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Christopher Hall, from The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement, describes it as “the moment of impact”.
“People say it’s like a time rupture: a sharp define between life before and after,” he says.
For some, it’s a punch in the gut; for others it’s almost surreal.
Your world as you know it has irrevocably changed.
Those words – from Carrol Baker’s cover story this month – try to encapsulate the moment when a person is told they have a serious illness.
Carrol speaks with several patients who give their very personal accounts of how they coped with this devastating news and ‘life after diagnosis’.
She also taps into the empathetic advice, experience and expertise of those who offer medical, psychological and emotional support at this time and throughout the patient’s unique journey that follows.
It’s not palatable subject matter.
But none of us can escape being touched by serious illness such as cancer
– whether our own health is at risk or that of a loved one.
The experience and consequences are something we must learn to live with.
And it is these ‘mind games’ that we must overcome as much as the positive or negative outcomes of the disease itself.
To lighten the mood a little this month, travel writer Kerry Heaney (@eatdrinkandbekerry) takes a road trip to the Outback, from Longreach to Winton.
The region was hit by severe flooding in January.
But it has bounced back and tourism operators there have well and truly put out the welcome mat for a bumper winter season.
So, from dinosaurs to aviation history and the birthplace of our Waltzing Matilda – our unofficial national anthem, you have plenty of history to add to the warm country hospitality.
As usual, we have plenty of other advice, latest information and humour to brighten your day – from our history buffs, motoring, retirement and technology experts and ‘life’ columnists to What’s Hip, What’s On and what’s new in health and wellbeing.
So, grab a coffee, buckle up and enjoy the read!
Shirley Sinclair Editor
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The unfair mind games that can play out with a serious illness diagnosis
CARROL BAKER explores the depths of emotion patients encounter – and what to do about those feelings –with advice from medical professionals and those who have found themselves on similar journeys.
When 62-year-old Angela was diagnosed with breast cancer, she went home, calmly made a cup of tea, fed the dog and started to cook dinner.
“I couldn’t wrap my head around it,” the Sunshine Coast resident says. “It was like an out-of-body experience.”
Being diagnosed with a serious illness can feel like the world has tilted on some kind of crazy axis.
Christopher Hall, from The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement, describes it as “the moment of impact”.
“People say it’s like a time rupture: a
sharp define between life before and after,” Mr Hall says.
For some, it’s a punch in the gut; for others it’s almost surreal.
Your world as you know it has irrevocably changed.
Julie Bolton, a counsellor who specialises in supporting those with
cancer, says that when given a painful diagnosis, many people are encouraged to suppress or hold their feelings inside – to be stoic or brave.
“Sometimes we can also feel an expectation from others for us to be positive all the time after a diagnosis, which can be exhausting,” Ms Bolton says.
After a fall, Felicity, 59, from Northern NSW, discovered she had an aggressive and rare type of cancer.
“I just wanted to go into my cave,” she says.
Felicity dulled her pain with alcohol, took to her bed and binged TV series after TV series on Netflix.
Friends struggled to help. Felicity was always angry. She’d scream down the phone.
When someone is diagnosed with a serious or life-limiting illness, experts agree that it is important to acknowledge that all feelings are okay.
The reality is, you might feel shock, fear, rage – or even relief, if you’ve been experiencing symptoms, because now you know what you are dealing with.
Mr Hall says that in the past, there was a “cookie-cutter” approach to grief – a range of emotions you were likely to experience: shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and, finally, acceptance.
“The last one (acceptance) is the emotional promised land, but people often die as they live and acceptance isn’t part of that. They may be angry until they take their last breath,” he explains.
Prescribing to the notion that you must suppress feelings isn’t healthy.
Angelique Foran, a clinical psychologist from Supported Minds Psychology, says avoiding acknowledging your emotions may increase stress, anxiety or even physical health issues.
“The aim is to accept your feelings and begin to navigate your health journey with self-compassion,” she says. That may mean trying to find joy doing the things you love. Take a walk in the sunshine. Fuel your body with nutrient-rich foods. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion. Reach out to those who offer comfort.
Many people with a serious illness say that one of the most difficult things to do is sharing the news with loved ones.
Australian Psychological Society CEO Dr Zena Burgess says it’s normal to feel awkward and nervous about having the conversation.
“Choose a private, calm setting and share information clearly and honestly, using straightforward language,” she suggests.
When telling grandkids, Dr Burgess says not to make it a “set-and-forget” announcement, but rather an ongoing conversation.
“Ask children regularly: ‘How are you feeling about the news?’, so they know discussing it is not taboo,” she adds.
Dealing with a diagnosis sooner rather than later can help you prepare.
When you know something is wrong, don’t ignore the warnings.
When Angela was showering, she felt the pea-sized lump in her breast but pushed niggling thoughts aside.
“I was caring for my mum who was seriously unwell and didn’t have time to take on anything else,” she says.
Eight years after being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, Angela remains hopeful: “I refuse to let this disease define who I am.”
One of the challenges of serious disease or illness, Mr Hall says, is its power to steal your sense of self.
You need to reclaim your identity beyond being a patient or someone who
is dying, he says. “You are still an auntie, a gardener, an artist, or a friend,” Mr Hall says. “You are more than what is happening to your body.”
There is no denying the fact that none of us are getting out of here alive.
We have a limited time on this Earth, and not one of us really knows when the jig is up.
While we don’t have a say in when we depart, Mr Hall acknowledges we do have input on how we live.
“Death is choiceless, but how you respond to a serious illness is rich in choice,” he says.
In shock news of a bowel cancer diagnosis, Patricia, 62, from Brisbane, was told she had a pear-sized mass.
Doctors were not confident they could remove it. She hugged those she loved as she broke the news, saying she wasn’t giving up without a fight.
“I told the doctor, ‘I want it out. I
“Sometimes we can feel an expectation from others for us to be positive all the time ... which can be exhausting”
have to get through this’,” she says.
Patricia admits she has her teary days, but she remains upbeat to this day – even cracking jokes with the nurses from her hospital bed.
When Sam, 56, from Brisbane, started having headaches and felt out of sorts, doctors told him he was experiencing depression.
He wasn’t convinced. Then came the MRI that delivered a heartwrenching blow to the father of two: Sam had a massive brain tumour that was inoperable.
Over time, friends he thought he could count on faded away; others he wasn’t as close to were knocking on his door.
“It’s often a surprise who supports us during times of crisis and who isn’t available,” Ms Foran notes.
“Some will disappear because of their own unresolved issues.
“Other friendships might fade away because people simply don’t know what to say or do.”
The overwhelming advice is not to be afraid to let friends and family know what you need.
It also can be helpful to join support groups and share with others what you’re going through.
Dr Burgess says seeking professional support can help to make sense of your illness.
“As difficult and painful as it is, there are also opportunities for growth, relationship repair and a new sense of self that can emerge if a person has the support and openness to engage with the diagnosis,” she says.
Sam’s journey came to an end with his family by his side.
Felicity still feels cheated and angry at times, but with support and the passing of time, she has turned the corner.
“I’m feeling more chilled these days,” she says.
She’s crossing items off on her bucket list with wild abandon. A road trip across Europe included a bungie jump in Croatia. A trip to Sydney meant she could see a favourite 1980s rock band. The possibilities are endless.
And she is up for every single one of them.
What’s
No, not the replacement surgery type of ‘hip’. It’s a selection of on-trend snippets that could include places to dine, travel destinations, where to shop, what to see and visit, as well as what to watch, read and listen to, so you can stay up to date with family, friends and neighbours of all ages.
What to see
What to book
EVEN after 42 years, the Queensland Garden Show continues to blossom. The premier three-day show – from July 10-12 this year – brings gardening enthusiasts, horticultural experts, landscape designers and retailers together in one place. It transforms Nambour Showgrounds into a vibrant showcase of plants, gardening and landscape advice and hands-in-the-soil learning. Each year, more than 25,000 visitors pass through the gates to explore in excess of 360 exhibitors, including 55 major nurseries offering 60,000 plants for sale each day. From garden classics to exotic and hard-to-find varieties and new releases launched at the event, the Queensland Garden Show is the state’s largest collection of plants in one location. It also offers 70-plus free lectures and demonstrations across four stages. Go to qldgardenshow.com.au
The Curated Plate’s full 2026 program has been released, so anyone from epicureans to everyday foodies can secure their tickets for the July 24-August 2 festival. The 2026 program features more than 50 events, from the Sunshine Coast hinterland to coastline. They include long lunches, chef collaborations, farm tours, live cooking demonstrations, producer experiences, familyfriendly events and immersive cultural dining designed to showcase the best of the Coast’s food, farming and hospitality sectors. Among the new events are: the Da Biuso Bus which rolls into Happy Valley, Caloundra, for an intimate Italian degustation; the Bush Harvest Morning Tea celebrating Indigenous and international flavours with paddock-to-plate goodness at Fairhill Gardens; an escape to New Orleans with live jazz and a degustation lunch; and the Trawler to Table stillwater dining with Coastal Cruises Mooloolaba and Mooloolaba Fish Market. Visit thecuratedplate.com.au
What to listen to
COMEDIAN Jean Kittson leads bold new conversations with Australians over 50 – proving life doesn’t slow down, it opens up – in DARE: The Time of Your Life. This is an award-winning podcast series, produced by Australian Seniors, and formerly known as Life’s Booming. The podcast features candid conversations, expert insights and real-life stories that challenge perceptions of ageing and celebrate life’s next chapter. It reframes ageing as a time of growth, curiosity and new beginnings through a series of often humorous conversations with high-profile guests including seven-time world champion surfer Layne Beachley, bestselling author Kathy Lette and celebrity landscape designer Jamie Durie. This seventh season, titled ‘Better With Age’, challenges the outdated notion that life slows down after 50. See seniors.com.au/podcast or Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.
Back in the day ...
THE release of Toy Story 5 last month gave baby boomers the chance to take the grandkids to the movies for the latest instalment of the quaint film franchise. Some of us sat glued to TV interviews with stars Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear) and Tom Hanks (Woody), reliving happy memories of being new parents when the original film came out in November 1995. Produced by Pixar Animation Studios for the Walt Disney Company, the films show the adventures/misadventures of toys that come to life when humans aren’t around. The original was the first feature-length film created entirely with CGI (computer-generated imagery). Toy Story 5 tackles how technology impacts imaginative childhood play.
Where to visit
ON JULY 18 and 19, our capital city’s architecture takes centre stage when 93 buildings and spaces, including historic and innovative landmarks, welcome visitors to the 15th annual Brisbane Open House. The free weekend event is the chance to tour a remarkable range of buildings, including City Hall, the new Glasshouse Theatre, Spring Hill Service Reservoirs, Brisbane Airport, Government House, Port of Brisbane, and Roma Street Fire Station. More than 30 are new this year, including a record 16 private homes. Also on offer is the Brisbane Open House photography competition, talks, guided walking tours, meet-the-maker experiences and concerts. See brisbaneopenhouse.com.au
Our focus is on gaining valuable research and a greater understanding of holistic, non-invasive cancer treatments and therapies.
At CanSurvive, we are dedicated to ensuring people challenged by cancer have a greater choice in determining their care and treatment
In doing so, we provide access to:
• Evidence-based research on traditional and complimentary care
• Holistic non-invasive cancer therapies (services)
• Books, Supplements and Events
• Support Groups
• Educational Seminars and Workshops
Online Shop
• An extensive lending library with mail order service
Retiree GARRY REYNOLDS shares his thoughts on the world around us.
THE LOVE OF AN OLD MAN
THERE’S an old Spanish proverb doing the rounds again: “Better to love an old man, who knows what love is, than a lad who flits around like a hummingbird.”
It’s a line that lands with a grin – and a surprising amount of truth.
Somewhere along the road of life, we discover that love isn’t a fireworks display.
It’s not the dizzy rush, the chase or the hummingbird flutter of someone who’s here today and gone by the weekend.
Real love – the kind that steadies you –is built on something quieter and far more precious: experience.
Older men, the proverb suggests, don’t love with guesswork. They’ve lived enough, lost enough and learned enough to understand what truly matters.
They know loyalty is worth more than charm, that consistency outshines charisma, and that desire deepens (it doesn’t fade) when it’s anchored in respect.
A woman once told me that the sexiest thing about her partner wasn’t his shoulders or his smile, but the way he
showed up. Every day. No fuss. No flitting. Just presence: the rarest love language of all.
That’s the kind of intimacy youth can’t always grasp – the comfort of someone who knows how to stay. And that’s really the heart of this proverb. Age isn’t the point: maturity is. Emotional steadiness.
The ability to listen without defensiveness. The courage to apologise. The instinct to protect rather than impress. The wisdom to choose connection over ego.
In a world obsessed with youth, it’s refreshing to remember that attraction isn’t only about smooth skin or fast pulses. It’s about feeling safe. Seen. Valued. It’s the quiet confidence that the person beside you won’t vanish at the first sign of difficulty.
So, perhaps the proverb isn’t about loving an ‘old man’ at all, but about loving someone who has grown into themselves – someone for whom commitment isn’t a cage but a comfort.
That’s because, in the end, love that lasts isn’t loud. It’s loyal. It’s lived in. And like all things shaped by time, it becomes more beautiful the longer it stays.
THE CAREERS GEN Z HAS NEVER HEARD OF
TEENAGERS today wouldn’t believe that people were once paid to wake workers up by tapping on their bedroom windows with long sticks.
Business marketplace AnyBusiness. com.au reminds us that entire professions that once employed thousands of people have disappeared in little more than a generation as technology transformed how people live, work and communicate.
Some of the jobs that have generally disappeared around the world:
Knocker-up: woke people up before alarm clocks existed – replaced by alarm clocks and smartphones.
Video store clerk: rented out VHS tapes and DVDs – replaced by streaming platforms.
AnyBusiness.com.au director of operations Mary Tamvakologos says the list highlights how quickly industries can change.
“Most people assume the jobs around them will always exist because they are familiar. History shows that is rarely the case,” she says.
“Many of these careers were once considered stable, respectable professions. Technology simply created faster and more efficient ways to deliver them.”
By Mocco Wollert
I HAVE always supported various organisations with a monthly donation – not big amounts, but enough to make me feel good about myself.
This month’s column is all about charity: about giving, helping.
Before you read my column, I would like to state clearly that I have no affiliation with The Smith Family.
I am not a member. The charity has not asked me to write this column.
Before I sat down to compose this piece, I rang the organisation to find out how many underprivileged children were currently on their books. The answer was 65,000!
In comparison to many poor societies in the world, we are an affluent country. Just count the coffee shops in your neighbourhood or the nail businesses – all thriving.
And yet we have so many children in need, with many living under the poverty line.
Quite a few years ago, I decided to do something about it and have sponsored children ever since.
contribution for a primary school child is $696 a year. Translated into coffee, it is the equivalent of 139 cups at $5 each.
Life in the slow lane Life’s an adventure
Your sponsor child does not know who you are, your name or address.
You only know the Christian name of your child. Contact is only through The Smith Family.
Not knowing who your child is can be hilarious at times. I send little notes from time to time to the children I sponsor and take their name as a guide as to what to write about.
By Cheryl Lockwood
AS WE slip into the second half of the year, I thought I’d share an update on the statements I quietly made back in January.
I may have mentioned previously that I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions – at least not in front of witnesses.
It is an easy task. It just takes some money. No personal effort is expected, apart from the occasional message to your sponsor child.
Don’t necessarily expect an answer. Most children hate writing letters. I did, too, when I was a child – so I am not worried about that.
However, I was elated to receive a short note, from the mother of one sponsor child, that my gift enabled her youngster to buy an iPad, which he needed for school.
The people at The Smith Family are very helpful. They remind me of birthdays and help me over the phone if I want to give an extra little gift, such as for Easter or Christmas. It is never cash – only gift cards – and it goes directly to the child.
So, here are the facts: the
Of course, the Australian habit of shortening names can make this tricky. I wrote to a lovely student called Chris about ‘girlie things’. I received a very short note back that he was not at all interested in the latest trend in make-up.
Yes, I get letters from the charity asking for extra help, and that can be annoying, but I ignore those, secure in the knowledge that I do my ‘bit’.
Please don’t regard this as a clarion call to all and thunder to sponsor a child. I am well aware that many of my readers cannot afford to frequent the local coffee shop or have their nails done. But those of us who can, well ...
May all the organisations you support value your donations.
Email mocco.wollert@bigpond.com
If we can have Christmas in July events, why not New Year ones, too?
A few of the promises I made relate to learning a new skill or hobby, which is harder than I thought.
As we age, the brain changes. Of course, the rest of the body does, also. It’s hard to miss the obvious: wrinkles, grey hair and involuntary noises accompanying actions we used to take for granted, such as the getting-out-of-bed groan or the audible sigh that escapes when alighting a car.
Not quite as noticeable is the change going on in the brain. The hippocampus, besides conjuring an image of a hippopotamus in a tent, is also a part of the brain which shrinks as we age, in turn affecting memory.
Some studies show that different parts of the brain, which should communicate with each other, function less efficiently. This may make learning something new more of a challenge than when we were younger.
The brain can help us forget information we
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don’t really need and when this connection is affected by ageing, old information floating around in there can interfere with the new knowledge we are trying to cram in. I still say that my brain is too full and stuff is falling out.
With that in mind, I feel better about the way my New Year’s resolutions are panning out.
I have not mastered Swedish yet, despite my daughter-in-law being from Sweden and a willing tutor.
My five-year-old granddaughter also speaks it fluently – proof of the spongelike effect of young brains. My attempts at pronunciation amuse her greatly.
The two-year-old already has more Swedish vocabulary than I have managed to retain. She hasn’t noticed that I sometimes look at her blankly when I’m trying to work out if she’s speaking English or if it’s just that I can’t decipher her toddler babble.
My solid, old piano still does little more than take up space and gather dust in my living room. Even though I learnt to read music back in high school, there seems to
be a communication issue between my brain and my fingers. My aim to learn piano is no closer to becoming a reality.
The online course in watercolour painting is nowhere near complete. I tried switching to sketching, but my pencils don’t work so well when they remain in the cupboard.
The only art I’ve mastered is to turn those take-a-little-time-for-yourself moments into several hours.
Unfortunately, these hours are not spent tackling resolutions, but I am enjoying doing crosswords with leisurely breakfasts that sometimes extend all the way to morning tea.
Research also shows that older people can learn new things as the brain is still capable of adapting and forming new memories as we age. The speed at which we learn or remember things may slow down, but give us a minute and most of us will recall why we walked into a room.
Taking on new tasks can sharpen our cognitive skills and improve memory. That’s ironic when the ability to remember my New Year’s list seems to be half my problem.
The year is not over. There’s still time to approach my self-imposed challenges with a new vigour.
If I’ve just reminded you of your own abandoned resolutions, I both apologise and wish you luck.
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BRIBIE Family History Association
(BFHA) Inc. will host its DNA Workshop on July 11, with presenter Helen Smith.
Arrive at Bribie Island Community Arts Centre at 9am for the two sessions: Session 1 at 9.30am –Diving Deeper into Ancestry DNA (BFHA members $30; non-members $40); and Session 2 at 1pm – Solving Family Mysteries with Autosomal DNA (BFHA members $30; non-members $40).
Session 1: Diving Deeper into Ancestry DNA
You have tested at Ancestry and the results are there. But how do you move from thousands of unknown cousins to identifying meaningful family connections?
This lecture explores Ancestry DNA, the settings and its suite of tools to organise matches, evaluate evidence and determine likely relationships.
Session 2: Solving Family Mysteries with Autosomal DNA
This lecture provides a practical introduction using case studies for the use of autosomal DNA in genealogical problem solving, with a focus on the analytical tools and methodologies used by today’s genetic genealogists after using the tools at Ancestry or MyHeritage.
Limited seating is available. Preregister with treasurer Trish Jacobsen by emailing bribiefha.treasurer@gmail.com
Payment is to be made with the booking.
OLDER WOMEN’S NETWORK BRANCHES
IF YOU are looking to meet other women, enjoy guest speakers, social activities and stay active in your community, try the Older Women’s Network (Qld) Inc.
To find a branch near you, call 3358 2301 or email admin@ownqld.org.au
ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY
BRENDALE Evening VIEW Club members, with the support of The Smith Family, come together to take on the many challenges faced by families who are finding it hard to pay for their children’s education.
In 2026, the VIEW volunteers have reached out to the local community through many fundraising events, community radio and local media platforms and the Arana Hills seniors expo Thrive Over 55 for a remarkably successful period of community engagement.
The expo was an opportunity to meet up with local Moreton Bay Division 9 Councillor Cath Tonks.
A big thank you to Cr Tonks and her team for the Brendale VIEW Club monthly newsletter.
As the winter chill sets in, the club has been turning up the heat to support The Smith Family’s 2026 Winter Appeal, which aimed to raise nearly $8 million by the end of June.
These crucial funds provide disadvantaged students with long-term educational resources, mentoring and learning support.
To join, go to the Brendale Evening VIEW Club Facebook page.
NORTH Brisbane Orchid Society meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 9 for a 9.30am start and the fourth Thursday night of the month at 7 for 7.30pm (excluding December and January).
The August night meeting will be held on the 3rd Thursday night, due to the society’s Annual Spring Orchid Show being held at Pine Rivers Showground on August 29 and 30.
The orchid society meetings are held in the Banyo Baptist Church Hall, corner Hartley Street and Musgrave Road, Banyo, with ample parking available.
Head along to enjoy guest speakers and plant displays and to learn how to grow and nurture orchids. Orchid society members also join in bus trips and growers’ educational days. Membership fees are reasonable.
For more information, call secretary Anne on 0415 334 517.
LOGAN Seniors Computer Group (LSCG) meets from 9am-noon on most 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month at Logan West Library in Grand Plaza Drive, Browns Plains.
LSCG is a small, mature-aged, friendly, no-frills, non-profit group which has been running since 1995. Members share their knowledge of computers, mobile phones, tablets and other devices. They assist each other (beginners to advanced), one on one, in discussion groups, lectures and PowerPoint presentations.
Bring your own mug, notebook and computer or share the group’s devices.
Morning tea and coffee are available. Call Dawn on 0413 938 947.
THE Redcliffe VIEW Club is welcoming new members.
The group of local women come together for friendship, fun and meaningful connection, while also supporting the education of disadvantaged young Australians through The Smith Family charity. Its Coffee & Chat catch-up is held on the fourth Friday of each month.
Monthly lunches are on the second Thursday of each month with guest speakers and plenty of laughs.
To attend, email redcliffeview@gmail. com or call Noelene on 0402 227 244.
REDLANDS VIEW Club is part of a national women’s group which supports the education of disadvantaged Australian students
The club sponsors 10 students in partnership with The Smith Family charity in its Learning for Life program.
Monthly lunch meetings are held at Fiction Bar and Restaurant in the Raby Bay complex in Shore Street, Cleveland.
Members gather at 10.30am for an 11am start on the fourth Tuesday of each month. A booking is required.
Members also enjoy coffee mornings, lunches and other outings.
Call Jean on 0409 268 646.
THE Schoolhouse Quilters Kenmore Quilt Show this year has a new and much bigger venue.
The show will be held at the Brookfield State School Assembly Hall at 18 Boscombe Road, Brookfield, on July 11 and 12.
The doors will open on Saturday from 9am-4pm, and Sunday from 10am-3pm. Entry fee is $5 (cash or card).
The generous space will showcase the diverse talents of the group, including applique, hand quilting, sashiko, boro, kwandi, embroidery and upcycling, plus quilted jackets and bags.
Make inquiries by emailing schoolhousequilterskenmore@gmail.com
At the Thrive Over 55 seniors expo are Brendale VIEW Club members Suzanne and Shayne, with (centre) Cr Cath Tonks
From Brisbane to the bush: the story of a special book club
CHRIS CURRIE discusses the love affair isolated Queensland women had with reading, as told through State Library historic records.
“Please, oh please send me some fiction and love stories.
I am a middle-aged woman with a grown family and I do like something interesting.”
It is hard to imagine not being able to pop in to your local library to pick up something interesting to read.
But for women living in isolated parts of Queensland in the early- to mid-20th century, the arrival of a book in the mail provided precious respite from tough conditions and domestic drudgery.
Moved by emotional newspaper reports of the struggles of their Outback sisters, a group of philanthropic, middleclass women from the Lyceum Club in Brisbane established the Queensland Bush Book Club (QBBC) in 1922.
The Lyceum Club was, and remains to this day, a club for women interested in the arts, science, contemporary issues and the pursuit of lifelong learning.
As part of the club’s philanthropic work, books were shipped from Brisbane, Ipswich and Townsville to isolated parts of the state. Enthusiasm for the service spread quickly.
One of the Outback club members wrote: “I am terribly tired tonight, but I
must tell you about the arrival of my parcel. I had to take three small children and washing a mile-and-a-half (2.4km) to the dams, as all the house tanks are dry. I washed and watched the children and when I returned, the untidy house met my gaze. The three children were tired and oh so dirty ... the unwashed breakfast things looked so hopeless and I was pretty tired of it all. Then your parcel arrived and I just sat down in the middle of the mess and read Punch and New York Life – thank you, thank you for including them – until the world looked bright pink.”
State Library of Queensland holds records related to the club which provide an intriguing snapshot of reading tastes and Outback hardship in the first half of the 20th century.
The Lyceum Club helped fund this important statewide service through garden parties, teas and card events.
American library director Robin Wagner, who researched the QBBC archives at State Library, says that “at its peak, the club had 2200 subscribers, with most of the 7000 books and several thousand magazines donated”.
“To get a sense of distribution: a parcel
going to Gilliat travelled 414 miles (666km) by train from Townsville. Then, the mailman would take it out 20 miles (32km) to the fence that was another three miles (4.8km) from the reader’s house,” Robin says. It wasn’t until the movement for
public libraries gathered speed in the 1950s and ’60s that the book club eventually disbanded in 1967. The Queensland Bush Book Club records, 1921-1967, are held in the John Oxley Library (State Library of Queensland), Reference code: OM78-47.
Harriett Brims and daughter Margaret reading in Outback Queensland
Here’s the reasons why movement is medicine
CAITLYN HUTH explains the truth about exercise and how to minimise joint pain for over-55s.
If you’ve been resting to protect your joints, it may be the one thing making things worse.
When your joints ache — whether from arthritis, an old injury or general inflammation — the instinct is to rest and take it easy.
That makes sense. Movement hurts. So, less movement means less pain, right?
In most cases, the opposite is true.
Joints are not self-contained. They depend on the surrounding muscles, tendons and cartilage to function well.
When we stop moving, those supporting structures weaken.
Cartilage, which has limited blood supply, actually receives its nutrients through movement. Rest deprives it of what it needs.
Muscles that support the joint — the knee, hip or shoulder — weaken further, placing even more load on the joint itself.
The result? More pain, more stiffness and less function over time. The condition that rest
was meant to protect gets worse.
Decades of research on osteoarthritis — the most common joint condition in people over 60 — consistently shows that appropriate exercise reduces pain, improves joint function and enhances quality of life. It is now considered a first-line treatment, not an optional extra.
Exercise reduces inflammation, strengthens the muscles that take load off the joint, improves lubrication within the joint and even helps regulate the body’s pain signals over time.
While our body is designed to move in many ways, it’s
important to work with its signals. This is where working with a professional makes a real difference.
The goal is to find the movement your joints can tolerate, gradually build strength and mobility around them, and expand what’s possible while minimising flare-ups.
Walking, swimming, gentle resistance work and specific exercises are often excellent starting points, but the goal is to expand the comfort threshold, not shrink to it.
Some discomfort during rehabilitation is expected and safe. Learning to distinguish between discomfort that signals progress and pain that signals harm is a skill — one an exercise physiologist can help you develop. Movement done well is not the enemy of your joints.
It is one of the most powerful tools for protecting them.
Caitlyn Huth is an exercise physiologist at Full Circle Wellness. Call 5456 1599 or visit fullcirclewellness.com.au
A Gift in Your Will to QIMR Berghofer is a Legacy for the Future
QIMR Berghofer is a world-leading medical research institute, renowned for our efforts in both discovery and real patient outcomes. Celebrating eight decades of delivering ground breaking medical research.
Gifts in Wills to QIMR Berghofer are the gifts that keep on giving. The research and knowledge that is achieved because of your generosity will continue, and advances that are made today will have the potential to change the lives of Australians now and generations to come.
If you have left QIMR Berghofer a Gift in your Will please let us know, we would love to thank you and ensure you receive the latest research news.
For more information on leaving a Gift in your Will visit www.qimrb.edu.au or contact Lorraine Fraser for a confidential chat. 1800 993 000 E: giftsinwills@qimrb.edu.au
FIT HAPPENS with Tom Law
FOUNTAIN OF HEALTH IS WITHIN REACH
I CAN tell you that, in all the reading and study I have done on fitness, smiling is seldom mentioned.
So how can smiling improve your health?
Well, let’s start by saying that smiling involves using the muscles of your face. So, that cannot be a bad thing, right?
Face muscles aside, smiling releases cortisol and endorphins that provide many health benefits. Your blood pressure may drop, your endurance may increase, and we are told on a regular basis that pain may be relieved through the chemical process developed in the body due to smiling.
Dropping blood pressure alone is a fantastic thing for most of us, and if this were the only benefit of laughing, it would be great.
But wait, there is more. Of course, a genuinely smiling person tends to be a positive individual, and the positivity comes from feeling good inside about oneself. A positive outlook
in life is fantastic for your overall physical and mental health.
I wrote something similar some time ago in this column and received good feedback about the benefits of smiling.
Smiling actually improves your outlook, if not your immediate health, and that is something beneficial to help you get through the day.
It is always better to have a good day than a bad one, and the difference on the positive side is better mental health.
The fountain of health is, in most instances, in your court.
Most of us know that we can improve our health and outlook by doing some positive things in our lives. Exercise, be moderate with treats, drink plenty of water, refrain from smoking, and moderate or limit alcohol.
Easy, right?
Tom Law is the author of health and exercise-related books. Visit facebook.com/ tomslawtraining or call 0409 274 502.
YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Leaving a Gift in your Will to QIMR Berghofer is a personal way to make a difference and create a lasting impact for future generations.
QIMR Berghofer has more than 650 researchers working on discovering better treatments and understanding of, Cancer Research, Brain and Mental Health, Infection and inflammation and Population Health in more than 60 specialised laboratories.
Gifts of all sizes are important, they are essential to fund the Research and the impact it has nationally and globally.
Queen
Queen
Cult hero isn’t for everyone, but will keep fans happy
BRUCE McMAHON appraises the latest three-door Jimny Suzuki’s upgrades and outlines why it has always attracted a devoted following.
The more things change the more Suzuki’s cute Jimny stays the same. Almost. The squared-off and very compact four-wheel-drive is a handsome and most capable machine – a cult hero to some.
Its heritage stretches back into the 1970s, yet it is this current generation which has broadened its appeal with smart styling and many of today’s motoring’s mod cons.
Prices have risen. There’s now a five-door XL version, automatic transmission options, electric windows and a reversing camera. Yet, the basics remain: a high-riding chassis, excellent approach and departure angles, and two-speed transfer case. There’s still old-school handbrake and four-wheeldrive levers, rather than the push-button engagements found elsewhere.
And while there’s been some improvements to suspension set-ups over the years, it’s still a rigid rear axle with rear drum brakes. Plus, today’s 1.5-litre engine is no fireball, producing 75kW at a high 6000rpm. All this adds up to a small machine, albeit a light one around 1500kg, which can take a bit of shoving around.
With the automatic version around town, this can take fuel consumption through to 10 litres per 100km – past the factory’s overall consumption claim of 6.9litres per 100km (about 75 per cent of Jimnys, three and five-door, are sold with the four-speed automatics).
While the Jimny can sit on a steady 100kmh down a highway, allowing for slow uphill climbs, this is no sports car down the highway, either. The short 2.2m wheelbase means a driver feels the rough stuff from front and rear axles and the 3.6m-long, three-door Jimny can be pushed around by side draughts (it all adds up to a built-in reminder to stop
Warning: be alert not alarmed
Edin Read offers advice on how to spot a computer scam and what to do next.
Don’t panic: that Microsoft warning on your screen is probably a scam.
Recently, I helped a client who experienced one of the most common computer scams we see today.
every two hours on a long haul and wondering why Suzuki couldn’t afford the driver a left armrest).
Then, off to the scrub or the sand where the Suzuki Jimny shines, running rings around bigger, more tech-loaded machines hampered in many conditions by size and weight (it is important to keep unnecessary weight out of the little bloke at all times).
It’s this four-wheel-drive ability, the Jimny’s character plus Suzuki’s reputation for reliability which attracts a devoted following. It’s back-to-basics motoring and offroading and it’s understood this won’t suit everyone in 2026.
This year, the three-door Jimnys had some minor updates and a suite of upgrades for safety and convenience. These include hill-hold and hill-descent controls, autonomous emergency braking, land-departure warnings and adaptive cruise control.
For convenience, there’s now a 7-inch touchscreen for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And there’s a digital road-speed read-out: much appreciated when the analogue speedometer and tachometer figures are dark orange on a black background and hard to read.
Other gripes include the lack of a volume knob for the multimedia touch screen, where swiping for controls can be hit and miss. Yes, there is a manual control on the steering wheel for volume and information outputs, but all these are on the tiny side of small.
So, the latest three-door Suzuki Jimny drives no different to last year’s model, which is to say it has simple, old-school charms which need to be comprehended if not always appreciated.
What’s new is the package of safety considerations and today’s price tag, starting around $39,000.
It’s a frightening experience when a warning suddenly appears on your screen, claiming that your computer has been infected, hacked or compromised.
For many people, especially when the message looks official, the natural reaction is to panic.
Fortunately, my client did exactly the right thing. Instead of following the instructions on the screen, they contacted Greyology first.
Within a short time, we had identified the problem, removed the scam page, checked the computer for any genuine threats and ensured everything was operating safely again.
The scam began with a simple click on what appeared to be a legitimate article link while browsing online.
These days, scam links can appear almost anywhere – on websites, social media, emails, online advertisements or even search engine results.
They are becoming increasingly sophisticated and can be difficult to distinguish from genuine content.
After clicking the link, a full-screen warning appeared claiming to be from Microsoft. The message stated that the computer had been infected and instructed the user to call a support number immediately.
Loud alarm sounds and spoken messages added to the sense of urgency.
Every attempt to close the warning seemed to trigger another pop-up, making it appear as though the computer had been completely locked.
This type of scam is commonly known as a ‘tech support scam’. While it often looks serious, the goal is not usually to damage the computer immediately. Instead, scammers rely on fear and urgency to convince people to contact them.
If the victim calls the number, the scammer may pretend to be a Microsoft technician or security specialist. They often request remote access to the computer using software such as TeamViewer,
AnyDesk or similar remote support tools.
Once connected, they may attempt to steal personal information, access online banking, install malicious software or demand payment for fake repair services.
The good news is that these scams can often be stopped before any damage is done.
If you ever see a warning like this, remember these important steps.
Remain calm. Scammers succeed when people panic and act quickly.
Never call the phone number displayed in the warning message.
Do not allow anyone remote access to your computer unless you have independently verified who they are and trust them completely.
Look for signs that the message may be fake. Poor grammar, unusual colours, alarming language and urgent demands are all common warning signs.
If possible, disconnect from the internet and seek professional advice before taking any action.
Most importantly, contact someone you trust for assistance.
Regular backups are also one of the best protections against scams, hardware failures and accidental data loss. Having a recent backup can significantly reduce stress and help you recover quickly if something goes wrong.
Unfortunately, online scams are becoming more convincing every year.
Artificial intelligence, professionallooking websites and realistic messages make it easier than ever for criminals to impersonate trusted companies.
That’s why a healthy dose of scepticism is one of the most valuable security tools you can have.
If you ever receive a suspicious warning on your computer, don’t assume the worst. Take a moment, seek advice and remember that legitimate companies such as Microsoft will not suddenly lock your screen and demand that you call a phone number. When in doubt, ask for help.
A quick phone call can often prevent a costly mistake.
Edin Read is founder and chief technician at Greyology Tech Support for Seniors. Visit greyology.com.au
ASK, RESEARCH AND PREPARE FOR CHANGE
By SHIRLEY SINCLAIR
IT’S only natural for family members to feel stressed when the decision is made to move a loved one from their home to an aged care facility.
The move is never ‘easy’. Just thinking about their loss of independence and familiarity of surroundings, the fear of change and having to ‘start over’ with friendship groups and carers who are strangers may be daunting for relatives and friends, let alone the individual.
My mother-in-law had lived in her Brisbane house for nearly 70 years, after moving in on her wedding night.
She and my late father-inlaw raised five sons and various pets there, welcomed daughtersin-law and created a loving place for all.
Even after her 90th birthday, she was still active in her church and various charities, did a weekly or fortnightly shop with one of her sons, used her ‘wheelie walker’ everywhere and kept her mind active with sudoku and jigsaw puzzles.
But the transition to aged care had to happen after a bad fall out of bed led to an extended stay in hospital.
Her in-home support wasn’t enough. She knew it. We all knew it.
Something none of us thought would ever happen suddenly was inevitable.
And that’s when the anxious scramble for research begins. So do the phone calls, texts and emails back and forth
between family members, care providers and other professionals including accountants. An aged care funding consultant may be contacted to help navigate government subsidies, assess complex fee structures such as Refundable Accommodation Deposits (RADs) and meanstested care fees, and manage paperwork from Centrelink and perhaps the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Finding a suitable placement for a loved one in an affordable aged care facility that is right for them (and where family members can easily visit) is no mean feat.
My advice? Prepare early. Talk to friends, work colleagues and neighbours who have been through the process already and know what’s involved. Go online and research government websites (myagedcare.gov.au is a good starting point), as well as aged care facilities in the preferred areas. Maybe even take a tour of the shortlisted ones.
Be armed with knowledge and able to make a plan if circumstances change quickly.
HOW TO REDUCE STRESS AFTER PLACEMENT
RECEIVING an offer for an aged care placement can bring a mixture of relief, uncertainty and anxiety.
For many families, the reality of organising the move, often within a short timeframe, can feel overwhelming.
Moving into aged care involves much more than packing belongings. Families are often faced with sorting through a lifetime of possessions, preparing a new room, managing the family home and making important decisions while supporting a loved one through an emotional transition. But there are ways to reduce the stress.
Start planning early: even before a placement becomes available, having conversations about future preferences can make decision making easier when the time comes. Discuss what personal belongings are
most important and what the older person would like their new living space to feel like.
Keep the older person involved: wherever possible, include them in decisions about what to take, how their room should be arranged and which possessions are most meaningful. Maintaining choice and control can help preserve dignity and make the transition less daunting. Seek support when needed: support may come from family members, community organisations, aged care providers or specialised transition services. Seeking help can reduce the workload and allow loved ones to focus on providing emotional support during this life change.
WORDS: Dr Amanda Balmer, registered nurse and founder, Less Stress Transitions. Call 1300 977 811 or visit lessstresstransitions.com.au
LOCAL CARE PROVIDERS HELP TO STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITY
LOCAL aged care providers do more than assist older residents with daily tasks.
They help weave the social fabric that holds us together.
Continuity preserves independence and dignity.
Support at Home care enables older Australians to remain in familiar surroundings, close to friends, family and community activities.
This support allows older people to live the life they choose, where they feel most comfortable, while also reducing pressure on hospitals and residential facilities.
What sets local providers apart is their deep understanding of the communities they serve.
Care workers often become the trusted connectors who link clients to social clubs, exercise groups and volunteer programs.
These connections reduce isolation, foster intergenerational contact and strengthen neighbourhood bonds.
Local providers can also tailor supports, collaborate with nearby businesses and health services, and respond quickly as needs change.
This flexibility helps create resilient communities where people age with
dignity as they continue to live meaningful, connected lives.
The impact of local providers extends beyond individual care. Local providers employ care workers, nurses, allied health professionals plus coordinators – many of whom live in the same areas they serve.
These jobs not only sustain livelihoods but also keep wages circulating within the community, supporting local businesses and economic growth.
When aged care is seen as part of a broader community ecosystem, its value becomes clear.
It supports individuals, strengthens local economies and nurtures the relationships throughout the area, improving the wellbeing of the whole community.
All About Living staff understand the power of local knowledge and connection and are proud to support the communities they serve.
Visit allaboutliving.com.au
THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING ‘SOMEWHERE
WHEN we think about healthy ageing, we often focus on physical health.
We talk about exercise, nutrition, medical appointments and managing chronic conditions.
But one of the biggest influences on our health and wellbeing isn’t always visible.
It’s connection.
As we age, life’s natural changes can gradually shrink our social circles.
Retirement can mean losing daily interaction with colleagues.
Adult children become busy with work and family. Friends move away and face health challenges.
Even driving less can make it harder to stay connected to the wider community.
The result can be a growing sense of isolation that affects far more than our mood.
Sometimes connection comes from the simplest things: a weekly exercise class, social outing, coffee with friends or familiar face who notices if you haven’t been around for a while.
Burnie Brae staff see this every day at the Chermside Community Centre. People might join a gym class and stay afterwards for a coffee and chat. Others attend social groups, outings or craft activities and form friendships and routines they look forward to each week.
For some, the Day Respite program provides not only activities and support, but also companionship and a chance to connect with others.
Transport to appointments and social activities helps some people stay engaged with the world around them.
In-home respite can also provide valuable social interaction while giving carers a well-earned break.
Having somewhere to be matters. It provides routine, purpose and a sense of belonging. It gives us opportunities to laugh, share experiences and remain part of something bigger than ourselves.
Healthy ageing isn’t just about adding years to life. It’s about adding life to those years.
That’s why one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves and our loved ones isn’t simply, “Are you looking after your health?” It’s also: “Who are you connected to?”
Visit burniebrae.org.au
Everything you need for a life well lived.
Stay Active & Healthy
Aches, pains or an injury don’t have to slow you down.
Our allied health team offer exercise programs, hydrotherapy, physio, occupational therapy and remedial massage to help you regain strength,
Stay Connected
Looking to get out of the house and meet new people?
From social activities, group outings and day respite at our Chermside Centre to in-home social support and community transport, there are plenty of ways to stay active, engaged and connected to your community.
Stay Independent
Need a little extra support to continue living safely and comfortable at home?
We can assist with everyday living tasks, clinical care, transport, social support and allied health services. Our focus is on helping you maintain your independence while continuing to enjoy life in the home you love.
We need all the cognitive reserve we can muster
KAILAS ROBERTS recommends we have a good, hard think about anything, before resorting to the use of technology and devices as the easy way out.
What will the world look like in 50 years? Amid all the technological advancements, it is not hard to imagine that it will look radically different.
In a much shorter span of time, we have developed electric vehicles which can (theoretically) drive themselves, smartphones that are literally thousands of times more powerful than some of the most advanced home computers in the 1990s, and artificial intelligence entities that threaten the existence of many traditional jobs.
Whether further advancements will result in a techno-utopia or dystopia, society’s increasing reliance on, and addiction to, electronic media is a problem when it comes to the brain.
Outsourcing cognitive function to a device means that we are not exercising our brains in the way they are designed.
Although it is a not a medical diagnosis, the term ‘digital dementia’ is often used to describe this degradation of brain function. And there are concerns that the use of
electronic devices might lead to significantly increased rates of clinical dementia later in life.
Given that almost everyone under a certain age engages regularly with technology, this is not a trivial issue. In the short to medium term, we may see reduced attention spans, as well as memory impairment, plus a reduced ability to problem solve (if the answer to a problem is easily available online, why would we bother to think it through?).
Scrolling is the antithesis of sustained attention, with your mind constantly drawn to the next tantalising thing you may see. We are also far less likely to commit something to memory if we don’t pay attention to it, and if we don’t need to because the information is (again) available online. Remember that the brain is a muscle and unless you are regularly using these cognitive skills, they will deteriorate. When it comes to dementia risk, one concern about all the outsourcing of cognitive function is that it will reduce so-called cognitive reserve. This term
effectively denotes your ability to function despite damage to the brain – whether that be due to the accumulation of amyloid and tau in Alzheimer’s disease, reduced blood supply due to vascular problems, or some other pathology.
The higher your reserve, the more can go wrong with your brain before you develop symptoms. We know that higher levels of education, having a job that is or was cognitively challenging, and engaging in leisure pursuits later in life all increase cognitive reserve and are associated with a reduced risk of dementia.
Despite the above concerns, not all research backs up the idea of digital dementia. An analysis of all the data (looking at more than 400,000 people in studies) in 2025 did not show a negative association with the use of technology and later dementia development. Rather, it suggested a possible benefit.
All About Living
But only people over 50 were included in the research. Perhaps then their brains had had enough time without technology to already have good cognitive reserve.
Also, the study cannot prove that the use of technology caused the benefit, only that it was associated. Maybe those using it were more inclined to do so because of better underlying brain function then.
Until proven otherwise, I think we must assume there is a brain danger of overuse of technology. My advice would be to: think first and have technology augment your thinking, rather than skipping the initial effort: limit screen time; and remember that your brain did not evolve with technology in mind.
Kailas Roberts is a psychogeriatrician and author ofMind Your Brain: The Essential Australian Guide to Dementia, available at bookstores and online. Visit yourbraininmind.com or uqp.com.au
We are a not-for-profit provider designed to support your lifestyle, not change it.
We provide thoughtful, reliable help at home that is delivered with respect, warmth and genuine connection including:
We care for our clients as extended family. An approach shaped by our culture, heritage and years of experience, Co.As.It.’s support services are designed to enhance wellbeing, independence and social connection, while aligning with your personal goals and needs. Supported by our experienced care staff, along with dedicated in-house allied health and clinical teams, we deliver coordinated, efficient and cost-effective care you can trust. Contact us to learn how we can support you to live well, your way.
Our friendly team is here to help Brisbane: 07 3624 6100 | Gold Coast: 07 5617 9500 www.coasit.asn.au
Whether it’s a practical hand, a friendly conversation, or reassurance for families, our focus is always on people, not processes.
the QR Code or contact us today to know more.
1300 503 886
Detecting the hidden signs of reflux with bulk billed & non-invasive medical imaging technique
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common condition. Silent reflux affects approximately 40 to 50% of patients who have GORD. It is referred to as ‘silent reflux’ because it does not present with the classic symptoms of reflux such as: heartburn; lump in the throat and regurgitation. Symptoms of silent reflux range from chronic cough, recurrent sore throats, loss of voice, persistent throat clearing, chest pain, choking, wheezing and shortness of breath.
When diagnosis and treatment are delayed, chronic GORD can increase the risk for serious health complications.
In recent years, Imaging Queensland partnered with Professor Hans Van der Wall and introduced the Gastroesophageal Reflux Test to Brisbane and the Redcliffe Peninsula.
The first of its kind, this patented nuclear medicine imaging technique precisely identifies reflux fluid contamination throughout the head, throat, and chest.
“Many patients do not present with classic symptoms of GORD but are suffering from typical upper respiratory tract symptoms such as chronic cough, dysphonia and globus. This is due to reflux fluid contaminating the maxillary sinuses, throat, middle ears and laryngopharynx. It may also contaminate the airways and lungs causing asthma-like symptoms, breathing difficulties, chronic
cough and recurrent bronchitis or pneumonia. We frequently see patients with a diagnosis of “atypical asthma”, which often turns out to be GORD with entry of reflux into the airways”, says Professor Van der Wall.
Historically, GORD has been diagnosed using pH monitoring, fluoroscopy, or endoscopy. So how does the Gastroesophageal Reflux Test differ to these tests?
Although PH Monitoring is 50-80% sensitive and 77–100% specific in the presence of heartburn & regurgitation, it is limited to oesophageal disease only, particularly the lower oesophagus.
Endoscopy is effective as an anatomical diagnostic tool but has a poor sensitivity for GORD (less than 30%) and is limited to detecting reflux disease that is severe enough to damage the oesophagus.
Fluoroscopy or Barium Swallow is insensitive and has a high radiation burden and only demonstrates oesophageal disease.
The Gastroesophageal Reflux Test is 90% sensitive and provides an effective, inexpensive, simple, and noninvasive screening tool for reflux and lung aspiration, detecting contamination throughout the maxillary sinuses, throat, middle ears, laryngopharynx, airways and lungs. If you suspect the symptoms you are suffering from correspond with reflux, you might benefit from undergoing a Gastroesophageal Reflux Test. Ask your GP for a referral to Imaging Queensland at your next visit.
For more information visit: www.imagingqueensland.com.au
National Pain Week feature
DON’T IGNORE SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC PAIN
By SHIRLEY SINCLAIR
“TILER’S knees.” “Old netball injury.” “It’s my gout.” “I just had a knee replacement.” “Another migraine.”
Many people live with chronic pain every day – sometimes all day and night and for extensive periods. Chronic pain is any persistent or recurring pain that lasts for more than three to six months. It can stop us living life to the full or curb certain activities. It can make us have to manage the pain by changing our lifestyle and adding allied healthcare appointments to our weekly schedule. It can make us want to dismiss our aches and pains to others or at least
minimise them – especially as we get older.
After all, chronic pain is, to a large extent, “invisible”. We don’t ‘look unwell’ as we soldier on with our lives, battling whatever the chronic pain throws at us.
But as Chronic Pain Australia points out, 3.6 million Australians are living with chronic pain daily. And those individuals know that such pain is not “all in their head” – as some people might tell them.
Chronic Pain Australia, our nation’s peak health body for chronic pain, raises awareness of the problem, advocates for sufferers and aims to ensure each of them has access to compassionate, evidence-
based and equitable care. That’s why the organisation hosts National Pain Week.
National Pain Week is the final week of July each year. This year, it will be held from July 26-31. And each year, the organisation also undertakes the National Pain Survey and Kids In Pain Survey.
After the 2025 National Pain Survey, Chronic Pain Australia chairperson Nicolette Ellis said that the results highlighted the urgent need to make chronic pain a national health priority.
The 2025 National Pain Survey of nearly 5000 people living with chronic pain found that millions of Australians were being robbed of the best years of their lives, their wellbeing and even their hope, as chronic pain “continues to be Australia’s missing national health priority”.
Among the key findings was that chronic pain is taking longer to diagnose: in 2025, 54 per cent of survey respondents reported waiting more than two years for a diagnosis, and 44 per cent waited over three. In 2024, 42 per cent reported waited over 3 years; and in 2023, 41 per cent.
If you need to talk to someone who understands, Painlink is the national free call-back helpline for navigating life with chronic pain. The helpline is available Monday to Friday (8am–1pm AEST).
Call 1300 340 357.
Visit chronicpainaustralia.org.au
SENIORS ‘CARRY HEAVIEST BACK PAIN BURDEN’
THE Australian Chiropractors Association (ACA) has revealed that older Australians are carrying the nation’s heaviest back pain burden.
In National Spinal Health Month in June this year, ACA reported that seniors were recording the highest rates of chronic pain of any age group.
New data obtained from the 2026 Australian Spinal Health Survey (May 2026), an independent national survey of 1040 Australian adults by Pureprofile, reveals that 87.3 per cent of Australians aged 61 and over have experienced back pain in their lifetime, with 83.3 per cent reporting back pain in the past 12 months. Among senior back pain sufferers, almost half (48.3 per cent) reported chronic pain lasting three months or more: the highest chronic pain rate of any age group surveyed.
“The survey reveals that for most older Australians, back pain is not a temporary complaint that will resolve on its own. It is a persistent, long-term condition that impacts their lives,” ACA president Dr Billy Chow says. “Coexisting back pain and mental health conditions are associated with impaired quality of life. However for seniors, the burden is most strongly expressed through chronic pain, reduced mobility, sleep disruption and a progressive loss of independence.”
Wellness backed by science –a natural solution for joint pain and inflammation
One-in-seven Australians, or 4.1million people, are living with arthritis – a leading cause of chronic pain and the second-most common cause of disability and early retirement due to ill health, according to Arthritis Australia.
Chronic inflammation can persist for months or even years, causing the body discomfort and debilitating pain.
Arborvitae Joint Health helps to provide relief from the symptoms of mild-moderate arthritis, joint pain, inflammation in the joints and body, soreness and stiffness.
Since it was founded in 2014, Arborvitae Health and Wellbeing has used Pycnogenol (a French pine bark extract) as the main ingredient in its range of natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant supplements. The natural plant extract (Pycnogenol) grows on the coast of south-west France (Landes
de Gascogne) and is used alongside aloe vera, papain enzyme and honey in Arborvitae’s formulation.
‘‘Arborvitae does make a difference, and that has been supported by over 160 clinical trials and 450 scientific publications on its main ingredient Pycnogenol (a French pine bark extract) across a broad range of conditions and Arborvitae’s own clinical study. The customer feedback we receive is extensive and supports our claims,” Brendan Howell, director of Arborvitae Health and Wellbeing, says.
A recent clinical study on Arborvitae Joint Health has shown some exceptional results with pain relief (66% decrease in pain test scores) a 50% increase in walking distance and a 56% decrease in inflammation in blood tests (CRP). This reduction in inflammation/ CRP alone is considered significant.
Jade Hurley – also known as Australia’s ‘King of Country Rock’ – has been a regular user
of Arborvitae Joint Health which he states has enabled him to continue performing on stage.
Hurley, who is now touring and back on stage where he belongs, says Arborvitae has “given me a new life and given me my career back from suffering with pain in my fingers as a result of years of arthritis”.
Supplements are sold via Arborvitae’s website and at more than 2500 chemists and health food shops Australia-wide – including Chemist Warehouse, TerryWhite Chemmart, Blooms The Chemist and many others.
To find out more on the clinical study and Arborvitae’s health supplements, you can visit the website: arborvitae.com.au or call 1300 879 863.
The above information is general in nature. Please contact your GP or other healthcare professional for advice that is specific to your health needs.
Jade Hurley is back on the road after finding relief from excruciating pain caused by arthritis.
AT A time when communities across the country are grappling with rising social and environmental issues, 30-year charity veteran Paul Bird has published Be The Change His book is a timely guide to inspire all Australians to get involved and take action to create lasting impact.
Drawing on years of experience in social activism and community organising, Bird argues that Australia: faces a perfect storm of government services delivered in silos when person-centred, integrated services are the only answer; falling trust in, and donations to, charities to deliver real change; increasingly complex and integrated issues; chronic lack of investment in prevention and early intervention; and government policy and systems that only perpetuate the problems and rarely change.
The result is unnecessary suffering and loss of opportunity for millions of Australians, not to mention the billions in economic cost and wasted taxpayer funds.
Bird says “meaningful
Be The Change is available now through Amazon.
change does not begin with governments or institutions — it begins with those who choose to act.
“Be The Change provides readers with practical tools, real-world stories, and a clear framework for mobilising communities around causes that matter,” he says. “Be The Change is for anyone who has ever thought ‘something needs to be done’ — and decided to be the one to do it.”
For 11 of Australia’s most pressing social issues, climate change, international development and animal cruelty, the book details the ‘what’, ‘why’ and ‘act’: a range of easy actions to create change.
After getting lost in London’s sewers, managing The Gambia’s airline, chasing embezzlers in Niger, being shelled in Bosnia, starting farmer cooperatives in
northern Philippines, confronting child soldiers in Eastern DRC and negotiating with warlords in earthquakeravaged Pakistan, Bird returned to Australia to continue fighting for social and environmental justice with a range of charities.
He published his first book in 2021, PurposeFull: How businesses and not-for-profits do better as purpose-driven organisations as a call to action for companies to embrace their purpose for greater customer loyalty, staff retention, product innovation and profitability, and for charities to rediscover their purpose and act to create the resourcing, policies and systems that would actually enable long-term change.
In a compassionate, fair-go and wealthy country, Bird can’t accept that we are failing to make headway in our social and environmental challenges, causing unnecessary suffering and loss of opportunity for millions of Australians.
His quest is to invite you to learn, act, find your purpose and make (or make more of) a lasting impact to achieve real change.
COMPARE the Market is urging Australians to review their unused subscriptions, with data revealing consumers could be wasting more than $1600 annually on streaming services and the gym.
The nationally representative survey found that of the 50 per cent of Australians who were unnecessarily paying for subscriptions, almost six in 10 pointed to their Netflix video streaming subscription. That equates to a loss of at least $119 per year.
However, it was unused gym memberships that were burning the biggest financial hole. Those surveyed who were not actively using their gym pass were spending about $93 per month on average, resulting in a cost of $1116 per year.
Based on the top-five reported unused subscriptions and their base monthly plans, Compare the Market uncovered that Australians could be wasting about $1664 per year. That’s equal to around 832 litres of diesel at $2 per litre, 277 cups of coffee at $6
each or a return flight to Paris with extra travel money.
Other reported unused subscriptions included Stan (from $12/month), Amazon Prime Video (from $9.99/month) and Paramount+ (from $7.99/month).
Compare the Market’s economic director David Koch says the half-yearly mark is a reminder for Australians to plug any “financial leaks”.
“With around half of those surveyed admitting they’re still paying for unused subscriptions, it’s about time to scrutinise your expenses,” Mr Koch says.
“If you don’t regularly go into the gym anymore or haven’t logged into Netflix in a while, it’s worth cutting ties and plugging these financial leaks.
“Don’t set-and-forget on your other household bills either.
“For example, the team at Compare the Market often find that people pay for private health insurance inclusions they don’t need anymore, such as pregnancy cover. So, it’s worth reviewing your bills.”
See comparethemarket.com.au
By DON MACPHERSON
Everyone wants a bargain these days. One way people sometimes try to save money is by doing their own will or using a will kit from a newsagent or off the internet.
We were involved in a District Court case that demonstrates that saving money in this way can end up costing thousands in the end.
A woman decided that she’d do her own will, with a kit she purchased herself. She had four children, one of whom looked after her in her old age.
She did her own will, saying that she left her “house contents and car” to her supportive child, and then spent the rest of her will saying her estranged children deserved nothing.
One of those other children had a lawyer who was smart enough to realise, and argue in court when challenging the will, that she had only dealt with the “house contents” (that is, the furniture) and hadn’t left her home (her “house”) to anyone. She’d left out the word “and”. Even a comma would have done.
That amounts to what’s called a partial intestacy, which meant the house goes to her next of kin: her four children, in equal shares.
While that clearly wasn’t her intention, that’s what the will said when read carefully.
Eventually, we were able to convince the court her intention was clear, if her wording wasn’t, and the judge inserted a comma between the words “house” and “contents” and the intended child received the house after all.
A recent Supreme Court decision similarly clearly demonstrates the fallacy
BEHOLD THE POWER OF A CASHBACK INCENTIVE
AUSSIES are being offered cashback rewards to switch everything from their internet to their insurance, and millions are ready to jump, new research by the Finder comparison site reveals.
A Finder survey of 1015 respondents revealed three-in-five Australians (59 per cent) would switch providers for a cashback reward. That’s 12.6 million people willing to move for a financial incentive.
Energy plans top the list, with nearly one in three (31 per cent) saying they’d switch for a cash bonus, closely followed by mobile phone plans (30 per cent).
Finder’s research found one in four (25 per cent) would take their broadband or savings account (24 per cent) elsewhere for a cashback deal, while one in five (20 per cent) would switch health insurance providers.
The same share would consider changing credit cards (20 per cent), while fewer would move their share trading (7 per cent) or home loan (7 per cent).
Taylor Blackburn, personal finance specialist at Finder, says cashback is no longer limited to retail splurges.
“Many Australians know they can earn cashback on everyday shopping, but now we’re seeing those same rewards applied to the bills that hit households the hardest,” he says. “With the cost of living still front of mind, cashback offers can provide a meaningful incentive for people to reassess whether they’re getting the best deal.”
Mr Blackburn says the fact that so many Aussies are willing to switch providers for a financial reward shows just how powerful even a modest cash incentive can be.
of the ‘do-it-yourself’ approach. A wealthy older couple, decided that instead of getting a lawyer to update their old wills, they’d do it themselves with some input from their accountant.
Unfortunately for them and their family, the documents produced weren’t clear, and Supreme Court procee dings took place involving 10 parties: the executors, the children, some family companies and a family trust – all asking the court to decide what in fact the wills actually meant.
A case of ‘penny wise, pound foolish’?
Macpherson,
Supreme Court procee dings with 10 parties, involving numerous lawyers and barristers, certainly don’t come cheap. The will was very cheap. The aftermath tidying it up cost the estate thousands.
The bottom line is: don’t do it yourself.
Get expert advice and get it right.
Don Macpherson, from Brisbane Elder Law, has over 30 years’ experience in dealing with wills and estate law, including drafting, challenging or defending wills. Call 1800 328 952 or visit brisbaneelderlaw.com.au
CARAVANS WANTED
HOW TO BEST PROTECT YOUR VALUABLE SLEEP
YOU slept eight hours, so why do you still feel like you’re wading through fog?
The answer lies in two key forces: adenosine and your circadian rhythm.
Throughout the day, your brain accumulates adenosine: a by-product of brain activity that builds sleep pressure.
Think of it as a fatigue debt that only quality sleep can clear. If sleep is disrupted, that debt carries over, causing brain fog and daytime fatigue.
At night, melatonin – the body’s natural sleep signal – rises alongside adenosine, priming you for deep, restorative sleep.
During uninterrupted rest, the brain clears adenosine and processes short-term memories in the hippocampus. So, you wake refreshed and mentally clear. At night, protect your sleep:
• avoid screens before bed because they
The QLD MIND Project
suppress melatonin
• limit alcohol, caffeine and sugar, which disrupt REM
• keep a consistent bedtime to support your body clock.
In the morning, reinforce your wake signal:
• get natural sunlight early to reset your body clock
• avoid the snooze button because it restarts melatonin
• if you wake alert, get up rather than drifting back to sleep.
If you’re regularly waking unrefreshed, sleep apnoea is an often-overlooked cause. CPAP Direct sleep specialists can guide you through testing, diagnosis and treatment.
Visit cpapdirect.com.au or your local store.
PROJECT Participants NEEDED
We are currently looking for individuals who are aged 60 years+ to participate in a research study that will track people over the next 12 years.
WHAT PARTICIPATION INVOLVES:
You will be asked to complete a 2 hour baseline testing session, along with 3 follow-up sessions scheduled approx. 3 years apart (you can withdraw at any point with no questions asked).
In the sessions, you will complete different tasks on the computer, such as recognising faces and working out what people are thinking, as well as cognitive tasks and questionnaires about yourself.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO STAY CONNECTED
SOCIAL connection plays a crucial role in healthy ageing.
Research shows that loneliness in later life is linked to poorer mental health, cognitive decline and even earlier death.
In fact, infrequent social contact was identified as one of the 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia in the 2024 Lancet report on dementia prevention.
Despite this, many older Australians experience loneliness.
We know that life circumstances such as losing a partner, poor health and reduced mobility can increase loneliness risk. However, these factors do not fully explain why some people remain socially connected while others become lonely.
Research suggests that our capacity to understand social information may play a role in loneliness.
Social cognition refers to the everyday skills we use to understand and respond to other people.
This includes recognising how someone is feeling, such as knowing whether someone is angry or sad, and being able to take someone’s perspective.
These skills help us to manage conversations, avoid misunderstandings, and maintain meaningful social relationships.
Some studies suggest that social cognition may change in older age, but much of this research has compared younger and older adults at a single point in time.
This means we still know very little about how social understanding develops as people age and, critically, how changes in social cognition may increase loneliness risk.
Dr Sarah Grainger and her team at the University of Queensland are establishing a world-first ageing study in the state that hopes to answer these questions and ultimately improve our understanding of social connection in later life.
For more details, email Dr Grainger at s.grainger@uq.edu.au
YOU WILL RECEIVE: $40 in Coles Myer gift cards per session plus free parking at UQ if you drive to campus.
Time to start thinking big to remember the small stuff
CHARLIE GRIFFITHS has found his own bizarre strategy to help him recall the everyday things in life that can easily slip his mind.
Ever walked into a room and wondered what the heck you were doing there?
Of course. We all have.
Even as an apprentice, I often found myself staring into the back of the ute, wondering what I came out to get. I’d resolve to backtrack and see if I came up with any inspiration, before the boss caught me wandering around in circles.
Something would always flick the switch and I would backtrack my backtracking and return with my elusive quarry.
Now, similar predicaments prompt the classic “silly old bugger!” –- either self-expressed or helpfully offered by witnesses trying to make light of my serious condition.
I don’t know if my meandering memory is getting worse or if I’m more aware of my chronic DOBS (Date of Birth Syndrome).
It’s the minor things – ones that should be easiest to recall – that slip through the cracks first.
It’s my belief that the memory part of my subconscious prioritises the list and focuses only on the important items.
If I had to pack my clothes for a trip away next week, top up the windscreen wiper water in the ute, and check that I have ear plugs in the glovebox, I know which I’ll remember and which will probably go through to the keeper.
All these tasks are important, so I need to make my subconscious agree.
Here’s what I do, when I have multiple tasks to perform, to pretty much guarantee that I remember them all (even if faced with distractions).
First thing is to irrefutably convince my subconscious that I have three tasks to perform. Three is the number. Not four. Not two. The number is three. Thank you, Monty Python.
I might lock this in by visualising the three of hearts playing card: as huge as a drive-in screen, with the hearts flashing and pulsing in a sinus symphony.
Next, nail the individual tasks.
My suitcase is as big as a road train:
crocodile skin clad, bulging with my sartorial wardrobe and my West Coast Eagles scarf flapping defiantly, snared in the top zipper.
The open bonnet of my red ute allows a metre-diameter gyrating fire hose to gush a river of frothing water into the wiper filler, miraculously without spilling a drop.
I’m crawling on the stage at an AC/DC concert, trapped in front of an amp as big as a two-storey house. The only thing that can save the TNT from exploding in my head is the pair of earplugs attempting a jailbreak, wriggling for the safety of the highway to hell. My right hand reaches like a chameleon’s tongue
arresting the potential escapees, stuffing them into my ears and smiling, “Rock’n’roll ain’t noise pollution”.
Add your own inimitable insanity to this strange strategy and never again find yourself at the bakery counter drooling over the sumptuous sweets and thinking: “Where the hell is my bloody wallet?”
Remember, it’s a long way to the shop if you want a sausage roll.
If you find this strategy useful, or just plain good fun, send me a hoy at charliegriffithscoaching.com.
Charlie Griffiths is a certified life coach and Neuro Linguistic Programming practitioner. Visit his website at charliegriffithscoaching.com
NATIONAL home values flatlined in May for the first time since January last year, Coality’s most recent report revealed, after months of slowing growth.
The weakness was led by Sydney and Melbourne, where values fell 0.9 per cent and 0.8 per cent respectively, and to a lesser extent Canberra: down 0.2 per cent.
Perth and Darwin recorded the strongest monthly gains, both up 1.5 per cent. Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart rose at a slower pace, each up less than 1 per cent (Brisbane rose 0.9 per cent).
The market is now suggesting no possible further interest rates hikes by the Reserve Bank for the remainder of this year.
Some are suggesting a possible reduction next year because of a slowing economy and borrowing cost pressures on households and businesses.
So, here are further suggestions – this time from Realestate.com.au – to help sellers achieve the best possible result in selling their homes or investment properties by adding value.
1. Paint
Old paint can make your home feel, well, old. But a fresh coat of paint can do wonders. It’ll make your home seem newer, cleaner and more contemporary.
Just make sure to pick neutral colours that will stand the test of time.
OUR PEOPLE
2. Improve the garden and outdoor living areas
A good tidy may be all your garden and outdoor living space need. Cut back overgrown trees, hedges, bushes and foliage, clear up dead leaves, get rid of weeds and dead plants, clean any paved areas and add fresh mulch if needed.
Tidying up the landscaping and oiling the deck can be all that’s needed on the outside.
If you have a deck, give it a good scrub and apply a coat of oil to get it looking spick, span and sellable.
The same goes for any outdoor furniture, features such as barbecues or firepits, and outdoor dining areas.
WORDS: James Ball, HME Property Group.
I am very happy to help with the implementation of the checklist. Call 0422 618 556 or email james@hme.group for a confidential, no-obligation meeting or chat if you are looking to sell.
RISING above the breezy streets of Manly in Brisbane, the newest community from The Village Retirement Group is still under construction – and moving rapidly.
The first of the eventual six buildings will welcome residents in November. Sales manager Kath Gilhooley has been busy for months, including hosting get-togethers for future residents so they can meet, share a meal and start forming the friendships that will carry them into this next chapter.
“You can see the connections and friendships already forming,” Kath says.
“When they do hit the ground running, they’ll have that confidence with faces they already recognise.”
Many clients grew up in the Bayside – same schools, yacht club and Saturday markets for decades. The shared history is already there: The Village Manly is just giving it somewhere to live.
Kath grew up in the Bayside and has spent 30 years selling independent retirement living in the Southeast. She knows the area and the industry and understands the client base, which includes one in three who’ve already made the downsizing move to a smaller home.
“This isn’t a snap decision for most people,” she says.
“The allure isn’t always offloading a big house. It’s about connection, purpose and knowing the future is in good hands.”
The Village Manly brings plenty of opportunities for residents to stay active and engaged: a café, cinema, bowling green, heated pool, gym, yoga studio, library, hair salon and medical and allied health consultation areas.
Only a few three-bedroom apartments remain, with balconies and bay views. Visit thevillage.com.au/manly
MEET Myra, the 80-year-old prison chaplain who has no plans to quit supporting people inside a Southeast Queensland correctional centre.
The great-grandmother has been a dedicated volunteer prison chaplain with Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy for 18 years.
One of the not-for-profit ministry’s most experienced chaplains, Myra provides vital emotional and spiritual support to people facing dark times inside prison. She also strives to help break the cycle of prisoners being released, reoffending and returning to jail.
Chaplaincy was a calling for Myra
James Ball
‘‘We write this testimonial with sincere appreciation to James Ball in the management of our property at 22 Eleventh Avenue, Brighton. During a difficult market, we never doubted James’ ability to sell the house. He showed initiative, determination and a driven nature in all his efforts to achieve the right results. He kept contact with us regularly (via mobile/landline phone calls/email/text messages) and provided us with: honest feedback from those who visited the house and regular information about the current market. His attitude has been professional, courteous and refreshing. Those who use James’ services will benefit from his vast experience and professionalism in sales and marketing.’’
which she entered into after retiring from working as a house cleaner.
“I kept saying, ‘God, I don’t know what I want to do when I retire, but can you give me a ministry that I won’t like – I want to love it,” she recalls. “I promise you I will do it until I can’t anymore.”
Myra was inspired to become a chaplain after she first visited a prison in Moldova. She had travelled to eastern Europe with her husband in 2008 for mission work.
“The first day we were there, we were taken into a prison. I thought we were just going to look it over … but I was asked to
give a message to 200 men without preparation,” Myra remembers.
“I was convinced that inside prisons was where I was to go. As soon as I got home, I applied to join Inside Out.”
Myra believes prison chaplains are well regarded inside correctional centres and vital supports for prisoners’ rehabilitation and spiritual restoration: “I’m a good age to be a chaplain because I’m like a grandma for these prisoners. They can talk to you easily, and I hear their stories. “
Donate to the Carinity Chaplains Appeal at carinity.org.au/donate or call 3550 3737.
Exceptional Results. Proven Experience.
We have sold homes in: Kawana Waters, Bellmere, Deception Bay, Kippa Ring, Scarborough, Redcliffe, Margate, Clontarf, Woody Point, Brighton, Sandgate, Shorncliffe, Deagon, Bracken Ridge, Bald Hills, Chermside, St Lucia, South Brisbane, Woolloongabba, Toowong, Indooroopilly, Mount Cotton, Regents Park, Kuraby, Collingwood Park, Redbank, Redbank Plains, Spring Mountain, Springfield, Parkinson, Browns Plains, Heathwood, Greenslopes, Acacia Ridge, Ipswich, Upper Mount Gravatt, Algester, Marsden, Coomera, Robina, Murarrie.
Josephine L. & Andrew W., Moffat Beach QLD 4551 – 9th June 2026.
WHEN SELLERS SHOULD RENOVATE OR LEAVE WELL ALONE
SHOULD you renovate before selling?
Not necessarily.
The decision to renovate before selling is a bit like the chicken-and-egg scenario. Properties in poor condition lose those seeking ‘move-in-ready’.
On the other hand, if a renovation has been done purely as a quick cosmetic makeover, buyers can be just as cautious once they look a little closer at building and pest time.
Renovation seekers want the opportunity to add value and put their own stamp on a home.
In many cases, they’d rather start with a blank canvas than spend time and money undoing someone else’s shortcuts.
Consider whether improving one area may unintentionally make other parts of the home look more dated.
A beautifully renovated bathroom can draw attention to an older kitchen, making it feel like a bigger issue.
Fresh paint, tidying gardens, improving street appeal and addressing minor maintenance items can make a significant difference without the expense of major renovations.
Before spending money, find out what your property may be worth in today’s market.
Check your return on investment if you do renovate. Will the time, money and inconvenience be worth it?
If major repairs are required and they’re not in your budget, get quotes and that can be factored into the sale price.
The disclosure laws that came into effect last August mean that known issues must be declared to buyers prior to contract.
Call me for a price guide and information about your options.
I’m not the type of agent who is going to hound you into selling, nor bombard you with calls and texts. Advice is free.
I’m here to guide you so you can make informed decisions about your property future.
You’ll know when the time is right for you.
WORDS: JODIE BROOKS, licensed real estate agent and REIQ member.
Call 0404 257 024 or visit jodiebrooks.com.au
Get
‘Preparing
For Sale’ ‘Essential Guide To by email or hard copy
Whether you’re selling now or in a few years time, advice is free of cost and obligation.
● Fixed rate with no hidden fees
● Fully licenced Property Manager
● Regular routine inspections with photo reports
● Flexible owner payments, and same day statements
● Strict property application processes with thorough tenant checks
● Limited number of managed properties to ensure top quality service
FOR THE DIARY: July
HERE’S some dates to keep in mind this month:
• July 3 Plastic Bag-Free Day
• July 5-12 NAIDOC Week
• July 6 International Kissing Day
• July 7 World Chocolate Day; International Peace and Love Day
• July 9 Australian Constitution Day
• July 12 International Day of Hope
• July 13 World Rock Day
• July 14 Bastille Day
• July 20 International Cake Day; International Chess Day
• July 22 World Brain Day
• July 23 World Whale and Dolphin Day
• July 24 International Self-Care Day
• July 25 Christmas in July
• July 28 World Nature Conservation Day
• July 30 International Day of Friendship; World Embroidery Day.
CHOCOLATE NUT CLUSTERS
Makes 18
HERE’S a super simple, yummy recipe that is easy to prepare and easier to eat – in honour of World Chocolate Day on July 7.
Ingredients:
• 180g dark chocolate
• 1 cup roasted nuts (use whatever you have or a combination)
• 1/3 cup glace ginger, chopped
• 2 tbsp buckwheat (optional).
Method:
1. Line a baking tray with paper.
2. In a microwavesafe bowl, melt the chocolate in 30-second increments until nice and smooth: about 90 seconds.
3. Add the roasted nuts and ginger and mix well to combine.
4. Dollop a generous spoonful of mixture onto the prepared tray.
5. Sprinkle with buckwheat and refrigerate to set. The combination creates a sweet, spicy and indulgent flavour profile with added crunch and is delicious. This recipe is from the 4 ingredients Veggie Vegan cookbook for those looking to increase their plant-based diets.
Image Bushland Spirit (detail) by Magali Feuga
THE GREAT GERSHWINS
LET the music of the Gershwin brothers sweep you away in this dazzling tribute to two of America’s greatest composers.
From Rhapsody in Blue, I Got Rhythm and Summertime to Someone to Watch Over Me, Embraceable You, The Man I Love and Love Is Here to Stay, this enchanting Musical Melodies concert celebrates the enduring legacy of George and Ira Gershwin.
These beloved melodies will be brought to the stage by international soprano Alison Jones and virtuoso concert pianist William Schmidt, joined by Chris McKenna as narrator and compere.
Through stories of their lives and groundbreaking music, audiences will experience the genius of two brothers whose songs continue to resonate with listeners around the globe.
WHERE: Redland Performing Arts Centre, 2-16 Middle Street, Cleveland.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 22, at 11am. TICKETS: From $29. Call 3829 8131 or visit rpac.com.au (a $6 booking fee applies).
OPEN Studios Sunshine Coast provides a rare opportunity from July 17-26 to go behind the scenes, connect directly with makers, and support the region’s artistic community on a self-guided journey.
The curated art trails travel through the hinterland from the Glass House Mountains to Mapleton, along the coastline from Caloundra to Coolum and everywhere in between.
Judith Tompkins – Studio Palimpsest, 3323 Old Gympie Road, Landsborough – textiles and mixed media fibre artist 0400 988 777, Judi.tompkins@bigpond.com
The studio will be open July 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25 and 26.
Tompkins challenges the viewer to actively engage with art and see the world differently through her distinctive and unconventional, tactile, interactive sculptural fibre works that weave science, natural history and literature into whimsical, visual surprises, fibre puns and metaphorical “whacks on the side of the head”.
Annie McIntosh
492 River Road, Peachester – mixed media painter 0435 903 840, anniemcart@gmail.com
Opening days: July 17-27.
McIntosh is legally blind yet creates richly coloured, vivid, abstract landscapes. “Visitors often ask how do you know where to put the colour? The answer is that I feel my way across the canvas,” she says. “My hands read the composition before my eyes ever could. I tear paper, layer texture and build paintings the way you might read braille through touch, intuition and memory. My studio sits deep in the Peachester forest and in a very real sense the trees are my art critics. The sound of wind, the feel of bark, the smell of rain – all of it ends up on canvas.”
Opening days: July 20-26. Desbiens specialises in oil painting. He teaches students of all levels, many of whom have gone on to become accomplished artists. Desbiens also conducts live painting demonstrations, offering a behind-the-scenes look into his creative process. He is known for his engaging, down-to-earth approach and genuinely enjoys connecting with people. His surrealist portrayal of shallow water reflections blending with surf and cloud formations discreetly demonstrates the skill of oil colours at its finest.
JOIN the legendary Toni Childs for a special two-hour performance as she celebrates her life’s musical works in song and story.
Childs will be performing hits and fan favourites from Union, House of Hope, The Woman’s Boat and Keep the Faith and share stories of how Union came to life, in the first hour of her show. The second hour will be an introduction to her new music, from two special albums: It’s All a Beautiful Noise and Citizens of the Planet
Emmy winner and three-time Grammy-nominated recording artist, Childs is a celebrated singer-songwriter known for her powerful voice, inspiring independent spirit and crafted storytelling.
With fans in more than 50 countries around the world, she has produced a list of international hits such as: Don’t Walk Away, Stop Your Fussin’, Walk and Talk Like Angels, Zimbabwe, Where’s the Ocean, Many Rivers to Cross, I’ve Got to Go Now and Because You’re Beautiful. Over an illustrious career, she has opened for Bob Dylan and performed duets with greats such as Al Green and Peter Gabriel. She has toured the world over gaining a much-loved fan base. WHERE: Redland Performing Arts Centre, 2-16 Middle Street, Cleveland. WHEN: Friday, August 7, at 7.30pm. TICKETS: From $81. Visit rpac.com.au or call the RPAC Box Office on 3829 8131.
Over the last 16 years - since our first show in 2010 - RMT has performed an incredible 50+ musicals – this CONCERT will celebrate songs from the SHOWS we have yet to perform … The shows from which we will draw inspiration areFIDDLER ON THE ROOF CHICAGO - WEST SIDE STORY MY FAIR LADY
concert with you - BOOK NOW https://www.redcliffemusicaltheatre.com PLAYING AT
Luxury, dinosaurs
and
Heart of the West Road trip
ride with Queensland Helicopters to Darr River Downs Station, established in 1873, where visitors are invited beyond the front gate to experience life on a working sheep and cattle station with an immersive tour by Cam Tindall.
Cam (pictured right) guides visitors through the homestead’s original sandstone buildings, unveiling an extensive personal collection of Outback artefacts.
The stories flowed as freely as the tea.
Cam spoke about droughts, floods, picnic races and generations of family history, bringing the landscape to life in a way no museum display ever could.
For travellers seeking authentic Outback experiences, Darr River Downs offers a rare opportunity to gain insight into a way of life few Australians ever see.
big skies: take a fresh look at Outback Qld
KERRY HEANEY puts on her boots and Akubra hat and heads west to be pleasantly surprised by country towns bursting with new experiences.
The road between Longreach and Winton is lined with stories. Some are written in the fossilised footprints of dinosaurs that roamed this landscape more than 95 million years ago.
Others are etched into ancient mesas, vast cattle stations and the lives of the families who continue to thrive in one of Australia’s most remote regions.
Travelling through Outback Queensland, I discovered all three. My journey began with a luxurious stay near Longreach before leading me deeper into station country, where sweeping landscapes, prehistoric discoveries and unforgettable glamping experiences revealed an Outback that is far more diverse than many visitors imagine. A SOFT LANDING AT MITCHELL GRASS RETREAT – Flying into Longreach, I checked into Mitchell Grass Retreat: a glamping experience that proves the Outback and luxury are not mutually
SATURDAY 18TH JULY
Jumpers and Jazz Festival in Warwick
exclusive. Located just outside town, the retreat offers beautifully appointed, air-conditioned, safari-style tents where floor-to-ceiling views bring the landscape indoors.
As the afternoon light softened across the Mitchell grass plains, I sank into a deep outdoor bath with a glass of wine and a front-row seat to one of the Outback’s greatest performances: sunset.
Evenings here are magical. As the sun sinks below the horizon, the sky erupts into shades of orange and gold before giving way to a blanket of stars.
I popped back into Longreach for dinner at The Italian. Hiding behind the plain-Jane exterior is a surprisingly authentic Italian restaurant with a wine cellar that must be inspected. If you have time, the Qantas Founders Museum and Stockman’s Hall of Fame are worth a visit. INTO STATION COUNTRY AT DARR RIVER DOWNS – The next day, I hitched a
THURSDAY 27TH AUGUST
Back by popular demand!
Join us for a memorable day to enjoy the quirkiest festival which has been an annual winter tradition since 2004. Includes Morning Tea but lunch is at own expense during your free time exploring Warwick’s City Centre. $110pp
NEW DATE / FRIDAY 31ST JULY
Christmas in July – Birches Restaurant, Mt Mee Travel via Dayboro on the return to Brisbane. Includes Morning Tea & Lunch. $120pp
Choice of Five Daily Day Tours to see the colours of this Annual Spring Festival up on the Great Dividing Range. Includes Morning Tea & Lunch. $100pp
RANGELANDS: LUXURY UNDER WINTON’S BIG SKY – Leaving Longreach behind, I travelled west towards Winton.
The landscape became more dramatic with every kilometre. Flat plains gave way to rugged jump-ups and mesas until Rangelands appeared high above the surrounding countryside like a luxury outpost at the edge of the known world.
Thoughtfully designed glamping accommodation sits comfortably within the landscape with six luxury tents – each with a private ensuite. The views across the working cattle country below are magnificent, and you can almost imagine dinosaurs roaming the land.
Sunrises arrive with soft golden light spilling across the plains. Sunset brings a spectacular colour show, best viewed from
THURSDAY 22ND OCTOBER
Peachester – Maleny – Kenilworth Hotel & Brewery
A scenic drive up to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Includes Morning Tea & Lunch. $90pp
WEDNESDAY 18TH NOVEMBER
Eumundi Markets, Sunshine Coast
A straight through journey today to have maximum free time at these ever popular markets. Morning Tea & Lunch are not included. $70pp
your private deck or while enjoying drinks and nibbles at The Mahal: a stylish lounge and dining tent where you’ll enjoy multi-course meals with local flavours and wine pairing from the open bar. Breakfast is served there, too.
It’s hard to leave Rangelands, but I joined a Red Dirt Tour for a fascinating look at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, which is 24km from Winton. Standing beneath the enormous skeletons in the March of the Titanosaurs exhibition, I finally grasped the scale of the creatures that once roamed this landscape. The surrounding countryside suddenly looked different. It was no longer just cattle country. It was dinosaur country.
Many of the fossils on display were discovered nearby, transforming the surrounding red earth from picturesque scenery into one of Australia’s most significant dinosaur hunting grounds. The March of the Titanosaurs Exhibition has the footprints of creatures that roamed 95million years ago.
Just a hop down the road in Outback terms, via Bladensburg National Park, Lark Quarry Conservation Park is another day tour from Rangelands. The park is a rare glimpse into a prehistoric drama frozen in time. There, the world’s only known dinosaur stampede trackway preserves the moment a herd of small dinosaurs fled across a muddy floodplain – again, more than 95million years ago.
Winton rewards slow exploration. One afternoon, I wandered through the Waltzing Matilda Centre before settling in with a coffee at The Lost Poet (the best coffee in town).
Later, I wandered through the Royal Open Air Theatre, which is one of the last remaining open-air cinemas in Australia.
We offer a variety of pick-up locations on the northside of Brisbane, specifically the Redcliffe and Sandgate areas. We also serve Taigum and Aspley Hypermarket Shopping Centres. Pick-ups also at the Eternal Flame in Ann Street, City, and, on tours heading south, we include Palmdale Shopping Centre for added convenience.Dates and itineraries are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances that are out of our control.
IMAGES: KERRY
HEANEY, @EATDRINKANDBEKERRY
Rangelands’ glamping deck view
WHY THE OUTBACK NOW? – Outback
Queensland surprised me. I expected wide-open spaces and iconic attractions but what I found was something richer: luxury camps perched above ancient landscapes, station families sharing stories shaped by the land, and dinosaurs that still leave their mark on the countryside.
Between Longreach and Winton, the Outback isn’t simply a destination. It’s a journey through time, where every sunset, fossil and station track adds another chapter to a story still being written.
WHEN YOU GO:
Mitchell Grass Retreat – luxury safaristyle glamping just outside Longreach, combining Outback immersion with king-size beds, private ensuites and unforgettable sunset views. mitchellgrassretreat.com.au
Darr River Downs – a working cattle station near Longreach offering authentic insights into Outback life, pastoral history and the challenges of life on the land. darrriverdowns.com.au
Queensland Helicopters – see the Outback from a completely different perspective with scenic flights showcasing vast station country, waterways and rugged landscapes. queenslandhelicopters.com.au
Red Dirt Tours – expert local guides reveal the stories, history and hidden corners of Longreach and Winton through immersive, small-group experiences. reddirttours.com.au
Rangelands Outback Camp –an exclusive luxury retreat outside Winton where stylish accommodation, gourmet dining and spectacular scenery create a memorable wilderness escape. rangelandscamp.com
Mitchell Grass Retreat
Rangelands glamping tent
ADVENTURES CLOSE TO HOME
SOME of life’s greatest adventures can be found right here in Australia.
While overseas travel is tempting, there is so much to discover in our own backyard. From the breathtaking wildflower displays and rugged coastlines of Southwest Western Australia to the pristine beauty of Lord Howe Island, Australia’s diverse landscapes, rich history and welcoming communities offer experiences every bit as memorable as those found overseas.
Blue Bus Tours has helped travellers explore hidden gems and iconic attractions in comfort, style, safety and good company. The carefully planned itineraries take the stress out of travel, allowing you to simply sit back, relax and enjoy the journey.
There are no passports to organise, no foreign currencies to worry about and no language barriers to overcome.
At a time when fuel prices and supply concerns continue to make headlines, you don’t need to stress about filling the tank, monitoring fuel prices or planning where and when to refuel.
International visitors travel thousands of kilometres to experience the beauty of Australia. With Blue Bus Tours, those incredible destinations are closer than you think.
WORDS: Sandra Jacob, business manager, Blue Bus Tours. Call 3820 7815 or visit bluebustours.com.au
OPEN SPACES, STORIES, SURPRISES
A journey through Roma, Wallaroo and Carnarvon Gorge is one of those trips that reminds you how good it is to slow down, breathe in country air and discover parts of Australia that are welcoming and untouched.
The Wallaroo Outback Retreat and the Carnarvon Ranges journey begins in Roma with a glimpse into country life. At the Roma Saleyards – the largest cattle-selling facility in the Southern Hemisphere, selling more than 400,000 cattle each year – retired farmers and graziers volunteer their time to welcome guests, as well as share stories from years spent working the land.
Afterwards, a local guide takes guests through Roma, uncovering how the town has evolved, with visits to hidden treasures including Heroes Avenue, naturally illuminated stained-glass windows, the Biggest Bottle Tree and a relaxed morning tea in the Roma Bush Gardens.
But for many people, Wallaroo Outback Retreat is where the trip really settles into something special. From the moment you arrive, there’s a sense of leaving the busy world behind. Surrounded by rugged Outback scenery, Wallaroo lets you enjoy the bush without giving up comfort. This is glamping done properly.
Beautiful safari-style tents, comfortable beds, warm hospitality and evenings spent under enormous country skies create the sort of experience that makes you slow down and enjoy where you are. Learning about Aboriginal culture and hearing about the connection to this landscape adds another layer to the experience. You’ll also discover ancient cycads: living reminders of a landscape that has remained unchanged for millions of years.
Then, the tour continues on to Carnarvon Gorge. One of the highlights is a guided walk to the Moss Garden: cool, green and tucked beneath towering sandstone cliffs.
Visit cttravel.com.au or call 5391 1648.
VIETNAM’S CAVE OF WONDERS
The day begins quietly on the waters of Ha Long Bay. Limestone peaks rise from the sea in impossible shapes while small boats drift between them, each turn revealing another hidden pocket of coastline in Vietnam. By evening, away from the water and behind weathered stone, Dragon Pearl Cave waits. For generations, caves like this have been part of local folklore: places tied to stories of dragons, mystery and the forces that shaped the landscape itself. But stepping inside, it’s not only the scale that captures attention. It’s like entering somewhere that has existed long before roads, cities or passing travellers. This is where Imagine Cruising changes the pace of travel. As the cavern darkens, light begins to move across the rock face. Music rises through the still air and the story unfolds. The Quest for the Sacred Pearl transforms the cave into something theatrical, yet deeply connected to place. Ancient legends are reimagined through projection, sound and movement. As the final scene fades, tables appear and dinner is served inside the cavern itself. It is a reminder that sometimes the places we remember most are not the ones we planned for, but those that tell a story and make us feel like we’ve stepped inside it.
Contact your local Travellers Choice agent at travellerschoice.com.au to book with Imagine Cruising.
Honolulu to Papeete
from $27,295 per person
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Sail from bright lights of Honolulu to the crystal waters and swaying palm trees of Tahiti aboard the Ritz Carlton Super Yacht. This 12 night cruise combines comfortable casual elegance that Ritz Carlton are famous for with the amazing back drops of Hawaii and Tahiti. Including pre and post accommodation, transfers and return business class airfares with Air New Zealand.
ALASKA IRELAND SOLO
from $10,995 per person
Experience Alaska as it should be, wild, adventurous and with no crowds. Travel in a small group to see the amazing wildlife and scenery and not giving up any of the creature comforts. Staying in small boutique lodges. Travel in a luxury sprinter van and lead by guides who were born and bred in Alaska.
Your Travel Expert understands that people travel solo for a variety of reasons. We work with some leading tour operators to give you a travel experience free from the dreaded solo supplement – and not guaranteeing that you will not miss out.
Experience Europe via luxury River Cruise from $12,595 for 14 nights cruise from Cologne through the heart of Europe to Budapest.
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See Ireland in a completely different light. Travelling in your own private vehicle with your own driver guide, you will be Staying in amazing accommodation, and experience Michelin Dining in some truly amazing venues and access to private spaces that only local knowledge can give.
Romance with la dolce vita
TSHIRLEY SINCLAIR knows that savouring a taste of Italy is always a good idea. in 1390) that dominates Piazza Maggiore, for example, is the oldest and largest in the city, dedicated to the bishop of Bologna in the 5th century.
his is a tale of two cities in Northern Italy: Bologna, capital of the EmiliaRomagna region, and Veneto’s Verona. Both share impressive tourism credentials of rich histories, cultural significance and architecture – from medieval, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque to eye-catching modern styles.
But the world knows Bologna is all about food. So, in anticipation of a city-wide gastronomical feast, I decide to first work up an appetite with an inspiring walk through history – from arches and porticos to cathedrals and churches, fountains and piazzas. The Basilica Di San Petronius (built
But you’ll really clock up the steps by trying to find the ‘perfect angle’ for an Instagram-able shot of Asinelli and Garisenda: Bologna’s medieval towers.
In the 12th and 13th centuries, Bologna was Italy’s ‘Manhattan’, when more than 180 towers reached for the sky.
Rival families are credited with building Asinelli and Garisenda (pictured far right) as a sign of power and status, between 1109 and 1119.
Progress and development claimed most of the others in the early 20th century. So, Asinelli and Garisenda have since become the symbols of Bologna.
Garisenda has a steep overhang due to subsidence of the land. It was lowered in the 14th century for fear of collapse. A barrier has now been erected around the 48m landmark that is Italy’s ‘other leaning tower’. With a tilt of 4 degrees, it is at an even greater angle than the Leaning Tower of Pisa at 3.9 degrees. Experts hope the equipment and know-how that was used to stop the Pisa tower from collapsing also will help curb any movement and cracking of Garisenda.
The Asinelli Tower, the taller of the two at 97.02m, has become a major tourist attraction for its breathtaking views up 498 internal steps to the top.
This city walk is a great first course for ‘tasting Bologna’ – an ideal accompaniment to our apartment, called ‘Un Gioiello sotto le Due Torri’ (‘A Jewel Under the Two Towers’). Our host Filippo had recommended Trattoria Gianni among his favourite eateries. So, we booked. And of course, for my first meal in Bologna, I had to sample the dish the city gave the world.
We know it as Spaghetti Bolognaise. But in Italy, the authentic rich, meat-based sauce simmered with vegetables and wine is ‘ragù alla Bolognese’ – traditionally served with tagliatelle, not spaghetti.
Trattoria Gianni did Bologna’s culinary
heritage proud. Honourable mention also must go to nearby Ristorante La Capriata’s Tagliatelle Con Ragu – said to be made according to the city’s oldest recipe, slowcooked for six hours.
But it was Ela, from Devour tours, who truly brought out the flavours of the region for us. Booked through GetYourGuide, Ela’s foodie walking tour introduced us to the best of Mercato delle Erbe market, designed in its current form in 1910, where Bologna producers and chefs give a nod to history and time-honoured traditions, while also offering a modern twist to authentic tastes.
They proudly present their vibrant shopfronts and stalls overflowing with light pastries, handmade tortellini, mortadella and Parma prosciutto, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, pistachio gelato and the quirky lasagna verde (with colours honouring the
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Italian flag), to name a few. And we savoured some of this ‘slow food’ smorgasbord at the oldest osteria in Bologna (Osteria del Sole, 1465). This is a medieval place lost in time, where you can BYO any of the delicious local delicacies and eat around big wooden tables, talking with newfound friends over a glass of beer or wine – recreating scenes of merriment across the centuries.
What Bologna is to food, Verona is to romance. And while there is no evidence to suggest Shakespeare ever visited the ‘fair Verona’ of his tragedy Romeo and Juliet and comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona, he lived in a time when travellers’ tales could conjure up desire and longing to visit – as they still do today.And like many tourists in Verona, I wanted to see the cobblestoned courtyard with its statue of Juliet (pictured left) and her balcony.
Yes, I know the balcony was added in 1936 as part of a restoration project to enhance the historical site, which was acquired by the Municipality of Verona in 1905. Yes, I know the Nereo Costantini statue was erected in the courtyard in 1972.
But Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta) at Via Cappello 23 is still among the most visited places in Verona (the long line of tourists one Saturday afternoon, spilling through the alleyway and out into the street of shops, attested to that!).
Also in the courtyard is one of Verona’s red mailboxes where love-lorn pilgrims
from all over the world can hand deliver their letters seeking guidance. Visitors also can volunteer their time to The Juliet Club to become her ‘secretaries’ – even for a day – to answer some of the 50,000 letters they receive each year (julietclub.com/en/) .
The medieval tower house, documented since 1351, originally drew visitors as an inn. Visit Verona (visitverona. it) reports that this place was first associated with the story of Romeo and Juliet by Luigi da Porto in 1531, immortalised by William Shakespeare in 1596, and identified as the house of the Capulets in the 18th century (Montecchi/ Montagues and Cappelletti/Capulets lived in the city in the 16th century). Inside, paintings, engravings and sculptures recreate the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet (including the bed used in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film among the exhibits).
If you find all that a little underwhelming, all is not lost in the love stakes. In fact, Verona has a countryside custom built for long, romantic walks.
And the story of the deep bonds between star-crossed lovers is in the back of my head as hubby and I set out to explore ‘The City of Love’ over two days.
First, we plotted a course from our Hotel Mastino, through the medieval, arched Portoni della Bra (the primary gateway to the ancient city) and Piazza Bra (the largest public square in Verona), around the Roman Arena, to Castelvecchio.
The strategic location of this square, red-bricked ‘Old Castle’, built between 1354 and 1376, meant it served as fortress and residence for the powerful Lord of Verona, Cangrande II della Scala, allowing the Scaliger dynasty to control access to the city in the Middle Ages. Within its walls is housed the Museo di Castelvecchio. The museum has impressive paintings by Veronese and Tintoretto, for example, along with armour, weapons and sculptures through the ages.
Like us, visitors can while away hours wandering the castle walls, courtyards and ramparts, taking in the sweeping views of the historical city centre and photographing the fortified bridge, Ponte Scaligero, across the Adige River.
But don’t stop there. We were rewarded with a walk across Ponte Scaligero to Giardini Sandro Pertini: a green space with gardens and reflective water feature that recharged us enough to head back into the open-air markets of Piazza delle Erbe for
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some people watching at Bistrot della Scala.
After beating the crowds with an early Sunday morning stroll around Juliet’s House, past Casa di Romeo (you guessed it: Romeo’s House), and the Dante Alighieri statue in Piazza dei Signori (erected in 1863 to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the Italian poet, writer and philosopher’s birth), we headed once again to the Adige River over Ponte Garibaldi (named after the hero of the unification of modern Italy).
The river promenade led us to the funicular for Castel San Pietro and its Austrian fortifications on San Petro Hill.
Lying 70m above the river, this 19th century military fortress once held the most important strategic position in the city but now offers visitors a comprehensive view of the medieval historic centre. No wonder it is the most photographed panorama of Veneto.
We weren’t the only couple being swept away for hours, spotting the Roman Arena, bell tower of the Verona Cathedral and the dark, pointed spire of the Gothic Basilica di Santa Anastasia (the largest church in the city), historic bridges and the Scaliger towers – with a backdrop of vineyards in the Valpolicella viticultural zone.
A return meander over Ponte Pietra (the oldest stone bridge in Verona, originally built in 100BC) to Piazza dei Signori for dinner at Impero Trattoria Pizzeria (an ‘open-air living room’ in one of the oldest pizzerias in Verona) was almost all the romance I could take for one day.
FARE INCLUDES:
Motel Accommodation, All Breakfasts and Dinners, Admissions and Touring.
Mon Repos Turtle Centre, Hinkler Hall of Aviation, Bert Hinkler House, Fairymead House, Bundaberg Rum Distillery and Museum, Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise, Mary Valley Heritage Rattler, The Majestic Theatre with Silent Film Screening.
Home pickup and return: Brisbane, Redcliffe, Redlands, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Sunshine Coast, Caboolture and Bribie Island
FARE INCLUDES:
Motel Accommodation, All Breakfasts and Dinners, Admissions.
Lightning Ridge, Walk in Mine, Chambers of The Black Hand, Abercrombie House / afternoon tea, Mount Panorama, Gooree Park Wines/horse stud, Thallon Silos, Nindigully Pub, Glen Innes Land of the Beardies, Tenterfield School of Arts and Stanthorpe Winery.
Home pickup and return: Brisbane, Redcliffe, Redlands, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Sunshine Coast and Caboolture.
Hawkesbury River, Hunter Valley, Nelson Bay, The Entrance, Lake Macquarie.
FARE INCLUDES: Motel Accommodation, All Breakfasts and Dinners, All Admissions and Touring.
Riverboat Postman, Hawkesbury River, Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise, Historic Rocks Area, Grafton Jacaranda Festival Parade, Hunter Valley, The Pub with No Beer (Taylor’s Arms), The Lakes Region - Lake Macquarie and The Entrance, Gloucester, Yamba and Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
Home pickup and return: Brisbane, Redcliffe, Redlands, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Sunshine Coast, Bribie Island and Caboolture.
THE NIGHTINGALE
By Kristin Hannah Historical fiction
Reviewed by Jan Kent
SET in France in World War I, this novel is intriguing, compelling, moving and disturbing –with emotions changing with each new chapter.
What remains constant throughout is the strong character development of sisters Vianne and Isabelle, enhanced by rich language and description, which can be disturbingly graphic.
Though bonded by blood, the sisters could not be more different. With her quiet country life disrupted by her husband’s enlistment, Vianne is content to spend her days caring for her young daughter and waiting out what she believes will be a short war. The rebellious and troublesome Isabelle, on the other hand, seeks an involvement in the war, in order to make her mark.
With differences in ideals and passions, these strong characters find their own ways to survive the challenges and horrors of Nazi-occupied France.
Even though I loved this book, as an acknowledgment of the courage and power that women can wield when tested in extreme circumstances, one aspect of Kristin Hannah’s style that irked me was the confusing time-switching from 1995 to war-time and back again. I still found the book thoroughly engrossing and enjoyable.
ELIZABETH
THE FIFTH WITNESS
By Michael Connelly Legal thriller
Reviewed by
John Kleinschmidt
MICHAEL Connelly is among the very best of crime writers.
He has had several of his books produced by Netflix in the very successful series The Lincoln Lawyer
Although I have seen the TV series featuring this story, which centres on the murder of wealthy banker Mitchell Bondurant, I decided to read the book anyway, and I am pleased I did.
The TV series is entertaining viewing and the characters are the same but the plot has been changed –I guess to make it more appealing for viewers.
However, the plot is far better in the book, with more detail around the characters and the trial of Lisa Trammell, exploring themes of justice, morals and ethics.
The Lincoln Lawyer TV fans should not be deterred from reading The Fifth Witness as it is a very good read.
THE THINGS WE NEVER SAY by Elizabeth Strout, Modern fiction
Reviewed by Steph Maker, of Annie’s Books on Peregian
Strout’s latest novel
TheThings We Never Say attends to the things that are difficult to discuss.
It deftly covers religion, politics and relationships through a rich cast of characters.
Protagonist Artie Dam is warm and lovable.
Readers will find him a fine companion, despite the difficult times he finds himself in.
Strout has set aside Olive Kitteridge for the moment in this standalone work.
It arguably takes a grittier turn than the Olive novels, but it is a rewarding read.
If you’ve found yourself saying, “I’m fine” or “I’m just tired” while wanting to say more, you might just relate to the folks in The Things We Never Say .
MIRIKAI: A PLACE OF PEACE
By Anne Sinclair, Self-published
contemporary romance
LEAVING New Zealand for a life in Australia, Louise dreams of exploring the globe and immersing herself in exciting challenges.
It’s the force that drives her adventurous young spirit. Marriage comes swiftly after meeting Ross Green and settling in Perth. She becomes an accomplished businesswoman, founding a teaching facility for computer and internet technology (IT). A twist of fate sees the couple bound for New Guinea, before finally relocating to Sydney.
Louise establishes a second IT operation with hopes of creating an interior design venture when the Greens renovate their new Narrabeen home. To friends and colleagues, the couple’s life appears perfect. But for Louise, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Ross’s seething physical abuse compounds to a head, brutally turning her world upside down in one fateful night. The fragile line between life and death is closer than she could ever have imagined. Her shocking secret now revealed, Louise learns to accept the devastating consequences of Ross’s actions in the arms of an unexpected gentleman.
Mentoring an impoverished single mother and her son alters their lives completely, but will Louise’s selfless act ever bring her the happiness she so desperately yearns?
“Publicised as ‘contemporary romance’, it is not only that,” Sinclair says. “It is set in a number of locations: NZ, various parts of Australia including Queensland and WA, New Guinea and small snapshots of other places around the world. The themes feature the heroine’s business acumen, domestic violence, mentoring, adoption, sports and, yes, romance runs through the 475 pages of what I consider ‘faction’.”
Mirikai A Place of Peace is available as soft cover and eBook through all the usual online sources such as Amazon Books and Booktopia.
THE HOBART HOTEL
By Mary-Lou Stephens, Historical fiction
Reviewed by Karen Weiber, of Books@Stones, Stones Corner
DECEMBER 1939 sees the grand opening of Australia’s most glamorous hotel, Wrest Point Riviera.
The equally glamorous Sabine Winters, recently arrived in Hobart from the Continent, anticipates a safe port from the storm that rages in Europe.
What she doesn’t expect is to be blackmailed into becoming a spy, torn from the safety of Tasmania and taken to the viper’s nest of intrigue and plots that is South America during the rise of Nazi power.
February 1973 sees the grand opening of Wrest Point Hotel Casino. Jenny Davies anticipates a night surrounded by dizzying decor and thrilling action.
What she doesn’t expect is an invitation to become a Ladybird: one of the casino’s croupiers. But Jenny’s choice to pursue this exclusive career creates a devastating chain of events that could destroy her life as she knows it. Can a mysterious letter and key from a relative Jenny has never heard of be the answer to all of her problems?
A glittering and beautifully crafted novel. The author meticulously researches her home state, and the reader becomes fully immersed in the glamour of high society in Hobart in the 1930s and ’70s This book has it all: romance, mystery, amazing places and a fabulous dual timeline.
With Quizmaster Garry Reynolds
1. Which continent did the first pineapple plants in Australia come from?
2. What wine container was invented in Australia?
3. How many sides are in a hexagon?
4. What is the former name of Kata Tjuta?
5. Who wrote the Harry Potter series?
6. What is the name of the Brazilian currency?
7. Which animated character promoted decimal currency?
8. What is the title of the epic story about Man’s first disobedience?
9. What is a person called who is sent as a diplomatic representative on a special mission or to convey an important message?
10. What is a ‘ghostly double’ of a living person called?
11. In what athletics event did Cathy Freeman win gold in the Sydney Olympics?
12. What film set in Vietnam included Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries?
13. What is the term for permanent absolute tenure of real estate?
14. What is the term for decaying animal flesh?
15. What was the former name of Sri Lanka?
16. What is the term for the student, especially in the US, who gives the farewell speech at their class graduation?
17. What is the country of origin of ska music?
18. What is the name of Asian bean curd?
19. What is the term for an athletic contest featuring five different events?
20. What was the first horse to win the Melbourne Cup?
15. Ceylon. 16. Valedictorian. 17. Jamaica. 18. Tofu. 19. Pentathlon. 20. Archer (1861). called? win gold in s nure n the uring five rne
20 Struggle with patient’s terminal skin problem(4)
21 Go over a fault(6)
23 They are employed by gamblers to set up(5)
25 Friend quietly slipped away from stupid person(4)
QUICK CROSSWORD
Today’s Aim:
7 words: Good
11 words: Very good
15 words: Excellent
1 Concentrates(7)
5 Sports ground(7)
9 Pledges(11)
10 Broodmare(3)
11 Actor, – Levy(6)
12 Hub for military planes(7)
14 Regretted(4)
15 Scents(10)
17 Sent off(10)
19 German automobile manufacturer(4)
20 Melodious(7)
22 Antenna(6)
25 Tear(3)
26 Practical(11)
28 Wrap a baby tightly(7)
29 Candidate(7)
1 Visage(4)
2 Mathematical logic devices(9)
3 Sharp metal protrusion(5)
4 Evenly proportioned(11)
5 Our star(3)
6 European country(7)
7 Asian country(5)
8 Belonging to an association(10)
12 Combined whole(11)
13 Indications of commercial ownership(10)
16 Person of European descent(9)
18 Accumulated(7)
21 above(5) 23 Kingdom(5) 24 On a single occasion(4)
Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once.
No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.
WORD STEP
Every row, column and 3x3 outlined square must contain the numbers 1 to 9 once each.
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