Your Time Magazine Brisbane - June 2020

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Future is now LIVE LONGER, LIVE BETTER AS THE WORLD OF THE JETSONS BECOMES REALITY

BRISBANE EDITION 63 JUNE, 2020

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Editor’s note

I

n 1820, the average life expectancy for Australians was 40-45 years. It’s now 80-85.

Julie Lake’s investigation this month has made her confident that we are now looking at lifespans far beyond our wildest dreams.

Many readers have enjoyed a lifetime of good nutrition and medical treatment. This immediately increases the odds of a longer life than our parents. And just as we have come to think of 60 as the new 40, the next generation could likely consider 90 the new 70, in terms of physical fitness, general health, cognitive ability and mobility.

At the current rate of development, their children and grandchildren may well see turning

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Contents 60 as the time to start a new career, because they still have another 60 years to go!

But when you think how much the world has changed in the last two centuries, longevity hasn’t kept pace.

We managed to put man on the moon, yet we didn’t quite double our life span. We made the world smaller with face-to-face chats on devices that fit in our pocket, yet we failed to find a cure for cancer.

There have always been those who have beaten the odds and lived to a great age, whether it was luck, opportunity, genetic heritage or a mix of all of them, but those who live to be more than 100 with mind and body still working well, remain the exception rather than the rule.

But perhaps longevity is not all it’s cracked up to be. In an over-populated world, interrupting the great circle of life and having six or seven generations walking the planet at the same time will have consequences.

And what about if your mind keeps working and your body doesn’t, or worse, your body keeps working and your mind doesn’t? Read on and see what you think.

Dorothy Whittington, Editor

4

COVER STORY

6

BITS AND PIECES

10

AGES AND STAGES

12

CARE AFFAIRS

12

ACTIVE LIFE

16

WELLBEING

17

ON TRACK

18

RETIREMENT LIVING

19

TECHNOLOGY

19

COMMUNITY NEWS

20

BOOK REVIEW

21

TRIVIA QUIZ

22

PUZZLES

6

7

16

10

PUBLISHER Michelle Austin 5493 1368. EDITOR Dorothy Whittington editor@yourtimemagazine.com.au ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES 0438 717 210. sales@yourtimemagazine.com.au.

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Please dispose of this magazine responsibly, by recycling after use.

June 2020 / YOUR TIME MAGAZINE 3

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COVER STORY

The future is upon us now Given the exponential rate of technological change, the world of 2030 will be as different from today as we are from, say, 1980. The question is, are you ready for it? JULIE LAKE investigates a world where the future is upon us.

I

f you were born in 1960 you may well be thinking about your retirement, just as your parents did before you. But wait – unless you have made a lot of money or have hefty superannuation, retirement from paid, fulltime work is still a decade or so away.

That’s if you plan to retire at all.

Because, unlike your parents, you aren’t obliged to take your gold watch and put your feet up and not think about what seemed to inevitably be a short and predictable future.

If you were born in 1960 the TV shows, in black and white, would have included My Favourite Martian, Lost in Space, Dr Who and Star Trek. Like the

popular sci-fi novels of the time, they thrilled us with the possibility of intergalactic travel.

Then Armstrong stepped on the surface of the moon and all romance died as subsequent space trips showed us that our neighboring planets did not, after all, harbour recognisable lifeforms that might arrive on our doorstep wearing a playsuit and saying “nanoo nanoo”.

While most of these futuristic fictions dealt with planet-hopping, one, The Jetsons, offered an Earth-bound technological vision – robot maids and commuting ‘copters that turn into a briefcase.

Alas, its whacky optimism was soon

overtaken by the visions of writers and film-makers who relentlessly portrayed Earth’s future as apocalyptically bleak.

Yet many of those early sci-fi techno wonders are part of life today – robots that clean the floor, appliances run by smart drives and sensors, cars we can talk to and which talk back, phones that show images of the caller and also tell us everything from the time and weather to how fit we are and where to find cheap fuel or a restaurant.

We have gone from vinyl to streamed digital entertainment in half a century, ditching various interim technologies along the way.

No longer do we need large radiograms or tape recorders or boom boxes or CD and video players. Instead, the world’s infotainment can be watched on our smart, ultra ultra high definition screens, directed by finger or voice.

Electric and now driverless cars are on the road. Computers fly planes. Elon Musk and others have both revolutionised and commercialised rocketry and put the pizzazz back into space travel.

And those at the forefront of today’s futuristic thinking – people like noted historian-philospher Noah Yuval Harari, medical innovator Jay Kurzweil, philosopher of technology Kevin Kelly and microbiologist Susan Hockfield – see all these marvels as an indication of an even more marvellous future for those of us willing to embrace rather than resist it.

This applies especially to the one area that concerns us all – our health.

Recently Bob Garnett, 84, swallowed a camera. His gastro endocrinologist wanted to check out Bob’s intestines and ordered

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an endoscopy. This was administered by a nurse, in about five minutes.

She gave him a largeish shiny pill and a glass of water and told him to gulp it down.

Then she strapped a large cloth belt with monitors attached around his mid-section, whereupon a perfect picture of his upper digestive track appeared on the nurse’s smart device.

All that day Bob went about his usual business while the camera and the belt went about theirs. The belt was removed that evening, to be returned early the next morning.

The camera went … well, you guessed it! And within hours the surgeon had all the information he needed about Bob’s internal problems.

The camera pill is just the latest innovation in the development of colonoscopical and endoscopical procedures. It’s far less invasive and unpleasant than previous methods – and a small taste of our medical future.

And when Bob had swallowed his pill, he took out his mobile phone and called up an Uber to take him to his next destination, checking its progress until it reached him a few minutes later.

He then used the phone to text his wife, check his bank account and emails, check into HotDoc to make another appointment and see where the nearest eatery was.

Later that evening, he went to dinner with friends and they sat around telling each other just how life was getting worse!

They are, after all, members of the post-war generation which grew up fighting for love and peace and greedily consumed the world’s resources while

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COVER STORY lamenting the loss of the rainforests and growing ever more certain that the future would be apocalyptic.

It’s what one writer called “The Leonard Cohen Syndrome – I’ve seen the future, baby, and it’s murder!”

Bob, however, thinks life is getting a whole lot better, especially for those like him who are lucky enough to live in Australia. He reckons the health problems he already has, thanks in part to the tough times of his youth, won’t permit him many more years but he’s grateful for those technologies that keep him alive today and is frankly envious of younger Your Time readers who can expect even better technologies to keep them living longer and better in the future.

So fast is medical technology advancing that what we think is amazing quickly becomes commonplace. Joint and organ replacements are performed every hour.

MRIs show what was previously hidden, vaccines and new life-saving drugs are developed faster thanks to algorithms and readily accumulated and accessible data.

Diabetics can track their insulin levels and control their dosage using an app.

Computer-directed laser surgery allows greater precision and access to places in the body that have been inaccessible to past techniques.

Thanks to the algorithms available to our computers it is now possible for even the profoundly paralysed to remotely direct limbs, or prosthetics, giving hope to victims of stroke and accidents.

Prosthetics themselves can function so “naturally” thanks to a combination of new materials, neuroscience, engineering and computerised technology, that those who wear them can do everything from climb mountains to cycle and scuba dive.

Today the research focus is not only on biotechnology but also on regenerative medicine.

Scientist Robert Carlson says that tissue engineers are building or growing

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transplantable internal organs, bones and connective tissues for many parts of the body, with 3D printers positioning cells, once grown slowly in a petri dish, on to organ-shaped scaffolds, like car parts, and thus we will soon be able to swap diseased or exhausted tissues for new ones.

Meanwhile the science of genomics, according to former director of the world-regarded Massachusetts Institute of Technology Susan Hockfield, has great therapeutic potential. Embryos could, for example, be modified to remove genes that cause many hereditary diseases. Too late for you, perhaps, but not for your grandchildren or great-grandchildren and thus the ability to map YOUR genome will be important here.

“Technology moves so fast that what we think is amazing quickly becomes commonplace” Many of us already wear fitness monitoring devices and/or phone apps to measure and record aspects of our wellbeing. These are developing to help us monitor the condition of our blood, urinary tract, bowel, liver function, brainwaves, respiration, heart rate, plaque level and much more.

The information can be transmitted to diagnostic algorithms which then provide on-line therapies, prescriptions, treatment or referrals for surgical or third person intervention procedures to get you restored to health.

People may scoff at the idea of artificial intelligence (AI) replacing doctors but as Gianrico Farrugia of the USA’s renowned Mayo Clinic points out, anything that requires specialised training, judgment and decision-making can be done better by an

algorithm. Unlike your GP, it is not distracted by the demands of other patients, domestic problems, financial worries or poor performance on the golf course.

As for the human touch, how warmly responsive are many GPs trying to rush through a long day of 15 minute appointments? And as Pedro Domingo writes in Scientific American, algorithms CAN learn and evolve and are already being trained to detect and respond to human emotional needs.

When I first communicated with Apple’s Siri some years ago, all she did was provide answers. Today, if I thank her, she replies, warmly, “You’re welcome”. Or, with just a touch of indignation, “that’s not very nice” if you swear at her.

The Covid-19 pandemic showed that the wonders of modern medicine couldn’t prevent a virus almost bringing the world to its knees but the new technologies made it possible to analyse it, track it, test for it, and disseminate information (and misinformation!).

And when a vaccine is found it will be with the assistance of AI, as happened when the robot “Efe” at the University of Manchester discovered a potential new malaria drug through formulating a data-based hypotheses far faster than any human could do.

And the AI therapist “Ellie”, designed to identify PTSD signs in soldiers, reads patients’ facial expressions and body language more effectively than any human psychologist can do – something of relevance to older people suffering clinical depression and other mental problems who are more adept at controlling their outward emotions than are young people.

Moreover, life for many in lockdown was made more bearable by all those satellites up there and the social media and home entertainment they make possible.

According to Brisbane librarian continued over>

I got algorithm I got data I got AI Who could ask for anything more?

Algorithm – this mathematical term is nothing new; it dates back centuries, like the logarithms we learned at school, and an exact meaning can still cause an argument among mathematicians.

Today we associate it mainly with computers and one leading computer scientist has simplified our understanding by describing an algorithm as a sequence of instructions telling a computer what to do.

And these have become increasingly complex, self-learning and, inevitably, personalised. Like Apple’s voice-in-the-machine Siri.

Algorithms influence every aspect of our lives today; for example search engines, Facebook and other social media, Google Earth, predictive policing, distributing social security benefits, online shopping, selecting personnel, booking accommodation and airline flights, driving our cars and all the apps we have on our smart devices.

AI – is a computerised system based on algorithms that can function intelligently and independently of humans. AI replicates the human brain but can out-perform humans in many tasks because of the ability to read available data at speed, learn new strategies and analyse data to achieve maximum success. AI’s many applications include speech and facial recognition and robotics.

June 2020 / YOUR TIME MAGAZINE 5

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COVER STORY

BITS & PIECES

<from previous page

ROBO DOCTOR DOES THE ROUNDS

Bronwyn Petty a lot of people she knows who swore they would never have an e-reader or a tablet found themselves buying these devices when the libraries closed – and there was a mini-boom in teaching people how to use them.

The outcome of the exciting new technologies is that we all have the opportunity to live longer and as Noah Harari says, that could be the greatest challenge for humanity today. Because what are we going to do with all those years? And all those people?

The issue raises many ethical questions but futurist philosophers such as Harari and Kurzweil don’t doubt that those of us able to grasp that opportunity will do so with both hands. Kurzweil, a multi-award winning computer-scientist, inventor and author, has already taken significant steps to keep himself fit and well in order to take advantage of whatever life-extending and lifeenhancing present and future technologies are available.

And that, he points out, is the key. We have to act NOW to maintain our health and fitness in order to be ready for the future that is already upon us. And it is equally important to be aware of what is available, and pending, in the way of medical technologies and other life-enhancing innovations.

To do this we have to be comfortable with computers, smart devices and their apps, smart cars, social media and on-line services of all kinds.

If you were born in 1960 and have taken good care of yourself you can reasonably look forward to another 30 years of active, useful life. Maybe more … but only if you are prepared to embrace the new.

THE newest member of staff at Greenslopes Private Hospital is a robot that travels around the hospital treating and visiting patients.

Temi, a telepresence robot, allows doctors to be at the bedside of patients while maintaining strict infection control measures.

Greenslopes Emergency Centre director, Dr Mark Baldwin, said Temi allowed the hospital to keep family members and staff safe when patients were in isolation and helped limit the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

“Temi’s head is at the height of a patient in bed or seated in a chair,” he said. “The robot can steer around a ward or emergency department autonomously.”

Temi’s head is a small television monitor which has a live feed of the doctor or staff member who wants to speak with the patient.

A small tray behind the monitor carries items such as medical equipment, medications or sanitiser and masks.

Dr Baldwin said the robot provided a human presence without the risk of infection.

“Family members and health care workers can see and talk to a patient without being in the room,” he said.

“Temi can move around the wards and follow a patient without any other person being present.”

Dr Baldwin said there was something more “human” about a patient being able to see their doctor’s face on the robot’s monitor.

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BITS & PIECES

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SILVER LINING TO THE CORONA CLOUD â&#x20AC;&#x153;Older Australians reported there is an increased appreciation for what we have and that more people have been evaluating what is important.â&#x20AC;?

And 80 per cent of those surveyed were able to provide examples of support they had received from others.

Use of technology has further grown during this period â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 21 per cent of older Australians have used a new technology for the first time during the pandemic, and 29 per cent have increased their social media use to stay connected.

The research aimed to better understand how people were coping and adapting during this time. It revealed that older Australians were less concerned with the potential impacts of the outbreak than adults under 60.

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DESPITE restrictions and changes brought about by Covid-19, more than half of older Australians believe some positive changes have come from the outbreak.

A national survey of more than 1350 people found nearly one in five Australians (19 per cent) aged over 60 believe that social cohesion and wellbeing are likely positive outcomes from the pandemic in Australia.

The research, conducted by the Global Centre for Modern Ageing, highlighted that while many older people faced significant challenges, including limited contact with their grandchildren, they also felt that there had been improved community spirit, and that people were increasingly keeping in touch with others and being more neighbourly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Interestingly, introspection was commonly cited as a positive,â&#x20AC;? said Global Centre for Modern Ageing chief executive, Julianne Parkinson.

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It returned to England loaded with 600,000 kg of tea.

Although built for the China tea trade â&#x20AC;&#x201C;it carried almost 4.5 million kg of tea

between 1870 and 1877 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it transported a variety of cargoes, including over 10,000 tonnes of coal, before finding its calling in the Australian wool trade.

It would transport more than 45,000 bales in its career and became the dominant ship in taking wool from Australia to England.

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AGES & STAGES

by Mocco Wollert

ONCE a year I am invited by a friend, who is the German teacher at a school, to come and talk to her Year Two pupils. I am to tell them about what life was like at school in Germany, when I was in grade two.

I love this, not just because I like to tell stories but because of the reaction I get when I tell them that I grew up without television, iPad, X-Box and, most horrific of all, without take-aways. They are dismayed when I tell them McDonalds had not been invented.

We also talk about meals and how we had to eat whatever our mothers put on the table. One little guy asked me very seriously, “if you did not eat your meal, what were the consequences?”

Such a big word for such a young boy. I was surprised that he knew it. It seems to me that “consequences” are seldom experienced anymore, especially in connection with bad behaviour.

I cringe when I see a young criminal (the correct word if you break the law) leaving court with a smile on his or her face. Even for violent acts they often get no more than a slap on the wrist in the form of community service or a small fine.

I wonder how many of these fines are outstanding and never get paid? How many offenders actually turn up for community service?

All our actions have consequences – bad ones or nice ones – it was something my generation knew and expected. One of my daughters raised her children on the “One. Two. Three. Warning.”

“This is one,” she would say, and if the little ones did not react, she would follow with, “this is number 2”.

She actually never had to go to number three. Just as well because, as she confided in me, “I would not have known what action to take.”

There are consequences I really love, such as after I have smiled at somebody.

It does not matter whether you smile at a friend or a stranger, the consequence usually is that nearly all will smile back.

There are short-term consequences and long-terms ones. Loving a man can have very long-term consequences. I am adoring my two long-term “consequences”.

Their names are Susan and Kim. Every bad deed has consequences and every good deed has them too. But are we teaching our youngest generation about the difference? Watching the news, I often doubt it.

May your deeds all be good and the consequences even better.

THE outbreak of Covid-19 and the restrictions that came with it meant big changes for most of us. I can only imagine the heartache for anyone with wedding plans having to make the decision to downsize or cancel the big day.

Not so long ago, in pre-pandemic days, I was at a small wedding with fewer than 20 guests. The reception had an intimate dinner party feel and “wedding bingo” was on the agenda.

The best man was the groom’s sister, which left me wondering what her title was. The “best woman” didn’t seem quite right because surely that should be the bride. I gave up trying to work it out.

Anyway, she had organised the game and read out the rules.

All guests had a bingo sheet. Each paper had a bingo-like grid, but instead of numbers had various things to find

throughout the evening. They varied from simple items to things that required a little investigation.

It was not too hard to find someone wearing blue, but other points on the list saw us turning into amateur detectives.

Find someone born in March … the third oldest person here … who is bilingual?

Evidence had to be provided for all answers to call out bingo. The prizes involved chocolate, so competition was fierce. At times the meal was forgotten as guests employed sneaky tactics to coax answers from fellow guests. A shout came across the table, “how does that lonely goat herd song go?” Why? We needed to find someone who could yodel.

Small talk was peppered with random questions. Even speeches were modified lest someone give away too much.

“So, how long have you been married and just out of curiosity, what’s your shoe size?”

It was definitely the first time I’d worn a skewer threaded with a radish slice in my hair, especially after only one glass of wine but it was the best I could do for, “make wearable art from something on the table”.

No one spills a drink when you need a photo of someone spilling a drink, so some bad acting ensued. Answers were scribbled and photographs taken as proof of the right to tick the boxes.

Finally, bingo was called and answers scrutinised, fuelling the odd debate.

Wedding bingo turned out to be great fun and definitely a conversation starter.

On-board medical centres are also being established to replace the more simple concept of “the ship’s doctor”.

For example, expedition ships that sail to remote regions are putting in centres that will cater for a variety of conditions, including those who need dialysis.

“Many ships were told they couldn’t cruise for more than 100 days, so they have had the opportunity to thoroughly clean and to retrain staff in enhanced procedures,” Ms Clarke said. “People have to

have confidence in getting back on board.

Cleanliness, screening and the protocols all help build that confidence.”

With bookings already picking up, she is predicting a huge year in 2021, and recommends getting in early. As well as those couldn’t make it this year, there are those who had already planned next year.

“Cruising is still a great value holiday,” Ms Clarke said. “Even if you don’t want to go too far, there are nice ships offering some great holidays.”

by Cheryl Lockwood

CRUISE INDUSTRY IS READY TO SET SAIL AGAIN AFTER being left all at sea by recent events, holidaymakers who love to cruise can look forward to smooth sailing.

The industry is confident it will be among the first holiday options to pick up as lockdowns lift.

“We are hearing that the domestic industry will pick up first, with cruises to the Kimberleys, Tasmania and the Queensland coast,” The Cruise Centre manager Elizabeth Clarke said.

“From there it will expand to New

Zealand, the South Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Tahiti.”

The new Brisbane International Cruise Terminal is ahead of schedule and will open later this year. Predictions are that it will attract 180 cruise liners next year.

Ms Clarke said the cruise industry was focused on rebuilding confidence.

Protocols have been set by the Centers for Disease Control, the leading national public health institute in the US, where most ships are registered.

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CARE AFFAIRS

ACTIVE LIFE

Hearing loss brings its own health risks Hearing loss as we age is so common that we accept it as a normal part of aging, an inconvenience to be tolerated. KENDALL MORTON explores the hidden costs of ignoring failing hearing.

M

ore than one-third of adults over 65 experience some form of hearing difficulty which can affect mental function, social life and mood. Dementia Australia lists hearing loss along with obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol use, as a significant risk factor for dementia.

In fact, 9 per cent of dementias are associated with hearing loss.

And there is evidence to show that older adults with hearing loss score more poorly on cognitive tests as they age, compared to their peers. One US study followed older citizens for six years and found hearing loss was associated with accelerated cognitive decline.

A 20-year study, again in the US, tested the hearing of 253 older adults regularly. It showed seniors with moderate and severe hearing loss experienced a decline in memory and general mental functioning compared to their peers. There are a few possible reasons for this link between hearing loss and mental decline.

Firstly is the “deprivation hypothesis”.

With poorer hearing you miss out on cognitive stimulation.

Secondly, people with hearing loss tend to spend less time engaged in leisure pursuits and in socialising. They can have depressed moods and become socially isolated. Depression itself is a risk factor for dementia.

However there is some good news too.

Studies are finding older people with a hearing loss who wear hearing aids do not experience the cognitive decline mentioned above. Instead, they have richer social lives, better communication and a good quality of life compared to those who do not wear hearing aids.

A Turkish study of study of 34 older adults with hearing impairments measured them for mood and depression as well as mental functioning. The participants were given hearing aids and after three months showed significant improvement in all three measures.

Looking over a longer time span, 25 years, a US study of 3777 participants aged 65 and over supports the value of hearing aids. They found that people with hearing loss who did not wear hearing aids had a 21 per cent higher risk of developing dementia than those who choose to wear hearing aids. What’s more, the people who wore hearing aids had no more risk than their hearing peers.

A second reason to take any hearing loss in yourself or a family member seriously is its link to depression. The American Academy of Audiology reported

12 YOUR TIME MAGAZINE / June 2020

12.indd 2

Never run away from a squat By the time we reach 30, the muscles used to straighten our spine, and to keep our shoulders from falling forward, have atrophied. THEO SHEMANSKY explains that our culture of avoiding squats at all costs comes with a high price.

O

ur modern, sedentary lifestyles complete with creature comforts, have led to a rise in back and shoulder pain, as more and more jobs reward sitting at desks, keeping our arms out in front of us, staring at computers, and work that involves mental rather than physical effort.

Our lives offer plenty of mental exhaustion on a daily basis but not a lot of physical exhaustion – an unintended consequence of progress.

This is why becoming reacquainted with the squat should be a wellness priorty.

This is what we can gain from squatting:

a US study of 2300 hearing impaired adults aged over 50 that found those without hearing aids had higher levels of depression and anxiety than their peers who wore hearing aids Communication breakdowns were common. Those not wearing hearing aids were more likely to report that “other people get angry at me for no reason”.

Not wearing hearing aids was also associated with taking part in fewer social activities. On the other hand, people wearing hearing aids reported improved communication with family.

This same study asked people why they chose not to wear hearing aids. They gave a few reasons. Some said their hearing was not bad enough to merit aids.

Others baulked at the cost of aids and some said, “it would make me feel old”.

This is a situation where the inconvenience and short-term embarrassment of wearing a hearing aid has to be weighed against the long-term health risks of not wearing a hearing aid.

Like exercise or a good diet, wearing a hearing aid is a long-term investment.

I would encourage readers to protect their hearing and be alert to any hearing loss in loved ones. If you or a family member has difficulty hearing, get a hearing check.

Poor hearing can put you and those you care about at risk of social isolation, depression and dementia. It’s not an inconvenience. It’s a major health issue.

Kendall Morton is director of Home Care Assistance. Email kmorton@ homecareassistance.com

1. CORRECT BODY POSITION The muscles that hold the spine straight can be developed by squatting, as it places weight naturally and functionally through the erector muscles of the spine and stimulates natural strength. Many think that by going to the gym and using the machines correctly it will improve body posture and position, but this is not true.

While machine-based exercises increase the size of the muscle being trained they also create imbalance, and don’t provide a broad enough base for good functional movement to help and protect the spine.

2. ELIMINATE CHRONIC PAIN Functional training with movements such as squatting improves our movement proficiency. When we move well, we are less likely to generate forces on parts of the body that have wear and tear. It follows that we will have less pain. Less pain equals more and better movement, and that means less force on degenerate tissues.

3. SQUATS INCREASE FLEXIBILITY Good functional movements such as squatting increase the range of motion in the hips, knees, ankles, shoulders and upper spine. This means less stiffness generally, and from an injury prevention

perspective, a more flexible joint needs less force to make it move and therefore there is a lower risk of injury to the joint.

4. REVERSE EFFECTS OF IMBALANCES Bones are held together by ligaments.

Tendons attach muscles to bones. Strong muscles keep our bones and joints moving well and stop them from moving poorly and causing pain. Squatting is a functional, symmetrical movement that keeps our spine neutral and focuses our movement on the hips which allows large muscles to strengthen and reduce pain.

5. SLOW THE SIGNS OF AGING Squatting increases collagen production, which means a more tightly toned appearance. Collagen maintais tendons, skin, and cartilage which in turn gives integrity, and elasticity to the body, potentially reducing wrinkles.

6. REDUCE THE RISK OF OSTEOPOROSIS Squats improve bone density in our spine and hips. Bone health and strength prevents injuries. Remember that up to 30 per cent of patients admitted to hospital with an osteoporotic hip fracture never leave hospital. Strong bones matter.

7. STRENGTHEN YOUR KNEES Doing squats increases strength in the muscles above the knees which protect and stabilise knees. Contrary to popular opinion, squats are not bad for your knees.

In fact, when done correctly, they will protect and stabilise knees.

8. GENERATE A BOOST IN HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE Through the movement of squatting, especially when a weight is applied, large muscles exert a significant effort which causes damage that must be repaired. In response the pituitary gland releases human growth hormone to allow the body to heal. It also stimulates bone strength, fat loss, increases energy, stabilises mood, cell

RUN LIKE A WELL-OILED MACHINE The benefits of keeping physically healthy are numerous. TOM LAW suggests comparing your body to a car to understand how it works.

IF YOU keep your car in good order, get it serviced on time and keep it well maintained, the chances are it will serve you well.

If you make sure you put in the correct lubricants and top quality fuel it will also perform at its maximum capacity.

Your body is similar. Keep your body well maintained, the circulation moving, with plenty of water and good food and consuming an absolute minimum of rubbish and your body will work well.

Your motor vehicle and body both

require maintenance on a regular basis with great additives. Speak to your doctor, family, friends or personal trainer and everyone has different reasons for why you should keep healthy and fit if possible.

All of them are probably correct but the No.1 reason, I believe, is to keep fit and healthy so you can remain active physically and mentally for as long as possible.

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

19/05/2020 2:08:19 PM

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20/05/2020 1:21:19 PM

Retirement living with peace of mind

Blue Care has more than 30 villages across Queensland BRISBANE SOUTH • • • •

Carramar Village, Sunnybank Hills Nandeebie Village, Alexandra Hills Wesleyville Village, Wynnum West Wondall Gardens, Manly West

BRISBANE INNER CITY • Iona Village, Kenmore • Tangara Village, West End

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Bli Bli Village, Bli Bli Caloundra Village, Dicky Beach Elandra Village, Warana Ben Bryce Village, Maleny Kirami Village, Caloundra

HERVEY BAY • Masters Lodge, Hervey Bay

GRACEMERE • Gracemere Gardens, Gracemere

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With more than 30 villages across Queensland, choose from a range of low-maintenance homes that suit your lifestyle and budget, including additional support to live life your way.

Secure and friendly communities with the freedom to enjoy what matters to you, Blue Care retirement villages are the perfect place to call home.

30 4'** %#1 !0-11 3##,1* ," -p#0 0 ,%# of homes and apartments complete with contemporary kitchens, modern bathrooms and living areas designed to suit a variety of tastes.

Enjoy recreational areas intended as an extension of your personal living space.

We welcome you and your visiting friends and family to relax, socialise and enjoy life at your own pace.

HELP AT HOME All residents in our retirement 4'** %#1 & 4# 2&# ""#" #,#n2 -$ being able to access Blue Care’s Help at Home, if and when they need it. We will work with you to design and deliver the care and support you need, empowering you to live life your way.

Proudly part of

For more information call 1800 990 446 or visit bluecare.org.au/retirement-living

14.indd 2

21/05/2020 10:34:24 AM

1 BEDROOM APARTMENTS AVAILABLE FROM

$195,000*

TANGARA RETIREMENT VILLAGE Tangara retirement village is ideally located in the heart of West End in inner city Brisbane, within easy reach of transport, shops, services and Brisbane’s cultural precinct at South Bank.

Experience the freedom of not having to take care of home maintenance and gardening, or worry about your home when you’re away.

At Tangara village your home is safe and secure. With an active residents’ committee and social club, you’ll be welcomed into a friendly and happy community. ,(-7 p-0" *# *'4',% ', , #*#4 2#" .-1'2'-, at West End with views of Brisbane city and surrounding suburbs. Each fully selfcontained, one bedroom unit is refurbished to a quality standard providing a wonderful retirement lifestyle. The village also has a residents’ lounge, library, hairdressing salon and gym.

+ Welcoming and friendly community + Close to shops, transport and health services + Within easy reach of Brisbane CBD + Safe and secure, with 24 hour emergency response p-0" *#A 1#*$R!-,2 ',#"A $3**7 refurbished units + Easy access to Blue Care Help at Home services

Tangara Village 35 Sussex Street, West End • call 1800 990 446

15.indd 3

21/05/2020 10:35:55 AM

WELLBEING

Take your foot off the gas Many people suffer from abdominal pain, gas, and bloating, and don’t really know why. TRUDY KITHER explains the causes and suggests how to reduce the symptoms.

T

here are four leading causes for abdominal pain caused by gas.

SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) is when there are too many bacteria in the wrong location. Most gut bacteria should be in the large intestine, not the small. When you have too much bacteria in the small intestine you get a lot of gas when you eat. Gas created by these microbes is hydrogen and methane.

These gases will cause belching, burping, and bloating. You can check if

you have this condition by doing a SIBO breath test, which will check your hydrogen/methane levels. Doing this will quickly rule out if you have this condition.

You could also have an imbalance of microbes. High levels of methanogens are ancient microbe bugs that make methane and hydrogen gas. These can also cause belching and flatulence.

The methanogen microbes consume polysaccharides, which are starches and sugars. An imbalance of bacteria will cause excessive fermentation as fibres and sugars produce a lot of gas.

Low stomach acid. Consuming a lot of protein can also cause abdominal gas, bloating, and possibly even SIBO if you don’t have enough stomach acid.

Decreased bile production. Bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder. If you don’t have enough bile, you will definitely get belching, bloating, and gas because you are not going to be able to digest the fats in the foods you consume.

If you usually eat a decent amount of nuts or oils, without bile, the food will remain undigested and will eventually block up. This can also result in pain on the right side of your body, possibly up your back, neck, and right shoulder, which

may indicate gall bladder issues.

Here’s some help to reduce symptoms: Firstly, and most importantly, reduce carbohydrates. This will reduce the sugars, stress, and inflammation in your gut.

By lowering your sugars (carbohydrates), the microbes can’t feed on them ultimately, reducing your stress and inflammation.

Secondly, you will also want to reduce fibre and may even want to cut it out entirely for perhaps a month. This includes vegetable fibre, so your system can rest and reset itself.

Why? Because if you have SIBO and the microbes are in the small intestine, they are going to want to eat the fibre to feed themselves and create more gas!

The problem is that you have excessive microbes in the wrong place. You don’t want to feed them and keep them there, you want them to die off and go away.

Thirdly, do intermittent fasting regularly so your system can rest, reset, and clear itself out between meals.

Intermittent fasting is vitally important.

To start seeing good results, fasting from 7pm until 11am the next day will give you a minimum of 16 hours.

Some people don’t need to cut out all

fibre, but just need to cook vegetables first.

This will reduce the amount of fibre they are getting from the vegetables.

Fourthly, include betaine hydrochloride before your meal, which helps increase the hydrochloric acid your body produces for you to fully digest your meal. You need a good amount of this before a meal, say, 4-6 tablets to increase your hydrochloric acid.

It could take months to re-establish the acid in your stomach, especially if you have a history of taking antacids, antibiotics, or low salt diets.

Many people have low stomach acid, and naturally, as you age, the acid reduces.

Fifthly, a lot of people have a low tolerance for dairy or allergies to casein, which is the protein in dairy. If so, this can create gas and bloating, so it is highly recommended to remove all dairy from your diet at the same time.

Lastly, add purified bile salts after your meal and betaine hydrochloride before your meal. How would you know if you don’t have enough bile? You would have pain in your right shoulder, down your right side, or just below your right rib cage.

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

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1800CANDICE (1800 226 342) | hello@candicecare.org.au 16 YOUR TIME MAGAZINE / June 2020

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Brisbane

20/05/2020 1:06:53 PM

ON TRACK

WHY I DON’T NEED A WILL – AND OTHER DUMB IDEAS Every day people make excuses as to why they don’t protect their most valuable assets by having a will. It’s a risky business, writes DON MACPHERSON. THERE are some classic excuses for choosing not to make a will and the response to all of these furphies, is a resounding “no”.

Favourite excuses that are often put forward are: • I don’t need a will because my wife/kids are going to inherit everything anyway.

She/they’ll take care of it • Isn’t that for rich, old people?

• I only have a house, not much to worry about really.

• Getting a will is too expensive, and time

consuming.

• I’ll be dead anyway, so it’s not a problem.

• If I talk about it too much I’ll jinx myself.

While not having a will may means that ultimately assets eventually find their way to next of kin the pathway is longer, more expensive, and usually means court involvement. Overall it’s a much slower, and more expensive way to achieve the outcome a straightforward will could secure.

Of course, not having a will means your intentions are irrelevant, and what

THE PURPOSE OF BEING BUSY In our culture, we value busyness highly, even an edge of competitiveness, but, asks JUDY RAFFERTY, is there a purpose to it all?

“I HAVE never been so busy” is heard from many people in retirement.

Recently I heard it from Jenny, a 68-year-old woman who has been retired for three years.

“Jenny, were you also busy before you retired? What haven’t you done in life because you were too busy – either now or in retirement?”

“I am not sure,” she said, “But I like being busy. It makes me feel like I am using the day well, that I have purpose.”

It can be uncomfortable to not be busy after a lifetime of chasing an impossible to-do list. It’s hard to be relaxed and paced and still feel like we’re a player in a culture that glorifies busyness.

But there is an important difference between being busy and being engaged with purpose. A busy life does not always have purpose, and a purposeful life is not always busy.

Research tells us that a feeling of purpose in daily life is associated with wellbeing. In contrast, busyness is associated with stress. This is often a result of overextending ourselves, pleasing others and prioritising their needs over our own.

So why do we see it as worthwhile?

We often opt for busyness because it allows us to feel purpose even when it’s

not there. However, leading a busy life without purpose can be like reading about an exciting love affair without having one!

In addition, getting things done often gains recognition from others and provides a nice sense of accomplishment. My friend Bev writes things down on her to-do list, even if she has already done them, just for the pleasure of crossing them off.

Busyness is also seductive because it can give you something to talk about. It provides conversational fodder. Everyone can bond as they sigh over their busyness woes. Sometimes being busy allows us to avoid other, more important aspects of our life. It’s a form of procrastination.

What do you avoid doing because you’re too busy to do it? You may not be doing it intentionally, but years can slip by without having to think about whatever is sitting quietly in the back of your mind.

It’s essential to figure out if the things taking up your time are really the things worthy of your time and energy. And if not, what is? When will you do those things? If not now, when?

Purpose is not on a to-do list. It grows out of commitment and values.

Judy Rafferty is author of Retirement Your Way, A Practical Guide to Knowing What You Want and How to Get It.

you wanted to happen may not occur.

When people die without a will (called an intestacy) the law sets out a formula that applies to distribute assets in different proportions between next of kin. That may mean a house has to be sold, even if the wife is living there, to satisfy the intestacy formula.

The absence of a will may open the door to a contested estate.

A simple will would prevent unintended consequences occurring.

Wills are usually not expensive

(under $500). Unless the estate is complex there is no need for a testamentary trust or other complications to blow out the costs of a will. In fact, lawyers make much more money when people don’t have a will, as sorting out estates without a will significantly increases the time and expense involved.

Don Macpherson is founder of Brisbane Elder Law, experts in wills, estate disputes and estate management. Call 1800 961 622 or visit brisbaneelderlaw.com.au

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1800 961 622 | www.brisbaneelderlaw.com.au | Newstead, Milton, Murarrie, North Lakes (FREE PARKING) June 2020 / YOUR TIME MAGAZINE 17

21/05/2020 10:37:06 AM

RETIREMENT LIVING

COMMUNITY KEEPS OPTIONS OPEN FOR FUTURE CHANGES

Call 3289 3372 or visit 18 Camp Mountain Rd, Samford.

VAL Rees has lived in a retirement community for nine years and has gradually taken on more of the services and assistance offered by the village as time has gone by.

“When I moved to TriCare James Ommaney Retirement Community, I was totally independent,” she said. “I cooked and cleaned for myself, and also drove to the supermarket and to various activities outside the village”.

One of the main reasons Val decided to move into retirement living was for the company, but she also wanted to have

easy access to more assistance when the need arose.

“I stopped driving two years ago and now use the village’s community bus to go shopping and I enjoy the regular outings to the local shopping centre and further afield,” she says.

“I have a cleaner once a week, and enjoy a delicious lunch at our in-house restaurant but still have dinner and breakfast in my unit.”

A busy social calendar provides residents with many opportunities to socialise with their neighbours, and to get out and about among their community.

Activities aren’t restricted to the village, with regular day trips held in and around the region, including recent trips to the Rainforest Discovery Centre at Mary Cairncross Park, New Farm Park and to Poppy’s Chocolate Factory.

Mrs Rees is an active member of the TriCare James Ommaney community and loves the opportunity to contribute by organising the weekly craft and chat sessions.

Monthly music and morning tea for residents to share their favourite music CDs over a cuppa, are also popular.

Personal health and wellbeing is catered for with a hairdressing salon, regular visits from allied professionals such as a podiatrist, and weekly balance classes and church services.

Visit tricare.com.au

IN A bushland hilltop location with stunning views to the city, close to shopping and dining precincts and health services, Azure Blue Carina offers community living, freedom and security.

Many people considering retirement find themselves having to downsize their home and compromise on the lifestyle they’ve always wanted.

Azure Blue’s spacious, affordable apartments are designed for not only modern living but with the freedom to choose the design that best fits the way you want to live.

A variety of floor plans are available

for one, two and three-bedroom apartments that offer openness and privacy along with the security and lifestyle benefits of Azure Blue’s resortstyle facilities.

A $15,000 rebate is currently available on a limited number of twobedroom apartments.

Azure Blue’s range of recreational and entertainment facilities includes a swimming pool, barbecue area, gym, cafe, beauty salon, library, media room and treatment room.

Year-round social activities give residents the opportunity to forge new

friendships with the reassurance there is always a friendly and familiar face close by. Importantly, it also offers Blue Care Home Services, including assistance with housework, transport around town and allied health services such as podiatry and physiotherapy, which means less chores and more leisure.

Azure Blue Carina also has a state-ofthe-art residential aged care facility on-site, giving the peace of mind of additional care being available close by if it is needed.

Call 3155 2126 or visit azureblue. com.au/carina

ESCAPE TO IDYLLIC SURROUNDINGS SAMFORD Grove Retirement Village is an ideal opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle.

Just 20km from Brisbane, it has the atmosphere of a hinterland retreat with a scenic bushland backdrop and sweeping valley views.

Residents have every convenience on their doorstep, with Samford Village and its shops, services, cafés and attractions just a short walk.

The village offers low-maintenance, independent living and has a friendly, social atmosphere, with regular activities and events for those who choose to take part.

In response to its popularity among retirees from both Samford and Brisbane, Samford Grove is growing to welcome even more new residents.

Stage 1A of the expansion, comprising 16 new on-ground villas is nearing

completion, and the first residents were welcomed into their new homes in recent weeks.

Construction is also well underway on a new, state-of-the-art resident clubhouse, which will provide dedicated resident facilities including an indoor heated swimming pool, cinema, café and bar.

An exclusive offering of 12 independent living apartments on the first floor of the clubhouse will also be available in coming months.

Priced from $390,000, one or two bedroom apartments, have an open plan kitchen, dining and living space, modern bathroom and laundry and a large balcony with spectacular views over Samford Valley.

VIBRANT LIFESTYLE IN AN ENVIABLE SETTING

Pam O’Grady, Auriol Kirkham, Marion Shepherd, Val Rees, Gwen Lose and Barbara Axam enjoy the retirement community social life.

Welcome to Wishart Christian Villagee

Architecturally designed, Wishart Christian Village is a beautiful boutique retirement home, comprising 29 units. With peaceful surrounds & an elevated position this secure gated estate is centrally located, close to bus stops with easy access to Garden City and Carindale dale Shopping Centres & local Churches. All units are air conditioned, have lock-up garages, paved & covered patios, 24/7 medical alarm monitoring & long-time managers live on site. ● ●

Strong Christian heritage ● Low quarterly fees Community Hall & beautiful Village Green ● Active Residents Committee Call today to make arrangements for an informal visit to the Village.

30/3 Erindale Close, Wishart Queensland Tel 3219 2386 admin@wcva.org.au

18 YOUR TIME MAGAZINE / June 2020

18.indd 2

www.wcva.org.au

Owned and Operated by Wishart Christian Village Association Incorporated ABN 67 089 024 936

Brisbane

20/05/2020 1:22:01 PM

TECHNOLOGY

Take the fear out of buying a new computer As computers come to play a bigger part in our lives during the lockdown, many are experiencing technology failures. NATHAN WELLINGTON offers some tips to avoid the anxiety of seeking a replacement.

T

he prospect of visiting a large retailer and purchasing a replacement computer or any technology, can be daunting. It is difficult to know what you seek.

Over the years I have heard too many stories of people spending thousands more then necessary.

Here’s a guide to taking the angst out of a computer purchase: 1. DO YOUR RESEARCH If you have access to the internet, start by looking for what’s available. Search the big retailers online to compare prices and look for well-known brands. Think about what you’re looking for – is it a laptop, a desktop, a 2 in 1 computer?

Then look at the specifications. All computers have the following: RAM (short term memory), CPU (the brain), HARD DRIVE (the storage). When you compare computers compare these specifications.

2. ASK SOMEONE QUALIFIED This is where a good technician can offer advice. For many long-term clients I generally know what they need before they upgrade. The beauty of a technician is that they generally don’t sell computers, so you will receive an unfiltered opinion based on your needs and not their stock. I would suggest contacting your local technician. It may

be worth a call-out fee to save hundreds of dollars.

3. BUY ONLINE I am not suggesting avoiding retailers, as many clients may visit a store to see what they may purchase. Although retailers carefully plan sales to maximise your purchase, they may offer additional software, antivirus, and remote support you may not need. Once you are comfortable with your purchase, go home and buy it online. This removes the impulse buy pressured by a salesperson. At your leisure you can spend 20 minutes following the prompts to purchase the product through a secure website which protects your details. Pay a small delivery fee or collect from the store.

4. INSTALL This is one last bastion of dread – how to transfer your data and set it up. Many computer stores offer this service, and each one uses its own alchemy for transfer. Windows 10 was not very helpful with this process so many major manufacturers have offered their own built in software to do this.

If you have a PC that is long in the tooth, hopefully this will give you a starting point for replacement.

Email nathan@hometechassist.com. au or call 1300 682 817.

COMMUNITY NEWS

BOWLERS KEEN TO GET BACK TO THE ACTION

THE Monday Rollers 10-pin bowling team adds a dash of colour to dull days and hopes to be back in action in two months.

Pictured, from left, are Lorna,

Glenyce. Sylvia, Roger, Roslyn and Graham just before the lockdown.

“As we are all in the older age group, the executive committee is leaning on the side of health and caution,” secretary Sylvia Absolon said. “But in saying that, everyone is missing the fun and friendship of the playing Mondays, plus the fellowship of our monthly lunches at various clubs and hotels and also our picnics.”

The Monday Rollers is a group of active seniors aged 55 to 87 years, and they are looking for others to join them when they get back to the alleys. Bowling is every Monday 10am-noon.

EXPERTS PROMOTION

IN DU S TR Y EX P ERTS HELPLINE

Support groups have your back during these trying times

MOBILITY

Out and about with a dose of caution

It is essential that older people know what Covid-19 means for them and their loved ones, and that they do not feel lonely or disconnected because of government recommendations.

Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN), Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia, National Seniors Australia and Dementia Australia have banded together to offer social support to older people who are feeling isolated during this troubling time.

These seniors community organisations are well regarded, passionate, and very experienced in supporting older people.

This line can be called for information about how Covid-19 affects older people, and offers support for those who need it.

The collaboration of these organisations means the line comprehensively covers different types of older Australians, including tailored information for people receiving aged care services and for those living with dementia.

Call 1800 171 866 to speak with a friendly person who is there to listen and help.

The Queensland Government has finally started to loosen corona virus restrictions.

As of May 15, meeting in small groups of up to 10 people has been allowed outdoors.

For users of mobility devices, this provides a welcome change.

Owners of mobility scooters, wheelchairs and powerchairs can now get out of the house without being limited to exercise, work or shopping for essential items.

Of course, restrictions are merely being eased, not lifted. We all need to be sensible and observe the strict social distancing limit of 1.5 metres to look out for each other’s health.

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Our Chermside showroom remains open, but not without special precautions.

Hard-working staff are ensuring they observe social distancing, wear gloves and sanitise all contact surfaces regularly to keep our valued customers safe.

Please stay safe and look after each other!

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GOOD TIME TO START FAMILY RESEARCH ISOLATION during the COVID crisis has provided an opportunity for researching family history. The Queensland Family History Society recommends digital resources as a great way to get started and has scheduled live webinars for members and non-members to learn about family history research, with topics of interest to all. Events and @Friday sessions are on the website. If you have ancestors from England, Wales, Ireland or Scotland, join the scheduled Genuki webinar. This comprehensive website is a treasure of information and resources.

Visit qfhs.org.au Brisbane

19.indd 3

June 2020 / YOUR TIME MAGAZINE 19

20/05/2020 1:23:10 PM

BOOK REVIEW

BILL MCCARTHY There seems to be something about the UK, and in this case, Irish, police forces, that authors and script writers find dysfunctional. In this novel, the protagonist’s battle is against an indifferent police force to solve a mystery involving an alleged suicide. The characters are developed well and the plot is interesting enough to keep you going through sections that are too long with unnecessary detail.

There are a couple of events that require a leap of faith by the reader to accept, but in general I found this book to be a well constructed thriller.

MARY BARBER Detective Cormac Reilly has recently transferred from Dublin to Galway. He’s finding it hard to settle in at the local police station.

There are jealousies and politics and he doesn’t know who to trust. He’s only getting the cold cases, not work suited to his abilities and experience.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had well-rounded characters and an interesting plot. It moved along at a good pace. I look forward to following Detective Cormac Reilly in the next book, The Scholar.

BOOK review SUZI HIRST The Ruin is a page turner and very easy reading. Set in Ireland it has two timelines 20 years apart drawn together by detective Cormac and two children he first met as a young officer investigating their mother’s death. It is a story of Ireland, police procedures, corrupt police, and child abuse. There are many characters played out and McTiernan has drawn them together well. I really enjoyed this book although I felt there were numerous questions I would have liked answered, and maybe a bit more depth on their histories.

8/10

THE RUIN

by Dervla McTiernan

TONY HARRINGTON

It has been 20 years since Cormac Reilly discovered the body of Hilaria Blake in her crumbling Georgian home, with her two neglected children Maude, 15, and Jack, 5, downstairs.

Now he’s about to reopen the case he has never been able to forget.

When Aisling Conroy’s boyfriend Jack is found in the freezing black waters of the river Corrib, the police tell her it was suicide. Then Jack’s sister Maude shows up, suspecting foul play.

Reilly is assigned to the re-investigation of the seemingly accidental overdose of Jack and Maude’s drug and alcohol addled mother and is under increasing pressure to charge Maude with murder. Betrayal is at the heart of this unsettling small-town noir set deep in the dark heart of Ireland. The Ruin, shortlisted for Australian and Irish book awards, asks who will protect you when the authorities can’t … or won’t.

I loved this murder mystery set in and around the west coast of Ireland.

The principal characters are both interesting and real. The author, an ex-corporate lawyer turned crime writer, has created an excellent police detective crime thriller.

A suicide, several murders, a missing person and Ireland’s dark past of child poverty and abuse are deftly explored by the author.

Multiple intriguing plot threads are gradually and adeptly woven together as the story unfolds.

I especially enjoyed this book because of my west coast Irish ancestral heritage. I lived in Cork city and worked closely with the Garda Siochana in relation to suicide drownings by bridge jumpers while exchange director of Emergency Medicine at Cork University Hospital. I have already ordered the second book of this trilogy. An excellent read. 9/10

JOHN KLEINSCHMIDT This debut novel is a tale of deceit, secrets, murder, love and loyalty with Detective Cormac Reilly being established as the hero for this and, I suspect, more novels to follow. The narrative alternates between Cormac and Aisling, an aspiring surgeon and the partner of Jack, the suicide/murder victim.

Cormac knows Jack and his sister Maude from early days as a policeman and feels a duty to ensure that Jack’s death is properly investigated. New to Galway Police, he is assigned a cold case concerned with the death of the victim’s mother 20 years earlier, giving him the opportunity to investigate claims by Maude that Jack was murdered.

Opinion is divided whether this book is powerful and expressive or clunky. For me it was an easy and entertaining read.

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JO BOURKE Ah! My favourite genre! What better than a cold case set in Ireland, perfectly depicted by author, Dervla McTiernan from County Cork. The scene is set vividly in the prologue where the rookie Garda, Cormac Reilly, responds to a call and is confronted by a dead body, a traumatised 15 year old girl and an abused little boy.

Fast forward 20 years and the sub plots are in play, never losing sight of the original characters, especially the little boy who has just been found dead from an apparent suicide. The grief of his partner, Aisling, is tangible, and the funeral took place on an ‘awful day for a funeral, where the sleet spattered miserably’ – so typical for Ireland.

The novel abounds in twists and turns with a dramatic ending. It is an excellent debut novel and I look forward to reading more by this talented writer.

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20/05/2020 1:23:42 PM

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

SUDOKU (EASY)

8 5 6 1 3 7 9 4 2

4 3 2 6 5 9 7 8 1

9 1 7 8 2 4 6 5 3

1 6 9 2 4 8 5 3 7

7 2 4 3 9 5 1 6 8

5 8 3 7 1 6 2 9 4

SUDOKU (MEDIUM)

3 4 5 9 7 2 8 1 6

5 9 3 2 6 4 8 1 7

CODEWORD L X R I H V F B O K Z WQ 15

2

1

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

S D T M J Y C A P N U E G 4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

7 3 8 4 2 1 6 5 9

2 4 9 6 8 5 1 7 3

6 1 5 3 7 9 2 8 4

4 5 7 8 9 2 3 6 1

3 8 1 7 4 6 5 9 2

9 6 2 1 5 3 7 4 8

Secret message: Cold-blooded beings

13

9-LETTER WORD

3

8 2 6 9 1 7 4 3 5

WORDFIND

14

1 7 4 5 3 8 9 2 6

WORD STEP spine, spice, slice, slick, flick, flock

abet, able, abler, ably, albeit, bail, bailer, bailey, bait, bale, baler, bare, barely, barite, barley, bate, bear, beat, belay, belt, beryl, beta, betray, bevy, bier, bile, bite, biter, blare, blear, bleary, bleat, brae, brat, brave, bravely, bray, brevity, brie, brit, byre, byte, liber, liberty, libra, table, trebly, tribal, tribe, trilby, verb, verbal, VERITABLY, viable, viably, vibe, vibrate

1. What supermarket chain has the slogan, “Ingredients for everyday”?

2. What is the fourth root of 16?

3. How many solstices does Queensland experience each year?

4. Pluck a Duck and Red Faces were segments in what TV show?

5. Conjunctivitis affects what body organ?

6. Who was the first person to hit a golf ball on the Moon?

7. What do the German words “das boot” mean in English?

8. The coal-loading facility Port Waratah is near which major city?

9. In which jail was Ned Kelly hanged?

10. The Cayenne is a model of what luxury car?

11. What large scavenger is known as a “bin chicken”?

12. Where did Ash Barty win her first Grand Slam title?

13. Which Australian actress was born in Honolulu in 1967?

14. Which of the Seven Dwarfs is missing: Grumpy, Doc, Happy, Sleepy, Dopey, Sneezy?

15. What cosmetic medical procedure removes fat from the human body?

16. Which Australian state capital is near the foot of the Mount Lofty Ranges?

17. What type of charge does an electron have?

18. What organisation did Julian Assange establish in 2006?

19. In what century was Queen Victoria born?

20. What is the 23rd letter of our alphabet?

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS QUICK CROSSWORD

6 7 1 5 8 3 4 2 9

With Quizmaster Allan Blackburn

2 9 8 4 6 1 3 7 5

TRIVIA

There may be other correct answers

1. Drake’s; 2. Two; 3. Two; 4. Hey Hey It’s Satuyay. 5. Eyes; 6. Alan Shepard; 7. The boat; 8. Newcastle; 9. Melbourne; 10. Porsche; 11. Ibis; 12. Roland Garros, Paris; 13. Nicole Kidman; 14. Bashful; 15. Liposuction; 16. Adelaide; 17. Negative; 18. WikiLeaks; 19. 19th; 20. W.

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21.indd 3

June 2020 / YOUR TIME MAGAZINE 21

20/05/2020 1:24:42 PM

PUZZLES

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

DOWN

1 6

2

Baker’s finance (5) Adjust new plans for the Rialto? (6) 7 Many a sea-going eel migrates according to the lines of descent (11) 8 A petty quarrel over past sins (4) 9 I hear you stop several feet from the creature! (4) 13 Half the world’s cerebral grey matter perishes tragically after the end of the material (11) 14 Ann shoots through the heart of the criminal with her big gun (6) 15 Toys cure palsy! (5)

CODEWORD

No. 2562

Those that swim well or rest poorly (6) 3 Over the eons granite metamorphoses, but it takes many years of DNA provisions, I see (11) 4 The way he urged fiscal reform was shameful (11) 5 Instruments for officers? (5) 6 One is informed that we all become ancient after a time (4) 10 You had a drink because you were feeling shyer, right? (6) 11 The current encounter was a rude surprise (5) 12 No physical education arranged to start (4)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

WORDFIND

12

13

25

26

Who’s for Tamworth CMF 2021!

JOIN THE FUN...

WORK IT OUT!

W Q

The leftover letters will spell out a secret message No. 035

ALLIGATOR BOA CHAMELEON COPPERHEAD CROCODILE DRAGON IGUANA LIZARD MONITOR PYTHON SNAKE TIGER TORTOISE TUATARA TURTLE VENOMOUS

Copyright © Reuben’s Puzzles www.reubenspuzzles.com.au.

Refer to the website for a cryptic solving guide.

Australia’s Largest Festival

No. 035

SUDOKU Level: Medium

9

1

3 8 1 7

No. 850

6 4 4 1 9 5 9 4 8 7

6 1 5 7 5 9

9 2

9 6 2 4

2

4

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22.indd 2

Brisbane

20/05/2020 1:25:39 PM

PUZZLES

QUICK CROSSWORD

No. 3663

9-LETTER WORD

No. 035

Today’s Aim:

L A

28 words: Good 42 words: Very good

I

T

B

E R

Y

57 words: Excellent

V

ACROSS

DOWN

1 6 9 10 11 12

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 13 14 16 17 21 22 24 25

15 17 18 19 20 23 26 27 28 29

Schools (9) Vote for (5) Establish (3,2) Ad (9) Reject (5) Listed in a hierarchy (6) Attacker (9) Discover (5) Felony (5) Provisional (9) Resting (6) Cars (5) Bandit (9) Earth in Latin (5) Result (5) Dangled (9)

Aid (10) Benevolent (10) Dear (9) Major (9) Faint (5) Summon (5) Discharge (4) Aquarium (4) Enlisted (10) Comprehend (10) Dogged (9) Underwrite (9) Subject (5) Sporting sides (5) Unemployed (4) Purposes (4)

Level: Easy

No. 849

6 3 8 9 7 5 5 2 5 9 1 1

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once.

No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

WORD STEP

SUDOKU

No. 035

6 8 9 4 7

4 8 5 7 5 5 6 9 3 7 8

4 8 7 1 WORK IT OUT!

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

spine

_____ _____ _____ _____ flock June 2020

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June 2020 / YOUR TIME MAGAZINE 23

20/05/2020 1:26:30 PM

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24.indd 2

20/05/2020 1:27:03 PM