Your Time Brisbane May 2023

THERE ARE NO RULES BUT YOU CAN MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOUR FAMILY

Icould relate to the Skyhooks song All My Friends are Getting Married

These days though, it would have a greater ring of truth if the lyrics were “all my friends are getting buried ...”

The next lines remain relevant: "Yes they're all growin' old, They're staying home on weekends, They're all doin' what they're told" but alas, it's now for quite different reasons.

Growing older for sure; staying home on weekends ... not to prepare the nest for a future family but because the days roll into each other. What's a weekend if you aren't working Monday to Friday?

And doing what they're told ... let's not go there. My daughter who lives

nearby has become my guardian (I appreciate her concern when she calls to ask if I'm ok because she can't see my lights on, but seriously!)

And then there are others I know who are doing what they are told by nursing home and hospital staff.

But as one 71-year-old friend likes to say every birthday, better to be here and a year older than the alternative.

Nevertheless, it is disturbing that it's the time of life when news about old school mates, colleagues, and dear friends is generally bad. So many of us now have a growing list of those who have shuffled off this mortal coil.

It's a gloomy topic but like taxes, death is an inevitable part of life. Allison White this month reports on the state of the funeral industry, particularly after Covid when formal funeral services necessarily dwindled.

It's not something we want to think about but as she points out, it should be addressed whether we like it or not. Our children will thank us, although mine rolled their eyes when I told them I wanted Monty Python's Always Look on the Bright Side of Life played at my funeral.

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It’s your funeral

words and a committal gives the sense of having said goodbye.”

Ceremony is not to be confused with tradition, and with the move away from religious services, funerals now come in many forms as families strive to make the service more personal. The aim is to better reflect the life and times of the person they are honouring, more than dwell on speculation about their soul.

Increasingly, the deceased’s personal items – a favourite hat, a football, a work tool or any other treasured possessions typical of their life – are included in the ceremony.

The move from church to chapel – or garden, farm, backyard – has made it all possible.

Rod says it works well as a chapel is neutral territory where everyone can be comfortable, especially younger generations who have not been involved in the church. Chapels are also convenient and offer on-site catering.

The stereotypical picture of mourners dressed in black lined up around an open grave, weeping behind dark veils, is long behind us.

Although Victorian-era impressions remain, our approach to funerals has been moving forward, albeit slowly, for decades and is now more relaxed and less formal.

Services have been becoming a celebration of life more than a time of deep mourning; dark suits have made way for colourful shirts and dresses; dour hymns have been set aside for cheerful music reflecting the taste of the deceased; and even brightly-painted coffins are replacing dark timber with silver ornamentation.

Then came the pandemic and funerals were suddenly reduced to a handful of close relatives – and sometimes not even that – to see loved ones off to the afterlife.

Funeral celebrant Rod Schafferius, who has been an eyewitness to change

Lean back

during the past 23 years, says the Covid pandemic forced changes and choices in planning.

With few being able to attend a funeral during the pandemic, many services were cancelled as families decided the formality could be dispensed with completely. Often only immediate family could attend or, sometimes, even knew about the death.

Memorial services in parks and on beaches began replacing the formal service where curtains were slowly drawn to the tune of Amazing Grace. Pallbearers became redundant.

“We have had a lot more demand for memorial services since Covid,” Rod says.

But while the phenomenon of no service and no attendance has got bigger, he says most people still want to say their goodbyes.

“One family during Covid when only seven people were allowed to attend, decided to proceed and then have a

memorial service at a later time. They just couldn’t imagine not having anything at all. People need to say goodbye.”

Live streaming necessarily became a part of every chapel service and that, he says, is here to stay: “It’s now a given and represents a big change for the industry that family and friends can tune in for a service from around the world.”

There are also those who choose a cremation and then simply scatter the ashes at a later time when they are ready.

Others dispense with the service and gather to party, although commonly, this doesn’t give a sense of closure to many who want some sort of formal farewell.

In Rod’s experience, failing to acknowledge the loss at all is not a great idea.

“They just move on with life but there will be those on a psychologist’s couch in the future, who are suffering because they never said goodbye to mum or dad,” he says. “A memorial service with a few

About 70 per cent of services are now conducted by celebrants, compared with less than 5 per cent at the turn of the millennium.

Picture presentations have become popular and even standard while Abide with Me has been replaced by the music of the era of the deceased or music that meant something to them.

Most now like to refer to a celebration of a life, but some prefer to gather to mourn a loss.

The curtain doesn’t have to be closed after a cremation service, which avoids the gut-wrenching moment of finality.

It’s even possible to have pallbearers carry the coffin to the hearse, even if it only drives to the rear of the chapel.

“People now wear smart casual and it’s a lot more relaxed,” Rod says.

But there is still funeral etiquette and he has noticed that younger people in particular have no idea about simple respect – take your cap off while in the

service, don’t come dressed in ripped jeans or like you’re going to a night club.

“It can be just a bit too casual,” he says. “Standards have changed a lot, but it’s still important to show some respect.”

The trend makes it clear that funeral services are not so much about the deceased but about those left to mourn them – it’s part of the grieving process.

Change is increasingly being embraced although time frames remain strict.

“There is only 45 minutes and you have to abide by that, you really can’t go overtime,” Rod says. “Attendees have been known to get up and leave if it goes on too long. They have a timetable too and overall, we don’t need the minutiae of life.

“Eulogies can remember mum and dad for who they were without having to list the details. It’s how they made you feel more than what they did. That’s how they’ll be remembered.”

While it’s easy to think that since you won’t be at your own funeral so it doesn’t really matter what happens, Rod recommends that for the sake of family, it is important to make a list of preferences – “it’s better to hear a family discuss mum’s wishes and take that on board when making decisions than to have grieving family sitting around a table without a clue where to start”.

More importantly, it can avoid tension when it comes to making the arrangements.

Adult children have different perceptions of their parents and can readily disagree on what should occur. For example, even if mum

wasn’t religious, one of the children might be, and will demand that component. Settle the arguments while you still can.

“We want to honour our loved one’s wishes, but individually we don’t make detailed plans for those left behind,” Rod says. “But we are a lot more open to having our wishes known. It’s not such a mystery now.

“People in their 40s and 50s are encouraging mum and dad to write things down. My own mum was in her 90s and while she would talk about death, she was reluctant to

talk about her funeral.”

The most significant difference between funerals last century and today is ownership and flexibility –the rules and rites are no longer dictated by religion, tradition, or even the funeral director.

Every family is different and every family will have its own ideas on what follows the death of a loved one. All of them are valid requests to funeral directors and celebrants.

It’s your funeral and you make the choices – burial or cremation; what sort of farewell ceremony, if any, do you want; and what will happen with your remains – a place for family and friends to visit – a headstone, a plaque in a rose garden or ashes in a columbarium wall?

Graves with monuments and inscriptions are not given as much importance in the 21st century.

Questions Rod recommends considering before you go are: Burial or cremation? This is commonly addressed in family discussions, but what happens next is not so common.

Do you want your ashes, or “cremains”, scattered in a favourite location, divided and put in urns for those who want to keep them close;

placed in a columbarium wall at a cemetery – or nothing at all.

There are also more imaginative choices, such as putting the ashes into fireworks to go out in a blaze of glory, made into jewellery, incorporated into keepsakes – or even tattoo ink.

Should there be a religious element even if it’s a chapel service?

“Would mum or dad want a prayer? Many will say that a parent didn’t have a faith but still expected the Lord’s Prayer to be spoken at the service, although even that is disappearing,” Rod says.

“Family will say dad hated the church, but do we have a hymn at his service? The answer is you don’t need to have a hymn just because it’s a funeral. It’s all a matter of personal choice.”

The format of the service? Make your wishes clear. Nominate the songs you’d like played. Decide if you want your life shown in pictures during the service, even if you want your pet to attend.

“A lot of people get stuck on the music and having the conversation about that is really important. A younger person doesn’t know the hit parade from 1945 but they will want music that reflects a life,” Rod says. “You are not bound by rules. The only rule is that you can no longer release balloons at a funeral for environmental reasons.

“As more people become aware that they can take ownership of their service, I would urge them to consider their pre-arrangements and to write it down. Consider the options and write down your wishes. There are no guarantees, but it is a little something you can do to help your family,” Rod says. After all, it really is your funeral.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Australian Funeral Industry State of the Nation report conducted by Bare Cremation surveyed 1026 respondents for a Funeral Beliefs and Values Study; 1468 respondents for a Funerals Experience Study; and 1000 respondents for a Funeral Opinions and Industry Study. Here are some of the key points: 99% knew if they wanted cremation or burial, but only 18% were confident their families knew exactly what they wanted at their funeral.

44% of families experience tension when arranging funerals.

6% have prepaid in advance.

95% of over 35s have attended a funeral, and 60% have been involved in a funeral arrangement.

47% of Australians identify with a religious faith. Funeral arrangements are no longer largely led by religion. Of religious respondents, 10% strongly agreed that religion or spirituality would impact their choices for funeral planning and memorial services.

90% agreed that people should have the chance to plan their own funeral before they die, and that these wishes should be honoured, even if it’s not what the family want.

44% had no plans at all, with only 18% believing their families knew exactly what they wanted.

77% believe it is acceptable for an individual or family to choose not to host a funeral service or memorial at all.

66% said it was important to hold a ceremony after someone dies but preference is for a small, family gathering, rather than a larger public ceremony.

71% would choose cremation, 25% burial and 4% an alternative method such as donation to medical research, sea burial or eco-burial. This trend coincides with the substantial decline in Christian church attendance, the rise of other religious practices, and environmental concerns.

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Contact

Have your say. Send letters to Editor, Your Time Magazine, PO Box 6362, Maroochydore BC 4558 or email editor@yourtimemagazine.com.au

Pauline Clayton expressed her concern about the proliferation of Indian Mynah birds in her area. (YT March)

I too have observed these feral creatures, sometimes known as “cane toads of the sky” since moving from the Fraser Coast where a program initiated by the local branch of wildlife Queensland is supported by the local council.

However, when I contacted my new council they were not concerned about this feral species. Apparently control is not mandated and populations are increasing and damage to our native species is getting worse.

I intend to follow Ms Clayton’s example and organise a trap. In addition, I believe we should lobby division councillors to alert them to this grave environmental problem

Sara Gerdsen

I recently had a brain tumor removed and as a result have become disabled. I have a disability parking permit but often find cars parked in these spaces without a permit.

Today I had to park down the street and use a walking stick to negotiate slopes, pavement, traffic, etc, because a young P-plate driver had parked in the disabled spot.

Disability parks often have a space next to them with yellow stripes and a lower curb so people can unload wheelchairs, walking frames, etc. I have never seen a parking officer book the able-bodied who use them.

Please report illegally parked cars at the time. Provide the vehicle’s details and the time of the incident.

The offence can incur an on-the-spot fine or penalty notice of $581 and one demerit point.

I can’t count the number of

times I’ve waited outside a disabled toilet for up to 15 minutes, only to see a young, able-bodied person sauntering out while talking on their phone, or a family or group come out together.

With my walking frame, I cannot fit into a normal toilet stall so I have to wait.

Since becoming disabled, I have come to realise that disabled people are often treated with contempt. Please show some consideration and common courtesy.

Rosemary Trudeau

IN THE GARDEN — with Penny

LIKE many, I’m still waiting for the weather to cool down a bit more as I’m looking forward to seeing the beautiful autumn colours on my ornamental pears.

Roses will need a good prune. Keep the centre open to ensure good airflow which will help curb black spot.

I recently had a great time at the Melbourne Flower Show even though it rained. And of course I had to but more plants! There were some very interesting landscape designs. The Wondai Garden Expo was also well received.

Time to put sweet peas in. Mine are up, so I’m hoping for a good display in spring.

Plant up the vegie plot with cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce, beetroot, celery and onions. Of course, if you have the space there are lots of others to pop in. Check with

your local nursery to see what is available.

Stocks, petunias and marigolds make a great display along with alyssum and lobelia. As the weather cools you may want to tidy up your shed or shade house.

Don’t forget to put a label in the caladium pots as they go into dormancy. So many have been accidentally thrown out over the years.

Bare root roses are available now, and there are many to choose from – whether it’s perfume, cut flowers or a general display, there is something for everyone.

I have had new blades put on my mower and was amazed by the difference it made. It’s also time to oil the handles of rakes and spades.

Happy gardening

Penny Hegarty

HAROLD FRY’S JOURNEY MAKES UPLIFTING VIEWING

THE SUPERBLY-crafted British film The Unl ikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is the story of an unremarkable man who sets off on a remarkable journey.

Harold lives a life without purpose until he learns an old friend is dying and vows that in walking across England to see her, his journey can keep her alive.

Based on the 2012 New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller, this heartfelt and original take on the coming-of-age narrative will resonate with audiences. Recently retired, Harold Fry is well into his 60s and content to fade quietly into the background of life.

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Life with his wife Maureen is uneventful and their marriage frozen, due to an unspeakable conflict relating to the absence of their son, until one day, Harold learns his old friend Queenie is dying.

He sets off to the post office to send her a letter and decides to keep walking: all the way to her hospice, 450 miles away.

A story of rediscovery and transformation, Harold Fry is an uplifting reminder that you’re never too old to take a chance, and that kindness is less rare than you think.

Your Time has five double passes to be won to see The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Simply email editor@yourtimemagazine.com.au with your postal address before May 19. Passes will be posted to the winners in time for the season opening in cinemas on June 8. Passes are valid for most cinemas. Entry details are deleted at the end of the competition.

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“Everyonehasbeenverypoliteandextremely

by Mocco Wollert

I certainly followed my gut-feeling when I made the decision to leave my homeland of Germany and migrate to Australia a lifetime ago. In this case it was the heart as well as the gut-feeling that influenced the decision because I followed the man I loved.

The brain was never involved. It would have stopped me from doing such a silly thing.

Often, the decisions we make affect not only us but maybe family and friends or even enemies as well. So, I should add another point to the importance of decision making – the impact it has on other people.

Sometimes, however, decisions are taken out of your hands and destiny intervenes – an unexpected storm ruins your house and forces you out of your home, or an illness lays you low for weeks on end.

Evaluating the best and the worst decisions of my life, I find coming to Australia was easily the best decision. One of the worst was bringing a German cookbook with me.

It was the most popular cookbook in Germany, a sort of a German Maggie Beer. I had no experience in cooking and thought that the cookbook would resolve all my ignorance and lack of experience.

by Cheryl Lockwood

DO YOU make decisions lightly? I don’t.

I find it difficult to make up my mind, especially about important things. Usually, I need to diligently list the pros versus the cons to reach a decision. It will give me at least a clear picture of what looks wrong and what looks right.

I am of course in deep trouble when the pros match the cons.

There are three influences that affect decision making – the brain, the heart and last but not least, the gut-feeling.

I envy people who can make quick decisions, change course in mid-stream, re-locate, change profession. Often, they may be regarded as unsteady or nohopers. They are not if it turns out well, but if they fail there are a thousand people out there to say “I told you so”.

Like everybody, I have made good and bad decisions. Changing my hair colour from my natural blond to titian red was one of the bad ones. Luckily, I had a tolerant husband who accepted that new woman in his life.

But all the brand-names mentioned and the metric measurements of quantities were useless in my new life. After we had finished our evening meal, I would ask my husband, “did you like that?”. My beloved would answer dutifully “yes”. When I asked suspiciously “shall I cook it again?”, the answer was usually a firm “no”. We never had any problem with obesity in our family in those early years.

The older you get the harder it is to make decisions.

Decision-making might mean change and change and older age do not go well together. We want life to stay the way it is, to keep the status quo, but if you get the urge to dye your hair green and put a ring through your nose, go for it.

May you follow your gut-feeling or at least your heart.

Email mocco.wollert@bigpond.com

MOST of us have a fear of something. It could be public speaking or a visit to the dentist but for me, it came up when I had to renew my driver’s licence and update the photo.

I was instructed to look at the camera and keep a neutral expression. Here is where the problem often begins. Apparently, my neutral expression is set at “very tired woman … on drugs”.

Passport photos are the same. Mine resembles the mugshot of a serial killer. What’s worse is knowing that I’m stuck with that image for the next decade.

I actually had to redo my last passport photo when the photographer declared that I had a smirk. I had been aiming for pleasant.

As I concentrated on keeping my smile

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supressed, I ended up looking angry. Staff at the customs desk certainly have a smirk when they see my passport, which I hope is because they can see I’m not that angry in real life.

Hubby and I have discussed this. We think one should be able to pull a stupid face, which we then demonstrate for each other. When stopped by authorities, we would say, “Yes, officer that’s me!”

Then we’d immediately match our face to the photo. We find this scenario hilarious, which says a lot about our level of maturity.

Back in my dad’s day, he answered a few questions at the police station and came out with a piece of paper that allowed him to drive semi-trailers for the rest of his life. No dodgy photo, just the essentials of name and address.

The first driver’s licence in this country was issued in 1906. Just 80 years later, laminated photo licences were introduced to solve problems like the paper versions going through the washing machine.

It aimed to stop forgeries too. People could no longer get behind the wheel with a scrap of paper stating, “I can drive.” in coloured pencil.

Arriving for my latest renewal, I felt unprepared for a photo shoot. I couldn’t remember if I’d brushed my hair or cleaned my teeth even though these are things I generally do before leaving the

house. The teeth part didn’t matter because of the no smile policy, but I wondered if I had smudges of Vegemite around my mouth or if the lady processing the transaction would tell me if I did.

I hadn’t eaten Vegemite all week, but this is the sort of nervous thoughts the situation provokes.

I glanced quickly at my shirt, assessing if the colour would make me appear washed out, more tired, deathly ill or all three. Interestingly, I am required to wear glasses for driving, yet glasses must be removed for the photo.

Will a police officer recognise me if I’m wearing glasses when pulled over while the tired, old lady on my licence is not?

It was all over in the blink of an eye. The fee was paid and I left with my temporary paper to use until the licence arrived in the mail. I wondered if I could use the temporary one for a few years and pretend the new one hadn’t arrived!

I accept that there will be more grey hair and extra lines on the face. I rarely wear makeup and haven’t dyed my hair for over 30 years, so I can’t expect miracles. Thankfully, licence photos are tiny and not always sharp on detail.

I only hope hubby doesn’t say, “wow, you actually did it … pulled a stupid face!”

Funnily enough, when the new one comes, I’m bound to look at the old one and think it was ok after all.

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Queenslanders sing out

Long before Brisbane had its first electric light, the young colony of Queensland had a navy and decided it also should have its own state anthem. LYNDA SCOTT recalls the poetic lyrics that proclaimed our good fortune.

Those who were around in the 1960s might recall this catchy number which became Queensland’s unofficial anthem for decades:

“Life is great in the Sunshine State, Every Queensland heart sings a song, To its tablelands and its golden sands, We are proud to say we belong. And our faith is great in the Sunshine State, For our Queensland future is grand.

From the northern cane to the western plain, It’s a full of promise land. All the while, every mile, there’s a sunlit smile, And a welcome handshake too! For friendship’s great in the Sunshine State, May its sunshine keep smiling for you!”

It was Queensland’s favourite song, written for the State’s 1959 centenary by Queensland

composer Clyde Collins. The song was played on the radio, sung at schools, and the recording by the Horrie Dargie Quintet was quite a hit. But it wasn’t Queensland’s first anthem. Turn the clock back to 1875.

The young self-governing British colony of Queensland had its own navy. It would be three more years before Brisbane had its first electric light. But it was thought appropriate that Queensland should have its own state anthem.

Poet James Brunton Stephens, a Scotsman, wrote the lyrics, and English migrant Richard Thomas Jefferies came up with the music. The Royal Historical Society of Queensland archives holds a copy of the rare original piece of sheet music.

Newspaper reports of the time congratulated Stephens on the ideas expressed in the anthem: the wealth of the Colony, prospects of future greatness and possible

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sing? All things are Thine. What to Thy throne convey? What, save the voice to pray, God bless this land away, This land of Thine?...

O with Thy mighty hand, Guard Thou the mother land, She too is Thine! Lead her where honour lies, We beneath other skies, Still clinging daughterwise, Her’s yet all Thine!

Richard Jefferies migrated to Queensland in 1871. He farmed near Gatton for a while, but soon his passion for music brought him to Brisbane as a professional violinist.

He and his wife introduced popular concerts which exposed eager Brisbane residents to a wide range of music. But it was the patriotic notes of Queensland’s anthem that brought him recognition.

independenceand“themixed

independence, and “the mixed elements of her population.”

Critics hailed him “Queensland’s favourite poet”. The hymn-like anthem was sung at an 1875 concert and “was well received”.

“Maker of earth and sea, What shall we render Thee? All ours is Thine. Increase of field and fold, Rich ores and virgin gold, Thine Thine all Thine!

What can Thy children bring? What, save the voice to

Brothers of every creed, Teuton and Celt agreed, Let us be Thine. One in all noble fame, Still be our path the same, Onward in Freedom’s name, Upward in Thine.”

Ten years earlier, in 1865, “for obscure reasons” Stephens had migrated to Queensland.

It was said that though he admired Queensland’s scenery, he found bush life “monotonous and the conversation boring”.

So he turned to verse and composed his best-known poem, Convict Once. He was a teacher for many years, a public servant, and a writer. His musical partner

These days, Queensland Day on June 6 is an important celebration of our state’s culture and heritage, and an opportunity to reflect on what Queensland means and what makes us proud to be Queenslanders.

The 1875 anthem hasn’t stood the test of time, but “Life is Great in the Sunshine State” can often be heard, performed by bands and choirs on that special day.

Lynda Scott is a volunteer at the Royal Historical Society of Queensland. Visit queenslandhistory.org

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A Rattling trip into the past

MAKE your own foray into history with a trip on the Mary Valley Rattler, an atmospheric journey back in time to when Gympie was one of Australia’s richest gold fossicking regions.

Gympie’s gold was credited as saving the fledgling Queensland colony from bankruptcy, and while the rivers of gold had slowed by the early 1900s, agriculture became the new glittering attraction for settlers from the south.

To cater for the expansion of farms and communities, work began on the railway in June 1911 leading to the establishment of small townships at Kandanga, Brooloo, Imbil, Amamoor and Dagun.

As part of the construction of the new Mary Valley line, a station was constructed in 1913 in the heart of Gympie, and it soon attracted visitors from around the world, including King George V in the 1920s.

The elegant “pagoda” architectural style makes the station one of the most important heritage buildings in Queensland, and is a must-attraction for visitors to Gympie.

While commuter and freight services

ended in the mid-1990s, the romance of the railway refused to fade.

Volunteers lovingly restored the steam and diesel trains, as well as rebirthed vintage carriages to ensure the Rattler remained on the rails.

Today, the Rattler fleet traverses the Mary Valley, crossing over bridges and through verdant farmland to the historic village of Amamoor.

Here, passengers can disembark and enjoy refreshments while watching the train engine turn on the turntable for the return journey.

The Rattler operates throughout the week, providing a range of services including traditional steam engine rides and the Tasting Train, where passengers get the opportunity to taste Mary Valley produce.

Special packages are available for visitors to ride with the driver and tour the workshops, while for those who want to really enjoy the romance of the rails, a VIP Club Car is available with first-class services included.

Based at the heritage Gympie Station, passengers on the Mary Valley Rattler can dine at Rusty Rails Café pre or post

journey, and purchase food and beverages for the journey.

The Mary Valley Rattler is a magical history tour perfect for all travellers, regardless of age.

Volunteer-run, there is a real passion for the service delivered, and the Rattler has custom-designed carriages to cater for wheelchair-bound and passengers and even their pets.

A ride on the Rattler is a great way of appreciating the history of the Gympie region.

It’s worth making a whole day – or short-break – available for touring the area.

The history of Gympie’s gold rush can be explored at the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum, while the Woodwork Museum also offers a fascinating insight into the past.

In many ways, the Gympie town centre is a museum in its own right, and there are plenty of self-guided walks available to explore a heritage where the roads were almost literally paved in gold.

Add into that a thriving restaurant and café scene, boutique accommodation, and cute, historic villages and it’s a recipe for a memorable trip back in time.

Visit maryvalleyrattler.com.au and visitgympieregion.com.au

Studies link dementia to a geographical lottery

Where you live, at both global and local level, has a considerable bearing on whether you are likely to develop dementia. KAILAS ROBERTS explains the factors that link address with risk.

Certain countries, notably Japan and India, have especially low rates of dementia, perhaps in part related to dietary habits.

Curcumin for instance, a compound found in turmeric (a spice ubiquitous in the cuisine of the latter country) has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and cardio-protective effects. Both of these actions may reduce dementia risk, and it may even help clear amyloid – one of the chief proteins implicated in Alzheimer’s disease – from the brain.

On a more localised level, living near a main road may increase dementia risk, as suggested by a huge Canadian study of 6.6 million people.

Now, this might be related to pollution and there is direct evidence from animal studies supporting this idea. The data is hard to interpret, however, because of potential “confounding variables” – other things that are more likely to affect people living in such conditions.

These include social disadvantage which means you are less likely to have a robust education (protective for the brain) and more likely to smoke, to drink excessively, and to have stress and other

mental health issues which are harmful to the brain.

Then there is the rural-urban discrepancy.

Data from Australia suggests that living in rural and remote areas is associated with a up to five times the risk of developing dementia compared with living in a more populated area.

The same variables that are relevant to the pollution situation may also be pertinent with this geographical conundrum – those living in remote areas often share the same social disadvantage. Substantial research into why this worrying disparity occurs is about to be conducted by the University of South Australia.

One other interesting factor that might

place to call home

explain the geographical lottery when it comes to dementia risk is how socially connected you are.

This is a fascinating area that is still being investigated. Being around others with whom you can socially interact certainly seems beneficial for your brain, and social isolation has been associated with increased dementia risk.

Studies have demonstrated that the blood of people who report being lonely has increased levels of inflammatory molecules, and we know that chronic inflammation has a substantial role to play in Alzheimer’s disease (and many other chronic health conditions).

This might be related to the stress of feeling lonely, though it might also be partly driven by a lack of diversity of your microbiome (your gut bugs).

Think about how our everyday social interactions – hugging, touching, kissing, even sharing public spaces like supermarkets and cafes – expose us to other people’s bugs. Though this can be a bad thing, it can also help improve the diversity of your own microbiome, and diversity means a healthy gut and lower levels of inflammation.

Social isolation means less contact with others and less potential for this healthy sharing of microbes. Another explanation for the loneliness-dementia risk connection is a lack of cognitive stimulation. We know that it is a matter of use it or lose it when it comes to brain health and function, and one of the best ways to stimulate your brain is to interact with others.

Though this might not seem obvious, the act of actively listening to someone, interpreting what they are saying, holding the information in mind and then responding is a highly cognitive task.

Loneliness for many is not easily solved, but knowing how damaging it can be should motivate us all to try and address it, whether in ourselves or those around us.

Kailas Roberts is a psychogeriatrician and author of Mind your brain

The Essential Australian Guide to Dementia now available at all good bookstores and online. Visit yourbraininmind.com or uqp.com.au

CHOIR SINGS UP A STORM OF GOLD

BRISBANE Ladies Choir, The Jubilee Singers, this month celebrate their golden anniversary.

This remarkable group of women has entertained in nursing homes and retirement villages and performed at community functions, weddings and other activities in and around Brisbane for the past 50 years, with a mix of classical, contemporary, sacred and musical comedy.

Each year is a highlyacclaimed appearance at the Brisbane Rotary Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony.

It all began in 1972, at the

Silver Jubilee of the Brisbane Eisteddfod Junior Choir, when past members were invited to form a choir to sing at the event. Young women who had sung together at school got together to form their own choir.

The choir still has five of the original foundation members. Choirmaster is Lawrie Johnson.

To celebrate the milestone, the Jubilee Singers are hosting a buffet lunch and entertainment.

Foundation Room, Arana Leagues Club, 247 Dawson Pde, Keperra. Sunday, May 28, 11am. Purchase tickets before May 7 for catering. Call Bronwyn 3355 9002 or Jean 3351 2248.

HIGH TEA FOR A GOOD CAUSE

ZONTA Club of Brisbane City Heart’s annual signature fundraising event, a Fashion High Tea, is raising funds and awareness for homelessness among women. There will be a fashion show and raffles with top prizes. Funds raised will benefit The Forgotten Women and Sheltered By Grace.

More than 1000 women in the Greater Brisbane Area aged

CHANGE

HERE’S to Life, a Cleveland based not-for-profit, is helping men and women of all shapes, sizes and ability, discover the joy of life in programs built around exercise (including gentle exercise), dance, singing, drumming, fun, friendship and support.

With no pressure or expectation, it’s about making friendships and gaining confidence.

Maree, who has been involved with H2L since 2009, fell in love with tap dancing 26

years ago when her children were learning to dance. She joined an adult tap class but after moving to the Redlands area, decided that part of her life was over and she should pack away her tap shoes.

Then Maree found Here’s to Life which has changed her life.

Carmel from Alexandra Hills, who has been attending H2L for more than a decade, has not only discovered well-structured programs but has fun while improving and maintaining

Learning for Life students through the Smith Family. As well as fundraising, the aim is to provide women with fun, support and friendship.

strength and flexibility. The program also improves concentration, fitness and energy levels through dance and drumming. Here’s to Life also conducts Dancercise programs. Visit herestolife.org.au and follow on Facebook or call Sue 0407 154 993.

have fun, meet new friends, enjoy a meal, hear an informative guest speaker, and attend social activities. Brendale club sponsors eight Learning for Life students.

55 or over are either homeless or at immediate risk of becoming homeless.

Women over 55 are the fastest growing homeless population in Australia today.

Victoria Park Marquee, Herston. Sunday, June 4, noon. Tickets $95 include high tea and a glass of bubbles. Bookings trybooking.com/ events/landing/1027088

Kenmore club has 82 members, and sponsors 12

New members are welcome. The club meets on the third Monday of the month at Bellbowrie Tavern.

Call Di 0417 075 507.

BRENDALE View Club’s new members were celebrated with a morning tea also attended by some of the 2023 committee.

While fundraising for the Smith Family, View members

Dinner meetings are on the third Tuesday of the month at Aspley Hornets Football Club, 50 Graham Rd, Carseldine, 6.30pm for 7pm. The next is May 16.

Coffee and Chat gatherings are 10am on the first Saturday of the month, at White’s Coffee Co., Bracken Ridge Tavern.

Email brendale.view@gmail. com or call Shayne 0409 991 428.

KENMORE View Club celebrated International Women’s Day with guest speaker Kate Richards, a forum of members, games, quizzes and plenty of raffle and door prizes.

Your quality time starts now

Over 50s living at its best

From Moreton Bay to the Sunshine Coast, enjoy a quality lifestyle in a Stockland Halcyon Community. With resort-style facilities, low-maintenance living and luxury finishes, move into a new home from $559K*. Tailor your next chapter of life to be the start of something exceptional.

Call 1800 050 050 or Halcyon Communities

*All photographs, illustrations, statements, pricing and information in this advertisement, are for illustrative purposes only and are based on information available to and the intention of Stockland at the time of creation November 2022 and are subject to change without notice. No diagram, photograph, illustration, statement or information amounts to a legally binding obligation on or warranty by Stockland and Stockland accepts no liability for any loss or damage suffered by any person who relies on them either wholly or in part. Indications of location, distance or size are approximate and for indicative purposes only. Subject to change.

Geraldene thrives on passion – and loves to shock

From a challenging childhood to a long nursing career, Geraldene Ferris had plenty of opportunity to toughen up. GARRY REYNOLDS talks to a feisty 80-year-old about her rollercoaster life.

earned dollars.

“All the good men I’ve met I’ve let go. I should never have been married,” she sighs. “From what I’ve experienced, I would run a high-class call girl service and have my pick of men and get pregnant to those I choose and then say hooroo.

“I don’t know whether I ever truly loved but I do know I’ve never been in love.”

With her stunning looks, Geraldene attracted men easily but, she says, often the wrong ones.

by homicides in Queensland. A tough job for a tough caring woman.

The toughness started with the early years of growing up.

While Geraldene loved social studies and reading – she still devours more than a hundred books a year – she was pulled out of school against her wishes at age 14.

She was a bright middle child with one brother and three sisters, but her trucking father decided she had to stay at home to care for her sick mother who was wasting away with cancer while her husband was out with other women.

Geraldene says with characteristic bluntness: “Sometimes I wish I hadn’t been born or rather into another family. With some of my family, I love them, but I don’t have to like them.

Geraldene Ferris is forthright. She seems to enjoy being a shocking senior.

In her quieter moments of reflection, the 80-year-old says she regards herself as an honest, frank person with a common sense built on having to stand up for herself through life.

“Then again, I could be just a purebred bitch who hasn’t mellowed with age,” she says.

Geraldene still holds startling views on marriage after seeing off three difficult husbands ranging from a business conman to those seeking to corale her brumby spirit and her hard-

While she regards marriage as a mistake she repeated, Geraldene is grateful she has two wonderful children and grandchildren.

Below the outward turmoil in her life there is a caring heart which sustained her for years while volunteering as a counsellor to help distraught victims left

“Dad had trouble keeping his zipper up but I suspect that when Mum passed away, it was through one of his nursing girlfriends that he got me a job as a nurse. It set me along the path to becoming a registered nurse for 50 years and a good one across many fields if I do say so myself.”

Geraldene says she never really planned for the future, but has always

Geraldene on her Moto Guzzi in 2010. Inset: the glamorous granny biker in 2008.

lived every day as if it was her last.

“Since my childhood, I haven’t been afraid of anything. I’ve relied on sheer guts and determination – didn’t worry about tomorrow,”she says.

These qualities were tested when Geraldene’s home burned down and many precious possessions, including valuable antiques and irreplaceable mementoes, were lost.

“These are just material things on the periphery of life when I’ve buried a child,” she says. “They say time smooths out the rough spots but inwardly I’ve cried since, more than I did then.”

After building several businesses from scratch and succee ding, one of

The glamorous young nurse in 1964.

Geraldene’s great loves was piloting light aircraft. She gained her wings at age 43.

Another of Geraldene’s passions has been riding big motorbikes with the Sunshine Coast Ulysses Motorcycle Club where she met a great riding partner in best friend, Sheila, to travel across Australia as the merry widows.

The phrase “I’m not going to die wondering” is often used as a popular throwaway line, but with Geraldene Ferris, it has driven her lifelong passion to look every challenge straight in the eye and get on with life.

While restricted by health issues, Geraldene is still powered by the passion she exudes as a provocative senior.

Garry Reynolds is an author, who as part of his rehabilitation after three strokes, has set out to capture life stories within the senior community.

Geraldene with her father in 1963

Artist’s Impression

Are you at risk of skin cancer?

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting Australians, with over 1.1 million diagnoses every year, and its incidence has been increasing over the past few decades. While anyone can develop this disease, certain factors increase your risk of developing skin cancer.

Exposure to UV radiation

The most significant risk factor for skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds. UV radiation damages the DNA in skin cells, leading to mutations that can cause skin cancer. People who spend a lot of time in the sun or who use tanning beds are at higher risk of developing skin cancer.

Fair skin

People with fair skin, especially those with red or blonde hair, freckles, or blue or green eyes, are at higher risk of developing skin cancer. This is because they have less melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour, which means they have less natural protection against UV radiation.

History of sunburns

People who have a history of sunburns, particularly blistering sunburns, are at higher risk of developing skin cancer. This is because sunburns cause significant damage to the DNA in skin cells, increasing the risk of mutations that can lead to cancer.

Family history

Skin cancer can run in families, so people with a family history of the disease are at higher risk. This may be due to shared genes that increase the risk of developing skin cancer, or because family members may have similar sun exposure habits.

Age

The risk of skin cancer increases with age, and people over 40 are most at risk. This may be due to accumulated damage to skin cells over time, as well as changes in the immune system that make it harder to detect and eliminate cancerous cells.

Weakened immune system

People with weakened immune systems, such as those who have had an organ transplant, are at higher risk of developing skin cancer. This is because the immune system plays a critical role in detecting and eliminating cancerous cells.

Other risk factors

Other factors that increase your risk of skin cancer include:

• Being male

• Having a previous skin cancer diagnosis

• Having lots of moles on your skin

• Spending lots of time outdoors

• Using a solarium

While these risk factors increase the likelihood of developing skin cancer, it’s important to remember that anyone can get this disease. Protecting your skin from UV radiation by wearing protective clothing, using sunscreen, and avoiding tanning beds can help reduce your risk. Regular skin checks with a trained doctor using dermoscopy help detect skin cancer early, when it’s most treatable.

Did you know?

What does skin cancer look like?

One of the most effective ways to prevent serious complications from skin cancer is to learn to spot the early signs. Skin cancer can affect anyone, occur anywhere on the body and come in various shapes and colours, from unusual moles to patches of discoloured skin. This is what some common lesions look like.

Seborrhoeic Keratosis

Harmless wartlike spots usually developing by the age of 60.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Most common but least dangerous form of skin cancer.

Dysplastic Naevi

Benign moles which might indicate greater melanoma risk.

Solar Keratoses

Sun damage indicating increased skin cancer risk.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

A more serious form of skin cancer often on areas exposed to the sun.

Melanoma

The most dangerous form of skin cancer which must be treated urgently.

People who work outdoors are at 10x greater risk of skin cancer.

The ABC signs of melanoma

Asymmetry: The two halves don’t match

Border: The edges are notched or uneven

Colour: There are multiple colours

Diameter: The lesion is larger than a pencil eraser

Evolving: The lesion is changing

Firm: It feels hard to the touch

Growing: It has recently gotten bigger

Remember, skin cancer can be invisible to the naked eye.

How to protect your skin

To protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays, it’s important to:

• always wear sunscreen every day, and re-apply every two hours;

• avoid going outside in the middle of the day when UV levels peak;

• cover exposed skin with a hat, sunglasses, and sleeves;

• stick to the shade whenever possible;

• never use a solarium (tanning bed);

• self-monitor your skin for any new or changing moles; and

• see a doctor once a year for a professional full-body skin cancer check using dermoscopy for a head-to-toe examination of your entire skin surface.

Early detection with total body photography

For high-risk patients, total body photography is recommended in addition to your skin check. It is the best method to detect skin cancers accurately and early by monitoring changes over time through the comparison of a series of digital images of your entire skin surface.

With something as life-threatening as skin cancer, the earlier it’s detected, the higher the chance of successful treatment!

Limber up, work out and be happy

Exercise may not be at the top of everyone’s list of favourite pastimes, but there are plenty of good reasons to get out and get sweaty. TRISTAN HALL explains how exercise can indeed make us happier.

Yes, exercise is exhausting, and it gets you all sweaty, and is just generally difficult to do.

Your mental health is nothing to take lightly, and if all it takes to feel a little better is getting out a bit more, isn’t it worth a shot? If you aren’t convinced, here are some of the most prominent benefits of exercise.

Researchers from Dartmouth College’s Department of Psychology and Neuroscience have found that frequent exercise helps people to be more productive and generally happier during the workday.

But how? Everyone has heard that exercise releases endorphins, but the explanation stops there. There is seldom any elaboration as to what that means, or how it happens.

When you exercise, your brain generally thinks you are having a “fight or flight” moment. You’re either fighting a predator or fleeing from them. Due to this, your brain tries its best to reduce the stress on you during these moments.

Firstly, you release endorphins which are meant to minimise your discomfort while exercising and block the pain from your muscles during the act.

At the same time, your brain releases another chemical, a protein called BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor). The purpose of this protein is to protect your brain from stress, and it acts as

something of a reset switch for your memory neurons.

This means that once you have finished exercising, you feel much better as your brain thinks that you have escaped from a stressful or dangerous scenario.

Exercise fights disease, releases endorphins, helps manage stress, boosts energy, helps you sleep better and can prevent or reduce obesity.

Daily exercise and proper dietary habits will help your mental state, physical wellbeing, and cardiovascular health in one fell swoop.

Tristan Hall is an exercise physiologist with Full Circle Wellness. Call 0431 192 284 or visit fullcirclewellness.com.au

FIT HAPPENS With Tom Law

AS an older personal trainer, I no longer work seven days a week in my trade and am enjoying the slower lifestyle. I call myself retired with benefits.

The benefits for me are I still work a few classes and a couple of personal training sessions a week, and this keeps me fit.

One of the really enjoyable things I do with my spare time is speaking to groups about the importance of movement as we age. From Probus to Lions, gated communities to weight reduction clubs, my message is generally the same: Take advantage of anything you can, particularly from a health and wellness point of view. You have earned it.

I am aware that the older demographic may need to keep an eye on the finances a little bit more than those still working. With this in mind, I always recommend taking advantage of the exercise equipment provided by local councils.

Of course, some may live in communities that have provided facilities such as gyms, pools, and spas. In my semi-

retirement, I am noticing more and more free opportunities for people of all ages to exercise.

We have parks and bikeways, beautiful beaches and mountain trails, and some local authorities even provide free exercise classes. If you have to pay for exercise, we are generally lucky to have many sporting clubs and facilities well within financial reach of many, including retirees.

The question I want to ask is, are you taking advantage of these facilities and areas in your locality wherever it is?

From my office window on a warm and sunny day, I can see joggers, mothers wheeling prams, children playing in the park, people strolling, some power walking, and couples walking hand in hand.

If you want to improve your health, take advantage of what we already have at our disposal.

Don’t delay, start today. Your health is your number one priority.

Tom Law is author of Tom’s Law Fit Happens. Visit tomslaw. com.au

Enduring appeal of the you-beaut ute

Love them or loathe them, dual cab utes are top of the pops. BRUCE McMAHON looks to the Baby Boomers, the tradies and the “gunnas” as he sets out to identify what’s behind the ute’s popularity.

becoming the lifestyle choice, useful kit that could be jacked-up, over-tyred and taken for a weekend jaunt into the scrub then back to day-to-day business through the week.

All this spurred on the “gunnas” –buyers who were gunna drive to Cape York one day, gunna cross the Simpson, gunna see the Outback.

There are males in the suburbs with flash utes, shod with meaty all-terrain tyres, adorned with spotlights and UHF radios and roof racks and such that will never see red sands or black mud, never cross a river, never wear out those tyres.

That’s all fine. Most sports cars never see a race track.

where the likes of Premcar rework Nissan’s Navara dual cab ute, in either PRO-4X or SL trim, into an even better proposition as a work and play horse for Australia.

With revision to suspension, tyres and wheels in the main, Premcar-fettled Navaras ride, steer and cover rough ground with more poise and confidence; sitting 40mm higher with all-new springs, shock absorbers and better approach angle up front. There are more off-road focused tyres, tow bar, unique bull bar and bash plate. It’s for the more serious truckers.

Tradesmen and farmers, along with a handful of city folk, have long appreciated the versatility of the one-tonne ute. Good for carting tools, fuel drums or the kids back to boarding school. Good for shifting house or rubbish to the dump.

Somewhere in the past couple of decades, as more Baby Boomers discovered the joys and tribulations of caravanning and free-camping, many in that particular

contingent found a ute – more likely a fourwheel drive version with optional canopy on the tray – was a cheaper and more useful option than lumbering Land Cruisers et al.

Meanwhile tradies and farmers were buying imported utes that were becoming more and more civilised; while Holden and Falcon utes were getting lower and more sporting.

The humble one-tonne ute was

Yet many pundits out there decry the state of the car park. Too many over-sized utes (and SUVs) is the grumble. Can’t call them cars. The world’s going to hell in the tray of a Ford F-150.

Mind you, these utes and such are better suited to today’s rough and ready conditions away from major highways, than the low-slung Commodore sedans, wagons and utes.

Plus, there’s now extra business for what’s left of the local automotive industry

Much of the Warrior SL ($58,00 for the six-speed manual, $60,500 for the sevenspeed auto) remains the same which means a small suite of safety aids and driver conveniences.

It also means the driver’s seat remains a bit too high and that the 2.3 litre diesel engine’s 140kW and 450Nm initially feels a tad sluggish as the turbochargers wind up; it’s okay once into its stride, just a bit lazy from the get-go.

But as a sensible, competent fourwheel drive, four-door ute for all manner of travels and all seasons this Navara is a nice piece of work. Another reason to buy a dual cab ute.

A matter of personality in a changing world

Personality helps to determine behaviour, but we often judge personality by behaviour. JUDY RAFFERTY revisits personality changes as we age and admits that personal life experiences don’t always match research and data analysis.

Recently a woman approached me in a purposeful way. Without an opening hello, she said “I read your article in Your Time magazine last month”.

Whenever anyone says they have read my writing I have an immediate frisson of nervousness and in this case, it was warranted. She went on to say that despite all the science that I quoted, I was wrong.

To remind readers, the article to which she was referring was about personality change as we age. Research suggests that as people age, they become more content in their own company, less worried about what others think, more emotionally stable, more cautious about trying new things, less concerned with planning and organisation and perhaps more compassionate and caring.

“Who did I think I was kidding?” she said. Apparently, I was old enough to know better.

And she has a point.

Often our own experience and observation of life around us does not agree with the results of studies and analysis of data. Research often lags behind the here and now.

While personality helps to determine

behaviour, it is often by behaviour that we judge personality. Perhaps the stresses on the ageing person are accelerating. Perhaps this is changing how older people act and feel.

Many older people have big lives, whether or not they want them to be big. They are often still carrying major responsibilities. Planning and organisation are still required.

And the world is changing in ways that are frustrating on a day-to-day level. Unfortunately, the organisations that underpin our daily lives, such as the banks, technology companies, communication companies, health services etc. seem to

A

have become difficult to navigate.

Yesterday I rang a bank and after a 20-minute wait I actually got to speak to a person! Ah the good old days of speaking to a person rather than an automated voice.

However, the banking representative told me, “I am happy to help you by directing you to our online service.” “No!” I almost shouted in response.

After my calm explanation of my requirements, she responded, just like an automated voice, to say “here at XX Bank we are committed to giving you a digital experience please use our online service”.

Older people are prone to worry and anxiety, often with good reason – finances, family, safety and keeping on top of technology so that we can have adequate communication with others.

The world with which we have to interact seems to be getting increasingly complicated with organisations that provide less service, are less available to the customer, are less transparent, less client centred, and with less staff.

Transacting in this environment takes emotional energy which depletes the energy left for social interactions. It also

leads to higher levels of irritability.

A service provider told me recently that their worst customers are older people who are rude and angry. I had been a customer of that same organisation and I can understand why their older customers are angry.

It had shifted from being a customerfocused business to an understaffed upselling one.

There is no doubt that there are consistent changes as we age but we are individuals with individual variations needing, at times, to negotiate a world that has become a little unfriendly.

I enjoyed my brief encounter with the reader who spoke to me in blunt terms. We agreed more than disagreed, especially after we shared our most recent frustrations in dealing with the systems to which older people are often subjected.

Judy Rafferty is the author of Retirement Your Way, A Practical Guide to Knowing What You Want and How to Get It, at all good bookshops and online.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE DIGITAL AFTERLIFE?

With online banking, social media and many other activities part of life, LUCINDA DEAN recommends considering the future of online accounts when making a will.

We live in an increasingly digitised world and my nearly octogenarian parents have certainly moved with the times.

Recently they made digitised copies of old family photos which they now store on the cloud; they have online bank accounts and shares; Paypal; an Amazon account; Flybuys and Frequent Flyers; Netflix and Binge; Facebook and Instagram; Gmail … the list goes on.

But what happens to these digital assets if they lose mental capacity or die?

Some assets, such as the photos on the cloud, personal email correspondence and social media accounts, would arguably be of sentimental value to me and my siblings. And then there is the financial value of my parents’ virtual bank accounts – even Paypal – who would be the beneficiary?

There is currently no law in Australia governing the disposal of digital assets when you die, however, they are part of your estate. And just as you would make provision in your will for the bequest of physical assets (house, land, caravan) so too should you think about bestowing digital assets.

Gifting isn’t entirely straightforward. Digital assets are governed by the specific

terms and conditions of their creator company or organisation. For example, your Facebook account can be memorialised or permanently deleted when you die.

You can appoint someone to manage tribute posts on your memorialised account, but they won’t have access to your security or settings information. And most loyalty programs such as Frequent Flyers are not transferrable or redeemable after you die.

Unless specific provision is made in the will about how an Apple account is managed posthumously, we could lose all those treasured family photos.

So, what should you do?

Maintain an accurate and current list of all your digital assets including usernames, passwords and answers to any security questions.

Find out from service providers whether another person can access the digital asset after you die and whether that asset can be transferred to the person you nominate in your will.

Make sure your will contains a specific clause allowing executors to access your digital assets and state where the digital asset inventory and passwords can be found.

FORGET ME NOT

By LESA MACPHERSON

WE all have a story … and precious memories. We are all individuals. We need always to remember who we are and let our dreams for future years be informed by our essence.

Let your retirement (and beyond) living options reflect who you are:

• Are you a people person who loves the company of others and would thrive in a bright and engaging community with lots to offer?

• Do you want to continue to travel, and have your home easily secured and maintained while you’re away?

• Do you have beloved grandchildren? What facilities are available to share with them in the retirement living option you choose?

• Are you a person who has wonderful memories of beach holidays; loved surfing and beach walks – would you consider a move to a beachside area an exciting option?

• If you love nature, how will you reflect that within the community in which you live?

On a practical level, remember to think ahead about the availability of higher level aged care facilities nearby. These are the qualities of aged care we want to look forward to in our old age:

• Quality individualised care.

• A desire to know who we are.

• Respect and kindness.

• Time to listen to our stories and precious memories.

• Having the time to do things we love. Brisbane Elder Law can help you during your retirement years and beyond.

Brisbane Elder Law sets out many matters you should consider when making the decision to choose a retirement living option. Call 1800 328 952 or visit brisbaneelderlaw.com.au

Harness the power of the mind

Physical ailments often come from emotional trauma so without working through the core issue, it may be challenging to heal completely. TRUDY KITHER explains the value of healing hypnosis.

We use natural medicines, herbs, supplements, prescription medication and other forms of treatment in a world of physical ailments.

Sometimes, a physical ailment is your body telling you it is time for a break from whatever is going on in your life at the time or in your past. The intense personal journeys of most people encompass the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual all at once.

Physical ailments can occur when your body speaks louder than words and even though you may try to suppress emotions, you can’t suppress the body’s manifestation of these emotions.

The Soul Center Healing Hypnosis (SCHH) technique can help with physical ailments, when other treatments fail. It can address core underlying issues that are blocking success with health issues.

It is a gentle, past life hypnotherapy technique to access any significant past lives you may need to be aware of and to identify any entities or attachments that are blocking you from moving through your body’s health issues.

Some examples of ailments are eating

disorders, obesity, PTSD, behavioural and psychological disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular problems, migraines, cerebrovascular diseases, chronic pain, autoimmune diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases, addictions, gut disorders and skin disorders.

Even a quick Google search will show that there is often an emotional distress factor involved in the physical ailment and that the emotional and mental problems behind it are often more concerning than the ailment itself.

Often it is found that the psychological state of these patients worsens the disease or the symptoms, making it even more difficult to heal. All the best treatments in the world will have little positive, longlasting effects if the emotional body is not healed.

The SCHH technique helps break the anxiety cycle by releasing unnecessary worries subconsciously. Additionally, it employs a calm and relaxed state in which anxiety cannot exist.

The powerful positive feeling can open the door for retraining the mind to replace anxiety with calm.

SCHH accesses the theta state of your brain, which allows your higher self to come through and provide information from your subconscious mind.

We now know that there is a strong correlation between trauma and physical ailments. When someone experiences trauma, their sympathetic nervous system is activated which is the fight, flight and freeze response.

The fight and flight response is a powerful reaction that is supposed to be employed only in the short term. However, when someone gets stuck in this reaction, they may start to experience emotional or physical difficulties.

The decision to protect the mind and the body as well as activate the fight and flight response is made unconsciously in your subconscious mind. SCHH can help reverse this nervous system reaction and help you operate from the parasympathetic nervous system – the natural rest, repair and digest state that your body should be in most of the time.

SCHH is a subconscious therapy that reinforces the mind-body connection. What goes through the mind can affect the

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body and what goes through the body can affect the mind.

During a SCHH session, with direct suggestions and imagery journeys, it is possible to direct the body toward healing and repair while removing any subconscious or attached blockages that are preventing you from healing or moving forwards.

Your body is just a physical manifestation of your mind. When your mind feels in control, your body will follow.

SCHH offers success in releasing the negative emotions and triggers attached to a trauma, making it possible to approach the trauma neutrally. Subconscious desensitization to events and triggers is a powerful hypnotic technique that can transform the trauma at its root.

With the help of SCHH you can access your subconscious inner motivation to accomplish new habits and make longlasting changes towards health and wellness goals.

Trudy Kither is a naturopath at Nature’s Temple Wellness Clinic. Visit naturestemple.net

ROBERT IS A MAN ON A MAY MYOSITIS MISSION

IT CAN start with difficulty climbing the stairs or getting off a seat; then it gets harder to walk any distance.

What many people may attribute to “one of those things that happen as we get older” may be the first signs of the rare and, at present, incurable disease of myositis that affects 1 in 100,000 Australians.

For Suncare client Robert Anderson, the disease has become very real.

After a career of more than 15 years in the Royal Australian Navy and 20 years as a qualified nurse and remedial massage therapist, he is now wheelchair-bound and on a mission to create awareness of the debilitating condition that affects the

FIVE-MINUTE TEST COMBATS LEADING CAUSE OF FEMALE FATALITIES

HEART disease claims the life of more than double the number of Australian women who die from breast cancer.

This is because for many women, heart episodes occur without prior warning. About 40 per cent of heart attacks in women are fatal with the symptoms often different to those experienced by men.

While men experience well-known symptoms such as chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath or nausea, women may experience additional symptoms that can be dismissed as something less sinister – back, neck or jaw pain, dizziness, fatigue, light headedness and sweating.

Less obvious symptoms mean many take longer to seek help.

A survey conducted by the Heart Foundation Heart Watch found that despite more than one-third of Australian adults living with high blood pressure, just five per cent nominated high blood pressure as a key risk factor for heart disease.

High blood pressure may not have any obvious symptoms, but it forces the heart

to work harder to pump blood to the rest of the body.

Statistics show that men aged 45 years and over and women aged 55 years and older are at greater risk than younger men and women.

Blooms The Chemist pharmacist Claire Robertson said blood pressure that remained high over a long time was one of the main risk factors for heart disease and, while regular screening was important, there were also several lifestyle and hereditary factors to consider.

“The exact cause of hypertension is not always clear but some factors that may contribute to high blood pressure include family history, diet, excessive salt, alcohol intake, weight and your level of physical activity,” she said.

Every day, 110 Australians have a heart attack making it the leading cause of hospitalisation and claiming the lives of 19 people, on average, every day.

Ms Robertson said more Australians should take advantage of a free blood pressure check-up.

“We offer free, routine blood pressure checks and can provide advice on optimising your heart health,” she said.

Visit bloomsthechemist.com.au/ blood-pressure-evaluation

the portable travel mobility

muscles and muscle tissue. Myositis causes weakness and loss of muscle which has a direct impact on mobility and can cause catastrophic falls, difficulty in swallowing and breathing and by association, mental health issues.

“The impact myositis has on your life, your family and friends and your overall wellbeing is astronomical” says Robert.

Funding for research is always desperately needed and to help the cause Robert and his wife and carer, Joanne, have arranged a packed day-program in Hervey Bay on May 26.

It ties in with the 20th anniversary of the Myositis Association Australia Inc

(MAA), the charity whose objectives are to educate and create awareness, offer care and support to sufferers and their carers, and promote research for a cure.

The MAA, which started with 12 members in 2003, has grown to more than 470 members.

“Support is one of the most important needs in this illness and the 20th anniversary theme of ‘Keeping in Touch’ portrays what is essential to get through this,” Robert says.

To support Robert and Joanne’s Myositis Awareness Day, email him at jrmassage2@gmail.com or visit myositis. org.au and suncare.org.au

terrific. Thanks Kath. Sorry about that, i should have said sooner.

INTRODUCING NEXT LEVEL LUXURY

IMAGINE having a gold class style cinema, a resort pool, an exclusive private dining room, and a creative arts pavilion on your doorstep.

Homeowners at B by Halcyon have it all following the opening of the $17.5 million recreation precinct last December.

The Recreation Precinct and Creative Arts Pavilion were designed in consultation with BDA Architects, creating both indoor and outdoor spaces that invite connection and engagement among homeowners of the community.

BDA Architects director Adam Beck, said that from the outset, B by Halcyon was envisaged as a landmark project.

“Our collaboration with the Stockland team sought to redefine resort style living for over 50s, with an emphasis on health and wellbeing for the modern senior,” he says.

“As such, we sought new opportunities

to weave the indoor/outdoor relationships of the built form to enhance social engagement, even down to the way we designed the shared pedestrian spaces around the facilities.”

The facilities create a village atmosphere with carefully designed and meaningful spaces that create layers of opportunities for casual or organised social engagement among homeowners.

This is further enhanced by the level of finish throughout the facilities.

“There’s a sense of opulence, sophisticated luxury and timeless elegance in the material choices and details,” Mr Beck says.

Other features include a large function space with commercial-style kitchen, private dining room, pool table and games room and a floodlit bowling green.

Visit stockland.com.au/halcyoncommunities

RECLINE IN COMFORT THAT’S GOOD FOR YOU

STRESSLESS, the only recliner brand endorsed by the Australian Chiropractors Association, is a finely tuned instrument that brings a whole new level of comfort through patented comfort technologies and attention to how your body works.

Over more than 50 years, Stressless has been working on optimal balance between softness and support to develop comfortable design features based on human anatomy.

They look good too. Whether seeking playful, elegant or bold, there is a Stressless design for every home.

Stressless furniture can be customised using your choice of materials, colours and details.

Visit designinitial.com.au

DOWNSIZE TO AN UPSIZED LIFESTYLE

IF YOU live in a home with a garden that requires sweeping, mowing and weeding, then maybe it’s time to think about more time for fun and friends.

Retirement living may be the secret to living life to the fullest and belonging to a supportive community.

As finance expert Noel Whittaker, author of Downsizing Made Simple, says: “Downsizing isn’t about living in a tiny home – unless you want to – it’s not about square metres; it’s about rightsizing your home for the next chapter in life. It’s time to make a move that takes care of you now and for the future.”

From city to beach and bush to rainforest, Lendlease Retirement Living operates 13 villages in enviable Queensland locations, with a range of home types and layouts, apartments, serviced apartments and semi-detached residences.

Choose a garden or peaceful balcony. Discover comfortable, low-maintenance homes in a community of friendly neighbours. Make the most of amenities

RETIREMENT AND BEYOND

FOR many, retirement is a time to wind down or wind up – enjoy the golden years.

But it may also be the right time to factor in any additional support or care that may be needed in the future if health and wellbeing changes as the years go by.

Southern Cross Care Queensland understands the importance of easy access to a range of services and supports as time goes by, and that this should be at the top of the list.

Finding a retirement village which is supportive and welcomes outreach support, such as Home Care, can be just what’s needed if you require some extra help to remain living independently.

In a retirement living setting, home care services have become commonplace for some residents. Some retirement villages even have on-site home care facilitators, providing an extra level of service and convenience, and may be an extra benefit to consider when shopping

that enrich wellbeing and enjoy engaging activities.

Spend your days doing yoga, gardening, catching up with friends and family, or simply relaxing.

To see if retirement living is for you, visit any of Lendlease villages for a personal tour.

Visit retirementbylendlease.com.au

around for a retirement living community. There may even come a time when care at home is no longer viable if a higher level of care is required.

The idea of having to move into an aged care home is an approach some people factor into their decision-making process early on in retirement “shopping” and this can save some stress down the track.

Finding retirement communities which are co-located with a residential aged care home can offer peace of mind that there are options if needed.

The benefits of having a physical building and high-quality compassionate services co-located and in close proximity can have many benefits. It provides convenience and enables more frequent visits from friends and family members, to ensure the important connections and bonds built over generations are maintained.

Visit sccqld.com.au or call 1800 899 300.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED ON YOUR DOORSTEP

RETIREE Roger Morris says moving to Aveo’s Parkside Carindale retirement community more than two years ago was the best decision he and his wife Gabrielle ever made.

“We feel so lucky to have found our home here. Everyone walks around with a smile,’’ Roger says. “The location is unbelievable with everything we need on our doorstep. We have Westfield Carindale shopping centre and a major bus interchange across the road.”

The couple chose a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment on the fourth floor overlooking extensive parkland and Bulimba Creek.

“Gabrielle and I have a lovely big balcony where we have our pre-dinner drinks most nights to take in the view,” Roger says.

While Roger once enjoyed garden chores and home maintenance, he now relishes the freedom of time on his hands and more opportunities to travel.

“If you are social and love meeting people, this is the place to be. But my suggestion would be don’t leave it too late to move into a community like this. If you do it sooner rather than later, you really get all the full benefits of the lifestyle.”

Parkside Carindale sales manager Susan Milward said the location in

Brisbane’s southside, combined with the vibrant and friendly community, had made Parkside Carindale at 19 Banchory Court, a popular choice for retirees.

“Our location is a major attraction with most of our residents downsizing from their family homes in the immediate area,’’ Ms Milward says.

Vista residences, the community’s third stage, is due for completion late this year, with apartments currently priced from $410,000.

The nine-storey Vista building offers architecturally designed one, two and three-bedroom apartments with full-size kitchens, spacious open-plan living areas and premium fixtures, including stone benchtops.

The community’s modern facilities include a resort-style heated pool, gymnasium, café, bar, cinema, salon, billiards room, and library. Display apartments will be opening soon, with tours available by appointment only.

To arrange a tour call 13 28 36.

● 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

OF THE MONTH

THE benefits of pet ownership are well recognised and there are pets who need owners too. RSPCA Queensland has more than 47,000 animals arrive each year – strays, surrenders, rescues, or victims of cruelty.Meet:

EXPO REINTRODUCES SENIORS TO COMMUNITY LIFE

THIS month’s Twilight Years Expo, the brainchild of The Hills and District Chamber of Commerce Seniors’ Committee, is providing an opportunity for seniors to get out and discover how to be part of their local community.

With the theme “As the Sun Goes Down the Fun Begins”, the expo has the support of more than 30 organisations from Enoggera to Samford and beyond, including providers Picabeen and Burnie Brae.

Enoggera and Samford history groups, and craft groups from around the area. The PCYC Gold Zumba group will be in action along with the committee’s Art Group inviting guests to join in.

Brisbane City Council will be represented by Brisbane Greeters and the Seniors Program organiser. Some groups will have items for sale and there will be a stall of handmade items raising funds for childhood cancer.

HARLEY is a female Jack Russell who is four years and nine months old.

She is shy and likes the quiet life so is looking for owners to dote on her without competition from other pets.

She is happy to watch what’s going on the household and, a devoted shadow, would make a dedicated sidekick.

Desexed, microchipped, vaccinated, worm and flea treated. Adoption price $45 includes a bag of Royal Canin food.

JEFFREY is a male domestic short hair aged two years and two months.

Handsome Jeffrey is a dapper ginger who loves to have a chat. There’s a good chance he’ll response if you talk to him.

He may be a little shy at first but will soon be looking for pats, back rubs and snuggles. He’s a social cat and could get on with another friendly feline.

Desexed, microchipped, vaccinated, worm and flea treated. Adoption price $185 includes a bag of Royal Canin food.

To adopt, apply online rspcaqld.org.au/adopt or call the RSPCA adoption line 1300 364 443

Other participants on board include Mitchelton, Bunya and Ferny Grove garden clubs, Arana Hills and Samford Men’s Sheds,

“The emphasis is on colour and movement encouraging our seniors to get out and live life to the full by joining one of the community groups and by becoming a desperately needed

FEAST OF THEATRE AT ACT 1

THEATREFEST returns to Act 1 Strathpine, this year with the added spice of the renowned Murrumba Festival, during the second weekend in June.

Performances are June 9, 10, and 11 June.

It begins on the night of Friday, June 9, and continues day and night on Saturday 10. Sunday 11 begins early afternoon with awards to follow.

There are Junior (primary school), Youth (high school) and Open (adult 18 +) sections. Email Kay acttheatre2@gmail.com to submit an entry.

Seats are $10 a day fixed price. Visit trybooking.com/CGOXN

Times will be confirmed when tickets are booked.

The theatre has a fully licensed bar with a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic

volunteer,” committee member John Goodship said.

“Seniors make up the largest part of the volunteering community but since the pandemic there has been a reluctance among seniors to re-join community organisations. This has had a devastating effect on volunteering roles.”

The Twilight Years Expo came about after the committee looked into life after retirement, living life and the contribution seniors make to the community.

PCYC Arana Hills

Friday, May 26, 10am-3pm Call John 0448 186 115 or Carolyn 0448 328 914.

drinks plus tea, coffee and water. Chips and chocolate are available for purchase.

There is plenty of free parking in the back and side streets and Strathpine train station is only 200m away. Also at Act 1, The Pirates Musical runs throughout the month of May. Check trybooking.com/CGINF for seat availability.

SAY GOODBYE WITH GRACE AND DIGNITY

CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY WITH FAVOURITE TENOR

A CONCERT with multi-award-winning singer, conductor and now, Redlands Coast’s favourite resident tenor, Jonathon Welch AM, will make a perfect Mother’s Day gift as he sings To Mum, With Love

“I can’t wait to share this special day with you all. The concert is packed with great musical theatre, classic and pop hits that were my mother’s favourites, and are sure to be your mum’s as well,” Jonathon says.

“This is the first Mother’s Day concert I’ve ever done, and I invite everyone to come and celebrate the lives of all our wonderful mums with me.”

Jonathon will be joined by special guests, award-winning singer Danielle Matthews (The Voice 2021) and

PLAY RESONATES WITH SENIORS

COSI, the play by Louis Nowra is an insightful reflection on mental illness and the power of art in healing emotional wounds.

The play is set in a mental institution where a group of patients with different illnesses comes together to stage a Mozart opera.

Lewis, a young and new director, is hired to lead the production but struggles

accompanist, concert pianist Adam Przewlocki.

Guests can enjoy a glass of champagne in the comfort of the Redland Coast’s performing arts centre as Jonathon, Danielle and Adam thrill with selections from Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, South Pacific, Oklahoma, Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, as well as songs from Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban.

He’s also sure to inject some opportunities for mum to sing along.

Redland Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland. Sunday, May 14, 2.30pm Tickets from $35. Bookings rpac.com.au or box office on 3829 8131. Booking fees $5 by phone and $6 online.

to manage the erratic behaviour of his cast. Throughout the play, we witness the patients’ struggles with their illnesses, including Doug’s obsession with fire, Ruth’s delusional and obstructive relationship with a pianist, and Cherry’s passionate and erratic tendencies. As they rehearse and perform the opera, they find a sense of purpose and connection with others, which ultimately helps in their recovery.

For older people who may have

encountered mental illness in their own lives or experienced stigma surrounding mental health, it offers a message of hope and compassion.

Cosi is a powerful and poignant play that resonates with older generations by exploring themes of mental health, ageing, and the metamorphosis of the soul through the power of art.

Brisbane Arts Theatre, 210 Petrie Terrace. June 3-July 22. Tickets from $29. Bookings visit artstheatre.com.au

MUSICAL CLASSIC RETURNS TO MAKE NEW MEMORY

A TROUPE of talented performers from Queensland Musical Theatre is bringing the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic Cats the Musical to the Twelfth Night Theatre.

One of Brisbane’s premier performers, Kathryn Bradbury-King (Opera Queensland), brings to life the famous role of Grizabella, performing Memory

“Audiences can expect to be taken on an emotional journey, from happiness, sadness, pain and despair, but also hope,” she said. “The music will tug at your heart strings and have you tapping your toes.”

The score is artfully musically directed by Michael Keen and choreographed by Jo Badenhorst. At the helm of the creative team is young director, Caley Munro.

The West End and Broadway hit is

based on T.S. Eliot’s poetry collection. Twelfth Night Theatre, Bowen Hills May: Fri 12 and 19, 7.30pm; Sat 13 and 20, 1.30pm and 7.30pm; Wed 17, 7.30pm, Thurs 18, 7.30pm; June: Sun 14 and 21, 1.30pm. Tickets $60, concessions/groups $55. Bookings ticketek.com.au

KATIE NOONAN SINGS JONI MITCHELL

CELEBRATED Queensland artist Katie Noonan has added additional shows to meet public demand for her performance of the Joni Mitchell masterpiece Blue

And to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the album, Noonan will be accompanied by guitar virtuoso Ben Hauptmann in intimate mode.

According to Mitchell, Blue was “the purest emotional record that I will ever make in my life.”

Over the past 20 years, five-time ARIA award-winning artist Noonan has proven herself one of Australia’s most versatile and prolific artists: “Joni’s artistry and music genius is unparalleled, and I love singing her songs.” Redland Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland. Sunday, June 11, 4pm Tickets katienoonan.com.au/shows Visit rpac.com.au or call the box office 3829 8131.

CIRCUS AT ITS VERY BEST

BRISBANE’S globally-renowned Circa returns with a night of stunning athleticism and heart-stopping acrobatics in their newest creation, On by Circa

The performance is circus at its contemporary best, as thrilling as it is moving.

On by Circa follows eight strangers whose lives cross in the courtyard of an apartment block.

Over the course of a single night, they will fight, love, laugh and find moments of beauty and transcendence.

Created by circus visionary Yaron Lifschitz, with a pulsating score from Melbourne composer Jethro Woodward

COME ON AND LISTEN TO …

SAVOYARDS Musical Comedy Society presents the all-dancing, all-singing musical classic 42nd Street.

The original Broadway production ran for nearly nine years, and won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1980.

“We are thrilled to be presenting 42nd Street to our audiences,” Savoyards president Geoff Secomb said. “This production continues Savoyards’ tradition of staging beloved Broadway musicals.”

The musical is the story of Peggy Sawyer, an aspiring actress who arrives in New York, gets her big break and rises from chorus girl to star overnight.

and striking lighting design from Paul Jackson, On by Circa is a powerful new work infused with fierce humanity and exceptional acrobatics.

Redland Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland. Saturday, May 27, 7.30pm Tickets $25-$40. Bookings RPAC Box Office 3829 8131 or visit rpac.com.au

Memorable songs include We’re in the Money, You’re Getting to Be a Habit with Me and Sunny Side to Every Situation.

Making her Savoyards debut is director Lyn Pelgrave whose professional career saw her working alongside artists such as Jon English, Max Gillies, Rhonda Burchmore and Lucy Durack.

Iona Performing Arts Centre, 85 North Rd, Lindum, Saturday June 24, 7.30pm; July 1 and 8, 1.30pm and 7.30pm; Friday July 7, 7.30pm; Sunday June 25, July 2, 1.30pm.Tickets $52, concessions $48, groups $46 on sale May 16. Bookings savoyards.com.au or call 3893 4321.

IMAGE: PIA JOHNSON

The WORLD in Your Hands Travel in Your Time

Trip the light fantastic with simple steps to stay safe

Australians over 50 are keen to get going but many are worried about health, finances and global conflicts. PAUL HUGHES explains three golden rules for safer holidays — physically, mentally and financially.

About 35 per cent of Australians (more than nine million of us) are over 50 and recent research shows that, although more than 6.5 million of our group want to travel more, most are concerned by emerging challenges.

Europe is still on top of the bucket list for a third of over 50s, but more than 75 per cent won’t consider travelling to Europe due to conflicts or terrorism. Almost two thirds were hesitant to travel to China, South Korea and Hong Kong for similar reasons.

The three main sticking points for over 50s wanting to travel were budget, including the impact of rising interest rates and general cost-of-living increases; continuing conflicts and uncertainty; and health concerns, in particular the lingering effects of the pandemic.

Those worried about financial impact highlighted concerns about losing their money to cancellations, with 20 per cent of those surveyed already struggling with travel credits from recent years.

These issues are not new and during the past 15 years we have constantly promoted three key elements every overseas traveller should prioritise: safety, health and insurance.

SAFETY: The Australian Government provides the best available health and safety information about every overseas country.

Whether it’s disease, conflict, natural disaster, theft or any aspect of personal safety, the website smarttraveller.gov.au will keep you up to date.

The US-focused International Council on Foreign Relations also shows details of significant conflicts (currently 25) at cfr. org/global-conflict-tracker.

It’s important to realise that Australia is one of the most free, open-minded and empathetic countries in the world and

many other countries have customs, religions and traditions that can be easily offended, with significant consequences.

Embrace their customs and don’t get involved in protests, even as an onlooker.

HEALTH: Carry-on all your medications, as they might not be available at your destination. Leave medicines in their original containers, as customs and police cannot identify what an unlabelled tablet might be.

The best health protection is to see a travel doctor several weeks before departure, as some immunisation takes weeks to be fully effective.

The majority of overseas health issues are not life-threatening, but include:

• Jet lag: Drink lots of water and allow recovery time.

• Travel sickness: Take appropriate medicine as prescribed.

• Sunburn and heat exhaustion/heatstroke: Wear a hat and appropriate clothing, apply the strongest suitable sunscreen and stay hydrated.

• Insect and marine bites: Use insect repellent and look for warnings on beaches.

• Food poisoning or diarrhoea: Take suitable medication with you; drink bottled water, as all waters have a

different biological structure (even in Australia); and, if tempted by street vendors, never eat meat or seafood unless it’s fully cooked. Check how quickly the food is turning over and try “different” foods at your own risk.

INSURANCE: This is a highly-debated subject but we strongly believe if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel!

If your life was in the balance through an accident or illness, do you really want to wait for friends and family to rescue you through a Go Fund Me campaign?

Global travel insurance is BIG business. Worth about $US14.3 billion in 2021, it’s expected to increase 800 per cent to $US108.8 billion by 2030.

Most credit card companies offer travel insurance when you pay for your holiday with your card. As experienced travellers, we are confident assessing the different criteria and activating that insurance to ensure we get the best deal that guarantees the coverage we need.

Some countries have pickpocketing warnings on highway signs.

If you rely on your credit card insurance, discuss all aspects face-to-face with your card provider and get all of the information in writing. Always compare offers through one of the many specialist travel insurance companies.

Do the math – compare general travel insurance with any credit card fees and charges or high interest payments if you don’t pay off your credit card.

No matter where you get your travel insurance, fully understand the extent of your coverage, how any cancellations are calculated and how any credits or refunds will apply.

You might not be covered for some risky activities or if you travel to a destination where Smart Traveller has issued a travel warning.

Finally, don’t consider travel insurance just for your overseas holiday.

People have lost thousands of dollars in recent years (or received almost unusable credits) when holidays in Australia were cancelled due to illness, floods, bushfires, cyclones and many other reasons.

Paul Hughes is a journalist and travel writer, now retired. In 2008, with his wife Vi, he launched the Holiday Destinations website to help travellers experience better holidays. Visit holidaydestinationsa roundtheworld.com.au

USA-based Global Conflicts Tracker

THE REGIONS ARE CALLING

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

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

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

The station on 29,000ha of some of Australia’s best beef cattle country offers views of the western escarpment of the Carnarvon Ranges from the Arcadia Valley. It’s the perfect base for day trips with experienced nature guides on hand to lead the way to the highlights of Carnarvon Gorge National Park.

See ancient forests with cycads thousands of years old, Aboriginal cultural sites, canyons, majestic cliffs, and rugged wilderness on a tour of Wallaroo station in the air-conditioned comfort of a modified 4WD bus listening to commentary about the land, its legends and landmarks.

Australian Nature Guides lead the way to the Moss Garden in the Carnarvon Gorge, where lush ferns and moss line crystal clear waters.

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

Along the way see Chinchilla and stop at the Roma Saleyard, the largest cattle sales facility in the Southern Hemisphere, where retired farmers and graziers will explain how it all works.

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

For seven days from August 17, there’s plenty to see on the way to Lightning Ridge, home of the prized black opal.

Visit various local attractions as you travel through Dalby, Miles, Roma, Surat, St George and Dirranbandi. Spend three days on the opal fields including Grawin, Glengarry and Sheepyard. Return via Walgett, Narrabri and Glen Innes

“It’s about the journey as much as the destination,” Mr Brockhurst says. “These tours represent a chance to see some of the treasures in our regional towns.”

Visit cttravel.com.au

TRAVEL CT

2023 Tour Program

MARCH 2023

Fraser Island Explorer (4 Days)

Tour Program

O’Reillys Escape (4 Days)

AUGUST 2023

APRIL 2023

S

GOLD COAST, BYRON BAY, MT. TAMBORINE & NORTHERN RIVERS

2023 Autumn Tour (9 Days)

O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat (4 Days)

High Country to Murray Delta (11 Days)

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo (7 Days)

Gold Coast & Northern Rivers (4 Days)

Lightning Ridge (7 Days)

Fraser Island Whale Watch (4 Days)

MAY 2023

Norfolk Island (9 Days)

SEPTEMBER 2023

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo (7 Days)

JUNE 2023

Red Centre - Adelaide to Darwin (18 Days)

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (4 Days) Spring Gardens Tour (12 Days)

Outback QLD to the Coast (1 Days)

JULY 2023

OCTOBER 2023

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo (7 Days)

Fraser Coast inc Lady Musgrave Island ( 5 Days )

AUGUST 2023

NOVEMBER 2023

O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat (4 Days)

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo (7 Days)

NSW Central Coast & Blue Mountains (10 Days)

Lightning Ridge (7 Days)

2024 Preview

Fraser Island Whale Watch (4 Days)

MARCH: Norfolk Island (9 Days)

SEPTEMBER 2023

APRIL: Great Ocean Road ( 12 Days)

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo (7 Days)

JUNE: SW Outback to Coast (12 Days)

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (4 Days)

NQ Coast Run - Townsville to Port Douglas

Spring Gardens Tour (12 Days)

JULY: NQ Savannah Way ( 12 Days )

SEPT / OCT: Darling R Run (10 Days )

Flinders Rangers (10 Days)

October, November, December details available soon

Fare Includes: Meriton Suites Southport, All Dinners, Breakfasts, All Admissions and Touring, Four Winds Revolving Restaurant, Gold Coast Dinner Cruise, Tropical Fruit Word Lunch, Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre, Byron Bay Light House, Byron Solar Train, Cedar Creek Estate Winery and Glow Worms, Botanic Gardens, Gallery Walk.

PICKUP AND RETURN: Brisbane, Redcliffe, Redlands, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Sunshine Coast, Bribie Island and Caboolture.

S4 DAY TOUR: 28th - 31st May, 2023 or 4th - 7th June, 2023.

TOOWOOMBA CARNIVAL OF FLOWERS

Fare includes: Motel Accommodation 4 Star ALL Breakfasts and Dinners, (1) Lunch, (1) Afternoon tea, ALL ADMISSIONS AND TOURING Private Gardens tour, Spring Bluff Railway Station Gardens, Grand Parade - Reserved Seating, Crows Nest Soft Drink Shop / Factory, Cobb & Co Museum, Queens Park Night Lights, Laurel Bank Park, Spring Garden World & Kingfisher Cafe - Afternoon Tea, Esk, Lake Somerset, Lake Wivenhoe, Mystery Lunch.

HOME PICKUP AND RETURN: Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Redlands, Redcliffe, Caboolture, Sunshine Coast.

4 DAYS: Thursday 14th - Sunday 17th September, 2023.

OUTBACK QLD & TOWNSVILLE, MAGNETIC ISLAND WHITSUNDAY-HAMILTON ISLAND

Charleville, Longreach, Winton, Charters Towers, Townsville, Airlie Beach, Town of 1770

13 DAYS: 13th - 25th June 2023.

$1,450 p.p. twin share (inc. GST) $1,400 (inc. GST) $3,300 (inc. GST)

Fare includes: Motel Accommodation and All Breakfasts and Dinners, All Admissions and TouringCharleville Bilby Experience, Longreach, Hall of Fame, Qantas Museum, Thompson River Sunset - dinner and show, Winton Age of Dinosaurs, Royal Open Air Theatre, Historic North Gregory Hotel, Charters Towers Venus Gold Battery, Townsville tour, Magnetic Island, Whitsunday cruise Hamilton Island, Town 1770. PICKUP AND RETURN: Brisbane, Redcliffe, Redlands, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Sunshine Coast, Bribie Island, Caboolture.

ANTARCTICA is one of the last unspoiled frontiers of the world, known for its surreal landscapes, majestic glaciers and exotic wildlife.

For the adventurous traveller, a trip to the southernmost continent in the world is a journey of a lifetime. Hurtigruten Expeditions, a leader in sustainable adventure travel, has a range of itineraries to explore this unique area.

Highlights of Antarctica is a 12-day expedition cruise. Starting in bustling Buenos Aires, the adventure begins with an early morning flight to Ushuaia to board Hurtigruten’s hybridpowered award-winning ship.

After a briefing from the expedition team, cross the infamous Drake Passage, with time to relax and learn more about the exciting voyage ahead.

Marvel at colossal glaciers and icebergs as the ship navigates the ever-changing icescapes sculpted by nature. The expedition team takes you close to the stunning surroundings on ice-cruising and active landing adventures.

Antarctica Circle Expedition is an 18-day journey for those who want to venture further south, reaching below the Antarctic Circle.

Visit the South Shetland Islands, home to towering glaciers, active volcanoes and a variety of fascinating wildlife.

After visiting the Antarctic Peninsula, the voyage continues south, crossing the Antarctic Circle and making an attempt to land on the continent itself.

Antarctica and Falklands Expedition is a 16-day journey that explores the green hills and white sands of the picturesque Falklands archipelago.

Visit the charming capital Stanley and see the penguin, albatross and seal colonies that populate the shores.

Continuing north to Puerto Madryn, warm sandy beaches and a tranquil nature reserve await.

Then spend a glorious five days exploring the frozen beauty of Antarctica, including kayaking, zodiac cruises and hikes on the continent whatever your activity level.

All Antarctica itineraries with Hurtigruten offer an unforgettable experience that combines adventure, education and environmental awareness.

The cruise line is committed to sustainable travel and its expeditions are geared towards educating passengers about fragile ecosystems and encouraging responsible tourism practices.

Onboard, you will have access to expert guides, lectures and workshops to deepen understanding of the region.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and beverages are included in all expedition cruises, plus many activities and travel essentials.

Book by May 31, to receive up to 25 per cent off.

Visit travellerschoice.com.au to find your local Travellers Choice agent.

THE land of a thousand cultures, Papua New Guinea truly deserves the title “exotic”.

A team of naturalist guides will lead an expedition to discover its wonders and ancestral tribes in a safe and secure environment travelling on Ponant’s luxurious small ship Le Laperouse

The journey begins with a Qantas flight from Brisbane to Cairns, gateway to the natural wonders of the northern region.

Two nights later, embark on a 13-day expedition cruise aboard Le Lapérouse

First stop is Alotau in the Milne Bay province, an area of great historical significance, including its role in World War II. Hear stories of pearlers, miners, and missionaries.

Next are the volcanically active islands of Ferguson and Dobu. Walk to the DeiDei geothermal hot springs, pass through spectacular forests, and learn about the Methodist Church establishing a mission station on Dobu Island.

A highlight of the voyage will be Tufi, a picturesque region known as the “Scandinavia of the

Tropics” because of its deep fiords formed by volcanic activity.

Local Papuan tribes will share their customs, beliefs, and artwork and provide a unique insight into their way of life.

After a stop in Tami Islands, head north along the coast to Madang, known as the most beautiful city in the South Pacific.

This captivating province has great geographical diversity and 170 different languages.

For the first time, Le Lapérouse will sail to Dregherhafen at the eastern end of the Huon Peninsula. At Kitava, in the Trobriand Islands, you’ll be welcomed by spectacular cultural performances on the island of Kiriwina, snorkel and swim in clear waters and learn about the traditional “Kula” trading system.

The expedition ends in Cairns for the return flight to Brisbane.

“This expedition is a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to discover the mysteries of a land of a thousand cultures,” Laurice Burke of Helloworld Travel Eatons Hill and Kenmore says. “It’s an unforgettable adventure.” See advertisement this issue.

Highlights of Antarctica

THE

By Ann Cleeves

Reviewed by Jan Kent

WHO doesn’t love a Vera? The television detective is a favourite and this story from her creator doesn’t disappoint.

Set in Northumberland, specifically Holy Island, this tale of intrigue has clever parallels to the changing tides that isolate the island each day.

Links between the group that has met here for a reunion since their school days 50 years ago are revealed as the past rises to the surface – full of secrets and lies, as you would expect from Cleeves.

As Vera Stanhope, the quirky but much-loved detective we have come to know through the TV series, is called to an apparent suicide, you know it is just the beginning. When one of the group dies on the first meeting, the reader of course suspects them all, until one by one they meet their demise. Even Vera’s team is in danger. As expected, there is an unexpected but satisfying conclusion to this very entertaining addition to the world of crime novels.

A BOY AND HIS BEAR

By Gregory Ladner

Reviewed by Annie Grossman

MEMORY MAN

By David Baldacci

Reviewed by Jo

Bourke

I WAS in between new authors so picked up a Baldacci novel knowing it would be a reliably good read. Memory Man blew me away and led to many late nights of that delightful “just one more chapter” urgency.

The first in the Amos Decker series, it is an astounding novel opening with the brutal murder of Amos’ wife and daughter, followed weeks later by multiple deaths from a school shooter. Both crimes originate from a vendetta against Amos of which he is totally unaware. This is strange as Decker is literally a memory man. As the result of a football injury years earlier, he developed hyperthymesia (total recall of every moment of his life) and synesthesia, which caused him to pair certain things with unlikely colours.

David Baldacci paints his characters so vividly that even now, weeks after I finished reading, they live on in my imagination. Memory Man is a fast moving cat and mouse story where the protagonist and antagonist play mind games building to an unexpected climax. Now to read the six following novels.

CLOSE

By Martina Cole

Reviewed by John

Kleinschmidt

MARTINA Cole is a new UK bestselling adult fiction author for me, so I enthusiastically read the 505 pages of this novel. To say I was disappointed is an understatement.

Cole has written more than 12 bestselling novels set in the criminal underworld and she seems to have a good knowledge of the sub-culture of which she writes.

However, I found the plot a bit thin and very predictable.

The characters, with one exception, are one-dimensional when they could have been so much more.

Lil Diamond who meets and marries Patrick Brodie at age 16 stands out as the centrepiece of the story, her fortunes rising and falling with the success and failures of her family.

The story is brutal and violent and certainly not for everyone.

GO AS A RIVER

By Shelley Read

Reviewed by Lea Dodd

by Ali Lowe

Reviewed by Graeme Bowden.

THIS is not a book I would normally read but the success of her earlier book The Trivia Night got me hooked.

The story revolves around a group who have been friends since school – the “haves” from Esperance and the “have nots” from nearby Shivers Beach.

There are lots of twists, changes of character, social climbing, relationship issues and many surprises.

Then of course, there is the death of the Queen Bee and what follows. The women of the town know that you can hide anything, from wrinkles to secrets from your past – if you have enough money.

The story is full of secrets, lies and reveals you won’t see coming. It is a very enjoyable and easy holiday read.

IN HIS raw and hilarious memoir, the author lifts the lid on a world of gorgeous women, glamourous gowns and salacious secrets.

A boy of humble beginnings in working-class Melbourne, he goes from dressing up his teddy to designing for Melbourne’s high society.

A Boy and His Bear tracks Ladner’s career as an Australian couturier, an international designer working in Hong Kong, and a creator of a hugely successful fashion accessory company.

Beneath the glitz, it is also a highly entertaining mosaic of intimate and shocking confessions, both sensitive and brutal – a story of love, loss and social taboos in a society laced with contradictions.

Revealing in more ways than one, and illustrated by the author’s own exquisite pen drawings, this colourful retrospective is a vivid, no-holds-barred reflection on a bygone era.

WHEN Victoria Nash meets a mysterious young man on the road home, she questions her life for the first time.

She finds herself strangely drawn to follow him – away from her known existence and away from her only home.

The lyrical quality of Shelley Read’s writing equally draws in the reader as we follow several decades of Victoria’s transformative journey, filled with both heart-wrenching and heartwarming moments.

This beautifully crafted coming-ofage novel has been compared to Where the Crawdads Sing , and the author’s experience as a lecturer in environmental studies shines through, with a strong sense of place delivered through some powerful metaphors. This is the kind of book that will stay with you.

With Quizmaster Allan Blackburn

1. What word can be both a playing card and a shot in tennis?

2. What is the official language of Chile?

3. What is usually done with a bisque?

4. Who married Blanche d’Alpuget in 1995?

5. True or false: The population of the state of California is greater than that of Canada?

6. What was the name of the family that featured in The Sound of Music?

7. Complete the name of the nursery rhyme: Ride a Cockhorse to...

8. Where is Charles Dickens buried?

9. In which country does the Stawell Gift foot race take place?

10. “Bollywood” is a combination of what two words?

11. What items are smashed at a traditional Greek wedding?

12. What is 3 to the fourth power?

13. What grain is used in making sake?

14. Acids have a pH less than what number?

15. In what Australian town is the Big Merino located?

16. Omega is the last letter of what alphabet?

17. In what century did the Mutiny on the Bounty take place?

18. What is the maximum length of the playing field in rugby league?

19. Trinitrotoluene is usually called what?

20. From what material is a boater hat usually made?

1. Ace; 2. Spanish; 3. Eat it (soup); 4. Bob Hawke; 5. True; 6. von Trapp; 7. Banbury Cross;

8. Westminster Abbey; 9. Australia (Victoria); 10. Bombay and Hollywood; 11. Plates;

12. 81; 13. Rice; 14. 7; 15. Goulburn; 16. Greek; 17. 18th; 18. 100 metres; 19. TNT; 20. Straw.

Across

1 Match material with some flexibility (6)

4 Farmer’s bug killer is shipped all over the place, including back of Bourke (5-3)

9 Explosive decapitated men in class (7)

11 Pressure applied by trade union in unusual period of happiness (7)

12 Young lady, one spring, converted a lost soul (7,6)

14 Street, in time of shortage, is settled (6)

15 “Information bulletin is crucial,” corrected head of research (8)

18 Last of the woolly merinos should be coming out (8)

20 Worldly division, right, included in subject matter (6)

23 Selfish team found locked in container at sea (13)

26 Tenants of home unit errantly sent back suite (7)

27 Plan new position for parts of rugby move (7)

28 Health checks claimed falsely by patients ultimately (8)

29 Clear river entering a large bay (6)

Down

1 Organised meeting, held by cardinal say, is classified (10)

2 Wild animals consuming first consignment of raw chicken meat (7)

3 They inspect diggers attached under rising chopper (9)

5 Fresh analysis of the crime protected from outside agencies (8)

6 Sexpot nearly mucked up shows (5)

7 Call about boiler’s service book (7)

8 Remove skin from head of poached fish (4)

10 Wired component of busted gyroscope (4)

13 Racket misplaced before opening and running competition (5,5)

16 Vehicle quietly set down tradesman (9)

17 Whipped cream on large amount of powdered grain (4,4)

19 Temperature showing in faulty device should be put out (7)

21 One residing in old Chinese city reaching a high point (7)

22 Expensive motor vehicle is long in my opinion (4)

24 Sceptic’s features encapsulated in fancy nickname (5)

25 Study hard carbon stuff (4)

WORDFIND

QUICK CROSSWORD

No. 3698

9-LETTER WORD

N P

No. 070

Today’s Aim:

E T M O C

17 words: Good

25 words: Very good

34 words: Excellent I G

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

WORDSTEP

ACROSS

1 System without private property (9)

6 Tie-on labels (4)

10 Extension (3)

11 Group of islands (11)

12 Outlines (8)

13 Orb (6)

14 Falsehoods (4)

15 Gives (7) 20 From Stockholm, say (7)

30 Masculine (4) 31 Food (9) DOWN

1 Surgeons’ instruments (8)

2 Calms (8)

3 Wattle (6)

4 Made greater (9)

5 Primary (4)

7 Handsome nursery plant (6)

8 Oral (6)

9 Counter (7)

16 Bankrupt (9)

17 Bestowed (7)

18 Definite (8)

19 Still (8)

22 Zigzag (6)

23 Affirmation (6)

24 Art of dwarfing shrubs or trees (6)

27 Book ID (1,1,1,1)

No. 070

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

Every row, column and 3x3 outlined square must contain the numbers 1 to 9 once each.

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