Bowling and Lifestyle Summer Edition 2021

2021 VOL 1 NO 14

DIGITALLY DISTRIBUTED AUSTRALIA WIDE

WIN A COPY OF WIN JOHN WOOD’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY SEE PAGE 4 AND 44

WIN TICKETS TO THE HIT THEATRE COMEDY ‘’MONO’’ STARRING MAX GILLIES, JOHN WOOD & JEAN KITTSON

SEE PAGE 4 AND 34

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email: customer.service@cityclub.com.au web: cityclub.com.au

The sport of Lawn Bowls has many advantages. There are the obvious physical benefits, however there is also the social aspect and the sense of community spirit. New skills & techniques can be learned, and games can be played as full length competitions or on social occasions. Bowls really is a sport for life and that’s why the love of the game has endured. City Club shares that same passion and it is showcased within the consistency and quality of each garment.

City Club bowls garments are cut for ease of movement and designed with high-performance in mind, while also retaining a smart appearance to fulfil bowls clothing etiquette. They are machine washable, wrinkle resistant, and quick drying.

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So rest assured that when you choose a City Club bowls garment, it has been quality designed, developed and tested, to give you the bowling edge!

RAISE YOUR GAME For enquiries or to locate your nearest stockist: t: 1800 653 332 e: customer.service@cityclub.com.au w: cityclub.com.au

Bowling & Lifestyle’s Preferred Supplier

Excel/UltraMax Sand filled synthetic grass bowling greens have been around for over 20 years. During this time, they have evolved from a higher pile height and low stitch count, using polypropylene yarn, to the most recent specifications of low pile height, high stitch count polyethylene yarn.

Excel/UltraMax is a 36 stitch 10mm pile height synthetic surface, widely used throughout Australia by KCL Sports and Green Planet Grass in the construction of bowling greens. Manufactured in Melbourne by APT Asia Pacific, the Excel/ UltraMax is exclusive to Green Planet Grass and KCL Sports in Australia.

Jon Hastings from KCL Sports pioneered the use of polyethylene springlock yarns for the DryMax Pro synthetic bowling surface.

Between them, KCL Sports & Green Planet Grass have installed nearly 300 synthetic bowling greens.

The shorter pile height and higher stitch count, requires less sand to infill the surface of the green and a shorter time is needed to bring the surface up to speed

for bowling. The yarn is UV stabilized for harsh Australian conditions, producing a long lasting, high performance surface. The Excel/UltraMax has been used in retirement and lifestyle villages for half size greens and in full size installations for bowling Clubs.

As well as the Excel/UltraMax, KCL Sports and Green Planet Grass also offer a range of 12mm surfaces.

Both Green Planet Grass in Western Australia and KCL Sports on the east coast, offer a full maintenance programme to keep your synthetic grass bowling greens in peak condition for optimal performance and to extend the life of the green. This can include thatching to lift the pile, algae treatment, sand level adjustment and re-rolling of the surface.

For Maximum Performance & Durability

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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In This Issue…

CITY CLUB

2

HENSELITE

5

SUMMERFIELD BRAIDWOOD

6

HOMESAFE WEALTH RELEASE

78&9

STEVEN GLASSON CALLS TIME ON COACHING BRAINSPINE NEUROSURGERY

10

18 19 20 & 21

AUSTRALIAN JACKAROOS

22 & 23

AZARIA CHAMBERLAIN

28

DOMACOM EQUITY RELEASE

48 49 & 50

WIN A COPY OF WIN JOHN WOOD’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY SEE PAGE 44 WIN TICKETS TO THE HIT THEATRE COMEDY ‘’MONO’’

Letter from the editor Welcome to 2021 issues of the Bowling & Lifestyle Magazine.

The year has started nicely with the bowling clubs terribly busy and more tournaments going ahead now at last with the Pandemic hopefully behind us.

Our bowlers are now able to play the sport they love again with their friends and family and enjoy what the great Bowling Clubs across the nation have to offer. Wonderful meeting places, great sport and fantastic food again,

Les Taylor and Catherine Colusso along with Bowls Australia have been working tirelessly bringing some wonderful stories for you.

Some important medical breakthroughs with Stem Cell research and a special mention to our readers to see the news from Brain Spine Neurosurgery, specialising in Brain and Spinal pathology.

The Ultimate Bowls Challenge will announce their next events, that were cancelled last year due to the pandemic and again will play to an incredible million viewer television audience.

Keep sending in your news and events with what is new in the bowling world. Make sure you head on over to our Facebook & Instagram pages and give us a like/follow. Support your only National Lawn Bowling Magazine. Be sure to read all our latest & past editions on ISSUU. HERE or subscribe for free today. HERE, on our website www.bowlingandlifestylemagazines.com.au Thank you for reading, we appreciate you all.

From the whole team here at Bowling & Lifestyle magazine!

Until- Next time… Rosslyn Wren Catherine Flier and Catherine Colusso

STARRING MAX GILLIES, JOHN WOOD & JEAN KITTSON

SEE PAGE 34

Have a great New Year from Rupert

For Maximum Performance & Durability

The Green Planet Grass Dog (Rupert guarding his warehouse)

Rosslyn Wren Catherine Flier Catherine Colusso Publisher CEO Lifestyle &

Entertainment Columnist

Publisher | Rosslyn Wren

Advertising and Editorial inquiries:

0424 672 796 or email to rwren7@bigpond.com Artwork and Design | Adele Dhillon adelevrantses@hotmail.com

Copyright: All material appearing in this magazine is copyright. Reproduction in whole or part is not permitted without permission from the publishers.

Notice: To ensure the information in this magazine is accurate, no responsibility is accepted by the publishers for material supplied by an individual, company or organisation of for a typographical error.

p: 0422 920 753. e: justbowls@hotmail.com www.justbowls.info 4

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Braidwood

– the best NSW Retirement Location Nothing is more enriching than breathing fresh clean country air and living a relaxed lifestyle. Braidwood’s climate is exhilarating with brisk winter days and mild summers which are highlighted by sea breezes and cool summer evenings This is a rare opportunity to buy a Villa in a heritage listed town within close proximity to the South Coast, Goulburn, Canberra and the Snow Fields.

The residents of Braidwood are proud of the history of their district and their large range of arts and crafts within the community. Braidwood offers a friendly rural community with a vast array of facilities and services. Facilities include a well-resourced hospital and medical centre along with a pharmacy, IGA supermarket and other food outlets including the renowned Braidwood Bakery, plentiful restaurants and cafes, arts and craft stores, the returned Servicemen’s Club with associated golf, lawn bowls and squash amenities.

Braidwood has proved an irresistible magnet to countless artists and writers. It has featured in the ABC’s Painting Australia TV series.

Home to late poet and activist Judith Wright, many renowned living writers and artists such as John R Walker, Jonathon Throsby, Suzanne Belamy, Miles Franklin (award winning writer) and Roger McDonald live in this thriving community.

The town has a rich social life and hosts many popular annual events and festivals including the Braidwood Race meeting, Music at the Creek, Heritage Festivals, Vintage Cars, the Quilt Festival and the Braidwood Show. Be part of a thriving community with a strong arts culture!

Don’t delay – Call Jane to book an inspection – 0400 472 577 | www.summerfield.com.au 70 LITTLE RIVER ROAD, BRAIDWOOD

Retirement & Wellbeing

Home to play larger role in retirement funding – Seniors will benefit from exploring which equity release solution is right for them The Retirement Income Review Report recently recognised the important role the family home will play in providing adequate retirement funding for Seniors. The report is unsurprisingly consistent with what many seniors have already discovered - that the ability to access the equity in their home can provide them with choice and help fund the retirement lifestyle that is best for them.

Many senior Australians have already elected to use the equity in their home to fund their needs and ‘age in place’ at home. Whether funding in-home care options, home modifications, medical costs, nursing, cleaning etc, or even to pay out loans to free up cashflow, equity release products provide Seniors with funding options to solve their current and future needs.

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AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

For many Seniors, the family home is often their biggest asset and equity release products have assisted many retirees with the ability to access the wealth accumulated in their home, when they need it most. Selecting the best solution to achieve this is an important decision, therefore it is essential senior homeowners do their “homework”.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT WHEN A SOLUTION IS CHOSEN, THE HOMEOWNER CAN RETAIN SOME CONTROL OVER THE FUTURE EQUITY IN THEIR HOME, KEEPING IN MIND THAT THEIR LIFESTYLE NEEDS, OR CIRCUMSTANCES MAY CHANGE OVER TIME.

It is also essential that they can protect their right to live in their home for the rest of their lives, or until they choose to sell the home.

Deciding to access some of the equity in the home now whilst they remain living in the home, should also ensure their right to stay in the home long term is fully protected.

THERE ARE VARYING OPTIONS OF EQUITY RELEASE SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS AND HOMEOWNERS WILL OFTEN CHOOSE BETWEEN A DEBT-BASED SOLUTION (ALSO REFERRED TO AS REVERSE MORTGAGES), A DEBT FREE SOLUTION (SUCH AS HOMESAFE WEALTH RELEASE) OR THE GOVERNMENT’S PENSION LOAN SCHEME.

Homesafe Wealth Release® is the popular debt free solution, which has been providing senior Australian homeowners access to the equity in their homes since 2005. A Joint Venture with Bendigo & Adelaide Bank, Homesafe is the ‘tried and tested’ leader in the debt free equity release market. With over 15 years’ experience and thousands of satisfied customers, Homesafe understands how important the decision process is for Seniors and a team of experienced specialists are available to assist.

Homesafe Wealth Release® is not a reverse mortgage or a loan product and can assist Seniors to achieve a comfortable and secure retirement with peace of mind into the future.

For more information or to see how Homesafe may be able to assist you, contact Homesafe on 1300 307 059 or visit www.homesafe. com.au. *Terms, conditions, and eligibility criteria apply. Homesafe Wealth Release™ is available in 90% of eligible postcodes in Melbourne & Sydney.

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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Bowls Australia

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AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Bowls Australia

STEVE GLASSON CALLS TIME ON COACHING CAREER Bowls Australia’s most prolific national coach, Steve Glasson OAM, has signalled time on his illustrious coaching career after a decade at the helm of the sport’s High Performance program.

Glasson relinquishes the coveted but onerous National Coach position having guided the BCiB Australian Jackaroos through a period of unparalleled success on the world stage, since taking the reins in March 2011.

Notably, Glasson presided over the best result achieved by any nation at a recordbreaking World Bowls Championships in 2012, followed by the Jackaroos’ best campaign abroad at a World Bowls Championships in 2016, and culminated in the Jackaroos’ most successful Commonwealth Games result in 2018.

Underscoring the achievements on the international arena, Glasson is credited as having set the foundations and subsequently developed a first-class culture among all tiers of High Performance squads and has significantly raised the profile of the Jackaroos brand.

Stepping away from the coaching ranks entirely, Glasson plans to take a position at BCiB (Bowling Club Insurance Brokers), the naming rights partner of the sport’s national team, where he currently serves as an Ambassador.

In announcing his decision to step down, Glasson said he felt the time was right to move on to the next stage of his life and career, while affording his replacement the time required to adjust to the position before the next international benchmark event.

“It has been a great honour to be the National Coach of the sport I have loved and held dearly throughout my life and I

wish to express my heartfelt thanks to Bowls Australia’s Directors, past and present, CEO Neil Dalrymple, the High Performance team, inclusive of staff and athletes, and all stakeholders for this incredible privilege,” Glasson said.

“Throughout the ten-year journey, I have been surrounded and supported by the most amazing, passionate and hardworking team of people, who have been instrumental in achieving the collective successes that we’ve enjoyed on the international arena.

“Whilst united in our desire to earn success on the green, unquestionably, one of the primary drivers and motivators of the High Performance program has been to instil a culture focused on becoming better people, and I feel that I have personally grown and developed through my involvement and benefited as a result.

“I’m immensely proud of the inclusiveness that’s been built steadily throughout the program, with a focus on mixed gender and para-sport, under-age and over-60 opportunities.

“PERSONALLY, I FEEL THE TIME IS RIGHT TO MOVE TO A NEW PHASE OF MY LIFE, SO I WISH THE HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAM AND ALL INVOLVED THE VERY BEST OF LUCK FOR FUTURE ENDEAVOURS AND ASSURE EVERYONE THAT I WILL ALWAYS REMAIN AN AVID SUPPORTER AND FOLLOWER OF THE TEAM’S PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT.” Bowls Australia President Bob Boorman said the organisation and the bowls community more broadly were appreciative of Glasson’s decade of service.

“The sport of Bowls has benefited greatly from the guidance and service Steve has imparted over the past ten years,” Boorman said.

“The accolades that the BCiB Australian Jackaroos squad have achieved during Steve’s tenure speak volumes for the amount of hard work and energy he has placed on developing a results-driven culture of proven performers, but just as importantly, he has established and led an excellent High Performance team and created a culture of good, honest, supportive people.

“Steve is a great character and personality in the sport of Bowls in Australia and has made an excellent contribution as a player and more recently as Coach; we wish him well for his future and intend to discuss a level of continued involvement with Bowls Australia at some point in the future.”

The past 11 months have unquestionably been a difficult period, void of national and international events and with limited access to personnel for training and development due to COVID-19, but Glasson’s selfless timing provides his successor with the best opportunity to prepare for September’s World Bowls Championships and the next Commonwealth Games in eighteen months’ time.

Bowls Australia’s Board and Executive plan to review the National Coach position and High Performance structure before advising plans for the successor.

Benchmark event results achieved under Steve Glasson OAM tenure • 2012 World Bowls Championships (Adelaide, SA): Five gold and two silver medals from eight disciplines.

• 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games (Scotland): One silver and three bronze medals from ten disciplines.

• 2016 World Bowls Championships (New Zealand): Four gold, two silver and one bronze medal from eight disciplines.

• 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games (Broadbeach, QLD): Five gold and two silver medals from ten disciplines.

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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Victorian Champions Week Wrap Bowls in Victoria was back on the agenda in January with the first major state events since COVD hit, taking place at Victorian Champions Week at City Memorial Bowls Club in Warrnambool.

Team Henselite was among the medals across the disciplines as some fantastic bowls was played and the top bowlers from Victoria’s 16 regions came together and made the most of the opportunity to play the sport they love again.

For Australian Jackaroo, Carla Krizanic, it was a dream return to bowls. After becoming a mum in June 2020, Carla was back on the green in earnest, picking up three titles including her 4th Champion of Champion Singles. She also took out the women’s pairs with Lisa Trewarne and the Mixed Pairs on the last day with Lisa’s brother Todd.

Todd was delighted with the win saying, “It’s always a pleasure to play with Carla as we’re great mates. We have known each other for quite a while now and to top it off we work really well as a team. It was also good to represent with a fellow Team Henselite team-mate.

Especially when we haven’t been able to play in much competition in the last 12 months. I’m also absolutely loving representing my new club (Melton) so the motivation to win was as high as it’s ever been.”

Nathan Wilson, Dane McKinnon and Matthew Wilson, were

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AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

another Henselite team to take home gold, this time in the Men’s Triples. They picked up the title for Metro West with a 15-18 win over Central Goulburn Murray.

In the Under 18 events Emerging Jackaroo, Jarryd Davies, used his last tilt at an Under 18 title to win the Under 18 triples. He also added a silver medal in the Pairs.

In the Women’s Singles, Tiff Brodie showed her class to win her first Women’s Singles State Title, with a 25-14 win over Belinda Koek, having twice previously won the Victorian Women’s Under 25s.

Tiff also picked up a silver medal in the fours with Henselite Team mates Lisa Phillips and Courtney Gabb with Kelly McKerihen. The quartet were the reigning champions in the event and went down 12-13 in a tight final.

Courtney Gabb and Lisa Phillips also scored another Silver medal in the triples with Sarah Ashby. The trio all used Henselite Dreamline XGs, with their campaign ending when they were just pipped 17-15 in another thrilling final.

It was a special week – one we wondered was ever going to happen again and the experience for all was beautifully summed up by Courtney Gabb who said “Champions Week, there’s no better name for an event, whether you’re already a champion or a first time competitor at the event. You walk away inspired...watching top level bowlers, playing top level bowlers it only makes you want to train harder to ensure you get another chance next year.”

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Bowls Australia

HELPING HAND FUND REACHES SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE The generosity of the Australian bowls community continues to shine through, with Bowls Australia’s (BA) Helping Hand Fund hitting a significant milestone.

Donations recently ticked over the $10,000 amount, with funds raised to assist clubs struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic.

To date, $11,125 has been donated to the fund, with five clubs and one association given financial assistance from the money that has been raised. $500 donations from both Stawell Bowling Club and Burleigh Heads Bowls Club in December helped reach the milestone.

The Helping Hand Fund was established through the Australian Sports Foundation to assist clubs who had been hit hard by the pandemic this year, with generous donations made from individuals and clubs around the country to help those in need.

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AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Helping Hand Fund beneficiaries • Morwell Club Bowls Club • Eastwood Golf Bowls Club • Australian Blind Bowlers Association • Fairfield Bowling Club • Oxley Bowling Club • Bright Bowls Club

Donations to the Helping Hand campaign are tax-deductible and BA are calling on all levels of the bowls community to show support to clubs in times of need.

Bowls Australia

JACK ATTACK THRIVES IN CHALLENGING YEAR Despite facing a variety of challenges this year, Bowls Australia’s (BA) Jack Attack program continued to grow as a social bowls product.

Jack Attack is the fun and fast-paced format of bowls, aimed at encouraging new participation in the sport, with games completed in just over an hour.

More than 1000 people participated in Jack Attack in 2020 nationwide, an impressive feat given the restrictions in place due to COVID for large portions of the year.

As part of BA’s COVID-19 Return to Bowls Plan, altered versions of Jack Attack, known as Jack Attack Plus and Jack Attack Lite, were created to provide interested clubs with access to varied programs that best suited their situation.

More than 40 clubs put their hand up to get involved with Jack Attack Plus, with more than 275 teams bringing in close to 900 participants since August.

With continued support from clubs across the country, there are now 265 Jack Attack licensed clubs in Australia, with more and more clubs showing interest.

Clubs who have embraced the program have enjoyed all-round positive experiences, introducing new people to both bowls and their club while even turning some participants into members.

Participants can now get geared up in their favourite Jack Attack clothing too, with a Jack Attack merchandise range launched last month.

Acting BA Development and Programs Coordinator Reece Wilson said it has been amazing to see the growth and support shown for Jack Attack this year.

“THE SUCCESS OF JACK ATTACK OVER 2020 HAS BEEN OUTSTANDING GIVEN THE CHALLENGES WE’VE ALL FACED WITH COVID IMPACTING OUR ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE ALL YEAR,” HE SAID. “It’s a true testament to the value and the exciting energy that the Jack Attack product provides for clubs in engaging their community.”

To get involved with Jack Attack or for more information, visit www.bowls.com.au/jackattack

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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Professional earwax removal At Earworx we work with Australian’s every day to relieve them of ear wax build up and the associated discomfort, hearing loss and pain this can cause. We take great pride in our exceptional service and our caring and compassionate approach to ear health.

member of your family are experiencing any of these symptoms, our friendly and professional registered nurses can assist you. We are passionate about ear wax removal; it’s our core business and what we do best.

Ear wax removal is a delicate process and special training is required to perform this procedure. Earworx is a service that proudly employs only registered nurses who are qualified in the process of Micro Suction and Aural Hygiene

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption to Earworx services however we are now open with strict mitigation strategies in place to reduce the risk of transmission to both staff and clients.

If you would like to know more about these please visit us at www. earworx.com.au.

Many of us know the disorienting feeling of not being quite right when one of our senses is not working correctly. Whether it’s a sinus infection or head cold impacting your sense of smell or getting shampoo in your eyes in the shower! It can severely impact your ability to enjoy life.

The same goes for any loss of hearing. As an example, more than one third of the elderly people in our community suffer from excessive ear wax and this can have a significant impact on their day to day life, and their ability to hear and communicate effectively.

Through our work with patients across Australia, we know how uncomfortable and inconvenient hearing loss from a build-up of ear wax can be. We specialise in professional ear wax removal and use dry, safe and effective micro suction technology to gently and easily remove wax. This is the same technique that is preferred by Ear Nose and Throat specialists.

Some people are more likely to experience a build-up of ear wax than others. These include people with narrow, hairy or curvy ear canals, who wear hearing aids, who use cotton buds or other objects such as ear plugs or ear bud headphones, who work in dusty or dirty environments or people with a hereditary disposition to wax impaction.

A build-up of ear wax can feel like blockage or fullness in your ears and can also lead to hearing loss or tinnitus. If you or an older 16

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

The hearing-impaired community in Australia deserve to be treated with respect, care and dignity. These Australians work hard, care for families, and as such it is important that they experience the best quality of life that is available to them.

Let us help Australians to be able to hear, communicate, and as such fully participate in our community activities – make a booking at Earworx today.

NECK AND BACK PAIN 18

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Neck and back pain can range from mild, annoying aches to severe, disabling pain While most spine pain occurs as a part of the normal degenerative ageing process-it can

also be a warning sign of cancer, infection,

autoimmune disease, or a structural problem

• Arm/leg numbness or tingling

• Sharp, shooting pain that radiates from your neck and your arm.

WHY DOES THIS OCCUR?

• Sharp shooting pain that radiates from your lower back to your buttocks, and down your leg (sciatica)

around the spinal cord and nerves. As we age,

• Difficulties with walking and balance

causing pressure on the spinal cord/ nerves

Our spines are comprised of a number of joints

• Stiffness in your neck or back

changes occur as the joints wear out resulting in

• Difficulties with coordination

inflammatory processes such as osteoarthritis.

The joints and tissues can also become

overgrown and compress a neural structure, which is called spinal stenosis.

Failure of the joints to hold the bones in

position can result in slippage and deformity.

These are common characteristics of conditions such as spondylolisthesis, kyphosis, or scoliosis.

WHAT SYMPTOMS CAN THESE

DEGENERATIVE CHANGES CAUSE?

• Dull, burning, or sharp pain-which can be confined to a single spot or cover a large area.

• Loss of bladder and bowel control, with weakness in both legs are important symptoms that require immediate medical attention.

HOW IS A DIAGNOSIS MADE?

You should see your general practitioner for a medical and physical exam. They may obtain a CT scan and /or an MRI scan to assess your spine. CT/MRI produces pictures of bones, joints, ligament, the spinal cord and spinal nerves. Sometimes other tests are needed such as bone scans and specialised x-rays.

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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HOW ARE BACK AND NECK PAIN TREATED? If you experience back or neck pain it may simply improve with some rest. Over the counter medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, may also help alleviate discomfort.

Activity should be modified to avoid movement that exacerbates pain. Physiotherapy, acupuncture, and massage therapy are beneficial.

Low-impact exercise programs may improve range of motion, increase muscle strength, and improve flexibility and mobility, increase endurance, and improve pain. Weight loss and improving one’s core strength are also useful.

away overgrown bone, ligament and joint tissue to decompress the spinal cord and spinal nerve.

Some operations (for example those that help control the conditions spinal stenosis or sciatica) employ a decompression technique and at times may also require a fusion. The latter involves a surgeon placing titanium screws and rods to stabilise the spine and cause adjacent vertebrae to fuse.

There are minimally invasive ways to perform this type of surgery, and can even encompass advanced technology such as GPS-like tracking systems and robotics. If performed for the right indications, surgery can be effective in 80-90% of patients.

WHEN CAN A SURGEON HELP? A surgeon can advise on further treatment if the above suggestions haven’t improved the pain and your quality of life.

Your surgeon can assess your imaging and recommend cortisone steroid injections that can alleviate some forms of neck, back, arm or leg pain.

An appropriate surgical operation can also significantly improve pain, mobility and quality of life.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER SURGERY Most patients are mobilised either on the same or following day of surgery, as early movement has been shown to be be beneficial.

You may be reviewed by a physiotherapist to provide advice on stretches, exercises and activities. Sometimes health professionals will design a rehabilitation program to meet your needs. The type of program will depend on the procedure you underwent and your level of mobility.

The goal of back and neck rehabilitation is to help you return to your highest level of fitness and independence and improve your overall quality of life.

Courtesy Dr Raj Reddy, MBBS, MS, FRACS

WHAT DOES AN OPERATION INVOLVE? Because symptoms, imaging findings and causative factors can vary significantly, a surgical procedure must be tailored for you.

A traditional spine surgery procedure involves an incision along the backbone. The surgeon moves muscle and soft tissue aside to gain access to the bones of the spine and the spinal cord.

Minimally invasive techniques involve a smaller incision and special microsurgical instruments, through which the surgeon operates on the spine. Minimally invasive techniques may be able to shorten recovery time and reduce the risk of complications.

These approaches allow the surgeon to trim

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AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Dr Raj Reddy is a neurosurgeon with special interests in complex & minimally invasive spine surgery, paediatric neurosurgery, and brain tumour surgery.

Raj manages all neurosurgical conditions, both cranial and spinal. He has a special interest in spine surgery, with foci on minimally invasive techniques as well as complex reconstructive surgery. The focus of his cranial surgery is in the management of intracranial tumours, trauma , and craniofacial operations; both adults and paediatric patients Suite 3, Level 7 Prince of Wales Private Hospital Barker Street, Randwick NSW 2031 P (02) 9650 4132 E enquiries@brainspine.com.au W. www.brainspine.com.au

Dr Raj Reddy, MBBS, MS, FRACS

Dr Peter Wilson is a specialist neurosurgeon with a focus on endoscopic skull base surgery, complex spinal surgery and cranial / spinal tumour surgery.

Peter is committed to maintaining the highest level of clinical and operative care of his patients, and is constantly striving to improve his practice by perpetually evolving in pace with the latest in medical advancements.

His clinical interests include: • Pituitary disease • Trigeminal neuralgia / hemifacial spasm • Spinal sagittal balance • Benign and malignant brain tumours Suite 3, Level 7 Prince of Wales Private Hospital Barker Street, Randwick NSW 2031 P (02) 9650 4132 E enquiries@brainspine.com.au W. www.brainspine.com.au

Dr Peter Wilson BSc MB BS (Hons) MS MSurg FRACS (Neuro)

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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Bowls Australia

TWO INCLUSIONS AMONG THE BCIB AUSTRALIAN JACKAROOS SQUAD Two new additions have been named among the BCiB Australian Jackaroos squad for the new year, alongside a host of inclusions for the feeder Emerging Jackaroos and Para-Sport teams, and the formation of a new third-tier Pathways Jackaroos squad.

Raymond Terrace’s Genevieve Delves and Cabramatta’s Carl Healey headline the announcement, after being earmarked as potential future international representatives with promotion to the top-tier Jackaroos squad for the next 12 months.

The other 17 players in the main Jackaroos contingent remain unchanged, as they build towards the staging of the World Bowls Championships on the Gold Coast in September, where 10 will be entrusted with replicating the nation’s success achieved in the last

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AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

two events, having amassed nine gold, four silver and one bronze across the 16 disciplines.

Reigning Female Bowler of the Year, Delves, and 2018 Australian Open men’s pairs champion, Healey, both paved their course through the national feeder team, the Emerging Jackaroos, which also boasts numerous additions, off the back of the recent employment of new state-specific Pathways Coaches to help with their development.

South Australia’s Nathan Black, Western Australia’s Cody Packer, Victoria’s Kylie Whitehead and Jay Bye-Norris, and Queensland’s Nick Cahill, Matt Lucas, Cassandra Millerick and brothers Jacob and Kane Nelson have all been elevated to contracted Emerging Jackaroos status, where they will work closely with both the Pathways Coaches and national High Performance coaching personnel.

With Emerging Jackaroos players eligible for selection in non-benchmark international events, national selectors have declared that additional appointments could be made throughout the year to reward and develop consistent contributors.

2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Josh Thornton has

Bowls Australia

marked a return to the Para-Sport squad, after making himself unavailable for selection for work and family reasons after scaling the dais on the Gold Coast, as preparations for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games begin to increase rapidly.

While the other Athletes with a Disability and Vision-Impaired line-ups remain unchanged, selectors have earmarked the possibility of future inclusions among the Para-Sport squad at some stage throughout the year.

Eight prospective future national representatives will get the opportunity to hone their skills and ply their trade under the guidance of recently appointed Pathways Coaches, with the creation of a new third-tier Pathways Jackaroos squad.

South Australia’s Kate Argent-Bowden, Grace Moloney, Tyson Wilson and Jayden Zeller, Queensland’s Cassandra Millerick, and Victoria’s Tyson Cromie, Brendan Gallagher and Dean O’Neil are the inaugural appointees to the development group.

While not contracted or expected to meet the same athlete

BCiB Australian Jackaroos – Women Lynsey Clarke (37, Tweed Heads, QLD)

Kelsey Cottrell (30, St Johns Park, NSW)

Genevieve Delves (42, Raymond Terrace, NSW) Dawn Hayman (23, St Johns Park, NSW) Carla Krizanic (30, Sunbury, VIC)

Kristina Krstic (26, Manning Memorial, WA) Ellen Ryan (23, Cabramatta, NSW)

Chloe Stewart (25, Tweed Heads, QLD) Rebecca Van Asch (32, Invermay, TAS)

Natasha Van Eldik (30, Raymond Terrace, NSW) BCiB Australian Jackaroos – Men Carl Healey (33, Cabramatta, NSW)

Barrie Lester (38, Burleigh Heads, QLD) Jesse Noronha (29, Cabramatta, NSW) Wayne Ruediger (44, Grange, SA)

Aron Sherriff (35, Club Helensvale, QLD)

performance or training requirements as the other squads, the over-60s-based Senior Jackaroos team remains unchanged following November 2019’s Trans Tasman Test Series.

“It’s really exciting to announce the elite Jackaroos Squad members for 2021 with the addition of Genevieve and Carl,” National Coach Steve Glasson OAM said.

“Just as exciting is the opportunity to grow the emerging squad with some outstanding prospects getting the nod; to be able to grow the program through the Pathways Program following generous support from the AIS also provides the opportunity to develop longer term prospects which will ensure Australia continues to produce world class athletes well into the future.”

The squads will remain in place for the next 12 months and will be reviewed again by the national selection panel in advance of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, which could favour highly regarded heavy-greens players.

Para-Sport Jackaroos AWD – Joshua Barry (Deer Park, VIC), Barry Brennan (Moama, VIC), Tony Bonnell (Broadbeach, QLD), Chris Flavel (Payneham, SA), Joshua Thornton (Murray Downs, VIC)

Vision Impaired – Jake Fehlberg (Burleigh Heads, QLD – Director Grant Fehlberg), Lynne Seymour (Thuringowa, QLD – Director Bob Seymour) Pathways Jackaroos Kate Argent-Bowden (Angaston, SA), Grace Moloney (Athurton, SA), Tyson Cromie (Yarrawonga, VIC), Brendan Gallagher (VIC), Dean O’Neil (Bundoora RSL, VIC), Tyson Wilson (Grange, SA), Jayden Zeller (Holdfast Bay, SA) Senior Jackaroos Sam Laguzza (NSW), Steve Sullivan (VIC), John Bain (QLD), Terry Warder (NSW), Robbie Warren (NSW), Noelene Abe (WA), Beth Quinlan (NSW), Betty Herbertson (NSW), Anne Miles (VIC), Louise Witton (QLD)

Aaron Teys (27, Warilla, NSW)

Ben Twist (30, St Johns Park, NSW) Corey Wedlock (24, Warilla, NSW)

Aaron Wilson (29, Cabramatta, NSW) Emerging Jackaroos Nathan Black (West Lakes, SA), Kira Bourke (Tweed Heads, QLD), Jay Bye-Norris (Lilydale, VIC), Nick Cahill (Tweed Heads, QLD), Jayden Christie (Club Helensvale, QLD), Jarryd Davies (Glenroy, VIC), Mason Lewis (Engadine, NSW), Matt Lucas (Enoggera, QLD), Bolivia Millerick (Broadbeach, QLD), Cassandra Millerick (Broadbeach, QLD), Jacob Nelson (Belmont Services, QLD), Kane Nelson (Belmont Services, QLD), Cody Packer (Osborne Park, WA), Jake Rynne (North Toowoomba, QLD), Brianna Smith (St Johns Park, NSW), Joshua Studham (Holdfast Bay, SA), Kylie Whitehead (Wodonga, VIC)

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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Catherine’s Column

Australian born singer Helen Reddy, has passed away aged 78. Her song “I AM WOMAN’’ became a feminist anthem in the1970’s

won a talent contest in 1966

Fans worldwide are mourning the loss of the undisputed “Queen of housewife rock’’ after she tragically passed away in Los Angeles.

Reddy won the Grammy Award in 1973 for best female pop vocal, prompting (shock rock artist)

HELEN REDDY was an international super star and multi-award recipient. She was often referred to as “The 70’s Queen of Pop.’’ She recorded 17 studio albums, and sold a staggering 80 million albums worldwide. She received a star on the “Hollywood Walk of Fame’’ for her work in the music industry in 1974. Her song “I AM WOMAN’’ has sold over one million copies. The song has since become the anthem for “The Women’s Liberation Movement,’’ and was then immortalised in “The Sex and The City (2) Movie, when its stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon performed the song in 2010.

on the television program Bandstand at the age of twenty five. Her prize was a record audition in New York City. However, she decided to pursue her singing career in Chicago and Los Angeles, which resulted in a record contract with Capital Records.

SUCCESS AT LAST……………………………

Helen enjoyed unimaginable international success

in the 1970’s with 15 singles in the “TOP 40’’ of the “BILLBOARD HOT 100.’’ Her signature hit “I AM WOMAN ’’ reached number one.

The song which was written by Reddy and Australian musician Ray Burton was the result of Reddy’s search for a song that would express her growing passion for female empowerment.

Alice Cooper to dub her “THE QUEEN OF HOUSEWIFE ROCK.’’ However during her acceptance speech Reddy declared “I WOULD LIKE TO THANK GOD, BECAUSE SHE MAKES EVERYTHING POSSIBLE.’’ She also concurred with Cooper declaring

“(Queen of housewife rock) means I’ve reached a lot of people in a simplistic manner who would never go to a lecture or read an article on women’s lib.’’

EARLY YEARS Helen Maxine Reddy was born into a showbiz family in Melbourne, in 1941. She was the daughter of Australian Actress Stella Lamond who will be remembered for her regular roles in the TV hit series “Homicide’’ and “Bellbird.’’

RETIREMENT………………………..

Helen retired from the entertainment industry in 2002. However she returned to performing in 2012 and in 2017. She sang “I AM WOMAN’’ to 750,000 people on The Woman’s March in Washington. Unfortunately she was diagnosed with dementia in 2015 and moved into “The Motion Picture Retirement Home’’ in Los Angeles.

Reddy started her singing career at the age of four. She subsequently

STORY COURTESY OF CATHERINE COLUSSO

Her father was homicide actor Max Reddy and she was the halfsister of Australian Showbiz royalty Toni Lamond.

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AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

She is survived by her 2 children Traci Wald Donat and Jordan Sommers……………………….

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AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

25

Catherine’s Column

Harry & Meghan THE NEXT CHAPTER? What is next on the agenda for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle? Since stepping down from their position as Senior Members of the British Royal Family to pursue their desire to “become financially independent.’’

Speculation has hit an all-time high with many royal watchers having noticed an increase in Meghan Markle’s political ambitions. Since moving to America, Markle seems to have become deeply involved in US politics and making the most of her new political freedom, which is something she was unable pursue during her brief spell as a working member of The British Royal Family.

To date she has spoken out on issues such as “The US Election’’ and urged people to vote, “The Black lives matter movement’’ and conducted “backyard chats’’ with prominent political activists, which clearly indicates her desire to achieve political prominence in America.

Harry and Meghan announced they were stepping down from all Royal duties in January 2020, and fulfilled their final royal commitment as senior royals, when they appeared at the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in London in March, 2020. Following their exit from Royal life and their subsequent relocation to California, Harry and Meghan have reportedly signed a $100 million deal with Media Giant Netflix.

According to a Netflix representative, they will be producing documentaries and children’s programmes that focus on creating content that informs and also gives hope.

It is also understood that, they have also signed a multi-million dollar deal with Spotify to launch a podcast and create their own “audio-first production company’’ called ARCHEWELL AUDIO. This will be the first time they have ventured into podcast territory, even though they have both dabbled in the entertainment business before. Meghan, having already worked with Disney as a voice over for the documentary film Elephant and Harry has previously teamed up with APPLE TV+ to make a documentary with Ophrah Winfrey about mental health.

Unfortunately, their inaugural outing with Spotify failed to set the podcast world alight, despite including celebrities such as Elton John, James Corden and an avalanche of publicity. Apparently, the star of the podcast was none other than their son Archie, who uttered his first public words during the making of the podcast.

Prompting controversial critic Piers Morgan to savagely criticise the couple for “using their son to flog their podcast.’’ However, this has not dampened their enthusiasm to continue on their plight to

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AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

become financially independent. The couple, it seems have settled into their new life in The United States, away from The Monarchy and secured lucrative multimillion-dollar deals and established their own Archewell Foundation.

There has also been widespread speculation that Harry and Meghan have bought a lavish new multimillion-dollar estate in the celebrity suburb of Montecito, California. According to reports, the property cost $14 million, and boasts nine bedrooms, pool, theatre, tennis court, gym and a two-bedroom guesthouse. It is alleged the family have been living in the upscale community since July, 2020. The suburb of Montecito, California is also home to Oprah Winfrey and Ellen Degeneres and her wife Portia DeRossi.

Recent reports also suggest that the couple are extremely happy with their new life in America, and seem to have proven to the world that they have what it takes to succeed in the real world by becoming financially independent………………

STORY COURTESY OF CATHERINE COLUSSO

Catherine’s Column

THE IMPRESSIVE CAREER OF

COLONEL GRAHAM FLEETON Since retiring Colonel Fleeton has shared his Military History passion with travellers for over 20 years, conducting tours of the battlefields, particularly visiting battlefields where Australians were involved. Gallipoli, France, Greece, the UK, Singapore, Vietnam, The Pacific and South Africa to name but a few.

His first tour was in 1999, after two of his Battalion Sergeants suggested they would like to visit the battlefields where Australians had served, and hear his accounts of what happened. Subsequently, the idea of touring battlefields was developed. Since then Colonel Fleeton and his experienced Military Historians have led many Battlefield Tours.

He explains, that he and his team like to prepare for each tour by asking their intended participants about any special sites they may wish to visit, either from their interest or where they have a family/ friend connection with a battlefield.

Colonel Graham Fleeton has been a passionate Historian since the 1960’s, and his interest in Military History was further enhanced, when he was a young Lieutenant in The University of New South Wales Regiment.

According to Colonel Fleeton, the study of Military History enabled him to further his tactical and strategic thinking, which subsequently led to an outstanding 44 year career in the Defence Force.

Some of his achievements include, Commanding Officer of an Infantry Battalion, Commanding Officer of the newly established Army Reserve Recruiting Unit, First Director of the NSW Army Personnel Agency and his final post before retiring in 2004 was The Honorary Colonel of NSW Defence Force Cadets and then Honorary Colonel of Australian Defence Force Cadets. He is currently Chairman of The Board of The Army Museum of New South Wales and President of The NSW Defence Reserves Association.

The team will then research that history before leaving Australia, and endeavour to include the connection in the tour. Groups attending the tours are usually no larger than 26, which enables the team quality time with the group ensuring that all participants have the opportunity to enjoy the tour and ask questions. However, the tour can also be as intimate as a handful, which is never a deterrent, for he prides himself on “never cancelling a tour due to a lack of numbers.’’

One of the most popular tours and coincidently, one of his favourites is The Battle of Greece and Crete and also where he conducts The Anzac Dawn Service in Athens, which includes visits to

“The Acropolis, The Pantheon, Olympia, Delphi, Kalambaka and The Meteora Monasteries. Also, his History and Heritage Tours to the Heritage Railways and the Cathedrals and Abbeys of England have proved a success…………………….

For further information regarding

BATTLEFIELD HISTORY TOURS for 2021/22 Please visit our website

www.battlefieldhistorytours.com.au STORY COURTESY OF CATHERINE COLUSSO

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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Catherine’s Column

2020 MARKED THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRAGIC DISAPPEARANCE OF BABY

Azaria Chamberlain

The disappearance of Azaria Chamberlain at Uluru in August, 1980 and the subsequent circumstances surrounding the tragedy resulted in her parents Lindy and Michael Chamberlain being convicted of her murder.

The case, which was labelled “one of the great miscarriages of justice in Australian history’’ by former attorney-general Gareth Evans, has continued to intrigue and conflict the nation for four decades…………………………….

On the night of the 17th August, 1980 while the Chamberlain family were camping at Uluru, formerly known as Ayres Rock. The campsite was brought to a sudden halt when Lindy Chamberlain, after hearing the growl of a dingo from inside the family’s tent, went to investigate and found nine week old baby Azaria missing. Lindy’s subsequent statement of “A dingo has got my baby’’ and the gruesome circumstances that followed, instantly changed the destiny of the Chamberlain family for ever.

A MASSIVE SEARCH WAS ORGANISED, WHICH INCLUDED THE HEAD RANGER AND AN ABORIGINAL TRACKER, WHO CONFIRMED DINGO PAW PRINTS AND SCAPE MARKS IN THE SAND. THE RANGER LATER DENIED THE CLAIMS, AND THE ABORIGINAL TRACKER’S ACCOUNT OF THE INCIDENT WAS NOT ACCEPTED. UNFORTUNATELY, AZARIA WAS NEVER FOUND.

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AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

However, the blood stained jumpsuit she was wearing was discovered a week later, 4km from the campsite, clearly indicating the obvious death of the missing infant. The disappearance of Azaria, consequently prompted a series of court cases and coroner’s inquests, which resulted in Lindy being relentlessly taunted and judged by strangers and accused of witchcraft. Unfortunately, she would eventually also lose her freedom, her privacy, her marriage and her faith in the justice system. The case also had a profound impact on the remaining Chamberlain children, the witnesses at the campsite, the lawyers representing the Chamberlain’s and the journalists who covered the case. It later transpired that many witnesses had been traumatised by the police and a flawed legal system.

Lindy Chamberlain was convicted of the murder of her baby in 1982, with the prosecution relying on circumstantial and forensic evidence. Michael Chamberlain (a Seventh Day Adventist minister) was charged with being an accessory after the fact. Lindy has however, always maintained that she thought she saw a dingo emerging from the tent where Azaria and her two brothers were sleeping. She was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

In 1986 Azaria’s Matinee jacket (which the Northern Territory Police had maintained did not exist) was found partially buried adjacent to a dingo lair near Uluru. Lindy Chamberlain was released from prison 5 days later. Her life sentence remitted after serving only 3 years in prison. Lindy and her husband Michael were officially pardoned in 1987, resulting in their convictions being quashed by The Supreme Court of the Northern Territory in 1988. The Australian Government paid the Chamberlain’s $1.3 million in compensation in 1992. By 2012 a fourth coroner’s inquest found that Azaria died “as a result of being attacked and taken by a dingo.’’

STORY COURTESY OF CATHERINE COLUSSO

BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE ARE GIVING ONE LUCKY READER THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN A COPY OF RJ WREN’S LATEST BOOK

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“ROMANTIC TERRORISTS’’ is a must read for anyone who is considering Internet Dating. Or is internet dating. This book is a true story of two women on internet dating sites, on a quest to find true love and their perfect match.

When most people would have given up, their determination grew stronger. These women were unbreakable. Close calls and risks that should have been avoided.

However, they come across an eclectic mix of murderers, scammers, thieves and liars along the way, which adds to their determination and makes the women stronger...

Book Review by Catherine Colusso Pre-order copies by emailing –Limited edition sales.bowlingandlifestylemagazines@outlook.com

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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Green Planet Grass has been installing artificial grass putting greens and mini-golf courses for many years in Perth and the metropolitan area. These installations have been in private homes, apartment blocks and retirement villages.

Synthetic Grass Bowling Greens in Perth Green Planet Grass is a member of the Sports & Play Industry Association.

SAPIA is the peak body for sports and recreation construction in Australasia.

Green Planet Grass is an accredited Gold Status Agent of APT Asia Pacific.

Established in 2008, Green Planet Grass has a wealth of experience providing high-quality Australian Made synthetic lawn and grass systems for bowling clubs.

Meaning we provide a full turn-key solution including: • Consultation, design, plans and approval.

• Construction of base including drainage and 3 stages of laser levelling.

• Banks, walls and surrounds.

• Choice of synthetic grass surfaces (Excel UltraMax, Monarch Pro, DryMax Pro) • Natural grass to synthetic conversions.

• Resurfacing with new synthetic grass.

Private Greens & Putting Greens.

Perth Hills 30

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

• Maintenance Service.

• Re-perforation of existing synthetic grass greens that have drainage issues using the OPM (On-site Perforating Machine).

Green Planet Grass has joined with KCL Sports to provide over 20 years’ experience in the synthetic turf industry and over 200 bowling green constructions and conversions nationally. Jon Hastings from KCL Sports, is the leading innovator in Australia of synthetic grass for bowling greens, having personally designed the World Bowls approved DryMax Pro surface.

Our comprehensive Synthetic Grass Bowling Green Maintenance Service Our Maintenance Service includes • Twice yearly grooming using a specialized metal grooming reel • Assessing of sand levels

• Algae & moss treatment

Grooming is undertaken using trained and experienced synthetic bowling green installers and our equipment has been specifically designed for this purpose.

We recommend that this work is carried out twice a year to keep your bowling greens in peak condition for optimal performance and to extend the life of your green.

Health & Research

SURECELL AUSTRALIA Australia's leading provider of PRP and Stem Cell therapy

Healing | Muscles - Injuries - Joints

Are you tired of experiencing unrelenting pain every day, caused by degeneration, muscle tears or other injuries?

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) could be the answer for you! Thanks to modern medicine. We are in the midst of being engulfed globally by an ageing population. Life expectancy has now reached well into our 80’s and 90’s and could potentially reach 100 within the next 20 to 30 years. As a result, we are also encountering degeneration and other ailments. As we mature and age, our body’s ability to repair itself diminishes significantly. Injuries may take longer to heal and osteoarthritis may become more pronounced. PRP is an ‘autologous blood derivative’ meaning that the growth factors and platelets found in the plasma component of our own blood are extracted and utilized to promote cell multiplication and the formation of new tissues, alleviating pain significantly.

However, for more advanced arthritis and injury, Adipose-Derived Cell Therapy may be more suitable. The use of Mesenchymal Cells is minimally invasive and a safe procedure. What this means is that after the cells are harvested from our own abdominal fat, they are mixed with PRP, and injected into the affected area, where they are able to promote growth and regeneration by releasing growth factors.

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A Day In The Life Of Les Taylor

Dr. Bonnie Henry: For those of us who have gotten a tad paranoid...

A voice of reason... healthy, happy and safe.

COVID-19 is transmitted by food.

7. You can lose your sense of smell with a lot of allergies and viral infections. This is only a non-specific symptom of COVID-19.

8. Once at home, you don't need to change your clothes urgently and go shower! Purity is a virtue, paranoia is not!

9. The COVID-19 virus doesn't hang in the air for long. This is a respiratory droplet infection that requires close contact.

10. The air is clean, you can walk through the gardens and through parks (just keeping your physical protection distance).

11. It is sufficient to use normal soap against COVID-19, not antibacterial soap. This is a virus, not a bacteria.

Dr. Henry is the Provincial Health Officer for British Columbia, the first woman in this position. She is also an associate professor at the University of British Columbia. She has a background in epidemiology and is a specialist in public health and preventive medicine. She is also from PEI. The Wisdom of Dr. Bonnie Henry 1. We may have to live with COVID-19 for months or years.

Let's not deny it or panic. Let's not make our lives useless. Let's learn to live with this fact.

2. 2. You can't destroy COVID-19 viruses that have penetrated cell walls, by drinking gallons of hot water you'll just go to the bathroom more often.

3. Washing hands and maintaining a two-meter physical distance is the best method for your protection.

4. If you don't have a COVID-19 patient at home, there's no need to disinfect the surfaces at your house.

5. Packaged cargo, gas pumps, shopping carts and ATMs do not cause infection. If you wash your hands, live your life as usual.

6. COVID-19 is not a food infection. It is associated with drops of infection like the 'flu. There is no demonstrated risk that 32

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

12. You don't have to worry about your food orders. But you can heat it all up in the microwave, if you wish.

13. The chances of bringing COVID-19 home with your shoes is like being struck by lightning twice in a day. I've been working against viruses for 20 years — drop infections don't spread like that!

14. You can't be protected from the virus by taking vinegar, sugarcane juice and ginger! These are for immunity not a cure.

15. Wearing a mask for long periods interferes with your breathing and oxygen levels. Wear it only in crowds.

16. Wearing gloves is also a bad idea; the virus can accumulate into the glove and be easily transmitted if you touch your face. Better just to wash your hands regularly. Immunity is greatly weakened by always staying in a sterile environment.

Even if you eat immune boosting foods, please go out of your house regularly to any park/beach. Immunity is increased by EXPOSURE TO PATHOGENS, not by sitting at home and consuming fried/ spicy/sugary food and aerated drinks.

Be smart and stay informed! Live life sensibly and to the fullest.

Be Kind, Be Calm and Be Safe!

Sincerely, Dr. Bonnie Henry

Catherine’s Column

WILL KAMALA HARRIS ULTIMATELY BECOME THE FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES? ACCORDING TO PUBLIC OPINION, SHE IS DEFINITELY THE ONE TO WATCH...

The trailblazing and sometimes controversial Kamala Harris has spent the last two decades in public life and has managed to stay under the radar.

However, things are about to change, as she made history on the 20th January, 2021 by becoming the first female Vice President of The United States and the first black vice president of The United States. This makes her the highest-ranking female elected official in US history, and according to public opinion, is now only a ‘heart beat’ away from becoming the first female President of the United States…………

Kamala Harris was born in California in 1964. She is the eldest of two children born to Shyamala Gopalan, a cancer researcher from Tamil, Nadu in India and Donald Harris, an economist from Jamaica. As a child, Harris embraced both her Indian and black identities by attending a Black Baptist Church and a Hindu Temple.

Prompting her to mention in her autobiography, ‘’that her mother was determined to make sure her and her sister Maya grew into confident, proud black women.’’

Harris attended the prestigious historically black Howard University in Washington D.C. She majored in Political Science and Economics.

After passing her Bar Exam in 1990, Harris joined The Alameda County Prosecutor’s office in Oakland as an Assistant District Attorney, which earned her a reputation for toughness. During her time as Assistant District Attorney she prosecuted cases of gang violence, drug trafficking and sexual abuse.

In 2010 Harris ran for the position of Californian Attorney general and won by a tight margin of 0.8% against Steve Cooley.

As Attorney General, Harris created an online platform to make criminal justice data available to the public. She was re-elected in 2014 and has served as the Junior United States senator since 2017.

As senator she has advocated Healthcare reform and progressive tax reform.

In 2016, President Barrack Obama and vice president Joe Biden endorsed Harris to run for the 2020 Democratic Nomination.

By 2019, Harris withdrew from seeking the 2020 Democratic nomination, citing a shortage of funds. However, managed to maintain a high profile by becoming a leading advocate of socialjustice reform following the police killing of African American George Floyd and the subsequent nationwide ‘’black lives matter protests’’ that followed, which simultaneously amplified and increased her appeal.

She ultimately endorsed Joe Biden for President in March, 2020.

Following Joe Biden’s victory at the 2020 Presidential Election, Harris emerged as the front runner for the position of Vice President and Biden’s running mate. This strategic move by Biden led to increased speculation that this political manoeuvre by The Biden Camp, was to capture and secure votes from black women across the United States. However, Harris’s prosecutorial career offered reassuring evidence that she was ‘’tough’’ enough for the job and she was unanimously perceived as a ‘’law-and-order vice president’’ that could re-establish peace to the United States.

Harris is married to prominent lawyer Douglas Emhoff. She has 2 adult stepchildren, who call her ‘’Momala.’’

STORY COURTESY OF CATHERINE COLUSSO

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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BOWLING&LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE are giving away two double passes to the smash hit theatre comedy “MONO’’ (A three-person one-man show) starring MAX GILLIES, JOHN WOOD and JEAN KITTSON.

He was also recognised with a Distinguished Alumni Award in 1997 from Monash University and was awarded an honorary Doctor Of Laws in 2015.

VENUES: THE GLEN STREET THEATRE BELROSE DATE : SATURDAY 27th MARCH, 2021 @ 2PM THE ORANGE CIVIC THEATRE DATE : SATURDAY 31st MARCH, 2021 @ 2PM To be in the draw, email your entry to bowlsplus1@bigpond.com & SUBSCRIBE TO BOWLING&LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE www.bowlingandlifestylemagazines.com.au Winner will be advised by email.

MAX: “Mono’’ is a hilarious comedy, set in the same tradition as Joyce Grenfell, Allan Bennett and Bob Newhart back in the day. It features nine brilliant comic characters which are brought to life by three performers John Wood, Jean Kittson and myself.

We recently caught up with one of its stars, Aussie Legend MAX GILLIES to get an inside scoop on the show.

MAX GILLIES HAS ENJOYED A DISTINGUISHED CAREER AS AN ACTOR, COMEDIAN, NARRATOR AND IMPERSONATOR FOR OVER 50 YEARS. He is best known for his comedy series “The Gillies Report, The Gillies Republic and Gillies & Company.

However, his ability to impersonate Australian Political Leaders and public figures has put him at the forefront of the Australian consciousness. Resulting in public recognition and adoration from fans around the country, which subsequently propelled him into the spot light and super stardom.

He has managed to caricature such famous names as Former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, Bob Hawke, Rupert Murdoch, Margaret Thatcher, The Queen and Pope John Paul 11 to name but a few.

# Congratulations on your new gig. How do you feel about appearing on “Mono’’ with Jean Kittson & JohnWood?

MAX: I am thrilled, and really looking forward to working with John Wood and Jean Kittson. # What can we expect from the show?

# You have worked with some very talented people in the past. Is there any one that you would like to work with in the future?

MAX: Yes, Jackie Weaver. It has been a privilege to work with Jackie in the past, and I don’t think that I have done enough work with her.

She is wonderful. # Can you tell me a little bit about your childhood?

MAX: My childhood was partly a happy one, I was brought up in the war years which was very hard for my mother. She had to bring up my brother and myself on her own, due to the fact that my parents separated when we were young. # How did your mother feel about you becoming an actor?

MAX: She was proud and supportive but apprehensive about the unreliability of an acting career. # What has been a major highlight of your career?

MAX: I have enjoyed playing multiple and historical characters, and I have always been struck by the instant response from the audience to the well- known characters that I have portrayed.

# Have you ever had any ambitions to take your talent to Hollywood?

MAX: I have never aspired to go to Hollywood, I have always felt that Australia was the place to be. # How do you relax when you are not working?

Over the years Gillies has also appeared in such classics as “STOCK’’(1971) “DICK DOWN UNDER’’ (1975) and the (1994) fan favourite “BLUE HEELERS.’’

MAX : I like to read and watch TV and I enjoy narrating children’s books.

He successfully graduated from Melbourne High and later attended Frankston Teachers Collage where he studied “Art Teaching’’ before graduating from Monash University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1966. In the years that followed, Max become one of the founding members of the 1970’s experimental theatre company “The Australian Performing Group.’’ In 1990 Gillies became a member of The Order of Australia (AM) for his services to the performing arts.

# What legacy do you want to leave behind?

Life for Max started in Melbourne in 1941. He spent his formative years living in Melbourne and recalls how tough life was during the war years.

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Q & A WITH MAX GILLIES

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

# How are you coping with the Corona Virus?

MAX: So far so good. Both my wife Louise and I have done a lot of zooming.

MAX: I don’t worry fretting about that sort of thing. I want to get as much done as possible in the time that I have left. # Any plans to retire any time soon.

MAX: No great ambitions to retire

STORY COURTESY OF CATHERINE COLUSSO

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THE HISTORY OF BRITISH SECRET AGENT JAMES BOND For over 50 years “The Bond Franchise’’ has provided audiences worldwide with unparalleled entertainment, with an array of spectacular missions, electrifying action, death defying stunts, super-gadgets, fast cars and gorgeous girls.

The character also known as 007 is the longest running Film Series of all time and has grossed over $7 billion since its inception.

THE STARS The series started in 1962 with “DR. NO’’ starring SEAN CONNERY. Since then, the character has been portrayed by GEORGE LAZENBY, ROGER MOORE, TIMOTHY DALTON, PIERCE BROSNAN and

THE CREATOR IAN FLEMING created the fictional character of British Secret Service Agent James Bond in 1953.

The character then featured in (12) of Fleming’s novels and (2) short story collections.

Since Fleming’s death in 1964, eight other authors have written authorised adaptations of Bond Novels.

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AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

DANIEL CRAIG

THE PRODUCER The original producer of the Bond films was Albert Romolo Broccoli AKA (Cubby) he will be remembered by most for his contribution to one of the most successful film franchises in history.

Broccoli produced the first Bond movie “DR NO’’ in 1962 and his

Catherine’s Column

involvement in the series continued until his death. In 1982 Broccoli was honoured with “The

started speculating that actresses starring as “Bond Girls’’ would later damage their acting career as a result. However, two “Bond Girls’’ Kim Basinger and Halle Berry went on to receive Oscars. Kim Basinger for “best supporting actress’’ in the 1998 film “LA CONFIDENTIAL’’ and Halle Berry for “best actress’’ in the 2002 film “MONSTER’S BALL.’’ URSULA ANDRESS, an aspiring Swiss actress, best known for her breakthrough role as Bond Girl “Honey Ryder’’ in the first Bond film “DR. NO’’ is considered to be the most famous of all the Bond Girls.

THE MOVIES & CARS All Bond films are renowned for their exciting story lines, gorgeous ladies also known as “Bond girls’’

LATEST MOVIE The latest Bond movie “NO TIME TO DIE’’ will be the 25th instalment in The Bond Franchise. It also marks Daniel Craig’s final appearance as James Bond.

Irving G. Thalberg Award’’ for his long and successful producing career. The award was presented by Roger Moore at the Academy Awards Ceremony. In 1990 Broccoli was honoured again when he was given his own star on the Hollywood Walk of fame. His daughter Barbara Broccoli and his stepson Michael G. Wilson have continued to honour his legacy by continuing to produce The James Bond films.

and Bond’s cars. Including the infamous ASTON MARTIN DB MARK 111 which was used in the movie GOLDFINGER and later appeared in THUNDERBALL, GOLDENEYE, TOMORROW NEVER DIES, CASINO ROYALE, SKYFALL and SPECTRE. However, the films have also used a number of different ASTON MARTINS for filming and publicity .

THE BOND GIRLS & THE CURSE Over the years the ladies have also become a special part of the series. They usually play characters that are either love interests, or companions for James Bond. There is no set criteria on what kind of person a Bond Girl will be, or what role she will play. She may be an ally or enemy of Bond, or simply there for her looks. Subsequently, the role of a Bond girl is typically a high-profile part that can give an actress a major boost to her career.

Unfortunately, the term “The Bond Girl Curse’’ was conceived when media outlets

The film is due to be released in November, 2021 and stars Oscar winner Rami Malek as the villain. Malek is well known for his brilliant portrayal of Freddie Mecury in the 2019 film Bohemian Rhapsody.

WHO WILL BE THE NEXT JAMES BOND? There has been enormous speculation as to who will replace Daniel Craig as the next 007.

Only time will tell as to who will be given the role.

At this stage 43year old Tom Hardy seems to be the hot favourite. However, Tom Hiddleston and Idris Elba also seem to be on the list of contenders.

STORY COURTESY OF CATHERINE COLUSSO

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

37

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A Day In The Life Of Les Taylor

A GREAT SUBMARINE STORY USS Barb & Commanding Officer Lucky Fluckey A fascinating WWII story. Lucky Fluckey Thirty-nine years ago, an Italian submarine was sold for a paltry $100,000 as scrap. The submarine, given to the Italian Navy in 1953 was originally the USS Barb . . an incredible veteran of World War II service . . with a heritage that should not have been melted away without any recognition.

The U.S.S. Barb was a pioneer, paving the way for the first submarine to launch missiles and it flew a battle flag unlike that of any other ship.

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AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

A Day In The Life Of Les Taylor

In addition to the Medal of Honor ribbon at the top of the flag identifying the heroism of its Captain, Commander Eugene 'Lucky' Fluckey. And the bottom border of the flag bore the image of a Japanese train locomotive.

The U.S.S. Barb was indeed, the submarine that SANK A TRAIN! July 18, 1945 In Patience Bay, off the coast of Karafuto, Japan.

It was after 4 A.M. and Commander Fluckey rubbed his eyes as he peered over the map spread before him. It was the twelfth war patrol of the Barb, the fifth under Commander Fluckey. He should have turned the submarine's command over to another skipper after four patrols, but had managed to strike a deal with Admiral Lockwood to make a fifth trip with the men he cared for like a father.

Of course, no one suspected when he had struck that deal prior to his fourth and should have been his final war patrol, that Commander Fluckey‘s success would be so great he would be awarded the Medal of Honor. Commander Fluckey smiled as he remembered that patrol. Lucky Fluckey they called him. On January 8th the Barb had emerged victorious from a running two-hour night battle after sinking a large enemy ammunition ship. Two weeks later in Mamkwan Harbor he found the mother-lode... more than 30 enemy ships.

In only 5 fathoms (30 feet) of water his crew had unleashed the sub’s forward torpedoes, then turned and fired four from the stern. As he pushed the Barb to the full limit of its speed through the dangerous waters in a daring withdrawal to the open sea, he recorded eight direct hits on six enemy ships.

What could possibly be left for the Commander to accomplish who, just three months earlier had been in Washington, DC to receive the Medal of Honor? He smiled to himself as he looked again at the map showing the rail line that ran along the enemy coastline.

Now his crew was buzzing excitedly about bagging a train!

The rail line itself wouldn't be a problem. A shore patrol could go ashore under cover of darkness to plant the explosives... one of the sub's 55-pound scuttling charges. But this early morning Lucky

Fluckey and his officers were puzzling over how they could blow not only the rails, but also one of the frequent trains that shuttled supplies to equip the Japanese war machine. But no matter how crazy the idea might have sounded; the Barb's skipper would not risk the lives of his men.

Thus the problem... how to detonate the explosives at the moment the train passed, without endangering the life of a shore party.

PROBLEMS?

If you don't search your brain looking for them, you'll never find them. And even then, sometimes they arrive in the most unusual fashion. Cruising slowly beneath the surface to evade the enemy plane now circling overhead, the monotony was broken with an exciting new idea: Instead of having a crewman on shore to trigger explosives to blow both rail and a passing train, why not let the train BLOW ITSELF up?

Billy Hatfield was excitedly explaining how he had cracked nuts on the railroad tracks as a kid, placing the nuts between two ties so the sagging of the rail under the weight of a train would break them open. "Just like cracking walnuts, “he explained. To complete the circuit [ detonating the 55-pound charge ] we hook in a micro switch... and mounted it between two ties, directly under the steel rail.

“We don't set it off . . the TRAIN will." Not only did Hatfield have the plan, he wanted to go along with the volunteer shore party.

After the solution was found, there was no shortage of volunteers; all that was needed was the proper weather... a little cloud cover to darken the moon for the sabotage mission ashore.

Lucky Fluckey established his criteria for the volunteer party: [ 1 ] No married men would be included, except for Hatfield, [ 2 ] The party would include members from each department,

[ 3 ] The opportunity would be split evenly between regular Navy and Navy Reserve sailors,

[ 4 ] At least half of the men had to have been Boy Scouts, experienced in handling medical emergencies and tuned into woods lore.

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A Day In The Life Of Les Taylor

FINALLY, Lucky Fluckey would lead the saboteurs himself.

When the names of the 8 selected sailors was announced it was greeted with a mixture of excitement and disappointment.

Members of the submarine's demolition squad were: · Chief Gunners Mate Paul G. Saunders, USN;

· Electricians Mate 3rd Class Billy R. Hatfield, USNR; · Signalman 2nd Class Francis N. Sevei, USNR;

· Ships Cook 1st Class Lawrence W. Newland, USN;

· Torpedoman Mate 3rd Class Edward W. Klingesmith, USNR; · Motor Machinists Mate 2nd Class James E. Richard, USN;

· Motor Machinists Mate 1st Class John Markuson, USN; and · Lieutenant William M. Walker, USNR.

AMONG THE DISAPPOINTED WAS COMMANDER FLUCKEY WHO SURRENDERED HIS OPPORTUNITY AT THE INSISTENCE OF HIS OFFICERS THAT AS COMMANDER HE BELONGED WITH THE BARB, COUPLED WITH THE THREAT FROM ONE THAT "I SWEAR I'LL SEND A MESSAGE TO COMSUBPAC IF THE COMMANDER ATTEMPTED TO JOIN THE DEMOLITION SHORE PARTY." In the meantime, there would be no harassing of Japanese shipping or shore operations by the Barb until the train mission had been accomplished. The crew would ' lay low ' to prepare their equipment, practice and plan and wait for the weather.

July 22, 1945 Patience Bay [ Off the coast of Karafuto, Japan ]

Waiting in 30 feet of water in Patience Bay was wearing thin the patience of Commander Fluckey and his innovative crew. Everything was ready. In the four days the saboteurs had anxiously watched the

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skies for cloud cover, the inventive crew of the Barb had crafted and tested their micro switch.

When the need was proposed for a pick and shovel to bury the explosive charge and batteries, the Barb's engineers had cut up steel plates in the lower flats of an engine room, then bent and welded them to create the needed digging tools.

The only things beyond their control were the weather and thelimited time. Only five days remained in the Barb's patrol.

Anxiously watching the skies, Commander Fluckey noticed plumes of cirrus clouds, then white stratus capping the mountain peaks ashore. A cloud cover was building to hide the three-quarters moon.

So, this would be the night.

MIDNIGHT, July 23, 1945

The Barb had crept within 950 yards of the shoreline. If it was somehow seen from the shore it would probably be mistaken for a schooner or Japanese patrol boat. No one would suspect an American submarine so close to shore or in such shallow water.

Slowly the small boats were lowered to the water and the 8 saboteurs began paddling toward the enemy beach. Twenty-five minutes later they pulled the boats ashore and walked on the surface of the Japanese homeland.

Stumbling through noisy waist-high grasses, crossing a highway and then into a 4-foot drainage ditch, the saboteurs made their way to the railroad tracks. Three men were posted as guards, Markuson assigned to examine a nearby water tower. The Barb's auxiliary man climbed the tower's ladder, then stopped in shock as he realized it was an enemy lookout tower . . . an OCCUPIED enemy lookout tower.

Fortunately the Japanese sentry was peacefully sleeping. And Markuson was able to quietly withdraw to warn his raiding party.

The news from Markuson caused the men digging the placement for the explosive charge to continue their work more quietly and slower.

Twenty minutes later, the demolition holes had been carved by their crude tools and the explosives and batteries hidden beneath fresh soil.

A Day In The Life Of Les Taylor

During planning for the mission, the saboteurs had been told that, with the explosives in place, all would retreat a safe distance while Hatfield made the final connection. BUT IF the sailor who had once cracked walnuts on the railroad tracks slipped or messed up during this final, dangerous procedure . . his would be the only life lost.

On this night it was the only order the sub's saboteurs refused to obey, and all of them peered anxiously over Hatfield’s shoulder to be sure he did it right. The men had come too far to be disappointed by a bungled switch installation.

1:32 A.M.

Watching from the deck of the submarine, Commander Fluckey allowed himself a sigh of relief as he noticed the flashlight signal from the beach announcing the departure of the shore party.

Fluckey had daringly, but skillfully guided the Barb within 600 yards of the enemy beach sand.

There was less than 6 feet of water beneath the sub's keel, but Fluckey wanted to be close in case trouble arose and a daring rescue of his bridge saboteurs became necessary.

Instead of such a costly armed offensive to end the war, on August 6th the B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped a single atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. A second such bomb, unleashed 4 days later on Nagasaki, Japan, caused Japan to agree to surrender terms on August 15th.

On September 2, 1945 in Tokyo Harbor the documents ending the war in the Pacific were signed.

The story of the saboteurs of the U.S.S. Barb is one of those unique, little known stories of World War II. It becomes increasingly important when one realizes that the [ 8 ] eight sailors who blew up the train near Kashiho, Japan conducted the ONLY GROUND COMBAT OPERATION on the Japanese homeland during World War

II. Members of the sabotage team pose with the Ships flag (The train mission is noted at the center bottom of the flag)

1:45 A.M.

THE TWO BOATS CARRYING HIS SABOTEURS WERE ONLY HALFWAY BACK TO THE BARB WHEN THE SUB'S MACHINE GUNNER YELLED, ' CAPTAIN !' THERE'S ANOTHER TRAIN COMING UP THE TRACKS! THE COMMANDER GRABBED A MEGAPHONE AND YELLED THROUGH THE NIGHT, "PADDLE LIKE THE DEVIL !", KNOWING FULL WELL THAT THEY WOULDN'T REACH THE BARB BEFORE THE TRAIN HIT THE MICRO SWITCH. 1:47 A.M.

The darkness was shattered by brilliant light . . and the roar of the explosion! The boilers of the locomotive blew, shattered pieces of the engine blowing 200 feet into the air. Behind it the railroad freight cars accordioned into each other, bursting into flame and adding to the magnificent fireworks display. Five minutes later the saboteurs were lifted to the deck by their exuberant comrades as the Barb eased away . . slipping back to the safety of the deep.

Moving at only two knots, it would be a while before the Barb was into waters deep enough to allow it to submerge. It was a moment to savor, the culmination of teamwork, ingenuity and daring by the Commander and all his crew. Lucky Fluckey's voice came over the intercom. "All hands below deck not absolutely needed to maneuver the ship have permission to come topside." He didn't have to repeat the invitation. Hatches sprang open as the proud sailors of the Barb gathered on her decks to proudly watch the distant fireworks display.

The Barb had sunk a Japanese TRAIN!

On August 2, 1945 the Barb arrived at Midway, her twelfth war patrol concluded. Meanwhile United States military commanders had pondered the prospect of an armed assault on the Japanese homeland. Military tacticians estimated such an invasion would cost more than a million American casualties.

[ Footnote : Eugene Bennett Fluckey retired from the Navy as a Rear Admiral, and wore in addition to his Medal of Honor . . [ 4 ] FOUR Navy Crosses . . a record of heroic awards unmatched by any American in military history.]

In 1992, his own history of the U.S.S. Barb was published in the award-winning book, THUNDER BELOW. Over the past several years proceeds from the sale of this exciting book have been used by Admiral Fluckey to provide free reunions for the men who served him aboard the Barb, and their wives. http://www.amazon.com/Thunder-Below-RevolutionizesSubmarine-Warfare/dp/0252066707/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/1027148842-6447304?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183743121&sr=1-1

P.S. : He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1935 . . lived to age 93 .

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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WIN A COPY OF JOHN WOOD’S LONG AWAITED AUTOBIOGRAPHY *HOW I CLAWED MY WAY TO THE MIDDLE* To be in the draw, email your entry to Bowlsplus1@bigpond.com & SUBSCRIBE TO BOWLING&LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE www.bowlingandlifestylemagazines.com.au WINNER WILL BE ADVISED BY EMAIL JOHN WOOD has reigned supreme as an actor for over 40 years, with a long list of varied roles on stage and screen. Wood has won numerous awards over the years and accumulated legions of admiring fans throughout his career. His latest venture, a starring role in the smash-hit theatre comedy “MONO’’ alongside Max Gillies and Jean Kittson seems to be creating a stir through-out the entertainment community. The show is being promoted as seriously side-splitting funny, with the entire cast of three inhabiting three different comedic characters. A hilarious headmistress, a compromised cop and a mixed-up minister…………………………..

John’s journey to super stardom is not unlike many other great actors, who have been able to transcend the many hurdles that sometimes plaque them before achieving success.

John was born in Melbourne, to proud working class parents in 1946. He joined The Victorian Railways as a clerk shortly after leaving school. However his love for movies and his admiration for old school movie stars such as Cary Grant, Spencer Tracey and Katharine Hepburn helped convince him to join a Melbourne Youth Theatre.

This decision ultimately, resulted in John being accepted into (National Instituted Dramatic Arts) NIDA. During this time he also worked the lights at Neutral Bay’s Music Hall. He became a professional actor in 1970 aged 24 and worked for The Old Tote Theatre Company in “Death of a Salesman.’’

John went on to appear in several Australian drama series and mini-series in minor roles before securing his game changing roles in Rafferty’s Rules and Blue Heelers, turning him into the star he is today.

Wood was nominated for The Gold Logie for

“Most Popular Personality on Australian Television’’ every year from 1997 to 2007.

He was finally awarded The Gold Logie in 2006 after nine consecutive Gold Logie Nominations.

John Wood’s awards include

(Best sustained performance by an actor in a supporting role) in

“POWER WITHOUT GLORY’’ 1977 (Most outstanding actor) for

“RAFFERTY’S RULES’’ 1989 &

(The Gold Logie for the most popular actor) in “BLUE HEELERS’’ 2006.

STORY COURTESY OF CATHERINE COLUSSO 44

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WIN

To save just one child’s life, it’s worth doing everything we possibly can. Imagine the opportunity to save thousands of children’s lives for many years to come. You can, by leaving Children’s Hospital Foundation a gift in your Will.

Slater’s Story

chance of seeing her son’s 7th birthday.

Right now, people like you are funding vital medical equipment and long-term research into childhood brain cancer. Any of these projects could lead to a breakthrough in how we diagnose, treat, or even cure this life-threatening childhood illness.

Your donations could help fund the vital brain cancer research which Slater, and others like him so desperately need.

By including the Children’s Hospital Foundation in your Will, any gift you make, no matter how big or small, will carry on funding lifesaving work long into the future. The decision you make now could change the course for many kids just like Slater.

Jude has lost a child and has now left a gift in her Will. She says:

Slater was only a baby when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour, which slowly wrapped around his brain stem, making it inoperable.

His medical team have done everything possible to stop Slater’s tumour from growing and affecting his development, but unless something changes, Slater will not make it.

His journey has seen him learn how to walk, to talk, and to swallow once more. Slater is now six years old and continues to be fed through a tube. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment have left him with third degree burns behind his ears.

Despite his unimaginable journey, Slater is forever the fighter, and keeps winning over hearts.

“It’s beautiful to watch everyone fall in love with Slater, as he’s the most special little boy,” Slater’s mum, Bianca, says.

Sadly, Bianca has to face the reality that there is only a 20 per cent

“Not everyone can leave tens of thousands of dollars, but if everyone left something, it would make a huge difference. If you can help just one little baby, it’s worth it. It can’t prevent what happened to my son, but it may prevent other families going through something similar.

The research you fund could one day help your children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren.”

----

Your decision to leave a gift gives you peace of mind knowing that the charity you have supported for many years, can still receive funding long after you are gone. It ensures that your wishes are carried out in the way you planned. Importantly, it costs nothing now.

For further information, please contact Diane Baartz, Community Relationship Manager Children’s Hospital Foundation on (07) 3606 6138 or giftsinwills@childrens.org.au

Jude has left a gift in her Will to the Children’s Hospital Foundation childrens.org.au AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

45

A Day In The Life Of Les Taylor

Here is the real story of Rudolf the

Red Nosed Reindeer!

A man named Robert L. May, depressed and broken hearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night. His 4-year-old daughter Barbara sat on his lap quietly sobbing.

Bobs wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer. Little Barbara couldn't understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dad's eyes and asked, "Why isn't Mommy just like everybody else's Mommy?"

Evelyn's bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in the poorer area of Toronto.

Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938.

Bob's jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears. Her Question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bob's life. Life always had to be different for Bob. When he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he'd rather not remember.

From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in.

The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was.

The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose.

Bob, after completing college, married his loving wife Evelyn and was grateful to get a job as a copywriter at the Timothy Eaton Department Store, in Toronto, during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it was all short-lived.

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Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn't buy a gift, he was determined a make one – a storybook!*

Bob had created an animal character in his own mind and told the animal's story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope. Again and again, Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling.*

Who was the character? What was the story all about?

Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day.* But the story doesn't end there.

The general manager of the T. Eaton Store caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. They went on to print, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores.*

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

By 1946, Eaton's had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph. That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Eaton's to print an updated version of the book.

In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Eaton's returned all rights back to Bob May. The book became a best seller.

Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter.

But the story doesn't end there either.

Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph.

Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore, it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry.

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of "White Christmas."

The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn't so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing.

A true Canadian story, can you believe this?

A Day In The Life Of Les Taylor

Clancy @ the overflow.

(What Banjo would write today.)

I had written him a text Which I'd sent, hoping the next Time he came in mobile coverage He'd have time to say hello.

But I'd heard he'd lost his iPhone, So I emailed him from my smart phone, Just addressed, on spec, as follows: clancy@theoverflow And the answer redirected Wasn't quite what I'd expected And it wasn't from the shearing mate Who'd answered once before.

His ISP provider wrote it And verbatim I will quote it: 'This account has been suspended: You won't hear from him any more.'

In my wild erratic fancy Visions come to me of Clancy: Out of reach of mobile coverage Where the Western rivers flow.

Instead of tapping on the small screen, He'd be camping by the tall green River gums, a pleasure That the town folk never know.

Well, the bush has friends to meet him But the rest of us can't greet him: Out there, even Telstra's network Doesn't give you any bars.

He can't blog the vision splendid Of the sunlit plains extended Or tweet the wondrous glory Of the everlasting stars.

I am sitting at the keyboard, I'm too stressed out to be bored As I answer all the emails By the deadlines they contain.

While my screen fills with promotions For 'Viagra' and strange potions And announcements of the million-dollar Prizes I can claim.

But the looming deadlines haunt me And their harassing senders taunt me That they need response this evening For tomorrow is too late!

But their texts, too quickly ended, Often can't be comprehended For their writers have no time to think They have no time to wait.

And I sometimes rather fancy That I'd like to trade with Clancy: Just set up an email bouncer Saying 'Sorry, had to go.'

While he faced an inbox jamming Up with deadlines and with spamming As he signed off every message: clancy@theoverflow.

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By Kevin Conlon (M.App.Fin.) -CEO of the Equity Release Industry Council (ERIC)

EQUITY RELEASE -An Insider’s Guide As we face up to a new year there can be no doubt that these are tough times. We are battling not only the health emergency of a lifetime but a significant economic downturn resulting from the increased Government spending intended to support business and save jobs. All of this impacts retirement funding whether we are yet to reach that stage of our lives or having retired, are struggling to maintain a decent standard of living.

What needs to be remembered though, is that we have been fortunate enough to have lived our lives during a golden era of person wealth accumulation. For most of us homeowning senior Australians, the road ahead is still clear and safe. But it is going to take a major shift in how we navigate the journey if we are to remain healthy and happy as we age. Along the way there will be some uncomfortable challenges to face and some important choices to make.

The key challenge is whether we can come to terms with viewing the family home as an active financial asset rather than a sacred store of wealth to be preserved at all cost in order to hand over a financial legacy to our family when our time is done.

Equity release is the term used to describe the process of accessing housing wealth in order to increase the amount of personal wealth available to improve our standard of living in retirement.

For too long, too many people whose lives are not affected by these important decisions have had too much to say about either championing or condemning equity release.

Still worse, those who should be providing guidance have failed in their duty to speak up.

We each have our own life story and whilst, drawing down against our housing wealth in retirement may carry regret or even shame for some, for others it is a triumph of common-sense and the opportunity to live well and with dignity.

Financial advisers should be regarded as simply navigators offering up reliable information so that we can make well informed decisions. Whatever our 48

circumstances, it is important to remember who calls the shots.

Why do people use Equity Release products?

We encounter our first myth when we look at the reasons why people choose to access their housing wealth. Despite the portrayal of these retirees as lifestyle seeking, selfcentred and reckless, the facts clearly show that equity release customers tend to borrow what they need, when they need it.

Although the records shows that clients will typically release more equity if they rely on the advice of mortgage brokers, most drawdown less than the maximum amount they qualified for and this is true of each age group from 65yrs to 85yrs.

An important factor that drives this somewhat conservative behaviour is the desire to preserve benefits entitlement which, would be at risk if the money received from an equity release were to be held as a financial asset rather than spent (Centrelink guidelines indicate that funds can be held for a maximum of 90 days from receipt).

This highlights the importance of clearly identifying any major expenses that will be undertaken and developing a reliable budget that will closely reflect your actual spending pattern.

When it comes to the purpose to which equity release funds are applied, again it is practical and worthwhile purposes such as debt consolidation, living expenses, home improvements, travel, medical costs, aged care or purchasing a new car rather than reckless spending of the kid’s inheritance.

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOWLING & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Equity Release Products: The Pension Loans Scheme is offered by the Australian Government through Services Australia as a non-taxable fortnightly loan of up to 1.5 times the maximum fortnightly payment rate of the applicant’s eligible pension.

The Pension Loans Scheme does not provide lump-sum payments and although regular repayments are not required, interest on the loan will compound over time.

Due to these limitations, many senior Australians have chosen to access their home equity wealth through other commercial equity release products.

The reverse mortgage product is the most common equity release option available in Australia and more than 40,000 Australians have a reverse mortgage. Approximately $4 billion of housing has been unlocked in order that these retirees can choose to live the life they want in retirement.

A reverse mortgage is a credit product distributed by mortgage brokers operating under an Australian Credit Licence (ACL).

Although a reverse mortgage is an interestbearing loan, you don't have to make repayments while living in your home.

Interest charged on the loan compounds over time and is added to the amount you borrow.

You repay the loan in full, including interest and fees, when you sell or move out of your home.

This is where we strike our next myth, that reverse mortgage borrowers are often misled by their advisers and often regret their decision to take out a reverse mortgage.

As the chief executive of the peak industry

Continued on page 50

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Continued from page 48 body, I have had the opportunity to closely observe the professional conduct of mortgage brokers and financial advisers working in this important sector and it continues to trouble me that despite a remarkably good track record, reverse mortgages continue to attract poorlyinformed negative commentary.

Some time ago, the then Chief Ombudsman of the Financial Ombudsman Scheme, Colin Neave AM noted that, “Of the 38,000 existing mortgage borrowers in Australia only five have lodged a complaint and of those complaints four were resolved through provider co-operation with no evidence of wrong-doing on the part of the provider.

What other industry can boast that level of consumer satisfaction”? A good question indeed!

I recently conducted a review of the case work undertaken by the new consumer watchdog agency to see how things have been tracking since the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) took over responsibility for determining the outcomes of any consumer complaints and it is good news for reverse mortgages.

Despite many more thousands of senior Australians taking out a reverse mortgage each year, the total number of consumer complaints now stands at only thirty seven with compelling evidence of continued good industry practice clearly emerging from a close examination of these cases.

By my reckoning there are only six cases were the provider was determined to be at fault

It is somewhat amazing that of those six adverse determinations, four were based on the providers failure to ensure that the client obtained independent legal advice, one was based on a failure to ensure that the client obtained independent financial advice (their own lending guidelines, not a regulatory obligation) and one failed to properly document the loan. Of course, these limited failures are important, and it is good to see that the consumer protection system is working well.

Despite this track record of good consumer outcomes, the number of lending institutions offering reverse mortgages has fallen dramatically over recent times, with each of the major banks having now withdrawn from the market and only a handful of providers remain.

Alternatives to a reverse mortgage have been limited and slow to emerge.

In stark contrast to the success of equity release markets in the USA and the UK, Australia’s equity release market has suffered from a lack of competition and an absence of product innovation.

Our next myth is that Australian seniors now benefit from a wide choice of so-called new generation equity release products. For 50

share of the future value. The provider may only offer you $25,000 to $40,000 to buy that share. When you sell your home, you pay the provider their share of the proceeds. So, if in 20 years time you sell your home for $800,000, the provider gets 25% of that amount: $200,000.

It's not a loan, so you don't pay interest. You pay a fee for the transaction and to get your home valued (as a guide, around $2,000).

You may also have to pay other property transaction costs. example, it is simply “fake news” to say that the reverse mortgages on offer today are vastly improved over the reverse mortgages that were offered in the past.

Even prior to the introduction of legislation setting out important consumer protection measures, the vast majority of reverse mortgage providers had subscribed to meaningful self-regulatory practices imposed by the then peak industry body, the Senior Equity Release Association of Lenders (SEQUAL). In fact, the Government of the day acknowledged the role of SEQUAL and simply uplifted these industry practices into legislation. I know this to be true as I was the inaugural chief executive of that association, at that time.

So, as for product choice. Despite industry lobbying Government to extend the stimulus packages that they had rolled-out to help the major banks through the Global Financial Crisis, no support was provided to the equity release market and the consequences for consumer choice were devastating.

From a large cohort of major banks and non-bank specialist lenders peaking at approximately 21 institutions, the reverse mortgage market today is comprised of no more than a handful of non-bank lenders and no major banks.

The situation is not improved by the current lack of competition to the reverse mortgage product itself.

For example, there is only one home reversion provider in Australia. Their product is based on a real estate transaction that is subject to State-based regulations and is only available in certain areas of Sydney and Melbourne.

A home reversion scheme allows you to sell a proportion of the future value of your home while you live there. You get a lump sum payment and keep the remaining proportion of your home equity.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) provides a good description of home a home reversion works on their MoneySmart website, as follows: “The home reversion provider pays you a reduced ('discounted') amount for the share you sell. Depending on your age, this may be 25% or more of the current value of the share.

For example, suppose your home is currently worth $400,000 and you sell a 25% ($100,000)

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Home reversion costs you the difference between:

• what you get for the share of your home you sell now, and • what it's worth in the future

The more your home goes up in value, the more you'll pay the provider when you sell it.

There have been many false-dawns in the history of the equity release market in Australia but maybe we are beginning to see the bright light of change as Government starts to engage more effectively with the retirement funding needs of Senior Australians and a new breed of financial institutions apply themselves to true product innovation as recently, Australia’s first advice-based and regulated equity release financial product has launched.

The Equity Release Deed (ERD) allows you to obtain cash payments for releasing equity in your home to a Fund which brings property owners and property investors together in a way that enables property owners to sell part of their property in exchange for an agreed cash payment.

You can choose whether to receive the cash payment as a lump sum or by instalments.

To be eligible, you and anyone else on the property title must be 60 years of age or older and the property must be your principal place of residence.

How the Equity Release Deed works.

Whilst no interest is charged, you will be required to pay service fees as nominal rent for the portion of your house you have sold. These service fees are paid every five years in advance by releasing further equity in your home. This means that the Fund’s proportion of ownership in your property will gradually increase.

Once the Fund becomes a part owner in your property the Fund will pay its share of repair and maintenance costs. If you sell your home or die, the Fund will be entitled to its share of the sale proceeds from the sale of your home. Because there are no loans involved, you will not owe money even if you go on to live well after your equity in your home has been exhausted because at that time, your obligation to pay further service fees ceases.

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