Monday, 23 August, 2021
SeniorsToday.com.au
Evolution of a Wiggle
Seniors Month kicks off
PAGE 8
PAGES 10-14
Making retirement sociable PAGE 9
Changing face of Gympie
Having a ball
PAGES 24-25
Walking Football started in the UK more than a decade ago and has spread world wide. Brisbane is leading the way in this country with games being played in locations across the city. See page 4 for more
Men and women across Brisbane are discovering Walking Football.
New take on age Australia’s population is ageing .. fast. And it affects us all. This century we will see the possibility of six generations living together at the same time. Medical science and healthy, active lifestyles will play a big part in people living longer. Reaching 100 years of age will no longer be extraordinary. By 2030 there will be more of us aged 65 and over than 14 years and under. That will impact how we live, where we live and the way we fit in the community. As baby boomers and Generation
X enter older adulthood, our expectations of how we are going to live in a community will change. The Sunshine Coast Business Council’s Ageing in Place conference explored ageing trends and solutions that are providing people with greater choice about how they can approach and enjoy their older life. The conference was held at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), which plays a major role in training nurses and allied health care professionals for the future. Guest speakers included Urbis director Kate Meyrick, University of
Queensland Professor Laurie Buys, and USC vice chancellor and president, Professor Helen Bartlett. Fittingly, Kate Meyrick was joined on stage by her mother Jan Meyrick who had a career teaching human development to young students going to work in the care field. Jan was recognised for her work in aged care during her retirement with an award to enable a personal world study tour to see what facilities were available. Business council chair Sandy Zubrinich said people were not only living longer, their expectations of how
they enjoyed their retirement years were changing. “Whether they choose to stay in their own homes longer or are attracted to retirement living or similar environments, what is important is having a choice. “And while there are pressures on service providers, medical services and the government, now is the time to rise above the current debate, question the fundamentals and find new ways to meet the challenges of ageing and keep people longer in place, in community, in health, in prosperity and importantly - in life.’’ See our special report pages 6-7
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IN PROFILE .........................page 8
Group grows with needs
VOLUNTEERING ....................page 9 SENIORS MONTH ............. pages 14 HEALTH ..................... pages 15-19 RECIPES ...........................page 20 OUT AND ABOUT ........ pages 21-25 HISTORY ......................... pages 27 GARDENING ............... pages 28-29 WHAT’S ON .......................page 31
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Brisbane Seniors Online (BSOL) is currently desperate for new volunteer computer mentors in the Redcliffe and Moreton areas according to publicity officer Richard Bennett. The group, which has been kept busy in recent times helping to educate Brisbane seniors on the use of QR codes, including conducting a workshop on the subject. Is expanding and need more volunteers to keep up with demand. “A recent development with tracing coronavirus was the introduction of the mandatory QR code where people visiting all businesses, shopping centres and movie theatres are required to sign in using the Check in Queensland app,” Richard said. “Some options are available for people who do not own a smart phone. Brisbane Seniors Online can assist learners to install this application and demonstrate how to use it. This became compulsory to use from the 9 July 2021 and significant fines can be imposed if registration of visits through the app is not adhered to.” Richard said BSOL recently expanded into the North Lakes and adjoining areas. “New learners have joined over the past few weeks and there is now a need to provide tutoring services to these new learners,” he explained. “Ideally mentors need to be around the same age as their learners and be able to communicate well with seniors and over 50s. The average age of learners in BSOL is 74.
“Training is on a one-on-one basis on the learners own device and at a pace that suits them,” Richard explained. “Learners are taught about what they want to know or need to know. “Learners can be taught on a number of devices including Windows, Apple and Android as well as smart phones.” Brisbane Seniors Online has been operating in the Greater Brisbane area for just over 20 years and helped thousands of seniors and over 50s in the community with becoming computer and internet savvy. “We are always looking for new learners as well as volunteer mentors. Windows, Android, smart phones and Apple devices are taught,” he said. “For those interested in using Linux or becoming a proficient digital photographer, special interest groups operate either face to face or by Zoom. All Brisbane Seniors Online members are welcome to participate in these groups. The digital photography group also operates regular excursions to interesting locations. “Learners pay an affordable fee of $20 to join (one off) and $45 a year for as a guide 12 hours of home lessons. This is undertaken by a patient volunteer mentor on your own device and at a pace that suits you.” For more information on becoming a volunteer mentor or a new learner, please contact Brisbane Seniors Online on 3393 2225 or www.bsol.asn.au or Facebook.com/BrisbaneSeniorsOnline
Hello spring Welcome to our spring edition of Seniors Today Brisbane. This one has been a topsy turvy edition to put together thanks to Covid-19 and events being postponed and changed. Our What’s On section is a little smaller than usual for that reason and includes a television highlight for the next month just incase we can’t get out as well as links to the websites of each event. This quarter we welcome a new contributor in the form of Garden Columnist Kevin Redd. Kevin will be providing garden advice perfect for our climate each season and if you are wondering who he is check out journalist Erle Levey’s story on him. He is a pretty impressive guy and we are lucky to have him on the team. As well as Kevin we have plenty of travel stories and news and excitingly an interview with Noni Hazelhurst on her eye-opening brand new TV show. I also got to catch up with former Red Wiggle Murray Cook who is hoping to hold the album launch for his band’s new album here in Brisbane in September. There are also plenty of health tips, new things to try out, recipes and even (as you can see on this page) a competition. So welcome to our second edition, enjoy your spring and stay safe. Thank you for reading, we hope you find it useful and informative. No rest for us though – we have already started work on the Summer edition. Contact Louise for advertising or myself if you have a story to tell. Tania Phillips Seniors Coordinator
Something for the music lovers to win Are you a music fan? We have two great MUSIC CD GIVEAWAYS for Seniors Today readers. CHECK THIS OUT! INSOLO is the second solo album by Spandau Ballet songwriter and Saucerful Of Secrets guitarist and co-lead vocalist, Gary Kemp. As the songwriter & guitarist in one of the most iconic bands of the 80’s, Spandau Ballet, Gary became one of the most commercially successful writers of the decade. As a special for Seniors Today readers we have 10 copies of INSOLO CD to giveaway! PLUS... John Mayer - GRAMMY award winning
artist, celebrated songwriter and iconic guitar player - is back with his new album SOB ROCK. His eighth album features 10 tracks including the stand-out classic single “Last Train Home” John Mayer has sold over 20 million albums and played to over 3.4 million
fans worldwide. As another special for Seniors Today readers we have 10 copies of John Mayer’s SOB ROCK CD to giveaway! To enter simply go to - seniorstoday. com.au/competitions or scan the QR Code to go to our Competitions page and enter the competition.
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Trials of a living legend By Tania Phillips
Southern Queensland-based presenter and actress Noni Hazelhurst hosts the new SBS documentary looking at Australian’s attitudes to older people.
While those around her may see age as a barrier - Noni Hazelhurst is still working and enjoying new challenges.
that is going to affect everyone on the planet. So it’s something that everyone needs to reflect on and think about. I guess the bottom line of it is we hope that it will help people to be less judgmental and kinder to their fellow human beings. I think in Western societies, and this has been brought out in the documentary, we tend to lump older people on to the scrapheap as being irrelevant and not interesting – much more so than in First Nation Cultures. That’s going against the natural order, the natural order with living beings is to look after the young and the old.” She said that the documentary talks about the Royal Commission and how it shows that for such a civilized society the way we have treated some of our older citizens is “appalling and immoral”. “Nothing that was uncovered was a surprise to me because I’m 67 and I’m nearly 68 and I’m living it,” Noni said. “I see examples of this sort of thing happening all of the time. I’ve experienced some of them – that feeling of being irrelevant and invisible and disrespected because of my age. “What I’d take out of the documentary is that putting it all together in such a form, a documentary form (I haven’t seen the other episodes on disability and obesity) but its made by the same
don’t question a 60 something leading actor with a 30 year old romance interests and yet one of the segments in the documentary, featuring a real life couple where the woman’s 63 I think and the man’s 28 and their about to get married. We do a segment where we gauge people’s reaction of them doing a photoshoot of a wedding. Things like that are still a struggle and not just in my industry but in greater society.” Despite the drying up of work due to the Pandemic and the invisibility that her age that sometimes causes, the versatile Noni, known for her roles in A Place to Call Home, City Homicide and The Sullivans and hosting Play School, Better Homes and Gardens and Every Family Has A Secret, still has projects in the works. “I’ve got another series of Every Family Has A Secret, I’ve just had a one woman play written for me which we’re kind of workshopping a little bit and I’m also developing another feature with the company which made June Again – the film that has just come out so there are a few things bubbling on,” Noni said. What Does Australia Really Think About? Premiered on 18 August while Noni’s episode appears 25 August but it will be available to watch again online.
Major transport milestones Major upgrades at two of Queensland’s busiest train stations, South Bank and Auchenflower, are both on-track, after reaching significant milestones. Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey announced Hutchinson Builders had been awarded the contract for South Bank station’s platform one, which will support up to 250 construction jobs. “South Bank station is one of the busiest train stations on our network, and a key destination for tourists visiting our city,” Mr Bailey said. “This upgrade will deliver a fulllength raised platform, giving easier, safer access for the community, in-
cluding those using mobility devices, seniors and customers travelling with prams and luggage.” Member for Cooper Jonty Bush said the accessibility upgrade happening at Auchenflower Station had also reached a major milestone. “With the help of a 700-tonne crane, a new 36-metre pedestrian overbridge has been installed at Auchenflower,” Ms Bush said. “Once works are completed, the bridge will create an accessible path through the station precinct and to the Wesley Hospital for all members of the community, including commuters in my electorate.”
company so I’d assume it’s the same kind of approach. I just think to have a distillation of the issues in such a rich documentary form is really thoughtprovoking and I’d like to see screened for high school students across the country because I think it would be a really good kicking-off point for discussion about how you treat other people – not just older people but all people really. I think all generations are suffering from prejudices and intolerances and unkindness and old people are no difference.” Noni said it is particularly tough for women who find that once you are over 50 you are often unemployable. However, she said things were starting to change a little in her industry because many women from Geena Davis to Jennifer Anniston were starting to start their own production companies, write their own stories and directing. “They are stepping up – saying well if you’re not going to create interesting roles and stories for us we’ll do our own thing thanks very much! And who would have thought they’re having success at the box office.” That may have something to do with the more than 50 percent of the population who are women, wanting to see themselves represented on the screen. “It is still changing slowly people still
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Queensland-based performer and actress Noni Hazlehurst is a living legend – the second of the just three women to be inducted into the Logies Australian Television Hall of Fame. However, despite her long and illustrious career, as a woman and now a woman of a certain age, Noni has experienced her fair share of discrimination and so it’s little surprise that when she was asked to host the new SBS documentary What Does Australia Really Think About? Which investigates Australian’s attitudes to disability, obesity and old people – she was happy to be part of the project. In just 30 years’ time 25 percent of Australians will be over 65 and yet research shows that bias against old age is more deeply held than sexism or racism. Noni’s episode of the three-part series tackles ageism through undercover filming, social experiments, personal stories and a nationwide survey. At 67 she said she had begun to notice a difference in the roles she’s offered. “When you’re in your sort of 20s and 30s, and even early 40s, you get a full character description and it’s more likely to be a leading character. But now that I’m in my 60s, I get offered roles anything up to sort of 80-year-olds, and they tend to just be a very brief character description of mum, typical mum, typical grandma,” she said. Noni, who starred in the recently released Australian movie June Again, said she was happy to accept the role as host of the documentary when she was asked because of the subject matter. “It’s a very packed documentary, the producers have put together a whole lot of experiments where they gauge people’s reactions to certain situations with older people which they recreate in a real setting,” she explained. “They have a couple of experts talking to a survey which has been conducted for the program about the attitudes of Australians to aging. It’s got talking heads with older people, it’s got so many different elements. It’s really very rich and rewarding television and I think that it’s a subject that, as they point out in the documentary, of all the isms ageism, if your lucky is something
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The ‘North of 60’ team’s pre-game strategy discussion at the Football Queensland Walking Football Tournament held at the QUT Kelvin Grove Stadium on Saturday 24 April 2021.
People of all ages and abilities are turning to Walking Football to keep fit.
Brisbane leads the field Brisbane is leading the way in the relatively new and internationally growing sport of Walking Football – with the local association even coming to the aid of a struggling bowls club. Walking Football Brisbane president David Stoyakovich said the group was possibly the first walking football associations formed in Australia and was definitely one of the largest in the country. The game is essentially soccer slowed down to walking pace without tackling or studded boots. “The association has been around for going on four years now – it was established in late 2017 by Alan Templeton he subsequently has been – we call it poached – by Football Qld as their walking football development officer,” David explained. “Essentially he was sitting at home one weekend watching TV and there was a story about Walking Football from England – that’s where it originated about 15 years ago. “He was in his 60s and he thought that is something I could do and tried to find some place in 2017 to play and there was nowhere in Australia. Unlike most people who would have moved on to the next thing he thought he’d try to do something about it so he went to an Indoor Centre in North lakes and asked if he could start WF there and they encouraged him.” Alan then got onto social media to
Walking football action. 4 SENIORS TODAY SPRING: SEPTEMBER 2021
try and drum up interest and in the very first session 10 people turned up which was enough for two teams of five and it has steadily progressed from there. “To begin with it was just Alan’s own entity – not coming from a business background – he was a Fitter and Turner by trade but loved football so he was running the whole thing by himself,” David said. “Eventually as numbers started to grow and people from Greater Brisbane were driving up to North Lakes to play because that was the only place in Qld, probably Australia to play he had people saying to him – you know Alan there are Indoor Centres down in Brisbane too. He drove down one weekend talked to a couple of Centres and struck up a deal with them and pretty soon they were playing at Newstead and Cooparoo and it started to grow to the point where it needed to be incorporated. “He formed an Association and at that time Football Queensland received a mandate from Football Australia to start to looking at rolling out WF at a grassroots level throughout existing soccer clubs throughout the State. They approached Alan to say -you know more about WF than anyone else in the country – come work for us. He tapped me on the shoulder and said David I’d like you to take charge of this and I became the first president. We formed a committee and we have continued just to grow.” They now have four venues including a lawn bowls green in Oxley.
“Club Oxley had two full-sized lawn greens but their bowling numbers were dwindling so they invited us and said look we’ll give you a lawn green,” he said. “They’ve line-marked it for us. We’ve got goals there, we’ve got nets. That’s worked out brilliantly in fact when Lawn Bowls Australia heard about this they thought this could be salvation for other struggling clubs so they are very keen to see how it works out.” David said he never thought in his wildest dreams that he would ever get to play on a lawn bowls green. “I always used to watch bowls looking longingly at how beautifully manicured the greens are and I thought it would be lovely to pass a ball on that,” he laughed. “And here we are now we’ve been doing it for 18 months and what surprised me is that there is no damage to the green.” Unlike normal football though, Walking Footballers don’t wear studs and there has been no degradation to the green whatsoever – something that surprised everyone involved. The sport is now growing well and encourages people with disabilities as well as older people who may never played football/soccer in their lives. “We have men and women of all ages – we try to be all inclusive and the guiding principals are fun, friendship and fitness,” David said. The now have more than 200 members – though one of the beauties of the sport is that it’s flexible.
Maria Freeman and Sylvia Cullen at the Football Queensland Walking Football Festival in Nissan Arena, Nathan, on Saturday 21 February 2021. Maria represented Australia in women’s football. She’s currently dealing with breast cancer which, I have no doubt, she’ll attack with the same tenacity she shows on the playing field.
“We don’t have teams,” he said. “The teams are made up at the venue. There are four venues, four different days of the week – whoever shows up at the venue – bibs are handed out and teams are made up on the day. There is no pressure on anyone feeling I’ve got to go which ever venue because I’m going to let my team down. There are no teams, the teams are just made up on the day. Each week you are playing with and against different people. That takes pressure away from people wanting to join because there is no commitment.” There is no joining fee and new members are encouraged to just “show up” with the first game free and then if they are interested in continuing there is a standard form and indemnity to fill out. Then they are free to go to each of the four venues. According to David a lot of older people do it for the exercise because it’s low impact. “You are only allowed to walk and there is no tackling involved so you don’t have any concern about them knocking you over or kicking you,” he said. “It’s essentially a non-contact sport. It’s all just about getting the ball at your feet, passing it moving into space receiving the ball, passing it again. You would be surprised though how quickly you can work up a sweat just walking after a football/soccer ball on the field.” For more information on the sport head to https://www.walkingfootballbrisbane.com.au.
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‘Forgotten war’ recalled They often call it the “Forgotten War” but Korean veteran Matt Rennie will never forget the victims. “The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Korea, is this little girl of six or seven, dressed in rags, with a baby strapped to her back, begging for food,” he said. “That showed me what total war does to women and children. I’ve often thought of her and hoped and prayed that she had a good life and family. It’s just one of the things you can never get rid of. That girl was just the most pitiful thing I’ve ever seen and I would not like to see that again.” Mr Rennie, who is an Ipswich RSL Sub Branch Life Member and is working with the Ipswich General Cemetery to ensure men buried in unmarked graves are not forgotten, was one of the many residents in attendance at last week’s Korean Veterans’ Day service. Korean Veterans Day, marked on July 27, commemorates the more than 17,000 Australians who fought to defend South Korea against invading forces from North Korea and China between 1950 and 1953. The Korean War Armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, marking the end of the conflict. Australian soldiers, sailors, airmen and nurses were involved in the war as part of a multinational United Nations force, and won international respect for their courage, endurance and combat skills in very difficult conditions. Mr Rennie was 18 when he went off to fight in Korea as an infantry soldier serving in the Army, Royal Regiment, Third Battalion, Charlie Company and the Seventh Platoon, returning home in 1953. The war is often referred to as the “Forgotten War” as it occurred between the Second World War and the Vietnam War, which was the first war to be covered extensively on television. Mr Rennie said he was a “great believer in remembrance” and believed the war needed to be spoken about and remembered. “Veterans were there for 12 months and came home and went back to what
they were doing before and never talked about it,” he said. “I went to a high school once (for a talk) and asked them all who had heard of the Battle of Long Tan. All hands shot up. I asked them who remembered the Battle of Kapyong and only one girl put her hand up. I asked her how she knew about it and she said her grandfather had served in Korea. “We were never prepared to fight a war in a country like Korea, weather wise we’d never experienced fighting below freezing and the mass attacks of thousands of soldiers coming at once. The death rate was pretty horrendous. “The stories from the Korean War are important and should be remembered, and should be taught in schools (like the First and Second World Wars and The Vietnam War).” Federal Member for Blair and Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Shayne Neumann, who laid a wreath at the commemorative service, encouraged all Australians to pause and reflect on the service and sacrifice of all the brave Australian men and women who served during the Korean War. “Our defence personnel fought with distinction and were involved in impressive victories at Kapyong in April 1951 and Maryang San in October 1951,” he. said. “Altogether, more than 17,000 Australians served during the Korean War and in the Post-Armistice peace-keeping phase up until 1957, including some 50 nurses. “Tragically, 340 died, some 1,500 were injured, 29 were taken prisoner and 43 are still listed as missing in action. He said the Korean Society of Queensland’s Ms Juhee Park spoke about the gratitude of the South Korean people for Australia’s efforts to defend their country. “Every year on 27 July, we remember all those who served, and all those who lost their lives, so that these men and women, and their families, know that they are not forgotten,” Mr Neumann said. More information on the Korean War is available on the Korean War page on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Anzac Portal.
More than three hundred years of memories One hundred family and friends gathered at Viridian Retirement Village in Boondall for a joyous musical high tea on Sunday 6 June to celebrate the 100th birthday of much-loved resident Noreen Greer. Guests were privileged to share in more than 300 years of accumulated memories in the very sharp minds of Noreen and her friends Mary McKeering (101), and Arthur Goddard (100). The high tea was prepared by volunteer residents and the music was provided by residents Barbara Giles (piano), Liz Jordan (violin), Jan Smith
(ubass), Mike Nelson (euphonium) and Patrick White (vocalist). The tables were magnificently decorated and residents commented that they had never seen the function room look so beautiful. Noreen’s apartment resembled a florist’s shop when she returned after the function! In addition to two framed Papal Blessings, the birthday girl received congratulatory messages from Her Majesty The Queen, Australia’s Governor-General and Prime Minister, Queensland’s Governor and Premier, and several other dignitaries.
Ipswich residents remembered the thousands of Australians who fought in the Korean War.
Australian soldiers fought to protect Koreans during the 1950s.
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Old age in a new age By Erle Levey Australia’s population is ageing .. fast. And it affects us all. This century we will see the possibility of six generations living together at the same time. Medical science and healthy, active lifestyles will play a big part in people living longer. Reaching 100 years of age will no longer be extraordinary. By 2030 there will be more of us aged 65 and over than 14 years and under. That will impact how we live, where we live and the way we fit in the community. As baby boomers and Generation X enter older adulthood, our expectations of how we are going to live in a community will change. The Sunshine Coast Business Council’s Ageing in Place conference explored ageing trends and solutions that are providing people with greater choice about how they can approach and enjoy their older life. The conference was held at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), which plays a major role in training nurses and allied health care professionals for the future. Guest speakers included Urbis director Kate Meyrick, University of Queensland Professor Laurie Buys, and USC vice chancellor and president, Professor Helen Bartlett. Fittingly, Kate Meyrick was joined on stage by her mother Jan Meyrick who had a career teaching human development to young students going to work in the care field. Jan was recognised for her work in aged care during her retirement with an award to enable a personal world study tour to see what facilities were available. Business council chair Sandy Zubrinich said people were not only living longer, their expectations of how they enjoyed their retirement years were changing. “Whether they choose to stay in their own homes longer or are attracted to retirement living or similar environments, what is important is having a choice. “And while there are pressures on service providers, medical services and the government, now is the time to rise above the current debate, question the fundamentals and find new ways to meet the challenges of ageing and keep people longer in place, in community, in health, in prosperity and importantly in life.’’ Old Age In The New Age was the focus of Kate and Jan Meyrick’s presentation. This was a first for mother and daughter to be presenting on the same stage although they have been a part of each other’s lives for 55 years. “She felt invisible yet she has such insight,’’ Kate said of her mother. “She is talking from experience. “When talking about care in our own homes, and in retirement in our community, it’s a matter of challenging our perceptions ... not just society’s perceptions but our perceptions of ourselves, as older Australians. “The important things is age does really matter. It’s such a binary thing you’re either young or you’re old - but 6 SENIORS TODAY SPRING: SEPTEMBER 2021
some are born old and others die young at heart. “Ultimately we are all people. “The most important thing about designing a home, an experience, a neighbourhood or a city is we are designing for people. “By 2060 there will be more than eight million aged people in Australia, so you really do need to get to know us. “We need to consider how we move around, given we will not be car-driven. “We will need lots more public transport and walkable solutions to make sure older people are able to remain active in their own community. “They will be staying in their own homes longer, so it is very important to understand what types of homes they want to live in and recognise there won’t be a one size fits all solution. “Some will need a bit more care. Some will like to remain independent, but perhaps need a smaller home. “How we accommodate these needs, ultimately where we live and the kind of communities we live in are human centred ... and if we don’t understand that we cannot design for them. “If we are designing things older people don’t like there’s a really easy answer, they will vote with their feet and won’t use it. “As baby boomers and Gen X moving into retirement, we are not great at planning for it as we have put it off as long as possible. “What we bring into retirement is a different way of life. “Our aspirations for the next 35 years will be different from those of the previous generation. “We are never too old to learn.’’ With this century likely to see six generations living at the same time instead of the four of the last century, the whole 100-year city needs to be friendly, Kate Meyrick said. “When planning and designing cities and neighbourhoods for six generations to live in, we need to think differently. “Think about how to activate the needs of those who will be living in it. “This is not an option, not a passing phase. It is coming like the train down the line. It’s something we need to think about as they will be our cities we will grow old in.’’ Jan Meyrick was horrified by many of the aged care situations she encountered in her career and knew it was not the lifestyle she wanted when reaching that age. So she set out to see what plans that could be made. One of the best models was in Deventer, Netherlands, which encouraged residents to use the skills you have or lose them. It showed that happiness comes before care - that it was important to move away from medical and to an enabling model. It was a different way of looking at aged care ... ordinary, not glamorous,’’ Jan Meyrick said. “I thought a couple of hours and I would be out but there. “But I was there 7.5 hours. It was the most fantastic place. “It had autonomy, joyful living, and the township was involved.’’
University students who were hard up for accommodation, were invited to live with the aged community and become neighbours. They were given free accommodation as long as they gave 30 hours a month to caring - not hands-on care, apart from making a meal a week. “They were brave and started with one student, now they have six living permanently. They could watch football together, cook with them, have parties. The footballers went in to use their gym, every person was respected. “No-one was called darling, ducky or love … they all use their names. “They have dignity, they have respect … they have joy. “There are coffee mornings and wine evenings when the community come in - a homework club for the young. Refugees can come in. Respite care is offered. “It’s a centre for the community. “Less physical support and more social engagement … it was the most fantastic experience, all because they dared to be different.’’ Other case studies Jan Meyrick saw included Switzerland, where a group of women looked at what they want in older life. They bought an old embroidery factory and converted it into 17 rooms for independent living. You buy a space but there are outdoor and communal areas. So they are living alone, but together. In the USA there was a small community with easily-built, moveable houses to give independence to the aged or disabled. The idea was to have clusters of small modules with a service centre at the heart. In California they are using university grounds for successful retirement communities … you buy into life and learning. Students find it stabilising while the elderly can help them adapt to living away from home. In South Australia they have built residential care within school grounds where residents can participate in classes and some great relationships can be formed. Mudgereeba in Queensland has a facility with a farm on site. It operates alongside Southport School where young and old work together on the land which proves to be very therapeutic. In Singapore, Kate Meyrick said, they are pioneering mixed generational living - whole family care communities with a market on the ground floor, then retail, professional, residential and care. Homes for older homeless adults in Victoria grew out of homeless shelters. “They provide affordable independent housing with support to get back on track,’’ she said. “Full or medium care, assisted living for food and medication. “An outreach service to get them out of homelessness. “How many have thought of that?’’ In line with Brisbane being announced the host city for the 2032 Olympic Games, Kate Meyrick said it would be fantastic to also say it was an agefriendly community. It would be possible through eight goals: Lives in a safe and pleasant environment;
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friendly transport services; Has housing options that are affordable, accessible and close to transport and community services; Is supported to be active in their community; Is being inclusive and promote diversity; Participates in employment, training, lifelong learning, volunteering and informing government policies; Stays informed and connected with communities, families and friends; Supported to stay healthy, active and independent. MEETING THE NEEDS An expert in ageing, USC Vice Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett said that many years of research across the UK, Australia and Asia produced a number of reoccurring themes. “These include the importance of changing the models of aged care to focus more on enabling people to stay at home or in their community of choice for as long as possible and planning to facilitate timely support packages to prevent premature entry to residential care. “Baby boomers are seeking different options for their later life living and care choices, so there is a need for more innovative solutions to meet the needs and expectations of the next older generation. “And lastly, active/healthy ageing education, interventions and opportunities can help prevent or slow many agerelated diseases and should be pursued through partnership approaches by local government, health services and community organisations. “Given the Sunshine Coast’s ageing population will continue increasing from the current level of 20.9 per cent being over 65 — with the largest population growth being in those aged 75 years and over — we need to prepare for the potential impact this will have on our region. “The challenges we face include a greater pressure on our health and medical services. “This is due to a higher prevalence of chronic health and medical conditions such as dementia, coronary heart disease, diabetes, depression, anxiety and dementia; difficulty accessing health and medical services given the lack of public transport; skills shortages in aged care creating issues for quality and standards and more limited retirement living options. “The Coast will remain popular as a retirement destination, while also continuing to attract business and innovation, as well as tourism. “The challenge will be to meet the needs of this growing older population and ensuring that communities on the Coast are as age-friendly as possible, as well as providing older people with opportunities to contribute to the prosperity of the Coast community. “We have an opportunity to prepare for this growth in ageing population by having the relevant plans in place to address the challenges, but this will require a collaborative approach across government, education and private enterprise to achieve the best outcomes.”
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Meeting age-old needs By Erle Levey It’s about creating an inclusive culture. The challenge for Australian society is the way we see our aged as needing to be cared for. Instead they should be regarded as independent, contributing members of society. There is a perception that once we are aged, we are a burden when really seniors are more capable than ever before — they can contribute to the community in a meaningful way and if we treated them accordingly, it would change the way we age. Medical science, health care and improved lifestyle will see more and more people expecting a more active life and one in which reaching 100 will not be so exceptional. The fact is that many of us will be ‘aged’ for a very long time – 25-35 years for many once they retire from their working life. Use it or lose it does not only refer to the physical, it needs to be about the thought processes. Let’s think about how we run aged care centres better and how the ripples flow though the community. More needs to be done to train and educate future aged care workers along these lines. As a society, if we keep referring to the aged as a burden then that carries through to future generations. There is a need for the elderly to interact with younger generations, mentoring when needed but gaining expertise as well as enjoying social interaction. It’s important to bring the outside world into aged care, and more engage-
USC Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett. 245069 ment with the aged about what they want. An expert in ageing, USC Vice Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett said that many years of research across the UK, Australia and Asia produced a number of reoccurring themes. “These include the importance of changing the models of aged care to focus more on enabling people to stay at home or in their community of choice for as long as possible and planning to facilitate timely support packages to prevent premature entry to residential care. “Baby boomers are seeking different options for their later life living and care choices, so there is a need for more innovative solutions to meet the needs and expectations of the next older generation. “Active/healthy ageing education, interventions and opportunities can help
prevent or slow many age-related diseases and should be pursued through partnership approaches by local government, health services and community organisations. “Given the Sunshine Coast’s ageing population will continue increasing from the current level of 20.9 percent being over 65 — with the largest population growth being in those aged 75 years and over — we need to prepare for the potential impact this will have on our region. “The challenges we face include a greater pressure on our health and medical services. “This is due to a higher prevalence of chronic health and medical conditions such as dementia, coronary heart disease, diabetes, depression, anxiety and dementia; difficulty accessing health and medical services given the lack of public transport; skills shortages in aged care creating issues for quality and standards and more limited retirement living options. “The Coast will remain popular as a retirement destination, while also continuing to attract business and innovation, as well as tourism. “The challenge will be to meet the needs of this growing older population and ensuring that communities on the Coast are as age-friendly as possible, as well as providing older people with opportunities to contribute to the prosperity of the Coast community. “Having worked in community care and seeing some of the challenges in health services planning for older people first hand, meant undertaking research into ageing and aged care was an appealing way for me to make a difference.
“We have an opportunity to prepare for this growth in ageing population by having the relevant plans in place to address the challenges, but this will require a collaborative approach across government, education and private enterprise to achieve the best outcomes.” Prof Bartlett said the quality and standard of nursing could overcome the feeling of social isolation by the aged. “We need to keep older people at the centre of everything we do. “Australia can do better with this. “Life expectancy is going up … those 65 and over will be one in four by the end of the century. “The majority live in households. Five percent are in care and 68 percent in a low-income household. “They need assistance with daily living yet two thirds do not have that. “They need help with care of their property and home maintenance. “As you age you realise how much more difficult that becomes.’’ Prof Bartlett said the further you get from cities, the more challenges there are. Aged care is more community, state or local government based rather than private as they are not seen as commercially beneficial. Staff recruitment and retention is one of the biggest issues. Up to 80 percent of Australians want to live in their own home as they age. This is so they can have proximity to family, friends, and services. Most would like detached housing in small regional towns - separate dwellings offering the chance of home ownership. Affordable, quality, and the ability to meet individual needs.
A city revitalised: Olympic feeling to flow through By Erle Levey Queensland is on the move. With the 2032 Olympic Games set for Brisbane and South East Queensland, that leaves 11 years in which to make transformational improvements to not just the infrastructure but the way we look at lifestyle.
If we are to develop facilities to stage the Games - stadiums, indoor centres, roads, railways, bus lanes, footpaths and bike paths to ensure the elderly and disabled can enjoy the event, just think how much more comfortable life will be for the rest of the community. A the Ageing In Place seminar at University of Sunshine Coast, Member
for Fairfax Ted O’Brien said that to become an Olympic city was enormous. “It’s transformative,’’ he said. “It’s not about an Olympic Games but Olympic and Paralympic Games. “Disabilities are not dissimilar to those being experienced by some of our seniors. “We will have 11 years to make life
easier and more comfortable for people not as steady on their feet. “We need an urban setting built to suit all demographics. “The Olympics are not just about school children looking to be out there as athletes but to make the region more liveable.’
Did you know? Now is the time to engage with a demographic your products or service appeal to.
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The population aged 45 and over account for 72% of Australia’s wealth.
Connect with your preferred audience today Contact Louisa Kneller • P: (07) 5292 5302 • M: 0413 380 545 • E: louisa.kneller@starnewsgroup.com.au SPRING: SEPTEMBER 2021 SENIORS TODAY 7
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Murray Cook’s 13-year-old self would have pinched himself to be working with Tony Mitchell.
Soul Movers Lizzie Mack and Murray Cook with former Sherbet members Tony Mitchell and Garth Porter.
The evolution of a Wiggle By Tania Phillps Teen-aged Murray Cook never imagined that one day he’d be working with his idols from Sherbet. But then again teen Murray probably didn’t think he’d have open-heart surgery in his early sixties and be a member of one of the biggest bands in the world – for the under-fives! The man known to a whole generation as Murray Wiggle – the man in the red skivvy - has done all that and a lot more. Murray is currently launching his third album with his band The Soul Movers and is hoping to hold one of the album launches at The Zoo here in Brisbane in 19 September (Pandemic willing), they were also due to play at The Rails in Byron on 18 September. “This album has been really exciting to me – there’s kind of a personal element to it because the first band I ever saw when I was 13 was Sherbet and lived in the country and not much music came through,” he said. “But Sherbet came through every year. They were actually seen as a teeny-bopper group but they were actually really great players and a really great live band. So fast-forward 40 something years and I’m with Lizzie (the band’s lead vocalist) writing songs with Garth Porter (the keyboard player). He produced our album – he also brought Tony Mitchell who was the bass player with Sherbet on to play bass. He’s an amazing base player so we’ve been doing shows with him live. “If my 13-year-old brain had known this was going to happen it probably would have exploded. “I’m a fan of music and it’s never lost on me I’ve met lots of big names over the years. You’re cool when you’re talking to them but there’s a part of your brain going – oh my god, oh my god. I kind of got used to it with Tony and Garth.” This is quite a different album for the band – the first one they’ve done with an outside producer but Porter is extremely experienced and in his time since Sherbet has gone on to produce some of Australia’s classic country music albums of the 90s and beyond. Not that Soul Moves are country – far 8 SENIORS TODAY SPRING: SEPTEMBER 2021
The Soul Movers whose members span several decades but it doesn’t seem to matter as they just love the music. from it. They wear their 60s, 70s and 80s influences firmly on their sleeves. And like Murray’s previous band – fun is part of the appeal – though in this case the audience is a bit taller and a lot older. “The album turned out really well – its our shiny pop album and we’re getting really great feedback from people – we are loving playing the songs – when we can actually get out there and play!” he laughed. So when Murray started out did he think he’d still be playing music into his 60s? “I guess I never really thought that far ahead when I was younger,” he admitted. “I first started playing in pubs in the late 70s with friends from school – we got a band together. I played with my friend Mark from that band all through the 80s. It was a really fertile time for music. There were so many bands and so many pubs that had bands, you could go and see Cold Chisel or the Angels or Midnight Oil any night of the week in Sydney. It was an exciting time. The upside for young bands was that pubs would put on anyone so you didn’t have to be any good which we weren’t when we started. “I pursued that for about 10 years and decided music wasn’t going to be for me. It wasn’t going to be my career so I went to university and studied
The Soul Movers from their Evolution album shoot. early childhood teaching and that’s when music did become my career,” he laughed. “I met Anthony (Field) and Greg (Paige) there and Jeff at the same time and we did an album which we thought was just a one-off, fun hobby project and it went from there and it just built and built. For the next 21 years I was pretty much on the road constantly. It was an amazing experience but I just love playing music, I love playing in front of an audience. Live music is really my big passion. When I finished up in the Wiggles at the end of 2012 I was a
bit lost for a bit I have to admit. When something takes up that much of your life – even more than some jobs – when you are away for weeks on end. It’s a huge part of your identity. It was a bit of a shock when I wasn’t doing it.” While he now knows that it was the right time to move one he had been a bit lost and was just playing with friends in lots of different bands. He had about six or seven bands at one stage before running into Lizzie Mack who had already formed Soul Movers. Catch The Soul Movers at the Zoo or check out their new album Evolution.
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VOLUNTEERING
Socialising in retirement Retirement can be exciting – coming to the end of your working career with a calendar now open for relaxation and enjoyment is a time many people look forward to during younger years. But the prospect of retirement can also be daunting. Some new retirees worry that their days will have less purpose now that they’re not at work, that they’ll be bored, or that they’ll miss the social connection they had with their co-workers or clients. These concerns are just as legitimate as the excitement of winding up work. Forming social connections during retirement is important, as it provides a sense of friendship and support for retirees. Healthy relationships are necessary at every age, but the importance of socialising for retirees cannot be overemphasised. Regular social interactions can help keep retirees mentally, physically and emotionally healthy, whilst fending off difficulties inherent to loneliness. There are also many ways that socialising can help improve both our cognitive and physical health. These include: Reduced stress. Retirees who are socially active tend to handle stress better. This leads to improving their cardiovascular health and immune system. Longer lifespan. High levels of socialising can help increase longevity. More fitness. Retirees with diverse
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social connections are more likely to exercise regularly. This can lead to a myriad of physical, mental and cognitive benefits. Reduced risk of depression. Consistent socialising reduces the likelihood of retirees experiencing depression caused by loneliness. Less anxiety. Similar to depression, retirees who socialise more experience less symptoms of anxiety. Greater self-esteem. Socialising helps retirees be better engaged, growing their confidence and sense of worth. As these health benefits contribute towards significantly improving the quality of life for many retirees, it is important to find an appropriate way of maintaining a healthy social life. Joining a social Club like Probus provides retirees the opportunity to socialise with likeminded people in their local communities. There are over 140 Probus Clubs across Queensland where retirees can be involved in a range of exciting activities and listen to interesting guest speakers. Experience all the Fun, Friendship and Fellowship by visiting a Probus Club near you. You can find out more about Probus in Queensland by visiting the Probus Association of Queensland web site – www.paqnetwork.com.au or by calling 0477 645 645 or 0477 000 645 to find the Probus club near to you.
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Queensland Seniors’ time By Lisa Hodgkinson Seniors Month Coordinator COTA Queensland As announced by Minister for Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford on 7 April 2021, Seniors Week has become a month-long celebration to be celebrated in October. That’s right, you can mark the whole of October in your calendar as we introduce big changes this year. Seniors Month will begin on 1 October, the United Nations International Day of Older Persons and ends on 31 October National Grandparents Day. During the month-long celebration, Queenslanders of all ages, cultures and abilities will come together to celebrate the essential roles older people play in our communities. Over the past 18-months we have been separated, segregated, and yet somehow, most of us have found ways to stay connected. If COVID has taught us anything, it is the importance of connecting with others. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have been told to maintain an appropriate amount physical distanc-
Preparing for Qld Seniors Month. ing yet importantly social connection can lower anxiety, depression and build empathy. While one in four Australians have reported feeling affected by loneliness, one in two have reported feeling lone-
Shirley celebrates with son Andrew and Anne.
lier since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Humans are social creatures, and we have a fundamental need to connect and interact with one another. This year’s theme ‘Social Connections’ will
reinforce the importance of feeling socially connected. In order to feel connected we need to feel seen, heard and valued. One way you can be seen is by contributing the Bigger Picture – an intergenerational, cross cultural digital art project powered by Queenslanders. The Bigger Picture is a photomosaic that aims to highlight the diversity of older Queenslanders and to increase intergenerational connections through the shared use of technology. It is a great activity for families to get involved with. Getting involved is easy. Simply take a selfie of yourself, or with friends and family and submit it online by Sunday 17 October. We will be launching the Bigger Picture on Sunday 24 October, just in time for Grandparents Day on 31 October. To stay up to date, find events and activities in your area and to contribute to the Bigger Picture visit www.qldseniorsmonth.org.au or phone 1300 738 348. Queensland Seniors Month is coordinated by COTA Queensland on behalf of the Queensland Government.
Being a voracious reader and avid sports fan keeps Shirley young.
A late JT convert, but sports fan Shirley hits a century Having fun is one of Shirley Davison’s secrets to turning a hundred. Shirley Davison reckons the other secrets to reaching a hundred not out “good luck and good genes.” A resident of the Carinity Hilltop aged care community in Kelvin Grove, Shirley, an avid sports fan and bookworm, turned 100 on 25 June. The oldest of three siblings, she was born Shirley Flower in Camden, an outer suburb of Sydney, in 1921. Her father was a banker so Shirley moved around country New South Wales a lot when she was a child, going to boarding school in Gunnedah – something she said she enjoyed. She recalls being a good student who relished learning new things. 10 SENIORS TODAY SPRING: SEPTEMBER 2021
Like her father, Shirley worked in the banking industry as a bank clerk, but she didn’t really enjoy it, so she undertook secretarial work for a solicitor which was much to her liking. The days were long for Shirley during World War II. After working her day job, she would work on a farm in the evenings. “During the war I continued to work as a bank clerk but after hours I worked harvesting hay as the men were all away at war. I enjoyed the work a lot. It was fun,” Shirley said. Shirley’s first fiancee, an Australian Army soldier, sadly died during World War II. She met her future husband Clifford Davison after the war and the
couple moved to Sydney. They had three children – two sons and a daughter. Shirley also has five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. “I am very fond of my family and friends. I have very loving and supportive family and friends,” Shirley explained. After moving to Brisbane from Nowra two decades ago, Shirley lived at Wavell Heights and then New Farm before moving to Hilltop. Shirley loves watching sport and you will often find her in front of a television enjoying a game of rugby league. “Even though I was born in New South Wales, I am a Queensland State of Origin supporter now. It is because
I became a fan of Johnathan Thurston when I moved here,” Shirley explains. “I enjoy watching football and tennis too, especially Roger Federer.” Shirley is also an avid reader who enjoys historical novels and Agatha Christie mysteries. She has many other favourite authors and will try any book recommended to her. “I have always enjoyed reading and consider myself to be very well read of all sorts of genres,” Shirley said. When asked what she thinks the secret to living a long life is, Shirley replied: “I think it’s is a combination of good luck and good genes. Most of all, have fun.”
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IHear provide hearing service.
Ihear provides sound help Hearing has never been more important than during these challenging times, particularly for the elderly. Hearing loss already impacts interaction and communication; and can lead to social isolation. It also has links to other
health issues including dementia. During this current climate, communication through telephone and video has increased and a lot of services are provided remotely. Ihear continues to provides essential
hearing services to the local community and provides clean, safe environments and the flexibility to provide you with the best in hearing care. The range of services include free hearing aids and services for eligible*
pension and veteran card holders. For more information or to find your nearest clinic, call 1300 650 250 or go to www.ihear.com.au *On behalf of the Government Hearing Services Program
ihear - Your LOCAL Hearing Services Team Our professional and highly qualified clinicians are passionate about hearing and looking after the hearing needs of the local community. l Complimentary hearing screenings l Demonstrations of the latest hearing aids - including the NEW LIVIO EDGE AI! l FREE* Hearing aids and services for eligible Pensioners and Veterans (on behalf of the Hearing Services Program) l Hearing aid repairs and batteries l Noise Protection l Friendly professional service l Wax removal services
CALL 1300 650 250 FOR A FREE HEARING CHECK** ALBANY CREEK l CORINDA l COORPAROO l HOLLAND PARK IPSWICH l SANDGATE l MITCHELTON l MORAYFIELD
For other locations go to www.ihear.com.au * On behalf of the government Hearing Services Program. ** Free hearing check for over 18yr olds 12499594-SN35-21
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Benefits of dental health Research has shown that when the mouth is unhealthy, general health and wellbeing suffer as a result. Anzac Avenue Dental have tips, tricks and various options that are available to maintain, or gain a beautiful, healthy smile! According to the team at Anzac Avenue Dental age, general wear and tear, changes in diet and hormone levels and some medication can affect the health of your teeth and gums. Oral health problems such as periodontal disease (or gum disease) can be related to heart disease and diabetes and it is also responsible for bad breath and the loss of bone and tooth instability that many people experience. They said periodontal disease was caused by a build of bacterial in the pockets that forms between the tooth and gum tissue. It can’t be cured but it can be managed if it is treated effectively. Regular exams and cleaning with a dentist and hygienist will reduce the risk of gum disease and ensure a healthy mouth according to the staff. Simple brushing or cleaning alone will not treat periodontal disease and left untreated, it will cause tooth loss. The loss of teeth is more common as people age, whether it be through periodontal disease, decay or breakage. Chewing and biting function is normally affected when a tooth is lost and the tipping or over-eruption of adjacent or
opposing teeth also causes problems. Ideally missing teeth should be replaced. Dentures, bridges or implants are all options for replacing missing teeth and a dentist can advise which option is most suitable. Patients who
find dentures uncomfortable often opt for fixed bridges or implants. The staff at Anzac Avenue Dental said snoring often develops as people age and while snoring itself is not
harmful, the often associated link with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) can have significant effects on your health. OSA is a serious and relatively common condition. OSA has been linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, car and truck accidents, work accidents and stroke. It is caused by the muscles in the back of your throat relaxing and interfering with breathing while someone sleeps. Some signs of OSA include poor concentration, morning headaches, depressed mood, weight gain, high blood pressure, lack of energy, forgetfulness, reduced sex drive, night sweats and frequent urination at night. For those who snore or have some of the symptoms described, Anzac Avenue Dentist recommend they should see their dentist have a sleep study done to make sure they don’t have obstructive sleep apnea. Anzac Avenue Dental offers a range of dental services and a dedicated preventive care team to help you manage your oral health. They are conveniently located on Anzac Avenue at Kallangur with onsite parking and easy access for patients with mobility concerns. They have preferred provider and member choice arrangements with several health funds and offer no gap services for Veteran Affairs Gold Card holders. Visit them at www.anzacavenuedental.com.au or call on (07) 3491 8131 to book a new patient examination to get back on track with dental care.
We know there is a story behind every smile. Would you like to get to know yours? and meet our highly experienced team at our family owned and operated
General family and emergency dental care Oral surgery Implants TMJ pain management Snoring and sleep aponea treatment
Easy payment plans available 1455 Anzac Avenue Kallangur 12500228-CG35-21
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(07) 3491 8131
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info@anzacavenuedental.com.au
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The Village Manly - selling The highly anticipated new development from The Village Retirement Group, in conjunction with Anglicare Southern Queensland, is now selling at Manly, Queensland. Partnering the expertise and vision of two of the most esteemed providers in the retirement and aged care sectors, The Village Manly will offer an integrated independent retirement precinct for retirees within the Bayside area. “The Village Manly will deliver an unprecedented level of luxury for retirees seeking to downsize in the area they love,” The Village Retirement Group Managing Director Justin Harrison said. “We are excited to finally launch this project which will deliver two medium rise buildings in Stage One, each comprising 23 apartments across four storeys.” Anglicare Southern Queensland Executive Director Karen Crouch confirmed that this is the second venture between Anglicare and The Village Retirement Group, with The Village Taigum representing the first village to evolve from this successful partnership. “One of the defining features of our retirement communities is just that, the sense of community,” Ms Crouch. “We are thrilled to once again be partnering with such a well-esteemed operator who can assist us with delivering the best retirement living experience for our Bayside retirees.”
An artists impression of The Village, Manly. The Village Manly is the first medium rise retirement development for the area and promises to set a benchmark for retirement living, providing residents with complete independence in well appointed, private apartments with access to homecare services and support if required. The heritage listed Lota House will remain a central hero of the site and Anglicare’s existing residential aged care facility, EM Tooth Memorial Home, will cater to the potential future health needs of the community. The luxurious design of the two-andthree bedroom apartments boast effortless and open living spaces, state of the art inclusions and spacious balco-
Don’t miss this opportunity!
nies to maximise the Bayside location. The Village Manly will pay tribute to the integrity of the natural surrounds with an integrated design that capitalises on the attributes of the location. Stage Two of the $70M development will incorporate communal facilities for residents with a focus on providing engaging spaces where retirees can indulge in an array of activities suited to their interests. Open green spaces and landscaped pockets will be prominent throughout the Village ensuring buildings integrate effortlessly into the existing surrounds. Some of the facilities to be provided will include a cafe/restaurant, library,
arts and craft room, communal alfresco BBQ area, bowls green, state of the art senior’s gym, yoga/dance area, deluxe cinema, heated pool, beauty and hair salon, medical and allied health suite, club lounge and billiards room. With only 46 apartments available in Stage One and many retired homeowners now capitalising on the strength of the housing market, demand for the new development is high. “We are extremely pleased with the level of enquiry we have already received, but it isn’t really surprising given that we know there is a huge demand in the Manly area for the high-quality villages and thriving independent communities that we create,” said Mr Harrison. “We are providing a low maintenance and hassle-free lifestyle for retirees without them having to compromise on style, location or standard of living.” The Information Centre is now open for appointments Tuesday - Saturday, and an official launch will be held on Tuesday, 27 July at The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron where the development will be formally released to the public. To register interest to attend the event or are interested in receiving an information pack prior to then, please visit www.thevillagemanly.com.au The Village Manly, 162 Oceana Terrace, Manly QLD
Delivering the best Retirement Living to the Bay in decades. Sophisticated living spaces complemented by dynamic community facilities all within a Bayside location. Brisbane’s best independent retirement living just arrived in Manly. Stage 1 is selling now, call Kath on 3854 3737 to request an information pack today! Visit our Information Centre Tue-Sat 10am-4pm 162 Oceana Terrace, Manly
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Having freedom to choose
Carers Link giving the freedom to choose care to meet the clients needs. tive functioning and effective working memory. The Memory Support Program psychologist utilises in-home neurocognitive assessments to understand their clients goals, needs and challenges and then designs an individualised plan to assist them to achieve optimal wellbeing. Throughout the entire process Carers Link offers personalised contact and case management from a dedicated Aged Care Advisor, who will not only work with the client, but also with their family to support you across the whole
journey in aged care. Carers Link Aged Care Advisor, Nolene McIntosh, said for many people being able to continue living at home is very important, and usually for many it is the best option for their wellbeing. “As an approved Home Care Package provider, we can help you navigate through the challenging and complex aged care system, to help you understand how you can utilise your funds best to maintain your lifestyle and independence in your own home,” said Mrs McIntosh.
“Whether you have already been assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT), advised of your Home Care Package approval, or are just at the beginning of the process, we can assist you.” For those who would like to keep informed or learn more about Aged Care Packages and NDIS developments and how you can prepare to access these programs, contact Carers Link on 07 3901 1165 or email info@carerslink. com.au. They can also visit www.carerslink.com.au.
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With Carers Link those needing care have the freedom to choose their care, their way, to meet their health and wellbeing needs so they can remain living independently in their own home according to the team. The team is committed to providing flexible, tailored services to support the elderly and people with disability by providing carers to meet each individual’s needs. Carers Link provides consistent and qualified support, offering a truly person-centred approach to care. They offer a wide range of in-home, community and lifestyle support. Carers Link services are available 24 hours a day, every day and include, in-home and personal care, domestic assistance, respite and emergency care, transport, social support, and, community linking. As a Home Care Package provider, Transition Care provider and NDIS provider, Carers Link can also provide the case management and funding expertise required to plan and manage all their care needs. Potential clients can take advantage of a free consultation to understand their needs with no hidden fees or unnecessary charges as well as 24/7 support through dedicated and qualified Lifestyle Support Workers. Carers Link also offer exclusive dementia support through the popular Memory Support Program which aims to increase and stimulate cogni-
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HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Choice for cancer patients By Tania Phillips
Choices Clinical Nurse Manager Janine Porter-Steele. and post treatment. “In the cancer world we tend to give people a prescription for everything else but when they finish treatment that’s often a time that people feel lost or alone. Everybody’s gone away because their treatment has gone away – there’s all of those lasting side-affects so I spent a lot of time in that space.” She said even though they are part of the Wesley Hospital anyone can
Life after mastectomy The breast cancer journey is incredibly challenging, but one sacrifice you don’t have to make is how you look in your own clothes after recovery according to the team at Tracey G. Some ladies choose the reconstruction path after mastectomy, but for those who don’t there’s no reason why they can’t look beautiful in their own clothes again. Gone are the days where a lady has to settle for second best in terms of look and fit. No being uncomfortable all day in a poorly fitted bra and definitely no more “frumpy” lingerie. The first step in regaining a silhouette are breast forms. There are dozens of shapes, weights and sizes to choose from which’ll match the remaining breast perfectly. If woman has had a bilateral mastectomy, the size they become is now up to them! There are also breast forms that can be used whilst swimming or exercising, so their lifestyle doesn’t have to change. Post mastectomy wear such as lingerie, swimwear, sportswear and casual wear have also gone ahead in leaps and bounds in terms of support, style and comfort. According to the Tracey G team other great news is that the federal government will cover the cost of your breast prosthesis up to $400, per breast every two years for the rest of your life. Many private health funds cover the cost of post mastectomy garments. The team believe the key to enjoy-
come to Choices. “We don’t care where they’re treated or diagnosed – when they come here they can access me for those things we talked about and we’ve a peer-support co-ordinator – someone whose got that lived experience of cancer. That’s Leonie and she can support through all those practical things around managing in the context of family and friends – all sorts of things really. We also have
A Bra for every woman Now stocking more brands and the largest size range from AA to K.
A fitting. ing the fitting, and looking beautiful in your own clothes, is to have a professional fitting by a trained lingerie and prosthesis fitter. At Tracey G Maroochydore and East Brisbane the team are Amoena trained and certified fitters and won’t be satisfied with your new look unless you are. Some additional services they offer at Tracey G include a comprehensive range of post-surgical garments, full figure and maternity lingerie. Tracey G Prosthetics and Lingerie are located in East Brisbane at 976 Stanley Street East and Norval Court Maroochydore. Contact us on 0466 828143 or go to traceyg.com.
Great news for the women of Brisbane who struggle to find a well - fitted bra. Our new bigger brighter store has enabled us to expand our range to include sports bras, full figure and maternity as well as our traditional post mastectomy wear. Our goal is expertly fit your bra so you feel amazing in your clothes. Visit our new store and experience the Tracey G service.
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It started in memory of the late Kim Walters, wife of current Bronco’s coach Kevin Walters, who died of breast cancer in 1998 but the Wesley Hospital Choices Cancer Support Centre has become a centre to support women and men of all ages as they go through and beyond the cancer journey. According to Choices Clinical Nurse Manager Janine Porter-Steele the centre helps patients through the emotional turmoil and difficult decisionmaking process following a diagnosis, throughout treatment and beyond, as patients focus on wellness after cancer. As well as managing the Choices Program she is also active with in the program – supporting the team, volunteers and patients who come in. “A lot of what I do is providing information around treatment, around the time of diagnosis, throughout treatment and beyond,” she said. “My background is cancer care nursing and I’m a breast care nurse. I also have a research background which is kind of important for this program because we like to make sure that the things we do are evidence-based. At that rate we can make sure people get the very best we can give them. I’ve spent a lot of time talking about managing side-affects of treatment – that sort of thing. Another focus for me is keeping people well during treatment
a counsellor here for those other emotional needs particularly when they’re diagnosed or they have a reoccurrence. “We all have distinct roles but they overlap a bit because we’re all providing information and support and we have a great group of volunteers who do things like answer the phones, make-up our folders, talk to people when they come in, make turbans for us – all sorts of things,” She said Choices offered all sorts of programs though at the moment because of Covid they had to adapt and were doing quite a lot by Zoom. “We have a yoga program, an art therapy program, writing therapy. When we were able to people in we have a specific gym program for during treatment and post treatment. We have complimentary therapies so we visit the wards, we have a therapist go to the wards particularly palliative care, oncology and those people can have Raki, reflexology or Indian head massage and we do that as an outpatient situation down here too. “There are lots and lots of things coming on.” Janine said people interested in the program can self refer, their doctors can refer, oncologists, surgeons, friends. “They can just ring up – it’s pretty easy and we’re here for as much or as little as people need us,” she said.
967 STANLEY ST, EAST BRISBANE • 0466 828 143 ALSO AT - Unit 6, 1 NORVAL COURT, MAROOCHYDORE Phone: 0466 828 144
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Health hub for Chermside Work has become on the $42 million Chermside Health Hub being built by Cornerston Healthcare. CHP Fund Director Simon Heazlewood said late last month he was excited to break ground on the Chermside Health Hub, which he added would not only deliver 150 jobs during construction but also employ 100 health care staff at the facility once complete. “This is a major milestone for Chermside and we are delighted to be able to provide a space for sustainable and quality healthcare jobs and services, particularly in response to the concerning predicted increase in demand,” Mr Heazlewood said. “We are pleased to be in the final negotiations to lease approximately 30 per cent of the space and we are confident to attract more healthcare practitioners to the state-of-the-art facility once construction starts. “We are currently speaking with a variety of interested specialists to complement the selection of services on offer at the Chermside Health Hub. We would love to see a day surgery and short-stay hospital included in the mix to complement our primary and allied health operators.” Chermside Health Hub is located on the corner of the major intersection of Gympie Road and Rode Road and is strategically placed in the heart of the thriving north Brisbane business district.
An artists impression of the new building. “The building has been designed to achieve Class 9a healthcare building classification under the National Construction Code (NCC) to cater for hospital or surgical procedures,” Mr Heazlewood said. “As with all our Health Hub projects we complete the whole process from acquisition, through construction and then remain involved as the building owner on completion. “It is therefore very important to us that the Health Hub not only reflects our values, but has an integrated mix of services that delivers on the needs of the local community. The Health Hub — built on a 2,663m² lot — will include 5,187m² in lettable
space as well as 180 parking spaces, which is expected to be of great appeal to tenants given the limited street-side parking available in the area. Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said as Brisbane’s population continued to grow, the Chermside Health Hub would cater for a need for more healthcare services by conveniently combining a suite of specialities in one facility. “This $42 million fully-integrated health care facility will help meet the growing demand for health care services in the region and will provide the north Brisbane community with access to quality health care services, located within walking distance of both Prince Charles and St Vincent’s Private Hospi-
tal,” Mayor Schrinner said. Federal Member for Petrie and Assistant Minister for Youth and Employment Services Luke Howarth MP, said the Chermside Health Hub not only addressed the growing need for healthcare services but was also expected to contribute to job creation and economic growth in the region. “I’m delighted to join my fellow dignitaries to turn the sod on the Chermside Health Hub today and would like to congratulate CHP Fund on this great initiative which will deliver essential services to the local community,” Mr Howarth said. “Today is not only exciting regarding the Chermside Health Hub addressing the increasing need for health care in our local community, but also as a catalyst to generate new jobs and the positive impact it will have on our local economy. “Our jobs plan, outlined in the Federal Budget, is practical: protect jobs and connect people with jobs today, and skill up our workforce for the jobs of tomorrow. Youth unemployment has fallen to its lowest level in 12 years and the Government remains committed to getting even more young Australians into work through education, training, and employment programs. Construction is expected to be completed on the Chermside Health Hub by the end of 2022.
Parkinson’s Disease and constipation set for study
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Dr Richard Gordon, UQ Research Lead at UQCCR. the gut microbiome in people with Parkinson’s. Participants must meet a specific criteria, they must have a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and have three or less bowel movement days per week. More information to be obtained from the Health Section advertisement of this magazine.
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Parkinson’s disease affects approximately 100,000 Australians and is the second-most prevalent neurodegenerative disease worldwide, with more than 10 million people suffering globally. There are currently no early diagnostic markers and existing treatments can only lessen some symptoms. Research increasingly points to the gut microbiome, (the bacteria that live in the gut), as playing a key role in the development of Parkinson’s, with evidence showing that changes in gut function often comes many years before the onset of classic symptoms. A significant issue for those with the disease is a slow-down in digestive tract movement, leading to constipation, with up to 70 % of people with Parkinson’s disease experiencing constipation. Associate Professor John O’Sullivan and Dr Richard Gordon, of The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research – Neuroscience (UQCCR), have begun a human trial in South East Queensland to treat constipation and gut dysfunction in people with Parkinson’s disease. The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of a prebiotic medication for the treatment of constipation and the restoration of
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HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Tomorrow’s generation of allied health professionals are already servicing the community.
Student-led health care Tomorrow’s generation of allied health professionals are already servicing the community, with The University of Queensland’s Health and Rehabilitation Clinics delivering client-focused services to seniors in the community. Staffed by School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences students under the supervision of qualified health professionals, the Clinics provide audiology, physiotherapy and speech pa-
thology services for a fraction of typical healthcare costs. Clients experiencing hearing concerns can visit the Audiology Clinic for hearing assessments and personalised hearing rehabilitation, including evidence-based recommendations on the latest in hearing technology. The Physiotherapy Clinic includes a dedicated Neurological, Ageing and Balance Clinic, providing services spe-
cific to older individuals for fall prevention, balance and neurological conditions, to improve confidence, independence and physical activity participation. The Speech Pathology Clinic provides a range of services for adults with communication difficulties due to a neurological condition or incident, such as stroke or Parkinson’s disease. They also offer services for adults
targeting voice disorders, accent modification and stuttering. With a state-of-the-art telerehabilitation clinic, many services are available via telehealth or in person at the university’s St Lucia campus. Contact the UQ Health and Rehabilitation Clinics via health-clinics.uq.edu. au, healthclinics@uq.edu.au or (07) 3365 2232.
A mass vaccination hub has been established at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and is expected to operate until 9 October as under 60s now become eligible to register for vaccinations. The hub is open seven days a week, from 8.30am until 4.30pm. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said vaccinations were vital to ending this pandemic and she encouraged all Queenslanders to register. While Queenslanders are encouraged to get vaccinations from their GPs and pharmacists, the establishment of a hub at BCEC will add to the state’s extensive program.
“The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre is a great venue. Having a hub here will make it quicker and easier for people to get vaccinated,” the Premier said. Free parking will be available for anyone receiving a vaccination at BCEC. Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the BCEC vaccination hub would take bookings only. “No walk-ins will be allowed,” she said. To register for a vaccination, visit vaccinebookings.health.qld.gov.au/ registerforvaccination/
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New vaccination hub open
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Know that skin cancer Melanoma is among the top five causes of cancer death in Australia, claiming one life every five hours. In fact, Australia leads the world in skin cancer cases, with around 800,000 diagnoses each year. Yet, 71 per cent of Australians have not had their recommended skin cancer check in the past year, and 39 per cent have never had a professional check. “Many Australians don’t understand their risk of skin cancer, including potential deadly melanoma,” says Dr Alvin Prakash at the National Skin Cancer Centres in Coorparoo and Redcliffe. Skin cancer can affect anyone, occur anywhere on the body, and may show no symptoms until an advanced stage. That is why it is so important to be aware of your own skin cancer risk. Ninety per cent of people diagnosed with skin cancer are over age 40. The risk is also higher for people who have ever been severely sunburnt, used a solarium, worked outdoors, or had skin cancer before. Other high-risk groups include people with multiple moles, fair skin or skin that burns easily, or light-coloured hair or eyes. For the earliest skin cancer detection total body photography / mole mapping is recommended for these high-risk groups. Melanoma can also run in the family. If your parent, sibling, or child has had
Know your skin cancer risk. melanoma, your own risk increases by 50 per cent. Men also have 60 per cent greater chance of developing the disease. In south-east Queensland, melanoma diagnoses reach up to 50 per cent above the national average, which is why experts recommend an annual head-to-toe skin cancer check. A full-body skin cancer check is a comprehensive assessment of your
entire skin surface with a Skin Cancer Doctor who uses special diagnostic and imaging tools to look beneath the skin for signs of malignancy that are often invisible to the naked eye. Picking up these small changes early can significantly improve chances of successful treatment. In fact, 99 per cent of skin cancers are curable if detected and treated early. “Early detection through regular
The Palaszczuk Government is delivering an extra $163.7 million to create 351 new beds across Queensland’s hospital network. The government’s record investment in health is part of the state’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan to create jobs while keeping Queenslanders safe. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the 351 new beds would help to tackle unprecedented demand in the public health system at a time when resources are also being prioritised for Queensland’s pandemic response. “The health of all Queenslanders is my government’s greatest priority,” the Premier said. “This pandemic has tested our health system. And with the delta strain now posing a significant threat to Queensland, we’re not out of the woods yet. “This additional $163.7 million investment means 351 new beds through a combination of additional public hospital beds and the commissioning of beds from the private sector.” Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said Queensland’s health system was experiencing stronger demand for services than ever before. “Activity across Queensland’s pub18 SENIORS TODAY SPRING: SEPTEMBER 2021
lic hospital network is at an all-time high,” she said. “Our doctors, nurses, paramedics and allied health workers are treating more patients than ever as we fight the deadliest global pandemic in a century. “Delivering new beds at this time of peak demand will help to ensure Queenslanders can continue to access the quality health care they need.” The extra hospital beds will delivered in Hospital and Health Services where demand for services is greatest: Cairns and Hinterland – 8 new beds Darling Downs – 44 new beds Gold Coast – 28 new beds Mackay – 8 new beds Metro North – 68 new beds Metro South – 80 new beds Sunshine Coast – 36 new beds Townsville – 10 new beds West Moreton – 57 new beds Wide Bay – 12 new bed
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Millions set to flow for health service expansion
full-body skin cancer checks is the best defence. Our mission is to detect skin cancers in the early stages to minimise complex, invasive, and expensive treatments, and ultimately save lives,” says Dr Prakash. To learn more, please contact Coorparoo Skin Cancer Centre (phone 3324 0466) or Redcliffe Skin Cancer Centre (phone 3284 3030 or visit www. skincancercentres.com.au.
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HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Bowel care
John and Andrea took the bowel cancer test but while Andrea’s came back negative, John’s didn’t and started him on a cancer journey.
Call for more bowel cancer awareness One in 13 Australians will develop bowel cancer. Knowing the signs, and regular screening are key to tackling the disease according to a respected colorectal surgeon. Dr Graham Newstead, AM said more than 15,000 Australians were diagnosed with bowel cancer each year. Claiming more than 100 lives each week, it is Australia’s second deadliest cancer. He said because bowel cancer often develops without any warning signs, participation in screening can help reduce bowel cancer incidence by detecting blood in the stool often invisible to the naked eye, which could indicate a precancerous lesion or existing cancer. In between screenings, it’s important to stay bowel cancer aware and to speak to a GP immediately if possible symptoms are experienced for two weeks or more. Causes of concern include rectal bleeding or blood in your stool, changes in bowel habit, weight loss you can’t explain, extreme tiredness for no reason, and/or a lump or swelling in your abdomen. “Unfortunately, many people only act after they notice significant changes in their bowel habits, stool consistency or colour, or see blood on toilet paper or in the bowl. By this stage, it’s sometimes too late, which is why regular screening every one to two years from age 50 is vital,” Dr Newstead said. Bowel cancer in seniors remains one of the most preventable cancers if detected early enough. “When followed up by timely colonoscopy, cases of bowel cancer can be effectively treated 99% of the time,” he said. Queenslander John Playford, or Townsville, was diagnosed with stage three rectal cancer at age 60. “My wife and I had received the home screening test in the mail in the past, but because we were too busy at the time, or so we thought, we put the
John and Andrea enjoy time with their grand children after John’s cancer battle. kits aside,” said John. “When we both turned 60 in early 2019, we decided that we would do the tests.” “My wife Andrea’s results were negative, but mine was positive and I was encouraged to visit my GP,” John said. Following surgery and chemotherapy, John received good reports and he is recovering well. “It seems I was fortunate to take the home screen test when I did,” John said. Screening is easy and can be done at home using a faecal immunochemical test (FIT). People aged 50 – 74 are eligible to receive a free test every two years through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. Those ineligible for the NBCSP can purchase a Bowelscreen Australia kit in pharmacy, online or by calling Bowel Cancer Australia. Dr Newstead said while certain risk factors can’t be changed, some diet and lifestyle choices can help reduce your risk.
These include: Quit smoking Avoid processed meats and limit red meat consumption Avoid weight gain and/or increases in waist circumference If you drink alcohol, limit the amount Eat naturally high-fibre foods Be physically active as part of your everyday life Participate in bowel cancer screening If you carry an increased risk, speak to your GP about ongoing monitoring For John, catching bowel cancer while it was still treatable made the difference between life and death. “My experience is why I am keen to promote awareness of bowel cancer to my friends, their families, and all others,” he said. For more information about bowel cancer and how you can reduce your risk, visit www.bowelcanceraustralia. org or call the free Helpline on 1800555-494
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While there’s no specific diet that can cure bowel cancer, a wellrounded diet can reduce risks associated with the disease, says Professor Teresa Mitchell-Paterson, a qualified Nutritionist who holds a Master of Health Science in Human Nutrition. A bowel cancer survivor herself, Teresa works as a member of Bowel Cancer Australia’s patient services team and credits switching to a plant-based diet, heavy in fruits, vegetables, and wholegrains for helping her recover, survive and thrive following her diagnosis. Teresa recommends eating three serves of wholegrains, five serves of vegetables, two serves of brightly coloured fruits and two to three serves of dairy daily. She also suggests swapping out meat for plantbased options wherever you can. “Eating too much red meat, which is beef, lamb, pork and goat, is definitely linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer,” said Teresa. Studies show that bowel cancer risk increases by 17 per cent per 100 grams of red meat consumed per day and by 18 per cent per 50g of processed meat consumed per day. “The more meat you eat, the more at risk you are.” She recommends replacing beef, chicken, pork or lamb with vegetarian options, such as veggie patties in a burger or roasted cauliflower steaks instead of red meat, all of which can easily be found in the supermarket. If you eat red meat, Teresa advises limiting the amount to 500g per week – which is equivalent to two very small steaks. She also recommends avoiding processed meats, such as bacon, ham, salami and some sausages. Another way to reduce your bowel cancer risk is to increase your fibre consumption. Fibre is abundant in many fruits and vegetables as well as wholegrains, which may explain why eating three servings of wholegrains a day, such as brown rice and quinoa, can reduce your risk of bowel cancer by 17 per cent. “I’ve been a nutritionist for 30 years, and I always had a good diet but what I didn’t eat enough of was dietary fibre, so I’m very conscious of that now.” Dairy products and calcium supplements are also associated with a decreased risk of bowel cancer. Consuming 200g of milk or 200mg of dietary calcium per day has been associated with a 6 per cent decrease in bowel cancer risk. If you’d like to learn more about how you can reduce your bowel cancer risk www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/modifiable-risk-factors For delicious and bowel friendly recipes visit www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/recipes To speak with a Bowel Cancer Australia Telenutritionist call 1800 555 494 during business hours or visit www.bowelcanceraustralia. org/nutritionist SPRING: SEPTEMBER 2021 SENIORS TODAY 19
RECIPES
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New season lamb recipes The days are warming and thoughts are turning to entertaining on the back deck or just trying something a little lighter. The Meat and Livestock Board have plenty of Lamb recipes perfect for both.
ZESTY LAMB SHANKS Serves: 4 Prep time: 15 mins Cooking time: 3 hrs INGREDIENTS 4 Frenched lamb shanks (approx. 350g each), fat trimmed; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp harissa paste; 1 tbsp ground coriander; 2L (8 cups) beef stock; Method 1. Preheat oven to 180°C (160° fan-forced). In a large glass dish place half the oil, lamb shanks, harissa paste and coriander. Season and rub well to coat. 2. Heat a large ovenproof casserole dish over medium-high heat and cook shanks, in 2 batches, if necessary, for 8-10 minutes or until browned all over. Add stock, balsamic vinegar and oregano. Cover and place in the oven for 2 ¼-2 ½ hours or until tender and falling off the bone. Remove shanks from sauce and set aside in a large bowl covered with foil to keep warm. Place sauce in a medium saucepan, bring to the boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes or until sauce thickens.
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar; 3 sprigs oregano; 1 large eggplant, cut into 4cm pieces; 1 tsp fennel seeds; 60g baby rocket leaves; 200g cherry tomatoes, quartered; 400g can butter beans, rinsed, drained; 175g green beans, blanched, halved lengthways; ½ cup mixed olives, pitted, roughly chopped; 1/3 cup marinated feta, crumbled; Toasted pine nuts, chopped, mint sprigs, lemon wedges, to serve. 3. Meanwhile, line a large baking tray with baking paper. Spread eggplant onto tray, drizzle with remaining oil, sprinkle with fennel seeds, season and toss to coat. Cook for 30-35 minutes or until tender. 4. On a serving platter place rocket, tomatoes, beans, eggplant, olives and feta. Top with shanks and drizzle with sauce. Sprinkle with pine nuts and mint sprigs. Serve with lemon wedges. Tips 1. Either serve the shanks whole on the bone or you can shred the meat off the bone and toss through the salad. 2. Leftover roast lamb leg or shoulder would also be perfect in this recipe – either sliced or shredded.
SCHNITZEL LAMB CUTLETS WITH SLAW Serves: 4 Prep time: 15 mins Cooking time: 20mins INGREDIENTS 8 lamb cutlets, excess fat trimmed; 1 cup dried breadcrumbs; 2 free-range eggs, lightly beaten; ½ cup plain flour; 1/3 cup olive oil, for shallow Method 1. In a microwave safe container cook potatoes for 3-4 minutes on HIGH (100%) or until nearly tender. Lightly spray a large char-grill pan with oil and heat over medium-high heat. Cook potatoes for 5-6 minutes or until tender and lightly charred. Set aside to keep warm. 2. Meanwhile, place breadcrumbs in a large shallow bowl. Place flour on a large plate and season. Place eggs in a separate shallow bowl. Working with 1 lamb cutlet at a time, coat in flour, shaking off any excess. Dip in egg, then press in breadcrumb mixture to coat. Transfer to a plate lined with baking paper. Repeat with remaining cutlets. 3. Heat oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook lamb cutlets, in batches, for 3-4 minutes each side or until golden and cooked to your liking, replac-
frying + 1 tbsp extra, for slaw; 8 small kipfler potatoes, halved lengthways; 1/4 small red cabbage, finely shredded; ¼ small green cabbage, finely shredded; 1 large carrot, peeled, shredded; 2 green onions, finely sliced; 1 tbsp currants; Zest and juice of 1 lemon +extra wedges, to serve; 1/3 cup whole egg mayonnaise; 1 garlic clove, crushed; 1 tbsp parsley leaves, finely shredded + extra leaves, to serve. ing oil as necessary. Set cutlets aside on a plate lined with kitchen paper. 4. In a large bowl combine cabbage, carrot, onions and currants. Season, drizzle with extra oil and half the lemon juice and toss well to coat. 5. In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, garlic, lemon zest and remaining juice and parsley. Season and stir well to combine. 6. Serve cutlets with potatoes, slaw, aioli, lemon wedges and parsley leaves. Tips 1. Lamb leg or rump steaks, beaten to 1cm thickness with a meat mallet, would also work well in this recipe. 2. Swap dried breadcrumbs for panko crumbs; add your choice of herb, finely chopped, or some grated parmesan to the breadcrumbs for an extra flavour hit. 3. Use a pre-pack coleslaw salad mix from the supermarket to save time. 12504436-BL35-21
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A sweet month of flowers The multi-award-winning Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (TCOF) will take place for the full month of September! It’s a major extension of this glorious 10-day event that has taken place in Queensland’s city on the range for the past 72 years, and a sign of the success of its COVID-19 planning. Taking centre stage during the new 30-day format will be flowers and local flavours, as the event blooms into a truly region-wide experience. HOT TIPS: Gardening Gurus will love the floral displays at Botanic Gardens at Queens Park and Laurel Bank Park – grab some #trEATS and have a picnic in the petals! https://www.tcof.com.au/queenspark/ https://www.tcof.com.au/laurelbank-park/ or maybe join a Twilight Tour of Laurel Bank Park to be guided by one of the lead park garden’s to get to know it more intimately https:// www.tcof.com.au/twilight-tours-oflaurel-bank-park/ There’s over 190,000 blooms this year! Foodies need to head to Festival of Food & Wine on Saturday night to catch the drool worthy food on offer and the awesome tunes – GANGgajang, Wendy Matthews and Grace Knight plus Richard Clapton. https://www.tcof.com.au/ festival-of-food-wine/ Those keen to get into the spirit should head to Moonshine School at Peachey Distilling Co and take in the
community event in the leafy lawns of the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery, with a line-up of classic movies featured. What a fabulous new experience! ALL MONTH: Floral Displays in all parks and public spaces including feature blooms in Queens Park, the Botanic Gardens and Laurel Bank Park, as well as floral chalk art. #trEATS regional food trail which shines the light on cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs with floral inspired dishes – 36 eateries took part in 2020, with many more flavour-makers expected in 2021. The famed Talking Pubs tours will be held every Sunday with more to be announced. The stunning light-filled Night Garden in the Botanic Gardens. Parkland entertainment featuring local musicians and entertainers. Twilight Tours in Laurel Bank Park. The popular dog-friendly Petals and Pups program. Guided and non-guided walking tours Cobb + Co Museum will have a packed program for young and old to discover Community events, gardening experiences and gardening displays will be happening across the month WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS: September 3 - 5
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leafy drive in the high country! https:// www.tcof.com.au/pechey-distillingco/ The Grand Central Floral Parade is the event that stops the city, with thousands of families lining the streets to watch the colour go by. It will be held on Saturday September 18 with a much earlier start time of 10am, allowing crowds to enjoy a full day shopping, sightseeing and adventuring. Another great foodie event is High Cheese at Spring Bluff, held in partnership with Lockyer Valley Regional Council and hosted by famed chef and local produce champion, Alastair McLeod! This will be an extraordinary experience, given it is happening at the beautiful heritage-listed station that boasts 150 years of railway history and magnificent gardens. TICKETED. Cinema Under the Stars is a free
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· #trEATS regional food trail. · Night Garden in the Botanic Gardens. · High Cheese at Spring Bluff in partnership with Lockyer Valley Regional Council, hosted by famed chef and local produce champion, Alastair McLeod on Saturday September 4. Talking Pubs and Foodie Dinners. September 10 - 12 The Festival of Food and Wine returns in 2021 to Queens Park, celebrating the best in local produce, flavours and sips. Local and national music makers will star with the full line-up to be announced on Tuesday 1 June 2021. Parkland Entertainment, Talking Pubs. September 17 - 19 The Grand Central Floral Parade on Saturday September 18 at 10am. Side Show Alley in Queens Park returns in a kaleidoscope of colour, crazy and cool! The much loved Ferris Wheel in the Botanic Gardens will be open for all ages. Talking pubs and Foodie Dinners plus Parkland Entertainment. *School holidays commence for QLD and NSW. September 24 - 26 Cinema Under the Stars at the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery. Night Garden, Parkland Entertainment, Talking Pubs, Ferris Wheel.
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E M O C L WE TO OUR N O I T I D E SPRRISNTOGDAY SENIO BRISBANE
Seniors Today Brisbane is your free local newspaper filled with valuable information relevant to your lifestyle. Printed four times per year, this is your go-to publication designed especially for the 50+ population. We love feedback! Tell us what you think: newsdesk@seniorstoday.com.au Look out for the Summer issue available from November 22nd, 2021. Pick up a copy from your local Seniors Today distribution outlet 12506877-BL35-21
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OUT AND ABOUT SENIORSTODAY.COM.AU
Celebrate 140 years with the Rattler.
The Mary Valley Rattler A blast of the whistle, a hiss of steam and you’re away aboard the historic Mary Valley Rattler. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a nostalgic rail journey through one of the most beautiful parts of Queensland. The Mary Valley Rattler return journey starts at Gympie and chugs its way across the Mary River, through an
abundance of curves, and over bridges and numerous gentle hills. Marvel at the restored turntable at Amamoor and the fascinating process to turn the engine around. Make sure to leave plenty of time to explore the beautifully restored Gympie Station which houses a heritage room, sharing stories of the Mary Valley Rat-
tler line and its people. The perfect opportunity to immerse in the history is at their 140th anniversary event, coming up on 4 September 2021. Come along to meet their fleet of locomotives and enjoy the presentations given by the passionate volunteers. On any steam train service, passen-
gers can upgrade their tickets to a premium or VIP service and enjoy the ultimate experience as they travel through the breathtaking scenery. More than a train ride, a once in a lifetime experience. To book: Call the station on 07 5482 2750 or head to www.maryvalleyrattler.com.au
Join us these school holidays at the
MARY VALLEY RATTLER Explore the Historic Gympie Station, grab a coffe & a bite to eat at the Rusty Rails Café, before jumping aboard for a great family adventure. We look forward to welcoming you aboard! WWW.MARYVALLEYRATTLER.COM.AU 22 SENIORS TODAY SPRING: SEPTEMBER 2021
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& DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF HERITAGE RAIL!
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OUT AND ABOUT
Scratch that travel itch From watching whales off the Fraser coast to stopping to smell the roses in Toowoomba, you don’t have to travel far to feel you are on the road to discovery according to Paul Brockhurst of CT Travel. He said whether it’s a quick getaway for three or four days or a longer sevenday excursion - if you’re ready to get out and about there’s a luxury coach waiting to carry you away. “A spacious, modern air-conditioned luxury coach is the most comfortable and safest way to get out on our highways and by-ways,” Paul said. “Passengers can sit back and enjoy the views without stress; chat to neighbours and socialise rather than having eyes glued to the road and worrying about where to park.” For those whose feet are starting to itch, CT Travel has a range of itineraries coming up to get them going. Over seven days from August 26, travellers can explore the scenic gem that is the Carnarvon region. After a scenic-drive to Roma via Chinchilla, it’s easy cruising around “big sky” country. Retired farmers and graziers lead a tour of the Roma Saleyard, the largest in the southern hemisphere, while another local guide will show you around town, including the big bottle tree and the naturally illuminated stained glass windows.
Then it’s off to see Injune before checking in at the Wallaroo Outback Retreat for four nights. It’s the perfect base for day trips with experienced guides to the spectacular Carnarvon Gorge National Park, the Carnarvon Ranges and Arcadia Valley Escape, a 17,000acre organic beef cattle station. Boobook Eco Tours local guides lead the way through privately owned and operated coal seam gas fields, showing world class farm and conservation properties to give a real-life insight to how these industries coexist with the natural environment. September is Carnival of the Flowers time in Toowoomba. It’s the longestrunning event of its kind in Australia
Experience THE BEST THIS COUNTRY has to Offer CT TRAVEL Coolum Tours & Travel
2021 Tours August 26 – September 1, 2021 (7 Day Tour)
Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo
Senior Coach Tours including: ü ü ü ü ü ü
Share/Double $2500.00pp / Single $3130.00 September 6-9, 2021 (4 Day Escape)
5 Star Coach Travel All Accommodation Tours and Entry Fees All Dinners & Breakfasts Most Lunches Home Pickup & Return*
Fraser Island Whale Watch Tour Share/Double $1530.00pp / Single $1771.00 September 17-20, 2021 (3 Day Escape)
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers Share/Double $995.00pp / Single $1095.00 October 11 - 14, 2021 (4 Day Escape)
Bundaberg – Bargara – Lady Musgrave Isl Share/Double $1300.00pp / Single $1525.00
and is a cultural feast of local food and produce, regional wine, entertainment, and all things spring. Spend three days from 17 September visiting a multitude of magnificent gardens and watch the Floral Parade from reserved seating. All aboard for Fraser Island for four days from 6 September. “If you’ve always wanted to see the places that everyone talks about without the stress of driving a 4WD, then this is the chance to catch it all,” Paul said. “From Kingfisher Bay Resort, head off to Central Station, Lake McKenzie, 75 Mile Beach, Eli Creek, the Maheno Shipwreck and Eurong. As well as the
guided Beauty Spots Tour, there’s a whale watch adventure cruise to see the humpbacks playing in the sheltered waters off Fraser. Too easy.” A four-day excursion to the Fraser Coast from 11 October, includes trips around Bundaberg and Bargara, as well as a day cruise to Lady Musgrave Island on the Sea Empress. The Hinkler Hall of Aviation, Bundaberg Rum Distillery and the Bundaberg Brewing Company’s “The Barrel” are all on the list. “Once you’ve caught the bug, spread your wings in October for a seven-day excursion to Lightning Ridge, the only place in Australia where the prized black opal is found,” he said. “There are three days to explore the region, including Grawin, Glengarry & Sheepyard Opal fields, as well as time to visit Miles, Roma, St George and other attractions along the way.” Next year, it’s a short flight to Norfolk Island for eight days immersing in history, culture and natural beauty, from steep ocean clifftops and patches of sub-tropical rainforest to convict ruins and the famous Norfolk Pines. This fully escorted tour is a trip overseas without leaving Australian territory. Bookings are now open. Full tours details and a list of upcoming tours where travellers can choose their destination and duration, are on the CT Travel website. Visit cttravel.com.au
2022 Tour Program Call for more info February 2022 Norfolk Island (7 Days) March 2022 O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat (4 Days) Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo (7 Days) April / May 2022 Stanthorpe & New England in Autumn (4 Days) OB NSW - The Darling River Run to Broken Hill (15 Days)
Bookings
May / June 2022 Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo (7 Days) O’Reillys -Winter Escape (4 Days)
PHONE (07) 5391 1648
July 2022 Western Qld Loop inc Birdsville (11 Days)
M 0409 278 971 E tours@cttravel.com.au
August 2022 Lightning Ridge (7 Days) September 2022 Nth Qld Savanah Way (12 Days) Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (3 Days) November 2022 Tasmania (14 Days)
For more detailed itinerary information on any of these tours, please visit our website:
www.cttravel.com.au
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OUT AND ABOUT
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Two Bears Secondhand and Coffee in Mary St. 240721
Mary St, Gympie. 240721
Changing face of Gympie By Erle Levey The smell of freshly toasted coffee mixes with the sounds of the historic steam train pulling into the railway station. The whimsy of antique and secondhand shops are side-by-side with those selling street wear for skateboard or bmx bike riders. There’s the charm of stopping and catching up with long-time friends or chatting with new acquaintances. I’m at the top of Caledonian Hill after walking up Mary St and taking a look at Gympie as it unfolds around me. We are almost 18 months into the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet it has been a time when Gympie’s values have shone through. The Covid-19 pandemic has turned the world on its head. Then again, it has also reminded us of the benefits in learning from the past. There is a country town feel to Gympie of helping each other in tough times. It seems to shine through in mining towns, when they had to rely on each other. Even today, cars will slow to let you cross the street. People come first. The climate, as well as the quality of the soil in the Gympie region, enables a huge range of fruits and vegetables and produce to be grown. When people say that you can grow most things around Gympie they are not kidding. Although having grown up in a farming community there are fruit and vegetable types I never knew existed. My father used to tell me that while growing up in the shadow of Mt Tamborine he loved to eat persimmons straight off the tree. Now we have seen the fruit make a comeback and ideally suited to the Gympie region, along with cape gooseberries which was another of his favourites. It’s a similar story with the more exotic varieties such as dragonfruit, sapota or sapodilla. The Mary Valley as well as the Cooloola region have really stood up in recent times with the way produce is grown. There is a cleaner, greener im24 SENIORS TODAY SPRING: SEPTEMBER 2021
Nash St, Gympie. 240721
Panini’s Bakery and Cafe, Young St. 240721
Gympie Youth Precinct and Skate Park off River Road. 240721
Street art on Mary St, Gympie. 240721
age being created following much more use is being made of biodynamic farming practices. In many cases the produce is being packaged and marketed locally. Always pick a town with a river to live in, I have been told. A town with a river has a life … flowing water has life. The Mary River is a vital artery for the Gympie region. Known as Mooraboocoola, Moocooboola and Monoboola by the indigenous people of the region, the river was named Wide Bay River by early European explorers Andrew Petrie and Henry Stuart Russell in 1842. It was officially renamed in 1847 after Lady Mary Lennox Fitzroy, months before she was tragically killed in a carriage accident.
Lady Mary Lennox was married to Sir Charles Augustus Fitzroy who became Governor of New South Wales. The largest flood on record for Gympie was in February 1893, which peaked at 25.45 metres and covered most of Mary Street with the waterline reaching the vicinity of where the Lady Mary Statue stands today. It’s an old town, with some deeply rooted connections. If you are in street people will say hello. There is a courtesy, no matter who you or where you are from. A joy of living here. People have become aware of the importance of locally grown produce and it is leading to a better lifestyle. There’s a collective energy - a whole
lot of people and businesses are doing bits and pieces. So what is it in this community that makes it so resilient? I’m told that when the pioneers came here it was a microcosm of the world. People came from all over in search of gold but they then learnt about the great soil … Britains, Irish, Germans, Italians, Chinese. It was a catchment for really interesting people. And that has continued today. Gympie is creating an image of integrity, innovation, and hard-working people. It provides the foundations to help people be their best. That attitude has always been here.
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The Mary Valley Rattler at the old Gympie Railway Station. 240721
The Mount Pleasant Hotel. 240721
The old railway yards at Gympie. 240721
Hatch Specialty Coffee in Reef St. 240721
Fish and chips on Caledonian Hill. 240721
The region has gone through a number of valuable development stages through the past 150 years. Gold, timber, farming and agriculture have all played their part in adding to Queensland’s economy. Being a mining town has left a legacy of a community that has had to care for each other. The memorial to miners at the steps of Calton Hill Park remind us of that. Soon after gold was discovered by James Nash in 1867, Gympie’s timber history began in earnest. Then in 1926 the Wide Bay Cooperative Dairy Company, which was located on Tozer St, built one of Australia’s largest butter factories as a reflection of the region’s prominence in dairying. Through the golden years of mining Gympie had a reputation for a pub on every corner. Between 1867 and 1900, there were 157 licensed premises, with one map showed more than 70 pubs in Mary St alone, from the foot of Calton Hill to the top of Commissioner’s Hill. Today we are seeing the transformation of Gympie - from a pub culture to coffee society. It reflects the fact that through time people have all come from somewhere else to make the region their home. That hasn’t changed the character of the people.
There are families with deep connections. People have manners and courtesy. No matter who you are, you are classed as someone. They are respectful of privacy yet there when you need them. You can walk to the corner shops, the schools, the parks. One of the businesses to lead the way with quality food and coffee was Emilia’s in Mary St, run by the Giorno family. Customers would come from far and wide for their coffee. The business is now trading next door as Vespa Espresso Bar and is part of a significant shift in Gympie’s lifestyle. Then there’s the enthusiasm and creativity of John O’Brien and Sandra Phoenix at Soma Soma Espresso Cafe. At the top of the hill in Mellor St and across from the old Gympie Railway Station, it’s a good example of how ingredients are often being sourced fresh and local. Former Gympie Region food ambassador Matt Golinski remarks how over the past 10-15 years there has been the emergence of farmers markets that give direct access to some of the great seasonal produce from the Mary Valley and Cooloola area. Landcare has become a prime initiative as people recognise the beauty
OUT AND ABOUT
Gympie Town Hall with Gympie Fire Station in the distance. 240721
Sunset on a golden city. The Australian Hotel. 240721 of the region. About town there is a new emphasis on sharing those natural attributes with visitors and new arrivals. At the old railway station, Platform No. 1 Cafe draws its menu from the Mary Valley food bowl. The station is a mix of nostalgia and street art meets graffiti. It’s where you catch the restored Mary Valley Rattler, which travels through the rolling hills to Amamoor and return. There’s the Railway Hotel on the other side of the tracks - and stories from the Second World War of staff dropping food parcels from the overhead footbridge to the carriages filled with troops. The Australian Hotel is at the top Caledonian Hill, and the Phoenix a little further along Apollonian Vale. Right in town is the Queensland Hotel with its coffee window servery to the street, then the Royal Hotel on the corner. The Empire Hotel is another reflection of the past. Look up at the intricate detail of some of the old buildings - what changes they have been silent sentinels to. At the top end of town is The Bunker smokehouse and bar. It’s in the cellar of what was formerly the Chambers
Hotel and which has been home to The Korner cafe as well as The Decks. The Bunker is in a location you would not expect, under the old storehouses with oak beams and brick walls. A walk along Mary St opens up many delights such as The Keen Bean, Panini’s Bakery and Cafe, and the distinctive Hamptons & Harlow coffee cart near the Five Ways intersection. Then there is the retro feel of The Brown Jug and several hole-in-the-wall outlets attached to pubs or retail outlets. Recently opened is The Hatch - a shopfront coffee spot with sit-up bench window and a view across Memorial Park. Not far from that is the old Gympie Swimming Pool with its retro facade, now the home of the Gympie Youth Precinct and Skater Park. Sitting at Andrew Fisher Memorial Park off Tozer Park Road, you are so far from the crush of suburbia. It’s a time and a place for self-reflection. Here, at this tranquil park on the site of Gympie’s first cemetery and to commemorate Australia’s fifth prime minister, I realise Gympie is a community where the newcomers can brush shoulders with the ghosts of its colourful past. Little wonder it is appealing to so many in this ever-changing world. SPRING: SEPTEMBER 2021 SENIORS TODAY 25
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HISTORY
Victim of the other virus Stories Behind the Tombstones is a series by JOHN ROSSITER, member of the Ipswich Genealogical Society. The series tells the stories of tombstones from the Ipswich Cemetery and the pioneers of the city and district that lay in them. Dr John Flynn ( 27.03.1870 - 06.06.1919) 1919 Influenza Epidemic - The death of Dr John Flynn came as a great blow to the people of Ipswich. Dr Flynn was a native of Ipswich having been born on 27th March, 1870 at Woodend – the first of nine children born to parents Thomas Flynn and Margaret (nee Mulqueeny). He was devoted to his work and rendered great service to many of his patients who had been victims of the epidemic which had travelled through Ipswich at that time. He too then became a victim of the dreaded disease which turned to pneumonia and claimed his life on 6th June, 1919 at the age of 49 years. At the time of his death he held the positions of Government Medical Officer for Ipswich and City Health Officer. His early education was at the Bundamba State School under Mr J. Sydes, gaining a scholarship to attend the Ipswich Boys’ Grammar School. This was the start of his most successful career. At the end of this five year term he was dux of the school. Other notable people who were also in his form were Dr J. A. Cameron, the Hon. J. W. Blair, and Cr. W. R. Butler. At the age of 18 the ‘young Flynn’ commenced a term at the Melbourne University where he studied medicine. After this period he returned to Ipswich where he spent six months at the Ipswich Hospital under Dr P. Thornton, where he studied anatomy and dispensing.
He then spent time abroad where he attended Edinburgh University, gaining the degrees of L.R.C.P. and L.R.C.S.. Dr Thornton’s certificate, as to his ability, was recognised by the English authorities which saved him time in redoing such studies. Returning to the town of his birth about 1894 he soon set up in practice. He recognised the need for a private hospital in the Ipswich area and on Saturday 28th April, 1906 Ipswich helped him celebrate the opening of his ‘St Mary’s Private Hospital’ on the corner of Roderick and Murphy streets. The building, measuring 77ft x 66ft, contained 20 rooms where personal attention could be provided by his thoroughly skilled nurses for 12 patients at a time. The facility was not only for his patients but also accepted patients of any other medical practitioner. Special attention was paid to improved sanitary arrangements. The old style earth-closets, with all their germs, were abandoned and in their place water-closets of enamelled porcelain were installed. All deposits were immediately washed away by a two gallon flush of water held in a cistern above. All surfaces were smooth with no corners where germs could linger and cause infections. All sinks and baths were also of smooth enamel surfaces. As a special tribute to this native of the town, who had achieved so much in his short lifetime and which had benefited the community, the Union Jack was flown at half-mast from the Town Hall and Technical College on the day of his funeral. He left a widow, four sons and one daughter. His two eldest sons, Thomas and William, were at the time of his death, following in their father’s footsteps by studying medicine.
Dr John Flynn ( 27.03.1870 - 06.06.1919).
Courting both sides of the law, ‘bad boy’ builds a life By Ipswich Genealogical Society James Josey (01.08.1821 - 21.02.1903) James Josey was born at Reading, Berkshire, England on 1 August 1821. On 22 February 1840, at the Berkshire Assizes, he was charged and found guilty of ‘robbing a waggon’. Described as having a cocked nose and two moles under his left jaw, he was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. He was at first placed on a hulk in the river, when the gaoler’s report described him as “bad in every respect”. He was then transported to Australia on the sailing ship “Eden”, which arrived at Port Jackson on 18 November 1840. Five months later he was moved to Moreton Bay. By around 1843 he was at Limestone (later known as Ipswich) when he and William Vowles were reported to have erected for George Nail, the first wooden building in the Ipswich area. Following his early pioneering efforts in timber-getting at Pine Mountain and in the building trade, he was engaged in pastoral interests taking up considerable areas of land, mainly in the Redbank Plains district.
He was well known as a successful dairy farmer and horse breeder, as well as establishing the timber-getting industry in that district. At the time of his death he was the owner of 350 acres of the best farming land at Redbank Plains and 7000 acres at Possum Creek. He married twice. His first marriage was to Harriet Catherine Harris on 22 December 1849, with whom they had 17 children. Harriet died on 15 January 1889. He then married Margaret Jones on 16 January 1890, who predeceased him by four months. When he died he had eight daughters and five sons who were scattered throughout the state. He died on 21 February 1903 at his residence at Possum Creek, Redbank Plains at the ripe age of 83. His funeral took place at the Ipswich Cemetery, when apart from relatives, there were many prominent business men and others who honoured one of the oldest settlers in the district. The Church of England rector from St Paul’s (Rev. Dr. W. Pritchard) read the burial service. James Josey was widely respected as having made a valuable contribution to the city and the surrounding areas of Ipswich.
James Josey’s tombstone at Ipswich Cemetery. SPRING: SEPTEMBER 2021 SENIORS TODAY 27
GARDENING
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Spicing up your kitchen from the home garden has been a good way of bringing the world to our door Dr Kevin Redd shows us the way to explore food and cooking, as ERLE LEVEY reports.
A taste of the exotic Plants and cooking. It’s an easy way to bring the world to our door. Better still. Combine them. It’s also a good way of connecting us with the outdoors when we are tending to spend more and more time indoors. Putting edible plants and cooking together in a colourful and interesting way at the Queensland Garden Expo was self-confessed plant nerd Dr Kevin Redd. The Kiels Mountain nursery owner and speaker at the Expo brings a wealth of knowledge gained from his travels around the world. In his career Kevin has crossed the USA and travelled throughout South East Asia, journeyed from the Arctic Ocean to the waters of Southern Australia, and now to Queensland. Included in his backpack is a PhD in molecular ecology as he shares his wealth of knowledge on edible gardens, growing turmeric and other rare ingredients, and having a year-round supply of home-grown healthy greens. Born in Dayton, Ohio, he grew up in Pennsylvania where the family was always interested in gardening. No wonder it rubbed off onto an energetic and inquisitive Kevin. I caught up with the enigmatic, passionate and highly engaging Dr Redd at the Nambour Showgrounds, home for the past 36 years of the garden expo. “It’s the most amazing weekend of the year,” he said. “I just absolutely love it. “People come from everywhere, who are fascinated about plants. “Some are new to gardening and others are seasoned, experienced people. “They all come to learn something new … to get a new plant for their collection or enjoy the atmosphere. “It’s been an interesting year,’’ he said, “in that people have gotten into edible plants, gotten to turn their backyard into food security. “There’s a lot of interest in that. “People have renovated their backyard and are looking for that jungle vibe. “If you cannot go to Bali you bring Bali here, so they’re creating a jungle.’’ There has been an exponential increase in gardening in the past year or so, Kevin said. “Basically, people have gone from not being into gardening at all to being totally obsessed. In a very short time. “Talking to people I know in the nursery industry, they have had the best time in their career for selling plants. It’s going off in every sector. “People are able to do it more than before. The indoor plant sector is really popular. “If they are stuck at home they want plants in their office. “People are not going away on holidays, they are making the back yard a holiday place. “They are concerned about food they could not buy any in the shops last 28 SENIORS TODAY SPRING: SEPTEMBER 2021
Rhizomes of the turmeric plant. 243367
Dr Kevin Redd of Sustainable Cuisine nursery at Kiels Mountain, a guest speaker at the Queensland Garden Expo. 243367
Galangal, sometimes called Thai ginger and one the world’s super foods. Used in cooking and known to decrease inflammation. 243367
Basically, people have gone from not being into gardening at all to being totally obsessed. In a very short time.” year so they started to grow their own. “Pretty well every aspect of gardening has taken off in the past year and a half.’’ Kevin and partner Tracey Nicholson have established the Sustainable Cuisine nursery on four acres at Kiels Mountain, along with a registered training office and pilates studio. This subtropical climate allows them to grow a very wide range of plants many of which are suited to slightly warmer or slightly cooler regions. They have the benefit of winters that are very mild - giving tropical plants frost-free growing conditions- and summers which are not too hot-giving the more temperate and Mediterranean plants respite from humid conditions. Having grown up in Hershie, Pennsylvania, the chocolate town of USA, he describes it as like South east Queensland in summer. The family always had gardens, and were cooking seasonal stuff. That fired Kevin’s passion for plants and food. While studying marine science at the University of California he met an Australian lady in Santa Cruz, who was into cactus and agave plants. “That was in the ‘70s. She would drink Fosters beer from big blue tins at nine o’clock in the morning but taught me all about propagating plants and nursery techniques.’’ From university Kevin put his knowledge to work at Dutch Harbour in the
Aleutian Islands of Alaska, set in the Bering Sea and close to some of the richest fishing in the world. He then spent a lot of time travelling in Asia where he discovered so many different plants and how they were prepared as well as cooked. Australia was next and he worked with the CSIRO in Hobart before moving to the University of Tasmania (UTAS) as a micro-biologist. That included a post-ed visit to Bali to study the DNA structure of plants. Tasmania was where he met Tracey. Born in Brisbane, she had studied at Queensland University of Technology, then UTAS and became a senior secondary college teacher. Yet Tracey was also establishing a registered training office - a small version of TAFE - and was into pilates. The pilates studio was next door to a restaurant Kevin co-owned in North Hobart - Amulet. “He’s an amazing chef,’’ Tracey said. “Amulet was fine dining and fresh produce. “We loved Hobart, but couldn’t do any more winters. “I was ready for a change. “By this time I had started a national training organisation and we looked for a good place to expand the business. “Kevin looked for a job in a lab and we found the property at Kiels Mountain.’’ Apart from meeting Tracey, the turning point for Kevin in his life has been
while working in the genetics area at UTAS. Put simply, he helped make malted barley available at a competitive price to breweries throughout South East Asia and Australia’s emerging craft breweries. With a PhD in molecular ecology and a research background in plant biochemistry, he was also involved in the management and conservation of marine organisms; such research as marine ecosystems with an emphasis on the southern rock lobster. That and the ecology and habitat of a threatened nocturnal bird, the Tasmanian masked owl. UTAS had just one genetics area and while Kevin was marine-based, a fellow researcher was approached about a bio-chemistry project by a Danish company. It was to break down a particular group of enzymes involved in the malting process from Australian barley. The enzymes become active and starches are converted into sugar which is part of brewing. “A lot of money was involved ... it was a skitillion-dollar business. “To make beer you need a process called malting. “Malting companies purchase the grain. But the cost difference between what a farmer gets paid and what the brewery buys it for, you need to add a couple of zeros. “The Danes came to us with the proposal to see if we could provide enzymes in a way to skip the malting process entirely. “Malting is the holy grail for a barley farmer. If you cannot get a certain process, it goes for pig food. “Their aim was to market it throughout China and South East Asia, and to take malting out of the picture. As such, it would create a market for second tier Australian barley. “You are a good lab scientist,’’ Kevin was told, “and you love beer. “Will you take it on?’’ He did, and it was amazingly successful. “The barley grew best in South Australia and Western Australia. “We could send it to Asia, and craft brewers. “They wanted me to move to Western Australia. “But we looked at each other and said: ‘Perth?’ “We decided to stay in Hobart. The property market was sky-high in Perth.’’ Kevin and Tracey bought their Kiel Mountain property in 2014. The house was already there but the garden comprised a few rocks, a couple of lilly pillies and some native trees. Kevin got a science lab role at a local school and Tracey established a pilates studio as well as continued to develop her training centre. The RTO went nuts, Kevin said, so he started working as the administrator. Now the property is four acres of bush tracks through native bush and perhaps two acres of edible plants.
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The nursery came out of that. Kevin used his science knowledge for propagation, and his natural interest in food to provide lunch and morning tea for the training programs. At the Queensland Garden Expo he spoke about edible plants, especially those from Asia and South America the type you will find if you go to Thai, Indonesian or South American restaurants. Things that are quite hard to get as ingredients but easy to grow, especially in our climate, as it is similar here to where they come from. Turmeric is both edible and medicinal, and is touted as perhaps the most effective nutritional supplement in existence. A member of the ginger family, it is a powerful antioxidant and has antiinflammatory properties. “It’s hard to buy fresh,’’ Kevin said, “but is stores modestly well, and you can freeze it. “The plant takes up little space in the garden and is dead-set easy to grow. “It’s like a weed. Almost impossible to kill.’’ Galangal is similar, another root plant and hard to buy in the shops. “Growing it in your own garden is so popular, especially if you like spicy foods,’’ Kevin said. “It’s one of the world’s super foods. “An anti-swelling plant and found in nearly all your natural remedies for arthritis and rheumatoid conditions.’’ Then there is mitsuba - Japanese parsley. A biennial herb with delicious and fresh flavour … something of a celery and parsley taste. Most commonly used in Japanese dishes and anywhere that you would use parsley or coriander, it makes an amazing pesto, Kevin said. “It grows well in damp and shady conditions, and will seed to ensure an even better crop next season. “Mitsuba means ‘three leaf’ in Japanese. “It is very uncommon outside of Japan but loves winter here on the Sunshine Coast or Mt Tamborine. “We call it a self-sower, as it makes a tiny flower stock then sets a bed of baby seeds around it. “You can use it in soup, or as a garnish.’’ Bo la lot or betel leaf is a Vietnamese plant, very high in protein. You can use it as a herb or cook with it by putting beef or pork inside the betel leaf. The leaves increase metabolism and help reduce respiratory issues. Rangpur lime is another plant that’s easy to grow in coastal Queensland conditions. It comes from a breeding program in India where they put an aromatic citron and a lime together. “It’s got juiciness and aroma,’’ Kevin said, “but an unusual orange skin. “Bigger than a mandarin, smaller than an orange, and about the same shape as a tangello, it fruits like crazy ... and is very, very juicy. “Still sour but aromatic.’’ You might want to save the juice for the kitchen as it makes excellent marmalade, dessert pies, sauces and glazes, and adding zest to fruit juices or cocktails. Kevin and Tracey believe they are liv-
GARDENING
So, is it spring yet? By Kevin Redd
Tracey Nicholson of Sustainable Cuisine and the burn jelly plant. 243367
Dr Kevin Redd of Sustainable Cuisine nursery at Kiels Mountain, a guest speaker at the Queensland Garden Expo. 243367 ing the dream in Queensland. The Sunshine Coast has a very unique climate. Different to California and more like the Caribbean, Central America or parts of South America. As for their land, they wondered what would grow there. “A lot of this stuff wasn’t all in one place,’’ Kevin said. “The edible ginger was in one place, tropical fruit trees at Byron Bay, and we found an old Central American cook book. “Putting them all together was an interesting part of the journey for us. “We started the plant nursery from plants that had been collected over a couple of years. “People would come over and ask about them. “We figured out how to propagate and put them together as a collection. “It’s a good location. The south-easterly winds are the biggest problem, so we planted bamboo as a protection. “The site is difficult … steep. But I like that, as you are always looking at something. The views. “On days like this the cloud is just hanging in the valleys.’’ Certainly an amazing setting for a couple with wanderlust in which to write another chapter in their lives of continually learning and passing on knowledge to others.
Hello Queensland gardeners- here we are in that time between our mild winter and the brief subtropical spring. This can be a challenging time in the garden where temperatures are fluctuating between quite cool and genuinely warm and there are plenty of drying winds and relatively low rainfall to help our soil and plants to thrive. So what should we be doing in the garden now? First and foremost- now is a great time to get out to apply a fresh layer of mulch to both the ornamental garden as well as the food producing patch. This will supress those weeds and hold in the precious soil moisture. It’s not too hot to get out and do this job and besides- it’s ‘lockdown’ time for many of us- so do your plants a favour and give them some mulch! What sort of mulch is best? This is a great question and it depends upon what you are growing and how easy it is to access your garden. At our site on the Sunshine Coast with lots of edibles and lush tropical foliage plants, we are big fans of sugarcane mulch- as it is light and easy to apply. Cane mulch is produced locally in our region and many long term cane farmers in SEQ have kept
Time to mulch but which is the way to go? Kevin Redd chats about just what we need in this season’s column. their properties going by shifting to the production of this valuable material. Ask around and we’re sure you will find a local farmer who sells the big wheels or smaller bales in your area. Many of these farmers will deliver for a small fee and it’s a wonderful way to meet some primary producers and to know the person who produces your mulch. Alternatively there are some great bagged sugarcane mulch products (check out Rocky Point) available for those with smaller gardens or for gardeners who cannot easily bring in the bigger quantities. Sugarcane mulch breaks down relatively quickly and does a great job of supressing weeds and feeding the soil, but it’s not always the best for pathways and where neatness is important.
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Australia’s biggest local news survey show readers’ passion for print The largest national survey of local news audiences in Australia reveals the passion people have for their local newspaper and has found they want a much bigger say about its future The survey asked almost 4200 Australian country press newspaper readers in rural, regional and outer suburban areas about the role of local newspapers within their communities
A number of results reveal… Readers overwhelmingly view a printed copy of their newspaper as an essential service for the community There is continued strong demand (and passion) for the printed product in rural and regional Australia Readers are 2.6 times more likely to read their local newspaper in print than in a digital format Readers are FIVE times more likely to go directly to a local news website rather than Google or facebook and 10 times more likely than a council website The majority of audiences prefer a printed newspaper with younger generations also part of this trend 59% of readers believe the role of a local newspaper is to act as a community hub 52% of readers have read the same local newspaper between 11 years and 30+ years
More reasons why your local newspaper is the best way to connect your business with the community Inquiries: sales@networkclassifieds.com.au Phone 1300 170 885 *SOURCE: Media Innovation and the Future of Australia’s Country Press – National Report 2021 – Project LP180100813 12508837-JW35-21
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Trivia Time By Allan Blackburn Seniors Today Trivia 1 1. The island of Shikoku is part of what nation? 2. In chess, what colour moves first? 3. How many pockets does a standard billiard table have? 4. What is the past tense of the word “creep”? 5. What is 4% of 600? 6. What is the only day of the week with an “o” in its spelling? 7. In which Century did the Spanish Civil War occur? 8. What is the most common gas in a human’s expired breath? 9. What is the subject of an artists’ self-portrait? 10. What is the most common sedimentary rock in caves? 11. What does the French phrase “merci beaucoup” mean? 12. What large muscle is found at the front of the thigh? 13. What major line of latitude crosses the Coral Sea? 14. In the old Imperial System, how many pounds were in a stone? 15. In the Boy Scout movement, what section is intended for boys and girls from 8 to 10 years of age? 16. What kind of living thing is a bandy bandy? 17. What song by Roger Miller begins, “Trailer for sale or rent, rooms to let fifty cents”? 18. What free-to-air TV network shows Anh Do’s Brush With Fame? 19. Who became the UK Prime Minister in July 2019? 20. In the children’s nursery rhyme, who “kissed the girls and made them cry”?
ENTERTAINMENT
Sticky Fingers at Caloundra festival The popular beachside Caloundra Music Festival will have a distinctive Rolling Stones flavour when it returns on 1-3 October. This year’s festival will feature Ball Park Music, Sneaky Sound System, Spiderbait and The Stones’ Sticky Fingers starring Adalita, Phil Jamieson and Tim Rogers with Baker Boy, Ben Lee, Gyroscope, Katchafire, San Cisco, The Badloves, The Superjesus and The Whitlams also ready to rock. While the event promises to be start studded the final day is expected to be a highlight – particularly for Rolling Stone fans. On Sunday 3 October the festival will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Rolling Stones’ album Sticky Fingers with Adalita (Magic Dirt), Phil Jamieson (Grinspoon) and Tim Rogers (You Am I) bringing the songs to life. The event kicks off on Friday with Spiderbait taking to the main stage while Indie pop-band San Cisco are an exciting late addition to the Friday lineup, returning to CMF to share their new
album before heading off on the next stage of their national tour. The Saturday line-up features artists from the 2021 Queensland Music Awards (QMA) including finalists Thelma Plum and WAAX, plus winner of the Folk / Singer Songwriter Award, Jaguar Jonze and Album of the Year winners Ball Park Music. With four festival stages providing back-to-back entertainment over three days, Sunshine Coast performers will also get their share of the platform this year with more than 30 local bands on the bill. Tickets are on sale for the Caloundra Music Festival. With limited capacity due to COVID-19, it’s important to snap up tickets quickly. www.caloundramusicfestival.com. The Caloundra Music Festival is an event initiative of Sunshine Coast Council and supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland. This event features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar
Spiderbait to play the Caloundra festival. SENIORSTODAY.COM.AU
The Brisbane Festival Step into dance, theatre, music, cabaret, circus and more at this year’s Brightly Brisbane Festival. Hop on board Brisbane’s Art Boat at Northshore Hamilton, catch a show at South Bank Piazza beside the BOQ Festival Garden and look out for Street Serenades in the suburbs. From 3 to 25 September – it’s a chance to be part of this party! For more information, keep up with any changes and to see the full festival line-up, visit the Brisbane Festival website. https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/ news
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The Riverlink Market Zone is back! Enjoy a selection of unique crafts, market stalls and live music every fourth Sunday of the month at the Riverlink Market Zone – Around the East Mall. The Shopping Centre will be open from 9 am for shopper’s convenience. https://www.riverlink.net.au/. When: Every Fourth Sunday of the month. Time: 8:30am – 3pm Entry Cost: Free Where: Around the East Mall (The Reject Shop, along the River & in the Gasometer).
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Redcliffe KiteFest From 11 September 2021 -Get swept away with the fun, colour and excitement at the annual Redcliffe KiteFest. Boasting a family-friendly environment for families looking for low-cost entertainment in a safe, outdoor setting, the Redcliffe KiteFest features a weekend of international kite flyers and colourful kite displays, aerobatic displays, jet ski stunt shows, stage entertainment, children activities, workshops, market stalls, food vendors and much more, all with a breathtaking backdrop of Moreton Bay.
The Truth About Anxiety with Celia Pacquola Oct 3 on SBS.
WHAT’S ON
documentaries that tackle some of the biggest issues in Australia today, in the most revealing, surprising and compelling ways. Airing every Sunday evening from September 12, these distinctive, bold and uniquely Australian stories will explore diversity and equality in our contemporary society. From Osher Günsberg investigating our suicide crisis, comedian Celia Pacquola exploring anxiety in The Truth About Anxiety with Celia Pacquola, to a desperate search for justice in The Bowraville Murders and the gender politics during the term of Australia’s only female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard (Strong Female Lead), these programs reveal the issues facing contemporary Australia, and are told by the country’s best, award-winning storytellers. The series starts with Strong Female Lead – from the makers of See What You Made Me Do? exploring the gender politics during Julia Gillard’s term as Australia’s first female PM.
The Pirates of Penzance This year, in 2021, Bluey and her little sister Bingo will perform twice daily! https://www.redcliffekitefest.com.au/
·Moon Festival
Come and experience the Moon Festival in the heart of Fortitude Valley and enjoy the unique flavours and vibrant culture that the Valley has to offer 18 September. Book a table at favourite venue for family and friends, and enjoy the roving entertainment, including lion dances, throughout the Valley Malls and within various venues in the Valley precinct. https://www.myvalley.com.au/eventsguide?trumbaEmbed=view=event&eve ntid=154694788
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Stay in for Australian Documentaries SBS is proud to present Australia Uncovered, a strand of eight stand-alone
Presented by Ipswich Musical Theatre Company - The Pirates of Penzance, Simon Gallaher’s unique brand of Gilbert and Sullivan, arrives at the Ipswich Civic Centre in September. Ipswich Musical Theatre Company (IMTC) is proud to present one of the most successful musicals in Australian theatre history. This adaptation has more laughs and a more modern sound than traditional versions, yet the most beautiful arias remain untouched. This spectacular reimagination of Gilbert and Sullivan’s beloved comedy promises to deliver singing, swordplay, silliness and all the fun of the seven seas. h t t p s : / / w w w. q u e e n s l a n d . c o m / au/en/things-to-do/events/p61037d8f86e8d4b977729fac-simongallahers-pirates-of-penzance--ipswichcivic-centre.
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Answers: 1. Japan 2. White 3. Six 4. Crept 5. 24 6. Monday 7. 20th 8. Nitrogen 9. The artist 10. Limestone 11. Thank you very much 12. Quadriceps 13. Tropic of Capricorn 14. 14 15. Cubs 16. Snake 17. King of the Road 18. ABC 19. Boris Johnson 20. Georgie Porgie
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