Toowoomba & darling downs seniors newspaper april 2014

S ENIORS ONE S TOP

Toowoomba

& Darling Downs Bringing you healthy lifestyle choices

INFORMATION LINE

PHONE 131872

Newspaper

SENIORS ENQUIRY LINE

1300 135 500

www.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au/change

Your Local Seniors’ Newspaper - Written for Seniors by Seniors

Vol 2 - Issue No 3

April 2014

1300 880 265

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

Talk to a real person

FREE

Harmony Day embraces Toowoomba’s multicultural population

By Jo Marsh

Tomnet members (from left) Ted Luck, Tom Hansen, Chris Smitherman, Neil Wright and Klaus Merretz fed the crowds at Harmony Day with sausage sangers and roasted bunya nuts Elizabeth Kopel (left) and Lilly Wala,originally from PNG, are volunteers at TRAMS (Toowoomba Refugee and Migrant Support) and came to Harmony Day to watch their friends’ display of traditional dancing

Members of Women in Harmony choir (from left) DelimaFaigl, Norma McLellan, Helen Goodfellow and Jennifer Wright (Summers) lifted spirits with their delightful voices at the Harmony Day celebrations

AFRICAN drumming band Dudu Zulu’srhythmic music heralded the start of Harmony Day celebrations at Toowoomba’s village green on March 21.The multi-cultural day was one of sharing and joy as members of different ethnic communities entertained the crowds through song, dance and music.

Toowoomba’s Women in Harmony choir lifted spirits with their beautiful voices.

Choir member Jennifer Wright (Summers) enjoyed connecting with festivalgoers through their singing.

“We can sing in 27 different languages and always feel better when we connect with each other,” she said.

Lucy White and members of her U3A Tai Chi class demonstrated traditional yang-style Chinese tai chi, and Kiyua Performing Arts wowed the crowd with an original dance composition by talented, 16 year-old Breanna Himstedt.

Library and Cultural Services portfolio holder, Cr Ros Scotney, said Harmony Day focuses on sharing aspects of the various cultures, faiths and languages that make up Toowoomba.

Continued on Page 2

community news Toowoomba & Darling Downs

Harmony Day embraces Toowoomba’s multicultural population

Newspaper ABN 26 089 559 697

Independently Owned & Operated IN THIS ISSUE Law & Finance .............. Page 18 Health ............................ Page 21 Lifestyle .......................... Page 25 Travel ............................. Page 27 Entertainment ................ Page 33 Crossword ..................... Page 34 All Advertising, Editorial & Distribution enquiries:

1300 880 265 Email: advertising@seniorsnewspaper.com.au editor@seniorsnewspaper.com.au P.O. Box 1062, Tewantin Q. 4565

Subscribe Now Only $36.30 for 1 year (11 Editions) subscription - includes GST & postage anywhere in Australia. Call 1300 880 265

Toowoomba Seniors Now Online

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 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.

U3A members (from left) Nancy Kenway, Linda Mangubhai, and Leonie Jackel joined in the Harmony Day festivities

Continued from Page 1 “Harmony Day provides an opportunity for residents to embrace the many things that make them special and to share those things with the rest of the

community,” Cr Scotney said.

“The day is about community participation, inclusiveness and respect – a day to reflect on where Australia has come

from, recognise the traditional owners of the land and to promote our country as a place in which all the people see a place for themselves in the future,” she said.

Sergeant Tony Rehn and Volunteer in Policing Nina Makueirepresented Queensland Police at the Harmony Day festival

National Seniors defends health card NATIONAL Seniors has defended the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) after reports that the Commission of Audit may be considering changing the eligibility rules for the card. The CSHC grants low income self-funded retirees access to cheaper medicines; state, territory and local government concessions; and a Seniors Supplement for rates and utilities.

The Coalition promised to index the CSHC income limits during the 2013 election campaign. CSHC income limits are $50,000 for singles and $80,000 for couples. These have not

Friendly Country Style Care at BEAUARABA LIVING!

risen since 2001.

These limits do not include “tax free” income such as superannuation.

However it has been revealed that the Commission of Audit is now looking at redefining income to include superannuation income which will leave some self-funded retirees ineligible for the card.

National Seniors chief executive Michael O’Neill said seniors were already feeling anxious about any changes to the CSHC. “Seniors expect the government to honour its CSHC indexation election commitment – just as the government insists on

honouring the Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) amendments to financial advisers and $20 million marriage counselling voucher scheme to the Christian lobby,’’ he said.

“Beyond that, any changes to the health care card recommended by the Commission of Audit must be debated and considered in the context of all changes across the board.”

National Seniors defended the CSHC in the media on Channel 7, Channel 9, The Australian Financial Review, Sydney Morning Herald, Courier Mail and more.

Enter Our Competitions Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show See Page 4 Australian Model Railway Association Show See Page 33

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 - April 2014

What do you think is special about your area?

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 and the Darling Downs 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. www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

community news Condamine Valley/Warwick QCWA celebrates 90 years

FOR 90 years the Condamine Valley/ Warwick QCWA has been a core of strength for women in the region. The Condamine Valley branch started in April 1924 as a break-away group from the Warwick branch (which was formed in 1922), when those living out of town found meetings times inconvenient.

Such was the need for companionship and support among these physically isolated women that membership increased from 22 to a staggering 146 within the first two months. The first president of the Condamine Valley branch was Mrs Molphy. She, along with other members, started visiting country areas explaining that the CWA was working “to draw together women and their families, to improve their welfare, conditions, education facilities, and to help them study local municipal affairs, and to secure better provisions for public health, medical and hospitals for country districts”.

Travelling around the countryside in those early years was no mean feat, so the branch was delighted when Mr Robert Grieve offered the use of his motor car for country visits.

The branch rented rooms above the Majestic Café in King Street, Warwick for meetings and a rest room, creating a haven where women could attend to children, rest and enjoy a chat and a cuppa, and where parcels could be left in safety. A full, homecooked meal cost one shilling and afternoon tea cost sixpence.

Those who came on

reflect their close connection. Since then, the members have continued to support the community

Condamine Valley/Warwick branch members celebrated the branch’s 70th anniversary in 1994

horses or with buggies or sulkies could leave them in a paddock behind the café while they attended to their affairs.

When the café increased the rent to five shillings a day, the rest room had to be closed but meetings soon moved to the RSL in King Street which provided a welcoming space for many years.

Branch members were tireless fundraisers, holding numerous raffles, street stalls and concerts. During the Great Depression they provided essential assistance to those in need by offering food, clothing and emergency accommodation, and by helping out wherever possible.In the ensuing years, as war enveloped

the nation, the branch rallied to support soldiers and their families.

In 1962, the branch bought their own rooms – a twostorey building consisting of a bakery shop and an upstairs flat. Just four years later, they were able to demolish the old building and erect a purposebuilt centre which continues to house the organisation today. The new rooms were built to include a tea room, a mothers’ room, and a hall.

When the Warwick branch closed in 1978, their members were welcomed to the branch and the name was adjusted to

and have worked diligently to ensure the original aims and objectives of the CWAhave been up-

held – giving “service to country women, for country women, by country women”.

Make life easier with an Acorn Stairlift An Acorn Stairlift could be the key to retaining your independence, while still being able to enjoy the beauty and space of the home you love.

Direct from the manufacturer Best price guaranteed Safe, reliable and trouble free For straight or curved staircases Ask about our free home assessment Indoor and outdoor lifts available

In 1974, president Mrs M Livard made a presentation to Mrs E Molphy, the foundation president of Condamine Valley branch of QCWA, as the branch celebrated it’s 50th anniversary

Why I call Toowoomba home the peaceful serenity you have the evening

by Ellen Brownley where I live and the clear cool without humidity alMANY would consider me a newcomer to Toowoomba and I guess, in reality I am. I have moved here from Brisbane where I had lived, worked and raised a family. There comes a change in my circumstances when my children leave home and my husband dies leaving me yearning for change in my life.

I meet Bob who is destined to become my second husband and hales from Toowoomba. My life turns 180 degrees and I move here and fall in love with this beautiful area and its wonderful inhabitants.

Why do I love Toowoomba so much?

There are many reasons with the main one being

blue unpolluted skies.

The ability to drive anywhere without the choking traffic congestion experienced in the city at any given time.

Wherever you are, there are magnificent views which entice you to search further. This is so good for the soul.

There are so many parks and gardens in Toowoomba, all very well maintained by council, and you see these parks put to good use by families. It is refreshing to be a bystander.

The four defining seasons are a joy to experience (this does not happen in subtropical areas from whence I have come). Being able to have hot days but when the sun sinks low in the sky,

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

lowing you to sleep in comfort.

There are many festivals celebrated here, Carnival of Flowers and Easterfest, to name just a couple, the multiculturalism, cafe society so alive and enjoyable, so many theatres featuring world class entertainment, so many clubs catering for all interests, so many churches to foster any faith, being able to walk down any street and meet someone you know and where you are not another face – all this I find exhilarating.

Having been reared a country girl, it is so nice to feel that I am back where I belong.

Why do I like Toowoomba? I don’t just like it, I LOVE it.

April 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 3

community news Lapidary club helps unearth hidden gems IF YOU’VE ever hankered after a large diamond or giant gem stone, you might be surprised to find that some people actually prefer their precious stones tiny. Not just tiny, but microscopic to be exact.

Toowoomba’s Lapidary Club has a number of members who are fasci-

nated by micro minerals – minerals and crystals that need to be viewed with a microscope.

Club president David Radke said the collection of micro minerals is becoming more popular.

“There is a fascinating world under the microscope,” he said.

“Micro mounted crystals

are easy to store as they don’t take up much space.”

This mini-world of exquisite colours and structures offers collectors a huge variety of specimens at affordable prices.

The Toowoomba Lapidary Club currently has about 80 members with a diverse range of interests.

A Wonderful Way to keep Loved Ones Close MEMORIAL ROCK SAFES AUSTRALIA

A unique loving alternative for the interment of a loved ones ashes • Strong • Beautiful • Practical • Economical • Sealable Internal Chamber can inter 2 Ash Containers • Individually handcrafted and coloured • Light weight (30kg), reinforced concrete. 50cmx40cmx30cm

For More Information, Please Call Bud Manthey on 0413770272 memorialrocks.com.au

Page 4 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - April 2014

stones. There are those interested in crystals, precious and semi-precious stones, and fossils hold a fascination for all ages.

The ultimate is to fossick for a rough piece of precious material, facet it into a sparkling gemstone, create a silver setting to fashion it into a beautiful piece of jewellery.

The club workshop is Lapidary club members can learn to cut and open on Tuesday and polish a cabochon using a 6-wheel grinder Thursday evenings from Some prefer fossicking, many enjoy cutting and 7pm to 9pm at 4 William others are collectors and polishing their gem Street, Toowoomba for

members. Other workshops like silver smithing are scheduled for one Saturday each month, and specialist courses are available by arrangement.

Visitors are welcome to drop by the clubhouse and have a chat about their interests.

Many visitors pop by to have gemstones identified. To find out how you can become a memberor for more information contact David on 4636 1612.

Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show THE premier event on the Asia-Pacific boat show calendar, the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, will be held at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast from May 22-25, 2014.

The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is the complete marine lifestyle showcase.

As well as access to some of the world’s most prestigious and innovative boats and marine brands, visitors of all ages will enjoy an demonstrations. action-packed program This year the Sanctuary Cove International Boat of entertainment and Show celebrates its 26th anniversary with plans well underway for a bigger, brighter, fresher and more compelling event. www.sanctuarycoveboat show.com

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WIN TICKETS TO THIS SHOW

Children under 18 are FREE when accompanied by an adult.

PLUS when you buy your tickets online, you will automatically go in the draw to WIN a $5000 to spend at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

We have 20 Double Passes to give away!

Send your entry to International Boat Show Competition, Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors Newspaper, PO Box 1062, Tewantin, 4565 with your name, address and phone number on the back of the envelope no later than Monday 21st April 2014. *Terms & Conditions Apply – visit www. sanctuarycoveboat show.com

Congratulations to our winners!

THANK YOU and congratulations to last months winners, Marcia Brettell and George Deacon for helping us in our quest to make your paper bigger. Marcia and George 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 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) Competition finishes this April edition. www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

community news Grandfather’slegacy inspires grandsons to take to the skies IN 1915, when Hector Markey left Australia with the 6th Field Ambulance headed for Gallipoli, he could never have guessed he would return home an officer and a pilot. Nor would he have ever dreamt that nearly 100 years later, his two grandsons had been inspiredby his life and become pilots themselves.

At 19, Hector Markey joined thousands of young men ready to fight for their country.

Hitting the war-ravaged Turkish peninsula, stretcher bearer Private Markey, with his donkey Bobby,ferried the wounded from the front line back to the makeshift hospital on Gallipoli’s Brighton Beach. In less busy times, he would load sacks of mail onto Bobby’s back and traipse back up the cliffs to bring a moment of cheer to his mates.

He was promoted to Corporal in November 1915, then shortly after was made Sergeant.

When his unit moved to France, so too did Sgt Markey.

During his time in the Somme battles he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and received four recommendations for mentions in despatches. In November 1917, he was finally awarded a Mention in Despatches for his “distinguished services and devotion to duty in the field”.

Hector Markey’s son David shakes his head sadly when he thinks of the nightmare his father lived through.

“I can’t imagine what he went through,” he said.

“When a call came for volunteers to train as pilots he took that step out of the mud in the Somme.”

It was March 1918 when Staff Sgt Markey transferred to the Australian Flying Corps based in England. Upon his graduation he was promoted to Second Lieutenant but by the time his training was complete, the war was over and he was repatriated to Australia in December 1919.

After trying his hand as a farmer on a soldier

settlement in Victoria, Hector married and moved to Warwick in Queensland, where he farmed until his death in 1967.

Hector Markey was stoic and philosophical – he was a man who took on the chin whatever life handed to him.He was a true Australian hero – for

what he did and what he survived.

It is a legacy that has inspired his grandsons, John a commercial helicopter pilot and army reservist, and William, a fixedwing commercial pilot.

It is a legacythat will continue to inspire future generations of the Markey family.

CARETAKERS REQUIRED FOR HISTORIC BOONDOOMA HOMESTEAD Lt Hector Markey (front, left) trained as a pilot after enduring the horrors of Gallipoli and the Somme

Permanent or casual caretaker couple required.

The position involves welcoming visitors to the Heritage listed site, guided tours, taking bookings and receiving fees from overnight campers, caravaners, and cabin hire, as well as mowing and maintaining the gardens and grounds.

Applicants must have a keen interest in history, or be prepared to learn the History of Boondooma Station.

A rent free furnished cottage is provided with power and phone supplied, along with some remuneration and other incentives.

Apply in writing to: The Boondooma Museum & Heritage Association Inc. P O Box 87, Proston, Qld. 4613

David Markey (centre) is proud of his sons John (left) and William who have followed in their grandfather’s footsteps and become pilots

Email : info@boondoomahomestead.org.au Website : www.boondoomahomestead.org.au Phone : (07) 4168 0168

Step out in style with ...

419 Ruthven St

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

4632 3577

April 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 5

community news Dedicated team keeps Queensland’s racing heritage galloping at Doomben

By JIM BOWDEN THE plucky 13-year-old skidded his bicycle to a stop alongside the horse float at Doomben racecourse. Noel Best, who was to become a champion jockey, hoped to catch a glimpse of the mighty Bernborough who had just won the Doomben Cup that amazing day in early June 1946.

“A group of men were standing around the float and I went up and asked a flashy guy chewing a cigar if I could please pat

his horse,” recalled Noel, now 81, and still treading the turf at Doomben.

“Well, he said ‘sure, young fella’, and they backed the big bay colt out of the float. I tried to pat his head but he was too tall for me, so I stroked his shoulder.

“He stood over 17 hands and had a huge stride of 26 ft [7.9 m], not unlike Phar Lap.” Noel Best recounted stories about the famous Darling Downs-bred Bernborough as we as- Veteran jockey Noel Best holds up the1946 Doomben $10,000 Cup won by cended to the refurbished Bernborough and admired by archive committee members, from left, Jan Carnegie, treasurer; Alayne Petersen, secretary; Karen Best (Noel’s Brisbane Racing Club daughter), and Kerry Woodlock, president, Thoroughbred Racing History Association

archive, located in the old press rooms on Level 1 of the public grandstand at Doomben.

The jolly cigar chewer on that June day in 1946 was Bernborough’s owner, the colourful Sydney restaurateur Azzalin Romano, whose Romano restaurant Crowds flock to touch Queensland-bred attracted the cream of high Bernborough after the mighty bay colt won the society in the 1940s.

1946 Newmarket Handicap. The horse’s winning Trained by Harry Plant, a run ended in sensational circumstances at the noted buckjump rider from Caulfield Cup that same year. Burdened with a north Queensland, staggering 10st 10lb (68kg), he was sent out a Bernborough was foaled hot 7/4 favourite. Despite his massive handicap, at Rosalie Plains near Bernborough might have won but for striking Oakey in 1939. He won 15 severe interference at vital stages feature races in a row and

was the only horse to win the Doomben 10,000 [then the Ahern Memorial Handicap] and Doomben Cup in the one year – 1946.In the Cup, Bernborough had to carry 17 kg more than his closest rival Tea Cake who was burdened with just 8.2 (51.5 kg). This was an era of huge handicaps, but there are few horses in Australian history that have ever won a classic race with 10.11. Phar Lap was famously beaten with 10.10 in the 1931 Melbourne Cup – and

Keeping you Mobile & Independent

whilst in your own home!

Preferred supplier & service partner to Allianz Global Assistance Toowoomba for the provision of Mobility & Functional Support (MFS) products & services under the DVA RAP Program

10.10 is also the weight that stopped Bernborough in the 1946 Caulfield Cup. But 10.11, a weight greater than that which caused these famous two de-

feats, didn’t even go close to stopping Bernborough in the 1946 Doomben Cup. In 1948, two years after the thrill of stroking Queensland’s most iconic racehorse, Noel Best, aged just 15, won the Doomben 10,000 riding Murray Stream.

Today, Noel can often be found out at the Doomben course swapping yarns with his mates.

And he’s happy to be a volunteer at the racecourse archives.

Enjoying the collection of photographs, diaries, racing calendars, scrapbooks, historical registers and equine memorabilia, we chatted with Kerry Woodcock, president of the Thoroughbred Racing History Association.

Kerry, who originally hails

from Thallon in southwest Queensland, extends a warm invitation to groups of seniors to visit the archives, which are now open on Wednesdays from 10 am to 3 pm.

“Visitors are always welcome as well as those ‘hands on’ supporters of Queensland’s racing heritage who would like to assist with this important work of researching and preserving the past,” Kerry said. The archives incorporate the James McGill Library; a wall full of pictorial records by famous racing photographer Al Pascoe; displays of premiership apprentices, trainers and jockeys – and a lot more.

Individual or group tour bookings can be made with Kerry on (07) 3217 4701.

Warwick VIEW Club embarks on local membership drive AS part of its new year membership drive, VIEW in Warwick is looking for newly retired or community-minded women to join their local club. This membership drive is really important to our VIEW club so we can continue our volunteer work with The Smith Family and support local children and families.

We’re looking for women from all backgrounds and ages. Many of our members are retired teachers who find it very rewarding to remain involved in the education of young Australians in need.

Apart from raising awareness and fundraising, VIEW members volunteer their time and talents in a number of ways. Members read with local children to advance their literacy skills; help children with homework after school at Smith Family Learning Clubs; act as mentors for students; make library bags; donate school stationery packs for use

at home and school and donate funds for toys and books for children in need at Christmas time. In our area we are involved with fundraising to support our Learning for Life student. At each monthly lunch meeting we set aside a small amount of the cost and the proceeds of a Raffle and Lucky Door, for the Smith Family. In addition, throughout the year we organize Bring & Buy Days - Trash & Treasure or Plants. Our major fundraiser is our Birthday Celebration in October. To find out more about VIEW in Warwick call President Sue Lundie-Jenkins on 46679208 or Coral Wilkie 4661 9406 (Club Secretary).

Come along to the next Warwick VIEW Club meeting at the Warwick Golf Club Hawker Road on Wednesday 3rd, April at 11am. To find out more about VIEW visit the website at www.view.org.au or call 1800 805 366.

Smile with confidence Prof Matthias Bickel Dr med dent (berne, Switzerland), Phd, Specialist SSRD

Dentist/Prosthodontist

GK9 Compact scooter to go in the car. Range 20Km. Was $1725 For the month of April $1550

QT4 Compact scooter to go in the car, Range 20Km. Was $1495 For the month of April $1350 FEATURES: Great Turning Circle, Flat Fee Tyres, Shopping Basket, Easy To Dismantle and Assemble, Swivel Seat, Lift up Armrest, Excellent for Indoor Use, No Clips or Plugs to Dismantle

888SE Mid-Size Scooter 8hp Motor, Front and Rear Suspension Range 40Km Was $2600 For the month of April $2500 This also includes a FREE Large Rear Bag, Scooter Cover and Flag Normally valued at $155.40

We stock a full range of electric scooters and wheelchairs Come in today and speak with one of our friendly staff

8 Mylne St, Toowoomba - PH: 07 4637 1899 mobility@friendliespharmacy.com.au I

www.friendliesmobility.com.au

Page 6 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - April 2014

OPEN SATURDAYS

Specialising in • Comprehensive, natural looking restorations • Crowns • Bridges • Removable or fixed full or partial dentures • Implants and implant based restorations • No Referrals Necessary

Unit 108 Medici Centre, 15 Scott St, Toowoomba www.betterpros.com.au

1300 242 535

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

community news Take time in Australian Heritage Week to enjoy our region runs from Saturday, April 12 to Sunday, April 20 and was instigated to raise public awareness of the importance of conserving and protecting Australia’s most special heritage places.

Many towns and communities around Australia hold events in Heritage Week to showcase their local heritage around the country.

This year, the Royal Bull’s Head Inn will be open on Sunday, May 04 at Drayton for a day of travellers’ tales, bush tea and damper.

Jondaryan woolshed, between Oakey and Dalby Cost is $5 for adults, $3 THE Darling Downs has portant historic sites, and case just a few places child, $15 family, and $3 a rich heritage of natural as Australian Heritage worth seeing around the concession. Entry is free for National Trust memwonders, places of cul- Week is held in April, we region. tural significance, and im- thought we would show- Australian Heritage Week bers.

The Royal Bulls Head Inn at Drayton

Digital Hub helps connect the community IMAGINE being able to connect with your son for the first time in six years. Through the knowledge learnt at the Lockyer Valley Digital Hub, a man has found his lost son and is now in regular contact with his family, exchanging photos with his granddaughter. This is just one of the success stories which have transpired over the past year. As part of an Australian Government funded initiative, under the Digital Hubs Program, the Lockyer Valley Digital Hub opened

TOENAIL CUTTING in your own Home Yes We Come to You! Professional foot care at an affordable price with the convenience of coming to you in the comfort of your own home.

“Servicing Seniors for 12 years”

SENIORS SPECIAL FROM ONLY $35 Call The Toenail People 1300 885 972 Franchises Available

its doors for the first time in April 2013. In less than a year there has been about 630 one-on-one and group lessons delivered to the community with more than 1000 participants in total. When Lockyer Valley Regional Council was announced as one of the first regions in Australia to receive funding for this program, Mayor Steve Jones had no doubt it would be a success – he just didn’t realise how much of a success it would be. “The Lockyer Valley Digital Hub has been a real blessing for this community,” he said.

“Some of the stories which have emerged from this program are quite remarkable. “We had one man over 70 years of age at the Hub who knew virtually nothing when he walked in the door. After just a few lessons he learnt how to tether his phone, connect to Bluetooth in the car and play music and read library books on an iPad. “Another great story comes from a handicapped participant who has struggled to be independent and comes to one-on-one sessions with his carer. In the past he found it difficult to count to 10 and he has now learnt how to count from 1-40 which has made a major change in his life.” Located within the Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre, the NBN demonstration area usage is higher than 500 users per month with almost 6000 users to date. “We have experienced great numbers so far and in particular, the most people coming to the Hub are the elderly,” Cr Jones said.

“A lot of the people who come in want to know how to use Apple iPads and Android Tablets.

“We recently had a retiree in who learnt how to use his Android Tablet in just a few lessons and now Skypes to his brother overseas frequently.” The Digital Hubs Program runs until March 2015.

For more information visit www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au or contact Lockyer Valley Regional Council on 1300 005 872.

Enlarged Prostate?

Do you suffer from these symptoms?

• Frequent urination • Painful urination

• A weak stream • Constantly feeling that your bladder isn’t empty Seek advice from your doctor if you suffer from these symptoms

1 in 3 Australian men above 50 will suffer from an enlarged prostate Magnus ShieldTM contains CernitinTM, the Swedish pollen extract proven in extensive clinical trials to support a healthy prostate and treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

“Thank you for sending out Magnus Shield. I really believe they have been a great benefit to me. Before Magnus Shield, I was going to the toilet 3 or 4 times a night, now using Magnus Shield I’ve been going once a night, sometimes not at all” John W, Benalla, VIC – 18 Jan 2010 “I found these tablets Magnus Shield from a magazine. I found it helped me to empty my bladder at night time and relieve the pain while passing water. It really works for me” Paul E, Ormond – 22 April 2008.

Call 1300 760 627 Always read the label. If symptoms persist seek the advice of a healthcare practitioner. - Approval No. CHC36636-04/07 www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

Terry White Chemists Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre, James St. Toowoomba QLD 4350 MacLean Country Pharmacy Shop 3a / 4664 Mt. Lindesay Hwy. North Maclean QLD 4280 Terry White Chemists Burpengary Shop 16 Burpengary Plaza, Station Rd. Now Available Burpengary QLD 4505 Magnus Shield TM Terry White Chemists is available at good Shop 138, 400 Stafford Rd. Stafford QLD 4053 pharmacies and Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse health food stores.

Cannon Hill Homemaker Centre Ask your pharmacist Shop 5B, 1881 Creek Rd. Cannon Hill QLD 4170 or call Terry White Chemists 1300 760 627 Shop 16 Stockland Shopping Centre for more 47 Bowman Rd. information, if our Caloundra QLD 4551 lines are busy please Terry White Chemists Shop 120 Sunshine Plaza call again.

MAROOCHYDORE QLD 4558 Station Square Chemist Shop 27 Lennox St. AUST L: 123642 Maryborough QLD 4650 Visit magnusprime.com for clinical studies Healthy Life Aitkenvale and information. For nearest stockists Shop 93, Stockland Plaza please call: 1300 760 627 TOWNSVILLE QLD 4814

Magnus ShieldTM

April 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 7

community news Cook book helped returned soldiers make ends meet

by Jo Marsh

IN THE aftermath of both WWI and WWII, many returned soldiers had difficulty finding employment, andtheir situation was even more acute if they had physical disabilities.

Soldiers returning with eye problems had a particularly hard time finding employment and the small pension they received was barely enough to survive on, especially if they were married.

One inventive soldier, George Riley, who had suffered damage to his eyes in WWI, created and published a book of recipes which enabled similarly afflicted soldiers the opportunity to make a few extra

shillings by selling the book throughout their community.

At least one version existed in the 1920s, and

by WWII, the Digger Cookery Book – Part One “promised 140 recipes for making good cooks better”.

Each booklet was described as being “sold by none other than a Partially Blinded Soldier”.

The recipes included many staples of the day including plenty of rabbit, lamb and offal dishes. These were complemented by suet puddings, and a variety of pies, cakes and pastries. A recipe for American Meat Shortage, reads like an Australian meatloaf but with a pastry-style top.

The cooking instruc-

WANTED OLD WARES

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

0412341073 or 07 46383393

tions were simple and often included a garnish of parsley, and a reminder to”turn out and serve at once, piping hot”. While the cookbook offers recipes that are nutritious and costefficient, the author has the last laugh on the back page. In all seriousness, he announces a section called Hints for Beginnnersand includes topics such as “How to cook potatoes”, “Saucepans: their Habits”, and “Salt Rule”.

Below is the authors approach for beginners to cook potatoes: How to cook potatoes: The quickest way to mash potatoes is to sit on them.

But if you want to do it the hard way, use a wooden spoon. If you

haven’t a wooden spoon, we recommend the following wartime substitutes: (a) Leg of chair; (b) axe handle; (c) copper stick. The water has to boil before the potatoes have an even money chance of getting cooked. To see if the water is boiling submerge one of your fingers.

Leave it for a few moments, and when you pull it out, if it has any skin left on it, then the water is not boiling.

If there is no skin left on it, it logically follows that the water is boiling.

Unique exhibition explores the legacy of war

The Digger Cookery Book was created for sale by partiallyblinded returned soldiers, therebysupplementing their meagrepension

Who said cook books can’t be humourous?

AFTERthe end of World War One, when the guns fell silent and the rejoicing receded,people, and indeed nations, were keen to get on with their lives.

However, what stared them in the face was not their old way of life but a new reality, an uncertain future that was markedly changed from pre-war life.

Families were left to come to terms with the legacy of four long years of bloody conflict which for many, meant trying to find out what had happened to their husbands, sons and brothers who didn’t come home, or dealing with the physical and mental changes afflicting those who did return.

For returned servicemen it meant trying to find a place in a changed world, and for some it meant never fitting back into society, as they knew it. The National Archives of Australia, using items from its rich collection, has mounteda touring exhibition which explores the impact of war on Australia and its people.

Shell-shocked: Australia after Armistice is a uniquedisplay of rare documents and items covering the armistice, repatriation, grieving and remembrance.

The display includes the original cablegram received from London on November 11, 1918 informing the Australian government that an armistice had been signed;handwritten letters from mothers trying to find their sons; and a King’s memorial scroll returned by a man who lost his son. The exhibition is currently showing at Cobb & Co Museum, 27 Lindsay Street, Toowoomba, until May 6, 2014.

A mother’s heartfelt plea saves last surviving son MRS Annie Hogarth, of “Balgownie’, Cambooya had more reason than most to write to her Federal MP, Lyttleton Groom, in 1918.

The mother of six sons and three daughters born between 1876 and 1889, and having been left a widow with the death of her husband William in 1894, Mrs Hogarth had just received a telegram telling her that, for the third time in a little over 18 months, another of her sons had died overseas.

Mrs Hogarth reacted as many mothers would have liked to react, but few had the courage to do so.

On March 19, she contacted Mr Groom “in a

private letter, as to a friend”, with the request that Angus, her sole surviving son of the four who had enlisted, be posted if possible away from “the immediate battle zone”.

Mr Groom acted swiftly.

Within just four days from the date of her letter, the Department of Defence had approved Angus’ return to Australia “for family reasons”, and a cable to that effect was sent to England the following day.

Angus, unbeknown to his mother, was at the time based at Sutton Veny in England, having been gassed in November 1917.

He was present at the funeral of his brother Joseph, who died at

EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR MATURE AGED PERSON The proprietor of a large organic honey production business in Qld is seeking a personal assistant to help him in his activities which includes field inspections as far out to Western Qld. Occasional help may be sought at his restaurant featuring Margaret Olley’s artwork.

Criteria: Good driver, good health, experienced in rural activities, good communicator with good sense of humour and reliable.

Free accommodation provided.

Please reply in writing to: olleyshoney@bigpond.com or Seniors Newspaper PO Box 1062 Tewantin. QLd. 4565 Page 8 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - April 2014

Harefield Hospital of peritonitis on March 9, 1918.

Joseph had left Australia in August 1915 and served at Gallipoli until the evacuation, and was later wounded in France in September 1917.

Of her other sons, we know that Alexander had enlisted in the 1st Light

Horse in March 1915, sailed from Brisbane for Egypt in June 1915, and died of pneumonia in Cairo Military Hospital on August 6, 1915. He was buried in Cairo.

Archibald had enlisted in the British Army, and as a Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery, was killed

on the Somme on July 9, 1916.

He was buried in the British War Cemetery at Becordel-Becourt, France.

With three of her sons buried in different parts of the world, any mother would feelMrs Hogarth was justified in calling for her last son’s return.

ANZAC Day service guide for the Darling Downs, Lockyer Valley, Southern Downs and Western Downs The following services will be held on Friday, April 25, 2014.

Darling Downs Acland: 10am at War Memorial, Tom Doherty Park.

Cecil Plains: Marchers assemble 9.45am at Memorial Hall for 10am march.

Clifton: Dawn service 5.30am then gunfire breakfast at Senior Citizen’s Hall, Meara Place. 11am at the Cenotaph, Edward Street Crows Nest: Dawn service 5.30am at Memorial Cenotaph, Centenary Park. 10am following march to Memorial Cenotaph. Highfields: At Highfields Cultural Centre, O’Brien Rd. Dawn service starts 5.10am. Gunfire breakfast 6am at Cultural Centre.

Jondaryan: Citizen’s commemoration 8am at Memorial Park. Oakey: Dawn service 5.30am at War Memorial.

Citizen’s commemoration service 10am, Oakey War Memorial, Bicentennial Park following march from railway station at 9.40am.

Pittsworth: Dawn service 4.28am.

Laying poppies at 9am at Pittsworth Cemetery. Civic ceremony: 11am at Pittsworth Town Hall. March departs 10.30am corner Murray, Yandilla Streets.

Toowoomba: Dawn service 5.15am Mothers’ Memorial followed by gunfire breakfast at Toowoomba United RSL Club, 9am wreath laying Mothers’ Memorial. 9.30am march assembles for 9.45am start in Margaret Street. 10am morning service Mothers’ Memorial followed by luncheon at Toowoomba

United RSL Club.

Lockyer Valley Gatton: Dawn service 4.15am for 4.28am start at Weeping Mothers Memorial, Littleton Park, Gatton.

March and service: 10am North Stt, Gatton, adjacent to the council office 10.30am start. The march to the Boer War Memorial then Littleton Park for service.

Laidley: Dawn service: 4.20am for a 4.28am start at ANZAC Memorial Park Patrick St, Laidley. March and service: Assemble outside LVRC Laidley office, Spicer St from 10.15am. Then march to ANZAC Memorial Park 11am start.

Hatton Vale: Service: service, wreath laying and ceremony at 7am at Hatton Vale Memorial Park Corner of Thallon Road and Australia II Drive.

Murphys Creek: Service: Murphy’s Creek Grounds at 10am Southern Downs & Western Downs Warwick: Dawn service 5.30am at Leslie Park Cenotaph. 8.45am War Graves service at Warwick Cemetery.

9.30am Eden Gardens service. 11am Major service at Cenotaph at Leslie Park. Stanthorpe: Dawn service 5.30am at Memorial, Weeroona Park. 7.15am service at Wall of Remembrance, RSL Club, service at Garden of Remembrance, Stanthorpe Lawn Cemetery.

10.30am Parade. 11am Public Meeting, Stanthorpe Civic Centre. 11.30am wreath laying at Memorial in Weeroona Park.

For a complete list of services please contact your local RSL Club. www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

community news Clever models bring history to life

THERE is an energy in Claire Schofield’s life that seems to permeate whatever she touches. The talentedToowoomba resident designs and makes wooden toys and models with a difference –each one is made with moving parts and is designed to “tell” a story.

As an eight-year-old, she was fascinated when she saw Pinocchio but it was a children’s radio club that inspired her most.

“It was a show on the ABC called the argonauts club that influenced the whole of my life,” she said.

“The show gave you an outlet for anything creative. You could send off your poetry or art and get points. If you got enough points you would win a book.”

Entering her work to the club gave her confidence and fed her burgeoning curiosity in the world around her.

“Now, if I find anything

Four years ago, Mrs Schofield set up at Highfields Pioneer Village where she stages shows with her working models to teach the history of the Darling Downs. Whileher shows are enjoyed by primary school children, Mrs

Schofield says that they are particularly popular with seniors’ groups.

“The seniors really interact with me,” she said.

“They all have memories of how things were. Someone will jump up and say ‘I remember that’ or ‘We

had one of those’.”

When the pioneer village provided a building, Mrs Schofield set it up as an old-fashioned toy shop, with toys on display and for sale. She has also published two books on how to make her moving

models, and likes nothing better than to think up new designs.This is one 81-year-old who doesn’t look like slowing down any time soon.

“A mediocre life is not what I’m about,” she laughed.

It’s all about YOU at and our prices are reasonable!

Claire Schofield makes moving toys and models which she uses in puppet shows to teach history

of wonder or that is exciting, I have to share it,” she said.

Life was busy raising a family and working, so it wasn’t until she was 60 and retired that she began making wooden toys.

“I was a tour guide at Glengallan homestead when I realised that many of the visiting children did not see the house for

what it was,” she said.

To help them understand the historic features of the home, Mrs Schofield built a set with models based on the nursery rhyme, This is the House that Jack Built.Her sets revolved around historical items that the children could spot, and now understand, when they entered the homestead.

Correction Our March story regarding Bill Johnston’s publication of his second volume on poet George Essex Evans incorrectly named the author as Bill Johnson. The author’s surname is in fact Johnston, not Johnson. We apologise to Mr Johnston for the distress this has caused.

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

Our friendly team of professional stylists are here for you to offer you the ultimate hairdressing experience which is why our customers love us so much!

OPEN Monday ...................

Tuesday ..................

Wednesday .............

Thursday .................

Friday ......................

Saturday ..................

8.30 to 5.00 8.30 to 5.00 8.30 to 7.00 8.30 to 7.00 8.30 to 5.00 8.00 to 1.00

“I wouldn’t go anywhere else to get my hair styled! The staff are very friendly and always listen to your needs.” Margaret Handley Toowoomba

PH: 4635 9111 Shop 1, Middle Ridge Shopping Village Cnr Spring & Ramsay Streets TOOWOOMBA

Check out our specials on line at www.hairshoptoowoomba.com.au

April 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 9

community news The best of town and country life is available at Beauaraba Living BEAUARABA Living offers residents the best of both town and country living. The aged care facility not only offers high quality health care and support services but its focus on lifestyle makes it more than just a nursing home.

Its location in the town of Pittsworth provides locals with the opportunity to stay near their families

and remain a part of the community they know.

Beauaraba’s country location is also attractive to townies and those who come off the land. With views across the paddocks, residents can enjoy the changes in seasons, and they take a keen interest when nearby farmers are baling hay or when mares are foaling.

Beauaraba Living is a

FOR SALE Beauaraba Living resident Kevin Nelson enjoys a quiet moment sitting in the sunshine near the outdoor dining area

Caravan with annex comprising 2 bedrooms with built-in cupboards, shower and separate toilet, • Modernised kitchen, air-conditioned lounge and screen enclosed verandah with laundry section, • Carport and new garden shed, • Located at Gateway Lifestyle over 50’s Community, Collingwood Road, Birkdale.

Price: $125,000.00 negotiable Contact Howard 0411 245 072 or 07 3822 4731

not-for-profit, community-based residential aged care facility which employs more than 100 staff to provide the best care possible for its residents. General manager Alex Metcalf and director of nursing Janet Newlands together oversee the care team, ensuring that the individual needs of residents are met.

“Every person is different as they come from varied backgrounds. Therefore our care programs pro-

vide many lifestyle choices to satisfy unique needs. This encourages the residents to be actively involved in day to day life in ways they find meaningful, thus experiencing a better quality of life”, he said.

The facility has been built to allow maximum light in through its many floor to ceiling windows and views range from garden nooks and ferneries to paved courtyards and out to the countryside.

Managing Medication is Easy

Experienced and dedicated lifestyle therapists have made clever use of old gardening tools, bicycles and even mowers to create unique areas that give residents a feeling of home.

Beauaraba Living is currently being upgraded with the building of a new wing which will take the facility from 80 beds to 100 beds. Building is expected to start in July this year. Future plans include the building of 32 supported living units which will give residents access to care 24 hours a day, seven days a week,

while still living independently. The residents and staff at Beauaraba Living are thankful for the continued support of the community and would like to announce two exciting fundraising events to be held this May. Bargain hunters alert!

A car boot sale will be held on Saturday, May 10, from 7am to 1pm in the car park of Beauaraba Living outside the Lodge. Come along and find a bargain, enjoy the sausage sizzle and support our great facility. Donations for the trash and treasure stall will be gratefully received.

Stall holders are invited to attend and can book a site by phoning 4619 8422.

Get ready Pittsworth!

Australia’s funny man Austen Tayshus is bringing his 30th anniversary national Australiana tour to Pittsworth town hall for one show only. Join us for an unforgettable evening of entertainment and hilarity from 6.30pm on Friday, May 23.

Tickets are $50 per person which includes a threecourse meal. A bar will be available on the night.

Get in now for your tickets by phoning 0428 046 266.

Memorial Rock Safes for loved ones’ ashes WITH more and more families choosing cremation over burial when a loved one passes away, an important consideration is the safekeeping of the ashes afterwards.

Having to store his grandmother’s ashes in an urn kept inside a shed for several years, Gold Coast concreter and entertainer Bud Manthey designed a unique and caring alternative that not only offers comfort to those left behind but takes away the stress of wondering whether you’ve done the right thing by the deceased person.

Bud came up with the innovative idea of encasing ashes within memorial internment rocks that can be placed in gardens, or even on balconies; allowing family and friends to visit in natural and comfortable settings. Despite the fact that the concrete rocks are weighty—usually about 25 to 30 kg, a factor that helps stop theft and wind movement—Bud believes that they could become transportable family heirlooms.

Reinforced with

fibermesh, each rock is individually crafted and made with a sealable internal cavity and backing plate easily accommodating two standard Australian-size ash urns and memorabilia. Quality bronze-cast plaques in different sizes are also available for securing to the hand-shaped and coloured rocks.

Additionally, arrangements can be made to have your loved one’s ashes picked up from the crematorium (with your written authority) and placed in your chosen memorial rock before being delivered to your home or a specified location within the Brisbane,

Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Gold Coast or Tweed/Northern Rivers areas.

Memorial Rock Safes Australia is a familyowned business that has evolved as a result of Bud’s forward thinking.

Appointments can be made to view all available memorial rocks at the Memorial Rock Safes Gold Coast display. For further details, including a comprehensive catalogue and heartfelt testimonials, please visit www.memorialrocks.com.au, or phone 0413 770 272.

Memorial rocks purchased online can be delivered Australia-wide by TNT Transport.

What is this?

providing quality of life & peace of mind

Ask Us How

8 Mylne St, Toowoomba PH: 07 4637 1801

Page 10 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - April 2014

NO PRIZES for guessing this is a model plane but what was its purpose?

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.

March Funny Photo result: Thank you to John Searle from Oakey and Graham Hassall from Toowoomba who identified our funny photo as a giant red earthworm.

DID you guess what last month’s photo was? Well done if you said it was a giant earthworm. These worms are native to South-East Queenslandand have been identified

by Queensland Museum as either DigasterLongmani or HeteroporodrilusTryoni. Giant earthworms can grow up to 1.5 metres in length. They live as deep as 1.2 metres under the ground where the soil is permanently damp, such as remnant rainforest areas like Mt Tambourine. They are also been found in Toowoomba’s deep, rich soil and are likely to be seen during excavation work or when flushed out of their tunnels by heavy rain. This one was found in a Toowoomba garden after heavy rain. www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

community news Volunteer air raid wardens helped Toowoomba prepare for war

Submitted by descendants of William and Muriel Lawlor WHEN World War II broke out, William and Muriel Lawlor were living opposite Newtown Park on the corner of Taylor and Doncaster Streets.They had moved there in the 1930s when William was working as a plumber but a change in career saw him take on the role of caretaker of Newtown Park.As caretaker,he was lucky enough to occasionally receive extra rations from the Americans who were camped in the park for rest and recuperation breaks.

William’s grandchildren have memories of the Americans sneaking across in the middle of the night to milk their cow and when they got up early the next morning to get their milk for the day, poor Dolly was dry.

Both William and Muriel became air raid wardens for their area and their dedication to the job saw them erect a public air

Volunteer air raid wardens were given official certificates in appreciation of their service

Sensible shoes and warm clothes were necessary for Toowoomba’s female air raid wardens including Muriel Lawlor (front row, third from left), seen here at a drill

raid shelter in their back yard.

At the time, the local police were responsible for training air raid wardens, and the Lawlors soon became used to regular drills held in a variety of Toowoomba’s weather conditions. Muriel would don a thick coat with a fur collar, warm stockings and sensible shoes,

and accessorize with a regulation tin hat designed to deflect enemy shrapnel.

William Lawlor was born in 1868 at Petersham (NSW), and shortly after the family moved to Tenterfield, where he spent his early years. By 1903, he had moved to Goondiwindi to work as a plumber and tinsmith, building many tanks in

the area, each of which wasstamped with his trade stamp. In 1915, he married Muriel at a little church near Goomburra.

Their first child, William George, was born in Allora in 1916 and soon after the small family moved to Goondiwindi, but the following year young William tragically died. Soon after his death William and Muriel

to Newtown. He owned much of the land around Park Street to the west of Newtown Park, and when this land was subdivided, he built a new home there. At the end of the street was a dump at which William would find all sorts of unusual things, even live chickens. By the mid 1950s, William had retired and decided to move to Brisbane, where he and Muriel spent their last years. William passed away in 1960 at the age of 92 and Muriel in 1969. She was 81 years old.

had a daughter, Ellen Elizabeth, but sadly she was stillborn. The babies are buried together in a small grave in Goondiwindi. In 1920, Josephine was born in Allora, followed by two other daughters, Muriel Clara and Lorna Daphne.

For a short while, William was a farmer at Stockyard Creek near Helidon before moving the family

QCWA hosts card afternoons THE QCWA Darling Downs Division plays host to a happy group of card players on the first and fourth Tuesdays of each month at QCWA centre at 263 Margaret Street.

New players are always welcome. Any interested players can enjoy a lovely social outing including afternoon tea for a cost of just $5. For further information phone 4632 8312 between 10am and 3pm, Monday to Friday.

BR O BE ASK ST US AVAI CHUR PR AB LAB ES ICE OU LE GU T O AR UR AN from Arthritis, Back Pain, Swollen Legs, Breathing TE E

and many other health related problems

Portable & In-Home Concentrators No more “Bulky Tanks�

$SSURYHG IRU $LUOLQH 7UDYHO

1R UHČ´ OOV UHTXLUHG

&DQ XVH DQ\ZKHUH LQ WKH ZRUOG

8S WR KRXUV RI %DWWHU\ /LIH

<HDU VHUYLFH LQWHUYDO W\SLFDO

,Q &DU &KDUJLQJ .LWV

/LJKWZHLJKW DQG HDV\ WR FDUU\

from

STAIRLIFTS

$

INSTALL A STAIRLIFT

Koolrite Construction Pty Ltd QBSA Lic 1172702

30

ek per we

Ĺ? FREE Measure & Quote Ĺ? Full Backup Service Available Ĺ? Indoor & Outdoor Ĺ? Range of models so that you can get Ĺ? Straight & Curved the best lift for your staircase Ĺ? %6$ TXDOLÄ&#x; HG LQVWDOOHUV and full insurance

ADJUSTABLE HEALTH BEDS

All of our products are GST free

from

Single, King/Single, Double, Queen & King

Contact us for a Free Trial throughout QLD and NSW

$

Hi-Lo Hospital Beds

TILT-N-LIFT SLEEPING CHAIRS Ĺ? Custom made to measure Ĺ? 300 kg capacity Ĺ? Your fabric choice Ĺ? Massage/Heat

1300 688 388

from

$

25

ek per we

Brisbane Showroom %\ $SSRLQWPHQW

MOBILITY SCOOTERS

1XGJHH 5G 1XQGDK Mobile showroom covering &DLUQV 7RZQVYLOOH 0DFND\ 5RFNKDPSWRQ %XQGDEHUJ +HUYH\ %D\ 6XQVKLQH &RDVW 7RRZRRPED *ROG &RDVW 7ZHHG +HDGV

25

ek per we

Dual King/Queen

from

$

20

ek per we

Get your Freedom back!

ZZZ HDV\R[\JHQ FRP DX

2OCKY Speed: 15km/h

889 PRESTIGE

Speed: 10km/h

888SE EXPLORER

Speed: 8km/h

Free In-Home Demonstrations Available throughout QLD, NSW & VIC

try before you buy

Čľ H[LEOH payment plans

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

free delivery

2/605 Nudgee Rd, Nundah

Puma 10 Speed: 8km/h

Free Delivery Statewide

QT4 Cutie ,IGHTWEIGHT TO l T YOUR IN CAR

1300 306 870 Brisbane Showroom (By Appointment):

POWER CHAIRS

PAY IT OFF!

0

PAY

$

INTEREST EVER!

www.liftbedchair.com.au

Showrooms also in Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and Cairns MOBILE SHOWROOM - TOWNSVILLE, MACKAY, ROCKHAMPTON, HERVEY BAY, BUNDABERG, TWEED HEADS

April 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 11

community news Toowoomba Seniors Adopt A Room at the Hospice 25th anniversary celebrations of the National Seniors Chinchilla Branch and to say farewell to their long-serving president and secretary, Doug and Joy Brody, who will shortly be leaving Chinchilla for “retirement” at Yeppoon.

Coming Events

Mark Munro (left) and Sharene Gosley (second from right) from the Toowoomba Hospice talk with National Seniors Alex and Edna Campbell

NATIONAL Seniors Toowoomba Branch has adopted a room at the Toowoomba Hospice for 2014 as the first year of an ongoing commitment.

At our morning tea meeting on Thursday, 6 March, Hospice Promotions and Fundraising Manager Mark Munro explained that Adopting A Room with a donation of $3500 provided for the maintenance and upkeep of a room for twelve months, providing for such expenses as fresh paint and touch ups, updating carpet, furnishings, linen, clinical consumables, nursing care, periodic professional cleaning and flowers. Adopting A Room is a way of providing for a fresh and comfortable home like

environment for those who need it most.

The Toowoomba Hospice provides specialist palliative care for individuals who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. It is a not-for-profit organisation which provides its services without any fee to clients.

The Hospice is staffed around the clock by registered nurses and palliative care attendants, supported by an enthusiastic team of volunteers trained in a range of roles. Volunteer Co-ordinator, Sharene Gosley, told members that volunteers assist with administration, prepare and serve meals, maintain lawns and gardens, undertake housekeeping, arrange

flowers, provide courier services, and assist with fund-raising. Sharene said that volunteers all receive orientation training and find that helping at the Hospice gave them a sense of belonging and fulfilment, new friendships, new interests and skills and even work experience leading to paid employment.

Any readers interested in volunteering at the Hospice can contact Sharene by telephoning 4659 8500.

OUR morning tea meetings are held at Regents on the Lake commencing at 9.30am, and the cost is $10.

On Thursday, April 17 our bus trip will take us down to the Wallangarra Railway Station Museum and Café for lunch with a stop at the Bramble Patch Berry Farm on the way home.

We will be leaving at 6.30am and the cost is $50. Enquiries and bookings for any of our activities may be made by phoning June on 4635 9796 or Yvonne on 4638 5252.

Page 12 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - April 2014

EIGHTY members and guests of Garden City National Seniors enjoyed a great day on March 17 at the groups first meeting in their new venue, Drayton Bowls Club. St Patrick himself would have been proud looking around the room at all the green outfits.

The judge had a difficult job choosing the winners of the best outfits.

Barry Collier was deemed best dressed male and Margie Dowe best female. Our entertainers,

the barbershop quartet, Of One Accord, joined in the spirit of the day singing old Irish favourites and one member also played tin whistle and flute.

A special moment was the awarding of a certificate of appreciation to long term and hard working member Joan Douglas who retired from the committee. A group of entertainers called Esk Bushbashers, entertain groups with singing, bush music, skits, poetry and much more.

We will visit them, in Esk,

Hazel Gillies President, Garden City National Seniors

come. At next meeting, guest speaker will be one of our own members, Val Witenden. At the end of last year, Val and some other members gave short talks on various aspects of their lives. Val spoke of her early years nursing on the Island of Nauru. Her talk was enjoyed so much that we have asked her to tell us more and on this occasion she will also show photos of her time there.

For further information, phone Hazel on 4635 4519.

Margie Dowe and Barry Collier

Chinchilla NSA Branch 25th Anniversary ON April 20, a ten of our members were pleased to be able to visit Chinchilla to share in the

News from Garden City National Seniors

Neville Fry, president NSA Toowoomba Branch

on Wednesday April 16.

As in previous years, this trip has been heavily booked and unless there are some cancellations we are unable to offer any more seats on the bus. Garden City National Seniors April meeting will be a week earlier

than usual because of Easter. We will meet on Monday 14 April at Drayton Bowls Club on the corner of Gipps and Ball Streets.

Meeting starts at 9.30 am with morning tea. Cost for the morning is $6. There is a raffle and Bring and Buy stall. Visitors wel-

Joan Douglas

From the desk of the QCWA State President …

QCWA – Guardian angels of the bush THE women of the QCWA were recently acknowledged in Parliament as the Guardian Angels of the Bush.

QCWA State President, Mrs Robyn McFarlane, said that Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry recently praised the continuous work of ‘a dedicated and down-to-earth group of people.

“Yes, our wonderful women across Queensland Branches are the force on ground who have made an extraordinary effort to help those drought affected families,” said Robyn.

“We have been providing money in the form of food vouchers and other necessities, which is then redirected back into that community’s economy.

While there were numerous areas that benefit from the QCWA’s generosity, it was the PRCF (Public Rural Crisis Fund), which was most in need at the moment.

“The PRCF tax deductible donations is 100% targeted to families and individuals in crisis situations such drought, flood, fire and extreme hardship.”

“Talk to everyone about donating – click on ‘What We Do’ on the website www.qcwa.org.au and you will be guided on how to donate to the Public Rural Crisis Fund.

There was no administration charges, as this was taken from donations that was funded from other areas. www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

community news Queensland Ballet passionate about new dance for Parkinson’s program

QUEENSLAND Ballet is undertaking research into its innovative new Dance for Parkinson’s pilot program to investigate the physical, social and emotional benefits that ballet and dance can have on people living with disease Parkinson’s Queensland “Queensland Ballet is passionate about celebrating the health and fitness benefits of ballet with the community, and we’re very proud to introduce Dance for Parkinson’s to Queensland,” CEO Anna Marsden said.

“This innovative program, the first Dance for Parkinson’s program offered by a professional dance company in Australia, is a great example of how arts and science can work together to improve the lives of those affected

by Parkinson’s.”

Queensland Ballet has been working with David Leventhal from the Mark Morris Dance Group in New York (the founders of Dance for PD), Parkinson’s Queensland and Brisbane-based Dance for PD specialist Erica Rose Jeffrey since May last year to introduce

the program to Queensland.

The company hosted a two-day teacher training workshop held by Mr Leventhal and Erica Rose Jeffrey in May last year, and since October, free weekly classes for members of the community affected by Parkinson’s have been held on Saturdays at Queensland Ballet’s home, the Thomas Dixon Centre in West End. Experts from QUT’s Creative Industries (dance) and Health (movement neuroscience) faculties have joined forces with fellow Parkinson’s researchers from the University of Queensland’s Health and Behavioural Sciences (physiotherapy) faculty to research the social and physical benefits of the program.

Prior research undertaken suggests that as well as positive impacts on quality of life, dance can also improve cognitive performance and reaction times, making it a useful means of alleviating symptoms for a number of conditions, including arthritis, dementia, depression and Parkinson’s.

The Dance for

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

The Queensland Ballet is running free weekly Dance for Parkinson’s classes at the Thomas Dixon Centre in Brisbane’s West End

Parkinson’s pilot program has been enabled by a generous gift from the John T. Reid Charitable Trusts, and the research is part of Queensland Ballet and QUT’s Dance Industry Partnership.

The research is voluntary among participants and care givers, and involves clinical measurements, questionnaires, personal interviews, observational filming and diaries.

Each class is filmed for future dance movement

analysis (Laban analysis), as well as teacher evaluation. Participants and carers have also been asked to keep a diary on a voluntary basis. The findings of the research will be released later this year.

“Parkinson’s has a profound effect on movement, so anything we can do to improve flexibility, balance and coordination will be beneficial,” said QUT neuroscientist Professor Graham Kerr, who is also vice-president of

Parkinson’s Queensland.

UQ’s head of physiotherapy Professor Sandra Brauer added: “We know that dance can improve some aspects of balance in people with Parkinson’s. This study will investigate the impact of dance using a more comprehensive set of measures than done before.”

Parkinson’s Queensland CEO Helen Crew said she was absolutely delighted to be collaborating with Queensland Ballet with their Dance for Parkinson’s pilot program.

“It is a creative and unique program that seeks to improve the quality of life for those in our community who face a very challenging movement disorder such as Parkinson’s.

“The feedback we have received from our Parkinson’s members participating in this program has been overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting improved mobility as a result of the specifically designed dance movements. The work by David Leventhal and Erica Rose Jeffrey to introduce Dance for PD to Australia has also resulted in the creation of classes in

Canberra, Victoria, Sydney and Nowra on the NSW south coast.

Demetri Patrikios, 81, and married with three children and seven grandchildren, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in December 2005.

“I find that my movement has been greatly facilitated since I enrolled in the program. The effects on my quality of life have been inspirational and my mood has lifted.”

Demetri’s wife Effie added: “It’s so inspiring to see all the participants embracing the ballet environment. It is particularly heart warming to be part of a group who even though they share an illness, have never the less been give a wonderful chance to share friendship and cama-

raderie in a special setting.”

Queensland Ballet invites members of the community affected by Parkinson’s, and their carers, partners and friends, to participate. People at all levels of mobility and ability are welcome. No dance experience is necessary.

When: Every Saturday from October to July.

Where: Thomas Dixon Centre, corner of Drake Street and Montague Road, West End, Brisbane.

Cost: Free. Booking: No booking is required, but people are invited to preregister their attendance by emailing learn@queensland ballet.com.au. For more information call (07) 3013 6666 or visit queenslandballet.com.au Diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Demetri Patrikios, 81, with his wife Effie, gets ready for another dance class at the Thomas Dixon Centre in West End

April 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 13

community news Everything in one place to live comfortably & independently care requirements and support needs. Your Freedom home is your own home, so family can visit any time they wish. All meals are freshly prepared and cooked at Freedom, and you can choose to eat in the privacy of your home or join other residents in the communal dining room.

Residents can join in the many social activities and events co-ordinated by onsite diversional therapists, and are free to wander through the tastefully designed gardens, watch the fish in the large fishpond or enjoy the vegetable and herb patch

Laura collects freshly laid eggs from the Freedom chook house with her grandson

SOMETIMES as we age we find our need for medical care increases and sometimes staying in our own home becomes more difficult. Our families worry, and we are not sure ourselves what the best option is. There is a solution to this dilemma and its one that will provide peace of mind to our families and give us the care we need while still respecting our individuality and

independence – Freedom Total Life Care. At Freedom you can move into your own private unit and have your medical needs looked after on a daily basis within the privacy of your home. Freedom’s onsite registered nurses are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Each resident’s health is monitored by a registered nurse clinical case manager who manages their

complete with resident hens. Freedom offers many unique features including a high-tech falls detection system which automatically alerts staff, technology and trained staff to assist residents living with memory loss, and a financial model that allows those receiving a full aged pension to live at Freedom for the rest of their lives. Freedom is about making your life as comfortable and independent as possible. Moving to Freedom means never having to move again, regardless of the level of physical or medical care you may require.

LifeTec plans Positive Ageing Journey Event and Exhibition at Coorparoo in May WE may not be able to turn back time but there are certain things we can do to make the experience of ageing more positive.

The Positive Ageing Journey Event and Exhibition is an educational event aimed at baby boomers and beyond! The event has been created to enable people to approach this stage of their lives with the right advice about how to stay healthy, informed and inspired.

LifeTec based at Newmarket, in conjunction with a range of other organisations is planning the 2014 Positive Ageing

The best Birthday gift ever!

“USUALLY for my birthday, my children buy me towels or pillows and once even a basket for the cat. Last year, after a wonderful lunch in the park with my family, we came home and I found that for a birthday gift my son had organised the replacement of my old toilet seat with an electronic Bidet toilet seat. I had seen them advertised on TV and thought what a great idea. I was absolutely shocked and thrilled to find I now have one on my toilet.” My daughter explained that she had recently purchased one from The Bidet Shop® herself and found her husband and children loved it so much they decided to buy one for me as a birthday gift. After two weeks of having my new Bidet, I wondered how I had ever survived previously without it. All I have to do is sit down on my nice warm seat and go to the loo, and once I am finished I simply press a button and I get a warm water wash and a gentle stream of warm air dry. Now almost a year later, it has changed my life, I have saved a fortune in toilet paper and, I see going to the toilet as a time of luxury. It is the best birthday gift I have ever received! (Sylvia Ross) For more information or to change your life too, call The Bidet Shop® Sunshine Coast today on 1800 140 900 (free call).

Page 14 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - April 2014

Event and Expo on Monday 19 May 2014 at Easts Leagues Club, 40 Main Avenue, Coorparoo.

Entry to the event is $20, which will cover morning tea, lunch, all presentations, performances, and an expo featuring a large range of services and organisations available to seniors.

Presentations will include planning for the future; maintaining an active healthy lifestyle; gardening advice; bridging the digital divide; enhancing your safety and peace of mind; maintaining a creative and healthy mind; healthy eating and nutrition, how to future proof your home and many more.

LifeTec is a leading provider of specialist information and advice to help people maximise their independence through assistive technology.

LifeTec will be providing a display at the Positive Ageing Journey Event that will highlight the diversity of assistive technology.

Assistive technology is any product, device or system that provides people with practical

solutions to everyday life activities. It helps millions of people learn, work, socialise, achieve independence or simply get more out of their lives.

Assistive technology can help people do everyday things like opening jars and turn taps on and off; provide alternative communication; enjoy safer mobility; use computers; enjoy recreational activities; assist with caring for loved ones and enable people to live in an accessible and safe environment.

The service is available through a central contact number (1300 885 886), with LifeTec display centres based in Newmarket (Brisbane) and Townsville. The service is offered across all of Queensland with outreach health professionals available to travel to homes or workplaces in other areas of Queensland.

For more information about the Positive Ageing Journey Event or for information about LifeTec the toll free number is 1300 885 886 or visit the website www.lifetec.org.au

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

After-Hours Bulk Billing

Doctors in your Home NOW with More Lines & More Doctors

We are p l e h o t here Monday - Friday 6pm-8am Saturday from 12pm Sunday & Public Holidays - 24 Hours

1300 980 980 or (07) 3879 7717

I

www.DALD.com.au

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

April 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 15

Page 16 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - April 2014

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

community news Queensland Police Service on the Darling Downs FOLLOWING separation of Queensland from New South Wales in 1859, the police force remained under NSW direction until a new police act applicable to Queensland was introduced in 1863, and cameinto effect on January 1, 1864.

The Darling Downs had maintained a police presence since its earliest days, withthe establishment of a border police station, lock up and courthouse at Cambooya in 1842, a temporary station on theLeslie property at Canning Downs, near Warwick,and the building of a station in Warwick in 1849.

In 1848, the border station removed to Drayton, which was quickly becoming a major centre in the region. Throughout these early years, the police were supported bya native mounted police force, and as the population shifted from Drayton to Toowoomba, so did the hub of policing on the Downs.

By the late 1860s, the Toowoomba police force consisted of nine officers, including the police magistrate, while Drayton’s personnel had been re-

duced to two.

The exact site of Toowoomba’s earliest police station seems to be somewhat of a mystery.

Prior to 1880, there was a station in Russell Street located in a building next to the old post office, which was on the corner of Russell and Ruthven Streets. By the time it was vacated, its dilapidated state was suggestive of years of use, leading to speculation by historians that this was the site of the original station.

In the early 1880s, a new brick, U-shaped, twostorey barracks was built in Neil Street, which included a lock-up and lockup keeper’s quarters.

Years later, these barracks and stables were replaced by another two-storey building,complete with new cells and top-floor accommodation for single male officers, a far cry from the early days when single men were quartered in a cell in the lockup.

This served the community until the current station, now in Hume Street, was built in 2002. The old Neil Street site was retained and in 2005 it became home to the regional

Queensland Police Service celebrates 150 years THIS year marks the 150th anniversary of the Queensland Police Service, which came into being in 1864.To celebrate the anniversary, the QPS is holding events throughout 2014, and has published a commemorative book and calendar. The book and calendar are available for purchase from the Queensland Police Museum by emailmuseum@police.qld.gov.au or by phone 3364 4652, or by contacting the QPS 150 year celebrations project office by email QPS.150YearCelebrations@police.qld.gov.au.Details of the book can be found at www.police.qld.gov.au/aboutUs/facilities/museum/celebrate/

1935, there were approximately5,000 cars registered in Toowoomba,and it soon became necessary to introduce traffic police.

In the 1940s, police were patrolling in a white Chevrolet Special Deluxe utility nicknamed “the white ghost”, which was fitted with a loud speaker for the “purpose of promoting good community road sense and courtesy”.

Today, the Darling Downs regionhas 24 police stations, and covers an area of more than 33,000 square kilometres. The region extends from Crows Nest in the north, to Stanthorpe and the NSW border in the south, east to Laidley and west to Goondiwindi and Talwood.

Source: Toowoomba Historical Society and Queensland Police Service

This building housed the Drayton police station from 1867 to 1915

police headquarters.

From 1900 until 1951, Toowoomba police were supported by the assistance of Aboriginal trackers.The first women joined the force in 1931, however they were not sworn in, nor did they wear uniforms – their role

“The white ghost” police Chevrolet utility patrolled the streets of Toowoomba from the 1940s Images courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum

was to support male officers in any cases involving women.It wasn’t until 1970 that Toowoomba appointed Constable Therese Hurley as its first

female police officer.

As horses and bicycles gave way to cars and motorcyclesthere was an increased need for vigilance on the roads. By

Kaitlyn Plazina says . . . “Advertising in the Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors Newspaper gets results!”

“ OU at Y t u o b a ll a It’s able! n o s a e r e r a go and our prices “I wouldn’t

L A I N O M I T S E T OPEN

team of Our friendly stylists are l a n io s s fe pro the to offer you u o y r fo re he irdressing ultimate ha our hich is why w e c n e ri e p ex uch! ve us so m lo rs e m to s cu

30 to 5.00 ............. 8.

Monday ......

30 to 5.00 8. ... ............

Tuesday ...

30 to 7.00 ............. 8.

Wednesday 30 to 7.00 8. .............. ... y da rs hu T 30 to 5.00 ............. 8.

Friday .........

00 to 1.00 ............... 8.

Saturday ...

11 1 9 5 3 6 4 : H age P hopping Vill MBA O dle Ridge S

id OWO Shop 1, M y Streets TO a s m a R & m.au Cnr Spring woomba.co

o w.hairshopto w w t a e n li on our specials t u o k c e h C

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

se to anywhere el ir get my ha aff st styled! The ndly ie fr ry ve re a listen and always s.” d to your nee Margaret Handley a Toowoomb

Hi Liz, I have had so many people come into my salon because of my advertisement in the Toowoomba and Darling Downs Seniors Newspaper. I really believe that I am getting great response!

Thank you for all your help Kaitlyn

“

Toowoomba

& Darling Downs

Newspaper

You too can get results!

Let us help your business grow!

Call Liz today on 0448 882 819 Email: liztoowoombaseniorspaper@gmail.com April 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 17

LAW, FINANCE and YOU Golden years means golden economy as jobs growth surges in Queensland AN increasing influx of retirees and demand for new technologies will help fuel Queensland’s next jobs growth surge, says a new report by Deloitte Access Economics.

The Deloitte research identifies the ‘25 sectoral hotspots’ with the biggest potential to lift Australia’s prosperity over the next 20 years.

And the outlook is

bright for Queensland.

The attraction of the Sunshine State as a retirement destination is predicted to drive jobs growth in residential aged care, retirement living, community care and education services related to re-skilling an ageing workforce.

An estimated 15,000 retirees – or more than 40 every day – move from interstate to

report says.

Deloitte Queensland managing partner John Greig said there was “a great deal of potential” for Queensland across a range of industries.

“Queensland has strengths not just in its resources and its sun and surf, but also in its ability to attract retirees, while new technologies have the potential to reinvigorate prospects in thermal coal and to open up new opportunities off our vast coastline,” Mr Greig said.

Report co-author Chris Richardson said Queensland was a “magnet for retirees”, which presented strong Queensland a magnet for retirees business opportunities.

“The story is better for Queensland because Queensland each year. open up the largely the aged go to Deloitte says it has also untapped potential of identified emerging Queensland’s coastline Queensland – so sectors in Queensland to provide new opportu- you’ve got a bunch of old people getting that have the potential nities for ocean reto sell into rapidly sources, both in terms of older and needing healthcare. expanding world aquaculture and the “That’s rolled gold as markets, and to meet future development of far as business opporglobal demand for clean renewable energy tunities go, not just its energy. through the power of size, but its certainty.”

New technologies may wind and waves, the

New police blog keeps community informed DARLING Downs Police District has launched a new internet blog which shares information with the community about policing issues of interest and importance to our area of the state.

The Darling Downs Mypolice blog gives the community access to information about current policing issues, crime statistics, community safety, and crime prevention. It also creates an avenue for two-way communication between police and the community. Up-to-date information can be delivered to your email inbox by signing up to the free blog or you can read the blog by going to http://mypolice.qld.gov.au/ darlingdowns/

Contacting the police for non-urgent matters POLICELINK, a division of the Queensland Police Service, is a contact centre which is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week. By phoning 131 444, you will speak with specifically trained Policelink client service officers who can assist you with your non-urgent incident report or your general Queensland Police Service enquiry.

You can phone Policelink whenever you would need to report a non-urgent crime or incident, or for general police enquiries. For example, you can report by phone wilful property damage, stealing offences, break and enters, stolen vehicles and lost property.

If the crime is happening now, is life threatening or there is a likelihood of the suspected offenders being in the area, call 000 immediately.

Law study seeks volunteers to enhance understanding of making a will THE QUT Health Law Research Centre needs people with complicated family, asset or business arrangements to help them conduct an ARC-funded study into the process of making a will and how people distribute their assets.

If you are part of a blended family, making a will so that your last wishes are crys-

tal clear and adhered to can be difficult,” says Professor Ben White from QUT’s Health Law Research Centre. “There are also challenges in making a will that adequately provides for an adult child with cognitive impairment.

“We are looking for participants with these circumstances and also those who have a mixture

of asset types such as property and shares valued at more than $3 million or who have substantial international assets.

“Perhaps there are some people over 45 years of age who have made a conscious choice not to make a will - we would like to interview them too.”

Professor White said the topic of will-making was often something people sometimes shied away from, especially if they know they have some complex circumstances.

“This study aimed to fill gaps in our knowledge of

how much people understand about distributing their assets in wills and how much they know about how their estate is distributed if they die intestate, that is without leaving a will,” he said.

“This research will help us better understand the special needs and interests of people in these situations and how they want to make plans for the future. This will provide a basis to support targeted public education campaigns and also inform legal drafters of key issues of concerns for these cohorts.” The project is a col-

laborative one with seven public trustee organisations around Australia and is led by the UQ School of Social Work and Human Services. Professor White said study participants would be asked to complete a face-to-face or telephone interview that could take up to an hour, at a time and place that was convenient for them. To participate in the study, contact Professor White on 07 3138 4066 or email bp.white@qut.edu.auor Rachel Feeney on 07 3346 9090 or r.feeney@uq.edu.au.

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

MOBILE SERVICE - WE COME TO YOU Page 18 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - April 2014

• Senior Living Arrangements

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. www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

LAW, FINANCE and YOU Your New Year (financial) resolutions THE New Year is always an excellent time to look at your finances and possibly make some financial investments and now that the holiday period is well behind us, this may be the right time to look at your financial resolutions.

But with so many options, it can be hard to know where to start.

“Rather than focus too much on having to choose which financial investments to make” says Celeste Sutton “there are a few very simple strategies that you can use to get started that can help to build your wealth over the long term”.

Even if you’ve never thought about investments before, a good starting point is taking a look to see if your super is invested appropriately for you. This is something that could make a big difference to how much money you’ll have in retirement.

“We often find that many people don’t change their investment

options at all throughout their life” says Celeste “which can sometimes impact how much they will have to utilise as an income stream in retirement”.

“For example, we might see younger people that are invested much too conservatively, which means they’re not harnessing the longterm growth potential of assets like shares and property”.

“And then at the other end of the spectrum, some people who are nearing retirement may be invested too heavily in growth assets, which means they’re at greater risk of losing value on their retirement nest egg should markets fall just before they stop work”.

The key is to review your super’s investment strategy and make changes, if required, so it’s always invested appropriately for your circumstances. A financial adviser can work with you to review your strategy throughout your working life.

Another simple strategy

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

that you can consider to grow your wealth is starting up a regular savings plan.

Rather than worrying about picking the absolute best time to invest, investing a smaller amount more regularly can help to generate better returns and reduce the impact of market movements.

“There are two easy ways to start a regular savings plan” says Celeste.

“The first involves putting $1,000 into a good quality managed fund, and then settingup a monthly deposit of $100 straight from your bank account.

You’ll soon forget about it and you’ll be amazed just how quickly your balance builds up over time”.

“The second strategy involves salary sacrificing some of your gross income straight into superannuation” says Celeste.

“The benefit here is that you only pay 15% contributions tax, which leaves you with much

more to invest, than if you put in the same amount from your aftertax income”.

“You will need to check that your employer offers salary sacrificing” adds Celeste “as not all make this option available to their employees”.

And lastly, getting ahead on your mortgage is probably not an investment strategy you would expect, but it can be a very powerful way to build your wealth over the long term.

“The reason is that every extra dollar that you put in to pay down your home loan” says Celeste “earns that same return, without being subject to any tax”.

“So if your current mortgage rate is 5.5%, then that’s what you earn on each dollar you put in, over and above your loan repayment”.

“In comparison, you’d have to generate an annual return of around 10-11% in any other investment to match this strategy, so it’s worth seriously considering”

says Celeste.

These are just some strategies to consider but, depending on your individual circumstances, there may be many other options.

To find out more about these and other investment strategies that can help build your wealth over the long term, contact Celeste from RI Toowoomba on 07 4639 3733 or at enquiries@ri toowoomba.com.au *Celeste Sutton is an Authorised Representative of RI Advice Group Pty Limited (ABN 23 001 774 125), Australian Financial Services Licence 238429.

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.

From time to time we may send you informative updates and details of the range of services

we can provide. If you no longer want to receive this information please contact our office to opt out.

Note: superannuation is not a regular savings

plan, it is a means for saving for your retirement. Superannuation funds cannot be accessed until you have met a condition of release.

Door-knocking scammers offer deals “to good to be true” RESIDENTS are being urged by local police to be wary of people going door-to-door offering to do work around your home such as roof painting or concreting driveways.

A group of travelling con-men are door knocking residents offering services at reduced prices.

Residents may be told the scammers have a supply of left-over concrete, bitumen, paint etc from a nearby job, and can offer it cheaply – but only if you sign up immediately and pay upfront.

Advice from the police is to check credentials and look for reputable companies (i.e. one with an entry in the phone book, or a company you have heard of); if the deal sounds too good to be true, then it probably is; and if it is a real deal then the special should still be available the next day.

The May edition of the Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors Newspaper is 8th May. Deadline for copy is 30th April

April 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 19

community news Elderly farmers must consider risks when they use dangerous equipment

IT is becoming increasingly clear that the elderly want to remain as independent as possible.

However, some of them may need help, which is why home care systems are becoming increasingly important.

Seniors need to understand that even if they are independent enough to age in their own homes, there are still things that they may not be able to do on their own anymore.

For example, a recent study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine found that many farmers in their 60s are still operating heavy machinery, which may increase their risk of experiencing a serious injury.

“It’s important for farmers, especially those from farm families where the older 60-plus crowd is still working, to understand that operating machinery is still a high-risk activity,” author Don Voaklander said.

Elderly farmers face a number of health challenges, including insufficient access to health care due to the fact that

Play it safe . . . elderly farmers must deal with the effects of aging just like everyone else

they tend to live in rural areas.

This is why it is important to make sure that these people have home are workers to provide them with the services they need.

Elderly farmers must deal with the effects of aging just like everyone else.

But the already dangerous work of farming can become more hazardous as farmer ’s age. The quick onset of fatigue, reduced vision and slower reaction time that are part of the normal ag-

ing process can increase risk among older agricultural workers.

Also, many suffer from permanent hearing loss and arthritis, which can seriously impact safe job performance. All these factors combine to increase risk among older farmers.

Research by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has demonstrated that tractor drivers 65 years and older may be two to three times more likely to die in tractor accidents

than persons in other age groups. A study conducted by Purdue University farm safety specialists in the US revealed an increased risk for older farm machinery operators because of arthritis. Arthritis limits the mobility of farmers and ranchers during many farm tasks.

The National Safety Council suggests that elderly farmers: • Have their vision checked by a doctor regularly. The aging process also can decrease peripheral vision, which

may affect driving performance.

• Remember that vision is hampered the most at dawn and dusk; avoid riding tractors at these times. Be aware that an older driver’s eyes need more light to see well but also are more sensitive to glare.

• Get plenty of rest during planting, harvest and long work periods. Take frequent breaks to protect against fatigue and physical stress. Drink plenty of liquids and keep them available in your work area. Accidents are more likely to occur after fatigue has set in.

• Use extreme caution when operating equipment. Be familiar with any medication you take and its effect on reaction time.

Even over-the-counter medications can hamper reflexes and diminish alertness, limiting your ability to operate farm tractors and machinery.

• Make sure that a family member or fellow worker knows where they will be working.

• Know their limitations.

Don’t push the mind and body past their safe and healthy limits.

NSA Toowoomba Branch THE Toowoomba branch of the National Servicemen’s Association meets on the second Tuesday night of May, July, September and November at the Irish Club Hotel at 7.00 pm and on the second Sunday of the month in April, June, August and October at 1.00 pm at the Irish Club Hotel. All Nashos whether members or not are welcome.

Our branch is compiling a book of stories of memories from the Nashos of 1951-1972. This book will be going to the printer very soon and can be ordered through the secretary Phone 4633 2564.

One Nasho has written that “I was called up for National service in 1970 and after entering Singleton Army base and training there for 6 months I was sent to Singapore. We had many exercises into the Malayan jungle and while in Malaya I met a Toowoomba Nasho, John Lowry.’ These and many other stories will be in the book.

Op-shopping goes online with Lifeline LOVE op-shopping but can’t get to the shops when they are open?

Well now you can shop at Lifeline anytime – day or night.

A new online store for Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland offers savvy opshoppers the chance to buy great gear online and have it delivered to your door. Currently the site offers clothing for men, women and children as well as vintage fashions.

Up-and-coming sections will include books and collectables. So go find a bargain at the Lifeline Curiosity e-Shop at http:// www.curiosity.lifelinedarlingdowns.org.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 20 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - April 2014

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

FEELING GOOD

endent p e d In g in y a t S d an

Breakthrough drug stops Alzheimer’s

Gill MacDonald

A NEW drug that stops the devastating symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is being developed by scientists.

Early trials have shown it holds back memory loss, confusion and the inability to carry out daily tasks for three years. At present, the small number of drugs available can only treat the symptoms and “buy patients time”, slowing down the decline by up to six months. But patients who have been given the new jab every two weeks for the last three years have not suffered any further progression in their symptoms.

Alzheimer’s is caused when deposits called amyloid proteins form in the brain. The new vaccine, called IVIG, works in a completely different way to other drugs by teaching the immune system to target these deposits so they cannot increase. Campaigners believe it could be available within the next ten years. Professor Clive Ballard, director of research at the Alzheimer’s Society in the UK, said: ‘This is probably the most exciting drug [for Alzheimer’s] we know about that is currently in the late stages of research.

“We now know it is safe but the real test will be whether these initial promising results can be replicated in larger groups. One in three people over 65 will develop dementia. “While finding a cure is the Holy Grail of dementia research, it is also vital that we continue to fund studies like this if we are to develop more treatments to help people to live well with the condition.” Scientists also hope that if the patients in the trial continue to be given the jab, it will halt their symptoms for several more years. The manufacturers must now carry out tests on hundreds more patients, which may take several years.

Scientists will then look at the results of these ‘phase three’ trials to check the vaccine is effective and safe.

IVIG – short for intravenous immunoglobin – has so far only been given to patients in the early stages of the illness, but scientists hope it will also be effective for those who have had the disease for a number of years.

It is not designed to treat other forms of dementia.

NOT so long ago, the generations lived together or close by and most of remember how we had to book an operator-connected overseas call before we could talk on the telephone. But the 21st century provides many more options to stay in touch with distant loved ones.

Would you like to bridge the distance between you and your grandkids and be there for every milestone of their lives?

Whether you live a couple of hours’ drive or a long plane ride away, it can be hard to feel like you’re truly part of your family’s daily goings-on.

Thousands of miles may separate family members; but staying close to grandchildren is now easy. One way to connect is by using Facetime, an Apple application that allows you to video chat on an iPad as though you were in the same room.

Long distance grandparents get connected

!

Y R R U H

The amazing thing about the iPad is that it is a natural extension of the normal interface between the hand and the brain. It is very intuitive and there is no need for any kind of manual effort. It is very easy to get started using an iPad,

even if you’ve never used one before and importantly both the fully cognitive and the profoundly disabled can use the iPad. FaceTime enables you to contact anyone who also has an Apple device, which is anyone who owns an

iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or Mac computer. These calls are free and you can even receive calls on FaceTime by having people ‘dial’ the email address associated with your Apple ID.All you need is the person’s name and

their email address they have associated with their Apple ID. So why not open up a whole new world of closeness and feel the freedom of being connected to your children, grandchildren and isolated friends?

BOOK YOUR FLU VACCINATION

AT JAMES STREET DISCOUNT DRUG STORE NOW!

Only $ 20

ARM YOURSELF AGAINST THE FLU Five minutes* is all it takes to arm yourself and your family against the flu. * A 15 minute observation period is required after your 5 minute vaccination. ** $20 Charge applies No prescription needed!

Thursday 24th April 10am-3pm (Limited Appointments available, bookings essential)

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

April 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 21

FEELING GOOD

THERE’S more to volunteering than just donating your time, according to Toowoomba Hospitalvolunteers Fay Riley and Lois Williams.

It is also a chance to forge firm friendships and give back to the community.

Fay and Lois both started volunteering at the hospital 27 years ago.

It’s a role they both cherish, not only for the service they provide, but also the camaraderie theyreceive.

“I started off by offering beauty services to the older ladies in hospital.

We used to brush theirhair or rub cream

nt e d n e p e d In g in y a t and S Volunteers find they receive just as much as they give

into their hands,” Lois said.

“In those days we wore white uniforms.

“Volunteering at the hospital helped me survive losing my husband.”

Fay also lost her husband, and was grateful for the support she received from her fellowhospital helpers.

“It gets me out of the house and I do enjoy the company of the other volunteers,” Fay said.

Fay and Lois are well known among staff at the hospital for their cheerful dispositions andhelpful service.

They volunteer for one day a week, acting as

home and to be unhappy,” Lois said.

Volunteering at the hospital is a sought after role, with Darling Downs Hospital and HealthService acting manager of volunteer service Sam Savva fielding a number of applications eachweek.

“The application process allows us to find the right roles for our volunteers,” Sam said. “We currently have 229 volunteers in Toowoomba who help out in a variety of roles.

“The roles include ‘Guiding Stars’ who escort and assist with directions around the Hospital volunteers: Fay Riley (left) and Lois Williams have been donating hospital forpatients and their time at the Toowoomba Hospitalfor 27 years. (Pictured with Darling visitors.

Downs Hospital and Health Service acting manager of volunteer service “We have a courier team Sam Savva.) who deliver items to and take away the opportucouriers between the from the wards, a team wards. Both admit nity for others to help who delivernewspapers theywould do it more out. “There’s no reason to our patients, a group often, but don’t want to for people to stay at who delivers books and

Page 22 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - April 2014

magazines from the hospital’s RedCross library, and a team who help organise accommodation for families who have relatives atour facilities.

“There are also volunteers who work in the Red Cross Blood Bank who make tea and coffee forpeople making blood donations.

“Volunteers also work in pastoral care roles and other small, but just as important positions.

“We have lots of volunteers in our rural and remote facilities.

“The role our volunteers play in the health service is truly appreciated by staff and the patients.”

For more information about volunteering for the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Servicecontact Sam Savva on 4616 6319.

What is Vegesorb?

VEGESORB is a safe, highly tolerated, fragrance free, colour free apricot and almond oil based moisturiser.

Vegesorb is an alternative to pharmacy brand sorbolenes containing petrochemical by-products such as paraffin, mineral or petrolatum which were primarily designed to act as barriers. Why use Vegesorb? Vegesorb is light, non-greasy and due to the natural physical and chemical properties of apricot and almond oils, is rapidly absorbed by the skin providing quick effective and lasting moisture with skin COMPATIBLE natural fatty oils. Who uses Vegesorb?

Medical centres, compounding chemists, podiatrists, aged care centres, beauticians, aromatherapists, beauty clinics, surfboard manufacturers, engineers, hairdressers, horse trainers, babies and normal everyday people for the whole body. People with problematic skin conditions who react to foaming agents in soaps successfully use Vegesorb as a soap aolternative and then as their daily moisturizer.

Why do they use it?

Because its safe and it does the job for them because of its versatility. Its also affordable and eco-

nomical and available at similar prices to pharmacy brands at $8.70/100g and $14.30/250g Vegesorb is locally owned and developed and is manufactured in Brisbane by Queensland company, Vegesorb Australia Pty Ltd. Available at most pharmacies and health food stores.

For information and retail outlets visit www.vegesorb.com.au or ring Neale Scott 3885 2882.

Volunteers required for Cancer Support CANCER Council Queensland is recruiting volunteers previously impacted by cancer (self or other) for a hospital visiting program.

If you would like to register your interest as a Cancer Support (hospital based) volunteer, please click on the volunteer opportunities tab at www.cancerqld.org.au or contact 1300 851 957

PREPARE FOR WINTER WITH FLU IMMUNISATIONS PH: 07 4633 9000 OPEN MON-FRI 8AM-5PM SATURDAY CLINICS OPEN FROM 8AM NO APPOINTMENTS NECESSARY SUITE 7, GROUND FLOOR MEDICI MEDICAL CENTRE CNR SCOTT & CURZON STS, TOOWOOMBA - UNDERCOVER PARKING AVAILABLE www.gpsoncurzon.com.au www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

FEELING GOOD

endent p e d In g in y a t S d an

Dial a local doctor provides medical help and reassurance after hours IN the past, when either Merv Evans or his wife Barb have been ill and their own GPs have been closed, they have needed to present to hospital.

Now, if either is ill after hours, it is a simple case of picking up the phone and calling Dial a Local Doctor and a qualified general practitioner will visit them in their own home.

Mr and Mrs Evans have been using Dial a Local Doctor since its inception and are strong supporters of the service.

“It’s nice to know that at our age there is a system of contacting a doctor and having a home visit,” Mr Evans said.

“Several times we’ve needed a doctor after hours and it’s so wonderful to know we’ve got that opportunity.”

Both have had ongoing health issues and agree that sometimes you can feel too sick to get out of bed, but don’t need to go to hospital.

“It’s a simple thing to make a phone call and to know help is on the way.

Having after hours access to a doctor such as Dr Mary Janice Polotan (left) gives Barb and Merv Evans reassurance and qualified medical treatment when they need it most

If you are sick you can get anxious but to know that Dial a Local Doctor is only a phone call away is very reassuring,” Mr Evans said.

Dial a Local Doctor provides access to reliable medical care after hours and on the weekends. A copy of the patient’s treatment record is emailed to their regular GP within 24 hours and patients with a medicare card are bulk billed. All doctors are accompanied by a chaperone who drives them to and from

appointments. Dial a Local Doctor is available to visit private homes, retirement villages and nursing homes. The Darling Downs service currently covers Toowoomba and surrounds (out to Charlton, Vale View, Wellcamp, Westbrook, Blue Mountain Heights, Ballard), and the Dalby region.

If you need a doctor between 6pm and 8am weekdays, after 12 noon on Saturdays, all day Sunday or public holidays, call 1300 980 980.

Personal experience inspires book to help children understand cancer treatment

Drawing on her own experiences, Pamela Arthur has published a book to help young children with cancer understand the need for their treatment

UNDERGOING chemotherapy and radiation treatment for cancer, Pam Arthur woke one night wondering how young children coped with the ordeal.

These thoughts were the impetus for the former school teacher to map out a story that she hoped might be helpful for children needing cancer treatment.

That was 11 years ago and this year Mrs Arthur has seen her dream come to fruition.

The Kingdom of Bod is a picture book with a simple theme of goodies versus baddies. It is written in a fantasy style using the concept of dragons and knights fighting for supremacy over the body and its ruler the brain.

“The book is written with the intention of helping young children to accept the need for chemotherapy where it has been recommended as a treatment for cancer,” Mrs Arthur said.

With colourful artwork done by Roslyn Waller, Mrs Arthur’s former workmate from Bunkers Hill school,the book can be used as a picture book only or read by parents who can help provide an explanation of the treatment process.

The book is aimed at children of primary-school age and younger.

Mrs Arthur said a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the Children’s Ward at Toowoomba Hospital through the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation.

The Kingdom of Bod is available at Mary Ryan’s bookstore in Ruthven Street or by emailing Mrs Arthur at pamela_a@bigpond.com.

The May edition of the Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors Newspaper is 8th May. Deadline for copy is 30th April www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

April 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 23

FEELING GOOD

dent n e p e d In g in y a t S and Doctor encourages people to vaccinate against influenza

Experience helps older people as brain slows

Wisdom really does come with age, scientists have found.

ALTHOUGH older people’s brains slow down, experience and knowledge more than make up for it – helping them make better financial decisions, a study shows.

It is the first time two types of intelligence – fluid and crystallised – have been tested among different age groups.

Fluid intelligence is the ability to learn and process information while the latter refers to accumulated knowledge.

A series of economic tests found the older group of 163 participants aged 60 to 82 were better than the 173 younger counterparts of 18 to 29.

This included ‘temporal discounting’ (how much people discount future gains and losses), loss aversion (how much the valuation of losses outweigh gains of the same magnitude), financial literacy (understanding financial information) and debt literacy (understanding debt contracts and interest rates). The older

group exhibited greater patience and debt understanding.

They were also somewhat less afraid of losses but the result did not reach standard levels of significance.

The study, published in the journal Psychology and Ageing, said past research has found fluid intelligence declines with age but provides no definitive conclusion as to whether decision-making abilities is affected.

Dr Ye Li of California University in Riverside said: “The findings confirm our hypothesis that experience and acquired knowledge from a lifetime of decision making off-set the declining ability to learn new information”.

Dr Li said older people could be helped by being provided aids to ease the burden on their decreased fluid intelligence – such as calculator or adviser – when making significant financial decisions.

On the other hand, younger adults could benefit from more financial education.

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

WITH early indications predicting a dire influenza season, Darling Downs Public Health Unit director Doctor Penny Hutchinson is urging all people to receive this year’s influenza vaccination.

Dr Hutchinson said predications were based on flu activity in the Northern Hemisphere during the past winter, and the number of flu cases seen this year in Queensland.

“People aged between 20 and 64 years have been identified as the group most likely to succumb to the flu this year,” Dr Hutchinson said.

“People mistakenly think that if they are healthy,

Doctor Penny Hutchinson is urging all people to receive this year’s influenza vaccination

then they can’t get very sick from the flu.

“But the flu is a highly contagious and potentially serious disease that can spread through coughing and sneezing.

“Already this year in

Queensland we have seen hospitalisations from the flu.”

The federal government provides free vaccinations to the following groups of people. Indigenous people aged over

15 years, pregnant women, people aged over 65 years and people aged over six months who have a chronic medical condition.

“This year, free vaccinations will also be provided to people who have Downs Syndrome, who are obese (a body mass index greater than 30) and people who drink heavily,” Dr Hutchinson said.

“However, we encourage all people to receive the flu vaccination, not just those deemed ‘at risk’.

“By receiving the flu vaccination, you not only protect yourself against illness, you protect those around you.”

Feeling stressed, needing a little time to unwind and relax?

THEN free yoga classes on Saturdays at Willows Health and Lifestyle Centre are just what the doctor ordered. The classes will be held weekly, with each class running from 10.30am to 11.45am. The classes are open to everyone and no bookings are required.

If you’re interested, simply turn up and join in the class.

Yoga teacher Michael Blades is providing these classes to the community for free, Willows is

providing a free venue for the classes, and Toowoomba Regional Council is providing promotional assistance through The CHANGE Project.

The CHANGE Project is Council’s Healthy Communities Initiative which provides free and low cost physical activity and healthy eating programs across the region For more information about the yoga classes, please contact instructor Michael on 0421 652 482.

Put a healthy spin on your morning tea!

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

IN-HOME MOBILE SERVICE TOOWOOMBA AREA

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

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

THE countdown to Cancer Council’s popular Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser is on and Cancer Council Queensland is challenging participants to give their events a healthy spin.

While morning teas can be synonymous with treats – Cancer Council’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea (Thursday, May 22) is all about finding healthy alternatives that are just as delicious. Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift said the charity was encouraging all hosts to give the average morning tea a healthy spin in celebration of the popular Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser.

“Making healthy choices doesn’t have to mean missing out on the fun – it’s about incorporating beneficial habits into your everyday lifestyle.

If getting around is getting you down . . .

“By making a few small changes you can look after the health of yourself, your friends and family, while making the most of supporting a worthwhile cause.”

Up to one third of cancers are preventable through simple lifestyle adjustments including eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, quitting smoking and staying SunSmart.

“Together we can beat cancer – so switch that kettle on and enjoy a cuppa for a great cause!” Ms Clift said.

To register an Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea event, visit biggestmorningtea.com.au or call 1300 65 65 85 to receive your free Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea host kit today.

The importance of hydration

WE are consisted of 55% to 75% water. Essentially, remember to hydrate yourself when taking a walk - carry a bottle of water with you. Typically, we lose about 2 litres of water per day in perspiration, so you can see that if we do not sufficiently hydrate ourselves we can become tired and fuzzy headed.

It is recommended that we drink 2 litres of water per day, which not only keeps our waterworks going but detoxes our bodies as well. To make water more palatable you can add a dash of pineapple or lemon juice to give it a zing.

Arm yourself against the flu!

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

“JIVE” MOBILITY SCOOTER $3199 (Outdoor scooters from $2235, Folding scooters from $1395)

PH: 4634 6112 - 16 Eyers St, Toowoomba, Qld, 4350. getscootered@yahoo.com.au I www.getscootered.com.au I www.facebook.com/getscootered

PLEASE PHONE FOR A FREE BROCHURE OF THE ENTIRE RANGE! Page 24 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - April 2014

ON Thursday 24th April from 10am to 3pm James St Discount Drug Store will be providing flu vaccinations in store for only $20. No prescription is required, but as there are limited appointments available, bookings are essential. To avoid disappointment please call 4639 2441 now to book a time. You will find Ian and Lea Bentley and their friendly, caring, professional ladies at James St Discount Drug Store, which is located at “RedEdge on James” Cnr James and Pechey Streets, Toowoomba. Phone 4639 2441.

Free Tai Chi course at Crows Nest

TOOWOOMBA Regional Council is joining with the Taoist Tai Chi Society of Australia to run courses for beginners aimed at improving general well-being, flexibility and balance. The free courses will instruct beginners in the first 17 moves of the Taoist Tai Chi set, which are known as the foundation set. These Tai Chi movements can offer health benefits, reduce stress and joint stiffness, improve circulation and aid concentration. The classes are suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Please wear comfortable clothes, closed-in shoes and bring a water bottle. Classes are already underway in Cambooya and Oakey but will be starting at Crows Nest Community and RSL Centre on Tuesday, April 15 and continue on April 22, 29 and May 6. Classes run from 9-10.30am. Residents are required to book by calling 131 872. www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

Let’s Get

Fresh

Easy Easter Edibles from The Dairy Kitchen WANT to turn heads at the dining table this Easter? Then the newly created Easter Recipe Collection from The Dairy Kitchen at www.legendairy.com.au is a good place to start. Turn up to the family gathering on Easter Sunday with something homemade that will impress the socks off everyone and the Dairy Kitchen team has developed this recipe to do just that!

Baked Vanilla Spice

Cheesecake with Coconut Toping Ingredients: 150g plain sweet biscuits, crushed 100g Australian butter, melted 750g Australian cream cheese, softened 1 cup caster sugar 4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon cloves 300ml carton Australian sour cream

60g Australian butter, extra, melted 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup Australian milk 11/2 cups shredded coconut

Assorted Easter eggs and ribbon, to decorate Method: Line the base and sides of a buttered 24cm spring-form pan. Mix

together the crumbs and melted butter then press into the base of prepared pan. Beat the cream cheese and caster sugar with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in the eggs until just combined, then mix in the vanilla and spices and sour cream.

Pour the mixture over the base. Bake the cheesecake at 160pC for 50 minutes.

Meanwhile, for the topping, combine extra butter, brown sugar, milk and coconut and stand for 10

Felton Food Festival hosts biggest celebrity cooking challenge of the year THIS year’s Felton Food Festival is set to take cooking to a new level.

The cook off between celebrity chef Alastair McLeod and gardening guru Costa Georgiadis will be an event not to be missed. Lined up for them is a cracker selection of mystery ingredients, which they

will have to turn into something edible. But don’t get too fancy boys, because the judges will be picked from the crowd of local residents.

Of course, it’s all about what’s being produced in our own backyard – fresh produce from meat and veg suppliers, dairy

products, pasta, beer and specialist bakery items – it doesn’t get better than this. So for a great day out, head along to the Felton Food Festival on Sunday, April 27, from 9am to 4pm, and support our local growers. Free transport from Toowoomba will

Advertisement

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

be provided by Stonestreet Coaches at 9am and 11am from

Kearneys Spring carpark, returning at 1pm and 3.30pm.

Raise your cup for Kingsthorpe’s biggest morning tea THE Kingsthorpe community invites you to join them on Tuesday, May 20 for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea at the Kingsthorpe Memorial Hall, from 9.30am.

The latest fashions will be on show from Millers and Annette of Oakey. Guests can shop for something special at one of the fashion accessory stalls and try their luck with the multi-draw raffles.

Admission is $12 which includes brunch and a lucky door ticket. Bookings are essential so please RSVP by May 13 to Del on 4630 0048.

minutes. After 50 minutes baking time, sprinkle topping over the cheesecake and bake for a further 1520 minutes or until golden.

Cool completely in the oven with the door ajar, then refrigerate for several hours or overnight. To serve, remove the cake to

a serving plate, decorate with eggs and wrap with a ribbon if desired. Notes: Speckled candy coated chocolate eggs are available in most major supermarkets. Alternatively, pile assorted Easter eggs, both wrapped and unwrapped in the centre of the cake.

A sacrificial anode is a vital part of your hot water system, and having it inspected can be the difference between an efficiently working system or a costly replacement. Manufacturers recommend that you maintain the anode in your system in order to prevent damage from rust + corrosion. After its 5th birthday warranty expires.

THE ANODE IN YOUR SYSTEM SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO CORRODE AWAY WHATEVER TYPE OR BRAND OF SYSTEM YOU HAVE. SOLAR - Electric, Gas or Heat Pumps.

FOR A LIMITED TIME we will check your anodes free of charge.

“REMEMBER YOU CAN’T LOSE, NO ANODE REPLACEMENT NO CHARGE” Comes with a 5 year warranty Make your Hot Water System last for up to 30 years without replacement.

AUSSIE ANODES

It’s so simple, and it will save you lots of money like I have!

Roslyn Roberts of Hammond Village, Coombabah, QLD

Recently I came across a product called “Super Fresh Bags”. These bags store food in the fridge for freshness and longevity. I’m sure most of us Villagers waste fruit and vegetables because they “go off” before we get to use them up completely. Well, this need not happen anymore and the proof is in the pudding.

Prior to Christmas I put various items in these bags to test. On returning from holidays some three weeks later, all of my vegetables were as I left them in the refrigerator – fresh and ready to eat. In fact, I now have had some spring onions stored for over six weeks and they are still fresh.

A cut, half-used, cucumber, which normally goes mushy and soggy because of the water content is still fine after three weeks and mint is now fresher and crisper than when I put it in and it has been there for over three weeks too.

My personal experience with these bags has been nothing short of fantastic and for what it is worth I want to share this with you. Not only is your fruit and vegetables fresh but the bags pay for themselves in no time. My fridge has about 10 bags in it now with various contents – all fresh and preserved for use when I need them. And the best part is the bags are washable and reusable over and over again. I have been using my bags for over 12 months now and they are still going strong.

You will find that these bags have a myriad of uses and it is just a matter of experimenting. The bags have a very minimal cost and are posted free all over Australia.

Go on line and visit www.superfreshbags.com.au for more information or to make a purchase or if you don’t have access to a computer call Super Fresh Bags on 07-5529 7743.

They are pleased to answer any questions you may have, and help with your orders. www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

April 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 25

community news Out and About

Red Hatters of Toowoomba THE Outrageous Red Hatters of Toowoomba exchanged their purple attire for green to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. This a very special day for the ladies as it is the only get together all year that they do not wear their Purple and Red colours. They meet each Monday morning starting their week with lots of fun, laughter and friendship.

You can contact Heather on 4630 9570.

Left: Pictured are Back Row from left, Elsa Parsons, Bette Wicks, Bett Morgan, Ruth Robertson, Maree Greer, Gwen O’Rourke, Janette McDonald, partly obscured are Norma Calcutt and Marie Sprenger. 2nd Row, Joyce Madsen (seated) Norma Scanlan, Betty Cullinan, Maureen Town, Mary Goody, Jeanette Delves, Wendy Fogarty, Reita Sterling and Carmel Lewis.

Front both seated Queen Heather Smith and Adriana Polanen.

This photo was taken in front of a large historical photograph of Russell St Toowoomba.

Afternoon garden party raises funds for Motor Neurone Disease ACROSS Middle Ridge, the warm autumn air was filled with the harmonious sounds of voices lifted in song, tea cups clinking and laughter carried over

tables, in the delightful grounds of the home of Les and Jenny Louis.

Mr and Mrs Louis were hosts, on behalf of the Rotary Club of Toowoomba East, of a

garden party fundraiser for Motor Neurone Disease. Blue skies and perfect weather made for a delightful afternoon for nearly 200 people who attended

the fundraiser on Saturday, April 5.

Guests were entertained by the Toowoomba Vocal Ensemble, an allmale fashion parade – modelling the best

boutique clothing from Save the Children charity shop, and various “celebrities in disguise”, some of whom are probably still unrecognisable.

Garden party hostess Jenny Louis (centre) had been busy topping up cups of coffee when she stopped for a chat with Cath Wright (left), and Del Whitling from Warwick

Debbie Franks, John and Joann Williams, and Lex Franks relaxed in the afternoon sunshine Ted Lewis

Maureen and Andy Burke found a shady spot in the garden

Liz Robinson (left) of Stones Corner Rotary and Jennifer Haynes (whose husband is in Wynnum Supporting Motor Neurone Disease are (from left) Joan Kennedy Manly Rotary) caught up over a cuppa at the and Lyn Dayas from Rotary Toowoomba East, Gail Armstrong Middle Ridge garden party and Sonia Armstrong Page 26 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - April 2014

Deniece and Harry Dean

GARDEN City National Seniors celebrating St. Patricks Day on 17th March in their new venue for meetings at Drayton Bowls Club. www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

HOLIDAY & Leisure Cruising the mighty Mekong River I THINK unlike large ship ocean cruising, river cruising is about where you are. Instead of the ship being the focal point where 2000 plus people find their entertainment it is the scenery you float past that is the entertainment and nowhere is this more true than the Mekong River.

The Mekong is a serious river. The longest river in Southeast Asia it runs for 4350km starting in China and running past and through Tibet, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Well over 60 million people (nearly 3 times the Australian population) live along the lower Mekong. The volume of water is so large that it is measured in cubic kilometres. An average of 470 of them flow through Vietnam every year! As the farmer from NSW we met on board kept saying, “If only we could get this river through Queensland down into NSW and onto South Australia!” The river is everything to these people. They bath in it (yep the bottom end of 4350km), fish in it, harvest from it, irrigate from it, shift their produce on

Experienced Travel and ping Centre, 144 South Phone: Cruise, Southtown Shop- Street, Toowoomba. 4636 2622

GET LOCKED UP

it and in many cases live on it. As simple as no river, no life.

We had flown into Ho Chi Minh City the night before and then bussed to the river port to join the cruise on the The Jahan.

Part of the Heritage Line, The Jahan is a purpose built river ship designed for the Mekong.

With only 26 suites it is an intimate experience. All suites have a good sized balcony, a huge bathroom with walk in shower and a sitting area with its own window to the river and two even have a spa on the balcony. Briefings and movies take place in the lounge and the dining room with spectacular views leads out onto the

bar. Drinks are about the only thing not included but are very reasonably priced. The colonial English décor throughout The Jahan screams out gin and tonics and solar topees.

The meals are more often buffet than a la carte which enables the chefs to demonstrate their skills over a wide variety of foods. Naturally there is a south east Asian slant but enough variety to suit most and special dietary requirements are catered for.

We were lucky enough to be on-board for New Years Eve and were treated to a most spectacular bbq on the deck.

As the number of guests

is so small, meals are also great to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.

Shore excursions were split into morning and afternoon excursions. This meant lunch and a rest on the ship which in the warmer months would be a godsend.

The excursion groups were small and the guides friendly, knowledgeable and interesting. Transport was varied with oxcarts, tuk-tuks, small boats, cyclos and mini vans all getting a turn. To sum it up this was one of the best holidays we have had! Craig Mathieson,

Book prior to 30th April Seniors & Retirees Groups receive 1 hour guided tour through the Gaol with tea & coffee included

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

Shen Yun - Ancient Culture Reborn

© 2013 Shen Yun Performing Arts

FOR 5,000 years in China, culture was heralded as a divine gift.

Its glory was the inspiration of countless artists and poets, until this heritage was nearly lost…

Based in New York, Shen Yun Performing Arts seeks to revive this once majestic tradition by creating a production worthy in its beauty of this noble history something that enriches the lives of audiences in powerful, lasting ways.

The New York-based Shen Yun is the first

company to present classical Chinese dance on a global scale and has taken the world by storm, performing in over 100 cities. In a collection of vignettes, audiences journey from ancient legends to contemporary tales of courage, from the highest heavens to the dusty plateaus of the Middle Kingdom.

Shen Yun is traditional Chinese culture as it was meant to be experienced. Dozens of dancers in dazzling costumes move in

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

seamless, flowing patterns.

China’s ethnic and folk dance styles fill the stage with color and energy. A full, live orchestra blends East and West like no other.

Thunderous battle drums, masterful vocalists, and spectacular backdrops transport you to another world.

Shen Yun will perform at The Arts Centre Gold Coast, 24-27 April. For tickets and more information visit ShenYun.com/ GoldCoast.

April 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 27

HOLIDAY & Leisure Ready for a European Adventure?

THESE days, with cheap flights it is becoming so much more affordable to visit international destinations and with so much enquiry, Stonestreets are in the midst of developing international tours to many exciting destinations – worldwide.

These will complement the many tours Stonestreets operate throughout Australia. To make tours more personal for the traveller, Stonestreets are specializing in small group International tours.

In 2012, Stonestreets first international tour visited the USA. This wonderful tour saw many magnificent sights; Yosemite National Park, The Arches National Park in Utah, Monument Valley, The Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and heaps more.

The group shared many wonderful sights and times together. They are all eager for the next ‘instalment’ to arrive.

Stonestreets next destination will be to

streets for many years.

But Zermatt is also famous for the magnificent scenery and mountains of the Swiss Alps. Almost one-third of all the 4,000+ metre tall mountains in the Alps are grouped around Zermatt, the most prominent of these being the Matterhorn.

The next section of this European tour will be on board a river cruise following the Rhine River from Switzerland to Amsterdam. Travelling in absolute luxury, cruise through the Rhine River valleys and gorges viewing idyllic scenery, historic castles and Europe in April 2015.

Bev and Rob from Stonestreets (who also escorted the USA tour) are travelling to Europe this month to plan the tour and visit many of the places which will be included in the 2015 European tour.

Starting in France, Stonestreets European tour will spend a couple of days in Paris visiting well known landmarks

such as the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower. Travel north through Belgium WW1 battlefields where Australians soldiers are honoured in many war memorials dotted throughout the fields.

Visit historic villages while travelling to Holland to view the much photographed windmills of Kinderdijk.

Cruise through the

bustling port at Rotterdam then wander through fields of colourful tulips near Amsterdam.

In Germany, enjoy several nights staying in the tiny hamlet of Zell, sitting right beside the Moselle River. The people of Zell will take delight in showing off their homes, castles and other historic buildings in this small town right

cathedrals while enjoying fine dining and local wines.

Stonestreets are confident this tour will sell quickly. Already so many people have placed their names on the list. It is recommend anyone interested call Stonestreets for more information or attend Stonestreets ‘Info Arvo’ on the 30th May following Bev and Rob’s return from Europe with first-hand information and many pictures. The ‘Info Arvo’ is FREE to attend but bookings are essential. To book phone Stonestreets on 07 4687 5555.

in the centre of the moselle wine region of Germany. From Zell, the tour will continue through the Black Forest – famous for cuckoo clocks, spa towns and Black Forest cake!

The land leg of the tour will finish in Switzerland.

Spend two nights in the alpine village of Zermatt – famous because it hasn’t seen a combustion engine car in its

Absolute Riverfront with breathtaking views of the Noosa River!

Your perfect holiday accommodation!

Cayman Quays apartments are situated on the stunning Noosa River with a small sandy beach and a private jetty for guests our re enjoyed

cent

lly a, t we rea Dear Juli e to tell you tha d much hav ays. eded an u again We just u e n Q e n a w yo ing aym stay at C ent had everyth to staying with d m r t r a a Our ap ing forw are look Kind regards, e W . e r mo ay. ext holid toria. on our n z. Wodonga, Vic Li Toli and

Affordable holiday accommodation including: • Fully self contained airconditioned apartments with ceiling fans • Direct river access - no roads to cross • Heated pool and spa • Gas barbecue • Complimentary use of rowboats, kayaks, fishing rods & adult bicycles • Complimentary DVD library • Free guests laundry • Free Wifi

All spacious Apartments are 1, 2 & 3 bedrooms.

There is also a 4 bedroom & 3 bathroom townhouse perfect for families

en ment wh e is t r e v d ive this a n to rece io t Mention a v r e s our re NT! making y NIORS DISCOU your SE

Cayman Quays I 100 Hilton Terrace, Noosaville I Phone: (07) 5449 7922 M: 1800 638 068 I Email: manager@caymanquays.com.au I www.caymanquays.com.au Page 28 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - April 2014

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

HOLIDAY & Leisure Oasis on the Sunshine Coast You can also buy your bait just a three minute walk down the road. If you wish to bring your own boat this is no problem as there is a ramp nearby.

There is a private jetty for the fishing enthusiasts where also in the evening you can sit and fish or just sit with a glass of wine and take in the sounds of the teeming birdlife and watch the moonrise with the odd boat cruising past.

As far as eating goes if you don’t want to cook in your unit there is a gas barbecue available near the pool so you can watch the grandchildren while you do your cooking and there are plenty of shaded tables and seats.

There is a shopping centre with everything you may need just five minutes away and a bowling club open for meals and drinks just an easy walk down the road.

Cayman Quays is in Toli Kolisnyk caught a good feed of mud crabs such a great location recently while staying at Cayman Quays, that also just a short ten Noosaville minute walk will take you to a riverfront park with cooking facilities parkland. Cayman SITUATED on the and children’s playQuays is the perfect beautiful Noosa River, grounds. place for a family Cayman Quays holiday Call the friendly manageholiday or for couples resort is the perfect who just want to escape ment team today to book place to escape to your next break. I complete relaxation and the bustle of home and guarantee you won’t be town life. recreation. The modern disappointed.

You just have to bring fully self contained yourself as everything is Cheers Toli ( Senior apartments have world traveller ) provided for you at no everything you would Remember to ask for cost. You have complipossibly need and are your Seniors Discount mentary use of bicycles, available in 1, 2 and 3 when booking, and kayaks, dvd’s, and if bedrooms or for larger you are into fishing then mention where you read groups there is also a 4 you can have the use of about this offer. Cayman bedroom fully self Quays, 100 Hilton a row boat and fishing contained town house.

Terrace, Noosaville The riverside apartments gear.

Phone: (07) 5449 7922 have balconies or patios A fantastic thing about Email: manager@ the fishing gear is that overlooking the Noosa caymanquays.com.au even if you are a novice River and face on to a the gear is simple to use. www.caymanquays.com.au wide open grassed

Give Me the Lockyer Valley any day THE Lockyer Valley will be known throughout Queensland as the perfect place for a Sunday drive to the open country or a place to sit back and take part in a rural lifestyle.

Recently Council partnered with Brisbane Marketing and the ‘Give me Brisbane any day’ campaign. The campaign was designed to encourage locals and visitors alike to become vocal advocates of the region’s attractions and to share their holiday experiences and photos online.

Mayor Steve Jones encouraged residents to get behind the campaign and promote our region.

“We are the home to

well as morning tea all for only $50. This pass is valid until the end of August.

The family day pass and other special offers are available for purchase at www.luvya throughout the region. lockyer.com.au some well-known “I encourage all resi“To capitalise on our attractions like the dents to become strong association with the Queensland Transport advocates for our region ‘Give me Brisbane any Museum and Spring and encourage family day’ marketing Bluff Railway Station and friends to visit the campaign we have a it’s time for the rest of sights of the Lockyer number of special Queensland to see the Valley. offers throughout the beauty in the Lockyer “As well as an array of region valid until Valley,” he said. natural beauty we have August and we will be “A number of our leveraging off the tourism operators were some great offers through our tourism campaign’s presence featured within this operators like the throughout campaign along with Queensland by our region to encourage Lockyer Valley family day pass.” running subsequent more tourists to the The Lockyer Valley advertising locally,” Cr area. family day pass gives Jones said.

“Having the Lockyer For further information Valley feature so heavily two adults and two children entry and on the ‘Give me in this campaign will Brisbane any day’ have significant positive guided tours through the Laidley Pioneer campaign visit economic impacts for Village and Queensland www.visitbrisbane.com.au/ our local tourist operaTransport Museum as brisbanesbackyard tors and businesses

Long Term Options Available

199 Boundary Street, Coolangatta Qld 4225

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

April 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 29

HOLIDAY & Leisure Chopin: Alive and well in Warsaw Phil Hawkes

ARRIVING in Poland’s capital at Frederic Chopin Airport, you begin to realise the legacy of that famous musician, regarded as a native of Warsaw even though he spent the last half of his 39 years in Paris.

There’s no doubt that Chopin was one of the greatest Romantic composers, and the city doesn’t let you forget that.

To start with, a walking tour of Warsaw is a great way to feel the throb of its heartbeat.

The friendly and knowledgable guides from the Tourist Information Office will show you around the Old Town and New Town areas, and you’ll be amazed by the reconstruction and renovation of the Royal Castle, the squares and the houses that were completely destroyed

during WW2 and rebuilt during the Soviet era. A visit to the Historical Museum will bring this to life with photographic clarity and a sense of disbelief that like a phoenix, Warsaw has risen from the ashes of catastrophe to become a modern thriving city.

One highlight is a tour of the Chopin Museum, housed in an impressive mansion near the Old Town. The refurbished building was opened only recently, in 2010 and contains rare original manuscripts and instruments of interest to scholars and musicians; for the rest of us mere “music lovers” there are interactive displays and audio visual consoles where you can listen to just about every one of Chopin’s compositions.

There’s an obvious emotional connection between his music and Poland’s troubled history forged by wars,

Polish Jews and a walk along the traces of the former ghetto area and fragments of the wall will bring these events to horrifying life.

Another moving experience awaits at the Warsaw Uprising Museum which chronicles the struggles of the Polish people against Nazi occupation in 1944, when WW2 was in its death throes and the Soviet Army was advancing. The Polish resistance movement, hoping to overcome the Germans and declare indepenoccupations and tribulations and it gives the visitor an insight into Polish pride and the nationalism which is evident today.

One of the most emotive parts of any Warsaw tour is to understand the “Jewish experience”.

It’s widely known that in WW2, the occupying

German forces forced the Jewish population of about 400,000 into a walled ghetto area of no more than 3.5 sq.kms.

Of those, about 250,000 were deported to extermination camps like Treblinka and most of the remainder starved to death.

A visit to the Museum of the History of the

dence before the Soviets arrived, suffered massive losses and savage retribution leading to the demolition of 85% of the city.

These are the darker sides of Polish history, but attending one of the many musical events Warsaw is famous for, especially in one of the beautiful churches, will remind you of the more positive side of the human spirit…the spirit so evident in the music of Frederic Chopin. www.warsawtour.pl http://chopin.museum

Walkers to see heritage homes and buildings during walks at Sandgate WALKERS will be able to see some beautiful historical buildings and homes that have been restored on walks being held during Australian Heritage Week in April at Sandgate.

Walks will take place onSaturday 12th and Sunday 13th April 2014.They will take approximately two hours commencing at 9:30am.

A number of old homes and buildings will be seen during the two walks including Meridian historical home and the former Baptist Church (see

Queensland Heritage Festival with the theme ‘Journeyswalking back through time’ on Sat 3 May. During Queensland One of the historical Week, buildings to be seen on the walks on walk with guide Pam Verney Sat 7 June with the pic).The activity is being theme home and Sunday 8 June with organised by members the theme buildings of the Sandgate and will be held.

District Historical Museum and guide Pam Bookings are essential. Cost is $20 which Verney. will include morning Also in April, the tea. Telephone the Bluewater Festival Sandgate and District comes to the Museum.

This will be on Friday 18 Historical Museum on 3869 2283 (leave April and Sunday 20 message after hours) April. Later in the year, or phone guide Pam walks will also be 0410 327 095. conducted for

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 - April 2014

email: enquiries@mypersonaltravelplanner.com.au

www.mypersonaltravelplanner.com.au

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

HOLIDAY & Leisure 2015 European River Cruising, 2015 at 2014 prices for April - solo travellers welcome

WHILST 2015 seems so far away, it is a fantastic time of year to lock in some wonderful deals on European River Cruises with just a deposit before April 30, 2014.

I always love to find something a little different and Evergreen Tours offers just the thing on board their new custombuilt deluxe ships, Emerald Sky and Emerald Star.

These ships are exclusive to Evergreen Tours and will launch in April 2014, cruising the ever-popular Rhine, Main, Danube & Moselle Rivers which have pools on board that are converted to cinemas in the evenings. Solo Travellers will avoid a single supplement on an Emerald Stateroom Category D or E on cruises between Amsterdam and Budapest, or Amsterdam and Basel.

The Evergreen Tours philosophy is to reward guests who book early with the best offers. The 2015 Europe River Cruis-

ing Preview offers are Evergreen’s best deals for the season.

All you need to do is hop on board, unpack and watch the beauty of Europe pass by.

Evergreen’s European

river cruises are renowned for their exceptional quality and value. Prices include full buffet breakfasts, lunches and à la carte dinners; wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; all tipping

and gratuities; port taxes and charges; airport transfers, and the services of an Evergreen Cruise Director.

A range of fully escorted shore excursions are also included and guests can

personalise their holiday with Discover More options.

Evergreen Tours has released their new 2015 Deluxe Europe River Cruising Pre-Release brochure which features Fly Free to

Europe Including Taxes, PLUS either 2015 at 2014 prices or guaranteed best 2015 prices on selected cruise tours. Guests can Fly Free* to Europe return including taxes, and be guaranteed that our 2015 cruise tours are either held at 2014 prices* (April, October, November departures), or are Evergreen’s best 2015 prices* (May-September departures).

The 15 day Splendours of Europe River Cruise seamlessly links to Evergreen’s popular escorted touring programmes like Britain & Ireland, Eastern Europe, Western Europe or Turkey, just to name a few.

City extensions are available in Paris, Prague and London, including a special Chelsea Flower Show extension. Selected offers include:21 Day Paris to Prague Tour & Cruise is from $8,595pp twin share*, includes Fly Free deal.

21 Day Chelsea Flower

Show Tour & Cruise is $9,615pp twin share*, includes Fly Free deal.

24 Day Eastern Europe Tour & Cruise is from $9,495pp twin share*, includes Fly Free deal.

24 Day Normandy, Anzac Battlefields Tour & Cruise is from $9,895pp twin share*, includes Fly Free deal.

26 Day Grand Alpine Tour & Cruise is from $10,470pp twin share*, includes Fly Free deal.

29 Day Wonders of Turkey & Cruise is from $9,990pp twin share*, includes Fly Free deal. 33 Day Ultimate Europe Tour & Cruise is from $13,480pp twin share*, includes Fly Free deal.

Call in to our office to collect an Evergreen Tours brochure or give us a call on 0746378235 and we can pop one in the mail for you. Until next month, thank you for allowing us to take the hassle out of your travel planning.

Ainsley @ My Personal Travel Planner.

Flower event not to be missed THE Queensland Council of Garden Clubs, represents over 120 Garden Clubs throughout Queensland, from Cairns in the north down to Tweed Heads in the south.

Once again our premier Garden Event of the year is on at the Mt Coot-tha.

Auditorium at the Botanic Gardens in Toowong, from 10 a m to 4 p m on Saturday 26th April 2014 and from 9.30 a m to 3.00 p m on Sunday 27th April 2014.

The theme this year is “LEST WE FORGET’.

We will have interesting guest speakers on both days, talking on subjects such as Organic Gardening, Indoor Plants, Roses,

Gems of the South: Argentina - Brazil - Peru 3 April 2015 - 23 Days Huge display of flowers and plants to view

Bromeliads, Floral Art, Herbs and African Violets.

There will be a fabulous Display of flowers, plants and floral art.

Friendly advice on gardening problems, and local garden club information. Plants and

garden products for sale. Delicious Refreshments and a Raffle with many prizes. For further information please contact Lizzie Parkinson on 07 3878 6185 or 0412 755 500. Visit our website at: www.qcgc.net

Northern Treasures: Mexico - Guatemala 16 May 2015 - 25 Days

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 www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

PH: 4632 9688

April 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 31

HOLIDAY & Leisure Caravanning not for clueless campers

By Johnny Damn Van HOW friendly, I thought, as I glanced sideways at an overtaking driver waving at us as we trundled along a country road. So friendly, it seemed, that even after passing he continued flapping his left arm up and down like a demented seagull with only one wing.

Ah, the caravanning life.

Out here, complete strangers will communicate without hesitation, even travelling at 100kmh.

Unfortunately the seagull

wasn’t exactly saying hello; what he really wanted to signal was the fact that the cap from our tent pole tube on the back of the van had come off and poles were protruding precariously from the left side of the van, neatly taking the heads off dandelions along the side of the road.

“Horse feathers!” I yelled, although I may well have said something else.

I pulled up, replaced the cap, and drove on in embarrassed silence, speculating that I may not have

• Accommodation at 4 star Chifley Plaza • Meals on tour • Day tour to Magnetic Island • Castle Hill and town orientation tour • Markets, Perc Tucker Museum, Reef HQ Aquarium • Museum of North Qld, Hervey’s Ranges Heritage Tea Gardens • Army Museum of North Qld • Helpful fun tour host Tour dates: 20th June (more dates later in the year)

• Staying at Daydream Island, Airlie Beach & Cairns Queenslander • Delicious meals • Airlie Markets, Yacht Club & orientation tour • Daydream Island Coral Reef Lagoon • Atherton Tablelands & Kuranda Kyrail • Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, Daintree River • Harbour Cruise and Trinity Inlet • Helpful fun tour hose Tour dates: 18th July or 22nd Aug or 12th Sept

A small van gathering - without too much technical talk

• Accommodation at 4 star Cairns Queenslander • Meals on tour • Gorgeous Green Island - including glass bottom boat tour • Travel up the tablelands to Mareeba & Jacques Coffee Plantation, explore Kuranda then travel on Skyrail • Paronella Park, Innisfail, Scenic Cassowary Coast • Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, Daintree River Cruise • Helpful fun tour host Tour Dates: 11th May, 30th June (more dates later in the year)

• Stay at Airlie Beach & also Beautiful 4 ½ star Daydream Island • Enjoy feeding the tropical fish & stingrays in Coral Reef Lagoon • Meals on tour • Hamilton Island with coach tour of Island • Explore the beautiful coastal village of Bowen • Tour Prosperpine and surrounds including the museum • Airlie Beach Orientation Tour, Airlie Markets & Sailing Club Helpful fun tour host Tour Dates: 16th May, 5th Sept (more dates later in the year)

secured the cap properly in the first place. This little episode, although reasonably harmless, had served to put a dent in this firsttime senior caravanner’s considerable ego; all my previous ‘she’ll be right’ bluster had evaporated, and soon I found myself running through a check list of real and imagined dangers connected with the big white thing being dragged behind our fourwheel-drive.

Tow bar connected.

Check. Safety chains.

Check. Wheels going around. Check. Brake lights. Check. Reality.

Check. The more I thought about things to check, the more it became obvious that I didn’t know how to describe most of the equipment in that onetonne plus, creaking monster that kept tailgating us. I knew the term ‘caravan’ but pretty well every-

thing else was a ‘thingy’ or a ‘gizmo’. I even speculated, at one point, that caravans might have some sort of engine in them but quickly dismissed that idea. There’s no fuel cap.

Thankfully most of the half a million caravan and campervan owners in Australia know more than this novice does. Caravan parks are not really caravan parks at all. They are travelling road shows of equipment, pure and simple.

It’s oneupmanship at its most uppish.

If your awning is yawning, if your jockey wheel is for Shetland ponies, if your battery charger is not larger, if your fridge isn’t really cool, if your inverter isn’t 5000 watts (what?), don’t bother applying to the grey nomad wagon train.

So much to learn . . .

Kenilworth Cheese, Wine & Food Festival is back at Easter

KENILWORTH’S award-winning gourmet cheeses, yoghurts and ice creams are just some of the tempting items on offer at the Kenilworth Cheese, Wine and Food Festival on Easter Saturday, April 19th.

Thousands of people take the scenic drive to the Mary Valley to spend the day tasting the unique range of the Mary Valley’s finest foods, liqueurs and wines.

It’s a Farm to Fork Feast where you can come on an agrarian adventure to meet the growers and producers of the valley’s fine fare.

Pick up some tips on cooking with bush tucker foods and how to grow your own, or try your hand at Queensland’s only Cheese Rolling Contest.

For the kids, don’t miss the fantastic Cheester Egg Hunt. Rediscover the simple pleasure of a day in Mary Valley Country. The whole family will enjoy celebrating Easter Saturday in Kenilworth - the heart of the Mary Valley. Open from 7am - 4pm. Entry is free.

Crossword Answers From page 34

Tour Date 7th Oct

Page 32 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - April 2014

Tour Date: 2nd Sept

Brain Training Solution From page 35

Mind the Gap: Remodel, Fresher, Minutes, Decapod, Forceps, Thimble, Improve, Faraway The shaded word is: Metaphor Add Up: 55 Word Builder: Giant, Agent, Angel, Genie, Liege, Glint, Engine, Genial, Negate, Eating, Gannet, Gentle, Leaning, Lineage, Antigen, Gentian, Entangle, Gelatine, Inelegant, Eglantine www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

‘Let Us Entertain You’ . . .

37th Brisbane Model train show planned for 3rd and 4th May at Doomben Racecourse

THE Queensland Branch of the Australian Model Railway Association (AMRA-Qld) is on track for a fantastic model train show to be held on 3rd and 4th May in Brisbane. The AMRA-Qld is a nonprofit association incorporated in Queensland.

The show which is the 37th annual event is to be held at the Doomben Racecourse. Entry is via gate 2 off Nudgee Road or gate 5 Hampden Street, Ascot.

This year also celebrates the 60th year of the Australian Model Railway Association (AMRA) Queensland Branch.

The Queensland Branch is located at 20 Murphy Road, Zillmere and meets on Tuesdays from 10am until 3pm and most Saturdays (except the 5 th Saturday of any month) from 12:30-4pm. Tuesday involves the affectionally called Daylighter’s Group which operates the indoor rail facility. On the third Saturday of the month, the Garden Railway operates at the Zillmere venue from 10am

to 2pm. This involves an outdoor large scale facility for 32mm and 45 mm gauge track powered, battery, clockwork and live steam garden railway models.

Geoff Cook has constructed an Atlantic 4-42 scale model of the Southern Bell train which is a replica of the service that used to be run by the London Brighton and South Coast Railway Company in the UK. Wilhelm Speldewinde and Warren Fleming run a German scale model LGB G 45mm gauge train (pictured).

Donations from the general public who would like to assist the group in any way are most welcome at the Zillmere facility.

The Queensland Branch currently has 260 financial members. New members willing to assist with the Brisbane Model Train Show would be appreciated as it is a major event. President Bruce Meiklejohn said that visitors were always welcome to visit the Zillmere facility prior to making a

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

What’s on at the Empire Theatre in the next month

Wilhelm Speldewinde (Redcliffe) and Warren Fleming (Alderley) run a German model train on the garden railway track at Zillmere

decision to join. Family, senior and student membership is available.

The highlight of the year will be the annual Brisbane model train show at Doomben Racecourse. This will feature a large range of train shops and steam trains for the backyard. There will also be interactive displays for children and demonstrations of wagon and building assembly.

Families and children are

welcome. Adult entry is $13; concession $10; children (5-15) $6 and children under 5 free. For more information, see the website www.brisbanemodeltrain

show.com.au or visit the Zillmere facility in person during operational days or telephone 3862 9633 (answering machine after hours).

For your chancee to WIN one of 2 Family Passes to this fantastic model train show, please forward your entry to: AMIRA Competition, Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors Newspaper, PO Box 1062, Tewantin, 4565 with your name, address and phone number on the back of an envelope no later than 21 April, 2014.

April 3 to 13: The Phantom of the Opera – Heritage Bank presents the Empire Theatres production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s international award winning musical April 17: 11am Morning Melodies – Back to the Tivoli with Wayne Cornell April 17: 8pm Kris Kristofferson – Now in Australia for an extensive tour on the back of the release of his album Feeling Mortal April 23: 8pm Don Quixote – Imperial Russian Ballet Company returns with their flamboyant and festive ballet April 27: 7.30pm Boy and Bear – Homegrown band Boy & Bear are bringing their Harlequin Dream tour April 30 to May 3: Empire Youth Arts Term 2 Workshops – Empire Youth Arts drama workshops resume in Term 2 May 1 to May 2: Pete the Sheep – A brandnew 50-minute musical, based on Jackie French and Bruce Whatley’s quirky and quintessentially Australian picture book May 2: 8pm Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow – The ultimate comedy roadtrip returns May 5: 7pm Marty Putz: Very Weird and Slightly Dangerous – Flying hamsters?

Marshmallow fights? Marty’s show has to be seen to be believed!

For more information go to www.empiretheatre.com.au or phone the box office on 1300 655 299.

April 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 33

community news Seniors Twospeed Crossword Straight Clues

Cryptic Clues ACROSS 2 Alcoholic drinks from lucid erstwhile inclusions 5 Bring about the measure of a caudal appendage 7 Have the current punk otherwise remove the contents of a trunk 8 Out of another example in that respect 11 The host of the 2016 Olympic games in Ontario province 12 Soundly transmitted a fragrance 14 Somehow operates west end light-hearted musical works 16 Awkward, maladroit, and out of place 17 Ridicule a skeletal piece 18 Informally, a thousand dollars is excellent 20 Aladdin nervously took in lunch 21 Detain a resident

ACROSS 2 Apple juices 5 Result in 7 Open 8 In that place 11 American river 12 Perfume 14 Short musical dramas 16 Unsuitable 17 Curved bone 18 Very good 20 Main meal 21 Imprison 22 Recluse DOWN 1 Speak angrily 2 Inkling 3 Portray 4 Have second thoughts 6 Overall 9 Look forward to 10 A fraud 12 Sun 13 Deserve 15 Namesake 18 Gravel 19 Poker stake

Auspac Media - Answers on Page 32

A shining light for the region

BRISBANE MODEL TRAIN SHOW

AS one of the largest agriculture regions throughout Australia, the Lockyer Valley was built on the back of the transport industry.

Mayor Steve Jones said the support from this industry had remained strong over the years and this was evident by the 585 trucks which gathered at the Gatton Showgrounds in Februrary for the annual Lights on the Hill convoy.

“The transport industry plays such a significant role in our history and this event gives us a chance to thank truck drivers and their families for their contributions,” he said. “It’s estimated about 10,000 people attended this year which gives you an indication of how important truckies are to the Lockyer Valley.

The Australian Model Railway Association Queensland Branch Inc A non-profit Association Incorporated in Queensland.

Presents

MODEL TRAINS OF ALL TYPES & SIZES A great day out for the whole family

The LARGEST TRAIN SHOW in Queensland • Large range of Train Shops and Layouts • Interactive displays for children • Thomas Ride On Train for Children • “How to” Demonstrations • Lego Train Layouts and Sales DOOMBEN RACECOURSE ENTRY VIA GATE 2 Nudgee Rd or Gate 6 HAMPDEN STREET, ASCOT, BRISBANE

1st Weekend MAY 2014 Saturday 3rd May 9am - 5pm Sunday 4th May 9am - 4pm Adults $13; Pensioner $10; Children (5-15) $6 WHEELCHAIR ACCESS HOT & COLD FOOD & DRINKS GOLD COIN DONATION FOR PARKING TO SCOUTS

More information on our website:www.brisbanemodeltrainshow.com.au

the commonwealth member of the hospi9 Count on Bob tal medical staff 22 One who lives in soli- 10 The rowdy party is a deception tude with some of the 12 Play the lead in the other mites best arrangements 13 Be entitled to make DOWN money 1 Talk wildly in the 15 A derived place name travel centre from a small horse in 2 Evidence of 150 blue a foremost emerheelers gency 3 Made pictures 18 Indomitable toughshorter, to illustrate ness of small 4 About to contemparticles of stone plate doing some19 An advance payment thing - think again! in Canterbury 6 Everywhere around

Word Trivia Asthma begins and ends with a vowel but has no other vowels in between. Some less common long words with this property are isthmi (alternate plural of isthmus), aphtha and eltchi.

Backyard Buddies website educates about creatures inhabiting your backyard DID you know there are more than one hundred known species of huntsman spiders in Australia?

No? Neither did I, but then if you are like me, you probably don’t care how many there are as long as they are not on your bedroom ceiling when you go to bed at night!

Personally, spiders in my house scare me stiff but funnily enough, I can deal with them in the garden – I guess that’s because they are in their own environment. However, after reading about these creepy (sorry, did I say creepy, I meant amazing) creatures on the Backyard Buddies website, I’m almost convinced we could live in harmony (maybe). Backyard Buddies is a super-cool website run by an Australian environmental notfor-profit organisation, Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife. It is the go-to place for finding out information about what is living in our gardens and backyards. It provides the answer to those tricky nature ques-

formed and up-to-date about what’s living in your backyard (my tip is to read this first before you talk to the grandkids

Use the Backyard Buddies website to find out about animals, insects and birds such as this tawny frogmouth which was spotted at St Andrew’s Hospital

tions that the grandkids ask. Subjects include birds, frogs, insects, reptiles, plants and mammals that inhabit your plot of earth. Online fact sheets give you the lowdown on the who’s who of your backyard. You can find

out how to create a “buddy” habitat that will attract native species to your backyard and there is a handy help section for “buddies” in trouble.

Sign up for the free monthly email newsletter that will keep you in-

Who do you call…

Seniors Card 137 468 or 1800 175 500 (free call outside Brisbane) Centrelink: Retirement 132 300 Disability, Sickness & Carers 132 717 Employment Services 132 850 Seniors Enquiry Line 1300 135 500 Department of Veteran Affairs 133 254

Page 34 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - April 2014

– at least that way, you’ll sound like you know something!).

Check outwww.back yardbuddies.net.au.

Veteran Affairs Network 1300 551 918 National Information Centre on Retirement Investments (NICRI) 1800 020 110 National Aged Care Information 1800 200 422 www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au

Exciting NEW Facilites JUST OPENED Come try our NEW Outdoor Kitchen with BBQ & Pizza Oven along with our New Bali Hut Perfect for having your lunch, afternoon tea or just relaxing

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

‘Let Us Entertain You’ . . .

Seniors enjoy a ‘day inside’ during visits to historic Boggo Road Gaol SINCE public tours of Brisbane’s historic Boggo Road Gaol started in 2012, many seniors clubs have welcomed the amazing experiences that a ‘day inside’ offers.

The 90- minute tour through the gaol’s heritage-listed Number Two Division is a short, gentle walk through history and includes time to explore one of the original cellblocks, ask questions and take in the surroundings. Seniors clubs that have enjoyed the experience include the Bellbowrie Probus Club,

A group of seniors club members enjoy a historic tour of Boggo Road Gaol Lowood Seniors, and Rochedale Probus after rain. It was officially red brick walls and imposCalamvale National Se- Club. Boggo Road Gaol known as the Brisbane ing guard tower on niors, Regency Park Re- was named after the road Prison. For over a century Annerley Road becoming tirement Village, Carina which led to it, that be- it has dominated the sky- iconic for all the wrong and District Probus Club came a boggy quagmire line of Brisbane, its stark reasons.

Toowoomba Sing Australia

Japanese sister city exchanges photographs for touring exhibition

The gaol opened in 1883 and was used mainly as a holding prison for those serving short sentences or on remand. Its initial infamy came as a place of execution.

In 1903, a new purposebuilt separate women’s gaol was created. After nearly 20 years of use, HM Gaol for Women was closed and the female occupants shifted to another part of the prison site.

In the 1920s, the men of the St Helena Island prison in Moreton Bay were moved into the former women’s gaol. Renamed Number Two Division, this section became home to those serving the longest sentences – kill-

ers, murderers, and violent offenders. Three cellblocks became the homes of ‘lifers’.

Thousands of visitors have been guided through the last remaining section Number 2 Division on historical tours, ex officer/ex inmate tours, ghost tours and during events. A reenactment troupe, the Prison Players, have been recreating the lives of prisoners and warders every Sunday.

Boggo Road Gaol is located on Annerley Road, Dutton Park. For more information, phone the friendly staff on (07) 3844 0059 or visit www.boggoroadgaol.com or drop in to arrange a tour.

Steve and Cilla Langford comedy duo, and John Dooley Stage manager for the concert

ON Saturday afternoon March 8 Toowoomba’s branch of Sing Australia hosted a Variety Concert, in aid of the Toowoomba Hospice.

Many thanks to all the guest performers, the Philharmonic Society and the community who supported the event. A donation of $3,000 has been given to the Hospice. Sing Australia is happy to sing for any group supporting charity. Please phone 0402 158 456 for further details.

Music to your ears ARS Cantorum is presenting a Sacred Concert including the Cantata “Olivet To Calvary” by J.H. Maunder at St Marks Anglican Church, Warwick on Sunday 7th April at 2pm, and also at St James Anglican Church, Toowoomba on Sunday 13th April at 4pm. Guest soloists are local performers, tenor Phillip Prendergast and baritone Chris McNee. Admission, Adults $15, Concession/Students $10. Enquiries to 0412 327 616.

Autumn Vies at Carrs Lookout by John Stewart

WORKS featured in the Toowoomba-Takatsuki PhotographicExchange are currently on tour around the Darling Downs. This year’s exchange features a different curatorial approach with 12 works by photographers from Toowoomba’s Japanese sister city, Takatsuki, and the remaining works from Toowoomba photographers. The Toowoomba-Takatsuki PhotographicExchange started in 2006 when Toowoomba hosted the 15th anniversary celebration of its sister city relationship with Takatsuki. The Takatsuki Photographic Society curated an exhibition to commemorate the event, which was displayed in Toowoomba city hall. The initial exhibition prompted a yearly photographicexchange, fostering a cultural and artistic link that has deepened the relationship between the two cities. The association has developed into an annual event with the Takatsuki Photographic Society and Toowoomba Photographic Society (TPS) generally taking turns to host the event. The exhibition has already been displayed at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery and in Millmerran, and is now at the Oakey Cultural Centre until April 30. The display then moves to the Clifton Gallery for May before a June showing at the Pittsworth Pioneer Village.

Gatton COTA Seniors WE provide an opportunity for fun and fellowship for seniors. Hoy Rummy and other games are enjoyed on the first Wednesday of the month at 9am. Next COTA Social Day is Tuesday 15th April at 9.30 am commencing with morning tea, then Country Music with Frank, Dulcie, Bazza and friends, concluding with a 2 course lunch. Total Cost $12. All Seniors welcome. Twenty eight members enjoyed their bus trip to visit Kingaroy Seniors. We were all delighted to see our Volunteer bus driver Adrian Shepley win some novelty prizes in the progressive raffle. Come along to the Gatton Senior Citizens Centre 13 North St.

Answers on Page 32 www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au

The May edition of the Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors Newspaper is 8th May. Deadline for copy is 30th April April 2014 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - Page 35

Page 36 - Toowoomba & Darling Downs Seniors - April 2014

community news

www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au