Your Time Brisbane May 2024

It’s no secret that I love to travel. But that wasn’t always the case. My mum and dad never learnt to drive, so my childhood adventures revolved around a walking radius of about 2km from Kedron to Stafford or Wooloowin, and anywhere the old 172 and 144 bus routes could take me.

When a brother gave me a Kodak Instamatic for my 10th birthday, the shots taken were very much close to home. That camera taught me that no matter how ordinary or extraordinary, moments in life are worth capturing and preserving because you may never pass that way again or be surrounded by those people, experiencing what’s in front of you, feeling the way you do. Over the years, I have worked shoulder to shoulder with some of the best snappers in Australian media and, like osmosis, I have taken on board some of their expertise in how to frame a shot to tell a story or find the ‘wow’ in any setting. Alas, I remain more of a point-

and-click kind of photographer who just gets the job done. I work on the premise that out of every 10 shots I take, one is likely to be usable for my required purpose. Sometimes I get lucky with a real ‘beauty’.

That’s why I am in awe of professional photographers such as David Kirkland, who steps out from behind the camera for journalist Angela Saurine’s feature story this month. David has found himself on assignment in places including the Pacific, transporting people through his pictures to some of the most exotic and remote areas on the planet. Turn to page 4.

Meanwhile, travel writer Nannette Holliday (yes, that’s her real name) cruises from Siem Reap to Saigon for more holiday inspiration for Your Time readers. Enjoy!

PS. We received a great response to last month’s cover story on how to beat the cost-of-living crisis. However, readers have rightly pointed out that Woolworths and its associated businesses no longer offer a discount to Seniors Card-holders, and the TMR registration discount applies only to motorised caravans (not caravans).

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Clicking with exotic cultures

ANGELA

David Kirkland has always wanted to condense as much human experience into his life as possible.

It’s fair to say he’s achieved that goal. He’s lived with a tribe in the Amazon jungle, interviewed a zombie he saw being revived during a voodoo ceremony in Haiti and been beaten to the ground by a cultural guardian disguised as a giant bush to gain permission to photograph a secret ceremony in Papua New Guinea.

When not off on international adventures, the esteemed tourism photographer likes nothing more than to go for a morning swim at the beach and grab a coffee before retreating to the old Queenslander he calls home at Buderim.

“I enjoy coming home just as much as I do leaving,” the 65-year-old says.

Born in Perth, David was an ‘army brat’ whose dad worked as a military attaché in Indonesia.

After finishing his education at Canberra Grammar School, he spent a year hitchhiking around Australia before heading overseas, pulling beers in London and picking oranges in Spain and grapes in France.

After a stint in Morocco, he decided he wanted to be a journalist and returned home, where he completed a cadetship at The Western Mail newspaper in his home state. He worked for the ABC in TV and radio before setting off travelling again.

As well as living with the Amazon tribe, he captained a shrimp trawler to America and worked on luxury yachts in the Caribbean. He spent four weeks researching voodoo and zombies in Haiti and wrote a story for a newspaper in London, which was picked up by the current affairs program 60 Minutes

Upon his return to Australia, David moved into public relations, then used the communication skills he’d acquired to run the Foundation for Law, Order and Justice in Papua New Guinea.

Fascinated by the country’s unique cultural traditions, it was there that he discovered his passion for photography and wrote his first book.

Back in Australia, he worked for various tourism boards in Western Australia and Queensland, including on the Sunshine Coast. At age 40, he decided to start his own publishing company, producing guide books, coffee table books and calendars, and began specialising in tourism photography.

“I’ve always been interested in

traditional culture,” he says.

“It was incredible to me that I only had to take a three-hour flight from Queensland and I was in one of the most-vibrant, diverse cultures in the world. It was right on my doorstep.

“As a photographer with a background in tourism marketing, I never saw myself as a travel photographer who captured images opportunistically. My job has always been to capture photos that strengthen a marketing message which is aimed at a particular audience.

“What I do is 95 per cent planning, five per cent pressing the button.”

During one assignment recording land diving in Vanuatu, in which men jump from 30-metre high wooden platforms with vines tied around their feet, David was drinking kava with the local chiefs when he mentioned the importance of authenticity.

Instead of wearing T-shirts and shorts, they now dive wearing traditional penis sheaths. He’s also captured scarification ceremonies in Papua New Guinea, in which the male torso is cut to represent the head of a crocodile.

But of the countless photos he has taken, his favourite is of a man with a traditional Samoan pe’a tattoo that covers the lower half of his body. The framed

image takes pride of place in the dining room of his home, which he bought in 2022 after 12 years living in Brisbane.

He knew it was meant to be when he noticed a sign with the house’s name above the front door. It is called Kegl Sugl, which is the name of a village in Papua New Guinea’s Chimbu Province that he has been to.

David’s home is filled with objects you would usually only see in a museum. They include a Tolai money ring from Papua New Guinea’s New Britain Province, artworks embedded with artefacts from around the world, and elaborate masks.

“I just love the culture in the South Pacific,” he says.

“Having been writing about it and photographing it for more than 20 years, I have been right on the coalface of watching how traditional culture is slowly but surely disappearing.

“In Papua New Guinea, the huli wigmen used to spend two hours getting ready for a sing-sing. Now they’re getting paid to do it and they’re preparing in a fraction of that time, wearing one layer of

yellow paint on their face, not three.

“I can see at least the visual aspects of the culture diminishing rapidly.”

Now semi-retired, David plans to spend a year in Greece writing a book about philosophy. He’s also begun taking photography tours with adventure travel company Crooked Compass, capturing such displays as the Holi Festival in India and mask festivals and Baining Fire Dance ceremonies in Papua New Guinea.

Reflecting on his life so far, David

feels satisfied that his work will help future generations understand the past, and hopefully learn from it.

“I don’t think the value of my photos is going to be significant while I’m alive, but in 50 years’ time, young people are going to say, ‘I can’t believe how incredible my culture was’,” he says.

“That’s when my photos will come into their own.”

To see David’s photos, visit davidkirklandphotography.com

What to watch

What to book

Back in the day…

Where to dine (and save) What’s

The Brisbane Writers Festival  has just launched its pageturning 2024 program. The 2024 festival, from May 30-June 2, is an unmissable adventure from beginning to end, with more than 150 live events including author talks, panel discussions, special events and workshops. More than 60 Brisbane authors will feature alongside a starstudded line-up of national and international guests, with most events held in the festival hub at the State Library of Queensland in the South Bank Cultural Precinct. Australian headline authors include Melissa Lucashenko, Julia Baird, Kate Ceberano, Chris Hammer, Trent Dalton and Bryan Brown, while international highlights include Booker Prize-shortlisted author Paul Murray, bestselling crime writer Michael Connelly, fantasy legend Naomi Novik, English novelist and screenwriter Louise Doughty, and superstar fantasy author Samantha Shannon. Go to bwf.org.au

This year marks 55 years since the Apollo 11 mission from July 16-24, 1969, that landed the first humans on the Moon. And what better way to celebrate Man’s amazing scientific feat that blasted astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins into space than revisiting history through the nostalgic comedy-drama The Dish on Netflix. The top-grossing Australian film of the year 2000, starring Sam Neill and a host of favourite Aussie actors, tells the true story of the Parkes Observatory’s role in relaying the live television footage of those first steps on the Moon. Watch it (again!) to relive all the small-town humour and the proud Aussie ‘recovery’ after a monumental stuff-up.

What’s a big deal

The Curated Plate food and drink festival from July 26 to August 4 has an event for every taste among more than 90 on offer. The initiative is a celebration of local produce and producers, restaurants, experiences and chefs, plus unique natural assets from the sea to the hinterland. The 2024 highlights include: the Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival at Spicers Tamarind, Maleny; Tom Hitchcock’s Chef’s Table at Spirit House, Yandina; Peter Kuravita’s Smoke and Charcoal BBQ Lunch at Australia Zoo’s Warrior Restaurant; Brunch on the Balcony at The Mapleton Public House; the Hinterland High Tea with Adriano Zumbo at Maleny’s Tiffany’s; and Chefs in Conversation at Altitude Nine, Maroochydore. Visit thecuratedplate.com.au

On May 24, 1964, The Beatles made their 4th appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in America, with an interview and prerecorded performance of You Can’t Do That. The Beatle Boys recreate the magic of “the four mop tops” and Beatlemania 60 years later with 35 chart-toppers, along with other timeless hits of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr in The Beatles – All You Need Is Love show. As The Beatle Boys say in their publicity: “To this day, the 1964 tour (of The Beatles) changed social and cultural attitudes in this country overnight, creating a whole new pop culture. It changed fashion and it changed us. Boys started to wear their hair longer and girls their skirts shorter. We changed and we never looked back.” Catch The Beatle Boys at the Concert Hall, QPAC, on May 9 at 7.30pm. Visit qpac.com.au

The early bird gets the deal at firsttable.com.au. Select ‘All dates’ or a specific day, choose your region such as Brisbane or the Gold and Sunshine coasts, and when you wish to dine. The specials appear like magic – some up to 50 per cent off. But you have to be quick and you may have to sit down to dinner at 5.30pm (great if you’re going to the movies or a show).

XXXX marks the spot for one of state’s favourite drinks

CHRIS CURRIE delves into the State Library of Queensland’s collections to explore the industrial and social history of one of our most-famous brands.

Few brands are more associated with Queensland than XXXX beer, brewed beneath the unmistakable neon sign at Brisbane’s Milton brewery.

The early days (and successes) of the company can be told through many of the items held in the State Library’s collections, ranging from photographic negatives to early company records to commemorative tea towels and even recordings of advertising jingles.

A dive into the microfilm of the many archived Queensland newspapers shows that the first “exceedingly palatable” beers were produced out of the Milton site in September 1878, including Castlemaine XXX Sparkling Ale.

At the start of the Great War in 1914, the company’s directors made the decision to concentrate solely on brewing a beer to suit the tastes and climate of Queensland. That beer, launched in February 1924, was called XXXX Bitter Ale – the same

Post-World War II, the company continued its rapid growth. In 1959, the highly visible XXXX neon sign was placed atop the Milton brewery and, in 1988, the seven-metrehigh Mr Fourex neon sign joined it.

recipe still consumed by many Queenslanders today.

That year also saw the first iteration of the company’s mascot, ‘Mr Fourex’, appear in a series of newspaper advertisements. The character was thought to be the work of influential The Courier-Mail cartoonist Ian Gall, whose original pen-and-ink creations also call the State Library home.

As to the inspiration of the character, an answer has never been definitively found. The History of the Castlemaine Perkins Brewery, produced by the

company in 1993, reported that “no one can confirm” the identity of Queensland’s famous mascot.

Recent examination of a Mr Fourex ceramic beer stein held in State Library of Queensland collections gave no more clues.

Records show significant growth for the company through the 1920s and ’30s, following the 1928 merger between the then Castlemaine Brewery and rival Perkins and Co. Ltd. The company sunk some £50,000 (nearly $5 million today) into the brewery to nearly double its output.

Throughout its history, the company has been closely associated with outdoor and sports advertising. A 1939 photograph shows a giant XXXX sign atop the Sandgate entrance to the Hornibrook Highway, while another favourite nostalgia item is a 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games commemorative beer bottle, produced by Castlemaine Perkins.

The company’s 1991 sponsorship of the Queensland Maroons coincided with the release of XXXX Gold, marking the beginning of two successful dynasties. A copy of Andrew Trimmer’s advertising poster features a rampaging Queensland elephant (‘The Forward

Pachyderm’) in a Maroons jersey, scattering NSW Blues players in its wake.

In 2009, Castlemaine Perkins was inducted into State Library’s Queensland Business Leaders Hall of fame. In a State Library digital story, former CEO Frank Burnett succinctly summed up the company’s secret to success: “There was a bit of a joke at the company: if it moved, we sponsored it; if it was still, we painted a Fourex on it!”.

Find out more at slq.qld.gov.au

The XXXX sign at the Sandgate entrance to the Hornibrook Highway

What will aged care look like for the next generation?

Aged care financing is a vexed problem for the Australian government. It is already underfunded for the quality the community expects, and costs will increase dramatically.

There are also significant concerns about the complexity of the system.

In 2021–22, the federal government spent A$25 billion on aged services for around 1.2 million people aged 65 and over. Around 60 per cent went to residential care (190,000 people) and one-third to home care (one million people).

The final report from the government’s Aged Care Taskforce, which has been reviewing funding options, estimates the number of people who will need services is likely to grow to more than two million over the next 20 years. Costs are therefore likely to more than double.

The taskforce has considered what aged care services are reasonable and necessary and made recommendations to the government about how they can be paid for.

This includes getting aged care users to pay for more of their care.

But rather than recommending an alternative financing arrangement that will safeguard Australians’ aged care services into the future, the taskforce

largely recommends tidying up existing arrangements and keeping the status quo.

No Medicare-style levy – The taskforce rejected the Aged Care Royal Commission’s recommendation to introduce a levy to meet aged care cost increases. A one per cent levy, similar to the Medicare levy, could have raised around $8 billion a year.

The taskforce failed to consider the mix of taxation, personal contributions and social insurance which are commonly used to fund aged care systems internationally. The Japanese system, for example, is financed by long-term insurance paid by those aged 40 and over, plus general taxation and a small co-payment.

Instead, the taskforce puts forward a simple, pragmatic argument that older people are becoming wealthier through

superannuation, there is a cost of living crisis for younger people and therefore older people should be required to pay more of their aged care costs.

Separating care from other services

– In deciding what older people should pay more for, the taskforce divided services into care, everyday living and accommodation.

The taskforce thought the most important services were clinical services (including nursing and allied health) and these should be the main responsibility of government funding. Personal care, including showering and dressing, were seen as a middle tier that is likely to attract some co-payment, despite these services often being necessary to maintain independence.

The taskforce recommended the costs for everyday living (such as food and utilities) and accommodation expenses (such as rent) should increasingly be a personal responsibility.

Making the system fairer – The taskforce thought it was unfair that people in residential care were making substantial contributions for their everyday living expenses (about 25 per cent) and those receiving home care weren’t (about five per cent). This is, in part, because home care has always had a muddled set of rules

about user co-payments. But the taskforce provided no analysis of accommodation costs (such as utilities and maintenance) people meet at home, compared with residential care.

To address the inefficiencies of upfront daily fees for packages, the taskforce recommends means testing co-payments for home care packages and basing them on the actual level of service users receive for everyday support (for food, cleaning, and so on) and to a lesser extent for support to maintain independence.

It is unclear whether clinical and personal care costs and user contributions will be treated the same for residential and home care.

Making residential aged care sustainable – The taskforce was concerned residential care operators were losing $4 per resident day on ‘hotel’ (accommodation services) and everyday living costs.

The taskforce recommends means tested user contributions for room services and everyday living costs be increased. It also recommends that wealthier older people be given more choice by allowing them to pay more (per resident day) for better amenities.

This would allow providers to fully meet the cost of these services.

artistic adventure on the Sunshine Coast

Effectively, this means daily living charges for residents are too low and inflexible and that fees would go up, although the taskforce was clear that low-income residents should be protected.

Moving from buying to renting rooms

– Currently older people who need residential care have a choice of making a refundable up-front payment for their room or to pay rent to offset the loans providers take out to build facilities. Providers raise capital to build aged care facilities through equity or loan financing.

However, the taskforce did not consider the overall efficiency of the private capital market for financing aged care or alternative solutions.

Instead, it recommended capital contributions be streamlined and simplified by phasing out up-front payments and focusing on rental contributions.

This echoes the royal commission, which found rent to be a more-efficient and less-risky method of financing capital for aged care in private capital markets.

It’s likely that in a decade or so, once the new home care arrangements are in place, there will be proportionally fewer older people in residential aged care.

Those who do go are likely to be more disabled and have greater care needs.

And those with more money will pay more for their accommodation and everyday living arrangements.

But they may have more choice, too.

Although the federal government has ruled out an aged care levy and changes to assets test on the family home, it has yet to respond to the majority of the recommendations.

But given the aged care minister chaired the taskforce, it’s likely to provide a good indication of current thinking.

WORDS: Hal Swerissen, Emeritus Professor, La Trobe University, and deputy chair of the Bendigo Kangan Institute which provides training in aged care.

*This article first appeared in The Conversation. Read the full article at theconversation.com/what-will-aged-carelook-like-for-the-next-generation-more-ofthe-same-but-higher-out-of-pocketcosts-225551

HELPING OTHERS WITH THEIR RETIREMENT WELLBEING

R U OK? calls on all Australians to make retirement our business.

Retirees and experts have shared their experiences and tips for how to support those navigating retirement. Retirement is the first topic in the When Life Happens, Ask R U OK? series being developed with the support of ING Australia.

More than 100,000 Australians intend to retire this year. But for some, closing the door on working life can be challenging, bringing financial stress, social isolation or the loss of identity and routine.

“It can be hard to have so much on your plate each day, then to turn around and feel, well, there’s nothing really that I need to do today, that I have to do today,” former school principal Geoff Leary says.

The support of friends and family can help people better manage this transition.

Rachel Clements, director of psychological services at the Centre for Corporate Health, says: “As a loved one, friend or colleague of someone retiring, it is important to be aware retirement can be both a celebratory and challenging time.

“Signs someone might be struggling include irritability and frustration, withdrawing from usual activities and sleep disturbances. If someone in your world is retiring, keep in touch and have regular conversations with them about how they’re really going. So, if they do find themselves struggling, they know you’re someone they can talk to.”

Research from R U OK? has found that supportive conversations do make a difference. More than four-in-five people who engaged in a meaningful conversation felt better about managing their situation after talking it through.

Visit ruok.org.au for more tips.

EXPLORING ACTIVITIES FOR INCLUSIVENESS AND FUN

THE Legacy Club of Brisbane’s Explorers Program targets people with disabilities, aged 50 and over.

The social inclusion program in South Brisbane brings 30 participants together on a semi-regular basis to provide connection to others in similar circumstances. A recent event saw 11 people gather for a Summer Party, where participants took part in a clay pot-making session showing their creativity and fostering new relationships.

This year’s Seasons Program is made possible by a Bupa Foundation grant.

“From my experience so far, I could tell that it’s all about connection, the sense of

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belonging, as well as having a social circle of friends where all of them feel like they belong to and have the freedom to be themselves, experience different things (arts, music, entertainment), and chat with each other,” Legacy community services event officer Jomante Maksvytyte says.

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Light your way to gratitude and better sleep

KAILAS ROBERTS considers it may be time to start her day earlier and reap the benefits of ‘fröhlichkeit’.

When it comes to precise word use, the Germans are veritable experts. Take ‘schadenfreude’, for instance – the pleasure one gets from another person’s misfortune, or the ridiculously complicated term ‘flughafenbegrussungsfreude’, which describes the joy one feels when we are welcomed home at the airport.

Another of these intriguing words is ‘fröhlichkeit’ which translates as the special feeling we experience when up and about yet everyone else is still in bed. Now, I wonder whether fröhlichkeit is a feeling that has been preserved over the millennia because it promotes good health. If so, it is worth embracing. Let me explain what I mean. One of the big advantages to being up early is the opportunity to see the sunrise – something missed by most of us as we lie comfortable under our doonas.

There is something special about seeing the first rays of the sun as it ascends into the sky. For many, it is quite a spiritual experience. But it also has profound physiological effects. One of the chief values of witnessing sunrise is the flooding of light onto the back of our eyes. This exposure sets in train a process that leads to the suppression of a hormone called

melatonin. You may well have heard of this – otherwise known as the hormone of darkness (or sometimes the vampire hormone).

As melatonin levels drop, cortisol (another hormone) rises and prepares our body for the day ahead. This forced suppression of melatonin means that by evening, the rebound spike in melatonin is even greater. This then tells our body and brain that it is time to prepare to sleep. In this way, making the effort to rise early in the morning not only provides fröhlichkeit, but will also benefit sleep.

This phenomenon may be even more important as we get older, as the peak level of melatonin produced by our brain tends to drop off. This might explain in part why the quality of our sleep deteriorates as we get older. And the level of melatonin is also affected by conditions causing dementia, in

particular Alzheimer’s disease. Melatonin can be given as a supplement to compensate for the changed production that occurs with age and in disease states, and the consequent disrupted sleep that may accompany them. It is probably one of the safer ways of treating insomnia –certainly more so than the traditional sleeping tablets.

My wife pointed out another reason that getting up early might be good for us. She is naturally an earlier riser and often takes our labrador to the dog park in time to catch the sunrise. She sees this as a valuable opportunity to exercise gratitude: something that is easy to pass over in the otherwise busyness of our daily lives.

The quietness of the hour lends itself beautifully to this opportunity to reflect on what is good in our lives. Gratitude itself is a boon to our mental health, and whatever difficulties we are facing, there is always something to be grateful for.

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

DEMENTIA – HOW CAN WE REDUCE OUR RISK?

FOR older Australians, dementia is not just one of the most-common causes of death, but also our biggest health fear.

Many of us worry that if we have a family history of dementia, we will develop it, too. So, is it all in our genes?

The research tells another story. It turns out that dementia risk is not all in our genes, it’s also in our own hands.

For most forms of dementia, around half of the risk is genetic. The role genetics play, however, depends a lot on the type of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common, but Vascular Dementia and Frontotemporal Dementia are two of many other types.

The good news is that no matter what our genetic risk, our environment and lifestyle – what we eat, how we move and how much we sleep – can have a substantial impact. To reduce dementia risk: eat a healthy diet full of unprocessed, fresh food; do regular aerobic exercise (such as walking) and strength training; practise mindfulness or meditation; and aim for seven to nine hours’ sleep per night.

WORDS: Dr Sophie Andrews, Senior Research Fellow and Healthy Brain Ageing Research Program lead researcher, and Louise Pemble, engagement officer, at UniSC’s Thompson Institute.

What’s love got to do with anything?

LINDA FITZGIBBON asks us to think about the meaning and expression of love, especially this Mother’s Day.

other’s Day has a spiritual purpose?!” snapped my cousin Mily.

She clearly wasn’t buying this idea. She’d asked me for suggestions for a Mother’s Day pressie for her mum, my first cousin, and I offered the idea of something that I had seen on Facebook: a small vial of perfume called Love. I added that I liked the spiritual purpose of it.

As Mily is a young, hip girl, I thought that she’d be receptive to an ‘alternative’ idea for a gift. It seems that I was mistaken. I wondered what she thought love was. However, instead of merely assuming what my teenaged cousin thought, I asked her about love and its meaning. She didn’t have much to say.

The idea of love is in songs, movies, novels, social media and advertising.

Where do these ideas come from? Obviously, they come from the culture around us. Love, in popular culture, often refers to romantic love, doesn’t it?

“Can’t we use the word ‘love’ and ‘mum’ in the same sentence?” I asked Mily. She turned and looked at me, and asked me what I meant. Did she think that ‘love’ and ‘mum’ in the same sentence was a bit maudlin – a bit soppy?

Ahead of love’s meaning from popular

culture, the Bible in 1 Corinthians 3 shares that: “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It does not dishonour others. It is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs …  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

Sounds like love to and from a mother to me, but did Mily understand this Biblical quote?

I asked Mily to think about her mum and patience. Was she patient? Her mum and kindness. Was she kind? Her mum and forgiveness. Did she forgive? Her mum and protection. Did she protect? Her mum and even-temperedness. Was she tempered? Her mum and hopefulness. Was she hopeful?

Mily’s face and eyes softened and MUSINGS

FACE TO FACE

showed she had understood that her mum had all of these attributes. Her mother expressed love and showed love to Mily, along with the rest of their family. In return for love from her mother, Milly ordered the Love perfume. I hope they both enjoy the exchange. Now, what about the rest of us? Can we apply love to our neighbours, friends and colleagues? Can we? We can!

We can practise patience, kindness, letting go of envy, pride and boastfulness. We can try to honour others, and to give up a self-centred concern, be slow to anger, while not keeping a scorecard. We can’t really practise all of these things at once. We can start somewhere. But where? How?

Possibly by following the advice of Gautama Buddha: “Radiate boundless love towards the entire world – above, beyond and across – unhindered …”

‘Radiate’ – what a lovely word. Love, as a spiritual behaviour, is a bellwether for our culture, communities and families.

Linda Fitzgibbon has a PhD in Applied Linguistics, and is a trained and experienced facilitator with the Virtues Project™. Linda is now retired, and lives on the Sunshine Coast. She can be contacted at linda9laugh@gmail.com

WE ARE shocked when we see reports of city people found dead in their homes after no one noticed them missing for months. We still have a chance to avoid this increasing pariah of growth. Leading psychologist, Susan Pinker, says despite technological innovation, face-to-face contact is crucial for our happiness, resilience and longevity.

Susan has also identified the ‘village effect’. For instance, the island of Sardinia has six-times the number of centenarians as the Italian mainland. Her studies show it’s not a sunny disposition or gluten-free diet that keeps the islanders so healthy –it’s their close, personal relationships and face-to-face interactions.

In highly urbanised Australia, social isolation has become a leading public health risk of our time. An important predictor of longevity is our degree of social integration with the people around us, like the lady who walks past every day with her dog or the chatty proprietor of the coffee shop. Creating our own ‘village effect’ can occur through councilsponsored local events and interest groups such as U3A helping seniors meet up, as well as transport services including Comlink helping the lonely escape the isolation of their homes with trips.

The new councils have an opportunity to revitalise our old social bonds in a challenging new era.

RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDED!

To ensure that our research is representative of the Australian population, it is essential that we include a diverse group of people, including older adults. AT THIS STAGE, BECAUSE THE PROJECT IS CLOSE TO FINISHING, THE RESEARCH IS NOW ONLY OPEN TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED A UNIVERSITY DEGREE.

Participation takes place over three sessions. Session 1 takes 2 to 3.5 hours, session 2 takes 1 to 2 hours, and session 3 takes 30 minutes. You will do problem solving tasks, puzzles, and answer knowledge questions. You will also do memory tasks and practical tasks, such as telling time and counting money. These tests are for research and development purposes only. Participants will not receive any results or feedback.

To find out more and apply, visit www.pearsonclinical.com.au/participant If you’re invited to participate, Pearson will connect you with a psychologist in your area who will complete the study sessions with you.

Or scan the QR code for more information and to register. Forfurtherquestionspleaseconta

For further questions, please contact the Pearson Research Team at research@pearson.com.au or telephone 03 7065 8533

Hope exists, even after putting out the mayday call

CHARLIE Griffiths reckons he’s slipped from a yappy yuppie to a sappy suppie and has become a little lost.

Here’s a couple of definitions. Yuppie: a term created in the 1980s as an acronym for young urban professional, meaning a young well-paid person focused on (often obsessed with) financial success. Suppie: a word I made up as an equivalent to a senior yuppie.

Being a suppie is great because we have years of experience as a yuppie to draw on, plus life lessons learned during career progression and family raising.

But one day that bloody mirror on the wall turns on us malevolently. We notice that our natural hair colour is one shade of grey, our cute crow’s feet have turned to emu treads, and we step back and realise that gravity is a bitch. It’s also even money that by now, we’ve developed some kind of chronic medical condition that has a much greater hold on our motivation than our ego. Looking the part is usually easy, but with most chronic illnesses, some days it can be near impossible to even start the cosmetic artistry ritual.

What happens when we begin to lose faith in our ability to kick ass on the big stage? What of our dreams and aspirations for our golden years? Who are we letting down? How did we let it

come to this? This can’t be happening. Mayday! Mayday!

The best thing about making a mayday call is that we’re not done yet. There’s still hope. There’s always hope. The fact that we have called for help means that we care about our life, our family, friends, goals and dreams.

While we’re waiting for the cavalry to arrive, let’s play some think music … What’s changed in our life, apart from this persistent health hiccup? We’re the same person with the same values that have soundly supported us thus far.

Maybe our sense of humour has slightly darker, cynical tendencies but we haven’t lost it. We’re as skilled and knowledgeable as ever. In fact, we’ve recently learned a lot about stuff we never thought we’d be interested in. Why do we feel so confused, anxious, stressed, angry and desperate?

We can get through this, can’t we? We’ve lost focus. Maybe there’s something amiss with our belief system.

In our youth, we were bullet-proof, unstoppable, in control. We had to overcome major resistance at times and things didn’t always work out as we planned. But we believed in our abilities, causes and destiny. We hadn’t heard fancy coaching terms such as mindset, self-awareness, accountability, visualisation and transformation. We didn’t have coaches outside of sport.

On reflection, we just believed. Call it attitude, state of mind, outlook, mentality or disposition, we had a positive mindset. Plain and simple, yet oh-so powerful. It may sound surprising, but I know from experience that a winning mindset can be created very quickly. It all comes down to boundless belief and vivid visualisation.

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

Charlie Griffiths is a certified life coach and NLP practitioner dedicated to helping middle-aged professionals who are struggling with career decisions after being diagnosed with a chronic disease.

ELDER ABUSE REALITY

THE National Council on Aging states that the three main categories of abuse in people aged 55 and over are emotional, physical and financial abuse.

Almost 60 per cent of violence and/or neglect is inflicted by a family member. Elder abuse can lead to serious health issues including dehydration, poor nutrition, organ failure and even death.

The Department of Justice says mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, are a reality for many: a result of neglect and feelings of abandonment.

Understanding the ageing process, and the change in needs that accompany the elderly person, is dependent on the individual providing the support and care.

Neglect and abuse can be as a direct result of a lack of acceptance of the increase in dependence of the elderly person and their reliance on others for support. This lack of understanding by the support/care worker and their subsequent failure to provide basic needs further exacerbates the elderly person’s decline in physical and mental health, leading to poor decision making, lack of trust and further isolation. May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month. The Elder Abuse Hotline is 1800 353 374.

WORDS: Manuela Whitford, CEO/founder of Friends with Dignity: a charity providing practical programs for DV survivors. Visit friendswithdignity.org.au

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Life in the slow lane

By Mocco Wollert

FIRSTLY, I would like to thank all my readers who have gone to the trouble of contacting me re: the ‘colloquialisms’.

Not only was it great to get feedback, but I also learned a lot about the origin of some colloquialisms.

This month, I would like to share a concept a close friend told me about which I never, ever considered.

We all know about the bucket list: all the things we want to do before we leave this earth.

So, I was flabbergasted when a friend told me about a new list: a list of what he never wanted to do again in the years remaining to him. A sort of bucket list in reverse.

It sounded crazy to have a list like that but I had a think about it and realised there are quite a few things I really do not ever want to do again.

I would never starve myself again to be able to fit into that size ‘S’ dress, top or slacks. I am neither slim, nor fat, and quite contented with how I look. Also, sizes are crazy – I think I’ve

mentioned that before – and I fit into anything from 12 to 18, depending on the label.

To making myself unhappy because of that elusive size 10 and living on lettuce leaves (sorry, these days it is kale), I say categorically: “Never again.”

I will never marry again – a very credible resolution, given my advanced years and being entrenched in habits and a set lifestyle which includes very little cooking.

I will never again allow nasty people to diminish me, tear me down or ridicule me. I will stand up to them and put them in their place. However, I think I would have to practise that, as nasty people are usually very forceful as well and I really do not like conflict.

I will never forget to acknowledge something done for me, either with a thank-you note, text, a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates. To overcome my forgetfulness in this regard, I write myself a note immediately I receive a gift or kindness. I will never lie again. Ever? Not even little white lies? This will be a difficult bullet on my ‘reverse list’ but I’ll put it there anyhow and give it a try.

I shall never again make jokes to my family. They never get my humour and simply roll their eyes. I will not buy anything I don’t need just because it is ‘on special’ –no matter if the ‘special’ is oh-so tempting, and not even if the miracle cream is guaranteed to erase my wrinkles or the magic lotion to make my hair grow.

I have wasted a lot of time, and still often do, worrying and sweating the small stuff: things not really very important in the grand scheme of my life. Maybe I should put this also on my reverse bucket list.

May one item on your list be to no longer worry. Just enjoy life.

Email mocco.wollert@bigpond.com

an adventure

By Cheryl Lockwood

THERE will be no mother-in-law jokes from me because mine is about the best a girl could get – a little, energetic lady who has always been respected and respectful.

Now in her 90s, she may have slowed down a bit, but she still exudes positivity in bucketloads and laughs a lot.

What she lacks in terms of height, she makes up for in determination.

She speaks her mind whether you like it or not but, somehow, rarely offends. As we recognise Mother’s Day in May, I’m sharing one of her stories.

Some years ago, my mother-in-law decided to purchase a small water tank to install at her home.

Back then, she and my father-in-law lived in a retirement village. They had a tiny backyard with a pretty garden. Brought up in the ‘waste not, want not’ era, she planned to use rainwater for drinking and feeding the pot plants.

A hardware store catalogue had just the thing she wanted.

Checking the measurements, she determined that not only would it suit the back yard, it also would fit into her small, hatchback car.

Now, some women might delegate the task to the man of the family or at least take them along for assistance. But not this woman. Her husband would

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have helped, but she declared that she didn’t need that level of drama.

My hubby often spoke of childhood holidays where his dad would use several people to set up camp. “Dad would give up and wander off to chat with other caravan park visitors, while mum finished the job. When she sat down to relax, he’d invite strangers across for afternoon tea.”

The hardware store had the tank in stock, so she got the attention of an employee. She would need help to get the round, plastic tank into her car.

The young lad accompanied her to the carpark with the newly purchased tank on a trolley.

Looking around, he asked, “Where’s your trailer?”

“I don’t have one. I’m taking it in the car,” she replied.

“Oh, it won’t fit in there,” he stated, with the superior confidence possessed by lads with barely 18 years on this earth.

She told him: “Yes, it will.”

This debate continued back and forth for a bit. The worker finally claimed in an exasperated tone and with much pointing, “You won’t get this tank in that car.”

With hands on hips and teeth gritted, she replied firmly, “Just watch me.”

A rainwater tank was shoehorned into the back of a small hatchback that day and transported safely to its new home.

She may have moved on to an aged care home, but don’t ever tell this little, old lady that something can’t be done.

Incidentally, she’s a much-loved resident and still participates in the home’s activities. I hope that I have that much zest for life if I make it to my 90s.

There must be something about mothers of that era because my own mum had similar determination: “If you want something done properly, do it yourself.”

We heard this line on numerous occasions, when she deemed someone’s work not up to her standard. When it came to repairs, she’d work out how to do it or at least give it a good try.

“There’s none so dumb as those who don’t want to learn,” she’d state if we whined of our inability to do something.

These days, girls are encouraged to reach for the stars and women can do anything they want, but I think a lot of mums have been quietly doing that for years.

Visit lockwoodfreelance.com

LATER RETIREMENT IS DAMAGING TO HEALTH: NEW STUDY

Taking away people’s autonomy as to when they retire and forcing them to work until 67 to qualify for a government pension could be doing damage to their health and wellbeing.

With debate raging about who should pay for Australia’s aged care burden, a study has found that the people more likely to experience all the benefits of retirement are those who are able to make the decision to stop work earlier.

But only 30 per cent of Australians can afford to retire before they are eligible for a pension, Dr Rong Zhu, a senior lecturer in economics at Flinders University College of Business, Government and Law, reports.

“We need to consider the unintended consequences of delayed retirement for health and wellbeing via a reduced sense of internal locus of control,” he says.

“If workers work beyond retirement age, they are less likely to consider life outcomes as a result of their own choices and actions.”

This can impinge on all the benefits workers might otherwise get to look forward to at that stage of life. Dr Rong Zhu says the unintended consequences of delayed retirement need to be considered.

“Our paper shows retirement significantly improves older people’s physical and mental health as well as

their subjective wellbeing, as measured by life satisfaction,” Dr Zhu says.

“One-third of the positive impact of retirement on health and one-fifth of that on wellbeing can be explained by the retirement-driven increase in internal locus of control.

“Facing an increased eligibility age for the age pension, if an older person defers retirement, then the health and wellbeing benefits associated with retirement also come at a later date.”

The increase in the retirement age to 67 for men and women can be tough, when they might have been enjoying the benefits of retirement a lot earlier, he added.

Australia’s public pension take-up rate is the second-highest in all of the OECD countries, with about 70 per cent of retirees receiving either a partial or full payment.

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My mother-in-law, the determined one

LYCEUM CLUB’S PROUD HISTORY

THE Lyceum Club Brisbane has been providing a welcoming place for women for over 100 years.

The hallmark of the club is social connectedness: nurturing friendship and lifelong learning through the interaction with women who have similar interests. The benefits of membership include the maintenance of an active mind and the opportunity to participate in special interest groups (Circles) in the club rooms. These are located in Creek Street, Brisbane CBD, near the intersection with Adelaide Street, conveniently located for train, bus or City Cat.

At the Guest Speaker Forums,

there are talks by invited speakers twice a month, followed by a light lunch. Recent talks covered cybersecurity, musical therapy and silver memories, frailty prevention and the Indonesian elections. These expert speakers are selected from a variety of fields and they are always interesting and enjoyable.

Special events include a celebration of International Women’s Day, Evening Circles which include a variety of interests, the annual Lyceum Lecture Dinner in October, the Anniversary Lunch in August and a Christmas Morning Tea.

The Monthly Circles cover many areas for life-long learning. Members of the Arts Circle visit art galleries together and the Walking Circle offers exercise and a learning experience. In the club rooms, members meet to discuss poetry, films, music, travel, handicraft and design or books. There is a mahjong circle and a writer’s group. If you enjoy French culture and language, the evening French Circle is for you.

Visit the Lyceum Brisbane Inc. Facebook page and website or email membership@ lyceumbrisbane.org.au

HOORAY for Hollywood was the theme and dress code for the Arana VIEW Club’s 27th anniversary celebrations.

The anniversary coincides with 100 years of Hollywood.

Hostesses Trish and Julie welcomed visitors across the red carpet where they entered a colourful arch to have their photo taken. Then it was off to the raffles and the tables decorated in fine silver screen style, before a Hollywood dance routine by the committee and the Divine Diva singer.

The dinner was an

opportunity to recognise 10- and 20-year members for their continuous service to VIEW. The cake was cut by past presidents.

The club’s next guest speaker will be Pam Rodrigues, speaking on Fun With Scarves.

The next fundraisers will be Make, Bake and Grow this month, and a Bunnings barbecue on June 6.

Club meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at Arana Leagues Club in Dawson Parade, Grovely.

The gatherings start at 10.30am for 11am, offering a

SUCCESSFUL SAUSAGE SIZZLE

A BIG shout out to the members of the Brendale Evening VIEW Club who rallied together to make the Easter Saturday Bunnings sausage sizzle a successful fundraising event.

The women came with their smiles, aprons and joggers on, ready to fill visitor appetites. The support will benefit the club’s eight sponsored Aussie children. In May, members will host Jose Sarmiento, a police constable who will speak on cyber scams.

Dinner meetings are held at 6.30pm for a 7pm start on the third Tuesday of the month at Aspley Hornets Football Club, 50 Graham Road, Carseldine. Bookings are required. Contact Shayne on 0409 991 428.

Past presidents cut the cake for the Arana VIEW Club’s 27th anniversary.

two-course luncheon for $35, inclusive of tea and coffee. To learn more and confirm your attendance, contact Carol at 3355 5349 by noon the Thursday before the meeting.

QUEENSLAND RETIRED TEACHERS

MAY 2024 marks the 45th birthday of the Queensland Retired Teachers Association and a BYO picnic in New Farm Park has been organised.

The picnic is on May 21 at 10am. The group will set up with its banner towards the café end of the park and not far from the ferry terminal. RSVP by May 14 and advise if you are gluten-free.

There are still a few seats available for members to attend Tina, the Musical with the possibility of high tea (extra $25) prior to the matinee on July 31. If you cannot make the musical, join the high tea. Visit qtu.asn.au/qrta (membership information), email secretary Carmel Harris at qrtasec@qtu.asn. au or email qrtaevents@qtu.asn.au for events.

You’re invited

Over-50s Lifestyle Forum 2024

JOIN US FOR A FASCINATING LIFESTYLE FORUM PROVIDING VALUABLE INSIGHTS ON FINANCE, DOWNSIZING AND PRACTICAL TIPS ON MAINTAINING A HEALTHY AND FULFILLING FUTURE AS WE NAVIGATE THE EXCITING YEARS BEYOND 50.

DATE Tuesday, 18 June 2024

TIME 9:30am for a 10:00am start to 12 noon

WHERE The Rivershed, Howard Smith Wharves, Brisbane

RSVP Register online at GemLife.com.au/forum by Monday, 10 June

Limited places | Registration essential Don’t miss this exclusive one-day event!

Hosted by former Australian cricketer and TV presenter

Mike Whitney

The forum’s expert speakers include:

Noel Whittaker

Known as Australia’s Financial Wizard of Oz, renowned finance expert, columnist, commentator and author, Noel Whittaker, will share his 20 commandments of wealth for retirees.

Rachel Lane

If you’re considering downsizing, you won’t want to miss respected financial adviser Rachel Lane, co-author with Noel Whitaker on the book Downsizing Made Simple. Learn about the options available and the ins and outs of financing retirement living.

Carly Barlow

Accredited Practicing Dietitian Carly Barlow will give expert tips on how to outsmart weight gain and muscle loss in your 50s and beyond.

Meet a well-respected warrior by name and nature

BRUCE McMAHON considers the advantages of a ‘warhorse’ wearing the Nissan badge of honour.

Could this be the last season of cruising the back country in a V8-burbling SUV? Toyota’s been moving away from V8 motivation, with the LandCruiser 300 wagon now arriving with a twin-turbo diesel V6.

Meanwhile, the next Nissan Patrol –arriving in 2025 – reportedly will run a twin-turbocharged petrol V6 to replace the current 5.6 litre V8.

Plus, there’s the to-and-fro about the New Vehicle Efficiency Standards proposed which may not play well with petrol or diesel V8s (among other internal combustion engines).

Australia has lagged behind most of the motoring world on quality, generally cleaner-burning fuels and, at some stage, there was always going to be a price to be paid.

Still, the sounds and punch of a big V8 wagon will be missed in many quarters and Nissan’s 5.6-litre petrol powerplant has long been a fan favourite.

This version arrived in 2010 and still delights with smooth power delivery and a very handy 298kW of power and 560Nm of torque. Big numbers, but then these are needed to push the blunt-nosed Patrol along at a fair clip.

It does this with a reasonable amount of sophistication through a seven-speed auto transmission. Fuel consumption (it can be in the high teens per 100km) is not overly thrifty but it’s a price to be paid for a big and very capable wagon. Besides, some V8 diesels aren’t much better on fuel.

Anyway, the Patrol’s long been a decent tourer and four-wheel drive, let down to some degree perhaps by lack of ultimate chassis finesse.

There’s a good bit of bulk to a body that weighs in around three tonne and sits just over five metres long by 1995mm wide and, in standard form, rides 1940mm tall with 273mm of ground clearance.

Last year, Nissan sent the Patrol, nearing the end of its model life, off to Premcar’s finishing school, following the success with that Victorian mob’s version of the Nissan Navara. And what a top job.

The Patrol Warrior drives better over

indifferent Australian roads and is an even-more-confident off-roader than its donor wagon.

There is still some thump and bump if collecting major potholes at speed.

There remains a load of bulk to push through tight turns but, in the main, this is a wonderful touring wagon for all manner of roads – from highways to back-country dirt roads.

The Warrior is quick and competent and forever sounds good.

Maybe the eight-seat interior’s a bit dated (there’s still a CD player among the comfort and convenience gear), but it’s a generous and comfortable cabin.

Plus, there’s no doubting this Patrol’s excellent off-road ability – helped here by Premcar’s suspension work and 18-inch tyres which give another 50mm in ground clearance.

Okay, the Nissan Patrol Warrior by Premcar is not cheap, from $101,160. Okay, so the Warrior is big and thirsty.

And the standard Patrol will be superseded in the new year.

None of these detract from a wellmannered, uber-competent and fabuloussounding V8 SUV.

It will be missed.

Detecting the hidden signs of reflux with bulk billed & non-invasive medical imaging technique

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common condition. Silent reflux affects approximately 40 to 50% of patients who have GORD. It is referred to as ‘silent reflux’ because it does not present with the classic symptoms of reflux such as: heartburn; lump in the throat and regurgitation. Symptoms of silent reflux range from chronic cough, recurrent sore throats, loss of voice, persistent throat clearing, chest pain, choking, wheezing and shortness of breath. When diagnosis and treatment are delayed, chronic GORD can increase the risk for serious health complications. In recent years, CitiScan Radiology & Lime Radiology partnered with Professor Hans Van der Wall and introduced the Gastroesophageal Reflux Test to Brisbane and the Redcliffe Peninsula.

The first of its kind, this patented nuclear medicine imaging technique precisely identifies reflux fluid contamination throughout the head, throat, and chest. “Many patients do not present with classic symptoms of GORD but are suffering from typical upper respiratory tract symptoms such as chronic cough, dysphonia and globus. This is due to reflux fluid contaminating the maxillary sinuses, throat, middle ears and laryngopharynx. It may also contaminate the airways and lungs causing asthmalike symptoms, breathing difficulties, chronic cough and recurrent bronchitis or pneumonia. We frequently see

patients with a diagnosis of “atypical asthma”, which often turns out to be GORD with entry of reflux into the airways”, says Professor Van der Wall.

Historically, GORD has been diagnosed using pH monitoring, fluoroscopy, or endoscopy. So how does the Gastroesophageal Reflux Test differ to these tests?

Although PH Monitoring is 50-80% sensitive and 77–100% specific in the presence of heartburn & regurgitation, it is limited to oesophageal disease only, particularly the lower oesophagus.

Endoscopy is effective as an anatomical diagnostic tool but has a poor sensitivity for GORD (less than 30%) and is limited to detecting reflux disease that is severe enough to damage the oesophagus.

Fluoroscopy or Barium Swallow is insensitive and has a

high radiation burden and only demonstrates oesophageal disease.

The Gastroesophageal Reflux Test is 90% sensitive and provides an effective, inexpensive, simple, and noninvasive screening tool for reflux and lung aspiration, detecting contamination throughout the maxillary sinuses, throat, middle ears, laryngopharynx, airways and lungs. If you suspect the symptoms you are suffering from correspond with reflux, you might benefit from undergoing a Gastroesophageal Reflux Test. Ask your GP for a referral to CitiScan Radiology or Lime Radiology at your next visit.

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Sometimes,theconsequencesofgastricrefluxaremoreseriousthanheartburnor regurgitation,andcouldbecausing,orcontributingtomoresignificanthealthconditions.

Gastricrefluxcontaminationmayoccurthroughouttheheadandneckandcanbethecauseofearandsinusinfections, sorethroat,andadifficultyinswallowing.Refluxcanalsoirritatetheairwaysandbeaspiratedintothelungscausing chroniccough,constantthroatclearing,breathingdifficulties,recurringchestinfections,bronchitis,orpneumonia.

Availableattwoconvenientlocations,ourpatented&exclusiveGastroesophagealRefluxTestaccurately detectsthepresenceanddeterminestheextentandseverityofgastroesophagealrefluxdisease.

Thefirstofitskind,thisnon-invasivenuclearmedicineimagingtechniqueaccuratelyidentifiesgastric fluidcontaminationthroughoutthemaxillarysinuses,throat,middleears,laryngopharynx,airwaysand lungs.

Ifyouthinkyou'dbenefitfromaGastroesophagealRefluxTest,talktoyourdoctoraboutareferralto CitiScanRadiologyorLimeRadiology.Visitourwebsiteslistedbelowformoreinformation Availableat

The safe and handy storage locker for all your data needs

EDIN READ explains that mysterious technological phenomenon known as ‘The Cloud’.

We’ve all heard of the daunting place known as ‘The Cloud’. I’ve touched on The Cloud a few times throughout my articles, but I haven’t gone into much detail as it is a tricky piece of the ever-growing puzzle of tech.

You might have heard of Cloud Computing, OneDrive, G-Drive or iCloud and I get it: they sound complex.

Cloud Computing carries nowhere near the complexities of Quantum Computing, and is really quite a simple aspect once you understand it.

So, what is The Cloud? It really is just another word for the internet.

Rather than saving your files and photos to a physical drive, instead you hire a small, private part of the internet that only you have access to.

It’s a bit like hiring a storage locker to hold your garden tools versus building an extra shed at home, but for your computer.

The main benefit is that your data is typically safer, it’s a cost-effective solution, and you can access it anywhere.

Having your data safe is paramount. We’ve talked about the importance of a backup before, just in case something happens to the computer you’re operating on: for example, you spill a glass of red wine on it (my family has had four

computers meet their demise this way!), or your device gets physically stolen or lost.

The benefit of The Cloud means that you can remove your data from a device if it’s stolen, with peace of mind that the thief can’t access that data, even if they have your current password.

You can switch on two-factor authentication, which asks you for that one-time code we’ve talked about, making it even safer.

Most importantly, let’s say the red wine doesn’t make it into the glass. You can buy a new computer that same day, sign in with your account and have all of your files there at an instant with The

Cloud. No need to start from square one.

The cost of the cloud is negligible. I personally pay $4.49 per month for 200GB of storage on iCloud (Apple’s Cloud service).

Over 20 years, this will cost just over $1000 for peace of mind for my data. A small price to pay, in my opinion, and a lot cheaper than upgrading to a new device just because it’s run out of storage. Cloud plans generally have a free 5-15GB option, then Apple’s iCloud start at $1.49 for 50GB, Google Drive from $1.99 for 100GB, and Microsoft’s OneDrive is included in most Office plans with 1000GB.

The main day-to-day benefit of The

Cloud is that you can generally access it anywhere on any device with an internet connection.

I, for example, have my files shared across my phone, laptop and iPad. This means wherever I am, I have access to them for the times when I just need that one file immediately, or when I wanted to show a photo I took on my phone on my iPad.

Even if I was without any of my devices, I could access them securely from a friend’s device or even at the library’s computers.

The beautiful thing about it is, there’s no real additional work. For taking photos, once signed up and configured, it syncs seamlessly. For documents, I just need to save them in my Cloud folder which is set up natively on my computer.

Continue to back up your files on a physical drive, too, to avoid anything going wrong or being held hostage for ransomware.

The Cloud is really the best way to store your files.

Once configured, it is easy, safe, and durable (no red wine disasters!).

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

LESA MACPHERSON offers her planning checklist for those thinking

Choosing a retirement village can seem daunting, but it’s also exciting. We have found many clients who valued a list of things to consider when choosing a village to live in. These are some of the important criteria:

1. The emotional components of your decision need careful consideration, as well as the financial aspects.

2. Visit a variety of villages and picture yourself in each of them. Talk to residents, as well as friends and family.

3. How will you continue to include your loved ones in your life at the village you choose? a. Will you be close to friends and family? b. Can they stay overnight?

c. Are pets allowed? d. Any transport?

4. An engaging lifestyle is very important. Can you keep up your favourite hobbies or learn new ones? Are activities offered?

5. Can you afford ongoing costs, not just entry costs? Understand what they are. If a couple, could you afford the fees if one of you is no longer there?

6. What happens with capital gain? What are the refurbishment requirements?

7. Exit fees – what are they? When are they payable?

8. If you leave, what are your entitlements? How soon would they be paid?

9. Do you have any right to transfer entitlements to family, such as in a will?

10. What sort of contract are you entering into? Freehold? Lease? Licence to reside?

11. What arrangements are there for ill health/hospitalisation if needed?

12. For higher-level care, can you stay in the village or do you have to move elsewhere? Consider transition costs.

13. Home help and aged care are vital considerations. Plan these sooner rather than later. What options are available?

14. Do you prefer new or established accommodation? High-rise? A garden? Take time to view a variety of options. If possible, look closely at floor plans and view lived-in areas.

15. Ask about the demographics of each option. Does the age range of other occupants suit you?

16. If you are still partnered, would fees be manageable if you become single?

17. Can you maintain your own garden? How would it be modified for your pet?

18. What’s covered in the monthly service

AUST BRANDS MUST TAP INTO ‘SILVER ECONOMY’

Brands stand to benefit from baby boomer consumers, yet marketing tactics usually target generations with less cash.

RMIT University’s Foula Kopanidis, Associate Professor in Marketing, says the 5.6 million baby boomers command a 21.5 per cent slice of our population.

“With an average accumulated net worth of $381,100 per person, they own more than half of Australia’s national wealth – and they like to spend it,” Assoc Prof Kopanidis says. “Baby boomers should be the prime target market for brands, yet many ignore the great potential of this consumer with only five per cent of advertising expenditure in Australia spent on this demographic.”

Assoc Prof Kopanidis says baby boomers often engage in online shopping,

with at least 70 per cent making one purchase from Amazon monthly and engaging with TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, YouTube and Facebook. “If brands want to bring in big business as younger generations tighten their purse strings, they must pay attention to the baby boomer market and truly understand what their purchasing habits and goals are – not assume,” she says.

Dr Bernardo Figueiredo, Associate Professor of Marketing, says the pervasive ageism in Australia, particularly in technology, stems from stereotypical assumptions about older individuals but “businesses stand to benefit significantly by tapping into the ‘silver economy,’ as older consumers often possess more disposable income and brand loyalty compared to younger demographics”.

fees? Do you pay for electricity, gas, water or internet separately?

19. Can you meet the on-site manager? Do you relate well? What involvement does the residents committee have? How are disputes resolved in the village?

20. Is the village security suitable for you?

21. What arrangements are in place for maintenance of: a. units b. community facilities c. grounds/common areas?

22. Are meals or a dining area available?

23. When are village staff on duty? How

often is there a nurse on duty? Who responds to emergency call buttons? Are these provided?

24. Review amenities and services.

25. Consider financial advice on which option is best for your circumstances. Lesa Macpherson is an expert in retirement village living considerations. Brisbane Elder Law are experts in the legal aspects of retirement village contracts and purchases. Call them on 1800 961 622 or visit brisbaneelderlaw.com.au

Lesa Macpherson is an expert in retirement village living considerations. Brisbane Elder Law are experts in the legal aspects of retirement village contracts and purchases. Contact them on 1800 961 622 or visit brisbaneelderlaw.com.

WHILE on the road, one crucial factor can make all the difference between a successful journey and potential hazards: a good night’s sleep.

However, if you’re grappling with snoring and fatigue, you may have a serious underlying condition: sleep apnea.

With one-in-four males over 30 experiencing symptoms such as excessive snoring and daytime fatigue, the impact of this condition on health and relationships can be significant.

Sleep apnea – a condition characterised by interrupted breathing during sleep – can significantly impact reaction time, focus and energy levels, as well as quality of life.

That’s why CPAP Direct is dedicated to providing solutions that can help you regain control and have the best chance at gaining a restful night’s sleep. Founded by a Queensland family who recognises the need for quality care, CPAP Direct has grown into a company with more than 110 dedicated employees and multiple locations nationwide. Their unwavering commitment to patient satisfaction remains at the core of their business.

Not only does CPAP Direct offer exceptional solutions for sleep apnea at more than 20 locations across Australia, the company also prides itself on being the trusted name in travel CPAP. One of the most-popular offerings is the range of travel

Australian cricket legend Merv Hughes

CPAP machines specifically designed to meet the unique needs of travelling with sleep apnea. Portable CPAP machines are built with convenience and efficiency in mind, enabling you to maintain your sleep therapy even when you’re away from the comfort of your own home. Equipped to run on either 12 or 24 volts, travel CPAP machines provide the assurance that your sleep apnea treatment remains uninterrupted. CPAP Direct also has you covered with masks to sleep comfortably, ready to tackle the miles ahead.

Experienced clinicians, equipped with firsthand knowledge of CPAP equipment, can guide you through the entire process from diagnosis to treatment. They are committed to working closely with you to find the ideal mask and optimal device settings that suit your needs and preferences. They place a strong emphasis on personalised attention and support, ensuring that you receive the care necessary to enhance sleep and wellbeing. For a free, online sleep apnea test, go to cpap.com.au/sleep-studies. CPAP Direct is at Maroochydore and Morayfield. Visit cpap.com.au or call 1300 133 298.

A Bra For Every Woman

Now stocking more brands and the largest size range from AA to K.

Great news for the women who struggle to find a great fitting bra. Our new bigger brighter store has enabled us to expand our range to include sports bras, full figure and maternity as well as our traditional post mastectomy wear.

Our goal is expertly fit your bra so you feel amazing in your clothes. Visit our new store and experience the Tracey G service.

HOPE IN PREVENTING HEART ISSUES LINKED TO AGEING

MELBOURNE researchers, led by Monash University, have advanced evidence to support the development of a new class of drugs to regulate blood pressure and age-associated changes in cardiovascular function.

It is widely recognised that inflammation plays a central role in the development and progression of several chronic cardiovascular diseases and accounts for 40 per cent of all deaths in elderly patients. But scientists have not yet fully grasped how ongoing inflammation during middle age might worsen heart health as people continue to age.

The team of researchers, spearheaded by the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) in collaboration with the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, embarked on a mission to explore how the naturally-occurring protein annexin A1 (ANXA1) could potentially shield against the detrimental effects of ageing on blood pressure and cardiovascular health.

Lead author, MIPS lab head and National Heart Foundation Future Fellow Dr Chengxue Helena Qin says the role of naturally-occurring pro-resolving

role in controlling blood pressure, how well your heart works, and even stopping heart problems from getting worse,” she says. “The research revealed that middleaged mice lacking ANXA1 experienced more inflammation and damage in their hearts and blood vessels. This indicates that untreated inflammation might play a role in causing heart and blood vessel problems as we age. Consequently, it could open up new possibilities for treating high blood pressure and preventing heart issues linked to ageing.”

Co-senior author Professor Owen Woodman, a Professor in the Heart Failure Pharmacology and Cardiovascular Pharmacology labs at MIPS, says this study could present a new therapeutic

What’s your problem, sleepyhead?

TRISTAN

HALL offers four simple tips to ensure a better night’s sleep and allow our bodies to recover.

Continuing on with our themes, this month we will provide four focus points for sleep and recovery.

Simply put, sleep is your biological tool to ‘be better’ for the next day and arguably is the most load-bearing pillar. It only takes a few nights of poor sleep to affect our physiology. While you might be able to continue with tasks, stress hormones and survival mechanisms are already active.

A big driver of injuries, pain and mental health issues is not necessarily from overdoing it, but rather from under-recovering.

Recovery isn’t just about what you do, but also what you don’t do. Under-recovering can be just as harmful as overexertion.

This advice is general and from allied health professionals who specialise in lifestyle intervention, exercise and diet. Here are four simple, effective strategies.

A consistent sleep schedule: Align with your body’s natural clock by establishing a fixed bedtime and wake-up time. Sticking to a routine, even on

weekends, reinforces your body’s sleep/wake cycle and can help you fall asleep more easily at night.

Create a restful environment: Make your bedroom a sanctuary for sleep. This means cool, dark and quiet. Consider using blackout curtains to shield against noise and light, reducing the temperature and decreasing the items that can deteriorate sleep (phones next to the bed, TV in the bedroom, animals in the bed). Investing in a comfortable mattress and pillows can also make a significant difference.

Management of light: This can be a simple top-and-tail approach.

Reduce artificial light close to your bedtime (think doom scrolling, watching YouTube videos) and increase natural light in the morning. Suggestions include having your morning coffee outside or even removing the curtains early in the morning. Light can have a huge bearing on our circadian rhythm.

Wind-down ritual: Before bed, engage in calming activities to help signal to your body that it’s time to wind down. This could be as simple as reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practising relaxation exercises such as deep breathing or meditation.

So, prioritise your sleep, refine your night-time routine and consult with a healthcare provider if sleep disturbances persist.

These small, deliberate steps can lead to substantial improvements in physical and mental health and, by extension, your overall quality of life.

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

LIVE YOUR VIBRANT LIFE WITH TA-DA CHAIR

FIT HAPPENS With Tom Law

REMEMBER: EXERCISE, SOCIALISE, MEMORISE

RECENTLY, I was a guest speaker at a Probus club meeting. After the presentation, a gentleman expressed his views on health and wellness, as told to him by a doctor.

The doctor said the three main things you have to do is in no order but equally important. They were: exercise, socialise and memorise. How simple is that and very easy to remember.

I must admit that at times, I have concentrated on exercise without giving socialise and memorise much thought. But I do see with the senior citizen groups that I work with that socialise and memorise are important, too.

My Saturday morning exercise group for over-55s is not only a great way to exercise with like-minded people, the coffee and breakfast after are very important. We have one gentleman who cannot make

the exercise program, so he meets us at breakfast.

Many in our group also play Wordle, chess and bridge and some tackle crosswords and do puzzles and jigsaws as a hobby. All good stuff to keep the brain engaged and the mind active.

Exercise is paramount, but socialising is great for our outlook, improves our mood and, in some cases, can be a good pain-management tool by virtue of distraction.

If you have the time, try some memory games. They can be fun, educational and, most importantly, keep you and your brain active. We all slow down (thank goodness for that, too) but it has been proven many times in scientific studies that the chances of living a better life are improved by keeping physically and mentally active.

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

PREMIUM OVER-50S LIVING RISES TO THE OCCASION

CLOSE to the best the city has to offer and yet surrounded by nature, GemLife over-50s lifestyle resort’s first split-level display home showcases an unprecedented lifestyle opportunity on the northern Gold Coast.

The display is one of 39 architecturallydesigned premium homes to be built, with some boasting city skyline views.

Four designs are available. Each offers a spacious, open-plan design with two bedrooms plus a multipurpose room, ultra-high ceilings, large rear yards, two al fresco areas, louvered shade systems and designer kitchens with European appliances.

GemLife Gold Coast sales manager Ashleigh Murtagh says the premium homes raise the bar for over-50s living, providing luxury inclusions as standard, lovely outlooks, as well as maximising natural light and breezes.

“The split-level homes feature a generous 326sqm to 351sqm of living space with a master suite located on both levels, providing plenty of privacy when guests

stay or the option for dual living,” she says.

“Each home features outdoor entertainment areas on both the upper and lower level, plus an al fresco kitchen, complemented by a built-in bar area and wine fridge inside, making them ideal for those who love to host family, friends and neighbours.”

The resort’s luxury split-level homes, priced from $1.2 million, are among GemLife’s most premium to date.

“Demand has been extremely strong for homes across the board and with a large wait list already for Stage 3,” Ashleigh says.

“We’re expecting the more than 100 homes to sell within weeks of hitting the market, when they’re released later this year. The new split-level homes offer a rare opportunity, with only a limited number of these designs to be released in future stages.”

For more on GemLife Gold Coast and the new split-level home collection, contact 1800 325 229 or visit gemlife. com.au/gemlife-gold-coast-resort

RETIREMENT LIVING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY FORECAST TO GROW

AS THE country faces a rapidly approaching silver tsunami of older Australians and an ongoing housing crisis, retirement living construction activity levels are forecast to continue to lead the way in Australia.

The latest Procore/Property Council Survey reveals Australia’s retirement living industry is forecasting strong confidence around construction activity over the coming 12 months, while capital value growth sentiment has bounced back in most jurisdictions after a decline in the previous quarter.

Confidence in retirement construction activity is at its highest since December 2021, outperforming other sub-sectors, and is forecast to be greater than residential, office, retail and hotels combined.

Retirement Living Council executive director Daniel Gannon says this positive sentiment is another reason for the Australian government to include retirement communities as a key delivery component of achieving the National Housing Accord target to build 1.2 million new homes by 2029.

“The Master Builders Association ... forecast that the Australian Government will fall short of its target by 112,675 homes, but there’s a silver lining to this scenario,” Mr Gannon says.

“In order to maintain existing market demand, the retirement living industry requires 67,000 units to be built by 2030.

“This would represent 59 per cent of

the gap identified by the MBA, meaning age-friendly communities can help the government solve Australia’s housing supply problem.

“With the number of Australians over the age of 75 set to increase from two million to 3.4 million by 2040, more age-friendly housing that keeps people out of hospital and aged care facilities must be supported by all levels of government.”

Mr Gannon says that while the survey is largely positive, there are still a number of variables that could place a handbrake on much-needed supply.

“There is still much uncertainty across all property sub-sectors, with construction prices, materials and labour continuing to drive uncertainty,” he says.

“The other variable for the retirement living sector is legislative reform, which is taking place in every corner of the country and impacting two-thirds of Australia’s retirement living markets.

“This is particularly relevant in WA, one of the states currently undergoing legislative reform, with the survey showing a sharp decline in forecast capital value growth.

“This provides an important reminder that if these reforms make it harder for operators to build and operate age-friendly communities, it could tighten the supply clamp at a time when confidence remains high, construction activity is strong, and when the nation needs housing.

“Governments need to better understand that retirement villages across the country save the federal government almost a billion dollars every year as Australia’s population continues to age.”

An artist’s impression of the Sundale Palmwoods Garden Village expansion

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PAUL

SINCE its premiere in 2019, the smash hit comedy

The Gospel According To Paul has taken the country by storm, selling out venues and attracting plaudits from audiences and critics alike.

Co-creator and star of The Wharf Revue, Jonathan Biggins targets one of Australia’s most-compelling and enigmatic leaders in this unmissable one-man comedy.

Showcasing the former prime minister’s eviscerating wit, rich rhetoric and ego the size of Everest, Biggins distils

Keating into one hilarious and evocative night of theatre — the visionary, reformer, rabble-rouser and Bankstown boy who quickly realised that to get things done in political life, it’s better to be needed than loved. This is a clever portrayal of one of our most-charismatic leaders who, as he tells it, single-handedly shaped contemporary Australia. WHERE: RPAC, 2-16 Middle Street, Cleveland. WHEN: Thursday, May 23, at 7.30pm. TICKETS: From $25, via rpac.com.au or call the RPAC Box Office on 3829 8131.

FOR THE DIARY: May

• May 1-31 Macula Month; Queensland Small Business Month

• May 6 International No

Diet Day; Labour Day

• May 7 World

Asthma Day

• May 5-12 Road Safety Week

• May 8 World

Red Cross Day

• May 12 Mother’s Day

• May 11-17 Kidney Health Week

• May 17 National

Endangered Species Day

• May 19 World IBD Day

• May 19-25 National Palliative Care Week

• May 23 Australia’s

Biggest Morning Tea; World Turtle Day

• May 25-31 Spinal Health Week

• May 26 National Sorry Day

• May 27-June 3

Reconciliation Week

• May 30World MS Day

• May 31 World No

Tobacco Day

• May 31-June 1

Maleny Show

Here’s a firm family favourite guaranteed to be a hit dessert at any Mother’s Day lunch or dinner.

Apple Crumble Serves 6.

Ingredients:

• 2 x 400g cans pie apples

• ½ cup (80g) sultanas

• 250g packet Scotch Finger biscuits, crushed

• 4 tablespoons (60g) butter, melted.

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Spoon the apples into a lightly greased, 20cm pie dish and then sprinkle with sultanas. In a large bowl, mix together the biscuit crumbs and melted butter. Spread the mixture evenly over the apple and sultanas and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden.

Optional: Cinnamon may be added to the biscuit mixture if desired.

Serving suggestion: Serve with custard.

The recipe is supplied by Kim McCosker, of 4 Ingredients.

Biggins distils Keating’s eviscerating wit and ego the size of Everest into one hilarious and evocative night of theatre.

JONATHAN Biggins is Paul Keating in The Gospel According to Paul, at Redland Performing Arts Centre (RPAC).

MY FAIR LADY JUST NUDES

THE first ‘nudes’ exhibition is coming to Bribie Island Community Arts Centre.

The inaugural Just Nudes show will run from May 28-June 16, with entries received from many types of creative media.

This celebration of the wonder and beauty of the human form is a great talking point.

And you can vote in the People’s Choice award. Opening night is Friday, May 31.

WHEN: May 28 – June 16.

WHERE: Matthew Flinders Gallery at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre, 191 Sunderland Drive, Banksia Beach.

MORE INFORMATION: Visit bribieartscentre.com.au

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES (View the full calendar on club web site) lyceumbrisbane.org.au

MAY

9th Cinema Notes on a Scandal 14th Travel: Antarctica

15th & 29th Mahjong

16th Art Lethbridge Landscape Prize

20th Music The Beggars Opera

21st Forum Dr Tamielle Brunt

Protecting the Platypus

22nd & 29th Lyceum Singers practice

23rd Books Wifedom Anne Funder 28th Evening: Annual Lyceum Debate

A Club for Women interested in the Arts, Science, contemporary issues and the pursuit of lifelong learning.

JUNE

3rd Forum Dr Ian Hall: India

4th Design: Barbara Heath: Unique & Stunning Jewellery

5th Walkers Government House Tour

7th Poetry John Keats

11th Travel Madagascar

18th Forum Dr Tara Walker: Adult Neurogenesis

28th Writers Dr Helen Kleabe Oral History: Methodology

VISITORS WELCOME // Contact: membership@lyceumbrisbane.org.au

BRISBANE audiences are in for a treat as Queensland Musical Theatre’s 40th anniversary production of My Fair Lady takes to the stage.

This production is bringing its timeless charm and unforgettable music to the Twelfth Night Theatre, Bowen Hills, and promises to captivate audiences with its stunning visuals, talented cast, and a full theatre orchestra for the popular score.

Starring in the lead role of Eliza Doolittle is the captivating Kirra Lang. Trained as a classical vocalist, Lang is a proud graduate of Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University with a BA in Classical Voice and Opera Studies.

Her recent credits include Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz), Laurey cover (Oklahoma!), Christine alternate (The Phantom of the Opera), and Edith and Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance).

The production’s Henry Higgins, James Lennox, has been working in theatre performances since the age of 15. Major credits include Sky (Mamma Mia!), Rod (Avenue Q), Will (Big Fish), Cornelius Hackl (Hello Dolly!) Freddy Eynsford-Hill (My Fair Lady), Richard Bailey (Kinky Boots), Motel Kamzoil (Fiddler on the Roof) and, most recently, Sir Lancelot in Spamalot.

Talented and versatile actor David McLaughlin will appear as Colonel

Pickering. Among the many roles to his credit are Munkustrap (Cats), Bill, (Mamma Mia!), Igor (Young Frankenstein), Wolf/Steward (Into the Woods), Fred Casely, (Chicago), Professor (South Pacific) and, last year, Patsy (Spamalot).

Set against the backdrop of Edwardian London, the musical features beloved songs such as I Could Have Danced All Night, On the Street Where You Live and Wouldn’t It Be Loverly. With its witty dialogue, charming characters and unforgettable music, My Fair Lady is a musical theatre masterpiece that has delighted audiences for generations. WHERE: Twelfth Night Theatre, 4 Centra Road, Brisbane. WHEN: June 14-23, at various times. TICKETS: Via Ticketek and TryBooking. Visit queenslandmusicaltheatre.com

Brisbane audiences are in for a treat as the classic musical My Fair Lady takes to the stage, bringing its timeless charm and unforgettable music to the Twelfth Night Theatre, Bowen Hills.

Starring in the lead role of Eliza Doolittle is the captivating Kirra Lang. Trained as a classical vocalist, Kirra is a proud graduate of Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University with a BA in Classical Voice and Opera Studies. Kirra’s recent credits include Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz), Laurey cover (Oklahoma!), Christine alternate (The Phantom of the Opera), Edith and Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance). Our Henry Higgins, James Lennox has been working in theatre performances since the age of 15. Major credits include Sky (Mamma Mia!), Rod (Avenue Q), Will (Big Fish), Cornelius Hackl in (Hello Dolly!) Freddy Eynsford-Hill (My Fair Lady), Richard Bailey (Kinky Boots), Motel Kamzoil (Fiddler on the Roof) and, most recently, Sir Lancelot in Spamalot

A talented and versatile actor David McLaughlin will appear as Colonel Pickering. Among the many roles to his credit are Munkustrap (Cats), Bill, (Mamma Mia!), Igor, (Young Frankenstein), Wolf/Steward (Into the Woods), Fred Casely, (Chicago), Professor, (South Pacific), and, last year, Patsy (Spamalot).

Set against the backdrop of Edwardian London, the musical features beloved songs such as I Could Have Danced All

Night, On the Street Where You Live, and Wouldn’t It Be Loverly

With its witty dialogue, charming characters, and unforgettable music, My Fair Lady is a musical theatre masterpiece that has delighted audiences for generations. Don’t miss your chance to experience this timeless classic live on stage!

My Fair Lady will be performed at Twelfth Night Theatre from 14 – 23 June. Tickets are available now at Ticketek and TryBooking. For more information, visit queenslandmusicaltheatre.com

AS A celebration of Queensland Day, Mother and Son, one of Australia’s best-known and most-popular television series, will be brought to life on stage by Theatre Redlands at Redland Museum.

By Geoffrey

Atherden

– the playwright who penned the TV series –the play will draw audiences into the intimate and occasionally dysfunctional world of the Bear family: Maggie, the increasingly forgetful mother, her live-in, over-wrought son Arthur, his opportunistic and socially successful brother Robert, Robert’s ultra-snob wife Liz and a parade of lesser beings who are entangled in the domestic saga.

Director Raymond Noonan, a long-time fan of the TV series, says that as soon as he read the script, he felt compelled to direct it.

“It’s a really funny play,” he says.

“But while the family’s mishaps and Maggie’s misunderstandings trigger the laughter, we’re never laughing at them,

we’re laughing at the situations they find themselves in – many of which we can possibly identify with.”

Noonan says that the carefullyselected cast, which includes some new faces along with the Theatre Redlands regulars, have recreated their own characters rather than attempting to imitate the TV series personalities.

WHERE: Redland Museum, 60 Smith Street, Cleveland.

WHEN: Weekends from May 31 – June 9.

TICKETS: Via trybooking.com/events/ landing/1208548 or call 3286 3494.

NIGHT WITH ROBINSON CRUSOE

THE Hills Players are setting sail on a new riotous production: A Night with Robinson Crusoe – an Australian play by Linda Ronson.

A party of six department store assistants decide to be daring and go on a ladies-only Sydney Harbour cruise as a retirement party for one of their own. Organised by the younger floor members of the team, the cruise is actually a strip show. Moving and funny, the play deals with marriage, bereavement, friendship

and the demands of ‘unlovely’ adult children. Sweetness, desperation, warmth, humour and frustration result as mayhem and fun unfold.

WHERE: St Matthew’s Church Hall, 22 Coorong Street, Mitchelton.

WHEN: June 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 7.30pm. Email hillsplayers@gmail.com.

TICKETS: Adults $20 and seniors and students $15 at the door (cash or card). For bookings, call 3355 7319 or 3351 4496. Visit thehillsplayers.com

SINCE its inception in 2010, Teneriffe Festival has been bringing the best beats, eats, arts and drinks to Brisbane’s biggest and most-vibrant street party.

The massive one-day festival spans the length of one of the city’s most-prestigious suburbs. This year will feature the festival’s biggest family offering to date by introducing the Merthyr Village Little Teneriffe area which will include a live interactive experience, plus meet-andgreets with everyone’s favourite blue heeler, Bluey. The fiesta, which captures the diversity and heritage that makes Teneriffe a cultural hub, attracts up to

50,000 attendees, year on year. Activities promised as part of the festival experience each year include market stalls, street performers, community representatives, tasty treats from some of Southeast Queensland’s best food vendors, and live music across multiple stages.

WHEN: Saturday, June 8, 10am-9pm.

WHERE: Vernon Terrace, Teneriffe.

TICKETS: Adults $35, children (aged 13-17) $20 (12 and under free but must be purchased in conjunction with an adult ticket), family bundle (2 adults and 2 children) $90 plus booking fees, via teneriffefestrival.org

BASTAR D BLOODY BEAUTIFUL

girl who follows her German lover from Cologne to the end of the world.”

Bloody Bastard Beautiful is testimony of the fact that Mocco Wollert ticked all the boxes, with one extra component in the mix: a healthy sense of humour. Friends were the only support system at the time Mocco set foot on Darwin’s primitive tarmac. She and her husband soon found good people between the motley crowds that were

The WORLD in Your Hands Travel in Your Time

Immersed in Cambodia and Vietnam’s hidden gems

There’s more to be experienced on a Mekong River cruise than the delta region, as NANNETTE HOLLIDAY discovered while floating along estuaries and the Tonlé Sap River from Siem Reap to Saigon.

Children playing along the riverbanks wave, long boat fishermen protect their extended lines, and stilt houses stand like little wooden soldiers between the rice fields and native bushes.

It’s all so close and captivating. I almost feel like I’m intruding, but the villagers, who’ve rarely seen tourists, remain unfazed.

I’m aboard the RV Toum Tiou II (TT2) on its nine-day New Discovery Cruise from Siem Reap, Cambodia, to Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (or reverse), meandering the chestnut Tonlé Sap and Mekong rivers away from the typical tourist trails.

The boutique teak, steel-hulled ship is the second-smallest of five operated by CF Mekong. Its old-world charm is captivating. The vessel feels intimate yet luxurious, with just 14 cosy ensuite cabins opening onto teak decks, a restaurant, sundeck bar and lounge staffed by happy, helpful Cambodians.

TRADITIONAL CAMBODIA – Each day’s off-ship activities are included, offering insights into the region’s culture and traditions.

At Andong Reusey Community Village outside Kampong Chhnang, artisans showcase their age-old crafts with unwavering passion. For 15 years, Sophat has walked around a solid tree stump, patting the clay on top with her hands and a paddle until she creates a perfect pot without any form of potter’s wheel in sight.

Next door, 72-year-old Mr Ry swings between his 30m high sugar palm trees, collecting palm juice. Then, he demonstrates how to make palm wine and offers us a taste. I gag. It’s bitter. It’s certainly not being added to my preferred drink list. I’m also not putting my hand up for his 73-year-old wife’s job – standing over a large cauldron, consistently hand stirring the palm juice daily, turning it into palm sugar – all for $US1.75 (about $AUD2.66) a kilo.

Over the following few days, other uniquely adventurous and insightful outings expand my knowledge of the people and region. These include a relaxing ox cart ride past emerald rice fields to 18th-century Wat Kampong Tralach Leu at Kampong Tralach, interactions with a monk and receiving his blessing. As a nun washes the lunch plates in a plastic bowl under her modest home, she imparts insights into her life at Vipassana Dhura Buddhist Meditation Centre in Oudong, Cambodia’s former capital. It’s awe-inspiring and humbling.

GASTRONOMIC DIFFERENCES

– The culinary adventures are equally memorable, from eye-opening foods including stuffed frogs, snakeheads and red ants with bananas at Oudong local market to fried crickets and tarantulas at Phnom Penh’s Central Markets, and exotic black eggs, duck embryos and fried rats, plus loads of traditional Vietnamese foods and tropical fruits at Sa Dec Markets.

With all meals included aboard TT2, it’s not necessary to experiment with unusual market foods unless they’re on

your wish list. TT2’s chef prepares bountiful buffet breakfasts, copious lunches, lavish five-course Asian and Western dinners, and individual chefcooked offerings are all too mouthwatering to refuse.

In Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City, tours cover all the big-ticket items, entry fees and an English-speaking guide explaining every minute detail, along with local anecdotes, as we travel by air-conditioned bus from place to place among the city’s hustle and bustle. Nothing is rushed.

ACROSS THE BORDER – Crossing the border into Vietnam at Vinh Xuong, we notice an eerie mood change. The little Cambodian fishing boats are replaced by looming factories along the riverbanks, juxtaposing patches of fruit plantations, rice fields and unassuming cattle on the other side. Mercifully, the Mekong is miles wider here, as our cruising space is now shared with massive barges loaded with gravel and export goods heading to Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon.

Three hours later, we float into Chau Doc on the Hau River, 250km west of Ho Notre Dame, Ho

Chi Minh City/Saigon

A colourful flower market

The writer on an ox cart ride in Kampong Tralach

IMAGES: NANNETTE HOLLIDAY AND SUPPLIED

Chi Minh City, where brightly coloured floating fishing farms dot the shores. This border town is a kaleidoscope of multiculturalism, where Khmer, Chinese, Cham and Vietnamese communities provide a harmonious blend of cultures and traditions.

A 900m cable car ride up sacred Sam Mountain provides 360-degree views of the town, patchwork farming countryside, and Vinh Te Canal to the border. At Mieu Ba Chua Xu Pagoda, locals offer whole pigs, baskets of fruit and flowers while praying before

the sacred Lady Chau statue. The relaxing afternoon rowboat ride through 850-hectare Tra Su Cajuput Forest, under lush towering paperbarks and over carpets of waterlilies, flourishing in the permanently flooded wetlands, exposes a veritable bird-lovers’ paradise.

DELTA DELIGHTS – At My Tho, a major port and the largest city in the Mekong Delta, some ride bikes or float in sampans along scenic palm-fringed canals and learn about fruit harvesting and glazed fruit production while enjoying unlimited samples.

Like all our outings, the tour is void of other groups of tourists. However, day trips to My Tho from Ho Chi Minh City are popular, and multiple buses arrive at 11am as we leave. We’ve enjoyed three hours without interruption, allowing more profound local connections.

As TT2 begins the final and unique leg of our cruise along the Cho Gao Canal, the entrance to Ho Chi Minh City, we relax over lunch and drinks. Only the five CF Mekong River Cruise ships can cruise this 29km canal: a water highway servicing more than 2000 commercial boats and barges daily. Being near the shore and seeing local life up close again is refreshing.

SENSATIONAL SAIGON – Docking at Bach Dang on the Saigon River at sunset, the bright neon lights dazzle. We have two more nights aboard TT2, complete

with tours, but tonight, five of us have chosen the only optional tour: the Vespa Nightlife Food Tour.

The colourful vintage Vespas and our drivers are waiting. The fantastic four-hour experience scooting around the city, slurping sky-high cocktails, staring at city lights, devouring the best Banh Mi in town, eating a seafood banquet with locals, and finishing with a super-smooth hot chocolate nightcap at Maison Marou Saigon delivers in spades while surrounded by the capital’s crazy city traffic.

The nine-day journey from Siem Reap

to Saigon is an enlightening treasure trove of experiences. The scenery, cuisines, authentic activities and interactions with people in Cambodia and Vietnam, far from the regular tourist haunts, produce a rare calm and peacefulness.

All restaurant meals aboard, on-land tours, English-speaking guides and WiFi are included. Alcohol is not. However, a good selection is available and reasonably priced, or you can take your own aboard, and staff will happily refrigerate.

Visit cfmekong.com/cruise-types/ discovery-cruise/

Vietnam and Cambodia Highlights 13 days Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City Departures: July 2024 to March 2025.

• Experiences in 12 destinations.

• Locally inspired dining – a total of 31 meals and a wide range of onboard beverages.

• Seven-night cruise aboard APT’s new luxury river ship the Mekong Serenity.

• Witness the sun rising above Cambodia’s Angkor Wat.

• Be welcomed by monks into a traditional Buddhist Blessing.

• From $7,695* per person, twin share.

Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery 17 days Hanoi to Siem Reap

• Experiences in 14 destinations.

• Locally inspired dining – a total of 43 meals and a wide range of onboard beverages.

• Seven-night cruise aboard APT’s new luxury river ship the Mekong Serenity.

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RV Toum Tiou II at Kampong Chhnang

THE caravan industry is holding tight to popularity, despite the rising challenge of the international market and cruising.

Caravan Industry Association of Australia has released its National Visitor Economy Report, the key quarter analysis on all the caravanning holiday statistics for the past three months.

The December report has one big take-away, despite rising outbound international travel numbers in the baby boomer market in the flight and cruising sectors: caravanning in Australia has held its ground, once again demonstrating the industry’s resilience.

Despite the shift in the baby boomer market, numbers have remained stable. There was a total of 15.2 million overnight caravan and camping trips at the year ending December 2023: a small increase on the previous year but still a sizeable nine per cent up on 2019.

Caravan Industry Association of Australia CEO Stuart Lamont has welcomed the statistics, stating that they showcase just how tenacious the caravan industry is.

“Despite other markets rebounding post-Covid, the caravanning and family park appeal remains as strong as ever,” he says. “One of the biggest points is the number of families spending time in their caravans or in one of the industry’s many holiday parks.”

Mr Lamont says that when looking at who is embarking upon drive holidays, the 30 to 54-year demographic or ‘family package’ is hitting the roads.

“This speaks directly to the industry’s value-for-money proposition – something the industry prides itself on: having a high-quality offering for everyone at any price point,” he says.

“The caravan and camping sector are vitally important to Australia’s visitor economy, particularly our regional and rural areas. Looking at the latest figures, it is easy to see these numbers will have a direct flow-on effect to these areas.

“These visitors spend more than $8.1 billion directly in region whilst they travel, which in turn supports local economies, job creation and regional communities.”

In total to December 2023, 60.6 million nights were spent in a caravan or in a park – numbers that still hold the industry up on 2019 numbers by three per cent.

“Although the numbers are encouraging, there is still a need to remain firmly focused on supporting domestic tourism, ensuring our regional and remote economies continue to receive much needed support and growth through dispersal away from the big city centres – an effect we are still seeing as travellers come back to our shores,” Mr Lamont says.

Explore The Silo Art Trail of NSW & ACT with us in 2024

SETTING THE STANDARD FOR SMALL-GROUP, LUXURY JOURNEYS

HAVE you discovered how to see the world’s most-spectacular destinations in a way that authentically speaks to adventurous, ultra-luxe travel?

Do you gaze in wonder before the crowds arrive? Do you stay in luxury accommodations that are hand-picked, atmospheric gems? Does your travelling bellboy handle your luggage everywhere you go? Does your valet take the stress out of your laundry needs? If you’re still searching to find the ideal balance of expert-led guiding alongside exquisite

hospitality, refined elegance and exclusive access privileges, then look no further than Abercrombie & Kent.

With a family of 2500 experts in 60 offices and 30 countries, its professionals have the network to design your journey’s every move, right down to the last detail.

Discover the extraordinary breadth of Japan’s refined arts, culture and history, from the neon skyscrapers of Tokyo to the charms of traditional Kyoto, indulging in Japan’s cuisine along the way. Its allure extends far beyond its urban centres. Step back in time to the days of the samurai, exploring historic castles and battlefields, where

tales of honour come to life.

Travel to Africa and come face to face with some of Mother Nature’s mostamazing species in Botswana at the Chobe National Park, where you will hear lions roaring and buffalo rampaging. On the same continent, Kenya and Tanzania beckon. Venture to the sunsoaked plains of East Africa on an extraordinary safari in Great Migration country, sleeping in luxury camps beneath the stars in the heart of the action. Or discover exotic Morocco, where the sun-kissed sands of the Sahara meet sparkling snow-capped mountains and ancient history and

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THAT?

contemporary cultures collide.

A feat of wonder awaits in Peru, from the glorious Incan capital of Cusco to the towering Andes and beyond. Mingle with the residents of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and gain an intimate understanding of their ancestral weaving and farming techniques during a private visit to their village, where you can partake in a Pachamama ceremony.

If you’re ready to delve into the wonders of the globe, travelling with locals and sharing their unique stories and ancestral perspectives, contact your local Travellers Choice travel agent today. Visit travellerschoice.com.au

Visitors need a little patience if they wish to snap a photo of the larger-than-life statue of a man who was committed to peace, freedom and reconciliation. Nelson Mandela Square in the heart of Sandton, Johannesburg, pays tribute to the late anti-apartheid activist, politician and statesman who served as the first democratically elected president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. The impressive work, sculpted by artists Kobus Hattingh and Jacob Maponyane, stands at the entrance to a piazza-style square with fountain in the Sandton Mall, surrounded by vibrant bars and restaurants. The shoes alone are almost a metre long. Visitors from all over the world come to see the imposing sculpture and pay their respects to a beloved leader and the legacy he left the world. If you have a gob-smacking photo from your holidays, send it in with details for consideration in our travel pages. Email editor@yourtimemagazine.com.au

SENIOR COACH TOURS

DAY TOURS 2024

Thursday 23rd May

LOGAN VILLAGE – TAMBORINE – SCENIC RIM

Includes Morning Tea & Lunch $9000 per person

Wednesday 26th June

EUMUNDI MARKETS & FREE TIME

Includes Morning Tea only $6000 per person

Saturday 20th July

JUMPERS & JAZZ FESTIVAL IN WARWICK

Includes Morning Tea only $9000 per person

PH: 3269 6466

Email: info@redandwhitecoaches.com.au www.redandwhitecoaches.com.au

Coffs Harbour, Dubbo Zoo, Warrumbungles, Siding Spring Observatory, Goondiwindi, Toowoomba FARE INCLUDES: ACCOMMODATION.

All Dinners and Breakfast, All Admissions: Taronga Western Plains Open Range Zoo, Lightning Ridge Walk-In Mine, Chambers of the Black Hand, Mudgee Winery. Siding Spring Exploratory.

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

GRAND FLORAL PARADE - (Reserved

Seating) PRIVATE GARDENS TOUR - CROWS NEST - JONDARYAN includes 4 star Motel Accommodation, ALL breakfast and dinners

ALL ADMISSIONS: Private Gardens, Grand Parade Reserve Seating, Crows Nest Soft Drink Factory, Jondaryan Woolshed, Cobb & Co Museum, Spring Bluff Railway Station Garden, Historic RUDDS Pub, Spring Garden World & Kingfisher Café - Afternoon Tea,Queen’s Park, Laurel Bank Park, Picnic Point. (Mystery Gardens and Lunch). MODERATE TO GOOD MOBILITY REQUIRED FOR THIS TOUR

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

PICKUP AND RETURN: Brisbane, Redcliffe, Redlands, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Sunshine Coast, Caboolture. Red and White Coaches

Hunter Valley Gardens, Toowoomba Flowers, Blue Mountains, Cowra Cherry Blossoms, Warrumbungle National Park.

IMAGE: SHIRLEY SINCLAIR

PERMANENT SEASIDE TRIBUTE TO HISTORIC SHIPWRECK

A NEW seaside park will ensure the rich history of an iron-hulled steamer, driven ashore during a cyclone in 1893, lives on.

Inspiring our youth and taking many back in time, the 129-year-old SS Dicky wreck has been immortalised in an interpretive installation at the southern Sunshine Coast beach named in its honour.

The ‘barnacle wall’ features restored wreck pieces, artefacts, lifebuoy, replica bell and stories of locals inspired by the steamer.

Sunshine Coast Council liveability and natural assets

group executive Bill Haddrill says these impressionable works are the final piece of the Dicky Beach Precinct Plan.

“The wreck’s significance to the local area will continue to live on and serve as a really fun way to share the memories and history of what the  SS Dicky meant to our community,” he says.

“Come and take a look at the interpretive elements and ship pieces featured on the viewing deck, which has direct line of sight to the location of the grounding.”

Local Graham Smith says he is pleased to see the  SS Dicky’s heritage on display.

“It’s a job well done,” Mr Smith says.

“Colin White and I were strong advocates for the precinct upgrade since 2013 and were on the SS Dicky Taskforce to ‘bring the bell home’.

“It was a great achievement to find the original bell and to now have its history on display alongside the replica bell is great.

“It’s a dream come true to see the heritage ring on at Dicky Beach.”

SCOTLAND IN

ITS SOCIAL MEDIA GLORY

A new study reveals that Edinburgh Castle is the mostInstagrammable destination in Scotland, with a total of 723,165 posts featuring its hashtag.

Private Tours Scotland analysed Instagram data for 30 popular Scottish tourist destinations to uncover which have been tagged the most on the platform by users.

Edinburgh Castle takes the crown as the mostInstagrammable spot in Scotland, with an impressive 723,165 posts using #edinburghcastle. Standing on Castle Rock in the country’s capital, Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortified places in

Europe. Closely following in second place is Glencoe, with 607,634 posts featuring #glencoe. Located within Lochaber Geopark in the Highlands, the deep valley and towering mountains of Glencoe were formed over millennia of shifting glaciers and volcanic eruptions.

The third mostInstagrammable destination in Scotland is Loch Lomond, with 596,965 posts using #lochlomond. This beautiful freshwater loch crosses the Highland Boundary Fault and is surrounded by charming villages, rolling countryside and hills.

The world-famous Loch Ness ranks fourth, with 527,939 posts featuring its hashtag. Loch Ness contains more water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined.

Coach Tours

2023 Tour Program

MARCH 2023

Fraser Island Explorer (4 Days)

O’Reillys Escape (4 Days)

APRIL 2023

2023 Autumn Tour (9 Days)

High Country to Murray Delta (11 Days)

JUNE

Gold Coast & Northern Rivers (4 Days)

Qld Outback to Coast (12 Days)

MAY 2023

Nth Qld Savannah Way (11 Days) Fully Booked

Norfolk Island (9 Days)

JULY

JUNE 2023

Mystery Escape (4 Days)

Red Centre - Adelaide to Darwin (18 Days)

Christmas in July (1 Day)

Outback QLD to the Coast (1 Days)

Lightning Ridge (7 Days)

JULY 2023

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo (7 Days)

AUGUST

AUGUST 2023

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo Station #2 (7 Days)

O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat (4 Days)

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo (7 Days)

SEPTEMBER

Lightning Ridge (7 Days)

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo Station #3 (7 Days)

Fraser Island Whale Watch (4 Days)

K’gari (Fraser Island) Whale Watch (4 Days)

SEPTEMBER 2023

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (4 Days)

Carnarvon Gorge & Wallaroo (7 Days)

Spring Gardens (10 Days)

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (4 Days)

Spring Gardens Tour (12 Days)

NOVEMBER

Tasmania (14 Days)

O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat (4 Days)

October, November, December details available soon

Spy the original SS Dicky wreck

Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness

SS Dicky Taskforce’s Colin White (left) and Graham Smith

Edinburgh Castle

Luxury Small Group Journeys

Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley

Immerse yourself in the heritage of the Incas as you visit remote villages in the Sacred Valley, sample Peruvian culinary delights and explore the mystical wonder of Machu Picchu.

Highlights Lima • Sacred Valley • Machu Picchu • Cusco

8 days from $13,070*pp

Botswana Safari in Style

Explore extraordinary game regions, view stunning Victoria Falls and stay in accommodations ranging from classic luxury tents to lavish tree houses.

Highlights Johannesburg • Livingstone • Victoria Falls

• Chobe National Park • Okavango Delta

10 days from $19,855*pp

Splendours of Morocco

From the timeless walled city of Fes to the bustling medina in Marrakech to a private desert tented camp in the Sahara, the jewel of North Africa has it all.

Highlights Casablanca • Rabat • Fes • Volubilis • Erfoud • Sahara • Ouarzazate • Marrakech

12 days from $17,255*pp

Classic Japan

Discover the incredible breadth of Japan’s culture and history, traditional Kyoto.

Highlights • Hakone • Osaka • Nara • Kyoto

9 days from $23,300*pp

VOICES IN THE DARK

By Fleur McDonald

Mystery fiction

Reviewed by Jan Kent

THE latest book from the pen of popular Australian writer Fleur McDonald follows her usual style: strong female characters embroiled in family complications, set in the outback.

Sassi is summoned to her family home by the illness of her grandmother and her subsequent passing, which poses the dilemma of the care of her ailing grandfather.

With the arrival of Sassi’s estranged mother into the family mix, tensions grow and suspicions of elder abuse are raised. Issues to be dealt with involve racial tolerance, healing past hurts, small-minded townsfolk, adoption and the isolation of remote country living.

Can these be resolved ? Well, of course, in quite a predictable ending in this formulaic story.

A good, easy read with wellcrafted characters for relaxing on the beach.

GALAH:

THE WATCH MAKER’S HAND

By Jeffery Deaver

Thriller

fiction

Reviewed by John

Kleinschmidt

A SABOTAGED New York skyscraper building crane crashes 22 storeys to the ground.

The perpetrators are demanding that developers cease building skyscrapers to accommodate the elite and, instead, provide billions of dollars for affordable housing. But not all is as it seems.

The plot pitches author Jeffery Deaver’s heroes Lincoln Rhyme, a quadriplegic criminalist, and his wife Amelia Sachs, a New York police officer, against Rhyme’s nemesis Charles Vespasian Hale whose mission is to kill Rhyme.

Working with innovative technology and an ancient deadly poison, Hale conjures multiple false leads to keep in front of his pursuers: Rhyme, Sachs, the NYPD, FBI and others.

Deaver is a good writer and storyteller but predictable and at times a little disjointed.

Worth reading but not my favourite author.

STORIES OF LIFE OUTSIDE THE CITY

Various contributors, Australiana compilation

Reviewed by Annie Grossman

WHAT a treat! Galah is a large format, beautifully published book celebrating Australia like no other.

Editor Annabelle Hickson has gathered more than 50 leading Australian writers, photographers and artists and their work to produce a truly unique publication.

Hickson’s dream was to gather a collection of stories about the

Australian country which did not concentrate on the hardships, but the joys of life outside the big smoke, and illustrate the wonderful, diverse and creative people found in every corner of this wide land.

People have been sharing stories since the beginning of time, and we understand the importance of stories for knowledge and connection.

Dip into Galah and find a treasure trove of words and images, and even a few recipes.

THE SEDUCTION OF SUNNI SINCLAIR: Acclaimed crime author Noel Mealey grew up and still lives in Brisbane.

In this author Q&A, he talks about his life and new book.

Q. How does your life here influence your writing? I‘ve had an interesting life journey. Brisbane has supplied me with a fascinating pot of interesting characters. In various capacities, I’ve associated with wanted criminals, crooked police, corrupt politicians and wily journalists among other many walks of life. All have allowed me to build on my characters and put a real face to gangsters and murderers.

Q: Tell us about your new fiction novel The Seduction of Sunni Sinclair? It’s about a notorious female escort who outwits Australia’s criminal underworld in the 1950s to mastermind the mostaudacious heist in Australia’s history. Sunni is a woman on the wrong side of the law and we follow her transition from a fun-loving, quick-witted romantic to a vengeful gangster with a price on her head.

Q. Sunni adopts a life of crime in response to what she sees as society’s injustice. How does she rationalise her actions? Sunni is an emotional character, and rationalising is not her strong suit. What drives her is the need to break free and a deep understanding of society at

THE WINTER PALACE

By Paul Morgan – Historic romantic fiction

Reviewed by Shirley

Sinclair

DON’T be fooled by the title. This meticulously researched work cuts to the bone in its tale of romance, heartache and survival when Nazi Germany joins forces with the Soviet Union to invade Poland and usher in World War II.

At the core is a tender love story that transcends time and distance. But after Elisabeth farewells her cherished husband, Army captain Anton, at their Winter Palace stately home in the Polish

that time: the power plays and the comradeship. She has her perspective on what is good and what is bad and tests the boundaries until they break.

Q. Why do you think it is that we cheer on some fictional villains in books and movies? We applaud Brando as he draws blood with a Tommy gun in The Godfather; Tony Soprano is our favourite uncle. We cheer Griselda in the new Netflix series (well, at the beginning, anyway). Fiction fires a more fantastical vision than the most-outrageous real life. Fiction characters can lend us, temporarily, the glamour, charm and power we dream of for ourselves.

Q. The audio book for The Seduction Of Sunni Sinclair is narrated by AFI Award-winning actress Fiona Press? Yes. Fiona is a veteran of Australian stage and screen with a magnificent theatrical voice. She captures the essence of Sunni perfectly. Visit noelmealey.com

countryside, neither could imagine how their lives would unravel.

Author Paul Morgan’s writing was inspired by real-life Australian stories from friends whose parents survived ‘the Polish abduction’ that tore families apart forever – a time when millions of men, women and children were abducted and put into slavery, and 140,000 Polish soldiers were captured as POWs and sent to hellholes including Siberia. His depictions of the horrors of war can be as brutal as they are heartbreaking. I knew little of what was inflicted on Poland and the Polish people during the war and found this novel engrossing. And I bet you, like me, won’t see the ending coming.

With Quizmaster Allan Blackburn

1. In which Australian state or territory is Mount Cordeaux?

2. In the NRL State of Origin matches, what is the creature nickname of the NSW team?

3. Which car manufacturer has a model called Jazz?

4. In the sentence: “He shouted angrily at the dog”, what part of speech is ‘angrily’?

5. What fictional seaside town is the setting for TV series Home and Away?

6. Where in the human body is the bone called the stapes?

7. Who wrote the children’s story Peter Pan?

8. In Queensland, what is the northern end of the Pacific Coast Way?

9. In Channel 7’s The Chase Australia, how much is each correct answer worth in the Cash Builder round?

10. What does the letter ‘L’ represent in Roman notation?

11. What modern-day creature is most like a mastodon?

12. What second language are all American astronauts required to speak?

13. Oyster blade is a cut of what type of meat?

14. The New Zealand National Anthem is sung in English and what other language?

15. In what country was the emperor called the mikado?

16. The name of what card game is the Spanish word for ‘one’?

17. In what decade did former prime minister Harold Holt disappear?

18. What is 2.5 per cent of 80?

19. The publication The Moreton Bay Courier evolved into what later newspaper?

20. Which Australian state coat of arms bears the motto: ‘Audax at fidelis’?

16. Uno. 17. 1960s (December 17, 1967). 18. 2. 19. The Courier-Mail. 20. Queensland.

7. J.M. Barrie. 8. Cairns. 9. $2000. 10. 50. 11. Elephant. 12. Russian. 13. Beef. 14. Maori. 15. Japan.

1. Queensland. 2. Cockroaches. 3. Honda. 4. Adverb. 5. Summer Bay. 6. Head, specifically the middle ear.

ACROSS

1 Prison section recalled coward beaten up to attract attention(4,1,5)

6 Filter is moved back twelve inches(4)

9 Fowl turns to one side(5)

10 Seated rebel wearing ID is held up to ridicule(9)

12 Urn, on display in Rome, upset small number of grieving people(8)

13 International launch handled by American girl(6)

15 English school retrieved a brief written record(4)

16 Complete the French essay after one’s devotion(8)

19 They damage special tankers that transport fuel(8)

20 in drawers(4)

23 Page not telling the truth is carrying on(6)

24 Single unit kept in shelter

26 Steal from home built by criminal, a legendary English outlaw(5,4)

27 Take place at the back of triathlon race(5)

28 Search for outspoken Indian(4)

29 Bridge partners acquiring grounding in close calls(4,6)

DOWN

1 Discharge troops listed in condensed legal form(8)

2 Record of liabilities a noble doctor included in electronic message(8,7)

3 Type of blood shipped out(6)

4 Calm reserve prepared for action(10)

5 Makes watery dish up(4)

7 Rebellion binds our troubled island nation(15)

8 Small consumers of alcohol could end up this way(6)

11 Replenish store and mall

14 Sellers do a new buyer’s inducement(4-6)

17 Idiot is coming up to enlist(4,2)

18 One organised endless unemployment(8)

21 Pull out of adapted, ‘all-purpose’ musicals(6)

22 Blast children with alcohol(6)

25 It should be read as far as I’m concerned(4)

QUICK CROSSWORD

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