Toowoomba, October 2018 by seniors

October, 2018

FREE

7 www.seniorsnews.com.au vfacebook.com/seniorsnews

4 1300 880 265

Bringing you healthy lifestyle choices

PHONE 131 872 www.tr.qld.gov.au

Meet the older woman ... SASSY, SMART AND FULL OF WISDOM

MARNIE MORGAN Residential and Rural Property Sales 0434 475 338

6864807aa

STORY PAGES 4-5

DROPPING INTO NZ GOURMET STYLE

Toowoomba’s Largest New & Used Furniture Store! Come in and see our amazing range of quality mattresses in all sizes, Electric Lift beds and lift chairs! See our Avanté Hi-Lo beds with Electric Adjustable Height, Back and Foot. Move in and out of bed with ease.

Garden Cast Iron enches &B s g in tt e S

Bottle Assorted Art Cap Wall

Avanté has an ENTIRE range of quality mattresses and beds, in King, Queen, Double, King Single and Single.

s ountain Water F ridges B n e & Gard

We Sell New: Timber Furniture (Home & Oﬃce). Storage Ideas. Cane & Garden Furniture. Homewares & Gift Lines. Statues & Ornaments. Wall Art. Mirrors. Carpet & Vinyl.

Electric Lift Beds come in 7 sizes.

10 YEAR WRITTEN GUARANTEE ON MATTRESSES, BASES & MOTORS

6876385aa

PAGES 15-22

WELCOME

OCTOBER, 2018// SENIORS

Smile, you’re recognised Gail Forrer Seniors Group Editor

23 Wellbeing

Music preview INDEX 3 4 10 14 15 23 27 29 34 35

Spring fair Cover Story: The Matriarchs Talk ‘n’ Thoughts Community Group Guide Wanderlust Wellbeing Living Money Music and Book reviews Puzzles

IN ONE way or another a good deal of the stories published in Seniors newspaper, ask us to rethink our ideas on ageing. It might be our sporting profiles, stories on business ventures, life-long education or the type of accommodation we choose to live in. This month, our cover story makes it evident that other demographics are also reviewing their ideas on ageing. That is, they are recognising the view of older age as a slow, quiet and perhaps sad journey into mental and physical decline, is simply a stereotype. The article shows an acknowledgement of our differences, recognition of our strengths and weaknesses and importantly, that contemporary ageing demands a new story. In our feature story, it is great to see the older woman upfront and visible. Breaking away from stereotypes also enables us to have a more authentic view of society, which hopefully enables a fairer treatment for all. In this month’s Talk ‘n’

CONTACT US General Manager Geoff Crockett – 07 5430 1006 geoff.crockett@news.com.au Editor Gail Forrer – 07 5435 3203 gail.forrer@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Media Sales Executive Brett Mauger – 07 3623 1657 brett.mauger@seniorsnewspaper.com.au

Thoughs section, we are pleased to note the move towards a more equitable superannuation scheme in terms of women’s work contributions. Something, that up to this point is sadly lacking. We also have an interesting review of former journalist Mike Carlton’s memoir. In his book we can see how political opinions, personalities and conflict shaped the society we grew up in and in turn shaped us. At 72 years old, Carlton is certainly breaking down age stereotypes. Finally, don’t miss Robyn Nixon’s tips on travelling with your grandchildren. As an avid and professional traveller Robyn shares some practical tips. As always, we have provided you with the latest well-being, living, travel and financial advice. I trust you enjoy the read.

Online Get your news online at www.seniorsnews.com.au Advertising, editorial and distribution enquiries Phone: 1300 880 265 or (07) 5435 3200 Email: advertising@seniorsnewspaper.com.au or editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au Location: 2 Newspaper Place, Maroochydore 4558 Website: www.seniorsnews.com.au Subscriptions Only $39.90 for one year (12 editions) including GST and postage anywhere in Australia. Please call our circulations services on 1300 361 604 and quote “Toowoomba Seniors Newspaper”. The Seniors Newspaper is published monthly and distributed free in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales. The Seniors newspaper stable includes Toowoomba, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Northern NSW, Coffs and Clarence and Central Coast publications. Published by News Corp Australia Printed by News Corp Australia, Yandina. Opinions expressed by contributors to Seniors Newspapers are not necessarily those of the editor or the owner/publisher and publication of advertisements implies no endorsement by the owner/publisher.

Fix your solar rebate with SAE Group THE cost of installing a solar system has not changed in recent months, what has changed is the STC rebate, the up-front incentive the government is currently offering homeowners and small businesses to take up solar. If you’ve been following this, you may have noticed there has recently been a drop in the STC certiﬁcate commodity value from a year-round steady $38.00 to $30.50 at the time of going to print. The ﬂuidity of the STC price means that the cost of your solar system can move right up until the day of installation. This uncertainty can make it hard for you to decide on whether to make the switch to solar. SAE Group have locked our STC price at $32.00 ensuring we can offer you a competitively priced solar system with the peace of mind. SAE Group have yet another compelling offer that will make the switch to powering your home with smarter, cleaner energy easy for you. This high quality 5.5kW solar bundle comprises of the 5kW Fronius smart energy inverter, and 20 x 275-watt Seraphim panels for $5652.00.

5.5kW

Solar Bundle From

This 5.5kW system will generate an average of 23kW of power each day, based on the Clean Energy Council’s recommendation of the average hours of 4.2 hours. That’s enough to power a standard four-bedroom home, making this system ideal to drastically reduce your power bills. Let’s take a closer look at what you could save…

2 $5652

Let’s say you self-consume 50% of the electricity you generate free from the sun. Based on the average output, that’s 11.5 kW each day. Applying today’s average electricity tariff of 28c/kW, you stand to make a saving of $3.22 each day. That might not seem much but over the course of a year that’s a massive $1,175.00 back in your pocket.

$6752

That still leaves the remaining 50% of your solar production that you can export back to the grid. Right now, the average solar feed in tariff sits anywhere from 8 cents to 15 cents per kW, depending on your electricity retailer. Let’s base our calculations somewhere in the middle… if you are exporting the remaining 50% at 12 cents per kW, that’s another saving of $1.38 cents per day, or a further $503.00 a year you’ll save in electricity costs. That’s a whopping total of $1678.00 per year in savings. Look to the price advertised on the right and you’ll see it’s possible to recoup the cost of a 5.5 kW solar system in under four years, and you’ve still got years of solar savings ahead of you. So why put off until tomorrow what you can start saving today. SAE Group are a Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer, who are committed to raising the bar in the solar industry. The team at SAE Group are Master Electricians ﬁrst and foremost, so you can also rest easy knowing you’re dealing with highly experienced, qualiﬁed staff. From consultation, to quality installation, and after sales service, they are with you the whole way, and offer a 12-year workmanship warranty with every installation. If you’re interested in securing your energy future, or looking for a solution that will protect you from crippling electricity prices, call SAE Group on 1300 18 20 50 or jump on their website www.saegroup.com.au to take advantage of this offer before it runs out.

Normally

Switch to solar and SAVE

20 x 275 watt Seraphim panels + 5kW Fronius i iinverter

For a free on site solar assessment call:

1300 18 20 50

or visit: www.saegroup.com.au

*Price includes racking and installation. Net meter changeover not included. Travel charges outside of 70kms from the warehouse will apply. Finance options are available, subject to lending criteria eligibility. Terms & conditions, fees and charges may apply. Limited number of ﬁxed contracts available. Electrical License QLD: 72250, NSW: 227526C

SENIORS \\OCTOBER, 2018

NEWS

No idle hands this Spring Creators prepare their arts and crafts for spring fair

Alison Houston ST VINCENT’S Care Services Toowoomba has been a buzz of activity lately, as residents created their entry for the Cobb+Co Museum Hanging Basket Competition, yarn-bombed and prepared goods for the service’s October 27 Spring Fair. Artisans, gardeners, aged care residents, community and school groups created more than 60 baskets as Cobb+Co put its own Alice in Wonderland twist on Carnival of Flowers festivities. From elaborately crafted designs, to floral and edible creations, participants were vying to be named best in General, Creative Design and School categories. While St Vincent’s didn’t win, diversional therapist Vicki Hurrell said residents had a wonderful time creating their display together. It was very much a

team effort, with Joyce Slatter knitting Alice, Darleen Cox crocheting the outside flowers, Nancy Young 30 leaves and Ken Lovell crafting the paddle pop seat for Alice, while other residents made the pom poms for the centre display. “These ladies have done knitting, crochet and sewing all their lives – so it’s a lifetime skill that they’re glad they can still use and help others,” Vicki said. “We’ve got an ongoing relationship with Cobb+Co as part of our Reminiscing program, so this was something special to give back.” Every second month, Cobb+Co volunteers bring in artefacts and photos on a given theme, such as ‘school days’, or ‘household chores’, which enable everyone to talk about their own memories and experiences. The Spring Fair (from 10am-3pm at 227 Spring Street, Toowoomba) will include multiple stallholders with items

CHESHIRE CAT: Judy Beal won the General section of the Cobb+Co Museum Hanging Basket Competition with her entry, Alice Falling. ranging from ceramics to plants, soaps, handmade bags and craft items, including knitted items, teddy bears, dolls and clothing, to second hand furniture.

There will be face-painting for the kids, the RSPCA will visit with animals, and there will be entertainment, a barbecue and drinks for sale.

Funds raised go back into St Vincent’s Care Services and its programs. Winners of the Cobb+Co competition were:

General: 1st Judy Beal, 2nd LifeFlight Rescue, 3rd Kayley Tatton. Creative Design: 1st Jo Broderick, 2nd Paul Morgan, 3rd Lesley Nichols.

Updates from the Toowoomba Region

Parents’ dreams aside THE dream of retirement is moving out of reach for parents as they put post-employment plans on hold to help their struggling children get a foothold in the property market. A new survey shows that Australian parents are willing to sacrifice their retirement, luxuries such as a holiday or new car, or dip into their savings to lend a helping hand to their children or

even grandchildren. The 2018 Generational Property Ladder Survey by homeloans.com.au reveals almost two in three parents are currently making financial or personal sacrifices to help their children and/or grandchildren buy their own home. The survey also found: ■ 36 per cent are willing to be a guarantor on a loan ■ 32 per cent are willing

to purchase a home in partnership with their children ■ 46 per cent would let them move into the family home while saving for a deposit ■ 26 per cent of parents currently providing assistance have dipped into savings to do so ■ 13 per cent have set up a trust fund for their children ■ 39 per cent would sacrifice weekly luxuries

Australia Day Committee

The next meetings of Council’s Standing Committees will be held on 9 and 10 October commencing at 9am. The next Ordinary Meeting of Council will be held on 16 October commencing at 10am. All meetings are at City Hall, 541 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba.

We’re currently seeking members of the community who are eager to join Toowoomba City’s Australia Day working group. The group meets once a month, beginning in October, to plan the city’s Australia Day events at Picnic Point. If you’re interested or would like to join, give us a call.

Australia Day Award Nominations

My Community Directory

Do you know a person or group who has made outstanding contributions to your community? Nominations are now open for the 2019 Australia Day Awards - closing 31 October 2018. Forms are available online at www.tr.qld.gov.au/australiaday

Water Restrictions

We’ve introduced medium level water restrictions to a number of communities across the region including Hodgson Vale, Cambooya, Clifton, Vale View, Greenmount, Pittsworth (including Brookstead and Southbrook), Cecil Plains and Yarraman. This is to preserve our underground water supplies and bores. For more information visit www.tr.qld. gov.au/water

CHANGE Project A range of low-cost opportunities are available in Toowoomba each week to help residents get out and active. For full details and to join visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/change

For bookings for all events call 131 872 or visit www.tr.qld.gov.au

The My Community Directory lists organisations that provide services that are free or subsidised to the public in thousands of location across Australia. These services are aligned into various Community Directories. Check it out at www.mycommunitydirectory.com.au

Council Cabs We’re excited to be continuing our Council Cab service. The service provides affordable transport for seniors and people with a disability. Eligible users can travel from their home to their nearest major shopping centre one day a week. The cab service has been offered to allow residents to enjoy greater independence and convenience without relying on friends and family to get out and about, whether for shopping or socialising. For eligibility criteria and locations of the service in your area call 131 872 or visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/ councilcabs TRC_100918_SN

KIDS FIRST: A new survey shows that parents are willing to do it tough to help out their children. Photo: AJ_Watt

Council Meetings

COVER STORY

OCTOBER, 2018// SENIORS

THE MATRIARCHS: Krissy Stanley, 68, Carefree campaign for 2018.

Griz Pomirska, 67.

The Matriarchs: sassy,

Tracey Johnstone INSTEAD of a corporate brand telling the younger generation what to expect of the future, it has turned to the people who have been there and done that. A young creative team in their 20s and 30s in the Sydney office of advertising agency DDB Sydney has developed a marketing campaign for Carefree’s female hygiene products with its essence

being matriarchal trust. Four women – Krissy Stanley, 68, Griz Pomirska, 67, Yvonne Tozzi, 60, and Gayle Foster-Brown, 69 – talk in the advertisement about what they remember of their teenage to pre-menopause years while reviewing the current crop of Carefree products. It’s cheeky, bright and brutally honest. Silver Creek’s retail marketing executive

Stuart Cumming said this Carefree advertisement is ground breaking with its use of women more than double the age of the target market having an authentic conversation with those younger generations. “It comes down to people believing they are listening to something authentic, that then builds the trust,” Mr Cumming said. “The Carefree ad was all about authentic

storytelling. Marketing has certainly been heading in that direction in the last five years at least. “It makes sense to have someone with experience talking as that feeds into the authenticity.” DDB Sydney executive creative director Tara Ford said the creative team came up with the idea without her input. “I am absolutely delighted when I see work

like that because I am so conscious of women of a certain age absolutely disappearing from media landscapes or playing a kind of passive role in things,” Ms Ford said. “I know so many hilarious older people who are so sassy, so smart and have wisdom, so why don’t we show that for a change?” Carefree’s approach to their product range, Ms Ford said, is unapologetically feminine.

She argues it’s that approach that lends itself well to honest and open discussion. And who better to have that kind of women’s issues discussion than older women, Ms Ford said. “The older you get, the more you can say and do whatever you like, and you don’t really worry so much about what people think, how you are going to look,” Ms Ford, who is in her late 40s, adds.

SENIORS \\OCTOBER, 2018

COVER STORY

Yvonne Tozzi, 60.

Gayle Foster-Brown, 69.

smart and authentic

The creative team recognise a lot of older superstars are popping up on Instagram and the younger generations are relating to them. They are seen as being themselves, having fun and, at times, being outrageous. “They tapped into that quite a lot,” Ms Ford said. The women, coined The Matriarchs, were drawn out of a casting call. They were presented with a handful of

questions with their answers to become part of the advertisement. None of their responses were scripted so they were highly candid. The Matriarchs projected confidence, self-worth and unashamed enjoyment at being where they were with a lot of life knowledge. “We never really discussed it. We never talked about a period, we never talked about sex,

‘‘

The Matriarchs projected confidence, self-worth and unashamed enjoyment at being where they are in life we never talked about depression,” Yvonne says in the video. But times have changed, a lot. “Did you have seepage? Did you have

leakage? We all talk about it now. But when I was a kid, you didn’t talk about it,” Krissy adds. The online campaign has been very successful for Carefree.

Ms Ford said the feedback from younger women has been “really good”. “Bringing back the crone wisdom archetype that women have been missing” and “Love it! No topic should be off limits in these modern times, glad people can laugh and be open about it all” have been some of the social media responses to the campaign. Will we see more involvement of older

Photos: Contributed

Australians in the endorsement of products? Mr Cumming said it’s really about the right person connecting with the target market. “It’s not a matter of rolling out a whole lot of old people to be advocates, it’s a matter of does it make sense,” Mr Cumming said. “If the answer is yes, then that’s great. But, it’s not going to happen with every product.”

NEWS

OCTOBER, 2018// SENIORS

A very candid memoir Former Journalist Mike Carlton shares good, bad and ugly Ann Rickard MIKE Carlton might have a reputation for being outspoken, opinionated and controversial, but when we telephoned him for this interview, we found him in his kitchen prepping for dinner before going out on the school run to pick up his nine-year-old son. At 72, the Sydney broadcaster, journalist, commentator, columnist, television and current affairs reporter has more than 50 years experience in the cut-throat media industry, but now he’s a mellow fellow, relishing his role as house-husband while his wife, Morag (28 years younger than him) works long hours as a producer of ABC’s Four Corners program. “I did not believe it was possible when I heard our son was about to be born,” he said. “I was shocked, thought it would interrupt my serene retirement, but it has been an absolute joy to have him. He keeps me young. I must keep up with life for him, keep up with the world for him. It is an incredible pleasure.” Mike Carlton has just released his memoir, On Air, a mighty 550-page tome recording his life – all the good, bad and the ugly – and while he set out to write his personal story, he has written a record of modern Australian history that every baby boomer will relate to. “I did not consciously write it as (a record of our modern history),” he said. “But I didn’t want it to be just about me. I wanted it set in the context of the times.” Those times Mike refers to begin in the 1950s, when, as a suburban school boy in Sydney, he lived with his widowed mother, younger brother and bigoted grandmother. Every penny counted in their household. Mike recalls a time of great financial difficulty as a boy after his father died when Mike was just five and his mother struggled to keep the roof over their heads. However, it was also happy time, an enlightening time of modest ambitions and boyhood and teenage rites of passage. Unable to afford a university education he left school at 16 and gained a journalism

cadetship with the ABC, a journey that began humbly but eventually propelled him to the very top. “I would like to think my book speaks to baby boomers,” he said. “Things were a lot simpler then in terms of everything from schooling to education. Now I look at my nine-year-old son, at the range of social media available to him, it’s quite scary.” In insightful and often hilarious prose, Mike has dredged his memory to talk of school days in Australia in the ’50s, when education taught him little of the world and virtually nothing of real life. It wasn’t until he wandered into journalism that he started to learn about the outside world, especially on assignment as a foreign correspondent in Vietnam in the ’60s. “The Vietnam horror. I talk a lot about it in the book. I had had a sheltered life in Sydney and going out into that was an eye-opener.” One horrific account in the book tells of Mike driving into a village just over the border of Vietnam into Cambodia looking for stories with different angles. He and his cameraman came across a burnt and raised village where hundreds of bodies, including many children, had been stuffed into a well. The impact on him was profound. After stints as a foreign correspondent in Indonesia and Singapore, he returned to Australia, still a young man, but with eyes wide open to the shortcomings of almost all our world leaders of the time. “Vietnam was the real eye-opener,” he said. “I learnt how politicians work, the lies and deceit by the Americans and the Australians. I did not believe it possible.” In the book Mike writes: “the profound lesson I had learned was that authority has an infinite capacity to distort and lie to protect itself from the consequences of its mistakes”. Many such harsh criticisms are peppered throughout On Air, and Mike does not hold back in his scathing assessments, whether talking about Gough Whitlam, Indonesia’s Suharto, or Queensland’s

NOT HOLDING BACK: Mike Carlton, 72, is a broadcaster, journalist, commentator, columnist, television and current affairs reporter. INSET: Mike’s new book, On Air. Photo: Carol Gibbons Bjelke-Petersen who he describes vividly as “pig-ignorant and cynically cunning, a grasping crook – barely literate, bumblingly inarticulate, but most certainly financially numerate – who plundered Queensland and its people and raped their democracy behind a pantomime of hayseed bonhomie”. “I held a few things back but not a lot,” Mike said. “There is no point in trying to gild the lily. No point going around in circles, a memoir should be as candid as possible.” Candid indeed. Mike does not run when it comes to criticism of some of the media industry’s personalities. Many enemies were made during his 50 years during

the industry and his criticisms of them are mocking, contemptuous, cutting... and always

about what my friends will think, and my brother. I don’t really care what the enemies think. It was fun

‘‘

Vietnam was the real eye-opener. I learnt how politicians work, the lies and deceit by the Americans and the Australians. I did not believe it possible. colourful. Is he worried about the backlash to his memoir? “I’m nervous,” he said. “Writing this is stripping yourself bare. After all those years in the media I have built up a slate of both friends and enemies. “I am more nervous

taking a stick to a few people. It would be dishonest to say it was not enjoyable.” Mike has two adult children and a 12-year-old grandson to his first wife Kerri, as well as his nine-year old son with his wife Morag.

Now he has finished writing his memoir, he spends his days looking after the family household in Sydney’s Pittwater, supporting his wife in her career, managing to fit in a swim and surf as often as he can as he believes “regular immersion in salt water is essential to life”. On Air is a big book of our political history, of our growing up, written in riveting and lyrical prose... unabashed, unputdownable. Many egos may be bruised when it is on book shelves this month, but Mike is beyond concern, heading into another direction with his now quiet and contented life. “It took a while to get used to the slower pace of life,” he said. “I plan to be around for another 20 years.”

SENIORS \\OCTOBER, 2018

NEWS

MEDICAL ALERT!

FALL DETECTION

Australia wide Coverage

SAVES LIVES

free n o i t a Oblig n today r u o y tio Book onstra Dem

9 5 1 99 days 6 0 13204 hours - 7

safeTwear

Pendant

reddot award communication design winner

The world's smallest - Smartest fall detection & Medical pendant

2 way voice communication

24/7 response & monitoring We are more than just a call centre, we’re a support network available at all times… Stay connected Anywhere / Any place / Any time No lock in contracts Prepaid packages available, for a lifetime of monitoring, at one low cost…

Speak & hear directly through the pendant

Medical alert button Traditional button push for Help as well as fall detection

No longer be restricted to "at home" use, safeTwear goes with you - Everywhere GPS/Satellite Tracking Technology so smart, yet simple to us

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Limited Seniors Only Offer! lusive

r! e f f O l a i Spec xc

Phone : 1300 699 159 Email : care@emsas.com.au Web : www.emsas.com.au.

You, your family & friends can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with wearing your safeTwear pendant. Plus the added advantage & beneﬁt of being connected within seconds to our professional response/monitoring centre, who will immediately get you the Help you need

Australia wide coverage

YOU'LL NEVER BE ALONE

lusive

A detected fall automatically connects to 24/7 response & monitoring centre

Automatic fall detection

Over 65? Call 1300 699 159

You may qualify for a Free safeTwear pendant & KeySafe.

Valued at over $500 While stock lasts.

NEWS

OCTOBER, 2018// SENIORS

‘‘

This is a moment for the world to stop and reflect

ACROSS THE YEARS: Toowoomba United RSL’s Roland Thompson, Lindsay Morrison, Brad Donald and Pat Leonard enjoy support and mateship as they remember the 100th anniversary of peace.

RSL reflects upon new life Alison Houston AS THE world stops this Remembrance Day to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice that ended the First World War on November 11, 1918, the Toowoomba United RSL sub-branch is looking forward with hope. In the four years of The Great War, The War to End All Wars, more than 330,000 Australians served overseas. Almost 62,000 of them died. Toowoomba’s Mother’s Memorial was, of course, built out of the love of mothers and the community for the sons who did not come home, and will again be the site of this year’s

Remembrance Day service from 10.30am. For all those who have served their country in the years since, the 100th anniversary has a special meaning. Having joined the army in 2007 and served in Afghanistan, Malaysia and Darwin, Brad Donald is one of the new generation of ex-service people remembering mates and the fallen. “I will take this time to reflect not only on my family who served in the First and Second World Wars, but also my friends who have served in any aspect of the ADF since,” Brad said. “This is a moment for the world to stop and reflect.”

Club treasurer Huey James said Remembrance and Anzac Days were a time to remember everyone involved in wars. “It is important to reflect upon everyone, not just the soldiers, sailors, airmen or heroes but every single person who has been touched by war over the past 100 years,” he said. Club president Lindsay Morrison and vice-president Roland Thompson paid tribute to their own families’ contributions to “our way of life and how wonderful it is to know that they have not been forgotten”, thankful for all those over the years who have returned safely, remembering the

sacrifices of those who did not and the important part played by those on the home front. With 340 of Toowoomba United RSL’s 380 members now over the age of 80, Brad is pleased that older members – particularly ex-Vietnam vets – have reached out the hand of welcome to younger ex-defence personnel to breathe new life and relevance into the RSL. “We’ve got a big job ahead of us, but we’re not afraid of a challenge,” Brad said. The first step was to simply let everyone know they were welcome and that the RSL was not just “an old boys club”. The club, at the corner

of Herries and Ruthven Streets, will be open after the Remembrance Day ceremony and is regularly open 9am-noon Monday to Friday and Friday evenings from 5-8pm (entry via rear door on Graham Street), with a courtesy bus available on request. Brad said it was important that the RSL reflected Toowoomba’s strong military history and defence presence throughout the years and to this day. And that’s something that’s starting to happen. Joe Treers, at 96, is at the club each day to greet and talk to all-comers in person, while the Toowoomba United RSL Facebook site provides

another welcome, with followers growing from 81 to 300 in just a month, and reaching in excess of 2000 people. “It’s important to have this place where you can go for a yarn with like-minded people, people who have the same sort of experiences,” Brad said. “It’s somewhere you can hang out, pay-out on each other, but also support each other… because that’s the defence mentality – that’s what we like to do, and that hasn’t changed over the years.” To find out more about the club, please phone (07) 4632 3506 or email wendy.holt@trsl.org.au.

Toowoomba raises Voices of Remembrance

MUSICAL MEMORIAL: Voices of Remembrance will be led by renowned New Zealand bassbaritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Australian songstress Katie Noonan (pictured right).

VOICES of Remembrance is a free two-hour “musical memorial” combining star-power and local talents, especially for the Toowoomba region. Performed at the Empire Theatre on Friday, November 9, just two days before Remembrance Day, it commemorates the centenary of the Armistice, the end of the First World War, and the city’s huge contribution to the war effort. Cairns was the only other city selected by the Department of Premier and Cabinet to receive the concert, with both representing

Queensland’s commitment during the First World War and the need to ensure the Anzac legacy is preserved for future generations. The music, chosen by founder of The Choir of Hard Knocks and music director Dr Jonathon Welch AM, is described as “a mix of the energy and passion that took the soldiers to the Front, the poignancy and reality as the war went on, to the relief and joy that the war had ended”. Fitting the Anzac spirit, the two-hour concert will be led by renowned New Zealand bass-baritone

Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Australian songstress and Queensland Music Festival artistic director Katie Noonan. They will head a mass local community choir of 150 people, backed by an orchestra of over 40 local musicians, through iconic songs from the era like Keep the Home Fires Burning, to contemporary works like And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. “Voices of Remembrance spotlights the history and legacy of the community during the First World War, and acknowledges the vital role of indigenous

moving stories from the First World War, and pay tribute to the peace that came with the signing of the Armistice.” For the full program of Armistice Centenary commemorations, visit qld.gov.au/remembrance.

soldiers and the Australian Light Horse, whose actions helped turn the tide of war in favour of the Allies,” she said. “These powerful concerts will help everyone reconnect with

For tickets to the Voices of Remembrance concert, go to empiretheatre.com.au or phone 1300 655 299. Tickets are free but registration is required, and only tickets bought at the box office in Neil Sreet will not incur a transaction fee. For the full story, go to www.seniorsnews. com.au.

SENIORS \\OCTOBER, 2018

NEWS

OCTOBER, 2018// SENIORS

Talk 'n' thoughts

Looking after day after tomorrow

Gail Forrer Group Editor THE implementation of a fair and equitable superannuation system for young women of today would go far to alleviating a repeat of the problems that older woman are now suffering. Women and homelessness is a major issue facing Australia. The Mercy Report (2014) Older Women’s Pathways out of Homelessness in Australia reveals that one in four homeless people is an older woman. Besides that, there is a general acknowledgement that the statistic does not account for the women who are living in various styles of temporary and unstable accommodation. The report also notes: “The largest proportion of older women presenting with housing crisis in Australia have led conventional lives, and rented whilst working and raising a family. Few have previously had involvement with welfare and other support systems”. The reasons that have seen older women in this

GOVERNMENT POLICIES: New initiatives are mooted to provide women with appropriate superannuation. position are complex but foremost among them are pay disparity, divorce, intermittent outside work due to family caring commitments and lack of education. But it is the broken work transjectory and pay disparity that affects superannuation payments and finally living circumstances. A government policy designed to bridge the gender gap in superannuation makes

total social and financial sense. — Gail Forrer NATIONAL Seniors Australia says Labor’s new policy to bridge the gender gap in superannuation will help improve retirement incomes for women, who are most at risk of poverty and homelessness. The organisation’s chief advocate, Ian Henschke, said women retired on average with $113,000 less than men in their

super accounts, mainly due to lower wages, the time they spent out of the workforce raising children and caring for ageing parents, and divorce. Women were particularly vulnerable to homelessness as they aged because of their precarious financial situations. By the time they are 60, 34 per cent of single women in Australia live in poverty. According to a

Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, these women belong to the lowest income-earning group, surviving on less than $30,000 a year. Mr Henschke said Labor’s policy would introduce Superannuation Guarantee (SG) payments on the 18 weeks of Government Paid Parental Leave and phase out the $450 monthly pay threshold for eligibility for super payments.

This was something National Seniors had called for in the past. Super contributions would also be paid on Dad and Partner Pay. “This policy is a key step in ensuring women have the income they need to live comfortably in retirement,” Mr Henschke said. “It won’t solve what is a complex problem overnight, but it will begin to correct a situation that makes older women particularly vulnerable at a time of their life when they deserve better. “For a variety of reasons, including divorce and inequity in pay, many older women end up living week to week, totally reliant on their jobs to pay the rent. “It only takes a bout of sickness when they can’t work and they can end up homeless, living in their car or worse. It’s a growing issue and one that needs to be addressed. “Moves like this will also help alleviate the poverty faced by people reliant on the aged pension, which we’re trying to address through our Fix Pension Poverty campaign with the Benevolent Society of Australia.”

Senior commentator all for 70 Tracey Johnstone EVERALD Compton controversially remains an enthusiastic supporter of retirement at 70 as our politicians back down on the planned change in the pension age. The outspoken champion of senior rights and recognition, and past chairman of National Seniors, has plenty to say about last week’s “vote grabbing” decision by the newly appointed Prime Minister to scrap the plan to increase the pension age to 70 by 2035. When it was first proposed in 2014, Everald said he pushed for the age to be increased to 70 and his attitude hasn’t changed. “Australia simply can’t afford people retiring at 65 unless they are physically unable to do the work that is required,” a gravelly-voiced Everald

said. Nor does the 86-yearold think that 65 is old. “Back when the pension was introduced by Deakin and Fisher in 1909, they chose 65 because that was the age when most people died,” Everald said. “Therefore, they said ‘anyone who lives beyond that age, we better look after them’. A hundred years later, life span has increased by 20 years so the equivalent of 65 in 1909 is 85 so I don’t know why we are getting terribly excited about having to raise it to 70.” Dollars and sense Everald believes that older Australians shouldn’t be a financial burden on younger generations. Added to this he notes, is a rising pension cost as more Australians live longer. He adds that another five years of work means

another five years of superannuation contributions. His solution is two-fold. Raise the retirement age to 70 to slow down the cost of the pension and create more job opportunities for older workers. “It’s up to governments to create work for people in their senior years instead of denigrating seniors who want to work or simply declaring seniors as a burden,” Everald said. “There have been very little efforts by governments to create work suitable for senior Australians rather than be on the dole.” Starbucks announcement about introducing coffee shops “run by oldies” has Everald excited. “Governments have to ensure that older people who want to work can get a job.”

Ditch retirement He even suggests removing the word retirement, which he deems repugnant, from our vernacular. And, getting rid of the hard and fast age at which people are expected to stop working. “I think it would be better talking about an age at which you can access your pension and your superannuation, if you want to, but you are entitled to work beyond that,” Everald said. “There is then no such thing as employers thinking there is a ‘retirement age’. They have to look at all their employees and say ‘are these fellows healthy enough to continue?’” Future change While Everald is committed to keeping the retirement age discussion alive, and keeping “stirring” decision makers across Australia, he is

ALL FOR 70: Everald Compton. concerned that Bill Shorten also opposes the increase in the retirement age. “I hope that sometime in the future we have a prime minister who is willing to face up to the fact that the retirement age has got to increase to 70.” Still going Everald emphatically argues that working for longer delivers a better a quality of life. “There are all sorts of benefits of staying in the workforce,” Everald said. He uses himself as an example as he approaches his 87th

Photo: Contributed

birthday while still active in business. “I think my brain is working alright and my old body is getting a bit more arthritic, but I reckon if I stop working I would die quickly, so I am not going to do that,” he said. Everald adds the thought provoking comment: “You condemn yourself to a quicker exit simply by stopping your brain working and not having your body active as it was before, and not being as productive as you can. In addition, the last thing we want to do is be a burden on younger taxpayers.”

SENIORS \\OCTOBER, 2018

NEWS

OCTOBER, 2018// SENIORS

Over-55s looking to the future beyond the drought ‘‘

Regional Investment spokesperson explains EVEN as they cope with more than four years of drought, over-55 farmers around the Toowoomba region are thinking about the future and aiming to ensure sustainability of farms for the next generation. After visiting the area last month, Regional Investment Corporation interim CEO Matt Ryan said he was impressed with their resilience. Matt said it was important for the RIC, launched on July 1 offering federal governmentbacked low-interest loans to farmers in need, to get out and meet producers and “start building relationships from the ground up”. Interestingly, his visit occurred on the same day as Joint Agency Drought Taskforce co-ordinator Major General Stephen Day, who has been asked to develop a national strategy for long-term drought resilience. Matt said the farmers they spoke to saw the loans, which have now been doubled to a maximum $2 million, as giving them “breathing

He urged farmers not to assume they would not qualify for the loans

space during difficult times”. “All the farmers that we spoke to presented different scenarios of what their current situation is,” he said. A number of over-55s asked if the loans could be used for succession planning and the answer was ‘yes’. “In most cases, our loans can be used for a very broad range of activities, including to pay for succession planning advice and to implement succession planning activities,” Matt said. Loans could also be used to refinance existing debt to free up cash flow, putting farmers in a better position to take advantage of future

business opportunities, or to pay for operating expenses like transport and fodder or capital improvements, including sheds, silos and water infrastructure. “The savings are significant – the difference between our 3.58 per cent rate and a commercial rate puts an extra $40,000 into a farmer’s pocket each year when borrowing $2 million,” Matt said. “To be eligible... two of the key criteria are that the farm business is in financial need and is viable in the long term.” He urged farmers not to assume they would not qualify for the loans or to be reluctant to talk to banks about refinancing with the RIC, which was “taking a partnership approach with the banks”. Go to ric.gov.au or phone 1800 875 675 to find out more. ■ Meanwhile, as a result of the region’s driest year since 1901, Toowoomba Regional Council introduced medium-level water restrictions of 200 litres per person per day from September 18 to

IMPRESSED: Regional Investment Corporation interim CEO Matt Ryan.

Photo: Contributed

Brookstead, Cambooya, Cecil Plains, Clifton, Greenmount, Hodgson Vale, Pittsworth, Southbrook and Valeview (all of which rely on bores for water supply) in a bid to take pressure off local aquifers. Yarraman is also affected. ■ Council is also doing

its bit for drought-affected rural property owners, voting unanimously to defer payment of rates and water rates issued during the first half of the 2018/19 financial year for those affected. “The conditions have placed significant financial and emotional

pressures on the communities in our area and the decision today will help reduce some of that pressure,” Toowoomba mayor Paul Antonio said. For details, phone the council on 131 872.

Congratulations to our Winners

Bev McMahon Peter Walker Beth Milne Bernadette Reid Alison Dillon

Colin Bell Sandra Grayson Neville Bridgen Angela Armstrong

Congratulations to the winners of our Miles Franklin Book Giveaway

Bree Pawlasty Robyn Whitehead Patricia Parlane

Julie LaBruniy Janet Timmins

Stay tuned to the paper and our website for the latest Seniors News Giveaways

Visit seniorsnews.com.au/competitions

6880172aa

Congratulations to the winners of our Event Cinemas Screening Giveaway to see Disney’s “Christopher Robin”

SENIORS \\OCTOBER, 2018

NEWS

OCTOBER, 2018// SENIORS

Community notes

Community group guide TO ALLOW for readers’ requests for the publication of more neighbourhood news, please keep notices short and to the point (100 word maximum). If you would like to submit a photo ensure it is at least 180dpi or 500kb to 1mb in size and of faces, in a nice bright setting. Email editor@seniors newspaper.com.au.

COMMUNITY CHOIR CONCERT

ARS Cantorum presents French Choral Music on Friday, October 19 at 7pm at St James Anglican Church, corner of Russell and Mort Streets, Toowoomba. The main concert item is the well known Requiem by Gabriel Fauré featuring soloists Cassie Midgley and Greg Ottaviano. The program features works by other French composers including Bizet, Franck, Berlioz, Dubois, Saint-Saëns, Charpentier and Duruflé. Tickets are available at the door: Adults $20,

TRY CROQUET

Looking for a game to exercise your brain as well as your body? West Toowoomba Croquet Club is hosting free Try Croquet evenings to introduce more people to the game. All equipment is provided. All you have to do is wear flat shoes. It’s on October 10 and 14 from 6-7.30pm at the club at 147a Taylor Street. For more, phone 4633 0911. Senior memberships start from less than $5 per week, with social players $10 per visit ($12 for night play). Phone (07) 4633 0911.

concession & students $15, accompanied school age children $10. The concert will be followed by “cheese and wine” for audience and performers in the adjacent Parish Centre.

THE MISSIONARY SISTERS OF ST PETER CLAVER

WE ARE holding a Variety Garage Sale at 71 Margaret Street, Toowoomba on Saturday, October 27 from 6.30am-noon. Framed prints, jewellery, homemade craft (coat hangers, knee rugs etc), crockery, glassware, Pittsworth Town Hall. Entry is free, with doors open 9am-5pm Friday and Saturday, closing at 1pm on Sunday. There will be about 50 exhibitors showcasing quality home-made Australian items, and you can enjoy the quilt display, prize-winning gardens and Devonshire teas, as well as live entertainment and activities for the grandkids in Centenary Park on Saturday. Phone 0437 672 472 or go to pittsworthcraftandfine food.com.au.

DROUGHT RELIEF BARBECUE

This is a free showcase of writers from around the Toowoomba region. Seven writers will share insights into their writing and the publishing process from 10am-5pm, Wednesday, October 10, at Toowoomba City Library. Authors include children’s, teen and adult fiction writers, non-fiction and self-published. Bookings are essential despite it being free. Email libinfo@tr.qld.gov.au or phone (07) 4688 6670 for more details.

Ma Ma Creek State School P&C is running a sausage sizzle and food and drink stall, with all proceeds going to the Farmers’ Drought Relief Fund. It’s at Ma Ma Creek Community Centre, Gatton-Clifton Road on Saturday, October 13, November 10 and December 8. It’s part of the country market, at which you will also find fresh fruit and vegies (some organic), honey, plants, woodwork products, quilting and craft supplies, cakes, slices and biscuits, cards, books and bric-a-brac.

PITTSWORTH ON SHOW

TOOWOOMBA EXPO

WRITE AROUND TOOWOOMBA

The 14th annual Pittsworth Craft and Fine Food Spectacular is on October 12-14 in

Enjoy a three-day lifestyle extravaganza when the Toowoomba Expo comes to the

ALL ABOARD: Enjoy the Toowoomba Hospice Charity Jazz Breakfast: an Aussie breakfast of fellowship, background jazz music, the train carriages tour and hospitality from the DownsSteam on October 28. books, plants and homemade jams and pickles are among the many goods on offer. All funds go to charity. Phone (07) 4632 1818.

TOOWOOMBA HOSPICE

CELEBRATING 15 years of service to Toowoomba and the Darling Downs by providing quality care and support in partnership with the community for those with a terminal illness. Enjoy our Charity Jazz Breakfast – an Aussie breakfast of fellowship; background jazz music; the train carriages tour; the hospitality from the DownsSteam on October 28 from 9-11am at DownsSteam (corner of Ball and Cambooya Streets, Drayton). Only

$30 per person. Bookings on (07) 4659 8500 (tickets are limited).

information, phone Hazel on (07) 4635 4519.

NSA

Toowoomba WE MEET for morning tea on the first Thursday of each month and bus trip on the third Thursday. On November 1, the guest speaker will be Peter Hardwick, Journalist from The Chronicle Paper. This is our “Movember” Morning Tea. The venue is All Seasons Function Centre, corner of North & Tor Streets, Wilsonton, at 9.30am. There is no bus trip in the month of November. Phone Desma on (07) 4613 6750 or Yvonne (07) 4638 5252.

Garden City GARDEN City Branch of National Seniors Australia meets on the third Monday of the month at Drayton Bowls Club, corner of Ball and Gipps Streets at 9.30am. The next meeting will be on Monday, October 15. Cost is $7 and there will be a raffle and bring and buy stall. This will be a wonderful opportunity to refresh your memory of road rules with guest speaker Alvin Servin from Toowoomba Police. Visitors welcome. Our last bus trip for the year is a Mystery Progressive Luncheon on October 23. For more

NSA

SATH AUXILIARY GROUP

WE WILL be holding our cake and craft stall as

part of the fund raising drive for the hospital. This is the last stall for 2018 at the St Andrew’s Toowoomba Hospital – Cake and Craft Stall, Hospital Foyer, 280 North Street on October 11 at 8.30-11.30am. Phone (07) 4630 7770 for more information. We will also be holding Euchre Playing Card games to raise fund for the hospital at the St Andrew’s Toowoomba Hospital – Euchre Mornings at 280 North Street, Conference Rooms 1 & 2 on October 8, 22, November 12, 26 and December 10. Cost $3 per person. Morning Tea served at 9am. Playing starts at 9.15am. Phone (07) 4630 7072 for more information. children’s entertainment, haggis throwing competitions, dancing, poet’s corner, market stalls and more. This year it’s on October 28 from 10am-3pm at Railway Street, Helidon. Phone 0408 889 841 or find them on Facebook.

What's on

MELBOURNE CUP

IN HARMONY: Canadian multi-instrumentalists Madison Violet bring their harmonies to Rocky Creek Hall, Peranga and Felton as part of the Festival of Small Halls tour. showgrounds from 8.30am-4pm October 19-21 combining spring home show and caravan and leisure expo. There’s building, renovating, green living, home improvements, homewares, kitchenware, electrical, pools, spas, gardening, solar energy and heating, and for those more interested in the outdoors, there’s the latest caravans, camper trailers, 4WD accessories, camping equipment and more. Go to australianevents. com.au for more.

Senior Citizens Centre on Saturday, October 20, as well as the chance to enjoy a ride on the historic C17 locomotive from Warwick to Clifton. Throughout the week there’s also the Ute and Boot Markets, quilt and art displays, crafts, night bowls and a garage sale trail. It all culminates with Clifton Race Day on the final Saturday, with entry $10 adults and $5 pensioners. For all the details, go to cliftonpa.org.

halls across rural Queensland and New South Wales. The tour kicks off at Rocky Creek Hall, Millmerran on October 24, includes Peranga on October 28, and finishes in Felton on November 18. Madison Violet have been creating harmonies for 15 years, playing folk to pop and electronic to Americana. To find out more about the singers and the history of the halls go to festivalof smallhalls.com or phone (07) 5496 1066.

CELTIC FESTIVAL

CLIFTON COUNTRY WEEK

FESTIVAL OF SMALL HALLS

Acclaimed Canadian multi-instrumentalists Madison Violet and rising Kimberley star Harry Jakamarra and brother Elwood play the Festival of Small Halls tour this spring at 20 community

Clifton Country Week runs from Friday, October 19 to Saturday, October 27 and includes the iconic Iris and Rose Show, now in its 23rd year at the

Once a year Helidon closes down its main street for the Annual Celtic Festival of Queensland. Entertainment includes street parades, Celtic dancing, Celtic music, massed pipe bands,

This year the race that stops the nation is on November 6, and you can enjoy all the atmosphere and fashions of the track at Clifford Park from 10am-5pm. There’s live local racing and entertainment, as well as live coverage from Flemington on the big screen. Go to cliffordpark.com.au or phone (07) 4634 6066. Toowoomba Hospice also holds a Melbourne Cup lunch at Cafe Valetta. Phone (07) 4659 8500.

LIVVY & PETE

From their humble beginnings to taking on the world in sequins and jumpsuits, revisit the songbooks of Aussie icons Olivia Newton-John and Peter Allen. Show is on at the Empire Theatre at 11am on November 8, with complimentary morning tea from 10am. Tickets are $20. Phone 1300 655 299 or go to empiretheatre.com.au.

SENIORS \\OCTOBER, 2018

Discover the Island and its pleasures INSIDE

1800 072 535 10 DAY MUDGEE CHRISMAS CAPERS Departs: 18/12/18

DOWN UNDER COACH TOURS

9 DAY CANBERRA BALLOON FESTIVAL

Departs: 10/03/19

15 DAY ALPINE AUTUMN EGGSTRAVAGANZA Departs: 19/04/19

• 4 Nights Mudgee • 2 Nights Young • Poppa’s Fudge & Jam Factory • Western Plains Cultural Centre • McFeeters Motor Museum • Ballinclash Orchard • Bluestill Distillery • Lambing Flat Folk Museum • Mudgee Winery Tour • Mudgee Yabbi Farm Tour

• 2 Nights Canberra • Pillaga Pottery • Taronga Western Plains Zoo • Age of Fishes Museum • Anzac Parade Memorial Walk • Australian War Memorial • Parliament House Tour • Goulburn Guided Tour • Darling Harbour Lunch Cruise • Slim Dusty Centre

• Nundle Woollen Mill • Hunter Valley Gardens • Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk • Kiama Blowhole • Hawkesbury River Cruise • Berry Tea Shop & Treat Factory • Kosciuszko NP • Eden Killer Whale Museum • Macenmist Truffles • Canberra Sightseeing

Adult: $3698 Single Supplement: $642

Adult: $3347 Single Supplement: $1314

Adult: $5289 Single Supplement: $1314

12 DAY BIRDSVILLE & CARNARVON GORGE Departs: 11/05/19

• 2 Nights Carnarvon Gorge • Birdsville Pub & Big Red • Min Min Encounter • Longreach Sightseeing • Arcadia Valley Escape Adult: $4880 Single Supplement: $1057

16 DAY CORNER COUNTRY & THE FLINDERS RANGES

Departs: 20/07/19

11 DAY ISLANDS IN THE SUN

2019 Brochure Ou NOW!

Departs: 07/06/19

• 1770 LARC Tour • Footlights Theatre Restaurant • Whitsunday Cruise • Magnetic Island Tour I am interested in receiving your • Reef HQ Townsville 2018 / 19 Coach Touring Brochure. Adult: $4498 Single Supplement: $1027 Please add me to your mailing list: 42 DAY GREAT WESTERN Name: _____________________ ADVENTURE Address: ____________________ Departs: 15/08/19

• Great Central Road • Burke & Wills Dig Tree • Kings Canyon • Cameron Corner • Uluru & Kata Tjuta • 4WD Ridge Top Tour, Arkaroola • Cape Leeuwin & Jewel Cave • Depot Glen & Milparinka • Monkey Mia • Wilpena Pound Adult: $5898 Single Supplement: $1150 Adult: $15348 Single Supplement: $4430

__________________________ P/code:______Ph: ____________ Email: _____________________ Send to: Down Under Coach Tours, PO Box 149, Maryborough Q 4650 sn1018

SPECIALISING IN SENIOR’S TRAVEL  COMPLIMENTARY DOOR TO DOOR SERVICE (Area Conditions Apply)  FULLY ACCOMMODATED TOURS info@downundercoachtours.com.au  www.downundercoachtours.com.au  www.facebook.com/downundercoachtours  Prices quoted are per person twin share

OCTOBER, 2018// SENIORS

Skipping a generation to share travel passion

camera. I then get that made into a video for each of them to have as a memory,” Robyn added. “It really opens their eyes to the world – that people speak different languages, don’t have all the advantages that we have, and that countries have different history and traditions. “The trip really brings it to life for them. “It also gets them to understand their privilege. “The travel has definitely created an interest in them seeing more of the world – it’s broadened their horizons massively.”

Tracey Johnstone ROBYN Nixon is skipping a generation to focus on introducing her grandchildren to the wide world, which is helping them to develop a keen interest in what’s outside their Melbourne backyards. Her love of travel, which has been fuelled by 66-year-old’s job as general manager of the Intrepid Foundation, has led her to organising international travel experiences with three of her six grandchildren, without a parent in sight. “When my daughter had the grandchildren, they were living overseas in different places for a while, so we travelled together with the kids quite a bit,” Robyn said. “Then I decided, because we have a range of Intrepid family holidays, that one of the things I would like to do is take the kids away on their own, just with me. “I started that with my eldest grandson when he was 11 and we went to China.” Robyn enjoyed the shared travel experience as she watched grandson Josh became enthralled by the country and make new friends with the other children in the group. She also found herself with like-minded adults who wanted their children and grandchildren to have similar experiences. “We experienced The Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors, quiet country villages and the energy of big cities,” Robyn added. “All the kids were super excited about the Great

SKIP GEN TRAVEL: Robyn Nixon with grandson Josh and the other members of the family adventure tour in China.

Photos: Contributed

Wall of China. They literally ran up it. “The other thing they got into, which none of them had done it before, was bargaining for things in the markets. “They were kind of blown away by that. Also, we had a hot pot meal so they got to cook their food.” Robyn came back from China determined to give the same travel opportunity to her other five grandchildren. She has since taken Isaac to Japan and plans to in February to Ben, 11, to The Galapagos and Equatorial Amazon. “When you get to spend a decent amount of time with your grandchildren

Robyn Nixon and her grandson Josh. and you see them interact with other parents and children, you build more of

ANDY’S AN N DY ’ S

Whale of a time at Australian Museum

CA A RAVAN R EPAIRS ARAVAN REPAIRS

Providing quality services We are all about repairing your home away from home.

Private Rate

$55

Phone 0413517899

40 CORY STREET, OAKEY

6621035aa

• Minor and major repairs & restorations per hour. • Over 20 years of experience • Roadworthy & Gas Certificates • Insurance options available • Brakes • Plumbing • Roof Hatches We also look after all your Horse Float needs.

Your ONE–STOP spot for all the changes you need.

a relationship because their parents aren’t there so it’s just you and them

DIVE into the immersive Whales | Tohora exhibition that brings the incredible world of whales to life at the Australian Museum. Come eye to eye with these magnificent marine mammals and walk through a life-sized heart of a blue whale,

working it out,” Robyn said The decision on where each child travels is based on each one’s personal interests. Robyn chose China for Josh as he had just done a school project on that country. Isaac chose Japan. Ben talked about going somewhere with animals. “He is a mini marine biologist,” Robyn said Each trip Robyn encourages her grandchild to write a daily tour diary along the way. She also collects mementos which Robyn then puts into a scrapbook and gives to her grandchild. “I also takes lots of photos and videos, and get them to talk to

Robyn’s tips for travel with grandkids ❚ Book somewhere you haven’t been before so you can discover something new together. This makes for the best memories. ❚ Consider booking a small group adventure where you can benefit from local tour leaders and the company of other children, parents and grandparents. ❚ Encourage kids to keep a journal or a daily video diary so they can look back on their cherished memories. ❚ Embrace all opportunities for them to get outside of their comfort zones and try new things from local food to playing popular local children’s games. ❚ Carry books, cards and activities for long travelling days, plus take extra snacks than usual. Also, pack refillable water bottles and cloth bags, to avoid single-use plastics and plastic bags overseas.

CLOSE UP: Whales | Tohora will be at the Australian Museum, Sydney from October 20. Photo: Brandon Cole the largest creature on the planet. You’ll be enthralled by the sheer variety, size and scale of the whale skeletons, skulls and models on show, including the 18m skeleton of a bull sperm whale.

Whales | Tohora will be at the Australian Museum from October 20. Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney. Phone (02) 9320 6000. Tickets can be purchased via the website, go to australianmuseum. net.au/whales.

SENIORS \\OCTOBER, 2018

10 reasons to stay in Vietnam VIETNAM’S newest luxury beach-front resort is already attracting Australian guests in droves. Ann Rickard checked in to The Anam in Cam Ranh to see what it was all about. These are her 10 favourite things... 1. Luxury: Vietnam is opening to tourists at a giddy rate, yet it is still very affordable. You get a lot of bang for your buck in in this beautiful country and none more so that at the 18-month-old The Anam, Vietnam’s first five-star colonial-style beach resort. Better still, Jetstar will fly you comfortably there for small cost. Win-win. 2. Location: Away from the frantic pace of nearby Nha Trang, the resort sits on the pristine shore of Long Beach on the Cam Ranh Peninsula. A 40 minute fight from Ho Chi Minh gets you to Cam Ranh, from there a 15-minute drive to the resort. Easy. 3. Atmosphere: Mist-shrouded mountains swathed in jungle-greenery form a verdant backdrop for The Anam. Add a few hundred palms swaying among the lush gardens, hand-cut green lawns as smooth as bowling greens, glittering pools and tinkling water features at every turn, and the stage is set for resort hedonism. With more than 300 sunny days each year... well... icing on the tropical cake. 4. Food, food and more: With a carefully planned variety of restaurants, the exhilarating flavours and exceptional freshness of local produce, eating is a priority.

From fine dining at The Colonial to fusion dining at Indochine Restaurant, to classic Vietnamese dishes at Lang Viet Restaurant & Bar overlooking the beach, the choices are myriad. Then there is afternoon tea (scones anyone?) in the Saigon Bar, and the extravagant buffet breakfast at Indochine with its Asian and Western offerings. Mix it up... try everything. 5. Mama’s Cooking: Twice a week, Mama’s Vietnamese buffet presents a limitless range of diverse specialities in the airy Lang Viet Restaurant & Bar. Adding to the overwhelming choices, mamas and aunties from nearby villages come in to bring a street-food atmosphere, cooking satays over hot coals, making traditional pancakes, and dishing up the omnipotent noodle dishes. A contrast, an insight to street-food. A highlight. 6. Pamper and polish: You deserve coddling, and there is plenty of it at the resort’s Sri Mara Spa. “Is the room temperature and lighting to your liking?” you will be softly asked by one of the therapists as you quietly recline on the table with the fragrance of lemongrass and the sounds of trickling water in the air. “Everything is to my liking,” you’ll reply before drifting off beneath the ministrations of soft hands massaging, soothing, easing. Spa products are organic tea-inspired known for their textures and antioxidant and

regeneration properties. 7. The Saigon Bar: Between 5-6pm, the cocktails flow freely. Yes, that is free drinks for an hour, from local beers to international wines and an excellent cocktail list. Drink, eat complimentary snacks and listen to cool piano music, either on the terrace overlooking the pool or inside with its welcoming sofas and black and white photography. 8. Accommodation: You choose: terrace sea views, balcony garden views, ocean front, pool villa, three-bedroom suite. Everything is covered in the resort’s 117 villas. 9. Warm Vietnamese service: From the general manager and his team strolling the property to ensure everyone is happy, through to the cheerful housekeeping staff, to the calm, soft-spoken spa attendants, to the smiling gardeners, everyone makes you feel special. You are a VIP here. 10. Go touring: Shuttle buses will take you into Nha Trang if you can bring yourself to leave the open arms of The Anam. From cultural and adventure tours to the daring Nha Trang By Night tour on the back of a motor scooter, you decide. Jetstar International gets you to Vietnam for such modest cost, there is plenty left to indulge in the affordable luxury of The Anam, go to jetstar.com. The Anam welcomes with a variety of accommodation packages. For more, go to theanam.com.

AMAZING: Lush gardens and water features at The Anam.

The private pool. Call our frie endly, expe erienced team to book your next crui uise or touring ho oliday or to join one of Go See ee Touring’s special gro roup departures.

1300 551 997 goseetouring.c com 9 FEB - 2 MAR 2019

EXQUISITE INDIA TEXTILE TOUR

19 Nights accom, daily breakfast, 4 lunches & 12 dinners, many amazing textile outlets, Delhi National Crafts Museum, Jaipur City, Palace Textile Museum, Taj Mahal, Rajasthan Heritage Palace Hotel stay, Cruise on famous Lake Pichola, Ahmedabad Calico Museum.

ESCORTED BY KAY MCMAHON OF STYLEBOOMER

$5,150

per person Twin Share Ex BNE or SYD, Single suppliment $1,390

SINGAPORE SHOWCASE E HOSTED BY GRAEME HUGO, RODNEY VINCENT & FORTUNATO ISGRO

$3,999

per persson Twin Share ex BNE NE, MEL, SYD, ADL & PE ER, Single supplement $ $1,000

NORFOLK ISLAND CONVICTS CHALLENGE From

$1,925

per person Twin Share Ex BNE, Single suppliment $450

INCLUDING THE CHELSEA IN FLO OWER SHOW

per persson Twin Share Ex BNE NE or SYD Sing ngle suppliment $ $1,000

BROOME & THE KIMBERLEY per person Twin Share ex BNE, supplement $1,225

7 Nights 4-star hotel accom, Return airport transfers, Windjana Gorge & Tunnel, Creek, Cape Leveque, Camel Ride on Cable Beach, Staircase to the Moon, Willie Creek Pearl Farm, Daily Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 3 Morning or Afternoon Teas, 2 Dinners

20 - 27 JULY 2019

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

NORF RFOLK ISLAND

$1,85 55

13-25 MAY 2019

3 Nights Tunbriidge Wells, 3 Nightts Cheltenh nham, 1 Night Oxford, 3 Nights London, 1 10 Brreakfasts / 2 Lunches / 6 Dinn ners, Great Dixter err House, Sissinghurst, Castle, Leeeds Castle,, Cante terbury Cathedral, Bath, Sudely Castle,, A Abbey Hou ouse Malmesbury ryy, Hidcote Manor, C Cotswolds, o Blenhei eim Palace, RHS Wisley, Chelseea Flower Show.

16 - 23 JUNE 2019

ESCORTED TOUR

From

7 Nights 4 accom m, cooked breakfa fast daily, 1 lunch + 5 dinners, all touring and en ntrance fees, Singapore Zoo, Gardens By thee B Bay, National Orchid Garden ns, High Teea at Raffl affles, Changi Tour, Sentosa. PLU US 2 x Fabulous Concerts - Singapore Showccase 2019

7 nights accom of your choice, 8 days car hire & insurance, half day Island orientation tour, welcome dinner err, island fish fry, breakfast bush walk, Presentaati tion di dinner, entry into Go See Touring Convictt’s ’ Challeenge at Rawson Hall, non-playerss receivee $50 disc scount. Plus - fun & fabulous prizess!

ENGLISH BLOSSOMS

$4,345

2 - 9 MARCH 2019

30 MAR - 6 APR 2019

SOCIAL INDOOR BIAS BOWLS TOURNAMENT

$5,445

Soothing decor.

Photos: Contributed

per person Twin Share Ex BNE Single suppliment $470

7 Nights accommodation, 8 Dayys Car Hiree, Half Day Orientation Tour, Choice of Haalf Daay Scenic Tour, Breakfast Bush Walk, Island Fish sh h Fry, 2 x Feature Dinners with Entertainmeent, PLUS Full Christmas Dinner with Entertain inment

TERMS & CONDITIONS *Price is per person Twin Share fully in nclusive. Single Supplement applies. Credit card sur urcharges apply. Deposit of AUD$500-$800 per person is required to secure tour. Tour requires a minimum number n of passengers to depart. Prices may fl fluctuate if surcharges, fee, taxes or currency change. Prices current as at 17 September 2018. Go SeeTouring Pty Ltd T/A Go See Touring Member of Helloworld ABN BN: 72 122 522 276 ATAS Accreditation A11320

OCTOBER, 2018// SENIORS

Napier is a notch above Erle Levey FIRST impressions certainly last. When I stumbled upon Napier in the Hawke’s Bay region of New Zealand’s North Island it was like discovering the land of autumn. The grape vines in the seemingly endless vineyards were turning shades of yellow, gold, crimson and brown. The sky was clear but there was a crispness in the air. And the city was wedged between a mountain range and the ocean, reminiscent of an English seaside town. That first visit in the 1970s was by train from Gisborne, on the eastern-most point in New Zealand. I had stayed at a youth hostel overnight and caught the train the next morning. It was while on a working holiday and I remember the railway went through the golf course then followed the coastline of Poverty Bay before crossing a range that brought glimpses of the Pacific Ocean and Hawke’s Bay for much of the journey. I must have arrived in Napier mid afternoon and was immediately taken by the charm of the coastal town. The beers at the sailing club at sunset were some of the most enjoyable I can remember. The Leopard Brewery was right there. Today, half a lifetime later, I have driven down from Auckland. The early light of dawn revealed seas of fog in the valleys of the areas south of Thames – Matamata, Morrinsville, Tairu, down to Taupo. Taupo is like a snow town – Cooma or Jindabyne in Australia’s

A highlight of the Murals for Oceans project is seen in the morning light at The National Aquarium on the foreshore of Hawke’s Bay at Napier, New Zealand.

SILENT BEAUTY: Sunrise on Hawke’s Bay, Napier, New Zealand. alpine region or something out of Alaska perhaps. There’s thermal power as well as hydro electricity from the wild rivers and geo-thermal activity. Taupo is on the northern end of a Great Lake, known for its fishing. Trout. Well, there was this time in the ’70s when we tried to tickle some trout rather than catch them with a hook and line. Quietly slip your hand into the water and under the fish as it lazily swims in the clear water, then tickle its belly. That was the plan. But we could never quite pull it off. Maybe it needed the Maori touch ... or our workmates were fooling with us. On our recent journey to New Zealand the drive through the range was in showery conditions yet being in a rain shadow the outlook for Hawke’s Bay

was good. Virtually as soon as we dropped down into the valley the sun broke through and the last silvery drops of rain were illuminated against the ranges as well as the grape vines in this wine-growing region. Napier was decimated by an earthquake in 1932 so when the rebuilding took place it took on this art deco look. Now it is a highlight. A town preserved with a theme. East facing at the foot of the ranges, it is washed by the Pacific Ocean and bathed by the breezes. Little wonder that it is home to some delightful wines and seafood. The importance of the sea is celebrated in a glorious series of murals throughout the port city. Murals for Oceans was a public art project in Napier in early 2016. It has resulted in about 30 large-scale murals

A highlight of the Murals for Oceans project is seen in the morning light.

Photos: Erle Levey

highlighting the ocean’s beauty and marine environment issues. A series of thought-provoking works that can be appreciated by anyone who walks along the streets and laneways or by the wharves. By collaborating with internationally-renowned artists, the murals and community-based educational efforts focus attention on major environmental issues impacting the oceans, and promote the importance of long-term sustainability of natural resources. After all, if someone had asked where most of the oxygen we breathe comes from I would have said plants and trees, but no, it’s from the ocean. In fact, every second breath we take comes from the ocean. Reason alone to look after a precious resource. And

Mission Estate Winery at Taradale, Hawke’s Bay. never mind the plastic. A benchmark mural is at the National Aquarium on the foreshore, Cinzah Merkens’ endangered Longfin eel on the back wall glistens in the early morning light. Joggers and walkers are silhouetted against it and give it a sense of scale. Then there is the artist Phibs and his mural showing a turtle being affected by pollution. Ocean acidification and rising sea levels as well as endangered NZ seabirds are all depicted. The town is quiet, seeing how it is the middle of winter. Tourism must be of vital importance, along with timber, wine, agriculture and other horticulture such as peaches, nectarines, maybe cherries, apples and citrus. I pull up at the wharf, looking for the sailing club.

Mission Estate Winery, Taradale, Hawke’s Bay.

The brewery is long gone, swallowed up by one of the international brands. The old warehouses and wool stores are going through a revival driven by arts, crafts, professional offices and technology centres. An esplanade runs along the long curve of the bay. Foreshore reserve on the ocean side, the town on the other. Pacific gulls mix with silver gulls along the esplanade. There are vacancies in the accommodation houses, a mix of motels and guest houses, backpacker hostels as well as bed-and-breakfast places. Getting a table at one of the esplanade restaurants is easy enough on this winter’s evening, except some don’t open Monday while others might have Tuesday off.

SENIORS \\OCTOBER, 2018

mountain and seaside The entrance to Mission Estate Winery at Taradale, Hawke’s Bay.

Hawke’s Bay at Napier, New Zealand.

ATMOSPHERIC: After the rain at Linden Winery at Napier, New Zealand. I am taken by the retro charm of Hunger Monger, recommended by the people at the Linden Winery as one to put on the must-do list. It’s the same with Pacifica and Bistronomy. Both highly recommended. Indeed, Pacifica knocked over the heavyweights of the Auckland dining scene to claim the 2017 Cuisine Good Food Awards after winning best regional restaurant the two previous years. Hunger Monger is a dedicated seafood restaurant and, well, Hawke’s Bay has a strong fishing industry.

The restaurant has those chintzy plastic table cloths, plastic tomato sauce containers that look like tomatoes, HP sauce bottles, period lamps, woollen skins thrown over the chairs. The owners stake their reputation on the quality of the produce. Fraser has more than 20 years experience as a chef, mostly in Auckland and elsewhere in New Zealand as well as in Australia. Agnieska is Polish and has 20 years in hospitality in England, Scotland and New Zealand. The 1932 art deco building that houses the restaurant was formerly

Mission Estate Winery, Taradale, Hawke’s Bay.

the home of Haynes Butchery. The couple pride themselves on sourcing locally-caught fish and pairing it with local produce. As Agnieszka says, “Hawke’s Bay is horticultural heaven and we know it. “We’re swimming in wine here and the breweries have a great selection.’’ So it’s fish and chips, with a difference: Just $14. There are also prawns spaghetti, seafood bouillabaisse or clam chowder. Sashimi for raw-fish lovers and fresh salads.

Photos: Erle Levey

The lightest of batters is used on the tempura prawns and the crispy squid: $10 and $12 respectively. Steamed Coromandel greenlip mussels with Thai green curry sauce and wholemeal pita toast. And the Bouillabaise is $28. The beers include Zeelandt Brewery Jerry Rig blonde lager while the wine list features such labels as Elephant Hill Le Phant blanc, Pig’s Back albarino, Flying Sheep pinot noir, Squawking Magpie “The Gravels” syrah, Trinity Hill High Country pinot noir. A visit to Hawke’s Bay would not be complete

without seeking out New Zealand’s oldest winery. Mission Estate was established by a group of French missionaries in 1851 in Hawke’s Bay, where vines were planted to produce both sacramental and table wine. The first record of a commercial sale dates back to 1870 when a parcel of mostly dry reds was sold. In 1897 the 800-acre Mission Estate at Taradale was purchased from the Tiffen family and the Marist Brothers travelled each day from Meeanee to work the new land. Then in 1911 the 57 English plane trees were planted along the driveway that today make such a spectacular entry to the winery. Mission Estate is a museum as well as a

Mission Estate Winery, Taradale, Hawke’s Bay.

much-awarded winery and restaurant. There is so much to like about the region. And while the train doesn’t run from Gisborne any more, there are railway tracks headed south towards Hastings. That’s the way I head. Along a road fringed by giant palm trees. It gives great perspective – like driving in a Hollywood movie set. Then maybe I am. That’s what Napier’s like. ART DECO FESTIVAL Each year people visit Napier for the Hawke’s Bay Art Deco Festival. Fox furs, boaters and beads are the order of the day, the roads are reclaimed by vintage vehicles The 2019 Art Deco Weekend runs from February 13-17. For more information go to: www.hawkesbaynz.com

OCTOBER, 2018// SENIORS

‘‘

I think you’re going to be impressed with the amount of hosted holiday options you now have at your fingertips.

LOOKING FOR NEW EXPERIENCES: Patti Newton has signed on as a brand ambassador for My Hosted Holidays.

Photo: Living In Pictures

Patti Newton on board with touring website Claudia Slack AUSTRALIAN icon Patti Newton is the proud new ambassador for travel site MyHostedHolidays.com, a site that allows you to compare escorted, guided and hosted holidays, all from your own home. MyHostedHolidays.com is the brainchild of company director Ash Hayden, who has worked in the accommodation

and coach tour industries for over 25 years. When he realised there was a gap in the market for the semi-retired to be able to easily compare and book hosted holidays, My Hosted Holidays became a reality. “Why isn’t there a travel website out there where guests can go, see all the tours available to their selected destination, and be able to deal direct with the tour operator?” Ash

said. “Everyone knows arranging a holiday can be stressful,” Patti concurs. MyHostedHolidays.com comes as a solution to this booking nightmare by creating one destination to view hundreds of tours. “I think you’re going to be impressed with the amount of hosted holiday options you now have at your fingertips,” Patti said. MyHostedHolidays.com

allows you to search, compare, enquire about and book a range of hosted, escorted and guided holiday tours all in one destination. They will also put you in touch with the tour operators themselves, to ensure your trip is in safe hands. Hosted holidays are perfect for those who are looking for new experiences, to meet new and interesting people

and love the convenience of being able to sit back, relax and have their trip planned for them. As the site grows and more tours and refining methods are being included, Ash loves seeing people excited about the site and is hopeful that it can further open the world of touring to over 50s. Ash also said the beauty of the site is that customers can do

everything from the comfort of their own home. Patti loves the convenience of the website, saying “My Hosted Holidays.com has made the whole process really easy for you, it really is a one stop shop”. Looking to set off on your own guided, hosted or escorted tour? See what all the fuss is about at www.myhostedholidays. com.au.

Embrace the Internet!

It’s time to jump on the social media bandwagon! Let Seniors ease you into the exciting world of online. Get every news story - big or small, the latest exclusive offers, plus a whole heap more when you connect with Seniors on social media.

Visit facebook.com/seniorsnews or seniorsnews.com.au

SENIORS \\OCTOBER, 2018

COMPaRe huNdRedS

of escorted, guided & hosted

hOlIdayS

Patti Newton

Brand Ambassador

Let TV Icon Patti Newton show you how to avoid all that confusion and stress trying to find your perfect holiday. Discover and compare hundreds of guided, hosted and escorted holidays right here - all in the one place !!!!!

Call Today on 1800 849 132

myhostedholidays.com m Start the search!

Visit myhostedholidays.com to find your next getaway.

6850018ac

SeaRCh. COMPaRe. BO OOK. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S that eaSy!

OCTOBER, 2018// SENIORS

THE GHAN EXPERIENCE 6 DAYS, 13th April 2019

$3490*

Experience the 3 Day GHAN Adelaide to Darwin. Regarded as one of the world’s greatest rail journeys, The Ghan delivers so much more than an extended train ride. It promises access to parts of Australia no other holiday can come close to - the perfect balance of comfort and adventure culminating in a once in a life time experience.

*PP Twin Share, Single, $200 *Seniors Group Discount Rate

TOTAL TASMANIA 11 DAYS, 20th March & 26th Oct 2019

This amazing tour covers all the highlights of Tasmania including Hobart, Port Arthur, Queenstown, Dove Lake, Cradle Mountain, Gordon River, Stanley, Davenport, Launceston, Tamar Valley, St Helens, Bicheno, Frycinet National Park, Richmond, plus much more !!!!

$3490 P/P-TS* Single Supp + $650 *Plus Airfares

$699*

*PP Twin Share, Single $225

Yamba & Byron Bay Short Break - 4 Days, Departs 3rd / 10th March 2019

Travel to Cabarita Beach through to Bangalow before arriving at Yamba. Then visiting the seaside village of Iluka and then Cruising the Clarence River. Traveling then down to picturesque village of Brooms Head, Maclean then onto Angourie. Then through Evans Head,Woodburn and ﬁnish at Bryon Bay before heading back to Brisbane

Uluru - Field of Light Olgas & Alice Springs $3790* 7 Days - 29 May & 14 Aug 2019 *PP Twin Share, Single $550 Visiting ULURU Cultural Including Flights ex BNE Centre, Ranger-Guided Mala Walk. Heading to Kata Tjuta National Park & The Olgas Field Of Light Experience is spectacular. Touring Alice Springs. Exploring MacDonnell Ranges & Simpsons Gap

WW2 Midget Subs & Sydney 5 Days - Departs 18th March

$1790*

*PP Twin Share, Single add $380

$1490*

*PP Twin Share, Single add $420 *Plus Applicable Discount Rail Fare

Garden Island RAN Center Japanese Mini Sub Display Sydney Harbour Cruise & Sub Attack Locations, Hyde Park Luna Park High Tea Lunch Star Casino Buffet Dinner 1 Way Flights to SYD included

$3495 P/P-TS*

Single Supp + $600 *Plus Airfares

Discover Cooktown 8 Days - Departure Dates 2019: 13th April, 11th June, 15th July, 9th & 21st Sep

Depart Brisbane, Cairns, Mossman Gorge, Daintree River Cruise, Port Douglas, Discover Cooktown, Famous Lions Den Hotel, Endeavour River Cruise, Jacques Coffee Plantation

$4990

*PP Twin Share, Single add $800 *Plus Airfares

Australian Open Tennis

4 Days - Departs 15th Jan 19

$1490*

*PP TS, Single add $320 *Plus Airfares

Artvo Gallery, Star Observation Wheel, Reserved Daytime Seating Margaret Court Arena & Top Seeded Players, Pufﬁng Billy Steam Train & Emerald Village, Colonial Tramcar Dinner, Queen Vic Markets

$1390 *PP TS, Single add $255

Majestic River Murray, 10 Days, 23rd Apr 2019 A Wonderful 10 day Tour of the Murray River by Coach Albury to Adelaide including 5 Paddle Steamers & Cruises Yarrawonga, Echuca, Euston Swan Hill, Mildura, Renmark Loxton, Goolwa, Victor Harbour The Kimberly & Beyond 11 Days, 18th July 2019 Darwin Discovery Tour Dinner Cruise Katherine Gorge Cruise, Lake Argyle, Zebra Mine Tour, Bungle Bungles Hidden Valley, Ord River Cruise & Geikie Gorge Cruise, Halls Creek, Chamberlain Gorge, Fitzroy Crossing, Broome Discovery Tours Cable Beach Eccentric Lightining Ridge 5 days - 6 May & 16 Sept 2019 Fossick for your own treasure on lands that 100 million years ago were inhabited by dinosaurs and ancient forests, a stone’s throw from the discovery one of the world’s most large and valuable uncut black opals. This is, Lightning Ridge.

Cowboys, Caves & Castles 8 days 1st June, 8th July & 12 Aug 2019

$1390*

*PP Twin Share, Single add $320 *Plus Applicable Discount Rail Fare

Half Price SINGLE

$2490 P/P-TS* Single Supp + $300

$1540 P/P-TS* Single Supp + $400 *Plus Discount Rail

$1490 P/P-TS* Single Supp + $390

This unique tour visits lots of amazing places and attractions. Cowboys at Texas Longhorn Ranch, Historical Charters Towers, Caves at the incredible Undara Lava Tubes and Castle Ruins of Paronella Park.

Hunter Valley Rose Spectacular & Xmas Lights, 8 Days, 1st November. Enjoy the Hunter Valley Rose Spectacular, the beautiful Jacaranda Festival & the famous HVG Christmas Lights.

Cairns Xmas Capers, 8 Days, 21st December. Cairns, Kuranda, Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, Daintree River Cruise, Sky Rail, Reef Casino Xmas Lunch, Dundess Restaurant, Harbour Cruise

A Golden Coast Xmas, 5 Days, 23rd December. Gold Coast, Broadwater Cruise, Mermaid Beach, Tweed River Cruise, Xmas Day Lunch at The Star Casino, Coolangatta, Byron Bay, Mt Tambourine, Lunch at St Bernards with magical views over the Gold Coast.

CALL NOW: (07) 5510 8958 www.greatvalueholidays.com.au info@greatvalueholidays.com.au 6711937ai

SENIORS \\OCTOBER, 2018

Squeezing out musical memories at Maclagan Grab your accordion, harmonica or lagerphone

Alison Houston THEY come from miles around to do what they did as youngsters – get together, play the accordion, sing and dance. And they welcome all-comers at the Maclagan Squeezebox Festival, with what was meant to be a one-off event readying for its 16th year on Saturday, October 13. “Hall dances were like the Tinder of their time – that’s where you found a partner,” said Joan van Kuijck, a member of the Maclagan Hall Committee, whose book on the festival will be launched at this year’s event by LNP leader Deb Frecklington, a repeat festival-goer. The book, Keeping the Traditions Alive... Maclagan Squeeze Box Festival, is a 212-page limited edition anthology of stories and pictures of “those who love and play accordion music”.

Hall dancers were the Tinder of their time, and still attract about 100 people to the Maclagan Hall event. Joan has tracked down 103 players from across Queensland, NSW, the ACT and South Australia, as well as writing a history of the accordion, and reprinting original photos and programs. “I don’t have a musical bone in my body,” Joan admitted, but as one of just six volunteers on the hall committee and a town population of only about 50, she was quick to recognise the importance of the festival to the little town. It all started as a single-event hall fundraiser following the demise of a similar

OFF ELECTRIC RECLINERS

ELEVATE

Lift Chair in Almond PU with Timber Arms 386760

PRESENT THIS AD INSTORE AND RECEIVE 10% OFF ALL ELECTRIC RECLINERS

WELLINGTON

Lift Chair in Chocolate Leather/PU 396154

occasion in Toowoomba, and was the brainchild of Les Weedon, to whom, along with wife Stella, Joan’s book is dedicated. These days the festival attracts up to 400 people, with many retirees choosing to make a weekend or a week of it, rekindling their love for old-time music like Goodnight Irene and Pack Up Your Troubles, and a good country get-together. “There’s a fantastic feeling of friendship, which is what country towns are famous for,” Joan said. She is hoping for more attendees than ever to celebrate the book launch. While some will take to the stage and join the morning’s “walk up and play” from 9am, others just sit back, tapping their toes, clapping or singing along, often with their eyes closed and a smile on their faces, Joan said, possibly remembering times past. “The highlight of the day is just before lunch when

Wellbeing

GOOSEBUMPS: Walk-up-an-play musicians join forces for a few songs together.

Photos: Joan Van Kuijck

Les Weedon on his button accordion.

A taste of what’s inside the Keeping the Traditions Alive anthology.

everyone who has played hops back on stage, led by Les, and plays three or four songs together – it brings goosebumps,” Joan said. And while some familiar faces may be disappearing, Joan said, there was also renewed interest from the younger generation, with a number to be found sitting outside with “the old hands” learning their skills. The main concert is at 1pm, with the dinner and dance at which the suits

are pressed and the gowns flow, from 6pm till late, with music by Mystique. So grab your accordion, harmonica, lagerphone, washboard, fiddle, spoons, or your glad rags and go to maclagan squeezeboxfestival.org for details of how you can be part of the fun. Phone (07) 4692 1335 or (07) 4692 1265. Tickets are $10 for the day activities and $12 for the dance.

Kevin Frank and Jeanette Kummerow on the harmonica, one of numerous ‘old-time’ instruments joining the fun of the annual festival.

Smile with confidence CHRIS & LAUREN

Prof Matthias Bickel

Dr med dent (Berne, Switzerland), Phd, Specialist SSRD

Dentist/Prosthodontist

TIVOLI

Lift Chair in Avocado 640161

TOOWOOMBA BETTA HOME LIVING

34 ERIN STREET, TOOWOOMBA | Ph: 4634 9888 Email: toowoomba@my.betta.com.au

OPEN SATURDAYS

Specialising in • Comprehensive, natural looking restorations • Crowns • Bridges • Full and partial dentures • Implants and implant based restorations • No Referrals Necessary

BICKEL DENTAL SERVICES

98 Margaret Street, East Toowoomba www.bickel.dental | 1300 BICKEL (1300 242 535)

6710581ab

WELLBEING

OCTOBER, 2018// SENIORS

Respite helps carers reboot BRAND INSIGHTS CARING is often a labour of love and many carers don’t see themselves as such. But no matter what title you give yourself, finding the time to just manage your household can seem far-fetched, let alone taking a break. That’s where respite services can be a life-saver. Respite care comes in a variety of forms but they all work towards the same aim of making sure you can be away from your duties safe in the knowledge the person you care for is well looked after. Today we look at five respite services, delivered by Ozcare, that are available to Queensland carers. Short term respite care Typically used when you need to be away from home for a short time, such as an appointment, Ozcare’s carers come to your home and look after the person you care for. They can play games, do craft or take the person you care for on an outing, or help with meal

LABOUR OF LOVE: Carers at Ozcare Day Respite Centres offer support and care. preparation, cleaning or other care services while you’re away. Ongoing respite care Do you work part-time? Organising respite care gives you the security of knowing the person you

care for will always be looked after while you’re at paid work. Regular respite care can be organised for day or evening, and is completely flexible to fit around your schedule.

Emergency respite care When you need care immediately, Ozcare’s carers can be organised at short notice and can come to your home or another place in the community – whatever is

Photo: Contributed

needed. Day respite centres Ozcare’s day respite centres are fun, social places for people with a disability, people living with dementia, or those needing aged care.

Participants meet new people, take part in activities, and have their meals and care needs looked after. Extended hours are available to carers of people living with dementia who want to do paid work or study. Residential respite at an aged care facility Temporarily moving into an aged care facility is often a great idea for people who have carers who need to travel interstate or overseas, or for carers or families who need a break, or are unwell themselves and need some help while they recover. All of Ozcare’s aged care facilities offer residential respite care and cater for people living with dementia. No matter what your needs, or whether you consider yourself a ‘carer’, it’s important to know that there are services out there to give carers a break. Find out your options, phone 1800 Ozcare (1800 692 273) and discuss what services are available to you.

SENIORS \\OCTOBER, 2018

WELLBEING

BOWLS BUDDIES: Gail Rottier and Margaret Krall, at Burleigh Heads Bowls Club, say social contact, mental stimulation and physical fitness are all part of enjoying the sport.

Photo: Contributed

Energetic $22.9m grant to get over-65s moving Alison Houston OVER-65s are feeling positive about a new $22.9 million Australian Government program to encourage sport and physical activity providers to help them become more active. A Gold Coast park vox pop found issues which affected participation included cost, accessibility, friendship and socialising, not being “tied down” in the case of grey nomads, level of exertion, interest and existing health or injuries. The number of Australians aged 65 and over is projected to more than double in 40 years to nearly nine million people, representing more than 20 per cent of the population. Sport Australia CEO Kate Palmer said that made it vital for sport and fitness providers to be

adaptable and offer more options and products for older Australians, and the Move It Aus – Better Ageing program was an important step towards achieving that. Sport Australia’s AusPlay research shows that although overall physical activity levels drop as we age, the main motivations to be active remain almost the same for over-65s – physical health and fitness (77.4 per cent), fun/enjoyment (39.4 per cent) and social reasons (26.1 per cent). Comments to Seniors didn’t support that, with “getting out” and “socialising” as important to most people as the exercise itself. At Burleigh Heads Bowls Club, Gail Rottier, 71, and Margaret Krall, 72, agreed that “social contact, mental stimulation and physical fitness... to a level”, were all part of enjoyment of

‘‘

A drink at the club and time with friends was all part of the fun.

the game. Gail has been playing for 3-4 years, and Margaret for 18 months. “I moved up here and needed to do something, and it’s the best thing I ever did,” Gail said. But a drink at the club and time with friends was all part of the fun. “Just because you get older doesn’t mean you have to give up on everything!” they said, laughing. Yvonne Moon also joined the club to meet people after moving to the area a few years ago, having played sport when she was younger and later been involved with surf lifesaving. She said lessons and encouragement to “give it

a go” were important to drive participation. While at 57, Amanda Edwards doesn’t fit the over-65s target group, a health issue forced her to stop working, changing her friendship group, energy levels and general approach to life. She was keen to point out that starting to play bowls, using an extension arm so she doesn’t have to bend, had lifted her spirits enormously. It’s an interesting point, given that Sport Australia’s research found that among over-65s who didn’t participate in sport or physical activity, poor health and injury was the biggest barrier. The research also

showed a tendency towards what it considered “recreational activities” rather than sport. The most popular activities included walking (60.9 per cent), fitness/gym (27.8 per cent), swimming (10.8 per cent), golf (9.8 per cent), cycling (7.3 per cent) and bowls (4.6 per cent). Victoria University sport participation expert Associate Professor Dr Rochelle Eime said her research showed that only 1.2 per cent of Australians aged 50-54, and less than 0.5 per cent of over-55s played sport, compared to 40 per cent of 10-14-year-olds, when participation hits its peak. She said sport clubs and organisations rarely focused on older adults, and although physical activity in later life was proven to have significant health and social benefits, including

connectedness and stopping isolation (often associated with depression), older Australians weren’t getting the message – or at least not acting on it. Sport Australia’s new sport strategy, Sport 2030, is a 12-year plan highlighting for the first time in Australian history, the idea that national sport policy must focus on more than competition. Dr Eime said it was critical that the voices of older Australians were not ignored in this new plan, with funding offering “a real opportunity to research the needs, desires and capabilities of older adults, modify sports, and develop new leisure activities for seniors”. Applications for grants close on October 31. Guidelines are available at sportaus.gov.au/better ageing.

WELLBEING

OCTOBER, 2018// SENIORS

A life-long lover of food ‘‘

Learning to cook can be useful and enjoyable at any life stage SHE is an Aussie living treasure, well respected internationally and much loved by home cooks and strongly admired by professional chefs. Stephanie Alexander AO has been cooking since she was a child, learning by her mother’s side, and for all her life she has been encouraging us to cook nutritious meals for family, friends, and perhaps most importantly, for ourselves. Her iconic book, The Cook’s Companion, has a place in thousands of Australian kitchens and now it is joined by the newly released The Cook’s Apprentice, a book that will surely become a go-to essential for everyone, whether already a dab hand in the kitchen or a novice. It is the definitive guide on ingredients, cooking techniques, kitchen equipment and recipes. In Stephanie’s continuing pursuit to have us all cooking, she says we must be adventurous, experiment, don’t worry about making mistakes and forget anxiety,

the Stephanie’s new book contains more than 300 recipes.

biggest barrier for many non-cooks. “We cannot forget that for many people, convenience seems to trump flavour and freshness,” she said. “I suspect when someone doesn’t feel confident it is easier to go for the convenience. It’s time to start gaining a few new skills.” For the seniors in our community who have been cooking for the family for decades, Stephanie believes it is time to stand back and reassess. Many men in their 60s, 70s and beyond have never cooked at all, relying on wives and partners to take care of that chore. “There are many older people who have lost their cooking partner through divorce, death or just carelessness,” she said. “Learning to cook can be a useful and enjoyable skill for the next stage of life. “It can give a massive boost to one’s self-esteem. It will give pleasure and gain compliments from guests at your table. “Flavour and texture will be more noticeable, you will delight in seasonal ingredients. Cooking will give you a reason for being a bit more experimental about where you shop for fresh ingredients. Have you visited your nearest farmer’s markets? “For the novice – no matter how old – some of today’s kitchen technology can be off-putting but Stephanie encourages everyone to try, to learn, but at the same time not become nervous about it. “You do not need the latest gadget in order to

Do you want to know how to store your fruit and vegetables in your fridge, so that they stay fresh for more than two weeks?

6846744ab

Ann Rickard

On returning from a threeweek Christmas holiday, all my vegetables were as I left them in these bags in the fridge – fresh and ready to eat. I have been Roslyn Roberts using these amazing bags Hammond Village for more than two years and Coombabah, QLD they are still going strong. Bags are washable and reusable and can be kept anywhere in the fridge - on shelves, in the fridge door and the crisper. To purchase immediately visit www.superfreshbags.com.au or call

Super Fresh Bags on 02 9631 0143.

We must be adventurous, experiment, don’t worry about making mistakes

COOKING UP A STORM: Stephanie Alexander AO believes you’re never too old to take up cooking and she’s released a new book to make it easier. Photos: Mark Chew / Contributed

make lunch.” But there were a few gadgets she could not live without. “My food processor is top of the list. Wobbly pans and bendy knives are not only inefficient they can be dangerous. Get rid of them.” The Cook’s Apprentice will help every timid cook if they treat it as a mentor in the kitchen with Stephanie by their side explaining ingredients and techniques in a special help section. According to Stephanie once you have mastered a few culinary skills, the passion will start to grow, you will eat better and be aware of what you are eating because you created it. “I can help you become

a relaxed and confident cook,” she said. “I can share what I know about choosing the good, better and best in the marketplace so you can join me in supporting our local food heroes. “On the top of my wish list is a desire to make every one of you a lifelong food lover, to enjoy cooking for yourself, your friends and for your own family without anxiety, and to become a supporter of the very best we have. “Eating well has been a lifelong priority for me. “Frequently I eat alone. I still set the table, glass of wine, glass of water, clean fabric napkin, and enjoy every bite. No book or phone, but I do sometimes watch the news at the same time.”

FAST FACTS The Cook’s Apprentice has an emphasis on techniques – the hows and whys of cooking – and is packed with advice to ensure new foodies are relaxed and confident in the kitchen. Stephanie introduces the new foodie to everything they need to know about the kitchen, from utensils and how to use them, how to handle chilli, using a mortar and pestle, how to whisk eggs into soft peaks, to why it’s important to rest meat, how to test if a cake is properly cooked, and removing stones from olives. Stephanie also explains measurements, weights and volume, and even how to pronounce tricky ingredients. Across 54 chapters – from apples to zucchinis – there is information on each ingredient’s seasonality, how to prepare it, its varieties, other ingredients it pairs well with and how to pick the optimal produce at the supermarket. The Cook’s Apprentice contains more than 300 recipes, varying from easy to a bit more challenging in a three-spoon rating system, an indication of how long it will take to create from pantry to plate, and identifies which techniques are used per dish.

Super Fresh Bags of money savings ONE of the simplest ways we can save money is by reducing our own food wastage. Throwing out just $10 worth of food a week is $520 a year in the garbage. So, how do you take advantage of buying in bulk without the fruit and vegetables going off before they are eaten? Super Fresh Bags are a food storage system that is easy to use, efficient and relatively inexpensive, taking up little space in the refrigerator. They are made from food grade materials

KEEP IT FRESH: Roslyn Roberts keeps her fruit and vegetables as fresh as the day of purchase to the day of eating them with Super Fresh Bags. Photo: Contributed designed to keep fruit and vegetables fresh as the day they were bought.

In most cases, vegetables can be kept 2-4 weeks and longer,

depending on the type of vegetables. The bags can be kept in any part of the refrigerator, shelves, door and crisper. They are washable in water and reusable and last for over two years. The bags come in three sizes and are sold in packs. Delivery via Australia Post. Super Fresh Bags can be purchased online, go to superfreshbags.com.au or phone (02) 9631 0143 for telephone orders.

SENIORS \\OCTOBER, 2018

A home outside Australia mountains and lush countryside, Chiang Mai’s cooler climate makes it a favourite amongst expats. The Thai people are warm and welcoming, but the low costs are a huge advantage of this beautiful city. A couple could live comfortably on a monthly budget of between $2470 to $3100. 3. Phnom Penh, Cambodia ONCE famed as “the Pearl of Asia”, the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, has lots to offer expats – a stunningly low cost of living, lively markets and a thriving food scene, set to a backdrop of colonial French architecture and Buddhist temples. Phnom Penh’s beauty and its people’s warmth attracts retirees and for the avid golfer, Cambodia has a number of extraordinarily attractive courses – some even enlisted help from famous names in golf including Sir Nick Faldo, IMG and Nicklaus Design. Not only is the weather great for a round of golf throughout the year, but the courses are set to idyllic backdrops. Living here, retirees can afford luxuries beyond reach back home. The total cost of living for a single person living well in one of the nicest neighbourhoods in Phnom Penh is about $1500 a month. A couple could spend around $2000. 4. Hanoi, Vietnam

BEACH LIFE: Simply stroll on the sand with a local beer or a fresh coconut in hand at Da Nang, Vietnam. HANOI, Vietnam’s capital, is known for its French colonial architecture and rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences. A beautiful place of parks and lakes, Hanoi has maintained its traditional culture and charm while still being a modern city. For every glitzy shopping centre, there’s an incense-filled temple nearby and cultural influences of the past are still part of the modern-day fabric of life here, from revered Confucian monuments to trendy French restaurants. It’s the political hub of the country, as well as the cultural and historical centre. Plus, Hanoi has one of the lowest costs of living of any major city in Southeast Asia. Wendy Justice, International Living’s Vietnam correspondent, and her husband David, live in the Ba Dinh District – also known as the French Quarter – with its wide, tree-lined streets, French colonial architecture and lush, verdant parks. Their typical monthly

budget averages around $1500 and rarely reaches $2000 – but that includes travel in the region and little luxuries like fine wine or evenings out. 5. George Town, Penang, Malaysia GEORGE Town is the capital of Penang, a tropical island off the west coast of peninsular Malaysia. Despite Penang being a small island, there is no shortage of arts and culture; from the international film festival to the month-long George Town festival that celebrates the arts in every form imaginable. With its UNESCO World Heritage Site listing, the must-see sights are best explored by foot. As a former British colony, English is widely spoken, making it easy to make friends. And with a mix of cultures and cuisines, it’s a must-visit for foodies. On $3300 a month, a couple can live in luxury here. 6. Siem Reap, Cambodia KNOWN as Cambodia’s “temple town”, Siem Reap, in northwestern Cambodia, is surrounded by the ruins of the ancient

temple city, from which the Khmer Empire ruled much of Southeast Asia from the 9th to the 15th century. Developing rapidly, the changes of the last 10 years in Siem Reap may have brought more tourists, but they have also raised standards. The artsy retreat is now filled with beautiful hotels, excellent yet affordable food, art galleries and shops stocked with fine artisan offerings. The famous ruins of Angkor Wat are 10 minutes outside of town. This is one of the world’s largest religious monuments, a grand complex which encompasses about 500 acres bursting with extraordinary stone temples. Siem Reap is a place where expats report living on a modest budget – Melbourne native Bill Parker says “I spend less than $1500 in an average month on everything from food to medical care”. 7. Da Nang, Vietnam DA NANG, central Vietnam’s biggest city, lies on the coast of the Eastern Sea; and is considered by many,

SPRING HAS ARRIVED Now spring is here, its time to put your thoughts into action and get your home ready to take to market! As I live in Toowoomba and having been in real estate for over ten years, I can guide you all the way with ease to a successful sale so you too can look forward to new adventures. Ask me about my special ”Senior’s Package” too!

Source: InternationalLiving.com. au. For more information on retirement overseas havens, go to InternationalLiving.com.au.

Live Independently With:

rent, retire, relax

AFFORDABLE retirement living

MARNIE MORGAN Residential & Rural Property Sales 0434 475 338 marnie.morgan@realway.com.au

expats and locals alike, to be the most liveable city in Vietnam. A river runs through the heart of the city, necessitating a number of bridges that connect the city to the white sand beaches. One of them, shaped like a dragon and illuminated by thousands of lights, changes colour at night and blows fire from its “mouth” in a spectacular display. The beach is a hub of activity around dawn and dusk, with locals swimming, playing volleyball and football or simply strolling on the sand with a local beer or fresh coconut in hand. And the jungle-clad Son Tra peninsula, just to the north of the city, makes for a wonderful day trip. Here, you get serious bang for your buck. Two people could live comfortably in Da Nang on a budget of around $1325 per month, including rent, utilities, food, frequent meals out and incidentals.

• On Site Managers • No Lock In Contracts • No Bond • No Exit Fees • Fortnightly Rent Payment • Rent Assistance Available from Centrelink (for eligible people) • Modern 1 bedroom unit with ensuite • Your own Private Courtyard • Secure Gated Complex • Fully furnished or bring your own furniture • Weekly Linen Service included • Some organised activities • All meals supplied, home cooked on the premises • Public Transport at the Entrance • Close to shopping centres & doctors etc.

Call John or Janice Humphreys

Ph: (07) 3893 2172 livingbetterwynnum@gmail.com 51 New Lindum Road, Wynnum West QLD 4178

www.livingbetteratwynnum.com.au

6685466ao

A GROWING number of Australians are retiring overseas to big cities that offer plenty of conveniences, great dining choices and an arts-rich lifestyle. In a new report, the editors at International living.com.au point to seven great retirement cities overseas. 1. Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam HO CHI Minh City – also known as Saigon – is oozing with energy and enthusiasm for life and its bustling economy. But behind the vibrant exterior lies a gentler, more sophisticated side with exceptional cuisine, a rich history and a thriving arts and music scene. Foodies will delight in the abundance and variety of great eats on offer in Ho Chi Minh City. And to top it off, there are thousands of coffee shops dotted around the city to meet the enormous demand – the people of Ho Chi Minh City love their coffee. The arts scene in Ho Chi Minh City is also full of life. A range of museums and historical sites around town provide an insight into Vietnam’s fascinating history and most only cost a dollar or two for entry. 2. Chiang Mai, Thailand AS THE largest city in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is an exciting place to live, offering top-class dining, a culture-rich lifestyle and famous festivals throughout the year. Surrounded by

Living

LIVING

OCTOBER, 2018// SENIORS

SENIORS \\OCTOBER, 2018

Trends along the investment road

Money

Tony Kaye MANY seniors operate their own superannuation funds, so it’s interesting to see some new data showing where most of the people with DIY funds are investing. Australia’s largest online broking platform CommSec has done just that, analysing the investing habits of thousands of different self-managed super funds (SMSF), who collectively manage billions of dollars in assets. CommSec has identified some quite interesting trends. The first is that a growing number of SMSF trustees are broadening their share exposures to companies outside of the top 20 companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, including into international stocks, either directly or through exchange-traded funds. While most of those with their own super funds still have large exposures to the biggest Australian companies, they are also diversifying into smaller stocks. SMSF investors have also been actively selling stocks that have had strong gains over the past 12 months, suggesting that many view them as fully valued. Meanwhile, a rising market has seen overall SMSF trading activity rise, with the total value of

NEW TRENDS: CommSec has found seniors with SMSF’s are changing how they invest those funds.

Photo: Contributed

shares traded up 2.1 per cent and volumes up 5.8 per cent, resulting in the average deal value falling more than 3.3 per cent. Notably, the average deal size of ASX20 trades has dropped by 10.8 per cent. Here are CommSec’s key findings from trading data between January 1 and June 30 this year: SMSFs are still looking beyond the top 20: Frustrated by the under-performance of many of the large blue-chips that have traditionally been among their favourite stocks, SMSF investors have

continued to turn to a more diversified group of mid and small cap companies. SMSFs have become blue-chip bargain hunters: At the same time, many SMSF investors have taken advantage of share price weakness to snap up blue-chip shares with a history of strong dividends at bargain prices. SMSFs are using exchange traded funds to diversify: Exchange traded fund (ETF) holdings continue to grow, as investors use ETFs to diversify offshore and into other asset classes.

International listed investment companies and listed investment trusts are increasingly popular: Internationally focused listed investment companies (LICs) and listed investment trusts (LITs) have carved out a significant niche as investors seek out diversification opportunities. Direct international share trades continue to climb: From a low base, the value of direct international share trades by SMSFs has jumped more than 57 per cent over the last year, with a growing focus on Chinese

equities. Increasing sophistication CommSec notes that SMSF investors are becoming increasingly diverse and sophisticated in their investment choices. “While their portfolios are still heavily weighted towards larger stocks, SMSFs are also looking beyond the ASX20, as well as taking advantage of market dips to buy into blue-chip shares at a bargain price.” “Only time can tell whether these value-based trades will play out as planned. Meanwhile, our analysis

shows that SMSFs have continued to invest across the wider market and to actively trade in fast-moving sectors in search of new growth opportunities.” Despite these trends, the list of stocks most traded by SMSFs has remained largely unchanged over the last six months, with only a few significant shifts. The top three most traded stocks by value remain Commonwealth Bank (CBA), Telstra (TLS) and National Australia Bank (NAB) although they now account for a smaller proportion of trades overall – 13.8 per cent, down from 15.5 per cent six months ago. At a portfolio level, the average number of stocks held by SMSFs is 11.9 stocks. SMSFs remain considerably more diversified than other investors, with the average number of stocks held by non-SMSF investors 4.9. An analysis of the top 12 exchange-traded funds (ETFs) traded by value shows SMSFs increasing their exposure to currency and property, as well as international equities. The strength of this shift suggests it is being driven by a desire for greater diversification, rather than simply the relative performance of different markets. Tony Kaye is the editor of Eureka Report, which is owned by listed financial services company InvestSMART. For more go to investsmart.com.au.

Wills Estate Planning Enduring Powers of Attorney Expert Legal Advice WITH THE PERSONAL TOUCH Looking for legal assistance? Turn to James Madden of Madden & Co, Solicitors of Toowoomba. With extensive experience in all areas of practice, he’ll work with you to help you get the outcome you want.

www.maddenco.com.au

admin@maddenco.com.au

BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TODAY. CR118370AA

516 RUTHVEN STREET, TOOWOOMBA 4639 4488 0402 807 230

MONEY

OCTOBER, 2018// SENIORS

Financial shape-ups

Your attitude to money can shape the way you invest Paul Clitheroe

INVEST the way that suits you because if there’s one thing experience has taught me, when something becomes too hard or too time consuming, we’re more likely to give it away. Your attitude to money can shape the way you choose to invest. Some people have a keen interest in building a vast pot of money for its own sake. For others, money is all about what it provides – the ability to make choices about how you live your life. We all need to eat and pay bills but money lets us enjoy the fun stuff like family holidays and personal hobbies be they golf, surfing, or, in my case, sailing. Another place we are all different is whether

INVESTMENTS: It doesn’t have to be hard to go your own way. money is a passion or just a vague interest. You may, for instance, be fascinated by the process of selecting shares. But that is too time consuming for others, myself included.

If you love to spend a heap of time researching the sharemarket, good on you. I am quite happy to hold shares like BHP individually but to be frank I have neither the time nor interest in keeping an eye

Photo: GlobalStock

on the shares of the future – small companies, which may become big companies in time. Nor would I pretend I can select and manage international shares without a lot of time and effort.

This is what I love about managed funds. Of course, I want exposure to all these shares. And a professionally managed share portfolio lets me get the benefit of these investments while I am out sailing.

How good is that? Fees are a drag on investment performance, so this is something to watch for with managed funds. But it’s the same if you go for DIY. The cost shouldn’t just be measured in terms of direct expenses like brokerage. You also need to work out the time you spend managing your investments (tax time can be especially challenging when either you or your accountant sort out your tax position). The bottom line is, if, like me, you want to do some direct investing yourself and still use professional fund managers, no problem. If you want professional managers to do it all for you, again, no problem. It’s all about investing in the way that suits you best. And it doesn’t have to be hard. Paul Clitheroe is chairman of InvestSMART, chairman of the Australian Government Financial Literacy Board and chief commentator for Money Magazine.

Better Than Bingo! Got a hankering for a new hobby? Discover everything you desire with Seniors online. There’s exclusive travel offers, the stories that matter to you, big win competitions, plus every exciting event happening near you! Seniors – redefining an exciting retirement!

Opening Doors to the Seniors Lifestyle

Join us at seniorsnews.com.au

SENIORS \\OCTOBER, 2018

CLASSIFIEDS

To advertise, call 1300 136 181 or visit ﬁnda.com.au to view more ads online. Tributes

Health & Beauty

Motoring

Trades & Services

Funeral Directors & Services

Health - Professional Practitioners

Cars

Builders

YOUR LOCAL OPTOMETRIST

455 RUThvEn ST, TOOwOOMbA

SANKEYFRASER.COM.AU

Pat

4632 3166

Weir MP

Prof Matthias Bickel

Member for Condamine

6829851aa

129 Cunningham Street, Dalby QLD 4405 07 4570 4100 PO BOX 417, Dalby QLD 4405 patweir.com.au PatWeirMP condamine@parliament.qld.gov.au

Dentist/Prosthodontist Specialising in

6824153aa

Buy & Sell

Y.C.C.

COMMERCIAL LAW | CONVEYANCING

Yangan Cash & Carry

FAMILY LAW | MEDIATION

Ph: 07 4638 4833 admin@brieselawyers.com.au

Yangan is the heart of the picturesque Southern Downs of Qld EXPERIENCE THE CHILLED OUT OLD-FASHIONED COUNTRY STYLE HOSPITALITY • 7 day breakfast, lunch dining

Come Stay in our Paddock Unpowered: • Caravan sites (very • BYO licensed (local cellar limited) Must Book door wines) • Camper Vehicle sites • Great coffee & take away meals • Tent sites Bookings a must TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY at the scenery and views. EXPLORE...EXPERIENCE...UNWIND

Health & Beauty Health - Professional Practitioners C101 Riser Recliner 6838807aa

B L & BARLEY BULL BA INN N OLD-FASHIONED COUNTRY STYLE HOSPITALITY

(CHP197050)

Indoor Vogue Walker

(WAF705100RE) (WAF705100CH)

Find us at 1/259 James Street!

Trades & Services

With a nickname of “Hairy” Contact Jeff Hannaford who is a community minded Chartered Accountant and doubles as a Trouble Shooter. What can Jeff and his staff solve?? Anything!! Jeff Hannaford is a Community Chartered Accountant and Trouble Shooter who has been in business since 1978 when he opened up his first office in Inglewood. His business has now grown with another 2 offices in Texas and Millmerran. Jeff supports the AOOB Organisation because they are involved in charity and charity begins at home. Try Jeff and his staff’s experience in solving your Accountancy, Taxation and Financial worries Don’t delay, contact and enjoy the experience of good old fashioned service.

Book your van in today: (07) 4638 3576 www.winjana5thwheelers.com.au Computer & IT Services

COMPUTER ISSUES?

All Trades

Roslyn Hanlon Celebrant I’m Here To Help

Baby Naming Renewal of Vows Funerals Commitments Presentations

Authorised Commonwealth Marriage and Funeral Celebrant

6835701aa

Opening Hours Mon-Wed, Fri − 8.30am - 6pm Thurs − 8.30am - 7.30pm | Sat − 8.30am - 4pm

Phone: (07) 4662 2777 | Fax: (07) 4669 6532

Motoring Caravans & Motor Homes

CARAVANS WANTED All caravans wanted We come to you All areas, Cash today!

Phone 07 3812 3553 04188 76395

WE WILL COME TO YOU

LAPTOPS PrinTer SeTuP iT SuPPOrT new COmPuTer SeTuP ViruS remOVAL 1800 598 611 pineseed.com.au

Entertainment Services

6663060aa

Awnings & Blinds

Treat your home to a new look! Special Packages available for Seniors BOOK YOUR FREE QUOTE TODAY!

Perfect Place to

Mention this ad to receive a special offer.

122 Jellicoe St Toowoomba

07 4639 2535

sales@completeblindsandawnings.com.au

6653233ae

Services + Expert Advice & Friendly Service + Sleep Apnoea Services + Pharmacist Vaccination + Webster Packing + Script Reminder Service

www.bullandbarleyinn.com.au

SERVICING TOOWOOMBA AREA

Please ask for available pensioner discounts when you call

Phone: 4696 1235 | Fax: 4696 1335 Dalby Shopping world Cunningham St, Dalby, 4405

VAN & TRAILER REPAIRS & SERVICE!

Winjana RV provide caravan, trailer, horse ﬂoat, and 5th wheeler services and repairs at our local Toowoomba factory.

Jeff on 0429 894 937 or Millmerran 4695 1477 Inglewood 4652 1106 or Texas 4653 1155

Tel: 07 5462 2701 | roslynhanlon1@gmail.com 0407 101 957 Weddings

• Situated in the quaint country town of Cambooya, 10 minutes from Toowoomba on the Warwick Road. • Experience the authentic 1900’s old world atmosphere • Lunch and dinner 7 days • The ultimate dining experience, delicious gourmet menu • Seriously good coffee, daily meal specials, take away meals & pizzas • Comfortable quality country style accommodation

6839449aa

12 Stark Court, Harristown Ph for Info: 07 4633 1727 clemsvans12@gmail.com www.toowoombacaravans.com.au

Jeff Hannaford Pty Ltd 6838966aa

COMMERCIAL LAW | CONVEYANCING ESTATE PLANNING | FAMILY LAW

Email: yangan@skymesh.com.au www.sustainableycc.com.au

40 CORY STREET, OAKEY

All vans, great prices. Also buying quality used vans and poptops at all times.

Ever met a Chartered Accountant with a sense of humour?

Yangan Country Cottage 6825488aa

Briese Lawyers is a dynamic ﬁrm based in Toowoomba offering a wealth of legal experience to its valued clients.

Phone 0413517899

Accountants / Bookkeeping / Tax

Food & Beverage

ESTATE PLANNING | ESTATE ADMINISTRATION

Your ONE–STOP spot for all the changes you need.

www.apartmentsburleighheads.com.au

BICKEL DENTAL SERVICES

Make your next transaction a Briese

• Minor and major repairs & restorations • Over 20 years of experience Private Rate • Roadworthy & Gas Certificates $55 • Insurance options available per hour. • Brakes • Plumbing • Roof Hatches We also look after all your Horse Float needs.

8.30am to 4.30pm | E: mail@sca.net.au

98 Margaret Street, East Toowoomba www.bickel.dental | 1300 BICKEL (1300 242 535)

Professional Services

Southern Cross

Phone 07 5535 3266

OPEN SATURDAYS

Professional Services

Providing quality services We are all about repairing your home away from home.

Fantastic Getaway. Discounted Rates.

• Comprehensive, natural looking restorations • Crowns • Bridges • Full and partial dentures • Implants and implant based restorations • No Referrals Necessary

Caravan Repairs

CARAVAN REPAIRS C ARAVAN R EPAIRS

Holiday Accommodation

All units have beautiful ocean views. Free Wiﬁ and Platinum Foxtel.

Dr med dent (Berne, Switzerland), Phd, Specialist SSRD

email briwhite@bigpond.com

AN NDY’S N DY ’ S

Property

Beachfront Holiday Apartments Burleigh Heads

Smile with confidence

0427 709 529

6825940aa

Public Notices

lockyervalleybuilding.com.au

Ph Brian White

6838749aa

Notices

6825568aa

300,000 Australians currently suffer from Glaucoma. It is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide with virtually no warning signs. Early detection is key to help fight this disease!

More information is available at scamwatch.gov.au

♠ Home Alterations and Extensions ♠ Retaining Walls

6837712aa

Glaucoma – Stealing Sight

♠ Complete Bathroom Renovations ♠ Disability Services

6825068aa

8am-7pm 8am-5pm 9am-5pm

Registered Builder & Bricklayer QBCC no 1044895

Bring the Grandies Fire Brigade Museum Tours, Billy Tea & Damper every day Open 10am to 4pm Daily Ph: (07) 4696 6309 73 Wirraglen Rd, Highﬁelds www.highﬁeldspioneervillage.com.au

6823572aa

Proudly Australian and Local Family Owned

Monday-Friday: Saturday: Sunday:

6546920aa

Freecall 1800 118 188 (24 hrs) 314 James Street, Toowoomba

OPENING HOURS

Be wary if the number in the ad is disconnected. If the buyer/seller says the number is disconnected because they are overseas, ask for a landline phone number at their current location as well as a mobile phone number. All contact details of the person buying or selling the car should be verified to ensure they are genuine.

6838126aa

Judith McGrath-Colquhoun Owner and Director

TerryWhite Chemmart Drayton

Buyers should be cautious when dealing with car sellers that are overseas and should always arrange to view the vehicle prior to the transfer of any money.

6824846aa

www.ahfunerals.com.au

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 48 Brisbane Street, Drayton P: 4614 0377 F: 4614 0367 E: drayton@terrywhitechemmart.com.au

Local Builder

Buyers and sellers should be cautious of possible scams when buying or selling a vehicle.

6834996ac

07or 4634 9946 visit our website

6836576aa

For Exceptional Care and Personal Service at affordable prices Call us on

BEWARE OF SCAMS