14 minute read
in the orienteering world
ORIENTEERING GANNON GIRLS
If you ever thought athletes were all brawn, no brain then you’ll have to hold your tongue. Julia and Nina Gannon twins who compete at an international level in orienteering, a sport which requires the competitors to navigate a course locating checkpoints in order and eventually reach a finish point.
The girls were introduced to the sport when their older sister participated with her school. “Mum and Dad used to do it at university when they were younger, and when our older sister did it at school for HPE, they encouraged the whole family to get back into it,” Julia Gannon says.
It’s not as easy as long-distance running, and the girls say it requires the integration of mental and physical strength.
“Learning to think while running and navigate at speed was definitely one of the hardest things to learn,” Nina Gannon says. With the added difficulty of various distance, an orienteering course can range from short, to middle and long.
Julia’s preference is the middle distance and even relay events when it comes to course length.
“I like middle and relay events as they are long enough that physical endurance is tested, but short enough to ensure accuracy must be maintained,” she says.
In last year’s Oceania event held at Charles Stuart University in Wagga Wagga Nina was even lucky enough to come away with a first place in the Women’s U18 sprint event.
Although already competing at an international level, the Gannon girls know their ultimate goal is JWOC (Junior World Orienteering Championships).
“JWOC is the ultimate dream, however, it requires an immense amount of commitment and hard work,” Julia says.
When asked if they had any good tips for those wanting to give the sport a go, they didn’t hold back.
“Never lose contact with the map, even if you have to run slower, it is better to know where you are than to make errors that will cost you time later on,” Julia says.
“Remember to look up as it’s extremely easy to lose yourself when your head is focused in the map and you are not paying attention to what is going on around you.” SCOOP
JULIA GANNON
NINA GANNON
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Earth Day arrives at 50th
While it will not be held until April, Earth Day 2020 preparations are well under way thanks to the big 50th anniversary. The theme this year is The Demand for Climate Action, which means the community can start movement now.
Here are some of the ways you can get involved:
VOTE EARTH The time has never been better to use your power as a voting citizen to select the candidates who will take action to protect the planet. Vote Earth calls on citizens to examine the climate and environmental platforms of their candidates before voting.
THE GREAT GLOBAL CLEAN-UP In collaboration with partners around the globe, Earth Day Network (the organisation behind Earth Day) is building Earth’s largest clean-up crew.
The Great Global Clean-up is a worldwide campaign to remove billions of pieces of rubbish from neighbourhoods, beaches, rivers, lakes, trails, and parks — thus reducing waste and plastic pollution, improving habitats, and preventing harm to wildlife and humans.
ARTISTS FOR THE EARTH Artists for the Earth is a global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of climate change and the environment by seizing the power of art to inform, provoke, and inspire action and instil hope for the future.
Artists for the Earth will engage thousands of museums, orchestras, theatres, performers, authors and artists from all walks of life and from every continent to change our global culture ‘through culture’.
You can make a difference – whether it be through lifestyle changes that cut emissions, action on plastics pollution, species protection, university and school teach-ins, tree plantings, local and global clean-ups, switching to a more plant-based diet, or voting with your wallet and your ballot.
To learn more about Earth Day, visit earthday.org
There is no way that you can ever find out if your ancestors married for love, but you can discover the details of the marriage itself. The newspapers will give us the engagement and wedding notice with their social columns maybe providing a write-up of an engagement or pre-wedding party and a description of the wedding and the gifts, but it is the marriage record that provides us with the most family history information.
Most people married in a church and most couples married by banns. This meant that an announcement of the coming marriage was read out in church for three consecutive weeks. BY JAN WARD – TOOWOOMBA AND DARLING DOWNS FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Records were kept of these banns and many survive.
During the 1850s in Australia, civil registration became compulsory and marriage certificates were issued.
It is an index of these that we find online, but there is so much more information than is found in an index.
By purchasing a copy, you will be sure you have the right couple and you will be able to go back another generation.
What you will find on the marriage certificate: place and date of marriage, full name, age, occupation and birthplace of the bride and groom, names of both parents, occupation of fathers.
Do not forget to investigate the witnesses – they may be family members. But, do remember that people sometime gave false information. A step- parent’s name could be given instead of a birth parent. An illegitimate child could record a false name for a father or one marriage partner could adjust his or her age to become closer in age to the other.
Full age meant over 21 years and under that age meant the marriage could take place only if a parent or guardian gave consent. Of course, that meant another adjustment in age if that consent was not possible.
At TDDFHS we have access to birth, death and marriage records for all Australian states as well as church records for many local churches.
Some of these church registers have been indexed, not only for the bride and groom, but also for the parents and witnesses. Here comes the bride (and groom)
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It’s the time of year again for love, with the romance of Valentine’s Day just around the corner.
The excitement and joy of the new beginnings (or older stability) of romance and love should not bring concern for the future, although for those of us who have previously had relationships that have ended, there can be.
“Never again” are often the parting words from a client at the end of their matter.
However, I often see those same people some time later with a BY BEST WILSON BUCKLEY FAMILY LAW new de facto partner or married and, for the unfortunate few, in a situation of separation once more.
If you are one of the many who fit into the previously separated category (for want of a better phrase), it is important, for your wellbeing and that of your children, that you consider how your new love is going to impact on both your personal family situation; as well as your ongoing financial security.
For those of us who see people at one of the most difficult points in their lives, we don’t want to see the new love dimmed by dispute when it can be very easily sorted out (if the worst was to happen later) at any early date.
Things such as mutual debts, tenants in common (instead of joint tenancy) when purchasing property, and wills and estates should all be considered, along with beneficiaries for superannuation and life insurances.
At the end of the day, there are very few of us who would not wish for our children and other family members to be appropriately protected if the worst was to happen.
Such discussions can be hard to start but, in the majority of times, can be undertaken in a friendly and amicable basis.
After all, what everyone is doing is protecting themselves, their families, and their new romance. At the end of the day, who doesn’t want to stop a dispute if they can?
While the romance continues, and the flowers bloom, ensure you seek the advice you need. Another shot at love
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Helping your pets age gracefully
Did you know that at the ripe age of seven, dogs and cats are classified as senior pets?
A recent study found that one in four pet owners weren’t aware their pet had transitioned into a senior but, just like humans, pets also experience the effects of ageing.
This can include greying hair, sore joints, changes to eyesight, lumps and bumps as well as behavioural issues just to name a few, and all can have an impact on their health.
Here are the common health conditions for senior pets and how to help them: INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY GREENCROSS VETS
1. Arthritis – You may notice your furry loved ones start to slow down and decline physically, which can be a sign of arthritis. If your dog or cat is limping or having difficulty getting up, consult your local vet to have them assessed.
Also, keep an eye out for irritability and tiredness. If your dog or cat does have arthritis, you’ll be given a plan to help manage symptoms and be advised of the treatments available.
2. Nutrition – As pets age, they experience changes in their metabolism.
Switch to dog and cat foods that specifically cater to seniors to make sure they’re getting the correct nutrients for their life stage.
Make sure you keep your pet’s energy levels in mind so that their meal portions and exercise regimen are a good match.
3. Behaviour – Dogs and cats can experience mood changes as they get older, so monitor how they interact with others.
It’s important to identify any shifts in behaviour and deal with these changes before they become an issue.
Sometimes changes in behaviour can be linked to health issues, such as arthritis or tooth pain for example, so be sure to check in with your vet if you see any changes in your fur baby.
The transition from adult to senior dog is nothing to worry about if you know what to watch out for. If you have any conerns or want more information you can contact your local vet clinic.
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Ask any landlord if they’d like an extra $10, $20 or even $50 a week in rent for their property and I’m pretty sure I know what the answer would be. A very big “yes please”. But arbitrarily putting rents up, just for the sake of it, is incredibly unfair on tenants. BY ROS BURTON – THE REAL ESTATE PEOPLE Ideally, you want a rent rise to be justified and, where possible, the tenant should benefit as well.
You want it to be a win/win situation. One guaranteed way to increase your rent (and add value to your investment property) is to do some renovations between tenancies.
A lick of paint or new carpets can make all the difference.
I fully understand most landlords don’t have a bottomless well of cash to dip into, but it’s vitally important they listen to what the market is saying about their property. Like buyers going through open houses on a weekend, potential renters are inspecting any number of properties looking for the ‘right fit’ and their opinions and feedback are invaluable.
Are they looking for a furnished property? Is the kitchen dated? Does the loungeroom need an air-conditioner or the bedrooms require fans?
Spending those few extra dollars can secure a quality tenant and a higher rental income.
For a small outlay, you can greatly improve the presentation and value of your property (with all the tax benefits that apply), you are guaranteed more rent will be coming your way, you most probably will have your pick of tenants and the one you select will feel at home in your property and will be happy to pay a premium or even commit to a long-term lease.
That’s a win/win/win/win result in my book. Are you maximising your rental return?
We say what we do… and we do what we say
289 Herries St, Toowoomba | 07 4633 8899 (just up from Glennie School) www.therealestatepeople.com.au At The Real Estate People, we consider our word is our bond and we understand how clear communication and following through on promises is an integral part of good customer service. So, whether you’re buying, renting or selling, call us today or visit our Herries Street office and discover how we can help you sleep easy at night.
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