MOTORING

Volkswagen has long made handsome and useful utility vehicles, as in machines to be used for more than simple A to B people transport. BRUCE McMAHON reports on the latest.

Among the first of pragmatic VWs was the World War II Kubelwagen, a go-most-places four-seater for the military and Germany’s answer to the American Jeep. (Fast forward to the 1960s and the Australian-designed and made VW Country Buggy was a similar lightweight concept for all manner of rough roads.)

Best-known of the VW commercial vehicles is the Kombi, designed originally for goods transport and first seen in 1949.

The rear-engined, rear-drive van became a mini-bus, a camper van and all-worlds explorer before morphing into the 1990 Transporter with engine up front and front-wheel drive.

Much of the romance, and the simplicity, of the original disappeared and today a large VW van – extra seats or not – can cost from around $50,000 through to $100,000.

Slipping in below these are the smaller Caddy vans, some sold for parcel and cargo transport, some as mini-buses. Best of these as people movers is the Caddy Maxi with three rows of seats and prices starting around $47,000; with the base model with 2 litre diesel engine at a recommended retail of $48,140.

This is a versatile people-mover, large enough for six or seven adults while still being manageable on tight city streets and in car parks.

It runs with a tallish and airy cabin, big sliding doors for access to the rear seats and a large rear tailgate.

It’s stylish enough for a van, even allowing for plastic wheel covers over steel rims on some versions.

And it is a fair thing to drive. There’s sometimes a little grumble from the front wheels if asked to step off the line in a hurry, it can’t be pushed too hard into tight corners and those 17-inch wheels may find some Queensland potholes a tad troublesome, yet it steers well and holds the road well.

The diesel produces 90kW, the power and torque delivered through a sevenspeed auto; fuel consumption should be under seven litres for 100km. There are paddle shifters on the steering wheel to stir things along or drop down a gear for a little engine braking, and centre console controls for the transmission are simple and clever.

Less intuitive, at least for the first week, are controls for air conditioning, audio and phone hook-ups through the touch screen. A few more knobs and buttons for wouldn’t go astray or upset any aesthetics.

Useful touches inside the cab include the large storage tray in the roofline above the front seats and the removable back two seats for more cargo space. And, of course, the Caddy is packed with driving and safety aids, from lanekeeping assist to hill-start assist and driver fatigue detection.

Yet here’s the thing: a Caddy Maxi owner would want to be using those seven seats – or five seats plus more luggage – on a pretty regular basis like grandkids every day, or commercial use to justify the cost, especially when a VW Tiguan Allspace, an all-wheel drive SUV also with three rows of seats, can be had for similar money.

And it’s never as much fun, or as homely, as that Kombi bought outside Australia House in London many moons ago.

Girls On Tour

Women only travel Fully escorted . Small groups 2023 Tours open for booking now

CAPE YORK ADVENTURE

Departing 1st September, 2023 for 12 days

Including Cairns, historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, Lakefi eld National Park, Daintree National Park, Horn Island, Thursday Island, Jardine River, Weipa, Cape Tribulation and Cape York - the most northern tip of Australia and more!

$8,883** TWIN SHARE SILO ART TRAIL & SAFARI

Departing 7th May, 2023 for 10 days

‘The Silo Art Trend’ is infusing Australians with newfound energy and enthusiasm. There are currently seven painted silos in New South Wales and on our 10day/9 night exploration of regional NSW we will visit 6 of these fascinating art works whilst exploring picturesque country towns and spend a night in an African Safari Retreat. $5,367** TWIN SHARE THE KIMBERLEY 2023

Departing 17th July, 2023 for 16 days

One of the most rugged and remote landscapes of the world, Girls On Tour and Adventure Wild will take you on a journey through this beautiful land in comfort and style. This 16 day tour includes a 12 day camping safari and 2 days pre and 2 days post safari accommodation in Broome. Price includes accommodation in Broome including continental breakfast, camping in swags and tents, camping equipment, park entry fees, Geikie Gorge Cruise and all meals on safari. $5,810PP* Land Only,Airfares Not Incl. CROATIA 2023

Departing 22nd October, 2023 Approx. 21 days

Join us as we explore the natural beauty of Croatia and the beautiful Adriatic Sea. Including Plitvice Lakes, Trogir, Split, Dubrovnik and much more.

DETAILS COMING TO OUR WEBSITE SOON.

* Single tents at no extra cost. Single supplement $440 for Broome accommodation only. Based on group of 16 travellers. **Twin share per person. Excluding fares at start & fi nish of tour 0409 057 417 | info@girlsontour.com.au | www.girlsontour.com.au PO Box 5307, Maroochydore BC Qld 4558

INDUSTRY EXPERTS

LEGAL

Another super boring article…

Sorry for the ‘clickbait’ but if you have a self-managed super fund (SMSF), you might want to read on…

It’s not every day the High Court hands down a decision on superannuation.

Clients often haven’t updated their Binding Death Benefit Nominations (BDBN), dictating where their superannuation benefits are to be paid on their death. Before the court’s decision in June, there was uncertainty about whether some specific regulations applied to a SMSF. The court’s decision would dictate if a deceased member’s superannuation would pass to his: (a) de facto spouse (under the fund’s governing rules); or (b) daughter (to an earlier marriage) through the deceased’s Will.

The daughter argued the BDBN made by her father in favour of his de facto was invalid as it didn’t comply with certain regulations.

The de facto argued those regulations didn’t apply.

The court agreed with the de facto.

If a SMSF’s governing rules allow, it can avoid some requirements which apply to Retail and Industry Funds.

For example, it can have a BDBN that won’t expire and does not need to be witnessed. It is obviously important to regularly review your affairs to ensure your estate plan is current.

TRENT WAKERLEY

DIRECTOR, KRUGER LAW LEVEL 3, OCEAN CENTRAL, OCEAN STREET, MAROOCHYDORE 5443 9600, KRUGERLAW.COM.AU

PROFESSOR DAVID WILKINSON

SUNSHINE COAST SKIN CANCER CENTRE 1/5 INNOVATION PARKWAY, BIRTINYA P: 5438 8889 bit.ly/BookSkinCheckBirtinya

ORTHOPAEDIC

More than one way to handle arthritis Have you had your skin checked before summer?

Hip and knee replacement surgery is a major focus at Sunshine Coast Orthopaedic Group. These are effective operations for appropriate patients who have failed conservative management.

One of the most important conservative measures that we typically recommend for patients is physiotherapy. On the Sunshine Coast, we are spoiled with choice for excellent physiotherapists.

One of the programs that a physio may recommend for management of an osteoarthritic hip or knee is called GLAD.

This is an evidence-based program developed in Denmark and brought to Australia in 2016. GLAD stands for Good Life with Arthritis in Denmark.

The principles have helped thousands of Australians living with arthritis. It is important to note that the goal of conservative arthritis management is not simply to avoid surgery. It is to give you the best quality of life possible, while appropriately deferring surgery.

Conservative arthritis management involves a multi-disciplinary approach including simple analgesia, lifestyle modification, diet and exercise, injectable therapies and sometimes a minor procedure called a radiofrequency ablation of the genicular nerves. Many patients aren’t aware that melanoma diagnoses on the Sunshine Coast are 83 per cent above the national average.

The sun’s UV radiation is the leading cause of skin cancer.

Queenslanders require sun protection when UV levels reach three or above, which is generally all year round, even on cool or cloudy days.

At this level, just 10 minutes of unprotected sun exposure is enough to cause cell damage which leads to skin ageing, pigmentation and skin cancer.

It only takes small amounts of sun like driving your car or hanging out the washing.

It is ideal to get a skin cancer check before the start of summer, as it’s often easier for us to find suspicious lesions without the disguise of a summer tan.

Annual skin checks are important for early detection and can produce potentially life-saving results, especially for high-risk patients for whom we may recommend Total Body Photography.

With something as life-threatening as skin cancer, the earlier we detect it, the higher the chances of successful treatment.

A.PROF DAEVYD RODDA

SUNSHINE COAST ORTHOPAEDIC GROUP SUNSHINE COAST UNIVERSITY PRIVATE HOSPITAL SUITE 12, 3 DOHERTY STREET, BIRTINYA 5493 8038, SCORTHOGROUP.COM.AU

CHERYL RYAN

123TRAVEL SHOP 5/56 BURNETT STREET, BUDERIM Q. 4556 P. 07 5476 9368

SKIN HEALTH TRAVEL

Explore the world the easy way

Cruise lines around the world have introduced some of the most extensive new health measures to be found anywhere in world tourism.

Take advantage of Cruise Month to find out about the new world of cruising and the travel opportunities it offers.

Some of my favourite reasons for selecting a cruise holiday include: • You only have to unpack once • Visit multiple destinations • Everything is pre-paid before you cruise – no hidden expenses.

As a CLIA cruise specialist travel agency we are a great source of expert advice and professional care when it comes to cruising.

Every week throughout September we will be looking at the different types of cruising you can do, and believe me, there is wide variety of choices out there.

Within the four main categories of cruising – River, Ocean, Luxury and Expedition – there are multiple options.

These include the size of the ship, the destinations, the number of crew on board and the number of activities.

It is a great time to explore fantastic new cruise holiday ideas and book upcoming itineraries for 2023-2024 throughout September.