Your Time Brisbane - June 2025 by My Weekly Preview

*Accommodation available year-round. Experiences run April – October.

Cruise to sunset on a historic paddlewheeler, enjoy a traditional stockman’s dinner around the campﬁre, visit Nogo Station to hear how Australia was built on the sheep’s back, travel the old Longreach-Windorah mail track on a Cobb & Co stagecoach, and so much more.*

How would you like to be remembered? Will a memorial trophy in your honour highlight your lifetime contribution to a sports club?

Will your children and loved ones give their appreciation in your eulogy for the kind words of encouragement, the sage advice, the plentiful hugs and kisses?

Will colleagues from your profession, trade or business raise a toast and exchange anecdotes about your work ethic, your office idiosyncrasies and those hilarious Christmas party dance moves?

Will neighbours fondly remember the hours spent tending your rose garden, the best scones in the agricultural show or the handcrafted outdoor table you made from scrap timber? Will universities applaud your research, captains of industry refer to your tenacity, and TED Talks speak to your ingenious technology?

The truth is, we have no real control over how we will be remembered and how our life will be viewed once we pass.

The best we can hope for is to be satisfied in ourselves that we have left this world a better place for having been in it.

But there is a way to bolster the legacy

we leave behind and feel much better about ourselves in the process: by leaving a bequest in our will.

In this month’s cover story, Richard O’Leary reports that, increasingly, Australians are looking beyond leaving inheritances for immediate family and friends. In fact, a ‘quiet revolution’ is taking place, with more and more Aussies choosing to make contributions to charities as part of their legal wills.

And you don’t have to fund a new wing at a university to be part of that revolution. From hospital charities and medical research foundations to animal shelters and gifts to ease world hunger, bequests can be small or sizeable, benefit one or many, be local or far-reaching.

Knowing that we have made a difference in the lives of those who need it most, changed someone’s future, funded a life-saving study, or just upgraded tiredlooking equipment at the local cricket club may be all it takes. Turn to page 4, and to our Leaving a Gift feature from page 25.

And in this month’s travel pages, Leonie Jarrett is left in shock and awe after cruising into waters surrounding our closest neighbour: Papua New Guinea. It’s a bumper 48-page edition this month, so grab a cuppa and settle in for a big read.

Shirley Sinclair Editor

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Where

there’s a will, there can be a heartfelt gift

RICHARD O’LEARY looks at the huge and far-reaching benefits to thousands that can come from leaving a bequest to a charity, ensuring that your legacy lives on long after you are gone.

By any financial measure, Australia is a rich nation. That’s why the transition of that wealth over the coming decades is so important to the future of our country.

Total inheritances were about $150 billion last year and are expected to be $5.4 trillion over the next 20 years, with about half of that to be transferred from baby boomers to their children. But an increasing number of Australians are looking beyond just immediate family and friends.

Bequests are becoming a talking point among many families.

Some people are even considering “bequests before you go” donations.

This allows them to enjoy seeing the benefits of their generosity.

It’s a quiet revolution that represents a major cultural shift in this country, which has traditionally trailed other rich nations when it comes to charity contributions. Recent studies show a rise in both the frequency and total value of bequests.

Online will provider Gathered Here analysed more than 36,000 wills written between November 2020 and October 2023. The research showed 18 per cent of the wills included charitable gifts – up from 6.5 per cent in 2014.

Financially, the Include a Charity campaign reported a 20 per cent

EVERY DONATION MAKES A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE

EVERY hour is precious for 72-year-old Merryl Berry.

The Twin Waters local was diagnosed with mesothelioma twoand-a-half years ago, after a visit to the doctor for a sore shoulder turned into a nightmare of hospital visits, tests and heartache.

increase in gifts in wills income over the past five years.

BY THE numbers

Donations – Australia versus the rest of the world

WHEN evaluating donations as a percentage of GDP, Australia stands at 0.81 per cent. This is lower than:

• United States (2019): 2.1 per cent

• New Zealand (2018): 1.84 per cent

• Canada (2013): 1 per cent

• United Kingdom (2018): 0.96 per cent.

She was originally given between six months and two years to live, but she told her doctor that that was not enough time.

“It’s a strange feeling because I don’t feel like I’m going to die,” Merryl says.

“We’ll make plans for Christmas, and I try not to think that I mightn’t be here.

“I’m trying not to have that as part of my scenario.”

Your Time met Merryl at the Wishlist Centre in Birtinya, so that after the interview, she could walk over to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital to get her results following a sixth round of chemotherapy.

“Chemo – it’s what I hate,” Merryl says. “The chemo really knocks you about.

“That’s why my eyes water.

“I get mouth ulcers. I get really sick, really miserable, and then you slowly crawl out of it.”

For our discussion, Merryl is accompanied by her 80-year-old husband Ed.

He doesn’t just give her love and support, but also provides added incentive to squeeze every minute out of every day.

“We will be married 50 years, not this Christmas, but next Christmas,” Merryl says.

“I am lucky I’ve got a rock.

“I’m not really frightened if I do happen to drop off the perch.

“I’m not particularly frightened about that, but I would be worried leaving him after 50 years.”

Merryl is also concerned about making the most of the time she has left.

She tells the story of seeing a billboard outside a church which simply read, “Is this world better with you or without you?”.

After much soul searching, she answered that question with a significant donation to Wishlist, so the Rare Cancer Care and Research Fund can find ways to improve treatment and prolong life for mesothelioma patients.

Associate Professor Dr Bryan Chan, Merryl’s oncologist, says the donation will help research to unlock the secrets of mesothelioma “to identify if there are triggering things in the microbiome that lead to mesothelioma, or see if there are things we can manipulate to help improve treatment and outcomes”.

“We’re looking at trying to stop people from dying within six to 12 months, which was the traditional prognosis,” Dr Chan says.

Mesothelioma, sometimes referred to as ‘meso’, is a cancer most often caused by asbestos, which affects the smooth lining of the chest, lungs, heart and abdomen.

The layer of tissue surrounding these organs is made up of mesothelial cells, hence the name.

Australia had one of the highest per capita uses of asbestos in the world until it was banned in 2003, but 700 to 800 new cases of mesothelioma are still diagnosed annually in this country.

“We’re looking at trying to stop people from dying within six to 12 months”

Dr Bryan Chan, oncologist

Many cases are linked to occupational exposure, which made Merryl’s diagnosis confusing, because she’d been a teacher all her life. Most of her career was spent at Buderim Mountain State School.

“The thing about mesothelioma is,

everybody you talk to will say, ‘Oh, gee, I used to play with asbestos as a kid’,” she says.

“I never, ever did any of those things.

“We’re not builders. We’re not knocking down walls.

“I was a teacher and I spent a lot of time in demountables.

“That was the only thing that they could come up with.

“That’s where the asbestos was.”

Initially, Merryl was reluctant to talk about her story.

She didn’t want to make a fuss about her large donation, and certainly didn’t want to draw attention to herself.

But Jan Long, with whom she job shared at Buderim school, happened to be a long-time supporter of Wishlist and encouraged her friend to speak up and encourage others to donate.

Merryl had this advice for others: “If you can do something to make the world better, then you should try and do it.”

With those words, Merryl stood up and, with her husband by her side, walked over to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital to get her results.

The news was as good as she could hope for: her cancer had not progressed, which means she gets a three-month rest from chemo and all that goes with it.

While she enjoys the time with family and friends, Associate Professor Chan and his colleagues will be busy working on advancing treatment options to improve quality of life and survival for mesothelioma, giving hope to the thousands of Australians who are expected to be diagnosed with the cancer in the coming years.

And while all that work is happening, Merryl will be inching closer to that 50th wedding anniversary.

Turn to page 25 for our Leaving a Gift bequests feature.

A HISTORY OF giving

WISHLIST, a hospital charity, has raised $23 million since it was established in 1998 to support the health needs of patients and families on the Sunshine Coast and Gympie region.

Its most recent fundraiser, Wishlist Giving Day, will help pay for a biplane unit which will save lives, and improve the quality of life for stroke survivors.

It will allow doctors to remove a clot and immediately restore blood flow to the brain.

Wishlist CEO Brendan Hogan says the people of the Sunshine and Gympie are the most generous in the world and that “we are so grateful they help us to help others”.

“We appreciate every donation, big or small – they all make a big difference to health care in this region,” he says.

Wishlist is happy to talk with anyone about a donation or a bequest. Its latest campaign asks people to become a GEM and ‘Give Each Month’. Call 5202 1777 or go to wishlist.org.au

Brendan Hogan

What’s hip

What to book

NATALIE Bassingthwaighte stars in a career-defining role when the joyous, life-affirming comedy Shirley Valentine heads to Brisbane’s Twelfth Night Theatre, from October 29-November 8. Bassingthwaighte – known for her versatility spanning film (Elvis), television (Neighbours, Underbelly, X-Factor) and stage (Chicago, Jagged Little Pill) – promises to deliver a fresh, dynamic take on Shirley’s journey, capturing every laugh, tear and moment of courage, bringing Willy Russell’s heartwarming story to vibrant new life. This beloved one-woman play tells of a middle-aged, working-class Liverpool housewife stuck in a life of routine. When a friend invites her on a spontaneous holiday to Greece, Shirley takes a bold leap into the unknown. Book at Ticketek.com.au or call 13 28 49 and visit shirleyvalentine.com.au

Reminisce about …

THEY created some of the pop anthems of our time: Mrs Brown You Got A Lovely Daughter, No Milk Today, There’s A Kind Of Hush and I’m Into Something Good Herman’s Hermits became one of the best-selling bands in the history of the ‘British Invasion’. And they celebrate an incredible milestone on their 60th Anniversary World Tour in 2025. Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone is the sound of the ’60s and ’70s. The show comes to Kedron-Wavell RSL on Sunday, August 10, at 3pm (kedron-wavell.com.au/event/hermans-hermits-2025) and The Events Centre, Caloundra, on Wednesday, August 6 (theeventscentre.com.au/event/ hermans-hermits).

What to see

IT’S one of the world’s unique spectacles, renowned for stirring music, military precision, cultural displays and dramatic performances, set against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is set to dazzle Australian audiences when it comes –exclusively and for the first time – to Brisbane in February next year. Suncorp Stadium will host a full-scale production of the Tattoo’s 75th anniversary show, The Heroes Who Made Us, on February 12 and 14, presented by RACQ. It will bring together more than 1000 of the world’s finest performers to showcase traditional Scottish heritage and bold, contemporary choreography, led by the Massed Pipes and Drums from UK Military regiments, and featuring 30 bands and acts from around the world, including fan-favourite Top Secret Drum Corps and performers from the Australian Defence Force. This will be one of its most ambitious international stadium productions to date. Any remaining tickets are available through Ticketek and edintattoobrisbane.com.au

HE MAY have been the bane of existence of dean of students ‘Ed’ Rooney (Jeffrey Jones), but Ferris Bueller was a hero to any kid growing up in the 1980s and beyond. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off was released in US theatres on June 11, 1986, and soon became a cult classic. High school senior Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) decides to skip school by faking an illness, then encourages his girlfriend Sloane (Mia Sara) and pessimistic best friend Cameron (Alan Ruck) to spend the day in Chicago as one last fling before they graduate. The teen comedy was written, co-produced and directed by John Hughes, with supporting roles from Jennifer Grey (before her Dirty Dancing triumph) and a very young-looking Charlie Sheen.

What music to hear

IT’S silent but fabulous. Queensland Air Museum at Caloundra Airport will host the 80s Silent Disco on Saturday, August 2, in two sessions: 6.30-9pm and 9.30pm-midnight. If you are old enough to remember the likes of Brisbane’s Apples Disco in the National Hotel, Tracks Nightclub at the City Plaza Tavern and The New York Hotel, or perhaps Surfair at Marcoola, Chifleys and Galaxy Nightclub at Stewarts Alexandra Headland, this might be for you. After selling out more than 250 shows across the world, the 80s Silent Disco will be held among all the amazing historic aircraft. Expect three DJs playing all your favourite ’80s tunes. Register at 80s-silent-disco-qldairmuseum.kickoffpages.com

Retiree GARRY REYNOLDS shares his thoughts on the world around us.

TEACHER BURNOUT IS REAL

A REPORT by the Black Dog Institute says that half of Australia’s teachers are considering leaving the profession within the next 12 months, due to burnout.

Teachers are working longer hours with fewer resources to meet increasing community and parental expectations. More and more are taking time off for mental health.

In excess of 50 per cent of teachers report moderate to extremely severe symptoms of depression, compared with 12 per cent in the general population.

I was a NSW state high school teacher for 18 years from the 1970s through to the ’90s. I found it an enjoyable and highly rewarding profession, especially serving the community of my rural hometown.

Research on teaching conditions in the past puts current community expectations into context.

The rules for NSW state school teachers in the 1800s stated that each day the teacher had to fill lamps, clean chimneys, bring a bucket of water and a scuttle of coal.

Male teachers could take one

evening a week for courting purposes, or two evenings if they attended church regularly.

It was stated that any teacher who smoked, consumed liquor, frequented pool or public halls and had a shave in a barber shop “would give good reason to suspect his worth, intention, integrity and honesty”.

After spending 10 hours in school, teachers were told, “You may spend the remaining time reading the Bible or other good books.”

Female teachers were instructed: “If you marry or engage in unseemly conduct, you will be dismissed.”

This was fertile ground for the town busybodies.

When I retired in 1992, I could see the pressures building.

I could not do the job today, despite the great need to help students, families and our nation through improved education.

The best pathways to achieve this are contentious, but theories are like toothbrushes: everybody has their own and nobody wants to use anybody else’s.

REDCLIFFE VIEW CLUB SEEKS NEW MEMBERS

REDCLIFFE Peninsula VIEW Club is on the lookout for new members who want to give back to their community and make connections with women in the area.

The club is part of The Smith Family’s Learning for Life Program.

As one of 280 VIEW clubs in Australia, Redcliffe Peninsula sponsors the education of nine

disadvantaged children. Members meet monthly at the Moreton Bay Boat Club in Scarborough for lunch, friendship and interesting speakers, while fundraising to support those students to reach their educational potential.

For more information about VIEW clubs and becoming a member, email redcliffeview@gmail.com

You take the ﬁnancial

• You have it done your way • You are in control of your affairs

The Beatles take Brisbane

MYLES SINNAMON shakes out State Library of Queensland’s collections to uncover untold stories from the Fab Four’s unforgettable whirlwind trip here that was filled with screaming fans, errant eggs and an unusual Bible.

The Beatles were at the peak of their music popularity when they touched down at Brisbane Airport just after midnight on June 29, 1964, ahead of four concerts scheduled over two nights at Festival Hall.

John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were greeted by thousands of screaming fans, along with 200 uniformed police and 20 detectives.

Even before the plane doors opened, the crowd had whipped itself into a frenzy, threatening to knock down the barricades around the VIP area.

From newspaper reports in State Library collections, six girls were treated by ambulance workers: two for hysteria and four who fainted in the crush.

The band members stepped off the plane and onto a table-top truck, ready to begin a tour of the fenceline to greet the crowd.

The excitement was marred when, as now Federal MP Bob Katter reported, he and his friends threw a barrage of eggs.

McCartney later remarked: “We were disappointed at the egg throwing ... it was all so pointless.”

Due to this incident, The Beatles made

no further public appearances outside of their concert performances.

“As long as we’re in Brisbane,” John Lennon reportedly said, “it’s just here and the (Festival) Hall for us.”

The ‘here’ was Lennons Hotel in the city. Prior to their arrival, Lennons management strenuously denied the band would be staying there, but the ‘pretence of secrecy’ didn’t last.

The Beatles occupied a 4th floor suite which was protected 24 hours a day by security guards.

There were several attempts by teenagers to gain access to The Beatles’ suite, including one enterprising 16-yearold who dressed himself in his uncle’s clerical garb, including horn-rimmed glasses, with a small black Bible, and tried to enter the hotel at 1am.

He told puzzled security he had “come to give The Beatles guidance”. He was soon rumbled when staff noticed he was wearing ‘Beatle Boots’ and his ‘Bible’ was, in fact, a history book.

State Library is fortunate to hold an original memo written by the executive assistant manager of Lennons Hotel, asking staff not to pester the Fab Four during their stay.

The memo reads: “Please advise members of your staff that autographs are not to be sought, nor are these guests to be annoyed or humbuged (sic) in anyway during their stay with us”.

About 5000 fans attended each of the four concerts at Festival Hall.

But if anyone had gone along hoping to hear music, they would have been sorely disappointed.

“You couldn’t hear The Beatles sing,” reported the Telegraph

“Every time they opened their mouths, so did the crowds.

“The girls – and boys – threw their arms above their heads. They bounced up and down on chairs. They sank to their knees in the aisles.

“It was bedlam and judging by the upturned, open-mouthed faces, it was pure bliss. It was The Beatles.”

The Fab Four departed from the Eagle Farm airport early on July 1 with 500

screaming fans to see them off – some of whom had arrived at 4.30am with children still in their pyjamas.

As the plane took off, a policeman was said to have remarked, “Well, thank goodness that’s over.”

Of the Brisbane tour, McCartney said, “We thought Brisbane might be a let-down after the rest of the tour – a sort of anticlimax. But really, the audiences here were tremendous: as good as or better than any we ever faced.”

State Library holds an original Festival Hall concert ticket plus the official Australian tour souvenir booklet, along with many newspaper articles of the time on microfilm (and even an original wrapper from a commemorative ice block, the Beat-All!).

If you have any memories or ephemera relating to The Beatles’ visit to Brisbane, email qldmemory@ slq.qld.gov.au

IF ONLY THE WALLS COULD TALK: MUCH-USED HALL NOTCHES UP 100 YEARS OF COMMUNITY HISTORY

A CENTURY is a good innings for anyone or anything – and particularly for a humble timber hall.

The Enoggera Memorial Hall has a rich and colourful heritage.

Incorporated into the plan was the reassembled and repositioned Enoggera State School room, dating from 1871. In 1916, the old school opened as the School of Arts in 1917.

Come 1925, and the community strove

to erect a suitable military memorial which would be a focal point within the district.

Dedicated as a memorial in November 1925, the hall has remained a reminder of sacrifice.

The memorial hall committee and the Enoggera and District Historical Society have combined to host two events of celebration.

The unique Stump Capping celebration at the hall provides a varied program of entertainment sure to be of interest to all in the community.

Centenary celebrations of the Enoggera Memorial Hall on Trundle Street will take place on July 20 from

2-4pm. The program includes: displays of the 1920-30s; the Enoggera State School choir; Stump Capping; Yarns from over the Back Fence; a book launch: The Enoggera School of Arts & Memorial Hall; celebratory afternoon tea; and hamper raffle. Book your ticket through events.humanitix.com/the-enoggeramemorial-hall-centenary-celebrations for $25 (includes a limited-edition, souvenir linen tea towel, pictured). For further information on the anniversary, call 3355 4714.

State Library of Queensland collection items relating to The Beatles’ 1964 visit to Brisbane

REMINISCING ABOUT SPORTS HITS LONELINESS OUT OF THE PARK

WE ALL know the collective feeling of pride as a sporting nation.

From Australia’s historic victory in the 1983 America’s Cup to Freeman’s goldmedal sprint at the Sydney Olympics, sport has the unique ability to captivate and inspire us all.

Now, a study by the University of South Australia is exploring the experiences and benefits of older people involved in a community reminiscence program: Sporting Memories Australia, tapping into their memories and experiences of sport in a move to address loneliness and social isolation.

Working with SportsUnited, the program is actively connecting people over the age of 65 (many living with dementia) to discuss historic sporting events,

participate in activities and share their memories from past decades. A knowledgeable facilitator guides the group and promotes inclusivity.

Initial results from the study indicate wide-ranging positive impacts, with participants reporting that it helps them feel included, socially connected and engaged.

Participants say that the program lets them talk freely about any topic, presenting them with opportunities to share and learn with others – a proven factor that stimulates cognitive functioning and social engagement.

It’s a valuable finding, given Australia’s ageing population. Current estimates indicate that 4.2 million Australians (16 per cent of the population) are aged 65 and over.

UniSA researcher Robert Laidlaw says the Sporting Memories Australia program is helping address the challenges of ageing by providing a group setting for older people to develop new friendships through sharing memories.

“Social isolation and loneliness have become a public health concern as people age. But while individual approaches such as psychological interventions and medications have been trialled, their effectiveness is limited,” Mr Laidlaw says.

“Community group reminiscence programs have been developed as a novel approach to combat social isolation. In the

Sporting Memories Australia program, we bring a group of older people together to talk about past sporting events.

“Some of the participants may be socially isolated or lonely, while others struggle with anxiety, depression or even have mild cognitive changes. But together, we engage everyone through a range of inclusive and fun activities, including games, quizzes, memorabilia, guest speakers and trips to sporting venues.”

The program, originally developed in the United Kingdom, aims to attract people with an interest in sport who are living with cognitive changes, loneliness, and/or depression.

Co-researcher, UniSA’s Dr Richard McGrath, says that in addition to the health and social benefits, participants value the opportunity to learn about and from each other as they play games and share stories.

“Learning is important for older people because it fosters an active and inquiring mind while promoting social interaction and broadening their horizons,” he says.

“The benefits of the Sporting Memories Australia program can do wonders for a person’s general quality of life – mentally, socially and physically. And anything that supports a positive mind and spirit is good for our health and wellbeing – and that goes regardless of our age.”

To find out more, visit sportsunited. org.au/sporting-memories-australia.html

CRACKS

A NEW, comprehensive and free support platform has launched, offering immediate, practical support to current and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force.

The Veteran’s Toolbox, created by not-for-profit organisation Salute for Service, is an all-in-one digital resource hub that addresses mental health, employment, education, physical wellbeing, financial support, claims guidance and family needs.

As the Department of Veterans’ Affairs reports a 36 per cent increase in claims over the past two years, with 8950 new claims submitted in February 2025 alone, the support platform aims to meet rising demand and fill critical gaps left by government systems.

With more than 6000 personnel leaving the Australian Defence Force each year, pressure on the system is only set to rise, with community-based support services such as Salute for Service also seeing a surge in demand. The not -for-profit is reporting 17 times the number of current and ex-serving members supported through its services now, compared with just six months ago.

Visit https://saluteservice.org/ services/#toolbox

Life in the slow lane

By Mocco Wollert

SOME people like zoos. Some people hate them.

Do we actually need zoos?

I have seen some of the best and some of the worst.

The worst was the zoo in Nepal.

After finishing our trek in the mountains, our sherpa was very eager to show us the Katmandu Zoo. He was very proud of it.

We had become very close with our trekking team and did not want to disappoint him.

The zoo was a nightmare! I had to keep a strong grip on myself not to burst into tears.

There was obviously no money and the whole zoo was dirty and poorly maintained.

A huge bear was confined in a small iron cage. He was covered in sores and sat dejected in a dark corner.

The lion paced the small distance in his cage restlessly. He, too, was covered in sores.

In contrast, the fabulous zoo in Seattle was a joy to visit.

The animals are in ‘enclosures’ that resemble their real habitat as closely as possible.

Their breeding programs are making a true contribution to maintaining endangered species.

Breeding endangered species is a large part of any well-run and well-maintained zoo.

Is there any value in that?

We all would love to see tigers, elephants and gorillas in their natural habitat in Africa, but how many of us are able to travel there?

It means endless hours in an aircraft, a lot of money and no guarantee that you will see the animal.

The breeding programs are not only for us to see the animals but, more importantly, to stop a species from becoming extinct.

One question that puzzles me is: are animals like us or are we like the animals?

Watching chimpanzees, that question is particularly relevant. They behave very much like us with their squabbles and how they build families.

Or are we behaving like them?

The difference is, though, that the leader of a family of animals rules his or her troop with an iron fist. The matriarch of a group of

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elephants is in charge. Full stop.

In some human cultures, the matriarchs are still ruling ‘the tribe’. Maybe we are just another animal, but higher evolved.

My favourite animal is the meercat with its ‘bopping’ up and down. I also love the big apes and glorious lions and tigers.

I am not much for reptiles or birds, although I am fascinated by 100-year-old turtles. Maybe it’s because I am heading that way.

I have a ‘mini zoo’ in my garden: two metal magpies, a small stone statue of a meercat and a ‘meditating’ frog. I am often tempted to add more but don’t want to descend into kitsch.

Long gone are the times when garden beds were crowded with colourful garden gnomes.

Many people have strong opinions about ‘incarcerating’ animals. My friend Lexie hates zoos. Another friend told me that Australia Zoo was okay but should only keep native Australian animals.

As zoos are the only places where children can see rare and exotic animals, maybe we should be glad that we still have some in the world.

May you get the chance to visit wild animals in happy surroundings.

Email mocco.wollert@bigpond.com

an adventure

By Cheryl Lockwood

MY LATEST backyard project turned into one of those ‘bit off more than I can chew’ situations, which happens more than I care to admit.

I dubbed it: ‘The Great Wall’ project. Next time, instead of DIY, I might try ESE (Employ Someone Else).

Sections of the garden wall had taken on a precarious lean over the years.

The garden was well established when we moved to the house and I guessed that the root systems of the plants were planning an escape. They were attempting to push their way out and it looked like they were succeeding.

Originally, I feared the wall would collapse completely, but when I started to dismantle the blockwork, I found that: 1. The wall probably had years of life left and 2. Concrete is very hard and heavy.

However, once I started demolishing, I quickly reached the point of no return and I had to keep going.

There were sections of the 40-year-old retaining wall that I deemed straight enough to stay and I planned to only rebuild the bits that really needed it.

Unfortunately, the original wall builder had used the Doomsday Seed Vault building code.

Some of the base blocks were rooted to the very

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Make a plan for what happens to your digital life when you’re gone

EDIN READ knows it’s a difficult topic to discuss but outlines why a trusted person should take charge of your passwords and social media after you pass. down, recover important information or preserve the things you’d want saved.

Most of us are good at sorting out the big-ticket items for when we pass – our wills, houses and who gets the good crockery.

But something else is quietly building behind the scenes: our digital life. Emails, bank accounts, Facebook profiles, photos in the cloud, subscriptions we’ve forgotten about … they all live on unless we decide what should happen to them.

It’s not the easiest topic to discuss, I’ll admit. But it’s one I’m raising because I’ve seen first-hand how distressing and complicated it can be for families left to untangle a loved one’s digital life. Planning for it doesn’t mean something bad is around the corner. It simply means you’re making life that little bit easier for the people who matter to you.

Let’s start with the practical stuff. The average person these days has dozens of accounts: email, MyGov, online banking, photo storage, Facebook, maybe a few streaming services, too. If no one knows your login details, even getting into these accounts can be a challenge. And without access, your loved ones can’t shut them

So, what can you do now?

My advice is to create a simple, secure record of your important digital accounts. I recommend a handwritten password book, stored somewhere private and safe – ideally, one account per page with clear labels and space for updates.

You could even put this in a locked section of your will.

You don’t have to share it right away, but it helps to tell a trusted person where it’s kept. Think of it as a spare key to your digital world.

Next, it’s worth looking at some of the tools already built into the services you use. For example, Apple offers something called a legacy contact. You can nominate someone you trust, and when the time comes, they’ll be able to request access to your photos, notes and device backups. It’s all handled through your Apple ID settings.

Google has something similar called the Inactive Account Manager. You decide when your account should be considered inactive (say, after six months of no

activity) and who should be notified. They can then download emails, photos and documents if you allow it.

Facebook also has options: you can set your account to be memorialised, which locks it down and adds a ‘Remembering’ banner, or you can appoint a legacy contact to manage the page. This person can post a final message, respond to friend requests, and seek account removal if needed.

Now, a gentle but important note: not everything has to be saved. Part of digital legacy planning is also deciding what you don’t want passed on.

That might be private messages, sensitive files or emails that were only ever meant for you. It’s entirely your right to delete or tidy up as you see fit.

digital spring clean, you could say.

The point of all this isn’t to scare or overwhelm. It’s to bring peace of mind.

Your digital life is part of your legacy, just like your family photos or treasured letters. Taking a few simple steps now means the people you care about won’t have to guess what you wanted, or struggle through complicated systems at a difficult time.

Greyology can help guide you through the process – whether it’s setting up legacy contacts, organising a password system or simply understanding what options are available.

Edin Read is founder and chief technician at Greyology Tech Support for Seniors. Visit greyology.com.au

FOR more than 15 years, Imaging Queensland has played a quiet but vital role behind the scenes of some of our most trusted local radiology providers — Lime Radiology, CitiScan Radiology, and IQ Radiology. Each of these brands have built a strong reputation in their respective communities, providing accessible, high-quality medical imaging with a personal touch.

Now, in an important step forward, these respected and renowned names have come together under a single, unified banner: Imaging Queensland.

This change marks the next phase in the evolution of Imaging Queensland, which has, since its establishment in 2007, served as the parent company for not only Lime, CitiScan and IQ Radiology, but also sister networks Sunshine Coast Radiology and Central Queensland Radiology. While the name Imaging Queensland has always stood for leadership and excellence in

A new era for Imaging Queensland

brands unite to strengthen patient care

diagnostic imaging, it is now stepping into the spotlight as the unified brand for these formerly individual brands. Whilst this evolution sees a change to some of these local brands, the ethos of improving patient health outcomes remains concrete.

General Manager of Imaging Queensland, Sharon Hinchley, says this evolution is all about better meeting the needs of a growing and dynamic region. “It’s a commitment to improving access, convenience, and continuity of care for both patients and referrers all while maintaining the high standards and friendly local service. Our focus has always been on providing timely, accurate and compassionate care,” Ms Hinchley says. “By bringing together our imaging brands under the Imaging Queensland banner, we’re now able to offer patients and referrers more locations, more services, and easier access — with the same trusted team they’ve come to know.”

The transition to a single brand means patients and healthcare providers will continue to see the same faces and receive the same excellent care — now with the added benefit of a more integrated network. With locations in Margate, Deception Bay and Brisbane CBD, Imaging Queensland now offers a broader reach with greater convenience. The integration of these three clinics offers everything from general X-rays, ultrasounds and CT scans to advanced MRI, nuclear medicine, mammography and interventional procedures.

For patients, this means easier access to appointments, consistent care standards across locations, and a seamless experience when moving between clinics.

For referring doctors and specialists, the expanded network also brings enhanced efficiency and connectivity, with a single point of contact for bookings, image access and clinical communication.

The decision to unite these practices under the Imaging Queensland name reflects a more integrated, patient-friendly healthcare model for the region, contributing to better outcomes for our community.

“Our patients are at the heart of everything we do,” Ms Hinchley says. “This evolution allows us to grow with our community while continuing to deliver the expert care we’re known for.”

For more information, visit: www.imagingqueensland.com.au

Motorists spoilt for choice today with Mazda’s range of SUVs

BRUCE McMAHON notes the premium quality of the CX range, but wonders whether it’s a case of being ‘too clever by half’.

There appears to be a little unnecessary cleverness to Mazda’s line-up of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) these days.

The Mazda range of SUVs was once pretty simple: the CX-9 and CX-7 were big brothers to the CX-5 and the compact CX-3.

Today, there’s seven of them – CX-3, CX-30, CX-5, CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 – with some overlap here and there.

The five-seat CX-70 and seven-seat CX-90 are the same size, for instance.

And the CX-60, while sporting a narrower body, is not much smaller.

So, plenty of variety – especially when there’s also a choice between power plants. And from big to small, all CX models carry a fair degree of premium style.

For now, it’s off to a petrol-engined, mild-hybrid CX-70, with Inline 6 badge on the front guards.

Straight six-cylinder engines are a little rare in 2025 and this one, with some help from a 48-volt electrical system, pushes out a handy 254kW of power and 500Nm of torque to all four wheels

through an eight-speed transmission.

This is a largish, five metre-long vehicle for a five-seater. That means comfortable space for front and rear seat passengers, plus decent cargo area (though that rear floor is perhaps a tad high with a space-saver tyre and lithium battery tucked below).

An upmarket cabin is well finished with premium materials, good instrumentation and a centre console controller for the 12.3-inch touchscreen (though that takes a day for familiarisation). The steering wheel is cluttered with a myriad buttons for a number of controls.

Visibility to the front and sides is good, with excellent camera work and sensors helping in tight car parks.

The Mazda CX-70 rides on 21-inch rims, filling out the wheel arches and adding subtle muscle to the wagon’s profile.

Yet, while that wheel-tyre combination and the Mazda chassis tune brings firm and positive steering, plus good road manners, there’s a trade-off in ride quality with some jitters on rough

patches of road – bitumen or otherwise.

Low-profile rubber isn’t always family friendly on indifferent surfaces.

This firmish suspension handles big lumps and bumps with ease and adds some sport to Mazda’s SUV, though it’s hard to disguise the CX-70’s bulk (5.1m long by 1.89m wide by 1.74m high by two tonne) when pushing on down a country road. Or under brakes.

For the most part, it is a reasonably engaging machine for a large SUV.

The transmission works quietly and efficiently, plus there are paddle shifters for manual changes.

And while the petrol six-cylinder and electric helper may not have the Mazda leaping away from the lights, once rolling,

the wagon accelerates with some promise. Fuel consumption around town can close on 10 litres per 100km. Highway economy is more like 9 litres per 100km, the trip computer says.

Pricing for the Mazda CX-70 starts in the high $70,000s – a fair ask for a five-seat family wagon, especially when a seven-seat CX-90 can be had for around the same money.

Yet there’s a premium quality to this vehicle and some will shop it against the likes of similar machines from Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

In fact, tweaking the brakes, steering and performance could turn the sevenseat version of these Mazdas into a value rival to Audi’s sweet SQ7.

A whole new life. Over-50s living redefined.

GemLife Moreton Bay. New homes now selling.

GemLife offers luxury resort-style living with premium lifestyle facilities on your doorstep.

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Retain your capital gain

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The difference between ‘no pain, no gain’ and a little discomfort in exercise

CAITLYN HUTH explains how listening to our bodies can help us decide when we can push our bodies a little further and when we need to stop.

‘Pain during exercise

should be avoided’ is a common idea. But if you’re just starting your fitness journey or are dealing with injury flare-ups, this advice could likely prevent your progress.

It’s essential to differentiate between the types of discomfort you might feel while exercising.

While it’s crucial to steer clear of sharp or intense pain, a certain level of discomfort can actually be a sign that your body is adapting and improving.

When you engage in activities that your body isn’t used to, it’s normal for it to react sensitively.

Think of it as your body’s way of saying, “Hey, I need a little more time to get used to this”.

This doesn’t mean you should push through every twinge or ache but, rather, it’s about learning to listen to what

your body is telling you.

Sometimes, it might just need a bit of extra support or recovery time.

Instead of adhering to the old ‘no pain, no gain’ mindset, try to reframe your perspective. Discomfort can often be a part of the growth process. Remember, discomfort is not usually a threat. However, if you find yourself experiencing sharp or intense pain, that’s a different story: it might be time to evaluate what’s going on. When pain arises, think of it

as feedback from your body.

Ask yourself questions such as: “Is it actually overwhelming muscle fatigue, or perhaps an excessive stretch or tension?” or “is the load simply too heavy?”.

By understanding these signals, you can tailor your workouts to better suit your individual needs.

The ultimate goal isn’t to eliminate pain completely but to help your body respond in a way that promotes strength and resilience.

By facing non-threatening challenges head-on, you’ll gain more control over your fitness journey, rather than feeling like you have to throw in the towel at the first sign of discomfort.

Embrace the process, listen to your body and adapt as you go.

Caitlyn Huth is an exercise physiologist at Full Circle Wellness. Call 5456 1599 or visit fullcirclewellness.com.au

FIT HAPPENS with Tom Law

IT’S TIME TO RECONNECT WITH GYM

MOST of you have access to a gymnasium of some sort.

It may be a fully commercial gym that you are a member of, or perhaps it is part of the complex you live in.

At the very least, you would have access to the local council exercise equipment or outside gym somewhere near you.

But, how many of you use your gym on a regular basis?

Some people I talk to say that they have access to equipment but do not always use it.

I have family members who work in waste management and they tell me that they see gym and exercise equipment being disposed of.

Maybe you still have some equipment such as an old ‘bull worker’ gathering dust under the bed, cobwebs growing on the treadmill on the veranda and a rusting set of dumbbells that signalled great intent. But the attraction lost its lustre and the equipment was used less and less.

You may be a gym payer but not such a good gym goer, or you

now pass by the council exercise equipment you once used. Today is a good time to start your exercise regime again, if you have let it slip. If you have never exercised, it is also a good time for you to start. Provided you have medical clearance to exercise and any potential restrictions listed and approved by your local GP, there is no reason for you to remain exercise-less.

Go on your computer and check out YouTube. If you are not sure what you can do, go to the library and do research, ask a family member, or spend a few dollars for a professional to do a physical assessment and write an exercise program for you.

You and your body will appreciate being moved. You have the opportunity to greatly increase your chances of living a better life with some sensible, appropriate, measured and regular exercise in your life.

Tom Law is the author of health and exercise-related books. Visit facebook.com/tomslawtraining or call 0409 274 502.

A whole new perspective on EOFY

CHARLIE GRIFFITHS has taken on a new, familiar challenge – something just for himself – and suggests you do the same to find more inner happiness.

Driving across the Hay Plain recently, I rocked on to an old favourite: Garden Party by Rick Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band.

Back in 1972, Nelson penned a catchy tune with a poignant message: “You can’t please everyone, so you got to please yourself”. In the peaceful Sturt Highway environment with no cares (except the road train overtaking another one on a bend a few hundred metres ahead, with my name emblazoned on its bull bar), I thought about why I was there in the first place.

For two years, I had been a slave to compassion: writing a self-help book, studying advanced life-coaching techniques and blogging prolifically in a virtuous attempt to help people who are stuck in a rut. Guess where I was right then? Revving my guts out, spinning my wheels and getting nowhere.

Just before Christmas, I answered a phone call from a former colleague from my irrigation-consulting days, asking if I could help out with a large corporate project. I was apprehensive, since I hadn’t done this work for seven years.

But within 10 minutes on site, I realised

that I was back where I belong. My product and process memory was intact, and I loved every aspect of the job. The project concluded successfully and, after a few conversations, I signed on as what can best be described as an internal consultant.

The role embraces so many of my passions, including travel, human and machinery interaction, fresh air, troubleshooting, mentoring and training. I cheekily added that a refreshing point of difference to my previous life is: “All care and no responsibility” – I’m not selling anything and I’m not managing anyone.

But wait, there’s more. I work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so every weekend is Easter. And that is as close to retirement as I ever want to get.

The bottom line is that I am in a fulfilling role and loving it. I thought I would have trouble letting go of my coaching pursuits and feel obligated to the significant time and financial investments, but the decision to return to being happy, for myself, came easily.

No regrets. No what-ifs. No guilt.

The only time I look back now is when I’m cruising along a country highway and

wonder if there’s a road train behind me, waiting to crush my dreams and smear them for 400 metres along the bitumen.

My June message is based on the acronym headlining every second ad on television this month: EOFY. I hope to see all my readers think seriously about this crucial advice and adopt the mantra: “Everyone Out For Yourself (EOFY)”.

Happiness is an irresistible force that benefits all those who come into contact with it. If you’re truly happy, your loved ones, friends, workmates and teammates will be positively influenced.

Chuck that brave face in the bin and replace it with an inner glow.

You don’t have to smile when you’re happy: people will sense it and they’ll smile for you and themselves. You don’t

need a life coach, counsellor or shrink to tell you that it all begins with you. You don’t need mind-blowing strategies to reset your mindset.

You just need to be honest – with yourself first, then those who will be stirred by your inspired demeanour.

You may be pleasantly surprised at how little courage you need to face reality and take action when you are convinced of the truth.

Let’s all make an EOFY resolution, and Everybody Look Out For Yourself.

If this article resonates with you, I would love to hear from you. Contact me at charliegriffithscoaching.com.

Charlie Griffiths is a certified life coach and Neuro Linguistic Programming practitioner.

Buying Now

Mike and Nate Cornish will be travelling to the Redlands and Bayside areas for 4 days only from Wednesday 11th, to Saturday 14th June. We want to buy your unwanted items listed below. Please visit us at one of the venues shown below. These events are often compared to the ‘Antiques Roadshow’ on TV, but without the long queues. Don’t miss this opportunity! If you live outside the area, have too many items to bring in, or would like a home visit, phone Nate on 0426 820 646 NOW to arrange a time.

Fully Licensed Antique, Numismatic, and Precious Metal Buyers with over 45 years Industry Experience. Security Supplied by Security International Limited.

Are you moving or downsizing? Are you worried about security? Unwanted coins? Any jewellery, incl damaged? Do they sit in a drawer or cupboard? Are you no longer collecting? Are the family not interested?

Would the money be more of use to you?

WEDNESDAY 11TH JUNE

Club Manly (Function Room)

9:00am – 12:00pm 26 Faine Street

Redlands RSL (Gallipoli Room)

1:00pm – 3:00pm 8 Passage St, Cleveland

Home Visits

3:00pm – 6:00pm Phone 0426 820 646

THURSDAY 12TH JUNE

Redlands Sporting Club (Front Room) 10:00am – 2:00pm Anson Road, Wellington Point

Home Visits 2:00pm – 6:00pm Phone 0426 820 646 For a Home Visit

FRIDAY 13TH JUNE

Redlands RSL (Tobruk Room) 10:00am – 2:00pm 8 Passage St, Cleveland

Home Visits

2:00pm – 6:00pm Phone 0426 820 646 For a Home Visit

SATURDAY 14TH JUNE

Home Visits 2:00pm – 6:00pm Phone 0426 820 646 For a Home Visit

Victoria Point Sharks Sporting Club (Sharks Function Room) 10:00am – 2:00pm 325 Colburn Avenue

stones, Brooches, Pendants, Lockets, Bracelets

Cuff Links, Necklaces,

Consider the strength of evidence

KAILAS ROBERTS believes that when it comes to brain health, we should all stay informed of recent studies and their level of credibility.

When I was at medical school in the Nineties, there were certain subjects that were almost universally disliked.

Chief among these was the module on research, which was guaranteed to induce somnolence or mind wandering.

I must admit, I did not pay it adequate attention at the time, but I now recognise its importance. Many of my patients come to me with questions about a product or intervention about which they had heard great things – from boosting brain performance through to reversing or curing dementia.

For anyone to be able to provide meaningful advice, it is critical to know about the studies that underpin the claims. It is helpful for everyone to know a little about evidence to make informed decisions about their health.

The best level of evidence is level (or class) 1 and arises from studies called randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or an analysis of multiple RCTs (a meta-analysis). These studies compare a group of people randomly given an intervention (for example, a medication or treatment) with a group that is not.

The groups should otherwise be as

similar as possible. In this way, if the outcome is different for the intervention group, you can conclude that the intervention was responsible – that it caused the change.

When it comes to brain health, there are only a few things that have this level of evidence: blood pressure control, treating poor hearing and physical exercise. The pivotal Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) trial also counts as level 1 evidence and involved multiple interventions concurrently: diet, exercise, cognitive training and control of vascular (blood supply) risk factors.

Level or class 2 evidence is still reasonable but is derived from lesserquality RCTs and strong so-called cohort studies. In the latter, the intervention may not be randomly allocated to the groups or there may be no specific intervention and people are just recorded as having certain attributes (for example, following a healthy diet) and then followed up to see what happens to them.

If there is a strong correlation (such as those eating a Mediterranean diet are less likely to develop dementia), that might lead you to conclude that one thing causes the

other. The issue is that other variables may have caused the change (for example, those eating a Mediterranean diet, pictured, might also exercise more) and so it can be hard to confirm that the one thing being recorded causes the outcome.

Despite these limitations, class/level 2 evidence is still seen as pretty good. For promoting brain health, the following have this level of evidence: Mediterranean diet/ MIND diet, cognitive stimulation, smoking cessation, treating sleep apnoea, treating depression, early life education, control of diabetes and lifelong learning.

Level 3 and 4 evidence is considerably less robust and often relies on small or retrospective studies where the researchers look back and see what someone with or without a disease may have been doing or experiencing: for example, finding out that those who drink a little red wine have better memory.

These are signals that the behaviour may have influenced the outcome, but it is hard to conclude.

There are many things that fall into this category for brain health, including moderate alcohol use (hotly debated), omega 3 supplementation, B and D vitamins, curcumin, resveratrol, sauna use, intermittent fasting and more.

Ultimately, we all must make decisions based on incomplete data, but it is good to know the strength of the evidence.

If it is a low-risk intervention, you might decide to do it, even if it has a low level of evidence.

But if not, you really want to be assured that the evidence is robust.

Kailas Roberts is a psychogeriatrician and author of Mind Your Brain: The Essential Australian Guide to Dementia, available at bookstores and online. Visit yourbraininmind.com or uqp.com.au

In-home

care feature

A HELPING HAND (AND MORE) WHEN WE NEED IT

By SHIRLEY SINCLAIR

HUMANS are creatures of habit. And as we get older, many of us relish the familiarity of being in our own surroundings and having a routine.

That’s where in-home care is a godsend. While we are physically and mentally able, we can live in our own homes but still enjoy the convenience of a helping hand.

My 92-year-old mother-in-law, for example, still lives in the Brisbane home she moved into as a newlywed. She is bright and sprightly, enjoys the company of young and old, attends church most Sundays and still manages to manoeuvre her ‘walker’ around the furniture and treasured items amassed over the decades. She never wants to leave the home she created with her late husband and sons. A person needs to be assessed before they can access government-funded aged

care services. This assessment considers the individual’s needs and the types of care and services they may be eligible for.

My mother-in-law didn’t need extra assistance until well into her eighties. Her in-home care began with basic cleaning and vacuuming some time ago. But her sons could see that she needed a little help and so they set the wheels in motion for re-assessment, to increase the services available in her Home Care Package.

Now, as well as the weekly ‘spring clean’, she has help showering, receives Meals on Wheels, and has the opportunity to go on a weekly outing for conversation, lunch, activities and entertainment. Many more people are keeping an eye on her welfare. She was given a new lease on life. Her family was given peace of mind.

The Support at Home program, part of the new Aged Care Act, begins on July 1, replacing the Home Care Packages program and Short-Term Restorative Care.

Visit myagedcare.gov.au or contact your service provider for more details.

CHANGES IN THE WIND MEAN YOU NEED A PROVIDER YOU CAN TRUST

RAINBOW Care Home Services is a provider that genuinely cares about the staff, clients and families it works with.

As Support at Home rolls out from next month, there is still such uncertainty by providers and clients alike on the impact of these changes and what it all means.

Now, more then ever, it is important that seniors accessing Home Care Packages and supports need providers they can trust to help navigate and transition into this new world.

There are many changes all at once with: the removal of package management fees and this cost then being shifted onto increased hourly rates; capped care-management fees and changes in client contributions; and access to unspent funds.

Services Australia has vowed a ‘no-worse-off’ principal for all existing approved Home Care Package recipients and has made available an abundance of resources and webinars to support the transition.

With the copious amount of information available, it is crucial for providers to step up and walk alongside their clients to help digest all the information and decipher what is most

relevant to them as individuals.

The goals behind these changes are: to set up a more user-friendly and sustainable system; smaller wait times for Home Care Package recipients and to access supports; less administration; and more funding available for direct services.

Another change but an amazing outcome from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was the creation of the provider Specialisation Verification Framework.

This framework supports some of the most marginalised communities in aged care, including the LGBTIQ+ communities, in finding aged care services they can trust and that are best suited to their needs.

Providers cannot simply self-identify but need to go through an evidencebased verification process to ensure that the specialist provider in question has an approach to service delivery that goes over and above the Aged Care Quality Standards to provide respectful and culturally appropriate care.

Once verified, that specialisation is displayed on the My Aged Care Provider Profile.

WORDS: Christine Neiland, CEO and co-founder, Rainbow Care Home Services. Call 3110 1633 or email info@rainbowcarehomeservices.com.au

SUPPORT AT HOME

Live independently in your home for longer.

Footprints Support at Home program can provide you with personalised services to help you stay healthy, active and socially connected, and in your home as you become older.

delivered by a highly trained and dedicated team, which include but not limited to:

EVERYDAY LIVING

• domestic assistance

• meal preparation.

INDEPENDENCE

• medication prompting

• non-clinical continence management

• personal care

• social support

• transport

• in-home respite.

CLINICAL NEEDS

• allied health

• care management

• nursing

• restorative care management.

Are you eligible?

We support participants in Brisbane North, Brisbane South, Caboolture and Logan regions who have been assessed by My Aged Care and allocated a Support at Home budget.

Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422

Footprints Community has done so much to help me.

My case manager communicates well and is friendly and puts me at ease. I don’t know how I would have coped without Footprints.

I recommend them to anyone I meet.

— participant

GETTING READY FOR NEW SUPPORT PROGRAM CHANGES

OVER the past month, Footprints

Community has been busy talking with older people at free information sessions about Support at Home: a new Australian government-funded program starting from July 1.

Support at Home will replace the Home Care Packages: a governmentfunded program that has provided coordinated care services to people over 65 years, enabling them to live independently at home.

The sessions held throughout Brisbane and online were well attended, with older people seeking to better understand the changes and how they will affect them.

“What we are telling clients who are currently receiving Home Care Package services is that they will keep their current benefits and funding level when they transition to the new program,” Footprints’ manager of aged care services Lorraine Hamilton says.

“They don’t need to do anything as they will automatically transition to the new program and continue to receive their services.

“For new clients, we explain that Support at Home will introduce eight funding classifications and will separate all aged care services into three categories including: Clinical Care, Independence and Everyday Living.

“Support at Home is aimed at offering expanded support. It includes a new Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme, a new Restorative Care pathway and a new End-of-Life Pathway with funding to support those who want to remain at home in their final months.”

To learn more, all are welcome to attend Footprints’ final online information session on June 4, from 5.30-7pm. Check details at footprintscommunity.org.au/supportat-home

NO PLACE LIKE HOME FOR OLDER AUSSIES

IN SOUTHEAST Queensland, the message is clear: older Australians want to remain in their own homes as they age.

National data shows that more than 90 per cent of seniors prefer to age in place – and it’s easy to see why.

Home is familiar, comforting and filled with memories. It’s also where people feel most connected to their family, friends, neighbours and local community.

The Australian government has listened. Under the 2024 Aged Care Act, additional funding has been committed to help more people live independently at home.

This includes increased investment in home support and service packages designed to keep people safe, well and socially connected.

Getting the right care is key to making this work. Whether it’s help with cleaning, transport or nursing support, personalised care plans ensure people can continue doing the things they can, while receiving help with the things they can’t.

The result? Greater independence, dignity and wellbeing.

Rochell Robertson, a qualified nurse and case manager at All About Living, says community nursing is all about person-centred care.

AHOMECAREPACKAGE?

HAVEYOUBEENASSIGNEDAHOMECAREPACKAGE?

NEEDINGTOFINDAPROVIDER?

CALLANDSPEAKTOOURTEAMTODAYON(07)31101633to discusswhatmakesRainbowCaresospecial.

Feelsupportedwithapackageofcaredesignedwithyou, foryou.

Yourpackagewillinclude:

•

• No cost, monthly face to face meetings.

•Apersonassistingwiththecoordinationofyourcareand supports.

•Servicesthatbestsuityou,whoyouareandhowyouwish tolive.

•Nocost,monthlyfacetofacemeetings.

“We value the role we play in helping people stay where they want to be – in their homes, surrounded by what’s familiar and meaningful to them,” she says.

With new funding, improved services and a stronger focus on supporting older Australians, there’s never been a better time to plan ahead.

Visit allaboutliving.com.au

How to change the lives of thousands without a voice

Animal Welfare League

Queensland (AWLQ) believes every animal deserves safety, care and love. And thanks to the kindness of people who leave a gift in their will, the organisation is able to make that belief a reality for thousands each year.

Since 1959, AWLQ has cared for more than 175,000 animals in need.

But it’s not just what has been done – it’s what it’s able to keep doing because of everyday people.

Gifts in wills are the foundation of AWLQ’s work. They allow it to go beyond basic care and make real, lasting improvements in the lives of animals and their communities.

Charlie, a sweet-natured border collie, was hit by a car and brought to AWLQ’s Community Vet Clinic in enormous pain.

gave him a second chance at a happy, pain-free future.

Charlie has since been adopted into his forever home – and it’s all thanks to the generosity of everyday people.

Hearts Seniors Pet Support Program, which helps pet owners aged 65 and over care for their beloved companions with dignity and ease.

You don’t need great wealth to leave a great legacy. Even a small gift in your will can have a powerful impact, saving lives and changing futures for animals in desperate need.

To make it easier, AWLQ has partnered with Gathered Here: a free and simple online will-writing service. Whether or not you choose to include a charitable gift, it offers peace of mind knowing your wishes are protected. Email bequests@awlqld.com.au or call 5509 9099. Leaving a gift

Thanks to the support of generous bequestors, Charlie received expensive emergency surgery to remove a shattered hind leg. That surgery saved his life and

Legacies help fund lifesaving operations, invest in new and muchneeded veterinary equipment, improve shelter facilities, care for thousands of animals every year and support compassionate programs, including the Community Vet Clinics and Golden

For more than 25 years, Alzheimer’s Research Australia has been a leader in the fight against the disease and other dementias.

From humble beginnings in a single laboratory, it now operates from a state-of-the-art facility supporting world-class research, early detection strategies, clinical trials and innovative therapies.

Every discovery is driven by a shared vision of making Alzheimer’s disease a distant memory for future

A Gift in Your Will to QIMR Berghofer is a Legacy for

the Future

QIMRBerghoferisaworld-leading medical research institute, renowned for our efforts in both discovery and realpatientoutcomes.Celebrating eightdecadesofdeliveringground breaking medical research.

GiftsinWillstoQIMRBerghofer arethegiftsthatkeepongiving. Theresearchandknowledgethatis achievedbecauseofyourgenerosity will continue, and advances that are made today will have the potential to changethelivesofAustraliansnow 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.

generations. Community support is at the heart of everything Alzheimer’s Research Australia does.

One of the most meaningful ways to contribute is by leaving a gift in your will.

This lasting gesture ensures the organisation can continue investing in critical research to better understand, prevent and treat this devastating condition.

Many people assume that creating a will is expensive or complicated, but it doesn’t have to be.

Online platforms such as Willed and Safewill offer affordable, easy-touse options.

For under $170, you can create a legally valid will in as little as 20 minutes, from the comfort of your home.

Both services also allow you to include a charitable gift, big or small, to any organisation.

By taking this simple step, you’re not only safeguarding your wishes but also supporting a future where breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s research can change and save lives.

To learn more about leaving a gift in your will or starting the process online through trusted partners, visit alzheimersresearch.org.au or contact Caren Wilson on (08) 6457 0253 for a private and confidential conversation.

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 andPopulationHealthinmorethan60 specialised laboratories.

Gifts of all sizes are important, they are essential to fund the Research and the impact it has nationally and globally.

DAILY TIPS TO HELP REDUCE RISK OF CANCER

AUSTRALIAN research shows one-inthree cancer cases can be prevented through healthy lifestyle behaviours.

These behaviours include drinking less alcohol, quitting smoking, using sun protection, eating a healthy diet and being physically active.

The Cancer Risk Calculator is a free and easy-to-use online tool that helps you reduce your cancer risk.

The higher your scores, the more you’re reducing your cancer risk.

It’s much easier to make changes once you know where to start.

Cancer Council Queensland’s prevention experts have pinpointed six sure-fire ways you can start reducing your cancer risk and find cancer early.

To reduce your risk:

• be smoke free – the best thing you can do for your health is not to smoke or vape. Help is available by calling Quitline on 13 78 48

• use sun protection – always ‘Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide’ when UV levels are 3 or above which, in Queensland, is all-year round

• be physically active – try to fit movement into your daily routine

• eat a healthy diet – the evidence is clear: focus on eating more fruit, vegetables and wholegrains, less red

meat, and avoid processed meats

• limit alcohol consumption – to help lower your cancer risk, do your best to limit intake

• know what’s normal for you and take part in screening – early detection saves lives, so know your body, see your doctor if you notice any unusual changes, and participate in the national cancer screening programs.

More than 70,000 people have used the Cancer Risk Calculator to understand how to reduce their cancer risk. So, what are you waiting for?

Visit cancerqld.org.au/ understanding-cancer/prevention/ To leave a gift in your will to Cancer Council Queensland, go to cancerqld. org.au/get-involved/legacy-giving/ gift-in-will/

When you choose to leave a bequest to Animal Welfare League Queensland in your Will, your gift will directly help create a brighter future for animals in need and provide a safe haven for over 11,000 animals every year.

Your gift ensures your passion for animal welfare and protection continues to live on into the future.

Your gift gives them hope.

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

If you would like further information please contact bequests@awlqld.com.au or contact (07) 5509 9099.

As a mother, grandmother and teacher, children have always been a focus in Glenda’s life. Now, through the gift she has left in her will to the Children’s Hospital Foundation, helping sick kids like Ava is her legacy.

Creating a lasting legacy

For Glenda, leaving a gift in her will to the Children’s Hospital Foundation was a unique opportunity to share what she has with future generations to impact the lives of our “beautiful children”.

“I had been a regular donor to the Children’s Hospital Foundation. The more I learned about their wonderful work, the more my passion for supporting them grew. And leaving a gift in my Will was the logical next step,” shares Glenda.

While no gift can ever give back all that childhood illness takes away, the kindness people like Glenda show can help save childhoods and lives.

Glenda’s gift – and every gift left in wills to the Children’s Hospital Foundation – supports ground breaking research, helps fund new and essential equipment and provides impact programs and services for every sick kid who comes through the doors of the Queensland Children’s Hospital.

Glenda’s generosity will help save more kids like Ava.

Saving little lives

At just seven years old, Ava was in grave danger of becoming what her oncologist calls one of the “lovely ghosts” of cancer – one of the children who cannot be cured.

What was ﬁrst thought to be a virus turned out to be stage 4 neuroblastoma – a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer and was given less than a 50% chance of survival.

Traditional treatments were not working for her, and after a gruelling regime of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, Ava’s chances of survival dropped to less than 30%.

Hope through innovation

After all other treatment options had been exhausted, Ava’s oncologist organised for her to take part in a trial at the Queensland Children’s Hospital that combined immunotherapy and chemotherapy.

Ava was one of the ﬁrst children at Queensland Children’s Hospital to beneﬁt from this innovative new treatment, offering new hope for a cancer-free future.

“By the third treatment, the cancer that was riddled in the hard parts of her bones had all gone,” shares Tifﬁany, Ava’s mum.

By giving even just 1% of your estate to the Children’s Hospital Foundation – after your loved ones are taken of – you could be the difference kids like Ava deserve.

Just like Glenda, you could give hope to families now and into the future.

“I would encourage everyone when writing or updating your will to consider leaving a legacy to the Children’s Hospital Foundation. Every little amount helps, and you will become part of the fabulous family,” says Glenda.

To learn more scan the QR code or call Fiona on 0429 818 799 today.

REWRITING OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER, THANKS TO YOU

THE Ian Frazer Centre for Children’s Immunotherapy Research is the first of its kind in Australia.

The centre works to improve treatment options for children with cancer, thanks to funding from the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Right now, about 760 children, from newborns to 14 years, are diagnosed with cancer each year in Australia. But traditional cancer treatments have remained largely unchanged in decades.

“At the Ian Frazer Centre for Children’s Immunotherapy Research,

we’re tackling this challenge head-on – using cutting-edge immunotherapy and precision science to understand these cancers and harness the body’s own immune system to fight them,” a spokesperson says.

One exciting project at the Ian Frazer Centre already showing promise is the Personal Immunity-Guided Cancer Vaccine.

The personalised approach looks to harness recent advances in immunology to boost a child’s own immune response to identify and destroy cancer cells.

Each vaccine will be tailored to the individual child and can spare healthy tissue and minimise the use and side effects of current treatments.

This life-changing research is only made possible thanks to the supporters of the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Everyday people, who choose to leave a gift in their will, allow the Children’s Hospital Foundation to continue to accelerate research breakthroughs.

Even just 1 per cent of your estate can give hope to sick kids and their families now and into the future.

Your support can rewrite the story for children with cancer.

To learn more, head to childrens.org.au/gift-in-will/ or call Fiona on 0428 818 799.

IN 1953, Sister Olive Crombie stepped aboard a tram with a simple mission.

That journey to visit a client in South Brisbane sparked what would become BlueCare: a tapestry of compassion still being woven throughout Queensland neighbourhoods today.

What began as one woman’s calling has flourished into care touching thousands of lives.

BlueCare now offers support ranging from assistance that helps people remain in homes filled with memories, to communities where new friendships bloom alongside professional care.

Each approach honours the same values: dignity and the belief that every life story deserves to unfold with meaning.

For those facing memory loss, BlueCare creates havens where familiar rhythms bring comfort amid confusion.

Care teams become trusted guides for families navigating the unfamiliar terrain of dementia, offering practical wisdom and steady presence during challenging transitions.

Much of this work continues because of ordinary Queenslanders who included gifts in their wills –people who never witnessed the full impact of their generosity.

These quiet legacies help train compassionate caregivers, pioneer gentler approaches to complex needs, and transform spaces into true sanctuaries of belonging.

Your bequest, whether modest or substantial, plants seeds of kindness that will bloom long after you’re gone.

Just as Sister Olive’s journey set wheels in motion, your legacy helps ensure future generations receive care that honours their unique stories and preserves their dignity.

For a conversation about leaving a legacy, contact the Gifts in Wills Team, BlueCare – UnitingCare Queensland on 1800 001 953, email plannedgiving@ucareqld.com.au or visit bluecare.org.au

• Dr. Dominic Guanzon : Developing a blood test to predict ovarian cancer recurrence, offering a new hope for patients facing limited treatment options.

• Dr. Olivia Holland : Researching pregnancy health to mitigate long-term risks of gestational diabetes, aiming for healthier lives for mothers and children alike.

THE VALLEY

by Chris Hammer

Crime thriller

Reviewed by Jan Kent

ONE of Australia’s favourite authors has produced yet another gem in this latest contribution to the crime genre.

As in Chris Hammer’s other novels, the detective duo of Nell Buchanan and Ivan Lucic are on the case of a murdered entrepreneur, set in a remote mountain valley.

The investigation takes an interesting twist when Nell uncovers a personal link to the case but remains involved, despite her conflict of interest.

With links to a 1988 bank heist, the connection to the current turn of events has a sense of contrived coincidence. However, this does not detract from the success of the tale.

At times, I found the switch from past to present times a little confusing, keeping me flicking backwards to make sense of it.

As secrets from the past are cleverly revealed, the connections become clear, thankfully.

With his usual flair for creating visual imagery with descriptive language, Hammer once again immerses the reader in the beauty of the Australian countryside.

With the expected eclectic mix of suspects and red herrings, this novel is well worth reading.

THE NAMES

By Florence Knapp, Fiction

Reviewed by Rebecca Walker, of Annie’s Books on Peregian

EXPLORING the impact one decision has on a person’s destiny, The Names is a captivating and sometimes heart-wrenching debut novel that examines the interaction between name and narrative.

Spanning 35 years and told through the eyes of a mother of three very different sons Bear, Julian and Gordon (who represent distinct fictional realities) — this thoughtprovoking tale explores the idea that our names shape our personalities and, ultimately, our lives.

NOBODY’S FOOL

By Harlan Coben Crime thriller

Reviewed

John Kleinschmidt

SAMI Kierce is a disgraced ex-police officer, now a private investigator and part-time teacher of criminal investigation.

In his younger years, Kierce met a girl in Spain and courted her.

That was until one morning when he woke up beside her, murdered with a knife in her chest.

Many years later, Kierce is teaching a class when Anna, the girl he thought he had murdered, fleetingly appears at the back of his classroom.

Kierce discovers that Anna had supposedly been kidnapped and, with others, had scammed him with her fake death in Spain.

He is hired by Anna’s rich family to find out what happened during the 11 years she was missing.

Harlan Coben is a crime genre master storyteller and this book does not disappoint, with many twists and turns that Kierce and his students unravel.

A very good read.

As each character wrestles with the ripple effects of the past, the reader is invited into three parallel worlds as they bear witness to the hard choices of the book’s maternal protagonist Cora.

Penned by British author Florence Knapp, The Names is a hard hitter with a soulful touch.

A moving story that is essentially three novels in one, this book lingers in the mind long after the last page is turned.

MAKING DREAMS A REALITY

HAVE you ever felt like you were meant for more?

Or did you want to make your dreams a reality but felt like something was holding you back?

Your Soul Purpose: Manifest a Life You Love is a practical and engaging guide to manifesting your dream life. Certified life and success coach Aubrey Daquinag guides readers through the process of navigating their inner world to manifest their dreams.

Using self-discovery exercises and techniques, learn how to tap into the power of your subconscious mind, connect with the deeper meaning behind your desires, trust your intuition, and set clear intentions to create soul-aligned success. Daquinag shares relatable stories and deep-dives into psychology and neuroscience to help you get out of your own way and create a life that makes you feel alive.

Daquinag is a photographer, coach, content creator and author of Wander Love. Her work has taken her around the world on paid partnerships for tourism boards, airlines, lifestyle brands and leading publications, including Conde Nast Traveler, Panasonic LUMIX Australia cameras and Pinterest. She has helped hundreds of ambitious leaders from around the globe create more freedom, fulfilment and soul-aligned success in their lives and businesses.

Whether you’re moving to a new city, seeking a more fulfilling career or simply want to feel more confident, this self-help book is full of insights on how to stop wondering and start walking on a new and more meaningful life path.

NIGHTINGALE

By Laura Elvery,

Historical fiction

Reviewed by Karen Weiber, of Books@Stones, Stones Corner

MAYFAIR, 1910. At the age of 90, Florence Nightingale is frail and no longer of sound mind.

After a storied career as a nurse, writer and statistician, she now leads a reclusive existence.

One summer evening, she is astonished to receive a visitor: a young man named Silas Bradley, who claims to have met her during the Crimean War 55 years earlier.

But how can this be? And how does the elusive Jean Frawley connect their two lives?

The narrative unfolds in three parts,

Security, Independence & Peace of Mind

shifting between the perspectives of Florence, Silas and Jean. Through their interconnected stories, the novel delves into the complexities of war, gender and class and the personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of purpose and care.

This is Laura Elvery’s first novel, having previously published two books of short stories. It is a luminous and imaginative debut which reimagines the life of Florence Nightingale through a blend of historical fiction and ghost story.

SMARTER SLEEP STARTS HERE

MANAGING sleep apnea doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right support and equipment, better sleep can become a seamless part of everyday life.

As one of Australia’s most trusted continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) providers, CPAP Direct is committed to helping people sleep better through expert care, innovative technology and a genuine focus on long-term wellbeing.

At the heart of the offering is the ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet: a standout in modern CPAP therapy.

This sleek, smart device combines cutting-edge technology with user-friendly design to deliver a more

intuitive and comfortable therapy experience.

With auto-adjusting pressure that responds in real time to your breathing, three therapy modes (including the female-specific AutoSet for Her) and a crisp touchscreen display, the AirSense 11 leads the way in sleep innovation.

It also pairs with ResMed’s myAir app, offering daily sleep tracking, coaching and guided set-up, making it easier than ever to get started or stay on track.

CPAP Direct’s extensive range includes the latest machines and masks, carefully selected for comfort, performance and innovative design. From minimal-contact masks to ultra-quiet models, everything is chosen to help users sleep better.

Whether you’re new to CPAP therapy or a long-term user looking to upgrade, the AirSense 11 offers a seamless, comfortable and highly personalised experience, backed by the expert support of CPAP Direct’s team.

Call 1300 133 298 or visit cpap.com.au

WHILE Pilates has long been popular with the Instagram generation, a quieter movement is underway — and it’s led by Australia’s fastest-growing age group.

Seniors across the country are stepping up to the reformer machine, and the benefits are proving life changing.

Certified instructor and CEO of Pilates Reformers

Australia Cheryl Burgess is leading the charge.

Featured recently on Channel 7’s Weekend Sunrise alongside her 67-year-old student Tony, Cheryl is a passionate advocate for the power of Pilates to transform lives in later years.

“Reformer Pilates is incredibly adaptable, and for older Australians, it’s not just about flexibility and strength. It’s about confidence, connection and staying independent,” she says.

With the global population aged 60-plus growing by 3 per cent each year — and those over 80 expected to triple to 434 million by 2050, Cheryl says it’s

time we reframe what fitness after 65 can look like.

At her studio, Cheryl runs dedicated classes for over-65s, focusing on safe, low-impact movement that supports the body and mind.

The successful results speak for themselves.

The benefits of Reformer Pilates for older adults include:

• reduced risk of falls

• improved balance, mobility and stability

• increased strength and endurance

• support in managing chronic pain

Align-Pilates Arm Chair. Image: Pilates Reformers Australia website

• greater energy for everyday life (including chasing grandkids!)

• a strong sense of community and connection.

“It’s a form of exercise that celebrates ability, not age,” Cheryl says.

“Every week, I see clients in their 60s, 70s and beyond discovering just how strong and capable they really are.”

As Australia’s ageing population continues to grow, Cheryl hopes to see more studios and instructors embracing Pilates for seniors as a vital part of healthy ageing.

You’vehadradiationtherapy

Youexpecttomoveforwardafterradiationtherapy but survivorshipisn’talwayssimple. Side effectslikeradiationcystitiscanappearmonthsor evenyearslater,especiallyaftertreatmentfor prostate,bladder,orbowelcancer.

AskyourGPabout hyperbaric oxygentherapy(HBOT), itmay supporthealingandreduce inflammation. Medicare and privatehealthinsurance rebates at WesleyHyperbaric.

OVERCOMING PELVIC FLOOR DYSFUNCTION

IF YOU’RE tired of pelvic floor problems, you’re not alone.

Millions of people experience issues such as prolapse, constipation, leakage, urgency, bloating and abdominal pain.

These often stem from pelvic floor dysfunction, impacting daily life and wellbeing. But you don’t have to suffer in silence.

The pelvic floor is a vital system supporting your bladder,

bowel and reproductive organs.

When stressed, dysfunctions including prolapse, bladder problems, bowel leakage and constipation can arise, affecting women and men.

QLD Pelvic Floor Centre offers a comprehensive approach, addressing the interconnected nature of these issues, rather than isolated symptoms.

Its multidisciplinary team of

specialist doctors, allied health professionals and pelvic floor physiotherapists in Brisbane and Nambour collaborate to create an individualised care plan, streamlining your path to recovery.

Self-referral is easy via the website, and QLD Pelvic Floor Centre offers bulk-billed anorectal physiology and urodynamic testing: advanced diagnostics for precise pelvic floor analysis.

The specialist nurse practitioner works closely with the team of colorectal surgeons, urogynaecologists, gastroenterologist and pelvic floor physiotherapists to develop a targeted plan to restore your pelvic floor function. The holistic variety of therapies range from basic supportive treatment through to surgery.

QLD Pelvic Floor Centre combines expertise with compassionate care, understands the sensitive nature of these concerns and is committed to providing a supportive environment.

Call 3193 7711 or visit qldpfc.com.au

DEMYSTIFYING HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY

MANY people live with pain, wounds or fatigue after cancer treatment – often without knowing it could be a delayed side effect called a soft tissue radiation injury.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a non-invasive medical treatment that helps the body repair radiation damage.

Patients sit in a pressurised chamber and breathe 100 per cent oxygen.

The increased pressure allows oxygen to dissolve more deeply into the bloodstream, promoting healing and new tissue growth.

Radiation can affect healthy tissue around cancer sites, causing inflammation, reduced blood supply and chronic symptoms – sometimes years after treatment.

HBOT helps restore circulation and supports healing where it’s needed most.

At Wesley Hyperbaric, patients typically undergo 30 to 60 sessions over several weeks.

Each treatment lasts about 90 minutes and is conducted in a

medically supervised, accredited facility. Most patients report reduced pain, improved wound healing and better quality of life.

HBOT is safe, well studied and internationally recognised as an effective option for managing radiation injuries.

The best part? Medicare and most private health insurers cover radiation injuries at approved clinics.

Wesley Hyperbaric is Australia’s only licensed, private day hospital offering this therapy.

To learn more, visit wesleyhyperbaric.com.au or speak with your GP or specialist about a referral.

Get relief from symptoms that cause daily stress

Bowel leakage

Bladder accidents

Constipation

Diarrhoea

Cramping or bloating

Feeling a bulge from the bottom

Painful urination or bowel motions

Food intolerances

Top tips for how to get started on investing later in life

HELEN BAKER looks at easy ways over-55s can get on the rungs of the investment ladder.

Have you found yourself in your later years without having seriously looked at investing?

Don’t worry: you’re not alone.

The good news is that it’s never too late to start.

For some people – particularly women – investing may not have been an option until later in life, constrained by a lack of income while raising children or low incomes leaving nothing to invest once the bills were paid.

Others have a newfound need to invest later in life, such as after a separation, inability to work through illness or injury, or the sudden death of their partner.

No matter your reason for exploring investing later in life, the following pointers will get you on your way.

Update your strategy – when was the last time you updated your spending and investment plan (or household budget)? It may have been before the children left home, your mortgage was paid off, or you began transitioning into part-time retirement. If so, your living costs have changed significantly – work expenses, home energy consumption and groceries. Your goals, healthcare and lifestyle needs may also have changed. Update your strategy to align with your current goals, values, income and spending habits. Then, you will understand how much you can

invest and where to direct those funds.

Right-size your superannuation – in your later years, super is likely to be front of mind. Ensure this investment works its hardest for you by scrutinising its:

• structure: retail or industry fund? SMSF? Each has its own costs and benefits

• investments: re-examine the types of assets held, level of diversification and risk weighting

• insurances: do you have adequate life, permanent disability and income protection cover?

• take advantage of superannuation strategies you may not be aware of.

Unlock home equity – the biggest source of money you’ll likely have at this stage of life is equity in your home. This can be used to invest with minimal impact on your everyday finances. Unused equity is effectively dead money (until you sell the

property). I always urge caution on reverse mortgages. In theory, they seem like a great way of unlocking equity without saddling you with regular repayments. However, they typically: accumulate more debt; have higher interest rates than standard mortgages; only grant access to a portion of your equity; can restrict your options to downsize later; could leave you with no remaining equity when you sell the property or nothing to leave benefactors.

Consider downsizing – an alternative to refinancing is downsizing from the family home. As well as unlocking money for investing, you benefit from lower upkeep costs (and cleaning) on a smaller property and can make a lifestyle change at the same time (moving nearer to family, away from cities or into supported care if required). Additionally, you may be able to use part of the sale proceeds (up to $300,000) to turbocharge your super with a one-off downsizer contribution.

Examine pension impacts – investing can impact your ability to claim the age pension and how much you receive. This often comes to bite people who unlock equity in their home to invest, without realising that doing so means the money suddenly counts towards the pension means test. Before doing anything, methodically weigh up which will leave you financially better off – claiming a

full/part-pension or self-funding retirement through investments.

Minimise tax – hefty tax bills can easily wipe out any investment returns, making tax a crucial factor in your decision making. Potential tax considerations include:

• determining the most tax-effective ownership structure. For example, do you invest in your name or your partner’s? Through your super, a trust or company?

• incorporating stamp duty into purchase costs

• ensuring there is enough profit from the sale of an investment to cover Capital Gains Tax and income tax liabilities before deciding to sell

• timing a sale to fall within the optimal financial year (for example, in a year where your taxable income is lower or when relevant tax changes come into effect).

Invest in knowledge – later in life, you have fewer working years remaining to recover any losses. Given the far-reaching implications of investing, I highly recommend first speaking to a financial adviser. Many times you’ll find the fees are paid for in initial tax savings.

Helen Baker is a licensed Australian financial adviser and author of the book, Money For Life: How to build financial security from firm foundations. Find out more at onyourowntwofeet.com.au

ONE WAY RETIREES CAN LIVE OFF THE INTEREST WITHOUT TOUCHING THE CAPITAL

FOR many retirees, the financial goal is straightforward: generate enough income to cover living expenses without needing to dip into the savings carefully built over the years.

With traditional options such as term deposits offering historically low returns, and the share market presenting higher volatility, the search for reliable income has led some retirees to explore alternative investment options.

One such option is property-backed private credit, sometimes referred to as ‘real estate debt investing’.

Rather than buying a property outright or investing in shares, this approach involves funding loans that are secured by real estate. These loans are typically offered to experienced property developers or borrowers and are secured by a first mortgage: similar to how a bank secures a home loan.

In return for funding the loan, investors receive regular interest payments, which can be distributed monthly or quarterly, depending on the terms. Since the investment is structured as a loan rather than ownership, the returns come from

interest rather than rental income or capital growth.

For retirees, this can be appealing for a few reasons. Firstly, the income is relatively predictable and not tied to market fluctuations. Secondly, because the original investment (the capital) is tied to a specific loan and repaid at the end of the term, it allows for the possibility of living off the interest alone.

It’s important to note that, like all investments, this approach carries risks – including the borrower’s ability to repay and the value of the underlying property.

However, when structured conservatively, with appropriate due diligence and risk controls in place, property-backed credit can offer a practical solution for those seeking stable income in retirement while preserving their capital.

As always, independent financial advice is recommended before making any investment decisions.

WORDS: Justine Christie, head of marketing, Capital Property Funds. Visit capitalpropertyfunds.com.au

Case of the homemade will that cost thousands

By DON MACPHERSON

Everyone wants a bargain these days, and one way people sometimes try to save money is by doing their own will or using a kit off the internet.

We were involved in a 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 the will saying the rest of 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.

The will was very cheap.

The aftermath of tidying it up cost the estate thousands.

The bottom line: don’t do it yourself. Get expert advice and get it right.

Don Macpherson, from Brisbane Elder Law, has more than 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

Disclaimer: The information in these articles is of a general nature only and does not constitute personal financial or product advice. Any opinions or views expressed are those of the authors and do not represent those of this publication, or people, institutions or organisations they may be associated with in a professional or personal capacity unless explicitly stated.

THROWING MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN

AUSTRALIANS are throwing away a small fortune every year without even realising it, new research reveals.

A Finder survey of 1005 respondents revealed the average Australian admits to wasting a staggering $154 a month. That’s $1849 a year – a collective $39.6 billion down the drain. The research shows two-in-three Australians (68 per cent) are squandering money every month.

Young Australians waste the most money, with gen Z admitting to wasting a whopping $237 a month, compared with just $65 by baby boomers.

Rebecca Pike, money expert at Finder, says Aussies are spending on everything from impulse purchases to frivolous expenses.

“When you add it all up, that’s money you could be saving for a home deposit, a holiday or just a rainy day,” she says.

“It’s a real kick in the teeth when you see how much could be saved by cutting back on some unnecessary expenses. That $150 could be your ticket to financial freedom if you change your habits. If you can’t be bothered to manually track your spending, you can use an app like Gather or WeMoney. Consider putting that saved money into a high-interest savings account. It’s a low-risk way to let your money grow – helping you build a financial cushion.”

THE SUMMER OF THE SEVENTEENTH DOLL

ONE of Australia’s most celebrated and well-loved plays, The Summer of the Seventeenth Doll will be presented by Theatre Redlands this month.

Playwright Ray Lawler had been involved in theatre for 20 years as an actor, director and playwright before he wrote ‘The Doll’, which proved to be his most popular and frequently performed play.

The plot is the story of an annual love affair between two Queensland cane cutters and their Melbourne girlfriends Olive and Nancy.

The four met 17 years earlier when the two men, Roo and Barney, were having a five-month Melbourne lay-off between cane seasons.

The four took a shine to each other, became two couples and, for the lay-off, the men moved into the boarding house run by Olive’s mother Emma.

Since then, the annual five-month visit has become routine, and part of Roo’s courtship ritual of Olive is a regular gift of a kewpie doll on a stick.

This year, the 17th, things are slightly different: Nance has married and Olive

has introduced another of her workmates, Pearl, into the mix.

Other unexpected changes have also taken place.

As always, the Redlands Museum has thrown its full weight behind the production, conscious of the fact that it is possibly the only community museum in Queensland (and Australia) to boast its own theatre group. Formed in late 2019, Theatre Redlands is committed to producing good community theatre, including material written specifically for the museum, its exhibitions and commitment to local history and content.

The Doll promises to be another in a string of winners.

WHERE: Redland Museum, 60 Smith Street, Cleveland.

WHEN: June 13-22 with four evening performances and two matinees.

TICKETS: From $45 per person, including a two-course meal, access to the show, and entry to the museum to explore exhibits. Book via events.humanitix. com/2025-queensland-day-play-day-andevening-summer-of-the-seventeenthdoll or call 3286 3494.

ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING

IT’S December 20, 1970, and the ‘King of rock’n’roll’ Elvis Presley has disappeared.

His mysterious disappearance has left everyone – including his shrewd manager ‘The Colonel’ – scrambling for answers.

But The Colonel has a bigger problem: he’s hiding a secret debt, and with Elvis missing, he needs to find an impersonator fast to settle the score.

In this uproarious two-act comedy, Elvis Has Left the Building, The Colonel takes desperate measures to replace the irreplaceable star, all while keeping a nosy reporter at bay and uncovering the truth about where the real Elvis has gone.

Written by the acclaimed motherand-son duo V Cate and Duke Ernsberger, this production is packed with nostalgia, music and plenty of laughs for fans of Elvis and the 1970s.

Elvis Has Left the Building is a slapstick comedy that has captivated audiences since its debut in 2011, and now it’s coming to the Village Green Theatre Group for a limited season. Don’t miss your chance to catch this wacky, Elvisfilled romp.

WHERE: Yarrabilba State Secondary College PAC, Basalt Drive, Yarrabilba.

WHEN: July 4, 5, 11 and 12, at various times.

TICKETS: Adult $25, concession $20, children (aged 5 to 14) $12.50, via villagegreentheatregroup.com.au

DISNEY ON ICE – FIND YOUR HERO

RELIVE your childhood by taking the grandkids to see Disney On Ice – Find Your Hero.

Join Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends as Find Your Hero brings beloved characters to life through cutting-edge figure skating, eye-catching costumes and stunning set designs.

Innovative lighting, thrilling special effects, high-flying jumps and breathtaking skating make Find Your Hero an experience the whole family will treasure forever.

Join Mirabel as she sets out to save her family’s beloved Casita, all while learning that everyone has their own gifts, magical or not, and being true to yourself and loving those

around you is what makes you special.

See how far Moana will go when she embarks on an action-packed voyage with mighty demigod Maui in a quest to save her island, become a wayfinder and find her own identity.

Journey alongside Anna and Elsa and the hilarious snowman Olaf on their quest to protect the kingdom.

Dive under the sea and test the power of true love with The Little Mermaid.

Get tangled with Rapunzel as she dares to explore the world outside her own. And be there as Belle boldly tames the fearsome Beast.

WHERE: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, 1 Melaleuca Drive, Boondall.

WHEN: June 27-30, at various times.

TICKETS: Visit DisneyOnIce.com

A FAREWELL TO DORIS

AUSTRALIAN chart-topping singer-songwriter Melinda Schneider returns to celebrate the life and legacy of the legendary Doris Day in A Farewell to Doris.

This nostalgic Musical Melodies concert is a beautiful homage to Day’s work, featuring timeless hits such as Que Sera, Sera, Sentimental Journey, Everybody Loves a Lover and Secret Love

Schneider also performs classic songs from films including Calamity Jane, Love Me or Leave Me and The Pyjama Game, alongside big-band standards.

Schneider’s connection to Doris Day began when she was just eight, captivated by Calamity Jane

and the boundless joy the actress exuded on screen. She has since dedicated much of her career to honouring Day.

Schneider’s acclaimed albums and sell-out shows have resonated with audiences across Australia.

This show promises to bring joy and nostalgia, ensuring Day’s spirit lives on through her unforgettable music and timeless charm.

WHERE: Redland Performing Arts Centre, 2-16 Middle Street, Cleveland.

WHEN: Wednesday, July 9, at 11am.

TICKETS: From $28. Call the RPAC Box Office on 3829 8131 or visit rpac.com.au (booking fees are $5.30 by phone and $6.40 online per transaction).

FOR THE DIARY: June

HERE are some dates to keep in mind this month.

• June 3 Mabo Day

• June 4 National Cheese Day

• June 5 World Environment Day

• June 6 Queensland Day

• June 8 World Oceans Day

• June 9-15 Men’s Health Week

• June 14 World Blood Donor Day; World Knitting Day

• June 15 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

• June 16 National Vegemite Day

• June 20 World Refugee Day

• June 21 International Day of Yoga; Winter Solstice

• June 23 International Widows’ Day

• June 30 End of the financial year.

WE’VE had a taste of the cooler weather (finally!), so add some warmth to your winter days and nights with this recipe.

Pumpkin Soup is one of the most searched soup recipes – and for good reason. It’s quick, easy and flavoursome.

Here’s an interesting twist on the classic pumpkin soup.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp (56g) red curry paste

• 500g pumpkin, peeled and chopped

• 400g can coconut milk

• 4 tbsp (20g) coriander.

Method:

1. In a large non-stick pan, sauté the red curry paste for 30 seconds over a medium heat.

2. Add the pumpkin and toss to coat.

3. Add the coconut milk and 1/3 cup water.

4. Bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender.

5. Cool for 10 minutes.

6. Using a stick blender, blend until smooth.

7. Divide evenly across four bowls and serve scattered with fresh coriander.

This recipe is from the 4 Ingredients Veggie & Vegan cookbook (4ingredients.com.au/products/4-ingredientsveggie-vegan), on sale for $24.99 plus postage.

NEXT-LEVEL LIFESTYLE UNFOLDS WITH COUNTRY CLUB

THE $23 million Country Club at GemLife Gold Coast is nearing completion, with the over-50s lifestyle resort facility expected to open in the third quarter of the year.

Designed to serve as the central hub of the resort, the three-level Country Club will feature a broad range of facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, cinema, tenpin bowling alley, golf simulator, rooftop bar and pool, beauty salon and wellness spaces.

The venue’s upper level offers panoramic views through to Surfers Paradise.

A second facility, The Pavilion, is also under development and will house a studio and clubroom in an elevated space that opens onto an outdoor deck.

This area will include a pizza oven, barbecue, resort-style pool and daybeds, offering a space for social gatherings and recreation.

Additional features across the resort include outdoor swimming pools, landscaped walking trails,

a fitness studio and barbecue areas.

GemLife Gold Coast sales manager Ashleigh Murtagh says feedback from contractors and residents has been positive.

“We’ve had contractors working on projects all over the country say they haven’t seen anything quite like it. The quality, scale and attention to detail at GemLife Gold Coast is truly next level,” Ms Murtagh says.

“The quality and scale of the facilities, particularly the Country Club, have attracted a lot of attention.

“From the rooftop to the wellness areas, it’s shaping up to be a significant development for the region.”

Stages 1 and 2 of the resort have been completed and are occupied, with Stage 3 selling.

The new release offers a limited number of homes, including split-level designs with views of the city skyline.

Once fully completed, GemLife Gold Coast will comprise 365 homes.

Call 1800 325 229 or visit gemlife. com.au/gemlife-gold-coast-resort/

OVER-50S SET TO SHAKE UP TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LAND lease communities are set to drive a shake-up of Australia’s telecommunications industry.

A Gold Coast development is becoming the first in the country to have its own private wireless mmWave 5G network, transforming it into a next-generation smart city.

Utilising world-first technology, deployed by communications and energy provider Prospecta Utilities, the private network can support advanced technologies such as robots and autonomous vehicles, potentially boosting virtual health outcomes and family connections for residents.

It also withstood the impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, maintaining connectivity while major carriers experienced extensive outages, showcasing the importance of diversification in the telecommunications industry in keeping people connected.

The network – offering internet speeds 550 per cent faster than typical households – was switched on to the first 45 homes at the $200 million GemLife Gold Coast over-50s resort in February after a six-month trial.

It will ultimately connect 400 homes in the development.

GemLife, and sister companies Living Gems and Aliria, are partnering with Prospecta Utilities to roll out the technology to 14,000 homes across 30 land

lease resorts in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria by 2028.

The technology became possible after the Australian Communications and Media Authority last year opened spectrum licences to organisations outside major mobile operators, in what was described as a game changer in advancing innovation and productivity.

Prospecta Utilities CEO Mark Langdon says the land lease sector is positioned to capitalise on private networks’ benefits, including increased reliability and capacity to connect more – and higher tech – devices than fixed fibre or WiFi.

“This is a first for Australia’s residential sector and we see significant opportunity across the land lease space, as well as retirement homes and multi-residential communities, which have the scale to benefit from the technology,” he says.

“These super high-speed networks enable innovations like virtual health, home automation, robotic delivery systems, enhanced security and emergency response systems, and better community engagement through AIconcierge services.

“They also provide network independence that shields operators from what can be an unreliable and volatile market, and telecommunications diversification that better protects Australians during disasters and other threats like cyber security.”

Adrian Puljich and Mark Langdon at Prospecta Utilities headquarters

An artist’s impression of the GemLife Gold Coast resort-style pool

Expressions of faith happen every day, but in seniors’ communities, it’s not often that baptisms occur.

Carinity Wishart Gardens retirement village resident Alvin McHugh hasn’t let age or fear stop him from publicly confirming his commitment to Jesus Christ. Almost 70 people, including family members and friends, came together to witness the 90-year-old being baptised in the Wishart Gardens pavilion.

“Due to circumstances, I slipped through the cracks but now on reflection of my life, I now feel it’s time to be obedient to God’s wishes,” Alvin told the gathering before being baptised.

Alvin spoke of his heartfelt gratitude for the way God has led him, especially in bringing he and his wife Elaine to Wishart Gardens more than 10 years ago – and during tough times in his life. His faith was “sorely tested and found wanting” during his youth, following the passing of his father, a Baptist pastor, when Alvin was 17.

“At that point, my faith was at a very low ebb and I blamed God for taking my father at an age when I really needed a father to guide me through those difficult years,” Alvin says.

Alvin says he “recommitted his life to

the Lord” in his 40s. He believes God “never abandoned me” and “looked after me through the good and the not so good”.

That included mental health challenges after his first marriage ended, and the years he cared for Elaine, who suffered from depression and dementia.

“It was only when I looked back over this period of my life that I came to realise His faithfulness to me,” Alvin says.

“This whole period was one of complete stress and frustration but through constant prayer, God gave me the strength and understanding I needed to carry out my care for Elaine.”

Carinity mission engagement manager Pastor Tracey Valentine, who performed the baptism with Reverend Tim Winslade, says it was a “privilege to stand alongside Alvin as he took this step of faith”.

“It was such a joy to spend time with Alvin as he prepared for his baptism; hearing his story was a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness,” she says.

“Throughout his life – from childhood, through the hardships following the war, to meeting his wife, and walking together through a challenging season later in life – Alvin can see God’s hand in his life.”

● 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

Alvin McHugh was baptised at the Carinity Wishart Gardens seniors community in Brisbane by Pastor Tracey Valentine and Reverend Tim Winslade

Cruise natural history PapuaGuineaNew

some local currency (kina) with me, but the locals did accept Australian currency in cash. There were no credit card facilities.

I’ve lived in Australia all my life and I’ve travelled extensively but I’d never visited our closest neighbour, Papua New Guinea (PNG).

I decided that it was time to pay a visit, cruising from Brisbane on P&O’s Pacific Encounter

I expected an overseas holiday without the long-haul flight and the jet lag.

I expected tropical weather and a floating resort.

I did not expect to be moved. But moved I was.

I was moved by the children, the subsistence living and the poverty, the military history and the loss of life, as well as the natural beauty – so many experiences, rolled into four port days.

of the dark green, lush, rugged mountains was breathtaking.

I was taken around Kaibola village by a local, Benson. Another culture shock. There is no electricity nor running water. Water is collected from a nearby spring.

Pigs and chickens roam freely. Coconuts and taro are plentiful, staple foods.

Kiriwina is a tender port and P&O offers no tours.

If you’re older or not very mobile, the best bet is probably to stay on the ship as there are no tourist facilities. Also, the queue for the tender back to the ship was hot and long with no seating.

The next port was Rabaul. I chose to do a World War II tour there. I was glad that I hadn’t chosen to spend my time in Rabaul as it is just an industrial port. It als o felt somewhat unsafe so I was glad to be part of a tour.

The natural scenery of the dark blue, glassy Coral Sea set against the backdrop

We stopped at a Japanese barge tunnel. Barges were towed out to sea from there and then back into the tunnel to hide them from the Allies. Dug out by the prisoners of war, hundreds of tunnels are found in the area.

We also stopped at the beautifully maintained Bita Paka War Cemetery. This cemetery mainly comprises graves of those lost during WWII. The rows of headstones were shudderingly awful to see and the number of unknown soldiers’ remains was very sad.

The final port was the exquisite Conflict Islands: ‘Paradise in the Coral Sea’.

Conflict Islands was day-tripper heaven and conveniently cashless. The colours of the Coral Sea defied belief: so clear and green and yet so blue.

Combined with fine, white sand and lush, tropical vegetation, I felt like I was on a movie set.

I meandered along the sand spit and lolled in the warm, aquamarine water.

Later in the day, I boarded the Undersea Explorer and cruised around a few of the 21 islands that

LEONIE JARRETT explores new territory to Australia’s north and is thrilled to discover a land of culture, beauty and intrigue.

PNG is the second-largest country (after Australia) in the South Pacific.

The first port of this cruise was the town of Alotau.

I was shocked at the poverty, shocked to learn that the vast majority of people are subsistence farmers and shocked that most people in PNG have no access to electricity.

I was also shocked at the widespread chewing of Betel nuts by children through to elderly people. This stimulant rots teeth. It also dyes lips, mouths and teeth red.

The next port was the gorgeous Kiriwina Island. The beach – golden sand and turquoise water – is stunning.

Locals offer rides in dug-out canoes for a bargain price of $5. I wished I had

Next Adventure

IMAGES: LEONIE JARRETT

Local children sing for the tourists at Kaibola Village, Kiriwina Island

Dugout canoes at Kiriwina Island

Cute-as-a-button kiddies in Alotau make up the group. Bliss!

Back on the Pacific Encounter for the two sea days to Brisbane, I reflected on the culture shock I had experienced, the history lessons I had learned and the stunning natural beauty I had seen. PNG is on Australia’s doorstep but it seems a world away.

Four port days in a 10-day voyage left plenty of time to relax and enjoy the ship.

At 2900 passengers and 1100 crew, the Pacific Encounter was the biggest cruise ship I had sailed on in a few years.

I had forgotten the advantage of a big ship: multiple eating areas, bars and lounges, various pools (including an adults-only version), three kids’ clubs, an adventure activities area called P&O Edge, a gym, spa ... the list of facilities appears endless.

There are organised activities all day long, with indoor seating areas and outdoor sun lounges everywhere.

One of the top perks of a cruise for me is the choice to do as much or as little as I want. If you want to participate in a group activity, there are plenty to choose from. If you want to curl up in a comfy chair and read or people watch, there are cosy spots galore.

The entertainment options on a big ship are many and varied, too. There seemed to be live music in multiple spots on the ship all day. And the shows in the theatre were first class.

Experiencing PNG via the P&O cruise ship was a wonderful combination of comfort and security alongside culture, history and natural beauty.

* The writer travelled courtesy of Citro

SIGNATURE DAY TOURS 2025

Tuesday 22nd & Thursday 24th July

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

We return to St Bernard’s Hotel in Tamborine for that special annual lunch function in winter time. Morning tea and Lunch included.

Tuesday 19th August

COASTAL TOURING & LUNCH AT HARRIGAN’S

Today we tour the coastline from Wynnum to Jacob’s Well with views of Moreton Bay to our lunch stop at Harrigan’s Irish Hotel. Morning Tea and Lunch included.

Mon. 22nd, Wed. 24th, Fri. 26th September

TOOWOOMBA CARNIVAL OF FLOWERS

Join us for the 76th year of the celebration of Spring and enjoy all the colours of the parks & gardens in The Garden City. Highlights are Picnic Point, Laurel Bank Gardens and Queens Park. Morning Tea & lunch included.

and with the assistance of P&O Cruises. The voyage was called ‘New Guinea Island Encounter’. In early 2025, P&O’s Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter integrated into the Carnival fleet, becoming Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter. While sailing under new names, both ships will continue to offer the same great holiday experience. Voyages from now until 2026 are available to book via pocruises.com.au

Tuesday 23rd October

HINZE DAM & MURWILLUMBAH

A country drive via Hinze Dam to Northern NSW where we enjoy lunch at the Murwillimbah RSL. A stop at Yatala Pies on the way home Morning tea and Lunch included.

Tuesday 18th November

EUMUNDI MARKETS

Time to think about Christmas gifts again and Eumundi is the best place to look. We travel straight up to Eumundi and back with maximum time to browse. Morning Tea provided but Lunch at own expense

$65 per person

For convenience, we offer a variety of pick-up locations primarily on the northside of Brisbane, specifically the Redcliffe and Sandgate areas.

We also serve Taigum and Aspley Hypermarket Shopping Centres, making it easier for our passengers to access our services.

Additionally, we provide pick-ups 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.

P&O’s Pacific Encounter

EXPERIENCE OUTBACK

RIVERBOAT STORY

FEW Outback experiences are more inspiring than cruising the Thomson River in Queensland and soaking in the colours of sunset.

It’s an experience that lets you live 150 years of Outback history.

You’ll feel what it’s like to glide through the inland waterways on a historic paddleboat. You’ll be part of the timeless Outback pleasure of a stockman’s campfire dinner under the stars. You’ll be inspired by the stories and nostalgic role of riverboats in our pioneer history.

The Outback Pioneers Starlight’s Cruise Experience is one of Longreach’s signature experiences and has added a whole new dimension over the past few years with the story of the Pride of the Murray paddlewheeler.

It’s a story that starts a century ago and has its latest chapter with the passionate and resilient Kinnon family

which brought this grand dame overland from Echuca to the Thomson River and restored her to her former glory.

The backstory is full of daring and, ultimately, tragedy with the Pride of the Murray sinking silently from her moorings one night. Undaunted, the Kinnons are restoring the ‘Pride’ for a second time. She can no longer sail but is a magnificent landmark permanently docked high on the Thomson riverbank.

An afternoon option of the Starlight’s Cruise Experience now invites guests to get up close to her and watch a movie of her incredible journey. With this afternoon option, guests will cruise earlier aboard the historic Thomson Belle and take photos from the river terrace when the later cruise returns at sunset.

Then, join the other cruise guests for an Outback evening under the stars. This option is only available on select dates, so check the website before making plans.

Among other reasons to cruise the Thomson River with Outback Pioneers are the sounds of birds flying home to roost, The Starlight’s Spectacular Sound and Light Picture Show that tells the tale of cattle duffer Captain Starlight, and the crackling gidgee wood campfire offering stockman’s stew made to a family recipe.

Book the Pride of the Murray Story (available April to October) at outbackpioneers.com.au/experiences/ pride-of-the-murray-story/

COLOURFUL GREAT SOUTHERN ADVENTURE

TRAVEL to the national capital and experience Floriade: Australia’s premier celebration of flowers and largest festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

Coastal Variety Tours offers an 11-day Floriade Tour, starting on September 22.

First, guests will visit Toowoomba for the spectacular Carnival of Flowers before travelling the New England Highway through Armidale to arrive in Sydney for another highlight: a guided tour and lunch at the Sydney Opera House.

The tour of Canberra includes Floriade, Parliament House, Cockington Green and the spectacular Tulip Top Farm.

The return journey home wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the magnificent Hunter Valley Gardens, as well as the Hunter Valley Village, a winery, cheese tasting and chocolate shop.

Call Coastal Variety Tours on 5530 2363 for a detailed Itinerary.

SENIOR COACH TOURS

TOOWOOMBA CARNIVAL OF FLOWERS

Grand Floral Parade (Reserved Seating) Private Gardens Tour, Jondaryan, The Empire Theatre, Railway Museum, Esk, Lake Somerset/Wivenhoe, Laidley

CT TRAVEL offers a range of affordable travel experiences, including to Australia’s Flinders Ranges.

Travellers can explore the majestic Ikara-Flinders Ranges and the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary as part of the itinerary in South Australia. Discover the natural amphitheatres and the two billion-year-old landscapes.

Over the course of 11 days, the immersive journey travels through some of South Australia’s iconic destinations, uncovering hidden gems and creating lasting memories.

The journey starts with a scenic drive through the Adelaide Hills to the Barossa Valley, to visit Mengler Hill Lookout for panoramic views and explore a unique sculpture park. Then, proceed to Clare Valley via Saddleworth and Auburn, and visit Bungaree Station: an historic merino sheep farm still managed by its founding family. Next, head to the Southern Flinders Ranges via Horrocks Pass to Port Augusta, and then to Quorn for the Silo Light Show. At Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, observe yellow-footed rock wallabies feeding in their natural habitat. A flight over Lake Eyre will offer a rare opportunity to witness the lake filled with floodwaters flowing from Queensland. Visit cttravel.com.au or call 5391 1648.

Tweed Heads

CANBERRA FLORIADE & SYDNEY

Hunter Valley, Sydney Opera House, NSW South Coast, Toowoomba, New England, NSW South Highlands

EUROPEAN TIMELESS TRACKS

France, Switzerland, Italy and Norway

Norway in a Nutshell®

Discover the very best of Norway as you journey through spectacular fjords and ride the world-famous Flåm Railway, an inspiring experience from start to ﬁnish. Highlights Oslo • Flåm • Bergen

Valid for travel Select dates until 01 June 2027

Milan to Zurich via the Glacier and Bernina Express Trains

Travel from the city streets of Milan to the soaring Swiss Alps, where snow-capped peaks and mountain scenery create a stunning alpine experience.

Highlights Milan • St Moritz • Zermatt

for

Classics of France, Switzerland and Italy

Embark on a rail odyssey through Europe’s iconic cities, featuring memorable experiences and journeys aboard the Glacier and Bernina Express trains.

Highlights Paris • Geneva • Zermatt • St Moritz • Venice • Florence • Rome

for travel Select dates until 01 June 2027

TRACKS THROUGH TIME AND EUROPEAN BEAUTY

THERE’S something magical about watching the world roll by from the comfort of a train carriage, especially in Europe.

For travellers who crave a deeper connection to the places they visit, train travel offers more than just a way to get from one destination to another. It’s a front-row seat to the ever-changing landscapes of fjords, alpine peaks, mediaeval cities and glittering lakes.

Europe might be small in size, but it’s vast in history and culture. With about 50 countries and 200 languages, every stop reveals a new story and perspective.

Railbookers curates smooth, memorymaking rail journeys that capture the essence of the continent through its cities, countryside and the special moments that happen along the way.

In Norway, trace a path between towering mountains and deep-blue fjords, weaving through UNESCO-Listed landscapes on the legendary Flåm Railway that ascends steeply to over 865m above sea level. Taste local craft beer in the storybook village, cruise past still waters surrounded by soaring cliffs and feel the thrill of a rib boat safari.

In Switzerland, feel as though you’ve stepped into a snow globe, with every turn of the track revealing a new postcard-

perfect moment. The Glacier Express, Bernina Express and GoldenPass Line offer views of frozen waterfalls, hillside villages and beautiful viaducts. Experiences such as a gourmet dinner cruise on Lake Lucerne and a day trip to the summit of Jungfraujoch add even more wonder to this alpine adventure.

For lovers of classic cities, Railbookers connects Paris, Geneva and Venice in one memorable itinerary. Sip coffee beneath the Eiffel Tower, wander Geneva’s lakefront, ride through alpine landscapes on worldclass trains and glide through canals.

Then there’s the route from Milan to Zurich, where art, fashion and natural beauty come together. From viewing da Vinci’s The Last Supper to admiring the Matterhorn in Zermatt, each stop offers something remarkable.

Contact your Travellers Choice agent before June 30 to book with Railbookers. Visit travellerschoice.com.au

ESCAPE THE ORDINARY IN THE PHILIPPINES

IN AN era where travel dreams often collide with crowded destinations and overdone itineraries, one website is rewriting the script for Australian holidaymakers seeking something truly extraordinary.

TropicalPhilippineIslandsHoliday.com.au is more than just a travel site.

It’s a gateway to the hidden gems of the Philippines, designed with Australian explorers in mind.

Run by passionate travel experts who understand Filipino charm and Aussie expectations, the site offers handpicked itineraries, cultural insights and local experiences that dive deep into the heart of the islands — far beyond the usual tourist traps.

Take Palawan (pictured), for instance. Known as the Philippines’ last frontier, this island paradise is brought to life through the website’s expertly crafted travel plans, stunning visuals and downloadable guides.

Whether you’re daydreaming about the turquoise lagoons of El Nido, the subterranean river of Puerto Princesa, or the raw beauty of Coron, this site helps you imagine and book your escape with ease.

But what sets the website apart isn’t just the destinations — it’s the approach.

The website highlights eco-conscious travel, supports local Filipino communities and offers practical tips that help you

explore with confidence, whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned island hopper.

With direct flights from Australia and a favourable exchange rate, the Philippines is becoming an increasingly popular choice for Aussies chasing value without sacrificing adventure.

This platform makes planning easier, safer and more inspiring.

So, if you’re yearning to swap city noise for palm trees, reef dives and authentic island culture, it might be time to bookmark your next great journey.

TropicalPhilippineIslandsHoliday.com.au is your passport to paradise .

Call Frances Siega 0447 644 282 and Brad Eriksson 0487 230 827, email info@ tropicalphilippineislandsholiday.com.au or visit the website.

AUGUST 2025

North Queensland Savannah (12 Days) - CLOSING SOON

SEPTEMBER 2025

Fraser Island Whale Watch (4 Days)

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (4 Days)

Flinders Ranges (11 Days)

Brisbane Sights at the Star Casino (3 Days)

NOVEMBER 2025

Tasmania (15 Days)

O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat (4 Days)

FEBRUARY 2026

Scottish Tattoo in Brisbane

MARCH 2026

Norfolk Island

O’Reillys

APRIL 2026

Easter in Port Stephens

With Quizmaster Garry Reynolds

1. In which country did the coffee drink galao originate?

2. Who was the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?

3. What is the capital of Canada?

4. What colour are flamingos at birth?

5. Who was the Roman god of the sea?

6. What is the name of the poop produced by sperm whales?

7. What is the name for the grounds of a university?

8. Who was the first female premier of NSW?

9. Which bird can fly backwards?

10. What is the name of the fictional pirate with a pet parrot on his shoulder?

11. What is the largest bone in the body?

12. What is the name of the ‘Lion King’?

13. What is the closest star to Earth?

14. What is the hardest natural substance?

15. What is the basic unit of life?

16. In which UK band was Harry Styles a member?

17. What is the name of the dog in the Peanuts comic strip?

18. What is the fastest land animal?

19. How many Olympic rings are there?

20. Which fruit is the base for guacamole?

Silver. 11. Femur. 12. Simba. 13. Sun. 14. Diamond. 15. Cell. 16. One Direction.

6. Ambergris. 7. Campus. 8. Kristina Keneally.

1. Portugal. 2. Roald Dahl. 3. Ottawa. 4. Grey. 5. Neptune.

9. Hummingbird. 10. Long John

17. Snoopy. 18. Cheetah. 19. Five. 20. Avocado.

Wonderful location for retirement(4)

Pancake recipe cooked without one ingredient(5)

Prayer at four excited

Sun worshipper is pinched by perverted truant(8)

One who works the land

Ecstasy taken by speed freaks in

Tailored suit immersed in fresh water(8)

Found a solution to detours

One surrounded by cricketers winds up(5)

2 Person who deceives children in front of consumer(7) 3 Mock an escapologist(5)

4 Translation of the SOS call is barely adequate(10)

5 Areas of eyes or ears could be painful(4)

7 Shakespearean character reverted to casual form of greeting(7)

8 Bombshell is admitted by drunken purser(8)

9 Stair rail is draped in rag(8) 14 Fly with a stinger(10)

in chilly circumstances(8)

renewed and died(7) 20 Way left open to retain batting order(7)

21 Small place – it is located

24 Sedate senior accepting great honour(5)

25 Bar served up containers of beer(4)

QUICK CROSSWORD

R R A A S V

1 Pass(6)

4 Suggestion(8)

9 Theoretically(2,5)

11 Eighth of a mile(7)

12 Body of water to the East of Italy(8,3)

13 Belonging to a male(3)

14 Backlight device(5,3)

16 Rectal irrigation(5)

19 Zest(5)

20 Seasoned smoked beef(8)

22 Take unlawfully from(3)

24 Condition for an agreement(11)

26 Gambling buildings(7)

27 Retention(7)

29 Wild guess(4,4)

30 Withdraw from federation(6)

1 Self(3)

2 Edible shoots(9)

3 above(5)

5 Decline(6)

6 Long-lasting(9)

7 Laziness(5)

8 Law(11)

10 Very large, horned, plant-eating animals(6)

12 Representation of an abstract meaning(11)

15 Hundreds and –(9)

17 Destroy(9)

18 Prizes(6)

21 Ignominious failure(6)

23 Bovine ruminant (US)(5)

25 Sun-dried brick(5)

28 Ogle(3)

WORD STEP

Complete the list by changing one letter at a time to create a new word at each step. One

BLACK GRIND

The pinnacle of boutique over 50s living

The final stage of Greenwood Forest Glen is your last chance to secure a home in this exclusive boutique over 50s community. With only 30 home sites available in Stage 5, featuring a mixture of single and double storey residences, this is a rare opportunity to enjoy premium living in the heart of the Sunshine Coast. All homes feature quality appliances for modern comfort, fully landscaped surroundings, ducted air-conditioning, 5kw solar, and elegant stone bench tops. Don’t miss your last chance to secure your dream home. Book your personal tour today and explore our two display homes.

Greenwood Forest Glen offers unparalleled proximity to essential amenities and unmatched lifestyle benefits including:

• Club Eden with 25-metre swimming pool, event space, tennis, bowls green, games room, bar and dining area.

• Residents-only conservation reserve with 5 hectares of rainforest reserve with its interconnected walking trails.

• Community garden with orchard with dedicated event space.

• Forest Glen Village Shopping Centre with Super IGA supermarket, takeaway, medical and dental facilities, chemist and more just across the road.