Toowoomba & darling downs seniors newspaper march 2014

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Your Local Seniors’ Newspaper - Written for Seniors by Seniors

Vol 2 - Issue No 2

March 2014

1300 880 265

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Royal Show celebrates 150 years of tradition in Toowoomba Talk to a real person

Photo courtesy of Toowoomba Photographic Society

By Jo Marsh MUCH has changed during the past 150 years but one constant in our lives is the regular occurrence of the Toowoomba Royal Show.

Through desperate droughts, world wars and a number of economic depressions, the show continued to be held, missing only a couple of years during WWI and WWII. This year everyone is invited to celebrate the 150th Heritage Toowoomba Royal Show on March 27, 28 and 29.

While the show continues the early traditions of showcasing the region’s best products, produce, livestock and talent, each year it also offers new attractions and more sophisticated entertainment.

Continued Page 2

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Royal Show celebrates 150 years of tradition in Toowoomba Continued from Page 1 CEO Damon Phillips said this year the show society was excited to offer an arena spectacular production of Waltzing Matilda, complete with hay shed burning.

“Banjo Paterson wrote Waltzing Matilda following the shearers’ strikes at Dagworth Station,” he said.

“This year also marks the 120th anniversary of those strikes.”

The Dagworth Station strikes in 1894 were particularly violent, with shootouts between strikers and police.

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www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au Published monthly and distributed FREE across the Toowoomba & Darling Downs Also publishers of • Sunshine Coast Seniors Newspaper • Brisbane Seniors Newspaper • Gold Coast/Tweed Seniors Newspaper Printed by APN Print, Toowoomba

Banjo Paterson’s poem was his way of subtly commenting on a highly political situation without censure. Waltzing Matilda will be performed each

night in the main arena with a huge cast of locals and plenty of action.

Mr Phillips said there was plenty for seniors to see and enjoy at the show,

and Friday being a quieter day was probably a good time to attend.

“We have extended the times for the wood chopping events,” he said.

“They can now be seen on Friday as well as Saturday. “The cattle judging is still very popular, and there are plenty of places to sit in the shade and have a rest or a cup of tea.

“The vintage machinery exhibition is well worth seeing too.”

This year also marks the 25th bread show, where commercial bakers vie for the title of King of the Bakers.

The exhibition halls continue to attract quality entries with an increase in the number of young people entering items.

“There has also been an increase in the number of older men entering the baking section,” Mr Phillips said.

“Once they have a go and discover they can cook, they quite often beat their wives.”

For a full program of events go to w w w. t o o w o o m b a show.com.au/ toowoomba-royalshow/entertainment/.

Potted history of Toowoomba Royal Show In 1860, Mr James White manager of Jondaryan Station reached out to the community by advertising for local interest in forming an agricultural society. Enterprising station owners around the burgeoning communities of the Darling Downs were keen to show off the quality of their livestock and quickly supported the idea.

The first show was held in 1862 on 19 acres “beyond McCarthy’s farm” – an area which became the official showground at Campbell and Lindsay

Streets. The society was progressive in applying early for Royal patronage, and to the on-going chagrin of their Brisbane counterparts, the Toowoomba society snaffled the prestigious title of Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland. As the show grew in size, the need for a larger venue arose, and the purchase of 245 acres on the western-edge of Glenvale saw the show shift camp in 1985. This year will be the 29th year the show has been held at the Glenvale grounds.

Home baking supports drought stricken families

Opinions expressed by contributors to Seniors Newspaper are not necessarily those of the editor or the owner/publisher and publication of advertisements implies no endorsement by the owner/publisher.

Distributed to libraries, clubs, shopping centres, select chemists and newsagents, seniors and community centres, senior specific groups, associations, over 50s complexes, aged care facilities and retirement villages.

Friendly Country Style Care at BEAUARABA LIVING!

BEAUARABA LIVING is located on the Darling Downs, just 25 minutes south west of Toowoomba in the serene town of Pittsworth.

BEAUARABA LIVING offers residential aged and respite care with 44 low-care places with ageing in place, and 36 high-care places, including eight secure dementia beds.

• The facility encourages residents to become engaged in everyday life in a meaningful way.

• As we recognise every person is different, our care programs are designed to provide many lifestyle choices to satisfy unique residents’ needs, whereby residents experience a better quality of life.

• Features include single ensuite and furnished rooms with built-in wardrobes and reverse cycle air conditioning, TV and phone connections to rooms. Residents can bring their own small furniture and items to make their room feel like home.

• 24 hour emergency call system • Healthy menu with a chef on site • On site Medical Centre, hairdressing and laundry service, air-conditioned lounge, dining, TV rooms, library and internet and email access.

10 Weale St, Pittsworth. QLD. 4356 Phone: (07) 4619 8422 www.beauarabaliving.org.au Page 2 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - March 2014

Baked goodies for the Bake for Relief project are received by (from left) Rose Rodgers-Mahon, Julie Hintz, Joyce Hornick and Shirley Ferguson

MEMBERS of the QCWA Darling Downs Division and generous members of the public banded together to support the “Bake for Relief” project instigated by the Queensland Rural Regional and Remote Women’s Network to support our fellow Queenlanders who are battling extremely tough conditions through this current drought. On Sunday, February 16, Rose RodgersMahon took delivery of a boot load of cooking, fruit cakes, anzac biscuits, jams and fresh apples to be depatched to St George Freighters to be delivered to Tara and St.George free of charge. All donations were gratefully received.

What do you think is special about Toowoomba?

IT could be a particular place, your first school, memories of your family, some local legend of recollections of an event that has stayed with you over the years.

We also would like to hear about any upcoming community events. Your story does not have to be past tense and photographs would be icing on the cake. If Toowoomba is special to you, the Toowoomba and Darling Downs Seniors Newspaper would love to hear from you.

Email Jo Marsh toowoombaseniors newspaper@gmail.com or phone 0408 858 849.

Jo Marsh - Journalist www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

community news Burstows adds new service to support communities FOR every person, grief is a very individual journey. We all cope differently and for many the journey is long.

The staff at Burstows Funerals sees this every day and in response have developed the Grief Support Groups and the introduction of a dedicated bereavement support specialist – community services to help people cope with grief and mourning.

“We see the strength of the Toowoomba community on a daily basis, but we also know that this strength needs support and assistance to ensure those who grieve find a new purpose in their life” Mr Burstow said.

“The extent to which the bereaved finds new

purpose and meaning in living is often determined by the effectiveness of the service and support experienced at the time of loss.

“It is has been a natural development for Burstows to establish the Grief Support Groups, which are run by an independent group of psychologists and fully funded by Burstows.

“The groups meet on the third Sunday of each month in our Pioneer’s Room, Ruthven Street Toowoomba and cover a range of areas.

“For me, what is most important is that we bring comfort and healing. This comes from tradition and a genuine compassion, from our family and the

Burstows team members, to deliver a superior and supportive service for loved ones and the wider community.”

Burstows Funerals was established in Toowoomba more than 113 years ago and is now run by fourthgeneration family members, Trevor and Don Burstow. They are proud of their family’s association and long history with Toowoomba.

“Community involvement is at the centre of our philosophy,” Mr Burstow said.

“We have a longstanding commitment to supporting and interacting with our local communities.”

Over the years they have pioneered commu-

nity events such as Christmas Wonderland, Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, Christmas Remembrance Services and Seniors Week functions to support the needs for people within our community.

In addition to the Grief Support Groups, Burstows have a dedicatedBereavement Support Specialistwithin the local region, offering a holistic approach to bereavement care. This specialist works within our communities supporting individuals, families, organisations, carers and professionals.

“We have seen very encouraging benefitsin assisting carers, nurses and medical profession-

QCWA supports drought relief QCWA state president Robyn McFarlane (centre) visited Toowoomba recently and joined Darling Downs division president Elaine Kieseker (standing) and member Ariel Friedman in organising vouchers for drought relief through the Public Rural Crisis Fund.

QCWA continually extends the hand of friendship to our primary producers who are doing it tough through

this current drought.

There are no administration fees so all donations go directly to the people in need. Anyone wishing to donate can call into the QCWA centre at 263 Margaret Street from 10am-3pm weekdays.

als copewith stress and burnout during very difficult times,” Mr Burstow said.”We see there is a real need to

permanently expand this role.”

“For us, it’s very rewarding to be able to support and encourage

people, both in their times of need and by providing them with an avenue to connect with each other.”

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Congratulations to our winners!

THANK YOU and congratulations to last months winners, Dell Craig and Irene Bridgeman for helping us in our quest to make your paper bigger. Dell and Irene will each receive a Shopping Voucher to the value of $50 to spend at any of businesses who have advertised in our newspapers from November 2013 to this current issue. Two more $50 Shopping Vouchers are up for grabs this month. See details below on how you can help and maybe win some money to go shopping with.

Your paper is made possible because of the support of local businesses who advertise with us.

Without their advertisements we would not be able to pay to produce your monthly paper and in turn you would not be able to browse the news, community notices and other articles of www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

interest. Could you help by telling us the names of businesses who you shop with and who would benefit from advertising their products and services to our readers. The more businesses who advertise, the more pages of news we can provide you with. At the moment we are 36 pages, however it would be great to give you 40 or 44 pages of stories, news items, community notices and social photos.

As a thank you, we will give away two $50 shopping vouchers each month to two people who give us at least one business name to contact. To enter: Simply write the names of businesses, the owner (if you know it) address and telephone number. Email your entries to:office@seniorsnewspaper.com.au or write to Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors Newspaper, P O Box 1062, Tewantin Q. 4565.Remember to add your own name, address and daytime contact phone number on each entry. Monthly winners will be notified by telephone. (Winners must choose from one of our existing advertisers to spend their $50 voucher with) March 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 3

community news Readers, please support our advertisers!

When making inquiries or buying decisions with any of the advertisers in these pages, please tell them that you read about them in Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors Newspaper. Without their advertising support, your paper would not be possible, nor could we continue to employ more mature aged local people to work with us at the paper.

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Cash paid for badges, medals, military hats, Trench art, oil bottles, enamel & tin signs, Fountain pens, embroided & crotchet tablecloths, Railway items, lamps, nautical & fishing, anvils, old tools, dog traps, cowbells, Tin toys, china, glassware, books, Smoking pipes, tobacco tins, whisky jugs, Bundaberg rum bottles, ginger beer bottles, anything old Phone Damian

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Lack of experience no handicap at ladies social golf club LADIES wanted. That’s the call from the members of the Borneo Barracks Golf Club.

The Ladies Monday Morning Social Golf Club is looking to find new members and management committee member Michael Kearnes says experience is not necessary.

The first tee-off for saw 25 women brave the 30-plus degrees of a February morning and for many it was their first attempt at the game.

“The intention is to provide a friendly, casual opportunity for ladies to try their hand at golf and to progress to membership if they wish,” Mr Kearnes said.

“Ladies can play either four holes or nine holes.”

Club member Wendy Ladewig said the game is followed by morning tea and raffle draws at the clubhouse.

“We are hoping to attract some sponsors for their raffles to keep it interesting,” she said.

Borneo Barracks Golf Course was established in 1970 and opened up to civilian members in 1971. In 2006, the club took out a lease agreement and is now fully responsible for running the club and maintenance of the golf course areas.

Defence personnel, civilian members and social golfers are all welcome to play. For those interested in trying the sport there is a sixmonth trial membership available.

Club and buggy hire is available for beginners and the resident professional golfer Gary Small is available to provide lessons.

A junior clinic is run each Sunday morning with free coaching. Juniors do not have to be club members to take advantage of these sessions.

For more information contact the clubhouse on 4694 6183, email bbgc.cabarlah@yahoo.com.au or go to www.borneobarracksgolfclub.com.au.

Page 4 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - March 2014

Sun-savvy golfers (from left) Hazel Milford, Petae Frazer, Marianne Kluck, Margie Maunder and Colleen Weber needed their hats as they faced a hot February morning on the course

Cooling down after a morning’s golf are (from left) Glenice Young, Wendy Ladewig and Louise Brennen

Tricia Hundt (left) and Patti McNaught joined the Borneo Barracks Ladies Golf Club for fun, friendship and the opportunity to learn more about the challenging game of golf

Relaxing after golf at the Borneo Barracks Golf Club are (from left) Heather Hoey of Hodgson Vale, Karen Howard of Pilton and Janelle Kruse of Perseverance www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

community news Butter factory restoration ‘healing process’ for Grantham community

By Jim Bowden

A NEW chapter in the revival story of a Lockyer Valley town torn apart by flood waters will be written on April 1 when the Rotary Club of Toowoomba South formally hands over the renovated Grantham butter factory to the regional community at a special dinner..

A $2 million refurbishment of the old butter factory was officially opened in July last year by the Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley.

On the occasion, more than 200 guests, many of them victims of an ‘inland tsunami’ that surged down the Toowoomba range on January 11, 2011, crumpling the town and taking lives, celebrated the factory’s transformation into a tourist centre.

Speaking to Seniors Newspaper, Bill Mason, 70, the coordinator of the project, said the dinner and restoration were part of a healing process for the Grantham community.

Mr Mason, who is immediate past president of Rotary Toowoomba South, has never stopped thanking the generosity of so many who donated time and money to turn a building, derelict for more than 40 years, into a community showpiece.

“Funds for the project was made possible with cash and materials donated to the club from all over Australia and from overseas,” he said.

The Rotary Club purchased the property following the 2011 flood with a focus to restore the town icon.

“We’ll hand over the factory to the Lockyer Valley Regional Council and

British-born historian and journalist Don Talbot, 80, and his wife Patricia of Toowoomba get together with Toowoomba Rotarian Bill Mason (right), the driving force behind the restoration of the Grantham Butter factory.

Picture by Stan Carter.

The Governor of Queensland Penelope Wensley admires the polished cypress and ironbark flooring at the refurbished Grantham butter factory with Bill Mason, president of Toowoomba South Rotary Club, and Rotarian Errol Wildman of Homestead Timbers

community at a special dinner inside the butter factory on April 1,” Mr Mason said.

“We will be recognising some very generous people and handing out awards.”

“It’s been a heart-lifting experience,” said sawmiller and Toowoomba Rotarian Errol Wildman who provided cypress and ironbark timbers for the renovation.

Mr Wildman headed the flood relief committee that eventually raised the funds needed to restore the factory.

Errol and his wife Janna sold their Homestead Timbers sawmill at Wandoan on Queensland’s Western Downs in 2003, retaining a stock of cypress and

hardwood for a future project – the building of a smaller home for their retirement.

“You’re standing on my dining room floor,” Errol laughed. When the Grantham flood relief campaign gathered momentum, he decided to donate all this timber to the restoration project at the butter factory.

The timber, all milled at Wandoan in 2003 just prior to the sale of the sawmill to Parkside Group, provided 2400 metres of cypress and 1000 metres of ironbark for the flooring which was sanded and polished by Grantham resident Marty Warburton, himself a victim of the floods who lost everything when his house, petrol station and

sanding business were washed away.

The cypress was dried and machined by Jim Wangman of Miles and the ironbark was machined at Outdoor Structures at Gatton where owner Ted Stubberfield allowed it to be stored.

Lockyer Valley Mayor Steve Jones and council members have worked closely with the Rotary Club of Toowoomba South to make the project a success.

“It’s fantastic news for the community and it’s a huge development, especially when the building has been sitting idle for more than 40 years,” Cr Jones said.

“The Grantham butter factory holds a special place in the hearts of Lockyer

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Valley residents; it has historic value and was linked to a once-great dairy industry in the region.”

Cr Jones said as a tourist centre the building boasted a commercial kitchen and would house historic displays about the dairy and sawmilling

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community news Toowoomba Bowls Club

Make new friends at Gatton COTA Seniors GATTON COTA Seniors (Gatton and District Committee On The Aging ) meet at The Gatton Senior Citizens Centre , 13 North St. It was built in 1980 by the Community for the Seniors of the District and is used by many different groups, managed and maintained

by Gatton COTA. An elected Committee meets on the second Tuesday of the month and deals with all the business, any member is welcome to attend.

Decisions are reported in the monthly newsletter. On the first Wednesday of the month we have a Games morning for cards, hoy , rummy etc.. Morning tea is at 9am and we play ‘til 12.

Cost is $5. Social Days are held every third Tuesday

Gordon Neibling Lockyer Valley Volunteer of the Year

and include morning tea, entertainment (usually Country music with well known artists) and a 2 course lunch for the cost

of $12. Visitors come from other areas and we have bus trips to visit them and go to other interesting places. Our Annual Fee is $10. All Over 50’s welcome to join. On March 18th Desiree and Friends will provide our entertainment.

In February, Ted and the boys came from Warwick to entertain us and Members of the Warwick Pensioners Association joined us for the day. We also congratulated member Gordon Neibling for his Australia day Award for Lockyer Valley Volunteer of the Year.

For more information contact President Irma Steffens 5465 7127 or Secretary Margee Ellis 0439 621 798.

What is this?

Toowoomba Bowls Club members, come along and join in on the fun

OUR playing days are Tuesday Mixed pairs, Wednesday is Mens Triples, Friday is Ladies day . Saturday come along to Social bowls.

We have barefoot bowls and cater for parties and functions with barbecue and salads or we can do

to your requirements. New members and visiting players are very welcome. Phone 4632 3174. You can contact us via internet toowoombabowlsclub.weebly .com or email toowoombabowlsclub@bigpond.com

Page 6 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - March 2014

Can anyone tell us what this is ?

If you can, write to “What Is This?” Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors Newspaper, P O Box 1062, Tewantin Q. 4565 or email editor@seniors newspaper.com.au Please type TWBA What is This and your name in your email SUBJECT line.

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

community news Vinnies volunteers reap rewards through friendship and teamwork ELLY Bulmer can’t drive past the St Vincent de Paul shop in Ruthven Street, Toowoomba without popping in to see what’s new.

A Vinnies volunteer for eight years, she even turns up early on her work days to shop for herself.

“It’s a lovely environment to work in – so light and bright and clean,” she said.

It’s not just the clothes that bring Mrs Bulmer to the shop but the team she works with who make the place special.

“The best part of the job is the friendships you build with the other volunteers,” she said.

“They become like an extended family.”

Surrounded by racks of colour-coded fashions her coworkers agree.

“It’s fun and rewarding,” Denise Doyle said. “There is great camaraderie.”

Petra Evans has been a Vinnies volunteer for five years and particularly enjoys the fact that the store is busy.

“It’s a very, very popular store and very

busy which is good,” she said.

“You get to meet many different types of people.”

Vinnies volunteers enjoy the benefits of

TOENAIL CUTTING in your own Home Yes We Come to You! Vinnies volunteers (from left) Denise Doyle, Petra Evans and Elly Bulmer have made strong friendships through their work at St Vincent de Paul

Medicare Local to take the pulse of region with new health survey 2000 residents from the Darling Downs, South Burnett and South West Queensland (DDSWQ) region will be asked about their attitudes to health and wellbeing as part of one of the largest health-related surveys ever undertaken in the region.

DDSWQ Medicare Local CEO Andrew Harvey said the organisation had commissioned the phone survey to examine attitudes

towards health services within the region.

“Our region covers a significant demographic area - taking in 12 local Government areas, more than 60 communities and towns and has an estimated population of 311,548 residents as at June 2012,” Andrew said. “So, surveying residents by phone is one of the most effective ways for us to canvas opinions and form a database of baseline

flexible working hours and the satisfaction that their work contributes to an organisation that makes a difference to people in need.

data to measure future healthcare initiatives against.”

Participants will be asked what they think are the most serious health concerns facing their community, and to identify any gaps in the provision of healthcare.

They will also be asked what health-related issues they would like to see addressed first.

“The research provided will be invaluable in showing our

organisation where we can best direct our energy to provide the best healthcare service possible to the people of the Darling Downs, South Burnett and South West Queensland.”

Market research company Deborah Wilson Consulting Services and field team National Field Services will be undertaking the survey during March.

Households will be

randomly selected and all information provided will be confidential.

Anyone with queries about the survey can contact Medicare Local DDSWQ on 07 4688 2000.

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Queensland Family History Society new digitised CD CERTAIN television programs would like us to believe that everything we need to help us research our family history is available on the Internet. This is not so.

Many valuable records are not available through the World Wide Web and your family history is not all online. Many worthwhile records and finding aids are held only in specialised family history society libraries, other public libraries, and archives. These records can add insight to the lives of our ancestors and earlier family members.

With this in mind, the Queensland Family History Society (QFHS) has recently released a new CD, the Queensland Passports Index 1915-1925, to add to its growing collection of digitised records. The publication has 13,268 entries and provides an index of

passport registers compiled by the Collector of Customs, Brisbane. The original records are currently held by the National Archives of Australia (Brisbane).

Information included on this CD is not available on the Internet and can only be accessed at the National Archives of Australia, thus this publication becomes a wonderful research tool. The CD is available for purchase, via the Society’s Shop on the website (www.qfhs.org.au) or can be viewed, along with many other electronic records, at the QFHS Society Library and Resource Centre.

The QFHS Library and Resource Centre is located at 58 Bellevue Avenue, Gaythorne, and is open six days a week. Details are available at www.qfhs.org.au or by contacting the secretary email ecretary@qfhs.org.au

100 years of fundraising RED Cross is celebrating its centenary in Australia this year and during March the annual Red Cross Calling Appeal will mark one hundred years of fundraising by Red Cross volunteers right throughout the country.

Australia joined the growing international Red Cross movement soon after the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. The Roma Branch of Red Cross in outback Queensland was typical of the hundreds of new Red Cross branches that opened up around the country to support the war effort.

Local Red Cross volunteer Myrtle Flower reportedly wore out four pairs of shoes walking house to house to collect money to purchase a Red Cross field ambulance that was later sent to Egypt. http://centenary. redcross.org.au/groups/determined-doorknocker Most of the enthusiastic, young Australian soldiers that were recruited in 1914 were first sent to Egypt for training before being shipped to Gallipoli in 1915.

For Australia, the First World War still remains the most costly conflict in terms of deaths and casualties. From a population of fewer than five million, www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

416,809 men enlisted, 60,000 were killed and 156,000 were wounded, gassed or taken prisoner.

During World War 11 Red Cross also volunteers worked tirelessly providing medical supplies, refrigeration for military hospitals and comfort for injured soldiers, food parcels for prisoners of war and much needed funds for air raid victims.

Red Cross still relies heavily on the generosity of individuals and community groups to raise funds for its vital work. Today Red Cross runs a huge, diverse range of programs with a network of 90 regional offices, 180 shops and first aid training all dedicated to helping vulnerable people.

During Red Cross Calling local members, supporters, schools and community groups come out in force to conduct collections or organise fundraising activities. Schools, universities and colleges are also great supporters of Red Cross Calling, conducting collections at shopping centres or doorknocking in their local areas.

To make a donation, or to find out how you can get involved in Red Cross Calling go to the website at redcrosscalling.org.au or phone 1800 008 831.

March 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 7

community news Curator brings history to life at Cobb & Co Museum

By Jo Marsh IF you have a love of history, especially local history, make a regular diary date for the first Wednesday each month to head along to Cobb & Co Museum at 2.30pm.

Each month, museum curator Jeff Powell brings history to life in a free program called Curator Conversations.

The topics are varied and interesting with some talks accompanied by computer presentations

and others conducted as a walk-around and discussion of individual displays in an exhibition.

“They are called conversations because whilst something has been prepared, I am quite happy to interact with people

and hear their stories,” Mr Powell said.

“Talking to people is probably the best part of my job.

“To a large degree that’s really where history comes from – people relating stories.”

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Managing Medication is Easy

Cobb & Co Museum curator Jeff Powell injects humour and insight into his free, monthly Curator Conversations

Mr Powell has been with Cobb & Co Museum since it opened in 1987 and is happy to share his wealth of knowledge with visitors to the museum.

Far from being dry history lessons, Mr Powell injects humour and political insight into his talks.

His February talk on Australia after the armistice of World War One was centred around the museum’s current exhibition, Shell-Shocked.

This travelling exhibition from the National Archives includes many original, historically-significant documents and artefacts relating to Australia’s involvement in the war.

The armistice exhibition runs until May 6 and entry is free for residents of Toowoomba Regional Council.

Upcoming topics for Curator Conversations will be “Making vehicles in

Australia – from carts to carriages to cars” (April 2) and “Wool on wheels – Australia rode on the sheep’s back – but why wool?” (May 7).

Curator Conversations are free for residents of the Toowoomba Regional Council area and there is no need to book.

To keep up with what’s happening at Cobb & Co Museum go to their website at www.cobband co.qm.qld.gov.au.

Croquet club seeking new members EVEN Santa plays croquet! The West Toowoomba Croquet Club in Newtown Park ,Taylor Street, is seeking expressions of interest in beginner classes commencing mid-March.

Times and days yet to be finalised, but both day and evening classes could be available.

There will be 4 classes of 2 hours duration for $30.00 total cost. Get a group together or come on your own. This is a quirky and very affordable sport, suitable for all ages. Contact Ros Dryden 07 4635 4236 or Betty Belz 07 4634 4180 or emailwesttoowoomba @croquetqld.org or rosdryden@westnet.com.au or russell.belz@gmail.com

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Page 8 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - March 2014

A variety concert is to be held at the Philharmonic Centre, 7 Mattews Street, Harristown, Toowoomba, on Saturday 8th March at 2.pm. the cost will be $15 per person. The show will consist of local talent and includes the Sing Australia Group, musicians, including country and western, a dance troupe, bush poets, comedy and more. David Iliffe of ABC Radio will compere the show and raffles will be held. Afternoon tea is included. All proceeds go to the Toowoomba Hospice. For tickets or more information please call 0402 158 456 or 0419 174 412.

See you there.

Highfields Senior Citizens Assoc.

OUR monthly meeting is held at the Highfields Cultural Centre on the second Monday of every month at 9.30 am. Our March meeting on 10th Mar. has as guest speaker a Police spokesman who will speak about keeping Seniors driving safer and longer. Cost is $2.00 head includes cups of tea or coffee. Guest speakers talk at most meetings on a variety of subjects. Other activities include bus trips, outings. Cards, games and indoor bowls every Monday. New members over 50 welcome. Phone Ray on 4698 7177. www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

community news Joan Dunlop hits back at the cost of living with tips to save you money and reduce waste

A Charter of Rights and Responsibilities for older Queenslanders

For more of Mrs Dunlop’s tips on saving money or reducing wastage, see Joan’s top tips on this page.

By Jo Marsh

DO you feel that older people are sidelined in the political debate or that our life skills and expertise are not valued in the community?

Are you struggling to be respected for who you are or not being treated with the dignity you deserve? Do you feel that you are a drain on the economy as some in Government and elsewhere have labelled older people?

Well you are not alone and one of the sister organisations to National Seniors, Older People Speak Out (OPSO) feels that far from being a drain, Seniors need to be recognised for their on-going contribution to the economy and the community. Many work long after notional retiring age, and could do much more were employers to recognise our capabilities, while many others volunteer saving the economy billions of dollars in unpaid labour. Our experience, life-skills and cultural background gained through each individual’s unique life are a vast resource, earning respect and dignity. We are part of the solution, not the problem and we need to be consulted and listened to.

Drawing on United Nations documents as they prepare for a Convention on the Rights of Older People, OPSO drafted a Charter on the Rights and Responsibilities of Older Queenslanders. Circulated widely amongst the Seniors community to wide acclaim and following extensive discussion with other agencies, the document was finalised late last year and is now being publicised before presentation to the State Government later this year. You can read the Charter on the OPSO website at www.opso.com.au. – Hot Topics tab or call Tony Townsend on 33152523.

GROWING up in England through the Depression and World War II, Joan Dunlop had no choice but to live by the motto “make do and mend”.

Soon to turn 89, Mrs Dunlop still relies on those early lessons that rationing and lack of money taught.

“I wouldn’t say I was particularly frugal, just careful,” she said.

“We waste so much food now and I hate wasting food.

“It’s something ingrained in you; you can’t shed it.”

As a young war bride, Mrs Dunlop found herself separated from her family and the large, bustling city of Nottingham she had known all her life, and trying to settle into regional Queensland’s city of Toowoomba.

While she battled culture shock and homesickness, Mrs Dunlop set about creating a home using the skills she had learned at her grammar school.

“I loved school – I topped English and Domestic Science,” she said.

“We learned cooking, laundry, darning, everything,” she said.

Joan Dunlop loves cooking and dreaming up new recipes to use up leftovers, thereby reducing food wastage and saving money

“Things were always made from scratch.”

As much as she can, Mrs Dunlop still does this and is especially savvy at using up any leftovers.

When asked recently how to cook for one after a friend’s husband had

passed away, Mrs Dunlop had a useful and thoughtful solution.

“Continue to cook for two,” she said.

“Eat one half and plate up the other half for the next night.

“When you eat the sec-

ond meal, think of your husband.”

While cooking from scratch saves money, Mrs Dunlop saves time by wearing today’s fabrics.

“My iron went into redundancy ages ago,” she laughed.

Joan top tips • Electricity: don’t leave gadgets on standby or lights on all over the house, wash up dishes once a day, launder clothes once a week and don’t use a dryer.

• Make tea in a pot with tea leaves, it’s more economical. Pour two cups (one for later – but don’t add milk until it’s microwaved).

• Buy a convection/microwave oven – it’s quick and uses less electricity than a standard oven.

• Plan your shopping trips and combine them as much as possible – saves petrol and wear and tear.

• Leftover meat can be made into cottage pie, rissoles or added to stir fry vegetables –use your imagination.

• Make sure you access everything on offer for age pensioners and seniors – check you are getting government rebates on utilities.

• Ask retailers for pensioner rates.

• Feel satisfaction when you save; a job well done.

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community news Eunice White kept stylish women on the Darling Downs at the forefront of millinery fashion

good millinery section, probably because we had a very good lady in charge, Miss Eunice White, who really knew her hats.”

Now, as she approaches her 102nd birthday, Miss White looks back over a fulfilling and successful life. Born in Warwick on March 23, 1912, Eunice Mary White was the daughter of James Joseph White and Cecilia Mary Catherine Holohan. She started school at St Mary’s Primary School in Warwick and completed her education, aged 14, at St Columba’s School at Dalby. Her first employment was with the Dalby family firm of drapers, milliners and clothiers, Clark and Houghton in 1926.

“When my family moved back to Toowoomba in the late 1920s, I remained in Dalby moving into the Contin Boarding Turning 102 this month, Eunice White is a staunch House,” she said. supporter of her great-niece Alexandra’s dancing “I enjoyed the social life that Dalby had to offer WHEN Christian Dior’s women of the Darling at the time and was one “New Look” took the Downs. For nearly four of the leaders of Dalby’s world by storm in 1947, decades her name was bright young set.”

Miss Eunice White was synonymous with Miss White enjoyed at the forefront of Pigott’s millinery dancing, playing tennis, fashion as a new department as she and worked tirelessly for employee of the millinery selected and fitted hats fundraising department of Pigott’s to accessorise her organisations. In Toowoomba store. customers’ outfits. recognition for her Life was set to change In his reminiscences, community work, she for everyone following Pigott’s store owner Mr was nominated as a the austerity of the war Jim Pigott well rememcontestant for the Dalby years and Miss White bered Miss White’s town queen in 1945. was ready to help bring contribution to the The competition was in a new era for the business. conducted under the fashion-conscious “We had an extremely auspices of the commit-

By Jo Marsh with Meryl Hutchinson

Page 10 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - March 2014

In 1945, Miss Eunice White was crowned Dalby town queen for her fundraising efforts to assist the rehabilitation of returned service personnel

and public-spirited citizen of Dalby and a keen worker for patriotic and public appeals over the years.”

A report of the coronation ball held on Friday, April 6, 1945 said Miss White wore a pretty frock of organdy, featuring box-pleated frills on the bodice and skirt, finished with pink and blue rosebuds. A pink Javanese Alvina orchid was pinned to the shoulder line, and she wore a white flower in her hair. To complete the outfit she wore a long cape of red velvet. Her partner for the evening was Petty Officer W/T K. Miss Eunice White was at the forefront of millinery Cook, RAN. fashion in Pigott’s Toowoomba store for 37 years Miss White received 312,766 votes as opposed to her rival who received 178,161 votes. The votes represented money raised by each candidate. Miss White was not only crowned Dalby town queen 1945 but she also received 15 guineas (approx $31) for her fundraising efforts.

When the war finished, Miss White moved to

tee of the Dalby and District Patriotic Fund to raise money for the rehabilitation of returned service personnel of the district.

“The competition raised the sum of 2,045 pounds 10 shillings and 7 pence

(approx $4,091), of which I raised 1,303 pounds 3 shillings and 10 pence (approx $2,606),” she said.

Her employer Mr A. J. Houghton was head of her fundraising committee. “He was a popular

Toowoomba to be with her family.

In 1947, she was offered a position in the millinery section of Pigott’s department store. It was here that her talents flourished and she became well known as the person After four generations of ownership, the Pigott family sold the store in 1983 to Brisbane based company, McDonald and East. The change in ownership, and computerization, were the deciding factors in Miss White’s retirement in 1984, aged 72.

Retirement held some emotional times for Miss White, particularly when she nursed her two sisters Aisla and Zilla until their deaths in 1987 and 1994 respectively.

Finding herself on her own she decided to buy a unit at Drayton Villas, a self-catering complex where she lived independently until two years ago. Always the social butterfly, Miss White involved herself in all aspects of the village life.

“I attended all the parties, concerts and, of course, the hoy mornings but was not too keen on the Chinese or pizza parties,” she said.

She was also a great supporter of the end-ofyear concert at Toowoomba School of Dance, where she enjoyed seeing her greatniece perform.

During her life, Miss White had no shortage of admiring suitors however, she was content to build her life around her extended family and her involvement in the local community.

As for her longevity, Miss White says she has been very fortunate to be granted good genes and good health.

NSA Toowoomba & District Branch

THE National Servicemen’s Association of Australia (Qld) Inc. Toowoomba & District Branch is inviting all men who completed their National Service Training during the period 1951-1959 and 1965-1972 and served and trained in the CMF to join our Association. The main objectives of the Association are to improve the general welfare of all National Servicemen through charitable, community, recreational, educational and patriotic activities, and to promote fellowship and camaraderie between members. National Servicemen are entitled to the National Service Commemorative Medal as well as the Defence Service Medal if they served for more than four years. The Toowoomba and District branch welcomes new members. Widows of deceased members are presented with a special widow’s badge at our Annual Widow’s Luncheon and are most welcome to attend all our activities. Meetings are held monthly at the Irish Club Hotel. Social functions are held regularly where the camaraderie is valued and enjoyed by all. For further information contact the secretary by phone 4633 2564 or email josul2@optusnet.com.au. www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

community news Restored engine draws interest at celebrations such as rivers and creeks to supply farm stock and homes, the displayed engine drew much interest from passers-by including Southport born-andbred Bob Akes.

Bob, a member of the Gold Coast and Hinterland Historical Society, enjoyed speaking with Restoration Society members Mark Ashe and Rob Kachel about the mechanism.

Bob’s family has owned a plumbing business in Southport since 1919 and Bob’s great-great grandfather owned the first business in the suburb, a sawmill.

Those familiar with Akes Avenue, also in Southport, will be interested to know that the naming honours two of Bob’s cousins, Pictured by the Rider hot air pumping engine are casualties of war.

For details about the South Coast Restoration Society members Mark Ashe (on left) of Northgate, Brisbane and South Coast RestoraRob Kachel of Pimpama, with Bob Akes on right tion Society, 193 Rifle Range Road, Pimpama, IT was thanks to the got the chance to see a visit www.southcoastrestoration South Coast Restoraunique 100-year old societyinc.org.au or tion Society of Pimpama Rider hot-air pumping email: publicity@south that visitors to the Gold engine in action. coastrestorationasociety.

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Collectors & Craft 90th Birthday Invitation

The Queensland Country Women’s Association Condamine Valley/Warwick Branch extends an invitation to past and members of the Branch to attend our 90th Anniversary Celebrations on Saturday, 5th. April at 1.30p.m, 76 Grafton Street, Warwick. Please ring Mrs. Shirley Owens on 4661 2470 or Mrs. Penny Campbell-Wilson on 4667 0386.

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Page 12 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - March 2014

Collector’s Corner NANCY Forrest’s love of cats has spilled over into many parts of her life. Not only does she collect cat ornaments, postage stamps with cats on them and cat magnets, she also collects postcards featuring cats. While some are modern, most are vintage or antique.

One of her favourites dates from 1909 and was produced to support the suffragette movement (see photo). Written across the bottom of this colourful card is the slogan “I want my vote”.

Her postcard collection numbers in the hundreds and people send her cards from all around the world.

Do you have a collection you’d like to share with our readers? Why not send in a photo showing you with your collection and write a little bit about it for Collector’s Corner.

Don’t forget to tell us your contact details (not for publication). You can email toowoomba seniorsnewspaper.com.au or write to Jo Marsh, PO Box 1062, Tewantin, Qld 4565.

Name: Nancy Forrest Collection: Cat postcards

How to make an Australian Quilt THIRTEEN kind hearted people are making a difference to local lives by making a very special quilt which will benefit the Toowoomba Hospice.This beautiful quilt will be raffled from May until October so please help support this great cause by buying your raffle tickets from MK’s SewAble at 16B Prescott Street (opposite Pillowtalk). Come along and join one of

Pictured are: (Standing left to right) Diane Vote, Janita Duff, Robyn Fowler, Robbie Ryan, MarilynK. (Seated) Pam Sipple and Barb Lawder

Marilyn’s many classes and make some new friends. English Paper

Piecing and Sashiko available for people who Japanese Hand Stitching wish to try something Classes are now new. Phone 4638 8288.

The Australian Lace Guild THE Toowoomba branch of The Australian Lace Guild resumed their bimonthly meetings this month. After the Christmas break it was a time to catch up and plan for the coming months.

It was also a time to discuss and work on individual projects.

On the weekend of 22-23February some of the lace makers were present at the annual Cobb & Co Have a Go Festival to demonstrate the art to those interested and to encourage them to have a go.

With the Toowoomba Show not too far away many of the ladies are planning or working on the pieces which they will enter.

The major event being planned for this year is a three-day workshop in July with

Dutch lace maker, Yvonne ScheeleKerkof, who will be in Australia for a lace conference and workshops in Adelaide later in July.

We are very fortunate to have this opportunity to learn from an international lace maker.

The Toowoomba branch is a very friendly group whose skills range from experienced to raw

beginners. The strength of the group is a willingness to teach and support new members.

We meet on the second and fourth Mondays of each month from 09:30 AM until 11:30 AM in the Doctor Price Room. If you would like to join us and master a wonderful skill contact Cecily on 4635 7369 or Barbara on 4635 8856.

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

community news Birthday girls raise money for those in need IN the Parish of Mary of the Southern Cross, Highfields, a group of friends are making a quiet contribution to those less fortunate.

One of the group Patti McNaught said they have been meeting socially each month to celebrate birthdays and enjoy lunch together for some time.

“It was decided instead of a birthday gift, we would place money in an envelope to the value of what we might spend on the gift, and give it to a chosen charity, whilst shouting the birthday girl lunch,” Mrs McNaught said.

“The envelope is unmarked and the charity is drawn out of a hat at the end of the previous year.

“So far, the charities have been very worthy and grateful.”

This year the chosen charity is the Father Ray Foundation, a charity started in Thailand by Fr. Ray Brennan, a redemptorist priest.

The charity runs an orphanage for disabled children, a day care centre, homeless children’s village, an outreach drop in centre and vocational school for people with a disability.

Raising money for charity through their birthday lunches are (from left) Clara Tildesley, Colleen Weber and Jackie Thom

Fr. Ray’s goal is not to change the world, but to teach children enough to hold their heads high.

The luncheon group has been a great success and for the year ending 2012, they raised $1521.

Last year’s charity, Toowoomba St Vincent de Paul received $886 from the luncheons by November requested that any remaining money be sent to Caritas Philippines Disaster Fund. “Caritas were extremely grateful and we received a beautiful thank you note and a certificate of appreciation,” Mrs McNaught said. “This makes

everything all worthwhile and what a fun day we have for everyone.”

At the end of last year the group decided to invite their husbands to join them. “This has been a great success and the fun and laughter heard around the lunch venue certainly makes occasions such as these a roaring success,” Mrs McNaught said.

“Our latest luncheon was at the Highfields Sports Club for Clara Tildesley’s birthday. “Thank you to Steve and Ros and staff for a beautiful meal and great service. We had great fun.”

Social networks ‘brain food’ for retirees THE fastest growing users of Facebook are not ‘tweenagers’ (usually between 10 and 12 years old), but people over the age of 74, according to social media experts.

The numbers of such users has almost quadrupled in two years, says a new report. These true ‘life changers’ are not sitting at home and knitting, or playing golf following retirement, they are out reinventing themselves,

using their brains, growing synapses – brain signal cells – by getting their grandkids to teach them the art of social networking. They are blogging, tweeting and writing reviews, they are on Facebook and all sorts of social networking sites keeping in touch with family and friends.

Retirees and residence of nursing homes are not watching sport or playing bingo any more; across

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

the country, nursing homes are installing computers. The 50s-60s demographic is also a strong and developing user group with baby boomers and people with a good disposable income on their hands involving themselves in all manner of on-line social and charity groups. The great news comes from psychiatrist and researcher Norman Doidge who wrote the bestseller The

Brain that Changes Itself.

The more we use parts of our brain that have previously been dormant, such as learning new technology and computer skills, the faster we grow neurons back. Reinventing our brains keeps us young and is known to stave off degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Armed with this recent scientific fact, baby boomers and Gen Xer’s are rushing back to

study adult education courses in droves. Journalist Iohana Georgescu in an on-line publication called metrolic.com noted that a recent study from Pew Research Centre, which explores the impact of the Internet on families and communities around the world, discovered that the number of adults of all ages interested in social networks had nearly doubled in two years to 61%.

The computer . . . reinventing the brain for seniors

March 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 13

community news National Seniors Toowoomba Branch

have been comfortable using a personal computer or laptop are uncertain about making the move to the latest mobile phones or tablets with Wi-Fi capabilities.

Dr McDonald demonstrated several of the applications available which have been taken up by seniors, often with a little prompting Neville Fry, president from their children or NSA Toowoomba grand-children.

Branch Seniors interested in Digital Futures participating in the for Seniors research project may At our morning tea contact Dr McDonald at meeting on Thursday, USQ by telephoning February 6, special 4631 2280. guest Dr Lisa McDonald Law Dogs of the Digital Futures Australia Visit Collaborative Research On February 20 a lucky Network at USQ spoke group of National about her current Seniors Toowoomba research project on members saw an Digital Futures in amazing demonstration Regional Australia. of canine capabilities at She is conducting Lawdogs Australia at informal interviews with the Summit near seniors in South West Stanthorpe.

Queensland who are Lawdogs Australia is a telling her about their privately owned training experience with digital facility that trains technology and how security dogs for they see their future use security companies and of digital applications. protection dogs for Digital technology is private individuals with developing at an ever a range of different increasing rate, and requirements many seniors who may It is open to the public

to see puppies and adult dogs going through their training and doing demonstrations of protection, detection and agility.

During the show we were able to see dogs barking on command, developing their bite skills, training for future arrest scenarios, controlling suspects, finding hidden drug scents and working around agility equipment. CEO and trainer Matt Hibberd explained the positive training methods they use to produce confident, calm and well-balanced working dogs. Play based training can begin with puppies at a very young age with the learning of basic commands encouraged by rewards of praise and play with favourite toys.

Sadly some of their dogs have come from backgrounds of abuse or neglect or from households that lacked the ability to properly train and care for a large dog.

Matt and his staff have been able to turn life around for these dogs and pass them on with new attitudes and

abilities either to another home or to work in the protection and security industry.

Upcoming Events Our next bus trip on Thursday 20 March takes us to historic Boondooma Homestead in the South Burnett for morning tea and a guided tour then on th Hivesville Hotel for a great country pub lunch. Departure time is 6.00am and the cost for the day is $55.

At the morning tea meeting on Thursday 3 April we will welcome the team from RACQ who will present Years Ahead, a program designed to inform senior road users of safety issues affecting them and examines ways in which they can reduce their risk of being involved in a road accident and continue driving safer for longer.

Morning tea meetings are held at Regents on the Lake, 87A Perth St commencing at 9.30am.

The cost is $10.

For further information and bookings, please phone June on 4635 9796 or Yvonne on 4638 5252.

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Page 14 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - March 2014

speaker we will be entertained by a Barbershop Quartet called Of One Accord.

Their repertoire includes Irish Songs as well as some old favourites.

This will be a fun morning with a prize for the best dressed man and woman - in an Irish theme of course. The Hazel Gillies morning starts at 9.30am President NSA with morning tea. Cost Garden City Branch $6. Visitors welcome.

On our bus trip this THE next meeting of month we will venture Garden City National over the border to the Seniors will be at their historic town of new venue, Drayton Tenterfield, on WednesBowls Club on the day March 26 First call corner of Ball and will be to the Railway Gipps St, Drayton, on Station (hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen a Monday, March 17. train since 1989) to pick As this is St Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up our guide. He will Day, instead of a guest take us to many places

of historical interest which could include: The Post Office (built 1881); Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts (1876); St Stevens Presbyterian Church (1884), Banjo Patterson and Alice Walker married here in 1903; Stannum House (1888) and The Tenterfield Saddler (1860), made famous by his grandson, Peter Allen. While we are exploring, the Railway Station Volunteers will be preparing our lunch.

Cost for the day will be $50 and the first bus pick up will be at 7.00am. For more information call Hazel on 4635 4519.

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

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For further & Updated Information visit our website www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

March 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 15

community news Cousin Jim ‘scrubs’ up for scary ride at rugged Glenhaughton at Taroom

By Cousin Jim I LEARNED a few days ago that professional wildlife hunter Harold C. ‘Red’ Palmer had died aged 85 at his home in Powder Springs, California, USA. I first met this Hemingwayesque adventurer in December 1959 on Glenhaughton, a rugged 2300 sq km property at Taroom, then owned by McConnell and Kirk.

I had gone there on a flimsy brief from Wallace Skelsey, my editor at Queensland Country Life, to report on Palmer’s CapChur animal tranquiliser guns that were being introduced to Queensland to capture wild scrubber cattle and help ‘bridge the gap’ in the beef supply.

I say a flimsy brief because Wallace never mentioned – or knew – that I would have to ride a horse for two days and one perilous night.

Australian Estates was the agent for the CapChur equipment which is still in use today and used to immobilise and treat injured wild animals such a leopards, lions, el-

ephants and a host of other creatures.

I was 17 years old, had migrated to Australia from England only a few years before, and my knowledge of horsemanship comprised half a day riding a pony at the seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare in Somerset. I was eight years old.

We gathered at Kilcoy with the Estates guys and a Dutchman named Manfred Heiting, who was promoting the equipment, and then drove to Glenhaughton homestead at Taroom on the Dawson River, about 480 km northwest of Brisbane.

I thought: an interview on the shaded verandah, a couple of photos with my trusty Voigtlander and the story would be in the bag.

“You ride a horse, Jim?” boomed lanky Duncan McConnell.

“Well, I have done,” I ventured.

“Good,” said a not-soconfident Duncan, “’cause we’re going to ride for quite a few miles over the next day or so looking for scrubbers and testing Red’s invention.”

One man who could see I was bluffing was Glenhaughton stockman

Jim McGuire, who became a prominent roughrider in the 1960s and went on to win the AllRound Champion Cowboy title five times. He was also a brilliant ‘tailer’ of bulls – a method of grabbing the animal’s tail while on his horse, twisting it and bringing the beast to the ground.

Songs were written about McGuire, and his strength and tenacity became legendary. Two severe accidents in bullriding events slowed him only slightly; arthritis in his riding hand forced him to use a dangerous grip.

Widely known as the ‘Iron Man of Rodeo’, he endured crippling injuries: he suffered from an arthritic back, eight pins had been inserted to repair fractures in his right arm, and his right shoulder was held together by a screw. Sadly, he died of cancer in 1980, aged only 43.

Jim sort of ‘adopted’ me over those two days and a night. He kept a watch over me and somehow I lasted through the ordeal.

On one hot day, around noon, the riders told me to stay put – they were galloping off to ‘shoot’

and immobilise some scrubbers that had been sighted over the next ridge.

“Stay here,” said Jim. “If we’re not back in an hour, head for the camp and we’ll see you this evening.”

My mount, now totally spoilt just walking around, then decided to turn a few times and left me guessing my position.

An hour later I headed towards what I thought was the camp site. About four hours later I turned up, miraculously, at the camp riding in from a different direction than from where I had been left.

“Bloody hell, it’s Mister Country Life,” exclaimed one of the stockmen.

“Where the bloody hell have you been? We were about to ride out and look for ya.”

“Oh, just riding and looking around,” I lied.

Red Palmer and Jim McGuire nearly choked on their mug of tea!

They captured about 20 scrubbers that day.

Scrubbers are essentially feral domestic cattle that have escaped and many generations of them lived in remote parts of the bush back then – and

some probably still do.

A big scrubber can top 800 kg with a typical horn length 500 mm or longer.

They’re a formidable target and will charge at close quarters.

Palmer, a chemist, along with a few far-sighted men invented the Cap-Chur system to aid in basic disease research and wildlife conservation. Using a unique automatic syringe, propelled by a gas or powder-powered projector, an operator may propel any liquid (at Glenhaughton it was nicotine) to an animal, the syringe injecting the liquid into the animal upon contact.

Red Palmer killed big, dangerous wild animals, but

his lifetime objective was a more humane ‘near death’ state that allowed him to capture and study the world’s most vicious creatures.

Back in the 1960s when there was a rash of plane hijackings, Red offered his tranquilising equipment to the US Federal Transportation Commission, but was rejected on the grounds that air marshals were not practicing medical doctors and therefore were not qualified to administer drugs.

Red’s reaction: “They’re not allowed to administer drugs that can save human lives, but they are authorised to inject lead into another human being with the strong possibil-

Cousin Jim and Rusty

ity that death will result.

Go figure!”

When I did return to my office, I reported to Wallace Skelsey that I had to ride a horse around for a couple of days.

“So? He asked. “Where’s the copy?”

Make-A-Wish Patron, Melissa Doyle puts out a challenge THIS March, Make-A-Wish Australia is appealing to phone addicted Aussies, to switch off their mobile phones and switch on a wish for children with lifethreatening medical conditions through the new fundraising initiative – Switch Off. People are encouraged to switch off their phones for a nominated period of time during March and invite friends, family and colleagues to sponsor them.

They can also challenge a phone-addicted friend to take up the challenge

and switch off too.Make-A-Wish believes it’s vital for every eligible child to receive a wish as an essential compliment to their medical treatment with international studies finding that MakeA-Wish wishes have a remarkably positive effect on the physical and emotional wellbeing of children and their families.

To register for Switch Off and help make a wish come true, please go to switchoff2014.com.au

Everyone in the region knows Graham Healy Born and raised in Toowoomba, Graham knows the area better than most • He talks to locals about local issues • He invites you to call in on a range of topics • He interviews the stars • He has regular lifestyle segments • He plays fun contests and the best hits

. . . all part of 4GR’s Focus On The Downs . . . 11am-1pm weekdays on 864 4GR

Page 16 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - March 2014

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

community news Cup run highlight of Noel’s racing career

By Jim Bowden TOP hats went into the air and fashionable women jumped and cheered as New Zealand Thoroughbred Straight Draw won the 1957 Melbourne Cup at Flemington with a flashy finishing burst under bright skies.

He won the Cup by a neck from Prince Darius but race historians still wonder how he might have fared if trainer Tommy Smith hadn’t pulled the rising champion and favourite Tulloch from the race.

Back in the pack that day – second last all the way for two miles in fact – was 24-year-old jockey Noel Best riding Book Link.

“It was a thrill for a young jockey to be a part of that great event,” said Noel, 81, as we walked around Doomben racecourse.

“Mum owned the horse, dad trained him and my brother Kevin was the strapper. ‘Have a go on him’, my dad said. ‘He’s a little tired and he won’t win but at least you’ll get to ride in the Cup’.”

But Noel was no slouch in the racing saddle – he had already won dozens of races on city and country tracks around Australia and in 1948, aged 15, won the coveted Doomben 10,000, Queensland’s premier sprint race, on Murray Stream.

“I always say I just went along for the ride,” Noel laughed. “Murray Stream pulled the reins from me twice as openings appeared and he went for it.

I hung on and he took me home first past the post.”

We were at Doomben racecourse to talk about the re-opening of the Heritage Archives up in the old press room. The Thoroughbred Racing History Association will now open the archives to researchers and the general public for guided tours every Wednesday from 10 am to 3 pm.

“I’m happy to be just a volunteer on the day,” Noel said.

As we entered the build-

chives room at Doomben or at Charlie Parrella’s barber shop in Hendra where I first met him.

Anyone interested in visiting the Heritage Ar-

ing, Noel patted a statue of champion Darling Downs horse Bernborough standing in the doorway and recollected: “My win in 1948 came two years after this amazing horse won the Doomben double in 1946 – the 10,000 and the Doomben Cup under crushing weights.”

Noel Best, who lives at Hendra only minutes from the racetracks he loves, was a heavyweight jockey who had a wonderful strike rate during a career which spanned little more than a decade.

He is the only one in Queensland history to win the Brisbane apprentices, jockeys and trainers premierships.

He formed a lethal combination with his father Fred which was best in the 1950s when they had some outstanding horses including the top stayer Book Link.

His best wins included the Stradbroke Handicap on Plato and the Doomben 10,000 on Murray Stream.

The love of horses and the passion for racing started for Noel when as

a school kid he rode bareback in the bush around his childhood home of Chillagoe, a mining town in north Queensland.

His father was an amateur jockey then and became a leading trainer, so Noel went naturally into the racing game and was riding winners as a teenager.

“We loved our horses, and often slept with them,” Noel said. “I’m not sure all horses today are as well looked after as they were back then.”

Noel remembers some of his early races.

“We went to Gatton one day and I rode four winners, and most of them came in at 10 to 1. Dad said I’d better go around to the farmers who owned the horses and get my sling. He reckoned they might have their cash in tins hidden in the corn fields.

“Well, they paid me in pumpkins, onions and barley. At least our horses had a good feed.”

Noel also remembers the day he won the Cleveland Bay Handicap at Townsville.

“The horse was owned by

a trainer in Sydney and a woman who ran a brothel in Brisbane asked me to ride it. She had a bag stuffed with money. She said if I won she’d buy me a motor car.

“Well, I won and the horse paid 50 to 1.

“Back in Brisbane we chased up the woman in the hope of getting my first motor car. She came to the door and said it had been a bad week for business so she handed me a five pound note.

“I asked dad what I should do with it. He said frame the bloody thing.

Nobody will believe you!”

Noel says the biggest ‘sling’ he got as a young jockey was at a Sydney meet when he rode two winners and was paid five hundred pounds – twice.

“That was big money in those days,” he said.

Noel eventually took over from his dad as a trainer and looked after about 40 horses.

His racing career was interrupted when he had a fall and broke a leg.

“I put on a little too much weight after that,” he said.

He folded up his silks in

1961 after 14 years in the racing game.

Noel seldom goes to the track these days, but still studies the form and places a bet on now and then.

“Dad lived to 85 and me, well, I’m as good as gold, mate,” he said.

He went to a Bernborough celebration lunch with a few mates at the Cricketers Club a few weeks ago, but says his greatest joy is spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

I’m going to catch up with Noel again soon – either in the heritage ar-

GET LOCKED UP

Book prior to 31st March Seniors & Retirees Groups receive 1 hour guided tour through the Gaol with tea & coffee included

Humour with words

APROSDOKIANS are figures of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected and is often humorous. Winston Churchill loved them. Here are a few.

Where there’s a will, I want to be in it.

The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it’s still on my list.

Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.

We never really grow up; we only learn how to act in public.

War does not determine who is right - only who is left.

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

They begin the evening news with ‘Good Evening,’ then proceed to tell you why it isn’t.

Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.

Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.

You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.

I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not so sure.

Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.

And.....finally: I’m supposed to respect my elders, but it’s getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

chives should phone Kerry on (07) 3217 4701 or David on 3300 3172. Email info@talkinghistory withdavidgibson.com or heriage@brc.com.au

for only $13.99 Tour Bookings

Offer applies to a min of 20 visitors bookings@boggoroadgaol.com

3844 0059

or 0411 111 903

www.boggoroadgaol.com March 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 17

community news Anthology brings together complete poetic works of George Essex Evans

By Jo Marsh FOR more than a decade, Bill Johnson has lived and breathed the life and works of Toowoomba poet George Essex Evans.

“I first became interested in George Essex Evans when arranging a bell ringing event in Maleny in 2001 to celebrate Australia’s Centenary of Federation,” he said.

“I discovered that Evans

had written the poem Ode for Commonwealth Day in 1901, for which he received a winner’s prize of 50 guineas.”

This discovery led Mr Johnson on a quest to find out more about the poet and his writings.

In 2006, Mr Johnson published volume one of his two volume set, detailing the life and family of Evans.

“George Essex Evans mi-

grated to Australia from England in 1881,” he said.

“He was the registrar of birth, deaths and marriages in Toowoomba from 1894-1907, before working for the Queensland government tourist and intelligence bureau where he produced the attractive booklets of the “Nutshell” series from 19071909.

“In 1903, he founded the

Page 18 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - March 2014

Austral Association (now known as the Eisteddfod) in Toowoomba which focussed on music, art, literature, science and theatre.

“He died aged 46 and is remembered by a monument in Webb Park, Toowoomba.”

Since his first book, Mr Johnson has spent countless hours compiling the entire works of Evans, both published and un-

Bill Johnson has spent more than a decade researching and writing about Toowoomba poet George Essex Evans and recently launched a complete anthology his poetry

published, in one anthology – volume two of his series.

“This anthology of poetry brings together the complete poetic works of George Essex Evans,” he said.

“It contains almost 300 poems including unpublished and untitled work, and poems that critics often classified as doggerel, that is poetry with irregular rhythm.”

If you would like to find out more about Mr Johnson’s books you can contact him by email on bjmaleny@bigpond.net.au or write to him at PO Box 29, Maleny Qld 4552.

TOOWOOMBA

by George Essex Evans written 1900

$270,000.

Dark purple, chased with sudden gloom and glory, Like waves in wild unrest, Low-wooded billows and steep summits hoary, Ridge, slope, and mountain crest, Cease at her feet with faces turned to meet her, Enthroned, apart, serene Above her vassal hills whose voices greet her The Mountain Queen.

Fair City, unto whom as to a lover Our tender memories run— Childhood and Springtide’s careless hours are over, And Summer days begun.

Behold, amid what wealth of vine and meadow Thy maiden feet are set; And on thy brow, undimmed of care or shadow, Thy civic coronet!

There have been dreams for thee by men who slumber Sound where no voice may reach, Who, ere they joined the host that none may number, Saw what they strove to teach— The vision of a city, wide and splendid, Crowning the Range’s wall, And o’er thy sweeping plateau, far extended, Welcome for all!

Antique & Collectors fair A play-bynumbers toy piano brought back many memories for Mary Ondrus as she picked out a tune on the tiny keys

Geoff and De-arn Nelson found this collectable Jimmy Little album at the Antique and Collectors Fair at the Toowoomba Showgrounds

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

community news Free seed to feed program will help you start your own edible garden DO you have an interest in edible gardens and want to learn more about designing, planting and maintaining your own fruit and vegetable backyard garden, patch or pots?

This program will be providing one free beginners workshop to teach people how to start their own fruit and vegetable gardens, patches or pots.

The workshop will be run by horticulture expert Brian Sams from Wattletree Horticultural Services and each

workshop will cover the same information including soils, mixers and composting, organic principles and planting seeds and seedlings.

The workshops will run for three hours and will be available in Toowoomba and Highfields, with Tuesday morning and Saturday afternoon sessions available.

Bookings are essential and can be made online at www.toowoomba rc.qld.gov.au/community-services/educa-

tional-resources/healthyliving-projects/eat-well/ 9643-seed-to-feed-new or by contacting Council 131 872.

For over the phone bookings, customer service will add you to the Seed to Feed booking form and post you a participant agreement which you can post back or bring to your booked workshop.

Please wear sensible closed in shoes to the workshops.

As this is a Change Project initiative, the

Horticulture expert Brian Sams will share his knowledge at the free Seed to Feed workshops

Workshop timetable March 22, 1pm-4pm, Highfields Fitness and Recreation Centre March 24, 9am-12pm, Highfields Fitness and Recreation Centre May 10, 1pm-4pm, East Creek Community Centre May 12, 9am-12pm, East Creek Community Centre May 24, 1pm-4pm, Highfields Fitness and Recreation Centre May 31, 1pm-4pm, East Creek Community Centre

Cobb & Co “Have a Go” festival Stan and Daphne Webster of Oakey visited the leathercraft workshop at the Cobb & Co Museum Have A Go festival.

Daphne made Stan’s wallet 28 years ago and it’s still in use today

workshops are catered for adults however children over the age of 12 are welcome to attend.

Anyone under the aged of 18 must be accompanied by an adult

participant and separate bookings are required.

If you have any further questions please contact Council 131 872 or email change@toowoomba RC.qld.gov.au.

Local Business - Local Service 22 years Local knowledge of the Darling Downs

Harness & collar maker Bob Edwards and his horse Tommo show off a hand-made working-horse collar at the Cobb & Co Museum Have A Go festival.

Scooters from

$

1,750

Electric Bed bed rails and self help pole

New RSL SubBranch Website AFTER our AGM committee member, Nick Hannay, of the RSL Toowoomba United Sub Branch Inc. explained the new Sub-Branch website he had developed and was now operational.

Members and the public can access the website at www.trsl.org.au . He explained the various aspects of the site and the 15 buttons that detailed what the Sub-Branch offered. He highlighted those specific areas for Hospital & Home Visits and Funeral Team where requests can be made online and how, when these were actioned by members and/or the public, the information would be directed to the individual Directors for their appropriate action. For and on behalf of the RSL (QLD Br) Toowoomba United Sub-Branch Inc. Contact Vice-President and Media Officer Paul Clark 0438 321 325 or paul.clark@internode.on.net www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

from

$

1,595

Recognition for service to the RSL Liftchairs in various sizes from

$

1,395

“MEDTECH keeps you moving” Showroom in Toowoomba with regular service trips to the surrounding districts and the greater South Western Darling Downs.

Or visit us online www.medtechmobility.com.au Joe Treers with his Australia Day Award received during the Australia Day 2014, Citizens Auxiliary Presentation and Volunteer Awards for 2013

Phone:

(07) 4639 3977

Showroom: 18 Prescott Street sales@medtechmobility.com.au March 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 19

IF you are considering retiring or reducing your working hours this new year but are concerned about having enough money to retire on, it’s not too late to seek some professional advice to give you peace of mind.

For anyone approaching retirement, especially those who are worried about their finances, it’s never too late to seek professional financial advice.

“We often find that it’s only as they near retirement people really start thinking about their finances,” says Celeste Sutton. “We suggest that seeing a financial adviser well before you retire, rather than trying to do it all yourself, is the best option. Not only will this give you peace of mind but it will also give you options for when you do need to make financial decisions.”

Working out the best time to retire. This depends on how much money you have in super and other investments to live on in your

LAW, FINANCE and YOU Are you looking to retire in 2014? retirement. “We often find there is a real difference between people’s expectations around the income they’d like to retire on” says Celeste, “and the investments they have that can actually generate this income.” “What we can show people is the positive impact that working another couple of years can have on their final super balance, and what this could mean for their retirement income.”Increasing your final retirement amount. Are you feeling overwhelmed about how to increase your savings as retirement gets closer?

“We can suggest a number of tax-effective ways to fast-track your savings” says Celeste, “some of which may not impact your cashflow that much at all.”

“Saving as much as you can in the last few years before retirement can make a significant difference in how much income you’ll have in retirement, and also how long this income will last.”

Avoid making a rush decision. In an effort to increase your savings right before retirement, it can be very easy to make financial decisions that, at face value, look quite reasonable but may cost you a whole lot more.

“Rather than rushing in and making immediate decisions” says Celeste, “we encourage people to take their time and assess their whole situation before doing anything.”

“When people approaching retirement come and see us, we always spend time upfront with them to understand their situation and their goals so that we get things right.”

Make sure you’re invested appropriately.

Having the right investment mix for your age and risk profile will help build your funds and give you the opportunity to increase your savings ready for when you retire.

“We see some people that have been invested too conservatively for

Page 20 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - March 2014

much of their life” says Celeste. “Often their super has been put into cash and fixed income investments at some point, and they’ve never actually changed it. So that’s something we would look at.”

“And for those people that are closer to retirement, we’d look at whether or not they are overexposed to growth assets, as the impact of negative returns can be felt more deeply when you have a limited amount that needs to last a long time.”

Consider different types of income. Many people planning for retirement often see term deposits as the only way to generate a consistent, stable income.

“However, falling interest rates has made term deposits less and less attractive” says Celeste,”especially when you take inflation into account, which make things even harder for people with fixed incomes.”

“We can look at income options available, for example, transition-to-

retirement pensions, annuities and credit funds, and structure things to make the most out of the amount of income each person receives in retirement.”

“We can also look at whether they would be eligible for any Government entitlements, as these can make a big difference too.”

To find out more about the benefits seeing a financial adviser before retirement, contact Celeste Sutton from RI Toowoomba on 4639 3733 or visit our website www.ritoowoomba.com.au for further information. *Celeste Sutton is an Authorised Representative of RI Advice Group Pty Limited (ABN 23

001 774 125), Australian Financial Services Licence 23 8429. This editorial does not consider your personal circumstances and is general advice only. You should not act on the information provided without first obtaining professional financial advice specific to your circumstances.

Finding lost super OVER the years, people change jobs or move to a different state and take up other work with a different company. If this has happened to you, then you may still have some superannuation stashed away in an account.

The Australian Taxation Office SuperSeeker tool at www.ato.gov.au/ individuals/ can help you find any lost or unclaimed superannuation.

SuperSeeker can also help you to lodge a request to have any funds that you do find transferred into another super account.

To conduct a search you will need to provide full names, date of birth and your Tax File Number (TFN).

Using SuperSeeker on the phone is also quick and easy. Phone the selfhelp line on 13 28 65, Fast Key Code

1 then 2. You are not obliged to transfer your lost super, but you should consider contacting the fund that reported you as a lost member to update your contact information and remove your details from the lost super register.

Where unclaimed super or other super amounts are found, you can follow the links to the claim forms provided by SuperSeeker to make a claim.

Alternatively, you may phone 13 10 20 for more information about these accounts.

The lost members register (LMR) holds lost member records from all regulated super funds in Australia, other than self-managed super funds.

Super funds are required to provide updated information by 30 April and 31 October each year.

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

LAW, FINANCE and YOU Seniors Week 2014 subsidies are now open!

MANY older people assist their families with caring responsibilities whilst being actively involved in their communities through volunteering and passing on their knowledge and experience to others. Seniors Week provides an opportunity to bring together all Queenslanders, through events and activities, to celebrate the

contribution seniors make within their communities.

COTA Qld’s aim is to unite different generations to develop socially inclusive communities in which older people are able to continue to make valuable contributions in their families, neighbourhoods and communities. This year Seniors Week will be celebrated between 16-24

August 2014 and we invite you to join us in organising an activity or event to celebrate seniors in your community.

We’ve now made it even easier for communitybased organisations, service providers, local councils, schools, etc. to get involved in Seniors Week.

One way to be involved is by becoming a 2014 Se-

niors Week Partner whereby you are making a commitment to celebrate Seniors Week. As a Partner, we will help you to publicise your Seniors Week event/s, assist with information and advice when required and give you the opportunity to apply for a Subsidy to help you to stage your event/s. It costs nothing

to become a Partner.

You can also register an event; when you have planned the event to be held (from 16-24 August) you can complete the form on the website and return it to us. This information is used to promote your event/s on our Seniors Week calendar and in other media. A limited number of subsidies of up to $1000.00

Understanding Enduring Powers of Attorney & Advance Health Directives CONFUSION often arises for people planning for their future when it comes to how Enduring Powers of Attorney and Advance Health Directive documents work. These two very important documents work in very different ways and it is important to understand how they should be used.

In the first instance, it is always a good idea to seek professional advice on these matters. An experienced Wills & Estates lawyer will ensure your documents are prepared properly so the right effect is achieved.

The primary difference

between these two documents is that an Enduring Power of Attorney document lets you give authority to other people to act on your behalf while an Advance Health Directive is intended to give very specific instructions to health care providers about what treatment you do and don’t want in life threatening situations.

Looking at Enduring Powers of Attorney more closely we see that they are the legal solution for those times when, whatever your age or current state of health, you may not be able to make decisions and look after your

own affairs. A person of any age can suffer an accident or illness that may permanently or temporarily limit their ability to manage their own affairs.

A Queensland Enduring Power of Attorney lets you give someone else the power to make personal or financial decisions on your behalf.

This may include decisions relating to health care but it lacks the specific scenarios and indication of your wishes that doctors may require if you are suffering serious illness.

Looking at Advance Health Directives more

closely we see that they are a formal way of giving instructions for your future health care, and again it comes into effect only if your are unable to make your own decisions. Prepared with the assistance of your doctor, an Advance Health Directive outlines dozens of different potential medical situations so that you are able to indicate your preferred option for treatment. This may include situations in which you would prefer that no medication intervention was taken to resuscitate you.

If for example you are suffering catastrophic brain

damage or internal organ failure. Advance Health Directives are most often prepared prior to someone being admitted to hospital or when someone is suffering a serious, life threatening or terminal illness.

It is critical that an Advance Health Directive be completed with advice from your usual doctor or specialist. For further information contact Sheelagh Gray, Gray Lawyers, 07 4613 5794. www.graylawyers.com.au

will also be available to encourage and facilitate groups to hold events throughout Queensland during Seniors Week. After reading the subsidy guidelines, if you are eligible to apply, we invite you to submit your subsidy application by Friday 28 March 2014. Decisions on successful applicants will be communicated to

groups in early May. Stay connected through the Queensland Seniors Week Facebook page, the COTA Queensland website or by directly contacting our Communications Officer, Lisa Hodgkinson with any queries on 3316 2999 or by email to seniorsweek@cotaqld. org.au. See more at: http:// cotaqld.org.au.

Are you a unit owner?

BODY Corporate Industry Expos—‘education events for unit owners by unit owners’—will take place on the Gold Coast, in Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast in 2014 for the seventh year running. All Expos will take place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and will be ‘chock full of useful information’ according to organisers. Entry is free. The Gold Coast Expo will take place at Southport Sharks on Monday March 10. The Brisbane Expo will take place at the Kedron Wavell RSL on Tuesday March 11. The Sunshine Coast Expo is later in the year but should be noted as a date claimer in diaries. It will be held at Maroochy RSL on Friday October 24. For more information, please contact Garry or Mary on email: help@bodycorporatematters.com.au, or phone (07) 3300 5858 or mobile: 0434 992 885.

Retirees more comfortable about super returns RETIREES are feeling more confident about their retirement income as a result of improving returns from their superannuation, a new report has found.

The 2nd Seniors Sentiment Index released

by National Seniors and commissioned by Challenger, gauged 2,000 older Australians’ views on different aspects of their life as well as their views of society as a whole. The overall Seniors Sentiment Index increased from 66% in 2012 to 72% in 2013, reflecting growing positivity from seniors about their finances, health and social wellbeing.

National Seniors Australia chief executive, Michael O’Neill, said the number of retirees

who were confident that their superannuation would be adequate in retirement increased from 44% in 2012 to 61% in 2013.

“This is a result of sustained recovery in equity markets and a rising share market producing better returns,” Mr O’Neill said. But while confidence in retirement income had increased in the past 12 months, senior Australians were not so optimistic about their financial wellbeing over the next five years. Paul Rogan, Challenger chief executive of distribution, product and marketing, said: “It’s hard for retirees to have long term confidence in their super when so much of it is at the mercy of share market cycles.

“Government and industry must work together to deliver better super outcomes for our people once they’re retired and living off their savings.” In the social wellbeing stakes, the report found a notable increase in satisfaction with the Australian political system, with those ‘at least somewhat satisfied’ increasing from 21% to 30%. “This may be attributed to the survey being conducted within two months of the federal election and the result of a change in government but overall it is noticeable there is still considerable dissatisfaction with our political system,” Mr O’Neill said.

The proportion of seniors who

felt ‘very’ or ‘somewhat satisfied’ with the government’s level of spending in the health system increased from 17% in 2012 to 24% in 2013 which also reflected small improvements in satisfaction ratings in being able to get a doctor’s appointment when necessary.

The 2nd Seniors Sentiment Index follows the inaugural Seniors Sentiment Index which was released in December 2012.

Media Release: National Seniors

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs office in the Darling Downs region is located at 99 Russell Street Toowoomba and is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Our office can provide information on the complete range of DVA benefits, pensions and allowances and if necessary, personalised assistance with one on one interviews . We also provide a regular on base advisory service to the nearby Oakey and Cabarlah Defence bases.You are very welcome to visit our office but for more complex matters requiring an interview such as pension claims, aged care assets assessments and financial updates, please phone ahead to make an appointment, this will avoid delays with your enquiries. 07 4638 1555.

Our friendly and experienced staff will be happy to assist you.

Shorter days, longer careers SHORTER days and longer careers may lead to more leisure time and a healthier old age, a Danish professor claims.

Professor James Vaupel of the University of Southern Denmark believes no one should work more than 25 hours per week, but that we should keep working until the age of 80. “We’re getting older and older here in Denmark. Kids who are 10 years old today should be able to work until the age of 80,” Professor Vaupel told website Science Nordic. “In return, they won’t need to work more than 25 hours per week when they become adults.” Professor Vaupel, a leading scientist in ageing research at the University of Southern Denmark, suggested that what is important is that people put in a certain amount of work, not that they work at a specific point in life. Shorter working weeks, Professor Vaupel argues, would give young people more time to care for their families, exercise www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

and lead healthier lives. “The way it is today, young people are slaving their way through work, looking forward to a long retirement,” Professor Vaupel explains.

“But why not move that retirement period around a bit so that young people get more valuable time off work?” He argues part-time work later in life would improve the general health of the elderly. “The benefits are not just psychological because being an active part of society makes people feel good about themselves, but also physically, since you use both your brain and your body when you’re working. “We know that elderly people are prepared to continue working if they’re capable of doing so,” he says. “And I’m guessing young people would prefer to work less while they’re young if they have the option of working more when they get older.”

• Wills • Powers of Attorney • Estate Administration • Elder Law • Complex Estate Planning & Succession • Family Trusts & Structures

MOBILE SERVICE - WE COME TO YOU

• Senior Living Arrangements

March 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 21

LAW, FINANCE and YOU Celebrating Our Environment Expo MARK this on your calendar! Join HOPE (Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment Inc.) at the Celebrating Our Environment Expo on Wednesday, 4 June 2014 at USQ, West Street, Toowoomba.. The day will include informa-

tion displays, demonstrations and workshops, environmentally friendly products and services and a speakers program.

The Celebrating Our Environment Expo is a great opportunity for people to find out about the easy changes they can make in

their daily lives to help reduce their environmental impact.

At the Expo you will get the chance to talk to representatives of local, regional and state environmental groups. You will see demonstrations of eco products and ser-

vices; and have the opportunity for children and young people to participate in workshops on the day. Admission to the EXPO is free and the major attractions of the day will include: Information displays, Demonstrations – including organic

gardening tips, chook tractor, composting & mulching, worm-farming, and square-foot gardening, Speakers program on key regional/national issues, Film excerpts and discussion sessions, ‘Living Sustainably’ Competition – for secondary

schools, Fun Bike Ride, Food and drink will be available. HOPE is seeking expressions of interest to participate in the Expo from: community groups involved in environment/ conservation, landcare/ NRM, animal welfare and social justice, trade exhib-

its – environmentally friendly products and services. Register your interest/group now with HOPE Australia. Contact details: Ph: 4639 2135; email: off i c e @ hopeaustralia.org.au; W e b s i t e : www.hopeaustralia.org.au.

Seasons honours past residents with memorial garden

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AUSSIE ANODES

CURRENT residents and family members of passed residents of Seasons Private Aged Care at Waterford West gathered to officially open the new Reflection Garden Memorial for residents who have passed.

According to Seasons Waterford Community Manager, Barbara Booth, the ceremonial garden commemorates past residents and provides a place for current residents, staff and families to work through their grief. “When a resident passes away, it impacts staff and other residents and this garden provides a way to formally acknowledge their loss and reduce their levels of anxiety and grief,” Barbara said.

Page 22 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - March 2014

“The garden which consists of beautiful water features has white stones with the names of each resident who has passed arranged around it.

“From today, each time a resident passes, a ritual to remember the resident will be held to allow family, friends and staff to name a white stone and place it in the beautiful garden.

“It is a tranquil setting and the named white stones convey the message of strength, stability, remembrance and joy,” she said.

Barbara said the concept of the Reflection Garden was conceived by Seasons residents, friends and families who were looking for a way to

remember their loved ones. “The concept began very small, but with the help and support of the local community it has grown into a beautiful garden for reflection,” Barbara said.

A memorial plaque

naming the garden and dedicating it to the residents of Seasons Waterford West was unveiled by daughters of long term past residents, Gaye Keir and Carole Dunn and current resident representative,

Mary Torr. The unveiling of the reflection garden was attended by more than 50 Seasons residents, staff, families and friends with afternoon tea and live entertainment held afterwards.

Linda and Bruce Hall were browsing for bargains at Queens Park markets

Kenn and Ruth Luck of Crows Nest are looking to have their own stall at Queens Park markets selling customised hats

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

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Need help hearing, sound barrier broken with the Pocketalker WHEN Wally Eaglesham found his elderly fatherin-law Mick was unable to use his hearing aids effectively several years ago, he decided to build his own device to enable Mick to reconnect with his social world. After some research, the result is Listenear providing affordable and practical hearing solutions. The simple design has excellent battery life and it is relatively easy to operate and handle. It provides a low-cost and effective strategy for people who want to improve their hearing quality and for hearing impaired people who have problems with existing hearing aids.

You will be able to enjoy talking with friends without strain and misunderstanding, even when noisy, and it is

also very useful in the car when background noise can make conversation difficult.

“Living with my hearing loss affects everyone around you. My daughter couldn’t stand to watch TV with me because it was always too loud, so she’d always leave the room.

This device has given both me and my daughter a new lease of life. We can now watch TV together and I can also communicate with her better, without disruption. I can recommend ListenEar for their professional assistance and this device to anyone wanting to improve their quality of life. It’s truly amazing.” Testamonial

by Eileen Lota Qld. The Pocketalker amplifies sounds closest to the

listener while reducing background noise. It features a lightweight, ergonomic design for portability and ease of use. Fingertip adjustable volume control allows you to quickly adjust to your listening environment - whether your hearing loss is low frequency or high frequency sounds.

Pocketalker brings voices closer, making them clearer and louder.

With the use of the included 12 ft. microphone extension cord, the Pocketalker microphone can be placed next to a TV or sound system speaker to provide extra amplification with the benefit of reduced sound distortion and reverberation. The volume control easily adjusts the amplification

Conservation clinic at State Library DO you have a rare book, artwork on paper, family heirloom, and film or photograph that you want to know how to care for correctly at home? The professional conservation staffs from SLQ and Queensland Museum provides one-on-one consultations to look at your personal treasures and offer advice on how to maximise their longevity. Individual consultations are for a maximum of 15 minutes. Bring a notebook to record the valuable advice you receive.

Conservation clinics are free and will be held at Meeting Room, 1A, level 1 at State Library of Queensland on Thursday, 3 April and Thursday, 5 June from 1pm-3pm. Enquiries phone 3840 7779 or bookings phone 3842 9069.

Only

$

level to suit your need and the voice level of the person you wish to hear and you can quickly and discreetly adjust the frequency response of the Pocketalker system to compensate for your

hearing deficit and the high or low pitch of the voice you are listening to. With a modern look that is both functional and elegant in appearance, Pocketalker is similar in shape and size to a cell phone and

can be hand-held, worn around the neck on a lanyard or attached to the included belt clip and it comes with a 5 year warranty.

Pocketalker is available with your choice of headphones, ear buds or

neck loop. Optional accessories include directional microphones Please call us on 0437 432 728 or 1300 432 728 and a friendly and helpful consultant will assist you. See our advert on page 34 herein.

If getting around is getting you down . . .

LIFT & RECLINE CHAIRS 10 models in a range of fabrics and colours *From $995 model shown in photo

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JAMES STREET DISCOUNT DRUG STORE

20

Quick action with immediate access to your medical history can save your life!

Let strangers and medical staff know quickly with a Mediband!

Five minutes* is all it takes to arm yourself and your family against the flu.

To help you be prepared and fight off the flu James St Discount Drug Store is holding a quick and convenient Flu Vaccination Clinic on Thursday 24th April from 10am-3pm - but hurry appointments will fill quickly!** * A 15 minute observation period is required after your 5 minute vaccination. ** $20 Charge applies

Vital for people who suffer from Epilepsy, Asthma, Diabetes or Allergies and those on Warfarin therapy. Medibands can also alert people to refer to your Wallet Card for more details, and you can add an Alert ID Number linked to a Central Base, which stores your full medical history if you wish.

-Colour co-ordinated with universal colours used by Paramedics.

-Made of food grade silicone, easily sterilised and 100% hypo-allergenic.

-Soft, rounded pliable edges make them less likely to catch on foreign objects .

-Designed to safely break if enough force is applied.

-Very affordable compared to the older-style, heavy, silver, engraved types.

Make a positive health decision right now and go and see Ian and Lea Bentley and their friendly professional assistants and choose your life saving Mediband today!

JAMES STREET DISCOUNT DRUG STORE ‘RedEdge on James’, Cnr James & Pechey St Toowoomba Ph: (07) 4639 2441 Trading Hours: Mon to Fri: 9.00am - 7:30pm I Sat: 9.00am - 3:00pm www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

March 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 23

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Quick action with immediate access to your medical history can save your life!

LET strangers and medical staff know quickly with a Mediband!

Mediband Wristbands are essential in emergency medical situations.

The Medical ID Alert silicone wristbands are avail-

able at exceptionally low prices compared with the older style heavy silver engraved types, which aren’t safe to wear near machinery. They are colour co-ordinated with universal colours used by

paramedics and their soft, rounded and pliable edges are less likely to catch on foreign objects and are designed to safely break if enough force is applied.

They are vital for people

who suffer from Epilepsy, Asthma, Diabetes, on Warfarin, Allergies, and need to advise that reference to their full information is on their Wallet Card. You can also choose to have an Alert

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Page 24 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - March 2014

ID Number, so that a central base can be called to give your full medical history if you wish. A medical bracelet is ideal for many conditions, from allergies, to epilepsy and pregnancy. Made of food grade silicone, they are easily sterilised and are 100% hypo-allergenic.

Ian and Lea Bentley from James St Discount Drug Store have everything from Lactose Allergy for babies going early into Day Care, so that mums can get back to work without worrying the wrong formula will be given to

their babies, to ones that are great for school to identify students to teachers, showing virtually any condition such as Bee Allergy, Asthmatic, Diabetic, Peanut Allergy, or Severe Allergy Use EpiPen, and many others.

There are also ranges with a place to write on ie how many months pregnant someone may be. All can be worn with the bright writing clearly showing, or inside out so just the backing colour shows to be more discreet. There are also Handbands which are

more for fun, fundraising or promotions or to show which people are guests at an event, or even identify all the children on an excursion perhaps. Some are collectable and at James St Discount Drug Store we like to use the fun children’s ones to give to every child receiving a prescription mixture, for being good and taking their medicine. You will find James St Discount Drug Store at ‘RedEdge on James’, Cnr James & Peachey Streets, Toowoomba. Phone 4639 2441.

Being a senior citizen can be fun!

YESTERDAY my daughter e-mailed me again asking why I didn’t do something useful with my time.

“Like sitting around the pool and drinking wine is not a good thing?” I said. Talking about my “doing something useful” seems to be her favorite topic of conversation. She was “only thinking of me” and suggested I go down to the senior center and hang out with the guys.

I did this and when I got home last night, I decided to teach her a lesson about staying out of my business. I emailed her and told her that I had joined a parachute club.

She replied, “Are you nuts? you are 73 years

old, and now you’re going to start jumping out of airplanes?”

I told her that I even got a membership card and emailed a copy to her.

She immediately telephoned me, “Good grief, where are your glasses! This is a membership to a Prostitute Club, not a Parachute Club.”

“Oh man, I’m in trouble again; I really don’t know what to do... I signed up for five jumps a week.”

The line went quiet and her friend picked up the phone and said that my daughter had fainted.

Life as a senior citizen is not getting any easier but sometimes it can be fun.

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

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Grateful family find a lifeline in level of care and support at Freedom A LITTLE more than 12 months ago Highfields’ man Greg Finch and his sister Joy were in despair as the health of their beloved father Tom, now 84, was in rapid decline.

“Dad had had a fall which resulted in concussion and then he had a stroke,” Mr Finch said.

“He spent six weeks in hospital at the coast but was unable to feed himself.

“He lost so much weight, we knew we had to find somewhere for him to stay that could look after him.”

Mr Finch says the places they viewed on the coast were below par and they weren’t impressed with the levels of care offered.

Losing heart in finding somewhere suitable, Mr Finch visited Freedom Total Life Care in Toowoomba.

From his first visit, he has had nothing but praise for the care and commitment of the staff and the innovative concept which Freedom offers.

“Dad never lacks for care here,” he said.

“His clothes and sheets are washed every day.

“He lives in his own residence and is health is monitored around the clock.”

Freedom Total LifeCare is vastly different from ordinary nursing homes – there are no separate sections for different levels of care.

Each resident lives in their own unit within the community and their care level is adjusted according to their needs within their home.

An onsite team of qualified nurses, carers and diversional therapists work together to manage the care of each resident and high-tech monitoring devices have been introduced which allow nursing staff to quickly respond to changes in a resident’s health.

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

Greg Finch is certain that the care and support his father Tom Finch has received at Freedom Total LifeCare has been the catalyst to his dad’s recovery

Mr Finch is adamant that improvements in his father’s health are due to these high levels of nursing care.

“When we came here the doctor’s prognosis wasn’t good,” he said.

“We didn’t hold out much hope.

“It took some time but he has gained weight and is starting to be able to feed himself again.

“The care they offer here is care he could not get at home.”

Australia-first study launches to help cancer survivors CANCER Council Queensland will today launch an Australia-first study into cancer survivorship, to benefit millions of Australians expected to survive cancer in their lifetime. The Survivor Study is the first of its kind nationally, assessing the emotional, physical and practical concerns of cancer survivors in order to develop specialised support for those affected.

Around 24,000 Queenslanders will be diagnosed with cancer this year alone.

More than 180,000 Queenslanders are alive today after a diagnosis of cancer in the past 25 years. Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift said the study was a crucial tool in better understanding how cancer changed people’s lives.

“More people are surviving cancer today than any other time in history – around 66 per cent of Australians are surviving five years after a cancer diagnosis,” Ms Clift said.

“Cancer Council research shows an overall reduction of about 30 per cent in Australian cancer deaths over the past 20 years, due to combined advances in cancer prevention, research and treatment. “This research will help us identify targeted, specialised support for cancer survivors – not only physically, but emotionally and practically.

“The emotional impact of cancer particularlyhas largely been overlooked in models of primary care, despite the serious consequences of distress on a patients’ prospects of long-term survival and quality of life.

“Up to one-third of all cancer patients suffer clinically significant distress and few seek help or treatment for that distress. “It’s vital we hear from cancer survivors, and learn as much as we can about their experiences in order to help them and countless thousands of Australian cancer survivors in the future.” Cancer Council Queensland is calling on Australians who are aged over 18, have been diagnosed with cancer and completed their treatment, to take part in the online study. Cancer survivors willhelp improve the quality of life for all Australians affected by cancerby completing the study at survivorstudy.org.au.

Cancer Council Queensland encourages all Queenslanders affected by cancer-related distress to contact Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20.

For information and referrals to CCQ’s free statewide Cancer Counselling Service, Queenslanders can call Cancer Council Helpline 13 11 20 or visit www.cancerqld.org.au.

March 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 25

Femininity, fashion & style . . . even after a mastectomy

FEELING GOOD

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Baileys offers professional, caring fitting service for women needing prostheses

Every woman is different, which is why The Breast Fit provides personalised and caring service for post-mastectomy prosthesis and bra fittings.

Sharon Abel is a certified Amoena Australia fitter with over 10 years experience.

IN-HOME MOBILE SERVICE TOOWOOMBA AREA

Call for an appointment M: 0424 999 154 E: thebreastfit@yahoo.com.au

Page 26 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - March 2014

PROFESSIONAL corsetieres at Baileys Anne Boxall and Sharon Abel have spent a combined 30 years helping women overcome some of the issues that arise following a mastectomy.

Both have undertaken specialty training to fit prostheses and they estimate they fit about 200 women a year.

Ms Abel said they helped women of all ages – from their early 20s to their 90s.

“We are helping to make a woman (who has under-

gone a mastectomy) feel like a woman again,” she said.

She stressed that it is particularly important for women to go for a fitting about six to eight weeks after a mastectomy to help alleviate physical side-effects and to progress psychologically.

“It is very important for their posture to be fitted properly,” Ms Abel said.

“Being professionally fitted with a quality, handmade prosthesis is a start on the road to recovery.

Baileys corsetieres Sharon Abel (left) and Anne Boxall offer a professional and caring fitting service for women needing a prosethesis following a mastectomy.

“Correct fittings can help you feel like you can start to get back to normal.”

Over the years, Mrs Boxall has seen many improvements in the quality and style of products available.

Thankfully, gone are the days when women filled a bag with birdseed, tucked it into their bra and hoped it didn’t fall out, break open or even sprout, as some did.

“Each prosthesis we fit is hand-made in Europe,” Mrs Boxall said.

“They look and feel very natural.

“There is even a swim form which women can

wear in their swimming costumes.”

Prostheses come in a range of sizes and shapes, and are available to suit different types of mastectomies. A government subsidy is available which allows women to replace their prosthesis every two years.

The experienced fitters at Baileys bring understanding and caring to their personalised fitting service with the aim to make every woman feel better about themselves.

Prosthesis fittings are available at Baileys on Ruthven Street weekdays from 10am.

Prepare now for the upcoming flu season

WITH Influenza season on our doorstep GP’s on Curzon Practice Manager Sharon Stokell is recommending Toowoomba residents – in particular our senior community – prepareby consideringa range of precautionary measures.

Mrs Stokell said senior residents should be proactive in implementing steps to avoid catching the illness. “Seniors should consider speaking to their GP about receiving the vaccination if they have underlying conditions, if they are very old or if they have regular, close contact with young infants or children, or if they feel they are at a greater risk of getting sick, before the season hits us.”

Mrs Stokell said, “If people are proactive, take necessary precautions and exercise their public health responsibilities it will lessen the likelihood of an epidemic. WhileInfluenza needles do not guarantee 100% immunity against the virus, it protects against the most commonly identified strains from the past year determined by research. According to ‘Australian Prescriber’ Influenza is among the 10 leading causes of death, mostly in the elderly. Elderly sit within the high-risk population mortality groups so vaccinations are an important part of their healthcare plan, to minimise this risk.”

“The public can also minimise their risk of contracting the illness by hand-washing with soap, disinfecting contaminated surfaces and avoiding contact with the sick, as well as getting the flu shot.”

Mrs Stokell said that anyone with an underlying health conditions, the elderly, or anyone who feels that they would benefit from the vaccination should speak to their GP. “If a person finds they are sick,obtain advice from aGP or health professional to ensure that they are treated quickly and given the correct instructions to manage their illness”, she said.

For more information on flu vaccines contact GP’s on Curzon on 07 46 339 000.

GP’s on Curzon is a local medical practice consisting of a group of doctors, nurses and health professionals, working together to achieve quality patient care. www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

Advertisement

community news

Kennedy Chiropractic Centre

Thoughts and memories of living in Toowoomba JILL Cory of U3A’s Rainbow Writers group shares her thoughts and memories about living in Toowoomba.

WE WERE thinking of moving our family of three children from Moree and drove into Toowoomba in early January 1984, late Sunday afternoon. As we drove along Ruthven Street past Pigott’s and Hanna’s and then down Margaret Street past Bailey’s big store on the corner and the Mother’s Memorial it became obvious there was not a shop open or a takeaway in sight and both streets were deserted.

The following day, we were amazed to see the town enveloped by a thick white fog as we set off to explore. It made driving very difficult on unfamiliar streets as we made our way out to K-mart.

Stenner Street was the outskirts of the city with a celery farm and a sign in Ramsay Street selling fresh farm vegetables.

Within a few weeks we had purchased a house in Herries Steet opposite the grammar school and settled into life in Toowoomba.

During our first winter, we actually had a fall of snow which was very exciting as none of us had seen snow actually falling. We woke up the children and they had their first snow fight.

We are very pleased we chose to come to Toowoomba.

It was a wonderful place to raise our children offering great education choices and many sporting clubs. Our children have all moved on to distant pastures but enjoy returning for visits and the occasional school reunion.

It is with a sense of surprise and disbelief that we realise we have now lived in Toowoomba for thirty years. Does that make us real Toowoomba people? We continue to enjoy life in Toowoomba as retirees and relish the variety of opportunities to participate in such an enormous range of activities that provide enjoyment, fitness, friends and learning challenges.

If you’d like to share your memories of growing up around the Darling Downs send us an email at toowoombaseniors newspaper.com.au

The No.1 benign tumour in men IF you know someone or a loved one who is suffering from poor prostate health, you’re not alone, it’s a common problem and help is available.

The Prostate The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that wraps around the urethra at the point of the bladder. Prostate gland enlargement can be caused by prostate cancer, but 80% of the time it is attributable to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).

As men age, the prostate gland increases in size, making BPH one of the most common age-related conditions in men. The enlarged gland puts pressure on the urethra, acting like a partial clamp and thus causing numerous urinary symptoms.

BPH affects more than 50% of Australian men in their sixties and 90% of men above the age of seventy.

How Magnus Shield® Helps The Prostate Magnus Shield® is an extract created from the pollen (the male seeds that enable flowering plants to reproduce) of various plants, including rye grass.

Magnus Shield® has anti-inflammatory properties which decreases swelling and improves urine flow.

Magnus Shield also works on the urinary tract by relaxing the smooth muscle tone of the urethra, thus improving urine flow, increasing bladder muscle contraction to push the urine out, and relaxing the sphincter muscles, which help hold the urine in the bladder. Together, these actions would improve the urine flow rate and reduce the amount of urine remaining in the bladder after urination, thereby decreasing urinary frequency.

Research Validates Magnus Shield’s® Effects. A number of impressive trials conducted have concluded that Magnus Shield® has a beneficial effect in the management of BPH. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

study, 60 men suffering from BPH were treated with Magnus Shield® or placebo for six months. Nocturia (frequent urination at nighttime) was improved or eliminated in 60% of the patients treated with Magnus Shield® compared to 30% of the patients treated with placebo. In addition, 57% of patients treated with Magnus Shield® showed improvement in bladder emptying compared to only 10% in the placebo group. Residual urine volume and prostate gland size also decreased significantly in the patients receiving Magnus Shield®.

Safe and Non-allergenic Magnus Shield® is safe and well tolerated.

No adverse reactions to its use have been reported. Magnus Shield® taken orally did not cause allergies in patients who are usually allergic to pollen. Testimonials According to Mike B from NSW “9 Months ago, I have tried Magnus Shield for prostate medication made

by Graminex Australia, I can say that it helps me mainly in reducing my night time urination, a year ago, I used to wake up 6-7 times a night, and now I only wake up once or twice, and during last Christmas, I had 1 beer during the party, and I got up 3 times. Thank You for Graminex and I definitely will recommend this product” - from Johns Park, NSW David Norton from Victoria Market Pharmacy said that at Victoria Market Pharmacy, we have been selling Magnus Shield for five and a half years, many of own customers are regulars who have benefited greatly, especially in the reduction of night time urinary frequency.

Magnus Shield® is available direct from Graminex Australia Pty Ltd or at your good pharmacies or health food shops. For more information about nearby stockists, please call 1300 360 289.

Visit our website at www.magnusprime.com or call 1300 360 289 (Toll Free) for more information.

Celebrates 50 Years of providing quality care in Toowoomba

Dr Hart Kennedy graduated as a chiropractor in 1959 and started Kennedy Chiropractic Centre in Toowoomba in 1964

FOR the past 50 years, Dr Hart Kennedy has dedicated his life to providing quality chiropractic care to the Toowoomba community.

During this time he has rarely taken more than a few days leave and the success of his business, Kennedy Chiropractic Centre, is evidenced by the loyalty of his many long-standing patients.

After graduating from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in 1959, Dr Kennedy honed his skills alongside his father, uncle and grandfather at the Kennedy Chiropractic Centre in Unionville, Canada.

He migrated to Australia in 1962 where he worked as an associate with Dr

Doug Graley in a practice in Benalla, Victoria. From there he moved to Toowoomba and in 1964 took over the practice of Dr Randal Parker, establishing the Kennedy Chiropractic Centre at 81 Campbell Street.

Dr Kennedy moved this practice from Campbell Street to Russell Street in 1967 and then in 1977, relocated to premises next door, at 130 Russell Street.

So what has changed in 50 years?

“There are more forms and paperwork these days, but really it is much the same,” Dr Kennedy said. ”Agreements were simple – a handshake and no triplicates of releases.

“Security certainly has changed. We used to have none – breaking into my old office would have meant just leaning against the door.”

One thing he has noticed is how our attitude towards health has changed.

“There was a lot of resistance to the idea that preventive health care was cheaper than waiting for the body to fall apart,” he said.

This change in attitude has seen the once small family practice grow to provide a wide range of health services supplied by six chiropractors.

While Dr Kennedy continues to provide

care for the patients he has looked after these past 50 years, the practice is now managed by his daughter, Dr Tracy KennedyShanks. Dr KennedyShanks graduated as a chiropractor in 1995 from what is now the Parker Chiropractic University in the USA. In 2013, Dr Kirstie Kendrick joined the practice. Dr Kendrick’s own chiropractic journey began when she experienced her first migraine in her 20s, and a friend referred her to Kennedy’s. Relieved from the migraine, and experiencing many more health benefits, Dr Kendrick realised that both a chiropractic checkup and good nervous system function were important for health and wellbeing.

She began working as a chiropractic assistant in 2006 and encouraged by the practice doctors, moved to Melbourne to study at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT).

She graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science (Chiropractic) with Distinction, and a Masters of Clinical Chiropractic with Distinction. Dr Kendrick is interested in working with people who wish to feel and function better. Her aim is to help people improve their health, and the quality

Dr Kirstie Kendrick (Chiropractor) joined the practice in 2013

of their life, through chiropractic care.

Dr Kendrick has a special interest in checking posture and balance, and like all the chiropractors at Kennedy’s she has a gentle (low force) adjusting style.

To celebrate the centre’s 50th birthday, a sixties-style afternoon tea will be held on March 22.

Guests of honour will be the gold practice members – patients who have been attending since the centre opened.

Kennedy Chiropractic Centre is located at 130 Russell Street, Toowoomba and is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, as well as Saturday mornings.

For more information phone 4639 1060 or go to www.kennedychiro.com.

For 50 years, Kennedy Chiropractic Centre has provided health care to the Toowoomba community

March 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 27

HOLIDAY & Leisure The Outback! Where exactly is it? Is it a defined region?

SOME people will tell you the Outback is ’beyond the black stump’, ‘out west’, but if you go far enough west, or north, or south for that matter you’ll end up in the sea.

So is the outback in the middle of Australia? Yes, but that is just part of the outback. Truth is, the outback could beanywhere in Australia’s huge backyard.

Stonestreets will be exploring part of Australia’s backyard this coming July when we set off in our purpose built luxury 4x4

coach on an ‘outback’ tour right across the continent.

This adventure can be enjoyed in 5 parts with the very first section travelling from Brisbane/ Toowoomba into the Diamantina Lakes National Park then following the Sandover Highway right into the heart of Australia to Alice Springs. Section 2 will

travel through some very remote country heading west from Alice Springs through to the west coast.

Following the Gary Road,

another of Len Beadell’s famous tracks we’ll intersect with the Canning Stock Route and cross the Great Sandy Desert to Marble Bar and Port Hedland before arriving in Broome.

The Kimberley Region is always a popular destination for our travellers. In fact, this part of the tour section 3 is pretty much booked out already. It will

follow the Gibb River Road through to Kununurra before heading south to the Bungle Bungle National Park then

Page 28 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - March 2014

down the Tanami Track and back to Alice Springs.

The most famous landmark in our ‘backyard’ would have to be Uluru.

This is where section 4 will take you. Get up close to this big red rock and explore the Painted Desert and Lake Eyre regions on this part of the tour we named, “Into the Red Zone”.

The true pioneering spirit will be felt during section 5, the last leg of our 5 part tour. We will be following the legendary Birdsville Track from Marree to Birdsville.

The road is dotted with ruins of homes built by pioneers who tried to make a living on the land in this harsh region only to have drought and remoteness drive them away.

As you can see, this tour covers a huge area of Australia to many exciting destinations only a 4x4 vehicle can access. Regions visited will be remote but don’t think for one moment these tours are full camping adventures.

We will be utilising accommodation in motels,

cabins, hotels etc. and ONLY camping where no other option is available and even then you will be sleeping on beds in your tent – not on the ground!

To get away from your backyard and explore Australia’s huge back-

yard give Stonestreets Coaches a call today.

4x4 Tour Information Afternoon We’ve only just touched the surface explaining this fantastic tour but you can find much more information at

Stonestreets 4x4 Tour Information Afternoon on Friday the 21st March at 4:00pm being held at our depot 78 Warwick Street, Harristown.

Bookings are essential as places are limited. For bookings call 4687 5555.

Your holiday, your way!

DRIVEAWAY Holidays is Australia’s leading self-drive specialists. Offering worldwide car hire at over 8,000 global locations with more than 60 suppliers, you will be sure to find a deal that suits your road trip plans.

Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, on your own or with family and friends, hiring a car or motorhome offers complete flexibility to travel exactly where you want, when you want.

Choose your hire car from economy vehicles to luxury, convertibles and passenger vans at discounted prices throughout the world. For peace of mind, take out DriveAway Hire Car Excess Insurance and be covered for up to $5,000 of vehicle damage or theft against car hire excess for as little as $6.50 per day.

DriveAway Holidays also offers motorhome rentals in USA & Canada, UK & Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Vehicle options range from compact 2 berths to luxury 6-7 berths with additional creature comforts! For the ultimate adventure, lease a brand new Peugeot and travel through up to 30 European countries!

The Peugeot Open Europe program is a great alternative to car rental for longer durations, complete with full factory warranty, unlimited kilometres, 24-hour roadside assistance, full insurance with no excess liability, personal accident insurance and free additional drivers!

Contact your local Travellers Choice consultant on 1300 78 78 58 or visit travellerschoice.com.au to book today!

Travel Tips for Older Adults ONE of the great joys of being an older person is having time and freedom and that includes freedom to travel. The vast majority of older people with and without chronic medical problems can travel safely! However, a few common sense precautions can help to make sure that your trip is everything you planned!

Before you go talk to your doctor about your medical condition(s), and run your itinerary by him. Chronic medical problems should be taken into account. For example, hiking in the Swiss Alps may not be ideal for patients with severe arthritis of the knees or hips; patients with advanced emphysema would want to avoid high altitudes such as the Rocky Mountains. If you’re concerned, ask your doctor!

Take enough of your medicines in their original bottles with you, as well as a list of your chronic medical problems.

Make sure the immunisations you need are up to date based on your travel destination.

If you have a heart problem, keep a copy of your cardiogram with you. Cardiac problems are extremely common in people of all ages, and patients with even minor cardiac problems often have cardiogram changes that can be difficult to interpret without a prior tracing.

Should you become ill with symptoms that may or may not be heart related while travelling, a reference cardiogram can be crucial.

If you get ill before leaving, see your doctor. A minor medical problem can turn into a major hassle when you’re far from home. Do not take chances if you don’t feel well before you leaveask your doctor if travel is still advised.

On your trip, avoid alcohol while flying. This tends to dehydrate travellers, young and old. Dehydration is a major cause of confusion and other medical problems in older people. Stretch frequently if you’re on a long plane ride.

Long periods of immobility can lead to blood clots.

Pace yourself. Try not to cram all your tourism into too little time. One of the joys of being an older traveller is the luxury of time. Rest between major sightseeing jaunts and listen to your body if it’s tired! Definitely take out travel insurance. If you have invested in an expensive trip and have some medical problems that could cause a last minute change of plans, it’s a good investment. Talk to your travel agent about this.

With a little thoughtful planning, you could have the trip of a lifetime! www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

HOLIDAY & Leisure Welcome to Experience Travel & Cruise!

Pip

Jan

IT gives me great pleasure to introduce you to our new brand helloworld!Experience Travel & Cruise Toowoomba (formerly Travelscene Jan Mcsweeney) has been a well-known and respected Travel Agent in Toowoomba and surrounds for over 30 years.

With 56 years combined experience, our 4 dedicated staff will be able to assist you with all your travel needs. We can create all types of itineraries, from independent travel to tours, or just the ultimate relaxation vacation. We can make your dream travel experience come to life, hassle free.

Travelscene American Express has provided us with great offers and unique product to ensure you have a great travel experience. To increase

Paul

Craig

Kym

our buying power and secure additional fantastic offers we are combining with our JTG (JetsetTravelworld Group) sister companies. Harvey World Travel, Jetset, Travelworld and Travelscene American Express have come together to form one new and exciting brand - helloworld. If you’re a Travelscene American Express Membership Rewards card member you can still redeem your points for any travel product.Travelscene Jan McSweeney has decided to be a member of the helloworld group. This enables us to remain independent, have our own unique name, be active in our local community, whilst keeping a personal and direct relationship with you, our loyal customers!

While helloworld is a new name, you should feel reassured that we will still offer you the same great service and familiar faces you’ve come to trust and rely on.These are indeed exciting times and we look forward to seeing you in store soon so that we can talk to you about a whole new travel experience.

We’re excited and we’re sure that you will be too.

Fantastic food, stunning scenery, rich culture make Taiwan beyond all your expectations

TAIWAN in the minds of many is that of a technologically advanced “industrial island”, however there is much more to Taiwan, including a wide array of tourism and ecological resources, a diversity of traditional folk customs, a rich culture, modern arts, and fantastic food.

In short, visitors will discover that Taiwan is “beyond all expectations.”

First known to the West as “Ilha Formosa, or Beautiful Island” Taiwan has more than 200

mountains that soar above 3,000 metres, and the Island’s unique geology and topography have created countless arresting landscapes and alluring coastal scenes.

With world-class natural landscapes such as the awesome Taroko Gorge, at a staggering 19 kilometres long and in places more than 900 metres deep, the towering cliffs on either side frame a yawning marble chasm.

Taiwan is also the repository of true Chinese culture with the

National Palace Museum housing the greatest collection of Chinese art and antiquities anywhere in the world. With ancient pottery, bronzes and jade, Ming vases, Song landscape paintings and calligraphy even a foreign eye can appreciate. In addition Taiwan has one of the world’s tallest certified buildings in Taipei 101, a true engineering marvel.

Being well known for its welcoming friendly people and a great shopping culture Taiwan will imprint indelible memories in the minds of visitors.

Central Taiwan’s Chung Tai Chan Monastery was designed by the same architect as the modern Taipei 101 building, and the 15-storey monastery complex blends Eastern, Western and futuristic styles. The monks and nuns here practice a progressive and socially engaged form of Buddhism and a visit to the Monastery is a “must do.”

Combine this with the advantage of convenient transportation and a unique and safe travel environment that you will want to enjoy again and again.

Travel to Taiwan is relatively easy with China Airlines and EVA Air both having direct flights from Brisbane to Taipei 3 times a week. Freecall Trade Travel on 1800 345 109 for a detailed itinerary today.

Travel is an exciting part of retirement PLANNING a holiday - ensure it remains fun by being prepared and planning for your trip. Smartraveller is the Australian Government’s travel advisory service and is a good place to start when you’re planning a holiday, especially if it’s going to take you overseas.

This site includes safe travel tips such as: organising travel insurance; checking expiry on passports as most countries require a minimum of 6 months before expiration before they let you in the country; checking to see whether you need to organise a visa; organising a supply of any medicines you take for your entire trip and check that the country you are travelling to will accept the

medication you are bringing - your doctor may need to provide you with a letter; immunising yourself, if necessary, before you leave to prevent illnesses which may be common in other countries; protecting your valuables by using locks for bags and organising how you will carry your money and passport; finding out if there are any local customs or laws different from home that you need to follow while overseas; give a copy of your itinerary to a friend or family member who will be able to help you back at home.

Register your travel details with Smartraveller before you leave if you are travelling overseas.

Long Term Options Available

199 Boundary Street, Coolangatta Qld 4225

Toowoomba Southtown Shopping Centre, 144 South Street, Toowoomba

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March 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 29

HOLIDAY & Leisure Sheer Beauty, Sheer perfection

by Phil Hawkes

AUSTRALIANS love Italy. We love Italian food, wine, a certain craziness and “la dolce vita”…the good life. And a holiday in Italy is pretty high on most bucket lists.

So when we decided to go south of Rome instead of north for the first time, the Amalfi Coast beckoned.

We’d heard so much about it, and seen many films and websites, that it seemed like we’d been before.

We were wrong. Hiring a car in Naples, we head south along an autostrada for the first half hour, then there’s a peninsula with twisty, narrow roads until we hit Sorrento… and presto!

The jagged edges of the Amalfi Coast unravel before us. It’s a daunting prospect as we look at

View of Positano this serpentine route high above the cliffs, and it’s like nothing we’ve expected. Sheer drops, total adrenaline with Vespas buzzing like bees all around and large tour coaches like elephants around the corners. It’s all fun, as long as you can keep your cool [ and

temper] in the face of fearless Italian drivers.

Before you reach the city of Salerno there are three main towns to explore, with a huge range of hotels and pensiones…Positano and Amalfi on the coast, and Ravello in the hinterland. They all have

charm by the bucketload but are different in every other way. Positano for trendy boutiques and trattorias specialising in seafood; Amalfi for a busier vibe and nightlife; and Ravello for its ubercool craft shops, the 13th century Villa Rufolo and the Cathedral dating back

Praiano street scene to the same period.

Ravello is one of the most famous [and touristy] mountain towns in Italy, with good reason.

But for us, the highlight is a small coastal village called Praiano, just a few kilometres from Positano with a quieter, more “authentic” feel and some really good restaurants like La Brace, whose pizzas are worth braving the road trip.

There’s also a bar/café where the locals congregate in the evening and will happily practise their English with you as you sip a Campari or a Peroni. Over the next few

days in Praiano we’re overwhelmed by the experience of staying in an extraordinary hotel perched on the side of a steep cliff, with an elevator built through the rocks to the stony beach below.

It’s the Casa Angelina, one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and it’s sheer perfection.

Balconies look out over the blue Mediterranean and the paler blue sky, creating an effect of merging seamlessly into your all-white room. It is very hard to get out of bed and leave this setting, even for the

lavish buffet breakfast which we ranked as our number one choice in the whole of Italy…and that’s saying something.

Casa Angelina is also a showcase for modern art collected by the owner, Signor Cappiello who bought this property in poor condition and has spent a fortune on creating this monument to good taste, Italian style and a sense of humour seen in the glass sculptures by a Mexican artist Sosabravo.

The pervasive atmosphere is one of complete relaxation where subtle music, lighting and the scents of lemon and sandalwood combine to create “a different vision of luxury” as the owner puts it.

It’s topped off by a very fine terrace restaurant where Contemporary meets Italy in a very happy marriage.

The Amalfi Coast should be on every Seniors agenda.

And for sheer beauty and service perfection, you couldn’t find a better place than Casa Angelina. www.amalfitouristoffice.it www.casangelina.com

Travel safe ARE you planning a trip overseas?

When arranging your travel plans it’s important to visit your doctor or a travel clinic, such as Lindsay Street Medical Centre, at least eight weeks before you depart to discuss the necessity for vaccinations and possible booster doses of childhood vaccinations you may need. Many infectious diseases in other countries are preventable through vaccinations. Some of these vaccinations may require a long period to take effect and sometimes more than one dose may be needed, so don’t leave it too late to find out. In some countries it

is an entry requirement for travellers to have their vaccines up-to-date prior to visiting, even if you are there only in transit.You may even be refused entry to some countries without proof of vaccination. There’s also a very real risk if you aren’t vaccinated that you may carry something back into Australia and infect others. So, take the time to discuss your travel plans with the experienced staff at Lindsay Street Medical Centre. They specialise in travel health and can give you up-to-date advice based on your travel plans. Call 4632 9688 to make an appointment.

Specialising in

Travel Arrangements with a Personal Touch

Locally owned and operated Travel Agency 23 Bridge Street Toowoomba Q 4350

(07) 4637 8235

Page 30 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - March 2014

email: enquiries@mypersonaltravelplanner.com.au

www.mypersonaltravelplanner.com.au

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

March 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 31

HOLIDAY & Leisure Norway in a nutshell

Ferry on Fjord

by Allan Blackburn NORWAY is a land of fjords and mountains with some of the world’s

most spectacular scenery. It is a long narrow country, often called the Land of the Vikings. For those short

be done comfortably in one day or it can be split over two or more. It operates between Oslo and Bergen.

The first leg from Oslo is by comfortable train, rising steadily through millions of pine trees with waterfalls sprouting from every orifice in the rocks. Quaint isolated villages dot the hillsides.

The highest point is at Finse, altitude 1222 metres. By then the trees have disappeared and the landscape is rocky and desolate.

Perched high in the mountains is the Hardangerjokul glacier, its blue ice glittering in the sun. The train frequently goes through tunnels and avalanche shelters, both of which tend to make photography somewhat haphazard. The train continues on to Bergen by the direct route but the tour takes a side track at Myrdal and joins another train for the incredible descent to Flam. This 20 km line, built in the 1930s, has 20 on time, a glimpse of this tunnels accounting for beautiful land can be six kilometres of track. obtained by taking a One tunnel corkscrews tour called Norway in a through 3600 as it Nutshell. The tour can descends steeply.

Another tunnel has a window providing stunning views into the valley. It is an audacious feat of engineering and is one of the world’s most attractive and spectacular railway lines.

A stop is made to view the mighty Kjos Waterfall, right alongside the track. As sightseers alight, music begins playing from hidden speakers and a “nymph” in a red dress begins dancing on the rocks. She pops down behind one rock and magically reappears in a different place. It is almost surreal but very interesting. Endless waterfalls and steep ravines mark the valley sides on the approach to Flam. The Rjoande waterfall has a sheer drop of 140 metres. Tiny farms eke out an existence in the harsh and isolated environ-

ment, smoke trailing from chimneys. Flam has about 450 inhabitants. It is a port on the Aurlandsfjord, an arm of the even bigger Sognefjord which is Norway’s deepest and longest fjord, 1308 metres deep and 204km long.

Tourists join a ferry which makes its sedate way down the pristine waters of the fjord, passing a few quaint villages. The scenery is just magnificent – sheersided rock walls hundreds of metres high plunge straight into the clear water. The route turns into another fjord, Naeroyfjord, one of the narrowest in Europe.

The whole fjord is a conservation area on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. The ferry terminates at Gudvangen where yet more waterfalls cascade dizzy distances down smooth rock faces.

The tour then proceeds by bus, ascending steeply to a picturesque hotel perched high over the valley. One section, just 1.5km long has 13 hairpin bends with the bus almost scraping the rocks on one side and seeming to protrude over the sheer drop on the other – quite scary!

Postcard-quality views of the valley distract one from the road hazards.

At Voss the tour rejoins the main railway to Bergen. This town offers year-round skiing, rafting, horse riding, skydiving and helicopter rides. The final leg to Bergen passes many pretty lakes as the train goes through more tunnels on its descent to sea level. The tour is not exactly cheap at around $AUD250 but it is guaranteed to provide many lasting memories.

It is a long day but every minute is treasured.

Travelling in a Winter Wonderland AS we say goodbye to summer and its warmth, our thoughts turn to winter.

For many of us escaping the winter chills to head somewhere warmer always has an appeal. For others who have found summer just too warm, there are so many amazing destinations to visit to enjoy a White Christmas.

I had the pleasure of spending the lead up to Christmas in 2012 travelling through the Harvest Season in Tuscany and into Switzerland and Germany. The crisp winter air, the smell of roasting chestnuts on street corners and the smells of freshly cut Christmas trees evoke beautiful memories. Wandering through Christmas markets in the early evenings with fairy lights decorated buildings and lighting the streets was something to behold. Watching villagers collect olives from trees and enjoying locally produced seasonal food that warms your soul makes me want to return here every year.

For those nervous about the experience there are several options for visiting Europe in Winter. Back Roads Touring Company offer small group departures visiting: • The Amazing Northern Lights of Fin-

land and Lapland for 5 days/ 4 nightsfrom $3745 per person land only • A trip through the Harvest in Tuscany for 7 days/6nights from $2545 per person land only • An Austrian Winter Wonderland travelling from Munich through Austria and CeskyKrumlov for 9 days/8nights from $4085 per person land only • Bavaria and the Romantic Back Road for 7 days/6nights from $2665 per person land only visiting Christmas Markets along the way APT offer unforgettable journeys in Winter including visits to Antartica, the beautiful fairytale villages of Europe and the unique wilderness of Canada.

Whether you prefer to cruise, travel by rail or land there is something for everyone with special Christmas and New Years Eve departures. Imagine river cruising from Amsterdam to Budapest visiting Christmas markets along the way, or crossing the Rockies by rail through winter snow. If you have ever dreamed of travelling in a winter wonderland, call into My Personal Travel Planner at 23 Bridge Street or give us a call on 07 4637 8235. We love making holiday dreams come true.

Get your Travel Advice & Vaccinations or put your health at risk Lindsay Street Medical Group Including Yellow Fever, Malaria Prevention Medications and Gastrokits with consultations.

1300 369 359 www.travelclinic.com.au

Lindsay Street Medical Centre 62 Lindsay Street Toowoomba Page 32 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - March 2014

PH: 4632 9688

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

‘Let Us Entertain You’ . . .

Flute Queen brings French twist to Empire AUSTRALIA’S acclaimed queen of the flute, Jane Rutter will give Empire Theatre audience members a taste of Paris on Friday, March 7. Following the success of her film, An Australian in Paris the mulit-talented flautist will perform her concerttheatre piece, French Kiss, which includes French music from la Belle Epoque to the present day.

Jane Rutter has appeared in the UK, Europe, Asia, USA, South America and is

household name in Australia.

“I studied the flute in Paris in four years. It was the golden age of the flute, when JeanPierre Rampal and Alain Marion were both Professeurs de Flute at the Paris Conservatoire,” Ms Rutter said.

“For me the sound of the flute played in the French/ Rampal style is like a musical embrace.

“It’s a great joy to include my audiences in the experience of being completed, being

Crossword Answers From page 34

embraced by the music.”

Described by ABC Classic FM as one of the country’s leading performance artists, Rutter has released 16 top selling solo albums and was named as one of the top 11 female influences in the classical music world

by Limelight Magazine in 2007. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact the Empire Theatre on 1300 655 299 or visit www.empiretheatre.com.au.

Brain Training Answers From page 35 Add Up: 46 Mini Fit: LIAR Word Builder: Steam, Mason, Items, Mines, Mains, Moans, Monies, Matins, Inseam, Mantis, Foment, Motifs, Inmates, Famines, Moisten, Manifest, Foamiest, Manifesto.

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

Films and documentaries at SLQ DID you know that you can view films and documentaries from the State Library of Queensland (SLQ) and National Film and Sound Archive collections? Use the SLQ search catalogue onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au to find and book one you are interested in. Then watch it in the film viewing room or use one of the mobile viewing stations on levels 2 and 3 of SLQ. Bookings required.

Phone 3840 7810 for further information or view slq.qld.gov.au/ services/ask-us.

Copy deadline for our next edition is 2nd April

March 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 33

community news Seniors Twospeed Crossword Straight Clues

ACROSS 2 Firework 7 Slope on a hill 8 Force down 10 Decision 11 Head cook 12 In this place 13 Upper class 14 Close by 16 Hindu woman’s garment 18 Deposit 20 Gold bar 21 Firearm 22 Actor’s make up

Cryptic Clues

DOWN 1 Running away 2 Grotto 3 Marijuana cigarette 4 Opium based medicine 5 Engraves 6 Speed 9 Chief officers 15 Fishes 17 Relationship 18 Stockpile 19 Nonsense (coll)

Readers, please support our advertisers!

WHEN making inquiries or buying decisions with any of the advertisers in these pages, please tell them that you read about them in Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors Newspaper. Without their advertising support, your paper would not be possible, nor could we continue to employ more mature aged local people to work with us at the paper.

Auspac Media - Answers on Page 33

Shopping centres offer free hire of wheelchairs, motorised scooter, pram and stroller CUSTOMERS visiting centre can access free hire strollers and a motorised Grand Central shopping of wheelchairs, prams, scooter. To book any equipment, please phone the customer service desk on 4639 1378. Bookings can be made up to two weeks in advance. Upon arrival at the centre, visit the customer service desk and provide proof of identity to collect your scooter or wheelchair.

Clifford Gardens offers free hire of both manual and motorised wheelchairs as well as strollers from the customer service desk, with approved identification. Bookings are recommended as numbers are limited. Please phone the customer service desk on 4634 1371.

Hearing impaired or trouble using your existing hearing aids?

ACROSS 2 A thin, crisp biscuit for an exceptional person 7 The sound of a donkey on a Scottish declivity 8 At variance with the representative to put tobacco into a pipe 10 Never dictate some of the findings of a jury 11 In short, preach efficiency to the principal cook 12 Inherently present 13 The pick of the aristocracy 14 Handy to being just round the corner 16 Otherwise airs a traditional garment of Hindu women 18 Arrange a collection 20 When batting, obtained a piece of cast metal 21 Take away a long

DOWN 1 Breaking out and disappearing 2 Engage in speleology outside Canberra, very early 3 Refer, in point, to a double-breasted jacket 4 It acts as a composer of morse in England’s capital 5 Corrodes topless sketches 6 Classify velocity 9 Presents, without identification, to nation leaders 15 Points of view from intersections 17 Undertaking a business matter 18 Hide away some of the worst ashes 19 A journey to the east produced rubbish

Word Trivia Leptothricosis and leucocy tozoans, each 14 letters long, are the longest words that can be typed using strictly alternating hands.

Tuesday Talks

Refer testimonial on page 23 of this paper.

2ND Tuesday only of each month Next Talks are on March 11th at Jamaica Blue Coffee Shop at the Ridge Shopping centre on Hume St, Toowoomba.

The talks are FREE and feature a different guest speaker each month. Our March speaker will be Claire Moore of Toowoomba Body Talk.

Please contact Barb on 0414 999 714 or barb@liveinsynergy.com.au

Seniors SPECIAL OFFER. (RRP $490)

$

395

+ P&H $19.95

*

 0437 432 728 OR 1300 432 728

Page 34 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - March 2014

* SEE Website for details

EDITORIAL DEADLINE for April edition of Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors Newspaper is April 2nd, 2014 www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

‘Let Us Entertain You’ . . .

Pops Orchestra celebrates 30th Anniversary Concert THIS year the Queensland Pops Orchestra commemorates its 30th Anniversary and to celebrate it has prepared a year filled with Pops favourites.

On 17 May 2014 the Pops, lead by conductor Patrick Pickett, will present the 30th Anniversary concert and this will feature internationally renowned singer Mirusia Louwerse and the Pops pinup boy Gregory Moore at the Queensland Performing Arts Complex.

Queensland born

Mirusia has risen to international stardom through her performances with Andre Rieu.

Referred to by him as “The Angel of Australia” Mirusia continues to enjoy amazing success with Andre’s concert tours around the world.

Mirusia is also enjoying great success with her own concert tours across Europe and Australia.

Like Mirusia, Gregory Moore had some of his earliest stage performances with the Queensland Pops Orchestra. He became

the face of the Pops “Scotland the Brave” series and has remained one of the Pops more requested artists.

Gregory will be back to sing those songs that have made him a favourite over the years.

This concert will feature some of the most popular pieces ever played by the Pops. The Friends of the Pops have been asked to vote for their most loved pieces of music and Patrick will have the unenviable tasks of refining the program down to the

most requested. Also joining the Pops orchestra is a rising young pianist Chai Jie. The 16 year old currently attending school at St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School will make her concert debut with the full orchestra on this concert playing Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

This program will also feature some of the many hundreds of musicians who have played with the Pops over the last 30 years. This will include a violin solo by the long

serving Concertmaster Julie-Anne O’Reilly.

The finale of this concert is sure to be one of the most spectacular ever.

The celebrations will be triumphant and not only designed to celebrate the last 30 years but a real launching pad for the next phase of the orchestras history. There are two performance only of this concert on 17 May 2014 - Matinee at 2.30pm and an evening performance at 8.00pm. Tickets are on sale now through QPAC 136246 or www.qpac.com.au

A feast of Southern Downs gardens 15 & 16 March 2014 These three lovely home gardens in the Southern Downs are all opening with Open Gardens Australia for the very first time.

Davey Family Garden This award-winning garden of sweeping lawns and extensive Mediterranean plantings is a tribute to the hard work of the Davey family – kids included – over more than two decades. Pencil pines, mulberry, claret ash and beautiful crepe myrtles are complemented by vibrant bougainvilleas, daylilies, cannas, grevilleas, salvias and gorgeous roses. Topiary swans perch on the banks of rocky creek beds and huge terracotta pots add drama to the lovely setting. Glorious views and

Davey Family Garden

lots of local wildlife complete the picture.

There will be old time and country music performances. Teas and light lunches will be available and plants will be for sale.

Garden address 118 Ryans Road, Mount Marshall. 15 th and 16 th March 2014, 10am to

4.30pm. Admission $7 under 18 free.

Kyle Garden A garden owner who loves mowing is a rare breed indeed! But Mary Kyle says it’s her favourite task because it allows her to take in all parts of the gorgeous three-acre garden she has created with husband Ri-

chard. The sweeping, carpet-like lawns certainly make this generous garden feel like a park. A pair of magnificent golden elms take centre stage, while paths wind beneath arbours draped with the scented blooms of wisteria and roses. A charming avenue of Prunus nigra leads to a pond and bridge, and a three-tiered wrought iron fountain adds a touch of European elegance to the landscape. Light refreshments will be provided by the RSL and a sausage sizzle will be provided by The Men’s Shed. Plants will also be for sale. Garden address 46 Raff Street, Allora. Opening 15 th and 16th March 2014, 9am to dusk. Admission $7 under 18 free.

Help map Queensland’s real estate history

QUEENSLANDERS have a fascination with real estate: buying it, selling it, renovating it. But, have you ever stopped to think about the origins of your (or your parents’ or grandparents’) block? State Library of Queensland (SLQ) has a unique and stunning collection of real estate maps and plans documenting 100 years of selling property in Queensland.

To share these historical works of art with the world, 800 physical documents need to be preserved and converted to digital versions so they can be made discoverable online.

As the first project for the new Legacy Partners Program, Queensland Library Foundation is offering the opportunity for 100 people to donate $1000 each to support the digitisation of 800 Queensland real estate maps. If you have a passion for heritage and places and you are interested in supporting this goal, please contact: Queensland Library Foundation, PO Box 3488, South Brisbane 4101 or phone 3840 7865. For further information view slq.qld.gov.au/about-us or email: foundation@slq.qld.gov.au.

Reppels A charming English-style cottage garden brimming with daisies, lavender, perennials and box hedges envelops a restored 1885 timber cottage. Dozens of gorgeous roses decorate garden beds and drape over an arbour. There is a lovely ornamental grapevine and fragrant star jasmine.

Hanging baskets and thoughtfully placed garden ornaments add interest. There is also a flourishing vegetable patch.

Teas will be available.

Garden address 21 Drayton Street, Allora.

Opening 15th and 16 th March 2014, 9am to dusk.

Admission $7 under 18 free. Open Gardens Australia: 25 Years and Growing www.opengarden.org.au

Do you have a story to tell about Queensland history?

EACH year, the John Oxley Library Fellowship of $20,000 is awarded for a research project that helps piece together our history, bringing to light forgotten narratives of our state’s communities and places. The fellowship includes a workspace within the John Oxley Library for 12 months to explore the information rich resources and access library staff expertise and advice.

This is a chance to immerse yourself in research leading to new knowledge about Queensland’s history.

Download an application form at slq.qld.gov.au.

Applications close 17 March 2014.

Royal Australian Artillery Band Diamond Jubilee IN 2014 the Royal Australian Artillery Band, 1st Field Regiment will celebrate its Diamond Jubilee. To mark the important milestone they will be perform a Beat the Retreat Ceremony and 1812 Overture complete with the firing of canons. This promises to be an event not to be missed.

The Diamond Jubilee will be held on Saturday, 29 March from 5.30pm-7pm at South Bank, Cultural Forecourt. Free event.

Answers on page 33 www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

March 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 35

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