact, kept saying it was old age,” James said.

“Beverley wouldn’t let me go with her at the time until I forced the issue.”

James knew something was wrong when Beverley kept asking the same question “every five minutes”.

“I thought, that’s the first sign,” James said.

He changed GPs quite quickly.

2. Find an even better geriatrician The first geriatrician James found very offhand, with no bedside manner and “mucked up tablets”.

3. Enduring Power of Attorney This must be obtained for everyone and done early on.

As Beverley didn’t have

CARING: James McCutcheon and his wife Beverley.

PHOTO: PATRICK WOODS

one, James approached everybody he could think of to help, but as they considered Beverley not capable of understanding the document, nothing could be done.

It was only when he obtained a form from the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

“I finally went to court just this year and was granted administration,” he said.

4. Check out rest homes early

Look over rest homes to find a few that you are comfortable with and then register with them.

5. Join a carers group Do this early. “You can learn a lot of information from carers,” James said.

6. Approach the aged care assistance team Get an assessment done as soon as there is a diagnosis.

“There are packages available from the government,” James said.

“You can then get a provider, and there are lots of them around now, and they look after you with people coming to help you, or you want a day off.”

7. Day care Find out about day care options through a provider.

8. Respite “It’s a necessity to have respite as it’s a 24/7 job,” James recommends.

“You get a bit jaded and it’s very hard with what comes out of their minds and how they act.”

Your provider can advise on your respite options.

9. Friendship Talk to My Aged Care about the closest friendship group which is where you can meet with others socially and learn a lot about dementia.

10. Incontinence allowance There is an allowance to cover some of the costs of incontinence

apparel.

11. Carers allowance This allowance is available through Centrelink.

LOOK AFTER YOURSELF

■ When you are feeling depressed or angry, “remember it’s not the person, it’s the disease,” James counsels.

■ Go walking. James walks with a group that steps out around the local area early in the morning.

■ Find an activity that gives you pleasure. He is a painter of 40 years.

■ Allocate a time each week for you to do something just for you.

James has Monday morning locked in as his time to paint.

■ Find social activities. “I think you have to be socially active because if you don’t, you will tend to vegetate and sit and watch TV all the time,” James said.

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ADVERTORIAL

Wide Bay

Monday, November 20, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Let’s save

Have fun recycling BE THRIFTY AND THRIVE NICKY NORMAN

professionals that linked their client’s health history direct to the ambulance.

Mr Joseph said key points to look for in a device were freedom (to wear and use the system anywhere), fall detection, long battery life, quality speaker clarity and volume with directional microphone, GPS tracking and photo identification sharing ability. Mr Joseph said they ranged from $1 to $3 a day.

Book an obligation-free demo on 1300 699 159.

ADVERTORIAL

Who do you call...

GO GREEN: National Recycling Week 2017 is from Monday, November 13 to Sunday, November 19 but all year round is ideal.

for the same day, often arranged by the local council. You could arrange one for your street.

No Waste Wednesday: This is a day at work or school where you all minimise the waste you discard from lunch. Bring reusable containers and recycle cans and bottles.

Buying and Selling: There are many easy options to buy and sell your preloved goods from a local to wider level. Listings can be placed in your local classifieds or community websites.

For more information: www.recycling week.planetark.org.

Tasty ideas to get your BBQ on!

IT’S time to clean up the barbie and get ready for outdoor entertaining.

Barbecuing is an easy way to entertain and socialise at the same time.

Don’t be afraid to ask guests to bring a salad or dessert to simplify the day. That way you can enjoy yourself as well.

The humble snag is a must-do when you have a few people over – it’s cost-effective and there are so many flavours available.

Marinating your meat, seafood or vegetable selection can also make a simple meal delicious.

Honey soy marinade is easy and makes chicken wings a taste sensation at a very affordable cost, and the kids love them.

Haloumi is also a great alternative on the barbie, only takes a minute or two to cook and will be very well received – your vegetarian visitors will love you for it. Or why not try partially cooked corn on the cob finished off on the barbie?

Cooking a barbecue really doesn’t need to be hard, it’s just all about preparation Using condiments are always a great way to jazz up a meal, so buy a few jars of mustard and sauces to go on the table, or make your own.

■ How to cook the perfect medium rare

WHEN it comes to making the decision to stay at home for as long as you can, one of the challenges people face is understanding how they will deal with the increased possibility of falls and health issues.

Technology is moving fast in this area with a wide range of medical alert systems now available for purchase for a wide range of budgets.

Emergency Medical Services’ Paul Joseph said their devices were linked to a team of trained

Seniors Card 137 468 or 1800 175 500 (free call outside Brisbane) Centrelink: Retirement 132 300 Disability, Sickness & Carers 132 717 Employment Services 132 850 Seniors Enquiry Line 1300 135 500 Department of Veteran Affairs 133 254 or 1800 555 254 (Regional) National Information Centre on Retirement Investments (NICRI) 1800 020 110

National Aged Care Information

1800 200 422

www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au

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together, have a good time and meet other people in their community. Recycling and reuse events can be held between a group of friends or work colleagues, schools or neighbourhood areas.

Swap Parties: Hold a party with a group of friends, at your work or publicly to swap certain items, from clothes to toys, DVDs to sports equipment. Planet Ark’s Swap Guide makes it easy to host your own party.

Second Hand Saturday: Neighbourhood-wide garage sales organised

Stay safely in own home

HOME COOKING CHRISTINE PERKIN steak I like to use a nice piece of rump for the barbie, not too expensive and cooks up a treat. When buying your steak make sure there isn’t any gristle in the meat and is a nice healthy colour.

Take the meat out of the fridge a few minutes before you are ready to cook so you bring it up to room temperature.

Rub a drizzle of olive oil over the meat and season with salt and pepper rub it in.

Place the meat on a hot grill or hotplate, same goes if you are cooking inside, just heat fry-pan until hot. Wait until the blood rises then turn and wait for the blood to rise again and take off the grill. Rest meat for a few minutes and voila! Perfect every time.

BBQ MARINATED PRAWNS

Ingredients for Seafood Marinade 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons olive oil ½ teaspoon grated lemon zest

KEEP IT SIMPLE: Marinated prawns are an easy addition to any meal.

½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper ½ teaspoon Chilli optional ½ teaspoon 1 clove of garlic, crushed 18 fresh large green prawns, peeled and de-veined (tails intact) Method Combine the marinade ingredients in medium bowl. Makes about 1/3 cup.

Add prawns. Toss until coated. Cover with plastic wrap. Marinate in refrigerator for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Drain and discard marinade.

Preheat BBQ grill to medium. Cook Prawns on oiled grill for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally; until they are just pink. Do not overcook. Serve with Garlic Mayonnaise.

GARLIC MAYONNAISE

1 cup Mayonnaise 1 tablespoon of grated garlic

Mix together and refrigerate.

HONEY SOY CHICKEN WINGS

Ingredients 1 kilo Chicken wings 3 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons Honey 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 tablespoon of finely grated fresh ginger 3 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce 2 tablespoon sesame oil Extra Chilli optional 1 Teaspoon sesame seeds optional for garnish Method Mix all ingredients together in a bowl then add chicken and marinade for ½ or so in fridge.

Cook on BBQ or in oven for 15- 20 minutes on 180c normal oven or 160c fan forced or until cooked.

Basting a few times to keep chicken moist.

Sprinkle chicken with sesame seeds to serve.

More recipes at www.seniorsnews.com.au

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

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THE dates for National Recycling Week 2017 are Monday, November 13 to Sunday, November 19 but of course it’s good to encourage recycling at any time of the year.

There are many ways to donate, trade and exchange – to give your unwanted items a new home, or to get new things that doesn’t cost the earth. Some of the ways you can get into good recycling habits are: Exchanging: Charity op shops can resell your unwanted items, and the profits go towards the charity’s aims. Remember to ask them what types of items they accept.

Reuse and Recycling Events: Events are a fun way to reduce, reuse or recycle. They help to get people motivated

Seniors 19

20 Seniors Wide Bay

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, November 20, 2017

Living

A fresh start overseas Alison Houston

IMAGINE cutting your living costs not by 25 or even 50 per cent but by a whopping 70 per cent.

Impossible you say?

Certainly in Australia it would be, and that’s precisely why so many Aussies, like former Brisbanites Michael and Vivien Cullen, are choosing to retire overseas.

It was early 2015 when they made the move to Thailand and Michael has just celebrated his 60th birthday there with absolutely no regrets.

Having sold up in Australia, the couple bought their new home in Hua Hin, a coastal resort 200km south of Bangkok, for just $140,000.

Monthly utilities are

$100 and monthly food and grocery shopping $500. Michael says they also eat out several times a week, with tasty fresh meals for about $4 in local eateries, or in more traditional cafes and restaurants $6–$10 for a main meal.

If, like me, you are questioning the availability and quality of health care, Michael again has reassurances.

There are two international-standard US-university training hospitals in Hua Hin and seeing an Englishspeaking doctor for a GP-style consultation (including any required medication) typically costs no more than $20.

Michael said that ironically, it was while on a plane to Europe for a

NEW LIFE: Michael and Vivien Cullen have no regrets about selling up in Brisbane and starting a new life in Thailand.

long-saved for holiday that the pair came across a magazine article about others their age who had not just enjoyed a quick escape but were starting new lives overseas.

“I suppose it was the desire not to have to work,

to be stuck on that treadmill for, in my case, another 10 years,” the former businessman and teacher said.

He started reading about other people’s adventures living overseas on the International Living Australia website, and discovered it was a real possibility – the only question was, where would they go?

After considering, and even visiting South America, they decided it was too far from home and looked towards Asia, where they had previously enjoyed some travel, and specifically Thailand.

“This has given us a much more affordable and comfortable life than we could have had back home.”

If they had retired in Australia, which he doubts they could have afforded, Michael said they might be “doing the Grey Nomad thing” but would constantly have been looking at the cost of petrol, food and checking how far they could afford to go.

The pair is on a retirement visa (multi-entry and renewably annually), which means they are not allowed to work at all, but they also have friends who have moved on a business visa and are setting up a food tour business.

His advice for others looking to escape the rat race, the high cost of living and push their dollar further, is to do their research, both formal and informal, such as reading

websites and blogs of others living in the area you are interested in, visiting or possibly house-sitting.

As yet, Michael and Vivien haven’t returned to Australia, even for a visit, and Michael says he can’t see them ever moving back permanently, but perhaps Vivien best sums up their experience.

“What I didn’t expect, and can’t even begin to put a price on, is the thrill of being immersed in a country where everyday life feels so fresh and new,” she said.

To read more of Michael and Vivien’s adventures go to their website www.retiredaussiesinasia. com or check out more overseas possibilities at https://international living.com/au/.

It’s Good to Share 6717135al

Submit your photos, stories, events and notices online.

Look for the ‘share your event or story’ box on our home page. Visit us at seniorsnews.com.au

Monday, November 20, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

Wide Bay

Seniors 21

LIMITED EDITION OF LUXURY BEACHSIDE APARTMENTS WELCOME TO YOUR NEW LIFE. IT BEGINS HERE. Bathers Beachside is the Peninsula’s newest and most prestigious waterfront development. Designed and developed by Traders in Purple with luxury living in mind, these exquisite apartments deliver an unprecedented attention to detail and finishes second to none. Perfectly positioned in a premier waterfront enclave, right on the beach on Margate Parade, these apartments offer spacious living areas and large balconies that encapsulate the breathtaking never-to-be-built-out Moreton Bay views.

A limited number of 3 bedroom apartments will be available. Be the first to secure yours...

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TODAY AT BATHERSBEACHSIDE.COM/REGISTER

OR CALL OUR SALES TEAM ON 0477 432 432 OR VISIT OUR SALES AND DISPLAY CENTRE 10AM-4PM WED-SUN 113 LANDSBOROUGH AVENUE SCARBOROUGH

22 Seniors Wide Bay

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, November 20, 2017

To advertise, call 1300 136 181 or visit finda.com.au to view more ads online.

Celebrations, Classes & Events

Health & Beauty

Motoring

Trades & Services

Entertainment & Events

Health - Professional Practitioners

Cars

Crane Hire

BEWARE OF SCAMS

Skin Centre

Buyers should be cautious when dealing with car sellers that are overseas and should always arrange to view the vehicle prior to the transfer of any money.

Bulk Billing Practice Tenancy 6 / 13 Medical Place, Urraween

Phone 07 4124 3881 Fully Accredited Practice

www.primarymedical.com.au Administrative Staff offer professional care

Be wary if the number in the ad is disconnected.

If the buyer/seller says the number is disconnected because they are overseas, ask for a landline phone number at their current location as well as a mobile phone number.

All contact details of the person buying or selling the car should be verified to ensure they are genuine.

More information is available at scamwatch.gov.au bundaberg-coaches.com.au 20 Verdant Siding Rd,Thabeban

4153 1037

Buy & Sell

Notices

Food & Beverage

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80 & 130 tonne Grove All Terrain 10-20 tonne Franna mobiles 30-50 tonne Kato Slew cranes Bucket trucks to 23 – 46 metres

• Foundation hole boring machines • Arm trucks • Licenced riggers

WIDE BAY CRANE HIRE For bookings call 5481 2850

Property

Meetings

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Earlybird: $3880 (Closes 15/02/18 unless sold out!)

Primary Care

NEED

Buyers and sellers should be cautious of possible scams when buying or selling a vehicle.

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Full Fare: $4279 Member’s Fare: $4075

Spend a long weekend indulging in the most remarkable destinations that the Scenic Rim has to offer, including luxurious vineyards, breathtaking natural wonders and a stunning lavender farm.

Fare: $1239 Members: $1180 Earlybird: $1125 (Closes 01/03/18 unless sold out!)

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Journey through the fascinating remote towns of outback Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales, and stand in all three states at once at Cameron’s Corner!

Gold Coast and sCeniC Rim exploReR 4 Day Tour Thursday 26th July 2018

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Senior-SpecialiSed coach TourS outbaCk exploReR - CameRon CoRneR 11 Day Tour Thursday 7th June 2018

Retirement Living

FOR SALE HERVEY BAY QLD GATED VILLAGE

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The President and Management Committee of the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre and Community Connect Fraser Coast, cordially invites you to attend our combined Christmas themed Annual General Meeting.

Drinks and nibbles will be provided after.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, November 15th

More than just a meal

Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre

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5.30pm Community Connect Fraser Coast 6.15pm Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre

Nominations are now open for our Management Committee!

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• Your local community organisation delivering meals for up to 7 days a week • Chef prepared Meals • No shopping, cooking or washing up

Thursday November 23rd

Please call one of our offices below Hervey Bay 4128 1334 or Maryborough 4121 4297 to arrange a delivery or chat about your requirements.

Monday to Friday 8am to 3pm.

22 Charles Street Pialba Qld 4655 Phone: 07 4194 3000 E: info@hbnc.com.au

• 5 STAR FACILITIES • 2 B/R STAND ALONE VILLA • RAKED CEILING, MOD KITCHEN • BACK RAMP AND CLOSED LOCK UP C’PORT WITH HOBBY/CRAFT ROOM • LOW MAINTENANCE GARDEN • WALK TO EVERYTHING

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PH: 07 4128 4503

finda Buyer, www.finda.com.au

Discover More Bargains thanYou Ever Bargained for!

If you’re after a pre-loved bargain and you don’t see what you’re looking for in these pages, there are plenty of great deals available from sellers who live further afield available for sale right now on our website! So don’t panic – just get clicking!

To find it, visit www.finda.com.au

Selling Your Electronics?

Advertise for FREE* www.finda.com.au *Excludes business advertisers. Conditions apply.

Puzzles

Monday, November 20, 2017 seniorsnews.com.au

JIGGERED

6/11

The challenge is to rearrange a crossword which has been broken into 25 sections. One letter has been given to get you started. Work out which 3x3 square ts in with that letter and write in the letters.

You can also shade the black squares if you nd it helpful.

After completing the rst 3x3 area, work out which square joins on to it, and continue until you have made a complete crossword.

V E

S E A

M A K W H E R

S E C M A P S

I T Y T S C H

S C

A R T L E I O N

B C R A O R

H S P M P

T I I M M C

A S S S M A

R A R E W I T

T A E A R E

R C E R A

I

L O N Y

S T H N A T

R M A D E S S

S E T E I D C

S U E M E L A

D E Z E F A

R N E D I I

L A Y R S C I

D E A S T

C H E D A O

E V C L A E

E N S S T

I

I

N N E

Wide Bay

QUICK CRoSSwoRD Across 1. Comprehend (10) 7. Majestic (5) 8. Bewilders (7) 10. Laughs (8) 11. Knoll (4) 13. Charm (6) 15. Debacle (6) 17. Debauched party (4) 18. Numerous (8) 21. Spread from (7) 22. Anticipate (5) 23. Qualities (10)

Down 1. Provocation (colloq) (5) 2. Grand (8) 3. Symbol (6) 4. Doubtful (4) 5. Adds up (7) 6. Decipher (5,1,4) 9. Outline (10) 12. Divert (8) 14. Beauty contest (7) 16. Excellent (6) 19. Strategies (5) 20. Even-handed (4)

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Seniors 23

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TRIO

Can you complete these four words, using the same three-letter sequence in each?

SUDOKU

23

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

KEEPS, LOWERS, MARBLES, NIGHTCAP, ORIENTATE.

Good 16 Very Good 22 Excellent 28+

WORD GO ROUND

TRIO: UNC

ALPHAGRAMS

149-151 Adelaide Street, Maryborough Q 4650 Ph: 07 4122 3190 www.lawfirstcs.com.au

Helen Foster Principal Solicitor

Commercial Law • Conveyancing • Property Law Wills & Powers of Attorney • Advanced Health Directives Deceased Estates • Family Law • General Law

Wheelchair Accessible 6718799aa

L S

R T E O N S E A C E D O M D E S E T I C

490

Z Y

T A L T I V R E A Y S H A R P A S S S E A D

TODAY

L

PEEKS ROWELS RAMBLES PATCHING ONE ATTIRE

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

E F

U 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, e.g. he burns with anger.

SUDOKU

JIGGERED

B D E C R A Z E R F A O S U E D E A M E L A S T I T I I M M E N S S T C A S E C T M E A R A P S E L M A K W I O N Y H E R

woRD Go RoUND

QUICK CROSSWORD

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

Across: 1. Appreciate 7. Regal 8. Baffles 10. Chortles 11. Hill 13. Appeal 15. Fiasco 17. Orgy 18. Multiple 21. Emanate 22. Await 23. Attributes.

Down: 1. Aggro 2. Palatial 3. Emblem 4. Iffy 5. Tallies 6. Crack a code 9. Silhouette 12. Distract 14. Pageant 16. Superb 19. Plans 20. Fair.

alpHaGRaMS

fell fells felt ue ute uty fuel fuels full fullest fulls fully left lefty lest lets lust lusty lute lutes lutz self sell style sully tell tells tulle yell yells zestful ZESTFULLY

F

24 Seniors Wide Bay

seniorsnews.com.au Monday, November 20, 2017

Get your copy Of Seniors Wide Bay See below for a complete list of where to find your Seniors Newspaper in 2017, available around the 20th of every month.

CRAIGNISH

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ARGYLE GARDENS RETIREMENT VILLAGE BLOOMS: THE CHEMIST BROTHERS SPORTS CLUB BUNDABERG AND DISTRICT MIXED PROBUS CLUB BUNDABERG AND DISTRICT SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOCIATION BUNDABERG CENTRAL MEN’S SHED ASSOCIATION BUNDABERG GOLF CLUB BUNDABERG LAWN BOWLS CLUB BUNDABERG AND DISTRICT MEALS ON WHEELS BUNDABERG SERVICES CLUB BUNDABERG DISCOUNT DRUG STORE RSL CARE FAIRWAYS RETIREMENT COMMUNITY FRIENDLY SOCIETY PHARMACY BUNDABERG MALOUF PHARMACY PRICELINE PHARMACY BUNDABERG CHURCH PHARMACY CORAL COAST PLAZA PHARMACY CORAL COAST WEST BUNDABERG PHARMACY SOUTHSIDE CENTRAL NEWS SUGARLANDS GARDEN RETIREMENT VILLAGE SUNNYSIDE CROQUET CLUB INC. THE LAKES RETIREMENT VILLAGE UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE (U3A) CORAL COAST PHARMACY LIBERTY VILLAS

BARGARA • • • • •

BARGARA BOWLS CARLYLE GARDENS RETIREMENT VILLAGE PALM LAKE RESORT PHARMACY CENTRAL SANDHILLS SPORTS CLUB

BIGGENDEN • •

FOODWORKS BIGGENDEN NEWSAGENCY

BURNETT HEADS • • •

BURNETT HEADS OVER 50S SOCIAL CLUB INC BURNETT HEAD PHARMACIES BURNETT SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOCIATION

CRAIGNISH COUNTRY CLUB CRAIGNISH VILLAGE PHARMACY

CHILDERS • • • • •

CHILDERS NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE FOOTES PHARMACY FOREST VIEW AGED CARE FACILITY FRIENDLIES PHARMACY ISIS CLUB INC

GYMPIE • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

CENTRAL PARK MALL FRESHWATER VILLAS GOLDFIELDS FULLIFE PHARMACY GOLDFIELDS PLAZA GOOD PRICE PHARMACY GYMPIE BOWLS CLUB FRIENDLIES PHARMACY GYMPIE NATIONAL SENIORS INC GYMPIE PINES GOLF CLUB THE GYMPIE SENIOR CITIZENS CENTRE GYMPIE VIEW CLUB LIBRARY MALOUF PHARMACIES PRICELINE PHARMACY

HERVEY BAY • • • • • • • • •

DOMAIN RETIREMENT VILLAGE ELI WATERS SHOPPING CENTRE FRASER COAST CHRONICLE OFFICE HERVEY BAY BOAT CLUB AUSTRALIAN PENSIONERS AND SUPERANNUANTS FEDERATION MCWILLIAM`S PHARMACY THE FRIENDLIES DISCOUNT PHARMACY UNITED DISCOUNT CHEMIST WOOLWORTHS

MARYBOROUGH • • • • • • • • •

MARYBOROUGH SPORTS CLUB STATION ST SHOPPING CENTRE PRESCARE YARALLA PLACE MARYBOROUGH RSL MARYBOROUGH GOLF AND BOWLS CLUB MARYBOROUGH SENIOR CITIZENS CENTRE MARYBOROUGH SERVICES MEMORIAL BOWLS CLUB AMCAL PHARMACY RSL CARE CHELSEA RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

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CHEMIST WAREHOUSE FAIR HAVEN RETIREMENT VILLAGE FRASER COAST CHRONICLE OFFICE FRASER COAST REGIONAL COUNCIL LIBRARY FRIENDLIES PHARMACY GOOD PRICE PHARMACY INFORMATION CENTRE

URRAWEEN • • • •

FAIRHAVEN RETIREMENT VILLAGE FRASER SHORES RETIREMENT VILLAGE GOLDEN SHORES STOCKLAND SHOPPING CENTRE

URANGAN PIALBA • • • • • • • • • •

CARERS QUEENSLAND HERVEY BAY GOLF CLUB HERVEY BAY PUBLIC LIBRARY HERVEY BAY RSL IGA FRASER SHORES SHOPPING CENTRE NOVA DISCOUNT PHARMACY PIALBA DISCOUNT DRUG STORE PIALBA PLACE SHOPPING CENTRE SCOOTERS & MOBILITY FRASER COAST SENIORS IN FOCUS

RAINBOW BEACH • • •

OVER 60S SHELL SERVO INFORMATION CENTRE RAINBOW BEACH SPORTS CLUB

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WOODGATE • •

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TIN CAN BAY • • • • • • • • • •

BARNACLES CAFÉ COOLOOLA COAST BOWLS CLUB COOLOOLA WATERS RETIREMENT RESORT MEALS ON WHEELS COOLOOLA PHARMACY TIN CAN BAY CRAFT CLUB TIN CAN BAY RSL SUB BRANCH TIN CAN BAY YACHT CLUB THE SANDS CENTRE PHARMACY TIN CAN BAY COUNTRY CLUB

TORQUAY • • • •

HERVEY BAY & DISTRICT SENIOR CITIZENS CL OPTIMAL PHARMACY PLUS TORBAY LIFESTYLES AND CARE UMIMBIRRA RETIREMENT VILLAGE

WOODGATE BOWLS CLUB WOODGATE MEN’S SHED

OTHER LOCATIONS

SCARNESS BEACHSIDE PHARMACY HERVEY BAY BOWLS CLUB

OPTIMAL PHARMACY PLUS PARKLANDS RETIREMENT HAVEN SANCTUARY LAKES FAUNA RETREAT SUGAR COAST VILLAGE URANGAN BOWLS CLUB URANGAN MARINA PHARMACY

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ELLIOT HEADS BOWLS CLUB, ELLIOT HEADS CARINITY AGED CARE, KEPNOCK GROVE MOORE PARK BEACH BOWLS AND SPORTS CLUB, MOORE PARK STOCKLAND SUGARLAND SHOPPING TOWN, AVOCA BURRUM HEADS PHARMACY, BURRUM HEADS FRASER LAKES GOLF CLUB, DUNDOWRAN KAWUNGAN CHEMART PHARMACY, KAWUNGAN TERRY WHITE CHEMISTS, POINT VERNON TOOGOOM PHARMACY, TOOGOOM GYMPIE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE, KYBONG MATILDA SERVICE STATION (INFORMATION CENTRE), GOOMBOORIAN SENIORS OFFICE, MAROOCHYDORE FRIENDLIES PHARMACY, TINANA PRESCARE GROUNDWATER LODGE, GRANVILLE LYCHEE DIVINE, SOUTH TINANA QUEENSLAND LIFESTYLE VILLAGE OVER 50S RESORT, EAST TINANA TIARO PHARMACY, TIARO

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