in Western Sydney
Diabetes has been an issue for Western Sydney, in fact, the diagnosis rates of diabetes in Western Sydney is higher than the New South Wales average. This has left Western Sydney to be labelled a diabetes ‘hotspot’ for many years.
Western Sydney is home to over 1 million adults and with diabetes rates continuing to climb, NSW Health estimates that 13% are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes while over 290,000 people are estimated to be at a high risk of developing diabetes (1).
In response to this health crisis, the Western Sydney Diabetes (WSD) initiative was established in 2014. WSD is a partnership between Western Sydney Primary Health Network, Western Sydney Local Health District, Diabetes Australia and the former Department of Planning, Industry and Environment with an Alliance of over 140 partner organisations.
WSD is dedicated to improving diabetes prevention and management efforts through a series of partnerships and innovative programs. The WSD team offer plenty of educational resources to help inform the Western Sydney community on the high rates of type 2 diabetes in the region, ways to help prevent against developing type 2 diabetes and how to detect it early.
Lowering your Risk
It’s important to be aware of things you can do to lower your risk of developing diabetes. You can lower your diabetic risk if you:
9 Eat a mix of food from the five food groups every day (as per the Australian Dietary Guidelines).
9 Drink plenty of water
9 Exercise regularly
9 Manage your weight
9 Avoid smoking
9 Have regular health check ups
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body can’t process insulin properly or is not making enough insulin.
Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves, resulting in long term health complications including heart, kidney, eye and foot damage.
Are you at Risk of Diabetes?
WSD is encouraging adults to get a blood test if they:
• Have a family history of diabetes
• Have an inactive lifestyle
• Are overweight or obese
• Had diabetes during a pregnancy
• Have a Pacific Island, Indian subcontinent, Chinese, Southeast Asian, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island background.
It is critical to visit a GP early. GPs can help prevent or manage diabetes-related complications by providing guidance on diet, exercise, and medication, and by coordinating care with other specialists.
To help find a GP, you can visit Healthdirect here.
When it’s time for a winter getaway Weekend in the Blue Mountains is a must
GRAB your friends or a loved ones and rejuvenate in the Blue Mountains’ clear skies and fresh air this winter. It is the perfect location to pass chilly nights and days and go home refreshed.
Blackheath
Along with hundreds of bushwalks throughout the Blue Mountains there are many urban local nooks and crannies to find and the region of Blackheath is a great base for exploration. At the top of Govetts Leap Drive, just off Great Western Highway is a village cluster of pubs, cafes and shops, a popular spot of sitting in the sunshine enjoying a coffee, bookstore, music shop and antique shop browsing or enjoying a pub meal.
Recharge at the Parklands Country Garden and Lodges
Drive two minutes along Govetts Leap Drive and discover the tranquility of the Parklands property. Set on 28 acres of land, this former mansion feels like a private home and the expansive winter gardens are broody in their winter glory. Walk into the warm main house, straight into the reception area and be welcomed with a warm mulled wine. The adjacent loungeroom with fireplace and gorgeous winter-themed paintings is the perfect spot to relax for a while and the garden visible from the large windows. The city starts to feel a million miles away.
Private Winter haven
The lodges on the property are generously sized modern cottages, with warm towel racks, a fireplace and homely private lounge area. Sit outside in the private courtyard wrapped in warm rugs and do some stargazing. Parklands provides a Stargazing checklist. Can you see the Milky Way, Sagittarius, Saturn, Milky Way Core or Omega Centauri? This is such a fun activity whether you’re here to connect with 30, 40 or 60 year old friends, a loved one you haven’t spent time with of late or it's a fun romantic getaway. It’s very grounding and puts life in perspective to gaze into the skies.
Accessible Country Stays - Wheelchair Access
Anyone who reads my monthly write ups knows that something I’m passionate about is accessible travel. Why should people in wheelchairs miss out on all the fun? Opened in April 2025, the Parklands provide several ‘Lakeside Canopy’ glamping lodges and one of them has Australian certified wheelchair access. Yay. Drive right up the front door, this door access is level entry, there is
away from the rat race visitors would really feel absolutely amazing. A basket of breakfast delights can be delivered down to these glamping lodges if you don’t feel like wandering up to the light-filled breakfast room to partake in the leisurely barista-made coffees, hot breakfast, chia pudding and fruit breakfast.
It’s your leisure time and your choice.
plenty of space around the bed and the bathroom has wheelchair provisions. Enjoy the view of the duckpond, firepit or gardens from the verandah. These glamping lodges are a fun way to get a group of couples together or for a romantic getaway or somewhere to finally start writing that novel by yourself. The silence of the countryside is wonderful and there’s an open air freestanding bath tub discreetly located down the side of each lodge. After a few days to a week
Govetts
Leap Lookout
A five minute drive down Govetts Leap Road is the World heritage jaw-dropping lookout and base to enjoy some scenic walks. The lookout here is accessible for wheelchairs. The walks from here, being reasonably steep down into the valley and crossing scenic creeks, are not suitable for wheelchairs. The easiest walk takes approximately 15 minutes and requires some level of fitness.
Yuletide Dinner at the Hydro Majestic
An eight minute drive along the Great Western Highway from Parklands is the iconic Hydro Majestic Hotel, a popular destination since 1905. During daylight hours be sure to drop in to marvel at the expansive Megalong Valley below that you won’t see in the winter hours after the sun goes down. In the evenings across winter the dining theme in the Wintergarden Restaurant is Yuletide until August 2nd. This 5 course degustation menu includes thoughtfully put together delights such as Poached Lobster, Cured Ocean Trout and Avocado Mousse, Quail and Duck Wellington, Chargrilled Venison and parsnip, prosciutto. Dessert Passion fruit yoghurt and mint leaves, Raspberry Mousse, Berry Twigs and Raspberry Sorbet. Cocktails of note are Passion Whiskey and Courtside and the wines are a delightful selection.
@hydrobluemountains www.hydromajestic. com.au 52/88 Great Western Hwy Medlow Bath NSW 2780 phone +612 4782 6885 for bookings.
So much for to discover in Japan Wild and wonderful Osaka
WHEN you think of travelling to Japan, you might only consider visiting Tokyo but there’s so much more to discover.
Osaka is Japan’s second largest metro area after Tokyo and with a spectacular international airport, Osaka makes much of Japan's main island of Honshu accessible. Nara, Kyoto and Kobe are within easy reach of Osaka and are incredible sidetrips or destinations in their own right.
Osaka is a city 500km southwest of Tokyo but it’s easy to travel between the two cities on the Shinkansen (bullet train) in just 2.5 hours. Osaka can proudly say it's the birthplace of instant ramen. It's a city known for quirky culture and street food and you may recognise some of the local dishes, Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki or Ikayaki by name. Did you know that people in Osaka speak a slightly different dialect (Kansai-ben)? Japanese people can tell who is from Osaka straight away when they start talking.
Experience History at Every Turn
Take a stroll down Kuromon Market, the ‘kitchen of Osaka’ and experience where fish merchants have gathered to buy and sell fish since 1822. Be prepared to be swept along in the throng of customers and merchants in the 580 metre long street, housing 190 stores all touting delicious food, kitchenwares, daily necessities, souvenirs and clothing. It's loud, energetic and great in all-weather with much of it undercover with a clear decorative roof. Save an evening for walking Dotonbori Canal, (dug in 1612) with its vibrant neon lights, street food and nightlife in the area. Save a visit to Osaka Castle for the daylight hours and absorb the history and views over the city from this iconic landmark built
by powerful feudal lords in 1583 and picture how that history went down with enemies sneaking up to the fortified walls and the battles to establish dominance.
Shinsekai
Wander the colourful streets of the Shinsekai area, lights and thematic buildings and noise will compete for your attention in this district. Maybe you’ve come to Japan to experience the polar opposite of historical alleyways and ancient traditions, drop into Universal Studios Japan with the flagship theme park Super Nintendo World. Love a skyline? Are you a scenery-buff? Head north to Umeda Sky Building up to the observatory for views as far as the eye can see. Magic!
Osaka’s Muscle Bar
Fancy something fun to do when travelling with friends? Why not visit Osaka’s Muscle Bar, these bars are peppered throughout Japan and as the name suggests, they’re known for muscly men and is entertainment a little different to the ordinary. Here’s a quote by an Aussie female customer, explaining the Osaka experience as an opt-in lounge style bar and a little more intense than its Kyoto Muscle Bar cousin.
“You’re welcomed by shirtless waiters who are loud, theatrical, and very hands-on, literally. Think of it more as a host bar experience with a muscle twist” She explains if you’d like a hug or want to be lifted up, that is considered a service that comes with a fee. “You’re
handed a menu outlining what you can ask for—if you like the look of someone, they’ll come over and entertain you and you need to be comfortable approaching the staff and making requests”.
Website: https://kitashinchimusclebar.foodre.jp Insta: @kitashinchimusclebar
From a Cup Noodles museum in Ikeda, Taxidermy Bar in Amerika Mura, dining in the dark at Zauo Fishing Restaurant or laundromat cafe you can explore this wild and wonderful city for months and not go to the same place twice.
The Swissotel Nankai Osaka
This lovely hotel is situated right above the Nankai Namba train station and is in the heart of all Osaka’s action. Hotel decor is fresh and cosmopolitan with stencilled wall art and large windows looking out to Osaka’s streetscape beyond.
The hotel has some lovely restaurants and one of them is called SH’UN Wine & Dine and has a world travel series cuisine focus that changes every couple of months, be it Italian, Spanish or French food. The theme for July and August is the food of Germany. For specials and more info head to: https:// swissotelnankaiosaka.com/offers/shunwine-dine-world-travel-series/ Namba Station You can easily get to and from Kansai airport via the Nankai Line, the Subway Midosuji, Yotsubashi, and Sennichimae lines and Hanshin and Kintetsu private railways from this station and the Swisshotel is directly above the station. You can get nearly anywhere in Osaka or out to Kobe, Kyoto, or Nara from here, it’s incredibly convenient.
Book accommodation through all.com or find out more info at osaka@swissotel. com(swissotelnankaiosaka.com) +81 6-66461111 Find it at: 5-1-60 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0076, Japan
El 47 Review
The perfect amount of heartwarming drama, laugh out loud comedy, and true story realism to kick off the Spanish Film Festival in Australia!
JACOB RICHARDSON
MANOLO Vital (Eduard Fernandez) helped found the small town of Torre Bar? on the outskirts of Barcelona, when he had to leave his hometown due to persecution.
But years later, this aged, faded revolutionary is content driving his bus route in the main city of Barcelona - even as his community argues amongst itself on how to move forward with power, sewage, water and other infrastructure issues. When tragedy strikes the suburb, Manolo decides to take drastic action to try and secure a symbolic win for his home, amidst the 1970’s boom of Barcelona.
El 47 is beautifully shot. With a little bit of extra grain, a wonderful cinematic flare, and not too polished a finish, the film immerses you into the outskirts of Barcelona in a way that will have you pining for the simple life. It also does wonders interspersing real, existing footage of Barcelona
and the busses of the period with the elements shot for the film; an intriguing blend of real archival footage, and modern footage made to look archival, occurs at various points and it is a technique I had never seen used before to that effect.
Eduard Fern?ndez, as the main protagonist, is an absolute, handsdown standout. He’s someone you can absolutely root for, bringing a warmth
and humour to his faded revolutionary character but also an inner steel that shines through.
The story is one that, perhaps on the outside, tackles a small subject; one of bringing a bus route to a town outside of the main city of Barcelona. But it is so much more than that.
Director Marcel Barrena gives this movie so much gravitas and heart in its telling, really blending in the
challenges with bureaucracy, the need for revolution that led to the founding of this city, the real-life historical impacts of the government shifts, and more.
The film never bogs itself down too much in preachy speeches, or in dramatic retelling of major historical incidents, instead referring to them often tangentially.
Instead, this movie hyper focuses on this little town, and shows how a community can build itself up from nothing in the face of immeasurable adversity, but also needs to keep fighting all the time to maintain its survival, and its purpose.
At the end of the day, this is a movie that will have you cheering like its the final at the World Cup when Manolo gets a bus up a hill, but it’s a film that has certainly earnt that emotional pay-off, and done so in a way that feels unique, and warm.
El 47 is an interesting play on a revolutionary film, but one that will grip you in the intricacies of its story, while also being incredibly upbeat and heartwarming.
Can AI calculate your tax return? Like Dr Google, it isn’t perfect
AI is changing how Australians do their taxes, but experts warn it could backfire if overused. Convenience comes with risk, especially if you’re relying on AI alone.
As tax time rolls around, many Australians are asking whether artificial intelligence (AI) can help them get their tax returns done faster and cheaper. From apps that scan receipts to chatbots that explain deductions, AI may promise to take the complexity out of a traditionally stressful task.
But experts at UNSW Business School say relying too heavily on these tools could come with risks, especially for people with limited tax knowledge or more complex financial circumstances.
Professor Jennie Granger, from the School of Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, says AI can make tax time easier and faster, especially for people with straightforward financial affairs. “AI can be a good starting point,” says Prof. Granger. “It has an impressive ability to analyse issues, apply the law and respond in straightforward language.”
On the other hand, Prof. Granger and others also caution that convenience can come at a cost. “Using ChatGPT to assist with tax returns is likely to be a bad idea for people with limited tax knowledge,” says Associate Professor Sam Kirshner from the School of Information Systems and Technology Management. “When it gets things wrong, you’re the one liable.”
So, what can AI do well? Where does it fall short? And should you trust it with your tax return this year? Here’s what you need to know before handing your finances to a machine.
What can AI do for your tax return?
For individuals with relatively straightforward financial affairs, AI tools that scan statements and receipts to identify income and deductions can save time and improve accuracy, “AI will make it easier for Australians to locate records and thus get their income and deductions right,” says Professor Michael Walpole, from the School of Accounting, Auditing and Taxation. “The advantage is that they will be less likely to miss things and thus under-report income or under-claim deductions. AI can also be used to check a taxpayer’s understanding of the rules.
“The increased AI assistance will be counterbalanced by a decreased need for it as prepopulating of tax forms from data held by agencies that share it with the ATO will leave less to fill in and more to simply check,” he says.
Prof. Granger says that some apps use AI tools to scan receipts and automatically categorise them for deductions. “An example is the ATO’s myDeductions record-keeping tool, which can be downloaded to your phone.
“Once they are in the app, they can then be collated and automatically
uploaded to the relevant parts of your return. You are still doing the work of inputting and tagging the records, but they are all in one spot digitally,” she says.
“A bigger step in automation is underway with AI tools that can access your statements digitally, analyse them and provide you with the analysis that you can then upload to your tax return. For small businesses, software such as MYOB uses AI to do this.”
Prof. Granger says that AI tools such as machine learning, natural language processing and predictive analytics are already being used in the ATO’s MyTax platform. “This is used by individuals who do their own tax returns,” she says.
AI also helps personalise returns, prepopulate data, check for errors, and even give nudges to claim overlooked deductions. Prof. Granger says, “The tax return preparation process has become much easier and faster as a result.
“AI also gives taxpayers a nudge if their income or expenses seem out of pattern compared to their past history and checks for errors and calculates the likely tax result,” she says.
Statistics show that these tools are making it easier for many Australians to file their own tax return. As of April 2025, the ATO has received over 14.1 million individual tax return lodgments for 2024, which is a 3% increase compared to the year before.
“Tax agents also have AI built into their tax preparation software and can upload and prepopulate taxpayer information that the ATO holds. Some agents may also offer a virtual service, filing a digital tax return via their website with a virtual (AI) assistant as an adviser with access to a human only if needed,” says Prof. Granger.
The not-so-good side of AI and Tax
Despite the benefits, there are significant limitations. One issue is the accuracy and relevance of the information AI provides, especially if the user doesn’t know enough to verify it.
“ChatGPT’s knowledge base may not reflect recent legislative changes, and its training data tends to overweight older and more established rules,” says A/Prof. Kirshner. “That makes it poorly suited to handling newer provisions or time-sensitive compliance issues.”
Unlike tax agents, AI tools don’t accept liability when things go wrong. “When an accountant or tax platform makes a mistake, you typically have recourse,” says A/Prof Kirshner. “Naturally, OpenAI will not accept liability, making the errors yours.”
Prof. Walpole agrees. “If you get it wrong, you may either pay too much tax or too little. If it is too little, it may be picked up and you will have an amended assessment with penalties and interest,” he says. “The penalties and interest often far exceed the tax shortfall.”
AI tools can also give outdated or irrelevant answers, sometimes for the wrong financial year or even for the wrong country. “You need to be very clear when giving it a search to undertake,” says Prof. Walpole.
Even for tools that analyse your bank statements or receipts, there are limits. Users need to ensure the categories used for deductions are correct and relevant to their return.
“It is only as good as your own understanding of what data is in your statements,” says Prof. Granger. “So, it would be wise to use this type of
tool to complement your analysis, not replace it.”
There’s also the risk of using generalised advice that doesn’t apply to your circumstances. “AI can be a good starting point,” says Prof. Granger. “But like Dr Google, it does not remove the need for you to exercise your own judgement, including a good dose of scepticism.”
What should you do this tax season?
If you’re considering using AI to help with your return this year, proceed with caution, say UNSW Business academics. While AI tools can offer valuable support, especially for recordkeeping, simple deductions, or understanding broad rules, they are not a substitute for professional judgment.
“Be careful, check its ‘homework’ and understand why it is encouraging you to claim a deduction or a tax rebate,” says Prof. Walpole.
Here is a simple guidance checklist:
• Don’t enter personal information into public AI tools.
• Only use reputable AI software with strong security.
• Double-check AI analysis for errors or omissions.
• Treat general answers as educational, not tailored advice.
• Seek expert help if your affairs are complex.
“Even though I use large language models across many domains, I am personally sticking with my tax accountant. In short, AI can be a powerful helper, but it’s not yet a reliable replacement. When it comes to your taxes, it pays to stay informed, cautious, and critical.”
