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Welcome
Contact us General Manager Geoff Crockett – 07 5430 1006 geoff.crockett@news.com.au Editor Gail Forrer – 07 5435 3203 gail.forrer@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Media Sales Executive Brett Mauger – 07 3623 1657 brett.mauger@seniorsnewspaper.com.au 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.
What are we doing for next generation HELLO READERS, This month three high-profile, straight-talking elders (Warren Mundine, Dame Quentin Bryce and author Hugh Mackay) issue some thoughtful insights and challenges to our demographic. While each of these leaders has chosen different life paths, their common ground covers working towards a more fair, just and equitable society. Indigenous leader Warren Mundine talks about his early life as a political activist and his current view that change occurs over a series of battles, not a war. At 61 years old, he has gathered the experience of his past and, despite serious health issues, is using it to fashion fresh initiatives to push for an improved future. Former GovernorGeneral Dame Quentin Bryce pulled no punches when she spoke at a forum at the recent WOW (Women of the World),
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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK GAIL FORRER
Group editor Seniors Newspapers network
Festival in Brisbane. She said it was the duty of our generation to support younger women as they live and engage within the community. She also offers her considered thoughts on care for the grandchildren. In his latest book, 80-year-old Hugh Mackay is calling for nothing less than a social revolution. He believes it’s the only way to reshape our contemporary society which is plagued by social isolation, disillusionment and distrust. Human beings, he said, are herd animals and as such, need to live as social beings. And it’s up to us, the over 55s, the ‘tribal elders’ to once again take the lead in social change by saying “let’s get
❝
...it’s up to us, the over-55s, the ‘tribal elders’ to once again take lead in social change by saying “let’s get engaged, be visible and make connections with each other”
engaged, be visible and take connections with each other” in order to shore up our communities. He quotes a survey that that notes just 35 per cent of Australians say they trust their neighbours – which, to him, means we haven’t taken the time to get to know them. “We need to start smiling, say hello or be a listening ear, acknowledge each other and show respect and kindness towards each other,” Hugh said. I believe the voice of
each of these people is supported by all of the people who feature in this publication, including those who contribute community notices promoting speciality social groups, through to the experts offering tips in health, wealth and happiness. The old saying that ‘charity begins at home’ moves onto sharing and caring in the neighbourhood and in my case, ensuring this publication spreads the news from grassroots stories (community notes and local profiles) to publishing the stories from people speaking out at a national level. You see, I view our readership as a community that joins with others through the sharing of stories. I trust you enjoy the read and don’t forget to check our websites: www.seniorsnews.com.au and www.facebook.com/ seniorsnews.com. — Cheers, Gail
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Cover Story: Warren Mundine.........................Pages 3&4 Feature Story: Dame Quentin Bryce.....................Page 6 Money..................................................Pages 21&22 Travel ..............................................................Pages 23-28 Puzzles ....................................................................Page 31
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Cover Story: Warren Mundine
Wide Bay
Seniors 3
Mundine the tireless and fearless disruptor Economic empowerment not political jousting is his answer Tracey Johnstone
DISRUPTIVE. A changemaker. From his early adulthood Nyunggai Warren Mundine AO has been intensively involved in championing changes to the quality of life of his mob, his fellow Aboriginals. Through his recently released candid memoir Warren Mundine: In Black + White I met a man who as a teen knew he wanted to be in public life. He watched Lionel Rose win the 1968 boxing world championship and that win shaped his life pathway. In the 80s he believed activism was the best way to achieve change. Soon after he became an insider, using his astute learning of big business,
politics and the media to be heard across all of Australia and all its generations. Many have not agreed with Warren’s ideas for changing the younger generation’s choices. He firmly believes in moving away from welfare centricity to economic centricity, in creating real economies within Aboriginal communities, in creating jobs and facilitating education, and in better access to health services. The road ahead to achieve these changes he admits remains uphill. The Federal Government’s target of halving the gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by 2018 isn’t
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
Indigenous business leader Warren Mundine in Sydney.
PHOTO: JOHN FEDER/THE AUSTRALIAN
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4 Seniors Wide Bay
Cover Story: Warren Mundine
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 21, 2018
FROM PAGE 3
on track. The Closing the Gap targets, 2017 analysis of progress and key drivers of change report states, “the lack of opportunities is an issue on the demand side of the labour market, the lack of skills is an issue on the supply side, and logistical reasons a market barrier to potentially matching workers with jobs”. How can this be changed? “The only way to change the status quo is to disrupt it,” Warren, 61, said. “Everything that has happened in history that has made a change has been through someone who has been a disruptor.” The proud Australian comes from a working background - first as a Sydney factory worker, then a public servant before pursuing higher education. He became the first Aboriginal to be elected to a NSW local government role and was national president of the Australian Labor Party in 2006/7. He chose not to renew his party membership in 2012 and went on to vote Liberal - and that’s only part of his extraordinary story. Warren has earned the ear of the politicians and of the mainstream media. This allows him to keep pushing out his message of economic participation where outcomes rather than activities are the measure of the success of change within the Aboriginal communities. “Giving a person a job, it deals with a lot of issues like mental health, substance abuse and people’s living style with better housing, and access to better finance to have a better lifestyle,” Warren said. Warren has survived many political upheavals and five prime ministers. In February last year he stepped away from the chair of the Indigenous Advisory Council. “Malcolm Turnbull asked me stay on the Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council, but I said I was more interested in economic development and doing something at the coal face rather than advising on policy and hoping governments take it up,” he said. Instead, there’s another hill that he is climbing. “I’d been around the political process for long enough to understand that achieving change is not a war but a series of battles,” Warren said. “You have to go out to battle for what you want every single day.”
A group of Aboriginal Australians at a rally lead by Warren Mundine, chairman of the Justice Before Games support group, demonstrating in front of the Queensland Tourist Bureau office in Grenfell St, Adelaide in September 1982. PHOTO: JOHN GUSTER
So, he’s back at the coal face, working 24/7 on two new businesses, continuing his advisory roles for public groups, serving on boards for private businesses and charities, and delivering in a variety of written and broadcast media roles including his own business show on Sky News. The two companies he has bought into have 16 offices across Northern Territory, NSW and West Australia. Their focus is on getting Aborigines into work and creating employment opportunities within community. He also spends about 14 days each month visiting Aboriginal communities – talking to people, and listening to them. Tapping into the power of social media is another of his battles. “I am very vocal on social media which I want to expand, plus looking at more blogs and more media approaches,” Warren said. His lengthy memoir is an easy read. Designed to engage a broad audience, it includes a deeply researched history of his family and of the cultural connections that have help to develop his passion. “I wanted to tell a story of Australia and use my family and myself as a vehicle for that,” Warren said. The book smoothly crosses between family history, personal experiences and Australian political history. “The vast majority that have read it liked it, even though some of the political comments in it they may not agree with them. “I had one bloke who said he totally disagrees with my politics, but he enjoyed it because of the story it told. “He actually said it should be high school and university reading as it
shows a history of Australia which most people wouldn’t know about or don’t remember it,” Warren said. Facing up to reaching his 60s has been tough for Warren. He already has three stents, courtesy of his mother’s genes. “I wish they told me this when I was 18 that what you are doing at 18 does affect you when you are in your 60s and 70s,” he said. While he now has to watch what he eats and drinks, he isn’t physically slowing down nor looking at retiring. “In fact, I probably couldn’t think of anything worse than retiring,” Warren said. “No offence to anyone who is. “I am very focused on doing things which is something I got from my father who worked until he was 72.” Look. There’s another hill. Warren hasn’t climbed that one, yet.
WORKING HARD: Warren Mundine in the Sky Studio at News Corp offices in Sydney before the launch of his Sky News Sunday television program Mundine Means Business. PHOTO: BRITTA CAMPION THE AUSTRALIAN
MOVING AHEAD: Warren Mundine at his family home in Sydney. PHOTO: AAP - DAMIAN SHAW
Wide Bay
Monday, May 21, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au
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Profile Story: Dame Quentin Bryce
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 21, 2018
Ex GG becomes the DD Role model Dame lovingly leads her younger generation Gail Forrer
HER grandchildren call her Dee Dee, a name that evolved from Gee Gee, a reference to her former position as Governor General. In 2008 Dame Quentin Bryce became Australia’s first female to hold this position. Right from the first official photo shoot she signalled a fresh approach to the illustrious office, when she spared us the ubiquitous suit-and-tie affair and presented the picture of a sophisticated woman decked out in a fiery red dress amidst a gaggle of grandchildren in suitably matching red attire. At 75, Dame Quentin has engaged in a life-time of community work together with holding down senior national and international positions which have allowed her to campaign and shape a generation of gender and family politics. While she has officially retired from her public roles, she sees her
position as a role model to future generations as of the utmost importance. “There is responsibility in being an elder,” she said “And it is a serious responsibility.” As patron of the recent WOW (Women of the World) festival in Brisbane, Dame Quentin spoke on a panel which included indigenous leader Lisa Mumbin who was born and raised in Katherine and now leads her community on cultural maintenance, support for women and youth. The panel also included Agnes Titus, a mother of the Bougainville Women’s Movement who has held many roles in local level government and with organisations promoting women leadership and peace building, including as UNWomen co-ordinator for Bougainville. The panel was complemented with the inclusion of philanthropist and pastoralist Gina Fairfax who, along with her husband Tim, has made
FAMILY: Granddaughters Georgette Parkin, Claudia and Alexandra Browning hugging Dame Quentin Bryce after her swearing in as Governor-General at Parliament House in 2008. PHOTO: ENGLAND DARREN
an enormous contribution to the arts and regional communities. As Dame Quentin affirmed her own role as a mentor, she recalled the people who made a
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difference in her life including Connie Bush from Groote Eylandt. Dame Quentin said she held treasured memories of “my darling pal” and the invaluable contribution
she made sharing with her the story of the stolen generations along with teachings on language, country and culture. “Now it is up to us to support and pass on the
torch of the wonderful Australian women’s movement,” Dame Quentin said. “We must support our young women to be engaged and involved in the community.” She also recognises her part in the lives of her 11 grandchildren. “Our knowledge of brain development shows how incredibly important the early years are for learning,” she said. Dame Quentin admits she had no idea of what challenges lie ahead, but believes resilience and strength will always help and those qualities can be built through a rich cultural life and accompanying reflection. For the Bryce grandchildren, quality time with the grandparents can include art gallery and museum trips, listening to music and reading poetry. One thing not mentioned in this conversation is retirement. These women, leaders in their communities, have a life-long commitment to their roles as teacher, mentor, mother and grandmother.
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Profile Story: Hugh Mackay
Monday, May 21, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au
Wide Bay
Seniors 7
Taking steps for change Call for over-55s to reconnect with Australia in crisis Alison Houston
AUSTRALIA has become a more socially fragmented, anxious, depressed, stressed, overweight, medicated, debt-ridden and addicted society than ever before. It’s not a pretty picture the country’s most respected social researcher, Hugh Mackay. paints. And it’s up to each of us to take steps to change it. Twenty-five years on from his groundbreaking book, Reinventing Australia, Hugh has penned Australia Reimagined: Towards a More Compassionate, Less Anxious Society. At 80 he says it is the last book he will write which paints the big picture of the state of the nation. But the man who wrote his first book at 55 and has been involved in social research for more than 50 years, sounds every bit as engaged and eloquent as ever. He believes there are two major facts about
contemporary Australia which we all understand exist but which we have failed to make a valuable connection between. Firstly, we are more socially fragmented than ever. More people are feeling isolated and loneliness is a major problem. This is the result of a number of factors including divorce, shrinking households, how busy we are, mobility (moving house on average every six years) and our reliance on information technology, all of which have cut us off from our neighbourhoods and communities. Secondly, we have a mental health crisis with an epidemic of anxiety (two million Australians diagnosed last year) and depression. While job losses, relationships, budgeting or even the state of the planet can affect our outlook, Hugh said when anxiety is affecting so many people, there is an undeniable underlying social factor. He believes our poor
REIMAGINING: Hugh Mackay paints a picture of an anxious and unhappy Australian society, but says the remedy is not difficult. PHOTO: ALAN BENSON
mental health has been brought about by social fragmentation and the accompanying lack of a sense of belonging. “We are herd animals; we need to live as social beings,” he said. “When we shut ourselves off, we’re
denying our humanity.” While 68% of Australians still believe in God or some higher power, a paltry 8% are regular churchgoers, shutting the door on another traditional sense of connection, meaning and belonging.
“When we become more individualistic and live more within our own bubble, we become less trustful of people in general, as well as of our institutions like the church, our politicians, business and banks,” Hugh said. “We have become a more disillusioned, less trusting society.” Hugh described over-55s as today’s “tribal elders”. He said it was up to these social pioneering Baby Boomers, once so impatient to shake off the values and attitudes of their parents, to once again take the lead in social change by saying “let’s get engaged, be visible and make connections with each other” in order to shore up our communities. Presently, he said, just 35% of Australians said they trusted their neighbours – which, to him, means we haven’t taken the time to get to know them. “We need to start smiling, say hello or be a listening ear, acknowledge each other and show respect and kindness towards each other,” Hugh
said. “It doesn’t sound revolutionary, but it goes against the current trend … it’s the revolution we need.” Hugh said reconnecting did not need government or community group leadership, it’s something every individual can do by simply reaching out across the generations, being engaged in clubs or other groups, holding a street party or just saying hello to neighbours or people down the street. And if we don’t? “The future is quite bleak,” Hugh said. The problems of loneliness and social isolation will get worse, levels of trust will fall and levels of anxiety will rise still further. He hopes his book acts as a wake-up call that our mental health and social crisis is no accident, but something we have brought on ourselves by our failure to connect. However, he also sees the book as optimistic. “I think we are going to do this. There is so much disenchantment now that it’s beginning to dawn on us that we have to do something … this is my contribution,” he said.
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8 Seniors Wide Bay
My Story
A message for all men
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WOMEN have long listened and adhered to the message; the importance of early cancer detection. However, when it comes to a similar message getting through to men, it is another story altogether. Guitarist, songwriter and rock ‘n roll legend Tim Gaze wants that changed and as a survivor of prostate cancer, he knows the significance of spreading the early detection message. “Blokes think they are impervious and only see it if it happens to them,” he said. “They need to get checked (for prostate cancer). It’s a simple blood test, not invasive. Girls have more common-sense when it comes to that sort of thing.” Tim was lead guitarist with Rose Tattoo when his friend and fellow band member Pete Wells died from prostate cancer. When Angry Anderson (lead vocalist with Rose Tattoo) insisted the entire band have regular check-ups, Tim was happy to go along, never for a moment suspecting he already had an aggressive form of prostate cancer. He received the dreadful news on Christmas Eve in 2009. He was just 56 and he and his wife Kathy had recently welcomed their son Oliver into the world. “I am thankful I had a blood test when I did,” Tim said. “I had my son in October. Two months later I had the terrible news.” Fortunately, Tim responded well to surgery and treatment and has now received a full all-clear with the need for annual tests only. But it is
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LOUD AND CLEAR: Tim Gaze as a guitarist with Rose Tattoo, has an important message to share.
the message to other men he wants to get across. “Mine (cancer) was contained in time but it could have gone the other way,” he said. “It is so important for guys to have regular check-ups, to have information.” Tim will be performing at the Gympie Music Muster in August where he will have the chance to spread his message now that the iconic event has teamed with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia to help raise funding for research and to raise awareness and provide support to sufferers and their loved ones. The Muster will host a Biggest Ever Bloke’s lunch where Tim and fellow music legend John Williamson will be special guests. “It will be interesting to hear what John Williamson has to say,” Tim said. “It will be an enlightening experience. So many guys connected with the Muster have had prostate cancer, it is very prevalent. A person
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doesn’t realise this until it happens to them. I am very pleased to be able to talk at the lunch about my experience.” The Gympie Music Muster has helped generate more than $15 million in donations to charity and community groups since its inception in 1982. Muster Chair Greg Cavanagh said the choice of this year’s charity partner was driven by the disproportionate impact prostate cancer has in rural and regional areas. “One in five men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85 and statistics tell us the survival rate for those in regional areas is 21 per cent lower than anywhere else.” “I love the Muster,” Tim said. “I first performed there 15 years ago, it was good then but the last few years have seen it go from strength to strength. I feel darn lucky to be alive, to do what I’m doing now. I’m active with teaching, travelling and doing shows. “My doctor said if I hadn’t caught this in time, I would have been lucky to get another seven years. Now my little boy is eight and a half, it’s fantastic to watch him grow. “You don’t think like this until you’ve been affected. I am trying to get that (message) across to guys. They think ‘I’ll be right’ or “I’m too busy” but it only takes five minutes to have a blood test.” The Gympie Music Festival, which is Australia’s largest charity festival, will run from Thursday, August 23 to Sunday, August 26 in the Amamoor Creek State Forest. For tickets, go to muster.com.au.
Wide Bay
Monday, May 21, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 9
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10 Seniors Wide Bay
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 21, 2018
Community 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 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 June issue is June 6. Email editor@seniors newspaper.com.au
FREE RETIREMENT LIVING OPTIONS SEMINAR
A LAWYER from Caxton Legal Centre’s Park and Village Information Link will be presenting a free talk at the Bundaberg Coronation Hall on Thursday, May 17 from 1–2.30pm. The session will focus on legal issues with retirement villages, manufactured home (over 50’s resorts) and other accommodation options. Attendees will learn about documents and contracts, fees and charges, maintenance responsibilities and questions to ask before signing on the dotted line. Legal advice appointments are also available. Bookings are essential, phone Caxton on 3214 6333.
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WE WILL next meet on Thursday, May 24 at 9.15am for a 9.30am start at the new venue – upstairs at the Boat Club. There is a lift for those who prefer and friendly greeters to make you feel welcome. Come along and meet new friends; the venue is superb, the view unsurpassed and the company is all you could wish for. A representative from Retire Invest will be the speaker and will have some helpful advice on estate planning. You may like to join us for lunch after the meeting so be sure to put your name on the list at the desk in the front. Inquiries with Judith on 0458 008 087 .
BUNDABERG PCYC MARKET
THE Bundaberg PCYC will hold a market on Sunday, June 10 at the Multiplex at 1 Civic Ave (off Walker St). With the canteen open
GIANT ATTRACTIONS: The Hervey Bay VIEW Club's April social was a visit to Bamboo Land and Nursery to enjoy the huge bamboo displays and jungle animals. (From left) Esme Fay, Val Scott and Mary Crickmore.
from 7.30am and the market running from 8am there is no better place to be if you enjoy good food and lots of great bargains. There are new stalls each month and always a great variety of goods on offer. Beautiful orchids, plants, jewellery, gift cards, toys, books, clothes, cakes as well as other items. For more information or to book a site phone 0437 645 941 or email: irene.petretic@pcyc.org. au.
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 10 am for a coffee and a chat. May is a very significant month for MS because May 30 is World MS Day and we celebrated this event at our May meeting, recognising that 25,000 Australians suffer from the effects of MS which vary greatly between all MS sufferers. MS Queensland also celebrates 60 years this year since its inception in 1958. We are always welcoming of anyone with MS and newly diagnosed are welcome to sit in on a meeting and ask questions. Contact Bev on 4128 2692 or email: bev_cornwell@hotmail. com.
HERVEY BAY GARDEN CLUB INC
GENERAL meetings for 2018 have been well attended with excellent guest speakers. We look forward to those booked for the future, plus our interested Gardeners visits and bus trips. Future club meetings to be held at the Hervey Bay Community Centre, Charles Street Pialba at 9am for a 9.30am start: Thursday, June 14, July 12, September 13, October 11, Nov 8. Please bring along any healthy potted plants or excess vegies or fruit to donate to our plant stall. There will be our usual lucky door prize, multi draw raffle, library and $2 morning tea supplied by the Comfort Kitchen. (Please bring your own cup or mug for the morning tea). For more information, phone Secretary: Julie Nash on 4125 2918.
HERVEY BAY VIEW
(Voice, Interests and Education of Women) OUR 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. In May we celebrate the Hervey Bay View Club’s 23rd birthday and we have
a special luncheon and entertainment plus the customary cutting of the cake at this meeting. Our April guest speaker was Russell Lewis who spoke on international volunteering. Bamboo Land and Nursery was our venue of choice for our April social. New or interested ladies are always welcome to join our fun and friendly club. Phone Mary on 4128 3908 or email: herveybay.viewclub95@ gmail.com.
QUOTA NEEDS YOUR UNWANTED BOOKS
ARE your bookshelves groaning under the weight of all those books? Are you moving or downsizing? Well Maryborough Quota can help. Again this year Quota is asking the public of the Fraser Coast and district to donate any clean books, which they no longer require for the 15th Annual Quota Bookfest, to be held in the Maryborough City Hall on September 19, 20 and 21. Quota will once more donate part of the proceeds to cancer research, and the balance to needy causes in the local area, with particular emphasis on disadvantaged children. Fiction, Non Fiction, books on War, old car manuals, Australiana, and male related hobbies, are keenly sought. In fact we
would welcome any type of book, with the exception of condensed Readers Digest novels and Encyclopaedia Sets. Magazines are also welcome, provided that they are recent copies. In Maryborough the books can be dropped off at Maryborough Undercar, 120 Richmond St and in Hervey Bay books can be left at 175 Cypress St, Urangan, phone Dell on 4125 5994 for more. Bookfest inquiries can be made with Lyn on 0408 841 248.
BOTANIC GARDENS DAY
THE annual open day of the Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens brings the community together for a day of botanic fun in the Gardens on Sunday, May 27 from 9am–2pm. With more than 75 Botanic Gardens, Arboretums and Gardens taking part Australia-wide last year, we’re expecting the 2018 event to be bigger and better. Entry is free this year and includes entry into the Orchid House and lots of fun lucky door prizes. Local community gardening, flora and fauna groups will be attending with fascinating displays and stalls filled with information about pest plants and animals, the mosquito eating micro bats, wildlife preservation,
community gardening and orchids. Tours and demonstrations start at 10am and include children’s activities, bush tucker and orchid potting talks and tours of the Botanic Gardens, CEP nursery and Orchid Nurseries. These intimate, guided walks and talks with one of our horticulturists will take you on a fun and surprising journey through the gardens and nurseries. You will hear traditional legends and history surrounding the gardens and learn about the magnificent botanic specimens and creatures that grow and live in this beautiful park. The guided tour of the Community Environment Program nursery will give you a chance to see how our local plants are grown from seeds and cuttings and used to re-vegetate our local natural areas. Local community gardening groups will have stalls with orchids, native, vegetable, herb bromeliad and foliage plants for sale. Morning tea, sausage sizzle and refreshments will be available for sale with all the profits going to one of the attending community stalls. Follow Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens on Facebook or phone 4125 9700.
Wide Bay
Monday, May 21, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 11
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12 Seniors Wide Bay
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 21, 2018
Talk’n’thoughts Hurdles, highjumps and solutions
Assoc calls for a ‘rightsizing’ JULY 1 is the start date for the Federal Government’s new downsizing policy that was introduced in last year’s budget. However, a survey undertaken by National Seniors Association reported that 82 per cent of older retirees preferred an alternative policy proposed by National Seniors organisation. The government’s policy allows Australians aged 65 and over to sell their home and divert up to $300,000 a person into superannuation. This means a couple’s contribution can amount
to $600,000. However, National Seniors Chief Advocate Ian Henschke said the policy has not been well received by most older Australians. He said the organisation’s Rightsizing proposal would exempt up to $250,000 of home sale proceeds from the Age Pension means test. “The government’s initiative is too narrow,” Mr Henschke said. “We’re not saying it should be abandoned. But our Rightsizing proposal would benefit more seniors and for this reason, we’ve included it
again in this year’s budget submission. “It would enable up to $250,000 of the proceeds from a home sale to be quarantined from the Age Pension means test,” he said. “Older Australians could move to more age-appropriate and suitable housing without losing their pension, and have funds to cover health and other costs in their old age. “Many live in housing that is inappropriate for their needs, for example with stairs and unsuitable bathrooms. This
increases the risk of injury and hospitalisation. It can also bring on early entry into residential aged care.” Many older people cited maintenance issues as a key motivation for downsizing, while others were keen to stay in the home where they raised their families or an area that was familiar. “But if they could sell without losing their pension, there’s no doubt many would,” Mr Henschke said that at the same time the governments’s initative should be maintained.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I WAS non compos when they took me to hospital the first time. I was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2000, and refused chemo and radiation, believing what my body has created it can uncreate. The senior doctor informed my two daughters he did not expect me to be alive by the end of the week. Well, I didn’t die. They had me in palliative care for a month, then moved me to the local nursing home into the palliative care. From there I was moved into a locked ward, where they had 24-hour nursing care. Being a determined and stubborn witch, I was soon walking with a walker and I was moved into a free ward Twelve months later I WAS HOME!!! I am curious about death, as long as it is painless and peaceful, to this end I have registered my support with the local MP for the euthanasia pill. I encourage everyone to do the same. Name withheld
MR RIDDLE an entrepreneur is obviously a healthy senior. A good deal of us mere mortals unfortunately don’t have that good fortune. I congratulate those capable and willing to work on. But to encourage bureaucrats, politicians to understand we need change is a dangerous thing. These people (B&Ps) are hardly likely to have experienced chronic pain due to broken bodies through a lifetime of hard manual labour. So they, the lawmakers, do not understand there are a great many people unable to continue working in latter life. We are not all capable of embarking on a new business venture. It is hardly fair to expect people to risk their meagre nest eggs on a business set-up, which according to statistics is possibly doomed to fail. W. Plummer The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the views of this paper. – Editor
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Profile Story: Simone Lienert
Wide Bay
Seniors 13
Trusting in the universe Simone’s adventure of a lifetime is a never-ending story Ann Rickard
IMAGINE this. You are a single 67-year-old female with two little dogs. You take off on a year-long journey around Australia in a small van, camping most nights in the bush surrounded only by nature and wildlife and all the accompanying nocturnal noises. Very few women (or men) would have the courage to embark on such a trip with just the two cross-bred chihuahuas for company. But Simone Lienert is no ordinary woman. She has spiritual beliefs so strong they eradicate any notions of fear or potential danger. “I understand the big universe and what takes place for us as souls on this earth,” she said. “I never had a moment’s fear. I am very much attuned with our planet, with life and with (what happens) beyond life.” The Cairns-based adventurer was on the Sunshine Coast recently
after a year on the road, on a trip that began in Geraldton in WA and will finish when she returns to Cairns later this month. She has already covered 27,679 kilometres. Originally from Germany but raised in South Africa, Simone has been in Australia for a number of years, including a stint working in and near Alice Springs with indigenous communities. “I had done a few smaller trips when I lived in Alice Springs, into the Kimberley around the desert area,” she said. “I looked after my (ailing) mother for 11 years and when she passed I flew to Western Australian, bought a campervan (Mitsubishi Delica) and went on my journey.” Some minor adjustments to the campervan, meant Simone had a bed, minimal cooking facilities and two solar panels, but not much else. “I never stayed on the road after dark and I never stayed in any one place for
ON THE ROAD: Simone Lienert at the WA/SA border.
more than two nights,” she said. “At about three every afternoon I started looking for a place to stop. I preferred to stay in the bush. I cooked every night, vegetables and rice or noodles and fish. The dogs were fed dried food and fresh meat and bones when we went through towns. I had three buckets of water, one for the kitchen, one for rinsing and one for my ‘shower’. Toilets were never a problem. I had doggie bags for the dogs and myself. I never left a trace anywhere.” Simone’s adventure took her north in WA to Kununurra, inland over
Marble Bar in the Pilbara to Karijini and then back to Geraldton before tackling the Nullarbor. “The Nullarbor really is an adventure,” she said. “You have miles of nothing, then these amazing cliffs. It’s very beautiful.” Into South Australia and then up to Alice Springs and back down by Uluru and the Olgas and on to Coober Pedy Simone continued, always inspired and awed by the beauty of the country, never frightened. “It was amazing,” she said. “When it gets dark and the sun sets you hear the cooing of the owls and birds, it is so exciting. And
the sunrises are beautiful.” The only small brush with danger came from emus near the Oodnadatta Track. “The emus run next to the van, and then turn and attack the van,” she said “I saw a lot of them dead on the road. But nothing else bothered me. You see wildlife and you slow down, you don’t get out to take photos.” Although the last thing on Simone’s mind was looking for love let alone companionship on her epic journey, it came to her in one of the lonely camp spots she had chosen for the night. “We were in a free camp,” she said. “My dog wandered over to a man to say hello, I went and stood in front of the man and a voice inside my head said ‘that is your man’.” Her ‘man’ (Barry) met her later in the Adelaide Hills and again in Tasmania after Simone had travelled Victoria by herself and taken the van on the Spirit of Tasmania to spend a month on the island. Then he returned to his home.
“He was travelling alone,” Simone said. “I was too. I did not set out to find a man like me, as crazy and courageous as I am, and I did not expect to find him in the desert.” After Tasmania, Simone continued her journey up to NSW through Eden and Byron Bay and then to the Sunshine Coast where we met up with her. She will gradually make her way back to Cairns. “I had actually planned to be away two years but it has been brought forward (by meeting Barry.) When I get back to Cairns I will travel with Barry for two years,” she said. Advice from Simone to all seniors who may let nerves or fear hold them back from experiencing the wonders of our country: “Travelling, as we do, broadens the horizon and it is so exciting to meet and listen to other travellers on the road. I have made many friends, young and old, and all were open to sharing their stories. I can recommend true adventure for seniors using their savings to travel around our beautiful country.”
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14 Seniors Wide Bay
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 21, 2018
What’s on ■ FRASER COAST AGRICULTURAL SHOW
THE 2018 Fraser Coast Agriculture Show comes to the Fraser Coast with exciting entertainment such as Aussie FMX, sheepdog trials, Lukes Reptile Kingdom, barrel racing, rodeo, vintage tractor pull, Little Animal Farm, working heritage display and more. There are competitions for Cookery, Needlework and Craft, Photography, Fine Art, Horticulture, Fruit and Veg and Pottery to name a few. Schedules to enter these competitions can be found on the web site. The show management reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary. When: May 24 and 25. Phone 4122 3584. Email: frasercoastagshow @gmail.com.
■ MIND THE ART
FREE gallery tours – join our friendly and interactive tour designed to keep
brains active and healthy. Mind the Art is open to all seniors passing through, or in our community, and those living with dementia, and their carers. Make new friends, enjoy a morning tea, and learn more about art and “your’’ gallery. Exhibiting Space: Gallery One at 9.30am to 11am. Dates: May 23. Bookings: 4130 4750. Location: Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery,1 Barolin St (corner of Quay St). Go to: bundabergregional galleries.com.au.
■ RELISH FRASER COAST
MARYBOROUGH’S heritage streetscapes and riverside parks are the setting for the Relish Food and Wine Festival, a delicious feast of culture and cuisine serving up celebrity chefs, gourmet tastings, cooking workshops, live music and art. Indulge in food and beverage matching sessions, listen to leading
■ KILKIVAN LIBRARY
AUSSIE HUMOUR: Don't miss Kevin Bloody Wilson when he hits the Kondari Hotel at Hervey Bay on his Almost Awesome tour.
foodies as they share the fruits of their work, and learn from talented chefs who provide the unmistakable stamp of the region in every dish. Highlights include a ride on a historic steam engine through heritage-listed Queens Park and quirky boutique beer sessions among old rum barrels dating back to the 1860s. When: June 2, 9am-5pm. Phone 1800 214 789. Email: events @fcte.com.au or go to: relishfrasercoast.com.au.
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■ APPLE TREE CREEK MARKETS
GRAB a bargain at the beautiful Apple Tree Creek Chitchat Markets and Trash and Treasure at the Apple Tree Creek Rodeo Grounds on the second Saturday of every month, from 7am to noon. Lots of stalls including crafts, honey, clothing, lingerie, woodworking, plants, budgies and parrots, guinea pigs, chickens, cages, pet accessories, Des’s awesome Bush Burners, avocados, olives, Dolly’s tasty homemade fudge and cakes, belts made to order, leather hats, the freshest fruit and veg, books, pottery, paintings, 3D art, Jim’s fresh brewed coffee, electronics, gifts and tools, and we love bric a brac so you will find lots of it here. Heaps of parking around the back of the grounds. Phone 4126 8308 or 0488 268 309, email: childerschitchat @hotmail.com for
DURING May, one-on-one computer sessions at all Gympie Regional Libraries. You will get 30 minutes to ask any tech question that is bothering you. Spaces are limited and bookings are essential. When: Thursday, May 24. Time: Sessions start at 10am, Bookings essential on 5484 1209. Contact: Gympie Regional Libraries, 1 Bligh St, Kilkivan 5484 1209. Email: library@gympie. qld.gov.au.
■ GYMPIE LIBRARIES
ONE-on-one sessions at all Gympie Regional Libraries. You will get 30 minutes to ask any tech question that is bothering you. Spaces are limited and bookings are essential. Where: Goomeri Library on Thursday, May 24. Sessions start at 2pm. Bookings essential: 4168 4340, Contact Name: Gympie Regional Libraries, 35 Moore St, Goomeri. Phone 4168 4340.
■ MIX-IT UP CHEESE MAKING COURSE
THIS hands-on cheese making course is a bit more advanced, and
expands your knowledge and techniques to assist you with your cheesemaking journey. The course is conducted within a commercial kitchen and you will be making the cheeses not just watching. The techniques learnt can easily be applied outside of the course so that you can make your own cheeses at home. You will be able to take home all the cheeses you make within the workshop to share with family and friends. Lunch, morning and afternoon tea will be provided. Cheeses made on this course: White Mould (aka Brie), Havarti, Basic Blue Cheese. Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre, 22 Charles St, Pialba, Hervey Bay. On Sunday, May 27 9.30am-4pm. One attendee: $170. Buy tickets at 0466 373 216.
■ KEVIN BLOODY WILSON
ON AT the Kondari Hotel, 49/63 Elizabeth St, Hervey Bay on Sunday, June 10, 8pm-11pm. Aussie comedian Kevin Bloody Wilson brings his hilarious politically incorrect show. An evening in the company of Kevin Bloody Wilson is jam-packed with entertainment. Don’t miss Kevin Bloody Wilson as he hits the road again on his Almost Awesome tour in 2018. Go to: liveatyourlocal.com.au/ or phone 4125 5477.
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Wide Bay
Monday, May 21, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 15
Wellbeing Men’s Health: Is the chassis getting rusty? Now is a good time for a wear and tear check-up Tracey Johnstone
WHETHER you are in your 60s, 70s or older, it’s a good time to check out the chassis for wear and tear, and maybe be some rust. You can use the following check list from Foundation 49 for some of the items you should consider talking to your GP about and to find out more information. ■ Arthritis (ball joint lubrication)
– www.arthritisaustralia.com.au ■ Falls Prevention (stability control) – www.myagedcare. gov.au/getting-started/healthyand-active-ageing/preventingfalls-in-elderly ■ Osteoporosis (chassis rust) – www.osteoporosis.org.au/men The good advice from men’s health group Foundation 49 is: ■ Find a GP you are happy with. ■ Have an annual check up with your GP. ■ Know your body and what is
normal for you. ■ Promptly check out any concerns or health issues with your GP. ■ Know the health risks for your age group and what to do to reduce them. For more men’s health information, go to www.malehealth.org.au. CHECK-UP: That chassis of yours might need an overhaul.
Do you know what is a healthy blood pressure? WHAT is a healthy blood pressure? When the heart is squeezing blood into the arteries, the pressure is high. When the heart is relaxed, the pressure is lower. Your blood pressure is a measurement taken of the highest reading (systolic) and the lowest reading (diastolic). It is given as two figures – highest over lowest or systolic over diastolic. Your blood pressure varies from day to day, even moment to moment. Most doctors would say that a healthy blood pressure is higher than 90/60mm/Hg, but lower than about 140/90. Optimal blood pressure is 120/80. High blood pressure: Generally, if a person has a blood pressure reading greater than 140/90 taken at least twice at the same clinic, they have high blood pressure. Your doctor may confirm this using a 24 hour blood pressure measurement. Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms, and may feel quite well.
This is why it’s important to see your doctor and have your blood pressure checked regularly, especially if you have one or more of the known risk factors. A few people with very high blood pressure may experience headache, dizziness or the sudden effects of diseases of the arteries such as chest pain or stroke. Low blood pressure: Most doctors would say that you have low blood pressure if it is below 90/60. For some people, low blood pressure is a sign of good health. These are generally people who are very fit and who have a slow pulse. For other people, low blood pressure is a problem. The following steps towards a healthier lifestyle can help you lower your blood pressure and keep it at a healthy level: ■ Exercise regularly ■ Follow a healthy diet ■ Reduce your salt intake ■ Lose weight if you are overweight ■ Drink less alcohol ■ Don’t smoke
PHOTO: EHSTOCK
16 Seniors Wide Bay
Wellbeing
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 21, 2018
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SENSES: ARTHRITIS
Take an active role in managing your arthritis Osetoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common Tracey Johnstone
COMING to terms with what arthritis is and how it can be managed will greatly help sufferers to live a well life. Out of the 100 forms of arthritis, which affects the body’s joints causing pain and stiffness, the two most prevalent for ageing Australians are osetoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis It’s the most common form of arthritis, with two million Australians living every day with the incurable condition. Once considered a ‘wear and tear’ condition, Arthritis Australia policy manager Franca Marine said there has been a significant shift in knowledge and approach to osteoarthritis. It is now considered a breakdown in the normal repair processes of a joint. “There are lots of micro-tumors in the joint and it’s constantly repairing itself,” Ms Marine said. “It’s when that repair process either gets overwhelmed, such as when you have had a traumatic injury to the joint or the constant onslaught of minor things, that’s when you start to get osteoarthritis.” Osteoarthritis is usually diagnosed clinically by your GP. Treatments:
■ Reduce your weight to take pressure off your joints. “Every extra kilo of weight you carry puts an extra four kilos of load on your knees,” Ms Marine said. “Even minor weight loss has been shown to reduce the symptoms and pain.” ■ Keep physically active. “It encourages blood flow to the joints which nourishes the joints and strengthens the muscles around the joint to give them extra support,” Ms Marine said. “Research shows physical activity has the same benefits as taking anti-inflammatory medicines or other pain killers, but without any of the side effects.” To find out what exercise you should be doing, Ms Marine recommends you talk to a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist. Rheumatoid arthritis The auto-immune, inflammatory and incurable condition is commonly diagnosed before the age of 50. While reducing weight and keeping physically active are part of the treatment program, so too are medications. “The sooner you treat this condition, the better your outcomes are going to be in terms of reducing the severity of the condition in the longer term,” Ms Marine said. “If someone over 60 is
ARTHRITIS UPDATE: Don’t assume it’s just old age.
experiencing stiffness in their fingers, especially if it’s in both hands equally, or both feet equally, and they are particularly stiff for a long time in the morning for more than 30 minutes and their hot and swollen, they should go and see a doctor as soon as possible to eliminate the possibility of rheumatoid arthritis. “Don’t assume it’s just old age.” The risk factors for this condition are smoking, which can also impede its treatment, and possibly genetics. Diagnosis usually starts with a visit to a GP who
You are not alone – incontinence CONTINENCE fast facts: ■ About five million Australians, that’s one in four people aged 15 years or over, are incontinent. The majority of people affected by incontinence can be better treated, managed or cured. ■ 70 per cent of incontinent people do not seek help. ■ 80 per cent of people who report they are living with incontinence are women. Half of those women are aged under 50 years.
■ One in three women who have had a baby wet themselves. One in five leak when they laugh. ■ 25 per cent of men say they are, or were, incontinent. ■ Incontinence impacts self-esteem, motivation, dignity and independence. The National Continence Helpline is a free telephone advisory service staffed by a team of continence nurse advisors who provide information, education and advice to
callers with incontinence or who are caring for someone with incontinence. The Helpline also provides information and advice to health professionals. The Helpline is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and available to anyone living in Australia. It operates 8am-8pm (AEST) Monday to Friday. For help, phone 1800 330 066.
will then refer you to a rheumatologist. Ms Marine said there is no evidence to support a particular food being an arthritis trigger, but once you have the condition, turning to a healthy diet can help you manage both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Knowledge advancements There is newly started research looking at the microbiomes, which are the communities of bacteria in the gut, and their possible impact on inflammatory arthritis. Ms Marine expects it take up to five years
PHOTO: DAISY-DAISY
before the researchers can determine if there is a link. Researchers are also looking at how the treatment of arthritis can be personalised. The first step is the establishment of a biobank to collect specimens from people with arthritis so that researchers can search across the specimens for markers that may impact on the development or progression of the condition. “The data will then be matched with clinical data for that person so that you know how severe the condition is when they
developed it, what the risk factors were, how they were treated, what their response to the treatment was, so that you can then try to find what is the best treatment pathway based on a person’s own physical make-up,” Ms Marine said. “At the moment we don’t really know which of the medicines available are going to best for a particular person. It’s a bit of trial and error.” Arthritis Australia’s updated website has extensive resources on arthritis diagnosis and treatments. Visit arthritis australia.com.au.
Monday, May 21, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au
Advertising Feature
Wide Bay
Seniors 17
PALLIATIVE CARE WEEK
What matters most when the horizon is getting closer? Talking about your end-of-life care is important Tracey Johnstone
HAVE you thought about what are the most important things in your life that you want protected if you are faced with a life-limiting illness or something untoward happened to you? These are tough questions for many of us to answer. It’s a confronting concept to be planning for the end of our life but by having the conversations now, we can trust in our wishes being implemented at a critical time when it may not possible for us to voice what we want and how we want it done. What matters most to you? Writing down or recording your thoughts will help you to start the process. Consider travel, food, laughter, pets and music, mementos, family trinkets, experiences, your funeral, medical support, Power of Attorney, finances, substitute decision makers, friends,
family and anything else you want to add to your list. Getting your thoughts recorded and then verbally sharing them with others could turn into an interesting journey as you reveal to yourself new elements of your character, perhaps challenge yourself to re-prioritise your choices and goals, and even revive long-repressed wishes. Palliative Care Australia’s chief executive officer Liz Callaghan said where a person talks openly to their family and doctors they are more likely to get the care they want. “If you don’t have these conversations, we believe you can end up receiving care you don’t necessarily want because you haven’t been asked or you haven’t volunteered that information for yourself, or not receiving the care you do want,” Ms Callaghan said. Don’t wait until it’s too late It’s not about waiting
until the end of your life that Ms Callaghan is advocating; she wants you to start planning the details now so you can use those plans to start a conversation with your significant others and then get on with living life to the full. You can then return to those conversations over time as circumstances change. “There is a very strong consensus among Australians that talking about their end of life care is important, should something happen, but most haven’t had the conversation,” Ms Callaghan said. Anything can happen to anyone at end time, she reminds us. “You might see something on the television and say ‘I would love to experience that one day’ or ‘I would never want to live like that if that happened to me’,” Ms Callaghan said. “Continually exploring those ideas with your family is the first step.
“It’s really about understanding and thinking about what you want.” To find ideas on how to start the conversation, go to www.dyingtotalk.org.au where there is a range of tools to help you put together your ‘what matters most’ list. What is palliative care? “It is about helping people live their life as
fully and as comfortably as possible when living with a life-limiting or terminal illness,” Ms Callaghan said. “Part of that is caring for them at the very end when they do die. “The majority of care is provided for those who can still achieve many things.” The care, which is available to anyone of any
age, is often also provided to family members and carers. “The aim of palliative care is to help people live as long as they can in a quality way,” Ms Callaghan said. Palliative Care Australia’s website has fact sheets and videos on www.palliativecare.org.au to help you start the conversations.
18 Seniors Wide Bay
Wellbeing
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 21, 2018
Slow down ageing skin Dermatologist offers tips on delaying the ageing process Tracey Johnstone
TAKE the advice of an expert and use these tips for women and men for slowing down your skin’s ageing process. Melbourne dermatologist Dr Michelle Rodrigues reminds us to have on hand sunscreen, cleanser and moisturiser, but we don’t need to spend a lot on them to get a result. She recommends talking to your healthcare professional for help on navigating your way through the mire of cosmetic treatment choices for your face, because everyone’s skin is different. “Creating a regime is not a one size fits all,” Dr Rodrigues added. The best approach is always individualised.” Sunscreen ●There’s no surprises when you hear the sage advice; “it’s never too late to start with a good sunscreen”. ●Aim for sunscreen with
a SPF factor of 50 or more, and a label saying high UVA protection. ●The key here is UVA which does a lot more damage to the second layer of the skin. “With regular sunscreen, we can to a degree, decrease the amount of sun spots and decrease the amount of pigmentation on the face,” Dr Rodrigues said. “It is over time going to actively improve the skin.” Add an active ingredient ●For your morning skin moisturising regime, and under your sunscreen, add niacinamide which comes in pharmacy over-the-counter products such as serum, gel and in creams. ●It should be in a concentration of five per cent or more. “It can actively provide antioxidants to the skin and actively try to prevent further UV damage, and help with pigmentation and small blemishes,” Dr Rodrigues said.
Include Vitamin A It’s only available by prescription from your GP or dermatologist, but a Vitamin A derived tretinoin-based cream is another item to add to your skin repair shopping list. “There are a lot of over-the-counter products that claim they contain retinol and vitamin A for anti-ageing, but the only one that has been proven scientifically to reverse the signs of ageing over about a six-month period is the tretinoin,” Dr Rodrigues said. “It decreases fine lines and wrinkles, helps with pigmentation and increases luminosity of the skin. It is a proven anti-ageing method that’s simple and effective, and inexpensive.” Skin care advances The newest laser technology can help rejuvenate men and women’s skin, decrease redness, decrease subtle pigmentation and fine lines. “There is some breakthrough, powerful technology that can help
and in addition the creams, can yield quite nice results,” Dr Rodrigues said. But, a word of warning – because operating and licensing rules are different across Australia, be careful who you use for laser treatments. So, it’s best to start with your GP for a referral to a dermatologist who can determine if these laser treatments are suitable to your skin condition.
BETTER FACES: Looking at how you can slow down the effects on ageing skin. PHOTO: CECILIE_ARCURS
Keep an eye on your health EARLY detection can make all the difference to losing your vision due to the onset of the sightinhibiting disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It’s the most common condition to lead to irreversible vision loss for Australians aged 60 and over, AMD specialist Dr Matthew Russell said. Macular tissue forms part of the retina which captures the image within our eye and provides our detailed central vision. When AMD occurs, two distinct diseases are diagnosed – dry and wet.
DRY AMD
■ It’s a slow degeneration of the macular tissue. ■ The central vision becomes gradually damaged. ■ It leads to not being able to read, recognise faces and perform day-to-day tasks. ■ The condition is irreversible. “Many people who have dry macular degeneration don’t go onto develop severe vision loss,” Dr Russell said. “They may have no vision impairment, mild
vision impairment or moderate. A few people do go onto develop severe vision loss.” There is no treatment to slow down the progression of dry AMD.
WET AMD
■ It’s the blurring or distortion of the central vision. ■ It develops rapidly over weeks or months. ■ Abnormal blood vessels grow beneath the central part of the macular causing fluid leakage and bleeding. ■ It stops you from carrying anything requiring detailed vision. ■ Untreated, it can lead to profound loss of vision in a short timeframe. Some patients can find their vision restored once they start treatment, if it is detected and treated in its early stages. Treatment includes drugs and taking AREDS2 supplements which are antioxidants found in Omega-3 (salmon, mackerel, trout and sardines), Vitamin C (citrus fruits, berries, kiwi, tomatoes and capsicum), lutein and zeaxanthin (dark leafy vegetables – kale, spinach, broccoli, silver
beet, pumpkin, peas, corn and beans), zinc (seafood), Vitamin E (nuts and seeds) and selenium (Brazil nuts, mushrooms, oats and brown rice). These supplements are known to reduce the risk of developing AMD of people who are at risk of the disease by about 25 per cent over a five-year period, Dr Russell said. Self-monitoring through the use of an Amsler grid, checking each eye separately on a regular basis, can help to detect further decline in vision. “With drug treatment I have many patients who living completely full normal lives, maintaining their driver’s licence,” Dr Russell said. The drug treatment involves injections into the eye. “Almost universally, the treatment can be performed without any discomfort whatsoever and with a very low rate of side effects.”
EYE HEALTH
Don’t assume a significant change in your vision is caused by cataracts or a change in your prescription, Dr Russell said.
VISION HEALTH: An older man uses an illuminated magnifying glass to help him read because he suffers from Wet macular degeneration. PHOTO: CLARKANDCOMPANY
He recommends immediately visiting your optometrist for a thorough eye health examination. If you are over the age of 60, you should have your eyes checked every 12 months by a qualified optometrist who can do a physical examination of your eyes including imaging.
“It’s not sufficient to have pictures taken of the eye,” Dr Russell said. “While imaging is very good at detecting macular diseases, it’s not good at assessing the entire health of the eye. “Even if you don’t have Dry macular degeneration it’s important to consider lifestyle and nutritional
factors that may increase your risk of developing it, but which can protect you later in life. “They are a diet high in leafy green vegetables, Omega-3 supplements, protection from sunlight, and smoking which is a significant lifestyle factor involved in the development of macular degeneration.”
Monday, May 21, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au
Wide Bay
Seniors 19
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20 Seniors Wide Bay
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 21, 2018
Living
SUNNY DAYS: Hua Hin, the Royal Resort town on the Gulf of Thailand, three hours from Bangkok, is laidback enough to feel like a beach town but has all the modern conveniences of a Western city.
Your ticket to affordable beach living in retirement Many Baby Boomers anticipate having to work beyond age 65
JOURNALIST ALISON HOUSTON A PLANE ticket could be the answer to Australia’s spiralling cost of living which makes you think you can never afford to retire in comfort. According to News Corp’s 2017 Ready to Retire Study, more than 50% of Baby Boomers anticipate having to work beyond 65, and one in 10 don’t think they’ll be able to afford to retire at all. Global wealth and retirement consultant Mercer similarly found more than 60% of retirees face running out of money before they die, with most people’s savings only enough to last 14 years beyond retirement. Charities say that many pensioners are already struggling to meet their
everyday bills and put food on the table. But the solution might not be so unpalatable with International Living suggesting overseas retirement can significantly cut costs and it’s possible to have “a laidback retirement in the sun on a budget of as little as $1325 a month”. “Look in the right places and you’ll discover Baby Boomers can retire – and retire well – in idyllic beach towns, for less than the cost of daily life back home,” International Living’s executive editor Eoin Bassett said. They have put forward three Asian locations in which expat retirees report they are enjoying healthy, fulfilling lifes on a modest budget – Da Nang in Vietnam, Sanur in Bali and Hua Hin, Thailand. Da Nang is central Vietnam’s biggest city and is located on the coast of
the Eastern Sea. Despite a population of about one million people, it is clean, modern and progressive, boasts a 28km-long beach with promenade and numerous parks and is generally considered the most liveable city in Vietnam. Gary Stapleton, 64, has been living in Da Nang since 2013 on a budget of about $1300 a month. He rents a three-bedroom furnished house in An Thuong District, less than 1km from the beach, for which he pays $470 a month rent. “Honestly, after living here, going back to Australia full-time would be disappointing,” he said. “People here have a great deal of respect for older people – I like that. “Vietnam is also much more vibrant, entertaining and interesting, plus, I love the beaches and the
laidback lifestyle here.” International Living states a couple could live comfortably in Da Nang on a budget of about $1325 per month, including rent, utilities, food, frequent meals out and incidentals. Sanur, on the south-east tip of the Indonesian holiday isle of Bali, is described as “just the right balance of familiar Western comforts and Balinese culture”. According to International Living, a couple can live on as little as $1500 a month in this small beachside town with its good restaurants, quiet cafés and white sand beaches; $2500 if you want to live the high life. Gold Coaster Josephine Brierley and her husband Rob fell in love with Bali in 2004, holidayed there repeatedly, and moved there 18 months ago. “Days pass easily, beginning with a long walk
on the beach,” Josephine said. “We make time to discover new places and there is never a month when we don’t have family or friends in town.” Sanur also has a big expat community and Josephine said Bali gave them a simpler, less cluttered life to enjoy the little things like reading, talking and relaxing. Hua Hin, the Royal Resort town on the Gulf of Thailand, three hours from Bangkok, has a beach lined with hotels and restaurants and boasts year-round temperatures in the mid-20s. With its population of about 85,000 people, it’s laidback enough to feel like a beach town but has all the modern conveniences of a western city, including health care. Michael Cullen and his wife Vivien moved there from
Brisbane in late 2015, having decided they were ready to retire but facing another 10-15 years of work to be able to afford to do so in Australia. They have embraced the beach lifestyle, verdant countryside, ancient ruins, cuisine and culture, as well as the friendliness of locals and expats alike. “We bought our own home here for $140,000 and live very well on a budget of about $2500 a month which allows us to continue to pursue our passion for travel,” Michael said. After Seniors News last spoke to Michael he had several people contact him, with one couple returning for a second visit in February, and another “well down the path of evaluating Thailand as their retirement destination”. For more ideas, go to internationalliving. com/au.
Wide Bay
Monday, May 21, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 21
Money
Financial advice in the spotlight FINANCE TONY KAYE THE harrowing tales of gross financial misconduct emanating from the Royal Commission into the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry have once again raised huge concerns about Australia’s financial advice industry. They’ve included sensational revelations of big banks and financial institutions such as AMP providing questionable if not fraudulent advice, charging for advice not given, and even charging fees to the accounts of deceased customers. Then there’s the case of a high-profile financial planning firm that provided misleading advice to a member of the Fair Work Commission (after impersonating her to gain personal details from her superannuation fund) that, if acted upon, would have resulted in a $500,000 loss. The motive was pure and simple – the ability to earn large fees and commissions. Don’t be unduly surprised. It’s clear that the efforts aimed at cleaning up the advice industry, including the government ban on product commissions and volume-based payments
GOOD ADVICE: Learn from an expert by using these tips for working well with financial advisors.
introduced in 2015, have only scraped off the tip of the iceberg. There are still major flaws in the advice system, especially in the quality of advice being delivered. But, let’s face it, it would be wrong to tar all financial advisers with the same brush. There are many very good advisers out there that do act responsibly and in the best interests of their clients.
What can you do? If you use the services of a financial adviser, or are planning to, the cornerstones of your relationship should always be based around transparency and trust. Transparency is all about the adviser explaining how they operate, and exactly why they are recommending a specific investment strategy or financial products. There has to be very clear reasons, and there should
never be unanswered questions around fees and commissions. ■ If your adviser will not charge a flat fee for their service, walk away. And don’t be afraid to ask them about their own financial plan, including the level and types of insurance held. ■ A good strategy should be very detailed and take all your financial goals and needs into account. ■ If the adviser is recommending you buy
PHOTO: SELECTSTOCK
direct shares, you need to be sure you are comfortable with the degree of risk involved, and how this might impact you over the long term. If they are recommending a more passive investing approach through exchange-traded funds, ask for an explanation of the risks and benefits over the medium to long term. ■ Don’t establish a self-managed super fund just because your adviser
recommends you do. The fact is that not everyone needs their own fund, and most people can get the investment control they need without having one. Financial adviser Theo Marinis said one strategy is to appoint an adviser who is around five years younger than you, which makes sense if you are close to retirement. “Remember, super is tax-free from 60; so if your potential adviser is aged 59, they may harbour a plan to retire very soon,” Mr Marinis said. “You may wish to know who will be left behind to help you if you intend to stay on until age 67. Are there competent younger people working with your adviser?” Your first step should be to call and book an initial appointment, and tell the financial adviser you have prepared a list of questions you would like to send them via email. Do this at least a couple of weeks before your meeting. You should be able to get a sense of how appropriate your potential, or existing, adviser is for you, based on their response. If they don’t respond at all, that’s obviously a bad sign. If they don’t answer all your questions, ask for more clarification. And if you’re still not satisfied, it’s probably time to seek another adviser. Tony Kaye is the Editor of InvestSMART. www. investsmart.com.au
Advice for administering a deceased estate What is the administration of an estate? Generally the administration of an estate involves the following steps: 1. Obtaining the deceased person’s original will, if there is a will, and identifying and locating the people named as executors and beneficiaries. 2. Determining the assets and debts of the estate. By way of example, assets that form part of an estate
may include real estate, shares, moneys in bank accounts, motor vehicles and personal items. Debts that form part of an estate may include mortgages, personal loans and credit cards. Different searches are available to confirm title or ownership of various types of property if the deceased has not left complete records or paperwork. 3. Bringing together all the assets of the estate and protecting them, and paying the
debts of the estate. 4. Distributing the estate to the entitled beneficiaries. If the deceased left a will, any specific gifts will be distributed to the persons named in the will and the remainder of the estate will be distributed to the named beneficiaries. If the deceased did not have a will, then the estate will be distributed according to the rules of intestacy in the Succession Act 1981 (Queensland).
5. Complying with the requirements of government agencies and other organisations. Agencies and organisations that may need to be contacted include the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Electoral Commission, Medicare and Centrelink. Different agencies and organisations will likely require different information to update and finalise their records. Practical tip Generally, the original will
of a deceased is held in the safe custody of the law firm that prepared the will, and a copy of the will is held by the deceased with their personal documents and records. The copy of the will held by the deceased should include the name and contact details of the law firm that prepared it. The executors can refer to these contact details to contact the law firm and after a copy of the death certificate of the deceased and identification of the
executors is shown, the law firm can release the original will to the executors. Disclaimer: The above information is intended as general legal information only for people living in Queensland and is not a substitute for individual legal advice. New Way Lawyers Corinda (07) 3278 3992, Capalaba (07) 3245 5033; and Gold Coast: (07) 5568 0669 newwaylawyers.com.au
22 Seniors Wide Bay
Money
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 21, 2018
Credit record on report
Comprehensive credit reporting kicks in from July PAYING bills on time always makes good financial sense, but with comprehensive credit reporting due to kick off from July 1, it just became a lot more important. Whenever you apply for credit – and this can include opening a new mobile phone or gas/electricity account – the service provider is likely to take a look at your credit history. At present, this shows any applications you’ve made for credit as well as negative information like unpaid bills, overdue accounts and loan defaults. These details can stay on your credit history for years, potentially making it difficult to secure a competitively priced loan. Yet people often don’t know they have a tarnished credit record until they’re knocked back for a loan. This system is set to change from July 1 when “comprehensive” credit reporting is due to kick in. The proposed
than ever to pay bills on time. In our busy lives it can be easy to overlook bill payment dates. Setting up an automatic direct debit can help, or if you have a credit card debt, it can be worth asking your bank whether an automatic payment system is available. These autopay systems usually let you choose between paying the closing balance of your card, the minimum payment or a set sum each month. If you regularly struggle to meet bills for utilities like power and gas, ask your energy provider about “bill smoothing”. This is where you work out your total power bill for the last year, divide it by 12 and then pay a monthly sum into your energy account. A lot of people say it is far more manageable than paying a large quarterly bill.
THINK MONEY PAUL CLITHEROE legislation calls for our big financial institutions to provide details of positive as well as negative events, and up to 24 months of debt repayment history can be recorded on your personal credit file. It may all sound a bit “big brother”, however the new credit reporting changes will give lenders a more rounded picture of your credit history. Paying bills and loan repayments on time will reflect favourably on your credit report and hopefully make it easier to secure credit. On the flipside, consistently dragging the chain with bills can make it harder to get a loan. Positive credit reporting has been in place overseas for some time, and anecdotally, borrowers often use a
CREDIT REPORTING: The proposed legislation calls for financial institutions to provide details of positive and negative events, and up to 24 months of debt repayment history can be recorded on your personal credit file. PHOTO: ZORAN ZEREMSKI
strong credit rating to negotiate a lower interest rate. While July 1 is still a few
months away, the big banks have already begun compiling details of your repayment history in
readiness for the new system to come into effect on July 1. That makes it more important
Paul Clitheroe is a founding director of financial planning firm ipac, Chairman of the Australian Government Financial Literacy Board and chief commentator for Money Magazine.
Take advantage of the new downsizer super boost from 1 July 2018
Boosting your super just got a lot easier. From 1 July 2018, if you sell your home you may be able to contribute up to $300,000 to your super, tax-free and with no work test. And that goes for your partner too. Together, you can contribute up to $600,000. If you are: • Aged 65 or over • And have owned your principal home for 10 years or more and thinking of selling and downsizing This provision can only be taken advantage of once, with several other criteria that you and your home must meet. Call us today on 1800 634 378 to book an appointment to see if you are eligible and let us help you take advantage of the new downsizer superannuation contributions provision.
• • • • • • • •
Aged Care Wealth Accumulation Retirement Planning Investing in the Share Market SMSFs & Superannuation Lifetime Income Streams Estate Planning Life, Trauma & Income Protection Insurance
*Kathy Paget CFP®, DipFP
*Genevieve de Szoeke Adv DipFS (FP)
*Nathan Green DipFS (FP)
*Authorised Representative of RI Advice Group Pty Ltd ABN 23 001 774 125, AFSL 238429 This information, including taxation, does not consider your personal circumstances and is general advice only. You should not act on any recommendation without considering your personal circumstances and objectives. RI Advice Group recommends you obtain professional financial advice specific to your circumstances.
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Phone: 1800 634 378 | Email: info@riwidebay.com.au | Website: www.riwidebay.com.au | Facebook: RetireInvest Wide Bay
Wide Bay
Monday, May 21, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 23
T ravel
10
places to escape winter
WINTER is nigh, and while temperatures in Queensland and Northern NSW are friendlier than those down south, it still gets cold enough to chill the bones of seniors and retirees who can indulge in a long escape to climates more agreeable. Ann Rickard tells of some of her favourite escapes and gives tips on how to enjoy winter sunshine on a budget. 1. COOK ISLANDS COASTAL lagoons and reefs, lush hinterland and volcanic mountains mean paradise around every corner. That’s not counting the warm welcome from locals. Street food and
2018 TOURS 33 DAY GREAT NORTH WESTERN ADVENTURE
Departs: 19/07/18
• Kuranda Train & Skyrail • Undara Lava Tubes • Lawn Hill Gorge & Karumba • Mataranka Thermal Pools • Kakadu NP • Geikie Gorge • Tunnel Ck & Windjana Gorge • Willie Pearl Farm • Mimbi Cave Indigenous Tour • Wolfe Ck Crater & Red Centre Adult: $13997 Single Supplement: $4067
public buses will keep you on-budget for a long stay. A must-do; attend church. The melodic and harmonious singing of the parishioners will give you goose bumps. 2. ELLIS BEACH, QUEENSLAND JUST north of Cairns, this beach is home to a friendly caravan park/camping ground right on the water. You could stay here for the entire winter in a caravan or rent one of the self-contained beach-front bungalows. It’s a laid-back, dreamy place, and there is the iconic pub across the road serving hearty food at cheap prices. 3. PORT DOUGLAS GUARANTEED warmth without the humidity, this luxury escape can be done on a budget if you do your research. A self-contained apartment for a
long-term stay is good for those who like space and home cooking, but there are a number of camp-sites that will welcome you and your tent/campervan at senior-friendly prices. 4. DARWIN NO-ONE wants to be in Darwin in the summer, but the winter months? A different story all together. A self-contained apartment is best. You have space and comfort and can shop at the Mindil Beach Night Markets for produce to cook or better still eat at the food stalls. 5. GREEK ISLANDS A LONG way to go but if you want day after day of sunshine, blue skies and warm sea-water, this is your stuff. Some of the lesser known islands (Karpathos, Samos, Skiathos) are budget-friendly, especially if you seek modest family run
establishments willing to give discounts for long-term stays. 6. TOWNSVILLE DRIER than its northern counterpart Cairns, it still has a magical tropical ambience. It’s a perfect town/city place to base yourself throughout the winter. There’s the Esplanade to browse and wander and all the sandy beaches of Magnetic Island just a ferry-ride away. 7. VIETNAM YOU get so much bang for your buck in Vietnam it’s almost embarrassing. Luxury hotels are a fraction of the cost in other Asian countries and the choices are many. Food, if you eat at the myriad street stalls, costs next to nothing. With three different weather systems you are best to plan carefully. There is plenty to enjoy in this vibrant country.
DOWN UNDER COACH TOURS 17 DAY CAIRNS, KARUMBA , LAWN HILL & KAKADU Coach/Fly
Departs: 19/07/18
• Kuranda Train & Skyrail • Lake Barrine Cruise • Undara Lava Tubes • Cobbold Gorge • Gulflander Train • Lawn Hill Gorge & Karumba • Mataranka Thermal Pools • Kakadu NP • Cape Adieu Sunset Dinner Cruise • Territory Wildlife Park Adult: $6730 Single Supplement: $1812
17 DAY KIMBERLEY, TANAMI TRACK & RED CENTRE Fly/Coach Departs: 04/08/18
• Lake Argyle & Ord River • Tunnel Ck & Windjana Gorge • Willie Pearl Farm & Pearl Lugger Tour • Matzo’s Brewery, Broome • Giekie Gorge Cruise • Mimbi Cave Indigenous Tour • Tanami Track & Wolfe Ck Crater • Uluru & Kata Tjuta NP • Sunset at Uluru • Spirit of the Outback Dinner & Show Adult: $7498 Single Supplement: $2256
15 DAY OPALS, SILVER CITY & PROUD MARY Departs: 07/09/18
• Lightning Ridge • Trilby Station & White Cliffs • Back O’Bourke Exhibition Cnt • Silverton & Broken Hill • Two Nights Proud Mary Adult: $5398 Single Supplement: $1417
9 DAY FABULOUS FORSTER & MANNING VALLEY
Departs: 10/11/18
8. BROOME CONFESSION…we haven’t been. But it’s on our bucket list because everyone should experience Cable Beach before they die, even if they don’t get on a camel. It’s way north over there in WA which means warm winter temperatures and sunshine are assured. 9. PHILIPPINES UNLESS there is a typhoon lurking, this is a glorious sunny escape with more than 700 islands to choose from. Filipinos are warm and friendly, and we haven’t met one yet who can’t sing like an angel. 10. WHITSUNDAYS AIRLIE Beach is a good base for the winter months to set sail to some of the glorious islands of the Whitsundays. With average temps of 22–23 during winter, it’s the perfect escape.
1800 072 535
11 DAY FLORIADE & BEAUTIFUL BATEMANS BAY
Departs: 01/10/18
• 3 Nights Canberra • Canberra Sightseeing • Braidwood Guided Tour • Mogo Zoo • Batemans Bay Cruise Adult: $3798 Single Supplement: $965
I am interested in receiving your 2018 Coach Touring Brochure. Please add me to your mailing list:
10 DAY MUDGEE CHRISMAS CAPERS Name: _____________________ Departs: 18/12/18
• 4 Nights Mudgee • Bunna Bunoo Olive Grove • Poppa’s Fudge & Jam Factory • Whale Watching Cruise • Bluestill Distillery • Great Lakes Scenic Tour • Mudgee Winery Tour • National Motorcycle Museum • Mudgee Yabbi Farm Tour • Lorne Valley Macadamia Farm Adult: $3197 Single Supplement: $661 Adult: $3698 Single Supplement: $642
Address: ____________________ __________________________ P/code:______Ph: ____________ Email: _____________________
Send to: Down Under Coach Tours, PO Box 149, Maryborough Q 4650
SPECIALISING IN SENIOR’S TRAVEL COMPLIMENTARY DOOR TO DOOR SERVICE (Area Conditions Apply) FULLY ACCOMMODATED TOURS Down Under Coach Tours, PO Box 149, Maryborough Q 4650 info@downundercoachtours.com.au www.downundercoachtours.com.au www.facebook.com/downundercoachtours
24 Seniors Wide Bay
Travel
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 21, 2018
SPECIAL FEATURE: SPOTLIGHT ON ASIA
Asia in relaxed luxury Enjoy a personal adventure with small group tours
suite of tailored tours lead by experienced drivers and tour leaders. One of the new feature itineraries is the 12-day Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery. Limited to a maximum of just 14 guests a departure, this spectacular journey begins in French-influenced Hanoi where dinner on the first evening is at KOTO (Know One, Teach One) – a social enterprise restaurant founded by Vietnamese-Australian Jimmy Pham. After a day spent touring this amazing city with entrance included to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, it’s time to prepare for the majesty of Halong Bay where’ll you’ll enjoy an unforgettable overnight cruise (included). The journey continues to Da Nang and Hoi An and onward to Ho
MAJESTIC: Halong Bay, where’ll you’ll enjoy an unforgettable overnight cruise.
We’ve Gone
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SMALL group touring is exploding in popularity. The ideal compromise between having everything organised for you and still remaining an intimate, personal adventure, it makes perfect sense particularly if you are going to a place for the first time and expect to make the most of it. One of the world’s leading small group tour specialists, Back-Roads Touring takes it a step further by deliberately venturing off the main roads and freeways and taking you into the heart of the destinations it visits. You really do get to experience a place like a local when you get away from the massive tour coaches that generally can’t access where Back-Roads will take you. And now, you can add the highlights of Asia to the company’s adventure list with a recently announced
Chi Minh City. Internal flights are included in the fare. In vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll visit stunning pagodas and markets, enjoy skyline cocktails and even take in a performance at the Opera House. Heading toward Siem Reap in Cambodia and the jaw-dropping Angkor Wat, you’ll first enjoy a discovery tour of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta canals. Enjoy more sightseeing cruises at Siem Reap including a trip through the mangroves to an isolated Khmer community where the houses are all built on stilts. This amazing trip also takes in the fascinating Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. With so many inclusions and unique experiences, it would take you months to organise a trip like this on your own. Why not join a small group tour and have it all done for you? For more information: https://backroadstouring. com/asia-destination.
Travel
Monday, May 21, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au
Wide Bay
Seniors 25
Rarotonga tells its story
Passionate, colourful and energetic Shirley Sinclair
shirley.sinclair@scnews.com.au
HE ARRIVES looking menacing in traditional tribal cloak and headdress fashioned from jungle materials. A proud warrior. Larger than life. But we soon discover he is simply a fierce protector of history, family and the community he holds dear. He puts us all at ease with his funny anecdotes and friendly demeanour, telling us that despite his long-winded tribal name “you can call me Danny”. Animated in his storytelling, he takes the United Nations-like audience on an enlightening cultural journey. His family. His heritage. His story. Rarotonga’s Highland Paradise Cultural Centre Sunset Cultural Night is much more than a glimpse into a 600-year-old Cook Islands village. The dancers, musicians, chefs, barmen and guides are all
CULTURAL EXPERIENCE: The Drums of Our Forefathers show.
descendants of Ariki (High Chief) Tinomana – the last highland king – and his four wives. Together, they ensure his spirit, his descendants and this special mountain paradise remain at the forefront of island storytelling through Drums of Our Forefathers. The great warrior and cannibal was much-feared until one of the first Tahitian missionaries to the country converted the king to Christianity. Tinomana’s epiphany and complete
transformation saw him put down his weapons and seal them in a cave, choose only one true wife and command his tribe to come down from the mountain and live in harmony by the majestic turquoise lagoon. The passionate, colourful and energetic production tells the story of the ancient hill-top tribal settlement, sometimes known as “the lost village”, abandoned in the early 1800s. The sanctuary lay forgotten for 150 years until one man
AIRFARES INCLUDED* ®
PREMIUM AIRLINES
decided to reclaim his rights as a descendant of the hill tribe, and subsequently work began to restore maraes and rebuild this sacred place nearly 40 years ago. As well as on the on-stage presentation in music, song, dancing and narration, the night includes a warrior welcome, Maungaroa village cultural tour, sacred marae visit, umu (underground oven) feast and audience participation, including
FULLY ESCORTED HOLIDAYS* HOSTED FROM AUSTRALIA
The majestic Cook Islands.
the presentation of each table’s visiting “chiefs”. The award-winning Highland Paradise Sunset Cultural Nights are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. In Rarotonga, phone
21924, see local travel desks or go to the website highlandparadise.co.ck for bookings. Transfers are available from your accommodation, find out more when you book.
EAST AFRICAN SAFARI - 21 DAYS Departs Brisbane: 20 Sep 2018 + Enjoy the spectacular wildlife viewing in the Masai Mara game reserve + Cruise Lake Naivasha with its abundant flora and fauna
Enjoy your holiday knowing you have an expert with you every step of the way.
VISAS, TIPPING & TRANSFERS INCLUDED* NO HIDDEN FEES
SMALL GROUPS* MAXIMUM 20 PEOPLE
+ View the spectacular Mt Kilimanjaro from Amboseli National Park + Spend a memorable day on safari in the Ngorongoro Crater + Experience game drives in the world famous Serengeti National Park + Explore the historic Stone Town and spice plantations of Zanzibar + Breakfast daily, 12 lunches and 14 dinners
$14,395
* from solo traveller from $16,995*
AMAZING ANTARCTICA & ARGENTINA - 24 DAYS Departs Brisbane: 4 Nov 2018
+ Discover the Antarctic with its monstrous glaciers, gigantic icebergs and fields of ice + Explore the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands + Get up close with the unique wildlife of the Antarctic region, including penguins, whales, seals and seabirds + Learn about the wonders of the Antarctic region from expert guides and historians + Enjoy a traditional tango show and dinner in Buenos Aires + Explore the amazing lakes district of Argentina + Breakfast daily, 10 lunches, 14 dinners
$20,995
* from solo traveller from $21,995*
HERVEY BAY
1300 732 697
escortedescapes.com.au *Travel restrictions & conditions apply. For further details refer to escortedescapes.com.au. Prices are correct as at 19 Jan 18 & are subject to change. Prices are per person, twin share and subject to availability. Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store and are fully inclusive of taxes, levies, ETHBF80370 government charges and other applicable fees. Payments made by credit card incur a surcharge. FROM BRISBANE. Flight Centre Travel Group Limited (ABN 25 003 377 188) trading as Escape Travel. ATAS Accreditation No. A10412. ATAS Accreditation No. A10412.
26 Seniors Wide Bay
Travel
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 21, 2018
#19 Take a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia, Turkey.
The World’s ultimate Discover the best destinations set to inspire and captivate WELCOME to the world’s best bucket list ever assembled – a diverse collection of hidden gem locations and exhilarating activities from every stunning corner of our planet. To create the World’s Ultimate Bucket List for 2018, Flight Network has consulted 800+ of the world’s leading travel journalists, agencies, bloggers and editors – the people who do this for a living – to gain insight from their opinions and expertise. By consulting the world’s top travel professionals, Flight Network has produced the most reliable and precise bucket list for the modern era – meant to captivate and inspire travellers all
over the world. But don’t just take our word for it – dive into this list yourself. Pack your bags and book a flight to the wonders of an African safari, the gorgeous purple night skies of the Sahara, ancient ruins infused with power, and crystallised waters begging you to dive in. This comprehensive list will transport you from the otherworldly landscapes of Iceland to the sensational views of French Polynesia, Bali, Melbourne, New Zealand, Fiji, Greek Islands, Singapore, South African capes, Oceania, Europe, Asia, Africa, USA, Australia, Caribbean, and everywhere in between.
Volunteer at an Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee; Chiang Mai, Thailand; or Kenya, Africa.
50
of the best 1. Take a wildlife safari in Africa. Gambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Africa. 2. Embark on an expedition to Antarctica. 3. See The Northern Lights, Iceland, Sweden, Canada, Norway, Africa. 4. Trek to Machu Picchu, Peru. 5. Sail the Galapagos Islands, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. 6. Lose yourself in the streets of Paris, France. 7. Stay in an over-water bungalow, Maldives, French Polynesia, Fiji. 8. Gorilla trekking in Central Africa, Virunga National Park, Rwanda, DR Congo. 9. Explore otherworldly Iceland. 10. Go island hopping in Greece, Europe. 11. Visit the Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States. 12. Explore Western Cape, South Africa.
Monday, May 21, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au
Travel
Wide Bay
Seniors 27
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The Great Wall of China, Huairou, China; walk around Historic Havana, Cuba; trek to Machu Picchu, Peru; take in the sights in Rome, Italy; and stay in an over-water bungalow in the Maldives, French Polynesia or Fiji.
bucket list for 2018 13. Dive and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Australia. 14. Walk around the ruins of Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia. 15. See the Taj Mahal, Agra, India. 16. Tour vineyards in Bordeaux, France. 17. Sleep under the stars in the Sahara Desert, Morocco. 18. Experience amazing Bali, Indonesia. 19. Take a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia, Turkey. 20. Take an Alaskan Cruise, Alaska, United States. 21. Visit the Pyramids in Giza, Egypt. 22. Swim with whale sharks, Mexico, Rangiroa, Bora Bora, Isla de Mujeres, Donsol, Tahiti, Fakarava, Philippines. 23. Soak up city life in the Big Apple, New York City, United States. 24. Visit Petra, Jordan. 25. The Great Wall of China, Huairou, China. 26. Volunteer at an elephant sanctuary, Hohenwald – Tennessee, Chiang Mai – Thailand, Kenya –Africa.
27. Trek to Mount Everest Base Camp, Kathmandu, Himalayas, Nepal. 28. Ignite your senses in Tokyo, Japan. 29. Visit New Zealand’s South Island, New Zealand. 30. Drive the Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia. 31. Visit the Amazon Rainforest, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia. 32. The Canadian Rocky Mountains, British Columbia, Banff Alberta, Canada. 33. Hike Through Volcanoes in Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii. 34. Explore the Australian Outback, Flinders Ranges, South Australia, Alice Springs, Australia. 35. Swim in the Dead Sea, Israel. 36. Soak in the Salt Flats in Bolivia, Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia. 37. Visit Tiger’s Nest, Paro Taktsang, Bhutan. 38. Watching Polar Bears roam, Canada, Norway, Greenland, Russia. 39. Visit The Mayan Ruins, Mexico, Guatelama, Belize.
40. Take in the astonishing Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. 41. Walk around historic Havana, Cuba. 42. Take a slum tour in India, Delhi, India. 43. Soak up the sun in Sydney Harbour, Sydney, Australia. 44. Marvel at nature on the Na Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii, United States. 45. Ride The Glacier Express, Switzerland, Europe. 46. Take in the sights in Rome, Italy. 47. Watch a centre court match at Wimbledon, United Kingdom. 48. Drink a beer at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. 49. Stay in an Ice Hotel, Sweden, Canada, Finland. 50. Experience Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Visit the Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States; visit the pyramids in Giza, Egypt; take in the astonishing Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe; and soak up city life in the Big Apple, New York City, United States.
FOR MORE GO TO: flightnetwork.com.au/ blog/the-worlds-ultimate- bucket-list/
28 Seniors Wide Bay
Travel
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 21, 2018
10 simple reasons to love grand Banyan Tree Samui Ann Rickard
SOMETIMES indulgence is called for; a holiday where you don’t have to leave the luxurious arms of your resort if you don’t want to. Such a place is Banyan Tree Samui on Thailand’s tropical island of Koh Samui. I have 10 reasons why you will come to love this special place. ■ We’ll get to the resort’s myriad charms in a minute but it is the welcome of the staff that tops our list. The wide smiles, the cold towels and refreshing drink, the warm Sawasdee greeting and the gentle nod with the raising of both hands with palms together that makes you feel like visiting royalty - and you deserve it. ■ The resort tumbles gently down a steep and verdant hill surrounded by controlled jungle and lush gardens in the private Bay of Lamai overlooking the
magnificent Gulf of Thailand. We need say no more. ■ All villas have their own infinity pools and ocean or part-ocean views, apart from spa villas which are nestled among lush gardens. High ceilings, tasteful Thai furnishings, king-sized beds, robes and slippers, flat screen televisions, and a pillow and bed-linen menu, all add to the sense of luxe. Spacious terraces have sun beds and if you want to take the kids or your mates, two-bedroom villas are available. ■ Every guest has their own villa host who will arrange everything from dining or spa reservations, to buggy pick up and drop off. But there’s more…call your host any time on the personal phone given to you at check-in and use the same phone to make free calls to anyone anywhere in the world. ■ Banyan is home to the sumptuous rainforest/
THAI TRAVEL: The stunning spa at Banyan Tree in Koh Samui, Thailand.
hydrotherapy experience. This is like a mini-visit to the Daintree Rainforest but with lots of pampering. Inside this watery sanctuary (swimsuits
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
SENSATIONAL SINGAPORE ESCORTED TOUR
20 - 27 JULY 2018
$3,995
per person Twin Share ex BNE, SYD & MEL, Single supplement $1,000
World premier tropical garden show. Exciting garden designs and exquisite floral creations from over 50 designers and 19 countries. Flights, accommodation, meals and touring. Fully escorted ex Brisbane.
LITTLE BIT COUNTRY
HOSTED BY FORTUNATO ISGRO
28 JULY - 4 AUGUST 201 18
$2,799
per per erson Twin Share Ex BN NE, Single sup upplement $400
TAKE OFF TO TASSIE
SOCIAL CROQUET HOLIDAY TOUR
6 - 14 OCTOBER 2018
$3,625
per person Twin Share ex BNE, Single supplement $730
7 Nights No orfolk Island - fligh hts, accommodati tio ti on fabulous tourin ing and meals. PLUSS Two big “Little Bit Country” showss with your host plus Lucky Starr, Rodn ney Vincent and Graeme Hugo.
Beautiful Tasmania - food, wine and the hospitality of some of the state’s friendly croquet clubs when we visit them for an afternoon’s social croquet. Co ombine the fun and friendship of hitting th hrough h the hoops with some wonderful tou uring and d din dining.
NORFOLK PINE PETANQUE UE CUP
SO SOCIAL PÉTANQUE TOURNAMENT NT
13 -20 20 OCTOBER 2018 8
From
$1,75 750
VIBRANT VIETNAM ESCORTED TOUR
31 OCT - 11 NOV 2018 From
$4,195
per person Twin Share ex BNE, MEL, SYD & PER, Single supplement $875
per person p Twin Sh hare ex BNE, SYD, M and NZ MEL
10 Nights accom, including cooked breakfast daily some dinners & lunches, services of local guides, Vietnam Visa, Saigon Dragon Boat, Mekong Delta, Ancient City of Hoi An, Imperial Citadel Hue, Cyclo Tour Hanoi, 2 Night Halong Bay Cruise.
INTRIGUING NORTH INDIA ESC SCORTED TOUR
6 - 21 OCTOBER 2018
FROM
$4,79 795
7 nights accom m, Registration N Norfolk Piine Petanque Cup 2018, Welcome Fu Functi ction, Island Fish Fry, Pro ogressive Dinner er, B Breakfast Bush Walk, Presentati tion Dinner ti er, PLUS US Your Entry into the Norfolk Pine P Pétanque Cup up.
per person Twin Share ex BNE, MEL, SYD& PER, Single supplement $1,000
necessary) with is bamboo and greenery, you are guided through a wet and wonderful journey by a dedicated therapist. First a walk through a mini jungle drenched in soft rain, then a quick steam and shower, then a fun bucket drench followed by a Swiss shower, sauna, ice mountain experience, sole therapy and finally into the vitality pool with built-in lounges, high- powered jets and rain showers to ensure every part of you is massaged and soothed. Finish by the pool on a curved-to- your-body warmed day bed. ■ A fitness and yoga centre, kid’s club, spectacular main pool, dedicated kid’s pool, a calm and soothing library, water sports galore… didn’t we say you may never want to leave this resort? ■ Dining…very important
PHOTO: PHIL CLARK, HELICAM
…and Banyan Samui has it all covered. We love lunch at Sands overlooking the beach where fresh seafood competes with enormous steaks, or for the lesser appetites, zingy salads and the always-right pizzas and burgers. International fare is served with views at The Edge, and for a true Thai epicurean adventure, dinner at Saffron is the go. In-villa dining works for those days when you don’t want to step outside your gorgeous space, and for the ultimate in romantic dinners staff will set up a private place for you on the beach beneath a floaty marquee surrounded by candles. ■ Private beach, true indulgence. Giant boulders form a rocky surround for the calm and warm water of the Gulf of Thailand, which
AIRPORT & CRUISE
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ON HERVEY BAY DOOR TO DOOR/TRANSIT TRANSFERS BY QUOTING
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 18 April 2018. Go SeeTouring Pty Ltd T/A Go See Se Touring Member of Helloworld ABN: 72 12 122 522 276 ATAS Accreditation A11320
“SENIORSHB”
*Also available for Maryborough, Tiaro and Gympie transit stops
Book Online 13 nights quality 4star acco omodation, co ooked breakfast daily, 3 x lunches & 12 x di dinners. All touring & admissions as perr itin tinerary. Services of local guide, Gratuiti ties and visas. Visit Old & New Delhi, Udaip pur - City of Lakes, Jeep Excursions in R Rajasthan, Train ride in Aravalli Ranges, aand so much more.
means safe swimming and snorkelling. Giant sun-beds, shaded sun-lounges, swinging hammocks and oval lounge chairs for two… which to choose for a day on the beach? ■ If you must leave the resort - and it’s unlikely with its immaculate grounds brimming with water features, floating lilies, lush growth and orchids - a shuttle bus will zip you into town in a jiffy. ■ Location, location, location. Sitting aloof away from the madness of Chaweng, Banyan Tree Samui in Lamai is far enough away from the bedlam to give you a memorable stress-free break. It is also close enough to have you in the bright lights if you seek that. For more detail go to w: banyantree.com/en/ thailand/samui.
Phone
www.cxn.com.au
1300 266 946
*Conditions apply, see website for details. Not valid with any other offer.
GOLD COAST | BRISBANE | SUNSHINE COAST | TOOWOOMBA HERVEY BAY | CAIRNS | SYDNEY | MELBOURNE | FIJI
Wide Bay
Monday, May 21, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au
Seniors 29
Live and let’s save
Coriander…love it or hate it?
IS IT tasty or terrible... and before you answer, remember looks can be deceiving. Coriander is a green leafy herb also known as cilantro or chinese parsley. It’s used in a variety of meals and adored by some and despised by others. I’m definitely in the latter on this one! All parts of the plant are edible but the fresh leaves and the dried seeds are the parts most traditionally used in cooking. The leaves have a different taste from the seeds. Some people find the leaves to have a pleasant citrus taste, while a small percentage experience a soapy taste. This has been linked to a gene which detects
BE THRIFTY AND THRIVE NICKY NORMAN aldehyde chemicals, which is also present in soap. Others experience an unpleasant aroma, like sweaty socks. The health benefits of coriander can include: the treatment of skin inflammation, high cholesterol levels, diarrhoea, mouth ulcers, anaemia, indigestion, menstrual disorders, smallpox, conjunctivitis, skin disorders, and blood sugar disorders, while also benefiting eye care. Unfortunately, some people (like me) have a severe reaction to
coriander. In fact, it has spoilt many an evening out, not knowing what was causing the pain. Sometimes unbearable …. not dissimilar to childbirth. How is it so, that a small healthy looking herb could be a villain in disguise? I believe it is the seed more so than the foliage that is the real issue for me, but none-the-less it’s horrible either way. A coriander allergy is an immune system reaction to parts of the coriander plant, including the leaves and the whole or ground seeds. It may be caused by oral allergy syndrome. Many spice allergies are a result of oral allergy syndrome, or a pollen-food allergy. Coriander is related to the birch tree,
so people allergic to birch pollen may experience a mild and brief allergic reaction, such as itchy or tingling lips, severe stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and constipation. It may also affect the respiratory system, causing wheezing and trouble breathing. Like most allergies, it may take some time to discover the cause and then realise that avoidance is key. For me, that means being vigilant and on coriander alert! Facebook has a page dedicated to the passionate people who can’t stand the humble herb. Love it or hate it, the “I hate coriander page” is a good laugh. Check it out, go to: facebook. com/ihatecoriander/.
NOT SO HAPPY HERB: Coriander is used in food as a condiment, flavour enhancer and even as a garnish. PHOTO: KITZCORNER
Pretty sweet peas and delicious broad beans
SEED OF THE MONTH: Yates Sweet Pea Bijou. Sow gorgeous sweet peas during May for a beautiful spring display.
YATES SWEET PEA ‘BIJOU’ BIJOU can mean something delicate and elegant, which certainly describes the beautiful flowers on Yates’ Sweet Pea Bijou, which has masses of brilliantly coloured white, pink and mauve fragrant blooms. It’s a low-growing semi dwarf variety, about 60cm tall, that can be grown in either a garden bed or in pots. It can create a lovely border planting or spill wonderfully out of a window box or hanging basket.
Sow seeds 25mm deep, 5–7cm apart, in a sunny spot with well-drained soil or in a pot with good drainage holes filled with a good quality potting mix like premium potting mix. Moisten the soil or potting mix before sowing and don’t water again for a few days. Too wet soil can lead to the seeds rotting. Seedlings will emerge in 10–14 days and flowers will appear in 12–14 weeks. Bijou has long, flowering stems, ideal for a vase. Pick flowers regularly to encourage flowering.
BRILLIANT BROAD BEANS BROAD beans, sometimes referred to as faba or fava beans, are a great source of fibre and protein as well as containing vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Broad beans (Vicia faba) are a fantastic bean to sow during May that will yield heavy crops of beans in about 4–5 months. Yates® Broad Bean Early Long Pod is a vigorous variety that produces long 20–25cm well filled pods. In a sunny spot in a
well-drained garden bed, sow seeds 4cm deep into moist soil that’s been enriched with some Yates Dynamic Lifter® Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. Don’t water again until the seedlings emerge in about two weeks. Limiting watering helps to reduce the chance of seeds rotting before they germinate. Yates Broad Bean Early Long Pod will need to be planted next to or within a support as the plants can grow up to 2m tall and become heavy when covered in their large pods.
Supports can be constructed from tomato stakes or bamboo poles and strong garden twine. To encourage a great harvest, as soon as the broad bean seedlings are established start feeding each week with plant food. Young and tender pods can be harvested, sliced and cooked as a green veggie or allow them to develop until you can feel the beans swollen inside the pod. To “extract” the beans, boil the full pods for a few minutes, cool and then slice the pod lengthways and pop out the beans.
Indulge in a simple chorizo and broad bean bruschetta TRY growing some broad beans in your own garden. Some of nature’s best gifts are in abundance right now, so enjoy them in this fresh dish. Ingredients ★ Sourdough baguette ★ Two tablespoons extra virgin olive oil ★ One garlic clove, halved ★ Two chorizo sausages, thinly sliced diagonally ★ 200g fresh or frozen broad beans, skins removed ★ One tablespoon sherry vinegar ★ 50g soft feta, crumbled
★ 1/4 cup small mint leaves Method Step 1 - Heat a char-grill on high. Use a serrated knife to cut the baguette into 1.5cm-thick slices. Brush each bread slice lightly with half the oil. Cook the bread slices on the char-grill for 1-2 minutes each side or until lightly charred. Remove from heat. Rub the hot bread with the cut side of garlic. Set aside. Step 2 - Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the sausage and
cook, turning occasionally, for 5 minutes or until golden brown and heated through. Add the broad beans, vinegar and remaining oil and gently toss until well combined. Remove from heat. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Step 3 - Spoon the chorizo mixture onto the toasted bread slices. Sprinkle the bruschetta with feta and mint leaves and serve immediately. For more recipes, go to: taste.com.au.
SIMPLE AND TASTY: Impress with a delicious chorizo and broad bean bruschetta.
30 Seniors Wide Bay
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 21, 2018
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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. 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.
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Love and loss in Eleanor’s Secret THE story of Eleanor’s Secret is at once a surprising tale tangled with compelling love, an engrossing wartime mystery of past deceptions, family secrets and long-lasting love. It’s London in 1942. Art school graduate Eleanor Roy is recruited by the War Artists Advisory Committee and she comes one step closer to realising her dream of becoming one of the few female war artists. But breaking into the art establishment proves difficult until Eleanor meets painter, Jack Valante, only to be separated by his sudden posting overseas. Go forward to Melbourne in 2010. Although reluctant to leave her family at home, Kathryn can’t refuse her grandmother Eleanor’s request to travel to London to help her return a precious
painting to its artist. When the search uncovers a long-held family secret, Kathryn has to make a choice to return home or risk her family’s future. Eleanor shows her that
safe-guarding the future is sometimes worth more than protecting the past. Written by Australian author Caroline Beecham. Published by Allen & Unwin. RRP $29.99.
Panic room secrets? PANIC Room is Robert Goddard at his nerve-shredding best. A sliver of a mystery kicks off a juggernaut of a thriller. Layers of secrets, half-truths and lies must be peeled back to reveal what really lies within. Sometimes the danger is on the inside. High on a Cornish cliff sits a vast uninhabited mansion. Uninhabited except for Blake, a young woman of dubious background,
secretive and alone, currently acting as house sitter. The house has a panic room. Cunningly concealed, steel lined, impregnable – and apparently closed from within. Even Blake doesn’t know it’s there. She’s too busy being on the run from life, from a story she thinks she’s escaped. Her remote existence is going to be invaded when people come looking for the house’s
owner, missing rogue pharma entrepreneur, Jack Harkness Published by Bantam Press. RRP is $32.99.
Freedom, love, rage and regret FROM the best-selling author of Still Alice comes a powerful and heartbreakingly moving exploration of regret, forgiveness, freedom – and what it means to be alive. An accomplished concert pianist, Richard’s inspired performances received standing ovations from audiences all over the world. Every one of his fingers was a finely calibrated instrument, dancing across the keys and
striking each note with exacting precision. That was eight months ago. Richard now has ALS, and
his entire right arm is paralysed. The loss of his hand feels like a death, a loss of true love, a divorce – his divorce. As poignant and powerful as Jojo Moyes’s Me Before You, Every Note Played is a masterful exploration of redemption and what it means to find peace inside of forgiveness. Published by Simon & Schuster. Paperback RRP $32.99 and ebook RRP $12.99.
Puzzles
Monday, May 21, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au 3
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Across 7 Which novel by Robert Louis Stevenson is set in late 15th Century England during the War of the Roses? (3,5,5) 8 In botany, what is the name for the woody layer around a peach or cherry stone? (8) 9 What liquid is stored in the gall bladder? (4) 10 What is an extreme irrational fear of something? (6) 12 Who might carry a quiver? (6) 14 Radio pioneer Marconi and others formed which company in 1922? (1,1,1) 15 What is a catchy musical advertising slogan? (6) 17 What do many think dying Nelson said to Hardy instead of “kiss me”? (6) 19 What is a playing card or dice with three spots? (4) 21 Which anxiety-relieving drug is best known under the trademark Valium? (8) 23 Children’s character who first appeared in 1926 and was worth $50m a year by 1931 (6,3,4)
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18
22
Down 1 Which is China’s most populous city? (8) 2 What word derives from the Latin for “from” and “suck in”? (6) 3 What Pacific Islands cloth is made from the bark of the paper mulberry tree? (4) 4 What variety of tuna with dark horizontal stripes is found in the Pacific? (8) 5 The word assassin originates from which language where it means “hashish-eater”? (6) 6 What light, flexible, blunt-edged sword is used in fencing? (4) 11 Which city is the UK centre for the North Sea oil industry? (8) 13 Elisha Otis invented the first safe what in 1852? (8) 16 Georgetown is the capital of which South American country? (6) 18 What is a large flat unforested grassland in Siberia? (6) 20 What word can precede forest, dance and check? (4) 22 Who (Arthur __) won Wimbledon in 1975? (4)
23
SUDOKU
Fill the grid so every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.
QUICK CROSSWORD 1
2
3
4
6
5
7 8
9
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.
A
10
13
18 20
Across: 7 The Black Arrow. 8 Endocarp. 9 Bile. 10 Phobia. 12 Archer. 14 BBC. 15 Jingle. 17 Kismet. 19 Trey. 21 Diazepam. 23 Winnie The Pooh. Down: 1 Shanghai. 2 Absorb. 3 Tapa. 4 Skipjack. 5 Arabic. 6 Foil. 11 Aberdeen. 13 Elevator. 16 Guyana. 18 Steppe. 20 Rain. 22 Ashe.
GK CROSSWORD
Across: 6. Pensive 7. Choir 9. Dab 10. Irrigated 12. Ahead of time 15. Distressing 17. Tolerates 19. Ill 21. Cruel 22. Agonise. Down: 1. Began 2. Ask 3. Over 4. Thwarting 5. Dilemma 8. Minors 11. Shattered 13. Arenas 14. Rigours 16. Bliss 18. Edgy 20. Ant.
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 21 Very Good 29 Excellent 37
Find a finished crossword by deleting one of the two letters in each divided square. Solution opposite
BLACKOUT
ALPHAGRAMS: PACED, QUINCE, REBATES, SALINATE, TRANSPIRE.
DOUBLE CROSS
QUICK CROSSWORD
R E
H C
SUDOKU
5x5 S T E W S
541
Down 1. Commenced (5) 2. Inquire (3) 3. Finished (4) 4. Frustrating (9) 5. Quandary (7) 8. Children (6) 11. Smashed (9) 13. Sporting venues (6) 14. Hardships (7) 16. Ecstasy (5) 18. Nervous (4) 20. Colony insect (3)
WORD GO ROUND
V
alive archive aver calve carve cave caver cavil chervil clave clavier crave curve evil halve have haver hive lave laver live liver rave ravel rival rive uvea uveal vail vale value valuer veal VEHICULAR veil vela velar vial vicar vice vile viral
U A
D
CAPED CINQUE BEATERS NIL AT SEA TERRAPINS
SOLUTIONS
22
WORD GO ROUND
L I
W
Note: more than one solution may be possible.
19
E R R E D
17
R A
16
T R
T
15
Across 6. Thoughtful (7) 7. Music group (5) 9. Wipe (3) 10. Watered (9) 12. Early (5,2,4) 15. Upsetting (11) 17. Permits (9) 19. Poorly (3) 21. Vicious (5) 22. Worry excessively (7)
E P
14
21
E
A
11 12
5/5
5x5
L E A R N
2
A L P H A
1
Seniors 31
M A S T S
G E N E R A L K N O W L E D G E
Wide Bay
C E G J Y X G J R L I G C P C
O K A Y L U N D E R N E A T H
B K M J K O A G P R D H V I I
W E B M A S T E R T E V I C T
E D L S W Z S I I Q F E A D C
B L I M E Y J R E S E A R C H
R G N X I N T R V O A E T W A
J O G C N E A T E N S B W E T
I Q T O S J N C U R I O H O Q
N I N E P I N S H U B O A T S
G R I D I U U F B H L F T E A
O C C U R J A G R E E M E N T
I P E X I N L Q A T F M V R E
S E L E N O L O G Y W H E R E
M G Y O G G Y I S I L J R J N
BLACKOUT
Work out which squares need to be deleted to reveal a completed crossword. Solution opposite
DOUBLE CROSS
U G N D R E R I N E C A T C H C O K G A Y
B W E B E L M B L I N M M A W E I S Y A T E R P R I E V S D E F E A V A V I A R C C I T C H A
J I N G O I G N I E N S P I E I A N N U T S E N U S I B L O W H A T E T T S A
A G R E E M E N T O C C U R
H V E R R E E N I S E E L E I N O L L O A G Y
S Y G Y M
32 Seniors Wide Bay
seniorsnews.com.au Monday, May 21, 2018
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