Seniors Today Brisbane - Winter 2023

Getting to harp of the matter

Budget backing

National Seniors Australia has welcomed the cost of living relief provided in the 2023 budget.

The group’s Chief Advocate Ian Henschke said budget postives included a $40 increase to the base rate for the JobSeeker payment, a $92.10 increase

for JobSeekers aged 55-59, and a 15 per cent increase to the maximum rate of rent assistance.

Mr Henschke said National Seniors had also called for an increase to rent assistance in its 2023 Budget Submission.

“Renters are more vulnerable to higher costs, lower living standards and homelessness,“ he said.

“This increase will go some way to help ease these pressures, particularly for older women who are most at risk.

“The one-off electricity subsidy of up to $500, more affordable medications and incentives for GPs to bulk bill will also help.”

Mater volunteer Narelle Roberts is a cancer survivor determined to bring support and music to other patients.

Picture: PETER WALLIS

INSIDE

CRAFTY FOR CAUSE..............page 5

DRUMMING UP SUPPORT .....page 6

HEALTH ...................... pages 8, 11

RECIPES ...........................page 12

ENTERTAINMENT ..........pages 13-15

BEST VIEWS .....................page 16

WINTER IN NOOSA .............page 17

ON TOUR ..........................page 18

EMPTY NESTERS ...............page 19

WINTER WARMER .......pages 20-21

WHITSUNDAYS ..................page 22

RIDE SAFE ........................page 23

GARDEN EXPO ..................page 24

Seniors tie the knot

Wedding bells aren’t often heard of in aged care communities, but two lovebirds have tied the knot in a seniors’ home in Brisbane.

Carinity Brookfield Green resident Eddie Newman married his fiancee Marina Rouicheq in the aged care community’s on-site chapel.

“I asked the chaplain Carol (Lewins), ‘How are you on for weddings?’ She said she’s only allowed to do funerals and I said, ‘We don’t need funerals yet’. So, she organised a pastor to do our wedding,” Eddie said.

Eddie and Marina’s grandchildren played parts in the wedding ceremony, which was attended by around 50 guests.

Four granddaughters served as flower girls with five grandsons as page boys.

The couple’s beloved dog, Hope, was there when Eddie and Marina said “I do”, and one of Eddie’s friends from Brookfield Green was also in the wedding party.

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DEADLINES 2023

September Edition

Advertising Bookings:

COB Friday 28th July

Artwork: Noon Monday 7th August

Distributed: Monday 21st August

December Edition

Advertising Bookings

COB Friday 27th October

Artwork: Noon Monday 6th November

Distributed: Monday 20th November

A reception followed the exchanging of Eddie and Marina’s wedding vows, held outdoors on the lawns of the scenic aged care location.

Brookfield Green staff provided live music, playing flute and saxophone. Other staff took photos and prepared Eddie for the big occasion, which was filmed and broadcast live into residents’ lounge rooms. Eddie, a former

The editor’s desk

Welcome to Seniors Today winter edition.

I hope you are all enjoying the cooler weather and it isn’t too cold yet. Spurred on by the recent couple of cooler days, our travel writers have been looking for some real cold weather this time with Erle heading out to Stanthorpe, Warwick and Tenterfield to enjoy the sights, the food and the wine. For our own Travelling Senorita Kylie Mitchell-Smith, it’s a case of if you leave me can I come too. When her oldest son left home to live in Canada, Kylie discovered a new travel destination. Also getting out and about is our beer columnist Bob Anthony who is preparing for the Great Australian Beer Spectacular (GABS) which is returning to Brisbane on Saturday, June 10. And me? Well a recent Fatty Liver diagnosis had me trolling the internet for information and help – beyond the “just lose weight and you’ll be fine!” from the Doctor. What I found was a great group called the Liver Foundation (yep I didn’t know they existed either) and what they class as “The biggest health issue no one’s heard of”. Enjoy this season’s edition and have fun in the more gentle winter sun!

Tania Phillips, Editor

taxi driver and cotton factory worker, and Marina, who worked in aged care, met online and have been together for 11 years.

“The day we met she walked up to me, and she was dressed in red,” Eddie reminisced.

“I saw her and she was just beautiful. We got on so well, like a friend that you had met before. She’s very easy to communicate with.”

Marina said she and her new husband have been inseparable since the day they met.

“I always say he taught me to laugh; he taught me to live,” she said.

“He introduced me to new experiences like camping. But he can’t convince me to swap footy teams and go for Geelong. That’s never going to happen.

“We’ve had a pretty good connection over the years. We’ve had lots of ups and downs because of Eddie’s health but we feel this is the right time for us to get married. It was a very special day because this is Eddie’s home.”

Marina and Eddie are grateful for the support of Carinity Brookfield Green’s care staff over the past two years.

“We’ve got a lot of memories here. The staff have been lovely. It’s just marvellous the things that they do for you,” Marina said.

Mastering the outback: Turn to page 16 for more.

The wedding ceremony.

Eddie and Marina Newman’s beloved dog, Hope, was there when the couple said “I do” at Carinity Brookfield Green aged care.

Cancer survivor brings the joy of music

A breast cancer survivor and passionate volunteer is using music to relax and inspire cancer patients undergoing treatment at the Mater Cancer Care Centre.

Narelle Roberts decided to take up the harp during her own fight against cancer and now regularly plays to soothe the spirits of patients receiving chemotherapy at the South Brisbane treatment centre.

Next week (15-21 May) is National Volunteer Week – a chance to shine a spotlight on the 500 volunteers who give their time to support patients across Mater’s Queensland hospitals.

Mrs Roberts volunteers as a patient companion at Mater Cancer Care Centre and the Mater Hospital Brisbane Emergency Department and is known for her positive energy and generosity.

“Music has such an impact on the soul,” Mrs Roberts, from Parkinson, said.

“Being able to bring music to patients undergoing what could be the hardest time of their life is rewarding.”

The 68-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and began volunteering at Mater Hospital Brisbane a year ago.

“I know what it’s like to undergo cancer treatment. Sometimes it can be a very lonely place for people,” Mrs Roberts said.

“When I was diagnosed, doctors found four lumps in my breast. Two were benign, one was stage two and another stage three.

“Having been a patient, and now in remission, I can see the impact cancer has on people.”

Mrs Roberts underwent chemotherapy weekly for three months at Mater and had extensive radiation treatment.

She said giving back to the hospital that saved her life was “something special”.

“I absolutely love it. I understand what people are going through,” Mrs Roberts said.

Mrs Roberts, who also gifts presents to patients undergoing treatment at the

Mater Cancer Care Centre each Christmas, said she thought about learning to play an instrument during her own cancer journey.

“I just thought I could help make someone’s day, especially when they walked into the foyer ready for treatment,” she said.

“To be able to do little things for people is very special. This place can sometimes feel quite quiet when you first walk in. I want to play music that brings joy and peace to people and leaves a lasting impact.”

Mater Hospital Senior Manager

Judy Johnson said Narelle had already clocked up more than 350 hours of volunteer work and was a compassionate member of the team.

“Narelle radiates positivity and care for people and her actions demonstrate this every shift,” Ms Johnson said.

For more information phone Mater Volunteers on 3163 8599, email volunteers@mater.org.au or visit www.mater. org.au/group/careers/volunteering

Relaying memories for Legacy

Brisbane will play host to the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023, presented by Defence Health, on 9 June with the torch arriving at Government House at 10am.

The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023, presented by Defence Health began its journey in Pozières France on 23 April, with an official Opening Ceremony, then travelled to Menin Gate, Belgium and onto London before arriving in Australia where it will undertake its six-month journey visiting all Legacy Club locations around the country, before culminating in Melbourne.

The first Queensland relay will be in Cairns on Wednesday 24 May at 8:30am, starting from the Tobruk Memorial Pool. The flame will travel over 90km throughout the state, with relays in Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Maryborough, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Toowoomba, Ipswich and Gold Coast.

The relay will feature 275 torch bearers in total including Legacy beneficiaries, Legatees and Defence Personnel, torch bearers of note include Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeanette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland.

Legacy Australia Chairman Eric Easterbrook OAM said during the Centenary tour, the torch will travel 50,000 kilometres, with 100 stops over 75 days, and be carried by 1300 Torch Bearers, all with a personal connection to Legacy Australia.

“The torch relay is a fitting commemoration of a century of service. Over the decades, Legacy has had a significant impact on many spouses, partners and children of veterans in the state of Queensland. From Cairns to the Gold Coast and everywhere in between, we hope this relay will raise awareness of the important work Legacy does across the sunshine state in supporting our veterans’ families.”

Peak body backs Budget

National Seniors Australia has welcomed the cost of living relief provided in the 2023 budget.

The group’s Chief Advocate Ian Henschke said budget postives included a $40 increase to the base rate for the JobSeeker payment, a $92.10 increase for JobSeekers aged 55-59, and a 15 per cent increase to the maximum rate of rent assistance.

Mr Henschke said National Seniors had also called for an increase to rent assistance in its 2023 Budget Submission.

“Renters are more vulnerable to

higher costs, lower living standards and homelessness,” he said.

“This increase will go some way to help ease these pressures, particularly for older women who are most at risk.

“The one-off electricity subsidy of up to $500, more affordable medications and incentives for GPs to bulk bill will also help.

“In good news for aged care, the government has funded the 15 per cent pay increase for workers and there are 9,500 extra home care packages. However, National Seniors wonders where the

workers will come from. Government could do more by capitalising on the skills of older people.

“Older people are a critical part of the budget equation – not only in terms of what they need but how they can contribute.”

Mr Henschke said the aged care sector would benefit from a dedicated training scheme to encourage mature aged people to deliver these new home care packages.

“Giving pensioners who are care workers an exemption from the in-

come test would also go a long way to help retain desperately needed workers.

“Job vacancies are high, employers need workers and pensioners want to work without losing their pension and reporting to Centrelink. It’s time to stop penalising pensioners who work.

“We hope this policy, backed by the ACTU, business and the wider community will now be recommended for implementation in the upcoming Employment White Paper.”

Mater volunteer Narelle Roberts with Mater Cancer Care patient Bill Diacos.

Picture: PETER WALLIS

Open up world of wonder

By Tania Phillips

As a child David Magro loved staring up into the night sky – now he does it for a living.

Seemingly destined to become a science teacher David has instead combined his love of teaching, photography and science to create himself the dream job.

Now he travels across Australia teaching his Milky Way Masterclass Suite to enthusiasts or absolute beginners which means he spends a large chunks of the year photographing stunning Milky Way Landscapes and guiding amateur photographers and enthusiasts in how to plan, capture and process the images.

He is coming to most major Queensland centres this year and will in the Southern Downs and Granite belt region during May, to take pictures, hitting Warwick on 16 May.

He admits sharing his love for photographing the night sky is his true passion now.

Since 2014, David has taught more than 4000 beginners and enthusiasts the skills needed to create stunning images under the Milky Way.

“I’ve been doing Milky Way landscape photography for over a decade, and I tour around all of Australia visiting all of the amazing dark sky locations teaching total beginners, amateurs and enthusiasts how to photograph the Milky Way,” he said.

“It is a little complex but once you get a basic understanding of it, you’ll be able to figure it out.

“I like to bridge the gap between someone who has an interest in Astro photography and bringing them up to the level, so they feel confident in shooting the night sky.”

David admits it’s a lot of fun and he never anticipated it would grow as it has.

“It all just started as hobby,” he admitted.

“When I was at university, I was studying to be a science teacher, studying science and education but I was doing a lot of photography on the side.

“That was my true passion.

“After a while, after winning many national awards, people were asking me how to do it, so I developed the master class.

“I started putting on events, the next thing you know they were selling out very fast and people asked me to go elsewhere.

“I began touring all across Australia, going to the most amazing places.”

He said the rural locations were the best.

“That’s where you have the best view of the Milky Way and the stars, places like Stanthorpe and Tenterfield, Warwick, the South East Queensland region and all through NSW are great,” David explains.

“However, I also do it near the city as well. You can photograph the Milky Way, not far out of Brisbane and also on the Gold Coast, you don’t need to have completely dark skies to be able to do this.”

Growing up in rural NSW, David is now based on the Sunshine Coast, but

he spends a lot of time on the road running his classes around the country. Last year he conducted around a hundred throughout the year.

“This year I’ll be eloping in Europe, so I’m not doing as many,” he said.

“I’ve only got about 40 or so this year. I’m focusing a lot on Queensland though I’m currently in Nowra in NSW and then I go to Bowral and Forster for two weeks, then I come back and do Hervey Bay and Roma and all that region.

“I go to Europe and come back in September to do Cairns, Toowoomba, Bowen, Mackay, Beaudesert and some other interesting places around.”

It’s an amazing way to make a living and has been his full-time job for the past five years taking him all over Australia including his favourite place to photograph in Australia.

“I would say Mungo National Park is my favourite location as the landscape is quite barren and it’s quite iconically Australian,” he said.

“It has this element of a Martian landscape, something from out of this world and in Australia, even though we have some pretty diverse landscapes, there’s nothing like it.

“Along the coast there’s beaches, they’re all quite similar and when you go out to country NSW it’s quite simi-

lar. It’s all beautiful and amazing but once you start going to Broken Hill, Lake Menindee, Mungo National Park – in that desert landscape -it’s something that you are instantly drawn to. You could just walk around and visit the area endlessly and stumble upon rock formations and plants which you’re not familiar with and as it’s so far from civilization you don’t get any light pollution as well. The Milky Way looks crazy out there.

“It looks great in country NSW and Qld but far in the desert away from the light pollution without much atmosphere to block your view it’s just completely sensational just watching the sky.”

And watching the sky is something David knows a lot about. His whole career started as a little kid doing just that, enjoying the night sky.

“I grew up in Glen Innes, which I suppose is kind of near Warwick, and that’s where I got my first interest in astronomy as a kid and I’ve been able to continue as art as an adult,” he said.

“I still kind of can’t believe this is my life, it’s really fun just being able to travel and take photographs and teach people how to do it. It’s something that I didn’t anticipate at all.

“It’s very humbling in that there’s a lot of people who enjoy my work and want to learn. It’s good to inspire other

people to want to go and share my passion.”

And it’s pretty easy to share that passion according to David who said he tried to make his course accessible to everyone whether they have a camera or not.

“No, you don’t need anything at all,” he explained.

“Most people have a camera when they participate. However, I’ve got three cameras and people borrow them for the night just so they have no barriers of entry and to ensure it’s completely accessible to somebody who just wants to start out. It can seem daunting in the beginning, not knowing what to get, where to go or what the settings are, so I keep it to a very foundational level to ensure anyone is able to do it. That’s why I bring three cameras – for someone who doesn’t even know if they’d like photography yet but has an interest. Many people go on to borrow my camera and end up buying one afterwards.”

Even then you don’t need an expensive camera according to David.

“I started doing this with a 15-yearold camera and you’ll be surprised at what can be captured with the most basic equipment,” he said.

For more information head to https://www.davidmagro.com/southqld

Waterfall-Paddy’s.

The Milky Way over Fingal Lighthouse on the Tweed.

Photographer David Magro.

Getting crafty for a cause

It started with a handmade storage box and a couple of quirky bottle lights that fetched a few bucks to support veterans and their families. Then, when demand for their crafts increased, members of the Citizens’ Auxiliary Hobby Shed at the Pine Rivers RSL Sub Branch turned to creative clocks, lovingly carved children’s toys, planter boxes and far more.

Fast forward a couple of years and the Auxiliary has raked in thousands of dollars to support the Sub Branch and its members. And the small but mighty volunteer cohort is doing far more than just raising funds for veterans in their community, by also offering members and the general public a haven where they can learn and socialise.

“The Hobby Shed actually started as a way for our Sub Branch members to get out of the house, learn new skills, and socialise and interact with others,” Pine Rivers RSL Citizens’ Auxiliary President Nigel Wilson said.

“It’s an area where anyone, male or female, can make use of the wide range of shed tools available for personal projects or to produce items sold by the Auxiliary to raise funds for the Sub Branch to operate.

“And that’s why we’d really love to get the word out. Because being a part of the Hobby Shed can help those who are perhaps stuck at home and staring at the walls around them – which is particularly important for those suffering from PTSD.

“We’ve found that just communication with others and getting out of your comfort zone is powerful, and we’ve got guys here who can teach them how to use tools and table saws so there are many possibilities and opportunities for those who would like to be a part of the Hobby Shed.”

Nigel has been president of the Auxiliary for close to three years and says he joined to get out of the house, stay active and learn some new skills.

“I came as a volunteer, and I started off by mowing lawns and cleaning toilets. That was four and a half years ago,” Nigel says.

“Then I started making bottles with lights in them and selling the odd one here and there to raise a bit extra and it snowballed. Then we started making the planter boxes and it took off like a rocket.”

The “we”, Nigel says, are the core group of Auxiliary members and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to

bring the Hobby Shed to life, with each person bringing a valuable skillset to the proverbial table.

“It’s a real team effort here, and each member does a different aspect of the work,” he said.

“Take Di Schulte – she does floral work and arts and crafts. Then there’s Ross Whiley, who crafts wooden toys and flag boxes.

“Then there’s Wayne Lord who is our vice president.

“Without him it would all fall apart as he handles the catalogues and the paperwork.

“And then there’s Paul Scarborough who can often be found out in the shed where he works on a lot of the bigger items we produce.

“They all contribute and without them, the Hobby Shed wouldn’t exist.”

Nigel says that soon after the crew pooled their skillset, they began selling their wares at markets, Bunnings and online to bring in a revenue stream outside of the major Defence commemorations, such as ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day. They also wasted no time in decking out the shed with materials and tools to increase their capability.

“We’ve now got a CNC router (computer-controlled router machine) and a 3D printer, and we’ve started cutting glass bottles and making bedside lamps,” Nigel said.

“So, it’s a work in progress. But last

year alone we raised thousands of dollars and this year’s looking even better.”

As for how volunteers and members can get involved, the Hobby Shed is open from 9am to noon during the week, with Thursdays set aside for members who’d like to work on their own projects, use the tools and gain some guidance to build their skills.

The other days are dedicated to making goods for the Hobby Shed to sell, with all funds fuelling the Sub Branch that in turn supports veterans.

“So, if any volunteers or members want to help us along the way and get out of the house, they are more than welcome to come and join us on any of those days. There’s a versatile amount of machinery to use and this year, our goal is to bring more people into the Hobby Shed,” Nigel said.

And as for what Nigel’s learned in the four-plus years he’s volunteered for the Auxiliary, he said this:

“I’ve learned perseverance and a bit of creativity. But most of all, what I’ve gotten out of this is just being part of a big family. Everybody here cares about everybody else and that’s the best part.”

To get involved with the Hobby Shed, or to explore their catalogue of goods (there are lovingly crafted children’s toys, flag display cases, decanters, clocks and more), drop Nigel a line at nigel.wilson@pinerivers.rslqld.net. au or call the Sub Branch on (07) 3285 8022.

Wayne Lord , Diana Schulte, Paul Scarborough, Nigel Wilson and Ross Whiley at the Hobbie Shed.

Drum for Life so uplifting

For those feeling the aftershock of the Covid-19 lockdowns in body and spirit, needing a lift and tired of the same old, same old Sue the “Here’s to Life Manager” might have the solution.

Sue believes the program on offer could help with weight loss, fitness, having more me time and doing something different and fun.

Here’s to Life is a Not-for-Profit Organisation that offers drumming classes through the Drum for Life program specifically tailored for men and

women aged 40 plus.

Sue says she is inspired every week from the members with some members being in their 80s.

“Yes in their 80s,” she said.

“Inspiration most certainly.

“Did you know that drumming stimulates the mind, body and soul?

“Drumming is helpful in relieving stress and improving physical and mental well-being plus increasing your cognitive strengths. “Drumming can improve your self-esteem and generally give you a more positive outlook on life.

The Drum for Life program targets fun, friendship and fitness.”

Absolutely no drumming experience is necessary - classes cater for beginners who ‘always wanted to play the Djembe but never did’, to those who ‘used to drum and would like to get back into it’.

For those who are game, there is even performance opportunities within the Redlands’ community.

Classes are offered every Wednesday from 11:30am – 1pm with a fundamentals class (for beginners from 10:15am – 11:15am). They will provide the African Djembes for you.

Simply go to www.herestolife.org.au to see the many more benefits of being a part of the H2L Family or call Sue on 0407 154 993 and book now for your FREE lesson.

Enjoying the drum for life program.

Concetta inspires all

Introducing Concetta, a courageous and inspiring woman whose selflessness and dedication to serving her community are truly remarkable.

Now residing at Regis Lutwyche, a leading aged care residence, Concetta’s legacy of community service continues to inspire those around her.

At the age of 24, Concetta left her home in Italy and journeyed to Australia with her sister.

She established herself in New Farm, Brisbane and quickly joined forces with two brothers to make a name for herself

in her new community.

As a young woman, she co-founded the Association of Catholic Italian Youth for Ladies and organised numerous events to support and empower other women.

She also served as President of the Catholic Women’s Holy Spirit Association in New Farm for an impressive 14 years, where she selflessly served the community.

Concetta’s generosity and kindness knew no bounds.

She worked for a renowned counter company and was introduced to the Australian Red Cross, where she proposed the idea of starting a branch of the Red Cross in New Farm.

Her proposal was welcomed with open arms, and she promptly established the Red Cross Association in her home.

Through her tireless efforts, Concetta organised various activities to raise funds and support the community’s most vulnerable.

Today, Concetta remains a steadfast

pillar of support and positivity in her community at Regis Lutwyche.

Her timeless advice to focus on what we can control and always be kind is something we can all learn from.

Concetta’s remarkable journey and dedication to serving others have inspired us all.

We take a moment to appreciate Concetta and all the selfless individuals who make a difference in their communities. Thank you, Concetta, for being a true inspiration.

For 30 years, Regis has helped senior Australians find their smile in every day.

Our permanent and respite care is shaped around you, helping you to realise your wellbeing goals and lead a meaningful life.

With Regis, you’ll be supported with respect and dignity within our community.

Concetta(centre) spending time with friends.

Concetta enjoying life at Regis.

Love your liver - urgently

By Tania Phillips

We all know about the Heart Foundation and Cancer Council but you’ve probably never heard of the Liver Foundation and that’s something that it’s CEO Sally Castle is hoping to change.

For many of us, the Liver is just another organ until suddenly a doctor tells us -it’s fatty – followed by “just lose some weight and you’ll be fine” from some doctors and no further discussion.

However, Sally says liver problems are “the biggest health issue no one’s heard of” and so the Foundation is out to be there to give patients, support, tips and more information about what they have, what they are facing and what they can do.

“The Liver Foundation is Australia’s peak body for Liver Disease,” she said.

“We cover all of the Liver Diseases – there are over a hundred and really advocate for patients and are the patients voice. We support patients, we advocate to the government to put Liver Disease on the agenda and we support and fund research. We provide GP and Nurse education so that they can support people with Liver Disease with up-to-date information. We do a lot of work supporting and informing patients.”

If you’ve just been diagnosed with fatty liver or one of the other 100 liver diseases, you are often left wondering what to do next.

“We do know that people, when they get a diagnosis it can be a really confronting and confusing and worrying time,” Sally said.

“The first thing – we’ve got a fantastic website Liver.org.au, that’s set up so people can come and find out a bit more about their disease. If you come to our website, we’ve got up to the minute patient information that just goes through your disease is, how you got it,

what the symptoms are, what the likely treatments and diagnostics might be. Then there’s some really great information helping you understand all of the words. Liver disease has some big words associated with it. We’ve got a glossary and then we’ve got some information on the sort of clinicians you’re likely to meet, who you might find along your journey and how they can help as well as some questions to ask your medical team when you go back and see them.

“We also have a whole lot of lifestyle advice because with Liver Disease, or any type of liver damage, while there are treatments for some of the diseases, lifestyle adaptations are really a key part of it so we have a lot of resources to help with that.”

It’s overwhelming, you’ve come out of the doctor’s surgery and unless you have been on a website like the Liver Foundations you really don’t know what to ask or where to go for help.

“We hear from GPs, we do a lot of GP education and they say, we need somewhere for people to go after they walk out of our office, you get 15 minutes or a long consult with the GP are only 20-

25 minutes, specialists appointments can be really hard to come by depending on where you live so there’s a lot of information needed,” she said.

“We can provide the information that you need and we’ve got a support line you can ring as well, just to try and help people not feel so alone and confused.”

It is a service that is sorely needed given how prevalent liver diseases are in our society.

“One in three Australians is estimated to have some form of liver disease,” Sally explained.

“It’s really the biggest health challenge that no one has ever heard of and there’s a lot of work to do to let people know that looking after their liver is a fundamental aspect of their liver health and to help people who do get a diagnosis just come to terms with it and understand what they can do.

“The wonderful news is with the liver it is the only organ in our body that actually fixes itself – it’s called regeneration so that if you do change your lifestyle – your diet, exercise, re-

duce or remove toxins like alcohol, you can completely reverse a lot of liver damage and prevent a lot of the more significant diseases. It’s the sort of thing if we know about it we can really turn it around and stop it being a problem, if we don’t know about it, find out and take no action than that’s where things become a bit more worrying.”

For more information head to the Liver Foundation’s website Liver.org.au

Interesting statistics

· If you lose more than 10 per cent of your weight … fibrosis can reverse

· If you lose more than 7 per cent of your weight … NASH can get better (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis – the more advanced stage of fatty liver disease)

· If you lose more than 5 per cent of your weight … there will be improvements in inflammation

· If you lose more than 3 per cent of your weight … the fat in your liver cells will be reduced

Wanderers walk for heart health and you should too

Logan City Council wants to encourage people to get out and walk more regularly to improve their physical fitness.

The Heart Foundation advises that walking for an average of 30 minutes a day can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes by up to 40 per cent.

Deputy Mayor and City Lifestyle Chair Laurie Koranski said walking delivers wonderful health benefits and is an easy activity to access.

Cr Koranski said Council encourages people to join Australia’s largest network of free community-based walking groups, operated by Heart Foundation Walking.

The City of Logan has five dedicated walking groups which meet at different times during the week.

Walkers are guided by trained organisers and a local co-ordinator from the Heart Foundation.

Cr Koranski said a new campaign had been launched by Council to en-

courage people to join a free walking program and better look after their health.

“We encourage people to lace up their sneakers, join a local group and

get moving for good health,” Cr Koranski said.

“Walking is a great way to improve the health of your heart and take positive steps to reduce heart disease risk.

“Joining a walking group is also a good outing and a great chance to make new friends.”

Woodridge Wanderers co-ordinator Carol Gould said the group meets from 7am to 8am, Monday to Friday at Logan Central Plaza, which ensures an all-weather exercise option.

Participants met at the centre’s food court and complete laps at their own pace, inside and around the perimeter of the centre.

The group welcomes anyone who wants to attend.

Woodridge Wanderers member Alison Gentles joined the group 21 years ago when she retired.

She says she goes home after every walk feeling better as she enjoys not only the exercise, but also meeting with other group members.

More information on the City of Logan’s walking groups and how to develop a personal walking plan can be found at logan.qld.gov.au/heartfoundation-walking

Woodridge Wanderers 1 - Carol Gould (left), Alison Gentles and Joe Skorupski.

Redlands Coast celebrates five heroic volunteers

The Redlands Coast is in good hands with five of its own honoured for their service to the local community at the 2023 Volunteer of the Year Awards.

Karen Franklin (Make-A-Wish), Kym Courtenay (Night Ninjas), Terry Moran (Circle of Men), Carolyn Delaney (STAR Community Services) and Suzie Tafalo (Redlands Chamber of Commerce) were nominated by their peers and celebrated at the Community Celebration on Saturday 13 May at Raby Bay Harbour Park in Cleveland.

Hosted by STAR Community Services in partnership with Volunteering Redlands, thousands turned out to mark the occasion, which officially kicked off National Volunteer Week.

“It was wonderful to see so many people from the Redlands and beyond come together to celebrate these selfless community heroes,” said STAR Community Services CEO Patsy Wilshire.

Of the more than 50 local volunteers nominated for this year’s awards, those recognised as award recipients were humbled to be acknowledged. Many of them are long-term champions of the Redlands community.

Kym Courtenay has been a volunteer for the past 20 years and for the past eight has been instrumental in assisting people in need access meals and supplies.

“I do what I do because it matters, there are more and more people finding themselves in situations they never thought they would,” Mrs Courtenay said.

“I would certainly encourage others in the Redlands community to take the time to give back if they can, I am humbled by the award, but don’t do it for the recognition, obviously.”

STAR Community Services volunteer Carolyn Delaney has been supporting the organisation for 15 years.

She is a volunteer driver with STAR, providing seniors and people with disability access to reliable transportation six-days a week.

“I’m thrilled to have been nominated for these community awards,” Mrs Delaney said. “Volunteering is something that I get a lot out of and it’s a real pleasure to provide a service seniors need, after all we may find our-

selves or a loved one there some day.”

Karen Franklin, Branch President of the local Make-A-Wish office, has been with the organisation for close to five years. She has been instrumental in the recent establishment of the new Redlands and Logan branch and has worked on close to 30 wishes. Right now, she is working on a further eight wishes for critically ill children.

“It’s not the easiest volunteer work obviously, but it’s important,” said Karen. “Putting a smile on a critically ill child’s face is priceless. I am so glad we have a local branch now, thank you so much to those who nominated me for this year’s awards.”

Terry Moran, who was nominat-

ed by Circle of Men - a Queensland group who support elderly men living in aged care combat lonelinessis currently overseas.

Mr Moran has clocked up a decade of volunteer work this month and currently supervises four Circle of Men sessions each week. His award was accepted by Lawrence Hardwick. Rounding out the honoured volunteered was Suzie Tafalo. Considered ‘a credit to the Redlands’, Ms Tafalo was chuffed to be recognised for her service to the Redlands Chamber of Commerce.

“I love this community and the work I do in it, to be honoured like this is wonderful,” she said.

Temporary work backed

By Michael Hallinan

The Work Bank Bonus cap has been temporarily increased by $4000. This increase applies from and including 1 December 2022 and will end on and including 31 December 2023.

Why has it been increased?

The Government wishes to encourage age pensioners to participate in the workforce (or even to increase their current level of participation). Under the incomes test for the pension, there is a significant disincentive to participate in the workforce once you receive the age pension. Any employment (or employment-like earnings) will be taken into account and may reduce (or even eliminate) your entitlement to the age pension.

Currently the severity of the incomes test is mitigated by the “income free area” which is currently set at $190 per fortnight (single rate) and at $336 per fortnight (couples rate).

For single pensioners, this means that the first $190 of income per fortnight (actual income from non-financial assets, employment income and deemed income from financial assets) is disregarded when applying the incomes means test. The pension entitlement is reduced by reference to the amount of income which is in excess of the $190 per fortnight.

For couple pensioners, the first $336

of their income per fortnight is disregarded when applying the incomes means test. The pension entitlement is reduced to the amount of income which is in excess of the $336 per fortnight.

Work Bonus Scheme

What is the Work Bonus? If an individ-

ual has personal exertion income (such as from employment or acting as a consultant or agent) this is “work income” and the first $300 per fortnight of such income is disregarded when applying the incomes means test. Consequently, the pension entitlement will only be reduced by the work income to the extent the work income has exhausted the $300 per fortnight limit.

Any amount of the work bonus which is unused in respect of fortnightly period is carried forward to the next fortnightly period. So, if only $120 of the $300 work amount is used in respect of a fortnight period, the unused portion – in this case $180 – is carried forward to the next fortnight period so that the available work balance is now $480. This process of carrying forward the unused amount is referred to as “banking” the work bonus. However, once the banked work bonus reaches $7,800 no further accrual can occur.

Finally, the banking of the unused portion ceases on each 1 July and the initial bank balance is reset to zero (effectively meaning that the then current bank balance is lost) and the process starts afresh with the first instalment period in the new financial year.

But what about an example? Well, consider Emily who has re-entered the workforce at age 67.

Before entering the workforce, her ordinary income on a fortnightly basis

was $360, consisting of $320 of deemed income (from financial assets, in this case her account-based pension) and $40 other income. Applying the “income free area” will result in only $170 affecting her age pension entitlement. Consequently her age pension will be reduced by $85 (as the taper rate is 50 cents per $1 of excess income over the income free area).

After re-entering the workforce, Emily’s fortnightly income now includes $500 of employment income and her employment period commenced on 1 December 2022. Consequently her total income is $860 per fortnight.

Without the Work Bank Bonus, her fortnightly income is $860. This would reduce her pension amount by $335 per fortnight. The net effect is that Emily has increased her income by $500 by working at the cost of reducing her age pension by $250: she is only $250 per fortnight better off.

With the Work Bank Bonus (assuming it is first used in respect of the fortnight beginning 1 December 2022) her total income for that fortnight would be $860 (original $360 plus $500 employment income). The work bonus for this fortnight is $300.

Michael Hallinan Executive Consultant – Self Managed Superannuation SUPERCentral

Volunteers of the Year (from left) Kym Courtenay (Night Ninjas), Carolyn Delaney (STAR), Karen Franklin (Make-A-Wish), Lawrie on behalf of Terry Moran (Circle of Men) and Suzie Tafalo (Redlands Chamber of Commerce).

Circle of Men. The SES display on the day.

Michael Hallinan - Townsends.

Age no volunteer barrier

Seventy-six-year old Arthur visits 81year old Alan every Friday.

“I first thought I may be too old to volunteer but clearly not! It gives me such a sense of purpose and it’s a great way to spend my extra time, giving back to the community,” Arthur said.

Arthur is a Volunteer on the Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) through Suncare.

The CVS program is funded by the Australian Government and was designed to improve quality of life and reduce isolation by matching an individual receiving care with a volunteer.

Alan says “Arthur has such interesting topics to talk about and I really look forward to Friday mornings. We have a cuppa and a scone overlooking the water and just talk about current affairs or anything really. Arthur and I sort out the world’s problems on a Friday.”

After 23 years in the Airforce, Arthur certainly has stories to share.

He has just returned from an interesting holiday in Western Australia and Tasmania.

“I am grateful I still have my good health and the visits allow me to get out, meet people and keep my mind occupied”.

Arthur also volunteers as a delivery assistant on Suncare’s Meals on Wheels Maroochydore program.

Another topic of conversation is Al-

an’s career, first as a furniture-maker, then building 19ft racing skis.

He has lived on the Sunshine Coast for 55 years.

“As kids, our family used to camp in Mooloolaba. It made no sense not to move there when I got married. I loved to sail, I have great memories of sailing a 50-footer from Mooloolaba to Sandgate.”

For both the gentlemen, the morning

outings add a spark to their week. It’s a visit, a cuppa, a drive to the shops or an outing to the local park that often makes all the difference in the life of an elderly Australian, combating loneliness and isolation. And it is thanks to the millions of volunteers across Australia that this is made possible.

National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest yearly celebration of volunteering.

From 15–21 May 2023, the vital sup-

port that our volunteers deliver to their communities is recognised. Thank you.

CVS visits are free to eligible recipients and are available to anyone receiving government-subsidised residential aged care or Home Care Packages.

For those interested in becoming a Volunteer Community Visitor, please contact Debbie Orman on 1800 786 227. For more information, visit https:// suncare.org.au/position/volunteer/

Become a Suncare Volunteer

The difference between social connection and isolation can be as simple as a cup of coffee or taking a drive.

Become a Suncare volunteer and you can help to make that meaningful difference to someone in your community. An hour or two a week can change a life!

Suncare is in the business of making people’s lives better. We are a leading provider of in-home care and health service delivery which enables our customers to stay in their own home.

You’re never too old as Arthur and Alan have found.

Arthur and Alan enjoy their weekly chat.

country k tchens recipes

Trinidadian Callaloo

Serves: 8

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour 20 minutes

2 serves per portion

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 large onion, diced

• 1 large bunch coriander, roots and stems finely chopped

• 1 large red or green chilli, deseeded and chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup butternut pumpkin, peeled and diced

• 1 small sweet potato, diced

• 400ml coconut milk, reduced fat

• 200g spinach leaves, roughly chopped

• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 3 cups brown basmati rice

Method:

• HEAT olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

• SAUTÉ onion, coriander roots and stems, chilli and garlic for 3 minutes.

• ADD pumpkin, sweet potato, coconut milk and 400ml water to the pot.

• SIMMER for 15 minutes until vegetables soften.

• ADD spinach and coriander leaves, thyme and pepper. Wilt for 5 minutes.

• COOL mixture for one hour. Take off heat or separate into smaller bowls to cool.

• BLEND contents of pot with a stick mixer. The callaloo should be thick and slimy.

• SERVE with cooked brown basmati rice or wholemeal bread. Season to taste.

Recipe courtesy of the Country Kitchens 2023 Country of Study Recipe Collection – Trinidad and Tobago

White Bean and Garlic Soup

Serves: 6

Ever yday Everyday Food

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 40 minutes

2 serves per portion

Ingredients:

• 3 x 400g cans cannellini or lima beans, drained and rinsed

• 300mL water

• 10 sage leaves or 3 teaspoons dried sage

• 6 cloves garlic, peeled

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 6 shallots, chopped

• 1L vegetable stock, salt reduced

• 1 bunch silverbeet or 200g spinach leaves, chopped into 2cm strips

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• Lemon wedges, to serve

• Parmesan cheese, shaved to serve

Method:

• PLACE beans in a large pot.

• ADD water, sage and garlic cloves and bring to the boil.

• REDUCE heat to very low and simmer for 10 minutes to allow flavours to develop. Set aside half of the beans in a bowl.

• HEAT oil in frypan over medium heat. Add shallots, stirring until golden brown and tender, about 10-15 minutes.

• BLEND together half the beans, caramelised shallots and 500mL of vegetable stock using a stick blender until smooth and creamy.

• ADD the puree to the remaining beans in the pot.

• ADD remaining stock and greens. Simmer soup until the greens are tender, about 5 minutes.

• SERVE with black pepper, lemon and shaved parmesan.

Empowering women through education and health is a priority for the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA). The QCWA Country Kitchens program, funded by the Queensland Government through Health and Wellbeing Queensland, supports Queenslanders to adopt healthier lifestyles. To find out more about the program visit https://qcwacountrykitchens.com.au/.

Recipe courtesy of the Country Kitchens team

Noosa ... and all that jazz

For jazz lovers, there is no better place to enjoy the end of winter than the popular holiday destination Noosa, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast; visitors will be in for a treat at the Noosa Jazz Festival, which brings together leading Australian traditional jazz musicians who are among the world’s best.

The Festival’s centrepiece event, held at The J Theatre in the heart of Noosa, runs from Thursday, 31 August to Saturday, 2 September, featuring some of Australia’s best individual jazz musicians in bands and ensembles, creating an exciting program of improvised traditional jazz; the Friday concert is an afternoon matinee.

It starts on Sunday afternoon, 27 August, at Noosa Jazz Club’s home for its monthly concerts, The Majestic Theatre, Pomona, one of the best live music venues around, featuring members of Melbourne’s famous band, The Syncopators.

Jazz ensembles will entertain diners at luncheons and dinners at participating restaurants at Sunshine Beach, Hastings Street, Noosaville, and the Tewantin Marina. Musicians on board two sunset ferry cruises will entertain diners before disembarking at the Noosa Marina for dinner and a jazz concert on Tuesday evening. The festival wraps up on Sunday afternoon, 3 September, with an exciting free concert at the Riverstage, Noosaville, for visitors and families celebrating Father’s Day.

Take advantage of early bird discounts for ticketed concert events, especially for The Majestic, which has

A visit to Hotel California

The Internationally Acclaimed Australian Eagles Show is set to perform throughout Australia on their Dark Desert Highway Tour in 2023.

Featuring members David Thompson and Michael Thompson, who have played the music of the Eagles to sold out theatres in America, Europe and South Africa, it is now Australia’s turn to experience this world class production of timeless Eagles classic hits.

The Australian Eagles Show, features a five-piece band which aims to intricately recreate the music that made the Eagles one of the world’s biggest acts.

The group perform all the classic hits including Desperado, Life in the Fast Lane, New Kid in Town, Take it to

the Limit, Heartache Tonight and the classic Hotel California.

The band also pay homage to the solo hits from Joe Walsh, Don Henley and the late Glen Frey.

The Eagles formed in Los Angeles in 1971. Five number one singles –six Grammy awards – five American music awards – six number one albums - sold over 150 million records and the ‘Eagles greatest hits’ album was the bestselling albums of the 20th century.

Who: Australian Eagles Show

When: Friday, 9 June

Where: Princess Theatre – BRISBANE, QLD

Interested?: www.ticketmaster.com. au

limited seating. For more details and ticketing information, go to www.noosajazzclub.com or email info@noosa-

jazzclub.com, and for where to stay and sights to see, go to www.visitnoosa. com.au.

Australian Eagles show.

Oriana Choir stuns crowds

By Erle Levey

The final weeks of April saw Oriana Choir in fine form, delivering three concerts of contrasting but complementary music, by the master Mozart and the brilliant young Ola Gjeilo.

Mozart’s Vespers showcases his unique creativity and genius with a stunning display of choral virtuosity, a highlight being the achingly beautiful Laudate Dominum.

Gjeilo’s music has a beauty that is distinctive, haunting and sublime.

Audiences at Maleny Community Centre, St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane and Stella Maris Primary School at Maroochydore were visibly moved by the performances.

The choir, under the utterly dependable guiding hand of conductor Kim Kirkman, and the peerless accompaniment of pianist extraordinaire Fay Baker and the delightful Serenity Quartet, gave themselves totally to the joyous task of giving their audience something really special. And they succeeded.

The numbers attending these concerts were a clear confirmation that the hunger for beautiful music is very much alive and well on the Sunshine Coast.

There is a spirit of companionship, both within the choir and with its followers, that is palpable, and a testament to what a community group is able to achieve and share with the community

at large, when it gives whole-heartedly. These performances were dedicated to Alan Mackay-Sim, the 2017 Australian of the Year, pioneer in bio-medical research and much-loved member of Oriana Choir who passed away this year after a long illness.

Those looking for more from this marvellous Sunshine Coast ensemble, then on Sunday, 13 August, and Sunday, 20 August, at St Rita’s College, Clayfield, and Stella Maris School, Maroochydore respectively, Oriana will present Beneath the Southern Cross, a

program of Australian music ‘ancient and modern’.

With the heart and commitment that Oriana brings to all its endeavours, this will be yet another musical delight.

For more details: www.oriana.org.au

Oriana Choir at St Johns, Brisbane. 332617

Spectacular gift of GABS

By Bob Anthony

Are you curious or confused when confronted by a growing wall of craft brews?

There seems to be a new drop appearing daily from craft brewers, each trying to outdo each other for a small slice of the market.

For beer drinkers, this can present either a wonderful challenge or a daunting decision-making process.

There may be help at hand in the form of the Great Australian Beer Spectacular (GABS) which is returning to Brisbane on Saturday, June 10.

As the name suggests, GABS is a beer lover’s delight, though it does also cater to cider drinkers as well, and the odd wine buff.

The day long festival, held at the Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre at South Bank, features more than 60 exhibitors offer tasters of more than 120 brews.

The GABS organisers also through down the challenge to brewers to create a unique drop for the festival which challenges the brewers to think outside the box to come up with something “different”.

The festival provides the perfect opportunity to meet with brewers, find out about their beers and what goes into the development of their products.

From overseas guest brewer Sierra Nevada to craft brewers from around

the country and even a stand for home brewers to gain some tips, GABS is as educational as it is fun and entertaining.

You can taste the different styles of beer, learn about the processes involved in creating them and hopefully take away any confusion you may what about craft beers.

You may also find out just what type of style of beer suits you which will make life much easier in the craft beer section of the bottle shop.

GABS offers much more than just

New Redland exhibitions

Three new exhibitions opened at Redland art galleries in May, two showcasing local ecosystems and the natural world and the third drawing on a cultural experience in India.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said each exhibition offered unique insights into the way sense of place influenced arts practice.

“These three exhibitions will engage visitors through different mediums and show connections between people and places,” Cr Williams said.

“The mangrove areas of the southern Moreton Bay region inspired the Tidal Collective to produce There is Another World, artworks in various mediums including textiles, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and drawings. Watersheds is an exhibition of oil paintings by Brisbane artist Richard Blundell. Blundell paints outside on a ridgeline at Daisy Hill that forms the south-western watershed. “It’s from this ridge that water flows through the landscape to Redlands Coast and Moreton Bay.

“Meanwhile, Ipswich-based artist Lee FullARTon has used her experiences of working with traditional woodblock carvers in the village of Bagru, India to create the art works for Mr Chippa the Woodblock Carver of Bagru.”

Redland Art Gallery (RAG) Director Kylie Spear said that, in a broad sense, all three exhibitions related to making connections to environment and with each other through the practice of art making.

“The nine individual local artists who make up the Tidal Collective have responded to a specific environmental ecosystem that is common in Redlands Coast, and the resulting exhibition will reflect very personal views of this coastal feature,” Ms Spear said.

“The title of Richard Blundell’s Watersheds exhibition draws from the geographic areas or ridges that separate waterflows to rivers, basins, or seas.’’

Exhibition dates and locations are shown below:

RAG, Cleveland – There is Another World (Tidal Collection) 7 May-18 Jun

RAG, Cleveland – Mr Chippa the Woodblock Carver of Bagru (Lee FullARTon) 7 May-18 Jun

RAG, Capalaba – Watersheds (Richard Blundell) 13 May-11 Jul

Floor talk and light lunch: noon on Thursday 25 May 2023; adult workshop: 9am to 11.30am on Thursday 25 May 2023.

For more information about all three exhibitions, including floor talks, visit the Redland Art Gallery website.

beer and cider tasting – there’s live music, a host of different food outlets, popup bars, plenty of different beer-related activities and games and the opportunity to meet and mingle with fellow beer lovers.

And for those who aren’t into beer but want to soak up the atmosphere, there will be a wine bar, cocktail bar and whiskey bar – but really folks, this is a beer spectacular so bring a thirst and an open mind.

The day is broken into two sessions – the first session goes from 11am to 4:30 pm and the second session is from

6pm to 11:30pm.

A tip for the wise – don’t try to do both.

The Brisbane GABS is the last of the GABS festivals which are held annually in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

Whether you are seasoned expert on craft beers or someone who just like a cold brew on a hot day, set aside this “Disneyland for beer lovers” on your calendar, I’’ see you there (I’ll be the one with a beer in my hand).

For more information and tickets, visit www.gabsfestival.com/brisbanehome

Watersheds - Richard Blundell_ Emptiness (detail)_2021_oil on linen.

Demistifying beers at Beer Fest.

Best views in Brisbane

By Kylie Mitchell-Smith www.travellingsenorita.com

The Emporium Hotel is in a prime position in South Bank Brisbane, a striking build, that boasts some of the best views, Brisbane has to offer.

The hotel is locally owned, and prides itself on all things Queensland, from the ground up-to the rooftop terrace on level 21.

The Signature Restaurant, located on level one, is the hotels epicentre for food and the place to fine dine. More recently the hotel has launched its new menu, with a mission to source ingredients from the surrounding food bowlmade in Queensland.

Executive Chef Helen Thorrington and her team have created an honest menu, with the hero being the produce. Sourcing seafood from Moreton Bay, game meat from Brisbane Valley and

Lamb from Longreach, plus a whole lot more.

The menu has been curated to pair with a selection of fine wine, and includes entrees such as Brisbane Valley Quail, Wild Venison and Mooloolaba Swordfish.

There’s a selection of vegetarian dishes to suit, like the cauliflower with heirloom baby beetroot, Little Acre Mushrooms, (just up the road) olives and buckwheat.

Mains include dishes like the Longreach organic lamb rack, fresh pea, sheep yoghurt, golden zucchini, that literally fly out of the swinging, kitchen doors. Along with a North Queensland Coral Trout, stuffed baby squid, celery oil and squid ink veloute, the combination is delicious.

A menu that is connected to the land, the produce speaks for itself and has a Signature twist. There’s only one rule

per se, the ingredients need to be locally sourced within Queensland, where viable.

The talented team in the kitchen have created a dining experience, that reflects the seasons, with an array of unique, yet simple dishes. Did we mention, how good the sides are, like the duck fat potatoes and agave glazed Queensland blue pumpkin with pepitas and crispy kale.

You know what they say, you can tell a restaurant by its duck and Signatures Duck Breast and Confit Leg, with a touch of Sake emulsion, delivers on all fronts. The smoked eggplant, miso cream and macadamia curd, are a unique fusion of ingredients that work.

There’s an array of decadent desserts to choose from, such as Spiced Pineapple with rice pudding and coconut, an ode to the tropics.

The ‘Signature’ dessert served

throughout, is the Emporium Honey Pecan Tart, ganache and vanilla icecream- said honey is sourced from the Hotels rooftop bees.

The Signature Restaurant at Emporium Hotel is styled to impress and is the ideal place to book for a special occasion. Finessed by the experience of Chef Helen and her team, the menu exoduses the flavours of Queensland and is a showcase of local farmers and producers.

Whether you’re a local foodie or a guest of the hotel, dress up and enjoy what Queensland has to offer, one plate at a time.

*Hot tip-Book in for the high tea at Belle Epoque Patisserie, an elegant cafe, located on the ground floor of the hotel. A three-tiered selection of house made savoury and sweet pastries, paired deliciously with tea, coffee and bubbles to suit.

Countdown to outback masters: Can you strike it rich?

The countdown is on to tee-off for the 2023 Outback Queensland Masters, Australia’s most remote golf series, with the launch of new Outback Queensland visitor experiences, creating the ultimate golfing adventure of a lifetime.

Despite the odds of hitting a holein-one estimated at 12,500 to one, the event is expected to see 2,500 golfing enthusiasts travel to some of Queensland’s most remote and unique golf courses this June and July in the hopes of striking it rich at the event’s Million-Dollar Hole-In-One.

Mount Isa, the birthplace of Australian golfing legend Greg Norman, will host the Million-Dollar Hole-In-One Challenge as part of the city’s centenary milestone celebrations, where the Outback Queensland Masters is yet to see a player strike it rich since the event’s inception in 2019.

Golf Australia, Queensland and Northern Territory Manager, Luke Bates said the 2022 Million-Dollar Hole-One-One finale in Birdsville came to a nail-biting finish.

“Our hearts skipped a beat when Gary Strange of Woodenbong Golf Club’s ball bounced just centimetres from the hole, before Robin McCon-

chie of Brisbane came overall closest to the pin on the sand green, landing her shot just a metre away from the prized hole.

“The sand greens are a challenge of a different kind for players; most not having experienced them before entering the series.

“This competition isn’t all about winning though, it’s all about the experience, discovering new places and meeting new people.”

The Million Dollars isn’t the only lure for players and spectators taking on the 3,000km+ outback road trip over the six weekends of competition.

Mr Bates added, with less than a month to go we have released new signature experiences exclusive to the players and spectators on tour with us, allowing them to make the most of their adventure in Outback Queensland. The new experiences offered will showcase the very best of Outback Queensland off the sand greens including guided Indigenous heritage and bush tucker experiences, local farmer and grower tours, and dinosaur fossil preparation and fossicking experiences.

“We’ve curated these experiences with local tourism operators and community groups to ensure we maximise

the benefit of the Outback Queensland Masters and tourism for the locations we visit, and of course to give our visitors incredible experiences of Outback Queensland.

“The Outback Queensland Masters really highlights the character and friendliness of this part of the world to players too, and we can’t wait to share that with those joining the competition in 2023.”

To top it all off, players and spectators joining the adventure in 2023 will be able to laugh out loud and dance the night away under the outback stars with a swag full of incredible entertainment at the Dinner Under the Stars evenings.

The lineup includes sixteen-time Golden Guitar award winner Luke O’Shea, renowned First Nations singersongwriter Joe Geia and comedy veteran Bev Killick. Sunshine Coast’s Mumma Funk Band will get players and spectators up on their feet to dance the night away at the finale of the six weekends of back-to-back competition with their groovy funk force.

The 2023 Outback Queensland Masters will take place from 17 June –23 July 2023; secure your spot today at www.outbackqldmasters.com

Ready to hit off in the outback.

The Signature Restaurant.

Wagu Petit Tender.

Glide along in the glades

Habitat Noosa and Everglades Eco Camp is the perfect place to sit back, relax and reconnect with nature. Situated among 65 acres of National Park, abundant with wildlife and perched on picturesque Lake Cootharaba. Featuring multiple levels of camping options from powered and unpowered campsites to waterfront camping with a lakeside view. There are also two Glamping options available providing comfort, with some of the luxuries of home.

The CootharaBAR and bistro is open seven days with dishes inspired by the freshest, local produce and the onsite micro-brewery offers up to eight artesian beers on tap, along with an extensive beverage list.

An array of activities are on-hand from watercraft hire to frisbee golf and the Cooloola National Park location provides numerous walking trails to suit all fitness levels (1-12km).

The Eco Camp is the gateway to one of only two everglades on the planet where you can cruise through the network of pristine waterways known as the “River of Mirrors”, witness landscapes untouched for thousands of

Gliding through the glades.

years and witness the beauty of this Everglades system.

Expert commentary is provided, along with spectacular photo opportunities.

Give them a day and they will give you memories for life

A taste of paradise along the Noosa riverside

Located only metres from the pristine Noosa River on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast, Noosa Lakes Resort provides a relaxing resort environment with a number of great room options and three of Noosa’s largest lagoon swimming pools.

Noosa Lakes Resort is one of the few places that can boast such an amazing location, being surrounded by water and within easy walking distance to the best Noosa has to offer.

Situated on seven landscaped acres by the shores of Lake Doonella, the resort is just 150 metres across the road from the Noosa Marina and only minutes away from the bustling hub of Noosaville and world renowned Hastings Street, Main Beach and Noosa National Park.

Find Noosa Lakes Resort at 3 Hilton Tce Tewantin Noosa 5447 1400

Offer excludes peak seasons and is subject to availability.

Why not explore with tour?

Plan now for a winter break and answer the call of the regions to spend seven days exploring the Carnarvon Ranges or Lightning Ridge – or both.

CT Travel has planned luxury coach tours departing in August and September that are packed with interest, adventure, and opportunity to see the attractions found in regional centres while enroute to the spectacular Carnarvon Gorge or fascinating Lightning Ridge.

A seven-day tour to the Carnarvon region departs 7 August and 4 September, and includes four nights “glamping” at the Wallaroo Outback Retreat.

The station on 29,000ha of some of Australia’s best beef cattle country captures the magnificent scenery of the western escarpment of the Carnarvon Ranges from the Arcadia Valley.

It’s the perfect base for day trips with experienced nature guides on hand to lead the way to the highlights of Carnarvon Gorge National Park.

See ancient forests with cycads thousands of years old, Aboriginal cultural sites, canyons, majestic cliffs where water has eroded a dramatic gorge system through layers of sandstone, and rugged wilderness.

It’s made easy in the air-conditioned comfort of a modified 4WD bus listening to commentary about the region, its legends and landmarks.

Australian Nature Guides lead the

way to the Moss Garden in the Carnarvon Gorge, where lush ferns and moss line crystal clear waters against a dramatic waterfall backdrop.

Put places to intriguing names like Axe Factory, Date Rock, Cycad Gorge, Arch Rock, the Sphinx and Rainbow Cave.

Along the way see Chinchilla and stop at the Roma Saleyard, the largest cattle sales facility in the Southern

Hemisphere, to be greeted by retired farmers and graziers who will explain how it all works before a local guide leads a tour of the town.

On the way home, visit the historic Mt Abundance Homestead and spend a night in Miles.

For seven days from 17 August, there’s plenty to see on the way to Lightning Ridge, the only place in Australia where the prized black opal can be found.

Visit various local attractions as you travel through Dalby, Miles, Roma, Surat, St George and Dirranbandi. Learn about cotton production as a grower leads a tour of his farm, and visit the Riversands Vineyards for lunch and tasting, Spend three days on the opal fields including Grawin, Glengarry and Sheepyard. Tour the Walk-In Mine, the historic miners’ camp Gemseekers Paradise, and the Chambers of the Blackhand mine, see gem cutting demonstrations, and try your luck as a miner.

The return journey is via Walgett, Narrabri and Glen Innes

It’s about the journey as much as the destination and these tours represent a chance to see some of the amazing treasures hidden in our regional towns. Full itineraries can be found on the website. Visit cttravel.com.au

SENIOR COACH TOURS

INCLUDING:

5 Star Coach Travel

All Accommodation

Tours and Entry Fees

All Dinners & Breakfasts

Most Lunches Home Pickup & Return*

AUGUST 2023

O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat (4 Days)

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo (7 Days)

Lightning Ridge (7 Days)

Fraser Island Whale Watch (4 Days)

SEPTEMBER 2023

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo (7 Days)

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (4 Days)

Spring Gardens Tour (12 Days)

OCTOBER 2023

Fraser Coast inc Lady Musgrave Isl (5 days)

NOVEMBER 2023

NSW Central Coast & Blue Mtns (11 Days)

MARCH

APRIL

JUNE

NQ

JULY 2024

NQ Savannah Way (12 Days)

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024

Darling R Run (10 Days)

Flinders Rangers (10 Days)

Benefits for empty-nesters

By Kylie Mitchell-Smith

The upside of becoming an empty nester and having your adult offspring move to the other side of the world is that you now have an excuse to visit some new and beautiful places around the globe as our own Travelling Senorita Kylie Mitchell Smith discovered recently when her oldest son moved to Canada.

We take a direct 14-hour flight from Brisbane to Vancouver, with a handy connection to Calgary. Alberta is in the depths of winter, so we rug up to outrun the jet lag and explore the historical streets of the city of cowboys.

We discover a thriving city, a haven for foodies, bursting with history and pride. Modern yet age-old, with character-filled streets and friendly locals. Built on a grid system, we wander the avenues and discover a hive of activity on Eighth and Ninth. An eclectic cafe scene has popped up on Fifth Avenue that borders the picturesque (and frozen) Bow River.

We choose to stay at the Fairmont Palliser close to all the action on Ninth Avenue - a charming, re-invented railway hotel built in the early 1900s. Art Deco style with a grand ’50s ballroom and suitably fitted-out rooms, complemented by a well-appointed restaurant and bar - we get a sense of those that have passed before.

A picturesque two-hour drive from Calgary to Banff National Park, we feel like we are driving into an endless, screensaver of snow-capped mountains and frozen lakes. As you enter the National Park, take the turn off to Banff, a village that its built around the majestic lake, with the towering mountains as the backdrop.

Limited by the restrictions applied by the National Park to preserve the natural environment, Banff is a unique town, dotted with souvenir shops, a brewery, distillery, cinema, and restaurants.

The crowning glory of the town is the stunning castle on the hill, the 130-year-old, Fairmont Banff Springs, located in the heart of Banff National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage site.

A year-round luxury mountain resort with all the trimmings, we land there as snow is falling. As picturesque as it is commanding, the resort has

several dining experiences, from authentic Italian to a Spanish tapas bar to a German-inspired taphouse.

We try the Italian and delight over the freshly made pasta dishes, like the Charred Sweet Corn Ravioli with lashings of crispy porchetta and fermented chilli. For dessert we can’t go past the Apple Raison Crostata with a glass of Grappa e Limoncello - that warms our cockles.

The award-winning Fairmont Springs Spa has captured the natural surrounds, with outdoor hot springs, indoor magnesium pools, eucalyptus sauna and steam room, and treatment suites. We indulge in a ‘Majestic Blue’ with mountain lavender, mineral salt exfoliation, massage and body wrap.

A must see and do, is the Banff Gondola that takes you to the top of the mountain, with 360-degree views across the Rockies and beyond. A short, elevated walk to the peak of the summit and you’ll feel on-top of the world. On the way back down visit the educational centre and Sky Bistro high above the Gondola with, quite possibly the best views we’ve ever seen.

The resort is well-equipped with a championship golf course during summer, and mountain resorts for skiing in

the winter, including an ice-skating rink on the resort’s frozen lake surrounds.

A short drive to Canmore Caves, we brave the narrow entrances into the caves, and crawl our way along a 4km grotto to Rat’s Nest Cave. The ancient caves are home to 7000-year-old bones, and the friendly staff are well equipped to lead the way in (and out) of this natural wonder. We take a one-hour drive from Canmore, back into the National Park, destination Lake Louise - the real reason for our journey to the Rocky Mountains. We are visiting our 23-yearold son Lewis, who, after completing a degree in Economics and Commerce at UQ, has opted for a working holiday at the Fairmont Chateau on Lake Louise.

A stately hotel that is perfectly positioned next to the grand lake, frozen in all its glory. The hotel services over 500 rooms and is as elegant as it is relaxed in style. Friendly staff welcome you at every turn - we find Lewis serving at the most picturesque and opulent Lakeview Lounge.

After we acquaint ourselves with the hotel, the natural surrounds, and of course our son, we take off to the local ski field. Lewis is well acquainted with Lake Louise Ski Resort, when he’s not working at the chateau, he’s honing his

snowboarding skills on the mountain. A day well spent on the mountain is followed by a night spent by the outside fire, set amongst the ice bar and ice sculptures that adorn the lake. Dining options at the Chateau include comfort food at the pub, modern and hearty cuisine at Lakeview, and Mediterranean fare at the newly appointed Louiza restaurant.

We dine at Louiza and try the Homemade Empanadas, Galicean Mussels and Basque Lamb Shank, with a delicious Elderberry Sorbet with Crispy Basil to finish. The Hotel wraps around the lake capturing the sublime, snowcapped mountains, and is all about the serenity. As summer fast approaches the lake melts, the wildlife awakens (bears) and the environment transitions.

We vow to return to Banff National Park, and with our younger son set to join his brother in the not-too-distant future, it’s on the cards. A desirable destination for snow lovers in the winter months, with hikers and nature dwellers to discover a different look and feel in the summer months.

For more from our favourite PR/ TRAVEL WRITER/PODCASTER head to www.travellingsenorita.com

Art as Dessert, Lake Louise.

Pretty cocktails, Louiza Restaurant.Louiza Restaurant, Lake Louise.Fairmont Banff Springs.Castello Restaurant, Banff.

Banff village.

Fairmont Chateau, Lake Louise.

Winter warmer on Belt

By Erle Levey

It’s the region for all seasons and none better than catching the autumn colours as the Southern Downs heads into winter.

The Granite Belt of Queensland is one of those places I’ve driven through many times but haven’t really stopped at.

It was always a matter of driving through there to get somewhere else.

During winter in Covid I remember driving back from Sydney, wondering whether the borders were going to be shut because of the risk of lockdown from the pandemic.

So I drove through the night.

It was snowing in the highlands around Glen Innes - a surreal feeling of stopping and photographing it.

Everything was quiet. No breeze and this soft snow filtering down and spreading a carpet of white.

It was with a sense of relief that the border at Wallangarra was still open.

Here it was, 10.30 at night and the crossing into Queensland resembled a scene from MASH.

There were police and army personnel standing around open fires, dressed in long coats and trying to keep warm.

But their greeting was friendly, my reason for travel certificate during Covid was up to date, and I could pass through.

This year I made the decision to return and explore what this much talked-about region has to offer. The thought of wine tasting at vineyards around Stanthorpe, maybe an Italianstyle meal, staying at a cozy B&B and exploring the Girraween National Park was certainly appealing.

That would make a very enjoyable weekend away, taking in historic Tenterfield just across the border in New South Wales.

I wondered why it took me this long to investigate what was on offer.

Just like water finding its true level, I had taken my time and this year realised it was a perfect opportunity to fully appreciate the region.

A good friend and colleague had grown up on the Darling Downs and he went back as often as possible, especially over winter to relive some of his early experiences - such as sitting around a campfire in the middle of winter, going for horse rides through the countryside and enjoying good food, good wine and hospitality.

Stanthorpe would be almost a threehour drive from Brisbane and you can do no wrong by stopping for a coffee at Boonah, then heading up the Cunningham Range and on to Warwick.

There’s a beautiful picnic area right in the heart of Stanthorpe, with lawns and water features created around the Severn River. The perfect spot to stop for a tea or coffee and get ideas from the information centre.

Ballandean is an inspirational community to the south of Stanthorpe and home to some of the best sourdough bread you can imagine at the local bakery.

Our first stop was at Pyramids Road Winery at Wyberba, just out of Ballandean. We were to catch up with the

owners of a small-block winery who I met about 20 years ago at a wine-tasting evening at Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast.

Warren and Sue Smith had been teachers on the Coast but made the lifechange to Wyberba, and theirs is just one of the many small labels that are springing up in this rich wine-growing region.

The wine heritage of the area goes back probably 70 years to when the first of the Italian families set up their winemaking businesses, and the tradition continues today.

Pyramids Road is named because it’s on the road to Girraween National Park and the famous two pyramids - granite outcrops that can be seen for miles around.

Girraween is like no other area in Australia in many ways. It has a variety of walking paths for the novice through

to rock climbing for the experienced.

There is car-parking at the visitor information centre, which is the first step on the many trails. Take the advice of the rangers at the centre - it not only makes the visit more enjoyable but the safety hints on what trails, when and where can prove invaluable.

A number of walks are within easy distance of the visitor centre and mostly flat, yet good walking shoes and clothing is recommended. After all, you will be exploring places such as Granite Arch, The Junction and Bald Rock Creek.

There is camping and accommodation available, but it’s in short supply.

However, the Stanthorpe-Ballandean area does have a growing list of places to make a visit comfortable and memorable - lodges, cabins, camp grounds and farm stays.

We had chosen Tenterfield as our destination and a self-contained cottage on a farm just a few kilometres to the north of the town.

It was a great choice.

Tenterfield has changed significantly over the years, especially from the Covid period when people discovered the benefits of regional living.

It’s also such an historic town. The place were Sir Henry Parkes made his impassioned speech for Australia to become a Commonwealth of States.

You can see the changes in the shopfronts and the houses ... everything has a sense of life to it.

The shop windows are attractive and cared for.

The number of renovations and refurbishments to houses is a good indicator of the pride people take in their community.

Seafood pie at the Commercial Hotel. 332988

Ballandean has developed as a quality wine region. 332988

Tenterfield Railway Station Museum. 332988

Sue and Warren Smith at their Pyramids Road Winery. 332988

Hikers from near and far at Girraween National Park. 332988

Ballandean sunset. 332988

There’s a wonderful avenue of trees that welcomes you into the town from the north.

The town is in the valley, so you can imagine the fog settling of an evening there in winter, adding to the intriguing atmosphere.

So much so that you can almost hear the sound of the Tenterfield Saddler going about his trade.

Tenterfield is famous for that song by Peter Allen - the true story of his father, but really it’s a town based in history.

The most famous part is the part it played in the Federation of Australia, but before that it was very solid farming area that is now undergoing a revival. Thanks to the movement towards working from home, people coming from the cities seeking lifestyle.

There are a number of restaurants to choose from - and the bowls club I’m told - but on this night the Commercial Hotel stood out. A welcome light for weary travellers.

The Commercial has been renovated or refurbished back to its original almost art deco style with the brickwork

reinvigorated instead of being plastered over and hidden.

Instead of gaming machines and betting facilities in the front bar, the heritage internal features have been highlighted.

Hidden values including the frosted lettering etched on the glass doors indicating the dining room and the like; the pressed-metal look to the facade of the bar; the original door to the cold room; the old firewood stove from the kitchen were some of the features.

And the food was was exceptional. The rib fillet and the seafood pie were very satisfying as the night air took on a chill.

At first we thought there was no way we could get through a serving each. Surely we would have to share and take the other back to our cottage in the country.

But, no, we thoroughly enjoyed both dishes - sharing to try the flavours. So much so we had a crème brûlee with Cointreau, presented with ice cream and fresh berries.

OK, we shared this yet it was

the perfect finish.

The Commercial is an example of what can be done in the shifting trends of hospitality.

This is a town that has a strong historical past and in which there was probably a pub on every corner.

Yet the town has been transformed so that these licensed premises are now gift shops, cafes, coffee spots and hardware stores.

The railway station itself is an historical museum and is a turning point in the Queensland-New South Wales divide between railway gauges, and represents the importance the railway played in the forming at Federation of Australia.

For it was by rail that Sir Henry Parkes, as the Premier of New South Wales, was able to return in triumph to Sydney overnight after delivering his impassioned speech about the need to create a Federation of the Australian colonies.

Today, the School of Arts Hall stands in the heart of town and includes the Sir Henry Parks Museum and the historic

cinema, the courtyard cafe and the library.

It stands opposite is the hornate post office with bells that still chime on the hour.

Tenterfield was home to Fred Ward, better known as Captain Thunderbolt, who was the longest roaming bushranger in Australia’s history.

He used the region as both a hideout and hunting ground for his hold-ups. The many caves and bushy hideouts across New England were some of his favourites, and the one near Tenterfield is one of the easiest to access.

Thunderbolt’s Hideout is 12 km north of Tenterfield, along the Mount Lindesay Road. The site is signposted, and the hideout is a 150-metre walk from the road.

The large area between the rocks was used to stable Captain Thunderbolt’s horses and the small shelter under the large rock was his camp. The top of the rock made an ideal lookout, as this was the main road to Warwick during the gold-mining days.

Not far away is Boonoo Boonoo National Park and Basket Swamp which include rainforest, dry eucalypt forest and grassy woodland.

Boonoo Boonoo Falls is where, legend has it, Banjo Patterson proposed to his sweetheart Alice Walker.

The return drive to Queensland included a stop at the heritage-listed Wallangarra Railway Station to have a coffee and scones in armchairs on the platform, and to absorb the history behind the station itself.

It was here that passengers from New South Wales would disembark from their broad-gauge train and cross to the northern platform and continue their journey on Queensland’s small-gauge railway system.

Today it is a popular destination for steam train journeys with regular services operating from Warwick and Toowoomba.

Our return journey saw a visit to Ballandean Estate winery.

Any misconceptions about the quality of Queensland wines were seriously smashed.

The focus of the Ballandean-Stanthorpe region seems to be almost totally on local production and supply.

Producers rely on existing customers to seek out their product due to its quality or the service they provide.

In return these businesses support their community in many ways.

Ballandean Estate is Queensland’s oldest family-owned and -operated winery.

Wine has been made on the Estate since 1932 with five generations resulting in a remarkable wine experience.

Producing quality, boutique wines that express the unique character of the Granite Belt is what keeps the Puglisi family enthusiastic and innovative.

It is this cool climate, high altitude and granite-based soil that delivers national and international award-winning wines from the region.

So, with a heart full of memories and a few cases of wine as well as a loaf or two of sourdough bread, it was time to head home.

This article is dedicated to former colleague and mentor, the late Peter Richardson. It was his stories about the Granite Belt that were a source of inspiration on so many levels.

Tenterfield Cinema/Theatre in the historic Sir Henry Parkes School of Arts. 332988

Glimpse of the past ... Tenterfield. 332988

Stanthorpe picnic grounds on the Severn River. 332988

Creme brulee at the Commercial Hotel. 332988

Girraween National Park. 332988

So much to do in winter

By Cait Fleming, Whitsunday Tourism

Trade your southern winters for a Whitsundays winter, where mother nature serves up balmy 25-degree days (average) and equally temperate nights.

Winter is the ideal season to soak up the sunshine and explore all The Whitsundays has to offer, from beaches and ocean views to relaxing mornings at the beachside markets and the iconic Great Barrier Reef Festival. There is so much to do that you’ll have to stay all winter to get through it!

Here’s our top four things to do in winter in The Whitsundays: Head out on the water to spot some whales

There are few things as magical as catching a glimpse of a Humpback whale emerging from the depths of the ocean.

From June to September, the warm waters of The Whitsundays transform into a whale-calf nursery as Humpback whales migrate north each year from the Antarctic to mate, socialise and birth.

The best way to experience the majestic breaching of a whale, catch a tail splash, or spot a playful calf is to head out on one of the many day tours to Whitehaven Beach or the Great Barrier Reef. With so many whales in the water, every boat as the potential to be a whale watching vessel!

Explore the Bowen

Bowen is the northern township and food bowl of The Whitsundays and winter is the perfect time of year to explore what’s on offer. Loved for its incredible beaches, Bowen is also home to a large range of fresh produce and fresh from the trawler seafood.

If you enjoy history, head into the Bowen Museum and discover Bowen’s vast history and some of the famous people who have come through this quiet seaside town.

Fancy a seafood dinner? There are several seafood shops along the marina edge that all sell freshly caught local seafood, usually from their own trawlers. It doesn’t get fresher than that.

Don’t forget the veges! Take a brief detour north where you’ll find roadside shops and stalls selling freshly picked local fruit and vege. The produce on

offer in winter is usually zucchinis, capsicums, cauliflower, broccoli, honey, mandarins, bananas plus so many more.

Events and Festivals Galore

A terrific way to discover the best of the reef is the Great Barrier Reef Festival, held each year in August. This four-daylong festival involves carnival rides, market and food stalls as well as a popup bar on the foreshore.

Not just a festival of fun, this reef focused environmental celebration aims to educate on the ecological impacts of the reef, highlighting The Whitsunday lifestyle and community in the “heart of the reef” – Airlie Beach.

For sailors, Airlie Beach Race Week hosts their annual sailing race on the waters of Pioneer Bay and The Whit-

sunday Passage. For those not quite as savvy with their sea legs, you’ll find the Whitsundays Festival of Sailing onshore free for all to join.

If land-based, adrenalin-pumping racing is for you, head north and buckle up for the action-packed, multi-terrain Don River Dash event. Held at the Don River near Bowen, the two-day race sees off-road buggies and bikes race along the riverbed.

If the sound of the ultimate long lunch interests you, then ready up for the White on Whitehaven Long Lunch, by Fish D’vine. This unforgettable event takes place over four days and features a seafood buffet lunch served on Whitehaven Beach. Soak up the champagne, and breathtaking sights across Whitsunday Island, and mingle until your heart is content on pristine

silica-rich beaches.

Immerse yourself in history

The Whitsundays isn’t widely known for the history-soaked township of Collinsville, which lies only two hours inland from Airlie Beach. Settled in the early 1900s for mining, Collinsville has seen some huge changes and has managed to document some of them. There’s plenty to see, but the must do things are: Explore a heritage-listed mine from 1915 with the Heritage Society, learn about one of Australia’s worst mining accidents at The Coalface Experience and get a photo with the Pit Pony statue that locals erected to celebrate the pit ponies who were active in Collinsville until the 1950s. Make sure you grab a fresh apple turnover at the bakery while you’re there!

Time to kick back and fish.

The Southern end of the beautiful Whitehaven Beach.

The Southern end of the beautiful Whitehaven Beach.

Airlie Beach Race Week Sailing Fun.

Exploring Collinsville.

Geared to Ride - safely

By Shane ‘Rossey’ Ross

Hey bike fans, I’d like to talk to you about Motorcycle rider safety, especially for middle aged and return riders.

I have been riding motorcycles for 40 years, and I am an accredited motorcycle rider trainer.

Queensland suffered 74 motorcycle related fatalities this past year, which is the highest in Australia. These figures are accompanied with 463 hospitalised casualties during this time frame. A high number of motorcycle crashes are resulting from middle aged and returned riders.

Having proper motorcycle rider training, learning new skills and techniques to ensure your survival on the road is vital for safe riding. There are some videos you can view online, such as the Queensland Government initiative titled ‘Ride Craft’ which will give you some pointers, however grass roots face to face training will win every time.

As a middle aged or returned rider, there may be some things you forgot about motorcycling, not to mention years of studies and development of new techniques to keep you safer on the road…

“But I’ve been riding for years”, I hear you say….

I get that, but roads have become busier, time has become less, patience has become shorter, and throw in the

fact that motorcycles have become more powerful mixes a nice little cocktail causing more and more crashes.

What can you do about this?

Jump online and check out the videos, and if you’re serious about learning some new skills to improve your safety, hit up your local rider training organisation and do a course, or get some lessons.

But just to kick you off, here is some advice that might just save your life.

1. Get your posture right, keep your head up and eyes level and grip the

tank with your knees. This will improve balance as your bike will naturally go where you’re looking.

2. Don’t ride fatigued, if you’re tired, stay off the bike, you don’t have the luxury of 4 wheels to keep you upright.

3. Don’t mix alcohol or drugs with your ride, this can impair judgment, reflexes, coordination and depth perception.

4. Try not to ride at night, in the rain or during fog. This can affect vision and riding cold or wet affects concentra-

tion and the ability to judge situations. Not to mention slippery roads. And,

5. Don’t Ride angry or upset, this affects concentration and the ability to judge situations, causing inattentional blindness. This means seeing a potential hazard, but not perceiving it.

I hope this helps you stay safe on the road. And remember… Stay shiny side up, and ride your own ride… I’m Rossey, and I’m going to get you ‘Geared to Ride’.

Garden Expo blooms large

Preparations are under way for the 2023 Queensland Garden Expo, one of Australia’s most-loved gardening events, which attracts close to 40,000 visitors each year and injects more than $10 million into the regional economy.

With more than 360 exhibitors offering an extensive range of gardening-related knowledge, products and plants, this year’s award-winning, three-day event on the Sunshine Coast will once again have something for every gardener, no matter how experienced they are at nurturing a garden.

Event chairman, Simon Smith said the team was looking forward to seeing Nambour Showgrounds once again transform into a flourishing seven hectares of gardening inspiration, knowledge sharing and community on 7 July.

“The Expo is not just a marketplace with more than 50,000 plants on sale each day, but also a chance to chat with growers and access the best gardening minds in the country,” said Mr Smith.

“We have Australia’s largest gardening speaker program with more than 100 free lectures and demonstrations across eight live speaker stages featuring Gardening Australia’s Sophie Thomson and Jerry Coleby-Williams as well as crowd favourites Phil Dudman, Claire Bickle, Kate Wall, and many more.”

Event manager Marion Beazley said this year’s event will offer something for everyone.

“The Expo covers all corners of the backyard from a feature on keeping domestic chickens to organic veggie growing in the Giant Kitchen Garden,” Ms Beazley said.

The Giant Kitchen Garden is a collaboration of many gardening and permaculture groups from across the Sunshine Coast region, coming together to help create a piece of gardening paradise.

“But it’s not just about the great outdoors – indoor plants and floral arranging is more popular than ever and we’ve got extensive information, products and displays.

“This year, the Expo will play host to the Australian Floral Art Association’s National Convention that will showcase the floral art competition, ‘Nature’s Expression’, expected to leave visitors in awe of the beauty and creativity that can blossom from floral arrangements.

“The national convention and competition will attract floral artists from all over Australia and we anticipate anywhere up to 100 competition entries along with state designs and state demonstrations to be held on stage at the Expo.”

“Of course, our budding gardeners haven’t been overlooked with plenty of activities and workshops designed just for kids that will help kickstart their gardening journey.”

The Queensland Garden Expo, which first opened its gates in 1985, has become a much-loved Sunshine Coast tradition for the most experienced green thumbs and absolute gardening beginners alike.

“This event not only brings the community together in celebration of gardening, but also has a massive impact on the local economy, with around 65 per cent of visitors travelling from out-

side the region,” Ms Beazley said.

“The Expo is hosted by the Nursery & Gardening Industry Queensland and while we are a not-for-profit event, we inject more than $10 million into the local economy; through accommodation, hospitality, flights, retail and a range of community organisations. We’d like to thank our amazing volunteers and presenting partner Queensland Country Bank who we are delighted have come on board this year – we could not do it without you!”

The 2023 Queensland Garden Expo will be held from 7-9 July at the Nambour Showgrounds, Coronation Avenue, Nambour.

Entry is free for kids aged 15 and under with a giant kids’ playground to keep them entertained.

To find out more and purchase tickets online, please visit www.qldgardenexpo.com.au.

FAST FACTS

· Three-day event from 7-9 July

· 40,000-plus attendees

· 65 percent visitation from outside the Sunshine Coast region

· More than Seven ha of gardening inspiration

· 360-plus exhibitors and displays, including 55 nurseries

· 100-plus free lectures and demonstrations

· Eight live speaker stages

· 50,000 plants for sale each day

· More than $10m injected into the local economy

The Australian Floral Art Association’s National Convention will showcase the floral art competition, Nature’s Expression. 326689

The 2023 Queensland Garden Expo is looking to be even bigger and better this year. 326689

Gardening Australia’s Claire Bickle is always a popular presenter at the Queensland Garden Expo. 326689

The Giant Kitchen Garden is always an attraction at the Queensland Garden Expo. 326689